House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 4 December 1646

Die Veneris, 4 Decembris, 1646.

Prayers.

Ordered, That, against To-morrow Morning, the Names of all such of the Members of this House, as have not yet taken the Covenant, be presented by the Clerk to Mr. Speaker: Who is this Day to give Notice of the Resolution of the House, that all the Members of this House, who have not yet taken the Covenant since their coming into the House, are appointed, and hereby ordered, to take the same in the House To-morrow Morning at Eleven of the Clock.

Ordered, That Mr. Tate do go to the Lords this Morning, to desire them, that the Members of their House, formerly named to meet with a Committee of this House to consider of the Disposal of the Great Seal of England, may meet concerning that Business.

Ordered, That Mr. Thomas Erle do make the Report in his Hands, concerning Pendennis Castle, on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business: And that Mr. Speaker do put the House in mind hereof.

Ordered, That Mr. Swinfen do make the Report in his Hands, concerning the Forces that are to be sent into Ireland, on Tuesday Morning next.

Resolved, &c. That the House do meet in a Committee, on this Day Sevennight, at Eight of the Clock, to take into Consideration the Ordinance and Instructions for the Taking of the Solemn League and Covenant, the first Business.

Upon Mr. Scawen's Report from the Committee of the Army;

It is Ordered, upon the Question, That out of the Fine of the Earl of Devon, granted them for the Service of the Army, that the said Committee shall dispose thereof, or such Part thereof as they shall think fit, towards the Payment of the Fourteen Days Pay for the reduced Officers.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to pay such Officers of the Army, as have been wounded, and have been cured upon their own Charge, such Sums of Money of their own Arrears, as they shall think fit, not exceeding, in the Whole, the Sum of One thousand Pounds.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to pay unto such Officers of the Army, as have left the Army, and are going upon other Employment for Ireland, or otherwise, such Sums of Money, upon their Departure, as they shall think convenient, out of their Arrears.

Ordered, That * Blunt, Waggoner, who hath lost both his Legs in the Service under Sir Thomas Fairfax, shall have the Sum of One hundred Pounds bestowed upon him by the Committee of the Army.

Ordered, That the Sum of Two hundred and Six Pounds, paid by the Treasurers at Wars unto Serjeant-Major-General Skippon, more than his Half-Pay, being, by Mistake, allowed upon the Account of the Treasurers at Wars: And that the said Sum of Two hundred and Six Pounds shall go in Part of the Arrears due to Serjeant-MajorGeneral Skippon.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army do allow Pay unto the Marshal of the Regiment of Dragoons in Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army, according to the Pay allowed for a Marshal's Entertainment.

Mr. Scawen reports further, That there are several Obstructions in the Bringing in of the Arrears of the Assessment for Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army.

A Letter from Sir Anthony Welden, from Swanscombe, of 26. Octobris 1646, was read; and was, concerning such Obstructions as were in the County of Kent.

The Copy of a Letter to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and sent to several Committees of several Counties, for removing Obstructions in the bringing in the Assessments for Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army, and for quickening the bringing in the Arrears of such Assessments, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And

Ordered, That it be referred to the Care of the Committee of the Army, to send Copies of the said Letter, as they shall see Cause.

Ordered, That Lieutenant Thomas Boteler, who hath lost both his Eyes in the Service of the Parliament, be especially recommended from this House to Mr. Speaker, to be placed by him in a Place now void in Sutton's Hospital.

Mr. Ball, Sir Walter Erle, Sir James Harrington, Mr. Scawen, Sir Martin Lumley, Mr. Hordges, Colonel Harvy, Mr. Francis Allen, Mr. Thomas Erle, Mr. Knightley, Mr. John Ash, Mr. John Corbett, Mr. Samuel Browne, Sir Thomas Soame, Sir John D'Anvers, Mr. Dennis Bond, Mr. Lisle, Sir Samuel Rolle, Mr. John Stephens, Sir Arthur Heselrige, Sir John Evelyn of Wiltes, Mr. Miles Corbett, Mr. Gott, Sir Thomas Middleton, Mr. Westrowe, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Sir Robert Pye, Mr. Alderman Pennington, Mr. Vassall, Colonel Venn, Mr. Alderman Atkyn;

This Committee, or any Five of them, are appointed to go to the Common-Council; to desire them to hasten the Bringing in of the Arrears of the Assessments of Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army within the City of London, and the Liberties thereof.

