Ordered, That the consideration of the said Accounts 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, for carrying on the War against France with vigour./

Resolutions respecting Fees, Salaries, and Pensions.] Feb. 22. Sir Thomas Littleton reported from the said committee, That they had proceeded upon the Charge of the Civil List from Michaelmas 1693, to Michaelmas 1694; the consideration whereof was referred to them; and had come to several Resolutions thereupon; which they had directed him to report to the house: viz.

out of any Branches of the Revenue, except as aforesaid, be suspended during the War; and that no other Pension already granted, or to be granted, shall be paid during the War."

The rest of the said Resolutions, being severally read a second time, were agreed to by the house.

Representation of the Commons to the King, on the Abuses and ill Practices of Agents, &c.] Feb. 26. Mr. Gwyn reported from the Committee appointed to prepare an humble Representation to be made to his majesty, that they had prepared the same accordingly: which they had directed him to report to the house; which he read in his place; and afterwards delivered in at the clerk's table: where the same was read. And the question being put, That the said Representation be re-committed; the house divided: Yeas 83, Noes 168. So it passed in the negative. Then the house proceeded upon the same, paragraph by paragraph: and some amendments were made to the same by the house.

And then the same was read, and agreed unto by the house; as followeth; viz.

:

Resolved, 1. That it is the opinion of this Committee, That the Charge of the Cofferer's Office for Ordinaries and Extraordinaries, be a sum not exceeding 90,000l. per Annun. 2. The Treasurer of the Chamber's office be 30,000l. 3. The great Wardrobe not 12,000l. 4. The Office of the Robes 4,000l. 5. The Office of the Works be 6,000l. 6. The Gardens 2,000l. 7. The Office of the Stables, on settled Allowances, 8,3761. 7s. 6d. 8. The Office of the Stables, during the War, 10,000l. We, your majesty's most dutiful and loyal 9. Foreign Ministers, for Ordinaries and Ex- subjects, the commons, in this present parliatraordinaries, 30,6761. 7s. 7d. 10. Bounty ment assembled, do, from a true and unfeigned money 20,000l. 11. Persons on Fees and Sa-zeal for your majesty's person and government, laries, payable at the Exchequer, over and which God long preserve and from the obli.above what is paid to the Officers of the Cus-gation that lieth upon us, in behalf of those toms, Excise, Post-Office, &c. or by the Re- whom we represent, most humbly lay before ceivers thereof, 50,000l. 12. That all Pen- your majesty the Grievance we lie under, by sions or Annuities, charged as part of the Civil some of the Officers and Soldiers of the Army, List, above the Sum of 2001. per Aun. except in raising money upon the country, under prethe Charity of 350l. 10s. per Ann. to Christ's tence of Subsistence; which is such a violation Hospital, be suspended during the War. 13. of the liberty and property of your subjects, That all other Pensions and Annuities, payable that it needeth no aggravation.-This is, in out of any Branches of the Revenue, except great measure, occasioned by the undue Pracas aforesaid, be suspended during the War. tices of some of the Agents and Officers; the 14. The Band of Pensioners, 6,000l. 15. The particulars of which we beg leave to lay before Queen Dowager 12,000l. 16. The Prince and your majesty, in order to the more effectual Princess of Denmark, 50,000l. 17. Secret Ser-preventing the like miscarriages for the future. vices, 10,000l. 18. Privy Purse, during the 1. Some of the Agents amongst other their ill War, 30,000l. 19. Plate and Jewels, 4,000l. practises, have detained the Money due to the 20. Contingencies, Liberates for the Exche-soldiers in their hands, and made use of it for quer, Printers Bills, Messengers Bills of the their own advantage, instead of immediately Court and Receipt of the Exchequer, Incidents applying it to the subsistence of the Officers to Commissioners of Accounts, Law-Charges, and Soldiers, for whom they were intrusted. Surplusages of Accounts, Rewards for appre- 2. Their intolerable Exactions, and great exhending Highway-men, Receivers Rewards, tortions, upon the officers and soldiers, for &c. 40,000l. 21. Payment of her late Ma- paying money by way of advance; their chargjesty's Servants, and Debts, for the year 1695, ing more for the discount of tallies, than they 50,000l." actually paid: by which fraudulent imposing upon those who serve in your majesty's armies, it appeareth, That notwithstanding they have a greater pay than is given in any other part of the world, they are yet reduced to inconveniencies and extremities, which ought not to be put upon those who venture their lives for the honour and safety of the nation. S. In particular, col. Hastings hath compelled some officers of his regiment to take their cloaths from him at extravagant rates, by confining and threatening those who would not comply therewith: by which the authority that may be necessary to be lodged in the colonel, over the inferior offi

