Images de page
PDF
ePub

be brought in for reducing the Discount upon | Exchequer-Bills, and giving them a better Cur

rency.

Bounties granted to disbanded Soldiers.] January 18. They came to the following Resolutions. 1. "That upon Disbanding the Army, over and above what is due to them, there be allowed by way of Bounty, 14 days Subsistence to each foot soldier and non-commission officer; and to each foot-soldier 3s. more, in lieu of his sword, which he is to deliver up. 2. That upon disbanding the Army, over and above what is due to them, there be allowed by way of Bounty, six days full pay to each private trooper and non-commission officer of the horse and dragoons. 3. That, out of the Supply to be granted to his majesty, the Sum of 250,000l. be allowed upon Account, towards defraying the charge of disbanding the private troopers, and centinels, and non-commission officers, of the horse, dragoons, and foot. 4. That Provision be made for giving half-pay to the commission officers, (his majesty's naturalborn subjects of England) till the said officers shall be fully paid off and cleared, and be otherwise provided for."

Deficiencies made good.] Jan. 22. The Commons resolved to make good the Deficiencies of former funds; and therefore, voted the Sum of 407,000l. for making good the Deficiency of the Aid of 3s. in the pound, granted to bis majesty the last session of parliament; and 940,000l. for making good the Deficiency of the Subsidies, and other Duties granted at the same time; and 129,000l. for making good the Deficiency of the Aid of 1s. in the pound. And they ordered a Committee to consider of Ways and Means for making good the said Deficiencies. On Feb. 1st, having taken the Arrears of the Army into consideration, they resolved, That the Sum of 1,254,000l. was necessary to clear the Arrears of Pay, due to the Land Forces, according to the Establishment from the 1st of April 1692, to the last of Sept. 1697, besides 940,815l. for Subsistence, 28,2951. for Contingencies, 5,000l. for the General-Oticers, and 75,000l. for the Guards and Garrisons; in all 2,348,1927. And that there was but 855,502/. remaining in the hands of the paymaster of the army, the 1st of Jan. 1697-8.

Three Shillings in the Pound laid upon Land.] Feb. 9. To raise the sums which the parliament had voted necessary for disbanding the Army, paying of Seamen, and towards making good of Loans, and the Deficiencies of former Funds; they resolved to lay an Aid of 3s. in the pound upon land, by way of Assessment upon every county, in proportion to the rates of the first 4s. Aid granted in 1691, by which means they prevented any future Deficiency of

this fund.

Sums voted to Forcign Princes.] The next day, they considered the Account of what was due to some of his majesty's Allies, both for Arrears of Subsidies, and for payment of Auxiliaries; and Resolved, That 180,000 rix-dollars were due to the elector of Brandenburgh; VOL. V.

|

250,000 to the landgrave of Hesse-Cassel ; 121,223 to the duke of Wolfenbuttle; 149,997 to the bishop of Munster; 50,000 to the duke of Hanover and Zeil; 25,000 to the duke of Holstein, and 200,000 to the king of Denmark, both upon the fore-mentioned Account, and in consideration of an entire prohibition of commerce between that crown and France. They also resolved, That there was due the sum of 177,000l. to the contractors for Bread and Forage. Four days after, they farther examined into the Debt of the Nation, and resolved, That the sum of 1,392,742/. was due upon the several Heads of the Estimate of the general Debt of the Navy; 204,157. to the Omice of Ordnance; 340,7081. for Transports for reducing of Ireland; 125,785. for other Transport-service; and 49,929. for quartering and cloathing the Army raised by act of parliament in 1677, and disbanded by another act in 1679.

