House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 27 January 1657

Tuesday, the 27th of January, 1656.

Mr. Speaker's Illness.

MR. Speaker being come to the House, and the House taking Notice of his Weakness of Body; It was

Resolved, That, in respect of Mr. Speaker's present Indisposition of Body, the Lord Commissioner Whitelock be desired to take the Chair, to supply the Speaker's Place, during his Absence, occasioned thereby.

Excise.

Resolved, That the House be resolved into a Grand Committee for an Hour, upon the Bill for the Excise.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Fowell took the Chair.

Lord Com' Whitelock takes the Chair.

The Lord Commissioner Whitelock was brought to the Chair by Colonel Sidenham and Major-General Howard: And, being there set, desired, since the House was pleased to command his Service in that Place on this Occasion, That the House would be pleased to construe with all Candour his Words and Actions therein; and that they will give him a Freedom of minding them, and keeping them to the Orders of the House, for the Service and Honour of the House.

Catechism.

A Bill, intituled, An Act enjoining Ministers, and others, to perform the Duty of Catechizing, was this Day read the First time; and ordered to be read the Second time on Friday next.

Observation of Sunday.

Resolved, That the Bill concerning the due Observation of the Sabbath, be read the Second time on Friday next.

Leave of Absence.

Resolved, That Major Saunders have Leave to go into the Country.

Militia.

Resolved, That the Debate upon the Bill concerning the Militia Forces, be adjourned till To-morrow Morning; and nothing to intervene.

Levant Company.

The House being informed, That there were at the Door divers of the Turky Company;

They were ordered to be called in: And, being come to the Bar, one of them declared, That he was commanded, by the Governor and Company of Merchants trading to the Levant Seas, to present unto the House their humble Petition: Which was received in; and, after they were withdrawn, was read; and was intituled, "The humble Petition of the Governor and Company of Merchants of England, trading into the Levant Seas,"

The humble Petition of Sir Sackvile Crow Baronet, was this Day read.

Resolved, That both these Petitions be referred to a Committee, to examine the Matters alleged in them, and to report their Opinion to the House: Viz. to Sir Rich. Onslow, Alderman Dickenson, Alderman Foote, Sir Christofer Pack, Colonel Fitz-James, Mr. Pury, Major Beake, Colonel Shapcott, Colonel Beamont, Mr. Drake, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Bond, Doctor Clerges, Major Audley, Mr. Bedford, Mr. Robinson, Colonel Mathews, Colonel Twisleton, Judge-Advocate Whaley, Lord Strickland, Captain Baines, Major-General Goff, Mr. Alsop, Mr. Banckes, Mr. Bampfeild, Mr. Noell, Major General Bridges, Mr. Jenkenson, Mr. Hampden, Mr. Gorges, Mr. Fowell, Mr. Reynell, Mr. Pickering, Colonel Wood, Colonel Wilton, Colonel Grosvenor, Alderman Drury, Alderman Geldard, Mr. Smyth, Colonel Salmon, Sir Charles Wolsley, Mr. Godfrey, Alderman Tigh, Mr. Stanley, Mr. Burton, Mr. Moody, Captain Lister, Colonel Carter.

Resolved, That this Committee to whom these Petitions are referred, have Power, in this Case, to examine Witnesses upon Oath: And the Committee are to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Two of the Clock, in the Inner Court of Wards: With Power to send for Persons, Papers, Witnesses, and Records.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of Walter Elford, of London, Merchant, be also referred to the same Committee.

Thanksgiving Day.

Ordered, That the Declaration touching the Day of Thanksgiving, be reported on Thursday Morning next, the first Business.

The Speaker.

Resolved, That those Ceremonies and Respects, that were used to the former Speaker, shall be used to the present Speaker; and that he have the Profits due to the Speaker.

Oxford University.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Petition of the University have Power to send for Persons, Papers, Records, and Witnesses: And that Sir Rich. Onsloe, Mr. Bedford, Mr. Fowell, Mr. Drake, Mr. Trevor, Major Audley, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Young, Mr. Lister, Mr. Trenchard, Colonel Weldon, Mr. Pury, be added to that Committee.

Milward's Estate.

Ordered, That the Committee for Mr. Milward's Bill be revived: To meet on Thursday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Duchy-Chamber: And that Sir Richard Lucy and Mr. Lucy be added to that Committee.

Petition from London.

Ordered, That the Petition with which the Aldermen of London did now attend, be received on Saturday next.

Exeter Ministers.

Ordered, That the Bill for Maintenance of Ministers in Exon, be read on Saturday next.

Imanuell College.

Ordered, That the Bill for Imanuell College be read the Second time on Saturday next.