House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 17 October 1646

Die Sabbati, 17 Octobris, 1646.

Prayers.

AN Ordinance concerning the Probate of Wills, declaring and ordaining the Power to continue valid to Sir Nathanael Brent, constituted Judge of the Prerogative-Court by former Ordinance, notwithstanding the Ordinance passed for the Abolishing of Archbishops and Bishops out of England and Wales, was this Day read the First and Second time.

And the Question being put, For the Commitment of it;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So as the Question passed with the Affirmative.

Mr. Recorder, Mr. Rous, Sir Henry Vane, Sir John Coke, Mr. Maynard, Mr. Selden, Mr. Hill, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Lane, Mr. Fiennes, Sir Simmonds D'Ewes, Sir Thomas Widdrington, Mr. Holles, Mr. Philip Smyth, Sir Philip Stapilton, Mr. Boys, Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Pury, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Wilde, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Love, Sir William Armyn, Sir Wm. Allenson, Mr. Dennis Bond, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Crewe, Mr. Millington, and all the Lawyers of the House, are appointed to be this Committee: And they are to meet upon it this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Exchequer-Chamber.

And the Care hereof is more particularly referred to Mr. Hill.

The House being informed, That the Marquis of Hertford, his Lady, or some others, by their or one of their Appointments, had, this last Night, about Twelve of the Clock, seized on all the ready Monies, Goods, and divers Writings and Papers in Essex-House, belonging to the late Earl of Essex, deceased;

Resolved, &c. That the Examination of the whole Matter of Fact of this Information be referred to a Committee: Which Committee are likewise to examine, whether the Articles for the Rendition of Oxford, or the Privilege of this House, be hereby broken.

The House being informed, That Mr. Devereux, and some others at the Door, could acquaint the House more particularly with this Business;

It is Resolved, &c. That Mr. Devereux, Mr. Isham, and such other Witnesses, as are at the Door, and can prove the preceding Information, shall be now called in.

Mr. Devereux was called in; and acquainted the House, That he went to Essex-House this Morning; and desired Mr. Isham to deliver unto him an Indenture, or Conveyance, concerning some Lands intailed on him: And Mr. Isham told him, It was not now in his Power to do it; for the Lady Marchioness of Hertford sent for him up into her Chamber, above Twelve of the Clock in the Night: And that not only the Writings, but likewise all the Monies, to the Value of Three thousand Seven hundred Pounds, and Goods there, were seized on, and taken out of his Possession.

Another Witness did likewise inform the same Particulars.

Mr. Prideaux, Sir John D'Anvers, Sir Arthur Heselrige, Mr. Maynard, Sir Henry Vane, Mr. Gerard, Mr. Holles, Mr. Purefoy, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Morley, Mr. Miles Corbett, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. White, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Lisle, Sir Thomas Pelham, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Selden, Sir Henry Mildmay, Sir Philip Stapilton, Mr. Knightley, Sir William Armyn, Lieutenant-General Cromwell, Mr. Dennis Bond, Mr. Henry Darley, Mr. Scawen, Mr. Baynton, Mr. Nathanael Fiennes, Sir Thomas Cheeke, Mr. Crewe;

This Committee, or any Five of them, are to examine the whole Matter of Fact, of the Information given to the House, concerning the Seizing of the Earl of Essex's Writings, Monies, and Goods, at Essex-House; and whether the Articles for Rendition of Oxford, and the Privilege of this House, be not thereby broken: And are to meet upon it this Afternoon at Two of the Clock, in the Exchequer-Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Papers, Witnesses, Records, &c.

Resolved, &c. That the Monies, Goods, and Writings, taken out of the Possession and Custody of Mr. Isham, or others, at Essex-House, by the Marquis of Hertford, or by his Lady, or by any other Person or Persons by his, their, or either of their Appointments, shall be delivered and restored to the Possession, Hands, and Custody of the Earl of Northumberland, Earl of Warwicke, and Mr. SollicitorGeneral, or such as they shall appoint to receive the same, until this House shall take further Order.

The Question was propounded, that this House doth declare, That neither the Marquis of Hertford, or any other Person, that hath been in Arms against the Parliament, shall attend the Funeral of the Earl of Essex, as a Mourner; and that the Executors be desired to take care herein:

And the Question being put, Whether this Question shall be now put;

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So it passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare, That neither the Marquis of Hertford, or any other Person, that hath been in Arms against the Parliament, shall attend the Funeral of the Earl of Essex, as a Mourner: And that the Executors be desired to take care herein.

Ordered, &c. That the humble Petition of the Doctors of the Civil Law, this Day presented to the House, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee this Day appointed for the Ordinance concerning Probates of Wills, and continuing the Power of Sir Nathanael Brent: And the Committee hath Power to hear the Petitioners; and to report their Opinions to the House.

And the Care hereof is more particularly referred to Mr. Hill.

A Vote of the House of Peers, importing, That such Forces as are raised by Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, cannot be disbanded by any Order of either House, without Order of both Houses of Parliament, was this Day read.

