House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 8 July 1644

DIE Lunæ, 8 die Julii.

PRAYERS.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Report of the Conference concerning Colonel Rous.

The Speaker reported the Effect of the late Conference with the House of Commons, concerning Colonel Rous, which was, "To let their Lordships know, that they are informed of a Judgement given by their Lordships against Colonel Rous, who was sent for, to appear before this House, upon an Affidavit, which afterwards was vacated; and then their Lordships proceeded to Judgement upon the Information of Captain Jessop and Captain Cowper, they being both Informers and Witnesses; and Colonel Rous being One who attended the House of Commons as a Witness, they conceive he ought to have the Privilege of Parliament; and, upon Consideration of the Business, they have made some Votes, which were read, as followeth:

"Resolved, That Colonel Rous was attending upon this House when he was summoned to attend the House of Peers.

"Resolved, That Colonel Rous, being summoned to be examined as a Witness by this House, during the Time of his Examination here, and Attendance about the same, ought to have the Privilege of this House.

"Resolved, That the Proceedings and Judgement in the House of Peers, against Colonel Rous, is erroneous, and against the Liberty of the Subject."

Committee to consider of an Answer to the H. C. about him.

Ordered, That the Consideration of this Business is referred to the same Committee as is appointed for Colonel King's Business, who are to consider what Answer is fit to be given to the House of Commons, at a Conference, concerning this Business, and to report the same to the House.

The said Committee to meet this Afternoon, at Three a Clock.

Ordinance concerning Leicestershire.

The Lord Willoughby reported, "That the Committee for the Ordinance concerning Leycestershire had considered of the said Ordinance; and they find that the Lord Grey is not commanded out of the Country, as is alledged in the Preface; so they do not think it fit to pass."

Hereupon the House was adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure, to debate this Ordinance.

And the House being resumed;

And the Question was put, "Whether Sir Edward Hartop Junior and Sir Martin Lyster shall be only added to be of this Committee?"

And it was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Another Question was put, "Whether this House shall agree to this Ordinance, with the Amendments and Additions now read?"

And it was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Letter from the Officers of the British Troops in Ulster.

The Speaker acquainted the House, "That he received a Letter from Ireland, directed to him thus, "To the Right Honourable the Lord Grey of Warke, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore."

The House commanded the said Letter to be read, as followeth. (Here enter it.)

Ordered, To send this Letter to the House of Commons; and to let them know, that this House thinks it fit to refer the Consideration of this Letter to a Committee of both Houses.

Message from the H. C. for a Public Thanksgiving for the Victory at York.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Harley:

To let their Lordships know, that they cannot but take Notice of the great Victory at Yorke, which God hath given to the Parliament Forces, for which they desire that a Day of Thanksgiving may be appointed, for all the Parishes within the Line of Communication to render Thanks to Almighty God for the same; and the House of Commons have thought on Thursday come Sevennight for both Houses to join in the same; and (fn. 1) they have thought upon Mr. Newcomen and Mr. Vynes to preach, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

to expedite Two Ordinances;

2. To desire Expedition to the Ordinance concerning the Standing Army, and the Ordinance concerning Money to be paid for Arms to be sent to the Lord Fairfaix.

and with One for Concurrence.

3. Also to desire Concurrence in an Ordinance (fn. 2) concerning the Pix. (Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the keeping of a Day of Thanksgiving, and do approve of the Day, and the Persons nominated; and for the Place, their Lordships do appoint the Abby Church.

Also, that this House agrees to the Ordinance concerning the Pix; and to the Order for paying Money for Arms for the Lord Fairefaix; and as to the Ordinance concerning the raising of a Standing Army for Two Months, their Lordships will take it into Consideration, and send an Answer by Messengers of their own. (Here enter it.)

Manner of giving Audience to The States Ambassadors.

