House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 5 January 1692

Martis, 5 die Januarii; 3° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Shelton's Estate.

AN ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable the Sale of several Lands, for the Payment of the Debts and Legacies of Maurice Shelton, and others, and for settling other Lands, instead of them, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Sir Cha. Bloys, Sir Ralph Dutton, Mr. Christie, Mr. Lutterell, Sir Rob. Davers, Mr. Shackerly, Mr. Glemham, Mr. Bockenham, Mr. Carter, Mr. Clarke, Sir Tho. Darcy, Sir Jon. Jennings, Sir Edw. Chisnall, Mr. Hawtry, Serjeant Wogan, Mr. Tredenham, Mr. Ash, Sir Rob. Henley, Sir Wm. Lemon, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Piggott, Mr. Henley, Sir Wm. Langham, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Brockman, and all the Members that serve for the Counties of Norfolke and Suffolke: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Moor's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable Francis Moor, Esquire, to sell the Manor of Bay House, and Lands in West Thorock in the County of Essex, and to purchase and settle other Lands, in lieu thereof, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Clerke, Mr. Newport, Sir Jon. Jennings, Sir Jo. Tredenham, Mr. Carter, Major Vincent, Mr. Blowfeild, Mr. Bockenham, Mr. Bedding feild, Mr. Baile, Mr. Biddolph, Mr. Shackerly, Sir John St. Aubin, Mr. Bulkley, Sir Tho. Darcy, Sir Rob. Henley, Sir Peter Colliton, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Henley, Mr. Christie, Mr. Vincent, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Langton, Mr. Slater, Mr. Smith, Mr. How, Sir Wm. Whitlock, Mr. Prideaux, Colonel Webb, Mr. Deane, Mr. Wilmot, Mr. Freke, Mr. Lampton, Mr. Campion, and all the Members that serve for the County of Essex: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Bankrupts.

Ordered, That the Bill for the better Recovery and more equal Distribution of Bankrupts Estates, be read a Second time To-morrow Morning.

Hawkers and Pedlars.

Mr. Onslow reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for the Suppressing of Hawkers and Pedlars, was committed, That they had made several Amendments to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House: Which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards, delivered in at the Clerk's Table.

But he acquainting the House, That the Committee, upon further Consideration, thought it fit, That the Bill should be re-committed; he therefore moved, That the Bill might be re-committed accordingly.

Ordered, That the Bill be re-committed to the same Committee: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Book of Rates, &c.

Sir John Dorrell reports from the Committee to whom it was referred to inspect the Book of Rates; and also the Statute of 22 Car. II^d, for Improvement of Tillage, and Breed of Cattle; and to examine, What Goods of the Growth and Manufacture of England are overcharged; and to report their Opinions thereupon to the House; That they had considered the Matter to them referred; and had come to a Resolution; 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 was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That so much of the Act made in the Twelfth Year of the late King Charles the Second, intituled, A Subsidy granted to the King of Tonage and Poundage, and other Sums of Money payable upon Merchandizes exported and imported (the Particulars whereof are mentioned in the Book of Rates), which lays Three Shillings upon every Barrel of Beef exported; Four Shillings upon every Barrel of Pork exported; Three Shillings upon every Barrel of Butter exported; and One Shillings upon every Hundred Weight of Cheese exported; and Three-pence upon every Dozen of Candles; is fit to be repealed, as conducing to the Interest of this Kingdom.

The said Resolution being read a Second time;

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That so much of the Act made in the Twelfth Year of the late King Charles the Second, intituled, A Subsidy granted to the King of Tonage and Poundage, and other Sums of Money payable upon Merchandizes exported and imported (the Particulars whereof are mentioned in the Book of Rates), which lays Three Shillings upon every Barrel of Beef exported; Four Shillings upon every Barrel of Pork exported; Three Shillings upon every Barrel of Butter exported; One Shilling upon every Hundred Weight of Cheese exported; and Threepence upon every Dozen of Candles exported; is fit to be repealed, as conducing to the Interest of the Kingdom.

Ordered, That a Bill be prepared and brought in upon the said Resolution: And it is referred to the same Committee, to prepare and bring in the same accordingly: And that Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, and such of the Commissioners of the Customs as are Members of the House, be added to the said Committee.

Earl of Waldgrave's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable Trustees of the Right honourable James Lord Walgrave to make Leases, and grant Copyhold Estates, for the Payment of the Arrears of Annuities of Henry Lord Waldgrave his Father, deceased, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed, to Sir Jos. Tredenham, Mr. Mannaton, Mr. Sandford, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Slater, Sir Chris. Musgrave, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Blowfeild, Mr. Harcourt, Sir Tho. Darcy, Sir Rob. Davers, Mr. Beddingfeild, Sir Edward Phillipps, Mr. How, Mr. Etterick, Sir Jac. Ashley, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Christie, Mr. Tredenham, Mr. Onslow, Sir Tho. Clarges, Mr. Wharton, Sir Robert Henley, Mr. Randall, Sir Rob. Cotton, Mr. Henley, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Beke, Sir Wm. Strickland, Mr. Palmes, and all the Members that serve for Somersetshire: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Thames Fishermen.

A Bill for the better Regulation and Encouragement of the Company of Fishermen of the River of Thames, and providing Seamen for their Majesties Fleet, and preventing Frauds in Stealing of Customs, was read the First time:

And the Question being put, That the Bill be read a Second time;

It passed in the Negative.

Woolen Trade.

A Petition of the Merchants, Clothiers, Fullers, and divers other Trades within the Borough of Mynehead, and County of Somerset, and Parts adjacent in the said County, was read; setting forth, That in the Reigns of the late King Charles and James, by the Invitation and Encouragement of Foreigners, to promote the Woolen Manufacture in Ireland, and particularly that of the new Manufactory of Serges and Perpetuanaes, the said Trade became dead; and had not the Revolution happened had thereby been lost; the Foreigners, by their Cheapness of Wool, Victuals, and Spinning, can, and do send to Foreign Markets, at least, Five Shillings per Serge cheaper than the Petitioners: And that now those Foreigners, upon the Reduction of Ireland, are, with all Industry, endeavouring to settle the Trade there also; and, to that End, have invited the most eminent Traders here, over thither, which may prove of evil Consequence to this Kingdom: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises; and that some Means may be found out, that the Traders in the aforesaid Commodities, being many Thousands, in England, may receive as good Encouragement as those in Ireland.

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

And it is referred unto Sir Walter Young, Sir John Guise, Mr. Baile, Sir Rob. Cotton, Serjeant Trenchard, Mr. How, Sir John Kay, Sir John Knight, Mr. Blowfeild, Mr. Knight, Sir Edward Hussey, Sir Wm. Ellis, Sir Ralph Dutton, Mr. Clerke, Sir Tho. Darcye, Mr. Speake, Colonel Perry, Mr. Trenchard, Sir Matth. Andrewes, Mr. Ryder, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Christie, Mr. England, Mr. Lutterell, Mr. Waller, Sir Sam. Dashwood, Sir Tho. Travell, Sir Tho. Vernon, Sir Christopher Musgrave, Mr. Roberts, Sir Rob. Henley, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Parker, Sir John Cotton, Sir Edw. Aiscough, Mr. Beare, Mr. Henley, and all the Members that serve for the Counties of Gloucester, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, and Yorke: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

A Petition of George Clarke was read; setting forth That the Petitioner finding the Clothiers, and others concerned in the Clothing Trade, have lately presented their Petitions to this House against the Wool Broggers, and Factors of Blackwell Hall, and others, notorious Enemies to the Clothiers and Trade of this Kingdom, the Petitioner thought this a most convenient Opportunity to present to this House the Presentment of the Grand Jury of the County of Somerset, that was to have been presented to King Charles the Second in 1684, with the Case of our English Wool, and the Manufacture thereof: And praying the Consideration of the House in so important a Concern, the Petitioner being ready to make good his Charge against the said Factors and Brokers of Blackwell Hall.

Ordered, That the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the Examination and Consideration of the Petition of the Merchants, Clothiers, Fullers, and divers other Trades within the Borough of Minhead, and County of Somersett, and Parts adjacent in the said County, is referred.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Merchants, Clothiers, Fullers, and divers other Traders in the City and County of Exon, and County of Devon, was read; setting forth, That in the Reigns of the late Kings Charles and James the Second, by the Invitation and Encouragement of Foreigners to promote the Woolen Trade in the Kingdom of Ireland, and particularly that of the new Manufactory of Serges and Perpetuanaes, the said Trade became dead and ruinous; and, had not the Revolution happened had thereby been lost; the Foreigners by their Cheapness of Wool, Victuals, and Spinning, and being able to, and do, send to Foreign Markets, at least, Five Shillings per Serge cheaper than the Petitioners can do: And that now those Foreigners, upon the Reduction of Ireland, are, with all Industry, endeavouring to settle the Trade there also, and, to that End, have invited the most eminent Dealers to remove from hence thither; which, should they do, may prove of evil Consequence to this Kingdom: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises; and that some Means may be found out, that the Traders in the aforesaid Commodities, being many Thousands, in England, may receive as good Encouragement as those in Ireland, to prevent the Ruin of so considerable and beneficial a Manufactory to this Kingdom.

