May 1783 1-10

DIE Jovis, 1^o Maii 1783.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

The Earl of Mansfield sat Speaker by virtue of a former Commission.

Hendricks et al. against Cunninghame et al.

After hearing Counsel in Part in the Cause, wherein Volkert Hendricks and others are Appellants, and William Cunninghame and others are Respondents:

It is Ordered, That the further hearing of the said Cause be put off till To-morrow.

Doctors of Law Bill.

The Lord Scarsdale reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act for carrying into Execution an Agreement between the Dean and Chapter of Saint Paul's, London, and the College of Doctors of Law exercent in the Ecclesiastical and Admiralty Courts, for vesting certain Tenements in the City of London, called Doctor's Commons, held by the said College under the said Dean and Chapter by Leases for Years in the said College in Fee Simple, and reserving thereout a certain yearly Rent to the said Dean and Chapter and their Successors for ever," was committed: "That they had considered the said Bill and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; that the Parties concerned had given their Consents to the Satisfaction of the Committee; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

Ordered, That the said Bill be engrossed.

Browne to take the Name of Selby, Bill.

The Lord Scarsdale also reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act to enable John Browne Esquire and his Issue Male, to take and use the Surname of Selby, pursuant to the Will of William Selby Esquire deceased," was committed: "That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

Hesket Road Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for enlarging the Term and Powers of an Act made in the Second Year of the Reign of His present Majesty King George the Third, intituled, "An Act for widening, repairing and amending the Road from Hesket by Yewes Bridge, to Cockermouth; and from thence by Lorton, over Whinlatter, to Keswick, in the County of Cumberland; and from Keswick by Dummail Rays and Ambleside to Kirby in Kendall, in the County of Westmoreland; and from Plumbgarth's Cross near Kirby in Kendall aforesaid, to the Lake called Windermere, in the County of Westmoreland; and from Keswick aforesaid, to the Town of Penrith, in the County of Cumberland."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Eames and Mr. Montagu:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

Shortreid against Brown.

The House being informed, "That Andrew Brown, Respondent to the Appeal of John Shortreid of Greenhead, had not put in his Answer to the said Appeal, though duly served with the Order of this House for that Purpose:"

And thereupon, an Affidavit of John Hamilton Writer in Edinburgh, of the due Service of the said Order, being read;

Ordered, That the said Respondent do put in his Answer to the said Appeal peremptorily in a Week.

Causes put off.

Ordered, That the Hearing of the Cause, wherein the Lord Provost and Magistrates of the City of Glasgow are Appellants, and Messieurs Murdoch, Warroch and Company are Respondents, which stands appointed for To-morrow, be put off to Friday the 9th of this Instant May; and that the Rest of the Causes be removed in course, except that, wherein Robert Lord Bishop of London is Plaintiff, and Lewis Disney Fffytche Esquire is Defendant.

Recruiting Act, to repeal Bill.

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

With a Bill, intituled, "An Act to repeal an Act made in the Twentieth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, "An Act to continue for a limited Time so much of an Act made in the last Session of Parliament, for the more easy and better Recruiting His Majesty's Land Forces and Marines, as relates to the Encouragement of Volunteers;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The said Bill was read the First Time.

Ruther's Naturalization Bill.

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

To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for naturalizing Christian Hinrich Ruther;" and to acquaint this House, That they have agreed to the same, without any Amendment.

East India Company's Indemnity Bill.

The Order of the Day being read for the Second Reading of the Bill, intituled, "An Act to discharge and indemnify the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, from all Damages, Interest and Losses, in respect to their not making regular Payment of certain Sums due and to become due to the Public, and to allow further Time for such Payment, and to enable the Company to borrow a certain Sum of Money, and to make a Dividend of Four Pounds per Centum to the Proprietors at Midsummer One thousand seven hundred and eighty-three:"

The said Bill was accordingly read a Second Time.

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House:

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill To-morrow.

Annuity and Lottery Bill.

Moved, " That the Bill, intituled, "An Act for raising a certain Sum of Money by Way of Annuities, and for establishing a Lottery," be now read a Second Time."

Which being objected to,

After Debate;

The Question was put thereupon ?

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Then the said Bill was read a Second Time.

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill To-morrow, and the Lords summoned.

Adjourn.

Comes Mansfield Capitalis Justiciarius Banci Regis declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Veneris, secundum diem instantis Maii, horâ undecimâ Auroræ, dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Veneris, 2^o Maii 1783.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

The Earl of Mansfield sat Speaker by virtue of a former Commission.

Hendricks et al. against Cunninghame et al:

After hearing Counsel as well Yesterday as this Day, upon the amended Petition and Appeal of Volkert Hendricks, Master of the Ship Catharina of Amsterdam, and Peiter Willem Van Lankern of Amsterdam, Merchant, and the other Owners of the said Ship and Cargo; complaining of Two Interlocutors of the Judge of the Court of Admiralty in Scotland of the 22d of September, and 20th of October 1780; and also of Two Interlocutors of the Lords of Session there of the 23d of December 1780, and 31st of January 1781; and praying, "That the same might be reversed, varied or altered, or that the Appellants might have such other Relief in the Premises, as to this House, in their Lordships great Wisdom, should seem meet;" as also upon the Answer of William Cunninghame and other Owners of the Bellona, Private Ship of War, and James Mac Lean the Commander, put in to the said Appeal, and due Consideration had of what was offered on either Side in this Cause; and the Appellants Counsel having waived at the Bar any Objection to the Regularity of the Proceedings, or to the Competence of the Jurisdiction:

Interlocutors reversed.

It is therefore Ordered and Adjudged, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said several Interlocutors complained of in the said Appeal be and the same are hereby reversed; and it is further Ordered and Adjudged, That the Value of the Ship and Cargo be paid by the Respondents to the Appellants; and it is further Ordered, That the Cause be remitted back to the said Court of Session in Scotland, to carry this Judgement into Execution.

Whitehill's Personal Estate, Inventory of, delivered.

The Earl of Mansfield, in pursuance of an Act of last Session, for compelling John Whitehill Esquire to return into this Kingdom, and for restraining him in case of his Return from going out of this Kingdom for a limited Time, and for discovering his Estate and Effects, and preventing the transporting or alienating of the same, acquainted the House, that the Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer had delivered to him,

The Particular and Inventory of John Whitehill Esquire, according to the best of his Knowledge and Belief, delivered by him upon Oath the 18th Day of April 1783, unto the Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, a Duplicate thereof being at the same Time also delivered of all and singular the Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, Goods, Chattels, Debts, and Personal Estate whatsoever in Europe, the East Indies, China, or elsewhere, which he the said John Whitehill was seized or possessed of or entitled to, in his own Right, and which any other Person or Persons was or were seized or possessed of in Trust for him, or to or for his Use or Benefit, upon the First Day of April 1781, or at any Time after (his Wearing Apparel and the Furniture of any House or Houses belonging to him excepted) and an Account according to the best of his Knowledge and Belief, of what Part of such Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, Goods, Chattels, Debts, and Personal Estate, (as he or any other Person for him or to his Use was possessed of, or entitled to, on the said First Day of April 1781, or at any Time after) hath been conveyed, aliened, or transferred, or otherwise disposed of, by him or any other Person for him or for his Use, and to what Person or Persons by Name, at what Time, and for what Price or Consideration paid or secured to be paid;" which in pursuance of the said Act his Lordship delivered in to the House.

