House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 4 March 1644

Die Lunæ, Martii 4, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Bishop of Canterbury's Trial.

THAT a Message be sent to the Lords, to desire them to appoint a Day for the Trial of the Bishop of Canterbury.

Ordered, That the Gentlemen of the House, that are of the Long Robe, do peremptorily meet, from Day to Day, and diligently attend that Service.

Messengers of Great Seal.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde presented, from the Commissioners of the Great Seal, in the Pursuance of the Ninth of December: The which was read, in hæc Verba, viz.

"We do nominate and approve of Michael Baker, Thomas Parker, John Guidott, and Andrew Durand, for the Four Messengers attending the Service of the Great Seal; for which several Patents are to be granted unto them for Life, under the Great Seal of England:" And

It is Resolved, That this House doth assent unto these Men, thus approved of, and presented, by the Commissioners of the Great Seal, to be Messengers attending the Great Seal; and that the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

Prince Elector, &c.

Mr. Whitelock reports, and presents, from the Conference with the Lords, a Letter from the Prince Elector; and another from Mr. Strickland, from the Hagh, of the 12/22th, of February: The which were read: And then Mr. Whitelock reported, that the Lords observed, in the Letter from the Prince Elector, a good Affection to this Kingdom, and to the Cause; and desire, that Notice may be taken of it, and returned unto him, in such a Way and Manner, from both Houses, as is befitting so great a Personage.

Mr. Whittlock, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Spurstoe, Mr. Beddingfield. Mr. Vassall, Sir Walt. Erle, Sir Simonds D'Ewes, Mr. Jo. Ashe, Mr. Rolle;

This Committee, or any Two of them, is appointed to take into Consideration the tendering of the National League and Covenant to English Subjects, resiant in Foreign Parts: And are to meet this Afternoon, at Two post Meridiem, in the Court of Wards; and to sit de die in diem: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

And it is further Ordered, That this Letter from the Prince Elector, and the Matter of this Report, be referred to the Consideration of this Committee; to present their Opinions to this House what they think fit to be done hereupon: And that the Letter from Mr. Walt. Strickland be, in like manner, referred to the Consideration of this Committee.

Raising Money, &c.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider of some Way and Means of engaging Merchants to procure Loans of Monies upon their particular Credits, and to counter-secure them upon the personal and real Credit of Noblemen and Gentlemen, to present some things to the House to that Purpose: And it is further referred to this Committee, to take Order for the printing the Act of the Convention of Estates of Scotland, for putting the Kingdom into a Posture of Defence; and the Act for the speedy raising of Monies by way of Excise; with some Declaration upon them.

List of Officers.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Lord General's List of Officers, do meet this Afternoon, and confer with my Lord General concerning them; and make Report To-morrow Morning, if it be possible.

Taking of Bidulph House.

A Letter from Colonel Ridgely, of the Twenty-fourth of February, relating the taking of Bidulph House, was this Day read: And Mr. Noble is to acquaint him, how much this House does value his good Services.

Members discharged.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Edw. Littleton shall be forthwith discharged, and disabled for continuing any longer a Member of this House, during this Parliament, for neglecting the Service of the House, and going to the other Party.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Jo. Borlasse be forthwith discharged, and disabled for being or continuing any longer a Member of this House, during this Parliament, for neglecting the Service of the House, and adhering to the adverse Party.

Ridgeleye's Arrears.

Ordered, That Colonel Ridgeleye's Petition be referred to the Committee of Gloucester, to consider how the Arrears due to Colonel Ridgeley may be paid and satisfied; and to report it to the House.

Eccleshall Castle.

Whereas there is no established Pay for the Maintenance of Eccleshall Castle, and the Garison there; It is therefore thought fit, and Ordered, That the said Garison be paid and maintained out of the West Division of Pyrnhill Hundred, adjoining to the said Castle, whereof Mr. Lutwich is High Constable; and that the said Part of Pyrnhill Hundred shall be exempted and freed from the Payments of any other Contributions towards the War, during the Time of that Garison; and that Sir Wm. Brereton shall be accountable to both Houses of Parliament, for such Monies as are levied by virtue of this Order.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Carr's Arrears.

