House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 21 March 1646

Die Sabbati, 21 Martii, 1645.

Prayers.

Ordered, That Colonel Edward Popham, a Member of this House, shall have Liberty to go into the Country.

Ordered, That, on Monday Morning next, the first Business, the Report concerning the Earl of Denbigh, and the Report concerning the Earl of Stamford, be made, and taken into Consideration.

A Letter from the Commissioners of both Houses, from Lincolne, of 7 Martii; and a Petition from the County of Nottingham, on the Behalf of the Inhabitants of that County, were both this Day read.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor of the City of London be desired to take especial Care, that the Monies in Arrear from the City of London, upon the Ordinances for the Scotts Army, be carefully and speedily brought in: And the Members that serve for the City are, from this House, injoined earnestly to recommend the Care of this Business to the Lord Mayor; and represent to him the Necessity of speeding this Service.

Ordered, That the like Order be for the several Counties, to be directed to the Committees there: And that the Knights and Burgesses that serve for the said Counties, are likewise, from this House, injoined earnestly to recommend this Business to the said Committees; and represent to them the Necessity of speeding this Service.

Ordered, That the Committee of the County of * do take especial Care, That Monies in Arrear from the said County, upon the Ordinances for the Scotts Army, may be speedily and carefully brought in: And the Knights and Burgesses that serve for the said County, are, from this House, injoined earnestly to recommend the Care of this Business to the said Committee; and represent unto them the Necessity of speeding this Service.

Ordered, That the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall do prepare Letters to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and sent to the respective Committees of the several Counties, from this House, to acquaint them with the Necessity of the speedy Bringing in of the Monies in Arrear upon the Ordinances for the Maintenance of the Scotts Army: And that the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall do take care for the Sending of these Letters to the several Counties; and give the House an Account, What is done thereupon.

Ordered, That the Treasurers for the Sequestrations at Guildhall do, from time to time, duly pay in all such Monies as come to their Hands, which are not already charged before the Date hereof, into the Treasury at Goldsmiths-Hall, to be employed for Discharge of such Monies, from time to time, as are and shall be charged for the Service of the Affairs of Ireland.

Ordered, upon the Question, That an Ordinance be brought in for taxing the Counties for Payment of the Scotts Army for Four Months longer, to commence from the First of April next: And that the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall do prepare and bring in this Ordinance.

Mr. Rich went to the Lords with the same Message which he was appointed to carry to them Yesterday.

He likewise carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, an Order for Two hundred Pounds, out of Haberdashers-Hall, for the Party that discovered Macguire and Macmohun, Irish Rebels, that escaped out of the Tower; and the Order for Four thousand Pounds, out of Mr. Henlie's Fine, for the Garison of Abbingdon.

The humble Petition of Thomas Westropp Esquire, by the Appointment, and on the Behalf, of the Inhabitants of the Wapentake of Langbargh, in the North-Riding of the County of Yorke, and of the rest of the Inhabitants of the said North-Riding; and likewise the Remonstrance of the said North-Riding; were this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred, and especially recommended, to the speedy Consideration of the Northern Committee: Who are to examine the Particulars; and give a speedy Account and Report of it to the House.

Resolved, &c. That the Ordinance, formerly passed for the Northern Association, be continued for One Month, from this time; and all Powers and Clauses therein, except those that concern the receiving and making use of any of the Revenues of the Crown.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That the several Reports this Day made, and the whole Business concerning the North, and the Northern Association, be taken into futher Consideration on Tuesday next, the first Business after the Matter of the Excise shall be dispatched: And that if it cannot come on then, that it be taken into Consideration on Thursday next; and so from time to time, on Tuesday and Thursday, next after the Excise, till the Northern Business be dispatched.

Ordered, That, on Tuesday, next after the Business of the Excise, and the Northern Business, the Business concerning Leicestershire be taken into Consideration.

Mr. Rich brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Adding of Mr. Sollicitor and Mr. Rigby, to be of the Committee in the Ordinance for Foreign Plantations, in the places of Mr. Pym and Mr. Spurstowe, deceased; and of the other Members of this House, to be of the Committee in the said Ordinance: They do likewise agree to the Ordinance for Six thousand Pounds, for the Forces to follow Sir Jacob Ashley, out of the Excise; and to the Ordinance for Ten thousand Pounds, out of the Excise, for the Forces appointed for North Wales: And, as to the other Orders out of Haberdashrs-Hall, they will send Answer Forces appointed for North Wales: And, as to the other Orders out of Haberdashers-Hall, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordered, That it be especially referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to take it speedily into their Consideration, How the Counties of Oxon, Bucks, and Berks, may be preserved from Ruin and Destruction by the King's Forces from Oxford, and other Garisons of the Enemy.

