House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 3 August 1648

Die Jovis, 3 Augusti, 1648,

Prayers.

General Assembly of Scotland.

MR. Swynfen reports the Draught of a Letter to be sent to the General Assembly of the Church of Scottland.

Which was this Day read by Parts; and, upon the Question, every Part agreed unto.

And after, the whole Letter being put to the Question, was agreed unto.

Ordered, That the said Letter be sent to the General Assembly of the Church of Scottland.

And it is further Ordered, That the Committee at Derby House be desired to send this Letter away forthwith.

Releasing Navy Officers.

Colonel Thompson reports from the Committee of the Navy, touching the releasing Officers of the Navy in Custody.

Ld. Powlett.

Ordered, That the Report, touching the Lord Powlett's Business, be made on Saturday Morning next.

Bailing Navy Officers.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, if they see Cause, to take Bail of certain Officers of the Navy, now in Custody with the Deputy to the Serjeant at Arms, concerning the late Insurrection in the County of Kent: And it is referred to the Committee of the County of Kent, to take the Examination of the said Parties, and their Activeness in the said Insurrection.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords have commanded us to impart some Letters to this House: First, The Lord Admiral's Letter to the Committee at Derby House, for an Ordinance for Martial Law at Sea: A Letter from the Governor of Oxford, touching the Tryal of some Prisoners engaged in an Oath of Secrecy to have betrayed that Garison: A Letter from the Isle of Ely: A Report from the Committee at Derby House, for granting a Commission to Captain William Carter, to command a Troop of Horse in Cheshire.

Capt. Greene, &c.

A Letter from Sir Michaell Levesay from Sandwich, Thirtieth July 1648, was this Day read.

A Letter from Robert Long, of the Twenty-eighth of July 1648, was this Day read.

Ordered, That a Letter be signed by Mr. Speaker, to be sent to Sir Michael Levesey, That he do not disenarge Captain Greene, nor any of the Men taken with him, without Order from this House.

Mr. Greene is to prepare this Letter.

Gravesend Fort, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Kent, to view the Fort at Gravesend; and to consider, Whether it may be made tenable; and to make the same tenable, if it may be: And it is referred to the Committee of the Navy, if it can be made tenable, to supply the said Fort with Ordnance; and to furnish it with Guns.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Kent, to consider of Quinborough Castle . . .Quinborough Castle, can be made tenable: And, if it can be made tenable, it is referred to the Committee of the Army to furnish it with Guns.

Newcastle, &c. Garisons.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy do give Answer to the Masters of Ships, who have petitioned this House concerning the Laying on of Four Shillings upon a Chaldron of Coals, That there was an inevitable Necessity of laying on the said Imposition, for and towards the Maintenance and Preservation of the Garisons of Newcastle and Tynmouth Castle: And that this House intends to continue the same no longer than Necessity requires.

Tryal of Prisoners.

Ordered, That the General be desired and enjoined to give Order for the speedy Tryal of the Prisoners, who were engaged in an Oath of Secrecy to betray the Garison of Oxford, by Martial Law, for their attempting to betray the said Garison: And that a Letter be written to the General to that Purpose.

Sir Robert Harley is to prepare the Letter.

Lyme, &c. Garisons.

A Letter from John Hobart, from Outwell, of the Oneand-thirtieth of July 1648, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the said Letter be referred to the Committee of the Eastern Association, who are to sit this Afternoon, to consider how the Garisons of Lyme and Croyland may be supplied with Men, in case the Soldiers of those Garisons do march away: And that the said Committee do resort to the Committee at Derby House; to advise together how to raise Money for Pay for the Soldiers to be appointed for the said Garisons.

Cheshire Forces.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That a Commission be granted to Captain William Carter, to command a Troop of Horse in Chesheire.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the County of Chester, to put the several Ordinances in Execution; and to raise Money to pay Captain Carter's Troop; and to provide Ammunition for the Garison of Chester.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Prisoners.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Derby House, to secure the Prisoners mentioned in the Letter of Colonel Jones.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House hath considered of their Lordships Message; and do agree, That Captain Carter have a Commission granted him, to command a Troop of Horse in Chesheire.

