House of Lords Journal Volume 14: 27 July 1689

DIE Sabbati, 27 die Julii.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Marq. de Halyfax Speaker pro Tempore.

Hele's Bill.

The Lord North reported, "That the Committee for the Bill to enable the Trustees to grant Leases of the Estate of Richard Hele Esquire, having heard all Parties concerned, are of Opinion, That the said Bill is fit to pass, without any Amendment."

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act to enable the Trustees to grant Leases of the Estate of Richard Hele Esquire."

The Question being put, "Whether this Bill shall pass for a Law?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Bill to prevent Minors clandestine Marriages.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act disabling Minors to marry without the Consent of their Fathers or Guardians, and against their untimely marrying after the Decease of their Fathers."

Message from H. C. for a Free Conference, concerning Otes's Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Harboard and others:

To desire a Free Conference, upon the Subject-matter of the last Conference, touching the Amendments to the Bill for reversing Two Judgements given in the Court of King's Bench, against Titus Oates Cleric.

Protest against not granting a present one.

The Question being put, "Whether the Free Conference, intended with the House of Commons, shall be now?"

It was Resolved in the Negative.

"Dissentientibus,

"Oxford.
Stamford. C. Cornwallis.
Delamer.
Sussex.
Macclesfeld."

The Answer returned was:

Answer to H. C.

That the Lords agree to a Free Conference; and appoints the same to be on Monday next, at Twelve of the Clock, in the Painted Chamber.

The Earl of Rochester reported, from the Committee, the Reasons to be offered to the House of Commons, at a Conference, in Answer to their Reasons against their Lordships Amendments in the Bill for collecting the Duty upon Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate, at the Custom-house.

Which Reasons were read, as follow:

"Reasons to be given to the Commons, at Conference, for the Lords insisting on their Proviso, to the Bill relating to Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate.

Lords Reasons for insisting on their Proviso in the Bill for a Duty on Tea, Coffee, &c.

"The Lords are much surprized at the Assertion of the Commons, That, in all Aids given to the King by the Commons, the Rate or Tax ought not to be any Way altered by the Lords; since they conceive it hath always been their undoubted Right, in case of any Aids given to the King, to lessen the Rate or Tax granted by the Commons; whereof several Precedents might be given, which at the present they are willing to forbear, that they may not revive old Disputes.

"But as to the present Proviso now offered by the Lords, their Lordships are of Opinion, this general Point is not the Case now in Difference, it being neither an Alteration nor Lessening of the Duty laid upon these Commodities; for what is proposed to be drawn back upon the Exportation of them cannot be said to lessen the Rates imposed upon them; it does indeed take away so much from the King's Income, but adds much more to the Benefit of Trade, of which the Lords conceive they are equal and competent Judges; and therefore they think they are very well founded to insist on the Proviso."

The House agreed to these Reasons.

Message to H. C. for a Conference about it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Miles Cooke and Mr. Metwin:

To desire a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, concerning the Subject-matter of the last Conference, about the Bill for collecting the Duty of Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate, at the Custom-house.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

Answer.

That the House of Commons will give a present Conference, as is desired.

The former Lords are appointed to manage this Conference.

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed.

E. of Kent, Leave to be absent.

ORDERED, That the Earl of Kent hath Leave to go into the Country.

Address to the King, to issue a Proclamation for Ld. Griffin to appear.

The House resumed the Debate, which was Yesterday, concerning the Lord Griffin; and, upon Consideration, appointed a Committee, to consider and prepare an Address to be presented to His Majesty, "That He will be pleased to issue out a Proclamation, for summoning the Lord Griffin by a Day certain, to appear in the House of Peers, if then sitting; and if not, to One of the Secretaries of State, upon Pain of incurring the utmost Penalty of the Law."

Their Lordships, or any Two of them; to meet on Monday, at Nine of the Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings; and adjourn as they please.

Adjourn.

Marq. de Halyfax, Orator Procerum pro Tempore, declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Lunæ, videlicet, 29^um diem instantis Julii, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.