House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 25 November 1647

Die Jovis, 25 Novembris, 1647.

PRAYERS.

Preachers thanked.

ORDERED, That Mr. Wheeler do, from this House, give Thanks unto Mr. Carter, for the great Pains he took in his Sermon, preached Yesterday at Margaret's Westminster, before the House of Commons, it being a Day of Publick Humiliation: And that he desire him to print his Sermon: Wherein he is to have the like Privilege in Printing of it, as others in the like kind usually have had.

Ordered, That Major General Browne do, from this House give Thanks unto Mr. Kentish, for the great Pains he took in his Sermon, preached Yesterday at Margarett's Westminster, before the House of Commons, it being a Day of public Humiliation: And that he desire him to print his Sermon: Wherein he is to have the like Privilege in Printing of it, as others in the like kind usually have had.

Preachers appointed.

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

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

Free Quarter.

A Letter from the General, from Windsore, of 23 Novembris 1647, was read; signifying, That a Petition was delivered unto him from some Four hundred Inhabitants of one Part of the County of Bucks, concerning Free Quarter: And

It is Ordered, That this Letter be referred to the Consideration of the Grand Committee, appointed to sit Tomorrow Morning concerning the taking off Free Quarter.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir John Coke, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country for Six Weeks.

Propositions to the King.

According to former Order, the House took into Consideration the Paper of 23 Novembris 1647, reported from the Scotts Commissioners by Sir Arthur Hesilrige; containing their Answer touching joining in presenting the Propositions to the King.

Ordered, That the Members of both Houses, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do, this Afternoon, acquaint the Scotts Commissioners with the Declarations and Votes that have been made, concerning the Savings that each Kingdom hath made, touching the respective interest of each Kingdom in the Matter of their Propositions of Peace; and to press the Scotts Commissioners to give their positive Answer, touching their joining in presenting these Propositions to the King.

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

Mr. Reynolds is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

Tonage and Poundage.

He is likewise to put the Lords in mind of the Order concerning Tonage and Poundage, remaining with their Lordships; and of the Necessity of expediting it.

Ordinance, &c. returned.

Returned the Ordinance concerning the Maintenance of a Minister at Banbury, with one Amendment: Order concerning Timber, assigned for Repair of the Town of Banbury: Order for lessening the Quorum of the Committee appointed to examine the Business concerning London Agents.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Berrow, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Hampton Court.

Ordered, That the Seals set upon the Doors of the King's Bedchamber, and other Places at Hampton Court, by the Commissioners, be taken off: to the end that Use may be made of those necessary Accommodations that are there: And that Sir Walter Erle and Mr. Crew do go down, and take off these Seals accordingly.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Crew a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country for Six Weeks.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Reynolds brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to all the Matters carried to them by him, except only to that Order concerning the Scotts Commissioners; to which they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Catechism.

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

They were called in; and did present a Catechism, stiled by them, "A Shorter Catechisin."

Ordered, That the Assembly of Divines be desired to print the like Number of this Catechism as of the former, in the like manner as the former is appointed: And that they do add, both to the larger Catechism, and this Shorter, the Texts of Scripture.

Resolved, &c. That the Divines of the Assembly be desired to proceed in giving their Answer to the Queries, formerly propounded unto them by this House.

Assembly of Divines thanked.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do return the Divines of the Assembly the Thanks of this House, for the great Pains and Care they have taken in this Catechism.

The Divines of the Assembly were called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, did give them the Thanks of this House, accordingly; and did acquaint them with the other Resolutions and Desires of the House.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords have commanded us to deliver unto you an additional Power to the Committee of Lords and Commons, appointed to examine the Business concerning the London Agents: Which they have expressed in Writing; and desire the Concurrence of this House:- An Ordinance for Nine hundred Pounds for Poor; which moved first from this House; which they agree to, with some small Alterations: A Petition of Mrs. Highlerd; which they do especially recommend to the Consideration of this House:-To put this House in mind of the Draught of a Letter, formerly sent to this House, to be sent to the Scotts Commissioners, in Answer of Two of their Letters.

London Agents.

The Power desired to be given to the Committee of Lords and Commons for London Agents was read; and was in hæc verba; viz.

