House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 18 April 1646

Die Sabbati, 18 Aprilis, 1646.

Prayers.

ORdered, upon the Question, That the Committee of the Revenue do forthwith furnish and pay, for the Use and Support of the Commissioners of both Houses, residing with the Scotts Army before Newarke, the Sum of Four hundred Pounds.

Ordered, That the Proportions of Powder, Match, Bullet, and other Materials, appointed, by the Order of Wednesday 15 Aprilis 1646, to be sent to the Commissioners of both Houses, residing with the Scotts Army before Newarke, be forthwith furnished, and paid for, by the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall.

Sir Robert Harley is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire them to expedite the Ordinance for continuing the Excise; and to acquaint them with the Necessity of passing that Credit.

He likewise carried to the Lords the Names of some Committees to be added to the Committee of the County of Oxon.

Ordered, That the Business of the Excise be taken into Consideration, on Tuesday next, by the Grand Committee: And that the Committee of this House, appointed for the Excise, do make Report of that Business unto the Grand Committee.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of the Owners of Salt-pans at South and North-Shields, in the Behalf of themselves, and of Fishermen trading thither for Salt, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for the Excise; to consider what is fit to be done upon it; and to report their Opinions to the Grand Committee of the House, appointed, on Tuesday next, to consider of the Business of the Excise; to the end that speedy Redress may be given to the Petitioners, in such manner as shall be thought fit, and as Occasion shall require; with regard had to the Preservation of Trade.

Mr. Stephens reports, from the Committee appointed to that Purpose, a Narrative of the Matter of Fact concerning the Breach of the Privilege of Parliament by the Petition of the Assembly of Divines, dated 23 Martii 1645, subscribed by the Prolocutor pro tempore, and the Scribes: The which Narrative was read.

Sir Arthur Heselrige reported, from the said Committee, certain Questions to be propounded to the Assembly of Divines, touching the Matter of Divine Right, for them to give their Answer unto, in Writing: The which were likewise read.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of Examinations, to examine the Party, with whom certain printed Questions, concerning the Train-Bands, were found: And that they do inquire after the Author, Printer, and Publishers, of the said Questions: And that the Serjeant do summon and bring the said Person, with whom the said Questions were found, to the Committee of Examinations; to be examined this Afternoon.

Ordered, &c. That Paul Best be brought, by the Serjeant, to the House, on Wednesday, next: And that, in the mean time, he be remanded to Prison, there to be kept, according to former Orders.

Mr. Knightley brings Answer, That, as to the Order concerning Mr. Rouse's Version of the Psalms; to the Order for Committees not to intermeddle with private and particular Cases; and to the Order for making LieutenantColonel Thomas Mason to be Governor of Ruthyn-Castle; they will send Answer by Messengers of their own: To the rest of the Orders, carried up by him, they do agree.

Sir Robert Harley brings Answer, That, to the Messages, carried by him to the Lords, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordered, &c. That this Report of the Narrative of the Matter of Fact, concerning the Breach of the Privilege of Parliament by the Petition of the Assembly of Divines, be resumed into further Consideration on Monday Morning next, the first Business.

Ordered, &c. That the Business of North-Wales be taken into Consideration on Monday Morning next, after the Business concerning the Petition of the Assembly of Divines.

Ordered, &c. That the Business of Dover-Castle be taken into Consideration on Monday Morning next, after the Business of North-Wales.

Ordered, &c. That the Reports concerning Ireland be made on Thursday Morning next.

Ordered, &c. That the Reports from the Committee of the West be made on Friday Morning next.

Ordered, &c. That the Articles for Surrender of Exeter be brought in to the House, and read, on Monday Morning next: And that the Members of this House that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do take care hereof.

A Letter from Exeter, from Mr. Rushworth, of 168 Aprilis 1646, was this Day read.

Ordered, &c. That the Messenger, that brought this Letter from Exeter, shall have the Sum of Ten Pounds bestowed upon him, for his Pains: And that the Committee of Plymouth do pay the same accordingly.

Ordered, &c. That Francis Sherrington Esquire, now Prisoner in Lancashire, shall neither be exchanged, nor otherwise discharged his said Imprisonment, nor be admitted to compound for his Delinquency, until he have paid and satisfied all such Monies, as he is engaged, by Bills of Exchange, to pay into the Chamber of London, for Hugh Cooper, of Ormeskirke in the County of Lancaster, Gentleman; who was one of the Collectors of the Four hundred thousand Pounds Subsidy within the said County of Lancaster; with such Damages as the said Hugh Cooper hath sustained, or shall sustain, for Non-payment thereof at the Times limited in the said Bills of Exchange.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Major William Dingley to be Governor of Evesham: And that the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do grant him a Commission to be Governor of the said Garison accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, &c. That the Sum of Fifty Pounds be bestowed upon Monsieur le Frane, for his good Service to the Parliament, in giving Intelligence of Importance out of France unto Mr. Speaker: And that the Committee of Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies, sitting at Haber dashers-Hall, do pay the said Fifty Pounds accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, &c. That the Ordinance for Tryal of Mr. Murray, by Martial Law, be sent to the Commissioners for Martial Law, named in the said Ordinance: And that the Committee of the Tower do deliver the Examinations of Mr. Murray, taken by them, and remaining in their Hands, unto the said Commissioners for Martial Law. And

It is further Ordered, That Sir Walter Erle do likewise deliver the intercepted Letter, in his Hands, concerning Mr. Murray, unto the said Commissioners for Martial Law.

Ordered, &c. That the Two hundred Pounds, formerly ordered to be paid to Mr. Weckherlyn, by the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall, be forthwith paid: And that it be specially recommended to Mr. Jennour, to take care, that the same may be paid accordingly.