House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 18 December 1643

Die Lunæ, 18 Decembris, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Baker's Petition.

ORDERED, That the humble Petition of Mr. George Baker, and the Business thereupon depending, be referred to the Examination and Consideration of the Committee for Examinations; and that in the mean time, upon giving Security to stand to the Award of this House, . . . be forthwith released from any further Restraint.

East Horstley Minister.

An Ordinance to require Sir Nath. Brent to collate Mr. Twise, Master of Arts, to the Church of East Herestley, alias Horstley, in the County of Surry, become void by the Decease of Dr. Bray, late Incumbent thereof, was this Day read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto: And ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

League and Covenant.

Resolved, &c. That the Solemn League and Covenant shall be tendered unto all Men above the Age of Sixteen; and that it be referred to the Committee formerly appointed to bring in the Manner of taking of it, and the Penalty they shall incur that shall not take it: And they are to bring in this Report on Wednesday Morning: And Mr. Speaker is to put the House in mind hereof: And it is referred to Sir Gilb. Gerard, in especial Manner, to take care herein: And they are particularly to take care for the Ministers of every Parish to take it speedily.

Hertfordshire Ordinance.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Ordinance of Hertfordshire do meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock peremptorily, in the Exchequer Chamber.

City Forces.

Ordered, That Mr. Vassall, Mr. Trenchard, and Sir Rob. Harley, do forthwith repair to the Committee of the Militia, to represent unto them the Condition Sir Wm. Waller is now in; and how that the King is drawing all his Forces towards him: And to desire, that, if their Forces must needs now return, that they will take some Care to send some other Forces unto him.

Committee of Safety.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Safety, that are Members of this House, do meet peremptorily this Afternoon, at Three of Clock at farthest: And that Mr. Nicoll do intimate as much to the Lords of that Committee.

Trinity College.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Letter from the Earl of Manchester; and the Petition from Trinity College in Cambridge; and the Ordinance concerning the Delinquent Ministers of the associated Counties, be revived; and do meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber: And that they, or any Four of them, shall have Power to meet, as to the Business of my Lord of Manchester's Letter, and the Trinity College Petition only.

Stores for Army.

Resolved, &c. That my Lord Admiral be desired to give Warrant forthwith, for the Issuing of Fifty Barrels of Powder, and Four Ton of Match, out of the Stores of the Navy; to be delivered to Mr. Trenchard, or his Assignee, to be sent to Sir Wm. Waller; . . . . . repaid again to the Stores of the Navy, by Order of the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Members to be examined.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Nicoll, Mr. John Ashe, and Mr. Hodges, Members of this House, be enjoined forthwith to go to Saint Albane's, to be examined in the Cause of Mr. Fienis, at Saint Albane's.

Assembly of Divines.

Upon a Representation from the Assembly of Divines;

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and appoint Mr. John Wallis, to be Amanuensis and Assistant to the Scribes in the Assembly of Divines.

Message to Lords.

Sir Rob. Pye carried up to the Lords the Vote for Fifty Barrels of Powder, and Four Ton of Match, out of the Stores of the Navy: The Names of the additional Committees to the County of Sussex: And was to desire the Lords to assent to the Admission of Sir Rob. Harley to be one of the Committees of the Assembly of Divines, in the stead of Mr. Pym, deceased.

Justices of Peace, &c.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Great Seal do take care for filling up the Commissions for Justices of Peace in the several Counties; and to take care, that those Justices, formerly put out in the several Counties since these Troubles, for their good Affections to the Commonwealth, may be restored, if they shall see Cause: And also to think of Names for Sheriffs in the several Counties, and to present them to both Houses.

Deputy Lieutenants of Kent.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth nominate and allow of Rob. Scott Esquire, and Mr. John Bixe of Bapchild, to be Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Kent.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Rob. Pye brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Order for the Fifty Barrels of Powder, and Four Ton of Match, for Sir Wm. Waller: To the Addition of the Names of Committees to the County of Sussex: To Sir Rob. Harley to be of the Committee of the Assembly of Divines.

Bailing Burdett.

The humble Petition of Joane Burdett, the Wife of Rich. Burdett, Carpenter, close Prisoner in Newgate, detained upon a Writ out of the King's Bench.

