Die Martis, 16 Februarii, 1646.
Prayers.
Staffordshire.
ORDERED, That the Ordinance concerning
Staffordshire be read after that the Business of the
Excise is first dispatched.
Riot in Smythfield.
The humble Petition of the Commissioners of Excise
and New Impost, upon the Occasion of the Riot committed Yesterday upon the Excise-Office in Smythfield;
and likewise the Names of divers Persons that were
Parties to this Riot; were this Day read.
A Declaration concerning the Excise was this Day read.
The House being informed, That the Sheriffs were at
the Door;
They were called in; and were required by Mr.
Speaker to give an Account of the Beginning and Continuance of the Riot Yesterday. They said, They were not
there at the Beginning: By that time they came there, the
Business seemed to be well appeased; but afterwards they
gathered together again, and fired the Office, burnt the
Books, and took away above Fourscore Pounds in Monies. This Business sprung, and took Encouragement,
from the Business of like Nature, which was at Norwich,
and passed unpunished. They drew down no Force at
first, but their own Forces. They informed, William
Tayler, a Butcher, without Criplegate, said, That he would
bear down the Excise by Force: That some Musqueteers
were set, before the Train-Bands came down, that shot
nothing but Powder.
They delivered in a Letter from Leeds, of 15 Januarii
1646, subscribed Mansfield Hasset, Robert Hurst, concerning the uncivil Carriage of one Mr. Marwood to the
Excise-Officers at Leeds: The which was read.
Ordered, That the Lord-Mayor, Recorder, Sheriffs,
and Justices of the Peace of the City of London, be required forthwith to examine the whole Business, concerning the Tumult and Riot committed Yesterday the 15th
Day of this Instant February 1646, in Smythfield; and
speedily to proceed against and punish the Offenders
according to Law.
Ordered, That the Justices of Peace for the County of
Middlesex be required forthwith to examine the whole
Business, concerning the Tumult and Riot committed
Yesterday the 15th of February 1646, in Smythfield;
and speedily to proceed against and punish the Offenders
according to Law.
Ordered, That the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Committee of the Militia of the City of London, do take
care to prevent all Tumults that may arise; and to provide for the Peace of the City; and to order, and take
effectual Course, that the Watches and Guards may be
strictly and well kept.
The Sheriffs were again called in: And Mr. Speaker,
by the Command of the House, acquainted them, That
the House had referred the Examination of this Business
Yesterday in Smythfield to the Lord Mayor, Recorder,
Sheriffs, and Justices of Peace of the City of London: That
they do recommend it to the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and
Committee of the Militia, to take care of the Preservation
of the Peace of the City; and carefully to keep their
Watches and Guards. The House has observed in the
Sheriffs very much Diligence in this Business; and that
they had employed their Care, so much as in them lay,
to prevent and remedy the Riot Yesterday: For which
the House gives them Thanks; and desires them to
continue the like Care in the Business of the Excise; and
to proceed with Diligence in it; especially as Occasion
shall serve To-morrow.
Excise.
Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Excise do give
Notice to the House, if any of the Monies that come in
upon the Receipts of the Excise, have been employed
or disposed to any private Use.
Privilege.
The Sheriffs presented a Petition concerning an Order
they Yesterday received, touching Mr. Edward Rigby, a
Prisoner in the Wood-street Compter, London: The which
was read.
Porters, &c. Petition.
The humble Petition of Wm. Porter and Thomas Turner, Officers at Mace to the Sheriffs of London, was this
Day read.
Ceely's Claims.
Mr. Holles carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence,
the Order for Two thousand Pounds to Colonel Thomas
Ceely, upon Account, out of Goldsmiths-Hall.
Grant to Berrow.
The Ordinance for settling upon Anthony Berrow
Gentleman an Estate of Fifty Pounds per Annum, Land
of Inheritance, for his great Service performed in the Surprisal of the City and strong Garison of Hereford.
Excise.
The House proceeded to the Consideration of the Declaration and Instructions concerning the Excise: The
which were read; and part of the Declaration passed, and
part re-committed; and Four of the Instructions passed:
And
It is Ordered, That the House do proceed to take into
Consideration the Residue of the Instructions, and the Business concerning the Excise, on Thursday Morning next,
the first Business: And that no other Business do intervene.
Judges.
Ordered, That the Report concerning the Judges for
Wales be made on Thursday Morning next: And that the
House do then consider of Judges for this Circuit for
Cheshire.
Church Government.
Ordered, That the House do consider of Removing the
Obstructions in the Settling of the Government of the
Church, on Monday Morning next, the first Business;
and that no other Business do intervene.
Leave of Absence.
Ordered, That Mr. Langton, a Member of this House,
shall have Leave to go into the Country.