House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 1 April 1651

Die Martis, 1 Aprilis, 1651.

Prayers.

Transactions with Holland.

A LETTER directed to Mr. Speaker, from the Lords Ambassadors Extraordinary to the States General of the United Provinces, of the 20/30 Day of March 1650/51 with several Papers of their Transactions therein inclosed.

A Letter from the Lords Ambassadors Extraordinary to the States General of the United Provinces, directed to the Council of State of the 20/30 Day of March 1650/51.

Which were all this Day read.

Resolved, That the Parliament doth approve of what the Lords Ambassadors have done in this Agency, so far as the same is communicated by the said Letters and Papers.

Resolved, That a Letter be sent to the Ambassadors from the Parliament, now in Holland, taking Notice of the Approbation of the Parliament of their Proceedings, declared in their Letters to the Parliament, and the Paper inclosed; and to give them Encouragement in that Service: And that Sir Henry Vane do prepare a Letter for that Purpose, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and sealed with the Seal of the Parliament: And that Mr. Speaker be authorized to seal the same with the said Seal accordingly.

Isle of Silly.

A Letter from John Desborow from Plymouth, of the Nine-and-twentieth Day of March 1651, was this Day read; and, after, re-delivered back again to Sir Henry Vane.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Council of State, to give Instructions to the Lords Ambassadors now in Holland, to demand of the States General of the United Provinces, in the Name of the Parliament, upon what Grounds their Fleet, under the Command of Van Trump, is set forth, in reference to the Isle of Silly, Part of the Territories of this Commonwealth: And, if they shall find those Grounds tending to the Prejudice of this Commonwealth, in Honour or Interest, that then they demand Satisfaction for the same, and a Revocation of his Commission, in reference to that Island.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take effectual Care, as well by giving Order to the Fleet Abroad, as by making use of any other Ships under the Command and in the Service of the Parliament, and by any other Way they shall think sit, to prevent any Prejudice to the Interest, or Dishonour, of this Commonwealth, by the Fleet under the Command of Van Trump, in reference to the Isle of Silly.

Militia Stores.

Sir Arthur Hesilrig reports from the Council of State;

"That the Council, taking into Consideration the State of the Militia Stores; and also of the Treasuries out of which they may be supplied; and finding it absolutely necessary to have the Stores supplied, and no Monies ready out of which they may be furnished; do offer it to the Parliament, that Twenty thousand Pounds may be appointed out of the Receipts of Goldsmiths Hall, and Ten thousand Pounds upon the Receipts of Haberdashers Hall, next in Course after the Twenty thousand Pounds appointed for Recruits for Ireland; which they leave to the Judgment of the Parliament, whether to appoint there or elsewhere, so as the Supplies may be made, which are of absolute Necessity."

Resolved, by the Parliament, That Twenty thousand Pounds be charged upon the Receipts of Goldsmiths Hall: And that Ten thousand Pounds more be charged upon the Receipts of Haberdashers Hall, next in Course after the Twenty thousand Pounds appointed for Recruits for Ireland, for Supply of the Stores: And that the Commissioners for Compounding do issue their Warrants to the Treasurers of those respective Receipts, to make Payment thereof accordingly.

Letter read.

A Letter from the Lord General to the Lord President of the Council of State, from Edenburgh, of 24 Martii, 1650, was this Day read.

Apprehending Coke.

Major General Harrison reports from the Council of State, The Manner of apprehending Mr. Coke.

Resolved, That the Council of State do proceed with the Examinations of Mr. Thomas Coke, and concerning him; and give an Account thereof to the Parliament on Friday next: And that then the Parliament do take into Consideration the Business concerning the said Mr. Coke.

Thompson's, &c. Petition.

The humble Petition of Major Samuel Thompson, Major Wm. Tovey, Captain John Birbeck, and Quarter Master Joseph Collett, was this Day read.

The Question being propounded, That it be left to the Commissioners for Compounding, to give to Discoverers a Recompence upon Discoveries, not exceeding a Fifth Part of the Discoveries;

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

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So it passed with the Negative.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom it is referred to consider what is fit to be offered to the House, for making the best Advantage to the Commonwealth of the Undervalues and Concealments of Delinquents who have compounded, and upon the whole Debate of the House, at that time, be revived; and do fit de die in diem; and prepare a Bill; and report the same to the House forthwith: And that Mr. Salwey and Mr. Robinson do take especial Care of it.