House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 9 February 1694

Veneris, 9 die Februarii;

5° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Merchants Insurers Creditors.

A PETITION of Daniel Foe Merchant, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner having sustained divers Losses by Insurances since the War with France, and having met and proposed to his Creditors a Means for their Satisfaction, some few of them will not come into those Proposals: That there being a Bill depending in this House, to enable some Merchants Insurers the better to satisfy their Creditors, the Petitioner prays his Name may be inserted in the said Bill, to have the like Benefit with them.

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

Recovering Small Tythes.

Sir John Key, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for the more easy Recovery of small Tythes: And the same was received.

Stevens's Estate.

A Bill for the Sale of the Estate of Wm. Stevens, deceased, for Payment of the Mortgage-money thereupon, and applying the Overplus for the Benefit of his Sons, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

St. John of Wapping Parish.

A Petition of the Churchwardens, and principal Inhabitants of the Parish of Whitechapel, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners are informed, there is a Bill passing this House for making the Hamlet of Wapping, within the said Parish of Whitechapel, a distinct Parish of itself: And praying they may be heard, as touching their Right, before the Passing of the said Bill.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Bill for the Endowment of a Chapel at Wapping, and making of it Parochial, and distinct from the Parish of Whitechapel, is committed.

Whitley's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill to enable Roger Whitley the elder Esquire, and Thomas Whitley Esquire, to exchange certain Lands, of equal Value, in the County of Chester, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act to enable Roger Whitley Esquire, and Tho. Whitley Esquire, to exchange certain Lands, of equal Value, in the County of Chester.

Ordered, That Mr. Fenwick do carry the Bill to the Lords; and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Preventing Export of Wool, &c.

Sir John Guise, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for the better preventing the Exportation of Wool, by altering the Penalty; and for the better regulating the Factors at Blackwell-hall: And the same was received.

Registering Fishermen for the Navy.

Ordered, That Sir Richard Temple, Sir Math. Andrews, Lord Falkland, Sir Roger Puleston, Sir Robert Clayton, Sir Tho. Vernon, and all the Members that serve for the Counties of Kent, Essex, Surrey, and London, be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill for compelling Fishermen to come into their Majesties Service, is committed.

C. Turner's Estate.

A Bill for the settling the Inheritance of some Parts of the Estate of Charles Turner Esquire, which lie dispersed, in himself; and settling an entire Estate, of greater Value, in lieu thereof, to the Uses that the other Estate stands settled; was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Sir Robert Edon, Mr. Bedingfield, Mr. Lamplugh, Mr. Freeman, Sir Jon. Jennings, Sir Cha. Bloys, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Waller, Mr. England, Mr. Hawtry, Mr. Burdet, Mr. Bockenham, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Lutterell, Mr. How, Mr. Lloyd, Colonel Holt, Mr. Bulkley, Sir John Key, Mr. Freke, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Hopkins; and all that serve for the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Ease of Jurors.

Ordered, That the Debate upon the ingrossed Bill for the Ease of Jurors that serve at the Assizes for England and Wales, be adjourned until Wednesday Morning next.

Delays at Quarter Sessions.

An ingrossed Bill to prevent Delays of Proceedings at the Quarter-Sessions of the Peace was read the Third time.

An ingrossed Clause was offered, as a Rider, That all Certiorari's granted within the Counties of Lancaster and Durham, shall be proceeded upon in such manner as the Act directs for the King's-Bench.

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

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act to prevent Delays of Proceedings at the Quarter-Sessions of the Peace.

Ordered, That Sir Joseph Tradenham do carry the Bill to the Lords; and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Irish Forfeitures.

A Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Petition of the Lord Fitz Williams of Merion, Colonel Thomas Dungan, and Colonel Nicholas Purcell, presented to the House on Wednesday last, be read;

It passed in the Negative.

Tryals for Treason.

Mr. Boyle, according to the Order of the Day, reported from the Committee of he whole House, to whom the Bill for Regulating of Tryals in Cases of High Treason was committed, the Amendments made by the said Committee to the said Bill: The 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; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

A Clause was offered to be added to the Bill, That no Defect in the Proceedings which is not Matter of Substance shall be allowed.

And the same was read the First time:

And the Question being put, That the Clause be read a Second time.

It passed in the Negative.

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

Translation of Letter respecting the Brest Fleet.

Sir Thomas Dyke reported from the Committee appointed to translate a Copy of a French Letter, received by the Earl of Nottingham the 31st of May last, That they had translated the same accordingly: And he delivered the Copy of the said Letter, and Translation thereof, in at the Table: Where the said Translation was read; and is as followeth; viz.

