House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 15 January 1651

Die Mercurii, 15 Januarii, 1650.

Prayers.

Parliaments and Elections.

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

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Say took the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Army Pay, &c.

Colonel Downes reports from the Committee of the Army, touching Continuance of Billet Money, and additional Pay, for the Army, and Led Horses to the Officers of Horse and Dragoons; viz.

"The Allowance of Billet Money, and additional Pay, of the Army, and of Led Horses to the Officers of Horse and Dragoons, according to the first Establishment of this Army, continued, by Order of Parliament of the Sixth of December last, for Three Months, from the Fourth of November last, expiring the Six-and-twentieth of January Instant; and there being now prepared, in Course, Warrants for a Month's Pay for the Forces and Garrisons in England, to commence the Thirteenth of January instant; it is ordered, That it be offered to the Consideration of the Parliament."

Ordered, by the Parliament, That the Allowance of Billet Money, and additional Pay; for the Army, and of Led Horses for the Officers of Horse and Dragoons, according to the first Establishment of this Army, be continued for One Month, from the Six-and-twentieth of January next.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Council of State, to consider how and in what Manner this great Charge of the Commonwealth may be abated, or wholly taken off: And that they be enjoined to give a speedy Account of it to the Parliament.

Charges of Treaty with the late King

Resolved, That so much of the Fourteen thousand Pounds, for Discharge of the Charges of the Treaty at the Isle of Wight, which is behind and unpaid, be repaid out of the Receipt of Goldsmiths Hall, in Course, after the Seventy thousand Pounds, the Fifty thousand Pounds, and the Sum of Twelve thousand Pounds, for Recruits for Ireland, already charged, shall be paid: And that the Commissioners for Compounding be authorized to give Warrant for the Payment thereof, accordingly: And that the Interest for the same, in the mean time, be continued.

Correspondence with Spaine.

Colonel Marten reports from the Committee to whom it was referred to prepare an Answer to be given to the Spanish Ambassador, An Answer to be given to the Spanish Ambassador; with a Letter to be sent from the Parliament to the King of Spaine.

Which were this Day read the First time, at large.

And; after the said Answer was read by Parts; and, every Part being put to the Question, was assented unto.

And the said Answer after some Amendments at the Table, being put to the Question, was assented unto.

* * * * (fn. 1).

Resolved, That this be the Answer to the Spanish Ambassador.

The Draught of the Letter to the King of Spaine was again read; and, after some Amendments at the Table, was, upon the Question, re-committed; and ordered to be brought in To-morrow Morning, the first Business.

Embassy from Portugall.

Resolved, That the Report touching the Publick Minister from Portugall be made To-morrow Morning, the next Business after the Letter to the King of Spaine.