House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 26 December 1644

DIE Jovis, 26 die Decembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Young.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker this Day.

Thanks to the Preachers at the Fast.

Ordered, That Mr. Callamy and Mr. Obadiah have hereby Thanks returned to them, for their great Pains in Preaching Yesterday before the Lords at the Fast, in the Abby Church at Westm; and they are hereby desired to print their Sermons.

Preachers at the next Fast.

Ordered, That Mr. Newcomen and Mr. Vynes are hereby appointed to preach before the Lords the next Fast-day, at the Abby Church in Westm.

Lady Wilmott's Petition, to free her own Estate from Sequestration.

Upon reading the Petition of Anne Viscountess Willmott, late Wife of Sir Francis Henry Lee; shewing, "After her Marriage with the Lord Viscount Willmott, her Estate was sequestered, and yet remains upon Sequestration of the Parliament; and because she hath been and is very cordial for the Parliament, and their Proceedings, she humbly desires that she may enjoy her own Estate (which she had formerly before her Marriage with the Lord Wilmott), lying in Querendon, in the County of Bucks; and that the Sequestration may be taken off."

Hereupon this House Ordered, That this Petition be sent to the House of Commons, by the next Message, with Recommendations, and desire that it be referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations.

Ordinance to bring in the Arrears of the Monthly Assessments in London, &c.

Next, the Ordinance for bringing in the Arrears of the Monthly Assessments was read, and Agreed to, with a Proviso; and to be sent to the House of Commons, to desire their Concurrence in the Proviso.

Ordinance to exclude Members of both Houses from holding Offices, Civil or Military.

Next, the Ordinance concerning excepting the Members of either House from having any Places in Civil or Martial Affairs, was read the Second Time, and Ordered to be committed to a Committee of the whole House; and to be taken into Consideration on Saturday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock; and all the Lords are to attend the House then, and (fn. 1) in the mean Time to have Notice.

Message to the H. C. for an Answer about referring the Manner of the Treaty, and about the E. of Denbigh's Business.

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

To desire their Answer concerning the late Message, touching referring the Consideration of the Manner and Instructions of the Treaty to the Committee of Fourteen Lords and Twenty-eight Commoners; also to deliver them the Ordinance, with the Proviso, concerning the Arrears of the Monthly Assessment; further, to communicate to them the Petition of the Lady Wilmott, that it may be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations; lastly, to desire their Answer concerning the Earl of Denbigh's Business.

Disturbances to be prevented, in Westm. Abby, in Service-time.

Ordered, That no People be permitted to walk in the Abby Church of Westm. in Sermon-time, nor any Boys play, to the Disturbance of the Congregation; and that the Officers belonging to the said Church be here commanded to take Care to prevent the same.

Ordered, To send to the House of Commons Tomorrow, to desire an Answer concerning the Earl of Denbigh's Business.

North and Conisby.

Ordered, That the Cause between Captain North and Mr. Conisby shall be heard this Day Fortnight, at the Bar.

Libel against the Peers.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor of London, and the Printers, be sent to, to give an Account of the scandalous Paper printed and dispersed, what they have done in discovering the Author, Printer, and Publisher.

"26 Decemb. 1644.

(fn. 2) "An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for bringing in the Arrears of the Monthly Assessment, formerly charged upon the Cities of London and Westminster, and all other Parishes and Places within the Line of Communication and County of Middlesex.

Ordinance for bringing in the Arrears of the Monthly Assessment, in London, &c.

"Whereas, by an Ordinance of the Six and Twentieth of March last, the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled did Ordain, That there should be Monthly charged and levied, upon the Cities of London and Westminster, the Hamlets of The Tower, the Borough of Southwark, and all other Parishes and Places within the Line of Communication and Weekly Bills of Mortality, the Sum of Six Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-two Pounds, Four Shillings; and upon the County of Middlesex, without the said Limits; the Sum of One Thousand Fourscore and Seventeen Pounds, Eleven Shillings; for the Maintenance and Payment of the Army under the immediate Command of the Earl of Essex, Lord General of the Forces raised by the Parliament, and other Things in the said Ordinance mentioned, for the Space of Four Months, to commence from the Twentieth Day of March, 1643, accounting Twenty-eight Days to the Month, to be assessed, levied, and collected, and paid unto Sir Gilbert Gerard Baronet, in such Manner, and by such Ways and Means, as in and by the said Ordinance is mentioned and expressed: And whereas, by another Ordinance, of the Fourth of October last, the said Lords and Commons did Ordain, That the greatest Part of the Sums due and payable by virtue of the said former Ordinance, which were then in Arrear, should by the said Sir Gilbert Gerard be paid over to Sir Walter Earl Knight, Lieutenant of the Ordnance, for the Uses therein limited and expressed; enjoining all and every such Persons, as by the said first-recited Ordinance were appointed to collect and levy the said Arrears, forthwith to proceed effectually therein, and to make Payment of the same in such Manner as in and by the said first-recited Ordinance was formerly appointed; notwithstanding which, through the Carelessness and Negligence of many of those Persons who by the said first-recited Ordinance were nominated and appointed to collect and levy the said Sums, very little of the said Arrears hath since that Time been brought in and paid unto the said Sir Gilbert Gerard, or his Assigns:

"The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament do therefore now Ordain, That if any Person or Persons, by virtue of the said first-recited Ordinance nominated and appointed to collect, levy, or pay, any of the Sums before mentioned, shall wilfully neglect or refuse to perform the same; the Lord Mayor of the City of London for the Time being, or any Two Aldermen of the said City within the same and Liberties thereof, and the respective Committees without the said City and the Liberties thereof for the City of Westminster, the Borough of Southwark, and County of Middlesex, by virtue of the said first-recited Ordinance respectively nominated and appointed as aforesaid, or any Five of them, have hereby Power to commit such Person or Persons so refusing or neglecting to Prison, there to remain without Bail or Mainprize, until he shall conform himself; or otherwise to impose upon such Person or Persons, for every Time so refusing or neglecting to perform the said Service, or their Duties therein, such Fine or Fines as to them shall be thought fit, and cause the same to be levied by Distress and Sale of Goods, in such Manner and Form as in and by the said first-recited Ordinance, for and concerning such Persons as should refuse or neglect to pay the Sums of Money whereat they should be rated or assessed by virtue of that Ordinance, is limited and appointed: Provided, That no Fine so imposed shall for any One Offence exceed the Sum of Five Pounds.

"Provided, That this Ordinance shall not any Ways extend to the Members of either of the Houses of Parliament, or to the Assistants or Attendants to the House of Peers.

"26 Decem. 1644.

"H. Elsynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.