Order of Paying off all Arrears of Debt.] It being impossible for the nation to acquit this vast Debt at once, the Commons resolved to do it by degrees; and therefore voted, 1. “That the Debt due for clearing the Army, from the 1st of April 1692, to the last day of Sept. 1697, amounting to 1,254,0007, be raised in the year 1698; which would clear the army to the 1st day of April, 1693. 2. That the Sum of 203,4507. be raised for the clearing the Arrears of Subsistence to the Troops in England, between the 1st of Jan. 1696, and the 1st o August, 1697. 3. That 430,816, be raised for clearing the Arrears of Subsistence to the Troops in Flanders, to the 4th of Oct. 1697. 4. That 50,000!. be raised for the GeneralOfficers. 5. That 137,990. be raised for clear ing the Arrears of Subsistence, due to the troops in Flanders, from the 4th Oct. 1697, to the last of Dec. 6. That 1,100,1177. be raised for the Navy; viz. 100,000l. for Wear and Tear; 600,000l. for Seamens-Wages, in part of 1,862,849. due on that score; 16,389/. due to the Registered-Seamen; 24,000l. for the salaries of the commissioners of the Admiralty, and other officers, and for Contingencies; 28,6631. for Half-pay Sea-Officers; 90,0731. for Pensions to superannuated Sea-officers and Widows; 15,9271. for the charge of the Yards; 8481. for the Muster-masters of the Out-ports: 43,399, for Wages to ships and vessels in Ordinary; 19,608/. for Victuals of the ships in Ordinary; 32,5581. for Harbour-noorings; 85,8181. for Ordinary Repairs of the Navy; 55,520. for the two Marine Regiments; and 37,2867. for the charge of the Once for Registering Seamen. 7. That 60,000l. be allowed for the Ordnance. And 8. That Provision be made towards pay. ment of the principal and interest of the Transport-debt." All which sums they resolved to raise in the year 1698.

Enquiry into the False Endo: sements on Etchequer-Bills and Duncomb and Knight, two Members, expelled and imprisoned for the same.] The false Endorsement of ExchequerBills was such a scandalous practice, that it 4 F

[ocr errors]

|

The Commons' Address to put the Laws in

Feb. 9. A Committee of the commons was appointed to draw up an humble Address to his majesty, upon the debate of the house, to suppress Profaneness and Immorality, and all Books which endeavour to undermine the Fundamentals of the Christian religion, and to punish the authors. So that on the 17th, this Address was presented to the king by the whole house:

66

May it please your majesty, We your mas jesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons in parliament assembled, do with great joy and comfort remember the many testimonies which your majesty has given us of your sincerity and zeal for the true Reformed Religion, as established in this kingdom: And in

took up much of the Commons time to enquire | mies of the latter, who were not few, moved, into it, and reform it. These Exchequer Bills that he should withdraw; which passing in the were of mighty use in the nation, by supplying negative, it was resolved by a great majority, the Scarcity of Money during the Re-coining of "That it was the opinion of this house that the Silver Species. Now, because there was the hon. Charles Montague, esq. chancellor of an interest of 7. 12s. per annum allowed upon the exchequer, for his good services to this gothe second issuing the said Bills out of the Ex-vernment, did deserve his majesty's favour.”` chequer, after they had been paid in, on any of the king's taxes; whereas at their first issu-force against Profaneness and Immorality.} ing out of the Exchequer, they bore no interest; this encouraged several of the king's officers, both in the Exchequer, the Customs, and the Excise, to contrive together to get great sums of money by false Endorsements on these Exchequer Bills, before they had circulated about, and been brought into any branch of his majesty's revenue. The most considerable persons that had carried on this unwarrantable practice, were Mr. Charles Duncomb, receiver-general of the cxcise; Mr. John Knight, treasurer of the customs; Mr. Bartholomew Burton, who had a place in the excise-olice; and Mr. Reginald Mairyot, one of the deputytellers of the exchequer; which last, to get his pardon, compounded to accuse the rest. Upon a full proof of the matter, Duncomb and Knight, who were Members of the house of commons, were first expelled the house, and committed prisoners to the Tower; Burton was sent to Newgate, and Bills were ordered to be brought in to punish them. The Bill against Mr. Duncomb, whereby a fine of nearly half his estate, (which at that time was judged to be worth 400,0007.) was set upon bin, did quickly pass the commons, notwithstanding the oppoition that was made to it, particularly by the Attorney-General: but being sent up to the leals, and their lordships being equally divided, the duke of Leeds gave his casting vote for the rejecting of the Bill. It was then the common report, that Mr. Duncomb dispelled the impending storm by a golden sacrifice; which however tistory cannot relate as a truth, because it never came to public notice: but we must not pass over in silence, that Mr. Duncomb being set at liberty by the order of the house of lords, without the consent of the commons, the latter resented it to that degree, that they caused him to be remanded to the Tower or London, where he continued to the end of the session. The Bills against Knight and Burton had the same fate; and so all those threatning clouds that seemed ready to crush the false endorsers, spent themselves in vapour aud noise.

