The second Parliament of George II: Second session (1736) - Minutes & illustrative material

Minutes, &c. of the Second Session by way of Introduction to, and Illustration of, the Debates, which follow, to the End of the said Session.

On Thursday the 22d of January, the House having, upon the Report of the Committee of Supply, resolved, Nemino Contradicente, that a Supply should be granted to his Majesty, they ordered, among others, the following Estimates, State, and Accounts to be laid before the House, viz.

1. An Estimate of the Ordinary of the Navy for the Year 1736, with the Half-Pay of the Officers of the Navy and Marines.

2. An Estimate of the Charge for Guards, Garrisons and Land Forces for the Year 1736.

3. An Estimate of the Charge of Ordnance for the Land Service for the Year 1736.

4. A State of the Debt of his Majesty's Navy; as it stood at Christmas then last.

5. An Account shewing how the Money given for the Service of the Year 1735, had been disposed of, distinguished under the several Heads.

6. An Account of the Services incurred and not provided for by Parliament.

Of which the first and fourth were laid before the House next Day; the second, third, and sixth, on Monday thereafter; and the fifth on Tuesday the 3d of March, and follow in their Order as called for.

An Abstract of the Ordinary ESTIMATE of the Navy for the Year 1736.

To the Right Hon. the Lords Commissioners for execuling the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain.

And then the Total of the Ordinary Estimate of the Navy for the Year 1736, amounts to Two hundred twenty seven Thousand two hundred sixty-nine Pounds four Shillings and ten Pence.

Richard Haddock, James Ackworth,

Thomas Pearse, George Purvis.

J. Fawler.

An Estimate of the Charge of the Guards, Garrisons, and other his Majesty's Land Forces in Great Britain, for the Year 1736.

An Estimate of the Charge of the Office of Ordnance, for the Year 1736.

Services incurred Anno 1735, not provided for by Parliament.

Navy Office, January 23, 1735

An Estimate of the Debts of the Navy, on the Heads bereafter mentioned, as it stood December 31, 1735, viz.

Memorandum, There was remaining in the late and present Treasurers of the Nour's Hands, on the 31st of December, 1735, in Money, as under-mentioned, and may be reckoned, towards satisfying the aforesaid Debt of Navy..

An Account, shewing how the Monies given for the Service of the Year 1735, have been disposed of, distinguished under the several Heads, until the 3d of February 1735, and the Parts thereof remaining unsatisfy'd, with the Deficiency thereupon.

On Friday the 23d of January, it was ordered that the proper Officer should lay before that House an Account of the Number of Seamen employed in the Service of the Royal Navy, from the 31st of December, 1734, to the 31st of December, 1735, upon a Medium of each Month, distinguishing what Number were borne, and what mustered in the said Service.

Accordingly, the said Account was laid before the House on the Thursday after, and was as follows, viz.

Navy-Office, 27th Jan. 1735.

An ACCOUNT of the Number of Seamen employed in the Service of the Royal Navy, from the 31st of Dec. 1734, to the 31st of Dec. 1735, upon a Medium of each Month, discinguishing what Number were borne, and when muster'd in the said Service, prepared pursuant to an Order of the Hon. House of Commons, dated the 23d Instant.

Richard Haddock, J. Ackworth

Tho. Pearse, G. Purvis,

J. Fowier, Rob. Byng.

The 28th. (See page 121.) The House (according to Order) resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Supply granted to his Majesty, and came to the following Resolutions, without any Debate or Divisions, only W—m Sh—n, Esq:. made a short Speech against keeping up such a numerous Standing Army in Time of Peace.

The Resolutions were as follow, viz.

1. That the Number of effective Men to be provided for Guards and Garrisons in Great Britain, and for Gurensey and Jersey, for the Year 1736, should be (including 1815 Invalids, and 555 Men, which the six Independant Companies consist of, for Service of the Highlands) 17,704 Men, Commission and Non-Commission Officers included.

2. That a Sum not exceeding 649,270l. 2s. should be granted to his Majesty, for defraying the Charge of the said 17,704 Men, for Guards and Garrisons, and other his Majesty's Land Forces in Great Britain, Guernsey and Jersey, for the Year 1736.

3. That a Sum not exceeding 216,228l. 10s. and 11d. should be granted to his Majesty, for maintaining his Majesty's Forces and Garrisons in the Plantations, Minorca, and Gibraltar, for the Year 1736.

4. That a Sum not exceeding 7144l. 1s. 11d. Farthing, should be granted to his Majesty for defraying several extra ordinary Expences and Services, incurred Anno 1735, and not provided for by Parliament.

The 29th. Agreed to the Resolution of Yesterday, after which was presented to the House the following Report of the Proceedings of the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich, pursuant to an Act of Parliament of the 8th Year of his present Majesty, entitled, An Act for the Application of the Rents and Profits of the Estates forseited by the Attainders of James late Earl of Derwentwater, and Charles Radcliffe, Esq; viz.

To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain, in Parliament assembled.

In Obedience to the Directions of an Act passed in the last Session of Parliament, intitled, An Act for the Aplication of the Rents and Profits of the Estates forfeited by the Attainders of James late Earl of Derwentwater, and Charles Radcliffe, Esq; requiring the Commissioners or Governors of the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich, to contract and agree with able and sufficient Tradesmen, Artificers, or other Persons, for finishing and compleating the said Royal Hospital, In a Workman-like and substantial Manner, on the easiest and most reasonable Terms, according to the Plan laid before the House of Commons in the said Session of Parliament, and to lay their Proceedings therein, with their annual Accounts; before his Majesty, and both Houses of Parliament respectiyely.

The Commissioners and Governors of the said Hospital do humbly report as follows:

There has been received from the Exchequer the Sum of 5282l. 13 s. being the Arrears remaining there of the Rents of the Estate, which Sum has been invested in Bank-Annuities at 3 l. per Cent. until there shall be Occasion to dispose of the same, pursuant to the Purposes of the Act of Parliament.

There has been likewise received out of the Rents of the Estate, the Sum of 2178 l. 13 s. 1 d.

As to their Proceedings in carrying on the Buildings, the Foundations of Queen Mary's Court are in a great measure laid, and the Walls of the Chappel and Kitchen are carried up to the Top of the Plinth, which is, to the Cills of the Windows of the Base Story, the Expence of which has amounted to 1089 l. 15 s. 4 d.

By Order of the Commissioners.

Admiralty Office, Jan. 29, 1735.

Tho. Corbett.

The 31st, received the following Accounts.

Aggregate Fund Accounts.

The Excess or Surplus of the several Duties, Revenues, and Incomes commonly called the Aggregate Fund, established by several Acts of Parliament of the 3d, 5th, and 6th Years of his late Majesty's Reign, for answering the Payments therein expressed, viz.

The Money arisen at the Exchequer within the Half Year ended at Lady Day, 1735, on the particular Branches herein enumerated, viz.

The Excess or Surplus of the several Duties, Revenues, and Incomes, commonly called the Aggregate Fund, established by several Acts of Parliament of the 3d, 5th, and 6th Years of his late Majesty's Reign, for answering the Payments therein expressed, viz.

The Excess or Surplus of such Duties or Revenues (Part of the South Sea Fund) as were established by Act of Parliament of the 3d and 5th Years of his late Majesty's Reign, for answering Payments to the South Sea Company and others, which Excess or Surplus is here stated at Lady Day, 1735.

The Money arisen at the Exchequer in the half Year ended at Lady Day, 1735.

The Excess or Surplus of such Duties or Revenues, (Part of the South Sea Fund) as were established by Act of Parliament of the 3d and 5th Years of his late Mejesty's Reign, for answering Payments to the South Sea Company and others, which Excess or Surplus is here stated at Lady Day, 1735, viz.

