Die Veneris, 24 Decembris, 1647.

PRAYERS.

Delinquents.

RESOLVED, &c. That this House doth accept of the Sum of Two hundred and Fifty Pounds, for a Fine, for the Delinquency of Valentyne Whitmore, of Thurstaston in the County of Chester, Gentleman: His Offence is, That he was in Arms against the Parliament: He rendered in April 1646: His Estate, in Fee, per Annum, Ninetytwo Pounds Ten Shillings: Out of which issues Twenty Pounds per Annum, for One Life: Which leaves the Fine, at a Sixth, Two hundred and Fifty Pounds.

An Ordinance for granting a Pardon unto Valentine Whitmore, of Thurstaston in the County of Chester, Gentleman, for his Delinquency, and for taking off the Sequestration of his Estate, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Sum of Nineteen hundred Eighty-and-Five Pounds, for a Fine, for the Delinquency of Sir Henry Carey of Cockington in the County of Devon, Knight: His Offence, That he was in Arms against the Parliament: He rendered upon the Articles of Exeter: His Estate, in Fee, in old Rents, per Annum, Two hundred and Eighty-five Pounds Five Shillings and Eight-pence; in Demesne, per Annum, Three hundred and Twenty six Pounds Thirteen Shillings and Four-pence; for Eight hundred Years, per Annum, Ten Pounds: Out of which issues, per Annum, for One Life, Four hundred Pounds: Which leaves the Fine, at a Tenth, Nineteen hundred and Eighty-and-five Pounds.

An Ordinance for granting a Pardon unto Sir Henry Carey, of Cockington in the County of Devon, Knight, for his Delinquency, and for taking off the Sequestration of his Estate, was this Day read; and, upon the Question passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Sum of One hundred and Eighteen Pounds Two Shillings and Four-pence, for a Fine, for the Delinquency of Henry Barrodale, of Shepishedd in the County of Leicester, Gentleman: His Offence, That he was in Arms against the Parliament: He rendered before the First of December 1645: His Estate, in Fee, per Annum, Fifty-nine Pounds One Shilling and Four-pence: For which his Fine, at a Tenth, is One hundred and Eighteen Pounds Two Shillings and Four-pence.

An Ordinance for granting a Pardon unto Henry Barrowdale, of Shepishedd in the County of Leicester, Gentleman, for his Delinquency, and for taking off the Sequestration of his Estate, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Delinquents.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Sum of One hundred Thirty-and-three Pounds, for a Fine, for the Delinquency of Robert Gad, in the County of Somersett, Yeoman: His Offence, That he adhered unto and assisted the Forces raised against the Parliament: He rendered before December 1645: His Estate, in Fee, per Annum, Sixty-one Pounds; for One Life, per Annum, Twenty Pounds: Out of which issues, per Annum' Four Pounds Fourteen Shillings, and Two-pence: Which leaves the Fine, at a Tenth One hundred Thirty-and-three Pounds.

An Ordinance for granting a Pardon unto Robert Gadd, of Lingford in the County of Somersett, Yeoman, for his Delinquency, and for taking off the Sequestration of his Estate, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Sum of Six hundred and Fourscore Pounds, for a Fine, for the Delinquency of Sir Thomas Reynell, of Waybridge in the County of Surrey, Knight: His Offence, That he adhered unto and assisted the Forces raised against the Parliament: He rendered before the First of May 1646: His Estate, for One Life, per Annum, Three hundred and Twenty Pounds; for Three Lives, per Annum, Twentyone Pounds Five Shillings and Eight-pence; for Five Years, per Annum, Three Pounds; for Twelve Years to come, by the Office of Wine Licences, in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall, and in the City of Exeter, per Annum, above the Rent, One hundred Pounds: For which his Fine, at a Sixth, is Six hundred and Eighty Pounds.

An Ordinance for granting a Pardon unto Sir Thomas Reynell, of Weybridge in the County of Surrey, Knight, for his Delinquency, and for taking off the Sequestration of his Estate, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Sum of Two hundred Pounds, for a Fine, for the Delinquency of John Younge senior, of Pimbley in the County of Salop, Gentleman, and John Younge his Son: The Father's Offence, That he left his Habitation, and resided in the Enemies Quarters: The Offence of the Son, That he was in Arms against the Parliament: They rendered before December 1645: The Estate, in Fee, per Annum Ninetyfour Pounds Six Shillings and Eight-pence; for Three Lives, per Annum, Six Pounds Seventeen Shillings; for One Life, per Annum, Seven Pounds: For which the Fine, at a Tenth, is Two hundred Pounds.

