House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 6 December 1643

Die Mercurii, 6 Decembris, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Recruiting the Army.

THE House sat as a Grand Committee, upon the Ordinance for recruiting my Lord General's Army.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Conference with Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Rob. Riche and Mr. Page;

The Lords desire a Conference, presently, in the Painted Chamber, by Committees of both Houses, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning the State of my Lord General's Army; and do desire, if it may conveniently, that it may be at this Conference, concerning Prince D'Harcourt.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will give a present Meeting at a Conference, in the same Manner as is desired.

Mr. Solicitor, Sir H. Vane, Mr. Reynolds, Sir Ph. Stapilton, Mr. Recorder, are appointed Reporters of these Conferences.

French Embassy.

Sir Henry Vane jun. reports the first Part of the Conference:

That the Earl of Northumberland said, The Lords had agreed with this House, in Substance, in the Business concerning the Prince D' Harecourt, without any material Alteration; and have given way, to some Members of their House, privately to acquaint the Prince D' Harcourt, what both Houses have agreed on: Which was delivered in Writing: Hereupon the Paper was read; being in these Words:

"That if the Prince D' Harcourt have any thing to propound, from the French King, to the Lords and Commons, assembled in the Parliament of England, the Houses have done nothing to bar or hinder the Prince D' Harcourt from the usual and fitting Ways of Address to them."

"That he may apply himself to the Speaker of either or both Houses, by himself, or such Persons as he shall intrust to that Purpose, to desire that he may be heard in what he shall say in the Name of the King his Master, to both or either Houses of the Parliament of England."

"Or else what he hath to propound from the King his Master to the Houses, he may direct either to the Houses themselves, or their Speakers, attested under his Hand:"

"As is expected from the Ambassadors of England, and is practised by them in their Negotiations with Foreign States.

"It is That also which the King himself useth in the Messages to the Two Houses."

"It is That which the French Agent, Monsieur Boisinon, hath lately done to the Privy Council of Scotland, and which the Ministers of foreign Estates have done, and do to this Parliament, upon Occasion."

Whereupon the House resolved to concur with the Lords herein.

Army Affairs.

Mr. Reynolds reports the second Part of the Conference:

That my Lord General was pleased to say, that by Letters from Sir Wm. Waller, Sir Wm. Brereton, Darby, Northampton, and other Parts, he is informed they are in Distress for want of Recruits: That there was never more Need of Recruiting an Army than now: That he was now to go to St. Albane's, by reason of some Disorders in the Army; and should not discharge himself to the Parliament and Kingdom, if he did not acquaint them with the Inconveniences that may fall out by not having a timely Recruit; the Citizens Time of Stay with him, being almost expired. If That may be done, he was ready to serve the Parliament as formerly: Otherwise, he desired Leave to attend the Parliament, and serve them here.

Recruiting the Army.

Ordered, That the Committee of the House do meet To-morrow Morning, at Eight of Clock, further to consider of the Ordinance for recruiting my Lord General's Army; and that they do report To-morrow what Proceedings they have made in that Ordinance.

Money advanced by Harley.

Whereas Sir Robert Harley, a Member of the House of Commons, hath lent One thousand Pounds, towards the Supply of the Army raised for the Defence of the King and Parliament: It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that a Thousand Pounds, of the Monies at Haberdashers Hall, be forthwith paid to the Treasurers at Guildhall, London; and by them paid over to Sir Gilbert Gerard Baronet, Treasurer of the Army; and that Sir Gilbert Gerard pay the same to Mr. Trenchard, a Member of the House of Commons, and who is hereby required forthwith to pay the said Sum to Sir Robert Harley, in full Discharge of the said Sum of One thousand Pounds, formerly lent, as aforesaid: And the Committee of Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies, that sits at Haberdashers Hall, are desired to take care, and give Order, that the said Sum of One thousand Pounds be forthwith paid over to the Treasurers at Guild Hall, as aforesaid.

Guernsey and Jersey.

