House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 21 October 1690

Martis, 21 die Octobris; 2° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Preventing Fires at Marlbrough.

A BILL for the better Preventing of Fires in the Town of Marlbrough, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Exporting Wool.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill for the better preventing the Exportation of Wool, and for the better Improvement of the Woolen Manufactures of this Kingdom.

And it is referred unto Sir Ralph Dutton, Mr. Blowfeild, Mr. Pelham, Sir Walter Young, Mr. Christy, Mr. Slater, Sir Rob. Rich, Sir Rich. Hart, Sir Wm. Drake, Sir John Fagg, Sir Jerv. Elwes, Sir John Knatchbull, Sir Edw. Aiscough, Mr. Lampton, Mr. Hawtry, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Freeman, Sir Levin. Bennet, Sir Robert Nappier, Mr. Kenyon, Sir Sam. Bernadiston: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Mountague's Estate.

A Motion being made on the Behalf of Mrs. Eliz. Mountague, Relict of Edw. Mountague, Esquire, for Leave to bring in a Bill to enable her to make Leases of her Estate at Stepny for Thirty-one Years, at the full and improved yearly Value, without Fines;

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill accordingly.

Surgeons to administer Medicines.

A Bill to enable Surgeons to administer inward Medicines, in Cases of Surgery, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

African Company.

A Petition of the Merchants and Planters of Jamaica, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners having been grievously oppressed by the present Affrican Company; and being very sensible of the great Advantage it will be to the Manufactures, Navigation, and Revenue of England, to have the said Trade brought under a Regulation, whereby every one may have the Freedom of Trade thither; and praying, That they may be heard against the present African Company, for the Settlement of a more equal and beneficial Trade to Guinea, under a regulated Company.

Ordered, That the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee appointed to consider of the African Trade, and how the same may be best settled for the Benefit of the Nation; and to report their Opinions therein to the House.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Clothiers of the Counties of Suffolke and Essex, on Behalf of themselves, and many Thousands more, was read; setting forth, That for some Years last past, the Petitioners Trade for their Goods formerly exported in great Quantities to Africa, and the Sale and Vent of them now, is so restrained, that great Parcels made purposely for those Parts lie on their Hands; and there being now but one Buyer, viz. the Affrican Company, the Petitioners are forced to sell at what low Rates the Company pleases to give; whereby the Clothiers, for want of a Price and Vent for their Goods, are forced to lay down their Trades; the miserable Effects thereof is too apparent in the Ruin of many Families, who had their Dependence upon the said Woolen Manufactures: And praying the Favour and Pity of the House, that the Trade for these Woolen Manufactures may no longer be restrained, but that all Merchants may have Freedom, and export them; and to give the Petitioners Relief in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee appointed to consider of the Affrican Trade, and how the same may be best settled for the Benefit of the Nation; and report their Opinions therein to the House.

Privilege.

A Complaint being made to the House, That one Edmund Mote, and John Lee his Attorney, had caused John Grover, a menial Serjeant of Sir Samuel Grimston, a Member of this House, to be arrested by George Feild a Bailiff; in Breach of the Privilege of this House;

Ordered, That the said Edmund Mote, John Lee, and George Feild, be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House; to answer their said Breach of Privilege.

Knowles' Petition.

A Petition of Sarah Knowles, Wife of Thomas Knowles, was read; setting forth, That * * * *.

Ordered, That the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition be referred to a Committee: Who are to report their Opinions therein to the House.

And it is referred to Mr. Arnold, Mr. Wilmot, Colonel Birch, Mr. Burdett, Sir Sam. Bernadiston, Mr. Christie, Mr. Paul Foley, Sir Rob. Rich, Mr. Papillion, Lord Falkland, Sir Math. Andrewes, Lord Norreis, Mr. Cooke, Sir Rob. Davers, Mr. Bickerstaffe, Mr. Hutchinson, Sir John Guise, Mr. Blowfeild, Mr. Roberts, Sir Tho. Haslerigg, Sir John Chitchley, Sir Jos. Williamson, Mr. Hawtry; and such of the Commissioners of the Admiralty who are Members of the House: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Four a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Tower Hamlets Court of Conscience.

