Common wealth, to a lesse; but competent allowance, converting the over plus
to the publique treasury, whereby the taxes of people may be eased.
7. But above all, that they will disolve this present Councell of State, which upon
the ground sore mentioned so much threatneth tyranny; and maneage affaires by
Committees of short continuance,and such as may be frequently and exactly accountable
for the discharge of their Trust.
8. That they will publish a strict prohibition,and severe penalties upon all such,
whither Committees,Magistrates,or Officers of what kind soever,as shall exceed
the limits of their Commission,Rules or directions,and incourage all men in their
informations and complaints against them.
9. That they will speedily satisfie the expectations of the Souldiers in point of
Arrears,and of the people in point of accounts,in such manner as that it may not
as formerly;prove a snare to such as have been most faithful,and a protection to the
most corrupt in the discharge of their trust and duties.
10 That the so many times complained of Ordinance for Tithes upon trible damages
may be forthwith taken away.
A petition also of divers Well affected Officers and souldiers of the army under
the command of the L. Gen. Fairfax, was presented this day to the house by
some Officers and souldiers of the said Army, desiring to take off Excise, and tithes
Establish wholesom Lawes in our own language, and many other heads, which I
shall not need to mention, because the petition it self is printed at large. Both
these petitions were referred to consideration,
The house passed an Act to confirme the sitting of the high Court for a weeke
longer. An Act passed for confirming of Judges for North and South Wales for
the is next Assizes. Letters were read from Col. Jones from Dublin, expressing his
great streights and want of provisions by reasou of the enemies conjunction referred
to the Councell of state. The high Court of Justice fate againe this day in
Westminster Hill and Councell was heard, three Common and one Civil Lawyer
was heard, as Councell for the Earl of Cambridge. They pleaded first he was noe
free Denizer,and though his Father was naturalized and his heirs, yet he not born
in the Kingdom could not receive any benefit thereof by the Law of the Land, no
more then a free Denizen of England whose issue were aliens, who could not be capable
of inheriting the Estate of their Father,though a free Denizen, because aliens
and therefore such Estate are forfeited to the King for want of issue by the Law of
this Land, That if he had been a free Denizen, yet it was not prejuditiall to him,
because he acted by command and authority of the Parliament of another Nation
(and not of himselfe)who was governed by another distinct Law. Hee pleaded
that he had Articles granted him of fair quarter by Major Gen. Lambert, who had
sufficient power to give the same and was secured in prosecution thereof, by a party
of his forces and that these was power to interpose and infring the same. That he,
was Ordered to be banished by Parliament. Paying one hundred thousand pounds
for his ransom or Delinquency. The couucell was heard with much patience, and
the councell for the state, is to be heard next in answer thereunto.
Tuesday February 27
THe house sate not this day, The high Court of Justice sate againe in Westminster
Hall. The E. of Holland came to the Bar the first time, a charge of High