House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 16 April 1659

Saturday, the 16th of April, 1659.

Prayers.

Leave of Absence.

RESOLVED, &c. That Mr. William Lisle, one of the Members of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight.

Quakers.

A Paper, written on the Outside thereof with these Words; namely, "For the Speaker of the Commons, assembled in Parliament: These are for him to read to the House of Commons;" was this Day read: And, upon the Reading thereof, the same, amongst other things, referred to another Paper, intituled, "A Declaration to the Parliament, &c. delivered the Sixth Day of the Second Month called April1659, to the then Speaker of the said House." The said Papers were presented by certain Persons, who are commonly called Quakers.

Resolved, &c. That the Answer to be given to the Paper now read, and the Paper thereby referred to, be as followeth; viz. That this House hath read their Paper; and doth declare their Dislike of the Scandals thereby cast upon Magistracy and Ministry; and doth therefore order, that they do forthwith resort to their respective Habitations, and there apply themselves to their Callings; and submit themselves to the Laws of the Nation, and the Magistracy they live under.

The Question being put, That the Serjeant at Arms, attending this House, do return the aforesaid Answer to the Persons that presented the aforesaid Papers to the House;

It passed with the Negative.

The Serjeant by the Command of the House, was directed to call in Thomas Moore, John Crook, and Edward Byllyng, Three of the Persons that signed the Paper mentioned to be delivered the Sixth of this instant April, to receive the said Answer at the Bar of the House; and to take off their Hats, before they come within the Door of the House: And, Thomas Moore being absent, the said John Crook and Edward Byllyng were brought in to the Bar, with their Hats off: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, declared to them, standing at the Bar, the aforesaid Answer, accordingly.

Resolved, &c. That the Clerk do take care, that the Answer given by the House this Day to the Papers presented to the House by the Persons commonly called Quakers, be forthwith printed.

Publick Revenue.

Mr. Scawen reports from the Committee for inspecting into the Accompts and Revenues of the Commonwealth, the Accompt formerly brought in, and by Order delivered back to the said Committee; in some Parts thereof altered and explained.

The said Alterations in the said Accompt were read: And the Accompt, as the same was now brought in, and altered, was as followeth; viz.

Out of which, the 11,400 £. to be paid by England for the Army in Scotland; and which, in the Year, comes to 148,200 £.; and 8,000 £. paid monthly by England for the Army in Ireland; which, by the Year, comes to 104,000 £.; in all, 252,200 £. as before in the Issues of England doth appear; being deducted,

A further Alteration, read, was as followeth; viz.

Besides what may be due to the Forces in Flanders.

The last Alteration was read; and was an Addition, under the Title of the Income of Scotland; and was in these Words; viz. "Memorandum, Since this Accompt was reported to the House, it doth appear to this Committee, That, by an Order of Eleventh of September 1656, by the Lord Protector and his Council, the Marquis of Arguile is to receive the Moiety of the Excise of Wines and Strong Water in Scotland, not exceeding Three thousand Pounds a Year, until he shall receive Twelve thousand One hundred and Sixteen Pounds Thirteen Shillings and Four-pence, in full of One hundred and Forty-five thousand Four hundred Pounds Scotch, with Interest; and, by the Auditors Certificate of Scotland, it appears, That the Marquis hath received, by a particular Order of the Lord Protector and Council, One thousand Pounds, Part thereof; and that there remains Eleven thousand One hundred and Sixteen Pounds Thirteen Shillings and Four-pence, upon which the Council of Scotland hath given no further Order for the Marquis's Satisfaction."

Resolved, &c. That the Consideration of this Accompt, with the Papers and Vouchers to maintain the same, be referred to a Grand Committee of the whole House; and they to report their Opinion thereupon to the House.

Resolved, &c. That it be likewise referred to the same Committee to consider, How the Charge of the Commonwealth may be retrenched; and how the Publick Revenue may be managed to the best Advantage.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the same Committee, to consider of the just Debts and Charges of the Armies and Navies of this Commonwealth; and how the same may be satisfied.

Resolved, &c. That Monday be the Day for the Grand Committee to sit for these Businesses.

Resolved, &c. That this House be resolved into a Grand Committee on Monday Morning next, for this Business: And that Mr. Speaker do then leave the Chair, accordingly, and that no other Business do then intervene.

Wells Writ.

Resolved, &c. That a new Writ be issued, for the Election of a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Wells in the County of Somerset, in the Place of Sir Lislebone Long Knight, lately deceased: And that Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Commonwealth in Chancery, for the Awarding of a new Writ, for the Election of a Citizen for the said City accordingly.

Leave of Absence.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Meredith, one of the Members of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight.

This House adjourns itself to Monday Morning, at Eight of the Clock.