House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 14 October 1645

Die Martis, Octobris 14 , 1645.

Prayers.

THE Grand Committee of the House, according to the Order Yesterday made, proceeded to take into Consideration the Business concerning Propositions to be sent to his Majesty for a safe and well-grounded Peace.

Sir Thomas Widdrington in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

A Letter from the Committees of Yorkeshire, of 10 Octobris 1645, from Yorke, with a Copy of a Letter from the said Committee, from Yorke, of 4 Octobris 1645, to General Leven, concerning the Grievances of the County of Yorke, by Levies, and Quartering of the Scotts Army in these Parts; and a Copy of General Leven's Answer, of 6 Octobris 1645, from Berwick, to the said Committee; were all of them this Day read.

Ordered, That these Letters be presented to the Lords at the Conference this Day appointed for communicating the Votes of this House concerning the Scotts Army, and the Letters from the North.

A Letter from the Committee appointed for Managing of the War in the Northern Association, of 10 Octobris 1645, from Yorke, was this Day read; and was, for Allowance of Six hundred Pounds, taken up by them of the Sub-Commissioners of Excise there, for the Payment of their Forces.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of Excise, upon the Accompt of the Sub-Commissioners of Excise for Yorkeshire, do allow of the Sum of Six hundred Pounds, paid by the said Sub-Commissioners to the Committee of War at Yorke, upon a Bill of Exchange drawn upon Colonel White, to be repaid at London, for the Service of the Forces in those Parts: And that the Receipt of the said Committee at Yorke shall be a good Discharge to the Commissioners of Excise here, as if the said Sub-Commissioners had paid the same in to the Receipts of the Excise at London: And that Sir Henry Cholmeley do confer with the Commissioners of Excise; and bring in an Ordinance for Allowance and Payment thereof, accordingly.

Ordered, That the Members of this House, that were sent Commissioners from both Houses to the Parliament of Scotland, be and are hereby added to the respective Committees in the several Counties of Northumberland, Westmerland, Cumberland, and Durham, during their Continuance in those Parts.

A Letter from the Mayor, Sheriff, and Two of the Aldermen of Newcastle, of 9 Octobris 1645, from Newcastle, was this Day read.

Ordered, That Mr. Blakiston shall have Leave to go to Newcastle: And that his Service in the House be dispensed withal, during his Absence.

Ordered, That Colonel Hatcher, now one of the Commissioners from the Parliament in Scotland, shall have Leave to return to the Service of the House, if he shall think fit.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Serjeant Finch and Mr. Page;

The Lords received an Ordinance from this House concerning Officers, and their Widows; which they do agree unto, with these few Alterations. They do desire to put you in mind of Two Ordinances formerly sent down, concerning Captain Cannon, and the Reformadoes.

The Amendments were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto, with the Change of the Word "and," in the Second Amendment, into the Word "or."

Resolved, &c. That so soon as the Conference shall be ended, the House do immediately take into Consideration the Business of the Army.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Mountague be added to the Committee of the Army.

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

Sir Walter Erle went to the Lords, to desire, That, at this Conference, this House might offer something touching the Amendments, sent by their Lordships, to the Ordinance concerning the Payment of One thousand Pounds, to certain Officers and Widows.

Mr. Pury, Sir Philip Stapleton, Mr. Darley, Mr. Blakiston, Sir Thomas Widdrington, and Mr. Tate, are appointed to be Managers of this Conference.

A Letter from the Scotts Commissioners, from WorcesterHouse, of 14 Octobris 1645, touching the Report of a Letter sent from his Majesty to the General of the Scotts Army, and the Proceedings thereupon, was this Day read; and ordered to be communicated to the Lords at this Conference: And to that Purpose, immediately delivered unto Mr. Tate.

The House being informed, That there were Three several Messengers at the Door, from Basing, and from Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army;

They were all of them called in; and acquainted the House of the Taking of the New-House at Basing, and the Entering of the Old-House, this Morning. The Messenger from the Army acquainted the House with the present Condition of the Army, for want of Monies; and desired that Monies and Provisions may be speedily sent to them.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army do forthwith pay unto these Three Messengers, the Sum of Twenty Pounds, to be equally divided amongst them.

Mr. Recorder acquainted the House, That Two Sessions were now passed, since Lieutenant-Colonel-Lilborne was removed to Newgate, and had continued a Prisoner there; and that no Information, or other Charge, had been yet brought in against him; and that, at this last Sessions, he humbly desired, either to be tried, or to be discharged: And

It is thereupon Resolved, That Lieutenant-Colonel Lilborne be forthwith discharged from his Imprisonment.

