House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 15 March 1660

Thursday, March 15th, 1659.

Prayers.

Prisage of Wines.

MR. Scawen reports, The State of the Case concerning the Prisage of Wines; and the Opinion of the Committee thereupon; viz. That the Prisage-Wines ought to pay no Tonage or Custom: And that all such Customs as have been taken from the Lessee of the Prisage-Wines, by the Customers, shall, and ought to be allowed to him upon his Account, and defalked out of his Rent: Which was read.

The Question being put, That the Prisage-Wines ought to pay Tonage and Customs;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, by the Parliament, and it is Declared, That the Prisage Wines ought to pay no Tonage or Custom.

Resolved, That all such Customs as have been taken from the Lessee of the Prisage-Wines, or his Assigns, by the Customers, shall, and ought to be allowed to him upon his Account, and defalked out of his Rents.

Confirming Ministers.

Colonel Harley reports from the Committee for Religion, a Bill for Confirmation of Ministers settled in any Parsonage, Vicarage, or Hospital, within this Commonwealth: Which was this Day read the First time.

Resolved, That this Bill be read the Second time.

The said Bill was read the Second time, accordingly; and, upon the Question, committed unto Serjeant Maynard, Sir John Potts, Lord Chief-Baron Wild, Serjeant Glyn, Mr. Attorney Reynolds, Mr. Solicitor Ellis, Mr. Pryn, Mr. Knightley, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Ash, Mr. Say, Mr. Bulkley, Sir John Evelyn of Surrey, Mr. Annesley, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Swinfyn, Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, Mr. Crew, Mr. John Corbet, Mr. Attorney Lechmere, Sir John Lenthall, Colonel Lee, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Wm. Lewis, Colonel Harley; or any Three: Who are presently to withdraw; With Power to consider, How to continue the Powers touching granting Augmentations of Ministers; and to bring in the Names of Persons to be Trustees; and to take the Bill touching Wales, formerly committed, into Consideration.

Browne's Claims.

Whereas the Debt of Five thousand Pounds, formerly charged on the Excise, with Interest; and of Four thousand Sixteen Pounds, formerly charged on GoldsmithsHall, with Interest; both due and owing to Major-General Browne, from the 6th Day of March 1647, but after taken off from the said several Securities: Be it enacted by the Parliament; and it is Enacted, by Authority of the same; That the said several Sums of Five thousand Pounds, and of Four thousand Sixteen Pounds, be, and are both hereby, charged upon the Receipt of the Excise, with Interest; and paid to the said Major-General Browne, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns; any former Act, Acts, or Orders to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding: And that the Commissioners of Excise do pay and satisfy the same, and Interest for the same, unto the said Major-General Browne, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns: And that Interest be paid for the Time to come, every Six Months, until the whole Debt be satisfied: And that all Interest-Arrear be paid and satisfied to the said Major-General Browne, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns; viz. One Fourth Part thereof presently, and the Residue thereof at Three Three Months, by equal Portions: And the Acquittance and Acquittances of the said Major-General Browne, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Warrant, from time to time, to all Officers in the Exchequer, for Striking of a Tally or Tallies in the Exchequer; and also a sufficient Discharge to the Commissioners for the Excise, for Payment thereof.

Peck's Claims.

A Bill, ingrossed, for securing the Payment of Three thousand Nine hundred Forty-three Pounds Twelve Shillings Four-pence Halfpeny to Henry Peck, Esquire, was this Day read the Third time; and, upon the Question, passed.

Long and Jermyn.

Resolved, That the Business concerning Mr. Long be taken into Consideration, next after the Bill for settling Lands on the Lord General Monck.

Grant to Gen. Monck.

A Bill, ingrossed, for settling Lands upon his Excellency the Lord General Monck, and his Heirs, was this Day read the Third time.

And the Question being put, That this Bill pass as a Law;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That the Sum of Twenty-thousand Pounds be, and is hereby, conferred on his Excellency General George Monck: And that the same be charged upon the Receipts of the publick Exchequer (other than the Excise, Customs, and Assessments); and paid to the said General George Monck, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, as the same shall come in.

Resolved, That a Bill be brought in for Payment of the said Twenty thousand Pounds to General George Monck, accordingly: And that Mr. Scawen, Mr. Pryn, and Commissary Copley, do bring in the said Bill.

Publick Debts, &c.

Mr. Attorney Lechmere reports, a Bill enabling to sue Bonds and Securities taken in the Name of Oliver Lord Protector, or Richard Lord Protector: Which was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed.

Ordered, That this Bill be printed and published.

Resolved That this be the Title of the said Act; viz. An Act for Recovery of publick Debts, and other Duties, belonging to the Commonwealth.

