House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 1 June 1644

Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1802.

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'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 1 June 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644, (London, 1802) pp. 513-515. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/pp513-515 [accessed 19 March 2024]

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In this section

Die Sabbati, Junii 1, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Money for Lyme.

ORDERED, That Five hundred Pounds of the Monies to be brought into the Chancery by Mr. Hatton, shall be borrowed and employed for the Use and Benefit of the Town of Lyme; to be paid to Mr. Prideaux, or Mr. Rose, or their Assignees.

Register of Chancery.

Ordered, That Mr. Knightley do carry up the Ordinance concerning Mr. Long's being Register of the High Court of Chancery.

Kent, &c. Association.

Ordered, That Mr. Lisle do bring in an Ordinance for continuing the Ordinance concerning the associating the Four Counties of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and Hants, under the Command of Sir Wm. Waller.

Meldrum's Arrears.

The humble Petition of Jane Meldrum, Relict of Colonel John Meldrum, lately deceased; desiring the Arrears of her late Husband's Entertainment, to relieve her in her present Necessity, was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That Two hundred Pounds, of the first Monies as shall come in to the Chancery, or be paid in to Mr. Speaker, Master of the Rolls, by Mr. Hatton, late Usher of the High Court of Chancery, in whose Hands divers Sums, to a great Value, are deposited, shall be paid unto the said Mrs. Meldrum, towards the Discharge of the said Entertainment due unto her late Husband.

Money in Chancery.

Ordered, That Mr. Hatton, late Usher of the Court of Chancery, do, by Monday next, at Eight of Clock, pay in Four thousand Eight hundred Sixty odd Pounds to Mr. Speaker, Master of the Rolls, being the Money that has been brought in by several Persons into the Court of Chancery, and is conceived to belong to several Delinquents; or otherways that he stand committed to the Fleet during the Pleasure of the House.

And whereas, for the Non-payment and bringing in of the said Monies, according to his Duty, the said Mr. Hatton is secured in the Fleet; It is further Ordered, That he do there stand so secured and committed in the mean time: And the Warden of the Fleet is hereby required to detain him accordingly.

Suffolk, &c. Association.

An Ordinance for putting the associated Counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, &c. into a Posture of Defence, by the better regulating of the Train Bands, and raising other Forces of Horse and Foot, for the Preservation and Safety of the said Counties and Cities, was this Day read the Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto the Committee of the associated Counties; with the Addition of Mr. Millington, Mr. Reynolds, Sir Rob. Pye: And are to meet upon it on Monday next, at Two of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber.

Stores for Plymouth.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy do give Order unto the Lieutenant of the Ordnance, to deliver unto the Committee for Plymouth, &c. or to such Person whom they shall assign to receive the same, for the Use of Plymouth, One hundred Barrels of Powder, out of the Store of the Navy: And

It is further Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the Ordnance do replenish the said Store of the Navy, with the like Proportion of One hundred Barrels, out of the Powder which shall be next delivered into the Office of the Ordnance, for the Use of the Armies and Forts, by Mr. Cordewell: And the Committee of the Safety are desired to issue a Warrant accordingly.

Shropshire.

Mr. Millington reports the Additions and Amendments to the Ordinance concerning Shropshire: The which were twice read; and the Ordnance ordered to be ingrossed, with the Amendments.

Members Assessment.

An Assessment upon the Lands and Goods of the Members and Attendants of the House of Commons within the several Places mentioned, for the raising of Six thousand Nine hundred Sixty-two Pounds Four Shillings per Month, charged upon the Cities of London and Westminster, the Hamlets of the Tower, the Borough of Southwarke, and all other Parishes and Places within the Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality, for Four Months, from the Twentieth of March 1643, for the completing and maintaining of the Army under the immediate Command of the Earl of Essex Lord General, according to an Ordnance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament; was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed.

Grant of Books to Hext.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Books to the Value of Thirty Pounds, of such Books as are or shall be sequestered in any Place within the Cities of London or Westminster, be bestowed on Mr. Hext, a Divine plundered by the Enemy: And the Committee, or any one of them, together with the Sequestrators respectively, are to take care that the said Books be delivered to him accordingly.

Court of Wards.

Ordered, That the Sheriffs of the several Counties and Cities of this Kingdom, to whom, during this present Term, any Process shall issue out of and from the Court of Wards, for the levying any Sums of Money due unto his Majesty, and returnable the next Term, be forthwith put in Execution: And that the Sheriffs do make Return thereof at the next Term, as by the Process is to them directed: And, in case any Neglect or wilful Default of the Sheriffs shall happen, that the Committee of the Revenue do send for such Sheriffs; and to examine their several Defaults, and report the same to the House.

Irish Agents at Oxford.

