House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 27 September 1645

Die Sabbati, 27 Septembris, 1645.

Prayers.

A Letter from the Committee of Cheshire, of 25 Sept. 1645, with a Relation of the Success of the Parliament's Forces near Chester, against the King's Forces; and a List of the Prisoners taken by them; were all read; and, upon the Question, ordered to be printed.

Ordered, upon the Question, That Thursday next shall be set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving unto Almighty God for his great Mercy and Blessings upon the Parliament's Forces under Colonel-General Pointz, against the King's Forces near Chester, on Wednesday last, 24 Sept. and likewise for God's great Mercy upon the Parliament's Forces in the Taking of Bristoll, Devizes, the Success in Pembrokeshire given to the Forces under MajorGeneral Langherne, and for God's great Mercy in Scotland; in all Churches and Chapels of London and Westminster, and within the Lines of Communication; and, on Thursday next come Fortnight, in all other Parts of the Kingdom: And Alderman Pennington is appointed to desire the Lord Mayor to give timely Notice hereof to the Ministers of the Churches and Chapels within the Lines of Communication.

It is further Ordered, That the Members of this House of the several and respective Counties do send Copies of this Order to the several and respective Standing-Committees of the several Counties; to the end that they may be so dispersed, that the Counties may take timely Notice hereof, that the Day may be kept with that Observance, as is due to so great Blessings.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Mr. Lee and Mr. Coleman be desired to preach on Thursday next, the Day of Publick Thanksgiving, before the House of Commons, at St. Margaret's, Westminster: And Mr. Ashurst and Sir John Wray are appointed to acquaint them with this Desire of this House.

Ordered, That the Ministers within the Lines of Communication do, To-morrow, take notice of God's Blessing upon the Forces under Colonel-General Pointz, and render Thanks unto him for it; notwithstanding the Appointment and Setting apart of Thursday next, and Thursday come Fortnight, for several of God's great Blessings upon the Parliament's Forces.

Mr. Recorder carried to the Lords, for their Concurence, the Orders for Thursday next, and Thursday Fortnight, to be set apart for Days of publick Thanksgiving: And

Brings Answer, That the Lords do concurr in those Orders.

The House being informed, That the Messengers that brought this good News from Chester, were at the Door, one of them, Andrew Mills, was called in: And

Ordered, That Andrew Mills, the Messenger that brought the Relation to Mr. Speaker, concerning the Success of the Parliament's Forces against the King's Forces, near Chester, shall have Twenty Pounds bestowed upon him for his Pains: And that Sir William Brereton and Mr. Ashurst do take care for the Payment of this Twenty Pounds.

Ordered, That the other Two Messenger that brought the Confirmation of this good News from Cheshire, shall have Ten Pounds apiece, bestowed upon each of them for their Pains: And that Sir William Brereton and Mr. Ashurst take care for their Payment.

Ordered, That Captain Finche, and Captain Gimbert, be especially recommended from this House to the Care of Sir William Brereton.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Widdrington and Mr. Ashurst do prepare and bring in a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and sent to Colonel-General Pointz, to give him Thanks from this House for his good Service; and to desire him to give the rest of the Officers Thanks for their good Service also.

Ordered, That Five hundred Pounds shall be bestowed upon Colonel-General Pointz, in Acknowledgment of his great and faithful Service to the Parliament; and be forthwith paid out of the Ten thousand Pounds charged upon the Receipts of the Excise, and granted for the Pay of the Forces of Cheshire and North-Wales: And Sir William Brereton and Mr. Ashurst are desired to take care, that this Five hundred Pounds be forthwith paid accordingly.

An Ordinance for securing Ten thousand Pounds, charged upon the Receipts of the Excise, to be employed for Payment of the Forces to be drawn together near Chester, and in North-Wales, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Resolved, &c. That the Ordinance concerning the Prince Elector be reported on Tuesday Morning, the first Business: And that Mr. Speaker do put the House . . . . of it.

Ordered, That Mr. Ash, Sir Thomas Widdrington, and Sir William Brereton, do forthwith withdraw, and prepare a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and sent to Sir Thomas Fairfax, to acquaint him with the Success God hath given the Parliament's Forces against the King's Forces, near Chester.

Mr. Bainton, according to former Order, reported to the House the Proceedings of the Commissioners for the Parliament of England, during their residing with the Scotts Army, from their first coming to them to Micheld Deane in Gloucestershire, and the Sitting down of the Scotts Army before Hereford; with their Proceedings at that Siege, until they received the Intelligence of the King's Coming with his Forces to Wollverhampton; together with the Order of the Committee of both Kingdoms, residing with the Scotts Army, of 11 Augusti 1645, upon that Intelligence: Which was read.

Mr. Harbert proceeded in the Report of their Proceedings, from the Time they were informed of the great Defeat given by Mountrosse to their Forces in Scotland, with the several Debates upon that Intelligence; and the Question proposed to them by the Commissioners of Scotland, of 24 Augusti 1645; as also their Answer to the said Question; and the Order of the Committee of both Kingdoms, of 27 Augusti 1645, touching the enabling the Scotts Army then before Hereford to march; and their Votes of 1 Sept. 1645, concerning the not attempting the City of Hereford for the present, and the Drawing of the Cannon off from the Batteries that Night: All which were read.

