House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 26 August 1644

Die Lunæ, Augusti 26, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Stationers Company, &c.

THE humble Petition of the Company of Stationers, consisting of Booksellers, Printers, and Bookbinders, was this Day read; and ordered to be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Printing; to hear all Parties; and to state the Business; and to prepare an Ordinance upon the whole Matter; and to bring it in with all convenient Speed: And they are, to this Purpose, to peruse the Bill formerly brought in concerning this Matter. They are diligently to inquire out the Authors, Printers, and Publishers, of the Pamphlet against the Immortality of the Soul, and concerning Divorce.

Sir Philip Stapilton, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Mr. Stephens, and Mr. Baynton, are added to this Committee.

Husbands' Claims.

It is further Ordered, That the humble Petition of Edw. Husbands be referred to this Committee; to consider of some Ways and Means that he may be speedily paid the Monies due unto him, upon his Account, for several Orders, and other Things, printed for the Service of the House: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

Ordnance Office.

Ordered, That Mr. Green, Sir Ro. Pye, Mr. Dowse, Mr. Knightley, Sir Anth. Irby, Sir Sam. Rolle, Mr. Baynton, Mr. Jennour, Mr. Buller, be added to the Committee appointed for the Office of the Ordnance.

Payment to Sommerscales.

Resolved, &c. That Fifty Pounds shall be allowed and paid unto Mr. Tho. Sommerscales for his Charge and Pains in bringing up Prisoners, at Two several Times, from the Armies in the North: And that this Money be paid out of the Estates of Sir Charles Lucas, Mr. Jo. Bellassys, and Sir Jo. Ramsden: And that the Treasurers for Sequestrations at Guildhall do forthwith advance the said Sum of Fifty Pounds; and repay themselves out of the Estates of the Gentlemen aforesaid.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Martial Law.

Ordered, That the Members of this House that are Commissioners named in the Ordinance for Martial Law, do attend that Service.

Ordered, That Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Hill, Mr. Baynton, Mr. Tate, Sir Jo. Corbett, Sir Hen. Heyman, do withdraw presently, to enlarge the Quorum in the Ordinance concerning Martial Law.

Virginia Trade, &c.

The humble Petition of Wm. Harris, Thomas Deacon, and others, trading to Virginia, was this Day read; desiring, that they might: have Liberty to transport Ammunition, Cloaths, and Victual, Custom-free; that they might have Commission and Power to interrupt the Hollanders, and other Strangers, that trade thither; and that the Sequestrations of divers Planters there might be taken off.

Ordered, That the Petitioners shall have Liberty to transport their Ships named in the Petition; viz. the Trade's Increase, the Virginia Merchant, the Globe, the Honour, the Reformation, the Mary, the Elizabeth and Ellen, the Passengers, and their Cargazons of Victual, Cloathing, Arms, Ammunition, and other Commodities, for the Supply, Defence, and Relief of the Planters, Custom-free, upon the Cautions, Conditions, and Restrictions, mentioned in the Petition; viz. That the Petitioners, as they are respectively interested in each Ship, will enter Bonds in the High Court of Admiralty, with each several Master, for proceeding on this their intended Voyage, and returning the said Ships and Ordnance to the Port of London, the Dangers of the Seas excepted.

It is further Ordered, That the Particulars in the Petition concerning the Sequestration of the Estates of Planters in Virginia, be referred to the Consideration of the Sequestrators; to certify to what Value the Estates of such Persons sequestered amounteth unto: And that the Particular concerning the Interrupting of such as trade to Virginia, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for the Navy.

Foreign Plantations.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Solicitor be added to the Committee for foreign Plantations, in the Place of Mr. Pym, deceased.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Articles against Apsley, &c.

A Letter from the Committee at Arundell, of August 20, 1644, concerning Colonel Apsley and Mr. Henry Bridger; and Articles against Colonel Apsley, were this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Apsley be forthwith sent for, as a Delinquent, by the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Henry Bridger be forthwith discharged from being one of the Committees in the County of Sussex.

Resolved, &c. That the Deputy Governor of Arundell Castle be forthwith summoned to attend the House, to answer his Fact of releasing Colonel Apsley, committed to his Custody by the Committee of Parliament there, without the Consent of the said Committee.

Articles against Middleton.

Ordered, That, at the next Sitting of the House, Sir Hen. Heyman do bring in the Articles put into his Hand concerning Mr. Middleton of this House.

Escape of Mac Quire, &c.

Mr. Corbett reported from the Committee, the Matter of Mac Quire and Mac Mahoun, Two notorious and principal Irish Rebels, Escape out of the Tower: And

It is Ordered, That this Business be re-committed, to inquire all Circumstances incident to that Business: And that Mr. Maynard, Sir Jo. Clottworthy, Mr. Strode, Sir Jo. Curson, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Long, and Mr. Sam. Browne, be added to this Committee: And they are to make Report of this Business peremptorily.

Resolved, &c. That this Business, concerning Escape of Mac Mahoun and Machguire, shall be presently taken into Debate; for as much as concerns the Lieutenant of the Tower, shall be presently taken into Consideration.

The Lieutenant of the Tower thereupon withdrew.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to a Committee, to consider of the best and fittest Way for securing the Tower, and the Prisoners therein; and to report to the House their Opinions: And

It is Ordered, That this Business be referred to the Committee formerly appointed for the Tower, with the Addition of those Members this Day added to this Committee: And they have Power to confer with the Lord Mayor, Court of Aldermen, and Common Council, upon this Business.

Money for Barnstaple.

Ordered, That the Committee for Advance of Monies at Haberdashers Hall do forthwith issue to the Committee of the West, or such as they shall appoint to receive the same, upon Account, a Thousand Pounds for the Service of Barnestaple.

Money for City Forces.

