House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 20 December 1643

Die Mercurii, 20 Decembris, 1643.

PRAYERS.

City Officers.

AN Ordinance to disenable any Person within the City of London, or Liberty thereof, to be of the Common Council, or in any Office of Trust within the said City, that shall not take the late solemn League and Covenant; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords, for their Concurrence, by Sir Peter Wentworth; who is to inform the Lords of the Necessity of the speedy Passing and Printing of it.

He likewise carried up the Names of Mr. Scott and Mr. Bixe to be Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Kent.

Keeper of the Gatehouse.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Gatehouse be revived, and do meet, to consider of a fit Man to be Keeper of the Gatehouse; and to make Inquiry of the Misdemeanors informed of, of the Receiving of Spies, and permitting Prisoners to escape.

Keeper of London House.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and appoint Humphry Holdern to be Keeper of London House, with the like Fees and Advantages as other Keepers have.

Prisoners.

Ordered, That the several Prisoners, according to the List now presented, be committed to the several Prisons designed, by Warrant under Mr. Speaker's Hand, for High Treason; with an Injunction to the respective Keepers to keep them safe: Viz. Prisoners from Alton, Fifty to Peter House, whereof Ten principal Officers; Twenty to the Gatehouse; Fifty to the Marshallsea; Fifty to Winchester House; Fifty to Lambeth House; Fifty to the Flcet; Forty to Bridewell; Forty to Maiden Lane; Thirty to London House; Twenty to Ely House.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Prisoners, to consider what is fit to be done with such Prisoners as shall not be exchanged, or shall not take the Covenant.

Military Affairs.

A Letter from my Lord General, of the 18th of December; and divers Letters from the Committee of the Safety to my Lord General, and his Answer to them; were all read.

Resolved, &c. That a Conference shall be forthwith desired with the Lords, upon the Matter of these Letters.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Counsel given my Lord General by the Committee for the Safety, in these Letters.

Resolved, That my Lord General shall be desired to pursue the Advice given him in these Letters, by the Committee of the Safety.

Resolved, &c. That a Letter shall be written to his Excellency from both Houses, in pursuance of the Advice written to him in those Letters by the Committee of the Safety.

Resolved, &c. That a Letter shall be written from both Houses to the Earl of Manchester, in pursuance of the Advice given to his Lordship, by the Committee of the Safety, in those Letters.

Resolved, &c. That these Votes shall be delivered as Heads of a Conference: And the Lords Concurrence desired herein.

Sir Peter Wentworth is appointed to go up to the Lords, to desire a Conference upon some Letters received from his Excellency.

Newport Pagnall.

Resolved, &c. That a Letter shall be written from both Houses to the Committee made by the last Ordinance in Hertfordshire, to send a Regiment presently into Newport Pagnall for the Defence thereof, according to a former Ordinance.

This to be delivered to the Lords at a Conference: And the Lords Concurrence desired herein.

Excise on Tobaccoes.

An Ordinance for moderating the Rate and Excise set upon Tobaccoes of English Plantation, by the Ordinance of the 11th of September 1643, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Peter Wentworth brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to a present Conference, as is desired;- To the Ordinance concerning the Common Council Men; - To the Two Deputy Lieutenants of Kent.

Spanish Tobaccoes.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Navy, to consider of the excessive Rates upon the Custom and Excise upon Spanish Tobaccoes; and, upon Conference with the Commissioners of the Customs and others, to consider of some Expedient for the Ease and Encouragement of the Trade in that Commodity, in relation to the Customs and Excise: And to report it to the House.

Conference.

Sir H. Vane senior, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Reynolds, Sir Arth. Heselrig, are appointed Managers of this Conference.

Baron Henden's Assessment.

Sir Walt. Erle is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire their Lordships, that Baron Henden, who has not paid his Assessment set upon him by the Lords, within the Time appointed by the Ordinance, may be proceeded against by the Committee at Haberdashers Hall, according to the Ordinance for the weekly Assessments.

Francklyn's Petition.

The humble Petition of Wm. Francklyn of Hendon, in the County of Middlesex, Yeoman, was this Day read; and nothing done upon it at this Time.

Warrants for Money.

Ordered, That the Committee for signing off of Warrants for Payment of Monies shall sign off the Warrants signed by the Lord General, and the Committee for the Safety, to the Sum of Eleven thousand Pounds, or thereabouts;

Resolved, &c. That the Power and Order to the Committee, for signing off of Warrants for Payment of Monies, for the future, shall cease; and that all Monies shall be paid by the Direction of such Warrants, as formerly, before any such Committee was constituted.

Money in Chancery.

