House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 20 April 1699

Jovis, 20 die Aprilis;

Undecimo Gulielmi 3tii.

Prayers.

Cowslade's Estates.

AN ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for selling divers Freehold and Leasehold Houses, the Estate of Thomas Cowslade, an Infant, and others, to discharge a Mortgage, and to purchase other Lands, to be settled to the same Uses, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Penalties under Act of Navigation.

A Petition of William Salter and Charles Robertson was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, being Officers of the Customs, they did seize the Ship called the King William, and brought an Information in the Exchequer; which is not yet heard: That, by the Bill now depending, to indemnify several Ships and Goods from all Penalties and Forfeitures, by reason they were not navigated according to the Act of Navigation, the Petitioners are apprehensive, that the East India Company intend to get the said Ship, and her Cargo, included in the said Bill: And praying to be heard as to the said Ship King William, before the said Bill do pass.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the said Bill is committed: And that the Petitioners be heard before the said Committee thereupon.

Bridgnorth Writ.

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 Bridgnorth, in the County of Salop, in the room of Sir William Whitmore Baronet, deceased.

Swery's Fire-engine

Ordered, That Lord Pawlet be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill for the Encouragement of a new Invention, by Thomas Savery, for raising Water, and occasioning Motion to all Sorts of Mill-work, by the Impellent Force of Fire, was committed.

Claims for Prizes.

Ordered, That Sir Char. Hedges be added to the Committee, to whom the Petition of John Reily, John Stanton, and James Rogers, is referred.

Scott's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable Trustees to sell Part of the Estate of George Scott Esquire, to pay his Debts, and raise Portions for his Brothers and Sister; and to settle other Part of his Estate; was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Carteret do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, without any Amendments.

Half Pay.

A Petition of Edward Harris, late Captain in the Regiment late under the Command of his Highness Prince George of Denmark, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That he hath been in the Service of the Government Six-and-thirty Years, and is of great Age, and infirm, and hath a Wife and Eight Children, and reduced to great Necessities: And praying he may be one of the Number of those Officers that are to receive Half-Pay.

Ordered, That the said Captain Harris be added to the List of such Officers as are to have Half-Pay.

Ease of Sheriffs.

Ordered, That Sir H. Goff, Sir Godfrey Copley be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill for the greater Ease of Sheriffs in Execution of their Offices, and Passing their Accounts, is committed.

Army Arrears.

A Petition of Richard Uthwat and Thomas Moor was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That they have been employed as Commissaries of the Musters, during the War abroad in Flanders; and, upon the Return of the Troops from thence, were ordered to do their Duty here; and have been at considerable Expences in attending the General Officers that were appointed to disband Part of the Forces last Year: And praying they may be paid as far as the General Officers of the Army shall be paid.

Ordered, That the said Richard Uthwat and Thomas Moor be paid as far as the General Officers shall be paid.

Foster's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the Confirming of a Grant and Settlement, made by William Foster Esquire, of divers Manors and Lands in the County Palatine of Durham, and County of Northumberland, to Thomas Lord Fairfax, and others, upon certain Trusts and Uses therein mentioned, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill, with the Amendments, do pass.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Eden do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, with an Amendment: To which they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

Lascell's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for vesting the real Estate late of Thomas Lascells Esquire, in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of his Debts, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That Sir William Hustler do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, without any Amendment.

Half-Pay.

A Petition of Captain John Fitz-Gerald was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That he, in Obedience to his Majesty's Royal Proclamation, quitted the late King's Service, and brought over the major Part of his Troop, and joined with his Majesty's Army, on the First Day of April 1691: And praying, in Consideration of his Services, and he being a younger Brother, and having no Subsistence but Half-Pay, which he hath had a considerable time, but is greatly in Arrear, he may be paid his Arrears, and continued in Half-Pay, with the rest of the Officers.

Ordered, That the said Captain Fitz-Gerald be added to the List of the Officers who are to have Half-Pay.

Marine Officers.

Sir George Rook, from the Commissioners of the Admiralty, presented to the House, according to Order, a List of the Officers of the Four new Marine Regiments:

The Titles whereof were read:

And the said List is as followeth; viz.

A LIST of the Officers belonging to his Majesty's Marine Regiment, commanded by Colonel Henry Mordant.

Lewis du Plessey, Quarter-master.

A LIST of the Officers in his Majesty's Regiment of Marines, commanded by Colonel Thomas Brudenall.

Ralph Hastam, Quarter-master and Adjutant.

A LIST of the Officers of his Majesty's Marine Regiment, commanded by Colonel Seymour.

John Webb, Quarter-master.

A LIST of the Officers in his Majesty's Regiment of Marines, commanded by Colonel Colt.

Quarter-master, William Fishwick.

Ordered, That the said List do lie upon the Table, until the House do take into Consideration the Matter of the Half-Pay to the Officers.

Army Arrears.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Officers belonging to the Train of Artillery was referred, be made upon Monday Morning next.

Billingsgate Fish-Market.

Sir Thomas Davall reported from the Committee, to whom it was referred to draw up Reasons, to be offered at a Conference with the Lords, for disagreeing to an Amendment, made by them, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for making Billingsgate a free Market for Sale of Fish, That they had drawn up Reasons accordingly; 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 twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and are as follow; viz.

The Commons cannot agree to the Lords Amendment, Clause A:

For that the Demand of Cod and Ling, therein mentioned, is a very great Discouragement to the Fishery, and controverted by the Persons trading to Westmony and Iseland: And this Amendment, if it should pass into a Law, would give too much Countenance to such a Demand, and be consequently directly contrary to the Intent of the Bill; which is not only to make the Market of Billingsgate a free Market, but also for the Encouragement of Fishery, and Fishermen.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Davall do go to the Lords, and desire the said Conference.

