House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 15 November 1642

Die Martis, 15 Novembris, 1642.

PRAYERS.

Defence of Chichester.

THE humble Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Corporation of the City of Chichester, and the Committee of the Propositions concerning the State of that City, in respect of the Malignants * * * *.

Resolved, upon the *, That Mr. Henry Chittey shall continue Captain of the Train Bands in the City of Chichester, as now he is; notwithstanding any other Command to the contrary.

Resolved, That the Mayor of Chichester, and Captain Chittey, Captain of the Train Bands in that City, shall have Power to draw into the said City, for the Defence thereof, Two hundred Men of the Trained Bands of the County, or Volunteers, as they shall think fit; and shall command and employ them for the Safety of that Place; and shall pay them out of the Subscription Monies of that City, if it be not returned up: And, if it be, that then they take some Course for the present Payment of them: And this House doth undertake for the Repayment hereafter.

And it is farther Ordered, That the said now Mayor, and Captain Chittey, shall have Power to call to their Assistance such as they shall think fitting, for the Defence of the said City.

King's Proclamation not to be published.

Ordered, That the Mayor of Chichester be hereby required and injoined not to publish the Proclamation, intituled, "A Proclamation of his Majesty's Grace, Favour, and Pardon, to the Inhabitants of his County of Sussex;" notwithstanding any Writ or Command for the Publishing thereof: And this House doth undertake to save him harmless, for his Obedience herein to the Commands of this House.

City Forces.

Resolved, That this House doth accept of this Offer of the Citizens, of raising a Thousand Light Horse, and Three thousand Dragooners, to be under the Command of both the Houses of Parliament; or under the Command of the Earl of Essex, my Lord General, alone: And that in their Proceedings, they shall not be countermanded, or called to an Account, by any but my Lord General the Earl of Essex, by the Advice of both Houses of Parliament.

Resolved, That Serjeant Major General Skippon be recommended unto my Lord General the Earl of Essex, to command these Horse and Dragoons in Chief, under my Lord General.

Resolved, That Colonel Hurry be recommended to my Lord General the Earl of Essex, to have Command of those Forces of Light Horse and Dragoons, in the next Place under Serjeant Major General Skippon.

Resolved, upon the Question, That these Citizens that make this Offer of raising a Thousand Light Horse and Three thousand Dragooners, shall make use of those Horse seized, and to be seized, by virtue of any Order or Ordinance of both or either House of Parliament, to be employed in this Service of the Commonwealth.

Sir Christopher Yelverton went up to the Lords, to desire a Conference concerning the great Affairs of the Kingdom.

Ordered, That these Votes concerning the Raising of Horse and Dragoons by the Citizens of the City of London, shall be Heads of this Conference.

Ordered, That the Order of the Tenth of November, concerning the Seizing of Horses, shall be delivered at this Conference, for the Lords Concurrence: And that the Case of Mr. Bard be recommended unto the Lords, for his Delivery.

Persons sent for.

Resolved, &c. That Dr. Franklin, Mr. Nath. Flick, Mr. Reeve, and Mr. Farrow, Ministers, shall be forthwith sent for as Delinquents, for maligning, opposing, and deriding the Proceedings of Parliament.

Persons to attend in Custody.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Robert Coke, Mr. Henry Coke, and Mr. Scrivener, be forthwith summoned in safe Custody to attend the House.

Member to be brought up in Custody.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Thomas Jermyn be forthwith summoned and brought up in safe Custody, to attend the Service of the House: And that he bear the Charges of the Messenger, and pay him for his Pains.

Judge Berkeley.

Resolved, &c. That Judge Berkeley shall sit in the Court of King's Bench, for Dispatch of the Business there.

This to be One Head of the next Conference.

Person committed.

Ordered, That the Clerk to the Under Sheriff of Yorkshire be committed to the Serjeant's Custody: And that the Examination of the Business concerning him be referred to the Committee for Examination; and likewise to search him.

Forces for Kent.

