House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 10 November 1643

Die Veneris, 10 Novembris, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Ship Hector.

THE humble Petition of Tho. Beddall, Commander of the Ship Hector, was this Day read; and referred to the Committee for the Navy, to make a State of it; and to certify the Consequences of it, upon Consideration of the whole Matter; and to report it Tomorrow Morning.

Sequestred Books, &c.

An Ordinance for the Preservation, and Keeping together all such Books, Parchments, Manuscripts, Records, and other Writings, sequestred, or taken by Distress, as are fit to be so preserved, was twice read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Robbery on French Ambassador.

Whereas the Prince D' Arcourt, the Ambassador Extraordinary from the Crown of France, was last Night robbed, at Somerset House, of Plate, to a great Quantity and Value; it is Ordered, That it be recommended unto my Lord Mayor, to send particular Notice, and to give Order to all Officers within his Jurisdiction; and to use all the Ways and Means he can, for the Discovery of the said Thieves: And likewise, that Order be sent to Sir John Lenthall, and Mr. Whittacre, Mr. Long, and to others, Justices of Kent, Surry, Middlesex, and Essex, be ordered respectively to use their best Means, for the Discovery, within the Limits of their Jurisdiction: And that Notice be sent to the Keeper of Newgate, to use his best Endeavour: And to declare, that an Hundred Pounds shall be bestowed on him that shall discover this Robbery, for his Pains: And that Mr. Hollis, and Mr. Whittacre, and Sir Christ. Yelverton, do repair to the French Ambassador, to acquaint him how sensible this House is of this great Villainy, and what Diligence and Means they have used for the Discovery; and to assure him, that, if he can think of any other Means for the Discovery, that this House will give the best Assistance they can.

Arms for Plymouth, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Commissioners of the Admiralty, and the Committee for the Navy, and the Committee for Plymouth, Poole, and Lyme, to consider of the disposing of the Arms and Ammunition, taken in the Vessel coming from Rotterdam, and bound for Topsham; and to design them for the Service of Plymouth, Lyme, Poole, and Portesmouth; and that the rest of the Goods be sold; and that the Mariners be considered of, according to the Ordinance: And that the Letter from Captain Thomas from Stokes Bay, of the Sixth of November, be referred to this Committee: And that this Committee do what is fit to be done with the Three Prize-ships, that were taken by Captain Thomas, and brought into Plymouth: And that they may be so disposed of, as may encourage the Mariners, and be for the Service of the Navy.

New Great Seal.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde went up to the Lords, to desire them to expedite the Ordinance for putting in Execution for the New Great Seal.

Guernesay and Jersey.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at Haberdashers Hall, to provide and furnish Five hundred Pounds, for the Service and Security of the Islands of Guernesay and Jersey.

Prisoners.

Ordered, That Jonathan Sparkes and Edmund Fowell Esquires, sent up Prisoners from Plymouth, and now remaining at Portesmouth, be brought up Prisoners hither, to be disposed of as this House shall think fit.

Associated Counties.

Ordered, That the Ordinance, concerning the Association of the Counties under the Command of the Earl of Manchester, be brought in on Tuesday next: And that the Report, made by Sir Anth. Irby, concerning the Lord Willoughby, be referred to this Committee; to consider of it, and to bring in, together with the Ordinance, on Tuesday next.

Irish Affairs.

A Letter from the Earl of Warwick, of the Seventh of November; and divers Letters and Warrants from the Lord Inchiquin; and a Letter from Colonel Wardlowe, from Plymouth; and other Informations, concerning the Rebels of Ireland; and divers Forces of the English Army in Ireland, that are arrived, and coming over into this Kingdom to fight against the Parliament; were this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That the Earl of Corke shall be forthwith disabled and discharged from being, or sitting, any longer as a Member of this House, during this Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That the Estate of the Earl of Corke shall be forthwith sequestered.

Ordered, That a Stop be made of all Monies, or other Provisions, to be delivered or paid to the Earl of Corke, Sir James Montgomery. Colonel Hill, Colonel Audley Mervin, Sir Hardress Waller, or any other Officer, or other Person of Ireland, that has submitted or consented to the Cessation, or have done any thing thereupon in the Pursuance and Favour thereof: And the Committees for the Affairs of Ireland, and the Committee of Adventurers in London, are appointed to take notice of this Order.

