House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 26 April 1645

Die Sabbati, Aprilis 26, 1645.

Prayers.

Ordered, That the Remonstrance, or humble Motion, of the Committee for Fortifications for the City of London, and Parts adjacent, be referred to the Committee of Examinations: Who are required to call before them Robert Forsett, of Maribone, Esquire; and to examine his Carriage towards the said Committee of Fortifications; and what Suits or Actions at Law have been brought by him, or by any others, against his or their respective Tenants, for their Rents; which Tenants have been prejudiced in their Interests by the said Fortifications; and to take Order for Stay of the said Suits at Law, if they shall see Cause: The said Committee are likewise to consider, what Hedge-Rows are fit to be cut down, and what Banks or Ditches are fit to be slighted, near to the said Fortifications; the same being for the Safety of the City and Parliament; and to report the same to the House.

An additional Ordinance for the better taking and expediting the Accompts of the whole Kingdom was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed:

Sir Robert Pye, Sir Simonds Dewes, Mr. Tate, Mr. Stroade, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Selden, Sir Hen. Vane senior, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Bainton, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Ellys, Mr. Rich. Browne, Mr. Whittacre, Mr. Rolle, Mr. Bond, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Jesson, Sir Wm. Strickland, Mr. Robert Goodwyn, Mr. Noble, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Maynard, Sir Martin Lumley, Mr. Serjeant Wilde, Sir Thomas Soame, Mr. Lisle, Sir Hen. Cholmeley, Sir Wm. Masham, Mr. Buller, Mr. Rigby, Sir John Coke, Sir Tho. Walsingham, Sir Wm. Allenson, Sir Tho. Dacres, Mr. Gourden, Mr. Holles, Sir John Evelin senior, Sir Edmund Fowell, Mr. Samuel Browne, Mr. Beddingfield, Mr. John Ashe, Sir Samuel Rolle, Mr. Ashurst, Sir John Evelin junior, Mr. John Yonge, and Sir John Corbet, and all the Lawyers of the House: And this Committee are to consider of fit Powers to be granted to the Committee of Accompts (who are to attend this Committee), for so much as concerns bringing Men to accompt, and levying the Monies in Arrear; and for giving Duplicates; and for some Course to discharge Accomptants: And are to meet every Tuesday and Thursday, in the Exchequer-Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, and Records.

Divers of the Aldermen and Common-Council of the City of London were called in; and did return Thanks for the great Respects shewed them by this House, from time to time, and upon all Occasions; and, in particular, for their great Respect, in giving them Leave to present the Name of a Person to be Lieutenant of the Tower: That, upon Receipt of That Order, the Lord Mayor called a Common-Council; and, with one free and joint Consent, they pitched on Colonel Francis West: And they do humbly present him to the Consideration and Approbation of this House.

The Lord Mayor and Common-Council desire this House to take Gloucester into Consideration; and likewise to take into Consideration the Ordinance for bringing in the Arrears in the City.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Colonel Francis West to be Lieutenant of the Tower of London.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

An Ordinance for securing and repaying unto Mr. Nathanael Stephens, Mr. Thomas Hodges, Mr. Jennour, and Mr. Pury, Members of this House, Two thousand Three hundred Pounds, advanced by them upon the Credit of the Excise, was this Day read; and passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Sir Christopher Yelverton carried up to the Lords the Ordinance for securing the Ten thousand Pounds, forborn by the Merchants-Adventurers: The Ordinance for securing Two thousand Three hundred Pounds, advanced by Mr. Nathan. Stephens, Mr. Hodges, and others, for the Service of Gloucester: The Ordinance, prohibiting all Persons not in Orders to preach.

Sir Robert Pye carried up to the Lords the Ordinance for Securing and Repayment of Five hundred Pounds to the Commissioners of Excise, advanced by them for the Service of the Troop late of my Lord General's Lifeguard.

An Ordinance for Securing and Repayment of Five hundred Pounds to the Commissioners of Excise, advanced by them for the Service of the Troop of Horse late my Lord General's Lifeguard, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

An Ordinance for raising Monies out of the concealed Estates of Delinquents and Papists, not exceeding Six thousand Pounds, for the Service of the Counties of Monmouth, Brecknock, Radnor, &c. was this Day read the First time; and ordered to be read the Second time on Monday next.

Ordered, That Five hundred Pounds shall be charged upon the Credit of the Excise, for the Service of the Forces of Worcestershire, to be repaid by the Gentlemen of the County of Worcester.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for the maintaining the Worcestershire Forces be tendered, and read, on Tuesday next.

A Letter from the Committee at Gloucester, to Mr. Speaker, with Propositions in it for maintaining a Force there, was this Day read. And

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Gloucester, to consider of those Propositions; and of a Force to be sent thither; and of a Means to maintain those Forces; and to present the same to the House.

Sir Christopher Yelverton brings Answer from the Lords, That they do agree to those Ordinances carried up by him.

Sir Robert Pye brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Order for Five hundred Pounds for the Gentlemen that were of the Lifeguard to the Earl of Essex.

Sir Thomas Widdrington brings Answer from the Lords, That, as to the Two Ordinances carried up by him the other Day; one concerning the Governor of Windsore-Castle; and the other for providing Money, out of Haberdashers-Hall, for Arms to be sent to Colonel Massy; they do agree: And, as for That for punishing Soldiers that desert their Colours, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Two Letters, one from the Governor of Warwick-Castle, the other from the Committee of Worcester, concerning the Defeat given to the King's Forces in Warwickshire, were this Day read. And

Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to take special Care of those Parts and Places: And Sir Christopher Yelverton and Mr. Serjeant Wilde are to bring in Letters of Thanks, for Mr. Speaker to sign, to Colonel Bridges, and the other Commanders, that managed this Action.

Ordered, That Captain Pelcher, a Prisoner to the Parliament's Forces at Warwick, shall not be exchanged without Consent of the Committee of Worcestershire: Who are to acquaint the House with any Exchange to be propounded for him.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider of the Disposing of such Prisoners of Quality, as were taken at the late Defeat in Warwickshire; and where to keep them.

Ordered, That the Report concerning Sir Thomas Dawes be heard on Friday next, the first Business.