House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 18 December 1656

Thursday, the 18th of December, 1656.

Wiltes Sheriff's Court.

A BILL for the holding the Sheriff's Court for the County of Wiltes, in the Borough of Devises, was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question, ordered to be read the Second time on Saturday next.

Suits against Markham.

Colonel Gorges reports the Matter of Fact upon the Petition of Colonel Markham, referred unto them: Which was as followeth;

The Petitioner sheweth,

THAT, in Obedience to the Commands of the Commissioners of Parliament in Ireland, he did, with others, according to the Duty of his Place, sequester Edward Earl of Meath; for which the said Earl hath sued the Petitioner: Wherefore he prays Indemnity and Satisfaction.

At the said Committee, both Parties being present, the Petitioner produced, for Proof of his Petition, a Letter from the Council of Ireland, attested a true Copy by Colonel Herbert, Clerk to the said Council, to his Highness; which is hereunto annexed: Whereby it appears, That the Petitioner did nothing against the said Earl, but in the Execution of the Trust reposed in him by the Parliament, and according to the express Command of the Commissioners of Parliament; and therefore the said Council pray his Highness Indemnity for the Petitioner.

The said Earl of Meath, being demanded, Whether he did ever sue the said Petitioner; and the Cause of such his Suit; saith, That he did sue the Petitioner in the Courts of Justice in Ireland, for that he heard the Petitioner give Information to the Commissioners of Parliament, That the said Earl's Estate in Leicestershire was sequestered; which, as the said Earl believes, was the Cause that he had not the Benefit of the Act of Oblivion, nor Dublyn Articles; to the Damage of 6,000£.: The said Earl doth acknowlege, that his Estate in Leicestershire was sequestered; but it was by Mistake.

And the said Earl did then express, That he thought it fit, that the Petitioner should be indemnified.

The Petitioner avers, that he is damnified 300£. by the said Earl's Suit.

Resolved, That this House doth declare, That Colonel Markham ought to be indemnified against all Suits and Proceedings of the Earl of Meath.

And doth indemnify him, accordingly.

A Bill for indemnifying of Colonel Henry Markham, and others, for acting in the publick Service, was this Day read the First time: And laid aside, without a Question, by the general Sense of the House.

Ordered, That, for the preparing and bringing in a Bill for Indemnity, to be given to such as have served the Publick, the Committee for Irish Affairs be added to the Committee appointed to bring in a Bill to that Purpose.

Ordered, That it be referred back to the same Committee, to hear the Earl of Meath; and examine the Matter further; and report the Matter of Fact, with their Opinion, to the House.

Nayler's Punishment.

Resolved, upon the Question, and the Parliament doth declare, That the Whipping of James Nayler from Westminster to the Old Exchange, London, is to be on this Day.

Navigation.

A Bill, intituled, An additional Act for Encouragement of Trade and Navigation, was this Day read the Second time; and, upon the Question, committed to the Committee for Trade.

Quakers.

Several Petitions being presented to the House, containing Complaints against Quakers; viz.

The humble Petition of divers well-affected Persons, Gentlemen, Ministers, and others, in the Counties of Devon and Exon; was read:

The humble Petition of the Ministers of the Gospel in the Counties of Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle upon Tyne; was read:

The humble Petition of the Justices of the Peace, Gentlemen, Ministers of the Gospel, and others well-affected, within the County Palatine of Chester; and the Attestation of the same Petition by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Ministers of the City of Chester; was read:

The humble Remonstrance and Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council, of the City of Bristoll, together with the Ministers of the Gospel, and other chief Inhabitants, who desire to fear God, and love our Lord Jesus in Sincerity, in the same City; was read:

The humble Petition of divers well-affected Persons, Gentlemen, Ministers, and others, in the County of Cornwall; was read:

Ordered, That all the Petitions now read be referred to a Committee, to consider of them, and to collect such Heads out of them, as may be fittest for the Suppression of the Mischiefs and Inconveniences complained of therein; and report the same to the House.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed for the Examination of James Nayler be the Committee for this Purpose: Lord Commissioner Whitelock, Colonel Cooper, Mr. Godfrey, Mr. Aston, Colonel Hewson, Major-General Packer, Major-General Haines, Colonel Sidenham, Mr. Holland, Lord Lambert, Sir Richard Pigott, Colonel Purefoy, Lord Deputy, Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. Bedford, Lord President, Sir John Reynolds, Alderman Foote, Major-General Skippon, Mr. Jenkinson, Sir Christofer Pack, Colonel Mathewes, Major-General Howard, Mr. Secretary Thurloe, Mr. Hopkins, Colonel Wilton, be added to that Committee: And are to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon in the Inner Court of Wards.

Spanish War.

Ordered, That the House do take into Consideration the Business touching Money for carrying on the Spanish War, To-morrow Morning; and nothing to intervene: And that the several Committees do bring in their Reports To-morrow Morning, touching this Business.

Proceedings against Stringer, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to the same Committee, to whom Nayler's Business was referred, to consider of the Facts and Crimes of John Stringer and Hanna his Wife, Martha, the Wife of Thomas Symons, and Darcas Erbury; and to state Matter of Fact; and report it to the House.

Sebrand's Nat.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Naturalization, to consider touching the Naturalizing of Remee de Sebrand, Son of Melchier de Sebrand.

Acclom's Estate.

Ordered, That Captain Lister and * Captain Lilborne be added to the Committee, to whom the Act touching Mr. Acclom is referred.