House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 7 September 1644

Die Sabbati, Septembris 7, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Postmaster, &c.

AN Ordinance for settling Edm. Prideaux Esquire, a Member of this House, in the Office of Master of the Posts and Couriers, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That Mr. Prideaux, according to the Desire of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do settle Post Stages in the West, in such Places as he shall conceive to be safe and convenient for the better Maintenance of a good Intelligence between the Parliament and their Forces: And that the Couriers so established and employed by him in this Service, shall have the Protection of this House for their Horses and Goods: And that Mr. Speaker do grant Protections unto them accordingly: And that Mr. Prideaux do confer and consult with the Committee of his Majesty's Revenue, about some Expedient for defraying and upholding this Charge, for the public Service of the State.

Ordered, That Edm. Prideaux Esquire, a Member of this House, for his better Accommodation in the Service of the Parliament, and of Merchants in their Trading, shall have Liberty to use such Rooms in the House late of Alderman Freeman's, and where the Committee for the Accounts of the Kingdom now sit, as he shall conceive to be necessary for erecting and settling his Letter Office there: And all Parties whom it shall concern, are to take Notice hereof accordingly.

King's Parks, &c.

Ordered, That no Trees or Underwood be felled or cut in Birch Wood, Cranborne Chace, or in any other of the Parks, Forests, Chaces, or Woods, of the King's, under the Power of the Parliament, by virtue or colour of the Ordinance of Parliament for Felling of Woods for the City, without the Knowledge, Consent, and Allowance, of the Committee of the King's Revenue: And that whatsoever Timber, or other Wood, is already felled and cut in any of those Places, that none of it shall be carried away without the Consent and Allowance of the said Committee; and that those who have felled any Trees, or received or bought any of the Trees in any of the said Forests, Chaces, Parks, or Woods, be brought to an Account by the Committee of the Revenue.

Sir Hen. Vane, Mr. Long, Mr. Holles, Mr. Ashherst, Mr. Maynard, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Serjeant Wilde, Mr. White, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Bond, Mr. Scawen, Lord Wenman, Sir Sam. Rolle, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Oldisworth, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Bence, Sir Ben. Rudyerd, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Blakiston, Sir Edw. Partheriche, Sir Jo. Hippisley;

This Committee is appointed to consider of the Ordinance for Felling of Wood for the Provision for the City; and to bring in an Ordinance for suspending of that Ordinance, if there shall be Cause; and to consider what is fit to be done for the Preservation of the Timber and Woods of the Kingdom: And the Care of it is especially recommended unto Sir Tho. Widdrington: And they are to meet upon it on Monday next, at Two post Meridiem, in the Exchequer Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

Lister's Fine.

The humble Petition of Sir Mathew Lister Knight, was this Day read: And it is

Resolved, &c. That a Fine of Two hundred Pounds shall be set upon Sir Mathew Lister, for his Offence in sending a Bill of Exchange of an Hundred Pounds for supplying of his Wife's Daughter, now in Oxon, with Monies: And that he be discharged from further Question, and his Estate from Sequestration for the same.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That the Two hundred Pounds set as a Fine upon Sir Mathew Lister, shall be paid, upon Account, to Mr. Theloall, for the Service of Pembrokeshire.

Earl of Westmorland's Fine.

Upon Certificate from the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall, that the Earl of Westmorland has satisfied the Fine set upon him; It is

Resolved, &c. That the Sequestration of the Earl of Westmorland's Estate shall be taken off, from this Day forward; provided that all Rents, and Arrears of Rent, due to this Day to the State, be paid in: And that an Ordinance be brought in to this Purpose.

Baker's Fine.

