House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 15 June 1659

Wednesday, the15th of June, 1659.

Indemnity.

THE House, according to former Order, was this Day resolved into a Grand Committee, upon the Bill for Indemnity.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Mr. Say took the Chair.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Say reports from the Grand Committee, That they desire the Leave of this House to sit again on Friday next, upon this Business.

Resolved, That this House be resolved into a Grand Committee, on Friday Morning next, upon this Bill of Indemnity, and upon the Petition and Address of the Army: And that Mr. Speaker do then forbear to take the Chair.

Tower of London.

The House being informed, that Colonel Tho. Fitch was at the Door;

He was called in: And, making his Obeisance, came up to the Clerk's Table, the Serjeant going before him with his Mace on his Shoulder: And, standing at the Table, Mr. Speaker acquainted him, That the Parliament have constituted him Lieutenant of the Tower; and that they expect his Obedience and Faithfulness to the Parliament and Commonwealth of England: And thereupon Mr. Speaker did deliver unto him his Commission to be Lieutenant of the Tower of London.

Army Commissions.

The House being informed that divers Officers of the Army were at the Door;

They were called in: And being come to the Clerk's Table, in usual manner, Mr. Speaker acquainted them with the great Trust and Confidence that the Parliament reposed in them; and that the Parliament expected Faithfulness and Obedience from them to the Parliament and Commonwealth: And did thereupon deliver unto them several Commissions: Viz.

To Colonel Edward Salmon, his Commission to be Colonel of a Regiment of Foot:

To Captain Tho. Bourchier, his Commission to be Captain of a Company in that Regiment:

To Serjeant-Major Wm. Walker, his Commission to be Serjeant-Major of that Regiment:

To Captain George Westby, his Commission to be Captain of a Company in that Regiment:

To Captain Tho. Ward, his Commission to be Captain of a Company in that Regiment.

To John Swadlyn Surgeon, his Commission to be Surgeon to that Regiment.

Tower of London.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, upon Conference with the Lieutenant of the Tower, after the Regulation, to nominate all Officers under the Lieutenant of the Tower; and present their Names to this House, for their Approbation.

Sir T. Armstrong. &c.

Colonel Walton reports, from the Council of State, The Examinations of Sir Thomas Armstrong and Mr. John Weston: Which Examinations were read; and were as followeth; viz.

The Examination of Sir Thomas Armstrong, taken the One-and-thirtieth Day of May 1659, before a Committee of the Council of State; viz. the Lord Warreston, Sir Robert Honnywood, and Josias Berners Esquire.

THE said Examinant saith, That he was committed Prisoner to the Gatehouse, Westminster, upon the Thirteenth Day of April 1655, by Warrant from the late Protector, signed "Oliver P." In which Warrant no Cause of Commitment is mentioned:

Sir T. Armstrong, &c.

That from the Gatehouse, he was removed (after almost Three Years Imprisonment there) to the Tower of London; where he continued Two Nights; from whence he was sent to the Island of Jersey, in Company with Major-General Overton, and others; where he continued Sixteen Months, until the last Parliament were pleased to order their return to London:

He saith, That he served the King and Parliament in Arms in Ireland; and raised a Troop of Horse, and a Troop of Dragoons, for that Service, at the Beginning of the Rebellion:

That he did serve the King under the Lord of Ormond; and that he was Major-General of his Horse:

That he was a Prisoner in Ireland; and was questioned before the Council, upon suspicion, for Writing of a Letter:

That he had his Liberty to go into Holland:

That he never gave any Parole, either under Hand, or by Word of Mouth:

That, going for Holland in a Vessel, was, by Stress of Weather, driven into the Isle of Man:

That, upon taking that Island, he made the Articles for the Lady Derby, for the Delivery thereof; and had then Articles for himself to live in any Part of the Dominions of this Commonwealth, without Molestation:

He denieth, That he was at Worcester at the Time of the King of Scotts being there; and saith, That, after he was set at Liberty in Ireland, he continued at the Lady Lucas her House in Ireland, till such time as he took Shipping for Holland, as aforesaid:

And further saith, That, after he came out of Ireland, he was never in Lancashire with the Lord Derby:

That he will give his Parole, or such Security as shall be demanded, for his further peaceable Behaviour.

