House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 7 March 1660

Wednesday, 7th March, 1659.

Prayers.

Approbation of Ministers.

COLONEL Harley reports, Amendments to the Bill for Approbation of Ministers: Which were twice read.

The Clause in the Amendments, concerning Lapse, in case the Patrons do not present, being put to the Question, was agreed unto.

Ordered, That the Lord Chief-Justice St. John, Mr. Crew, Mr. Solicitor Ellys, Mr. Serjeant Maynard, Mr. Serjeant Glyn, Mr. Serjeant Twisden, Mr. John Stephens, Colonel Harley, do withdraw; and prepare a Clause, to authorize and impower the Approvers to delegate other Persons, to approve Ministers in several Places of these Nations remote from London, for Ease of the Charge and Trouble of Ministers, in making long Journies, and in tedious Attendance to be approved; and other Clauses, upon the Debate of the House.

Customs.

Colonel White reports from the Committee to whom the Queries from the Commissioners for the Customs were referred, An Explanatory Bill: Which was this Day read the First time.

He also reports, A Clause to be inserted into this Bill: Which was read.

The said Bill, and Clause thereunto to be added, were read the Second time.

The Question being put, That this Clause; viz. "And that no other Duties of Customs or Subsidies be paid for the same, except such Customs and Duties as are expressed to be payable by Charta Mercatoria, made the 31st of Edward the First; and confirmed by Parliament in the 27th of Edward the Third;" do stand;

It passed with the Negative.

And the said Act, so amended, being put to the Question, passed.

Ordered, That this Act be forthwith printed and published.

Duty of Prisage.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Revenue; to consider of the Duty of Prisage; and to settle the Difference about the same; and report to the Parliament their Proceedings therein; And, in case they cannot end the Difference, then to state the Matter of Fact; and report it to the Parliament, with their Opinion therein.

Col. Rich.

Resolved, That Colonel Rich be called in.

Mr. Annesley reports, from the Council of State, A Letter from Colonel Ingoldsby, from Bury, dated the 5th of March 1659: And an Information given in by Cornet Robert Thorneback, against Colonel Rich: Which were read.

Colonel Rich, standing up in his Place, denied the Charge laid against him; and said that he is a Stranger to all represented.

Resolved, That the Parliament doth approve of what the Council of State have done, concerning the Commitment of Colonel Rich; and Bringing of him to the Parliament, being a Member of the House.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, further to examine the whole Matter charged against Colonel Rich; and what else concerneth the Business: And forthwith to state Matter of Fact; and report it to the Parliament.

Resolved, That Colonel Rich be, and is hereby, injoined to attend the Council of State, from time to time, upon the Examination of this Business.

Sir Arthur Hesilrig.

Mr. Annesley reports, from the Council of State, Several Examinations taken, touching Sir Arthur Hesilrig.

Resolved, That Mr. Annesley do report the whole Matter against Sir Arthur Hesilrig, depending before the Council of State.

He made the Report of several Informations, given in to the Council of State, against Sir Arthur Hesilrig, accordingly.

Sir Arthur Hesilrig standing up in his Place, he said, He was not guilty of any thing wherewith he is charged.

Ordered, That this Business, concerning Sir Arthur Hesilrig, be referred back to the Council of State, further to examine the Business; and report it to the Parliament.

Parliament Business.

Resolved, That the Parliament do proceed only with Matters of Religion, The Militia, The Qualifications, and the Writs.

Assessments.

Mr. Annesley reports from the Council of State, touching Abatement of Assessments in Scotland and Ireland, as followeth; viz. That it will please the Parliament, to make some Abatement of the Assessments of Scotland and Ireland; or to pass an additional Instruction to the Powers of the Council; whereby the said Council may be authorized, either by themselves, or by Instructions, to be, in that Behalf, by them given to the Commissioners for managing the Affairs of Ireland and Scotland, so far to enlarge the Time for the Payment of the said Assessments laid upon them, as that they may be collected without the Ruin of the People.

Militia Commissioners.

Colonel Birch reports, Names of Commissioners for the Militia for the County of Bucks: Which were read; and, upon the Question, approved.

Resolved, That John Cutts, Thomas Wendy, William Russell junior, Esquire, * Dod, be added Commissioners for the Militia in the County of Cambridge.

Resolved, That Mr. Christopher Barnard be added a Commissioner of the Militia in the City of Westminster.

A List of Commissioners Names for the Militia in the County of Durham, read Yesterday, was now approved of.

Resolved, That Mr. Duncombe Colchester be added a Commissioner for the Militia for the County of Gloucester.

Colonel Birch reports, Names of Commissioners for the Militia for the County of Westmorland: Which were read; and approved.

He also reports, Names of Commissioners for the Militia for the County of Cumberland: Which were read; and approved.

He also reports, Two Lists of Names of Commissioners for the Militia for the County of Chester; and, One List of Names of Commissioners for the City of Chester: Which were read; and agreed.

Ordered, That Colonel Birch do proceed in his Reports touching the Militia, To-morrow Morning, next after the Business for Religion.