House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 20 December 1693

Mercurii, 20 die Decembris;

5° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Defaulters at Call of the House.

THE Names of the Members, who made Default to appear upon the Call of the House, upon Monday Fortnight last, were, according to Order, called over: And several of them appeared.

Ordered, That Walter Kendall Esquire, and Nicholas Glyn Esquire, be excused from their Attendance for a Week.

Ordered, That Henry Mannaton Esquire be excused by reason of his Sickness.

Ordered, That the House be called over upon Saturday Sevennight next: And that such Members, who have not Leave to be absent, as shall not then attend the Service of the House, be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending . . . House.

Importing Thrown-Silk.

An ingrossed Bill for the Importation of fine Italian, Sicilian, and Naples Thrown-Silk, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for the Importation of fine Italian, Sicilian, and Naples Thrown-Silk.

Ordered, That Colonel Goldwell do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Henry Berty have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That the Lord Norryes have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Leather cutting.

A Petition of the Company of Cordwainers, Curriers, Tanners, and other Dealers in Leather, in and about the City of London, and divers other Places, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, by a Statute, made in the First Year of King James the First, concerning Tanners, Curriers, and other Artificers, occupying the Cutting of Leather, Provision is made against the Gashing of raw Hides; but, by reason of the Smallness of the Penalty, and Difficulty of the Prosecution, that Clause hath been ineffectual: And praying Leave to bring in a Bill for making the said Statute more effectual.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, according to the Prayer of the said Petition: And that Colonel Goldwell do prepare, and bring in, the same.

Islington Roads.

Mr. Hungerford reported from the Committee, to whom was referred the Examination and Consideration of the Petition of Sir Richard Fisher, and many other Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Mary, Islington, in the County of Middlesex; whereby they prayed Leave to bring in a Bill for Repair of the Highways within the said Parish: That the Committee had examined and considered the Matter to them referred; and 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 the House be moved, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for taking a reasonable Toll from Waggoners and Carriers loaden, Stage-Coaches, and Drifts of all Sorts of Cattle, towards Repair of the publick Highways within the said Parish of Islington.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for Repair of the Highways within the Parish of St. Mary, Islington, according to the said Resolution: And that Mr. Hungerford do prepare, and bring in, the same.

Insolvent Debtors.

Mr. Bowyer reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for explaining a former Act for Relief of poor Prisoners was committed, That they had made several Amendments to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House: And which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout.

Ordered, That the said Report be further proceeded upon on Friday Morning next, after Ten a Clock.

Stockbridge Election.

Sir John Darell reported from the Committee of Elections and Privileges, the Matter touching the Election for the Borough of Stockbridge in the County of Southampton, as it appeared in the Committee: The which he delivered in, in Writing, at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth;

Upon the Petition of Henry Dawley Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Anthony Row Esquire, to serve for Stockbridge

The Committee have examined the Merits of that Election.

The Petitioner allowed the sitting Member to have the Majority of all Voices; but insisted, That they were procured in an ill Manner: And, to that End, called,

John Caseley further said, That Mr. Row, about a Month or Three Weeks before the Election, sent for him to the Swan-Inn; and told him, That, if he would vote for him, he would give him a considerable Parcel of Money: That Nicholas Bainton, who voted for Mr. Row, said, if the Bailiff would vote for Mr. Row, it would be worth to him 20 l.: That the Bailiff said, Mr. Neale had given him a Deputation to receive the BoroughRents, which are about 5 l.; and that he was sure of something; But said also, That the Bailiff for the Time being had, for Three or Four Years, received the said Rents.

Thomas Webb said, Mr. Neale had promised to be kind to him; and he and Mr. Row had offered him to be Godfathers to his Child; though he had not any-way particularly obliged them, nor was related to them.

Philip Ken said, He heard one White, who voted for Mr. Row, say, That, if he voted for Mr. Dawley, there was only a Pot of Ale, and a Toast; but, if he drew only a little Pin of Beer, and voted for Mr. Row, he should have Five Pounds.

Joan Webb said, The Bailiff's Wife came to her, and desired to know, What she should do with the Mace that was to seal the Return? For she said she thought she was 10 l. out of Pocket; and would not deliver the Mace, till she had her Money: That Abraham Beaton, Mr. Row's Man, said, His Master would spend 40 or 50 l. rather than lose the Bailiff and the Constable.

On behalf of the sitting Member was produced,

Mr. Neale's Letter; in which there was no mention of any Wheat. And called,

Thomas Clark, who said, He had no Direction from Mr. Neale to speak of any Wheat to the Burgesses: But that, at Easter last, he was at Stockbridge, and some of the Burgesses complained of the unequal Distribution of Beef that his Master had yearly given the Town; and declared, That they had rather have it in Wheat: Which Matter he told his Master; and thereupon his Master said, It was equal to him whether they had Beef or Wheat: And that, the 25th Sept. last, he called at Stockbridge, as he was going into the West, and delivered the before-mentioned Letter; After which he mentioned his Master's Answer about changing of the Beef for Wheat; but denied, that it was particularly promised to such Persons as should vote for Mr. Row.

White said, He was not present when the Letter was read, being then sick in his Chamber; and knew nothing of the Wheat before mentioned.

Chr. Caseley said, He was there when the Letter was read; but heard nothing of the Wheat, nor changing Beef for Wheat.

