House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 6 August 1647

Die Veneris, 6 Augusti, 1647.

Prayers.

Proceedings of Army and Commissioners.

SIR Henry Vane junior reports from the Commissioners of Parliament appointed to reside with the Army, an Account of the Proceedings of the Army and Commissioners, for these few Days last past; and the Grounds and Reasons that were given unto them, for the Removal and March of the Army to this Town, in regard of the Force and Violence offered to the Parliament; and that, when Notice came to the Army of this Violence, the Army, in pursuance of the Orders of both Houses, was Forty Miles distant from the City, and their Quarters scattered near Two hundred Miles; had almost finished their Proposals for settling the publick Peace; and were come to a Resolution of sending speedily Eight thousand Foot and Two thousand Horse into Ireland: Upon the Notice of this Violence they contracted their Quarters.

He further acquainted the House, That the General was himself come to Town, to Sir Abraham Williams his House; and that the Army was advanced to the Town, in order to the safe and free Sitting of the Parliament: That, at Colbrooke, the Commissioners of the Army delivered unto the Commissioners of Parliament Heads of Proposals, to be treated upon by the Commissioners: Of which he read the Title; and, by Command of the House, delivered them in.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Coming up of the General, and the Army, for the secure and safe Sitting of the Parliament: And that Thanks be given to the General and Army for the same.

Grant to Army.

Resolved, &c. That a Gratuity according to the Proportion of One Month's Pay, be forthwith provided, and freely bestowed upon the Non Commission Officers, and private Soldier, of Horse, Foot, and Dragoons, of the Army.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Guarding Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That it be recommended unto the General Sir Thomas Fairefax, to take care for the safe Guarding and secure Sitting of the Parliament, until further Order be taken by both Houses.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Grant to Army.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to take care, that this Gratuity of a Month's Pay be forthwith provided, and paid unto the Non Commission Officers, and private Soldier, according to the Vote abovesaid.

Seamen, &c. thanked.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Coming of the Seamen, Watermen, and Boroughmen of Southwarke, this Day, to Westminster, for the more safe Sitting of the Parliament.

Colonel Thompson, Mr. Snelling, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Weaver, are to acquaint them with this Order; and to return them the Thanks of this House for the same.

The General introduced.

A Chair being placed for the General, within the Bar, he was attended by the Serjeant at Arms, with his Mace, from the Court of Wards to the House.

His Excellency (upon earnest Desire of the House reiterated by Mr. Speaker, upon the Command of the House) did at length sit down in the Chair provided for him.

Conduct of the Army approved.

And then Mr. Speaker, after some Preamble, in Acknowledgment of God's great Mercies, upon the Endeavours and Conduct of his Army; and in particular this Action, for vindicating the Honour, and providing for the Safety, and free Sitting of the Parliament, acquainted him with the Vote of this House, in Approbation of his Excellency's and the Army's March to this Town: And that he was commanded to give his Excellency, and by him to the Commanders, Officers, and Army, hearty Thanks: That they had bestowed upon the Non Commission Officer, and private Soldier, of Horse, Foot, and Dragoons, a free Gratuity, according to the Proportion of a Month's Pay: And had recommended it unto his Excellency, to take Care for the safe Guarding and secure Sitting of the Parliament, until further Order be taken by both Houses.

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 Order for a Day of Thanksgiving, for restoring the Honour and Freedom of the Parliament: Likewise this Vote to make void all Acts, Orders, and Ordinances, made sithence the Violence offered to the Parliament, till the Return of both the Speakers; wherein they desire your Concurrence.

Thanksgiving Day.

The Order, sent from the Lords for a Day of Thanksgiving, for restoring the Honour and Freedom of the Parliament, was read; and was, upon the Question, assented unto; and was in hæc verba;

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That Thursday next be, and is hereby, appointed for a solemn Day of Thanksgiving to God, by both Houses of Parliament, for his infinite Mercy in the Restoring of the said Houses of Parliament to their Honour and Freedom, with so little Effusion of Blood."

"And it is further Ordered, That Mr. Marshall and Mr. Nye are hereby desired then to preach before the said Houses, in the Abbey Church, Westminster."

Acts passed since Violence to Parliament.

The Vote, sent from the Lords, for making void all Acts, Orders, and Ordinances, made sithence the Violence offered to the Parliament, till the Return of both Speakers, was read the First time.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords have sent down an Order for the Making of Sir Thomas Fairefax Constable of the Tower of London, during the Pleasure of both Houses; in which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Lords have appointed a Committee of Eleven Lords, for the Inquiry into the Outrage done to the Two Houses; and have sent an Order concerning it; and desire that this House will appoint a Committee of a proportionable Number.

The Lords have resolved to sit this Afternoon at Six of Clock: And have thought fit to acquaint this House with so much.

Constable of the Tower.

The Order, sent from the Lords, for constituting Sir Thomas Fairefax, Constable of the Tower, was read.