Ordered, That the Master of the Rolls do take Order to inform himself, and this House, what Monies are or have been brought into the Chancery by Order of that Court for these Twenty Years past: And to this End he is appointed to send for Mr. Pitts the Usher of the said Court, or any other whom it may concern; and to call them to a strict Account: And if any shall prove to be the Monies of any Malignants or Delinquents, or to be dead Stock, that, out of the first of such Monies, the House will take order to satisfy the English and Scotts Reformado Officers, One thousand Pounds for either.

Earl of Stamford.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whittfield and Serjeant Finche;

The Lords have this Morning received an Account from the Earl of Stamforde, of his Receipts and Disbursements, and of what remains due unto him: And, in regard of the good and faithful Service done by him, and his Losses, and the Wants he and his Soldiers are in, they do recommend it unto this House to take it into Consideration for his speedy Satisfaction.

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

Mercer's &c. Petition.

Ordered, That the Petition of Wm. Mercer, Alexander Nearne, David Robinson, Patrick Forbes, and others, this Day presented to the House, be referred to the Committee for the Scotts Reformado Officers; and by them considered of, and reported, before any Monies be paid over to the Scotts Reformado Officers.

King's Revenue.

An Ordinance for the due and orderly receiving of the Sums of Monies and Rents due unto his Majesty, the Queen, and Prince, out of the Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, of Papists, Delinquents, or others, whose Estates are, or shall hereafter be, sequestered by Ordinance of Parliament; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And ordered to be sent unto the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Military Affairs.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Rob. Riche and Mr. Page;

That the Lords do agree to the Votes delivered at the last Conference, with some Alterations: They have appointed a Committee of Three Members of their House; and desire this House to appoint a Committee of a proportionable Number; to meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, to prepare a Letter to be sent to his Excellency, upon this Business: And the Lords do intend to sit, this Afternoon at Five of Clock.

The Alterations were in these Verbis, viz. "So soon as Forces shall be put into Newport Pagnall, for the Safety thereof, whereby he may draw up his own Forces to himself to march;" to be added to the Third and Fourth Votes.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords in these Alterations.

Sir H. Vane sen. & jun. Sir Arth. Heselrig, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Rich. Onslowe;

This Committee is appointed to meet with a Committee of a proportionable Number of the Lords, to prepare a Letter to be sent to his Excellency, according to the Votes of both Houses: And are to meet this Afternoon at Three of Clock.

Ordered, That the House shall sit this Afternoon at Five of Clock.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Lords Alterations;- Have appointed a proportionable Number; -And will sit this Afternoon at Five of Clock.

Pressing Watermen.

A Letter from my Lord Admiral, touching a Petition presented unto him from divers Watermen; desiring that they might not be pressed to Land Service; was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, upon the Debate now in the House, to consider of, and prepare, some Order touching the impresting of Watermen to Land Service.

Provisions for Navy.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Navy shall provide Beef and Pork for Four thousand Men, for the next Summer's Fleet.

Chichester Committee.

A Letter from the Committee at Chichester, of the Eighteenth of this Month of December; and a Letter from Captain Higgins to Mr. Cawley, one of the Committees at Chichester, concerning some Differences between the said Captain Higgins and one of the Committees there; was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred to . . . . . to hear and determine the said Differences, in such Manner as he shall think most fitting.

Soldiers from Ireland.

The Declaration for encouraging the English Soldiers, that come out of Ireland to serve the Parliament, was read; and committed to the former Committee; with the Addition of Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Holland, Sir Ar. Haselrigg, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Tate, Sir Hen. Vane jun. Sir Tho. Middleton.

Regiment of Horse.

Resolved, &c. That there shall be a Regiment of Five hundred Horse, well armed and furnished, raised in the Four associated Counties for Sir Richard Greenvite, to be employed among those Forces in the Brigade commanded by Sir Wm. Waller.

Resolved, &c. That these Five hundred Horse shall be raised proportionably in the said Four associated Counties, and Borough of Southwark, viz. One hundred sixty-seven in Kent; Eighty-three in Surrey and Southwark; an Hundred twenty-five in Sussex; and an Hundred twentyfive in Hamshire.

Resolved, That this Regiment shall be Part of the associated Forces for those Counties.

Grant to wounded Officer.

Ordered, That the Twenty-six Pounds, for which the Raw Hides going to the Mayor of Reading, was sold, shall be paid to a Lieutenant in Sir Ar. Haselrigg's Regiment, that hath lost a Leg in the Service at Alton: And the Committee for Examinations are ordered to send to the Committee at Camden House, to require them forthwith to pay the said Twenty-six Pounds; and deliver the Mare, seized at the same time, to Sir Ar. Haselrigg: And if they refuse to do it, that the Committee for Examinations do use their Power, to compel them, thereunto.

Army Arrears.

