House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 6 December 1644

DIE Veneris, 6 die Decembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Whitacre.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Message from the H. C. about the Answer to The States Ambassadors;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Reynolds, &c. who brought up the Answer to the Paper of The States (fn. 1) Ambassadors, sent down from this House, to which the House of Commons do agree, with some Alterations therein, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence. (Here enter it.) And if their Lordships did agree to them, they desire their Lordships would think of some Way to convey it to The States Ambassadors.

Read, and Agreed to.

and with an Order.

2. An Order to authorize Sir Gilb't Gherrard to pay some Monies to divers Persons, Widows, whose Husbands have been killed in the Service of the Parliament.

Once Read.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Answer to be given to The States Ambassadors; and concerning the Manner to deliver it, and concerning the other Order now brought, their Lordships will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Answer to The States Ambassadors.

The Opinion of this House was, "That this Answer to The States Ambassadors be delivered to them in both Houses, as the Propositions were delivered; and that Tuesday next it be done, at Ten of the Clock in the Morning."

Message from the H. C. with Ordinances.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Nicolls;

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in these Ordinances following:

1. An Ordinance for Two Thousand Pounds, for the Affairs of the West. (Here enter it.)

Read Thrice, and Agreed to.

2. An Ordinance concerning the Excise upon Flesh and Salt. (Here enter.)

Read Thrice, and Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees in both the Ordinances now brought up.

Message to the H. C. about delivering the Answer to The States Ambassadors.

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

To let them know, that The States Ambassadors do receive the Answer in both Houses, where they made their Proposition; and, for that Purpose, have Agreed that Tuesday next shall be the Day, at Ten of the Clock; and desire the House of Commons to join with them therein if they think fit.

Ordinance concerning the Attainder of the Archbishop of Cant.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, to take into Debate the Ordinance concerning the Attainder of the Archbishop of Cant. and to consider of the Evidence.

The House was resumed.

It is Ordered, That this House will proceed further in this Business To-morrow Morning, at which Time the Lords are to have Notice to attend.

Message from the H. C. for Sir William Massam to the One of the Assembly.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Walter Erle, &c.

To desire that Sir Wm. Massam Knight may be added, to be One of the Assembly, in the Place of Sir Tho. Barrington, lately deceased.

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees in the adding Sir Wm. Massam to be of the Assembly; to the other Particulars now brought, their Lordships will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Order for the Commissioners of the Excise to reimburse themselves 2000 £. advanced for the Service of the West.

"Whereas John Towse Esquire, Alderman of the City of London, and the rest of the Commissioners of Excise and new Impost, have advanced and lent the Sum of Two Thousand Pounds, to be issued out for the Service of the West, in such Manner as the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Safety of the West shall appoint: Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the said Commissioners of Excise shall and may satisfy and reimburse themselves the said Two Thousand Pounds, together with Interest for the same after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. for so long Time as the same, or any Part thereof, shall be forborn, out of such Intervals of Receipts as shall not happen when other Payments charged upon the Office of Excise shall fall due, or, for Want of such Intervals, then as the same shall follow in Course; and shall not, by any other Order or Ordinance of One or both Houses of Parliament, be debarred from satisfying themselves accordingly; and that the said Commissioners shall pay the said Two Thousand Pounds unto John Trenchard Esquire, a Member of the House of Commons, whose Receipt shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Commissioners in that Behalf."

Ordinance to continue Messieurs Towse & al. Commissioners of Excise.

"Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That John Towse, Thomas Foote, John Kendricke, Thomas Cullum, and Symond Edmonds, Esquires, and Aldermen of the City of London, John Lamott and Edward Claxton, of the City of London, Esquires, the present Commissioners of the Excise and new Impost, in and through the whole Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick, shall and may do and execute all and every the Clauses, Articles, and other Thing or Things, ordained, mentioned, or contained, in the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, bearing Date the 9th of January, 1643, touching the Excise of Flesh, Victuals, and Salt, as also the Ordinance dated the Third of August, 1644, intituled, "An Ordinance Declaratory, for the better regulating and levying of the Excise of Flesh, within the Cities of London and Westm. Suburbs, and Lines of Communication, which said Two Ordinances are hereby ordained to stand in Force, and be managed by the said Commissioners, for One Year next ensuing the 9th of January, 1644, to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever, who shall receive the like Allowance of Six Pence in every Pound for the Receipt: And be it further Ordained, That as well all and every the said Commissioners, Deputies, and other their Officers, as all and every other Person and Persons which shall do any Thing in Execution or Performance of this present Ordinance, shall be therein from Time to Time protected and saved harmless, by the Power and Authority of both Houses of Parliament."

Answer to the Paper of The States Ambassadors; offering their Mediationsora Peace.

"The Parliament of England do with all respectful Gratitude acknowledge the great and good Affection of the High and Mighty Lords The States Generall of The United Provinces, expressed by their Ambassadors, towards the Good, Peace, and Happiness, of these His Majesty's Dominions and the Parliament; as also their friendly Offer to interpose, and use their best Endeavours, for the effecting thereof, in Case it be so desired: Nor had there been so much Time intermitted herein (the maintaining and seeking of Peace having ever been our chief Aim), had we not before this Offer of my Lords Ambassadors put ourselves in a Way of humble Seeking to His Majesty, to re-obtain a well-grounded Peace, by preparing certain Propositions tending thereunto, which, upon the Common Interest of both Kingdoms, have until of late remained in the Hands of the State of Scotland; and, being returned from thence, are lately sent and presented, by a Committee of both Kingdoms, to His Majesty, from whom we hope to receive a gracious Answer, they tending both to His own as also His Peoples Good: However, we cannot but express our due Sense of the good Respect (from the High and Mighty Lords and States Generall of The United Provinces) to this Kingdom, in their Desires to advance this happy Peace, which will have so great an Influence into the future Good or Evil of all professing the Protestant Religion, in particular the High and Mighty States of the United Provinces, whose Prosperity as our own we shall with all due Affections promote."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.