And the Title thereof being read by the Clerk:

Ordered, That the said Particular and Inventory do lie on the Table.

Doctors of Law Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for carrying into Execution an Agreement between the Dean and Chapter of Saint Paul's, London, and the College of Doctors of Law exercent in the Ecclesiastical and Admiralty Courts, for vesting certain Tenements in the City of London, called Doctors Commons, held by the said College under the said Dean and Chapter by Leases for Years in the said College, in Fee Simple, and reserving thereout a certain yearly Rent to the said Dean and Chapter, and their Successors for ever."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Eames and Mr. Montagu:

To carry down the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence thereto.

Browne to take the Name of Selby, Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to enable John Browne Esquire and his Issue Male, to take and use the Surname of Selby, pursuant to the Will of William Selby Esquire deceased."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

St. Paul, Covent Garden, Paving Bill.

The Lord Scarsdale reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act for better paving, cleansing, and lighting the Parish of Saint Paul, Covent Garden, within the Liberty of Westminster, and certain Places adjoining thereto; and for removing and preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein," was committed: "That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

St. Anne's Paving Bill.

The Lord Scarsdale made the like Report from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act for better paving, cleansing, and lighting the Parish of Saint Anne, and such Part of Cock Lane as lies in the Parish of Saint Martin in the Fields, within the Liberty of Westminster; and for removing and preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein," was committed.

Recruiting Act, to repeal, Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to repeal an Act made in the Twentieth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, "An Act to continue for a limited Time, so much of an Act made in the last Session of Parliament, for the more easy and better recruiting His Majesty's Land Forces and Marines, as relates to the Encouragement of Volunteers."

Ordered, That the said Bill be read the Third Time on Monday next.

York Gaols, Debtors Petition.

Upon reading the Petition of all the Prisoners confined for Debt in the Castle of York, and of all the Prisoners confined for Debt in the several Liberty Gaols, in the County of York, being 144 Persons in Number, praying, for the Reason therein contained, to submit their deplorable Situations to their Lordships humane Consideration, and earnestly intreat that such Relief may be extended to poor Insolvents of every Denomination, as to their Wisdom shall seem meet:

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Annuity and Lottery Bill.

The Order of the Day being read for the House to be put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for raising a certain Sum of Money by way of Annuities, and for establishing a Lottery;" and for the Lords to be summoned:

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the said Bill.

After some Time the House was resumed:

And the Lord Scarsdale reported from the Committee, That they had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

Ordered, That the said Bill be read a Third Time on Monday next, and the Lords summoned.

East India Company's Indemnity Bill.

The House (according to Order) was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act to discharge and indemnify the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, from all Damages, Interest and Losses in respect to their not making regular Payment of certain Sums due and to become due to the Public; and to allow further Time for such Payment; and to enable the Company to borrow a certain Sum of Money, and to make a Dividend of Four Ponds Per Centum to the Proprietors at Midsummer One thousand seven hundred and eighty-three."

After some Time, the House was resumed:

And the Lord Scarsdale reported from the Committee, That they had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

American Intercourse Bill.

Moved, "That the Bill, intituled, "An Act for preventing any Manifest, Certificate, or other Document being required for any Ships belonging to the United States of America arriving from thence at any Port of this Kingdom, or upon entering or clearing out from any Port of this Kingdom for any Port within the said United States; and to give to His Majesty for a limited Time certain Powers for the better carrying on Trade and Commerce between the Subjects of His Majesty's Dominions and the Inhabitants of the said United States," be now read a Second Time."

The said Bill was accordingly read a Second Time.

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill on Monday next.

Peers Pedigrees referred to Committee.

Ordered, That the Pedigrees of Charles Duke of Rutland, Thomas Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire, Charles Henry Earl of Peterborough, George Earl of Winchelsea, Frederick Earl of Carlisle, Other Earl of Plymouth, George Augustus Lumley Earl of Scarborough, William Henry Earl of Rochford, Heneage Earl of Aylesford, Frederick Earl of Bristol, Charles Earl of Harrington, George Earl of Powis, George Earl of Egremont, Henry Earl of Ilchester, William Earl De la Warr, John Earl of Chatham, Thomas Earl of Ailesbury, George Viscount Falmouth, George Viscount Mount Edgcumbe and Valletort, Richard Viscount Howe, George Lord Audley, Hugh Lord Percy, Peter Lord King, John Lord Talbot, Aubrey Lord Vere, Henry Lord Stawell, William Lord Gage, James Lord Brudenell, Thomas Lord Walsingham, Charles Lord Southampton, Henry Lord Porchester, George Lord Rodney, Francis Lord Rawdon and Thomas Lord Sydney, be refer red to the Committee for Privileges, and that they do meet to consider the same on Monday next.

Adjourn.

Comes Mansfield Capitalis Justiciarius Banci Regis declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Lunæ, quintum diem instantis Maii, horâ undecimâ Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Lunæ, 5^o Maii 1783.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

The Earl of Mansfield sat Speaker by virtue of a former Commission.

Templer's Bill specially reported.

The Lord Scarsdale reported from the Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Bill, intituled, "An Act for vesting such Parts of the Real Estates of James Templer Esquire deceased, as lie in the Counties of Hants, Wilts and Dorset, in Trustees to be sold, and for laying out the Money arising by such Sale in the Purchase of other Lands, to be settled to the Uses and for the Purposes therein mentioned:"

That in Obedience to their Lordships Commands the Committee had met and considered the Matter to them referred, and find that James Templer, late of Stower, in the County of Devon Esquire deceased, made his last Will and Testament in Writing, bearing Date the 2d Day of March 1782, and thereby amongst other Things gave, devised and bequeathed the Reversion expectant on the Death of Lady Elizabeth Archer of and in One undivided Third Part of certain Estates lying dispersedly in the several Counties of Hants, Wilts and Dorset, which he had purchased of the late Lord Archer, to James Templer Esquire, his eldest Son, and his Assigns during his Life, and after his Decease to certain Trustees therein named, their Heirs and Assigns for ever, in Trust, to preserve the Contingent Remainders and Estates therein limited from being defeated or destroyed; Remainder to his the Testator's Grandson George Templer, now an Infant, in Tail Male; Remainder to all and every the Son or Sons of his the Testator's eldest Son James Templer in Tail Male; with the like Remainders to the Reverend John Templer his Second Son, George Templer his Third Son, Henry Line Templer, now an Infant, his Fourth Son, Charles Beckford Templer, now also an Infant, his Fifth Son, Ann Lady Pole his Daughter Wife of Sir John William Pole Baronet, and their several Heirs Male successively; with Remainder to his the Testator's own Right Heirs for ever.

" That the Object of the Bill is for Sale of the said Reversion expectant on the Death of Lady Elizabeth Archer, and for laying out the Money arising by such Sale in the Purchase of other Lands in the County of Devon more conveniently situated with regard to the Rest of the Estates devised by the Will.

