House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 23 February 1646

Die Lunæ, 23 Februarii, 1645.

Prayers.

A Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax General, from Great-Torrington, of 19 Februarii 1645, relating the Success of the Forces under his Command, against the Enemy there, was this Day read; and ordered to be forthwith printed.

A Letter from Mr. Rushworth, from Torrington, of the Nineteenth of February 1645, was likewise read; and ordered to be forthwith printed.

Ordered, That Tuesday Fortnight be set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for his great Mercy, in giving Success to the Parliament's Forces, against the Forces of the Enemy, under the Command of Sir Ralph Hopton, at Torrington in Devonshire; to be observed and kept in all Churches and Chapels within the Cities of London and Westminster, Lines of Communication, and Ten Miles about: And that the Lord Mayor be desired to take care, that the respective Ministers, within the Limits aforesaid, may have timely Notice hereof; to the end they may excite and stir up the People to a due Thankfulness for the same.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Whereas Thursday Sevennight is, by former Order, appointed to be set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving, for the great Mercy of God, in giving up the City of Chester in . . the Hands of the Parliament: And whereas it hath pleased God to add a further Mercy, in the happy Success of the Forces of the Parliament, against the Forces of the Enemy, at Torrington in Devonshire: It is thereupon Ordered, That, on the same Day, the respective Ministers, in the several Counties under the Power of the Parliament, where the said Day of Thanksgiving is appointed to be observed, do praise God for this other Mercy at Torrington: And that they do stir up the People to a due Thankfulness for the same. And the Knights and Burgesses of the several Counties are to take care, that this Order be sent to the several Counties and Places they serve for; to the end that the Ministers may have timely Notice hereof.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Mr. Strong be desired to preach before the House of Commons on Tuesday Fortnight, it being the Day of Publick Thanksgiving for the good Success of the Parliament's Forces at Torrington: And that Mr. Prideaux do give him notice hereof: And that both the Sermons be in the Forenoon.

Ordered, That Mr. Strickland be desired to preach before the House of Commons on Tuesday Fortnight, it being the Day of Publick Thanksgiving for the good Success of the Parliament's Forces at Torrington: And that Mr. Poole do give him notice hereof: And that both the Sermons are to be in the Forenoon.

Ordered, That both the Sermons appointed to be preached before the House of Commons on Tuesday Fortnight, it being the Day of Publick Thanksgiving for the good Success of the Parliament's Forces at Torrington, shall be preached in the Forenoon.

Ordered, That the Committee of the West do pay unto Mr. Tarrant, the Messenger that brought the Letters from the General, this Day read, of the Success against the Enemy's Forces at Torrington, the Sum of Fifty Pounds, for his Pains, and for his other good Services.

Ordered, That it be left to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to give Directions to Colonel Whalely, to be so observant of the Motions of the King's Horse, that the Army and Forces in the West may not be disturbed in their Designs.

Ordered, That Thanks be given to Mr. Case and Mr. Woodcock, for the great Pains they took in the Sermons they preached, at the Intreaty of this House, on Thursday last, being a Day set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving for Taking in of Chester: And that they print their Sermons.

Mr. Rous is appointed to return them the Thanks of this House.

A Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax General, of 13 Februarii 1645, directed to Mr. Scawen, was this Day read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the West, to state to the House the Matter of Fact concerning certain Pearl; and some Engagements to Mr. Francis of Plymouth, upon the said Pearl.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to make the best Agreement they can with the Engineer the General writes of, as recommended by Mr. Strickland.

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

The Lords have commanded us to deliver you this Petition of the Earl of Nottingham's; which they do recommend to your special Consideration, both in respect of his Quality, and of his diligent and faithful Endeavours for the Parliament:-Instructions for the Western Gentlemen; which came from you: The Lords have agreed unto them, with these Alterations; wherein they desire your Concurrence:-A Petition of the Widows of Officers and Soldiers slain in the Parliament-Service; which they recommend to your Considerations:- Also the Petition of Hannibal Vivian Esquire:-A Certificate from the Committee of the County of Lincolne; which they commanded us to deliver unto you:-A Report from the Committee of the Admiralty, concerning Captain Hodder; with their Opinion; which the Lords have agreed unto; and desire your Concurrence therein:-Also a Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, concerning Sir Marmaduke Lloyd; with his Petition: Which the Lords think reasonable, in respect of his Age and Weakness; and desire your Concurrence therein:-A Paper from the Spanish Ambassador, concerning Trade: Which the Lords think fit to refer to the Committee of Foreign Affairs: They desire, That they may meet To-morrow at Two of the Clock, to take it into Consideration. And they likewise desire, That the Members of this House that are of that Committee, may then meet also, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House; and that the same Committee may meet this Afternoon at One of the Clock, to consider of the Paper given in by the States Ambassador, which the Lords sent unto you; and that the Members of this House that are of that Committee, may then meet likewise, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That the Paper from the Spanish Ambassador, concerning Trade, be referred to the Committee for Foreign Affairs: And that they meet To-morrow at Two of the Clock; to take it into Consideration. And

