House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 5 May 1698

Jovis, 5 die Maii;

Decimo Gulielmi.

Prayers.

Supply Bill; Duties on Coffee, &c.

MR. Norris, according to Order, reported, from the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for continuing the Duties upon Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, and Spices, was committed, the Amendment made by the Committee to the said Bill; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendment, be ingrossed.

Suppressing House-breakers.

The House resumed the further Consideration of the Bill for the better Discovery and Suppressing of Housebreakers:

And Clause A. being read a Second time, was amended; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Copper Coinage.

A Petition of several poor Colliers, Labourers, Miners, and others, residing in the Forest of Deane, on behalf of themselves, and several others in the adjacent Parishes, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That they, being impoverished by the great Scarcity of Silver Money, desire that they may be supplied with a more considerable Quantity of Copper Halfpence and Farthings than hitherto they have been: And praying their Case may be taken into Consideration; and have Relief in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Grocers, Cheesemongers, Mealmen, Bakers, Victuallers, Market-people, and Retailers in general, of the Borough of Southwark, is referred: And that they do examine how the said Petition came to be presented to the House; and report the same to the House.

Ordered, That the said Committee do sit de die in diem.

Ditto.

A Petition of the County of Northumberland, relating to the Copper Halfpence and Farthings; of the same Nature with the last Petition; was offered to the House:

And the Question being put, That the Petition be received;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Walter's Will.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for securing the Portions intended by Sir William Walter Baronet, deceased, for his Children by the Lady Mary Walter, his second Wife; and for preventing all Doubts which might arise upon the Construction of the Articles, and last Will therein mentioned: And that Mr. Harcourt do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Mascall's Debts.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the vesting a Copperas-work, Part of the Estate of Robert Mascall Esquire, deceased, in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of Debts, and other Charges thereupon: And that Mr. Stockdale do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Duties on Leather.

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to the Members, who are to prepare and bring in the Bill touching the Duties upon Leather, That the Penalties in the former Act be levied, and mitigated, by the Justices of Peace.

African Trade.

Ordered, That Mr. John Thrale, Merchant, do attend the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill to regulate and settle the Trade to Africa is committed, upon Monday Morning next.

Hammered Money.

A Petition of divers Traders of the City of London, on behalf of themselves, and others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That they having carried into the Mint, in the Tower, several Parcels of Silver to be re-coined, cannot receive it again in new Money; to their great Loss; and Discouragement of others for bringing in more: And praying Relief in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of Andrew Perrot, Samuel Dawson, and others, Citizens and Inhabitants of and within the City of York, is referred: And that the Committee do sit de die in diem.

Garon's, &c. Nat.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to naturalize Peter Garon, and others: And that Mr. Gery do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Davis' Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for vesting certain customary Messuages and Lands within the Manor of Gillingham, in the County of Dorset, late the Estate of Thomas Davis Gentleman, deceased, in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of Debts, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Hore do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, without any Amendment.

Estates given to superstious Uses.

Ordered, That the ingrossed Bill for the better Discovery of Estates given to superstitious Uses be read the Third time upon Tuesday Morning next, in a full House.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Richard Holford and Mr. Pitt:

Mr. Speaker,

Turner's Estate.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill for supplying a Defect in a Conveyance lately made by Sir Edward Turner, and Charles Turner Esquire, his Son, for the more effectual securing the Sum of Twelve thousand Pounds, and Interest, upon their Estate, with an Amendment: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House. Also,

Whitborne Rectory.

The Lords have agreed to the Amendments, made by this House, to the Bill, intituled, An Act to annex the Rectory of Whitborne, in Herefordshire, to the Bishoprick of Hereford. Also,

Colchester Chanel.

The Lords have agreed to the Amendment, made by this House, to the Amendments made by the Lords, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for cleansing, and making navigable, the Chanel from the Heith at Colchester, to Wivenhoo. Also,

Arbitration.

The Lords have agreed to the Amendment, made by this House, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for determining Differences by Arbitration.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Turner's Estate.

The House proceeded to take into Consideration the Amendment, made by the Lords, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for supplying a Defect in a Conveyance lately made by Sir Edward Turner, and Charles Turner Esquire, his Son, for the more effectual securing the Sum of Twelve thousand Pounds, and Interest, upon their Estate:

And the same was twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and is as followeth; viz.

Press 9. L. 31, instead of "Welde," read "Wilde."

Ordered, That Sir Eliab Harvey do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the said Amendment.

