House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 6 January 1646

Die Martis, 6 Januarii, 1645.

Prayers.

ORdered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to write a Letter to the State of Genoa, for Release of Goods of the East-India Company's, seized there by Sir Peter Ricaut's Means, for Monies paid by the Company to the Parliament, which was His; the Sum being above Three thousand Pounds.

Upon the like Letter and Occasion, to the Venetian; the Company's Goods were discharged, and their Factors at Genoa desire the like Letter.

The House took into Consideration the Votes and Orders of this House, for disabling Mr. Henry Martyn to sit as a Member of this Parliament: The which Orders were read: And

It is thereupon Resolved, &c. That Leave be, and is hereby given, to take the particular Orders concerning Mr. Martyn into Consideration again.

Resolved, &c. That that Part of the Order mentioned in Mr. Saltmarshe's Order of the Sixteenth of August 1643, concerning Mr. Henry Martyn, and the Judgment of this House given thereupon concerning him, be annulled, and made void, and rased out of the Book: And that the Clerk do vacate the same, accordingly.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Henry Martyn be forthwith called into the House, to sit and serve as a Member of this House.

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 Election of a Burgess for the Town of Abingdon, in the place of Sir George Stonehouse, disabled, by Judgment of this House, to sit or serve as a Member in this present Parliament.

Ordered, &c. That this Day Sevennight be appointed for hearing the Report concerning Sir Robert Napier: And that the Committee that formerly examined That Business be revived, for the further Examining of the said Business: And that then likewise Sir Edward Hales his Petition be read: And that the House do consider of such other Members of this House as have deserted the Parliament, and are not yet disabled.

Ordered, &c. That To-morrow the Business concerning Mr. Long and Mr. Allen be taken into Consideration.

The House being informed, That divers of the Committee of the Militia of London were at the Door;

They were called in: And Mr. Alderman Gibbs acquainted the House, How sensible the Common-Council were of the great Dangers they apprehended the Parliament and City to be in, at this present, from the many new Faces they discover about the Town; who, though they have changed their Places, yet they fear they have not changed their Affections: That their Fears are increased by the Rumours they had heard of the King's coming to London with a Guard: That the Committee of the Militia being called upon by the Common-Council to put the City in as good a Posture for their Security, as they could, they have endeavoured it: But, meeting with some Obstructions, for want of further Power, the Common-Council had commanded them to represent these Defects to the House: Which they found to be Three principally;

First, Concerning Widows, and aged Persons, who are rich, but not able to bear Arms in their own Persons, yet sit to pay poor Men to bear their Arms for them.

Secondly, Concerning their Power to search for Papists, and dangerous Persons.

And, thirdly, For Raising of Horse, which are useful, both for Discovery of any Parties approaching upon the Out-Guards, and by the Quickness of their Motion, for quieting Disorders amongst ourselves.

For Remedy whereof they desire, That the Ordinance of 27 Februarii 1644 may be revived, for such Time as this House shall think fit; and that an additional Clause, in an Ordinance of the Eighth of September 1645, enabling them, with a coercive Power, by way of Penalty, for refractory Persons, may be added to it.

He was likewise commanded to desire this House, That they would take into their Thoughts the State of the Garison of Windsor; that it may be preserved, both for the Safety of the Parliament, and the City.

Ordered, &c. That an Ordinance to authorize the Committee of the Militia to cause Persons to find Arms, and to search for Papists, and suspicious Persons, and to disarm them, and to raise Horse, be read To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Samuel Browne make his Report, from the Committee to whom it was referred, of the Business concerning Directions, touching such Persons as come in from the King's Quarters.

Ordered, &c. That the State of the Garison of Windsor be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Mr. Alderman Atkin, Mr. Vassall, Colonel Venn, Mr. Allen, are appointed to acquaint those of the Committee of the Militia, That this House will take into speedy Consideration their Desires.

The Paper from the Commissioners of Scotland, upon Occasion of the Answer to the King's last Letters delivered in Yesterday, was this Day read: And,

Upon Consideration thereof, and upon Reading of the Remonstrance of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland to his Majesty, sent by the Commissioners of Scotland to his Majesty's Principal Secretary, to be delivered to his Majesty in May last;

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Members of both Houses, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to shew to the Commissioners of Scotland the said Remonstrance; and to desire from them, What they intend by those Expressions in the said Paper; viz. "Whether it may not, contrary to the Intentions of both Kingdoms, probably be interpreted to a further End than to decline a personal Treaty:" And the Members are to give an Account hereof to the House To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, &c. That it be recommended to the Committee of the Revenue, forthwith to satisfy and pay unto Captain Pickering Fifty Pounds, to make up a former Sum assigned to him One hundred Pounds, towards his Expence in the Employment of the Parliament to Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice.