House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 1 March 1644

Die Veneris, 1 Martii, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Audeley's Admission into the Temple.

ORDERED, That the Admission of Mr. Audeley into his Chamber in the Temple, be referred and recommended to the Committee for the King's Revenue.

Oath of Secrecy, &c.

Sir Peter Wentworth brings Answer, of the Message sent up to the Lords, concerning their Concurrence to the Oath of Secrecy; That the Lords were willing to concur with this House in any thing that might conduce to the Safety of the Kingdom; but as to this of the Oath, they have resolved it Negatively.

Two Orders of the Lords, one of Wednesday the Fourteenth of February, concerning the Lord General's Behaviour when he shall receive any Directions from the Committee of both Kingdoms; the other of the one-and-twentieth of February, declaring the Right of every Peer to come to any Committee of both or either House; and, in particular, the Committee of both Kingdoms; were this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That a Conference be desired.

Mr. Solicitor, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Rous, Mr. Strode, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Hodges, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Tate;

This Committee or any Four of them, are appointed to prepare Reasons to be delivered at a Conference, upon the Answer brought from the Lords, by Sir Peter Wentworth, to the Message he carried up concerning the Oath of Secrecy; and to take Notice of the Orders made in the Lords House, of the Fourteenth of February, and the One-and-twentieth of February, concerning the Words "Order and Direct," and concerning the Peers coming to any Committee of both or either House; and to prepare a Declaration to be offered at this Conference, whereby they may express the Resentment this House has of the Proceedings of the Lords herein: And are to meet this Afternoon at Two post Meridiem, in the Exchequer Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records.

Musters.

Ordered, That the Commissaries of the Musters do send in a List of the last Musters.

Military Stores.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Thomas Middleton shall have delivered unto him, for the Service of the State, Forty Barrels of Powder, Three thousand Weight of Match, by Warrant from the Committee of the Safety; Three hundred Dragoons, and Eight Drakes from Fox Hall, and Two Petards from the Stores in the Tower.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Safety do sign Warrants for Twenty Barrels of Powder to be sent to Colonel Mitton, for Wem, in Shropshire.

Ordered, That Lieutenant Colonel Rowe do, out of the publick Stores, furnish One Ton of Match to be sent to Colonel Mitton, for Wem, in Shropshire.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom do grant Warrants, and give Order, that One hundred Barrels of Powder be laid into Arundell Castle, for the Store and Use of Sir Wm. Waller.

Money for Army.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Shropshire to consider of present providing a Thousand Pounds, for Colonel Mitton.

Ordered, That the sequestered Goods of the Lord Viscount Sleygoe's, brought into Guildhall and laid up there, be delivered unto the Committee at Shropshire, and sold by the Candle; and the Proceed thereof employed, upon Account, towards the making up of a Thousand Pounds, for Colonel Mitton.

Morriawe's Petition.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of Sarah Morriawe, the late Widow of Major Peter Morriawe, deceased, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Shropshire.

Associated Counties.

Mr. Lisle reports the Amendments to the Ordinance concerning the Forces to be raised and maintained in the Four associated Counties: The which were read: And

It is Ordered, That the Six Shillings to be deducted by this Ordinance in every Pound that shall be raised in the Counties of Kent and Surry, shall be made Six Shillings Eight-pence.

And then the Ordinance, with the Amendments, was put to the Question; and, by Vote, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Officers Commissions.

Ordered, That this House doth hold it fit, that the Officers of the Horse and Foot to be raised in the County of Kent, do take their Commissions, and receive their Directions from Sir Wm. Waller: And that Mr. Speaker do signify thus much to the Deputy Lieutenants and Committees of Kent: And Sir Tho. Walsingham to bring in a Letter to this Purpose.

Farnham Castle.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Safety, to consider how the Garison of Farnham Castle may be maintained.

Grenvile's Regiment.

Ordered, That the Deputy Lieutenants and Committees of the Western Parts of the County of Sussex be required forthwith to make up their Proportion of Horse, for Sir Rich. Grenvile's Regiment.

Sussex Committee.

Ordered, That Denzell Holles Esquire, Tho. Luxford of Windmill Hill Gentleman, Jo. Fagge Esquire, Anth. Cruttenden Gentleman, Tho. Aynscombe Esquire, Sir Wm. Colepeper Baronet, Wm. Newton the elder, Esquire, Ambrose Traylon Esquire, Henry Bridger Gentleman, Robert Dike Gentleman, Stephen Humfry Alderman, Nath. Studley, be added to the Committee nominated in the Ordinance, of the Fourth of November, for Sussex; and that Sir Tho. Henley Knight, be left out of that Committee.

Southampton Committee.

Ordered, That Jo. Woolridge, Tho. Cole, Tho. Chandelier, Esquires, be added to the Committee nominated in the Ordinance, of the Fourth of November, for the County of Southampton; and that James Trott, Wm. Carrick, Jo. Hooke, Francis Rivett, and Wm. Collins, Esquires, be left out of that Committee.

