House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 12 October 1654

Thursday, the 12th of October, 1654.

Prayers.

Whale Fishery.

RESOLVED, by the Parliament, That it be referred to a Committee, to call before them the Company of Greenland and Eastland Merchants; and thereupon to consider how and in what Manner there may be a present Supply of Whale Oil for this Nation; and how the Trade of Fishing for Whales may be regulated for the Advantage of the Commonwealth; and report their Opinion.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee, to whom the Business for Transportation of Cor And Mr. Lilburne, Lord Commissioner Widdrington, Alderman Richards, Sir Henry Vane, Lord Lambert, Mr. John Ash, Mr. Beale, Mr. Tho. Gorges, Mr. Minors, Mr. Wm. Lister, Commissary General Whaley, Colonel John Birch, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Brandlin, Captain Howard, Mr. Long, Mr. Dun, Mr. Goff, Mr. R. Cheshire, Sir Anth. Ashley Cooper, Mr. Grove, Mr. Wakering, Mr. Thelwall, Colonel Wastell, Sir Charles Wolsley, Lord Broghill, Alderman Dickenson, be added to that Committee: And they are to meet upon this Business this Afternoon, at Two of the Clock, in the same Place where they sat.

Navigation.

The Question being propounded, That it . . . referred to a Committee, to review, and take into Consideration, the Act for Increase of Shipping, and Encouragement of the Navigation of this Nation;

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

It passed with the Negative.

The Question being propounded, That there be a Grand Committee of the whole House for Trade;

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

It passed in the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, That there be a Grand Committee of the whole House for Trade.

Committe for Trade.

Resolved, That the Grand Committee for Trade do sit in the House every Tuesday in the Afternoon.

Preachers thanked.

Resolved, That the Thanks of this House be returned to Mr. Sidrach Simpson, for the great Pains he took in the Carrying on the Work of a Day of Fasting and Humiliation in this House Yesterday; and that Captain Stone do give him the Thanks of this House.

Resolved, That the Thanks of this House be returned to Mr. Turner, for his great Pains in the Carrying-on the Work of a Day of Fasting and Humiliation in this House Yesterday; and that Colonel Montagu do return him the Thanks of this House.

Resolved, That the Thanks of this House be returned to Mr. Griffith, for his great Pains in Carrying-on the Work of a Day of Fasting and Humiliation in the House Yesterday; and that Commissary-General Whaley do give him . . . Thanks of this House.

Chancery Court.

Resolved, That Mr. Hoskins do make Report touching the Chancery, To-morrow Morning, the first Business.

Privilege.

The House being informed, that the Under-Sheriff of Middlesex, and Two Bailiffs, who arrested Sir Robert Pye, a Member of this House, were at the Door; Sir Robert Pye being present, did inform the House, That these Two Persons, with others, did stay his Coach, and arrest him upon an Execution: And that he was forced to deposite the Money; but it was not in the Hands of the Under-Sheriff, but of his Deputy.

The Under-Sheriff was, by Order of the House, called in: And, being come to the Bar, was asked by Mr. Speaker, Whether he did know of the Arresting of Sir Robert Pye.-Answered, That he knew it after it was done; but he made not the Warrant, but it was one of his Clerks. Being asked, Whether he have not the Money; he saith, The Money is in the Custody of Mr. * Hastings, who was his Deputy, who told him of it about . . Fortnight since:-Denieth he did know Sir Robert Pye was a Member of this House, neither directly nor indirectly, till Monday last: And thereupon withdrew.

The Bailiffs were, by Order of the House, called in: And, being come to the Bar, kneeled down: And Mr. Speaker bid them stand up; and then asked them, Whether they arrested Sir Robert Pye. The Bailiff Browne the Father, answereth, That he was not present at the Arresting of Sir Robert Pye; but he was told Sir Robert Pye was a Member of Parliament, after he was brought to this Browne's House: The other Bailiff his Son, acknowleging he did arrest him; but doth not remember that Sir Robert Pye told him he was a Member of Parliament; but heard it Two or Three Hours after: And thereupon they withdrew: And that he was arrested the 19th of August last.

Resolved, That this Arrest of Sir Robert Pye was a Breach of Privilege of Parliament.

Resolved, That the Under-Sheriff of Middlesex do forthwith return the Money deposited in the Hand of his Deputy, to Sir Robert Pye, without Prejudice to the Sheriff, or the Execution.

Resolved, That Mr. Thomas Crook the Under-Sheriff be discharged out of the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms.

Resolved, That Nathaniell Browne the Son, stand committed to the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, till the House take further Order.

Resolved, That John Browne the Father do also stand committed to the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, till the House take further Order.

Sir Robert Pye informs the House, That one Higden the Solicitor, was present; and encouraged the Bailiffs to it; and affirmed, they would bear them out in it.

Resolved, That John Higden be sent for in Custody, and brought to the Bar of this House, as a Delinquent.

Settling the Government.

The House, according to former Order, was resolved into a Committee of the whole House, upon the Government.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Mr. Hoskins was called to the Chair.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Hoskins reports, the Desire of the said Committee, That the House would give Leave, that the Committee may sit again To-morrow Morning.

Resolved, That the House be resolved into a Committee of the whole House To-morrow Morning, upon the Government, according to former Order.