A Bill of Resumption ordered.] The Comnons did this year design to apply part of all the Forfeited Estates to the use of the public; in order to which, they enquired into the Grants made by king Charles 2. and king James 2. and ordered a Bill to be brought in to make the void. Afterwards, they examined the Grants made by his present majesty in Ireland; and because a Grant was found made to Mr. Railton, which Mr. Montague, Chancellor of the Exchequer, owned to be for his benefit, a warm debaie arose thereupon; and the ene

particular, we beg leave to present to your majesty our most humble and thankful acknowledgments, for the late gracions Declaration your majesty has made to us from the throne, that you would effectually discourage Profaneness and Immorality, which, chiefly by the neglect and ill example of too many magistrates, are, like a general contagion, diffused and spread throughout the kingdom to the great scandal and reproach of our Religion, and to the dishonour and prejudice of your majesty's government.-Therefore in concurrence with your majesty's pious intentions, we do most humbly desire, that your majesty would issue out your royal Proclamation, commanding all your majesty's Judges, Justices of the peace, and other Magistrates, to put in speedy execu tion those good laws that are now in force against Profaneness and Immorality, giving due encouragement to all such as do their duty therein: And that your majesty would be pleased to require from your Judges and Justices of Assize, from time to time, an account of such their proceedings.--And since the examples of men in high and public stations have a powerful influence upon the lives of others, we do most humbly beseech your majesty, that all Vice, Profaneness and Irreligion, may in a particular manner be discouraged, in those who have the honour to be employed near your royal person; and in al others who are in your majesty's service, by sea and land; appointing strict orders to be given to all your Commanders that they do not only shew a good example themselves, but also inspect the manners of those under them; and that your majesty would upon all occasions distinguish men of piety and virtue, by marks of your royal favour.

We do further in all humility beseech your majesty that your majesty would give such effectual orders, as to your royal wisdom shall seem fit, for the suppressing all pernicious

Books and Pamphlets, which contain in them impious doctrines against the Holy Trinity, and other fundamental Articles of our Faith, tending to the subversion of the Christian Religion, and that the Authors and Publishers thereof may be discountenanced and punished.—And we do also most humbly beseech your majesty, that your said proclamation may be ordered to be read at least four times in the year, in all Churchies and Chapels, immediately after divine service and at the Assizes and Quarter-Sessions of the Peace, just before the Charge is given. We present to your majesty this our most humble Address, proceeding from our duty and zeal for the glory of God, and to the end that all our councils may be blessed by his divine assistance, and may produce honour, safety and happiness, with all the blessings of a lasting peace to your majesty and your people." The King's Answer.] His majesty received this Address with satisfaction, and gave this Answer:

[ocr errors]

Gentlemen, I cannot but be very well pleased with an Address of this nature; and I will give immediate directions in the several particulars you desire: But I could wish some inore effectual provision were made, for the suppressing those pernicious Books and Pamphlets which your Address takes notice of."

An Act for suppressing Atheism, &c.] Feb. 26. Upon this intimation of his majesty, leave was given, to bring in a Bill or Bills, for the more effectual suppressing Profaneness, Immorality, and Debauchery. In the mean time, an ingrossed Bill from the lords came down to the commons, entitled, An Act for the more effectual suppressing of Atheism, Blasphemy and Profaneness:' which, being committed at the second reading to a committee of the whole house, was, after some amendments and confederences, (on certain points contained in it, which affected the Jews) agreed to. And in the mean time, his majesty in immediate compliance to the request of the Commons published a Proclamation for preventing and punishing Immorality and Profaneness.

