House of Lords Journal Volume 20: 10 April 1717

DIE Mercurii, 10 Aprilis.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

Georgius Princeps Walliæ.

PRAYERS.

Liverpool Dock, Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for enlarging the Time granted by an Act passed in the Eighth Year of the Reign of Her late Majesty Queen Anne, intituled, An Act for making a convenient Dock, or Bason, at Liverpoole, for Security of all Ships trading to and from the said Port of Liverpoole."

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

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

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

To let them know, that the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

Whatley examined, concerning a Paragraph in The Flying Post:

The House being informed, "That George Ridpath and Stephen Whatley, who were Yesterday ordered to be brought to the Bar, were now brought to the House:"

The said Whatley was, by Direction of the House, brought to the Bar; and examined touching the Word ["Northern"], contained in the Paragraph complained of in The Flying Post.

And owned, "He inserted that Word without the Knowledge of the said Ridpath (under whose Commands he acts), and who knew nothing of it till the next Morning after it was inserted, and was then surprized to see it."

He acquainted the House, "That the said Paragraph was taken from The St. James' Post; and the Reason which induced him to insert the Word ["Northern"] was, that he found People of the best Sense, who talked concerning the said Paragraph, were of Opinion, the Prelate meant, was a Scotch Episcopalian, either the Bishop of Edinburgh, or some other of the deprived Bishops beyond The Tweed; but could not name any Persons particularly whom he heard express themselves of that Opinion."

And withdrew.

Ridpath examined.

Then the said George Ridpath was likewise brought to the Bar, and examined in relation to the said Paragraph.

And he also acquainted the House, "The same was taken from The St. James's Post; and that he knew not the Word ["Northern"] was inserted, till he saw it in Print; and did not apprehend it was scandalous, taking it to be meant of a Jacobite Prelate."

And withdrew.

Ordered, That the said George Ridpath and Stephen Whatley be remanded in Custody.

Ambrose versus Ambrose.

A Petition of Elizabeth Ambrose Widow, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, "That she, conceiving herself very much aggrieved by a Decree made in the Court of Chancery the Twentyninth of June last, applied herself to Counsel, in order to appeal from the same; who, notwithstanding frequently solicited to prepare such Appeal, yet, by reason of their attending the Seals, and Engagements in other Affairs, she could not have her Appeal perfected till after the Time was expired wherein Appeals are usually exhibited;" and praying, "In regard she does not intend any Delay, but is desirous to have the Judgement of this House so soon as shall be thought fit, that her Appeal may be received."

And thereupon Charles Cowart being examined, upon Oath, at the Bar, touching the Allegations of the said Petition:

Ordered, That the said Appeal be received.

And the same being read, the Order following was made:

"Upon reading the Petition and Appeal of the said Elizabeth Ambrose, Widow and Relict of Jonathan Ambrose, late Citizen and Goldsmith, of London, deceased, complaining of the forementioned Decree of the Court of Chancery, made in a Cause wherein Thomas Ambrose and Elizabeth his Wife were Plaintiffs, and the Appellant and others Defendants; and praying, that the same may be reversed; and that the Fitzwalter Estate in the Appeal mentioned may be decreed to be Part of the Personal Estate of her said Husband, and as such divided between her and her Children, according to the Custom of the City of London, and the Statute of Distribution; or at leastwise that the Appellant may have One-third Part of the Rents and Profits thereof for the Time past, and for the Time to come during her Life, as her Dower and Thirds thereout; and that she may be effectually relieved, as to this House shall seem meet: It is Ordered, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Thomas Ambrose and Elizabeth his Wife, and Thomasin Ambrose, an Infant, (Daughter of the Appellant,) may have a Copy of the said Appeal; and shall and are hereby required to put in their Answer thereunto, in Writing, on or before Wednesday the Twenty-fourth Day of this Instant April."

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, to robe.

The House was resumed.

King present:

His Majesty, being seated on His Royal Throne, adorned with His Crown and Regal Ornaments, and attended with the Officers of State; the Prince of Wales (in his Robes) sitting, in his Place, on His Majesty's Right Hand; the Lords being also in their Robes; the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod received His Majesty's Commands, to signify to the Commons, "It is His Majesty's Pleasure, they attend Him immediately, in this House."

Who being come, with their Speaker; he, after a short Speech to His Majesty, delivered the Land Tax Bill to the Clerk Assistant, in the Absence of the Clerk of the Parliaments; who brought it to the Table; where the Clerk of the Crown read the Title of that and the other Bills to be passed, as follows:

Bills passed.

"1. An Act for granting an Aid to His Majesty, by a Land Tax in Great Britain, for the Service of the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventeen."

To which the Royal Assent was pronounced in these Words; videlicet,

"Le Roy remercie ses bons Sujets, accepte leur Benevolence, et ainsi le veult."

"2. An Act for enlarging the Time granted by an Act passed in the Eighth Year of the Reign of Her late Majesty Queen Anne, intituled, An Act for making a convenient Dock, or Bason, at Liverpoole, for Security of all Ships trading to and from the said Port of Liverpoole."

To this Bill the Royal Assent was pronounced in these Words; videlicet,

"Le Roy le veult."

"3. An Act for naturalizing Isaac Kuyckvan Mierop."

To this Bill the Royal Assent was also pronounced in these Words; videlicet,

"Soit sait comme il est desiré.

Then His Majesty was pleased to retire; and the Commons withdrew.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Martis, decimum sextum diem instantis Aprilis, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.