Bernardeau's, &c. Nat.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for naturalizing Samuel Bernardeau, Peter Chantreau des Gaudre, and others, private Gentlemen, belonging to his Majesty's Three Troops of Guards, and Grenadiers, was read the First time:

And the Question being put, That the Bill be read a Second time;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, That the Bill be read a Second time upon Saturday next, at Twelve a Clock.

Ways and Means.

Mr. Cowper, according to Order, reported from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supply to be granted to his Majesty, the Resolution, 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 was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the late Act for making good the Deficiencies of several Funds be explained; so that there be payable for all the Duties of Excise on single Brandy, no more than Three Shillings Eight-pence per Gallon; and proportionably for all double Brandy.

The said Resolution being read a Second time;

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That the late Act for making good the Deficiencies of several Funds be explained; so that there be payable for all the Duties of Excise on single Brandy, no more than Three Shillings Eight-pence per Gallon; and proportionably for all double Brandy.

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to Mr. Cowper and Mr. Lowndes, who are to prepare, and bring in, a Bill, or Bills, upon the former Resolutions of the said Committee, which were agreed unto by the House, That they do include therein the Matter of the said Resolution.

Making Militia more useful.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Tuesday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for making the Militia of this Kingdom more useful.

Commissioners for Irish Forfeitures.

Glasses being, according to Order, brought in, for the Members to put in their Lists of Names of Persons to be Commissioners for taking an Account of the forfeited Estates in Ireland; the Clerk, and Clerk-Assistant, went with the same, on each Side the House, to receive the aid Lists:

And, the Members having put in their Lists, the Glasses were brought to the Table.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to withdraw into the Speaker's Chambers, and examine the said Lists; and report to the House upon which Seven Persons the Majority falls:

And it is referred to Colonel Granville, Mr. Heveningham, Mr. Hamond, Mr. Bertie, Lord Pawlett, Mr. Sloan, Sir Robert Austen, Sir Fran. Blaake, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Lowther, Sir Thomas Alston, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Dormer, Sir Richard Cocks, Mr. Harcourt, Mr. Winington, Sir John Bolls, Mr. Rowny, Lord Ranelagh, Mr. Moor, Sir Tho. Grosvenor, Sir Barth. Shower, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Herbert, to examine the said Lists.

Blackwellhall Market.

Ordered, That the Committee, who are appointed to draw up Reasons, to be offered at a Conference with the Lords, upon the Subject-matter of the Amendments, made by the Lords, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for the making more effectual an Act, intituled, An Act to restore the Market at Blackwell-hall to the Clothiers; and for regulating the Factors there; do manage the said Conference.

And the Managers went to the Conference:

And, being returned;

Mr. Bertie reported from the Conference, That they had given the Lords the Reasons for disagreeing to One of the said Amendments; and had left the Bill, and the Amendments, with the Lords.

Lords agree to a Conference.

Sir Thomas Davall reported to the House, That he having according to their Order, been at the Lords, to desire a Conference, the Lords do agree to a Conference To-morrow at One a Clock, in the Painted Chamber.

Malmsbury Election.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, touching the Election for the Borough of Malmesbury, be made To-morrow at Twelve a Clock; and nothing to intervene.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir John Franklyn and Doctor Newton:

Mr. Speaker,

Pultney's Estate.

The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act for the enabling the surviving Trustees of Sir William Pultney Knight, deceased, to make Leases for raising Monies for Payment of his Son William Pultney's Debts, and other Purposes therein mentioned: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House. Also,

Aldworth's Estate.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act to enable Robert Aldworth, and Ann his Wife, to sell their Estate in or near Wantage, in the County of Berks, for raising 300 l. for Payment of his Debts; and for applying the Residue of the Money arising by the Sale for the purchasing some other Estate, for the sole Benefit of his Wife and Children; without any Amendment.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Half-pay Officers.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Saturday Morning next, take into Consideration the Matter of the HalfPay to be given to the Officers of the Army.

Pulteney's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the enabling the surviving Trustees of Sir William Pulteney Knight, deceased, to make Leases, for the raising Monies for Payment of his Son William Pulteney's Debts, and other Purposes therein mentioned, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Byde's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable Thomas Byde Esquire, an Infant, with the Consent of his Guardians, and next Relations, to make a Contract for the Buying-in of his Mother's Jointure; and to sell a small Estate in Great Amwell, in the County of Hertford; and likewise for the securing and raising a Portion for Barbara Byde, Sister of the said Thomas Byde; and for other Purposes in the said Act mentioned; was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Brotherton do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, without any Amendments.

Bridges' Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the vesting and settling the Estate of Ann Bridges, an Infant, in Bermudas, alias the Sommer-Islands, in America, in and upon Trustees, to be sold; and laying out the Money arising by such Sale in England, for the Use of the said Ann Bridges; was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill, with the Amendments, do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Conyers do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, with some Amendments: To which they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

Leeke's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable Katherine Leeke, an Infant, under the Age of One-and-twenty Years, to settle and dispose of her Estate, upon her Marriage, was read a Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Brotherton do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, without any Amendments.

Okeover's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable Thomas Okeover Gentleman, Son and Heir-apparent of Rowland Okeover, of Okeover, in the County of Stafford, Esquire, together with the said Rowland Okeover, to make a Jointure and Settlement upon the Marriage of the said Thomas Okeover, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Brotherton do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, without any Amendment.

Army Arrears.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Soldiers of Colonel Villers' Regiment was referred, be made upon Tuesday Morning next.

Prosecutions on Highway Act.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Waggoners was referred, be made upon Tuesday Morning next.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees, except the Committee for examining the List, be adjourned.

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