Upon Certificate from the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, that Sir Jo. Baker has entered into Bond, with good Security, to pay Two thousand Pounds of his Fine at or before the Twentieth Day of September next, and One thousand Pounds within Three Months after: It is

Resolved, &c. That the Sequestration of the Estate of Sir Jo. Baker be taken off from this Day forward; provided that all Rents, and Arrears of Rent, due to the State to this Day be paid in; and that the Monies be paid in according to his Bonds; otherwise, that he receive no Benefit thereof: And that an Ordinance be brought in to this Purpose.

Bendish's Fine.

Upon a Letter from the Committee in Essex, of Augusti 24, 1644, desiring Mitigation of the Fine set upon Sir Tho. Bendish; It is

Resolved, &c. That the Fine set upon Sir Tho. Bendish shall be mitigated to a Thousand Pounds: And that a Fine of a Thousand Pounds only shall be set upon Sir Tho. Bendish, for his Offence.

Army Affairs.

A Letter from Sir Wm. Waller, from Farneham, of September 6, relating that he is upon his March Westward; and of his Resolutions to march with all Diligence.

Hants, &c. Committees.

Ordered, That the Committee for the West do meet this Afternoon; and take Order, that the Gentlemen that are Committees of Hants, Wilts, Dorsetshire, Somersettshire, and Devon, do go down into their several and respective Counties forthwith: And that on Monday next they return the Names of such as do not go.

Army Affairs.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to send Directions to the several Committees of the several and respective Counties, out of which Forces are designed for Sir Wm. Waller, to expedite the sending of their Forces unto him with all Diligence.

Portsmouth Garison, &c.

Ordered, That the Committee for Gloucester do receive the Examinations concerning the Goods and Monies seized and discovered, in pursuance of an Ordinance of Parliament, for the Payment of the Garison of Portsmouth, and other Officers mentioned in that Ordinance; and to deliver their Opinions upon the several Causes; and to report the same to the House.

States Ambassadors.

A Message from the Lords, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Heath;

The Lords have added the Earl of Denbigh to the Committee appointed to meet with the States Ambassadors: And desire this House to nominate a Committee of a proportionable Number.

Resolved, That Mr. Holles and Sir Hen. Mildmay be added to the Committee appointed to meet with the States Ambassadors.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Addition: And have made an Addition of a proportionable Number.

Ordination of Ministers.

Resolved, &c. That this Matter of Ordination shall be referred to a Committee of the whole House: And that the House be resolved forthwith into a Grand Committee, to take the same into Consideration.

Resolved, &c. That this Paper of the Return of the Assembly of Divines, concerning Ordination of Ministers, pro tempore, shall be taken into Consideration by this Committee: And that the Committee shall likewise have Power to look into, and take into Consideration, the other Papers from the Assembly concerning this Matter.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. White called to the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Southampton Ministry.

Sir Wm. Lewes reports the Amendments to the Ordinance concerning the Ministry of the County of Southampton: The which were twice read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And the Ordinance, thus amended, ordered to be ingrossed; and read the Third time.

Sheriff of Chester.

An Ordinance for appointing and authorizing Hen. Brooke Esquire to be High Sheriff of the County of Chester, and for regulating some other Passages in the same Office, was this Day read the Second time.

And the Question being put for the Commitment;

It passed with the Negative.

And then the Question of Passing being put;

It passed with the Affirmative.

Fayth's Minister.

The humble Petition of Henry Wilkinson Minister of Fayth's, London, sent from the Lords formerly, was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That the Committee appointed to receive all the Rents belonging and payable to the Dean and Chapter of Paul's, do allow unto Mr. Wilkinson Minister of Faith's, London, the Rent he is to pay for the House he lives in; the which is to be defalked out of the Allowance due to him for his Service in the Assembly: And that the Rents due from the Parish of Faith's, and payable to the Dean and Chapter, be paid unto him the said Mr. Wilkinson, and added to his Living, for his better Maintenance and Support.

House to meet.

Ordered, That the House do meet this Afternoon, at Two of Clock.

Die Sabbati, Septembris 7, 1644; Post Meridiem.

Military Affairs.

