House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 18 April 1648

Die Martis, 18 Aprilis, 1648.

Prayers.

Tryal of Rioters at Canterbury.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Great Seal do renew the Commission of Oyer and Terminer, formerly granted and issued for Tryal of the Offenders in the late Insurrection in Canterbury: And that the Judges do forthwith go down, and proceed upon that Tryal, notwithstanding the Term sitting.

Ordered, That Mr. Serjeant Wilde be added to the Judges nominated in the Commission for Tryal of the Offenders in the late Insurrection in Canterbury: And that he be desired forthwith to go down upon that Service.

Ordered, That Mr. Steele be appointed to manage the Evidence, and prosecute the Tryal against the Offenders in the late Insurrection in the City of Canterbury.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Lisle is appointed to go to the Lords; and to put them in mind of a former Desire of this House, for their Concurrence in recommending Mr. Steele to the City of London, to be their Recorder.

He is further to put the Lords in mind of the Impeachments, sent to them from this House, against divers Aldermen of the City of London.

He was further to put the Lords in mind of the Business concerning Mr. Jenkin: And carried to the Lords the Order for discharging the Sequestration of Sir Oliver Cromwell.

Western Circuit.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde made a Narrative of his Proceedings, and of his Brother Justice of Assize, in the Western Circuit; and of the good Affections, generally, of the People of those Counties. He likewise reported the Presentment of the Grand Inquest, at the Assizes held at Chard, the Twenty-seventh of March 1648: The which was read.

Resolved, &c. That Thanks be given to the Judges that rode the Western Circuit, for their very good Affections, and good Service performed to the Parliament in that Circuit.

Mr. Speaker did accordingly give the Thanks of this House to Mr. Serjeant Wilde: And the Commissioners of the Great Seal are required to give the Thanks of this House to Serjeant Godbolt, that likewise rode this Circuit.

Ordered, That Thanks be given to the Sheriffs, wellaffected Justices of Peace, and Grand Juries of the several Counties of the Western Circuit, for their good Affections: And that Mr. Serjeant Wilde and Mr. Hill do prepare Letters, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and directed to the Sheriffs, to return unto them the Thanks of this House; and, by them, to the Justices of Peace and Grand Juries.

Ordered, That the Presentments of the Grand Inquest, presented to the Judges by the Grand Jury of the County of Somersett, at the last Assizes, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for publick Grievances; to consider, What is fit to be done for Redress and Remedy of those Grievances, and Matters complained of; and report the same to the House.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England do take an Account of the other Judges that went the other Circuits, of their Proceedings, and the Affections of the People in the several Circuits; and report the same to the House.

Ordered, That Mr. Serjeant Wilde do confer with the Gentlemen of this House, that are of the several Counties of the Western Circuit; and agree upon and present the Names of fit Persons to be in the Commissions of the Peace, in the several Counties of the Western Circuit.

Grievances.

Ordered, That, on Saturday next, and so every Saturday, the Committee for publick Grievances do make Report of such Matters as are in their Hands, ready to be offered to the House.

Comm a of the Peace.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament, That all Fees, payable to all Officers and Under Clerks, for Commissions and Dedimus Potestatems to Justices of Peace, be paid out of the Hanaper: And that no Officer, or Under Clerk, do demand or receive any Fee, or Monies, from any Nobleman or Gentleman put into the Commission of Peace, for writing, making forth, or issuing out any Commission or Dedimus Potestatem, for the Purpose aforesaid.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Tumult by Soldiers.

Ordered, That Lieutenant General Cromwell be desired to take Care of that Business informed by Mr. Serjeant Wilde, touching the Disorders and Tumult committed by divers of the Soldiers, under the Command of Captain Freeman; and to take such Care herein, that the Offenders may be brought to Punishment.

Oaths.

Ordered, That the Committee concerning Oaths do make Report concerning those Matters on this Day Sevennight.

Tryal of Rioters in London.

Ordered, That Mr. Serjeant Jermyn, Mr. Bradshawe, Mr. Keble, Mr. Basill, Mr. Leachmore, Mr. Seise, and Mr. Coke, be appointed, and be of Counsel in Prosecution of the Tryal against those Persons that made the late Insurrection in the City of London.

Norwich Petition.

The House being informed, that one of the Sheriffs, an Alderman, and divers Citizens of the City of Norwich, were at the Door, desiring to present a Petition to the House, intituled, The humble Petition of divers of the Justices, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and Citizens, of the City of Norwich: The which was read.

Ordered, That this Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Complaints: With Power to send for such as they shall see Cause; and to take effectual Course for putting in due Execution the Ordinance, of the Fourteenth of March 1647, touching the Election of Officers.

Ordered, That Mr. John Utting, the present Mayor of the City of Norwich, be forthwith sent for, in safe Custody.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Complaints, to prepare and bring in an Ordinance, for giving Power to all the Committees in the several Counties of England, to secure and disarm all such Persons as they shall have Cause to suspect to be disaffected, and to be Disturbers of the Peace and Quiet of the several and respective Counties.