That the Committee examined the Allegations of the Bill, and found the same to be true; and that it appeared to them that the Sale of the said Reversion, and the laying out the Money arising thereby in the Manner proposed by the Bill, will be advantageous, not only to Mr. Templer the Petitioner and his Infant Son, but to all the other Persons also in Remainder who may hereafter claim under the Will of the said Testator.

" That it was proved to the Committee that the Testator did in his Life-time intend to have sold the said Reversion for a Sum considerably less than what it is now contracted to be sold for.

" That all the Parties concerned in the Consequences of the Bill appeared either personally or by their Guardians before the Committee, and gave their Consents thereto; excepting only Mr. George Templer, the Testator's Third Son, who resides in India, and no Evidence was produced before the Committee either of his Consent to or Knowledge of the Bill.

That the Committee had gone through the Bill without Amendment, but beg Leave to submit to their Lordships Wisdom and Consideration whether it may be proper to pass the same without the Consent of the said George Templer being first had and obtained thereto."

Ordered, That the said Bill be engrossed.

Clerkenwell Poor Bill.

The Lord Scarsdale reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act for amending and rendering more effectual an Act made in the Fifteenth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, "An Act for building a Workhouse, and for the better Relief and Employment of the Poor within the Parish of Saint James, Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex," was committed: " That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

St. Anne's Paving Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for better paving, cleansing and lighting the Parish of Saint Anne, and such Part of Cock Lane as lies in the Parish of Saint Martin in the Fields, within the Liberty of Westminster; and for removing and preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

St. Paul, Covent Garden, Paving Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for better paving, cleansing and lighting the Parish of Saint Paul, Covent Garden, within the Liberty of Westminster, and certain Places adjoining thereto; and for removing and preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Messages to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to the Two preceding Bills.

And Messages were, severally, sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Eames and Mr. Pepys:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bills, without any Amendment.

Hanwell Enclosure Bill.

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

With a Bill, intituled, "An Act for confirming, establishing and making effectual the Enclosure of the Open and Common Fields, Commonable Lands, Cow Pasture, Heath and Waste Grounds, within the Manor and Parish of Hanwell, in the County of Oxford;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The said Bill was read the First Time.

Recruiting Act, to repeal, Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to repeal an Act made in the Twentieth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, "An Act to continue for a limited Time so much of an Act made in the last Session of Parliament, for the more easy and better Recruiting His Majesty's Land Forces and Marines," as relates to the Encouragement of Volunteers."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

East India Company's Indemnity Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to discharge and indemnify the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, from all Damages, Interest and Losses, in respect to their not making regular Payment of certain Sums due and to become due to the Public, and to allow further Time for such Payment; and to enable the Company to borrow a certain Sum of Money, and to make a Dividend of Four Pounds per Centum to the Proprietors at Midsummer One thousand seven hundred and eighty-three."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Messages to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to the Two preceding Bills.

And Messages were, severally, sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bills, without any Amendment.

Annuity and Lottery Bill:

The Order of the Day being read for the Third Reading of the Bill, intituled, "An Act for raising a certain Sum of Money by Way of Annuities, and for establishing a Lottery;" and for the Lords to be summoned.

Moved, "That the said Bill be read the Third Time an Hour hence."

The Question was put thereupon?

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Then it was moved, "That the Protest of the 21st of March 1781, on the passing the Loan Bill of that Year might be read."

The same was accordingly read by the Clerk.

Resolutions respecting, negatived:

Then it was moved, to resolve, "That it is the Opinion of this House, that all future Loans should be conducted in the Manner which may best conduce to the Reduction of the National Debt, or which may at least not obstruct such a Reduction, but rather manifest the Intention of Government to proceed in due Time to such a Measure."

Which being objected to;

After long Debate,

The Question was put thereupon ?

It was resolved in the Negative:

Then it was moved to resolve, "That it is the Opinion of this House, That whenever it shall be thought expedient in negotiating a Public Loan to deal with Individuals, and not on the Foot of an open Subscription, the whole Sum to be raised shall be borrowed of or taken from such Individuals without Reserve of any Part for the future Disposal of any Minister."

Which being objected to;

The Question was put thereupon?

It was resolved in the Negative.

Then the said Bill was read the Third Time.

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was ordered to be sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

American Intercourse Bill.

The Order of the Day being read for the House to be put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for preventing any Manifest, Certificate or other Document being required for any Ships belonging to the United States of America, arriving from thence at any Port in this Kingdom, or upon entering or clearing out from any Port of this Kingdom for any Port within the said United States; and to give to His Majesty for a limited Time certain Powers for the better carrying on Trade and Commerce between the Subjects of His Majesty's Dominions and the Inhatants of the said United States."

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee, upon the said Bill To-morrow.

Lambeth Poor Bill:

The Order of the Day being read for the Third Reading of the Bill, intituled, "An Act for ascertaining and collecting the Poor's Rate, and for better regulating the Poor in the Parish of Saint Mary, Lambeth, in the County of Surrey; and for other Purposes therein mentioned."

Ordered, That the said Order be discharged.

Ordered, That the said Bill be recommitted to the same Committee; and that they do meet to consider the same on Tuesday the 13th Day of this Instant May.

Adjourn.

Comes Mansfield Capitalis Justiciarius Banci Regis declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Martis, sextum diem instantis Maii, horâ undecimâ Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Martis, 6^o Maii 1783.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

The Earl of Mansfield sat Speaker by virtue of a former Commission.

Templer's Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for vesting such Parts of the Real Estates of James Templer Esquire deceased, as lie in the Counties of Hants, Wilts and Dorset, in Trustees to be sold, and for laying out the Money arising by such Sale in the Purchase of other Lands to be settled to the Uses and for the Purposes therein mentioned."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Eames and Mr. Pepys:

To carry down the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence thereto.

Clerkenwell Poor Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for amending and rendering more effectual an Act made in the Fifteenth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, "An Act for building a Workhouse and for the better Relief and Employment of the Poor within the Parish of Saint James, Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

Lambeth Poor Bill, Petition against.

Upon reading the Petition of the several Persons whose Names are thereunto subscribed, being Inhabitants and Housekeepers, paying Scot and Lot in the Parish of Saint Mary, Lambeth, in the County of Surrey, in Behalf of themselves and others in the like Situation, taking Notice of a Bill depending in this House, intituled, "An Act for ascertaining and collecting the Poor's Rate, and for better regulating the Poor in the Parish of Saint Mary, Lambeth, in the County of Surrey; and for other Purposes therein mentioned;" and praying their Lordships, "That they may be heard by themselves or Counsel against the said Bill, and that it may not pass into a Law:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the said Bill stands committed, with Liberty for the Petitioners to be heard by their Counsel against the said Bill before the said Committee, as desired; as also Counsel be heard for the Bill at the same Time if they think fit."

Bills passed by Commission.

The Earl of Mansfield acquainted the House, "That His Majesty had been pleased to issue a Commission to several Lords therein named, for declaring His Royal Assent to several Acts agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament."

The House was adjourned during Pleasure.

