House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 30 December 1654

Saturday, the 30th of December, 1654.

Prayers.

Forfeitures.

ORDERED, That Mr. Recorder of London, Mr. Yorke, Mr. Turnor, Mr. Lechmere, Mr. Garland, Mr. Solicitor General, Mr. Lister, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir Anth. Ashley Cooper, Mr. Nathaniell Bacon, Mr. Baron Thorpe, Mr. Francis Bacon, Mr. Crook, Mr. Gewen, Mr. Serjeant Glyn, Mr. Bond, or any Three of them, do prepare and bring in a Bill, upon the Debate of the House, touching Forfeitures, Confiscations, Fines, and Amerciaments, not already granted or disposed of, to be to the Benefit of the Commonwealth: And Mr. Yorke is to take care hereof, and to bring it in on Tuesday Morning next.

Settling the Government.

The House proceeded upon the Debate of the Bill touching the Government.

The One-and-twentieth Chapter, being read, was, upon the Question, agreed.

The Two-and-twentieth Chapter was read; and, upon the Question, agreed.

The Three-and-twentieth Chapter was read; and, upon the Question, agreed.

Resolved, That, instead of the Words "Six Months," in the Three-and-twentieth Chapter, these Words be inserted, viz. "Six-and-twenty Weeks."

The Four-and-twentieth Chapter was read.

Resolved, That in the Fourth Line of this Chapter, these Words, viz. "have Power to," and these Words "to sit," be left out: And, instead of these Words, "Six Months:" these Words be inserted, viz. "Six-and-twenty Weeks:" And in the last Line of this Chapter, instead of "Three Months," the Words, "Thirteen Weeks," being inserted: And the whole Chapter, so amended, was upon the Question, agreed.

Assault in Lobby.

The House being informed, That one Theauro John, in the Lobby, without the Door of the Parliament, did there draw his Sword, and struck at divers Persons: and ran with his Sword against the Door of the House;

He was, by Order of the House, brought to the Bar: Where, being demanded by Mr. Speaker, What his Name was; answered, Theror John: Being asked, Why he came hither; saith, He fired his Tent; and the People were ready to stone him, because he burnt the Bible; which he acknowledgeth he did:-Saith, It is Letters, not Life: And he drew his Sword, because the Man jostled him at the Door-Saith, he burnt the Bible, because the People say, it is the Word of God; and it is not; it deceived him: And saith, He burnt the Sword and Pistols, and Bible, because they are the Gods of England. He did it not of himself: And being asked, Who bid him do it; saith, God.

And thereupon was commanded to withdraw.

Resolved, That the said Theauro John be committed to the Gatehouse, Westminster, in order to a further Proceeding against him, both for drawing his Sword at the Parliament Door, and for burning the Bible; and affirming, that the same is not the Word of God: And that there be a Charge given to the Keeper, to take Notice of any Persons as shall resort to him.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee, to examine him: and to present to the House their Opinion, what is fit to be done in respect of both these Offences: And that it be referred to the Committee, to whom the Business touching Biddle is referred, to report with Speed.

Quakers.

Resolved, That it be referred, to Mr. Serjeant Glyn, Mr. Lechmere, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Turnor, Mr. Godfrey, Mr. Long, Mr. Beale, Mr. Brisco, Colonel Birch, Lieutenant Colonel Kelsey, Mr. Lister, Mr. Bedford, Mr. Timbs, or any Three of them, to prepare a Bill, upon the Debate of the House, touching Quakers; with Power to them to receive Informations, from the Members of this House, or others, touching these Persons; the better to enable them to describe them in this Bill.

Post Meridiem.

Settling the Government.

THE Five-and-twentieth Chapter being read; and, instead of the Word "State," the Word "Commonwealth" being inserted: And instead of these Words, "first three Months," these Words be inserted, viz. "the Space of Thirteen Weeks, to be accounted from the first Day;" and the Words "have Power to," and these Words "to sit," being omitted: And, instead of the Words "one Month," these Words to be inserted, "Four Weeks."

And the said Chapter, so amended, was, upon the Question, passed.

The Six-and-twentieth Chapter being read;

The Question being put, That these Words, viz. "and for the Cinque Ports, Barons of the more discreet," be inserted into the Writ;

It passed in the Negative.

And the Chapter being put to the Question, was agreed.

The Seven-and-twentieth Chapter being read;

Resolved, That, next after the Words "Sheriffs of England, Scotland, and Ireland," these Words be inserted, viz. "and other Officers.

The Question being put, That these Words, "the usual or," do stand;

It passed in the Affirmative.

Resolved, That, in the last Line of this Chapter, instead of the Word "Proclamation," the Word "Publication" be inserted.

And the Chapter so amended, being put to the Question, was agreed.

The Eight-and-twentieth Chapter being read, and put to the Question, was agreed.

The Nine-and-twentieth Chapter being read;

The Question being put, To agree to the Sums, as they are in this Chapter set down;

It passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, That these Words, viz. "by Action of Debt, Bill, Plaint, or Information, wherein no Wager of Law, Essoign, or Protection, shall be allowed," be added in this Chapter, next after the Word "Westminster."

The Thirtieth Chapter was read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

The One-and-thirtieth Chapter was read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

The Two-and-thirtieth Chapter was read:

And the Question being put, Whether the Words "Taverns and Alehouses;" do stand in this Clause;

It passed in the Affirmative.

Resolved, That the Word "common" be inserted next before the Word "Haunter."

The Question being put, That the Words "or Brothel-Houses" do stand in this Chapter;

It passed in the Negative.

The Question being put, That these Words, "none that shall hereafter drink Healths; or be guilty of Adultery or Fornication, Extortion, Perjury, Forgery, or Bribery;" be Part of this Chapter;

It passed with the Negative.

The Three-and-thirtieth Chapter was now read.