House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 09 April 1642

Die Sabbati, 9 Aprilis, 1642.

PRAYERS.

Leave to go to Portugal.

THE humble Petition of Colonel Wm. Johnston, desiring to go into Portugal, was this Day read: And thereupon.

Ordered, That the said Colonel Wm. Johnson shall have Liberty to travel to Portugal; and, for that Purpose, to imbark and transport himself, with his Son, and Four Servants, without Trouble or Molestation. The Names of his Servants are to be inserted into the Warrant.

Gowdhurst Lecturer.

Upon the humble Petition of the Parishioners of Gowdhurst in Kent, to have Mr. Edward Bright, an orthodox Minister, of godly Life and Conversation, to be their Lecturer, to preach there every Wednesday, they allowing him good competent Allowance, it is this Day Ordered, That the said Mr. Edw. Bright shall be recommended to the said Parishioners to be their Lecturer, to preach there every Wednesday; and that he be admitted to the Lectureship of Gowdhurst aforesaid, without any Molestation or Oppugnancy.

Satisfaction to members.

1^a vice lecta est Billa, An Act for Satisfaction of Damage to be made to some of those Members of the House of Commons, which were most unlawfully committed to Prison, in the Fourth Year of his Majesty's Reign.

Anglesey Militia, &c.

Sir Jo. Potts brings Answer, That as to the Delivery of the Papers by the Earl of Bridgewater, concerning the Militia of the County of Anglesey, they do agree in it: As for the Form of the Commission * * * *

Maidstone Petition.

Ordered, That the Committee of this House appointed to meet with the Committee of the Lords, concerning the Petition framed at Maidston, do meet this Afternoon, at Two of Clock, in the usual Place.

Ammunition at Hull.

A Message from the Lords, by J. Reeves and J. Heath;

The Lords have sent us with this Message; They desire a free Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, touching the Removing the Ammunition at Hull.

Nottingham Petition.

The House was informed, That at the Assizes at Nottingham, it was propounded to J. Reeve, that the County might have Liberty to debate a Petition for desiring his Majesty to return to his Parliament: He said, They should not only have Liberty to debate it; but he would be the first Man that should subscribe it: And did accordingly subscribe it, in the Presence of the Country.

Mr. Pym and Mr. Glyn were appointed to acquaint the said J. Reeves, That this House takes notice of his fair Carriage in this Particular of the Petition; and of his Carriage in general, with respect to the Peace of the Commonwealth; and to return him Thanks from this House.

Grant to the Speaker.

Mr. Hampden reports from the Committee appointed to consider of what Recompence is fit to be made Mr. Speaker for his great Service and Pains, That the Committee had taken the same into Consideration; and do conceive it fit, that Six thousand Pounds shall be bestowed, as a voluntary Gift of this House, on Mr. Speaker: And, for the Time of Payment, the first Two thousand Pounds to be paid as soon as conveniently it may be; and the other Four thousand Pounds in Michaelmas Term: And, though they have voted no more, their Sense was, that this Recompence was too little; and that hereafter, upon Occasion, they will be ready to express a further Thankfulness.

Ordered, That Six thousand Pounds shall be bestowed by this House, on Mr. Speaker, as a voluntary and free Gift.

Ordered, That Two thousand Pounds thereof shall be paid as soon as conveniently it may be; and Four thousand Pounds, the Residue, in Michaelmas Term next.

Mr. Speaker stood up, and expressed his Thankfulness to the House for this their great Respect unto him; and that, as he had hitherto faithfully served them, so he would continue, to the best Abilities he hath.

Judge Reeves.

Mr. Glyn acquaints the House, That he had delivered the Commands of this House to Judge Reeves; and that he acknowledged, this House had done him a great deal of Honour: He had met with some Men that had spoke lavish Words of the Parliament, and of some Members of it: That he had bound them to the good Behaviour; and had bound them to appear within Ten Days after they had received Summons from this House.

Payment to Henley.

Ordered, That it be referred to Mr. Wheeler to speak with Mr. Henley, concerning the Two thousand Five hundred Pounds, to be paid unto him presently, by Order of this House: And that he, and Sir Robert Pye, take some Course for the Payment of it, at such Time as he shall desire it.

