House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 22 November 1643

Die Mercurii, 22 Novembris, 1643.

PRAYERS.

East India Company.

AN Ordinance for the upholding of the Trade, and settling the Government of the Fellowship of, Merchants of London trading to the East Indies, was this Day read the First time.

Court of Wards.

An Ordinance touching the finding of Offices, and settling the Revenue of the Court of Wards, &c. was this Day read the Second time; and, by Vote upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Wheeler, Sir H. Vane sen. Mr. Ashe, Mr. Recorder, Sir Anth. Irby, Sir Peter Wentworth, Serjeant Wilde, Sir Rob. Pye, * Ellis, * Prideaux, * Solicitor, * Reynolds, * Selden, * Grimston; and all the Lawyers of the House; and all the Committee for the Revenue: And are to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Three of Clock, in the inner Court of Wards: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records: And are to make some Provision in this Ordinance, to declare, that, in this Ordinance, they do not intend to countenance the Continuance of the Court of Wards.

Scotch Affairs.

Ordered, That Mr. Wm. Thompson, in Buclesbury, be added to the Committee for the Scotch Affairs, sitting at Goldsmiths Hall.

Letters to Protestant States.

Ordered, That the Assembly of Divines be moved to write Letters unto some Divines of Churches of Zealand and Holland, and to the Protestant Churches in France, Switzerland, and other Reformed Churches, to inform them against the great Artifices and Disguises of his Majesty's Agents in those Parts, of the true State of our Affairs; and of the constant Employment of Irish Popish Rebels, and other Papists, to be Governors, Commanders, and Soldiers; the many Evidences of their Intentions to introduce Popery; their Endeavour to hinder the Reformation here intended; and condemning other Protestant Churches as unsound, because not prelatical: And that the Scotts Commissioners be desired to join therein: And likewise, that the Committees of the Lords and Commons, and of the Divines, may advise with the Scotts Commissioners in the Premises.

Ambassadors.

The and Commons do declare, That nothing shall be received from any Ambassador, or Minister of foreign States, by either of the Houses of Parliament, unless the same be immediately directed to one or both of the Houses, or thier Speakers, attested under the Hands of such Ministers or Ambassadors.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Irish Affairs, &c.

A Letter from Clonel Moore, from Leverpoole, of the 12th of November, relating, that the Rebels begun to rise in Corke, since the removing of the English Soldiers from Munster; and that divers Men of War, of Bristoll and Wexford, are arrived at Dublyn to bring over more Solders: And divers Copies of Letters form Sctland; one in Answer to a Letter of his Majesty's to the Lords of the Privy Council, touching the Covenant; the other, a Copy of a Letter from his Majesty to the said Lords, concerning the Men levied in Scotland; Part whereof are come into Berwick, and the rest ready to come in to the Assistance of the Parliament.

French Ambassador's Couriers.

Whereas, by an Order of the Fifteenth of November, the Officers of the Courts of Guard were to bring the French Ambassador's Couriers that were suspected, to the House of Commons, or the Speaker; It is now Ordered, That the said Couriers be brought to the House of Commons, or the Committee for Examination (fn. a).

Naval Appointments.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Navy do forthwith write unto my Lord of Wariwck, concerning the making of Clonel Moore Vice Admiral of the Coasts between Holyhead and Whitehaven; and likewise to make Captain Williamson Captain of the Samuel of Liverpoole.

Message to Lords.

Sir Rob. Pye went up to the Lords, to desire a Conference by Committees of both Houses, upon the Great Seal; concerning the Memorial from the Prince D'Harcourt; and concerning some Letters and Papers from Scotland.

He likewise carried up to the Lords an Ordinance concerning Sir Wm. Morley: The Instructions for the East Land Merchants: The Ordinance concerning Southampton: And the Order for the Winter Guard.

Answer.

Sir Robert Pye brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to give a present Meeting, by a Committee of both Houses, upon the Three several Heads desired; And, as to the Ordinance and Instructions, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Conference.

Sir H. Vane jun. Mr. Lisle, and Mr. Prideaux, are appointed Managers of this Conference.

Publick Accompts.

An Ordinance for Taking and Directing the Accompts of the whole Kingdom, was this Day read the Frist time.

Horses taken at Poole.

