House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 6 April 1696

Lunæ, 6 die Aprilis; 8 Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Greenland Trade.

SIR Henry Hobart, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for the better Encouragement of the Greenland Trade.

The Bill was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Halfpence and Farthings.

The Report from the Committee, to whom the Matter of the Complaint, touching Halfpence and Farthings, was referred, and the Resolutions of the Committee thereupon, were, according to Order, read; and are as follow; viz.

That they found the Matter to be as followeth;

George Robb said, That on the 13th of December last, he went to the Patentees Office on Snow-Hill, with 20 l. in Silver, and desired of their Servants, that he might have 40 s. in Copper Halfpence and Farthings for 40 s. in Silver; but he was answered, That the Patentees had made an Order, That no One Person should have exchanged above 10 s. at a time: That he went again, on the 2d of January last, with a Guinea, in order to get 10 s. worth of Copper Halfpence and Farthings; but the Patentees, Servants said, They would allow him but 28 s. 6 d. for his Guinea; but that if he could change his Guinea with other Persons, who were about a Dozen there present, they would let him have 10 s. worth of Farthings:

And the Informant said, That they would take none but broad or milled Money.

Mary Austin said, That she had 7 or 8 l. worth of Tin Farthings, which were received in the Patentees Office, and entered in their Books above a Year ago; and was promised, that she should have Copper Farthings for them; but, as yet, she has not received any, though she has been several times at the Office for that Purpose: But said, She has had Copper Money several times exchanged for Silver to the full Value; but then it was for broad and milled Money.

Mary Varnham said, That she had about 12 l. in Tin Halfpence and Farthings, which she carried to, and were told over by, one Holt, in Bishopsgate-street; who belonged to the Patentees Office on Snow-Hill, as she believes; who refused some, and sealed the rest up in 5 s. Parcels; and took 2 s. per Pound for telling them:

That she is a lame Woman, and her Husband sickly; and believes she has spent 40 s. in Coach-hire, and other Charges, to get her Money changed; but never received more than 20 s. in Copper Money; which was brought to her: and because, as she conceives, the Person that brought the same was not gratified according to his Expectations, he said, Perhaps it might be Seven Years before she received any more.

John Field said, That, last Michaelmas was Twelvemonths, he carried 5 l. in Tin Money, which was told, and entered in the Patentees Books; and was promised he should receive his Change when his Turn came; but he has received none yet; though he has been forced to borrow milled Money, to about 20 s. to go to the said Office to get Copper Money for it: And said, the Patentees Method of Exchanging was, to pay 10 s. per Week in Copper Coin for every 100 l. entered in their Books, of Tin Money.

Benjamine Tarrant said, He carried 55 s. worth of Tin Money to the said Office, in order to get it changed for Copper; but could not; though some others had their Farthings changed; and the Officers told the Informant, He must stay till his Turn came, which would not be till after the Holidays: This was a little before Christmas: But he did not go again; but sold 30 s. of his Tin Halfpence and Farthings for 15 s. to Two Women, who made it their Business to buy it up:

And says, He has been forced to get milled Money to exchange for Copper Money,

Wm. Hartshorne, Victualler, said, He has been at the said Office Eight or Nine times, with 17 s. in Tin Halfpence and Farthings, to change for Copper Coin; but has not had any changed: And said, He has not entered in the Office-Books.

Simon Blades, Chandler, said, He had about 20 s. worth of Tin Farthings, That he had been several times at the said Office, and was promised Change for it; though he did not carry his Money with him; but others had theirs changed.

Kisdale, a Coffeeman, said, He had 3 l. in Tin Money, and sent his Son with 28 s. of them to change for Copper Halfpence and Farthings; but the Officers cut about half of them, as bad; so that he had but 14 s. returned him in Copper Coin.

Mrs. Hester, a Baker, said, She has now 5 l. in Tin Farthings and Halfpence, wherewith she sent her Servant several times to the said Office, to get them changed; but the Crowd was so great, that her Servant could not come near enough to have her Name entered in the Books:

And said, She has often sent Silver to change for Copper Coin; but could get none.

Tho. Lippige said, That he had about 40 s. of such Tin Farthings; and went, he believes, Twelve times, to the said Office, to have it changed; but the Crowd was always so great that he could not come so near to the Officers as to get his Name entered in their Books: But the last time he went he bought 16 s. worth of Pewter, on SnowHill, for 22 s. worth of his Tin Farthings.

