House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 20 February 1643

Die Lunæ, 20 Februarii, 1642.

PRAYERS.

Raising Money.

AN Ordinance for the raising of Monies upon illaffected Persons, such as have been in actual War, or have voluntarily contributed Money, Goods, or Plate, to the Maintenance and Fomenting of the War against the Parliament and Kingdom.

Westminster, &c. Colleges.

Resolved, &c. That the Colleges of Westminster, Eaton, and Winchester, be added and comprehended within the Order of the Seventeenth of February, concerning the Imposing upon young Scholars the wearing of Surplices.

Ellis' Petition.

The humble Petition of Wm. Ellis, of St. Albans in the County of Herts, Gentleman, a Prisoner in Elye House, that was taken in coming from Oxon, and stayed at Aylesbury, was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That the Examination of his Cause be referred to the Committee for Dispatches.

Taunton Forces.

An Ordinance for the Town of Taunton, to muster and array their Soldiers under the Command of such Captains as are or shall be appointed by the Mayor, Capital Burgesses, and Justices, of the said Town of Taunton, was this Day read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

An Order to compel such Soldiers in the Town of Taunton, as neglect to appear upon their Service, and to do their Duty upon their Guards, for the Defence of the said Town, being thereunto required by Beat of Drum; by imposing a Mulct of Two Shillings and Sixpence upon such as shall refuse, to hire others in their Place.

Collectors sent for.

Resolved, &c. That Tho. Johnson and Tho. Moson, Collectors for the First Payment of Four hundred thousand Pounds for Sepulchres, Marmaduke Peccatt for Aldgate, Henry Coles for Bennetts, Miles Brigges and Charles Chamblayne for Gregories, Elias Roberts and John Worsam for Tower, Jo. Graves and John Vinton for Portsoken, be forthwith sent for, as Delinquents, for being behind with their Collections of the said First Payment of the said Four hundred thousand Pounds; for their Neglect in not collecting it according to their Duty; and for their Contempt in not appearing, being thereunto required by the Committee.

Loan from Hamborough.

Mr. Rous is appointed to prepare a Letter, and to present it to the House, to be sent unto the Merchants at Hamborough, concerning the Loan of Monies for the Service of the King and Parliament.

Weekly Assessment, &c.

The House being informed, That there was a Committee of the Common Council at Door; who desired to be heard to the Ordinance for the weekly Assessment, before it absolutely pass this House;

They were called in; and said, "That the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, have commanded us to attend this House, to give an Account, What passed in the Common Council on Saturday, upon a Message from both Houses, delivered by Committees of both Houses at the Common Council, for the Advancing of Sixty thousand Pounds for the present Necessities of the Army. The better to carry on this Work, they desire some Encouragements:-Both Houses to subscribe some considerable Sum to be propounded, as an Example to the City:- That those that have been assessed, by virtue of Ordinances of Parliament, may be called upon for their Assessments. That they were informed, that there is an Ordinance in passing, or passed, concerning a weekly Contribution; and that the Rate of Ten thousand Pounds, weekly, is set upon the City; a Sum not proportionable to other Counties, nor agreeable to their Charters: They desire, if it may be, they may be considered, and eased: If not, that there may be some Proviso, that it may not be drawn into Example for hereafter. That the Three thousand Pounds monthly, allowed them out of this weekly Rate, may be made Four thousand Pounds: The Citizens Houses in the Country not to be rated; they paying here. They desire this House not to give Credit to any Reports, as the Sense of the City, but such as come from the Lord...., Aldermen, and Common Council, or from their Burgesses, by express Order from the Body of the City: That diligent Searches may be made in those Places out of the Lord Mayor's Jurisdiction, for Persons suspected; and that, during the Treaty and Cessation of Arms, none of the King's Forces may be suffered to come to this Town; and that, after the Disbanding, none of that Army, but such as are of the City, or properly belonging unto it, or have necessary Employments there, may come to the City. They desire Security for such Monies as shall be lent upon the Message from both Houses, delivered at the Common Council on Saturday last, to be repaid out of the First Monies as shall come in upon the Ordinance for the weekly Assessments: That both Houses would declare their Ends and Resolutions to be the same as at first, though the Counsels by which to come to these Ends may be altered; viz. For Maintenance of the true Protestant Religion, and the Liberty of the Subject."

