House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 1 March 1698

Martis, 1 die Martii;

10° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Godolphin's Will.

ORDERED, That the Papers produced at the Committee appointed to consider of the Petition of Don Philippe de la Guerra, touching Sir William Godolphin's Will, be transmitted to the Clerk of the House of Lords, to be made use of by the respective Parties, as there may be Ocasion, on hearing that Matter there.

Resumption of Grants.

A Petition of Francis Earl of Carlingford was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner's Brothers, Nicolas, Earl of Carlingford, and John Taaf Esquire, were killed in the late Rebellion against his Majesty in Ireland; and, for Services done by the Petitioner to the Memory of the late Duke of Lorraine, his Majesty was pleased, That the Petitioner should enjoy the Estates of his said Brothers: That if the Bill for vacating all Grants of Estates, and other Interests, forfeited in Ireland, since the 13th Day of February 1688, should pass, the Petitioner will thereby lose his Honour and Estate: And praying a saving Clause in his behalf.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of the Lord Baron of Upper Ossery was presented to the House, and read: setting forth, That his Uncle, the late Baron of Ossery, was indicted and outlawed on Account of the late Rebellion in Ireland: That the Petitioner is his Heir special, a Protestant, the Estate not above 30 l. per Annum: The Petitioner hath faithfully served this Government; and his Majesty has been pleased to order the Reversal of the Outlawry: And praying a saving Clause, in his behalf, in the Bill now depending in the House for vacating all Grants of Estates, and other Interests, forfeited in Ireland, since the 13th Day of February 1688.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of Arthur French Esquire, and James Farrell his Son-in-law, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That Irriell Farrell Esquire died in the Beginning of the late Rebellion in Ireland; and the Petitioner Arthur married his Widow; and the Petitioner James is Son and Heir of the said Irriell, who stands outlawed for High Treason: That the Petitioner Arthur being Mayor of the Town of Gallway, when surrendered to his Majesty; in Consideration of his good Behaviour on that Occasion, and of his Sufferings on that Account, his Majesty was pleased to express his Intention of preserving to the Petitioners the said Estate from Forfeiture: And praying, That some Provision may be made for their Preservation, in the Bill depending in the House for vacating all Grants of Estates, and other Interests, forfeited in Ireland, since the 13th Day of February 1688.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of Thady Fitz-Patrick was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner, tho never in Arms in Ireland, was outlawed for High Treason; but upon Application to his Majesty, he ordered a Reversal thereof: And praying, That the Bill depending in the House for vacating all Grants of Estates, and other Forfeitures, in Ireland, since the 13th Day of February 1688, may not affect the Petitioner.

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

Ayre and Calder Navigation.

A Petition of the Lord Mayor and Commonalty of the ancient City of York was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Trade of the said City has been long supported by the River Ouze, and the Water of Humber, which is the common and direct Passage from Hull to York; and if there be a Hindrance to such Passage, which will certainly happen if the Rivers Ayre and Calder should be made navigable, it will tend to the impoverishing the said City: And praying, That they may be heard against the Bill depending in the House for making the Rivers Ayre and Calder, in the County of York, navigable.

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

Fauquier's, &c. Nat.

Mr. Arnold, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for naturalizing John Francis Fauquier, and Joseph Ducasse, and others: And the same was received.

The Bill was read the First time.

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

Salmon Preservation.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of Great Mitton in the County of York, and of Aighton, Baley, and Chaigeley, in the Parish of Mitton, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That they live conveniently near to the River Ribble, which is above Forty Miles long from the Rise to the Fall; yet they have no Benefit by fishing therein, by reason the Locks and Weirs, near the Fall of the River, are built so high, that they hinder the Passage of the Fish; which is a great Prejudice to the Petitioners, and many Towns of good Note: And praying, That the Bill before the House for the Increase and Preservation of Salmon, and the Fry of Salmon, within the Rivers of this Kingdom, may pass into a Law.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the Report be made from the Committee, to whom the said Bill is committed.

Ditto.

A Petition of Sir William Lowther, of Holker in the County of Lancaster, Baronet, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner is seised of an ancient Salmon-fishery in the River Leven, called Haverthwhate-fishing, managed by a Weir constantly open, and so wide, as is directed by the Statute of the 13th of Richard the IId, touching Salmon-fisheries, without Damage to any Person: But if the Bill in this House for the Increase and Preservation of Salmon, and the Fry of Salmon, within the Rivers of this Kingdom, should pass without a Saving to the Petitioner, he will not only lose his Freehold, but be also liable to pay the Rent due to the Crown thereupon: And praying, That the said Bill may not pass, or that he may have a particular Saving therein.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the Report be made from the Committee, to whom the said Bill is committed.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Gentlemen, Freeholders, and other chief Inhabitants, of the Townships of Bolton and Sawley, adjoining upon the River Ribble, in the County of York, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners are informed, there is a Bill depending in the House for the Increase and Preservation of Salmon, and the Fry of Salmon, within the Rivers of this Kingdom; which Bill is to suppress and lower all Fish-locks and Weirs: And that some Persons, for their own private Interest, have petitioned this House to have some Fish-locks continued upon the River Ribble; which very much prevent the Increase of Salmon, to the Petitioners great Prejudice: They therefore pray, That the said Petitions may be rejected; and that the said Bill may pass.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the Report be made from the Committee, to whom the said Bill is committed.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Gentlemen, Freeholders, Copyholders, and other the Inhabitants, within, and near unto the Towns of Calburne, Downham, and Worston, in the County of Lancaster, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That there is a Bill in the House for the Increase and Preservation of Salmon, and the Fry of Salmon, within the Rivers of this Kingdom; which is to suppress all Locks and Weirs, which destroy Fish: And there being several which do so on the River Ribble, to the Petitioners great Prejudice, some Persons, for their private Ends, have petitioned for a Continuance thereof: But the Petitioners pray, That the said Bill may pass, it being for a common Good.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the Report be made from the Committee, to whom the said Bill is committed.

