House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 14 January 1643

Die Sabbati, 14 Januarii, 1642.

PRAYERS.

Island of St. Christoppher's.

UPON the humble Petition of Wm. Somner and Ensign Beecher, employed from the Island of St. Christopher's, to complain of the Oppressions the Inhabitants are under there, and to desire a Redress; and setting forth, That one Robinson has, by false Pretences and Suggestions to his Majesty, got a Writ of Rebellion against the said Inhabitants and Petitioners; and is gone to Plymouth with it; and intends there to embarque himself for St. Christopher's.

It is Ordered, That the said Robinson be stayed, and not permitted to embarque himself: And that he be injoined and required not to leave the Kingdom, till the Matters may be heard and determined, and that the House take farther Order.

The Tower.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Tower, and the Committee of the Militia of London, to assign Two hundred Men of the new Militia, more or less, if need shall be, and they shall so think fit; to attend, from time to time, for the Defence and Safety of the Tower.

Ordered, That the Earl of Holland be desired to grant Commissions to Mr. F. Zachary, for White-chapel; Mr. Nath. Tilley, for St. Leonard, Shoreditch; Mr. Robert Welding, for Hackney; Mr. William Willoughby, for Ratcliffe; Mr. Abraham Woodrooff, for Wapping; Mr. Robert Hackwell, for Lymehouse; to be Captains of several Companies of the Train Bands belonging to the Tower; to be a Regiment under the Command of the Lieutenant of the Tower.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Long carried up Orders for Ireland: The Ordinance concerning St. Marten's Church and Coventgarden: Two Deputy Lieutenants for the County of Cambridge: One for the County of Lincolne: Was to desire a free Conference concerning the Matter of the late Conference touching the Restraint of Ships to go to Newcastle; and to move the Lords to expedite the Commission to my Lord of Warwick, concerning the Commanding of the Fleet.

Military Affairs.

A Letter from Sir Hugh Cholmley from Scarborough, of Twenty-ninth of December; A Relation of his Proceedings since his first coming to Scarborough; with the Reasons he did not march to Tadcaster, as was desired by my Lord Fairefax; the Opinion of Sir Hugh Cholmeleye's Officers, for his Repair to Scarborough; were all this Day read; and ordered to be communicated to the Lord General: And that the whole Business be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for the Northern Affairs.

Scarborough Castle.

Resolved, That Sir Hugh Chomley shall be required to employ his best Endeavours in the Charge and Custody of the Castle of Scarborough.

Mr. Pym to print his Speech.

Ordered, That Mr. Pym be desired to publish, in Print, what Yesterday he delivered, by Order of both Houses, at the Common Hall: And that none dare or presume to print it, but such as John Hinde shall appoint.

Proceedings of Common Hall.

The House being informed, that Alderman Fouke was at the Door; who had something to say from the Lord Mayor:

Who, being called in, informed the House, That he was required by the Lord Mayor to return Thanks to this Honourable House, for vouchsafing their Members to be present Yesterday at the Common Hall; and to desire this House, that what was delivered Yesterday by Mr. Pym might be printed for satisfying of the People; and to inform this House of the orderly Carriage of the great Meeting at the Common Hall, being Men all in Livery Gowns, that his Majesty might see Tumults did not carry the Sway in the Government of the City.

That One Man was taken in a Livery Gown, who was a Servant to one Evelyn; which Gown he borrowed at the House of one Austyn, a Scriviner: Whom the Lord Mayor hath sent in his Gown, to be proceeded against as they shall think fit: Lastly, That divers Tickets was scattered, in Print, amongst them in the Hall; viz. "To give your Consent, that the City be defended by their own Trained Bands; and not by mercenary Soldiers."

Punishing Evelyn's Servant.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Lord Mayor, to punish the Servant of Mr. Tho. Evelyn, who came to the Common Hall Yesterday in a Gown as a Counterfeit; to punish him according to Law: And that the Committee for Informations do examine him touching Mr. Tho. Evelyn.

Pym thanked.

Ordered, That Mr. Pym have publick Thanks given him for the good Service he did, in what he so well and faithfully delivered, upon the Commands of the House, Yesterday at the Common Hall.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Longe brings Answer, That the Lords will give a present Meeting, as is desired: They do agree to the Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Lincolne and Cambridge; and to the Ordinance for supplying the Cures of St. Martins in the Fields and St. Paul in the Conventgarden: And as to the Irish Orders; and the Commission to my Lord of Warwick to command the Fleet; they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Person disturbing Common Hall.

