House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 22 November 1654

Wednesday, the 22d of November, 1654.

Prayers.

Scandalous Ministers.

RESOLVED, That the Bill for ejecting scandalous Ministers be now read.-

Chancery.

Ordered, That the Bill touching the Chancery be reported on Saturday next.-

Scandalous Ministers.

An Act for ejecting scandalous, ignorant, and insufficient Ministers and Schoolmasters, was this Day read the Second time; and, upon the Question, committed to the Committee that brought it in: And are to meet at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Painted Chamber.

Afternoon, 22d November, 1654.

Private Business.

RESOLVED, That no private Business be taken into Consideration in this House for a Month.

Publick Accompts.

The humble Representation of the Committee for taking and receiving the Accompts of the Commonwealth; with Matter of Fact stated therein, annexed to the said Representation; were both read.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee, to consider what may be fit to be done, that the Accompts of the publick Monies received, both for the Time past and present, may be discovered and perfected; and the Accompts brought to an Account; and how the same may be put into such a way for the future, as may be for the Advantage of the Commonwealth; and report their Opinion therein to the House.

Resolved, That it be referred to the same Committee, to consider of all Debentures and Bills, and find out such of them as have been forged; whereby the Commonwealth hath been defrauded; and what they think fit to be done therein for the Reparation of the Commonwealth, for the Wrong suffered by such of them as have been counterfeited; and present their Opinion therein to the House: Viz. To Colonel John Birch, Colonel Thomas Birch, Colonel Whetham, Alderman Gibbs, Alderman Avery, Mr. Pury, Mr. Jones, Mr. Holman, Mr. Guis, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Thelwall, Sir Wm. Roberts, Colonel Dawkins, Mr. Wilton, Colonel Mathews, Mr. Beale, Mr. Beake, Mr. Sanchy, Sir Rich. Temple, Colonel Shuttleworth, Mr. Whitgreave, Mr. Grove, Mr. Thistlethwait, Colonel Twisleton, Earl of Salisbury, Captain Maidston, Sir Wm. Boteler, Colonel Montagu, Sir Rich. Everard, Mr. Hollis, Mr. Price, Sir Wm. Strickland, Mr. Rous, Mr. Clerk, Mr. Bulkley, Colonel Carter, Colonel Fines, Mr. Godfrey, Mr. Gorges, Captain Skinner, Lord Rich. Cromwell, Colonel Madrin, Colonel Read, Sir Raph Hare, Alderman Foote, Mr. Pickering, Colonel Sanders, Mr. Williams, Colonel Baines, Colonel James, Mr. Hobart, Captain Boys, Major Gibbons, Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley, Colonel Harvey, Mr. Collins, Mr. Earnley, Colonel Gorges, Colonel Phillips, Mr. Garland, Mr. Hale, Mr. Gwin: And this Committee are to meet Tomorrow Morning, at Seven of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber; and Colonel Thomas Birch, and Mr. Garland, are to take special Care thereof.

Settling the Government.

The House now resumed the Debate upon the Report made from the Committee of the whole House, upon the Government.

The Question being propounded, That the Laws of this Commonwealth shall not be altered, suspended, abrogated, or repealed, nor any new Law made, nor any Tax, Charge, or Imposition laid upon the People, but by common Consent in Parliament; provided that this Vote shall not extend to invalid or prejudice any Ordinances or Provisions made by the Lord Protector, and his Council, before this Parliament, for the maintaining of the Forces of this Commonwealth by Sea and Land in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and for the necessary Charges of the Government, until Order shall be taken in Parliament concerning the same;

The Question being put, That Candles be brought in;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That this Debate be adjourned till To-morrow Morning.