Thursday, the 2d of October, 1656.

Leave of Absence.

ORDERED, That Colonel Jephson have Leave to go into the Country for Ten Days.

Carnarvon Writ.

The Lord Chief Justice Glynne, being returned to serve in Parliament, as a Knight for the County of Flint, and also for the County of Carnarvon, makes his Election to serve for the County of Flint, and waves his Election for the County of Carnarvon.

Ordered, That a Warrant be issued for a Writ for Election of a Knight for the said County of Carnarvon, in the Place of the said Lord Chief Justice Glyn.

Kingston Corporation Election.

Ordered, That the Election of the Officers for the Corporation of Kingston upon Thames, in the County of Surrey, and keeping the Feast, being to be had and kept on the next Lord's Day, be put off until Monday following.

Cork Writ.

The Lord Broghill being chosen, and returned to serve in Parliament, as a Citizen for the City of Edinburgh in Scotland, and also as a Knight for the County of Cork in Ireland, doth make his Election to serve for Edinburgh; and waves his Election for the County of Cork.

Ordered, That a Warrant do issue for a Writ for the Election and Returning a Knight to serve in Parliament for the County of Cork, in his stead.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Pedley have Leave to go into the Country for Ten Days.

Isle of Wight Writ.

Colonel Sidenham being chosen, and returned, to serve as a Knight for the County of Dorsett, and likewise for the Ise of Wight, doth elect to serve for the County of Dorsett; and waveth his Election for the Isle of Wight.

Ordered, That a Warrant do issue for a Writ for the new Election of a Knight for the Isle of Wight, in his stead.

Monmouth, &c. Writs.

Major-General Berry being returned to serve as a Knight for Three Counties; viz. for the Counties of Worcester, Hereford, and Monmouth, doth make his Election to serve as a Knight for the County of Worcester; and waves his Election for the County of Monmouth; the Election for the County of Hereford being questioned.

Ordered, That a Warrant do issue under Mr. Speaker's Hand for a new Writ for the Election and Return of another Knight for the County of Monmouth, in his stead.

Ordered, That the Matter of the Election for the County of Hereford be referred to the Committee for Privileges.

Pebells, &c. Writ.

Mr. Downing, being chosen and returned to serve in Parliament, as a Citizen for the City of Carlisle; and also as a Burgess for the Boroughs of Pebells, Selkirk, Jeddart, Launder, North Berwick, Dunbarre, and Haddington, in Scotland, doth make his Election to serve for the City of Carlisle; and waves his Election for the rest.

Ordered, That a Warrant issue forth under Mr. Speaker's Hand, for a Writ for a new Election and Return of other Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the Boroughs of Pebles, Selkirk, Jeddart, Lander, North Berwick, Dunbarr, and Haddington, in Scotland.

Bishops' Advowsons.

A Bill for settling of the Advowsons, Right of Patronage and Presentation, belonging to the late Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, and Chapters, was this Day read the First time;

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

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That this Bill be rejected.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Colonel Edwards have Leave to go into the Country, for Ten Days.

Cardigan Writ.

Captain Phillips being returned to serve in Parliament as a Knight both for the County of Pembroke and Cardigan, doth elect to serve for the County of Pembroke; and waves his Election for Cardigan.

Ordered, That a Warrant issue forth under Mr. Speaker's Hand, for a Writ for the new Election of a Person to serve in this present Parliament, as Knight for the County of Cardigan.

Southampton Writ.

The Lord Richard Cromwell being returned to serve in Parliament for a Burgess for the University of Cambridg; and also as a Knight for the County of Southampton; doth make his Election to serve for the University of Cambridg; and waves his Election for the County of Southampton.

Ordered, That a Warrant issue forth under Mr. Speaker's Hand, for a Writ for the new Election of a Person to serve in this present Parliament, as Knight for the County of Southampton.

Pembroke Writ.

Colonel John Clerk, being returned as a Knight to serve for the Counties of Cardigan and Pembroke, doth make his Election to serve for the County of Cardigan; and waves his Election for the County of Pembroke.

Ordered, That a Warrant issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, for a Writ for the new Election of a Person to serve as a Knight for the County of Pembroke in this present Parliament.

Donnfreeze, &c. Writ.

Colonel Salmon, being returned, in this present Parliament, to serve as a Burgess both for the Town of Scarborough in England, and likewise for the Boroughs of Donnfreez, Sanclare, Lochmaben, Annand, Wigton, Kirkobright, Whithorne, and Galloway, doth elect to serve for Scarborough; and waves his Election for the rest.

