House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 31 December 1642

Die Sabbati, ultimo Decembris, 1642.

PRAYERS.

Sutton Lecturer.

ORDERED, That Mr. George Green Master of Arts, and in Orders, be recommended unto the Parish of Sutton, in the Isle of Ely, in the County of Cambridge, to be their Lecturer, to preach there every Thursday in the Week: And the Vicar is hereby required to permit him the free Use of the Pulpit, to exercise his Function, upon the Days aforesaid, accordingly.

Plundered Ministers.

That it be referred .... Solicitor, .. Gerard, .. Marten, .. Armyn, .. Prideaux, .. Holland, .. Rous, .. Holland, . Cage, .. Knightley, .. Heyman, .. Wentworth, .. Ruthen, .. Wheeler, .. Spurstoe;

This Committee, or any Four of them, are to consider of the fittest Way for the Relief of such godly and well-affected Ministers as have been plundered: And likewise to consider what malignant Persons have Benefices here in and about this Town; whose Livings being sequestred, these may supply their Cures, and receive the Profits: And are to meet on Monday next at Two post meridiem, in the Exchequer Court.

Money for Army.

Ordered, That Sir Wm. Strickland, Sir Wm. Armyn, and Mr. White, be appointed to receive the Ten thousand Pounds designed for Yorkeshire Army, and to convey it to the Lord Fairfaxe.

Military Affairs.

By Vote upon the Question.

A Letter from Mr. Crewe, of the 27th of December, relating the Manner of the Retreat of the Northamptonshire Forces from Banbury * * * *.

Raising Money.

Ordered, That Mr. Pierrepointe, Mr. Glyn, and Mr. Knightley, do prepare an Order for Raising of Monies in the County of Northampton, and Counties adjacent.

Conveying Prisoners.

Ordered, That the Captains, and other Officers, that command the Guards attending on this House, do appoint Twenty-four Musqueteers to go with Captain Drake, to convey in safe Custody, such Prisoners as were by him brought out of Devon, to the several Prisons mentioned in the several and respective Warrants made for their Commitment, on Tuesday the 27th of this instant December.

Removing a Prisoner.

Ordered, That Mr. Peter Fortescue shall have Liberty to attend his Father Mr. John Fortescue in Prison: And to that End, that he be removed from the King's Bench to Winchester House.

Bishops.

According to an Order made Yesterday.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Prideaux called to the Chair.

And the Committee fell to the Consideration of the Bill concerning Bishops.

Message to Lords.

Sir Tho. Barrington carried up to the Lords the Scotts Commissioners Propositions, concerning their Arrear of Forty thousand Pounds; and concerning the Defects of their Army in Ireland; and the several Answers unto them and the Two Commissions concerning the conserving the Peace and Commerce between the Two Nations: And was to desire the Lords to expedite the Bills against scandalous Ministers; and concerning the Creditors of Sir Tho. Dawes: And to desire the Lords Concurrence concerning the Removal of the Capuchins.

Answer.

Sir Tho. Barrington brings Answer, the Lords are in Business of great Importance; and will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Customs.

Mr. Greene brings Answer, The Lords do agree to the Declaration concerning Customs.

Members Subscriptions.

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

That the Lords had been moved, by the Committees in London for Monies, to contribute in their House, as an Example to the City to advance Monies in this great Necessity: That this Morning divers of the Lords have subscribed; and have appointed their Speaker to take the Subscriptions of those Peers that are absent; and have appointed a Committee to take the Subscriptions of their Assistants: And do desire the House to appoint their Members to subscribe, for the good Example of others: And that all Speed be used herein.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House will speedily take this Message into Consideration.

Illegality of Sheriffs Warrants.

Ordered, That it be referred unto Mr. Glyn, Mr. Hill, Mr. Pym, Mr. Rous, Mr. Serjeant Wilde, to draw a Declaration of the Illegality of the Sheriffs receiving or giving out Warrants, to receive the Monies upon the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds; and that their Estates shall be liable to Satisfaction; and also to declare, That those Collectors that do not pay it according to the Act, shall make Satisfaction to the Commonwealth.

Corn seized.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Ireland to inform themselves of the Corn lately seized by the Lord Mayor: And, if it appear to be at the Disposal of the Parliament, that then this House doth Declare, That it shall be sent into Ireland, for Relief of the Scotts Army.

Person in Custody.

Ordered, That Mr. Celey the Stationer shall remain in the Serjeant's Custody, until this House take further Order.

Horses in the West.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Western Committee, to consider of the Charges required to be paid for the Horses employed into the West, according to the Information given by Sir Jo. Nortcott.

Members Contributions.

Resolved, upon the Question, That it be referred to the Committee for Propositions, where Mr. Trenchard has the Chair, to consider, What Members have contributed towards the Support of the Army, and the great Occasions of the Kingdom, and what not; and whether those that have contributed, have contributed in a Proportion answerable to their Estates; and to assess such as have not at all, or not proportionably; and to present it to the House: And are to meet upon it on Monday Morning next, at Eight of Clock.

Prisoners of War.

Mrs. Wingate, the Wife of Captain Edw. Wingate, a Prisoner in the Castle in Oxon, was called in: And did present a Petition, expressing the miserable Condition of her Husband's Imprisonment. The Lady Essex, Wife to Sir Wm. Essex, a Prisoner there, was likewise called in: Who gave farther Testimony, both to Mrs. Wingate's Petition and to the Usage of the rest of the Prisoners, both Gentlemen and common Soldiers: And testified, that his Majesty allows 6d. per Diem to the common Soldiers; and that the Marshal allows them but a Pennyfarthing per Diem; &c.

Cheshire Instructions.

Ordered, That the like Instructions that are for Lancashire, shall be made for Cheshire, with the Alteration of Names: And that Mr. Rigby do carry the same up to the Lords.

Prisoners of War.

Ordered, That, on Monday Morning, Mr. Glyn and Mr. Pym do bring the Declarations, concerning the Usage of the Prisoners taken by the King's Army: And likewise that a List of the Prisoners, taken by the Army under the Command of the Earl of Essex, be then brought in.

Grant to Col Essex's Widow, &c.

Ordered, That Five hundred Pounds shall be given to the Widow and Sister of Colonel Charles Essex; to be paid unto them in such convenient time as the House shall think fit.

Exchange of Prisoners.

Resolved, upon the Question, That my Lord General do take a special Care, and speedy Course, for the Exchange and Delivery of all the Prisoners taken by the King's Army.

Essex Association.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Barrington, Sir Wm. Massam, Sir Martin Lumley, and Sir H. Mildmay, do go into Essex, on Monday Morning next, to advance the Business of the Association.

Seizing Books.

Ordered, That the Serjeant do send One of his Men with Mr. Temple, to seize the Books, intituled, "A Complaint to the House of Commons," in a House in White Lyon Court, in Fleet-street; where there are divers of the said Books, as Mr. Temple informed the House.