House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 3 August 1647

Die Martis, 3 Augusti, 1647.

Prayers.

Relief of Chester.

AN Ordinance for the Relief of Chester, grievously infected with the Plague of Pestilence, was read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Ratcliff, Colonel Edwards, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Ashhurst, Mr. Gell; or any Two of them: Who are presently to withdraw upon it.

Resolved, &c. That a Collection be made on the next Fast Day, within the Cities of London and Westminster, the Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality; and the Monies so collected be distributed unto the Poor within the said Places: And that Care be more especially taken of the visited Poor.

Plymouth Garison.

Ordered, That Mr. Fowell do bring in an Ordinance, giving Power to the Commissioners and Officers of the Customs and Excise of Plymouth, to pay Four thousand Pounds to the Governor thereof, for the paying off some Part of the Arrears of that Garison, upon the Credit of an Ordinance this Day passed, for Four thousand Pounds for the said Garison.

A Letter, to be sent to the Garison of Plymouth, was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be signed by Mr. Speaker.

The humble Petition of the Officers and Soldiers of the Garison of Plymouth was read.

An Ordinance for paying the Sum of Four thousand Pounds to the Garison of Plymouth, upon Account, out of the Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem, was read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Relief of Chester.

Mr. Wheeler reports the Amendments to the Ordinance for Relief of Chester: The which were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And the Ordinance, so amended, upon the Question, passed: And the Ordinance, so amended, is ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Letter to Sir T. Fairefax.

A Letter to be sent from both Houses, and signed by both Speakers, to Sir Thomas Fairefax, was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence; and to be signed by the Speakers of both Houses.

Committee of Safety.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. John Herbert, Mr. James Herbert, Mr. Grimston, Sir Thomas Soames, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Oxenden, Mr. Hungerford, Captain Lee, Mr. Edward Ash, Mr. Bois, be added to the Committee of the Safety for the Defence of the King, Parliament, and City.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Wheeler carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, an Ordinance for a Collection for the Relief of the Poor of Chester: The Vote for the adding of some to the Committee of Safety: The Votes for the King's coming to London: An Ordinance concerning the Great Seal: An Ordinance for Four thousand Pounds to the Garrison of Plymouth: And a Vote for a Committee to be appointed to go to the Common Council or Common Hall.

Letter to Army Commissioners.

A Letter to be sent to the Commissioners of Parliament residing with the Army, was read; and, upon the Question, Ordered, That the Words "Absence of the late Speakers" be made "Withdrawing of the late Speakers."

And then the Letter, so amended, upon the Question, was assented unto; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Committee to the Army.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed to go to the Army.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed to prepare Instructions for the Committee that shall be appointed to go to the Army.

Mr. Green, Mr. Swynfen, Mr. Selden, Mr. Grimston, Mr. Ashhurst, Mr. Gewen, Mr. John Ashe, Sir Phil. Percivall, Sir Edward Partheridge;

This Committee, or any Three of them, are appointed to prepare Instructions for the Committee that shall be appointed to go to the Army. And are to meet where they shall think most fitting; and to bring in these Instructions this Afternoon.

They are further to prepare a Letter, desiring Major General Browne to attend the Service of the House.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Wheeler brings Answer from the Lords, That, to the Ordinance for the Relief of Chester; and to the Names to be added to the Committee of Safety; to the Votes for the King's coming to London; and to the Ordinance for Four thousand Pounds to the Garison of Plymouth; and to a Vote for a Committee to be appointed to go to the Common Council or Common Hall; they do agree: And, as to the Ordinance concerning the Great Seal, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Great Seal.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page;

The Lords have commanded us to return unto you this Ordinance: It is for appointing Commissioners of the Great Seal: It moved first from you: The Lords have agreed unto it with one Alteration; in which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Alteration was read; and was for putting in John Lord Hunsdon, in the Stead of Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham; and was, upon the Question, assented unto.

House to sit.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House shall sit this Afternoon at Two of Clock.

Sir Robert Harley is appointed to go to the Lords, to acquaint them, That this House has resolved to sit this Afternoon at Two of Clock; and to desire them to sit this Afternoon, if it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency.

Safety of Parliament, &c.

An Ordinance for Preservation and Securing the Safety of the Parliament and City, against Papists, and Persons disaffected to the Safety and Defence thereof, was read the First and Second time.