John Moseley, a Tin-farthing Jobber, said, That, on New-year's Day was Twelve-Months, being sick, he did, for his Support, publish Papers in Print, That he would give 10 s. for 20 s. worth of Tin Halfpence and Farthings, to any Person that should think sit do deal so with him, from 5 s. to 500 l.; and accordingly, did buy many Pounds worth at that Rate, and sold them again at a Shilling in the Pound Profit to Major Ceeley, a Brazier, one Mr. Hill, and Mr. Stokes, and others whom he cannot now remember: That, before the Opening of the Patentees Office, the Informant bought of Persons, that carried them about the Streets, for 1 s. Profit in 5 s; but said, He never was employed by the Patentees to buy for them, nor put out such Bills upon their Account, or by their Advice, but merely upon his own Account and Interest.

Mrs. Stokes said, That she bought 40 s. in Tin Farthings and Halfpence, of John Mosely, at 10 s. in the Pound; and afterwards changed them at the Patentees Office, for their Tale in Copper Money: And said, That Mrs. Ward was the first Person that told her, Major Ceely bought up Tin Farthings and Halfpence.

Mrs. Mosely said, she used to dispose of many of the Tin Farthings and Halfpence, which her Husband bought, as aforesaid, to one Mr. Garret on St. Dunstan's Hill, with whom she used to truck for Tobacco.

Mrs. Ward, said, she was recommended by one Mr. Compton, a Teller to the Patentees Office, to Major Seely, as a Person that bought up Tin Farthings and Halfpence; to whom she applied herself, and disposed of above 100 l. worth of such, to him and others, at 11 s. in the Pound: That, afterwards, she was employed by Major Seely, one Mr. Weddall, and Mr. Hill, a Yeoman of the Guards, to buy up Tin Halfpence and Farthings for them; and believes she did buy for them 2 or 300 l.; and believes that Major Seely was employed by the Patentees, or their Officers; for that she has seen a Porter carry white Farthings from Mr. Seelye's to the said Office, and return Copper Farthings to Mr. Seelye's; and has heard Seelye's Man say, That his Master had no other Reward for his Labour than a Glass of Wine, or so:

— Believes Mr. Garret has bought, and entered in the said Office, above 1,000 l. in Tin Money; and that the said Hill and Randall offered white Farthings to Mr. Seely; but he said, He did not care to meddle with any more of them, because he could have no Account from the Office; and further said, That one Topham, and another Woman, said, That they were employed, as Servants, to buy up Tin Halfpence and Farthings; but did not say by whom: But the Informant has seen them follow the said Compton; and that Topham bought up more than any body else:

She further said, That one Clark, a Teller of the Office, said, The Patentees had not paid above 3,000 l. of Copper Money for the Change of 10,000 l. in Tin Money; and that if she, and one Mrs. Wentworth, who was then with her, had any white Farthings, he would change them; and said, she has paid 12 s. in Tin Farthings into the Office, and received 5 s. short out of that Sum; and never received a right Tale.

Mrs. Wentworth said, She heard Clark say, That the Patentees had not paid above 3,000 l. in Copper Money for 10,000 l. of Tin Money; and that he said Compton could afford to spend 15s. a Week in Wine; and why should he not get something?

And she said, That she sold to Redhead's Wife, One of the Office, 48s. in white Farthings for 28s. in Silver.

To this—

Clerke denied, That he had ever any such Discourse with Ward and Wentworth: And said, That he has given Bond, of 200 l. Penalty, to the Patentees, not to buy any Tin Halfpence or Farthings.

Compton said, That he did direct the said Mrs. Ward to Mr. Seely, because she wanted a Chapman to take her Tin Money off her Hands; but did it not by the Order, or for the Use, of the Patentees, but for the Interest of Mrs. Ward, who bought and sold the same; and Mr. Seely, who is his Acquaintance, and who, upon Discourse together, said, That, if the Office was so full, that they could not change the Poors white Farthings, if they would come to him, he would give them 10 s. in the Pound, ready Money, for their Tin Halfpence and Farthings: And upon this, he believes, Mr. Seely and Mrs. Ward had Dealings in such manner, as aforesaid; and that Seely has about 200 l. in Tin Money in the Office; and receives his Proportion, as others do, at the Rate of 10 s. per Week for every 100 l. pursuant to a late Order of the Patentees.