SIR Henry Vane junior reported, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, a Letter from my Lord General, from Plymouth, of September 3, one from my Lord Admiral, from Plymouth, of September 2. And that thereupon the Committee had sent Directions to Sir Wm. Waller to advance, with all Diligence, to Dorchester: That they had likewise sent this Fourth Letter to the Earl of Manchester, to march with all the Foot and Horse he can to them into the West. The Committee was likewise of Opinion, that Six thousand Arms, and Six thousand Suits of Cloaths, be forthwith sent to Portsmouth, for my Lord General's Foot.

Resolved, &c. That Six thousand Arms shall be forthwith provided, and sent to Portsmouth, for my Lord General's Forces in the West.

Resolved, &c. That Six thousand Suits of Cloaths shall be forthwith provided, and sent to Portesmouth, for my Lord General's Foot Soldiers.

Pennoyer's Contract.

The humble Petition of Wm. Pennoyer, of London, Merchant, was this Day read, concerning Arms long since contracted for by the Committee of the Safety, to be bought for the Service of the State, and now brought over.

Sir Walter Earle, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Bond, Sir John Clotworthy, Mr. Nicoll, Mr. Vassall, Mr. Rolle, Squire Bence, Mr. Spurstowe, Sir Gilbert Gerard;

This Committee, or any Three of them, are appointed to treat with Mr. Pennoyer, for the Arms brought over by him, both upon the Price, and Conditions he will deliver them, for the Service of the State. They are likewise to take care that the Arms may be tried. They are likewise to treat and take care for the providing of Six thousand Coats and Breeches, Shirts, Stockings, Shoes, and Caps, to be sent to Portsmouth, for my Lord General's Foot.

Military Affairs.

Resolved, &c. That a Letter be prepared to be sent to the Earl of Manchester from both Houses, to direct him to speed his March, and advance into the West, with all his Force of Horse and Foot.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired in this Letter.

Sir Phillipp Stapleton, Sir Henry Vane, Mr. Peeirepoint, Mr. Hollis, Mr. Whitelocke, Mr. Recorder, are appointed to prepare this Letter.

They are likewise to prepare a Letter to be sent from both Houses to my Lord General, with the Resolutions the Houses have taken upon the Occasion of this Letter.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Heath;

The Lords have added Colonel Haughton to be one of the Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Lancaster; and desired the Concurrence of this House.

The Lords have appointed Three Lords to meet and entertain the Lord Lowdon, Lord Chancellor of Scotland; and desire this House to appoint a Committee of a proportionable Number.

Lord Chancellor of Scotland.

Sir Henry Vane junior, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Hollis, Lord Wenman, Sir Philip Stapleton, Sir Arthur Hasilrig; are appointed to meet with a Committee of a proportionable Number of the Lords, to go meet and entertain the Lord Lowdon, Lord Chancellor of Scotland.

Deputy Lieutenants of Lancaster.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth concur with the Lords, in nominating and approving of Colonel Haughton to be one of the Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Lancaster.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to Colonel Haughton to be Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Lancaster; and have appointed a Committee of a proportionable Number to meet with the Committee of the Lords, to go and meet and entertain the Lord Lowdon, the Lord Chancellor of Scotland.

Letter read.

A Letter from my Lord General, from Plymouth, of Septembris 3, 1644, to Sir Phillipp Stapleton, was this Day read.

Army Affairs.

Ordered, That Colonel Jephson do billet the Soldiers that came from Wareham and are now at Portsmouth, in the Isle of Haling: And that Colonel Jephson do send his Warrants to the Parts near adjoining, to send in Victuals for those Soldiers.

Ordered, That Colonel Jephson do make Provision of Victuals in the County and Isle of Wight, for Five hundred Soldiers to be sent into Ireland: And that he take them up upon the best Conditions he can: And that the Country shall be repaid for them, out of the first Monies that shall be raised for Ireland: Out of which Monies also, the Ships that shall be taken up for the transporting the said Soldiers into Ireland, shall be paid their Freight.

