House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 7 June 1659

Tuesday, the 7th of June, 1659.

Prayers.

Circuits.

ORDERED, That it be referred to the Council of State, to consider with all Speed, How to proceed with the Circuits this Summer; that the Circuits be not hindered.

Oath of Office.

Ordered, That Mr. Solicitor-General and Mr. Say be added to the Committee to whom it is referred to make the Oath, administered to the Commissioners for the Great Seal, practicable to all ministerial Officers.

Members to attend.

Resolved, That the Gentlemen of the Long Robe, and all other Members of this House, be and are enjoined constantly to give their Attendance on the Service of this House, Sitting this House.

Ballast.

The humble Petition of the Owners and Masters of the Ships of this Commonwealth of England was this Day read.

Ordered, That this Petition be referred to a Committee; to examine the Matter of Fact; and state the same; and report their Opinion therein to this House; and how to prevent such Abuses for the future: Viz. unto Mr. Robinson, Colonel Eyres, Mr. Boone, Colonel Temple, Lord Whitlock, Mr. Trenchard, Colonel Pyne, Mr. Pury, Mr. Cawley, Mr. Gurdon, Colonel Bennet, Mr. Skynner, Mr. Nutt, Colonel Waulton, Sir John Bourchier, Mr. Say, Mr. Hallowes, Mr. Lister, Alderman Atkin, Colonel Martyn, Colonel Birch, Baron Thorpe, Mr. Corbet, Mr. West, Mr. Holland, Colonel Harvey, or any Five of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Two of the Clock, in the Court of Wards: And all that come to have Voices: With Power to consider of any other Monopolies that lie upon the People; and present their Opinion therein to this House, What is fit to be done for preventing the same for the future: With further Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Witnesses.

Colchester Petition.

Ordered, That the Petition from the Town of Colchester be read To-morrow Morning.

Army Commissions.

The Form of a Commission to be given to a Colonel of a Regiment of Horse was this Day read.

Resolved, That these Words, viz. "in pursuance of the Trust reposed in you, and of your Duty to the Parliament and Commonwealth," be added next to the Word "War."

Resolved, That this be the Form of Commission to be given to Colonels of Regiments; viz.

To Colonel

THE Parliament of the Commonwealth of England do constitute and appoint you, and you are hereby constituted and appointed, Colonel of a Regiment of Horse raised and maintained, under the Command of the Parliament, for the Service of the Commonwealth; and also Captain of a Troop of Horse in same Regiment: You are therefore to take into your Charge and Care the said Regiment, as Colonel; and Troop, as Captain thereof; and duly to exercise the inferior Officers and Soldiers of the same in Arms; and to use your best Care and Endeavour to keep them in good Order and Discipline; commanding them to obey you as their Colonel and Captain respectively: And you are likewise to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive from the Parliament, or Council of State appointed by Parliament: And also you are to obey the superior Officers of the Army, according to the Discipline of War, in pursuance of the Trust reposed in you, and of your Duty to the Parliament and Commonwealth.

Given at Westminster, the Day of in the Year of our Lord One thousand Six hundred Fifty-and-nine.

Signed, in the Name of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England. William Lenthall, Speaker.

Resolved, That the same Commission mutatis mutandis, be given to other inferior Officers of the Army: And that Sir Arthur Hesilrig do take care that the said Commissions be forthwith prepared; to be signed and delivered accordingly.

Ordered, That Colonel Thompson bring in the like Commissions for the Officers of the Fleet.

Irish Affairs.

Resolved and Declared, by the Parliament, That the Administration of the Government of Ireland shall be by Commissioners nominated and authorized by the Parliament; and not by any one Person.

Resolved, That Colonel Henry Cromwell be made acquainted with the Resolutions of this House, concerning the Government of Ireland: And that he do forthwith repair to the Parliament, to acquaint them with the State of Affairs there.

Resolved, That the Number of Commissioners for the Administration of the Government of Ireland be Five.

Resolved, That the Time be for Three Months.

Resolved, That Colonel John Jones be one of the Commissioners forthwith to be sent into Ireland for the Administration of the Government of Ireland.

Resolved, That William Steele Esquire be one of the Commissioners for the Administration of the Government of Ireland.

The Question being propounded, That William Basill Esquire be one of the Commissioners for the Administration of the Government of Ireland.

And the Question being put, That that Question be now put;

It passed with the Negative.

The Question being propounded, That Miles Corbet Esquire be one of the Commissioners for the Administration of the Government of Ireland;

And the Question being put, That that Question be now put;

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So it passed with the Negative.

The Question being propounded, That Robert Goodwyn Esquire be one of the Commissioners for the Administration of the Government of Ireland;

And the Question being put, That that Question be now put;

It passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, That Robert Goodwyn Esquire be one of the Commissioners for the Administration of the Government of Ireland.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State to nominate Two other Commissioners, that are upon the Place, for the Administration of the Government of Ireland; and report their Names to the House To-morrow Morning.

Fleetwood, Commander in Chief.

An Act, ingrossed, intituled, An Act for constituting Charles Fleetwood Esquire, Lieutenant-General, and Commander in Chief, of the Forces raised in England and Scotland, was this Day read the Third time; and, upon the Question, passed.

Army Appointments.

Resolved, That Ralph Gale be Lieutenant in Colonel Hacker's Regiment.

Resolved, That the Name of William Page, Ensign in the Lord Lambert's Regiment of Foot, be made William Pease.

Navy Commissions.

The Form of a Commission for nominating Captain Geo. Dakins Commander of the Bristoll Frigate was this Day read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto, to be the Form of Commissions to be given to the Commanders of the Navy; viz.

THE Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, &c. do constitute and appoint you, Captain George Dakins, Commander of the Bristoll Frigate, now preparing to go out to Sea, and to be employed in the Service of this Commonwealth, for this Summer's Expedition: And you, the said Captain George Dakins, are hereby authorized and required forthwith to take upon you the Care and Charge of the said Frigate, as Captain; and therein to perform the Duty and Trust of your Place: And all Officers and Company belonging to the said Frigate are hereby required to observe and obey your Commands, Orders and Directions, as their Captain; and you are likewise to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive from the Parliament, the Council of State, the Commissioners for the Admiralty and Navy, the Generals of the Fleet, or other superior Officer, in pursuance of the Trust reposed in you, and of your Duty to the Parliament and Commonwealth.

Given at Westminster, under the Seal of the Admiralty, this Day of One thousand Six hundred Fifty-and-nine.

Signed in the Name of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England.

To Captain George Dakins, Commander of the Bristoll Frigate.