House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 2 April 1690

Mercurii, 2 die Aprilis; 2° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Helstone Election.

A PETITION of Rich. Hoblyn was read; setting forth, That he was duly elected for the Borough of Helstone in the County of Cornewall, by the Majority of legal Voters; notwithstanding which, the Mayor of the said Borough hath refused to accept of the Indenture signed by the said Electors, or to return the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises, and Relief therein.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Warwick Election.

A Petition of the Freeholders of the County of Warwick was read: setting forth, That, at the last Election for Two Knights of the said County to serve in Parliament, Sir John Burgoigne and Sir Rich. Newdigate were fairly chosen; but the High Sheriff, to frustrate such Election, suffered divers Abuses and Irregularities to be committed thereat, not only in the beating and wounding several Persons that came to Poll for Sir John Burgoign, and Sir Rich. Newdigate, but serving them so likewise, even to the Hazard of Sir Richard's Life; and, after such discouraging Practices used, the said Sheriff hath returned Andrew Archer, and Wm. Bromley, Esquire, in Prejudice to the Petitioners; and praying the Consideration of the House, and Relief in the Premises: And that Sir John Burgoigne, and Sir Richard Newdigate, may be restored to their Places in this House.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Stockbridge Election.

A Petition of Wm. Reeves, and others, Burgesses of the Borough of Stockbridge, was read; setting forth, That Wm. Strode and Rich. Whitehead, Esquires, were duly elected for the said Borough: but that the Bailiff Richard Hewes, hath returned Wm. Montague, Esquire, in the stead of the said Mr. Stroude, though not duly chosen, in Prejudice to the Rights of the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Berks Election.

A Petition, on the Behalf of the major Part of the Freeholders of the County of Berkes, was read; setting forth, That the Right Honourable Montague Lord Norreis, and Sir Hum. Forster, were, on the Twenty-fourth February last, fairly elected Knights for the said County, by the Majority of legal qualified Freeholders; nevertheless the Sheriff hath returned Sir Henry Winchcombe, in the stead of the said Lord Norreis, in Wrong to the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

London Election.

A Petition of Sir Tho. Pilkington, Sir Robert Clayton, Sir Patience Ward, and Sir Wm. Ashurst, was read; setting forth, That Members to serve in Parliament for the City of London ought to be chosen only by the lawful Liverymen of the several Companies in the said City: That, on the Nineteenth of February last, a Common Hall (which consists of the said Liverymen) was summoned for the Election; and a Poll granted to determine the Choice; and a Scrutiny was demanded: But, before the same could be ended, the Sheriffs declared the Election in Prejudice of the Petitioners: That, the Scrutiny being since ended, the Petitioners are informed the Majority of those Voices that had a Right to vote, fell upon the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises, and Relief therein.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Delay of Carnarvan Return.

A Complaint being made to the House, That the High Sheriff of the County of Carnarvan hath not yet made his Return of Members to serve in this present Parliament;

Ordered, That the High Sheriff of the County of Carnarvan be summoned by the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, to shew Cause, Why he hath not made his Return.

Westminster, &c. Streets.

A Bill for paving and cleansing the Streets within the City and Liberty of Westminster, and the Out Parishes in the County of Middlesex, and Borough of Southwarke, in the Weekly Bills of Mortality; and for regulating the Haymarket at Charing Cross in the Parish of St. Martin's; was presented to the House; and received.

Ordered, That the said Bill be read To-morrow Morning.

African Company.

A Bill for the better securing the Trade to the Royal Affrican Company of England, was presented to the House: and received.

Importation of Thrown Silk.

A Bill for the discouraging the Importation of Thrown Silk, was presented to the House; and received.

Ordered, That the said Bill be read To-morrow Morning.

London Orphans.

Resolved, That the House will, upon Monday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of Ways to satisfy the Debts due to the Orphans of the City of London.

Privilege.

