House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 13 August 1647

Die Veneris, 13 Augusti, 1647.

Prayers.

Preachers thanked.

ORDERED, &c. That Thanks be given to Mr. Marshall and Mr. Nye, for the great Pains they took in the Sermons they Yesterday preached before the Lords and Commons; being the Day of Publick Thanksgiving: And that they be desired to print their Sermons, with the usual Privilege.

Sir Wm. Massam is appointed to give the Thanks of this House to Mr. Marshall; and Mr. Ashhurst, to Mr. Nye; and to desire them to print their Sermons accordingly.

Hamilton committed.

Resolved, &c. That Alexander Hamilton be forthwith committed Prisoner to the Tower of London.

Grant to Marshall, &c.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Gentlemen of Essex, that are Members of this House, to consider of some Remuneration and Satisfaction to be bestowed upon Mr. Marshall and Mr. Nye, for the great Pains they have taken, and the great Expence they have been at, in the Service of the Parliament.

Hamilton's Delinquency.

Resolved, &c. That the whole Business concerning Mr. Alexander Hamilton, and Sir James Hamilton be referred to the Examination and Consideration of the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Affairs of Ireland, at Derby House.

Resolved, &c. That Sir James Hamilton be forthwith apprehended, and sent for, as a Delinquent, by the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House.

Grant to Thelloall, &c.

Resolved, &c. That the Sum of One hundred Marks be bestowed upon Captain Thelloall, and Captain Piers, that brought up Mr. Alexander Hamilton Prisoner; Forty Pounds to Captain Thelloall, and the Remainder to Captain Piers: And that the Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies, at Haberdashers Hall, do issue out and pay the said Monies to the said Captain Thelloall, and Captain Piers, accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Victory in Ireland.

A Letter from Dublyn, signed Robert Meredeth, of 9 Augusti 1647, relating the great Success God hath blessed the Forces with, under the Command of Colonel Jones, against the Rebels: Five thousand of the Rebels have been slain upon the Place, divers of their chiefest Officers slain or taken Prisoners, their whole Baggage taken, and not above Thirty of the Parliament's Forces: This great Blessing was on the Eighth of this Month at the Evening.

Raising Money.

Resolved, &c. That, To-morrow Morning, the first Business, the House do take into Consideration the whole Matter of Money; How Money may be provided for the Service of England and Ireland.

King's Removal to Oatlands.

A Letter from the Commissioners with the King, from Stoake, of 12 Augusti 1647, acquainting the House with the King's Resolution of coming this Night to Oatlands, was this Day read.

Soldiers to depart the Lanes.

Mr. Ashhurst reports the Amendments to the Ordinance, formerly sent from the Lords, for putting reduced Officers and Soldiers out of the Lines of Communication: The which were twice read.

Acts passed since Violence to Parliament.

Mr. Ashhurst reports the Amendments to the Ordinance for repealing all Votes, Orders, and Ordinances, passed from the 20 Julii until the 6th of this present August: The which were twice read.

Ordered, &c. That the House do meet at Two of Clock; and resume this Debate of the Ordinance and Amendments.

Post meridiem.

Message from Lords.

A MESSAGE from the Lords, by Dr. Aylett and Mr. Sadler;

The Lords have commanded us to bring you this Message; expressed in Writing; viz. "The Lords in Parliament assembled, have read the Declaration of the Fourth of August, 1647, subscribed by those Lords and Commons, Members of both Houses, who, by reason of the late Force and Violence upon the Houses, did absent themselves; and have approved of the same; and desire the Concurrence of the House herein."

The Lords do now once again put the House of Commons in mind of those Votes, sent from the Lords to that House Friday the 6th of August; and a Declaration of Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, and the Council of War; with a Vote for the Approbation thereof, sent down the Tuesday following: The Lords do desire the Concurrence of the House of Commons to those Votes, and to the Approbation of the said Declaration; conceiving the same to be so essential to the Vindication of the Honour and Freedom of the Parliament: That having hitherto received no Answer therein, they conceive it fit and necessary, at this Time, to express to that House, that they hold themselves acquitted and discharged of any ill Consequences that may ensue upon such a Precedent: and, by that Occasion, of the Retardment of the present great Affairs of the Kingdom, and the Settlement of the Peace of them.