Salmon Preservation.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of Gigglewick, Settle, Langcliffe, and Rathmell, in the County of York, was presented to the House, and read: setting forth, That there is a Bill depending in the House for the Increase and Preservation of Salmon, and the Fry of Salmon, within the Rivers of this Kingdom; which is for a general Advantage to all the Subjects of England: And praying, That the same may pass, notwithstanding Two or Three private Gentlemen, for their own Benefit, have petitioned this House against it.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the Report be made from the Committee, to whom the said Bill is committed.

Duties on Leather.

A Petition of the Tanners inhabiting in the ancient Borough of Thetford, in the County of Norfolk, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, since the heavy Duty upon Leather, they have been greatly obstructed in the carrying on their Trades; and most of them, by reason thereof, must of necessity lay down the same: And praying Relief therein.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Aldermen, Stewards, and Company of Fellmongers, Leather-dressers, and Glovers, in the City of Chester, is referred: And that they do examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Copper Coinage.

A Petition of the Grocers, Cheesemongers, Mealmen, Bakers, Victuallers, Market-people, and Retailers, in general, of the great and populous Borough of Southwark, in the County of Surry, on the behalf of themselves, and many others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Proprietors of the Copper-Coinage of Halfpence and Farthings not only refuse to exchange the late white Farthings in the Petitioners Hands, but have coined extravagant Quantities of Copper Halfpence and Farthings, which are now become a greater Clog and Inconvenience to Trade, than the white Farthings formerly were: And praying, That a Stop may be put to the Increase of the Copper-Coinage.

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. Cox, Mr. Watlington, Sir Hen. Colt, Mr. Holt, Mr. Bohun, Mr. Stonehouse, Mr. Bridges, Sir Fran. Masham, Lord Cutts, Mr. Manley, Sir Ra. Ashton, Mr. Shackerly, Mr. Stringer, Mr. Blofield, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Clark, Sir Marm. Wivell, Mr. Gery, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Monson, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Henley, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Perry, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Sloane, Sir John Cotton, Mr. Brotherton, Sir John Phillips, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Bowyer, Sir Gerv. Elwes, Mr. Rowney, Mr. Ravenscroft, Mr. England; and all the Members that serve for the Cities of London and Westminster, and Counties of Middlesex, Surry, Kent, and Essex: 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.

Mountgomery's Petition.

A Petition of Lieutenant John Mountgomery was presented, to the House, and read; setting forth, That * * * *

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

Estates given to superstitious Uses.

A Petition of William Dockwra and John Freeman was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners having made several Discoveries of divers Lands, and Money, given to superstitious Uses; and an Agreement being made by the Lords of the Treasury for One-third Part, in order to the Recovery of the same; the Petitioners have been at great Expence, and made considerable Discoveries: And praying, That the Bill depending in the House for the better Discovery of Estates given to superstitious Uses may not prejudice the said Agreement.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the said Bill be read a Second time.

Slaughter, &c. importing Silk.

Ordered, That Mr. Lambton, Sir Marm. Wivell, Mr. Woodroffe, Sir Edward Seaward, Sir Tho. Robarts, Sir Wm. Bowes, Mr. Phillips, Mr. White, Mr. Thornhagh, Mr. Gardner, be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill to enable Paris Slaughter and William Druce, Merchants, to import several Bales of fine Italian ThrownSilk from Amsterdam is committed.

Bishop of Chichester's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable John Lord Bishop of Chichester to make Leases of certain Houses and Grounds, belonging to the Bishoprick of Chichester, situate in Chancery-lane, for a competent Number of Years, was read the First time.

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

May's Nat.

An ingrossed Bill for naturalizing Charles May Esquire was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for naturalizing Charles May Esquire.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Colt do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Barnardiston have Leave to go into the Country for Eight Days, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Counterfeiting Coin.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House to consider of the Bill for the better preventing the counterfeiting, clipping, and other diminishing, the Coin of this Kingdom.

Punishing Burton for false indorsing Exchequer Bills.

The House being informed, That the Council for Mr. Bartholomew Burton attended according to Order;

They were called in, and heard, touching the Bill to punish the said Mr. Burton, for false Indorsing of several Bills, made forth at the Receipt of Exchequer, commonly called Exchequer-Bills; and also several Witnesses were examined on the said Mr. Burton's behalf.

And then the Council and Witnesses withdrew.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

Punishing Knight for false indorsing Exchequer Bills.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for punishing John Knight Esquire, for false indorsing several Bills, made forth at the Receipt of Exchequer, commonly called Exchequer-Bills.

Land Tax.

Mr. Lowndes, according to Order, presented to the House an Account of the Amount of the Rates to the Act for the first Four Shillings in the Pound; and of the Proportions thereof to the Bill for the Three Shillings in the Pound.

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

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Account be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for granting an Aid to his Majesty by a Land Tax for one Year, to raise Money for disbanding Forces, paying Seamen, and other Uses therein mentioned, is committed.

Supply Bill; Land Tax.

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

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 made some Progress in the Matter to them referred; and had directed him to move, That they may have Leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Thursday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the said Bill.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

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