House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 04 February 1642

Die Veneris, 4 Feb. 1641.

PRAYERS.

Recusants, &c. in Dorsett.

T HE humble Petition of the Sheriffs, and Justices of Peace, of the County of Dorsett, who have subscribed their Names thereunto, was this Day read.

Whereas this House is informed, that divers Popish Recusants, coming from the inland Parts, do frequently resort unto the Houses of Sir George Moreton Baronet, John Webb, John Arundell, and * Wilde, Esquires, and unto other Places in the County of Dorsett, near unto the Sea Coasts, intending there to make their Abode; which, in these Times of Danger, may prove to be very inconvenient: It is therefore Ordered, That Sir Thomas Trenchard Knight, William Coker, Angel Gray, William Savage, and Hubert Hussy, Esquires, or any Two of them, shall search the said Houses and Places; and shall seize such Arms and Munition as they shall there find, belonging to any Recusant, convicted or justly suspected. And it is farther Ordered, That the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal shall be, in the Name of this House, desired to grant out a Commission under the Great Seal of England, authorizing the said Justices of the Peace, or any Two of them, to administer the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, unto all and every such Recusant; and, in case of Refusal, to commit them to Prison, according to the Law: Which Commission the said Justices are required to put in execution accordingly.

Resolved, upon the Question, That it shall be thus ordered.

Mr. Rogers and Mr. Constantine are appointed to go with this Order to the Lord Keeper.

Pressing Mariners.

The Gentleman Usher came and acquainted the House, that the Lords were ready to give their Consent, by Commission, to the Bill for pressing Mariners; and that they desire this House would be present.

Books to be burnt.

Ordered, That the Warden and Master of the Company of Stationers [a] be required to secure such Books as they shall find dispersed among any of the Stationers, or others, and bring them to the Sheriffs of London and Midd', and the Bailiff of Westminster, that they may be burnt, according to the Order of this House, on Monday next, between the Hours of Ten and Eleven, in the Places aforesaid: And all Stationers and others are prohibited to make any farther Sale of them.

Letter to Goringe.

A Letter to be directed to Colonel Goringe, was read; and assented unto; and ordered to be presented unto the Lords.

Mr. Hollys carried up this Letter.

Hamilton's Petition.

The humble Petition of James Hamilton, Son to the Lord Viscount Claneboye, was this Day read:

And it is Ordered, that it be referred to the Committee for Irish Affairs.

Trevor's Petition.

The humble Petition of Arthur Trevor was this Day read: And

[a] Deering is written in the Margin, against this Order.

It is Ordered, That it be earnestly recommended and referred to the Lords Justices of Ireland, and the Lord Ormond, Lord Lieutenant General of his Majesty's Army there, that they would take some such Care, and speedy Course for the Release of Sir Edw. Trevor, mentioned in the Petition, according to the Desires of the Petitioner, as they, in their Judgement, shall think fit; and that they acquaint this House what they shall do herein.

Gunners of Berwick.

The humble Petition of the late Gunners of Berwick was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That One hundred Pounds shall be given unto these Petitioners, by the Paymaster of Berwick; and shall be allowed by this House upon Account.

Provisions for Ireland.

That Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer do move his Majesty, that a Privy Seal may be granted, for the Transportation into Ireland of all such Provision of Corn, Victual, and Cloathing, as the Committee for Irish Affairs, or such Commissioners as shall be appointed by his Majesty, with the Consent of the Lords and Commons, in Parliament shall, from time to time, appoint, Custom-free in both Kingdoms; the Merchants giving good Security to deliver such Provisions, at such Ports as they shall be assigned unto by the said Committee or Commissioners aforesaid.

That the Word * * * *

Town of Carrickfergus.

Mr. Whittlock, *Selden, * Hampden, * Fines, * Reynolds, * Widrington;

This Committee is presently to withdraw, to peruse the Commission, and to enlarge it for more Men, according to the Articles: And they are to consider of a Clause, to be inserted into the Commission, to tender and receive the Oath of the Governor of Carrickfergus, that shall be appointed by the Council of Scotland, for the safe Keeping of the said Town and Castle, according to the Articles agreed upon in Parliament.

King's Answer to Petition.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde reports the King's Answer to the Petition of both Houses:

That his Majesty had received the Message of both Houses; and did resolve to take it into as mature Consideration as the Importancy of the Business deserveth; and will return an Answer, by, or before Saturday, if he can.

Skippon's Indemnity.