Ordered, That Alderman Atkyn and Mr. Myles Corbett do prepare the Thanks of this House to the Sheriff, and other Inhabitants, of the City of Norwich, for the Testimony of their good Affections to the Parliament.

Affairs in Wales.

A Letter from Mr. Arthure Owen, from Swanzey, of 13 Aprilis 1648, was this Day read; and likewise a Warrant under the Hand of Colonel Rees Powell, of 9 Aprilis 1648, to the County, to put them into a Posture of Defence; and likewise the Answer of the said County to the said Warrant.

There was likewise sent up with this Letter a Paper, intituled, "A Declaration of Colonel Powell and the Officers and Soldiers under his Command."

Grants to Davis, &c.

Ordered, That Captain Davis and Captain Barrington, Two Captains that lately came out of Munster along with the Commissioners, shall have the Sums of Thirty Pounds apiece bestowed upon them: And that the said several Sums of Thirty Pounds be charged upon Haberdashers Hall: And that the Committee of Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies at Haberdashers Hall do forthwith pay the said several Sums of Thirty Pounds to the said Captain Davies and Captain Barrington accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Aldermen of Winton.

Ordered, That, according to former Ordinances of Parliament, Robert Tucker, late Alderman of Winton, be disfranchised: And the Mayor, Aldermen, Bailiffs, and Commonalty of the City of Winton, are hereby required and enjoined forthwith to disfranchise the said Robert Tucker accordingly. And

It is further Ordered, That Robert Mathewes, late Mayor of Winton, be restored to his Place of being Alderman Justice for this present Year, and to the same Place in the said City as other Aldermen have usually enjoyed the next Year after their Mayoralties: And the Mayor, Aldermen, Bailiffs, and Commonalty of the said City are required to yield Obedience to this Order herein: And Mr. Wallop, Mr. Lisle, and Mr. Love, are to take Care that this Order be sent to the City; and that it be performed in all Particulars thereof.

Army Maintenance.

Mr. Scawen reports from the Committee of the Army, an additional Ordinance, for appointing Persons to receive and issue the Sixty thousand Pounds a Month, for Maintenance of the Forces under the Command of the Lord Fairefax General: Which was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to treat with the Treasurers at Wars, for the continuing the Sum of Thirty thousand Pounds, for Six Months longer, upon the former Security, and upon the Ordinance of Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem, continued until the Nine-and-twentieth Day of September next.

Ordered, That Letters be signed by Mr. Speaker, to be sent by the House to the several Counties, that are behind with their Assessments, upon the Ordinance for the Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem, for Maintenance of the Army under the Command of the Lord Fairfax General; to send in their Arrears of Assessments due upon the said Ordinance.

Soldiers in the Tower.

An Ordinance for Payment of Six thousand Pounds to Colonel Titchborne, Lieutenant of the Tower of London, for Payment of the Four hundred Soldiers, with their Officers, which were added to the Forces already in the Tower of London, was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Arrears of Assessments:

An Ordinance for the more speedy bringing in the Arrears of the Assessments of Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem, for Maintenance . . the Army under the Command of the Lord Fairefax, was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That Francis Crastes, be added and named a Commissioner for Breadstreet, in the City of London, in the Ordinance for more speedy bringing in the Arrears of the Assessment of Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem, for the Army under the Command of the Lord Fairefax, within the City of London.

Army Pay; &c.

A List for the daily and monthly Pay of the Army under the Command of Thomas Lord Fairefax, their several Entertainments to begin the Twelfth of February 1647, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto: And

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

Ordered, That a Surgeon, and his Mate, and a Gunsmith, be added to the last Establishment of the Army.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to pay such Soldiers as are not yet disbanded; notwithstanding the Agreeing and Passing of the Establishment of the Army.

Canne's, &c. Petition.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of Robert Canne, and Company, Merchants of the City of Bristoll, be referred to the Committee of the Revenue; to consider thereof, and of some Way for their Relief and Satisfaction; and forthwith to report the same to the House. And

Isle of Silley.

It is further Ordered, That the said Committee do make Stop, and forbear to pay any more Money or Pay unto Colonel Anthony Buller Governor of the Isle of Silley, and the Garison there, until the said Colonel Buller shall declare for whom he stands.

Equality of Rates.

Ordered, That the Committee concerning the Rates be added to the Committee of the Navy for equalizing the Rates and Assessments of the whole Kingdom.

Mayor of Norwich.

Ordered, That Mr. Christofer Barrett, Alderman of the City of Norwich, be appointed to execute the Place of Mayor of Norwich, in the Place and Stead of Mr. John Utting, now Mayor of the City of Norwich, in the Absence and Restraint of the said Mr. John Utting, the now Mayor.

Soldiers in the Tower.

An Ordinance for Establishment of present Pay for the Four hundred Soldiers lately placed in the Tower of London, for Defence and Safety of the City of London, was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to provide Six thousand Pounds, for the present Pay of the Four hundred Soldiers added to the Soldiers in the Tower of London; and to provide Bedding, and other Provision, for them, until Monies can be raised for their Pay by the said Ordinance.