The House was resumed.

Then Three of the Lords Commissioners, being in their Robes, and seated on a Form placed between the Throne and the Woolsack, the Earl of Mansfield in the Middle, with the Lord President on his Right Hand, and the Lord Privy Seal on his Left, commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to signify to the Commons, "The Lords Commissioners desire their immediate Attendance in this House, to hear the Commission read."

Who being come, with their Speaker;

The Earl of Mansfield said,

My Lords, and Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"His Majesty not thinking fit to be personally present here at this Time, has been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued under the Great Seal, and thereby given His Royal Assent to divers Acts which have been agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament, the Titles whereof are particularly mentioned; and by the said Commission hath commanded us to declare and notify His Royal Assent to the said several Acts, in the Presence of you the Lords and Commons assembled for that Purpose; which Commission you will now hear read."

Then the said Commission was read by the Clerk, as follows:

GEORGE R.

"George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth: To Our right trusty and right well-beloved the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and to Our trusty and well-beloved the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, and the Commissioners for Shires and Burghs of the House of Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, Greeting. Whereas We have seen and perfectly understood divers and sundry Acts agreed and accorded on by you Our loving Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons, in this Our present Parliament assembled, and endorsed by you as hath been accustomed, the Titles and Names of which Acts hereafter do particularly ensue; (that is to say) "An Act for raising a certain Sum of Money by Way of Annuities, and for establishing a Lottery." "An Act to repeal an Act made in the Twentieth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, "An Act to continue for a limited Time so much of an Act made in the last Session of Parliament, for the more easy and better recruiting His Majesty's Land Forces and Marines, as relates to the Encouragement of Volunteers." "An Act to discharge and indemnify the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies from all Damages, Interest and Losses in respect to their not making regular Payment of certain Sums due and to become due to the Public, and to allow further Time for such Payment; and to enable the Company to borrow a certain Sum of Money, and to make a Dividend of Four Pounds per Centum to the Proprietors at Midsummer One thousand seven hundred and eighty-three." An Act for empowering Persons navigating Vessels upon the River Trent, between a Place called Wilden Ferry, in the Counties of Derby and Leicester, or one of them, and the Town of Burton upon Trent, in the County of Stafford, to hale the same with Horses."

An Act for better paving, cleansing and lighting the Parish of Saint Paul, Covent Garden, within the Liberty of Westminster, and certain Places adjoining thereto; and for removing and preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein." "An Act for better paving, cleansing and lighting the Parish of Saint Anne and such Part of Cock Lane as lies in the Parish of Saint Martin in the Fields within the Liberty of Westminster; and for removing and preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein." "An Act for compleating and keeping in Repair the Road from the Ram Inn in the Town of Cirencester, in the County of Gloucester, through the Town of Tetbury to Oldfield otherwise Woefield Corner, near the Sixteenth Mile Stone in the Bath Road; and a Road from thence through the Parishes of Cold Ashton and Swanswick, to or near Lambridge in the Parish of Bath Easton near the City of Bath; and for continuing the present Road from the said Corner to or near the Monument upon Lansdown, until the intended Road from the said Corner to or near Lambridge be made fit for travelling." An Act to revive and render more effectual an Act passed in the Thirtieth Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Second, for repairing the Road from Markfield Turnpike, in the County of Leicester, over Charley otherwise Charnwood Forest, through the Town of Whitwick, and from thence through Talbot Lane to where the Road leading from the Town of Loughborough to the Town of Ashby de-laZouch, in the said County, comes in from Ryley Lane near to a Place called Snape Gate." "An Act for enlarging the Term and Powers of an Act made in the Second Year of the Reign of His present Majesty King George the Third, intituled, "An Act for widening, repairing and amending the Road from Hesket by Yewes Bridge to Cockermouth; and from thence by Lorton over Whinlatter to Keswick, in the County of Cumberland; and from Keswick by Dummail Rays and Ambleside, to Kirby in Kendall, in the County of Westmoreland; and from Plumbgarth's Cross near Kirby in Kendall aforesaid, to the Lake called Windermere, in the County of Westmoreland; and from Keswick aforesaid, to the Town of Penrith, in the County of Cumberland." "An Act for dividing and enclosing the Open and Common Fields, and other Commonable Land within the Parish of Church Lench, in the County of Worcester." "An Act to enable John Browne Esquire, and his Issue Male, to take and use the Surname of Selby, pursuant to the Will of William Selby Esquire deceased." "An Act for naturalizing Christian Hinrich Ruther." And albeit the said Acts by you Our said Subjects the Lords and Commons, in this Our present Parliament assembled, are fully agreed and consented unto, yet nevertheless the same are not of Force and Effect in the Law, without Our Royal Assent given and put to the said Acts: And forasmuch as for divers Causes and Considerations We cannot conveniently at this Time be present in Our Royal Person, in the Higher House of Our said Parliament, being the Place accustomed to give Our Royal Assent to such Acts as have been agreed upon by you Our said Subjects the Lords and Commons, We have therefore caused these Our Letters Patent to be made, and have signed the same; and by the same do give and put Our Royal Assent to the said Acts, and to all Articles, Clauses, and Provisions therein contained, and have fully agreed and assented to the said Acts; Willing that the said Acts, and every Article, Clause, Sentence and Provision therein contained, from henceforth shall be of the same Strength, Force and Effect, as if We had been personally present in the said Higher House, and had openly and publickly in the Presence of you all, assented to the same: And We do by these Presents declare and notify the same Our Royal Assent, as well to you the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons aforesaid, as to all others whom it may concern: Commanding also, by these Presents, Our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor Alexander Lord Loughborough, Chief Justice of Our Court of Common Pleas, and Our trusty and well-beloved Sir William Henry Ashurst Knight, One of Our Justices assigned to hold Pleas before Us, and Sir Beaumont Hotham Knight, One of the Barons of Our Court of Exchequer, Our Commissioners for the Custody of Our Great Seal of Great Britain, to seal these Our Letters Patent with Our Great Seal of Great Britain; and also, commanding Our right trusty and well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor David Viscount Stormont President of Our Council; Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Frederick Earl of Carlisle, Keeper of Our Privy Seal; Our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousins and Counsellors William Henry Duke of Portland, Hugh Duke of Northumberland, George Duke of Montagu, Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousins and Counsellors William Earl of Dartmouth, Steward of Our Houshold; Francis Earl of Hertford, Chamberlain of Our Household; William Earl of Mansfield, Our Chief Justice assigned to hold Pleas before Us; Our right trusty and well-beloved Cousins and Counsellors Thomas Viscount Weymouth, and Augustus Viscount Keppel, and the said Alexander Lord Loughborough; or any Three or more of them, to declare and notify this Our Royal Assent, in Our Absence, in the said Higher House, in the Presence of you the said Lords and the Commons of Our Parliament, there to be assembled for that Purpose; and the Clerk of Our Parliaments to endorse the said Acts with such Terms and Words, in Our Name, as is requisite, and hath been accustomed for the same; and also, to enroll these Our Letters Patent and the said Acts, in the Parliament Roll; and these Our Letters Patent shall be to every of them, a sufficient Warrant in that Behalf: And finally, We do declare and will, that after this Our Royal Assent given and passed by these Presents, and declared and notified as is aforesaid, then and immediately the said Acts shall be taken, accepted, and admitted good, sufficient, and perfect Acts of Parliament, and Laws to all Intents, Constructions and Purposes, and to be put in due Execution accordingly; the Continuance or Dissolution of this Our Parliament, or any other Use, Custom, Thing or Things to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. In Witness whereof, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent.

