House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 16 May 1663

Die Sabbati, 16 Maii, 15 Car.

Prayers.

Haverford West Election.

ORDERED, That Sir William Moreton do deliver unto Mr. Isaac Lloyd, a distinct List of such Inhabitants of the Town and County of Haverford West, who are not Burgesses, who gave their Votes for Sir Wm. Moreton, to have him elected for that Place.

Ashfeild's Petition.

Ordered, That Leave be given for amending the Title of the Petition exhibited in the Name of Sir Tho. Ashfeild Knight, the same being mistaken.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Middleton, being sick, have Leave to go into the Country, for Recovery of his Health.

Fowler's, &c. Letters Pat.

A Bill to make void Two Letters Patents granted by his Majesty to Walter Fowler and Sir * Kempe, was read the First time.

Ordered, That this Bill be read the Second time on Monday next.

Coppleston's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, sent from the Lords, for vesting certain Lands of John Coppleston in Sir Francis Vincent, and others, in Trust, to sell for the Payment of his Debts, was this Day read the Third time.

The Question being put, That the said Bill do pass;

The House was divided.

The Ayes went forth.

And so it passed in the Negative.

Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed to inspect the Act concerning the Highways, with other Acts, do also inspect the Act made touching the Carriage of Timber for the Use of the King's Majesty; and to see whether the same be defective; and what Supplies they find necessary to be made thereto; and report the same to the House.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Adam Browne have the Leave of this House to go into the Country.

Bedford Level.

Sir George Ryves reports from the Committee to which the Bills for the Draining of the Great Level of the Fens, called Bedford Level, was committed, That the Committee thought fit to proceed on the Bill brought in on the Behalf of the old Adventurers; and had made several Amendments thereto; and had also agreed an Addition to be inserted, and made Part of the Bill, contained in Thirty-four Sheets of Paper: Which Amendments and Additions he read, with the Coherence, in his Place; and after, delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: And the said Amendments and Addition, reported from the Committee, were read the First time.

The Amendment to the Twelfth Line of the Eighth Folio was read the Second time; and, upon the Question, agreed to.

The Amendment to the Thirteenth Line of the same Folio was read the Second time; and, upon the Question, agreed to.

The next Amendment, to the Seventh Line of the Ninth Folio, was read the Second time; and, upon the Question, agreed to.

The next Amendment, to the Ninth and Twelfth Lines of the same Folio, being read; and debated;

Resolved, &c. That the Lands of the Adventurers in Bedford Level shall be made liable to Sale for not Payment of Taxes.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to Sir Rich. Onslow, Colonel Williams, Mr. Wren, Sir Robert Howard, Sir Wm. Compton, Sir Hen. Peckham, Colonel Sandys, Sir Charles Harbord, Mr. Mountague, Sir Wm. Doyley, Mr. Sandys, Colonel Williams, Mr. Coventry, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir George Ryve, Sir Wm. Terringham, Lord Gorge, Sir Henry North, Mr. Phillips, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Pepis, Mr. Milward, Mr. Coventry, Mr. Trevor, or any Five of them, to peruse the Bill; and see what Influence this Vote hath upon the several Clauses of it; and to insert the same in such Manner, and with such Circumstances, as they shall find necessary: And they are to meet at Two of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Exchequer Chamber: And to send for Persons, Papers, and Records: And to expedite their Report to the House.

Message from the King.

Mr. Secretary Bennett did, this Day, make Report and deliver in Writing, from the King's Majesty, his gracious Message, in Answer to the Votes and Addresses from this House: Which being read;

Ordered, That his Majesty's gracious Message be entered in the Journal of this House: Which being as followeth; viz.

Charles R

1. HIS Majesty hearing the Message from His House of Commons, of the Twelfth of May, touching the Post Office, commands it be answered, That there is no new Grant or Contract made concerning That Office: What Mr. Oneale hath had, is but the Remainder of that Time which is yet to come upon Mr. Bishop's Patent: In the Execution of which, His Majesty, not being satisfied for the extraordinary Number of Non-conformists and disaffected Persons in that Office, was inclined to admit of this Change: But the Term being expired, His Majesty will have a Care to see it raised to that Profit it may fairly be; remembering always, that, it being an Office of much Trust, as well as a Farm, it will not be fit to give it to him that bids most; because a dishonest or disaffected Person is likeliest to exceed that Way.

2. His Majesty issued forth His late Proclamation, forbidding the Transportation of Geldings, reflecting (among other Reasons) upon the great Scarcity of them, occasioned by the Death of very many more these last Years than usually: When his Majesty seeth the Numbers restored, He shall willingly comply with the Desires of His House of Commons, in allowing a free Transportation of them.

3. His Majesty, knowing of how publick a Benefit it is, will be always ready to encourage Manufactures, especially the Woolen ones: And that the Impositions . . . be fairly laid, purposeth to appoint Commissioners of the respective Nations, who may represent to him the reciprocal Conveniencies of them: Upon which His Majesty will make His Determinations accordingly.

4. His Majesty finds, that the Nomination of Consuls, in the Factories abroad, hath always been in the Crown, and kept there; because, in most Parts, they are Agents to maintain the Privileges of the Nation, and the Articles of Peace made for the Advantage of it: That, if His Majesty should grant what is desired to the Merchants here, it would manifestly disoblige the rest of the Kingdom, equally engaged in the Trade: However, His Majesty so far complieth with the Desires of His House of Commons, as to promise Care shall be taken to nominate none, but in such Places where they are precisely necessary; and with such Allowances as the Merchants shall think fit, in their respective Factories: And also that the said Consuls be Men fitly qualified, and acceptable to them.

Ministers Maintenance.

Ordered, That this House will, on Wednesday next, resolve into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Bill for Increase of the Maintenance of Ministers in Corporations.

Lindsey Level.

Ordered, That the Committee to which the Bill for draining Lindsey Level is committed, have Leave to sit on Monday next in the Afternoon.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning next, Eight of the Clock.