House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 24 May 1659

Tuesday, the 24th of May, 1659.

Embassy from Holland.

MR. Speaker acquaints the House, That, according to the Order made Yesterday, he sent to the Ambassador of the Lords the States-General, for a Copy of his Credentials: Which he sent to Mr. Speaker, accordingly, in French, dated at the Hague in Holland, the 29th of May 1659: Which Mr. Speaker caused to be translated into English: Which Letters Credential were this Day read.

Mr. Nevill reports from the Council of State, that the Parliament be humbly desired to appoint some of their Members to accompany the Ambassadors of Holland to the House this Morning, if they think fit.

Ordered, That the Lord Whitlock, Mr. Nevill, and Mr. Raleigh, do accompany the Ambassador of Holland to this House this Morning.

Indemnity.

A Bill of Indemnity and Pardon, for what hath been done in these late Times, was this Day read the Second time; and, upon the Question, Committed.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Grand Committee.

Resolved, That this House be resolved into a Grand Committee, upon this Bill, on Thursday next.

Irish Affairs.

Sir Henry Vane reports from the Council of State, A Letter, subscribed "H. Cromwell," dated from Dublyn, the 18th of May 1659: Which was this Day read.

Ordered, That this Letter be referred back to the Council of State; to take into their Consideration, what is fit to be done, as to Ireland; and represent their Opinion therein to this House.

Embassy from Holland.

The Lord Whitlock reports from the Committee appointed to accompany the Lord Ambassador, that they have accompanied him to the Court of Wards: And that he was ready, and did attend, to present himself to the House.

The Serjeant with his Mace, went to attend the Lord Ambassador to the House.

So soon as the Ambassador was entered, the Ambassador uncovered himself: And the Speaker, and all the Members, stood up bare.

When the Ambassador was come as far as the Bar, the Master of the Ceremonies and the Serjeant attended him, the one at the Right Hand, the other at the Left, until the Ambassador came to the Chair; which was placed on the North Side of the House, upon a Turkey Carpet with Two Cushions in it: And the Master of the Ceremonies delivered the Letters Credential to Mr. Speaker.

The Ambassador being set, the Master of the Ceremonies stood on his Right Hand; and the Serjeant, with the Mace, on his Left. The Bar being let down, and the Doors left open, for his Gentlemen and others to come in, the Ambassador began his Speech in English; and, when the Members were covered, he proceeded in his Speech; and, as he named the Commonwealth of England, or the States his Masters, he was uncovered, and the Members likewise: And, having done, the Speaker told him, He would acquaint the House with what he had offered.

And then the Ambassador delivered to Mr. Speaker a Copy of his Speech in English.

After the Lord Ambassador was withdrawn, his Credentials were read; and were directed, "To the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England;" and dated at the Hague, the 29th of May 1659, New Style.

The said Copy of the Lord Ambassador his Speech, now made to the Parliament, was also read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to hear what the Lord Ambassador from the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands hath further to say: And to present it to this House. That Sir Oliver Fleming, Master of the Ceremonies, acquaint the Ambassador with this Order.

Council Seal.

Colonel Downis produced to the House the Seal to be used by the Council of State.

Resolved, That this House doth approve of the Seal, with this Inscription; viz. "The Seal of the Council of State;" to be the Seal of the Council of State: And that the Council do make use of the said Seal, accordingly.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to see Mr. Symonds satisfied his former Debt for engraving the former Seal, and also for engraving this Seal, for the Council of State.

Westminster Militia.

A Bill for settling the Militia in 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 read the Second time; and, upon the Question, committed to Mr. Luke Robinson, Mr. Garland, Colonel Morley, Lieutenant General Ludlow, Colonel Eyre, Mr. Scot, Colonel Rich, Mr. Lister, Colonel White, Mr. Martin, Mr. Ralegh, Mr. West, Sir Wm. Brereton, Mr. Holdsworth, Colonel Pyne, Mr. Corbet; or any Five of them: And are to meet in the Speaker's Chamber, at Four of the Clock, this Afternoon.

Names for the Militia of Westminster were read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, Committed, with the Bill.

Southwark Militia.

A Bill for settling the Militia for the Borough of Southwark was this Day read the First time.

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

Tower Hamlets Militia.

A Bill for settling the Militia, within the Hamlets of the Tower of London, was this Day read the First time.

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

London Militia.

A Bill for settling the Militia of the City of London, was this Day read the First time.

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

Council of State.

Resolved, That Lieutenant General Fleetwood, and Colonel Sydenham be admitted to sit and act, as Members of the Council of State, upon their Promise and Declaration to do and perform the Things contained in the Oath appointed to be taken by every Member of the Council, as well as if they had taken the said Oath: And that it be referred to the Council, to dispense, in like manner, with any other Member thereof, that shall, in point of Conscience, scruple at the Formality of the Oath, as there shall be Occasion.

Admiralty.

Ordered, That the Bill concerning the Admiralty be reported To-morrow Morning: And that the said Committee do meet this Afternoon.

Union with Scotland.

A Paper intituled, "The humble Address of such of the Deputies as did, in the Year 1652, consent to the Uniting of Scotland in one Commonwealth with England, and are here upon the Place," was read.

Ordered, That this Paper be referred to the Council of State.