House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 19 March 1696

Jovis, 19 die Martii;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Duchess of Buccleuch's, &c. Estate.

AN ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for impowering the Most Noble Ann Duchess of Buccleuch, and the Right Honourable James Earl of Dalkeith, her Son, of the Kingdom of Scotland, to grant Leases for improving a Piece of Ground in the Parish of St. Martin's in the Fields, in the County of Middlesex, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Boyle, Sir Math. Andrews, Sir Jos. Tily, Sir Godfry Copley, Sir Gerv. Elwes, Sir Tho. Day, Mr. Harvey, Mr. Serjeant Bond, Lord Hide, Mr. Whitaker, Lord Cornbury, Mr. Henley, Mr. Blofeild, Sir Adam Felton, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Heveningham, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Felton, Sir John Kay, Mr. Hoare, Mr. Onslow, Sir Wm. Lowther, Sir Marm. Wivell, Mr. Yates, Sir Tho. Roberts, Sir Ra. Delavall, Sir Robert Davers, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Davenant, Mr. Newport, Mr. Cornwallis, Sir Edw. Ernly, Sir Fran. Masham, Mr. Foley, Mr. Dolbin, Mr. Robinson: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Bristoll Hospitals, &c.

An ingrossed Bill for the Erecting of Hospitals and Work-houses within the City of Bristoll, for the better employing and maintaining the Poor thereof, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for the Erecting of Hospitals and Work-houses within the City of Bristoll, for the better employing and maintaining the Poor thereof.

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

Wagstaffe's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable Sir Tho. Wagstaffe Knight to raise and secure a Portion for Frances, his only Daughter, and Heir-apparent, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass, with the Amendments.

Ordered, That Mr. Bromley do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, with some Amendments: To which Amendments they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

Plantation Trade.

An ingrossed Bill for preventing Frauds, and regulating Abuses, in the Plantation-Trade, was read the Third time.

And several Amendments being proposed to be made; viz.

Pr. last but One, L. last, to leave out "August," and insert "December;" and to leave out "One Moiety," and insert "Three Fourths, without Composition;" and to leave out "Fourth;"

And the same were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and the Bill amended at the Table accordingly.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for preventing Frauds, and regulating Abuses, in the Plantation-Trade.

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

Expiring Laws.

Mr. Brotherton reported from the Committee, to whom it was referred to inspect what Laws are near expiring, and fit to be continued, That they had come to several Resolutions; 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 read; and are as follow; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That an Act, made in the 20th Year of the Reign of King Charles the Second, intituled, An Act for giving Liberty to buy and export Leather and Skins tanned and dressed; which Act was revived by an Act, made in the First Year of the Reign of the late King James; which Acts were revived and continued by an Act, made in the First Year of the Reign of King William and the late Queen Mary, intituled, An Act for reviving Two former Acts, for Exporting of Leather, for the Space of Seven Years, and from thence to the End of the First Session of Parliament then next ensuing; be continued.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That an Act, made in the 16th and 17th Years of the Reign of King Charles the Second, intituled, An Act for regulating the Measures and Prices of Coals; which Act was revived and continued by an Act, made in the Second Year of the Reign of King William and the late Queen Mary, intituled, An Act for reviving a former Act for regulating the Measures and Price of Coals, from the First Day of December 1690, for the Space of Seven Years, and from thence to the End of the First Session of Parliament then next following; be continued.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That an Act made in the 4th and 5th Years of the Reign of King William and the late Queen Mary, intituled, An Act for the better Discovery of Judgments in the Courts of King's-Bench, Common-Pleas, and Exchequer, at Westminster; which Act was continued by an Act, made in the Sixth and Seventh Years of the said King and late Queen, intituled, An Act for continuing several Laws therein mentioned, for One Year, from the 25th Day of March 1694, and from thence to the End of the then next Session of Parliament; be continued.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That an Act made in the 4th and 5th Years of the Reign of King William and the late Queen Mary, intituled, An Act for regulating Proceedings in the Crown-Office of the Court of King's Bench at Westminster; which was to continue, and be in force, for Three Years, from the 25th Day of March 1693, and from thence to the End of the next Session of Parliament; be continued.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That an Act, made in the 13th and 14th Years of the Reign of King Charles the Second, intituled, An Act for preventing Abuses in printing seditious, treasonable, and unlicensed Books and Pamphlets; and for regulating of Printing, and Printing-Presses; which was, by an Act made in the First Year of the Reign of the late King James, revived and continued, from the 24th Day of June 1685, for Seven Years; which said Act was revived and continued by an Act, made in the 4th and 5th Years of the Reign of King William and the late Queen Mary, intituled, An Act for reviving, continuing, and explaining, several Laws therein mentioned, which are expired, and near expiring, for the Space of One Year, from the 13th Day of February 1692, and from thence to the End of the then next Session of Parliament; and which is since expired; be revived.

The First Four of the said Resolutions, being severally read a Second time, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

The last Resolution being read a Second time;

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That an Act, made in the 13th and 14th Years of the Reign of King Charles the Second, intituled, An Act for preventing Abuses in printing seditious, treasonable, and unlicensed, Books and Pamphlets; and for Regulating of Printing, and Printing-Presses; which was, by an Act made in the First Year of the Reign of the late King James, revived and continued, from the 24th Day of June 1685, for Seven Years; which said Act was revived and continued by an Act, made in the 4th and 5th Years of the Reign of King William and the late Queen Mary, intituled, An Act for reviving, continuing, and explaining, several Laws therein mentioned, which are expired, and near expiring, for the Space of One Year, from the 13th Day of February 1692, and from thence to the End of the then next Session of Parliament; and which is since expired; be revived:

It passed in the Negative.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in upon the said Resolutions agreed unto by the House: And that Mr. Serjeant Bond, Mr. Brewer, and Mr. Brotherton, do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Regulating Hackney Coachmen.