Major Seely said, That, in a Year and Half's time, he has taken in Trade of Country Chapmen, and bought of Persons about Town, at 12s. 11s. and 10s. in the Pound, about 227 l. in Tin Farthings and Halfpence, which he has entered in the said Office; and has received about 9 l. in Copper Coin, of the Patentees; and believes all Persons have received their Proportions according to the said Order:

And said, That the said Money is all for his own Use; and that he changed the Tin Farthings out of Charity to the Poor; and doth not know of any ill Practices used in the said Office: but said, Compton is a Teller between Party and Party, and the Patentees.

Inslipp said, That he bought up, and sold, Tin Halfpence and Farthings, to Mr. Seely, Mr. Purdee, and Mr. Curle, at 12 s. 11 s. and 10 s. per Pound; (fn. 1) [and sold about 40 l. worth of them to Seely, at 11 s. and 11 s. 8d. per Pound]; but believes none of them had any underhand Dealings with the Patentees:

That he has given 12s. in Silver, in the Pound, to poor People, for their Tin Money; which he has afterwards carried to the Office, and received his full Tale for them, in Copper Coin; but the Crowd was so great that notwithstanding the great Profit, it was not worth while to attend the Office:

And said, He had always Change when he asked for it; and that the Office had changed from 10 s. to 10 l.

Christian Topham said, That she has bought up some Tin Farthings at 10 s. in the Pound, for which she used to bargain with one Mr. Curle, a Linen-draper, for Cloth; but the Quantity was so small, that 'twas more to supply the necessary Occasions of her Family, than to drive a Trade that way; though she used to sell Fruit in the Country, and about Town, for white Farthings.

John Farrell said, that he bought 5 l. in Tin Farthings at 10 s. per Pound, which he entered in the Office-Books, and acquainted Mr. Slany therewith; who said, That they would be changed in a little time; but that he must take his Turn; so doubts not but that he shall have them changed; though he has had none yet; and said, He has about 10 l. more of the like.

Israel Hopper said Christian Topham, and another Woman offered him 5 d. in the Shilling for 5 l. worth of Tin Halfpence and Farthings; but he would not take it; and afterwards went to the Office to have them changed; but could not come near for the Mob.

Halfpence and Farthings.

Richard Bowler said, That, on a Wednesday in February 1694, he went to enter his Name in the Books of the said Office, for 5 l. Tin Money; but was told by the Servants, He came on a wrong Day; but they would send for him, when his Turn should come; and, not hearing from them, he went again in December last; and then offered his said Farthings to two of the Officers; who refused to take them; but, about a Week after that, one Walford told them over, and said, If the Informant would come to the Office, he should receive 6 d. a Week; to which he answered, That he had rather lose his Money, than receive it so.

Captain Tate, being examined touching the Means used to procure the Patent, said, He knows not what Gratuity was promised to any Person, to procure the said Patent: But the Copper Company endeavouring to procure a Patent, they were opposed by Mr. Barton and Mr. Slaney: so the Copper Miners and Patentees joined, bearing their own Charges; and the Reason of their joining was, because the Patentees bid more Money for a Patent to themselves, than the Copper Company: And knows not what Money was given for it; but has heard some Gratuity was to be given the Marquis of Mompelier.

Randall Bethell said, He sold several Hundred Weight of Tin Farthings and Halfpence, at 6d. per Pound Weight, to one John Body, a Button-maker; and has carried into the Patentees Office Tin Money, for which he has received his Change in his Turn.

Mr. Hill, Yeoman of the Guards, said, He never bought any Tin Halfpence or Farthings for the Patentees; nor any other Person, except Mr. Curle, a Linen draper, for whom he bought up 150 l. at 10s. per Pound in Tale, and sold them to Mr. Curle at 11s. per Pound:

And said, He had often Tin Farthings changed at the said Office for Copper; and that the Tin Farthings, so bought by him, were brought home to his House.

Mr. Curle said, That he did deal with Mr. Hill, as aforesaid, for Tin Farthings, and took all, as they came in the Way of his Trade; insomuch that he had near 1,000 l. worth of them at once by him; 620 l. of which he has paid into the Patentees Office, and has their Receipt for it; and has now above 300 l. worth of them at home:

That People brought in their Farthings voluntarily to him; for which he gave, or allowed them, 12, 11, and 10s. in the Pound; but he has not, as yet, though he might have, received, according to the said Order of the Patentees, after the Rate of 10s. per Week, for a 100 l. in hopes to bring them to better Terms.

