House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 12 July 1648

Die Mercurii, 12 Julii, 1648.

Prayers.

Disposing of Prisoners.

ORDERED, That the Committee for Prisoners where Colonel Moore has the Chair, do meet this Afternoon; and take care for the Disposing of the Prisoners, according to the former Powers given to that Committee: And the said Committee is hereby further authorized to require the Assistance of the several and respective Counties, through which they are to pass from the Prisons; where they are to convey them to the Waterside, where they are to be shipped.

Suffolk Soldiers.

Ordered, That Mr. Nathaniell Bacon do, on Tuesday next, the first Business, prepare and bring in an Ordinance for the Pay of the Suffolk Soldiers, at the Siege of Colchester.

Catechism.

According to former Order, the House took into Consideration the humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines, concerning a Larger Catechism: And

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree to the Question and Answer following; viz.

Inlisting Soldiers.

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired in the Orders, Yesterday passed, for the indemnifying Major General Skippon, and those that have or shall voluntarily inlist themselves for the Service of the Parliament, City, and Kingdom; and for desiring the Committee of the Militia to assist and encourage such as shall voluntarily inlist to these Ends.

Mr. John Corbett is appointed to carry these to the Lords; as likewise, the Vote, that gives Power to Major General Skippon to inlist.

Victory at St. Neotes.

A Letter from Colonel Scrope, from St. Neotes, of 10 Julii 1648, giving Account of the great Victory it pleased God to give the Forces under his Command, against the Earl of Holland, and others, at St. Neotes; with a List of the Prisoners taken, and of the Persons of Quality slain; were this Day read.

Thanks giving Day.

Ordered, That this Day Sevennight be set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving unto Almighty God, for his great Blessings and Mercies, bestowed upon the Parliament's Forces, in giving them lately many great and signal Victories; to be observed in all the Churches and Chapels within the late Lines of Communication, and Parishes within the Bills of Mortality: And the Lord Mayor of the City of London is desired to take care that timely Notice may be given of this Order to the several Ministers.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That the Committee of * * * be revived: And that the said Committee draw up a Declaration, setting forth the former and these great Victories, and Mercies of Almighty God.

Colonel Bossevile, Mr. Weaver, Mr. Scott, Mr. Whittacre, Colonel Ven, Mr. Snelling, and Mr. Nicholas, be added to the said Committee: And that the said Committee do meet this Afternoon.

Gratuity to Anthrobus.

Ordered, That the Sum of One hundred Pounds be forthwith paid to Quartermaster Isaac Anthrobus, out of the first Money that shall be raised out of the Estate of the Earl of Holland, as a Gratuity for his good Service at St. Neotes.

Preachers appointed.

Ordered, That Mr. Bond Master of the Savoye, and Mr. Obadiah Sedgewick, be desired to preach before this House, on this Day Sevennight, the Day of Publick Thanksgiving, for the many late great Victories, bestowed by the Mercy of God upon the Parliament's Forces in several Parts of the Kingdom.

Ordered, That Mr. Niclas do give Notice to the Preacher of the Temple, of the Day appointed for the Publick Thanksgiving.

Earl of Holland, &c.

Resolved, &c. That Henry Earl of Holland, now taken Prisoner by the Forces under the Command of Colonel Scrope, be forthwith committed Prisoner to Warwick Castle, for High Treason, in actually levying War against the Parliament and Kingdom.

Ordered, That Colonel Scrope be required, forthwith to send a Strength of Horse, to convey the Earl of Holland in Safety a Prisoner to Warwick Castle, being committed thither by Order of this House, for High Treason, in levying actual War against the Parliament and Kingdom.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Members of this House that are of the Committee at Derby House, to send away these Votes; and to give Directions to Colonel Scrope, to send the Earl of Holland Prisoner to Warwick Castle accordingly.

Ordered, That the Field Officers, and Persons of Quality, taken Prisoners with the Earl of Holland, not exceeding the Number of Five, be committed Prisoners to Warwick Castle, for High Treason, in levying actual War against the Parliament and Kingdom: And that Colonel Scrope be required likewise to take care for the Sending of them Prisoners safely to Warwick Castle accordingly: And it is referred to the Members of this House that are of the Committee at Derby House, to send this Order to Colonel Scrope, and give him Directions herein accordingly.

Ordered, That Mr. Swinfen and Mr. Weaver be added to the Committee, Yesterday appointed, for inquiring after the Engagers with the Earl of Holland, or Lord Goring.

Conference to be reported.

Ordered, That To-morrow Morning Mr. John Stephens do make Report of the Conference had with the Lords on Saturday last: And that Mr. Speaker do put the House in mind hereof.

Army Supplies.

