House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 27 December 1650

Die Veneris, 27 Decembris, 1650.

Prayers.

Morgan's, &c. Nat.

A BILL for naturalizing Dame Anne Morgan, now Wife of Walter Strickland Esquire, and Mary Skippon, Wife of Philip Skippon Esquire, and Major General of the City of London, An and Mary, Daughters of the said Philip and Mary, Dederick alias Richard Comes, and Anna Catherina Comes, was this Day read the First time.

Resolved, That the said Bill be now read the Second time.

The said Bill was this Day read the Second time accordingly; and, upon the Question, committed unto Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Attorney, Mr. Long, Mr. Oldesworth, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Hill, Mr. Challoner, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Colonel Purefoy, Sir Tho. Maleverer, Sir Wm. Allanson, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Pury, Mr. Nevill, Mr. Ralegh, Mr. Trenchard, Mr. Morley, Mr. Millington, Colonel Bossevile, Mr. Whitacre, Mr. Holland, Mr. Dunch, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Dormer, Mr. Lechmere, Colonel Jones, Mr. Garland, Colonel Marten: And all that will come are to have Voices: With Power to consider how, and in what manner, Bills of the like Nature may be framed, and passed; and present their Opinions therein to the House.

This Committee, or any Five of them, are to meet this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber; and so de die in diem; and to bring it on Thursday next.

Abolishing Observation of Christmas Day, &c.

Sir Henry Mildmay reports from the Council of State;

"That the Council having received several Informations, that there was a very wilful and strict Observation of the Day commonly called Christmas Day, throughout the Cities of London and Westminster, by a general Keeping of their Shops shut up: and that there were contemptuous Speeches used by some in favour thereof: Which the Council conceiving to be upon the old Grounds of Superstition and Malignancy, and tending to the Avowing of the same, and Contempt of the present Laws and Government, have thought fit, that the Parliament be moved to take the same into Consideration, for such further Provision and Penalties for the Abolishing and Punishing of those old, superstitious Observations, and meeting with such malicious Contradiction of Offenders, in that behalf, as their Wisdom shall judge fit."

"They have likewise received Informations of frequent Resort unto, and Exercising of, the idolatrous Mass, in several Places; to the great Dishonour of Almighty God, notorious Breach of the Laws, and Scandal of the Government: Wherein, according to Notice given, they have already taken some Course; and desire the Parliament will be pleased to take that Matter also into their Consideration, for further Remedies, and Suppression of that Idolatry, in such Way as to them shall seem meet."

"That it be likewise reported to the Parliament, That the Council is informed, that there is still remaining the Arms and Pictures of the late King, in several Churches, Halls, upon the Gates, and in other publick Places, of the City of London: That the Parliament be moved to appoint whom they shall think fit, to see the said Arms and Pictures taken down and defaced; and to give an Account of their executing the same, within such time as they shall think sit to allow for that Purpose."

Resolved, That the said Report be referred to the Committee of plundered Ministers; to consider of the several Laws concerning the several Heads of the said Report; and also what Defects are therein; and what is further fit to be done, for the more effectual putting in Execution of the said Acts and Ordinances; and to bring in such further Act or Acts for that Purpose as they shall think sit: And that Mr. Millington do give a speedy Account thereof to this House: And all that come to that Committee to have Voices, as to this Purpose.

Pelham's Claims.

The humble Petition of John Bowes, Brother-in-Law to Peregrine Pelham Esquire, late a Member of Parliament, on behalf of himself, and other Creditors, and the Children of him the said Peregrine Pelham, was this Day read.

Resolved, That the Commissioners for Compounding with Delinquents be authorized and required to issue their Warrants to the Treasurers of the Receipt of Haberdashers Hall, to pay unto Robert Goodwin Esquire, the Sum of Five hundred Pounds, upon Account of the Monies due to Peregrine Pelham Esquire, deceased, for defraying the necessary Charge of his Funeral; and the Residue for the Use of the Children of the said Mr. Pelham: And that the Acquittance of the said Mr. Goodwin shall be a sufficient Discharge for the Payment thereof, accordingly.

Resolved, That this Petition be referred to a Committee; to consider and examine what is further due to the said Mr. Pelham; and to report the same to the House, that Course may be taken for the Satisfaction of what shall appear due: Viz. unto Lord Commissioner Lisle, Lord Commissioner Whitelock, Mr. Carew, Mr. Robinson, Major Lister, Mr. Salwey, Mr. Morley, Mr. Garland, Mr. John Goodwyn, Sir Henry Vane junior, Mr. Robert Goodwin, Sir Henry Mildmay; or any Three of them: And this Committee are to meet in the Exchequer Chamber, at Two of Clock this Afternoon; and so de die in diem: And Mr. John Goodwyn is to take care of it.

Embassy from Portugall.

Mr. Speaker, by way of Report, informs the House, That he received a Letter from Joannes de Guimaraes, a publick Minister from the King of Portugall; with the Copies of his Letters Credential: Which Letter to Mr. Speaker was directed thus, "Illustrissimo Domino Domino Oratori Parliament Reipublicæ Angliæ."

In another Paper, directed thus, "Parliamento Reipublicæ Angliæ," were inclosed Copies of his Letters Credentials, in Latin, Portugall, and English.

Which were read.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee, to take into Consideration the Debate of the House touching the Manner of giving Audience to the publick Minister of Portugall; as also touching the Manner of giving Audience to Ambassadors, Agents, and all other publick Ministers; and to report their Opinions to the House, on Wednesday next: Viz. unto Sir Henry Vane, Sir Henry Mildmay, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Rawlegh, Colonel Thompson, Colonel Marten, Mr. Strickland, Mr. Nevill, Sir Wm. Armyn, Mr. Challoner, Mr. Boone, Lord Commissioner Lisle, Alderman Atkins, Major General Harrison; or any Three of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber, at Two of Clock.

Resolved, That Sir Oliver Fleming Knight, Master of the Ceremonies, do resort to the Publick Minister from Portugall; and inform him, That the Parliament have read his Letters, and taken them into Consideration; and that he shall hear from them in due time.

The House, according to former Order, adjourned itself to Tuesday next, Eight of Clock.