House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 26 November 1647

Die Veneris, 26 Novembris, 1647.

PRAYERS.

Free Quarter.

THE Grand Committee sat to take into Consideration the Business of Free Quarter.

Colonel White in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Letter to the General.

Sir John Evelyn reports the Draught of a Letter, to be sent to the General, according to the Order on Tuesday last: The which was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and forthwith sent away.

London Arrears.

Ordered, That these Persons following, viz. Abraham Reinardson, Alderman, Sir George Garratt, Sir George Clerke, Knights and Aldermen, Thomas Andrews, John Foulke, William Gibbes, Richard Chambers, John Foote, John Kenrick, Symond Edmonds, Samuell Avery, John Bide, George Witham, Thomas Viner, and Christofer Peck, Aldermen, be added to the Ordinances, as Committees and Commissioners, for bringing in all Arrears and Assessments upon the City of London, for the better carrying on those Services.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Alderman Atkins is to carry it to the Lords.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That the Reports concerning Ireland be made, and taken into Consideration, on Tuesday Morning next, after the Reports of Goldsmiths Hall.

London Arrears.

Alderman Atkyn brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Addition of Aldermen, carried by him, to the Committee and Commissioners for the Arrears and Assessments of London.

Lords desire a Conference.

A Message from the Lords, by Dr. Aylett and Mr. Bolles Clerk of the Crown;

The Lords desire a present Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning some Things relating to the Propositions to be sent to his Majesty.

Disbanding Forces.

Resolved, &c. That all the supernumerary and scattered Forces, both those designed for Ireland, and others, over and above those designed to be kept up in England, upon the last Establishment, be forthwith disbanded.

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

Ordered, That the Debate the House is now upon, be resumed after the Return from the Conference.

Propositions to the King.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to a present Conference, as is desired.

Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Nath. Fienis, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Scott, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Mr. Reynolds reports the Conference, That the Earl of Manchester did read the Occasion of the Lords Desire of this Conference: Which he read; and was in hæc verba, viz.

The King having so often desired to be heard, and the Commissioners of Scotland so often pressing for a personal Treaty, the Kingdom also long expecting to be freed of their great Pressures and Burdens, by some speedy Settlement of the Government; the Lords do desire, that the Two Houses may do that which shall discharge their Duty, in respect of the Safety both of Kingdom and Parliament, and yet not refuse to hear the King, in such Things as may be subjected unto Debate;

They therefore do propose, that these Four Propositions, herewith offered unto you, which they conceive most immediately concern the Safety and Security of the Kingdom and Parliament, being put into Bills, the King may be desired to give his Royal Assent unto them: Which being accordingly by him done, they do conceive, that the most satisfactory Way, and that which is most likely to produce a speedy Settlement of our present Distractions, will be for the Houses to admit of a Treaty upon the rest of the Propositions.

Mr. Reynolds further acquainted the House, That the Earl of Manchester did name unto them the Four Propositions now communicated; viz. Concerning the Militia: For recalling the King's Oaths and Declarations: Concerning the Peers made since the Seal was surreptitiously carried away from the Parliament, by the then Lord Keeper Littleton: That the Houses should have Power to adjourn to what Place they shall think fit.

The foresaid Paper was after read by the Clerk; and likewise, the Propositions now communicated.

The Question was propounded, That this Report shall be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning:

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

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Affirmative.

The Question being put, That this Report shall be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That this Report be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Leave of Absence.

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