House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 15 February 1696

Sabbati, 15 die Februarii;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Wimonham Roads.

A BILL for the Repair of the Highways between Wimonham and Attleborough, in the County of Norfolk, was, according to Order, read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Rotherhith Dock.

A Bill to enable Trustees to raise Money for making a wet Dock, and improving the Estate of the Marquis and Marchioness of Tavistock, at Rotherhith, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Cleansing Havens.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to encourage the Removal of Bars; and for the Scouring, Cleansing and Deepening, of decayed Havens: And that Mr. Mooredo prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Supply Bill; Duties on Wines, &c.

Ordered, That the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for continuing several Duties, by former Acts, upon Wine and Vinegar, and upon Tobacco, and East-India Goods, and other Merchandizes, imported, for carrying on the War against France, is committed, have Power to receive a Clause of Credit, for borrowing Monies upon the Contributions for reversionary Annuities, upon the Act, lately passed, for enlarging the Times to come in, and purchase certain Annuities therein mentioned.

Stanhope's &c. Nat.

An ingrossed Bill for naturalizing James Stanhope Esquire, and others, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for naturalizing James Stanhope Esquire, and others.

Ordered, That Sir John Bolles do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Woollen Manufactures.

Mr. Blofeild, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for the Encouragement of the Woollen Manufactures of this Kingdom: And the same was received.

Ordered, That the Bill be read upon Monday Morning next.

Maydwell Rectory.

Mr. Conyers, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for settling divers Lands and Rents-charge on the Rector of the Church of Maydwell, in the County of Northampton, and his Successors; and, in lieu thereof, for settling other Lands, and discharging Tythes, belonging to the said Church; according to several Agreements between the Patron, and the said Rector, made, upon the Inclosing of Lands in Maydwell; and afterwards, with the Consent of the Ordinary, confirmed by several Decrees in the High Court of Chancery: And the Bill was received.

Ordered, That the Bill be read upon Monday Morning next.

Gothurst Manor.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for Sale of a Moiety of the Manor of Gothurst, and other Lands in the County of Buckingham; and for settling other Lands, of greater Value, in the County of Flint, in lieu thereof: And that Mr. Price do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Bristoll Hospitals, &c.

A Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, Church-wardens, Overseers of the Poor, and other principal Inhabitants, of the several Parishes, within the City of Bristoll, on behalf of themselves, and the rest of the Citizens of the said City, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Poor of the said City are become numerous, and daily multiply, to the great Charge of the Inhabitants: That, by reason of the Deficiency of the Laws now in force, there is no sufficient Remedy to stop such Increase; which if not speedily prevented, the Charge will be almost insupportable: And praying Leave to bring in a Bill for Erecting of Hospitals and Work-houses within the said City, for the Employment and Maintenance of the Poor thereof.

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

Regulating Elections.

Sir William Williams reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for the further regulating Elections of Members to serve in Parliament 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; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, some of them disagreed, and the Residue agreed, unto by the House.

And other Amendments were made to the Bill at the Table.

A Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That the Two Universities may return Members to Parliament, without such Qualification, in Estate, as the Bill requires for other Members:

And the same was twice read:

And the Question being put, That the same be made Part of the Bill;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, * * * *

And the same was twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed to be made Part of the Bill.

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

Aaron Smith's Accounts.

Mr. Boyle, from the Commissioners for taking and stating the publick Accounts, acquainted the House, That Mr. Aaron Smith having been required by this House, the Fourth Instant, to deliver his Accounts of Monies, by him received, to the said Commissioners, in Ten Days then next, upon Pain of incurring the Displeasure of this House, they had sent to him to give them Notice when he would attend them, that they might have a sufficient Number then present to act; and that he did appear before them on Friday last, being the last Day allowed him: When they demanded his Accounts, he said, He had them not there; nor gave them any Satisfaction what he had done towards making them up, or when he should do the same.

Resolved, That Mr. Aaron Smith, not having delivered in his Accounts to the Commissioners for taking and stating the publick Accounts, according to the Time limited by this House for doing the same, be taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Earl of Torrington's Grant in Bedford Level.

A Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Bill for confirming a Grant, under the Great Seal of England, to Arthur Earl of Torrington, by King William and Queen Mary, of several Parcels of Land, Part of the great Level of the Fens, called Bedford Level; and for the better enabling the said Earl to recover the Arrears of Rent, and mesne Profits; be now read a Second time;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time upon Thursday Morning next.

Price of Guineas.

Mr. Palmes, according to the Order of the Day, reported, from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider of the Price of Guineas, the Resolution of the said Committee; 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 no Guineas do pass, in any Payment, at above the Rate of Eight-and-twenty Shillings.

The said Resolution being read a Second time;

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That no Guineas do pass, in any Payment, at above the Rate of Eight-and-twenty Shillings;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, That the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for continuing several Duties, by former Acts, upon Wine and Vinegar, and upon Tobacco, and East-India Goods, and other Merchandize, imported, for carrying on the War against France, do receive a Clause pursuant to the said Resolution.

State of the Nation.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the State of the Nation, in relation to Trade; and particularly of the East-India Trade.

Hackney Coachmen.

Ordered, That the Bill for Relief of several Hackney Coachmen be read a Second time upon Thursday Morning next.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

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