House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 24 November 1696

Martis, 24 die Novembris;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Preventing Escapes.

A BILL for the better preventing and prosecuting Escapes was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time upon this Day Sevennight.

Regulating Elections.

A Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses, and other of the most substantial Inhabitants, within the ancient Borough of Taunton, in the County of Somerset, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Bill, now depending in this House, for the further regulating Elections of Members to serve in Parliament, as it now stands, is to disable Persons from serving, who have not Estates in Land; which may so limit Elections to Parliament, that many prudent Men, of great personal Estates, may be thereby rendered incapable of that Service for the said Borough: And praying the Consideration of the House in this Matter, so as the ancient Rights and Privileges of the Borough may not be prejudiced.

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

Privilege.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to whom the Complaint of the Breach of Privilege against Sir Isaac Rebow was referred, be made upon Saturday Morning next.

Relief of Creditors.

Mr. Brotherton presented to the House, according to Order, a Bill for Relief of Creditors: And the same was received.

Supply Bill; Payment of Tallies.

Mr. Lowndes reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill to explain that Part of the Act, lately passed for laying several Duties on low Wines, and Spirits of the first Extraction; and for preventing the Frauds and Abuses of Brewers, Distillers, and other Persons chargeable with the Duties of Excise; which relates to the Payment of Tallies, and the Interest thereof; 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 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.

African Company.

A Petition of the Royal African Company of England was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Trade to Guinea cannot be maintained without Forts and Castles, for the Preservation of the Europeans against the Natives there, in the way of a joint Stock, by Companies, who are only able to desray the Charge; and therefore, other Nations, who trade thither, trade in Societies: That the said Trade ought to be supported by England; being of greatest Advantage to it, by exporting the Woollen, and other English Manufactures; and in supplying his Majesty's Plantation with Negroes: That the Petitioners have been very great Losers by the War; and did, the last Session, represent to the House, That unless they should be supported and encouraged, they could not longer maintain their Forts and Factories; and consequently, that Trade would be lost to this Nation; many potent Rivals lying in wait to supplant the Petitioners, who are informed, that the Scotch East-India Company are sending Five Ships to trade to Africa: That, last Session, this House gave Leave, That a Bill should be brought in; and such Proceedings were had thereon, that the Petitioners hoped it would pass; but, it coming in late, the same could not be completed: And praying Leave to bring in a Bill, for preserving and establishing the Trade to Africa, according to the Charter granted to the said Company; or with such Alterations, as may be thought necessary.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for preserving and establishing the Trade to Africa: And that Mr. Blowfeild and Mr. Culliford do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Greibe's Complaint.

The Petition of Mary Greibe, formerly presented to the House, was read.

And the House took the same into Consideration:

And Mr. Secretary Trumball was heard in relation thereunto.

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 Mr. Clark, Mr. Heveningham, Mr. Chadwick, Sir Gerv. Elwes, Mr. Molesworth, Lord Ranelagh, Sir Nic. Butler, Sir John Kay, Sir Godfrey Copley, Sir Rowland Gwynn, Mr. Chancellor Exchequer, Mr. Ash, Mr. Foley, Mr. Vernon, Sir John Bolles, Sir Rich. Onslow, Sir Tho. Dyke, Sir Geo. Hungerford, Mr. Manly, Mr. Burdet, Lord Pawlet, Mr. Norris, Sir Marm. Wyvell, Mr. Hammond, Mr. Sloane, Lord Coningsby, Mr. How, Mr. Brotherton, Lord Norris, Colonel Earle, Sir Sam. Barnardiston, Mr. Onslow, Lord Cutts, Sir Hen. Colt, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Wharton, Mr. Berty, Mr. Newport, Sir John Lowther, Mr. Lowther, Sir Edw. Seymour, Sir Francis Massam, Mr. Methwyn, Mr. Papillon, Mr. Pagitt, Mr. Perrey, Sir Tho. Roberts, Mr. Bowyer, Sir Wm. Coriton, Mr. Price, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Colt, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Cornwallis, Mr. Moore: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir William Hustler have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Irish Arrears.

Mr. Harley, from the Commissioners for taking and stating the publick Accounts, according to Order, acquainted the House with what had been done in relation to the Matter of the Petition of Francis de Salles; which had been presented to the House.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Morgan have Leave to go into the Country, his Lady being dead.

Supply Bill; Coinage.

An ingrossed Bill, for the further remedying the ill State of the Coin of the Kingdom; and for encouraging the bringing Plate into the Mints, to be coined; was read the Third time.

An Amendment being proposed to be made, Press 3d, L. 30. to leave out "November," and insert "December," instead thereof;

The same was, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Another Amendment being proposed to be made, Press 4. L. ^*, after "hammered," to insert "clipped;"

And upon the Question put, That the Word "clipped" be inserted;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Another Amendment being proposed to be made, Press 4. L. 13. after "Tellers," to insert "or their "Clerks;"

The same was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

An ingrossed Clause being offered, as a Rider, That no Person should pay any hammered Money, at above 5 s. 2d. per Ounce, except as in the Bill; under a Penalty;

And the same was read a First time;

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

It passed in the Negative.

Another ingrossed Clause being offered, as a Rider, That for the Conveniency of Commerce, the Mint be obliged to coin Five-peny Pieces out of every 100 l. Troy;

And the same was read the First time;

Then the Question being put, That the same be read a Second time;

It passed in the Negative.

Another ingrossed Clause was offered, as a Rider, That, upon Tender of any counterfeit Money, the Person receiving the same may cut it asunder; and shall take it, if good Silver; but if counterfeit, the Offerer to bear the Loss:

And the same was read the First time:

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

It passed in the Negative.

Another ingrossed Clause being offered, as a Rider, That the Encouragement of 5s. 4d. per Ounce, to such as shall carry their hammered Money into the Mints, to be coined, shall be paid them, in such manner as shall be provided by some other Act of this Session;

And the same was read the First time:

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 the further remedying the ill State of the Coin of the Kingdom.

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

Supply; Deficiency of Funds.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Motion, made Yesterday, for a Supply to be granted to his Majesty, for making good the Deficiencies of Parliamentary Funds.

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 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 To-morrow Morning.

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