House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 30 December 1697

Jovis, 30 die Decembris;

Nono Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Duties on Leather.

APETITION of the Glovers, Skinners, and others concerned in the Manufacturing of Alum-Leather, in and about the City of Exon, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the late Duty laid upon all Alum-Leather hath so enhanced the Price, that they cannot vend the same at home nor abroad; so That Trade is in Danger to be carried into France, where they can under-sell us, if the Duty be continued: And praying Relief in the Premises.

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.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Serjeant Coward have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

A Member discharged from custody.

Ordered, That Sir Edward Seaward, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House for absenting himself from his Service in Parliament, be discharged out of Custody, paying his Fees.

Leave of Absence.

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

Ordered, That Mr. Denton have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight, for Recovery of his Health.

Baker's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for vesting in Sydenham Baker Gentleman, an absolute Estate of Inheritance in Fee-simple, in a certain Rent, Messuages, Lands, and Hereditaments, in the County of Devon; and securing to John Baker Gentleman, and Henry Baker an Infant, his Son, Monies, in lieu of their Claims thereunto; was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Duties on Leather.

A Petition of several Tanners, in the Borough of Southwark, and Parish of Saint Mary Magdalen Bermondsey, in behalf of themselves and many others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Tax upon Leather is so heavy and ruinous to their Trade, that of Eighty Tan-Yards in the said Places, before the Duty, there are now but Sixteen or Seventeen employed; and Leather is now as cheap as before the said Duty: And praying the Consideration of the House, and Relief in the Premises.

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.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Wardens, and the rest of the Society of Glovers, within the Borough of Leominster, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That many Thousand poor People, and Journeymen Glovers, have been maintained by the Gloving-Trade; but, since a Duty has been laid upon Oil and Alum-Leather, the Master Glovers have been unable to carry on their Trades; so that their poor Work-folk are thereby reduced to great Want: And praying Relief therein.

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.

Ditto.

A Petition of the poor Journey-folk Glovers, of and belonging to the City of Hereford, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That many hundred Families have been decently maintained by the said Trade, within the said City, before a Duty was laid upon AlumLeather; but since, they are almost starved for want of Work, the Master Glovers, in Part, employing some of the Petitioners merely out of Charity, in Hopes the said Duty will be taken off, there being little or no Profit to be gotten by the said Trade, it will be quite laid down, if it be continued: 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; ann report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Tanners, Curriers, Leather-dressers, Shoemakers, and other Artificers in Leather, in the Town of Bridgnorth in the County of Salop, upon the behalf of themselves, and others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Duty upon Leather hath forced the Petitioners to discharge most of the Work-folks, who, for want of Work, are and may be more burdensome to their Parishes: And the Petitioners are forced to lessen their Stocks, and are much prejudiced by the said Duty: And praying the House to take the Premises into Consideration.

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.

Knott's Estate.

A Bill to enable the Trustees of William Knott, and his Wise, to sell a Lease of Houses in Bread-street, London, for Payment of Debts; and to settle another Estate, of better Value, in lieu thereof; was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Lord Castleton, Mr. Bertie, Mr. Stonehouse, Mr. Ettrick, Sir Henry Colt, Sir Tho. Hussey, Sir Godfrey Copley, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. White, Mr. Morgan, Lord Pawlet, Mr. Hungerford, Mr. Thornhagh, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Foley, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Fitton Gerrard, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Price, Mr. Farrer, Sir Wm. Ellis, Mr. Fuller, Sir Tho. Shipwith, Mr. England, Colonel Perrey, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Colt, Sir Wm. Coriton, Mr. Moore, Sir * Williams, Mr. Slater, Mr. Lambton; and all the Members that serve for the Counties of York, Lincolne, and Nottingham: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four a Clock, in the Speaker's Chambers.

Dun Navigation.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to make the River Dun, in the County of York, navigable, at the Charge of such as shall undertake the same: And that Sir Godfrey Copley do prepare, and . . . . . . Bill.

Hammered Coin

A Petition of the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of Bristoll was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That by Computation there will, in a Month's time, be at least 150,000 l. of old hammered Money in the said City, brought to their Fair from Wales, and other Places; the which, if it should be brought up to London, to be recoined, will be a great Prejudice to the Trade of Bristoll, and the adjacent Counties: And praying, That their hammered Money may be coined at Bristoll, by continuing their Mint for some time longer.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Clause to the Bill to prevent the Currency of any hammered Silver Coin of this Kingdom, for the Relief of the Petitioners.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Merchants, and other principal Inhabitants, of the City of Exon, and Parts adjacent, was presented to the House, and read: setting forth, That there being a Mint erected in the said City, and the Time being expired for bringing in any more hammered Money to be recoined at the said Mint, though they have very considerable Sums thereof, the Charge and Hazard to the Owner of sending the same to London is not the only Prejudice they must sustain, but the great Hindrance to Trade that must consequently ensue thereby: And praying, That the said Mint may be continued for some time, for recoining their old hammered Money.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Clause also to the said Bill, for the Relief of the said Petitioners.

Ditto.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Clause to the said Bill, for continuing the Mints in the Country for some time, for recoining the old hammered Money in the Country.

Army Arrears.

