House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 20 February 1649

Die Martis, 20 Februarii, 1648.

Prayers.

London Common Council.

AN Act for removing Obstructions in the Proceedings of the Court of Common Council of the City of London was this Day read the Third Time: And, upon the Question, the Debate thereupon was adjourned till Friday next.

Scotch Affairs.

The Title to be prefixed to the Declaration, read on Saturday last, was this Day read in these Words, "A Declaration of the Parliament of England, in Answer to the late Letters, sent to them from the Commissioners of Scotland:" and, upon the Question, agreed unto; and ordered to be the Title to the said Declaration.

Impressing Seamen.

Commissary General Ireton reports some Amendments to an Act for impresting of Seamen and Mariners for the next Summer's Fleet: Which were twice read; and, upon the Question, committed unto Commissary General Ireton, Mr. Corbett, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Calloner, Colonel Wauton; or any Three of them: Who are presently to withdraw; and report the same to the House forthwith.

Navy.

Mr. Miles Corbett reports from the Committee of the Navy, That the Committee of Merchants have contracted for Four Merchant Ships to serve in the next Summer's Fleet; viz. with Thomas Cheney, for the Ship called the Exchange, of London, whereof he is Master; with William Copping, for the Elizabeth, of London; with Richard Wilsheire, for the Jonas of London; and with John Hosier, for the Ship Magdalen, of London, whereof he is Master.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the said Four Ships to go with the said Four Masters to serve in the next Summer's Fleet.

Admiralty.

The Lord Grey reports from the Council of State, their Opinion for repeal of the Ordinance constituting the Earl of Warwick Lord High Admiral: And that the Commission under the Great Seal, making the Earl of Warwick Lord High Admiral of England, be called in.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Council of State herein: And that an Act be brought in, for repealing the said Ordinance, and making void the said Commission: And that it be referred to the Committee of the Navy to prepare the said Act: And Mr. Miles Corbett is to take the especial Care thereof; and to bring it in To-morrow Morning: And the same Committee is also to bring in an Act to empower the Commissioners that are to go to Sea, to Command the Fleet, with such other fitting Powers for the Service of the Commonwealth, as they shall think fit: And Mr. Miles Corbett is likewise to take care hereof.

Ordered, That it be recommended to the Council of State, to take care that, by the repealing of the Power of the Lord Admiral, no Prejudice may come to the Commonwealth.

Ordered, That the Council of State shall have and exercise all such Power and Authority, as any Lord Admiral, or Commissioners of the Admiralty, have had, or ought to have had and exercised.

Invalid Soldiers, &c.

Mr. Allen reports from the Committee appointed to treat with the Treasurers at Goldsmiths and Weavers Hall, for raising Money for the maimed and sick Soldiers, That the remaining Part of the Fifty thousand Pounds formerly payable to the Scotts, being to be paid to the Navy; the Committee propose, that the last Three thousand Pounds of that Fifty thousand Pounds be paid to the Relief of the said maimed and sick Soldiers; or that an Act may be made for Three thousand Pounds to be raised, next after the Fifty thousand Pounds, before any other Sums charged upon that Treasury at Goldsmiths Hall be paid.

Ordered, That the last Three thousand Pounds of the Remainder of the First Fifty thousand Pounds, which was payable to the Scotts, and is now transferred to the Use of the Navy, shall be a Credit for raising Three thousand Pounds for the maimed Soldiers.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy have Power to give the like Allowance, for Advance, to godly and pious Ministers, that are to go in the Navy now to go forth, as was done the last Year.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to raise Money by Sale of the Crown Jewels, Hangings, and other Goods of the late King: And that the first Three thousand Pounds that shall be raised thereby, shall be paid unto the Treasurer of Goldsmiths Hall, in Satisfaction of the last Three thousand Pounds of the Remainder of the first Fifty thousand Pounds, formerly payable to the Scotts, which is assigned for the Use of the Navy; and which is appointed to be a Credit for raising Three thousand Pounds for the sick and maimed Soldiers: And the Residue of the Money to be raised by such Sale, shall be accompted for to the Use of the Commonwealth, as this House shall appoint: And that the Committee that had the Charge of the Crown and Jewels, &c. be joined to the Committee of the Navy as to this Purpose.

House of Lords and Monarchy.

Ordered, That the Acts for taking away the House of Lords, and for taking away Kingship, be brought in Tomorrow Morning.

Abolishing Deans and Chapters.

An Act for the Abolishing of Deans and Chapters, &c. within the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, was this Day read the Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Commissary General Ireton, Lieutenant General Cromwell, Sir Wm. Massam, Mr. Blakiston, Colonel Harrison, Mr. Martyn, Mr. Rowse, Sir Wm. Brewerton, Mr. Scott, Mr. Allen, Dr. Palmer, Colonel Jones, Mr. Heveningham, Sir Michael Livesey, Mr. Feilder, Mr. Anlaby, Mr. Smith, Mr. Lechmere, Mr. Dixwell, Mr. Hill, Mr. John Corbett, Mr. Pury, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. James Challenor, Colonel Harrison; and to the former Committee appointed to raise Three hundred thousand Pounds out of the Dean and Chapters Lands: To meet Tomorrow at Two of the Clock, in the Queen's Court: And the Care of it is recommended to Mr. John Corbett and Mr. Pury: And that the same Committee do bring in the Names of Trustees, and Contractors, and other Officers, for Sale of the Lands; and present the same to House.

Army.

Ordered, That the General be desired to grant Commissions to Colonel Reynolds, and other Commission Officers of his Regiment.

Impresting Seamen.

Ordered, That, the Act for Encouragement of Officers and Mariners, and impresting Seamen, be read the first Business, To-morrow Morning.