The Produce at the Exchequer of the Duties and Revenues, which by an Act of 3 Geo. I. page 303, were charged towards making good a general yearly Fund of 724,849 l. 6s. 10d. with the Deficiency thereof, and the Overplus of the same General Fund stated at Lady Day, 1735, which Overplus ariseth over and above all the Monies which then or before became due or payable according to subsequent Acts, out of the said Duties, Revenues, or General Fund.

To Money arisen at the Exchequer within the half Year ended at Lady Day, 1735, in Part of 362,424 l. 13 s. 5 d. viz.

The Produce at the Exchequer of the Duties and Revenues, which by an Act of 3 Geo. I. pag. 303. were charged towards making good a general Yearly Fund of 724,849 l. 6s. 10d. with the Deficiency thereof, and the Overplus of the same General Fund, stated at Lady Day, 1735, which Overplus ariseth over and above all the Moneys, which then, or before became due and payable, according to subsequent Acts, out of the said Duties, Revenues, or General Fund.

The Exchequer to the Sinking Fund,

The Exchequer to the Sinking Fund, per Contra.

This being the Five and Twentieth half yearly Account made up, pursuant to the Act of 9 Geo. I. page 367, is humbly presented the 31st Day of January, 1734, by me J. S.

The Excess or Surplus of the several Duties, Revenues, and Incomes, commonly called the Aggregate Fund, established by several Acts of Parliament of the 3d. 5th, and 6th Years of his late Majesty's Reign, for answering the Payments therein expressed, viz.

The Money arisen at the Exchequer within the Half Year ended at Michaelmas 1735, on the particular Branches herein enumerated, viz.

The Excess or Surplus of the several Duties, Revcnues, and incomes, commonly called the Aggregate Fund, established by several Acts of Parliament of the 3d, 5th, and 6th Years of his late Majesty's Reign, for answering the Payments therein expressed, viz.

The Excess or Surplus of such Duties or Revenues (Part of the South-Sea Fund) as were established by Act of Parliament of the 3d and 5th Year of his late Majesty's Reign, for answering Payments to the South-Sea Company and others, which Excess or Surplus is here stated at Michaelmas, 1735, viz.

The Excess or Surplus of such Duties or Revenues, (Part of the South Sea Fund) as were established by Act of Parliament of the 3d and 5th Years of his late Majesty's Reign, for answering Payments to the South Sea Company and others, which Excess or Surplus is here stated at Michaelmas 1735, viz.

The Produce at the Exchequer of the Duties and Revenues, which by an Act of 3 Geo. I. page 303, were charged towards making good a general yearly Fund of 724,849 l. 6s. 10d. with the Deficiency thereof, and the Overplus of the same General Fund stated at Michaelmas 1735, which Overplus ariseth over and above all the Monies which then or before became due or payable according to subsequent Acts, out of the said Duties, Revenues, or General Fund.

To Money arisen at the Exchequer within the half Year ended at Michaelmas 1735, viz.

DEBTOR.

The Produce at the Exchequer of the Duties and Revenues, which by an Act of 3 Geo. I. pag. 303. were charged towards making good a general Yearly Fund of 724,849 l. 6s. 10d. with the Deficiency thereof, and the Overplus of the same General Fund, stated at Michaeklmas, 1735. which Overplus ariseth over and above all the Moneys, which then, or before, became due and payable, according to subsequent Acts, out of the said Duties, Revenues, or General Fund.

The Exchequer to the Sinking Fund,

The Exchequer to the Sinking Fund, per Contra.

This being the 26th Half-yearly Account made up, pursuant to the Act of 9 Geo. I. page 367, is humbly presented the 31st Day of January, 1734, by me, J.S

On Monday the 2d of February, (See page 131) it was ordered that the proper Officer should lay before the House, an Account of all the public Debts, at the Receipt of his Majesty's Exchequer, due or standing out at Christmas, 1735, with the annual Interest or Sums paid for the same; the said Account was accordingly presented on the 16th of the same Month, and ordered to lie on the Table, to be perused by the Members of the House, and was as follows:

An Account of all the public Debts at the Receipt of his Majesty's Exchequer, due or standing out at Christmas, 1735, with the annual Interest or Sums paid for the same.

South-Sea Company.

The same Day the House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee, to consider of Ways and Means to raise the Supply granted to his Majesty, and resolved, That towards raising the said Supply, the Duties on Malt, Mum, Cyder and Perry, which by an Act of Parliament of the 8th Year of his Majesty's Reign, had Continuance to the 24th Day of June, 1736, should be further continued and charged upon all Malt, which should be made, and all Mum which should be made or imported, and all Cyder and Perry which should be made for Sale. within the Kingdom of Great Britain, from the 23d of June, 1736, to the 24th of June, 1737; which Resolution was next Day agreed to by the House, and a Bill ordered to be brought in, which was accordingly afterwards brought in and passed as usual.

The 4th of Feb. the House, according to Order, resolved itself again into a Committee, to consider of the Supply granted to his Majesty, and resolved, That a Sum not exceeding 79,760 l. 3s. and 9d. should be granted to his Majesty for the Charge of the Office of Ordnance for Land Service for the Year 1736, and that a Sum not exceeding 4590 l. 13s. and 8d. should be granted to his Majesty, for defraying the extraordinary Expence of the Office of Ordnance for Land Service, not provided for by Parliament.

On the 6th, the House resolved, That an humble Address should be presented to his Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to give Directions to the proper Officer or Officers to lay before the House the following Account, which was accordingly laid before the House on the 25th of the same Month, and was as follows:

An Account of what Duties or Impositions are now payable by any Act or Acts of Assembly, in any of the British Plantations in America

on the Importation and Exportation of Negroes, Wines, and other kind of Liquors, or on any Goods, Wares, or Merchandize, and Shipping, distinguishing each Duty or Imposition, and each Colony and Plantation.

BARBADOES.

By an Act passed in 1663, an Impost of 4½ per Cent. is laid on all dead Commodities of the Growth of this Island, shipped off the same, payable in Specie for ever.

By an Act passed in 1697, a Duty of one Pound of Gunpowder per Ton, is laid on all Ships entering there. Perpetual.

By an Act passed in 1705, a Duty of 5s. a Head is laid upon every Negro or other Slave imported.

An Act passed in 1715, lays a Tax of 20 l. upon every Horse or Ass exported.

By an Act passed 1715, the following Duties are imposed on Goods imported, that are not of the Growth of the British Colonies. On every Cwt. of Muscovado Sugar, 12s. 6d. Cwt. of imported Sugar, 1l. 5s. Gallon of Molasses, 1s. 6d. Gallon of Rum, 2s. Pound of Cotton, 6d. Pound of Alloes, 1s. 6d. Cwt. of scraped Ginger, 1l. Cwt. of scalded ditto, 10s.

It appears by an Account received from Mr. Dottin, President of the Council, and Commander in Chief of this Island, that in 1735, there was, by vertue of an Act of the Island, the following Duties paid upon the Importation of Liquors not of the Growth of Europe, imported in British Shipping. On every Pipe of Wine 4 l. 10s. Ton of Mum 2 l. 15s. Ton of Beer, Ale, Cyder, or Perry, 1l. 5s. Gallon of Brandy or other Spirits 1s. Twelve Quart Bottles of any Wine 2s. Of Beer, Ale, Cyder or perry 1s. Of Mum 1s. 9d.

But the Act for this Purpose has not been transmitted to the Plantation Office.

St. CHRISTOPHERS

By an Act passed in 1727, an Impost of 4½ per Cent. is laid upon all Commodities of the Growth of the Island, shipped off the same, and payable in Specie for ever.

By an Act passed in 1732, every Ship entering there, shall pay half a Pound of Gun-powder, and one Shilling current Money per Ton.

And a Fuzil or 30s. current Money for every 100 Tons, and 4d. current Money for every Ton under or over every hundred Tons, besides the Powder Duty.

