House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 15 February 1645

Die Sabbati, Februarii 15, 1644.

Prayers.

MR. Reynolds reports, from the Grand Committee, the Proceedings and Resolutions of the Committee in the Matter of the Customs, and of the Navy: That the Committee, in respect to the present Commissioners, after a long Debate, on Februarii 11, made an Order in these Words:

"That the Commissioners of the Customs do attend this Committee, To-morrow at Eight of Clock, to satisfy this Committee touching the Advance of Seventy thousand Pounds upon the Credit of the Customs; and upon what Conditions, and for what Time; and to satisfy this Committee, what Monies the State is indebted unto them:"

That, accordingly, the Commissioners of the Customs did attend the Committee; and desired Time a little to consider, and to withdraw: And after an Hour's Time of withdrawing, they returned: And Mr. Foulke, in the Name of the rest, delivered in a verbal Answer: Which the Committee considered of; and likewise many former Answers, which the said Commissioners had given to Committees appointed to treat with them, for divers Months past, for the Advance of Monies for carrying on the Affairs of the Navy; and at length came to this Vote; viz.

12 Februarii, 1644.

"Resolved, &c. at the Grand Committee, That the Answer given this Day to the Committee, by the present Commissioners of the Customs, touching the supplying the present Necessities of the Navy, is altogether unsatisfactory."

He then reported, He was further commanded, by the Grand Committee, to present some Propositions, which were presented to That Committee by a Committee appointed to treat with the present Commissioners, and others, for the Advance of Monies for carrying on the Affairs of the Navy upon the Credit of the Customs: The which were read at the Grand Committee; and, after serious and particular Consideration, approved of by Vote of the Grand Committee.

The Propositions were read in the House all together twice; and then particularly one by one; and particularly one by one voted; and assented unto: The which Propositions were in hæc verba; viz.

I. THAT they be settled by Ordinance of Parliament in the Employment; and have Power to receive and collect the Duties of Tonage and Poundage granted by the new Ordinance; and not to be removed from that Employment, until they shall be reimbursed and paid all such Monies, with Interest, as they shall at present, or in future, advance; together with all such other Monies as they shall disburse for the necessary Carriage on of that Service, as well to Officers as otherwise, according to certain Articles and Instructions prescribed unto the present Commissioners; and likewise to such other Rules and Instructions as they shall receive from the Honourable House of Commons.

II. That they be allowed Four thousand Pounds per Annum for the Defraying of their Charge in Attendance of this Service: And they are ready to undertake it; and to give in their Names, so soon as it shall please the Honourable House of Commons to vote, That they will accept of their Service under these Conditions.

III. That this being voted, and an Ordinance passed both Houses, in order to these humble Propositions, they are ready to advance Fifty thousand Pounds within Six Days after they are settled in the Receipts, and to forbear the whole Fifty thousand Pounds, till Twenty thousand Pounds more shall be come in upon the Receipt of the Customs, to make up Seventy thousand Pounds for the Use of the Navy: Which being accomplished, if the Affairs of the Navy shall require the Use of the whole Fifty thousand Pounds for One, Two, or Three Months longer, they will be content to forbear the Whole so long; and then to reimburse themselves Twenty thousand Pounds, out of the said Receipts, as the Money shall come in; and to forbear the other Thirty thousand Pounds, so long as the State shall be pleased to make use thereof, and they be continued in the Service; paying themselves their Salary, and such Interest as shall be due unto them for the Time, quarterly, after the Rate of Eight per Centum per Annum; and the Parliament to make use of all other the Receipts of the Customs, which shall come in, from time to time, during their Employment, as they shall, in their Wisdoms, think it fit: And they shall be ready, upon all other Occasions, to carry on that Service, as they shall be encouraged by the good Acceptance of their Service, and the future just Favours of the Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of these Propositions.

Resolved, &c. That the Names of the Gentlemen, that have made these Propositions shall be now named.

And thereupon they were named; videlicet, Samuel Avery, Richard Bateman, Christopher Packe, Charles Lloyd, Walter Boothby.