Ordered, That the Three hundred old Musquets, now in the publick Magazine, in the Custody of Lieutenant Colonel Owen Roe, be sent down to Portsmouth, to be sent over with the Soldiers that are to be transported into Ireland.

Pistols for Army.

Resolved, &c. That Five hundred Pair of Pistols shall be forthwith provided and sent to Portsmouth, for the Service of my Lord General's Horse: And that it be referred to the Committee appointed to take care of providing the Arms, Coats, and Breeches, to take care of providing these Pistols likewise.

Provisions for Army.

Ordered, That all the Provision of Victual for Horse and Foot intended for my Lord General's Army, and now in shipping, be forthwith sent away and left at Plymouth, for the Use of the Town and Forces there: And that the Committee of the Navy take care herein, and give their Orders accordingly.

Money for Army.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of Excise do forthwith comply with the former Ordinance of Parliament, for the Issuing of One thousand Two hundred Pounds for the Service of the Soldiers that came out of Wareham: And that they do pay the same upon Account to Colonel Jephson, or such as he shall appoint to receive the same.

Governor of Plymouth.

Resolved, &c. That my Lord Roberts shall be appointed Governor of Plymouth: And that it be recommended to my Lord General to grant a Commission accordingly.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Letters to Lord General, &c.

A Letter to be sent to my Lord General, and another to be sent to the Earl of Manchester, were this Day read; and assented unto; and carried up to the Lords by Sir Wm. Lewes.

He likewise carried up the Vote for my Lord Roberts to be Governor of Plymouth.

Money for Army Service.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee of Lords and Commons at Haberdashers Hall, do make present Payment of Two hundred Pounds for impresting of Two Ships to transport the Soldiers that came out of Wareham into Ireland: And that the same Two hundred Pounds be paid unto Mr. John Bence, upon Account; who is appointed to take up the said Ships.

Farthing Tokens, &c.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to go to the Common Council about the Farthing Tokens Business, &c. do desire the Common Council [to] meet upon Monday in the Afternoon, concerning my Lord General's Business.

Committee for Jersey.

Ordered, That the Committee for Jersey, or any Three of them, shall have Power to meet when and where they please: And that they shall have Power to receive and present to the House any Declaration, or other Matter, against George Cartwright of Jersey.

Purging the Mews.

Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed to purge Whitehall, shall have Power, in the like Manner, and with the like Authority, to purge the Mews.

Exchange of Prisoners.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of John Gallant, John Thurnwood, and others, now Prisoners in Wassford, be referred to the Committee of the Navy; to consider and appoint some fit way how the Petitioners may be released, and exchanged for the Irish Mariners now Prisoners in the Marshalsea.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Wm. Lewes brings Answer, That the Lords do agree in all to the Messages carried up by him.

Postmaster, &c.

The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, finding, by Experience, that it is most necessary for keeping of good Intelligence between the Parliament and their Forces, that Post Stages should be erected in several Parts of the Kingdom; and the Office of Master of the Post and Couriers being at present void, and none to take care thereof; and having had good and sufficient Testimony and Assurance of the Diligence and careful Endeavours of Edmond Prydeaux Esquire, a Member of the House of Commons, in erecting and settling of Post Stages for the Service of the State; do Ordain, That the said Edmond Prideaux Esquire, a Member of the House of Commons, shall be, and is hereby constituted and appointed, Master of the Posts, Messengers, and Couriers: And Mr. Solicitor General is to prepare a Patent, to be passed under the Great Seal of England, by which the Office of Master of the Posts, Messengers, and Couriers, together with all Fees and Profits therewith usually passed and enjoyed, shall be granted unto him, during the Pleasure of both Houses of Parliament, in such manner as formerly hath been used and accustomed: And the Commissioners of the Great Seal are hereby authorized and required to pass the same under the Great Seal of England accordingly.