House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 17 March 1696

Martis, 17 die Martii;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Ridout's Estate.

AN ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for Sale of Lands in Horsington, in the County of Somerset, Part of the Estate of Christopher Ridout, an Infant, for Payment of Incumbrances charged thereon; and for preserving the Residue of the said Estate for the Infant; was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Mr. Barton to preach on Thanksgiving-Day.

Ordered, That Mr. Barton, Chaplain to this House, do preach before them at St. Margaret's, Westminster, upon the Thanksgiving-Day, appointed by his Majesty's Proclamation, in case the House be then sitting.

Sandes' Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for vesting a Moiety of the Manor of Shepton-Mallet, in the County of Somerset; and a divided Moiety of the Manor of Wells in the said County; in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of a Mortgage charged thereon; and for making a Provision for the Maintenance of Mary the Wife of William Sandes Esquire, and her Children; was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass, with the Amendments.

Ordered, That Mr. Serjeant Coward do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, with some Amendments: To which Amendments they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

Disposition by Will in Wales.

A Bill to take away the Custom of Wales, which hinders Persons from disposing their personal Estates by their Wills, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Brereton, Sir John Bolles, Serjeant Coward, Sir Richard Onslow, Lord Cornbury, Sir John Kay, Serjeant Bond, Sir Robert Cotton, Mr. Moyle, Mr. Heveningham, Sir Cha. Wyndham, Mr. Baldwyn, Sir Robert Davers, Mr. Clark, Mr. Bagnold, Mr. Monstevens, Mr. Gwyn, Sir Row. Gwyn, Mr. Foley, Mr. Gery, Mr. Frewen, Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Nicholas, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Slater, Mr. Phillipps, Sir Wm. Ashurst, Mr. Pocklington, Mr. Phi. Foley, Sir Wm. St. Quintin, Sir Edw. Abney; and all that serve for the Principality of Wales; and all that are of the Long Robe: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Sawyer's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable Trustees to sell a Messuage, Garden, and Out-house, in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, late of Sir Robert Sawyer Knight, deceased; and for purchasing other Lands and Tenements, to be settled to the same Uses; was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass, with the Amendments.

Ordered, That Mr. Baldwyn do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, with some Amendments: To which they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

Kensington Pavement.

Ordered, That Sir Cha. Carteret, Doctor Davenant, Mr. Varney, Mr. Elson, Mr. Gray, Mr. Monstevens, Mr. Morgan, Sir Tho. Roberts, Sir Fra. Massam, Mr Bohun, Mr. Lowther, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir Robert Davers, Mr. Tredenham, be added to the Committee, to whom the Consideration of the Petition of John Richardson, and other Inhabitants, of the Town of Kensington, is referred.

Regulating Hackney Coachmen.

A Bill to explain the Act for regulating and licensing Hackney Coachmen was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Manley, Mr. Whitaker, Sir Robert Davers, Mr. Halsey, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Baldwyn, Sir Ra. Dutton, Mr. Henly, Sir Wm. Cooper, Mr. Serjeant Bond, Mr. England, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Newport, Mr. Monstevens, Mr. Bertie, Mr. Frewen, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Serjeant Coward, Mr. Foley, Sir Rowland Gwyn, Mr. Pierpoint, Sir Wm. Ashurst, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Bagnold, Mr. Colt, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Onslow, Sir Robert Cotton, Mr. Clark: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Resolved, That it be an Instruction to the said Committee, That they have Power to receive a Clause, or Clauses, for impowering the Commissioners for licensing Hackney Coaches, to make Hackney Coaches and Horses more useful and convenient; and to regulate the Standing of Coaches in the Streets, and other Inconveniencies occasioned by Hackney Coachmen.

Garbling Spices.

A Petition of the Court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners are very sensible the Bill, now depending in the House, for regulating Abuses relating to garbling Spices, Drugs, and other Merchandizes, will be greatly prejudicial to the said City, if it should pass into a Law; and will also impair the Orphans Security: And praying, That they may be heard by Counsel, at the Bar of the House, touching such Matters as they have to offer against the said Bill.

