House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 3 May 1650

Die Veneris, 3 Maii, 1650.

Prayers.

Counsel for the State.

ORDERED, That those Persons that are appointed of Counsel for the Commonwealth shall, from time to time, give their Attendance on the High Court of Justice, as there shall be Occasion.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, to present to the Parliament the Names of fit Persons to be of Counsel for the Commonwealth.

Incest and Adultery.

The House this Day took up the Debate upon the Amendments to the Act against Incest, Adultery and Fornication.

A Proviso was tendered to the said Act, "That no Person or Persons shall incur any of the Penalties in this Act mentioned, unless the said Person or Persons be thereof indicted within Twelve Months after the Offence committed:" Which was read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto; and ordered to be Part of the Bill.

Resolved, That the Time for this Act to take Effect be from the Twenty-fourth Day of June 1650: And that the Bill be amended throughout accordingly.

A Proviso was tendered to the said Act, "That it shall be lawful for any Person or Persons who shall be indicted for any of the Offences aforesaid, to produce, at their respective Tryals, any Witness or Witnesses for the Clearing of themselves from the said Offences whereof they shall be so indicted: And the Justices before whom such Tryal shall be so had, shall have Power, and are hereby authorized, to examine the said Witnesses, upon Oath:" Which was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

And the said Amendments to the said Act being put to the Question, were assented unto.

Resolved, That the said Bill, so amended, be ingrossed, and brought in This-day-sevennight.

The House, according to former Order, adjourned itself, until Tuesday Morning next, Eight of Clock.