ted for prohibiting the payment of the bounty upon the exportation
of corn, unless sold at a lower price than is allowed in an act passed
in the first year of the reign of William and Mary; but this bill, after
having been read a second time and committed, was neglected, and proved
abortive.

BILLS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF SEAMEN, &c.

In consequence of a motion made by Mr. Grenville, a humane bill was
prepared and brought in for the encouragement of seamen employed in the
royal navy, establishing a regular method for the punctual, frequent,
and certain payment of their wages; enabling them more easily and
readily to remit money for the support of their wives and families,
and preventing the frauds and abuse attending such payments. This bill,
having passed the lower house, engaged in a very particular manner the
attention of the lords, who, by divers messages to the house of commons,
desired the attendance of several members. These messages being taken
into consideration, several precedents were recited; a debate arose
about their formality, and the house unanimously resolved that a message
should be sent to the lords, acquainting them that the house of commons,
not being sufficiently informed by their messages upon what grounds, or
for what purposes, their lordships desired the house would give leave to
such of their members as were named in the said messages to attend the
house of lords, in order to be examined upon the second reading of the
bill, the commons hoped their lordships would make them acquainted
with their intention. The lords, in answer to this intimation, gave the
commons to understand, that they desired the attendance of the members
mentioned in their messages, that they might be examined as witnesses
upon the second reading of the bill. This explanation being deemed
satisfactory, the members attended the house of lords, where they were
carefully and fully examined, as persons conversant in sea affairs,
touching the inconveniencies which had formerly attended the
sea-service, as well as the remedies now proposed; and the bill having
passed through their house, though not without warm opposition, was
enacted into a law by his majesty's assent. The militia act, as it
passed in the last session, being found upon trial defective, Mr.
Townshend moved for leave to bring in a new bill, to explain, amend, and
enforce it; this was accordingly allowed, prepared, and passed into a
law, though it did not se