House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 18 May 1644

Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1802.

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'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 18 May 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644, (London, 1802) pp. 498-500. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/pp498-500 [accessed 24 March 2024]

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In this section

Die Sabbati, 18 Maii, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Bedforde Committees.

IT is this Day Ordered, That Sir William Butler, and * Thompson, be added to the several Committees for the County of Bedforde, to all Intents and Purposes.

Earl of Stamford.

Informations representing the Carriage of Henry Earl of Stamford, late Commander in Chief, or General of the West, were this Day read; and, upon Question, committed to be examined, and to consider what is fit to be done upon it by the House.

Mr. Rous, Sir Hen. Vane, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Sam. Browne, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Broxholme, Sir Walt. Erle, Sir Edm. Fowell, Sir Peter Wentworth, Sir Gilb. Pykering, Sir Arth. Heselrig, Mr. Grantham, Sir * Cholmeley, Sir Nevile Poole, Sir Rob. Pye, Serjeant Wilde, Serjeant Cresheld, Sir Jo. Trevor, Mr. Strode, Mr. Niclas, Mr. Buller, Mr. Hill, Mr. Erisey, Sir Edw Aiscough, Mr. Whitehead, Mr. Wingate, Sir Jo. Potts, and all the Lawyers of this House: And are to meet this Afternoon, at Two of Clock, in the Star Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records: And likewise to examine, as Witnesses, such Members of the House as can give Information, or attest any thing in this Business.

Charge against Nicoll.

Ordered, That the Committee, to which the Charge against Mr. Nicoll is referred, do make Report of that Business on Tuesday Morning.

Earl of Stamford.

Ordered, That the Committee, to which the Informations delivered in by Colonel Kinge are referred, be joined to the Committee, appointed to examine the Informations against Henry Earl of Stamford, as to the Informations delivered in by Colonel Kinge; and they are to give them the best Expedition they can.

Trade to France.

The House being informed, that divers Gentlemen, trading into France, were at the Door; desiring to represent something to the House;

They were called in; and presented a Petition on the Behalf of the English Merchants trading into France.

The which was read; and ordered to be taken into Consideration on Monday Morning next.

Detention of French Agent.

A Letter from the Lord Fairefaxe, of the Eleventh of May, from the Leaguer before Yorke; and Letters inclosed, from the Deputy Lieutenants at Manchester, concerning the detaining of Monsieur De Boysinon, Agent for the French King to the Kingdom of Scotland, was this Day read; and ordered to be taken into further Consideration on Monday next.

Martial Law.

An Ordinance for erecting and establishing a Council of War, for the Trial of Offenders according to the Law Martial, and Course of War, was this Day read the First and Second Time; and, upon the Question, committed unto the Committee that prepared, and brought it in: And all that will come are to have Voices: And are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, in the Star Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, &c.

Answer to City Petition.

Sir Thomas Barrington presented to the House, an Answer to be delivered to the City, to the Petition presented on Thursday, Maii 16, by a Committee of the Common Council appointed thereunto: The which was read; and assented unto: And the same Committee that prepared it, are appointed to go with it to the City.

Committee of both Kingdoms.

Sir Thomas Barrington carried up to the Lords, the Ordinance for enlarging the Time of the Continuance of the Committee of both Kingdoms.

-Brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message to Lords.

Sir Henry Mildemay crrried up to the Lords, the Ordinance concerning the Two thousand Pounds to Sir Thomas Middleton, out of Baron Hilton's Monies; The Ordinance concerning the Arrears of Captain Alexander Pym; The Order for Fifty Pounds to Captain Flemynge; Order for Serjeant Byrkehead to attend the Great Seal; The Names of the Committees for Worcester.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords desire a present Conference, by Committees of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning some Letters they have received from my Lord General, touching the Prince his suing out his Livery . . the Duchy of Cornewall; and his going thither: Concerning the Usage of some Persons in the Tower: And concerning some Ladies, that desire to have Passes to come from . . . . . And have sent down an Ordinance for putting Mr. Ashton into the Parish of Hemell Hemsted, by way of Sequestration.

Hemell Hemstead Minister.

The Ordinance for settling Mr. James Ashton, Minister of Hemell Hemsted, in the County of Herts, by a Sequestration, was read; and, by Vote upon the Question, passed.

Answer to Lords.

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

Answer from Lords.

Sir Henry Mildmay brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to all the Orders carried up by him, save only that of Two thousand Pounds to Sir Thomas Middleton, out of Baron Helton's Monies; to which they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Conference.

Mr. Ellis, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Rose, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Sequestered Goods.

Ordered, That the Goods brought up from Cowdrey House in Sussex, by Order of this House, be forthwith stored up in the Stores at Cambden House, belonging to the Committee of the Sequestrations, among other sequestered Goods, to be disposed of as this House shall appoint.

Conference with Lords.

Mr. Ellis reports from the Conference; and presents divers Letters; one from my Lord General, and in it, inclosed, one from the Lord Forth; and one from the Marquis of Herts, and the Earl of Berks, concerning some Particulars they desire to be sent, for the better accommodating of the Prince his Highness to go into Cornewall, to sue out his Livery for the Duchy of Cornewall; and a Letter from my Lord Forth, desiring a Pass for Mrs. Elizabeth Crofts to come to London; and concerning the Usage of some Prisoners in the Tower, who complain of their Usage.

Mr. Lisle reports, that the Lords were of Opinion, that this Journey, of the Prince into Cornewall, is taken upon some Colour of raising new Forces there, for the Disturbance of the Publick; and therefore can give no Assent to the Particulars desired, concerning the Prince's suing out his Livery, or going out into Cornewall: And as to the Prisoners, if they be Prisoners of War, the Complaint may prove worthy Consideration.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Lords, in their Opinion, in not giving Assent to any of the Particulars concerning the Prince's going into the West, or suing out his Livery.