Ordered, That the Governor of the Town of Poole be desired to send up the Horses taken by the Valour and Courages of the Soldiers of that Garison, to this Town; to the End that they may be sold, and the Monies returned, to be divided among the Soldiers to whom they do belong, as an Encouragement of their Valour.

Seized Goods.

Ordered, That the Rings and Tobacco, seized on in going to Oxon, be sold by the Appointment and Directions of Mr. Jennour; and the Proceed thereof empolyed for the sending away of those Forces to Sir Wm. Waller, that lie upon the County of Middlesex; provided that the Discoverer have his Share allowed him, according to the Provision in the Ordinance: This Proceed is to be paid to Mr. Trenchard; who is to take care of the sending away of these Men.

And it is further Ordered, That the Arms, delivered unto Captain Ellingsworth, be, by Mr. Trenchard's Appointment, delivered unto such Captain as shall undertake to convey these Men to Sir Wm. Waller.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Aylett;

The Lords do concur in those Four Ordinances sent up by the Messenger this Day unto them; (viz.) The Order concerning Southampton; Sir Wm. Morley: The additional Instructions concerning the East Land Merchants: The Order for the Winter Fleet.

They do likewise agree to the Answer, and other Orders and Papers, concerning the Prince D'Harcourt, with one Alteration; viz. "the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom," instead of "the Committee for Examinations:" Because they conceive the Committee for Examinations is not a Committee of both Houses. They have appointed Two Members of their House to go to the Prince D'Harcourt, according to the Order; and desire that this House would appoint a Committee, of a proportionable Number; and that they may meet this Afternoon, at Four of Clock, at Salisbury House.

French Ambassador's Couriers.

Ordered, That this House doth agree to the Alteration, that "the Committee of Examinations," in the Order of the Fifteenth of this present Month, concerning the Prince D'Harcourt's Couriers, should be made "the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom."

Sir Walt. Erle, Sir H. Mildmay, Mr. Dowse, Sir Edw. Hungerford;

This Committee is appointed to meet with a Committee of the Lords, this Afternoon, at Four of Clock, at Salisbury House, to go to the Prince D'Harcourt, according to the Order of both Houses.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Alteration in the Order concerning the Prince D'Harcourt; and have nominated and appointed a Committee, of a proportionable Number, to meet at Salisbury House, this Afternoon, at Four of Clock, to go to the Prince D'Harcourt.

Restoring Property to Matthewes.

Upon the humble Petition of Lieutenant Colonel Humfrey Matthewes, who hath testified his good Affections and Fidelity to the Parliament; it is Ordered, That the Fifty Pounds, in ready Monies, or thereabouts, the several Suits of Apparel, Linen, Jewels, Pistols, Four Horses, and other things, which were left in the Hands of Mr. Fisher of Derby, his Landlord, when the Petition was sent up to London, shall be forthwith restored unto him: And, if the said Mr. Fisher shall refuse to do the same, he is to give an Account thereof to this House; and forthwith to shew Cause of his Detention of the said Monies, Goods, and Cloaths.

Priests, &c. at Spanish Ambassader's.

Mr. Whittacres, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Dous, Mr. Vassall, are appointed to go to the Spanish Ambassador, and acquaint him from this House, That this House is informed, that several Priests and Jesuits, Subjects to the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, do resort to the said Spanish Ambassador's House, and are there protected; that it is contrary to the Laws of this Land for any Priest or Jesuit, Subjects of any of the said Kingdoms, to be protected in any Ambassador's House residing here; and that, if, for the future, any such Persons be so protected as aforesaid, that this House will take Course for their Apprehension.

Ordered, That the Committee for Examinations do give Order for the apprehending of such Priests or Jesuits, Subjects of the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, or Ireland, as do go in or come out of any Ambassador's House: And the Committee for the Militia be aiding and assisting herein.

Completing the Army.

Lecta 1 (fn. a1) vice, An Ordinance of the and Commons, in Parliament assembled, for the speedy completing and maintaining of the Army under the immediate Command of Robert Earl of Essex, Lord General of the Forces raised by the Parliament.

