House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 21 July 1645

Die Lunæ, Julii 21, 1645.

Prayers.

AN Ordinance for the better Maintenance of the Ministers of the Town of Derby, by affording unto them the Rents, Issues, and Profits, belonging to the Dean, Dean and Chapter of Lincolne, now in Lease for a Term in being unto John Bullock Esquire, a Delinquent in Arms against the Parliament, situate and being within the Parishes of Talkmans and Allballowes near Derby, was this Day read, the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

The humble Petition of divers Gentlemen, Citizens, and others, Natives of Cheshire, on the Behalf of the said County; and divers Reasons for Reducing of the City of Chester, presented by divers Gentlemen of Cheshire, called in to that Purpose; were this Day read: And

It is Ordered, upon the Question, That the Matter of this Petition be recommended unto the Committee of both Kingdoms, to take into speedy Consideration, as a Business very much importing the Good and Safety of both Kingdoms.

It is further Ordered, That the Business of this Petition be likewise, in like manner, recommended unto the Committee of both Kingdoms, upon the Place with the Scotts Army, as a Business of very great Importance to both Kingdoms: And that a Letter, recommending this Business, be written from this House, to the General of the Scotts Army; and one in like manner to the Committee upon the Place.

Sir Wm. Brereton is appointed to prepare these Letters.

The Gentlemen that presented the Petition were again called in: And Mr. Speaker acquainted them with what the House had done upon their Petition.

Ordered, That Sir William Waller be referred to the Committee appointed to take the Accompts of the Kingdoms, for the Making up of his Accompts: And the said Committee are hereby required to receive, state, and determine the same.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Parliament that are to reside in the Scotts Army, shall have Credit for Five hundred Pounds, upon Account, if their Occasions shall require the same; to be charged upon the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall: Who are hereby required to pay the same, upon any Bill or Bills under the Hands of the said Commissioners, or of any Two of them, according to the said Bill or Bills.

Ordered, That the Committee of the County of Salop shall have Power to compound with Sir John Wilde the younger, now a Prisoner to the Parliament, for the Liberty of his Person: And that the Proceed of such Composition shall be paid to Colonel Thomas Mitton, upon Account, in Part of his Arrears.

Ordered, That Sir William Brereton and Colonel Jeptson be referred to the Committee appointed to take the Accompts of the Kingdoms, for the Making up of their Accompts: And the said Committee are hereby required to receive, state, and determine, the same.

Ordered, That Five hundred Musquets and Bandaliers be forthwith provided and furnished out of the publick Stores, and sent to the Garison of Evesham.

Ordered, That Interest, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Centum, shall be allowed, and inserted in the several Ordinances for securing Ten thousand Pounds for the Forces late under the Command of the Lord Fairfax, and to be raised by the Ordinance for the Northern Association; the Seven hundred and Sixty Pounds to Major-General Browne, and the Monies to be paid to the English and Scotts Officers that have been laid aside; the Train of Artillery and Reformadoes; the said several Sums being respectively charged upon the Excise.

A Message from the Lords, by Dr. Aylett and Dr. Heathe;

The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, That they have agreed to this Ordinance for Instructions to the Commissioners of both Houses that are to go to the Parliament of Scotland, with these Amendments. They do especially recommend the Petition of Catharine Ayliffe; and desire that it may be referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations:-An Ordinance for Preservation of Wood and Timber: To which the Lords do agree; and desire your Concurrence: Also, An Ordinance to enable Colonel Rosseter to execute Martial Law in the County of Lincolne: To which the Lords have agreed, and desire your Concurrence.

The Amendments to the Ordinance for Instructions to the Commissioners of both Houses, that are to go to the Parliament of Scotland, were twice read; and assented unto, upon the Question.

Resolved, &c. That to the Petition of Catharine Ayliffe Answer shall be returned, by Messengers of their own.

The Ordinance for enabling Colonel Rosseter to lead, conduct, and govern all the Forces of Lincolnshire; and to punish all Crimes whatsoever, by Martial Law, within the County of Lincolne; was twice read; and, upon the Question, committed unto the Committee of the Eastern Association: And they are to report it between the Hours of Ten and Twelve.

Ordered, That the Committee of both Kingdoms do give a Commission to Major Le Hunt to command the Five hundred Horse, now upon their March towards the County of Lincolne, under Colonel Rosseter.

