House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 15 November 1656

Saturday, the 15th of November, 1656.

Hallowes' Petition.

ORDERED, That the Petition of Nathaniell Hallowes be referred to Major Morgan's Committee, to examine the Matter of Fact, and state it, and report it to the House, with their Opinion; and to look into the Books, and see what Recompence was given to Mr. Hallowes, and whether it was in Satisfaction of this Debt: With Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, and Records.

Private Petitions.

The Question being propounded, That no private Petition be received, or read in the House, for Fourteen Days;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

Mr. Speaker declared for the Yeas.

So it was resolved, That no private Petition be received, or read in the House, for Fourteen Days.

Mackmath's, &c. Nat.

An Act for Naturalizing of John Mackmath, and others, was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question, ordered to be read the Second time on Tuesday Morning next.

Union with Ireland.

A Bill for Uniting Ireland into one Commonwealth with England, was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question, ordered to be read the Second time on Wednesday Morning next.

Marriages, &c.

A Bill touching Marriages, and the Registering thereof, and concerning Births and Burials, was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question, ordered to be read the Second time on Thursday Morning next.

Protector's Answer to Votes.

Mr. Secretary reports, That the Committee, appointed to attend his Highness with the Resolutions of this House touching Addresses, having waited on his Highness, his Highness was pleased to take some time to consider thereof: And now is ready to return his Answer to the said Resolutions.

Resolved, That the former Committee, appointed to attend his Highness with the Votes of this House, touching Addresses to his Highness the Lord Protector, do wait upon his Highness, to receive his Answer thereunto, this Afternoon; and report it to the House: And that the said Committee do meet this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber, at Three of Clock, in order thereunto.

Trade.

Mr. Downing reports from the Committee for Trade, The Petition of divers Thousands of Planters, and Dealers in the Commodities of Hops, in the Counties of Essex, Kent, Sussex, Suffolk, Surrey, Hertford, Hereford, Worcester, Salop, Monmouth, Gloucester, Huntingdon, Somerset, Wiltes, Oxford, Berks, Stafford, Bedford, Nottingham, Middlesex, &c. with many other Persons, as well in Behalf of the Publick, as themselves.

The Question being put, That this Petition be now read;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That this Petition be read on Thursday Morning next.

Excise and Customs.

The House this Day resumed the Debate adjourned Yesterday, upon the Report from the Committee for Excise and Customs.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the said Committee, That Three Pounds the Ton Excise be also added to the Six Pounds already imposed upon Spanish Wines now in the Vintners Hands; and that the same be considered in the Price of Wines.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, That the Customs upon Raisins of the Sun be raised from Two Shillings per Hundred Weight to Five Shillings per Hundred Weight; and that the Customs upon all other Spanish Raisins be raised from One Shilling Six-pence per Hundred Weight to Three Shillings per Hundred Weight: Provided, that for so much of the said Raisins, as shall be exported again, all the Customs be paid back, except One Shilling per Hundred Weight for Raisins of the Sun, and Nine-pence per Hundred Weight for all other Spanish Raisins.

Resolved, That the Excise of all Tobacco of the English Plantations be reduced from Three-pence to a Peny the Pound; and that thereupon no View or Allowance be made for or in respect of the said Tobacco.

Resolved, That, upon all Spanish Wines in the OutPorts, Thirty Shillings more shall be added to the Custom formerly paid for such Wines.

Ordered, That it be referred to the same Committee who brought in this Report, to bring in a Bill or Bills for altering the Rates of the Customs in these Particulars, according to these Resolutions; and report the same to the House.

Resolved, That this Committee have Power to bring in a Bill or Bills for settling a Book of Rates for the Excise, and for the Altering of the Customs and Excise in the Particulars aforesaid; and for the better Improving of the Excise and Customs.

Resolved, That the Committee appointed to consider of the Prices of Wines, &c. do bring in their Report on Friday next: And that Mr. Pedley, Colonel Castle, Colonel Cock, Colonel Shapcott, Dr. Clergis, Major General Kelsey, Mr. Noell, Sir Wm. Strickland, Mr. West, be added to that Committee.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee for the Arrears of Excise, &c. to bring in a Bill for repealing the Act prohibiting the Importation of all Wines of the Growth of France.

Resolved, That all such Tobacco for which Excise hath not been paid, shall be within the said Vote for reducing the Excise thereof to One Peny in the Pound.

Union with Scotland.

Resolved, That the House be resolved into a Grand Committee, upon the Bill for Uniting of Scotland into one Commonwealth with England, on Monday Morning next.

Unnecessary Suits.

Ordered, That the Bill for restraining unnecessary Suits upon Bonds or Bills, be read on Friday Morning next.

Nayler's Blasphamies.

Ordered, That Mr. Nathaniell Bacon and Major Aston be added to the Committee for Nayler's Business.

The House adjourned itself till Monday Morning, Eight of Clock.