House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 10 April 1650

Die Mercurii, 10 Aprilis, 1650.

Prayers.

Representation and Elections.

THE House this Day was, according to former Order, resolved into a Grand Committee, upon the Heads of the Bill for an equal Representative, and regulating Elections.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Say took the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Say reports from the Grand Committee touching an equal Representative, and for regulating Elections, That the said Committee hath adjourned itself until Thisday-sevennight: And desire the Leave of this House that the said Committee may then sit.

Resolved, That the House be resolved into a Grand Committee on Wednesday next, touching an equal Representative, and for regulating Elections.

Army Pay, &c.

Colonel Ven reports from the Committee of the Army, with a Vote of the Committee; viz.

"Resolved, That the House be acquainted with the Inconveniences attending the Return of the Army to quarter in private Houses, and the present Alteration of Pay: And that it be offered to the Consideration of the Parliament (if they think fit), That the Pay of the Army may be continued for the next Six Weeks, as formerly: And that, upon present Conference to be had with the General, it be considered how the said Billet, and additional Pay, may be taken off, either in Part, or in Whole, without Prejudice to the Commonwealth."

"Ordered, That Colonel Ven be desired to acquaint the House therewith accordingly."

Resolved, That the Committee of the Army be authorized and required to make out their Warrants for the Pay of the Soldiers, for the next Six Weeks, in such sort as they did for the last Three Months.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, upon Conference with the General, to consider how the Billet, and additional Pay to the Army, may for the future be taken off, in respect of the great Charge that lies upon the Commonwealth; and to report their Opinion to the House.

Crown Lands.

Colonel Wauton did propose to the House, That the Contractors for Sale of the late King's Lands, &c. shall not grant an Order for a Particular, or suffer any Man to purchase any of the said Lands within the original Creditors Time of Pre-emption, till he that desireth the same make it appear, by Letters of Attorney, or otherwise, for whom he desireth to purchase the same; and that their Arrears will extend to pay for the said Lands: And that no other Debentures, but those Mens, being original Bills, shall pass in Payment for the Lands so to be purchased: And that none of them are to be assigned, or pre-contracted for.

The Question being propounded, That it be referred to the Committee of Obstructions for Sale of the Crown Lands, to consider with the Contractors and Trustees for Sale of the Crown Lands, what was offered by Colonel Wauton; and thereupon report their Opinions to the House;

And the Question being put, That that Question be now put;

It passed with the Negative.