Jonathan Burrow: That, in April last, he went to the Office with 33s. in Tin Farthings, to change for Copper; and had 6s. returned as bad: That, about Three Weeks ago, he received (b) [from the said Office] 3 l. in Copper Money, of which he weighed 21d. which wanted something of a Pound Weight, as it ought to weigh.

John Sheriffe said, That he bought a Parcel of Woollen Stuffs of Mr. Slaney, One of the Patentees, for which he was to pay 30 l. in Tin Money into the said Office; and Compton would have Two Guineas for telling them over: That, afterwards, a Salesman, viewing the said Goods, said, He would not give Half what the Informant had given for them: And produced the Bill of Parcels.

Mr. Slaney said, That when he gave over his Trade of a Woollen-draper, he had many Parcels of Goods lying by him, and many Chapmen came to buy with Tin Halfpence and Farthings; and, amongst the rest, the said Sheriffe; to whom the Informant said, That he would not sell cheaper than he bought; whereupon Sheriffe said, He would have the Goods; for which he was to pay 30 l. into the Office in Tin Money; which Mr. Slany has now in his Hands; the other Patentees refusing to let him change any of them: And as to Compton, he told Sheriffe, He must agree with him as he could, if he employed him out of the Office Business.

Ann Jones said, That Redhead's Wife, a Receiver in the Office, lends Money on Tin Halfpence and Farthings.

(fn. 2) Jones said, His Brother left a Note with him, under Mr. Redhead's Hand, for 65 l. paid him in Tin Farthings; for which Mr. Redhead was to deliver him Pewter Wares of the like Value; but the Informant never received but 10 s. out of the Office; though he had spent many Days in attending.

Halfpence and Farthings.

Mr. Redhead said, That he did make such Bargain, as aforesaid, and gave such Note for 65 l. in Tin Money which he received of the said Jones, his Brother, before he went out of Town to Nantwich: But the Reason of giving the said Note was, because the Informant's Goods were not ready: And afterwards the said Jones received the said Goods, and delivered up the said Note to Redhead; and the Money is entered in the Office-Books, in Redhead's own Name; and is yet unchanged; and knows the 10 s. received by Jones, is upon his own Account.

Mr. Barnes said, He never bought or sold Tin Farthings; but he carried 30 s. worth of them to the Office; and had 25 s. of Copper Farthings for them.

Robert Weddell said, He never employed any body in buying or selling Tin Halfpence or Farthings.

Wm. Lawrence, Victualler, said, That he had several times received Copper Farthings, for Silver, by Sam. Walford, a Servant belonging to the said Patentees, who used to bring the Money home to the Informant's House, and demanded 21 s. for 20s. in Copper Money, and sometimes a Pint of Wine, saying, He befriended him to take but 21 s. whereas he usually had 22s. for the like Sum: And said, He has been several times at the Office, but did not complain to the Patentees of Walford's taking more in Silver than he paid in Farthings; nor ever saw him, or any other of the Officers, demand more than Value for Value, at the said Office; nor does he know, that Walford's Employment in the said Office was, to change Copper Farthings for Silver:

But the Informant did buy for Walford Tin Halfpence and Farthings, at the Rate of 10 s. per Pound, to the Value of 20 l.

Wm. Peirson, Clerk to the Patentees, said, That Walford is only a Teller under Mr. Redhead, and not employed to change for Silver nor Copper Money; but, being formerly a Tin Farthing-maker, was looked upon as a Person most capable to judge between the good and the bad Tin Farthings and Halfpence, in telling of them.

Anthony Redhead said, He believes Walford might take Money, on his own Account, for his Service in carrying out the Copper Coin to those that exchanged for Silver; because it was not his proper Business: But Walford weekly returned Tale for Tale of Tin Farthings for those of Copper, which he received; and believes the Patentees did not know of it.

John Williams said, That before the said Order to pay 10s. a Week for every 100 l. of Tin Money paid into the Office, the Patentees sent Tickets, in course, to those Persons who had paid in their Farthings, when they should receive their Proportions; and has heard, and believes, that Walford did buy Tin Farthings and Halfpence; but doth not know it of his own Knowledge.

