House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 19 February 1696

Mercurii, 19 die Februarii;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Dawson's Estate.

AN ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for vesting the Estate of Joseph Dawson Esquire in Trustees, for Payment of Debts, and for a Provision for the Maintenance and Marriage of his Daughters, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Coal-wharfs, &c.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to ascertain the Damages, and settle the Rents, upon Coalwharfs and Way-leaves, within the Counties of Durham and Northumberland, and the Town and County of Newcastle upon Tyne: And that Sir William Blackett do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Prohibiting India Silks, Callicoes, &c.

A Petition of the Say-makers and Worsted-yarn-makers, in the Counties of Suffolk and Cambridge, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That Norwich Worstead-Stuffs are made of Says and Worsted-yarn, which employs many Thousand Families in making them, and consume great Quantities of English Wool: That the Petitioners Trade was formerly much obstructed by the vast Quantities of East-India Silks, Bengals, and Callicoes, used here; but since the East-India Company has been under some Discouragement, and little of their Commodities imported, the Petitioners Trade is much increased; which hath advanced the Price of Wool: That the EastIndia Company have petitioned the House for establishing their Trade to India by Act of Parliament: which will be very ruinous to the Petitioners Trade, unless a Prohibition be laid upon the Consumption of India wrought Silks, Bengals, and Callicoes, in England: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises, that so considerable a Manufacture may not be lost to the Nation.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, who are to consider further of the State of the Nation, in relation to Trade; and Particularly the East-India Trade.

Ease of Jurors.

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to the Committee, to whom the Bill for the Ease of Jurors: and better Regulating of Juries; is committed; That they do receive a Clause to continue the Act for returning able and sufficient Jurors; which is near expiring.

Duties on Glass, &c.

Mr. Bromley reported from the Committee, to whom it was referred to consider of the Act, made the last Parliament, for granting to his Majesty certain Duties upon Glass Wares, Stone and Earthen Bottles, Coal, and Culm, for carrying on the War against France; and of the Doubts and Complaints relating thereunto; the Matters which appeared to the said Committee, upon the several Petitions referred to their Consideration; and the Doubts and Complaints relating to the said Act; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table.

Ordered, That the said Report do lie upon the Table.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

Wye and Lugg Navigation.

An ingrossed Bill for making navigable the Rivers of Wye and Lugg, in the County of Hereford, was read the Third time.

An ingrossed Clause was offered, as a Rider, with Blanks, That the Earl of Kent shall make and maintain a Lock, at his own Charge, to consist with the Navigation, of the River, at or near the new Weir; or, in default thereof, the Trustees may do the same.

And the Clause was twice read; and the Blanks filled up by the House:

Then the Clause was read the Third time; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed to be made Part of the Bill.

Another Clause was offered, as a Rider, with Blanks, for making void all Contracts between the Earl of Kent and his Lessees, for Liberty to fish in the said Rivers, upon Repayment of the Fines paid for such Liberty:

And the Clause was twice read: and the Blanks filled up by the House; and then read a Third time; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed to be made Part of the Bill.

Another ingrossed Clause was offered, as a Rider, That if the said Navigation be not made practicable for Nine Months in a Year, the Trustees shall repay to the several Persons all such Monies as shall be levied; and to give good Security to do it:

And the Clause was once read;

And the Question being put, That the Clause be read a Second time;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for making navigable the Rivers Wye and Lugg, in the County of Hereford,

Ordered, That Mr. Price do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Privilege of Member in a Suit.

A Petition of the Lord Francis Powlet was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner is seised, in Fee, of the Farm of Fryar Waddon, in the Parish of Horsham, in the County of Dorset, by Settlements under his Grandfather; which Farm has formerly, been lett at above 600 l. per Annum: That Sir Nath. Nappier, a Member of this House, claims a Remainder, but refuses to shew by what Title, of some Term of Years therein, which determined in 1693 or 1694, as informed: That Sir Nath. having suffered the greatest Part of the Housing and Walls to fall down, and threatening to commit great Waste, the Petitioner, after the Dissolution of the last Parliament, caused an Entry to be made on the said Estate, and filed a Bill in the Exchequer, to stay Waste; and brought an Action against William Masterman, who is in Possession; to which Bill Sir Nathaniel answered: That, about the First of February instant, Sir Nathaniel sent his Agent, Mr. Patience, to acquaint the Petitioner, That he insisted on his Privilege; and protected Masterman as his Tenant; since which the Petitioner has not proceeded in Law or Equity; and told Mr. Patience, That he would not proceed any further: That, about 5th of February instant, Sir Nath. by Mr. Patience, required a Lease of the said Estate for 5 Years; and the said Bill to be take off the File, and the said Action to be discontinued; or else, he declared, That Sir Nathaniel would complain to this House for a Breach of Privilege: And praying the House to take his Case into Consideration, and to do therein as the House shall think fit.

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

Quakers Affirmation.

A Bill, That the solemn Affirmation, or Denial, of the People called Quakers, may be accepted instead of an Oath, was according to Order, read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Debtors Relief.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cooke and Sir Richard Holford:

Mr. Speaker,

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, . . . . . for Relief of poor Prisoners for Debt, or Damages, with some Amendments: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Supply Bill; House Duty.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Saturday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for granting several Rates, or Duties, upon Houses, for making good the Deficiency of the clipped Money.

Punishing Mutiny and Desertion.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for continuing several former Acts for punishing Officers, and Soldiers, who shall mutiny, or desert his Majesty's Service; and for punishing false Musters; and Payment of Quarters.

Encouraging Seamen.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for the Increase and Encouragement of Seamen was committed, be made upon Friday Morning next.

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.

State of the Nation.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the State of the Nation, in relation to Trade; and particularly the East-India Trade.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Colonel Granville took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Colonel Granville reported from the said Committee, That they had come to several 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.

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

Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the State of the Nation, in relation to Trade; and particularly the Trade to Africa.

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