House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 8 February 1645

Die Sabbati, Februarii 8, 1644.

Prayers.

THE Grand Committee of the whole House proceeded to the further Consideration of the Ordinance for Raising of Twenty-one thousand Pounds per mensem, towards the Maintenance of the Scotts Army under the Command of the Earl of Leven.

Sir Tho. Widdrington was called to the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Widdrington do, on Monday next, report the Ordinance for Raising of Twenty-one thousand Pounds per mensem, towards the Maintenance of the Scotts Army under the Command of the Earl of Leven.

A Message from the Lords, by Doctor Ailett and Doctor Heathe;

That the Lords have commanded them to deliver this Ordinance, which they have passed, for Pressing of Ships and Mariners: Five Ships are ready; but want Mariners: Therefore desire you to speed it.

They desire you speedily to take into Consideration the Letter and Instructions for the Seven Associated Counties: For the Gentlemen are here attending about the Business; and desire an Answer.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy do, on Monday Morning next, bring in an Ordinance for Pressing of Mariners and Sailors.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Judgment given by Mr. Justice Bacon in over-ruling the Plea of the Lord Macguire; and of the Manner of the Tryal upon the Indictment of High Treason in the King'sBench: And the Judge is hereby required to proceed speedily thereupon, according to Law and Justice.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Mr. Recorder is appointed to carry it up.

Sir Hen. Vane Senior reported, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, the Draught of a Letter, to be sent from both Houses, to the Parliament of Scotland, for the Advance of the Scotts Army Southward: The which was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto, to be sent to the Parliament of Scotland: And the Lords Concurrence to be desired therein.

Mr. Recorder is appointed to carry it up to the Lords.

He further reported the Commission and Instructions for Sir Charles Coote to be Lord President of the Province of Connaght in the Kingdom of Ireland: The which are ordered to be read, and taken into Consideration, on Tuesday Morning next: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.

Ordered, That my Lord General be desired to give his Warrant to the Treasurer at Wars, to pay a Week's Pay, upon the last Muster, to the Three Regiments of Foot at Farneham, under my Lord General's Command.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of Excise do forthwith issue Three hundred Pounds out of the Two thousand Pounds formerly assigned for Sir Wm. Waller's Forces; in regard that the Train of Artillery, and the Carriages appointed for that Army, stay only upon the Not-Payment of these Monies; and that Army cannot move without it.

Ordered, That Mr. Bell, Sir Arth. Hesilrig, Mr. Bond, and Mr. Recorder, do hear the Surgeons, and what the Obstructions are, that they do not repair to their Charges in the Army: And that they accommodate such Difficulties and Impediments as they shall meet with, if they can; otherwise, to report to the House.

The House proceeded to the Consideration of the Amendments, upon the Amendments made by the Lords, to the Ordinance for raising and maintaining Forces to be under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefaxe; and, in particular, proceeded to the Consideration of the Proviso concerning the taking the Covenant by the Officers of the Army, &c.

Resolved, &c. That all Commanders and Officers that shall be employed in this Army, shall take the National League and Covenant of both Kingdoms.

Resolved, &c. That the Time limited for the Taking of the National League and Covenant by the Commanders and Officers that shall be employed in this Army, and be approved of by both Houses, shall be within Twenty Days next after such Approbation.

Resolved, &c. That all other Officers that are to be in this Army, shall take the Solemn League and Covenant within Twenty Days after they shall be lifted in the same Army.

Resolved, &c. That all the common Soldiers that shall be employed in this Army, shall take the Solemn League and Covenant of both Kingdoms, at such time, and in such manner, as shall be in that Behalf directed by both Houses of Parliament.

The Question being put, for a Concurrence with the Lords in this Clause of the Proviso, "and shall submit to the Form of Church-Government, that is already voted by both Houses of Parliament;"

It passed in the Negative.

"Provided also, That every Lord Lieutenant, who is not disabled by Ordinance of Parliament to sit in the House of Peers, shall, in their several and respective Counties, be of the Committee now appointed by this Ordinance."

This Proviso being put to the Question;

It passed in the Affirmative.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee appointed to consider of the Provisoes sent down from the Lords with the Ordinance for the new Model, to prepare Reasons, to be offered to the Lords at a Conference, for the Alterations made by this House: And it is referred to Mr. Lisle and Mr. Reynolds to take care hereof.

A Letter from Sir Wm. Waller, of the Seventh of February Instant, was read.

Resolved, &c. That Two hundred Backs, Breasts, and Pots, and Four hundred Pair of Pistols, shall be provided for Sir Wm. Waller.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the West, to take care to provide these Backs, Breasts, Pots, and Pistols.

Ordered, That so much of Sir Wm. Waller's Letter of 7 Februar', 1644, as concerns the Committee of both Kingdoms, be referred to that Committee.

A Letter from the Commissioners at Uxbridge, 7 Februarii, was read; and all the several Papers delivered at the Treaty, concerning the Militia, were read: But nothing was done thereupon.