House of Lords Journal Volume 18: 8 April 1707

DIE Martis, 8 Aprilis.

REGINA.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Poor, &c. Laws continued:

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for continuing the Laws therein mentioned, relating to the Poor, and to the buying and selling of Cattle in Smithfield, and for suppressing of Piracy; and for explaining several Clauses in former Acts, relating to the Highways between Birdlip Hill and the City of Gloucester."

After some Time, the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Stamford reported, "That the Committee had gone through the said Bill; and think it fit to pass, with some Amendments."

Which were read Twice, and agreed to.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for continuing the Laws therein mentioned, relating to the Poor, and to the buying and selling of Cattle in Smithfield, and for suppressing of Piracy."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill, with the Amendments shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with Amendments to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Gery and Mr. Hiccocks:

To return the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence to their Lordships Amendments made thereto.

Records in Offices, &c. Report about.

The Lord Halifax reported from the Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Method of keeping Records and Public Papers in Offices, and how they are kept, and to consider of Ways to remedy what shall be found to be amiss, as follows; (videlicet,)

"That their Lordships having appointed a Sub-committee, to repair to the Office of Records within The Tower of London, and to examine what has been done there in Pursuance of the Addresses of this House, formerly laid before Her Majesty; they do find very great Improvements made, in sitting up the Office, and in sorting and digesting the Records.

"All the Rooms, except the great one in Wakefield Tower, have been wainscoted; and convenient Presses and Drawers made for the Reception of the Records.

"There has been a strong Brick Wall built, separating the Office from the neighbouring Buildings, to secure it against Fire; Part of which Wall, the Committee think, ought to be raised above Five Foot higher from the Top of the Leads, for the greater Security.

"The Chapel in The White Tower is fitted up with Shelves and Presses; and the Bills, Answers, Depositions, and other Proceedings in Chancery, are placing thereon, in such Order and Method as to be easily found; whereas, before, they were laid promiscuously in Heaps on the Floor, covered with Dirt, and rotting.

"Also a great Quantity of Records of divers Natures, in the several Reigns, have been reduced out of confused Heaps, where they were buried in Filth, and are now placed in their proper Repositories; and the Work is still carrying on, several Clerks being constantly employed in sorting and cleaning those that are yet undigested.

"This Chapel is now made a great and noble Repository, fit to receive many of the Records which now lie crowded in the Chapel at The Rolls; and if the Presses in the Great Room in Wakefield Tower were repaired and fitted up with the old Wainscot, and the Rolls which are now in Disorder placed therein, and likewise the Study adjoining fitted up for Use, there would be little wanting for keeping and preserving the Records in The Tower in good Condition and Order."

To which the House agreed.

Upon Report made this Day from the Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Method of keeping Records and Public Papers in Offices, and how they are kept; and to consider of Ways to remedy what shall be found to be amiss:

It is Ordered, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Lord High Treasurer of England do lay before Her Majesty the said Report; and also the humble Thanks of this House, for what Her Majesty hath caused to be done, in Pursuance to the Addresses of this House, as to the keeping Records in Offices.

Subsidies, &c. continued, Bill.

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for continuing several Subsidies, Impositions, and Duties; and making Provisions therein mentioned, to raise Money, by Way of Loan, for the Service of the War, and other Her Majesty's necessary and important Occasions; and for ascertaining the Wine Measure."

After some Time, the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Stamford reported, "That the Committee had gone through the said Bill; and think it fit to pass, without any Amendment."

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for continuing several Subsidies, Impositions, and Duties; and making Provisions therein mentioned, to raise Money, by Way of Loan, for the Service of the War, and other Her Majesty's necessary and important Occasions; and for ascertaining the Wine Measure."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, The Commons have Notice, that the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

Rice's Bill.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for obliging John Rice to accompt for Debentures granted to him in the last Session of Parliament."

After some Time, the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Stamford reported, "That the Committee had gone through the said Bill; and think it fit to pass, without any Amendment."

