House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 25 October 1645

Die Sabbati, 25 Octobris, 1645.

Prayers.

REsolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of John Stafford Esquire to be High-Sheriff of the County of Leicester: And that the Commissioners for the Great Seal do give him a Commission, accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, That this House doth nominate and approve of Gilbert Armestrong, of Rempston in the County of Nottingham, Esquire, to be High-Sheriff of the said County: And that the Commissioners for the Great Seal do give him a Commission, accordingly. And

Mr. Millington is to carry these Votes to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Mr. Ashurst reports the Amendments to the Ordinance concerning the Free School and Collegiate Church of St. Peter's, Westminster: The which were twice read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee already appointed and settled for the College of Westminster shall be the Committee in this Ordinance.

And then the Ordinance, thus amended, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords, for their Concurrence, by Mr. Ashurst.

Mr. Rose presented an Ordinance for the Satisfaction of divers Merchants, well-affected to the State, whose Goods have been taken at Sea, and sold for the Use and Service of the Commonwealth: The which was not read: But

Ordered, That the whole Business be re-committed to the former Committee, the Committee of the West, and the Committee of the Navy.

Ordered, That a Warrant do issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of a Burgess for the City of Winton, in the place of Sir William Ogle, disabled, by Judgment of this House, to serve as a Member thereof, during this Parliament.

Ordered, That a Warrant do issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of Two Burgesses for New-Towne in the Isle of Wight, in the places of Sir John Mewes and Mr. Nicholas, disabled, by Judgment of this House, to serve as Members thereof, during this Parliament.

Sir Thomas Widdrington reports the Amendments to the Ordinance for a Benevolence for Relief of the County of Leicester, in all the Kingdom, except the Western Counties, in the Ordinance of Association, and the Counties of Wales: The which were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And the Ordinance, with the Amendments, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

A Letter from Caermarthen, of 12 Octobris 1645, from Major-General Langherne, with the Passages of the Treaty between him and the Gentry of Caermarthenshire, were all this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Proceedings of Major-General Langherne: And that a Letter be written to him of Thanks, and to signify this Approbation unto him.

Mr. Recorder, Mr. Theloall, Sir John Merrick, and Mr. Herbert, are to prepare this Letter.

Ordered, That Sir Walter Erle be added to the Committee where Mr. Tate hath the Chair: And that the Letters taken at Sherborne, near Yorke, and sent from the Committee at Yorke by Lieutenant Heath, be referred to that Committee, and delivered unto them, sealed up as they are: And that they take Consideration, What is fit to be done upon them; and prepare attested Copies of those Five Letters, to be delivered to the Lords at a Conference.

The Letters were accordingly delivered, in the Presence of the House, sealed up by Mr. Speaker, into the Hands of Mr. Tate: And

It is further Ordered, That this Committee do meet this Afternoon, in the Queen's-Court.

Resolved, &c. That Three thousand Pounds be charged upon the Receipts of the Excise, to be paid, in Course, with the Consideration of Interest for the Forbearance of the same, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Centum, to be employed for the Providing of Cloathing, Ammunition, Pay, and other Necessaries, for the Soldiers under his Command.

Mr. Recorder, Mr. Theloall, Sir John Merrick, and Mr. Herbert, are appointed to employ their Endeavours and Interests for the Providing of Three thousand Pounds.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Proceedings of Colonel Morgan, Governor of Gloucester, in his Assistance and Proceedings towards the Clubmen: And that Mr. Pury do write a Letter unto him, testifying thus much.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Colonel Thomas Hughes to be Governor of Chepstowe, in the mean time, until the House take further Order.

Mr. Millington carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Ordinance for Ordination of Ministers: The Votes for the High-Sheriffs of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire: The Ordinance for Three thousand Pounds, out of the Excise, for the Service of the West: An Ordinance for One thousand Pounds, out of the Excise, for the Service of the Foot in the County of Lincolne: An Ordinance for Three hundred Pounds, out of the Excise, for Relief of maimed Soldiers: An Ordinance to discharge the Office and Receipts of the Excise of the Sum of Six hundred Pounds, paid by the Sub-Commissioners in Yorkeshire, and employed for the Service of the Forces of the Northern Association: The Ordinance for a Benevolence for the Relief of the County of Leicester: The Vote for Anthony Blagrave Esquire to be High-Sheriff of Berks.

