House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 31 July 1647

Die Sabbati, 31 Julii, 1647.

Prayers.

The Serjeant.

THE Question was propounded, That Serjeant Birkhead shall be now called in:

And the Question being put, Whether this Question shall be now put;

It passed with the Negative.

Late Speaker's Declaration.

Resolved, &c. That the Citizens, that are now at the Door, ready to give Informations of a Declaration now in Printing, shall be now called in.

Mr. Drake, being called in, informed the House, that he heard, that there is a Declaration a printing, of the last Speaker's, at one Symond's House in Aldersgate-street; which, as he hears, will be very dangerous to the Parliament and City.

A printed Declaration, bearing the Name, in the Title Page, of William Lenthall Esquire, Speaker of the House of Commons; and signed "Wm. Lenthall, Speaker," was read.

City Militia.

The House being informed, that the Sheriffs, and some other Citizens, were at the Door;

Proceedings of the Army.

They were called in: And Mr. Sheriff Edmonds acquainted the House, that they were commanded by the Common Council to certify unto this House, that the Committee of the Militia of the City of London, have made Choice of Lieutenant General Massie to be Commander in Chief (pro tempore) of all the Forces raised and to be raised within the Cities of London and Westminster, Lines of Communication, Hamlets of the Tower, and weekly Bills of Mortality: That the Common Council have approved thereof; and do desire the Approbation of this House. He further said, that they were commanded to acquaint the House with an Information they received, concerning the Intention of the Army to surprise the Blockhouse in Essex; with an Intelligence they received out of Hertfordshire; and with an Intelligence concerning Provision of Victual to be made for the Army at Hownslow Heath, this Morning by Eight of Clock.

The Question was propounded, That this House doth approve of the Choice, made by the Committee of the Militia of the City of London, of Lieutenant General Massy to be Commander General in Chief (pro tempore) of the Forces raised and to be raised within the said City of London, Lines of Communication, weekly Bills of Mortality, and Hamlets of the Tower, for Defence and Safety of the King, Parliament, and City:

And the Question being put, whether this Question shall be now put;

It passed with the Affirmative.

And the Question being accordingly put;

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Choice, made by the Committee of the Militia of the City of London, of Lieutenant General Massy, to be Commander General in Chief (pro tempore) of the Forces raised, and to be raised, within the City of London, Lines of Communication, weekly Bills of Mortality, and Hamlets of the Tower, for Defence and Safety of the King, Parliament, and City.

Places to be secured.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Society of Trinity House, and they have hereby Power, and are required, to take into their Care and Custody the Blockhouse at Gravesend, and Tilbury Fort in Essex; and to secure them for the Parliament, to be disposed in such manner as they shall appoint and direct.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

The Sheriffs were again called in: And Mr. Speaker acquainted them, That the House had considered of what was delivered by them, from the Common Council, and Committee of the Militia, touching their Choice of Lieutenant General Massy; of which they do approve: They have likewise taken Care and Consideration of securing the Blockhouses at Gravesend and Tilbury: And that he was commanded to give them Thanks for the Care of the Safety of the Parliament and City.

One of the Sheriffs desiring to speak something; after they had withdrawn, and the House's Pleasure known;

They were called in: And Sheriff Edmonds acquainted the House, That he was desired by divers Gentlemen of the Common Council, though it were no Part of his Message, to desire this House to take care of WindsoreCastle.

Clerk Assistant.

Upon the Desire of the Clerk, presented to the House by Mr. Speaker;

It is Resolved, &c. That Robert Robinson Gentleman, Servant to the Clerk of the House, be admitted to be assisting to the Clerk, in the House, for the better and speedier Dispatch of the Business of the House.

Publick Stores.

Resolved, &c. That Power be given to the Committee of the Safety revived Yesterday, by Ordinance, to give Warrant to all Keepers of publick Stores, under whose Custody there are any Ordnance, Ammunition, Arms, and other Materials of War, to issue out such Arms, Ammunition, Ordnance, and Materials of War, as, from time to time, they shall receive Warrant for, by the said Committee.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

House to sit.

Resolved, &c. That this House do sit this Afternoon at Two of Clock.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Baynton carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Vote for approving Lieutenant General Massy to be Commander in Chief of the Forces raised, and to be raised, of London, Liberties, &c.: The Vote for reserring it to the Trinity House, to secure the Blockhouses at Gravesend and Tilbury: And was to acquaint the Lords, That this House had resolved to sit this Afternoon; and to desire them to do the like, if it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency.

Great Seal.

Resolved, &c. That the Great Seal of England be put into the Custody of Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, and Henry Pelham Esquire, Speakers of both Houses; with the same Authorities as the other Speakers, Commissioners of the Great Seal, formerly had; for the Space of Ten Days.

Ordered, That an Ordinance be brought in to this Purpose.

Horses seized.

Ordered, That Mr. Gewen and Colonel Coply do prepare an Ordinance, and bring it in this Afternoon, for giving the Publick Faith to such whose Horses shall be seized and listed for the Service of the Parliament; either to have their Horses safely restored, or to have Monies for them, as they shall be valued by Commissaries appointed to that Purpose.

Sealing Commissions, &c.

An Ordinance for authorizing Members of both Houses to seal the Commissions and Writs, and other Matters appointed to be sealed the last Seal Day, was this Day read the First and Second time.

Post Meridiem

Members to attend.

RESOLVED, &c. That those Members of the House, who forbear coming to the House, by reason that they have put in their Cases, do attend the Service of the House, until the further Pleasure of the House be known.

