House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 22 January 1692

Veneris, 22 die Januarii; 3° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Bishop of London's Estate.

AN ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable the Bishop of London, and Trustees, to sell the Manor of Bushley in the County of Worcester, Part of the Bishoprick of London, and to purchase other Lands, to be annexed to the said Bishoprick for the Improvement thereof, was read the First time.

And the Question being put, That the Bill be read a Second time;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Halford's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act to vest divers Manors, Lands, and Tenements, in the County of Leicester, in Trustees, to be sold for the Payment of the Debts and Legacies of Sir Wm. Halford Knight, deceased, and for the Payment of the other Debts of Sir Wm. Halford, now living, prior to his Marriage Settlement with the Lady Frances, his now Wife, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Royal Mines.

Ordered, That the adjourned Debate upon the Bill for explaining a Proviso, touching Royal Mines, in the Stat. made in the First Year of their Majesties Reign, intituled, An Act for Repeal of 5 H. IV. against multiplying Gold and Silver, be resumed; and the King's Counsel heard upon the said Bill, upon Tuesday Morning next.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Prideaux have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Mr. Ramsden have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Apprehending Highwaymen.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the Encouragement of the taking and apprehending Highwaymen: And that Mr. Brewer do prepare and bring in the same.

Debtors Relief.

A Bill for the supplying the Defects in a late Act of Parliament for Relief of poor Prisoners, was read a First time.

And the Question being put, That the Bill be read a Second time;

It passed in the Negative.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir John St. Aubin have Leave to go into the Country for Six Weeks, upon extraordinary Occasions.

East India Company.

Then, according to the Order of the Day, the Bill for establishing an East India Company was read the First time.

And the Question being put, that the Bill be read a Second time.

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, That the said Bill be read a Second time, upon Tuesday Morning next.

Chippenham Election.

Mr. Serjeant Trenchard, according to the Order of the Day, reports from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to whom the Matter touching the Election for the Borough of Chippenham in the County of Wills, was referred, the Case, as it appeared to the Committee: The which he delivered in Writing, at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Upon the Petition of several Burgesses and Freemen of the Borough of Chippenham, complaining of an undue Return of Sir Bazil Firebrass, Knight, to serve for the said Borough;

The Right of Election was agreed to be in the Possessors of the Burgage-houses, inhabiting within the same.

The Numbers upon the Poll were thus:

Besides which, Three of Sir Bazil Firebrass's Voters, and Five of the Major General's, were disallowed by the Bailiff.

The Petitioners made several Objections to several of the Voters for the Sitting Member; that is to say,

That Seven did not live in Burgage Houses; and that Six others had received Bribes; and one menaced.

Thereupon some of those that were excepted to for not living in Burgage-houses were justified; and the Sitting-member offered to justify the rest: But the Petitioners waved that Objection, and insisted only on the Matter of Bribery.

And, upon this Head, the Petitioners called

Thomas Ladd: Who testified, That John Gill told him, That he had Twenty Shillings to vote for Sir Baz. Firebrass: But did not say, who gave it him.

John Edwards said, That John Weston coming to his House on the 5 Dec. he asked him, what made him lose his Market; and that Weston told him, he should be paid for his Market by Sir Bazil Firebrass, and should get One Hundred Pounds besides; for a Vote was then worth One thousand Pounds: That Sir Bazil was not then come to Town.

That upon 12 Dec. Mr. Goddard asked Richard Salmon, Why he would not be governed by his Neighbours: Who answered, They would not give so much as Sir Baz.

That Goddard asked, What he had: And Salmon replied, he meant it as a Snare for him.

Margaret Burges said, Mrs. Webb gave her a good Waistcoat for her Husband, and a Dressing for herself; and promised her a Bushell of Wheat, and a Pair of Breeches for her Husband, to vote for Sir Bazill.

Chippenham Election.

That she gave her Husband the Waistcoat; and told him, upon what Account: That Mrs. Webb shewed her Three Letters sent to her, for to make an Interest for Sir Baz.; and read them to her; but there was no Order for any Gifts in those Letters: And said, That she cannot read.

