House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 11 January 1650

Die Veneris, 11 Januarii, 1649.

Prayers.

Probate of Wills.

RESOLVED, That the Bill for Probate of Wills be read on This-day-sevennight, the first Business, and nothing to intervene.

Removing Papists from London.

Resolved, That the House do now proceed upon the Report of the Amendments to the Bill for prohibiting Papists and Malignants from staying in the City of London, or within the late Lines of Communication.

Sir Arthur Hesilrig reports Amendments to the Bill prohibiting Papists and Malignants from staying within the City of London, and late Lines of Communication: Which were this Day read the First and Second time.

And upon the Question, the Bill was re-committed to the same Committee: And that the same be brought in on Thursday next.

Sufferers in Tower Street.

Ordered, That the Lords Commissioners for the Great Seal of England be authorized and required to grant a Patent, under the Great Seal of England, for a Collection to be made within the City of London, and Liberties thereof, and late Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality, for Relief of the several Persons whose Houses were destroyed and spoiled with the late lamentable able Accident which happened in Tower Street.

Resolved, That Two hundred Pounds be forthwith advanced for the present Relief of the Persons now in Want, by occasion of the late Accident.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Haberdashers Hall, forthwith to pay the Sum of Two hundred Pounds, for the Relief of the most Necessitous of the poor Persons, whose Houses were, by the late sad Accident, destroyed and spoiled, in Tower-street, out of the first Monies that cometh to their Hands, unto Alderman Foulk, Mr. John Greensmyth, Mr. Wm. Greaves senior, Wm. Graves junior, Mr. George Stoniar, Mr. Robert Waklon, Mr. Barnard Hopkins, or to any Three of them: And that the said Committee do reimburse themselves the said Two hundred Pounds out of the Two thousand Pounds Fine formerly imposed on Mr. Abraham Raynaldson, late Alderman of London: And the said whole Fine of Two thousand Pounds out of the Estate of the said Mr. Raynardson; and, after they have reimbursed themselves the said Two hundred Pounds, to pay the Residue of the said Fine of Two thousand Pounds according as was formerly appointed by Order of this House.

Irish Sufferers.

Mr. Trenchard reports from the Committee for the poor Irish Women, touching the Five hundred Pounds to be disposed amongst them.

Ordered, by the Parliament, That it be referred to the said Committee, and the said Committee are hereby impowered and authorized, to dispose of the said Five hundred Pounds to such of the poor Irish Women as they shall find more necessitous, and think most sit to be relieved: And that Alderman Andrewes do, upon the Orders of the said Committee, pay the said Five hundred Pounds accordingly: And the Acquittance or Acquittances of the said Persons shall be a sufficient Discharge in that Behalf.

Russia Trade.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to prepare a Letter to be sent to the Emperor of Russia, touching Trade and Commerce to be continued to the English Merchants: And that Mr. Speaker be authorized and impowered to sign such Letter, as shall be so prepared accordingly.

East India Company.

Colonel Hutchinson reports from the Council of State, touching the Company of Merchants trading into the East India, Levant, and Eastland, as followeth:

That it be reported to the House, That several Companies of Merchants, especially those of the East India, Levant, and Eastland Trade, taking notice of a Power given to this Council, for Encouragement and Advance of Trade, have made their Addresses unto us for something by them offered, with their Desires to have granted as tending to that End, which carry with them some Restraint to general Liberty of Trade: This Council, conceiving such Grants and Restraints, if they shall be judged necessary, to be proper for the Parliament, have thought fit to represent the same to their Consideration, that some speedy Course may be taken in it, the Business being of very great Weight; the Recovery and Establishment of these Trades, or the Loss thereof, depending, as it is represented, upon something to be done therein with all Expedition.

Ordered, That an Act be prepared, and brought in, for settling Commissioners as a standing Council, for Ordering and Regulating of Trade, in all Parts of this Nation: With Powers and Instructions for Ordering and Regulating of Trade for the best Advantage of the Commonwealth: And that Mr. Thomas Challener and Major Salwey take care hereof; and bring it in This-day-sevennight.

Adjournment.

Ordered, That, at the Rising of the House, Mr. Speaker do adjourn the House until Tuesday Morning next, Eight of Clock.

East India Trade.

Ordered, That the Debate touching the East India Trade, and whether the same shall be carried on by one joint Stock; and how, and in what manner; be taken up This-day-sevennight.

Excise.

Ordered, That the Report touching the Excise be made on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business.

The House adjourned itself until Tuesday Morning next, at Eight of Clock, according to former Order.