Ordered, That Mr. Vassall, Colonel Venn, and Mr. Alderman Atkyn, do desire the Lord Mayor of the City of London to summon a Common-Council to meet on Thursday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon.

Sir Robert Pye carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Ordinance for setting Wednesday next apart for a Day of Publick Humiliation, within the Lines of Communication, and Parts adjacent; and Wednesday Fortnight, for the rest of the Parts of the Kingdom.

A Letter from Lincolne, of 18 Novembris 1646, from Mr. Wm. Bury, directed to Colonel Rosseter, representing great Obstructions in the bringing in the Assessments for Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army, occasioned by Papers given out under Colonel Kinge's Hand.

The said Papers, under his Hand were read; and were, one of them, dated the One-and-twentieth of September, the other the Twenty-fourth of September, 1646.

The Examinations of George Stordinell, and Thomas Greene, Assessors of the second Ten Months Tax for the Army for the Town of Martin, of 2 Novembris (who say, That they shewed the Warrant for assessing those Taxes to Colonel Edward King, who took the Warrant from them, and wished they should not assess it; and, if the Committee should send for them, they should answer, if they would shew them an Ordinance of Parliament, they should assess it; but he knew of no Ordinance there was); and likewise the Notes of a Charge delivered by Colonel Edward King at the last Quarter-Sessions; and likewise the humble Petition of Colonel Edward Kinge, of Graye'sInn in the County of Middlesex, Esquire; were all this Day read: And

It is thereupon Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to examine the whole Business concerning the Obstructions in bringing in the Assessments for Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army in the County of Lincolne, occasioned by Colonel King, as is informed: Who are to examine the same forthwith; and likewise the Charge given by Colonel King at the last Sessions at Sleford and Folkingham in the said County.

Upon Mr. Corbett's Report, from the Committee for Regulation of the Affairs of the Excise, of some Obstructions in the Bringing in of the Excise in the County of Lincolne;

It is Ordered, That it be referred back to the said Committee for Regulation of the Affairs of the Excise, to examine the whole Business of the Obstructions in bringing in the Excise in the County of Lincolne, occasioned by Colonel King, as is informed: And that they do examine the same forthwith; and make Report thereof at the same time when the Committee of the Army shall make Report of the Obstructions informed to be occasioned by Colonel King in bringing in the Assessments for Maintenance of the Army in the said County.

Ordered, That the Committee for Regulation of the Affairs of the Excise do, from time to time, prepare Letters to be signed by the Speakers of both Houses, and sent to the Deputy-Lieutenants and Committees of the several Counties, for the raising and bringing in the Excise, according to the several Ordinances of the Excise.

Sir Robert Pye brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Ordinances for appointing Wednesday next, and Wednesday Fortnight, to be observed for Days of Publick Humiliation within the Lines of Communication, and Parts adjacent, and in the other Parts of the Kingdom, respectively.

Mr. Tate brings Answer, That, to the Meeting of the Committee formerly named to consider of the Disposal of the Great Seal of England, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed to consider of the Relief and Pay of divers poor Widows, Soldiers and Officers Wives, &c. or any Four of them, do meet this Afternoon; and consider of some Instructions, or some other Way and Means of putting the Monies appointed for the said necessitous People in such a Way, as that the said People may receive the Benefit of it; and that the said Monies may be paid in the most expeditious and orderly Manner as may be, that their Necessities may be relieved, and their Clamours prevented, and they hindred from coming to the Door of the Houses of Parliament.

And it is further Ordered, That Colonel Strode, Sir William Allenson, and Mr. Lemmon, be added to this Committee: And they are to report the same with all convenient Speed.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of Excise be earnestly desired to lend the Ten thousand Pounds, charged upon the Receipts of the Excise, by former Ordinance, for the poor Women, and other necessitous Persons, by One thousand Pounds per Week; there being Interest allowed for the same: And the Committee for the Relief of the poor necessitous People, and Mr. Nicoll, Mr. Lemmon, Mr. Love, Sir John Francklyn, and Mr. Francis Allen, do effectually press the Commissioners of Excise to furnish those Monies accordingly.

Ordered, That the Report this Day offered by Mr. Salwey, for the Bringing in of Monies, be made To-morrow Morning.

