House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 19 September 1653

Monday, the 19th of September, 1653.

Excise.

ORDERED, That Power be given to such Persons as shall be named by the Committee for inspecting the Treasuries, &c. to examine what Fines have been received by the Sub-Commissioners, and Farmers of the Excise, in the respective Counties, and that an Act be brought in for that Purpose, by the Committee for Inspections, &c.

Countess of Ancram's Pension.

Colonel Rous reports from the Committee for Petitions, The humble Petition of the Lady Anne Countess of Ancram: Which was now read, together with the Opinion of this Committee; That, in Consideration of the Pension allowed by the late Parliament, which a Stop hath been made of, as to the Payment of the Pensions, something may be allowed her, for her present Subsistence, until the Parliament can be in better Condition to take her Petition into further Consideration.

Resolved, That a Pension of Five Pounds by the Week be charged on Goldsmiths-Hall and Haberdashers-Hall, and either of them, to be paid to the Lady Anne Countess of Ancram, until the House take further Order: And that the Commissioners for Compounding be authorized and required to issue their Warrants to the Treasurers of those Receipts, and either of them, to make Payment of the said Pension weekly, from time to time, unto the said Lady Anne Countess of Ancram, or her Assigns: And that the Acquittance and Acquittances of the said Lany Anne Countess of Ancram, or her Assigns, shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Treasurers, and either of them, for the same.

Ly. Burlace's Pension.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Pension of Four Pounds a Week, with the Arrears thereof, formerly granted by Order of the 24th of August 1653, to the Lady Alice Burlace, out of the Receipts of HaberdashersHall, be charged upon Goldsmiths-Hall and HaberdashersHall, and either of them: And that the Commissioners for Compounding be authorized and required to issue their Warrants to the Treasurers of those Receipts, and either of them, to make Payment thereof, from time to time, to the said Lady Alice Burlace, or her Assigns, according to the Intent of that Order: And the Acquittance and Acquittances of the said Lady Alice Burlace, or her Assigns, shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Treasurers, and either of them, for the same.

Frees' Discovery.

Colonel Mountague reports from the Council of State, That one Mr. Frees hath proposed a Discovery to the Council.

Resolved, That the Council of State be authorized to give such Directions for the making the said Discovery practicable, by such Ways and Means as the Council shall think fit.

Probate of Wills.

Colonel Rous reports from the Committee for Petitions, The humble Petition of many well-affected People, on the Behalf of the Nation, touching the Probate of Wills: Which was this Day read.

Resolved, That the Committee for regulating the Law do, on Tuesday-come-sevennight, bring in a Bill for Probate of Wills throughout this Commonwealth.

Adjournment.

The Question being put, That the House be adjourned from Wednesday next till Friday following;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Prizes.

Resolved, That it be referred to such of the Commissioners of the Admiralty as are Members of this House, to present something to the House upon the present Debate touching Business of Prizes.

Prerogative Court.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee for inspecting the Treasuries, to consider and examine what Monies belonging to the Commonwealth are in the Hands of Clerks, or others, belonging, or late belonging, to the Prerogative Court; and report the same to the House.

Peck's Petition.

Colonel Rous reports from the said Committee, The humble Petition of Captain Henry Peck: Which was this Day read.

Resolved, That this Petition be referred to the Committee for raising Money, to examine the Matter of Fact, and report the same, with their Opinion, to the House.

Claims on Publick Faith.

The humble Petition of some Few in Behalf of Themselves, and about Fifteen hundred inhabiting in and about London, for about Forty thousand Pounds, due unto them, upon the Publick Faith: Which was this Day read.

Ordered, That this be referred to the Committee for Publick Debts, to consider of the Poor, who have lent upon the Publick Faith; and how they may be satisfied; and report the same to the House.

Petition from Chester.

Colonel Rous likewise reports from the Committee of Petitions, The humble Petition and Representation of many of the well-affected Inhabitants within the County of Chester, in the Behalf of themselves, and the rest of the Faithful, in this Commonwealth: As also, The humble Petition of divers well-affected in the City of Chester: Which were this Day read.

Petition from Sudbury.

He also reported, the humble Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, Chief Burgesses, and other Inhabitants of the Town of Sudbury in Suffolk: Which was this Day read.

Equality in Taxes.

Resolved, That the Matter now in Debate, touching Equality in Taxes, be committed.

Resolved, That this Debate be referred to a Grand Committee, to sit on Wednesday Sevennight: And that the House be then resolved into a Grand Committee.