Ordered, That Colonel Carne shall have Leave to go into Wales, and to return again.

Ordered, That Mr. Kempe, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country for a Month.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page;

The Lords have commanded us to return unto you this Ordinance: It is, for Six thousand Pounds to be paid to the Forces appointed to follow Sir Jacob Ashley in the Field: It moved first from this House: And the Lords have agreed unto it; with these Alterations; wherein they desire your Concurrence:-An Order, Where the Great Seal shall be kept; wherein they desire your Concurrence. The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, That, upon a Message sent from Oxford by a Trumpeter, the Lords are contented to give Leave to Sir Richard Willys and Mr. Edward Villiers to come from thence to this Town, and to go beyond the Sea; first taking their Oaths never to bear Arms against the Parliament: Wherein they desire your Concurrence. They commanded us to put you in mind of a Remonstrance and Petition of the Scotts Officers: It was recommended by the Scotts Commissioners to them; and to this House, from their Lordships: Also of the Lord Grey of Warke's Petition; it being for his Subsistence; and of Sir Marmaduke Lloyd's Petition: All which they desire you will take into Consideration.

The Amendment to the Ordinance for Six thousand Pounds, out of the Excise, for the Forces that follow Sir Jacob Ashley, was read; and was, That the said Six thousand Pounds should be employed likewise for the Forces now employed in the Siege of Lichfield.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth assent unto this Amendment.

The Ordinance for appointing a Place to keep the Great Seal of England in was read; and, upon the Question, passed.

It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the Great Seal of England, being sealed up with the Seals of Three at least of the Commissioners for the Custody of the said Great Seal, shall be, from time to time, kept at the Office of Mr. Browne, Clerk of the Parliaments at Westminster; and shall be there laid up, so sealed, as aforesaid, in an iron Chest; and not to be taken forth, without the Direction of Three of the said Commissioners.

Ordered, That, on Saturday next, the Business concerning the Lord Grey of Wark be taken into Consideration.

Ordered, That the Trumpeter, that brought the Letter from Sir Richard Willis, from Oxon, to Mr. Speaker, and to divers other Lords and Gentlemen, be referred to the Committee of Examinations.-

Ordered, That the Pamphlet, intituled, "The last Warning to all the Inhabitants of London," be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Examinations; to inquire out the Author, the Printer, and Publisher, of this Pamphlet.-

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message: And, as to the Lords Amendment to the Ordinance for Six thousand Pounds for the Forces that follow Sir Jacob Astley, they do agree; and to the Ordinance for appointing a Place to keep the Great Seal of England in: As to the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

A Letter from the General Sir Thomas Fairfax, without Date, was this Day read.

The Articles, upon which Sir Ralph Hopton's Army is disbanded, were brought up with this Letter.

Resolved, &c. That Fifty Pounds be forthwith bestowed upon the Gentleman, Mr. John Merryman, that bought this Letter and Dispatch from Sir Thomas Fairfax General: And that the Committee of Plymouth do forthwith pay this Fifty Pounds unto him accordingly.

A Letter from the Committee of this House, from Truro, of March the Fifteenth, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That Tuesday Sevennight be set apart for a Day of Publick Thankgiving to Almighty God, for the great Success of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax General, against the Enemy, in the West, in breaking and destroying their Armies, and giving them up into the Hands of the Parliament; to be observed and kept in all the Churches and Chapels within the Cities of London and Westminster, and Liberties thereof, and Lines of Communication, and Ten Miles about: And that the Lord Mayor be desired to take care, that the respective Ministers within the Limits aforesaid may have timely Notice hereof.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Carill and Mr. Peters be desired to preach before the House of Commons on Tuesday Sevennight, being the Publick Day of Thanksgiving: And that Christ-Church in London be the Place for this House to meet in for the Keeping of the said Day of Thankgiving: And that both the Sermons be in the Forenoon.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Thursday shall be Three Weeks shall be set apart for a Day of Publick Thankgiving to Almighty God, for the great Success of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax General, against the Enemy, in the West, in breaking and destroying their Armies, and giving them up into the Hands of the Parliament; to be observed and kept in all Churches and Chapels in the several Counties of the Kingdom, under the Power of the Parliament, above Ten Miles from London: And that the Knights and Burgesses of the several Counties and Places with the Limits aforesaid do take care, that the respective Ministers in the said Counties and Places may have timely Notice hereof.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That the Letter from the General, this Day read, and the Articles concerning the Disbanding of the Forces of the Enemy in Cornwall, be communicated to the Lords: And that the Lords be desired to name a Committee, to join with a Committee of this House, to go to the Common-Council of the City of London, to acquaint the City with the General's Letter, and the said Articles, and also with the several Successes of this Army this last Year.