Richard Alam, Baker, said, That he has paid 70 l. in Tin Halfpence and Farthings into the said Office, for which he receives 7 s. per Week: And that, about October 1694, he made an Agreement, in Writing, with Anthony Redhead, to give him 20 l. per Cent. to take 500 l. in Tin Money; and said, That he did receive about 24 l. at several times, in Copper Money, for 30 l. in Tin Money; but said, The Agreement so made was, as he believes, before the Patent for making Copper Halfpence and Farthings.

Anth. Redhead said, He did agree with Alam for about 30 l. in Tin Farthings, at 16s. in the Pound; but believes it was before the Copper Patent, and before he was employed by the Patentees, without their Knowledge, and on his own Account:

That, of 500 l. in Tin Farthings, bought up, and taken by him in his Trade, he now has the greatest Part of them: That the Patentees have postponed their Servants in the Receipt of the Copper Money, that have bought up Tin Farthings; and obliged them in Bonds of 200 l. Penalty apiece, not to buy any more: And that he never received above 25 l. or 30 l. out of the Office in Copper Money.

That, about Three Quarters of a Year since, he did ask Leave to buy Tin Farthings; but the Patentees refused to give it him; but did connive at his taking some small Sums from Debtors, in the Way of his Trade, he being a Pewterer, at about 6 d. per Pound Weight, bad and good together, whereas the Bad is not worth above 3 d. per Pound Weight.

John Mathews, Appr' to Captain Barton, Pewterer, said, That he works under the Patentees Office; and said, Two Cart-loads of Tin Farthings and Halfpence were brought to the said Office; and Compton received those in One of the Carts; but knows not of any Abuses in the melting of them down, or otherwise.

John Knowles said, That he paid 44 l. in Tin Farthings, into the said Office; and had about 40s. returned as bad; which he believes not One in Ten to be so; for that he knows Tin Farthings as well as most that pretend to it; and said, He has received his Proportion of Copper Change, at the Rate of 10s. per Week for 100 l. all but 30 s.; for which he went, on a Wednesday, about Three Weeks ago; but was told, That Saturday was the Day to pay them out.

Wm. Coningham said, That he paid 13 s. 6d. in Tin Money, to one Williams, a Servant of the Office, since dead, soon after the Opening of the Farthing Office; for which he never received more than 5s.; but has heard, that a Ticket was issued out for Payment of the rest of his Money; but, he being out of Town, it never came to his Hands; and said, His Name was entered for 50s.; which was all that he had; though he paid but 13s. 6d. into the Office.

That several of the Witnesses, formerly examined, being again summoned to make out the Complaint; viz, Ben. Clark, John Mathews, Gregory Compton, John Williams, and Robert Weddall; they all said, That they had no new Matter to inform the Committee of, nor knew of any Abuses committed by the Patentees.

And the Committee being informed, That one Smithy managed the Complaint; he was called in, and examined:

Mr. Smithy said, He was employed by Mr. Lock, Mr. Lawrence, and others, as a Solicitor, to draw up a Breviate, and retain Counsel, and summon Witnesses, in order to make good the said Complaint against the Paten tees; because they did conceive many ill Practices were used by them; and that the Continuance of their Patent, during the Term of Seven Years, would be very burdensome to the Subject.

To all which several Informations and Allegations, Mr. Parry, One of the Patentees, in behalf of the rest in general, answered:

That the Patentees had taken all the Care imaginable to prevent Clamours, and to change all Persons Tin Halfpence and Farthings, in course, as they brought them, pursuant to the Direction of their Patent; which does not oblige them to change above 200 l. a Week; which they have more than done; That the Patentees have bound their Servants in Bonds of 200 l. Penalty apiece, not to buy any Tin Halfpence or Farthings, or make any Advantage by changing them; and that they shall take the current Money of the Kingdom in Exchange for the Copper Coin, Tale for Tale:

And produced Witnesses to prove the same:

Mr. Corbet, Comptroller of the Patent, said, That the Patentees have exchanged, in Tin Halfpence and Farthings, and for Copper Halfpence and Farthings, above 200 l. a Week, one with another, ever since the Commencement of their Patent, which was on the 24th of June 1694, to the 24th November 1695; and that the Copper Farthings and Halfpence, issued out by the Patentees, are made up to the standard Fineness, and are of full Weight; and if at any time some of them happened to be lighter than they ought to have been, and not well-coined, the same are such as they call Brocage; which are always returned, to be re-melted, and coined, except, by the Oversight of the Teller, some of them come abroad; which is no Advantage to the Patentees, the Mint being to recoin such Brocage at its own Charge.