The Earl of Macclesfield's Case.] The stream of the public business, during this session, appears to have run principally through the house of commons, insomuch that, till the Case of the earl of Macclesfield came to be argued, we met with nothing of moment in that of the peers.It appears that, during the residence of the said earl abroad, his lady retired from his father, where she had been left, to her own mother's, lady Mason; which so far irritated her lord, that when he returned, he did not think proper to invite her back: She thinking herself, therefore, at liberty, admitted the addresses of another earl (Rivers,) the consequence of which were two children, a daughter and a son. Of this her husband being apprized, his lordship applied himself to his peers for a remedy, which nothing but a parliament could give; all the relief which he could expect from a Sentence in Doctors Commons being no more than that state of separation, in which he and his

lady had long lived. He alledged that it is evident, that the Divine Law admits of second marriages in such cases; and that there had been acts of parliament for them, as well as for bastardizing spurious issue: That those Canous which have prohibited second Marriages in like case, were so manifestly an effect of the popish doctrine of Marriage being a Sacrament, and of the avarice of the court of Rome, to get money for dispensing with them, that in the Reformation of ecclesiastical laws, prepared and intended in the time of Edw. o, in pursuance of an act of parliament of Henry 8, there was express liberty given, by those Canons, to marry again; which, by virtue of that act of parliament, would have become a general law, or at least have occasioned one: That whatever objection might be against such a general law, from the temptation it might give ill people to seek groundless dissolutions of marriages: yet, upon extraordinary cases, such as this was, such relief had been granted; and where it had been denied, either the fact was not fully proved, or the partics had cohabited, or, after the grounds of dissatisfaction had been reconciled: That if in such a concurrence of circumstances, as were in his case, he must still be thought to have a wife, and the children she had must be looked upon as his, from the common presumption, till contrary proof, in that they were born within the four seas; besides, that it could not but be too great an encouragement to women, to make an ill use of a separate maintenance, which is provided for in most marriage settlements; it would be a most unreasonable hardship upon him, that the standing law which is designed to do every man right, should, by the rigour of the letter, be to him the cause of the greatest wrong; and that for his wife's fault he should be deprived of the common privilege of every freeman in the world, to have an heir of his own body, to inherit what he possest, either of honour or estate; or that his only brother should lose his claim to both, and have his birthright sacrificed to the lady Macclesfield's irregular life.

While this affair was depending in the Spiritual Court, the lady Macclesfield insisted upon her innocence, and her agents industriously spread a report, that the earl her husband had been surprised into a private meeting with her, by a woman of intrigue. But, this story being confuted by the earl's positive evidence to the contrary, she gave up that point, and only endeavoured to make her husband the author of her miscarriages. She alledged, that the late earl of Macclesfield, her father-in-law, had turned her out of doors: That the present earl notwithstanding the obligation she had laid upon him, by petitioning king James for his life, bad maliciously secluded her from bed and board. And therefore, if the lords thought fit to pass this Bill of divorce, she demanded her forine to be refunded, both because a divorce dissolves the whole frame of the marriage contract, and because it were the highest injustice, that a man, who was guilty of making his wife

II. "That, to compass and effect these their pernicious designs and intentions, they the said John Goudet, &c. did, during the said War, set up, and carry on, a Correspondence with several persons in France, and give intelligence to the enemy, of the state and condition of this realm.

commit adultery, should be rewarded out of the a Traffic with France, during the late War; same wife's fortune. This affair occasioned thereby to exhaust the treasure of this nation, great debates in the upper house; some peers to lessen the value of the native commodities, representing the danger of granting divorces; and to destroy the manufactures thereof, to the and others, amongst whom Dr. Burnet, bishop | general detriment of this kingdom. of Salisbury, spoke the longest, shewing the necessity and lawfulness of such extraordinary proceedings in some particular cases. Upon the whole matter, the lords passed a Bill for dissolving the Marriage between Charles carl of Macclesfield and Anne his wife, and to illegitimate her children;' but with a Proviso, that the earl should refund her fortune. This Bill being sent down to the commons, the parties concerned were both heard by their counsel; but, notwithstanding the lady Macclesfield's opposition, the Bill was read the third time, and passed without any amendment, and received the roval assent.

Impeachment of Goudet and others of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.] May 16. The following Articles of Impeachment were read and agreed to: viz.

