House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 3 August 1644

DIE Sabbati, 3 die Augusti.

PRAYERS, by Dr. Hoyle.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Committee to examine Witnesses concerning Sir Robert Heath, &c.

Ordered, That the Quorum of the Committee to examine Witnesses concerning Sir Rob't Heath, &c. shall be reduced to One.

States Ambassadors complain of a Book, reflecting on the Prince of Orange.

The Speaker acquainted this House, "That The States Ambassadors complained to him of a printed Book, wherein was a Passage as much reflected upon the Prince of Orange; therefore desired that some Course might be taken to repair him. The Book is intituled, A Continuation of certain special and remarkable Passages informed to the Parliament, &c. said to be printed according to Order."

Coles the Publisher sent for.

Hereupon this House Ordered, That Francis Coles, for whom the Book was printed, shall be summoned to appear before this House forthwith, to be examined by what Order the said Book was printed, and who was the Author of it.

E. of Denbigh gives an Account of the State of Affairs in his Employment.

Remonstrance against the Ordinance for exempting Eccleshall Castle in Staffordshire from Contribution.

The Earl of Denbigh this Day made a Remonstrance of the State of Affairs under his Employments; and humbly presented to the House some Inconveniencies which have happened to the County of Stafford, by an Ordinance of Parliament made concerning exempting Eccleshall Castle from the Payment of Contributions as the rest of the County doth; and presented to the House a Petition from the County of Stafford, that the Houses would please to revoke that Ordinance concerning Eccleshall Castle; and also complained to the House of some Aspersions as were cast abroad by some inserior People in Staffordshire, which reflects much upon his Honour; for Remedy whereof, he shall refer himself to their Lordships Consideration, and in Particular a Paper delivered by Captain Hunt to another Officer under his Lordship.

(Here enter the Remonstrance, &c.)

Ordered, To have a Conference with the House of Commons on Monday Morning, at which Time the Earl of Denbigh is to make the same Narrative as he did now.

Letter to Col. Walton, to protect the E. of Arundel's Estates.

The Earl of Bolingbroke being desired by this House to write a Letter to Colonel Walton, the said Letter was read, and approved of by this House.

(Here enter it.)

Letter from the Committee of Essex, about the E. of Suffolk's Assessment.

The Speaker acquainted this House with a Letter written to him from the Committee of the County of Essex, concerning the Payment of Rates assessed upon the Lands of the Earl of Suffolke for Public Uses, according to the Ordinances of Parliament: Hereupon this House Ordered the Speaker to write a Letter from this House, to the said Committee, to give them Thanks for the Respect shewed to this House in acquainting them with this Business, whereas they might have proceeded according to the Ordinance; and to let them know, that the Earl of Suffolke hath a Copy of the Sum to which the Assessments amount, and his Lordship will either pay the same, or give the Committee Reasons why he should not.

Ordinance for Martial Law.

Next, the House took into Consideration the Conference Yesterday with the House of Commons, concerning the Ordinance for Martial Law.

The First Thing considered was, "Whether the Proviso made by this House shall stand or no?"

And it being put to the Question;

It was Resolved, To stand.

The Second Thing debated was, "Whether this House shall adhere to the Alteration concerning the limiting of the Time for continuing the Ordinance?"

And it was Resolved, That this House adheres to the said Alteration, as it was sent down.

Ordered, That these Lords following are appointed to consider and draw up some Reasons, to be offered to the House of Commons, in Answer to their Reasons, why this House adheres to the Proviso and the Alteration:

Any Three to meet.

Message from the H. C. with Ordinances, &c.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Gilb't Gherrard, Baronet:

1. To desire Concurrence in an Ordinance concerning the Excise. (Here enter it.)

Read Thrice, and Agreed to.

2. An Ordinance (fn. 1) for Two Hundred Pounds to be Weekly paid to maimed Soldiers. (Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

3. An Ordinance for paying Five Thousand Pounds to Mr. Curteene, out of the Excise. (Here enter it.)

Read Thrice, and Agreed to.

4. An Order to pay One Hundred Pounds to Augustine Skynner, for defraying the Charges of Two Companies of Horse and Dragoons, sent to convoy to Portsmouth the last Monies sent to the Lord General.

(Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

5. An Ordinance for clearing some Committees and others, in the County of Huntingdon, for doing some Things which they had not Power of Parliament to do.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House agrees to this Ordinance, with an Amendment.

6. To communicate to their Lordships some Letters sent out of Ireland.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will send an Answer, by Messengers of their own, to that Ordinance concerning the Committees of the County of Huntingdon: To all the other Particulars of this Message, this House agrees to the same.

