House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 13 February 1696

Jovis, 13 die Februarii;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Stanhop's Nat.

SIR John Bolles reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for naturalizing James Stanhop Esquire, and others, was committed, That they had made some Amendments to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House; and which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Preventing Export of Wool.

A Petition of the Clothiers in Stourbridge, in the County of Worcester, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners have employed many Hundreds of Families in making of Frizes, and other Woollen Manufactures, which used constantly to be exported; but now several foreign Merchants privately buy up our English Wool, and export the same beyond Sea; wherewith Foreigners make the said Manufactures, to the Ruin of the Petitioners Trade and Families: And praying, That the House will consider of some Way to prevent the Exportation of Wool.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Bill to prevent the Exportation of Wool from hence; and to encourage the Importation of Wool from Ireland; is committed:

And that Sir Rich. Atkins, Mr. Tho. Foley, senior, Mr. Philip Foley, Sir Edward Seymour, Mr. Freke, Mr. Lutterell, Mr. Tho. Foley junior, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Serjeant Bond, be added to the said Committee.

Chamberlain's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable Trustees to exchange Lands of Sir James Chamberlaine Baronet, an Infant, lying in the common Hill or Field of Salford, in the County of Oxford, for like Quantities of Lands there, in order to the making an Inclosure, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Whitacre, Mr. Arnold, Sir Sam. Barnardiston, Mr. Moore, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Pudsey, Sir Fra. Molyneux, Mr. Colt, Mr. Blofeild, Mr. Bickerstaffe, Sir Gerv. Elwes, Mr. Owen, Mr. Watlington, Mr. Baldwyn, Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Robert Davers, Sir Harry Hobart, Mr. England, Mr. Foley, Mr. Farrer, Mr. Bagnold, Mr. Stonehouse, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pocklington, Mr. Brotherton, Mr. Hamond, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Richard Atkins, Mr. Drake, Serjeant Bond, Mr. Blake, Mr. Sloan, Mr. Staines, Mr. Moyle; and all that serve for the County of Oxford: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Servants Wages.

Sir Henry Colt, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for the more easy Recovery of Servants Wages: And the same was received.

Ordered, That the Bill be read To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for settling divers Lands and Rents-charges on the Rector of the Church of Maidwell, in the County of Northampton, in Exchange for other Lands and Tythes, according to several Agreements made between the Patron and the said Rector, confirmed by the Ordinary: And that Mr. Conyers do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Elections—Irregularities in Returning Officers.

Ordered, That Lord Digby, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Winington, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Harley, Mr. Arnold, be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill to prevent irregular Proceedings of Sheriffs, and other Officers, in the electing and returning Members to serve in Parliament, is committed.

Harwich Roads.

Sir Eliab Harvey reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for Repair of the Highways in the County of Essex, between London and Harwich, was committed, That they had made several Amendments to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House; and which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

And an Amendment was made in the Preamble of the Bill, as to another Road.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Price of Guineas.

A Petition of several Graziers, and others, Traders in Cattle in the Market of West Smithfeild, London; and also of many Butchers that use the same Market; and of several others, receiving and paying Monies for Cattle bought and sold in the said Market; was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That about 40,000 l. per Week is returned in the said Market for Cattle; which, for almost 12 Months past, for want of current Silver, hath been paid in Guineas at 30s. apiece; great Part whereof they are forced to keep by them for Stock to trade with, and are now in their Hands: That a sudden Fall of the Price of Guineas will disable them from supplying the City of London, and Parts adjacent; and will tend to the Ruin of the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Consideration of the Price of Guineas is referred.

Ditto.

A Petition of divers Merchants, Woollendrapers, and other Traders, in and about the City of London, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Commerce of this Nation is at present brought to a Stand, by the uncertain Value of our Gold; and, our Silver being drawn to a low Ebb, it may prove of ill Consequence to the publick Good, unless speedy Means be taken: That the Petitioners think, a gradual Sinking the Value of our Gold, from one Period of Time to another, will be the only effectual Means to prevent the Designs of unfair Traders, and to make the Loss fall more easy, and less surprising, than by reducing them at once; which will also prevent the Exportation: And praying, That the Gold Coins may be settled, and made current in all Payments, in such manner as the House shall think fit.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Consideration of the Price of Guineas is referred.

Price of Guineas.

A Petition of divers Merchants and Traders, in and about the City of London, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, by reason of the Badness of our Silver Coins, some Men have taken Occasion to raise Guineas to 30s. apiece; which, being about 40 per Cent. Value here, above the Proportion of Gold to Silver in any other Part of Europe, hath caused the bringing over to us vast Quantities of Gold; causing the Exchange to fall; and, consequently, the carrying out of our Silver, in that disadvantageous Proportion; to the impoverishing the Kingdom: That, notwithstanding the Care taken to reform the Silver Coins, yet certain Persons continue buying and selling Guineas, being employed therein, as they be lieve, by Persons promoting their private Gain; whereby, they are still kept up to 29 and 30s.; at which Rate the Petitioners are forced to receive them for Debts; but cannot pay them so to the King's Receipts, or upon Bills of Exchange; so that they are necessitated to buy Silver Money with their Guineas, at 3, 4, and 5, per Cent. Loss; and thereby contribute to the Gain of those Persons who keep up that Trade: That, at this time, great Quantities of Gold is bought up in, and imported hither from, Holland; where Four of our milled Crowns, and Two weighty Shillings, will purchase a Guinea; the Profit whereby is so great, that if some speedy Stop be not put to this pernicious Trade, our milled Money will be melted down, and carried away as fast as it can be coined: And praying the House to take the said Inconveniencies, and Loss of Commerce, into Consideration: and to find some speedy and effectual Way to prevent the said Abuse.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Consideration of the Price of Guineas is referred.