The first 12 of the said Resolutions, being severally read a second time, were agreed unto by the house.

The 13th Resolution being read a second time; an Amendment was proposed to be made, by adding and that no other Pension already granted, or to be granted, shall be paid during the War' and the same was, upon the question put thereupon, agreed unto by the

house.

Resolved, "That the house do agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, so amended, That all other Pensions and Annuities, payable

Craggs, an Army Clothier, refuses to produce his Books.] March 6. Mr. Foley acquainted the house, That, in proceeding upon the Accounts of Mr. Pauncefort, they conceived it necessary to send their precept to Mr. James Craggs, one of the Clothiers of the Army, to attend them this morning, and bring with him the Books of Account kept for himself and partners, in relation to the Cloathing; which he did not obey; but sent an Answer to the said Commissioners, in writing, excusing the same; which Mr. Foley presented to the house; and delivered in at the clerk's table: where the same was read, as followeth :

The ANSWER of Mr. James Craggs to the Precept of the honourable the Commissioners for putting in execution the Act, intituled, An Act for appointing and enabling Commissioners to examine, take, and state, the public Accounts of the Kingdom; dated at York-buildings, the 4th of March 1694.

cers, in some cases, is misapplied, and extended so as to promote a private advantage of his own, without any regard to your majesty's service, or to the discipline of the Army. 4. Col. Hastings's agent hath presumed fraudulently to detain 500 guineas, out of a bounty given by your majesty to the officers of that regiment, under pretence of giving them as a bribe to obtain the same; to the dishonour of your majesty, and injury to the officers thereof: and hath taken 2d. per pound out of the Money due to the Officers and Soldiers; for which deduction, there being no warrant, the colonel, whose servant the agent is, is answerable. 5. Col. Hastings's Agent hath refused, or neglected to give an Account of the pay due to the Captains of his regiment, and their companies; which tends apparently to the defrauding the Officers and Soldiers. 6. Some of the Agents assume to themselves the liberty of making great Deductions; which, since they know not how to justify, they endeavour to cover, by putting them under the shelter of the uncertain head of Contingencies; which giveth them the better opportunity of hiding the frauds and abuses that would otherwise be more liable to be detected. 7. Col. Hastings hath discharged an ensign, by putting another into his room, contrary to the true discipline of an Army; from which the colonels have no right to exempt themselves, to inlarge their own authority, to the prejudice of your majesty's service, and of the officers who serve under them. 8. Col. Hastings hath taken money for the recommend--And as to that part of the foresaid Precept, ing to commands in his regiment, to the great discouragement of the officers, who are to serve in your majesty's armies; who ought to be such as deserve their commands, and not such as pay for them. These things we most humbly represent to your majesty, in confidence of having them redressed by your majesty's justice and wisdom.--Your loyal commons, as they have been always ready to supply your majesty, cannot but be sensible of such Miscarriages, as may either diminish the strength of your armies, or the affections of your people: and it is from a principle of the highest duty, that we take this way of applying ourselves to your majesty for redress; having an intire assurance, That this our most humble Representation will not only be graciously accepted; but that our expectations from it will be fully answered."

