House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 13 April 1648

Die Jovis, 13 Aprilis, 1648.

Prayers.

Excise.

THE House being informed, that, according to former Order, the Auditor General of the Excise was at the Door;

He was called in; and did present the Accompts of the Excise, ending the Twenty-ninth of September 1645.

He likewise presented some Particulars to the favourable Consideration of the House.

The Particulars propounded by the Auditor were read: And

It is Ordered, upon the Question, That the Accompts of the Excise, ending 29 Septembris 1645, now presented by the Auditor General of the Excise; as likewise the Particulars proposed by the Auditor; be referred to the Examination and Consideration of the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Excise: And they are to hear the Commissioners of Excise, and the Auditor, in these Matters; and to consider of the said Accompts; and likewise of a Discharge for the Commissioners of Excise, upon the Allowing of their Accompts; and to report the same to the House with all convenient Speed.

Message from Lords

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

The Lords command us to deliver unto you a Letter from the Prince Elector: An Order for constituting Three Judges of the High Court of Admiralty: A Report from the Committee of the Admiralty, for nominating Captains of Frigats in this Summer's Fleet; to which their Lordships agree; and desire the Concurrence of this House:- A Petition of Sir Francis Willoughby; which the Lords do especially recommend unto you:- To put the House in mind of Mr. Rushworth's Petition, an Apothecary of Northampton; and of another Petition of the Lady Jane Moore; which they desire this House to take into Consideration.

Admiralty Judges.

An Ordinance, now sent from the Lords, for appointing Wm. Clark, John Exton, and Isaac Dorislaus, Doctors at Law, Judges of the High Court of Admiralty, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed.

Chancery Court.

Ordered, That the Commission for Hearing of Causes in the Court of Chancery be revived, in such Manner and Form as the said Commission was formerly granted. And

It is further Ordered, That Dr. Bennett and Mr. Eltonhead (since nominated Masters of the Chancery) be added to the Commissioners in the said Commission: And the Commissioners of the Great Seal are hereby authorized and required to pass the said Commission, so prepared under the Great Seal, accordingly.

Great Seal.

Ordered, That the Four present Commissioners of the Great Seal of England shall have, each of them, the respective Allowance and Salary of One thousand Pounds per Annum allowed unto them, for so long time as they shall continue in that Employment paid unto them, out of the Receipts of the Customs, by the Commissioners of the Customs, in the like Manner as the same Salary is paid to the Judges of the other Courts in Westminster Hall: And Mr. Reynolds is appointed to prepare and bring in an Ordinance to this Purpose.

Navy Appointments.

A Report from the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, of 4 Aprilis 1648, was read: And

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords (upon the Recommendation of the Vice Admiral Colonel Rainsborowe), in nominating and appointing Wm. Warren, lately approved by both Houses of Parliament, for Command of the Hunter Frigate, to be Commander of the Prize Frigate the Angell, for this Summer's Expedition.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Lords (upon the Recommendation of the Vice Admiral Colonel Rainborowe), in nominating and appointing Richard Newberry, who hath heretofore faithfully served the Parliament, to command the Hunter Frigate.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Lords (upon the Recommendation of the Vice Admiral Colonel Rainborowe) in nominating and appointing John Seaman to be Commander of the Pellican Frigate for this Summer's Expedition.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message: And do agree to the Desire of the Prince Elector; to the Ordinance for appointing the Three Judges of the Admiralty; to the Report from the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, concerning the Commanders of the Frigates by that Committee recommended: To the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Fens.

Ordered, That, on Saturday next, the Business touching the Fens be taken into Consideration.

Reports deferred

Ordered, That, on Monday next, the Reports concerning the Army be taken up: And, after those Reports, Sir Walter Erle do make Report of the Stores.

Ordered, That after the Reports for the Army, Serjeant Wilde's Report be taken into Consideration, for such Matters as concern the Western Circuit.

Southwark Militia.

Colonel Thompson reports the Amendments to the Additional Ordinance for the Militia of the Borough of Southwark: The which were twice read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and the Ordinance, so amended, upon the Question, passed: And ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Insurrection in London.

The House being informed, that the Committee of the Militia of London were at the Door; desiring to present something to the House;

They were called in: And Mr. Alderman Fowke acquainted the House, That they were commanded by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of London, to make a Narrative unto this House, of the Rise and Progress of the late great Insurrection in the City of London, and the Proceedings thereupon.

The Act of the Common Council upon this Business, of 11 Aprilis 1648; and likewise divers Orders, made by the Committee of the Militia of London, for Suppressing of Tumults, and of this Insurrection; were read.

