Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Office, and small Branches from Michaelmas 1693, to Michaelmas 1694. And the same was read; as followeth ; viz.

Mr. Foley, according to order, presented to | the house, from the Commissioners for taking and stating the public Accounts, Abstracts of the Revenues of the Excise, Customs, Post

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Ordered, That the consideration of the said State and Abstracts be referred to the committee of the whole house, to whom it is referred to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supply to be granted to his majesty, for carrying on the war against France with vigour.

[ocr errors]

not only the agents of the army, and several members of the house of commons, but also the Speaker himself, and crept into his majesty's Privy-council. The Inquiry into these corrupt practices was as accidental as necessary. In the account of it, mention is made of the monstrous sums of thousands, and tens PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMONS AGAINST of thousands; yet, at the first, the payment of BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION.] January 12. a petty sum of 104. or less, had certainly preThe most remarkable business of this session vented the discovery, the rise, of which was was the Inquiry into Bribery, and the timely from a Petition from some of the inhabitants of Check given to the most scandalous and dan-Royston in Hertfordshire against the Abuses gerous Corruption, which had lately tainted, of Officers and Soldiers in exacting Subsistence VOL. V.

S L

ments of the army, as have neglected to attend them upon their summons. 3. That agent Pauncefort do forthwith lay before this house a particular Account of all the Monies received from the earl of Ranelagh, and the times of such Receipts, since the 28th of May last; and how he has paid or disposed of the said Money; and when, and to whom, he paid the same; and what remains in his hands.

Money. The Petition which was presented on the 12th of January, set forth, “That captain | Heury Cartwright's company of foot, belonging to colonel Hastings' regiment, being now quartered at Royston, demand the several sums following to be paid them weekly by the Petitioners for their Subsistence, over and above their lodging, and other necessaries, as the law requires; viz. To the lieutenant, 17s. Gd.; to the ensign, 14s.; the serjeant, 6s.; every cor- Jan. 25. Mr. Harley, from the Commisporal, 4s. 6d.; and every private centinel, 3s.;sioners for taking and stating the Public Ac and threaten for non-payment to take the Pe- counts, presented to the house, according to titioners goods: That the Petitioners are will-order, their Observations of the Abuses, and ing to give them such Subsistence as they are able to do, and as the law directs; but are not able to bear a Grievance of this nature, having formerly been great sufferers by quartering two companies of sir John Edgworth's regiment, from the 12th Feb. 1688 to the 15th of April 1689; for which the Petitioners never were paid one farthing: and praying the house to take the premises into consideration."

Ordered, 1. That capt. Henry Cartwright be summoned to attend this house on Friday next. 2. That the lieutenant and ensign of his company be also summoned to attend.

Jan. 19. Mr. Crosfeild attending, according to order, he was called in, and acquainted, That the house had taken notice of a printed Book delivered at the door of the lobby; by which he pretends, That he can make a discovery of great Embezzlements of public Monies: and that the house was ready to hear what he had to offer in relation thereunto. Whereupon he acquainted the house, That he had Proposals to make; and could produce several persons to make out the matter, if the house would put the same into a way of examination upon oath. And then withdrew.

Ordered, That the said Mr. Crosfeild do attend the Commissioners for taking and stating the public Accounts; and do lay before them his Proposals: and that they do examine the matter thereof; and report the same to the house, with all convenient speed.

Jan. 23. The house proceeded in the Examination of the matter of the Complaint of the inhabitants of Royston: and agent Tracy Pauncefort attending, according to order, he was called in, and examined. The Lieutenant and Ensign of Captain Cartwright's Company were called in, together with the said Agent Pauncefort, and all examined.

Resolved, nem. con. "That the Officers and Soldiers of the Army demanding and exacting Subsistence-money in their quarters, or upon their march, is arbitrary and illegal, and a great violation of the Rights and Liberties of the subject."

Ordered, 1. That the Commissioners for taking and stating the Public Accounts do, upon Friday next, lay before this house their Observations of the Abuses, and ill practices, committed by the several Agents of the Regiments of the Army. 2. That the said Commissioners do then also lay before this house the Names of such of the Agents of the regi

ill Practices, committed by the several Agents of the Regiments of the Army; and also the Names of such agents of regiments, as have neglected to attend them upon their summons; and the same was read as followeth; viz.

