House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 24 December 1645

Die Mercurii, 24 Decembris, 1645.

Prayers.

A Letter from Chester Suburbs, of 17 Decembris 1645, from the Committee there, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That Five thousand Pounds be forthwith advanced and provided for the Service of all the Forces before Chester: And that this Five thousand Pounds be charged upon the Receipts of the Excise, upon the Ordinance of Septembris 11 1643, with Interest for the Forbearance thereof, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Centum at every Six Months: And that Mr. Ashurst and Mr. Swinfen do bring in an Ordinance to this Purpose; with a Clause to secure and repay such of those Counties, whose Forces lie before Chester, as shall advance any Part of this Sum of Five thousand Pounds; or any other as shall advance any Part thereof.

Ordered, That, on Monday next, peremptorily, Mr. Greene do make Report of the Receipts and Monies of the Excise: And that Mr. Speaker do put the House in mind hereof.

An Ordinance for securing and reimbursing the Commissioners of Excise the Sum of Six thousand Pounds, advanced and lent by them, to be paid to Mr. Frost, Secretary to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to be disposed of by the said Committee, out of the Intervals of the Receipts of the Excise, or the Receipts of the Excise, in Course, was this Day read; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

An Ordinance for laying a weekly Assessment upon all the Counties of England, and Dominion of Wales, for Maintenance of the Brittish Forces in Ireland, was this Day read the First time; and ordered to be read the Second time on Tuesday next.

A Letter from the Scotts Commissioners, from Worcester-House, of 22 Decembris 1645; taking notice, upon Reports, of some Debates and Resolutions in the House, concerning the Affairs of Ireland, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That the House, finding, by the Letter from the Scotts Commissioners, of the Two-and-twentieth of December 1645, that the Paper inclosed relates to some Matters depending in this House, not yet resolved and published, doth think fit to return the same Paper, as not consisting with the Privileges of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Speaker do return the Paper inclosed in the Letter from the Scotts Commissioners, of 22 Decembris instant, in a Letter from himself, to be directed to the said Commissioners, according to the Order aforesaid.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee of the House do meet on Tuesday Morning next, then to take into Consideration the Business of the Kingdom of Ireland.

Mr. Speaker acquainted the House, That he had received a Letter from the Parliament of Scotland, directed "To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons, assembled in the Parliament of England, at Westminster:" Which was opened; and was from St. Andrewes, of 10 Decembris 1645; and was read.

Mr. Wm. Rowe, who was employed to carry the Letter from both Houses to the Parliament of Scotland, was called in; and did present Two Papers; the one a Letter from himself to the Marquis of Argyle; the other a Paper, of Decembris 12 , to be presented to the Parliament of Scotland.

Resolved, &c. That One hundred Pounds be paid and bestowed upon Mr. Wm. Rowe, for desraying the Charges of his Journey upon his Employment to the Parliament of Scotland, comprehending what he hath already received: And that the said Monies be paid unto the said Mr. William Rowe, by the Committee of the Revenue.

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

The Lords have commanded us to bring you these Papers, being several Reports from the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports; and also a Letter to be sent to the Governor of Flanders: The Lords have approved of it; and desire your Concurrence therein; and that the Speakers of both Houses may sign it: They desire you would take it into speedy Consideration; because the Messenger is to go away To-morrow. They desire your Concurrence to the additional Instructions to the Committee that are to reside at Newarke.-An Ordinance for taxing the Counties of Glamorgan, Brecknock, and Radnour: To which they agree, with these Amendments; and desire your Concurrence. They desire your Concurrence likewise, That Colonel Layton may be Colonel of the Horse at Plymouth.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

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