Die Martis, 2 Decembris, 1645.

THE Grand Committee sat; and proceeded in the Consideration of the Propositions for a safe and well-grounded Peace.

Sir Thomas Widdrington in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Thomas Widdrington presents, from the Grand Committee, a Bill concerning the Great Seal.

He further reported a Clause to be added to the End of the Clause, concerning Humphry Bennett, &c.: The which was read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be added accordingly.

The which Clause was in hæc verba; viz.

"Be removed from his Majesty's Council, and be restrained from coming within the Verge of the Court: And that they may not, without the Advice and Consent of both Houses of the Parliament of England, or the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland, respectively, bear any Office, or have any Employment, concerning the State or Commonwealth: And, in case any of them shall offend therein, to be guilty of High-Treason, and incapable of any Pardon from his Majesty; and their Estate to be disposed as both Houses of the Parliament in Scotland, respectively, shall think sit: And that one full Third-Part, upon full Value, of the Estates of the Persons aforesaid, made incapable of Employment, as aforesaid, to be employed for the Payment of the publick Debts and Damages, according to the Declaration."

Sir John Evelyn went up to the Lords, to desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, so soon as shall stand with their Lordships Conveniency, concerning the Propositions for a safe and well-grounded Peace.

He likewise carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Ordinance concerning the * *.

An Ordinance for securing such as shall lend the Sum of Thirty-one thousand Pounds, for the Use of... Scotts, or any Part thereof, and for the Repayment of them, with Interest after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. for the Forbearance thereof, was this Day read; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee, formerly appointed to go into the City for the Borrowing of the Thirty-one thousand Pounds for the Scotts Army, upon their Advance to Newarke, be revived: And that Sir Wm. Armyn and Sir Anthony Ireby be added to That Committee: And that they use their best Endeavours for the speedy Procuring of the same.

Ordered, &c. That the Cloaths, to the Value of Six thousand Pounds, be...... Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall for the Scotts Army; and meere here; and be accounted for so much of the Pay and Entertainment of the Scotts Army.

A Message from the Lords, by Doctor Heath and Doctor Aylett;

The Lords have sent us with a Message to these Particulars: The Ordinance for Bristoll: It came from this House; and they agree to it, with these Amendments; to which they desire your Concurrence:-A Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, concerning the Command of the Forces about Newarke: They have made upon it this Resolution; and desire your Concurrence in it:-A Report from the Committee of the Admiralty, concerning some Sea-Laws: To which they desire your Concurrence.

They do specially recommend unto you the Votes concerning Hancock: And they likewise specially recommend unto you the Earl of Nottingham's Petition.

The Amendments to the Ordinance for Bristoll were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Resolved, &c. That the Establishment passed this House for the Garison of Bristoll be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

The Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, concerning the Command of the Forces about Newark, when they shall be all come up together, was read; and the Resolution of the Lords thereupon; viz. "Resolved, That General Velin shall command in Chief all the Forces, both English and Scotts, that are now, or shall be, employed before Newarke, during their Continuance there.

Sir Wm. Waller reports, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, a Letter from General Levin, dated, upon the March, at Sutton, 27 Novembris 1645; relating the Coming of the Scotts Army to Muskam-Bridge; and a Paper from the Scotts Commissioners, of 1 Decembris 1645; desiring Cloaths, and other Necessaries, for their Army: The which were both read.

Sir John Evelyn brings Answer, That, as to the Ordinance for the Prince's Servants, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own; and will give you a Conference To-morrow at Ten of Clock, in the Painted Chamber.

Sir Thomas Widdrington, Mr. Thorpe, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Grimston, are appointed Managers of the Conference.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed to reside upon the Place with the Armies before Newarke, to meet with the Committee of the Scotts, and be a joint Committee of both Kingdoms.

Resolved, &c. That the Lords be desired to concurr herein: And that this be delivered To-morrow at the Conference.

Sir Anthony Irby is to desire this may be Part of the Conference.

A Letter from the Committee at Nottingham, of 28 Novembris 1645, from Nottingham, was this Day read: And

Ordered, That this Letter, and the Letters from the County of Lincolne, be referred to the Committee of the Eastern Association, and to the Members of this House that serve for the respective Counties of Yorke, Nottingham, Derby, Lincolne, Leicester, and Rutland: Who are to consider thereof this Afternoon; and to meet in the Duchy-Chamber: And have Leave to sit, notwithstanding the Sitting of the House.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall do sit this Afternoon, notwithstanding the Sitting of the House.

Resolved, &c. That Four hundred Musquets, Two hundred Pikes, Five hundred Swords and Belts, Six hundred Bandaleers, for the Lincolneshire Foot; Four hundred Swords and Belts, One hundred Musquets, Four hundred Bandaleers, for the Foot of the Town of Lynn; and Two hundred Swords and Belts, and Two hundred Bandaleers, for the Foot at Boston; and One hundred Barrels of Powder, with Match and Bullet proportionable, for the Service of the Forces against Newarke; shall be forthwith provided and furnished out of the publick Stores: And the Committee for Stores are to take care for the speedy Providing hereof.

Resolved, &c. That the Sum of Two thousand Pounds shall be paid, in Course, out of the Receipts of Excise, for the paying for the Arms and Ammunition this Day appointed to be furnished out of the publick Stores, for the Service of the Forces of Lincolneshire and Lynn, now against Newarke.

