House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 12 July 1645

Die Sabbati, 12 Julii, 1645.

Prayers.

THE Grand Committee of the House, according to former Order, proceeded to take into Consideration the Ordinance for Sale of Delinquents Estates.

Mr. Reynolds in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

A Letter from Major-General Browne, of 9 Julii, from Abingdon, was this Day read.

Mr. Whitlock reports, from the Gentlemen of the Militia of the City of London, and of the neighbouring Counties, Propositions for raising a new Force of Horse and Dragoons: Which were read: And

It is thereupon Ordered, That the Counties of Bedford and Norfolke, and the City of Norwich, do contribute proportionably with the other Counties for the Raising of these Forces: And

It is further Ordered, That Mr. Grimston and Mr. Whitlock do immediately withdraw, and prepare an Order for the Raising of Fifteen hundred Horse and Dragoons, according to the said Propositions.

Ordered, That Seven hundred and Sixty Pounds shall be forthwith provided and paid to Major-General Browne, upon Account, in Part of the Arrears of his Pay: And that this Seven hundred and Sixty Pounds be charged upon the Excise, to be paid in Course. And Mr. Whitlock is appointed to bring in an Ordinance, accordingly.

Ordered, That the Proportions of Horse and Dragoons to be raised by the Gentlemen of the Militia of London, and the neighbouring Counties, according to their Propositions, this Day reported by Mr. Whitlocke, be so raised, according to the Proportions laid for Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army.

Sir Robert Harley brings Answer from the Lords, That the Lords do agree to the Votes carried by him to the Lords, concerning the Scotts Army.

Ordered, That the House do meet this Afternoon at Two of the Clock: And that the several Reports from the Committee of both Kingdoms be then taken into Consideration: And that the Report concerning Nottingham be first considered of; and the Instructions for the Commissioners that are to go into Scotland.

Ordered, That the Forces now in the West, sent from the several Counties for the Relief of Taunton, be continued there for one Month longer: And that the Committee of the West do prepare a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and sent to the several Counties that raised those Forces, to desire them to continue them there for one Month longer.

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

The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, That they have appointed the Earl of Stanford and the Lord Mountague to be Commissioners to reside with the Scotts Army: An Ordinance for nominating and appointing Commissioners of both Houses to be sent to the Kingdom of Scotland: A Minute of a Letter to be sent presently into Scotland, before the Commissioners go: An Ordinance to nominate the Commissioners that are to go into Scotland to treat and conclude with the Parliament of Scotland, according to such Instructions as shall be given them from both Houses of Parliament of England. The Lords have thought fit, That Mr. Marshall and Mr. Stronge, Two Divines, should be desired to go with the Commissioners into Scotland: To all which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Likewise they have commanded us to deliver you these Papers; which were sent unto them from the Scottish Commissioners: Which they refer to your Consideration.

The Minute of the Letter to be sent presently into Scotland, before the Commissioners go, was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Mr. Marshall and Mr. Stronge be desired to go, with the Commissioners of both Houses, into Scotland.

Mr. Speaker, by Command from the House, gave Sir John Price Thanks for his Faithfulness and Services to the Parliament.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for Granting of Four thousand Pounds to the Lord Wharton, out of the Estate of the Heir of Sir William Savile, a Ward, be reported this Afternoon.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House hath considered of your Message: And, as to the Minute of the Letter to be sent into Scotland; and that Mr. Marshall and Mr. Stronge may go, with the Commissioners of both Houses, into Scotland; they do agree: And, as to the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Post Meridiem.

WHereas a Proposition hath been made to this House, for the raising and arming One thousand Horse, and Five hundred Dragoons, by the City of London, and the Counties of Essex, Suffolk, Cambridg, Huntingdon, Hertford, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Bedford, Norfolk, and the City of Norwich; It is therefore Ordered, That the Charge of raising the said Horse and Dragoons shall be borne by the said Cities and Counties, according to the Rule of Proportion for Monies in the Ordinance for the Maintaining of the Forces under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax: And that the Monies so to be disbursed for the Raising and Arming of the said Horse and Dragoons shall, according to the Proportions laid out by them, as aforesaid, be repaid to the said several and respective Cities and Counties, out of such Monies as shall be advanced upon the Ordinance which is to be passed for the Sale of Delinquents Estates, next after the Two hundred thousand Pounds, already engaged to be raised out of the said Estates: And that the said Horse and Dragoons shall be taken into Pay the next Day after they shall come to any Rendezyous within any of the Three Counties of Oxon, Buck', and Berk', by Order of both Houses of Parliament, or of the Committee of the Two Kingdoms; and shall be commanded by Major-General Browne, and maintained out of the Twenty thousand Pounds, secured by the Excise, for the Service of the said Three Counties: And, if any Part of the said Horse or Dragoons shall be made use of, or employed, in any other Counties, but the aforesaid Counties of Oxon, Berk', and Buck', that then the said Horse and Dragoons shall be paid by the respective Counties where they shall be employed, as aforesaid, during the said Employment.

Mr. Recorder reports, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, an Extract of a Letter from the Earl of Leven, and Committee of Estates with the Army, to the Scotts Commissioners at London, from Acester, 8 Julii 1645; and a Paper from the Scotts Commissioners here, 12 Julii 1645: Which were both read.

He further reported the Opinion of That Committee concerning the Supplying of the Wants of the Scotts Army.

A Letter from the Scoutmaster-General of Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army, of 10 Julii 1645, from Lamport, at Seven at Night; relating the great Victory which God hath given the Parliament's Forces over the Enemy in the West, was this Day read: And

The House being informed, That the Messenger that brought the Letter was at the Door;

He was called in; and more particularly related the Manner of the Defeat.

Ordered, That the Committee of the West do bestow upon the Scoutmaster-General's Servant, that brought the Letter, and this good News, to the House, the Sum of Thirty Pounds, for his Pains.

Ordered, That Mr. Recorder, Mr. Bainton, and Sir Anthony Irby, do go to the Committee at GoldsmithsHall; and know of them, In what Readiness the Remainder of the Month's Pay is in for the Scotts Army; and to desire them to hasten it with all possible Expedition.

The Ordinance for nominating the Commissioners that are to go from both Houses of Parliament to the Parliament of Scotland, was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Upon Debate of that Part of the Message this Day from the Lords, which concerned the Sending of Commissioners to reside with the Scotts Army;

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Earl of Stamford is not fit to go upon this Employment.

Ordered, That Mr. Tate do prepare and bring in an Ordinance, on Monday Morning, for appointing Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament to reside with the Scotts Army.

Mr. Tate reported Instructions for the Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament, that are to be appointed to reside with the Scotts Army: Which were first read intirely, and then Clause by Clause; and distinctly agreed, and resolved on.

Ordered, That Mr. Sollicitor and Sir Robert Harley do go to visit Major-General Skippon from this House; and do give him Thanks for his great Services to the Parliament.

Ordered, That the Committees for Sequestrations in the County of Middlesex and City of Westminster, or at Campden-House, do provide Major-General Skippon of a convenient House for him and his Family, for their better Accommodation.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament, that are to be appointed to reside with the Scotts Army, or any Three of them, shall have Power, as they shall see Cause, to help the Scotts Army with Recruits of such Horses, upon Account, as shall be lost in the Service.

Ordered, That in case any Horses shall be taken out of such Counties or Places, as now are under the Assessment, Power, and Contribution of the Parliament, for the Maintenance of the Scotts Army, that the Values of such Horses shall be allowed to such Counties or Places where they shall be taken, upon their Assessments for the Maintenance of that Army.

Ordered, That the Instructions that are to be sent with the Commissioners of both Houses, that are appointed to go to the Parliament of Scotland; and the Ordinance for Four thousand Pounds to the Lord Wharton, out of the Wardship of Sir Wm. Savile's Heir; be reported on Monday Morning.

Ordered, That Mr. Recorder do proceed in his Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, on Monday Morning.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of both Houses, appointed to reside with the Scotts Army, shall have Power to appoint Commissaries to take the Musters of the Scotts Army: And that the said Commissaries are hereby authorized to muster the said Army, from time to time; and are required to return the Rolls of their Musters to this House.

Ordered, That Mr. Corbett do make his Report concerning the Isle of Ely, and the Garisons, on Monday Morning.

An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons, in Parliament, for the nominating, appointing, and authorizing John Earl of Rutland, Philip Lord Wharton, Sir Henry Vane Knight, Sir Wm. Armyn Baronet, Thomas Hatcher, and Robert Goodwyn, Esquires, to be Committees and Commissioners of both Houses to be sent to the Kingdom of Scotland, to treat and conclude divers Matters concerning the Safety and Peace of both Kingdoms.

