House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 2 August 1647

Die Lunæ, 2 Augusti, 1647.

Prayers.

Conduct of Soldiers.

A LETTER from the Commissioners of Scotland, from Worcester House, of 1 Augusti 1647, concerning the Carriage of some Soldiers of the Army to the Lord Lauderdale, one of the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, employed from the Committee of Estates of Scotland to attend his Majesty's Person.

Narrative of Messenger sent to the General.

Edward Makyn, the Messenger, employed from both Houses, with Letters from both Houses, to the General, and the Commissioners with the Army, being called in, to give an Account to the House of his Employment, informed the House, that, the Employment being of some Importance, he had set down his Proceedings in Writing; and had subscribed it with his Hand; and that it was Truth he had there set down; and would witness it with his Life.

The said Narative (he being commanded to deliver it in) was read; and was in hæc verba; viz.

I Edward Makin, on Friday Night last, about Ten of the Clock at Night, by Command from both Houses of Parliament, was sent with Letters, one to the General Sir Thomas Fairefax, and another to the Commissioners of the Parliament, residing in the Army: And I went first to Hounslow, and thence to St. Albanes, and thence to Dunstable, and from thence to Wobourne; and, not hearing where the Head Quarters of the Army were, until I came there, then I went to Layton, and from thence to Wickham, where the Head Quarters of the Army were; and upon Saturday, about Four of Five of the Clock in the Afternoon, I delivered the Letter to the General, and the Letter to the Commissioners: And, on Saturday Night, about Nine of Clock, I attended the General for an Answer, but could not receive any; but was commanded to attend Sunday Morning, about Seven or Eight of Clock: At which time I accordingly attended; but could not receive any Answer, notwithstanding I attended till about Twelve of Clock; and then I was commanded to attend the General to his Quarters at Colebrook; where, about Nine or Ten of Clock at Night, the Secretary going with me to the General for his Answer, the General told me, He knew not what Answer to send, nor who to write to, without he should send to Westminster Hall: And I returned this Answer to some of the Commissioners; and they said they knew not what to send; and said, that I saw how Things were, and could give Information thereof, and where the Army were: And I left the Army at Colebrook; and I did understand that their Rendesvous was appointed to be this Day at Hounslow Heath.-Dated 2 Augusti 1647.

Edward Makyn.

The Narrative being read; and Makyn being demanded, Who those Some of the Commissioners were, that he returned the General's Answer unto, said, They were Sir Thomas Widdrington and Mr. Scawen; and that Mr. Blakiston was there.

Makyn, the Messenger, was again called in: And he was asked, Whether he desired any Answer of the Letter ent to the Commissioners: He answered, He delivered the Letter to Sir Henry Vane, at Wickham, on Saturday, about Four in the Afternoon: And their Answer was, That he saw how Things went in the Army; and that he could satisfy the House of the Proceedings.

Sir S. Luke.

A Letter from Sir Samuell Luke, of primo Augusti 1647, signifying his being taken Prisoner by Forty Soldiers, and carried away from his own House, was read.

Army.

A Copy of a Warrant for the putting in Execution the General's Orders, and the rest of the Regiment of Colonel Okey's to march immediately, according to former Order, was read.

King's Children.

Resolved, &c. That the Words "and the Sheriffs" be added to the Order, made on Friday last, concerning the Removal of the King's Children into London.

The Lord Carre is appointed to carry the said Order so amended, to the Lords; and to desire, That a Committee of both Houses may be appointed to attend the King's Children into the City; and to see this Order put in Execution.

Lord Carre brings Answer, that the Lords do agree to the Vote and Message carried by him.

Restoring Horses.

Resolved, &c. That the Horses that are now seized, or belonging to Justice Rolle, and his Servants, be forthwith restored unto him, and his Servants, according to the Ordinance of Parliament.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page;

The Lords have commanded us to deliver unto you this Letter, from the Commissioners of Scotland: And thereupon their Lordships have passed a Vote; wherein they desire the Concurrence of this House.

They have likewise commanded us to deliver unto you these Three Letters; One to his Majesty, with this Vote to be inclosed; One to Sir Thomas Fairefax; One to the Commissioners of Parliament with the Army: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House; and that they may be signed by the Speakers of both Houses.