A Petition of the Seven hundred Persons licensed, by virtue of a late Act of Parliament, to drive, or lett to Hire, Hackney Coaches, and Coach-Horses, within the Cities of London and Westminster, and Weekly Bills of Mortality, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That * * * *.

London Sheriffs Election.

A Petition of divers Citizens of the City of London, on behalf of themselves, and many other Citizens of the said City, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, by Prescription, and immemorial Usage, the said Citizens have enjoyed the Liberty of electing their Sheriffs; which Liberty hath been confirmed by many Charters, and Acts of Parliament; but, for some Years last past, the Petitioners have been defeated in their Elections; the Court of Aldermen having discharged those that were duly chosen for the Lucre of their Fines; and new and partial Elections have been carried on by an inferior Number of the Common Hall, while the major Part have adhered to their former due Election; whereby the Right of a Common Hall to make a free Election of Sheriffs is become of none Effect, as they conceive: And praying such, Relief against the said Grievance, as the House shall think fit.

Resolved, That the said Petition be rejected

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Worsley have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Practisers of Law to take Oaths.

A Bill for requiring the Practisers of the Law to take the Oaths to his Majesty was, according to Order, read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Moyle, Sir John Kay, Lord Coningsby, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Sloane, Sir Godfry Copley, Mr. Smith, Mr. Phillipps, Mr. Foley, Doctor Oxenden, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Heveningham, Lord Hartington, Mr. Newport, Lord Cavendish, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Colt, Mr. Frewen, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Monstevens, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Monson, Mr. White, Mr. Bromley, Sir John Lowther, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Bickerstaff, Sir Rowland Gwyn, Sir Wm. Ashurst, Mr. Poultney, Mr. Bagnold, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Thornhagh, Colonel Granville, Mr. Freke, Mr. Travers, Mr. Lassells, Sir Harry Hobart, Sir Rich. Sandford, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Blaake, Sir Henry Colt: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

A Motion being made, and the Question being put, That all the Members that are of the Long Robe be of the Committee;

It passed in the Negative.

Bank of England.

A Petition of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, in a General Court assembled, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners, being incorporated by their Majesties Royal Charter, in pursuance of an Act of Parliament, did, in Confidence of the publick Faith, advance to their Majesties the Sum of 1,200,000 l. upon the Fund of the Tonage-Act; which Fund, they are informed, is designed to be taken away from the Petitioners, without making a sufficient Provision, as they apprehend, in lieu thereof: And, praying, That they may be heard, by their Counsel, in Defence of their Rights.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for continuing to his Majesty certain Rates and Duties upon Salt, for carrying on the War against France; and for taking off the Duties of Tonage upon Ships, and upon Coals; and for establishing a National Land-Bank; is committed: And that they do hear the Petitioners, by their Counsel, upon the said Petition.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Smith have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

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

Irish Arrears.

A Petition of the subaltern Officers and Troopers of his Grace the Duke of Scombergh's Regiment of Horse was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That about Three Years since, the Treasury paid to Mr. Molyneux, Agent for the said Regiment, what Arrears were due to the said Regiment to the Last of December 1691; but Mr. Molyneux refuses to pay the Petitioners to that Time, though there is due to them above 4,000 l.: That the said Agent, being a Woollen-draper, undertook to cloathe the said Regiment; and put off his Cloaths at such unreasonable Prices, that he exceeded the Off-reckonings; and unjustly detains above 3,000 l. of the Subalterns Money, which is now due to them, for the Payment thereof: That the Petitioners have fully proved the said Matters before the Commissioners of Accounts: That the Petitioners are not able to prosecute the said Agent, at Law, for their said Dues: And praying, That the House will order the Petitioners some speedy Relief in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of Nathamel Hill, and others, is referred: And that they do examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Preventing Escapes.

Ordered, That the further Consideration of the Report from the Committee, to whom the Bill for the preventing Escapes, and better Security and Relief of Creditors, was committed, be further adjourned until Monday Morning next.

Prohibiting India Silks, Callicoes, &c.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Tuesday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for restraining the Wearing of all wrought Silks, Bengals, and dyed, printed, or stained, Callicoes imported into the Kingdom of England, and the Plantations belonging thereunto, of the Product and Manufacture of Persia, and the East-Indies.

English East India Company.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Saturday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Bill for settling and regulating the Trade to the East-Indies.

Bringing Plate to be coined.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, proceeded to take into Consideration the Report from the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for encouraging the bringing of Plate into the Mint, to be coined, was committed:

And the First Amendment, made by the Committee to the said Bill, being read;

And a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be re-committed, upon the Debate of the House;

It passed in the Negative.

And that Amendment, and the Residue of the said Amendments, being severally read a Second time, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, with some other Amendments, agreed unto by the House.

A Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That the Act shall not extend to prohibit the Exportation of such Bullion as shall be licensed by his Majesty, for the Payment of the Army, so as the same do not exceed 200,000 l.:

And the same was twice read, with Blanks; and the Blanks were filled up; and the Clause, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House to be made Part of the Bill.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That whosoever shall take clipped Money, contrary to an Act for remedying the ill State of the Coin of the Kingdom, shall forfeit double the Value thereof:

And the same was twice read, with Blanks; and the Blanks were filled up; and the Clause, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House to be made Part of the Bill.

A Clause being offered, about the settling the Price of Guineas;

The Clause was read the First time.

Resolved, That the further Consideration of the said Clause be adjourned till To-morrow, Twelve a Clock.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow

Morning, Nine a Clock.