House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 9 July 1650

Die Martis, 9 Julii, 1650.

Prayers.

Victory in Ireland.

A LETTER from Sir Charles Coote, from Londonderry, with a List of the Names of the Commanders of the Irish Rebels killed, of 28 Junii 1650, was this Day read.

A Letter from Colonel Hughson, from Doublin, the Twenty-ninth of June 1650, was this Day read.

The House being informed, that Mr. King was at the Door;

He was called in; and made a Relation of the great Victory obtained against the Rebels in Ireland, in Ulster.

The Lord of Ormond's Commission, constituting the Bishop Ever Mac Mahon General of the Forces of Horse and Foot of the Province of Ulster; the Lord of Ormond's Commission, constituting Colonel Exvon Mac Swiny Colonel of a Regiment of Foot; were this Day read.

Resolved, That Friday, the Twenty-sixth of July instant, be set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving unto Almighty God, for his wonderful Mercy in the great Victory he hath vouchsafed to the Parliament Forces under the Command of Sir Charles Coot, Lord President of Connaught, and Commander in Chief of the Parliament's Forces in Ulster, against the Popish Army of Ulster's, under the Command of the titular Popish Bishop of Clogher; to be observed in all the Churches and Chapels within England and Wales, and Town of Berwick.

Resolved, That Mr. Bridge and Mr. Bond be desired to preach before the Parliament, at Margaret's Church in Westminster, on Friday, the Twenty-sixth of July instant; being a Day of Publick Thanksgiving: And that Mr. Millington do give Notice hereof to Mr. Bond: And that Mr. Corbett do give Notice to Mr. Bridge.

Ordered, That it be referred to a Committee, to prepare a Narrative, with Observations upon the Letters from Sir Charles Coote and Colonel Hughson, together with an Act for setting apart the Twenty-sixth of July instant a Day for Publick Thanksgiving:

Sir Henry Vane junior, Major General Harrison, Mr. Scott, Mr. Allen, Mr. Weaver, Mr. Millington, Mr. Myles Corbett, Major General Skippon; or any Two of them: And are to meet this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber; and to bring it in To-morrow.

And the special Care hereof is referred to Sir Henry Vane.

Ordered, That the Letters, Narrative, and the Commissions, be all printed together.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take Consideration of that Part of the Letter from Sir Charles Coote, which concerns the Relief of those Parts; and to take effectual Order therein.

Resolved, That a Letter of Thanks be written to Sir Charles Coote; with Thanks to the rest of the said Officers under his Command, for their great Service: And that the Council of State do prepare the Letter: And Mr. Speaker is hereby empowered to sign the same.

Resolved, That that Part of the Letter that concerns the Services done by Colonel Fenwick, Colonel Richard Coote, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Gore, Major John King, Major Francis Gore, and Captain Duckenfield, be referred to the Council of State, to consider what is fit to be done; and report their Opinion to the House.

Resolved, That a Hundred Pounds be given to Mr. King, who brought these Letters from Ireland.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Council of State, to give Warrant for Payment of the said Hundred Pounds out of such Treasury, as they shall think fit; and to take Order, That the same be forthwith paid him accordingly.

Duresme Affizes.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Vane junior do report an Act for the Assizes of Duresme To-morrow Morning.

Militia.

Resolved, That Amendments to the Act for the Militia of the Commonwealth, be reported on Thursday next.

Trial of Stowell.

Mr. Corbett reports from the Committee, Amendments to the Act for Tryal of Sir John Stowell, and others: Which were twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed.

The Question being put, For ingrossing it;

It passed with the Negative.

And the Act, with the Amendments, being put to the Question, passed; and ordered to be forthwith printed and published.

Army Committee.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army be required to sit de die in diem: And that they do take care to get in the Monies for the Composition in North Wales, either by sending Letters to be signed by Mr. Speaker, or otherwise, as they shall think fit: With Power to send for such Persons, in safe Custody, as hinder the bringing in hereof.

Fee-farm Rents.

Ordered, That Mr. Attorney do, on Thursday Morning, bring in an Act for removing Obstructions in the Sale of the Fee-farm Rents.

Army Committee.

Ordered, That Colonel Downes do take special Care of the Business of the Committee of the Army.

Excise.

Colonel Wauton reports from the Committee, Amendments to the Act touching the Excise: Which were twice read.

Resolved, That the chief Commissioners for the Excise, in this Act named, shall have for their Salary, in Managing the Excise through the whole Nation, Three-pence in the Pound.

The Question being propounded, That no Person whatsoever that hath any publick Employment, for which he hath a Salary from the Commonwealth, shall be a Commissioner for the Excise;

The Question was put, That that Question be now put:

The House was divided.
The Noes went forth.

So it passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put, That no Person whatsoever that hath any publick Employment, for which he hath a Salary from the Commonwealth, shall be a Commissioner for the Excise;

The House was divided.
The Yeas went forth.

Resolved, That no Person who shall be employed as a Commissioner for the Excise, shall continue in any other publick Employment, for which he shall receive any Salary from the Commonwealth, during the Time he shall continue a Commissioner of the Excise.

Resolved, That these Words be added to the former Question; viz. "nor trade nor traffick in any Commodity exciseable, during the Time he shall continue a Commissioner."

And so it was Resolved, That no Person who shall be employed as a Commissioner for the Excise shall continue in any other publick Employment, for which he shall receive any Salary from the Commonwealth; nor trade or traffick in any Commodity exciseable; during the Time he shall continue a Commissioner of the Excise.

Resolved, That the Committee of Excise be injoined to take special Care to see those Votes put in Execution, and strictly observed.

The Question being put, That the Names of the Commissioners be now read.

The House was divided.
The Yeas went forth.

So it passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That the Election of Commissioners for Excise shall be, by presenting of Names to the House by every Member, in such Sort as the last Members for the Council of State were elected, and according to the Rules then given.

Resolved, That the Number of chief Commissioners for the Excise shall be Six.

Resolved, That the Members do present a Paper of Names of Commissioners for the Excise, on Thursday Morning next.