House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 23 August 1649

Die Jovis, 23 Augusti, 1649.

Prayers.

Bassett's Fine.

THE humble Petition of William Bassett, of Claverton in the County of Somersett, Esquire, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the said William Bassett be injoined to pay in the Moiety of his Fine, set on him by Goldsmiths Hall, according to the Rule: And that the Payment of the other Moiety of the said Fine be respited, until this House shall take other Order.

Horton's Grant.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, to examine how the Business stands touching the Lands of John Barlow, formerly given to Colonel Horton; and to report the State thereof to the House.

Petition from Carlisle.

The humble Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of Carlisle, was this Day read.

Ordered, That, according to the Desires of the said Petition, the Arrears of the Fee-Farm Rents, due from the City of Carlisle, for all the Years 1643, 1644, 1645, 1646, 1647, and 1648, be remitted.

French Trade.

Mr. Robinson reports from the Council of State, the State of Fact concerning the Trade between England and France, as it stands by the Treaties; and the late Prohibition of our Manufactures; and also the humble Petition, and the humble Remonstrance, of the said Governor and Company of Merchants of London, trading into France: With the Opinion of the Council, That the said Petition and Remonstrance doth contain a Proposition of a good Means for the Redress and Removal of the Obstructions which lie upon the Trade between the Two Nations of England and France.

The humble Petition of the Governor and Company of Merchants of London, trading into France, was this Day read.

The humble Remonstrance of the Governor and Company of Merchants of London, trading into France; the State of Fact concerning free Trade and Intercourse between England and France, as it stands agreed by the Treaties; as also what hath been done to the Infringing thereof; was this Day read; and was in these Words; viz.

1. By the Fourteenth Article of the Treaty between England and France, in the Year 1606, finished the Fourteenth of April, a free Trade and Commerce is agreed upon, as well of Merchandizes manufactured, as not manufactured; in these Words, translated out of the French; "It hath been also accorded and agreed, That the Liberty of Commerce shall be continued, as it is at present, on the one and the other Part, as well of Merchandizes manufactured, as not manufactured, according to the present and former Treaties; and there shall not be, either on the one or the other Party, any Prohibition made to traffick therein; and, if any have been made, they shall be revoked: Except always the Merchandizes that are contraband, and of which the Transport hath been always, and yet is, prohibited and forbidden by the Laws of either Kingdom; whereof there shall be given a Particular on either Part."

2. By the First Article of the Treaty of the Twenty-ninth of August 1610, all former Treaties were confirmed.

3. By the Treaty of the Twenty-fourth of April 1629, and First Article, all the ancient Alliances are renewed; and particularly about Opening of Trade and Commerce free and sure, in these Words; "First, The Two Kings are agreed to renew the ancient Alliances between the Two Crowns, and to keep them inviolably, with the Opening of Commerce free and sure; and, for the said Commerce, if there be any thing to be added or diminished, it shall be done on the one Part and the other by mutual Consent, as it shall be judged for the Purpose."

4. By the last Article of the Treaty of the Year 1632, the former Treaties were confirmed; and particularly the Treaties of the Year 1606, and 1610, in these Words; "By these present Articles, the Two Kings intend not to derogate from the precedent Accords and Treaties made between them; which shall continue in their Force and Virtue, except in what may have been derogated by these Presents; and particularly the Treaties of the Years 1606, and 1610, shall be truly executed."

Contrary to these Treaties, and particularly against the foresaid Article of the Treaty of the Year 1606, by the Declaration of the French King, verified in the Parliament at Paris, the Twenty-fourth of October 1648, and in the Twentieth Article thereof, it is forbidden to bring into France any Draperies of Wool or Silk made in England or Holland, in these Words; "As we also forbid all Negotiations to bring, or cause to be brought, into our Kingdom, the Draperies of Wool or of Silk, made either in England or Holland, and to all our Subjects to buy them, or use them, in Pain of Confiscation, and of Forfeiture of Fifteen hundred Livres, by all that shall transgress herein."

In pursuance of which Declaration, our English Cloths have been there seized; and, by the last Post, Advertisement is come, that our English Cloth is seized at Diepe; and none dare claim it.

That our English Merchants are there put into such a Condition, that their Factors dare not so much as write to them the Matter of Fact. left, upon any Interception of their Letter, they be brought in Danger, for giving only the bare Relation how they are dealt withal.

Resolved, &c. That the Merchants of London, trading to France, be called in.

The Merchants being called in, and come to the Bar; Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, demanded of them several Questions, for the further Information of the House.

To which having answered, they were commanded to withdraw.

Resolved, &c. That all Wines of the Growth of France, and all Manufactures of Wool and Silk, made in the Kingdom of France, be inhibited to be imported into any Port or Ports within England or Ireland, or any the Dominions thereof, by any Person or Persons whatsoever.

Resolved, &c. That no Member of the House do go forth without Leave of the House.

The Question being propounded, That the inhibiting the Manufacture of Linnen Cloth, made in France, be added to the former Vote;

The Question was put, That this Question be now put:

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That the Penalty on importing such Wines and Manufactures, shall be Confiscation of Ship and Goods; and a Penalty of Two hundred Pounds more on every Person so offending: The one Moiety of the said Penalty and Forseiture to the Party informing; and the other Moiety to the Use of the Commonwealth.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Council of State, to prepare, and bring into the House, an Act on these Votes, To-morrow Morning.