Bishop of Winchester's Leasing.

Sir Matthew Andrews reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for confirming a Lease, granted by the Lord Bishop of Winchester, of a Parcel of waste Ground in Alverstock, in the County of Southampton, for the erecting of Waterhouses there, and for improving the same, was committed, That they had examined and considered the same; and made some Amendments thereunto; which they had directed him to report to the House; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and are as follow; viz.

At the End of the Bill, add Clauses A, and B.

Clause A: "And be it further Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Lease of the said Premises, shall, at all times hereafter be renewed by the said Bishop, and his Successors, at the Request, Costs, and Charges, of the said Thomas Lewis, his Heirs and Assigns, at and under the like Rents and Covenants, as are contained in the said recited Lease; the said Thomas Lewis, his Heirs and Assigns, paying to the said Bishop, or his Successors, for such new Lease, for one Life, the Sum of Ten Pounds; if for Two Lives, the Sum of Twenty Pounds; and if for Three Lives, the Sum of Thirty Pounds."

Clause B: "And be it further Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That there shall not be, at any time hereafter, erected or built, on any Part of the said leased Premises, any Building or Buildings whatsoever, other than such as shall be necessary for the working and managing the said Water-works: And all Buildings whatsoever, that shall be hereafter erected on the said Premises, other than for the working and managing the said Water-works, as aforesaid, shall be, and are hereby declared to be, common Nuisances."

Prevention of Gaming.

A Bill for preventing of Gaming was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Arnold, Mr. Duke, Colonel Perry, Mr. Cox, Sir Walter Young, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Brotherton, Mr. Neale, Sir Robert Clayton, Colonel Granville, Sir John Elwell, Lord Russell, Sir John Kaye, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Serjeant Bond, Lord Spencer, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Molineux, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Manly, Sir John Philipps, Mr. Foley, Mr. Monson, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Norris, Mr. Yates, Mr. Bulkly, Mr. Bowyer, Sir Math. Andrews, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Colt, Mr. Stonehouse, Sir Samuel Barnardiston, Sir Wm. Honywood, Sir Herbert Crofts, Mr. Hore, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Blofeild, Sir Fran. Massam, Mr. Drake, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Mawdit, Mr. Methwin, Sir Christopher Musgrave, Colonel Kirkby, Mr. Howe, Lord Conningsby, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Harcourt, Colonel Granville, Sir William Cowper, Sir Marm. Wyvell: And they are to meet at Five a Clock this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Bail in cases of Misdemeanors.

Sir Rowland Gwyn reported from the Committee, to whom the Consideration of the Petition of John Gowdet, Peter Longueville, and Peter de Hearce, was referred; and who were to consider in what manner Bail hath been taken in Cases of Misdemeanors; That they had considered the same accordingly; and found several Precedents in the Journals, where Persons committed by this House have been bailed; 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.

Mr. Edward Seymor's Case, as it appears in the Journals of the Commons.

20th November 1680.

Sir Gilbert Gerrard did acquaint the House, That he had Articles of Impeachment of high Crimes, Misdemeanors, and Offences, against Edward Seymor Esquire, a Member of this House; which he delivered in at the Clerk's Table; and were immediately read: And afterwards it was ordered, Mr. Seymor should have a Copy of the same; and make his Answer thereunto.

25th November. The Articles were read, one by one; and Mr. Seymor made his Answer to each respective Article in his Place.

26th November. It was resolved, That Mr. Seymor be impeached upon those Articles; and a Committee appointed to prepare the Impeachment, and to search Precedents concerning the committing a Member into Custody, when impeached in Parliament.

17th December. Sir Wm. Poultney makes a Report of those Precedents from the Committee; which is not entered in the Journal:

And also, Reported the Form of the said Impeachment:

Whereupon, It was ordered, That Mr. Seymor be taken into Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for securing his Forth-coming, to answer to the Impeachment of this House against him, until he shall have given sufficient Security to this House, to answer to the said Impeachment:

And that the Serjeant at Arms attending this House be impowered to receive Security for the Forth-coming of the said Mr. Seymor, to answer to the Impeachment of this House.

20th December. Sir Gilbert Gerrard was sent up with the Impeachment to the Lords.

23th December. The Lords sent the Commons a Copy of Mr. Seymor's Answer to the Articles of Impeachment exhibited against him.