It is Ordered, That Major Hurrey may go forth, this very Night, with the Dragoons, which my Lord of Essex and my Lord of Warwick now have, and are not useful to them: And that they may march into Kent forthwith: And that Major Skippon may have his Commission to follow with the rest instantly: And that Chattam may have Forces sent down to it speedily.

Ordered, To be recommended to the Lord General's Care.

Ordnance from Kingston.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Navy, to examine who gave Command for the Bringing away the Pieces of Ordnance and Ammunition from Kingston: And likewise that they give Order for bringing up the Ordnance, and preserving of them.

Conference.

Sir Christopher Yelverton brings Answer, That the Lords will give a present Meeting at a Conference as is desired.

Mr. Rigby, Mr. Whitlock, and Mr. Vassall, are appointed Managers of this Conference.

Army.

Mr. Whitlock presented an Order concerning the Officers and Soldiers repairing to their Colours: Which was read; and voted; and ordered to be delivered at this Conference.

Prisoner discharged.

Upon the Report from the Committee for Examination;

It is Resolved, upon the Question, That Mr. Thomas Roe, formerly committed a Prisoner to the Gatehouse, be forthwith discharged from his Imprisonment.

Manchester Committee.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Propositions in the Town of Manchester shall have Power to receive the Contribution Money, or other Provision, of the Inhabitants of Chester, or any other adjacent Counties; and dispose thereof, as of other Monies or Provision raised upon this Occasion, for the Publick Good.

Greenwich Castle, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Militia in London, to take some Course for securing Greenwich Castle, the Block-houses at Gravesend, and Blackheath, Mr. Holland is to move them herein.

Houses will sit.

A Message from the Lords by Serjeant Whitfeild, and Serjeant Glanvile;

The Lords not knowing what sudden Occasion may happen in these Times of Danger, have resolved to sit this Afternoon at Four of Clock.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House hath resolved to sit this Afternoon, as is desired, at Four of Clock.

Seizing Horses.

Mr. Rigby reports from the Conference, That the Lords do agree to all the Votes and Orders delivered at the Conference; with an Exception to the Order for Seizing of Horses, and to the Vote for the Citizens to employ the Horses seized: The which Exception was "Excepting all Horse, Mares, and Geldings, with the Furniture thereunto belonging, of the Members and Assistants of both Houses of Parliament, not being Delinquents."

Intercourse with Scotland.

Ordered, That all Intercourse shall be open between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein: And this to be One Head of the next Conference.

Information against Merrick.

Mr. Carre was called in, to testify some Words.

Mr. Carre informs, That Sir John Meldrum told him, That Sir John Merrick did say, "The House of Commons went too high."

Sir John Mildron told Mr. Carre these on Monday was Sevennight, at Night: And the Words were spoken by Sir John Merrick, since he was a Commander in the Army.

Exeter City.

Mr. Prideaux presented an Order concerning Exon:-Which was read; and re-committed unto Mr. Purefrey, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Vassall, Mr. Hill, Mr. Rows, Mr. Young, Sir John Curson, and Mr. Constantine, to consider of it; and to bring it in against Four of Clock.

County of Derby.

Mr. Prideaux likewise presented an Order concerning the County of Derby.

Person to be summoned in custody.

Ordered, That Mr. Allestree shall be summoned in safe Custody; and bear the Charges of the Messenger, and pay him for his Pains.

Ordnance &c. for Malden.

Ordered, That the Inhabitants of the Town of Malden in Essex, having provided Five Pieces of Ordnance, and Fifty Musquets, with Ammunition and Provision answerable, for the Defence of that Town, be permitted to lade on board the Hoy of Wm. Aldworth, the said Ordnance and Ammunition; and to carry the same for Malden accordingly.

* * * *

Post Meridiem

Letter to Ld. General.

ORDERED, That Sir H. Vane junior, Mr. Purefrey, and Mr. Strode, do present the Letter directed to my Lord General; and acquaint him with the Reasons of the Votes that passed both Houses, and the Presenting of the Letter.