Whereas, for the Safety of the Parliament, it hath been thought fit, and is accordingly ordered, by the Lords and Commons, now assembled in Parliament, that good and sufficient Guard be, by the Sheriffs of London and Midd', from Day to Day appointed, under the Conduct and Command of Captain Philip Skippon, Serjeant Major General of the Forces of the City of London; it is hereby declared, that the said Serjeant Major his Diligence, Faithfulness, and Sufficiency, in all that he hath hitherto directed and done, in conducting and ordering the said Guards, is well accepted, and approved of, by both Houses of Parliament. And the Lords and Commons, now assembled in Parliament, do farther order, and more expressly authorize, the said Serjeant Major, that he shall, from Day to Day, henceforth, until he receive Order from both Houses of Parliament to the contrary, go on, with all Care and Fidelity, in conducting and ordering the said Guards, as he shall conceive may most and best further the said Service: And his so doing is hereby declared to be for the real good Service of his Majesty, and of the Commonwealth; and is, in every Part thereof, according to his Duty, to the last Protestation, and the Laws of this Kingdom: And if any Person, or Persons, shall arrest, or any other way trouble him, for so doing, he doth break the Privilege of Parliament, violate the Liberty of the Subject, and is hereby declared to be.. Enemy to the Commonwealth.

Resolved, upon the Question, that this House doth assent unto this Order; and doth order, that it shall be sent unto the Lords, by the Lord Cramborne.

Ammunition for Middlesex.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider how the County of Midd' may be furnished with Ammunition, be revived; and do meet To-morrow, at Eight of Clock, in the Inner Star-chamber.

County of Suffolk.

He presented likewise, a Letter which was sent from the Committee to some Gentlemen of Suff, upon Information given of great Numbers of People, to the Number of Sixteen or Seventeen thousand, that were assembling to come hither, and intended to be here on Tuesday next.

The Letter was read; and approved of by Vote, upon the Question.

Sub-committees.

Ordered, That the several Sub-committees made by the Committee at Merchant Taylors-hall, shall be made Committees of this House; and report to the House immediately; and sit at such Times and Places as they shall think fit.

Commissions for collecting Money.

Resolved, upon the Question, that this House is of Opinion, that the Lord Keeper should be desired to hasten the Commissions, according to the Act; and that the Knights and Burgesses do take Care to send away the said Commissions, together with the Books; and that the Lord Keeper may give Order for speeding those Commissions first, which are to go farthest; except London, which is desired to be first: And the House does enjoin the Clerk to provide a Book of the Names of all the Members of the House, wherein every Member may subscribe his Hand to such a Sum as he is pleased to give or lend: And Monday Morning is appointed when the Book should be openly read: And the House holds it fit, that the several Knights and Burgesses should send down Word into their respective Counties and Boroughs, what Sums are collected in the House of Commons, from the Gentlemen serving there for those several Places, for the better Example of the Country.

Surrey Petition.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde reported from the Committee at Merchant Taylors. . ., a Petition presented to that Committee by the Knights, Gentlemen, and other Inhabitants, of the County of Surrey: The which was read:

And the House being informed, that divers Gentlemen of the County were at the Door;

They were called in: And Mr. Speaker told them, this House had read their Petition, and did find in it Expressions of great Love and Affection to this House, and the Commonwealth; and did give them hearty Thanks; and more especially, for that this House being informed, that some Clergymen and other ill-affected Persons had endeavoured to draw them to a contrary Mind, or to sign another Petition; that yet, notwithstanding, they kept their first Resolutions: For the Particulars of the Petition, this House will omit no Opportunity, what lieth in their Power, to bring things to such Effects as may give Satisfaction.

Surrey Petition to Lords.

They likewise presented the Copy of a Petition, intended to be by them presented unto the Lords; and desired the Approbation of this House; which, when they had done, they withdrew.

And the Copy of that Petition was read.

And then Mr. Speaker told them, in the Name of the House, "The House do find, in the Copy of this Petition to be presented to the Lords, the same Zeal and Affection expressed to the Public, as in this presented to this House: They approve of it; and they have observed so much Discretion in the Delivery of your Petition to this House, that they conceive you need no Direction herein."

Ordered, That these Petitions, and all other from the Counties, of the like Nature, shall be entered in the Journal.

Mr. Glyn, Mr. Grimston, Mr. Jo. Goodwyn, Mr. Whittlock, Mr. Selden, are to draw up an Order, for the Entering the Manner of the Presenting these Petitions.

Gunpowder for Ireland.

Sir Walth. Erle, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Mr.Whittlock, Sir Peter Wentworth, Sir Jo. Hotham, are presently to withdraw, to speak with the Men that gave the Information of Three hundred Barrels of Gunpowder, that were in the Bark of John Daniell, an Irishman, at Poole, to be transported into Ireland; and to draw up such an Order thereupon as they shall think necessary.

Delivery of Carrickfergus to the Scotts.

