House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 5 July 1689

Veneris, 5 die Julii; 1° Willielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Preventing Export of Wool.

SIR Hen. Goodrick reports from the Committee, to whom the former Amendments to the Bill for preventing the Exportation of Wool, was re-committed, That the Committee had agreed upon some Alteration of the said Amendments: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table.

Ordered, That the said Report do lie upon the Table.

Aulnago Duty.

A Petition of the Clothiers or Bays Makers, and others, within the Towns of Barnestable and Pilton, in Com' Devon, was read; setting forth, That whereas the Subsidy and Aulnage accustomed and paid for Bays, both double and single, made in the said Towns, hath not been, in Man's Memory, except within Three Years past, more than Twopence in a double, and One Peny in a single Bay; and that of late Years the most Part of that Manufacture there made hath been worse, both for Substance and Value, than formerly: Yet, not withstanding, the Duty, by Two Years Space, is advanced Threepence for a double, and Twopence for a single Bay: And the Petitioners, to avoid Seizures of their Goods, have been forced to pay the same; some of their Goods having been seized for their refusing so to do: And praying the Consideration of the House, and a Redress of the Grievance.

Ordered, That the Petition do lie upon the Table, till the Matter of the Aulnage comes to be considered.

Droitwich Salt-works.

Mr. Serjeant Trenchard reports from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, sent down from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the better regulating the Salt-works in Droitwich, was referred, That the Committee had agreed upon an Amendment to be made in the Bill: Which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed to by the House; and is as followeth:

Press 2, Line 11, leave out "July;" and, instead thereof, insert "September."

Then the Bill was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill, so amended, do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Serjeant Trenchard do carry up the Bill to the Lords; and acquaint them with the Concurrence of this House thereunto, with the said Amendment; and desire their Lordships Concurrence to the said Amendment.

Preventing Export of Wool.

A Petition of the Governor and Company of the Merchants of England trading into the Levant Seas, was read; setting forth, That a Bill for preventing the Exportation of Wool unwrought, and encouraging the Woollen Manufactures of this Kingdom, having been brought into this House; and the Petitioners conceiving, That, should it pass, it would be destructive to Thousands of Families subsisting by the many Manufactures of Raw Silk and Mohair Yarn; and that, contrary to the Intent of the Bill, instead of increasing, it would very much lessen the Consumption of English Wool; and that they doubt not but to evince the same to the House: And praying to be heard therein.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Bill for the encouraging the Woollen Manufacture is referred; to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Bailiffs, Wardens, Assistants, and Commonalty, of the Mystery of Weavers of London and Canterbury, in Behalf of themselves and others in England, was read; shewing, That a Bill for preventing the Exportation of Wool by the Wear of Cloth, &c. having been twice read and committed; and the Petitioners conceiving, That such a Law would lessen the Consumption of English Wool, and be the Ruin of many Thousands of the Manufacturers of Silk and Hair, which are the Product of English manufactured Wool; and praying to be heard by their Counsel, before the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Bill for the encouraging the Woollen Manufacture is referred; to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

Oaths taken by Officers in the Army.

Ordered, That Sir Fran. Russell, Mr. Hobby, Mr. Grey, Sir Edw. Harley, Mr. Rennell, Mr. Ellwell, Mr. Sackvile, Mr. Eldred, Sir Walter Moyle, Sir John Guise, be added to the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, sent down from the Lords, intituled an Act to regulate the Administration of the Oaths required to be taken by Commission or Warrant Officers employed in their Majesties Service by Land, by virtue of an Act made this present Session of Parliament, intituled, An Act for the Abrogating of the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and appointing other Oaths.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to the Committee, to whom it was referred to prepare an Address to his Majesty, That he will please to give Leave, That some Members of this House may inspect the Books of the Privy Council, and the Books of the Irish Committee, and take Copies of such Orders and Instructions therein, as relate to the Affairs of Ireland; That they do, in the said Address, desire Leave to inspect and take Copies of the said Books, from the Twenty-seventh of December, to the First of June last.

Ordered, That the said Committee do withdraw, and sit, during the Sitting of the House.

Reversing Judgment against Oates.

Mr. Eldred reports from the Committee, to whom the Bill for reversing the Judgment against Mr. Oates was referred, That the Committee had thought fit to make an Amendment to the Bill: Which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was twice read; and agreed to by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, so amended, be ingrossed.

Debtor Relief.

