Die Jovis, Februarii 27, 1644.

Prayers.

ORdered, That Sir Humphrey Tufton, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country, and to be absent for Three Weeks.

An Ordinance for charging the County of Essex with Three hundred Pounds a Month, upon their own Desire, for paying of Adjute-Officers, to enable them the better to put themselves into a Posture of Defence, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto the Committee of the Associated Counties, that are Members of this House: And are to meet upon it this Afternoon.

Resolved, &c. That it be especially referred, from this House, to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider, how Melcombe, and the other Garison Towns in the West, may speedily be victualled, relieved, and defended: And that the Members of this House, that are of that Committee, do give an Account to this House of their Proceedings herein: And

Resolved, &c. That Lieutenant-General Cromwell be desired forthwith to go down to Sir Wm. Waller, to go with him upon this Expedition into the West, for Relief of Melcombe, and the Garisons and Places adjacent, and for preventing and breaking the Enemies Levies and Recruits: And that it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider, this Afternoon, of disposing of the Commands, in such Manner as may be most advantageous for the Service, and for accommodating all Differences, if any Occasion should be; and to accommodate him with what shall be further necessary for this Expedition this Afternoon.

Resolved, &c. That Lieutenant-General Cromwell shall have Liberty to take with him into the West his Three Troops that are at Henley: And that it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms to appoint Three Troops in the Place of those Three Troops: And that LieutenantGeneral Cromwell shall have Liberty to take with him Quartermaster-General Ireton.

Ordered, That Mr. Gossall and Mr. Lemman, Treasurers for the Earl of Manchester's Association, do forthwith pay unto Lieutenant-General Cromwell One thousand Pounds; whereof Five hundred Pounds upon his own Account, and the other Five hundred Pounds to be disposed of as he shall think fit, to the Pay of his own Troops.

Ordered, That Mr. Golsall and Mr. Lemman, Treasurers of the Seven Associated Counties, do issue out none of the Monies to be collected upon the Arrears to any Officers or Soldiers, but such as are in Forts and Garisons, or with their Colours, and upon Service, without the special Order and Warrant of this House.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Exchange of Lieutenant-Colonel Uriah Leigh, and his Servant, Prisoners to the Parliament, in Petre-House, for Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Rigby, and his Servant, now Prisoners at Lathom: And that Leigh shall, upon his Parole, and Security of a Thousand Pounds, to be taken by Colonel Alexander Rigby, a Member of this House, for Render of himself again to Prison within one Month, if the Exchange shall not within that Time be perfected, be forthwith permitted to repair to Oxford and Lathom, with one such Person in his Company as shall be sent with him by Colonel Rigby: And that LieutenantColonel Leigh may have Liberty to return from Lathome to London, and from thence to Oxford.

Upon Lieutenant-General Cromwell's Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms;

It is Ordered, That the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall do forthwith provide Thirty thousand pounds, for the present Advance of the Scotts Army Southward: And they are to advise with the Commissioners of Scotland concerning the Payment of the same.

Ordered, That the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall do, on Saturday next, make Report of the Monies, Arms, and Provisions, recommended unto that Committee, to provide for the Scotts Army.

Ordered, That, To-morrow Morning at Nine of Clock, peremptorily, the House do take into Consideration the List of the Officers sent in by Sir Tho. Fairefaxe: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof: And that no other Business intervene.

A Letter, from Shrewsbury, from the Committee there, of Februar' 22, relating the Taking of Shrewsbury, and the Castle; and a List of divers Officers, Knights, and Gentlemen of very good Quality; were this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider of supplying the Town of Shrewsbury speedily with Forces, and all other Things necessary, for the Keeping and Preservation of a Place of so great Importance.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Woodhowse shall have the Leave of this House to go into the Country, and to be absent from the Service of the House, for Recovery of his Health.

Resolved, &c. That Four thousand Pounds be forthwith provided, and charged upon the Excise, for the Service of the Town of Shrewsbury: And that Mr. Nicoll, Mr. Pierrepont, and Sir Jo. Corbett, do press the Commissioners of Excise herein.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee at Shrewesbury, or the major Part of them, to nominate a Governor for the Town of Shrewesbury; and to present it to the House: And that, in the mean time, the Committee take care of the Preservation of the Town.

Ordered, That Mr. Recorder do prepare a Letter, to be sent from Mr. Speaker to the Committee at Shrewesbury, to return them hearty Thanks and Acknowledgement for their great Service in the Taking of Shrewesbury: And that the Letter acquaint the Committee, what this House has done upon their Letter.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Page and Doctor Heath;

The Lords have commanded us to deliver unto you . . . . . for Martial Law for Government of the Navy. They have likewise sent you Two Ordinances, which they received from this House, concerning the Committee of the Militia in London; and concerning the Pressing of Land-Forces; to which they agree, with some Amendments; in which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for Martial Law for Government of the Navy be read on Monday Morning next.

The Amendments to the other Two Ordinances were read; and by Vote, upon the Question, assented unto.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and, as to the Ordinance concerning Martial Law for Government of the Navy, they will send Answer, by Messengers of their own: And do agree to the Amendments to the other Two Ordinances concerning the Committee of the Militia in London; and concerning the Ordinance for Pressing of Land-Forces.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed for Sir Tho. Fairefaxe his Army do meet this Afternoon; and so from time to time, as they shall have Occasion: And that they, or any Five of them, shall have Power to meet and act.

Ordered, That Sir Hen. Vane junior be added to the Committee for the Ordinance concerning the Commissioners of the Navy.

An Ordinance for securing the Northern Fishing was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto the Committee of the Navy.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to consider of some speedy and effectual Course to prevent the Damage and Spoil done upon the Coasts of Kent by the frequent Infestation of Sea-Rovers.

Ordered, That Sir Francis Otley, Sir Richard Lee, Sir Thomas Whitmore, Sir Richard Dyett, Mr. Francis Newport, Sir John Wilde senior, and Herbert Vaughan Esquire, be forthwith sent up to the Parliament, in safe Custody: And that a Convoy be sent with them from Wemb to Strafford, and from thence to Coventry, and from thence to the Parliament.

Ordered, That Mr. Theloall do write a Letter of Thanks to Sir John Price.

Ordered, That the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Advance of Money, at Haberdashers-Hall, do forthwith pay to the Messenger that brought the further News from the Committee of Wemb then in Shrewsbury, of the Taking of that Town, the Sum of Ten Pounds.