House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 6 November 1646

Die Veneris, 6 Novembris, 1646.

Prayers.

ORdered, That, next immediately after that the Instructions for the Surveyors, and the Contractors, shall be reported and determined, that Sir Henry Vane senior do make his Reports: And that, if he cannot make his Reports this Day, that then he make them To-morrow Morning, the first Business.

Mr. Samuel Brown reports Instructions for the Surveyors of the late Archbishops Lands, and Bishops Lands, which are to be surveyed: And likewise Instructions for the Contractors for Sale of the said Lands.

The which were twice read.

In the Second Instruction concerning the Surveyors, in the Third Line, these Words, "both Houses of Parliament," to be omitted; and, instead thereof, these Words, "the Contractors, or any Four of them," upon the Question, added (fn. 1).

Resolved, &c. That, in the Seventh Instruction concerning the Surveyors, in the Fourth Line, the Word "Premises" be omitted; and, instead thereof, these Words, "Lands surveyed, or to be surveyed, by himself," be added.

And then the Seventh Instruction, so amended, upon the Question, assented unto: And

It is Resolved, &c. That no Surveyor, or any his Child or Children, or any in Trust for him or them, shall be admitted to be a Purchaser of any Part of the Lands surveyed, or to be surveyed, by himself, upon Pain of losing his or their Purchase-Money, and the Purchase to be void.

In the First Instruction concerning the Contractors, in the First Line, between the Word "sworn," and the Word "according," to add these Words, "before the Trustees, or any Three of them;" and, before the Word "or," in the Fourth Line, to add the Word "Reward;" and, at the End of the said Instruction, to add these Words, "which said Trustees, or any Three of them, are hereby authorized to administer the said Oath accordingly."

Resolved, &c. That the House do take into further Consideration the Values, after which the Bishops Lands shall be sold for, in Possession, and in Reversion, for Lives, or for Years, the first Business, To-morrow Morning.

Resolved, &c. That all Committees that are sine die, by reason of the Sitting of the House, and of the Grand Committee, in the Afternoons, be revived; and do meet this Afternoon.

Resolved, &c. That the Contractors shall be sworn before the Trustees, or any Three of them, according to their best Skill and Knowledge, faithfully to discharge the Trust committed to them: And that they shall not, for Favour, Affection, Reward, or Hope of Reward, break the same Trust: Which said Trustees, or any Three of them, are hereby authorized to administer the said Oath accordingly.