House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 2 August 1653

Tuesday, the Second of August, 1653.

Mr. Speaker.

MR. Rous having continued Speaker by the Space of a Month, came this Day into the House, and took his Place as a Member; and thereupon was, by the general Voice of the House, called to the Chair, to be Speaker for One Month, from this Day: And did thereupon take the Chair accordingly.

Customs.

A Bill to compel the last Farmers of the Customs, and their Under-Sharers, to pay their proportionable Shares and Parts of the Composition of Fifteen thousand Pounds, formerly paid to the Use of the Commonwealth, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed to the Committee for Trade; with Power to hear all Parties that are concerned; and to cause Notice to be given to such as have Purchased any the Lands of the said late Farmers, that they may be heard therein: And the Committee are also to present Names for Commissioners to be inserted into this Bill.

Fines on Bills, &c.

An Act for taking away Fines upon Bills, Declarations, and original Writs, was this Day read the Third time.

Resolved, That these Words be inserted into this Act; viz. "the Fifth Day of August One thousand Six hundred Fifty and Three:" And the Act so amended, was, upon the Question, passed.

E. of Clanrickard's Claims.

Colonel Hewson reports from the Council of State, The State of the Case of the Earl of Clanrickard, reported unto them from the Committee for Irish and Scottish Affairs; with the humble Motion from the Council, That such Things may be made good to the said Earl, as the Officers to whom, upon Treaty, he rendered his Forces and Strengths in Ireland, undertook to mediate with the Parliament to obtain for him; which are particularized in the said Case, in these Words:

* * * * * *

Ordered, That this be referred to the Committee for Irish Affairs, to look upon the Articles, and confer with Commissary-General Reynolds touching the Point of the Two thousand Pounds; and to report to the House To-morrow Morning.

Forfeited Estates.

Ordered, That the Commissioners for removing Obstructions in the Sale of Fee-farm Rents (the Lands of the late Bishops, Deans and Chapter Lands, GlebeLands; the Lands of the late King, Queen, and Prince; and of the Lands and Estates forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason, exposed to Sale by any Ordinance or Act of Parliament) be authorized and impowered to summon all and every the Purchasers of any the Premises, who shall be certified by the Treasurers of those Lands and Premises to be in Arrear for their First or Second Moieties, or any Part thereof: Which Certificate the said Treasurers are hereby required forthwith to send to the said Commissioners; and to compel the Payment in of all such Monies as are or shall be in Arrear, as aforesaid: And, in Default of Payment thereof, with Interest for the same, from the Time the same should have been paid, to sequester all the Lands and Estates of such Purchasers, until such Purchaser, his Heirs or Assigns, shall make Payment, to the said Treasurers, of all the Monies so in Arrear for the First or Second Moieties, or any Part thereof, with Interest for the same, as aforesaid; the Money to be received or raised by the Sequestration aforesaid, being not to be accounted as any Part of the Money so to be paid, nor to go towards the Satisfaction thereof; and, upon Payment of the Monies so in Arrear, with Interest, as aforesaid, to discharge such Sequestration.

Petition from London.

The House being informed, That there were divers Petitioners at the Door, out of the City of London; Mr. Barbone and Captain Stone were sent forth.

Poor.

Ordered, That Mr. Thompson and Mr. Barrington be added to the Committee for the Poor, and Justices of the Peace.

Petition on behalf of Lilborne.

Mr. Barebone acquaints the House, That the Petition was on the Behalf of Lieutenant Colonel John Lilborne.

Resolved, That the Petitioners be called in.

And they were called in accordingly.

And, being come to the Bar, Six in Number, one of them presented a Petition: Which, after they were withdrawn, was read; and was intituled, The humble Petition of divers well-affected and constant Adherers to the Interests of Parliaments, and their own native fundamental Rights and Freedoms therein concerned, young Men and Apprentices of the Cities of London and Westminster, Borough of Southwark, and the Parts adjacent.

Resolved, That the Petitioners be called in.

And the Six Persons, which presented the Petition, were again called in;

And, being come to the Bar, Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, demanded of the First of them his Name: He answered, Their Names were in the Papers to the Petition:

He knew of the Making of the Petition:

He was commanded, by the rest of his Friends and Fellow-Apprentices, Not to answer any Demands; but to demand an Answer to this Petition:

And thereupon were commanded to withdraw.

Resolved, That this Petition is a most high Breach of the Privilege of Parliament.

Resolved, That this Petition is scandalous and seditious.

Resolved, That these Six Persons, who brought in this Petition, be forthwith committed into safe Custody: And that the Serjeant at Arms, attending the House, do forthwith take them into Custody; and keep them apart.

Resolved, That these Six Persons be again called in.

And they were again called in:

And Mr. Speaker declared unto them, The House had adjudged the Petition to be scandalous and seditious; and had committed the Petitioners.

Resolved, That this Petition, and this whole Business, be referred to the Council of State, to examine the Authors, Subscribers, Abettors, and Printers, of this Petition: And that Mr. Strickland do acquaint the Council of State with this Business.

Resolved, That Lieutenant-Colonel John Lilborne be kept close Prisoner: And that the Keeper of Newgate do take care the same be done accordingly.