House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 7 April 1647

Die Mercurii, 7 Aprilis, 1647.

Prayers.

Present to Gen. Leven, &c.

A LETTER from General Leven, of 16 Martii 1646, in Acceptance of the Jewel sent by him by this House, was this Day read.

Ordered, That Captain Errington shall have Twenty Pounds bestowed upon him by the Committee for Advance of Monies, at Haberdashers Hall, for his Service employed in a Message to Edenburgh.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Lord Ardes.

A Letter from the Parliament of Scotland, from Edinburgh, of 23 Februarii stil. Scot', signed Cassilis J. P. D. Parl', directed "For the Right honourable the Speakers of both Houses of the Parliament of England," concerning the ransoming, or otherwise releasing, the Lord Viscount Ardes, was this Day read.

Ordered, That this Letter be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Lords and Commons, for the Affairs of Ireland, at Derby House.

This Letter is to be communicated to the Lords; and their Concurrence desired, in the Referring of it to the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Affairs of Ireland, at Derby House.

Payment to Allen.

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired, in the Order for Payment of the Sum of Seven hundred Pounds to Mr. Francis Allen, out of Goldsmiths Hall, for the Jewel by him provided for General Leven.

Raising Monies.

Mr. Miles Corbett reports from the Grand Committee, the Amendments and Alterations to the Ordinance for Raising of Monies to be employed towards the Maintenance of Forces within the Kingdom of England, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, for the speedy Transporting of and Paying the Forces for the carrying on the War of Ireland: The which were twice read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

The Question was propounded, That a Thousand Pounds per mensem be abated, of the Assessments set in this Ordinance upon the County of Devon.

And the Question being put, Whether this Question shall be now put;

It passed with the Negative.

A Proviso, to be added to this Ordinance, for the exempting and freeing the Universities, was tendered, and read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question; committed unto Mr. Selden, Mr. Grimston, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Recorder.

Resolved, &c. That the Consideration of the Colleges of Westminster, Winchester, and Eaton, and of Hospitals and Alms-houses, be referred to this Committee.

A Proviso, to be added to this Ordinance, for preventing the levying any Monies by any Persons that are not authorized by this Ordinance, during the Continuance of this Ordinance, other than the Arrears of former Ordinances, and such Taxes as are agreeable with the Laws of the Kingdom, was this Day read the First and Second time.

And the Question being put, for the Committing of it;
And, passing with the Negative;
The Question being put, for adding it to this Ordinance;
It passed likewise with the Negative.

A Proviso, tendered to be added to this Ordinance, for preventing the imposing any Monies in the Six Counties of North Wales, other than by such Persons as are, or shall be, particularly named and approved of by both Houses of Parliament, was read the First and Second time; and nothing more done upon it.

A Proviso, tendered to be added to this Ordinance, for allowing and abating, to the respective Counties, all such Free Quarter as shall be taken upon any the said Counties, out of the monthly Assessments charged by this Ordinance, was this Day read the First and Second time.

Resolved, &c. That an Instruction shall be prepared, That, in the Levying of the Monies charged upon the several Counties by this Ordinance, Order may be taken for paying and discharging all Free Quarter.

Mr. Selden reports from the Committee to whom the Proviso concerning the Universities was referred, some Additions to that Proviso: The which were twice read.

Resolved, &c. That this Word, "Free School," be added to this Proviso.

The Proviso, amended, was put to the Question; and, upon the Question, passed; and, upon the Question, ordered to be added to this Ordinance.

A Proviso, tendered to be added to this Ordinance, That the Borough of Southwark might be taxed no more, in Proportion to the rest of the County of Surrey, than upon former Taxes they have been assessed, was read; and, upon the Question, rejected.

The Question being put, Whether John Eliot Esquire shall be one of the Committees in this Ordinance for the County of Pembroke;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So That the Question passed with the Negative.