IT is Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That John Earl of Rutland, Philip Lord Wharton, Sir Henry Vane Knight, Sir Wm. Armyn Baronet, Thomas Hatcher, and Robert Goodwyn, Esquires, be authorized and appointed Committees and Commissioners of and from both Houses of Parliament, to repair into the Kingdom of Scotland; and there they, or any Three of them, to treat, negotiate, contract, conclude, and agree, with the States of that Kingdom, and all others thereunto authorized, of all such Matters concerning the Good of both Kingdoms, as shall be committed and referred to them by the said Lords and Commons, according to such Instructions as are herewithal delivered unto them, and such other Instructions as they shall, from time to time, receive from both Houses of Parliament: And, for their so doing, they shall be warranted, justified, secured, and saved harmless, by the Authority and Power of both Houses of Parliament.

Die Lunæ, 14 Julii, 1645.

Prayers.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do, from this House, give Thanks to Sir William Armyn and Mr. Richard Barwis, for their many and great Services to the Parliament.

Which was done, accordingly.

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

They were called in: And Doctor Gouche acquainted the House, That the Assembly of Divines commanded them, on Friday last, to deliver a Message to this House; but the House was then risen: They attended on Saturday again; but were informed, The House sat not, but in a Committee: Which was the Occasion of deferring it till this Day. They were charged to make known to the House another scandalous, blasphemous Heresy, besides those others they had formerly represented; and this being published in Print, it may the more distinctly be delivered. The Title of the Book is, "Comfort for Believers about their Sins and Troubles."The Scope is, That true Believers, how weak soever in Faith, should not be oppressed or perplexed in Heart by any thing whatever besals them, either in Sin or Afflictions. The Author is said to be John Archer, Master of Art. For Proof of this, he declares his Opinion, which is very heretical and scandalous: His Words are, "God is and hath an Hand in, and is the Author of, the Sinfulness of his People; and that God is more in their Sins and their Sorrows, than they themselves," &c. And moved, That some special Care might be taken, that this Book may receive some publick Brand, that the Purity of the Doctrine of our Church may be vindicated. They further informed the House, That the Author was a Mininister; but was now dead; and that their Requests were nothing concerning his Person, but his Book.

Ordered, That a Book, intituled, "Comfort for Believers about their Sins and Troubles," shall be forthwith publickly burnt by the Hand of the common Hangman, some of them in the Palace-Yard, and other some in Cheapside, Smithfeild, Paul's Church-yard, and the Exchange; and that the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers do search for, and seize upon the same: And that they, and every other Person, in whose Hands any of them do now remain, do deliver the same, together with this Order, to the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex: Who are hereby required to see this Order put in due Execution.

Ordered, &c. That the Assembly of Divines do appoint some of their Members to be present at the Burning of these Books; and to declare to the People the Abominableness of it; and if there be Cause to vindicate the Author.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of Examinations, to find out the Author and Printer of this Book; and who brought the same to the Press.

The Divines were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, acquainted them, What Order they had made concerning the Book, intituled, "Comfort for Believers about their Sins and Troubles." -Returned Thanks to the Assembly.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to take care, that the Money, already sent for the Army, may be speedily dispatched unto them; and likewise to take care to provide a timely Supply of Money, and of Arms and Ammunition, to be sent to the Army.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee of both Kingdoms do give Directions for the Convoying of such Monies, Arms, and Ammunition, to the Army, as shall be provided and put in Readiness by the Committee of the Army.

Ordered, That Sir Roger North have Leave to go into the Country.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee of the Admiralty, upon the Directions of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do take care to provide Shipping for Convoying of such Money, Arms, and Ammunition, as shall be provided by the Committee of the Army.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee of the Army do take care to provide Shoes and Stockings, to be sent to Sir Thomas Fairefaxe's Army; and to be deducted out of their Entertainment.

Ordered, &c. That Captain Potter be constituted and appointed a Commissioner of the Army in the place of Captain Potter his Brother, formerly a Commissioner, and slain in the Service: And that he shall have the same Allowance as the other Commissioners have by their Establishment.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of the Army to reward Curtis, and the rest of ... Messengers that came from the Army, and brought this good News of the Defeat given to the Enemy in the West.

