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April 1.
Taunton. |
Col. John Gorges to the Commissioners for Sequestrations. The late
commissioners yield ready obedience to your orders. I will obey your commands, but scruple to act on letters since received addressed to the commissioners. Please send me directions, as much business depends. The former
commissioners will speedily send up their accounts. Address me at George
Newton's, minister of Taunton. [G 167, p. 215.] |
| April 4. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to Col. Gorges, County Commissioner for
Somerset. As you scruple to proceed upon orders addressed to the late county
committee, we authorize you to proceed thereon as fully and amply as they did,
and to certify us. [G 30, p. 396.] |
| April 4. |
Order of the Commissioners for Sequestrations that when any Papist desires
to become tenant to 2/3 of his estate, certificates of its value on survey or otherwise be returned by the registrar and auditor, and that Mr. Fowle peruse them,
to discover the true yearly value of the 2/3, and inform the committee, that they
may proceed more regularly to contract and lease the estates for one year.
[G 13, p. 51.] |
| April 4. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to Hen. Horsley. You decline to act on
your new commission, your own business having been much hindered by your
former employment, which was so troublesome that you have long wished
dismissal. Our experience of your faithfulness induced us to choose you, and
we knew not your intention to desert the service. We hope you will not leave
the work when no other is appointed to act, but make returns on letters sent
you till we pitch on some other person. Advise with Sir Art. Hesilrigge, and
tell us whom you think fit and willing to be employed. [G 27, p. 22.] |
| April 6. |
Order of the Commissioners for Sequestrations that on Tuesdays they will sit
all day on sequestration business. Mornings for motions and petitions, afternoons for compositions and reports on the Act of General Pardon. |
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That on Wednesdays they will hear causes of indemnity in the morning, and
motions of indemity in the afternoon. |
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Thursdays, morning and afternoon, reports on claims. |
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Fridays, private business only, both morning, and afternoon. |
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Order that all reports henceforth be heard in course according to precedency. |
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For such as have special orders already granted, they are to be heard after the
causes of the day. All petitions to be filed in course, and numbered as they
come in. [G 13, p. 52.] |
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Order that the county commissioners allow, without special order, all issues,
as out-rents, annuities, rent-charges, &c., not exceeding 40s. a year, but none
exceeding that sum. [G 37, p. 290.] |
| April 6. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to Mr. Waring and Herring. The present
Goldsmiths' Hall treasurers say that you have all the bonds for securing the
latter moieties of fines, and for those who have claims depending who are
to receive their rents whilst the cases are pending. You are to deliver all to
Mr. Sherwin and Leech, the present treasurers, to be put in suit when required.
[G 27, p. 21.] |
| April 7. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to Capt. B. Mason. You seem displeased
at our asking you to perfect your Somersetshire account, which you affirm that
you have cleared, and that it is placed at the beginning of your Herefordshire
account; but this our auditor denies, and we therefore renew our former
request; we also wish you to come up and perfect your Herefordshire account,
as we ill-resent that it was not done before 25 March. If you further delay, we
shall be constrained to lay the penalty imposed by the ordinance of 10 Feb. |
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We have also considered your carriage on receipt of our letters, laying you
aside and placing Capt. Taylor in the employment to lessen the charge; if you
do not conform, and deliver him the books and papers of the late committee, we
shall use our utmost power to compel obedience, but we hope you will observe
what is now required of you. [G 27, p. 23.] |
| April 7. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to Capt. S. Taylor. In reply to yours, you
are to examine witnesses on any order directed to the former committee, and
make a return. We approve your proposal to call in leases, and take counterparts when wanting. You are again to demand from Capt. Mason the books.
&c., of the late committee. Hasten in the ½ year's rents. Pay in all money
due on your accounts as one of the late commissioners, and perfect them with our
auditor. This should have been done before 25 March, according to the
ordinance [of 10 Feb.] by which you are to be guided. [G 27, p. 23.] |
April 7.
Haberdashers' Hall. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to the County Commissioner for Westmoreland. We approve your sending up your accounts, and shall take order for your
return of the moneys in hand. We wish we had power to grant abatement in
rent, as you desire, because of the deadness of trade and cheapness of cattle, but
our rules prevent it. You are to allow no out rents, quit rents, &c., without
our order, except those under the value of 40s. a year, which are to be proved
before you on oath, and the proof certified to us. [G 30, p. 463.] |
April 7.
