House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 20 December 1695

Veneris, 20 die Decembris ;

Septimo Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Encouragement of Privateers.

SIR Eliab Harvey presented to the House, according to Order, a Bill for the Encouragement of Privateers.

The Bill was read the First Time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Droitwich Salt-works.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to explain several Doubts in an Act, made in the First Year of King William and Queen Mary, intituled, An Act for the better regulating the Salt-works in Droitwich: And that Mr. Harley do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Parkins' Estate.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cooke and Mr. Meredeth:

Mr. Speaker,

The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to enable Sir Thomas Parkins Baronet to sell certain Messuages, Lands, and Hereditaments, in Huby and Easingwould, in the County of York; and settling other Lands and Hereditaments, of greater Value, in lieu thereof: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Holbourn and Finsbury Court of Conscience.

A Petition of the Housekeepers and Inhabitants of the Division called Holbourn and Finsbury Division, in the County of Middlesex, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners are deeply sensible of the intolerable Oppressions of the Marshalsea, and other inferior Courts, for small Debts under 40s. to the Ruin of many poor People, and their Families: And that nothing will contribute more, and be of greater Ease and Benefit for the pcorer Sort of People inhabiting within the said Division, than a Court of Conscience for Recovery of Debts under 40s. And praying Leave to bring in a Bill for Recovery of small Debts under 40s. for the Relief of poor Debtors.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for erecting a Court of Conscience for Holbourn and Finsbury Division, for Recovery of small Debts under 40s. And that Sir John Wolstenholme do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Members not to plead before Lords without Leave.

Ordered, That no Member of this House do plead at the Bar of the House of Lords, without Leave of this House first obtained.

Stairs to be kept clear of Footmen.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms do take care to keep the Stairs clear from Footmen; and that he do take into Custody such of them as shall behave themselves rudely; and that the Constables of Westminster do take care, That the Passages in and about Westminster-hall be kept clear from Chairmen and Coachmen; so that they may not stop or annoy the Members of this House: And that this Order be fixed upon Westminster-hall Gate, and in the Lobby of this House.

Fees on Proceedings of the House.

Ordered, That the Fees relating to the Proceedings of this House be referred to the Consideration of a Committee: And that they do report their Opinion, what Fees ought to be allowed to the Officers and Servants of the House:

And it is referred to Sir Rowland Gwyn, Mr. Clark, Mr. Waller, Mr. Arnold, Sir Gerv. Elwes, Sir John Key, Sir William Lowther, Lord Cornbury, Sir Matth. Andrews, Mr. Serjeant Coward, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Norres, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Newport, Sir Hen. Colt, Mr. Brewer, Sir Sam. Barnardiston, Sir Harry Hobart, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Fleming, Mr. England, Mr. Colt, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Heveningham, Mr. Gwynn, Mr. Foley, Sir Rob. Cotton, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Sandford, Mr. Mansel, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Elwill, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Thornhagh, Mr. Blofeild, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Manley: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Members 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.

Chester City Election.

A Motion being made, That Sir Wm. Williams have Leave to withdraw his Petition touching the Election for the City of Chester;

Resolved, upon the Question, That the said Sir William Williams have Leave to withdraw his said Petition.

Coinage.

A Bill for the Regulating the Coinage of the Silver Money of this Kingdom was, according to the Order of the Day, read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

State of the Nation.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, at Ten a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the State of the Nation.

Coinage.

Resolved, That this House do immediately resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for the regulating the Coinage of the Silver Money of this Kingdom.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer reported from the said Committee, That they had made some Progress in the Matter to them referred; and had directed him to move, That they may have Leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the said Bill.

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