An Ordinance for granting a Pardon unto John Young senior, of Pimbley, in the County of Salop, Gentleman, and John Young junior, his Son, for their Delinquency, and for taking off the Sequestration of their Estates, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Sum of Fourscore and Four Pounds for a Fine, for the Delinquency of Edward Blawe, of Lincoln in the County of Lincoln, Gentleman: His Offence, That he was in Arms against the Parliament: Rendered upon the Surrender of Newark: His Estate, in Fee, per Annum, Three Pounds; for Three Lives, per Annum, Eleven Pounds Thirteen Shillings-and Four-pence; for Two Lives, per Annum, Twenty-three Pounds Six Shillings and Eight-pence, for Thirty Years to come, per Annum, Two Pounds; for Sixteen Years to come, per Annum, Four Pounds Sixteen Shillings and Eight-pence: For which his Fine, at a Sixth, is Eighty-four Pounds.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Sum of Forty-four Pounds, for a Fine, for the Delinquency of George Thorpe, of the Bayle of Lincoln, Gentleman: His Offence, That he deserted his Dwelling, and went and lived in the Garison of Newark, and came in upon those Articles: He hath an Estate, for Life, per Annum, Twenty-six Pounds; for Ten Years to come, per Annum, Five Pounds: For which his Fine, at a Sixth, is Fortyfour Pounds.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Sum of Fifty Pounds; for a Fine, for the Delinquency of Richard Weech, of Croyland, in Com' Lincoln, Yeoman: His Offence, that he was in Arms against the Parliament: He rendered in February 1643: His Estate, in Fee, per Annum, Twenty-five Pounds: In Right of his Wife, per Annum, Three Pounds: Out of which issues, per Annum, Six Pounds: For which his Fine, at a Tenth, is Fifty Pounds.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Sum of Fourscore and Four Pounds, for a Fine, for the Delinquency of Robert Nixon, of Sleaford in the County of Lincoln, Gentleman: His Offence, That he was in Arms against the Parliament: He rendered in September 1645: His Estate, in Fee, per Annum, Forty-four Pounds Seven Shillings: Out of which issues Five Pounds Five Shillings per Annum for ever: Which leaves his Fine, at a Tenth, Eighty-four Pounds.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth accept of the Fine of Forty Pounds, for a Fine for the Delinquency of William Savile, of the City of Lincoln Gentleman: His Offence, That he was in Arms against the Parliament: He rendered upon the Articles of Newark: His Estate is, in Debts, Three hundred Pounds: And that he owes Seventy Pounds: His Fine, at a Sixth is Forty Pounds.

An Ordinance for granting Pardons unto Edward Blaw, of Lincoln in Com' Lincoln, Gentleman; George Thorpe, of the Bayle of Lincoln, Gentleman; Richard Weech, of Croyland in Com prædict, Yeoman: Robert Nixon, of Sleaford in the same County, Gentleman; and Wm. Savile, of the City of Lincoln, Gentleman; for their several Delinquencies; and for taking off the Sequestrations of their several Estates; was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Officers of Margarett's Church.

Ordered, That the Sum of Thirty Pounds be charged upon the Moiety of the Receipts of Goldsmiths Hall, not engaged, in Course; and paid unto Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Bell, Members of this House, to be by them distributed to the Officers attending upon the Parish Church of Margarett's, Westminster.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ly. Boteler's Composition.

Ordered, That Consideration be taken To-morrow of the Business concerning the Lady Boteler's Composition.

Birch's Claims.

An Ordinance for securing to Colonel John Birch the Sum of Two thousand Five hundred Pounds, out of the Receipts of the Excise, in Course, with Interest for the same, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. from the Three-and-twentieth of December, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Army.

A Letter from the General, of the Three-and-twentieth December 1647, with a Paper inclosed, containing the Results of the General Council of the Army, held at Windsore the Three-and-twentieth Day of December 1647, were this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That this Paper of Results be referred to the Committee appointed to repair to the Army; to consider and confer with the General and Officers upon it; and to return the Results, and their Opinions, upon such Conference, to the House.

Arrears of Assessments.

The Draught of a Letter to be sent to the Members of the House that are in their respective Counties, or are appointed to repair thither, in the Business touching the bringing in the Six Months Assessments Arrear of the Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be signed by Mr. Speaker.