Ordered, That Warrants do issue forth under Mr. Speaker's Hand, for a Writ for a new Election of a Burgess for the Boroughs of Dunfreeze, Sanclare, Lochmaken, Annand, Wigton, Kirckobright, Whithorne, and Galloway.

Brecon Writ.

Colonel Philip Jones being returned to serve as a Knight for the Counties of Glamorgan and Brecon, doth elect to serve for the County of Glamorgan; and waves his Election for the County of Brecon.

Ordered, That a Warrant do issue forth under Mr. Speaker's Hand, for a Writ for a new Election of another Person to serve in this present Parliament as a Knight for the County of Brecon.

Naval Victory in West Indies.

Mr. Secretary Thurloe reports, from his Highness the Lord Protector, several Letters of Intelligence from the Fleet; viz.

A Letter from General Blake and General Mountagu, from on Board the Nasby, in the Bay of Wyers, of the 19th of September 1656.

A Letter from Captain Richard Stainer, from on board the Speaker, of the 9th of September 1656; giving an Account, that he, with some other Ships of the Fleet, met with the King of Spaine's West India Fleet and some Merchant Ships; and had taken Two of them.

A Relation of the Names of the chiefest Commanders and Persons taken in the Two Ships, and other Two sunk and burnt, by Six Sail of Frigates, under the Command of General Blake, the 10th of September 1656.

A Letter from General Mountague, dated September 19, 1656, with a Paper inclosed, giving a further Relation: Which were all read.

Ordered, That the said Letters and Papers be delivered back again to Mr. Secretary: And they were accordingly delivered.

Resolved, That, a Day of Thanksgiving be appointed to bless the Lord for the great Mercies by him vouchsafed to this Commonwealth, in the Success given to some of their Ships, against the Fleet of the King of Spaine, coming from the West Indies, on the 8th of September last.

Ordered, That Wednesday next be the Day set apart for a Day of Thanksgiving for this House; to be observed also within the Cities of London and Westminster, and all Places within the late Lines of Communication.

Ordered, That the Place for the House to meet, on Wednesday next, being the Day of Thanksgiving, shall be Margarett's Church in Westminster.

Ordered, That Mr. Joseph Carill be desired to give his Assistance in the Work of the Day of Thanksgiving, appointed to be kept by the Parliament on Wednesday next at Margarett's Westminster.

Ordered, That Sir Gilbert Pickering do give him Notice hereof.

Ordered, That Mr. John Row be desired to give his Assistance in the Work of this Day of Thanksgiving, appointed to be kept by the Parliament on Wednesday next, at Margarett's Westminster.

Ordered, That Colonel Rowse do give him Notice hereof.

Ordered, That his Highness' Consent be desired as to the appointing Wednesday next to be the Day of Thanksgiving, within the Cities of London and Westminster, and all Places within the late Lines of Communication.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to attend his Highness, to desire his Highness' Consent to the appointing Wednesday next for a Day of Thanksgiving, to be observed within the City of London and Westminster, and all Places within the late Lines of Communication; Viz. Lord Lambert, Lord Broghill, Sir Gilbert Pickering, Lord Deputy of Ireland, Sir John Hobert, Colonel Sidenham, Colonel Jones, General Disbrow, Lord Fiennes, Lord Strickland, Colonel Grosvenor, Major-General Haines, Mr. Secretary, Major-General Goff: To do it this Afternoon.

Ordered, That it be referred to the same Committee, to draw a Narrative to be published, declaring the Grounds and Reasons of appointing this Day: And to bring it in To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That the Fifth of November be appointed as a Day of Publick Thanksgiving throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the great Mercies which the Lord hath vouchsafed to this Commonwealth in the Success of Part of their Fleet against the Spanish West India Fleet.

Ordered, That this House do keep the said Day of Thanksgiving in Margarett's Church Westminster.

Ordered, That Mr. Faireclough of Suffolk, be desired to give Assistance in the Work of the Day of Thanksgiving, which is appointed to be solemnized by this House the 5th of November next, for these Mercies.

Ordered, That Major-General Haines do give him Notice hereof.

Ordered, That Mr. * Sterry be desired to give Assistance in the Work of the Day of Thanksgiving, which is appointed to be solemnized by this House, on the 5th of November next, for these Mercies.

Ordered, That Sir Gilbert Pickering do give him Notice hereof.