House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 2 October 1651

Thursday, the 2 d of October, 1651.

Prayers.

Guiny.

ORDERED, That the Report touching the Guiny Business, be made on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business; nothing to intervene.

Army and Garisons.

Sir Henry Vane reports, from the Council of State, a Report made to the Council, from the Committee of Irish and Scottish Affairs, concerning the Forces to be continued, and what to be reduced, in England and Scotland; with the Charge of the whole, contained in Four Papers.

Whereas the Council, by their Order of the Sixteenth of September last, referred to the Consideration of this Committee, the Order of Parliament of the same Sixteenth of September, concerning what Forces of Horse or Foot, and Garisons, are necessary to be kept up; and how the same, and the Train of Artillery, and other Charges, may be lessened, as may stand with the Safety of the Commonwealth, and carrying on the Affairs in Scotland; and may tend to the easing the Burden of the Commonwealth. This Committee having had several Debates and Conferences with the Lord General, and his Officers, touching the same, have caused the Results thereupon to be formed into the Three annexed Papers: One containing a List of the Garisons as they were, and now are propounded to be; Another, A List of the several Regiments in England and Scotland, as they were, and now are propounded to be; And the Third, An Extract of the Charge of the Whole, as it was, and now is to be: With a Computation of what Decrease is of the Charge of the Whole. And if the Council shall agree upon the same, the Committee have also caused an Establishment for the Whole to be prepared; which is also ready to be tendered to the Council, if they so think fit, to be presented to the Parliament, in order to their speedy settling their whole Affairs, as to their Forces to be continued, and putting into a Way of disbanding of the rest."

A List of the several Garisons in England and Wales, and Edenburgh, and Lyth in Scotland: Together with their present Charge; and also the Charge of them to which they are propounded to be reduced, viz.

Army and Garisons.

The Charge of the several Regiments and Troops, that were reckoned as belonging to the marching Army, but kept Guards in Lyn, Hull, York, Newcastle, Tinmouth, Barwick, Carlisle, Liverpoole, Chester, Shrewsbury, Hereford, and Gloucester, was by the Month 12,118£. 17s. 4d. But as the Guards are now settled to those Places, though the Charge seems to be increased, the whole is reduced to 3,858£. 8s.

In all Thirty Regiments of Foot; whereof Eighteen Regiments to be continued for England and Scotland; and Sir Hardres Waller's to be sent for Ireland; Sir Arthure Hesilrige's Regiment, and Eighteen other single Companies, for several Garisons: And Five whole Regiments, and Thirty single Companies, to be disbanded.

In all Eighteen Regiments; whereof Sixteen to be continued for England and Scotland; and Two Regiments to be disbanded.

A Regiment of Dragoons, Eight Troops.

The Question being put, That Dennis Fort stand;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That the Mount do stand.

Resolved, That Consideration be had of this Vote touching Dennis Fort, in the Establishment.

The Question being put, That the Reducement of 18£. 8s. for the Garison of Taunton Castle, do stand;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That the Garison of Taunton Castle be laid down.

The Question being put, To agree with the Council of State, that Arundell Castle be laid down:

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That it be referred back to the Council of State, to consider of Arundell Castle, how the same may be kept up.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Council, that Eighteen Regiments of Foot be continued for England and Scotland; Sir Hardres Waller's to be sent for Ireland; Sir Arthure Hesilrig's Regiment, and Eighteen other single Companies, for several Garisons, be continued, according to the Report; and Five whole Regiments, and Thirty single Companies of Foot, be laid down, as is mentioned in the Report: And that the Lord General be ordered to see them disbanded, accordingly.

Resolved, That Two Regiments of Horse be disbanded, according to this Report.

The Question being put, That Colonel Blundell's Regiment be disbanded;

The House divided:

The Yeas went forth.

So it was Resolved, That Colonel Blundell's Regiment be disbanded.

Resolved, That the Lord General do take Care to see these Three Regiments of Horse disbanded, accordingly.