Ordered, That the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the Examination and Consideration of the Petition of the Merchants, Clothiers, Fullers, and divers other Trades within the Borough of Minhead, and County of Somerset, and Parts adjacent in the said County, is referred.

A Petition of the Clothiers and Serge-makers, living in and about the Town of Taunton in the County of Somersett, was read; setting forth, That the late Irish Refugees, being employed, in Charity, in the Woolen Manufacture, have gained such Experience therein, as before they never understood; and, being returned home, can make and sell their Commodities much cheaper than the English, and thereby undermine their Trade: And that, unless there be an Imposition laid on the Woolen Manufactory in Ireland, to make the Prices equivalent to the English Cloths, the said Woolen Trade will be utterly ruined, and the Price of Wool lessened in England: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition of the said Merchants, Clothiers, Fullers, and divers other Trades within the Borough of Minhead, and County of Somerset, and Parts adjacent in the said County, is referred.

Woolen Trade.

A Petition of divers Merchants, Clothiers, and Factors, in Behalf of themselves, and several Counties in England, was read; setting forth, That notwithstanding the several Acts made for the prohibiting the Exportation, and punishing the Exporters, of English Wool unwrought into France, and other Foreign Parts, great Quantities of the said Wool are still continued to be transported into France, by which that Nation is very much enriched, and do send over hither divers Manufactures to the great Prejudice of our Artificers, and consequently the Lessening of Rents of Lands: And whereas in the First Year of their now Majesties an Act passed, to explain and put in Execution the former Acts made against Exportation of Wool, which was made for a Term of Three Years, which is now almost expired, and praying that Leave may be given to bring in a Bill for continuing the said Act, and for the better Encouragement of Persons employed for putting the same in Execution, and preventing the Importation of the French Manufactures, and thereby also the Correspondence with that Kingdom, so destructive to England.

Ordered, That the Examination and Consideration of the Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the Examination and Consideration of the Petition of the Merchants, Clothiers, Fullers, and divers other Trades within the Borough of Minehead, in the County of Somersett, and Parts adjacent in the said County, is referred.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir John Francklyn and Sir Adam Otley;

Halford's Estate.

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to vest divers Manors, Lands, and Tenements in the County of Leicester, in Trustees, to be sold, for the Payment of the Debts and Legacies of Sir Wm. Halford, Knight, deceased, and for Payment of the other Debts of Sir Wm. Halford, now living, prior to his Marriage Settlement with the Lady Frances his now Wife: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Clandestine Marriages.

Also the Lords do put this House in mind of a Bill, sent down to this House, intituled, An Act disabling Minors to marry without the Consent of their Fathers and Guardians, and against their untimely marrying after the Decease of their Fathers; and for preventing clandestine Marriages for the future.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Aulnage Duty.

Sir Robert Davers, according to the Order of the Day, reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for transferring the Collection of the Duty of Aulnage to the Customhouse, and giving a Recompence to the Crown for the same, was committed, That they had considered the said Bill, and also the Petition of George Hase, and others; the Consideration whereof was referred to the said Committee: And that one Mr. Gourdon said, That Mr. Hayes, a Norwich Weaver, intrusted him to sell Fifty-four Pieces of Norwich Stuffs, to the Value of about Eighty Pounds: That the Goods were delivered in at the Bull in Bishopsgate-street; and, in July last was Twelve-months, were there seized by the Officers belonging to the Farmers of the Duty of Aulnage, for want of Seals; and were by the said Officers conveyed away: That he had several times applied himself both to the Farmers of the Aulnage, as also to their Officers, who did, and still do, refuse to deliver his said Goods, although he had offered to pay the Duty, amounting to about Two Shillings, and whatever else they should reasonably demand; but his said Goods are kept from him to this Day; and the Aulnagers do now pretend, they are condemned in the Exchequer. He said, That the said Officers seized other Goods; and that the Owners had them again, upon Payment of the Duty, and other Fees, which they demanded.