Lecta 2da vice, An Ordinance of the and Commons, in Parliament assembled, for the speedy completing and maintaining of the Army under the Command of Robert Earl of Essex, Lord General of the Forces raised by the Parliament.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this Ordinance shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That a Committee of the whole House do meet on Friday next, at Nine a Clock, and consider of this Ordinance.

Letters of Marque.

1 (fn. a1) vice & 2da vice lecta, An Ordinance enabling all Persons, approved of by Parliament, to set forth Ships in warlike Manner, for the Guarding of the Seas, and Defence of his Majesty's Dominions.

Resolved, That this Ordinance shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee of the whole House shall meet on Friday next, at Two a-Clock in the Afternoon, to consider of this Ordinance.

Admiralty.

1 (fn. a1) & 2da vice lecta, An Ordinance for the appointing a Judge and Register in the Court of Admiralty.

Resolved, That this Ordinance be committed to a Committee of the whole House; to meet on Friday next, at Two a Clock in the Afternoon.

Term not to be adjourned.

A Letter from his Majesty to the Judges, to adjourn the Term from Westminster to Oxford on Tuesday, 22 Novembris 1643, was read: And the Writs to that Purpose were likewise delivered into the House: Whereupon it was

Ordered, That the Judges of the several Courts in Westminster be required not to adjourn the Term upon any Writ, Letter, or other Direction whatsoever, sent from Oxforde, or elsewhere, without the order of both Houses of Parliament.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde and Mr. Nicholas is to acquaint the Judges with this Order.

Trial of Knevitton, &c.

Ordered, That Sir Philip Stapleton and Colonel Long do move my Lord General to call a Council of War, for the speedy Trial, by Martial Law, as Spies, * Knevitton, that formerly brought Proclamations and Letters from Oxforde; and also the Party that brought these Writs and Letters to the Judges to adjourn the Term.

Lord Wharton.

Ordered, That Sir Hen. Mildmay do give an Account to the House, on Saturday, concerning the Business of my Lord Wharton.

Naval Affairs.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy do write a Letter to my Lord of Warwick, that this House desires him, if he can dispense with the Occasions of the Fleet, that he will come up to the Parliament; for that this House is about the settling the Affairs of the Navy.

French Embassy.

Sir H. Vane reports from the Committee appointed to consider of the Memorial from the Prince D'Harcourt, and the Answer unto it by the Lords, delivered at a Conference, Wednesday, November 15, 1643, an Answer; read in hæc verba; viz.

Whereas the Lords have received, from the Prince D'Harcourt, by the Earl of Northumberland, a Paper, in these Words, (Vide the Paper, delivered by the Lords at a Conference on Wednesday, November 15, and entered on that Day); and have communicated it to the House of Commons: The Lords and Commons, upon Consideration thereof, do think fit, that this Answer shall be returned thereunto by the Earl of Northumberland, and unto the Prince De Harcourt; That the Lords and Commons, assembled in the Parliament of England, will always, with due Respect, acknowledge such good Affections as, from the King his Master, and Queen his Mistress, shall be, at any time, expressed to the King and his Kingdom; professing they desire nothing more than such a Peace as may as well procure Honour and Happiness to the King, as the Preservation of the true reformed Religion, the Privileges of Parliament, and the Liberties of the Subjects in his Majesty's Three Kingdoms, according to their late solemn League and Covenant: And when the Prince D' Harcourt shall, from and in the Name of the King his Master, propose any thing to the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England, they will thereupon do that which shall be fit, and which shall justify their Proceedings to all the World.

Touching the other Paper concerning the Couriers of the Prince D' Harcourt;

Resolved, &c. That some Persons be sent from both Houses to the Prince D' Harcourt, to excuse what is passed concerning the Couriers, as That which is done without their Privity or Allowance; and to let him know, that, for the future, both Houses have ordered, That, when his Posts shall pass by the Guards of this City, they shall be brought without further Trouble or Molestation to the Parliament, or before the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom.

Committee for Elections.

Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Jennour, Mr. Pewry, Sir Jo. Curson, Mr. Hoyle, Mr. Ashurst, Mr. Hodge, Mr. Millington, Sir Thomas Cheeke, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Browne, Mr. Moore, Mr. Ashton, Mr. Fountayne, Mr. Wheeler, Sir Tho. Dacres, are added to the Committee for Elections, where Sir Robert Harley has the Chair.