House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 17 June 1648

Die Sabbati, 17 Junii, 1648.

Prayers.

Marquis of Argyll's Claims.

AN Ordinance for Payment of Thirty-five thousand Pounds to the Marquis of Argyll, and the Heritors of the Shiredom of Argyll, or their Assigns, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Mr. Ashe is appointed to carry it up.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Knightley brings Answer, from the Lords, That, as to the Ordinance for Forty-two thousand Pounds for the Soldiers; and the Ordinance for settling the Militia in the County of Radnor; they will send Answer by Messengers of their own: To all the rest of the Particulars of the Message sent by him, their Lordships do agree.

Sheriffs Accompts.

Ordered, That the Ordinance touching Sheriffs Accompts be reported, and read, on Saturday Morning next, the first Business, peremptorily; and nothing to intervene.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Hackwell and Mr. Page;

The Lords have commanded us to bring to you a Letter from both Houses, to be sent to the Estates General, both in Latin and English, touching the revolted Ships; and desire your Concurrence therein; and that it be referred to the Committee at Derby House to think of a fit Messenger to be sent therewith, that he may be considered of, and receive Instructions from thence:-A Report from Warwicke House, touching the Fleet; That the Marquis of Winchester may have Enlargement for Four Months: An Ordinance * Doctor Corbett, and others, to be admitted Prebendaries of Christ Church in Oxford: a Petition of Dr. Cheney Rowe; and an Order thereupon: To all which they desire the Concurrence of this House. They have sent the Names of Two Deputy Lieutenants in Com' Bucks: A Pardon for the Prisoners in the Western Circuit: A Pardon for Prisoners in the Midland Circuit: A Pardon for Job Throckmorton: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House-Colonel Temple's Petition: Which they specially recommend to the Consideration of this House-Colonel Herbert's Petition: William Sykes his Petition: An Order for a Patent for a Collection for the Town of Wrexham in Com' Denbigh, for a Loss by Fire: In all which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Answer.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House hath considered of their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Three Letters to be sent to the Estates General: And to the Three first Votes of the Report sent from Warwicke House; and to the Two Pardons of Course; this House doth agree: To the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Revolted Ships.

The Letter to the States General, in Latin and English, touching the revolted Ships, were read; and, upon the Question assented unto; and concurred with the Lords, That it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to send the Letter agreed by both Houses to the States General; and to appoint a fitting Messenger for the Carrying of it; and to give him Instructions for the managing that Affair.

Navy.

The Report from Warwicke House, touching the Fleet, was read.

Resolved, &c. That as great a Fleet, as the Parliament shall think fit, be provided, with all possible Expedition, for the Safety of the Kingdom, and the Reducing of the Revolters.

Resolved, &c. That a Letter be written to the Lord High Admiral, to the Trinity House, to employ their best Endeavours for the Manning of the Ships of such a Fleet with cordial and well-affected Men.

Resolved, &c. That a Promise be made, by Ordinance of Parliament, to those Seamen, both Commanders, Officers, and Mariners, of a Gratuity suitable to the faithful and good Service they shall do in this Business.

Resolved, &c. That this House will send Answer, by Messengers of their own, as to that Vote touching the Ships of this Fleet to be kept in a Body together, and not dispersed upon particular Services.

Oxford University.

An Ordinance, sent from the Lords, for constituting Dr. Corbett Orator in the University, of Oxford, Mr. Pococke Hebrew Professor of the said University, Mr. Mylles, and Mr. Cornishe, to be admitted unto the Prebendaries of Christ Church in the said University of Oxford; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Doddridge, Mr. John Corbett, Mr. Strode, Mr. Hungerford, Mr. Swynfen, Mr. Weaver, Mr. Wheeler, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Sir Francis Pyle, Sir Edw. Partherich, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Waller, Mr. Maynard, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Wm. Litton, Sir Walter Erle, Mr. Rous, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Salway, Sir John Trevour, Colonel Lee, Mr. Miles Corbett, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Lenthall, Mr. Challoner, Sir Robert Harley, Sir John Bamfeild, Mr. Pury, Mr. Selden, Mr. Tate, Mr. Oldesworth, Sir Tho. Dacres.

