House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 27 December 1644

Die Veneris, Decembris 27, 1644.

Prayers.

Ordered, That Sir Wm. Playters do pay in the Five hundred Pounds, Remainder of the Fine set upon Tho. Playters Esquire, his Son, for his Delinquency: And that he do likewise pay in an Hundred Pounds in Discharge of the Arrears of the Sequestration of the Revenue and Estate of his said Son: And that the said Hundred Pounds be paid to Sir Gilb. Gerard, Treasurer at Wars; to be forthwith paid to Jonathan Powell Girdler, towards the Discharge of a Debt owing to the said Jonathan Powell by the State.

An Ordinance for disposing Monies belonging to Mr. John Coryton (in Right of his Wife), in Arms against the Parliament, for the Service of the West, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Mr. Jo. Ashe reports, from the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall, certain Votes concerning the Management of the Coal-Business: Which the House would not enter into the Debate of, until the Scotts Commissioners had been first acquainted with them.

Sir H. Vane senior, Mr. Jo. Ashe, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Sir Gilb. Gerard, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Blakiston, Mr. Crew, Mr. Sollicitor, Sir Philip Stapilton;

This Committee is appointed to meet this Afternoon at Two of Clock, at Worcester-House, with the Commissioners of Scotland, to acquaint them, and treat with them upon the Votes this Day reported from the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall, concerning the Matter of Coal; and, upon the whole Matter of that Business, after Conference with them, to settle it in the best Way they can.

Sir Wm. Lewes went to the Lords, to desire a Conference concerning the Matter of the Message touching a Treaty: But the Lords were up.

Ordered, That it be earnestly recommended unto the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall, to consider of speedy raising and providing Thirty-one thousand Pounds, to be a Month's Pay to the Scotts Army.

Resolved, &c. That Ten thousand Pounds shall be forthwith provided, and paid, upon Account, to the Earl of Calendar's Army: And that this Ten thousand Pounds be raised and provided out of the Excise: And Sir Henry Vane senior and Sir Thomas Widdrington are appointed to treat with the Commissioners of Excise for the Advance of this Ten thousand Pounds.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to take care for Mustering of all the Forces under the Earl of Leven and the Earl of Calender; to the end, their Numbers may be ascertained; and to put them in a way of a certain Muster; and to consider how the Charge of those Forces may be contracted, in the best Manner that may be, in regard of the great Occasions of the Kingdom, and that the Kingdom may be enabled the better to perform their Undertakings.

Ordered, That the Residue of the Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, made by Mr. Recorder, concerning the Scotts Armies in the North and in Ireland, be resumed To-morrow, the first Business; and proceeded in: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.

The House being informed, That divers of the Committee of Accounts were at the Door;

They were called in; and did present a Certificate, concerning a printed Paper signed by Commissary Lyonel Copley; and a Certificate touching the Accounts of Commissary Copley; with the Objections and Answers: Whereupon

It is Resolved, upon the Question, That Commissary Copley shall be forthwith committed.

Resolved, &c. That he shall stand committed to the Compter in Southwark.

Ordered, That the Report be made on Monday Morning next, concerning Commissary Copley; and, in case the Report be not made, that the Committee do sit in the Afternoon.

The House being informed, That some of the Divines of the Assembly were at the Door;

They were called in. Dr. Burgesse presented the remaining Parts of the Directory for Publick Worship concerning the keeping Days of Publick Fasts, of Publick Thanksgiving; and some Propositions touching the Singing of Psalms.