House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 12 July 1653

Tuesday, the 12th of July, 1653.

Publick Revenue.

RESOLVED, That a Committee be appointed to consider of the State of all the Treasuries; and how a Cheque may be put upon them; and how the same may be managed with the least Charge and Expence; viz. to Mr. Squib, Col. Bennett, Mr. Draper, Mr. Kenrick, Col. James, Col. Blunt, Mr. Taylor, Major Woolmer, Sir James Hope, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Jacob Caley, Mr. Cunliff, Mr. Birkenhead, Sir Wm. Brownlow, Major-General Harrison, or any Five of them: And are to meet Tomorrow, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Court of Wards: And this Committee have likewise Power to consider how the Monies coming into the seral Treasuries of the Commonwealth, may be brought into one Treasury: And a constant Account may be had thereof: And how all Persons, who have received any of the Treasure or Monies of the Commonwealth may be called to Account: And to confer with any Persons whom they shall think fit; and consider of any other Matter, which may conduce to the Advancement, and best Managing, of the Treasure of the Commonwealth: With Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records; and to consider of the Multitude of Officers, and their Salaries.

Hitchaine's Charities.

Resolved, That the Bill touching Serjeant Hitchaine's Gift to the Parishes of Framlingham, &c. be ready on Friday Morning next.

Law.

Resolved, That Thursday next be appointed to take into a general Consideration, the Law, and the Grievances thereof.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Gentlemen, who were heretofore appointed to consider of the Grievances and Inconveniences in the Proceedings of the Law, to peruse what Acts were by them prepared to be offered to the Parliament, as well which were not printed, as those which were printed: And that there be so many Copies thereof printed as there be Members of this House; to be delivered to each of them one: And that those Gentlemen do supervise the Impression: And that the same being printed, they be brought to the House for the Members of the House.

The Mace.

Alderman Titchborne reports from the Committee appointed to consider of the Use of the Mace, the Opinion of that Committee, That the Mace should be made use of, as formerly.

Resolved, That the Mace shall be used in the House, as formerly: And that the Serjeant do also attend the Speaker for the Time being, from time to time, from the House to the Entrance into the Old or New Palace; and there again receive him, and bring him to the House.

Ordered, That the Mace be brought in: Which was done, accordingly.

Bible for the House.

Ordered, That a Bible be provided for the Service of the House.

God's Blessing on Parliament.

Sir Charles Wolseley reports from the Committee appointed to draw up a Declaration, to invite the People of this Commonwealth to seek unto the Lord, for a Blessing on the Counsels and Proceedings of this House. A Declaration for that Purpose: Which was now read; and afterwards read in Parts.

The Question being put, That the Word "Churches," be inserted in the last Line, save one, of the Second Page;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

And the whole Declaration, after some Omissions and Amendments, being put to the Question, was passed; and ordered to be forthwith printed and published: And that the same be sent to the Sheriffs of the several Counties; who are enjoined to disperse the same: And that the Council of State do take care for the sending of them to the Sheriffs, accordingly.