A Complaint being made, That one Durant Jenkinson had procured Robert Hancocke, a Servant of Sir Hugh Owen, a Member of the last and this present Parliament, to be arrested, immediately after the Dissolution of the last Parliament, by Walter Baynes, John Wilson, and Cornelius Jenkinson, Bailiffs, employed for that Purpose, in Breach of the Privileges of this House;

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

East India Company.

A Petition of the Governor and Company of Merchants of London, trading to the East Indies, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners, and their Predecessors, upon the Encouragement of Queen Elizabeth, and succeeding Princes, by their several Grants and Charters granted unto them, exclusive of all others, have adventured their Estates for the Discovery and carrying on a Traffick to those Parts, greatly to the Advantage and Enriching of this Kingdom; and that several Parliaments since that Time have had many Occasions to take Notice of their said Charters, without any Disallowance thereunto; but on the contrary, rather implicitly approved thereof: But that the Petitioners have lately received great Damages and Discouragements in their Trade by several private Traders or Interlopers, who originally were the Cause of all those Troubles and Losses brought of late on the Company: And that the Petitioners represent to the House, That the East India Trade cannot possibly be supported but in a Joint Stock, exclusive of all others; nor without such Powers, granted to them, equal to that of their Neighbours, by which they uphold their Trade; and such other foreign Trades from England as depend thereon will not only suffer much, but other European Nations will make great Advantage thereof, to the Hazard, if not the utter Ruin, of the English Commerce to those Parts: And praying, That the House would take into their Consideration the Preservation of their Trade; and that an Act may be made for that Purpose, under such Methods or Regulations as shall be thought fit; and that, in the mean time, they may be supported and encouraged in preserving the said Trade to the Nation.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to consider of the East India Trade; and how it may be managed to the best Advantage of the Nation: And that the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the said Committee: Who are to prepare and bring in a Bill or Bills accordingly.

And it is referred unto Sir Tho. Clarges, Mr. Slater, Sir Robert Davers, Mr. Vincent, Sir Sam. Barnadiston, Sir Hen. Johnson, Mr. Perry, Sir Cha. Bloyes, Lord Marquis of Worcester, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Burrard, Mr. Sacheverell, Sir Christopher Musgrave, Mr. Hawtry, Mr. Thornhaugh, Mr. Waller, Mr. England, Mr. Glemham, Lord Sherrard, Mr. Done, Sir Matth. Andrewes, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bowyer, Sir Gilbert Clerke, Mr. Fuller, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir Peter Colliton, Mr. Dalben, Mr. Paul Foley, Mr. Parkhurst, and all the Members that serve for the Sea Port Towns, and that are Merchants; and all the Members that serve for the Cities of London and Westminster, and County of Middlesex: And all that come to have Voices: And they are to meet To-morrow at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Lewknor's Wife's illegitimate Children.

Ordered, That the Bill to illegitimate any Child or Children that the Wife of John Lewknor, Esquire, hath had, or shall have, during her Elopement from him, be read To-morrow Morning.

Speaker's Chamber to be locked.

Ordered, That the Back Door of Mr. Speaker's Chamber be locked up every Day at the first Sitting of the House; and the Key brought and laid upon the Table in the House.

Strangers to be taken into Custody.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms attending the House do, from time to time, take into his Custody any Stranger or Strangers, that he shall see, or be informed of to be, in the House or Gallery, while the House, or any Committee of the whole House, is sitting.

Regulating Elections.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to regulate Elections to Parliament.

Election Returns.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for preventing of false and Double Returns of Members to serve in Parliament: And it is recommended to Sir John Maynard to take care therein.

Importing Thrown Silk.

Ordered, That the Bill for the discouraging the Importation of Thrown Silk, be read To-morrow Morning.

Duke of Buckingham's Estate.

Ordered, That the Bill for the better enabling the Trustees of the late Duke of Buckingham to sell several Lands and Tenements for Payment of his Debts, be read Tomorrow Morning.

Bankrupts.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill touching the Disposition of Bankrupts Estates; and for Amendment of the Laws therein: And it is recommended to Mr. Serjeant Wogan to take Care therein.