A Copy of a Letter, writ from Paris, June the 1st: R. May 30th, 1693.

Here is the Order of our Brest Fleet, lying at Anchor; which we could not have until this present.

The First Line, on the Side of the Port of Brest; which is composed of Twenty Vessels; namely,

The Second Line, on the other Side of Brest, is composed of Twenty-one Ships; namely,

The Body of Reserve; composed of Twenty-seven Ships.

These are yet remaining in the Port of St. Lewes, and L'Eole: Monsieur the Count D'Estrees is expected with his Ships, and 2 or 3 more.

These are in all 68 Ships, in which are 30,118 Men, and 4,876 Pieces of Cannon.

There is News since, That this Fleet is sailed, and out of Sight.

It is taken for granted, That Monsieur Le Count D'Estrees is before Roses, which is besieged by Monsieur de Noaille.

Though many deny the renewing the Alliance with the Duke of Savoy, the most Intelligent affirm nevertheless, That he has agreed again for some Years; but it is not certainly known for how many.

Nothing hindered him from making Peace with us, but that he demanded Pigneroll, which we would not grant.

Inform yourself what Bread is worth per Pound at London; for here they say, it is very dear there.

They wonder still here, how it comes to pass, That the Enemies grow not wise by Experience; and that they always suffer themselves to be prevented.

To satisfy the people, This Day Te Deum is sung for the Taking of Hydelberg.

Mons. Ponchatraine is here: It is said; there is a Guard kept about his House; but that appears not.

It is pretended, That the Caimacan, now Grand Visier, is a great Soldier, and will carry on the War with great Vigour, being encouraged by the Conquests which we make in Germany.

The King hath received Advice, That Monsieur Du Fay, Governor of Fryberg, is dead: There are now two great Governments to dispose of; Tournay, vacant by the Death of Monsieur de Manleurier; and Friburg.

Intelligence touching French Fleet.

The House proceeded to take into Consideration the Report of the Conference with the Lords Yesterday.

Ordered, That Mr. Secretary Trenchard have a Copy of the said Report: And that he do present to this House, To-morrow Morning, an Account, in Writing, of the Letter and Intelligence mentioned in the said Report.

Lord Falkland's Examination.

Mr. Harley according to Order, presented to the House, from the Commissioners for stating the publick Accounts, the Information given, upon Oath, by the Lord Viscount Falkland, to the said Commissioners: And also,

Pensions, &c. to Members.

An Account of the Pensions, Salaries, and Sums of Money, paid or payable to Members of Parliament out of the publick Revenue, or otherwise.

And the same were read; and are as follow; viz.

Friday, the 8th of December 1693.

The Lord Viscount Falkland came to the Commissioners of Accounts; and, upon Oath, answered to the following Questions.

Quest. 1. Your Lordship sent in your Letter Four Names to Mr. Francis Rainsford; viz. Randolph Keine, John Thomas, Jacob Thomson, and Joseph Williams: Where do they live, that they may be sent to?

Answ. All but Randolph Keine were Names put in: His Lordship knows no such Persons: They are fictitious Names.

Quest. Why were those Names used, if the Money was to be for his Majesty's particular Use?

Answ. His Lordship had no Reason to use those Names: Did not know any of the Money was to be paid to Randolph Keine, until he went to Kensington.

Quest. Had your Lordship any Directions to have Eight Notes, according as you require by your Letter to Mr. Rainsford?

Answ. He had no Directions for what Sums any Notes should be: But his Lordship asked the King, Whether he would have them in one Bill, or several? His Majesty said, In several, to the best of his Remembrance: But doth not recollect, that he had any Reason for requiring the Notes for the Sums mentioned in the Letter; but did it by his own Fancy.

Quest. By what Order of his Majesty, did your Lordship allow Fourteen Days for Payment of the last Two thousand Pounds?

Answ. He had no Order to allow Fourteen Days; but his Lordship required Mr. Rainsford to get it as soon as he could; and then acquainted the King with what he had done, who approved thereof.

His Lordship further said, That, notwithstanding what Mr. Rainsford said, upon his Lordship's giving an Acquittance for the Whole, which was on the 28th of March, Mr. Rainsford did give his Lordship his own Note for the remaining 2,000l.; which he afterwards delivered up, when he had Mr. Fowle's Notes.

Quest. Where is your Lordship's Order to deliver Notes, or pay the First Two thousand Pounds to any Person?

Answ. His Lordship produced Two Papers, which he acknowleged to be written by his own Hand; Copies whereof are as followeth;

March the 23th, 169²/3.

YOU are hereby directed to pay to Mr. Randloph Keine the Sum of Two thousand Pounds, which I ordered to be paid into your Hands for my immediate Service, taking his Receipt for the same.