Prisoners pardoned.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England do pass a Patent, in Course, under the said Great Seal, for some poor Prisoners reprieved in the Western Circuit (for that some of their Facts were small, and their first Offences; and others their Evidence doubtful); who are certified by Mr. Justice Godbold, and Mr. Serjeant Wilde, to be fit Objects of Mercy; and may do good Service for the State, if they shall be employed.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England do pass a Patent, in Course, under the said Great Seal, for Four poor Prisoners, now remaining in several Gaols in the Midland Circuit (some of their Facts being small, and their first Offences); who are certified by Mr. Justice Roll to be fit Objects of Mercy; and that they may, some of them, do good Service for the State, if they shall be employed, being ready to undertake the same.

Ordered, That, on Thursday Morning next, the House do proceed with the rest of the Particulars of the Message: And that the Report touching Sykes be then made.

Isle of Ely.

Ordered, That Power be given to the Committee at Derby House, to grant Commissions to Colonel Hubbart of Well in the Isle of Ely, to raise Forces for the Safety, and Guard of those Parts.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

The Covenant.

The Question was propounded, That such as shall take new Commissions from the Parliament, shall, before they receive their Commissions, take the Covenant:

And the Question being put, Whether these Words; viz. "If they have not already taken the Covenant;" should be added to the Question;

It passed with the Negative.

The Question was propounded, That such as shall take new Commissions from the Parliament, shall, before they receive their Commissions, take the Covenant:

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 Negative.

Message to Lords.

Mr. John Ashe carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, an Ordinance for the Payment of Thirty-five thousand Pounds to the Marquis of Argyll, and the Heritors of the Shiredom of Argyll: An Order for Payment of the Sum of Seven hundred and Ninety-one Pounds Arrears due to Captain Mounsell: An Order touching such as shall raise or maintain Arms against the Parliament: Order for giving Power to the Committee at Derby House to grant Commissions to Colonel Hobart for raising Forces for the Safety of the Isle of Ely.

Answer.

Mr. John Ashe brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Order for the Arrears to Captain Mounsell; to the Order for the Committee at Derby House to grant Commission to Colonel Hubbart; to the Ordinance for the Payment of Thirty-five thousand Pounds to the Marquis of Argyll, and the Heritors of the Shiredom of Argyll: To the Order touching such as shall raise or maintain Forces against the Parliament, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Isle of Wight.

Ordered, That the Committee of the County of Sussex, or any Two of them, do send an Hundred of Hand Granado Shells to the Governor of the Isle of Wight, out of Arrundell Castle, or Chichester, or elswhere in the County of Sussex.

Bishops Lands.

Ordered, That, on Thursday Morning next, the first Business, and nothing to intervene, the Trustees and Contractors for Sale of Bishops Lands be heard, touching the Obstructions and Remedies in that Business: And that then the Ordinances, touching that Business, be reported, and read: And that Mr. Speaker do put the House in mind hereof.

Letters from France.

Ordered, That the Letters out of France, intercepted in Kent by that Committee, be delivered to the Messenger upon whom they were taken: And that a Pass, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, be granted to the said Messenger.

Sir J. Clotworthie.

Ordered, That the first Business, on Monday Morning next, Sir John Clotworthie's Business be taken up: And that the Clerk of the Crown, or his Deputy, do then attend the House with the Record.

Army Stores.

Ordered, That the Officers of the Ordinance, and the Officers of the Stores, do forthwith furnish Colonel Rich with Five hundred Ball, weighing Eight or Nine Pounds, for a Demiculverin, or with so many of them as they can spare, for the present Service of the County of Kent.

Assessments.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to prepare Letters, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and sent to the Members of this House, and other the Commissioners for the Assessments; to quicken them to meet frequently; and call the Collectors, and other Officers, before them; and put the Ordinances in due Execution for the speedy bringing in those Monies: And that they do, from time to time, give Account of their Proceedings; and of the Neglects of such as are Defaulters: And the Committee is further to certify, What Members are in the several Counties; and, in such Counties where there are no Members, to consider of the Names of some to present to the House.