Treaty with the King.

Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Walter Erle, Mr. Fines, Sir Robert Pye;

This Committee are to prepare Instructions for the Committee appointed to go to his Majesty, touching the Treaty.

Bishops Lands.

Ordered, That the Trustees for Sale of Bishops Lands be required and enjoined forthwith to print the Ordinance, of the Twenty-fourth of July 1648, for the more speedy satisfying the Monies lent upon the Credit of the Ordinances for Sale o Bishops Lands; and to publish the same.

Committee to the King.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Customs do, this Afternoon, out of the Monies in Question touching the old Customs, advance the Sum of One hundred Pounds, upon Account, towards defraying the Charges of the Committee appointed to go to his Majesty about the Treaty for a Peace with his Majesty: And that the said Committee be allowed and paid the Residue of their Charges, to be expended, by the Committee of the Revenue, upon Account.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Mr. Greene is to carry it to the Lords.

Letters, &c. from Prince of Wales.

The House being informed, that the Sheriffs, Aldermen, and other Citizens of the City of London, were at the Door;

They were called in: And Sheriff Byde informed the House, that the Merchant Adventurers brought a Letter last Night to the Common Council, from the Prince; and a Declaration, therein inclosed, from the Prince: Copies of both which they presented to the House: And also a Petition from the Governor and Company of Merchant Adventurers of England; and a Copy of the Letter from the Prince thereunto annexed.

Which said Letters, Declaration, and Petition (after the said Aldermen, Citizens, and Petitioners, were withdrawn), were all read.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor be required to send the original Letters and Declaration, sent to him, and the Common Council of the City of London, from the Prince of Wales, to this House, To-morrow Morning: And that the Clerks or Officers, in whose Custody the said Letters and Declaration are, do attend, with the original Letters and Declaration, at the Bar of this House, Tomorrow Morning at Eight of Clock.

Ordered, That the Letters and Declaration, sent to the Lord Mayor and Common Council of the City of London, be taken into Debate, To-morrow Morning at Ten of Clock: And that Mr. Speaker do put the House in mind thereof.

Militia.

Ordered, That on Saturday Morning next, Sir Robert Harley do report the Ordinance for settling the Militia of the Kingdom, the first Business; nothing to intervene.

Treaty with the King.

Mr. Wheeler reports Instructions for the Committee appointed to go to the King.

Which were read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence: Which were as followeth; viz.

Instructions from both Houses of the Parliament of England, for James Earl of Middlesex, Sir John Hippesley Knight, and John Bulkley Esquire, Committees of Parliament.

1. YOU or any Two of you, whereof one to be a Lord, shall, with all Speed, repair unto his Majesty, at the Castle of Carisbrooke, in the Isle of Wight.

2. You, or any Two of you, whereof one to be a Lord, shall present unto his Majesty the Resolutions of both Houses of Parliament, concerning a personal Treaty to be had with his Majesty, in the Isle of Wight.

3. You, or any Two of you, whereof one to be a Lord, shall desire his Majesty's speedy Answer to the said Resolutions.

4. You, or any Two of you, whereof one to be a Lord, are to acquaint his Majesty, that you are only allotted Ten Days, from Friday next, for your Going, Stay, and Return.

5. You, or any Two of you, whereof one to be a Lord, shall have Power, in case his Majesty desires to see the Propositions, as were presented to him at Hampton Court, to present him a Copy of them.

Letters, &c. from Prince of Wales.

Ordered, That Mr. Humble, or such other Person, that brought the Letter from the Prince of Wales to the Merchant Adventurers, be sent for in safe Custody, as a Delinquent.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor and Common Council of the City of London be, and are hereby enjoined not to proceed further in giving any Answer to the Letters or Declaration, sent to them by the Prince of Wales, or further to proceed thereupon, until this House take further Order.

