House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 18 August 1645

Die Lunæ, 18 Augusti, 1645.

Prayers.

A Letter from Sir Tho. Fairfax, from Sherborne, of 15 Augusti 1645, concerning the Taking in of that Castle, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the Committee of the West do forthwith pay to William Curtys, one of the Messengers that brought the News of the Taking of Sherborne-Castle, the Sum of Twenty Pounds for his Pains.

Ordered, That the Committee of both Kingdoms do forthwith pay unto the Messenger that brought the Letter from the General, concerning the Taking of the Castle of Sherborne, the Sum of Twenty Pounds for his Pains.

Ordered, That the Committee of both Kingdoms do forthwith pay unto the Messenger that brought the first News of Sir Lewis Dives his Treating to surrender Sherborne-Castle, the Sum of Twenty Pounds for his Pains; whereof the House was informed he had already received Three Pounds from the said Committee.

Ordered, That Friday next be set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving to Almighty God, to be observed and kept within all the Parishes in London and Westminster, the weekly Bills of Mortality, and Lines of Communication, in all the Churches and Chapels thereof, for his several Mercies to the Forces of the Parliament in divers Parts of the Kingdom, in the Gaining of the Towns of Bath and Bridgewater, and of Scarborough-Castle, and Sherborne-Castle, and for the Dispersing of the Clubmen, and the good Success in Pembrokeshire: And

It is further Ordered, That the Lord Mayor of London be desired to give speedy Notice of this Order to the Ministers of the several Places aforesaid.

Mr. Vassall is to acquaint the Lord Mayor with this Order.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Mr. Prideaux and Mr. Poole do, from this House, desire Mr. Perne and Mr. Ward to preach before the Commons House at St. Margaret's Church at Westminster.

Resolved, &c. That the Two Sermons be preached one after another, without Intermission.

A Letter from the Commissioners of both Houses, residing with the Scotts Army, of 13 Augusti 1645, with a Paper inclosed, delivered from the Committee of the Estates of Scotland to the Commissioners, were read.

Mr. Tate, Sir Peter Wentworth, Sir Robert Harley, Mr. Thelloall, or any Two of them, are appointed to prepare, from time to time, Answers to the Letters Mr. Speaker shall receive from the Commissioners appointed to reside with the Scotts Army; and bring them to Mr. Speaker to sign: And that they take care to see such Things sent as they now write for, and as they shall, from time to time, desire.

According to former Order, the Paper from the Scotts Commissioners of Augusti 14 1645, concerning the Matter of Propositions, to be sent from both Kingdoms to his Majesty, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That Propositions and Bills shall be sent to his Majesty for a safe and well-grounded Peace: To which a positive Answer shall be desired, without a Treaty.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare, That they will take it into speedy Consideration, What Propositions, and what Bills, shall be sent to his Majesty: And that Two Days in a Week shall be set apart for the Consideration of this Business: Which Two Days shall be Monday and Thursday, excepting Thursday next, which is especially appointed for the Consideration of the Business of Elections.

Ordered, That Mr. Bond and Mr. Case be desired, from this House, to preach before the Commons House at St. Margaret's Church, on Friday next, it being set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving, instead of Mr. Perne and Mr. Ward, who are out of Town.

Ordered, That Mr. Prideaux and Mr. Gurdon do, from this House, desire Mr. Bond and Mr. Case to preach before the Commons House, on Friday next, at St. Margaret's Church, it being set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving.

The humble Petition of Mr. James Cranford, Minister, a Prisoner in the Tower, was this Day read: And, at the Request of the Gentlemen injured by him.

It is Ordered, upon the Question, That Mr. James Cranford be forthwith discharged from his Imprisonment.

Upon a Report from the Common-Council,

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Lieutenant-Colonel Rowe and Major John Booker to be sent from the Parliament into Munster, in Ireland.

A Letter from Sir John Gell, from Derby, 15 Augusti 1645; and one from him, of Augusti 16, to Sir John Curson; and one from one Deane to Mr. Bedford, Scoutmaster-General to the Committee of both Kingdoms, of 17 Augusti; were all this Day read; relating the King's Motions, the Estate and Condition of his Forces; were all this Day read; and That from the Scoutmaster delivered back to Sir Philip Stapleton, who brought it in; and That from Sir John Gell to Sir John Curson, delivered back to him.

Ordered, That the Committee of the West do forthwith pay unto Mr. Bedford's Servant, who came likewise from Sherborne, and brought the News, with the other Messengers, of the Taking in of the Castle, the Sum of Ten Pounds for his Pains.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to review the former Propositions, last sent to his Majesty to Oxford, for a safe and well-grounded Peace; and thereupon to consider, Which of those Propositions, and what Bills, are fit to be sent; and what Alterations or Additions are fit to be made to the said Propositions.

The House was accordingly immediately resolved into a Committee.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Thomas Widdrington called to the Chair.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Members of both Houses, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to communicate to the Scotts Commissioners these Votes concerning their Paper of 14 Augusti 1645, and the Business of the Propositions.

Ordered, &c. That a Conference be desired with the Lords, to give them Reasons, Why they cannot agree with them to the Reference of the Scotts Paper concerning Propositions; and to acquaint their Lordships, What this House hath done in this Business.

Sir Philip Stapelton, Mr. Prideaux, and Mr. Sollicitor, are appointed Managers of this Conference.

Ordered, &c. That the Ordinance concerning the Sale of Delinquents Estates be read the Third time, the first Business, To-morrow Morning.

The humble Petition of the Deputy-Lieutenants and Committees of the County of Kent, in the Behalf of the Gentry and Freeholders of the same, was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Consideration of the Grand Committee of the whole House, appointed to consider of the Matter of Propositions.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

A Letter to be sent to the Scotts General, and Committee of both Kingdoms, appointed to reside with the Scotts Army, prepared by the Committee of both Kingdoms, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.