Resolved, &c. That this Alteration be made in this Ordinance; viz. "During the Space of a Year, unless both Houses shall otherwise order in the mean time."

The Question being put, For agreeing with the Lords in this Clause of the said Ordinance; viz. "And to make such Alterations in the said Tower as he shall think fit, for the Security of the said Place, and for the Safety of the Parliament and City;"

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So as the Question passed with the Negative.

And then the said Ordinance, so amended, and altered, upon the Question, passed; and the Lords Concurrence ordered to be desired to the said Alterations and Amendments.

Violence offered to Parliament.

The Order, sent from the Lords, for appointing a Committee of both Houses to examine the Force and Violence lately done to the Houses, was read the First and Second time: And

It is Resolved, &c. That a Committee of a . . . portionable Number be appointed to join with a Committee of the Lords, to examine the Matter of Force done to both Houses.

Mr. Solicitor, Sir Arthur Hesilrige, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. John Gourdon, Mr. Myles Corbett, Sir Henry Vane junior, Mr. Scawen, Mr. Weaver, Sir Henry Heyman, Colonel Ven, Mr. Bois, Mr. Weston, Sir Thomas Widdrington, Mr. Scott, Mr. Grimston, Mr. Swynfen, Mr. Allen, Mr. Darley, Mr. Selden, Mr. Humfry Edwards, Alderman Pennyngton, Mr. Knightley.

This Committee, or any Four of them, is appointed to join with a Committee of a proportionable Number of the Lords, to examine the Matter of Force and Violence done to the Two Houses of Parliament, on Monday the 26th of July last; and to find out the Persons that have been Actors, Abettors, Contrivers, Promoters, or Encouragers of it; and to state the Matter of Fact; and to report the same to the Houses, with their Opinions, What they think fit to be done for the Vindication of the Two Houses; and for the Securing of them against the like for the future; and to inquire of all Acts that have been done in pursuance of it: And are to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon at Two of Clock, in the Painted Chamber; and so de die in diem: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records; and to secure such Persons as, upon Examination, they shall find Cause, until Report can be made to both Houses.

Message to Lords.

Sir Henry Widdrington is appointed to carry to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Votes for a Month's Pay to be bestowed as a Gratuity upon the Non Commission Officer, and private Soldier; and for recommending it to the General, to take care of the safe Sitting of the Parliament: The Ordinance for constituting Sir Thomas Fairefax Constable of the Tower of London, with some Alterations and Amendments: The Power to the Committee for examining the Matter of Violence done to the Two Houses of Parliament.

Answer.

Sir Thomas Widdrington brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Votes, and other Things, carried by him to them: And have appointed their Committee to meet, for examining the Force and Violence done to the Parliament, on the 26th of July last, To-morrow in the Afternoon, in the Painted Chamber, at Two of Clock.

Acts passed since Violence to Parliament.

The Question being put, For reading the Ordinance this Day sent from the Lords, for making void all Acts done since the Violence offered to the Parliament, until the Return of both Speakers, the Second time, To-morrow Morning;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That this Ordinance be read the Second time on Monday Morning next, the first Business.

Violence offered to Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of both Houses, this Day nominated and appointed to examine concerning the Force and Violence offered to the Parliament, on the 26th of July last; to examine also, and find out, all such Persons as were or have been Promoters, Framers, Abettors, or Contrivers of the Covenant of Association, declared against, by the Houses, the 23th of July last, or have been, or are engaged by it.

The Question being propounded, That Power be given to the said Committee to examine, Who have raised, or acted, or endeavoured to raise, any Force, in Maintenance of that Covenant of Association, declared against by the Houses, the 23th of July last, or of the Tumults and Violence offered to the House on the 26th of July last;

The Question was put, That an Addition be made to this Question: And

It passed with the Negative.

And then the Question itself being put;

It passed with the Affirmative.

And the Lords Concurrence ordered to be desired to the additional Powers of the Committee, by the Lord Gray: Who carried the same to the Lords for their Concurrence, accordingly.

Army.

Resolved, &c. That none of the Officers or Soldiers of the Army, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax, General, be quartered in the Chambers, or in the Houses, of any of the Members of this House.

Resolved, &c. That this Order be forthwith sent to the Quartermaster General: Who is likewise to take care that none of the Officers or Soldiers of the Army be quartered in any infected Houses.

Leave of Absence.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Thomas Widdrington, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Adjournment.

Resolved, &c. That the House be adjourned until Monday Morning at Eight of Clock.

And the House adjourned itself accordingly.

Constable of the Tower.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That Sir Thomas Fairefax, Commander of all the Land Forces within the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Isles of Guernsey and Jersey, under the Pay of the Parliament, is hereby made, constituted, and appointed Constable of the Tower of London, during the Space of One whole Year, unless both Houses of Parliament do otherwise order, in the mean time: With Power and Authority to substitute and appoint a Lieutenant under him.