House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 26 December 1649

Die Mercurii, 26 Decembris, 1649.

Prayers.

The Engagement.

Mr. Myles Corbett reports from the Committee to whom the Bill touching the Engagement, was referred, Amendments to the said Bill: Which were twice read: And, upon the Question, the whole Bill was recommitted, and ordered to be brought in To-morrow Morning, the first Business: And Mr. Corbett is to take care of it: And the Committee are to meet this Afternoon, in the Exchequer Chamber, at Two of the Clock.

Petition from London-Election of Lilburne, &c.

The House being informed, that there were divers Aldermen of the City of London at the Door;

They were called in: And, being come to the Bar, Sheriff Pack acquainted Mr. Speaker, That he, and the rest of the Aldermen with him, were commanded by the Lord Mayor, and Court of Aldermen, to present a Petition to the Parliament.

Which was received in: And (after the Aldermen were withdrawn) the same (being intituled "The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London") together with the Papers thereunto annexed, were read.

The Question being propounded, That Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne is, by the Act of Parliament, intituled, An Act disabling the Election of divers Persons to any Office or Place of Trust within the City of London, and the Votes of such Persons in such Elections, disabled to be chosen, and to be, a Common Councilman of the City of London; and that the Election of the said Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne, on the One-and-twentieth of December instant, to the Place of a Common Councilman for the said City, is null and void;

Petition from London-Election of Ldburne, &c.

The Question being put, That that Question be now put;

It passed in the Affirmative.

And the main Question being now put;

It was Resolved, by the Parliament, That Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne is, by the Act of Parliament, intituled, An Act disabling the Election of divers Persons to any Office or Place of Trust within the City of London, and the Votes of such Persons in such Elections, disabled to be chosen, and to be, a Common Councilman of the City of London: And that the Election of the said Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne, on the One-and twentieth of December instant, to the Place of a Common Councilman within the said City, is null and void.

Resolved, That these Words, "That the Election of the said Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne, on the Oneand-twentieth of December instant, to the Place of a Common Councilman in the said City, be null and void," be added to the former Vote.

And so it was Resolved, That Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne is, by the Act of Parliament, intituled, An Act disabling the Election of divers Persons to any Office or Place of Trust within the City of London, and the Votes of such Persons in such Elections, disabled to be chosen, and to be, a Common Councilman of the City of London: And that the Election of the said Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne, on the One-and-twentieth of December instant, to the Place of a Common Councilman in the said City, is null and void.

Resolved, That this House doth approve of the Commitment of Philip Chetwin and Edmond Caverly, by the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and Justices of Peace in London.

Resolved, That Philip Chetwin, Citizen of London, be from henceforth discharged and disabled from being a Freeman of the City of London; and be disfranchised from receiving or enjoying any Benefit, Profit, or Advantage, as a Freeman of the said City: And that the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the said City be required to see the same put in Execution.

Resolved, That Philip Chetwin do continue committed during the Pleasure of this House: And that his Imprisonment be during that Time in Warwick Castle: And that he be removed thither, by Warrant, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, accordingly.

An Act for disfranchising Philip Chetwin from being a Freeman of the City of London, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed.

Resolved, That Lieutenant Colonel John Fenton be discharged from being, and disabled to serve as, a Common Councilman in the City of London, for the Year ensuing.

Resolved, That the Aldermen be called in: And that Mr. Speaker do inform them what the House has done in this Business.

The Sheriff and Aldermen being again called in; Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, acquainted them, That the House had read their Petition, and the Papers annexed; and taken the Business into serious Debate, as a Matter much concerning the publick Safety; and do apprehend, that the Care and Endeavours of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen herein hath been very much conducing to the Peace and Safety of the City: For which the Parliament doth return them hearty Thanks. And Mr. Speaker did, in the Name of the House, return them Thanks accordingly; and likewise acquainted them, That the House hath commanded him to let them know, that the Parliament will be ready to encourage them in all just Things; and did likewise acquaint them with the several Votes passed by the House thereupon.