House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 9 August 1648

Die Mercurii, 9 Augusti, 1648.

Prayers.

Militia.

SIR Robert Harley reports the Adjournment of the Grand Committee for settling the Militia of the whole Kingdom, until Saturday Morning next.

Ordered, That the House do adjourn itself on Saturday Morning: And that the Speaker do forbear to take the Chair: And that the Grand Committee for settling the Militia of the whole Kingdom do then sit, according to their Adjournment, until Ten a Clock.

Offices held by Members.

Ordered, That, this Day Sevennight, the House do take up the Debate, appointed by Order for this Day, touching the Offices held by Members of the House; and Publick Monies by them received: And Mr. Speaker is to put the House in mind thereof.

Answer to London Petition.

Mr. Swynsen reports an Answer to the Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, presented to the House Yesterday.

Which Answer was read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

Ordered, That the Citizens and Burgesses of the City of London are hereby appointed a Committee of this House, to deliver the Answer of the House of Commons to the Common Council of the City of London, to their Petition.

It is recommended especially to Sir Thomas Soame, to take care of it.

The House of Commons have considered of the Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Council assembled, presented to them Augusti 8 1648: And, upon serious Debate had thereupon, they have thought fit to acquaint the Common Council, That they have passed an Ordinance for the Settling of Presbyterian Government: And therein (upon Review of all their former Ordinances) they have perfected and compiled the same in one entire Body: And, for the obtaining a safe and well-grounded Peace, they have resolved upon a Treaty with the King in the Isle of Wight, upon the Propositions formerly agreed upon, and presented to the King at Hampton Court, and for taking away of Wards and Liveries, and also upon such other Propositions as shall be propounded, either by his Majesty; or both Houses of Parliament; and that the King make Choice of what Place he pleaseth in that Island, to be there with Freedom, Honour, and Safety, to treat personally with the Commissioners of Parliament: And the Committee, which they have sent to present this Offer, are now with his Majesty.

Concerning the Seizing of the Ships and Goods of the Merchants of the City of London, and the Decay and Obstruction of the Trade of the Kingdom, by the revolted Ships that lie in the Downes, the House is deeply sensible thereof; and have done what lies in them for reducing those Ships to their due Obedience to the Parliament, by offering them Indemnity for their Offence, and Payment of the Mariners Arrears, upon their Submission; and, by sending the Earl of Warwick, Lord Admiral, with Power to command the rest of the Navy to reduce those Ships by Force, if they refuse the Pardon offered them: Which might have proved an effectual Means, before this Time, to have prevented the Loss already suffered, and to have secured the Trade of the Kingdom, had not the Going out of the Fleet been retarded by the Backwardness and Treachery of divers, who have secretly complied with the late Defection of the Navy: And, that the House may manifest their earnest Desires to entertain any further Means for their more speedy and certain Effecting of this Work, of so necessary Importance to the Honour and Welfare of this Nation, they have appointed a Committee to treat with the Merchants that are most concerned therein, to receive their Advice, and to know what Aids they will contribute to the Clearing of the Seas: And their Readiness therein, as it will return abundanty to their own Advantage, so it will be embraced, as a most acceptable Service to the whole Kingdom, by this House. As to the Scottish Army, which have in hostile Manner invaded this Kingdom; are possessed of Barwick and Carlisle, contrary to the Treaties betwixt the Kingdoms; and do join themselves with the Popish and Malignant Party in the North: the House of Commons have declared them Enemies to this Kingdom; and that all those English or Irish, as voluntarily adhere to them, are Traitors and Rebels, and to be proceeded with accordingly: And they resolve (by God's Assistance) to adhere and prosecute this their Resolution: And, upon the necessary Grounds thereof, they do expect the hearty Concurrence and Assistance of this City of London, as of the rest of the Kingdom; notwithstanding all the secret Plots and Endeavours of the Scotts Emissaries, or the Agents of the Popish and Malignant Party of this Kingdom, to the contrary.

Conference desired.

Ordered, That the Lords be desired to grant a Conference, touching Mr. Halliburton, and Mr. Rolfe: And to acquaint them, at that Conference, this House do agree (if the Lords please) to a Conference, touching the Votes concerning Major General Skippon.

Sir Peter Wentworth is desired to go to the Lords with this Message.

Execution of Emerson.

Ordered, That the Sheriff of the County of Kent be enjoined to do his Duty, according to the Law, in the Execution of Thomas Emerson, condemned for wilful Murder.

Canterbury Gaol.

Ordered, That the Sheriff of Kent be required and enjoined forthwith to put out and discharge John Gilbert from being Keeper of the Goal without Westgate, Canterbury.