Resolved, &c. That the Consideration of these Persons shall be taken up on Monday next, the first Business.

Mr. Lisle carried up to the Lords the Copy of a Letter, in English, and a Duplicate of the same in French, to be written, from both Houses, to the French King, concerning Goods and Ships of English Merchants staid by his Order and Arrest, upon Pretence, that some French Merchants have sustained Wrongs, and been denied Justice here.

He likewise carried up the Name of Mr. Strode, to be added to the Assembly in the place of Mr. White, deceased: And was to desire the Lords to expedite the Ordinance concerning the Sheriff of Lancashire; and likewise the Ordinance concerning the new Model, in regard of the important Necessity of the speedy Passing thereof.

Mr. Lisle brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Letters to the French King; and that Mr. Strode be added to the Assembly of Divines: And, as to the Ordinance concerning Lancashire, and concerning the new Model, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

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

The Lords desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning the Matter of the last free Conference.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will give a present Meeting, as is desired.

Resolved, That the House do sit this Afternoon at Three of Clock.

Sir Henry Mildmay went up to the Lords, to acquaint them, That this House is resolved to sit this Afternoon at Three of Clock; and desire them to sit this Afternoon, if it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency.

The Managers of the free Conference Yesterday are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Sir John Evelyn reports, from the Conference, the Reasons offered by the Lords for their not agreeing to the Proviso to the Ordinance of the new Model, as it was offered by this House at the last Conference: The which were read.

He further reported an Alteration of the Lords to the said Proviso: The which Alteration was twice read; and, upon the Question, passed, in hæc verba; videlicet,

After the Word "displaced," leave out the Words "and made uncapable to have any Charge or Command within the said Army;" and, instead thereof, add these Words, "and shall not be admitted to any Office or Command in this said Army, until they shall have taken the said Solemn League and Covenant, in Manner and Form as aforesaid; and such their Conformity certified and approved of by both Houses of Parliament."

It was further Ordered, That the Ordinance, concerning the new Model, be forthwith printed and published.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to take Order to put my Lord General's Horse and Foot into speedy Employment, for the best Advantage of the Publick, and Service of the West: And that they do take special Care of sending speedy Supplies to the Town of Weymouth, both by Land and Sea.

Resolved, &c. That the Treaty shall continue for Twenty Days, not including the First Thursday, nor the Three Sundays: And that the Safe-Conduct, granted by both Houses, be made accordingly, if it be necessary.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Mr. Rous, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Hill and Mr. Maynard, are appointed to prepare an Instruction to the Commissioners at Uxbridge, to propound unto the King's Commissioners, that his Majesty may declare against any further Cessation for the future; or whether he hath given any Commission or Power to treat or conclude any further Cessation or Peace with the Rebels.

Resolved, &c. That the Governor of Uxbridge do take care, that no Persons come from Oxon to Uxbridge, but such as are within the Safe-Conduct: And that if he shall apprehend any that are not within the Safe-Conduct, that he send them up, in safe Custody, to this House.

A Letter from Sir Wm. Brereton, from Whitechurch, of February 11, 1644, was this Day read; and ordered to be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Ordered, That Sir John Lawrence be referred to be examined at the Committee of Examinations.

Ordered, That the Judge be required to give speedy Order for the Execution of the Lord Macquire, according to the Sentence given against him.

Ordered, That the Committee of Lords and Commons, for Advance of Monies at Haberdashers-Hall, do forthwith pay into the Hands of Mr. Bell and Sir Arthur Hasilrigge Sevenscore Pounds; to be employed by Mr. Bell's Care, Part for the Furnishing the Surgeons Chests appointed to go with Sir Wm. Waller into the West, and Part to be imprested to the said Surgeons upon Account: And that, after the said Chests are furnished, that Mr. Bell, and the Master of the Company of Apothecaries, do view the same.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

A Letter from the Commissioners at Uxbridge, of Februar' 14, relating the Proceedings of the Commissioners upon the Propositions concerning Religion, was this Day read.