House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 18 November 1643

Die Sabbati, 18 Novembris, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Restoring Morley.

AN Ordinance for the restoring of Sir Wm. Morley to his Estate and Rents, since the Ninth of September last, upon the Payment of One thousand Pounds, (which he hath performed) was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

"Whereas the House of Commons, upon the humble Submission of Sir Wm. Morley to the Mercy of That House, for his Delinquency, and Offences against the Parliament; and upon the Certificate of divers Members of That House, and other Committees, for the Sequestrations of Delinquents Estates in the County of Sussex, that he had taken the Covenant, and was ready to submit himself to the House of Commons; did, upon the Ninth of September last, order that the said Sir Wm. Morley should pay unto the Garison of Portesmouth a Thousand Pounds; and thereupon the said Sir Wm. Morley to be discharged of the Sequestration of his Estate, and be resured to the Possession thereof: And forasmuch as the said Sir Wm. Morley hath paid the said One thousand Pounds, accordingly; It is therefore Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, That the said Sir Wm. Morley shall be discharged of the Sequestration of his Estate from the said Ninth Day of September, according to the Order of the House of Commons in that Behalf made: And, That the Committees for Sequestration of Delinquents Estates in the County of Sussex, shall restore him to the Possession thereof; and of the Rents, due and received, since the said Ninth of September." (fn. 1)

Associated Counties.

An Ordinance for the settling the Affairs in the Six associated Counties; and for giving further Power unto the Earl of Manchester; was read the first Time; and ordered to be read again on Monday, between Ten and Twelve of the Clock.

Parker's Petition.

The humble Petition of Hen. Parker, Gentleman, specially recommended by my Lord General, was read; and ordered to be referred unto Mr. White, Mr. Selden, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Prideaux, and Mr. Browne; to consider what is fit for this House to do further upon it; and to report their Opinions to this House.

Ordered, That this House doth declare, that they are sensible of the good Services Mr. Parker hath done to the Commonwealth; and that they will, in this Particular mentioned in his Petition, or in some other thing as advantageous, consider him for his said Services.

Martial Law.

A Commission from my Lord General, for executing, by Martial Law, Offenders and Delinquents that are liable to be tried by Martial Law, except those that have Dependence on the Army under his Command, was read: Whereupon it was

Resolved, &c. That my Lord General be desired to leave out the Clause of Exception in this Commission.

Resolved, &c. That my Lord General be desired to nominate, and insert in the Commission, a President of the Council of War.

Ordered, That Mr. Nicholls do attend my Lord General, and acquaint him with these Votes, and the Reason that moved the House to pass them; That they conceive, that no Person, that is a Soldier, (if this Clause do stand) can be tried by that Commission: And, that his Excellency do also appoint an Advocate to attend that Council of War.

Readinge Garison.

Mr. Hoby is likewise appointed to go to my Lord General, with Mr. Nicholls, and to acquaint him with the Information and Proposition made this Day, by Mr. Alderman Penington, for the Preservation of the Country near Readinge, from the Garison at Readinge.

Prizes taken, &c.

A Letter from the Earl of Warwicke, from the Downs, dated 5 Novembris Instant, concerning Two Prizes of Bristoll, taken by Captain Hodges; and of the Inconveniency in opening of foreign Letters in their Passage.

Ordered, That Thanks be returned to the Deputy Lieutenants and Committee at Rochester, for their Care in Discovery of Letters of Concernment going beyond Sea: And that they do take special Care, no Merchants Letters, or Bills of Exchange, that concern Trading, be mislaid, or hindred in their Passage.

Old Customers Arrears.

Whereas the old Customers have been appointed to pay in Ten thousand Pounds, Arrear upon their own Accompts, and have neglected to pay the same; It is Ordered, That the said old Customers do attend the Committee of the Navy on Monday next, and give an Account why they have not paid the said Ten thousand Pounds; and if they still refuse, that then they bring in an Ordinance for sequestring their Estates.

Affairs at Plymouth.

