House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 18 December 1695

Mercurii, 18 die Decembris ;

Septimo Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Blount's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill to enable Sir Thomas Pope Blount Baronet to make Provision for his younger Children, upon the Marriage of his eldest Son, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act to enable Sir Thomas Pope Blount Baronet to make a Settlement, upon the Marriage of his eldest Son.

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

St. James, Westminster Parish Debt.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer presented to the House, according to Order, a Bill to enable the Parish of St. James, Westminster, to raise upon themselves so much Money as will discharge their Debt for building their Parish-Church, Rector's House, Vestry, and other Works there.

The Bill was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Theft on Northern Borders.

Mr. Bickerstaffe presented to the House, according to Order, a Bill to continue several former Acts, to prevent Theft and Rapine upon the Northern Borders of England.

The Bill was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Hackney Coachmen.

A Petition of Thomas Kemp, and others, on behalf of themselves, and others, of the ancient licensed Hackney. Coachmen, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, upon a Petition presented to the House the last Session of Parliament, complaining of several Abuses committed by the Commissioners for regulating and licensing Hackney Coaches, after a great Expence in prosecuting the said Petition, the House was pleased to resolve, That the Petitioners had proved the Substance of their Petition, and were worthy the Consideration and Relief of the House; and that several of the said Commissioners had, by Bribery and other indirect Means, acted corruptly and arbitrarily, contrary to the Trust reposed in them; but, by reason of the many weighty Affairs then taking up the short Time of that Session, the Petitioners could not possibly have the Relief intended them: And praying that the House will take their Grievances into Consideration; and give Leave, That a Bill may be brought in to redress the same.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to a Committee; and that they do examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

And it is referred to Sir Ralph Dutton, Mr. Brewer, Lord Cornbury, Sir H. Colt, Sir Wm. Drake, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Freke, Mr. Moore, Mr. Elwill, Mr. Heveningham, Sir Tho. Roberts, Sir Geo. Markham, Mr. Kendall, Mr. Bickerstaffe, Sir Cha. Carteret, Mr. Frewen, Sir Rich. Sandford, Sir Ro. Cotton, Mr. Blofeild, Lord Spencer, Mr. Smith, Mr. Peirpont, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Colt, Mr. Whitacre, Mr. Blake, Sir Gerv. Elwes, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Farrar, Sir Wm. Ashurst, Mr. Mawdit, Mr. Stonehouse, Mr. Cox, Mr. Sandford, Sir John Bolles: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four a Clock, in the Speaker's Chambers.

Darwent Navigation.

Mr. Bagnall presented to the House, according to Order, a Bill for making navigable the River Darwent, in the County of Derby: And the same was received.

Tryals for Treason.

An ingrossed Bill for Regulating of Tryals in Cases of High Treason, and Misprision of Treason, was, according to Order, read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for Regulating of Tryals in Cases of Treason, and Misprision of Treason.

Ordered, That Colonel Granville do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Answer to Address.

Mr. Speaker reported, That Yesterday, in the Afternoon, both Houses did attend his Majesty with their Address, in relation to the Act of Parliament passed in Scotland, for establishing an East-India Company there: And that thereupon his Majesty had been pleased to make a most gracious Answer, to the Effect following; viz.

I Have been ill served in Scotland; but I hope some Remedies may be found to prevent the Inconveniencies which may arise from this Act.

Ways and Means.

The Order of the Day, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of Ways and Means for raising the Supply to be granted to his Majesty, for carrying on the War against France, being read;

Ordered, That the said Committee have Power to send for Persons, and receive Proposals in relation thereunto.

Then the House resolved itself into the said Committee of the whole House.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported from the said Committee, That they had made some Progress in the Matter to them referred; and had come to some Resolutions; which they had directed him to report, when the House will please to receive the same.

Ordered, That the said Report be made To-morrow Morning.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That the Committee of Privileges and Elections be adjourned.

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