Garbling Spices.

And the said Bill was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed, upon the Debate.

A Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House;

It passed in the Negative.

Ordered, That the Bill be committed to Sir Rob. Davers, Mr. Gardiner, Sir Sa. Barnardiston, Sir Wm. Cooper, Mr. Manly, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Sandys, Mr. Swift, Serjeant Bond, Sir Walter Yonge, Sir John Parsons, Mr. Bagnold, Mr. Frewen, Mr. Papillon, Mr. Halsey, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. England, Mr. Monstevens, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Colt, Mr. Bertie, Mr. Culliford, Sir Wm. Ashurst, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Fuller, Doctor Oxenden, Mr. Henley, Sir Tho. Dyke, Sir Mar. Wivell, Mr. Dolben, Mr. Clarke, Sir Eliab Harvey, Mr. Foley, Mr. Palmes, Sir John Bucknall, Sir Wm. Lowther, Sir John Fleet, Sir Math. Andrewes, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Gwyn, Sir Row. Gwyn, Mr. Stokes, Serjeant Coward, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Sandford, Mr. Foot Onslow, Mr. Perry, Mr. Guy, Mr. Done, Mr. Gery, Mr. Moore, Mr. Norris, Mr. Ryder, Sir Hen. Colt, Mr. Brotherton, Sir John Kay, Mr. Newport, Mr. Rowney: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the said Bill is committed.

Ditto.

A Petition of William Stewart, present Garbler for the City of London, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Bill, now depending in the House, for regulating Abuses relating to garbling Spices, Drugs, and other Merchandizes, if it should pass into a Law, will be a great Prejudice to the Petitioner, who hath a Freehold in the Office of Garbling within the said City, and Liberties thereof: And praying, That he may be heard, by Counsel, to Offer his Objections to such Parts of the said Bill as may prejudice him.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the said Bill is committed.

Dawson's Estate.

Mr. Pocklington reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for vesting Part of the Estate of Joseph Dawson Esquire in Trustees, for Payment of Debts; and for a Provision for the Maintenance and Marriage of his Daughters; was committed; That they had examined and considered the same; and had directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendments: And he delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table.

Supply Bill; Duty on French Goods.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for granting to his Majesty an additional Duty upon all French Goods and Merchandizes.

Yarmouth Isle of Wight, Election.

Ordered, That the Matter, touching the Election for the Borough of Yarmouth, in the County of Southampton, be heard before the Committee of Privileges and Elections, as soon as they can, in course, notwithstanding any Order to the contrary.

African Company.

A Bill for settling and regulating the Trade to Africa was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Duchess of Buccleugh's &c. Estate.

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

Mr. Speaker,

The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act for impowering the Most Noble Ann Duchess of Buccleugh, and the Right honourable James Earl of Dalkeith her Son, of the Kingdom of Scotland, to grant Leases for improving a Piece of Ground in the Parish of St. Martins in the Fields, in the County of Middlesex: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

. . . . .

African Company.

A Petition of the Merchants of Plymouth, trading to, and interested in, the Plantations of Virginia and Maryland, was presented to the House; relating to the Bill for settling and regulating the Trade to Africa.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the said Bill be read a Second time.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir John Smith have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Mr. Whitaker have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Practisers of Law to take Oaths.

Ordered, That the Bill for requiring the Practisers of the Law to take the Oaths to his Majesty be read a Second time To-morrow Morning.

Bringing Plate to be coined.

Resolved, That the Report from the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for Encouraging of Persons to bring Plate into the Mint, to be coined, . . . . . . be taken into further Consideration upon Thursday Morning next.

Southampton Election

Mr. Gwyn, according to Order, reported, from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, the Matter, touching the Election for the Town, and County of the Town of Southampton, as it appeared to the said Committee, and the Resolutions of the Committee thereupon; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were read; and are as follow; viz.

Upon the Petition of John Smith Esquire, complaining of an undue Election of Sir Benjamin Newland, to serve for the Town, and County of the Town, of Southampton:

The Committee have examined the Merits of that Election.