By an Act passed in 1722, and by another Act passed in 1732, the following Imposts on Liquors are collected. Current Money.

On every Pipe of Madeira Wine imported, 2l. Every Pipe of the Western Islands, or mixt with it, 3l. Every Ton of French, Rhenish, or Spanish, 5l. Every Ton of Beer, 2l. Every Dozen Bottles of Wine, 1s. 6d. Every Gallon of Rum, 2s. 6d. Of Brandy, 1s. Of Mum, 6d. Beer, Ale and Cyder, every 12 Bottles, 1s. 6d.

ANTIGUA

By an Act passed in 1668, an Impost of 4d. halfpenny per Cent. is laid in Specie on Commodities of the Growth of the Island exported. Perpetual.

By an Act passed in 1676, every Vessel entering there, is to pay one Pound of Gun-powder per Ton.

By an Act passed in 1697, an Impost is laid on all Liquors imported.

Madeira Wines per Pipe 2 l. Of the Western Islands, or mixt therewith, per Pipe 4 l. French, Rhenish, or Spanish, per Ton 8 l. And if bottled, per Dozen 2s. Beer, Ale, and Cyder per Ton 2 l. if bottled, per Dozen 1s. Every Gallon of Mum 4d. of Brandy 2s. 6d. of Rum 2s. Half the Duty to be drawn back on Re-exportation.

By an Act passed in 1721, Goods of the Produce of the French Islands imported to Antigua, pay as follows.:

Every Pound of resined Sugar 9d. Cwt. of strained or Muscovado Sugar 5s. Pound of Lump or Powder'd Sugar 4d. half-penny. Molasses per Gallon 6d. Cotton per Pound 6d. Ginger per Cwt. 5s.

By an Act passed in 1726.7, an additional Duty of 20s. per Pipe is laid on all Madeira Wine.

NEVIS

By an Act passed in 1675, an Impost of 4d. half-penny per Cent. is laid in Specie on all the Commodities of the Growth of the Island exported. Perpetual.

By an Act passed in 1699, a Duty of one Pound of Pistol Powder per Ton is laid on every Vessel entering and staying 48 Hours. And one Fuzil for every 100 Tons.

By another Act passed in 1699, a Duty or Impost is laid on every Gallon of Rum imported 2s. Gallon of Molasses imported 4d.

By an Act passed in 1717, the following Commodities of the Produce of the French Islands, imported into Nevis, or re-shipped or removed from one Ship to another in the Harbours there, shall pay,

Every Cwt. of White Sugar 10s. Cwt. of Brown ditto 6s. Every Gallon of Rum 6s. Gallon of Molasses 1s.

By an Act passed in 1725, an Impost is laid on every Pipe of Madeira Wine imported 2 l. Of the Western Islands, or mixt therewith 4s. On every Ton of French, Rhenish, Spanish, Italian, and Canary 8 l. If bottled, per Dozen 2s. Every Ton of Beer, Ale, and Cyder in Cask 2s. If bottled, per Dozen Quarts 1s. Ton of Rum 3s.

This Act was to expire in 1728, but is supposed to have been since continued by subsequent Acts, because it appears by the Treasurer's Account in 1735, that such Duties were then collected; but the Act for continuing the same has not been transmited to the Board of Trade.

MONTSERRAT

By an Act passed in 1668, an Impost of 4d. half-penny per Cent. is laid in Specie on the Commodities of the Growth of this Island exported. Perpetual.

By an Act passed in 1734, upon every Pipe of Wine imported, 2s. Every Ton of Beer. 2s. Every twelve Bottles of Beer, 1s. Barrel of Cyder, 2s. 6d.

JAMAICA

By an Act passed in 1728. Perpetual.

The following Duties or Imposts are laid on every Ton of Spanish, or Madeira Wine, 61. Ton of the Western Islands or Azores, or mixt therewith, 12 l. Ton of French, Rhenish, or Portugal, 5 l. Every Gallon of Brandy, Arrack or other Spirits, 1s. 6d. Every Ton of Beer, Ale, or Cyder, 2 l. Ton of Mum or Metheglin, 3l. Cwt. of Ginger, 15s. Cwt. of Muscovado, or Panneel Sugar, 3s. Pound of resined Sugar, 6d. Of Tobacco, 4d. Of Indico, 3d. Cotton 3d. Cwt. Of Cocoa in Vestels belonging to the Island, 15s. In any other Vessel, 1l

All Vessels entering inwards from any Place to the Northward of the Tropic of Cancer, one Pound of Gun-powder per Ton each Voyage.

All Vessels trading only to the Southward of the Tropic of Cancer, one Pound of Gun-powder per Top per Annum.

By temporary Acts passed in 1734, and 1735, an Impost is laid on every Slave imported, of 1l. payable to the Purchaser.

BAHAMAS.

By an Act passed in 1734, the following Duties are collected.

Every Negro imported directly from Africa, 6s. If imported from any Colony in America, having resided there six Months and upwards, 3 l. If not resided there six Months, then but 6s Every Pipe of Wine of the Madeira or Western Islands, 1l. 4d. Beer, and Cyder, per Barrel, 1s. 6d.

All Ships and Vessels not built in those Islands, that shall arrive there, or depart from thence, and shall put on Shore, or take on board Goods which shall pay per Ton each Voyage 1s. 6d.

Duties on Goods exported.

On every Bushel of Salt, 1d. Every Foot of one Inch Plank, 1s. 6d. All Plank thicker or thinner to pay in Propertion. Every 100 Feet of Timber, 6s. Tortoise, 9d.

BERMUDA

By an Act passed in 1690 or 1691, and two additional Acts to it, passed in 1703 and 1723, every Vessel belonging to the Island under 40 Tons, shall pay each Voyage 2s. if above 40 Tons, 4s. Vessels belonging to Strangers to pay each Voyage per Ton, 2s.

By an Act passed in 1698, an Impost is laid on all Liquors imported by Strangers not Inhabitants there, viz. For a Hogshead of Rum or Spirits, not exceeding 80 Gallons, 1l. 10s. And all other Casks in Proportion. For every Sort of Wine, Cyder, Beer, Ale or Mum, imported by a Stranger, viz. every Pipe of Wize, 3 l. other Casks or Bottles in Proportion. Beer, Ale, Cyder and Mum, per Hogshead, 6s. other Casks or Bottles in Proportion.

N. B. The following List of Duties is computed in Carolina Money, which is about 700 per Cent. worse than Sterling.

SOUTH-CAROLINA

By an Act passed in 1722-3, and continued by another passed in 1731, the following Duties of Impost are raised: On every Pipe of Madeira Wine, 6l. Fyal Wine, 10l. On every Gallon of Vinegar, 2d. Rum, 4d. Barrel of Beef, 10s. of Cyder from Northern Colonies, 10s. Gallon of Molasses, 3d. of Lime Juice, 6d. Quart Bottle of Brandy or Rosa Solis, 6d. Gallon ditto, in Cask, 2s. Cwt. of Brown Sugar, 2s. 6d. White Sugar, 5s. Pound of refined Sugar 3d Cwt. of Cocoa, 15s. Pound of Chocolate, 1s. every Cwt. of Tobacco, 15s. of Butter, 10s. Cheese, 5s. Candies, 10s. Tallow, 7s. 6d. Salt Fish, 5s. Barrel of Herrings, Mackrel, or other pickled Fish, 10s. Train Oil, 7s. 6d. Blubber, 5s. Pork, 1l. 10s. Cranberries, 10s. Cwt. of Beef, 10s. of brown Biscuit, 1s. 3d. of white ditto, 2s. 6d. middling Biscuit, 2s. half Barrel of Flour, 2s. 6d. Cwt. of Hams and Bacon, 1l. Soap, 1l.