A Message from the Lords, by Doctor Heath and Mr. Hackwell;

The Lords received certain Votes for appointing Sheriffs in several Counties for the Year following: Which they return, with some Amendments: In which they desire the Concurrence of this House. They have received a Petition from the University of Oxon: Upon which they have conceived an Ordinance; and desire the Concurrence of this House therein. They have received a Paper from the Spanish Ambassador; and they desire the Concurrence of this House, that the Matter therein contained may be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Foreign Affairs. They have appointed the Members of their House that are of the Committee for the Great Seal, to meet To-morrow at Three of Clock, in the Painted Chamber; and have appointed Five to be of the Quorum; and desire this House to appoint their Committee to meet at the same time. They have appointed the Earl of Pem broke Lord Lieutenant of the County of Cardigan; and desire the Concurrence of this House therein. They desire a Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, to meet To-morrow at Eleven of Clock, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning the Ordinance, sent to this House from the Lords, about Goldsmiths-Hall.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House will take their Lordships Message into Consideration; and send Answer by Messengers of their own.

The House being informed, That the Divines of the Assembly were at the Door;

They were called in: And the Prolocutor informed the House, That the Assembly of Divines had now finished the latter Part of the Consession of Faith: Which they desire humbly to present to the House: And, for the more Conveniency of the Business, they had reduced both Parts likewise into one entire Body: They do desire, that, if either the thing do seem long, or that they have been long in Perfecting of it, that you will consider, that the Business is Matter of great Weight and Importance.

Ordered, &c. That, on Monday Morning next, the first Business, this Part of the Consession of Faith, this Day presented by the Assembly of Divines, be read: And, immediately after the Reading thereof, and such Order as shall be made thereupon, Mr. Speaker do leave the Chair; and the House meet in a Committee, to take into Consideration the Ordinance for preventing the Spreading and Growth of Blasphemies and Heresies, according to the former Order.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. John Tidcombe, now Prisoner in the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House, be forthwith bailed.

Ordered, &c. That the Sum of Two hundred Pounds be paid, by the Committee of the Revenue, to the Six Ministers sent by both Houses to the University of Oxford.

Resolved, &c. That, there being no Lands belonging to the Lord Brudnall in the County of Leicester, the Ordinance passed both Houses the Tenth Day of September last, for granting an Allowance to the Lady Blaney, out of the Estate of the Lord Brudenall in the said County of Leicester, be, in that Particular, amended: And that these Words, in the said Ordinance; viz. "several and respective;" in the Fifteenth Line; and likewise these Words, "and Leicester," in the 16 Line; be left out: And that the rest of the said Ordinance stand, and be in Force, according to the Tenor thereof, to all Intents and Purposes.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

The Amendments, this Day sent from the Lords, to the Names of the Sheriffs, were read: And

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Sir Robert Joceline, now present Sheriff of Hertfordshire, be continued, for the next Year, Sheriff.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth adhere to Edward Hooper Esquire to be Sheriff of Dorsetshire.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth adhere unto Michael Bourton Esquire to be Sheriff of Derbyshire.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Thomas Berney Esquire shall be Sheriff of Norfolke, in the room of Michael Berney.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth adhere unto Wm. Bowyer Esquire to be Sheriff of the County of Bucks.

Ordered, &c. That the Names of the Sheriffs of the several Counties be, from time to time, returned into the Exchequer: And that the said Sheriffs respectively do give Security, in the said Exchequer, to give a due Account, and to answer upon their Proposals, and to do and perform all such other Matters and Things, as hath been hereto fore accustomed to be done by Sheriffs in the said County.

The humble Petition of the University of Oxford, and the Ordinance thereupon, this Day sent from the Lords, was read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, was committed unto the Committee formerly appointed for the Regulation of the University of Oxford: Who are to report the same on Monday Morning next.

And the Care hereof is referred to Mr. Selden.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee for the County of Oxford do inventory the Books, Mathematical Instruments, and Globes, belonging to any the Masters, Readers, or Scholars, in the University of Oxford, which are liable to Sequestration; and leave the same, so inventoried, in the several Hands of the Persons with whom they do now remain; to be made use of by them, they giving Security to the said Committee, that the said Books, Globes, or Mathematical Instruments, shall not be imbeziled, but shall be forth-coming, till this House take further Order.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That the Members of this House, of the Committee formerly named for the Disposal of the Great Seal, do meet To-morrow at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Painted Chamber: And that the Quorum of the Committee of this House be Ten.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That the Earl of Pembroke be Lord Lieutenant of the County of Cardigan.