House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 7 May 1651

Wednesday, the 7th of May, 1651.

Prayers.

Transactions with Portugall.

THE House this Day resumed the Debate upon the Answer returned by the publick Minister of Portugall to the last Paper sent to him from the Council of State, the Twenty-sixth of April 1651.

The Paper sent from the Council of State to the Publick Minister of Portugall, dated the Twenty-sixth of April 1651, was this Day read.

The Question being put, That this Answer, returned by the Publick Minister of Portugall, is satisfactory;

It passed with the Negative.

The Question being put, That there be a Proceeding in a Treaty for Peace before the Performance of the Two first Preliminary Articles, and Security given for Performance of the Four other Articles;

It passed with the Negative.

The Clause in the final Demands sent to the Publick Minister of Portugall by the Council of State, touching the Cessation of Acts of Hostility, was this Day read.

Resolved, That the Parliament doth adhere to, and insist upon, this Clause.

Resolved, That this further Addition be made; viz. "That, from and after such time as it shall be certified to the Parliament, That the Two first Preliminary Articles are performed, and Security given for the Performance of the Four other Articles, a Treaty shall begin for concluding and settling a firm Peace between England and Portugall, upon such Articles of Peace as shall be just and honourable, and for the Good of both Nations, in order to Trade and Commerce."

Resolved, That these Words, "and other Fruits of Peace," be added to the former Vote.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That it be referred to the Council of State, to communicate these Resolutions of Parliament to the Publick Minister of Portugall; and to demand from him a positive and clear Answer to these and the former Resolutions of Parliament, to which his Answer is not satisfactory; to be by him returned to the Council within Three Days after the same shall be sent to him: With Power to the said Council, That, if the said Publick Minister shall come up fully and clearly to the said Resolutions, then to settle both the Manner and Time of the Performance; and, if the said Publick Minister shall not return such Answer by that Time limited, then to report the same to the Parliament, that such further Order may be taken, as they shall think sit.

Mr. Scot, by way of Report from the Council . . State, acquaints the House with the Grounds why the Council have secured the Persons of divers Ministers, and others, in the City of London.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That it be referred to the Council of State, to proceed in the Examination of this Business; and to secure such of the Persons as they shall think fit; and to prepare the Evidence, and give Direction, for the Tryal of such of them as they shall find most Capital, by the High Court of Justice.