House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 27 November 1647

Die Sabbati, 27 Novembris, 1647.

PRAYERS.

Bishops Lands.

COLONEL White reports from the Committee, the Amendments to the Ordinance for Removal of Obstructions in the Sale of Bishops Lands, formerly presented by the Contractors for the Sale of Bishops Lands, and twice read, and committed: The which Amendments make up almost a whole new Ordinance; there being but one Clause left of the former committed Ordinance.

The said Amendments were twice read; and were assented unto. And

The Ordinance so amended, upon the Question, passed; and is ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence: And

Colonel White is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

A Proviso, to be added to this Ordinance, was read the First and Second Time; and, upon the Question, rejected.

Bayly discharged.

Resolved, &c. That Wm. Bayly be forthwith discharged and dismissed.

Bishops Lands.

Ordered, That Colonel White do, on Wednesday next, proceed in his Report concerning the Removal of Obstructions in the Sale of Bishops Lands.

Message from Lords.

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

There are many poor Prisoners, that have lain long time in great Misery, in the Gaol at Northampton: The Lords have made an Order for a Pardon unto them, according to the Names of them certified in the Certificates annexed; in which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Lords desire, that this House will take some speedy Course for the Settlement of a constant Pay for the Army; that so the Country may be freed from Free Quarter.

The Order was read, and assented unto; viz.

Prisoners pardoned.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, That Mr. Solicitor General draw a Pardon; and that the Commissioners of the Great Seal do pass the same under the Broad Seal; to such convicted Prisoners in the Goal at Northampton, with are certified by the Justices of Peace for the County of Northampton, in their Certificates hereunto annexed; the one dated the Twelfth of June 1646; the other dated the Seventeenth of January 1645.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House had considered their Lordships Message, and do agree to the Order for the Pardon of the Prisoners in Northampton Gaol: They will send Answer to the rest by Messengers of their own.

Conference with Lords.

Resolved, &c. That, according to the Order Yesterday made, the House do proceed in the Consideration of the Report of the Conference Yesterday made.

Pamphlet concerning Propositions.

Ordered, That the Debate of the Information given in, concerning the Printing of a Pamphlet, intituled, "Propositions delivered by the Lords at a Conference with the House of Commons, for a personal Treaty with the King, &c." be taken up, so soon as the Consideration of this Report shall be determined.

Post Meridiem.

Seditious Pamphlets.

MR. Rigby, Mr. Challoner, Mr. Humfrey Edwards, Mr. Whittacre, Mr. Miles Corbett, Mr. Thomas Hodges, Colonel Venne, Colonel Bossevile, Mr. Weaver, Mr. Strone;

This Committee, or any Three of them, are to inquire after the Licensers, Authors, Printers, and Publishers of the Pamphlets, intituled, "Mercurius Elenchichus," "Mercurius Pragmaticus," or any other Pamphlet of the like scandalous or seditious Nature; and all unlicensed Pamphlets; and to cause the Licensers, Authors, Printers, and Publishers of such scandalous and seditious Pamphlets, and of all unlicensed Pamphlets, to be apprehended and imprisoned till Report be made, and further Order taken therein, by the House; and to seize all such seditious, and scandalous Pamphlets, and unlicensed Pamphlets, whereever they can be found, and to cause them to be burnt; and to destroy and take away the Presses and Letters, and all Materials and Instruments of Printing: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records; and to employ such Persons in these Services as they shall think fit; and to meet when and where they please: And the Care of this Business is more particularly referred to Mr. Challoner.

Supply.

Ordered, That, on Monday Morning next, Mr. Scawen, do make report concerning the present Supply of Monies for the Army.

Propositions to the King.

The House proceeded in the Debate of the Report of the Conference Yesterday had with the Lords.

The Question being put, For the House to agree with the Lords in the Desires contained in their Paper delivered at the Conference Yesterday, concerning these Four Propositions.

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords in the Desires, contained in their Paper delivered at the Conference Yesterday, concerning these Four Propositions.