The House being informed, that Captain Parsons, one of the Commissioners employed to his Majesty from the Protestants in Ireland, appointed by my Lord General to attend the House, was at the Door;

He was called in; and did relate the whole Carriage and Passages of that Employment, in relation to the King and Council at Oxon; how that the Agents from the Protestants were discountenanced, or very little countenanced, by almost All at Oxon; and how the Agents from the Papists in Ireland were countenanced, and had free and frequent Audiences: And that their Propositions received an Answer, when as the Propositions from the Protestants could receive no Answer; but were discountenanced with the Title of Unreasonable, and the Propositions of Madmen.

Ordered, That Mr. Reynolds, Lord Lisle, Sir Jo. Clotworthie, and Mr. Jephson, do receive such Information as Captain Parsons shall give unto them, concerning the whole Passages this Day related by him, concerning the Propositions of the Rebels of Ireland, presented to his Majesty at Oxford, and the Proceedings thereupon; and concerning the Propositions from the Agents for the Protestants, and other the Passages informed of by him: And Captain Parsons is injoined to give this Committee a Relation accordingly: And they have Power to receive any other Information concerning Ireland, or the Treaty at Oxford, upon the Rebels Propositions; and to consider of the same Informations; and make some Observations thereupon by way of Declaration; and present the same to the House: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, and Writings.

Ordered, That Captain Parsons be injoined to attend the Committee of both Kingdoms; and make a Relation unto them of all the Passages which this Day he hath informed the House of.

Ordered, That Thanks be returned unto Captain Parsons, for his Fidelity and Discretion in the Carriage of the Business he was intrusted withal by the Protestants of Ireland.

Captain Parsons was called in again: And Mr. Speaker returned him the Thanks of this House; and acquainted him with the Contents of the said Orders.

Stores for Lancashire.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Navy do give Order unto the Lieutenant of the Ordnance, to deliver unto Mr. Ashton and Mr. Ashherst, Members of this House, or to such Person or Persons whom they or either of them shall appoint to receive the same, for the Use of Lancashire, Fifty Barrels of Powder, out of the Stores of the Navy: And

It is further Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the Ordnance do replenish the said Store of the Navy with the like Proportion of Fifty Barrels, out of the Powder which shall be next delivered into the Office of the Ordnance, for the Use of the Armies and Forts, by Mr. Cordewell: And the Committee of the Safety are desired to issue a Warrant for Match and Bullet proportionable.

Portesmouth Garrison.

An Ordinance for raising of Twelve thousand Pounds for the Garison of Portesmouth, out of concealed Estates of Delinquents, &c. was this Day read the Third time; and, upon the Question, passed.

Harvey's Assessment.

Ordered, That the Assessment of the Twentieth Part, set upon Mr. Dan. Harvey by the Committee at Haberdashers Hall, shall be bestowed and employed for the Use and Benefit of the Town of Plymouth: And that the Care of levying it be referred to the Committee for Plymouth.

Non-payment of Assessments.

Ordered, That such Persons as are committed to any Prison for Non-payment of their Twentieth Part, shall be left to be disposed of by the Committee at Haberdashers Hall; notwithstanding any particular Order of this House for the Commitment of them.

Gewen's Business.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at Plymouth, to examine the Business concerning Mr. Thomas Gewen of Plymouth.

Sir H. Garraway.

Resolved, &c. That Henry Garraway shall be forthwith discharged from being Governor of the Russia Company: And the Russia Company is hereby required forthwith to discharge him of the said Government; and to chuse another in his Place.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Henry Garraway be forthwith removed from this Town, and committed Prisoner to the Castle of Dover; there to remain a Prisoner during the Pleasure of this House.

Ship Tyger.

Whereas the Ship Tyger of Roterdam, laden with Sugars, and other Merchandize, bound for Dartmouth, was lately taken by the Ships in Service of the State, and sent, by the Command of my Lord Admiral, as Prize: This House being informed, that, to avoid the Justice of the Law, the Owners and Factors of the said Goods, have secretly conveyed away their Letters of Advice, Invoices, and Bills of Lading; for Want whereof, and also of the Witnesses (which, as we are informed, were contained out of the said Ship on board the Convoys from which she was taken, in the Time of her Chace) the Judge of the Admiralty cannot proceed to the Adjudication of the said Prize Goods, so soon as it will be necessary the Goods should be landed, for the Preservation of them: It is therefore Ordered, That the Judge of the Admiralty do issue out a Commission out of that Court, to the Commissioners and the Collectors for Prize Goods, to unlade the said Ship, inventory the Goods, appraise and sequester the same, until this House take further Order, or a Judgment pass for the same.

Claims on a Prize.