Ordered, That Mr. Ellys and Mr. Hill do, on Thursday next, bring in an Ordinance for constituting a Power of Martial Law within the Lines of Communication.

Ordered, That the Sermons appointed to be preached before the Commons, To-morrow the Two-and-twentieth of this Instant, being the Day of publick Thanksgiving for the great Victory obtained by the Parliament's Forces, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, over the Forces under the Command of General Goring, near Langport, in the West, be both made To-morrow before Noon: And that Mr. Prideaux and Mr. Nicoll do acquaint the Ministers with this Order.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House hath considered their Lordships Message: And, as to the Amendments to the Ordinance of Instructions for the Commissioners appointed to go unto the Parliament of Scotland, they do agree: And, as to the rest of the Messages, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordered, That so soon as the Business of the Report made by Mr. Samuel Browne, concerning Mr. Holles and Mr. Whitelock, shall be dispatched, That Sir Robert Harley do make his Report, concerning the Pictures at YorkeHouse.

Ordered, That, on Thursday Morning next, the first Business, Sir Thomas Widdrington do make Report of the Business, concerning the Comptrol upon the Excise.

Sir Walter Erle reports the Amendments to the Ordinance for applying Nine thousand Pounds of the Arrears of the Four Months Assessments, for furnishing the publick Stores with Match and Bullet; and for paying the Sums due for the Provisions heretofore contracted for, and brought in to the Stores, for the furnishing the Train of Artillery: The which Amendments were twice read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence: And Sir Walter Erle is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

According to former Order, the House resumed the Consideration of the Report made by Mr. Samuel Browne, from the Committee to which the Consideration and Examination of the Paper from the Lord Savile, inclosed in a Letter to Mr. Gourdon, and by him presented to the House, was referred.

The Question being put, Whether the House should rise for an Hour;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Negative.

The House proceeded to debate that Part of the Report which concerned the Passages of a Discourse held at a Meeting at the Earl of Lindsey's Chamber at Oxford; where Mr. Holles and Mr. Whitlock were present, when they were employed as Two of the Commissioners to present the Propositions of Peace from both Kingdoms; and concerning a Paper, delivered at the same time to the Earl of Lindsey.

Resolved, &c. That forasmuch as it doth not appear to this House, that Mr. Holles and Mr. Whitlock had any ill Intention in their Proceedings at Oxford; therefore this House is of Opinion, that the Matter of this Report, as concerning Mr. Holles and Mr. Whitlock, be totally and finally laid aside.

Resolved, &c. That, notwithstanding this Vote, this House doth declare, That Mr. Holles and Mr. Whitelock may prosecute the Lord Savile for Reparation, if they see Cause.

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

The Lords have commanded us to let you know, That the Earl of Stanford hath put in his Answer to the Impeachment against him, by this House: Henry Polton and Matthew Patsall, have likewise put in their Answer to the said Impeachment against them: And that the Lords have resolved to go to the Hearing upon the said Impeachments on Friday next.

They have appointed their Committee to sit on Wednesday next, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, concerning Mr. Griffith's Business; and desire that the Members of this House, that are of the same Committee, may then meet likewise, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House.

Ordered, That the Committee of Prisoners do send away the Drum that came from Prince Maurice; and do give such Answer to Prince Maurice's Letters, concerning the Exchange of Prisoners, as they shall think fit.

Ordered, That Mr. Hill, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Serjeant Wilde, and Sir Thomas Widdrington, do manage the Tryal upon the Impeachment of the Earl of Stanford, on Friday next.

Ordered, That the House take into Consideration, on Wednesday Morning next, the first Business after the Speaker comes to the Chair, the Sixth Clause of the Instructions to the Commissioners appointed to go into Scotland, sent down first from the Lords, and agreed upon by this House, and, upon Return of the Instructions, with some Amendments by this House, returned by the Lords to be left out.

Ordered, &c. That the Grand Committee for the Ordinance for Sale of Delinquents Estates do fit on Thursday next, according to former Order.

Ordered, That the Informations of Colonel Kinge and Dr. Bastwick, formerly referred to the Committee where Mr. Browne has the Chair, be referred to the Committee for Examinations: And that the Examinations reported by Mr. Rigby, concerning Mr. Speaker, and Sir John Lenthall, be referred to the same Committee; to take into Consideration the first Business, at the next Sitting: And have Power to examine any Member of this House, as to this Business; and likewise to send for any Prisoner, out of any Prison, as they shall find Cause, to be examined in this Business.