It is further Ordered, That the said Committee do meet this Afternoon at One of the Clock, to consider of the Paper given in by the States Ambassador.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House hath considered your Message: And, as to the Meeting of the Committee for Foreign Affairs Tomorrow, upon the Paper from the Spanish Ambassador, concerning Trade; and this Afternoon, concerning the Paper given in by the States Ambassador; they do agree: And, as to the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Recorder be one of the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports, in the place of Sir Christopher Wray Knight, deceased.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

A List of such Ships, both State's and Merchants, with their respective Commanders, as are agreed upon by the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports, to be presented to the Approbation of both Houses of Parliament, for the next Summer's Expedition at Sea, sent from the Lords Februarii 12 , was this Day read; and taken into Consideration.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain William Batten be Captain of the Ship St. Andrew, and Vice-Admiral.

The Question was propounded, Whether this House would agree with the Lords, That Captain Thomas Trenchfield should be Captain of the Rainbow, and Rear-Admiral:

And then the Question being put, Whether this Question should be now put;

It passed with the Affirmative.

It is thereupon Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Thomas Trenchfield be Captain of the Rainbow, and Rear-Admiral.

The Question being put, For agreeing with the Lords, That Captain Richard Blythe should be Captain of the James;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That the Commander of the Charles be respited, till Captain Swanlie's Business be heard, according as it is likewise in the List returned from the Lords.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Henry Bethell be Captain of the Leopard.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain John Man be Captain of the Convertine.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Robert Moulton senior be Captain of the Lion.

Resolved, &c. That the Command in this Fleet, as to Captain John Bowen, be re-committed to the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and CinquePorts.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Ben. Crandley be Captain of the Bonadventure.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain John Crowther shall be Captain of the Entrance.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Edward Hall shall be Captain of the Antelope.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Wm. Somarster shall be Captain of the Swallow.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Sir George Askew shall be Captain of the Expedition.

Resolved, &c. That the Command in this Fleet, as to Captain John Stansby, be committed to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Wm. Penn be Captain of the lowship.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Richard Willoughby be Captain of lowship.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Richard Willoughby be Captain of the Globe.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Phinees Pett shall be Captain of the Mary Rose.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain James Peacock shall be Captain of the Warwick.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Edward Elliott shall be Captain of the Hector.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain William Peak shall be Captain of the Cygnet.

Resolved, &c. That the Command in this Fleet, as to Captain John Pilgrim, be respited; and re-committed to the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Anthony Young shall be Captain of the Hind.

Resolved, &c. That the Command in this Fleet, as to Captain Robert Constable, be re-committed to the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain John Coppin shall be Captain of the Greybound.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain John Edwyn be Captain of the Crescent.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain William Hazard be Captain of the Dove.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Wm. Lawrence be Captain of the Tenth Whelp.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain John Mildmay shall be Captain of the Kentish Frigate.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Wm. Rewe shall be Captain of the Robert.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain John Green shall be Captain of the Welcome Pink.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Robert Moulton junior shall be Captain of the Increase.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain * Browne shall be Captain of the Trial.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Owen Coxe shall be Captain of the Royalist.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Robert Clerk shall be Captain of the Charles.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain John Farmer shall be Captain of the Green Frigate.

Resolved, &c. That the Command in this Fleet, as to Captain John Peirce, be re-committed; there being Information offered of his Refusal, upon a Case of great Exigence, to transport Soldiers to the Assistance of Lyme.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain John Lambert shall be Captain of the Lily Frigate.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Rob. Clark shall be Captain of the Swan Frigate.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Thomas Pury be Captain of the Nicodemus.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Peter Andrews be Captain of the Unicorn.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Captain Nathanael Goodlad be Captain of the Victory.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That there be Eighteen Merchant-Ships, according to the List brought in, employed in this Summer's Fleet.

Ordered, That the several Informations, touching Affronts given, by some of the Ships of the United Provinces, to some Ships in the Service of the Parliament, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports: And they are to inquire, What Commanders suffered these or the like Affronts.

The House was informed of a scandalous Pamphlet intituled, "Another Word to the Wise."

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Examinations, to find out the Author, Printer, and Dispersers, of the said Pamphlet.

Ordered, That a Pamphlet, intituled, "Another Word to the Wise," be forthwith suppressed: And that the Author, Printers, Publishers, Sellers, or Dispersers, of the said Pamphlet, be committed to Prison.

Post Meridiem.

