House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 25 March 1644

Die Lunæ, 25 Martii, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Importing Currans.

ORDERED, That the Ordinance concerning Currans be printed forthwith: And that the Commissioners of the Customs do send Copies of them, together with their Letters, to the several Ports; with Directions unto them to put the said Ordinance in Execution, and to be accountable for this Ordinance, and the Payments thereupon arising, as well as of any other Duties payable upon any other Ordinance; and monthly to send up the Monies hereupon received, and the Accounts thereof.

Army.

Mr. Scawen reports concerning the Establishment of my Lord General's Army, doubt, whether any Establishment were ever settled by the Houses, or either of them, or by whom it was settled.

He likewise reported divers Increase of Pays upon the Northern List, and divers Addition of Pays.

Resolved, &c. That the Payment of the Cuirasiers, and Harquebusiers, in all the Armies under the Command of my Lord General, and all other Forces raised and employed by Authority of Parliament, shall, from this Day, be paid according to the Foot of the Establishment of the King's Army in the North.

Weekly Meal.

Mr. Ellis, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Ashherst, Mr. Millington, are appointed to withdraw; and to prepare Reasons for this House their adhering to the Ordinance concerning the Weekly Meal, as to the Lords first Amendment to that Ordinance.

Army Muster.

Sir Philip Stapilton, Mr. Scawen, are appointed to go to my Lord General, to desire him, that the Muster of his Army may be forborn for Three or Four Days, in regard the House has it in Consideration, in that Time, to establish something in that Business; and that Commissary Copley may be directed to stay Three or Four Days, to attend a Committee, before whom some Matters concerning him are depending.

Message to Lords.

Sir Tho. Barrington is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire them to expedite their Answer upon the Matter of the last free Conference, touching the Grounds of Peace, and the Papers from the States; in regard this House has this Day received a Message from the States Ambassadors, that presses an Answer to those Papers.

He is likewise to desire the Lords to expedite the Ordinance that concerns Sir Wm. Brereton.

Army.

Mr. Scawen, Sir Rob. Pye, Mr. Cage, Sir Wm. Masham, Sir H. Vane sen. Mr. Holles, Mr. Wheler, Mr. Rolle, Sir Gilb. Pykering, Sir Martin Lyster, Sir Tho. Barrington, Sir Tho. Dacres, Sir Jo. Trevor, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Jennour, Sir Walt. Erle, Mr. Ashherst, Mr. Ashe, Sir Philip Stapilton, Sir Jo. Merrick, Captain Wingate, or any Six of them, are appointed to consider of and to prepare an Establishment for the Pay of all the Armies raised and employed by the Parliament; and to observe therein, as much as may be, the former Establishment of the King's Army, in the late Northern Expedition; and likewise to consider of the Names of Commissioners to reside in the Army; and to present all to the House; and likewise to present what they think fit, of the Addition or Substraction of any Officers or their Pay: And are to meet this Afternoon, at Two of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Tho. Barrington brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer to both the Messages carried up by him, by Messengers of their own.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Aylett;

The Lords have returned unto you the Ordinance they received from this House, concerning the completing of my Lord General's Army: To which they do agree, with the Addition of one Proviso; in which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

They have likewise sent down the Petition of Captain Kettleby; which they think fit to refer to the Committee of the Navy; and desire the Concurrence of this House.

They have likewise sent down the Petition of Mary Lady Petre, on the Behalf of Wm. Lord Petre her Son, now in France; which they think fit to refer to the Committee of Sequestrations; and desire the Concurrence of this House.

Proviso agreed to.

The Proviso was read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented to be added to the said Ordinance; and the Ordinance to be printed.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and, as to the Proviso to the Ordinance for completing the Lord General's Army, they do assent unto it; and, as concerning the referring the Petitions of the Lady Mary Petre, and Captain Kettleby, as is desired, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Conference desired.

Sir Rob. Pye is appointed to go up to the Lords, to desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, so soon as may stand with the Conveniency of this House.

Aylisbury Garison.

Ordered, That it be referred to Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Winwood, Alderman Penington, and Mr. Fountayne, to consider, out of what Monies, One thousand Pounds may be presently raised for the Garison of Aylisbury, and repaid out of the Monies assigned to that Garison out of the King's Revenue.

Reports to be made.

Ordered, That Mr. Green, and Sir Tho. Barrington, do make their respective Reports concerning the Navy, and the associated Counties, before the House rise.

Prince Elector.

Ordered, That Sir Simonds D'Ewes do, To-morrow, make Report of the Business concerning the Prince Elector.

Navy.

Resolved, &c. That Three of the Second Rank of the King's Ships, and One of the Third Rank of the King's Ships, formerly agreed upon by the Lord Admiral, to be set forth this Summer for the Guard of the Seas, shall be forborn to be set forth, till further Order.

