House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 1 January 1651

Die Mercurii, 1 Januarii, 1650.

Prayers.

Parliaments and Elections.

THE House, according to former Order, was this Day resolved into a Grand Committee, upon the Heads of a Bill for future Parliaments, and for regulating Elections.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Say took the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Colourstaken from Scotts.

A Book was presented to the Parliament by Mr. Speaker, from Mr. Ryley; being a perfect Registry of all the Colours taken from the Scotts.

Ordered, That Twenty Pounds be given unto Mr. William Ryley, as a Gratuity from the Parliament.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to see the said Twenty Pounds forthwith paid unto the said Mr. Ryley, or his Assigns: And the Acquittance of the said Mr. William Ryley, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to such Person or Persons as shall pay the same.

Ordered, That the Report touching Mr. Ryley, for the Keeping of the Records, be made This-day-sevennight.

Ambassadors.

Mr. Strickland reports from the Committee to whom it was referred to consider of the Reception of Ambassadors, and Foreign Agents, the Resolutions of the said Committee; viz.

"That Ambassadors Extraordinary and Ordinary, sent from Commonwealths, Kings, Princes, and States, be admitted to publick Audience in the Parliament, so often as the Parliament shall think fit."

"That all other publick Ministers, under the Quality of Ambassadors, have Audience by a Committee of Parliament, sent out of the Parliament for that Purpose; Who are to return, and tender their Report, before the House rise."

"That the Day and Hour be appointed by Parliament at which time the Master of the Ceremonies is to conduct such publick Minister to the Place lately called the Inner Court of Wards; and then immediately to certify the Parliament thereof."

"That the late Lords House be the Place for the Committees of Parliament to give Audience in, according to the present Vote; and to be fitted for that Purpose."

"That it doth not appear to this Committee, by the Copy of his Credential Letters, that the publick Minister of the King of Portugall is either Extraordinary or Ordinary Ambassador."

Resolved, by the Parliament, That, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Ordinary, sent from Commonwealths, Kings, Princes, and States, be admitted to publick Audience in the Parliament, so often as the Parliament shall think fit.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That all other publick Ministers, under the Quality of Ambassadors, have Audience by a Committee of Parliament, sent out of the Parliament for that Purpose: Who are to return, and tender their Report, before the House rise.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Day and Hour be appointed by Parliament, at which time the Master of the Ceremonies is to conduct such publick Minister to the Place, lately called the Inner Court of Wards; and then immediately to certify the Parliament thereof.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the late Lords House be the Place for the Committees of Parliament to give Audience, according to the present Votes; and to be fitted for that Purpose.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take special Care to provide convenient and sit Hangings for this House; and likewise that the Suit, containing the Story of Eighty-eight, be reserved for the Service of the State: And that the same be hung up in the House, late the Lords House: And likewise to give Order for Hangings for the Inner Court of Wards, and for sitting the said Rooms, with all Accommodations necessary for the Uses in the former Votes.

Resolved, That Audience be given to the publick Minister from Portugall, on Tuesday next, at Ten of the Clock, by a Committee of Parliament, according to the Votes of Parliament, containing general Rules for giving Audience.

Resolved, That Sir Oliver Fleming Knight, Master of the Ceremonies, do attend the said publick Minister of Portugall, and give him Notice of this Vote.

Hutchinson's Composition.

The humble Petition of Colonel John Hutchinson, a Member of Parliament, was this Day read.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That Colonel Hutchinson, have Leave to compound for the Interest of the State in the Manor and Tythes of Loseby; for which he hath contracted with the Lady Anne Somersett.

The Question being propounded, That Colonel Hutchinson be admitted to compound for the same, at Two thousand Pounds;

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

It passed in the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put;

It was Resolved, That Colonel Hutchinson be admitted to compound for the same at Two thousand Pounds.

Resolved, That, upon Payment of the said Sum of Two thousand Pounds, into the Treasury at Goldsmiths Hall, by the said Colonel Hutchinson, his Heirs or Assigns, the Sequestration of the said Manor and Tythes be taken off, and absolutely discharged: And that the Commissioners for Compounding be authorized and required to give Order therein accordingly.

Resolved, That the said Colonel Hutchinson have time to pay in the said Two thousand Pounds into the said Treasury at Goldsmiths Hall, by Two several Payments; viz. at Three Months, and Three Months: And that the Acquittance and Acquittances of the said Treasurers, for Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Colonel Hutchinson, and his Heirs, for the same.

Business deferred.

Ordered, That the Business touching Major Withers, and the additional Act for Sale of the late King's Goods, be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Trade.

Ordered, That the Report from the Council of Trade, in the Hands of Mr. Thomas Challoner, be made Tomorrow Morning.

Fee-farm Rents.

Ordered, That the Report from Goldsmiths Hall, and touching the Sale of Fee-farm Rents, be made Tomorrow Morning.