Die Veneris, 21 Maii, 1647.

Prayers.

Forgery of Clerk's Hand.

MR. Twisden gave an Account to the House, concerning the Copy of an Act of Parliament; to which it is supposed the Hand of the Clerk of their House is forged.

Ordered, That this House doth agree, That the Writing in Mr. Twisden's Hand, pretended to be a Copy of an Act of Parliament; to which it is supposed that the Hand of the Clerk of the Lords House is forged; be delivered, by Mr. Twisden, to the Clerk of the said House, to examine the supposed Forgery.

Court of Wards.

Ordered, That the Report of the Ordinance concerning the late Officers of the Court of Wards, be made on Tuesday Morning next, peremptorily, the first Business.

Prince Elector.

Ordered, That the Papers sent in from the Prince Elector, be taken into Consideration, peremptorily on Thursday next, at Ten of Clock, immediately next after the Reports from the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall.

Removing the King to Oatlands.

A Message from the Lords, by Dr. Aylet, and Mr. Sadler;

The Lords have commanded us to bring you this Resolve: It is for removing the King's Person from Holdenby to Oatlands, as soon as that Place can be made fit; in which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Vote was in these Words; viz.

"Resolved, &c. That the King's Person be removed from Holdenby to Oatlands, as soon as that Place can be made fit."

Envoy to Flanders.

The Lords have appointed Sir Peter Killegrew to go into Flanders, to congratulate the Coming of the Archduke Leopald, to the Government of Flanders.

The Lords Votes concerning sending into Flanders, was in hæc verba; viz.

"The Lords have thought fit to send a Letter to the Archduke Leopald, to congratulate his coming to the Government of Flanders: And for that Purpose have appointed the Committee of the Admiralty and CinquePorts to draw the Letter, and present it to the Houses; and likewise some Obstructions, concerning mutual Trade and Commerce between the Two Crowns: And have appointed Sir Peter Killegrew Knight to carry the same Letter, and to manage that Employment."

"The Concurrence of the House of Commons is desired herein."

They further Declared, That the Lords grounded this Vote upon a Report from the Committee for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, of 13 Maii 1647, in hæc verba; viz.

"Whereas the Archduke Leopald, Brother to the Emperor, and a Person of great Eminency, is settled in the Government of Flanders, in the room of Don Castell Roderigo, late Governor there: Resolved, That it be offered to the Consideration of both Houses of Parliament, that a Letter be sent in their Name to the said Archduke, to congratulate his Highness' Accession to the Regency of Flanders; with a Desire, that the ancient and modern Treaties betwixt the Two Crowns may be preserved, for the better Facilitating of mutual Trade and Commerce; as also that a fit Person be nominated for Addressing of the said Letters to the said Archduke, with such Credence and Instructions, touching the Points aforementioned, as both Houses shall think meet."

Resolved, &c. That, in Answer to the First Part of this Message, concerning the Removal of the King's Person to Oatlands, the House will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Lords, in their Vote concerning a Letter to be prepared and sent to Archduke Leopald, Governor of Flanders.

Ordered, That Sir Peter Killegrew be referred to the Committee of the Revenue, to allow some sitting Allowance unto him for several Journies he last made into the North.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, out of the Reprisal Goods, to appoint some competent and convenient Allowance to be made to Sir Peter Killegrew, for the desraying the Expence of his Employment into Flanders, to the Archduke Leopald; and to report to the House, What Sum they think convenient for this Business.

Answers to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; And, as to the Vote concerning the Removal of the King's Person to Holdenby, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own: To the Vote concerning the Letter, and Sir Peter Killegrew to be sent into Flanders, they do agree.

Northampton Petition.

The House being informed, That divers Gentlemen of the Committee and County of Northampton, were at the Door, desiring to prefer a Petition;

They were called in; and Mr. Bernard did prefer a Petition, stiled, the humble Petition of the Committee for the County of Northampton, and others the Gentry there, on the Behalf of themselves, and the Inhabitants of the said County:

The which (the Petitioners being withdrawn) was read.

Ordered, That this Petition, the Petition from the County of Bucks, and the Petition from the Town of Plymouth, be read on Thursday next, after the Reports from the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall.

The Gentlemen of the County of Northampton were called in: And Mr. Speaker acquainted them, That this House is very sensible of their Burdens, and of their many good Services, and constant Faithfulness to the Parliament: for which he was commanded to give them Thanks: That the House was now very full of great Business; but had appointed a short Day to take their Petition into Consideration.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Wm. Fenwick, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

Message to Lords.

Sir Robert Pye carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Ordinance of the reduced Officers of the North, under the Command of the Lord Fairfax, for their Arrears out of the Grand Excise, in Course: An Order for the giving Colonel Robert Manwaring the Publick Faith for Monies advanced by him, for the Service of the Parliament: An Order to give Liberty to the Sheriffs of Warwick and Cornwall, to come out of their respective Counties, to London: An Order for Payment of Arrears to Captain Charles Pym, out of Haberdashers Hall: An Order for making Henry Kelsey Gentleman, Governor of Magdalen Hospital, near Winchester: An Order for referring a Letter from the Parliament of Scotland, in the Behalf of the Lord Viscount Airdes, to the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland, at Derby House: An Order for approving the Proceedings of Mr. Cason, employed as Agent, touching the Captives at Argier, &c.

