House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 21 December 1649

Die Veneris, 21 Decembris, 1649.

Prayers.

Lord Lieut. of Ireland.

Ordered, That whereas divers Lands were formerly settled by Ordinance of Parliament on the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; it be referred to a Committee to bring in an Act, whereby the said Lands may be settled on him, and his Heirs: And this Committee have Power to rectify the Misnomers, and other Mistakes in the said Ordinance: Viz. to Mr. Love, Lord Commissioner Lisle, Sir Henry Mildmay, Mr. Long, Mr. Trenchard, Lord Commissioner Whitelock, Colonel Wauton, Mr. Miles Corbett, Mr. Bond, Mr. Oldisworth; or any Three of them: And this Committee are to meet in the Court of Wards, this Afternoon at Two of the Clock.

And the Lord Commissioner Lisle and Mr. Love are to take care hereof.

Excise.

The House resumed the Debate of the Business of Excise.

Resolved, That the Word "Leather" be added to the former Vote touching Upholstery, Haberdashery, &c. to pay after the Rate of Five Pounds per Cent. according to the Values set upon them in the Book of Rates, to be paid by the first Buyer from the Merchant or Importer.

Mr. Myles Corbett reports from the Committee for Excise, the several Votes of that Committee touching Salt.

Resolved, That, for every Ton of Wines, as well already imported, not having paid the Excise, as which hereafter shall be imported, shall pay Five Pounds for Excise; and so after that Rate for a greater or lesser Quantity; the same to be paid by the first Buyer thereof from the Merchant or Importer:

Resolved, That all Foreign Salt, as well already imported, which hath not paid Excise, as which shall be hereafter imported, shall pay Three Halfpence upon every Gallon, to be paid by the first Buyer of such Salt.

Resolved, That all Salt, made or to be made within England, Wales, or Town of Berwick, which is or shall be shipped or conveyed by Water, shall pay One Halfpeny upon every Gallon, to be paid by the first Buyer of such Salt, at the Place of Landing or Unlading thereof.

Resolved, That all other Salt, made or to be made within England, Wales, or Town of Berwick, and not shipped or conveyed by Water, shall pay One Halfpeny upon every Gallon, to be paid by the first Buyer of such Salt, upon the First Delivery thereof.

Resolved, That all Salt upon Salt, that is made of Salt, within England, Wales, or Town of Berwick, which hath once paid Excise, shall pay One Farthing upon every Gallon, to be paid by the Maker of such Salt upon Salt, before such Time as the same shall be put to Sale.

Resolved, That it be provided that no Salt expended upon Fishing shall be liable to this Excise.

Resolved, That the Commissioners of Excise, and their Sub Commissioners and Officers, shall collect, receive, and take the Excise and Impost, set and rated upon the Goods and Merchandizes above-mentioned; and no other Excise or Impost upon the said Goods and Merchandizes.

Resolved, That these several Votes abovesaid, touching the Excise, be forthwith printed and published: And that the same be sent to the Commissioners for Excise: And that they, and all Sub Commissioners, and other Officers and Ministers of the Excise under them, be authorized and injoined to put the same in Execution forthwith; and to collect and gather the Excise according to the said Votes, and according to their former Powers, and under the Pains and Penalties expressed in the former Ordinances and Acts of Parliament touching the Excise and New Impost.

Free Ports.

Ordered, That the Matter touching Free Ports be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of the Navy; to send for and advise with such Merchants, or others, as they shall think sit, therein; and to consider touching the Number of them, and all other Circumstances; and of the Conveniencies and Inconveniencies thereof: Wherein they are to have a special Care, that the Commonwealth be not prejudiced in their Custom and Excise; and report the same to the House for their further Consideration: And that the Report be made on This-daysevennight.

And Mr. Edward Ashe is to take special Care hereof.

Preaching the Gospel.

Ordered, That Major Salwey, Mr. Oldisworth, Mr. Darley, Mr. Edwards, Major General Skippon, Sir Thomas Wroth, Colonel Bossevile, Mr. * Corbett, Mr. James Challener, Mr. Aldworth, be added to the Committee concerning Preaching the Gospel: And all that come to have Voices.

Adjournment.

Resolved, That, at the Rising of the House, Mr. Speaker do adjourn the House until Tuesday Morning next.

Relief of Debtors.

Mr. Dove reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for discharging from Imprisonment poor Prisoners, was committed, the Amendments to the said Bill: Which were now read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

Resolved, That these Words; viz. "Except only the Debts due to him or them from the Parliament, for the Service of the Commonwealth;" be added to the Oath in the said Act, next after the Words "Estate real and personal."

Resolved, That these Words "or for Breach of Promise, Contract, or Covenant," be added in the Beginning of the said Act.

Some Amendments being made at the Table;

The Question being put, That this Bill be ingrossed;

It passed with the Negative.

And the Bill, so amended, being put to the Question, was passed; and ordered to be forthwith printed and published.

Relief of Creditors.

Mr. Say reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for Relief of Creditors was committed, the Amendments to the said Bill; Which were read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, re-committed to the same Committee: And that Sir James Harrington, Mr. Say, Mr. Lechmere, Mr. Stephens. Major General Skippon, Colonel Sidney, Lord Commissioner Whitelock, Sir Arthur Hesilrige, Mr. Holland, Mr. Long, Mr. Pury, Mr. James Challener, be added to that Committee: With Power to consider of Remedies to be provided for Relief of Creditors, either by this Act, or by any other Ways or Means: And that the same be reported on Wednesday next.

Report deferred.

Ordered, That the Report touching the poor Irish Women be made on Wednesday Morning next.

The House adjourned itself, according to former Order, until Tuesday Morning next.