That the first Question, between the Petitioner and Sir Benjamin Newland, was upon the Right of Election:

That the Petitioner insisted, That the Right of Election was in the Mayor, Bailiffs, Burgesses Inhabitants, and other Inhabitants, of the said Borough; and that the out-living Burgesses had no Right to vote:

That, on the other Side, it was insisted, That the outliving Burgesses had a Right to vote, as well as the Burgesses Inhabitants.

That it appeared to the Committee, That the Poll began on Friday Morning, and was continued, by several Adjournments, to Monday Morning:

That, upon Friday Night, when the Poll was adjourned, there was,

But that of the 171, that were for the Petitioner, there was one Comyns put down with a Quere; who, on Monday, upon further Examination, was not allowed to be a good Vote.

It appeared also, That the Mayor and Two Bailiffs voted on Friday, and were for Sir Ben. Newland.

That the Petitioner insisted, That the Poll was closed, or ought to have been closed, on Friday.

And, for that, the Petitioner's Counsel called,

Mr. Isaac Watts: Who said, He was One of the Five employed to take the Poll by Sir Benjamin Newland, and Mr. Smith, and the rest of the Candidates; and allowed by the Mayor: And that the Poll used to be made an End on in One Day:

That, before he put down any, they were allowed by the Mayor; but Comyns was put down with a Quere:

That, on Friday, the Poll was adjourned between Two and Three a Clock: That, before the Poll was adjourned, the Mayor asked, If there were any more to poll? but none offered themselves, except such as had been before disallowed by the Mayor: That, a little before the Adjournment, he acquainted the Mayor, by a Paper, That Sir Benjamin Newland had lost it by One: That the Mayor said, He found Cause of Adjournment: That Sir Benj. Newland and Mr. Smith both opposed the Adjournment; but the Mayor said, In regard of the Noise, he would adjourn to some more private Place; and then adjourned to Saturday, 10 a Clock; and then adjourned to Monday:

That Fassett and Hinson were refused on Friday, and polled on Monday:

That, at former Elections, out-living Burgesses have been polled; but put down with a Mark, to be tried upon any Question in Parliament.

That, on the other Side, to prove the Fairness of the Election, and that the Out-Burgesses had a Right to vote: for Sir Benj. Newland, were called,

Mr. Macham the Mayor, Doctor Speed, Mr. Culliford, Mr. Crosse: Who said, That the Out-Burgesses had always voted at Elections; and never knew any excepted to, but Colonel Norton; who was excepted to by Sir Ro. Henley; whereupon Colonel Norton said, He did come to vote for Sir Robert Henley; but, because Sir Robert Henley had excepted to him, he would vote against him, and justify it: which accordingly he did; and no Complaint afterwards of it: And that the Out-Burgesses choose Mayor, and other Officers, and have been chose themselves; and particularly Mr. Bromfeild was chosen Mayor:

That, as to the present Election, the Candidates agreed to go by the Poors Books; and, accordingly, the Mayor did:

That the Poll began on Friday, between Seven and Eight, and held till between Three and Four; during which Time the Mayor was not off the Bench:

That, before any Note given by Watts, he spake of the Adjournment; and asked Watts, How he durst give him any such Note, before the Poll was closed? And that One of the Clerks did say, Sir Benjamin Newland had carried it by Two:

That the Reason the Mayor did give for the First Adjournment was, because of the Tumult; by which several, and particularly Webb, was hindered from being polled: and several were abused, particularly Bucket, who polled for the Petitioner and Sir Benjamin; and some were put down with a Quere:

That the Reason of the Adjournment on Saturday was, because it was Market-day, and the Tumult of the People then:

That, on Monday, the Out-Burgesses polled on both Sides; and, Comyns being struck out by Consent, the Poll was cast up, and the Numbers were,

That the Petitioner also endeavoured to justify Eleven that were refused to be polled; and, for that Purpose, called,

Mr. Wm. Lisle: Who said, Nathaniel Robinson was a House-keeper, and a Freeholder; but could not say That he paid to Church and Poor:

That Austin Talbot had paid to the Poor Four Years; and the Reason he was not on the Poors Book at the Time of the Election, as the Overseer told him, was because they kept that Money to pay for the Books:

That Thomas Burgis's House was in the Preamble of the Town, and had voted for 17 Years, and paid to the Poor of the Town:

But it was proved, on the other Side, That he lived in Milbrooke Parish, and had been Constable there:

That William Guibons claimed his Vote in the Street, near to the Place of the Poll, on Saturday; but could not say, it was before the Poll was adjourned:

That Robert Comyns took a House at Midsummer last; and had paid Michaelmas Dues to the Poor:

But it was proved, on the other Side, That his Name was put into the Poors Book, by another Hand, after the Rate was made:

That Rich. Tyler is an Inhabitant, and had paid to the Poor formerly:

That Tho. Osely is an Inhabitant; but fallen to Decay:

That James Edmonds pays to the Church and King's Tax:

That Wm. Pigeon is an Inhabitant, and has voted formerly:

That Edward Doby pays to Church, and King's Tax.

That the Petitioner also objected to several that voted for Sir Benjamin Newland: And,

William Lisle said, That Anthony Poole only rented a Chamber, and his Family was removed:

But it appeared, That he was Minister of One of the Parishes of Southampton, and had a particular Apartment of the House, where he maintained his Family; and they were only removed by reason of the Small-pox, and returned before the Election:

That Thomas Butler did not pay to Church and Poor:

But it was proved, on the other Side, That he was Minister of another Parish in Southampton, and excused by the Parishioners, out of Respect to him:

That Daniel Gasse, Charles Smith, and Edward Downer, did not pay:

But it was proved, on the other Side, That all Three were Burgesses.

That it was agreed, That there were Eleven Outliving Burgesses who had polled for Sir Benjam. Newland.

That the Petitioner also insisted upon several ill Practices used against him at the Election: And,

Mr. Wm. Erle said, That Mr. Hammond had promised to be for Mr. Smith; but Mr. Winter and Mr. Cornelis went to Hammond's Wife, and threatened, if her Husband was for Mr. Smith, to turn him out of his Place.

Robert Adderly said, That Mr. Daniel Beale and Jacob Ward brought him a Letter, as they said, from Mr. Brandon, an Agent at Portsmouth; which he refused, and did not read; but they told him, it contained, That if he would be for Sir Benj. Newland, the Agent would take off all his Biscuit, he being a Baker, and gratify him with a Bill of 100 l. which the said Agent would take out in Bread.

Lisle said, That Mr. Seale first promised to be for Mr. Smith; but afterwards said, He could not do it, because he had been promised to have a Servant got off that was pressed; which he valued at 10 l.

That upon the whole Matter, the Committee came to these Resolutions;

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Out-living Burgesses, as well as the Burgesses Inhabitants, and other Inhabitants paying Scot and Lot, have a Right to vote for electing Members to serve in Parliament for the Town, and County of the Town, of Southampton.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Sir Benjamin Newland is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Town, and County of the Town, of Southampton.

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

Civil List, &c.

Sir Thomas Littleton, according to the 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 his Majesty, towards the defraying the Expences of the Civil List, for the Year 1696; and for the Relief of the poor French Protestants; the Resolutions 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 were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and are as follow; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That a Sum not exceeding Five hundred thousand Pounds, be granted to his Majesty, for defraying the Expences of the Civil List, for the Year 1696.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That a Sum not exceeding Fifteen thousand Pounds, be granted to his Majesty, for the Relief of the poor French Protestants.

Ways and Means.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of Ways and Means for raising the Supply to be granted to his Majesty, for defraying the Expences of the Civil List, for the Year 1696; and for the Relief of the poor French Protestants.

Preventing Export of Wool.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the Report from the Committee, to whom the Bill to prevent the Exportation of Wool was committed, be adjourned until Saturday Morning next.

East India Stock and Debts.