He was further to put the Lords in mind of the Act of Indemnity.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords have commanded us to bring you this Order for continuing the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, for Six Months longer: To give you Notice, That the Lords have passed the Act of Indemnity; and the Orders for Advance of Pay to the Army, upon their Disbanding; and to those of them that go into Ireland.

Admiralty.

The Order for continuing the Committee of the Admiralty was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And was in hæc verba; viz.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports shall be continued for Six Months from the Date hereof, according unto the Powers formerly granted: And that they may also appoint all standing Officers for the several Yards belonging to the Navy, and the subordinate Officers of Vice Admiralties, as any of them are, or shall happen to become vacant."

Indemnity.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for Indemnity be forthwith printed and published.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message: And do agree to the Order for continuing the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports; and do take notice of the Lords passing the Act of Indemnity; and the Ordinance for Advance of Pay to the Army, and those that go for Ireland.

Post Meridiem.

Lister's Petition.

THE humble Petition of Sir Martyn Lister Knight, a Member of this House, was read; and upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Maynard, Sir Ben. Rudyard, Sir John Evelyn, Sir Robert Pye, Sir Henry Cholmley, Mr. Holles, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Strode, Mr. Wheeler, Sir Wm. Lewes, Sir Wm. Constable, Mr. Povie, Sir Walter Erle, Sir John Potts, Mr. Oxenden, Mr. Nicoll, Mr. Scawen, Captain Wingate, Sir John Trevor, Alderman Atkin, Sir Edmond Fowell, Mr. Swynfen, Mr. Bence, Colonel White, Mr. Rous, Sir Humphrey Briggs, Lord Wenman, Mr. Thynne, Mr. Longe, Mr. Bossevile, Mr. Nath. Fienis, Mr. Recorder, Sir Phil. Stapilton, Sir Wm. Lister, Mr. Hodges, Mr. Trenchard, Mr. Whittacre, Sir John Burgoyne, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Purefoy, Mr. Sandis, Mr. Bond, Sir Tho. Widdrington, all the Lawyers of the House; or any Five of them: And are to meet Tomorrow at Two post meridiem, in the Star Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records: And are to examine the Truth of the Matters suggested in the Petition; and to state it to the House, and their Opinions, What is fit to be done for Redress and Reparation in this Particular mentioned in the said Petition. They are further to consider of some Course for Remedy; and to prevent the evil Consequences and Mischiefs that may happen in Business of the like Nature; and are to bring in some Ordinance to that Purpose.

Bailing Brunkard, &c.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do, by his Warrant, send for Sir Wm. Brunkard, Mr. Henry Brunkard, and Captain Harrington; and require good Bail from them, and every of them, such as he shall think fit to allow of, to be forthcoming, when they, or any of them shall be required; or else to commit such of them as shall refuse, to safe Custody.

Bailing Dr. Aston.

Ordered, That Dr. Aston, now a Prisoner in the Serjeant's Custody, be forthwith bailed.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Robert Pye brings Answer, That the Lords will sit this Afternoon at three of Clock: That they do agree to the Ordinance for Payment of Monies out of Haberdashers Hall, in Discharge of the Arrears of Captain Charles Pym: To the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Army, &c.

Lieutenant General Cromwell gave an Account of the Proceedings of the Commissioners employed from this House to the Army.

Resolved, &c. That Thanks be given from this House to Field Marshal Skippon, Lieutenant General Cromwell, Commissary General Ireton, and Colonel Fleetwood, Commissioners employed from this House to the Army, for the great and faithful Pains and Endeavours they have diligently employed in this Service.

Mr. Speaker accordingly gave the Thanks of this House to Lieutenant General Cromwell and Colonel Charles Fleetwood, present; and was appointed to do the like unto Field Marshal Skippon and Commissary General Ireton, at their Return.

1. Resolved, &c. That the Accompts of the Soldiers shall be speedily audited; and a real and visible Security given for what shall appear to be in Arrear.

2. Resolved, &c. That an Ordinance be brought in to make good the Declaration formerly passed, concerning Apprentices enjoying their Freedoms that have engaged in the Service of the Parliament.

The Question being propounded, That none that has served voluntarily in this Army, shall be pressed to serve beyond the Seas;

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

It passed with the Affirmative.

3. Resolved, &c. That none that has served voluntarily in this Army, shall be pressed to serve beyond the Seas.

Resolved, &c. That an Ordinance be prepared and brought in, for the Relief of maimed Soldiers, Widows, and Orphans, in the several Counties.

Resolved, &c. That these Votes be referred to the Members of this House that are of the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland, at Derby House, and the Committee of the Army, joined as to this Business; Who are to bring in their Report on Tuesday Morning: And that the Debate now had, concerning the Army, be resumed on Tuesday Morning, the first Business.

According to former Order, the House, by Vote upon the Question, adjourned itself to Tuesday Morning next, at Eight of Clock.