John Burges confirmed, what his Wife said about the Waistcoat; and that, before, he designed to vote for Major General Talmash: That the Morning before the Election he went to the Bell; and there was Lord Scott, Stallier, Traunter, and Chappell; and that they told him, It would be the best Day's Work he could do to vote for Sir Baz.: That Sir Baz. asked him, If his Man had offered him Five or Six Pounds for a Hogshead of Beer: That he did not draw the Beer upon Sir Bazill's, but General Talmash's Account; nor was proffered any Money.

Wm. Bedford said, That one White asked Ambrose Thurman to vote for Major General Talmash; But he said he could not; he had taken Sir Bazill's Money: That the said Thurman sells Drink.

Thomas Ladd said, That Sir Baz. and one Long, came to John Gales, Two Days before the Election; and that Long said, they wanted a Shoemaker of their Side; and, that if they had, they would provide for him as long as he lived, without Working.

Gale said, That Sir Baz. came to his House; and said, he was about buying Coasham; and said, If he would vote for him at that time, he would maintain him as long as he lived without Working.

Dobson said, That he drew Drink for Sir Bazill at the first Election, for which there was Twelve Pounds Fifteen Shillings owing to him; and that, at this Election. Mr. Hind, Sir Bazill's Servant, came to him, and desired him to vote for Sir Baz.; and said, he would not pay him, unless he promised to do so: But would pay him if he voted for Sir Baz.

That afterwards Mr. Ady, said, He would see him paid, if he would stand neuter.

That at the first Election, he voted for Sir Humphry Edwin; and, at this Election, for Major General Talmash.

Hen. Lawrence said, That Tho. Long, at the former Election, had offered him Ten Pounds per Hogshead, for Ten Hogsheads, to vote for Sir Baz.; which were really worth but Three pounds per Hogshead.

Walter Delavall said, That, at the former Election, Mr. Stanhope came to his Shop; and offered him Five Pounds for a Barrel of Beer, on Sir Bazill's Account.

John Short said, That one Robyns came to him, and desired him to act for Sir Baz.; and said, He had a Tub of Money; and would lend him Forty Pounds for two Years without Interest.

Walter Ladd said, That John Emmet told him, That his Landlord threatened to turn him out of his House, if he did not vote for Sir Baz.: That he did vote for Sir Bazill at the former Election.

For the Sitting Member,

The Counsel insisted, That this Evidence should not affect Sir Baz.; but only the particular Voters: And called

Thomas Chappell: Who said, That an Hour before the Election, Burgess came to his House: That some, supposing him a Spy, asked him what he came for: He said, he came to vote for Sir Baz.; and said, he would speak with him: That afterwards he told Sir Baz. He would vote for him: That thereupon Sir Baz. told him, He was free to do what he would; and asked him, If any one had persuaded him: And that he and his Wife protested, They had not.

That afterwards he voted for Sir Baz.; and there was a great Shout.

That Mrs. Webb is a charitable Woman; and, without her Relief, Burgess's Family had come to the Parish before.

Chippenham Election.

Hinde said, That he was at the Bell at the time Mr. Chappell spake of; That, when Burgess came in, he did not know him, but called him Tho. Carter: But some said, He was a Spy; and bid him turn him down Stairs: That he was looked on as a Spy, because he had been always on the other Side: That Sir Bazil took him into the middle of the Room; and told him there was a Whispering, as if somebody had bribed him: and that he said, Nobody had.

That he then clapped his Hands together, and wished they might never part, if any body had given him any thing to vote: And then Sir Baz. said, He would give him no Consideration but Thanks.

That Sir Baz. had Threescore Voters without him; and, as soon as he had voted, he was hurried away: That he never, directly or indirectly paid more than the ordinary Rate for Drink; viz. Three Pounds per Hogshead.

And being confronted with Dobson, denied, That he had made him any Promises for his Vote.

Ady, being confronted with Dodson, denied likewise, That he had made him any Promises to stand neuter.

