House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 5 May 1646

DIE Martis, 5 Maii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Calamy.

E. Manchester, Speaker.

Reduction of the Island of Jersey, and Castle Cornet near Guernsey, to be prosecuted.

Upon reading of divers Letters from the Lieutenant Governor of Gersey; giving Information of new Forces landed there, and the Prince's landing at Jersey, and Ships come to block up those Islands.

It is Ordered, To send these Letters to the House of Commons; and to let them know, that this House are of Opinion, upon the reading of the Letters, That since there is Four Hundred Men sent into Jersey, it will be fit to send more Force thither than the Twelve Hundred Men now designed for the reducing thereof, as also good Store of Powder, Match, and Bullet, for the keeping of Guernsey, and the Recovery of Castell Cornett in that Island; and that this may be speedily done; and that the House of Commons be desired to concur with the Lords, for the speedy sending away Colonel Aldrige and the Force for the reducing of Jersey with him.

L. Rannelagh freed from his Delinquency, on account of the Services performed by him for the Parliament.

The Earl of Manchester reported from the Committee of both Kingdoms a Paper, concerning the Lord Rannelagh:

"Die Lunæ, 4 Maii, 1646.

"At the Committee of both Kingdoms, at Derby House.

"Ordered, That it be reported to both Houses, That, in September last, this Committee gave Licence to the Lady Rannelagh to send a Letter to the Lord Rannelagh her Husband, which was read at this Committee; the Substance whereof was read, to persuade him to come in to the Parliament: That he hath since done very good Service to the Parliament, by delivering the Castle of Roscomon and divers other Places into the (fn. 1) Hands of Sir Charles Coote President of Connaght, for the Use of the Parliament, and other Services, as appears by the annexed Papers: And that it is the Opinion of this Committee, that his Delinquency be taken off, he having no Estate in this Kingdom.

"Gu'lt. Frost."

"The Lord Rannelagh, having about Eight Months ago addressed himself to this Honourable Committee, for a Pass, to bring him out of Ireland, into some of the Quarters within the Power of the Parliament in this Kingdom, with Purpose to serve them to the uttermost of his Ability before he should come from them, was forced (after he had by their Favours obtained a Direction to Vice Admiral Molton for his Transportation) to delay the Execution of his Designs for their Service, by reason of the great Strength of the Rebels in those Parts, who had taken-in most of all the English Garrisons in the County wherein he lived (the Inhabitants whereof, to the Number of Five Hundred poor English, were protected and relieved by him), till about the of January last, when he got an Opportunity to confer with Sir Charles Coote Governor of that Province, and Sir Robert Kinge, to find out the Means of effecting with most Advantage to the Interest of the Parliament the Service he so long intended; and as soon as he had this Opportunity, he embraced it, which, by the Providence of God, fell out happily in a Time when their Forces there were in so low a Condition, that in all Probability they could not have subsisted unless they had been so relieved.

"The Particulars of what he brought in, and gave up to the Service of the Parliament, follow:

"The Castle and Town of Rosscomen, a Place of the greatest Strength and Importance in the Province of Conaught.

"Four Castles more.

"Ordnance; Thirteen Barrels of Powder, Four Thousand Weight of Lead, and One Hundred Eighty Muskets.

"In and about the Castles, Fifteen Hundred Barrels of Corn.

"A good Foot Company, consisting of Sixty Men.

"A Troop, consisting of Thirty-six well-armed and well-mounted Horse.

"Assigned for the Maintenance of these Garrisons; his own Revenue thereabouts, amounting to a Thousand and odd Pounds per Annum, besides One Hundred Eighty Barrels of Corn to be paid Yearly out of it to the Garrison.

"This was his own particular Act; the Consequence whereof was, the declaring of the remaining English Garrisons there for the Service of the Parliament, and the coming in of all the inhabited Parts of the County of Rosscomen under Contribution; the Effect of all which Particulars is certified by the Governors and Officers of that Province.

"The Consequence of this Service to the Parliament, in order to himself, was the Loss of an Estate in Lempster, formerly to the Value of Fifteen Hundred Pounds a Year, which was given away upon his Declaration, and was all he had left there out of the Hands of the Rebels."

Upon this, it is Ordered and Ordained, by the Lords, That the Lord Rannelagh, for delivering the Castle and Town of Rosscomen in the Kingdom of Ireland, and divers other Castles there, into the Hands of the Commanders of the Parliament Forces in that Kingdom, and for divers other Services there done for the Parliament, shall be discharged from his Delinquency; and the Concurrence of the House of Commons to be desired herein.

Ordinances and Orders from the H. C. for Concurrence.

Next, the Ordinance for Discharge of Sir Wm. Ford's Delinquency, was read, and Agreed to.

(Here enter.)

Next, the Order for a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for Trial of Major Babington's Troops, now in Leycester Gaol, was read, and Agreed to.

(Here enter it.)

An Order for examining the Accompts of the Officers late under the Lord Fairfax, was read, and Agreed to. (Here enter it.)

The Order for to pay Fifty Pounds to Lieutenant Colonel Fairefax, was read, and Agreed to.

