House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 7 March 1695

Jovis, 7 die Martii;

7° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Red-lionsquare (St. Andrew's, Holborn) new Parish.

A PETITION of some Inhabitants of Red-lionsquare was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, about a Twelvemonth since, the like Petition, as now, was presented to this House, by some of the Inhabitants of Red-lion-square, for making the Square a distinct Parish from St. Andrew's, Holborn; to which Matters, the Petitioners, who are the principal Inhabitants thereabouts, did utterly disagree; and signed a Petition for that Purpose; which put a Stop to any further Proceedings thereon: That the Petitioners still disagree; and pray to be heard against the said other Petitioners.

Ordered, That the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the said other Petition is referred.

A Member discharged from custody.

Ordered, That Colonel Speccot, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for absenting himself from his Service in Parliament, be discharged out of Custody, paying his Fees.

Arrears for quartering Soldiers.

A Petition of the Innkeepers and Victuallers in the City of Coventry, and County of the same, was presented to the House, and read; complaining of Money due and unpaid to them, for quartering of Soldiers there.

Ordered, That the said Petition be delivered to one of the Members of this House, who is a Commissioner for taking and stating the publick Accounts.

Christ-Church Minister's Maintenance.

An ingrossed Bill for enabling the Inhabitants of the Parish of Christ-Church, in the County of Surrey, to make Rates for raising a Maintenance for a good and able Minister; and for impowering the Trustees of the Will of John Marshal, deceased, to employ Monies for the finishing the said Parish-Church; was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for enabling the Inhabitants of the Parish of Christ-Church, in the County of Surrey, to make Rates for raising a Maintenance for a good and able Minister; and for the impowering the Trustees of the Will of John Marshall, deceased, to employ Monies for the finishing the said Parish-Church.

Ordered, That Sir Richard Onslow do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Edward Acton have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Complaint from Inhabitants of Tanger.

A Petition of the late Inhabitants of Tanger was read; setting forth, That, upon the Demolishing of Tanger, the Lord Dartmouth promised, in the Name of King Charles the IId, that the Petitioners just Claims should be paid, upon their Arrival in England; and accordingly, in March 1684, King James granted a Privy-Seal for 50,000l.; and another for 50,000l. more in December 1686; both payable to Wm. Hewer Esquire, late Treasurer for the Garison; for paying off all Arrears of the Garison and Mole there: That the said Treasurer received about 90,000l. by virtue of the said Privy-Seals; but kept the Grant of them, and the Receipt of most Part of the Money, a long time from the Petitioners Knowledge; and made Interest of the Money, when many of the Petitioners were in great Want; and forced them to take what he pleased, deducting 4s. in the Pound for compounding, and 1s. for Poundage; although he received a Salary of 300l. per Ann. for paying out the King's Money: And it is, upon a modest Computation, deemed, that the said Treasurer hath in his Hands about 20,000l. which is due to the Inhabitants, and others belonging to the Mole: And praying, that Mr. Hewer may give an Account of what Money he hath received; and how he hath disposed of the same; and that he may be obliged to pay the Petitioners the just Due.

Ordered, That the said Petition be delivered to one of the Members of this House, who is a Commissioner for examining, taking, and stating, the publick Accounts.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Willmot have Leave to go into the Country, for Recovery of his Health.

Ordered, That the Lord Fairfax have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Mr. Brewer have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Regulating Printing and Printing Presses.

A Bill for the better regulating of Printing, and Printing-Presses, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time upon Monday Morning next.

West Thorock Inundation.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee to whom a former Report, of the Matter of the Petition of the Poor of Cobham College, and the Proprietors of Lands, now under Water, in West Thorock, in the County of Essex, was re-committed, be taken into Consideration upon Monday Morning next.

Encouragement of Privateers.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Tuesday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for the better Encouragement of Privateers.

Plantation Trade.

A Bill for the better securing the Plantation-Trade; and preventing the Shipping of Tobacco in Bulk; was, according to Order, read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Member Letters.

Ordered, That the Post-master attending this House do not at any time, deliver out any Letters to any Members during the Sitting of the House.

Alleged corrupt receipt of Money by a Member.

The House being acquainted by Mr. Gee, a Member thereof, That he had received Information by one Mrs. Shorter, and Mrs. Bourman, That a Member of this House had received Money for the carrying on a Bill in this House;

Ordered, That the said Mrs. Shorter, and Mrs. Bourman, be summoned to attend this House To-morrow Morning.

Corrupt Application of Money by E. I. Company.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inspect the Books of the East-India Company immediately.

And it is referred to Mr. Pelham, Mr. Comptroller, Sir John Thompson, Mr. Paul Foley, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Pollexfen, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Foot Onslow, Sir Sam. Barnardiston: And they to have Power to send for Persons and Papers.

Ordered, That the same Committee have Power to inspect the Chamberlain of London's Books: And that they have likewise Power to send for Persons and Papers.

A Person committed for refusing to produce Books.

Mr. James Craggs attending, according to Order:

He was called in: And his Answer to the Commissioners for taking and stating the publick Accounts being read, he owned the same:

And it being demanded, by Order of the House, whether he would produce his Books, and be examined before the said Commissioners, upon Oath, touching his Accounts; he excused; and refused to produce his said Books:

And being acquainted by Mr. Speaker, by Order of the House, That if he persisted in his Refusal, that the House would proceed with all Rigour and Severity against him;

And being withdrawn;

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That Mr. John Craggs, one of the Contractors for the Cloathing of the Army, for refusing to produce his Books of Accounts, thereby obstructing the Inquiry of this House into the Disposal of the publick Monies, be committed Prisoner to the Tower of London;

An Amendment was proposed, by leaving out "Prisoner to the Tower of London:"

And the Question being put, That the Words, "Prisoner to the Tower of London" stand in the Question;

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Resolved, That Mr. James Craggs, one of the Contractors for the Cloathing of the Army, for refusing to produce his Books of Accounts, thereby obstructing the Inquiry of this House into the Disposal of the publick Monies, be committed Prisoner to the Tower of London: And that Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant accordingly.

Ways and Means.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supply, to be granted to his Majesty, for carrying on the War against France with Vigour.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Nine a Clock.