The Question was propounded, That the Time of the Commencement of this Ordinance shall be altered to the Twenty-fifth of March 1647:

And the Question being put, Whether this Question shall be now put;

It passed with the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That the Time for the Commencement of this Ordinance shall be altered to the Twenty-fifth of March 1647.

And then the Ordinance, upon the Question, passed; and is ordered to be sent unto the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords have commanded us to put you in mind of a Petition of the Earl of Bathe; and of a Vote which their Lordships passed upon it; which they desire this House to take into Consideration; and to concur with them in it: They have likewise commanded us to deliver unto you a Report from the Committee of the Admiralty, in behalf of Captain Kettleby; which the Lords have agreed unto; and desire the Concurrence of this House: A Petition and Certificate, in the Behalf of the Parishioners of Clun in the County of Salop; which the Lords have likewise agreed unto; and desire the Concurrence of this House: A Petition of the Inhabitants of Ellew in the County of Lincoln; which the Lords have agreed unto; and desire the Concurrence of this House: To deliver this Letter from Colonel Castle, who is going into Ireland with his Regiment; which the Lords thought sit to impart unto this House.

Answer to Lords.

Resolved, &c. That the Answer to this Message shall be, That this House will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

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

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Drake, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Ordered, That Mr. Biddulph, a Member of this House; shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That Colonel Massie and Mr. Tate be added to the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland.

Ditto.

Sir Philip Stapilton went to the Lords, to desire their Concurrence, of adding these Members following to the Committee for Irish Affairs, at Derby House; videlicet,

Mr. Lisle, Mr. Holles, Mr. Nath. Fienis, Sir John Clotworthy, Sir Wm. Lewes, Sir John Temple, Colonel Edward Massie, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Robert Goodwyn, Colonel Wm. Jephson, Mr. Richard Sallaway, Mr. Tate: And that their Lordships would add a proportionable Number to the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland, at Derby House, if they shall think sit.

Sir Philip Stapilton brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Addition of Members of this House, to the Committee at Derby House, in that Manner as it was carried up.

Ordinance to Middleton, &c.

Ordered, That Mr. Recorder do prepare and bring in an Ordinance for repealing so much of the Ordinance formerly granted to Sir Thomas Middleton, as gives Power for the Imposing of Monies in the Six Counties of North Wales: And that he do likewise prepare an Ordinance for repealing so much of the like Ordinance formerly granted to Sir Wm. Brereton, as gives Power for the Imposing of Monies: And that these Ordinances be brought in Tomorrow Morning.

Forces for Ireland.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland, at Derby House, to take care of the speedy transporting into Ireland all such Forces of Horse and Foot, taken-on and inlisted for the Service of Ireland, as they shall think sit; and to take speedy and effectual Order, for securing the Horse and Arms, and Disbanding of such as shall not be speedily transported for the Service of Ireland; that the Countries may be eased of the Burdens and great Oppressions they sustain, by such Forces being neither transported nor disbanded: And they may advise and confer herein with the Committee of the West.

Army.

Ordered, That, To-morrow Morning, the first Business, the House do proceed in the Consideration of settling the Horse that are to be kept up in the Kingdom of England.

Equal Rates.

The Question was propounded, That a Committee be appointed, to consider of proportioning equal Rates upon the several Counties, upon future Assessments.

And the Question being put, Whether this Question shall be now put;

It passed with the Negative.

Bishops Lands.

Ordered, That, on Friday Morning, the first Business, Colonel Harvey do report the Obstructions that are in the Sale of Bishops Lands.

Payment to Allen.

Ordered, That the Sum of Five hundred Pounds, appointed by a former Order, of 2 Januarii 1646, to be paid to Mr. Francis Allen, a Member of this House, for the Jewel by him provided, to be sent to General Leven, out of the Receipts of Goldsmiths Hall, be altered to Seven hundred Pounds, and paid by the Treasurers at Goldsmiths Hall, out of such Monies as are not yet particularly assigned, and disposed of.