House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 6 January 1655

Saturday, the 6th of January, 1654.

Prayers.

Settling the Government.

COLONEL Mathews reports from the Committee to whom the Clause touching the Penalty on the Chancellor, Lord Keeper, and Lords Commissioners for the Great Seal, for not sending forth Writs, &c. was referred, Some Additions and Amendments to the Clause committed.

Resolved, That Colonel Mathews do also report, The Clause prepared, touching the Election of a Parliament, in Default of the Issuing of Writs of Summons, albeit the same were not ordered by the Committee to be reported: All which were now twice read.

Resolved, That these Words, "in hæc verba," be omitted; and, instead thereof, these Words be inserted; viz. "in these Words."

Resolved, That, in the Form of the Oath to be taken by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Keeper, &c. after the Words "I will," these Words be added, "to the utmost of my Power."

Resolved, That, instead of these Words, "Clerk of the Commonwealth," these Words be inserted: viz.

"Two Chief Justices, and the Chief Baron, for the Time being, or one of them."

And this Clause, so amended, was, upon the Question, agreed; and ordered to be Part of the Bill.

The next Amendment being read;

Resolved, That the Word "wilful" be inserted into the Clause, next before the Words "Neglect and Failure."

And the whole Clause, so amended, being put to the Question, was agreed; and ordered to be Part of the Bill; the First Blank being filled up with the Word "Ten," and the Second Blank with the Word "Forty."

The next Clause in the Amendments was read; and the Word "wilful" being inserted, next before the Word "Neglect;" the same was, upon the Question, agreed; and ordered to be Part of the Bill.

The last Paper of Amendments being read, was, upon the Question, agreed.

A Proviso was tendered to be added to this Bill, in these Words; viz. "Provided, that the usual Place for Election of Knights for the County of Sussex, is hereby declared to be the Borough of Lewis: Which was read the First and Second time; and these Words, viz. "within the Meaning and Intention of this Act," being inserted in this Proviso, next after the Word "Sussex;" by Order, upon the Question, the Proviso was agreed; and ordered to be Part of the Bill.

Eodem Die, post Meridiem.

Settling the Government.

THE Question being put, To agree that the Clause in the Bill for the Government, for maintaining of Ten thousand Horse and Twenty thousand Foot in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for Defence and Security thereof, &c. be Part of this Bill;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That Candles be brought in.

Resolved, That a Title be given to this Act.

Resolved, That the Debate concerning what Title shall be given to this Act, be adjourned until Monday Morning.