London. |
Thos. Robinson, Commissioner for co. Chester, to the Commissioners for
Sequestrations. I have been waiting a fortnight about my accounts and
directions, but there are so many accounts on hand that [the auditor] can only
take a note of my orders and vouchers, and when he has time, will balance and
send them down to me. |
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There is so much to be done in the country in setting of estates, &c., that
I cannot stay here longer without loss to the State; if you wish me to perfect
my accounts, pray order them to be done speedily. Particulars of cases.
[G 149, p. 365.] |
| April 12. |
Petition of Chris. Cheesman to the Protector, to refer his whole cause to the
Commissioners for Sequestrations, with order to do him right. |
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Complains that though he informed against the Commissioners of co. Berks
in 1650, and proved them guilty of crimes by which the State lost 1,500l. a year,
yet on a false, scandalous, and unproven information against himself, he was
dismissed, and they retained. |
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That in Jan. 1652 he renewed the charge, and proved them guilty of continuing the same crimes, yet the Commissioners for Compounding would not
dismiss them in open court, but put them away privily, and refused petitioner
any reparation for his great sufferings and expense in the prosecution. With
reference thereon to the Commissioners for Sequestrations, to give him relief.
[G 74, p. 293.] |
| April 13. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to the County Committee for Durham.
Mr. Pearson writes us that he has 1,000l. in hand; let it be paid on order of
John Blackwell and Rich. Deane, treasurers-at-war, whose acquittance will be
your warrant. [G 30, p. 67.] |
| April 14. |
Order of the Commissioners for Sequestrations, summoning the Kent Commissioners to come up this day week, and pay in the money in their hands. |
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Order for a letter to ask [Sam.] Bedford if he has received his commission, an
answer being expected of his acceptance of the trust, and his transactions
therein. |
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And. Hancock reports that the account of the Cheshire Committee is
perfected. |
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Order that the auditors and treasurers, as being better acquainted than the
registrar with the obstructions in their offices, prepare letters to the county
commissioners when needful, which the registrar is to enter and send away. |
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On request of Ald. [Thos.] Dickinson that he and his late fellow commissioners
in co. York may have their share of 12d. in the pound on the last half-year's
rents, a letter to be written to the present commissioners, leaving them to do
what in conscience they find meet. |
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Order on [Wm.] Collins' request for [Walter] Gyles to be joined with him for
examination of witnesses in co. Worcester, for a letter accordingly. |
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Like order on [Edw.] Chamberlain's request that one of the late Commissioners of co. Warwick be joined with him. [G 37, p. 297.] |
| April 14. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to Walter Gyles. We have appointed Capt.
Wm. Collins sole commissioner for co. Worcester, and at his desire we request
you to join him for the examination of witnesses. [G 30, p. 476.] |
| April 14. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to Wm. Turpin. We have appointed
[George] Smith and Wm. Haslope Sequestration Commissioners in London,
Middlesex, and Herts, and nominate you to join with them, as you are
acquainted with the managing of the greatest part of that revenue lying in
Middlesex. [G 27, p. 24.] |
| April 14. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to Smith and Haslope. To the same effect,
mutatis mutandis. [G 27, p. 24.] |
| April 14. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to the late County Committee for Kent.
Our auditor reports that you do not come up, though summoned, to perfect
your accounts, which makes us believe you have a large balance in hand. You
are to appear before us this day week, to show cause why your accounts are not
perfected, and the moneys paid in, according to the ordinance of 10 Feb. 1654.
[G 30, p. 192.] |
| April 18. |
Order of the Commissioners for Sequestrations, referring it to Mr. Fowle to
report on the following and a former petition, "leaving the recompense to our
opinion." [G 27, p. 28.] Annexing, |
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i. Petition of Auditor Phil. Darell to the Protector, repeating that of 21 March,
and begging allowance, having hitherto been clerk and auditor in the
Exchequer and of recusants' revenues for 48 years without interruption.
With reference thereon to the Commissioners for Sequestrations, to certify his
services, and their opinion what recompense he deserves. 14 April 1654.
