House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 6 December 1644

Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1802.

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'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 6 December 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644, (London, 1802) pp. 715-717. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/pp715-717 [accessed 25 March 2024]

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In this section

Die Veneris, Decembris 6, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Solemnization of Marriage.

THE House proceeded to the Consideration of the Advice sent from the Assembly touching the Solemnization of Marriage: Which was voted; and assented unto; with the Addition of these Words, " in some Church or Chapel;" and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for bringing in the Ordinance for establishing the Directory, to bring in a Clause in that Ordinance for Registering the Time of the Baptizing of Children, and their Parents Names; and for Registering of Burials.

It is likewise referred to this Committee, to prepare and bring in an Ordinance for Prevention of Childrens marrying without the Parents Consent, and of Parents forcing or denying of Marriage of their Children unjustly; and of Ministers presuming to join in Marriage any Persons without such due Consent: And they are to meet this Afternoon; and to bring in the Ordinance concerning the Directory To-morrow Morning: And that Part presented from the Assembly, concerning the Solemnization of Marriage, this Day voted, and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence, is to be added to the Directory.

States Ambassadors.

Mr. Reynolds reported from the Committee, the Answer to be given to the States Ambassadors touching their Offer of Interposition; the which Answer was first prepared by a Committee of Lords and Commons; and, being reported to the Lords House, was from them sent down to this House, with some Amendments; the Committee thought fit to leave out the Amendments made by the Lords, and to make some other Alterations and Amendments unto it: The which were read; and assented unto; and the Answer so amended and altered, passed, upon the Question; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords, for their Concurrence, by Mr. Reynolds: Who is likewise to desire the Lords, if they should think fit to concur with this House in this Answer, to consider of the Way and Manner of returning it to the States Ambassadors.

Merchant Adventurers.

Ordered, That Mr. Bedingfeild, Mr. Whitelock, and Mr. Rolls, do move the Merchant Adventurers to forbear the Payment of Ten thousand Pounds (wherewith the Office of Excise is charged to pay the same unto them), for Six Months longer; the said Commissioners of Excise paying the Merchant Adventurers Interest for the Forbearance thereof: Which Desire the House makes unto them, in regard of the pressing Occasions the House hath for Money for the present Service of the State.

Naval Affairs.

Ordered, That Sir John Potts and Mr. Corbett do bring in an Ordinance for the Safeguard of the Passage by Sea from Yarnmouth to Edenburgh.

Abuse in Excise.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Excise, to consider of the Abuse of taking the Excise twice for Sheep, Lambs, and other Cattle, bought for Store; and to provide for a Remedy.

Exchange of Prisoners.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Exchange of Colonel John Bellassis, Prisoner to the Parliament, for Major Carre, Captain Lister, and Captain Ascough, Prisoners with the King's Forces; provided the said Colonel John Bellassis be not released till the said Major Carre, and the said Two Captains, be set at Liberty, and returned into Quarters, under Power of the Parliament.

Excise of Flesh, &c.

Ordinance for the Continuing of the Excise of Flesh and Salt for a longer Time, was twice read; and assented unto; and ordered to be sent up to the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Excise.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare and assure the Commissioners of Excise, That they will not divert the Course of the Receipts of the Excise in any of the associated Counties: And that the Deputy Lieutenants in those Counties be desired to be aiding to the Sub Commissioners; who are to collect and hasten the Return of the Monies as formerly.

Resolved, &c. That this House holds it fit, that Three thousand Pounds shall be forthwith provided, out of the Excise, to be paid to the Committee of both Kingdoms; to be by them disposed of, as they shall think fit, according to the most pressing Occasions.

Advance from Excise.

Ordered, That Mr. Corbett, Mr. Vassall, Mr. Edward Ashe, and Mr. Bedingfeild, do go to the Commissioners of Excise, and to acquaint them with the Votes this Day passed concerning them; and to desire them, that they will advance forthwith Three thousand Pounds, to be paid unto the Committee of both Kingdoms; there being pressing Occasions for the same, much importing the Service of the State.

Corey's Composition.

Ordered, That Mr. Thomas Corey be referred to the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall for his Composition.

Money for Army.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Hants, and Sir Wm. Waller, to consult together for the Raising of Monies for Payment of Lieutenant General Middleton, and the Forces under his Command; and to take a speedy Course for the Settling thereof.

Surrey Ordinance, &c.

Ordered, That Mr. Knightley do report, To-morrow, the Ordinance concerning Surrey: And that That Committee of Surrey do take care, that Captain Savile's Troop be paid with all Conveniency.

Sussex Forces.

Ordered, That the Gentlemen of Sussex do forthwith take care to send to the Committee in Sussex, that they do forthwith provide Monies for the Payment of the Forces raised by them, and which are now in the County of Dorsett, and much necessitated for the want of Pay.

Excise of Flesh, &c.

Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That John Towse, Thomas Foote, John Kendrick, Thomas Cullum, and Symon Edmonds, Esquires, and Aldermen of the City of London, John Lamott, and Edward Claxton, of the City of London, Esquires, the present Commissioners of the Excise and new Impost in and through the whole Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick, shall and may do and execute all and every the Clauses, Articles, and other Thing or Things mentioned and contained in the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, bearing Date the Ninth of January One thousand Six hundred and Forty-three, touching the Excise of Flesh, Victuals, and Salt; as also the Ordinance dated the Third of August One thousand Six hundred and Forty-four, intituled, An Ordinance Declaratory for the better Regulating and Levying of the Excise of Flesh within the Cities of London and Westminster, Suburbs and Lines of Communication: Which said Two Ordinances are hereby ordained to stand in Force, and be managed by the said Commissioners for one Year next ensuing the Ninth of January One thousand Six hundred and Forty-four, to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever: Who shall receive the like Allowance of Sixpence in every Pound for the Receipt: And be it further Ordained, That as well all and every the said Commissioners, Deputies, and other their Officers, as all and every other Person and Persons, which shall do any thing in Execution or Performance of this present Ordinance, shall be therein, from time to time, protected, and saved harmless, by the Power and Authority of both Houses of Parliament.

Advance from Excise.

Whereas John Towse Esquire, Alderman of the City of London, and the rest of the Commissioners of Excise and new Impost, have advanced and lent the Sum of Two thousand Pounds, to be issued out for the Service of the West, in such manner as the Committee of Lords and Commons, for the Safety of the West, shall appoint; be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the said Commissioners of Excise shall and may satisfy and reimburse themselves of the said Two thousand Pounds, together with Interest for the same, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Centum, for so long Time as the same, or any Part thereof, shall be forborne, out of such Intervals of Receipts as shall not happen when other Payments, charged upon the Office of Excise, shall fall due, or for want of such Intervals, then as the same shall follow in Course: And shall not, by any other Order or Ordinance, of one or both Houses of Parliament, be debarred from satisfying themselves accordingly: And that the said Commissioners shall pay the said Two thousand Pounds unto John Trenchard Esquire, a Member of the House of Commons; whose Receipt shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Commissioners in that Behalf.

The House interpose in a Quarrel.

The House being informed, That some Words of Heat passed between Sir Martin Lister and Sir Arthur Haselrigge, in the House, tending to a Quarrel; they were both called in; and by Mr. Speaker acquainted, how much it was against the Privilege and Respect due to the House, that such Words should pass; and enjoined, that they do not engage themselves in a Quarrel; and that they should forthwith give Assurance to the House thereof.

And accordingly they both engaged themselves to the House, according to the Injunction laid upon them, not to proceed any further upon the Words that passed.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Reynolds went up to the Lords with the Answer to the States Ambassadors, as it was amended by this House: And carried up the Ordinance for Monies to the Widows, &c.

Sir Walter Erle went up to the Lords with the Two Ordinances concerning Powder and Ammunition, and bringing the monthly Assessments; and the Vote for adding Sir Wm. Masham to the Assembly; in the Place of Sir Tho. Barrington, deceased.

Isle of Wight.

The Ordinance for Continuance of the former Ordinance for the Safeguard of the Isle of Wight, was read; and assented unto; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Getting in Excise.

A Letter was read, which was brought in by Order of the House, to be sent from this House, to the Committees, and Deputy Lieutenants in the several Counties, for the better getting in of the Excise; and, upon Vote, assented unto.

Isle of Wight.

The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, do Ordain and Declare, That the Ordinance, bearing Date the Fifteenth Day of July One thousand Six hundred and Forty-four, concerning the Safety of the Isle of Wight, in the County of Sonthampton, shall have Continuance, and every Clause, Article, and Sentence, therein contained, for and during the Space of Four Months, from the time of the Expiration of the said Ordinance, and no longer.

Covent Garden Church.

Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed to consider of making Covent Garden Church Parochial, do meet this Afternoon: And that this Committee, or any Four of them, do meet to consider of it; and do bring in an Ordinance for the Settling thereof accordingly.

Answer to States Ambassadors.

The Parliament of England do, with all respectful Gratitude, acknowledge the great and good Affection of the High and Mighty Lords, the States General of the United Provinces, expressed by their Ambassadors, towards the good Peace and Happiness of these His Majesty's Dominions, and the Parliament; as also their friendly Offer to interpose, and use their best Endeavours for the Effecting thereof, in case it be so desired: Nor had there been so much Time intermitted therein, the Maintaining and Seeking of Peace have ever been our chief Aim, had we not, before this Offer of my Lords Ambassadors, put ourselves in a way of humble Seeking to his Majesty to re-obtain a well-grounded Peace, by preparing certain Propositions tending thereunto; which, upon the common Interest of both Kingdoms, have, until of late, remained in the Hands of the State of Scotland; and being returned from thence, are lately sent and presented, by a Committee of both Kingdoms, to his Majesty; from whom we hope to receive a gracious Answer; they tending both to his own, as also his People's Good: However, we cannot but express our due Sense of the good Respect from the High and Mighty Lords the States General of the United Provinces to this Kingdom, in their Desires to advance this happy Peace; which will have so great an Influence into the future Good or Evil of all professing the Protestant Religion, in particular the High and Mighty States of the United Provinces, whose Prosperity, as our own, we shall with all true Affection promote.