The King's Answer.] March 6. To this his majesty was pleased to reply:

Gentlemen; I will consider your Representation, and take all care possible to have the Grievances redressed."*

* "And so far he had already thought fit to interpose, that on the 19th of Feb. he had been pleased to order in Council, That the chief Officers of the Army should meet twice a week, to receive and exainine all Informations and Complaints that should be brought before them, against any officer or soldier in his majesty's pay, in order to redress the same. It is true,

"The said James Craggs humbly answereth, and saith, That he is not any way a public receiver, agent, or officer, relating to any part of the revenue of the crown; but hath only dealt and traded in partnership, with divers other merchants and dealers, in buying and selling many sorts of goods; and particularly, he and his partners have sold cloathing to several colonels of the army; and have not received any part of their money, but from the said colonels, or their orders, to whom they sold their goods.

which requires him to attend upon the honourable Commissioners, for stating the public Accounts of the kingdom, on the 6th inst, with all the Books of Accounts, any ways relating to the Cloathing of the Army, by him, or any person or persons concerned by or with him, for the years 1692, and 1693; the said James Craggs humbly saith, That in the said Books are contained, and intermixed, the Accounts of such sums of money as he and his said partners do owe unto clothiers, and other their creditors, of whom they bought goods so sold to the colonels,

this kind of remedy, though countenanced by the Privy-Council, was not authorised by the Constitution; and according to the very nature of things, it was not over-reasonable to imagine, that the injured would take their case out of the house of commons, in order to put their trust in the equity of a military court. But his majesty, moreover, made an instant example of col. Hastings, by cashiering him, and giving his regiment to sir John Jacob, his Lieut. Colonel: and on the 11th of March following caused a Declaration to be issued for the strict Discipline of the Army, and due Payment of Quarters; charging and commanding all officers and soldiers, not to exact or demand any Subsistence-Money, or to commit any spoil or disorder, or to use any violence or threatening words, or otherwise to misbehave themselves, under pain of being cashiered, and losing their pay." Ralph.

and others: and, if he shall be forced to pro- | house: and that several of the Commissioners duce the said Books, the example and conse- for licensing and regulating Hackney-coaches, quence thereof may draw all other merchants and Stage-coaches, had, by receiving Bribes, and traders into the like examinations and dis- and by other undue means, acted corruptly and covery, who, at any time within six years last arbitrarily, contrary to the authority and trust past, have sold any goods for the use of the Ar- reposed in them by act of parliament. There my or Navy, or any other part of the govern- upon the house ordered the Committee to disment; and thereby lay open the weakness of tinguish the Commissioners, which they accordtheir estates and substance; which may expose ingly did; and by their report on March 20, them to the immediate demands and prosccu- Henry Ashurst and Walter Överbury, esquires, tions of their creditors, to their certain ruin; were honourably cleared, and the others were and will tend to the general discouragement of declared guilty: and an humble Address was all trade and dealing with the government.-made to his majesty, that he would remove For which reasons he humbly craves leave to offer, That by the law, and true intent of the said Act, he ought not to be compelled to produce the said Books, they containing not a pub-removed. lic, but a private Account. James Craggs."

Ordered, That the said Mr. James Craggs be summoned to attend this house immediately. Ordered, That a Bill be brought in for the taking and stating the Public Accounts for the year 1695.

March 7. The house being acquainted by Mr. Gec, a member thereof, That he had received information by one Mrs. Shorter, and Mrs. Bourman, that a member of this house had received Money for the carrying on a Bill in this house; Ordered, That the said Mrs. Shorter, and Mrs. Bourinan, be summoned to attend this house to-morrow morning.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inspect the Books of the East India Company iminediately: Also, That the same Committee have power to inspect the Chamberlain of London's Books: and that they have likewise power to send for persons and papers.