Resolved, That Mr. Langley, Mercer, in Aver Marie Lane, be sent for in safe Custody; to answer a Complaint presented to this House against him, for disturbing the Common Hall Yesterday; and uttering many Things there, derogatory to the Honour and Proceedings of the Parliament and City.

Conference.

Mr. Cage, Mr. Vassall, are appointed Managers and Reporters of this Conference.

Persons refusing to contribute.

Ordered, That the Knights and Burgesses that serve for the County of Middlesex and the City of Westminister, and Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Middlesex, do forthwith take Order for disarming all such in the City of Westminster, and the Liberty, and in the County of Middlesex, as refuse to contribute upon the Propositions: And that the Lord Mayor, and Committee for the Militia in London, do forthwith disarm such in the City of London, and Suburbs and Liberties, as refuse to contribute upon the Propositions, according to the former Order.

Orders concerning Ireland.

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

The Lords have agreed to the Nine Orders concerning Ireland, sent up unto them by Mr. Long.

Tin Farmers.

The House being informed, That the Tin Farmers were at the Door;

They were called in: Who informed the House, That they paid to Sir David Cunningham Two thousand Six hundred and Fifty Pounds, for Part of the Rent due to his Majesty; which he paid 27° or 28° Decembris, being a Day or Two after it was due: And that they had no Notice given them of any Order of this House for Stay of so much of the King's Revenue as was in their Hands.

Having withdrawn, they were called in again: And being asked, Whether Sir Job Harby told them, That he had been injoined by the Committee not to pay the Two thousand Six hundred and Fifty Pounds to his Majesty; answered, Noe: and confessed, Three thousand Three hundred and Fifty Pounds doth yet remain in their Hands, which is due to his Majesty and the Tinners: And that they intend to petition his Majesty for the Abatement of a great Part thereof; in pursuance of a Clause in their Patent, for Reparation, in Time of War, for the Loss or Hindrance the Mines have in the Vent of that Commodity in those Times of Trouble.

Ordered, That the Tin Farmers do forthwith pay the Two thousand One hundred and Fifty Pounds remaining in their Hands, of the Rent due upon the Tin Farm, to the Treasurers at Guildhall, London, for the Monies upon the Four hundred thousand Pounds Bill: And that they shall be saved harmless, and have a Discharge from both Houses for the Payment thereof: And that it be referred to the former Committee for the Tin Farmers Petition, to consider of the Allowing of the Two thousand Six hundred and Fifty Pounds already paid by them; and of deducting the Twelve hundred Pounds seized on in Devonshire, out of the Half year's Rent of Six thousand Pounds.

Restraint of Ships going to Newcastle.

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

The Lords do agree to the Ordinance concerning the Restraint of Ships to go to Newcastle: They will take Care for the Printing of it; and do desire, that this House will take Order for the Dispersing of them.

Ordered, That a Copy of the Ordinance for Restraint of Ships to go to Newcastle, be delivered, signed under the Clerk's Hand, to the Committee for the Customers, to be dispersed by their Care forthwith through all the Ports of England.

Collection of Customs.

Mr. Green presents from the Committee, these following Propositions, presented to the Committee by the Gentlemen underwritten; which thereupon will undertake the Collection of the Customs.

1. That if they shall be thought fit for that Employment, that then they may be saved harmless by an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament.

2. That they may not, without just Cause, be put out of the Employment, when Tonage and Poundage shall be settled by Act of Parliament.

3. That they may be settled by the said Ordinance in the said Employment for a Time certain; in regard that thereby they shall be diverted from other Employments, they shall be the more encouraged to use their Endeavours to reform many Abuses crept into that Business; and they shall much the better be enabled to do the King and Kingdom Service, by advancing Money upon Credit, and otherwise, not only for the present, but also for the future.

4. That they may have the like Power and just Advantages and Allowances as were granted to the former Commissioners; or such other Power, Advantages, and Allowances, as the Honourable House of Commons shall conceive reasonable, for reforming Abuses, and carrying on the Work.

5. That if the said Propositions and Persons subscribing them, shall be approved, they are ready to do the best Service they can; and to advance the Sum of Twenty thousand Pounds propounded, within a short time after they shall be settled in the said Place, if it be required; to be repaid to them, with Interest, out of the Customs, within some convenient Time.

