House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 24 October 1650

Die Jovis, 24 Octobris, 1650.

Prayers.

Abuses in Prisons.

SIR Henry Mildmay reports from the Council of State The Paper of Colonel Edmond Syler, concerning Captain Welby: And the Letter of October Eighteenth from the Commissioners of Yorksheire, together with a Paper inclosed, touching Mr. Richard Hairebread, John Browne, and Thomas Bridges, and Henry Hopkins Esquire, Warden of the Fleet.

Ordered, by the Parliament, That it be referred to a Committee, to consider of and examine this Business; and report to the House, the true State thereof, and their Opinion, what they think fit to be done therein, on Tuesday next; and to consider of Abuses and Misdemeanors of Keepers of Prisons; and how to regulate the said Abuses, that the Law be not defrauded: Viz. to Colonel Marten, Mr. Carew, Sir Tho. Wroth, Major General Harrison, Mr. Weaver, Sir Henry Myldmay, Alderman Allen, Sir John Bourchier, Mr. Clement, Colonel Wauton, Mr. Solicitor General, Mr. Hill, Colonel Jones, Mr. Moyle, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Frye, Mr. Nevill, Major Salwey, Mr. Blagrave, Mr. Strickland, Mr. Long, Mr. Hey, Mr. Miles Corbett; or any Five of them: And all that will come to have Voices: And to sit this Afternoon in the Exchequer Chamber; and so de die in diem: With Power to send for Persons, Witnesses, and Papers; and to bring in an Act for regulating and preventing such Misdemeanors and Abuses for the future.

And the special Care hereof is referred to Mr. Solicitor General.

Bailiffs, &c. Accompts.

Mr. John Corbett reports Amendments to the Bill for easing the Charges of Lords of Liberties, and their Bailiffs, in passing their Accompts in the Exchequer: Which were twice read, and agreed.

A Proviso was tendered to this Bill, to this Effect:

"Provided, That this Act, or any thing therein contained, shall not extend, nor be construed to extend, to the establishing or confirming of any pretended Liberties, Privileges, or Franchises, which have not been exercised and enjoyed, without Interruption or Disturbance, by any Lord of such Liberty or Franchise, for Ten Years before the Beginning of this present Parliament:" Which was twice read.

The Question being put, That these Words in the Proviso; viz. "without Interruption or Disturbance;" do stand;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That the Words "for Ten Years," be Amended; and made "within Ten Years."

Resolved, That this Proviso, so amended, be Part of the Bill.

Resolved, That this Bill, so amended, be ingrossed.

Norfolk Weavers.

Ordered, That the Business concerning the Weavers of Norfolk and Norwich be reported, and taken into Consideration, on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business; nothing to intervene.

Law Proceedings against Soldiers.

An Act for Stay of Proceedings, in Courts of Justice, against the Soldiers, now in the Service of the Parliament in Scotland, was this Day read the First and Second time.