May 15.
The Commons Vote (upon debate of putting a period to this Parliament) t[unr]
In order thereunto the House is of opinion that in the first place consideration be
had of the stating the succession of future Parliaments, and of the regulating of
their Elections; both these are already said down in the agrements of the People, so
that a short time will put a period to that debate, if any had minde to expedite it;
but short a little say some, the Levellers are dispersed.
May 16.
The Commons referred it to the Committee of the Revenue to consider of Collectors
of the several Subsidies, that have been forced to pay their Collections to the enemy,
that they may be relived in equity. It was well if they & all others that have
had
to deal with publick money were called to an accompt, that the Nation might be relieved
in equity and justice ; but have a care of that, because its one of the Levellers
Tenets,
They refer it to the Councel of State to examine the accompts of the Treasurers
and Receivers of the Garrisons of Newcastle, Tinmouth, Barwick, and Carlisle,
(that have not been so long accompted with) and see how the accompts touching
four
shillings Per Chaldron stand, and other charges upon Coles, as well impost as
expost, and all other charges allowed to those Garrisons, and what provisions and
stores are in those Garrisons, and what is necessary for supply and fortification
thereof, and to give order, that as far as those Garrisons may be otherwise supplied,
the impositions of four shillings per Chaldron be taken off; Its high time, unless
the
some Imposition be land upon Scots Coles imported, else the Scots get all the benefit, and
the English thereby will be totally impoverished. The Committee concerning twelve
pence p[unr] Chaldron revived.
A Commission of Oyer and serminer to be Issued, for Tryall of the Scots
theives (alias Mosse-Troopers) lately taken, If you bang them all, the Scots borderers
will be ulterly ruined Referred to the Committee of Goldsmiths hall, to consider how
the state may not be prejudiced by Judgments, Extents &c. laid upon delinquents
estates, and how the Fines may be brought Into the state notwithstanding the same,
And that they likewise consider of the Fines imposed by both or either houses of
Parliament, and how such of them as are just and fit my be brought in, But when
shall the Act for relieving wel-affected persons, who have great summes owing them before
this war, & yet due by Delinquents be reported? Is not two years time sufficient for its
commitment? And are not many thousand Families undone for want of this Act of Justice?
Sir Robert Harlow refusing (as Master Worker of the Mint) to coyne w[unr]
the new stamp, ordered to be discharged of that Office, And why not of all other
Offices and imployments, inrclation to the publique, Is not this a sufficient Testimony
of his Royall affections? Sir John Wollaston reported from the Councel of State to be
a fit person for Mr. Worker of the Mint, which the House declined not, in relation
to his deserts, but rather that he might not be esteemed a Monopolizer of most of
the best places of honour, Trust, and profit in the Nation (which is just) Therefore
included to bestow that place on Doctor Aton Gourdian, The Imposition up,
on English Sale, referred to a Committee, for mitigation or discharge thereof, Its
high time, for most of the owners of Saltpans are almost undone already by it. Coles and
Salt from Scotland referred to a Committee, to have Impositions laid on them.
They say they have got enough already by your Brother Clemency and favour herein, however
they will keep all Forraigne Iraffique of Salt and Cote yet from us, because ours
are
burthened, and theirs free from Impositions. Captaine Bridger who (brought the newes