Likewise, That whereas you have sent them an Ordinance concerning the King's Children, that accordingly they have appointed One Lord, and desire you will appoint a proportionable Number, to see the same put in Execution.

The King to come to London.

The Vote was read: And was, that London be the Place whither the King shall be desired to come to; where both Houses of Parliament, and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, may make their Addresses to him for a safe and well-grounded Peace.

The Question was propounded, for concurring with the Lords in this Vote:

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

It passed with the Affirmative.

The Question being put, That the House shall concur with the Lords in the Vote; viz. That London be the Place whither the King shall be desired to come to; where both Houses of Parliament, and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, may make their Addresses to him for a safe and well-grounded Peace;

The House was divided.
The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Lords, that London be the Place whither the King shall be desired to come to; where both Houses of Parliament, and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, may make their Addresses to him for a safe and well-grounded Peace.

Resolved, &c. That the Votes, now to be sent to the King and Commissioners, be forthwith printed and published.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of the Safety, to write Duplicates of the several Letters and Votes, now to be sent to the King, Sir Thomas Fairefax, and the Commissioners with the King; and to take care for the Sending of them to the King, Sir Thomas Fairefax, and the Commissioners with the King, accordingly, with the greatest Care and Safety they may.

King's Children.

Resolved, &c. That the Lord Carre and Mr. Baynton be appointed a Committee, to join with a proportionable Number of the Lords, to attend the Duke of York, and the rest of the King's Children, now at St. James's, to the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the City of London.

London Common Council.

Resolved, &c. That the Lord Mayor be desired to call a Common Council, or a Common Hall, to meet To-morrow, which he shall think most sitting.

Mr. Alderman Atkyn and Mr. Vassall are appointed to desire the Lord Mayor to call this Common Council, or Common Hall.

Resolved, &c. That the Lords be desired to concur with this House, That a Committee of both Houses may be appointed, to communicate unto the Common Council, or Common Hall, the Votes passed both Houses concerning the King's coming to London; and to encourage them to stand to their own Defence.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Vote concerning the King's coming to London; To the Letters to the Committee for seeing the Order put in Execution for removing the King's Children into London.

Tumult, &c. about the House.

Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Jo. Ashe, Sir Robert Pye, Mr. Green, Mr. Nelthorpe, Mr. Jesson, Colonel Harvey, Mr. Baynton, Mr. Tolson, Mr. Allen, Mr. Doyley, Sir Wm. Allenson, Mr. Fowell Mr. Hungerford, Lord Carre, Alderman Atkin, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Vassall, Mr. Vaughan, Colonel Thompson, Sir Phil. Percivall, Mr. Edw. Ashe, Mr. Drake, Sir Symonds D' Ewes, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Shuttleworth, Colonel Ven, Sir Robert Harley, Mr. Lucas, Colonel Copley, Mr. Rose.

This Committee is appointed to receive Informations; and to examine, Who were the Actors, Promoters, Abettors, Encouragers, or Parties, to the late Tumult, and high Breach of Privilege, that was committed upon the Houses of Parliament on Monday last: And are to meet upon it on Thursday next, at Two post meridiem, in the Court of Wards: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records; And have Power to adjourn de die in diem.

Committee of Safety.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Gewen, Mr. Green, Mr. Baynton, Lord Carre, Colonel Copley, Mr. Gell, Sir Walter Erle, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Doyley, Sir Philip Percivall, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Vassall, Sir Robert Pye, and Sir Robert Harley, be added to the Committee of Safety, that are to join with the Militia of the City of London, for the Defence of the King, Parliament, and City.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leeche and Mr. Page;

The Lords have commanded us to bring unto you an Ordinance for appointing Commissioners of the Great Seal of England: In which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Lords have resolved to sit this Afternoon at Three of Clock; and desire this House to do the like, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House.

Great Seal.

An Ordinance for appointing Sir John Bramston, Sir Thomas Beddingfield, and Chaloner Chute Esquire, to be Commissioners of the Great Seal for One Month, was this Day read: And, with One Amendment, viz. after the Word "and," in the Sixth Line, add these Words "and that the said Sir John Brampston, Sir Thomas Beddingfield, and Challoner Chute, or any Two of them," the Ordinance, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be to returned to the Lords.