Delinquents Estates.

An Act for bringing in the Rents and Revenues of Delinquents and Popish Recusants Estates was this Day read the First and Second time.

Resolved, That the First Blank, in this Bill, be filled up with these Words, "the 22th Day of April 1659, or at any Time before or since."

Resolved, That the Second Blank be filled up with the same Words.

Resolved, That the Third Blank be filled up with these Words, "or the Council of State."

And the said Bill, so amended, being put to the Question, passed.

Army Pay.

Ordered, That the Two County-Troops of Oxfordshire be paid their Month's Pay, as the rest of the Army are paid, out of the present Assessments of One hundred thousand Pounds per Month, for the Army: And that the Committee for the Army do take care to see them paid, accordingly.

Thursday, March 15th, 1659; Afternoon.

Chief-Register in Chancery.

RESOLVED, That the Grant of the Office of Chief-Register in Chancery, made to Miles Corbet Esquire, and Robert Goodwin Esquire, shall from henceforth cease, and be void.

Long and Jermyn.

Resolved, That the Difference between Walter Long Esquire, a Member of Parliament and the Lady Jermyn, and her Children and Trustees, touching the Office of Chief-Register in Chancery, be, and is hereby, referred, by Consent of all Parties, unto Denzell Holles Esquire, and Sir Harbottle Grimstone; finally to hear and determine the same, if they can; and, if they cannot determine the said Difference, then that they Two do chuse an Umpire to end the said Difference.

Council of State.

Mr. Annesley reports from the Council of State, An Act for giving Power to the Council of State, during the Interval, in Order to publick Safety: Which was read.

Resolved, That these Words; viz. "in pursuance of the Insructions given by Parliament;" be added, next after the Words "or otherwise."

And the said Bill, so amended, being put to the Question, passed.

Candles.

Resolved, That Candles be brought in.

Negociations with Sweden.

Resolved, That the Letters Credential from the King of Sweden, given at Gottenburgh the 13th of February 1660, and former Letters from the said King of Sweden, delivered in by Mr. Speaker, be referred to the Council of State.

Mr. Annesley reports Letters Credential of Algernon Sydney, and Sir Robert Honnywood Knight, Plenipotentiaries to the King of Sweden: which were read.

Ordered, That the Council of State do write such Letters Credential for the said Plenipotentiaries, as they shall think fit: And that Mr. Speaker do sign the same, and seal the same with the Parliament-Seal.

Irish Courts of Justice.

Mr. Annesley also reports from the Council of State, An Act for continuing the Terms, Process, and Proceedings of the Four Courts of Justice, in Ireland: Which was read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed.

Impresting Seamen.

Mr. Annesley also reports from the Council of State, An Act for reviving an Act for Impresting of Seamen: Which was this Day read the First and Second time.

Resolved, That this Act do continue until the Fourand-twentieth Day of June 1660, and no longer.

And the said Bill, so amended, being put to the Question, passed.

Council of State.

Mr. Annesley also reports from the Council, That Power may be given to the Council of State, to issue their Warrant to the Commissioners of the Great Seal, for the authorizing them to pass, under the Great Seal, such Commissions or Plenipotencies, as the Council shall find necessary, for foreign Ministers employed from this Commonwealth; and particularly for those employed to Sweden: Which was read.

Resolved, That this further Power be granted to the Council of State.

Assessments.

Mr. Annesley also reports, An Act for removing Obstructions in bringing in the Assessments: Which was read the First time.

Resolved, That this Bill be read the Second time.

The said Act was read the Second time, accordingly.

Resolved, That these Words; viz. "in pursuance of the Powers given by the Act;" be added, in this Act.

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

Colonel Lambert.

Mr. Annesley reports from the Council of State.

A Letter directed from Colonel John Lambert, dated March 12, was read; he thereby desiring to know the Council's Pleasure concerning his Restraint; and offering to give Security in as much as he is able to procure: And that the Parliament be humbly moved to declare their Pleasure, How the Council shall proceed in his Case, and in other Cases of like Nature, by taking Security, or otherwise, as they shall see Occasion.

Resolved, That Power be, and is hereby, given to the Council of State, to discharge Colonel John Lambert from his Imprisonment, upon his Parole, or Security, if they shall see Cause.

Dr. Wren.

Resolved, That Dr. Wren be discharged of his Imprisonment: And that the Lieutenant of the Tower be, and is hereby, required to discharge him accordingly.

Discharging Prisoners.

Resolved, That the like Power be, and is hereby, given to the Council of State, to discharge any other Person or Persons, that are imprisoned upon any Crime committed against the State.

Acts to be considered.

