House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 17 February 1698

Jovis, 17 die Februarii ;

10° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Slaughter, &c. importing Silk.

A BILL to enable Paris Slaughter and William Druce Merchants to import several Bales of fine Italian Thrown-Silk from Amsterdam, into this Kingdom, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time upon Saturday Morning next.

Children of Soldiers Nat.

Major-General Earle, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill to naturalize the Children of such Officers and Soldiers, and others the natural-born Subjects of this Realm, who have been born abroad during the War, and the Parents of such Children having been in the Service of the Government: And the same was received; and read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time upon Monday Morning next.

Inland Bills of Exchange.

A Bill for the better Payment of inland Bills of Exchange was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Sir William Ashurst, Mr. Attorney-General, Mr. Burrington, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Farrer, Mr. Fleming, Mr. How, Mr. Stonehouse, Mr. Moor, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Bridges, Mr. Norris, Sir Matth. Andrews, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Ryder, Mr. Perry, Mr. Pocklington, Mr. Monckton, Sir Edward Seaward, Mr. Solicitor-General, Mr. Foley, Mr. Gardner, Sir John Ray, Sir Wm. Coriton, Mr. Taytor, Mr. Yates, Sir Cloudsly Shovell, Sir Geo. Hungerford, Mr. Daniell, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Whitaker, Lord Marquis Hartington, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Mawdit, Mr. York, Mr. Blofeild, Sir Godf. Copley, Mr. Morgan, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Foley: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

Relief of Creditors.

A Bill to explain and rectify an Act for Relief of Creditors, by making Composition with their Debtors, in case Two-Thirds in Number and Value do agree, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Farrington's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for vesting in Trustees, to be sold, certain Lands of Geo. Farrington Esquire, lying in the Counties of Middlesex and Surry, settled upon the Marriage of William Farrington, his Nephew; and, with the Money arising thereby, for Purchasing of other Lands in Lancashire, where the ancient Estate of the Family lies, to be settled to the same Uses; was read the Third time.

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

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

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That the Lord Burleigh have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Sheriffs Accounts.

A Bill for the better Ease of Sheriffs in passing their Accounts, and Execution of their Office, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Harley, Mr. Winington, Sir Wm. Coriton, Mr. Lowther, Sir Wm. Williams, Mr. Farrer, Sir John Kay, Mr. Northmore, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Hobby, Mr. Boyle, Sir Marm. Wivell, Sir Jos. Jekyll, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Thornhagh, Mr. Taylor, Colonel Godfrey, Mr. Colt, Sir Wm. Bowes, Mr. Ashby, Mr. Vaughan, Colonel Granville, Mr. Machell, Sir Tho. Dyke, Sir Robert Cotton, Sir John Bollcs, Mr. Vivian, Mr. Duncomb, Mr. Blofeld, Mr. Rowney, Sir Tho. Roberts, Mr. Whitaker, Sir Henry Colt, Mr. White, Mr. Lambton, Mr. Cornwallis, Mr. Norris, Mr. Frewen, Mr. Foley, Mr. Tilney, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Monoton; and all of the Long Robe: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Army Arrears.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom the Petition of Mr. Francis Molyneux is referred, have Leave to sit To-morrow Morning.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Colonel Gibson have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Supply.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider further of the Supply to be granted to his Majesty, That they had considered the Reports from the select Committee, touching the Debt of the Navy, Ordnance, and the Transport-Service for Reducing of Ireland; for Transport-Service exclusive of the Irish Debt; and for quartering and cloathing the Army raised in 1677, and disbanded in 1679; and had come to several Resolutions touching the same; 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 there is due, upon the several Heads of the Estimate of the general Debt of the Navy, over and above what Cash, Tallies, Malt-Tickets, and Exchequer Bills, are in the Hands of the Treasurer of the Navy, the Sum of 1,392,742 l. 19s. 8d.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there is due from the Office of Ordnance, for Stores delivered, and Services performed, to the last Day of September 1697; and what hath occurred since, exclusive of the Debt before November 1688; towards which there remains in the Treasurer's Hands, by several Tallies, the Sum of 178,104 l. 14s. 10¼d.; the Sum of 204,157 l. 6s. 4d.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there is due, and to be provided, to defray the Debt due for Transports for reducing of Ireland, for Principal and Interest, over and above what hath been already raised towards the said Debt, the Sum of 340,708 l. 2s. 8d.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there is due for Transport-Service, exclusive of the Irish Transport-Debt, the Sum of 125,785 l. 2s. 10½d.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there is due for quartering and cloathing the Army raised by Act of Parliament in 1677, and disbanded by another Act in 1679, for principal Money, the Sum of 49,929 l. 6s. 10d.

