House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 5 May 1663

Die Martis, 5 Maii, 15 Car. IIdi.

Prayers.

Bedford Level.

ORDERED, That the Committee to which the Bills for the Draining the great Level of the Fens, called Bedford Level, was committed, be revived; and do sit To-morrow at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, at the Place formerly appointed.

Ashfeild's Petition.

A Petition of Sir Thomas Ashfeild was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee appointed to inspect That Branch of his Majesty's Revenue arising by the Customs; to examine the Matter of the said Petition, both in relation to the King's Majesty, and the Petitioner; and to report the Matter of Fact, with their Opinions, to the House: And the Committee is hereby impowered to receive any other Petitions or Complaints of the like Nature.

Corporations.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to inspect the Act for regulating Corporations, be revived; and do sit this Afternoon at Two of the Clock, in the Place formerly appointed.

Marq. of Worcester's Water Engine.

Mr. Hungerford reports from the Committee to which the Bill, sent from the Lords, for enabling the Lord Marquis of Worcester to take the Benefit of a Watercommanding Engine, was committed (unto whom it was, by Order of the Thirteenth of April last, referred, to prepare and bring in a Proviso to the said Bill, to limit a Time for perfecting the Engine, and to provide, that the same may not prejudice any other Engines, which should be invented for the future); That the Committee had accordingly prepared a Proviso for the Purposes aforesaid: Which he read in his Place; and after, delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table.

The said Proviso being twice read;

Resolved, &c. That the Words "raising and" be inserted in the Proviso, after the Word "the," and before the Word "Carriage," in the Fourth Line of the Proviso.

Which was done accordingly.

The Proviso, thus amended, was read the Third time.

Resolved, &c. That the Proviso, so amended, be agreed to.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill, with the Amendments and Proviso, agreed to, be returned to the Lords, for their Concurrence.

And the Lord Herbert is to carry the same up to the Lords.

Robinson's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill to enable John Robinson Esquire to sell or dispose of Lands, to pay Debts, and making Provision for younger Children, was read.

Resolved, &c. That the said Bill do pass: And that the Title shall be, An Act to enable John Robinson Esquire to sell or dispose of Lands, to pay Debts, and making Provision for younger Children.

Carnarvon Sessions.

A Bill for the Keeping and Holding of the Courts of Great Sessions, and General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Carnarvon, at the Town of Carnarvon, was read.

Corporations.

Ordered, That the Petition of the Inhabitants of Crediton in the County of Devon, be referred to the Committee appointed to inspect the Act for Corporations.

Coppleston's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, sent from the Lords, for vesting certain Lands of John Coppleston in Sir Francis Vincent Knight and Baronet, Thomas Waldegrave Esquire, Thomas Westlake, Gentleman, and their Heirs, to sell for Payment of Debts, was read the First time.

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

Offices.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in for disposing all Offices, military and civil, into the Hands of such Persons as have been loyal Subjects, and conformable to the Church of England: And that it be referred to the Lord Bruce, Mr. Solicitor General, Serjeant Charlton, Sir Allen Apsley, Lord Newburgh, Sir Tho. Tomkins, Lord Fanshaw, Mr. Milward, Sir Robert Atkyns, Serjeant Keeling, Mr. Coventry, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Thurland, Sir Courtney Poole, to prepare and bring in the Bill.

Hatfeild Level.

The House then, according to the Order of the Thirteenth of April last, did proceed to the Hearing of the Cause between the Drainers and the Tenants of the Manor of Epworth, upon the Bill depending in this House for the Draining of the Level of the Fens, called the Level of Hatfeild Chace.

And the Parties and Counsel on both Sides were called in to the Bar of the House: And several Certificates, returned into the Exchequer, upon Commissions issued from thence, being read; and divers Witnesses examined, and cross-examined; and the Counsel on both Sides fully heard;

Resolved, &c. That a Judicatory be erected by the Bill, to consider of the Interests of the Drainers, and of the several Owners of Lands, within the Manors of Epworth, Misterton, Stockwith, and Everton; and to do equal Right to the several Parties concerned.

Resolved, &c. That the Judicatory, so to be erected, be confined to execute their Powers in Two Years from the Time of the passing this Act.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be brought back to the former Committee, to bring in the same, amended according to the aforesaid Votes: And for that Purpose the said Committee is revived: And they are to meet at Two of the Clock on Thursday next in the Afternoon, at the Place formerly appointed.

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