House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 17 June 1698

Veneris, 17 die Junii;

Decimo Gulielmi.

Prayers.

Abolishing Payments of Smoke-silver, &c.

MR. Boscawen reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for taking away the Payments of Smokesilver, Peter-pence, or Common-Fine, payable at the Sheriffs-Turn, was committed, That they had made several Amendments to the Bill; 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 once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, with an Amendment, agreed unto by the House.

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

Preventing false Election Returns.

The House taking Notice, That the Bill for making more effectual an Act, made in the 23d Year of the Reign of King Henry the Sixth, for remedying false and undue Returns of Members of Parliament; and also to prevent Double Returns; is missing; and that Bills and Papers are frequently taken from off the Clerk's Table, and carried into the Speaker's Chamber, and other Places, during the Sitting of the House;

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to examine how the said Bill is come to be missing; and which way the like may be prevented for the future:

And it is referred to Mr. Harley, Mr. Boscawen, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Brotherton, Sir Wm. Ashurst, Mr. Jeffryes, Sir Joseph Tyly, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Norris, Mr. Farrer, Mr. Price, Sir Samuel Bernardiston, Mr. Mountstevens, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Manley, Sir Henry Colt, Sir Wm. Cooper, Sir Cha. Windham, Mr. Colt, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Staynes, Mr. Yates, Sir John Elwell, Mr. Mawditt, Mr. Fortescue; or any Five of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Ditto.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the more effectual preventing false and double Returns: And that Sir Henry Colt do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Privilege—unconstitutional Publication.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee appointed to examine into a printed Pamphlet, intituled, "The Case of Ireland's being bound by Acts of Parliament in England stated," be made upon Monday Morning next.

Estates given to superstitious Uses.

A Bill to vest the Estates given to superstitious Uses in Greenwich Hospital, for the Maintenance of Seamen: and other charitable Uses; was, according to Order, read a Second time.

And a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be committed;

It passed in the Negative.

Then a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be rejected;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Answer to Address.

The Earl of Ranelagh acquainted the House, That his Majesty having been attended with their Address, That he will be pleased to give Order, That a List be laid before this House, of the Army disbanded, and intended to be disbanded; and of the Officers Names, who are to have Half-Pay; his Majesty was pleased to answer, That he will comply with the Desires of this House, as soon as conveniently he can.

Wire-drawers Trade.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom the Bill for the settling and adjusting the Proportions of fine Silver and Silk, for the better making of Silver and Gold Thread; and to prevent the Abuses of the Wire-drawers; is committed; have Leave to sit To-morrow Morning.

Walrond's Estate.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable Humphrey Walrond Gentleman to sell Part of his Estate, for the making Provision for his eldest Son, and Elizabeth his Daughter, who are Lunatics; and Payment of his Debts; and raising Portions for his other Children; have Leave to sit To-morrow Morning.

Registring Ships.

A Bill for enlarging the Time for Registring of Ships, pursuant to the Act for preventing Frauds, and regulating Abuses, in the Plantation-Trade, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed, in order to enlarge the Time beyond Six Months:

And it is referred to Mr. Jeffryes, Sir John Elwill, Mr. Colt, Sir John Bolls, Mr. Staynes, Mr. Blofeild, Mr. Eyres, Mr. Perry, Mr. Thompson, Sir Fran. Massam, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Yates, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Culliford, Mr. Pocklington, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Farrer, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Moor, Mr. Manly, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Mawditt, Mr. Norris, Mr. Mounstevens, Mr. Harrison; and all the Merchants of the House: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir John Hoskyns and Sir Robert Legard:

Mr. Speaker,

Jenkin's Estate.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act to enable John Jenkin Merchant to sell Part of his Estate, for Payment of his Debts, without any Amendment. Also,

Shaftsbury Workhouses.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for erecting Workhouses, and Houses of Correction, in the Town of Shaftsbury; and for the better Employment and Maintenance of the Poor there; without any Amendment. Also,

Exporting Watches.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for the exporting Watches, Sword-hilts, and other Manufactures of Silver, without any Amendment.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Accommodation of the House at Impeachments.

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

Resolved, That this House doth insist upon their having a convenient Place appointed for the Managers of the Impeachments against John Goudet, and others; whereby they may be the better enabled to make good their Charge against them.

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

Ordered, That Sir Rowland Gwyn do go to the Lords, and desire the said free Conference.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to manage the last Conference do meet this Afternoon, and prepare themselves for the said free Conference: And that Sir Chr. Musgrave, Mr. Harcourt, Lord Conningsby, Sir Joseph Jekill, Mr. Methwen, Sir Rob. Rich, be added to the said Committee.

Supply Bill; raising Annuities. [New E. I. Co. incorporated.]

Sir Thomas Littleton reported, from the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bills for granting to his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, several additional Duties upon Salt; and for raising a Sum, not exceeding 2,000,000l. by settling a perpetual Fund for Payment of certain Annuities, after the Rate of 8l. per Annum for every Hundred Pounds, and by further Advantages therein mentioned, redeemable by Parliament; were committed; the Amendments made by the Committee thereunto; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Report be adjourned till To-morrow Morning.

East-India Company.

Ordered, That the adjourned Debate upon the Motion, made the Fourteenth Instant, touching the East-India Company, be further adjourned until Monday Morning next.

Customs Regulation.

Ordered, That the Bill for the establishing further Rules, Orders, and Directions, for the regulating and better managing his Majesty's Customs, be read a Second time upon Tuesday Morning next.

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