Sir John Evelyn is to go to the Lords with this Message.

Ordered, upon the Question, That Two hundred Pounds per Annum, Lands of Inheritance, in Fee, be settled upon Mr. Peters, and his Heirs for ever, out of the Lands and Estate of Edward Lord Herbert, Son and Heir of the Earl of Worcester: And that the Committee of the West do bring in an Ordinance to this Purpose.

Ordered, That, on Friday next, the Report from the Committee of the West, concerning Mr. Scawen, be made.

Ordered, That the Committee of the West do consider of, and propound some Way for the Borrowing and Procuring of Five hundred Pounds, to be employed by them towards the Sending down of Divines and Gentlemen into the West.

Ordered, That a Letter of Thanks, and of Approbation of this great Service done in Cornwall by Sir Thomas Fairfax General, be prepared to be sent from both Houses to his Excellency; and likewise for Acknowledgment and Encouragement to the common Soldier.

Sir John Evelyn and Sir Arthur Hasilrig are to prepare this Letter.

Ordered, That the Committee of the West do send down to Colonel Fitz-James, to examine the Complaints made against Soldiers under his Command, that robbed, and offered other great Outrages and Violences to, divers Persons in the Company of Mr. Peters, who had the General's Passport for their quiet and safe Passage: And that he do seize upon the Persons, that, upon Examination, shall be found to have been offending in this great Breach of the Faith and Honour of the General; and send them up . . the Parliament.

An Ordinance for charging upon the Intervals of the Receipts of the Excise, to come before the First Day of July 1646, Eighty-four thousand Eight hundred Fortyseven Pounds Thirteen Shillings and Four-pence, for recruiting the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax General, to be paid next and immediately after such Assignments as are already charged in the said Intervals, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That an Ordinance be brought in for continuing the Ordinance for Maintenance of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax General, with all the Powers and Clauses therein, for the Space of Six Months longer, from the Expiration of the Time for which the same is now in Force.

Mr. Scawen is appointed to bring in this Ordinance.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the West, to consider and take care for the speedy sending down orthodox godly Preaching Ministers into the West.

Ordered, That Mr. Earle, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Ordered, That Mr. Grove, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Ordered, That Mr. Temple, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Ordered, That Mr. Temple, a Member of this House, shall have the Allowance of Four Pounds per Week allowed and paid to him for his present Subsistence, as other the Members have: And that the Committee of the Revenue do pay the same accordingly.

Ordered, That Mr. Sollicitor-General do desire Mr. Carill to preach before the House of Commons at ChristChurch, on Tuesday Sevennight, being the Day of Publick Thanksgiving.

Ordered, That Mr. Prideaux do desire Mr. Peters to preach before the House of Commons, at Christ-Church, on Tuesday Sevennight, being the Day of publick Humiliation.

Upon a Report, from the Committee to whom the Petition of Mr. Thomas Arundell, a Member of this House, was referred, this Day made by Sir Robert Harley;

It is Resolved, &c. That the House is of Opinion with the Committee, That Mr. Thomas Arundell, a Member of this House, is clear from any of the Scandals and Imputations charged upon him by Mr. Christopher Worthyvale.

Ordered, That Mr. Christopher Worthyvale do, for Reparation to Mr. Thomas Arundell, acknowledge, before the Committee in the Country, his Error towards Mr. Arundell.

Sir Walter Erle delivered in to the House the Copies of Two Letters of the Lord Digbie's to his Lady; which were writ in Cypher, but decyphered by him: A Letter also from the Person stiled Earl of Glamorgan, to his Majesty, from Waterford, in Ireland, of * * 1645: . . . . . were this Day read; and ordered to be forthwith printed.