House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 11 March 1645

Die Martis, Martii 11, 1644.

Prayers.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Revenue do take into Consideration the Patent granted to the City for Four thousand Chaldron of Coals to be sold again for the Use of the Poor: And that they do confer with the Scotts Commissioners, and write to the Commissioners at Newcastle, for the effecting the said Grant, according to the said Patent.

Ordered, That on Thursday Morning next, peremptorily, the first Business, Mr. Green do make Report of the Business of the Coal-Trade, and the Coasters.

An Ordinance for continuing the Ordinance for raising Monies in the County of Gloucester, &c. for Nine Months longer, to commence from January last past, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

An Ordinance for Raising of Monies for maintaining Forces in the County of Lincoln was this Day read the Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Lane, Mr. Cage, Mr. Millington, Sir H. Mildmay, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Broxholme, Mr. Asherst, Mr. Recorder, Sir Jo. Evelyn, Sir Wm. Stricland, the Knights and Burgesses of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire: And are to meet upon it this Afternoon at Two of Clock, in the Exchequer-Chamber.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, concerning the Nottinghamshire Gentlemen, together with their last Petition, be taken into Consideration on Thursday Morning next, peremptorily: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.

Resolved, &c. That an Ordinance be forthwith brought in for putting all the Soldiers of the Army, under the immediate Command of my Lord General, the Earl of Manchester, and Sir Wm. Waller, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax.

Sir Thomas Widdrington, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Sollicitor, Mr. Ellys, or any Two of them, are appointed to prepare this Ordinance.

A Letter from Colonel Thomas Hatcher to Sir Christopher Wray, of March the Seventh, from Lincolne, concerning the Action and Motion of Sir Marmaduke Langdale, was this Day read: And

Ordered, That Sir Christopher Wray do acquaint the Committee of both Kingdoms therewith.

Ordered, That Mr. Corbett and Mr. Herman do prepare a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and sent to the City of Norwich, concerning the Arrears of the Scotts Loans not sent up by them.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Walsingham and Captain Leigh do write a Letter to the Committee of Kent to hasten on the Scotts Monies.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Thomas Dacres do forthwith go down into the County of Hertford, and employ his best Care and Endeavour there for the speedy bringing in the Arrears of the Scotts Monies: And that he give a speedy Account hereof to the House.

An Ordinance for giving Power to Sir Tho. Fairfax, to put all the Soldiers of the Armies under the immediate Command of my Lord General, the Earl of Manchester, and Sir Wm. Waller, into the Army under his Command, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence: And was carried up by Sir John Potts.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Thomas Fairfax be injoined forthwith to recruit, and put into Pay, such Regiments of Horse and Foot as are already passed, and agreed upon, by both Houses.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Thomas Fairfax be required forthwith to provide Twelve hundred Horse for Recruits.

Ordered, That the Committee of the County of Norfolk do take Account of Officers and Troopers that are come into the County; and take such Care as may prevent the Imbeziling of the Horses and Arms belonging to them.

Mr. Nicoll carried up to the Lords Three Ordinances for reimbursing the Commissioners of Excise; One of Three thousand Pounds, to be disposed of by the Committee of both Kingdoms for the Relief of Sir Wm. Brereton; another of One thousand Pounds, for Arms and Money for Major Langherne; another of Two thousand Pounds for the Garison of Shrewsbury: And also an Order, made long since, concerning the Recorder of Lynne-Regis.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Parker, Sir Tho. Pelham, Colonel Morley, and Mr. Shelley, be injoined to go into the County of Sussex, to employ their best Endeavours for the speedy bringing in the Arrears of the Scotts Monies: And that they do give an Account of their Service herein to the House.

Ordered, That Mr. Middleton and Mr. Ravenscrost, who are at this Time in the County of Sussex, do employ their best Endeavours for the speedy bringing in the Arrears of the Scotts Monies in Bramber-Rape: And that Colonel Downes do write a Letter to Mr. Middleton and Mr. Ravenscroft, and acquaint them with the Order and Injunction of this House; and that the House doth expect a speedy and good Account of this Service.

Sir John Potts brings Answer, That the Lords do concurr in the Ordinance for enabling Sir Thomas Fairfax to put the Lieutenants, and other Officers and Soldiers of my Lord General's, the Earl of Manchester's, and Sir Wm. Waller's Armies, into the Army under his Command.

Resolved, &c. That the several Counties that are in Arrear with the Scotts Monies, do send in their Arrears by the First of April at furthest, without Fail: And that, as those Arrears shall come in, that they do, from time to time, with all Speed, send them in to Goldsmiths-Hall.

Ordered, That the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall do assure the Scotts Commissioners, that the Arrear of Thirty thousand Pounds, assigned to the Earl of Leven's Army, will be ready at the First of April next.

Ordered, That the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall do send Ten thousand Pounds, prepared for the Earl of Calender's Army, and so much as they shall make ready of the Thirty thousand Pounds assigned to the Earl of Leven's Army, and the Cloath, Ammunition, and Provisions, for the Scotts Army, by such Ships as my Lord Admiral shall appoint; to be paid and delivered out to such Persons as the Scotts Commissioners shall appoint.

Ordered, That the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall do provide Books of the Ordinance for the weekly Assessments for the Scotts Army; and send them into the several Counties, Cities, and Places charged with any Payments by the said Ordinance, by the Messengers employed to deliver the Ordinances for Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Members of both Houses, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to treat with the Scotts Commissioners for the speedy Advance of their Army Southward; and, for the present, for the Relief of the Parts about Chester: And that they do acquaint them with the Orders made concerning their Monies, Arms, and Provision.

Ordered, That the Lord Erwin shall have Liberty to transport into France so many common Soldiers, Prisoners to the Parliament, as shall be willing to go with him; giving good Caution, that none of them shall return, or be employed, to the Prejudice of this State: And that it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms to take this Caution; and to direct the Manner of the Delivery of these Prisoners, that it may be done in the securest Way to this State.

A Letter from Sir Wm. Waller, from Andover, of March the Ninth, with the Copy of a Pass, granted by my Lord General to Mr. Henry Piercy, and his Followers, to go into France, was this Day read.

Ordered, That Mr. Corbett, Mr. Serjeant Wilde, and Mr. Hill, do, on Thursday Morning next, bring in an Ordinance concerning Passes for Persons to go beyond the Seas, and to come out of the King's Quarters, according to the Debate this Day had in the House.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Prince Elector be revived: And that they meet from time . . . . . as they shall think fit: And that Mr. Trenchard, Sir Christopher Yelverton, and Mr. Ashurst, be added to this Committee.

Ordered, That Colonel Booth's Petition be read the first Business on Thursday Morning.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for the Election and Establishing of Elders be taken into Consideration on Thursday Morning next, according to the Order made in this Business Yesterday.

Ordered, That the List of Officers of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army be taken into Consideration on Thursday Morning next.

IT is Ordered and Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That Sir Thomas Fairfax, for the more speedy Raising, Perfecting, and Completing, of the Army whereof he is appointed Commander in Chief, shall have Power to take into the same all such Lieutenants, Serjeants, and other Under-Officers and Soldiers as he shall think fit, as well of Horse as Foot, now or late in the several Armies under the immediate Commands of the Lord General the Earl of Essex, the Earl of Manchester, and Sir Wm. Waller; and likewise all Gunners, Gentlemen of the Ordnance, and other Officers and Soldiers belonging to the several Trains of Artillery in the said several Armies.