House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 22 April 1647

Die Jovis, 22 Aprilis, 1647.

Prayers.

Thirty-nine Articles.

RESOLVED, &c. That the Assembly be required to send in to this House, according to former Order, the former Articles of the Church of England, so far as they have proceeded in them, with the Texts of Scripture to them: And that they be sent in by Tuesday next.

Confession of Faith.

Resolved, &c. That, on this Day Sevennight, the House do take into Consideration the Confession of Faith, presented from the Assembly of Divines: And that the Assembly be required, in the mean time, to send in the Texts of Scripture to them, so far as they have proceeded in them.

Mr. Tate and Sir Robert Harley are appointed to acquaint the Assembly with these Orders.

Forces for Ireland.

Mr. Holles reports from the Committee for Irish Affairs, at Derby House, a Letter from the Commissioners of both Houses, of 19 Aprilis 1647, from Saffron Walden, with a Copy of a Declaration inclosed, published at the Head of the Regiments by the General's Command, to prevent any Disaffection in the Soldiery to the Service of Ireland: A Draught of another Declaration to the same Effect: A Letter from the Commissioners to the General, of 19 Aprilis 1647, concerning the said Declaration: A Letter from the Commissioners of both Houses, of 15 Aprilis 1647, from Saffron Walden: Two Letters from the General, of 19 Aprilis 1647, to the Commissioners: Another Copy of the Declaration before mentioned: A Lift of the Names of divers Officers of Horse and Foot, that have engaged themselves for Ireland: The which were all read.

He further reported the Names of the Commanders and Officers of the Regiments to be sent out of North Wales, for the Service of Ireland: The which were also read.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland at Derby House shall hereby have Power to grant Commissions to the Commanders and Officers of the Regiments to be sent out of North Wales for the Service of Ireland, returned from Colonel Mitton and this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland at Derby House, shall hereby have Power to grant Commissions to such Officers of Colonel Birche's Regiment of Foot, and the Two Troops of Horse which he has contracted with the said Committee to transport into Ireland, as he shall return the Names of unto that Committee: And that their Commissions bear Date from the Time of the Contract made between that Committee and him.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Dr. Aylett and Mr. Sadler;

The Lords have commanded us to bring you this Ordinance, for Mr. John Ley to be Rector of Astbury in the County of Chester: An Ordinance for Stephen Sedgwich to be Rector of Tingwick in the County of Bucks: To both which they desire your Concurrence. They have commanded us to put you in mind of a Petition of Captain William Sykes, a Merchant, who has disbursed much Money to the State, and is now in Want; and therefore, they do desire you to take it into Consideration: Likewise, of Captain Gregge, who hath been recommended by the Committee of the Admiralty for a Place; which he hath not yet obtained; and, being in Want, the Lords think fit he should have some considerable Allowance, to keep him from perishing, till he may obtain his Place: And therefore desire you will take him into Consideration: Likewise, of an Ordinance for Captain John Arthurs, for Sandisfort Castle.

The Lords have also commanded us to bring you this Petition of Sarah Robinson, and others; which the Lords refer to your Consideration: An Ordinance for Delivery of the Seal of South Wales to the now Justice there: And an Ordinance for the Perfecting of some Compositions formerly made in the Court of Wards: To which they desire your Concurrence.

The Lords have appointed their Committee to meet with your Committee for Scandals concerning the Sacrament this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Painted Chamber.

Scandal.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur, That the Members of this House that are of the Committee appointed to judge of Scandal, may meet with the Committee of the Lords this Afternoon at Two of Clock, in the Painted Chamber.

Astbury Rectory, &c.

An Ordinance for appointing and constituting Mr. John Ley, one of the Assembly of Divines, to be Rector of Astbury in the County of Chester; and for assigning the Tythes of Congleton to the Maintenance of the Minister of Congleton; this Day sent from the Lords; was this Day read; and, upon the Question, committed unto the Committee of plundered Ministers, upon the Debate thereof this Day had in the House: Who are to consider of it, and to report with all Speed.-

Message to Lords.

Mr. Holles carried to the Lords for their Concurrence, the Instructions to the Committee of both Houses, for procuring the King's Answer to the Propositions: An Addition to the Propositions concerning the Disposal and Sale of the Bishops Lands: The Order for the Third Part of the Arrear to divers Scotts Officers: Order for Payment of Monies to divers Messengers: Order for Fifty Pounds to one Castle, out of Haberdashers Hall: Order for the Sheriff of Cornwall, and the Sheriff of Warwickshire, to have Leave to come to Town: Order for the Members of both Houses, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to conser with the Commissioners of Scotland, touching their joining to procure the King's Answer to the Propositions: Order concerning the Lord Forbes: Order concerning the Payment of Three thousand Six hundred Pounds to Mr. Steward.

Touching for the Evil.

A Letter from the Commissioners from Holdenby, of 20 Aprilis 1647, concerning the Resort of great Number of People thither, to be Touched for the Evil, was this Day read.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to a Committee, to prepare a Declaration to be set forth to the People, concerning the Superstition of being Touched for the Healing of the King's Evil.

Ordered, &c. That a Letter be written to the Commissioners at Holdenby, to desire them to take care that the Resort of People thither, to be Touched for the Evil, may be prevented: And that they do cause the said Declaration to be published in the Country; to the end the People may take Notice of it: And, in the same Letter, Thanks are to be returned to the Commissioners for their Care.

Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Henry Martyn, Mr. Weaver, Mr. Doyley, Mr. Blackeston, Mr. Nicholl, Sir Robert Harley, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Challener, Mr. Clive, Mr. Strode, and Mr. Palmer, are appointed to be the Committee for the Preparing of the Declaration and Letter before mentioned: And they, or any Three of them, are to meet upon it at Two of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Exchequer Chamber. And the Care of this Business is more particularly referred to Mr. Palmer.

Propositions.

Ordered, &c. That the Propositions be read over, the first Business, To-morrow Morning.

Report deferred.

Ordered, &c. That the Report this Day made by Mr. Holles be taken into Consideration, the next Business after the Propositions are read.

Articles of Truro.

Resolved, &c. That, next after the House shall have proceeded upon the Report made by Mr. Holles, the Articles of Truro be taken into Consideration.

London Petition.

Ordered, That the Petition preferred from divers Citizens, of 20 March 1646, according to former Order, be read To-morrow Morning.

Scotts Officers.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee who are to take Care of the Payment of the Scotts Officers, according to the List agreed on for them, do take care that, in the Issuing of the Monies, the Proportions to be issued may be paid to the Persons themselves to whom the same are due and appointed, or to the Wives of such of them as are dead (if any be), or to their Executors or Administrators.

Delinquent Ministers, &c.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of plundered Ministers, to consider how the Benefices or Livings, that belong to Delinquent Ministers or Patrons, may be disposed for the future; and how Tythes, and other Dues, may be paid to the Ministry; and to bring in an Ordinance accordingly. Mr. Grimston and Mr. Prideaux are to take care hereof; and to bring in this Ordinance on Friday Sevennight.

Bowyer's, &c. Accompts.

Ordered, &c. That the Certificate from the Committee of Accompts, concerning Colonel Bowyer, a Member of this House; and likewise, concerning Sir Francis Drake, another Member of this House; for the Stating of their Accompts; be read on Tuesday Morning next.

Potter's Petition.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Daniell Potter's Petition be read on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business.

Burton's Petition.

Ordered, &c. That the Petition of Mary Burton Widow be read on Tuesday next.

Leeds, &c. Potition.

Ordered, &c. That the Petition of the poor People of Leeds and Bradford be read on Tuesday next.-

Seal of Wales.

An Ordinance for the Delivery of the Justice Seal of some Counties of South Wales, to John Altonhead, Esquire, now Justice of the said Counties, sent from the Lords, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House hath considered your Message: And, as to the Ordinance for Delivery of the Seal of South Wales, and the Meeting of the Committee this Afternoon, they do agree: And, as to the rest of the Particulars of the Message, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Sykes' Clauns.

The humble Petition of Wm. Sykes, of Hull, Merchant, sent from the Lords, was this Day read; wherein he does demand the Sum of Ten thousand Nine hundred Seventyand-five Pounds Two Shillings Six-pence, as owing unto him from the Parliament, for Monies lent, and Arms and Ammunition furnished: And

It is Ordered, That the Sum of Four thousand Pounds be paid to the Petitioner, upon Account, together with Interest, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. payable every Six Months, during the Time the said Four thousand Pounds shall be unpaid: And that the said Four thousand Pounds, together with the Interest arising thereupon, be charged upon the Receipts at Goldsmiths Hall, in Course, and paid by the Treasurers there accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, &c. That the humble Petition of Wm. Sykes Merchant, as to that Part of the Petition that concerns his Father's altering his Will, and giving away a considerable Estate from him, for his good Affection and Service to the Parliament, be referred to the Consideration of the Northern Committee; to examine the Truth of the Suggestion; and to consider of some Way for his Relief; and to report their Opinions to the House.

Soldiers Wives, &c.

The humble Petition of many desolate and distressed Officers and Soldiers Wives and Widows, whose Husbands are slain, and others active, in your honourable Service, whose Names are subscribed, was this Day read. And

It is Ordered, That this Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee that sits in the Military Garden; to consider and examine what is justly due unto them.

It is further Ordered, That the Rules for taking the Accompts of the Soldiery of the Kingdom be reported and read on Thursday next.

Redemption of Captives.

Upon Mr. Green's Report of Three Letters, One from the Basha of Argier, another from the Duana, and a Third from the Cadee and Governors of the Town;

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Proceedings of Edmond Cason Esquire, in his Employment from both Houses of Parliament to Argier.

Ordered, &c. That Letters be written from both Houses, and signed by the Speakers, giving Credit to the Confirmation of the said Proceedings, and Carrying on of the Work of the Redemption of the Captives: And that Mr. Greene do prepare and bring in these Letters; which the Speakers are to sign, the same being presented unto them.

Ditto.

An Ordinance for Continuance of the Argeir Duty, from the Eleventh of December 1647 inclusive, unto the Eleventh of December 1648 inclusive, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Sykes' Accompts.

Ordered, That William Sykes, of Hull, Merchant, who hath largely expressed his great Affection to the Parliament, by his advancing very great Sums of Money for the Service thereof, be referred to the Committee for taking the Accompts of the whole Kingdom; to receive, state, and certify his Accompts.