An additional Act past, to that for sale of Dean and Chapters Lands, for removing
obstructions, and giving further power to the Trustees.
Master Accutney had leave to go to Bristol for one week.
A [unr]te from Sir John Lenthal, read, That the prisoners in the Kings, Bench were
making their escape. A party of House were sent to suppress the tumult, and secure
the prisoners.
August 1.
Master Smiths Accounts part. An Act past for doubling on Dean and Chapters
Lands. Another for continuing of the 90000 l. per mensem. The people say, they
had need of much more per mensem to be allowed for their subsistance. And how can
they longer continue payment of these, and many other heavy taxes, besides Free-quarter,
when most of them have not bread to put in their mouths, nor money to buy it
to feed their wives and children; the Regall Government might have been of longer continuance,
had it not unsubtly imposed insupportable burthens upon the free people of this
Nation, the better to support a tyrannical power over them, and subject them slaves to the
cursed and unlimitted arbitrary wills of a particular person, and his private Juncto.
And upon the same soore it is, that our oppressed Brethren in France have resolved to
deny payment to Taxes and longer, chusing rather to be plundered by the Souldiers, then
be further accessory to their own poverty, shame, and misery.
The names of some new Justices of Peace assented unto. Its high time to out
most of them, for few act cordially for, and many vigorously against the present Authority.
An Act concerning Felt and Hat-makers, lead and committed.
An Act committed, for raising moneys out of the Compositions of the new Delinquents
in the North, for pay of their Forces that are to be disbanded, and satisfying
the losses of the wel-affected in those Counties; which must then lie in the
pleasure of committees, and may be disposed off to particular friends, and not for a
general reparation of the poorer sort of the people, according to intention.
Letters from York, read, of the disorders of the souldiery for their Arrears. Where
right is not performed, out-Tages must be committed. But I wonder they should say, That
they will not be deluded, as the rest of the Souldiery; who being reduced to great necessity
for non-payment of their Arrears, are forced to sell their Debenters at three shillings
per pound. Which say they, is a cheating designe of some, that make purchase of their
Debenters at such under-values, on purpose to inrich themselves, by purchasing the Lands
of the late King, and Dean and Chapters. Truths at all times are not to be spoken; but
how they dare speak such a one now, with such considence, is not counted discistion.
Tuesday next, the House ordered to consider of such as have not Compounded
within the time last limited, whether for sale of their Estates, or giving them a
further day, with strict penalties.
The fast was this day to be observed by the Countrey, in relation to the good
success in Ireland, against the Rebels; But few there were that would keep it; saying
It was Harvest time, and a day was then precious; But its observable, the affections of
the people, especially those called the Ministry, were not inclinable to the observation
thereof, though the injunction was by sufficient penalties.
August 2.
No private business ordered to be heard for eight days, and indeed some say, that
business is not proper for, and much below them, the Law being appointed for the purpose,
except in case of Appeal, where Justice is denyed to the party grieved, and that
neither by many granted.