A Letter from the Commissioners from both Houses, from Berwick, of Sept. 16 , 1645, directed to Sir Tho. Widdrington; relating, That by Captain Robert Carre, in the Ship The Samuel Justina of London, they had sent up as a Prisoner Mr. Gilbert Swinhoe, some time High-Sheriff of the County of Northumberland; with a Desire to have a special Care taken of him, in regard of his Interests, and ill Affections; was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Gilbert Swinhoe be forthwith committed Prisoner to the Tower; there to remain a Prisoner during the Pleasure of the House.

A Letter from the Committee at Yorke, of Sept. 20 , 1645, with Propositions inclosed from the Scotts Army, to the said Committee at Yorke; with the Answer of the said Committee to the said Propositions; were all this Day read.

Ordered, &c. This Letter from the Committee at Yorke, of Sept. 20 1645, and the Propositions inclosed, be this Afternoon communicated by the Members of both Houses to the Scotts Commissioners; and their speedy Answer desired to the Resolutions of both Houses, concerning the Scotts Army besieging Newarke: And are to report their Proceedings herein.

A Letter from the Commissioners of both Houses, from Berwick, of Sept. 22 , with a Copy inclosed of a Letter from the Commissioners to the Committee of Estates of Scotland, of Sept. 18 , and their Answer; and a Second Letter from the Commissioners of both Houses to the Committee of Estates of Scotland, of Sept. 22 1645; were this Day read.

The Answer to the Scotts Three Papers, reported by Mr. Whitelock, Sept. 20 , was this Day again read: And

It is Ordered, That it be recommended to the same Committee, with the Addition of Mr. Recorder and Mr. Hollis: And are to bring it in on Monday Morning: And the Care of it is especially recommended unto Sir Tho. Widdrington.

Ordered, &c. That, on Tuesday next, the next Business after the Report of the Prince Elector's Ordinance shall be made, the Report from the Committee of the North where Sir Thomas Widdrington hath the Chair, concerning the Condition of the Northern Army, and the Forces of that Association, shall be made: And that, at the same time, the Petition concerning Scarborough be taken into Consideration.

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

The Lords have commanded us to return you this Ordinance, for supplying the Scotts Army in Ireland: It moved first from this House; and they do agree to it, with these Amendments: These Votes for Additions of Committees, and Making of Sheriffs in Dorsett, Devon, and Rutland: To which the Lords do agree, with these Additions: A Petition of the Eastland Merchants, which should have been sent with the other Letters, concerning the Establishing of the Trade in Denmarke: An Order for One hundred and Fifty Musqueteers to be sent into Guernesey: The Lords do conceive it to be very requisite, in regard of some late Disorders there: A Pass for the Lady Buckhurst to go to Oxford; to which the Lords desire your Concurrence: A Report from the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports, concerning Mr. Jessop and Mr. Quoitmore; which they recommend to your Consideration: An Exchange for Captain Kettleby; which is also recommended: A Petition of the Lord Blayneye's, and of Colonel Wm. Davyes: To which the Lords desire your Concurrence.

The Amendments to the Ordinance concerning the Scotts Army in Ireland were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Mr. Erle brings Answer from the Lords, That the Lords do agree to all the Votes carried up by him to the Lords, except to the Vote for the Sheriff of Devon: To which they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

The Addition to the Vote for the Sheriff of Devon, was read: And, upon the Question,

Resolved, That this House will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Resolved, &c. That a Conference be desired from the Lords, touching this Business: And that Mr. Rouse do prepare Reasons.

Resolved, &c. That, at this Conference, one other Head be, concerning the Committees for the Eastern Association: And that Mr. Gurdon and Mr. Lisle do prepare Reasons for the same.

Resolved, &c. That another Head of this Conference shall be, concerning the Bailing of the Lord Savell: And that Sir Walter Erle be added to the Managers of this Conference.

Upon a Report from the Committee of Lords and Commons, for the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports;

It is Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, That the Salary, after the Proportion of Two hundred Pounds per Annum, be allowed unto Mr. Wm. Jessop, and Mr. Robert Quoitmore, Secretaries to the said Committee, for Themselves and their Clerks; the said Salary to begin from the Time they have attended that Service: And that the Committee of the Navy do take care, and give Order, for the Payment thereof, accordingly.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports shall be continued for Three Months: And that an Ordinance be brought in to that Purpose.

Lords Concurrence to be desired.

Ordered, &c. That, on Monday Sevennight, the House do take into Consideration the Addition of Committees to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House hath considered of your Message: And, as to the Ordinance concerning the Supplying of the Scotts Army in Ireland, they do agree: And, as to the rest of the Messages, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Resolved, &c. That some Gentlemen be, from this House, sent down forthwith to the Army, to represent to Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, and the Army, the Condition of the West, and the Necessity of the speedy Relieving of Plymouth.

Resolved, &c. That the Number of the Gentlemen, to be sent from this House to Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, on this Occasion, shall be Four.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Samuel Rolle shall be one of the Gentlemen to be sent from this House to Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, on this Occasion.

Resolved, &c. That Sir John Bampfield shall be one other of the Gentlemen, to be sent from this House to Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, on this Occasion.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. John Ashe shall be one other of the Gentlemen, to be sent from this House to Sir Tho. Fairefaxe, on this Occasion.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Anthony Nicoll shall be one other of the Gentlemen, to be sent from this House to Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, on this Occasion.