A Petition of the reduced Men belonging to the Royal Regiment of Dragoons, and the several Regiments of Light Horse, in Flanders, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners were reduced in Flanders, having Five Pattacoons per Man allowed for Subsistence till they came to England; which hath since been stopt out of their Bills, without any Allowance of Half-pay: That most of the Petitioners brought in their own Horses, which were taken away; and some few had others given them, of small Value, which were sold at 10s. and 3s. 4d. per Horse, when they could have sold their own Horses at 3, 5, and 10 Pistoles a Horse: That, in 1693, his Majesty ordered that 6 Stivers per Day should be stopt out of every Trooper's Pay, and 3d. out of each Dragoon's, for mounting; which has been continued ever since: That, in 1696, the Boors along the Canal of Bruges brought the Petitioners Forage; but their Officers compelled them to take additional Hay, at 2¼d. per Buss, and stopt it out of their Subsistence; which was never known in any Camp before: That some of the Petitioners have had no Cloathing these Three Years, others not in a Year and Half; yet have paid their 6d. per Day for Cloathing; and paid for the Charges of Returns of Money in Flanders; out of their Subsistence, though they have not received his Majesty's Bounty-money, nor their Irish Arrears: And praying Relief in the Premises.

Ordered, That the said Petition do he upon the Table.

Privilege of a Member in a Suit.

A Petition of Don Phelipp de la Guerra, Agent and Consul to his Catholick Majesty, on behalf of the Executors of the Last Will and Testament of Sir William Godolphin Knight, deceased, Subjects of his said Catholick Majesty, residing in the Kingdom of Spaine, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, in July 1696, the said Sir William died at Madrid, having before made his Last Will, according to the Laws of Spaine: That before the said Will could be returned into England, or any Caveat entered, viz. in November following, Administration was granted to Francis Godolphin, and Eliz. the Wife of Charles Godolphin, a Member of this House: That the Petitioner now has the said Will in Writing, and is ready to prove the same; but cannot proceed therein to call in the said Administration, by reason the said Charles Godolphin insists on his Privilege: And praying, That the Petitioner may have Liberty to proceed, according to Law, upon the said Will, notwithstanding the Privilege of the said Charles Godolphin.

Unto which the said Mr. Godolphin being heard, in his Place, upon the whole Matter of Fact relating to the said Will;

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition, and Matter aforesaid, be referred to a Committee: And that they do examine, and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

And it is referred to Mr. Boscawen, Sir Wm. St. Quintin, Sir Henry Colt, Mr. Travers, Mr. Thornhagh, Sir Wm. Drake, Mr. Fox, Mr. Fuller, Sir Wm. Bowes, Mr. Eitrick, Mr. Burrington, Sir Wm. Scawen, Sir Robert Davers, Mr. Farrer, Sir Edward Seaward, Mr. Gery, Mr. Foley, Sir Wm. Hustler, Mr. Stonehouse, Mr. Bethell, Sir Phil. Boteler, Mr. Methwyn, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Mountstevens, Mr. Colt, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Clark, Sir Chr. Musgrove, Sir Walt. Yonge, Mr. England, Dr. Oxenden, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. White, Mr. Palmes, Serjeant Bond, Mr. Manley, Mr. Gwyn, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Dolben, Mr. Frewen, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Harley: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chambers: And have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Counter's Imprisonment.

A Bill for continuing the Imprisonment of * * Counter, John Bernardi, Robert Cassels, Robert Meldrum, James Chambers, and Robert Blackborne, committed to Newgate for the late horrid Conspiracy to assassinate his Majesty, was read a Second time.

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

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

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to the said Committee, That they be impowered to continue any other Persons also in Custody, who shall hereafter render themselves, or shall be apprehended, and against whom there shall be Evidence, upon Oath, of their being concerned in the said horrid Conspiracy.

Undue Marriages of Insants.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to prevent undue Marriages of Infants, and for better secureing the Guardianship of them, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Sir Henry Dutton Colt, Mr. Mountague, Sir Marm. Wivell, Sir Tho. Roberts, Dr. Oxenden, Mr. Mawdit, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Foley, Mr. Ayslaby, Mr. Bertie, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Thornhagh, Mr. Manley, Mr. Colt, Mr. Heveningham, Sir Walt. Yonge, Mr. Clark, Sir Robert Cotton, Sir John Trevillian, Mr. Mafon, Mr. Dolben, Mr. Stonehouse, Mr. Pocklington, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Blafeild, Mr. King, Mr. Jacob, Mr. White, Mr. Tayler, Mr. Neale, Mr. Gwyn, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Stokes, Sir John Phillipps, Mr. Venables, Mr. Henley, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Hoare: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Four a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Hammered Com.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill to prevent the Currency of any hammered Silver Coin of this Kingdom was committed, be made upon Monday Morning next.

Spencer's Estate.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for Sale of Part of the Estate of Edward and John Spencer, of Saughton in the County of Chester, Esquires, deceased, for Payment of their Debts, charged thereupon by them.

Aldborough Election.

A Petition of the Electors of the ancient Borough of Aldborough in the County of York, was presented to the House, and read; shewing, That they lying under the Misfortune of being unadvisedly misled to transgress the late Act of Parliament made for the better preventing Disorders and Abuses in Elections; and, to their great Griefs, incurring the Displeasure of this Honourable House; of which they are so deeply sensible, that they resolve never to suffer any Irregularities in any future Elections for their Borough, but strictly and faithfully to observe so good and beneficial a Law: And praying to be received into the Favour of this Honourable House, by being allowed to go to an Election, to fill up the present Want of a Member in their Borough.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Aldborough, in the room of Sir Michaell Wentworth Knight, deceased.

A Committee to sit during Adjournment.

Ordered, That the select Committee, to whom the several States, Accounts, and Estimates, prelented to the House, are referred have leave to sit during the Adjournment of the House.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

Navy Estimate.

Ordered, That a particular Account of the Charge of the Ordinary of the Navy for the Year 1685, and the Year 1696, be laid before this House upon Monday Morning next.

Men of War, &c.

Ordered, That an Account be laid before this House, upon Monday Morning next, of all the Men of War now in being, and their respective Rates and Guns.

Supply.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Tuesday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Supply to be granted to his Majesty, for the Service of the Navy, for the Year 1698.

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