Ordinance to regulate the One for an Excise upon Flesh.

Next, the Ordinance formerly brought up, concerning the Excise upon Flesh, was read the Second and Third Time. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to, and Ordered to be printed and published.

Message to the H. C. that the Lords agree to it, and to the One for clearing some Persons in Huntingdonshire.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Rich and Mr. Page:

To let them know, that this House agrees to the Ordinance for clearing some Persons of the County of Huntingdon, with the Alteration, wherein their Concurrence is desired.

2. That this House agrees with them in the Ordinance for settling the Excise upon Flesh.

Petitions from the City.

This Day the Sheriffs of the City of London, and divers of the Common Council, presented Two several Petitions to this House, in the Name of the Lord Mayor and Common Council of the said City; which Petitions this House received, and commanded them to be read publicly, as follow. (Here enter them.)

Answer to them.

The Speaker, by Direction of the House, returned this Answer, "That this House gives them Thanks for their Care and good Affection expressed to the Public; and concerning their Petitions, this House will take them into Consideration."

Letter to the Committee of Essex.

Next, the Letter which the Speaker is to write to the Committee of Essex, concerning the Earl of Suffolke, was read, and approved of. (Here enter it.)

Earl of Dnbigh's Remonstrance, concerning many Difficulties he had met with in the Service he was employed in, in the associated Counties of Warwick, &c.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I must in the First Place lament my extreme Unhappiness, that when, by the Employments conferred on me, I should be continued in the Field in this Time of Action, many sad Distempers and Oppositions in Point of Command, which have so generally distracted the Affairs of this Kingdom, and retarded the bringing this unnatural War to a happy Conclusion, have more particularly fallen upon me, and diverted my Endeavours to serve the Cause by a more powerful Way of Operation, which took Effect, not only upon my Entrance into Employment, which is always subject to most Difficulties; but, even in the Execution of those Designs I had upon the Enemy, exposed the Forces under my Command and my Honour to most apparent Inconveniences and Dangers. To prove this, I need go no further than to represent some Passages that happened upon my First Appearance in the Country and at Coventry, whither I went, by the Commands of both Houses, to take Possession of my Charge: When fair Advantages were then offered for the enlarging our Quarters in the County of Worcester, and putting a Garrison into Hartlebury Castle, which at that Time was empty and free from Soldiers, so many Days were lost in Disputes and Debates with the Committee there, till the Enemy was advertised (by what Means is yet unknown) of the Design, and my Endeavours prevented, by their placing a strong Garrison in the Castle, which they hold to be of Consequence, and maintain to this Day, when they thought fit to quit Evesham, a Place likewise of great Importance. This and other Differences brought me back to London, by particular Direction from the Lord General, and from his Excellency to both Houses of Parliament; where I will appeal to those Lords and Gentlemen of both Houses who were appointed to be a Committee to examine and compose those Differences, what my Innocence and Behaviour was; the insupportable Miseries offered me by several Aspersions cast upon my Honour, but not proved; my Readiness to pass by all private Respects and Injuries, as Things much beneath me, to advance the Public Service; and my giving Way to a private Agreement, though of great Disadvantage to myself and the Power I was intrusted with, to testify my Willingness to comply and join with those Gentlemen of the Committee at Coventry, to advance the Public Service; but, in a direct Opposition and Contradiction even to that Agreement, upon my Return thither, when I would have called in the Country, to raise Horse for the Defence of that County and Association (a Duty imposed upon me by both Houses of Parliament), that Committee in express Terms declared their Dissent from calling in the Country, by a Writing sent me under their Hands to Warwick, whither the Day before, and with the Approbation of the Committee then present, I was gone for that Purpose, and the Time and Place appointed, and Order accordingly left with Colonel Barker, for the calling in the City and County of Coventry, with the Consent likewise of the Committee; and although I left off the more probable and effectual Way of raising Horse by calling in the Country, and at the Instance of the Committee confined myself to that of voluntary Contribution, yet what discouraging Speeches were given by some of the Committee to the well-affected People, what secret and clandestine Practices were made by Officers and Soldiers that had Dependence on them, to divert the Country from bringing in of Horse, sufficient Testimonies from Persons of Worth and Integrity shall be produced upon Occasion; notwithstanding, such was the Affection and Zeal of that my Native Country towards this Cause, that, in less than Three Weeks Space, they brought me in Four Hundred if not Five Hundred Horse, and many are not yet brought in, as not having had Time to receive them, by my being sent into other Parts of the Kingdom by Direction from the Committee of both Kingdoms; and when I ordered One of my Troops (then newly raised) for their Safety to quarter in Mackstock Castle, the Governor thereof was commanded by that Committee to deny them Entrance; by which Means that and other my Troops, whom I had designed to quarter in other Garrisons, being imperfect, unarmed, and most without Saddles, were forced to make Use of open Quarters, and so were