House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 25 February 1648

Die Veneris, 25 Februarii, 1647.

Prayers.

Leave of Absence

ORDERED, That Mr. Lister, a Member of this House, shall have Liberty to go into the Country.

Prince Elector.

Ordered, That, on Tuesday next the Prince Elector' Ordinance be reported.

Clerk of the Crown in Lancaster.

The Petition of Edward Rigby, of Graye's Inn, junior, Son of Alexander Rigby Esquire, for the Office of Clerk of the Crown in the County of Lancaster during his Life, being void by the Delinquency of Alexander Rigby, of Burgh, Esquire, was this Day read.

The Question was propounded, That the Office of the Clerk of the Crown in the County of Lancaster be bestowed upon Edward Rigby, of Graie's Inn, younger Son of Alexander Rigby Esquire, a Member of this House:

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

It passed with the Negative.

Ordered, That Wm. Ashhurst Esquire be, and is hereby, constituted and appointed Clerk of the Crown in the County Palatine of Lancaster; to have and hold the said Office, with all the Advantages, Profits, Rights, and Emoluments, thereunto, of Right, lawfully belonging and appertaining, during his natural Life; the same being void by the Delinquency of Alexander Rigby, of Burgh Esquire: And the Clerk of the Duchy, or such other Person, to whom it appertains, is hereby authorized and required to prepare a grant of the said Office, in usual Form, to the said Wm. Ashhurst, as aforesaid, accordingly: And the Chancellor, or Chancellors, of the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster, for the Time being, are hereby likewise authorised and required to pass the said Grant, so prepared, under the Seals of the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster, acordingly.

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

Mr. Swynfen is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

Consession of Faith.

Ordered, That, on Wednesday Morning next, the first Business, the House do proceed in the Consession of Faith, in like manner as they should have done this Day.

Mutiny of Frenche's Troop.

A Letter from Major Robert Harley, from Walford Court in the County of Hereford, was this Day read.

Ordered, That it be recommended to his Excellency, speedily to suppress the tumultuous and mutinous Carriage and Insolencies of Captain Frenche's Troop, upon their Disbanding; to send for the principal Actors and Officers, and to punish them according to their Demerits, as well for the Mutiny, as for affronting Major Harley, employed in that Service by this House; and to disband and disperse the rest; and to disarm them of Horse and Arms; and to take care for the speedy and vigorous Proceeding in the Disbanding of the other Supernumeraries; and punishing such as shall make Obstructions; and suppressing all such tumultuous Motions as may arise thereupon, to the Endangering of the Peace of the Kingdom.

Ordered, That a Letter of Thanks, from this House, be returned to Major Robert Harley, for his faithful and diligent Discharge of his Trust in that Service, in disbanding the Supernumeraries, wherein he is employed by this House.

Mr. Scawen is appointed to prepare this Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker.

Harley's Arrears.

Ordered, That the Committee of Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies at Haberdashers Hall, do give Order, That the Sum of Five hundred Pounds be forthwith paid unto Major Robert Harley, or his Assignee, upon Account; to be allowed in Part of the Arrears due unto him upon his Entertainment in the Service of the Parliament.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Copies of Indictments.

Ordered, That Mr. Solicitor General grant his Warrant to the Officer, in whose Custody the Indictments of Mervin Lord Awdley Earl of Castlehaven, and Henry Skipwith Esquire, are, to make Copies of the said Indictments for James Risley Esquire; he having a Suit depending for certain Lands in Wilteshire, called Fountell Farm, to which he lays Claim by virtue of a Lease from Richard then Bishop of Winchester; which Lands escheated to the said Bishop by the Attainder of the said Earl of Castlehaven and Henry Skipwith Esquire; the said James Risley being to have a Tryal at Law for the same at the next Assizes at Salisbury, to enable him to proceed to the said Tryal.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Colonel Crompton, a Member of this House, shall have Liberty to go into the Country.

Privilege-Jennings' Suit.

Whereas, by former Order, Mr. Jennings, a Member of this House, was ordered to wave his Privilege and to answer to the Suit of Mrs. Alice Jennyngs, his Sister: He having not yet answered the same; it is Ordered, That the said Mr. Jennings do forthwith put in his Answer: And Mr. Prideaux, who is of his Counsel, is to speak to him to put in his Answer, accordingly; and to report his Answer on Tuesday next.

Answer to Scotts.

Ordered, That the House do proceed with the Answer to the Scotts last Papers, touching the Four Bills and Propositions presented to the King at the Isle of Wight, the first Business, without any other Business intervening.