House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 8 February 1648

Die Martis, 8 Februarii. 1647.

Prayers.

Civilians, &c.

ORDERED, That, on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business, the House do proceed in the Consideration of the Business concerning the Civilians, and the Probate of Wills.

Leave of Absence.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Penrose, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country for Six Weeks.

Navy.

According to former Order, Mr. Green reports, from the Committee of the Navy, an Order of the Committee, of 3 Februarii, to the Commissioners of the Navy, to treat with Owners of Shipping to advance one Moiety in ready Money, and to secure one Moiety of Freight upon the same Credit: The Answer of the Commissioners to the said Proposition: As likewise an Estimate of the present Debts of the Navy, now due to the Owners of Shipping, for Freights; to Contractors and Creditors, for Stores and Provisions: to Seamen, for Wages; and to the Ordinaries and Extraordinaries of the respective Yards at Chatham, Portesmouth, Deptford, and Woolwich, ending the Five-and-twentieth of March 1648: A Certificate from the Officers of the Ordnance, of 7 Februarii 1647, of what remains due to the Artificers for Emptions for the last Summer's Fleet, and Winter-guard; together with an Estimate of the Charge of Emptions for the next Summer's Fleet: A Certificate, from the Victuallers of the Navy, of the Monies due for Victual, and other Provisions: The Desires of the Owners of Shipping: The which were all read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to treat with the Commissioners of the Excise, and Merchant Adventurers, to forbear the respective Ten thousand Pounds, now speedily payable, or in paying unto them out of the Excise, which was formerly advanced by them upon the Credit of the Twenty thousand Pounds charged upon the Excise, and payable unto the Eastern Association, to be employed and made use of for the Service of carrying on the next Summer's Fleet: And it is referred to the Committee of the Navy, to propose unto the Commissioners of the Excise, and Merchants Adventurers, a Credit and Security for the said respective Ten thousand Pounds.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to treat and confer with the Committee of the Army, and Committee of the Eastern Association, for the Forbearance of the Payment of the Twenty thousand Pounds, payable out of the next Month's Assessments to the said Eastern Association, to be employed for the Use of setting forth the next Summer's Fleet: And it is referred to the Committee of the Navy, to consider of and propose a Credit and Security for the said Twenty thousand Pounds: And they are to meet upon this Business To-morrow Morning at Eight of Clock, in the Court of Wards.

Convoys.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of the Inhabitants of Yarmouth, Lynne, Blackney, Wells, Aldbrough, and Southhold, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to consider of their Desires for a present Convoy to guard their Fishing Fleets, now ready to go to Sea; and to report their Opinions thereupon to the House with all convenient Speed.

Navy.

The House proceeded to the Consideration of the List of the Ships, offered by the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to be set forth for the next Summer's Guard: The which was read.

Resolved, &c. That these Ships shall be termed the Parliament's Ships, and the List so altered.

Sheriffs.

Sir Robert Pye brings Answer, That the Lords will take the Business concerning the Sheriffs into speedy Consideration; and send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Navy.

A List of the Ships to be set forth for the next Summer's Guard was read; and, except the St. Andrew, Charles, Leopard, and Entrance, voted, and agreed upon to be set forth, for the next Summer's Guard; viz.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to take speedy Course, that the Ships, now voted, may be fitted and prepared to go forth to Sea, for the next Summer's Guard.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to consider of the Names of Commanders for the next Summer's Guard; and to report them to the House with all Speed.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to take Course for the graving and sitting the rest of the Parliament's Ships with Victuals, and other Necessaries, ready to be set forth to Sea, if Occasion should require.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired in these Votes, concerning the next Summer's Guard.

Ordered, That it be especially referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to take Course, that the Ships Satisfaction and Recovery may be cleared, and fitted to go forth to Sea upon the next Summer's Guard.

Ordered, That, on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business, the House do resume the Consideration of the whole Business concerning the Navy, in the like Manner as it was ordered for this Day: And that it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, in the mean time, to consider of Ways and Means to provide Monies for the Service of the Navy: And have Power to propose to the House such Ways as they shall think fit for the Raising of Monies for the said Service.

Ordered, That the Informations given in, concerning the Unfavouriness and Badness of the Victual and Beer, furnished and delivered to the Ships in the Service of the Parliament, be referred to the Consideration of the Admiralty; to inquire into the said Abuses; and to take some effectual Course to prevent the like Abuses in setting forth this next Summer's Fleet, and for the future.

The humble Petition of the Officers and Company of divers of the Ships in the Service of the Parliament was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty, to take Course, that the Ship Companies, employed in the Parliament's Service, may have Two Flesh Days in the Week, between this and Easter next.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom the Ordinance concerning the Preservation of Flesh is referred, be revived; and do meet this Afternoon; and so de die in diem: And all that will come shall have Voices at it.

Sale of Bishops Lands.

An additional Ordinance, for the Explanation, and better Execution, of former Ordinances, for the Sale of Bishops Lands, was this Day read the First time; and ordered to be read the Second time To-morrow Morning, the first Business.

Tryal in King's Bench.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Great Seal do issue a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to the Judges, and such others as they shall think fit, for Tryal, in the County of Middlesex, of such Persons as were ordered, by former Order, to be tried this Term at the King's Bench.