The Diary of Thomas Burton: 11 March 1656-7

Diary of Thomas Burton Esq: Volume 1, July 1653 - April 1657. Originally published by H Colburn, London, 1828.

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'The Diary of Thomas Burton: 11 March 1656-7', in Diary of Thomas Burton Esq: Volume 1, July 1653 - April 1657, (London, 1828) pp. 385-386. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/burton-diaries/vol1/pp385-386 [accessed 23 April 2024]

Wednesday, March 11, 1656–7. (fn. 1)

The fifth article was read,

Resolved, that these words, "that your Highness will consent that none be called to sit and vote in the other House, but such as are not disabled, but qualified, according to the qualifications mentioned in the former article," be part of this Remonstrance.

Resolved, that these words, "and that they exceed not seventy in number, nor be under the number of forty," be part of this remonstrance.

The question being propounded, that the quorum of the other House shall be one and thirty,

And the question being put, that that question be now put,

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

Yeas 58, Major Burtonand Colonel Clarke, Tellers.

Noes 96, Mr. Throgmorton and Mr. Jenkinson Tellers.

So it passed in the negative.

Resolved, that the quorum of that House shall be one and twenty.

Resolved that the Lord Protector be pleased to nominate the persons to sit in the other House.

Resolved that the persons so nominated by the Lord Protector, shall be approved of by this House, nemine contradicente. (fn. 2)

Footnotes

  • 1. Journals.
  • 2. The following passage, though not Parliamentary, is worthy of being recorded, as soldiers, accustomed to wield the argument of force, rather than to ascertain the force of argument, are not often to he distinguished among the patrons of learning:— "From Dublin, March 10. The soldiery, at a full meeting of officers, at the head quarters, nemine contradicente, have purchased that great magazine of learning, the late eminent Primate of Armagh's library, the benefit of which action, as it will tend to make posterity rise up and call them blessed, so will it sufficiently vindicate them from some false reports raised upon them, and give the inhabitants of Ireland hopes to see the ancient renown of this place restored, which hath so long lain buried in the grave made by the ignorance and barbarism of later times."—Mercurius Politicus, No. 353. The Primate died in London, March, 21st, 1655–6. Dr. Aikin says, "It had been Usher's intention to bequeath his valuable library, consisting of nearly 10,000 books and MSS. to Dublin College, as a token of his affection to his Alma Mater; but the disasters of the times having nearly stripped him of all his property, he thought it his duty to make this the portion of his daughter, who had hitherto received nothing from him, and was the mother of a large family." The soldiery paid 2200l. for the library, "with the purpose of presenting it to the body, for which it had been originally destined. When, however, the books arrived in Ireland, a project was adopted of keeping them apart, as the library of a new college or hall, which there was an intention of founding at Dublin; and in the mean time, they were lodged in the castle. There they lay, subjected to various depredations, when Charles II. bestowed them upon Dublin College, of the library of which they still continue a very conspicuous part." See "Lives of Selden and Usher." (1812) pp. 300, 301.
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