House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 17 March 1648

Die Veneris, 17 Martii, 1647.

Bailing Prisoners.

WHEREAS, by Order of the Eighth of March 1647, it was ordered, That Sir William Man, Francis Lovelace, and Avery Sabine, should be forthwith bailed; and it was referred to the Two next Justices of the Peace in the County of Kent, to take their Ball accordingly: It is this Day Ordered, That it be referred to any Two Justices of the Peace in the County of Kent, forthwith to bail the said Sir William Man, Francis Lovelace, and Avery Sabine.

Great Seal.

Ordered, That, in the Order of Fifteenth Martii, the Commissioners of the Great Seal therein named, be authorized to sign, as well as to seal Commissions, Patents, &c.

Wither's Arrears.

An Ordinance for paying unto Major George Wither the Sum of One thousand Six hundred Eighty-one Pounds Sixteen Shillings and Eight-pence, out of the Receipts of the Excise, in Course, in Satisfaction of his Arrears, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Coote's Arrears.

An Ordinance for paying unto Sir Charles Coote the Sum of Two thousand Pounds, with Interest for the same, payable every Six Months, to be accounted in Part of his Arrears, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Consession of Faith.

According to former Order, the House proceeded to the further Consideration of the humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines, concerning a Confession of Faith; and resumed the Consideration of the Eighth Paragraph of the First Chapter, intituled, "Of the Holy Scripture:" And

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree to the said Eighth Paragraph, in these Words; viz.

"The Old Testament, in Hebrew (which was the Native Language of the People of God, of old), and the New Testament, in Greek (which, at the Time of the Writing of it, was most generally known to the Nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular Care and Providence kept pure in all Ages, are therefore authentical; so as in all Controversies of Religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them: But, because these original Tongues are not known to all the People of God, who have Right unto, and Interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the Fear of God, to read and search them; therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar Language of every Nation unto which they come; that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner; and, through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures, may have Hope."

The House proceeded to the Consideration of the Title of the Advice of the Assembly of Divines, concerning a Confession of Faith.

The Question was propounded, That these Words, "A Confession of Faith," be in the Question:

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

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That This shall be the Title; "Articles of Christian Religion, approved and passed by both Houses of Parliament, after Advice had with the Assembly of Divines by Authority of Parliament sitting at Westminster."

Ordered, That a Conference be desired with the Lords, upon the Advice of the Assembly of Divines, concerning a Confession of Faith: And that the Alterations and Omissions made in the same, by this House, be declared and delivered at that Conference.

Mr. Swynfen, Mr. Rous, Sir Wm. Erle, and Mr. Boyes, appointed Managers of this Conference.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Love carried to the Lords, for their Concurrence, an additional Ordinance for raising Eight thousand Pounds per Annum, for the Prince Elector: Order for calling in the Letters Patents granted to Sir John Gibson, for the sole Making and Sale of Alums: Order for Fourteen hundred and Forty Pounds Seven Shillings Seven-pence to be paid to Captain Samuell Gardiner: Order for Interest of Fourteen hundred and Forty Pounds Seven Shillings Seven-pence to be paid to Captain Samuell Gardiner: Order for Seven hundred Pounds to be paid to Captain Samuell Gardiner: Order for Mr. Sallway senior, to be restored to the Office of Remembrancer in the Exchequer: Order for pardoning Sir Humble Ward: Order for pardoning the Delinquency of Sir John Fitzherbert and Sir Andrew Knifton: Two Orders for Payment of the Sum of Nineteen thousand Two hundred and Fifty Pounds Six Shillings and Three-pence to Richard Turner, Maurice Gethin, Tempest Milner, and Richard Wollaston; viz. One Moiety out of the Grand Excise, in Course; and the other out of the Receipts at GoldsmithsHall: Ordinance for paying the Sum of Sixteen hundred Eighty-one Pounds Sixteen Shillings and Eight-pence unto Major Wither: Ordinance authorizing Henry Earl of Kent, and Wm. Lord Grey of Warke, until the Tenth of April next, to sign and seal Commissions, Patents, &c.: An additional Ordinance for Explanation of former Orders for Sale of Bishops Lands: Ordinance for proportioning Reversions unto Possessions of Bishops Lands after the Rate of Ten Years Purchase: Order, Sir Antho Irby to be added to the Committee of Westminster-College: Ordinance for Payment of Two thousand Pounds to Sir Charles Coote.

Answer.

Mr. Love brings Answer, That the Lords do concur in the Order for authorizing the Commissioners of the Great Seal to sign and seal, &c.: And, to the rest, the Lords will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Consession of Fath.