Ordered, That the several Ministers within the City of London, and late Lines of Communication, be required and directed to give publick Thanks to Almighty God, on the next Lord's Day, for his great and wonderful Deliverance of the City, and Parts adjacent, from that imminent Danger wherein they were involved in the late Insurrection and Tumult, on the last Lord's Day, and the Monday following: And that the Lord Mayor do give timely Notice hereof to the several Ministers within the City of London, and Liberties thereof; and the Justices of Peace to the several Ministers within the late Lines of Communication.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of what the Lord Mayor, the Court of Aldermen, the Sheriffs, Common Council, and Committee of the Militia, respectively, have done, in order to the Suppressing of Tumults in the late Insurrection: And do Order, That Thanks be given to them, respectively, for the same.

Ordered, That hearty Thanks be given to the Lord General, his Officers and Soldiers, for their great Service, and gallant Carriage, in the timely and seasonable Assistance they afforded, for suppressing the late great Insurrection in the City of London.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, and they, or any Two of them, are authorized and required, to meet this Afternoon, and so de die in diem; and to join with the respective Justices of the Peace, or Committees of Miltia of London, Middlesex, Westminster, and Surrey, in the Examination, Sending for, and Committing all such Persons as have had, or shall be expected to have had any Hand in the Contriving, Abetting, or Acting, in the late Insurrection or Tumult in the City of London.

The Committee of the Militia were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, acquainted them, That they had considered of the Narrative and other Matters and Proceedings presented from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council: That they do apprehend the Danger represented to have been very imminent, and the Deliverance to be very wonderful: And have appointed publick Thanks to be given to Almighty God, the Author of this great Deliverance, on the next Lord's Day. They have appointed the Act or Narrative of the Common Council to be printed, and read at the same time. They have read, ratified, confirmed, and approved of the Orders made by the Committee of the Militia, and all Actions done by them, in order to the Suppressing of the said Tumults: Have appointed me, by you, to give Thanks to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, and Committee of the Militia, for their Diligence and Care in this Business; and likewise to give you, here present, the Thanks of this House. They have further appointed a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to issue, for the Examining and Punishing of all Actors, or Abetors, in this Business; and have taken Course for the speedy and through Examining of the whole Matter.

The Tower.

Ordered, That Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Clive, Colonel Thompson and Mr. Scott, be added to the Committee of he Tower.

Letter read.

A Letter from the Commissioners designed for Munster, from Marleborough, of 13 Aprilis 1648, was this Day read.

Lord Inchiquin.

A Letter from Captain John Crowther, from aboard the Bonadventure, in Kingsale Harbour, of 5 Aprilis 1648, together with a Paper subscribed by Major Christofer Elsynge, Major John Grey, and other Officers of the Army in Munster, expressing that the Lord Inchiquin had declared against the Parliament, and would have debauched them to do the like. were all read.

Comm rs from Prince of Wales, &c.

A Commission from the Prince of Wales, in Characters, subscribed Charles P . and a Copy thereof decyphered; Instructions in Characters, and decyphered, to Captain Wm. Swan, of Dover Castle, for the keeping of that Castle and Forts for the Prince; were all read.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy do prepare and bring in a Letter to be sent to Captain Crowther; to take Notice of his good Service, and return him Thanks.

Gratuity to Army.

Resolved, &c. That the Sum of One thousand Pounds be forthwith paid, and bestowed as a Gratuity upon the Officers and Soldiers of the Army at the Mewse and Whitehall, in Acknowledgment of the great Service performed by them, in suppressing the late great Insurrection in the City of London.

Ordered, That this Thousand Pounds be charged upon the Receipts at Goldsmiths Hall, to be presently paid: With especial Clause in the Ordinance, That this shall not be drawn into Precedent for the future.

Sir Anthony Irby is appointed to prepare and bring in this Ordinance.

Insurrection in London.

Resolved, &c. That a new Commission of Oyer and Terminer do forthwith issue, under the Great Seal of England, for London, Middlesex, and Surrey, for the Trying and Punishing of all such Persons as had any Hand in acting or abetting in the late detestable Insurrection and Tumult in the City of London: And the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England are desired to give Order, That the said Commission may be forthwith prepared and signed: And Mr. Beck is appointed to solicit this Business.

Mr. John Stephens, Mr. John Corbett, and Colonel Ven, are required to take care that all Expedition that is necessary in so great a Business may be used.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee of the Militia for London do take care, and see, that for the Safety of the City and Parts adjacent, the Hooks, and Staples, which fasten the Chains to the Posts, be, in every Ward, forthwith pulled out: And that the said Hooks and Staples, together with the Chains, be, by the Committee of the Militia of London, disposed of, in such safe and secure Place as they shall think fit: And all Persons herein concerned are hereby required to yield ready and full Obedience to the Committee of the Militia herein.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Orders and Warrants made by the Committee of the Militia of London, in order to suppressing of Tumults; and more especially of the late Insurrection in the City of London, now presented by the Committee of the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Acts of the Common Council touching the late Insurrection.

