House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 28 January 1698

Veneris, 28 die Januarii ;

Nono Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Order against Gaming.

ORDERED, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the High Constable of Westminster, That the Constables in Waiting do take care there be no Gaming, or other Disorders, in Westminster-hall, during the Sitting of Parliament.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Desbovery have Leave to go into the Country for Ten Days, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Dun Navigation.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town and Parish of Gainsborough, in the County of Lincolne, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That they are sensible, that the making the River Dun navigable will be a great Decay to Trade in those Parts, and will ruin the Navigation of the River Trent, raise the Price of Coals, and discourage the Exportation of their Corn: And praying to be heard against the Bill for making the River Dun, in the County of York, navigable, at the Charge of such as shall undertake the same.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the said Bill be read a Second time.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, Burgesses, Gentlemen, and other Inhabitants, of the Town and Borough of Pontefract, in the County of York, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That anciently the said Town was very remarkable for Fairs and Markets: but what now remains, is a Corn-Trade: But a Bill being brought into the House for making the River Dun, in the County of York, navigable, the same, if it should pass, will take away all the Trading Part of the said Town, and be of ill Consequence to all the adjacent Towns: And praying, That they may be heard against the said Bill, before it pass this House.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the said Bill be read a Second time.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Freeholders, Copyholders, and Tenants, of his Majesty's Manor and Soke of Kirton in Lindsey, in the County of Lincolne, Parcel of the Duchy of Cornwall, and several of the neighbouring Gentlemen, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That there is a Bill depending in the House for making the River Dun, in the County of York, navigable; which will ruin the Navigation of the River Trent, by forcing the Shipping to look for Employ in other Parts; and will discourage their sending Corn to London, and other Places; and make Coals from Newcastle and Sunderland much dearer; to the great Damage of the Petitioners: And praying to be heard against the said Bill.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the said Bill be read a Second time.

Dun Navigation.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of Bawtry, in the County of York, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the making the River Dun, in the County of York, navigable, for which there is a Bill in this House, will be a great Damage to the Petitioners, who chiefly subsist by the Navigation of the River Idle, which runs by Bawtry, and conveys, by Boats, into the River Trent, Lead, Mill-stones, Corn, and other Commodities, which come out of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire: And praying to be heard against the said Bill.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the said Bill be read a Second time.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Justices of the Peace, and Gentlemen, of the West-Riding of the County of York, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the making of the River Dun navigable will be a publick Advantage to all the adjacent Country, and make the Carriage cheaper of all Sorts of Commodities to and from London, York, Hull, and other Places: And praying, That the Bill depending in the House for making the River Dun, in the County of York, navigable, may pass.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the said Bill be read a Second time.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and CommonCouncil, of the Corporation of Leeds, in the West-Riding of the County of York, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That making the River Dun navigable will be a publick Good to the adjacent Country, by the Carriage of all sorts of Goods to and from London, York, Hull, Lincolne, and other Places: And praying, That the Bill for making the River Dun, in the County of York, navigable, may pass into an Act.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the said Bill be read a Second time.

Council of Trade Commission, &c.

The House being informed, That Mr. Popple, the Secretary to the Council of Trade, attended;

He was called in; and presented to the House a Copy of the Commission and Instructions for the Council of Trade.

And then he withdrew.

And the said Copy was read; and is as followeth; viz.

