House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 29 May 1648

Die Lunæ, 29 Maii, 1648.

Prayers.

Letter from Kent.

MR. Knightley reported a Letter, directed to the Committee at Derby House, subscribed by divers Gentlemen of the County of Kent, and brought thither by Sir Thomas Peyton.

The which was read.

Call of the House.

Resolved, &c. That the House be called on this Day Sevennight.

Insurrection in Cornwall.

A Letter from Sir Hardres Waller, of 24 Maii 1648, from Truro, was read; relating the Blessing of God in suppressing a late Insurrection in the County of Cornwall, risen in Pensance.

A Letter from the Committee of Cornwall, from Truro, of 25 Maii 1648, expressing more particularly the said Blessing, was read.

Militia.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for the Militia of the whole Kingdom be proceeded in on Thursday Morning.

Cornwall Militia.

Ordered, That Mr. Trefusis do bring in an Ordinance for settling the Militia in the County of Cornwall, Tomorrow Morning.

Sir H. Waller, &c. thanked.

Ordered, That Mr. Trefusis do bring in a Letter for giving Thanks to Sir Hardres Waller, the Sheriff, Mr. Santauben, and other the Gentlemen and Officers, that employed their Service in appeasing the Insurrection at Pensance in Cornwall.

Western Militia.

Ordered, That Sir Walter Erle do bring in an Ordinance for settling the Militia in the Western Association.

Ordered, That such Members of the House that serve for the several Counties, that shall desire it, do bring in Ordinance for settling the Militia in their Counties.

Taking of Chepstow Castle.

A Letter from Colonel Ewer, from Chepstow, of 25 Maii 1648, relating the Taking in of Chepstow Castle, by the Forces under his Command, was this Day read; and ordered to be printed.

Resolved, &c. That the Sum of Fifty Pounds be bestowed upon Captain Israell Smyth, the Messenger that brought the good News of reducing the Castle of Chepstow, by God's Blessing upon the Parliament Forces, under the Command of Colonel Ewer: And that the said Sum of Fifty Pounds be paid, by Order of the Committee of Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies, usually sitting at Haberdashers Hall, unto the said Captain Israell Smyth.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Mr. Oldesworth do prepare a Letter of Thanks to be returned to Colonel Ewer, and the rest of the Officers and Soldiers, that employed their Service in the Reducing of Chepstowe Castle.

Revolted Ships.

A Letter from Colonel Rainborowe, the Vice Admiral, from Langar Fort, of 27 Maii 1648, expressing the Desection in some of the Ships of the Fleet, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports do presently withdraw; and confer with my Lord of Warwick; and speedily report their Opinions, What they think fit to be done, upon this Defection in some of the Ships of the Fleet.

Letters from Kent.

A Letter, signed by divers Gentlemen of the County of Kent, directed to the Committee at Derby House, was this Day read.

A Letter, signed likewise by divers Gentlemen of the County of Kent, directed to the Lord Mayor of the City of London, desiring a free and safe Passage and Return of Twenty Gentlemen of their County, appointed to come and present a Petition to the Houses, was read: But withal they signify their Intentions to bring it, with an armed Force, to Blackheath.

The which Letter was, by the Lord Mayor, communicated to the Committee of the Militia of the City of London, and the Committee at Derby House; and from the Committee of the Militia this Day reported by Major General Skippon to the House.

Revolted Ships.

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

The Lords have commanded us to communicate unto you a Letter from some of the Commanders of the Fleet, to the Earl of Warwick; who have removed Colonel Rainborowe; as likewise, a Reply of the Officers of some of the Ships in the Fleet to a Letter received from the Gentlemen of the County of Kent.

The said Matters were read: And

It is Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports: Who are presently to withdraw upon it; and to report their Opinions, according to the former Order.

Lords to sit.

Sir Walter Erle is appointed to go the Lords, to desire them to sit awhile.

Sir Walter Erle bring Answer that the Lords are resolved to sit awhile.

Ordered, That the House do sit this Afternoon.

Affairs in Kent.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare, That they do leave the whole Managing of the Business of Kent to the General.

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

Sir Robert Harley is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

He is likewise to acquaint the Lords, That this House hath resolved to sit this Afternoon; and to desire them to do the like, if it may stand with their Conveniency.

Ordered, That the Citizens and Burgesses, that serve for the City of London, do return the Hearty Thanks of this House to the Lord Mayor and Common Council, and Committee of the Militia, for their great Expression of Affection to the Parliament, in communicating unto them the Letter directed to the Lord Major, and signed by divers Gentlemen of Kent; and not taking any Resolutions, till they had understood the Sense of the House thereupon.

It is further Ordered, That they do acquaint them with the Vote passed, concerning the leaving of the Managing of the Business of Kent to the General.

Earl of Warwick to be Ld. High Admiral.

Resolved, &c. That Robert Earl of Warwick be appointed and constituted Lord High Admiral of England.

An Ordinance for appointing and constituting Robert Earl of Warwick, High Admiral of England, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Mr. Francis Gerard is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

Revolted Ships.

Resolved, &c. That it be wholly lest to the Earl of Warwick, Lord High Admiral of England, to give Indemnity to the Captains and Mariners, as he shall see Cause, and judge it fitting.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Mr. Francis Gerard is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

Parliament Guard.

Ordered, That Colonel Rosseter do return Thanks unto the Gentlemen Officers, that expressed their very good Affections, in voluntary offering, and being this Day a Guard to the Parliament.

Post Meridiem.

Propositions to the King.

Mr. Dodderidge, Sir Harbotle Grimston, Mr. Swinfen, Mr. Tate, Mr. Nath. Bacon, Dr. Bond, Sir John Potts, Mr. Strode, Mr. John Stephens;

This Committee, or any Two of them, is appointed to prepare the Propositions concerning Religion, Declarations, and Militia, upon the Votes passed: And the Care of this Business is more particularly referred to Mr. Dodderidge: And are to meet this Afternoon, in the Inner Court of Wards; and to bring in their Report To-morrow Morning.

Parliament Guard.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Militia of London shall have, and hereby have, Power to send, from time to time, such Forces, to be a Guard to the Parliament, as they shall think fit, or as they shall, at any time, receive Order for, from either of the Houses of Parliament.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Major General Skippon is to carry it to the Lords.

Reports deferred.

Ordered, That, on Thursday Morning next, Mr. Scawen do make his Reports.

The Fleet.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Vane junior do prepare a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, to acquaint him with what the House hath done in reference to the Fleet; and to desire him to give his Attendance upon the House.

Col. Booth.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel John Booth, now under Restraint in Lancashire, be sent to the House upon his Parole, together with the Informations taken against him, upon which he is restrained.

Soldiers for Ireland.

Ordered, That the Desire of Colonel Moore, concerning the Allowance of Six-pence per diem to the Soldiers ready to be transported for Ireland, during the Time they shall continue Windbound, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland, at Derby House.

Affairs in Kent.

Ordered, That the Committee at Derby House do send the Vote passed both Houses, touching the leaving to the General the Management of the Business of Kent, to the Gentlemen of Kent, by Sir Thomas Peyton; and likewise to the General.

Sir Robert Harley brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Order concerning the Business of Kent.

Army.

Ordered, That the Reports and Petitions, concerning the Soldiery, be made and considered To-morrow Morning.