House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 2 October 1649

Die Martis, 2 Octobris, 1649.

Prayers.

Lord Mayor Elect.

ORDERED, That Alderman Thomas Foote, the Lord Mayor of London now elected, be presented to this House on Thursday Morning next.

Irish Affairs.

A Letter from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, from Dublin, of the Seventeenth Day of September 1649, with a List, therein inclosed, of the Defendants in Drogheda, was this Day read.

A Letter from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, from Dublin, of the Twenty-seventh Day of September 1649, together with a List of the Officers and Soldiers slain at the Storming of Drogheda, was this Day read.

A Letter from Colonel Venables to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, was this Day read.

Ordered, That both the Billet Money, and additional Pay, allowed by the Act of the Twelfth of May last, be continued to the Forces in England, and the additional Pay only to the Forces in Ireland, until the Twentyninth of December next, out of the last Three Months Assessments of Ninety thousand Pounds per mensem: And that the Committee of the Army have, and are hereby authorized to use, the same Powers in all respects concerning the bringing in, and issuing out, the Monies of the said last Three Months Assessments, as they formerly had by any Act or Ordinance of Parliament, concerning the last Six Months Assessments of Ninety thousand Pounds per mensem.

Ordered, That the several Letters from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, together with so much of Colonel Venables' Letter as concerns the Successes in Ireland, be forthwith printed and published.

Letters read.

A Letter, subscribed Charles R. directed for the Lord Marquis of Ormond, was this Day read.

A Letter, subscribed 111, from the Lord Digby to the Lord Marquis of Ormond, of the Fifth Day of May 1649, was this Day read.

A Letter from Dan. Monroe, of the Third Day of May 1649, to the Marquis of Ormond, was this Day read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to see the said Letters printed, together with such Observations as they shall think sit to be made thereupon.

Captain Blackwell.

The humble Petition of Captain John Blackwell was this Day read.

Regulating Juries.

Ordered, That it be referred to a Committee, to consider of the Inconveniences of the Patent heretofore granted to Sir William Brunkerd, of the Issues of Jurors; and how the Grievance may be removed; and for the Regulating of Juries; and report the same to the House: Mr. Robinson, Colonel Marten, Mr. Long, Colonel Jones, Sir Thomas Wroth, Mr. Attorney General, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Garland, Mr. Robert Goodwyn, Sir William Masham, Sir Henry Vane, Mr. Heveningham, Mr. Wylde, Mr. Rawley, Mr. Scott; or any Three of them: And this Committee are to meet To-morrow at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Exchequer Chamber.

And the Care hereof is committed to Mr. Long.

Fee-farm Rents.

Ordered, That Mr. Long do bring in the Act touching Fee-farm Rents, on Wednesday next, the first Business.

Col. Blague.

Resolved, &c. That, upon the Instance of the Lord General of Ireland, it be left to Colonel Blague to take his own Choice, either to leave his present Employment and Command at Sea, and accept of the Employment in the Army in Ireland, as Major General of Foot, or to continue in his present Employment, as he shall think sit.

Ordered, That, in case Colonel Blague shall accept of the Employment in the Army in Ireland, that the Council of State do give him Assistance in raising a Regiment for that Service.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take into Consideration how considerable Recruits may be speedily sent into Ireland: And, if they think sit to make an Addition to the Regiments of Foot that are there already (keeping within the present Establishment as to the Charge) or to send any new Regiments; then to consider how the Charge of them may be raised in the Counties there, without increasing the Charge of this Commonwealth, for their Maintenance, when they are there.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take Consideration of the Services of Captain Brandley and Captain Ferne, and such as were employed with them in gaining Carling Fort; and to give them such Reward, in respect thereof, as they shall think sit.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to take Consideration of the Wives and Children, now in England, of those Persons who were slain in the present Service of Ireland: and give Order for their present Relief, as they shall think sit.

Thanksgiving Day.

Ordered, That Thursday, the First of November next, be appointed for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving, to be observed in all the Churches and Chapels within England and Wales, to render Thanks to Almighty God, for his great Mercy, in giving such wonderful Successes to the Parliament's Forces in Ireland.

Preachers appointed.

Ordered, That Mr. Marshall and Mr. Sterrey be desired to preach before the Parliament at Margaret's Church in Westminster, on Thursday the First of November next, being set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving to God for his Mercy, in giving Success to the Parliament's Forces in Ireland: And Colonel Feilder is to give Notice thereof to Mr. Marshall; and Colonel Fleetwood to Mr. Sterry.

Ordered, That it be referred to Mr. Scott and Sir William Masham, to prepare a Declaration, to be sent into the several Counties, signifying the Grounds of setting apart the Day of Publick Thanksgiving; and to report it to the House.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take into Consideration how the Soldiers in the Service of Ireland may be supplied with such Necessaries of Cloathing as may be needful for them in their Marches, out of their Pay, or otherwise.

Ordered, That a Letter of Thanks be sent to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; and to be communicated to the Officers there; taking Notice, that the House doth approve of the Execution done at Drogheda, as an Act both of Justice to them, and Mercy to others, who may be warned by it: And that it be referred to the Council of State, to prepare a Letter to be signed by Mr. Speaker: And that Mr. Speaker do sign the same accordingly: And that Sir William Masham do take care thereof.

Publick Accompts.

Ordered, That the Act for the Accompts of the Commonwealth be read, the first Business, To-morrow Morning.

Crown Lands.

Colonel Jones reports Amendments to the Act for further Instructions to the Trustees for Sale of the Lands of the late King, Queen, and Prince: Which were this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, agreed; and the Bill so amended, ordered to be ingrossed.

Deans and Chapters Lands.

Colonel Venn reports from the Committee to whom it was referred, by Order of the House, of the Ninth of May last, to bring in Instructions for the Disposing of Thirty thousand Pounds, raised at Weavers Hall (wherein respect is to be had for the Satisfaction of the Petitioners mentioned in the said Order), That it is the Opinion of that Committee, That the Contractors for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands be impowered and required to pay unto the several Persons mentioned in a Paper Book, to be delivered to them from this Committee, the several Sums of Money expressed therein, with Interest for the same, in case the said Sums do appear to be due unto them, by sufficient Tickets, upon the Publick Faith: And that the Persons within mentioned be the original Creditors of the Parliament, or their Executors or Administrators, or such poor Persons to whom such Bills have been transferred out of Charity.

He likewise reports the Paper Book in that Report mentioned.

Ordered, That this Debate be taken up To-morrow Morning, the first Business.