Ordered, That an Ordinance be brought in for Sir Richard Greenvile and my Lord Lisle, according to Sir Richard Greenvile's Petition, to receive their Arrears out of Delinquents Estates, as are not yet discovered; and for Payment for the Saddles for Sir Ric. Greenvile's Use.

Letter referred.

A Letter from Mr. Norton, Governor of Southampton, was read, without Date; whereupon it was ordered to be referred to the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom.

Tufton's Assessment.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Humphry Tufton shall be assessed for his Twentieth Part.

Buying Arms.

Resolved, &c. That Three hundred Pounds shall be provided for the buying of Arms for Southampton.

Resolved, &c. That an Ordinance be brought in for Three hundred Pounds to be paid at Haberdashers Hall, for the buying of Arms.

Securing Kingston, &c.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Mildmay, and Sir Walter Erle do go presently to the Committee for the Militia, to hasten them in the sending away Two Regiments, for the securing the Towns of Kingston, Croyden, and other Passages thereabouts, against the Advancement of the King's Forces.

Prisoner discharged.

Ordered, That * Mills be forthwith discharged from any further Imprisonment or Restraint.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Walter Erle brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Letters to Earl of Manchester &c.

Sir Henry Vane jun. reports the Letters from the Committee of Lords and Commons, to be sent from both Houses to his Excellency; to the Earl of Manchester; and to the Committee of the Militia in Hertfordshire.

The several and respective Letters to his Excellency; to the Earl of Manchester; and the Committee of the Militia in Hertfordshire; were all read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords, for their Concurrence.

And carried up by Sir Henry Vane jun.

House to meet.

Resolved, &c. That this House shall meet on Friday next, at Eight of Clock; notwithstanding the former Order of sitting only Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

Sir Henry Vane was appointed to acquaint the Lords therewith.

Superstitious Monuments.

Ordered, That this Committee concerning the Removal of superstitious Monuments, shall take care that the Ordinance for demolishing of Superstition or Idelatry, be put in Execution.

Ordered, That Colonel Ven shall put the Ordinance, for Removal of scandalous Monuments and Pictures, in Execution in the several Churches and Chapels of Windsor and Eaton: And, likewise, put the Order of this House of the Fifteenth of December, in Execution there also, in like manner as it is in that Order for Paul's.

Bateman's Petition.

The humble Petition of Richard Bateman Clerk, Fellow of Eaton College, was this Day read; and ordered to be, from this House, recommended to the Consideration of his Excellency my Lord General.

Much Haddam Parsonage.

An Order for sequestering the Parsonage of Much Haddam, in the County of Hertford, whereof Thomas Paske, Doctor in Divinity, is now Rector, to the Use of Humphry Hardwick, a godly, learned, and orthodox Divine; who is forthwith to officiate the said Cure as Rector, and to preach diligently to the Parishioners of the said Parish, in the Church there; and to receive the Rents and Profits of the said Parsonage, paying all Duties due to his Majesty; was this Day read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto, and ordered accordingly.

King's Revente.

Whereas divers Manors, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, of Papists, Delinquents, and ill-affected Persons, in divers Counties, Cities, and Places, within this Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, and Port and Town of Berwick, by Ordinances of Parliament, are, and others hereafter may be, sequestered; out of which there are sundry Fee-farm Rents, Farm Rents, and other Payments, due to his Majesty, the Queen, and Prince: And whereas the Lords and Commons, in this present Parliament, assembled, upon the One-and-twentieth of September last, passed an Ordinance for the seizing upon, and receiving, for the Use of his Majesty and the Commonwealth, all his Majesty's, the Queen, and Prince's Revenues, of what. Nature or Quality soever, certain, or casual, within the said Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, and Port and Town of Berwick; together with all the Arrears thereof, and all Debts any way due to his Majesty, the Queen, or Prince: And to the end that all Distractions and Confusions of Accounts may be avoided and prevented; and that there may be kept an exact and distinct Account of all his Majesty's, the Queen, and Prince's Revenues, or Sums of Money, which have been, or shall be, levied or received by Ordinance of this present Parliament: The said Lords and Commons therefore do Declare and Ordain, and be it Ordained, by the Authority of the same, That all and every the Rents, Sums of Money, and other Duties, any way due to his Majesty, the Queen, or Prince, chargeable upon, or issuing forth of, any the Manors, Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments, that are or shall be sequestered, as aforesaid, together with all the Arrears thereof, shall be, from time to time, paid and delivered to the several Receivers that are, or shall be, thereunto appointed, by the said Ordinance of Parliament of the One-andtwentieth of September last, or the Committee for the Revenue within the several Counties, Cities, or Places aforesaid. And the said Lords and Commons do farther Declare, Ordain, and Command, That all and every the Committees of Sequestrations, in the several Counties, Cities, and Places aforesaid, and all Treasurers and Collectors, and all others, whom it may concern, that they give Obedience, and conform themselves, to this present Ordinance; and, out of the Monies raised, or raising, of all, every, or any the said sequestered Manors, Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments, they forthwith, and so hereafter, from time to time, do pay the said several Rents, and Sums of Money, which are, or shall be due out of the same unto his Majesty, the Queen, or Prince, unto the said several and respective Receivers within the several Counties, Cities, and Places aforesaid: Whose several and respective Acquittance or Acquittances shall be a sufficient Discharge to the several Sequestrators, Treasurers, Collectors, and all others, for such Sums of Money as they, or any of them, shall pay according to the Direction of this Ordinance.