Craggs sent to the Tower.] Mr. James Craggs attending, according to order, was called in: and his Auswer to the Commissioners for taking and stating the public Accounts being read, he owned the same: and it being demanded, whether he would produce his Books, and be examined before the said Commissioners, upon oath, touching his Accounts; he excused; and refused to produce his said Books and being acquainted by Mr. Speaker, That if he persisted in his refusal, the house would proceed with all rigour and severity against him; and being withdrawn, a motion was made, and the question being proposed, That Mr. James Craggs, one of the Contractors for the Cloathing of the Army, for refusing to produce his Books of Accounts, thereby obstructing the Inquiry of this house into the disposal of the public Monies, be committed prisoner to the Tower of London; It was resolved in the affirmative.

6

6

Henry Killegrew, Henry Villers, and Richard
Gea, esqrs. from the Commission for licensing
Hackney-coaches; and they were accordingly

Report of Corruptions in the East India Company's Affair.] March 20. Mr. Foley reported, from the Committee, who were ap pointed to inspect the Books of the East-India Company, and also the Books of the Chamberlain of London, the several matters, as they appeared to the committee, as follow;

"As to the East India-Company: That the committee, as soon as they came to the EastIndia house, understood, some clerks of the Company, by order, had lately taken out of their Books an Account of all Money paid for the special Service of the Company, beginning in the Year 1688.; which the committee called for: the Abstract of which is as followeth : Paid in cash for the Company's special Service. In the Year 1688

£. s. d. 1,284 13 6

"Upon which the Committee observing, That the greatest payment was in the year 1693; they searched for the Orders for the issuing of that Money; the chief of which were,

"One dated the 13th of April 1693; at a Court of Committee, in the words following: The Governor, this day acquainting the Court with what proceedings had been made in their 'affairs, towards granting a new Charter; and with what had been disbursed by him in pro'secution thereof; the Court approved of the said Charges; and ordered a warrant to be 'made out for the same; returned him thanks Commissioners of the Hackney Coaches cor- |‹ for his great care, pains, and trouble, in their rupted.] Amiist the cry of Bribery and Cor-service; and desired him to proceed in the ruption, there was a Petition to the house of perfecting thereof.' commons, of Thomas Kemp and others, on behalf of themselves and others, the ancient 400 licensed Hackney-Coach men; which being referred to a Committee, it was their opinion, That the Petitioners the Hackney-Coach-men, had proved the substance of their Complaint, and were worthy the consideration and relief of the

"Another was dated the 24th of Nov. 1603, at a Court of Committee, held the same day; viz. The governor, this day making a Representation of what sums of Money had been by him disbursed in the management and carrying on of the Company's Affairs, for their service; the Court approved thereof; and ordered,

་

That a warrant be made out for making the same paid in cash accordingly; giving him their thanks for his great care and pains taken 'therein.'

"Another was at a Court of Committee, the 22nd of Jan. 1693-4; viz. It being represented to the Court, That in the further prosecution of the Company's Affairs, and in order to their 'settlement, there has been several sums of Mo< ney disbursed, amounting to 30,000/. in the whole; the particulars whereof are now laid before them, and consideration thereof had; it is ordered, That the said Money be made paid in cash; and that a warrant be made out accordingly.'

observed to be paid, and placed to the Company's Account of Charges-general paid out of Cash; viz. In 1688 and 1689 sir Ben. Bathurst Governor, and sir Josiah Child DeputyGovernor, 2,230 l. 14 s. In 1690 and 1691, sir Jos. Hern Governor, sir Tho. Cook DeputyGovernor, 13,532l. 9 s. 2 d. In 1692 and 1693, sir Tho. Cook Governor, Mr. Tyson Deputy, 87,4027. 12 s. 3 d. In the whole 103,1657. 15 s. 5 d.

66

Of the disposal of which Money, the committee say, They have been able to obtain no further Account, than that the same is made paid in the Company's Books, in general terms, for special service; and that a great part thereof was, as they are informed, put into the bands of sir Bazil Firebrace: and the most material Orders of Court, that appeared to them, to relate to the greatest sums, were those of the 13th April 1693; the 24th Nov. 1693; and the 22d Jan. 1693-4; before observed.