Resolved, &c. That the Proceed out of the Assessments set at Haberdashers-Hall, of such Persons as live in the Western Association, for their Twentieth, or Fifth, and Twentieth-Parts, not exceeding * *, shall be employed towards the Raising of Forces for the Garison of Bristoll, and for other Services of the West; and be employed, as the Committee of the West shall direct.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Post Meridiem.

SIR Robert Harley to be heard To-morrow Morning .... a Report from the Committee of Privileges.

The humble Petition of Susan Blakeston, Wife to John Blakeston Esquire, a Member of this House, was this Day read: And

It is thereupon Ordered, That, upon the Composition to be made by Mr. Hudson, the Fine to be paid for the same shall be paid over to Mr. John Blakeston, towards the Satisfaction of his Losses; excepting only Five thousand Pounds thereof, formerly disposed otherwise by Order of this House.

Mr. Goodwyn reports several Petitions formerly referred to that Committee.

Upon the Report of the Case of Mr. Carter, lately deceased;

It is Ordered, &c. That, for the Discharge of such Monies as are due for his Lodging, Diet, and other Necessaries, during his Sickness, and for his Interring, that the Committee of Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies, at Haberdashers-Hall, do forthwith pay unto Mr. Godolphine and Mr. Rouse, or such as they shall appoint to receive the same, the Sum of Fifty Pounds, for his Burial, and other the Purposes aforesaid.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein: And the Care hereof is referred to Mr. Godolphin and Mr. Rouse.

Upon the humble Petition of the Earl of Nottingham;

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Revenue, to consider of the State and Value of the Seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury at Croydon, now in the Possession of the Earl of Nottingham. And

It is further Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Surrey, to consider, What Monies may be raised, in a convenient Manner, out of the Two Parts of the Estates of Papists in the said County; and to report the same to the House.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of Accompts, to state and cast up the Accompts of Colonel Boteler.

Upon the humble Petition of Francis Webb, of London, Merchant;

It is Ordered, That Seven hundred Pounds shall be paid, out of the Receipts of the Excise, in Course, unto the said Francis Webb, upon Account, in Part of the Debt of Five thousand One hundred Twenty-eight Pounds Nine Shillings and Eight-pence, due to him from the Parliament, for Arms and other Necessaries, furnished by him for Ireland.

Upon the humble Petition of divers Merchants of London, whose Names were subscribed to the said Petition; viz. Edward Knight, John Freeman, and Seven-andtwenty others;

It is Ordered, That the Sum of Two thousand Pounds be paid unto them, proportionably, according to their several Debts, upon Account, in Part of Satisfaction of them: And that One thousand Pounds, Part of the said Two thousand Pounds, be paid by the Committee of Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies, at Haberdashers-Hall, in Course.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, &c. That One thousand Pounds, Residue of the said Two thousand Pounds, shall be paid, in Course, out of that Moiety of the Compositions, which are not already yet charged.

Ordered, &c. That the Residue of the entire Debt due to the said Twenty-seven Merchants, and to Mr. Francis Webb, shall be paid to them, proportionably, according to their respective Debts, in Course, out of that Moiety of Compositions with Delinquents not yet charged.

Upon the humble Petition of the Advance-Creditors of Sir Thomas Dawes, and of the Creditors of his Majesty's Royal Children;

Resolved, &c. That the Annuity of One hundred Pounds per Annum to Mrs. Blythe; and the annual Pensions given to the Alms-People of Putney, by Sir Abraham Dawes his last Will, be continued: And that the Residue of the Money already raised by the said Sequestration, forthwith be distributed; and That which shall be raised hereafter, at the End of every Six Months; the one Moiety to the Advance-Creditors, and the other Moiety to the Creditors of his Majesty's Royal Children.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Thomas Aberley and Mr. Thomas Snelgrave, Two of the principal Creditors, be added to the Sequestrators: And that such further Power be given to the Sequestrators, as by all other Sequestrations is given.

Resolved, &c. That in regard the Commissioners for the Customs are not to pay any Monies but by special Order of this House, that the said Commissioners are hereby ordered forthwith to pay all such Fees as are due and in Arrear, and, from time to time, shall be due to Sir Thomas Dawes, and Mr. John Dawes, or either of them, in respect of their Offices, to the said Sequestrators.

Resolved, &c. That the Assessment of Five hundred Pounds, imposed upon Sir Thomas Dawes' Estate, for his Twentieth-Part, be discharged.

Resolved, &c. That Harbottle Grimston Esquire, Executor of John Harvy Esquire, deceased, late a Member of this House, be taken in amongst the advancing Creditors of Sir Thomas Dawes, to receive Satisfaction for the Debt due to the said Mr. Harvy, out of the Profits of the Estates of the said Sir Thomas Dawes and John Dawes, now in Sequestration, in Proportion with the said advanceing Creditors.

Upon reading the humble Petition of many poor distressed Waggoners and Widows;

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Petitions where Mr. Goodwyn hath the Chair, to take Order, That it may appear what is due to every one of them; and what they have already received upon any former Order or Warrant; and to consider of some speedy Course for the Payment of what is remaining due to them; and present the same to the House.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Goodwyn do report the Business concerning the Dutch Officers, the first Business, on Monday next, in the Afternoon.