Sir Hen. Vane, jun. Mr. Ellis, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Whittlock, Mr. Strode, are appointed to prepare a Letter to be sent to my Lord General: And are to bring it in on Monday Morning next.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Tower, and the Lieutenant, do consider of an Establishment of Rules, for the Usage of the Prisoners of War; and to prevent the Inconveniences that may happen, by the Intelligence that is maintained by them: And are to meet this Afternoon.

Resolved, &c. That no Passes shall be granted, either to Mrs. Crofts, or any other Woman, from any of the King's Quarters to this City: And that my Lord General be acquainted herewith: And likewise with the Order for Removal of all such Sorts of suspicious Persons out of the Line of Communication.

Ordinance Stores.

Ordered, That the Committee at Haberdashers Hall do contract for, and make Provisions of, such Necessaries, as are desired in a Letter from my Lord General to the Lieutenant of the Ordnance, of the Sixteenth of May 1644: Excepting the Forty Barrels of Powder, which are to be furnished out of the Stores.

Money for Army.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to confer with the Commissioners of Excise, do acquaint them, that this House doth expect, that the Twenty thousand Pounds for my Lord General's Army be provided, and in Readiness, either by their Credit, or otherwise, by Friday next, at furthest.

City Assessment.

Ordered, That the Gentlemen appointed to go to the Common Council this Afternoon, do press the bringing in of the Two Months Pay assigned upon the City, due to the Lord General's Army, by Friday next, at furthest.

Reparation of Rolle's Losses.

Upon Mr. Green's Report from the Committee of the Navy, to whom it was referred to consider from whom Mr. Rolle ought to have Reparations for the Damages sustained by him;

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Committee in Opinion, That Mr. Roll ought to have Reparation for his Loss and Damages, by him sustained; from Sir Paul Pinder, one of the then Farmers, who by the Farm of the Customs got One hundred Twentyfive thousand Pounds; and was present in a betting, countenancing, and commanding the Seizure of Mr. Rolle's Goods, 30 Octobris 1628, and 5 Jan. 1628: From Sir John Worstenholme sen. deceased, who got by the Farm One hundred Twenty-three thousand Pounds; and was present at the same Act: From Sir John Jacob, who got by the Farm, One hundred Sixteen thousand Pounds; and was present at the same Act: From Sir Abraham Dawes, who was then a chief Officer in the Customhouse, and shortly after a Farmer, and got One hundred Six thousand Pounds; and was present at that Act: From Sir John Harrison, who was then a Farmer, and got Forty-one thousand Pounds: From Sir John Worstenholme jun. who was Heir and Executor to his Father and succeeded him in the Farm, and got Ten thousand Five hundred Pounds: From Sir Wm. Acton, then Sheriff of London, who both delayed and refused to execute several Writs of Replevin: From Sir Thomas Trevor, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, for denying Mr. Rolle Justice in open Court; and granting Orders and Injunctions to prohibit the Sheriffs of London to execute the several Writs of Replevin.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to prepare an Ordinance in pursuance of these Votes, on Friday next.

Answer to City Petition.

The House of Commons, having received the Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council assembled, delivered unto them upon Thursday, the Sixteenth of this Instant May, by the Sheriffs, Aldermen, and divers others appointed a Committee from the said Common Council; After serious Consideration of the Contents, do return this Answer:

They do acknowledge an especial Blessing of Almighty God, that their Endeavours (wherein they have done but their Duties) have been so well understood and accepted by this famous City; without whose constant Affections and Assistance they could not have brought this great Work to that hopeful Condition, wherein, by the Mercy of God, it now stands.

To the Particulars desired, They have esteemed them so necessary for the publick Good, that the settling of them hath already been resolved upon in this House.

For the Continuance of the Committee of both Kingdoms, An Ordinance is depending for that Purpose; the speedy perfecting whereof they will endeavour.

For the Tower of London, Castle of Windsor, and Fort at Tilbury, They will take such further Course as shall be for the Security and Satisfaction of the City.

For the Trial and Punishment of Delinquents, The House hath already resolved upon an Ordinance, for the settling of a constant Council of War within the Lines of Communication.

For the not re-admitting of such Members of Parliament to the Trust reposed in them, who, contrary to the Trust reposed in them, have deserted the same, and adhered to the Enemy, This House hath passed an Ordinance, as is desired; and will endeavour the speedy perfecting thereof.

The Expressions, of adhering to the House of Commons in the Endeavours of promoting the publick Good, they have been demonstrated by Action, in Times of greatest Difficulty; wherein the City hath spent their dearest Blood, and vast Sums of Treasure, omitting no possible Supplies of Persons and Purses.

In their most seasonable Desires, Offer, and Promise, they now make (never to be forgotten by the House of Commons) they manifest, their Affections cannot admit of no Decrease; which are great Encouragements to this House to persevere in their Endeavours and Resolutions desired: Wherein, by the Blessing of Almighty God, they will persist, to their utmost Hazard of their Lives and Fortunes, against the greatest Discouragements, until the Affairs of the Church, and Commonwealth, receive such a happy Conclusion, as all good Men desire, and pray for.

And, in Return for their great Affection, the House of Commons doth declare, they will, in a most peculiar Manner, be mindful of the Merit of this City, which, upon all Occasions, they shall acknowledge, and will endeavour to requite. And, in the mean time, they give them most hearty Thanks.

Resolved, To be the Answer to be delivered to the City, in Answer to the Petition.