On Timber, Plank, Boards, Staves, Shingles, or any other Lumber from other Plantations, 20l. per Cent.

All other Wooden Ware, 5l. per Cent.

On every 1000 of Bricks from other Plantations, 2s. 6d. Horse and Mare under 15 Hands high, 10l. On all Negroe Slaves directly from Africa or any other Place, except Spanish Negroes, if above 10 Years of Age, 10l. All Negroes under 10 Years of Age, (Sucklings excepted) 5l. On all Indians imported 50l. Deer Skins, per Skin 6d On every Barrel of Pitch and Tar, 1l. Cwt. of scraped Ginger, 10s. of scalded Ginger, 2s. 6d. Kegg of pickled Sturgeon. 2s. 6d. of ditto Salmon, 2s. 6d Pound of Preserves, Sweetments and Succads, 3d of Sperma-ceti, 2s 6d Gasson of ditto Oil, 2s 6d. Cwt. of Bees Wax 7s 6d. Bushel of Peas and Indian Corn of Michaelmas 1733, 1s Pound of Indico. 1s. Barrel of Onions, 10s. of Apples or Pears, 2s. 6d Pound wt. of Whalcbone, 1s. of Beaver, 6d. Dozen of Otter, Fox, Cat, or Racoon Skins, 1s. Cwt. of Piemento 5s. Ton of Logwood, 10s.

All European Goods one per Cent. on their prime Cost from Europe, rating the Difference of Exchange at 400 per Cent. in the Current Money of Carolina.

Goods sold or moved from one Ship to another in the Province, to pay the same Duties as if landed, and be entitled to the same Drawbacks.

Duties to be paid on Goods exported.

On every Pound of tann'd Leather, 2d. Tann'd Cals or Deer Skin, 1s. Raw Hide, 5s. On every Indian-drest DeerSkin, a Pound and upwards, 6d. under a Pound, 3d. Raw Deer Skin, 6d.

Goods imported.

On every Negro above 10 Years old from America, 50l. under 10 Years old, 5l. except new Negroes who had not been six Months on Shore in America. On every Spanish Negro, Indian, Mustee or Mullatto, per Head, 150l.

All Goods re-exported in 6 Months imported, shall be allowed a Drawback of three fourth Parts of the Duty paid on Importation.

By an Act passed in 1734, the further additional Duties are raised in the Nature of Port Duties for fortifying Charles Town.

On every Pipe of Madeira Wine, 4l. Gallon of Rum, 5d. of Molasses, 2d. Barrel of Flour, 2s. 6d. Cwt. of Muscovado Sugar, 2s. 6d. Clayed Sugar, 5s.

GEORGIA.

There has hitherto been no Act passed for laying Duties of Importation or Exportation in this Province.

NORTH-CAROLINA

There are no Laws of this Province in the PlantationOffice, laying Duties of Importation or Exportation.

VIRGINIA.

By an Act passed in 1680, lays an Impost on all Tobacco exported. Perpetual.

On every Hogshead, 2s. Sterling.

The same for every 500 lb. wt. exported, in Bulk, and proportionable for a greater or lesser Quantity.

Lays also a Tonage Duty,

Of 1 half lb. of Gunpowder, and 3 lb of Shot per Ton, or 1s. 3d. And 6d. per Poll for every Person imported, except Mariners.

By an Act passed in 1705, an Impost is laid on the following Goods exported for the Use of the College erected in that Colony, viz.

On every raw Hide exported, 3d. tanned ditto, 6d. drest Buck Skin, 1d. halfpenny, undrest ditto. 1d. drest Doc Skin, 1d. halfpenny. Undrest ditto ¾ qrs. Pound of Bever, 3d. Other Skin, 2d. Wild Cat Skin, 1d. halfpenny, Mink Skin, 1d. Fox, 1d halfpenny, 12 Racoon Skins, 3d. 12 Musk Rat, 2d. every Elk Skin, 4d. halfpenny.

An Act passed in 1726, lays a Duty on Liquors imported, Part expired; but by that Part of it still in Force.

Every Gallon of Rum, Brandy, and other distilled Spirits imported, and every Gallon of Wine, pays until the Year 1737, 1d. Sterling.

By an Act passed in 1732, every Gallon of Rum, Brandy, and other distilled Spirits, and every Gallon of Wine, shall pay 3d. Sterling, except such Liquors as are imported directly from Great Britain.

MARYLAND.

By an Act passed in 1704, a Duty of 2s. per Hogshead is laid on all Tobacco exported, half to the Proprietor, and half to the Governor.

By an Act passed in 1704, all Persons not being Inhabitants in the Province, and exporting Beef, Pork, or Bacon, shall pay, for dried Beef and Bacon, per Cwt. 1s. undried Pork and Beef, per Barrel, 1s.

By an Act passed in 1704, a Duty of 3d. per Ton is laid upon the Tonage of all Ships entering that Province, except such as, bona fide, were built in, or belong to the People of that Province.

By an Act passed in 1715, a Duty is laid on the following Goods imported, viz.

On every Gallon of Rum, Spirits, Wine and Brandy imported by Land, 9d by Water, 3d every Irish Servant imported, 1s. Negro, 1s. Sterling.

The Government of this Province is in a Proprietor, who is not obliged by his Charter to transmit to the Crown such Laws as are passed there, for Approbation or Disallowance, but the Proprietor being a Roman Catholic in 1689, King William and Queen Mary took the Province under their Protection, and appointed a Governor, and Queen Anne did the same; and during that Time the Laws of the Province were transmitted for Approbation, amongst which the foregoing are found.

PENSILVANIA.

Is a Proprietary Government, and there are no Acts of this Province transmitted to the Plantation-Office, laying Duties of Importation or Exportation.

NEW JERSEY.

By an Act passed in 1725, a Duty is laid on the following Goods exported.

On every Bushel of Wheat or Wheat-Meal unbolted, 1s. every 1000 Staves of 35 Inches long, or under, 15s. if above 35, and under 46 Inches long, 1l. above 45 and under 56, 1l. 10s. 56 Inches long and upwards, 2l. 1000 of heading of any Sort, 1l. 10s. Bolt that Staves or Heading can be made of, 9d.

By an Act passed in 1730, lays a Duty on the Importation of every Person convicted of Murder, Felony, &c. 5l.

By an Act passed in 1733, a Duty of 40 Shillings per Ton is laid on all Copper exported to any other Plantation.

NEW-YORK.

A Duty is laid on the Importation, on every Slave four Years old and upwards, directly from Africa, 2l. from all other Places, 4l. Pipe of Wine, 2l. 5s. Gallon of Rum, Brandy, or other distill'd Liquors or Shrub, 2d. halfpenny. Gallon of Rum or Spirits distilled in the Province, wholly or in Part from Molasses, 2d. halfpenny, 100l. Value of European or Indian Goods imported from the British Islands in the WestIndies, 5l. Cwt. of Cocoa, 4s.

By an Act passed in 1732, a Duty is laid on every Piece of Strouds sold at Oswego, 10s. on every Gallon of Rum, 1s.

By an Act passed in 1734, a Duty of 3s. current Money per Ton, is laid on all Vessels entering in, or clearing out, except Vessels built in the Colony, or wholly owned by the Inhabitants thereof, or the Inhabitants of Great Britain; and coasting Vessels between Cape Henlopen and New Hampshire inclusive, and Whaling Vessels.

By another Act passed in 1734, a Duty is laid on empty Casks imported. On every empty Hogshead, 1s. 6d. Light Tevice, 1s. Barrel or smaller Cask, 9d. Flour or Bread Barrel, 1s. Flour or Bread half-Barrel, 7d. halfpenny.

By an Act passed in 1734, a Duty is laid on every Barrel of Cyder imported, 1s. on every Barrel of Pork, 3s. on every Barrel of Beef, 2s. with an Exemption in Favour of Cyder, Pork, and Beef, from New York.

