House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 4 August 1645

Die Lunæ, 4 Augusti, 1645.

Prayers.

ORdered, That Sir Henry Vane the younger, or Mr. Blakiston, do, from this House, desire Mr. Carrill to preach the next Fast-Day, before the Commons House, in the Place of Mr. Greenbill.

The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Isle of Ely, County of Cambridge, and adjacent Counties, was this Day read.

Mr. Sollicitor, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Maynard, Lord Grey, Sir Hen. Vane junior, Sir Edward Partheriche, Mr. Ellys, Sir Thomas Woodhouse, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Rigbye;

This Committee, or any Three of them, are to meet this Afternoon at Two of the Clock, in the ExchequerChamber, to consider of the said Petition, and to prepare and bring in an Ordinance for settling and perfecting the Works of Draining in those Counties accordingly, in such manner as shall be most agreeable to Justice, most advantageous to the Publick, and most conducing to the Safety of those Counties: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, and Records.

The Petitions of Alderman Fowke, and the Certificate from the Committee of Accompts, were this Day read: And, upon a serious and long Debate thereof,

It is Resolved, &c. That Alderman Fowke ought to accompt jointly with the rest of the late Commissioners and Collectors of the Customs.

Upon the Reading of the Second Petition of Alderman Fowke,

It is Ordered, That Alderman Fowke do accompt for the Three hundred Pounds, and such other Monies and Goods for which he is accomptable; mentioned in the Certificate of the Committee of Accompts, and in his own Petition.

Mr. Rigby is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire them to expedite their Answer to the Articles desired to be subscribed by the Committee of the Northern Association, before they act any thing as a Committee; to desire a Conference by Committees of both Houses, so soon as may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, concerning the Alterations, sent from their Lordships, to the Directions concerning the Election of Elders: And was to carry the Ordinances for Lincolnshire, and for One thousand Pounds for Portsmouth, out of the Excise, to the Lords for their Concurrence.

The House being informed, That divers Ministers, Heads of several Colleges in the University of Cambridge, were at the Door;

They were called in: And Mr. Vines acquainted the House, That the University was very sensible of, and thankful to this House for, the several Marks of Favour set upon the University of Cambridge, in freeing them from Taxes: And that this House, which could ease them of their Burdens, they were assured, could also preserve them in their Liberties: They referred the Particulars of their Desires to their Petition; beseeching, That that University might continue the Favourite of this House: And that, as the Gentlemen of this House are the Decendants of those Ancestors that have conferred her Dowry upon her, so you will uphold and maintain her in the Possession of those Liberties and Privileges which that University hath formerly enjoyed.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare, That the University of Cambridge shall continue in the Possession of their Liberties and Privileges they formerly used and enjoyed by former Grants and Charters, before these Troubles began, until the Right be determined: And that the Consideration of the Right be referred to a Committee: And that Mr. Lucas and Mr. Selden do prepare a Letter, to be written from Mr. Speaker, to the Committee of the Association sitting at Cambridge; requiring them to take care, that the University may, in pursuance of this Order, be kept in Possession of their Privileges, until the Right be determined: And that the Committee do examine, upon what Grounds the present Mayor of Cambridge refuseth to take the Oath, usually taken by all former Mayors; and to certify it to the House.

Mr. Selden, Mr. Sollicitor, Mr. Rouse, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Lucas, Sir Hen. Mildmay, Serjeant Wilde, Mr. Whittacre, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Mr. Ellis, Sir Dudly North, Sir Edw. Partherich, Sir Norton Knatchbould, Sir Arth. Haselrigg, Sir John Cooke, Mr. Grimston, Sir Antho. Irby, Mr. Toll, Sir Hen. Vane junior, Mr. Knightley, Sir John Evelyn, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Jesson, Mr. Corbett, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Millington, Mr. Tate, Sir Robert Harley;

This Committee is appointed to consider of the Petition of the Heads of Colleges in the University of Cambridge, in the Behalf of themselves and the whole University, this Day presented and read; and to examine and consider of the whole Matter of the Petition, and of the Differences therein mentioned to be between the University and the Town of Cambridge; and to report the Matter of Right to the House: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

The Ministers were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by Command from the House, acquainted them, That the House had read their Petition; and found it to be concerning the University of Cambridge; which is the University that is under their Protection: They can see no Learning now in the Kingdom, but by their Eyes: The Petition contains in it Matters of Right, in Question between them and the Town: They have put That in a Way to be tried; and yet have ordered, That the Possession be continued to the University of all their Privileges, used or enjoyed by them before these Times; and have put it into a speedy Way: Which is as much as this House can do, till the Right be determined.

Ordered, That Sir William Uvedall shall have Leave to go into the Country, for Five Weeks: And that his Service to the House be dispensed with, in the mean time.

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

The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, That they have granted a Pass for the Countess of Southampton, with her two young Children; with a Coach, Waggon, and a competent Number of her ordinary Servants and Horses, to go from Oxford to Tichfield in Hampshire: It being the Desire of the old Countess Dowager of Southampton to see them, which yet she never did: And the Lords do desire your Concurrence herein.

Resolved, &c. That the Countess of Southampton shall have a Pass for Herself, with her Two young Children, a Coach, Waggon, Ten ordinary Servants, and Horses, to go from Oxford to Tichfield in Hampshire; to be in Force for Thirty Days from the Date thereof; provided they, nor any of them, come into or remain within any of the Parliament's Forts, Castles, or Garisons: And that Mr. Speaker do grant a Pass accordingly.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House hath considered your Message; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Resolved, &c. That the Lord Mayor be desired to call a Common-Council, to meet on Wednesday next: And that the Common-Council do consider of the Names of fit Persons to be added to the Committee of the Militia of London: And that they do with all Speed, present to the House, Names of such Persons; in regard there are Businesses that import the Safety of these Parts; which are to be executed by that Committee; which, in regard of the Paucity of that Committee, they cannot do.

Mr. Recorder, and the Citizens, and Burgesses of the City, are to acquaint the Lord Mayor and Common-Council with this Order; and to give an Account hereof.