Sir Robert Nappier reports from the Committee, to whom the Bill for Relief of poor Prisoners, was referred, That the Committee had thought fit to make several Amendments to the Bill: Which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were all read the First time throughout; and afterwards, a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

A Proviso was offered to be made Part of the Bill; and was twice read; and agreed unto by the House; For every Person that shall take Advantage of the said Act, to wear a great D of blue Cloth on the Outside of the Breast of his outward Garment, till his Debt or Debts satisfied: And, on Default of wearing the said Letter, the Person to be committed by a Warrant from a Justice of Peace; there to remain in the same State, as if he had not had the Advantage of the said Act.

Another Proviso was offered to be made Part of the Bill; and was twice read; and agreed unto by the House; For no Person convict of Perjury, or the Conveyance of whose Estate hath been found by Verdict to be fraudulent, shall receive any Benefit by the said Act.

Ordered, That the Bill so amended, and with the said Provisoes, be ingrossed.

Address relating Irish Affairs.

Sir John Guise reports from the Committee, to whom it was referred to prepare a Second Address to his Majesty, That he will give Leave, that some Members of this House may inspect the Books of the Privy Council, and the Books of the Irish Committee; and take Copies of such Orders and Instructions therein, as relate to the Irish Affairs, from the Twenty-seventh of December to the First of June last; That they had prepared an Address accordingly: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and is as followeth.

WE Your Majesties most loyal and obedient Subjects, the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, in Parliament assembled, out of a sincere Duty and Affection to support Your Majesty's Crown and Dignity, and the Safety, Honour, and Welfare of Your Subjects, being deeply sensible of the deplorable Condition of Your Majesty's Kingdom of Ireland, which, notwithstanding Your Majesty's great and constant Care thereof, is, for the most part, over-run by your Majesties declared Enemies, the French, in Conjunction with Irish Rebels, occasioned, as we humbly conceive, by the Neglect or ill Conduct of some Persons employed in the Management of the Affairs relating to that Kingdom; and to the end that we may be enabled to give Your Majesty such Advice, as may prevent the like Miscarriages for the future; do most humbly beseech Your Majesty, That You will be graciously pleased to permit such Members as shall be appointed by this House, to inspect the Books of the Privy Council and Irish Committee, and all other Proceedings relating to Ireland, from the Twenty-seventh Day of December 1688, to the First Day of June, 1689, and to take Copies of such Orders and Instructions therein, as relate to the Affairs of Ireland: And we humbly beg Leave to assure Your Majesty, That this Our Address proceeds from no other Motive, than our hearty Desire to manifest that Zeal and Duty, which we shall always retain for Your Majesty's Person and Government.

Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his Majesty, by such Members of this House, as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, and Sir John Guise . . . .

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Charles Raleigh have Leave to go into the Country, for a Fortnight.

Ordered, That Mr. Montague have Leave to go into the Country for a Week.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Reignolds have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks.

Ordered, That Sir John Turner have Leave to go into the Country, for Three Weeks.

Papists Children sent abroad.

Colonel Tipping reports from the Committee, to whom it was referred to inquire, what Children are sent abroad to be educated in the Popish Religion, and who have been the Occasion of sending them abroad; and also what Children, who were in the Hands of Protestant Guardians, have been taken thence, and put under Popish Guardians, That they have inquired into the same, accordingly; and have been informed by Mr. William Stratford of Farme Court near Winchcombe in Gloucestershire, That Mrs. Katherine Overbury, a late Popish Convert, the Widow of Nicolas Overbury, of Barton in the Heath, in Warwickshire, Esquire, in Christmas, 1685, while the said Mr. Stratford, lay sick, without his Consent, took away his Son, about Thirteen Years old, to her own House, on Pretence of taking care of him; and that, when he demanded him of her, her Answer was, That she would take care of him, and that he should never have him again: And that the said Mr. Stratford brought a Writ de Homine replegiando against the said Mrs. Overbury, for his Son: The effect of which Prosecution was, That his Son was delivered to him by Sir Richard Allibone, on Sunday the Thirteenth Day of March 1686: And that his Son then told him, he believed he was maintained by Mrs. Overbury: But that he went away, the next Day from his Father's, without his Knowledge; and that he has not seen him since, but is informed his Son is at St. Omers.

That the Committee was likewise informed by Mr. Walter Overbury, That Mrs. Overbury's own Son was carried beyond Sea, by one Mrs. Frances Sheldon, One of the Maids of Honour to the Queen Dowager, at the same time when the late Queen went to France: And that Mrs. Overbury owned the going of her Son to France; and said, She had rather follow him to his Grave, than that he should return to be bred up a damned Heretick.