MASSACHUSETS

By an Act passed in 1734, the following Duties were laid on Goods and Merchandizes imported, and on the Tonnage of Shipping, viz. On every Pipe of Wine from the Western Islands, 1l. 10s. the Canaries, 2l. 5s. Madeira, 1l. 15s. and all other Sorts, 1l. 15s. Hogshead of Rum, 1l. 10s. Sugar, 2s. Molasses, 1s. Tobacco, 1l. 15s. Ton of Logwood, 3s. on all other Goods, 3d. on every 20s. Value; all Goods imported from Great Britain expected.

All Molasses and Rum belonging to Foreigners shall pay, for every Hogshead of Molasses, 5s. of Rum, 6l. All such Liquors or Goods imported from any other Place than of their Growth, shall pay double.

Every Vessel coming to Trade in this Province, (except Ships allowed in the Province, or belonging to Great Britain, or to Pensylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode-Island, or New Hampshire,) shall pay each Voyage 5s. per Ton, or one Pound of good new Pistol Powder for every Ton Burthen, (saving for that Part owned in Great Britain or this Province, or the aforesaid Governments) which are exempted.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

By an Act passed in 1702, a Duty is laid on the Tonage of all Shipping, viz. one Pound of good new Gun-powder in Specie, for each Ton such Vessel contains.

NOVA SCOTIA.

A new Government not sufficiently settled to establish an Assembly, and therefore cannot make Laws or raise Taxes.

NEWFOUNDLAND.

Not allowed to make Laws, nor several other Privileges enjoy'd by other Plantations.

Votes on the Supply.

On the 11th, the House, according to Order, resolved itself again into a Committee, to consider of the Supply granted to his Majesty, and came to the following Resolutions:

1. That a Sum not exceeding 217,269l. 4s. 10d. should be granted to his Majesty for the Ordinary of the Navy, (including Half-pay to Sea Officers) for the Year 1736.

2. That a Sum not exceeding 10,000l. should be granted to his Majesty upon Account, towards the Support of the Royal Hospital of Greenwich, for the better Maintenance of the Seamen of the said Hospital, worn out and become decrepid in the Service of their Country.

3. That a Sum not exceeding 24,518l. 10s. should be granted to his Majesty upon Account, for Out-Pensioners of Chelsea Hospital, for the Year 1736, which Resolutions were next Day agreed to by the House.

Southwark Election.

The House, having on the 10th, begun to hear the Matter of the Petition of Richard Sheppard, Esq; complaining of an undue Election and Return for the Borough of Southwark, in the County of Surry, in pursuance of the Order of the House, and having proceeded in the said Hearing on the Thursday following, the Petitioner, after he had examined all his Witnesses in Support of his Petition, was advised to give up the Affair; whereupon Mr. Heathcote, the then fitting Member, was prevailed on not to give the House the Trouble of examining any Witnesses in Support of his Right, or to push the Affair any further; so that on the Tuesday after, being the 17th, the House resolved, nem. con. that George Heathcote, Esq; was duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Southwark, in the County of Surry.

Royal Assent given to several Acts.

On the 19th, his Majesty came to the House of Peers, and gave the Royal Assent to the Act for continuing the Duties on Malt, Mum, Cyder and Perry, in that Part of Great Britain called England; and for granting to his Majesty certain Duties upon Malt, Mum, Cyder and Perry, in that Part of Great Britain called Scotland, for the Service of the Year 1736.

Bill for regulating Elections.

The 20th, Sir John Rushout presented to that House (according to Order) a Bill for the farther regulating Elections of Members to serve for the Commons in Parliament, in that Part of Great Britain called England, containing some Regulations for preventing Disputes about Elections, especially with respect to Counties. This Bill was then received, read a first time, and ordered to be printed: On the Thursday following it was read a second time, and ordered to be committed: On Wednesday the 24th of March, the House resolved itself into a Committee on the said Bill, and made some Progress; but as it is very difficult to frame a Bill of that Nature, so as to prevent any danger of Grievances arising from it, some Difficulties were started in the Committee, which occasioned the postponing of the Bill to another Session.

Votes on the Supply.

On the 25th of February, (See page 148) the House resolved itself into a Committee, to consider further of the Supply granted to his Majesty; and came to the following Resolutions, viz.

1. That the Sum of 56,250l. should be granted to his Majesty on Account of the Subsidy payable to the King of Denmark, pursuant to the Treaty bearing Date the 29th Day of September, 1734, for the Service of the Year 1736.

2. That a Sum not exceeding 46,780l. 18s should be granted to his Majesty, upon Account for reduced Officers of his Majesty's Land Forces and Marines, for the Year 1736.

3. That a Sum not exceeding 3828 should be granted to his Majesty, for paying of Pensions to the Widows of such reduced Officers of his Majesty's Land Forces and Marines, as died upon the Establishment of Half-pay in Great Britain, (and who were married to them before the 25th Day of December, 1716) for the Year 1736.

4. That a Sum not exceeding 21,096l. 9s. 8d. should be granted to his Majesty, to make good the Deficiencies of the Grants for the Service of the Year 1735.

Which Resolutions were next Day reported, and agreed to by the House.

The same Day it was ordered that the proper Officer should lay before the House an Account of the several Sorts and Quantities of Corn, which had been exported from Christmas, 1734, to Christmas, 1736; as also from what Places and Ports, and in what Quantities they had been exported, together with an Account of the Bounty that had been paid thereon.

This Account was presented on Monday the 8th of March, and was as follows, viz.

An Account of the several Sorts and Quantities of Corn, which have been exported from Christmas, 1734. to Christmas, 1735, also from what Places and Ports, and in what Quantities they have been exported; together with an Account of the Bounty that has been paid thereon.

Two Shillings in the Pound Land Tax voted.

Feb. 27th, (See page 149) That towards raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, the Sum of two Shillings in the Pound, and no more, should be raised in the Year 1736, upon Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments, Pensions, Offices, and personal Estates, in that Part of Great Britain called England, in Wales, and in the Town of Berwick upon Tweed; and that a proportional Class (according to the ninth Article of the Treaty of Union) should be laid upon that Part of Great Britain called Scotland.

And then a Bill or Bills were ordered to be brought in pursuant to the said Resolutions.

Mortmain Bill brought in by Sir Joseph Jekyll.

On the 5th of March, his Honour the Master of the Rolls, moved for Leave to bring in a Bill to restrain the Disposition of Lands, whereby the same become unalienable; which was accordingly granted, and the Master of the Rolls, Mr. Ord, Mr. Glanvile, and Mr. Plumer, were ordered to prepare and bring in the same. This Bill was presented to the House by the Master of the Rolls, on the 10th of the same Month, and being received, was then read a first Time, and ordered to be read a second Time. Next Day the House ordered the said Bill to be printed, and it was read a second Time on the 18th, and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

From the 17th of this Month to the 6th of the next, Petitions against the Quakers Tythe Bill (See page 152 and 174) were received from half the Clergy of the Kingdom.

Proceedings on the Quakers Tythe-Bill.

The second reading of the said Bill having been put off to Monday the 12th of April, after reading the Order of the Day for that Purpose, the Counsel for and against the Bill were called in, and the Bill being then read a second Time, and the several Petitions above-mentioned being also read, the Counsel for the Petitioners of the Province of Canterbury were heard, in Answer to whom the Counsel for the Bill were heard; and then the Counsel for the Petitioners of the Province of York were heard by way of Reply: After which the Counsel being withdrawn, Mr. Speaker opened the Bill to the House; and then a Motion being made, that the 14th Section of an Act made in the 22d and 23d Years of the Reign of King Charles II. intitled, An act for the better Settlement of the Maintenance of Parsons, Vicars and Curates in the Parishes of the City of London, burnt by the dreadful Fire there, might be read; the same was read accordingly.

