House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 15 July 1689

Lunæ, 15 die Julii; 1° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Wounded Seamen.

MR. Papillion reports from the Committee, to whom it was referred to consider how Provision should be made for such Seamen as are or shall be wounded; and for the Wives and Children of such as are or shall be slain in their Majesties Service, or in Merchant Ships; That the Committee made Inquiry concerning the Chest at Chatham; how and by whom that Affair was managed; how the Monies thereto belonging were raised; and how and in what Manner and Proportion distributed: And, on Examination thereof, and Information of Sir Richard Haddock and others, Commissioners of the Navy, they find,

That for a Relief to Mariners wounded and dismembered in Fight, in the Service of the Crown, the same was constituted in Queen Elizabeth's time:

That, the Governors thereof are the Two Masters of Attendance, the first Shipwright of Chattam, Two Boatswains, Two Gunners, and Two Pursers of the great Ships; to wit, of the First and Second Rate Ships; these are chosen every Year by the former Governors; and ordinarily the Officers of the First and Second Rate Ships are taken in Turn: And, as Supervisors over these, there are Two of the Commissioners of the Navy chosen by the other Governors:

That the Monies appropriated to this Constitution do arise,

From Six-pence each Month deducted out of the Pay of every common Seaman in the King's Service:

From Lands formerly purchased, which are of the yearly Value of Four hundred Pounds and upwards:

From the Allowance of Four-pence per Month out of each Seaman's Pay for a Chaplain; and Two-pence for the Surgeon: Which, when there is no Chaplain or Surgeon, by Order of King Charles the Second, was to be applied to this Service:

And also, all Forfeitures, Fines, and Mulcts, set and imposed on all Officers for Misdemeanors, by Order of King James the Second, were to be applied to this Use.

That the Distribution is as follows;

To every Person that hath lost One Leg, or One Arm, Twenty Nobles per Annum:

To every one that hath lost Two Legs, or Two Arms, Twenty Marks per Annum:

To him that hath lost an Eye, Five Pounds per Annum:

And to all others, according to the Proportion of their Wounds, on View of the Surgeon.

That, when any Pension is settled, there is a Year's Pension given as an Introduction gratis: Which is commonly called Smart Money.

That, the Number of Pensioners, that were living at the last Pay in May 1688, were Six hundred and Fifty; and their Pay amounted to Five thousand Six hundred Ninety-four Pounds Seven Shillings and Seven-pence.

That the Income That Year, besides the Lands, amounted to about One thousand Three hundred Pounds.

That the rest was supplied (as it hath formerly been accustomed) by the King.

That, at the last Pay, in May 1688, there was Two Years Pay in Arrears: and, in May 1689, there was Three Years Pay due.

That the Treasurer of the Navy keeps an Account of all that is deducted from the Seamen out of their Pay: And what the same, with the yearly Income of their Lands, falls short of answering all the Pensions, is supplied by the King: The Lord Treasurer, or Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, assign Money to the Treasurer of the Navy for the same: And, by Warrant from the Commissioners of the Navy, he pays the Money to the Governors of the Chest of Chattam.

That, out of the Chest at Chattam, there is no Allowance made for the Widows and Children of such as are slain in Fight: But there hath been accustomed to be allowed and paid as the King's Bounty,

To the Widow of every Seaman, killed in Fight in the King's Service, Eleven Months Pay, according to the Quality of the Person slain:

And to every Child, that is unmarried at the Father's Death, One Third Part of Eleven Months Pay: And, in case the said One Third Part, for any Child, amounts to Twenty Pounds and upwards, the Money is put into the Chamber of London for the Use of such Child: And, if it be under Twenty Pounds, then into the Hands of the Churchwardens of the Parish where the Father dwelt.

That, in case the Person, killed in Fight, be a Bachelor, and that his Mother be a Widow, and indigent, of Fifty Years of Age and upwards, then there is Eleven Months Pay paid unto her, in the same manner as there is to the Wife of a married Person that is slain.

That the Officers of Fire Ships have equal Allowances to Officers of the Fourth Rate Ships.

That all wounded Men, during their Cure, lie at the King's Charge: But there is no publick Place or Hospital appropriated for them: The Hospital of St. Thomas in Southwarke, and St. Bartholomew, London, are made use of to this Purpose.

