House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 19 June 1651

Thursday the 19th of June, 1651.

Prayers.

Duresme proposed University.

ORDERED, by the Parliament, That these Words be added to the Order made Yesterday, touching the Site and Buildings at Duresme, called the College; viz. "That the Contractors, Trustees, and other Officers, for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands, do forbear to contract for the Sale of the Site and Buildings at Duresme, called the College; or make any Conveyance thereof, or any Part thereof, until the Parliament take further Order.

Fleet for reducing Barbadoes.

Major Salwey reports from the Council of State, touching the Fleet designed for reducing the Barbadoes;

"That this Council, in pursuance of the Act of Parliament for the reducing of the Barbadoes, did cause to be prepared a Fleet of Ships for that Service, consisting of Seven Sail, under the Command of Sir George Aiscue; a particular List of which Ships, their Burden, Men, and Guns, is herewith presented."

"That for the Regulating of that Affair, and carrying on the same with the better Conduct, the Council gave the Commissions and Instructions; whereof Copies are also herewith presented."

"That, when the Fleet aforesaid was ready to set Sail, in Prosecution of the said Voyage, there being an Opportunity offered for the Reduction of Sillies, the Council thought fit to make use of that Fleet for the said Service at Sillies; and were instrumental for effecting the same."

"That there are aboard the said Fleet many Persons that were banished thence, and who had suffered much for their Fidelity and good Affection to this Commonwealth; who expect their Passage thither in the said Fleet."

"That, while the said Fleet have been employed upon the Service aforesaid at Sillies, there are some Letters come to the Hands of the Council, giving some Representation of the present State of Affairs there: Which the Council hath thought necessary the House should be acquainted with."

"That the Council hath given Licence for several Ships to go with the said Fleet; who have given Security to be at the Direction of the Commander in Chief of that Fleet, to trade, or not to trade, as he shall direct. A List of which Ships is also herewith presented."

"That, upon the Reduction of Sillies, and some few Days before the late Order of the Parliament, the Council had given Order, that the said Fleet should receive in a Supply of Victuals, and then proceed on their Voyage, in pursuance of their former Instructions."

"This being the State of Fact concerning that Fleet, the Council hath held necessary it should be represented to the Parliament, for such further Order therein as they shall judge fit."

The humble Petition of the Merchants, Seamen, and others, trading to the Barbadoes, and other Islands, &c. was this Day read.

Several Papers and Letters mentioned in the Report were this Day read.

The Question being propounded, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take special Care, that, out of these Ships already designed for the Barbadoes, or any others, a competent Number of Ships may be sent thither, as may be most for the Service of this Commonwealth, either by distressing the said Islands, or hindering Trade thither, or otherwise, as may best conduce to the Reduction of the said Island, and the best Advantage of this Commonwealth;

And the Question being put, That that Question be now put;

It passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put:

It was Resolved, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take special Care, that, out of those Ships already designed for the Barbadoes, or any others, a competent Number of Ships may be sent thither, as may be most for the Service of this Commonwealth, either by distressing the said Island, or hindering Trade thither, or otherwise, as may best conduce to the Reduction of the said Island, and the best Advantage of this Commonwealth.

Invalid Soldiers.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for sick and maimed Soldiers, to take care, that Medicaments, and other Supplies, be provided for the Cure of the sick and maimed Soldiers in Ely House, and other Hospitals, as they shall find necessary for that Service.