House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 15 May 1650

Die Mercurii, 15 Maii, 1650.

Prayers.

Representation and Elections.

THE House, according to former Order, was this Day resolved into a Grand Committee, upon the Heads of a Bill for an equal Representative, and regulating their Elections.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Mr. Say took the Chair.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Say reports from the Grand Committee, That the said Committee hath adjourned till This-day-sevennight; and desires the Leave of the House, that they may sit then.

Resolved, That the House be resolved into a Grand Committee on This-day-sevennight; to sit upon the Heads of the Bill for an equal Representative, and regulating the Elections.

Excise Revenue.

Sir Henry Vane junior reports from the Council of State. That whereas Three hundred and Fifty thousand Pounds was, by an Act of Parliament, of the Twenty-seventh of June last charged upon the Excise, in Course, of the Four hundred thousand Pounds, whereof One hundred and Fifty thousand Pounds hath been already disposed of by Act of Parliament, for the Service of Ireland; and that the other Two hundred thousand Pounds is, by Order of the Parliament, of the Eighteenth of April last, appointed for the Setting out of the Train, and other Emergencies of the Commonwealth, and for the Use of the Navy and Armies of England and Ireland: Which Money, for that it is not yet due in Course, cannot be made use of for the Purposes aferesaid, unless there be Power given to allow Interest for the same, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Centum per Annum, to be paid every Six Months; upon which Terms the Council conceives they may be able to make use thereof, as, from time to time, shall be necessary. And for that Purpose, they have prepared an Act herewith presented, to be passed for that Purpose, if the Parliament shall so judge fit.

Navy and Army Loans.

An Act for securing such Monies as shall be advanced and lent for the Use of the Navy and Army, together with Interest for the same; to be paid out of the Two hundred thousand Pounds, Remainder of the Four hundred thousand Pounds, charged upon the Grand Excise.

Which was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be forthwith printed and published,

Expences of Treaty with the late King.

Resolved, by the Parliament, that the Order of the Fourth of March, touching the Fourteen thousand Pounds for the Charges of the Treaty, be amended in this manner; viz. "That it be referred to the Committee of the Revenue, to take Account of the Business touching the Sum of Fourteen thousand Pounds, to defray the Charges of the Treaty at the Isle of Wight; and to see what is behind unpaid of the Sum so to be lent; and that the Securities for Payment thereof do remain as now they stand: And the Commissioners of Goldsmiths Hall are impowered and ordered to pay the same in Course, as it now stands, upon a Certificate thereof from the Committee of the Revenue: And that the Remainder of the said Sum be paid over, by Order of the said Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, to Mr. Falconbridge, for Satisfaction of such Sums of Money as are due for Debts contracted by the Commissioners, or their Authority, for that Service: and that Mr. Falconbridge, do pay over the said Money to Mr. Say, Steward to the said Commissioners, for the Uses aforesaid."

Mr. Scott reports from the Council of State;

Raising Forcea.

"That they find it necessary for the better Securing of the Sitting of Parliament and Council, and Preserving of the Peace of the City, That the Regiment of Colonel Barkstead should be recruited to Two thousand, in Ten Companies; and that Two Serjeants and Two Corporals may be added to each Company of the Regiment: To move the House, that they would take it into Consideration, how Money may be had for the Paying of the Recruits, being Eight Hundred, besides the Serjeants and Corporals when they shall be raised. And Mr. Scott is desired to make this Report to the House."

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Number of Eight hundred Soldiers be forthwith raised, and added to the Regiment of Colonel Barkstead, to recruit the same Regiment to Two thousand, in Ten Companies: And that there be an Addition of Two Corporals and Two Serjeants to each Company of that Regiment: And that the said Regiment, so recruited, be a Guard to the Parliament: And that the said Eight hundred Foot, so to be raised, and Officers to be added, as aforesaid, shall continue in Pay, as the rest of the Army, for Four Mouths, uniess the Parliament, or Council of State, shall otherwise order.

Resolved, That the Committee of the Army be authorized and required to take Order for Payment of the said additional Forces and Officers, during the Time aforesaid, in such sort as the rest of the Army are paid.

Earl of Downe's Estate.

An Act for the Enabling of Thomas Earl of Downe to make Sale of some of his Manors and Lands for the Payment of Four thousand Pounds, Remainder of his Composition, and other Debts, to his Creditors, was this Day read the First time.