exposed to the Mercy of the Enemy. What hath happened in the Time of Action, I shall only offer the Disrespect and Backwardness of the Committee of Coventry to afford some Foot to join with Commissary Beher's Horse, when I sent for Commissary Beher and the Committee, to press to both the falling on upon Prince Rupert as he passed by the Confines of Warwickshire, with Forces which we might then easily have dealt with, to join with a greater Strength that waited for him in Leicestershire and those Parts, to raise the Siege at Newark. But the Committee would not afford me any Answer, though I must do Commissary Beher this Right, that he was very forward to embrace that Opportunity of doing the State Service, and did approve of the Design; for other his Misdemeanors towards me, I will not touch upon, as depending upon the Judicature of the Committee of both Kingdoms, from whose Honour and Justice I am more than confident of a full Reparation. What sad Effects the Loss of that Opportunity brought upon the whole Kingdom, the Misfortune that happened after at Newark will declare; and, that I may not omit another Passage of a more unhappy and a more bleeding Nature, when the Wisdom of the Committee of both Kingdoms had provided a timely Remedy to prevent the Calamities that happened after in Lancashire and other Parts, by appointing me to draw together the Forces of Cheshire and Lancashire, and of my Association, to meet Prince Rupert, on his Passage towards the North, his Forces being then no Way considerable, though the Cheshire and the other Forces were willing, the Lancashire Forces, which should have made up the greatest Body of Foot, found Excuses, and would not appear at the Rendezvous I had appointed, though several Orders were sent from the Committee of both Kingdoms: But I will not insist longer upon this Particular; those worthy Gentlemen of Lancashire having suffered too much for such an Omission, which might have proved fatal to these Kingdoms, if God by His Goodness had not prevented it, and, by the Valour of the Armies before York, dispersed those Clouds that hung over us. I shall likewise make known the late coming of Sir Tho. Midleton's Foot, when I lay before Rushall-Hall, though I often sent for them, they arriving only the Night before the rendering up of that Place, and after that my Horse and Sir Tho. Midleton's had beaten back General Hastings (as they call him) and Colonel Baggott into Litchfeild, from whence they had a Design to fall upon our Quarters to raise the Siege. And when I lay before Dudley, upon Notice of the Enemy's having a Design upon me, I sent timely Advertisement to the Committee at Coventry, and the Commanders in Warwickshire, who by Ordinance of Parliament are subordinate to my Orders, for a Reinforcement; but could procure none, nor so much as an Answer, which was a flat Denial, till some Days after the Fight at Dudley, though Sir Will'm Wall'r, moved by no other Tie than the Sense of Honour and Care of the Public Interest, sent Two Thousand Horse to my Relief, under the Command of Lieutenant General Midleton; who, though they came not in Time to have a Share in the Fight, yet arriving early the next Morning, did much distract the Enemy, and were the Occasion of great Security unto me. It is worth the taking Notice, that the Night before the Enemy fell upon us at Dudley, Sir Thomas Midleton's Horse were drawn off from their Guards, contrary to my Order, and sent to fresh Quarters, by which Means we lay open that Night upon One Side to the Enemy, without either Guard or Scout, and those Horse not returned to us the next Day till Half an Hour before the Fight began, though then they did very good Service; and then the Van marched away to Wedgbury Hill, Three Miles from Dudley, though often called back by my Command, but in vain, when the Rear was engaged in Fight upon Tipton Greene. I shall further represent the marching away of the Van and the main Body of the Army, when I was left burning of Montfords-bridge over Severne, only with my Regiment of Horse, with the Staffordshire Horse, and a Regiment of Foot, when the Enemy appeared in the Rear; and that I had Intelligence, that in Shrewsbury and near that Town lay quartered Three Thousand Horse and Foot, a Body as great as ours; and though I sent Colonel Roper and other Officers to command them to make a Halt, my Orders would not be obeyed. Lastly, when my Forces had taken Cholmley House, and that I had immediately withdrawn myself with the principal Officers to take their Advice, whilst I ordered the marching to Knottisford, and so into the North, Word was brought that both Horse and Foot and Train of Artillery were marched away towards Namptwich, and to their several Quarters, without Order or Commission from me, leaving me and my Officers with my Troop of Horse within a Mile of Beeston Castle, a strong Garrison of the Enemy's. I shall only add this, that when I sent Orders to Colonel Archer, a Gentleman of Quality, and one who at his own Charge had raised a Troop of Horse, and bought Arms for Foot in [ (fn. 2) Garrison in] Evesham, the Committee at Coventry would not suffer those Arms to pass the Gates of that City till my Return lately thither; by which Means the raising of Foot was delayed, and an Opportunity lost of reducing that Place, and the most fertile Parts of the County of Worcester, to the Obedience of the Parliament, and the raising of Contributions even to the Gates of Worcester. These unhappy Differences and Disorders may give clear Arguments of what ill Consequence it is to the managing the Affairs of War, that such several Powers and Competitions, though it may be all tending to the same End, should so cross the happy Success and Progress of our Armies, and interfere One upon another upon several Grounds and Pretences; and of the Danger they are exposed unto who command Forces, whose main Body is composed of several Relations and Dependencies.