Ordered, That this Day Fortnight, the House do take into Consideration, the first Business, those Clauses and Chapters of the Articles of Christian Religion, that are not yet assented unto, but respited to further Consideration.

Settling Ministers, &c.

Ordered, That, Friday next, the Ordinance for settling Ministers in Churches; and for Building and Repair of Churches, be read: And that no other Matters be taken into Consideration that Day.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Nelthorpe carried to the Lords the Vote for enjoining the Judge of the Admiralty to proceed to Judgment in the Case of the Mariners in the Ship Sun: The Order for Two thousand Pounds to be paid to the Lord Broghill out of the Excise, in Course: The Order for adding Mr. Henry Lawrence and Mr. Westrowe to the Committee of Foreign Plantations.

Answer.

Mr. Nelthorpe brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to all the Particulars of his Message.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Dr. Bennett and Mr. Eltonhead;

The Lords have commanded us to put you in mind of a Message formerly sent, touching a Pass for Twenty Horses for the French King-They have sent the List of the Commanders of the next Summer's Fleet; which they have agreed unto:-An Ordinance to make the Lord Broghill Master of the Ordinance of Ireland, in the place of Sir John Borlase, lately deceased:-The Lady Borlase her Petition; which they recommend to the Consideration of this House: -A Petition of the Earl of Worcester's Daughters:-A Petition of the Inhabitants of Barton, in Com Lincolne; and desire to put this House in mind of an Order that was formerly sent upon the Petition of the said Inhabitants:- An Order for passing the Grant to Dr. Hill of the Mastership of Trinity-College under the Great Seal.

Transporting Horses to France.

Ordered, That the French Ambassador shall have a Pass under Mr. Speaker's Hand, for the Transportation of Twenty Horses for the French King's Service; provided that they be passed all at one time, and at one Port: And that he do signify unto Mr. Speaker the Port at which he intends to pass them; to the end it may be expressed in the Pass.

Memorandum,

That Care be taken there be but one Copy of this Order ever given out.

Ordered, That Colonel Bingham and Colonel Sednham do acquaint the French Ambassador with the Quality of Monsieur De Shiveries, that pretended some Authority for Transporting of Horses into France; That he was in Arms against the Parliament; and, being taken, did break Prison, and escaped: That, notwithstanding this, the Parliament, out of their Respects to the French King, have granted his Desires; but withal desire, That Persons that have been such Enemies to the Parliament, may not, in Affront to them, be employed upon such Occasions.

Duchy Seal.

Ordered, That Sir Anthony Irby do bring in an Ordinance for the Lord Grey of Warke and Mr. Speaker to deliver the Seal of the Duchy to Sir Gilbert Gerard.

New England

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Plantations, to prepare and bring in an Ordinance for the Encouragement and Advance of Piety and Learning in the Plantation of New-England.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir John Palgrave have Leave to go into the Country.

Comptroller of Customs.

Whereas Maurice Jones, late Comptroller of the Customs in the Port of Londonderry in Ireland, and Members thereof, is lately dead; and the said Office is now void: It is Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That George Downeing, Gentleman, be appointed and constituted Comptroller of the Customs of Londonderry aforesaid, and Members thereof, in the place of the said Maurice Jones; to have, and to hold, the said Office of Comptroller of the Customs of Londonderry, and the Ports adjacent, during the natural Life of the said George Downeing, with all Fees, Profits, Commodities, and Emoluments, to the said Office of Right belonging, in as large, beneficial, and ample Manner and Form, to all Intents and Purposes, as the said Maurice Jones had held, or enjoyed the same.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Lv. Borlase's Claims.

Ordered, That the Committee of Irish Affairs, sitting in the Star-Chamber do take into their Consideration the Petition of Dame Alice Borlase; and to examine, What is due to her; and to state the Case, and report the same to this House; together with their Opinions for some way of Relief for her.

Barton upon Humber.

Ordered, That the Ordinance touching the Town of Barton upon Humber in the County of Lincolne, be referred to the Committee for Burning: Who are to take . . . same into their Consideration; and to consider of a way for their Relief, next after such Towns and Places as have suffered by the Enemy; or that have been burnt, and ruined by the Forces of the Parliament.

Places burnt by the Enemy.

Ordered, That on Wednesday Sevennight, Mr. Doddridge do bring in the Reports in his Hands, touching Towns and Places, burned and ruined by the Enemy, or by the Forces of the Parliament.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Miles Corbett and Colonel Booth have Leave to go into the Country.