"That, shortly after the first constitution of the said Commission, in the year 1691, they found great sums of money to be issued, for the use of the Army, to persons called Agents to Regiments, whereof many of them have two, three, or more regiments, to the number of seven, under their charge; and thereupon directed precepts to all those persons to attend them, with their several Accounts; who were generally very backward, and unwilling, pretending themselves only accountable to the respective colonels that employ them, to whom they had given security.-Your Commissioners did then discover so many Abuses in their practices, that they thought it their duty, to exhibit in writing to this house, in the said year; -That the Agency to regiments is a thing lately brought into practice; and many of the agents, paying great sums of money for their places, make their profits by deductions from the Soldiers.-That the Commissioners have since issued out precepts to all the Agents for the several regiments; and find it very difficult to have any Accounts, or direct Answers to the Matters required of them: and, by reason of the delays of most of them to exhibit perfect Accounts and Vouchers, the Commissioners have not been able thoroughly to examine all the complaints now before them; but they humbly offer to the house some ge neral Observations, and particular Instances, thereunto relating.-And first, That the Subsistence of the English Army, being last year above £. 1,200,000, the greatest part thereof, besides Money for Cloathing, and Off-reckonings, is under the management and disposition of Agents to the Army; who have declared themselves accountable to none, but their respective colonels, for the disposition of the said money.-That several Complaints have been made to the Commissioners, that the Agents kept money in their hands, when the same hath been due to both the Soldiers for their pay, and for Debts in their Quarters; which hath occasioned several Injuries and Abuses to the subjects of these nations:-That several Agents keep back great sums of money from the private soldiers for Agency, and have also great Gratuities from inferior officers, under

pretence of advancing money to them, when, many times, it hath been the publick money in their hands payable to them, and their regiments:-That they stop poundage out of money paid to tradesmen, sometimes 1s. 2s. 2s. 6d. and more in the pound; though the Soldiers also allow discount, or loss on tallies:That several of the Agents are undertakers for Cloathing; whereby excessive gain is made; and the regiments brought much in debt, the charge being thereby augmented beyond what the off-reckonings will satisfy.-Besides the general backwardness of the Agents to account, Mr. Richard Roberts, Agent to three regiments, has had many precepts to make up his Accounts, ever since the year 1691; and had also, not long since, summons to attend the Commissioners, and shew cause why he did not bring in his Accounts; all which he hath refused to do.-Mr. Wm. Wallis was Agent to seven regiments, and is now to six; and it did appear to the Commissioners, That, in the Accounts which he had delivered upon oath, he had charged col. Lutterell's regiment, for cloathing, with much more than he paid the tradesmen for the same :-And several tradesmen, who received money from him, being examined upon oath, did testify, That Mr. Wallis did deduct from them, from 1s. to 2s. 6d. in the pound; and that he had set down to the regiment about double the sum by him paid, in sixteen several bills; the originals whereof are ready to be produced; and also a voucher, altered, by his own hand, from 817. 18s. Od. to 181. 18s. Od.:-That there are also other Charges against the said Wallis, for over-reckoning above 1000l. to that regiment and another, for recruits; but he hath refused positively to answer to that and other complaints." Ordered, That the said Observations be taken into further consideration upon Monday

next.

ined.-Ordered, That the said agent be taken into the custody of the Serjeant at Arms.

Resolved, That agent Tracy Pauncefort, for neglecting to pay the Subsistence-Money to the Officers and Soldiers that quartered at Royston, having monies in his hands to do the same, be taken into the custody of the Serjeant at Arms.

Agent Pauncefort ordered to the Tower for a Contempt.] February 12. Agent Pauncefort attending, in custody, was called in; and examined. And, refusing to answer to several questions demanded by the house; he withdrew.-Afterwards he was called in again; and acquainted by Mr. Speaker, by order of the house, That if he did not immediately answer to the said questions, the house would proceed with the uttermost rigour and severity against him. And, he still persisting in his refusal; he withdrew.

Resolved, nem. con. "That Mr. Tracey Pauncefort, agent to col. Hastings's regiment, by obstinately refusing to answer to a matter of fact demanded of him by this house, bath thereby violated the privilege, and contemned the authority, of this house, and the fundamental constitution thereof."

Ordered, That the said Mr. Tracey Pauncefort be committed prisoner to the Tower of London, and that he be brought to the bar of this house, and, upon his knees, receive the said judgment.

And he was accordingly brought in: and, kneeling at the bar, the Judgment was pronounced by Mr. Speaker.

Feb. 15. A Petition of Mr. Tracy Pauncefort, was presented and read; whereby he acknowledged his offence, and expressed his sorrow for falling under the displeasure of the house; and humbly prayed, That he might be brought to the bar of the house again; being ready to declare to the house what they shall think fit to require of him. He was accordingly again brought to the bar; but not giving satisfactory answer he was remanded back to the Tower.

