February 1644: An Ordinance for the appointing a Committee of both Houses of Parliament, to join with the Committees and Commissioners of Scotland...

February 1644

[16 February, 1643/4.]

Ordinance concerning the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Whereas, by the Covenant and Treaty ratified and established between the Two Kingdoms, both Nations are engaged in one common Cause, against the Enemies of their Religion and Liberties, and, by the late Entrance of the Scottish Forces into this Kingdom in Pursuance hereof, are firmly united in a jo[int] Posture of Arms, for their own necessary Defence, and for the attaining the Ends expressed in the Covenant and Treaty.

And whereas both Kingdoms have thought it necessary that they should be joined in their Counsels as well as in their Forces, and, in Pursuance thereof, the Convention of the Estates of Scotland have appointed Committees, residing in Scotland, and in the Scottish Army, and have sent some of the said Committees as Commissioners, for the Purposes aforesaid, to repair unto and to reside near the Parliament, who, since their Arrival, have presented their Commission and Powers, with their earnest Desire that the Parliament would lay down some speedy and constant Way of communicating the Desires and joining the Counsels of both Kingdoms, in Pursuance of the Covenant, Treaty, and common Interest of His Majesty's Dominions.

In Consideration hereof, the Lords and Commons do nominate, ordain, and appoint, Algernon Earl of Northumberland, Robert Earl of Essex Lord General, Robert Earl of Warwick Lord Admiral, Edward Earl of Manchester, William Viscount Say & Seale, Phillip Lord Wharton, John Lord Roberts, William Perpoint, Sir Henry Vane Senior, Sir Phillip Stapleton, Sir Will'm Waller, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir William Armyne, Sir Arthur Hazlerigg, Sir Henry Vane Junior, John Crewe, Robert Wallopp, Oliver St. John Solicitor General, Oliver Cromwell, Samuell Browne, and John Glynn Recorder, or any Six of them, whereof One Lord and Two Commoners, to treat with the Committees and Commissioners appointed by our Brethren of Scotland, in such Things as shall by them be propounded from and in the Name of the Kingdom of Scotland for the Ends aforesaid; as likewise to propound to the Committees and Commissioners of Scotland whatever they shall receive in Charge from both Houses, and, from Time to Time, to advise and consult concerning the same, and report the Results to both Houses.

And further Power and Authority is hereby given to them, or any Six of them, whereof one Lord and Two Commoners as a joint Committee with the Committee and Commissioners of Scotland, to advise, consult, order, and direct, concerning the carrying on and managing of the War for the best Advantage of the Three Kingdoms, and the keeping a good Intelligence between the Three Kingdoms, their Forces, Committees, and Counsels; and likewise with Power to hold good Correspondency and Intelligence with Foreign States; and further to advise and consult of all Things in Pursuance of the Ends expressed in the late Covenant and Treaty.

Provided always, That nothing in this Ordinance shall authorize the Committee hereby appointed to advise, treat, or consult, concerning any Cessation of Arms, or making Peace, without express Directions from both Houses of Parliament.

And lastly, the said Committee are to observe such Orders and Directions as they, from Time to Time, shall receive from both Houses of Parliament. Provided also, That this Ordinance shall continue for Three months and no longer.