Excise on Tobaccoes.

Forasmuch as the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, have taken notice, That the Rate of Fourpence, lately imposed, by Ordinance of the Eleventh of September last, upon every Pound of Tobaccoes of the English Plantations, by way of Excise, hath something intermitted Trade in that Commodity; Be it therefore Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, and by Authority of the same, for the Encouragement and Ease, as well of the Importer, as Engrosser and Seller of such Tobaccoes, That all Tobaccoes, of the English Plantations, imported, and remaining on the Hands of the Merchant or Importer, or the Engrosser or Seller, thereof, before the Eleventh of September last past, shall pay only One Peny upon every Pound. And all such Tobaccoes imported since the Eleventh of September last, and remaining on the Hands either of the Merchant Importer, Engrosser, or Seller thereof, at the Day of the Date of this Ordinance, shall be liable to, and pay Two-pence upon every Pound. And for all such Tobacco, of the English Plantations, as shall hereafter, from the Day of the Date hereof, be imported into the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Port and Town of Barwick, shall pay after the Rate of Four-pence upon every Pound, according to the former Ordinance, dated the Eleventh of September last; the respective Sums of One Peny, Two-pence, and Four-pence, upon every Pound, to be paid by the Engrosser or Seller, upon Sale thereof, as is therein prescribed. Provided always, that no Persons shall have any Benefit of the aforesaid Moderation to One Peny, and Two-pence, upon every Pound of Tobacco respectively before-mentioned, but such only as shall, within Fourteen Days after the Publication of this Ordinance, make his personal Appearance at such Office of Excise, under which his Dwelling-place shall be; and there deliver in, upon Oath, a true and just Particular of all Tobaccoes by him sold since the Eleventh of September last, unto the Time he shall make his Appearance; as also, at the same time, declare upon Oath, and deliver in a like true Particular of all Tobaccoes, either remaining upon his Hands at that time, of such Tobaccoes as were upon his Hands before the Eleventh of September, as of such Tobaccoes as have been by him imported, or bought, and are remaining upon his Hands at the time of his Appearance; and shall presently, according to the respective Rates of One Peny, and Two-pence, pay and clear the Duty of Excise, as well for all Tobaccoes by him sold since the Eleventh of September last, as for all Tobaccoes by him imported, and, remaining at that time upon his Hands, as aforesaid: But be proceeded against without Favour or Pardon, according to the former Ordinance of the Eleventh of September last. Provided also, that no Abatement or Allowance shall be made, under Pretence of this Ordinance, for any Tobaccoes, which have already paid Excise, according to the said Ordinance of the Eleventh of September last, before the Date hereof.

City Officers.

The Lords and Commons, taking into their Consideration that the Well-government and Peace of the City of London, and the Liberties thereof, doth chiefly depend upon the Faithfulness and Integrity of the Persons that have, and bear, the publick Offices and Places of Trust therein: And that, in these Times of Trouble, more than ordinary Care is to be taken in the Choice and Election of them: And that their good Affection, to the true Protestant Religion, and to the Parliament, and Peace of the City and Kingdom, should be openly testified, and made known, before they be admitted unto any such Place or Office: And whereas, by the ancient Customs and Usages of the said City, those of the Common-council, and some other Officers of the City, are to be chosen at or about the One-and-twentieth Day of this Instant December: The Lords and Commons do Ordain and Declare, That no Person shall be elected into any the said Offices, nor shall be capable thereof, nor shall have Voice in any such Election, whose Person hath been imprisoned, or his Estate sequestered, for Malignancy against the Parliament; or that, before his Election, or Vote in such Election respectively, shall not have taken the late solemn League and Covenant, for Reformation and Defence of Religion, the Honour and Happiness of the King, and the Peace and Safety of the Three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland. And Sir John Wollaston Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the Aldermen in their several Wards, and all other Persons, to whom the Election of any of the said Officers shall appertain, are hereby required to see this Ordinance duly put in Execution.