House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 4 July 1653

Monday, the 4th of July, 1653.

Letters nominating Members.

SEVERAL Letters having issued, under the Hand and Seal of the Lord-General, directed unto divers Persons, in this Form;

FORASMUCH as, upon the Dissolution of the late Parliament, it became necessary, that the Peace, Safety, and good Government, of this Commonwealth should be provided for; in order whereunto divers Persons, fearing God, and of approved Fidelity and Honesty, are by Myself, with the Advice of my Council of Officers, nominated; to whom the great Charge and Trust of so weighty Affairs is to be committed; and having good Assurance of the Love to, and Courage for, God, and Interest of his Cause, and of the good People of this Commonwealth:

I Oliver Cromwell, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of all the Armies and Forces raised, and to be raised, within this Commonwealth, do hereby summon and require you being one of the said Persons nominated, personally to be and appear at the Council-Chamber, commonly known or called by the Name of the Council-Chamber in Whitehall, within the City of Westminster, upon the Fourth Day of July next ensuing the Date hereof, then and there to take upon you the said Trust, unto which you are hereby called and appointed, to serve as a Member for the County of : And hereof you are not to fail.

Given under my Hand and Seal the Sixth Day of June 1653.

O. Cromwell.

Parliament meets.

This Day there was a great Appearance of those Persons to whom the Letters were directed in the Council-Chamber at Whitehall: Where the Lord-General Cromwell declared unto them the Grounds and End of calling them; and delivered unto them an Instrument, in Writing, under his Hand and Seal; and afterwards left them.