House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 18 July 1648

Die Martis, 18 Julii, 1648.

Prayers.

Leave of Absence.

ORDERED, That Mr. Trenchard have Leave to go into the Country.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Wrothe have Leave to go into the Country.

Message to Lords.

Sir Walter Erle went to the Lords with this Message; to desire a free Conference, by Committees of both Houses at such Time as may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, upon the Matter of the last Conference, touching the Three Propositions sent into Scotland; and a Conference concerning some Votes passed this House, in order to a Treaty, and a Peace: And was to put the Lords in mind of the Ordinance for the County of Sussex.

Scotts Invasion.

Resolved, &c. That the Lords Concurrence be desired in the Vote, declaring those Scotts Enemies, that are come in a hostile Manner into England, without the Authority of Parliament.

Revolted Ships, &c.

Resolved, &c. That the Earl of Warwicke, Lord High Admiral of England, be authorized and required to fight with the revolted Ships, or any Person or Persons of any Condition or Quality soever, that shall be upon the said Ships, or join with them; or that shall any way oppose the Power and Authority of Parliament: And that it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to give him Directions accordingly.

Ordered, That Mr. Walter Strickland do go to Sea with my Lord Admiral, in the place of Colonel Edward Popham; who desires, upon his pressing Occasions, to be excused.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to prepare and give Instructions to the Lord Admiral, and to Mr. Alexander Bence, and Mr. Walter Strickland, that are appointed to go to Sea with him: And that these Gentlemen do forthwith go down to the Lord Admiral.

Answers from Lords.

Sir Walter Erle brings Answer, That the Lords, will give a present Conference, as is desired.

Sir Gilbert Gerard brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer by Messengers of their own, to the Ordinance concerning the Lady Harcourt.

Thanksgiving.

A Narrative, commemorating the many Blessings of Almighty God, in owning the Parliament's Cause, by giving them many great Victories, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And it is ordered to be forthwith printed and published: And the Lord Mayor is desired to communicate the same to the several and respective Ministers within the late Lines of Communication, and Parishes, within the weekly Bills of Mortality.

Husband's Petition.

Ordered, That the Petition of Edward Husbands, Printer to the House of Commons, be read on Saturday next.

Thanksgiving Day.

Ordered, That, To-morrow Three Weeks, 9 Augusti, be appointed for a Publick Thanksgiving to Almighty God, in the several Parish Churches in the several Counties within the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, for the several great Victories lately given to the Parliament Forces.

London, &c. Militia.

The House being informed, That the Sheriffs and Aldermen of the City of London were at the Door;

They were called in: And, after a Prologue made by Alderman Byde, the said Alderman in the Name, and by the Command of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of London, did present Two Petitions; the one intituled, "The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council assembled;" the other likewise intituled, "The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council assembled."

Which Petitions (after the Petitioners were withdrawn) were read.

Ordered, That the Petition of the City of London, touching the Uniting of the Militias, be referred to the Committee where Mr. Sandys hath the Chair; to which the rest of the Petitions, touching that Business, were referred.

The Sheriff and Citizens were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, gave them this Answer; viz.

Mr. Sheriff, and you Aldermen and Gentlemen;

The House has read your Petitions: And they have referred an Ordinance to that Purpose, of uniting the Militias, to a Committee; who are to sit this Afternoon: And they have referred your Petition to that Committee; to take the same into their Considerations.

The House being informed, there were divers Citizens of the City of London at the Door, desiring to prefer a Petition to the House;

They were called in; and did prefer a Petition, intituled, "The humble Petition of divers well-affected Citizens of London, and Inhabitants in and about the same."

The which (the Petitioners being withdrawn) was read; and was, among other Things, against the Uniting of the Militias.

Ordered, That this Petition be referred to the Committee where Mr. Sandys has the Chair; to the which Committee the other Petitions, touching this Business, are referred.

The other Citizens were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House gave them this Answer;

Gentlemen,

The House has read your Petition; and find the Matter, therein contained, to be formerly in Debate in this House: And there is a Committee appointed to consider thereof: And your Petition is referred to that Committee: And you may attend that Committee, if you please.

Message to Lords.

Colonel Copley is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire them to fit awhile: And carried unto them the Order for declaring the Scotts, that are come into England in an hostile manner, Enemies; and all that join with them, Traitors and Rebels: The Order for providing Five hundred Pounds out of Haberdashers Hall, for Provisions for some Garisons of Consequence: The Order for the Sheriff of Warwicksheire's executing the Judgement of Law against the Eight Prisoners condemned at the last Assizes, in the County of Warwicke: And

Answer.

Brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Order for providing Five hundred Pounds, for Provisions of some Garisons of Consequence: To the rest of the Particulars of the Message by him carried, the Lords will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Watermens Petition.

The House being informed, That divers of the Company of Watermen were at the Door, desiring to prefer a Petition to this House;

They were called in; and did prefer a Petition to this House.

The which was read; and was intituled, "The humble Petition of the Watermen belonging to the River of Thames."

The Petitioners were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by Command, acquainted them;

The House takes notice of your orderly Coming with this Petition, according to the Ordinance of Parliament: That they are many of them near Witnesses of the unwearied Endeavours of the Parliament to the Settling of a good Peace; and that you have most of you demeaned yourselves quietly and obediently: That they are now in Consideration of that matter; and will do that therein, which shall be for the most Good of the Kingdom, and all the People therein.

Propositions to the King.

Mr. Swynfen reports Reasons for insisting upon the Three Propositions before a personal Treaty with his Majesty, intituled, "Reasons for the House of Commons their insisting upon the Three Propositions to be first granted by the King, in manner as is resolved, before a Treaty."

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Reasons reported.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee to whom it was referred to prepare these Reasons, be appointed Managers of this Conference; with the Addition of Mr. Boys, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Mr. Knightly.

Letter from Col. Lambert.

A Letter from Perith, of 14 Julii 1648, from Colonel Lambert, was this Day read.

Ordered, That, on Thursday Morning, the first Business, the House do take the latter Part of Colonel Lambert's Letter, of the Fourteenth of July 1648, into Consideration: And that then the Dabate, touching the Commissioners of the Parliament now in Scotland, returning into England, be considered of.

Ashurst thanked.

Ordered, That Mr. Ashurst have the Thanks of this House given him for his great Care and Pains taken in the Service of the Parliament in Scotland.

Mr. Speaker did accordingly give Mr. Ashhurst the hearty Thanks of this House.

Exchange of Prisoners.

Ordered, That this House doth Declare, That they do approve, that the General do exchange Mr. Ashburnham, Prisoner to this House, for Sir Wm. Masham, now in Restraint in Colchester.

Ordered, That it be referred to the General, to make convenient Exchanges for all the rest of the Committee of Essex, now in Restraint in Colchester.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to dispatch away these Orders speedily to the General.

Ordnance.

Ordered, That the Petition of the Clerk of the Ordnance be read on Thursday next.

Col. Lilbourne.

Ordered, That Colonel Lilbourne's Business be taken up on Thursday Morning next.

Adjournment.

Ordered, That the House do adjourn itself until Thursday Morning, Eight of Clock.