House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 30 July 1647

Veneris, 30 Julii, 1647.

Mr. Speaker absent.

ACCORDING to the former Order of Adjournment of Tuesday last, divers Members of the House met, the Speaker being absent: After long Expectations that Day, about Noon, the Members present desired Sir Walter Erle, Sir Robert Pye, Mr. Gewen, and Mr. Knightley, to repair to the Speaker's House, to give him Notice of the Meeting of the House, and of the Time of the Day; and to desire his Attendance.

Return was made, about an Hour after, by those Gentlemen, That Mr. Speaker was not to be heard of: That he had not lodged at his House that Night, but was gone out of Town Yesterday Morning.

Thereupon, a Debate fell out, of the Continuance of the House, and the Power of the House to elect their Speaker; and the Necessity of making a Choice without Delay.

Mr. Pelham chosen Speaker.

Two Ministers were sent for to the Assembly: And, after Prayers, Mr. Henry Pelham was nominated Speaker; and called to the Chair, by general Approbation.

Mr. Pelham, first in his Place, excused himself for his Inabilities for so great a Charge: Which would not be admitted.

Sir Anthony Irby and Mr. Richard Lee went to the Place where Mr. Pelhame sat; and, according to Custom, took him by each Arm, and conducted him and placed him in the Chair.

He there again made his earnest Excuses.

Which not being admitted, he submitted to the Commands of the House.

Resolved, &c. That the Serjeant at Arms attending on the Great Seal do forthwith attend this House with his Mace.

Resolved, &c. That Serjeant Norfoulke, Serjeant at Arms, do forthwith attend the Service of this House with his Mace, during the Pleasure of this House.

London Petition.

Mr. Vassall presented a Petition, stiled, "The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, in Common Council assembled." The which was read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, in Common Council assembled; and the Order of the Militia of London, in Stopping of all Horses within the Lines of Communication, for the Safety of the Parliament and City, except the Horses of the Members of either House of Parliament, or the Assistants or Attendants of either House.

Lords to sit.

Sir Robert Pye went up to the Lords, to desire them to sit awhile.

Army, &c.

A Letter from Bedford, of 29 Julii, 1647, from the Commissioners with the Army, with the Result of the Proceedings and Propositions made by Sir John Temple and Sir Hardresse Waller, concerning the Relief of Ireland; and likewise, a Letter of the 29th of July, 1647, from Layton Budesart, at Eleven at Night; with a Copy of the General's Letter to the Commissioners of Parliament; and a Copy of the General's Letter to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, &c. were all this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That the General be required not to advance with his Army, or any Part thereof, within Thirty Miles of London: And in Case his Army, or any Part thereof, be within Thirty Miles, that they go back.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Mr. Walker, Mr. Gewen, Mr. Swinfen, and Mr. Knightley, do withdraw, and prepare a Letter to be sent to the General, signifying the Vote of both Houses, That his Army, nor any Part, do approach nearer than Thirty Miles of London: And in Case they are nearer to go back; and to inclose the Vote of both Houses in this Letter.

Members to attend.

Resolved, &c. That all those Members of this House, that are absent without Leave, do forthwith attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That all such Members of this House, that have the Leave of the House to be absent, do attend the Service of this House, on Monday come Fortnight, being the 16th of August next.

Lords to sit.

Sir Robert Pye brings Answer, That the Lords will sit awhile, as is desired.

The Eleven Members to attend.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Holles, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Wm. Lewes, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Phillip Stapleton, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Wm. Waller, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Sir John Clotworthy, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Sir John Maynard, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Major General Massey, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Recorder, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Walter Longe, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Harley, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Anthony Nicoll, a Member of this House, be enjoined forthwith to attend the Service of this House.

Message to Lords.

Ordered, &c. That Sir Robert Harley go up to the Lords, to inform them, That this House hath chosen a new Speaker; and to desire them to sit awhile, that they may present him unto them.