That the said Committee made also Inquiry, What Relief was given to Seamen by the Corporation of the Trinity House; and how the same did arise; and how it is managed: And from the Master and Wardens of the said Corporation, were informed,

That, for the Encouragement of Seamen and Navigation, the said Corporation was settled in the Reign of King Henry VIII^th.

That, by the Charter, there are several Duties paid to them for Buoys, Beacons, Lights, Load, Manage, and Primage: And that, of late, something is settled on them, out of the Profits arising by Ballasting of Ships.

That the said Corporation have also Lands to the Value of about Two hundred and Fifty Pounds per Annum; the Revenue whereof is to be disposed among the Poor.

That the whole Amount of the Duties received, and the Revenue of the Land, from Lady Day 1688, to Lady Day 1689, came to Three thousand Five hundred Ninety-one Pounds.

That out of the same there is to be taken the Charge for maintaining the Buoys, Beacons, and Lights, &c. which comes annually to upwards of Seven hundred Pounds.

That they maintain, out of the said Monies, Fifty-seven Alms-houses, which are paid monthly; and is from Eleven Pounds to Twenty Pounds each House per Month.

That, at Christmas last, they had One thousand Three hundred and Fifty monthly Pensioners, who are paid the First Monday in every Month, from Two Shillings and Six-pence, to Five Shillings each Person.

That the last Year's Payment to the Almsmen and Pensioners, came to Two thousand Seven hundred and Seventeen Pounds.

That there are also other accidental Poor, that are relieved; the Charge whereof doth annually amount to One hundred and Fifty Pounds, or thereabout.

That, every Month, the Warden makes up his Account of Receipts and Payments: Which is read before the Court; and, at the Year's End, the Account is audited: And by Order, there is constantly One thousand Pounds kept in Cash, for to answer all emergent Occasions:

And, as the Income increaseth, so they do inlarge the Numbers of their Pensioners: But the Number of them is never less than One thousand Two hundred.

That there are no Pensions granted to any by this Corporation, that have Pensions out of the Chest at Chattam; but the Widows of Seamen, as well those that their Husbands died in the King's Service, as in Merchants Ships, are equally considered; as also the Orphans.

That the Duties received for Buoys, Beacons, Lights, &c. are only from Merchants Ships, and nothing from Men of War; so that in time of War, the Receipts will fall short.

That the Light-houses, under the Care of the Trinity House, are at present only Four; whereof they receive the Duties; viz.

That the Light at Silly, for which all English Ships pay One Half-peny per Ton Outwards, and One Halfpeny per Ton Inwards, and Strangers Ships the Double the said Duty, produceth, clear of all Charges, about Three hundred and Fifty Pounds per Annum.
Lastoff Light in Suffolke:
Caster Light by Yarmouth:

The Duties of these Two Lights are included with the Duties of Buoyage and Beaconage: For which there is taken Five Shillings and Four-pence, for every hundred Ton per Voyage.

Winterton Light, the Duty whereof is Twelve-pence per Voyage, by all English Ships; and by Strangers, the Double; which may produce about Eighty Pounds per Annum, clear of all Charges.

That, by an Act of Parliament in the Eighth of Elizabeth, the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Trinity House at Debtford Strand, are impowered from time to time, at their Wills and Pleasures, and at their Costs, to make, erect, and set up, such and so many Beacons, Marks, and Signs for Sea Marks, as to them should seem requisite.

That, upon the Petition of the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Trinity House, to King James the First, in February 1616; and a Report of Sir Fran. Bacon, then his Majesty's Attorney General, on the Case; the Lords of his Majesty's Council, by their Order, dated the Twenty-sixth March 1617, declare their Opinions, That the said Master and Wardens ought solely to have the Erecting and Disposing of all such Sea Marks and Signs: And that no other Persons ought to intermeddle therein.

That, by an Act made 1° Jac. II^di, intituled, An Act to encourage the Building of Ships in England, there is a Duty of Five Shillings per Ton, laid on all Foreignbuilt Ships and Vessels, that should, after that time, be bought and employed in carrying Goods from Port to Port; as also, another Duty of Twelve-pence per Ton, on such Foreign Ships as were not free; to be paid for every Voyage after Michaelmas 1689: Both which Duties, by the said Act, are appropriated One Half to the Chest of Chattam; and the other Half to the Trinity House, towards Relief of wounded and decayed Seamen, their Widows and Children. Since the making the said Act, nothing hath been received of the First Duty of Five Shillings per Ton; and the other Duty of Twelve-pence per Ton is not to commence till next Michaelmas.

