House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 27 March 1649

Die Martis, 27 Martii, 1649.

Prayers.

Surrender of Pontfract Castle.

A LETTER from Major General Lambert, from Knottingley, of the Two-and-Twentieth of March 1648, was this Day read.

Articles, agreed upon for the Rendition of Pontfract Castle, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Articles made, and agreed upon, for the Rendition of Pontfracte Castle.

The humble Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and all the well-affected Inhabitants of the Town Pontfract was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That the Castle of Pontfract be forthwith totally demolished.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the West Riding of the County of York, to take care that the said Castle of Pontfract be forthwith totally demolished, and levelled to the Ground; and the Materials thereof to be preserved from being imbeziled; and, by Sale of so much of them as will be necessary, to satisfy, in the first Place, the Charges of demolishing and levelling the same: And that so much of the Remainder of the Materials, as shall be of the Value of One thousand Pounds, be allotted to the Town of Pontfract, towards the repairing their Place of publick Worship, and re-edifying an Habitation for a Minister.

Bouldsover, &c. Castles.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, particularly to take into Consideration the present Demolishing of Bouldsover Castle, and Clitherowe Castle; and also to take into Consideration all such other Inland Castles as they shall think sit, for the present Demolishing thereof.

Grant to General Lambert.

A Letter from the General, of the Twenty-sixth of March 1649, touching Major General Lambert, was this Day read.

Ordered, That Three hundred Pounds per Annum, Land of Inheritance out of the Demesnes of Pontsract, upon a true Survey thereof, at a full Value, as the same were in 1641, be settled upon Major General Lambert, and his Heirs for ever, in respect of his many great and eminent Services, performed with much Care, Courage, and Fidelity, by the said Major General Lambert, in the Northern Parts, as well against the Scotts Army, the last Summer, as against the Forces of Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and otherwise, and in reducing the Castle of Pontfract, being the last Garison in England held out against the Parliament; and in respect of his extraordinary Charges therein, he having not been allowed any Pay as a Major General: And that Mr. Garland do bring in an Act for that purpose.

Reward to Messenger.

Ordered, That the Sum of Fifty Pounds be given to Mr. Margetts, who brought News of the Surrender of Pontsract Castle: And that the same be charged upon the Sequestrations in Yorksheire: And that the Committee of Sequestrations for the said County do forthwith pay the same to him accordingly: And the Acquittance or Acquittances of the said Mr. Margetts, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to the said Committee, and to such other Person or Persons as shall pay the same.

Army.

Ordered, That Captain Carter's Troop in Lancashire be forthwith disbanded: And that the Deputy Lieutenants of the said County be required to take special Care to see them speedily disbanded accordingly.

Yorkshire Petition.

The humble Petition of the Two Grand Inquests for the County of Yorke, at the Assizes held at the Castle there the Nineteenth of March 1648, was this Day read.

The Presentment of the Grand Juries of the County of York was likewise read.

Ordered, That this Petition and Presentment of the Grand Juries of the County of Yorke, together with the Letter from the Gentlemen of the said County, be forthwith printed and published.

Yorke Ministers.

Ordered, That Mr. Robinson do bring in an Act to appoint Commissioners in the County of Yorke, to make Inquiry of the ignorant, scandalous, and malignant Ministers; and to displace them, upon Conviction; and to place godly and painful Men in their rooms.

Sir Henry Cholmeley.

Mr. Allen, Colonel Harvey, Mr. Lysle, Mr. John Corbett, Colonel Rich, Colonel Rigby, Mr. Gourdon, Colonel Bosvile, Mr. Robinson, Major General Skippon, Mr. Martyn. Colonel Sydney, Mr. Blakiston, Sir Thomas Wroth;

This Committee, or any Three of them, are to examine the Complaints and Informations given against Sir Henry Cholmeley, touching his Misdemeanors and Differvice, whilst he was employed against Pontsract Castle; and to receive such further Informations as shall be given them touching the same; and report it to the House.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Cholmeley be summoned to come, and attend this Committee.

Thanks to Gen. Lambert, &c.

Ordered, That a Letter of Thanks and Respects from this House be sent to Major General Lambert; and likewise the like Letter to the Yorksheire Gentlemen that sent up these Petitions, to be signed by Mr. Speaker: And Mr. Challoner is to prepare the said Letter.

Raynesborowe's Widow.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom Colonel Raynesborowe's Widow's Business is referred, do report the said Business on Thursday Morning next.

Obnoxious Publication.

The House being informed of a scandalous and seditious Book, intituled, "the Second Part of England's new Chains discovered;"

The said Book was read.

Resolved, &c. That this printed Paper, intituled, "The Second Part of England's new Chains discovered, &c." doth contain much false, scandalous, and reproachful Matter; and is highly seditious, and destructive to the present Government; as it is now declared and settled by Parliament; tends to Division and Mutiny in the Army, and the Raising of a new War in the Commonwealth, and to hinder the present Relief of Ireland; and to the Continuing of Free Quarter.

And this House do further Declare, That the Authors, Contrivers, and Framers of the said Paper are guilty of High Treason; and shall be proceeded against as Traitors: And that all Persons whosoever, that shall join with, or adhere unto, and hereafter voluntarily aid or assist the Authors, Framers, and Contrivers of the aforesaid Paper, in the Prosecution thereof, shall be esteemed as Traitors to the Commonwealth; and be proceeded against accordingly.

Ordered, That this Declaration be forthwith printed and published.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take care, and give Direction, for proclaiming and publishing this Declaration in all such Places as they shall think sit.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to examine, and find out, Who have been the Authors, Contrivers, and Framers, Printers, and Publishers of the said Paper; and to proceed therein as they shall find just and necessary, for preventing Tumults, and for Preservation of the Peace of the Commonwealth; and thereof to give an Account speedily to the House.

Ordered, That it be likewise referred to the General, to examine, and find out, Whether there be any in the Army, of the Authors, Contrivers, Framers, or Publishers of the said Paper; and to proceed against them, as to the Raising of Mutiny in the Army, as there shall be just Cause.

Proclaiming Abolition of Monarchy.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor of London do give an Account to this House, on Friday Morning next, touching the Proclaiming of the Act for abolishing the Kingly Office.