House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 9 February 1660

Thursday, February the 9th, 1659.

Army Commissions.

MR. Speaker, according to former Order, did, before the Sitting of the House, deliver these Commissions; viz.

To Samuel Barry, his Commission to be Captain of a Company of Foot in Colonel John Lenthall's Regiment.

To Gregory Tom, his Commission to be Captain-Lieutenant of a Company of Foot in the same Regiment.

Thursday, February 9th, 1659.

Prayers.

Summons to Colonel Lambert.

MR. Say reports from the Committee appointed Yesterday to withdraw, A Draught of a Summons for Colonel John Lambert to attend the Council of State, upon Monday the 13th of February 1659: Which was read.

City of London.

Mr. Scot gives an Account, to the Parliament, of some Resolutions taken by the Council of State, in relation to the City of London; and the Reasons thereof: Which Resolutions were read; and are as followeth; viz.

"That the Commissioners for Government of the Army do appoint Forces to be and continue in the City of London, for preserving the Peace thereof, and of the Commonwealth; and for reducing the City to the Obedience of the Parliament:"

"That it be referred to the said Commissioners to consider and agree of the Time and Manner of putting the said former Order in Execution:"

"That the said Commissioners do take Order, That the Posts and Chains in the City of London be taken away, the Gates of the City unhinged, and the Portcullices thereof wedged in: and that they cause it to be done, accordingly: And such as shall make Resistance, to oppose them by Force:"

"That the Commissioners for Government of the Army have Power to apprehend and seize any of the Nine late Officers, who were ordered by the Parliament to leave this Town; or any other dangerous Persons, who have been in Arms against the Parliament and Commonwealth:"

"That the Persons hereafter named be forthwith seized and apprehended; that is to say, Mr. Vincent Merchant in Bishopsgate-street, Thomas Browne Grocer in Woodstreet, Daniell Spencer in Friday-street, Lawrence Bromfield in Tower-street, Thomas Fryar in Tower-street, Major Chamberlayne, Richard Forde in Seething-lane, Major Cox at the Swan in Dowgate, Alderman Bludworth, Mr. Penning in Fanchurch-street, and Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson: And that the Commissioners for Government of the Army do take Order, that the same be done, accordingly."

Resolved, upon the Question, by the Parliament, That the Parliament doth approve of what the Council of State have done, in ordering, That the Commissioners for Government of the Army do appoint Forces to be and continue in the City of London, for preserving the Peace thereof, and of the Commonwealth; and for reducing the City to the Obedience of the Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That the Parliament doth approve of what the Council of State have done, in ordering, That the Commissioners for the Army do take Order, that the Posts and Chains in the City of London be taken away.

Resolved, &c. That the Gates of the City of London, and the Portcullices thereof, be forthwith destroyed: And that the Commissioners of the Army do take Order, That the same be done accordingly.

Resolved, That the Commissioners for Government of the Army be, and are hereby, impowered to apprehend and seize any of the Nine late Officers, who were ordered by the Parliament to leave this Town; or any other dangerous Persons, who have been in Arms against the Parliament and Commonwealth.

Resolved, &c. That the Parliament doth approve of what the Council of State, and the Commissioners of the Army, have done, in Seizing and Apprehending of Mr. Vincent, Merchant in Bishopsgate-street, Thomas Browne, Grocer in Wood-street, Daniell Spencer in Friday-street, Lawrence Bromfield in Tower-street, Thomas Fryar, in Towerstreet, Major Chamberlayne, Richard Ford in Seethinglane, Major Cox at the Swan in Dowgate, Mr. Bludworth, Mr. Penning in Fanchurch-street, and Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson.

Address from London, &c.

The House being informed, That divers Petitioners were at the Door;

They were called in: And, being come to the Bar, Mr. Praise-God Barebone, one of the Petitioners, humbly addressing himself to Mr. Speaker, said; "We are come to wait upon this honourable House, with a Petition from such as are Lovers of the good Old Cause: The Petitioners are such as have adhered to this Parliament, and such as are Lovers of Justice, Righteousness, and Freedom; Lovers of a Commonwealth, accounting it the best Government. There are many Subscriptions, I may say, Thousands: And in the Names of the Subscribers, I do humbly present it to you:" And thereupon presented the Petition:

Which (after the Petitioners were withdrawn) was read; and was intituled, "The Representation and Address of the well-affected Persons, Inhabitants of the City of London and Westminster, and Places adjacent, being faithful and constant Adherers to this Parliament; who are resolved, by the Assistance of Almighty God, to stand by, assert, and maintain their Authority against all Opposers, notwithstanding the present Confidence, and bold Attempts, of the Promoters of Regal Interest, by the declared Enemies of their Cause and Authority.

Resolved, That the Petitioners have the Thanks of the House, for the Expression of their good Affections to the Parliament.

The Petitioners being again called in; Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer;

"Gentlemen,"

"The House have read your Petition; and do find, that you have been such as have constantly borne them good Affection; and that your good Affections are the same still: And, for the Expressions of your good Affections, the House have commanded me to give you Thanks: And, in their Names, I do give you Thanks, accordingly."

The House adjourned till Three of the Clock.

Thursday, 9th February, 1659. Afternoon.

City Gates, &c. to be destroyed.

A LETTER from General George Monck, from Guildhall, London, of the 9th of February 1659, was read.

Resolved, That the Answer to this Letter be, to send to General Monck the Resolves of the Parliament, That the Gates of the City of London, and the Portcullices thereof, be forthwith destroyed: And that he be ordered to put the said Vote in Execution, accordingly: And that Mr. Scot and Mr. Pury junior, do go to General Monck; and acquaint him with these Votes.

Army Commissioners.

Ordered, That Mr. Garland do bring in an Act, Tomorrow Morning, for Continuing of the Commissioners for Government of the Army.

London Common-Council.

Sir Arthur Hesilrig reports from the Council of State, The Opinion of the Council of State, That the House do take into Consideration the present Constitution of the Common-Council of the City of London.

Ordered, That this present Common-Council for the City of London, elected for this Year, be discontinued; and be, and are hereby declared to be, null and void: And that the Lord Mayor of London have Notice hereof.

Ordered, That it be referred to a Committee, to bring in an Act for the Choice of another Common-Council, with such Qualifications as the Parliament shall think fit: Viz. Sir Arthur Hesilrig, Sir James Harrington, Colonel Harvey, Sir Hen. Mildmay, Mr. Millington, Earl of Pembrooke, Mr. John Corbet, Colonel Pyne, Mr. Cecill, Mr. Boone, Colonel Downes, Mr. Oldsworth, Colonel Rich, Mr. Cawley, Mr. Lister, Mr. Love, Mr. Say, Lord Commissioner Lisle, Mr. Dormer, Colonel White, Mr. Wallop, Colonel Waite, Captain Skynner, Colonel Dove; or any Three: To meet To-morrow Morning, at Eight of Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And Colonel Harvey is to take care of it.

Thanks to Lord Mayor.

The Parliament taking Notice of the discreet Carriage of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, in the late Transactions in the Common Council; It is

Resolved, That the Lord Mayor have the Thanks of this House: And that Alderman Atkins do give him the Thanks of the Parliament accordingly.

London Militia.

A Bill for settling the Militia of the City of London; and the Liberties thereof, was this Day read the First time.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State to present Names of Commissioners for the Militia of the City of London to the House, To-morrow Morning.