House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 6 April 1652

Tuesday, the 6th of April, 1652.

Prayers.

Popham's Estate.

AN Act for the Settling and Establishing the Remainder of a Term of Fourscore Years to come, in certain Manors and Lands in the County of Somersett, on Alexander Popham Esquire, and his Assigns, was this Day read the First and Second time.

And the Question being put, That this Act be ingrossed;

It passed with the Negative.

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

Dover Pier.

Ordered, That the Report touching Dover Pier be made next after the Business of the Contractors for Sale of Bishops Lands.

Bishops Lands.

The House being informed, That the Contractors for Sale of Bishops Lands were at the Door;

They were called in: And Sir Wm. Roberts, being come to the Bar, presented their humble Petition to the Parliament: Which, after the Petitioners were withdrawn, was read.

The Question being propounded, that the said Petition be referred to a Committee, to examine the Business, and to state the Matter of Fact, and report it to the House;

And the Question being put, That these Words, viz. "and, if the Committee shall find Cause, then to bring in an Act" be added to the Question;

The House was divided:

The Yeas went forth:

So it passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, That this Petition be referried to a Committee to examine the Business, and state the Matter of Fact, and report it to the House; and, if they find Cause, to bring in an Act: Viz. to Mr. Holland, Sir Arthure Hesilrig, Colonel Fielder, Mr. Say, Colonel Harvey, Mr. Darley, Mr. Edwards, Sir Henry Vane, Mr. Leman, Sir Wm. Masham, Colonel Morley, Colonel White, Sir John Treavor, Mr. Smyth, Mr. Nevill, Colonel Downes, Alderman Allein, Mr. Bond, Mr. Boone, Mr. Nelthorpe, Colonel Lister, Mr. Dixwell, Mr. Hodges, Mr. Oldesworth, Major General Harrison, Mr. Strickland, Colonel Harvey, Colonel Bennet, Mr. Masham, Sir Thomas Wroth; or any Five of them: And this Committee are to meet Tomorrow in the Afternoon, at Two of the Clock, in the Court of Wards; and so de die in diem; with Power to send for Persons, Papers, Records.

Resolved, That it be referred to the same Committee, to take an exact Account, what Lands of the late Bishops, Deans, and Chapters, are yet unsold; and what Monies, due upon those Lands that are already sold, are behind, and unpaid; and how the Commonwealth may be eased in Interest; and likewise to consider, how the Charge of the Commonweath, by reason of the many Officers there, may be reduced, and the Business settled in such Hands, as may carry on the Work for the Advantage and Ease of the Commonwealth; and report the same to the House.

Resolved, That it be referred to the same Committee, to bring in a Bill for Confirmation of the Sale of the Lands of the late Archbishops and Bishops, according to the former Ordinances of Parliament.

Resolved, That the same Committee do consider of the most effectual Way, how the Monies due from the several Purchasers of the said Lands, may be speedily brought in; and report their Opinion therein to the House.

Dover Pier.

Colonel Morley reports, from the Council of State, a Letter from Thomas Kelsey and others, Assistants for the Harbour of Dover; and the humble Petition of the Assistants of the Harbour of Dover: Which were this Day read.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That Four thousand Pounds be allowed by the State, for the Repairing of the Harbour and Pier of Dover.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the said Four thousand Pounds be charged upon Goldsmith's-Hall in Course; and the Treasurers of that Receipt are impowered and authorized to make Payment thereof to the Assistance of the Harbour of Dover, or their Assigns, accordingly: And the Acqittance and Acquittances of the said Assistants, or their Assigns, shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Treasurers for the same.

Sussex Petition.

The humble Petition of several Inhabitants in and about Lewes, in the County of Sussex, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to consider of it, and what is fit to be done therein; and report it to the Parliament.

Letters read.

A Letter from Lieutenant General Edmund Ludlow, and other the Commissioners of the Parliament now in Ireland, from Dublyn, of the Three-and-twentieth of March 1651; with Part of a Letter, therein inclosed, from Sir Charles Coote to the said Lieutenant General Ludlow, and the rest of the said Commissioners, of the Tenth of April 1651; and a Copy of a Letter from Colonel Cooke to the said Commissioners, of the 9th of March 1651; were all this Day read.

Adventurers for Land in Ireland.

Mr. Ralegh reports from the Committee for Publick Business, the humble Petition of the Committee of Adventurers for Lands, in Ireland, presented to that Committee: Which was this Day read.

He also reports from the said Committee, the humble Petition of the Committee of Adventurers for Lands in Ireland, in the Names of themselves, and of the rest, in or near London, and elsewhere, who, being Adventurers, do or shall desire to join them, to the Parliament; and the Proposals of the said Adventurers: Which were this Day read.

Ordered, That the Debate of this Business be adjourned until Thursday Morning next: And that then the House do take into Consideration, in what manner that Nation is fit to be settled, and the Qualifications for Ireland; and that the Council of State do then bring in the Names of the Persons to be excepted in the said Qualifications.