House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 19 November 1646

Die Jovis, 19 Novembris, 1646.

Prayers.

ORdered, &c. That the Report concerning Sheriffs be made on Monday Morning next.

The humble Petition of Benjamin Weston Esquire, a Member of this House, was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, upon the Question, That this Petition be referred to the Committee of the Revenue, to give Satisfaction to the Petitioner, according to the Desires of the Petition.

Colonel Harvey reports from the Committee appointed to meet with the Trustees, and other Officers named in the Ordinance for the Sale of Bishops Lands, That Twenty of Twenty-four Trustees, being all that were present, having perused the printed Ordinance concerning Sale of Bishops Lands, do apprehend the same is misprinted; and therefore humbly pray, they may have Four of the Ordinances subscribed by the Clerks Hands; and the Trustees now present are resolved to yield due and ready Obedience to the said Ordinance, and to act speedily, as they apprehend may most conduce to the Advantage of the Commonwealth; relying upon the Justice and Favour of both Houses of Parliament, that they shall hereafter obtain what they shall reasonably desire for their Encouragement and Indemnity.

He further reported, That Mr. Alderman Foulke, Comptroller, answereth, That he accepts the Service; and shall endeavour faithfully and diligently to serve the Parliament in the due Execution of the said Office.

He further reported Mr. Methold's Case, a Contractor; That he is willing to undertake the Service; but saith, He hath an Estate, in a Lease, for Fourteen or Fifteen Years to come, of Lands, from the Bishop of Norwich, to the Value of Sixty Pounds per Annum: He desires he may not be debarred by the Ordinance from purchasing the Bishop's Title to those Lands.

Ordered, upon the Question, That, in this particular Case, Mr. Methold shall not be debarred from purchasing the Bishop's Title to those Lands, of which he hath already a Lease for Years.

The rest of the Contractors are willing to undertake the Service.

The Register-Accomptant will willingly employ his most faithful Endeavours in the Service of Register-Accomptant.

Ordered, &c. That the Trustees shall have Four examined Copies of the Ordinance that appoints the Sale of Bishops Lands, attested under the Hands of the Clerks of both Houses.

The House being informed, That divers Gentlemen of the County of Kent were at the Door;

They were called in: And Sir Anthony Welden delivered in a Petition, and Propositions from the Committee of the County of Kent, for settling a Maintenance to the Ministry in the County of Kent, in lieu of Tythes.

The which (the Petitioners being withdrawn) were read.

And the Petitioners were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, did give them Thanks for their former Services; take Notice of their good Affections to the Publick; and did acquaint them, That the great Business of the Kingdom are now instant and pressing upon them: That they will take the Petition into Consideration, in due time: And that, in the mean time, they take care, that Tythes may be paid, according to Law.

Resolved, &c. That these Words be added, "that, in the mean time, they take care, that Tythes may be paid, according to the Law."

Resolved, &c. That the Ordinance for Assessments for the Maintenance of the Army, and the Reports concerning the Army, be proceeded in, and taken into further Consideration, on Saturday Morning next, the first Business: And that no other Business do intervene: And that Mr. Speaker do put the House in mind hereof.

Mr. Gott reports some Explanations, desired by the Trustees to be made in the Ordinance for the Sale of Bishops Lands, for the better expediting that Service: The which were read; and ordered, upon the Question, to be committed; and the Committee to prepare and bring in an Ordinance, upon the whole Matter of the Propositions, To-morrow Morning.

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

The Lords have commanded us to deliver unto you a Petition from the Earl of Bedford: The which they think very reasonable; and recommended it to the Consideration of this House: And likewise a Petition from Honora Marchioness of Winton: The Sense the Lords have of this Petition, they have expressed in Writing; viz. They think fit, that the Petitioner be allowed Means suitable to her Quality, out of her Husband's Estate, for the Maintenance of her, and her Children; the like having been done for others; and desire the Concurrence of this House.

Resolved, &c. That, as to the Petition of the Earl of Bedford, the House will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

The humble Petition of Honora Marchioness of Winchester was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, upon the Question, That Ten Pounds by the Week be allowed to the Petitioner, for the Maintenance of her, and her Children, out of the Estate of the Marquis of Winton her Husband: And the Committees and Sequestrators, in the several Counties where the said Estate, or any Part thereof, lies, are required to take Notice hereof; and to take care, that the said Allowance be duly paid accordingly.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has read and considered the Petitions of the Earl of Bedford; and the Marquesse of Winton; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.