House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 16 March 1647

Die Martis, 16 Martii, 1646.

Prayers.

Navy.

THE Names of such Persons as are presented, by the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to the Approbation of both Houses of Parliament, for Command of the Ships and Vessels belonging to the Parliament (as Part of the Navy), that are appointed to be set forth in Part of the next Summer's Fleet, being over and besides Thirteen Merchant Ships; which, together with their Commanders, are already approved: The which were sent from the Lords; and were this Day read, and particularly voted; and, with the Alterations following, all agreed upon. And

It is Ordered, That Mr. Greene do carry them to the Lords, with these Alterations; and desire the Lords Concurrence in these Alterations.

Navy Appointments.

The Question being put, For approving Captain Wm. Somaster to be Captain of the Swallow, one of the Ships employed in this next Summer's Fleet;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Captain Edward Hall, who, the last Summer, commanded the Anthelop, now to command the Swallowe.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Captain John Mildmay to be Captain of the Roebuck.

Resolved, &c. That the Peter Frigat, as to the Commander thereof, be re-committed.

The Six second-rate Ships ordered to be graved, and fit to be set-forth upon any Emergency, in case the Parliament shall give Order in that Behalf; with the Names of the Commanders; were this Day read; and the Commanders allowed; and the Ships agreed to be so prepared and fitted upon Emergency, if Occasion be.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Colonel Edward Ayscough to be Vice Admiral of the County of Lincolne.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to provide and fit Two Pacquet-boats, to go between Chester and Dublyn.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and appoint Captain Henry Jervoise to be Captain of the Peter Frigat.

Resolved, &c. That it be recommended to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, to give special Direction to the Vice Admiral, and the other Commanders whom it may concern, that some more vigorous Course and Diligence may be used, for the Convoying of Merchants, Protecting of Traders and Fishermen, and Guarding the Coast; the House having received many and great Complaints, That the Coasts from Dover to Rye, and all along the Coasts of Sussex, are not at all guarded: And that Merchants Goods do lie many Months, to the Loss of their Markets, and to the great Disadvantage and Discouragement of Trade.

Gregorie's Petition.

Ordered, &c. That the Petition of Captain Wm. Gregorie, sent from the Lords to this House, with a special Recommendation on the Behalf of the Petitioner; this House being likewise informed, That the Petitioner hath deserved very well of the State: and hath done very good Service for the Relief of the Garison of Plymouth, during the Time of the Siege there; and when that Garison was in the greatest Streights; be, in Concurrence with the Lords, especially recommended to the Committee of the Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, for some Employment for the Petitioner in Testimony of his good Services.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Dr. Aylett and Dr. Heath;

The Lords have commanded us to bring unto you a Declaration, concerning the Irish Affairs: A Report from the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations; and their Opinions, concerning a Petition delivered from the Committee of Sequestrations at Northampton. The Lords conceive the Petition very reasonable, and agreeable to the Ordinance; and do therefore especially recommend it to the Consideration of this House.

Irish Affairs.

The Declaration was read; and nothing done upon it at this time.

Northampton Committee.

Ordered, &c. That this Petition and Report, concerning the Committee at Northampton, be taken into Consideration on Saturday come Fortnight.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House hath taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Jennour, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Judges for Chester.

An Ordinance for amoving and discharging Sir Thomas Milward Knight, late Chief Justice of Chester, Flynt, Denbigh, and Montgomerie; and of Richard Prythergh Esquire, one other Justice there, for their Delinquencies, in adhering to the Forces raised against the Parliament; and for appointing and constituting John Bradshaw Esquire to be Chief Justice of Chester, Flynt, Denbigh, and Montgomery, aforesaid; and Peter Warburton Esquire to be one other Justice for the said Counties; quam diu bene se gesserint; sent from the Lords; was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed.

Chester County.

An Ordinance for revoking and making null an Ordinance passed in September 1644, on the Behalf of the Inhabitants of the County Palatine of Chester; and for restoring the Inhabitants of the said County Palatine to the same Privileges, Franchises, and Immunities, they were stated in before these Troubles, formerly sent from the Lords, was this Day read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Ordinance made and passed by both Houses, in September 1644, on Behalf of the Inhabitants of the County Palatine of Chester, in respect of the then Obstructions of Justice there, be, from this Day, to all Intents and Purposes, in all the Clauses thereof, fully revoked, avoided, and made null, excepting those Clauses that appoint Henry Brooke Esquire to be Sheriff of the County Palatine of Chester: Who is to continue Sheriff of the said County of Chester, notwithstanding any Clause or Thing in this Ordinance, for the Time limited in the said former Ordinance.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Colonel Boothe is appointed to carry it to the Lords for their Concurrence.

E. of Worcester's Estate.

Ordered, That the Report of the Amendments, returned from the Lords, to the Ordinance for Sale of part of the Earl of Worcester's Lands, for making Satisfaction to Mr. Hill and Mr. Pennoyer, of a Debt due unto them from the Parliament, sent from the Lords, be taken into Consideration on Monday Morning next.

Irish Affairs, &c.

According to former Order, the House resumed the Consideration of the Business of Ireland.

Upon a Report from the Committee of Lords and Commons, for the Affairs of Ireland at Derby House;

It is Resolved, &c. That this Kingdom is not able to pay the Scotts Army, now in Ireland, any longer.