Mr. Reynolds reported the Commission for Delivery of the Town and Castle of Carrickfergus to the Scotts, with some Amendments: The which were read; and assented unto, by Vote, upon the Question.

Mr. Fienis carried up this Commission; and an Order concerning Serjeant Major Skippon.

Petition from Tradesmens Wives, &c.

A Petition was delivered in from many Gentlewomen, and other Tradesmens Wives, of London, and the Suburbs thereof, was this Day read: And the Burgesses that serve for the Borough of Southwarke, Mr. Pym, Mr. Strode, and Alderman Penington, are to go out to them, and to tell them, that this House has read their Petition; and is very apprehensive of the Calamities they suffer; and will use all the best Care they can for the preventing and Remedying of them; and desire that they would continue their Prayers for a good Success upon their Endeavours.

Seizing a Ship.

Ordered, That Sir Walter Earle do move the Lord Admiral, to send speedy Directions for the Seizing of a Bark, loaden with Barrels of Powder, coming from Dunkirk, and bound for Ireland, under the Command of Captain Daniell; and to search and seize all other Ships that shall carry any prohibited Goods into Ireland.

Naval Affairs.

Mr. Green reports from the Committee for the Navy, That they have treated and gone through with the Merchants that were here, and made Propositions for the Setting forth of Five Ships: They have likewise treated with the Trinity-house Men, for the Setting forth of Fifteen Ships: They have likewise treated with the Officers of the Navy, by the Lord Admiral's Consent, for Setting forth of Fifteen Ships of the Navy Royal.

For the Five Ships to be instantly set forth by the Merchants, the Charge for Eight Months, will come unto Fourteen thousand Eight hundred and Twenty-four Pounds: For the Fifteen Sail of Ships, to be set forth by the Trinity-house Men, the whole Charge, for that Time, will amount unto Fifty-three thousand Six hundred and Thirty-five Pounds Four Shillings: And for the Charge to set forth Fifteen Ships of the King's Navy Royal, with Victuals, Provision and Wages, will amount unto Seventyseven thousand Eight hundred and Forty-nine Pounds Seventeen Shillings and Sixpence.

I am to acquaint you, that in all these Proceedings of the Committee, they were so careful, that they did all Things they could for the utmost Advantage of the Commonwealth; and, upon all Occasions, addressed themselves to the Lord Admiral; who expressed all the Aid and Assistance unto the Committee that could be expected for the Furtherance of this Business.

I shall now come to acquaint you what will be the necessary Charge for the present Setting out of this Fleet.

For the Five Merchants Ships, already set out, it is desired, there may be provided Four thousand Nine hundred and Forty-one Pounds, towards the Charge in setting them out; and this to be paid presently, or within a Month's time:

For the Company of the Trinity-house Men, for the Setting forth of Fifteen Ships, it is desired Seventeen thousand Eight hundred and Eighty-seven Pounds may be provided within a few Weeks:

For the Setting forth of the King's Ships, being Fifteen in Number, it is desired there may be provided Thirty-five thousand Six hundred and Forty Pounds, for the Ships themselves; whereof, in present, Twenty-seven thousand Pounds to furnish the Officers of the Navy:

Next, that Twenty-seven thousand Three hundred and Fifty-nine Pounds, for the Victualling of the said Ships, be provided; and, for the Sum we have drawn, the Victualler of the Navy to accept of Thirteen thousand Pounds, whereof in present Four thousand Pounds: Then, for the Mens Wages in these Ships, they will amount unto Twenty-three thousand Seven hundred Pounds:

Next, for the Three Ships to be employed by the Merchants of Bristoll, upon the Coasts of Ireland, to be provided Three thousand Six hundred and Twenty-four Pounds; but those that serve for the City of Bristoe we conceive they will agree with us, according to the Proportion of other Merchants. So that the whole Sum for Setting forth of this Fleet to Sea will amount unto One hundred and Fifty-eight thousand Eight hundred and Forty-three Pounds: Whereof to, be provided for the present Sixty-three thousand Three hundred and Twentyeight Pounds.

There is Seven thousand Five hundred Pounds, Arrears to the Officers of the Navy, for the last Summer's Fleet; the Officers of the Ordnance to have Two thousand Pounds; Fifteen hundred Pounds to the last Sail of Ships; Eleven thousand Pounds to the Treasurer of the Navy: So here is Twenty-two thousand Pounds added to the former Sum. So that now you are charged to provide, in ready Money, presently, Eighty-five thousand Pounds.

Providing Money, &c.

Next Thing, the Committee did take Notice of the Distractions of the Times, and of this House; and of the Difficulties to get Money: So the Committee have considered of a Way to provide Money.

