Die Lunæ, 4 Augusti, 1645.
Prayers.
ORdered, That Sir Henry Vane the younger, or Mr.
Blakiston, do, from this House, desire Mr. Carrill to
preach the next Fast-Day, before the Commons House, in
the Place of Mr. Greenbill.
The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Isle of
Ely, County of Cambridge, and adjacent Counties, was
this Day read.
Mr. Sollicitor, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Maynard, Lord
Grey, Sir Hen. Vane junior, Sir Edward Partheriche, Mr.
Ellys, Sir Thomas Woodhouse, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Rigbye;
This Committee, or any Three of them, are to meet
this Afternoon at Two of the Clock, in the ExchequerChamber, to consider of the said Petition, and to prepare
and bring in an Ordinance for settling and perfecting the
Works of Draining in those Counties accordingly, in such
manner as shall be most agreeable to Justice, most advantageous to the Publick, and most conducing to the Safety
of those Counties: And have Power to send for Parties,
Witnesses, Papers, and Records.
The Petitions of Alderman Fowke, and the Certificate
from the Committee of Accompts, were this Day read:
And, upon a serious and long Debate thereof,
It is Resolved, &c. That Alderman Fowke ought to accompt jointly with the rest of the late Commissioners and
Collectors of the Customs.
Upon the Reading of the Second Petition of Alderman
Fowke,
It is Ordered, That Alderman Fowke do accompt for the
Three hundred Pounds, and such other Monies and Goods
for which he is accomptable; mentioned in the Certificate
of the Committee of Accompts, and in his own Petition.
Mr. Rigby is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire
them to expedite their Answer to the Articles desired to be
subscribed by the Committee of the Northern Association,
before they act any thing as a Committee; to desire a Conference by Committees of both Houses, so soon as may
stand with their Lordships Conveniency, concerning the
Alterations, sent from their Lordships, to the Directions
concerning the Election of Elders: And was to carry the
Ordinances for Lincolnshire, and for One thousand Pounds
for Portsmouth, out of the Excise, to the Lords for their
Concurrence.
The House being informed, That divers Ministers,
Heads of several Colleges in the University of Cambridge,
were at the Door;
They were called in: And Mr. Vines acquainted the
House, That the University was very sensible of, and
thankful to this House for, the several Marks of Favour
set upon the University of Cambridge, in freeing them
from Taxes: And that this House, which could ease them
of their Burdens, they were assured, could also preserve
them in their Liberties: They referred the Particulars
of their Desires to their Petition; beseeching, That that
University might continue the Favourite of this House:
And that, as the Gentlemen of this House are the Decendants of those Ancestors that have conferred her Dowry
upon her, so you will uphold and maintain her in the Possession of those Liberties and Privileges which that University hath formerly enjoyed.
Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare, That the
University of Cambridge shall continue in the Possession of
their Liberties and Privileges they formerly used and enjoyed
by former Grants and Charters, before these Troubles
began, until the Right be determined: And that the Consideration of the Right be referred to a Committee: And
that Mr. Lucas and Mr. Selden do prepare a Letter, to be
written from Mr. Speaker, to the Committee of the Association sitting at Cambridge; requiring them to take care,
that the University may, in pursuance of this Order, be
kept in Possession of their Privileges, until the Right be
determined: And that the Committee do examine, upon
what Grounds the present Mayor of Cambridge refuseth to
take the Oath, usually taken by all former Mayors; and to
certify it to the House.
Mr. Selden, Mr. Sollicitor, Mr. Rouse, Mr. Prideaux,
Mr. Lucas, Sir Hen. Mildmay, Serjeant Wilde, Mr.
Whittacre, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Mr. Ellis, Sir Dudly
North, Sir Edw. Partherich, Sir Norton Knatchbould, Sir
Arth. Haselrigg, Sir John Cooke, Mr. Grimston, Sir Antho. Irby, Mr. Toll, Sir Hen. Vane junior, Mr. Knightley,
Sir John Evelyn, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Jesson,
Mr. Corbett, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Millington, Mr. Tate,
Sir Robert Harley;
This Committee is appointed to consider of the Petition
of the Heads of Colleges in the University of Cambridge,
in the Behalf of themselves and the whole University, this
Day presented and read; and to examine and consider of
the whole Matter of the Petition, and of the Differences
therein mentioned to be between the University and the
Town of Cambridge; and to report the Matter of Right
to the House: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.
The Ministers were again called in: And Mr. Speaker,
by Command from the House, acquainted them, That
the House had read their Petition; and found it to be
concerning the University of Cambridge; which is the
University that is under their Protection: They can see no
Learning now in the Kingdom, but by their Eyes: The
Petition contains in it Matters of Right, in Question between them and the Town: They have put That in a Way
to be tried; and yet have ordered, That the Possession be
continued to the University of all their Privileges, used or
enjoyed by them before these Times; and have put it into
a speedy Way: Which is as much as this House can do,
till the Right be determined.
Ordered, That Sir William Uvedall shall have Leave to
go into the Country, for Five Weeks: And that his Service
to the House be dispensed with, in the mean time.
A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edward Leech and
Mr. Page;
The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, That
they have granted a Pass for the Countess of Southampton,
with her two young Children; with a Coach, Waggon,
and a competent Number of her ordinary Servants and
Horses, to go from Oxford to Tichfield in Hampshire: It
being the Desire of the old Countess Dowager of Southampton to see them, which yet she never did: And the Lords
do desire your Concurrence herein.
Resolved, &c. That the Countess of Southampton shall
have a Pass for Herself, with her Two young Children, a
Coach, Waggon, Ten ordinary Servants, and Horses, to
go from Oxford to Tichfield in Hampshire; to be in Force
for Thirty Days from the Date thereof; provided they,
nor any of them, come into or remain within any of the
Parliament's Forts, Castles, or Garisons: And that Mr.
Speaker do grant a Pass accordingly.
Answer returned by the same Messengers;
The House hath considered your Message; and will send
Answer by Messengers of their own.
Resolved, &c. That the Lord Mayor be desired to call
a Common-Council, to meet on Wednesday next: And
that the Common-Council do consider of the Names of fit
Persons to be added to the Committee of the Militia of
London: And that they do with all Speed, present to the
House, Names of such Persons; in regard there are Businesses that import the Safety of these Parts; which are
to be executed by that Committee; which, in regard of
the Paucity of that Committee, they cannot do.
Mr. Recorder, and the Citizens, and Burgesses of the City,
are to acquaint the Lord Mayor and Common-Council
with this Order; and to give an Account hereof.