Payment to Barrington.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom do give their Warrants to the Treasurer at Wars forthwith to repay unto Sir Tho. Barrington the Three hundred and Fifty Pounds by him formerly advanced to the Committees at Portesmouth.

Loan by Members.

Ordered, That this Proposition of advancing Twenty thousand Pounds, by the Members of the House, be referred to the Committee where Mr. Trenchard has the Chair; to consider of it, and prepare it, and present it to the House.

Answer to Citizens.

The Citizens were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, told them, "That the House was very sensible of the Care and Readiness of the City to furnish the Sixty thousand Pounds, desired by both Houses for the necessary supply of the Army; for all which they desire to return to the Lord Mayor, the Court of Aldermen, and Common Council, very hearty Thanks: And, for their Encouragements, and other Desires expressed by them at the Bar, they are Matters of very great Importance; and they do resolve to take them into speedy and serious Consideration; and doubt not but to give the City full satisfaction therein."

Military Affairs.

A Letter from Sir Jo. Hotham to Mr. Pym, bearing Date the Seventeenth of February, concerning a Defeat given by Captain Hotham, to a great Party of my Lord of Newcastle.

Treaty with the King.

A Message from the Lords, by Dr. Leech and Dr. Heath.

The Lords desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning some Resolutions which they have taken about the Treaty to be sent unto the King.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will give a present Meeting, as is desired.

Mr. Holles, Mr. Pym, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Mr. Holles presented, from the Conference with the Lords, their Resolutions, concerning a present Cessation, in Writing, in hæc verba; viz.

"My Lords have thought fit (for the Prevention of all Accidents that may interrupt this Treaty with his Majesty, that both Houses have resolved of) forthwith to send unto him, That, during the Time they are considering of the Manner of Treating with his Majesty, and of a Cessation of Arms, that no Acts of Hostility may be performed between the Two Armies; that is, Neither the Beating up of each others Quarters, nor the Attempting upon any Place or Towns of either Side; believing that, within a Day or two, they, with you, shall have resolved of the Way and Manner, both for the Cessation of Arms, and how this Treaty may be governed."

This was twice read: And

Ordered, That the Consideration thereof should be put off till To-morrow Morning.

Weekly Assessments.

The House fell into Consideration of the Report made on Saturday last, of the Ordinance for the weekly Assessments:

And the Question being put, For re-committing the Clause concerning Middlesex and Westminster;

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Lords in leaving out Part of the Preamble.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords in this Clause concerning Middlesex and Westminster, added by the Lords.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Lords in the Clause concerning Surrey.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Lords in the Clause concerning the Borough of Southwarke.

The Question being put, Whether that this House doth concur with the Lords in the Additions, Amendments, and Provisoes, to the Ordinance for the weekly Assessments, sent down from the Lords;

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Lords in the Additions, Amendments, and Provisioes, to the Ordinance for the weekly Assessments, sent down from the Lords.

Landguard Fort.

Ordered, That the County of Suffolk be added to the Order of the County of Norfolk, for Paying of Landguard Fort.

Message to Lords.

Sir H. Mildmay is appointed to desire the Lords to expedite the several Ordinances concerning the Raising of Monies in the Counties of Stafford, Sussex, and Warwick; and likewise the general Ordinance for taxing such as have not yet contributed upon the Propositions, or not proportionable to their Estates.

Embargo till the Fleet is manned.

WHEREAS, in these Times of eminetnt Danger, there is, by Order of Parliament, a Fleet preparing for the Defence of this and other his Majesty's Dominions, much greater than hath been heretofore usual, presently to go out; for the speedy Manning whereof, with able Mariners all possible Diligence is to be used: It is this Day thought fit, and Ordered, by the Authority of both Houses of Parliament, That no Ships nor Vessels whatsoever, which now are or shall come into the River of Thames, be permitted to go out thence, upon any Voyage, or other Occasion, until the said Fleet be completely manned; except such whose just Occasions shall appear unto the Lord and others, Commissioners for the Admiralty, to be so pressing and urgent, that the Interruption of those Ships would be a Prejudice to the State: And the said Commissioners are to take Notice of this Order; and to cause the same to be put in Execution accordingly.

