House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 5 April 1659

Tuesday, the 5th of April, 1659.

Prayers.

Vassall's Claims.

MR. Annesley reports from the Committee appointed to go to his Highness the Lord Protector, from this House, to communicate the Vote of this House, to him, for the Payment of 500£. to Mr. Vassall, in Part of his Debt;

That the Committee did go unto his Highness, from this House; and did communicate to him the said Vote, accordingly: That his Highness' Answer thereunto was, That what this House had ordered, touching the Payment of Five hundred Pounds, to Mr. Vassall, in Part of his Debt, should be speedily done: And that his Highness immediately sent for one of the Clerks of the Signet; and gave him express Order, forthwith to prepare a Bill, for his Highness' Signature, to be passed under his PrivySeal, for the Payment of Five hundred Pounds, forthwith, out of the Receipt of the Exchequer, to Mr. Vassall, in Part of his Debt, accordingly.

Publick Fast.

The Declaration, ingrossed, for appointing the Twelfth Day of May next to be set apart for a Day of Fasting, and Publick Humiliation, was this Day read the Third time.

The Question being put, That the Word "Twelfth" do stand, in the Tenth Line of the Second Skin, next after the Word "the," and before the Word "Day;"

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That the Word "Eighteenth" be inserted, instead of the Word "Twelfth."

The Word "Twelfth," in the Tenth Line of the Second Skin, after the Word "the," and before the Word "Day;" was rased out, at the Table; and the Word "Eighteenth" inserted, instead thereof.

The Amendment of the Word "Eighteenth" was thrice read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

The Question was propounded, That the Title of the Declaration be, "A Declaration of the Lord Protector, and Both Houses of Parliament, for a Day of Solemn Fasting, and Humiliation, to be observed in all Places within the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, upon the Eighteenth Day of May 1659:" And,

The Question being put, That these Words, "Both Houses of," shall stand in the Title, after the Word "and," and before the Word "Parliament;"

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it was Resolved, &c. That these Words, "Both Houses of," shall stand, in the Title, after the Word "and," and before the Word "Parliament."

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, &c. That the Title of the Declaration be, "A Declaration of the Lord Protector, and Both Houses of Parliament, for a Day of Solemn Fasting and Humiliation, to be observed in all Places within the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, upon the Eighteenth Day of May 1659."

The Title was written out in Paper, at the Table; and twice read: And it was

Resolved, &c. That this Title be ingrossed.

The Title was ingrossed, upon the Back-side of the first Skin of the Declaration, at the Table: And, after the Ingrossment thereof, was read the Third time.

A Proviso was tendered to be added to this Declaration; and was read by the Gentleman that tendered it, as he stood up in his Place; and afterwards brought up by him to the Table, and there delivered: And was in these Words; viz.

"Provided always, and this House doth declare, That it is not intended by this Declaration, that the House of Commons shall be hereby precluded, or debarred, to add hereafter such Bounds and Limitations, either to the Single Person, or the Other House, as may be requisite for the publick Safety and Welfare of these Nations:"

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

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Another Proviso was tendered to be added to this Declaration; and was read by the Gentleman that tendered it, as he stood up in his Place: And was afterwards brought up to the Table, and there delivered; and was in these Words; viz.

"Provided always, and it is hereby declared, That the Passing of this present Declaration shall not be intended nor construed to exclude the House of Commons, in Parliament assembled, to set such Bounds to the Powers and Authorities of the Chief Magistrate, as shall consist with the just Rights and Liberties of the People, according to the former Vote of this House, to that Effect."

Resolved, &c. That this Proviso shall not be now read.

The Question being put, That this House doth agree to this Declaration;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it is Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree to this Declaration.

Resolved, &c. That the Concurrence of the Other House be desired to this Declaration.

Resolved, &c. That the Debate the House had now in Consideration be adjourned till To-morrow Morning.

Leave of Absence.

Resolved, &c. That, Mr. George Parker, one of the Members of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country for one Month.