House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 5 December 1651

Friday, the 5th of December, 1651.

Prayers.

Probate of Wills.

ORDERED, That the Act for Probate of Wills be brought in this Day Fortnight, the first Business.

Scotch Affairs.

Ordered, That the Declaration touching Scotland be delivered to the Council of State; and that the same be kept under Secrecy there.

Ordered, That the Debate upon the Instructions for the Commissioners to go into Scotland be taken up on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business; nothing to intervene.

Army.

Colonel Downes reports, from the Committee of the Army, a List of several Forces in Field and Garison in England and Scotland; together with their respective Pays and Entertainments, for an Establishment, to commence 20 Octobris 1651.

He also reports, from the Council of State, that the Establishments for Scarborough and Arundel Castle, resolved upon at this Council, be humbly reported to the Parliament for their Approbation, if they shall so think fit: And that the Parliament be moved to order the Allowance of the same, from the 20th of October last; the Officers having been mustered from that Time, but not paid, because the Establishment was not passed.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Council of State in the Establishments for Scarborough and Arundell Castles; and that the same Allowance be made unto them from the 20th of October last: And that the Committee of the Army do give Order for the Payment thereof unto the said Garisons accordingly.

Isle of Man.

Mr. John Gurdon reports, from the Council of State, that the Council, upon Conference with the Lord General, are of Opinion, that there will be necessary for the Guard of the Isle of Man 240 Soldiers, in Two Companies, each to consist of 120 Men, besides Officers; whereof Forty to be under the Command of a Captain: And Two Serjeants to be also upon the Establishment, above the Officers of Two complete Companies: And that these Numbers and Officers be established for that Place, if the Parliament shall so think fit.-That the Governor of that Island may have Sixteen Shillings a Day for his Pay, as Governor, besides the Pay of a Captain of Foot.

Isle of Man.

That it be also reported to the Parliament, that the Propositions following have been offered concerning the Isle of Man: Which the Council hath thought fit to represent to the Parliament, for them to do therein, as they shall think fit; viz.

"That much of the Goods in the Island, being found to belong to such that have been, and are, well-affected in England, may, upon the Proof of their Right, be restored: And the rest, which will appear to be lawful Prize, to be allowed towards the accommodating of the Garisons there, among which the Two Vessels, for the Help and Benefit of the Island, not being able to subsist without Traffick, or defend themselves from Pyrates, without some such Conveniency."

"That the four hundred Pounds, which was the Bishop's yearly Revenue, together with the present Profits of the sequestrable Clergy, may make one Purse; to be allowed to so many, and such, Ministers, as the Council of State shall appoint to preach as Itineraries, at least for a Time; and all scandalous and unfit Ministers be put out."

"That the Isle of Man may be taken in as Part of England, yet retaining such Laws already established, as are equitable and just, and more suitable to the Condition of that People than any other that can be imposed: To which End, it will be convenient, that Dymster Christian, and his Brother, the Receiver, Two of the ablest and honestest Gentlemen in the Island, may be commanded to attend the Council, by whom they may receive a full and true Account touching their Laws."

That the Council having considered of an Establishment for Staff Officers, and Fire and Candle for the Garison in the Isle of Man, think fit, that the under-written be reported to the Parliament for that Purpose; that if the Parliament shall so think fit, Allowances may be made accordingly; viz.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Council of State, that for the Guard of the Isle of Man Two hundred and Forty Soldiers, in Two Companies, each to consist of One hundred and Twenty Men, besides Officers; whereof Forty to be under the Command of a Captain: And Two Serjeants be put upon the Establishment above the Officers of Two complete Companies: And the Committee of the Army are authorized and required to make Payment thereof accordingly.

Resolved, That the Governor of that Island have 16s. a Day, for his Pay, as Governor, besides the Pay of a Captain of Foot.

Resolved, That the House doth agree to this Establishment for Staff Officers; and Fire and Candle, for the Garison of the Isle of Man; viz.

And the Committee of the Army are authorized and required to make Payment thereof accordingly.

Army.

Resolved, That the House doth agree to the Establishment of the several Forces in Field and Garison in England and Scotland, with their respective Pays and Entertainments.

Letter read.

A Letter from Major General Lambert, of the 29th Day of November 1651, from Edinburgh, was this Day read.

Ordered, That this Letter, and all the rest of the Instructions not yet passed, be referred to the Council of State, to take them into Consideration, in order to the Report of the Instructions: And that the said Report be made on Tuesday Morning next.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take into Consideration the Sums of Money that come short for the Disbanding, mentioned in the said Letter, and the Forces mentioned in it: And that they confer with the Committee of the Army, how the same may be provided; and to give Order therein accordingly.

Army Pay.

Ordered, That Three Months Pay for Colonel Haynes his Regiment, consisting of 1,200, to begin from the Expiration of the former Three Months Pay, be paid to Lieutenant Colonel Joyce.

Ordered, That the Six Companies of Colonel Clerke's Regiment be continued for Three Months longer, from the Expiration of the former Three Months: And that the Committee of the Army be authorized and required to order the Payment to be made unto that Regiment, consisting of 1,200, according to the former Establishment.

Ordered, That Captain West and Captain Margerie's Troop, consisting of One hundred and Twenty apiece, be continued for Three Months longer: And that the Committee of the Army be authorized and required to give order for Payment of them, according to the former Establishment.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army be autho rized and required to advance Three Months Pay, for the said Regiments of Colonel Heane and Colonel Clerke, and Two Troops, accordingly: That is to say, Three Months Pay for Colonel Heane's Regiment, unto Colonel Joice; Three Months Pay for Colonel Clerke's Regiment, to Major Philip Ebzery; and to Captain West, Three Months Pay for his own and Captain Margerie's Troop.

Assessment.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in for an Assessment for Months at the Rate of a Month: And that the Committee of the Army do bring it in on Wednesday next, the first Business.

Public Revenue.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to consider of the State of the Treasuries; and to present the same to the House on Thursday next, the first Business.

Free Quarter.

Sir Wm. Masham reports, from the Council of State:

That by reason of a certain Clause in the Act of Parliament, forbidding free Quarter; by which it is permitted they shall not take above One Night, or Two, in their March; there is much free Quarter, by Occasion thereof, taken, to the great Grievance of the Country: That the Parliament be humbly moved, to take the same into Consideration, and take some such Course for Remedy, as the Parliament shall think fit.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to consider thereof, and of the Act for preventing free Quarter; and to offer to the House what they shall think fit to be further done, for the preventing of the Abuse in taking free Quarter.

Dispatch of Business.

Ordered, That Mr. Solicitor do make Report, from the Committee, concerning Business of greatest Importance, to be dispatched on Friday next, the first Business.