Witness Ourself at Westminster, the Sixth Day of May, in the Twenty-third Year of Our Reign.

By the King Himself, signed with His own Hand.

"Yorke."

Then the Earl of Mansfield said,

"In Obedience to His Majesty's Commands, and by virtue of the Commission which has been now read, we do declare and notify to you the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That His Majesty hath given His Royal Assent to the several Acts in the Commission mentioned; and the Clerks are required to pass the same, in the usual Form and Words."

Then the Clerk Assistant having received the Money Bill from the Hands of the Speaker, brought it to the Table, where the Deputy Clerk of the Crown read the Title of that and the other Bills to be passed, severally, as follows; (videlicet)

1. "An Act for raising a certain Sum of Money by Way of Annuities, and for establishing a Lottery."

To this Bill the Royal Assent was pronounced by the Clerk Assistant in these Words; (videlicet)

"Le Roy remercie ses bon Sujets, accepte leur Benevolence, et ainsi le veult."

2. "An Act to repeal an Act made in the Twentieth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, An Act to continue for a limited Time so much of an Act made in the last Session of Parliament, for the more easy and better recruiting His Majesty's Land Forces and Marines, as relates to the Encouragement of Volunteers."

3. "An Act to discharge and indemnify the United Company of Merchants of England, trading to the East Indies, from all Damages, Interest and Losses, in respect to their not making regular Payment of certain Sums due, and to become due to the Public, and to allow further Time for such Payment; and to enable the Company to borrow a certain Sum of Money, and to make a Dividend of Four Pounds per Centum to the Proprietors at Midsummer One thousand seven hundred and eighty-three."

4. "An Act for empowering Persons navigating Vessels upon the River Trent, between a Place called Wilden Ferry, in the Counties of Derby and Leicester, or one of them, and the Town of Burton upon Trent, in the County of Stafford, to hale the same with Horses."

5. "An Act for better paving, cleansing and lighting the Parish of Saint Paul, Covent Garden, within the Liberty of Westminster, and certain Places adjoining thereto; and for removing and preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein."

6. "An Act for better paving, cleansing and lighting the Parish of Saint Anne, and such Part of Cock Lane as lies in the Parish of Saint Martin in the Fields, within the Liberty of Westminster; and for removing and preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein."

7. "An Act for completing and keeping in Repair the Road from the Ram Inn, in the Town of Cirencester, in the County of Gloucester, through the Town of Tetbury to Oldfield, otherwise Woefield Corner, near the Sixteenth Mile Stone in the Bath Road, and a Road from thence through the Parishes of Cold Ashton and Swanswick, to or near Lambridge, in the Parish of Bath Easton, near the City of Bath, and for continuing the present Road from the said Corner, to or near the Monument upon Lansdown, until the intended Road from the said Corner to or near Lambridge be made fit for travelling."

8. "An Act to revive and render more effectual an Act passed in the Thirtieth Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Second, for repairing the Road from Markfield Turnpike, in the County of Leicester, over Charley, otherwise Charnwood Forest, through the Town of Whitwick, and from thence through Talbot Lane, to where the Road leading from the Town of Loughborough, to the Town of Ashby de la Zouch, in the said County, comes in from Ryley Lane near to a Place called Snape Gate."

9. "An Act for enlarging the Term and Powers of an Act made in the Second Year of the Reign of His present Majesty King George the Third, intituled, An Act for widening, repairing and amending the Road from Hesket by Yewes Bridge to Cockermouth, and from thence by Lorton over Whinlatter to Keswick, in the County of Cumberland; and from Keswick by Dummail Rays and Ambleside, to Kirby in Kendall, in the County of Westmoreland; and from Plumbgarth's Cross near Kirby in Kendall aforesaid, to the Lake called Windermere, in the County of Westmoreland, and from Keswick aforesaid, to the Town of Penrith, in the County of Cumberland."

To these Bills the Royal Assent was pronounced, severally, by the Clerk Assistant, in these Words; (videlicet)

"Le Roy le veult."

10. "An Act for dividing and enclosing the Open and Common Fields, and other Commonable Lands, within the Parish of Church Lench, in the County of Worcester."

11. "An Act to enable John Browne Esquire, and his Issue Male to take and use the Surname of Selby, pursuant to the Will of William Selby Esquire deceased."

12. "An Act for naturalizing Christian Hinrich Ruther."

To these Bills the Royal Assent was pronounced, severally, by the Clerk Assistant, in these Words; (videlicet)

"Soit fait comme il est desiré."

Then the Commons withdrew.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure.

The House was resumed.

Gresley's Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Richard Wrottesley and others:

To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for empowering Nigel Bowyer Gresley Esquire, to lease Part of his settled Estates in Staffordshire pursuant to an Agreement entered into with George Parker and others, Iron Masters; and also to grant Leases of Lands and Mines within the same Estates;" and to acquaint this House, That they have agreed to the same, without any Amendment.

Kingsomborn Enclosure Bill.

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

With a Bill, intituled, "An Act for dividing and enclosing the Open and Common Fields, in the Manor and Parish of Kingsomborn, in the County of Southampton;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Militia Pay Bill.

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

With a Bill, intituled, "An Act for defraying the Charge of the Pay of the Militia, and of the Cloathing for the Serjeants and Drummers of the Militia, in that Part of Great Britain called England, for One Year, beginning the Twenty-fifth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and eighty-three;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The said Two Bills were, severally, read the First Time.

Sir W. Abdy's Estate Bill.

The Lord Scarsdale reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act to enable Sir William Abdy Baronet, to grant Leases of his Estate at Horsey Down, in the County of Surrey," was committed: "That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; that the Parties concerned had given their Consents to the Satisfaction of the Committee; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

Ordered, That the said Bill be engrossed.

American Intercourse Bill.

The Order of the Day being read for the House to be put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for preventing any Manifest, Certificate, or other Document being required for any Ships belonging to the United States of America, arriving from thence at any Port in this Kingdom, or upon entering or clearing out from any Port of this Kingdom, for any Port within the said United States, and to give to His Majesty for a limited Time certain Powers for the better carrying on Trade and Commerce between the Subjects of His Majesty's Dominions, and the Inhabitants of the said United States:"

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the said Bill.

After some Time, the House was resumed:

And the Lord Scarsdale reported from the Committee, "That they had gone through the Bill, and made several Amendments thereto, which he was ready to report when the House will please to receive the same."

Ordered, That the said Report be received Tomorrow.

Lewis's Divorce Bill.