The Question was propounded, That these Words be added, "all such Persons as have been in Arms against the Parliament:"

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

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That the Word "maliciously" be left out.

The Ordinance so amended, upon the Question, passed; and is ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Lords to sit.

Sir Robert Harley brings Answer, That the Lords do resolve to sit this Afternoon.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page;

The Lords have commanded us to deliver unto you this Order of the Committee of Revenue, for the Issuing of Money for his Majesty, and the Commissioners: It ought to be signed by Five; but it is signed but by Four: But the Lords have allowed of this, because there are no more of the Committee in Town; and desire your Concurrence in the like Approbation.

And they have appointed Three of their Lordships to go into the City this Afternoon, to acquaint the Common Council with the Votes of the Houses; and desire you will appoint a proportionable Number.

And they have adjourned their House till Three in the Afternoon; at what Time they have appointed to swear the Commissioners for the Great Seal: And desire that you will fit then likewise, if it may stand with your Conveniency.

Coming of the King to London, &c.

Sir Thomas Dacres, Sir Thomas Soame, Mr. Gewen, Mr. Edward Stephens, Sir John Seymour, Sir Robert Harley;

This Committee is appointed to join with a Committee of a proportionable Number of the Lords, to go into the City this Afternoon, to acquaint the Common Council with the Votes concerning the King's coming to London; and to encourage them to stand to their own Defence, according to the former Order.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, in approving the Order of the Revenue for Issuing of Money for his Majesty, and the Commissioners; though it be signed but by Four, in this Exigency of the Absence of the rest; though it ought to be signed by Five.

Sir W. Waller.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Sir William Waller to command the Horse, raised, and to be raised, to be employed for the Defence of the Parliament and City: And that both Houses do grant him a Commission to command those Horse accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Post meridiem.

Chancellor of Oxford University.

MR. Selden reports the Ordinance for restoring the Earl of Pembroke to the Chancellorship of the University of Oxon: The which was twice read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And the Ordinance, so amended, upon the Question, passed.

And Mr. Selden is appointed to return it to the Lords, so amended.

Message to Lords.

He is likewise appointed to carry to the Lords the Letter to Sir Thomas Fairefax: The Letter to the Commissioners with the Army: Ordinance for disarming and securing Persons disaffected to the present Defence and Safety of the Parliament and City: Order for Sir Wm. Waller to command the Horse raised, and to be raised, for the Defence and Safety of the Parliament and City: And is to put the Lords in mind of the Ordinance concerning Tythes.

Trained Bands, &c.

Ordered, That the Order declaratory of both Houses, of the 31 of July, 1647, which puts under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax all the Land Forces under the Pay of the Parliament, doth not extend to give him Power over the Trained Bands or Garisons, be forthwith printed and published.

Ld. Brudenell.

Resolved, &c. That the Lord Brudenell shall have Liberty, upon Bail, to go abroad where he shall think fit, for Recovery of his Health, any-where within Twenty Miles of the City of London.

This Liberty, upon Bail, to continue for the Space of Two Months.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Soldiers Widows, &c.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee of the Military Garden be hereby required and enjoined to pursue the Order of 3 Junii, made for Relief of the Wives and Widows of Soldiers, by Monies out of Goldsmiths Hall: And that such of the said Wives and Widows as received no Part of the last Monies, may be first paid: And that the Committee for Petitions where Mr. Knightley has the Chair, from whence this Report was made, do take care that this Order be put in effectual Execution accordingly.

Restoring Horses.

Ordered, That the Horses of Sir Wm. Litton, and Captain Wingate, seized, as is informed, be forthwith discharged from all Seizure, and restored unto them.

Pinckney's Petition.

Ordered, That the Petition of Elizabeth Pinckney Widow be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Petitions where Mr. Knightley has the Chair.

Herbert's Accompts.

The Petition of Colonel Wm: Herbert was read. And

It is Ordered, That the Petitioner be referred to the Committee of Derby House, and the Committee of the Army, to state his Accompts: And that he be, from this House, in a special manner, suitable to the Sense this House has of his good Service, recommended, that he may have present Payment of a like Proportion of Arrears, as others in the like Condition: And the Petitioner desiring to repair into his own Country, the House doth allow of this his Desire; and are willing to accompany it with their Testimonies, and Acknowledgment of his faithful and good Services.

Seal of Brecknock, &c.

