House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 28 December 1652

Tuesday, the 28th of December, 1652.

Prayers.

Correspondence with Holland.

LORD Commissioner Whitelock reports from the Council of State, Copies of several Letters from Amsterdam and Roterdam: Which were this Day read.

Forged Debentures.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to receive such Propositions as shall be offered for Discovery of forged Debentures; and for preventing Deceit by Debentures, for the future.

Seditious Pamphlets.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take care for suppressing the weekly Pamphlets, or any other Books, that go out to the Dishonour of the Parliament, and Prejudice of the Commonwealth; And also to examine the Authors, Printers, and Publishers of the Books called Mercurius Britannicus, and the Scout, or any other Books of that Nature: And that they have Power to imprison the Offenders, and to inflict such other Punishment on them as they shall think fit: And Mr. Scott is to take especial Care hereof.

Printing.

Ordered, That the Amendments to the Bill for Printing be reported on Friday Morning next.

Prohibiting Correspondence with Holland.

Ordered, That the Amendments to the Bill for prohibiting Intelligence with Holland be reported on Thursday next.

Hemp Manufacture.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to consider what Proportion of Hemp they can take off yearly for the Provision of the Shipping of the State; and at what Prices; and likewise what Encouragement is fit to be given to the Sowing of Hemp; and of some Declaration to be made to encourage that Manufacture in this Nation; and report their Opinions therein to the Parliament.

Navy Committee.

Ordered, That Mr. Henry Nevill be added to the Committee of the Navy.

Sale of late King's Property.

Mr. Garland reports from the Committee, The Amendments to the Bill for Sale of several Parks and Houses, lately belonging to the King, Queen, and Prince: Which were this Day twice read.

The Question being propounded, to agree to the Amendment; viz. "the Hare Warren and Meadows;"

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed with the Negative.

Ordered, That this Debate be resumed To-morrow Morning, the first Business.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom this Bill was referred, do consider of a Clause to be inserted into this Bill, for Sale of Reversions and Remainders vested and remaining in the Crown: And that the Lord Chief Baron Wilde do prepare, and bring in, the said Clause, accordingly, To-morrow Morning.

Embassy from France.

The Lord Commissioner Whitelock reports, An Answer to be given to the Speech of the Publick Minister of the French King: Which was this Day read.

The Question being put, That it stands "the French King," as it is brought, in the Answer;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That it be amended, and made "the King of France."

The said Answer, so amended, being put to the Question, was agreed unto.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to deliver this Answer to the Publick Minister of the King of France, in such manner as they shall think sit.