Ordered, That the Committee at Haberdashers Hall do forthwith pay unto the Treasurers at Guildhall One hundred Pounds, to be by them paid unto the Treasurer at Wars, and, by him, to Colonel Carr, upon Account, towards the Arrears due unto him for his Entertainment.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Bushell's, &c. Arrears.

Ordered, That the Committee at Haberdashers Hall do forthwith pay unto the Treasurers at Guildhall Forty Pounds, to be by them paid, upon Account, proportionably, unto Captain Bushell and Captain Cromwell, and deducted out of the Arrears due unto them, upon their Entertainment in Ireland.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde went up to the Lords, to desire them to appoint a Day for the Trial of the Archbishop of Canterbury; and to acquaint them, that this House does agree to the Ordinance for both Houses to confer such Places as are in the Gift of the King, or the Lord Keeper, of the Ninth of December:-Carried up, the Order for the Four Messengers attending the Great Seal; The Ordinance for the Four associated Counties; The Names to be added to the Committees of those Counties, of the Fourth of November; The Ordinance for abating the Excise upon Tobaccoes; The Ordinance concerning the Levant Company; The Ordinance for maintaining of Eccleshall Castle; The Order for One hundred Pounds, out of the Monies at Haberdashers Hall, to Colonel Carre; Forty Pounds, proportionably, to Captain Cromwell, and Captain Bushell.

Raising Money.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for associated Counties, to take into Consideration the Ordinanes that give the Power of raising of Monies upon the Subject; and to state them to the House, and their Opinions what is fit to be done upon them.

Resolved, &c. That this Business of raising and levying of Monies by Soldiers, complained of at this Time, and the whole Debate thereupon, be referred to the Committee of associated Counties: And Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Sam. Browne, Mr. Maynard, and Mr. Nutt, are added to this Committee, as to this Business: And they are to bring in their Opinions, upon the whole Matter, to the House To-morrow Morning.

King's Children.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leeche and Doctor Aylett;

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 the regulating the Family of the King's Children at Saint James's.-

Oath of Secrecy, &c.

Sir Robert Pye went up to the Lords, to desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, so soon as may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, concerning the Oath of Secrecy, and some Proceedings thereupon; and some Matters concerning the Ordinance that constitutes the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Sir Rob. Pye brings Answer, That the Lords will give a present Meeting, at a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, as is desired.-

Answer to Lords.

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

Committees with Scotts.

Ordered, That Report be made, To-morrow Morning, of the Instructions to the Committees with the Scotts.

Lord Fairefaxe.

Ordered, That Mr. Millington do, To-morrow, make his Report concerning the Lord Fairefaxe.

Oath of Secrecy.

Mr. Rous reports from the Committee appointed on Friday last, upon the Lords Answer to the Message touching the Oath of Secrecy, the Reasons for passing of an Oath of Secrecy, and for declaring void Two Orders, made in the Lords House, of the Fourteenth, and One-and-twentieth of February, concerning the Words "Order and Direct;" and concerning the Committee of both Kingdoms: Which were read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be delivered unto the Lords at a Conference.

Ordered, That it be referred to the same Committee, appointed on Friday last, upon the Answer to the Message concerning the Oath of Secrecy, to review that Oath, and to make such Alterations therein as they shall think fitting and necessary.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde brings Answer, That the Lords have appointed To-morrow Sevennight for the Trial of the Archbishop of Canterbury: - Do agree to the Order concerning the Messengers attending the Great Seal; To the Order concerning Eccleshall Castle; To the Names to be added to the Committees of the Four associated Counties, in the Ordinance of the Fourth of November.