Next, the House took into Consideration in what Manner The States Ambassadors shall have Audience. And it is Ordered, That all the Lords shall have Notice to be present on Wednesday next; and the Peers to be in their usual Habits, without their Robes; and likewise all the Judges and Assistants to be present; and also the Little Lobby is to be prepared for receiving of them before their Address to the House, whither none are to come but themselves; and the Painted Chamber to be kept clear from Company, to entertain their Company. And the Master of the Ceremonies is to conduct them hither from their own Houses. And when this House will give them Audience, the Master of the Ceremonies and the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod are to bring them in from the Lobby. And there shall be Three Chairs set in the House, for them to sit in when they come into the House.

When the Ambassadors speak any Thing, their Interpreters are to report it to the Speaker in English; and they are to withdraw before the Speaker reports the same to this House.

When they come in, every Lord is to sit in his Place, and stand up and salute the Ambassadors; and then sit down, and not stir out of their Places to speak with them so long as they are in the House.

When they sit in the House, they are to be covered.

That some Coaches are to be sent, to bring them and their Followers to this House; and such Lords as have Coaches, to send them.

Message to the H. C. that the Lords agree to the Thanksgiving.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Aylett:

To let them know, that their Lordships do agree to the Day of Thanksgiving, and to the naming of the Persons that are to preach that Day; and that their Lordships do desire that the Place of Meeting may be in the Abby Church at Westm.

Ordinance for an additional Excise.

Next, the Ordinance for the additional Excise was read Twice, and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That this House shall sit this Afternoon, at Five of the Clock.

Trial of the Pix.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Trial of the Monies in the Pix in the Mint, in The Tower of London, shall be made on Monday the 15th of this present July, at the usual Place, near the Star Chamber."

Order for 840 l. to Colonel Roe.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, That Eight Hundred and Forty Pounds be paid, by the Committee at Habberdashers Hall, out of the Monies that come in there upon the Fifth and Twentieth Part, at Three Months End from the Date of this Ordinance, to Lieutenant Colonel Roe, to make Satisfaction for Four Hundred Pair of Pistols, and Four Hundred Swords and Belts, to be forthwith delivered by him, to be sent to the Lord Fairefax, for the arming of Colonel Sandys's Regiment, and otherwise, as his Lordships shall dispose of them."

Letter from the Officers of the British Forces in Ulster, complaining of their great Necessities, and desiring Relief.

