Die Mercurii, Septembris 17, 1645.

ACcording to former Order, the Grand Committee of the whole House sat, to take into further Consideration the Matters of the Church-Government, and the Business concerning the Election of Ruling Elders.

Mr. Whittacre in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Whitacre reports, from the Grand Committee for Religion, a Letter to be sent and directed to the StandingCommittees in the several Counties, concerning the Business of Church-Government: The which was read; and ordered to be signed by Mr. Speaker; and sent, accordingly, to every Standing-Committee, together with one of the printed Books of the Ordinance and Votes concerning the Election of Ruling Elders.

Ordered, That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of a Burgess for the Borough-Town of Malton in Yorkshire, in the room and place of Thomas Heblethwaite Esquire; who is disabled, by Judgment of the House, to sit as a Member thereof, during this Parliament.

Ordered, That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of a Burgess for the Borough-Town of Higham-Ferrers in Northamptonshire, in the room and place of Sir Christopher Hatton; who is disabled, by Judgment of the House, to sit as a Member thereof, during this Parliament.

A Letter of Relation of the Proceedings of Sir Thomas Fairfaxe's Army in the Storming and Taking of Bristoll, &c. written from Lieutenant-General Cromwell, by Command of the General, from Bristoll, of Septembris 14, directed to Mr. Speaker, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That, on the next Lord's Day, Thanks be given unto God for the great Success he hath given to the Parliament-Forces under Sir Thomas Fairsax their General, in taking in the City of Bristoll, with the Castle and Forts, in all the Churches and Chapels within the Lines of Communication, and Bills of Mortality; and that, on the next Lord's Day come Fortnight, being the Fifth Day of October, in all the Parts of the Kingdom within the Power of the Parliament: And that the Lord Mayor of the City of London do give timely Notice hereof to all the Ministers within the Lines of Communication, and Bills of Mortality: And that the Knights and Burgesses of the several Counties, Cities, and Boroughs, do give notice hereof, and send Copies of this Order, to the several Counties, Cities, and Boroughs.

It is further Ordered, That the Relation sent up from Lieutenant-General Cromwell, by the Command of the General, of September the Fourteenth, be printed, and read upon the Days on which publick Thanks are to be given unto God for his great Blessing in this Success given at Bristoll.

Ordered, That, on the next Lord's Day on which Publick Thanks is appointed to be given to Almighty God, for the great Success at Bristoll, a Collection be made in all the Churches and Chapels within the Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality; and the Monies collected, paid in to the Treasurers for maimed Soldiers at Tallowchandlers-Hall, by the several Collectors and Receivers of the said Monies, within Two Days after the said Collection, and, by the said Treasurers, distributed for the Relief of many distressed and plundered People of Bristoll, and the Places adjacent.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Widdrington and Mr. Prideaux do prepare a Letter of Thanks and Respects, to be sent from this House to Sir Thomas Fairfax; and, by his Hand, Thanks to be returned to the Officers of his Army, in Testimony of his and their great and very faithful Services at all times, especially in this Action at Bristoll.

Ordered, That Mr. Lowther, Merchant, do forthwith pay the Three hundred Pounds remaining in his Hands of Edward Lovell, of Batcomb in the County of Sommerset, a Delinquent; according to a former Warrant to that Purpose from the Committee of Examinations.

Ordered, That Mr. Pierepoint and Sir Henry Vane junior do prepare a Letter of Thanks, to be returned unto Lieutenant-General Cromwell.

Colonel Mountague, and Colonel Hammond, who were appointed, by the General, to bring to the House the Relation of the whole Proceedings of the Army in the Storming and Taking of Bristoll, with the Castle and Forts, and were themselves, in this great Action, eminent Actors, were called in: And Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, acquainted them, That the House took notice of the great Valour and Courage of all the Officers and Soldiers of the Army in general, and of the continued good Success it has pleased God to give their great Endeavours; and, in Acknowledgment thereof, the House has commanded him to return their hearty Thanks to the Officers and whole Army, and to themselves in partiticular.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army do consider of some Reward to be given to the common Soldiers of the Army, for an Acknowledgment and Encouragement of their faithful and courageous Services.

Ordered, That Twenty Pounds be given and bestowed upon Robert Sherwood Messenger, who brought the Letter and Relation from the Lieutenant-General, of the great Success at Bristoll: And that the Committee of the West do take care, and give Order, for the speedy Payment thereof, accordingly.

Post Meridiem.

THE humble Petition of Colonel Bridges, Governor of the Town and Castle of Warwick, was this Day read: And

It is thereupon Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Three Counties of Oxon, Buck', and Berk', forthwith to appoint Colonel Bridges an Assignation of Fifty Pounds per Week, to be paid him out of the Hundred of Bloxham in the County of Oxford, weekly, towards the Pay and Maintenance of one Troop of Horse under his Command, belonging to the Castle of Warwick.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee for the West Rideing in Yorkshire do set forth Lands, to the Value of Six hundred Pounds per Annum, out of the sequestred Estates next adjoining to the said Town and Parish of Bradford; the Profits thereof to be received by the said Town and Parish.