The Order of the Day being read, for the Second Reading of the Bill, intituled, "An Act to dissolve the Marriage of Matthew Lewis Esquire with Fanny Maria Sewell his now Wife, and to enable him to marry again; and for other Purposes therein mentioned;" and for hearing Counsel for and against the the same; and for the Lords to be summoned:

Counsel were accordingly called in; and Mr. Bearcroft appearing as Counsel for the Bill; but no Counsel appearing against it:

John Duberry was called, in order to prove the Service of the Order for the said Second Reading, and being sworn, acquainted the House, "That he served Mrs. Lewis personally on the 10th of April last, at No. 3, Hyde Street, Bloomsbury, with the Order of this House for the Second Reading of the Bill, and at the same Time delivered to her a true Copy of the Bill."

He was directed to withdraw.

Then the said Bill was read a Second Time; and Mr. Bearcroft was heard in Support of the Bill; and to make out the Allegations thereof, and in order to prove the Marriage, again called,

John Duberry, who produced an Extract from the Register of Marriages in the Parish of Saint Martin in the Fields, and declaring, "That the same was a true Copy, he having examined it with the Original Register Book of the said Parish;" the same was read, whereby it appeared that Mr. Lewis was married to Fanny Maria Sewell in the Parish Church of Saint Martin in the Fields on the 22d Day of February 1773.

The said John Duberry also produced an Office Copy of the Judgement obtained in the Consistory Court of the Bishop of London, on the 27th of February 1783, against the said Fanny Maria Lewis for Adultery; and declaring, That the same was a true Copy, he having examined it with the Original;" the same was read.

He was directed to withdraw.

Then Robert Cooper Lee Esquire was called in; and being sworn, produced a Deed of Settlement made on the Marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, and acknowledged himself to be a subscribing Witness thereto; and that he was present at the Execution thereof.

He was directed to withdraw.

Then Miss Katherine Heath was called in; and being sworn and examined, acquainted the House, "That the knows Mr. and Mrs. Lewis; that in the Year 1781, about June or July, they parted; that she lived with Mrs. Lewis at East Barnet; that she came from thence with Mrs. Lewis to her Husband's House in Saint Margaret's Street, Westminster; that Mr. Lewis was then out of Town on a Visit; that they staid there a few Days, during which Time Mrs. Lewis was visited by Mr. Harrison a Music Master; that Mrs. Lewis upon receiving a Note from Mr. Lewis, that he intended to dine in Saint Margaret's Street, went away immediately with the Witness to Mrs. Meadows in Quickset Row, Tottenham Court Road, and lodged there; that Mr. Harrison visited her there; that they then went to Stanstead and staid there a Fortnight; that the Witness then left Mrs. Lewis and returned to her in September following at East Barnet; that she never saw Mr. Lewis during all the Time she was with her; that Mrs. Lewis went away from her Husband, not liking to live with him any longer; that the Witness continued with Mrs. Lewis from September 1781 to July 1782; that the saw her after, and at the Time of her Delivery; that Mr. Lewis had no Communication with his Wife since the Time she left him, thinks they did not see each other during that Time, as Mrs. Lewis would have certainly told her if she had seen her Husband; that Mrs. Lewis changed her Places of Abode several Times in order to avoid her Husband; that Mrs. Lewis gave her the Witness a Letter, which she desired her to give her Husband after her Delivery in case she should die; that she gave the Letter to Mr. Lewis, who came to Brompton on the same Day Mrs. Lewis was delivered, namely, on the 3d of July 1782, soon after her Delivery; that she gave the Letter to him at Mrs. Lewis's Desire; that the Witness was absent from Mrs. Lewis from the 1st of July 1781 to September 1781; that she lived with her in the Character of a Companion; that Mrs. Lewis went to make Visits sometimes without the Witness; that she can't tell who gave Mr. Lewis Information of the Situation his Wife was in at Brompton; that when he came there he seemed to be in a great Rage."

She was directed to withdraw.

Then Ann Taylor was called in; and being sworn and examined, acquainted the House, "That she lived Servant with Mr. and Mrs. Lewis on the 8th of May 1781, and now with Mr. Lewis in Saint Margaret's Street, Westminster; that some Time in June her Master went on a Visit to the Duke of Dorset's; that on the Wednesday following Mrs. Lewis came to her Husband's House in Saint Margaret's Street at Night, and sent a Porter to carry a Note to Mr. Harrison, who came soon after and staid there till Five o'Clock in the Morning; that Mrs. Lewis continued there till the Saturday following, but upon receiving a Note from Mr. Lewis that he intended dining there that Day, she went away before Dinner; that the Witness don't think they have seen each other since, nor cohabited together; that Mrs. Lewis at that Time lived at East Barnet; that before this, though Mr. and Mrs. Lewis slept in the same House, they did not lay together."

She was directed to withdraw.

Then Mary Aspey was called in; and being sworn, and examined, acquainted the House, "That she used to nurse Mrs. Lewis in her former Lyings-in; that she had Four Children, the youngest of which was about Three Years old; that Miss Heath applied to her to attend Mrs. Lewis in her last Lying-in in July last, and that Mrs. Lewis applied to her in Person for the same Purpose, but she refused to attend; that she did not recommend any other Nurse to her; that Mrs. Lewis desired her to apply to Doctor Ford to attend her, as she did not like to have Doctor Bromfield, who formerly used to lay her, again; that she the Witness saw the Child she was delivered of about a Fortnight after it was born."

She was directed to withdraw.

Then Ann Madders was called in; and being sworn, acquainted the House, "That she was applied to in April 1782, by Mrs. Lewis to attend her in her Lyingin, telling her Situation was so bad, that she was obliged to leave her Home for fear of a Discovery; that she came to her at Clapham; that the Witness took a Lodging for her at Brompton; that Mrs. Lewis was brought to bed there on the 3d of July 1782; that Mrs. Lewis never went to Arundell, but made her Husband believe she was there, by sending the Witness's Husband to Arundell to bring Mr. Lewis's Letters to her, and carrying her Answer to those Letters to Arundell, in order they might be put into the Post there and have the Arundell Post Mark upon them; that Mr. Lewis came to Brompton the Day Mrs. Lewis was delivered; that the Witness opened the Door to him; that he told her he knew every Thing that had passed, and seemed to be in great Trouble; that the Witness begged him on her Knees not to go into Mrs. Lewis's Room as it might be attended with fatal Consequences; that Mr. Lewis went to her Chamber Door, but did not go in; that he insisted upon having Mrs. Lewis's Letters and Papers, which were delivered to him by Miss Heath and Mrs. Naylor, and amongst them a Letter from Mrs. Lewis to him was delivered."

She was directed to withdraw.

Then James Madders was called in; and being sworn and examined, acquainted the House, "That he was Husband to the last Witness; that he went to Arundell with Mrs. Lewis's Letters, and put them in the Post there to Mr. Lewis, and that he received Letters from Mr. Lewis to his Wife, which he brought to her; that he hired the Lodgings at Brompton for Mrs. Lewis in his Name; that he had received Letters from Mr. Lewis for his Wife, directed to her in Russell Street, and that he used to carry them to her at Clapham."

He was directed to withdraw.