The Reason, as may be supposed, for reading this Section was, because by a Clause in the Bill, even as it then stood, it was proposed to be enacted thus, That if the Annual Value of such Tythes, Oblations. and other ecclesiastical Dues, Rights, Payments, or Church-Rates before-mentioned, doth not, nor shall not exceed the Sum of in such Case, no Quaker or Quakers shall be sued or prosecuted, for, or on Account of the same, in any other Manner, than as before directed, or in any other Court; neither shall any such Tyths, Oblations, or other ecclesiastical Dues, Rights, Payments, or Church Rates. not exceeding the said yearly Value of be recoverable against Quakers in any other Court whatsoever, nor in any other Manner, than as by this Act is directed, unless the Title of such Tythes be in Question.

This Clause, in all the Petitions presented by the Clergy against the Bill, was called, An excluding them from the Benefit of the Laws then in being for the recovery of Tytnes and other Dues, and thereby putting the Clergy of the established Church upon a worse Foot than the rest of his Majesty's Subjects; therefore the said Section was read, in order to shew that the assigning of a proper Method for the recovery of any Right, and excluding the Persons intitled, from any other Remedy, was not a putting of such Persons upon a worse Foot than the rest of his Majesty's Subjects, nor was it without Precedent; for by the aforesaid Act of King Charles II. all Suits for the recovering of Church Rates or Assessments, within the City of London, are to be brought before the Lord Mayor, or, upon his Neglect to execute the Powers thereby granted, before the Lord Chancellor, or Keeper of of the Great Seal, or two Barons of the Exchequer; and, by the said Section, it is enacted, That no Court or Judge shall hold Plea of Money due by virtue of that Act, other than the Persons thereby authorized; and yet the Clergy of London never had complained, nor could complain, that they were excluded from the Benefit of the Laws of their Country, or that they were put upon a worse Foot than the rest of his Majesty's Subjects.

After reading the aforesaid Section, a Motion was made for committing the Bill, upon which there ensued a long Debate, and upon putting the Question, for committing the Bill, it was, upon a Division, carried in the Affirmative by 221 to 84, and ordered accordingly; after which it was resolved, that the Bill should be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Royal Assent given to several Bills.

On the 24th Day of March, his Majesty came to the House of Peers, and gave the Royal Assent to the five following public Bills, viz.

An Act for granting an Aid to his Majesty by a Land Tax to be raised in Great Britain, for the Service of the Year 1736.

An Act for punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and for the better Payment of the Army and their Quarters.

An Act to repeal the Statute made in the first Year of the Reign of King James I intitled, An Act against Conjuration, Witchcrast, and dealing with evil and wicked Spirits, except so much thereof as repeals an Act of the fifth Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, against Conjurations, Enchantments, and Witchcrasts; and to repeal an Act passed in the Parliament of Scotland, in the ninth Parliament of Queen Mary, intitled, Anentis Witchcrasts; and for punishing such Persons as pretend to exercise or use any kind of Witchcrast, Sorcery, Enchantment, or Conjuration.

An Act to indemnify Persons, who have omitted to read the Prayers, and make and subscribe the Declarations, directed to be read, made, and subscribed, by the Act of Uniformity of the thirteenth and fourteenth Year of the Reign of King Charles II. within the Time limited by Law; and for allowing further Time for doing thereof.

An Act to amend an Act passed in the seventh Year of the Reign of his late Majesty King George I. entitled, An Act to preserve and encourage the Woollen and Silk Manufactures of this Kingdom, and for more effectual employing the Poor, by prohibiting the Use and Wear of all printed, painted, stained, or dy'd Callicoes in Apparel, Houshold-Stuff, Furniture, or otherwise, after the 25th Day of December, 1732, (except as is therein excepted) so far as relases to Goods made of Linnen, Yarn, and Cotton-Wooll, manufactur'd in Great Britain.

And to seven Private Bills.

Cambridge and Oxford Petition against the Mortmain Bill.

On the 25th of March, a Petition of the Chancellor, Mas ters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge, was presented to the House and read, setting forth, That the University, and the several Colleges therein, were founded and endowed for the maintaining fit Persons in the Study of useful Knowledge, and the bringing up Youth in Learning, Virtue and Religion; and that they had hitherto pursued those Ends with great Industry and Success; and that many excellent Books had been written by the Members thereof for the Service of Religion, and many useful Discoveries and great Improvements made in Arts and Sciences; and that many of the Nobility and Gentry, had by their Academical Education, been so well sitted for the Service of the Church and State, as to have proved the Ornaments and Supports of both; and that the University had at all Times before been thought worthy of the Countenance of the Legislature, and continually favoured by Persons of all Orders and Degrees, eminent for Wisdom and public Spirit; and that, if the Bill to restrain Alienations of Lands should pass into a Law without Amendment, it would, as the Petitioners apprehend, be attended with Consequences greatly prejudical to them at that Time, and much more so in Time to come, because it would, in a great Measure, prevent all Donations to supply present or future Deficiencies, or for any other wise and great Purposes, how useful and necessary soever they might be thought; and that a confiderable Part of their Revenue arose from Annuities and other certain Payments issuing out of Lands and other Estates; and that many of those Payments having been fixed in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, and still continuing invariably the same, were then, by the great Fall of Money since that Time, sunk so far below their original Value, as to be insufficient to answer the Purposes, for which they are designed; and that several Headships were under 120, some under 100l. per Ann. and that the Salaries of some Prosessorships were under 50l. per Ann. and others, as those of Botany, Anatomy, and Christianity, had no Endowment at all; and that the Income of much the greatest Part of their Fellowships was under fixty, of many under forty, of some so low as thirty, and twenty, and fifteen Pounds per Ann. and that many of their Scholarships and Exhibitaions amounted not to above six, four, and three Pounds per Ann. and that some were even under those small Sums; and that many poor Students had neither Scholarship nor Exhibition to help towards their Maintenance; and that the Number of Advowsons in most Colleges was very small in Proportion to the Number of Fellows; and therefore praying the House to except that University, and the several Colleges therein, out of the said Bill. Which Petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the said Bill was committed.

Next Day a Petition of the Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford, in behalf of themselves and the serveral Colleges and Halls within the said University, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners apprehended, that by the Bill then depending before the House, to restrain the Dispositions of Lands, whereby the same become unalienable, and their Successors might be deprived of the Assistance of future Benfactions, and the charitable Donations of such, as might be disposed to promote the pious Intentions, for which that ancient University was founded; and that the Petitioners were by their Constitution entirely founded in Charity, and must ever continue to depend upon it; and that notwithstanding the large Benefactions with which they had been formerly endowed, yet many of the Societies were so meanly provided for, that the pious Designs of their Founders must remain imperfect, without future Benefactions, which had been found by long Experience to rise by such slow Degrees, that the Petitioners hoped, that, when their Case was duly confidered, they would not be thought to be within any of the general Mischiess that might arise from Alienations in Mortmain; and that, as their present Poffessions were inconsiderable in respect of the great Number of Persons that were maintained out of them, and that as the Donations they then enjoyed, as well as those they might afterwards receive, must be solely appropriated to the Advancement of Religion and Learning; for these Reasons they hoped, that no Difficulties or Discouragements would be put in the Way of those, whose pious and charitable Intentions might dispose them to give their Affistance towards rendering the University in general, as well as the several Societies of it, more instrumental in promoting those great and necessary Ends; and that the Petitioners therefore hoped, they should be exempted from the Restraints mentioned in the Bill; or that they should meet with such Relief from that House, as to the House should seem meet. Which Petition was likewise referred to the Committee.