Instructions for the Members of the House that are in their respective Counties, or are appointed to repair thither, for the speedy Bringing in of Six Months Assessments of the Arrears upon the Ordinance of Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem, for Preventing of Free Quarter, by paying the Army, and Disbanding of supernumerary Forces, were this Day read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Instructions for the Members of the House that are in their respective Counties, or are now appointed to repair thither, for the speedy Bringing in of Six Months Assessments of the Arrears upon the Ordinance of the Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem, for Preventing of Free Quarter, by paying the Army and Disbanding of supernumerary Forces.

1. YOU are, with all Speed, to make your Repair unto the County to which you are appointed to go.

2. You are, immediately upon your coming to the said County, and upon Receipt of these Instructions, to give Notice unto the Commissioners, Assessors, and Collectors, for the Sixty thousand Pounds Assessment, for their Meeting and Assembling together; and to communicate unto them the Ordinance passed for the speedy Payment of Six Months of the Assessments Arrears upon the Ordinance of Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem; and to press unto them the Necessity of the Dispatch of that Service, in order to the taking away of Free Quarter; and to let them know the great Expectation that the Parliament hath of their Diligence in that Business.

3. You are to employ your best Labour and Diligence, at publick Meetings, with the Gentlemen, and others, of your County, to satisfy them of the Necessity of the speedy Dispatch of this Business, according to the Times appointed by Ordinance of Parliament; and to let them know the Ease and Advantage that will accrue to their County, by their ready Payment of the said Six Months Arrear; and the Inconvenience that will fall upon them, by the Continuing or Coming of Soldiers to free Quarter among them, if they do not speedily pay the same.

4. You are, with all convenient Speed, to give Account unto the House of your Proceedings; and what Obstructions you shall meet with in the Carrying on of this Work; and what Likelihood, or Assurance, you shall have for the Bringing in of the Money by the Time appointed by the Parliament: And that you return the Name or Names of every Person or Persons that you shall find to be Hinderers or Opposers of this important Service.

5. You are to communicate these Instructions unto all such Members of the House of Commons as you shall find resident or abiding in your County, and to the rest of the Commissioners for the Sixty thousand Pounds Assessment; and require them to act and join with you in the promoting this Work, according to these Instructions, as in their and your Wisdoms shall be thought fit.

6. You are to give Notice to the Commissioners for the Sixty thousand Pounds Assessment, that one General Receiver, or Treasurer, is, by Order of Parliament, by them to be appointed, for the Collecting and Receiving of the whole Assessment of that County from the Collectors and Sub Collectors, with the Allowance of One Peny in the Pound to be made unto him for the Collecting and Paying in of the said Money: Which he is speedily to endeavour to receive, and in his Hands to keep, for the Payment of the Soldiers to be there disbanded, according to such Directions as he, or the Commissioners, shall receive from the Committee of the Army: And what shall then remain, to pay unto the Treasurers at War, in the Guildhall of London: By whom the said Peny in the Pound is to be allowed unto him.

7. Lastly, when Orders shall come from the General to disband any of the supernumerary Forces within your County, you are to assist that Service; and take care that the Accompts of the Officers and Soldiers, so to be disbanded, be audited and made up by the Commissioners, according to an Ordinance of Parliament in that behalf.

Assessments in Wales, &c.

Ordered, That Mr. Henry Herbert be excused for going down into South Wales, notwithstanding the Order Yesterday made.

Ordered, That Colonel Lloyd, Mr. Wogan, Colonel Davis, Major Robert Harley, and Mr. Arthur Owen, be likewise appointed to go into South Wales, for the speedy bringing in the Six Months Assessments of Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem.

Ordered, That Mr. Pury junior be appointed to repair into the County of Monmouth.

Ordered, That Colonel Alexander Popham and Mr. Jennour be employed, with the rest of the Members Yesterday appointed, to go into the County of Wilts.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Pierrepoint carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, an Ordinance concerning Free Quarter: An Ordinance for Payment of the Soldiers Arrears out of the Moiety of the Receipts of the Excise: An Ordinance for giving Power to the Committee of Indemnity to put in Execution the Ordinances concerning Apprentices: An Ordinance for stating the Armies Accompts: Additional Ordinance for the more effectual Relief of maimed Soldiers: An Ordinance for the Commissioners in the respective Counties to make a Receiver General in the respective Counties; Order for further Power to the Committee of Indemnity: Order for stating the Accompts of the Officers and Soldiers to be now disbanded: Ordinance for Payment of the Soldiers Arrears out of Two-thirds of Delinquents Estates in the Three First Qualifications: Ordinance for Payment of the Soldiers Arrears out of the remaining Part of Bishops Lands, not engaged: Explanatory Ordinance for paying Soldiers Arrears: Ordinance for impowering the Committee of Kent concerning the Matter of Indemnity: Addition of Commissioners to the County of Pembroke: Addition to the Commissioners for the County of Gloucester.

