House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 20 October 1653

Thursday, 20th of October, 1653.

Thieves and Highwaymen.

COLONEL Blount reports from the Committee to whom the same was referred, A Bill for the better and more effectual Discovering and Prosecution of Thieves and Highwaymen: Which was this Day read the First and Second time.

A Clause was tendered to this Bill, to authorize Justices of Peace to raise and draw out Horse or Foot, by their Warrant for Watches and Wards, to suppress and apprehend such Persons: Which was read the First time; and, upon the Question, laid aside.

Resolved, That this Act do continue for Three Years.

The Question being put, That this Bill be committed;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That this Bill be ingrossed; and brought in To-morrow Morning.

The Engagement.

Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper reports from the Committee, A Bill for taking away the Engagement: Which was read the First time;

And the Question being put, That this Bill be read the Second Time;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it paid in the Negative.

Resolved, That a Bill be brought in for Redress of the Abuse of Pleading the Engagement in Bar of Suits, in Courts of Law and Equity: And that it be referred to the Committee of the Law.

Law.

Resolved, That Mr. Broughton be added to the Committee of the Law.

Resolved, That Mr. Bowtell be added to the Committee for the Body of the Law.

Recusants Estates.

A Bill, intituled, An Act enabling the Commissioners of Parliament for Compounding with Delinquents, to dispose of Two Parts of the Lands and Estates of Recusants, for the Benefit of the Commonwealth, was this Day read the Third time.

Peck's Claims.

Mr. Sadler reports from the Committee for Papists Estates the Case of Henry Peck Esquire:

THE King granted to Sir Sackvill Crow, and others, the Iron-works, and divers Cords of Wood in DeaneForest, for One-and-twenty Years.

It was afterwards agreed between Sir Sackvile Crow, and the other Lessees, that he might alien his Part: Sir Sackvile Crowe and Mr. Peck make a Bargain, that Mr. Peck shall have Eight hundred Pounds per Annum, out of his Part of the Profits of the Premisses; which comes to Seven thousand Two hundred Pounds: In pursuance of which Bargain,

Sir Sackvile Crow demised the Premisses to Sir Thomas Pelham, Mr. Peck, and others, for Sixteen Years; upon . . . that Mr. Peck should enjoy the Premisses Nine Years, and receive to his own Use Eight hundred Pounds per Annum; and account for the Residue: And in case he were not satisfied the Seven thousand Two hundred Pounds in Nine Years, to hold it over till he were satisfied; and then, and not before, to surrender his Interest.

The King granted Deane-Forest to Sir John Winter, in Fee.

Three of the Lessees Surrender, to hold for Six Years; but Mr. Peck did not surrender, as by the Record in the Exchequer will appear; so that his Estate was never legally avoided.

And the Bill, with this Clause, so amended, was, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be forthwith printed and published.

Embassy to Sweden.

Mr. Strickland reports from the Council of State, The Letters Credential, in Latin and English, to be given to the Lord Ambassador Whitelock, together with the Commission, to be passed under the Great Seal, both in Latin and English: Which were both read and agreed.

Resolved, That the Council of State do prepare the said Letters Credential: And that Mr. Speaker do sign the same, and Seal it with the Seal of the Parliament.

Ordered, That this Commission be ingrossed: And that Mr. Speaker do sign the same: And the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal be authorized and required to pass the same under the said Great Seal accordingly.