"To prevent for the future these Inconveniencies, I shall humbly present to your Lordships Considerations, and of the Honourable the House of Commons, the passing this Ordinance, that by this, or some other Way as shall be most agreeable to your Wisdoms, I may be enabled to discharge the Duty which may well be expected from me; and if, in this Ordinance, any Thing of Power shall be thought too large, and beyond those Limits which are intended to be set to Commanders in Chief, by comparing it with what is already granted to others of my Quality, and to several Persons of both the Houses, it will be found to be of less Extent, and no Way exceeding the Bounds of a well-ordered Militia; and I shall humbly beg this Favour of your Lordships and those worthy Gentlemen of the House of Commons, that you will be pleased to give a favourable Construction, and to believe, as a most unseigned Truth, that my Desires in this have no Mixture with any private Ambition or Interest, as having wholly dedicated myself to the Maintenance and Reformation of God's true Religion, and the Service and Prosperity of these Kingdoms; and that the Power and Authority I demand I conceive meerly necessary, and is desired for no other End but to give me a Capacity to execute the Commands of both Houses, and of the Committee of both Kingdoms, as being placed in Authority over me, with Honour and Success; and in the Prosecution whereof in this Cause I shall be ready to expose my Life and Fortunes to all Hazards. I shall humbly desire your Lordships and the Honourable House of Commons to take a speedy Resolution, that, in this Time of Public Action, I may not have the Name of an Employment of this Nature, and be inforced to sit still.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,
Your most humble and faithful Servant,
B. Denbigh."

3 August, 1644.

Committee at Stafford's Petition, to revoke the Ordinance for settling the Pay of Eccleshall Castle from Pyrehill Hundred.

"To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament.

"The humble Petition of the Gentlemen of the Committee of Parliament at Stafford,

"In all Humility sheweth,

"That whereas, by an Ordinance of Parliament, bearing Date the 4th of March last, which came to our Hands the 22th of June, 1644; shewing, That whereas there was no established Pay for the Maintenance of Eccleshall Castle, and the Garrison there, it was therefore Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the said Garrison should be paid out of the West Division of Pirebill Hundred, adjoining to the said Castle, whereof Mr. Lutwich was High Constable; and that the said Part of Pirehill Hundred should be exempted and freed from the Payment of any other Contributions towards the War, during the Time of that Garrison; and that Sir Will'm Brereton should be accountable to both Houses of Parliament for such Monies as are levied by virtue of this Order, as by the said Order may appear. We make bold to acquaint your Lordships, and the Honourable House of Commons, that this Ordinance was procured without the Privity or Consent of any of the Committee, saving Captain Stone the Governor of the said Castle, for aught we can learn; that Eccleshall Castle had, at the Time this Ordinance was obtained, an established Maintenance, by Order from us and the rest of the Committee at Stafford, and dated January the 5th, 1643, and, as we conceived, to the Governor's Content; and that the Ordinance (if it should continue) would be very inconvenient and prejudicial to the Garrison at Stafford, and to the Safety of the County, for the Reasons hereunto annexed; wherefore we shall become humble Suitors to both the Honourable Houses of Parliament, that the said Ordinance may be revoked; and that the Castle may not be severed from the rest of the County, nor from the Command of the Lord General and the Committee here.

"And we shall pray, &c.
Tho. Homersly Mayor.
Lew. Chadwick Governor.
Phil. Jackson.
Sr. Rugeley.
Edward Leigh.
Tho. Crompton.
Will. Bendy."

"The Reasons which induce us to think that the Ordinance of Parliament, of the 4th of March, of settling the Weekly Pay of the West Division of Pirehill Hundred upon Eccleshall Castle, &c. will be prejudicial to the Garrison of Stafford, and to the Safety of the County, are these:

Reasons for it.

