House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 14 February 1649

Die Mercurii, 14 Februarii, 1648.

Prayers.

Sheriffs Oath.

MR. Corbett reports from the Committee for Oaths, the Form of an Oath for a Sheriff: Which was this Day read.

Navy Committee.

Ordered, That Leave be, and is hereby, given to the Committee of the Navy, to fit, when, and as often as, Occasion and Necessity requires.

Admiralty Judges.

Ordered, That the Commissions of the several Judges of the Admiralty do go in the Stile, and according to the Form, prescribed for Commissions for Judges of other Courts.

And it is referred to Mr. Dove, to examine the Commissions with the Original; and to see them made accordingly.

Sheriffs, &c. to take Oaths.

Ordered, That Letters be sent to the Sheriffs of the respective Counties, requiring them to summon all the Justices of Peace to appear at the Assizes; and that the Sheriff and Justices do there take their Oaths.

And Mr. Whitlock and Mr. Miles Corbett are to prepare a Letter, to be subscribed by Mr. Speaker, to the several Sheriffs for that Purpose.

Sheriffs, &c.

Ordered, That the Lords Commissioners for the Great Seal be impowered to grant Commissions to all Sheriffs, and send the same unto them, with Letters from the Speaker to them, requiring them to execute their respective Offices accordingly: And likewise to issue Commissions of Peace into the several Counties; and cause them to be sworn: And the Lords Commissioners are hereby authorized to give Allowance to the Messengers of the Revenue attending the Seal, for the carrying the said Commissions and Patents; and to charge the Payment thereof upon the Hanaper.

Representation from Buckingham.

The House being informed, that there were several Gentlemen of Buck' at the Door;

They were called in: One of them delivered a Paper, intituled, A Representation of divers Inhabitants of the County of Buck', declaring, That they were desired, by many Inhabitants of the County of Buck', to present to this honourable House a Representation of the Grounds of their Bondage and Slavery; with their humble Desires, That it may be taken into Consideration, with what Speed the other weighty Affairs will permit.

After which they were commanded to withdraw: And the Representation was read.

The Gentlemen were again called in: And Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer.

Gentlemen, The House have heard the Paper read, which you presented: And hath commanded me to tell you, That this House hath a Resolution, and it is their present care, to settle the Government of this Commonwealth. This House doth take Notice of your good Affections towards . . . . in what they have already done, and your Resolutions to stand by them in it: And have commanded me, for That, to return you Thanks: And I do, in the Name of this House, give you Thanks for your good Affections: And withal, they have commanded me to let you know, that this House is resolved to maintain the Liberty of the Subject: and to avoid and prevent whatsoever may tend to Tyranny or Confusion.

* * * * (fn. 1).

Westminster Petition.

Ordered, That the Petition of the Westminster Gentlemen, be received in, on Saturday next.

Council of State.

The House, according to former Order, took up the Debate upon the Names of Persons to be of the Council of State.

The Question being propounded, That some of the Officers of the Army shall be of the Council of State.

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

It was resolved with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That some of the Officers of the Army shall be of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Basil Earl of Denbigh be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Edmund Earl of Mulgrave be one of the Council of State.

The Question being put, That Philip Earl of Pembroke be one of the Council of State;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That Philip Earl of Pembroke be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That William Lord Grey of Warke be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Henry Rolle Lord Chief Justice of the Upper Bench be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Oliver St. John Lord Chief Justice of the Common Bench be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That John Wylde Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer be one of the Committee of State.

Resolved, &c. That John Bradshawe Serjeant at Law be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Candles be brought in.

Resolved, &c. That Thomas Lord Fairefax be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Thomas Lord Grey of Groby be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Oliver Crumwell Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Philip Skippon Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Henry Martyn Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Isaac Penington Alderman of the City of London be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Gilbert Pickering Baronet be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Rowland Wilson Alderman of London be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Anthony Stapeley Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Sir William Masham Baronet be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That William Heveningham Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Bulstrode Whitlock Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Arthur Haslerigg Baronet be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Sir James Harrington Knight be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Robert Wallopp Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That John Hutchinson Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Henry Vane junior be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Dennys Bond Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Philip Lord Lysle be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Alexander Popham Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Sir John Danvers Knight be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Wm. Armyn Baronet be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Valentine Wauton Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Henry Mildmay be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Purefoy be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Sir William Constable Baronet be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That John Jones Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That John Lysle Esquire be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Ludlowe be one of the Council of State.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Scott be one of the Council of State.

The Question being propounded, That Wm. Earle of Salisbury be one of the Council of State;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed in the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That William Earle of Salisbury be one of the Council of State.

The Question being propounded, That Henry Ireton Esquire be one of Council of State;

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

It passed with the Negative.

The Question being propounded, That Colonel Harrison be one of the Council of State;

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

It passed with the Negative.