House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 23 April 1689

Martis, 23 die Aprilis; 1° Willielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Committees.

ORDERED, That all Committees be revived.

Excise on Beer.

A Petition of the Brewers of the Town and Borough of King's Lyne in the County of Norfolke; shewing, That they have constantly brewed Beer at Thirty-six Gallons per Barrell; and that, during all the Time of the Farmers of the Excise till 1683, they paid Duties accordingly; but that, since, Beer has been returned for Ale, contrary to the Intent of the Laws; by reason whereof great Sums have been extorted from the Petitioners; and praying Consideration thereof, and Relief therein; was read.

Ordered, That the same do lie upon the Table; to be considered when the Matter of the Revenue shall come under the Consideration of the House.

Ann Astley took the Oaths at the Table, in order to her being naturalized.

East India Company.

A Petition of Thomas Sandys, and others, Owners of the Ship Comerce; complaining of the said Ship's being stopped from going her Voyage, by Order from the King and Council, when her Cargo was on board, and all Things ready for her Voyage; and that they were forced, after a Year's Time spent in several Courts about her, they were forced, to desist, and dispose of the Ship and Cargo, to their great Prejudice; and that such Proceedings are a great Violation to the Rights and Properties of the Subject; and praying the Consideration of the House therein; was read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee appointed the Eighteenth Instant, to consider of the Matter of the Petition of Charles Price, and others, and the whole Affairs of the East India Company; to examine the Matter of the said Petition; and to report the Matter, with their Opinions, to the House, with all convenient Speed.

Disarming Papists.

Sir Henry Goodrick reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for the more speedy Conviction and Disarming of Papists, was referred, That they had thought fit to make several Amendments to the Bill, and to add a Clause thereunto: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same being Once read throughout; and a Second time, one by one; were, upon the Question, severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. James have Leave to go into the Country, for a Fortnight.

Commissioners of Great Seal to execute Lord Chancellorship.

Sir Wm. Poultney reports from the Committee to whom the Bill to enable the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal to execute the Office of Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, That they had thought fit to make several Amendments thereunto: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were Once read throughout; and are as followeth:

P. 1, 1. 2, after the Word "have," leave out to the Word "and" in 1. 26; and, instead thereof, insert these Words, "thought fit, that the Office of the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England, should be executed by Commissioners appointed for the same under the Great Seal."

L. 28, after the Word "and," leave out to the Word "otherwise" in 1. 33.

L. 37, after the Word "Doubts," add the Word "and;" and, after the Word "Questions," leave out these Words, "and Scruples."

L. 39, after the Word "Powers," leave out to the Word "Commissioners" in 1. 40; and, instead thereof, insert these Words, "may be exercised by such Commissioners."

L. 44, after the Word "the" leave out the Word "Assent;" and, instead thereof, insert the Words "Advice and Consent."

L. 46, after the Word "that," leave out the Word "at" in 1. 54, P. 2; and insert these Words, "that such Commissioners for the Time being may use and exercise."

L. 55, leave out the Word "respective;" and these Words, "during their respective Commission."

L. 57, after the Words "belonging to," leave out these Words, "their Office of;" and insert the Word "the."

L. 59, between the Word "like," and the Word "Authority," insert the Word "Offices."

L. 63, between the Word "Seal," and the Word "for," insert the Words "of England."

L. 70, after the Word "and," insert these Words, "that the said Lords Commissioners, or any of them, having the Great Seal born by or before him or them shall have and take the same Place and Precedence as the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, of Right had, or ought to have, and at other Times."

L. 71, after the Word "Realm," insert these Words, "unless any of them shall happen to be a Peer; and then to take place according to his Peerage."

L. 71, leave out the Proviso to the 81 L.

L. 81, leave out the Clause after the Word "present," to the Word "notwithstanding" in 1. 89.

And afterwards the same, except the last Amendment, were read a Second time, one by one: and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, were agreed unto.

The last of the said Amendments being read a Second time; and a Debate arising thereupon;

Resolved, That the Bill be re-committed upon the Debate of the House; And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock; and all that come are to have Voices.

Abolishing Hearth-money.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cooke and Sir James Astrey;

Mr. Speaker, We are commanded by the Lords to acquaint this House, that they have passed the Bill for taking away the Hearth-money.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Act of Indemnity.

Resolved, That this House do, on Monday Morning, next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into Consideration the Heads for a Bill of General Pardon and Indemnity.

Supply Bill; Poll Tax.

Resolved, That the House do now proceed upon the Amendments reported to the Bill for granting a Supply to their Majesties by a Poll.

And the Matter touching the appointing of Commissioners for putting the Act in Execution, was resumed.

Resolved, That it be left to their Majesties to nominate Commissioners, out of those in the Act for the granting a present Aid to their Majesties, to put this Act in Execution.

Resolved, That Sir Hen. Pollexfen, Mr. Garway, Sir Rich. Temple, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir Geo. Treby, Sir Tho. Lee, Mr. Somers, Mr. Eyres, Sir Rob. Sawyer, do immediately withdraw into the Speaker's Chamber; and prepare a Clause for that Purpose.

The Residue of the Amendments to the Bill, being read a Second time, one after another, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

A Clause whereby all Tradesmen, and others, using any manual Occupation, worth Three hundred Pounds, and upwards, clear Personal Estate, should be rated as a Gentleman is, in respect of his Title; which was added at the Committee; being read the Second time;

Upon the Question put, That the House do agree with the Committee to the said Clause;

It passed in the Negative.

A Clause was offered, to be made Part of the Bill, for Masters and Mistresses to pay for their Servants, and deduct the same out of the next Wages: Which, being Twice read, was agreed unto by the House.

Another Clause was offered, to be made Part of the Bill, for their Majesties, under the Great Seal, to authorize Commissioners to put the Act in Execution: Which was Twice read; and agreed unto by the House.

Another Clause was offered, to be made Part of the Bill, for exempting the Irish Nobility and Gentry from this Tax: Which was Twice read; and agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments and Clauses, be ingrossed.

Resolved, That this House do, To-morrow Morning, at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Navy.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Nine a Clock.