Conference.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will give a present Meeting, at a free Conference, as is desired.

Declaration.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Declaration do meet so soon as the Conference shall be ended; and that they sit notwithstanding that the House sit.

Loan from Buckingham.

This House doth accept of the free Offer of the Gentlemen of Buckinghamshire, to lend Six thousand Pounds for the Affairs of Ireland, upon the Bill of Contribution:

And this House doth order, That the said Six thousand Pounds shall be repaid unto them out of the First Monies that shall be raised in the said County of Buckingham, upon the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds. And Mr. Hampden, Mr. Goodwyn, Mr. Whitlocke, and Mr. Winwood, are desired to return the Thanks of this House to the Gentlemen of Buckinghamshire for this their acceptable Service: And this House doth order and declare, that whatsoever other Counties, or Persons, shall do the like, that they shall be likewise secured to be paid the Monies they do lend (with Interest, if they desire it) out of the first Monies that shall be raised upon the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds, in those Counties where the Parties inhabit that advance the Monies.

Magazine at Hull.

Sir Wm. Lewis, Sir Ph. Stapilton, Mr. Fines, Mr. Hotham, are appointed Managers of this free Conference.

Mr. Fienis reports the Conference: That the Lord Say managed the Conference; and told them, That the Occasion of the Conference was concerning the Removing the Magazine at Hull.

The Lords do adhere to their former Resolution. The constant Course of the Parliament was, in all Things, first to address themselves to the King; and did desire that the like Course might be observed at this Time, especially the malignant Party still traducing the Parliament upon their Proceedings, "that they endeavoured to assume all Power to themselves, and not to go by Way of Address to the King."

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House doth agree to join with the Lords in a Desire to his Majesty, that the Magazine at Hull may be removed.

Ordered, That Mr. Fienis shall carry up this Resolve, at Two of Clock, when the Lords shall sit: And that he shall move the Lords to send to the King this Desire of both Houses.

Adjournment, &c.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House shall adjourn till Two of Clock: And that this Report concerning the Vintners, shall be then made.

Sir J. Penington, &c.

Ordered, That Sir Jo. Penington, and Captain Wake, shall be discharged, without further Motion; unless the Committee shall proceed in further Examination of them this Night.

Davies Petition.

The humble Petition of Lieutenant Robert Davies was this Day read.

Mr. Solicitor, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Mr. Strode, Sir Ro. Pye, Lord Gray, Sir Ben. Rudyard, Mr. White, Sir Dud. North, Sir H. Anderson, Mr. Green, Sir Walt. Erle, Sir Jo. Franklyn, Lord Ruthyn, Sir Edm. Mountfort, Alderman Penington, Mr. Ravenscrofte, Mr. Wheeler, Sir A. Hesilrig, Sir J. Bamfield, Mr. Cromwell, Mr. Baynton, Mr. Dowse, Sir Jo. Northcott, Mr. Spurstoe, Mr. Corbett;

This Committee is to consider of the Petition of Lieutenant Robert Davies, in particular; and likewise of the State of the whole Government of the Charter-house and Savoye; and how far they swerve from, or neglect, the Statutes of the Foundation: And are to meet on Friday next, at Two post meridiem, in the Court of Wards: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records.

Abell's, &c. Compositions.

Mr. Green reports the State * * * *

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Submission of Alderman Abell, and the Two thousand Pounds, which he offereth, shall be accepted.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Submission of Wm. Leichland Merchant, and the Four hundred Twenty-five Pounds Eighteen Shillings and Ten Pence, which he offereth, shall be accepted.

Message to the King-Magazine at Hull.

A Message from the Lords * * * *

The Lords have appointed Two Lords of their House to prepare that which is to be sent to the King concerning the Removing the Magazine at Hull; and desire that a proportionable Number of this House may be appointed to join with them; and to meet presently in the Painted Chamber.

Mr. Fienis, Mr. Hampden, Sir Ph. Stapilton, Sir Wm. Lewis, are appointed to meet presently with the Committee of the Lords, concerning the Message to be sent to his Majesty, touching the Removing the Magazine at Hull.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and will send a Committee to meet with a Committee of theirs, as is desired.

Condemned Priests.