"Right Honourable,

"We the Colonels, Field Officers, and Captains, in the Behalf of ourselves and of the several British Regiments and Troops quartered in sundry Parts of Ulster, being pressed with very many Difficulties and Wants, after a long and patient Expectation of competent Supplies, both of Monies and Victuals, and other Accommodations, for the Prosecution of this War, and, according to the several Votes, Ordinances of Parliament, and other Assurances given us by several Letters, are at last inforced, notwithstanding our extreme Poverty, to gather up a male Stock to furnish some of our Officers for a Journey to London, to attend the most Honourable House of Parliament, to the End they may truly inform them what Service we have done, and what Affections we bear to prosecute this War, by God's Assistance, against the Irish Rebels, if our Endeavours may be so much valued, and we so entertained and enabled thereunto, as we conceive, in Justice, Honour, and Equity, the Parliament is obliged to do; and so much the more, if we be duly considered according to our Merits; and that our Services and Necessities be not measured by our modest and reasonable Demands. We have formerly made several Addresses, both to the Committee in Scotland, and to the Committee of the House of Commons, and Adventurers in London for Irish Affairs, without receiving any Return at all from any of them; which, together with other Discouragements, hath so pressed upon us and our Officers, who have so deeply suffered in this Service, that some of them as well as common Soldiers have perished for Want of Necessaries to sustain them; and generally it hath occasioned such Discontents amongst them and the Soldiers, that they (fn. 3) conceive themselves to have been much neglected by their Colonels in failing to represent their Wants, or by the Committee in not supplying them in some Measure proportionable with that Part of the Scottish Army remaining here, who have received Money, Cloaths, and Store of Victual, none of which hath been done for us, or any Supply afforded us, save a small Proportion of that Provision sent over by the Charity of our Brethren in The Low Countryes to the distressed Protestants, Inhabitants here; and we had long sithence drawn up full and satisfactory Answers to your Letters of the 4th of November, delivered us by Captain O Connally, purposing to send them over by Mr. Trayle, with full Instructions and Propositions for laying the Grounds of a vigorous Prosecution of this War, together with the Assistance of the Scottish Army, whose Stay and Maintenance was intimated also by that Letter, that, by our joint Forces, we might be the better enabled to undertake the Service; but at that Time most unexpectedly Order came for calling them back into Scotland, which put a Stop to all our former Resolutions, their Wants also being then so pressing, together with our own, that much of the Grain preserved for Seed was consumed, and all our Quarters thereby endangered to be exhausted and wholly wasted. In these Streights, and upon such Uncertainties, we appealed unto your Judgement whether it would have been Wisdom in us, nay rather had it not been extreme Folly, at that Time, to have made any further Declaration of our Resolutions than what we presented by our Letters to the Committee of Adventurers, without apparent Hazard of Ruin to ourselves, and the total Loss of the Country. But now, sithence these Supplies sent to those of the Scottish Army that remains here hath removed that Doubt, and are strong Appearances of the Certainty of their Stay and joining with us in that Service (although a whole Troop of Horse was transported within these few Days); notwithstanding we have to deal with so numerous an Enemy, and so well assisted and provided with Arms, Ammunition, and other Warlike Preparations, from all Parts of Europe; we are resolved, by God's Assistance, and the timely and proportionable Provisions of the Parliament, jointly with them, to maintain and carry on the War against these Enemies of our Religion; and, to this End, we have desired and nominated Sir William Cole, Colonel Hill, Serjeant Major Keeth, Captain M'Gill, and Captain Tweedy, with Officers of these British Forces, to repair over to attend the Parliament, taking there to their Assistance Colonel Clotworthy; and have authorized them all, or the greater Part of them, to give the most Honourable House of Parliament full Assurance of our Zeal and Affection to prosecute this Service, and to represent our Wants and Demands for the carrying on this War, for the Glory of God, Re-establishment of true Religion in this miserable Country, the Honour and Interest of His Majesty, and the Satisfaction of the Adventurers; and in the mean Time, as the Season of the Year requires, will omit no Occasion of doing Service; hoping and expecting now at length that you will give them such favourable and timely Dispatches and Answers, that they may return to us with Satisfaction; wherein if our Expectations be frustrated, we must be necessitated to disband, and in the Conclusion be made no further Use of, nor find no other Reward for our great Expences, Services, and Sufferings, but that our Soldiers to subsist in the future must be necessitated to take on with others, and fill up our Neighbours Regiments, which by sad Experience we have in Part found to be the Fruits of our extreme Wants. But, hoping better Things (by your favourable Mediation) from both Houses of Parliament, upon whose Honourable Promises and Undertakings we have so much and so long relied, we humbly take Leave, and remain

"Your Lordships
Humble Servants,

Newtowne, 7 Juni, 1644.

Post meridiem.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Hill.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Ordinance for an additional Excise.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure into a Committee, to consider of the Ordinance for settling the additional Excise.

(fn. 4) And the House being resumed;

It was read the Third Time, and Agreed to, and Ordered to be printed. (Here enter it.)

Answer from the H. C.

The Messengers sent this Morning to the House of Commons return with this Answer:

That they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own, concerning keeping the Day of Thanksgiving in the Abby.

Order for 50 l. to Colonel Cunningham.

The Order for paying Fifty Pounds to Colonel Coningham was read, and Agreed to. (Here enter it.)

Ordinance for Brewers to compound for the Excise on Beer.

Next, an Ordinance concerning the Brewers to be exempted from paying Excise of Beer upon Composition was read the Second Time, and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House being adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure;

And it being resumed;

The said Ordinance was read the Third Time, and Agreed to. (Here enter it.)

Ordinance for raising a Standing Army out of several Counties.

Then the Ordinance for raising an Army in several Counties for Two Months was taken into Consideration by a Committee of the whole House.

And the House being resumed;

It is Ordered, To be taken into further Consideration on Wednesday Morning next.

Ordinance to explain the One for taking the Accompts of the Kingdom.

The House was adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure; to consider of the Ordinance concerning the Explanation of the Ordinance for taking of Accompts.