That Mr. Stretton said, That his Factor sent him up a Parcel of Goods to Town, being Thirteen Pieces of Cheneys, to the Value of Nineteen Pounds Eleven Shillings; which were seized by the Aulnagers, for want of Seals; the Duty whereof came to One Shilling and a Peny: That he had made Application to the Officers and Farmers of the Aulnage, and particularly divers times to Sir John Eyles, who made him very fair Promises that he should have his Goods again; but, after several Attendances, and tendering whatever was due for the same he was at last told, They were condemned in the Exchequer: That Sir John Eyles promised, That, if he could get a Letter of Attorney, he should have the Goods the next Term: But afterwards, Sir John Eyles told him, That now he could not have them; for that there was a Bill brought into Parliament, for transferring the Duty of Aulnage to the Custom-house; and said, That he never joined Issue with the Farmers for Recovery of the Goods, as they pretend.

And that, on the Part of the Aulnagers,

Mr. Moor appeared: Who, in Answer to the Complaints of the said Petitioners, did alledge, That several Packs of Goods from Norwich were seized; and that the Owners, by their Attorney, moved the Court of Exchequer, for a Writ of Delivery, without making any Application to the Farmers of the Duty of Aulnage: That the Court, upon hearing the Matter, ordered an Information to be brought in the Exchequer; and, at the Plaintiffs Request, a Tryal at Bar should be had for the said Goods the next ensuing Term: But the Complainants not proceeding in their Claim, the said Goods were condemned; and they produced the Condemnation.

Which Matters the Committee directed to be specially reported to the House.

And that the Committee had made several Amendments to the Bill, and a Clause marked A, for preventing the Duchess of Richmond, her Executors or Assigns, taking any Advantage against the Heirs or Assigns of Cha. late Duke of Richmond and Lenox, for so many Years only as the Duchess has any Right to the Subsidy of Aulnage; which they had directed him to report to the House: The which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were read. Whereupon,

A Petition of Frances Duchess of Richmond and Lenox, and of her Farmers, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Duchess, as well for her Jointure, as by Purchase of the Executors of the late Duke of Richmond, is legally intitled to the whole Profits of the Duties of Subsidy and Aulnage, for a certain Term, under a yearly Rent, payable to the Crown; and that the said Farmers are now intitled to the said Profits, they having paid a great Fine, and by paying a great annual Rent to the Duchess for the same: And that by a Bill now depending, for laying a Duty only on Goods exported, the legal Rights of all the Petitioners will be most apparently destroyed: And praying that they might be heard, by their Counsel, at the Bar of the House, against the said Bill, before any further Proceeding be made thereupon.

And the Question being put, That the Petitioners be heard at the Bar of this House, according to the Prayer of the said Petition;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the Bill be re-committed to the same Committee, upon the Point of Compensation and Recompence to the Duchess of Richmond; and also touching the said Clause marked A: And that the Duchess, and her Farmers, be heard by their Counsel, as to those Points, before the said Committee.

Ordered, That Mr. Buscawen, Sir Roger Puleston, be added to the said Committee: And that the Committee do meet To-morrow at Four of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Commissioners of Accompts.

An additional Bill, for appointing and enabling Commissioners to examine, take, and state the publick Accompts of the Kingdom, was, according to the Order of the Day, read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Saturday Morning next, at Ten a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

Conference with Lords.

Ordered, That the Members that managed the last Conference do manage the free Conference with the Lords this Day: And that Serjeant Trenchard, Mr. Harley, Mr. Smith, Mr. Harcourt, Mr. Paul Foley, Mr. Palmes, be added to them.

Then the said Managers went to the free Conference.

And being returned:

Mr. Montague reported from the said Conference, That the Managers had attended the same; and desired, That the House would give them time to recollect the Matter of the said Conference, and to report the same.

Ways and Means.

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

Debtors Escapes.

Ordered, That Sir Rob. Henley, Mr. Thomson, Sir Sam. Bernardiston, Sir John Parsons Serjeant Blincowe, Serjeant Tremaine, Mr. Colt, be added to the Committee to whom the Bill for the better Relief of Creditors, and preventing Escapes, is committed.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

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