House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 5 December 1645

Die Veneris, 5 die Decembris.

Prayers, by Mr. Hickes.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Report of the Conference about Propositions for Peace;

The Speaker this Day reported the Conference lately had with the House of Commons, which was of several Parts:

"1. The House of Commons considering the great Pressures and Miseries the Kingdom lies under by reason of this unnatural War, and out of their Desires to have a safe and well-grounded Peace obtained, they have prepared some Propositions to be presented to His Majesty; there being some few Alterations in them from those Propositions formerly presented to the King, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

about Committees residing with the Armies before Newark;

The Second Part of the Conference was, to desire their Lordships Concurrence in a Vote, That a Committee be appointed, to reside upon the Place, with the Armies before Newarke, to meet with the Committee of the Scotts, and be a joint Committee of both Kingdoms.

and about the Ordinance concerning Covent Garden Church.

"The Third Part of the Conference was, touching the Ordinance for the making The Covent Garden Church Parochial, which was sent down to the House of Commons with some Alterations; in some of which they agree, and in others not; but do offer some other Alterations to their Lordships Consideration."

Ordered, That the Consideration of these Alterations is referred to the Committee for that Ordinance; and to meet on Monday next, in the Afternoon, at Three a Clock.

Propositions for a Peace.

Ordered, That this House will take the Propositions into Consideration on Monday Morning next.

Committee to reside with the Armies before Newark.

Ordered, That the Earls of Rutland and Lyncolne, the Lord Willoughby and the Lord Mountague, whereof One of them to be of the Quorum, are nominated by this House to be Commissioners, with a proportionable Number of the House of Commons, to reside upon the Place, with the Armies before Newarke, to meet with the Committee of the Scotts, and be a joint Committee of both Kingdoms.

Committee to prepare Instructions for them.

Ordered, That the Earl of Sarum, Earl of Denbigh, Lord Viscount Say & Seale, and the Lord North, are appointed to draw up Instructions, to be given to the Committees that are to reside with the (fn. 1) Armies about Newarke; and to desire the House of Commons would appoint a Committee of a proportionable Number, to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Three a Clock. Any Two of the Lords.

Letter from the Scots Commissioners.

A Letter from the Scotts Commissioners was read; and Ordered to be communicated to the House of Commons. (Here enter it.)

Ordinance to continue Martial Law in Kent.

An Ordinance was presented to this House, for continuing the Ordinance for granting Martial Law for the County of Kent for Six Months longer; which was read Twice, and committed to the Earl of Northumb. and the Lord Roberts, to consider of it, and report the same to this House.

Major Mathews to be Governor of Cardiff Castle; and Pritchard Governor of the Town.

"Whereas Edward Prichard Esquire is, by Order of both Houses, of the First of this Instant Decemb. appointed Governor of the Town and Castle of Cardiff; and in regard it is not thought so fit and convenient, in respect of the Safety of the Town and Castle, that the Command thereof should be in the Hands of One and the same Person: It is Ordered, by the Lords and assembled in Parliament, That the said Order of the said First of December is hereby repealed and void; and Major Christopher Mathewes is hereby made Governor of the said Castle of Cardiff, and the said Edward Prichard Governor only of the Town; and that the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms do grant them Commissions severally, according to this Order."

Ordered, That the Concurrence of the House of Commons be desired herein.

Ordinance to continue the One for Martial Law in Kent.

The Earl of Northumb. reported the Ordinance for Continuance of the Ordinance for Martial Law in Kent; which was read, as follows:

"Whereas an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, dated the Seventh of June, 1645, constituting Commissioners and a Council of War, for the Trial of Persons therein expressed, for the County of Kent, which said Ordinance doth expire on the Seventh of this present December: Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the said Ordinance, and every Clause and Proviso therein contained, shall continue for Six Months from and after the said Seventh of December Instant, and no longer."

Agreed to; and Ordered to be sent to the House of Commons, for their Concurrence.

Message to the H. C. with it; with the Letter from the Scots Commissioners; with the Order about Cardiff; and about Committees residing with the Army before Newark.

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

1. To communicate to the House of Commons the Letter received this Day from the Scotts Commissioners, with the Paper inclosed.

2. To desire their Concurrence in the Ordinance for appointing Major Mathewes to be Governor of Cardiff Castle, and Edward Pritchard Esquire to be Governor of the Town.

3. To desire their Concurrence in the Ordinance for Continuance of the Ordinance for Martial Law for Kent.

4. To let them know, that this House (fn. 2) concurs with them, in sending a Committee to reside upon the Place with the Armies before Newarke, to meet with the Committee of the Scotts, and be (fn. 3) a joint Committee of both Kingdoms: To this Purpose, their Lordships have nominated a Committee of Four Lords, whereof any One to be of the Quorum; and this House desires the House of Commons would appoint a proportionable Number of their House, to join with the said Committee (fn. 4) of Lords: And further to acquaint them, that this House hath appointed and nominated a Committee of Four Lords, to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Three a Clock, to consider and draw up such Instructions as are to be given to the said Committees; and to desire that the House of Commons would join herein, and appoint a proportionable Number of their House to meet accordingly.

Answer to the Sots Papers.

The Answer to be given to the Scotts Commissioners Papers was read; and Ordered to be referred to the former Committee, to examine the Truth of the Matter of Fact in the Accompts, and the Point of Time in the said Declaration; and to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon.

Letter from the Scots Commissioners, desiring Supplies for their Forces; and with the Account of Muscomebridge being taken.

For the Right Honnorable the Lord Gray of Warke, Lord Speaker of the House of Lords.

My Lord,

Wee received Yesternight, in a Letter from his Excellency the Earle of Leven, the Particulers of the takeing of Muscomebridge, which wee send you here inclosed. The Officers and Souldiers of that Army are reduced to greater Wants and Extreamityes then wee are willing to expresse; and, unlesse they bee very speedily supplyed with Money, Clothes, and other Necessaryes, they are noe Wayes able to prosecute the Service: Wee doe therefore earnestly intreate, that you would bee pleased to put the House in Mynd to give Order for their Supply with all possible Expedition. The Generall hath written diverse Tymes to the Committee at Darby, Nottingham, and Lincolne, to contribute their Assistance in furnishing them with Provisions, but hath received noe Answere; which moveth us againe to desire that the Houses would bee pleased to appoint some to repaire thither, who may take Care to furnish them with Provisions, which shall oblige to remaine

Worcester House, 5 Dec. 1645.

Your Lordship's very affectionate

Freinds and humble Servaunts,

"Balmerino.
Charles Erskine.
Hew Kennedy."

E. of Leven's Account of the taking of Muscomebridge.

Upon the 26th of this Instant November, haveing come to this Place, within a Mile of the Towne, I caused drawe a Lyne close to Muscome Bridge, whereupon I placed Muskatteirs, and sought all Meanes to crosse the River, and storme the Sconce upon the other Side; but the Enemy, apprehending the Designe, fell out Yesterday Morninge before Breake of the Day, and attempted the cutting of the Bridge, from which they were beate of bee our Muskatters with little Losse. Afterwards they sett Fire to the Drawe-bridge; but our Forces falling on, did beate the Enemy backe, and extinguish ed (fn. 5) the Fire, which made them forsake their Works, soe that wee are now Masters both of Bridge and Sconce."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a cras.