House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 5 December 1644

Die Jovis, Decembris 5, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Town of Newcastle.

ORDERED, That it be especially, from this House, recommended unto the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider of the several Letters and Papers concerning the Town of Newcastle; and that no Time be lost in taking Resolution thereupon; and particularly concerning the Letter of November 27, 1644, and a Paper inclosed, concerning the Governing of Newcastle; and to make Report thereof to the House on Saturday next: And it is especially recommended unto Sir Hen. Vane to take care of this Business.

Martial Law.

Mr. Solicitor and Mr. Strode are appointed to withdraw presently; and to prepare a Message presently, to be sent to the Lords, to desire them to expedite the Ordinance for Continuance of the Ordinance for Martial Law.

Mr. Long is appointed to carry up this Message, upon Report from the Committee of the North made by Sir Tho. Widdrington.

Newcastle Ministers.

It is Resolved, &c. That Dr. Jennison be restored to the Place and Advantages he formerly had and enjoyed in the Town of Newcastle, and to the Vicarage of Newcastle, in the Place of Mr. Alney, removed for his Delinquency; with all the Profits and Advantages thereunto belonging; in as full and ample Manner, as the said Mr. Alney might or ought to have enjoyed the same.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Christopher Love and Mr. Wm. Strother be sent down to the Town of Newcastle, to be Ministers of the Word of God there.

Affairs of Newcastle.

Newcastle, 14 November. 1644.

Whereas the Committee of the Estates of Scotland, and the Lord General his Excellency, have declared the Ships, which were lying in the River of Tyne, upon the Eleventh Day of October last, to be Prize; and ordained the same to be sold, for the Use of the Army: And being now informed, that many of the said Ships do belong unto Persons well affected unto the Parliament of England, and common Cause of both Kingdoms; and being very willing to use all such Persons with all brotherly Love and Respect; they are content to dispense with their Right unto the Ships of any such Persons; and do hereby desire the Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament to take Trial, and to testify, under their Hands, which of the said Ships do belong to any of the well affected Persons; and what Gratuity they think fitting to bestow upon the Army, for their Pains and Hazard in relieving the said Ships: And the said Committee and Lord General, upon Production of the said Certificate aforesaid, will dispose upon the said Ships, as the said English Commissioners shall desire.

Ja. Primrose.

Vera Copia. Wm. Roe, Sec. Commiss.

Assented unto by the Commons 5 Decembris; not doubting but the Keels of Persons well affected are intended, as well as the Ships.

Ordered, That the Members of this House, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to desire the Scotts Commissioners to return the Thanks of this House to the Committee of Estates of Scotland, and the Lord General Leven his Excellency, for their brotherly Respects and Affections to the Persons well affected to the Parliament of England, and common Cause of both Kingdoms, in restoring the Ships and Keels of such Persons so well affected as aforesaid.

Resolved, &c. That Sir John Marley Knight, the present Mayor, be forthwith disabled from being Mayor and Alderman, and brought to condign Punishment, for his notorious Rebellions against the Parliament: And that Sir George Baker Knight, Recorder, Sir Nicholas Cole Baronet, Thomas Liddell Esquire, newly made Baronet, Sir Francis Bowes Knight, Ralph Cole, and Ralph Cock, Aldermen of that Town, James Cole Sheriff, be displaced and removed from their Offices, and disabled and disfranchised; and likewise the rest of the Aldermen and other Officers there, who have been in Rebellion against the Parliament, as they shall be presented to the House, be displaced and removed from their Offices.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be ordained and appointed for the Sequestering of the Estates of Delinquents: And that John Blakiston Esquire, Henry Warmouth Esquire, Mr. Henry Dawson, Mr. John Cosins, Mr. Edward Man, Mr. Edward Wood, Mr. Wm. Dawson, Mr. Ralph Fewler, Mr. George Dawson, Mr. George Fenwick, Mr. Thomas Ledyard, Mr. Robert Ellison, Mr. Christofer Nicholson, and Mr. Thomas Bonner, be of that Committee.

Resolved, &c. That Sir John Marley Knight be forthwith disabled for being Mayor or Alderman of the Town of Newcastle, and disfranchised.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and approve of Henry Weremouth Esquire to be Mayor of the Town of Newcastle: And that he shall be restored to be Alderman of Newcastle.

Resolved, &c. That John Blakiston Esquire shall be appointed Alderman of the Town of Newcastle.

Resolved, &c. That Edward Wright of Graie's Inn Esquire be Recorder of the Town of Newcastle.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Robert Ellison shall be Sheriff of the Town of Newcastle.

Ordered, That it be re-committed to the same Committee, to consider of fit Persons to be Aldermen of the Town of Newcastle, in place of those, that are removed and disabled.

