House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 10 March 1698

Jovis, 10 die Martii;

10° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Trade to Germany.

A PETITION of the Clothiers, and others concerned in the making of Serges, and other Woollen Manufactures, within the Town of Totnesse, in the County of Devon, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That since a free Trade to Germany, for the Exportation of our Woollen Manufactures, has been given by an Act of the First Year of the King, the Petitioners have enjoyed many advantageous Effects thereby, in making and vending far greater Quantities of the said Manufactures than were ever before, or could be, when that Trade was confined to the Hamborough Company only: And praying, That the Trade to Germany may be kept free and open, as it now is.

Ordered, That the Petition do lie upon the Table till the Bill relating to the Hamborough Company be brought in.

Yarmouth Herring Fishery.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Great Yarmouth, in the County of Norfolk, on behalf of themselves, and others concerned in the Herring-Fishery on the Coasts of Norfolk and Suffolk, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Herring-Fishery is a great Nursery for Seamen, and of great Value to this Kingdom; but the Dutch, by great Encouragement, have gotten from us the Pickled-Herring Trade; and nothing is left us but the Red-Herring Trade, which is carried on at great Charges of Shipping and Nets; but, of late, there has been many Herrings caught in Ireland at a Fourth-Part of the Charge the Petitioners are at; and many Fish-houses for making Red-Herrings have been there built; and they can afford to sell them cheaper by One-half than the Petitioners: So that, between the Dutch and the Irish, the whole Herring-Fishery is like to be lost to England, unless speedily prevented: And praying, That this growing Mischief may be prevented, either by prohibiting the Exportation of Red-herrings out of Ireland, or by laying a Duty thereon, upon Exportation.

And a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee appointed to consider of the Trade of England and Ireland; and how to make the Trade of this Kingdom more beneficial; and that they do examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it was, resolved in the Affirmative.

Lustring Trade.

Sir Rowland Gwyn reported, from the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Lustring Company was referred, the Matter of Fact relating to Diana Mason, William Wragg, and one Mr. Carbouchier, their Designs and Contrivances against the said Company, specially to the House; 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.

Gabriel Tahourdin said, That Mr. Offman, a Merchant of Lyons, did, in June 1694, offer him to Sale some Alamodes, which he had in Calais and Holland; but he refusing to buy them, Mr. Offman told him, He should be ruined, if he could not sell them; and told him further, That he was told in London, That, for 100,000 Crowns, the Patent of the Lustring Company here might be broke; and that he was sure the City of Lyons would most willingly give the Money: And that Mr. Renew was the chief Actor for the said Company; but that he should repent it; for that he was going into France, and would acquaint the Ministers of State there; and that means should be found out to take him away into France.

Captain Joseph Saunders said, That Mrs. Diana Mason, William Wragg, and George Brouff, Mr. Gilbert, and Mr. Pegout, told him, That if he could bring Mr. Hilary Renew over to Calais, and land him there, or in any other Place in France, he should have 500 l. from the Merchants of Lyons; and they would see the same paid: And Captain Gill, a Frenchman, was to assist him therein.

And, in order to the spiriting the said Mr. Renew away, they were to give him Information of some French Silks, that should be pretended to be down the River Thames; and when they should get him in a Boat, to go to seize the same, they should row by a Smack, that should wait for that Purpose; and then immediately clap him aboard the same; and so make his Way for France with him: And, if the Wind should not happen to favour the Design, then they were to drop him upon the Goodwin Sands, and there leave him:

That Mr. Daniel Delamote, Peter Berillau, and Antony Didideere, in August last, he being then in Holland, prest him to put in Execution the Contrivance they heard was on Foot in England to the bringing Mr. Renew to France

That, in September last, Mrs. Wragg, and Mrs. Mason, and Mr. Carbouchier, applied themselves to him, and prest him also to put the said Design in Execution; and, for his Encouragement therein, told him, That, if he did carry him off, it should be worth three Voyages to him: And that he should not mistake Mr. Renew's Person, because there are Two Brothers, the said Mrs. Mason, and Mr. William Wragg, shewed Mr. Renew to him in Cheapside:

That he hath been, Four several Times, solicited to put the aforesaid Design in Execution, in France, Holland, and England.