"1. First, We conceive (under Favour) that it much eclipseth the Earl of Denbigh our Lord General's Power, and doth lessen his Commission.

"2. Secondly, That it is in Part destructive to the Garrison at Stafford, and will be very prejudicial to the raising of Forces to clear the rest of the Counties; besides, divers of our Commanders, who are a great Part of the Strength of the Garrison at Stafford, have Assignations out of that Part of the Hundred of Pirehill, and some of them their whole Maintenance thence.

3. That neither Money, Men, nor Horses, can be raised within those Divisions; which will cause the other Part of the Hundred and County within our Subjection to be unwilling to raise Men or Money, when they are exempted.

"4. Fourthly, That it deprives the County of a Member; and is not accountable to the Committee, but only to the Parliament; nor is bound to do Service to the rest of the County, but at Pleasure.

"5. Fifthly, That, by Situation, it is of that Strength, that Fifty Soldiers are a competent Number to keep it against a potent Army.

"Tho. Homersly Mayor.
Lew. Chadwick Governor.
Phill. Jackson.
St. Rugeley.
Edw'd Leigh.
Tho. Crompton.
Will. Bendye."

Petition of the Lord Mayor, &c. for Delinquents Debts to be paid out of their sequestered Estates when sold.

"To the Right Honourable the Lords assembled in Parliament.

"The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, of the City of London, in Common Council assembled,

"Sheweth,

"That the Inhabitants of the City of London, being for the most Part Merchants and Tradesmen, Artificers and Men of Professions, and other well-affected Persons to the Cause, who, by reason of their Trade, Commerce, and Professions, and otherwise, have trusted and given Credit for great Parts of their Estates, to several Persons in London, and other Parts of the Kingdom; and finding, by sad Experience, that divers Persons whom they have so trusted are become Malignants or Delinquents, and thereupon many of their Estates have been seized and sequestered by virtue of several Ordinances of Parliament, and no Provision being yet made for Payment of their just and true Debts by them owing; by which Means the Petitioners are ready to make it appear, that the Citizens and Persons aforesaid (if not provided for) are like to be ruined, and lose the greatest Part of their Estates, which should maintain themselves and Families, and both encourage and enable them to contribute as they have formerly freely done to the Public.

"All which your Petitioners, being intrusted with the Welfare of the said City, do humbly present unto your great Wisdoms and grave Considerations; and are humble Suitors unto this most Honourable House, that you will be pleased, that in all Sequestrations and Sales already made, or to be made, of the (fn. 3) Estate of any Persons, Provision may be made for the Payment of their just and true Debts out of their Estates, in such Sort as to your Wisdoms shall seem most meet.

"And your Petitioners shall daily pray, &c.

"Michell."

Petition of the Lord Mayor, &c. for bringing Delinquents to Judgement.

"To the Right Honourable the Lords assembled in Parliament.

"The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, of the City of London, assembled,

"Most humbly (fn. 4) sheweth;

"That, through the Blessing of Almighty God upon your indefatigable Endeavours and undaunted Resolutions, the glorious Work of Reformation both in Church and State (which hath suffered great Interruption by our Adversaries) is now in a hopeful Way to come to such an Issue as will bring much Glory to God, Comfort to His People, and Honour to you in succeeding Ages; and your Petitioners taking into their serious Consideration the Obstructions, which like so many Remoras have so long retarded the happy Conclusion of this glorious Work from the safe Harbour of a blessed and well-founded Peace, do humbly conceive the Want of Execution of Justice upon Delinquents to be the chief Cause of the Continuance of our present Troubles, and, we may justly fear, the heavy Displeasure of God upon us; for, whilst the Authors of our Miseries remain unpunished, they take Liberty to speak against Religion and State at their Pleasures, to plot and practice Mischief against the Kingdom and Parliament; and their Impunity hath hardened them in their pernicious Ways and Designs, to the seducing and encouraging others to the like Practice with themselves, to the great Dishonour of God, Scandal of Religion, and the Grief of good Men, to think that, when any Disaster happens to any of our Armies and Parties abroad, they boast and rejoice with as much Liberty and Boldness as those that are in the King's Quarters.