Ordered, That the Bill for erecting a Court of Conscience for the Tower Hamlets, Holborne and Finsbury Divisions, be read To-morrow Morning.

Repairing Churches.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better Repairing of Churches and Chancels, and for the making the Churchwardens accomptable to the Justices of the Peace: And it is recommended to Mr. Christie to prepare and bring in the Bill.

Ways and Means.

Then the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supplies to be granted to their Majesties.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Solicitor General took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Solicitor General reports from the said Committee, That they had agreed upon several Resolutions: Which they had directed him to report to the House: Which he read in his Place; and, afterwards, delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were read; and are as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That an additional Duty of Ten Pounds for every Hundred Pounds Value be laid upon all Deal Timber, and other Foreign Timber, Deal Boards, Wainscot, Pipe Staves, Box Wood, and other Wood imported from any Part of Europe, except Ireland, above what is charged in the Book of Rates.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the like Duty of Ten Pounds for every Hundred Pounds Value be laid upon all Deal Timber, and other Foreign Timber, Deal Boards, Wainscot, Pipe Staves, Box Wood, and other Wood already imported from any Part of Europe, and not bought by particular Persons for their private Use before the Twentieth Day of October 1690.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That an additional Duty of Ten Pounds for every Hundred Pounds Value, above what is now charged, be laid upon all Wrought Silks, Calico, Indian Linen, and other Manufactures of India, already imported, and not sold and delivered to Retalers before the Twentieth Day of October 1690.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the like additional Duty of Ten Pounds for every Hundred Pounds Value, above what is now charged, be laid upon all Wrought Silks, Calico, and Indian Linen, and other Manufactures of India, which shall be imported between the Twentieth Oct. 1690, and the Twentyfifth Day of December 1690.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That an additional Duty of Eight Pounds per Ton be laid upon all Hempseed Oil, Rape Oil, and other Seed Oil, imported after the Twenty-fifth of December next.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there be an additional Duty of Five Pounds for every Hundred Pounds Value, above what is charged in the Book of Rates, laid upon all Raw Silks imported, or to be imported before the Twenty-fifth Day of December 1690, from China or India.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, on all Foreign Hops imported after the Twentieth Day of October 1690, there be laid an additional Duty of Twenty Shillings for every Hundred Weight, containing One hundred and Twelve Pounds more than what the same are now charged with in the Book of Rates.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, upon all Pepper imported after the Twentieth Day of October 1690, there be laid an additional Duty of Twenty-eight Shillings for every Hundred Weight, containing One hundred and Twelve Pounds; One Third Part of the said Duty to be paid down; and Bond to be given for Payment of the Residue at the End of Twelve Months; or else to discount after the Rate of Ten Pounds per Cent. on paying down the whole Duty.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, upon all Pepper already imported, and not sold and delivered to Retalers, there be laid the like additional Duty of Twenty-eight Shillings for every Hundred Weight, containing One hundred and Twelve Pounds; One Third Part of the said Duty to be paid down presently; and Bond to be given for Payment of the Residue at the End of Twelve Months, or else to discount after the Rate of Ten Pounds per Cent. on paying down the whole Duty.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That an additional Duty of Ten Pounds for every Hundred Pounds Value be laid upon all Grocery Wares, except Sugar and Tobacco, and upon all Drugs imported after the Twentieth Day of October 1690.

And the said several Resolutions being severally read a Second time; the same were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Mr. Solicitor General also acquainted the House, That he was directed by the Committee to move the House, That they might have Leave to sit again To-morrow Morning.

Resolved, That the House will, To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of Ways and Means for the raising the Supplies to be granted to their Majesties.

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