To Anth. Viscount
Falkland.

William R.

March the 23th, 169²/3.

RECEIVED then of the Lord Falkland, by his Majesty's Directions, and for his Majesty's Service, the sum of Two thousand Pounds.

Randolph Keine.

Quest. At what time, since his Majesty's Return, did your Lordship acquaint the King, That you had the remaining 2,000l. in your Hands?

Answ. His Lordship doth not remember the Time.

Quest. Was it before Mr. Rainsford was sent for by the House of Commons, or since?

Answ. His Lordship cannot be positive; but it was within Ten Days of this time: His Lordship further said, That he had before desired a time to speak to his Majesty; and then he intended to speak to the King of this Matter.

Quest. We desire to know, If your Lordship advised, or spoke to any Member of Parliament, to beg or procure this Money, or any Part thereof, of his Majesty, or to join with your Lordship therein; and to what Member?

Answ. To no Member that did any thing therein: His Lordship did propose it to the Speaker of the House of Commons, some time since, to join with him to beg it: But he doth not remember he did propose it to any other Member of either House.

Quest. What time did your Lordship propose it to the Speaker?

Lord Falkland's Examination by Commissioners of Account.

Answ. It was while the Parliament was sitting, before his Lordship knew the certain Sum that was in Rainsford's Hands.

Quest. Did the King, when your Lordship delivered the Notes for the first Two thousand Pounds, declare, or promise, Your Lordship should have the other Two thousand Pounds?

Answ. I cannot say it.

Quest. Did your Lordship expect that Money for your own Use?

Answ. I have deserved more than that from this Government; having been a great Loser since the Revolution, and served it faithfully.

Payments to Members.

This Honourable House, having been pleased to order Mr. Robert Squibb to return an Account, to the Commissioners of Accounts, of all Money paid by William Jephson Esquire, to Members of Parliament; the said Mr. Squibb did give an Account, upon Oath, as far as he could collect from the said Mr. Jephson's Papers, of all Payments made to Parliament-men, over and above what the Commissioners have already laid before this House.

The said Commissioners of Accounts have employed their utmost Diligence to observe the Commands of this House: And, upon strict Examination of the several Persons, upon their Oaths, to whom the publick Money hath been issued, they find divers Payments made to Members of Parliament, which appear not to be upon extraordinary Occasions; and therefore are not herein by them exhibited; viz. such as are,

For the ordinary Service of their Offices.

Or, in Consideration of Estate purchased.

Or, where their Names are used for other Persons.

Or, for Rent, payable from the Crown for Lands, by Contracts made many Years since.

Or, in Repayment of Money lent, or Interest for the same.

Or, to be returned beyond Sea.

Or, Charity-Money to French Protestants.

Or, to such as have been Members of the late Convention, but are not Members of this Parliament, or are now deceased.

The other Payments, as far as yet is come to the Knowlege of the Commissioners, hereafter follow; together with an Account of such Grants of Money, or Lands, as have passed under the Privy-Seal, now appearing to them: And the Commissioners will also further be ready to present to the House such other Payments of the like Nature, as shall come to their Knowlege.

Payments made by Wm. Jephson Esquire; viz.

To Colonel Charles Godfrey, upon his Annuity of 1,000l. per Ann. formerly paid by the Cofferer of the Household; paid him by Quarterly Payments, from the 24 of May 1689, to the 5 June 1691; 2,799l. 14s. 6d.

July 2d, 1690, To Thomas Papillon Esquire, FreeGift, and Royal Bounty, 150l.

October 4. To Sir Richard Onslow, for his Majesty's immediate Service; which, he deposed, was employed neither directly nor indirectly for his own Use, or any other Member of Parliament, but, by his Majesty's Command, for publick Service; 1,000l.

Payments by the Cofferer of their Majesties Houshold; viz.

To Philip Bickerstaffe Esquire, for a Stipend of 30l. per Ann. for Three Years and Half, ending at Michaelmas 1692, 105l.

To Sir Stephen Fox, on a Pension of 120l. per Ann.; said to be purchased of Mr. Hamilton 1665, for a valuable Consideration; for Two Years and Half, 300l.

Payments to Members

Grants of Money and Land by Privy-Seals; viz. May 1689. A Grant and Demise, to pass the Great Seal, unto Thomas Preston Esquire, of the Site of the dissolved Monastery, Rectory, Messuage, Rents, and Hereditaments, in Furneis, and other Lands in the Coun ty of Lancaster; whereof Sir Thomas Preston was seised; and which were by him conveyed to the Lord Carrington, and Richard Walmesly Esquire, and their Heirs; and by them since surrendered to the Crown: Of which Premises, his late Majesty King Charles the Second, granted a Lease to the said Thomas Preston, in the 35th Year of his Reign, for Seven Yeas, under the yearly Rent of 400l.; to hold the same to the said Thomas Preston, his Executors, and Administrators, from Lady-Day, for the further Term of One and-twenty Years, under the yearly Rent of 200l.