Several Agents examined aud committed.] Jan. 28. The house proceeded to take into further consideration the Complaint made by the inhabitants of Royston; and also the Observations of the Commissioners for taking and Feb. 16. His brother, Mr. Edward Pauncestating the Publick Accounts, of the Abuses, and fort, was likewise called in and examined. After ill Practices, committed, by the several Agents which it was, Resolved, nem. con. "That Mr. of the Regiments of the Army And Agent E. Pauncefort, for contriving to cheat col. HastTracy Pauncefort was called in, and presentedings's regiment of 500 guineas; and for giving to the house his Accounts of the Monies received of the earl of Ranelagh, since the 28th of May last; and how he hath paid the same; and when, and to whom; and what remained in his hands-Also the said Agent, and lieut. Turner, col. Hastings, major Montall, and Agent Rd. Roberts, attending according to order were called in and examined.

Resolved, nem. con. "That Rd. Roberts, agent to col. Langston's and col. Englesby's regiments, for contemptuously neglecting and refusing to attend the Commissioners for taking and stating the Publick Accounts, upon their precepts and summons, be taken into the custody of the Serjeant at Arms."

Agent Wm. Wallis was called in, and exam

a Bribe to obtain the King's Bounty; be taken into the custody of the serjeant at Arms.”

Mr. Guy, Secretary of the Treasury, sent to the Tower for taking a Bribe.] This day it was also Resolved, "That Mr. Henry Guy

[ocr errors]

"That this gentleman was Secretary of the Treasury, and that a great part of the Secret-Service Money passed through his hands, has already been discoursed of more than once. That therefore the Anti-Courtiers should snatch this opportunity to set a mark upon him, is not so much to be wondered at, as that the Courtiers durst not venture to skreen him from the indignation he had incurred. But this is a new instance, that these

[ocr errors]

a Member of this house, for taking a Bribe of 200 guineas, be committed Prisoner to the Tower of London."

Resolved, That a Committee he appointed to prepare an humble Representation, to be made to his majesty, laying before his majesty the several Abuses, ill Practices, and intolerable Exactions, of the Agents of the Regiments of the Army, upon the inferior Officers, and common Soldiers; whereby they have been forced to raise their Subsistence upon the people; and that the said Representation be also prepared upon the several Examinations which have been before this house, and upon the debate of the house thereupon.

Feb. 21. Mr. Pauncefort, attending, in custody, was called in; and acquainted by Mr. Speaker, That the house conceived he had not dealt ingenuously; but had prevaricated with them; and that he was to attend the Commissioners for taking and stating the Publick Accounts, to be examined upon oath: and that in case he did not answer clearly, and satisfactorily, the house would proceed against him with all rigour and severity.And then he withdrew. Account of Fees and Salaries payable at the Exchequer.] Sir Stephen Fox, from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, presented to the house, according to order, Accounts of the Fees and Salaries payable to divers Persons at the Exchequer; and of the Bounty-nonies of their majesties paid there; and also of the Monies paid for Contingencies, for the last three years. The same were read; and are as follow; viz.

An ACCOUNT of Fees and Salaries payable to divers Persons at the Exchequer, 19th Feb. 1694.

£. S. d.

[blocks in formation]

Win. Meesters, Store-keeper of the
Ordnance

Mr. Gardner, Keeper of the Small
Arins

John Fitch, Work-master..
Richard Leak, Master Gunner
Four Clerks of the Privy Council,

each 2501.

Clerks, and others, in the Planta

tion Office, about Keepers of the Council Chamber, each 45. 12s. 6d...

Ten Serjeants at Arms, 100%. 7s. 6d. each per ann.

Sir Tho. St. George, Garter King at Arms

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

1,000

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

[blocks in formation]

Lord President

1,500

Lord Privy-Seal, 41. per diem....

1,460

1,003 15

Two Secretaries of State, each

100% per annum

200

100

12,000

Twelve Judges of the three Courts

of Law, each, 1000..

Two Judges of Chester, 500l. and

[ocr errors][ocr errors]

2001. per ann............

[ocr errors][merged small]

times had not wholly abandoned their modesty, how much soever they had tarnished their virtue. Even bishop Burnet admits, That many were the more sharpened against Guy, be< cause it was believed that he, as well as Trevor, the Speaker, was deeply concerned in corrupting the Members of the House of Commons." But then he takes care to insinuate, that he learned his trade in the two preceding reigns, by adding, That he had held his place both in king Charles and king James's time; and the share he had in the secret Distribution of Money, had made him a necessary man for those methods.' But, whether he was most obnoxious for his present or past corruptions, or because he was in the way of the present corruptors, the Commons followed their blow, and importuned the king, by Address, to remove him from his place, which it does not appear that he made any difficulty to comply with." Ralph.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

Sir Hen. St. George, Clarenceux
King at Arms....

40

Sir John Dugdale, Norroy King at
Arms

40

160

80

[ocr errors]

100 200

109 10

100

[ocr errors]

200

36 10

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]
« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »