House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 23 October 1656

Thursday, 23 October, 1656.

Preacher appointed.

RESOLVED, That Mr. Fairclough be dispensed with in respect of his Infirmity of Body, for preaching before the Parliament, on the 5th of November next.

Ordered, That Mr. Greenhill be desired to be assisting in carrying on the Work of the Day of Thanksgiving appointed to be kept by the Parliament, on the 5th Day of November next, at Margarett's Westminster, for the Suceess the Lord hath vouchsafed to Part of the Fleet of this Commonwealth, against the King of Spaine's West India Fleet: And that Major-General Haynes do give him Notice hereof.

Elgin, &c. Writ.

Upon a Letter directed to the Speaker from MajorGeneral Lilborne, signifying, that the Writ for electing a Knight for the Shires of Elgin and Nerne, to serve in this present Parliament, was not executed, by reason it came too late into those remote Countries;

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant for a Writ, to be directed to the High Sheriff of Elgin, for the Election and Return of a Knight to serve in this present Parliament for the Shires of Elgin and Nerne.

Privilege.

The House being informed, That Mr. Clement Throckmorton, who was chosen to serve as a Member of this present Parliament, was, since his coming to Town, arrested by one William Raby, a Bailiff of the Sheriffs of Middlesex, at the Suit of John James;

Resolved, That the said Clement Throckmorton shall have his Privilege.

Ordered, That the said John James, at whose Suit Clement Throckmorton Esquire was arrested, and William Raby the Bailiff that arrested him, be sent for, and brought to the Bar of this House, to answer the Breach of Privilege of Parliament in that Arrest.

Pardon of Deane, &c.

A Bill for the Pardon, and Restitution in Blood, of John Deane Gentleman, and others, was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question, ordered to be read the Second time, on Saturday Morning next.

Raising Money.

The House, according to former Order, was resolved into a Committee of the whole House, upon the Business of raising present Money, and for further Assistance in carrying on the Spanish War.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Master of the Rolls took the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Master of the Rolls reports from the said Committee, Several Resolutions of that Committee; viz.

That the House be moved, That it may be referred to a Committee, to consider of the State of the Forests; and how they, or any of them, may be improved, by Sale, or otherwise, for the Advantage of the Commonwealth, and carrying on the present Affairs of the Nation; having a special Regard to the Poor, and to Propriety, and to the Preservation of Timber fit for Shipping,

That the House be moved, That it may be referred to a Committee, to consider how such Fines as are due to the State for Destruction of Wood and Timber in the Forests, may be collected; and what Fines are fit to be collected, and what Fines are fit to be discharged.

That it be likewise referred to the same Committee, to consider of the particular Persons that have made Spoil of Wood and Timber in the Forest of Deane, since 1640.-

Spanish Wines, &c.

That the House be moved, That it may be referred to a Committee, to consider whether it will be for the Advantage of the Commonwealth to put higher Impositions upon Spanish Wines and Fruits: With Power to confer with Merchants, and such other Persons as they shall think fit, touching the same.-

Forests, &c.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee to consider of the State of the Forests; and how they may be improved by Sale, or otherwise, for the Advantage of the Commonwealth, and carrying on of the present Affairs of the Nation; having a special Regard to the Poor, and to Propriety, and the Preservation of Timber fit for Shipping.

Resolved, That this Business be referred to the Committee, to whom the Bill for Preservation of Timber is committed; and that Lord Rich. Cromwell, Mr. Cobb, Mr. Hildesley, Sir Rich. Onsloe, Major-General Goff, Mr. Cole, Lord Deputy, Mr. Fleetwood, Mr. Drake Mr. Jenkinson, Lord Cleypoole, Captain Crofts, Captain Ness, Colonel Carter, Mr. Trumball, Mr. Hide, Mr. Duncombe, Mr. Bodurda, Colonel Bethell, Alderman Foote, Mr. Wakering, Colonel Crompton, Major-General Whaley, Mr. Harvy, Mr. Drury, Captain Cludd, be added to that Committee: And all that come to have Voices: And are to meet at Two of the Clock this Afternoon.

Resolved, That it be referred to the same Committee, to consider how such Fines as are due to the State for Destruction of Wood and Timber, in the Forests, may be collected; and what Fines are fit to be collected, and what Fines are fit to be discharged.

Resolved, That it be likewise referred to the same Committee, to consider of the particular Persons that have made Spoil of Wood and Timber in the Forest of Deane, since 1640.

Spanish Wines, &c.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee, to consider whether it will be for the Advantage of the Commonwealth to put higher Imposition upon Spanish Wines and Fruits; with Power to confer with Merchants, and such other Persons as they shall think fit, touching the same.

Resolved, That this Business be referred to the Committee for the Arrears of Excise, &c. as they are united.

Wills, &c.

Resolved, That the Bill for Wills and Administrations be read the first Thing To-morrow Morning.

Papists Estates.

Resolved, That the Committee to consider of Papists Estates do sit this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, in the Duchy Chamber.