Then Richard Thomas was called in; and being sworn, acquainted the House, "That he lived Servant with Mrs. Lewis in July 1781; that they were at East Barnet Eight Months, afterwards in Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, and Great Russell Street, where he left her; that during the Time he lived with her he never saw Mr. Lewis come to her."

He was directed to withdraw.

Then Doctor James Ford was called in; and being sworn and examined, acquainted the House, "That on the Third of July 1782 he delivered Mrs. Lewis of a Child; that he had never attended her before; that she then went by the Name of Mrs. Langley; that he attended her afterwards frequently during a Month; that on the Evening of her Delivery she told him her Husband Mr. Lewis had been there, till then she had gone by the Name of Langley."

He was directed to withdraw.

Then Timothy Newland was called in; and being sworn and examined, acquainted the House, "That he went to live as Servant with Mr. Lewis in November 1778, and has continued to live with him ever since; that Mr. and Mrs. Lewis lived very happy together at first, but about July 1781, Differences arose between them, and Mrs. Lewis left her Husband on the 23d of July 1781, but he could not tell the Occasion of the parting; that he has been constantly about his Master ever since he lived with him, and thinks that he and Mrs. Lewis never met from the Time of their parting; that he has carried Messages from one to the other; that he has carried Letters to Mrs. Lewis in Russell Street, Bloomsbury; that it was known in the Family, that though they lived together in the same House, they slept in separate Beds from November 1778; that Mr. Lewis always used to dress below Stairs."

He was directed to withdraw.

Then Miss Heath was again called in, and the Letter from Mrs. Lewis to her Husband being shewn to her, said, "That was Mrs. Lewis's Hand-writing; and that the Letter which at her Request she was to have given to Mr. Lewis in case of her Death; that the Letter was given to the Witness by Mrs. Lewis on the Day Mr. Lewis came to Brompton; and that she had it not in her Custody before, but was only told by Mrs. Lewis that in case of her Death she was to give it to Mr. Lewis; that she gave the Letter to Mr. Lewis at Brompton on the 3d of July 1782."

She was directed to withdraw.

Then the Counsel offering the said Letter to be read as Evidence;

The Counsel was directed to withdraw.

Proposed to resolve, "That the said Letter so offered to be produced and read at the Bar be admitted as Evidence."

Which being objected to;

After Debate,

The Question was put thereupon?

It was resolved in the Negative.

Then the Counsel was again called in, and acquainted therewith.

Whereupon Mr. Bearcroft acquainted the House that he had no further Evidence to produce.

The Counsel was directed to withdraw.

Moved, "That the said Bill be committed."

Which being objected to;

The Question was put thereupon?

It was resolved in the Negative.

Bill rejected.

Ordered, That the said Bill be rejected.

Adjourn.

Comes Mansfield Capitalis Justiciarius Banci Regis declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, septimum diem instantis Maii, horâ undecimâ Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Mercurii, 7^o Maii 1783.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

The Earl of Mansfield sat Speaker by virtue of a former Commission.

Abp. Canterbury takes the Oaths.

This Day John Lord Archbishop of Canterbury took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration; and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes.

American Intercourse Bill.

The Lord Chedworth (according to Order) reported the Amendments made by the Committee of the whole House to the Bill intituled, "An Act for preventing any Manifest, Certificate or other Document being required for any Ships belonging to the United States of America, arriving from thence at any Port in this Kingdom, or upon entering or clearing out from any Port of this Kingdom for any Port within the said United States; and to give to His Majesty for a limited Time certain Powers for the better carrying on Trade and Commerce between the Subjects of His Majesty's Dominions and the Inhabitants of the said United States."

The said Amendments were read by the Clerk as follow; (videlicet)

Press 2. L. 10. After ("States") insert ("or any of them")

L. 18. After ("States") insert ("or any of them")

Press 3. L.4. Leave out from ("notwithstanding") to ("and") in the Twelfth Line of the same Press, and instead thereof insert,

("Provided always, That this Act, and the Powers and Authorities hereby given to His Majesty, and all Orders issued and published in consequence thereof, shall continue and be in force until the Twentieth Day of December One thousand seven hundred and eightythree")

And the said Amendments, being read a Second Time, were, severally, agreed to by the House.

Sir W. Abdy's Estate Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to enable Sir William Abdy Baronet, to grant Leases of his Estate at Horsey Down, in the County of Surrey."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H.C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Leeds and Mr. Pepys:

To carry down the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence thereto.

Militia Pay Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for defraying the Charge of the Pay of the Militia, and of the Cloathing for the Serjeants and Drummers of the Militia in that Part of Great Britain called England, for One Year, beginning the Twenty-fifth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and eightythree."

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill To-morrow.

Hanwell Enclosure Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for confirming, establishing and making effectual the Enclosure of the Open and Common Fields, Commonable Lands, Cow Pasture, Heath and Waste Grounds, within the Manor and Parish of Hanwell, in the County of Oxford."

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords following:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet on Friday next, at Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

Bayatun's Divorce Bill:

The Order of the Day being read for the further Consideration of the Report of the Amendments made by the Committee of the whole House to the Bill, intituled, An Act to dissolve the Marriage of Andrew Bayntun Esquire with Lady Maria Coventry his now Wife, and to enable him to marry again; and for other Purposes therein mentioned:"

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Amendments be adjourned to Monday next.

Then the Order of the Day was read for the Judges to deliver their Opinions upon a Question of Law put to them on the 16th of April last; (videlicet)

Question put to Judges amended.

Whether the Issue born of a Woman after Ten Months from the Day of her Elopement from her Husband, and living apart from him in open Adultery, such Husband having instituted a Suit in the Ecclesiastical Court, and no Access proved, be or be not a Bastard?"

And the Judges desiring further Time to answer the said Question;

An Amendment was proposed to be made thereto by leaving out ("Ten Months") and inserting ("Twelve Months")

The same was agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

Ordered, That the Judges do deliver their Opinions upon the said Question, thus amended, on Monday next; and the Lords summoned.

Adjourn.

Comes Mansfield Capitalis Justiciarius Banci Regis declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Jovis, octavum diem instantis Maii, horâ undecimâ Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Jovis, 8^o Maii 1783.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

The Earl of Mansfield fat Speaker by virtue of a former Commission.

Bp. London against Fffytche in Error.

The Order of the Day being read for hearing Counsel to argue the Errors assigned upon the Writ of Error, wherein the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London is Plaintiff, and Lewis Disney Fffytche Esquire is Defendant, brought by the Plaintiff in order to reverse a Judgement given in His Majesty's Court of King's Bench against the said Plaintiff; and for the Judges to attend:

Counsel were accordingly called in.

And the Counsel on both Sides having been fully heard;

They were directed to withdraw.

Ordered, That the further Consideration of the said Cause be put off till To-morrow; and that the Judges do then attend.

American Intercourse Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for preventing any Manifest, Certificate or other Document being required for any Ships belonging to the United States of America, arriving from thence at any Port in this Kingdom, or upon entering or clearing out from any Port of this Kingdom, for any Port within the said United States, and to give to His Majesty, for a limited Time, certain Powers for the better carrying on Trade and Commerce between the Subjects of His Majesty's Dominions and the Inhabitants of the said United States."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill, with the Amendments, shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with Amendments to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Leeds and Mr. Pepys:

To return the said Bill, and acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the same, with some Amendments, to which their Lordships desire their Concurrence.