[G 79, p. 833.] |
| April 18. |
Col. Wm. Crowne, County Commissioner for Salop, to Edw. Carey, one of the
Commissioners for Sequestrations. I have now come up, being sent from our
county to his Highness on a business of concern, and am daily in attendance, so
that for a few days I cannot attend you. The accounts are on the way. [G 166,
p. 163.] |
April 19.
Cambridge. |
Wm. Pickering, Commissioner for cos. Cambridge and Hunts, to the Commissioners for Sequestrations. I have received from the clerk of the late
County Commissioners for Hunts some orders of discharge, and 3 counterparts
of leases; I have also the books and papers of the County Committee for
Cambridge. [John] Jenkinson, the steward of courts on delinquents' estates,
refuses to deliver me his records. Pray reinforce your orders, that I may get
in quit rents, fines, &c., and fully to do my work. |
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With note of an order to the steward as requested. [G 147, p. 355.] |
April 19.
Whitehall. |
Walter Strickland to the Commissioners for Sequestrations. The Protector
having referred to me the question of alnage exercised some time by the
Duke of Richmond and Lenox, I want to know whether he compounded for it,
or whether it was excepted from his composition. [G 113, p. 1021.] |
April 19.
Haberdashers' Hall. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to Strickland. The Duke did name in
his composition in Nov. 1646 a lease for 21 years, of which 10 were to come, for
granting licenses to export white wollen and undressed cloths, and was to have
800l. a year for releasing to the king another grant to the late Duchees of
Richmond, re-converyed to Sir John Jacob for 3,000l., but he was not allowed
to compound for it, and no fine was set. [G 27, p. 29.] |
| April 20. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to the late County Committee for Cornwall.
We are surprised that your have not perfected your accounts, since by the ordinance of 10 Feb., you are required to perfected them before 25 March. We shall be
obliged to lay the penalty on you unless you speedily account with our auditor,
which you are to do before 1 May, bringing up your acquittances and warrants
for rates, fifths, annuities, &c., and the orders for discharge of estates, if not
already entered with our auditor. Observe this, to avoid further trouble to
yourselves. [G 30, p. 114.] |
| April 21. |
Order of the Commissioners for Sequestrations that the salaries to the counsel
and other officers, already ordered to be paid to 25 March last, be continued
until further order. [G 27, p. 32.] |
| April 27. |
Certificate by the trustees for sale of Crown lands to the Commissioners for
Sequestrations, that [Col.] Chris. Whichcott of Windsor, Berks, contracted
11 April 1650 for Cookham Manor and other lands and rents specified, which are
due to him accordingly. [G 130, p. 159.] |
| April 28. |
Order of the Commissioners for Sequestrations that Chris. Cheesman's case'
on reference from the Lord Protector, be heard on Tuesday next. [G 27,
p 42.] |
| April 28. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to Mr. Moyer. Chris. Cheesman, late
agent to the Committee for co. Berks, has arraigned the judgment of the late
Commissioners for Compounding before the Protector, and the case is referred
to us. It concerns you to vindicate yourselves from his aspersions, therefore
you should be present at the hearing on 30 May. |
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P.S.—Tell Mr. Molins, who is likewise desired to be present. With note of
like letter to Mr. Russell and Squibb. [G 27, p. 42.] |
| April 28. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to [John] Jenkinson. On the ordinance of
10 Feb. we have proceeded to lessen the public charge, and have appointed Mr.
Pickering our sole commissioner for cos. Cambridge and Hunts. We hear that
you refuse to deliver him the rolls and records of the courts for delinquents'
estates in co. Cambridge. You are to deliver them forthwith, and any records
you have about sequestered estates. [G 27, p. 42.] |
| April 28. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to the late County Committee for Devon.
We wonder that in all this time you have not perfected your accounts, since it
is so penal on you by the ordinance of 10 Feb. last, and we must lay the
penalty on you, unless you prevent it by coming up and settling your accounts
with our auditor before 1 May, bringing up all your warrants, acquittances, and
orders of discharge, unless already entered with our auditor. [G 30, p. 41.] |
| April 28. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to James Pearse, Commissioner for
co. Devon. You are to have our order to the late county committee about
sending up their books forwarded by a messenger who will swear to its
delivery. You are to execute orders sent to the late committee but not executed,
pay augmentations by our orders, and those of the late Committee for Plundered
Ministers, and the arrears allowed. We send you our instructions to the late
county committee and the ordinance of 10 Feb. [G 30, p. 41.] Annexing, |
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i. Order to John Serle and Rich. Clapp to deliver up to James Pearse their
books and records, or appear in 10 days to answer their contempt.
