House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 8 May 1644

Die Mercurii, Maii 8, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Excise.

ORDERED, That the Ordinances for Addition of Excise, be read on Saturday Morning next, peremptorily.

Commissioners of Excise.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of Excise shall be secured so much Monies as they shall give Credit for, for Arms for the West, out of the Twenty thousand Pounds, assigned formerly out of the Receipts of the Excise, to the Value of One thousand Pound.

Arms detained by Van Trumpe.

A Letter from the Lord Admiral, from the Downs, of the Fourth of May, and likewise an Answer of Van Trumpe's, of the Eighth of May, St. novo, to a Letter of the Earl of Warwick's, concerning Arms bought by the English in Flanders, and now lying in Duynkirke, and there hindered by Van Trumpe to be conveyed or exported, were this Day read; and, by Vote upon the Question, referred to the Consideration of the Committee of both Kingdoms; together with the Examinations concerning the Preparations in Spayne.

Mr. Ashe is appointed to attend the Committee upon this Business.

Earl of Arundell.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the Actions of the Earl of Arundell, to the Prejudice of the Parliament, shall be referred to the Committee for Examinations: And Mr. Gourdon is to take care of this Business.

Committee of both Houses.

An Ordinance for appointing a Committee of Members, of both Houses of Parliament, to join with the Committees and Commissioners of Scotland, for the better Managing the Affairs of both Nations in the common Cause, according to the Ends expressed in the last Covenant and Treaty, between the Two Nations of England and Scotland; was this Day read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Ordinance be rejected.

Message to Lords.

Resolved, &c. That a Message be forthwith sent to the Lords, to desire them to concur with this House, in expediting the Ordinance for enlarging the Time of continuing the Ordinance concerning the Committee of both Kingdoms, in regard it expires very suddenly: To expedite their Answer to the late Conference, touching the Earl of Manchester's Forces, and the Vindication of the Privilege and Honour of the House; and the Ordinance concerning the Exclusion of the Members of either House, as have deserted the Parliament, and not readmitting of them without the Consent of both.

Sir Rob. Harley is appointed to go up with this Message, and the Members of the House to accompany him.

Answer.

Sir Rob. Harley brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer to all the Messages carried up by him, by Messengers of their own.

Superstitious Monuments.

Ordered, That the Committee for demolishing of Monuments of Superstition be revived, and that they, or any Four of them, do meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber.

Army.

An Ordinance to enable the Committee of the Militia to send Three Regiments of Auxiliaries to Sir Wm. Waller, and Three Regiments of Auxiliaries to my Lord General; to be paid, during the Time of their Continuance abroad, by the Parliament, according to the Establishment of the Army under the immediate Command of my Lord General the Earl of Essex; was this Day read; and, by Vote upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence: And was carried up by Sir Rob. Pye.

Court of Wards.

He likewise carried up the Ordinance for constituting Mr. Corbett Clerk of the Court of Wards, in the Place of Mr. Chamberleyn.

Deputy Lieutenants of Middlesex.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Sir Jo. Dancers and Sir James Harrington; to be Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Middlesex.

The Lord Concurrence to be desired herein: And was carried up by Sir Rob. Pye.

Associated Counties.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee of the Seven associated Counties do meet this Afternoon, at the usual Place, to put in Execution the Powers concerning raising and collecting of Monies, for Maintenance of the Forces of the associated Counties, mentioned and contained in the Ordinance of August 16, 1643; or any other Ordinance for raising of Monies for the associated Counties: And the Gentlemen of Lincolneshire are appointed * * * *

Grant to Powell.

Ordered, That an Hundred Pound, of the Thousand Pounds assigned for Pembrokeshire, be bestowed upon Captain Rice Powell, in Testimony of his good Service: And that he shall have an Assurance, in the Letter to the Gentlemen of Pembrokeshire, that the House hath a good Esteem of him for his faithful Services; and will take him into further Consideration hereafter, for the Arrears due unto him.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Rob. Pye brings Answer, That.... will take the Messages, carried up by him, into speedy Consideration; and send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Lady Shelley.

Mr. Corbett reports, from the Committee appointed to examine the Business of my Lady Shelley, of the Monies (informed to belong her, being a Papist) and that hath given Assistance to the Enemy, remaining in the Hands of Sir Tho. Soame, and others: Whereupon the House.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Thousand Pounds, in the Hands of Sir Tho. Soame; Five hundred Pounds, in the Hands of Sir Hen. Garroway; and Five hundred Pounds, in the Hands of Mr. Rich. Midleton, and Mr. Richard Bateman; informed of to belong to the Lady Shelly; shall be forthwith paid to Sir Tho. Midleton, for the Service of Shropshire.

Resolved, That the said Gentlemen be saved harmless, and indemnified, against the Executors of Baron Hilton, and all other Persons that shall pretend, or make any Claim, to the said Monies: And that the Executors, or one of them, shall deliver up the respective Bonds, or give Release to the said Parties respectively.

Resolved, &c. That the Persons, to whom the said Monies shall appear to be due, in case it proves not to belong to the State, shall be reimbursed the said Monies, when their Title appears.

That an Ordinance be brought in to this Purpose.

Prisoner discharged.

Resolved, &c. That Jo. Arthur shall be discharged of his Imprisonment, notwithstanding he be in upon Execution: And the Keeper of the Compter in London, where the said Arthur is imprisoned, is hereby required forthwith to release the said Jo. Arthur.

Army.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider, this Afternoon, how both Armies may be speedily put upon Action; and to write to the Committees in Kent for the keeping out of their Horse, supernumerary above their Proportion, for some convenient Time longer: And that Report be made of the Proceedings herein To-morrow.

City Forces.

Ordered, That the Committee, formerly appointed for the weekly Meal, where Mr. Ellis had the Chair, or any Five of them, are to go with this Message to the Committee of the Militia in London, to acquaint them with what the Sub Committee of the Militia of the Suburbs has represented to this House: And to desire them to consider, what Power is fit to be allowed to the Sub Committee, for preventing the Inconveniences represented: And likewise to desire them to take some Course to prevent the Return of the City Forces.

Earl of Manchester- Bishop of Canterbury.

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

The Lords desire a present Conference, by Committees of both Houses, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning the Earl of Manchester's Ordinance; and likewise concerning a Committee to be sent down to the Army.

They have received a Petition from the Bishop of Canterbury, desiring some Maintenance during the Time of his Troubles: They desire this House to take it into Consideration; and to make him such Allowance as is usual in the like Cases: And have put off his Trial till Monday next.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That the House has considered their Lordships Message; and as to the Conference, they will give a present Meeting, as is desired: And, as to the Bishop of Canterbury's Petition, they will send Messengers of their own.

Sir Hen. Vane jun. Sir Tho. Barrington, Mr. Whitlocke, Mr. Solicitor, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Westminster College Plate.

Ordered, That the Plate lately found, that belongs unto the College of Westminster, now in the Possession of Sir Rob. Harley, be forthwith melted; and the Proceed of that Plate be disposed by the Committee appointed for the Collegiate Church of Westminster, or any Five of them, for such Uses concerning the said Collegiate Church, and to such Servants, Workmen, and others, as they shall think fit.