A Letter from Colonel Wadlawe, Governor of Plimouth, dated 11 Novembris Instant; of the good Estate and Condition of that Town, notwithstanding the Loss of the Fort at Mount Stamford; was read; and likewise, the Copy of an Oath be tendered to the Inhabitants there; and which was chearfully taken: Whereupon it was

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House doth approve of the Action of Colonel Wardlawe, in administering an Oath to the Inhabitants in and about Plimouth; and that a Letter of Thanks be written from this House unto him: And Sir Jo. Young is to bring in this Letter.

Ordered, That this Letter from Colonel Wardlowe, and the Oath taken at Plimouth, be printed and published.

Billeting Soldiers, &c.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Safety do meet this Afternoon, and consider of the sending away, into Service, such Soldiers as are billeted on the Country, and to discharge such as are not fit for Service; and to take care for clearing their Quarters, by giving Tickets to the Inhabitants on whom they are billeted or otherwise.

Taking of Thurland Castle, &c.

A Letter from Colonel Alex. Rigby, a Member of this House, dated at Preston in Lancashire, 16 Octobris, was read; informing the House of the taking of Thurland Castle, and of a Defeat given to Colonel Hudleston, by him; and that he had sent Colonel Hudleston up Prisoner.

Ordered, That Colonel Hudleston shall be committed to the Tower, there to be kept in strict Custody, (being taken in actual Arms against the Parliament) till this House give further Order.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Colonel Rigby his Action, in demolishing the Castle of Thurland in Lancashire; and will save him from Indemnity.

Ordered, That a Letter of Thanks be written to Colonel Rigby, for his good Services done to the Commonwealth: And Mr. Ashton is to bring in this Letter.

Ordered, That Mr. Fogg, who hath been very diligent in the Service of Parliament, and hath brought up Colonel Hudleston, a Prisoner, out of Lancashire, shall have One hundred Pounds, besides his Charges in bringing him up, allowed him; and that it be paid him out of the Rents and Profits of the Estate of Colonel Hudleston, in the Counties of Lancaster and Cumberland: And the Committees there are hereby required to see the said One hundred Pounds, and Charges as aforesaid, accordingly paid to the said Mr. Fogg.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edward Leeche and Dr. Aylett;

That the Lords do agree to the Ordinance concerning the preserving of Books and Evidences from embezzling, with these Amendments, now sent down; and likewise desire your Concurrence for adding Two Scoche Ministers to the Assembly of Divines, according to this Order now sent down.

The Ordinance and Amendments were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And likewise, the Order for admitting Two Scoche Ministers into the Assembly, was read likewise; and assented unto.

Assembly of Divines.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That Mr. Robert Baily and Mr. Samuel Rutherford shall be admitted into the Assembly, to be present there, and to debate, upon Occasion.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House doth concur with the Lords, in every Part of your Message.

Embezzling Books, &c.

Ordered, That this Ordinance, to prevent the Embezzling of Books and Evidences, be forthwith printed and published.

Waller's Forces.

A Letter from Sir Wm. Waller, dated 16 Novembris Instant, of his Proceedings before Basing House, and since he took the Field, was read.

Ordered, That the Committee for Westminster, sitting at Worcester House, do examine what Soldiers of the Regiment of Westminster are run away from their Colours; and to return their Names, that their Persons may be secured.

Ordered, That Five thousand Pounds shall be provided for Sir Wm. Waller, for the Payment of the Forces under his Command; and that it be referred to the Committee of the Safety, to consider where this may be speedily raised, or how it may be borrowed, upon this emergent Occasion: And a Letter be writ of Encouragement to Sir Wm. Waller: And to take care to send away what Soldiers they can possible to his Aid: And Mr. Reynolds is to write this Letter: And that they write Letters to the associated Counties, to send all the Assistance that may be. Mr. Trenchard is to take care hereof.

Committee for Elections.

Ordered, That the Committee for Elections be revived, where Sir Robert Harley has the Chair; to sit when and where they please.