"For Removal of our just Fears, and Prevention of the fad Consequences thereof, we humbly submit to the Wisdom and Care of this Honourable House; and do make it (fn. 5) our earnest and humble Suit,

"That, according to our former Petition, presented in May last, speedy Course may be taken for the bringing to Judgement of all Delinquents, that they may receive due Punishment suitable to their Demerits, who have been destructive to the Peace and Welfare of this Kingdom; and that, in the mean Time, they may be closely imprisoned; and we shall employ our Care and utmost Endeavours chearfully to obey your Orders and Directions, and lay down our Lives and Estates for the Defence of our Religion, Laws, and Liberties, until the Affairs of Church and Commonwealth shall receive such a happy Conclusion as may be well pleasing to Almighty God, and which all good Men most heartily desire and pray for.

"And we shall ever pray, &c.

"Michel."

Letter to the Committee in Essex, touching Rates assessed upon the Earl of Suffolk.

"Gentlemen,

"I have acquainted the House of Peers with your Letter to me, concerning the Earl of Suffolk's Assessments; and their Lordships have given me Command, by this, to let you know, that they take this Proceeding of yours to be a Respect to this House; and the Earl of Suffolke, having a Copy of the Particulars you sent, will either pay the Assessments, or else offer some Reasons to the Committee there, why he should not. So I rest

"Your very affectionate Friend,
Grey de Warke, Speaker, &c.

Westm. the 3d of August, 1644.

"To Sir Henry Holcroft, Sir Tho. Honywood, and the rest of the Committee for the County of Essex."

Letter to Colonel Walson, for protecting the Earl of Arundel's Estates.

"SIR,

"I have, according to your Desire in your Letter of the 8th of July last, acquainted the House of Peers with it, who have commanded me to make known unto you;

"First, That they desire you to see the Orders of Parliament for the preserving the Estate of the Earl of Arundell be duly observed.

"Secondly, They recommend to you to take Care, that the Castle and Houses of the Earl of Arundell be not demolished, nor no Spoil of his Goods, or Estate, or Deer.

"Thirdly, That the Timber taken by you for Publie Use may be paid for, according to your Letter; and, for that End, that the Servants of the Earl of Arundell may have free Liberty to take Notice of such Timber and Wood as hath been felled; and for so much as yet remains undisposed, they may make Sale of, towards the Payment of Five Hundred Pounds rated upon the said Earl, and such other Rates as are imposed upon him for the Public Service of the Parliament; and that you will for the future take the Timber of Papists and Delinquents, to be employed for the Use of the Parliament, and not out of the Estate of the Earl of Arundell, who is under no Delinquency, but pays all Taxes and Payments that are assessed by the Parliament.

"And now I shall desire you to take this Advice from me, That the Parliament, out of the good Conceit they have of you, having spared your Man, you would be careful of performing the Parliament's Commands abovementioned, lestfurther Inconvenience and Trouble happen unto him.

"I have no more; but, Sir, remain

"Your very loving Friend,
Bolingbrooke.

3 August, 1644.

"For my very loving Friend Colonel Walton, Governor of the Town of Lynne Regis. These."

Order for 154 l. to Skinner, for a Convoy of Money sent to Portsmouth.

"Whereas the County of Kent did set forth Two Companies of Horse and Dragoons, upon the Desire of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to convoy to Portsmouth the last Monies sent to my Lord General's Army, the Charge whereof, being audited, amounteth to the Sum of One Hundred and Fifty-four Pounds: It is this Day Ordered, &c. That the said Sum of One Hundred and Fifty-four Pounds be forthwith paid to Austin Skinner Esquire, a Member of the House of Commons, out of the Monies arising upon the Receipt of Excise, and assigned to my Lord General's Army."

Order for 5000 l. to Curteen, for Salt-petre.

"Whereas, by an Ordinance of Parliament of the 30th of January, 1643, upon a Contract made by the Committee of Safety of the Kingdom and Will'm Curteene Esquire, for a Parcel of Salt-petre, amounting, by Estimate, at the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. to Ten Thousand Pounds, the said Mr. Curteene was to be paid for the said Petre out of the Monies arising on the several Ordinances of Excise, on the 11th of September, 1643, and the 10th of January last; videlicet, Five Thousand Pounds out of the One, and Five Thousand Pounds out of the other; which latter Ordinance of the 10th of January, being for the Excise of Flesh and Salt, was and is appropriated to the Use of the Navy; and whereas it was intended that the One Moiety of the said Saltpetre should be for the Use of the Navy, which is since converted to the Supply of several Forts, Garrisons, and Armies, employed of the King, Parliament, and Kingdom: Be it therefore Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the (fn. 6) Five Thousand Pounds paid, or appointed to be paid, to Mr. Curteene, out of the Ordinances of Excise of the said 10th of January, for Flesh and Salt, shall be satisfied and paid the said Mr. Carteene, or his Assigns, out of the Ordinance of the 11th of September, or any other Ordinances of Excise not appropriated to the Use of the Navy; and the Commissioners of Excise are hereby required to see a due Execution and Performance of this Ordinance, notwithstanding any former Ordinance in this Case."

