DIE Veneris, 20 die Februarii.

Prayers, by

Answer from the H. C.

Mr. Serjeant Fynch and Mr. Page return with this Answer to the Message sent on Wednesday last to the House of Commons:

That they will give a Conference, as is desired, this Morning; and they agree that Captain Phipps's Troop may be reduced into Major Shilbourne's: To the rest of the Particulars, they will take them into Consideration, [ (fn. *) and send an Answer] by Messengers of their own.

Letters from the Parliament of Scotland.

The Speaker acquainted this House, "That the Scotts Commissioners delivered to him Two Letters from the Parliament in Scotland, with a Desire that they may be communicated to both Houses of Parliament;" which were commanded to be read, as follow.

(Here enter them.)

Ordered, That these Letters be communicated to the House of Commons, at the next Conference.

Message to the H. C. about communicating them;

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page:

To desire, at the next Conference, their Lordships may communicate to them Letters received from the Parliament of Scotland.

and about Mortimer's Ordinance.

2. To put them in Mind of Mortimor's Ordinance, formerly sent down to them.

Chamberlain and Nicholls.

Upon reading the Petition of Abram Chamberlaine; (fn. †) desiring, "that he may have Mr. Maynard, Mr. Herne, and Mr. Hales, assigned by this House to be of Counsel with him, concerning his Petition depending in this House."

It is Ordered, That Mr. Herne and Mr. Hayles is assigned to be of Counsel with the Petitioner; and in regard Mr. Maynard is a Member of the House of Commons, this House leaves it wholly to him.

Preachers at the Thanksgiving.

Ordered, That Mr. Cawdrey and Mr. Carroll shall have Thanks given them from this House, for their Sermons Yesterday preached before the Lords at Martin's Church, being a Day of Thanksgiving for the taking-in of Chester; and that they be desired to print and publish their Sermons.

Prince Elector to export Horses.

Ordered, That the Prince Elector shall have a Pass, to transport out of this Kingdom Ten Horses, for to be sent to his Highness' Brother Prince Phillip, Customfree.

Hammond, L. Chandois's Servant, released.

Ordered, That whereas John Hamond is a menial Servant to the Lord Chandois, is imprested, which is contrary to the Privilege of Parliament, and the Ordinance for impresting, (fn. *) he shall be forthwith set at Liberty.

Lincoln Certificate.

Upon reading a Certificate of the Committee of Lyncolne: It is Ordered, That it be communicated to the House of Commons. (Here enter the Certificate.)

Sir R. Carr cannot attend till released by the Speaker of the H. C.

The Gentleman Usher attending this House gave Account, "That he had been this Morning with Sir Rob't Carr, and served him with the Order of this House, to appear before the Lords in Parliament this Day; and his Answer was, That he could not come until the Restriction which he lies under by a Warrant of the Speaker of the House of Commons be taken off."

Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page returned with this Answer from the House of Commons:

Answer from the H. C.

That they agree, at the next Conference, the Letters from the Parliament of Scotland may be imparted to them; as to the Ordinance concerning Mr. Mortimer, they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Capt. Hodder's Petition, for Arrears due for his Ship The Hope.

The Earl of Warwicke reported a Paper from the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports; which was read, as follows:

"On reading of Captain Hodder's Petition; praying, that an Order may be given for Payment of what shall appear upon Accompt to be due for the Hire of The Hope, of Cork, which, being manned with Twelve Mariners, was, on the First of October, 1644, taken up and employed by the Lord Inchequin for the Service of Munster, and hath so continued till 10th December 1645, on his Lordship's Promise of like Allowance as to other Vessels in the Parliament's Service:

"And on reading the Lord Inchequin's Letter, purporting the Truth of what's therein set forth, and that his Lordship was constrained so to employ her, in respect of the Exigency of Affairs in Ireland, for Supply of the Garrisons, and for other special Uses, to preserve that bleeding Province:

"Ordered, That the said Petition, and the Lord Inchequin's Letter, be specially recommended to both Houses of Parliament; with the Opinion of this Committee, That they conceive it fit that the said Accompt be made up, and the Money thereupon due, satisfied by the Committee of the Navy."

Ordered, That this Petition be sent to the House of Commons by the next Message.

E. of Nott's Petition sent to the H. C.

Upon reading the Petition of the Earl of Nottingham: It is Ordered, That this Petition (fn. *) be specially recommended to the Consideration of the House of Commons, that his Lordship may have speedy Supply for his Necessities; and that it be sent down To-morrow Morning by itself.

And accordingly presently Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page had the Order of the House to deliver it.

Message from thence, with Votes about settling the Presbytery in London;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Christopher Yelverton, Knight and Baronet:

1. To present to their Lordships some Votes for the speedy settling of the Presbytery within the Precincts of the City of London, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence; and that the Lord Mayor of the City of London be desired to put these Votes into Execution, if their Lordships concur.

and about Letters from Scotland.

2. To desire that, at this next Conference, the House of Commons may communicate to them some Letters which they have received from the Parliament of Scotland.

Agreed to.