That the Committee (for further Provision to be made for all Seamen that should be wounded in Fight, and for the Widows and Children of such as should be slain) finding, by the Information of the Master and Wardens of the Trinitye House, That the Monies levied on the Subject for the Light-houses, under their Management, did amount to much more than the Cost and Charges for erecting and maintaining the same; therefore they took into Consideration the several Light-houses granted to private Persons, by Patent; as conceiving, that the Monies arising thereby, above the necessary Charge, could not be more suitably employed than for the Good of them that paid it.

That the several Light-houses, held by private Persons, and the Duties by them taken from the Subject, appears, by the Copies of the several Patents brought to the Committee, to be as followeth;

Wounded Seamen.

One Light, called the Spurne Light, granted by Patent, dated the Fourteenth of June, in the Thirtieth Year of King Charles the Second, to Justinian Angell, and his Heirs and Assigns for ever; reciting a former Grant, dated the Twenty-fifth October, in the Twenty-seventh Year of his Reign; whereby, on Petition of several Mariners and Owners of Ships, the said Justinian Angell was impowered to erect, build, and maintain the said Light for ever; and to take a Farthing per Ton of all Ships; and then, on Complaint, that the said Farthing was not sufficient, and Certificate from the Trinitye House at Newcastle, the said former Grant is confirmed; and, instead of a Farthing per Ton, there is One Halfpeny per Ton to be taken of all English Ships, and One Peny of all Foreigners; a Rent to the Crown of Five Pounds per Annum; and a Proviso, That if the said Grant should appear prejudicial, or not of publick Use, that then, on Signification, under the Privy Seal, the said Patent to be void:

One Light at Tinmouth, granted to Sir Edward Villers for ever, by King Charles the Second, by his Letters Patents, dated the 30° Junii, in the Seventeenth Year of his Reign: The said Patent recites, That anciently Fourpence for every English Ship, and Twelve-pence for each Foreign Ship, had been paid for maintaining a Light there; which being fallen down, Sir Edward Villers hath rebuilt the same: Therefore this Patent grants him to take One Shilling for every Ship belonging to the English; and Three Shillings of every Foreign Ship, he paying Twenty Marks per Annum to the Crown.

One Light at Dungenesse, granted to Eliz. Shipman for One-and-thirty Years, by Patent, dated 14 February, 28° Car. II^di; and to take One Peny per Ton, of all Ships Outward and Inward, paying Six Pounds Thirteen Shillings and Four-pence per Annum to the Crown. This Patent has Seventeen Years to come.

Three Lights on the North and South Forelands, granted to John Smith for Thirty Years, by Patent, dated 20 Julii, 23°Car. II.; and impowering him to take One Peny per Ton, Outwards and Inwards, of all English Ships; and, of Strangers, double; paying Twenty Pounds per Annum to the Crown. The said Patent recites a former Grant to Sir John Maldrum, dated 13 Feb. 12°Car. I^mi: There is a Proviso in this Patent, That if the King should take those, and all other Lights, into his own Care and Charge, then the said Smith was quietly to surrender; a reasonable Compensation being first made to him. This Patent hath about Twelve Years to come.

Two Lights at Harwich, granted to Sir Wm. Batten for One-and-sixty Years, by Patent, dated the Twentyfourth December, 16 Car. II. to receive One Halfpeny of all English Ships; and One Peny of all Strangers; and to pay a Rent of Five Pounds to the Crown: The Consideration of this Grant is, the erecting and maintaining the Lights. This Grant hath about Two-andthirty Years yet to come.

Three Lights at Wintertonnesse, Two Lights at Orfordnesse, granted to Sir Edward Turner, by Patent, dated the Fifteenth of October, 13 Car. II.; he to receive One Peny per Ton of all Merchants Ships Outwards; and the like Inwards; and of Colliers but One Halfpeny per Ton; and nothing of Fishermen; and to pay a Rent to the Crown of Twenty Pounds per Annum. There is a Recital of a Patent, dated 13 April, 13 Car. 1^mi, granted to Jerrard Gore, for Fifty Years: Which Patent, if then void, the Grant to Sir Edward Turner is for Sixty Years, or else for Three-and-thirty Years, to commence from any Determination of the former Grant to Jerrard Gore. In this Patent there is a Prohibition to any other for building or setting up any other Lights upon the Places aforesaid, or within Two Miles thereof: Also a Proviso, That if the King should, by other his Letters Patents, settle on Sir Edward the full Sum of One thousand Two hundred Pounds per Annum, free of all Charge and Reprizals, then he was to quit his Interest, and surrender this Grant.

