House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 22 December 1643

Die Veneris, 22 Decembris, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Punishing Earl of Holland, &c.

AN Ordinance concerning the punishing the Earl of Holland, and others, for leaving the Parliament, and going to the Army raised against the Parliament, and continuing there, with his Servants, for divers Weeks, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto the same Committee, with the Addition of Mr. Selden, Mr. Recorder, Sir H. Vane jun. Sir H. Mildmay, Mr. Hill, Mr. Hollis; who are to consider of this Ordinance, and of all Votes and Declarations, passed both or either House, concerning these Matters.

London, &c. Forces.

An Ordinance to enable the Committee of the Militia, to send the White and Yellow Regiments, and such other Trained Bands, and other Forces of Auxiliaries, within the Cities of London and Westminster, Line of Communication and Parishes, within the Bills, to march for the Defence of the said Places, and publick Safety, under the Conduct of Rich. Browne, Serjeant Major General of this Brigade; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Recorder, Mr. Solicitor, Lord Lisle, Sir Gilb. Gerard, Sir Rich. Onslowe, Sir H. Vane sen. Sir H. Mildmay, Mr. Sondys, Sir Tho. Pelham, Sir Arth. Heselrig, Colonel Venne: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at One of Clock, in the Court of Wards: And the Care of it is referred especially to Mr. Recorder.

French Ambassador.

Ordered, That the Prince D'Harcourt shall have Mr. Speaker's Pass to go to Oxon, with his whole Retinue, in the same manner as formerly.

The Covenant.

Resolved, That To-morrow shall be appointed for such Members of the House as are in Town, and not sick, to take and subscribe the Covenant; and that such, as are in Town, and not sick, as shall not come, and take and subscribe the solemn League and Covenant To-morrow, shall forbear to sit in the House, until the House take further Order.

Deputy Lieutenants.

Resolved, &c. That that House doth nominate and approve of Mr. Mountague Cholmely, Mr. Norris Cave, and Mr. Jo. Archer, to be Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Lincolne.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Mr. Geo. Newman and Mr. Jo. Goldwell, to be Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Kent.

Lancaster Committee.

Ordered, That Mr. Rob. Hide be added to the Committee of Sequestrations, in the County of Lancaster.

Earl of Holland.

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

The Lords desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, in the Painted Chamber, presently, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning a Petition from the Earl of Holland; and a Letter from his Excellency.

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

Mr. Holles, Mr. Reynolds, Sir H. Vane, jun. Mr. Nicoll, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Middleton's Propositions.

Ordered, That the Committee of Sir Tho. Middleton's Propositions; and the Committee for Gloucestershire; be joined: And that they, or any Four of them, shall have Power to meet to consider of those Propositions.

League and Covenant.

Sir Roger North, Sir Wm. Playters, Mr. Pierreponte, Colonel Walton, Mr. Lane, Captain Lee, Sir Tho. Middleton, this Day took and subscribed the solemn League and Covenant.

Earl of Holland's Sequestration.

Mr. Holles reports the Conference: And presented a Petition from the Earl of Holland; and a Letter from his Excellency, concerning the same Matter; delivered at the Conference: The which were both read: And he further reported, That the Lords, upon the Consideration of the whole Matter, were inclinable to take off the Sequestration of his Estate; and desired the Opinion of the House therein.

Ordered, That this Petition from the Earl of Holland; and a Letter from his Excellency, of the Eighteenth of December, concerning the same Matter; shall be referred, upon the whole Matter, to the Committee for the Earl of Holland's Business; to consider what is fit to be done upon it.

Defence of Associated Counties.

The House being informed that some Gentlemen from the Eight associated Counties were at the Door, that desired to deliver something to the House; they were called in; and acquainted the House, That most of the well-affected Gentlemen of the said associated Counties, desired that all Persons within their Counties, from Sixteen to Threescore, might be put into a Posture of Defence; and, to that Purpose, had sent up an Ordinance, containing some Instructions to the same Purpose; desiring this House to take them into Consideration with what convenient Speed they can.