He was to desire the Lords Concurrence to the Ordinance for Suspending of ignorant and scandalous Persons from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; and to put them in mind of the Votes concerning the Governor of Plymmouth; for Sir Francis Drake to be High-Sheriff of Devonshire; and of the Ordinance for Sale of Delinquents Estates.

Ordered, That Sir Walter Erle do make the Report concerning the Supplying of the Stores on Monday Morning.

Ordered, That Sir Walter Erle do take care, that Fifty Barrels of Powder be forthwith furnished out of the publick Stores, and sent down, to be employed for the Service of the Forces before Chester: And that this Powder shall be paid for out of the Ten thousand Pounds formerly appointed for the Service of those Forces, or out of such other Monies as are allotted for Powder.

Ordered, That To-morrow, being appointed for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving for several Mercies and Victories obtained by the Parliament's Forces against the Enemy, the Ministers do likewise, in their Thanksgivings, make Mention of the great Blessing upon the Forces under Major-General Langherne, in Reducing of the Counties of Pembroke, Caermarthen, and Cardigan, to the Obedience of the Parliament.

Ordered, That, at the Conference to be appointed for communicating the Letters taken near Sherborne in Yorkeshire, Reasons be likewise given to the Lords for the speedy Passing of the Ordinance for Martial Law.

A Letter from Captain Moulton, from aboard the Lyon in King's-Road, of 22 Octobris 1645, was this Day read; relating the seizing upon Sir John Strangewayes: And likewise the Extract of his Letters to the Admiralty were this Day read.

Ordered, That Mr. Recorder, Mr. Theloall, Sir John Merrick, and Mr. Herbert, do write Letters to Mr. Oldisworth, Colonel Carne, and the rest of the Gentlemen employed by the Parliament in Glamorganshire, and to Captain Moulton, for the securing Sir John Strangewayes, and sending him Prisoner to the Governor of Gloucester; and to the Governor of Gloucester, to receive him as a Prisoner, and to secure him safely as a Prisoner, until the House take further Order; and likewise to Captain Moulton, to secure Mr. Colepepper, and to send him up Prisoner.

Mr. Millington brings Answer from the Lords, That, as to the Ordinances concerning the Sale of Delinquents Estates; the Ordinance for a Collection for Leicester; and the Ordinance for Ordination of Ministers; they will take them into Consideration; and send Answer by Messengers of their own: And, as to the rest of the Particulars, they do agree.

Ordered, That the Committee for the North, where Sir Thomas Widdrington hath the Chair, do present the Names of Three sitting Persons to the House; to the end they may, out of them, make Choice of one to be High-Sheriff of the County of Yorke.

Ordered, That Mr. John Stephens and Mr. Burrell be, and are hereby added to the Committee of Gloucester.

Ordered, That the Letter from Major-General Langherne, and the Treaties with the Gentlemen of the County of Caermarthen, this Day read in the House, be printed.

Ordered, That Major Downeing and Captain Cox do this Afternoon come to the Committee of Examinations, to take the Oaths usually tendered to such as come from the Enemies Party: And that as to the Business concerning their Entertainment in the Service of Ireland, that they be referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Affairs of Ireland.

Mr. Recorder, Sir William Lewes, Sir Gilbert Pyckering, Sir John Draydon, Sir John Merrick, Mr. Theloall, Sir Robert Pye;

This Committee is appointed to take into their Consideration the great Necessities of Sir Richard Phillips and Mr. Arthur Owen; and to prepare some Way for their present Relief; and to report it to the House with all convenient Speed: And are to meet on Monday in the Afternoon at Two of the Clock, in the Court of Wards: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

A Letter from Anderweeke, of 20 Octobris 1645, from the Commissioners of the Parliament sent to the Parliament of Scotland, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Commissioners of the Parliament their coming away from Scotland; and of their returning to the Service of the House.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Vane junior, and Sir Philip Stapleton, do prepare a Letter of Thanks to be sent unto the Commissioners of Parliament; and to signify this House's Approbation of their coming away.

