House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 16 February 1647

Die Martis, 16 Februarii, 1646.

Prayers.

Staffordshire.

ORDERED, That the Ordinance concerning Staffordshire be read after that the Business of the Excise is first dispatched.

Riot in Smythfield.

The humble Petition of the Commissioners of Excise and New Impost, upon the Occasion of the Riot committed Yesterday upon the Excise-Office in Smythfield; and likewise the Names of divers Persons that were Parties to this Riot; were this Day read.

A Declaration concerning the Excise was this Day read.

The House being informed, That the Sheriffs were at the Door;

They were called in; and were required by Mr. Speaker to give an Account of the Beginning and Continuance of the Riot Yesterday. They said, They were not there at the Beginning: By that time they came there, the Business seemed to be well appeased; but afterwards they gathered together again, and fired the Office, burnt the Books, and took away above Fourscore Pounds in Monies. This Business sprung, and took Encouragement, from the Business of like Nature, which was at Norwich, and passed unpunished. They drew down no Force at first, but their own Forces. They informed, William Tayler, a Butcher, without Criplegate, said, That he would bear down the Excise by Force: That some Musqueteers were set, before the Train-Bands came down, that shot nothing but Powder.

They delivered in a Letter from Leeds, of 15 Januarii 1646, subscribed Mansfield Hasset, Robert Hurst, concerning the uncivil Carriage of one Mr. Marwood to the Excise-Officers at Leeds: The which was read.

Ordered, That the Lord-Mayor, Recorder, Sheriffs, and Justices of the Peace of the City of London, be required forthwith to examine the whole Business, concerning the Tumult and Riot committed Yesterday the 15th Day of this Instant February 1646, in Smythfield; and speedily to proceed against and punish the Offenders according to Law.

Ordered, That the Justices of Peace for the County of Middlesex be required forthwith to examine the whole Business, concerning the Tumult and Riot committed Yesterday the 15th of February 1646, in Smythfield; and speedily to proceed against and punish the Offenders according to Law.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Committee of the Militia of the City of London, do take care to prevent all Tumults that may arise; and to provide for the Peace of the City; and to order, and take effectual Course, that the Watches and Guards may be strictly and well kept.

The Sheriffs were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, acquainted them, That the House had referred the Examination of this Business Yesterday in Smythfield to the Lord Mayor, Recorder, Sheriffs, and Justices of Peace of the City of London: That they do recommend it to the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Committee of the Militia, to take care of the Preservation of the Peace of the City; and carefully to keep their Watches and Guards. The House has observed in the Sheriffs very much Diligence in this Business; and that they had employed their Care, so much as in them lay, to prevent and remedy the Riot Yesterday: For which the House gives them Thanks; and desires them to continue the like Care in the Business of the Excise; and to proceed with Diligence in it; especially as Occasion shall serve To-morrow.

Excise.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Excise do give Notice to the House, if any of the Monies that come in upon the Receipts of the Excise, have been employed or disposed to any private Use.

Privilege.

The Sheriffs presented a Petition concerning an Order they Yesterday received, touching Mr. Edward Rigby, a Prisoner in the Wood-street Compter, London: The which was read.

Porters, &c. Petition.

The humble Petition of Wm. Porter and Thomas Turner, Officers at Mace to the Sheriffs of London, was this Day read.

Ceely's Claims.

Mr. Holles carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Order for Two thousand Pounds to Colonel Thomas Ceely, upon Account, out of Goldsmiths-Hall.

Grant to Berrow.

The Ordinance for settling upon Anthony Berrow Gentleman an Estate of Fifty Pounds per Annum, Land of Inheritance, for his great Service performed in the Surprisal of the City and strong Garison of Hereford.

Excise.

The House proceeded to the Consideration of the Declaration and Instructions concerning the Excise: The which were read; and part of the Declaration passed, and part re-committed; and Four of the Instructions passed: And

It is Ordered, That the House do proceed to take into Consideration the Residue of the Instructions, and the Business concerning the Excise, on Thursday Morning next, the first Business: And that no other Business do intervene.

Judges.

Ordered, That the Report concerning the Judges for Wales be made on Thursday Morning next: And that the House do then consider of Judges for this Circuit for Cheshire.

Church Government.

Ordered, That the House do consider of Removing the Obstructions in the Settling of the Government of the Church, on Monday Morning next, the first Business; and that no other Business do intervene.

Leave of Absence.

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