House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 11 March 1647

Die Jovis, 11 Martii, 1646.

Prayers.

Preachers thanked.

ORDERED, &c. That Mr. Rowse and Mr. Gewen do, from this House, give Thanks unto Mr. Vines and Mr. Hodges, for the great Pains they took in their Sermons preached on 10 Martii, 1646, at Margrett's Westminster, before the House of Commons, being a Day of publick Humiliation for the Growth of Errors, Heresies, &c.: And they do desire them to print their Sermons: Wherein they are to have the like Privilege in Printing of them, as others in the like kind usually have had.

Revenue.

Ordered, &c. That, on Monday next, the Reports from the Committee of the Revenue be made.

Lieutenant Freeman.

Colonel Harvey reports from the Committee * * * *, the Matter of Fact in the Case of Lieutenant John Freeman, upon a Petition referred to the Consideration of the said Committee.

Resolved, &c. That a Letter be signed by Mr. Speaker, to enjoin the Judges of the Assize, and Oyer and Terminer, before whom the Judgment of Lieutenant John Freeman is brought, to stay, for this time, all Proceedings against him at Law.

The Committee that brought in this Report is appointed to bring in this Letter.

Ordinances to be read.

Ordered, &c. That the Ordinance sent from the Lords, and the Ordinance brought from the Committee, touching Matters acted in the War, be read on Saturday next.

A Pass granted.

Ordered, That Mr. Andrew Kinge, Merchant, shall have Mr. Speaker's Warrant and Pass, to come into England, to compound for his Delinquency.

Tryals for Facts during the War.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Recorder and Mr. Selden do confer with such Judges as are in the Town; and acquaint them from this House, That if they shall have any Persons brought before them, upon any Fact committed by them, which, upon Examination, shall appear to be done in tempora & loco belli, in Pursuance and Obedience of any Ordinance of Parliament, that the Parties be discharged: And that the Judges do give so much in Charge and Direction to the Jurors: And that Mr. Recorder and Mr. Selden do prepare a Letter, to be sent to such other of the Judges as they shall not meet with in Town.

The Serjeant is to give Notice to the Judges of this Order; and desire them to nominate the Time and Place, some time To-morrow, where they may all meet.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Philip Smith, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Ordered, &c. That John Curson, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Quartering Soldiers.

The House being informed, That divers Gentlemen of the County of Essex were at the Door, desiring . . . . . . a Petition to this House;

They were called in: And Colonel Ayloffe, with divers other Gentlemen, did present a Petition.

The which (the Gentlemen being withdrawn) was read; and was, to acquaint the House, That the Army was quartered upon them; and to desire, that they might be eased of the Burden.

A Letter from the General, from Safforne Walden, of 9 Martii, 1646, was read, expressing, That he had received a Letter from the Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers; and a Vote inclosed, ordering him not to quarter his Army in the Eastern Association; and declaring the Reasons that induced him to remove his Quarters.

Resolved, &c. That in Answer to the Petitioners Part shall be, That this House has no Cause of Jealousy of the Army: But, as they have been constantly faithful, so they cannot doubt but they will continue faithful.

The Petitioners were again called in; and Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, took Notice of the good Affections and good Services of the County of Essex; and that the House would, upon all Occasions, take Notice of them; and did give them Thanks for them: That they had read their Petition; and had this Day resolved to take the Business of the Army into Consideration; and did intend to proceed in it, in such manner as might be most for the Ease of that County, and of the whole Kingdom.

Mr. Speaker did further, by Order of the House, acquaint the Petitioners, That the House has no Cause of Jealousy of the Army: But, as they have been constantly faithful, so they cannot doubt but they will continue faithful.

Resolved, &c. That it be left to the General, to quarter the Army under his Command as he shall think fitting, in such manner as may be most for the Ease and Benefit of the whole Kingdom: And that a Letter be sent to Sir Thomas Fairefaxe to this Purpose.

The Committee of the Army is to prepare and send away this Letter.

Private Business.

Resolved, &c. That, from this Day, for the Space of Ten Days, no private Business whatsoever be moved, entertained, or taken into Consideration.