The Examination of Mr. John Weston, of Sutton in the County of Surrey, taken this One-and-thirtieth Day of May 1659, before a Committee of the Council of State; viz. the Lord Warreston, Sir Robert Honnywood, and Josiah Berners Esquire.

THE said Examinant saith, That he was committed to the Gatehouse, Westminster, by Warrant from the late Lord Protector, about Four Years since; the Substance of which Warrant was for high Misdemeanors; no Particulars being expressed: That he was a Prisoner there Three Years; and from thence sent to the Tower of London; where he remained Two Nights; and from thence removed to the Island of Jersey, in Company with Major-General Overton, Sir Thomas Armstrong, and others; in which Commitment no Cause mentioned: That he continued Prisoner in the said Island about Sixteen Months, until the last Parliament were pleased to order his Return, with the rest, to London: He saith, That he was in Arms for the late King, when he came to Bramtford, but not in Command:

That he was also in Arms for the King at Colchester; and, upon a Sally there, he was taken Prisoner, and exchanged, as appeareth by a Pass given him by the Lord Fairfax; and that he hath never since borne Arms: That he was, since that, committed Prisoner to the Tower, about the Time of the King of Scotts coming to Worcester: After that, he was released upon Bond; since which Time he was committed to the Gatehouse, as aforesaid: That, if he might be set at Liberty, he will give such Security, as shall be demanded, for his peaceable Behaviour.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Armstrong and Mr. John Weston, upon giving their Paroles, and upon giving good Security not to act any thing to the Prejudice of the Commonwealth, be discharged of their Imprisonment: And that it be referred to the Council of State to take the Security accordingly.

Circuits.

Colonel Ludlow reports, That the Council took into Consideration the nominating Persons to be presented to the Parliament, for going this next Circuit:

That it be humbly offered to the Parliament, That as to such Persons as the Parliament shall appoint to go the Circuit, the Parliament will be pleased to declare, That they go the Circuits according to their Seniority.

That the Parliament will be pleased to refer it to some Persons, That, upon Conference with the Commissioners of the Great Seal, and the Persons which shall be appointed to go the Circuits, they may settle the Circuits so, as may be most of Advantage for the Commonwealth:

That the Persons hereafter named be presented to the Parliament, to go the next Circuit; viz. Sir Thomas Widdrington, Lord Chief-Baron Wild, Baron Thorp, Justice Nicholas, Justice Atkins, Justice Newdegate, Justice Archer, Baron Parker, Roger Hill Esquire, Erasmus Earle Esquire, John Maynard Esquire, Hugh Windham Esquire.

For the Circuits in Wales;

John Hagget Esquire, John Corbet Esquire, Wm. Shepeard Esquire, John Ratcliffe Esquire.

Which Report was read.

Colonel Ludlow also reports, A Petition from Justice Atkins.

Ordered, That this Report, and the Petition of Justice Atkins, be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Agent from Hamborow.

Ordered, That Sir Oliver Fleming, Master of the Ceremonies, do attend the Agent from Hamborow into the Court of Wards, to his Audience, on Thursday Morning.

Ordered, That the Lord Whitelock be added to the Committee for giving Audience to the Agent from Hamborow.

Bedfordshire Petition.

The House being informed, that divers Gentlemen of the County of Bedford were at the Door;

They were called in: And, being come to the Bar, one of the Petitioners said, "I am to deliver to you the Representation and Desires of many of your ancient and constant Friends in the County of Bedford:" And thereupon delivered a Writing, intituled, "The humble Representation and Desires of divers Freeholders, and others, well affected to the Commonwealth of England, and inhabiting in the County of Bedford:" Which, after the Petitioners were withdrawn, was read.

The Petitioners were again called in: And Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer:

"Gentlemen,"

"The House have read over this your Representation and Desires; and they have observed the Particulars; and therein find your good Affections expressed: And, for That, the House have commanded me to give you their Thanks: And I do give you the Thanks of this House for your good Affections, accordingly: And, as for the Particulars in your Petition, the House will take such of them, as they shall find good for the Nation and Commonwealth, into Consideration in due time."