House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 4 March 1645

DIE Martis, 4 die Martii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Hoyle.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

A Letter was read, from Colonel Sydenham, Governor of Weymouth, to the Lord General:

Letter from Colonel Sydenham, that the Siege of Melcomb Regis was raised.

"May it please your Excellency,

"The besieging Enemy, and my Care to preserve this Place, have hindered me of presenting unto you (as often as I desired) an Account of the Condition of this Garrison. Since my last, I fell upon, and by Assault recovered, The Chappell Fort, and Town of Waymouth, where I took Prisoners One Lieutenant Colonel, One Major, Three Captains, Three Lieutenants, and One Hundred Common Soldiers, which so enraged the Enemy, that they presently resolved to storm us; and, in Pursuance of the same, on Thursday last, about Midnight, they fell on us at Four several Places, but were (blessed be God) driven back with a very considerable Loss on their Part; they carried away of wounded Men about Eighty, and left slain on the Place about Sixty, having not Time to carry them off before Day, as they did many, of whom divers were well apparelled, with Buff Coats and Velvet Jackets, and amongst others Lieutenant Colonel Blewett. On Friday, about Ten of the Clock, they quitted all their Forts, carrying with them nothing but their Plunder, and are marched quietly to Dorchester, where they yet are; but (as I believe) in such a trembling Posture, that, could an Army speedily be advanced, I conceive it would fully settle and quiet the West, which the Enemy now endeavours to ruin and destroy as much as in them lieth. I have not else to add, but my Desires to be accounted, as I am, Sir,

"Your Excellency's Most humble Servant,

Melcomb Regis, 1st March, 1644.

"W. Sydenham."

Thanksgiving for taking Shrewsbury and Weymouth.

It was moved, "That a Day of Thanksgiving may be appointed, to praise God, for the good Success of the taking the Town of Shrewsbury, and regaining of Weymouth:" Which was resolved of; and To-morrow Sevennight is appointed for the same; and Mr. Harris and Mr. Arrowsmith to preach, one in the Morning, the other in the Afternoon, before the Members of both Houses of Parliament; and the Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the Aldermen, to be invited to be there; the Place to be at Christs Church, in London; and the House of Commons to be desired to concur herein.

Message to the H. C. about it, and borrowing Money from the City.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Heath:

To deliver the Paper agreed (fn. 1) on Yesterday, in Answer to the Message of the House of Commons, concerning going to the City, to a Common Council, about lending of Monies, &c.

2. To desire that a Thanksgiving be made to Almighty God, To-morrow Sevennight, in Christs Church, London, before both Houses of Parliament, for His great Mercy, in delivering Shrewsbury into their Hands, as also for the extraordinary Recovery of Weymouth; and that Mr. Harris and Mr. Arrowsmith be desired to preach then, the one in the Forenoon, the other in the Afternoon; and that the Lord Mayor and his Brethren be desired to be then present; and herein to desire the Concurrence of the House of Commons.

List of Officers to be employed in Sir T. Fairfax's Army.

Ordered, That this House will take into Consideration the List of the Officers Names of the Army Tomorrow Morning; and the Gentleman Usher is to attend Sir Tho. Fairefaix, to give him Notice, that this House desires him to appoint some Person as he shall think fit, to be ready to give their Lordships Satisfaction, concerning any of the Officers, either of Horse or Foot, mentioned in the List, as they shall desire.

Answer from the H. C.

Doctor Aylett, &c. return with this Answer from the House of Commons:

That they agree to all the Particulars in the Paper, excepting to that concerning a Common Hall; touching which, they will send an Answer presently, by Messengers of their own.

Message from thence, about calling a Common Hall.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Pye Knight, &c.

To desire a Conference, concerning the calling of a Common Hall in London.

Answer.

The Answer returned was:

That this House will give a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, as is desired.

Monsieur De La Salles and Smith, & al.

Next, the Counsel of Monsieur De La Salles, and the Counsel of Smith, &c. were called in; and the Petition of Monsieur De La Salles was read; and also the Answer of the Defendants was read: And then the Counsel of the Plaintiff entered upon the Merits of the Cause, to which the Counsel of the Defendants objected; alledging, it was not mentioned in the Petition, to which they had given a full Answer to those Things therein contained. The Counsel of the Plaintiff, insisting upon it, desired the Directions of this House.

Hereupon the House took the same into Consideration; and, after a serious Debate, it was Resolved, upon the Question, That this Cause shall be dismissed this House.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed.

Report of the Conference about calling a Common Council.

The Speaker reported the Effect of the Conference; which was, "To desire their Lordships Concurrence for the Common Council, it being already called; and it will be a great Disappointing of them to put it off: Besides, a Common Council is the proper Way to resort to for lending of Monies, the Common Hall having no Power for that.

"2. They desired that the Commissioners may meet presently, and consider of the Heads which they are to deliver to the Common Council, concerning the Treaty."

Message to the H. C. about it, and to sit P.M.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Heath:

To let them know, that this House agrrees to a Common Council in London, and that the Commissioners meet presently; and that this House intends to sit this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, and desire them to do the like, if it may stand with their Conveniency.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 3^a post meridiem.

Post meridiem.

PRAYERS, by Doctor Hoyle.

Ds. Grey de Wark, Speaker.

Lord North excused.

Answer from the H.C.

Mr. Doctor Aylett and Mr. Doctor Heath returned Answer from the House of Commons:

That they will sit this Afternoon, as is desired; and that their Members shall meet with such Lords as are to go into the City; and as touching the Ordinance for the taking off Mr. Beck's Sequestration, and Mr. White's, Petition, they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Paper to induce the Londoners to lend Money.

The Committee appointed to draw up a Paper to induce the Londoners to lend Money, (fn. 2) was brought in by the said Committee, read, and approved.

Sent to the H. C.

Mr. Doctor Aylett and Mr. Doctor Heath sent to the House of Commons, for their Approbation thereof.

They returning, brought Word,

"That the House of Commons do agree with their Lordships therein:

"That the Houses have not received Satisfaction in Three Propositions treated upon, of Religion, &c. according to the good Progress that should therein be made; the Houses intended an Enlargement of Time for the Treaty; which failing, the Commissioners returned, according to their Instructions.

"That the Houses resolved speedily to put their Forces into the best Posture they can, for the vigorous Prosecution of the War, as the best Means now left for the attaining of Peace; wherein they find themselves encouraged, by the late good Success which God hath given them, in the gaining of Shrewsbury and Weymouth.

"The Houses have passed an Ordinance, for the raising of Fifty Thousand Pounds a Month, to pay the Army under Sir Thomas Fairefax' Command, the Credit whereof they have appointed to be now tendered to the City, for the present Advance of Eighty Thousand Pounds, which is necessary to put their Forces into the Field; and they are willing that the City shall have the Nomination of the Treasurers, for receiving the Monies of that Ordinance, upon their Advance of the said Eighty Thousand Pounds; and that the Treasurers shall have the Salary mentioned in that Ordinance.

"That, for their further Satisfaction upon the Treaty, the Houses intend that the Proceedings shall be printed, with a Declaration of both Kingdoms upon it."

Adjourn.

Adjourn; 9 To-morrow.