House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 12 March 1651

Die Mercurii, 12 Martii, 1650.

Prayers.

Parliaments and Elections.

THE House was this Day, according to former Order, 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.

Navy Supplies.

Sir Arthur Hesilrig reports from the Council of State,

"That, in pursuance of the Order of Parliament, referring it to the Council, to consider what Proportion of Ammunition will be necessary, and where Money is to be assigned for it; which they have put into a way to give the Parliament an Account of it, in a short time; that, in the mean time, there is a very great Necessity of speedy setting out this present Fleet; which cannot be done with that Speed that is requisite, unless Provision of Ammunition may be carried on by the Committee of the Navy; and therefore desire the Parliament to give Order, to the Committee of the Navy, to make this Provision, to dispatch the Fleet to Sea with all Expedition."

Resolved, That the Committee of the Navy be authorized and required to make Provisions for the Dispatch of the Fleet to Sea, for this Summer, with all Expedition.

The Question being put, That Leave be given to * Blackwell, to transport in the Ship *, to the East Indies, Two thousand Five hundred Pounds of Foreign Coin and Bullion;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed with the Negative.

Army.

Sir Wm. Armyn reports from the Council of State,

"That, to the end the Castle of Edinburgh, and the Town of Leith, may be securely kept, and the greater Number of Forces go to the Field in Scotland, the Council is of Opinion, That the Regiment of Colonel Fenwick be made up to Sixteen hundred, by the Addition of Two new Companies; and by making the Major's Company One hundred and Sixty, and adding Twenty Men to each of the private Companies: And that, if the Parliament shall think fit, that this Regiment be thus increased, that they will give Order to the Committee for the Army, to take them on upon the Establishment, and see they be paid accordingly.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Regiment of Colonel Fenwick be made up Sixteen hundred, by the Addition of Two new Companies, and by making the Major's Company One hundred and Sixty, and adding Twenty Men to each of the private Companies: And that the Committee of the Army be authorized and required to take them into the Establishment of Berwick; and take care for the Payment of them accordingly, as formerly they did.

Propagating the Gospel.

Resolved, That the Committee to whom the Bill for the better Propagation of the Gospel in the County of York is referred, be revived: And that they do make it a General Bill for Propagation of the Gospel throughout the Nation: And that it be brought in on Friday-nextcome-sevennight: And that Committee is to sit this Afternoon at Two of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber; and so de die in diem: And all that come to have Voices.

And Mr. Robinson and Mr. Carew are added to that Committee; and to take Care of it.

Late King's Servants.

Resolved, That the additional Act for the Servants of the late King be brought in on Tuesday next.

Delinquents Estates.

Resolved, That the Amendments to the Act for the Delinquents Estates, be proceeded in on Tuesday next.

Porter reprieved.

The humble Petition of Ralph Porter, together with the Certificate of the Commissioners for the Militia of the County of Bucks, were this Day read.

Ordered, That the said Ralph Porter be reprieved until the next Assizes: And that, in the mean Space, the Judges do make a Certificate to the Parliament, of the Matter of Fact: And the Sheriff of the County of Bucks is hereby authorized and required to forbear Execution accordingly.

Smyth's Accompts.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to view and examine the Accompts of Major Thomas Smyth, and to allow such Part thereof as they shall think fit: And that the Committee of Accompts at Worcester House do, upon such Allowance, pass the said Accompts: And that the Trustees do allow of the same, upon the Security of the Army, without Oath; the said Major Thomas Smyth dying before he was sworn to his said Accompts.

Taking away Honours.

Ordered, That the Bill for taking away the Honours conferred on Persons at Oxford be read on This-daysevennight.

Surrey Gaol.

An Act for purchasing an House for a common Gaol for the County of Surrey, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed to Mr. Scott, Mr. Goodwyn, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Smyth, Lord Mounson, Mr. Carey, Alderman Allen, Colonel Marten, Mr. Challoner, Colonel Thompson, Mr. Darley, Mr. Ralegh, Mr. Garland, Sir James Harrington; or any Five of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber; and so de die in diem.

St. Margaret's Poor.

The humble Petition of the Church-wardens, and Overseers of the Poor, and others, Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Margarett's Westminster, was this Day read.

Feynoldson's Fine.

Ordered, That the Commissioners for Compounding at Goldsmiths Hall do take care, that the Fine imposed upon Abraham Reynoldson be speedily levied: And that the same be distributed and paid proportionably, according to the former Order, for a Stock for the Poor.

Adjournment.

Resolved, That the House, at the Rising, do adjourn until Friday Morning next, Eight of Clock.

The House did adjourn accordingly.