Resolved, &c. That there shall be Eighteen Merchants Ships set forth in this Summer's Fleet for the Guard of the Seas; and that the Committee of the Navy do take care herein, accordingly; and that the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

Pro positions of Peace.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Aylett;

The Lords desire a present Conference, by Committees of both Houses, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning the Matter of the last Conference touching the Propositions for Peace.

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

Weekly Meal.

Sir Rob. Pye brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to a Conference, concerning the Ordinance for a Weekly Meal.

Mr. Ellis, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Tate, are appointed Managers and Reporters of this Conference.

Hertfordshire, &c.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Barrington do make his Report, To-morrow Morning, the first Business, concerning Hertfordshire, and the associated Counties.

Convoy for Ammunition.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to give Order and take care, that there may be a Convoy appointed to convoy the Ammunition to Sir Wm. Waller.

Grounds of Peace, &c.

Mr. Ellis reports from the Conference, and presents the Answer of the Lords to the Conference on Saturday, concerning the Grounds of Peace, and the Papers from the States Ambassadors: And

It is Ordered, That this Report be taken into Consideration, To-morrow Morning.

The Lords, having, upon Saturday, at a Conference, received a Resolution of the House of Commons to adhere unto their Votes concerning the Grounds of Peace; and having this Day received a Message, To hasten a Proposition concerning the Dutch Ambassador, which my Lords are desirous to do with all possible Expedition; have therefore thought fit to let you know, at this Conference, that they do agree with you totally in the Matter: But, upon Debate of your Reasons, they do not find any Cause, but that they should adhere to their former Vote, concerning the Committee of Nine that they have nominated. The Lords, having agreed with you in the Substance, would be loth there should be any Difference in a Circumstance, to hinder a Business of so high Importance; and therefore they do not doubt, but as they have often yielded to give you Satisfaction in many Things formerly, so you will now manifest a mutual and reciprocal Yielding to them, in this Particular: Hereupon, if Time would permit, they would shew you sufficient Reasons, that they have just Cause to insist; but have forborn That at this present, to avoid any further Delays.

Security for Loans.

Resolved, &c. Upon perusing the Ordinance of the One-and-twentieth of September last, that, by the said Ordinance, there is as much Security given to the Subject who shall pay Money according to the Tenor of the same, as can be given by both Houses of Parliament.

Court of Wards.

Resolved, &c. That Charles Fleetwood Esquire shall be Receiver General of the Monies within the Survey of the Court of Wards.

Resolved, &c. That all Arrears of Rents, Fines, and other Sums of Money, due unto his Majesty, within the Survey of the Court of Wards, at or before Michaelmas in the Eighteenth Year, and the Revenues for the same, Anno 19, ordained to be levied according to the Tenor of the said Ordinance, by such Officers as the Committee of the Revenue shall nominate and appoint, to be paid over to Charles Fleetwood Esquire, Receiver General of that Revenue; which is by him to be paid according to the Ordinance made for the disposing of the Revenue.

Resolved, &c. to order, That all Officers of the Court of Wards shall compound for and bring in the said growing Revenues, according to the Course of that Court.

Resolved, &c. and lastly, That, in the Places of the Officers of the Court of Wards who have deserted the Parliament, or shall so do, the Commissioners for the Great Seal may be ordered to pass new Patents unto such other Officers respectively, as the Committee for the Revenue shall nominate, with the Approbation of this House.

Resolved, &c. That the Payment of all and every Sum or Sums of Money raised upon any Composition or Compositions, made by any Person or Persons for the Wardships of the Bodies, or Leases of their Lands, of any of his Majesty's Wards, or out of any other Part of his Majesty's Revenue of his Court of Wards and Liveries at Westminster, sithence the Fourteenth Day of October 1642, to any other Use than to the Use of the Commonwealth; saving the Exhibitions to Wards, and the Fees and Allowances to the Master and such of the Council and Officers of the said Court of Wards and Liveries at Westminster, who have attended their Places there, and submitted to the Ordinances of both Houses of Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That all and every Composition and Compositions heretofore made, or hereafter to be made, for the Wardships of the Bodies, or Leases of the Lands, of any of his Majesty's Wards whatsoever, or for any mean Rates, either within Age, or at full Age; or for the Fine of any Livery or Liveries whatsoever, in any other Place or Places than at the City of Westminster, or with any Person or Persons, other than with the Master and Council of the said Court of Wards and Liveries; be all void and null.

Respiting Payments.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Revenue shall have Power to hear such Persons as shall have any Cause to respite the Payment of Monies; and to give them Respite accordingly, if they see Cause.