House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 7 April 1663

Die Martis, 7 Aprilis, 15 Car. IIdi Regis.

MR. George Willoughby did this Day take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, before Mr. Speaker, at the Clerk's Table, in order to his being naturalized.

Prayers.

Lord's Day.

Ordered, That Serjeant Keeling, Sir Robert Atkins, Mr. Crouch, Sir Henry North, and Mr. George, do prepare and bring in a Bill for the better Observation of the Lord's Day.

Marq. of Winchester's Award.

Ordered, That these Persons following be added to the Committee to which the Bill for confirming an Award made by his Majesty, for composing the Differences between John Lord Marquis of Winchester and Charles Lord St. John; viz. Colonel Strangwayes, Mr. Clifford, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Milward, Mr. Yorke, Sir James Smith, Mr. Howard, Sir Tho. Strickland, Mr. Newton.

A Petition of Daniell Witcherley Gentleman, was this Day read.

Ordered, That this Petition of Mr. Witcherley be referred to the same Committee to which the Bill for confirming an Award made by his Majesty, for settling the Differences between the Marquis of Winchester and the Lord St. John, was committed: And that Sir George Carterett, Colonel Grey, Colonel Williams, Sir William Smith, and all the Members of this House, that are of the Long Robe, are added to the Committee.

Privilege- Contempt of Witness.

Ordered, That Anthony Bushell be sent for, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House; to answer his Contempt in not attending the Committee to whom it was referred to examine an Abuse by him committed, although he was summoned to attend the said Committee.

Royal Mines.

Ordered, That all the Members of this House that are of the Long Robe, be added to the Committee to which the Bill concerning Mines Royal was committed.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That these Members following be added to the Committee of Privileges and Elections; viz. Sir Wm. Hickman, Mr. Finch, Mr. Hoby, Mr. Mountague, Sir Cha. Hussey, Sir Tho. Allen, Sir Tho. Spencer, Mr. Hollis, Mr. Holman, Sir Robert Cordell, Lord Gorge, Mr. Greenvile, Sir Rich. Powle, Mr. Maynard, Mr. Pepis, Sir Tho. Lee, Mr. Garway, Mr. Hampden, Sir Maurice Berkley, Sir Edw. Littleton, Sir Nich. Steward.

Lincoln Fens.

A Bill for restoring his Majesty to Eight thousand Acres in the Eight hundred Fen in Lincolneshire.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read the Second time on This-day-sevennight.

Westminster Hall.

Ordered, That the Warden of the Fleet do attend Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General; and do shew unto them by what Title he does claim the Shops standing in Westminster Hall; to the end that, if he cannot make out a good Title thereto, the Rents of the Shops may be employed towards the keeping the Hall in Repair.

Willoughby's Nat.

A Bill for naturalizing of George Willoughby Gentleman, was this Day read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read the Second time on Thursday next.

Committee of Grievances.

Ordered, That the Committee for Grievances have Leave to sit To-morrow in the Afternoon, notwithstanding the Order for the Sitting of the Committee of Trade.

Privilege.

Upon Complaint made to the House of a printed Paper, which was dispersed amongst the Members at the House Door, intituled, "The Mayor of Northampton's Case," That the same did contain Matter of Scandal against several Persons of Quality;

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, after they have heard the Case between Sir William Dudley and Mr. Hatton, to examine the Matter as to the printed Paper; and make Report to the House.

Sumptuary Laws.

Sir Robert Atkyns reports from the Committee to which it was referred to prepare and bring in Sumptuary Laws, to prevent Encroachments in Trade by the Jews, French, and other Foreigners, several Heads agreed by the Committee; and resolved to be reported to the House, as the Advice of the Committee: Which were as followeth; viz.

That a free Exportation of Foreign Corn will be for the Advantage of the Trade of the Kingdom.

That Bills and Bonds be made assignable.

That there be a Liberty of exporting Wheat, when the Price of a Quarter of Wheat, after Winchester Measure, is not exceeding Forty-eight Shillings, at the Place of Exportation; and so of all other Corn and Grain proportionably.

That when Wheat does not exceed Five Shillings a Bushel, and other Corn and Grain does not exceed that Price proportionably, there may be a Liberty of laying up Corn in Store, without incurring any Penalty.

That when Wheat does not exceed the Price of Six Shillings a Bushel, at the Place where any Wheat shall be imported; and so of other Corn and Grain proportionably, that the Custom upon every Bushel of Wheat imported, shall be Eight-pence; and so of other Corn and Grain imported proportionably.

That no Commodities of the Growth, Production, or Manufacture of Europe (the Wines of Medera, and the Western Islands, and Salt employed for the Fishery of New England and Newfoundland excepted), shall be carried into any English Plantation in Asia, Africa, or America (Tangier excepted), but from England, and in Shipping belonging to the People of England, whereof the Master, and Two Third Parts of the Mariners at least, are English.

That these Two Clauses be added to the last Resolve; viz.

1. That where any Person shall take in any Goods for the said Plantations, in any other Port or Place than in England, as is above expressed, the said Ship, and such Goods so taken in, shall be forfeited.

2. And that there be the like Penalty inflicted upon the Commissioners, and other Officers of the Customs, that shall give any Warrant, or suffer any Goods of the Growth of the English Plantations, which are, by a certain Act for Encouraging and Increasing of Shipping and Navigation, to be brought into England or Ireland, or Principality of Wales, or Town of Berwick upon Tweed, until they have been unladen in some Port or Place of England or Wales, or Town of Berwick upon Tweed.

That a higher Custom be laid upon all Cattle that shall be brought over from Ireland into England, between the First of June and the Twentieth of December, in every Year.

That the King's Majesty be humbly moved, from the House, to take care for the Encouraging of the Vent of Woolen and other Manufactures of England, into Scotland and Ireland; and that no Impositions be laid or continued in those Kingdoms, that may discourage the Vent of them.

That the King's Majesty be humbly moved, from the House, to give Leave, that there be a constant free Exportation of Geldings; and that he would be pleased to recall his Proclamation that restrains their Exportation.

That his Majesty be humbly desired, by the House, that no consulary Power be continued, or hereafter granted, to any Persons, but at the Desire of the Merchants, and by their Nomination, with his Majesty's Approbation; and at such Allowances and Salaries only as the Merchants shall consent to give them.

Which Votes of Advice were delivered in at the Clerk's Table; and read.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to Sir Geo. Downing, Sir Robert Atkyns, Mr. Jones, Mr. Attorney of the Duchy, Mr. Pryn, Serjeant Charlton, Serjeant Keeling, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Mountague, Sir Tho. Meres, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Clifford, Sir Wm. Tompson, Sir John Brampston, Sir Edw. Walpoole, Sir Cha. Harbord, Mr. Jolly, Mr. Wm. Sandis, or any Three of them, to prepare and bring in Bills upon the several Heads agreed by the Committee, and reported, as their Advice and Opinion, to the House; saving the Three last Heads; upon which it is advised, that his Majesty be moved, from the House;

The First of those Heads being read;

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Committee, That the King's Majesty be humbly moved, from the House, to take care for the Encouraging of the Vent of Woolen and other Manufactures of England into Scotland and Ireland; and that no Impositions be laid or continued in those Kingdoms, that may discourage the Vent of them.

The Question being put, That the King's Majesty be humbly moved, from the House, to give Leave, That there be a constant free Exportation of Geldings; and that he would be pleased to recall his Proclamation that restrains their Exportation;

The House was divided.

The Noes went out.

And so it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, That the Debate upon the last Proviso be adjourned till To-morrow.

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