And Mr. Corbet delivered in an Account of Profit and Loss to the Patentees, from the 24th June 1694, to the 24th November 1695; whereby it appeared they were above 2,400 l. out of Pocket:

That, Weekly, his Servant, has seen the Patentees melt down 211 l. and 4 s. in Tin Halfpence and Farthings; of which his Servant kept a constant Account; and that he had heard it alleged, the Servants of the Patentees had taken Money, for selling Copper Money for Silver, above the Tale; but believes it false; for that he taxed them with it, and they all denied it; but there used to be a mighty Crowd, may be of 500 at a time, about the Office, more of Buyers of the Tin Money than Exchangers, as the Servants said; and that some Persons entered 1,000 l. when they had not 5 l. to be exchanged: And believes the Patentees have pursued the Direction of their Patent.

Mr. Dockwra said, That the Copper Company, of which he is a Member, have furnished the said Patentees with 145 Tons of English Copper; which was so fine, that it will very near make as fine Wire as the Swedish Copper: That the said Copper will not bear a worse Alloy than as the Patentees receive it; and now they must pay 120 l. per Ton; whereas, formerly, they paid but 100 l. per Ton; because the Price of Copper is raised to the Company; at which Rate the Copper Company have agreed to furnish the Patentees with 70 Tons in One Year: And that the said Company have sold almost all their Copper to the Patentees.

Mr. Davis, the Roller and Cutter, said, That all the Copper Farthings that are rolled are worth 120 l. per Ton; and that the Copper must be fine, or it will not roll; and cannot say any thing to such as are cast: But the Patentees pay 5d. a Pound-weight for making either.

Mr. Rotier said, He takes Casting of Copper Blanks for Halfpence and Farthings to be the most proper Way of making them; for that they can cast much faster than roll; and One Pair of Dice for Casting will last longer than Three Pair of Dice for the Roll; and believes the cast Farthings to be as fine, and better coloured Copper, than those that are rolled: And that the Patentees pay the same Rate for Casting as for Rolling.

Tho. Pendleton, Book-keeper at the Mint, said, He keeps the Books of the Copper Coin at the Mint; and that the Blanks for Earthings cast, and those rolled, are undoubted of the same Weight and Fineness: That, for almost a Year together, he took Notice of, and weighed them, and found that 21 d. of them weighed a Poundweight, with the Remedy, within a Farthing and a Halfpenny over or under; and that some Pieces will be lighter, and some heavier, than others, do what they can; and that some will be Brocage-Pieces, which ought to be melted again.

Mr. Peirson, Clerk to the Patentees, produced the Books of Account, stated with the Comptroller, from the 24th June 1694, to the 24th November 1695, to which the Account delivered by Mr. Corbet referred; of which it appeared to be a true Extract: But said, The Accounts of the Office, since the said 24th of November, are not yet stated with the Comptroller: But produced all the Books and Papers relating to the whole Account, to the very Day of Examination:

Whereby it appears, That the Informant had paid to Mr. Redhead, the Exchange of Copper Farthings for Tin Farthings, for the first Four Weeks, upwards of 200 l. a Week, in Copper Coin; and afterwards, till near Christmas last, at the Rate of 211 l. 4s. per Week; and since Christmas to this time, 211 l. 4s. per Week has been exchanged between the Informant and Mr. Redhead:

And said, That he never refused to take current Money, for Exchange of Copper Coin when he had any to dispose of; and took Guineas as they were reputed to pass; and many times lost 6d. in a Guinea, when he paid them unto Goldsmiths.

Halfpence and Farthings.

Thomas Andrews said, That he sells Copper Money, for Silver, for the Patentees; and never took a Penny above Value for Value, as 12d. in Farthings for a Shilling; and never refused current Money when he had Farthings to sell.

