House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 18 December 1691

Veneris, 18 die Decembris; 3° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

St. Anne's, Westminster, Church.

A BILL for supplying the Defects in an Act made in the First Year of the late King James, for enabling the Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Anne within the Liberties of Westminster to raise Money to build a Church to be the Parish Church there, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Sir Tho. Clarges, Mr. Burdet, Sir Sam. Grimston, Mr. Cooke, Sir Wm. Cooke, Mr. How, Mr. Christie, Mr. Mannaton, Mr. Kenyon, Mr. Blowfeild, Mr. Bromly, Sir Thomas Darcy, Mr. Waller, Mr. Lutterell, Mr. Hawtry, Sir Rob. Henley, Major Vincent, Mr. Vincent, Mr. Lewes, Mr. Slater, Sir Wilfred Lawson, Mr. Henley, Mr. Ash, Mr. Hedger, Colonel Lee, Sir John Dorrell, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Bockenham, Mr. Bedding field, Mr. Slater, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Foley, and all the Members that serve for the County of Middlesex, and Cities of London and Westminster, and Borough of Southwarke: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Clandestine Mortgages.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to prevent Frauds by clandestine Mortgages.

And the Bill was presented to the House by Mr. Waller; and received.

Seamen.

Sir Richard Onslow, according to Order, presented to the House, a Bill for the more speedy and effectual furnishing their Majesties Navy and Merchant Ships with Seamen. And the same was received.

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

Debtors Escapes.

A Bill for the better Relief of Creditors, and preventing Escapes, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Duties on Spirits from Melasses.

A Petition of several Merchants and Planters trading to and interested in their Majesties Sugar Plantations, was read; setting forth, That the Product of the Plantations are much lessened by heavy Taxes; and that, the last Sessions of this Parliament, an Act passed, which imposed a high Duty on Spirits drawn from Melasses, above what was laid on Spirits drawn from other Materials, and is interpreted to lay the Duty not only on Spirits made of Melasses in Kind, but from Melasses produced from Sugars wrought in England; which was a very great Damage to the Plantations, and the Refining Trade of this Nation: That the said Act has not answered the Ends designed thereby, for that it has manifestly checked the Increase of the growing Expence of Spirits, if not much lessened the same: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises; and that in regard of the high Duties upon Spirits drawn from Melasses, more than upon Spirits drawn from other Materials.

Resolved, That the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition be referred to a Committee: And that they do report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

And it is referred to Mr. Gwyn, Sir Sam. Dashwood, Mr. Colt, Mr. Perry, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Carter, Sir John Knight, Mr. Mansell, Mr. Slater, Colonel Lee, Sir Jonath. Jennings, Sir John Dorrell, Sir Rob. Cotton, Sir Rob. Edon, Sir James Rushout, Major Vincent, Sir Ralph Dutton, Sir Robert Henley, Mr. Hawtry, Sir Tho. Dyke, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Henley, Sir Rich. Temple, Mr. Burdet, Mr. Dyot, Sir Wilfred Lawson, Mr. Blowfeild, Mr. Christie, Mr. Thornhaugh, Mr. Slater, Sir Peter Colleton, Mr. Vincent, Sir Rich. Onslow, Mr. Waller, Mr. Hobby, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Biddolph, Mr. Greenfeild, Sir Jos. Tredenham: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And it is to be an Instruction to the said Committee, That they do consider of the Impositions upon Sugar Outwards: and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Crips' Estate.

A Petition of John Crips, Gentleman, was read; setting forth, That, upon the Petitioner's Marriage, the Manors of Kersey, situate in River Ewell and Whitfeild in Com' Kent, was settled on Trustees, in Trust to the Petitioner for Life; Remainder to his Wife; Remainder to their Issue Male; Remainder to the Petitioner's right Heirs: But that the said Manor lies remote from other Part of the Petitioner's Estate: And praying Leave to bring in a Bill to sell an Estate in the County of Kent, lying remote from his other Estate; and to settle another Estate, of greater yearly Value, in lieu thereof, to the same Uses.

Resolved, That the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition be referred to a Committee: And that they do report the Matter specially to the House.

And it is referred unto Mr. Brewer, Mr. Blowfeild, Mr. Ryder, Mr. Carter, Mr. Burdet, Sir Math. Andrewes, Mr. St. John, Sir John Bancks, Mr. Campion, Mr. Bridger, Colonel Lee, Mr. Price, Mr. Roberts, Major Vincent, Mr. Greenfeild, Mr. Bancks, Sir Wm. Honeywood, Sir Tho. Roberts, Sir Rob. Cotton, Mr. Waller, Mr. Parker, Mr. Beddingfeild, Sir Tho. Bernardiston: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Debtors Relief.

Mr. Arnold, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for supplying the Defects in the late Act made for Relief of Poor Prisoners. And the same was received.

Deer Stealers.

An ingrossed Bill for the more effectual Discovery and Punishment of Deer-stealers, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for the more effectual Discovery and Punishment of Deer-stealers.

Ordered, That Sir Rob. Henley do carry the Bill to the Lords; and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Fullford have Leave to go into the Country, for Recovery of his Health.

Call of the House.

Ordered, That the House be called over upon Tuesdaysevennight: And that such Members of the House as shall not then attend and appear, be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

East India Company.

Then the House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Petitions concerning the East India Trade.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir John Guise took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir John Guise reported from the said Committee, That they had come to several Resolutions; which they had directed him to report to the House: And which he read in his Place; and afterwards, delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and are as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That all Persons now having above the Sum of Five thousand Pounds in Stock of the present East India Company, in their own or other Persons Names, be obliged to sell so much thereof as shall exceed the aforesaid Sum of Five thousand Pounds, at the Rate of One hundred Pounds for every One hundred Pounds.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee That the Members of the Committee of the East India Company be obliged to give Security, to be approved of by the House, that the Stock and Estate they now have shall be made good Seven hundred Forty-four thousand Pounds, all Debts paid.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, Security being first given, an humble Address be presented to his Majesty to incorporate the present East India Company by Charter, according to the Regulations agreed upon by the House, that the same may pass into an Act of Parliament.

Ordered, That Candles be brought in.

Then the said Resolutions were severally read a Second time; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Committee of the East India Company do attend this House upon Wednesday Morning next, at Ten a Clock, to give Security, according to the said Resolution.

Lymington, &c. Elections.

Ordered, That the Chairman of the Committee of Privileges and Elections do report the Matter touching the several Elections for the Borough of Lymington in the County of Southampton, and Calne in the County of Wilts, To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

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