House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 31 August 1641

Die Martis, ultimo Aug. 1641.

PRAYERS.

Smyth's Estate.

1^a vice lecta est Billa,

AN Act for assuring to Wm. Smyth est Billa, Esquire, and his Heirs, certain Lands and Tenement in the Parish of Stepney, in the County of Midd. lately purchased by him of the Earl of Cleveland, and the Lord Wentworth his Son.

Assault on Collector of Poll-money.

The Certificate of Mr. Wolley Leigh and Mr. Matthew Carleton, Commissioners for the Poll-money, concerning one Ralph Badger a Collector, who was beaten by one Robert Plukenett, a Yeoman of the Guard, for Distraining of his Horse, for refusing to pay Forty Shillings, which he was assessed, having Fifty Pounds per Annum, was read; And because there was no Man to avow it, it was laid aside for that time; it being said, that the Man that was abused and beaten, would be here To-morrow Morning.

Ministers at Garnesey.

The humble Petition of John de la Marche, Minister of God's Word in the Island of Garnesey, as well in his own proper Name, as in the Name of some other Ministers....

Committed unto the Committee for Scandalous Ministers; to consider of the Grievances and Oppressions complained of in the said Petition; and to consider of some way for the Preventing of them in future time: And the House holds it fit, that they should be governed by their ancient Discipline, according to their former Privileges.

A Message from the Lords, by Dr. Bennett alone;

Disarming Recusants.

The Lords do concur with the Ordinance and Instructions concerning the Disarming of Recusants; and have sent them down; and desire them to be ingrossed.

Irregularity of Message.

Exceptions were taken, that the Lords sent but One Messenger: And it was declared, that it was the ancient Right of this House, to have Two Messengers sent from the Lords to this House upon all Occassions. Howsoever, at this time the House was willing to pass it over.

The ingrossed Copy of the Ordinance and Instructions were read, and passed.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Hollis went up to the Lords with the Ordinance and Instructions; and was likewise appointed to take Notice, that their Lordships sent a Message to this House by One Messenger only; and to desire, that, by Order of both Houses, * * * *

Prisoner discharged.

The humble Petition of John Smyth Clerk was read; and Ordered, upon the Question, that he should be forthwith discharged from any further Imprisonment.

Ministers at Epsom, &c.

The humble Petition of several Citizens of London, concerning Ministers named to preach at Epsom and Ewell was read; and thereupon

It was Resolved, upon the Question, That this House holds it fit, to give Allowance to the several Ministers named to preach at Epsom and Ewell, as is desired in the Petition.

Answer from Lords.

* * * * That the Speaker of their House should sign both the Ordinance and Instructions; and that they should be sent down to be signed; and that they would take Order to have it printed: And, as concerning sending by One Messenger only; the Business required Haste, and they sent as many as they had.

Ordinance, &c. from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Ro. Rich, Mr. Page, and Dr. Bennett;

The Lords have caused this Ordinance, and these Instructions, to be signed by their Speaker; and, thus signed, have sent them hither to be signed.

And they were signed here by the Speaker; and then ordered to be sent to be forthwith printed.

Salt-petra Mines.

Mr. Strode is appointed to go up to the Lords with this Message;

To acquaint them, that this House doth assent to appoint a Committee to receive such Propositions as shall be propounded by the Committee of the Lords, concerning the Preservation of the Mines of Salt-petre.

Communion-tables.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House holds it fit, that the Churchwardens of every Parish Church or Chapel, do forthwith remove the Communion-table from the East End of the Church, Chapel, or Chancel, where they stand Altar-wise, and place them in some convenient Place of the Church or Chancel; and take away the Rails, and level the Chancels, as heretofore they were before the late Innovations.

Ordinance for Thanks ndash; giving.

Ordered, That Sir Ro. Pye and Mr. Wheeler, out of the Receipt of the Poll-money, shall pay unto the Messengers of the Exchequer Thirty Pounds, for their Charges in dispersing the Ordinance for celebrating the Day of Publick Thanksgiving: And they are enjoined forthwith to go away with these Ordinances, and to use their best Diligence in the speediest Dispersing of them.

American Trade, &c.

The humble Proposition, made to the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons, was read; and referred to the Committee for the Petition for Erecting of a new Company for America: And that That Committee shall sit on Thursday next, notwithstanding any Adjournment: And the Patent for Guyney and Burney; and the Matter of the Exchange and Keeping of Money in the Kingdom; and the Business of Fishing; is referred to this Committee.

Mr. Solicitor is added to this Committee.

Prisoner discharged, &c.

Ordered, That Anne Hussey, who accused O'Connor the Priest of High Treason, and is now under Restraint with One of the Sheriffs of London, be forthwith discharged from any farther Restraint: And it is farther Ordered, that Sir Ro. Pye shall, for the present, pay unto the said Woman Thirty Pounds.

List of Serjeant's Prisoners.

Ordered, That the Serjeant shall bring a List of the Names of such Prisoners, as are under his Custody, To-morrow Morning; that such as are bailable may be bailed.

Kemp's, &c. Petition.

The humble Petition of Rich. Kemp and Christopher Wormeley was read; and nothing done in it at this time; but a Resolution taken to consider of it between this and Monday, or on Monday next.

Full House on Monday.

It was earnestly moved, that the House would take the best Care they could, that a full House might be here on Monday next.

Leave of Absence.

Lord Ruthyn, Sir Robert Harley, Mr. Hollis, Sir Ben. Rudyard, have Leave to go into the Country.

Communion ndash; tables, &c.

Mr. Pym, Mr. Hollis, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Robert Harley, Mr. Selden, Serjeant Wilde, Lord, Falkland, Sir Jo. Colepeper, Sir Symonds D'Ewes, Mr. Crue, Sir Tho. Barrington, Mr. Martin, Sir H. Mildmay;

This Committee, or any Four of them, are to meet this Afternoon at Two, in the Inner Court of Wards, to take into Consideration the Removing the Communiontables in the Universities, and the Inns of Court: and the Book of Sports; and all other Matters of Innovation that have happened in Debate this Forenoon; and to frame an Order upon them; and present. . . to the House.