House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 15 February 1698

Martis, 15 die Februarii ;

10° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Ayre and Calder Navigation.

A PETITION of the ancient Borough of Northallerton, in the County of York, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That great Quantities of Lead, Butter, and other Commodities, are daily carried from thence to Burrough-Briggs; and thence, by Water upon the River Ouze, to several Parts of this Kingdom, and beyond the Seas; but in case the Rivers Ayre and Calder be made navigable, as is intended by a Bill now in this House, it will drain the River Ouze, and deprive the Petitioners of the Benefit they receive thereby: And pray, That the said Rivers may not be made navigable.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of the ancient Town of Easingwould, in the County of York, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the River Ouze is of great Advantage to the Petitioners, and Parts adjacent, for conveying their Goods from Place to Place; but there being a Bill in the House for making the Rivers Ayre and Calder navigable, the River Ouze will be thereby drained, and made unuseful: And praying, That the said Bill may not pass.

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

Army Arrears.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom the Petition of Mr. Fran. Molyneux is referred, have Leave to sit upon Thursday Morning next, to consider the Petitions to them referred.

Russia Trade.

A Petition of divers Merchants, Clothiers, and others, in the Town of Leeds, in the County of York, and Places adjacent, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Company of Merchant-Adventurers of England having published in the Gazette, That all his Majesty's Subjects may be admitted into the Freedom of the said Company for 40 s. Fine, with Liberty to export English Woollen Manufactures into all the Limits of the Company, except the Rivers of Elb, Weser, and Eyder; That the Petitioners conceive, That unless the said Company be supported in their Trade to the said Rivers, the same will irrecoverably fall into the Hands of Foreigners, who will, in a little time, have it in their Power to limit the Prices of our Woollen Manufactures, and cause them to be debased at their Pleasures: And praying, That the said Company may be supported in their Trade in the said Rivers.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table, to be considered in a full House.

Army Arrears.

A Petition of several Soldiers of Major Hugh Galbrieth's Troop in Colonel Ross's Regiment of Dragoons, now in his Majesty's Service, was presented to the House, and read: setting forth, That they have served his Majesty Seven Years in Ireland and Flanders, and have a considerable Arrear of Pay due to them, but can have no Account thereof; and several unjust Stoppages are made out of their Subsistence: And praying Redress therein.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of Mr. Francis Molyneux is referred: And that they do examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Petition from Lancaster.

A Petition of the Mayor, Bailiffs, Aldermen, Common-Council, and Inhabitants, of the Borough or Town of Lancaster, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That * * * *.

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

Ordered, That the said Committee do hear such Witnesses, in relation to the said Petition, as are now in Town, in a Week next:

And that Mr. Harcourt, Mr. Ettrick, Sir Tho. Roberts, and Sir Wm. Ashurst, be added to the said Committee.

Farrington's Estate.

Mr. Shackerly reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for vesting in Trustees, to be sold, certain Lands of George Farrington Esquire, lying in the Counties of Middlesex and Surry, settled upon the Marriage of Wm. Farrington, his Nephew; and, with the Money arising thereby, for purchasing of other Lands in Lancashire, where the ancient Estate of the Family lies, to be settled to the same Uses; was committed; That they had examined and considered the same; and 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 agreed unto by the House; and are as follow; viz.

Skin 1. L. 22. after "the," insert "one and."

L last, after "called," insert "Hingland, alias."

Skin 2. L. 20. after "Fleetwood," insert "Richard Fleetwood."

7. L. 39. after "and," insert " Hingland, alias."

8. L. 26. before "Kingsland," insert "Hingland, alias."

L. 33. before "Kingsland," insert "Hingland, alias."

L. last, after "and," insert "Hingland, alias."

11. L. 38. after "and," insert "Hingland, alias."

Poor Relief.

An ingrossed Bill for explaining an Act made in the last Session of Parliament, intituled, An Act for supplying some Defects in the Laws for the Relief of the Poor of this Kingdom, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for explaining an Act, made the last Session of Parliament, intituled, An Act for supplying some Defects in the Laws for the Relief of the Poor of this Kingdom.

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

Army Arrears.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Soldiers of Colonel Langston's Regiment is referred, have Leave to sit To-morrow Morning.

Quartering Soldiers on Victuallers.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom the Petition of Robert Taylor, and others, Inhabitants in the Tower Hamlets, is referred, have Leave to sit To-morrow Morning:

And that Sir Thomas Roberts and Mr. White be added to the said Committee.

Recovery of Wages.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better Recovery of Wages due to Servants, Seamen, and Miners: And that Mr. Boscawen and Sir Walter Young do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Tiverton Work-houses.