Ordered, &c. That Tuesday, being the Two-and-twentieth of this Instant July, shall be set apart for a publick Day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God, in all Churches and Chapels through the whole Kingdom, under the Power of the Parliament, for the great and glorious Victory obtained by the Parliament's Forces, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax, over the Enemies Forces in the West: And that on the same Day the Ministers do likewise take Notice of the great Mercy of God in preserving this City, during the Sitting of this Parliament, from the Infection of the Plague: And this Order be printed and published.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Hickes and Mr. Meddop be desired to preach before the Commons House, at St. Margaret's, Westminster, on the Day of the Publick Thanksgiving: And Mr. Preideaux and Mr. Nicoll are to give them Notice hereof.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee of the several Counties do take care, That the Order for a publick Day of Thanksgiving, on Tuesday Sevennight, be dispersed to the several Parishes in the respective Counties; and that the Countries do keep the same Day: And that the Members of this House, that serve for the several Counties, to send these Orders to the respective Committees accordingly.

Ordered, &c. That there be a publick Collection on Tuesday Sevennight, being the Day of Publick Thanksgiving, in all the Churches and Chapels within the Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality: And that the Monies, then collected, shall be disposed of by Order of the Committee of the West, for the Relief of the distressed People that are fled out of the West.

An Ordinance for authorizing James Walker and Jeremy Whiteworth for the bringing in the Arrears of a monthly Assessment of Eight thousand Fifty-nine Pounds Fifteen Shillings, taxed upon the County of Middlesex, Cities of London and Westminster, and Borough of Southwarke, to be employed for furnishing the publick Stores with Match and Bullet, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Walter Erle, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Prideaux, Sir John Evelyn junior:

This Committee are added to the Committee of the Army: And to meet this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Duchy-Court.

Ordered, &c. That the Lieutenant of the Tower do permit no Person whatsoever to speak with, or converse with, the Lord Savile, or to convey any Paper or Letter to him, or to receive any from him, till further Order of this House.

Ordered, &c. That Two hundred thousand Pounds be charged, in the first Place, upon the Monies that shall come in upon the Sale of Delinquents Estates, for Sir Tho. Fairefaxe's Army.

Ordered, &c. That the first Fifty thousand Pounds that shall come in upon the Ordinance for the Sale of Delinquents Estates, after that the Two hundred thousand Pounds already charged upon that Ordinance shall be satisfied, shall be employed for the raising and furnishing a publick Magazine of Arms and Ammunition.

Mr. Nicoll went to the Lords to .... Concurrence, That Tuesday next come Sevennight, being the Two-and twentieth of this Instant July, might be set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving throughout the whole Kingdom, for the late Victory obtained by the Parliament's Forces over the Enemies in the West, near Lampton: And likewise to desire, That Captain Potter, Brother to Captain Potter, formerly one of the Commissioners of the Army, and slain in the Service, may be a Commissioner in his Brother's Place.

A Letter from the Scotts Commissioners, of Julii 14, from Worcester-House, with Three Papers of great Importance, found amongst Mr. Howard's Papers.

Resolved, &c. That the Lords be desired. That the Committee of Lords and Commons for Examining of my Lord Savill may meet this Afternoon at Two of Clock; and that my Lord Savill may be brought thither: And that the Scotts Commissioners may be desired to communicate what further they know in this Business, according to what is intimated in their Letter upon this Business.

Sir Robert Pye is appointed to go with this Message.

Sir John Clotworthy and Mr. Corbett are appointed to go to the Lord Savill, and to seize his Papers; and to take care, that no Person whatsoever may, upon any Pretence whatsoever, speak with him, or to convey unto him, or bring from him, any Paper or Letter whatsoever.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Samuel Browne do send his Warrant for the Lord Savill to be brought hither presently.

Mr. Nicoll brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the appointing Tuesday come Sevennight for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving for the late Victory in the West; and do agree, That Captain Potter be one of the Commissioners of the Army, in the place of Captain Potter his Brother, slain in the Service.

Sir Henry Mildmay, Mr. Bainton, Mr. Erle, are appointed to go to the Scotts Commissioners, to desire them to be present at the Committee this Afternoon appointed to examine the Lord Savill.

An Ordinance for enabling the Gentlemen of the Militia of London, and of the neighbouring Counties, to raise several Proportions of Horse and Dragoons for the Relief of the Counties of Oxon, Bucks, and Berks, and the neighbouring Counties, was this Day read the First time; and ordered to be read the Second time To-morrow Morning.