Tuesday, April, 19, 1659.
Resolved, that all bonds taken of English merchants for
any duty to be paid by them, by virtue of the late Act
of Parliament, giving license for transporting fish in foreign
bottoms, for any fish laden by any such English merchants,
lading any fish in the bottoms of this Commonwealth, and
manned with the people of the same, be made void, and
delivered up to the respective persons, who have entered into
any of the said bonds, their heirs or assigns, to be cancelled.
And that all recognizances entered into his Highness's Exchequer, by any persons, upon any writ or writs of delivery,
issued out of the said Court, for restoring any fish, or ships
laden by English merchants, in any of the bottoms of this
Commonwealth, and manned with the people of the same, for
non-payment of the duty by the aforesaid Act, appointed to
be paid by Englishmen, be likewise made void and cancelled.
Mr. Annesley reported from the Committee appointed to
attend his Highness, touching Lady Worcester; that his
Highness was pleased to give the Committee this answer;
that he assured him the House had considered of her interest,
and that himself was therewith satisfied, and did take notice
of the orders; and would give speedy direction for her satisfaction accordingly.
He also reported from the Committee appointed to propose an effectual way for security against the Cavaliers.
A Declaration requiring all such persons to depart the cities
of London and Westminster, and late lines of communication,
by the space of twenty miles. The which was read first
intirely; and afterwards, in parts.
The preamble was first read, and upon the question,
assented unto. (fn. 1)
I came late, and found the House in debate upon the Declaration to send the dangerous Cavaliers twenty miles out of
London, till the 20th of October.
Several amendments were offered to it. Some offered
that in case of their contempt of the Declaration, they might
forfeit a third part of their estates; but all this was waved,
and a great deal more.
Some thought it was very wide, and too loose. Sir Arthur
Haslerigge and Sir Henry Vane, never meddled in it. Mr.
Annesley was the most active; but to qualify. (fn. 2)
While this was in debate, Mr. Stephens, accompanied with
about thirty or forty members, went to the other House, foi
their concurrence to the votes passed yesterday, touching the
meetings of the officers.
We were presently called in by the Usher of the Black
Rod; and the Lords came to the bar after the same ceremony, as before.
Mr. Stephens opened the votes, how that the knights, citizens, &c. took notice of the general meetings of the officers,
and had made these votes against them, which he read and
concluded "whereunto they humbly desire your concurrence."
This word "humbly," was a little too far, and too many
legs were made.
Mr. Grove did manage his message otherwise.
We were presently called in again, and received this
answer from them, that they will take the same into consideration, and return an answer thereunto by messengers
of their own.
Mr. Stephens reported this answer from the other House.
It seems they put it to the question, whether it should be
debated; and it was resolved to be debated, and carried but
by one vote. Else it had slept I know not how long.
Resolved, that this House doth agree to this Declaration,
as amended.
Resolved, that this House do determine of, and give their
judgment in, the cause between Mr. Henry Neville, and Mr.
Strowde, late Sheriff of the County of Berks, (fn. 3) on Saturday
next. (fn. 4)
Sir Arthur Haslerigge reported from the Committee of
Trade.
Resolved, that, after the ending of this present week, the
Grand Committee for Grievances and Courts of Justice, do
sit on every Thursday, and on every Friday, in the afternoon,
weekly; and that the Grand Committee for Trade do sit
and meet, on every Wednesday, in the afternoon, weekly.
Mr. Scawen reported from the Committee for inspecting
into the accounts and revenue of the Commonwealth, a collection of what debts are owing to the Commonwealth, and of
money in cash, and of monies received by the Treasurer
of the Navy, for the supply of this year's service out of the
Customs and Excise, unto March 25,1659, and since the
report delivered in to the House, from the same Committee of
the debts of the Commonwealth, which sum of money will
lessen the debt of the Commonwealth for so much as they
come unto. The which Report was delivered in writing at
the table and read. (fn. 5)
Resolved, that this paper of debts owing to the Corn
monwealth, be referred to the consideration of a Grand Committee of the whole House; who are also to consider how the
arrears of the Armies and Navies may be speedily satisfied.
Resolved, that the House be forthwith resolved into a
Grand Committee to consider of the premises, and also concerning the particulars and the accounts reported by Mr.
Scawen on Saturday last, (fn. 6) and other particulars.
Mr. Speaker left the chair.
Mr. Reynolds took the chair.
Mr. Speaker resumed the chair.
Upon the report of Mr. Reynolds,
Resolved, that the Grand Committee of the whole House
have leave to sit upon the business referred to them, to-morrow morning, at eight o'clock, and that Mr. Speaker do
then forbear coming to the chair until eleven o'clock; till
which time the House is adjourned.
The House rose at one o'clock. (fn. 7)
The Committee of Privileges sat.
Mr. Hewley was in the chair.
It was upon the business of Southwark, between Thompson and Lenthall, and a brewer, Colonel Rich and others; a
very foul election. Thompson sits, the brewer is dead, Lenthall's election voted null, and so I think will the whole be.
Baynes managed it for Rich. Mr. Hewley tells me Baynes
is a most plundering fellow.
The Committee for Mr. Serjeant Wylde against Lord
Widdrlngton (fn. 8) sat in the Inner Court of Wards, and heard
Wylde's title.
Mr. Bacon was in the chair.
The Committee for ministers' maintenance (fn. 9) met and adjourned till Thursday.
The Committee for Wales (fn. 10) sat in the Exchequer Chamber.
Lord Lambert's Committee (fn. 11) sat in the Court of Wards.