Payment to Mildrun.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of Excise, be desired to pay Sir John Mildrun, out of the Excise at Bury, Four hundred Pounds, for his present Dispatch away to my Lord Fairfax: And the former Order, for Payment of Four hundred Pounds to Sir John Meldrun, out of Sir Charles Le Grosse and Mr. Catlyn's Estate, shall be a Security to them for Repayment of the same: And Colonel Walton is desired to put the said Ordinance in Execution, for the present raising of the said Monies; and to cause the said Monies to be paid to the Treasurers for the Excise at Bury.

Lupton's Petition.

Ordered, That the Petition of James Lupton be referred to the Committee for the Navy.

Excise.

Ordered, That Mr. Heveningham do acquaint the Commissioners for Excise, where they have not taken care to put the Ordinance of Excise in Execution.

French Ambassador.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker put the House in Mind, on Monday next, at Ten of Clock, to take the Report, concerning the French Ambassador, into Consideration.

Irish Ministers.

The Petition of John Sterne, and other Irish Ministers, was read; and ordered to be referred to the Committee for Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That the Monies appointed to be paid to Dr. Gouge and others, Ministers, for the Relief of the Ministers of Ireland, be staid in their Hands, and not disposed of, till this House give further Order: And the Committee for Irish Affairs is to take care of this Particular.

Governor of Plymouth.

A Letter to the Governor of Plymbuth was read; and assented unto.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That Mr. Reynolds do give Account, on Monday, concerning the Business of Ireland, committed to his Charge.

Anderson's Petition.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of Lawrence Anderson, Master of the good Ship called The Charity of Norway, on the Behalf of himself, and Twelve Seamen his Servants, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for the Navy.

Order amended.

Ordered, That the Words "and others Malignants," be added to the former Order concerning Tin; which is referred to the Committee where Mr. Blakiston has the Chair.

Scotts Reformadoes.

Ordered, That the Surplusage of the Proceed of the Oils (the Bills of Exchange for Barwick, already charged, being first satisfied) shall be disposed for the Payment of the Scotts Reformadoes to Foot, who this Day petitioned the House, provided it exceed not One thousand Pounds.

Southampton.

Ordinance for Southampton was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Letters of Marque.

An Ordinance, for encouraging of Merchants to set out Ships to Sea for the Preservation of the Kingdom, was read the First time; and ordered to be read again on Monday, between Ten and Twelve.

Great Seal.

Mr. Lisle reports from the Committee for the Great Seal: Whereupon it was Resolved as followeth;

That, whereas the Speaker of the House of Commons, by Order of That House, is now intrusted with the present Custody of the Seal; that the Speaker of the House of Commons, together with the whole House, may bring up the Seal to the House of Peers; and that it may be there delivered at the Bar, by the Speaker of the House of Commons, to the Speaker of the House of Peers; and then, and there, the same be delivered, in the Presence of both Houses, to the Commissioners: And that an Entry thereof may be made accordingly in the House; as they will make an Entry thereof in their own House.

Resolved, That it may be kept at Mr. Browne's Office, at Westminster, Clerk of the House of Peers, to be continually sealed up with Three of the Commissioners Seals there to.. put up; then sealed in an Iron Chest to be provided for that Purpose; to be under Three Locks, each Commissioner to have his Key; and not to be taken forth without Authority from Three of the Commissioners.

"You shall swear, that well and truly you shall execute the Office, as Commissioner of the Great Seal of England, according to the Authority given to you by Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament."

Conference desired.

Ordered, That a Conference be desired upon these Heads with the Lords.

Obnoxious Publications.

Ordered, That all such Stationers, or others, that shall from henceforth sell or vend any Pamphlet, printed at Oxford, or elsewhere, or print the same, which is scandalous to the Parliament, or the Proceedings thereof, shall have their Estates sequestered: And the Committee for Sequestrations is required to take care to sequester such Persons Estates as shall be found so offending as aforesaid: And Mr. Whittacre is to bring in an Ordinance to this Purpose.

Lord Stamford.

Ordered, That the Report concerning my Lord Stamford, be made on Monday Morning, the first Business.