The said Votes were read; and this House concurred therein. (Here enter them.)

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Votes now brought up; and that they be sent to the Lord Mayor of London, to be put into Execution; and that their Lordships will receive what Letters they shall communicate, at the next Conference.

Votes for the Election of Elders.

"Resolved, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That there be forthwith a Choice made of Elders, throughout the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, in the respective Parish Churches and Chapels, according to such Directions as have already passed both Houses, bearing Date the 19th of August, 1645, and since that Time; and all Classis and Parochial Congregations respectively are hereby authorized and required forthwith effectually to proceed therein accordingly.

"Resolved, &c. That Notice of the Election of Parochial and Congregational Elders, and of the Time when it shall be, (fn. *) be given by the Minister, in the Public Assembly, the next Lord's-day but One before; and that on that said Lord's-day a Sermon be preached preparatory to that weighty Business.

"Resolved, &c. That such Election shall be made by the Congregation, or the major Part of them then assembled, being such as have taken the National Covenant, and are not Persons under Age, nor Servants that have no Families.

"Resolved, &c. That these Three Votes be communicated to the Lord Mayor, and immediately put in due Execution."

Letter from the Parliament of Scotland, desiring the Settlement of Church Government;— that Propositions for Peace may be speedily presented; —that the Arrears due to them and their Armies may be paid; — and that their Losses at Sea and by the Irish Invasion may be made good to them.

"Right Honnorable,

"As the Parliament of this Kingdome doth acknowledge the Zeale and the Endeavors of the Honnorable Houses of Parliament, for the good Progresse already made towards Reformation of Religion, and Uniformity of Church Government; soe is it expected, that (when they shall seriously consider the brotherly Affection and greate Sufferings of this Kingdome, who, from a peaceable Condition which wee formerly enjoyed, did engage ourselves in a dangerous and bloody Warre with England against their Enemyes, when their Affaires were in the hardest and lowest Condition, upon a mutuall League and Covenant, to settle Religion and Church Government accordinge to the Word of God, the Practise of the best Reformed Churches, and as might drawe the neerest Uniformity betwixt the Two Kingdomes, which was acknowledged to bee the cheife Ground of craving Ayde and Assistance from this Kingdome) the Honnorable Houses will now (after soe mature Deliberation) add their Authority and Civill Sanction (without further Delay) to what the pious and learned Assembly of Divines, upon soe mature and accurate Debates, have advised to bee most agreeable to the Word of God, and perfect what remaines to bee done of the Worke, according to the Covenant; which I am comaunded by the Parliament of this Kingdome to demaund, and doe accordingly in their Names demaund, of the Honnorable Houses of Parliament of England; the Performance whereof wil bee most acceptable to this Kirke and Kingdome as a speciall Recompence of the Labours and Blood which hath beene shed in assisting you to promote the Cause of God, and wil bee a Meanes to procure God's Blessinge upon the Proceedings and Undertakeings of both Kingdomes. And the Parliament of this Kingdome is perswaded that the Piety and Wisdome of the Honnorable Houses will never admitt Tolleration of any Sects or Schismes, contrary to our solemne and sacred Covenant.

"The next Desire of the Parliament of this Kingdome (and which of all Things next to Truth is most desireable) is, that all lawfull Meanes bee used for attayning a just well-grounded Peace; for which End, I am commaunded to desire, and doe accordingly in the Name of the Parliament of this Kingdome desire, that the Propositions of Peace bee speedily dispatched to His Majesty, and may bee soe pursued and mannaged as may best procure the setlinge of Truth and Peace, that there may bee an End of the greate Distractions and unnaturall Warre of all the Three Kingdomes.

"This Kingdome lyeth under the Burthen of greate and vast Expence in raiseinge and entertayning Armyes, and hath, with the Losse of the Lives of many precious Men, sett their owne House on Fyer to quench the Flame of yours, and almost destroyed their owne Nation to preserve yours: And seeinge (by the seasonable Assistance afforded by this Kingdome to you, and by the late Successes wherewith God hath blessed your Armyes) you are in a greate Measure freed of your Troubles, and are in a farr better Capacity to pay the Money due to our Armyes in England and Ireland then you were at any Tyme since the Begininge of these Warres, I am likewise commaunded by the Parliament of this Kingdome to demaund, and accordingly doe in their Names demaund, of the Honnorable Houses of Parliament, to make Payment, before the Third Day of May next, of the Summes of Money duely oweinge by them to this Kingdome, and their Armyes in England and Ireland, according to the Treatyes betweene the Two Kingdomes (the Accompt whereof wil bee given in by our Commissioners), that this Kingdome may bee thereby releived of the greate Burthens and Pressures of our Debates contracted in this Cause, and bee enabled and encouraged for joynt carrying on of the Warre, till the Church of God within the Kingdomes bee setled in Purity and Peace.