Impeachments.

Ordered, That Mr. Challoner do carry to the Lords the Impeachments against the Aldermen of the City of London' passed this House; which Mr. Miles Corbett was formerly ordered to carry to them.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Dr. Bennett and Mr. Eltonhead;

The Lords have commanded us to return the Ordinance for providing Arms for Northumberland, and other Northern Counties; with some Amendments: The Ordinance for Satisfaction of Colonel Whaley's Arrears; with Amendments likewise: In both which they desire the Concurrence of this House:-A Report from the Committee of Sequestrations, concerning Mr. Robert Harvey: Which the Lords agree to; and desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Amendments to the Order for providing of Arms for Northumberland, Newcastle, &c. were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

The Amendments to the Order for Satisfaction of Colonel Edward Whalleye's Arrears were read; and the First assented unto; which were for giving Days of Payment of the Sum mentioned in the Ordinance.

As to the Second,

It is Resolved, &c. That the House will adhere to the Ordinance as it went from hence. And

It is Ordered, That, at the next Conference that shall be desired with the Lords, touching the Articles of Christian Religion, this be communicated to the Lords.

Ld. Broghill.

An Ordinance to make the Lord Broghill Master of the Ordnance in the Kingdom of Ireland, in the place of Sir John Borlace, deceased, now sent from the Lords, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed.

Master of Trin. College.

An Order for passing under the Great Seal the Grant to Doctor Hill, of Master of Trinity College, was read; and, upon the Question, passed.

Navy.

The Names of such Persons as are appointed to be Commanders of the Parliament's Ships and Vessels, appointed to be set forth for the next Summer's Fleet, now sent from the Lords, were read; and all agreed unto, excepting that whereas the Lords appointed Captain Ben. Cranley to be Captain of the Antelope, this House hath appointed Captain Edward Hall; and whereas the Lords appointed Captain John Bowen to be Captain of the Phænix, this House hath appointed Captain Owen Cox; and Captain John Bowen Captain of the Recovery; and desire the Lords Concurrence herein.

The List, so amended, is as followeth; viz.

Upon Report now made from the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports:

It is this Day Ordered, That the Pelican Frigate, and an Irish Man of War, called the Angel, who from that Committee are recommended as very useful Vessels, be added to the next Summer's Fleet: And that it be referred to that Committee, to take Order, That they may be fitted and set forth to Sea, accordingly.

Ordered, That Captain Brookes be recommended to the Committee, to command One of those Frigates.

Ireland.

Ordered, That on Wednesday Morning next, the first Business, the additional Ordinance for Ireland, be read and taken into Consideration.

Earl of Worcester's Daughters.

The humble Petition of Anne and Elizabeth, Daughters of Edward Earl of Worcester, was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That this Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee where Mr. Wheeler has the Chair, to which Committee the Petition of the Lady Onora Obryan is referred: With an Injunction to that Committee, to take care of the said Lady Onora Obryan, that she be provided for, in the first Place; and that then they consider of some fitting Provision to be made for the Petitioners; and report it to the House.

Soldiers for Ireland.

Sir William Armyn reports Articles of Agreement between the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland at DerbyHouse, and Major Mathias Westmerland, for the carrying of Six hundred Men into Ireland, for the Regiment of Colonel Conway: The which were all read; and, upon the Question, approved of; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

The said Articles of Agreement follow in hæc verba; viz.

1. The said Major Westmerland doth agree and undertake, with the said Committee, that he will raise and transport Six hundred private Soldiers into Ireland for the Regiment of Colonel Conway.

2. That the said Six hundred Men shall be at Leverpoole, or Chester, ready to be transported by the Thirtieth of March present.

3. That they shall not, after that Time, omit any Opportunity of Wind and Weather for their Transportation.

4. That for the greater Ease of those Parts, at the Water side, they will, from time to time, embarque, and take Passage, as there shall be Fifty private Soldiers, or more, come thither.

5. That they the said private Soldiers, or any of their Officers, shall not take any Free-Quarter; either in their March, or in their Quarters by the Way, or at the Water-side.

6. That, after they are come to the Water-side, he will allow and pay Six-pence per diem for every private Soldier for their Quarter, for the Ease and Contentment of the Country.

7. That, for Performance hereof, he will give good Security.

Upon Condition,

1. That he the said Mathias Westmerland may be Major of the said Regiment.

2. That he may have the Election of Three Captains (whereof Captain Landon to be One), Three Lieutenants, Three Ensigns, Twelve Serjeants, Twelve Drums, Fifteen Corporals, and Two Gentlemen at Arms, all to be approved by this Committee.