On the 26th, the House of Commons resolv'd itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Supply granted to his Majesty, and came to the following Resolutions, which were reported and agreed to on the 29th, viz

To grant to his Majesty.

Votes on the Supply.

1. The Sum of 22,944l. 14s. for making good the Desiciency of the general Fund.

2. The Sum of 24,570l. 2s. 7d. to make good the Sinking Fund, the like Sum paid out of the same for Interest on the Million lent on Credit of the Salt Duties, for the Supplies of the Year 1734, pursuant to a Clause in an Act of Parliament, pass'd in the 7th Year of his Majesty's Reign.

3. The Sum of 10,000l. towards the Maintenance of the British Forts and Settlements belonging to the Royal African Company of England on the Coast of Africa.

4. The Sum of 10,000l. towards settling and securing the Colony of Georgia in America.

5. The Sum of 11,485l. 4s. 5d. to make Satisfaction to Humphrey Bell, (the surviving Assignee of the Estate and Effects of William Ellins and Edmond Farrington, against whom a Commission of Bankruptcy issued) Suitor of the Court of Chancery in 1726, so much of his Debt and Demand from one of the Masters of the said Court, as then remained unfatisfy'd.

Other Petitions against the Mortmain Bill.

6. The Sum of 30,167l. towards the Buildings, Rebuildings. and Repairs of his Majesty's Ships for the Year 1736.

On the 31st of the same Month, a Petition of the Governors of the Charity for Relief of the poor Widows and Children of Clergymen, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That by Letters Patent of King Charles II. the Petitioners were constituted a Corporation, for Relief of the poor Widows and Children of Clergymen, and made capable in the Law, to take Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, not exceeding the yearly Value of 2000l. and also Goods, Chattels, and Things of what Nature and Quality soever, and to alienate and dispose of the same; which Capacity was enlarged by his late Majesty King George I. to 3000l. a Year more, and that the Institution of that Charity had been so well esteemed, and supported by so many pious and welldisposed Persons, that the Petitioners had, for divers Years past, been able to make a Distribution of 5l. a Year to above 800 Widows of very poor Clergymen, and to put out many of their Children yearly to useful Trades, who otherwise must have been burthensome to their respective Parishes, and their Children less useful to the Commonwealth, an Account whereof had been annually printed and published; and that the Objects of that Charity were far more numerous, than the Petitioners could provide for, out of their certain annual Revenues, and casual Benefactions, their certain annual Revenues nor exceeding 3000l. a Year; and therefore, as that Charity was so well founded, and for so good Purposes, and that Corporation restrained from accepting Lands beyond 5000l. a Year, and those alienable in the Discretion of the Petitioners, praying that that Corporation might be whohy excepted out of the Bill then depending in that House, for restraining the Dispositions of Lands, whereby the same became unalienable, or that such Provision might be made thereby, that that Corporation might enjoy the Benefits intended them by the said Royal Grants, and that the same might be preserved to them, to the full Extent thereof. No Motion being made for referring this Petition to the Committee, it was ordered to lie upon the Table.

On the 2d of April, a Petition of the Governors of the Bounty of Queen Anne, for the Augmentation of the Maintenance of the poor Clergy, was presented to the House and read; setting forth; That the said Governors were made a Body corporate by her late Majesty Queen Anne, in the 3d Year of her Reign, in persuance of an Act of Parliament, impowering her to settle upon them the Revenur of the FirstFruits and Tenth, for the Augmentation of the Maintenance of the poor Clergy, and to make Rules and Orders for the regular Administration of the same, by which Statute Licence was given to all and every Person or Persons, by Deed enrolled, in such Manner, and within such Time, as was directed by the Statute made in the 27th Year of the Reign of Henry VIII. for Enrollment of Bargains and Sales, or by Last Will or Testament duly executed, to grant to the said Corporation and their Successors, Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments, Goods and Chattels, for the Purposes mentioned in the said Act; which Corporation had also thereby full Capacity to purchase, take, and enjoy any Money, Lands, Tenements, Goods and Chattles, without any Licence or Writ ad quod damnum, the Statute of Mortmain, or any other Statute or Law to the contrary notwithstanding; and that afterwards, in pursuance of the Powers granted by the said Statute, divers Rules and Orders were settled and confirmed by her said late Majesty, under the Great Seal; by some of which Rules and Orders, the Augmentations to be made were directed to be by way of Purchase, and not by way of Pension; and the stated Sum to be allow'd for the Augmentation of each Cure, was limited to 200l. to be invested in a Purchase, at the Expence of the Corporation; and the said Governors were empowered to give the said Sum of 200l. to Cures not exceeding 35l. per Ann. (which Sum was afterwards, by the Authority of King George I. extended to 50l. per Ann.) where any Persons would give the same or greater Value in Lands or Tithes; and such Governors were directed, every Year, between Christmas and Easter, to cause the Account of what Money they had to distribute that Year, to be audited, and when they knew the Sum, public Notice was directed to be given, that they had such a Sum to distribute in so many Shares, and that they would be ready to apply those Shares to such Cures as wanted the same, and were by the Rules of the Corporation qualified to receive them, where any Person would add the like or greate Sum to it, or the Value in Lands or Tithes for any particular Cure; and that the Petitioners apprehended, that by the Bill then depending before the House, to restrain the Dispositions of Lands, whereby the same became unalienable, the Rights and Powers vested in them by the said Act, and by the Rules and Orders made in pursuance thereof, might be greatly affected, if some proper Provision should not be made to prevent it; and therefore praying that a Clause or Clauses might be added, whereby the said Rights and Powers might be secured.

After reading this Petition, a Motion was made and seconded, for ordering it to be referred to the Consideration of the Committee to whom the said Bill was committed; and the same being opposed, after a pretty long Debate, the Question was put, and, upon a Division carry'd in the Negative, by 143 to 95; whereupon the Petition was order'd to lie upon the Table.

The same Day the House, according to Order, resolv'd itself into a Committee of the House upon the said Bill, and made some Progress, Mr. Gibbon being in the Chair; after which, Mr. Speaker resum'd the Chair, and Mr. Gibbon reported from the Committee, that they had made some Progress in the Bill, and had directed him to move, that they might have Leave to fit again; whereupon it was resolved, that the House would, upon Monday then next, at Twelve o'Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the said Bill.

On the said Day, being Monday April 5, it was moved and resolved, that an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to give Directions to the proper Officers to lay before that House an Account of what Licences had been granted by the Crown, and for what Values respectively, to any Person or Persons, Bodies Politic or Corporate, their Heirs or Successors, to alienate in Mortmain, and to purchase, take, and hold in Mortmain, in Perpetuity, any Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments whatsoever, since the Act of the 7th Year of the Reign of King William III. entitled, An Act for the Encouragement of charitable Gifts and Dispositions, to that present Time.

After which, the House, according to Order, resolv'd itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the said Bill, when Mr. Gibbon being their Chairman as before, the Clause for excepting out of the said Bill the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and the Colleges of Eaton, Winchester, and Westminster, with a Provision relating to Advowsons, was presented, and a Motion made for its being receiv'd and made Part of the Bill, which occasioned some Debate; but upon the Question being put, it was, upon a Division, carry'd in the Affirmative, by 227 to 130.

With respect to the Proviso relating to Advowsons, an Amendment was proposed for leaving it in the Power of the several Colleges belonging to the two Universities, to exchange small Livings for larger, so as not to increase the Number of Advowsons, to which they were by the Act to be restrained, which occasioned a new Debate, and at last, upon putting the Question, it was carried in the Negative.

