House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 18 November 1689

Lunæ, 18 die Novembris; 1° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Dorchester Writ.

ORDERED, That Mr. Speaker do grant his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to issue out a new Writ for the Electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Dorchester, in the County of Dorsett, in the Room of Gerrard Nappier, Esquire, deceased.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Nath. Nappier, have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, to bury his Son.

Sufferers at Londonderry.

A Petition of Dr. George Walker was read; setting forth, That there being Two thousand Widows and Orphans, that were made such by the Siege of Londonderry, in a poor Condition, who must starve without the Relief of the House; and Seventeen of the Clergy of the Church of England, and Seven Dissenting Ministers, who did considerable Service during the Siege; and for that the Petitioner hath been Governor of the said City in the said Siege; is obliged humbly to lay their sad and deplorable Conditions before the House: And praying speedy Relief in the Premises.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, that he will please to distribute the Sum of Ten thousand Pounds among the Widows and Orphans of such as were slain, and died in the Siege of Londonderry; and the Clergymen that were concerned therein.

Dr. Walker thanked.

Resolved, That the Thanks of this House be given to Dr. Walker for the Service he did at Londonderry.

Creditors on Land Tax.

Resolved, That all such Persons as shall have lent any Sums of Money upon the Security of the Act for a Grant to their Majesties of Twelve-pence in the Pound, since the Eleventh of November, Instant, not exceeding Three hundred thousand Pounds . . the Whole shall have Liberty to transfer the same, with the Interest thereof, upon the Act for granting an Aid of Two Shillings in the Pound to their Majesties, when it is passed.

Impressing from Merchant Ships.

A Petition of Arthur Bayley, and others; complaining That so many Mariners were taken out of their Ships by one of their Majesty's Men of War, that there were not a sufficient Number left on board to bring the Ship into Port; by reason whereof the Ship was lost.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to examine the Matter of the said Petition; and make their Report to the House.

And it is referred unto Mr. Rebow, Sir Hen. Johnson, Mr. Bayle, Mr. Grubb, Mr. Fenwick, Sir Edw. Seymour, Sir John Barker, Sir John Knatchbull, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Coningsby, Mr. Niccolls, Mr. Reynell, Colonel Birch, Sir Fra. Russell, Mr. Titchburne, Mr. Lee, Sir Hen. Ashurst, Sir Tho. Barnadiston, Sir Wm. Ashurst, Sir Philip Skippon, Sir John Chichley, Mr. Wheatly, Sir John Doyley, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Thomson, Sir John Moreton, Sir Walter Young, Mr. England, Sir Rob. Clayton, Mr. Papillion, Sir Tho. Clarges, Sir Rich. Hart, Mr. Bucknall, and all the Members that serve for the City of London, and Sea Ports: And they are to meet To-morrow at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Resolved, That the said Committee have Power to receive any Complaints of the like Nature from any other Persons: And they are to have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Abuses in Convoys.

Then the Matter of the Complaints of divers Merchants of London against several Captains of their Majesties Ships, for taking Money for Convoys, came on to be heard at the Bar of the House.

And divers Witnesses were examined touching that Matter.

And after they were withdrawn;

Captain Churchill, a Member of this House, (and who was one that was charged by the Witnesses to have taken considerable Sums of Money for Convoy of Ships from Plymouth), was heard in his Place.

And then he withdrew into the Speaker's Chamber.

Resolved, That the Requiring or Receiving of Monies for Convoys, is illegal, oppressive to Merchants, and destructive to Trade.

A Member committed.

Resolved, That Captain Churchill is guilty of requiring and receiving Monies for Convoys.

Resolved, That Captain Churchill be committed to the Tower for the same.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.