House to sit.

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

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message: And, to the Ordinance concerning the Great Seal, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own: They have resolved to sit this Afternoon at Three of Clock.

Capt. Hamilton.

Resolved, &c. That Captain Alexander Hamilton, sent up Prisoner by Colonel Mitton, and brought up by Captain Thelloall, be committed Prisoner to the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House: And that the whole Business and Informations concerning him be referred to the Consideration and Examination of the Committee of Complaints.

Thelloall's Pass.

It is further Ordered, That Captain Thelloall, and the Troopers that attend him, may have the Speaker's Pass for themselves, with their Horses, to return to their Places of Abode.

Letter to Sir T. Fairfax.

A Letter to be written to Sir Thomas Fairfax, Yesterday brought in, and read, was again this Day read; and re-committed unto Sir Philip Percivall, Sir Walter Erle, Mr. Green, and Mr. Fowell: And they are to take notice, in this Letter, of the Breach of Privilege committed upon the Person of Sir Samuell Luke, a Member of this House, in being carried away Prisoner from his House by some Forces of the Army; of the Necessity, for Preservation of the Power of Parliament, to make Choice of a Speaker, the late Speaker absenting himself: They are further to take notice of the Fact committed upon some Troopers, under the Protection of the Parliament, by some Forces of the Army; where, by the said Forces of the Army, some of the said Troopers were slain.

Assembly of Divines.

The House being informed, That divers Divines of the Assembly were at the Door;

They were called in; and did present a Paper concerning their earnest Desire of a Mediation with all that are interested, for a Peace: and did desire, that they might have Leave, in the same Words, to present the like to the City and the Army.

The Divines of the Assembly were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, acquainted them, That the House had read their Paper, and do find in it very servent Expressions of a zealous Desire of Peace: For which he is commanded to return them hearty Thanks; and to assure them, That this House will join their Prayers and Endeavours, That a Peace may ensue: And they do give the Assembly Leave, in the same Words, to present the same Desire to the City and Army.

Disarming Papists, &c.

An Ordinance giving Power to the Committee of Safety, and the Militia of London, to secure and disarm all Papists, and all such Persons as shew themselves any way disaffected to the present Safety and Defence of the Parliament and City, was twice read; and was re-committed to the same Committee that brought it in; with the Addition of Colonel Copley, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Swynfen, Mr. Shuttleworth, Mr. Francis Allen, Mr. Priestly, Sir Richard Lucy, Mr. Aldworth, Mr. Green, Mr. Fowell, Colonel Venne, Mr. John Ashe, Mr. Horner, Mr. Edw. Ash; or any Three of them: Who are to meet this Afternoon; and to bring it in at the Sitting of the House.

Preachers thanked.

Ordered, That the Lord Carre and Sir Anthony Irby do, from this House, give Thanks unto Mr. Whichcott and Mr. Jaggard, for the great Pains they took in the Sermons they preached upon the 30th of June 1647, at Margarett's, Westminster, before the House of Commons, it being a Day of Publick Humiliation: And that they do desire them to print their Sermons; Wherein they are to have the same Privilege in Printing of them, as others in the like Kind usually have had.

Preachers appointed.

Ordered, That Mr. Rose do, from this House, desire Mr. Case to preach before the House of Commons at Margarett's Westminster, on the next monthly Fast Day.

Ordered, That Sir Anth. Irby do, from this House, desire Mr. Tuckney to preach before the Commons at Margarett's, Westminster, on the next monthly Fast Day.

Message to Lords.

The Lord Carre was appointed to carry to the Lords the Ordinance concerning the Great Seal, which came down from the Lords with this Amendment; viz. After the Word "and," in the Sixth Line, add these Words, "and that the said Sir John Brampston, Sir Thomas Beddingfield, and Challoner Chute, or any Two of them:" The additional Names to be added to the Committee of Safety, and Militia of London: And an Order for a Committee of both Houses, to communicate to the Common Council, or Common Hall, the Votes concerning his Majesty's coming to London, &c.

Adjournment.

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

The House adjourned itself, accordingly.