House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 30 October 1646

Die Veneris, 30 Octobris, 1646.

Prayers.

SIR William Lewes, Mr. Dennis Bond, Sir Robert Pye, Sir Thomas Wroth, Mr. John Ashe, Mr. Reynolds, Sir John Burgoine, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Sollicitor, Mr. Whitehead, Sir William Masham, Sir Richard Onslowe, Mr. Harris, Mr. Groves, Sir Walter Erle, Sir Samuel Rolle, Sir Edward Aiscough, Sir Thomas Dacres, Mr. Prideaux, Sir William Allenson, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Fiennes, Mr. Scawen, Mr. Bowyer, Sir Edward Partherich, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Sandys, Mr. Framlingham Gaudy, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Salwey, Mr. Lane, Sir Ralph Ashton, Mr. Stapilton, Mr. Whitelocke, Mr. White, Sir Dudley North, Mr. Westrowe, Mr. Oldesworth, Mr. Liegh, Sir John Evelyn of Surrey, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Strode, Sir John Corbett, Mr. Erle, Mr. Moore, Mr. Dixewell, Mr. Scott, Mr. John Rolle, Mr. Swinfen, Mr. Bacon;

This Committee is appointed to consider of fit Men for Sheriffs of the several Counties; and to present their Names to the House, on Monday next: They are likewise to consider of the Names of all Justices of Peace, already constituted; and to present to the House the Names of such as they think fit to be left out, to continue, or to be added: And the Commissioners of the Great Seal are, from time to time, to certify the Names of such Persons, as shall be offered to them to be in the Commission of Peace, to this Committee: Who are to present their Names to this House, before any such be put in Commission: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Two of the Clock, in the Exchequer-Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records.

Ordered, That the Action entered in the MerchantAdventurers Court at Rotterdam, by Gabriel Rudd, against Peregrine Pelham Esquire, a Member of this House, be forthwith dismissed, and his Bail discharged: And that this Addition be further made to the former Order, made 22 Junii 1646, concerning this Business.

The humble Petition of Colonel John Cromwell, and Abigail his Wife, sole Daughter and Heir of Sir Henry Cleere, deceased, his Majesty's Ward, presented to this House the Fourth of May last; and the Order of Reference thereupon made to Sir Benjamin Rudyard, and Sir Rowland Wandesford, in pursuance of the said Order, of the Fourth of May 1646; were all this Day read.

The humble Petition of John Smith Esquire, and John Awcock Gentleman, was this Day read.

Mr. Thorpe, Mr. Sollicitor, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Recorder, Sir Thomas Widdrington, Mr. Lane, Mr. Sandys, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Nichlas, Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Maynard, Sir John Corbett, Mr. Harrington, Mr. John Stephens, Mr. Lisle; and all the Lawyers of the House;

This Committee is appointed to consider of some way how the Decrees, and other Proceedings, in the Court of Wards, may be brought to an effectual Determination, that the Subject may reap the Benefit thereof: And they are to prepare an Ordinance to this Purpose; and to report it, with all convenient Speed, to the House: And they are to meet this Afternoon, in the Court of Wards: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records.

And the more particular Care of this Business is referred to Mr. Thorpe.

An Ordinance for appointing the Earl of Manchester Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore, and Wm. Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons, and Master of the Rolls, Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, to all Intents and Purposes; and for appointing the said Commissioners to seal a Commission to enable the Master of the Rolls, the Judges, and Masters of the Chancery, to hear Causes in Chancery, in the Absence of the Commissioners; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed.

The Commission, in Latin, for appointing the Master of the Rolls, the Judges of the several Courts, and Masters of the Chancery, to hear Causes in Chancery, in Absence of the Commissioners, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and both the Ordinance and Commission ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence: And were delivered unto Mr. Reynolds, by Mr. Speaker, in the Chair.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Ordinance for spreading the Gospel do meet this Afternoon; and do bring in that Ordinance, on Wednesday Morning next: And that the same Day be appointed for Matters of Religion.

Ordered, That One hundred Barrels of Powder, with Match and Bullet proportionable, be furnished and sent to Plimouth for the Service of the Western Parts: And that the Committee for Powder and Ammunition do take care for the Furnishing of the said Powder, Match, and Bullet, for the Services aforesaid, accordingly; to be delivered to such Persons as the Committee of Plimmouth shall appoint.

Upon Mr. Scawen's Report from the Committee to whom the Consideration of the Guards about the City was referred;

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Committee, That, for the Safety of the Parliament and City, the Guards be continued Six Months, from the Fifth of October last past: And that the Ordnance be drawn off the Forts: And that they be disposed of where the Committee of the Militia shall think fit.

