House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 21 June 1650

Die Veneris, 21 Junii, 1650.

Prayers.

Judges to go Circuits.

ORDERED, That it be referred to the Lords Commissioners for the Great Seal, to nominate and appoint such of the Judges to go the several Circuits, as they shall think best for the Service of the Commonwealth: And that such Judges as shall be by them appointed to ride Circuits in their own Counties pro hac vice, shall not thereby incur any Penalty imposed by the Act of Parliament on that Behalf.

Justices of Peace, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to a Committee, to collect the several Statutes and Ordinances of Parliament, concerning Justices of the Peace, and the Administration of Justice; and forthwith to present such of them to the Parliament, as they shall think fit, to be bound up in one Volume, and printed: Viz. unto Mr. Miles Corbett, Mr. Solicitor General, Lord Commissioner Whitelock, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Blagrave, Mr. Darley, Mr. Long, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Fell, Lord Commissioner Lisle, Mr. Garland, Mr. John Corbett, Mr. Lechmere, and all the Lawyers of the House; or any Three of them: Who are to meet this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber; and so de die in diem: And the Clerks are to attend this Committee.

And the particular Care hereof is referred to Mr. Garland and Mr. Darley.

Statutes and Ordinances.

Resolved, That it be referred to the same Committee, to revise all former Statutes and Ordinances now in Force; and consider as well which are fit to be continued, altered, or repealed, as how the same may be reduced into a more compendious Way, and exact Method, for the more Ease, and clearer Understanding, of the People: And this Committee shall have Power to advise with the Judges: and to send for, and to employ, and call to their Assistance herein, any other Persons whom they shall think fit, for the better Effecting thereof; and to prepare the same for the farther Consideration of this House; and to make report thereof: And the special Care hereof is committed to Mr. Solicitor General.

Universities.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for regulating the Universities, to examine what Officers of the said Universities, and what Masters, Fellows, and Officers, in the several Colleges, in the said respective Universities, neglect or refuse to take the Engagement, as by the late Act for taking the Engagement is directed: With Power to displace such Officers, Masters, and Fellows as abovesaid; and to place other able and fit Persons in the room and Place of such Persons so neglecting and refusing to take the Engagement, as aforesaid.

Cursing and Swearing.

Mr. Blagrave reports Amendments to the Act for punishing profane Cursing and Swearing: Which were twice read: And, after some alterations at the Table, the Amendments, being put to the Question, were assented unto; and ordered to be ingrossed.

Suppressing Ranters.

Mr. Weaver reports from a Committee, the several abominable Practices of a Sect called Ranters.

He also reports some Heads of a Book called, "A Single Eye."

Resolved, That this House doth approve of what that Committee hath done in committing of James Claphamson.

Resolved, That this Committee hath Power, in the Examination of this Business, to secure or commit such Persons as they shall see Cause.

Resolved, That the House do fit on Monday next, notwithstanding the former Order.

Resolved, That it be referred to this Committee, to prepare a Bill, to be presented to the House, for suppressing and punishing these abominable Opinions and Practices; and to make the same Offences capital; and to be brought in on Monday next: And Mr. Weaver is to take care of it: And all that come, to have Voices.-

Caius and Gunville Col.

Resolved, That the Act touching Caius and Gunvill College be reported on This-day-sevennight.-

Obnoxious Publication.

Ordered, That it be referred to the same Committee, to consider of the printed Pamphlet, intituled, "A Single Eye;" and to endeavour the Finding out of the Author, Printer, and Publisher thereof; and to report their Opinions therein to the House.

Army.

Colonel Jones reports from the Council of State, "That a Commissary for Victuals may be allowed and appointed for the Marching Army: And that the said Commissary may be allowed an Assistant, and Two Clerks: And that Pay may be established for them according to the Establishment for Ireland."

"That Three Waggons be added to the Train, for the Use of the Lord Lieutenant."

"That a Regiment of Foot be forthwith raised in Lancashire, for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, under such Officers as he shall please to appoint."

Resolved, That a Commissary for Victuals be allowed and appointed for the Marching Army: And that the said Commissary be allowed an Assistant, and Two Clerks: And that Pay be established for them, according to the Establishment for Ireland.

Resolved, That Three Waggons be added to the Train for the Use of the Lord Lieutenant.

Resolved, That a Regiment of Foot be forthwith raised in Lancashire, for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, under such Officers as he shall please to appoint.

Resolved, That the Regiment of Foot to be raised in Lancashire be continued until the Parliament, or Council of State, shall otherwise order: And that it be referred to the Council of State, and the Committee of the Army, to take care of the Payment of that Regiment, according to the Establishment, while they shall be so continued.

House to sit.

Resolved, That the House do sit To-morrow, notwithstanding the former Order.

Officers.

Resolved, That it be referred to the General, and to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lieutenant General of the Army, to consider of what Officers are necessary to be added to the Army, during this Expedition only; and to present them to the Council of State: Who are hereby impowered to allow of them; and to give Order for Payment of such Officers, according to the Establishment; or to report the same to the House.

Col. Harrison.

Sir Gilbert Pickering reports from the Council of State, "That it is the Opinion of this Council, That Colonel Harrison be appointed to be a Commander in Chief of such Forces as are appointed for the Security of these Parts, in the Absence of the Lord General, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lieutenant General of the Army, and in Subordination unto them."

Resolved, That Colonel Harrison be appointed to be Commander in Chief of such Forces as are appointed for the Security of these Parts, in the Absence of the Lord General, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lieutenant General of the Army, and in Subordination to them.

Letter read.

A Letter from Mr. George Fisher, from Madrid, of the Ninth of June 1650, was this Day read.

Resolved, That this Letter be referred to the Council of State.