House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 24 March 1653

Thursday, the 24th of March, 1652.

Prayers.

Correspondence with Holland.

COLONEL Sidney reports from the Committee appointed to speak with the Messenger who brought the Letter from the States of Holland and WestFrizland, That they have spoken with the said Messenger; who affirms, That he received the Letter the 21th of March, N. S. from Mynheer Newport, with Directions to come over hither to deliver it to the Parliament; and to stay here, and receive what Answer shall be given to it, and return with it: He saith, He came over with the Pacquet-Boat; he was Three Days and Nights at Sea, and landed on the Lord's Day last: He was Mynheer Paw's Secretary for his Private Business.

Colonel Marten informs, That the Messenger, being asked, What Pass he had, saith, He had none.

The Translate, in English, of the Letter from the States of Holland and West-Frizland, of the 18th of March 1653, was this Day read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Council of State, to prepare an Answer to be given to this Letter, as they shall think fit; and present the same to the Parliament on Tuesday Morning next.

The Question being propounded, That it be referred to the Council of State, upon Occasion of this Letter sent from the States of Holland and West-Frizland, to prepare a Letter to be sent from the Parliament to the StatesGeneral; and to report the same to the Parliament, for their further Consideration;

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, by the Parliament, That it be referred to the Council of State, upon Occasion of this Letter sent from the States of Holland and West-Frizeland, to prepare a Letter to be sent from the Parliament to the States-General; and to report the same to the Parliament, for their further Consideration.

Resolved, That the Council of State do report this Letter also on Tuesday Morning next.

Ireland.

Ordered, That the Bill for Ireland be reported on Thursday Morning next.

Sheriffs of Cumberland.

Resolved, That Sir Wilfrid Lawson be Sheriff for the County of Cumberland, for this Year: And that the Lords Commissioners for the Great Seal of England do issue out a Commission to him, to be Sheriff, accordingly.

Preachers appointed.

Ordered, That Mr. Bowles be excused from preaching before the Parliament on the 12th Day of April next, being a Day set apart for Publick Thanksgiving.

Ordered, That Mr. Cradock be desired to preach before the Parliament, at Margarett's, Westminster, on Tuesday the 12th of April 1653, being a Day set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving, for the great and seasonable Victory vouchsafed to the Navy of this Commonwealth, upon the late Engagement with the Dutch Fleet: And that Sir Gilbert Pickering do give him notice hereof.

Ordered, That Mr. Love and Mr. Scott do prepare the Declaration, setting forth the Grounds and Reasons of setting apart the 12th Day of April a Day for Publick Thanksgiving; and report it To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That the Act touching Ejectione firme, be brought in on Tuesday Morning next.

Ordered, That the Reports for raising Monies for the Use of the Navy, be made on Thursday Morning next.

Ordered, That the Order of the 25th of January last, impowering the Committee of the Navy to give Warrant to the Treasurer of the Navy for Payment of all such Monies as are or shall be due for Stores and Ammunition belonging to the Navy, then contracted for by the Officers of the Ordnance, or that should be contracted for before the First Day of April next; be continued until the First of August next: And that the Committee of the Navy have Power to give Warrants for Payment of all such Monies as are or shall be due upon such Contracts already made, or which shall be made, till the said First Day of August next.