House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 16 May 1650

Die Jovis, 16 Maii, 1650.

Prayers.

Letter read.

A LETTER from Mr. Strickland, Agent for the Parliament in Holland, from the Hague, of the 19/9th of May 1650, was this Day read.

Ordered, That this Letter be returned back again to the Council of State.

Publick Fast.

Ordered, That This-day-month, being the Thirteenth Day of June next, be appointed and set apart for a Day of publick Fasting and Humiliation, to be observed in all Churches and Chapels within the Cities of London and Westminster, and all other Cities, Towns, and Places, within this Commonwealth, for seeking unto Almighty God for pardoning the great Sins of this Nation, and for a Blessing upon the Councils and Endeavours of the Parliament, for the Preservation of this Nation against all the Plots, Designs, and Combinations, of the Enemies of this Commonwealth: And that an Act be brought in for that Purpose; together with a Declaration of the Grounds and Reasons of setting apart the Day aforesaid: And that it be referred to Sir James Harrington, Colonel Harrison, Mr. John Gurdon, Major Salwey, Sir Wm. Masham, or any Two of them, to prepare the said Act and Declaration; and to bring it in To-morrow Morning, the First Business.

Preachers appointed.

And the Care hereof is committed to Major Salway.

Ordered, by the Parliament, That Mr. Owen, Mr. Carrall, and Mr. Strong, be desired to pray and preach before the Parliament, at Margaret's, Westminster, on This-day-month, being the Thirteenth Day of June next; be ing a Day set apart for Publick Fasting and Humiliation.

Ordered, That Mr. Gurdon do give notice hereof to Mr Owen.

Ordered, That Sir Wm. Masham do give notice hereof to Mr. Stronge.

Ordered, That Mr. Millington do give notice hereof to Mr. Carrall.

Acts to be printed.

Ordered, That a competent Number of the several Acts against Adultery, and for the better Observation of the Lord's Day, be forthwith printed at the Charge of the State: And that a sufficient and competent Number of them be forthwith sent to supply every Parish in the several Counties: And that the Council of State take care that the same be sent into the several Counties, for Supply of each Parish, accordingly.

Assessment.

An Act for an Assessment for Six Months, from the Twenty-fourth Day of June 1650, for the Maintenance of the Forces raised by Authority of Parliament, for the Service of England and Ireland, at the Rate of Ninety thousand Pounds per mensem, for the first Three Months, and at the Rate . . Threescore thousand Pounds per mensem for the last Three Months, was this Day read the Second time; and divers Alterations and Additions of Commissioners at the Table.

The Question being put, That the Proviso touching the Exemption of the Universities, &c. do stand;

It passed with the Negative.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army to bring in a Proviso, upon Debate of the House, for exempting the Persons of the Masters, Fellows, and Scholars of the Universities, and the Colleges of Winchester, Westminster, and Eaton, from being liable to the Tax in this Bill.

Ordered, That this Bill, so amended, be ingrossed.

Invalid Soldiers, &c.

Ordered, That the Letter of the Treasurers for maimed Soldiers, and Widows, be read To-morrow at Eleven of Clock.

Howett's Petition.

The humble Petition of William Howett, was this Day read.

Lincoln Assessments.

Whereas Information is given that the City of Lincoln was heretofore assessed, and did pay, toward the monthly Assessments, double to its Proportion, that it ought to have borne with the County: It is Ordered, by the Parliament, That it be referred to the Commissioners of the County, to do Right to the City of Lincoln therein; and be hereby authorized to ease them in the next Assessment, without lessening the Sum by the Act set upon the City and County.

Persons to attend.

Ordered, That Mr. Carew Ralegh be required to attend the House To-morrow Morning: And that Mr. John Goodwyn, and such others of the Committee for the Business of the Fens as sat Yesterday, do likewise attend the House To-morrow Morning: And the Serjeant at Arms attending the Parliament is to give Notice hereof to the several Persons aforesaid.