[G 30, p. 41.] |
| April 28. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to the late County Committee for Hunts.
We hear from our auditor that you have passed your accounts before him to
25 March 1653, and that 246l. 5s. 8d. remains due, which we desire you to pay
in, and to bring up your accounts of receipts since. Your speedy dispatch may
prevent further trouble to yourselves. [G 30, p. 183.] |
| April 28. |
Commissioners for Sequestrations to the late County Committee for Kent.
We are surprised you have not perfected your accounts, considering the penalties
under which, by the late ordinance, you were to finish them by 25 March. These
we must impose, unless by 5 May you bring up your accounts and receipts,
stating defalcations for taxes and arrears, and producing your acquittances and
warrants for taxes, land rents, annuities, and the discharges of all estates not
already entered with our auditor. [G 30, p. 193.] |
April 28.
Cambridge. |
Wm. Pickering to the Commissioners for Sequestrations. I told you what
I had done since ordered to act alone as sub-commissioner. I also told you that
Mr. Jenkinson, late steward to sequestered courts, has records of all the courts
in Cambridgeshire, but refuses to deliver them to me, your order notwithstanding; I have received no directions from you, though I desired them.
Many quit-rents are unreceived, and parcels of copy-land to be taken up; but as
I have not the court rolls, I cannot tell what he has received, nor what fines he
has taken for land taken up without the knowledge of the commissioners.
I therefore beg your orders. [G 147, p: 357.] |
April 29.
Kendal. |
John Archer, County Commissioner for Westmoreland and Cumberland, to
the Commissioners for Sequestrations. I demanded, as directed, the counterparts of leases from the late Cumberland County Committee, but they have none,
only bonds for most of the estates, written in a large book with other things.
Am I to cut out the bonds and send them, or to send the book? |
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The Westmoreland Commissioners say they were not a number enabled by
Act of Parliament to seal leases, but they let the estates by signed orders, the
tenants signing contracts, few being willing to give bonds, because they had
none from the commissioners. Some estates have not let for 2 years, nor will
let at the high sum given in the survey. |
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I have sent up all moneys due, and have tried to get in arrears, but with little
effect. I beg relief from my employment, or allowance for an agent to make
distraints, or for a clerk. The estates sequestered are chiefly of Papists, some
of whom plead want of money, and others so hope relief this summer by their
royal neighbours, the Scots, that nothing will be done without distraint.
[G 171, p. 181.] |
| April? |
29. Commissioners for Sequestrations to the County Commissioners. We
and our predecessors, finding indirect practices in altering the orders delivered,
required that all our orders, letters, &c., should be filed and safely kept. You
are to carry this out, for we do not deny copies to parties for each county concerned. Lately a forged order has been brought us, and much trouble arises in
the making up of accounts for want of vouchers, which would be prevented if
this order were obeyed. [Draft, 1 page.] |
| April? |
30. Note of proceedings in the cases of sundry persons who have requested
discharges on the Act of Pardon. [1½ pages.] |
| April? |
Petition of Henry Taylor, of Preston, co. Lancaster, draper, to the Protector.
Having been ever faithful to and in arms for Parliament, in 1643 had his house
and shop broken open and plundered by Hugh Anderton, Papist delinquent,
and officer under the Earl of Derby; had a judgment and execution against
Anderton, whereupon he surrendered at Lancaster Gaol, where he continued till
1651, when he was relieved by Charles Stuart, whose army he joined, fighting
at Wigan against Col. [Rob.] Lilburne. |
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Has spent 100l. to obtain the said execution, and owes great sums for the
plundered goods; prays satisfaction out of Hugh Anderton's estate, which is
considerable. With deposition of Edw. French, mayor, and the aldermen and
common council of Preston, 25 of whose names are subscribed, to the truth of
the petition. |
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Reference thereon to the trustees at Drury House "to examine the truth of
this petition, and to give such reliefe to ye petitioner as may consist with justice, and bee agreable to the lawes."—Oliver, P. [The words in italics are in
Cromwell's hand. G 121, p. 755.] |
