House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 3 February 1644

Die Sabbati, 3 Februarii, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Great Seal.

ORDERED, That it he referred to the Commissioners of this House, of the Great Seal, to consider of some Way, that the Great Seal, attending the Parliament, may be effectual to all Purposes; and that Writs of Error, and all other Writs, issuing under the Great Seal, may proceed in their due Course, without any Impediment; to the end that the Course of Justice may not be obstructed: And that they do report their Opinions herein on Monday Morning next.

Provost of Eaton College.

An Ordinance for removing Dr. Steward from being Provost of Eaton College; and for making F. Rous Esquire, a Member of this House, Provost, in his room; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence, by Mr. Solicitor.

Repayment of Money.

An Ordinance for Securing and Repayment of Five thousand Pounds, with the Interest of Eight per Cent.

advanced by the Treasurers and Receivers of the Duty imposed upon Merchandize, for the Safety of Plymouth, Poole, and Lyme Regis, out of the Monies that shall come in upon the said Duty; was this Day read the First time; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Solicitor carried up to the Lords, the Ordinances, for taking the Covenant; and for making Mr. Rous Provost of Eaton.

Mustering the Army.

Sir Gilb. Gerard is appointed to go to his Excellency the Lord General, to acquaint his Lordship, that the Commissioners appointed to go down to the Army are not yet ready; and therefore to desire his Excellency, to take some Care upon himself for the mustering of the Army, to the best Advantage of the State.

Irish Affairs.

Colonel Crawford, lately come out of Scotland, and out of the Kingdom of Ireland, was called in; and, after some Preamble, declared, that some Particulars that concern the Affairs of this Kingdom, which he desired he might deliver to a select Number of this House. He further informed the House, that Sir Wm. Parsons, Sir Adam Loftus, and Sir Rob. Meredith, are like to be ruined, unless some speedy Remedy be thought on, by way of Declaration, or otherwise: He feared (unless it be suddenly prevented) that they would be delivered up to the Rebels, to do with them what they should think fit.

Ordered, That it shall be referred to the Two Committees of this House concerning the Scotch Affairs, and the Affairs of Ireland, to receive and consider of the Particulars Colonel Crawford knows concerning Ireland, that may any way concern, or relate unto, the Affairs of this Kingdom; and to report them to the House: And

It is further Ordered, That the said Colonel Crawford shall have Leave, for the Vindication of himself, upon his coming away, to declare to the World, the Reasons thereof; and to set them forth in Print, after he has first submitted them to the Perusal and Approbation of the Committee aforesaid.

Colonel Crawford was again called in: And Mr. Speaker acquainted him, that the House was very sufficiently informed, of the faithful and good Service done by him, in the Cause of Religion maintained by him against the bloody Rebels in Ireland, both by Certificate from the Commissioners in Scotland, and by the Information and Testimony of the good Services done by him: And, in Acknowledgment thereof, by the Command of the House, he was to give him publick Thanks: And . . . had referred him, touching other Matters, to a Committee.

Importing Currans.

Sir Walt. Erle reports the Lords Amendment to the Ordinance concerning the importing and landing Morea Currans: The which was, that "November" 1643 should be made " February" 1643.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree to the Lords Amendment: And that the Ordinance shall be amended accordingly.

Committee of both Kingdoms.

An Ordinance, sent from the Lords, for the making of a Committee of both Houses, to meet and join with the Commissioners from Scotland, for the better managing of the Affairs of both Houses, in pursuance of the Ends expressed in the late Covenant and Treaty between the Two Nations, was this Day read the Second time.

The Covenant.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whitfield and Serjeant Finch;

The Lords have considered of an Ordinance, appointing the taking the Covenant through the Kingdom: Which they do agree unto, with some Amendments; which they have sent down.

Communication from Scotts Commissioners.

Sir Jo. Clotworthy is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire them to appoint a Committee of their House, that may join with a proportionable Number of this House, to receive, from the Scotts Commissioners, at this Time, what they have to communicate to both or either House of Parliament.

The Covenant.

The Amendments to the Instructions for the taking of the Covenant were read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto.

Resolved, &c. That the Names of such Members, as have subscribed and taken the Covenant, be printed; together with the Covenant: And that the Lords be desired to order the like, for the Members of their House that have subscribed the Covenant.

Mr. Reynolds is appointed to go up with this Message.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Solicitor brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer to the Ordinance concerning Mr. Rous, speedily, by Messengers of their own; and will take the Ordinance for Accounts into a speedy Consideration.

The Covenant.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Amendments to the Ordinance for taking the Covenant.

Communication from Scotts Commissioners.

Sir Phil. Stapilton, Mr. Holles, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Walt. Erle, Mr. Pierrpoint, Sir Arth. Heselrig, Sir H. Vane sen. & jun: Mr. Whitlock, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Reynolds, Sir Ro. Harley;

This Committee is appointed to meet with a Committee of a proportionable Number of the Lords, to receive, at this Time, from the Scotts Commissioners, what they have to communicate to both or either House of Parliament.

Call of the House, &c.

Ordered, That, on Monday next, the House do resume the Business concerning the calling of the Residue of their Members: And that the House do then take into Consideration the appointing a Committee of Privileges.

Assault on Bointon.

Colonel Bointon being called in; informed the House, that being invited by Mr. Wm. Wray, and Two other of the Wraies, to drink a Pint of Wine; who, questioning him for speaking against my Lord Willoughbie, Two of them held him, while the Third did strike him twice upon the Head: And one Mr. Bond, of Westminster, was called in; who testified he did see Two Gentlemen hold him, while a Third beat him; but knows not their Names.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Wm. Wray, Mr. Christopher Wray, and Mr. Theophilus Wray, be sent for, as Delinquents.

Quarrels in Westminister Hall, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to Mr. Browne and Mr. Whitlock, to bring in a Declaration to prevent the drawing of Swords, or Quarrels, in Westminster Hall, or the Palace Yards.

Austin's Committee.

Ordered, That Mr. Austin's Committee be revived; to sit on Thursday next, at Two of Clock, in the Court of Wards; with the Addition of Mr. Hobby, Mr. Fountaine, and Sir Martin Lister.

Dr. Bastwick's Exchange.

Ordered, That it be especially recommended to my Lord General, speedily to propound such fit Person, in Exchange for Dr. Bastwick, as his Excellency shall think fit; and to exchange him accordingly.