House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 25 April 1646

Die Sabbati, 25 Aprilis, 1646.

Prayers.

Ordered, That Sir William Masham, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight.

Ordered, That Mr. Nathanael Stephens, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go to the Bathe, for Recovery of his Health.

Ordered, That the Clerk have Leave to be absent for Three Days.

Ordered, That Sir Richard Onslowe and Sir William Playters shall have Leave to petition the Lords concerning some Possessions of the Earl of Arundell, and of the Lord Dacres, seized from them by the Garison of Carlisle.

A Letter from Ruthyn, from Colonel Mitton, of 20 Aprilis 1646, with an intercepted Letter inclosed, from Captain Robert Byron, from Dublyn, of 11 Aprilis, directed to Sir William Gerard, at Denbigh, were this Day read.

Ordered, That this intercepted Letter be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports: And they are desired to have a special Care, that there may be Ships appointed to attend diligently and carefully on the Irish Coasts: And Sir Gilbert Gerard is to acquaint the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland with the said intercepted Letter.

Resolved, &c. That a Letter be sent, from this House, to the Vice-Admiral, to desire him to take especial Care, that the Navy may be so disposed and employed, as may be for the greatest Security of Trade, and preventing the Landing of Irish, or any other Foreign Aids, that may be sent to the Enemy: And Mr. Stockdale and Mr. Pury are to prepare and bring in this Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Recorder reports, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, Instructions for Sir Thomas Middleton, Sir John Trevor, Sir Richard Wynn, and others, Commissioners appointed by both Houses for reducing the Six Counties of North-Wales to the Obedience of the Parliament: Which were read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Colonel Morgan to be Commander in Chief of the Forces of the County of Monmouth: And that the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do grant him a Commission to be Commander in Chief of the Forces of the said County accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider of Conditions to be offered to the Garisons of the Kingdom that do still hold out, do meet this Afternoon, at Two of the Clock; and bring in the Report on Monday next, peremptorily.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of William Herbert, of Cowldbrooke, Esquire, to be Sheriff of the County of Monmouth: And that the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England do grant him a Commission to be Sheriff of the said County accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of William Herbert, of Cowldbrooke, Esquire, to be Captain of a Troop of Horse, to be employed in the Service of the County of Monmouth: And that the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do grant him a Commission to be Captain of a Troop of Horse accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall do bring in the Form of the Pardon, which hath been passed, under the Great Seal, for the Discharge of Delinquents, the next time that any Reports shall be made by the said Committee.

An Ordinance for granting a Pardon unto William Darwin, of Cletham in the County of Lincolne, for his Delinquency, and for Discharge of his Sequestration, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

An Ordinance for granting a Pardon, under the Great Seal, unto Sir William Ford, of Harting in the County of Sussex, Knight, for his Delinquency, and for Discharge of his Sequestration, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

An Ordinance for granting a Pardon, under the Great Seal, unto George Porter Esquire, for his Delinquency, and for Discharge of his Sequestration, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

An Ordinance, sent from the Lords, appointing a Committee for Goldsmiths . . . ., was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question, rejected.

Sir Henry Mildmay carried unto the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Order for Bussy Mansell to be Sheriff of the County of Glamorgan: The Order for renewing the Commission to Mr. Annesley, Sir Robert King, and Colonel Beale: The Order for Five thousand Pounds, out of HaberdashersHall, for the Service of Ireland: The Ordinance for passing a Grant unto Edward Birkhead Esquire, of the Place of Serjeant at Arms attending on this House, under the Great Seal: And an Ordinance for granting him the Possession of Ely-House, for Securing of Prisoners: Also the Order for appointing the Rooms employed for the Service of Keeping of divers Papers and Books, belonging to the Court of Requests, for the safe Keeping of the Books and Records of this House.

Ordered, That the Ordinances of such Delinquents, whose Fines have been agreed and accepted by this House, be read on Monday next, in the Afternoon: And that the House do sit for the Reading and Passing of the said Ordinances, on Monday next, in the Afternoon, accordingly.

