House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 31 October 1654

Tuesday, the 31st of October, 1654.

Prayers.

Corn Trade.

THE House this Day, according to former Order, did take into Consideration the Report concerning the Transportation of Corn, &c.

Resolved, That it shall be lawful for any Person or Persons, being Natives of this Commonwealth, to transport Wheat when the Price shall not exceed 36s. the Quarter; paying Custom for the same Four-pence a Quarter.

Resolved, That it shall be lawful for any Person or Persons, being Natives of this Commonwealth, to transport Rye, when the Price shall not exceed 24s. the Quarter; paying Custom for the same at Three pence the Quarter.

Resolved, That it shall be lawful for any Person or Persons, being Natives of this Commonwealth, to transport Barley or Malt, when the Price shall not exceed Twenty Shillings the Quarter; paying Custom for the same Two-pence a Quarter.

Resolved, That it shall be lawful for any Person or Persons, being Natives of this Commonwealth, to transport Peas, when the Price shall not exceed Twenty-four Shillings the Quarter; paying Custom for the same Three-pence the Quarter.

The Question being propounded, That it shall be lawful to transport Beans, when the Price shall be Eighteen Shillings the Quarter;

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

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That it shall be lawful for any Person or Persons, being Natives of this Commonwealth, to transport Beans, when the Price shall not exceed Twenty four Shillings the Quarter; paying Custom for the same Three-pence the Quarter.

Resolved, That the Corn and Grain aforesaid shall be transported in Ships or Vessels of this Commonwealth.

The Question being put, that Butter may be transported when the Price shall not exceed Six Pence in the Pound;

The House was divided.
The Yeas went forth.

So it was Resolved, That Butter may be transported when the Price shall not exceed Sixpence the Pound.

Resolved, That the Custom to be paid upon Butter, to be transported as aforesaid, if transported in Vessels of this Commonwealth by a Native, . . . Two Shillings Sixpence the Barrel; and, if transported by an Alien, to pay for the Custom Five Shillings the Barrel: Which Barrel is to contain Four Firkins; and each Firkin to contain Fifty-six Pounds net.

Resolved, That Liberty be given for Buying, Keeping, and Selling again, of Wheat, and other Grains, in Markets, when the Prices shall not exceed the Rates before mentioned.

Resolved, That it be referred back to the same Committee, to bring in a Bill according to these Votes.

Resolved, That the Bushel intended in these Votes, shall be the Bushel single Winchester Measure: And that the Bill be prepared accordingly.

Resolved, That it be likewise referred to the same Committee, to consider of the Transportation of Beer, and the Prices which are fit when it shall be transported.

Weights and Measures.

Ordered, That it be referred to the same Committee, to consider of the Business of Weights and Measures through the whole Nation: And to peruse the former Laws in that Behalf; and to bring in a Bill for the better Regulation thereof; And Mr. Turner, Mr. Yeo, Mr. Hoskins, and Mr. Gewin, are added to this Committee.

Lincoln Fens.

The humble Petition of Sir Wm. Killigrew, and others, the Participants, Adventurers, and Purchasers, with Robert Earl of Lindsey, deceased, in his draining the Fens in Lincolnshire, lying between Bourne, Boston, and Lincoln, and up to Trent River, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, committed to Lord Broghill, Colonel Beaumount, Commissary-General Whalley, Mr. Turnor, Captain Bains, Mr. Lechmere, Mr. Marten Lister, Mr. Hoskins, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Charles Wolsley, Mr. Gewen, Mr. Norden, Alderman Gibbs, Sir John Hobart, Lord Rich. Cromwell, Lord Henry Cromwell, Colonel Mackworth, Mr. Guys, Mr. Jenkinson, Colonel Jones, Mr. Peckham, Colonel Morgan, Colonel Beale, Mr. Wrey, Colonel Fynes, Mr. Bond, Lord Lambert, Mr. Bunckley, Mr. Barkley, Mr. George Purefy, Colonel Lilburne, Mr. Flackett, Sir Wm. Roberts, Sir Wm. Strickland, Sir John Witterong, Colonel Lockhart, Mr. Fagg, Colonel Morley, Mr. Ellis, Colonel Shuttleworth, Lord Dacres, Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley, Serjeant Glyn, Mr. Ernley, Colonel Popham, Sir Henry Vane, Colonel Holland, Mr. * Lester, Colonel Ireland, Mr. Yong, Colonel Chadwick, Mr. Thomas Gorges, Lord Commissioner Widdrington, Mr. Timbs, Mr. Sam. Disbrow, Colonel Whetham, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Henry Cromwell, Mr. Lance, Mr. Cleypoole, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Recorder, Sir Anth. Ashley Cooper, Sir Ralph Hare, Mr. Barker, Major Long, Sir Wm. Doyley, Major Pudsey Pochin, Colonel Rous, Mr. Dunch, Mr. Hooper, Baron Thorpe, Colonel Twisleton, Mr. Edmondson, Mr. Parker, Sir Theophilus Jones, Lord Herbert, Mr. * Lister, Alderman Avery, Lieutenant-Colonel Baines, Mr. Long, Mr. Hobart, Mr. Carter, Colonel Bright, Mr. Downing, to examine the whole Business; and to call all Parties concerned before them; and to report: With Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records: And are to meet on Thursday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Exchequer Chamber.

Court of Wards.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee, to bring in a Bill for the further Confirmation of those Votes of Parliament, for taking away the Court of Wards: Viz.

To Mr. Barnard, Mr. Yong, Mr. Lechmere, Mr. Bunckly, Mr. Turner, Mr. Long, Mr. Parker, Mr. Bond, Baron Thorp, Mr. Hoskins, Lord Lithgow, Serjeant Glyn, Sir Anth. Ashley Cooper, Mr. Weles, Mr. Thomas Gorges, Mr. Aldworth, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Lister; or any Five of them: And this Committee is to meet in the Queen's Court, this Afternoon, at Two of the Clock.

Tenures in Ireland.

Ordered, That it be also referred to the same Committee, to consider of another Bill to be presented, for taking away Tenures in Ireland.

Religion.

Ordered, That the Sub-Committee for Religion have Liberty to sit this Afternoon, notwithstanding the Grand Committee for Trade do sit.