House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 27 June 1659

Monday, 27th of June, 1659.

Prayers.

Indemnity, &c.

THE House, according to former Order, was this Day resolved into a grand Committee, upon the Bill of Indemnity, and the Petition and Address of the Army.

Mr. Speaker did forbear to take the Chair.
Mr. Serjeant Hill took the Chair.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Serjeant Hill reports from the said Grand Committee, upon the Bill of Indemnity, and the Petition and Address of the Army; That the said Grand Committee desire they may have Leave to sit To-morrow Morning.

Resolved, That the House be resolved into a Grand Committee, upon the Bill of Indemnity, and the Petition and Address of the Army, To-morrow Morning: And that Mr. Speaker do forbear to take the Chair.

Tythes.

A Paper, directed to the Parliament of England, from many Thousands of the Free-born People of this Commonwealth, against the Payment of Tythes, was this Day read.

The Question being propounded, That this Parliament doth declare, That, for the Encouragement of a Godly Preaching Learned Ministry throughout the Nation, the Payment of Tythes shall continue as now they are, until this Parliament shall find out some other more equal and comfortable Maintenance, both for the Ministry, and Satisfaction of the People;

And the Question being put, That the Word "Ministry" be Part of this Question;

It passed with the Affirmative.

The Question being put, That this Word, "until," shall stand in this Question;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That the Word "unless" be inserted, instead of the Word "until."

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, That this Parliament doth declare, That, for the Encouragement of a Godly Preaching Learned Ministry throughout the Nation, the Payment of Tythes shall continue as now they are, unless this Parliament shall find out some other more equal and comfortable Maintenance, both for the Ministry, and Satisfaction of the People.

Resolved, That this Vote be printed and published.

Resolved, That the Judges do publish this Vote for Payment of Tythes, in their several Circuits.

Westminster Militia.

Mr. Garland reports Amendments to the Bill for settling the Militia of the City of Westminster, and the Liberties thereof; with the Parishes and Places adjacent, of the County of Middlesex, within the Weekly Bills of Mortality, except of the Hamlets of the Tower: Which were twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

Resolved, That this Bill be ingrossed.

Militia.

Resolved, That there be a Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for settling the Militias in the several Counties: Viz. unto Colonel Rich, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Garland, Mr. Weaver, Colonel Morley, Mr. Fagg, Colonel Walton, Colonel Crompton, Colonel Martyn, Mr. Dormer, Earl of Penbroke, Sir Arthur Hesilrig, Colonel Purefoy, Mr. Skynner, Mr. Christofer Martin, Lord Whitlock, Mr. Goodwyn, Sir Gilbert Pickering, Mr. Pury, Colonel Lister, Major Salway, Colonel White, Colonel Barker, Mr. Rich. Darley, Mr. Henry Darley, Mr. Nutt, Mr. Hallowes, Baron Wild, Mr. Lenthall, Lieutenant-General Fleetwood, Mr. Ralegh, Colonel Sydenham, Mr. Strickland, Sir Henry Vane, Mr. Brewster, Mr. Gurdon, Colonel John Jones, Mr. Chaloner: And all that come to have Voices: And are to meet at Three of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Resolved, That the Members of this House that serve for the several Counties, do, under their Hands, present to this Committee, The Names of such Persons as they shall think fit to be Commissioners for the Militia in the said respective Counties, and as they conceive to be within the Qualifications declared by Parliament.

Dunkirk.

Ordered, That the Credentials for the Plenipotentiaries, and the Letter from Dunkirk, be reported To-morrow Morning, the first Business after Mr. Speaker doth take the Chair.

Isle of Ely Judge.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to nominate a Person to be Judge in the Isle of Ely: And to report him to this House, for their Approbation.

Irish Affairs.

The House being informed, That divers Gentlemen, out of Ireland, were at the Door;

They were called in: And, being come to the Bar, Colonel Huson informed the House, That "divers wellaffected Persons of the Church of Christ in Dublyn, have desired them to present an humble Address to you: And that divers Persons, inhabiting about the City of Dublyn, desire likewise to have their humble Address presented to you."

One other of the Petitioners also presented, "The humble Address of the Council of the Army in Ireland:" Which, after the Petitioners were withdrawn, were all read.

The one was intituled, "The humble Address and Petition of the Church of Christ at Dublin; whereof Dr. Samuell Winter is Pastor, and Mr. Samuell Mather Teacher."

One other, intituled, "The humble Address of the Council of the Army of Ireland."

The other, "The humble Address of divers Persons inhabiting in the City of Dublyn, and Parts adjacent, on behalf of themselves, and many others, who desire the Welfare of Syon, and the true Happiness of these Nations."

A Letter from William Steele and Miles Corbet, dated at Dublyn the Two-and-twentieth of June 1659, was also read.

A Letter from Colonel Henry Cromwell, dated the Two-and-twentieth of June 1659, was also read.

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

"Gentlemen,"

"This House hath read your several Addresses and Petitions: That which came from the Churches: That which came from the Council of the Army: And That which came from the Persons inhabiting about the City of Dublyn: And they find in them many Matters of weighty Consideration; which they shall, in due time, take into Consideration. They also find much Sobriety and Temperance in the Petitions; and many good Affections expressed in them all: For which they have commanded me to give you and them, severally, the Thanks of this House: And I do, in their Name, give you the Thanks of this House, accordingly."