The House being resumed;

The said Ordinance was read the Third Time, (fn. 5) and it was Agreed to with a small Alteration.

Browne and Price, for nailing up Doors in Newport House, inhabited by L. Wharton.

The House being informed, "That one Browne and Price have nailed up the Garden Doors of Newport House, being in the Possession of the Lord Wharton, put in by the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations:" It is Ordered, That the said Browne and Price shall appear before this House on Friday next, to shew by what Authority they did it.

Colonel Rous's Business.

Ordered, That the Committee concerning Colonel Rous shall meet at the Rising of the House, and afterwards from Time to Time.

Order for 50 l. to Colonel Cunningham.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That Fifty Pounds shall be paid by the Committee of Lords and Commons at Habberdashers Hall, unto Sir Gilbert Gerrard, for to be immediately sent to Colonel Coningham, who hath lately lost his Arm in the Service of the Parliament."

Ordinance for Brewers to compound for the Excise on Beer for the Use of the Fleet.

"Whereas the Committee for the Navy appointed by Parliament did, on or about the 10th Day of February last past, contract and agree with sundry Brewers of the City of London, and Parts adjacent, for the providing and furnishing of Three Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Tuns of Beer, fit and necessary for the Use and Service of such Ships as should be appointed for this Summer's Fleet, for the necessary Guard and Safety of the Seas and Kingdom; by which said Contract and Agreement the said Brewers, in regard the said Beer was for the Public Use and Service of the Kingdom, were to be freed from the Payment of any Excise for the same, which, according to the Rate limited by the Ordinance of Excise, September 11th, 1643, amounteth to the Sum of Five Hundred Fifty-nine Pounds, Ten Shillings: Be it therefore Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That these several Brewers, for the several Quantities hereafter named, videlicet, Leonard Leonards for One Thousand Tuns of the said Beer, Robert Houghton for One Thousand Three Hundred Tuns of Beer, William Hiccox for Four Hundred Tuns of Beer, William Crosse and Pawles for Two Hundred and Thirty Tuns of the said Beer, Chapman for Two Hundred Tuns of the said Beer, Abraham Woodrooffe for Two Hundred Tuns, Cope Two Hundred Tuns, and Henry Partridge for Two Hundred Tuns of the said Beer, shall be freed and exempted of and from the Payment of any Excise for the said Beer."

(fn. 6) "An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, concerning a new Excise upon Allum, Copperas, Monmouth Caps, and Hats of all Sorts, Hops, Saffron, Starch, and all Manner of Silks or Stuffs made in this Kingdom, and many other Goods and Commodities imported, made, or growing in this Kingdom, not formerly paying Excise, for the present Payment of such pressing Debts as are due unto several Handicraftsmen, and other Persons, for Arms, Ammunition, and for other Services of the State.

Ordinance for an additional Excise.

"The Lords and Commons in Parliament, being desirous by all good Means to provide for the Payment and Satisfaction of the Public Debts of the Kingdom, which they hope by God's Blessing in convenient Time to bring to pass, and earnestly labouring the present Satisfaction and Payment of such pressing Debts as are due unto several Handicraftsmen, Strangers, and other Persons, for Arms and Ammunition, bought and taken up of them for the Service of the State; and to several poor Persons for Carriages, by Cart and Waggon, for the same Use, and for the Relief of wounded and maimed Soldiers that have received their Wounds in the Service of the Commonwealth, and for the Widows and Children of such as have lost their Lives in the said Service, and for other necessary Occasions for the Defence of the King, Parliament, and Kingdom, do hereby Declare, Order, and Ordain, That the several Rates and Charges hereunder mentioned shall be set and laid, and are hereby set, laid, and imposed, upon the several Commodities hereafter expressed, within this Realm, the Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwicke, by Way of Excise and new Impost, over and above all Customs and other Duties due and payable for the same, videlicet upon all Goods and Merchandizes whatsoever imported (except Bullion, Corn, Victual, Arms, and Ammunition), which have not been hitherto charged with the Duty of Excise and new Impost, Twelve Pence upon every Twenty Shillings Value thereof, and so proportionably for every greater or lesser Value, to be paid by the First Buyer thereof from the Merchant, Importer, or Ingrosser; provided, that for all Commodities here rated, which are first imported, and after exported beyond the Sea, the Excise thereof being paid, and due Proof thereof made by Oath of the Party or Witnesses, which Oath the said Commissioners, or the major Part of them, or such as they shall appoint under their Hands and Seals, shall have Power to administer, shall be re-paid, and the said Commissioners and their Deputies shall have Power to re-pay the same accordingly: Provided also, That Hemp, Flax, Tow, Pitch, Tar, Rozin, and Tallow imported, be accounted under Saltery Wares; and that all Cotton Wools imported shall pay only Six Pence upon every Pound Value, and so after that Rate for a greater or lesser Value, to be paid by the First Buyer as aforesaid.