Escapes of Prisoners.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee where Mr. Lechmere hath the Chair, to examine the Cause of the several Escapes of the Prisoners out of the Gatehouse; and the Escapes of all other Prisoners in and about London, and of such as have been taken from the Serjeant at Arms attending this House: And that the said Committee have Power to remand the Prisoners taken from the Serjeant that attends this House, if they be found, to the Hands and Custody of the said Serjeant at Arms: And that the Serjeant at Arms do acquaint the said Committee what Prisoners have been rescued, and made Escape from him: And that the said Committee do report this Business forthwith to the House. And

It is further Ordered, That the Committee of the Papers be joined to this Committee: And that Mr. Nelthorpe and Colonel Hunt be added to this Committee.

Collections for Poor.

Ordered, That One Moiety of all the Collections, that be gathered To-morrow, be given to the Poor now come out of Colchester: And that the Lord Mayor be desired to give Notice to the several Ministers in the several Parishes in the City of London, and Liberties thereof, and late Lines of Communication, that there be a Collection accordingly made in their several Parishes: The other Moiety to be distributed to the Poor of the Parish where it is collected: The said Collections to be paid to Mr. John Pocock, one of the Treasurers for the Widows, and maimed Soldiers, between this and Saturday next, by the respective Churchwardens of the several Parishes, for the Uses aforesaid.

Mr. Alderman Soame is to give Notice to the Lord Mayor hereof.

Conference.

Sir Peter Wentworth brings Answer, That the Lords have appointed Friday next, at Eleven of Clock, for the Conference touching Mr. Halliburton, and Major Rolfe; and touching the Votes concerning Major General Skippon.

Hamlyn's Arrears.

The humble Petition of Captain Richard Hamlyn, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the Sum of Two hundred Pounds be forthwith paid unto Captain Richard Hamlyn, or his Assigns, out of the Seven hundred Pounds, Remainder of the Compositions for Ashbey De la Zouch in Leicestershire, in Part of Five hundred Eighty-two Pounds Nineteen Shillings and Four-pence, due to him, upon his Account, by the Treasurers at Goldsmiths Hall: And the Acquittance or Acquittances of the said Captain Richard Hamlyn, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to the said Treasurer at Goldsmiths Hall, or to such other Person or Persons as shall pay the same. And

It is further Ordered, That the said Captain Richard Hamlyn shall be paid the Residue of his Arrears, out of such Delinquents Estates as he shall discover, not formerly discovered.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Mr. Halliburton.

Ordered, That Captain Spencer, and Lieutenant Colonel Osborne, be enjoined to preserve Mr. Halliburton safe; and not to permit him to speak with any Person, but in their Presence and Hearing, until the House give further Order.

General Assembly of Scotland.

Ordered, That the Declaration and Letter from this House to the Lords, Ministers, and others of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, be forthwith printed.

City Report.

Ordered, That Sir Walter Erle make his Report from the City, next after the Conference with the Lords, touching Mr. Halliburton, Major Rolfe, and Major General Skippon, be reported.

Coke's Delinquency.

Mr. Pury reports an Ordinance for pardoning the Delinquency of Thomas Coke, of Graies Inn in the County of Middlesex, Esquire.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Fine of Five hundred Pounds for the Delinquency of Thomas Coke Esquire, a Member of this House.

And the said Ordinance, for pardoning the Delinquency of the said Thomas Coke, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That the Sum of Three hundred Pounds, Part of the Fine for the Delinquency of Thomas Coke Esquire, be paid to Mr. Frost, upon Account.

Ordered, That the Sum of Two hundred Pounds, Residue of the Fine of the Delinquency of Thomas Coke Esquire, be paid to Mr. Pury; and be employed for mending and repairing the Fortifications of the City of Gloucester.

Povey's Claims.

The humble Petition of Sir Edward Povey Knight, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the Sum of Six hundred Pounds be forthwith paid to Sir Edward Povey Knight, and be charged upon Haberdashers Hall, out of such Delinquents Estates as have not yet compounded for their Fifth, and Twentieth Part, and shall be named to that Committee by Sir Edward Povey: And the Acquittance or Acquittances of the said Sir Edward Povey, testifying the Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to the Committee at Haberdashers Hall, or to such other Person or Persons as shall pay the same. And

It is further Ordered, That the Sum of Five Pounds per Week, for Two Months, be charged at Haberdashers Hall, and be paid unto the said Sir Edward Povey, or his Assigns, for his present Subsistence in the mean time.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

City Petitions, &c.

Ordered, That the City Petition, and the Answer thereunto, be forthwith printed and published.

Ordered, That the Committee, appointed to go to the City this Afternoon, have Power, and are hereby enjoined, to communicate the decyphered Letters, brought out of Scotland by Mr. Halliburton, to the Common Council, there to be read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth adjourn itself until Friday Morning, Eight of Clock.