House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 13 September 1644

Die Veneris, Septembris 13, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Preachers thanked.

ORDERED, That Sir Tho. Cheeke do return the Thanks of this House unto Mr. Newcomen, for the great Pains he took in his Sermon Yesterday, being a particular Day of Humiliation; and also Sir Rob. Harley to do the like to Mr. Colman: And to desire them to print their Sermons, with their usual Privileges.

Captain Bladewell.

Ordered, That the Business concerning Captain Bladewell be taken into Consideration To-morrow: And that Mr. Speaker do put the House in mind thereof.

Ordination.

The House proceeded to the Consideration of the Matter of Ordination.

And their Amendment, in these Words, viz. "Let him exhort and charge the People, in the Name of God, willingly to receive and acknowledge him as the Minister of Christ; and to obey and submit unto him, as being over them in the Lord; and to maintain, encourage, and assist him in all the Parts of his Office," was taken into Debate; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be inserted in the Place desired by the Divines.

The humble Desires of the Assembly of Divines, touching an Ordinance and Directory for Ordination, pro tempore, digested into one Frame, were read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto; with the Blank for Ministers to be appointed to ordain; and ordered to be sent to the Assembly of Divines to fill up the Blank.

Mr. Rous and Sir Robert Harley are * * * *.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords do concur in the Ordinance for calling a Common Council, with one Amendment, which they have sent down.

They desire the Lord Lowdon, Lord Chancellor of the Kingdom . . . . . may be added to the Assembly of Divines.

They desire that the Business concerning the Duke of Lorraigne, may be referred to the Committee appointed to consider of the Complaints of the States Ambassadors, who are to . . . . . To-morrow at Nine of the Clock.

They have sent down Two Orders for Passes for the Duchess of Richmond and Countess of Southampton; wherein they desire your Concurrence.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; that this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Amendment in the Order for calling a Common Council: Do agree to the Addition of the Lord Lowdon, Lord Chancellor of the Kingdom of Scotland, to the Assembly of Divines.

They do agree to refer the Business concerning the Duke of Lorraine to the Committee appointed for the States Ambassadors.

They have appointed a Committee of a proportionable Number, to meet with the Committee of Lords to go to the Common Council: And, as to the Passes for the Countess of Southampton and Duchess of Richmond, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

City Forces.

Sir Gilbert Gerard, Sir Hen. Mildmay, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Holles, Sir Wm. Lewes, Sir Sam. Rolle, Mr. Vassall, Lord Lisle, Sir Wm. Massam, Sir Jo. Clottworthy, Sir Tho. Woodhowse, Sir Jo. Wray;

This Committee is appointed to meet with a Committee of a proportionable Number of Lords; and to go to the Common Council this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, to consider and confer with them, if there be Occasion, what Forces they can raise or send forth: And that this Committee shall have Power to treat and consult with any Committee that shall be appointed by the Common Council to treat upon this Business.

Mr. Recorder is appointed to take care of this Business.

Lord Chancellor of Scotland.

Ordered, By the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, that the Lord Lowdon, Lord Chancellor of the Kingdom of Scotland, shall be admitted into the Assembly, to be present there, and to debate upon Occasion.

Middleton's Forces.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to have a Care of the Preservation of Sir Tho. Middleton, and his Forces; and to take care that he may be supplied with Men, Arms, and Ammunition, necessary.

Legacy for repairing Paul's.

Ordered, That Mr. Cambell do pay the Thousand Pounds, Part of a Greater Legacy given by Sir James Cambell, and intended to be employed upon the Repair of Paul's; or else, that he shew Reason to the contrary To-morrow.

Ordered, That Mr. Ashherst do bring in an Ordinance for employing of the Monies given for the Repair of Paul's, and not yet disposed of, to the Supply of Sir Tho. Middleton and the Lancashire Forces.

Church Government.

Mr. Solicitor reports the Order concerning those Divines of the Assembly that are of a contrary Opinion concerning Church Government: Which was read; and upon the Question, assented unto; viz.

Ordered, That the Committee of Lords and Commons appointed to treat with the Commissioners of Scotland, and the Committee of the Assembly, do take into Consideration the Differences in Opinion of the Members of the Assembly in point of Church Government; and to endeavour a Union if it be possible; and, in case that cannot be done, to endeavour the finding out some ways how far tender Consciences, who cannot in all Things submit to the common Rule which shall be established, may be borne with, according to the Word, and as may stand with the publick Peace, that so the Proceedings of the Assembly may not be so much retarded.

Letter from LordGeneral.

A Letter from my Lord General, of Septembris 11 1644, from Portesmouth, directed to the Speakers of both Houses, was this Day read; and carried up to the Lords by Sir Robert Harley.

Taking of Moreton Castle.

