House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 25 April 1648

Die Martis, 25 Aprilis, 1648.

Prayers.

Tryal of Rioters at Canterbury.

ORDERED, That Mr. Parsons be appointed to manage the Evidence, and prosecute the Tryal against the Rioters in the late Insurrection at Canterbury.

Ordered, That Sir Michaell Livesay be required forthwith to go down to give his Assistance upon the Tryal of the Rioters in the late Insurrection at Canterbury.

Newcastle &c. Garisons.

A Letter from Sir Arthur Hesilrige, the Governor of Newcastle, from Newcastle, of 20 Aprilis 1648; with a Paper inclosed, from Edinburgh, of 18 Aprilis 1648, with no Name subscribed; were read.

Resolved, &c. That the Sum of Five thousand Pounds be forthwith raised, and advanced, to be employed for the Repairing and fortifying of the Town of Newcastle and Tinmouth Castle.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Northern Association, or any Five of them, to meet this Afternoon; and to consider of some Course for the speedy Providing of this Five thousand Pounds for the Repair of Newcastle: And that they do consider of the Propositions made by Mr. Blackiston, in the Behalf of Newcastle, and the other Northern Counties: And that they do report on Thursday Morning next.

Durham Gaol Delivery, &c.

Ordered, That Mr. Wastall be desired to go down into the Country, upon the Delivery of the Gaol at Durham: And that a Commission do issue to that Purpose.

Ordered, That Mr. Bellingham be desired to go down into . . . Country, to employ his Endeavours there, for the Service of the Parliament, and Preservation of those Parts. And

It is Ordered, That Mr. Rigbie be desired to stay in the Country, to promote the Service of the Parliament, to the Safety and Preservation of those Parts.

Sir Wilfred Lawson.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Indemnity, who are to sit this Afternoon, to consider of the Informations given in against Sir Wilfred Lawson; and to examine the State of that Business; and make Report thereof to the House with all convenient Speed.

Hull Garison.

A Letter from the Lord General, presenting the Necessity of Reparations and Fortifications to be made at the Town of Kingston upon Hull, of 4 Aprilis 1648, was read.

Resolved, &c. That the Sum of Six thousand Pounds be forthwith advanced and provided for the Fortifications at Hull, and necessary Reparations to be made there, for the Safety and Preservation of that place, of so great Importance: And that it be referred to the Committee of the Northern Association, to consider, How the said Sum of Six thousand Pounds, for the Fortification of the said Town of Hull, may be forthwith advanced and provided accordingly.

Prince Philip.

A Letter from the Vice Admiral, from the Downes, of 23 Aprilis; together with a Letter, inclosed, from Prince Philip to the Prince Elector; were read.

Ordered, That a Letter be directed to the Vice Admiral, to desire him to suffer Prince Philip, Brother to the Prince Elector, to come to Town, and visit his Brother: And Sir Henry Mildmay is appointed to send a Letter, to signify the Pleasure of the House, touching the said Prince Philip, unto the Vice Admiral.

Sir Henry Mildmay is likewise appointed to deliver unto the Prince Elector the Letter, directed unto him from Prince Philip.

Navy Appointment.

A Letter from the Vice Admiral Thomas Raynborowe, of the One-and-twentieth of April 1648, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That Captain Harris be nominated and appointed Commander of the Ship Swallow, for this Summer's Expedition.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Sir Robert Pye is appointed to go to the Lords; to desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, so soon as may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, touching the Commander of the Ship Anthelope.

Settling the Kingdom.

Resolved, &c. That, on Thursday Morning next, the first Business, the House do take into Consideration the Settlement of the Kingdom, and the Preventing of the Dangers that may arise unto it.

Mr. Tate, Major General Skippon, Mr. Harrington, and Sir Gilbert Gerard, are appointed to prepare an Order, to be sent to the Ministers within the Lines of Communication, to require them to make Supplication unto Almighty God, for his Blessing upon the Debates and Consultation of the Parliament, in this great Conjuncture of Time.

Navy Loan.

Sir Henry Mildmay reports from the Committee of the Navy, the Propositions of divers Gentlemen, touching the present Loan of Thirty thousand Pounds, for Supply of the present Necessities of the Navy, and touching the Management and Entry upon the Receipts of the Customs, and the satisfying the present Commissioners the Debt owing unto them by the Parliament: The which was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to consider of the Propositions, now tendered by the Subscribers, Whether there be any thing in them that is any way prejudicial to the Engagement of the Parliament to the present Commissioners: And that a Copy of the said Propositions be communicated to the present Commissioners this Afternoon: And that they receive their Answer on Thursday next, in the Afternoon.

It is further Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee, to confer with the Subscribers upon the rest of the Propositions; and to settle all Matters with them; and report their Agreement to the House on Friday Morning next.

Day of Humiliation.

Mr. Tate reports the Declaration, or Order, for seeking to God, in fervent Prayer, for his Blessing upon the Consultations and Proceedings of the Parliament: The which was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Mr. Tate immediately carried it to the Lords.

"Whatsoever Dangers are threatened or feared, either by Divisions amongst ourselves, or Practices from Enemies abroad, we have Assurance, out of the Word of God, that we are not in the least Danger, if God Almighty be not incensed against us for our Sins and Wickedness; which our Consciences testify, that he is exceedingly against every one of us in particular, and the Kingdom in general: Yet we believe, that, if we do heartily and sincerely humble ourselves, and turn to the Lord, crying mightily to him in fervent Prayer, with a lively Faith in Christ, we shall certainly be delivered from all Evils and Dangers, and enjoy all needful Blessings and Benefit to the whole State and Kingdom: Therefore the several Ministers within the Cities of London and Westminster, and the late Lines of Communication, in their respective Congregations, are desired, upon this Day of Humiliation, being the Six-and-twentieth of this instant April, earnestly to seek the Lord, who is the God of all Wisdom and Help, in much Mercy to this sinful and distracted Nation, so to direct and bless the Counsels and Proceedings of the Parliament, at this present, that his heavy Judgments may be diverted from us, and Truth and Peace established throughout the Three Kingdoms."

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, That this Declaration be sent by the Lord Mayor to the several Ministers in the several Congregations within the respective Places aforesaid.

Appointing Ministers.

Resolved, &c. That a Third Minister be appointed to pray with the House of Commons To-morrow, the Day of Publick Humiliation: And that Mr. Gurdon be desired to procure a Minister to pray there To-morrow accordingly.

Ordered, That Mr. Stronge be desired to pray before the Commons, on Thursday Morning next, in the House.

Mr. Allen is appointed to acquaint Mr. Stronge with this Desire of the House.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Tate brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Declaration carried by him.

Mr. Jennings.

Ordered, That the House do proceed upon Mr. Jennings' Business on Saturday Morning next.

Duke of York.

Ordered, That, on Saturday Morning next, Mr. Reynolds do make his Report concerning the Duke of York.

Apprehending Bushell.

Ordered, That the Sum of Twenty Pounds be bestowed upon the Two Persons that apprehended Browne Bushell, for this and other Services done by them: And the Committee of the Revenue is hereby ordered to pay the said Sum of Twenty Pounds to them accordingly.

Ordered, That Captain Browne Bushell be committed to the Castle of Windsore: And the Governor there is strictly enjoined to keep the said Browne Bushell in Prison, and to keep him very strictly and safe, as he will answer the same at his Peril.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Admiralty do consider of a speedy Course for the Tryal of Browne Bushell, for his Piracy, and other Crimes.

Conference agreed to.

Sir Robert Pye brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Conference, upon the Matter desired, this Day at Twelve of Clock.