"An Ordinance for the better regulating and levying of the Excise of Flesh, within the Cities of London and Westm'r, Suburbs, and Lines of Communication.

Ordinance for regulating the One for an Excise upon Flesh.

"Whereas, by a late Ordinance of Parliament, bearing Date the 9th of January, 1643, there is a Rate of Excise set upon all Beeves, Veals, Muttons, Porks, Lambs, and other Butchers Meat, to be killed for Provision of Victuals, and the same to be levied according to the Value of the Beast when he is living; and all Butchers and others, from whom any such Excise should at any Time become due, to pay and be accountable for the same Weekly.

"Now the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, finding the many Inconveniences that do and will of Necessity arise in levying of the same, within the Cities of Lond'n and Westm. Suburbs of both, and Lines of Communication, by the Rule prescribed by the aforesaid Ordinance, if the collecting the said Excise should be continued for the future in that Way;

"For Prevention whereof, and for the more regular and facile levying the same for the future, within the Cities of London and Westm'r, their Suburbs, and Lines of Communication aforesaid; be it Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That all Beeves, Muttons, Veals, Lambs, Porks, and other Butchers Meat in the aforesaid Ordinances mentioned to be exciseable, from and after the 20th Day of this present July, which shall be brought to be killed for Slaughter and Provision of Victual, within the Cities of London and Westm. their Suburbs, and Lines of Communication, shall be liable to pay while all such Cattle are yet alive the said Duty of Excise, being One Shilling in every Twenty Shillings Value of the Beast living: And be (fn. 7) it further Ordained, That all Graziers, Butchers, and others, who, from and after the Day and Year aforesaid, shall bring any live Beeves, Muttons, Veals, Lambs, Porks, or other Sort of Butchers Ware before specified, either by Land or by Water, into the Cities of London and Westm. their Suburbs, or Lines of Communication, to be killed for Sale, or private Spending, do and shall, at the Ports and First Entrance within the Lines of Communication, make known unto such Officer or Officers as shall be appointed by the Commissioners of Excise to attend such Port or Place, the Number and Nature of the said Cattle, and the Names of the right Owners of them, which the said Officers shall register in a Book, and deliver unto the Person who hath the Charge of the said Cattle a Certificate or Ticket of the same.

"And be it further Ordained, That no Grazier, Butcher, or other Person whatsoever, who, from and after the Day and Year aforesaid, shall bring any live Beeves, Muttons, Veals, Lambs, Porks, or other Butchers Ware before specified, either by Land or by Water, into the Cities of Lond'n and Westm'r, and their Suburbs, or Lines of Communication, do or shall presume to put any such Beast to Sale, in any Place within the Line of Communication, but in the open and usual Place and Market in Smithfeild, upon Pain of Forfeiture of such Beast, or the Value thereof.

"And that every such Grazier, or other, who shall put to Sale any Kind of Cattle exciseable by this Ordinance, within the said Cities of Lond'n or Westm'r, or Line of Communication, and within the Time aforesaid, do and shall give Notice thereof, together with the true Price of such Cattle, unto the Officer or Deputy appointed by the Commissioners of Excise to attend at (fn. 8) some known Place in Smithfeild, to register all such Cattle, and to receive the Excise due for them; and shall not make Delivery of any Cattle so sold until the Excise be duly paid, and a Ticket obtained to testify the same, upon Forfeiture of Treble the Value of the Excise of such Cattle; and that every Butcher who shall buy such Cattle shall duly pay the Excise as aforesaid, before he kill the same, upon Pain of Forfeiture of the said Cattle, or the Value of it.

"And be it further Ordained, That if any Butcher or other, who, from and after the Day and Year abovewritten, shall bring any live Cattle above specified, either by Land or by Water, into the Cities of London and Westm'r, their Suburbs, or Lines of Communication, to kill for Sale, or his own private Spending, which he or they bought without the Line of Communication, that every such Butcher or other shall, at the Entrance of such Port, pay the said Duty of Excise for all such Cattle, according to the Intent of this Ordinance, unto the Officers for that Purpose there deputed to receive the same; and that all Butchers and others, who, for the Uses aforesaid, shall from henceforth buy, feed, or otherwise have in Readiness to kill for Provision of Victual, the Sorts and Kinds of Cattle beforementioned, within the Cities of London and Westm'r, or Line of Communication, which came not immediately from without the Line, shall, before any such Cattle be by them put to Sale or killed, pay the said Duty of Excise in to the Office of Excise, or else there give sufficient Testimony that it was paid before: And be it likewise Ordained, That all and every such Grazier, Butcher, or other Person or Persons whatsoever, as shall seek to evade this Ordinance, by refusing to pay the aforesaid Duty of Excise according to the Tenor hereof, or practise any other fraudulent Means or Ways to elude the same in any Particular, that every such Person or Persons so offending, besides the several Penalties beforementioned, shall be esteemed a Person ill-affected to the State, and suffer such further Punishment as both Houses of Parliament shall adjudge.

