House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 19 December 1654

Tuesday, the 19th of December, 1654.

Prayers.

Blasphemous Publication.

MR. Read reports, from the Committee, to whom the blasphemous Books, written by John Biddle, were referred, The rude and obstinate Behaviours and Misdemeanors of the said John Biddle, and of Richard Moone, and John Cottrell the Printer and Publisher of the said Books, before the said Committee: And that they refused to tell their Names, or to give Answer to any Questions demanded of them by the said Committee.

Resolved, That Richard Moone, and John Cottrell do stand committed to the Prison of the Gatehouse for their Contempts and Misdemeanors, until the House take further Order.

Abuse in Lobby.

Mr. Ray informs the House of an Abuse done in the Lobby Yesterday, by one who struck Captain Villers.

Gresham's, &c. Petition.

The humble Petition and Appeal of Marmaduke Gresham Gentleman, and John Holmden Esquire, was this Day read.

Resolved, That the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal be authorized to re-hear this Cause, without a Bill of Review; calling to their Assistance the Lord Chief Justice Rolle, the Lord Chief Justice St. John, Baron Thorpe, Justice Hale, Justice Newdigate, Justice Atkins, and Justice Windham, or any Three of them; and thereupon to give Relief, as there shall be Cause: And that before the Re-hearing, that the Petitioners do put in good Security, such as the said Lords Commissioners shall allow of, to answer and pay such Damages and Costs to the adverse Party, as the said Lords Commissioners shall order upon the said Re-hearing.

Settling the Government.

Major Hale reports, from the Committee, A Paper, in pursuance of the Reference made Yesterday.

The Question being propounded, That Whitehall, St. James'-House and Park, the Mews, the Slaughter-House, Somerset-House, Greenwich-House and Park, HamptonCourt, and the Honour and Manor of Hampton-Court, with the Parks and Grounds thereunto now belonging, Windsore Castle, the Little Park, and other the Lands thereunto now belonging, and the House called the Manor, in or near the City of York, with their and every of their Appurtenances, now unsold and undisposed of, be vested in the present Lord Protector, and the succeeding Lords Protectors, for the Maintenance of his and their State and Dignity, over and besides the Two hundred thousand Pounds aforesaid; and shall not be aliened, but by Consent in Parliament.

The Question being put, That the Word "Slaughterhouse," stand in this Question;

It passed in the Negative.

And so it was Resolved, That Whitehall, St. James'House and Park, the Mews, Somerset-House, GreenwichHouse and Park, Hampton-Court, and the Honour and Manor of Hampton-Court; with the Parks and Grounds thereunto now belonging, Windsore-Castle, the Little Park there, and other the Lands thereunto now belonging; and the House called the Manor, in or near the City of York, with their and every of their Appurtenances now unsold and undisposed of, be vested in the present Lord Protector, and the succeeding Lords Protectors, for the Maintenance of his and their State and Dignity, over and besides the Two hundred thousand Pounds aforesaid; and shall not be aliened, but by Consent in Parliament.

The next Clause in the Report was read.

Resolved, That these Words, viz. "or by Authority thereof, "be added in the Question, next after the Words "by Act or Ordinance of Parliament."

Post Meridiem.

Settling the Government.

RESOLVED, That the Committee, to whom the Preparing of a Bill upon the Votes concerning the Government is referred, be impowered to consider of the printed Instrument, intituled, The Government of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland; and, where they find any thing defective in the Votes, which hath not been already debated in the House, to resort to the House with such Particulars as may be fit to be supplied without altering the Substance of what the House hath already voted.

Ditto.

The House resumed the Debate upon the latter Clause of the Report made by Major Hale, in these Words:

"That all other Lands, Tenements, Rents, Profits, Royalties, Revenues, Jurisdictions, or Hereditaments whatsoever, belonging to the Commonwealth, not already contracted for, sold, or disposed of, by Act or Ordinance of Parliament, or by the Authority of the same, before the Day of, shall be vested in the present Lord Protector, and succeeding Lords Protectors, to the Use of the Commonwealth; and the Profits thereof sued for in his and their Names; and payable to the Publick Receipt of the Exchequer: And also all Debts, not discharged by the Act of Oblivion, with all Fines, Issues, Amerciaments, Penalties, and Profits, certain and casual, shall likewise be sued for in his and their Names, and pay into the Publick Receipt aforesaid; and to be disposed of for the Paying of publick Debts, or otherwise, as the Parliament shall appoint."

Resolved, That this Clause be committed to the same Committee who brought in this Report: And the Com mittees for the Business of Scotland and Ireland are added to that Committee, to bring in one or more Bills for settling the same, as they shall think fit, saving all Mens Rights.

Resolved, That it be referred to the same Committee, to consider of the Arrears of the Salaries due to the Lords Commissioners, and the Judges, as well those who are deceased, or now out of Place, as that are now in Place; and how the same may be paid to them, or their Executors; and also, to take into Consideration the Fees received by them.

Resolved, That it be likewise referred to the same Committee, to take into Consideration the Master of the Rolls, for a Salary to be allowed to him with the other Judges: And that they do also take into Consideration the Arrears due to the Judges of the Welsh Circuits, and the Chief Justice of Chester.

Mr. Nathaniell Bacon reports, from the Committee, to whom the Clause was referred; touching the Calling of a Parliament, next after the Death of the Lord Protector for the Time being: Which was read.

Resolved, That the Debate upon this Report be adjourned till To-morrow Morning.

Persons committed.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do take into his Custody the Bodies of Richard Moone, and John Cotterell, and deliver them over to the Gatehouse, according to the Order of this House made this Day.