Church Government.

Mr. Tate according to an Order Yesterday, went to the Lords, to desire their Lordships to appoint a Time, that the Committee of Lords and Commons, appointed for removing Obstructions in the Point of Church Government, might meet.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Swynfen carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Ordinance for reimbursing Colonel John Birch a Debt of Two thousand Five hundred Pounds, laid out by him, out of the Receipts of the Excise, in Course, with Interest for the same, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. for the same: The Order for the Sheriff of Staffordsheire to live out of his County: The Order for an Hundred Pounds, out of the Revenue, for Sir Edward Povey, for Support of his present Necessities.

Petitions deferred.

Ordered, That the Petition now tendered by Mr. Edward Harby, and the Petition now tendered by Sir John Francklyn, be read on Monday Morning next.

Ven's Accompt.

Ordered, That, on Friday Morning next, the first Business after the Reports from Goldsmiths Hall, the Petition and Accompt of Colonel Ven be taken into Consideration.

Church Government.

Mr. Tate brings Answer, That the Lords have appointed Thursday next for the Committee of Lords and Commons to meet concerning the Classes, and for Removal of Obstructions in the Point of Church Government.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Swynfen brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Three Orders carried to them by him for their Concurrence.

Message to Lords.

Sir William Masham carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, an Ordinance for declaring the Commissioners of the Customs: An Ordinance for reimbursing the Commissioners of the Customs the Monies advanced, and to be advanced by them, for the Service of the Parliament, with the Interest due for the same: An Ordinance for the Payment of Five hundred Pounds apiece to Mr. Marshall and Mr. Nye, out of the concealed Estates of Delinquents.

Colonel Rainsborow.

A Letter from the General, of the Two-and-twentieth December 1647, from Windsore, concerning Colonel Rainsborow the Vice Admiral's going forthwith to his Charge at Sea, was this Day read.

The Question being put, That Colonel Thomas Rainsborow be required forthwith to repair to his Charge at Sea, as Vice Admiral;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Affirmative.

Commrs of Assessments.

Ordered, That Colonel Alexander Popham and Mr. Dove be appointed to repair into the County of Wilts, together with the rest of the Commissioners appointed for that County.

Ordered, That Colonel Thompson be appointed to repair to the Borough of Southwarke, for the speedy bringing in the Six Months Assessments of Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem.

Ordered, That Mr. Stoughton be appointed to repair into the County of Surrey, with the rest of the Members Yesterday appointed to repair thither, for the more speedy bringing in the monthly Assessments of Sixty thousand Pounds per mensem.

Leave of Absence.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Swynfen shall have Leave to go into the Country for Six Weeks.

Stafford Assessments.

Ordered, That Mr. Swinfen be employed, with the rest Yesterday appointed, to bring in the Six Months Arrears of the Sixty thousand Pounds Assessments in the County of Stafford.

Holy Days & Christmas not to be kept.

Whereas the House is informed, That divers Persons within the City of London, and late Lines of Communication, have, for their Obedience to the Ordinance of Parliament, for not observing such Days as were usually called Holy Days, and for opening their Shops on Christmas Days and such other Festival Days, suffered very many and great Affronts, Abuses, and Prejudices: It is Ordered, That the several and respective Committees of the Militia of London, Westminster, Hamlets, and Borough of Southwarke, do take care, that no such like Disturbance of the Peace be made, To-morrow, by any Malignants, or others.

To be forthwith printed and published.

Malignant Ministers.

Ordered, That the several Committees of the Militia of London, Westminster, Hamlets, and Borough of Southwarke, do take especial Care that all the Malignant Ministers, that have adhered to the Enemy, be forthwith put out of the late Lines of Communication, in pursuance of the Ordinance for putting Malignants out of the Lines of Communication.

To be forthwith printed and published.

Court of Wards.

Ordered, That, on Thursday next, the Report concerning the rest of the Officers of the Court of Wards be made.

Mr. Rigby.

Ordered, That on Thursday next, the Report concerning Mr. Edward Rigby be made.

Court of Wards.

