House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 13 February 1651

Die Jovis, 13 Februarii, 1650.

Prayers.

Gen. Blake.

GENERAL Blake made a Relation to the Parliament of the safe Arrival of that Part of the Parliament's Fleet, which is under his Command; and of the wonderful Appearance of the powerful Hand of God with him, in his Services at Sea.

Resolved, That the Thanks of the Parliament be given to General Robert Blake, for his great and faithful Service done for the Commonwealth.

Mr. Speaker did give him the hearty Thanks of the Parliament, accordingly.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That One thousand Pounds be given to General Robert Blake, as a particular Mark of the Parliament's Favour, and Acceptation of his great Services to this Commonwealth.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Council of State do take care for the present Payment of the said Thousand Pounds to the said General Robert Blake, accordingly.

London Petition.

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

They were called in: And, being come to the Bar, Sheriff Titchborne informed the Parliament, That the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the City of London commanded them to address themselves to the Parliament, and to present their humble Petition to the Parliament: And, after a brief Preamble made by the Sheriff, he presented the Petition to the Parliament.

Which (after the Petitioners were withdrawn) was read; and was intituled, "The humble Petition of the Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the City of London."

Resolved, That this Petition be taken into Consideration This-day-fortnight.

Council of State.

The Parliament did this Day resume the Debate upon the Instructions to be given to the Council of State for the Year ensuing.

Ambassador's Wines, &c.

Resolved, That the Wines, and other Exciseable Commodities, which shall be expended by Mynheer Scaeph, Commissioner from the High and Potent Lords the States of Holland, in his own Family, during his Residence here, shall be exempted from Payment of Custom and Excise.

Admiralty.

An Act for settling the Powers and Authorities appertaining to the Office of Lord Admiral of England, and Warden of the Cinque Ports, formerly vested in the Council of State for the Year past in the present Council of State, was this Day read the First and Second time.

And the Question being put, That this Act be ingrossed;

It passed in the Negative.

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

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee to whom the Business touching the Magazines and Stores are referred, to consider of the Power of the Admiralty, and of the Navy, so far as concerns the Admiralty, and all other Powers under the Admiralty; and how, and in what manner, the Office and Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy may be carried on for the future, for the best Advantage, Safety, and Profit, of the Commonwealth; and to report their Opinion therein to the House: And that Mr. Nelthorp, Mr. Aldworth, Mr. Solicitor, Major Salwey, Mr. Gold, Sir John Trevor, Colonel Blake, Colonel Popham, Mr. Trenchard, Mr. Dunch, Mr. Lechmere, Sir Richard Lucy, Mr. Herbert, Sir Wm. Masham, Mr. Leman, Mr. Henry Nevill, Colonel Fielder, Mr. Dove, Mr. Pury, Mr. * Challoner, Mr. Darley, Mr. Browne, Mr. Edward Ashe, Colonel Staply, Herbert Morley, Mr. Boone, Lord Commissioner Lisle, Lord Viscount Lisle, Colonel Sidney, Lord Commissioner Whitelock, be added to that Committee: And that the Quorum be Five: And that this Committee do meet, in the Treasury Chamber, this Afternoon at Two of the Clock; and fit de die in diem: With Power to send for Persons and Papers.

And the special Care hereof is committed to Mr. Holland.

Council of State's Oat

An Act appointing an Oath to be taken by the Members of the Council of State, was this Day read the First and Second time.

And the Question being put, For Ingrossing;

It passed with the Negative.

And the said Act, being put to the Question, passed.

Ordnance Office.

Ordered, That the Council of State do prepare, and bring in, a Model for regulating the Officers of the Navy and Customs, as to the Offices of the Ordnance, Armoury, and Stores, with all convenient Speed.

Militia.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom it was referred to consider of the Grievances and Inconveniences in Managing of the Business of the Militia of the Commonwealth, be revived: And that they meet, in the Speaker's Chamber, this Afternoon; and so de die in diem: And Mr. Lechmere and Mr. Edward Ash are to take care of it; and present a Bill for removing the said Grievances, This-day-three-weeks.

Removing Persons from London.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That Power be given to the Council of State, for the Time being, to remove from London and Westminster, and from any Place within Twenty Miles of the same, every such Person or Persons whose Abode there shall to them appear prejudicial or dangerous to the Safety of the Parliament, or Peace of this Commonwealth: And every such Person and Persons, so ordered by the Council of State to remove, are enjoined to conform thereunto accordingly, upon all and every the Penalties expressed in the late Act, intituled, An Act for removing all Papists, &c. from London and Westminster.

Council of State.

An Act constituting a Council of State for the Year ensuing, was this Day read the First and Second time.

And the Question being put, That this Bill be ingrossed;

It passed with the Negative.

And the said Act, being put to the Question, passed.

Ambassadors.

Ordered, That the Commission and Instructions for the Lords Ambassadors be taken into Consideration Tomorrow Morning.

The Engagement.

Resolved, That the Engagement formerly ordered to be taken and subscribed by the Members . . the Council of State, be signed and subscribed by every Person appointed to be of the Council of State for the Year ensuing, before he act therein: viz. * * * *