A Letter from Walmer, 9 Julii 1648, from Nath. Rich, was this Day read.

A Letter from Walmer, 10 Julii 1648, from Nath. Rich, was this Day read.

A Letter from Colonel Sydney, from Dover, of 11 Julii 1648, was this Day read.

A Letter from Walmer, 10 Julii 1648, to the Committee of Kent, from Nathan. Rich, was this Day read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to consider, How Powder, and other Provisions, may be speedily sent to Colonel Rich.

Duke Hamilton, &c.

A Letter from Duke Hamilton, from Annan, of 6 Julii 1648, to Colonel General Lambert, was this Day read.

A Letter from Colonel Lambert to Duke Hamilton, in Answer of his, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Letter written by Colonel Lambert, to the Lord Hamilton, in Answer of his, and of the Proceedings of Colonel Lambert thereupon.

Ordered, That a Letter of Thanks be written to Colonel Lambert; to be signed by Mr. Speaker.

Disposing of Prisoners.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to examine and dispose of Colonel Coventry, and the Lord Andover; and likewise to take some Course for the Disposing of the rest of the Prisoners now with Sir Michaell Lievsay.

Message to Lords.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Harley do acquaint the Lords with Duke Hamilton's Letter, written to Colonel Lambert, and sent to him by the Duke's Trumpeter; and of Colonel Lambert's Answer thereunto: Of which this House hath approved; and desire the Lords Concurrence thereunto: And that the Lords will also concur with this House, in referring the said Letter to the Committee at Derby House, to prepare an Answer thereunto; and to bring in the Answer To-morrow Morning.

Sir Robert Harley carried the said Message to the Lords: And also the Votes touching the Ships.

Thanks to Livesey, &c.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Raising of the Forces by Sir Michaell Livesey; and of the Actions and Proceedings of the said Sir Michaell Livesey, and the Officers and Soldiers by him raised.

Ordered, That a Letter of Thanks, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, be prepared, and sent to Sir Michaell Livesey, and the Officers and Soldiers by him raised, for their very valiant and good Service.

Sir Peter Wentworth and Sir Edward Partherich are appointed to prepare the said Letter.

Revolted Ships.

Resolved, &c. That the Time in the Declaration, for the revolted Ships to render themselves, and the Ships wherein they are, to the Parliament's Obedience, be within Twenty Days after Publication of the said Declaration, or forthwith upon Notice given them by the Lord Admiral, or such other Person or Persons as he shall appoint.

Revolted Ships.

A Declaration, touching the reduced Ships, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

London Petition.

The House being informed, that divers Aldermen, Magistrates, Ministers, Officers of the Soldiery, were at the Door, desirous to present a Petition to the House:

They were called in: And Mr. Alderman Fowke, after some short Preamble, did present the Petition.

The which (the Petitioners being withdrawn) was read; and was intituled, "The humble Petition of divers wellaffected Magistrates, Ministers, Citizens, and other Inhabitants in the City of London, and Parts adjacent."

The Petitioners were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, delivered them an Answer to their Petition, to this Effect;

The House hath received your Petition, and taken into their serious Consideration the Matter thereof: They find it a Petition for Peace; for Peace indeed: Such a Peace, as is pursued by this House, and all honest Men, with Preservation of Religion, Laws, and the Liberties of the Subjects, in a safe, well-grounded Peace, upon the Principles whereupon we first engaged: They look also upon the Seasonableness of it, at such time when Mens Spirits, by the Artifice of Malignants, are so heightened against the Parliament, that honest Men scarce dare own the former Cause: and yet at this time you dare justify your first Principles: And, when there is scarce Power to imprison any of our Enemies, that either hath, or doth now engage in this new and bloody Design, without Tumults and Rescues; and yet now you dare avouch your former Undertakings: They also observe the Qualities of your Petitioners; divers Aldermen, and great Magistrates, of the City of London; many Reverend Ministers, who have always held close to the Cause; and many noble Commanders and Officers, and other the Gentlemen of Birth and Quality, that have less valued their Blood, than the Hazard and Loss of so noble an Undertaking: In which they perceive the Constancy of your Resolutions to the Cause of the Kingdom; and of your Affections to this House. I am commanded to give you their real and hearty Thanks, and to declare unto you, That they are resolved to adhere to their first Principles, and with their Lives and Fortunes maintain the same, and all that do adhere to them, therein; and also do approve of the Petition, and the Matter thereof. And they have further commanded me to assure you, That, in the Composing of the Peace they are now upon, they will take care for the Preservation of Religion, Laws, and Liberties of all those that have or shall adhere and remain constant to these Ends.

Ordered, That the Petition, and this Answer unto it, be forthwith printed and published.