House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 1 April 1646

Die Mercurii, 1 Aprilis, 1646.

Prayers.

THE Grand Committee of the House for Religion, according to former Order, sat, to take into Consideration the Petition from the Assembly of Divines.

Mr. Whittacre in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

A Letter from Sir Francis Pile, from Redding, of 31 Martii 1646; and a Letter from the Governor of Redding, of the same Date; were both this Day read.

A Letter from the Scotts Commissioners, from Worcester-House, of 1 Aprilis 1646, signifying their Consent to the Letter to be sent to his Majesty, was this Day read.

Mr. Rigby brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer, by Messengers of their own, to the Ordinance for putting of Papists, and Officers and Soldiers of Fortune, out of the Lines of Communication.

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

The Lords have commanded us to return you this Ordinance for Martial Law in the City of London: It moved first from you: And the Lords do agree to it, with these Amendments and Alterations; to which they desire your Concurrence:-Also this Ordinance, for putting of Papists, and Officers and Soldiers of Fortune, out of the Lines of Communication: It moved likewise from you: And they do agree to it, with these Amendments; to which they desire your Concurrence. They commanded us likewise to deliver you this Pass: It is for Licence to transport Ten Horses, for the Lord Mountgomery, into France; to which they desire your Concurrence.

The Lords Amendments and Alterations to the Ordinance for Martial Law for the City of London were twice read.

The Lords Amendments to the Ordinance for putting of Papists, and Officers and Soldiers of Fortune, out of the Lines of Communication, were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto. And

It is thereupon Ordered, That the said Ordinance be forthwith printed.

Ordered, That the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Army do meet this Afternoon; and go into London, to the Committee of the Militia of the City of London, to communicate to the said Committee of the Militia the Ordinance of the One-and-thirtieth of March; and to consider of the Ways and Means, How the same may be forthwith put in Execution: And have Power, and are hereby required, forthwith to advise of, and put in Execution, whatsoever they shall conceive necessary for the City, and Parts within the Lines of Communication. And

It is further Ordered, That the said Committee of the Army do this Afternoon communicate to the said Committee of the Militia the Letters from Sir Francis Pile, and the Governor of Redding; and also the Ordinance, this Day passed, for putting of Papists, and Officers and Soldiers of Fortune, out of the Lines of Communication: And the said Committee of the Militia are authorized, and hereby required, forthwith to publish the said Ordinance, by Sound of Trumpet, within the Cities of London and Westminster, and Lines of Communication.

Ordered, That the Lords Amendments and Alterations to the Ordinance for Martial Law in the City of London be committed to the Committee appointed to prepare a Proclamation for the Safety of the City: Who are to meet thereupon this Afternoon; and to report the same on Friday Morning next.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom the Lords Amendments to a former Ordinance for Martial Law were referred, do report the same on Friday Morning next.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That Ten Horses or Geldings be permitted to be embarked at any Port within the Parliament's Quarters, to be transported into France, Custom and Impost free, for the Lord Mountgomery, without the Lett, Stay, or Hindrance, of any Person or Persons whatsoever.

Resolved, &c. That Martin Lumley Esquire, eldest Son to Sir Martin Lumley, a Member of this House, shall have a Pass for himself, and one Servant to attend him, and for Two Geldings, and for their necessary Accommodations, to be transported into France, from any Port under the Power of the Parliament: And that the said Two Geldings be so transported Custom and Impost free.

Ordered, That the House do sit on Monday in the Afternoon, to hear Reports and Ordinances from the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall.

Ordered, That the House do meet, in a Grand Committee, on Friday Morning next, to take into further Consideration the Petition from the Assembly of Divines, according to the former Order.

Ordered, That the Letter to be sent to his Majesty, from both Kingdoms, in Answer of his Majesty's Letter of 23 Martii last, be inclosed in a Letter to Sir Thomas Glemham, signed by the Speakers of both Houses: And, in regard this House is informed, That the Lords are risen; and for that the Sending of this Letter to his Majesty doth require more than ordinary Expedition; it is further Ordered, That if the Speaker of the Lords House shall not think fit to sign a Letter to Sir Thomas Glemham, for the Purpose aforesaid, that then Mr. Speaker do sign the same alone, and send it to Mr. Frost, one of the Secretaries to the Committee of both Kingdoms: And that the said Mr. Frost do take care, that the said Letter be forthwith sent to Oxford, by one of the Messengers attending the said Committee.

The Letter to be signed and sent to Sir Thomas Glemham to Oxford, was drawn at the Table; and read in hæc verba; videlicet,

"Sir, We are commanded, by both Houses of the Parliament of England, to desire you to present the inclosed Letter to his Majesty, from both Houses: And so we bid you farewel; and rest,"

"Your Loving Friends."

And was directed, "For Sir Thomas Glemham Knight, at Oxford, These;" and was approved of, and assented unto, to be the Letter to be sent to Sir Thomas Glemham.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House hath considered your Message: And, as to the Amendments to the Ordinance for putting of Papists, and Officers and Soldiers of Fortune, out of the Lines of Communication; and the Pass for Ten Houses for the Lord of Mountgomery, to be transported into France; they do agree: And, as to the Amendments and Alterations to the Ordinance for Martial Law, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordered, That the Business of the Northern Association be taken into Consideration on Saturday Morning next, the first Business.

Resolved, &c. That the House be adjourned until Friday Morning at Eight of the Clock. And

Mr. Speaker adjourned the House accordingly.

THE Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, taking notice of the great Confluence and Resort of Papists, Officers and Soldiers of Fortune, and such as have borne Arms against the Parliament of England, from the Enemies Garisons and Quarters, unto the Cities of London and Westminster, and other Parts, within the Lines of Communication, do, for the Prevention of such Inconveniencies as may thereby arise, think sit to Order; and it is hereby Ordered, by the said Lords and Commons, That all Papists whatsoever, and all Officers and Soldiers of Fortune, and other Persons, that have borne Arms against the Parliament of England (not being under Restraint), do, before the End of the Sixth Day of April 1646, depart out of the said Cities of London and Westminster, and Lines of Communication: And, if any such Person shall continue within the said Lines after that Time, such Person is hereby declared a Spy; and shall be apprehended, imprisoned, and proceeded against, as a Spy, according to the Rules of War. And the said Lords and Commons do further Order, That all such Persons do forbear, upon the Penalty aforesaid, to return or come within the said Lines without Licence, under the Hands of the Committee appointed for Compositions at Goldsmiths-Hall: And the Committee of the Militia of London, and their Sub-Committees, in their several Limits, respectively, are hereby required to keep strict Guards and Watches, and cause frequent Searches to be made, and to take care for the due Execution of this Order. Provided, That this Order, nor any thing therein contained, shall extend to any Person or Persons who shall obtain Licence, under the Hands of the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall, to continue within the Limits aforesaid. Provided, That this Order, or any thing herein contained, shall not extend to any Person or Persons who came in to the Parliament before the First of June last, and are cleared, by both Houses of Parliament, from their Delinquency. Provided also, That no Peer of this Realm shall resort unto the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall, for Licence to continue within the Limits aforesaid; but shall repair only to the House of Peers for their said Licence. This Order to continue for the Space of One Month, after the said Sixth of April, and no longer.