Sir Herbert Crofts reported, from the Committee who were appointed to audite and state the Account of the East-India Company, presented to the House, the Matters, as they appeared to the said Committee, relating to the said Account; 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.

That, as to the Sum of 257,062 l. 10s. 0d. the First Article of the Debet-Side in the said Account;

The only Evidence that was produced by the Company, was, a Letter from Samuel Annesley, at Surrat, dated the 16th January 1694; wherein he gives this Account:

which is 257,062 l, 10s. 0d. Sterling.

Which said Account, the said Mr. Annesley observes, by his said Letter, to be upon his Memory:

That there has been no Entry of this made in the Company's Books; nor any Account from Surat since April 1687, by reason of the Loss of their Ships:

That there is 14 Months Interest more due, at 9 l. per Cent.; amounting to 28,158 l. 2s. 10d.

That, as to the Sum of 817,127 l. 3s. 7d.;

That 282,572 l. 1s. 8d. lately taken up upon Bottomree, is included in the said Sum; and was paid in at 80 l.; and have Credit for 100 l.; and the Company allow 6 l. per Cent. running Interest, thereupon:

That Mr. Beyer, and Mr. Portman, the Company's Accountant, and Treasurer, affirmed, That this is all the Debts whatsoever the Company owe in England.

That, as to the Sum of 24,000 l.;

It appeared to be Interest of the said 817,127 l. 3s. 7d. for Six Months.

That, as to the Sum of 7,522 l. 15s. 4d.

It appeared to be due for Customs to the 10th September 1696.

That, as to the Sum of 5,269 l. 0s. 0d.;

It appeared to be for Freight of Ships, not made up; and That by Computation only.

East India Stock and Debts.

Upon the Credit-Side of the said Account:

That, as to the Sum of 8,212 l. 10s. 0d.;

It appeared, by Letter in November 1694, to be a Debt from the Mogull, for Goods seized by his Governor at Surrat, in the late War, in the Year 1687.

That, as to the Sum of 13,440 l. 0s. 0d.;

It appeared likewise, by Letter from Mr. Gladman, at Gambroone, in Persia, dated 14 December 1694, That it was for Cloth sold there upon the Company's Account; but that this is carried to no Account in any of the Company's Books here in England.

That, as to the Sum of 64,748 l. 2s. 11d. given in for (fn. 1) [good] Debts, at Surrat, and the subordinate Factories;

It appeared to be for Land, Guns, Ammunition, Provisions, Household-stuff, and Remains of Stock, brought down from Book to Book from the Beginning of the Establishment of the said Factories.

That, as to the Sum of 70,652 l. 15s. 0d. given in for good Debts at Fort St. George, and the subordinate Factories;

It appeared to be for Lands, Guns, Ammunition, Provisions, Houshold-stuff, and Remains of Stock, brought down from Book to Book from the Beginning of the Establishment of the said Factories.

That, as to the Sum of 108,600 l. 7s. 6d. given in for good Debts at the Bay of Bengall, and the subordinate Factories;

It appeared to be for Lands, Guns, Ammunition, Provisions, Household-stuff, and Remains of Stock, brought down from Book to Book from the Beginning of the Establishment of the said Factories.

That, as to the Sum of 721 l. 4s. 0d.;

It appeared to be for Guns, Stores, and Housholdstuff, for the Factory of St. Hellena.

That, as to the Sum of 3,333 l. 6s. 8s. per Ann.;

It appeared to be a Revenue of 1,000 Tomands a Year, paid by the King of Persia's Custom Officer, by Agreement with the English, for their assisting him against the Portugueze; and Mr. Beyer affirmed to have known it paid for 20 Years last past.

That, as to the Sum of 9,902 l. per Annum, given in for the Revenue of Fort St. George;

It appeared to be by several Impositions raised upon the People, most of them within 6 Years past, granted by a Fermaund from the King of Golkonda, obtained by the Natives, at the Instance of the Company, for the English Nation in general; and that the Revenue does not defray the Charge of the said Fort.

That, as to the Sum of 9,538 l. per Annum, given in for the Revenue of Bombay;

It appeared to arise from several Impositions raised upon the People, within Six Years last past; which Revenue does not defray the Charge of the Place.