Defence of Chattham.

Ordered, That Mr. Skinner and Mr. Nutt do forthwith repair unto Chattham; and take the best Care for the Defence of that Place, and the Country thereabouts; and encourage the Inhabitants to the said Defence: And that they require the Assistance of the Commissioners of the Navy, and of the Captains and Masters of the several Ships there, upon all Occasions.

City Forces.

Resolved, &c. That the House doth accept of this Offer of the Citizens, of raising One thousand Light Horse, and Three thousand Dragooners, to be under the Command of both Houses of Parliament; or under the Command of the Earl of Essex the Lord General, alone: And that in their Proceedings they shall not be countermanded, or called to an Account, by any but the Lord General the Earl of Essex, by the Advice of both Houses of Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That Serjeant Major General Skippon be recommended unto the Lord General the Earl of Essex, to have Command of those Horse and Dragoons in Chief under the Lord General.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Hurrey be recommended to the Lord General the Earl of Essex, to have Command of those Forces of Light Horse and Dragoons in the next Place, under Serjeant Major General Skippon.

Resolved, &c. That these Citizens that make this Offer of raising One thousand Light Horse and Three thousand Dragooners, shall make use of those Horse seized, and to be seized, by virtue of any Order or Ordinance of both or either House of Parliament, to be employed in this Service of the Commonwealth, excepting the Horses, Mares, and Geldings, and the Furniture thereunto belonging; to the Members and Assistants of both Houses of Parliament, not being Delinquents [a].

Resolved, &c. That these Citizens that offer to raise the Four thousand Horse, or more, shall have Liberty to make Choice, with the Consent of the Earl of Warwick, of Men to man those Horse, out of those Men that are come up Volunteers out of the several Counties.

Commissaries for Horses, &c.

It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, That Maxamilian Bard, Wm. Dodson, Nicolas Alvy, Robert Norwood, John Styles, Wm. Booth, Thomas Mason, Wm. Barton, Mr. * Williamson, Thomas Flaver, Thomas Browne, Richard Overton, George Day, John Hynde, Daniel Waldo, Walter Story, and Mr. Harsenett, shall be Commissaries for the Prizing and Valuing of Horses, Bridles, and Saddles: And that they, and every of them and all such other Persons as shall be nominated and appointed by them, or any of them, shall have Power, and are hereby required and commanded, to search for, seize, and take, in all Places within the City of London, and Five Miles thereof, all Horses, Geldings, and Mares, not already listed under the Command of his Excellency the Earl of Essex, or by Directions from the Committee for the Militia of London (excepting the Horses, Mares, and Geldings, and the Furniture thereunto belonging, of the Members and Assistants of both Houses of Parliament, not being Delinquents): And after such Seizure, the Horses, Geldings, and Mares, so seized, shall be prized and valued by the said Commissaries, or any Two of them; and then they, and their Prices and Valuations, and the Names of the Owners thereof, shall be entered, and inrolled, in a Book to be kept by the Commissaries, or some of them; and a Transcript thereof shall be delivered by the said Commissaries, under the Hands of them, or any Four of them, unto the Committee appointed to consider how a Body of Horse may be raised; to the end that That Committee (who are hereby authorized to meet, at what Times and Places they please) may present the same Transcript to the House of Commons; that thereupon such Persons as shall be thought fit to receive Recompence for the Horses, Geldings, and Mares, so to be seized as aforesaid, may have the Public Faith for the Prices thereof, with Interest: And that none of the said Horses, Geldings, or Mares, shall be discharged without Warrant from Five or more of the said Committee; who may discharge such as they shall find Cause to be discharged: And the said Commissaries, and every of them, are to deliver the said Horses, Geldings, and Mares, to such Persons as by Warrant from his Excellency the Earl of Essex, under his Hand, shall be appointed to receive the same: And Captain Long, Sir Francis Knollis, Mr. Vassall, Sir John Corbett, and Mr. Rigby, Five of the said Committee, are required to see the Premises executed with all Speed.