Thursday, the 28th of May, 1657.
Northern Borders.
MR. Downing reports Amendments to the Bill for
the better Suppressing of Theft upon the Borders
of England and Scotland, and securing the good and
honest People against all Felonies, and other Misdemeanors, daily committed in these Parts: Which were twice
read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.
Resolved, That the Blank, not to return after transported to some of the Plantations, be filled up with the
Word "Seven."
Resolved, That the Blank for the Penalty be filled up
with the Word "Felony."
Resolved, That this Bill, thus amended, shall be ingrossed.
Postage.
A Bill for the Settling of the Postage of England,
Scotland, and Ireland, was this Day read the First time;
and, upon the Question, ordered to be read again Tomorrow Morning.
Popish Recusants.
Mr. Bedford reports Amendments to the Bill, intituled,
An Act for Discovering, Convicting, and Repressing of
Popish Recusants: Which were twice read.
The Bill, which was delivered in with these Amendments, wanted the Outside Sheet; whereupon the Entry
was made, by the Clerk, of the First and Second Reading
of this Bill: Whereof Notice being taken by the Clerk,
and the House acquainted therewith, the Reporter excused
the same, as being miscarried with long carrying it up
and down: But withdrew; and brought in a Sheet, with
the Endorsement of the Title of this Bill, and this Entry
upon it;
"Read the First time, 29 Novemb. 1656."
"Read the Second time, 3 Decemb. 1656."
Which was, by Leave of the House, added to the old
Bill again.
Resolved, That this Debate be adjourned till Tomorrow Morning; and nothing to intervene.
Blake's Victory over Spaniards.
Mr. Secretary acquaints the House with the good
Success the Lord hath been pleased to vouchsafe to the
Fleet of this Nation, under the Command of General
Blake, at the Port of Santa Cruse, on the Island of
Teneriffe, on Monday the Twentieth of April last; at
which time the said Fleet fell in among Five or Six
Galleons; whereof were Admiral, Vice-Admiral, and
Rear-Admiral, with their Standard and Flag aloft; and
other considerable Ships, making up the Number of
Sixteen; some having Goods brought from the Indies still
on board them; others had taken in Goods and Provisions
to carry back again; most of them furnished with Brass
Ordnance; and their full Companies of Seamen and
Soldiers kept continually on board them; where all the said
Ships were sunk, blown up, or destroyed: The Particulars
whereof are contained in a Narrative now delivered in by
Mr. Secretary: Which was read.
Ordered, That Wednesday next be set apart for a Day of
Publick Thanksgiving within the Cities of London and
Westminster, and the late Lines of Communication, and
Weekly Bills of Mortality, for the marvellous Goodness
of God to this Nation, in preserving the Fleet of this
Commonwealth in their late Action at Santa Cruz, in the
Island of Teneriff, under General Blake, and giving them
great Success against the Ships of the King of Spaine.
Resolved, That Mr. Manton be desired to preach before
the Parliament on that Day: And that Mr. Secretary do
acquaint him therewith.
Resolved, That Mr. Carter be desired to preach before
the Parliament on that Day: And that Colonel Jones do
acquaint him therewith.
Resolved, That the House do keep the said Day of
Thanksgiving at Margarett's Church Westminster.
Ordered, That the Narrative now read be printed and
published, with the Order of the House for the Day of
Thanksgiving.
Resolved, That his Highness' Consent be desired hereunto.
Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to attend
his Highness, to desire his Consent to the Day of Thanksgiving: Viz. Mr. Secretary, Colonel Phil. Jones, Lord
Strickland, Lord Chief-Justice Glyn, Mr. Godfrey, Sir
Wm. Strickland, Sir Lislebone Long, Mr. Whitegrave,
Mr. Grove, Sir Tho. Honeywood, Sir Richard Onsloe:
To meet, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the
Speaker's Chamber.
Resolved, That it be offered to his Highness, as the
Desire of the Parliament, That his Highness will be pleased
to appoint a Jewel, of the Value of Five hundred Pounds,
to be provided, and bestowed on General Blake, as a
Mark of Honour, and a Testimony of his Highness' and
the Parliament's Resentment of his eminent and faithful
Services for this Commonwealth.
Resolved, That a hundred Pounds be given to Captain
Story, as a Reward for his good News brought from the
Fleet.
Ordered, That this Committee that is to attend his
Highness touching the Day of Thanksgiving, do present
his Highness with these Votes touching the Jewel for
General Blake, and the Hundred Pounds to Captain Story,
and desire his Highness, That he will be pleased to give
Order, That the same may be performed, accordingly.
Ordered, That a Letter be written to General Blake,
from this House, to give him, and the Officers of the
Fleet under him, the Thanks of this House; and to
signify their good Acceptance, and great Esteem they
have of their eminent Service in this late Action: And
that Mr. Secretary and Mr. Downing do prepare a Letter
for that Purpose.
Privilege.
The House being acquainted, that one Michaell
Beavor, an Attorney at Law, hath taken out Process
against Vincent Den Esquire, a Member of this House;
and hath proceeded thereupon, notwithstanding he knew
the said Mr. Den to be a Member of this House, and
promised to desist;
Ordered, That Michael Beavor be sent for, as a Delinquent, for his Contempt, in Breach of the Privilege of
this House.
Assessment for Scotland.
A Bill for Raising of Fifteen thousand Pounds in
Scotland was this Day read the First time; and, upon
the Question, ordered to be read the Second time on
Saturday Morning next.