6. That if any Thing herein propounded be disliked, they are ready to attend the Pleasure of the House, with hope to give Satisfaction therein.

The Reporter did farther inform the House, That these Gentlemen were again with the Committee this Morning; and told them, That they did adhere to their First Proposition of advancing Twenty thousand Pounds; that they could not exceed; but they would be willing to serve the Parliament hereafter as they should be enabled.

They desired the Time of their Employment might be for Three Years; the Time they submit to the House's Consideration; so that when they shall be required to leave the Service, they may do it without Prejudice to their Estates, or Credits: and that they may be reimbursed the Monies they shall advance with Interest.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth assent to these Propositions, presented in Writing by the Gentlemen subscribed, that undertake the Collecting of the Customs; and like wise to the Propositions reported by the Reporter; and to the Persons whose Names are presented with the Propositions, to be Commissioners and Collectors of the Customs; and it is referred to the Committee for the Customs to prepare the Articles of Agreement, and the Conditions, whereupon they are to undertake this Service; and to prepare an Ordinance for enabling and constituting the forenamed Persons to be Commissioners and Collectors of the Customs; and likewise to prepare an Ordinance for continuing the Payment of the Customs in the like Manner as now they are.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Navy shall have Power to dispose of such Monies as are daily collected upon the Customs, to be employed upon the Service of the Navy.

Letter from Sir E. Hungerford.

A Letter from Sir Edw. Hungerford, of the Tenth of January, concerning his being apprehended by the Warrant of Sir Edw. Bainton, and seized upon by his Captain Lieutenant Eyre at Malmesbury, and of his Escape afterwards to Circenster; and likewise of the Taking Prisoners afterwards the said Sir Edw. Bainton, and his Captain Lieutenant Eyre, and the Carrying of them to Circencester, where they now remain in Custody.

Prisoners to be brought up.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Edw. Bainton, and his Captain Lieutenant Edward Eyre, be forthwith brought up in safe Custody: And that it be referred to the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom, to consider in what Manner they may be best and safest brought up; and to give Order for the Bringing of them up accordingly.

State of Wilteshire.

Ordered, That Sir Jo. Evelyn and Sir Nevile Poole do repair to my Lord General, to acquaint him with the State of the County of Wiltess; and, if Occasion be, into the County likewise; taking some Officers with them, as Occasion shall require, for the Settling the Peace thereof.

Propositions to the King.

The House fell into Consideration of the Propositions.

The Question being put, Whether the House would adhere to the Seventh Proposition, concerning the Ordinance of the Militia;

Resolved, &c. That it is the Opinion of this House, that they do not decline or intend to invalid the Ordinance of the Militia by this Proposition.

Resolved, That One Proposition to his Majesty shall be, That his Majesty would be graciously pleased, by Act of Parliament, to settle the Militia both by Sea and Land, and for the Forts and Ports of the Kingdom, in such Manner as shall be agreed on by both Houses.

Ordered, That the Consideration of these Propositions be resumed on Monday Morning, peremptorily: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind thereof.

Money for 1. of Wight.

WHEREAS Mr. Peter Gard, Collector in the Isle of Wight of the Monies that come in upon the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds, is, by Order of the Lords and Commons, of the Nineteenth of December, required to pay into the Hand of Lieutenant Colonel Carne Seven hundred and Fifty Pounds; the which Monies are to be disposed of by the said Lieutenant Colonel, upon Account, for Payment of the Garisons there, and for such other Occasions as shall be necessary for the Fortification and Defence of the said Isle: It is this Day Ordered, by the Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom do grant their Warrants to the Treasurers for the Proposition Monies in London, to pay out of the Monies and Plate come to their Hands the said Sum, ... Seven hundred and Fifty Pounds, to the said Peter Gard, or his Assignee or Assignees; being for so much received by the said Lieutenant Colonel Carne of the said Peter Gard, upon the Order aforesaid: And that an Acquittance under the Hand of Lieutenant Colonel Carne be a sufficient Discharge to the said Peter Gard; and an Acquittance under the Hand of Peter Gard, or his Assignee, together with a Warrant from the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom, as aforesaid, shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to the Treasurers of the Proposition Monies, for so much as they shall pay thereupon.