A Letter from Wem, of September 9th 1644, from the Committee there, concerning the Taking of Moreton Castle, with Major Bridgeman the Governor, one Lieutenant, Ensign, Eighty common Soldiers, Thirty good Horse, Six Barrels of Powder, Arms and Ammunition; and all this done by Four or Five Musqueteers under the Command of Major Rinkinge, was this Day likewise read.

Message to Lords.

Sir Hen. Mildmay carried up to the Lords the Commission to Mr. Jenks and Mr. Skinner to go to the King of Denmarke, touching the Complaints of the Merchants; The Credential Letters, in Latin, to the said Parties; The Ordinance for swearing Alderman Hoyle into the Office of Remembrancer of the Exchequer: And was to put the Lords in mind of the Ordinance concerning Worcestershire; and of the Ordinance concerning the High Sheriff of Lancashire.

Scotts Papers.

The Six Scots Papers reported formerly from the Grand Committee by Sir Philip Stapilton, were this Day read: viz.

1. A Paper given in to the Committee of both Kingdoms by the Commissioners of Scotland, of Septembris 9 1644.

2. A Paper given by the Commissioners of Scotland to the Committee of both Kingdoms.

3. A Letter from the Lord Lindsay, of Septembris 2, from Elswick.

4. A Copy of the Paper given by the Commissioners of both Houses, of Augusti 2, dated Sonderland.

5. A Copy of the Letter of the Commissioners of both Houses, from Yorke, to the Scottish Army.

6. Copy of the Result of the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Northern Counties, where Sir Tho. Widdrington has the Chair, to consider of these Papers presented from the Scotts Commissioners, and of the Letter of Augusti 27, from Sunderland, from Sir Wm. Armyn and Mr. Rich. Barwis, with all the Papers inclosed; and, upon Perusal and Consideration of them all, and of the Treaties and Instructions to the Committees, to state the whole Matter to the House; and their Opinions, what is fit to be done upon the Particulars in the Scotts Six Papers; and in the Letter from Sir Wm. Armyn, &c. in the Papers inclosed: And Mr. Holles, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Wheeler, Sir John Wray, Sir Jo. Clottworthy, Sir Jo. Trevor, Sir Wm. Strickland, and Sir Edw. Hungerford, are added to this Committee.

Trade with Ireland.

Sir Hen. Vane junior reported from the Committee of both Kingdoms, a Draught of a Letter to be sent to my Lord Admiral, concerning free Trade with the Ports in Ireland that have declared for the Parliament.

Lord Manchester's Association.

A Letter from the Committee of Trinity College concerning my Lord Manchester's Association; and the Draught of an Ordinance for the Excise in that Association: Which are appointed to be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

O Bryan's Commission.

Ordered, That a Commission shall be granted unto Lieutenant Colonel O Bryan for a Troop of Horse, which he hath raised at his own Charge for the Service of Ireland; and that Saddles, Arms, and Pistols, be allowed him from the State for the said Troop: And it is referred to the Committee appointed for the Ordinance for the weekly Assessments for Ireland, to provide these Saddles, Arms, and Pistols.

Army Cloathing. &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee appointed to take care to provide Cloaths and Arms for my Lord General's Foot, to send down the Cloaths and Arms to the Foot: And that the Committee at Haberdashers Hall do provide Monies for the Charges for conveying them down.

Ordered, That Sir Philip Stapilton do acquaint my Lord General with the Care this House has taken to send Arms and Cloaths for the Foot.

Cromwell thanked.

Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, gave Thanks to Lieutenant General Cromwell, for his Fidelity in the Cause in hand; and in particular for the faithful Service performed by him in the late Battle near York, where God made him a special Instrument in obtaining that great Victory over Prince Rupert's and the Marquis of Newcastle's Armies there.

Northampton, &c.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for Northampton and Rutland be brought in To-morrow.

Ld. General's Letter.

Sir Robert Harley carried up to the Lords my Lord General's Letter this Day read, being directed to the Speakers of both Houses.

Delinquents Estates.

Ordered, That the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall shall likewise have Power to compound with Delinquents for their Estates, for the Raising of Fifteen thousand Pounds for a Month's Pay, with all Speed, for the Lord Fairfax his Army: And Mr. White, Agent for the Lord Fairfax, is ordered to attend this Committee concerning the same.

Assessments for Ireland.

Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed to prepare the Ordinance for raising Eighty thousand Pounds for the Service of Ireland, by way of weekly Assessments upon the several Counties, do perfect the said Ordinance; not intermeddling with the Alterations which the Grand Committee has made in that Ordinance: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber: And Sir Jo. Clottworthy is to take care hereof.

O Bryan's Troop.

This Committee is further appointed to take care for the Providing of the Saddles, Arms and Pistols, for the Troop raised by Lieutenant Colonel O Bryan, for the Service of Ireland.