Surry Committee.

Ordered, That Denzell Holles Esquire, Sir Wm. Elliott, Sir Richard Bettenson, Jo. Yates Gentlemen, be added to the Committee nominated in the Ordinance, of the Fourth of November, for the County of Surry.

Waller's Forces.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Western Gentlemen do this Afternoon meet with the Committee of the Four associated Counties, to consider of the Ways of maintaining the Forces of Sir Wm. Waller, not levied nor paid by the Association.

City Regiments.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth hold it fit, that the City Regiments under the Command of Major Browne, do continue forth until further Order.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Militia be desired to write to the City Regiments now in Sussex, to encourage them to continue forth yet longer, upon the Service; the Necessity of it at this Time being so important.

A Letter, to be sent to the City Regiments now in Sussex, to encourage them to continue upon the Service, was read, and assented unto.

Naval Affairs.

Ordered, That the Lord Admiral be desired to be present at the Committee of the Navy this Afternoon: And that the Committee do acquaint my Lord Admiral of the several Informations against some of his Captains; and that his Captains employed at Sea, be enjoined to be more active and vigilant than hitherto they have been: And further, to acquaint him with the Information given of more Supplies to come out of Ireland into England and Scotland; and speedily to send Ships to prevent the same: And that my Lord Admiral be desired to employ such Captains as he will be answerable for to the State.

Levant Company.

Mr. Green reports the Amendments to the Ordinance for upholding the Government and Fellowship of Merchants trading into the Levant Seas: The which were read; and, by Vote, upon the Question, assented unto; and the Ordinance, with the Amendments, passed, upon the Question; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Merchants Petition.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of divers Merchants inhabiting in the City of London and other Parts of this Kingdom, this Day presented to this House, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee appointed to consider of the Ordinance for the East India Company, to take into a speedy Consideration.

Payments to Onslowe, &c.

Ordered, That the Committee for the King's Revenue do, this Afternoon, furnish and pay, by way of Loan, to Sir Rich. Onslowe, Sir Tho. Pelham, and Sir Tho. Jervoise, Seven hundred Pounds, out of the Monies in their Hands; and that the Committee for the West do likewise furnish, by way of Loan, to the said Sir Rich. Onslowe, Sir Tho. Pelham, and Sir Tho. Jervoise, Five hundred Pounds; to be employed for the present setting forth of Sir Rich. Grenvile; upon the undertaking of the Members that are of the Four associated Counties, to repay the said respective Sums of Seven hundred Pounds and Five hundred Pounds, upon Monday come Sevennight.

Berkeley's Fine.

Ordered, That the Western Committee shall have Power to treat with Mr. Justice Berkeley concerning his Fine: And Mr. Prideaux is desired to take care herein.

Rates on Tobacco.

Mr. Green reports the Amendments to the Ordinance concerning the regulating of the Rates on the Customs and Excise of Tobacco: The which were read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto; and the Ordinance, with the Amendments, passed, upon the Question; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Duke of Richmond's Rents.

Ordered, That the Rents of the Duke of Richmond, not yet discovered, to the Value of Fifteen hundred Pounds, shall be disposed of, and employed, for the Service and Safety of the Town of Plymouth.

Levant Company.

