House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 11 October 1659

Tuesday, October 11th; 1659.

Prayers.

Representation of Officers.

COLONEL Marten reports from the Committee Yesterday appointed, An Answer to the Third Proposal, in the humble Representation and Petition of the Officers of the Army: Which was read; and was as followeth; viz.

"The Parliament declares, That every Member of the Army, as Freemen of England, have Right of petitioning the Parliament: But withal thinks fit to let them know, That the Petitioners ought to be very careful, both in the Manner and in the Matter of what they desire; that the Way of promoting and presenting the same may be peaceable; and the Things petitioned for not tending to the Disturbance of the Commonwealth, nor to the Dishonour of the Parliament: And that it is the Duty of Petitioners to submit their Desires to the Parliament, and acquiesce in the Judgment thereof."

Resolved, upon the Question, That this be the Answer to the Third Proposal; viz.

"The Parliament declares, That every Member of the Army, as Freemen of England, have Right of petitioning the Parliament: But withal thinks fit to let them know, That the Petitioners ought to be very careful, both in the Manner and in the Matter of what they desire; that the Way of promoting and presenting the same may be peaceable; and the Things petitioned for not tending to the Disturbance of the Commonwealth, nor to the Dishonour of the Parliament: And that it is the Duty of Petitioners to submit their Desires to the Parliament, and acquiesce in the Judgment thereof."

Levying Taxes.

A Bill, declaring in what Cases, it shall be High Treason to levy or collect any Tax or Assessment, not set or imposed by common Consent in Parliament; and to make void Patents, Grants, Acts, and Ordinances, made since the Nineteenth of April 1653, not made by this Parliament; was this Day read the First time.

Resolved, That this Bill be read a Second time.

Resolved, That this Bill be now read.

The said Bill was read the Second time, accordingly; and, upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Solicitor Reynolds, Lord Whitlock, Sir Arthur Hesilrig, Major Salwey, Mr. Darley, Colonel Morley, Colonel Rich, Mr. Garland, Mr. Corbet, Colonel White, Colonel Marten; or any Three of them: And are to meet in the Speaker's Chamber.

Adjournment.

Resolved, That the House do adjourn itself until One a Clock this Afternoon.

Embassy to France.

Major Salwey reports from the Council of State, The Papers of the French Ambassador, delivered to the Council the Sixth instant: And that the Council have thought fit to send for the Lord Ambassador Lockhart out of France, to give an Account of Affairs there, and of the Effect of his Embassy, if the House do not please to order the contrary.

The said Paper from the French Ambassador was read.

Publick Records.

Ordered, That the Council of State be, and are hereby, impowered and required to command all Books and Papers of publick Concernment, out of the Hands of any Person or Persons whatsoever; and to dispose of them as they shall think fit, for the Use of the Parliament and Commonwealth.

Irish Affairs.

A Letter from the Commissioners for managing the Government of Ireland, from Dublin, of the Seventh of October 1659, was read.

Tuesday, 11th of October, 1659; Afternoon.

Representation of Officers.

THE Fourth Proposal was read.

Resolved, That Two Months Pay be forthwith paid to the Officers and Soldiers of the Army, in England, out of the Six Months Assessment of Thirty-five thousand Pounds per mensem, now due: And that the Council of State do give Order, That the same be paid, accordingly.

Resolved, That Two Months Pay be also forthwith paid to the Officers and Soldiers in Scotland and Ireland: And that the Council of State do give Order for the Payment thereof, accordingly.

Ordered, That the Council of State do take care, that the Monies formerly ordered to be paid to the Use of the wounded and maimed Soldiers, Widows, and Orphans, at Ely-House and the Savoy, be forthwith pay to the old Officers there; and that they pay it according to the Regulation made by the Trustees and Contractors at Worcester-House.

Ordered, That the former Votes for making Provision for the Officers and Soldiers, and wounded and maimed Soldiers, be also Part of the Answer to this Fourth Proposal: And that Mr. West and Mr. Tho. Challoner do see these Votes set in due Order.

Apprentices.

Ordered, That it be referred to a Committee, to bring in a Bill for saving to such Apprentices as have served the Parliament, in the late War, their Time; and to compel Masters to grant them their Freedom, as if they had been in their Masters Service, during the Time they were in the Parliament's Service: Viz. unto Colonel Morley and Mr. Garland.

Representation of Officers.

The Fifth Proposal was read.

Resolved, &c. That this be the Answer to the Fifth Proposal; viz. "That such Persons as have been faithful and active for the Parliament, in the late Insurrection, the Parliament will take care to give them all due Encouragement, as Occasion shall be offered."

The Sixth Proposal was read.

Ordered, That this Debate be adjourned until To-morrow Morning, the first Business; nothing to intervene.

Levying Taxes.

Mr. Garland reports Amendments to the Bill making it Treason to tax or assess the People, without common Consent in Parliament: Which were twice read; and, upon the Question, after some Amendments at the Table, agreed unto.

A Proviso was tendered to this Bill, in these Words; viz. "Provided that this Act, or any thing therein contained, shall not be construed or taken to make void or impeach one Act made this Parliament, the 12th of July 1659, intituled, An Act of Indemnity and Free Pardon; nor any Article or Clause therein contained." Which was read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

Another Proviso was tendered to this Bill, in these Words; viz. "Provided, That nothing in this Act extend to interrupt the Possession of any Soldier or Adventurer, or any Purchaser, their Heirs or Assigns, in Possession of any Lands or Hereditaments in Ireland; or of any Purchaser of any Lands or Hereditaments within this Commonwealth; unless where the Parliament hath taken, or shall take, further or other Order therein:" Which was read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

Resolved, That this Bill be now read the Third time.

The said Bill was now read the Third time, accordingly; and, upon the Question, passed.

Ordered, That this Bill be printed and published.