House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 11 April 1646

DIE Saturni, 11 die Aprilis.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Delmy.

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Answer from the H. C.

Sir Edw. Leech and Mr. Page return with this Answer from the House of Commons:

That they agree, the Members of their House that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms do join with the Members of this House that are of the said Committee, to deliver to the Scotts Commissioners the Answer of both Houses to their last Paper.

Petit & al. and Rednes & al.

Ordered, That the Cause between Petite &c. and Rednes shall be heard on Wednesday Morning next.

Letter from the Parliament of Scotland, in Behalf of Mr. Meldrune.

A Letter from the Parliament of Scotland was read; desiring, "That Mr. Rob't Meldrum, Nephew to Sir John Meldrum, to whom he hath bequeathed the managing of his Affairs, may have the Furtherance of both Houses, for his Dispatch therein."

Papers from the Committee of both Kingdoms.

The Lord Wharton reported Three Papers from the Committee of both Kingdoms; which were read:

1. The Articles of the Delivery-up of the Castle and Isle of Portland to Captain Wm. Batten, Vice Admiral and Commander in Chief of all the Forces by Sea for the Parliament. (Here enter it.)

2. A Paper of Colonel Ven, from North'ton.

(Here enter it.)

3. A Paper from the Commissioners of Scotland was read: (Here enter it.) And Ordered to be referred to the Committee of the Navy; and the Concurrence of the House of Commons to be desired herein.

Dutchess of Richmond's Messenger to return.

Ordered, The Trumpeter that brought the Letter from the Dutchess of Richmond shall have (fn. 1) Leave to go back from whence he he came.

"Die Sabbati, 4 April. 1646.

"It is agreed upon, between Captain William Batten Vice Admiral and Commander in Chief of all the Forces by Sea for the King and Parliament, and Colonel Thomas Gollopp Governor of the Castle and Island of Portland, in Manner following; (videlicet,)

Articles for the Surrender of Portland to the Parliament's Forces.

"1. That the said Colonel Gollopp shall, upon Monday next, the Sixth of April, by Ten of the Clock in the Morning, surrender and yield up unto the said Vice Admiral, for the Use of the Parliament, the Castle and Isle of Portland, together with all the Cannon, Arms, and Ammunition, now there, and not contained in the ensuing Articles; and that, until the further Pleasure of the Parliament be signified, all is to be left in the Hands of such an Officer of Weymouth Garrison as the said Vice Admiral and Colonel William Sydenham shall appoint.

"2. Item, That al Officers and Soldiers that are now in the Island and Castle shall have free Liberty to march away out of the Island, with all their Horse not surmounting the Number of Fifteen, full Arms, Matches lighted, Bullet in Mouth, Colours displayed, Drums beating, and Bag and Baggage, to Oxford; and an Hundred and Twenty Pounds delivered to the Officers, in Lieu of One Week's Pay for all the Officers and Marching Soldiers within the Garrison; and that they shall have Horses and Carriages provided, to carry the Baggage and Goods, and not be solicited by any to forsake their Colours in their March.

"3. Item, That all such Soldiers as are willing shall have free Leave to take up Arms for the Parliament; and that all such Soldiers shall have present Entertainment and constant Pay, as also Two Shillings Advance, and Cloaths for every Soldier; and such as are willing to go to their Homes, shall have Passes; and such as desire to go to Oxford, safe Conduct; and not be compelled to march (fn. 2) above Eight or Ten Miles a Day.

"4. Item, That the Porter, Gunners, and such others that have Places in the Castle of Portland, shall either be continued in their Places, or have Satisfaction for the same.

"5. Item, That we do faithfully promise to use our best Endeavours to both Houses of Parliament, for the speedy taking off their several Sequestrations (if any such be) upon any of their Estates; and that (fn. 1) they may re-possess their Lands, Goods, and Chattels, free as formerly they have done.

"6. Item, That the Islanders of Portland shall peaceably enjoy the true Protestant Religion, agreeable with, and grounded on, the Word of God, and according to such Discipline as is and shall be established by the Parliament; that they shall have no other Preacher preferred unto them but such as is orthodox, and without any just Exception.

"7. Item, That every of the Islanders and Strangers respectively shall have and enjoy their Lands and Estates as formerly they have done, together with all their Immunities and Freedoms; notwithstanding any Act of Hostility committed against the Parliament, either within or without the Island, since these unhappy Wars began.

"8. Item, That no Oath, Imposition, or Tax, shall be imposed upon any of the Inhabitants other or others now resident in the Isle, other than what shall be enjoined and conformable to other Parts of the Kingdom.

"9. Item, That all Strangers now in the Island, as Lieutenant Colonel Duke, Lieutenant Armestrong, Robert Mohun Gentleman, John Browne and William Ware Yeomen, shall have their Liberty and Freedom, quietly to return to their several Habitations, and to carry with them their Horses, Arms, and such other Goods as properly belong to any of them, and there to remain without any Molestation or Trouble.

"10. Lastly, That the last Governor of the Island for the Parliament, that was there when the Island was lost to the King's Forces, shall not be Governor there any more during this War.

"William Batten.

"These Articles were agreed on and confirmed in the Presence of these Gentlemen, whose Names are underwritten, and were present at the transacting of the Business.

"For the Island. For the Parliament.

"Thomas Gallopp Governor. Colonel William Sydenham Governor of Weymouth.

