House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 20 January 1645

Die Lunæ, Januarii 20, 1644.

Prayers.

REsolved, &c. That Mr. John Donne and Mr. Geo. Washer be forthwith sent for, as Delinquents, by the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House, for serving a Subpæna upon Sir Tho. Walsingham, a Member of this House, contrary to the Privilege of the Members of this House.

Ordered, That Sir Christopher Wray do, To-morrow, bring in an Ordinance for repairing the Banks, where the Sea has broken in, in Lincolneshire; and for using such Means as may prevent, as much as may be, the Breaking in of the Seas upon that County.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee, formerly appointed for regulating the Affairs of the Excise, to examine, and consider of the great Misdemeanors and Violencies committed by divers People in the Town of Manchester, upon the Office and Officers of Excise there; with Power to send for some of the principal Actors in these Misdemeanors, if they shall see Cause; and to consider what is fit to be done for preventing and punishing such Misdemeanors; and to report all to the House: And are to meet this Afternoon upon this Business.

An Ordinance, presented from the Commissioners of Excise, to make the Buyer liable to the same Penalties as the Merchant, was this Day read the First time; and ordered to be read the Second time on Friday next, between Nine and Twelve of Clock.

Ordered, That That Part of the Report, this Day made from the Commissioners of Excise by Mr. Nicoll, concerning the Monies desired to be advanced by the Commissioners of Excise for the Armies, be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Mr. Lisle reports, from the Committee to which it was referred, the Opinion of the Committee concerning the Report of a Conference had with the Lords, made by Mr. Holles, touching a Narrative made by the Earl of Manchester, concerning the Business of Dennington Castle; the which reflects, in some Particulars, by way of Charge, in the Opinion of the Committee, upon a Member of this House: To consider of, and examine, which Narrative (in which there are some Expressions, that reflects upon a Member of this House, as aforesaid), the Lords made a Committee; and desired this House to appoint a Committee of a proportionable Number.

He likewise presented, from the Committee, a Paper, containing the Matter of the Narrative delivered by the Lords at the Conference concerning the Business of Dennington.

Resolved, &c. That the Appointing of a Committee by the House of Lords, for the Examination of the Matters contained in the First Part of the Report made by Mr. Holles (wherein Lieutenant-General Cromwell, a Member of the House of Commons, is concerned) in such a manner, as is therein expressed; is a Breach of Privilege, notwithstanding their desiring the House of Commons to join in the same.

Resolved, &c. That the First Part of Mr. Holles his Report is not to be put into a Way of Examination, in regard of the Breach of Privilege.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee of the House of Commons be appointed, to examine the Particulars contained in the Paper now delivered in by the Committee.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee of the House of Commons be appointed, to consider of the Second Part of Mr. Holles his Report.

Resolved, &c. That this Committee, to which the Particulars in the Two former Votes are referred, be the Committee formerly appointed Decembris 4, to consider of the Matter of Mr. Holles his Report of the Conference.

Resolved, &c. That a Conference be desired with the Lords concerning these Particulars.

Mr. Lisle further reported the State of the Matter of the Narrative made, upon the Order and Injunction of this House, by Lieutenant-General Cromwell and Sir Wm. Waller, concerning divers Passages and Proceedings of the Armies, wherein the Earl of Manchester is much concerned; and the State of the Proofs upon Examination of the Business, and hearing Witnesses, by the Committee.

He likewise produced a Letter, written unto him by the Earl of Manchester, of Januarii 16 desiring, that he might know what those Informations are, that, he hears, are given in against him at the Committee, before the Report made, that he might give Satisfaction: The which were all read; and immediately re-delivered to the Reporter.

Resolved, &c. That the Consideration of this Report shall be resumed on this Day Sevennight.

Ordered, That the Committee, where Mr. Tate has the Chair, do examine Who was the Author, Printer, and Divulger of the Book, which bears the Name of Mr. Simeon Ashe a Minister, and is concerning the Business of Newberry and Dennington; and likewise to consider of the particular Carriages about the Printing and Divulging that Book, or the Publishing any Matter contained therein.

Ordered, That the Committee, of Decembris 4, to which Mr. Holles his Report of the Conference with the Lords, concerning the Business of Dennington, &c. was formerly referred, be revived; and do meet de die in diem, to consider of the Particulars this Day referred unto them.