White said, He was offered 5 l. a Year by my Lord De la Ware to vote for Mr. Dawley; but had no Money offered to vote for Mr. Row; nor did Mr. Row so much as ask for his Vote: That he did draw out a Pin of Ale at the Election to his Neighbours: That he did not keep a Publick-house; but paid 1s. and 9d. Excise for it, and never was paid for it.

Austin Townesend said, The Bailiffs used to gather the Town-Rents, whether Friends to Mr. Neale or no.

Edward Randall said, John Casely told him, That he believed Mr. Row would not come down, and he would wait no longer upon him; and that he had Money of Mr. Dawley.

Eliz. Hedges said, That Mrs. Webb declared to her, That Mr. Neale nor Mr. Row had offered any Money; and therefore said, Why should Mr. Dawley petition? And, when she was to go up to London, she said, It was not like going before a Justice of Peace; it was only to tell a Lye, and that would throw Mr. Row out.

Thomas Webb said, Eliz. Hedges, upon a Difference between her and Pucknell, said, She could throw out Mr. Row herself; and that they would be all undone: That the said Hedges was much for Mr. Row: And said, She would undertake, that, if the said Webb would be for Mr. Row, the Bailiffs should have Thirty Guineas, and himself Fifteen.

And that, upon the whole Matter, the Committee came to a Resolution: Which the said Sir John Darell 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 . . . Opinion of this Committee, That Anthony Row Esquire is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Stockbridge in the County of Southampton.

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Resolution;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

The Question being put, That Henry Dawley Esquire is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Stockbridge in the County of Southampton;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the said Election for the said Borough of Stockbridge, was a corrupt and a void Election.

Disfranchising Stockbridge Borough.

Resolved, That a Bill be brought in for disabling the said Borough of Stockbridge to send Burgesses to serve in Parliament for the future: And that a Committee be appointed to prepare, and bring in, the same.

And it is referred to * * * *.

Supply.

Sir Thomas Littleton, according to . . . Order of the Day, reported from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider of the Supply to be granted to their Majesties, for Maintenance of the LandForces, the Resolutions of the said Committee: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and are as followeth; viz.

1. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Number of the Land-Forces, now in their Majesties Pay, be increased, for the Service of the Year 1694.

2. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be Six new Regiments of English Horse, to be commanded by Officers that are their Majesties natural-born Subjects, raised, for the Service of the Year 1694; each consisting of the same Number as the Queen's Regiment.

3. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be Four new Regiments of English Dragoons, to be commanded by Officers that are their Majesties natural-born Subjects, raised, for the Service of the Year 1694; each consisting of the same Number as the Royal Regiment of Dragoons.

4. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be Fifteen New Regiments of Foot, to be commanded by Officers that are their Majesties naturalborn Subjects, raised, for the Service of the Year 1694; each consisting of the same Number as Colonel Selwyn's Regiment.

5. Resolved, That is the Opinion of this Committee, That 83, 121 Men, including Commission and Non-commission Officers, according to the List of the LandForces delivered in to the House, are necessary, for the Service of the Year 1694.

6. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Sum of 210,773 l. 4s. 5d. be allowed for the extraordinary Charge of the Office of Ordnance, in relation to the Land-Forces, for the Service of the Year 1694.

7. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That a Sum, not exceeding the Sum of 31,058 l. 8s. 6d. be allowed for the Pay of the General Officers, for the Service of the Year 1694.

8. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That a Sum, not exceeding the Sum of 110,160 l. be allowed for Levy-money, for the Service of the Year 1694.

9. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That a Sum, not exceeding the Sum of 40,808 l. be allowed for the Transports, for the Service of the Year 1694.

10. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That a Sum, not exceeding the Sum of 60,000 l. be allowed for Hospitals, and Contingencies, for the Service of the Year 1694.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Pay for the Horse, Dragoons, and Foot, according to the List of the Land-Forces delivered in to the House, for the Service of the Year 1694, be the Sum of 1,990,781 l. 16s. 10d.

The First Three of the said Resolutions, being severally read a Second time, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

The Fourth Resolution being read a Second time;

An Amendment was proposed to be made thereunto, by adding to the same, "whereof one Regiment to be for the Service of the Barbadoes."

And the Question being put, That those Words be added to the said Resolution;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That there be Fifteen new Regiments of Foot, to be commanded by Officers that are their Majesties natural-born Subjects, raised for the Service of the Year 1694; each consisting of the same Number as Colonel Selwyn's Regiment.

The Fifth Resolution being read a Second time;

An Amendment was proposed to be made thereunto, by adding to the same, "to be employed in England, and beyond the Seas."

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

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, so amended, That 83, 121 Men, including Commission and Non-commission Officers, according to the List of the Land-Forces delivered in to the House, are necessary, for the Service of the Year 1694, to be employed in England, and beyond the Seas.

The Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Resolutions, being severally read a Second time, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

The Tenth Resolution being read a Second time;

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Resolution;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the Matter of the said Resolution be re-committed to the Committee of the whole House, upon the Debate of the House.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning at Ten a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Resolution re-committed to them.

The Eleventh Resolution, being read a Second time, was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ways and Means.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider of Ways and Means for raising the Supply to be granted to their Majesties, for Maintenance of the Fleet, be made To-morrow Morning at Eleven a Clock.

New East India Company.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Saturday Morning next, at Ten a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Petition of several Merchants, and others, in and about the City of London, relating to the East-India Trade, and for erecting a new East-India Company.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

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