Pay of Munster Forces.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Lostus, Deputy Treasurer at Wars for Ireland, do forthwith deliver over the Seven thousand Pounds assigned for the Forces of Munster, unto Captain Richard Swanley, to be by him transported into Munster, for the Pay of the Forces there, and disposed of, according to the Order of the 23th of July 1647.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Colonel Jephson carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Order for Seven thousand Pounds to be transported into Munster, for the Pay of the Forces there; and likewise, the Letter to be sent to the General: And to desire them to sit awhile.

Apprentices Petition.

The humble Petition of the well-affected young Men and Apprentices of the City of London was read.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Vassall do go to the Petitioners at the Door, and inform them, That the House had considered their Petition; and do approve thereof.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Robert Harley brings Answer, That their Lordships will sit awhile; and will be ready to receive their Speaker, that shall be presented unto them.

Members to attend.

Ordered, &c. That all the Members of the House be enjoined to attend the Service of the House, when they return from the Lords with their Speaker.

Mr. Speaker presented to the Lords.

The whole House went up with Mr. Pelham, one of their Members, unto the Bar of the Lords House; and there presened him their Speaker.

The which Choice was by their Lordships approved of.

And then the Speaker, with the Members, returned: And being sat, they all, with one Voice, cried, "Mr. Speaker, to the Chair, to the Chair."

So he went into the Chair, accordingly.

Desence of the Kingdom.

Ordered, &c. That the Ordinance of the 21th of June 1647, giving Power to a Committee of Lords and Commons, to join with the Militia of London, for to consult, advise, and put in Execution, all Ways and Means, which in their Judgments may be necessary for the Defence of the King, Kingdom, Parliament, and City, be renewed; and to continue in Force one Month longer, from the Date hereof.

Resolved, &c. That the Quorum in this Ordinance shall be Two Lords and Four Commoners.

Resolved, That these Words, "according to the Covenant," be added to this Ordinance, after the Words "Parliament, and City."

The Ordinance, thus altered, was read; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Massey and Sir Wm. Waller be added to the Committee of the 11th of June 1647, that were to join with the Committee of the Militia of the City of London, for to consult, advise, and put in Execution, all Ways and Means, which in their Judgments may be necessary for the Defence of the King, Kingdom, Parliament, and City.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

London Militia.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee of the Militia of London have Power to chuse a Commander in Chief, and all other Commanders, as they shall think sitting for the Service: And that they be desired forthwith to do it, accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Jepson brings Answer from the Lords, That they do agree to the Order for the Transporting of Seven thousand Pounds for the Forces in Munster; and the Letter to be sent to the General: And that their Lordships will sit awhile, as is desired.

Great Seal.

Ordered, &c. That the Great Seal be secured.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Swinfen carried to the Lords a Letter to be sent to the General: An Ordinance for the renewing the Ordinance of the 11th of June 1647, concerning the keeping in Safety the King, Kingdom, Parliament, and City, according to the Covenant: The Vote for securing the Great Seal: The Vote for the Army not to come within Thirty Miles of London: The Vote for Colonel Massie and Sir Wm. Waller to be added to the Committee of the 11th of June last, that was to join with the Militia: The Vote giving Power to the Militia of the City of London to chuse a Commander in Chief, and all other Commanders, as they shall think sit.

King's Person.

Resolved, &c. That the Debate, now had in the House, concerning the Person of the King, be resumed To-morrow Morning, the first Business; and nothing to intervene.

King's Children.

Resolved, &c. That the Children of the King at St. James' be removed into the City: And that the Lord Mayor be desired to take care of them, till further Order of both Houses, in respect of the Danger they are now in at St. James'.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Swinfen brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the several Orders and Votes carried up to them by him.

Raising Horses.

Resolved, &c. That the Militia of London shall have Power to raise and list Horses, as they shall think fit, for the Safety of the Parliament and City.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

King's Children.

Resolved, &c. That the Militia of the City of London be desired to send a Guard to St. James' to guard the House, for the Safety of the King's Children, until both Houses take further Order.

Sir John Burgoyne, Sir Anto. Irby, Mr. Baynton, Colonel Harley, are desired to go to St. James' to the King's Children; to acquaint them with the Order of this House, and the Reasons thereof.

Adjournment.

Resolved, &c. That the House be adjourned till To-morrow Morning at Eight of Clock.

The House adjourned itself accordingly.