After which, the Committe having gone through the Bill, they reported the Amendments they had made to it, when the House should please to receive the same; and on the 7th, a Petition of the Grey-Coat Hospital in Tothill-Fields, of the Royal Foundation of Queen Anne, was presented to the House and read, setting forth, That by Letters Patent, dated the 19th Day of April, in the 5th Year of the Reign of the late Queen Anne, the Petitioners were constituted a Corporation, and made capable in Law to take Lards, Tenements, and Hereditaments, not exceeding the yearly Value of 2000l. and also Goods, Chattles, and Things of what Nature or Value soever, for the Benefit of such poor Children of the Parish of St. Margaret, Westminster, as from Time to Time should be admitted into the said Hospital; and that the Petitioners had for several Years past, been enabled to maintain, cloath, and teach a considerable Number of poor Children of both Sexes; and had, from the Time of the first Foundation of the said Hospital, placed out above 500 Children Apprentices, some to the Sea-Service, and others to useful Trades, Husbandry and Housewisery; and that the Children then, and many Years past, were many more in Number than the Petitioners could provide for by the yearly Subscriptions and Collection joined to the certain annual Revenues of the said Hospital, which together at that Time, did not exceed 700l. a Year; so that, were it not for the casual and generous Benefactions the Petitioners had received by the Bequests of several pious and well-disposed Persons, they could not take so many poor Children into their Care and Protection, to be maintained, cloathed, and instructed; and therefore, in Consideration the annual Revenue belonging to that Hospital was of so small a Value, praying that that Corporation might be excpeted out of the Bill then depending in that House, for restraining the Dispositions of Lands, whereby the same become unalienable, or that such Provision might be made thereby, that the Benefits intended them by the Grant of their Royal Foundress, might be preserved to them in their full Extent. Which Petition was ordered to lie on the Table.

Next Day a Petition of the Trustees of the several Charity Schools within the Cities of London and Westminster, Borough of Southwark and Bills of Mortality, in Behalf of upwards of 5000 poor Children cloathed and educated in the said Schools, and also in Behalf of all other Charity Schools in this Kingdom, for the Education of the Children of the Poor in the Principles of the Church of England, as by Law established, was presented to the House and read, setting forth, That if the Bill then depending in that House, to restrain the Dispositions of Lands, whereby the same become unalienable, should pass into a Law without Amendment, it would prevent many charitable Donations for the Promotion of the said Schools, which were so far from having any large Endowments in Land or Money, that very few had so much as a Schoo'-house; and that, as the voluntary Contributions did not equally and regularly answer the constant Expences, the Trustees in several Places have been obliged to reduce the Number of their Children, and in others the Schools had been entirely laid down, for want of Means to support them; and representing to the House the great Usefulness of those Schools; and alledging, that, during the Continuance thereof, the Petitioners have placed out upwards of 17,000 Children, within the said Bills of Mortality, to Apprentiships in the lower Trades, and to monial Services, whereof about one Half had been put out to such Services, besides near 400 bound to the Sea-Service; and therefore praying the House to except the said Charity Schools out of the said Bill, or to grant them such other Relieses to the House should seem meet. This Petition was likewise ordered to lie upon the Table.

The same Day, the Report from the Committee upon the said Bill was received, and the Amendments, with Amendments to one of them, all agreed to; after which, the Bill, with Amendments, was ordered to be ingrossed and on the 15th, the Bill was read a third Time, and a Motion made for its being passed, which occasioned some Debate; but upon the Question being put, it was upon a Division carried in the Affirmative, by 176 to 72; and Mr. Gibbon was ordered to carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence.

The 30th of April, the House resolv'd itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, when they came to the following Resolution, which was on the 3d of May reported and agreed to by the House, and a Bill was ordered to be brought in upon the same, viz

Vote on Ways and Means.

That the several Additional Stamp-Duties granted by an Act passed in the 12th Year of his late Majesty's Reign, entitled, An Act for the Relief of the Suitors of the High Court of Chancery, should be continued from the 2d Day of August 1742, to the 2d Day of August 1746, in order to raise the Sum of 11,485l. 4s. 5d. to make Satisfaction to Humphrey Bell, (the serviving Assignee of the Estate and Effects of William Ellens and Edmund Farrington, against whom a Commission of Bankruptcy was issued) Suttor in the Court of Chancery in 1726, for so much of his Debt and Demand in that Year due from John Bennet, Esq; one of the Masters of the said Court, and then remaining unsatisfy'd.

With this Resolution the Committee of Ways and Means concluded; and the Bill order'd in upon this last Resolution, was accordingly brought in, and passed into a Law.

Royal Assent given to several Bills.

On the 5th of May, his Majesty came to the House of Peers, and gave the Royal Assent to the fix following public Bills.

An Act for laying a Duty upon the Retailers of Spiritious Liquors, and for licensing the Retailers thereof.

An Act for exhibiting a Bill in this present Parliament for naturalizing her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales.

An Act for reviving and continuing the Acts therein mention'd and for explaining and amending a Clause in an Act made in the first Year of the Reign of his late Majesty King George I. (entitled, An Act for making the Laws for repairing the Highways more effectual) relating to the appointing Scavengers in Cities and Market Towns, and the ordering the Assessments for the repairing and cleansing the Streets therein.

An Act for indemnifying Persons, who have omitted to qualify themselves for Offices within the Time limited by Law, and for allowing further Time for that Purpose; and for amending so much of an Act passed in the second Year of the Reign of his present Majesty, as requires Persons to qualify themselves for Offices before the End of the next Term or Quarter Sessions; and also for enlarging the Time limited by Law for making and subscribing the Declaration against Transubstantiation; and for allowing further Time for Enrolment of Deeds and Wills made by Papists; and for Relief of Prorestant Purchasers, Devisees, and Lessees.

An Act for more equal paying and better collecting certain small Sums for Relief of Shipwrecked Mariners and distressed Persons, his Majesty's Subjects in the Ports of Cadiz and Pert St. Mary's, in the Kingdom of Spain, and for other Uses usually contributed to by the Merchants trading to the said Ports.

An Act for the better enlightning of the Streets of the City of London.

And to 37 private Bills.

And on Thursday the 20th of May, his Majesty came to the House of Peers, and gave the Royal Assent to the ten following public Bills, viz.

An Act for enabling his Majesty to borrow any Sum or Sums of Money, not exceeding 600,000l. to be charged upon the Surplusses, Excesses, or Overplus Money, commonly called the Sinking Fund, redeemable by Parliament; and for the further Disposition of the said Fund, by paying off 1,000,000l. of South-Sea Annuities, and for appropriating the Supplies granted in this Session of Parliament.

An Act for continuing, for the Purposes therein mentioned, the additional Duties upon stamped Vellum, Parchment, and Paper, laid by an Act passed in the 12th Year of the Reign of his late Majesty King George I.

An Act for naturalizing her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales.

An Act for indemnifying Persons, who have been guilty of Offences against the Laws made for securing the Revenues of Customs and Excise; and for enforcing those Laws for the future.

An Act to prevent the Listing his Majesty's Subjects to serve as Soldiers without his Majesty's Licence.

An Act to restrain the Disposition of Lands, whereby the same become unalienable.

An Act to explain and amend so much of an Act made in the 2d Year of his present Majesty's Reign, entitled, An Act for the more effectual preventing Bribery and Corruption in the Elections of Members to serve in Parliament, as relates to the commencing and carrying on of Prosecutions grounded upon the said Act.

An Act for further encouraging and regulating the Manufacture of British Sail-cloth; and for the more effectual securing the Duties now payable on foreign Sail-cloth imported into this Kingdom.

An Act to render the Law more effectual for preventing the Importation of fresh Fish, taken by Foreigners; and to explain so much of an Act made in the 13th and 14th Years of the Reign of King Charles II. as relates to Ships exporting Fish to the Mediterranean Sea; and for the better Preservation of the Fry of Lobsters on the Coasts of Scotland.

An Act for building a Bridge cross the River Thames, from the New Palace Yard in the City of Westminster to the opposite Shore in the County of Surry.

And to ten private Bills.

For the King's Speech See page 237.