And likewise the Copy of a Letter from the House of Peers, of 16 Octobris, signed "Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore," to Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, as was informed, taking notice, That they have received Information of some Directions given to him for the present Reducement of the Forces of the Western Association, under the Command of Major-General Massy; upon which their Lordships have, passed this Vote, which they have commanded him, inclosed, to send to him; expecting his Conformity thereunto; was likewise read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare, That those Forces in the West, formerly under the Command of Major-General Massy, and ordered, by particular Order of this House, to be disbanded by the General, with the Assistance of Colonel Massy, the Committee, and others, are not comprised within the fore-recited Vote of the House of Peers.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee of the West do prepare Three particular Letters, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and directed to the General Colonel Massy, and the Committee, requiring them to proceed, with Speed and Effect, in the Disbanding of those Forces of the Western Association, formerly under the Command of Colonel Massy; and to acquaint them with the Declaration of this House, That those Forces are not comprised within the Vote of the House of Peers.

Upon Sir Wm. Armyn's Report from the Committee of Lords and Commons from Darby-House;

It is Resolved, &c. That, to the end that the Sum of Fifteen thousand Pounds may be procured upon the Credit of the Ordinances for Assessments for Ireland, the Sum of Five-and-twenty thousand Pounds be charged upon the Receipts of the Grand Excise, to be paid, in Course, out of the said Receipts, after the Credit for Four hundred thousand Pounds, and Interest, granted to the City of London, and other Monies, formerly charged, shall be first satisfied; the whole Sum of Forty thousand Pounds to be employed for Raising of Provisions for the Service of Ireland.

And Sir John Temple is to prepare, and bring in, an Ordinance accordingly.

Ordered, &c. That the Sum of One-and-twenty thousand Pounds be charged upon that Moiety of the Receipts of Monies, arising and coming in by Compositions at Goldsmiths-Hall, not charged for the Army, to be paid, in Course, out of the said Receipts; and to be employed for the Sending over of such Forces, as are now raised in this Kingdom, for the Service of Ireland.

Ordered, &c. That Major Thomas Scott, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to be employed, in the Service of the Parliament, in the War of Ireland: And that he be recommended, from this House, to the Committee for Irish Affairs, for Employment there according to his Quality; and to have such Allowance for raising his Troops, as others in the like Nature: And that his Attendance and Service in the House be dispensed with, in his Absence.

Ordered, &c. That Colonel Cooke, and Colonel Starr, be referred to the Committee of the West; to have some Gratuity, above the Monies paid unto them upon their Disbanding, bestowed upon them.

Mr. Henry Pelham brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer to the Messages carried by him to the Lords, by Messengers of their own.

The Question was propounded, That the Sum of Five thousand Pounds be charged upon the Receipts of the Excise, in Course, after the Engagement to the City of London, and the Five-and-twenty thousand Pounds for Ireland, for the Use of the Horse under Colonel Points:

The Question was put, Whether this Question should be put or not: And

It passed with the Affirmative.

And then the Question being put;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So as the Question passed with the Affirmative: And

It is Resolved, &c. That the Sum of Five thousand Pounds be charged upon the Receipts of the Excise, in Course, after the Engagement to the City of London, and the Five-and-twenty thousand Pounds for Ireland, for the Use of the Horse under Colonel-General Pointz.

Sir Philip Stapleton is to prepare and bring in an Ordinance for the Charging and Payment thereof accordingly.

Ordered, &c. That Sir Robert King's Petition be read, the first Petition, on Saturday Morning next.

Ordered, &c. That the Arms and Powder at NewportPagnell be employed by the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, for the Service of Ireland.

Ordered, &c. That the Disbanding of the Forces of the Garison of Abbington be taken into Consideration on Monday next.

Ordered, &c. That Sir Humphry Briggs, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Upon Mr. Knightly's Report from the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland;

An Order of the said Committee, of the Second of July 1646, referring the Consideration of Three Propositions, made to the said Committee by Mr. John Davyes, to the Treasurers at Grocers-Hall; another Order of the said Committee, of the Seventh of July 1646, referring the Proposition concerning Ammunition to Mr. Watson, and other the Armourers about the City of London; a Third Order, of the Fourteenth of July 1646, whereby the said Committee did accept of the said Offers and Propositions of the said Mr. Davyes, under this Caution, that, if any Artificer or Workman, or any other dealing in these Provisions, would come in, and deal for any of the Particulars at the Prices, and upon the Conditions, mentioned in those Papers, they should be received in Proportion with the said Mr. Davyes, and upon equal Terms with him: The which Three Orders were all read.

The First Proposition, under the Hand of Mr. Davyes, was read; and was in hæc verba; viz.

"Whereas the Ordinances for Ireland are already engaged for the Payment of Eighty-five thousand Pounds; and that it is necessary there be a further Provision of Victual, and other Things, upon the Credit of those Ordinances, for the Service of that Kingdom: It is proposed, That there shall be advanced, in Victual, to the Value of Sixteen thousand Pounds, at the several Rates hereunder mentioned, to be delivered in Ireland, at such Ports as the Committee of Lords and Commons shall direct, without any Charge or Adventure to the State; and the last of it to be shipped from this Kingdom within Two Months after Contract made: And, for Satisfaction thereof, the Proposer is contented to accept his Payment out of the said Ordinances, after the said Eighty-five thousand Pounds shall be paid."