Mr. Gewen reports the Amendments to the Ordinance for an Original Seal in the Counties of Brecknock, Radnour, and Glamorgan: The which were twice read; and the Ordinance, upon the Question, re-committed.

Ordnance Office.

Ordered, That Mr. Thomas Hesilrige be appointed to take the Charge, and execute the Place of Clerk of the Deliveries in the Office of Ordnance in the Tower: And that William Billers, that now executes the said Place, be forthwith removed, and is hereby removed, from the Charge and Execution of the said Place.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Message to Lords.

The Lord Carre was appointed to carry to the Lords, for their Concurrence, an Order for the making Thomas Haslerige Clerk of the Deliveries in the Office of the Ordnance in the Tower: and the Order for the Lord Brudenell to be at Liberty, upon Bail, to go where he shall think fit, for Two Months.

Granting passes.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Speaker that now is shall have the like Power to grant Passes for Persons to go into Ireland, and other Parts beyond the Seas, as the late Speaker, by former Orders from the House, had in such Cases.

Answers from Lords.

Mr. Selden brings Answer, That the Lords do assent to the Letters to the General, and to the Commissioners: To the Ordinances carried by him: And, as to the Ordinance concerning Tythes, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

The Lord Carre brings Answer, from the Lords, of the Message carried up to them by him, That, as to the Order for Placing of Thomas Hasilrig in the Place of Clerk of the Deliveries in the Office of the Ordnance in the Tower; and the putting out of Wm. Billers; they do agree: And, to the Vote for the Lord Brudenell to be at Liberty for Two Months, upon Bail, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Army, &c.

Sir Philip Percivall reports Instructions for a Committee, to be sent to the Army; a Letter to be sent to the Commissioners residing with the Army; a Letter to be sent to Major General Browne, to desire his Repair to London: The which were all read; and, upon the Question assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence: And were carried to the Lords by Sir Philip Percivall.

Sir Philip Percivall further reported some Votes and Proposals, in relation to the Settling of Affairs between the Parliament and the Army: The which were read; and, upon the Question, re-committed.

Declaration of Parliament.

Mr. Walker reports a Declaration, to be sent into the several Counties: The which was read; and appointed to be delivered back unto Mr. Walker: And was accordingly delivered unto him.

Kent Committee.

Ordered, That Captain Lee, Mr. Bois, Captain Skinner, and Sir Walter Erle do prepare a Letter to be sent to the Committee of Kent, upon the Debate of the House.

Committee to the Army.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page;

The Lords have commanded us to return unto you this Order: It is concerning a Committee to go to the Army: They agree to it, with one Addition; viz. "Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery:" And there was a Space left for a proportionable Number of this House; and then these Words, "or any Two of them."

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Swynfen and Mr. Ashhurst be appointed to join with a proportionable Number of the Lords, to be a Committee to go to the Army, according to the foresaid Order.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Addition in the Order; and have appointed a Committee of a proportionable Number to go to the Army.

Grant to Mrs Chichester.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, That Mary Chichester, Widow and Relict of Colonel John Chichester, late Governor of * *, shall receive the Sum of Two hundred Pounds, out of the Rents due to the Lord Brudenell, or his Son, within the County of Rutland, for so much due and unpaid to her on the 25th of March last; which was ordered her by Ordinance of Parliament, of the First of March, 1646: And it is specially referred to Evers Ermyne, and John Hatcher, Esquires, with the rest of the Committee of that County, to take care, that due Payment be made hereof, with all convenient Speed, to the said Mary Chichester, or her Assigns: Whose Acquittance or Acquittances shall be a full Discharge to such as make Payment thereof.

It is further Ordered, That the Committees of the County of Lincoln do make due Payment of the yearly Pension of Three hundred Pounds per Annum, granted, by the said Ordinance, to the said Mary Chichester, or her Assigns, and of the Payment hereof so continued from the 25th of March last, out of the Estate of the Lord Brudenall, or his Son, or either of them, within the County of Lincoln: And the care of this is especially recommended to Sir Edward Aiscough Knight, Thomas Hatcher, and Thomas Archer, Esquires, with the rest of the Committee of that County, that due Payment be made of the said yearly Sum of Three hundred Pounds to the said Mary Chichester, or her Assigns: Whose Acquittance or Acquittances shall be a full Discharge, from time to time, to such Person or Persons as make Payment thereof.

This Ordinance to continue in Force, until both Houses shall take further Order.