Ordered, That the Commissioners appointed in the several and respective Counties, Cities, and Places, for the bringing in the Assessments for the Army, be, and are hereby, required and enjoined to meet once every Month; and the Commissioners in the particular Divisions, once every Week: And that they do, from time to time, call the Collectors, and other Officers, that they do punish the said Neglect, according to the Power given them in that Behalf: And that they do, from time to time, give notice to the House of their Proceedings in this Business; and of such as shall neglect their Attendance upon these Meetings, whereby the Service suffers great Prejudice.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

London Assessments.

Ordered, That the Citizens and Burgesses that serve for the City of London, be, and are hereby, particularly required and enjoined to meet upon Monday next, in the Afternoon, at Guildhall, London, where the Committee are appointed to meet upon the Service of bringing in the Assessments for the Army; and from time to time, as the Occasion of that Service shall require.

South Wales Sequestrations.

Mr. Waller reports the Amendments to the Ordinance touching the Sequestrations in South Wales: The which were twice read: And these Words, in the Second Amendment, "then not being under the Power of the Parliament," being left out; the said Amendments were, upon the Question, assented unto: And the Ordinance, so amended, upon the Question, passed; and is ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Mr. Waller further reported the Instructions to such as are employed upon the Sequestrations in South Wales: The which were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Mr. Waller is appointed to carry these, and the Ordinance, to the Lords.

Army Commissioners.

Ordered, That Colonel Henry Herbert, and Colonel Vincent Potter, formerly appointed Commissioners for the Army, be continued in that Service; and that their Pay be continued, as formerly, upon the Establishment: And that Mr. Herbert do appoint a Deputy, in his place, whilst he attends the King at the Isle of Wight.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Duke of Argyll's Claims.

Whereas the Parliament of Scottland have appointed the Sum of Thirty-five thousand Pounds to be paid to the Marquis of Argyll, and the Heritors of the Shiredom of Argyll out of the first and readiest of the second Fifty thousand Pounds of the last Two hundred thousand Pounds of the Four hundred thousand Pounds agreed to be paid to the Kingdom of Scottland, in the Articles of Agreement betwixt the Kingdoms, of the Three-and-twentieth of December 1646; in pursuance whereof, the Commissioners for the Kingdom of Scottland have agreed, That the Acquittance of the said Marquis of Argyll, and Heritors of that Sheirdome, or any having Power from them, shall be a sufficient Discharge to the Kingdom of England of the said Thirty-five thousand Pounds, Part of the last Two hundred thousand Pounds aforementioned: All which, by the Letters of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scottland, of the Sixth of February 1647, doth appear: Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, assembled in the Parliament of England, and it is hereby Ordained, by Authority of the same, That the said Thirtyfive thousand Pounds shall be paid to the said Marquis of Argyll, and the Heritors of the said Sheirdome, or their Assigns, out of the first and readiest of the Second Fifty thousand Pounds of the last Two hundred thousand Pounds of the Four hundred thousand Pounds agreed to be paid to the Kingdom of Scottland: And that the said Marquis of Argyll, and the Heritors of the said Sheirdome, or their Assigns, shall be allowed and paid Interest after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. for the said Thirtyfive thousand Pounds, from the time the same became due unto the said Kingdom of Scottland, until the same shall be paid unto the said Marquis of Argyll, and to the Heritors of the said Sheirdome, or their Assigns. And it is hereby further Ordained, That the Acquittance of the said Marquis of Argyll, the Heritors of the said Sheirdome, or their Assigns, or any having Power from him or them, of the Receipt of the said Thirty-five thousand Pounds, and Interest for the same, or of any Part thereof, shall be a sufficient Discharge to the Kingdom of England; and a sufficient Warrant and Discharge for the Treasurers, or others, that shall pay the same. Provided always, That the Ordinance sent from the Lords, read and passed in the House of Commons, the Fifth of this instant June 1648, and all other Orders or Ordinances preceding the said Ordinance of the Fifth of June aforesaid, appointing the Payment of the said Thirty-five thousand Pounds to the said Marquis of Argyll, and the Heritors of that Sheirdome, be, and are hereby revoked, annulled, and made of none Effect.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.