Ordered, That the Act of the Common Council, upon the late Insurrection, be printed, and read on the next Lord's Day; when Thanks is appointed to be given to Almighty God, the Author of this great Deliverance from the said great Insurrection.

Ordered, That all suspected, disaffected, and unnecessary Persons, be forthwith routed, and removed from out of the Tower of London: And that the Regiment placed in the Tower of London be made up a Thousand: And that One hundred Horse be placed in the Tower, for the Use of the City, under the Command of Colonel Tichborne: And it is especially referred to the Committee of the Tower, and to the Lieutenant of the Tower, or any Three of them, to see this Order, effectually put in Execution this Afternoon.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor and Justices of the Peace, or the Committee of the Militia, in the City of London, or any Two of them; and the Justices of Peace, or the Committee of the Militia, in Middlesex, Westminster, Hamlets, and Southwark, or any Two of them; do meet in their several Counties and Places, respectively, this Afternoon, and so de de die in diem; to send for Parties and Witnesses; and examine all such Persons as are or shall be suspected to have had any Hand in the abetting, countenancing, or acting in the late great Tumult and Insurrection in the City of London; and to commit and secure all such Persons as they shall, upon Examination, have Cause to suspect to be Contrivers, Aiders, or Actors, in the said late Tumult.

Post Meridiem.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords have commanded us to deliver unto you a Letter and Advertisement from some Commanders at Sea, upon the Irish Coast, concerning the Lord Inchiquin: And the Lords think fit, that his Son be secured in the Tower: -An Order for a Day of Thanksgiving, for the Delivery of the City from the late Tumults: An Order for a Commission of Oyer and Terminer, for the Punishment of the Offenders in the said Tumult.

Lord Inchiquin's Son.

The Question being propounded, to concur with the Lords, in sending the Lord Inchiquin's Son to the Tower;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So the Question passed with the Affirmative.

Thanksgiving Day.

The Order sent from the Lords, for a Day of Thanksgiving for Delivery of the City of London, from the Danger of the late Tumult, was this Day read: And this House concurred with their Lordships therein.

The Order was in hæc verba:

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That a publick Thanksgiving be made by the several Ministers within the late Lines of Communication, on the next Lord's Day, for the great Mercy of God, in delivering the City of London from the late horrid Outrage and Tumult: And that the Lord Mayor of the said City do give Notice thereof to the several Ministers within the said Lines of Communication.

Tryal of Rioters.

The Order for a Commission of Oyer and Terminer, to issue for Tryal and Punishment of the Offenders in the late Tumult, which was sent from the Lords, being this Day read; the House agreed with their Lordships therein.

The Order was in hæc verba; viz.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That a Commission of Oyer and Terminer be forthwith issued out for the Tryal and Punishing of all such Offenders as have been aiding or assisting in the Outrage and Tumult lately committed in the City of London.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That to the Letter and Advertisement from the Commanders at the Sea, concerning the Lord Inchequin, the House will send Answer by Messengers of their own: And to all the other Particulars of the said Message, this House doth concur with the Lords.

Lord Inchiquin.

The House being informed, That Major Gray, who lately came out of Ireland, was at the Door, and brought some Intelligence from Ireland; . . . was called in; who related, That the Lord Inchiquin was revolted from the Parliament to the Rebels; and had discharged him, and other Officers, from the Commands in Ireland.

Maj. Grey, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Irish Affairs, in the Star Chamber, to take Major Grey, Captain John Nelson, and the rest of the Officers and Soldiers that are come, or shall come over, and were driven from their Commands under the Lord Inchiquin in Ireland, into Consideration; and to state their Accompts, in like manner as the Accompts of Colonel Nedham, and others, were formerly ordered to be audited and stated.

Ordered, That the Sum of Fifty Pounds be forthwith given and paid unto Major Gray: And that the Sum of Thirty Pounds be forthwith given and paid unto Captain Nelson, for their great Pains taken in bringing speedy Intelligence to the House, touching the Affairs in Ireland: The said small Sums of Fifty Pounds and Thirty Pounds to be charged upon Haberdashers Hall.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Major Gray, Captain Scott, and the rest of the Officers that were in the Lord Inchiquin's Army, and were forced from their Commands there, be especially recommended to the Lord General; to put them into such Employments as he shall think fit; they having snewn great Fidelity to the Parliament.

Irish Affairs, &c.

Ordered, That, To-morrow Morning, the first Business, no other Business intervening, the House take into Consideration the Business of Ireland and Dover; and how to prevent the imminent Dangers now threatened, and ready to fall upon the Kingdom.