House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 6 August 1660

Monday, August 6th, 1660.

Prayers.

NICHOLAS Owdart Esquire, came up to the Clerk's Table; and did there take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, in order to his Naturalization.

Publick Records.

Memorandum, This Day the Clerk of this House did present an Inventory of all the Records, Books, Papers, Indentures, and Writings, in the Keeping of Mr. John Phelpes, belonging to the Publick, and remaining in the House of the said John Phelpes, being taken according to former Order of the Twenty-third of May 1660; as also the Keys of the Rooms where some of them are disposed, according to another Order of the same Day.

Ordered, That the Books, Papers, Deeds, Evidences, Indentures, and Writings, heretofore in the Keeping of Mr. John Phelpes, and whereof an Inventory was this Day presented to the House, do remain in the Custody of the Clerk of this House, and be safely kept by him. And it is further ordered, that Mr. Rich have Liberty to peruse or inspect the same, as he shall have Occasion, for the publick Service.

Securities taken by Serjeant.

Resolved, That this House doth approve of what the Serjeant at Arms attending this House hath done, in taking good Security of all the respective Persons committed to his Custody, who sat in the late pretended High Court of Justice, when Sentence of Death was pronounced against the late King Charles, of blessed Memory, according to a List now given in, and remaining with the Clerk of this House.

Purchases of Publick Lands.

Mr. Rainsford reports from the Grand Committee upon the Bill of Sales, several Votes of the said Grand Committee; which were read, and were as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That the Direction of the House be desired, what Satisfaction shall be given to the Purchasers of the King's Lands, and Queen's Jointure.

Resolved, by the said Grand Committee, That divers Leases are made by Ecclesiastical Persons, now that they have the Bill under Consideration; and that the Direction of the House be prayed in it.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this House, that all Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Prebends, and other Ecclesiastical Persons, be restrained from making any Leases or Grants of any the Lands, Rectories, or Tithes, or other Profits belonging to any their Offices or Churches, until the Bill for Sales, now depending before this House, receive Determination.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill to that Purpose: And that Serjeant Maynard, Mr. Pryn, Mr. Allen, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Sir Henage Finch, Mr. Charleton, Serjeant Hales, Sir Edward Turner, Mr. Goodrick, Serjeant Glyn, Mr. Bampfeild, Mr. Rainsford, or any Three of them, be the said Committee: And they are to meet To-morrow Morning in the Speaker's Chamber.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Grand Committee, to whom the Bill for Sales is committed, to receive Proposals from any the Purchasers of the Estates of Bishops, and others Ecclesiastical Persons, and from any the Ecclesiastical Persons themselves, or from any others; touching Satisfaction to be given to the Purchasers of any publick Lands; and, on Consideration thereof, to report their Opinion to the House.

Resolved, That it be referred to the said Grand Committee, to consider of settling a competent Maintenance and Encouragement out of any impropriate or appropriate Rectories whatsoever, belonging to Ecclesiastical Persons, for those who shall officiate in the Cures of such Rectories.

Wards and Liveries.

Ordered, That the Members of this House, who are of his Majesty's Privy Council, do meet this Afternoon, in order to the apportioning of the One hundred thousand Pounds per Ann. mentioned in the Order of Saturday last.

Publick Records.

The House being informed, that Wm. Ayloffe and * Ayloffe, have come into the publick Office in Broadstreet, where the Record Books and Surveys relating to Bishops, and Deans and Chapters Lands, are kept for his Majesty's Service, and the Publick; and put the Petitioners out of Possession, sealing up the Doors, breaking open the Locks of several Rooms where the Records are, and possessing themselves of the Key of the Door belonging to the Treasury, and are daily ransacking amongst them, to the great Prejudice of Thousands of Persons concerned therein; and by the transferring and misplacing whereof, a perfect Account to his Majesty, and this House, touching the same, will be disabled;

Ordered, That Wm. Ayloffe and * Ayloffe do forthwith return back all Books, Writings, and Evidences, found by them in the publick Office relating to the Sale of Bishops, and Deans and Chapters Lands, in Broadstreet, with the Office itself, to the Hands and Custody of the Officers, who formerly had the same in Charge; and that the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do see the same done accordingly.