"And lastly, the said Lords and Commons do further Ordain and Declare, That every other Matter and Thing contained in the former Ordinance of Excise on Flesh of the 9th of January last, and thereby enjoined to be executed and done, save in the Matter of regulating and levying of the same as by this Ordinance, shall to all Intents and Purposes remain and be in full Force and Virtue."

Order for 200 l. a Week for maimed Soldiers.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, That the Commissioners for the Excise shall duly pay the Two Hundred Pounds a Week formerly appointed by Ordinance of Parliament, dated the 18th of June, 1644, for the wounded and maimed Soldiers and Widows, out of One Sixth Part of the new Excise, unto Will'm Greenhill, John Pocock, John Randall, and Rich'd Hutchinson, Treasurers appointed for the maimed Soldiers, or unto any Two of them; and in case that the said Sixth Part assigned out of the said new Excise for the said maimed and wounded Soldiers and Widows, by the late Ordinance dated the 8th of July, 1644, shall not be sufficient to pay the said Two Hundred Pounds a Week, as is above directed, then the said Commissioners are hereby authorized and directed to pay the same, or so much thereof as shall be wanting upon the new Excise, out of the old, to the End that so necessary and charitable a Work as the relieving of the poor maimed Soldiers and Widows may no Ways be neglected; and the Acquittance or Acquittances under the Hands of the beforementioned Will'm Greenhill, John Pocock, John Randall, and Rich'd Hutchinson, Treasurers for the said maimed Soldiers, or any Two of them, shall be a sufficient Discharge unto the said Commissioners of Excise for the Payment of the said Two Hundred Pounds a Week, in Manner aforesaid, notwithstanding any Thing contained in any former Ordinance to the contrary."

Ordinance for disposing of the Monies which come in upon the additional Excise.

"Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Monies raised upon the additional Excise, by an Ordinance of the 8th of July, 1644, and by that Ordinance divided into Three Parts, and apportioned to several Uses, shall be paid (fn. 9) by the Commissioners of Excise unto the Persons hereafter mentioned; that is to say, the Moiety of One Third Part, appointed by the said Ordinance for the Satisfaction of the pressing Debts due to the several Handicraftsmen, Strangers, and other Persons, for Arms and Ammunition heretofore bought for the Use of the State, and to several poor Persons for Carriage by Carts and Waggons for the same Use, shall be paid to Sir Gilbert Gerrard Knight, Treasurer at Wars, for those Uses; the other Moiety of that Third Part, appointed for the Relief of wounded and maimed Soldiers, and for Satisfaction of Physicians, Apothecaries, Chirurgeons for the Cure of such Soldiers, and for the Relief of such Widows and Children as have lost their Husbands and Fathers in the Service of the Commonwealth, shall be paid unto Will'm Greenhill, John Pocock, John Randall, and Rich'd Hutchinson, Treasurers appointed for the maimed Soldiers, or unto any Two of them, for those Uses; the Second Third Part, whereof the One Moiety is by that Ordinance appointed to be employed towards the Land Forces in Service of the Parliament, shall be paid to the said Sir Gilb't Gerrard Knight; and the other Moiety, appointed for the Provision of Arms and Ammunition for the said Land Forces, shall be paid to Sir Walter Erle Knight, Lieutenant of the Ordnance; the last Third Part, the One Moiety whereof is appointed by that Ordinance for the Maintenance of the Navy by Sea, shall be paid to Sir Henry Vane Junior, Knight, Treasurer of the Navy, by Order of the Committee of the Navy; the other Moiety of the said Third Part, appointed for Arms, Stores, and Ammunition for the Navy, shall be paid to the said Sir Walter Erle Knight, for the Use of the Navy, by Order of the said Committee of the Navy; and the Receipts of the several Persons appointed by this Ordinance, for the respective Sums by them to be received according to the Intent of this Ordinance, shall be a Warrant and Discharge unto the Commissioners of Excise."