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for obliging John Rice to accompt for Debentures granted to him in the last Session of Parliament."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, The Commons have Notice, that the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

Message from H. C. for a Conference on the Vagrants Bill.

A Message from the House of Commons, by Mr. Farrer and others:

To desire a Conference, upon the Subject-matter of the Amendments made by this House to the Bill, intituled, "An Act for the Continuance of the Laws for the Punishment of Vagrants; and for making such Laws more effectual."

To which the House agreed.

Answer.

Then the Commons were called in; and told, "That the Lords agreed to a Conference, as desired; and appoint it presently, in the Painted Chamber.

The Commons being come to the Conference, the Lords following were named Managers; (videlicet,)

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference.

Which being ended, the House was resumed.

Conference reported.

And the Lord Privy Seal reported, "That the Managers had attended the Conference; and that the Commons had returned the Bill, and disagreed to the Amendment made by this House; videlicet, 1st Sk. 22 L. leave out from ["longer"] to ["and"] in the 22 L. of the 2d Skin; and gave their Reasons for it: But as to the rest of the Amendments made by your Lordships, the Commons do agree."

After some Time, the House agreed, not to insist on the Amendment disagreed to by the Commons.

Message to H. C. that the Lords do not insist on their Amendments.

Then, a Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Gery and Mr. Hiccocks:

To acquaint them, that the Lords do not insist on their Amendment disagreed to by them.

Message from H. C. to return the Bill for continuing the Poor Laws, &c.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Ireton and others:

To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for continuing the Laws therein mentioned, relating to the Poor, and to the buying and selling of Cattle in Smithfield, and for suppressing of Piracy;" and to acquaint this House, that they have agreed to their Lordships Amendments made to the said Bill.

Gunpowder Bill.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act to prevent the Dangers which may arise, from bringing or laying great Quantities of Gunpowder within Three Quarters of a Mile of London Bridge."

After some Time, the House was resumed.

And the Lord Herbert reported, "That the Committee had gone through the said Bill; and think it fit to pass, with some Amendments."

Which were read Twice, and agreed to.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to prevent the Dangers which may arise, from bringing or laying great Quantities of Gunpowder within Three Quarters of a Mile of London Bridge."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill, with the Amendments, shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with An endments to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Gery and Mr. Hiccocks:

To return the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence to their Lordships Amendments made thereto.

Drawbacks on Customs, &c. Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to prevent and obviate Frauds relating to the Customs, by exporting Tobacco, Plantation, and East India Goods, in order to obtain a Drawback, and afterwards to re-land them in England, without Payment of Duties; and for better securing the Duties on Goods brought from The East Indias; and for the better Payment of Customs for Goods imported through Scotland by Englishmen and Foreigners."

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

Salt Duties, &c. Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for Ease of Her Majesty's Subjects, in relation to the Duties upon Salt; and for making the like Allowances, upon the Exportation of White Herrings, Flesh, Oatmeal, and Grain called Beer alias Bigg, as are to be made upon Exportation of the like from Scotland."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, The Commons have Notice, that the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure, to robe.

The House was resumed.

Queen present:

Her Majesty, being seated on Her Royal Throne, adorned with Her Crown and Regal Ornaments, attended with Her Officers of State (the Peers being in their Robes), commanded the Deputy Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to signify to the House of Commons, "That it is Her Majesty's Pleasure, they attend Her presently, in the House of Peers."

Who being come, their Speaker made a Speech to Her Majesty, relating to the Money Bills to be passed.

Then the Clerk of the Parliaments took the said Bills from the Hands of the Speaker, and brought them to the Table; where the Clerk of the Crown read the Titles of them and the other Bills to be passed, as follow; (videlicet,)

Bills passed.

"1. An Act for continuing several Subsidies, Impositions, and Duties; and for making Provisions therein mentioned, to raise Money, by Way of Loan, for the Service of the War, and other Her Majesty's necessary and important Occasions; and for ascertaining the Wine Measure."

