House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 24 February 1645

Die Lunæ, Februarii 24, 1644.

Prayers.

ORdered, That a Collection shall be made on Wednesday next, the Day of Publick Humiliation, for the maimed Soldiers, as is usual, with the usual Provisoes.

The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Northumberland, with a List of divers Persons, whom they desire to be secured, was this Day read; and ordered to be referred unto the Consideration of the Committee, where Sir Tho. Widdrington has the Chair.

The Petitions, and other Informations, in the Hands of Mr. Blakiston, concerning the Counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, Bishoprick of Durham, and Newcastle, are likewise referred to the Consideration of this Committee: And they are to take these Petitions and Informations into speedy Consideration; and to report their Opinions to the House.

Ordered, That the Proposition presented by Sir Henry Gibb Knight and Baronet, concerning certain Woods upon the West Park of Brande Smyth, in the Bishoprick of Durham, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee at Newcastle; to inquire into, and consider of, the true State of the Business; and to do and order therein that which shall be most agreeable to Justice, most advantageous and just for the Commonwealth, and most advantageous and satisfactory to Sir Henry Gibb: And to acquaint the House with their Proceedings herein.

Ordered, That, as to Sir Henry Gibb's Propositions concerning his Pension, the House will take him into Consideration in convenient Time.

Mr. Speaker acquainted the House, That the States Ambassadors sent their Secretary unto him; desiring, That they might be admitted to deliver something to the House of great Concernment. They expect no Matter of Circumstance; and will not hold the House above a Quarter of an Hour.

Resolved, &c. That the States Ambassadors be admitted into the House at Eleven of Clock, to deliver unto the House what they have to deliver, according to their Desires.

Sir Oliver Flemming, Master of the Ceremonies, is appointed to acquaint the States Ambassadors herewith.

A Letter, to be written to Sir Jo. Meldrum, from Mr. Speaker, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Mr. Tate reports the State of the Business and Examinations concerning Colonel Butler.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Butler be referred to a Tryal at a Council of War, for deserting his Posts.

Ordered, That, as to the rest of the Report concerning Colonel Buttler; the Suspicion of his being . . Incendiary; and the Words he spake against the Parliament; be recommitted to the same Committee; to prepare a State of the Business; and to confer with the Scotts Commissioners upon it; and to report their Opinions to the House.

Resolved, &c. That my Lord General be desired to grant his Warrant to the Treasurer at Wars, to pay unto Colonel Butler Fifty Pounds, to be deducted out of the Arrears of his Pay.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Edw. Aiscough, a Member of this House, shall have the Leave of the House to go into the Country.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Anth. Hungerford, now a Prisoner in the Tower, be bailed, upon good Security, for a Month, not to go out of the Lines of Communication; and that he do render himself a Prisoner again at the Month's End.

Ordered, That Captain Taylor and Lieutenant Rous be referred to the Examination of the Committee, where Mr. Tate has the Chair; to consider what is fit to be done in the Business; and to report their Opinions to the House; and to secure them, if they shall see Cause.

Ordered, That the Business concerning the Church be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning, the first Business: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.

The House being informed, That the States Ambassadors were come;

They were received in Three Chairs, placed in the Middle of the House, on purpose for their Reception.

And Monsieur Boreel delivered first by Word of Mouth, what they had to communicate; and then delivered it in Writing, in French and in English: And the States Ambassadors Secretary read it in English.

The same Paper, in English, was, after the States Ambassadors were withdrawn, read by the Clerk.

Ordered, That these Papers be taken into further Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That Sir Hen. Mildmay be injoined, Tomorrow Morning, to bring in the Letters he informed the House were sent to the States-General into Holland, to the Disservice of the Parliament.

Sir Gilbert Gerard reported, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, a Letter from Captain Batten, from aboard the Reformation in Portland-Road, of Februar' 21, to the Lord Admiral; relating the Condition of Melcombe and Weymouth: He further reported Two Letters from Sir Wm. Waller, and divers of his Officers; one without Date; the other from Sir Wm. Waller alone, from Portesmouth, of Februarii 22 representing the State and Condition of their Forces, and of the Forces of the Enemy, according to their best Intelligence: The which were all this Day read.

Ordered, That these Letters be referred back to the Consideration of the Committee of both Kingdoms: Who are to take them into speedy Consideration; and to give an Account of it to the House To-morrow Morning.

Memorandum, The Letters were delivered to Sir Gilbert Gerard.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy do take speedy Course for the Sending of Supplies of Arms and Provisions to Captain Batten, and the Ships with him in Portland Road.

Ordered, That Forty Barrels of Powder, with Match and Ball proportionable, be furnished out of the publick Stores, for the Service of the West; and disposed of, as the Committee of the West shall direct.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Seven associated Counties do forthwith give Order to the Treasurers of that Association to pay One thousand Pounds unto Mr. Wm. Bury, or his Deputy, upon Account, for so much Monies paid, or Allowance made, to Colonel Fleetwood's Regiment, according to the Warrant of the Earl of Manchester, dated 12 Februarii, 1644.

Ordered, That an Ordinance be brought in by Mr. Lisle, for the Cutting-down of Woods belonging to Delinquents; for the Service of Christ's-Church in Hampshire, except Oak, Ash, and Elm.

Propositions by Sir H. Gib, presented to the Honourable Committee for the Northern Affairs, where Sir Tho. Widdrington has the Chair.

IT is humbly desired by the said Sir Henry Gibbes, That whereas the King is indebted unto him the Sum of One thousand Four hundred and Fifty-seven Pounds Three Shillings, as will appear by Patent under the Great Seal of England, dated 29 Aprilis, 4° Caroli; and that, for Payment thereof, certain Woods, upon the West Park of Brandece-pats, are, by the Patent, mortgaged to him; That the said Woods may be applied to the Use of the Publick, or Good of Colliery and Keels, now much wanting; and the said Sir Henry Gib, in Consideration thereof, and for that the Want thereof hath contracted a greater Debt upon him, may be paid, out of the Delinquents Estates, the said Sum of One thousand Four hundred and Fifty-seven Pounds Three Shillings, with Damages since it was payable; or any other Way, which shall be thought most fitting.