Upon a Report made this Day from the Committee of the Navy, upon the humble Petition of Joshua de Gay, and other Subjects to the King of Spain, and a Remonstrance of the Lord Ambassador of Spain, claiming Property, in the Behalf of the Petitioners, in a small French Prize laden with Sugars and other Merchandize, taken at Sea by a Frigate called the St. Francisco de Assissi, whereof was Captain Joshud de Venck, by Commission of Reprizal from the Governor of Flanders; which Prize, having lost her Man of War in her Voyage for Duynkirk, was taken by one of the Ships of War in Service of the Parliament, and sent to London, where she now remains; but, by reason of her Leakiness and Insufficiency, the Sugars, and other Goods in her, being perishable, are like to be much damnified; and therefore prayeth Restitution of the said Ship and Lading, and Leave to land the said Goods, and to have Liberty to put them to Sale within this Kingdom; It is this Day Ordered, That the said French Prize, and her Lading, be delivered up unto the Lord Ambassador of Spain, for the Use of the Proprietors; the Proprietors first paying all such necessary Charges as are disbursed in the Preservation of the said Ship and Goods. And it is further Ordered, That the said Lord Ambassador, his Agents, or the Proprietors, shall have Leave to unlade the said Prize Ship, and to land her Goods, and put them to Sale, free from further Trouble; paying all Duties of Customs and Excise due to the State: And the Committee of the Navy are to give Direction to the Court of Admiralty, and the Collectors for Prize Goods, that they see this Order put in Execution accordingly.

Embezzling Prize Goods.

Whereas both Houses of Parliament, for the better Encouragement of Mariners employed in the Service of the King and Parliament, over and above their ordinary Wages, have, by an Ordinance, given unto the said Mariners one Third Part of all such Ships and Goods as should be by them respectively taken and adjudged Prize: And whereas the Parliament hath received divers Complaints of the Abuses of several Captains, and their Companies employed, not only of their embezzling of Monies and other Goods of Value under Pretence of Pillage, so soon as they take any Ship, but when they bring in the said Prizes, find Excuses to neglect the Service of the State, and remain in Harbours, requiring their Thirds before such Time the said Ships and their Lading can be legally adjudged in the Court of Admiralty, and afterwards sold by the Commissioners and Collectors appointed for that Purpose; to the great Prejudice of the State; It is Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That if any Captain, Officer, or Mariner, hath or shall at any time hereafter take, or imbezzle, or purloin, any Monies, Goods, or Lading whatsoever, taken in any Ship as Prize; or shall presume to break open any Trunks or Chests, or open any Packs, unless it be to visit and search them, and so carefully lock or make them up again; or shall refuse to deliver up such Ships with their intire Lading, as they shall take as Prize, anto the Collectors of Prize Goods, appointed by Ordinance of Parliament, or their Deputies, when they shall be required thereunto; and themselves return to their Charge, and speedily attend the Service of the State, to which they are appointed, according to the Instructions given them by the Lord High Admiral of England; That such Captain and Company shall not only lose their Shares of such Prizes, but suffer such other Punishment as their Offences shall demerit. And, for the Encouragement of all Owners of Shipping, Captains, and Mariners, who shall with Faithfulness discharge the Trust reposed in them; and that they may have no just cause of Complaint; It is further Ordered, That the Collectors for Prize Goods shall, within Fifty Days next after the Adjudication of any Prize, make due Payment unto such Owners, Captains, and Companies, to whom the same shall appertain, of such Monies as shall be justly due unto them for their Thirds; no other Customs, Charges, or other Duties for Adjudication, Collection, or otherwise, being charged on their respective Thirds, than what the State itself doth rateably allow.

Portsmouth Garison, &c.

Whereas there is the Sum of Eight thousand Pounds due in Arrears to the Garison of Portsmouth, and the Forts and Castles adjacent, that is to say, Hurst, Caleshott, and South Sea Castles: And whereas there are divers Sum of Monies, due in Arrear unto divers Officers of the Armies in the Parliament's Service, which have undertaken to make a Discovery of divers Sums of Monies, Goods, and personal Estate of divers Malignants, Delinquents, and Papists, which, by Ordinances of Parliament, ought to be sequestered to the Use of the Parliament, and are concealed; It is therefore Ordained, and be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the personal Estate of such Delinquents and Papists within the Cities of London and Westminster, and within Ten Miles of the same, not yet sequestered nor discovered, and which shall be discovered by the said Officers, unto Sir Tho. Jervoise Knight, Robert Wallop, Richard Whitehead, and Wm. Jephson, Esquires, or any Two of them, within the Space of One Month next after the publishing in Print of this Ordinance, shall be allowed for the Arrears for the said Garison and Officers before-mentioned; and paid unto such Person or Persons as shall be nominated by the said Sir Thomas Jervoise Knight, Robert Wallop, Richard Whitehead, and Wm. Jephson, Esquires, to receive the same, upon Account; that is to say, Two Third Parts towards the Arrears of the Garison of Portsmouth, and the other Forts before-mentioned; and One Third Part towards the Arrears of the Officers that shall make such Discovery, so as their said Arrears shall appear to amount to a greater Sum; provided, that the said concealed Estates exceed not the Sum of Twelve thousand Pounds: And that the said Committee, nor any Person authorized by them, shall possess themselves of the said Papists and Delinquents Estates, before he or they do acquaint the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestration therewith; to the end they may judge of the Delinquency of the Persons, before his or their Estates be sequestered and taken away; and likewise of the Concealment.