House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 5 December 1660

Wednesday, 5th December, 1660.

Prayers.

Faunt's Estate.

SIR Richard Hopkins reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for enabling George Faunt Esquire, to sell Lands for Payment of Debts, was referred; that the said Committee have met and examined the Matter of Fact; and find Cause to report the said Bill without any Amendment.

Resolved, That this Bill be ingrossed.

Micklethwaite's Estate.

Mr. Goodricke reports from the Committee, Amendments to the Bill for enabling Joseph Micklethwaite to sell Lands for Payment of Debts, was referred: Which he first read in his Place; and were after read the First and Second time by the Clerk; and, upon the Question, were agreed.

Resolved, That the said Bill, with the said Amendments, be ingrossed.

Windham's Estate.

Mr. Allen reports from the Committee, to whom the Bill for enabling John Thomas and William Windham, to fell Timber off several Manors in Norfolke, Amendments to the said Bill: Which he first read in his Place, and were afterwards read the First and Second time by the Clerk; and, on the Question, agreed unto.

Resolved, That this Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Post Office.

Mr. Tytus reports Amendments, and Three Provisoes, to the Bill for settling the Postage of Letters: Which he read in his Place; and were after read the First and Second time by the Clerk; and afterwards were read by Parts: And the 1st, 2d, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16th Amendments, on Questions severally put, were agreed unto.

Resolved, That the Amendments in Page 8, Line 21 and last; and in Page 9, Line 2; and the whole Clause in the Bill, beginning Page 8, Line 9, and ending Page 9, Line 13; be re-committed to the former Committee; who are to take care, that the Liberty of Foot Posts be so limited, that the Office of Postage of Letters may not be thereby destroyed.

Resolved, That the said Committee do speak with the Post Master General, about the Rates of Foreign Letters; and endeavour to reduce them to certain and fit Rates.

Resolved, That the First Proviso reported, concerning the Time for furnishing Post Horses, be re-committed to the former Committee.

Resolved, That the Second Proviso reported, concerning Liberty to carry Letters to or from the next Post Roads; and the Third Proviso, concerning the Carriage of the Post Mail, in other than English Ships; were, upon the Question, agreed.

A Proviso was tendered to this Bill; viz. That this Act, or any thing therein contained, shall not extend to take away, or prejudice, the Right, Title, or Interest, in Law or Equity, which George Porter Esquire hath, or claimeth to have, to the Office or Offices in this Act mentioned; or the Deputation, Execution, or Improvement thereof, or of any Part thereof; or to the Profits thence arising; any thing in this Act to the contrary hereof in anywise notwithstanding: Which was read the First time.

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

The House was divided: And

The Yeas went forth.

And so the Question, passing in the Affirmative;

Resolved, That this Proviso be read the Second time.

And it was accordingly read the Second time.

And the Question being put, That the said Proviso be committed;

The House was divided:

And the Yeas went forth.

And so it passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the Committee for Postage of Letters, do meet this Afternoon, notwithstanding the Sitting of the Grand Committee; and make their Report Tomorrow Morning.

Ordered, That the said Committee do prepare and bring in a Clause, for enjoining all Persons employed about the Post Office to take the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance.

Disbanding the Army.

Ordered, That the Report from the Commissioners for Disbanding the Army, ordered to be proceeded in this Day, be taken into Consideration peremptorily the First Business To-morrow Morning.

Symboll's Claim.

Ordered, That the Sum of One thousand Three hundred Eighty-seven Pounds Eighteen Shillings and Tenpence, Part of One thousand Five hundred Fifty-six Pounds Eight Shillings and Ten-pence, heretofore charged, by Warrant from the late Council of State, bearing Date the Eleventh of April 1660, on the Receipt of Exchequer, and payable there, out of the Proceed of the Post Offices, to Henry Simboll, for Provisions by him sent to Donkerque, be transferred from the said Receipt of Exchequer, and charged on the Receipt of Excise, arising by Foreign Commodities imported, and paid to the said Henry Symboll, or his Assigns, in Course after the other Sum satisfied, which by Orders of this Parliament are charged on the Receipt of Excise: And the Commissioners of the Excise are hereby impowered and required to pay the same accordingly: And the Acquittance of the said Henry Symball, or his Assigns, testifying his or their Receipt thereof, shall be to the said Commissioners of Excise a sufficient Warrant and Discharge.

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired herein: And Mr. Knightly is to carry it to the Lords.

Restoring Hamilton.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. * and Mr. *, Two Masters of Chancery;

The Lords have commanded us to bring you down this Bill, intituled, An Act for restoring Sir George Hamilton unto his Lands and Estate in Ireland: To which their Lordships desire the Concurrence of this House.