House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 11 October 1653

Tuesday, 11th October, 1653.

E. of Shrewsbury.

RESOLVED, That the Petition of the Earl of Shrewsbury be read on Thursday Morning next.

Temple's Creditors.

The humble Petition as well of Dame Christian Temple Widow, and Sir Richard Temple Baronet, as the Creditors of Sir Peter Temple Knight and Baronet, deceased, whose Names are subscribed, was this Day read.

Ordered, That this Petition be referred to the Committee for Prisons and Prisoners, to consider thereof; and state the Matter; and report the same, with their Opiions, to the House.

Union with Scotland.

The Bill for Uniting and Incorporating of Scotland into one Free State and Commonwealth with England, was this Day read the Second time; and, upon the Question, committed to a Grand Committee of the whole House.

Resolved, That the House be resolved into a Grand Committee on this Day Sevennight, in the Morning, to take this Bill into Consideration: And that then the Speaker do forbear to take the Chair.

Embassy to Sweden.

Mr. Lawrence reports, from the Council of State, Instructions for Bulstrode Whitelock, Constable of the Castle of Windsor, and one of the Keepers of the Great Seal of England, Ambassador Extraordinary from the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England to the Queen of Sweden: Which were now read; and, upon the Question, agreed.

Ordered, That the Council of State do cause these Instructions to be made ready for the Lord Ambassador Extraordinary to the Queen of Sweden: And that the Council do also prepare a Commission for the said Lord Ambassador, to be passed under the Great Seal; which the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal are authorized and required to pass under the Great Seal, accordingly.

He also reports, The humble Petition of the said Lord Commissioner, directed to the Council of State: Which was now read.

Ordered, That the Sum of One thousand and Fifty Pounds due to the Lord Commissioner Whitelock for the Arrears of his Salary, be forthwith paid unto him out of the Money coming in by Prizes and Prize-Goods: And that the Commissioners for Inspection of the Treasuries be authorized and required to issue their Warrants unto the Treasurers of that Receipt for Payment thereof, accordingly: And the Acquittance and Acquittances of the said Lord Commissioner Whitelock shall be a sufficient Discharge unto the said Treasurers for the same.

Seditious Pamphlets.

He also reports from the Council of State,

THAT the Council taking Notice of the Comingforth of several scandalous and seditious Pamphlets, tending to the Disturbance of the publick Peace, did employ certain Persons for the Discovery of the Authors, Printers, and Publishers, of the said Pamphlets; who thereupon have found out some of the Printers and Publishers of the said Books; as by the Examination, which hath been taken by them doth appear: That the said Examinations, and also one of each of the said printed Papers therein mentioned, be humbly offered to the Parliament; and that they be thereupon moved to take into Consideration what is fit to be done, for the preventing of the Coming-forth of such scandalous Papers for the future: And likewise what is fit to be done for the Punishment of the Parties who are found to be the Printers and Publishers of the said Pamphlets, there being Four of them who are committed to Prison, for this Fact, by Order from the Council.

A Paper, intituled, A Charge of High Treason exhibited against Oliver Cromwell Esquire, for several Treasons by him committed: Which was now read.

The Information of Humfrey Robinson, Warden of the Company of Stationers, and of Joseph Hunscott; the Examinations of James Wayte of Bedfordberry; Robert Hanham, of Adlinghill, London, Taylor; of Thomas Lock, in Seacoale-Lane, Printer; and of Henry Barnes, of Seacoale-Lane, Taylor, Which were all now read.

Resolved, That the Consideration of this Business, upon the whole Debate, be referred to the Council of State, to prepare, and present to the House what they shall think fit to be done in this Case, and for Prevention of the like Evils for the future.