WILLIAM the Third, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To our Chancellor of England, or our Keeper of our Great Seal of England, for the Time being; our President of our Privy-Council for the Time being; our Keeper of our Privy-Seal for the Time being; our First Commissioner of our Treasury, and our Treasurer of England, for the Time being; our First Commissioner of our Admiralty, and our Admiral of England, for the Time being; our Principal Secretaries of State, for the Time being; and the Chancellor of our Exchequer, for the Time being; to our Right-trusty and Right Well-beloved Cousins and Counsellors, John Earl of Bridgwater, and Ford Earl of Tankerville; to our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Philip Meadowes Knight, William Blathwaite, John Pollexfen, John Lock, Abraham Hill, and George Stepney Esquires; Greeting: Whereas We are extremely desirous, That the Trade of our Kingdom of England, upon which the Strength and Riches thereof doth in a great measure depend, should, by all proper Means, be promoted and advanced: And whereas We are persuaded, That nothing will more effectually contribute thereunto, than the appointing of knowing and fit Persons to inspect and examine into the general Trade of our said Kingdom, and the several Parts thereof; and to inquire into the several Matters and Things, herein after-mentioned, relating thereunto; with such Powers and Directions as are herein after specified and contained: KNOW ye therefore, That We, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Discretions, Abilities, and Integrities, have nominated, authorized, and constituted, and do by these Presents, nominate, authorize, and appoint, the said Chancellor, or Keeper of our Great Seal, for the Time being; the President of our PrivyCouncil, for the Time being; the Keeper of our PrivySeal for the Time being; the First Commissioner of our Treasury, or Treasurer, for the Time being; the First Commissioner for executing the Office of Admiral, and our Admiral, for the Time being; our Principal Secretaries of State, for the Time being; and our Chancellor of the Exchequer, for the Time, being; and you, John Earl of Bridgwater, Ford Earl of Tankerville, Sir Philip Meadowes, William Blathwaite, John Pollexsen, John Lock, Abraham Hill, and George Stepney; or any Three or more of you; to be our Commissioners, during our Royal Pleasure, for promoting the Trade of this our Kingdom; and for inspecting and improving our Plantations in America, and elsewhere. And to the end that our Royal Purpose and Intention herein may the better take Effect; Our Will and Pleasure is and We do hereby order, direct, and appoint, That you do diligently and constantly, as the Nature of the Service may require, meet together, at such Place, in our Palace of Whitehall, which We have assigned for that Purpose; or at any other Place, which We shall appoint, for the Execution of this our Commission. And We do, by these Presents, authorize and impower you, our said Commissioners, or any Three or more of you, to inquire, examine into, and take an Account of, the State and Condition of the general Trade of England; and also of the several particular Trades into all foreign Parts; and how the same are respectively advanced, or decayed; and the Causes or Occasions thereof: And to inquire into, and examine, what Trades are, or may prove, hurtful; or are or may be made, beneficial to our Kingdom of England; and by what Ways and Means the profitable and advantageous Trades may be more improved and extended; and such as are hurtful, or prejudicial, rectified, or discouraged: And to inquire into the several Obstructions of Trade, and the Means of removing the same; and also in what Manner, and by what proper Methods, the Trade of our said Kingdom may be most effectually protected and secured in all its Parts: And to consider by what Means the several useful and profitable Manufactures already settled in our said Kingdom, may be further improved and how, and in what manner, new and profitable Manufactures may be introduced. And We do further, by these Presents, authorize and require you, our said commissioners, or any Three or more of you, to consider of some proper Methods, for setting on Work, and employing, the Poor of our said Kingdom, and making them useful to the Public; and thereby easing our Subjects of that Burden; and by what Ways and Means such Design may be made most effectual: And in general, of all such Methods and Ways, that you in your Discretions shall think best to inform yourselves, of all Things relating to Trade, and the Promoting and Encouragement thereof: As also to consider of the best and most effectual Means to regain, encourage, and establish, the Fishery of this Kingdom. And our further Will and Pleasure is, That you, our said Commissioners, or any Four or more of you, do, from time to time, make Representations, touching the Premises, to Us, or to our Privy Council, as the Nature of the Business shall require: Which said Representations are to be in Writing, and to be signed by Four or more of you. And We do hereby further impower and require you, our said Commissioners, to take into your Care all Records, Grants, and Papers, remaining in the Plantation-Office, or thereunto belonging: And likewise to inform yourselves of the present Condition of our respective Plantations, as well with regard to the Administration of the Government, and Justice, in those