House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 24 May 1645

Die Sabbati, Maii 24, 1645.

Prayers.

THE humble Petition of Two hundred wounded and maimed Soldiers, in the Savoy Hospital, and in the Behalf of Fifteen hundred Soldiers and Widows more, that are paid at Christ-Church and Parsons-Green, was this Day read. And

It is Ordered, That whereas Two hundred Pounds per Week is charged upon, and granted out of, the Excise, for the Relief of wounded Soldiers, and the Widows of Soldiers, that Fifty Pounds per Week more shall issue out of the Excise, for the Relief of wounded Soldiers, and Soldiers Widows: And that this weekly Fifty Pounds shall be paid duly to the Treasurers for maimed Soldiers; notwithstanding any Payments already charged.

It is further Ordered, That the Collections upon the next Three monthly Fasts within the Cities of London and Westminster, and Parishes within the Bills of Mortality, excepting the Moiety of the Collections in the Parishes of St. Margaret's Westminster, and St. Martin's in the Fields, shall be employed for the Relief of maimed Soldiers; and paid in to the Treasurers at Tallowchandlers-Hall: And that the said Treasurers shall have the Stipend of Fifty Pounds yearly each allowed unto them, for their Pains and Care in this Employment; as likewise in the Employment of receiving the Monies that come in upon the Ordinances of new Excise, and Arrears of Three Months weekly Assessment: And that the first Thousand Pounds that shall arise upon the Discovery of any concealed Delinquents Estates, that shall be discovered by the said Treasurers, Apothecaries, or Surgeons, shall be employed, and paid in, for Satisfaction of the Arrears due and payable to the Surgeons and Apothecaries employed in the Cure of wounded and maimed Soldiers: And that the Monies that shall come in upon the foresaid Ordinances of new Excise, or Arrears of the Three Months weekly Assessments, shall be paid in to the Treasurers for maimed Soldiers at Tallowchandlers-Hall.

Mr. Holland is appointed to bring in an Ordinance for this Fifty Pounds weekly out of the Excise: And Mr. Holland and Colonel Ven are appointed to return the hearty Thanks of this House to the Treasurers for the maimed Soldiers, for their great Pains in this so pious and charitable Work.

Ordered, That Mr. Green do, on Monday next, make his Report, concerning an Excise upon Papers and Parchments.

An Ordinance for raising Monies, and raising and maintaining Forces in the County of Southampton, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Recorder, Sir Henry Mildmay, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Hoyle, Mr. Ashurst, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Sir Robert Pye, Sir Henry Cholmley, Sir John Evelyn junior, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Smith, Mr. Gerard, and all the Gentlemen of Hants, that are Members of the House of Commons: And this Committee are to meet this Afternoon, in the Exchequer-Chamber, at Two of the Clock; and to report it with all convenient Speed.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for maimed Soldiers, to consider of the Foundations of the Hospitals in and about London; and whether the same be employed according to the Intent of their Founders; and to take care, that the Abuses in them may be redressed, and the poorest and most necessitous sick and weak Persons may be relieved by them.

The said Committee are also to treat with the Lord Mayor of the City of London; and to consider of some Course, How the Poor in and about the City, as well maimed Soldiers as others, may be employed and set on Work: And all such as will come are to have Voice at this Committee.

The Ordinance for Charging of Three hundred Pounds upon the Excise, for Windsor, was this Day read the First and Second time.

And the Question was propounded, For the Passing of it.

And then the Question being put, Whether That Question should be now put;

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Negative.

The Clause of Payment of the said Three hundred Pounds unto Colonel John Ven was altered; and appointed to be paid to Colonel Whitchcote, the present Governor.

And then the Ordinance was put to the Question; and passed, upon the Question.

An Ordinance for securing and reimbursing, out of the Excise, a Thousand Pounds to such well-affected Persons, for Payment of the Forces of Derbyshire, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed.

Whereas, by Order of both Houses of Parliament, Sir Matthew Brend Knight is appointed Sheriff of the County of Surrey; who cannot, without great Prejudice and Inconveniency, reside within the said County, constantly: It is therefore Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the said Sir Matthew Brend, during the Time he shall continue Sheriff, shall be dispensed with for his constant residing in that County; and not incurr any Penalty or Danger thereby.

Ordered, That a Collection be made of all well-affected Persons within the Cities of London, Westminster, and Parishes within the Bills of Mortality; and likewise within the County of Middlesex, the Associated Counties late of the Earl of Manchester's Association, and the Four Associated Counties late of Sir William Waller's Association; to be employed for the Relief of the poor distressed Inhabitants of the Town of Taunton, and such of the adjacent Places; to be disposed of, as to the Committee of the West shall be thought meet and convenient.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Mr. Nicoll carried to the Lords an Ordinance for Colonel Massie to be Commander in Chief of the Western Association: The Ordinance for raising Monies for maintaining the Forces of the County of Derby: An Ordinance for Colonel Poynes to have Two hundred Pounds in Course, out of Haberdashers-Hall: An Ordinance for securing One thousand Pounds out of the Excise, for the County of Derby: And an Ordinance for a Collection, for the Relief of the Poor of Taunton.

According to a former Order, Mr. Pierpont reported the Letters, Orders, Answers, and whole Proceedings, between the Committee of both Kingdoms, and the Houses, and the Kingdom of Scotland, the Scotts General, and the Scotts Commissioners, concerning the Advance of the Scotts Army Southward.

Resolved, &c. That Letters be written from both Houses, to the Counties of Derby, Nottingham, Lancaster, Chester, &c. and the Party of Two thousand Five hundred Horse of Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army, to be in Readiness to prosecute the King's Army in such a Manner, as shall be directed by the Committee of both Kingdoms: And the Committee of both Kingdoms are appointed to prepare these Letters.

Resolved, &c. That it is the Desire of this House, That the Scotts Army do speedily march: And that it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider of the Joining of these Forces in such Manner, as they may be able to oppose the King's Army.

Ordered, That Mr. Holles and Mr. Crew do repair to the Scotts Commissioners; and acquaint them with the hearty Desire of this House, for the continuing and preserving a good Correspondence between the Two Kingdoms, solemnly joined in the Prosecution of this Cause; and to assure them, That they shall be careful of promoteing their Good and Safety, as their own; and shall be as sensible of any Ill that shall happen to them, as if it happened to themselves.

Mr. Nicoll brings Answer, That the Lords do concurr in all Things carried up by him; except the Ordinance for raising Money for maintaining the Forces of the County of Derby: To which they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.