Die Martis, 13 Octobris, 1646.

Prayers.

MR. Lane reports the Amendments to the Ordinance, sent from the Lords, concerning the Great Seal: The which were twice read.

The Question being put, Whether these Words, "to be chosen and returned to serve as a Member of the House of Commons," should be added to the Amendments;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Negative.

The Clause concerning the Commissioners of the Great Seal not to be Assistants, in Parliament, to the House of Peers, was put to the Question; and, upon the Question, passed.

And then the Amendments were put to the Question; and, upon the Question, passed.

And then the Ordinance, so amended, passed, upon the Question: And this House agreed unto the Ordinance, as it was sent from the Lords, with these Amendments.

Resolved, &c. That a Conference be desired with the Lords, concerning the Ordinance, formerly sent from the Lords, for appointing Commissioners for the Custody of the Great Seal of England.

Sir Robert Pye is .. go to the Lords to desire this Conference.

Mr. Lane, Mr. Holles, Sir William Lewes, are appointed Managers.

Ordered, That Mr. Malbone be especially recommended, from this House, to the Commissioners appointed to have the Custody of the Great Seal of England, to be continued in the Place of Sealbearer.

Sir Robert Pye went to the Lords, to desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, in the Painted Chamber, so soon as it might stand with their Lordships Conveniency, concerning the Ordinance, formerly sent from the Lords, for appointing Commissioners to have the Custody of the Great Seal of England.

He carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Vote for Mr. Francis Pierpont to be Executor to the Earl of Kingston: An Ordinance for a Pardon unto Wm. Burges, Daniel Colwall, and Nicolas Horne, for their Delinquencies: An Ordinance for a Pardon to Judith Clerke, for her Delinquency: An Ordinance for a Pardon to Mr. Thomas Carewe, for his Delinquency: An Order for appointing Colonel Rous to be Governor of Silly: An Ordinance for a Pardon to Mr. George Trevilian, for his Delinquency: An Ordinance for a Pardon to Henry Philpott, and Thomas Philpott, for their Delinquencies: A Vote for no Committees to grant any Offices: A Vote for Sir John Clotworthy to be one of the Commissioners for the Province of Ulster: An Ordinance for a Pardon to Sir Patricius Curwyn, for his Delinquency: An Ordinance for a Pardon to Mr. Henry Hunlock, for his Delinquency: An Ordinance for a Pardon to Mr. Richard Thompson, for his Delinquency: An Ordinance for Five hundred Pounds, out of the Excise, to Mr. Westrowe: An Ordinance for the Payment of the Arrears of the Garisons of Dover and Chatham: An Ordinance for a Pardon to Mr. Westlydd, for his Delinquency: An Order for Twenty Pounds to Two Messengers that came from Ragland, out of Haberdashers-Hall: The Declaration concerning the Two hundred thousand Pounds to be advanced upon the Credit of Bishops Lands: An Ordinance for Four hundred Pounds, with Interest, out of the Excise, for the Relief of poor Irish Protestants: An Ordinance for granting certain Lands in Reading to Sir Francis Knollys: And an Order for Payment of Five hundred Pounds to the Officers employed at the Taking of Skipton-Castle.

Mr. Sollicitor carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, an Ordinance for justifying the Proceedings of Parliament: An Ordinance concerning the Peers of Parliament, and other Honours and Titles: An Ordinance concerning, the Great Seal of England: An Ordinance concerning the Cessation of Arms in Ireland, and Grants under the Great Seal of Ireland: And an Ordinance concerning the great Places and Offices in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland.

The humble Petition of James Northfolke, Serjeant at Arms, directed to the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, was this Day read; and ordered to be taken into Consideration, together with the Petition of Mr. Serjeant Middleton, on Saturday next.

An Ordinance for the laying an Assessment upon the Counties of Somersett, Wiltes, and Gloucester, for and towards the Maintenance of the Garison of Bristoll, was this Day read the First time; and ordered to be read the Second time on Friday Morning next.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Gloucester, and the Committee of the West, to consider how the Garison of Bristoll may be settled; and of an Establishment for it, at the least Charge to the Commonwealth, and for the best Advancement of Trade.

Mr. Sollicitor brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer to the several Ordinances, carried by him to their Lordships, by Messengers of their own.

Ordered, That the Reports concerning the Articles of Oxford, the Articles of Truro, and other Garisons, be made upon Friday Morning next, the first Business: And Mr. Speaker is to put the House in mind hereof.

Sir Robert Pye brings Answer, That, as to the Declaration concerning the Two hundred thousand Pounds, to be advanced upon the Credit of the Sale of Bishops Lands; the Vote for no Committee to grant any Offices; and the Vote for appointing Sir John Clotworthy to be one of the Commissioners for the Province of Ulster; they do agree: And, as to the Granting of a Conference upon the Ordinance for appointing Commissioners for the Custody of the Great Seal; and the rest of the Messages carried by him to their Lordships; they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

An Ordinance for the Payment of the Army, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight, for Six Months, from the First Day of October 1646, by a monthly Assessment, was this Day read the First and Second time.

A Letter from the Committee of Duresme, of 17 Septembris 1646, read 13 Octobris 1646.

The House being informed, That some Divines of the Assembly were at the Door;

They were called in: And Mr. Marshall acquainted the House, That the Assembly having received an Order from this House, of 9 Octobris 1646, they did humbly return this Answer; and do desire, that they may know the further Pleasure of this House thereupon.

The Divines being withdrawn, the Answer was read.

Resolved, &c. That Five hundred Copies of the Consession of Faith be forthwith printed, for the Service of the Houses, without the Annexing of the Texts of Scripture, for the present: Yet, notwithstanding, the House does expect, that the Divines should send in the Texts of Scripture with all convenient Speed.

The Divines were again called in: And Mr. Speaker acquainted them with this Order.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for Maintenance of the Ministers at Chichester be read the Second time, on Friday Morning next.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page;

The Lords have appointed the Conference for the Great Seal, which you desired, To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock, in the Painted Chamber, by a Committee of both Houses, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House. They have commanded us to acquaint you, That they have received Letters from the Lieutenant and Council of Ireland; and they have referred them, and the Messengers, to the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms; and they have appointed their Members to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock; and desire, that you will appoint your Members to meet then likewise, if it may stand with your Conveniency: And likewise to put you in mind of the Lady Marchioness of Winchester's Petition.

Resolved, That this House doth agree, That the Members of this House that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, concerning the Letters from the Lieutenant and Council of Ireland.

Resolved, &c. That, to the Petition of the Lady Marchioness of Winchester, this House will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House has considered their Lordships Message: And, as to the Time of the Conference, and the Meeting of their Members that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, as is desired, they do agree: And, as to the Petition of the Lady Marchioness of Winchester, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Resolved, &c. That the monthly Sum of Fifty-three thousand Four hundred Thirty-six Pounds and Six-pence shall be assessed, for the Maintenance of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax.

Resolved, &c. That this Ordinance for the Payment of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight, for Six Months, from the First Day of October 1646, by a monthly Assessment, be committed to a Committee of the whole House: And the Committee is to meet upon it To-morrow at Two of Clock in the Afternoon; And

It is Resolved, &c. That this Committee shall have Power to consider, Whether any Counties are sit to be exempted from the Payment of this Sum, assigned for the Payment of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax: They have further Power to consider of any other Way for the Raising of this Money, or any Part thereof.