House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 17 January 1652

Saturday, the 17th of January, 1651.

Prayers.

Regulating the Law.

THE House, according to former Order, resumed the Debate upon the Names of the Seventeen Persons reported to consider of the Inconveniences in the Law.

Resolved, That Mr. John Sadler be one of the Persons for this Service.

The Question being propounded, That Colonel Thomas Blunt be one of the Persons for this Service;

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

Regulating the Law.

It passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put;

It was Resolved, That Colonel Thomas Blunt, be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Sir Henry Blunt be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Mr. Josias Berners be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Major General John Desboroe, be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Mr. Samuel Moyer, be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Colonel Matthew Tomlinson be one of the Persons for this Service.

The Question being propounded, That John Fountaine Esquire be one of the Persons for this Service;

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

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So it passed in the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put;

It was Resolved, That John Fountaine Esquire, be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Alderman John Fowke be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Mr. Hugh Peters be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Major Wm. Packer be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Sir Wm. Roberts be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Mr. Wm. Methold be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Mr. John Maunsell be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Mr. John Rushworth be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Mr. John Sparrow the youngest be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper be one of the Persons for this Service.

Resolved, That the Quorum of these Persons be Seven.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That it be referred to Mathew Hales Esquire, William Steele Esquire, Recorder of London, Charles George Cock Esquire, Thomas Manby Esquire, John Sadler Esquire, Colonel Thomas Blunt, Sir Henry Blunt, Josia Berners Esquire, Major General John Desborow, Samuel Moyer Esquire, Colonel Matthew Thomlinson, John Fountaine Esquire, Alderman John Foulk, Mr. Hugh Peters, Major Wm. Packer, Sir Wm. Roberts, Mr. William Methwold, Mr. John Maunsell, Mr. John Rushworth, Mr. John Sparrow junior, and Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper Baronet, or any Seven or more of them, to take into Consideration, What Inconveniences there are in the Law; and how the Mischiefs which grow from Delays, the Chargeableness and Irregularities in the Proceedings in the Law, may be prevented; and the speediest Way to reform the same, and to present their Opinions to the Committee of Parliament appointed for that Purpose: With Power to the said Persons, before named, or any Seven or more of them, to send for any Persons, whom they shall think fit to confer and advise with in this Business; and to send for Persons that keep the Records, to attend them with the Records, as often as they shall have Occasion to make Use of them for this Service.

Resolved, That the House heretofore called the Lords House, be the Place appointed for the Sitting on this Service: With Power to adjourn from Time to Time, and from Place to Place.

Resolved, That their first Meeting be on Tuesday next come Sevennight.

Resolved, That the Serjeant at Arms attending the Parliament, do give Notice, by Messenger or Letter, of this Order, to the several Persons aforesaid.

Resolved, That the Committee of Revenue be authorized and required to allow and give Order for Payment of such ordinary Sums, as shall be, from time to time, necessary for defraying the incident Charges for the Accommodation of the Referrees, in this Service, of considering the Inconveniences of the Law, &c. at their Sittings in that Business.

Army, &c. Committee.

Colonel Downes reports from the Committee of the Army, An Act for Explanation of a late Act, intituled, An Act appointing a Committee for the Army, and Treasurers at Wars: Which was this Day read the First and Second time.

And the Question being put, That this Act be ingrossed;

It passed with the Negative.

And the said Act, being put to the Question, passed.

Adjournment.

Resolved, That the House doth adjourn itself until Tuesday Morning next, Eight of Clock.