House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 16 June 1659

Thursday, the 16th June, 1659.

Letters read.

LETTERS from the Hanse States in Germany, directed, "Parliamento Reipublicæ Angliæ, Scotiæ, et Hiberniæ;" dated, "London, 14 June 1659;" Two Letters Credential from the Cities of Lubeck, Bremen, and Hamburgh, given to their Agent the Lord Martin Boekesn, dated, "23d May 1659;" a Letter from the Ambassador Extraordinary from the King of Poland, dated, "28/18th May 1659;" were all this Day read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to examine the Business touching the Commitment of Theodorus Connell, one of the Family of the Ambassador Extraordinary from the King of Poland, and his Interpreter; and to do therein as they shall think fit.

Ordered, That the said Letters from the Hanse States in Germany, and Letters Credential from the Cities of Lubeck, Bremen, and Hamborough, be referred to the Council of State.

Impressing Seamen.

Colonel Morley reports from the Council of State, That for the Supply of the Ships now to go forth under Vice-Admiral Lawson, There is Need of a Power to imprest a competent Number of Mariners and Seamen for that Service.

Odered, That an Act be brought in for the Pressing of Mariners in such manner as formerly.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Members of this House, Commissioners of the Admiralty, to bring in the said Act.

Assessment.

Colonel Downes reports Amendments to the Bill for an Assessment: Which were twice read.

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee, That this be the Title to the said Act; viz. "An Act of Assessment."

And the Amendments, being put to the Question, were agreed unto.

Ordered, That Major Salway, Baron Thorpe, Lord Whitlock, and Colonel Downes, do withdraw; and pen a Proviso, upon the Debate of the House.

Petition from Sussex.

The House being informed, that divers Gentlemen of the County of Sussex were at the Door;

They were called in: And, being come to the Bar, one of the Petitioners acquainted the House, That divers Well-affected in the County of Sussex do present their humble Petition to this honourable House: And therewith delivered a Petition: Which, after the Petitioners were withdrawn, was read; and was intituled, "The humble Petition of divers Friends to the good old Cause, in the East Part, in the County of Sussex."

The Petitioners were again called in: And Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer:

"Gentlemen,"

"The House hath read your Petition; and find in it much Sobriety and Expression of your good Affection: And, for your good Affections, the Parliament have commanded me to give you Thanks: And, in their Name, I do give you Thanks."

Address from Newcastle.

The humble Address of the Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and the rest of the Common-Council of the Town and County of Newcastle upon Tine, was this Day read.

Ordered, That Sir Arthur Hesilrig do write a Letter to the Petitioners, giving them the Thanks of this House.

Customs, &c.

Colonel White reports Amendments to the Bill for bringing in the Arrears of the Revenue due to the Commonwealth: Which were Twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

Resolved, That, in the Tenth Line, Folio Second, these Words, viz. "and no others," be added, next after the Word "Commonwealth."

Resolved, That, in the * Line of the Second Folio, these Words, "or Committee for Preservation of Customs," be added, next after the Word "Appeals."

Resolved, That the Title to this Act be, "An Act for continuing the Excise, and New Impost, Customs, and Subsidies, until the First Day of October 1659."

Resolved, That this Bill, thus amended, be ingrossed.

Transactions with Hamburgh.

The Lord Whitlock reports from the Committee appointed to receive the Amvoye from the Town of Hambrough, The Letters Credential of the said Amvoye, and the Speech of the said Amvoye to the said Committee: Which were read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to hear what the said Amvoye from Hambrough hath further to say; and to appoint him Time and Place for that Purpose.

Circuits.

The House this Day, according to the Order made Yesterday, did take into Consideration the Report touching the Persons nominated to go the Circuits.

Resolved, That such Persons, as shall be named to go the Circuit, do go in the Quality and Capacity of Judges in this Circuit.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Council of State, That it be referred to some Persons, that, upon Conference with the Commissioners of the Great Seal, and the Persons which shall be appointed to go the Circuits, they may settle the Circuits, so as may be most of Advantage for the Commonwealth.

Resolved, That Sir Thomas Widdrington be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That the Lord Chief-Baron Wild be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That Baron Thorpe be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That Justice Nicholas be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That Justice Atkins be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That Justice Newdigate be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That Justice Archer be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That Baron Parker be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That Serjeant Roger Hill be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That Serjeant Earle be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That Serjeant Hugh Windham be one of the Judges to go this Circuit.

Resolved, That Roger Hill be, and is hereby, constituted a Serjeant at Law.

Resolved, That Richard Newdigate be, and is hereby, constituted a Serjeant at Law.

Resolved, That * Archer be, and is hereby, constituted a Serjeant at Law.

Resolved, That John Parker be, and is hereby, constituted a Serjeant at Law.

Resolved, That Hugh Windham be, and is hereby, constituted a Serjeant at Law.

Resolved, That Tho. Terrill, one of the Commissioners for Custody of the Great Seal, be, and is hereby, constituted a Serjeant at Law.

Resolved, That John Fountaine, one of the Commissioners for Custody of the Great Seal, be, and is hereby, constituted a Serjeant at Law.

Resolved, That John Hagget be one of the Judges to go this Circuit in Wales.

Resolved, That John Corbet be one of the Judges to go this Circuit in Wales.

Resolved, That John Radcliffe be one of the Judges to go this Circuit in Wales.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to confer with the Commissioners of the Great Seal, and the Persons which shall be appointed to go the Circuits, for settling the Circuits; and also to nominate such other Persons for Judges to go these Circuits, as are wanting; and report them to this House.

Judges.

Ordered, That Justice Newdigate, Justice Archer, and Justice Atkins, do continue Justices of the Upper-Bench, and Common-Pleas, as now they are: And Baron Parker do also continue Baron of the Exchequer, until the Twentieth Day of November 1659: And that their Commissions be renewed, to continue them until the Twentieth of November 1659, accordingly.

Justices of Peace, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Members of this House, that were of the Committee of Safety, upon Conference with the Members of this House, who serve for the respective Counties, to nominate fit Persons to be Justices of Peace in the respective Counties, and also Commissioners for Sewers; and, after they are agreed upon, to present their Names to the Commissioners for Custody of the Great Seal; and that they do grant Commissions, under the Great Seal, to them, accordingly: And are to meet in Henry the Eighth his Chamber in Whitehall.

Assessment.

Colonel Downes reports from the Committee ordered to withdraw upon the Act of Assessment, That the Matters referred were mistaken.

Resolved, That this Bill, so amended, be ingrossed.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee to whom the Bill for the Assessment was referred, to bring in the Names of the Committee for the Army, as they were formerly established by this Parliament.