Ordered, That Sir Philip Stapilton do move my Lord General to grant a Commission to some Person, to be a President of a Council of War, to try Offenders by Martial Law.

Ordered, That Sir Jo. Clotworthy do, To-morrow, bring in the Declaration concerning the Cessation of Arms in Ireland.

Resolved, &c. That my Lord Inchiquin shall be forthwith accused of High Treason, for levying War, and sending Forces over, against the Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That the Estate of the Earl of St. Albans shall be forthwith sequestred.

Ordered, That Mr. Swadlyn the Minister, Nathaniel Butter, and Mr. Knifton, shall be tried by Martial Law, as Intelligencers and Spies: And that Sir Ph. Stapleton be desired to move my Lord General for a Commission to that Purpose.

Ordered, That Nath. Butter Stationer, Herne and Fawcett the Printers, be forthwith committed Prisoners to the Compter in Southwarke (who have printed Pamphlets in Justification of the Cessation with the Rebels) till they be tried by Martial Law: And the Keeper of the Prison is required to have a strict Hand over them, in the safe keeping them in Custody.

Ordered, That the Printing Presses, and the Letters and Materials thereunto belonging, which belongs to the said Herne and Fawcett, already seized, and which ought to be seized on, shall be bestowed on Joseph Hunscott, that hath taken Pains in the Discovery of their Abuses: And the Masters and Wardens of the Company of Stationers are required to be assisting in the Execution of this Order.

Ordered, That it be referred to Mr. Reynolds, to see the Business of the Hierarchy; the Pope's Brief; such Letters as may relate unto that Business, and help to explain it; and likewise the Articles of Cessation; and the Letters, and Warrants, from the Earl of Warwick; from the Governor of Plymouth; from the Lord Inchyquin, concerning the Cessation in Ireland, and the sending Forces over into England; all printed.

Forces for Isle of Wight.

Ordered, That those Captains, that have Commissions to raise Forces to be transported into the Isle of Wight, shall be limited, by their Commissions, to receive Instructions from my Lord General, the Earl of Pembroke, or any Two of the Deputy Lieutenants of the said Isle.

Western Committee.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Safety of the West do meet peremptorily this Afternoon, in the inner Star Chamber.

Reimbursing Trenchard.

Ordered, That Mr. Trenchard shall reimburse himself the Monies he has laid out and disbursed for Provisions he has sent to Sir Wm. Waller, out of the Monies assigned for Sir Wm. Waller.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde brings Answer, That the Lords will send a speedy Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Finch and Dr. Aylett;

The Lords do agree to the Ordinance, concerning the Great Seal, with some few Amendments: They have nominated the Earl of Rutland and the Earl of Bolingbroke to be Commissioners for the Great Seal:

That my Lord General had delivered a Letter, come out of Ireland, which was directed to the Speaker of their House, and to the Speaker of this House.

My Lord General has made Relation of the State of the Army; which is a Matter of very great Importance: And they have thereupon appointed the Members of their House, of the Committee for the Safety, to meet this Afternoon, at Five of Clock, in the inner Star Chamber; and desire this House would appoint their Committee to meet likewise.

Great Seal.

The Amendments were read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto.

Serjeant Wilde, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Samuel Browne;

Ordered, That these Four Members of this House shall be Commissioners for the Great Seal, to join with the Commissioners of the Lords House nominated for the Great Seal.

Ordered, That Mr. Peter Mauleborne be recommended, from this House, to the Commissioners of the Great Seal, to have the Place of the Seal Bearer.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do bring in the Great Seal, now in his Custody, To-morrow Morning.

Letter from Ireland.

Ordered, That the Letter from the Lords Justices of Ireland, of 28 Octobris, be referred to the Perusal of Mr. Reynolds.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Amendment of the Ordinance concerning the Great Seal; have appointed Commissioners; have referred the Letter from Ireland; and have appointed their Committee to meet this Afternoon, at Five of Clock, in the inner Star Chamber.