Wounded Seamen.

That the Committee did make Inquiry, What the Duties levied on the Subject for the said Lights did amount unto, over-and-above the Costs and Charges of maintaining the same; but could not come to a certain Knowledge thereof; the Persons interested being unwilling to make any Discovery; and the Receipts are more or less, as the Trade increaseth or diminisheth: But, by the Information they have had, they apprehend the Duty will produce, communibus Annis, about Four thousand Pounds per Annum, over and above all Charges for maintaining the same.

But in regard the Committee did not think themselves impowered to give their Opinions concerning the Matter of Right in these Cases, they came to no Resolution: But ordered the Matter to be reported Specially.

That the Committee was also informed, That both in the time of King Charles the Second, and King James the Second, there were Propositions of turning the King's House at Greenwich into an Hospital, for the Entertaining of wounded Seamen; as also for laying a Tax on Paper, to be sealed for certain Uses; which was supposed, might produce about Eighteen thousand Pounds per Annum, and be a proper Fund for maintaining the same. On Consideration hereof, the Committee conceiving it would be a great Charge and Expence to prepare and maintain a Hospital; and that it might be more acceptable to the wounded Men to have their Pensions paid them, and to live with their Relations; they, for the present, came to this Resolution: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same being read, is as followeth;

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That an Imposition to be laid on sealed Paper, for the Writing thereupon Charter Parties, Bills of Lading, Bills of Debt, Procurations, Protests, Releases, and like Instruments used amongst Merchants and Seamen, may be a proper Fund towards the Relief of wounded Seamen, and of the Widows and Children of such as should be slain in Fight.

Mr. Papillion also acquainted the House, That the Committee also considered, That as the Seamen serving in his Majesty's Ships do allow Six-pence per Month for this Service, so it might be fit for the Seamen in Merchant Ships to allow something in like manner, and they to be provided for accordingly; which would be an Encouragement for them to fight in Defence of their Ships and Goods: And thereupon came to another Resolution: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth;

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That for a Provision for Relief of all Seamen wounded, and the Wives and Children of them, killed in Fight, Four-pence in each Pound, be raised out of the Wages of all Seamen serving in Merchant Ships.

He also acquainted the House, That further, on Consideration of the Statute of 43 Eliz. concerning Relief of Soldiers and Mariners, the Committee came to another Resolution: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth;

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Justices of Peace in the several Counties and Divisions, at their next Quarter Sessions, may be desired to return to his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, an Account of what Monies, during the Seven Years last past, have been annually raised, for Relief of maimed Soldiers and Seamen, in pursuance of the Act of the 43 Eliz.; and what Pensions have been, and are now, paid out of the same, and to whom, with the Reasons for settling the same; that so such Monies as have not been disposed, according to the said Act, may be applied to That Use, for a present Supply.

He also acquaints the House, That he had Direction from the Committee to move the House, that an Address may be presented to his Majesty, That he will please to make no more new Grants of the Lights, to any Person for the time to come, till this House have considered further of them.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, That he will please to make no farther Grants of any Light-houses or Lights, until the next Meeting of the Parliament.

A Motion being made, That St. Katherine's Hospital, and the Revenue thereof, may be applied for the Benefit of wounded Seamen;

Resolved, That the Consideration thereof be referred to the same Committee; to consider thereof; and to report the Case touching the said Hospital, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

And the said Committee is to have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Privilege.

Sir Rowland Gwyn acquaints the House, That one Stephen Dun, an Agent and Servant of his, hath been arrested by one Latham, a Bailiff, by the Procurement of Thomas Owen and Paul Williams; and is detained in Custody, and refused to be set at Liberty, in Breach of the Privileges of this House.

Ordered, That the said Thomas Owen and Paul Williams, and * Latham be taken into Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for such their Breach of Privilege.

Supply Bill; Excise.

