House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 2 December 1693

Sabbati, 2 die Decembris;

5° Gulielmi et Mariæ

Prayers.

Aulnage Duty.

A PETITION of the Clothiers of the West-Riding of the County of York was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, by ancient Statutes, an Office of Aulnage was erected, That the Dealers in Cloth might not be deceived therein; and the Duty of Aulnage was granted to the Crown, for releasing Forfeitures that were grievous to the Dealers in Cloth: That the said Office is now useless, and no-ways answers the End of its first Constitution, but is become very burdensome to the Subject, and a great Hindrance to the Woollen Trade: For Remedy whereof, Applications have been made to this House in several Sessions of Parliament, and a Bill passed this House; yet had not its desired Effects; to the Oppression of the Petitioners, and many thousand others: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Clothiers, Shopkeepers, and others, Traders in the Woollen Manufacture, residing in the Counties of Worcester and Stafford, relating to the Aulnage, is referred: And that they do report their Opinion therein to the House.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That Sir Ra. Dutton, Mr. Holt, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Stockdale, Mr. Wyndham, Mr. England, Mr.Willmot, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Burrard, Mr. Burdet, Mr. Brewer, Sir Jon. Jennings, be added to the Committee of Elections and Privileges.

Justices of Peace in Wales.

A Bill for repealing a Clause in the Statute of 34° and 35° Hen. VIII, by which Justices of the Peace in Wales are limited to Eight in each County, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Colonel Titus, Mr. Mansell, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Cooke, Mr. England, Mr. Waller, Mr. Hawtry, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Harley, Serjeant Wogan, Mr. How, Mr. Price, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Newport, Sir John Moreton Mr. Vincent, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Mordant, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Blofeild, Sir Tho. Pope Blount, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Gilbert, Sir John Darell, Colonel Perry, Sir Cha. Keymis, Mr. Henly, Mr.Onslow, and all that serve for the Principality of Wales: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Importing Saltpetre.

A Bill for the Importation of Saltpetre was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Friday Morning next, at Ten a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

Privilege.

A Complaint being made to this House, That Sir Tho. Miller, a Member of this House, named a Commissioner in the Act for granting to their Majesties an Aid of Four Shillings in the Pound, for one Year, for the carrying on a vigorous War against France, was, the 22d Day of May last, for acting in Execution of the said Act, served by one Edward Smith with a Subpæna out of the Court of Exchequer, and an Order thereunto annexed, to appear and answer the same in the said Court, in Breach of the Privilege of this House.

A Copy of which Subpœna and Order was read.

Ordered, That the said Edward Smith be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for the said Breach of Privilege.

Supply.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Motion made for a Supply to be granted to their Majesties, for the Land-Forces.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported from the said Committee, That they had come to a Resolution, which they had directed him to report to the House; and which he read in his place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That a Supply be granted to their Majesties, for the Land-Forces.

An Amendment was proposed to be made, by adding "for the Year 1694."

And the same was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, so amended, That a Supply be granted to their Majesties, for the Land-Forces, for the Year One thousand Six hundred Ninety-four.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council, That his Majesty will please to command, that a State of the War, in relation to the Land-Forces, for the Service of the Year 1694, be laid before this House.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning, Nine a Clock.