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

Ordered, That the said Resolutions be referred to the Committee of the whole House, who are to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supply to be granted to his Majesty.

Excise Bills of Exchange.

The House being informed, That Mr. Sheldrake, Mr. Noell, and Mr. Story, attended, according to Order;

Mr. Sheldrake was called in: And, at the Bar, presented to the House an Account, in general, of what hath been paid at the Excise-Office, upon the several Revenues under the Management of the Commissioners of Excise, in Discharge of Bills of Exchange, Notes under Hand, and Bonds by way of Return, from the several Collectors of the said Revenues, from the 7th Day of May 1697, to the 22d Day of October follwing.

And then he withdrew.

The said Account was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Persons paying Bills to Excise Office.

Ordered, That Mr. Sheldrake do, upon Tuesday Morning next, lay before this House an Account of the Names of the Persons who sent, to the Commissioners of Excise, Bills of Exchange payable in milled Money, and Gold; and of those who paid the same in Exchequer-Bills; and an Account of the Sums so returned and paid.

Ordered, That Mr. Noell and Mr. Story do attend this House again To-morrow Morning.

Army Arrears.

Sir Henry Colt reported from the Committee, to whom the Petition of Mr. Francis Molyneux was referred, That they had directed him to make a special Report of the Matter upon the Petitions of the said Mr. Molyneux, and of the Subaltern Officers of the Duke of Schomberg's Regiment; and the Resolution of the Committee thereupon: 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.

That it appeared to the Committee, That Mr. Molyneux has already accounted with the Duke of Schemberg and Leinster; and the same is stated and allowed under the Duke's Hand; whereby there is a Balance of 1,252 l. 11 s. 0½d. due to Mr. Molyneux, whereof 265 l. 13s. 5d. has been since paid him; so that there remains now due to the said Mr. Molyneux, 986 l. 17s. 7½d.

That it appeared likewise to the Committee, That Mr. Molyneux hath given to the Duke of Schomberg a Security to be answerable for the Account of the Regiment, as Agent; and is ready, notwithstanding the aforesaid stated Account, to have his Account re-audited, and to give an additional Security to answer the same, if the Duke shall require him so to do.

That, upon the whole Matter, the Committee came to the Resolution following; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That there is an Arrear of Pay due to the Petitioners, which is incumbent upon the Colonel to see satisfied.

The said Resolution being read a Second time;

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, that there is an Arrear of Pay due to the Petitioners, which is incumbent upon the Colonel to see satisfied.

Timber in New-Forest.

Resolved, That this House do immediately resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Bill for the Increase and Preservation of Timber in the New-Forest, in the County of Southampton.

And the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House accordingly.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Smith took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Smith reported from the said Committee, That they had gone through the Bill, and made several Amendments thereunto; which they had directed him to report, when the House will please to receive the same: And also acquainted the House, That the Committee had heard several Persons, who were directed to attend the said Committee; and had read the several Petitions referred to the Consideration of the said Committee; and, in regard they prayed to be heard by their Counsel against the Passing of the Bill, the Committee submitted it to the House, how and when the Petitioners should be heard, by their Counsel, against the Bill.

Ordered, That the said Report be made upon Saturday come Fortnight: And that the Petitioners be then heard, by their Counsel, at the Bar of this House, against the said Bill.

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