House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 18 December 1697

Sabbati, 18 die Decembris;

Nono Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Duties on Leather.

A PETITION of the Wardens, and the rest of the Society of Glovers, within the City of Hereford, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, since there has been a Duty laid upon Allum, Salt, and Leather, the Glovers Trade is abated above a Fourth-part, and Gloves are fallen Two Shillings in a Dozen; and the Buyer will now have longer Credit, by reason of the Dulness of Trade; so that the Petitioners cannot receive Money enough to pay Journeymen: And praying, That the Duty upon Alum-Leather may be taken off.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Aldermen, Stewards, and Company, of Fellmongers, Leather-dressers, and Glovers, in the City of Chester, is referred: And that they do examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Preventing throwing Squibs, &c.

Sir Henry Colt, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill to prevent the Throwing and Firing of Squibs, Serpents, and other Fireworks: And the same was received.

The Bill was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Timber in New Forest.

Mr. Smith, acording to Order, presented to the House a Bill for Increase and Preservation of Timber in the New Forest, in the County of Southampton: And the same was received.

The Bill was read the First time.

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

Oaths relating to Tallies, and Exchequer Business.

Mr. Lowndes, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill to give further Time for the Administring of Oaths relating to Tallies and Orders; and for the easier Dispatch of the publick Business in the Exchequer: And the same was received.

The Bill was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time on Monday Morning next.

Hammered Coin.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill that no Tender of any hammered Silver Coin of this Kingdom be a lawful Tender of Money in any Payment whatsoever: And that Mr. Harcourt, Mr. Gwynne, and Mr. Lowndes, do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Ships for Summer and Winter Guard

Sir Richard Onslow, according to Order, reported, from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider what Number of Ships are necessary for a Summer and Winter Guard for the Year 1698, the Resolution of the Committee; which they had directed him to report to the House; and which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That 10,000 Men are necessary for a Summer and Winter Guard at Sea, for the Year 1698.

The said Resolution being read a Second time;

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That 10,000 Men are necessary for a Summer and Winter Guard at Sea, for the Year 1698.

Preventing Correspondence with late King James.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill against corresponding with the late King James.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Cowper took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

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

Ordered, That the said Report be made upon Monday Morning next.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning, Nine a Clock.