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT, exhibited by the knights, citizens, and burgesses, in parlia

ment assembled, in the name of themselves, and of all the commons in England, against John Goudet, David Barrau, Peter Longueville, Stephen Seignoret, Rene Baudovin, Nicolas Santini, and Peter Diharce, merchants, and John Pierce, gentleman, in Maintenance of the several Impeachments against them, for High Crimes and Misde

meanos:

[ocr errors]

III. "That they the said John Goudet, &c. did, during the said War, import, and cause to Le imported, into this kingdom, several great quantities of goods and commodities, of the growth, product, and manufacture of France.

IV. "That they the said John Goudet, &c. by the same vessels which imported the said French goods, did export, and cause to be exported, and carried into France, great quantities of the wool grown in this kingdom.

V. "That they, the said John Goudet, &c. by themselves, their agents, and confederates, did privily convey, and cause to be conveyed, from justice, divers criminals out of this king

dom.

VI. "Whereas a very beneficial manufacture of alamodes and lustrings hath, of late, many thousands of people were employed and been set up within this kingdom, whereby maintained; for the encouragement whereof, and preventing the fraudulent importation of French alamodes and lustrings, divers good and wholesome laws have been made, That no person should presume to deal in black alamodes or lustrings, not having the mark or seal on them, used for foreign goods at the customhouse, or the seal and mark used by the lustring company; they the said John Goudet, &c. for the more easy vending and uttering the alamodes and lustrings, which they had so fraudolently imported from France, did make and counterfeit, and cause to be made and counterfeited, divers seals and marks, in imitation of the said seals and marks used for foreign goods at the Custom-house; and did affix several of the said counterfeit seals and marks to divers pieces of alamodes and lustrings imported from France, as aforesaid.

I. "That the said John Goudet, David Barrau, Peter Longueville, Stephen Seignoret, Rene Baudovin, Nicolas Santini, Peter Diharce, and John Pierce, not weighing or considering the protection and privileges they have enjoyed under this government, nor any ways regarding the many good and wholesome laws and statutes, made for the encouraging the manufactures, and preventing the exportation of the Coin and Wool of this kingdom, and the holding Correspondence with France, during the late War; but minding and intending, for their own private lucre and advantage, to render all those good and beneficial laws of no force or effect; did, between the 24th of August 1689, and the 10th of Sept. 1697, associate, combine, and confederate, with John Dumastre, Francis Grubert, Theodore Holtaine, Boutandon, Thomas Hatton, Peter Baraillaw, Peter Goree, Antony Didier, Dinah Mason, Joseph Buckley, Edw. Singleton, Johnpetrate, and act, the said crimes and offences, Corbusier, Wm. Wragg, Hart,- Toms, Ripper, Arthur Goodwyn, Ferdinand Ravaud, Gospard Bedfort, Barth. Middy, John Gairalt, Peter Debilly, John Aurioll, Isaac Aurioll, Peter Monbrown, Mrs. Parthon, John Deseine, Peter Du Livier, John Pancier, Henry Collins, Smith, Phillips, John Guygier, Mrs. Poole, William Wade, Roger Beart, Matthew Scaulding, Francis Neave, Thomas Dewy, Mandre, and - Fowsey, and divers other evil-disposed persons, to carry on

"All which said crimes and offences were contrived, committed, perpetrated, and acted, against his majesty, his crown, and dignity; and the said John Goudet, &c. did severally, voluntarily, and wilfully, contrive, commit, per

contrary to the duty of their allegiance, and against the peace of our sovereign lord the king, his crown and dignity, and to the common nuisance of all his majesty's liege people, and against the good and welfare of the whole kingdom, and in open violation of, and contrary to, the known laws and statutes of this realin.

"And the said knights, citizens, and burgesses, by protestation, saving to themselves the liberty of exhibiting, at any time hereafter,

[ocr errors]

on that article till now, for the sake of giving it to the reader entire, as follows:

any further Articles, or other Accusation or Impeachment, against the said John Goudet, &c. and every of them; and also of replying The old Company having offered to advance to the Answers that the said John Goudet, &c. 700,000l. at 4 per cent. for the service of the and every of them, shall make unto the said government, in case the Trade to India might Articles, or any of them; and of, or in proof be settled on them exclusive of all others, the of, the premises; or any other Articles, Im-house seemed inclined to embrace their Propeachments, or Accusations, that shall be ex-posal; when another number of Merchants, of hibited by them, as the cause shall, according to the course of parliament, require; do pray, that the said John Goudet, &c. be put to answer the said Crimes and Misdemeanors; and that such Proceedings, Examinations, Trials, and Judgments, may be upon the said John Goudet, &c. and every of them, had and used, as is agreeable to law and justice."

