House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 20 December 1654

Wednesday, the 20th of December, 1654.

Prayers.

Settling the Government.

THE House, according to former Order, this Day resumed the Debate, upon the Report made Yesterday.

The Question being propounded, That any Lord Protector, dying in the Intervals of Parliament, and full Six Weeks before any Summons shall be issued forth for the Calling of the next Parliament, the Council, or the major Part of them assembled, shall, immediately, and before they shall proceed to the Election of a Lord Protector, issue their Warrant to the Commissioners or Keep . . . of the Great Seal for the Time being, requiring them forthwith, to send Writs for Summons for the Calling of a Parliament; which Writ shall be in the Name of the former Lord Protector; and shall bear Teste in the Name of such former Lord Protector: And such Parliament shall meet at such convenient Place, as shall be appointed by the said Council in such their Warrant; and shall end before the Sitting of the succeeding Triennial Parliament; any thing to the contrary therein contained notwithstanding.

And the Question being put, That that Question be now put;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That no Writs of Summons to any Parliament, nor any other Writs, Process, Patents, Commissions, nor any Proceedings in Law or Justice, shall be discontinued, or made void, by the Death of any Lord Protector.

Resolved, That all Writs, Process, Patents, Commissions, and Proceedings in Law or Justice, issuing forth, or being after any succeeding Lord Protector shall be elected and sworn, shall issue forth, and be in the Name of such Lord Protector; and are hereby declared to be of full Force in Law, to all Intents and Purposes: And that all former Writs, Process, Patents, Commissions, Offices, and Officers, shall continue and be in as full Force, as they should have been, if the said former Protector had been still living.

The Question being propounded, That, after the Death of any Lord Protector, and until the next Lord Protector shall be elected and sworn, the Council shall take Care of the Government, and administer in all things as fully as the Lord Protector, or the Lord Protector and Council, are enabled to do;

The Question being put, That these Words, "and sworn," do stand in this Question;

It passed in the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, That, after the Death of any Lord Protector, and until the next Lord Protector shall be elected and sworn, the Council shall take Care of the Government, and administer in all things as fully as the Lord Protector, or the Lord Protector and Council are enabled to do.

Ordered, That the Committee do bring in the Bill upon the Votes for the Government, to be read on Friday Morning next.

Ordered, That it be referred to the same Committee who brought in this Report, to consider and prepare a Clause to be inserted in the Bill, for Repealing of all Laws contrary to this Government: And Mr. Long, Mr. Attorney-General, and all the Gentlemen of the Long Robe, being Members of this House, are added to this Committee.

Post Meridiem.

Assessment.

AN Act for an Assessment for Three Months, at the Rate of Sixty thousand Pounds by the Month, to commence the Five-and-twentieth Day of December One thousand Six hundred Fifty-and-four, and ending the Fiveand-twentieth Day of March One thousand Six hundred Fifty-and-five, was this Day read the Third time.

A Clause was offered in Parchment, to be added, in these Words; viz. "For the City of Bath, the Mayor for the Time being, John Bigg, John Parker, Walter Chapman, John Pierce, Richard Drucy, Matthew Clift, Alderman:" Which were twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed to be Part of the Bill.

Another was tendered, with these Words; "John Tregagle Esquire, Samuell Harris of Parke Gentleman, to be added to the County of Cornwall: Which were twice read; and agreed to be Part of the Bill.

Another was tendered, with these Words; "Charles Howard Esquire, Sir John Fenwick, Sir Wm. Selby, George Fenwick Esquire, Sir Thomas Widdrington one of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, Sir Arthur Hesilrig Baronet, Robert Delavall, to be added to the County of Northumberland:" Which was twice read: and, upon the Question, agreed to be Part of the Bill.

Another was tendered with these Words: "Lord Richard Cromwell, to be added to the County of Monmouth:" Which was read; and, upon the Question, agreed to be Part of the Bill.

Another was tendered, with these Words: "Thomas Snagg of Melbrooke Esquire, John Okey Esquire, and John Wells Esquire, to be added to the County of Bedford:" Which were twice read.

And the Question being put, That these be added to the County of Bedford;

It passed in the Negative.

Another was tendered, with these Words; "Maximilian Bind, to be added for the County of Bucks:"

It passed.

And the Question being put, That he be added for the County of Bucks;

It passed in the Negative.

Another was tendered with these Words; "the Lord Commissioner Widdrington, to be added to the County of Durham:" Which was twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed to be Part of the Bill.

Resolved, That Wm. Cook, Wm. Selwin, Edward Nurse, Wm. Hinson Esquires; Wm. Caple, John Maddox, Henry Cugly, Aldermen; John Gise, Francis Wheeler, Anthony Freeman, Richard Guinett, Robert Theyre, Gentlemen; be inserted into this Bill, for Commissioners for the City and County of the City of Gloucester.

Ordered, That the Debate of this Bill be adjourned until To-morrow Morning.