"Thomas Sallway.

"Wm. Dyer. Robert Coker, Lieutenant Governor.

"Thomas Ware.

"Richard Gillew. Captain Thomas Harbert.

"Thomas Wiggett.

"Christopher Gibbs. Captain Edward Hall.

Captain Robert Row.

Captain John Frey."

Letter from Colonel Venn, that he had sent Recruits to Colonel

"For the Right Honourable the Committee of both Kingdoms. These.

"May it please your Lordships,

Whalley, &c. and that some of the Soldiers at Northampton had deserted.

"According to your Commands by Letter dated the 3d Instant, I am marching out this Day to Colonel Whally Eleven Hundred Men armed and cloathed. There is Six Hundred more, I hope are raised in Warwicksheir. I shall send Captain Potts to dispatch them also unto Colonel Whally. I shall also dispatch away Seven Hundred unto Wheatly, to Colonel Rainsborough, after they are mustered, armed, and cloathed; being the Lincolnesheir Men, which yet I have not seen. The Committee, before I came, quartered them in the Country, where almost Half ran away. The Reason is, most Countries press the Scum of all their Inhabitants, the King's Soldiers, Men taken out of Prison, Tinkers, Pedlars, and Vagrants that have no Dwelling, and such of whom no Account can be given; it is no Marvel if such run away. I am much troubled to see your Lordships Commands obeyed by Halves; to have so much Goods, Arms, and Cloaths provided, and sent this far, and not One Half of them used. Except your Lordships please to punish your Committees, I never look from any other at their Hands. If your Designs be hereby either diverted or obstructed, I hope your Lordships will call them to Account that have been the Cause. I purposed to have sent your Lordships a Particular what every Committee cometh short; but truly my Desire to hasten away the Recruits will not permit me so to do as yet. I am troubled what to do with the Cloaths and Arms remaining here: I do resolve to lodge them up securely here in this Garrison, except you please, upon Receipt hereof, to command me otherwise. And the Recruits being all come up that can be expected, and disposed of according to your Commands, I shall take the Boldness to return to London, if not otherwise commanded by your Lordships. I have no more, but that I am

Northampton, 7th of April, 1646.

"Your Lordships

"Most humble Servant,

"John Venn.

"P. S. I intended this Day to arm and march, after Payment made what was due to this Day; but the Soldiers refused to march without a Month's Pay Advance, and mutinied in a high Measure. I did forbear to arm them (it was a great Providence I did so). I had Two Troops of Horse and Two Companies of Foot to appease them. I committed some Leaders of them in Prison, and do purpose to proceed against some of them according to Martial Law. I therefore, after no small Trouble, resolved and did march them out of Town, unarmed, towards Banbury to Colonel Whalley, having Two Troops of Horse to convey them. This Mutiny puts me to so much Charge extraordinary, to send their Arms after them; and as soon as they were marched off, I commanded in the Lincolnesheir Forces, hoping they would prove better ordered, or else it were better for me to be sent in the Face of an Enemy."

Letter from the Parliament of Scotland, in Behalf of Mr. Meldrum.

"For the Right Honnorable the Speakers of both Houses of the Parliament of England, at Westminster.

"Right Honnorable,

"The Remembrance of the many greate Services performed by our Countryman Sir. John Meldrum, in Pursuance of the Covenant and Cause of both Kingdomes, is soe fresh with us (and wee are confident with your Lordships alsoe whome he constantly served), whome wee finde ourselves thereby interessed in what may concerne him. His constante Care and Zeale for promoting that greate Worke was such, that, even against all Difficultyes which he encountered, he continued his faithfull Endeavours therein, and at last have sealed them all with the Losse of his Life, and Disorder of his private Fortune. And now this Gentleman, Mr. Robert Meldrum his Nephew, to whome he hath bequeathed the mannaging of his whole Affaires, and who stands ingaged for him, after long Delay occasioned by the Troubles of this Country and his publique Imployment of Trust this last Sommer, beinge on his Addresse to your Lordships; wee finde ourselves obliged, both by his Unckle's Deservings and the many good Services done by himselfe to us, to recommend him and his Desires to your Lordships; and doe intreate that he may have such favorable Dispatch as may bee an Incoucouragment to others to serve faithfully, and a Testimony carryed to the Desires of this Kingdome tendered to your Lordships by

St. Andrewes, 2 Febr. 1646.

"Your affectionate Freinds and humble Servaunts,

"Crafford Lindsey, President of Parliament."

Paper from the Scots Commissioners, for Cruizers to be stationed, to prevent the Irish Rebels getting over to Scotland.

"For preventinge the Transportation of the Forces levyed by the Rebells of Ireland into the Kingdome of Scotland, wee doe earnestly desire, that, according to the Treatyes made betweene the Kingdomes, Shipps may bee appointed to attend the Coasts betweene Scotland and Ireland; and because little Vessells are very usefull in those Narrow Seas, wee desire that, in Liew of One Shipp, Two Pinnaces may bee sent (which wil bee noe greater Charge to the State); and that some more effectuall Course bee taken for Performance hereof then was the last Yeare, when, notwithstanding the Directions given by the Committee of the Admiralty to Captaine Swanley, the Pinnaces never came in to these Coasts.

6 Aprill, 1646.

"By Commaund of the Commissioners for the Parliament of Scotland.

"Jo. Cheisly."