Ordered, That the Act for the Ministers, and the Act for the General, and the Act for Dissolution, be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning; and nothing to intervene.

Printing.

Ordered, That Mr. Pryn, Mr. Serjeant Twisden, and Mr. Wray, do go to the Printers, Mr. Macocke and Mr. Streater; and see how forward the Act for the Militia is, in Printing: And that they do give Order and Direction for the speedy Printing of the said Act; and put the same into the Hands of any other Printer, for the speedy Printing thereof, if they see Cause; And also to enquire of the Obstruction, Why the same is not printed; and give an Account thereof to the Parliament.

Irish Adventurers.

Ordered, That the Petition of the Adventurers for Lands in Ireland be referred to the Council of State, to take the same into Consideration; and to settle that Business, as is desired by the Petition.

Allowance to Balfore.

Mr. Trenchard reports, in the Case of Mrs. Christian Balfore, That Two thousand Pounds of her Portion was deposited, at Marriage, in the Hands of Sir Paul Pindar; who, dying, left his Estate to Mr. Tomes, who killed himself: And thereupon the Lord Protector Oliver seized upon all his Estate; and, amongst the rest, on this Gentlewoman's Portion: Which being made known . . the said Protector, he did allow her Three Pounds a Week out of the Exchequer, until this Two thousand Pounds were satisfied; which she enjoyed but during his Life, but never since; whereby she is fallen into very great Misery: It is desired, That this Annuity may be continued; and the Council of State be impowered to see it done accordingly.

Ordered, That the Sum of Three Pounds a Week, formerly granted unto Mrs. Christian Balfore, to be paid unto her, until the Sum of Two thousand Pounds, of her Portion, which was deposited in the Hands of Sir Paul Pindar, and seized upon by Oliver Cromwell late Lord General, should be paid and satisfied, be, and is hereby, continued unto her: And that the said Three Pounds a Week, and all Arrears thereof, be, and is hereby, charged upon the publick Receipt of the Exchequer. And, It is

Ordered, That the said Three Pounds a Week, and all Arrears thereof, be paid unto her, or her Assigns, from time to time, accordingly: And the Council of State are hereby impowered and authorized to give Order for the Payment thereof, accordingly: And the Acquittance and Acquittances of the said Christian Balfore, or her Assigns, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Discharge in that Behalf.

Serjeant at Arms.

Ordered, That the Council of State be, and are hereby, required forthwith to make Payment of the Sum of Three hundred and Fifty Pounds unto Edward Birkhead Esquire, Seajeant at Arms attending the Parliament, or his Assigns, due to the said Serjeant Edward Birkhead, for providing Firing, and other Necessaries for the Parliament, and all Committees of Parliament, according to the Bill annexed, out of the Contingencies of the Council of State: And the Acquittance and Acquittances of the said Serjeant Edward Birkhead, or his Assigns, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Discharge in that Behalf.

Stationers.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, and they are hereby authorized and required, forthwith to pay and satisfy unto John Owen Stationer, all such Sum and Sums of Money, as, upon his Account stated (and signed by Wm. Lenthall Speaker of the Parliament, and Thomas St. Nicholas Clerk of the Parliament), shall appear to be due unto him, for Paper, Parchment, Books, Pens, Ink, Wax, Standishes, and other Wares, delivered by him for the Use and Service of the Parliament, out of the Contingencies of the Council of State: And the Acquittance or Acquittances of the said John Owen, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Discharge in that Behalf.

Printers.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, and they are hereby authorized and required, forthwith to pay and satisfy unto John Streater and John Macock, Printers to the Parliament, all such Sum and Sums of Money, as, upon their Accompt stated (and signed by Wm. Lenthall Speaker of the Parliament, and Thomas St. Nicholas Clerk of the Parliament), shall be due unto them for Printing of Acts, Orders, and other Things, by Order of Parliament, for the Use and Service of the Parliament and Commonwealth, out of the Contingencies of the Council of State: And the Acquittance or Acquittances of the said John Streater and John Macock, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Discharge in that Behalf.

Clerk of the House.

Ordered, That the Council of State be, and are hereby, required forthwith to make present Payment unto Thomas St. Nicholas Esquire, or his Assigns, the full Sum of Three hundred Seventy-and-five Pounds of good and lawful Money of England, due to the said Thomas St. Nicholas for Three-quarters of a Year's Salary, as Clerk of the Parliament, on the 18th Day of February last; and formerly ordered to be paid to the said Thomas St. Nicholas, out of the Contingencies of the Council of State: And the Acquittance and Acquittances of the said Thomas St. Nicholas, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Discharge in that Behalf.

ClerkAssistant.