Resolved, &c. That a Regiment of Twelve hundred common Soldiers, divided into Twelve Companies, are sufficient to keep the Guards; the Guns being drawn off.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Bradleye's Regiment be completed to that Number; and do this Service; and excuse the Trained-Bands of the Hamlets, Westminster, and Southwarke.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Twelve thousand Pounds to be allowed for the Maintenance of the City-Guards: And that the said Twelve thousand Pounds be charged upon the Receipts at Goldsmiths-Hall, in Course; and paid by the said Committee, in Course, to the Committee of the Militia of London, to be employed, by their Order, for the Maintenance of the City-Guards: And that the Acquittance or Acquittances of the said Committee of the Militia, or such as shall be sufficiently authorized by the said Committee to receive the same, shall be a sufficient Authority and Discharge to the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall, and the Treasurers there, for the Payment of the said Twelve thousand Pounds, in Course, accordingly.

An Ordinance for renewing and continuing the Payment of Fifty-six Pounds per mensem, out of the Grand Excise, for the Five Months past, at Fifty-six Pounds per mensem; and for Six Months, at Fifty Pounds per mensem, out of the Grand Excise; for Maintenance of the WaterGuards; was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That the Report of Sir Benjamin Rudyard, and Sir Rowland Wandisford, in the Case between Colonel John Cromwell, and Abigail his Wife, and John Smyth Esquire, and John Aucock Gentleman; and the Petition of the said John Smyth, and John Aucock; and the whole Business thereupon depending; be referred to the Hearing and Determination of the Court of the Chancery.

Mr. Reynolds brings Answer, That the Lords will take the Ordinance concerning the Great Seal, and the Commission concerning Hearing of Causes in Chancery, into speedy Consideration; and will send Answer thereunto by Messengers of their own.

An Ordinance for appointing the Sale of the Lands and Estate of the Marquis of Winton, Earl of Worcester, Francis Lord Cottington, Arthur Lord Capell, and divers other Delinquents, excepted from Pardon; the Proceed to be disposed for Maintenance of the Forces of Ireland, and for reducing that Kingdom; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Sir Wm. Lewes, Sir Gregory Norton, Mr. Maynard, Mr. Lisle, Serjeant Wilde, Sir Wm. Brereton, Sir John Temple, Sir Wm. Strickland, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Colonel Strode, Mr. Bond, Sir John Corbett, Sir Thomas Dacres, Mr. Trenchard, Sir John Evelyn of Surrey, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Holles, Mr. Leman, Mr. Holland, Mr. Browne, Sir Sam. Rolls, Mr. Pierpoint, Mr. Moore, Mr. Strickland, Mr. Green, Mr. Bainton, Mr. Aldisworth, Mr. Abbott, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Dormer, Mr. Stocdale, Mr. Rolle, Mr. Pury, Mr. Westrow, Mr. Whitehead, Mr. Lenthall, Sir Robert Harley, Alderman Hoyle, Mr. Bedingfield, Mr. Kirle, and the Members of this House of the Committee for Ireland: And they have Power to think of Persons and Lands; and to prepare and bring in one or more Ordinance or Ordinances, if they shall see Cause: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records; and hear Parties: And to meet upon it Tomorrow at Two of Clock in the Afternoon, in the StarChamber.

An Ordinance for appointing Five-and-twenty thousand Pounds to be paid, in Course, out of the Receipts of Excise, to come in upon the several Ordinances of Parliament, after the Credit for the Four hundred thousand Pounds be first satisfied, with Interest every Six Months, from the Day of the Date hereof, unto Nicolas Loftus Esquire, Deputy-Treasurer at Wars for Ireland, or his Assigns, to be employed for the present Service and Relief of that Kingdom, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of Excise do certify unto this House, what Sums of Monies are charged upon the Receipts of the Excise, and how much thereof upon Interest: This Certificate to be brought in on Monday Sevennight.

And it is further Ordered, That the Members of this House that are of the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Affairs of the Excise, do confer with the Commissioners of the Excise, concerning the Removing of Obstructions, and advancing the Credit of the Excise: And that the House do, on that Day, take into Consideration the Advancing of the Credit of the Excise: And that the Reports, concerning the Comptrol to be settled on the Excise, be then likewise made.

Upon a Report from the Committee of Lords and Commons which are of the Committee of both Kingdoms;

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Committee, That, for the Preservation of the Isles of Guernsey, Aldernay, and Sarque, from present Danger, Four hundred Men be forthwith sent thither, with Provision of Victual for them: And that, for the better carrying on of this Work, the Sum of One thousand Pounds be forthwith advanced and paid, by the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall, to such Persons or Persons, as the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms shall appoint: Whole Acquittance shall be a good Discharge for the same.

Ordered, That it be referred back to the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to provide the Four hundred Men, that are to be sent for Relief of the Isles of Guernsey, Aldernay, and Sarque; and to direct the Making of the Provisions for them; and likewise so to dispose of them to those Islands, as they shall conceive may most conduce to the Preservation of them, and the Service of the Commonwealth.

Ordered, That the Business concerning the Garison at Windsore-Castle be reported on Monday Morning next, the first Business.