House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 21 June 1645

Die Sabbati, Junii 21, 1645.

Prayers.

Ordered, That the Persons working at the ArtilleryGround in Tuthill-Fields do, presently surcease any surther Working in that Place: And that they do repair the Place, and leave it in the like Condition as they found it: And that they prepare the Military Yard behind the Mewse fit for the common Soldiers that are coming up Prisoners, to be disposed in.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Prisoners, to dispose of the Officers that are coming up Prisoners, to such Prisons as they shall think fit and best for the Securing of them: And that the common Soldiers be disposed of according to the Order Yesterday made.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army do give their Warrant to the Treasurers at War, forthwith to imprest, upon Account, Five hundred Pounds to Joseph Serjeant Mayor of Northampton, and Francis Rishworth Alderman; to be disposed of for the Relief, Maintenance, and Cure, of the maimed Soldiers of Sir Tho. Fairefaxe's Army, now at Northampton.

The House, according to former Order, resolved into a Grand Committee, to take into further Consideration the Matters of the Church.

Mr. Whittacre in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Browne reports, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, the Vote of that Committee: Which was, That the Enemy shall be vigorously prosecuted in the Field.

He further informed the House, That, during their Debate upon that Vote, a Paper was delivered in by the Committee of the West; which was of that Importance, as they conceived it necessary to have the Advice of both Houses concerning it.

The Paper was delivered in by him to the House; and was read; and was, That such present and considerable Relief may be sent by the Committee of both Kingdoms into the West, as may preserve the Forces there already engaged; deliver that poor miserable Country from imminent Ruin; and the Enemy having now drawn together the whole Remainder of their Strength, and having no visible Force in any other Part, God blessing our Endeavours there with Success, it will give a great Stroke towards the Ending of this unnatural War, and restoring Peace and Happiness to the whole Kingdom.

He further reported a Paper from the Scotts Commissioners, of 20 Junii, 1645: Which was read: Also,

The Scotts Officers and Troopers, who voluntarily engaged themselves for the Defence of Leicester, and there lost their Horses and Arms; that Town being now regained, may have them restroed, or others in their Place: And that the Houses will please to recommend it to Sir Thomas Fairfax, That the Train of Artillery that was Sir Wm. Waller's, and is now at Poole, being to be employed for the Service of the West with Colonel Massy, the Officers and Gunners, belonging formerly to it, may be employed with it: And that the Committee of the West be desired to take care of their Entertainment: And that the Order for Payment of some of those Gunners, out of the Monies of the Isle of Eley, be taken off. Also,

That Four hundred Musquets be speedily provided, and sent down to Newport.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edward Leech and Dr. Aylett;

The Lords have commanded us to deliver unto you this Order: It is for the Disposal of some of the Prisoners sent up by Sir Thomas Fairfax: In which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

They have likewise received some Papers from the Spanish Ambassador: In which he desires to be exempted from the Payment of any Custom or Excise, for what shall be exported or imported only for his Lordship's Expence and Provision: They think sit to grant him this Privilege; and desire your Concurrence.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concurr with the Lords, in granting the Privilege of Exemption from Payment of Customs and Excise to the Spanish Ambassador.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message: And, as to the Exempting of the Spanish Ambassador from the Payment of Custom and Excise, this House doth concurr with the Lords therein, as is desired: And, as to the Order, for Disposal of Part of the Soldiers sent up Prisoners by Sir Thomas Fairfax, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordered, That the Gentlemen of the Sub-Committee of the Militia, that are at the Door, do forthwith view the Military Yard in St. Martin's Fields, the Mewse, the Military Yard in Tuthill Fields; and take the most convenient and securest Place of them, for securing and receiving the Soldiers that are sent up Prisoners by Sir Thomas Fairfax.

Resolved, &c. That the Enemy shall be vigorously prosecuted in the Field.

The Question being put, Whether it shall be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to give Order, That Sir Thomas Fairefaxe's Army may presently march into the West, for the Relief of those Parts; with this Liberty to the Committee, That, upon any Emergency, they may have Power to recall the Army, or any Part thereof, and to dispose of it as the Necessity of Affairs shall require, for the best Advantage of the Kingdoms;

It passed with the Negative.

The Question being, Whether it should be specially recommended to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to take care for the Safety of the West, and the Garisons there, with regard to the whole Kingdoms;

The Question was first put, Whether the Word "Garisons" shall be Part of the Question or not: And

It passed with the Affirmative.

The Second Question was put, Whether these Words, "with regard to the whole Kingdom," should be Part of the Question: And

It passed with the Affirmative.

And then the Question being, Whether this Question shall be now put;

It passed with the Affirmative.