House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 10 March 1653

Thursday, the 10th of March, 1652.

Prayers.

Sir S. Crow, a Prisoner.

RESOLVED, by the Parliament, That, upon a Warrant from Mr. Speaker, the Lieutenant of the Tower of London do deliver over Sir Sackvile Crow Baronet, now Prisoner in the Tower, into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending the Parliament.

Resolved, That the said Sir Sackvile Crow, upon giving Bail to the Serjeant at Arms attending the Parliament, to render himself Prisoner to the Serjeant at Arms attending the Parliament within Ten Days after he shall be required by the Parliament, shall have his Liberty: And that the Serjeant at Arms attending the Parliament be authorized to take Bail, accordingly.

Resolved, That the Bail to be taken, as aforesaid, shall be in Two thousand Pounds for the said Sir Sackvile Crow, and One Thousand Pounds apiece by each of his Two Sureties.

Levant Trade.

Sir Henry Mildmay reports, from the Council of State;

UPON reading the Petition of the Levant Merchants, presented to this Council, setting forth, That the Sampson, and several other of their Ships, returning from Turkey, were, by the Dutch Men of War, in the Mediterranean Sea, necessitated, for their Security, to put into Harbour, upon the Coast of Italy; and to land all their Silks and fine Goods: And that the Ships are now taken into the Service of the State; whereby, and in regard of the present Dangerousness of those Seas, by the Dutch, they cannot import them, as usually; and therefore pray, that they, bringing them over Land to Dunquerque, may have Liberty to import them from thence to this Commonwealth, without any Seizure or Penalty imposed by the Act of Parliament for Encouragement of Navigation; It is thereupon ordered, That it be humbly reported to the Parliament, that the Necessity of landing the said Goods hath been represented to the Council, by Mr. Charles Longland, their Agent at Livorno: And that the Council having taken into their serious Consideration the State of the Affairs of the Commonwealth, and the Condition of the State's Ships of War, in the Mediterranean Sea, they thought fit to give Order to the said Mr. Longland to take up the said Ships, and others there, into the Service of the State, as Men of War: And for that Purpose sent to him several blank Commissions, for Commanders and Officers for them; whereby the Vessels, in which the said Goods should have been brought home, are diverted from that Employment, to serve the Publick; to supply the Want whereof, by procuring other English Ships in those Parts, to lade those Goods aboard, will be extreme difficult, in regard most of them are already laden, or entertained into the Service of the State likewise: Upon Consideration whereof they have thought fit, humbly to represent the said Case unto the Parliament, that such Order may be given therein, as they shall think fit.

Ordered, That the Council of State have Power to give Order touching the bringing in of the Goods which were brought into the Streights, in the Ship Sampson, and other Ships, which have been, by their Order, taken into the Service of the State, as Men of War, without being liable to Confiscation by the Act for Encouragement of Shipping and Navigation: And that the Council of State do take care, that, under Colour thereof, there be no Fraud used in bringing in other Goods, to the Prejudice of the State, in Breach of that Act; and to give such Order for preventing the said Fraud, as they shall think fit.

Regulating the Laws.

Resolved, That Thursday in every Week be appointed for taking into Consideration the Business of the Law.

Transactions with Holland.

The House, according to former Order, did this Day resume the Debate of the Business what is further fit to be done in reference to the Affairs between this Commonwealth and the United Provinces.

The Question being propounded, That this Debate be adjourned till To-morrow Morning;

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

It passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put, That this Debate be adjourned till To-morrow Morning;

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So it was Resolved, by the Parliament, That this Debate be adjourned till To-morrow Morning, the first Business; nothing to intervene.