1. They sent to the Officers of the Custom-house, from whom this Charge is properly to be raised; so we gave them a Charge for a Note of their Receipts. They presented several Accounts, and took them into Consideration; and have found several Sums remaining in their Hands, and the Merchants Hands that are indebted to them. I shall not trouble you with an Account from Christmas, 1640; but of their Receipt since the Passing of the Bill of Tonage and Poundage, 25° Maii last: Yet they did receive from Christmas 1640, to May 1641, Ninety thousand Pounds: And the King had That, and many Thousands more of them - But lay That by- But for the Accounts from the 25^th of May, there appeareth to be due several Sums: 1. Three thousand and Twentythree Pounds in the Hands of the East India Company; and they pay it not, in regard the King oweth them a great Sum for the Bargain of Pepper. By the same Account we find remaining in Merchants Hands Four thousand Eight hundred and Ten Pounds. Next, Three thousand Pounds, in Bills of Exchange, in Sir John Null's Hands.

By another Account, from Dec. last to Feb. they have trusted unto Merchants, which is owing, upon this Account, Fifteen thousand Three hundred and Fifty-three Pounds: Having cast up their Account, and allowing all these Debts, and their own Demands, they have remaining, in ready Cash, Ten thousand Four hundred and Eighty Pounds Fifteen Shillings and Eightpence.

Next, they have delivered in an Account of Monies, which remains in their Collectors Hands, of Twelve thousand Pounds: Then we find them charged with certain Goods: As for Wines at Bristoe, there will be about One thousand Pounds due; at Hull, Two thousand Pounds, due for Customs of Wine, which were taken up during the Vacancy of the Bill for Tonage and Poundage. Likewise we find some Monies remaining in the Hands of Collectors, amounting to Eleven hundred and Seventyfive Pounds.

The Committee did find, this Sum would not reach to serve your Turn to set out this great Navy: And therefore we did inquire of the Customers, what they conceive would be received for Customs, between this and Lady-day: And they do conceive Twenty thousand Pounds will be raised. And then there will be ready, for the Setting forth this Navy, and for Payment of that which is due to the last Navy, Seventy-eight thousand Three hundred and Seventy Pounds.

Next, to put you in mind, that the King's Houshold is not provided; out of which Customs, Care must be taken for Provision thereof, and of the Queen's and Prince's Household, and the Queen of Bohemia; to whom monthly Payments are made out of these Customs.

Resolved, That the Committee for the Navy shall have Power to confer with the Commissioners for the Treasury, about the State of the Customs; and to acquaint them how they find the same; and what Monies will be requisite to be taken from the Customs, for the Setting forth of a Fleet this Spring, both for Ireland and the Narrow Seas; and to have Power, from time to time, during the Continuance of this Bill of Tonage and Poundage, to confer with them for the Accommodation of the monthly Pay, and other usual Payments, for the Houshold and Chamber of the King, Queen, Prince, and the Royal Children; and likewise the Payments for the Queen of Bohemia, and her Royal Children; and likewise for the Furnishing of Monies for the pressing Occasions for Setting forth of Ships to Sea; and to give an Account to the House of their Proceedings.

Resolved, That the Victualler of the Navy shall have Power to transport into Ireland, in One of these Five Ships, Fifteen hundred Pounds in Specie, for the Victualling of the Swallow, now in Ireland: And that he shall register this Fifteen hundred Pounds in the Customers Books.

Resolved, That the Committee, who have already Power to treat with the Owners of Ships, or others, for Setting forth of Ships to Sea, shall now likewise have Power to conclude with them, or any of them; and to present their several Agreements to the House.

Delivery of Carrickfergus to the Scotts.

Mr.Fienis brings Answer, that the Lords agree to the Amendments in the Draught of the Commission for the Delivery of Carrickfergus to the Scotts; and likewise to the Order concerning Serjeant Major Skippon.

Irish Commissioners.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde presented Heads for a Commission, for authorizing certain Commissioners for the Managing the Affairs of Ireland: The which Heads were read; and assented unto, by Vote, upon the Question.

Upon the Question, whether the Number of the Commissioners, to be nominated by this House, shall be Ten, and no more;

The Question passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That the Number of the Commissioners, to be nominated by this House, shall be Sixteen only.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Committee for Irish Affairs shall have Power to propound Sixteen Names to this House to be Commissioners for managing the Affairs of Ireland.

Newton Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker shall issue forth his Warrant, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, for the Electing of another Burgess, for the Town of Newton in Com. Lancastr', to serve in this Parliament, instead of Mr. Peter Leigh, formerly returned a Burgess for that Town, and since deceased.

Commission.

Ordered, That this Business of the Commission shall be resumed To-morrow Morning.