House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 19 December 1650

Die Jovis, 19 Decembris, 1650.

Prayers.

Delinquents Estates.

RESOLVED, That the Quorum of the Committee for the Bill for Sale of Delinquents Estates be Five.

Navy.

Resolved, That the Reports and Business touching the Navy be made and taken into Consideration on This-day sevennight.

Delinquents.

Resolved, That the Reports from the Committee to whom the Delinquents Bill is committed, be made on Tuesday next.

Embassy from Portugall;

The House, this Day, took up the Debate upon the Letter sent from the Publick Minister sent from Portugall.

Which Letter was again read in Latin, and then in English, by the Clerk.

Sir William Armyn reports from the Council of State A Letter, written from the same publick Minister of Portugall to the said Council; and another to their Secretary.

Which were both first read, in Latin, and afterwards in English, by the Clerk; together with an Answer prepared thereunto.

Which was likewise read twice.

The Question being propounded, That a Safe Conduct be granted for the said Publick Minister of Portugall to come to London forthwith;

The Question being put, That that Question be now put;

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So it passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put, That a Safe Conduct be granted for the said publick Minister of Portugall to come to London forthwith;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it was Resolved, by the Parliament, That a Safe Conduct be granted for the said Publick Minister of Portugall, to come to London forthwith.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Council of State, to prepare the said Safe Conduct for Joao de Guimaries, sent from the King of Portugall to the Commonwealth of England, to be signed by Mr. Speaker: And that Mr. Speaker be impowered to sign the same, being so prepared, accordingly.

London Petition.

The House being informed, that there were divers Aldermen of London at the Door;

They were, upon the Question, ordered to be called in: And, being come to the Bar, Mr. Sadler, the Town Clerk of the said City, standing between Sir John Wollaston, and Alderman Foote, declared, "That the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the City of London, do, with all Humility, acknowledge this Parliament the Supreme Authority of this Nation; and think it their Duty to resort hither in all Matters of great Consequence; which they do not only from Necessity, but out of Choice; and account it their Happiness that they can do so."

"The present Occasion of this Address may seem little at first View, if looked on from a great Height, and great Distance; but to those betrusted with the Government of that City, it doth not seem so, but as a Matter which tends, not only to the Good of the City, but to the Good of this Commonwealth, and Service of the Parliament; and therefore do address themselves unto this Parliament, desiring that it may be looked upon, not only as the Act of those who now appear here with it, but as the Act of the Lord Mayor, and whole Body of the Court of Aldermen, who had commanded him, as a publick Officer, to sign the same; and in their Name, to present it unto the Parliament, and leave it to their grave Consideration."

And then presented a Petition.

Which (after the Aldermen were withdrawn) was read; and was intituled, "The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the City of London."

The Question being put, That this be the Substance of the Answer to be given to the Petitioners; viz. "That the Parliament doth take Notice of the good Affections of the Petitioners; and likewise having had in Consideration, Yesterday, the Substance of that Petition, now presented, did then pass an Act; and therefore, the Petition coming so late, they do not think fit to make any Alteration therein; but shall, in convenient time, take the Desires of the Petitioners into Consideration: And, as to such Persons as do constantly adhere to the Parliament, and have always adhered thereunto (saving in that Business of signing the Petition for the Personal Treaty); when the Parliament shall be informed of such Persons in particular, the Parliament will take the same into Consideration, for such Indulgence, to such Persons as have, and still do, manifest their Fidelity and Affection to the Parliament, as shall be fit;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, That this shall be the Substance of the Answer to be given to the Petitioners.

The Petitioners being again called in, Mr. Speaker returned them this Answer;

Gentlemen,

The Parliament hath taken into Consideration the Petition presented by you; and hath commanded me to return you this Answer, That the Parliament doth take Notice of the good Affection of the Petitioners, &c. as abovesaid.