Ditto.

A Petition of several Merchants and Tradesmen of the City of London, on behalf of themselves and others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners have of late, through the unsettled Price of Guineas, been imposed upon by Bankers and Goldsmiths; to whom the Petitioners have been compelled to pay Guineas at under 29s apiece, or what Rate they please to take them at; though the Petitioners have, and must if they continue trading, received them at 30s. apiece of their Customers and Country Chapmen, or else they must receive no Money, by reason of the Scarcity and Badness of our Silver Coins: And praying, That the Price of Guineas may fall gradually, as the House shall think fit.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Consideration of the Price of Guineas is referred.

Alienating Lands in Mortmain.

Mr. Secretary Trumball, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill to enable the King, his Heirs and Successors, to grant Licence of Alienation of Lands in Mortmain: And the same was received.

Ordered, That the Bill be read To-morrow Morning.

Wye and Lugg Navigation.

Mr. Price according to the Order of the Day, reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for making the Rivers Wye and Lugg, in the County of Hereford, navigable, was committed, That the Committee had made several Amendments to the said Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House; and which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

A Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, to impower the Trustees to borrow any Sum not exceeding 16,000 l. at 4 l. per Cent. to be employed about the Navigation:

And the same was twice read; and the Blanks therein filled up; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed to be made Part of the Bill.

Ordered, That the Bill with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Lymington Election.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, touching the Election for the Borough of Lymington, in the County of Southampton, be made upon Tuesday Morning next.

Royal Assent to Bills.

A Message from his Majesty, by Sir Fleetwood Shepherd, Gentleman-Usher of the Black Rod:

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this Honourable House to attend his Majesty, in the House of Peers, immediately.

Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to attend his Majesty.

And, being returned;

Mr. Speaker reported, That his Majesty had been pleased to give the Royal Assent to the several publick and private Bills following; viz.

An Act for granting to his Majesty an Aid of Four Shillings in the Pound, for One Year, for carrying on the War against France.

An Act to prevent false and double Returns of Members to serve in Parliament.

An Act for the more easy Recovery of small Tythes.

An Act to enable Anthony Earl of Kent, and Henry Grey his Son and Heir apparent, to make a Jointure for Jemima, Wife of the said Hen. Grey.

An Act to enable the Lord Francis Pawlett to charge his Estate with Provisions for his younger Children.

An Act for vesting the Estate late of Sir Nicholas Stoughton and Sir Lawrence Stoughton Baronets, deceased, in Trustees, to be sold for the Payment of their Debts, and raising Portions for the Daughters of the said Sir Nicholas Stoughton.

An Act to enable Richard Haynes Esquire to settle a Jointure on his now Wife; and to exchange Lands with the Trustees of Thomas Stevens Esquire, deceased.

An Act for enabling Trustees to sell Part of the Estate of Edmund Warner, deceased, for Payment of his Debts; and for preserving the rest for the Benefit of his Heir.

An Act to enable John Aunger, and Infant, and his Mother, to make a Lease of his Estate, for the Improvement thereof.

An Act to enable Trustees to sell Part of the Manor of Barkhampsted; and to pay off the Incumbrances charged on the same; and to lay out the Overplus in an Estate, to be settled as the said Manor is now vested.

Blechingly Election.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, touching the Election for the Borough of Blechingly, in the County of Surrey, be made upon Tuesday Morning next.

Wells Election.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, touching the Election for the City of Wells, be made upon Tuesday Morning next.

Price of Guineas.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Price of Guineas.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Palmes took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Palmes reported from the said Committee, That they had made some Progress in the Matters to them referred.—

Guineas coined.

Then Mr. Neale, according to Order, presented to the House an Account of what Guineas have been coined, within the Tower of London, since Lady-day last; and for whom:

And the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Ben. Overton,
Tho. Neale.

Ja. Hoar,

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Account be referred to the Committee of the whole House, who are to consider of the Price of Guineas.

Price of Guineas.

—Mr. Palmes also acquainted the House, That he was directed by the said Committee to move, That they may have Leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, immediately, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Price of Guineas.

The House, accordingly, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Palmes took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Palmes reported from the said Committee, That they had come to a Resolution; which they had directed him to report, when the House will please to receive the same.

Ordered, That the said Report be made upon Saturday Morning next.

The House interpose to prevent a Quarrel.

The House being informed, That, in the Committee, some Words of Heat had passed between Sir Richard Atkins and Sir Edward Seymour;

And Sir Richard Atkins being gone out of the House;

Ordered, That they be enjoined not to prosecute that Matter any further.

Ordered, That the Serjeant do go to Sir Richard Atkins' House, to see for and bring him to the House.

And he went accordingly, and brought him.

Whereupon, Mr. Speaker acquainted Sir Richard Atkins and Sir Edward Seymour with the Injunction of the House.

Earl of Torrington's Grant in Bedford Level.

Ordered, That the Bill for consirming a Grant under the Great Seal of England, to Arthur Earl of Torrington, by King William and Queen Mary, of several Parcels of Land, Part of the great Level of the Fens, called Bedford Level; and for the better enabling the said Earl to recover the Arrears of Rent, and mesne Profits; be read a Second time upon Saturday Morning next.

Bringing Plate to be coined.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Bill to encourage the Bringing in of milled, broad, and unclipped, Monies, to be exchanged, by Commissioners in the several Parts of this Realm, with the common People, for their clipped Monies; and for the encouraging of Persons to bring Plate into the Mint, to be coined.

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