That the Committee was likewise informed by Mrs. Harnage of Narbury, in Shropshire, that Mr. * Knipe, of Sembly in the County of Wilts, had detained Two of her Sons, and bred them up in the Popish Religion.

That thereupon the Committee sent out an Order for the said Mr. Knipe to appear before them; and to bring with him Mrs. Harnage's Two Sons: Which he accordingly did; and delivered them up to their Mother, before the Committee.

That the Committee was likewise informed by Mr. Pulton, Tutor to Mr. George Mordant Brother to the Earl of Monmouth, That the said Mr. George Mordant was taken, by Order of the Earl of Peterborow, from Eaton School, about Christmas was Twelve-month, under Pretence of making him Page to the Queen: But that, the Week after Easter following, he was sent, by the said Earl to the Jesuits School at the Savoy. And the said Mr. George Mordant told the said Mr. Pulton, That Mr. Con, a Papist that lived in the Lord Peterborow's Family, had persuaded his Uncle, the said Earl of Peterborow, to send him into France.

Mr. Welbourne informed the Committee, That he was conveyed into France by the Duchess of Norfolke, Daughter to the Earl of Peterborow.

That Colonel Herbert, a Member of this House, informed the Committee, That he, being a Trustee for Mr. George Mordant, in February 1687, he, the said Mr. George Mordant, came to ask his Consent to go into France; which he denied; and persuaded him to stay: But he replied, That the Lord Peterborow his Uncle would take care of him, and do him Kindnesses: And, if he could not have his Consent, he would go without it.

That the Committee was likewise informed, That Mr. William and Mr. Charles Cecill, Brothers to the Earl of Salisbury, were, by the said Earl, taken from Eaton School, about August last, and by him sent into France, without Consent of those that were appointed to be their Overseers, or Guardians: And that one Mr. Baptist, a Papist, and Mr. Cam, their Servant, went along with them.

One William Smith, Servant to the Earl of Salisbury, testified, That, about Twelve a Clock the same Night they went, he helped to pack up their Linen in a Portmanteau at Salisbury House in the Strand.

That Mr. Sadler, another Servant to the Family, affirmed he saw them at Salisbury House the Day before they went; and, on the Monday after, the Earl of Salisbury told him they were gone to France. Mr. Sadler said further, That they were preparing to return home; but that the late King James, seeing them in France, ordered them not to come.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to prevent the Abuse in sending Children beyond Sea, to be bred up in the Romish Religion; and to oblige those, that are Abroad, to return.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to prevent settling of Papists Estates to superstitious Uses, and any voluntary Settlements of Papists, to disinherit their Protestant Children.

Rights of the Subject and settling the Crown.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom the Clause proposed by the Lords to be added to the Bill for declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, and settling the Succession of the Crown, was referred, do make their Report on Monday Morning next.

Proceedings on Conferences.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom it was referred to search the Journals touching Proceedings upon Conferences in Passing of Bills, do make their Report on Monday Morning next.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cooke and Sir Lacon Wm. Child;

Papists Benefices.

Mr. Speaker, We are commanded by the Lords to acquaint this House, That they have agreed to the Amendments to the Bill intituled, An Act for vesting in the Two Universities the Presentations of Benefices belonging to Papists:

Bristoll, &c. Courts of Conscience.

Also, That the Lords have agreed to the Bill for erecting Courts of Conscience in the Cities of Bristoll and Gloucester, and the Liberties thereof, without any Amendments:

Droytwich Salt-works.

Also, That their Lordships have agreed to the Amendment proposed by this House to the Bill for the better regulating the Salt-works in Droytwich.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Aulnage Duty.

Resolved, That the Bill for taking away the Duty of Aulnage, and laying a Custom upon Cloths, be read the Second time on Tuesday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock.

Preventing Export of Wool.

Resolved, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Amendments to the Bill for preventing the Exporatation of Wool, was referred, be taken into Consideration on Tuesday next, after the Aulnage Bill is read.

Militia.

Resolved, That the House do now resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Bill for rendering the Militia more useful.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Grey took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Grey reports from the Committee of the whole House, That the Committee had gone through the Bill; and had directed him to make his Report thereupon, with the first Conveniency.

Preventing Trade with France.

Ordered, That all the Members that serve for the Sea Port Towns, and Mr. Bockland, and Mr. Freke, be added to the Committee to whom the Bill for preventing the Importation of French Goods, is referred.

Proceedings against Sir W. Williams.

Ordered, That the Record of the Judgment upon Information against Sir William Williams be read on Tuesday Morning next.

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