Mr. Redhead said, He received the Copper Money of Mr. Peirson, as aforesaid; which he exchanged for the like Tale of Tin Money:

And avers, That 211 l. 4s. a Week of Tin Money, except for the Four first Weeks, has been exchanged for the like Value in Copper Money, from the 6th of November 1694, to this time:

The Reason of paying the 211 l. 4s. per Week was, by Direction from the Lords of the Treasury, to fetch up the lost Time from the 24th June, the time of Commencement of the Patent, to the said 6th of November, the time when the Patentees began to exchange: And the Comptroller, or his Deputy, did always fee that 211 l. 4s. per Week, of Tin Money, was melted down; and confethey kept an Account with the Informant; and consequently so much was exchanged for Copper Coin:

And that it is only the Informant's Business to melt down the Tin Money, and exchange them for Copper; and that he always exchanged Tale for Tale, and not otherwise; and believes the other Servants of the said Office did the like; and that some Persons might enter themselves to have 1,100 l. worth of Tin Money, when they had not above 100 l.

That, upon the whole Matter, the Committee came to the several Resolutions following; viz.

Resolved, That, upon Examination of the Complaint made against the Patentees for making Copper Halfpence and Farthings, the Committee are of Opinion, That the said Patentees have made the said Farthings and Halfpence of good Copper, according to the Direction of their Patent.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the said Patentees have exchanged and delivered out (fn. 3) [Copper] Halfpence and Farthings for Gold and current Silver Money, at the common Value, without any further Recompence.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that the said Patentees have exchanged 200 l. a Week, of Tin Farthings and Halfpence, for 200 l. of the like Value in Copper Halfpence and Farthings, pursuant to their said Patent.

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

Wilton Bridge.

Mr. Thomas Foley junior reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for Repeal of an Act made in the 39th Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; and for taking off the Duty of Pontage, payable at Wilton Bridge, near Rosse, in the County of Hereford; was committed; That they had made an Amendment 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 was twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon agreed unto by the House.

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

Highway Laws.

Sir Henry Hobart reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for the better Explanation of an Act, of the 22th Year of King Charles the Second, for the better Repairing of Highways, 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, some of them, a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill be re-committed to the same Committee: And that the said Committee do meet Tomorrow Morning.

Parochial Taxes.

A Petition of divers Gentlemen, and others, substantial Inhabitants in several Parishes within the weekly Bills of Mortality, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners are very uneasy under the heavy Burden of parochial Taxes, which are imposed in a most unequal Manner, by a few Persons, who assume to themselves the Name of Ancients, in pretended Vestries; and who audite the Churchwardens and Overseers Books in a private manner: And praying, That the House will give the Petitioners such Relief in the Premises as the House shall think fit.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Bill for regulating of Select Vestries, and preventing Abuses arising thereby, is committed.

Security of King's Person.

A Bill for the better Security of his Majesty's Royal Person, and Government, was, according to the Order of the Day, read a Second time.

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

Resolved, That this House do immediately resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

And the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House accordingly.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Cooper, took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Cooper, reported from the said Committee, That they had made some Progress in the Matter to them referred; and had directed him to move, That they may have Leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, after the Conference with the Lords is over, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the said Bill.

Conference with Lords.

Ordered, That the Committee who drew the Reasons do manage the Conference to be had with the Lords, touching the Amendments, made by their Lordships, to the Bill for prohibiting all Trade and Commerce with France; and for the Encouragement of Privateers.

And the Managers went to the Conference.

And, being returned;

Mr. Gwyn reported, That the Managers had attended the Conference, and given the Lords the Reasons for disagreeing to several of the Amendments, made by their Lordships, to the said Bill; and left the Bill, and Amendments with their Lordships.

Security of King's Person.

The House, according to Order resolved itself again into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Bill for the better Security of his Majesty's Person, and Government.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Cooper took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Cooper reported from the said Committee, That they had gone through the Bill and made several Amendments; which they had directed him to report, when the House will please to receive the same.

Ordered, That the said Report be made To-morrow Morning.

Supply Bill; Salt Duties and Land Bank.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Bill for continuing to his Majesty certain Rates and Duties upon Salt, for carrying on the War against France; and for taking off the Duties of Tonage upon Ships, and upon Coals; and for establishing a national Land-Bank.

Supply Bill; Duties on Low Wines.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, after the Report of the Bill for the better Security of his Majesty's Royal Person, and Government, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for laying several Duties on low Wines, or Spirits, of the first Extraction; and for preventing the Frauds and Abuses of Brewers, Distillers, and other Persons chargeable with the Duties of Excise.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

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