Persons to be brought up.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms do go for Mr. Thomas Clarke, Mr. Thomas Dowse, Mr. Thomas Desborowe, and Wm. Fenton, Collectors in Farrington Ward within *; who have received several Sums of Money for Assessments for the Army, and refuse to pay the same to the Treasurers at Wars; and bring them up in safe Custody.

Hereford Sequestrations.

Ordered, That Robert Harley, and Robert Kyrle, Esquires, be added to the Committee of Sequestrations in Hereffordshire.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Tryal of Lilburne.

Order . ., That the former Order for Tryal of Colonel Lilborne, be continued: And that Mr. Beck be made acquainted with this Order. And

It is further Ordered, That Forty Shillings a Week be allowed to him the said Colonel Lilburne, for his present Maintenance, in the mean time: And that the same be charged upon Haberdashers Hall, to be paid to him weekly accordingly: And the Acquittance of the said Colonel Lilburne, for Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Warrant and discharge to the said Committee, or Treasurer, at Haberdashers Hall, for Payment thereof.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

State Prisoners.

Ordered, That this House doth approve of Windsore Castle, Walling ford Castle, and Warwick Castle, to be appointed the Prisons, for such Prisoners in the Tower to be sent unto, as the Committee of the Tower shall think fit: And it is referred to the said Committee of the Tower, to remove the Prisoners thither accordingly: And the Keepers of those Prisons are required, from time to time, to receive, keep, and continue, such Prisoners as shall be sent unto them.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Lisle brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Order for taking off the Sequestration of the Estate of Sir Oliver Cromwell: And that their Lordships will speedily take into their Consideration the Tryal of David Jenkins Esquire, and Sir John Gayer, and the Aldermen of London; and other the Particulars of the Messenger of their own.

Sir E. Hales.

Ordered, That Sir Edward Hales be discharged for serving as a Member of this House for this present Parliament. And

It is further Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Tower, to release the said Sir Edward Hales from his Imprisonment in the Tower, after he hath given good Security, that he will do no Prejudice to the County of Kent, or the Parliament.

Prisoners in the Tower.

Resolved, &c. That the Four Aldermen of London, Colonel Lilbourne, and Sir John Maynard, do continue in the Tower of London, without being removed from thence.

Ordered, That the Ordinance, touching the Prisoners in the Tower, and other Places, be read on Monday next.

Army Arrears.

A Letter from Colonel Richard Fortescue from Pendennis Castle of 13 Aprilis 1648: and a Representation and Petition of the said Colonel Fortescue Governor of Pendennis Castle, Major Thomas Jennngis, with the rest of the Officers and Soldiers of their Company, in the said Garison; were both this Day read.

Ordered, That Colonel Richard Fortescue be especially recommended to the General for some Employment: And that Two hundred Pounds, in Money, be presently paid to the said Colonel Richard Fortescue; and charged upon the Sequestration of the County of Cornwall: And that the Commissioners that go down thither take care to see the same paid accordingly: And that so much of the Lands of Inheritance of such Delinquents as the said Colonel Richard Fortescue shall discover, as, at Twelve Years Purchase, will satisfy all his Arrears, be settled upon the said Colonel Richard Fortescue, and his Heirs, in Satisfaction of his said Arrears.

Lieutenant General Cromwell is to bring in an Ordinance to this Purpose.

Defence of Worcester.

A Letter from Worcester, of the Fifteenth of this instant April, from the Committee of Worcester, was this Day read.

Ordered, That it be lawful for the Committee of the County of Worcester forthwith to raise a Troop of Horse; the same to be raised and maintained, at the Charge of the said Committee; of such well-affected Persons, of the said County, as will voluntarily contribute to the same, for the Good of their Country, for Defence of the City of Worcester; and to suppress Insolencies both in the said City, and in the County of Worcester.

Invalid Soldiers.

Ordered, That the maimed Soldiers shall have the present Use of Ely House for One Year, at such reasonable Rent as the Treasurers for maimed Soldiers, and Contractees of the Bishops Lands, shall agree upon: The said Rent to be paid by the State; and to be charged upon Haberdashers Hall.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ditto.

Ordered, by the and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the Thousand Pounds, advanced for the Service of Redding, by the Committee of Woods, upon Order of both Houses of Parliament, of the 29 Martii 1645; and, by that Order, charged upon the Excise, to be reimbursed to the Committee of Woods, in its Course; be paid by the Commissioners of Excise, to Thomas Wheeler, the said Commissioners Treasurer, in lieu of One thousand Pounds paid by the said Thomas Wheeler, by Order of both Houses of Parliament, dated 7 Julii 1646, for the better Carrying on of the Siege at Worcester: And the said Mr. Wheeler is hereby ordered to pay over the same to John Pocock, Wm. Greenhill, Richard Hutchinson, and John Randall, Treasurers for the wounded and maimed Soldiers, for Payment of the Apothecaries, Physicians, and Surgeons, for the said maimed Soldiers: And the Acquittance of the Treasurers aforesaid for the said maimed Soldiers, or any Two of them, shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge for the said Thomas Wheeler's Payment thereof: And his Acquittance shall be a sufficient Discharge to the Commissioners of Excise for the Payment of the same to him.