"And be it further Ordained, That the Goods and Commodities hereafter mentioned, made or growing within this Kingdom, shall pay, by Way of Excise upon the First Sale, and by the First Grower and Maker thereof respectively, for every Value of Twenty Shillings, and so proportionably for a greater or lesser Value, in such Manner as is hereafter limited and appointed; videlicet,

"Allum English, to be paid by the First Buyer, Six Pence.

"Copperas English, to be paid by the Maker, Twelve Pence.

"Monmouth Caps of all Sorts, to be paid by the First retailing Buyer, Twelve Pence.

"Hats of all Sorts, to be paid by the First Maker, Twelve Pence.

"Hops English, to be paid by the Planter, Six Pence.

"Saffron, to be paid by the Planter, Twelve Pence.

"Starch, to be paid by the First Maker, Twelve Pence.

"All Manner of Silks or Stuffs made in the Kingdom, made of or mixed with Silk, Hair, Wool, or Thread, not formerly paying Excise; as also all Upholstery Ware made in this Kingdom, not formerly paying Excise, to be paid by the First Buyer, Six Pence.

"Tin, to be paid by the First Buyer, Twelve Pence.

"Woad English, to be paid by the First Buyer, Six Pence.

"Iron made in England, to be paid by the First Buyer, Six Pence.

"Tobacco Pipes of all Sorts, to be paid by the First Buyer, for every Gross, Four Pence.

"And the Commissioners and Officers for the Excise appointed by former Ordinances of Parliament are hereby authorized, enabled, and required, to use all such good Ways and Means, for the discovering, rating, collecting, and securing of the several Sums of Money herein imposed upon the several Commodities abovementioned, as they are authorized and enabled to do in the Case of the Excise set upon other Commodities, by former Ordinances of both Houses of Parliament.

"And be it further Ordered and Ordained, That of the Monies so to be raised by this Addition of Excise, or new Impost, as aforesaid, One Third Part shall be employed towards the Satisfaction of the pressing Debts due to the said several Tradesmen, Strangers, and other Persons, and to several poor Persons for Carriages by Cart and Waggon, as aforesaid; and also for the Relief of wounded and maimed Soldiers, and for Satisfaction of such Sums of Money as are due unto, or have been disbursed, by Physicians, Apothecaries, and Chirurgeons, for the Cure of them; and for the Relief of such Widows and Children as have lost their Husbands and Fathers in the Service of the Commonwealth, as aforesaid; for the Second Third Part, One Moiety thereof shall be employed towards the Maintenance of the Land Forces in Service of the Parliament, and the other Moiety for Provision of Arms and Ammunition for the same; and for the other Third Part, One Moiety thereof shall be employed for the Maintenance of the Navy at Sea, under the Command of the Earl of Warwicke Lord High Admiral of England, and the other Moiety for Provision of Arms, Store, and Ammunition for the same.

"And be it also Ordered and Ordained, That this Ordinance shall begin and take Effect from the 24 Day of June, 1644; and from thence to continue for One Year then next following.

"Die Lunæ, 8 Julii, 1644.

"Ordered, by the Lords assembled in Parliament, That this Ordinance shall be forthwith printed and published.

"J. Brown, Cler. Parliamentorum."

House adjourned till 9^a, Wednesday.