(Here enter it.)

The Order for Captain Lawson to be Captain of One Hundred Foot at Scarborough, was read, and Agreed to. (Here enter it.)

The Order for Colonel Andrew Lloyd to be Governor of the Castle of Bridgnorth, was read, and Agreed to.

(Here enter it.)

The Order for Three Hundred Fifty Pounds to the reduced Soldiers of the Lord Fairefax, was read, and Agreed to. (Here enter it.)

Message to the H. C. with Ordinances, and with Letters from Guernsey;

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

1. To deliver to them the Ordinance concerning Mr. Tho. Peters to be Agent for the Parliament at Cadiz, and desire their Concurrence therein.

2. To communicate to them the Letters to the Earl of Warwicke from the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey, with the Sense of this House concerning them.

3. To desire their Concurrence in the Ordinance for Mr. Hall to be Minister of Beverston, in the County of Gloucester.

4. To desire Concurrence in the Ordinance for Mr. Nitesby to be Minister of Kirtlington, in the County of Yorke.

5. To desire Concurrence in the Ordinance concerning Mr. John Diggle.

6. To desire Concurrence in the Ordinance concerning Major Edw. Basse.

about the E. of Stamford;

7. To put them in Mind of the Earl of Stanford's Business.

and Mrs. Spencer.

8. To put them in Mind of Mrs. Spencer's Petition.

Slepper and Cook.

Ordered, That Slepper shall have Time until this Day Sevennight, to assign Errors.

L. Valentia and Manwaring, about the Secretaryship of Ireland.

Ordered, That the Transmission from the House of Commons touching the Lord Valentia, and likewise his Patent for to (fn. 2) be Secretary of Ireland, shall be taken into Consideration on Thursday Morning next.

Message from the H. C. with an Ordinance to keep Delinquents without the Lines.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Tho. Dacres Knight:

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in an Ordinance concerning the putting and keeping out of the Lines of Communication those that have been in Arms against the Parliament.

The said Ordinance was read Twice; and the House was adjourned into a Committee of the whole House, to debate it.

The House was resumed.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will send an Answer, by Messengers of their own, to this Message.

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

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

To desire Concurrence in several Orders and Ordinances:

1. An Order for One Thousand Pounds for Disposal of Prisoners taken at Stow. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

2. An Addition to the Committee for Irish Affairs.

3. An Order for Fifty Pounds for Captain Povey.

4. An Order for Fifty Pounds for Colonel Coote.

5. For Thirty Pounds to Captain Fan.

6. An Order for Twenty Pounds to Mr. Clerke.

7. An Order for Twenty Pounds for Mr. Brereton the Messenger.

8. An Order for the Committee at Gouldsmithes Hall to administer the Oath of Abjuration to Papists that come to compound.

with a Form of a Pardon for Delinquents;

9. A Form of the Pardon to be granted to Delinquents upon their Compositions for their Delinquency, which differs from the former in these Particulars:

1. A Clause concerning the Tenors is left out.

2. There is Proviso added, in case their Lands are more or of greater Value than they are expressed in the Particulars, to pay a further Fine.

3. (fn. 4) There is a Proviso added, ["That the Pardon shall not enable, such as are disabled, to hold any Office or Place by Ordinance of Parliament."]

and to expedite an Ordinance.

10. To desire Expedition in the Ordinance for the Continuance of the Northern Association.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordinance to keep Delinquents without the Lines.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for the putting and keeping out of the Lines of Communication those that have been in Arms against the Parliament shall be taken into Consideration the First Business To-morrow Morning.

Ordinance to clear Sir W. Ford of his Delinquency.

"Whereas Sir William Ford, of Harting, in the County of Sussex, Knight, (fn. 3) has by both Houses of Parliament been admitted to his Fine of Five Hundred Pounds, for that he adhered to the Forces raised against the Parliament: The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament do hereby authorize and appoint the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England to pass a Pardon for the said Sir William Ford, in such Manner as shall be agreed by both Houses, and according to this Ordinance, with a Grant and Restitution of his Lands, Goods, and Chattels, and other Estate for which the said Fine was accepted, according to the Particular thereof made and entered at the Committee at Gouldsmiths Hall, and of all Mean Profits, from the Thirteenth Day of December, 1645, with an Exception of the Right or Estate of the said Sir William Ford in or to all Advowsons, Presentations, and Right of Patronage, to any Church or Chapel; and Oliver St. John Esquire His Majesty's Solicitor General is hereby required to prepare a Pardon accordingly: Provided always, That this Ordinance, or the Pardon thereon to be passed, shall not extend to free the said Sir William Ford from a further Composition of any other Lands, Goods, or Chattels, than what are contained in the Particulars aforesaid; and that in case the said Lands mentioned in the said Particular were of greater Yearly Values than are therein expressed during (fn. 4) Three Years before the Year of our Lord 1640, then the said Sir William Ford shall pay such further Fine, by Way of Composition for the same, as both Houses of Parliament shall appoint."

Commission to be issued, for Trial of Major Babington's Troopers in Leicester Gaol.