It is Ordered, That the Clerk of the Crown, in the King's Bench, do forthwith grant a Writ of Supersedeas to the said Writ: And that Mr. Alderman Pemington do bail him, according to former Order.

Persons sent for.

Resolved, &c. That Heaton and Griffith, the Prosecutors in this Cause, be forthwith sent for, as Delinquents: And referred to the Examination of the Committee for Examinations, to examine who set them upon this Prosecution.

Warrant to Countess of Anandale.

Ordered, That the Countess of Anandale shall have Mr. Speaker's Warrant to go into Scotland with a Coach and Six Horses, Four or Five Women Servants, and Five Men Servants.

Intercepted Letters.

Ordered, That the Two Letters of the 14th and 15th of December, directed to Mr. Browne, his Majesty's Agent at Paris, intercepted in Kent, be referred to the Committee for Examinations.

Proceedings of Judges in the West.

Mr. Recorder, Mr. Selden, Sir Walth. Erle, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Sam. Browne, Mr. Geo. Buller, Mr. Hill, Mr. Smyth, Mr. Cage, Mr. Niclas, Sir Jo. Clottworthy, and all the Lawyers of the House;

This Committee is appointed to take Information concerning the Proceedings of the Judges in the West, against divers Members of both Houses, and others; and to consider what is fit to be done upon those Proceedings: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, in the Court of Wards: And the Care hereof is especially recommended unto Sir Walth. Erle: And they have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

Bushell's Commitment.

Ordered, That the whole Business of the Restraint and Commitment of Captain Bushell, by the Committee in Surry, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Examinations.

Hertford Forces.

An Ordinance for further Supply of Power to the Committee for Volunteers for the County of Herts, . . . enabling them to raise and maintain Forces for the Defence and Preservation of the said County; was this Day read the Third Time; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto, with the Addition of this Proviso; viz.

"Provided that this Ordinance be no longer in Force, than for the Space of four Months, to begin from the 18th of this Month of December, 1643, unless both Houses give further Order therein."

This Ordinance was carried by Mr. Recorder, to the Lords.

King's Children.

Ordered, That a Conference be desired with the Lords on Wednesday next, concerning the Letter received from Princess Elizabeth; and concerning the King's Children at Saint James's.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Knightley reports the Answer to the Message carried up by him on Saturday last, That the Lords do agree to the Ordinance for Repayment of One thousand Pounds, advanced by Captain Danvers: And as to the Ordinance concerning Newport Pagnall, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Haberdashers Hall Loans.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for Repayment of the Monies, advanced and lent by the Committee at Haberdashers Hall, be brought in, and read, on Wednesday Morning next.

Army Affairs.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee of the Militia in London, be forthwith desired to send Five hundred Men, of the Garison of Windesore, to Sir Wm. Waller: and that they do forthwith supply the same with Five hundred Men from the City: And Mr. Tate, Mr. Jennour, and Mr. Holland, who are to go with this Order to the Committee, are to acquaint them, that the Ordinance for securing the Monies, advanced by the Committee at Haberdashers Hall, is ordered to be brought in, and read, on Wednesday Morning next: And the Committee at Haberdashers Hall, are ordered to advance and lend the Five hundred Pounds presently, the Remainder of Twothousand Pounds ordered by a former Ordinance, for the better enabling and encouraging the Five hundred Men to march out of the Garison at Windesore to Sir Wm. Waller.

Victualling the Navy.

Mr. Green reports from the Committee of the Navy, the Proposition of Mr. Alcock and Mr. John Bence, for providing Victuals for Two thousand Men, upon Account: The which was read: And likewise, a Proposition from others, of providing Victual for Four thousand Men for Eight Months, upon Contract; and some Clauses to be added to the said Proposition: The which were likewise read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to make a present Provision of Victuals for Two thousand Men for the next Summer's Fleet, in the best Way and Manner they can.

Mutineers in Kent.

A Letter from the Committee at Westram in Kent, concerning some Mutineers there: viz. Mathew Russel, Henry Payn, Wm. Philibrowne, Wm. Carter, and Franc. Lance; who are sent up to the Doors; was read: And

It is Ordered, that these Men be forthwith sent to my Lord General, to be put upon a Council of War: And that the Officers that brought them hither are to convey them to my Lord General: And Captain Lee is desired to go down to my Lord General upon this Business; and to take Order for Witnesses to be sent down upon this Business.

