House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 30 January 1658

Saturday, the 30th of January, 1657.

Fish Trade.

COLONEL Cock reports from the Committee of Trade, to whom, by Order of the Twenty-eighth of January Instant, it was referred to look into the Act of this present Parliament giving Licence for transporting Fish in Foreign Bottoms; and to give an Account thereof to the House; and to consider of the Bonds taken for Payment of the Duty appointed by the said Act, by Englishmen; and the Recognisances entered into, in his Highness' Exchequer, upon Writs of Delivery issued from that Court upon Seizures of the said Fish; the Opinion of the said Committee, That the said Bonds and Recognisances may be cancelled, and made void; there being no former Law nor Usage requiring the same.

An Act, intituled, An Act, giving Licence for transporting Fish in Foreign Bottoms, was this Day read.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the said Committee, That all Bonds taken of English Merchants, for any Duty to be paid by them by virtue of the late Act of this present Parliament giving Licence for transporting Fish in Foreign Bottoms, for any Fish laden by any such English Merchants lading any Fish in the Bottoms of this Commonwealth, and manned with the People of the same, be made void, and delivered up to the respective Persons, who have entered into any of the said Bonds, their Heirs or Assigns, to be cancelled; and that all Recognisances entered into, in his Highness' Exchequer, by any Persons, upon any Writ or Writs of Delivery issued out of the said Court, for restoring any Fish, or Ships laded by English Merchants, in any the Bottoms of this Commonwealth, and manned with the People of the same, for not Payment of the Duty by the aforesaid Act appointed to be paid by Englishmen, be likewise made void, and cancelled.

Colonel Cock further reported from the said Committee, A Bill giving Licence for transporting Fish in Foreign Bottoms, and for Foreigners to lade Fish in Ships and Bottoms of this Commonwealth, manned with the People of the same: The which was this Day read the First time.

Resolved, That this Bill be read again the Second time on this Day Sevennight.

Members summoned.

Resolved, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do go, with the Mace, into Westminster-Hall; and require the Members to give their Attendance in this House.

The House, according to the Order Yesterday, resumed the Debate concerning an Answer to be returned to the Message from the Other House.

Resolved, That the First Thing to be debated shall be the Appellation of the Persons to whom the Answer shall be made.

Resolved, That this Debate be adjourned till Monday Morning, at Ten of the Clock, after the Calling of the House.

The House adjourned till Monday Morning, at Eight of the Clock.