Ordered, By the and Commons, that Five hundred Pounds, of the Money at Haberdashers Hall, be forthwith paid to the Treasurers at Guildhall, London; and by them paid over to Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Treasurer at Wars; who is hereby ordered to pay the same to Captain Crauley; who is hereby required forthwith to dispose the same for the Security of the Islands of Guernsey and Jersey, and making Provisions for the same.

Well-affected in Lynne.

An Ordinance for Reparations to the Well-affected, that have been plundered by the Malignants in Lynne, out of the Malignants Estates in Lyn, was read; and assented unto: And the Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Forasmuch as the Earl of Manchester, in his Articles (as followeth) of Agreement with the Town of King's Lynn, remitted their Offence, in reference to himself, and his Army, while he lay before the Town; but touched upon no private Injuries done by the Malignants to the Well-affected: It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament, that such Persons as did take any of the Goods of the Well-affected, by themselves, or such as they appointed; or did any Damage to their Houses, or Mills, or any other Ways; shall make Restitution to all such well-affected Persons as have been damnified, according to the Greatness of their Loss: And that Colonel Wolton Governor of King's Lyn, Mr. Percivall, and Mr. Toll, Members of the House of Commons, shall examine what Damage hath been done to the Well-affected; and appoint such as have done them Injury, to make them Reparation accordingly: And if any of them shall refuse to make such Reparation, that the said Governor, Mr. Percivall, and Mr. Toll, shall have Power to sequester so much of the Estates of such Malignants, as will make them Reparation; and assign it to those that have been damnified.

Army.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Safety, to consider of sending the Regiment of Foot of the Earl of Stamford's, quartered at Fulham, to Sir Wm. Waller.

Earl of Warwick Lord High Admiral.

Mr. Recorder reports the Order for making the Earl of Warwick Lord High Admiral: And withal presents a Clause, expressing the good Intentions this House hath to the Earl of Northumberland; which was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And also the Ordinance itself, with the Amendments, were put to the Question, and assented unto; and ordered to be ingrossed, and sent to the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Excise on Flesh, &c.

Sir Henry Vane presents an Ordinance for laying Excise on Flesh and Salt; which was Twice read; and upon the Question, committed unto a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That the Committee of the whole House do consider of this Ordinance, for laying an Excise on Flesh and Salt, next after the Ordinance of recruiting my Lord General's Army.

Chester Forces.

Resolved, &c. That the Proceeds of all Excise set upon Salt, made in the County of Chester, shall be disposed of to Sir Wm. Brereton, for Payment of the Forces under his Command.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Wm. Brereton shall have Power to set an Excise on Salt made in the County of Chester; provided that it exceed not a Half-penny a Gallon, to be paid by the first Buyer thereof.

Naval Affairs.

Ordered, That Mr. Recorder and Mr. Asherst, do acquaint my Lord of Warwick, with the Letters received from Sir William Brereton; and to desire him, from this House, that all possible Means be used to hasten away the Winter Guards for the Coast of Ireland; being a thing so much importing the Safety of this Kingdom.

Tin Farmers.

The Tin Farmers were called in: And, in Answer to divers Questions propounded unto them, Mr. Vivian said, that, about This Time-twelve-months, they were commanded by this House not to pay any Pre-emption of Tin to the King; which they have accordingly performed. That the House was in Debate, whether to prohibit them from trading; and, coming to no Resolution, they have, ever since that Time, had trading with them in Cornwall, and bought Tin of them; but paid not one Farthing for the Pre-emption: That they conveyed Six thousand Pounds out of Holland for Tin, which they bought, and have charged Four thousand Pounds from hence by Bill of Exchange: And, for Sir Job Harbies going to Oxford, they knew no other End in it, but the prevailing with the King to take off the Pre-emption of Tin; and had no Instructions from them to have a free Trade into Cornwall.

After they had withdrawn, they were called in again: And, in Answer to the Questions propounded, Mr. Vivian confessed he was in Cornwall in May and August last, about the taking of the Tin, which the Tin Farmers were bound to take off; and that the King did seize about Six thousand Pounds worth of the Tin: That they have brought from thence since Christmas last One thousand-and-nine Blocks of Tin: That One thousand two hundred Forty-five Blocks they had then in the old Stock: That Two hundred forty-five Blocks are there yet remaining: That a particular Note thereof they have delivered to the Committee.