Pressing Mariners.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker shall be authorized by this House to set his Hand to such Letter, to further the Pressing of Mariners, as the Committee for the Navy shall present unto him to sign.

Ordered, That the Lords be moved to join herein.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That the House be turned into a Committee To-morrow Morning at Nine of the Clock, to take into Consideration the Business of Ireland.

Members subscriptions.

Sir Rob. Parkechurst, Sir Jo. Clotworthy, Mr. Goodwyn, Mr. Mainard, Mr. Whitlocke, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Cage, Mr. Wheeler;

This Committee is to prepare a List of the Names of such Members of this House that have subscribed for the Bringing in of Monies upon the Act of Adventures for Ireland; and have failed to bring in the full Sum of the Monies subscribed: And are to consider, Whether it be within the Intention of that Act, to charge those that have paid Part, to bring in the Residue: And are to meet To-morrow at Eight of the Clock, in the Chequer Chamber.

Accompt of Money for Ireland.

Ordered, That Mr. Lofftus do bring in an Accompt, unto this House, and all such Sums of Money as have come to his Hands, by Order of One or both Houses of Parliament, or the Commissioners of Irish Affairs, since the Rebellion of Ireland.

Hopton's Sequestration.

WHEREAS Sir Ralph Hopton, in a hostile and rebellious Manner, with a Multitude, and a great Number of armed Men, Horse and Foot, hath lately invaded and entered the County of Devon; and committed and done many and sunday Outrages, Insolencies, and Villainies, almost to the utter Impoverishment and Destruction of that County, and the Inhabitants thereof; himself pretending and assuming unto himself a Power and Authority to command in Chief over them: And, amongst others suffering in that kind, Wm. Strode Esquire, a Member of the House of Commons, hath been plundered and robbed, and his Goods violently and forcibly taken out of his House, and carried away and sold, or otherwise disposed of, at their Will and Pleasure: The Commons, in Parliament assembled, taking the same into serious Consideration, and weighing the mainfold Inconveniences and Mischiefs, which not only that County, but the Kingdom in general is like to suffer and undergo, if some timely Course of Prevention, or of making Reparation to the Parties grieved for the Damages by them sustained, be not speedily settled and provided; and finding by sad Experience, that the Proceedings in the Ordinary Course of Justice, and according to the known Laws of the Land, is so obstructed by Forces and Strength, raised and kept on Foot by Colour and Pretence of his Majesty's Authority, that no Relief can be expected that way, until the Peace and Distractions of this Kingdom (which God grant may be speedily effected) be selected and composed; and holding it agreeable to the Rules of Law and Justice, that the Estates of such as have, in any sort, been active or commanding in doing or committing the Trespass or Wrong, should be liable and Subject to make Satisfaction and Reparation; and the Complaint and Loss, sustained by the said Mr. Strode, having been made known and allowed: The said Commons do Order and Declare, That both the real and personal Estate of the said Sir Ralph Hopton shall be forthwith seized and sequestred; to be employed for the Use and Benefit of the Commonwealth: And full Power and Authority is hereby given unto the above-named Wm. Strode Esquire, by himself, and such as he shall think fit to employ, and for whom he will be accountable, to cause the same to be done; and to make such reasonable Allowances for the Seizing thereof, and for collecting and gathering the Rents and Revenues of the same, as shall be fitting and necessary; and, of his whole Proceedings therein, shall, from time to time, yield an Account unto the House of Commons; and, upon the same, such Reparation shall be made unto him, as may be proportionable to the Loss by him sustained: And all and every the Lessees, Tenants, Farmers, Bailiffs, and Collectors of the Rents, Fines, Heriots, or other certain or casual Duties of the said Sir Ralph Hopton, and every other Person that oweth any Sum of Money unto the Person or Estate of the said Sir. Ralph, are hereby injoined and required and commanded to make Payment of the same, from time to time, unto the said Mr. Strode, or such as shall be by him authorized to demand or receive the same: And a Note or Receipt in Writing, under the Hand of any Person who, by virtue of this Ordinance, shall receive the same, shall be a sufficient Discharge for every such Person so paying, in Obedience to this Order of Parliament; and shall be thereby protected by Authority of the Commons.

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