House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 24 February 1653

Thursday, the 24th of February, 1652.

Prayers.

Soldiers in Yorkshire.

ORDERED, That the Business touching the Soldiers in Yorkshire be taken into Consideration on this Day Sevennight.

Letter read.

Sir Henry Vane junior reports, from the Council of State, A Letter from the Generals, from aboard the Ship Triumph, near the Isle of Wight, the 22th of February 1652: Which was this Day read.

Victory over the Dutch.

Ordered, That the Ministers in the several Congregations within the Cities of London and Westminster, and the late Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality, do, on the next Lord's Day, render Thanks to Almighty God, for his great Mercy vouchsafed to this Commonwealth, in the great Success he hath been pleased to give unto the Navy of this Commonwealth against the Dutch Fleet, on the 18th, 19th, and 20th Day of this Instant February; wherein many of their Men of War, and other Ships, were sunk and taken; and the rest put to Flight, and scattered.

Ordered, That this Order be forthwith printed and published.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Lord Mayor of the City of London, to give timely Notice of this Order to the Ministers within the Places aforesaid.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Commissioners for Managing the Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy, to take care of such of the Dutch Prisoners (as have been taken in this Fight with the Dutch) as are wounded.

Embassy from Sweden.

Ordered, That Mr. Scott, Col. Martin, Mr. Edwards, Lord Viscount Lisle, Mr. Ralegh, Mr. Nevill, Sir Peter Wentworth, Col. Sidney, Mr. Bond, Earl of Salisbury, Mr. Strickland, be a Committee to give Audience to the Publick Minister from the Queen of Sweden.

Publick Revenue.

Mr. Allein reports, from the Commissioners for inspecting the Treasuries, The State of the several Treasuries of the Excise, Customs, Delinquents Lands, Dutch Prizes, Collectors Prizes, and Assessments.

Delinquents Estates.

Colonel Downes reports from the same Commissioners, That, upon Conference with, and Certificate from, the Trustees for Sale of Delinquents Lands; and upon Consideration of a late Act of Parliament, intituled, An Act for further Impowering the Commissioners for removing Obstructions to determine Claims, whereby Liberty is given to the said Commissioners, to judge and determine of all Claims, without Limitation of Time, contrary to Provisions made in several other Acts of Parliament in such Cases; it appearing, that the Case of Sir John Stowell depending in Parliament undetermined, and the not Limitation of Time to the determining of Claims, do prove very obstructive to the Coming in of Monies upon the Sale of Delinquents Estates: It is therefore, in pursuance of an Order of Parliament of the 22th of February instant, Ordered, That it . . humbly proposed to the Parliament, that they will be pleased to take the said Case and Act into Consideration, and give their Resolutions therein.

Ordered, by the Parliament, That there be a Limitation of Time, for determining of all Claims which the Commissioners for removing of Obstructions are impowered to determine, by the Act intituled, An Act for further Impowering the Commissioners for removing Obstructions to determine Claims.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Commissioners for inspecting of the Treasury, to bring in an Act for this Purpose, in Pursuance of the said Vote: With Power to set a Time, and to confer with such Persons as they shall think fit therein.

The Question being propounded, That all such Persons as have purchased of the Trustees at Drury-House the Lands of any Delinquents claiming, or who shall claim, the Benefit of Articles, shall hold and enjoy the Lands and Estates so by them purchased, according to the Rules, Limitations, and Directions, contained in their respective Acts for Sale, notwithstanding any such Articles;

And the Question being put, That that Question be now put;

It passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put; it was

Resolved, by the Parliament, That all such Persons as have purchased of the Trustees at Drury-House the Lands of any Delinquent, claiming, or who shall claim, the Benefit of Articles, shall hold and enjoy the Lands and Estates so by them purchased, according to the Rules, Limitations, and Directions, contained in the respective Acts for Sale, notwithstanding any such Articles.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Case of Sir John Stowell, upon his Pretence of Title to Articles, be resumed to the Consideration and Determination of the Parliament: And that the Commissioners for giving Relief to Persons upon Articles do forbear to proceed any further therein, until the Parliament take further Order.

Ordered, That the Debate upon this Report be taken up on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business; nothing to intervene.

Embassy from Sweden.

The Lord Viscount Lisle reports from the Committee appointed to hear the Publick Minister from the Queen of Sweden, Letters Credentials by him presented, together with the Speech by him pronounced: Which were this Day read.

Ordered, That the said Letters be referred to the Council of State; with Power to hear what the said Publick Minister shall propound.