House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 31 July 1643

Die Lunæ, 31 Julii, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Maimed Soldiers.

THE humble Petition of Rich. Lacye, Bailiff of the Borough of Warwick; and of Jo. Bryan, Preacher to the Garison in the Castle of Warwick; concerning Seven hundred maimed Soldiers sent from the Battle at Keynton, to be cured there; was this Day read; and ordered to be referred to the Committee for maiined Soldiers; together with the Consideration of the Information, given by a Member of this House, concerning Monies advanced unto them before-hand by my Lord General; and a Month's Pay left in every Soldier's Purse.

Associated Counties.

The humble Petition of the Well-affected of the County of Norfolk, and the City of Norwich; desiring, that, by Ordinance of Parliament, Eight thousand Foot and Dragooners, and Two thousand Horse, be instantly raised, in the associated Counties of Norfolk, the City of Norwich, Suffolk, Essex, Hert', Cambridge and Huntington, with the Isle of Ely, by an indifferent Proportion, for the Defence of the associated Counties, by raising Sums of Money for the Payments of these Forces by a weekly Assessment; was this Day read: And it is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Six associated Counties, to consider of some Ways for raising of Money for maintaining the Forces raised, and to be raised, in those Counties, without any Prejudice to the weekly Assessments designed for the Maintenance of the Publick.

Arms, &c. in Danish Ship.

Mr. Vassall reports from the Committee appointed to visit the Denmarke Ship, that, when they came to the Ship, they demanded what was aboard of her: They answered, they knew not; that they were put aboard of her after she was freighted: They required them to open the Decks: They answered, they had not the Keys: Thereupon they caused the Decks to be broke open, and found it freighted with Match, Muskets, Swords, Back and Belly Pieces, Great Shot, Powder, and all Sort of Ammunition; that they have taken all the Men aboard, and set Englishmen aboard her; and have given Charge of her to Captain Driver. He further reported, that the Gentleman, that came particularly intrusted from the King of Denmarke, by his own Confession, is a Papist.

Resolved, &c. That the Goods in the Denmarke Ship, named the Arke Christian, shall be forthwith landed, inventoried, and appraised, and laid up in Sir Peter Ricaut's House, and there kept in particular Rooms apart, and not disposed of but by the particular and special Order of this House; and this to be done in the Presence of the Gentleman sent from Denmarke, and some of the Ship's Company, if they will be present.

Mr. Alexander Bence, and Mr. Squire Bence, are to see these Goods landed, and laid up.

Lieutenant of the Tower.

The humble Petition of Sir Jo. Conyers Knight, Lieutenant of the Tower of London, desiring, that his Fee and Wages, amounting to the Sum of Three hundred Pounds; and the Sum of Three hundred and Twenty Pounds Ten Shillings and Ten-pence, which he hath disbursed for Diet, and other Things, to the Lord Maquire, and other Irish Rebels, close Prisoners; may be forthwith paid unto him; was this Day read: And it is Ordered, That the said Sum of Six hundred and Twenty Pounds Ten Shillings and Ten-pence be forthwith paid unto him, out of the Monies that shall come in, of the King's Revenue.

Prisoners of War.

A Letter from the Committee at Cambridge; importing, that Colonel Cromwell had sent up divers Prisoners, taken by him at Burleigh House.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Philip Welbye be forthwith committed Prisoner to the King's Bench, for being in actual War against the Parliament; there to remain during the Pleasure of the House.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Winckfield Bodenham Knight, High Sheriff of the County of Rutland, be forthwith committed Prisoner to the Tower, for being in actual War against the Parliament; there to remain during the Pleasure of the House.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Prisoners, where Sir Rob. Harley has the Chair, to dispose of the rest of the Prisoners sent from the Committee at Cambridge, to such Prisons as they shall think most convenient, for the safe keeping of them.

Affairs of Lincolneshire, &c.

Letters from the Committee at Lincolne; relating the State of the Affairs of Lincolneshire, and of Gainsborough.

Ordered, That Sir Jo. Palgrave, or his Lieutenant Colonel, Sir Miles Hubbard, and Sir Jo. Gell, do forthwith march, with the Forces under their Command, to the Assistance of the Lord Willoughby at Gainsbrough: And the Committees at Cambridge, Lynne, and in Norfolke, and the rest of the associated Counties, are required to take care, that these Forces do march away with all Speed: And also to send such additional Forces as they have already provided, or can raise, either in the Frontier of the associated Counties, or in the associated Counties themselves, to march with the said Forces. And Sir Dudley North, Mr. Corbett, and Sir Anth. Irby, are ordered forthwith to go down to see this Order put in Execution; and to do all other Things for the Advancement of this Service. And it is further Ordered, That Letters be sent from this House to the Committees at Cambridge and Norfolke, and to Sir Miles Hobbard, and Sir Jo. Palgrave, and Sir Jo. Gell, to march away with their Forces.

Cromwell's Forces.

Ordered, That One thousand Arms for Foot, and Five hundred Arms for Horse, that came in the Denmarke Ship, shall be forthwith sent down for the Service of those Forces under the Command of Col. Cromwell: And Mr. Vassall, Mr. Reynolds, and Sir Chr. Wray, are ordered to see this Order put in Execution, and the Arms sent down.

Transactions with Scotland.

Mr. Pym, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Crew, Mr. Reynolds, Sir Gilb. Gerard, Mr. Martyn, Mr. Cage, or any Three of them, are appointed to receive the Propositions which Mr. Meldron hath to propound to this House from Scotland: And are to draw additional Instructions for the Committee in Scotland: And are to meet, when and where they please.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Knightlie went up to the Lords with this Message; To desire the Lords Concurrence to certain Names for to be added to the Committee for Sequestrations in the Counties of Cambridge and Northampton: And also, to he Ordinance concerning a Suit in Law between * *: And also Four Ordinances concerning Payment of Monies for the Service of Ireland.