A Petition of the Brewers of the City of London, and Districts thereof, was presented to the House; for to have the Liberty to bring in a Clause or Proviso, to be added to the Bill, that charges an additional Duty of Excise on Beer, Ale, &c. That the Petitioners may have the Liberty of appealing from the Judgment of the Commissioners of Excise, to the Justices of the Peace at the Quarter Sessions, to be holden for the County of Middlesex; and their Judgments to be a final Determination thereof; they not designing to hinder the Payment of the said Duty of Excise thereby.

And the Question being put, That the Petition be read;

It passed in the Negative.

An ingrossed Bill for an additional Excise, was read the Third time.

An Amendment was proposed to be made;

Press 11, Line 27, after "Offence," to insert, "made or committed from and after the Twenty-fourth of July 1689;" and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House: And the Bill amended at the Table, accordingly.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for an additional Duty of Excise upon Beer, Ale, and other Liquors.

Ordered, That Mr. Grey do carry up the Bill to the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Crown Revenue.

A Bill for settling the Revenue, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time Tomorrow Morning.

Irish Affairs.

Mr. Jepson, according to the Order of Yesterday, appeared in his Place; and acquainted the House, That whereas, by the Order, it is said, That it appeared to the Committee, that there were Passes granted to the several Persons in the Order named; he had perused the Books, by him kept, when he was Secretary to his Majesty: And that he did not find, that there were any Passes granted to any of those Persons.

Whereupon the House was satisfied, That there were no Passes granted to any of the said Persons.

Leave of Absence.

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

The Question being put, That Sir Wm. Strickland have Leave to go into the Country, for a Month;

It passed in the Negative.

Exceptions in Act of Indemnity.

Resolved, That this House do now proceed upon the further Consideration of the Act of Indemnity.

And the Proceedings upon the Third Head of Exceptions were read.

And the Question being proposed, That no more Persons be excepted out of the Bill of Indemnity upon this head;

The Previous Question was put, That that Question be now put:

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Then the main Question was put:

Resolved, That no more Persons be excepted out of the Bill of Indemnity upon this Head.

Then the Fourth Head of Exceptions was read.

Ordered, That Sir Dudley North do, upon Wednesday Morning next, attend this House; to give an Account, By what Order, Warrants, or Authorities, he and the other Commissioners for the Customs, collected the Customs from the Death of King Charles the Second, to the Time of the Parliament held in the Reign of King James the Second.

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Crown do, upon Wednesday Morning next, attend this House with all the Commissions for the Customs and Excise; and with all the Proclamations, Warrants, Orders, and Instructions, for and touching the collecting the Customs and Excise; between the Death of King Charles the Second, to the Time of the Parliament holden in the Reign of King James the Second.

Ordered, That Mr. Samson and Mr. Humberson do attend this House on Wednesday Morning next, with the Books for the Collection of the Customs, and by what Warrants or Authorities the same were collected, from the Death of King Charles the Second, to the time of the Parliament held in the Reign of King James the Second.

Ordered, That Mr. Edward Noell do, upon Wednesday Morning next, attend this House, with the Books of the Management and Collection of the Excise, and by what Warrants and Authorities the same was collected, from the Death of King Charles the Second, to the time of the Parliament held in the Reign of King James the Second.

Resolved, That his Majesty be humbly desired, by such Members of this House, as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, That he will be pleased to give leave that the Books of the Privy Council, and of the Treasury, in relation to the Matter of collecting the Excise and Customs, between the Death of King Charles the Second, and the Time of the Parliament held in the Time of King James the Second, may be inspected.

Ordered, That Sir Peter Apsley and Sir Benjamin Bathurst do attend this House on Wednesday Morning next, to give an Account of what they know touching the Contract and Lease made of the Excise and Customs, upon or about the Time of the Death of King Charles the Second.

Address for removing Duchess of Mazarine.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, by such Members of this House, as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, and Colonel Birch, That the Duchess of Mazarine may be removed out of his Majesty's Dominions.

Privilege- Reflections on a Member.

Mr. Arnold informing the House, That one Christopher Smelt hath raised and spread a false and scandalous Report of Sir Peter Rich, (a Member of this House), that he is a Papist;

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections to examine the Matter thereof; and to report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Orphans of London.

Ordered, That the Accounts now in the Hands of the Clerk of the House, relating to the Orphans of the City of London be delivered to the Chairman of the Committee, to whom it was referred to prepare a Bill for Relief of the Orphans of the said City.

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