After they had withdrawn, they were called in again; and produced the Warrants of the Commissioners of the Lords and Commons of the Admiralty, to fetch away their Tin; and confessed they brought all the Tin to London, according to the Security given to the Court of Admiralty, except One hundred and fifty Blocks of Tin, which they carried to Rone in France; but they paid the Custom for the same before it went; and that, Custom being paid, Merchants were at Liberty to carry it to Turkie, or any Part of Christendom.

The Petition of the Tin-farmers was read; shewing, that Three thousand Pounds was paid for the Custom of the Tin; that if they had not conveyed away their Tin, it would have been seized on, and the Proceed thereof employed against the Parliament.

The several Warrants from the Commissioners of the Admiralty, for the fetching away of the Tin, were likewise read; and the safe Convoy from the Earl of Warwicke.

Upon all which there was long Debate; but the House did rise without coming to any Resolution.

Earl of Warwick Lord High Admiral.

The Lords and Commons, now assembled in Parliament, taking into Consideration the great and faithful Services done to the King and Parliament by Robert Earl of Warwick, both by Sea and Land, and his great Experience, Judgment, and Fidelity in maritime Affairs; do Order and Ordain, That the said Robert Earl of Warwick shall be Lord High Admiral of England, &c.: And they do hereby ordain and establish him, the said Robert Earl of Warwick Lord High Admiral of England, Ireland, and Wales, and the Dominions, and the Isles of the same; of the Town of Callice, and Marches thereof; of Normandy, Gascoyne, and Guines; and Captain General of his Majesty's Seas, and Navy Royal: And they do hereby give him full Power and Authority, in his own Name, and under his own Seal, as Lord High Admiral of England, &c. to issue, out of the High Court of Admiralty, Warrants and Writs, for the arresting of Ships and Persons in all Maritime and Civil Causes: And to constitute and appoint Vice-admirals, Judges, Registers, Marshals, and all other Officers requisite and necessary for the Judicatures for Civil and Maritime Causes; and Captains, Masters, Pursers, Gunners, and all other Officers requisite and necessary for the Navy; and to do and execute all other things belonging and appertaining to the Office of Lord High Admiral of England, Ireland, and Wales, in as full and ample Manner as ever any Lord High Admiral formerly did, might, or ought to have done: To have and to hold the said Office of Lord High Admiral of England, Ireland, Wales, &c. with all Fees, Profits, Rights, and Emoluments, thereunto belonging and appertaining, until the said Office shall be otherwise settled or disposed by both Houses of Parliament. And the said Lords and Commons do hereby further Order and Ordain, that the said Robert Earl of Warwick, and all Vice-admirals, Judges, Registers, Marshals, Captains, Masters, and other Officers of Ships, and all others acting under him in the said Office, shall be by them saved harmless, and indemnified, for all Acts that they shall do, according to their several Offices: And, finally, the said Lords and Commons do hereby Order and Ordain, that a Patent shall be drawn of the said Office of Lord High Admiral of England, Ireland, and Wales, in Manner and Form accustomed; and, according to this Ordinance, in his Majesty's Name, for the said Robert Earl of Warwick; and sealed and passed under the Great Seal of England, by the Commissioners lately established by the said Lords and Commons; who are required, and shall be hereby warranted to seal the same: And, in the mean time, the said Robert Earl of Warwick shall be, and execute the Place of, High Admiral of England, as is before declared. And forasmuch as Algernoun Earl of Northumberland was displaced by his Majesty, from being Lord High Admiral of England, for his Obedience to the Commands of both Houses of Parliament; the Lords and Commons do therefore declare, that, by this Ordinance, they do not weaken their Intentions, expressed in their Declaration of the Eleventh of July 1642, concerning the said Earl of Northumberland; but will perform them in such a Way, as, by the Wisdom of both Houses, shall be thought fit.

Scandalous Pamphlets.

Ordered, That Mr. Wally and Walker do attend the Committee for Examinations, to give Account to that Committee, for permitting and printing scandalous Pamphlets.