The Lords and Commons, having seriously considered the Dangers and Mischiefs that may be brought upon the Kingdom, by the Endeavours of those Agents that have formerly and still do continue to use their Interest for the Subverting of the present established Government of this Kingdom, do Order, That the Committee, formerly appointed for the Examination of that Business, shall have Power to frame a Declaration, setting forth the dangerous Consequences that may come to the whole Kingdom, if not prevented; and likewise to put it into a Way for a present Punishment and Suppression of such Persons as shall be found spreading of Papers, or writing of Books, or procuring Subscriptions to Petitions, or any other way active in promoting so destructive a Design.

Poor Relief.

The Amendments to the Order for the Nine hundred Pounds to the Poor, out of Weavers Hall, were read; and assented unto.

And then the Order runs thus:

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, That the Sum of Nine hundred Pounds, remaining at Weavers Hall, Part of the Forty-two thousand Pounds raised by Ordinance of the Three-and-twentieth of June 1647, be borrowed and secured and repaid out of the first Monies of the Ten thousand Pounds formerly charged upon the Receipts at Goldsmiths Hall, and assigned to the Relief of poor indigent Persons: And that the said Sum of Nine hundred Pounds be paid unto Mr. Greenhill, or Mr. Pocock, Treasurers appointed by former Ordinance for Officers, to be distributed according to the former Orders made to the said Treasurers: And the Treasurers at Weavers Hall are hereby required to issue forth and pay the said Nine hundred Pounds to the said Treasurers, to be disposed as aforesaid, or one of them: And that the Acquittance of the said Treasurers, or one of them, shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to the Treasurers at Weavers Hall, for the Payment of the said Sum of Nine hundred Pounds accordingly.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message: And do agree to the additional Power desired to be given to the Committee of Lords and Commons for examining the Business concerning the London Agents: To the Alterations in the Order for Nine hundred Pounds, out of Weavers Hall, to certain poor People: Have taken the Draught of a Letter, to be sent to the Scotts Commissioners, into Consideration; and will speedily send Answer to it: To the Petition of Mrs. Highlord, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Supply.

Ordered, That the House do meet this Afternoon at Two of Clock, only to take into Consideration the Providing of present Monies for Supply of the Army.

Post meridiem.

Merchant Adventurers Claims.

MR. Myles Corbett reports the State of the Debt, demanded from the Parliament by the Company of Merchant Adventurers.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth allow of the Demand of the Merchant Adventurers of the Sum of Six thousand Seven hundred and Fifty Pounds as a Debt from the Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth allow of the Demand of the Merchant Adventurers of the Sum of Five hundred Pounds, as a Debt from the Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That the Demand of the Merchant Adventurers, of the Sum of Two thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen Pounds Four Shillings Two-pence Halfpenny, be re-committed.

Merchant Adventurers Loan.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee formerly appointed to treat with the Merchant Adventurers for the Loan of Ten thousand Pounds, and the Committee of the Army, joined as to this Business, to speak with the Merchant Adventurers; and to report their positive Answer touching the Loan of the said Ten thousand Pounds.

Privilege to Witnesses.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth Declare, That all Persons that are summoned to attend any Committee of this House, as Witnesses, in any Cause depending before them, ought to have the Privilege of Parliament; and to be freed from Arrests in coming, staying, and returning from the said Committee.

And whereas the House is informed, That some Persons summoned, as Witnesses, to attend the Committee of Complaints, in the Cause depending before the said Committee, concerning the Person nominated Sheriff for the County of Carmarthen, were, contrary to the Privilege of Parliament, arrested, coming or going from the said Committee, and during the Time of their Attendance upon the said Committee: It is Ordered, That the said Persons, so arrested as aforesaid, be forthwith freed from the said Arrest and Imprisonment thereupon: And the Persons at whose Suit they are arrested, and in whose Custody they are, are hereby required to take Notice of this Order, and to discharge them accordingly.

London Petition.

The humble Petition of divers Inhabitants of the City of London, who were cut and wounded at the Guildhall of the said City, on Monday the Second of August 1647, was this Day read. And,

It is Ordered, That the Consideration of this Petition be referred to the Committee of Complaints; to examine the Truth of the Matters suggested, to state them to the House, and to report their Opinions upon the Whole.

Army Pay.

Ordered, That, To-morrow, the first Business, the House do take into Consideration the Addition of Pay for the Army, to the end no Free Quarter be taken.