3. That himself, and the rest of the Commission-Officers, may receive Commissions from this Committee.

4. That, for himself, and the rest of the Officers abovementioned, he may have an Assignment of a Month's Pay, according to the Establishment for Ireland, out of the Twenty thousand Pounds upon the Excise, in Course.

5. That, for Five hundred private Soldiers, he may have a Month's Pay, and Five Shillings for each Man, for their Transportation; for which he is to have the like Assignment out of the Excise, as aforesaid.

6. That for One hundred private Soldiers, he may have Fifteen Shillings for each Soldier, ready Money, for the whole Charge of Raising and Transportation.

7. That, for the Ease and Satisfaction of the Country, he may have Allowance of Six-pence per diem for every Soldier that shall come to the Water-side, as abovesaid, after the Thirtieth Day of March; and, after that the Number of Fifty shall be come thither, for all the Time they are in Expectation of Wind and Weather, or of Shipping; to be likewise assigned out of the Twenty thousand Pounds upon the Excise, in Course: And the said Assignment to be made, when the Numbers of Men, and the Time of their Continuance there, shall be certified by Mr. Charles Whalley, or any other whom this Committee shall appoint for that Service.

8. That for all the said Money, which is to be assigned upon the Excise, he may have the Addition of Ten Pounds per Cent. and Interest at Eight per Cent. per Annum, until it shall be paid, in Course.

9. That the Committee will take Order for Shipping to be ready, either in Chester or Leverpoole Waters, for their Transportation; he paying the usual Rates for Transportation.

10. That these Soldiers may be armed at the State's Charge, either to be sent from hence with them, or else to be provided for them when they shall come to the Regiment.

Ordered, That the Monies, now appointed to be issued out of the Twenty thousand Pounds, formerly charged upon the Excise, in Course, for Supply of the Forces in Lemster, for the Advance of the Forces agreed by Major Mathias Westmerland to be transported into Ireland, be repaid unto the said Province of Lemster, out of the first Monies that shall come in for Ireland.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired in this Order, and the precedent Articles.

Adjournment.

Ordered, That the House, at Rising, do adjourn itself till Monday Morning next, Eight of Clock: And that, notwithstanding this Adjournment, the Grand Committee for the Fens do meet To-morrow, at Eight of Clock: And that all other Committees do likewise meet, notwithstanding the Adjournment.

Sir Thomas Hampson, &c.

Ordered, That, on Thursday next, the first Business, peremptorily after the Reports at Goldsmiths Hall, the Report concerning Sir Thomas Hampson be made: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof: And that he do then likewise put the House in mind of the Engagements of the Chesheir Gentlemen.

Scotts Officers Arrears.

An Ordinance for paying out of the Receipts of the Excise, in Course, the Sum of Thirteen thousand Seven hundred and Seventy-four Pounds Seven Shillings and Halfpeny to certain Scotts Officers, contained in a List reported by Mr. Swynfen, in full of the Arrears due to the said Officers, upon their Entertainment in the Service of the Parliament, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned to the First Message; That this House has considered their Lordships Message: And, as to the Pass for Twenty Horses for the French King; to the List of the Commanders of the next Summer's Fleet, except the Ship Antilop, and the Phenix; to the Ordinance for making the Lord Broghill, Master of the Ordnance in Ireland; to the Ordinance for passing the Grant of the Mastership of Trinity College to Dr. Hill; they do agree: To the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned to the Second Message; That this House has considered their Lordships Message: And, as to the Amendments in the Ordinance concerning the Arms for Northumberland, &c. they do agree: To the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Lord Wharton's Acquittance.

The humble Petition of Phillipp Lord Wharton, was this Day read.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, That the Lord Wharton, and his Assigns, be and hereby are fully acquitted and discharged of and from the Sum of Two thousand Pounds, lent and furnished unto him for Supply of his present Necessities, upon an Order of both Houses, of 17 Julii 1645, by the Committee of Lords and Commons for advance of Monies sitting at Haberdashers Hall; and of and from all Demands whatsoever, for or in respect of the said Two thousand Pounds, so lent and furnished, as aforesaid: And the said Committee, and all others whom it doth or may concern, are hereby required to take Notice hereof; and to acquit and discharge the said Lord Wharton, and his Assigns, accordingly; the said Order, or any Thing to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding.

The Lords Concurrence, &c.

According to Order, the House adjourned till Monday next; Eight of Clock.