3 Januarii. The Lords, by Message, acquaint the Commons, That Mr. Seymor had, by Petition, desired their Lordships to appoint a Day for his speedy Tryal; and that their Lordships, finding no Issue, by Replication of the Commons, think fit to give the Commons Notice thereof:

Whereupon, Mr. Seymor's Answer to the Impeachment was read; and a Committee appointed to prepare Evidence against Mr. Seymor; and to manage the same at his Tryal.

8 Jan. The Lords did, by Message, acquaint the Commons, That they had appointed that Day Sevennight, for hearing the Cause upon the Impeachment of Mr. Seymor; and that this House may reply, if they think fit.

The Parliament was prorogued the 10th of January.

Richard Thomson's Case, in the Commons Journals.

24 Dec. 80. It was resolved, That Richard Thomson Clerk, be impeached, pro preaching seditious Sermons.

5 Jan. Upon the Petition of the said Thomson, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending the House;

It was ordered, That the Serjeant be impowered to receive sufficient Security for the Forth-coming of the said Richard Thomson, to answer to the Impeachment of this House against him.

Bailing of Persons impeached.

Then the Petition of Stephen Seignores, Rane Baudovin, Nicholas Santari, and David Barrau, Merchants, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, which lay upon the Table till the said Report was made, was read; setting forth, That they, being in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House; and being sensible, that lying under the Displeasure thereof, is the greatest Misfortune could fall upon them; and being Merchants, and engaged in Debts, both at home and abroad; are in Danger of being ruined, unless they may be admitted to Bail: And praying they may be admitted to Bail accordingly.

Ordered, That the said Petitioners be admitted to Bail, to answer the Impeachments of this House: And that the Serjeant be impowered to take the said Bail.

Ordered, That each of the said Persons be bound in the Sum of Ten thousand Pounds, and their Sureties in the Sum of Two thousand Five hundred Pounds, for each; and that their Sureties be approved by this House.

Smuggling Trade.

The House being informed, That Two Persons will voluntarily come in, and give Evidence touching the Smuggling-Trade; so as this House will intercede with his Majesty for their Pardon, for their being concerned therein;

Resolved, That if the said Persons do make a Discovery of any thing touching the Smuggling-Trade, to the Satisfaction of the House, this House, will intercede with his Majesty for a Pardon.

Transcribing the Journals.

Sir Rowland Gwyn also acquainted the House, That, upon searching for the said Precedents, they found, that many of the Books of the Journals of the House, before the Year One thousand Six hundred and Eighty-five, are much worn, ill written, and without any Indexes.

Ordered, That all the Journals of this House, until the Year One thousand Six hundred and Eighty-five, be fairly transcribed; and Indexes made, by the Clerk, of the Journals so transcribed, with references to the Folios of the original Books: And that it be recommended to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to pay the Charge thereof.

A Message from the Lords by Sir Richard Holford and Mr. Pitt:

Mr. Speaker,

Colchester Work-houses.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for erecting Hospitals and Work-houses within the Town of Colchester, in the County of Essex, for the better employing and maintaining the Poor thereof, with some Amendments: To which Amendments they desire the Concurrence of this House. Also,

Exon Work-houses.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for erecting Hospitals and Work-houses within the City of Exon, for the better employing and maintaining the Poor there, without any Amendment. Also,

Sale of Alveston Manor.

The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act for vesting the Manor of Alveston, and other Lands therein mentioned, in the County of Gloucester, in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of Debts, and for other Purposes therein mentioned: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

African Trade.

Ordered, That the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill to settle the Trade to Africa is committed, have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Sir T. Cooke's Account.

Ordered, That the Letter formerly sent, by Sir Thomas Cooke, to the Commissioners for examining, taking, and stating, the publick Accounts, which hath been, with other Things, by Order of this House, delivered to the Clerk of this House, be brought in by the Clerk To-morrow Morning, to be read.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Cooke do attend this House To-morrow Morning.

East India Company.

The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Proposals of the East-India Company.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Newport took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Newport reported from the said Committee, That they had directed him to move the House, That a Committee may be appointed and impowered to receive Proposals for settling the Trade to the East Indies.

Resolved, That the Committee of the whole House, to whom it is referred to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, be impowered to receive Proposals for settling the Trade to the East-Indies.

Hornby's Creditors.

Ordered, That the Bill to vest the Estates of Joseph and Nathaniel Hornby in Trustees, for the Benefit of their Creditors; and for the rendering more effectual an Agreement touching the same; be read a Second time upon Saturday Morning next.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

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