Ordered, That the several Assignments formerly granted by Votes of the Ninth January 1646, upon the Lands of divers Delinquents excepted from Pardon, to the Master, Attorney, Surveyor, and Receiver of the late Court of Wards, respectively, in lieu of their Sufferings, and Loss of Offices in the said late Court, be now paid out of the Arrears of the said late Court of Wards: And the Committee of the Revenue are hereby required to pay the same, viz. to the Lord Say, late Master of the Court of Wards, or his Assignees, the Sum of Six thousand Pounds; to Sir Rowland Wandesford, late Attorney of the Court of Wards, or his Assignees, the Sum of Two thousand Five hundred Pounds: To Sir Benjamine Rudyard, late Surveyor of the Court of Wards, or his Assigns, the Sum of Three thousand Pounds; and to Mr. Charles Fleetwood, late Receiver of the Court of Wards, or his Assignees, the Sum of Two thousand Two hundred and Fifty Pounds; out of the Arrears of the said Court; the same being the Sums assigned unto them in Lands of Inheritance of Delinquents Estates excepted from Pardon.

Revenue Officers.

Ordered, That, on this Day Sevennight, the Names of the Officers appointed by the Committee of the Revenue, be brought in, for the Consideration and Approbation of the House.

Answer to Scotts Commissioners.

Mr. Selden, Mr. Marten, Mr. Nath. Fiennis, Mr. Pierrepont, are appointed to prepare an Answer to the Scotts Commissioners Papers, read on Friday and Saturday last; and to bring the same in with all convenient Speed.

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired in the Answer, formerly passed this House, to the Scotts Papers concerning the Disposal of the King's Person: And that the Lords be desired, That the said Answer may be reprinted.

Free Quarter.

Ordered, That the Committee of this House, now employed to the Army, shall have Power to confer and consider, with the Officers now sent from the Army, this Afternoon, upon the Paper now sent from the Army, touching Free Quarter.

This not to hinder their speedy Repair to the Army, according to former Directions.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Pierrepont brings Answer, That, to the Ordinance concerning a Committee to put in Execution the Ordinance of Indemnity in the County of Kent, the Lords will send Answer by Messengers of their own: To all the rest of the Matters carried by him the Lords do agree.

Conference desired.

Colonel Purefoy is appointed, To-morrow, to go to the Lords, to desire a Conference by Committees of both Houses, at such Time as their Lordships shall think fit, concerning the Election of Sheriffs.

Answer from Lords.

Sir William Masham brings Answer, That, to the Ordinance concerning Mr. Marshall and Mr. Nye, the Lords do agree: To the Ordinances for declaring the Commissioners of the Customs; and for reimbursing the Commissioners the Monies lent, and to be lent, by them; they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Officers, &c. Petition.

A Letter from the General, from Putney, of 8 Novembris 1647, was read; recommending to the Consideration of this House the humble Petition of Seven or Eight hundred Poor Officers, and Officers Widows, whose Tickets are yet unpaid, upon the Ordinance of Parliament, of the Sixteenth of June last: And likewise the Desires of the said Petitioners were all read.

Publick Accompts.

Ordered, That Mr. Broade, Mr. Wilcox, Mr. Bond, and Mr. Prince, do certify unto this House a List of the Accompts that have been taken by them, in pursuance of the Two late Ordinances, by which they meet and act; to the end that the House may then appoint some Satisfaction for such as they shall think fit.

Payment to Scott.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Revenue do pay forthwith, unto Mr. Thomas Scott, the Sum of Thirty Pounds, to be disposed by the Committee where he has the Chair, to the Informer, and others employed by them upon the Discovery of some Matters prejudicial to the Parliament.

Annoyances, &c. about the House.

Ordered, That Mr. Carter, the Surveyor do make such necessary Accommodations about this House, as may take away those great Annoyances that do much annoy the same, by ill Scents and Savours, that are occasioned by the Easements, and other Inconveniencies: And that he do take care, that all other fitting Accommodations be made in and about the same: And that the Committee of the Revenue do discharge the Charge thereof.

Butler's Pension.

Ordered, That the Committee of Sequestrations in the County of Dorsett do, out of the Sequestrations of the said County, allow and make constant and due Payment of the yearly Pension of Forty Pounds unto Lieutenant Thomas Butler, who lost both his Eyes in the Service of the Parliament.

Capt Wogan.

Ordered, That Captain Wogan, who was Yesterday appointed to go into Wales, be excused from going thither.

Petitions to be considered.

Ordered, That, on Thursday next, the Petition of Auditor Broade, and other Petitions and Reports concerning Officers, be taken into Consideration.