Places, as in relation to the Commerce thereof: And also to inquire into the Limits, Soil, and Product, of our several Plantations; and how the same may be improved; and of the best Means for easing and securing our Colonies there; and how the same may be rendered most useful and beneficial to our said Kingdom of England. And We do hereby further impower and require you, our said Commissioners, more particularly, and in a principal Manner, to inform yourselves, what Naval Stores may be furnished from our Plantations, and in what Quantities; and by what Methods our Royal Purpose of having our Kingdom supplied with Naval Stores from thence, may be made practicable, and promoted: And also to inquire, and inform yourselves, of the best and most proper Methods of settling and improving in our Plantations such other Staples and Manufactures, as our Subjects of England are now obliged to fetch and supply themselves withal from other Princes and States; and also, what Staples and Manufactures may be best encouraged there; and what Trades are taken up and exercised there, which are or may prove, prejudicial to England, by furnishing themselves, or other our Colonies, with what hath been usually supplied from England; and to find out proper Means of diverting them from such Trades, and whatever else may turn to the Hurt of our Kingdom of England: And to examine, and look into the usual Instructions given to the Governors of our Plantations; and to see, if any thing may be added, omitted, or changed, therein, to Advantage: To take Account yearly, by way of Journal, of the Administration of our Governors there; and to draw out what is proper to be represented and observed to Us: And, as often as Occasion shall require, to consider of proper Persons to be Governors, or Deputy-Governors, or to be of our Council, or of our Counsel at Law, or Secretaries, in our respective Plan tations; in order to present their Names to Us, in Coun cil. And We do hereby authorize and impower you our said Commissioners, to examine into, and weigh, such Acts of the Assemblies of the Plantations, respectively, as shall from time . . . be sent or transmitted hither, for our Approbation; and to set down, and represent, as aforesaid, the Usefulness, or Mischief thereof to our Crown, or to our said Kingdom of England, or to the Plantations themselves, in case the same should be established for Laws there: And also to consider, what Matters may be recommended, as fit to be passed in the Assemblies there: To hear Complaints of Oppressions, and Male-Administrations, in our Plantations; in order to represent, as aforesaid, what you in your Discretions shall think proper: And also, to require an Account of all Monies given for public Uses, by the Assemblies in our Plantations; and how the same are, and have been, expended, or laid out. And We do, by these Presents, authorize and impower you, our said Commissioners, or any Three of you, to send for Persons and Papers, for your better Information in the Premises; and, as Occasion shall require, to examine Witnesses, upon Oath; which Oath you are hereby impowered to administer, in order to the Matters aforesaid. And We do declare our further Will and Pleasure to be, That you, our said Commissioners, do, from time to time, report all your Doings, in relation to the Premises, in Writing, under the Hands of any Four of you, as aforesaid, to Us, or to our PrivyCouncil, as the Nature of the Thing shall require. And We hereby further authorize and impower you, our said Commissioners, to execute and perform all other Things necessary, or proper, for answering our Royal Intentions in the Premises. And We do further give Power to you, our said Commissioners, or any Three of you, as aforesaid, from time to time, and as Occasion shall require, to send for, and defire the Advice and Assistance of our Attorney or Solicitor General, or other our Counsel at Law. And We do hereby further declare our Royal Will and Pleasure to be, That We do not hereby intend, That our Chancellor of England, or Keeper of our Great Seal, for the Time being; the President of our Privy-Council, for the Time being; the Keeper of our Privy-Seal, for the Time being; the Treasurer, or First Commissioner of our Treasury, for the Time being; our Admiral, or First Commissioner for executing the Office of Admiral, for the Time being; or our Principal Secretaries of State, for the Time being; should be obliged to give constant Attendance at the Meetings of our said Commissioners, but only so often, and when the Presence of them, or any of them, shall be necessary and requisite, and as their other publick Service will permit. Lastly, We have revoked and determined, and by these Presents do revoke and determine, certain Letters Patents, under the Great Seal of England, bearing Date the 15th Day of May, in the 8th Year of our Reign; whereby we constituted and appointed all the Persons above-named, except the said George Stepney, together with John Methwin Esquire, to be our Commissioners for promoting the Trade of this Kingdom, and for inspecting and improving our Plantations in America, and elsewhere; and every Article, Clause, and Thing, therein contained. In Witness whereof, We have caused these our Letters to be made Patents. Witness, Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, and the rest of the Guardians and Justices of the Realm, at Westminster, the 6th Day of July, in the 9th Year of our Reign.