Mr. Arthur Goodwyn is appointed to move the Lords, that his Majesty may be desired, by this Message, to take off the Reprieve from the Priests condemned.

Vintners, &c. Compositions.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Submission of Ralph Moore, Vintner, and the Four hundred Twenty-five Pounds Eighteen Shillings and Ten-pence, which he offereth, shall be accepted.

Resolved, That the Submission of Wm. Moore, Vintner, and the One hundred Forty-five Pounds Six Shillings and Eight-pence, which he offereth, shall be accepted.

Resolved, That the Submission of Geo. Shaw, Vintner, and the One hundred Twenty-six Pounds Six Shillings and Eight pence, which he offereth, shall be accepted.

Resolved the like, upon Law. Caterick, for the Sum of Twenty-five Pounds.

Resolved the like, upon Rich. Hardway, for the Sum of Thirty-six Pounds Three Shillings and Four-pence.

Resolved the like, upon Jo. Marshall, for the Sum of One hundred and Eleven Pounds Ten Shillings.

Resolved the like, upon Jo. Steele, for the Sum of Seventy-four Pounds.

Resolved the like, upon Wm. Clifton, for the Sum of One hundred and Twenty-one Pounds.

Resolved, That the Names of such Farmers and Vintners, whose Offer this House hath accepted, shall be left out of the Bill for Restitution of divers great Sums of Money exacted and extorted from the Subjects, by Vintners, &c.

Mr. Green reports the Bill for Restitution of divers Sums of Money exacted from the Subject by Vintners, Retailers of Wine, &c. with Amendments and Additions: The which Amendments and Additions were twice read; and ordered, upon the Question, to be recommitted to the same Committee: And the Committee is to bring in the Bill within Fourteen Days: and have Power to receive such Compositions as shall be offered by the Vintners in the mean time.

Condemned Priests.

Mr. Arth. Goodwyn brings Answer, That the Lords do agree, that his Majesty shall be moved by this Message, that the Laws may pass upon the Priests condemned, and that the Reprieve may be taken off.

Petition to the King-Magazine at Hall, &c.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Rob. Riche and Mr. Page;

The Lords have commanded us to deliver unto you the Draught of the Petition to be sent to his Majesty, concerning the Removing the Magazine at Hull; and concerning the Moving of his Majesty to take off the Reprieve of the Seven Priests; and when it shall be agreed to by this House, that it may be sent unto the Clerk of the Lords House to be ingrossed, to be sent away this Night.

Most Gracious Sovereign,

YOUR dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, finding the Stores of Arms and Ammunition in the Tower of London much diminished; and that the Necessity of Supplies for Your Majesty's Kingdom of Ireland, for which they have been issued from thence, daily increaseth; and that the Occasion for which the Magazine was placed at Hull is now taken away; and considering it will be kept here with less Charge and more Safety, and transported hence with much more Conveniency for the Service of the Kingdom of Ireland; they therefore humbly pray, that Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to give Leave, that the said Arms, Cannon, and Ammunition, now in Magazine at Hull, may be removed to the Tower of London, according as shall be directed by both Houses of Parliament.

And whereas Six Priests, now in Newgate, are condemned to die; and, by Your Majesty, have been reprieved; they humbly pray Your Majesty to be pleased, that the said Reprieve may be taken off; and the said Priests executed according to Law.

Loan for Ireland.

Upon Report from the Committee for Adventurers, That they are this Day informed by Mr. Batteere and Mr. Loftus, that Four thousand Pounds, more than what is already in Mr. Loftus his Hands, being Six thousand five hundred Pounds, will pay all the Arrears of Halfpay of the Six Regiments, and send them away for Ireland, and advance a Month's Pay beforehand unto the Officers; and the Committee being willing to lend the said Sum of Four thousand Pounds, to the speedy sending over of the said Forces, provided they may be assured to be repaid the same out of the first Monies that shall come in upon the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds, or any other Monies which may be found out, to come in sooner; and they desiring, they may not be pressed to exhaust their Stock by Loans hereafter;

It is thereupon, this Day, Ordered, That the said Four thousand Pounds shall be paid out of the first Monies that shall come in upon the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds, or any other Monies that shall come in sooner.

