House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 15 November 1654

Wednesday, the 15th of November, 1654.

Prayers.

Settling the Government.

THE House, according to the Order of Yesterday, resumed the Debate upon the Question then propounded.

Resolved, That if any Bills shall be tendered at any time hereafter, for the Continuance of any Parliament, for any longer time than for Six Months after the first Meeting, that such Bills shall not become Laws without the Consent of the Single Person.

Chancery Court.

Ordered, That the Report of the Act for regulating the Chancery be made on this Day Sevennight.

Assessments.

Resolved, That the House do now proceed to take the Assessments into Consideration.-

Scandalous Ministers.

Resolved, That the Act for ejecting scandalous Ministers be read the Second time, on Saturday next.

Settling the Government.

Ordered, That the House do proceed on the Negatives To-morrow Morning.-

Assessment.

The House accordingly proceeded with the Debate touching an Assessment.

Resolved, That an Assessment be laid upon the People of this Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, towards the defraying of the Charge of the Commonwealth.

Army.

Resolved, That Colonel Birch do make a Report to the House of the Proceedings of the Committee for retrenching the Forces.

Colonel Birch, accordingly, reports the Proceedings of the said Committee, and their Resolutions, after Advice with Eight Officers, appointed by his Highness touching the Garisons in England, which they conceived fit to be demolished, and which to be kept up: Which the Committee thought fit to be presented to his Highness the Lord Protector; and to desire his Highness to consider and direct what further Abatement may be made of the Forces in England, and of the Garisons and Forces in Scotland and Ireland: And that they appointed a SubCommittee to attend his Highness therein: Which was done accordingly; but have not yet received an Answer therein from his Highness.

Resolved, That it be referred back to the same Committee forthwith, to attend his Highness, and receive his Opinion in the Particulars of the Garisons and Forces of the Commonwealth: And thereupon to report to the House what may be fit to be done, for reducing the Forces both by Sea and Land, in order to the Abatement of the Charge of this Commonwealth: And that this Committee do meet this Afternoon, in their usual Place.

Assessment.

Resolved, That the House do again take into Consideration the Business of the Assessment, on Monday next.

Pos of Edam Ship.

The humble Petition of James Wyche, Philipp Colley, Wm. Walker, Walter Fletcher, John Thomas, Francis Pargiter, Robert Manley, Henry Twentyman, and others, of London, Merchants, was this Day read.

Resolved, That the House doth dispense with the Forfeiture or Confiscation of the Ship called the Pos of Edam, and her Lading: And order that Restitution be made of the said Ship, and her Lading, accordingly; notwithstanding the Act for Increase of Shipping, and Encouragement of the Navigation of this Nation.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Commissioners of the Customs to give Order, that the same be done, accordingly.