House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 14 April 1648

Die Veneris, 14 Aprilis, 1648.

Prayers.

Pygott to be brought up.

ORDERED, That Colonel Pygott be forthwith sent for, in safe Custody, at his own Charge, to answer such Matters as shall be objected against him.

Settling the Kingdom, &c.

Ordered, That, for Eight Days next ensuing, no private Business be taken up in the House, nor intervened; but that the House do proceed only upon the general Business, How to prevent the imminent Danger of the Kingdom, and for settling the Kingdom.

Catechism.

The House being informed, That divers Divines of the Assembly were at the Door, desiring to present something to the House;

They were called in: And Dr. Burgesse acquainted the House, That the Assembly, according to the Order of this House, had perfected their Advice concerning a Catechism; and had fixed their Proofs out of Scripture.

The Divines withdrew.

Ordered, That, as formerly, Six hundred Copies of the Catechism, with the Texts of Scripture assixed, be forthwith printed in the same Manner, as other Things, presented from the Assembly of Divines, were formerly ordered to be printed for the Use of the Houses, and the Assembly, only.

Ordered, That Thanks be given to the Assembly of Divines, for their Care and Pains in this Service.

The Divines of the Assembly were called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, acquainted them with the Order concerning the Printing of Six hundred Copies of the Catechism, with the Texts of Scripture in the Margin, for the Use of the Houses of Parliament, and the Assembly only, as formerly: And that he was commanded to give them the Thanks of this House for their Care and Pains herein: Which accordingly he did.

Improving the Revenue.

Ordered, That, on Tuesday next, and so every Tuesday and Thursday, according to former Order, the House do take into Consideration the improving the Revenue of the Parliament, by the better regulating, and more speedy and diligent bringing in the Receipts in all Places.

Apprehending Pen.

Ordered, That Captain Pen be forthwith apprehended, and brought up in safe Custody: And that the Ship be stayed, and the Goods seized.

Navy.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to take speedy and effectual Care, that a sufficient Force of Shipping may be set forth and employed upon the Coasts of Munster, and upon the Coasts of Wales, to prevent the Landing of any Forces, or Supplies, either in Munster or Wales.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to take care of the Ship commanded by Captain Pen; and to nominate a Commander for it.

Grants to Elsynge, &c.

Ordered, That the Sum of Fifty Pounds be forthwith given and paid unto Major Christofer Elsynge, and that the Sum of Thirty Pounds be forthwith given and paid unto Captain Chandler, for their great Pains taken in bringing speedy Intelligence touching the Proceedings and Affairs in Ireland: The said several Sums to be charged upon Haberdashers Hall: And the Committee of Lords and Commons at Haberdashers Hall are authorized and required to pay the said several Sums of Fifty Pounds and Thirty Pounds accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Irish Affairs in the Star Chamber, to take care that Major Elsynge and Captain Chandler, who are driven from their Commands under the Lord Inchiquin in Ireland, be taken into Consideration; and to audite and state their Accompts, in like manner as the Accompts of Colonel Needham, and others, were formerly ordered to be audited and stated.

Navy.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Navy, to meet this Afternoon; and to give an Account, To-morrow Morning, of the whole State of the Navy; What Ships are ready, and what are set out; and what Obstacle there is that hinders the setting-out of the rest; and to consider of such further Supply of Ships, as are fit and necessary to be sent to Milford Haven, for Service against Pembroke Castle, and for Preservation and Guard of the Coasts of Ireland, and Coasts of Wales; for to send small Ships and Frigates thither, such as are most convenient and fitting for that Service.

Message to Lords.

Mr. John Corbett carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, an Order for issuing forth a Commission of Oyer and Terminer: Order for Fifty Pounds and Thirty Pounds to Major Grey and Captain Nelson: Order for Monies to be paid to Mr. Sikes Merchant, and to Sir Richard Houghton: Order for One thousand Pounds to the Officers and Soldiers of the Mewse and Whitehall: Order for Timber in the Forest of Deane, for the Use of building Shipping: Order for Proceeding against Brent at the King's Bench.

Mr. Corbett brought Answer from the Lords, That to the Order for selling Timber in the Forest of Deane, the Lords will send Answer by Messengers of their own: To the rest of the Particulars their Lordships do agree.

Persons to attend.

Ordered, That Mr. Swinfen and Mr. Salwey be sent to, and required forthwith to attend the House.

Invalid Soldiers.