"And it is further craved, from the Justice of the Honnorable Houses of Parliament, that they will take into their serious Consideration the greate Losses susteyned by this Kingdome at Sea, through the Notattendance of their Shipps upon our Coasts according to the Treatyes, and make Reparation thereof, and of the Losses which Scotland hath suffered by the Irish Invasion, which the Kingdome of England is bound to suppresse by the large Treaty: In all which, the Desires of the Parliament of this Kingdome are noe other, then that Religion and Church Government may bee setled according to our Covenant, that the Warre may bee carryed on with brotherly and constant Affection by the joynt Councells and Forces of both Kingdomes, that a well-grounded and dureable Peace may bee endeavored betwixt the Kinge and His Subjects, that Payment bee made of the Summes due to this Kingdome and our Armyes by Treaty, and that (against the Malice of our open Enemyes and secrett Plotts of such as for their owne Ends are laboureinge to sow sedition betweene Brethren tyed by soe many Relations) mutuall Amity and Union betweene the Kingdomes may bee strengthened and perpetuated to all Posterity. Wee rest

"Your affectionate Freinds and humble Servaunts,

St. Andrewes, 3 Feb. 1646.

"Crawford Lindsay, President of Parliament.

"To the Right Honnorable the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of Engl. assembled at Westm. These."

Another Letter from them, on the same Subjects; and

"Right Honnorable,

about the Garrisons on the Borders,—and of Belfast.

"The Estates of Parliament of this Kingdome have considered the Desires of the Honnorable Houses, concerning the Garrisons placed by the Scottish Army in the Townes and Castles of Carlile, Newcastle, Tynmouth, Hartlepoole, Stockton, Warkeworth, and Thirlewall, expressed in their Letter of the 13th of November last; and have sent Instructions to their Commissioners to give such an Answere to the Honnorable Houses as they are confident may serve most for promoting the Cause wherein both Kingdomes are soe highly engaged, and carrying on the Warre to the best Advantage.

"They have further given Direction to their Commissioners, to make knowne to the Honnorable Houses the earnest Desires of this Kingdome for the setling of Religion and Church Government (which, as it was the principall Ground of their Engagment in this Cause, soe will the perfecting of it bee their cheifest Joy and Glory of both Kingdomes), and their Propension for carrying on the Warre with the united Affection and Forces of both Kingdomes; and that noe good Meanes bee left unassayed for attayning a firme and lastinge Peace, it beinge the constant Resolution of this Kingdome, against all Opposition, to strengthen and cherish the Unity and brotherly Kindnes betweene the Kingdomes, and (Peace beinge settled with Truth, and these Things performed by the Honnorable Houses which by Treaty they are obliged unto) to recall the Scottish Army with als greate Alacrity, as they were ready to send the same into England for the Assistance of their Brethren.

"The Inconstancy of the Weather in this Season hes bin an Impediment to the Passage betwixt this and Ireland, soe as the Estates have not zit had an Answere to their Letters sent thither concerning Bellfast: But they have comaunded their Committee to retourne Answere to the Honnorable Houses in that Particuler, how soone they shall receive Information concerning the same. Wee are

"Your affectionate Freinds and humble Servaunts,

St. Andrewes, 3 February 1646.

"Crafford Lindsey, President of Parliament.

"To the Right Honnorable the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England, at Westm'r. These."

Lincoln Committee Certificate, of the Losses in Kettlethorpe, &c. by Inundations, the River Fosse being stopped to secure Lindsey.

"To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament.

"The humble Certificate of the Committee of the County of Lincolne.

"Whereas divers Petitions have been exhibited unto us, by the Inhabitants of Kettlethorpe, Fenton, Laughterton, and Torcksey, in the Parts of Lindsey, concerning their Grievances, through the Inundations of Waters, which have generally overflowed their Meadows, Pastures, and Commons, which Inundation is occasioned by stopping the River Fosse, merely for securing the Parts of Lindsey, by the Command of Colonel Hatcher, then Governor of Lincolne, for preventing the daily Incursions of the Newarkers, which by the Means aforesaid was made unpassable except they swim.

"And whereas it doth evidently appear unto us, that the Towns of Kettlethrope, Fenton, and Laughterton, are damaged by the said Inundations, in this present Year 1645, Three Hundred and Ten Pounds at the least, and that the Town of Torksey is damaged by the Means aforesaid, in the said Year, the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds at the least;

"Do humbly present their said Losses to your Honourable Consideration and Direction, whether those Towns shall receive Satisfaction out of the Parts of Lindsey, who only receive the Benefit out of the said Inundation.

"We further certify your Honours, that there are One Hundred and Fifty Housholders at the least within the said Towns that have suffered much by the said Inundations, and had (as we are informed) left their Habitations, but that they received Encouragement from us from Time to Time, that Satisfaction should be made them for their said Losses, which we conceive we are not enabled to do by any Ordinance.

"All which we humbly submit to your Honours grave Consideration.

Lincolne, 28 Jan. 1645.

"Francis Whichcott.

Francis Clinton al's Finis, Vic.

"Edmond Ellis.

Tho. Lister.

"William Bury.

John Shefeild.

"H. Godfrey.

Fr. Musenden.

"Ru. Filkin."

Footnotes