House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 16 December 1651

Tuesday, the16th of December1651.

Prayers.

Scotch Commissioners.

ORDERED, That on Thursday next the Commissioners appointed to go into Scotland, do attend the Parliament, to receive their Commissions and Instructions in the House; and that Mr. Speaker do then deliver them their Commissions and Instructions accordingly: And that the same be the first Business on that Day.

London Magistrates.

Ordered, That the Report concerning the Differences between the Citizens of the City of London, about Election of their Magistrates, be made from the Council of State, on Thursday next.

Ambassadors from Holland.

Ordered, That the Council of State do take care for the Reception of the Lords Ambassadors, from the High and Mighty Lords the Lords the States General of the United Provinces.

Assessment.

An Act for raising of Pounds by the Month, for Months; to commence the 25th of December 1651; for Maintenance of the Forces in England, Ireland, and Scotland, raised by the Authority of Parliament for the Service of this Commonwealth; was this Day read the First time.

Resolved, That the said Act be now read the Second time.

The said Act was now read the Second time, accordingly.

Resolved, That the Sum to be assessed by Virtue of this Act, shall be Ninety thousand Pounds by the Month.

Resolved, That the Time be for six Months, from the 25th of December 1651.

Resolved, That the Proportions in this Bill, to be set on the several Counties, Cities, and Places, be observed rateably according to the Proportions in the former Act.

Resolved, That this Act be committed to the Committee of the Army; and all that come to have Voices, as to this Business: And to bring it in To-morrow Morning, the first Business.

Resolved, That the former Order be revived to the Committee of the Army to hear the Complaints from Counties and Places concerning the Inequality in the Assessment: And to consider thereof, and report their Opinions, what is fit to be done for their Relief, within Three Months.

Westminster.

Resolved, That the Report touching the Government of Westminster, be made from the Committee, on Thursday Sevennight, the first Business.

Great Seal.

Resolved, That the Lords Commissioners for the Great Seal do attend the Parliament To-morrow Morning with the Great Seal, to receive the new Great Seal.

Officers Widows.

Colonel Downes reports from the Committee of the Army:

"In Pursuance of an Order of Parliament of 30 Septembris last, the Lord General having certified, in the Behalf of Margarett Read, Mary Jones, Abigal Dukeson, Ellyn Bircles, Joane Toope, and Anne Makernes, Widows, that their Husbands were all slain in the Service of the Parliament, at the late Siege of Worcester; it is Ordered, That it be reported to the Parliament, That, if they think fit, the Sum of Two hundred Pounds may be paid to Margaret Read, the Widow of Captain Read; the like Sum of Two hundred Pounds to Mary Jones, the Widow of Captain Jones; the Sum of One hundred and Fifty Pounds to Abigail Dukeson, the Widow of Captain Dukeson; the Sum of Fifty Pounds to Ellin Bircles, the Widow of Serjeant John Bircles; the Sum of Twenty Pounds to the Widow Toope; and the like Sum of Twenty Pounds to the Widow Makernes; towards their Subsistence: And that the Treasurers at Wars may be ordered to pay the said Sums, accordingly, out of such Monies as are or shall come to their Hands of the general Composition for the Delinquency of North Wales."

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Sum of Two hundred Pounds be paid to Margarett Read, the Widow of Captain Read; the like Sum of Two hundred Pounds to Mary Jones, the Widow of Captain Jones; the Sum of One hundred and Fifty Pounds to Abigail Dukeson, the Widow of Captain Dukeson; the Sum of Fifty Pounds to Ellen Bircles, the Widow of Serjeant John Bircles; the Sum of Twenty Pounds to the Widow Toope; and the like Sum of Twenty Pounds to the Widow Makernes; towards their Subsistence: And that the Treasurers at Wars do pay the said Sums, accordingly, out of such Monies as are or shall come to their Hands of the general Composition for the Delinquents of North Wales.