The House being informed, That divers Gentlemen of the County of Derby were at the Door;

They were called in; and did deliver Petitions and Articles to the House. The which were read: And

It is Ordered, That these Petitions and Articles, delivered both by the Gentlemen of Derby, and by Sir John Curson, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Examinations: Who are to examine the Truth of all the Matters informed: And have Power to receive such other Petition, Articles, or Informations, as shall be presented unto them, any way concerning these Matters and Informations, by Sir John Curson: And are to examine the Truth of all these Informations; and to report all to the House; with their Opinions.

The House being informed, That divers Gentlemen of the County of Somersett were at the Door;

They were called in; and did present a Petition, intituled, The humble Petition of the well-affected Inhabitants of the Eastern Part of the County of Somersett.

The which was read; and referred to the Committee of the West.

And Mr. John Ashe is appointed to return them the Thanks of this House.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Page and Doctor Aylett;

The Lords have received a Petition from the Earl of Rutland; which they have thought fit to send to this House; with their Recommendation: Their Sense upon it is contained in this Paper.

The Petition was read; and the Lords Sense thereupon, in hæ verba; viz.

The Lords, taking into their Consideration the faithful Service of the Earl of Rutland, and his diligent Attendance upon the Parliament, do recommend this Petition to the House of Commons; desiring, That some speedy Relief and Support may be granted, according to the Petition of the said Earl, whose Sufferings have been very great.

Resolved, &c. That Fifteen hundred Pounds per Annum be allowed and paid to the Earl of Rutland, for his present Subsistence, out of the Lord Viscount Campden's Estate, until Five thousand Pounds be levied out of the said Estate, to the Use of the said Earl of Rutland: And it is referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations, to take care, that this Order may be duly put in Execution.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Mildmay and Mr. Lisle have Leave to go into the Country.

Ordered, &c. That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of a Burgess to serve for the City of Gloucester, in the room and place of Mr. Henry Brett; who is, by Judgment of this House, disabled to sit any longer a Member thereof.

Ordered, &c. That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of a Burgess to serve for Portsmouth, in the room and place of Colonel Goring; who is, by Judgment of this House, disabled to sit any longer a Member thereof.

Ordered, &c. That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of Two Burgesses for the Borough of Christchurch in the County of Hants, in the place of Henry Tulse Esquire, deceased; and of Mr. Matthew Davids, who is, by Judgment of this House, disabled to sit any longer as a Member thereof.

Upon Mr. Lisle's Report from the Committee to which the Informations given in by Mr. John Musgrave and Mr. Osmotherley, against Mr. Berwis, a Member of this House, was referred, That Mr. John Musgrave refused to answer such Interrogatories as were propounded unto him by the Committee, upon Directions and Order of this House;

Resolved, &c. That Mr. John Musgrave be forthwith committed Prisoner to the Fleete, for his Contempt, in refusing to answer to such Interrogatories as were propounded unto him by the Committee, upon the Directions of this House: And that a Warrant do issue, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, for the Commitment of him Prisoner to the Fleete, accordingly.

Ordered, &c. That the Messengers from the Lords be always called in, immediately after that the Business then in Agitation shall be concluded: And that no other new Business whatsoever intervene between that Business, and the Admission of the Messengers.

Ordered, &c. That no new Motion, of any Business whatsoever, shall be made after Twelve of Clock: And that Mr. Speaker shall not hear any new Motion after Twelve of Clock: And the House immediately to rise: And that Mr. Speaker do then leave the Chair; unless the House be in the Debate of a Business, or the House otherwise order.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

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

Ordered, &c. That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of Two Knights of the Shire for the County of Somersett, in the place of Sir John Stowell, and Sir John Pawlett; who are, by Judgment of this House, disabled to sit any longer as Members thereof.

Ordered, &c. That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of Two Burgesses to serve for the Borough of Mynehead, in the place of Sir Francis * * * *.