Upon the Recommendation and Desire of Sir Wm. Waller;

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Lieutenant-Colonel Lower to be Governor of Winchester-Castle, so long as the Parliament shall think fit to continue it for a Garison.

Sir Henry Vane junior reported, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax, of 8 Octobris 1645, from Chard; together with the Opinion of that Committee thereupon: Which were read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Committee of both Kingdoms, That a competent Force be left in these Parts, against any Irruptions from Oxford, and upon all other Occasions.

Resolved, &c. That Forty Barrels of Powder, Two Ton of Match, Five hundred Swords, Five hundred Bandaliers, and One hundred Musquets, be forthwith furnished out of the publick Stores, for the Service of the Isle of Ely.

Resolved, &c. That Twenty Barrels of Powder, with Match and Bullet proportionable, be forthwith furnished out of the publick Stores, for the Service of the Garison of Warwick.

Resolved, &c. That Thirty Barrels of Powder, and Match and Bullet proportionable, and Two hundred Firelocks, be forthwith furnished out of the publick Stores, for the Service of the Town of Liverpoole.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee formerly appointed for the Management of the Stores, to consider, How these several Provisions may be forthwith furnished and provided; and how a constant Supply of Provisions may be made, from time to time, for the Scores: And the Care hereof is especially referred to Sir Walter Erle.

Mr. Scawen reports a Certificate from the Officers of the Ordnance, concerning the Quantities of Ordnance and Shot, are necessary for Furnishing of the publick Stores: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee formerly appointed for Management of the publick Stores: And that Sir Walter Erle do take special Care of it.

Mr. Scawen further reported, from the Committee of the Army, a Letter of 7 Octobris 1645, from Chard, from the Members of this House, sent down into the West: Which was read; and was, touching Provisions and Necessaries to be sent to the Army.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army do forthwith provide and send One thousand Pounds-worth of Bread, Cheese, and Biscuit, for the Supply and better Subsistence of the Army, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax.

Ordered, That Two thousand Pounds, out of the first Monies for the Fine to be set upon Sir John Hele, for a Composition for his Delinquency, or out of his Estate, shall be paid to the Treasures of the Army, for the making up the Six Shillings a Man, given to the Soldiers for their good Service at the Storming of Bridgwater, the Sum of Ten Shillings a Man; and for the Providing of Shoes and Stockings for the Foot

A Paper reported from the Committee of both Kingdoms, and sent from the Lords, 10 Octobris 1645, which came from the Committee of the Militia of London, was this Day read; and was, for an Enlargement of their Power for Pressing of Men.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Militia of London do, by Saturday next, levy and imprest the full Proportion of One thousand Four hundred Sixty-and-five Men; being the Proportion formerly set upon them, for Recruits for Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army; that they may be ready by that Day, to be sent away: And that they do imprest and levy the same within the City of London, Lines of Communication, and Weekly Bills of Mortality: And Mr. Vassall, Mr. Snelling, and Colonel Venn, are to take care hereof; and give an Account of their Proceedings herein to the House.

Ordered, That Mr. Lisle do bring in the Ordinance for compounding with the Earl of Devon, for Discharge of his Delinquency and Sequestration, this Afternoon.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. William Nix shall be added to the Committees for the County of Nottingham, and for the Town and County of Nottingham.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Mr. Corbett do, on Monday next, bring in an Ordinance for assessing upon the Eastern Association, to enable them for the reimbursing, to the Treasurers of the Army, such Monies as hath been taken up of the Assessments belonging to Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army; and for Reimbursing of themselves other extraordinary Charges upon Alarms.

Upon Mr. Purye's Report from the Commissioners of Excise, That, upon due Consideration of the Order of this House, of 8 Octobris 1645, and of That which was thereby referred to the said Commissioners, and the Discourse they had with Colonel Bridges, who had undertaken to countenance the Collection in the County of Warwick, the Commissioners hoped of such Increase thereby, as would recompense the weekly Assignment of Twenty-five Pounds per Week to Colonel Bridges his Troop, out of the Excise of the said County, without any great Prejudice to the general Receipts, or of ill Consequence in the Precedent;

