Tuesday, May the 31st, 1659.
Prayers.
Taking the Chair, &c.
ORDERED, That Mr. Speaker do constantly every
Morning take the Chair, by Eight of the Clock: And
that the Council of State, and Committee of this House,
do forbear to sit in the Morning after Eight of the Clock;
and do then give their Attendance on the Service of this
House: And that the House do rise every Day at
Twelve of the Clock: And that no Motion be made
after Twelve of the Clock; but that Mr. Speaker . .
and is hereby injoined then to rise.
Admiralty.
A Bill ingrossed, intituled, A Bill for constituting Commissioners for ordering and managing the Affairs of the
Admiralty and Navy, was this Day read the Third time.
Ordered, That Mr. Lechmere, Mr. Boone, and Mr. Pury
the elder, do withdraw, and consider how this Bill may
be amended, according to the Debate in this House; and
report their Opinion therein to this House forthwith.
Soldiers Pay.
Resolved, That, in respect of the extraordinary Duty
and Expence the private Soldiers are put to in the Cities
of London and Westminster, and the Suburbs, and late
Lines of Communication, the Parliament doth order
and declare, that the Foot shall have One Peny a Day,
and the Horse Three-pence a Day, added to their now
Pay; and this to be only to those that do perform Duty,
and attend the Parliament, in the Parts aforeaid.
Publick Revenue.
Ordered, That the Committee for Inspection of the
Treasuries do report to this House on Thursday Morning
next, the present State of the Treasuries; what Monies
are in Cash; what Supplies of Money are necessary for
the carrying on the present Affairs; and by what Ways
or Means present Monies may be raised by Sale of
Forests, or otherwise: And it is
Ordered, That what Monies are or shall be so raised,
do go to the Payment of the Army and Navy, and other
publick Contingencies: And the said Committee are
hereby authorized and impowered to receive any Propositions, that shall be tendered to them, for Raising
of present Monies; and report their Opinion therein to
this House.
Admiralty.
Mr. Pury reports, from the Committee formerly
ordered to withdraw, Amendments to the Bill for constituting Commissioners for ordering and managing the
Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy.
Which Amendments were laid aside.
And the said Bill, being put to the Question, passed.
Ordered, That this Act be forthwith printed and
published.
Ordered, That Mr. Reynolds be added to the Committee
for taking Care for Preservation of the Timber in the
Forests.
Fleetwood Commander in Chief, &c.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State,
to prepare, and bring into this House To-morrow
Morning, several Commissions, as well for constituting
Charles Fleetwood Esquire to be Lieutenant-General and
Commander in Chief of the Land-forces in England and
Scotland; as also for the Six other Commissioners; viz.
John Lambert Esquire, Sir Arthur Hesilrig Knight, John
Disbrowe Esquire, James Berry Esquire, Sir Henry Vane
Knight, Edmund Ludlowe Esquire; with Blanks in the
said several Commissions for the Time of the Continuance of the said Commissions: And that the Council
of State do compare the Commissions; and report them
to the House.
Sweden and Denmark.
Sir Henry Vane reports from the Council of State, That
for the Settling of the Business of the Sound, wherein
the Interest of this Commonwealth, in this Juncture of
Affairs, is much concerned,
1. There be appointed Commissioners Plenipotentiaries
for obtaining a good Peace between the Two Northern
Kings; and to adjust and secure the Interest of this
Commonwealth, and its Allies in the Sound; and, by the
Assistance and Power of the Fleet of this Commonwealth,
separately, or jointly with the Fleet or Fleets of its Allies,
to endeavour the same.
2. That the Persons to be named and impowered, as
aforesaid, be Five, or any Three of them; unless the
Council in case of Sickness, or other Emergencies, shall
see Cause to constitute the Quorum to be fewer than
Three.
3. That Instructions be given, by the Council, to the
Plenipotentiaries, or any others, in pursuance of the
Resolutions above-mentioned.
Resolved, That there be appointed Commissioners
Plenipotentiaries for obtaining a good Peace between the
Two Northern Kings; and to adjust and secure the
Interest of this Commonwealth, and its Allies in the
Sound; and, by the Assistance and Power of the Fleet
of this Commonwealth, separately, or jointly with the
Fleet or Fleets of its Allies, to endeavour the same.
Resolved, That the Persons to be named and impowered, as aforesaid, be Five, or any Three of them;
unless the Council, in case of Sickness, or other Emergencies, shall see Cause to constitute the Commissioners
to be fewer than Three.
Resolved, That Instructions be given, by the Council,
to the said Plenipotentiaries, or any others, in pursuance
of the said Resolutions.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State,
to present the Names of the said Five Commissioners
Plenipotentiaries; and to prepare Commissions to be
signed by the Speaker; and report the said Names and
Commissions to this House.
Great Seal.
Ordered, That the whole Profits, Fees, and Perquisites,
for the future arising by the Office of Keeper of the
Great Seal; and which were heretofore due and payable
to the said Keeper of the Great Seal, as Keeper thereof;
and the Profits due to the State by the Great Seal; be
and are hereby sequestered; and shall and do go to the
Use of the Commonwealth; and be paid into the publick
Treasury, to that Purpose.
Chancery Court.
Resolved, That the Court of Chancery be throughout
reformed and regulated.
Letter from Gen. Monels.
Mr. Scott reports, from the Council of State, a Letter
from General George Monck, dated from Dalkeith, May
the 21th, 1659: Which was read.
Ordered, That this Letter be referred to the Council
of State; to take the same into Consideration; and to
do therein what they shall think requisite.