House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 13 June 1660

Wednesday, June 13th, 1660.

Proclamation against Profaneness.

A MESSAGE from the Lords, by * * and Dr. Child, Masters of Chancery;

The Lords desire the Concurrence of this House with them in a Petition to his Majesty, for publishing his Majesty's Proclamation concerning debauched Persons thorough the Nation; and for requiring the several Ministers to read the same in their several Congregations:- And therewith delivered a Petition; which was read.

Ordered, That this House doth concur with the Lords in the said Petition.

The Messengers being called in again, Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer;

The House have considered of your Message; and read the Petition which you brought from the Lords; and do concur with the Lords therein.

The Tenor of the Petition is as followeth;

To the King's most Excellent Majesty:

The humble Petition of the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled.

The Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, do bless God, that he hath put it into your Majesty's Heart to issue out the Proclamation, lately made against vicious, debauched, and profane Persons; and do humbly thank your Majesty for your pious Care therein expressed, for discountenancing and suppressing the said debauched Persons, and the Vices therein mentioned: And, that the same may take the more Effect, they do humbly pray your Majesty, that you would be graciously pleased to issue out Proclamations by the Advice of both your Houses of Parliament, that each Minister, in each Parish and Chapel within this your Realm of England, and Dominion of Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed, shall and may, once in a Month, for Six Months, next following, in their respective Congregations, read the said Proclamation concerning the said debauched Persons; and may then press the observing of the Duties therein enjoined, and the avoiding of the Vices therein forbidden.

Examination of Puckle, &c.

Mr. Pryn reports from the Committee, the Examinations of James Puckle and Thomas Ellis, who had been charged with conveying of Mr. Miles Corbet beyond the Seas; which Examinations were read.

Resolved, That James Puckle and Thomas Ellis, who are now in Custody with the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, be forthwith discharged, and set at Liberty.

Proceedings against the Regicides.

The Question being propounded, That Oliver St. John, Serjeant at Law, shall be one of the Twenty Persons to be excepted out of the Act of General Pardon and Oblivion, for and in respect only of such Pains, Penalties, and Forfeitures, (not extending to Life) as shall be thought fit to be inflicted on him by another Act, intended to be hereafter passed for that Purpose;

And it being put to the Question, That the Question should be now put;

It passed in the Affirmative:

And the main Question being thereupon put; it was

Resolved, That Oliver St. John, Serjeant at Law, shall be one of the Twenty Persons to be excepted out of the Act of General Pardon and Oblivion, for and in respect only of such Pains, Penalties, and Forfeitures, (not extending to Life) as shall be thought fit to be inflicted on him by another Act, intended to be hereafter passed for that Purpose.

Resolved, That Alderman John Ireton be one of the Twenty Persons to be excepted out of the Act of General Pardon and Oblivion, for and in respect only of such Pains, Penalties, and Forfeitures, (not extending to Life) as shall be thought fit to be inflicted on him by another Act, intended to be hereafter passed for that Purpose.

Resolved, That Sir Arthur Hesilrig be one of the Twenty Persons to be excepted out of the Act of General Pardon and Oblivion, for and in respect only of such Pains, Penalties, and Forfeitures, (not extending to Life) as shall be thought fit to be inflicted on him by another Act, intended to be hereafter passed for that Purpose.

The Question being propounded, That Col. Wm. Sydenham be one of the Twenty Persons to be excepted out of the Act of General Pardon and Oblivion, for and in respect only of such Pains, Penalties, and Forfeitures, (not extending to Life) as shall be thought fit to be inflicted on him by another Act, intended to be hereafter passed for that Purpose;

And it being put to the Question, Whether the Question shall be now put;

The House was divided:

And the Noes went forth.

And so the Question passing in the Affirmative;

And the main Question being put; it was

Resolved, That Col. Wm. Sydenham be one of the Twenty Persons to be excepted out of the Act of General Pardon and Oblivion, for and in respect only of such Pains, Penalties, and Forfeitures, (not extending to Life) as shall be thought fit to be inflicted on him by another Act, intended to be hereafter passed for that Purpose.

Resolved, That Col. John Disbrowe be one of the Twenty Persons to be excepted out of the Act of General Pardon and Oblivion, for and in respect only of such Pains, Penalties, and Forfeitures, (not extending to Life) as shall be thought fit to be inflicted on him by another Act, intended to be hereafter passed for that Purpose.

Persons surrender.

Mr. Speaker acquainted the House, that Colonel Thomas Waite, Mr. Symon Meyne, and Mr. Peter Temple, Three of those, who sat as Judges at the Trial of the late King's Majesty, have rendered themselves to him, according to his Majesty's Proclamation; and that he hath committed them to the Charge and Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Ordered, That the Commitment of the said Three Persons to the Serjeant at Arms be, and is hereby, approved.