An Ordinance for employing a Thousand Pounds of the Two thousand Pounds formerly assigned to the City Regiments at Abington, to the City Regiment at Wareham, that is to go with Colonel Middleton, was this Day read; and assented; and carried up by Mr. Nicoll.

Martial Law.

An Ordinance for enlarging the Quorum in the Ordinance concerning Martial Law was this Day read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and carried up to the Lords by Mr. Nicoll.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Nicoll is appointed to carry up to the Lords the Ordinance for Two thousand Pounds monthly out of the Excise, for Six Months, to make Provisions for the publick Stores; the Declaration upon the former Ordinance concerning the Surprisal of Foreigners Ships trading to Ports in Defection from the Parliament; the Ordinance for Fifty Pounds to Mr. Tho. Somerscales, for the bringing up of Prisoners; the Ordinance for enlarging the Quorum in the Ordinance for Martial Law; the Ordinance for One thousand Pounds out of Haberdashers Hall for Barncstaple; the Ordinance for assigning One thousand Pounds, formerly granted to the City Forces at Abington, to the City Regiment at Wareham.

Commissioners of Sewers, &c.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Page and Dr. Heath;

The Lords have sent down Two Ordinances concerning Commissioners of Sewers; and Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer; in which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Ordinances were read; and assented unto; and ordered to be printed.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Two Ordinances.

Forces in Ulster.

Ordered, That To-morrow Morning, the first Business, the Propositions concerning the British Forces in Ulster, be taken into Consideration.

Ordered, That the House sit To-morrow.

Isle of Wight.

A Letter from Newport, of Augusti 22, from the Committee there, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the Ordnance do forthwith furnish a Ton of Bullets, with a Proportion of Match, to be sent down to the Isle of Wight.

Ordered, That Five hundred Swords, and Three hundred Bandeliers, be forthwith provided to be sent into the Isle of Wight: And that it be referred to the Committee of the West, to take care of providing the said Swords and Bandeliers.

Officers Petition, &c.

Ordered, That the Petition of the Officers of the Army, under the Command of the Lord Fairefaxe, and the Letter from the Lord Fairefaxe, of Augusti 19, 1644, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Yorkshire.

Palmer's Assessment.

Ordered, That the Twentieth Part assessed, or to be assessed, upon Mr. Palmer, a Prisoner in the Fleet, shall be employed for the providing of the Five hundred Swords, and Three hundred Bandeliers, for the Isle of Wight, and other Provisions for the West.

New Church, Tuthill Fields.

Ordered, That George Prym, John Welden, James Steward, and John Tyson, of the Parish of Saint Margarett's in Westminster, shall have Power, and are hereby authorized, to collect and gather all such Sums of Money as any of the said Parishes, or others, shall agree and be contented to pay for one whole Year now next coming, for the Use of any Pew or Pews erected within the Church, commonly called the New Church in Tuthill Fields: And that the Parties so paying the several and respective Sums, so agreed by them to pay, shall and may, during the Term of one whole Year now next coming, have and enjoy the whole and sole Use and Benefit of all and every such Pew or Pews, without the Interruption of any Person or Persons whatsoever: And that the Persons above-named to receive the several and respective Sums of Money for the said Pews, shall, during the said Term of one whole Year now next coming, pay the same unto such Orthodox Divine or Divines as the Committee for plundered Ministers shall nominate; so as the said Divine or Divines be first examined and approved by the Assembly of Divines.

Court Martial.

Whereas, by an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, for the establishing of a Court Martial, amongst other Things it is ordained, That the Persons therein nominated, or any Twelve or more of them (whereof such of the Members of either House of Parliament, as have Commissions and Commands in any of the Armies or Garisons, and Sir Nathaniell Brent, always to be Three) shall be Commissioners: Be it now Ordained, That the said Clause shall be amended and established in manner following; that is to say, That any Twelve or more of the Persons in the aforementioned Ordinance named (whereof the Members of either House of Parliament, and Sir Nathaniell Brent, or Three of them, always to be present) shall be Commissioners to do all and every thing and things as in and by the said Ordinance is limited and appointed.

Money for City Forces.

Whereas the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, have, by Ordinance of the Tenth of this present Month of August, Anno Domini One thousand Six hundred and Forty-four, assigned and secured the Sum of Two thousand Pounds to the Committee of the Militia of the City of London, to enable them to continue their Forces at Abington, out of the Monies that come in upon the Excise, to be paid unto them next after the Twenty thousand Pounds formerly secured unto them out of the said Excise: And whereas the said Committee of the Militia have advanced the said Two thousand Pounds for the Supply of the Forces at Abington, and other Services of the State: Be it therefore Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the said Committee of the Militia shall be repaid the said Sum of Two thousand Pounds, with Interest, after the Rate of Eight per Cent. for so long time as they shall be out of the same, or any Part thereof, out of the Receipts of the Excise, next after the Twenty thousand Pounds formerly secured as aforesaid, shall be paid and satisfied. And it is hereby further Ordained, That the Commissioners for the Time being shall make Payment of the said Two thousand Pounds, with Interest, as aforesaid, unto the said Committee of the Militia, or to such Persons as advance the said Money, at such Time, and in such Order and Course, as is before ordained: For Payment of which Two thousand Pounds, with Interest, or any Part thereof; the Receipt of the Chairman of the said Committee for the Time being, or such as lent the Money, or their Assign or Assigns, or an Order of the said Committee, signed by the Chairman, shall be a sufficient Discharge unto the said Commissioners of Excise, and every of them. And whereas One thousand Pounds of the said Two thousand is already paid to the Forces at Abingdon; It is now Ordered, That the other Thousand Pounds shall be paid to the Regiment under the Command of Colonel Owen at Weymouth, for the Service of the West.