The humble Petition of Jonathan Hallowes and Ralph Holland, of the Parish of Rachdale in the County of Lancaster, was this Day read; setting forth, That they were robbed by Sir Christopher Lowther and Mr. Lamplugh, of Lumplugh in the County of Cumberland, in ready Money, to the Value of Eight hundred and Two Pounds; and, in Bonds and Bills, to the Value of Sixteen hundred Pounds more: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Cumberland, to examine the Losses of the Petitioners; and to give them Reparations out of the Estates of Sir Christopher Lowther and Mr. John Lamplugh; notwithstanding that the said Sir Christopher Lowther is since dead: And that the Lords be desired to join in an Ordinance for the same.

The humble Petition of the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Inhabitants, of the Town of Leverpoole, was this Day read: And

An Ordinance for settling the Mill and Ferry-Boats upon the said Corporation, in Part of their Satisfaction, was read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That Five hundred Ton of Timber be allowed unto the Town of Leverpoole, for rebuilding the said Town, in a great Part destroyed and burnt down by the Enemy: And that the said Five hundred Ton be felled in the Grounds and Woods of James Earl of Darby, Richard Lord Mollineux, Wm. Norris, Robert Blindell, Robert Mollineux, Charles Gerard, and Edward Scarsebrich, Esquires: And that it be referred to the Committee for Lancaster, that are Members of this House, to take order for the due and orderly Felling of the said Timber, and for apportioning the Quantities to be selled out of the Woods of the said Persons; and for apportioning the Quantities to be allowed to the Persons that suffered by the Burning of the said Town, for the Rebuilding thereof.

The humble Petition of Richard Bradshaw, Merchant, was this Day read: And

It is thereupon Ordered, That Richard Bradshaw, Merchant, shall have such Estates as he shall discover unto the Committee of Examinations, that doth belong to any Delinquents, in the City of Chester; and to receive the Profits thereof, upon Account, until Two thousand Pounds shall be paid unto him, Part of the Debt of Two thousand Six hundred Twenty-three Pounds Four Shillings: And that the said Richard Bradshaw shall have the publick Faith for the Remainder of the said Debt.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Charles Egerton, towards his present Support, shall have paid unto him the Sum of Three hundred Pounds, out of the first Monies that shall be paid by Mr. Grigge, as a Fine for his Delinquency; or out of the first Monies that shall be paid for the Fine of any other Delinquent, which he shall propound.

Ordered, That it be referred back to the Committee for Petitions, to consider of, and find out, How the Sum of Five hundred Pounds may be raised and paid to Sir Charles Egerton, out of some Delinquents Estates, towards the Relief of his present and urgent Necessities.

Ordered, That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of a Baron for the Town of Sandwich, being one of the Cinque-Ports in the County of Kent, in the room and place of Sir Thomas Peyton; who is disabled, by Judgment of this House, to sit as a Member thereof during this Parliament.

The humble Petition of Joan Wythers, Widow of Edward Withers, late Citizen and Milaner of London, deceased, was this Day read: And

It is thereupon Ordered, That, in full of all Pay and Demands due to the said Edward Withers, for his Service under Major Purbeck Temple, the Sum of One hundred Three Pounds and Eight Shillings shall be forthwith paid to the said Joan Withers, out of Monies belonging to the State, remaining in the Hands of Mr. Robert Lowther, Merchant: And that the said Mr. Lowther do pay the same, accordingly.

An Ordinance for authorizing the Receivers of the Adventurers Money upon Subscriptions for Lands in Ireland to pay unto Nicolas Lostus Esquire, Deputy-Treasurer at Wars for that Kingdom, the Sum of Sixteen hundred Threescore Ten Pounds and Eight-pence, to be by him paid over unto Mr. Maurice Tomson, Merchant, in full of several Debts due to him, mentioned in the said Ordinance, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

An Ordinance for authorizing the Receivers of the Adventurers Money upon Subscriptions for Lands in Ireland to pay unto Nicolas Lostus Esquire, Deputy-Treasurer at Wars for that Kingdom, the Sum of Two hundred Thirtyand-three Pounds Eighteen Shillings and Four-pence; to be by him forthwith paid over unto Maurice Tomson, Merchant, in Part of such Monies as do or shall appear to be due to Mr. Davies, upon his Accompt of Victuals furnished unto the Armies in Ulster, and to be so charged upon him in his Accompt, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Harley do, To-morrow, make Report of the Business concerning the Election of a Burgess for Cockermouth.