House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 13 June 1646

Die Sabbati, 13 Junii, 1646.

Prayers.

Mr. Fell reports the Amendments to the Ordinance for appointing the Assizes to be held in the CountyPalatine of Lancaster: The which were twice read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

And the Ordinance, so amended, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Mr. Ashurst is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

The humble Petition of Officers Wives, whose Names are annexed, was this Day read.

And it is Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the former Committee, whereof Sir Thomas Dacres and Mr. Alderman Atkin were of; to consider of it, and of their Accompts; and what is due to every particular Petitioner; and what Money will be fit to allow to each of them; and where to have the said Monies; and to report it to the House with all convenient Speed: They are likewise to consider, what free Quarter, or Horses, or other thing, hath been levied or taken by any of the said Officers the Husbands of the Petitioners, to the end it may be deducted upon their Accompts.

And it is further Ordered, That the Widows Petition, the Petitions of the Waggoners under the Earl of Essex before and after the Loss in Cornewall, of the several Waggoners under Sir William Waller, and those that were employed under him to Farnham, be referred to the said Committee, in the same manner, and for the same Ends, as the Petitions of the Officers Wives, this Day read, is referred.

Ordered, That the Business concerning Portsmouth; the Petition of the Servants attending the King's Children; the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Newberry; and the Letters concerning Dudley-Castle; be read, and taken into Consideration, on Monday Morning next.

The House was informed, by the Serjeant, That the Ambassador from the Emperor of Russia was attending on this House in the Court of Wards, ready to receive the Letter from both Houses, to be sent to the Emperor his Master.

The House thereupon gave Order for his Reception: Which was on this Manner; viz. The Master of the Ceremonies came bare before him; and the Serjeant, with the Mace, by him, on his Right Hand, till he came to the Chair appointed for him; which was placed, with a large Cushion in it, as near the Table as could be, upon a Turkey Carpet: During which time Mr. Speaker stood up bare; and the rest of the House, and the Clerks, sat in their Places. Upon his coming to his Chair, the Serjeant laid by the Cushion; and the Ambassador sat down covered: Then Mr. Speaker likewise sat down, and was likewise covered: Then, presently, the Ambassador stood up; and, his Interpreter being by him, the Serjeant standing on his Right Hand, with the Mace, and the Master of the Ceremonies, on the Left, the Ambassador declared, by his Interpreter, the Reason of his coming to the House; which was, to receive the Letter from the Parliament to his Master: And Mr. Speaker, and the rest of the House, all standing up, uncovered, and the Clerks standing up likewise, Mr. Speaker delivered to him the said Letter; taking notice of the Greatness of the Emperor his Master, and of his Favours to the Merchants of this Kingdom: Who thereupon took his Leave of the House; and withdrew in the same manner as he came in.

The House, according to Order, took into Consideration the Message Yesterday from the Lords, concerning the Propositions.

The Expedient, sent from the Lords, concerning the Militia of the whole Kingdom, was read.

The Question being propounded, Whether this Expedient, sent from the Lords, concerning the Militia of the whole Kingdom, should be committed, or not;

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

It passed with the Affirmative.

And then the Question itself, For Commitment, being put;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So the Question passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That this Expedient, from the Lords, concerning the Militia of the whole Kingdom, shall be committed unto Sir Robert Harley, Sir Walter Erle, Mr. Prideaux, Sir John Curson, Mr. Sollicitor, Mr. Martin, Sir John Coke, Mr. Ashhurst, Mr. Salway, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Holles, Mr. Challenor, Mr. Allen, Mr. Pierepont, Mr. Recorder, Sir Henry Vane senior, Mr. Stapley, Mr. Nath. Fiennes, Mr. Sam. Browne, Sir John Holland, Sir Arth. Haslerig, Mr. Whitlocke, Mr. Grimston, Mr. Leigh, Mr. Greene, Mr. Crewe, Mr. Lisle, Sir John Evelyn, Mr. Ludlowe, Mr. Pury, Sir John Clotworthy, Mr. Selden, Mr. Alderman Atkin, Sir Henry Mildmay, Mr. Gell, Mr. Ball, Sir Henry Vane junior, Sir Thomas Wroth, Mr. John Stephens, Sir John Hobert, Mr. Corbett, Mr. Wheeler, Sir Philip Stapleton, Mr. Blague, Mr. Tate, Mr. Staughton, Mr. Baynton, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Rouse, Mr. Trenchard;

This Committee are to consider of the Expedient, sent from the Lords, concerning the Militia of the whole Kingdom: And are to meet upon it this Afternoon at Five of the Clock, in the Exchequer-Chamber: And are to report the same on Monday Morning next: And the Care hereof is referred to Mr. Whitlock.

Resolved, &c. That the Messengers shall be now called in.

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

The Lords have commanded us to put you in mind of the Propositions for a safe and well-grounded Peace: Which they conceive to be Matters of the chiefest Concernment of the Kingdom; and therefore they desire, That you will give a speedy Dispatch unto them.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House hath considered your Message; and have taken it into Consideration; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.