House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 29 June 1647

Die Martis, 29 Junii, 1647.

Prayers.

Plague at Chester, &c.

WHEREAS the City of Chester, and the Town of Warrington in the County of Lancaster, are grievously visited with the Plague of Pestilence; and that there are many very poor Persons in the said Places; which, if they be not relieved in an extraordinary Way, are like to perish for Want: It is therefore Ordered, by the Commons, assembled in Parliament, That, upon Wednesday the Thirtieth of this Instant June, being a Day of Humiliation, a publick Collection be made in all Churches, Places, and Chapels, within the Cities of London and Westminster, the Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality: And that the one Moiety of the said Money that shall be collected be paid, by the Collectors thereof, unto Mr. Henry Ashurst and Mr. James Wainwright, Citizens of London, or their Agents, at the Sign of the Talbot in Cateaton Street, near Guildhall, London: Who are hereby required forthwith to send Two Parts of all such Monies as they shall receive unto the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs, of the City of Chester; and the other Third Part unto the Constable of the said Town of Warrington, and unto Mr. Wooly and Mr. Robert Massy, Inhabitants of the said Town; to be by the said Officers and Persons distributed unto such of the poor Inhabitants of the said City and Town as shall most need it: And the Lord Mayor of the City of London is desired to give Notice of this Order unto the Ministers, Churchwardens, and other Officers, of the said several Churches, Places, and Chapels: And the several Ministers are desired to exhort the People to contribute freely to so charitable a Work.

Cheshire Petition.

Ordered, That, on Friday next, the first Business, the Cheshire Petition be read.

Petition from the Eleveu Members.

The humble Petition of the Members charged by the Army, whose Names are subscribed, was read.

Resolved, &c. That, according to the former Directions of the House, the particular Charge and Proofs against the Members charged by the Army, be brought in, and produced, by Friday next at farthest: And that a Letter be prepared, and sent to the Commissioners with the Army, to this Purpose.

Sir Gilbert Gerard and Mr. Swynfen are appointed to prepare this Letter.

Army Accompts, &c.

The humble Petition of the Officers that are come off from the Army, in Obedience to the Parliament's Command, in the Behalf of themselves and Soldiery.

Resolved, &c. That these Petitioners and Soldiers be referred to the Committee of the Army; to state and audite their Accompts.

Resolved, &c. That the Officers that have subscribed this Petition, viz. Colonel Sir Robert Pye, Colonel Thomas Sheffield, Colonel Richard Grevis, Colonel John Butler, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee at Darby House, for the Affairs of Ireland; to give in a List of themselves, Officers, and Soldiers, that will go for Ireland; and to report that List with all Speed.

Resolved, &c. That all those Officers and Soldiers that are come off from the Army shall forthwith either be sent over into Ireland, or be disbanded: And that it be referred to the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland at Derby House, to consider, this Afternoon, how this Vote may be speedily put in Execution; and to report their Opinions herein on Thursday Morning next.

Walloones.

Ordered, That Colonel White do represent it to the General, That the Walloones formerly of Colonel Grevis his Regiment, and now under the Command of Colonel Scroope, may be forthwith discharged; the Countries complaining of them, that they are an insupportable Burden unto them.

Prisoners in the Lines.

Ordered, That, on Friday Morning next, the Petition * * *, concerning the Prisoners in the Lines of Communication, in Mr. Knightie's Hands, be read peremptorily.

Judges to go Circuits.

Resolved, &c. That there shall be Circuits this Summer in all the Counties of England and Wales, as formerly: And that it be referred to the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, to appoint Judges for the said several Circuits, as formerly; and to present them to the Houses, for their Approbation.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Customs.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Customs be desired to forbear the Twenty thousand Pounds payable the Twenty-fourth of this instant June, for Three Months longer.

Protections.

Ordered, That, on Saturday next, Mr. Maynard do report the Ordinance in his Hands concerning Protections.

Tumultuous Assemblies, &c.