The Lords have sent an Ordinance for appointing a Sub Committee, to examine the Force put upon the Houses on Monday 26 Julii: In which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

They have sent their Opinions and Declarations concerning the present Committee of the Militia of the City of London, expressed in Writing; viz. "The Lords are informed, That the Committee of the Militia of the City of London doth still act, under the Pretence of that Order drawn from both Houses by the late Force of the 26th of July last; which they conceive is likely to tend to the Disturbance of the Peace of the Parliament and City: the Lords do Declare, That, by so doing, they act without Authority; and whatsoever they have or shall do in that kind, they account them answerable for, as acting without lawful Authority."

The Lords have commanded us to acquaint this House, That they have adjourned till Wednesday next, at Ten of Clock.

Violence offered to Parliament.

The Ordinance, sent from the Lords, to appoint a Sub Committee, to examine the Force offered to both Houses, was read; and, upon the Question, passed; and was in hæc verba; viz.

It is Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Earl of Denbigh, Earl of Mulgrave, Lord Grey of Werke, Lord Howard, Sir Arthur Hesilrigg, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Gourdon, Mr. Myles Corbett, Mr. Alderman Pennington, Mr. Allen, Mr. Edwards, and Colonel Venn, or any Three of them, be a Sub Committee of the Committee appointed by both Houses on Friday last: And that they have Power to send for Parties and Witnesses; and to proceed (under Secrecy) at all Times when they think fit, in preparing the Examinations of the Business committed to the said Committee: And that they, or any Three of them, may administer an Oath unto any Persons, in such Things as shall not render the Parties criminal that are so sworn.

London Militia.

The Question being propounded, Whether this Declaration, now sent from the Lords, concerning the Militia of the City of London, shall be now read the Second time;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Negative.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House hath considered their Lordships Message; and, as to the Ordinance concerning the Sub Committee, they do agree: To the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Acts passed since Violence to Parliament.

The House, according to Order, proceeded in the Consideration of the Amendments, reported in the Morning by Mr. Ashhurst, to the Ordinance, formerly committed, for repealing all Votes, Orders, and Ordinances passed since the Force put upon both Houses on Monday, 26 Julii, 1647, until the 6th of August 1647; and passed the said Amendments, upon the Question.

The First Amendment was, instead of these Words, "did withdraw themselves from their Service in Parliament," add these Words, "had just Cause to absent themselves from the Service of the Parliament."

The Second Amendment was, Line Fifteen, instead of "August last," put in these Words, "present August."

The Third, Line Twenty-four, after the Word "Authors," add this Word "Actors."

The Fourth, Page Second, Line the First, after the Word "July," add these Words, "nor of any Person or Persons that hath raised, or shall raise, any Force, with an Intention to make good the aforesaid Oath and Engagement, or the aforesaid Force upon the Houses of Parliament."

The Fifth, this Proviso be added; viz. "Provided always, that nothing in this Ordinance shall extend to make void an Ordinance, of the Third of August last, for a Collection for the City of Chester, which is grievously infected with the Plague."

The Ordinance, thus amended, being put to the Question for passing;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Affirmative.

And the Ordinance passed, upon the Question.

Resolved, &c. That the Lords Concurrence be desired in this Ordinance.

Mr. Ashhurst is appointed to carry it to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Army Vindication.

Mr. Ashhurst reports the Amendments to the Declaration, sent from the Lords, for the Vindication of the Army, and Sir Thomas Fairefaxe: The which were twice read; and, upon the Question assented, unto; and ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired in these Amendments.

Mr. Ashhurst is appointed to carry it to the Lords.