For the better Encouragement and Supportation of the Fellowship of Merchants of England trading into the Levant Seas, which, besides the building and maintaining of divers great Ships both for Defence and Burthen, the venting of Kerseys, Says, Perpetuana's, and several other Commodities, hath been found very serviceable and profitable to this State, by advancing Navigation, and transporting into foreign Parts, for several Years together, above Twenty thousand Broad Cloths per Annum, besides other Commodities, dyed and dressed in their full Manufacture; and for the better Government and Regulating of Trade, especially that of Cloathing, whereby the poor People are set on Work, and the whole Kingdom receives Benefit; The Lords and Commons in Parliament, do Ordain, That the said Fellowship of Merchants of England trading into the Levant Seas, shall continue and be a Corporation: that they shall have the free Choice and Removal of all Ministers and Officers, which are to be by them maintained, either at Home or Abroad, whether they be dignified, or called by the Title or Name of Ambassadors, Governors, Deputies, Consuls or otherwise; and shall have Power to levy Monies on the Members of their Corporation, and Strangers, upon all Goods that shall be shipped in English Bottoms; as also, upon all the Goods of English, shipped in Strangers Bottoms, which go into, or come from, the Levant Seas, for and towards the necessary Charge, Maintenance, and Support of their Ministers, Officers, and Government: And that the said Fellowship shall have further Power to levy such Sum and Sums of Money, on the Members of that Corporation, and their Goods, as shall be advanced, for the Use and Benefit of the State, by the Approbation of both Houses of Parliament: And that no Person shall bring from, or send Goods or Ships into, these Parts, limited by their Incorporation, but such as are Free Brothers, or otherwise licensed by the aforesaid Corporation, on Forfeiture of the whole, or other lesser Penalty, to be imposed by the said Corporation on their said Goods or Ships so sent, or traded in, unduly. Provided, that the said Fellowship shall not exclude any Person from his Freedom and Admission into the said Fellowship, who shall desire it by way of Redemption, if such Person be a mere Merchant, and otherwise capable thereof, and shall pay Fifty Pounds for the same, if he be above the Age of Twenty-seven Years, or Twenty-five Pounds, if he be under that Age, or so much less, as their Fellowship shall think fitting: And that the said Fellowship shall have Power to impose a Fine upon any Person or Persons wilfully contemning or disobeying their Order or Orders, in Matter of Government, so as the Fine do not exceed the Sum of Twenty Pounds for any one Offence; and, in Default of Payment of such Fine, the said Fellowship shall have Power to distrain the Goods of such Person or Persons so fined; and, if no sufficient Distress can be found, then the said Fellowship shall have Power to imprison the said Person or Persons for their said Contempt, until such Person or Persons shall pay such Fine or Fines, or otherwise conform themselves to the Acts and Government of the said Fellowship: And the said Fellowship shall have Power to give such an Oath or Oaths to the Officers and Members of their Corporation, as shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament. Provided, that all Rights or Charters, granted under the Broad Seal of England, or otherwise, shall be hereby saved. And the said Lords and Commons do further Ordain, That, with all convenient Expedition, a Bill shall be prepared, in order to an Act of Parliament, to be passed in this present Parliament, for the further Settling, and full Confirmation, of the Privilege of the said Fellowship herein before-mentioned, with such other Clauses and Provisions, as shall be found expedient by both Houses of Parliament. This Ordinance to remain in full Force, until a Bill or Act shall be prepared, and passed, according to the Intent and true Meaning of this Ordinance. And it is Ordered, That this Ordinance be forthwith printed and published, and all Persons concerned may take Notice thereof as appertaineth.

Rates on Tobacco.

Forasmuch, as the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, have taken Notice of the Rates, Customs, and Excise, laid and imposed on Tobacco of all Sorts, to be greater and higher than it will now well bear, in regard of the Disturbance of Trade in Foreign Parts, and present Distractions of the Kingdom: For the Regulating whereof, and for the Encouragement and Ease, as well of the Importer, as Ingrosser and Seller of Tobacco, It is Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, that all Tobaccoes, of the English Plantation, imported, and remaining in the Hands of the Merchant or Importer, or the Ingrosser or Buyer, thereof, shall be liable to such Rates, for the Excise, and such Rules observed for the same, as are set down and prescribed in a late Ordinance, of the Three-and-twentieth of December 1643: And for all Spanish Tobacco, not of the English Plantation, imported, and remaining in the Hands of any Merchant or Importer, or the Ingrosser or Buyer, thereof, at the Day of the Date of this Ordinance, shall pay only Six-pence for every Pound, Excise for the same. Provided always, that no Person shall have any Benefit of this Moderation, but only such as shall, within Fourteen Days after the Publication of this Ordinance, make his personal Appearance at such Office of Excise, under which his Dwelling-place shall be, and there deliver in a true particular Account of all such Spanish Tobaccoes, not of the English Plantations, as were remaining in his Hands at the Date of this Ordinance, and for which the Excise hath not been paid, as aforesaid; and shall presently, according to the respective Rate of Six-pence upon a Pound Weight, pay and clear the said Duty of Excise, for all such Tobacco as he had, at or before the Day of the Date hereof, remaining in his Hands: But be proceeded against, without Favour or Pardon, according to the said former Ordinance of Excise, of the Eleventh of September last. And it is further Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That for all Tobaccoes which have not, before this Ordinance, paid the Custom and Excise, or shall, from the Day of the Date hereof, be imported by any Merchant, or others, into the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Port and Town of Barwick, the Importer or Ingrosser thereof shall pay Custom and Excise for the same, as followeth; videlicet, For all Spanish or other Tobacco, not of the English Plantation, the Importer shall pay Six-pence for every Pound Weight, for Custom, and the Ingrosser or first Buyer One Shilling Excise for the same; and for all Tobaccoes of the English Plantations which shall be imported, as aforesaid, the Importer to pay One Penny per Pound Custom, and the Ingrosser or first Buyer Two-pence per Pound for Excise of the same: Which respective Sums of One Shilling, and Two-pence, to be paid by the Ingrosser or Buyer upon Sale thereof, as is prescribed in the said Ordinance of the Eleventh of September last. And, lastly, it is Ordered and Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That no Part of the Customs or Subsidy paid by the Merchant or other, at the Time of the Importation of his Tobacco, as is expressed in the Second Article in the Book of Rates, shall be allowed by the Commissioners of the Customs, or other Officer or Officers of the several Custom-houses, to any Merchant, or others, upon the Exportation of any Tobaccoes; any Order or Ordinance heretofore made to the contrary, in any wise notwithstanding. Provided, that this Ordinance shall continue in Force for the Space of One whole Year, from the Day of the Date hereof, and no longer.