Poor Relief.

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

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act for the better Explanation and making effectual the Statutes made for the Relief of the Poor; to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Supply.

Then the Order for the House to resolve into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Supply to be given to their Majesties, was read.

Resolved, That it be an Instruction to the Committee of the whole House, That the Supply to be given to their Majesties be not laid upon Land, without Leave from the House.

Then the House resolved into a Committee of the whole House, according to the said Order.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.-

Privilege- Seditious Publication.

And the House being acquainted, That one RichardStafford was at the Lobby Door, delivering a seditious printed Pamphlet, intituled, "Things plain and weighty," &c.

Ordered, That the said Richard Stafford be called in to the Bar of this House.

And he, being brought in accordingly, owned the Delivering thereof: And then withdrew.

Ordered, That Richard Stafford be committed, during the Pleasure of this House, to the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House; for dispersing at the Lobby Door, belonging to the House, a seditious Pamphlet, intituled, "Things plain and weighty," &c.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to inquire into the Authors and Printers of the said Pamphlet.

And it is referred unto Sir Hen. Goodrick, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Colt, Lord Norreis, Mr. Serjeant Wogan, Sir Scroop How, Sir John Barker, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Mr. Paul Foley, Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Cha. Bloys, Mr. Bickerstaffe, Sir Rob. Sawyer, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Gilbert, Sir Samuell Bernadiston, Sir John Guise, Sir Wm. Cooper, Mr. Palmer, Sir Tho. Clarges, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Bathurst, Sir Rob. Nappier, Mr. Vincent, Sir John Brownlow, Sir Edw. Norreis, Sir Phil. Skippon, Sir Wm. Poultney, Mr. Cognisby, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir Edw. Aiscough, Mr. Arnold, Sir Wm. Yorke, or any Three of them: And they are to meet To-morrow at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: And are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Members to search for Papers.

Ordered, That Sir Jonathan Jennings, Sir Francis Blake, Sir Wm. Cooper, and Mr. Shadrach Vincent, do go to Mr. Stafford's Lodgings; and search for his Papers, and secure the same.-

Supply.

Then the House resolved into a Committee of the whole House again.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer reports from the Committee of the whole House, That they had agreed upon a Resolution, which they had directed him to report to the House: And he read the same in his Place; and afterwards, delivered it in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, towards the Supply to be given to their Majesties for prosecuting the War against France, and for Reducing of Ireland, with Speed and Vigour, his Majesty be enabled by a Clause in the Bill or Bills for settling the Revenue, to raise a Credit for the Sum of One Million upon the Revenue.

The said Resolution being read a Second time;

An Amendment was proposed to be made therein, by leaving out "One Million;" and instead thereof, to insert "Ten hundred thousand Pounds;" and the same was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, so amended; That, towards the Supply to be given to their Majesties for prosecuting the War against France, and for reducing of Ireland, with Speed and Vigour, his Majesty be enabled, by a Clause in the Bill or Bills for settling the Revenue, to raise a Credit for the Sum of Ten hundred thousand Pounds upon the Revenue.

Resolved, That the House do, To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Supply to their Majesties; and nothing to intervene.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

Members search for Papers.

Sir Jonathan Jennings acquaints the House, That he, and the other Members appointed by the House, had, according to their Order, searched Mr. Stafford's Lodgings; and had found some Papers there, which he presented to the House, sealed up: And that they were informed there were more Papers in other Places, belonging to Mr. Stafford.

Ordered, That the said Sir Jonathan Jennings, Sir Fra. Blake, Sir Wm. Cowper, and Mr. Shadrach Vincent, do go to any other Places where they shall suspect, or be informed. any other Papers, belonging to the said Mr. Stafford, are kept or concealed; and search for and secure the same.

Knaresbrough Election.

A Petition of Sir Henry Slingsby, Baronet, was read; setting forth, That he was duly elected for the Borough of Knaresbrough; but that Tho. Faux, Esquire, is returned in his stead: And praying the Relief of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

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