A true copy, examined Chute. By me Wm. Popple.

Ordered, That the said Copy do lie upon the Table, to be perused by the Members of the House.

Importing Bone-lace, &c.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Bill for rendering more effectual the Laws for preventing the importing of foreign Bone-lace, Needlework, Point, and Cut-work, was committed, be made upon this Day Sevennight.

Tiverton Workhouse.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for erecting an Hospital and Workhouse, or House of Correction, in the Town and Parish of Tiverton, in the County of Devon; and for the better governing thereof; and Relief of the Poor there: And that the Lord Spencer and Mr. Hoblyn do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Woollen Manufactures.

A Petition of the Serge-makers, and other Inhabitants, of the ancient Town of Crediton, in the County of Devon, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That their said Trade of making Serges, whereon they chiefly subsist, is much decayed, by the Increase of the Woollen Manufactures in Ireland; where they can under-sell the Petitioners, being exempt from many Duties imposed on the same in England; which is like to bring the Petitioners to Poverty: And praying Relief in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill to encourage the Woollen Manufacture in England; and to restrain the Exportation of Woollen Manufactures from Ireland into Foreign Parts; and for the better preventing the Exportation of Wool from England and Ireland; is committed.

Timber in New-Forest.

A Petition of divers Inhabitants, of the Parish of Eling, who have Right of Herbage, Panage, and Fuel, in the New-Forest, in the County of Southampton, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners, and their Ancestors, have, time out of Mind, . . . . their said Rights; and paid, and now pay, Quit-rents to the Crown, in Right of the Estates they hold for the same: That the Bill depending in the House for the Increase and Preservation of Timber in the NewForest, in the County of Southampton, will prejudice their said Rights: And praying to be heard against the said Bill.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the said Bill is committed.

Fitzharris' Estate

A Petition of Sir Edward Fitzharris Baronet, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That Sir Edward Fitzharris, the Petitioner's Grandfather, was seised in Fee of an Estate in Ireland, of 2,000 l. per Ann.; and during the Rebellion in Ireland lived there peaceably; but was divested thereof by one Oliver . . . ., who has ever since kept Possession thereof, being put in by the Usurper, upon false Suggestions; and being too rich for the Petitioner to deal with; notwithstanding the Provision made by Act of Parliament for preserving the said Estate to the Petitioner's Grandfather, and his Heirs: And though the said Oliver did offer to treat with the said Sir Edward, to purchase the Petitioner's Title to the said Estate; yet he unjustly detains the same: And praying, That Leave may be given to bring in a Bill to restore the Petitioner to his said Estate; or that Provision may be made for him, and his Mother and Sister, thereout.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to a Committee: And that they do examine the Matter thereof; and report the same to the House.

And it is referred to Sir William Williams, Mr. Burrington, Lord Coningsby, Mr. Bridges, Sir Edward Ernly, Sir Fra. Winington, Mr. Stokes, Sir Herbert Crofts, Sir Henry Goff, Mr. Hoblyn, Sir Edward Seaward, Sir Math. Andrews, Mr. Sloane, Mr. White, Mr. Foley, Sir John Phillipps, Sir Cha. Sidley, Mr. Guy, Sir Rowland Gwyn, Sir Cha. Carteret, Mr. Freeman, Sir John Elwell, Sir John Bucknall, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Mawdit, Sir Henry Colt, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Brotherton, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Colt, Lord Spencer, Mr. Muthwin, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Booth, Sir Fra. Masham, Mr. Mordaunt, Sir Justinian Isham: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Exchequer Bills.

