House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 27 April 1696

Lunæ, 27 die Aprilis;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Ease of Jurors.

A MESSAGE from the Lords, by Sir Richard Holford, and Mr. Pitt:

Mr. Speaker,

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for the Ease of Jurors, and better Regulating of Juries, with several Amendments: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

The said Amendments were twice read; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and are as follow; viz.

1 Press, 31 L. after "Issue," add "at the Assizes."

3 Pr. 31 L. after "others," add "if so many out of the other Panels be present in Court, or can there be found."

4 Pr. 21 L. leave out "not exceeding 40s."

23 L. leave out from himself," to "and," in 27 L.

30 L. after "qualified," add "who are to be returned for Tryals of Issues joined in the Courts of Chancery, King's-Bench, Common-Pleas, or Exchequer, or:" And after "Assizes," add "Sessions of Oyer and Terminer."

5 Press, 6 L. after "upon," add "such:" And leave out from "Juries," to "with," in L. 8th.

10 L. for "Sixty," read "Seventy."

37 L. for "Eight," read "Six."

6 Press, 16 L. for "of, read "to."

38 L. for "Sixty," read "Seventy."

At the End of the Bill add the Provisoes, marked A and B.

Proviso A: That no Sheriff shall impanel any Person, to serve in any Jury, that shall not be named in the List.

Proviso B: That the Act shall not extend to any City, or Town Corporate, that have a Power, by Charter, to hold a Sessions.

Ordered, That Sir John Key do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the said Amendments.

Persons to be prosecuted for giving or taking more than Standard value for Coin.

The House being informed, That one Mr. John Hooker, Mr. William Tilliard, and Mr. * Loftin, had set up a Lottery, and offered to receive Guineas at 30 s. apiece;

Ordered, That Mr. Attorney-General do prosecute the said Persons for the said Offence.

Ordered, That all Persons who shall, directly or indirectly, give or take more, in any kind, either for Gold or Silver, than what the Law is allowed, be also prosecuted by Mr. Attorney-General for such Offences.

Privilege—a Person petitions for Discharge.

A Petition of Aaron Smith, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, was presented to the House, and read; expressing his Sorrow for having offended the House; and humbly begging Pardon for the same: And praying to be discharged out of Custody.

Ordered, That Mr. Aaron Smith be discharged out of Custody, paying his Fees.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cooke and Mr. Pitts:

Mr. Speaker,

Supply Bill; Salt Duties and Land—Bank.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for continuing to his Majesty certain Duties upon Salt, Glass Wares, Stone and Earthen Wares; and for granting several Duties upon Tobacco-pipes, and other Earthen Wares; for carrying on the War against France; and for establishing a National Land-Bank; and for taking off the Duties upon Tonage of Ships, and upon Coals; without any Amendments.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Message to attend the King.

A Message from his Majesty, by Sir Fleetwood Shepherd, Gentleman-Usher of the Black Rod;

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this Honourable House to attend him, immediately, in the House of Peers.

Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to attend his Majesty.

Royal Assent to Bills. Parliament prorogued.

And his Majesty was pleased to give the Royal Assent to several Bills; and to make a gracious Speech to both Houses; and to prorogue the Parliament unto Tuesday the 16th Day of June next.