An Ordinance for the Sale of the Lands of the Earl of Worcester, Lord Herbert, and Sir John Somersett, within the Cities of London, Westminster, and Liberties, and the County of Middlesex, for the Payment of Mr. Hill and Mr. Pennoyer, Merchants, the Debt owing unto them for Arms furnished to the State, and for employing the Remainder in the Service of the Kingdom, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Sir Henry Mildmay brings Answer from the Lords, That the Lords have agreed to the several Messages carried by him to the Lords; except to the Orders for Keeping of the Books and Records of this House; and for Appointing of Ely-House for the Keeping and Securing of Prisoners.

A Message from the Lords, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Heath;

The Lords have commanded us, in the first place, to bring you, with their especial Recommendation, the Petition of the Earl of Peterborough: - A Report from the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports: Which the Lords approve of; and desire your Concurrence therein:- This Ordinance for the Excise: To which they agree, with this Amendment; to which they desire your Concurrence: - The Petition of the Lady Englefield; which they formerly granted; and, in some measure, she had the Fruit of it: To which they desire your Concurrence. They have commanded us to acquaint you, That they have agreed to the Amendment in the Ordinance, which was sent from this House, for Mr. Fathers: And they have sent you this Petition of the Town of Manchester: Which they recommend to your Consideration.

The humble Petition of Henry Earl of Peterborough was read: And

It is thereupon Ordered, That the said Earl be admitted to compound for his Estate, according to the Rules and Rates that are limited and set for Members of either House of Parliament, that have deserted the Parliament, and adhered to the Enemy: And that he be referred to the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall, to make his Composition for his Estate accordingly. And

It is further Ordered, That the Committee at GoldsmithsHall, when they bring in the Ordinance for the Discharge of the Delinquency of the said Earl, do insert a Proviso therein, That the said Earl shall not sit or serve as a Member of the House of Peers during this present Parliament, without Leave from both Houses first obtained in that behalf.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That the Earl of Peterborough be admitted to come in to the Parliament; and have a Pass for his coming in: And that Mr. Speaker do grant him a Pass for his coming in accordingly.

The Report from the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports was read; and was, for appointing Forces to go to Jersey: Also the Lords Order thereupon, approving of Colonel Aldridge to go Commander in Chief in the said Expedition.

Mr. Whitelock made the like Report from the said Committee, as to the Forces that are to be sent to the said Island: And that the most likely Way to supply the Money for One Month's Pay for them, and for defraying the Charge of the Train of Artillery, Victuals, and Transportation, with that Speed that the Service requires, will be to allot thereunto the first Five thousand Pounds that shall come in to Goldsmiths-Hall, upon Fines for Compositions; the said Committee estimating that Sum to be proportionable to the whole Charge.

The Question being put, For agreeing with the Lords, in Approving of Colonel Aldridge to be Commander in Chief of the Forces that are to go to the Isle of Jersey in this Expedition;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Sir Hardres Waller to be Commander in Chief of the Forces that are to go to the Isle of Jersey.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords in that Part of the Report concerning Jersey, That the Regiment of Twelve hundred Men, to be sent to Jersey, be raised out of the Garisons in the West and South Parts of England.

Resolved, &c. That the Sum of Five thousand Pounds be forthwith provided, for One Month's Pay for a Regiment of Foot, to consist of Ten Companies, and Twelve hundred Soldiers, to be sent to the Isle of Jersey; and for defraying the Charge of the Train of Artillery, Victuals, and Transportation of the said Soldiers, Artillery, Victuals, and Ammunition.

Ordered, That Sir Hardres Waller be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty, to advise with them concerning his Expedition unto the Isle of Jersey.

Ordered, That the Five thousand Pounds, this Day appointed to be provided for the Service of the Isle of Jersey, be paid out of the Proceed of the Lands of the Earl of Worcester, Lord Herbert, and Sir John Somersett, upon the Sale thereof, after the Debt to Mr. Hill and Mr. Pennoyer, Merchants, shall be first satisfied: And that, in case any Person or Persons shall advance the said Five thousand Pounds, or any Part thereof, for the Service aforesaid, the Person or Persons, so advancing the same, shall be satisfied the Sums to be advanced by them, with Interest for the same after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Centum, out of the Proceed of the Sale of the said Lands, after the said Mr. Hill and Mr. Pennoyer shall be first satisfied, as aforesaid.