Memorandum. Mr. Preston is Heir Male to Sir. Tho. Preston, who did offer to settle this Estate upon him, in case he would change his Religion; which he refusing Sir Tho. settled it to superstitious Uses; and Mr. Preston was at the Charge of vesting this Estate in the Crown: And the House of Commons have formerly agreed to a Proviso, for confirming this Grant.

December 1691. To John Dutton Colt Esquire, the Sum of 1,254l. 1s. 9d. Part of 2,508l. 3s. 6d. due upon Composition made by Samuel Packer, and others at Bristoll, for the Duty of Tobacco unpaid there, for which, an Information was exhibited against them; in Consideration of his good Service performed therein, paid him the said Sum of 1,254l. 1s. 9d.

December 1692. To Samuell Reynolds Esq; and his Heirs, the Manor, or reputed Manor, of Cowherne, in the County of Hereford; and all Messuages, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments thereunto belonging; which were the Inheritance of Ralph Godwyn Esquire, deceased: And, after his Death, the Reversion thereof, expectant upon an Estate, which Eliz. Relict of the said Ralph Godwyn, hath therein for her Life, for her Jointure, did escheat to the Crown; to be holden of their Majesties, as of the Manor of East-Greenwich in Kent, in common Socage, by Fealty, under such Rents and Services, if any, as were payable out of, or for, the Premises, before or at the time of the said Escheat.

April 1693. To Richard Lord Colchester, his Executors and Assigns, a Grant of a Piece of Ground, lying near the Forest of Waltham, in the County of Essex, called Wallwood; being in or near the Parish of Leighton, in the said County; with the Appurtenances; for 99 Years; under the yearly Rent of 6s. 8d. payable at Michaclmas.

April 1693. To Henry Herbert Esquire, a Grant of 2,181l. 4s. 6½d.; and all other Monies which shall remain due to their Majesties from Bevis Lloyd Esquire, upon his Account, as late Receiver-General in several Counties in Wales: Also the Sum of 324l. 3s. 4d.; and all other Sums, and Arrears, which shall appear to be due from John Nash Esquire, on his Account, to the 15th of March last past, as Receiver of the Revenue aforesaid, for the Year ending at Michaelmas 1688.

Memorandum. Mr. Herbert came to the Commissioners of Accounts, and affirmed, That he had not yet received any Benefit by this Grant, by reason other Persons had Claims to the same Arrears.

December 1693. To Edward Russell Esquire, Admiral of the Fleet, in Consideration of the many faithful Services performed; particularly, in destroying a considerable Part of the French Fleet in the Year 1692; a Grant of the Residue of 20,000l.; that should arise by the Sale of such Quantities of scrubbed Beach, and Birch, Hazel, and Ouzel, as should be felled, and cut down in the Forest of Deane, in the County of Gloucester, in Seven Years, from the last Day of February, in the Fourth Year of their Majesties Reign; after such Payments thereof as have been made into the Exchequer, and of such Sums as are already chargeable thereout.

Memorandum. It doth appear to the Commissioners of Accounts, That about 10,000l. hath been already disposed of out of the said 20,000l. to be raised by Sale of Wood; viz. To Sir John Guise 7,000l. by PrivySeal, as is certified to this House in the last Return; and 500l. to Daniel Osborne Esquire, to repair the Town of Heydon; and 2,500l. for secret Service, to Mr. Guy.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Tuesday Morning next, take into Consideration the said Information and Account; and also the former Account from the said Commissioners to this House of what Monies have been issued and paid for secret Service, and to Members of Parliament.

London Orphans Fund.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Thursday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council of the City of London, relating to the Orphans of the said City.

Importing Saltpetre.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Thursday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for the Importation of Saltpetre.

Cambridge Election.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Elections and Privileges, touching the Election for the County of Cambridge, be made upon Monday Morning next.

Ways and Means.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning at Eleven a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supplies to be granted to their Majesties, for the Maintenance of the Fleet, and Land-Forces, for the Service of the Year 1694.

Protestants Nat.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Friday Morning next, at Eleven a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for the Naturalization of all such Protestants as shall take the Oaths to their Majesties, and the Test against Popery.

Committees.

A Motion being made, and the Question being put, That all Committees be revived;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

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