House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 11 March 1651

Die Martis, 11 Martii, 1650.

Prayers.

Customs.

COLONEL Thompson, reports Amendments to the Act for the Continuance of the Customs: Which were this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Resolved, That the Time for Continuance of the said Act be, from the Six-and-twentieth of March 1651, until the Six-and-twentieth of March 1653.

And the Question being put, That this Act be ingrossed;

It passed with the Negative.

And the said Bill, so amended, being put to the Question, passed: And it is ordered to be forthwith printed and published.

Duty on Coals.

Colonel Thompson reports Amendments to the Act for laying an Imposition upon Coals, towards the Building and Maintaining of Ships for Guarding the Seas: Which were this Day read the First and Second time.

The Question being put, That this whole Clause in this Bill, beginning thus; viz. "And that, in case any Master, or other Person, taking Charge, &c." and ending thus, " * * * " do stand in the Bill;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed with the Affirmative.

The said Amendments, being severally put to the Question, were assented unto.

Resolved, That the said Bill be ingrossed.

Disaffected Persons.

Sir Henry Mildmay reports from the Council of State:

UPON several Information of emergent Dangers, by Invasion from Abroad, in Hopes of Compliance and Assistance from Persons residing in Places of Strength within this Commonwealth, as well close Malignants as others who disown this Government, the Council think fit the Parliament be moved, That, for Prevention of the Inconveniencies and Mischiefs which otherwise may happen, Order by them may be given, for removing forth of all Forts and Garrisons, to such Distance, and for such Time, as they please to limit, all such Persons as shall, upon further Tender, refuse to acknowledge the present Government of this Commonwealth, by taking and subscribing the Engagement appointed to be taken by the Authority of the present Parliament.

The Question being propounded, That the Council of State be authorized and impowered for removing out of all Forts and Garisons, to such Distance, and for such Time, as they shall think fit, all such Persons as they shall think fit, that shall, upon further Tender, refuse to acknowledge the present Government of this Commonwealth, by taking and subscribing the Engagement appointed to be taken by Authority of this present Parliament;

The Question being put, That that Question be now put;

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

And the main Question being now put;

It was Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Council of State be authorized and impowered for removing out of all Forts and Garisons, to such Distance, and for such Time, as they shall think fit, all such Persons as they shall think fit, that shall, upon further Tender, refuse to acknowledge the present Government of this Commonwealth, by taking and subscribing the Engagement appointed to be taken by Authority of this present Parliament.

Arrest of Treasurer of Navy.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to examine the Matter of Fact, upon the Information given, touching the Arresting of Mr. * Hutchinson, the Treasurer of the Navy; and the Three hundred Pounds of the Money of the Commonwealth, attached in his Hands, and deposited by the Treasurer of the Navy in the Sheriffs Hands; and report the State of the Case to the Parliament: With Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Witnesses.

And it is further Ordered, That the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex do keep the Money in their Hands, and do not pay it over, until the Parliament take further Order.

Ordered, That Robert Robins, now in the Custody of the Sheriffs of London, upon Mr. Speaker's Warrant, be forthwith brought before Mr. Speaker, to be examined by him, touching such Matters as the House was now informed of.