House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 8 April 1651

Die Martis, 8 Aprilis, 1651.

Prayers.

Robinson's Petition.

THE humble Petition of Luke Robinson Esquire, a Member of Parliament, was this Day read.

Nelthorpe's Petition.

The humble Petition of James Nelthorpe Esquire, a Member of Parliament, was this Day read.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That such Part of the Estate of Thomas Beckwith, a Papiss, in Arms, as is now rented by James Nelthorpe Esquire, at Sixty Pounds per Annum, be sold, for the Advantage of the Commonwealth: And that it be referred to the Commissioners for Compounding, to contract with the said James Nelthorpe for the Purchase thereof, at such Rates as they shall think fit; allowing out of the Purchase Money, the Sum of Two hundred Pounds, due by Judgement from the said Thomas Beckwith to Jane Fish Widow, together with Interest for the same: And that an Act be brought in, to enable the said James Nelthorpe to be a Purchaser thereof, accordingly.

And Mr. Garland is to bring in an Act for that Purpose.

Massey's Discovery.

The humble Petition of Robert Massey of Warrington, Com' Lanc'. Mercer, was this Day read.

Ordered, by the Parliament, That the Commissioners for Compounding be, and are hereby, impowered and required to give and allow unto Robert Massey, a Fifth of the Discovery by him made of the Delinquency and Estate of the Countess of Derby: And that the said Commissioners do give Warrant to the Treasurers of Haberdashers Hall to make Payment thereof to the said Robert Massey, or his Assigns accordingly.

Adjutant General.

Ordered, That the Petition of the Adjutant General be taken into Consideration on Thursday Morning next.

Assessments.

An Act for Continuance of the Assessments of One hundred and Twenty thousand Pounds per mensem for Five Months, from the Five-and-twentieth Day of April 1651, until the Nine-and-twentieth Day of September 1651, for Maintenance of the Forces in England, Ireland, and Scotland, for the Service of the Parliament, was this Day read the First and Second time.

A Proviso was tendered to the said Act, "That this Act, or any thing therein contained, shall not extend to charge any Member of Parliament, or any Officer attending the Parliament, for or in respect of his or their Lodgings, or Chambers, or Offices, in the Service of the Parliament."

Which was this Day read the First time.

And the Question being put, That the said Proviso be read the Second time;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That this Bill be committed to the Committee of the Army: And all that will come to have Voices, as to this Business.

Shrewsbury Petition.

The humble Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, Burgesses, and Inhabitants, of the Town, Suburbs, and Liberties of Shrewsbury in the County of Salop, was this Day read.

Army Surgeons, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to consider of the Lord General's Letter, touching Augmentation of the Allowances of the Apothecaries and Surgeons now in the Army in Scotland; and to report their Opinions therein to the Parliament, what they think fit to be done therein.

Robinson's Suit against Cholmley.

An Act, That it shall be lawful for Luke Robinson to commence any Action or Suit against Sir Hugh Cholmley Knight and Baronet (the Act of Limitations of 21° Jacobi Regis notwithstanding), was this Day read the First and Second time.

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

It passed with the Negative.

And the Act, upon the Question, passed.

Army.

Major Salwey reports from the Council of State;

"That, in order to the Securing of the Publick Peace, and for the Safety of the Commonwealth, the Council are of Opinion, That Three thousand Horse, and One thousand Dragoons, be added to the Forces already established, for Six Months; and to be raised and proportioned out of the Militia Forces of the several Counties of this Commonwealth; respect being had to those Counties who have already raised and sent Horse and Dragoons into Scotland: And that Pay be provided for them; which will amount, for the whole Six Months, by Estimate, to the Sum of One hundred and Twenty thousand Pounds."

Resolved, That the Council of State shall have Power to raise, or continue for a Time not exceeding Six Months, from the First Day of May 1651, out of the Militias of the several Counties of this Commonwealth, a Force of Horse and Dragoons, not exceeding the Number of Three thousand Horse, and One thousand Dragoons, in lieu of the said several Militias, to be paid, according to the Establishment of the Army, by the Committee of the Army: And that the Council of State shall have Power to grant them Commissions accordingly.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State to see this Vote put in Execution.

Assessments.

Resolved, That the Committee of the Army do bring in the Act for continuing the Assessments for Six Months, beginning from the Five-and-twentieth Day of March 1651; and to give an Account of the Grounds of it in the Preamble of the Act.