House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 16 April 1644

Die Martis, 16 Aprilis, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Excise.

AN Ordinance for setting an Excise, or new Impost, upon divers Commodities, not yet excised, for Payment of the crying Debts of divers Handicraftsmen, who have furnished divers Commodities to the State, was this Day read the First time. And

It is Ordered, That this Ordinance, and the Ordinance brought in by Mr. Green, for setting a new Impost upon Commodities, be read To-morrow, the First Business, the Second time.

Loan from Riche.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde acquainted the House, that Mr. Edw. Riche did offer, upon the same Terms as Yesterday, to lend One hundred and Fifty Pounds more: Which was accepted, and ordered to be repaid, with Interest, in the manner as formerly.

Maimed Soldiers.

The humble Petition of divers poor Soldiers, wounded and maimed in these Wars, in the Parliament Service, desiring to be provided for in Sutton's Hospital, was this Day read; and ordered to be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Sutton's Hospital: And they are to take care, that no Reversioners be admitted; and if, any be admitted, to consider of some Course to make void their Elections.

Mr. Recorder is added to this Committee: And the Care of this Business is especially recommended unto Mr. Recorder: And they are to meet upon it this Afternoon, at Two of Clock, in the Star Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records: And are to make a speedy Return of this Business to the House.

Hertford Militia.

An Ordinance for continuing the Ordinance to the Committee of the Militia, in the County of Herts, for Six Months longer, was this Day read the Second time.

Relief of Prisoners.

Ordered, That the Forty Pounds, in the Clerk's Hands, be paid to Captain Bassie, to be employed for the Relief of the Parliament's Prisoners in Oxon.

Hertford Forces.

It is Ordered, Declared, and Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, for divers weighty Reasons and Considerations them moving, That the former Ordinance made in December last, for a further Addition of Power to the Committee for the County of Herts, enabling them to raise and maintain Forces for the Defence and Preservation of the said County, shall be, and is hereby continued, and to be of Force and Effect, to the Intents and Purposes therein-mentioned, for the Space of Four Months longer, unless both Houses of Parliament shall give other Order therein.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That the Time in this Ordinance shall be for Four Months longer, unless both Houses of Parliament shall give other Order therein; and that the Ordinance be so amended.

Grocers Hall Committee.

Ordered, That the Committee of Grocers Hall do meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, at Grocers Hall: And all the Members of that Committee are enjoined to meet.

Payment for Powder.

Ordered, That Nine hundred Pounds shall be forthwith laid out by the Committee at Haberdashers Hall, towards the Payment for the Powder, bought of Mr. Berisford for the Armies; and Nine hundred Pounds more at Midsummer Day next.

Artillery Train.

Ordered, That the One hundred and Fifty Pounds, advanced by Mr. Edw. Riche, shall be employed towards the Providing of the Materials necessary for the Train of Artillery: And that the Committee at Grocers Hall do consider of present Payment for the same Particulars, either by ready Money or Credit: And that the Lieutenant of the Ordnance be present at the Committee: And that Captain Cannon, and Mr. Tey, do attend the said Committee, with the Notes of such Particulars, as are of absolute Necessity to be provided; to be considered of, and perused by the said Committee, and the Lieutenant of the Ordnance.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Robert Riche and Mr. Page;

The Lords do agree unto the Ordinance for preparing of Grounds of Peace, with the Alterations offered at the Conference, and enlarging of the Time till the Twenty-sixth of April. They do desire, that, for the better expediting that Business, and setting-forth of my Lord General, That the Houses may sit only Three Days in the Week; They have not named the Days; but desire that the Houses may agree upon the Days.

They have sent down an Ordinance for placing of Peter Clerke, Preacher at Sutton's Hospital.

They do agree to the Ordinance for felling of Timbertrees in the Woods of certain Delinquents, for the Use of his Majesty's Navy, with the Amendments herewithal sent down.

They do agree to the Ordinance concerning the felling of the Lord Petre's Timber, without any Alteration.

House to sit.

Resolved, &c. That this House do agree to sit only Three Days in the Week.

Resolved, &c. That the House shall be adjourned Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays until both Houses take further Order.

Sir Rob. Pye is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire them to concur, that the Days of Adjournment of the House may be Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Delinquents Timber.

The Amendments to the Ordinance for Delinquents Timber, which were That the Names, and Timber-trees of the Earl of Thanett, and Sir F. Leigh may be left out, were read; and, by Vote, upon the Question, assented unto.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do, agree to adjourn Three Days in a Week, until both Houses take other Order. They do agree to the Amendments to the Ordinance concerning Delinquents Estates: And as to the Order for placing Mr. Peter Clerke, to be Preacher of Sutton's Hospital, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Money for Army.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the Letters and Warrants from Sir Wm. Waller, of the Eleventh of April, from Bishops Waltham, desiring divers Particulars to be sent unto him, be referred to the Committee of the West, to consider of them; and to provide Monies for the Supply of so many of them as they shall think necessary.

Agents to Sweden.

Upon a Report this Day made from the Committee of both Kingdoms;

It is Resolved, upon the Question, That there be some Persons in nature of Agents, from both Kingdoms, sent with all convenient Speed to the Swedes, with Instructions to maintain a good Correspondency with that Crown, and such as may be an Occasion of a nearer Alliance with the same.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Excise Account.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Excise do meet on Thursday Morning next, and receive the Charge from the Auditors of the Account of the Commissioners of the Excise, for the First Quarter's Account.

Payment from Excise, &c.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Excise do desire the Commissioners of the Excise to pay in the Month's Pay assigned to my Lord General; and that they do give them Notice of the Ordinance passed for recruiting my Lord General's Army: And require them to take Notice thereof, and make Report of their Answer To-morrow Morning.

Navy.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Navy, to consider with my Lord Admiral, whether Use may not be made of the Ships already provided, in a Manner sufficient for the Defence of the Coasts: if not, but that there must be necessarily provided more Ships, that then the Committee do consider how the Charge of those additional Ships, and the rest of the Fleet, may be sustained.

Advance by Levant Company.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy do receive the Answers of the Levant Company, concerning their Payment of the Eight thousand Pounds, promised by them to advance, and the Note of the Names of such as refuse.

Army.

Ordered, That Mr. Scawen do make Report of the Establishment of the Army, To-morrow Morning.

Uxbridge Garison.

Ordered, That Mr. Whittacre do make his Report, To-morrow Morning, concerning Uxbridge Garison.

Money to Lord Grey.

Ordered, That Mr. Corbett do make his Report concerning the furnishing the Lord Grey with Five hundred Pounds, To-morrow Morning.

Associated Counties.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for the Association of the Seven Associated Counties, be read To-morrow Morning, the first Business.