House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 20 May 1645

Die Martis, Maii 20 1645.

Prayers.

THE Grand Committee concerning the Business of the Church, according to former Order, this Day met.

Mr. Whittacre in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Nicoll reports, from the Committee appointed to consider of the Earl of Essex, the Earl of Manchester, and the Earl of Denbigh, and their Officers, the Business concerning the Earl of Essex.

An Ordinance for the Paying of Ten thousand Pounds per Annum, out of the Monies raised by Delinquents Estates, after the Monies due to our Brethren of Scotland, by quarterly Payments, for the future, unto the Earl of Essex, in pursuance of a former Ordinance; and likewise the Arrearages upon the said Ordinance; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Browne, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Holles, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Robert Harley, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Lisle, Sir Walter Erle, Mr.Grimpston, Mr. Ashe, Sir Ben. Rudyard, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Sir Habotell Grimston, Mr. Strode, Mr. Sollicitor, Sir Beauchamp St. John, Mr. Long, Sir Martin Lumley, Serjeant Wilde, Mr. Rigby, Sir Phil. Stapilton, Mr. Whitlock, Mr. Nicoll, Sir Wm. Lewes; Sir Arth. Hasilrig, Sir Anthony Irby, Colonel Popham, and the Members of the House that are of the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall: And are to meet this Afternoon at Two of Clock, in the Exchequer-Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

Resolved, &c. That the Four thousand Three hundred Pounds due to the Earl of Essex, for his Arrear of Entertainment upon the Establishment, shall be paid; whereof Two thousand Pounds out of the Excise, Fifteen hundred Pounds out of the Monies that come in at HaberdashersHall, and Eight hundred Pounds out of the Revenue.

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired in the Fifteen hundred Pounds, charged upon Haberdashers-Hall, towards the Payment of the Arrear of Entertainment due to the Earl of Essex, upon the late Establishment of the Army.

Ordered, That Mr. Holles be added to the Committee appointed to go to the Common-Council this Afternoon; Sir Henry Mildmay not being in Town ready to go.

Resolved, &c. That Ten thousand Pounds shall be charged upon the Excise, to be employed for the Reducing of Oxon.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Three Associated Counties, to employ their best and speediest Endeavours for the present Advance of the Ten thousand Pounds charged upon the Excise: And the Care hereof is especially recommended unto Mr.Lenthall and Mr. Whitlock.

Resolved, &c. That Three thousand Pounds per Month shall be charged upon the Excise, for Four Months, for Maintenance of the Forces in the West; this Credit to come next in Time after the Ten thousand Pounds charged, this Day, upon the Excise, for the Reducing of Oxon.

Mr. Noble, Mr. Green, Mr. Prideaux, and Mr. John Ash, are desired to press the Commissioners of Excise herein.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army be injoined to meet, and sit every Afternoon, constantly; the Multitude of Business requiring it.

Ordered, That the Members of this House that are of the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports, do meet constantly and diligently: And that they do meet this Afternoon; and take speedy Course, that the Ships at Sea, in the Parliament's Service, may be so accommodated and supplied, in point of Command, and other Necessaries, that they may perform the Service expected from them, and prevent the great Damages, that daily happen to the Merchants.

A Letter from Sir John Meldrum, of 15 Maii, from Scarborough, was this Day read: And

It is thereupon Ordered, That the Committee of both Kingdom do write a Letter to him, to express the good Sense the House hath of his Services.

Ordered, That Five hundred Pounds be added to the Thousand Pounds formerly designed for Sir John Meldrum, to be bestowed upon him freely, as a Gift from the Parliament: And that Two hundred Pounds thereof shall be borrowed out of the Revenue; and Three hundred Pounds thereof shall be borrowed out of HaberdashersHall; to be forthwith sent unto him: And that in case the said Sums of Two hundred and Three hundred Pounds be not ready, that the Committees do use their best Endeavours for the speedy Procurement of it. And it is especially recommended to Sir Robert Harley, and Mr. Rigby, to take care of it.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Supply of Commands in the Armies and Garisons, to take Sir John Meldrum into their especial Consideration.

Ordered, That Mr. Selden do bring in an Ordinance, on Monday next, for regulating the Heralds Office, and the Heraldry of the Kingdom.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Page and Sir Edw. Leech;

The Lords have commanded us to deliver these Petitions; the First from Francis Tompson; the Second from Mary Michelson; the Third from Captain Euseby Glover; and the Fourth from Sir James Elliot: The Lords have agreed to them; and desire the Concurrence of this House in all of them.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That the House has considered of their Messages; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.