House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 23 May 1659

Monday, the 23d of May, 1659.

Prayers.

Sale of Publick Lands.

ORDERED, That an Act be brought in, For Confirmation of all Sales of the Lands of the late Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Deans and Chapters; Delinquents; and of the late King, Queen, and Prince; and of Fee-Farm Rents, and Glebe Lands, made in pursuance of any Acts or Ordinances made by this Parliament: And that Mr. Serjeant Earle do prepare and bring in a Bill to that Purpose, on Thursday Morning next.

Indemnity.

Mr. Lechmere reports, A Bill intituled, An Act for Indemnity and Pardon for what hath been acted or done during these late Times: Which was this Day read the First time.

Ordered, That this Bill be read the Second time To-morrow Morning, the first Business; nothing to intervene.

London, &c. Militia.

Mr. Reynolds reports from the Council of State, The Opinion of the Council, That the Militias of London, Westminster, Southwark, and the Hamlets, be forthwith settled.

A Bill for settling the Militia of the City of Westminster, with the Liberties thereof, with the Parishes and Places adjacent of the County of Middlesex within the weekly Bills of Mortality, except the Hamlet of the Tower, was this Day read the First time.

Ordered, That this Bill be read the Second time Tomorrow Morning, next after the Bill for Indemnity and Pardon.

Ordered, That the Members of this House, that were of the Committee of Safety, be desired to consider of the Names of the Persons to be of the several Militias for London, Westminster, Southwark, and the Hamlets; and present them to this House.

Ordered, That Mr. Garland do bring in Three several Bills, for settling the Militias of London, Southwark, and the Hamlets, To-morrow Morning.

Embassy from Holland.

Mr. Speaker acquaints this House, That he had received an Address, in Writing, from the Ambassador of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands; directed "To the Right honourable the Speaker of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland;" and subscribed, "Wm. Newport;" dated the 23d of May 1659, stil. Angl. desiring Audience: Which was read.

Ordered, That the Ambassador from the Lords the States-General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands have Audience given him in this House To-morrow, at Eleven of the Clock.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Members of this House, of the Council of State, to consider of the Reception and Address of the Ambassador of the Lords the States-General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands; and in what manner, how, and by whom, he shall be brought into this House.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker be required to send for the Credentials of the Ambassador of the Lords the StatesGeneral of the United Provinces of the Netherlands; and that he view the same, whether they be addressed with the usual Stile to the Parliament.

Suspected, Persons.

Mr. Scott reports from the Council of State, That one Barnes a Gunsmith, who sold several Trunks of Pistols, and Suits of Arms which have been sent into the Country; and several Pistols, Carabines, Head-pieces, and Suits of Arms, found hidden in several Places of his House, which he denied; and, upon Examination, answered with much Prevarication; is committed by the Council: And desire to know the Pleasure of this House, What they think fit to be done with him.

Resolved, That Sir Arthur Hesilrig be enjoined to acquaint this House with the whole Relation touching this Business.

Resolved, That this House doth approve of the Commitment of Mr. Barnes the Gunsmith.

Ordered, That it be referred back to the Council, to do with the said Barnes, and his Arms, as they shall think best for the publick Service, and Safety of the Commonwealth.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State to take such Course for the Discovery and Apprehension of proscribed and dangerous Persons; and for the Discouragement of such as conceal or harbour them: With Power to prepare such Act or Acts, as they shall think necessary for that Purpose; and report the same to this House.

Customs, &c.

Colonel White reports, from the Committee for inspecting the Treasuries, A Bill for the Levying and Recovery of Monies due to the State for Customs, Excise, and Prize-Goods: Which was this Day read the First time.

Ordered, That this Bill be read the Second time Tomorrow Morning.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Inspection, to bring in Names of Commissioners, Persons qualified according to the Directions of this House, for putting the Powers in this Bill, for Levying and Recovery of Monies due to the State for the Excise, Customs, and Prize Goods, in Execution; and present them to this House.

Great Seal.

Ordered, That Wm. Lenthall, Speaker of the Parliament, be, and is hereby, nominated, constituted, and appointed Keeper of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth of England; to have, hold, exercise, and enjoy, the said Office, to the said William Lenthall, from this Threeand-twentieth of May 1659, for Eight Days from thence next ensuing; and that in as full, ample, and beneficial manner, to all Intents and Purposes, as any Lord Chancellor, Lord Keeper, or Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal may, might, should, or ought, to have had, held, exercised, or enjoyed the same.

Complaint against Col. Jones.

According to former Order, Colonel Philip Jones, a Member of this House, standing up in his Place, made Answer to the Petition of Bledry Morgan Gentleman, and to the Articles to the said Petition annexed: Denied the Particulars; and endeavoured to clear himself: And desired, that this House would please to put the Business into a speedy Way of Examination.

Ordered, That this Petition of Bledry Morgan, and the Articles thereunto annexed, be referred to a Committee; to examine Witnesses upon Oath on the Matter of Fact; and state the same; and report it to this House: Viz. Sir Henry Vane, Mr. Cawley, Mr. Robinson, Colonel Sydney, Colonel Pyne, Colonel White, Colonel Waite, Mr. Wild, Mr. Say, Mr. Lechmer, Mr. Hay, Mr. Martin, Colonel Morley, Mr. Lister, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fagg, Colonel Peter Temple, Dr. Palmer, Sir Henry Mildmay, Mr. Corbet, Baron Nicholas, Mr. Crompton, Mr. Challenor, Colonel Bennet, Colonel Rich, Mr. Holland, Lord Chief Baron Wild, Mr. Scot, Mr. Andrewes, Mr. Reynolds, Colonel Wanton: And are to meet in the Speaker's Chamber, To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Two of the Clock: With Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Witnesses.

Furniture in Whitehall, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to a Committee, to examine, what Furniture, Hangings, and other Goods, in Whitehall, Hampton Court, Somerset House, and St. James's, do, or ought of Right, to belong to the Commonwealth; Viz. to Colonel Rich, Colonel White, Mr. Holland, Sir Henry Mildmay, Colonel Sydney, Sir Gilbert Pickering, Colonel Philip Jones, Colonel John Jones, Mr. Boone, Mr. Andrewes, Earl of Pembrooke, Colonel Bennet, Colonel Pyne, Mr. Pury, Mr. Trenchard, Mr. Pury, junior, Colonel Wanton, Colonel Morley, Mr. Strickland, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fag, Mr. Henry Smith, Colonel White, or any Three of them: And are to meet in the Speaker's Chamber, at Two of the Clock this Afternoon: With Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Witnesses: And that Mr. Holland do take care hereof.