Pages xi-xiii
Diary of Thomas Burton Esq: Volume 1, July 1653 - April 1657. Originally published by H Colburn, London, 1828.
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October 1653
Saturday, October 1. General Monk, one of the Admirals at sea, came into the House, and took his pkce as a member.
Mr. Speaker did give him thanks for his great and faithful services to the Parliament, and this Commonwealth.
Monday 3. Colonel Rouse reported from the Committee for Petitions, a Bill touching idiots, lunatics, and infants. Read the first and second time, and ordered to be ingrossed.
Tuesday 4. Mr. Lawrence reported from the Council of State, the draft of a letter to be sent to the Protestant Cantons of Switzerland, which was read.
Resolved, that it be referred to the Council of State, to cause this letter to be translated into Latin; and that the same being so prepared, be signed by the Speaker, and sealed with the seal of the Parliament.
Saturday 8. The House being informed that the Lord Mayor elect was at the door: according to the order of the House, by command of the House, he was called in, and presented by Mr. Proby, Common Serjeant of the City of London, and divers Aldermen.
Resolved, that the Parliament doth approve of the election of Alderman Thomas Vyner, to be Lord Mayor of the City of London, for the year now next ensuing, and that he be sworn accordingly.
Monday 10. General Blake, one of the Admirals at sea, came to the House, and took his place as a member.
Resolved, that General Blake have the thanks of this House, for his great and faithful services to the Parliament and this Commonwealth.
Mr. Speaker did, accordingly, give unto General Blake, the thanks of the Parliament.
Tuesday 11. Mr. Lawrence reported from the Council of State, instructions for Bulstrode Whitlock, Constable of the Castle of Windsor, and one of the Keepers of the Great Seal of England, Ambassador Extraordinary from the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Queen of Sweden, which were read, and, upon the question, agreed.
Mr. Lawrence also reported the coming forth of several scandalous and seditious pamphlets: one a paper intituled, "A Charge of High Treason exhibited against Oliver Cromwell, Esquire, for several Treasons by him committed," which was now read.
Saturday 22. Resolved, that no Committee of Parliament, nor the Council of State, do sit after eight of the clock in the morning; but that the members of this House be enjoined to meet in the House every morning, at eight o'clock.
Wednesday 26. Mr: Strickland reported from the Committee, appointed to receive and give audience to the Lord Lagerfeldt, Public Minister of the Queen of Sweden, that the said Lord Lagerfeldt did make a discourse unto them in Latin; a copy whereof he delivered, both in Latin and English, together with a letter from the Queen of Sweden, directed, Parliamento Reipublicæ Angliæ.
Friday 28. Mr. Strickland reported from the Council of State, a proclamation prepared to be published, concerning the business of the tumult made by the seamen yesterday, at Charing-Cross. (fn. 1)
Saturday 29. The House being informed, that the Lord Commissioner, Whitlock, Lord Ambassador from the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Queen of Sweden, was attending the pleasure of the House.
Resolved, that Mr. Speaker do deliver unto the Lord Ambassador Whitlock his commission, letters, credential, and instructions, in order to his embassy.
The Lord Ambassador was accordingly called in; and being attended by the Serjeant-at-Arms, came up to the Clerk's table.
Mr. Speaker, by command of the House, did deliver unto him his commission under the Great Seal of England, letters credential to the Queen of Sweden, and his Lordship's instructions; which having received, and the performance of mutual civilities, departed, attended by the Serjeant.