House of Lords Journal Volume 20: 6 June 1716

DIE Mercurii, 6 Junii.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Bribery in Elections, to prevent, Bill.

The House (according to Order) was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for the more effectual preventing the Abuses of Sheriffs and other Returning Officers, in not returning the Writs of Summons in due Time; and for preventing Bribery and Corruption in the Elections of Members to serve in Parliament."

And, after some Time spent therein, the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Clarendon reported from the said Committee, "That they had made some Progress in the said Bill; and had directed him to move, that they may have Leave to sit again."

Ordered, That this House shall be put into a Committee, to consider further of the said Bill, on this Day Three Weeks.

Tobacco, &c. to prevent Abuses in, Bill.

The House (according to Order) was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act to prevent the Mischiefs by manufacturing Leaves, or other Things, to resemble Tobacco, and the Abuses in making and mixing of Snuff."

And, after some Time spent therein, the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Clarendon reported from the said Committee, "That they had heard Counsel and Witnesses touching the Clause in the said Bill relating to Snuff; and had gone through the whole Bill, and made several Amendments thereunto; which the Committee had directed him to report, when the House will please to receive the same."

Ordered, That the Report be received on Friday next.

L. Montagu & al. Pet. concerning the Bill for registering Papists Estates:

Upon reading the Petition of Henry Viscount Montaigu, Thomas Viscount Faulconberg, Hugh Lord Clifford, Lord George Howard; Sir William Gage, Sir William Goring, Sir Henry Bedingfeld, Baronets, Thomas Stonor, Henry Nevill, William Plowden, Michael Blount, and Edward Blount, Esquires, for and on the Behalf of themselves and others; setting forth, "That the Bill to oblige Papists to register their Names and Real Estates will not only ruin their Credit, but also affect Protestant Incumbrances, and occasion infinite Suits; besides other Instances which will render the Execution of this Bill impracticable;" and praying, That the Petitioners may be heard, by their Counsel, before the said Bill passeth into a Law:"

It is Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House to whom the said Bill stands committed; and that the Petitioners may be heard, by their Counsel, touching the Subject-matter of their Petition, before the said Committee.

Plowden's Pet.

Upon reading the Petition of William Plowden Esquire; setting forth, "That he is wholly incapable of complying with the Design of the Bill to oblige Papists to register their Names and Real Estates, till divers Matters relating to his Title to several Premises in the Petition mentioned be adjusted by a Decree of the Court of Chancery, which remain undetermined;" and praying, "That the Petitioner may be heard, by his Counsel, in respect of several great Inconveniencies in the said Bill:"

It is Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House to whom the said Bill stands committed; and that the Petitioner may be heard, by his Counsel, touching the Subject-matter of his Petition, before the said Committee.

Stonor & al. Pet.

Upon reading the Petition of Thomas Stonor Esquire, John Brinckhurst Esquire, Michael Blount Esquire, and Maurice Belson Esquire; praying, "In regard their Estates consist in Woods, Coppices, Mills, and Tithes, the Profits whereof are uncertain, that they may be heard, by their Counsel, as to the great Inconveniencies in the Bill to oblige Papists to register their Names and Real Estates:"

It is Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House to whom the said Bill stands committed; and that the Petitioners may be heard, by their Counsel, touching the Subject-matter of the said Petition, before the said Committee.

L. Clifford's Pet.

Upon reading the Petition of Hugh Lord Clifford; praying, "In regard a considerable Part of his Estate ariseth from the Income of his Mines of Lead, in the County of Derby, the Yearly Profit whereof is very uncertain, that he may be heard, by his Counsel, as to this and other Inconveniencies in the Bill to oblige Papists to register their Names and Real Estates:"

It is Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House to whom the said Bill stands committed; and that the Petitioner may be heard, by his Counsel, touching the Subject-matter of the said Petition, before the said Committee.

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to the said Committee, that they hear any Number of Counsel, in relation to the Petitions beforementioned, not exceeding Four.

Oaths, Time to take, to prolong, Bill.

Whereas this Day was appointed, for the House to be in a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for prolonging the Time for Persons to take the Oaths, pursuant to the Act for the further Security of His Majesty's Person and Government; and the Succession of the Crown in the Heirs of the late Princess Sophia, being Protestants; and for extinguishing the Hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales, and his open and secret Abettors:"

It is Ordered, That this House shall be put into a Committee thereupon, on Monday next.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Jovis, septimum diem instantis Junii, hora decima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.