House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 16 November 1654

Thursday, the 16th of November, 1654.

Prayers.

Religion.

MR. Nathaniell Bacon reports from the Grand Committee for Religion, their Desire that the House would be pleased to give Order for the providing of Firing, Candle, and other Accommodations for the Ministers, with whom the Sub-Committee are to confer, touching a Confession of Faith.

Resolved, That the Serjeant at Arms, attending this House, do take care to provide Candle, Firing, Paper, Ink, and other Accommodations, for the Ministers, who sit in Jerusalem Chamber, with whom the Sub-Committee are to confer, touching a Confession of Faith.

Resolved, That Two hundred Pounds be imprested to the Serjeant at Arms, attending this House, by the Commissioners for the Treasury, for defraying of extraordinary Charges for the Service of the House, and for Supply of Necessaries for Committees, and the Payment of Servants to attend them: And that the Serjeant do give an Account thereof: And that a Warrant issue under the Hand of Mr. Speaker, to the Commissioners for the Treasury, to imprest the said Two hundred Pounds to the said Serjeant, upon Account, accordingly.

Bastwick's Claims.

The humble Petition of Susanna Bastwick, the distressed Widow of John Bastwick, Doctor in Physic, and her Children, was this Day read.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee to consider how the Sum of Five thousand Pounds, in the Petition mentioned, may be satisfied to the Petitioners, with most Equality, Justice, and Expedition: And to report their Opinion to the House with Speed.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee to whom the Powers and Proceedings of the Judges of SaltersHall are referred: And that Alderman Gibbs, Mr. Lechmere, Colonel Baines, Colonel Bridges, and Sir Wm. Strickland, be added to that Committee.

Settling the Government.

The House, according to former Order Yesterday, resumed the Debate upon the Negatives.

The Question being propounded, That the Style of such Single Person shall be, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging;

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

It passed in the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Style of such Single Person shall be, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging;

Resolved, That Oliver Cromwell, Captain General of the Forces of England, Scotland, and Ireland, is, and shall be, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging, for his Life.

Resolved, That Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector, during his Life, the Parliament sitting, shall, by Consent of Parliament, and not otherwise, dispose and employ the Forces of this Commonwealth, by Sea and Land, for the Peace and Good of the same.

Resolved, That the Word "present" be added in the last Vote, between the Word "the," and the Word "Lord." And so it was

Resolved, That Oliver Cromwell, the present Lord Protector, during his Life, the Parliament sitting, shall, by Consent of Parliament, and not otherwise, dispose and employ the Forces of this Commonwealth, by Sea and Land, for the Peace and Good of the same.

Resolved, That the Lord Protector, for the Time being, shall be assisted with a Council.

The Question being propounded, That Oliver Cromwell, the present Lord Protector, with the Advice and Consent of the said Council, and not otherwise, shall dispose and employ the Forces aforesaid, for the Ends aforesaid, in the Intervals of Parliament;

Resolved, That these Words, "during his Life," be added in the said Question, next after the Word "Protector."

Resolved, That this Debate be adjourned until Tomorrow Morning.