Ordered, That the Seventh Proposition, concerning Delinquents being possessed of their Coals and Collieries, be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms: Who are desired to use what Expedition they may herein. And Sir Henry Vane is desired to take care of this Business.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Henry Dawson be Customer in the Town of Newcastle, in the Place of Mr. Richard Wynne; Mr. George Fenwick to be Customer, in the room of Mr. Mettam; Mr. George Dawson to be Collector of the Customs:

These Persons are to manage and collect the Customs for the Advantage of the Commonwealth.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Strode reports the Message to be sent unto the Lords, concerning the continuance of the Ordinance for Martial Law: The which was read; and assented unto; and sent up to the Lords by Mr. Long.

He likewise carried up the Vote for Sir Charles Erskine to be admitted into the Assembly.

Advance from Excise.

Resolved, &c. That Two thousand Pounds, Part of the Five thousand Pounds formerly granted out of the Excise, for the Service of the West, be forthwith advanced and paid by the Commissioners of Excise, for the Service of the West: Mr. Nicoll and Mr. Prideaux are appointed to repair to the Commissioners of Excise, to press them to the speedy Advance and Payment of the said Two thousand Pounds.

Newcastle Writ.

Ordered, That the Proposition from Newcastle, desireing, that a Writ may issue forth for the Electing of a new Burgess, in the stead of Sir Henry Anderson, be taken into Consideration on Monday next.

Scotts Papers.

Ordered, That, on Saturday next peremptorily, the first Business, Sir Henry Vane junior do make his Report of the Scotts Papers: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.

Commissioners of Excise.

Ordered, That the Committee, this Day appointed to go to the Commissioners of Excise, do, from this House declare unto them, that nothing shall be done to the Prejudice of the Credit of the Excise, or to the least Diminution of their Security therein; or to make Grant of any Part thereof, without first acquainting them therewith, and advising with them thereupon.

Coals for London Poor.

Ordered, That a Copy of the Abstract of a Letter from the Committee of both Kingdoms at Newcastle, of 22 Novembris 1644, concerning a Ship Lading of Coals sent to the Poor, be sent to the Lord Mayor; and he desired to do therein, as may be best for the Relief of the Poor of London and Westminster, according to the Purport of the said Letter: And that the Members of this House, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do desire the Scotts Commissioners to return the Thanks of this House to their Committee in the North.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That, on Saturday next, Mr. Peirpoint do make Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, concerning Ireland.

Reformadoes.

Ordered, When the House do take into Consideration the Providing Monies for the Armies, the Petition of the Reformadoes be taken into Consideration.

Church Government.

Ordered, That the Report of the Ordinance, concerning the Directory for Publick Worship; and the humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines, concerning the Solemnization of Marriage; be taken into Consideration Tomorrow Morning.

Excise' on Flesh, &c.

Ordered, That an Ordinance for continuing the Excise on Flesh and Salt be brought in To-morrow.

Kent Petition.

Ordered, That the Kentish Petition be taken into Consideration on Tuesday next.

Business deferred.

Ordered, That the Business of the Three Counties be reported To-morrow; and the Supplies of the Wants of the Garison of Reading be taken into Consideration Tomorrow.

Leave to visit Bellassis.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Widdrington may have Leave to visit Mr. John Bellassis.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords have commanded us to desire, That the Committee of the House of Commons, appointed to meet with a Committee of Lords, concerning the Reception of the French Agent, may meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock; to consider of the Letter writ to Sir Oliver Fleeming, Master of the Ceremonies; and concerning his Reception in his Audience: They do also desire, That the House of Commons would give their Concurrence unto the Answer to the States Ambassadors, prepared by the Committees of both Houses, and agreed unto by the Lords.

French Agent.

Ordered, That the Committee do meet, for the Reception of the French Agent, this Afternoon.

States Ambassadors.

Ordered, That the Answer to be given to the States Ambassadors be reported To-morrow, the first Business.

Martial Law.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Finch and Mr. Page;

The Lords do agree to the Ordinance for Continuance of the Ordinance for Martial Law, with the Amendments inclosed.

The Amendments were read; and assented unto.

Answers to Lords.

Answer returned by the First Messengers; That this House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and have appointed the Committee for the Reception of the French Agent, to meet, as is desired: And as to the Answer to the States Ambassadors, they will speedily send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Answer returned by the Second Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Amendments sent down to the Ordinance for Martial Law.

Affairs at Reading.

Sir Philip Stapilton reports, That he had acquainted my Lord General with the Letter and Petition from Reading: And that his Excellency would take care, that Officers should be sent down to the Army; and did desire, That some Course might be taken to supply their Wants.

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