THE House being informed, That one Mr. Rumney, a Batchelor, who in his Life-time was possessed of a great personal Estate, is lately dead intestate; and that he had Two Sisters, and One Brother; and that one of his Sisters, who is married, and may claim Part of the Estate, is with her Husband in the King's Army; whereby some Part of the said Estate may appertain to the Parliament;

It is thereupon Ordered, That it be recommended to Sir Nathanael Brent, upon Granting of any Letters of Administration, to take care, that the State may not be prejudiced in any Part of the said' State, that may belong to the Parliament, by reason of the Delinquency or Mr. Rumney's Sister, or of her said Husband: And that Mr. John Goodwyn be desired to acquaint Sir Nathanael Brent with this Order.

An Ordinance for granting the Moiety of the Excise of the City of Bristoll, for the Maintenance of the Forces of the said Garison, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

A Letter from the Commissioners of both Houses, appointed to reside with the Scotts Army before Newarke, from Grantham, of 8 Februarii 1645, was this Day read.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall do give Direction to the Treasurer of the said Committee, forthwith to pay unto Sir Anthony Irby, a Member of this House, the Sum of Twelve hundred Pounds, to be employed for the Occasions of the Forces before Newarke, on the South-side of Trent, in such manner as the Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament there shall direct: And that the Acquittance of the said Sir Anthony Irby be a sufficient Discharge to the said Committee for the same.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Hicks be desired to preach, on Tuesday Fortnight, before the Commons House, being the Day of Publick Thanksgiving, in the place of Mr. Strickland: And that Mr. Prideaux do give him notice hereof.

A Form of an Ordinance to be passed by all such Delinquents, mutatis mutandis, as lately have, and hereafter shall compound, for their Offences and Estates, with the Parliament, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

And the said Ordinance was in hæc verba; viz.

Whereas A. B. of C. in the County of D. hath, by both Houses of Parliament, been admitted to his Fine of for that he hath been in Arms against the Parliament: The Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, do hereby authorize and appoint the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, to pass a Pardon for the said A. B. in usual Form, agreed by both Houses, and according to this Ordinance, with a Grant and Restitution of his Lands, Goods, and Chattels, and other Estate, for which the said Fine was accepted, according to the Particular thereof made, and entered with the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall; and of all mean Profits, from the Day of ; with an Exception of the Right or Estate of the said A. B. in or to all Advowsons, Presentations, and Right of Patronage, to any Church or Chapel: And Oliver St. John Esquire, his Majesty's Sollicitor-General, is hereby required to prepare a Pardon accordingly. Provided always, That this Ordinance, and the said Pardon thereon to be passed, shall not extend to free the said A. B. from a further Composition, for any other Lands, Goods, or Chattels, than what are contained in the Particular aforesaid: And that, in case the said Lands, mentioned in the said Particular, were of greater yearly Values than are therein expressed, during Three Years before the Year of our Lord 1640; then the said A. B. shall pay such further Fine, by way of Composition for the same, as both Houses of Parliament shall appoint.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall, shall have Power to suspend the Sequestrations of such Delinquents, as shall compound with the said Committee; they having paid the Moiety of the Fine compounded for, and given Security, to the said Committee, for the other Moiety, and to stand to such further Composition as shall be allowed of, or set by the House of Commons. Provided, That every such Person, so compounding, do sue forth a Pardon, under the Great Seal, within Six Weeks after their Compositions shall be allowed by both Houses.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to a Committee, to consider, How, and in what Manner, Recompence shall be made to the Heirs or Executors of such Persons as, having Estates for Lives, or depending upon Lives, have been slain in the Service of the Parliament, according to the former Declarations of both Houses: And it is further referred to the said Committee, to consider, How the Tenants of Delinquents, upon the Compositions of such Delinquents, may not be oppressed by them, when they shall be restored to their Estates, for or in respect of the Affections of such Tenants to the Parliament.

Mr. Whittlocke, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Mr. Recorder, Sir Wm. Strickland, Mr. Stephens, Sir Robert Harley, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Westrowe, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Wheeler, Sir Peter Heyman, Colonel Moore, Mr. Bence, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Swinsen, Colonel Martyn, Mr. Ashburst, Sir Thomas Dacres, Mr. Sandys, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Mr. Moore, and all the Lawyers of the House, and the Knights and Burgesses for Lancashire, and all that will come to have Voices, are appointed to be this Committee: And are to meet To-morrow at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Exchequer-Chamber.

Ordered, &c. That the Report concerning the Excise be made To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, &c. That the Ordinance for the Pay of the Horse before Newarke, and the Establishment for them, be read, and taken into Consideration on Thursday Morning next.

Ordered, &c. That the Ordinance, concerning Mr. Gerard to be Clerk of the Assize for Norfolke Circuit, be taken into Consideration on Thursday Morning next.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Colonel Robert Kerle to be Governor of the Town and Castle of Monmouth: 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 Thomas Morgan of Machen, William Herbert of Cowldbrooke, and Edmund Morgan of Penlanfarth, Esquires, be added to, and shall be of, the Committees of the several Counties of Gloucester, Hereford, Monmouth, Glamorgan, Brecknock, and Radnor.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.