And whereas by the 13th Article of that Treaty, it is Provided and Agreed, That at any time after the Three Months then agreed upon for the Entertainment of the Scottish Army, shall be expired, and that the Two Houses of Parliament, or such Persons as shall be authorized by them, shall give Notice to the Council of Scotland, or the Lord Chancellor there; that, after one Month from such Notice given, the said Two Houses of Parliament will not pay the said Scottish Army, now in Ireland, any longer; that the said Two Houses shall not be obliged to pay the said Army any longer than during the said Month: It is thereupon Resolved, and the Two Houses of the Parliament of England do Declare, That they will as abovesaid, and do signify, That they will pay the said Scottish Army, in Ireland, no longer; but will carry on the War there with their own Forces.

The said Houses do further Declare, That, in case any thing shall appear to be due unto the Scotts, over and above what they have already received, they will take care that due Satisfaction be given.

And whereas, by the 12th Article, it is agreed, That the Scottish Army shall receive their Discharge from the King and Parliament of England, or such Persons as shall be appointed and authorized by his Majesty, and both Houses of Parliament, for that Purpose; and that there shall be a Month's Warning beforehand of their Disbanding; which Discharge, and Month's Warning, shall be made known by his Majesty and them to the Council of Scotland, or the Lord Chancellor, a Month before the Disbanding thereof; and that the common Soldiers of the Scottish Army, at their Dismission, shall be allowed Fourteen Days Pay for the Carrying of them home: It is thereupon Resolved, &c. That the said Two Houses of Parliament will declare the said Discharge: And that they will also provide the Money for the Fourteen Days Pay aforesaid.

Resolved, &c. That the Lords Concurrence be desired in this Vote, passed upon this Report: And that it may be communicated by the Members of both Houses, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to the Commissioners of Scotland here: And that it be sent from both Houses, to the Commissioners of the Parliament of England, now in Scotland; to be by them communicated to the Parliament there, or the Chancellor, according to the Treaty in that Behalf: And that it be referred to the Members of both Houses, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider, in what Way and Manner the Resolution of both Houses, for the Discharge and Dismission of the Scotts Army in Ireland, may be signified to the Parliament of Scotland, or Chancellor, according to the Treaty as aforesaid.

Sir John Clotworthy is appointed to carry to the Lords this Message.

Irish Affairs.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland at Derby House, to confer with the Officers and Commanders that are come out of Ulster and Connaght, and to know of them, What those Forces are that are in those Provinces, and in what Condition they are: They are further to consider, What Number of those Forces will be necessary for the Service of Ireland, and in what Manner they may be so constituted, that they may be made useful for the Service of the Parliament there.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland at Derby House, to confer with the General, or such Officers of the Army as they shall think fit, in such manner as they shall think most convenient, How the Forces of the Army, that are voted to be sent over into Ireland, may be sent over thither with the greatest and best Expedition: And are to give an Account of it to the House with all convenient Speed.

Supply by Assessment.

Resolved, &c. That an Assessment of Threescore thousand Pounds by the Month, according to the ordinary Computation, be laid upon the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, to commence from the First of this present March, and to continue to the First of March, 1647; and to be employed towards the Maintenance of the Forces to be kept up in England, and to be employed in Ireland: And that an Ordinance be brought in to this Purpose. And it is referred to Mr. Scawen, and Mr. Reynolds, to prepare and bring in this Ordinance.

The Question was propounded, That this monthly Sum of Threescore thousand Pounds, charged upon the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, shall be levied in the several Counties, according to the Proportions observed and agreed upon for the said Counties, in the last Ordinance passed this House, for Maintenance of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefaxe:

And the Question being put, Whether this Question shall be now put;

It passed with the Affirmative. And

It is thereupon Resolved, &c. That this monthly Sum of Threescore thousand Pounds, charged upon the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, shall be levied in the several Counties, according to the Proportions observed and agreed upon for the said Counties, in the last Ordinance passed this House, for Maintenance of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax.

The Question was propounded, That the same Persons that are living, that were nominated in the last Ordinance that passed this House, for Maintenance of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, shall be the Commissioners in this Ordinance.

And the Question being put, Whether this Question shall be now put;

It passed with the Affirmative.

It is thereupon Resolved, &c. That the same Persons that are living, that were nominated in the last Ordinance that passed this House, for Maintenance of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, shall be the Commissioners in this Ordinance.

Ordered, &c. That this Ordinance be brought in on Friday Morning next.

Garisons.

Ordered, &c. That, To-morrow Morning, the first Business, the House do proceed in the Consideration of the Garisons that are to be continued in this Kingdom, according to former Order.

Ly. Holles.

Resolved, &c. That the Portion of the Lady Elionor Holles, Daughter of the late Earl of Clare, and Sister to Denzell Holles Esquire, a Member of this House, be granted unto the said Mr. Holles, to be by him employed to the Use and Benefit of his said Sister and her Children.

An Ordinance, in pursuance of this Vote, was read; and, upon the Question, passed, and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Sir Phillip Stapleton is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

The Ordinance was in hæ verba; viz.

Whereas the Sum of Six thousand Pounds, being the Portion of the Lady Ellinor Holles, Daughter of the late Earl of Clare, doth remain in the Hands of the now Earl of Clare, for her Use; and that the said Lady is lately married unto Colonel Fitzwilliams, a Delinquent, Son to the Lord Fitzwilliams of Ireland: By which means, the said Colonel is entitled to the said Sum, as his Wife's Portion; and, by reason of his Delinquency, hath forfeited it to the State: The Lords and Commons do Order and Ordain, That the said Sum of Six thousand Pounds shall be granted unto and given, and the said Sum is hereby granted and given, unto Denzell Holles Esquire, a Member of the House of Commons, who is likewise Brother to the said Lady; to be by him employed to the Use and Benefit of his said Sister, and her Children.