An Ordinance, or Declaration, prohibiting the tumultuous Assemblings of Officers and Soldiers about the Houses, or about or in the Cities of London; and to command such as are not Inhabitants of these Parts to depart the Lines of Communication, within Ten Days after the Publication of this Ordinance, upon the Penalty of forfeiting their Arrears; was this Day read the First . . . .

Removing the King to Holdenby.

Mr. Reynolds reports the Preamble, which was set to the Vote for removing the King's Person from Newcastle to Holdenby, joined to the Vote, Yesterday passed, for removing the King's Person again to Holdenby: The which, so joined, was read, and approved.

He further reported a Letter to the Commissioners with the King, to accompany this Vote; and a Letter to the General, in order to this Vote: The which were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, by Mr. Reynolds.

Message to Lords.

There was further sent after Mr. Reynolds, by Mr. Aiskew, to be communicated to the Lords for their Concurrence, the Vote concerning next Summer's Circuit: But he was gone in before it came: And thereupon Sir John Danvers carried it to the Lords.

Proceedings against the Eleven Members.

Mr. Swynfen reports a Letter, to be sent to the Commissioners with the Army, concerning the bringing in the Particulars, Charge, and Proofs, against the Members charged by the Army, by Friday next at farthest, was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Removing the King to Holdenby.

Mr. Reynolds brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Vote for removing the King's Person to Holdenby; and to the Preamble unto it; and to the Letters to be sent to the General, and the Commissioners with the King, in pursuance of an Order to the said Vote.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords have commanded us to bring unto you a Paper, from the States Ambassador the Lord Joachimi; wherein he desires his Pass to the King; and that a Letter may be written to the Commissioners with the King to admit him accordingly, a Pass to the Low Countries, with his Retinue, Coach, Horses, and other Necessaries; with a Safeguard for his House, Houshold Servants, and all Things left here: To all which Desires the Lords do agree; and desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Lords desire some speedy Course may be taken for settling the Jurisdiction and Judicature of the Admiralty: An Order for appointing Colonel Buller to go speedily into Silly, to command there in Chief, until both Houses take further Order, in which they desire the Concurrence of this House: A Pass for the Earl of Pembroke to transport Two Horses beyond the Seas, with a Groom: Two Pardons, which are Pardons in Course; in which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Dutch Ambassador's Pass.

The Paper from the States Ambassador, containing the said Three Desires, was read; and the particular Desires agreed unto: And that a Letter be written to the Commissioners with the King pursuant thereunto.

Admiralty.

Ordered, That, on Tuesday next, betwixt Ten and Twelve, the Ordinance for settling the Jurisdiction of the Court of Admiralty be read.

Island of Silly.

Ordered, By the Lords and Commons, in Parliament, That Colonel Anthony Buller shall speedily go into the Island of Silly, to command there in Chief, until the Pleasure of both Houses be further signified.

E. of Pembroke's Pass.

The Pass for the Earl of Pembroke to send beyond the Seas Two Horses, and a Groom to attend them, was read; and agreed unto.

Prisoners pardoned.

Two Pardons of Course, signed, the one, Edw. Atkyns and John Wylde; the other, Henry Rolle and John Godbolt; for Pardoning of divers Prisoners remaining in the several Gaols in the Western and Oxfordshire Circuits; their Facts being, some of them, small, and their first Offences; and others, the Evidence doubtful; whom the said Judges spared from Execution, certifying them to be fit Subjects for Mercy; were this Day read; and assented unto by this House.

Prisoners bailed.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Jonathan Crosland and Colonel Holtby, now under Restraint in the Serjeant's Custody, be forthwith bailed.

Leave of Absence.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Edward Hungerford, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into . . . Country.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Alexander Bence and Mr. Squire Bence, Members of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Robert Bindlosse, a Member of this House shall have Leave to go into . . . Country.

Soldiers to depart the Lines.

Ordered, That, on Thursday Morning next, the first Business, the Ordinance concerning Officers and Soldiers departing the Lines of Communication, be read.

Report deferred.

Ordered, That, on Thursday next, peremptorily, Mr. Whittacre make his Report concerning Mr. David Jenkins.