"2. An Act for Ease of Her Majesty's Subjects, in relation to the Duties upon Salt; and for making the like Allowances upon the Exportation of White Herrings, Flesh, Oatmeal, and Grain called Beer alias Bigg, as are to be made upon Exportation of the like from Scotland."

To these Bills the Clerk of the Parliaments pronounced the Royal Assent severally, in these Words; (videlicet,)

"La Reyne remercie ses bon Subjects, acceptc leur Benevolence, et ainsi le veult."

"3. An Act for the better securing Her Majesty's Purchase of Cotton House, in Westminster."

"4. An Act for the encouraging the Discovery and apprehending of House-breakers."

"5. An Act for the Continuance of the Laws for the Punishment of Vagrants; and for making such Laws more effectual."

"6. An Act for making the Acts more effectual, for appropriating the forfeited Impropriations in Ireland, for the building of Churches, and augmenting poor Vicarages, in Ireland."

"7. An Act for discharging small Livings from their First Fruits and Tenths, and all Arrears thereof."

"8. An Act for continuing the Laws therein mentioned, relating to the Poor, and to the buying and selling of Cattle in Smithfield; and for suppressing of Piracy."

"9. An Act for raising the Militia for the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seven, notwithstanding the Month's Pay formerly advanced be not re-paid; and for an Accompt to be made of Trophy-money."

"10. An Act for repairing the Highways between Sheppard Shord and The Devizes, and between the Top of Ashlington Hill and Rowdford, in the County of Wilts."

"11. An Act to explain and amend an Act of the last Session of Parliament, for preventing Frauds frequently committed by Bankrupts."

"12. An Act to subject the Estate of Thomas Brerewood to the Creditors of Thomas Pitkin, notwithstanding any Agreement or Composition made by the Creditors of the said Thomas Pitkin."

"13. An Act for obliging John Rice to accompt for Debentures granted to him in the last Session of Parliament."

To these Bills the Clerk of the Parliaments pronounced the Royal Assent, severally, in these Words, (videlicet,)

"La Reyne le veult."

"14. An Act for vesting Lands, in Chelsea, in the County of Middl'x, purchased of Charles Lord Cheyne, Viscount Newhaven in Scotland, in the Queen's Majesty, for the Accommodation of Chelsea Colledge; and other Lands in John Lord Vaughan, Earl of Carbury in Ireland, and his Heirs."

"15. An Act for confirming and establishing the Partitions made between Wiiliam Pierrepont Esquire, since deceased, and the Honourable Charles Egerton Esquire, and others, of several Manors and Lands, in the Counties of Suffolk, Kent, and Surrey; and to enable William and Samuel Pierrepont, Infants, to make Partition of Lands in other Counties, and to sell the same, and purchase other Lands, to be settled to the same Uses; and for rectifying a Mistake in the Marriage Settlement of William Peck Esquire."

"16. An Act for vesting in Trustees a Messuage and Lands in Ratcliffe Culey, in the County of Leicester, to be sold, upon the settling of another Estate, of as great or greater Value, to the same Uses as the Lands to be sold are settled."

"17. An Act for Relief of Alexander Pendarvis Esquire, in relation to Five Thousand Pounds, and Interest, provided for him out of Lands in Ireland."

"18. An Act for the better Support and Maintenance of the Minister of Tettenhall, in the County of Stafford, for the Time being."

"19. An Act to vest certain Mills and Lands, in Downton, in the County of Wilts (the Estate of William Eyre a Lunatic), in Trustees, to be sold; and for applying Part of the Monies arising by the Sale thereof for Payment of the Debts of the said Lunatic, and making some Provision for Ambrose Eyre, his Eldest Son and Heir; and for applying the Residue of such Monies in purchasing of other Lands, to be settled to the same Uses as the said Premises to be sold are now settled."

"20. An Act to enable Trustees to sell several Lands, at Cole-greene, within the Manor of Herting fordbury, in the County of Hertford, and the Manor of the Rectory of Hertingfordbury aforesaid, late the Estate of Anne Winwood, deceased, for Payment of a Debt of Six Hundred Pounds, and Interest, due upon Mortgage, and Bond or Specialty; and for laying out the Residue of the Money arising by such Sale in the Purchase of other Lands or Tenements, to be settled to the same Uses as the said Lands are now settled."

