House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 10 May 1659

Tuesday, May 10th, 1659.

Prayers.

Courts of Law, &c.

THE House resume the Debate upon the Bill Yesterday brought in, concerning Proceedings in Courts of Law and Equity.

The Question being propounded, That the said Bill be read the Second time;

It passed with the Negative.

The Question being put, That the said Bill be rejected;

It passed with the Affirmative.

Justices of Peace, &c.

Major Salwey offers a Bill for enabling and authorizing certain Persons to be Justices of the Peace, and Sheriffs: Which was this Day read the First and Second time; and committed to the Lord Whitlock, Mr. Say, Lord Chief-Justice St. John, Mr. Lechmere, Sir Wm. Ellis, Colonel Morley, or any Three of them: Who are therefore forthwith to withdraw into the Speaker's Chamber.

Publick Revenue.

Colonel Downes reports from the Committee for Inspection of the Treasuries, A Vote concerning the Excise, Impost, and monthly Taxes and Revenue of this Commonwealth: Which was read; and amended at the Table, and passed; viz.

"The Parliament doth resolve and declare, That all Persons whatsoever shall pay, and hereby are required to pay in all Arrears and growing Duties for Customs, Excise, and New Impost, monthly Taxes, and all other Monies due and payable to the Commonwealth: And all Persons, employed for the receiving and collecting the same, are hereby impowered and required to act in their several Places, for receiving and collecting the same, until the Parliament shall take further Order.

Ordered, That this Vote be forthwith printed and published.

That Sir Henry Vane be added to the Committee of Inspection of the Treasury.

Petition from Southwark.

The House being informed, that several Gentlemen of the Borough of Southwark were waiting at the Door;

They were called in: And Mr. Cornelius Cooke did, in the Name of them all, express himself after this Manner;

"Mr. Speaker,"

"Here are some of your old Servants of Southwark, that have persevered to you unto this Hour, who desire to present their Duties and Services unto you; and to admire God, in the Dispensation of his Providence, in setting you there, where you ought to be: We shall not intrench upon your precious Time: We have a short Paper here, which expresseth our Desires: We pray it may be read."

And thereupon presented a Petition; Which, after the Petitioners were withdrawn, was read; being intituled, "The humble Address and Petition of the well-affected Inhabitants to the good Old Cause, in and about the Borough of Southwark."

Ordered, That Mr. Holland, Earl of Pembrooke, Sir Henry Vane, Mr. Blagrave, Sir Arthur Heselrigge, Mr. Nevill, Major Salwey, Lieutenant-General Ludlow, Mr. Weston, Sir Tho. Wroth, Mr. Love, Mr. Wallop, Sir John Lenthall, Mr. Reynolds, Sir James Harrington, Mr. Challoner, Mr. Marten, Colonel Downes, Lord Chief-Baron Wild, Colonel Dove, Mr. Scot, Colonel John Jones, Mr. Brewster, or any Five of them, be a Committee to consider of the Imprisonment of such Persons who continue committed for Conscience-sake; and how and in what Manner they are and continue committed; together with the whole Cause thereof; and how they may be discharged; and to report the same to the Parliament: And are to send for Persons, Papers, and Records: And are to meet To-morrow, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

The Petitioners were called in: And Mr. Speaker, by Order of the House, returned them this Answer;

"Gentlemen,"

"The House hath read your Petition; and hath commanded me to tell you, That, Yesterday, that Particular, concerning the Militia of your Borough, they took into Consideration; and there is already some Provision for it; and shall speed it with all Convenience: For other Parts of the Petition, they have had That likewise in Consideration; and do not doubt but you will see the Fruit of it: And, for your good Affections, they have commanded me to give you Thanks: And, in their Name, I do heartily thank you."

Justices of Peace, &c.

Mr. Say reports, Amendments to the Bill for enabling and authorizing certain Persons to be Justices of Peace, and Sheriffs: Which were twice read.

Resolved, That the House agree to the said Amendments: And that the said Bill be ingrossed, and brought in To-morrow Morning.

Great Seal.

Mr. Love reports, That the Great Seal will be ready, on Saturday Morning, to be presented to the Parliament.

Ordered, That such of the Committee of Safety, as are Members of Parliament, do bring in the Names of such Persons, on Saturday next, as they shall conceive fit to be Commissioners of the Great Seal, Judges of the several Benches in Westminster-Hall, Barons of the Exchequer, Judges of the Admiralty, and for Probate of Wills.