A Bill for erecting Hospitals and Work-houses within the Town and Parish of Tiverton, in the County of Devon, for the better employing and maintaining the Poor there, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to the Lord Spencer, Sir Math. Andrews, Mr. Hoblyn, Mr. Bere, Mr. Boscawen, Mr. Sanford, Sir Walter Young, Mr. York, Mr. Burrington, Lord Pawlet, Mr. Bohun, Sir John Duke, Sir Fra. Drake, Mr. Clark, Mr. Bridges, Mr. Ashby, Mr. Mountstevens, Mr. Frewen, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. White, Mr. Blofield, Mr. Smith, Sir Fra. Masham, Sir Jos. Jekyll, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Northmore, Mr. Champnyes, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Pocklington, Mr. Taylor, Sir Robert Cotton, Mr. Hobby, Mr. Drake, Mr. Payne, Lord Russell, Mr. Colt, Mr. Arnold, Sir Henry Colt, Mr. Yates, Mr. Baldwyn; and all the Members that serve for the Counties of Devon, Cornwall, and Somersett: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chambers.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Freke have Leave to go into the Country, his Mother being very ill.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

Address against Profaneness.

Sir William Trumball, according to Order, reported from the Committee appointed to prepare an humble Address to his Majesty, to suppress Prosaneness and Immorality, and all Books which endeavour to undermine the Fundamentals of the Christian Religion, and punish the Authors, That they had prepared an humble Address accordingly; 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 is as followeth; viz.

May it please your Majesty,

We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Commons in Parliament assembled, do, with great Joy and Comfort, remember the many Testimonies which your Majesty hath given us of your Sincerity, and Zeal for the true reformed Religion, as established in this Kingdom: And, in particular, we beg Leave to present to your Majesty, our most humble and thankful Acknowlegements for the late gracious Declaration your Majesty has made to us, from the Throne, That you would effectually discourage Profaneness and Immorality; which, chiefly by the Neglect and ill Example of too many Magistrates, are, like a general Contagion, diffused and spread throughout the Kingdom, to the great Scandal and Reproach of our Religion, and to the Dishonour and Prejudice of your Majesty's Government.

Therefore, in Concurrence with your Majesty's pious Intentions, we do most humbly desire, That your Majesty would issue out your Royal Proclamation, commanding all your Majesty's Judges, Justices of the Peace, and other Magistrates, to put in speedy Execution those good Laws that are now in Force against Profaneness and Immorality; giving due Encouragement to all such as do their Duty therein: And that your Majesty would be pleased to require from your Judges, and Justices of Assize, from time to time, an Account of such their Proceedings.

And, since the Examples of Men in high and publick Stations have a powerful Influence upon the Lives of others, we do most humbly beseech your Majesty, That all Vice, Profaneness, and Irreligion, may, in a particular manner, be discouraged in all those who have the Honour to be employed near your Royal Person; and in all others who are in your Majesty's Service, by Sea and Land; appointing strict Orders to be given to all your Commanders, That they not only shew a good Example themselves, but also inspect the Manners of those under them: And that your Majesty would, upon all Occasions, distinguish Men of Piety and Virtue by Marks of your Royal Favour.

We do further, in all Humility, beseech your Majesty, That your Majesty would give such effectual Orders, as to your Royal Wisdom shall seem fit, for the suppressing all pernicious Books and Pamphlets which contain in them impious Doctrines against the holy Trinity, and other fundamental Articles of our Faith, tending to the Subversion of the Christian Religion; and that the Authors and Publishers thereof may be discountenanced and punished.

And we do also most humbly beseech your Majesty, That your said Proclamation may be ordered to be read, at least Four times in the Year, in all Churches and Chapels, immediately after divine Service; and at the Assizes, and Quarter-Sessions of the Peace, just before the Charge is given.

We present to your Majesty this our most humble Address, proceeding from our Duty, and Zeal for the Glory of God; and to the end that all our Counsels may be blessed by his divine Assistance; and may produce Honour, Safety, and Happiness, with all the Blessings of a lasting Peace, to your Majesty, and your People.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Address.

Resolved, That the said Address be presented to his Majesty by the whole House.

Ordered, That such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council, do humbly know his Majesty's Pleasure when he will be attended by this House.

Supply Bill; Arrears of Annuities.

An ingrossed Bill for satisfying and discharging the Arrears of several Annuities, which incurred between the 17th Day of May 1696, and the 17th Day of May 1697, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for satisfying and discharging the Arrears of several Annuities, which incurred between the 17th Day of May 1696, and the 17th Day of May 1697.

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

Slaughter's importing Silk.

Sir William Ashurst, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill to enable Paris Slaughter and William Druce, Merchants, to import several Bales of fine Italian Thrown-Silk, from Amsterdam into this Kingdom: And the same was received.

Ordered, That the Bill be read To-morrow Morning.

Army Arrears.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Petition of Mr. Francis Molyneux was referred, which should have been made this Day, be made To-morrow Morning.

Regulating Printing.

Ordered, That the Bill to regulate Printing, and Printing-Presses, be read To-morrow Morning.

Accounts, &c. to be considered.

Ordered, That the Copies, and Accounts, presented to the House, Yesterday by Mr. Lowndes, be read, and taken into Consideration, To-morrow Morning.

Ways and Means.

Then the House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Supply to be granted to his Majesty; and of Ways and Means for raising the same.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported from the said Committee, That they had come to several Resolutions; which they had directed him to report, when the House will please to receive the same.

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

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