House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 19 October 1644

Die Sabbati, Octobris 19, 1644.

PRAYERS.

The Mint.

ORDERED, That all the Merchants of the House be added to the Committee Yesterday appointed, for the Moniers of the Mint.

Ordered, That the Examination and Inquiry into the Misdemeanors and Miscarriages of the Mint, and the Officers thereof, already under the Examination of the Committee of the Revenue, be continued; and referred to the Consideration and Examination of That Committee.

Copley's Petition.

The humble Petition of Commissary Copley, was this Day read: And

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee formerly appointed for Commissary Copley's Business; to state the Desires of the Petition; and to report their Opinions to the House.

Army Accounts.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee, where Mr. Scawen has the Chair, to prepare some Rules and Instructions for Direction of the Committee of Accounts, in taking the Accounts of all the Officers of all Armies raised by Parliament; and to make Report to the House:

Sir Hen. Vane, Mr. Bond, Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Vassall, Mr. Rolle, Sir Walth. Erle, Mr. Strode, Mr. Hodges, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Wheler, Mr. Maynard, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Holles, Sir Jo. Clottworthy, Sir Hen. Cholmeley: And they have Power to call unto them to their Assistance, such of the Committee of Accounts, as they shall think fit: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.: And are to meet on Monday next, at Two of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber.

Earl of Thanett's Fine.

Ordered, That the Earl of Thanett, for a Fine for his Delinquency, do, by Monday next, pay in to the Treasurers at Goldsmiths Hall, Six thousand Pounds; and Three thousand Pounds more, at Three Months, Three Months, and Three Months: And that Two thousand Pounds of the said Three thousand Pounds, shall go to the Benefit of the Counties of Kent and Sussex respectively; and paid in by equal Proportions, and at equal Times, to such as the Committees of the said Counties respectively shall appoint to receive the same: And that upon Payment of the said Six thousand Pounds accordingly, and giving good Security at Goldsmiths Hall, for the Payment of the Three thousand Pounds at the Times limited, the Sequestration of the Earl of Thanett's Estate be taken off; and he to receive the Rents and Profits of his Lands, due at Michaelmas-day last: And that an Ordinance be brought in to this Purpose.

Earl of Thanett's Estate.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee where Mr. Scawen has the Chair (who have Power to call such of the Committee of Accounts to their Assistance, as they shall think fit), to inquire and examine what Damage and Spoil the Earl of Thanett has received in his Estate, since the Sequestration thereof; and what Advantage hath accrued to the State from thence; what Sums of Money have been raised from his Estate; and what have been paid in to the Use and Benefit of the Parliament: And are to report their Opinions to the House: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

Money for Oxford, &c.

Ordered, That the Treasurers at Goldsmiths Hall do pay unto Thomas Knight Esquire, Treasurer at Westminster, for the Counties of Oxon, Bucks, and Berks, Three thousand Pounds of the Six thousand Pounds to be paid in to the said Treasurers by the Earl of Thanett: And that an Acquittance under the Hand of the said Thomas Knight, shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Treasurers, for the Payment of the same.

Message to Lords.

Sir John Clottworthy carried up to the Lords the Order for a Publick Fast on Tuesday next: And had Directions withal, to desire the Lords, that good Security be taken of Judge Mallett, before he have his Liberty to go to the King's Army, to procure his Exchange to return, if the Person desired for his Exchange be not released, and come into the Parliament's Quarters.

Answer.

Sir Jo. Clottworthy brings Answer; The Lords do concur in both the Particulars of his Message.

Propositions for Peace.

The House proceeded to the farther Consideration of the Propositions for a safe and well-grounded Peace: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to acquaint the Scotts Commissioners with all the Additions and Alterations made in the Propositions, since they were reported from That Committee, Septembris 18, 1644; and to confer with them thereupon; and to report their Opinions on Monday next: And Mr. Pierrepont is more particularly desired to take a Care of this Business.

Customs.

Mr. Greene reports from the Committee appointed to consider of the Receipts of the Kingdom, and to manage the Affairs of the Customs for the best Advantage: And the several Votes presented by him were read: Whereupon,

It was Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Customs be desired to forbear all such Monies as shall appear to be due unto them, upon Account, concerning the Customs, from the One-and-twentieth Day of September last: And that this House doth undertake, that they shall have Interest paid them for the same; and that they shall not be removed till they be satisfied all such Monies as shall be due unto them upon the said Account, with Interest, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Customs do forthwith make due Payment of all such Monies as they have received for Customs, from the One-and-twentieth Day of September last, unto Sir Henry Vane junior, Treasurer of the Navy: And that they do likewise continue the Payment of all such Sums of Money as they shall hereafter receive for Customs, from the said One-and-twentieth of September, until the 21st January next, according as they shall be thereunto directed by the Committee of the Navy: And they shall likewise have Interest paid them for the same.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy shall have Power to treat for the taking up of Twelve thousand Pounds, or more, upon the Credit of the Customs, or upon the Excise of Flesh and Salt.

Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed for Regulating of the Collections of the Customs, do examine the Miscarriages of the Commissioners of the Customs: And Mr. Hollis is added unto this Committee.

Advance from Excise.

Whereas John Towse Esquire, Alderman of the City of London, and the rest of the Commissioners of Excise, and New Impost, have advanced and lent the Sum of Five hundred Pounds, for that most necessary and speedy Service of setting forth his Excellency the Lord General his Train of Artillery, and other Services: Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the said Commissioners for Excise shall satisfy and reimburse themselves the said Five hundred Pounds, together with Interest for the same after the Rate of Eight per Cent. for so long time as the same, or any Part thereof, shall be forborne, out of such Intervals of Receipts as shall happen when other Payments shall not fall due; or, for want of such Intervals, then as this Reimbursement shall follow in course; and shall not by any other Order or Ordinance of one or both Houses of Parliament, be debarred from satisfying themselves accordingly: And the Receipt of Thomas Richardson Esquire, Waggon Master General, for the said Five hundred Pounds, shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Commissioners of Excise in that Behalf. And it is lastly Ordained, That the other Ordinance of the Ninth of this Month, for the said Five hundred Pounds, be hereby repealed, and made void.