Militia Pay Bill.

The House (according to Order) was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for defraying the Charge of the Pay of the Militia, and of the Cloathing for the Serjeants and Drummers of the Militia, in that Part of Great Britain called England, for One Year, beginning the Twenty-fifth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and eighty-three."

After some Time the House was resumed:

And the Lord Chedworth reported from the Committee, That they had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

Luther's Bill.

The Lord Bishop of St. David's reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act for vesting Part of the settled Estates of John Luther Esquire, in the County of Southampton, in the said John Luther in Fee Simple, and for settling an Estate of greater Value in lieu thereof," was committed: "That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; that the Parties concerned had given their Consents, to the Satisfaction of the Committee; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and made some Amendments thereto."

Which Amendments, being read Twice by the Clerk, were agreed to by the House.

Ordered, That the said Bill, with the Amendments, be engrossed.

Adjourn.

Comes Mansfield Capitalis Justiciarius Banci Regis declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Veneris, nonum diem instantis Maii, horâ undecimâ Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Veneris, 9^o Maii 1783.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

The Earl of Mansfield sat Speaker by virtue of a former Commission.

Ld. Provost, &c. of Glasgow against Glasford et al:

After hearing Counsel this Day upon the Petition and Appeal of the Lord Provost and Magistrates of the City of Glasgow, for themselves, and as representing the Common Council and Community of the said City, complaining of an Interlocutor of the Lords of Session in Scotland, of the 21st of June 1782; and praying, "That the same might be reversed, varied or altered, or that the Appellants might have such other Relief in the Premises, as to this House, in their Lordships great Wisdom, should seem meet;" as also upon the Answer of Messieurs Murdoch, Warroch and Company, put in to the said Appeal, and due Consideration had of what was offered on either Side in this Cause:

Interlocutor reversed.

It is Ordered and Adjudged, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Interlocutor complained of in the said Appeal be and the same is hereby reversed; and it is hereby declared, that the Respondents selling Beer and Ale to Munro upon the express Condition of his selling the Whole in the Town of Glasgow, and making Discounts and Allowances to him accordingly, is a manifest Evasion of the Act the 28th George the Second, and ought to be considered as a selling within the Town of Glasgow by the Respondents themselves.

Bp. London against Fssytche in Error.

The Order of the Day being read for the further Consideration of the Cause, wherein the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London is Plaintiff, and Lewis Disney Fffytche Esquire is Defendant; and for the Judges to attend:

Questions to Judges.

Proposed, "That the following Questions be put to the Judges; (videlicet)

1. "Whether an Agreement made between the Incumbent on a Benefice with Cure of Souls and the Patron thereof, whereby such Incumbent undertakes to avoid the said Benesice at the Request of such Patron, be not an Agreement for a Benefit to the said Patron?"

2. "Whether if a Patron shall present any Parson to any Benefice with Cure of Souls for or by Reason of any such Agreement, such Presentation will not be void?"

3. "Whether a Bond given by the Incumbent on a Benefice with Cure of Souls to the Patron thereof in the Sum of Three thousand Pounds, defeasible only by the said Incumbent, avoiding the said Benefice at the Request of the said Patron, whether the Value of the Incumbency be greater or less than the said Sum of Three thousand Pounds, be not a Bond for securing a Benefit to the said Patron?"

4. "Whether if a Patron shall present any Parson to any Benefice with Cure of Souls, for or by Reason of any such Bond, such Presentation will not be void?"

5. "Whether the Ordinary of a Diocese wherein any Benefice with Cure of Souls lies, be compellable in Law to accept the Resigna tion of the Incumbent thereof, in a Case where the Resignation should appear to be not spontaneous, but at the Instance of another, and under the Coercion of a Bond to pay Money in case of a Neglect or Refusal to resign?"

6. "Whether a Bond given by the Incumbent on a Benefice with Cure of Souls to the Patron thereof, in the Sum of Three thousand Pounds, defeasible only by such Act as afterwards to be done by the Ordinary, be not a Bond for the Benefit of the said Patron in respect of the Contingency, which such Incumbent cannot controul?"

7. "Whether if a Patron shall present any Parson to any Benefice with Cure of Souls, for or by Reason of any such last mentioned Bond, such Presentation will not be void?"

8. "Whether the Unfitness of the Defendant in Error in the Second Plea mentioned be alledged with sufficient Certainty?"

9. "Whether the said Plea be sufficient in Law to bar the Defendant in Error from maintaining his Action?"

10. "Whether the Unfitness in the said Plea set forth is traversible?"

The same was agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

Then it was proposed that the following Questions be put to the Judges; (videlicet)

11. "Whether the Excuse alledged upon this Record for not admitting instituting and inducting the Clerk of the Plaintiff is sufficient in Law?"

12. "Whether the Bond stated in either of the Pleas is good and valid, or corrupt and void in Law?"

The same was agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

And the Judges desiring Time to consider the said Questions:

Ordered, That the further Consideration of the said Cause be put off to Monday the 26th Day of this Instant May; and that the Judges do then deliver their Opinions upon the said Questions.

Luther's Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for vesting Part of the Settled Estates of John Luther Esquire in the County of Southampton, in the said John Luther in Fee Simple, and for settling an Estate of greater Value in lieu thereof."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H.C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Leeds and Mr. Pepys:

To carry down the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence thereto.

Militia Pay Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for defraying the Charge of the Pay of the Militia, and of the Cloathing for the Serjeants and Drummers of the Militia in that Part of Great Britain called England, for one Year, beginning the Twenty-fifth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and eightythree."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

American Intercourse Bill.

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

With a Bill, intituled, "An Act for preventing certain Instruments from being required from Ships belonging to the United States of America, and to give to His Majesty for a limited Time certain Powers for the better carrying on Trade and Commerce between the Subjects of His Majesty's Dominions and the Inhabitants of the said United States;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The said Bill was read the First Time.

Williams's Bill.

The Lord Scarsdale reported from the Lords Committees to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act to vest in Trustees and their Heirs, certain Estates of John Hanbury Williams Esquire, situate in the County of Monmouth, in order to be sold, and the Purchase Money applied upon the Trusts, and for the Purposes in the said Act mentioned," was committed: "That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; that the Parties concerned had given their Consents to the Satisfaction of the Committee; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and made some Amendments thereto."

Which Amendments, being read Twice by the Clerk, were agreed to by the House.

Ordered, That the said Bill, with the Amendments, be engrossed.

American Intercourse Bill:

Hodie 2^a & 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for preventing certain Instruments from being required from Ships belonging to the United States of America, and to give to His Majesty for a limited Time certain Powers for the better carrying on Trade and Commerce between the Subjects of His Majesty's Dominions, and the Inhabitants of the said United States."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Messages to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was ordered to be sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

Adjourn.

Comes Mansfield Capitalis Justiciarius Banci Regis declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Lunæ, duodecimum diem instantis Maii, horâ undecimâ Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.