It is Resolved, &c. That the Commissioners for the Excise, or their Sub-Commissioners, do weekly pay, out of the Monies arising and coming for Excise in the City of Coventry, and County of Warwick, the Sum of Five-and twenty Pounds per Week, unto Colonel Bridges, Governor of Warwick, towards the Pay and Maintenance of a Troop of Horse, at Warwick-Castle: And that the Receipt of the said Colonel Bridges, or of his Assigns, shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Commissioners of Excise, and their Sub-Commissioners, for the Payment of the said Five-and-twenty Pounds per Week, accordingly.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Anthony Blagrave Esquire to be High-Sheriff of the County of Berks: And that the Commissioners for the Great Seal do give him a Commission accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of Two Burgesses for the Borough of Lancaster in the County of Lancaster, in the rooms and places of John Harrison, and Thomas Fanshaw Esquires; being both disabled, by Judgment of the House, to sit as Members thereof, during this Parliament.

Ordered, That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of a Burgess for the Borough of Preston in Andernes, in the room and place of Thomas Standish Esquire, deceased.

Post Meridiem.

THE humble Petition of the Merchant-Adventurers, and Eastland Merchants, for Ratification of their Treaty made with the King of Denmarke; and for Letters from the Parliament to the Elector of Brandenburgh; was this Day read.

A Letter of Credence from the King of Denmarke, of 22 Aprilis 1645, from Coppenhaghe, to the Parliament of England; and the Copies of the Treaty transacted with him by Mr. Jenks and Mr. Skinner, Commissioners from the Parliament, concerning Commerce and Trade; were this Day read.

Ordered, &c. That the Consideration of the said Letter and Papers, and the whole Matter of the Treaty, transacted with the King of Denmarke by Mr. Jenks and Mr. Skinner, Commissioners from both Houses of Parliament, be referred to the Committee of the Navy: Who are to report their Opinions thereupon to the House; and are also to prepare a Letter, to be sent from both Houses of Parliament to the King of Denmarke, for any other Particulars that may be necessary to be demanded from him by the Merchants of this Kingdom, concerning Trade: And Mr. Whittacre is hereby added to the said Committee.

A Copy of a Letter from the Chancellor of Denmarke, of 1 Maii 1645, to the Commissioners for the Treaty with the King of Denmarke, was this Day read.

A Letter from the King of Denmarke, touching his Interposition, was read.

Ordered, &c. That this Letter be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider, What Answers have been given upon the like Desires to the French King, and the States of Holland; and thereupon to frame an Answer to the King of Denmarke; and to report it to the Houses, to be sent by Commissioners of both Houses.

Herein the Lords Concurrence to be desired.

Resolved, &c. That Sir John Henderson, being a Prisoner that hath been in Arms against the Parliament, be required to return within Fourteen Days: And that he have a Pass to that Purpose; the Parliament being resolved to send Answer to the King of Denmarke's Letters by Commissioners of their own.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee of both Kingdoms do send the Letter to the King of Denmarke, concerning Sir John Henderson, which they were formerly appointed to send, in case they have not already sent it.

An Ordinance for enabling the Committee of the Navy to sell The Eighth Whelp, and some other Ships, and one Pink, Part of the Navy Royal, to the best Advantage of the State; and to give Directions for the speedy Building of other Ships, in lieu of them, for the Defence of the Kingdom; was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords.

Ordered, That Sir Christopher Wray shall have Leave to go into the Country for one Month.

Resolved, &c. That the Northern Committee, where Sir Tho. Widdrington hath the Chair, have hereby Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, and Records.

An Ordinance for Authorizing of marked Papers and Parchment, to be used in certain publick Affairs, was this Day read the First time; and ordered to be read the Second time, between the Hours of Ten and Twelve of the Clock.

A Letter from the Committee at the Suburbs before Chester, of 10 Octobris 1645, was this Day read.

Ordered, &c. That the Sum of Two hundred Pounds apiece be advanced and paid, upon Account, unto Colonel Jones and Adjutant Louthian, out of the Ten thousand Pounds appointed for the Use of the Forces before Chester.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Ashurst do prepare a Letter to be sent from this House to the Committees of the adjacent Counties to Chester, to send in Provisions to the Parliament's Forces, now at the Leaguer before Chester: And that he do likewise prepare another Letter, to be sent to Colonel Jones and Adjutant Louthian; expressing the Sense this House hath of their good Services.

Ordered, &c. That, on Saturday next, Mr. Greene do proceed in the Reports from the Committee of the Navy.

Ordered, &c. That Sir Michael Livesay shall have Leave to go into the Country.