House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 16 May 1648

Die Martis, 16 Maii, 1648.

Prayers.

Defaulters in Musters.

MR. Bois reports the Amendments to the Ordinance for punishing Defaulters in Musters in the County of Kent: The which were twice read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And the Ordinance, so amended, upon the Question, passed; and is ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Riot at Norwich.

Ordered, That Samuell Smith Esquire, Recorder of the City of Norwich, Erasmus Erle Esquire, Steward of the said City, Charles George Cocke, of Norwich, Esquire, Sir Thomas Woodhowse, Knight and Baronet, Robert Wood senior, Thomas Weld, Robert Wilton, Toby Fryer, Thomas Sotherton, Robert Jermy, Gabriell Barker, Robert Wood junior, Esquires, or any Three of them, be appointed a Committee: To whom, or any Three of them, it is referred, to examine upon Oath the whole Business of the City of Norwich; as well for the Contempt of the Ordinance of 14 Martii, and the Order against the late Mayor, the Abuse of the Messenger, as also concerning the late Rebellion, Riot, and Insurrection, committed in the said City the Three-and-twentieth and Four-and-twentieth of April 1648.

Defence of several Counties.

A Letter from Northwiche, 8 Maii 1648, from the Gentlemen of the County of Chester, was this Day read, about fortifying the Castle of Chester, and the City of Chester.

A Letter from Sir Robert Duckenfield, of 13 Maii instant, was this Day read.

A Letter from Lancaster, 12 Maii 1648, from Colonel Edward Briggs, was this Day read.

A Letter from Kendall, 8 Maii 1648, from Thomas Tildesley, was this Day read.

A Letter from Captain Edward Wogan, of 8 Maii 1648, to * * *, was this Day read.

A Letter of 12 Maii 1648, from Robert Venables, was this Day read.

A Letter from John Jones, from Wrexham, of 12 Maii 1648, was this Day read.

A Letter from Wrexham, 10 Maii 1648, from the Sheriffs, Justices of Peace, Ministers, and Gentlemen of the Counties of Denbigh and Flynt, and their Resolutions, in Writing, therein inclosed; was this Day read.

A Letter to Sir Wilfred Lawson, from Preston, 12 Maii 1648, from John Studdert, was this Day read.

A Letter to Captain John Studdert, from Lancaster, 12 Maii 1648, from John Hudson, was this Day read.

A Letter to Sir Edward Musgrave and Thomas Grey, from Phillip Musgrave, of 3 Maii 1648, was this Day read.

Sir Wm. Armyn reports from the Committee of Lords and Commons at Darby House, That the Committee at Darby House hold it very necessary, that Sir Wilfred Lawson, and others named in the said Order, be forthwith sent down into the County of Cumberland: And also another Report concerning Berwick; and another touching Sir Arthur Hesilrige's Letter.

Mr. Knightley reports from the Committee, the whole State of the Matters charged against Sir Wilfred Lawson; and the State of all the Examinations taken in that Cause.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth acquit and discharge Sir Wilfred Lawson for any thing laid to his Charge; and do declare him a fit Person to be employed in the Service of the Parliament; and do require him to repair down into the Country, to employ his best Endeavours for the Service of the Parliament, and to preserve the Peace of the Country.

Ordered, That Major Thomas Barwis, Captain Francis Briscoe, Captain Henry Fetherston, Captain John Briscoe, Lieutenant Richard Uriell, do forthwith repair into the County of Cumberland.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of what hath been done by the Deputy Lieutenants and the Committee of the County of Chester, in order to the Peace and Safety of the Country, according as is expressed in their Letter: And that the Gentlemen that serve for that County prepare a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, to return them the Thanks of this House.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of what hath been done by the Committee of the County of Lancaster, and Gentlemen of the said County, in order to the Peace and Safety of the Country, according as is expressed in their Letters: And that the Gentlemen that serve for that County prepare a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, to return them the Thanks of this House.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of what hath been done by the Justices of Peace, Committee, and Gentlemen of the Counties of Denbigh and Flint, in order to the Service of the Parliament, to the Safety of those Counties, according as is expressed in a Paper of Resolutions: And that the Gentlemen that serve for those Counties do prepare a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, to return them the Thanks of this House.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Bois carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, an Ordinance for punishing Defaulters at Musters in the County of Kent: An Ordinance for Security upon the Excise Four thousand Pounds, for the Supernumeraries to be disbanded in Lancashire: An Order for constituting a Committee to examine the Business concerning the late Riot at Norwich.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Sayer have the Leave of this House to go into the Country, for Recovery of Health.

Ordered, That Mr. Harrington shall have the Leave of this House to go into the Country.