Army Affairs.

Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whitfield and Serjeant Finche;

That the Lords do desire a present Conference in the Painted Chamber, concerning some Propositions they have received from my Lord General.

Answer returned, that this House will give a present Meeting, as is desired.

Mr. Pym, Mr. Hollis, Sir Chr. Yelverton, Mr. Reynolds, are appointed Managers of this Conference.

Cambridge Committee.

Edward Scotting, James Whinnell, Will. Lettaine, Luke Voice, Ric. Pounsonby, Joseph Cole, Gentlemen; Jo. Taylor, Edw. Mayes, Stephen Fortune, Joseph Eversden, Edw. Scott, Lau. Keete; are added to the Committee for Sequestrations in the County of Cambridge.

Northampton Committee.

Jo. Parker, Wm. Warde, Esquires; Jo. Warde, Geo. Needham, Ric. Robbins, Fra. Cooke, Dan. Readinge, Wm. Waters, Dan. Hopkins, Jo. Willington; are added to the Committee for Sequestrations in the County of Northampton.

Army Affairs.

Mr. Pym presented, from the Conference with the Lords, the Propositions from my Lord General: Which were read in hæc verba; viz.

Considerations, to be offered to the Parliament, of the Weakness of the Army; and the Expedients for Remedy thereof.

The Number of Foot Three thousand marching Men; at least Three thousand Sick, occasioned by the Want of Pay, ill Cloathing, and all other Miseries, which attend an unpaid sickly Army.

The Number of the Horse Two thousand Five hundred; (Three thousand last Muster) occasioned by Loss of Horses upon hard Duty and Service, and other Casualties, accident to Horse in Service; Recruits of Horse, though often desired, not performed. Besides, by reason of a new Army being raised, the Officers find themselves neglected, the present Regiments much lessened, listing themselves elsewhere for the new Army, expecting better Pay and Cloathing; and, upon their going hence, are entertained and protected: And great Discouragements and Scandals put upon his Excellency, the Officers, and Army, either through false Suggestions of some amongst us, or the Misunderstanding of others; poisoning the Affections of the People; which hinder Recruits and Contributions.

Remedies for which Mischiefs - offer these Things.

1. A speedy Pay of the Arrears; and a constant Pay settled for the future; which will draw on Recruits, and give way to more strict Discipline: And that Cloaths may be provided according to a Thousand for every Regiment: To which Purpose, an Ordinance for a Press be immediately passed.

2. That Five hundred Horse be sent, and Two hundred monthly provided, for Recruits.

3. That the Forces to be raised may not be put into a new Army until the old Regiments be recruited: No Officer or Soldier to be entertained into any other Employment: And that severe Punishment be executed upon such; and those that entertain them.

4. That such as shall be found guilty of any Scandals laid upon his Excellency, any of his Officers, or Army, may be severely punished; whereby the like Offences may be no more committed: And a Declaration of both Houses passed, for the Vindication of his Excellency and them.

5. That full Power having been given to his Excellency, by an Ordinance of both Houses, for the granting of all Commissions for the raising or commanding of any Forces, Towns, or Garisons: It is conceived most requisite, for the better ordering of the Army, that no Commission be granted whatsoever, but from his Excellency; the want of which breeds Disobedience to his Excellency's Commands, to the Prejudice of the Kingdom.

6. That the Loss of the West is rumoured to be occasioned by his Excellency. Desired, it may be thoroughly examined, what the Loss was, and the Occasion of it.

Those being read, Mr. Pym further reported, that the Lords had made some Observations hereupon; and had offered something for Answer.

1. They recommended to this House, that the Arrears of the Army might be satisfied; and that a constant Pay, and Cloaths, might be provided.

2. They likewise recommended it to this House, to provide Five hundred Horse presently, and Two hundred Horse monthly.

3. The next Consideration they offered in Writing, in hæc verba, viz. "That the Army of the Earl of Essex be recruited, in the first Place, by all possible Means: And for the speedier Expedition of it, they offer to you, that an Ordinance be passed for pressing of Men."

4. They recommend, that the Aspersions and Scandals may be examined; the Authors punished; his Excellency and his Officers to be vindicated; and a Declaration to pass to this Purpose.

5. They recommend, that all Commissions be granted by and from his Excellency.

6. They recommend, that the Business of the West, may be thoroughly examined; what the Loss was; and the Occasions of it.

After some Debate of these Propositions, it was

Resolved, &c. That Four thousand Men shall be forthwith raised, for recruiting my Lord General's Army.

Ordered, That the further Debate of this Report, of the Conference concerning my Lord General's Propositions, shall be resumed To-morrow Morning at Nine a Clock.

Army Cloathing.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Safety, according to a former Order of this House, of the Twenty-fourth of this instant July, to provide Cloathing for the Soldiers in my Lord General's Army. Such as do remain there still in Service, or are sick; or such as are otherwise absent, being formerly inlisted; shall return to their Colours within a Week.

Prisoners of War.

Resolved, &c. That the Two hundred and Twenty-four Prisoners, sent from Cambridge, be forthwith committed Prisoners, there to remain during the Pleasure of the House: And it is referred to the Committee for Prisoners, where Sir Rob. Harley has the Chair, to appoint one of the Serjeant's Men to see them listed, and to see them conveyed thither by the Assistance of the Lieutenant that brought them up.