Ordered, That the Governor, Deputy, Assistants, and Fellowship of Merchant Adventurers of England, be, and are hereby enjoined not to proceed any further in petitioning the Prince of Wales, or making any other Addresses to him, nor do any Act concerning the same, untilthe House take further Order.

Mr. Bedding feild is to take care to give Notice of this Order.

Ordered, That the House do take into Consideration, To-morrow Morning, next after the Letter and Declaration of the Prince of Wales, How Trade may be secured, and particular Merchants, that shall or have been damaged without their own Default, may be repaired for their Damages.

Ordered, That the Citizens and Burgesses of London do forthwith give notice to the Lord Mayor, of the several Votes made, touching the Letters and Declaration received from the Prince of Wales.

Sir Thomas Soame and Colonel Venne are to take care, that Notice be given accordingly.

Committee to the King.

Mr. Greene brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Order for Advance of One hundred Pounds towards the Charges of the Committee appointed to go to his Majesty, touching the Treaty for Peace.

Ld. Forbes.

Ordered, That the Lord Forbes his Business be heard, the first Business, on Saturday Morning next.

Letters, &c. from Prince of Wales.

The Sheriffs and Citizens being again called in; Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, gave them this Answer;

Mr. Sheriffs,

The House has read the Copies of the Letter and Declaration; but expected the Originals to be brought to them; and intend to take them into serious Debate To-morrow Morning; and have ordered, that the Originals be brought hither To-morrow Morning: And have ordered and enjoined the Lord Mayor and Common Council not to proceed upon them in the mean time.

Mr. Alderman,

The House has commanded me to give this Answer to the Petition and Letter of the Governor and Merchant Adventurers; That the House requires them to bring the original Letter, sent to them, To-morrow Morning, to the Bar of this House; and that they proceed not in presenting any Petition, or making any Addresses, to the Prince of Wales, until this House take further Order: And that this House has ordered the taking into Consideration, To-morrow Morning, How Trade may be secured and particular Merchants repaired for their Damages.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords have commanded us to bring unto you the Instructions for the Commissioners that are to go to his Majesty, touching the Treaty for Peace; with some Additions; and a further Instruction, "That the said Committee have Power, in case his Majesty desires to see the Propositions presented to him at Hampton Court, to present to him a Copy of them: "Wherein they desire the Concurrence of this House: And to acquaint you, That the Lords have resolved, That Mr. Babbington, the King's sworn Servant, may be permitted to go down with the Committee to the King in the Isle of Wight, there to wait upon his Majesty as his Barber. The Lords have commanded us to put you in mind of Mr.Osborne, and Mr. Dowsett; and of the Petition of Mrs. Pigott.

Conference desired.

Ordered, That the Lords be desired to grant a Conference, on Saturday next, touching Mr. Rolse.

Payment to Osborn, &c.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Customs do pay the Sum of One hundred Pounds forthwith, unto Lieuteuant Colonel Wm. Osborn, and Captain John Spencer, who went to the Isle of Wight with Mr. Haliburton to the King, out of the Monies in Question touching the old Customs, for their Charges and Expence, disbursed and to be disbursed about that Service: And their Acquittance or Acquittances, for Receipt thereof, shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to the said Commissioners, or such other Person or Persons as shall pay the same.

Correspondence with Holland.

Mr. Knightley reports from the Committee at Derby House, their Opinion touching a Letter to be sent to the States of Zeland.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to prepare the like Letter to be sent to the Estates of Holland, as was written to the Provincial States of Zeland.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned to Second Message, by the same Messengers; That the House has considered of your Message: And, as to Mr. Babington's going to his Majesty, to wait upon him as his Barber; and to the Instructions for the Committee to repair to his Majesty to the Isle of Wight; they agree: to the rest they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.