Ordered, That the Council of State be, and are hereby, required forthwith to make present Payment unto Ralph Darnall Esquire, or his Assigns, the full Sum of Three hundred Pounds of good and lawful Money of England, due to the said Ralph Darnall for One Year and an Half Salary, as Clerk-Assistant to the Parliament, at Christmas last, 1659, and formerly ordered to be paid to the said Ralph Darnall, out of the Contingencies of the Council of State: And the Acquittance and Acquittances of the said Ralph Darnall, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Dicharge in that Behalf.

Housekeeper.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, and the Council of State are hereby authorized and required, forthwith to pay and satisfy unto Wm. Hull, the Housekeeper attending the Parliament, all such Sum and Sums of Money, as he hath disbursed for Candles, Pipes, and other Necessaries, for the Service of the Parliament, and shall appear to be due unto him, out of the Contingencies of the Council of State: And the Acquittance and Acquittances of the said Wm. Hull, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Discharge in that Behalf.

ProvostMarshal.

Ordered, That the Council of State be, and are hereby, authorized and required to give Order, That the Arrears of the Salaries due unto Launcellot Emott the ProvostMarshal of Middlesex and Westminster, attending the Speaker of the Parliament, and his Six Servants; viz. One hundred Pounds per Annum to himself, and Twelvepence a Day apiece to his said Six Servants, from the 7th of May 1659 to the 15th of March instant; be forthwith paid and satisfied out of the Contingencies of the Council of State: And that their respective Salaries and Wages, from time to time, for the Time to come, be duly paid and satisfied: And the Acquittance of the said Lancellot Emott, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Discharge in that Behalf.

Pensions.

Ordered, That the Sum of Fifteen Shillings a Week formerly granted unto Mrs. Morgaret Roode, Widow of Edward Roode Minister of the Gospel, deceased, be allowed and continued unto the said Mrs. Roode, and forthwith paid unto her, or her Assigns, with all the Arrears thereof, out of the Receipt of the publick Exchequer, as it hath been formerly, for her Subsistence: And that the Auditor of the said Receipt of the publick Exchequer do pass Debentures for the said Pension, from time to time, according to the ancient Usage and Practice of the said Receipt of Exchequer: And the Council of State are hereby impowered and authorized to give Order for Payment thereof, accordingly: And that the Acquittance or Acquittances of the said Mrs. Roode, or her Assigns, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be their sufficient Discharge in that Behalf.

Ordered, That the Pension of Forty Shillings a Week, formerly ordered to Mrs. Elizabeth Lilburne, Widow, late Wife of Colonel John Lilburne, deceased, be allowed and continued unto the said Mrs. Lilburne, and forthwith paid unto her or her Assigns, with all the Arrears thereof, out of the Receipt of the publick Exchequer, as it hath been formerly, for her Subsistence: And that the Auditor of the said Receipt of the publick Exchequer do pass Debentures for the said Pension, from time to time, according to the ancient Usage and Practice of the said Receipt of Exchequer: And that the Council of State are hereby impowered and authorized to give Order for Payment thereof, accordingly: And that the Acquittance or Acquittances of the said Mrs. Lilburne, or her Assigns, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be their sufficient Discharge in that Behalf.

Marquis of Winchester's Estate.

Ordered, That the Trustees for Sale of Lands forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason be, and are, required to forbear to sell any more of the Lands or Estate of the Marquis of Winchester's, claimed by the Lord St. John: And that a Stop be, and is hereby, put to the Selling of the same: And all Persons, whom it doth or may concern, are required to forbear to sell any of the Timber, or to commit any Wastes, upon the said Lands, until the Sitting of the next Parliament.

Commrs of Assessment.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Girgley Baronet, Sir John Curson Knight and Baronet, Walter Horton Esquire, Charles Agird Esquire, George Sitnall Esquire, George Taylor Gentleman, and Gilbert Thacker Esquire, be, and are hereby, nominated and appointed Commissioners for the Assessment for the County of Darby: And that they, and every of them be, and are hereby, impowered and authorized to sit and act as Commissioners for the Assessments, as fully, to all Intents and Purposes, as if they had been named in the Act, intituled, An Act for an Assessment of One hundred thousand Pounds by the Month upon England, Scotland and Ireland, for Six Months.

Ld. Craven's Estate.

Ordered, That the Trustees for Sale of Lands forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason be, and are hereby, required to forbear to sell any more of the Lands or Estate of Wm. Lord Craven: And that a Stop be, and is hereby put to the Selling of the same: And all Persons, whom it doth or may concern, are required to forbear to sell any of the Timber, or commit any Waste, upon the said Lands, until the Sitting of the next Parliament.