"Jo. Davies."

The Second Proposition, under the Hand of Mr. Davyes, was likewise read; and was in hæc verba; viz.

"It is proposed to furnish, in Cloaths, upon the Credit of the Ordinances for Ireland, to the Value of Fifteen thousand Pounds; viz. Soldiers Suits, according to the Pattern of Cloaths shrunk, as they are delivered for Sir Thomas Fairefaxe' Soldiers, at Eighteen Shillings apiece; and to accept Payment thereof, after the Eighty-five thousand Pounds, and other Engagements for Victuals, shall be satisfied; and to furnish the Cloaths within a Month after the Contract; which shall be delivered in Ireland, discharged of Freight, and free of all other Charges, except the Adventure; which is to .. undertaken by the State."

"Jo. Davies."

The Third Proposition, under the Hand of the said Mr. Davies, was also read; and was in hæc verba; viz.

"It is further proposed to furnish, upon the Credit of the Ordinances for Ireland, to the Value of Twenty-four thousand Pounds, in Arms, Ammunition, and other Necessaries and Utensils for War, according to the particular Rates hereafter set down; and to accept Payment thereof, after the Eighty-five thousand Pounds, and other Engagements for Victual and Cloaths, contracted for, shall be discharged; and to deliver the said Arms, Ammunition, and other Utensils, within a Month after the Contract; and to transport and deliver them at any Port of Ireland, free of all Charge here and there, except the Adventure, which is to lie upon the State."

"Snapsacks, at 12 d. apiece.
Shirts, at 2 s. 10 d. the Shirt.
English Powder, at 5£. the Barrel.
English Match, at 35 £. the Ton.
Bullets, at 20£. the Ton.
Apothecaries Drugs, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit, 500£.worth.
Crows and Pickaxes well * *, at 42 s. per Hundred.
Steel Spades and Shovels, at 18 s. the Dozen.
Carpenters, Wheelers, and Coopers Tools, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit.
Baking-pans, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit.
Handmills, at 46 s. each.
Armourers, Smiths, and Gunsmiths Tools, at 1 d. per Shilling Profit.
Sithes bare, at 2 s. 6 d. each.
Sickles, at 11 s. the Dozen.
Harness for Waggons, at 18 s. per Horse.
Baskets and Wheelbarrows, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit.
Axes, Hatchets, and Bills, at 20 d. apiece.
Leather, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit.
Iron, at 20£. the Ton.
Steel, in Fagots, at 6 d. the Pound.
Sallad-Oil, at One Peny in the Shilling Profit.
Canvas, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit.
Paper, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit.
Nails, of all Sorts, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit.
Gins and Ropes for Pullies, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit.
Ropes, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit.
Whips, Snares, and Drumhead-Cords, at 1 d. per Shilling Profit.
English Firelock-Musquets, at 17 s. each.
Saws, at 1 d. in the Shilling Profit.
English Matchlock-Musquets, Bandaleers, at 14 s. perMusquet.
Pistols, with Holsters, at 25 s. per Piece.
Footmens Swords, Dutch Blades, with Belts, at 5 s. 3 d.per Sword.
Horsemens Swords and Belts, at 6 s. 6 d. each.
Saddles, with Furniture, at 19 s. each.
Harquebusses, Armour, Back, Breast, and Pots, at 21 s. each Back, &c.
Drums, at 28 s. each.
Shoes, at 2 s. 10 d. the Pair.
Pikes, at 5 s. 6 d. each Pike."

"Jo. Davies."

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Officers of the Ordnance, to view all such Arms offensive or defensive, and Ammunitions, as are to be sent into Ireland; and to keep an Account, and certify the Goodness thereof to this House; and to take care they be agreeable to the Contracts made for the said Arms and Ammunitions: And

It is Ordered, That all Arms and Ammunitions be brought into the Tower, for the future, to be surveyed and viewed, before they be sent away for Ireland, to the end that no unserviceable Arms be sent thither.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of, and agree unto, the Three several Contracts or Propositions made by Mr. John Davies, under his Hand, with the Committee of Lords and Commons for Irish Affairs, and this Day reported, and read in the House; and doth order and direct, That the said Committee do issue Warrants to the Treasurers, from time to time, for the Payment of the Provisions, Ammunitions, and other Things in the said Three several Contracts mentioned, and contracted and agreed for, unto the said Mr. John Davies, or his Assigns, out of the Monies to come in upon all the several Ordinances for Assessments for Ireland, according to the said Contracts: Whereof the said Treasurers are to take Notice.

And it is likewise further Ordered, That the said Arms, Ammunitions, and other Provisions, in the said Three Contracts mentioned, be sent for Ireland with all convenient Speed.