"21. An Act for vesting a Mansion-house, and Lands thereunto adjoining, in the County of Middl'x, the Estate of William Hide Merchant, in Trustees, to be forthwith sold, for the better Maintenance and present Provision of his Children."

"22. An Act to vest several Lands and Hereditaments, in the County of York, in Robert Hitch Esquire and his Heirs; and to settle other Lands and Hereditaments, in the said County, in Lieu thereof, and as an Exchange thereof, to the same Uses."

"23. An Act for rectifying a Mistake, and for supplying the Defects, in an Act of the Third Year of Her Majesty's Reign, for Sale of the Estate late of Edward Baines, for Discharge of a Mortgage thereupon; and for making Provision for his Daughters."

"24. An Act for Sale of the Estate, in the County of Montgomery, late Part of the Estate of Gilbert Charlton Esquire, deceased; and for purchasing other Estate, or Estates, in the Counties of Nottingham, Leicester, or Lincolne, to be settled to the like Uses as the Estate in the County of Montgomery was settled."

"25. An Act for Sale of certain Lands contained in the Marriage Settlement of Daniel King and Jane his Wife; and for purchasing other Lands, of the same or greater Value, to be settled to the same Uses; also for giving Liberty to Jane Nicoll Widow and the Executors of Sir William Prichard to pay Two Sums, of Four Thousand Pounds and Two Thousand Pounds, mentioned in the said Settlement, in the Life-time of the said Jane Nicoll."

"26. An Act for Sale of Part of the Estate of John Weedon, of Souldern, in the County of Oxon, Esquire, for Payment of his Father's Debts and Legacies, and Portions to his Younger Children; and for settling the rest of his Estate to the Uses of his Father's voluntary Settlement."

"27. An Act to enable Thomas Clarke, an Infant, to make a Lease of a House in St. Mary Axe, in London, to Sir Jeffrey Jeffreys Knight."

"28. An Act for encouraging the re-building the ancient Parish Church of Humberston, in the County of Lincolne; and settling a Rent-charge, of greater Value, on the Bishop of Lincolne and his Successors, in Lieu of the Rectory of Humberston; and for other Purposes therein mentioned."

"29. An Act for vesting the Reversion in Fee of certain Manors and Lands, in the County of Kent, late the Estate of Mountague Drake Esquire, deceased, in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of his Debts and Legacies."

"30. An Act for the better Discovery of the Estate of John Aynsworth, late of London, Merchant."

"31. An Act to enable the Lord High Treasurer, or Commissioners of the Treasury, for the Time being, to compound with John Crosse Merchant, and his Sureties, for the Debt owing by him to Her Majesty."

"32. An Act to enable the Trustees of William Elson, an Infant, to sell Part of his Estate, for Payment of his Father's Debts on Specialties."

"33. An Act to enable the Lord Treasurer, or Commissioners of the Treasury, for the Time being, to compound with John Pye Gentleman, and his Sureties, for the Debt by him and them owing to Her Majesty."

"34. An Act for Relief of Elizabeth Wandesford and Elizabeth Foulke."

"35. An Act for naturalizing John Thomeur and others."

"36. An Act to naturalize Henry Von-Holte and others."

To these Bills the Clerk of the Parliaments pronounced the Royal Assent, severally, in these Words; (videlicet,)

"Soit fait come il est desiré."

Then the Lord Keeper, by Her Majesty's Command, said,

Parliament prorogued.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"Her Majesty's Royal Will and Pleasure is, That this Parliament should be prorogued to Monday the Fourteenth Day of this Instant April: And this Parliament is prorogued accordingly to Monday the Fourteenth Day of this Instant April."

Mercurii, 30 die Aprilis, 1707, examined by us,
Westmorland.
Warrington.
Jonat. Exon.
Rockingham.
Herbert.