whom one Shepherd was the chief, and who were protected by Mr. Montague, Chancellor of the Exchequer, proposed to the house to raise two millions at 8 per cent. on condition the Trade to India might be settled on the Subscribers, exclusive of all others: they also proposed that these Subscribers should not be obliged to trade in a joint stock; but if any members of theta should afterwards desire to be incorporated, a Charter should be granted to them for that purpose. The house judged this new overture not only to be more advantageous to the Government, but likewise very likely to settle this controverted trade on a better foundation than it was on before.

Issue of the said Impeachment.] The above Articles having been carried up to the lords, Goudet and the rest put in their Answers, and the Committee of the house of commons made their Replications; a great dispute arose between both houses; the lords insisting, That the Trials should be at the bar of their house, where the Committee of the commons must have A Bill was therefore, on May the 26th, orstood; and the commons, on the other hand, dered to be brought into the house, for settling insisting upon their having a convenient place the Trade to the East Indies on those who appointed for the managers of the Impeach- should subscribe the two millions, according to ments against the prisoners, whereby they might the limitations before-mentioned, and the folbe the better enabled to make good their lowing resolutions: 1. "That every Subscriber charge against them: this gave occasion for a might have the liberty of trading yearly, to the Conference, which being ineffectual to accom- amount of his respective Subscription; or might modate the matter, the commons resolved, That assign over such his liberty of trading to any they would be present at the Trials, as a Com- other person. 2. That his majesty be empowermittee of the whole house, in regard the affaired to incorporate such of the said Subscribers, was of great consequence to the Trade of the as should desire the same. S. That the powers kingdom: Whereupon the lords acquainted the and privileges for carrying on the East India commons, that they would proceed upon the Trade, should be settled by parliament. Monday following upon the Trials in Westmin- That the said Subscribers should enjoy the said ster, where seats would be provided for both 81. per cent, and liberty of trading to the East houses. All this while the persons accused had Indies, exclusive of all others, for the terms of conceived no small hopes of impunity, from the ten years, and until the same should be redeemdisagreement between lords and commons; but ed by parliament. 5. That every person subwhen they saw that matter adjusted, eight of scribing 5007. have a vote; and no person to them confessed themselves guilty: whereupon have more votes than one. 6. That all ships the commons went up to the bar of the lords laden in the East Indies, should be obliged to house, and their Speaker, in their name, having deliver in England. 7. That no person that demanded judgment against the said offenders, should be a member of any corporation trading the lords imposed a Fine of 10,000l. upon Ste- to the East Indies, should trade otherwise than phen Seignoret; of 3,000l. on Rhene Baudoin; in the joint stock of such corporation of which of 1,500l. on John Goudet and Nicholas San- he was a member. 8. That 51. per cent. ad tini; of 1,000/. on Peter Dihearce, John Pierse, valorem, upon all returns from the East Indies, and John Dumaistre; and of 500l. on David be paid by the importer; to be placed to the Burreau; and ordered, that they should be im- account of the Subscribers, towards the charge prisoned in Newgate, until they had paid their of sending ambassadors, and other extraordi respective fines. And, lest any favourite should nary expences. And 9, That over and above be gratified with these sums, the Commons ad- the duties now payable, a further duty of 18. dressed his majesty, That they might be appro10d. per pound weight, be laid upon all wrought priated to Greenwich hospital, which his majesty silks imported from India and Persia; to be ordered to be done accordingly. paid by the importer." This Bill being accordingly brought into the house, the old East India Company presented a Petition against it.

The Dispute between the two East India Companies.] May 4. The great Case of the East India Company, (which had been depending many years, and because of its intricacy, had been first referred by the parliament to the king, and by them back to the parliament again,) was taken into consideration by the house, but we have postponed the proceedings

|

June 10. A motion being made, that the said Bill be read a second time, it passed in the affirmative, Yeas 135. Noes 99.

June 13. The Committee appointed to inspect the Books of the East India Company made their Report; by which it appeared:

« PrécédentContinuer »