Ordered, That Mr. Attorney-General do take care to prosecute the said Diana Mason, William Wragg, and Mr. Carbouchier, for the Offences mentioned in the said Report.

Timber in New Forest.

Ordered, That the ingrossed Bill for the Increase and Preservation of the Timber in the New-Forest be read a Third time upon Monday Morning next.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. John Taylor have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Mr. Ravenscroft have Leave to go into the Country for a Month, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Newcastle Waterworks.

Ordered, That Mr. Carr, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Blofeild, Mr. Bickerstaffe, be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill for the better supplying the Town of Newcastle upon Tine with fresh Water, is committed.

Earl of Macclesfeild's Divorce.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for dissolving the Marriage between Charles Earl of Macclesfeild and Ann his Wife; and to illegitimate the Children of the said Ann; was read the Second time.

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

Resolved, That this House will, on Monday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

Supply.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider of the Supply to be granted to his Majesty, the Resolutions of the Committee; which they had directed him to report to the House; 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.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, of the Debt due for clearing the Army, from the 1st of April 1692, when they were last cleared, to the last of September 1697, amounting to the Sum of 1,200,054 l. 16s. 3d. there be a Sum, not exceeding the Sum of 139,066 l. 18s. 4d. raised in the Year 1698; which will clear the Army for One Year further, to the 1st Day of April 1693.

2. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, for the clearing the Arrear of Subsistence to the Troops in England, according to the Regulation thereof, between the 1st of January 1696, and the 1st of August 1697, a Sum, not exceeding the Sum of 203,415 l. 7s. 9½d. be raised in the Year 1698.

3. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, for clearing the Arrear of Subsistence to the Troops in Flanders, to the 4th Day of October 1697, a Sum, not exceeding the Sum of 450,816 l. 17s. 8d. be raised in the Year 1698.

4. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, for the General Officers, with their Aids de Camp, and the Majors of Brigade, a Sum, not exceeding the Sum of 50,000 l. be raised in the Year 1698.

5. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, for clearing the Arrear of Subsistence due to the Troops in Flanders, from the 4th Day of October 1697, exclusive, to the last Day of December, inclusive, a Sum, not exceeding the Sum of 137,990 l. be raised in the Year 1698.

6. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, of the 376,051 l. due for Wear and Tear of the Navy; to the 30th of September 1697, there be the Sum of 100,000 l. raised in the Year 1698.

7. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, of the 1,862,849 l. for Seamens Wages, to the 30th of September 1697, there be the Sum of 600,000 l. raised in the Year 1698.

8. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Sum of 16,389 l. due to registred Seamen, be raised in the Year 1698.

9. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, for the Salaries of the Commissioners of the Admiralty, Commissioners of the Navy, Secretaries, Officers, Clerks, and Instruments, Rents of their Offices, and Contingencies relating thereunto, there be allowed the Sum of 24,000 l. to be raised in the Year 1698.

10. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, for the Half-pay to the Sea-Officers, there be allowed the Sum of 28,663 l. to be raised in the Year 1698.

11. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be allowed, for Pensions to superanuuated Sea-Officers, and the Widows of others, the Sum of 9,073 l. 5s. 1d. to be raised in the Year 1698.

12. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be allowed, for the Charge of the Yards, the Sum of 15,927 l. 7s. 3d. to be raised in the Year 1698.

13. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be allowed, for Muster-masters, and other Officers of the Out-Ports, the Sum of 848 l. 17s. to be raised in the Year 1698.

14. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be allowed, for Wages to Ships and Vessels in Ordinary, the Sum of 43,399 l. 12s. 6d. to be raised in the Year 1698.

15. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be allowed, for Victuals for the Ships and Vessels in Ordinary, the Sum of 19,608 l. to be raised in the Year 1698.

16. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be allowed, for Harbour-Moorings, the Sum of 32,558 l. 17s. 6d. to be raised in the Year 1698.

17. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be allowed, for ordinary Repairs for the Ships in Harbour, and of the Docks, Wharfs, Storehouses, &c. the Sum of 35,848 l. . . to be raised in the Year 1698.

18. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be allowed, for the Charge of the Officers and Soldiers of the Two Marine Regiments, the Sum of 55,520 l. to be raised in the Year 1698.

19. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be allowed, for the Charge of the Office for registring Seamen, the Sum of 37,286 l. 5s. to be raised in the Year 1698.

20. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be allowed, for the Charge of the Estimate of the Office of his Majesty's Ordnance, the Sum of 60,000 l. to be raised in the Year 1698.

21. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Provision be made towards Payment of the Principal and Interest of the Debt due for Transport-Service, for Reducing of Ireland, in the Year 1698.

22. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Provision be made towards Payment of the Debt for Transport-Service, exclusive of the Irish TransportDebt, in the Year 1698.

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

The 18th Resolution being read a Second time;

An Amendment was proposed to be made thereunto, after "Regiments," by adding, "to be employed in the Service of the Navy only:"

And the same was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, so amended, That there be allowed, for the Charge of the Officers and Soldiers of the Two Marine Regiments to be employed in the Service of the Navy only, the Sum of 55,520 l. to be raised in the Year 1698.

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

Ordered, That the said Resolutions be referred to a Committee of the whole House, to . . . consider of Ways and Means for raising the Supply granted to his Majesty.

Ways and Means.

Resolved, That this House will, at Eleven a Clock, every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, in every Week, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of Ways and Means for raising the Supplies already voted, or taking Reports relating to the same; and nothing to intervene.

Punishing Duncomb for false indorsing Exchequer Bills.

The Lord Marquis of Hartington reported from the Committee appointed, upon the Debate of the House, to state the Matters of Fact, on which the Bill for punishing Charles Duncomb Esquire, for contriving and advising the make of false Indorsements of several Bills, made forth at the Receipt of Exchequer, commonly called Exchequer-Bills, was grounded, in order to be delivered to the Lords, at a Conference upon the Subject-matter of the last Conference, the State of the said Matters of Fact; 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.

Your Lordships having desired, at a Conference, That the Commons would acquaint your Lordships with the Matters of Fact, upon which, the Bill, intituled, An Act for punishing Charles Duncomb Esquire, for contriving and advising the making of false Indorsements of several Bills, made forth at the Receipt of Exchequer, commonly called Exchequer-Bills, was grounded;

The Commons have commanded us to acquaint your Lordships, That the said Bill was grounded as well upon Proof, as the Confession of Mr. Duncomb.

As to the Confession; We are commanded by the Commons to affirm, in their Names, to your Lordships, That Mr. Duncomb did, in his Place, confess, That he had those Bills of Mr. De Costa, the Jew; and that, upon receiving those Bills, he told Mr. De Costa, there must be a Name set to them; and advised him to set his own, or that he might set any other: He further confessed, That he paid them into the Exchequer.

As to Proof; Mr. Serjeant Wright and Mr. Dormer, being Counsel for the Bill, did produce several Persons who did, in the Opinion of the Commons, make out the Allegations in the said Bill.

An Amendment was proposed to be made, by leaving out "or that he might set any other:"

And the Question being put, That the said Words stand Part of the said State;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Another Amendment was proposed to be made, by adding, after "Exchequer," these Words; viz. "as Debtor or Accountant to the King, which he conceived he might by Law do:"

And the Question being put, That the said Words be added;

In passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That this House doth agree to the said State.

Ordered, That the same be delivered to the Lords, at a Conference.

Conference desired with Lords.

Resolved, That a Conference be desired with the Lords, upon the Subject-matter of the last Conference.

Ordered, That the Lord Marquis of Hartington do go to the Lords, and desire the said Conference.

Supply Bill; Land Tax.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Bill for granting to his Majesty an Aid, by a Land-Tax, for One Year, to raise Money for disbanding Forces, paying Seamen, and other Uses therein mentioned.

Lords agree to a Conference.

The Lord Marquis of Hartington reported to the House, That he having, according to Order, been at the Lords, to desire a Conference, they do agree to a Conference accordingly, To-morrow at Twelve a Clock; in the Painted Chamber.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

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