Ordered, That Mr. Taylor do attend this House with the Book of the Trustees for circulating Exchequer-Bills, wherein all the Exchequer-Bills are entered which were delivered out.

Ditto.

Ordered, That Mr. Hern do attend this House, and bring with him such Bills as are found to be falsly indorsed.

Ordered, That Mr. Taylor and Mr. Herne do lay before this House an Account of the Names of the Persons concerned in the said Bills.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Philip Butler have Leave to go into the Country for a Week, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Laws concerning Robberies.

Mr. Tilney, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for regulating and amending the Laws concerning Robberies on the Highways, and Hue and Cries: And the same was received.

The Bill was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time upon this Day Sevennight.

Acts relating to Exchequer Bills, &c.

Sir John Bolles reported, from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider of the several Acts relating to the Exchequer-Bills, and MaltTickets, the Resolution of the said 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 the Monies which have arisen, or shall arise, by virtue of an Act of the last Session of Parliament, intituled, An Act for granting to his Majesty certain Duties upon Malt, Mum, Sweets, Cyder, and Perry, as well towards carrying on the War against France, as for the necessary Expences of his Majesty's Houshold; shall be appropriated, issued, and applied, for Payment of the Sum of 200,000 l. with Interest; and for the Discharge of the Lottery-Tickets mentioned in the said Act; and to no other Use whatsoever.

And a Motion being made, That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Resolution:

And a Debate arising in the House thereupon;

A Motion was made, and the Question was put, That the Debate be adjourned till this Day Sevennight:

And it passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That the Monies which have arisen, or shall arise, by virtue of an Act of the last Session of Parliament, intituled, An Act for granting to his Majesty certain Duties upon Malt, Mum, Sweets, Cyder, and Perry, as well towards carrying on the War against France, as for the necessary Expences of his Majesty's Houshold; shall be appropriated, issued, and applied, for Payment of the Sum of 200,000 l. with Interest; and for the Discharge of the Lottery-Tickets mentioned in the said Act; and to no other Use whatsoever.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in, pursuant to the said Resolution: And that Mr. Attorney-General, Mr. Solicitor-General, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Morgan, and Mr. Taylor, do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

False indorsing Exchequer Bills.

Then the House proceeded further in the Examination of the Matter touching the false Indorsement of Exchequer-Bills:

And John de Costa was called in; and examined.

And then withdrew.

Ordered, That Mr. John de Costa and Mr. Alvarez de Costa be discharged of their further Attendance.

Ordered, That Mr. Williamson, the Receiver for the County of York, do attend this House upon Tuesday Morning next.

Then Mr. Tayler was called in; and examined.

And then withdrew.

Then Mr. Tayler and Mr. Levy were called in together; and examined.

And then they withdrew.

Then Mr. Helborn was called in; and examined.

And then he withdrew.

Then Mr. Huddleston, the Receiver for the County of Westmorland, was called in; and examined.

And then he withdrew.

Then Mr. Darby was called in; and examined.

And then he withdrew.

Then Mr. Huddleston and Mr. Darby were called in together, and confronted.

And then they withdrew.

A Motion being made, and the Question being put, That Mr. Andrew Huddleston be committed to Newgate;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That Mr. Andrew Huddleston, Receiver General for the County of Westmoreland, having paid into the Exchequer, upon Account of Monies within his Receipt, Exchequer-Bills falsly indorsed, be committed Prisoner to the Gatehouse: And that Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrants accordingly.

Resolved, That Mr. William Huddleston be taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, to answer an Accusation made against him, of false indorsing Exchequer-Bills.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Tuesday Morning next, proceed in the further Examination of the Matter touching the false Indorsement of Exchequer-Bills.

Ordered, That Mr. Bartholomew Burton be remanded to the Prison of Newgate.

Ordered, That Mr. Levy and Mr. Glover do attend this House, as Witnesses, upon Tuesday Morning next.

Ordered, That Mr. Crawford and Mr. Brockett be discharged from their further Attendance.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

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