Bailing Prisoners.

Upon a Report now made from the Committee appointed to consider of the Petition framed at Maidston;

It is this Day Ordered, upon the Question, That Sir Roger Twisden Knight, and Rich. Spencer Esquire, now in the Serjeant's Custody, shall be forthwith bailed, upon the Security of Ten thousand Pounds the Principals, and Five thousand Pounds apiece their Sureties; and upon Condition, that they shall appear at all such Times as they shall be required, upon Twenty-four Hours Summons; and that they shall not go into any Part of Kent: nor Sir Roger Twisden above Ten Miles from the City of London; nor Mr. Spencer farther from London, than the Lady Pagett's at Drayton.

Ordered, That this House doth accept of Sir Jo. Wolstenholme and Mr. Sandys to be Security for Mr. Spencer; and likewise of Sir Robert Filmer and Francis Finch Esquire, to be Security for Sir Roger Twisden.

Ordered, That the Report concerning the Petition framed at Maidston, shall be made on Monday Morning next, at Eleven of Clock.

Powder for Chester.

Ordered, That Mr. Cordwell shall have Liberty to deliver unto Sir Wm. Brereton, or such as he shall appoint, Six Barrels of Powder for the Service of the County of Chester, upon such Rates as are agreed upon between this House and him.

Vintners, &c.

Ordered, That those Vintners and Farmers of the Forty Shillings upon the Ton for Wines, and their Under-sharers, that have already, or shall within Fourteen Days, compound before the Committee for Vintners, where Mr. Green has the Chair: and the Compositions reported and accepted by the House; shall have an Act of Oblivion for their Indemnity: And that such of them, as have already compounded, shall pay in their Composition-monies to Sir Ro. Pye and Jo. Brooke Esquire, One of the Tellers of the Exchequer: And that Acquittances under their Hands shall be a sufficient Discharge unto them for the Payment of such Monies.

Postage.

1^a vice lecta est Billa, An Act for the Benefit of the Subject, in the speedy Conveying of Letters through the King's Dominions.

Ordered, That this Bill shall not be read the Second time, until it hath been decided at the Committee, whether the Grant of the Letter-office, by Letters Patents, were a Monopoly; and until the Right of all Parties be determined at the Committee, and reported.

Declaration to Scotland.

THE Lords... Commons in Parliament, understanding that the Commissioners from Scotland do send down One of their Number to the Council of that Kingdom, to give them an Account of the State of the Treaty concerning the Supplies of Ireland, which, we hope, will be speedily concluded; and being desirous to take all Occasions to express their Care and Zeal to maintain the good Correspondency between the Nations, which both Parliaments have obliged themselves by solemn Vow and Protestation, by all good Ways and Means, to preserve; and having Cause enough to doubt, that, at this Time, ill-affected Persons to the Good and Peace of both Kingdoms, may take Occasion, from his Majesty's absenting himself from his Parliament, to misconstrue and misreport their Actions; and calling to mind the Wisdom of the Parliament of Scotland: To prevent all Misapprehensions in Cases of the like Difficulty and Importance, by giving a timely and right Understanding of their Proceedings unto the Kingdom of England; invited by their Example, and to the End that all the Testimonies of mutual Affection between the Two Nations may be reciprocal; they hold it fit to impart unto them the Truth and Clearness of their Proceedings: That they have given no Cause or Occasion to his Majesty to withdraw himself, at this Time, from his Parliament; but that it hath wholly and solely proceeded from the evil Counsels and Suggestions of ill-affected Persons; who have also stirred up his Majesty, by Declaration and Messages, to lay several great and heavy Imputations upon the Parliament, and to disaffect him to their Proceedings; whereby they are inforced, for the clearing of themselves and their Actions from such Aspersions, to set forth a Declaration unto this Kingdom; which, when they have perfected, they intend also to send to the Council of Scotland, that it may be communicated to that Kingdom, to give them more particular Satisfaction concerning their Intents and Actions; assuring them, in the mean time, that their Aim and Ends are conjoint with theirs, to maintain and advance the Honour and Greatness of his Majesty, the Peace and Prosperity of his Kingdoms; and most all, the Truth and Sincerity of the Protestant Religion within all his Dominions.