"That the Committee find, by examination of most of the persons present at the aforesaid committees, That the Governor, in the said committees, did only in general inform, what sums he had disbursed, without naming the particulars, to whom, or for what serviee; which, several of them said, was a new course, since "In the said State, drawn by the said Comsir Tho. Cook came to be Deputy-Governor, mittees, they observe, That, upon examination or Governor, but at all times; before he was con- of the Company's Cash-Book, they found thecerned, the particulars of all Sums, for the spe- Balance, 31st Oct. 1694, was 121,249l. 15s. 10d. cial service of the Company, were declared. They demanded of Mr. Portmans, the cashier, if "Further, the Committee found, That in he had the same in cash? He replied, he had pursuance of the first Order, dated the 19th of not: but, instead thereof, laid before them, in April 1693, 22,275. was paid out of Cash, in writing, on the 22nd Nov. 1694, That 90,000l. pursuance of that Order; and 24,983 l. in pur- was lent upon sir Thomas Cook's notes; with suance of the next Order, the 24th of Nov. 1693; other particulars, which make up the aboveand 30,000 l. in pursuance of the last Order of mentioned balance. For which 90,000l. Mr. the 22nd of Jan. 1693; amounting in all to Portmans produced the then governor sir Tho. 77,258 l.; besides several smaller sums, amount-Cook's note, in hæc verba: Received, the ing, in the whole, to 10,144 l. 12 s. 3 d.; which, with the former sum, makes 87,402 l. 12 s. 3 d. all issued whilst sir Tho. Cook was Governor, and Francis Tyson, esq. Deputy-Governor, for the special Service of the Company.

10th Jan. 169 for account of the East-India company,90,000l. which I have disbursed and paid, for 99,1971. stock in the E. I. Company, for their account: which I promise to be ac'countable, for account of the E. I. Company; and was by order of court of the 24th Nov. 1693.'

"Besides those Warrants, the Committee found what was called a previous Order: A copy of which is as follows: At a Court held "The said Committee do observe, That they the 24th of Nov. 1693; sir Thomas Cook Go-do not find any Warrant for the said sum, or 'vernor : Francis Tyson esq. Deputy-Governor: any of that Stock transferred in the Company's "It is ordered, That the Cashier-general do, from Books for their Account, excepting 18,300l. time to time, make payment of such sums of Stock, the 16th Jan. last. 'money, for carrying on the Company's Service, as the Governor shall direct, pursuant to the 'sense of the present debate.'

"By virtue of which, the Governor received several sums between that and the 22nd of Jan. following; at which time, he declared, he had disbursed 30,000 7.; and had an Order then for placing the same to Account; as is before observed. The like previous Order was alleged to be made before the other Warrants for the 22,275 l. and 24,983 l.; but the Committee had not time to inspect the same.

"That the Committee understood, That, at a Court held the 20th of Dec. 1694, several Members were impowered to meet, and consider the matters to them referred, by Order of the 14th Nov. 1694; who, in pursuance thereof, had drawn up a State of the Company's Cash, to be presented to the Company, dated at the East-India House the 7th March 1694: In which State near all the aforesaid sums were VOL. V.

"The Committees of the East-India Company, besides the State above of Cash, did draw up another State of Contracts: In which they say, They found a Contract, bearing date the 26th Feb. 1693, for 200 ton of Saltpetre, to be brought home in the ship Seymour, from India, to pay the sum of 12,000l. for the same, and 251. freight per ton to the owners of the ship, besides all charges here: 2000l. part of the said 12,000l. was the sum sent out to purchase the said Saltpetre, is actually paid out of the Company's Cash; and a bond for the remaining 10,000/. is given under the seal of the Company, payable the 31st March next; viz. 1695; whether the ship arrive in safety or not; with this limitation only, That if 200 ton of Petre was not laden upon the said ship, then to pay in proportion to the want thereof: so that the result of this contract is, The Company runs the adventure of 12,000l. for that which cost only 2,000l.; and must consequently lose 3 M