House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 2 December 1654

Saturday, 2d December, 1654.

Prayers.

Approval of Members.

COLONEL Morley acquaints the House, That Sir Thomas Rivers being returned to serve in this Parliament, the Clerk of the Commonwealth doth refuse to certify him to the Clerk of this House, until he have been approved by the Council; he being chosen upon a Writ that issued forth since the Sitting of the Parliament, for a new Election.

Resolved, That such Members as are or shall be returned upon Writs for new Elections, issuing by Warrant from the Parliament under the Hand of Mr. Speaker, shall be returned and admitted into the House, without any other Approbation than of the Parliament: And that the Clerk of the Commonwealth do and shall certify such Members, accordingly to the Clerk of the Parliament.

Assessments.

Resolved, That, on Tuesday next, the Assessments of Ireland and Scotland be taken into Consideration.

Settling the Government.

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

The Form of an Oath to be administered to the Council of the Lord Protector, was read.

Resolved, That these Words in the Form of the Oath, viz. "without the Direction or Consent of those by whom I am intrusted, or the major Part of them which shall be present at such Debates or Resolutions," be omitted; and, instead thereof, that these Words be inserted, viz. "wherein Secrecy shall be enjoined by the said Council, without the Direction of the Lord Protector, or the Parliament, or Leave of the Council."

And the next Clause being read: It was

Resolved, That, instead of the Word "Power," in this Clause, these Words be inserted, viz. "Knowlege and Understanding."

And the rest of the Oath, being put to the Question, by Parts, was agreed: And the whole Oath, being put to the Question, was resolved, in these Words:

I DO, in the Presence, and by the Name, of Almighty God, promise and swear, that I will be true and faithful in Performance of the Trust committed unto me, as one of the Council: And that I will not reveal or disclose any thing in Whole or in Part, directly or indirectly, that shall be debated or resolved upon by the Council, wherein Secrecy shall be enjoined by the said Council, without the Direction of the Lord Protector, or the Parliament, or Leave of the Council: And that, in the Election of every successive Lord Protector, I will proceed therein faithfully and impartially, according to; and do nothing therein for any Promise, Fear, Favour, or Reward. I will, to the best of my Knowledge and Understanding, give faithful Advice to the Lord Protector, for the Time being, in order to the good Government, Peace and Welfare of these Nations: And will not advise, act, or consent unto, any thing to disadvantage the Liberty, Property, or Interest, of the People, contrary to the Laws of the Land, to the best of my Understanding and Knowledge: And I will faithfully pursue the Instructions and Directions which are, or shall be, given to the Council by the Parliament.

post Meridiem.

Settling the Government.

THE House proceeded in the Debate upon the Government.

The Clause in the Report being read, in these Words; "That the Persons who shall be of the Council, shall be such as shall be nominated by the said Lord Protector, and approved by the Parliament;"

And the Question being put, That these Words, "nominated by the Lord Protector," shall be Part of this Question;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed in the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, That the Persons who shall be of the Council, shall be such as shall be nominated by the said Lord Protector, and approved by the Parliament.

The Question being put, That Candles be brought in;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed in the Negative.