House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 6 February 1646

Die Veneris, 6 Februarii, 1645.

Prayers.

ORdered, That Thanks be given to Mr. Bond and Mr. Harford, for the great Pains they took in the Sermons they preached, at the Intreaty of this House, at St. Margaret's, Westminster, Yesterday, being the Day of Publick Thanksgiving: And that they print their Sermons, with the usual Privilege.

Mr. Rous and Mr. Nicoll are appointed to give them Thanks.

Ordered, That the Members of this House that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do, this Day at Ten of the Clock, give the House an Account of Letters sent out of Kent to that Committee, as the House is informed.

A Letter from Sir William Brereton, of the Second of February 1645, from the Suburbs of Chester, relating the Reducing of Chester to the Obedience of the Parliament, and the Articles and Conditions upon which it was reduced, were all this Day read.

Mr. Recorder and Mr. Ashurst are appointed to prepare a Letter of Thanks, to be returned to Sir Wm. Brereton, and to the rest of the Gentlemen, Chief Officers, and Commanders, in Acknowledgment of their faithful and very good Services, especially in this great Action of Chester: And that Sir William Brereton be ordered, That he do put the Ordinance in Execution, against the Irish that were taken in Chester.

Ordered, That Thursday next come Sevennight shall be set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving to Almighty God for his great Mercy, in giving up the strong City of Chester into the Hands of the Parliament, to be observed and kept in all Churches and Chapels in the Cities of London and Westminster, and within the Lines of Communication, and Ten Miles of the said Cities: And that the Lord Mayor be desired to give the several Ministers, within the Limits aforesaid, timely Notice hereof; to the end they may stir up the People to a due Thankfulness, in regard both of the Seasonableness and Greatness of the Mercy.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Recorder and Mr. Ashburst do, from this House, desire Mr. Woodcock and Mr. Case to preach before the House of Commons, on Thursday Sevennight, being the Day of Publick Thanksgiving for the Taking of Chester.

The Question being propounded, Whether Colonel Michael Jones should be appointed Governor of Chester;

The Question was put, Whether this Question should be now put, or not:

It passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Michael Jones shall be appointed Governor of Chester: And that the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do grant him a Commission accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That Alderman Edwards be appointed Colonel to command the City-Regiment of Chester: And that the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do grant him a Commission accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That the Bishop of Armagh's Library of Books and Manuscripts, at Chester, be all inventoried or numbered, and sent up with Safety to the Parliament.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Committee formerly appointed for the Preservation of Manuscripts and Records, to advise with the Committee of Sequestrations at Campden-House, and in Westminster, or such others as they shall think sit; and provide some convenient and fitting Place, for the safe Keeping and Preservation of such Books, Manuscripts, Evidences, or other Writings, as come to their Hands.

Ordered, &c. That Thursday next come Three Weeks shall be set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for His great Mercy, in giving up that strong City of Chester into the Hands of the Parliament, to be observed and kept in all Churches and Chapels in the several Counties above Ten Miles distant from the Cities of London and Westminster: And that the Gentlemen that serve for the said several Counties and Places, do take care that timely Notice may be given to the several Ministers in the said respective Counties; to the end they may stir up the People to a due Thankfulness, in regard both of the Seasonableness and Greatness of His Mercy.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Parker, who brought the Letters and good News of the Rendition of Chester, shall have the Sum of Fifty Pounds bestowed upon him for his Pains: And that the Messenger that brought the good News of the Taking of * Castle, shall have the Sum of Ten Pounds bestowed upon him for his Pains: And that the Committee of Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies, at Haberdashers-Hall, do pay the said several Sums of Fifty Pounds and Ten Pounds to the said Mr. Parker, and the said other Messenger, respectively.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider of, and to do, what they shall think most sitting for the publick Service, for the gaining, and reducing to the Obedience of the Parliament, any Places of Strength in the Enemies Possession in North-Wales, or elsewhere, in the North-west Parts of the Kingdom: And they are herein to advise with the Gentlemen of those Parts.

Ordered, &c. That Sir Henry Heyman, Mr. Oxenden, and Mr. Westrowe, or any Two of them, do forthwith go down into Kent, and take Order for securing Mr. Murrey stayed there, and for keeping him in close Custody; and to permit no Man to speak with him; and to examine and search him, and all such other Persons as are of his Company, and others, whom they shall suspect, upon such Interrogatories as they shall think fit; and to secure such other of his Company, or others, as Occasion shall be; and to command the Assistance of all Officers, if Need shall be.

Ordered, &c. That To-morrow, peremptorily, the first Business, the Business of the Navy be taken into Consideration: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof: And that then the Propositions made by Mr. Stephens, concerning the Navy, be considered of.

According to the Commands of the House, the Copies of the Four Letters from Robert Wright, from Paris, to Mr. Sollicitor; viz. one of Novembris 14/24;, one of Decembris 12/22;, one of Decembris 18/28;, and one other of Januarii 9/19;, were delivered to Mr. Oxenden, to be made use of by him, Sir Henry Heyman and Mr. Westrow, upon the Examination of Mr. Murray, staid in Kent (fn. 1).

Ordered, &c. That the Business concerning Ireland, be taken into Consideration on Monday Morning next, the first Business, peremptorily: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind thereof.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to examine the whole Business concerning the Letters informed to have been taken away out of the Earl of Northumberland's Lodgings by Monsieur Mounterul, and the Courier that brought them; and to state the Matter of Fact; and to report the same, together with their Opinions, to both Houses, To-morrow Morning.

Mr. Holles went to the Lord Inchiquin, to acquaint him, That the Business of Ireland was appointed to be taken into Consideration on Monday Morning next.

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

The Lords have commanded us to deliver you this Report, from the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports, concerning Three Merchants Ships to be approved of to be added to the Summer-Guard: The Lords have agreed to it; and do desire your Concurrence:- A Report likewise from the same Committee: It is to put you in mind to pass an Ordinance for the Pressing of Mariners; which the Lords do desire you to take into Consideration:-Two Petitions from Captain John Poyar, Governor of Pembroke; which they refer to your Consideration: - A Vote, which moved from you: It concerneth the Number of Horse in the Scotts Army: Wherein the Lords have commanded us to let you know, That they have agreed with you: - A Vote for Captain Henry Markham to be Governor of Belvoier-Castle; wherein they desire your Concurrence.

The Lords do desire a free Conference, by Committees of both Houses, in the Painted Chamber, concerning the Propositions to be sent to the King, To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock, in the Painted Chamber; if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree, That a free Conference be had with the Lords, concerning the Propositions, To-morrow Morning, as is desired: And that, as to the rest of the Particulars of this Message, they be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning: And that Answer be returned by Messengers of their own.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House hath considered your Message: And, as to the Conference To-morrow Morning, concerning the Propositions, they do agree: And, as to the rest of the Particulars, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

The House being acquainted, That divers of the Aldermen and Common-Council of the City of London were at the Door;

They were called in: And Mr. Alderman Fowke informed the House of the Desires of the City concerning . . . Proposition for the Militia; and their Reasons for the same: To which Effect, he presented a Petition from the City and Common-Council.

The Petition was received: And the Aldermen and Citizens withdrew.

Ordered, &c. That the Petition, this Day presented from the City, be read To-morrow Morning, the next Business after the Reports concerning the Affairs of the Navy are dispatched.

The Aldermen and Citizens were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, acquainted them, That the House have received their Petition; and they find it to be a Petition of Length; and do believe it to be likewise a Business of Weight and Consequence; and have therefore appointed to take it into Consideration Tomorrow Morning.