House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 2 September 1651

Tuesday, the 2d of September, 1651.

Prayers.

Commissioners of Assessments.

COLONEL Downes reports the Draught of a Letter to be sent to the Commissioners for the monthly Assessment in the respective Counties of this Commonwealth: Which was this Day read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and was in these Words;

Gentlemen,

The Parliament have, by their Act, herewith sent you, continued the Assessments of 120,000£. a Month, for Three Months, from the Nine-and-twentieth of September next; and ordered, That the same be at once assessed, and the Collection thereof so disposed, and effectually prosecuted, that one Moiety, at the least, may be paid in to the Treasury on or before the Twentieth of October next; and the other Moiety, on or before the First of December next. And, in regard the punctual Observance of their Order therein, so as timely Provisions may be made for the Forces that are now by the Scotts Incursion drawn together, and streightened in Quarters, and for other emergent Occasions, is of that Importance, that the Safety of the whole Commonwealth very much depends thereupon, they have commanded me to recommend to you, who are chiefly concerned, in respect of your Trust, in the Management of this Work, the Necessity for the Improvement of your utmost Endeavours therein. I shall not need to press you with any Arguments, the publick Peace and Safety of this Commonwealth being so highly concerned; and, at this Season, requiring a more than ordinary Care and Diligence: Whereof not doubting, I rest,

Your very loving Friend.

Ordered, That such Letters be written to the Commissioners for the Assessments in the respective Counties of this Commonwealth; and that Mr. Speaker do sign the said Letters.

Militia.

An Act for enabling the Commissioners of the respective Militias within this Commonwealth to raise Money for the Maintenance of the Forces by them respectively raised, for the present Service; was this Day read the third time.

Resolved, That these Words, "Cities and Places" be added next after the Word "Counties."

Resolved, That these Words, viz. "Parliament or," be added next to the Words "by the."

Resolved, That this be the Title of the Act, viz. An Act enabling the Commissioners of the Militia to raise Monies for the present Service of the Commonwealth.

And the said Act, so amended, being put to the Question, passed: And it is Ordered, That the said Act be forthwith printed and published; and that the Council of State do take Care to send the same forthwith to the several Militia of the respective Counties, Cities, and Boroughs.

Scandalous Pamphlets.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor of London, and the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, do give Order, and see, that the several scandalous Pamphlets, called the King's Proclamations, be burnt by the Hand of the common Hangman.

Potter's List.

Ordered, That the Business touching Potter's List be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Grant for Navy.

An Act, charging 100,000£. upon the Receipt of the Grand Excise, for the Use of the Navy, was this Day read the first and second Time.

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

It passed in the Negative.

And the said Act, being put to the Question, passed.

Excise.

Ordered, That the Information given to the Parliament, that some Persons who have constantly paid their Excise are called to an Accompt for Six or Seven Years past, when as the Monies have been received by the Officers of the Commissioners for Excise, who are not called to an Accompt for the same, be referred to the Committee of Excise to examine the Business, and give Redress herein, or to report it to the Parliament.

Letters read.

A Letter from the General near Worcester, August the last, 1651; and a Letter from Robert Stapylton, from Spiksley, August the 31st, 1651; were this Day read.