Ordered, That the Petition of the Town of Manchester be referred to the Committee for the Northern Association.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House hath considered your Message: And, as to the Addition to the Ordinance concerning the Excise, they do agree: And, as to the rest of the Particulars of the Message, they have taken them into Consideration; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

A Letter from Colonel Ireton, from Waterstoke, of 23 Aprilis 1646, directed to Lieutenant-General Cromwell, and by him presented to the House, was this Day read.

Sir John Evelyn, Sir Arthur Hesilrig, Lieutenant-General Cromwell, Mr. Weaver, Mr. Marten, Mr. Sollicitor;

This Committee are immediately to withdraw; and prepare an Order, upon the Debate of the House, concerning the said Letter, in reference to the Army: And are further to consider, What is sit to be done with the Two Officers or Persons mentioned therein: And are to report the same to the House.

A Letter from Colonel Thomas Rainsborough, from Woodstock, of 11 Aprilis 1646, concerning Mr. Fountaine; informing, That he was come in, and was now at Aylesbury; was this Day read. And

It is thereupon Ordered, That Mr. Fountaine be forthwith sent a Prisoner, in safe Custody, to the Castle of Bristoll: And that Major-General Skippon, Governor of the Garison of Bristoll, take care, that he be safely kept a Prisoner in the said Castle accordingly.

Resolved, &c. That the Earl of Northampton, and all those Servants, and others, who came with him from Oxford, be, and is hereby, injoined to depart the Lines of Communication before Tuesday next; otherwise to be proceeded against as Spies.

Resolved, &c. That the Earl of Northampton, and all those Servants, and others, who came with him from Oxford, be, and hereby is, injoined to depart the Kingdom before the First Day of May next; otherwise to be proceeded against as Spies.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do grant Passes to the Earl of Northampton, and unto such Servants, and others, as came with him from Oxford, to embark themselves, and Necessaries, to go beyond Seas.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House do forthwith acquaint the Earl of Northampton with these Orders concerning him, and his Servants and Company, that came with him from Oxford.

Resolved, &c. That Mrs. Porter, Wise to Mr. Endymion Porter, be, and is hereby, injoined to depart the Lines of Communication before Tuesday next; otherwise to be proceeded against as a Spy.

Resolved, &c. That Mrs. Porter, Wife to Mr. Endymion Porter, be, and is hereby, injoined to depart the Kingdom before the First Day of May next; otherwise to be proceeded against as a Spy.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House do forthwith acquaint Mrs. Porter, Wife to Mr. Endymion Porter, with these Orders concerning her Departure out of the Lines of Communication, and going beyond Seas; and give the House an Account hereof.

Upon Mr. Marten's Report from the Committee;

It is Resolved, &c. That Notice be given to Sir Thomas Fairfax, That, if the King shall, under his Hand, directed to both Houses of Parliament, send unto him, or any other Commander in the Service of the Parliament, any Letter or Message concerning Peace, the same shall be immediately conveyed unto the Houses, to be considered of by both Houses, and by the Commissioners for the Parliament of Scotland.

Resolved, &c. That no Commander in Chief, Officer, or Soldier whatsoever, in the Service of the Parliament, shall, otherwise than as aforesaid, entertain or receive any Message, or Overture of Peace, from the King, or any other Person adhering to him, or in Arms against the Parment.

Resolved, &c. And, in case any such Person shall presume to make any Overture of Peace, otherwise than as aforesaid, he shall be apprehended, and proceeded against as a Spy, according to the Rules of War.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army do take care to send these Votes, concerning Treaties about Peace, to the General, and other Officers and Commanders, in the Service of the Parliament.

Ordered, That Lieutenant-General Cromwell be desired to send the Three Votes or Orders of this House, concerning any Treaty about Peace, to the General, and Colonel Ireton.

Ordered, That the Four Papers, last delivered to the House, from the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, be read on Monday Morning next, the first Business: And that no other Business do then intervene: And be proceeded in, until they be finished.