That, as to the Sum of 3,948 l. given in for the Revenue of Fort St. David's;

It appeared to arise by Customs, Ground-rents, and Licences of Punch-houses; and had been in Possession of the said Fort Two Years, when the last Account came away in September 1693; which Revenue does not defray the Charge of the said Fort; and that the said Fort cost the Company 13,000 l.

As to the Sum of 543,771 l. 11s. 8d. for the Cargo of the 15 Ships;

It appeared, by their Invoice, to be the prime Cost of their Goods; Customs, and all petty Charges thereupon, being included therein.

That, as to the Sum of 27,188 l. 11s. 7d. being 5 per Centum, Contingency upon the said Goods;

It is demanded by the Company, upon the Account of Warehouses, Servants Wages, and House-keeping.

That, as to the Sum of 271,885 l. 15s. 10d. being 50 per Centum more Advance upon the said Goods;

It is demanded by the Company, upon Account of Interest, Insurance, and Advance of Goods, in India; and that they have Advice but of 11 of their 15 Ships being arrived there; but value the 50 per Cent. as though they were all arrived, and vested to be shipped back for England.

That, as to the Sum of 370,000 l. given in for the Value of all their Forts, Factories, and Buildings;

It appeared, That Gambroone, and all other the Forts and Factories, that were transferred by the old Company to this Company, were valued to them but at 20,000 l.; and though this Company have acquired some Forts since, yet they have lost more of their old Purchase.

That as to the Sum of 239,588 l. 17s. 3d. Cargo of 5 Ships;

It appeared, by their Invoice, to be the prime Cost of their Goods; Customs, and all petty Charges thereupon, included therein.

That, as to the Sum of 11,979 l. 0s. 10d. being 5 per Cent. Contingencies upon the said Goods;

It is demanded by the Company upon Account of Warehouses, Servants Wages, and House-keeping.

It is demanded by the Company upon Account of Warehouses, Servants Wages, and House-keeping.

That, as to the Sum of 16,436 l. 1s. 1d.;

It appeared to be paid for the Company's Parts in the 7 Ships following; viz.

That, as to the Sum of 31,560 l. 6s. for Imprest;

It appeared to be Money advanced according to the Contract, by their Charter-parties.

That, as to the Sum of 9,600 l. for Leases and Buildings in London; viz.

It appeared to be over-charged.

That, as to the Sum of 23,576 l. 6s. 11d. Debts in England; viz.

Few of the said Debts appeared to be good.

That, as to the Sum of 61,532 l. 0s. 0d. in Cash;

Mr. Portman, the Treasurer, offered to make Oath of the same, That most of it was in Guineas at 30s.

That, as to the Sum of 72,179 l. 7s. 11d. for Goods shipped, and to be shipped; appeared, by the Invoice to be the prime Cost of their Goods, most of them now on board the Company's Ships in the River.

That, as to the Sum of 3,608 l. 0s. 0d. being 5 l. per Cent. Contingencies upon the said Goods;

It is demanded by the Company, upon the Account of Warehouses, Servants Wages, and House-keeping.

But this, and the aforesaid Articles of Contingencies, are not allowed in Merchants Accounts.

That, as to the Sum of 5,390 l. Remains of Goods in the Company's Warehouse;

As to the Sum of 112,074 l. 14s. 8d. Stock, belonging to the general Adventurers;

It does not appear, that this Stock, at present, can be accounted of Value; but may hereafter produce something, if the said Stock be sold for more than it cost the Company.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Report be referred to the Committee, to whom the Bill for settling and regulating the Trade to the East-Indies is committed.

English E. I. Company. India Silks, Callicoes, &c.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Thursday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Bill for settling and regulating the Trade to the East-Indies; and of the Bill for restraining the Wearing of all wrought Silks, Bengals, and dyed, printed, or stained, Callicoes, imported into the Kingdom of England, and the Plantations belonging thereunto, of the Product and Manufacture of Persia, and the East-Indies.

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