Benj. Woodnorth said, He was at the Bell, the Day before the Election: And that Burges came in; and the Freemen were angry, and said he was a Rogue; and desired him to tell Sir Baz. so.

That he offered to vote for Sir Baz.: And Sir Bazil said he might vote for whom he would.

Jos. Slade said, That Margaret Burges came to him the Sunday Sevennight before the Election; and desired him to speak to Mr. Hinde to come to tap his Drink; for she had not a Farthing to save her Soul: And that he told Mr. Hind; but he would not yield to it, nor lend her any Money.

Tho. Webb said, Walt. Scot, who voted for Major General Talmash, came to him as he stood at one Barnett's Door in the Street in Company of several Persons; and asked him to vote for Sir Bazill: That he told him he was not concerned in that Matter; and that Scot said, He would give him a Guinea to vote for Sir Baz.; and that, by that Means, he should make the Election void.

That he had voted at the former Election, and at this; but was disallowed, though he then paid the Rent.

Scot being called to confront him, confessed, That he did, in a jocular Way, say he would give him a Guinea; but denied he said any thing of making the Election void.

Rich. Eland said, That Gale told him, that he had Three Guineas for Drawing of Twelve Flagons of Beer on Major General Talmash's Account; which was given him by James Croome.

Gale, confronting, denied the Words; but said, He had Three Pounds for a Hogshead of Beer after the Election.

John Hackman said, he was sent for to the Bear at Chippenham: And the Master put his Hand into his Pocket, and pulled out some Money; and told him, he should take what he would, if he would vote for Major General Talmash: And one said, He should bring Twenty Dozen of Cards, and he would buy them, if he would vote for the said Major General, or otherwise he would not deal with him: But the Master afterwards put the Money up again in his Pocket.

Jos. West said, He was with Walter Scott, and others: And that they told him, they had Thirty Pounds of Sir George Speke's Money; and if he would vote for the Major General, he should have the greatest part of it: That, the next Night, he went to Hen. Lawrence's; and told him if he wanted Thirty or Forty Shillings to buy Leather, he should have it, provided he would vote for Major General Talmash.

Capt. Scot said, That Jon. Scot had threatened John Short to send him to Gaol, if he voted for Sir Bazil.

That upon the whole Matter, the Committee came to several Resolutions: The which Serjeant Trenchard read in his Place; and afterwards delivered, in Writing, at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were again read; and are as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Sir Baz. Firebrass, Knight, and his Agents, are guilty of Bribery, in corruptly procuring Votes, at the Election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Chippenham, in the County of Wilts.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Sir Baz. Firebrass, Knight is not duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Chippenham in the County of Wilts;

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Thomas Talmash, Esquire, is duly elected a Burgess, to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Chippenham in the County of Wilts.

The First of the said Resolutions being read a Second time;

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That Sir Baz. Firebrass, Knight, and his Agents, are guilty of Bribery, in corruptly procuring Votes at the Election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Chippenham in the County of Wilts;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

The Second Resolution being read a Second time;

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That Sir Baz. Firebrass, Knight, is not duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Chippenham in the County of Wilts.

The Third Resolution being read a Second time.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That Thomas Talmash, Esquire, is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Chippenham in the County of Wilts.

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Crown do attend this House, To-morrow Morning to amend the Return for the said Borough.

Ailesbury Election.

Ordered, That the Chairman of the Committee of Privileges and Elections do report the Matter, touching the Election for the Borough of Ailesbury, in the County of Bucks, on Monday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock.

Ways and Means.

Ordered, That the Chairman of the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supplies to be granted to their Majesties for the carrying on a vigorous War against France, do make the Report from the said Committee To-morrow Morning.

London Orphans.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday Morning next, at Ten a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of Ways and Means to satisfy the Debts due to the Orphans of the City of London.

Curtis Estate.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned, except the Committee to whom the ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the more speedy Payment of the Debts of Eliz. Curtis, Widow, late deceased, and Performance of an Agreement touching the same, made between Cha. Curtis in his Life time, and Edward Earle, according to a Decree in the High Court of Chancery, is committed.

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