House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 25 May 1652

Tuesday, the 25th of May, 1652.

Prayers.

Embassy from Denmark.

MR. Speaker, by way of Report, acquaints the House, That a Messenger, from the Lords Ambassadors from the King of Denmarke, brought to him Copies of the Letters of Credence, both in Latin and English: Which were this Day read.

Resolved, That Audience be given to the Lords Ambassadors Extraordinary from the King of Denmark To-morrow Morning, at Eleven of Clock.

Ordered, That Sir Oliver Fleming do give the said Lords Ambassadors Notice of the said Vote.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms do fit and prepare the late Court of Wards, and the Parliament-House, with Hangings, and other necessary Furniture, against their Coming to have Audience.

Ordered, That the Lord Grey, Sir John Hippisley, and Mr. Rawlegh, do attend upon the said Lords Ambassadors Extraordinary, when they come to have their Audience.

Wotton's, &c. Petition.

The humble Petition of Dame Mary Wotton, and Philip Lord Stanhope, was this Day read.

The Question being propounded, That this Petition be referred to a Committee;

And the Question being put, That That Question be now put;

The House was divided.
The Noes went forth.

So it passed in the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put;

The House was again divided.
The Yeas went forth.

So it was Resolved, That the said Petition be referred to the former Committee to whom Businesses of this Nature are referred, to examine the Business; and report the State thereof to the House. And it is also

Ordered, That the Quorum of the said Committee be reduced to Five.

Irish Affairs.

A Letter from the Commissioners for managing the Affairs of the Parliament in Ireland, from Clonmell, of the 15th of May 1652; and another Letter inclosed, from the said Commissioners, of the 13 of May 1652; with Arcles of Agreement between Commissary General Reynolds and others, on the Part and Behalf of the Commonwealth of England, on the one Part, and Sir Walter Dongan, Baronet, Commissary General of the Irish Forces, and others, on the other Part, for and on the Behalf of such Persons as are now in Arms against the Parliament within the Province of Lemster, and of others in the Articles mentioned; And Resolves of a Council of War, held at Kilkenny the 9th of May Parliament for managing the Affairs in Ireland, touching the said Articles; and also Explanations upon the Articles of Agreement with West Meath; And a Paper containing the Places of Rendezvous for the Irish Forces disbanded; were all this Day read.

Ordered, That this Business be taken into Consideration on Friday Morning next.

Letter read.

Sir Henry Vane junior reports, from the Council of State, the Extract of a Letter written out of Holland: Whh was this Day read.

Navy.

He also reports, That the Council finds it necessary, upon Consideration of the present State of Affairs, that Forty Sail of Ships, more than are already in the Service of the Commonwealth, should be taken on; and have already given Orders to that Purpose: That the Parliament be humbly moved to take it into Consideration, where Money may be had for Paying of the said Ships, so ordered to be taken on to the Publick Service.

Resolved, That the House doth approve of what the Council of State hath done herein.

Fight with Dutch Fleet.

He also reports Papers in Latin and English, delivered to the Council by the Dutch Ambassadors; together with the Matter of Fact of the Fight between the Two Fleets in the Downes, and Captain Young, and the Dutch: Which were read.

He also reports the Matter of Fact, as it is now stated, and sent from the Lord General to the Council, concerning the Fight between the English and the Dutch Fleet in the Downes: Which was this Day read.

He also reports the Commission whereby Sebastian Thuneman is made Captain of the Ship of War, called, The Lawrence; and the Instructions given to the said Captain Sebastian Tuneman: Which were read.

The Information of Captain Wm. Branley, taken before his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell, and Dennis Bond, Esquire, at Dover, the 22d of May 1652: Which was read.

And also the Examination of Sebastian Tuneman, late Captain of the Ship, called, The Lawrence; and of Shipcoffocus, Captain of the St. Mary of Amsterdam; and of Cornelius Teby; and of Peter Johnson: The further Examination of Sebastian Tuneman, and of Cornelius Teby, taken before his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell, and Dennis Bond Esquire, at Dover, the 22d of May 1652.

And also a Letter from Anthony Young, President, in Plymouth Sound, the 14th of May 1652: Which was read.

And also the Certificate of the Mayor and Jurats of Dover, of the 23d of May 1652.

War with Dutch.

He also reports, as to the presenting an Opinion by the Council, upon the Matter of Fact, in pursuance of the Order of Parliament; They humbly offer, That, by the Audience given to the Dutch Ambassadors, and the Papers therein delivered, it doth appear, what is said and desired by them, on the Behalf of that State: To which the Council thought fit to give no Answer; but to submit to the Wisdom of Parliament: And, in the mean time, the Council have thought fit, according to their Duty, to send Instructions to General Blake, for the Safety and Security of this Commonwealth, at this Juncture of Affairs.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Papers now reported, be sent back to the Council of State, to make use of, as need shall require; and after, to be returned; and to remain here upon Record.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Council of State, and that they be enjoined and impowered, vigorously to reinforce the Fleet; and to prepare any other Forces that they shall see Cause; and to employ the same in such sort as they shall think fit, for the Honour and Safety of this Commonwealth.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Council of State, and that they be likewise impowered, if they shall think fit, to imbark any Ship or Ships, for such Time, and in such Manner, as they shall see Cause.