Letters referred.

Ordered, That the Letter from Preston, of 12 Maii, 1648, directed to Sir Wilfred Lawson, together with the inclosed, all this Day read in this House, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee at Derby House.

Lancashire Forces.

An Ordinance for charging and securing the Sum of Four thousand Pounds upon the Excise, for the Forces in Lancashire, now disbanded, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

London Militia.

According to the Order Yesterday made, the House resumed the Debate of the Ordinance concerning the Militia of the City of London; and proceeded to the Consideration of the Names presented by the Common Council to be intrusted with the Militia. And

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of John Warner, Lord Mayor of the City of London, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Sir John Wollaston, Knight and Alderman, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Abraham Reynardson, Alderman, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Sir George Clarke, Knight and Alderman, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Wm. Gibbes, Alderman, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Richard Chambers, Alderman, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Thomas Foote, Alderman, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Samuell Avery, Alderman, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of John Bide, Alderman, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Thomas Viner, Alderman, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Serjeant Major General Phillip Skippon to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the City of London, for the Time being, to be Committees named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Colonel Francis West, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Richard Glide to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Edwyn Browne, to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance, for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Peter Jones to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Major Thomas Chamberlaine to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Colonel Thomas Playre to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. John Bellamy to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Wm. Jesson to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Lieutenant Colonel Jackson to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Wm. Kendall to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Thomas Arnold to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Nathanaill Hall to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Lieutenant Colonel Edward Bellamy to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Francis Waterhowse to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Anthony Bateman to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Thomas Andrewes to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Captain Richard Venner to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. Peter Mills to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. John Gace to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Mr. John Juryn to be one of the Committee named in this Ordinance for the Militia of London.

The Question was propounded, That these Words, "whereof Three to be Aldermen," be added to the Quorum of Nine, in this Ordinance:

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

It passed with the Negative.

A Proviso, to be added to this Ordinance, for exempting the Rolls, and Liberties thereof, the Two Houses of Serjeants Inn, the Inns of Court or Chancery, the Doctors Commons, was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

The Clause in this Ordinance, concerning this Committee to have the like Power as any other Committee had, by Ordinance or Order, the Twentieth of July 1647, was propounded;

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

It passed with the Affirmative:

And the Clause, upon the Question, passed.

The Clause, in this Ordinance, for appointing Colonel Francis West Lieutenant of the Tower, was propounded:

And the Question being put, That this Question be now put;

It passed with the Affirmative.

And then the said Clause, upon the Question, passed.

London Militia.

A Clause being offered to be added to the said Ordinance in these Words; viz. "And it is Ordered and Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, That Major General Skippon be Major General of all the Forces to be raised by virtue of this Ordinance;"

The said Clause was twice read.

The Question being put, that this Clause be added to this Ordinance, "That Major General Philip Skippon be Major General of all the Forces to be raised by virtue of this Ordinance;"

And the Question being put, Whether this Question be now put:

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So the Question passed with the Negative.

Then the said Ordinance, concerning the Militia of the City of London, upon the Question, passed, and is ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

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

Ordered, That an Ordinance be brought in, on Thursday Morning, for appointing and authorizing Major General Skippon Commander in Chief of the Militia of the City of London, and Liberties thereof, and of the whole Militia within the Lines of Communication, and late Bills of Mortality.

Mr. Hill, and Mr. Waller, and the Gentlemen that serve for the City, are appointed to bring in this Ordinance.

Exeter.

Ordered, That, on Thursday Morning, the first Business, the Business of Exeter be taken into Consideration.

Kemp's Debt.

Ordered, That the Estate of Thomas Mylls Esquire be liable to pay the Debt of Mr. Kemp; as the Estate of Sir John Mylls, his Father, was liable to the Payment thereof, by former Order of this House.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Bromley House.

Ordered, That the Sheriff of Kent shall have Three Days longer to put Captain Skinner in the Possession of Bromley House, late belonging unto the Bishop of Rochester: And he is enjoined to put him in Possession by that Time, according to former Order made in that behalf.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Surrey Petition.

The House being informed, That divers Gentlemen and Freeholders of the County of Surrey were at the Door;

They were called in. Mr. Price, in the Name of the Knights, Gentlemen, and Freeholders, of the County of Surrey, delivered in a Petition; and acquainted the House, That he was commanded to desire a speedy and satisfactory Answer thereunto.

And (the Petitioners being withdrawn) the Petition, intituled, "The Petition of divers Thousands, Knights, Gentlemen, and Freeholders, of the County of Surrey," was this Day read.-

Committees added.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Harloe, Sir Robert Pye, Mr. Beddingfield, and Mr. Bossevile, be added to the Committee appointed to go to the City of London this Afternoon.-

Riot at the Door.