The humble Petition of many Hundred sick and wounded Soldiers, under Cure in the Savoy Hospital, and about London, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the Trustees and Contractors for the Sale of Bishops Lands, respectively, do give Order, and take care, that Ely House may be delivered up to Mr. Pococke, Mr. Greenhill, John Randall, and Richard Hutchinson, Treasurers for maimed Soldiers; and employed for the Lodging and Succour of Sick and Wounded; until the House take further Order.

Ordered, That the Report touching Ely Minster be made To-morrow Morning, the first Business: And that then the House do take into Consideration the Providing of Monies for the necessary Relief and Succour of the sick and wounded Soldiers.

Ordered, That, To-morrow Morning, Mr. Speaker do remind the House of the Petition of the sick and wounded Soldiers.

Tryal of Brent.

Ordered, That * Brent, a Prisoner in Newgate, upon Suspicion of having had a Hand in the Rebellion in Ireland, be forthwith proceeded against, and brought to Tryal at the King's Bench, according to former Order.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Gratuity to Army.

An Ordinance for a Thousand Pounds to be bestowed upon the Soldiers in Whitehall and the Mewes, for their Service in suppressing the late Insurrection in the City of London, was read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Tryal of Rioters.

An Ordinance for issuing out Commissions of Oyer and Terminer, for trying and punishing the Offenders in the late Insurrection in the City of London, was read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Lord Inchiquin.

Major Elsynge, who very lately came from Munster, and deserted the Lord Inchiquin, was called in; and did make unto the Houses a Narrative of the Proceeding of the Lord Inchiquin, in carrying on his Designs against the Parliament, and in persuading him to comply with him therein.

Deane Forest.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Revenue, and Gentlemen of the County of Gloucester, do meet, and take speedy and very effectual Care to prevent the Destruction of limber in the Forest of Deane, according to the former Orders to that Committee, and those Gentlemen, touching that Forest, and the Preservation and Disposal of the Timber there.

Southwarke Militia.

Colonel Thompson carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the additional Ordinance for the Committee of the Militia of Southwarke: And

Brings Answer, That the Lords do agree thereunto.

Lord Inchiquin.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare, That all Commissions granted, by both Houses of Parliament, to the Lord Baron of Inchiquin, for being President of Munster, and Commander in Chief of the Armies and Forces there, and all other Authorities whatsoever, derived from the Houses, be and are, from henceforth, null, void, and of no Effect: And all Officers and Soldiers, formerly under his Command, by virtue of any such Commissions or Authorities, are required and enjoined to yield no Obedience to any Commands, Orders, or Directions of his.

Mr. Lisle is appointed to bring in an Ordinance to this Purpose To-morrow Morning.

The Question was propounded, That this House doth declare the Lord Baron of Inchiquin, a Traitor and Rebel to the Parliament and Kingdom of England:

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

It passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare the Lord Baron of Inchiquin a Traitor and Rebel to the Parliament and Kingdom of England.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Irish Affairs.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland at Derby House, to prepare and bring in a Declaration, To-morrow Morning, touching the Officers and Soldiers late under the Command of the Lord Inchiquin in Munster, according to the whole Debate now had hereupon in the House.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to meet this Afternoon; and to consider, What Proportion of Forces, Money, Victual, and Shipping is fit to be provided, to be speedily sent over into Munster; and to consider of employing the Officers that are come off from the Lord Inchiquin, and are come hither, and willingly offer themselves to the Service of the Parliament. They are further to consider of such other Ways and Means as they shall think fit and necessary for regaining and preserving the Parliament's Interest in the Province of Munster, and for advancing and carrying on the Service of Ireland: And they are to consult and advise herein with the Committee of the Affairs of Ireland, at Derby House: And they are to make Report of all to the House To-morrow Morning.

Soldiers in the Tower.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to consider, How, and in what Manner, to satisfy and pay the Four hundred Soldiers added to the Number of Soldiers in the Tower of London, under the Command of Colonel Titchbourne; and to make Report thereof to this House.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Lord General, to nominate and appoint the Four hundred Soldiers, formerly ordered to be added to the Number of Soldiers in the Tower of London, for the Safeguard of the City of London: And that the said Soldiers be forthwith sent to the Tower of London.

Soldiers in Whitchall, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to consider of a Way, How to defend the Soldiers in Whitehall, and the Mewes, from Danger of any sudden Tumult or Surprize.

Ireland, &c.

Ordered, That this House do proceed, To-morrow Morning, in the Business concerning Ireland and Dover Castle; and to prevent the imminent Danger of the Kingdom.