Resolved, &c. That the Order made, for the Members to attend the House by Monday come Fortnight, be forthwith printed, and published by the Sheriffs of the several Counties: And that the Knights and Burgesses of the several Counties and Places do take care speedily to send printed Copies of the said Order to the several and respective Sheriffs, to be published accordingly.

Army, &c.

A Letter from the Commissioners with the Army, from Layton Badesart, of 30 Julii, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare, That the Order of both Houses, of the 19th of July, which puts under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax all the Land Forces under the Pay of the Parliament, doth not extend to give him any Power over the Trained Bands or Garisons.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That a Letter be written to Sir Thomas Fairefax, to signify so much, and to communicate this Vote unto him.

Mr. Ashurst is appointed to prepare a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, to this Purpose.

Garisons.

Ordered, That the Business concerning the Garisons be taken into Consideration on Monday next.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Safety, to take speedy Care for securing all the Garisons of England and Wales to the Service of the Parliament: And that they signify unto them, that the House will take speedy Care to settle an Establishment for their Pay; and to provide Monies for them.

Ordered, That Mr. Priestly do prepare a Letter, to be sent to the Committee of Hertfordshire, to acquaint them, That the House's Pleasure is, That they should not send any Forces to the Army: And that, if they have sent any, they should recall them; and to acquaint them with the Order of Explanation; of the Order of 19 Julii, concerning the putting the Land Forces under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax.

Ordered, That Mr. Fowell do prepare a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, to be sent to the Garison of Plymouth, to communicate the Vote of Explanation of the Order of 19 Julii, that puts the Land Forces of the Kingdom under Sir Thomas Fairefax; and to assure them, that the Houses will take speedy Care to settle an Establishment for their Pay.

Mr. Fowell is likewise to write a Letter from himself to the Garison, to this Purpose.

Great Seal.

An Ordinance for making the Speakers of both Houses Commissioners of the Great Seal was twice read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Message to Lords.

Mr. James Herbert carried to the Lords the Order, That the King's Children be not removed: The Order, giving Power to the Militia to raise and list Horses: The Order signifying Sir Thomas Fairefaxe's Power doth not extend to the Trained Bands and Garisons: The Order that the Keepers of all Stores do issue out Ordinance, Ammunition, &c. as they shall receive Warrant for from the Committee of Safety: And likewise the Ordinance for the making the Speakers of both Houses Commissioners of the Great Seal.

Declaration concerning the King.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Page and Dr. Heath;

The Lords have commanded us to bring unto you a Declaration concerning the King's coming to his Parliament; in which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Whereas the King hath been seized upon, and carried away from Holdenby, without his Consent, or the Consent of the Houses of Parliament, by a Party, into the Army; where his Majesty yet remaineth: The Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, do desire, that his Majesty will be pleased immediately to come to such Place as both Houses of Parliament shall appoint: And they do Declare, that he shall there be, with Honour, Freedom, and Safety: And that they, with the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, will make their Addresses unto his Majesty, for a safe and well-grounded Peace.

The said Declaration or Ordinance was read the First time: And

The Question being propounded, That this Ordinance shall be now read the Second time;

The Question was put, Whether this Question shall be now put;

And passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That this Ordinance shall be now read the Second time.

The said Ordinance was accordingly read the Second time.

Resolved, &c. That this Alteration be made in this Ordinance; viz. That instead of the Words "to his Parliament," these Words be added, "to such Place as both Houses of Parliament shall appoint."

Resolved, &c. That this Addition be made in this Ordinance; after the Words "Consent," "or the Consent of the Houses of Parliament."

The Question was propounded, That this House doth agree to this Ordinance, with the Amendments already passed:

And the Question being put, Whether this Question shall be now put;

The House was divided.
The Noes went forth.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree to this Ordinance, with the Amendments already passed.

The Lord Carre carried the Ordinance, so amended, to the Lords.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. James Herbert brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer by Messengers of their own, to the Message carried by him.

Hertford Militia.

A Letter to be sent to the Committee of the Militia of the County of Herts, upon the Occasion of a Warrant sent from Sir Thomas Fairefax to the said Committee, for raising the Horse and Foot of that County, was read; and assented unto; and appointed to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and sent to the said Committee.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House hath considered their Lordships Message; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Candles.

Resolved, &c. That Candles be brought in.

Horses seized.

An Ordinance for the giving the Publick Faith for such Horses as shall be seized and secured for the Service of the King, City, and Parliament, was read; and upon the Question, passed; and immediately carried to the Lords for their Concurrence, by the Lord Carre.

Letter read.

A Letter from the Commissioners with the King, from Woborne, of 31 Julii 1647, was this Day read.

London Militia.

An Ordinance for enlarging the Power of the Committee of the Militia of London was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That this Proviso be added to this Ordinance, "That it shall continue for a Month, and no longer."

The Ordinance with this Proviso, passed, upon the Question; and is ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Mr. James Herbert carried it to the Lords.

Answer from Lords.

The Lord Carre brings Answer from the Lords, That their Lordships do agree to the Declaration for his Majesty's coming to such Place as both Houses shall appoint; and to the Ordinance that gives the Publick Faith for such Horses as are seized and listed, for Defence of the Parliament and City.

The Mace.

Ordered, That the Mace now in the Custody of Serjeant Birkhead, be forthwith delivered to Serjeant Norffolk, now attending the House, for the Service of the House: And the said Serjeant Birkhead is to attend the House on Monday Morning next.

Adjournment.

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

The House adjourned itself accordingly.