House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 24 December 1644

Die Martis, Decembris 24, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Quartering Soldiers.

ORDERED, That the Commanders, Troopers, and Soldiers, that are now quartered at Arseley in the County of Bedforde, at the House of Samuel Browne Esquire, a Member of this House, be forthwith removed out of that Town, near unto the Quarters of the Enemy: And that it be recommended to the Committee of both Kingdoms, forthwith to give Order for the Removal of all other Forces out of the said County, accordingly nearer unto the Quarters of the Enemy. And

It is also Ordered, That no Commanders or Soldiers hereafter be quartered at the House of the said Mr. Browne; and that those that are now quartered there, are required and commanded, upon Sight hereof, to depart from the House of the said Samuel Browne: And he is to cause an Account to be given unto this House, what Obedience is yielded unto this Order; and the Names of them, that shall, at any time hereafter, disobey the same.

Ordered, That the Committee of both Kingdoms do forthwith give Order, that the Forces of the Parliament's. that are come to quarter in the Counties of Hertford, Bedford, and other Counties near unto London, be forthwith removed near unto the Quarters of the Enemy, for the Ease of the said Counties: And to give an Account to this House, whether Obedience be yielded to their Orders and Directions herein.

Attainder of Archbishop of Canterbury.

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

The Lords desire a free Conference, by Committees of both Houses, in the Painted Chamber, now at Ten of Clock, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning the Attainder of the Archbishop of Canterbury of High Treason.

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

Mr. Sam. Browne, Serjeant Wilde, Mr. Niclas, Mr. Maynard, are appointed Reporters, and Managers of this Convenience.

Members not to hold Offices. [Self-denying Ordinance.]

Sir Rob. Pye went up to the Lords, to desire them to expedite the Ordinance for disabling the Members of either House to have or execute any Office, Military or Civil, during this War.

Sir Robert Pye brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Relief of Taunton.

A Letter from Orchard, from Sir Anth. Ashley Cowper, directed to my Lord General, concerning the Relief of Taunton, was this Day read.

Ordered, That it be referred, and earnestly recommended from this House, to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to send a Second, speedy, and considerable Supply of Forces into the West.

Militia.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to represent to the House the Number of the Regiments of Horse and Foot, that they shall think fit to be established by the new Militia, and the Names of the Colonels, and the Numbers of which those Regiments shall consist.

Negotiations with the King.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider of the Manner of the Treaty, and of the Instructions for those, that shall be appointed to treat; and to present their Opinions, upon both the Manner and the Matter, to the House, as it shall relate in Answer to his Majesty's Message, with all convenient Speed.

That the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

Mr. Tate is appointed to carry it up.

He likewise carried up an Order concerning Portesmouth; and an Order of 14. of August last, for putting Forces raised under the Command of the Earl of Manchester.

Sir Jo. Hotham's Reprieve.

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

The Lords have commanded us to deliver unto you this Petition: It is from Sir Jo. Hotham; who desires a little longer Time before he die. The Lords are willing to condescend unto it, for the Reasons expressed in the Petition; and for that some Divines have certified, that he is not in any settled State or Condition of Mind, in relation to his Soul's further Safety, as yet to depart this Life; and therefore they thought fit to reprieve him till the Sixth of January next: And desire the Concurrence of this House.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Tate brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Ordinance concerning Portesmouth: And, as to the Vote concerning the Manner of the Treaty; and the Order concerning some Forces under the Command of the Earl of Manchester; they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Sir Jo. Hotham respited.

The Question being put, Whether this House will concur with the Lords;

It passed with the Negative.

The Question being put, Whether a further Time shall be given for Respite of Execution of the Sentence given upon Sir Jo. Hotham;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Quesion passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That the Execution of the Sentence given upon Sir Jo. Hotham shall be respited until Tuesday next.

Resolved, &c. That the Lords Concurrence shall be desired herein.

Sir Henry Cholmeley is appointed to desire their Concurrence.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whitfield and Doctor Aylett;

The Lords have this Day received a Vote concerning the Manner of referring the Manner of the Treaty, and of the Instructions for those that shall be appointed to treat. They desire it may be referred to the Committee of Fourteen Lords, and the Committee of a proportionable Number of this House, to meet with the Scotts Commissioners this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, in the Lord Keeper's Lodgings.

They have likewise sent down an Order concerning the Clerk of the Crown; in which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

They have likewise sent down the Letters they have received from the Swedish Commissioner.

Negotiations with the King.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth adhere to their former Vote, concerning the Referring of the Manner of the Treaty, and of the Instructions for those, that shall be appointed to treat, to the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Swedish Letters.

Ordered, That the Swedish Letters be read on Thursday next: And that the Clerk do translate them into English in the mean time.

Maimed Soldiers.

Ordered, That the same Order pass, for the Collections for the maimed Soldiers, in all the Churches, To-morrow, as formerly; with the usual Provisoes for Saint Margarett's, Westminster, and Saint Martin's in the Fields.

Portesmouth Garison.

Whereas Two thousand Pounds was to be paid out of Haberdashers Hall, for the Relief of the Garison of Portesmouth, out of a Fine set upon a Delinquent referred to that Committee; which said Money cannot so soon be paid out of the said Fine, as the Necessity of the Service doth require: And whereas Five hundred Pounds of the said Two thousand Pounds is already paid by the said Committee: Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the Remainder of the said Two thousand Pounds, being Fifteen hundred Pounds, shall be paid, by the said Committee, to Colonel Jephson, for the Arrears due to the Soldiers; and for the Service of the Garison aforesaid.

Maimed Soldiers, &c.

Ordered, That, on Wednesday next, being the Day appointed for the Publick Humiliation, there shall be a Collection made in all the Parish Churches in and about the Cities of London and Westminster, that are mentioned in the Weekly Bills of Mortality; as also in the several Chapels within the said Limits; by the Churchwardens, and other Officers of the said Parishes and Chapels, for and towards the Relief of sick and maimed Soldiers, and Widows, whose Husbands lost their Lives in the Parliament's Service: And the Monies so collected they are to pay to Wm. Greenhill, John Pocock, John Randall, and Richard Hutchinson, Citizens of London, appointed to be Treasurers for the Receiving and Paying of Monies to the said Soldiers and Widows, at Tallowchandlers Hall, near Dowgate, on Friday next, being the Twenty-seventh of this instant December. And it is hereby likewise Ordered, That all Ministers of the said several Parishes and Chapels shall earnestly persuade the People freely to contribute to this so pious, charitable, and honourable a Work; it being for those, whose Sufferings have been for our Religion, Lives, Liberties, and Estates. Provided, That the Monies as shall be collected in the Church of Saint Martin's in the Fields To-morrow, being the Day of Publick Humiliation, shall be employed for the Relief of the Poor of that Parish.