House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 14 September 1653

Wednesday, the 14th of September, 1653.

Raising Money.

PROPOSALS humbly tendered to the Consideration of the Parliament, concerning the Raising of a considerable Sum of Money for the present Use of the Commonwealth, out of the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, and Sarke, were this Day read: Viz.

1. THAT the Lands, Rents, and other Revenues, of what Nature soever, formerly belonging to the late King, in the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, may be appointed and ordered to be sold.

And it is further proposed, that, seeing those Islands are far remote from England, that Contractors may be appointed there to effect the same.

2. That the Lands of Inheritance, Rents, and other Revenues whatsoever, formerly belonging to the late Sir Philip Carterett deceased, in the Islands of Jersey and Sarke; which Lands and Revenues, &c. he the said Sir Philip had, in his Life-time, forfeited for his Treasons and Rebellions against the Parliament and good People of England; and which accordingly were (by Two several Votes and Resolves of Parliament, dated the Fifth of June and 16th of July 1650) ordered to be sold; may at present be effected; seeing that the said Votes and Resolves have not, to this Day, been repealed, nor any thing obtained for the taking away, or pardoning, of his said Treasons or Rebellions, either by Articles of Surrender, or otherwise.

3. That the Lands of Inheritance, Rents, or other Revenues whatsoever, belonging to George Carterett (formerly called Sir George,) in the Island of Jersey, may likewise be ordered to be sold; seeing that he hath broken and forfeited the Benefit of the Articles of Surrender of Elizabeth Castle, by his Adherence, and private Counsels, which since he hath continued with Charles Stuart: And likewise for setting forth Frigates of War against this Commonwealth; whereof one of them was taken with the Fleet under the Command of the Duke of Vandosme, Admiral to the French King.

4. That the Lands of Inheritance, Rents, and other Revenues whatsoever, belonging to these notorious and capital Enemies of the Commonwealth, in the Isle of Jersey, whose Names are here under-written, which have been aiding and assisting to the late King, and Charles Stuart his Son, ever since the Beginning of the Wars of England until 1651, and which have no Benefit of Articles of Surrender, nor of any Pardons whatsoever, may likewise be appointed to be sold.

The Catalogue of their Names as followeth:

5. And it is further proposed, That the rest of the Inhabitants of the said Isle of Jersey, which are Delinquents, and have the yearly Value of Fifteen Pounds, and no Benefit of Articles, may compound for their Estate, as the Parliament shall think fit: And that all other, under the abovesaid Value, and which have not been inveterate Enemies against the Parliament and good People of England, may have the Mercy of the Parliament.

Ordered, by the Parliament, That it be referred to the Committee for raising Money, to consider of these Proposals; and to present their Opinion to the House, either by a Bill, or otherwise.

Embassy to Sweden.

Mr. Lawrence reports from the Council of State;

THAT the late Parliament, judging it fit to send an Ambassador Extraordinary into Sweden, did make Choice of the Lord Viscount Lisle to be sent thither upon the said Embassy: That, by reason of the Dissolution of the late Parliament, there was some Interruption given to the Lord Lisle's going upon his Employment for some time: But, as soon as some pressing Affairs were dispatched, which were then depending before the Council, his Lordship was desired to proceed: But his Lordship, finding himself, by want of Health, disabled to undertake the Work, did, in that respect, desire to be excused from going upon that Service: Whereupon the Council, finding it fit and necessary, upon many weighty Considerations, that an Embassy should be forthwith dispatched into Sweden; and also understanding of the good Intentions and Inclinations of that Queen to this Commonwealth; have had some Thoughts of pursuing former Resolutions concerning this Business, and also of a fit Person to be sent upon that Employment; and did thereupon pitch upon the Lord Commissioner Whitelock, as a Person fitly qualified to be sent Ambassador Extraordinary from this Commonwealth to the Queen of Sweden; and did order, that his Lordship should be sent unto, to be made acquainted therewith; and to know his Mind, as to his Acceptance of the same: In Answer to which, his Lordship declaring his Freeness to serve the Commonwealth in any Service he should be called to, and particularly in what was pro pounded to him from the Council, they have thereupon thought fit humbly to offer him to the Parliament, as a fit Person to be sent Ambassador Extraordinary from this Commonwealth to the Queen of Sweden, if the Parliament shall so think fit: And humbly submit it to their Consideration.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That an Ambassador Extraordinary be sent to the Queen of Sweden from this Commonwealth.

Resolved, That the House doth agree with this Report, that the Lord Commissioner Whitelock be sent Ambassador Extraordinary from this Commonwealth to the Queen of Sweden.

Resolved, That the Council of State do take Care, that the Attendants and Retinue of all Ambassadors, to be sent from this State, be such as shall be approved of by them, both for Number and Quality.

Ordered, That the Council of State do take Care to prepare all Things in order for Dispatch of the said Lord Ambassador; And that the Council do prepare a Commission and Instructions to be given to his Lordship, and report them to the House.

Delinquents Estates.

Colonel West reports from the Committee for Raising of Money, A Bill for Sale of certain Privileges and Powers of divers Persons, whose Estates, by former Acts of Parliament, are declared to be forfeited for Treason, and are thereby exposed to Sale: Which was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed to the said Committee.

Letter read.

A Letter from General Monke from aboard the Resolution, South-west off of Cromer, about Eight Leagues from the Shore, the Ninth of September 1653, was this Day read; and delivered back to Major-General Desborow.

Thanks to God.

Resolved, That, To-morrow Morning, Thanks be given to God, in this House, for the Preservation of the Navy.