"The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled do Order, That a Commission of Oyer and Terminer be forthwith issued, under the Great Seal of England, for the Trial of several Persons late under the Command of Major Babington, now imprisoned in the Gaol of Leicester, for several Felonies, Murthers, Robberies, and other Offences, committed by them, in the County of Leicester; and that the Commissioners for the Great Seal of England do appoint fitting Commissioners, and take Care for the putting in speedy Execution the said Commission accordingly."

Order for examining the Accompts of the Officers late under L. Fairfax.

"The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament do hereby Order, Ordain, and Appoint, That the Committee by Ordinance of Parliament nominated for taking the Accompts of the whole Kingdom shall forthwith grant Commission or Commissions unto such Person or Persons as they shall think fit, as well to look to, take, audit, and examine, the Accompts and Demands of all and every the Commanders and Officers which have served in the Army late under the Command of the Right Honourable Ferdinando Lord Fairefax, late General of the Northern Forces, both touching such Troops, Horses, and Arms, as have been really bought or raised by them, or any of them, at their own Costs and Charges, for the Public Service, and therein employed, and for their Personal Pay and Entertainments respectively; as also to enquire, within every Division, Parish, and Place, within the County of Yorke, and City and County of the City of Yorke, and the Town and County of Kingston upon Hull, the Sum and Sums of Money, Plate, Horse, Arms, Ammunition, Houshold-stuff, Goods, Rents, Profits of Lands, or other Provisions or Free Quarter, and of what Value, hath been taken, received, collected, seized, or sequestered, since the First Day of May, 1642, within any the said Divisions, Parishes, or Places, by Way of voluntary Contribution, Tax, Fine, or otherwise, upon Pretence of Service for the Parliament, and by whom, and from whom, the same have been so taken, seized, or received; which said Commissioners or Sub-committees shall proceed by taking, stating, and examining the said Accompts, according to former Ordinances made and passed by both Houses of Parliament for and touching the Accompts of the Kingdom, one of them made the 22th of February, 1643, another of them the 26th of June, 1645, and according to such further and other Instructions as the said Committee for the Accompts of the Kingdom shall, from Time to Time, think fit and appoint, for the better effecting thereof; and the said Commissioners or Sub-committees shall, from Time to Time, certify the Accompts so by them taken unto the Committee for the Accompts of the whole Kingdom: And the said Lords and Commons do further Ordain and Declare, That, upon Allowance and Certificate made by the said Committee for Accompts of the Kingdom, to both Houses of Parliament, of the true State of the said Accompts, as well in relation to the said Commanders and Officers, as to the said Counties and Places, in the respects aforesaid, One Fifth Part of the Arrears due unto the said Commanders and Officers, according to the said Certificate, shall be paid unto them respectively, and an Ordinance to be prepared for that Purpose; and that the Remainder of their respective Arrears shall be secured to them, their Executors and Assigns respectively, by Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, to be paid upon the Public Faith of the Kingdom, in such Manner as other Debts of the Kingdom of like Nature."

Order for 50£. to Lieutenant Col. Fairfax.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Sum of Fifty Pounds be paid, by the Committee of Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies sitting at Habberdash'rs Hall, unto Lieutenant Colonel Fairefax."

Order for Capt. Lawson to be Captain of Foot at Scarborough.

"The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament do nominate and approve of Captain Lawson, to be Captain of the One Hundred Men appointed to be maintained in the Town in Scarborough; and that the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms do grant him a Commission to be Captain of the said Men accordingly."

Order for Col Lloyd to be Governor of Bridgnorth Castle.

"The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament do nominate and approve of Colonel Andrew Lloyd, to be Governor of the Castle of Bridgnorth; and that the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms do grant him a Commission to be Governor of the said Castle accordingly."

Order for 350£. for L. Fairfax's reduced Officers.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Sum of Three Hundred and Fifty Pounds be paid by the Committee of Lords and Commons sitting for Advance of Monies at Habberdashers Hall, out of the Fifth and Twentieth Part of such Delinquents of the County of Yorke as shall be assessed by the said Committee, and paid unto the reduced Officers late under the Command of the Lord Fairefax, who were at the Taking-in of Skipton Castle, upon Accompt, in Part of their Arrears."

Order for 1000£. for Maintenance of Prisoners taken at Stow, &c.

"It is this Day Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That One Thousand Pounds be paid in Course, with Interest, each Six Months, out of the Receipts of the Excise, on the Ordinance of the 11th of September, 1643, towards the Maintenance and Disposal of the Prisoners of War taken at Stowe, Hereford, and other Places, and now in Prison in Gloucester; and the Commissioners of Excise or new Impost for the Time being are hereby authorized to make Payment of the said One Thousand Pounds, with Interest as aforesaid, unto Mr. Nathaniell Stephens, Mr. Thomas Hodges, and Mr. Pury, Members of the House of Commons, or to any of them, their or any of their Assignee or Assigns, whose respective Receipt or Receipts shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to the Commissioners of Excise for the Time being, and every of them, for the said One Thousand Pounds, with Interest as aforesaid, and every Part thereof."

Adjourn

House adjourned till 10^a cras.