The House being informed, That Mr. Cobbin, the Lieutenant Colonel, was at the Door;

He was called in; and then informed the House, That the Surrey Petitioners enforced the Guard, and knocked down some of the Soldiers; and gave out Words, That they would have a speedy and satisfactory Answer; or else they will have the Blood of this House; and are withdrawn into the Fields.

Ordered, That Lieutenant Colonel Cobbett, and the rest of the Officers and Soldiers of the Guard, have Thanks given him, for his careful Managing of the Guard for the Preservation of the House. And

It is further Ordered, That they . . . . . . . . . Lieutenant Colonel, do continue his faithful Care therein, in the Safeguard of the Parliament.

The said Lieutenant Colonel was again called in: And Mr. Speaker gave him the Thanks of the House accordingly.

The Question being propounded, That an Answer be given to the Petitioners of the County of Surrey.

It passed with the Negative.

London Militia.

The Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, taking into their serious Consideration the present State and Condition of the Kingdom of England, and particularly of the City of London, do Ordain and Declare, and be it Ordained and Declared, by the Authority of Parliament, That John Warner, Lord Mayor of the City of London, Sir John Wollaston, Knight and Alderman, Abraham Reynardson, Alderman, Sir George Clark, Knight and Alderman, Wm. Gibbes, Richard Chambers, Thomas Foote, Samuell Avery, John Bide, Thomas Viner, Aldermen, Serjeant Major General Skippon, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the City of London for the Time being, Colonel Francis West, Richard Glyde, Edwyne Browne, Peter Jones, Major Thomas Chamberlaine, Colonel Thomas Player, Colonel John Bellamy, Wm. Jesson, Lieutenant Colonel Jackson, Wm. Kendall, Thomas Arnold, Nathaniell Hall, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Bellamy, Francis Waterhowse, Anthony Bateman, Thomas Andrewes, Captain Richard Venner, Peter Mills, John Gace, John Juryn, Citizens, or any Nine or more of them, and no other Person or Persons whatsoever, be, and are hereby constituted and appointed, a Committee for the Militia of the City of London, and Liberties thereof, and other Places within the same: And shall have Power, and are hereby authorized, to assemble and call together all and singular Person and Persons, within the said City of London, and Liberties thereof, that are meet and fit for the Wars; and them to train, exercise, and put in readiness; and them, after their Abilities and Faculties, well and sufficiently, from time to time, to cause to be arrayed and weaponed; and to take the Musters of them in Places most fit for that Purpose: And that they shall have Power to lead, conduct, and employ the Persons aforesaid, arrayed and weaponed; for the Suppression of all Rebellions, Insurrections, and Invasions, that may happen within the said City, and Liberties thereof; and likewise shall have further Power and Authority, to lead, conduct, and employ, the Persons aforesaid, arrayed and weaponed, as well within the said City, as within any other Part of this Realm of England, or Dominion of Wales, for the Suppression of all Rebellions, Insurrections, and Invasions, that may happen, according as they shall, from time to time, receive Directions from the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament: And that the said Committee, or any Nine or more of them, as aforesaid, shall have Power, and are hereby authorized, to constitute and make Colonels, Captains, and other Officers; and shall have Power to remove and displace Colonels, Captains, and other Officers, from time to time, as they, or any Nine or more of them, as aforesaid, shall see cause, and think fit: And that the said Committee, or any Nine or more of them, as aforesaid, shall have the same Power and Authority within the said City, and Liberties thereof, as any Committee for the Militia of the City of London had the Twentieth Day of July, Anno Domini 1647, by any Order or Ordinance of Parliament. And all and every Person or Persons, who shall act or do any Act or Thing whatsoever, by virtue of this, or any former Order or Ordinances of Parliament, concerning the said Militia, shall be saved harmless, and indemnified, for and concerning the same, by Authority of Parliament. And it is hereby further Ordained, That no Citizen of the City of London, nor any of the Forces of the said City, or Liberties thereof, shall be drawn forth, or compelled to go out of the said City or Liberties thereof, for Military Service, without his or their free Consent. And further it is Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That Colonel Francis West shall be Lieutenant of the Tower of London; and have the Command thereof, as formerly he had: And that the Soldiers now remaining in the said Tower shall be forthwith removed from thence. Provided, That this Ordinance, or any thing therein contained, do not extend unto the Rolls, or Liberties thereof; nor unto the Two Houses of Serjeants Inn; nor unto any of the Inns of Court, or Chancery; nor unto the Doctors Commons. And this present Ordinance is to continue during the Pleasure of both Houses of Parliament.