The humble Petition of the Deputy Lieutenants and Committee, assembled at Cambridge, for and on the Behalf of the associated Counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Huntington, Cambridge, and the rest of the Association, was this Day read.

An Ordinance for putting the associated Counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Huntington, Cambridge, &c. into a Posture of Defence, by raising Forces of Horse and Foot, within the said respective Counties, for the Defence and Safety of the said Countries, was this Day read the First time; and ordered to be read the Second time Tomorrow Morning at Ten of Clock.

Irish Affairs.

Sir H. Vane jun. reports from the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, and the Committee of Adventurers for Ireland, concerning the supplying the Scots Army in Ireland, according to the Propositions, concerning that Army, lately sent from the Commissioners in Scotland, as followeth;

First, For the providing Ten thousand Suit of Cloaths, and Shoes; Ten thousand Bowls of Meal; and Ten thousand Pounds of Money, to be repaid by the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, . . . the Committee of Irish Adventurers.

That, for Money to be raised on Credit, to be given from them, for the Supplies aforesaid, it will wholly depend upon the speedy passing of the Ordinances, of Weekly Assessments; and Two hundred thousand Pounds.

That, as to the Ten thousand Bowls of Meal, the Committee of Adventurers doubt not but, from the Contributions out of Holland, there may be Supply made for Meal or Victuals as aforesaid.

That it is the Opinion of the Committee of Adventurers, at Grocers Hall, That, if they have the Encouragements desired in their Propositions, now in the House, and, at this time, delivered in to this Committee, that it may be possible for them to concur with the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, for the providing of the Fifty thousand Pounds, propounded to be paid, by February next: And, for the settling a future and effectual Course for the prosecuting the War in Ireland, that, if an effectual Course be taken for the speedy bringing in the Seventy thousand Pounds, appointed by Ordinance of Parliament, to be paid unto the Treasurers at Goldsmiths Hall, the Committee are of Opinion, the Propositions concerning the Ten thousand Suits of Cloaths, and Shoes, Ten thousand Pounds present, and Fifty thousand Pounds by February next, may be effected with concurring Endeavours of the Irish Adventurers hereupon.

The Question being propounded, whether the British Forces in Ireland, and the Scoche Forces there, shall be under one Commander in Chief;

The House was divided, whether this Question should be now put.

Resolved, &c. That the British and Scoche Forces in Ireland shall be under One Commander in Chief.

The First, the Second, and Fourth Result of the Committees of both Kingdoms, concerning the Demands about the Scottish Army in Ireland, were put to the Question; and assented unto, by the House; viz.

1. It is agreed, that the Accounts of the Scottish Army in Ireland shall be presently made up, and concluded.

2. That there be a present providing of Ten thousand Suits of Cloaths, and Shoes; Ten thousand Bowls of Meal; and Ten thousand Pounds in Money, as Part of the Sixty thousand Pounds formerly promised by the Parliament of England to the Scottish Army in Ireland, in Part of their Arrears; the which the English Commissioners, and Committee of Estates, must presently undertake and advance, that the Army may be able to subsist in some measure, without starving, till the Money hereafter specified, and other Provisions, come to them.

4. The said Commissioners do agree, that he who doth or shall command in Chief over the said Army, by joint Advice of both Kingdoms, shall also command the rest of the British Forces in Ireland: And for the further managing of that War, and prosecuting the Ends expressed in the Covenant, that the same be done by joint Advice with the Committees of both Kingdoms.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, to consider what is fit to be done upon these Votes now made; and to consider of further Instructions to be given to the Committee in Scotland; and to prepare Instructions accordingly: And to present fit Persons to be High Sheriffs for the Northern Counties.

Payments to Strictland, &c.

Ordered, That One hundred and Fifty Pounds seized, belonging to one Tubbins, that, contrary to an Ordinance of Parliament, hath conveyed Fullers-earth beyond Sea, shall be paid to Mr. Walter Strictland and Mr. Wakerley; viz. To Mr. Strictland, towards his Charges and Expences in the Service of the Kingdom beyond Sea, One hundred Pounds; and to Mr. Wakerley, towards a Recompence of his Pains here, in the Service of the Kingdom, Fifty Pounds.