The Prisoners are ordered to be committed to Newgate, in the mean time, for High Treason.

Upnor Castle, &c.

A Letter from the Deputy Lieutenants of Kent, of the 14. of December, 1643, from Westrham, concerning the Castle at Upnor, and the Guards at Chatham; and the Reasons of the Deputy Lieutenants, for the Continuance of them; were this Day read; and ordered to be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for the Safety.

Hertford Committee.

Mr. Recorder brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Ordinance for supplying the Committee of Herts with further Power, without any one Alteration.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords do agree to the Ordinance concerning Newport Pagnall, as it was sent from hence, without any Alteration.

They have nominated the Earl of Kent to be one of the Committees for the Safety of the Kingdom; and desire the Concurrence of this House.

Committee of Safety.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree, that the Earl of Kent be added to the Committee of the Safety.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Earl of Kent to be one of the Committees for the Safety of the Kingdom.

Upnor Castle.

The House doth declare, That they never intended to cashire or disband the Twenty old Soldiers and Eight Cannoneers of the Garison of Upnor Castle, and the Two Sconses.

Soldiers from Ireland.

Ordered, That the Demeanor and carriage of the Captains of the Ships that lie at Leverpoole, and upon the Coasts thereabout, in not at all endeavouring to impeach the Landing of the Soldiers lately come out of Ireland . . . . . .

Sir Tho. Middleton and Mr. Ashheherst are appointed to acquaint my Lord Admiral herewith.

Reducing North Wales.

Propositions for the Raising and Maintaining of Forces to reduce the Six Counties of North Wales, &c.

Mr. Recorder, Mr. Asherst, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Hill, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Rose, Mr. Wheeler, Sir Symonds D'Ewes, Mr. Nicolas, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Long, Mr. Corbett, Mr. Blakiston, Sir Wm. Litton, Sir Arthur Hasilrig; and the Knights and Burgesses of Wales, Shropshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire; are to consider of such of the Propositions, this Day presented to the House by Sir Thomas Middleton, as are committed; and to present their Opinions, speedily to the House: And are to meet this Afternoon, at Four of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber.

Recruiting the Army.

Ordered, That, on Wednesday next, Mr. Whittacres do report the Ordinance concerning the Recruiting the Lord General's Army.

Irish Soldiers.

The Ordinance for Encouragement of Irish Soldiers to come to serve the Parliament was read; and re-committed to the Committee for Sir Thomas Middleton's Propositions.

Warrant to Duke of Gilderland.

Resolved, &c. That the Illustrious Prince, Lewis Duke of Gilderland, Count of Egmond and Zutphan, and his Five Servants, shall have a Warrant from this House, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, to pass to Oxford.

Letter read.

A Letter from Sir Wm. Waller, of the 16th of December, 1643, was read.

Regiment of Horse.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Association of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire to consider of providing a Regiment of Horse for Sir Richard Greenvile: And are to meet To-morrow, at Ten of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber.

Military Affairs.

A Letter, dated at Winchester, 16 Decembris, 1643, from Sir Ralph Hopton to Sir Wm. Waller, lamenting his Loss at Alton of many a Hundred brave Men; and another of the same Date from the Earl of Craford to Sir Wm. Waller, thanking him for his Sack, but sorry he came so soon to drink it up.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Safety do consider of disposing the Prisoners taken by Sir Wm. Waller at Alton; and if any be Irish Rebels, to consider what is fit to be done with them.

Scotch Army in Ireland.

Ordered, That, on Wednesday Morning next, the Report be made of the Papers from the Commissioners of both Houses in Scottland, touching the Scottish Army in Ireland.

Maimed Soldiers.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to give Directions for the cutting down of the Underwoods of such Persons whose Estates are sequestered, do forthwith give their Warrant for the furnishing of the Treasurers appointed to take care of the maimed Soldiers, with Sixscore Load of Wood, for Firing, for the Use of the said sick and maimed Soldiers, without any Charges or Pay for the Delivery of the same; and that they be discharged from Payment of any Monies for any Woods delivered before the making of this Order.