House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 18 December 1654

Monday, the 18th of December, 1654.

Prayers.

Settling the Government.

MR. Nathaniell Bacon reports from the Committee, to whom the Preparing of a Bill upon the Votes touching the Government was referred, Several Clauses, by them prepared, for the Consideration of the House, in pursuance of the Order of the 15th of December last; Which were now read.

Resolved, That the said Report be re-committed to the same Committee: And that Lord Commissioner Widdrington, Lord Commissioner Whitlock, Mr. Serjeant Glyn, Mr. Turner, Colonel Rous, Sir Richard Onslow, Lord Commissioner Lisle, Mr. Oxenden, Mr. SolicitorGeneral, Colonel Jones, Mr. Fagge, Mr. Lechmere, Mr. Long, Mr. Secretary, Mr. Attorney-General, Colonel Fynes, Baron Thorpe, Mr. Wingate, be added to the former Committee: And the Committee are to meet To-morrow Morning, at Eight of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Resolved, That Major Hale do make the Report from the Sub-Committee appointed by the Committee of the whole House, touching the Government, to consider of the One-and-thirtieth Article.

Major Hale accordingly reports, from the said SubCommittee.

The Question being put, That the whole present Debate touching the Sum to be settled for the Charges of Administration of Justice, and other Expences of the Government, be now committed;

It passed with the Negative.

Post Meridiem.

Settling the Government.

RESOLVED, That a constant Yearly Revenue of Two hundred thousand Pounds by the Year, be settled and established upon the now Lord Protector, and the succeeding Lord Protectors, for the Time being respectively, for defraying the necessary Charges for Administration of Justice, and other Expences of the Government of this Commonwealth: And that the said Two hundred thousand Pounds by the Year be constantly paid out of the Publick Receipt of the Exchequer, by Warrant of the Lord Protector, and the Council.

Resolved, That these Words be added to the last Vote, next after the Word " Government; " viz. " and for the Support of his and their State and Dignity, as may be for the Honour of this Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland."

The Question being put, That Leave be given to speak against these Words in the last Vote; viz. " and the Council;"

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That these Words be added to the said Vote in the End thereof; viz. " and shall not be taken away, nor diminished, without the Consent of the Lord Protector, and Parliament."

And so it was Resolved, That a constant yearly Revenue of Two hundred thousand Pounds by the Year, be settled and established upon the now Lord Protector, and the succeeding Lord Protectors, for the Time being, respectively, for defraying the necessary Charges for Administration of Justice, and other Expences of the Government; and for the Support of his and their State and Dignity, as may be for the Honour of this Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland: And that the said Two hundred thousand Pounds by the Year be constantly paid out of the Publick Receipt of the Exchequer, by Warrant of the Lord Protector, and the Council; and shall not be taken away, nor diminished, without the Consent of the Lord Protector, and Parliament.

Report recommitted.

The first Clause of the Report, last made, was now read.

Resolved, That this be re-committed to the same Committee: And that Alderman Avery, and Alderman Gibbs, be added to That Committee: And they are to bring it in again To-morrow Morning.

Petition from London.

The humble Petition of the several Companies of the City of London was this Day read.

Resolved, That this Petition be referred to the lastmentioned Committee, to make Report with the other Business now referred to them.

Harvy's Petition.

The humble Petition of John Harvy was this Day read.

Ordered, That this Petition be referred to the Committee, that are to bring in the Report To-morrow, upon the One-and-thirtieth Article.

Union with Scotland.

Ordered, That the Act for Uniting of England and Scotland be reported on Friday Morning next.