House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 27 September 1644

Die Veneris, Septembris 27, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Members admitted.

THE humble Petition of Sir Jo. Evelyn, of the County of Wilts, desiring that he may be restored to the former good Opinion, and admitted to his Attendance upon the House, was this Day read: And

It is Resolved, &c. That Sir Jo. Evelyn of Wilts, be forthwith admitted to his Attendance upon the Service of the House.

The humble Petition of Sir Jo. Evelyn of Godstone, in the County of Surry, Knight, desiring to be admitted to the former Favour and Service upon this House, was this Day read: And

It is Resolved, &c. That Sir Jo. Evelyn, of Godstone of Surry, be forthwith admitted to his Attendance upon the Service of the House.

Private Petitions.

Resolved, &c. That Monday next, in the Afternoon, shall be set apart and appointed for the Receiving and Hearing of private Petitions.

Assessment for Ireland.

Sir Jo. Clotworthy reports the Amendments and Alterations to the Ordinance for raising of Eighty thousand Pounds for Ireland: The which were twice read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto.

Resolved, &c. That Three hundred Pounds per Week shall be set and assessed upon the City of London in this Ordinance for Ireland: Provided that this Rate shall be no Precedent for the Future, but is done for the Ease of the City at this present.

Resolved, &c. That the House doth agree to the several Rates assessed upon the several Counties in this Ordinance for raising of Monies for Ireland.

Ordered, That the Gentlemen of the several Counties do this Afternoon bring the Names of such Committees as they think fit to be nominated in this Ordinance for Ireland, to the Committee in the Exchequer, at Three of Clock this Afternoon.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to appoint in what Manner, and by whose Hands, the Monies that shall come in upon this Ordinance for Ireland shall be received, and issued forth; and to appoint Treasurers, and a Cheque: And that the Names of the Treasurers and the Cheque, be inserted in the Ordinance.

Ordered, That this Ordinance for Ireland be re-committed to the same Committee, to perfect according to the Votes: And they are to meet upon it this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber: And the Care hereof is especially recommended unto Mr. Scawen.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Nicoll carried up to the Lords the Ordinance for Three thousand Pounds to Sir Tho. Middleton: The Ordinance for Fifteen thousand Pounds to the Commissioners of Excise, for Cloaths and Arms for my Lord General's Foot: The Ordinance for a Rate upon Strong Waters.

Irish Adventurers.

The humble Petition of the Committee of Adventurers for Lands in Ireland, was this Day read: and ordered to be referred unto Mr. Holles, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Bond, Sir Walth. Erle, Sir Tho. Dacres, Sir Hen. Mildmay, Mr. Vassall, Mr. Maynard, Mr. Lisle, Sir Hen. Vane junior, Sir Christ. Wray, Mr. Ellis, Sir Wm. Masham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Blakiston, Sir Phil. Stapilton, Mr. Jephson, Mr. Strode, Mr. Weston, to examine the Matter of coming in and exhibiting of this Petition; and what Persons will avow it: And are to meet To-morrow, at Three of Clock in the Afternoon, in the Exchequer Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

Army Affairs.

Mr. Recorder reports, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, the Propositions from my Lord General's Army.

Resolved, &c. That the like Rule and Order shall be given to my Lord General as was given to Sir Wm. Waller, to raise Horse, to the Number of Eleven hundred, for recruiting his Horse, and furnishing his Train of Artillery; videlicet, Five hundred for Troop Horses, and Six hundred for the Train.

Mr. Nicoll is appointed to take care of this Business; and to bring in an Ordinance accordingly.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed for providing of Cloaths and Arms for my Lord General's Army, do with all Speed send away those Cloaths and Arms that are in Readiness; and the rest with all convenient Speed.

Ordered, That Mr. Recorder and Mr. Crew do this Afternoon repair to the Committee of the Militia, to press them, that the City Forces may forthwith advance, considering the absolute Necessity of it; and to persuade with the Officers; and to dispose them all to a Readiness of present marching forth upon the same Conditions.

Resolved, &c. That Nine thousand Pounds shall be provided for the Train of Artillery for my Lord General's Army; videlicet, Three thousand Pounds in Hand, and Six thousand Pounds at Three Months and Three Months proportionably.

Commissioners of Excise.

An Ordinance for continuing the Ordinance of August 31, appointing some Rules for the Commissioners of Excise to govern themselves by until the Eleventh of September One thousand Six hundred and Forty-four, was this Day read the First and Second time; and by Vote, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Nicoll brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Two Ordinances concerning the Rate upon Strong Waters; and concerning the Fifteen thousand Pounds to the Commissioners of Excise, for Cloaths and Arms for my Lord General's Army: And as to the Ordinance concerning Three thousand Pounds for Sir Tho. Middleton, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Artillery Train.

Resolved, &c. That a Train of Artillery be provided for the Lord General's Army, by the Lieutenants, and other Officers, of the Ordnance, according to such a List as the Committee of both Kingdoms shall approve of.

Proceedings concerning Boteler.

Mr. Pierrepont, Mr. Crew, and Mr. Solicitor, report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, the Business concerning Colonel Boteler, and the private Instructions given to Mr. Harding to treat upon with my Lord General from the King: Which were read: Also the Examinations of Major General Skippon, Mr. Nicoll, Colonel Tirrell, Colonel Barclay, Lieutenant Colonel Francis, concerning Colonel Butler's quitting his Post, and dispersing the said private Instructions.

Ordered, That the whole Matter of the Report this Day made from the Committee of both Kingdoms concerning Colonel Butler, and the Instructions brought by him from the King's Army, and the Miscarriages in the late Disaster in the West, be referred to the Examination of the Committee formerly appointed for Reformation of my Lord General's Army, where Mr. Tate has the Chair: And they are to proceed under the like Oath of Secrecy as formerly: And have Power to restrain, upon Occasion, the Persons of such as they shall think fit: And are appointed to meet upon it this Afternoon, at Four of Clock, in the Queen's Court; and so de die in diem, as they shall see Cause: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

Commissioners of Excise, &c.

Whereas by Ordinance of Parliament, the One-and-thirtieth of August last, there are certain Rules and Instructions established, to be observed by the Commissioners of Excise, the Auditors in taking their Accounts, and others employed about the Collection of the Excise; the which Ordinance is understood to be in Force only, as to the Time past, for one Year coming, from the Eleventh of September One thousand Six hundred and Forty-three, and ending the Eleventh of this present September One thousand Six hundred and Forty-four: And whereas it is found necessary, according to the present Commissioners of Excise are, by Ordinance of Parliament, dated the Eighth of April last, continued to be chief Commissioners and Governors of the whole Office and Receipts of the Excise, and new Imposts, for one Year longer, from the Eleventh of this present Month of September One thousand Six hundred and Forty-four, That the said Ordinance of the One-and-thirtieth of August last should be also confirmed, and stand in Force, for the same Term: Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, and by Authority of the same, That the said Ordinance of the One-and-thirtieth of August last, and every Clause and Article therein contained, excepting the Sixth Article, which concerns only the taking of the Accounts of the last Year, and the Passing thereof in one Audit, shall remain and be in Force, to all Intents and Purposes, for .... during the next whole Year, commencing from the Eleventh of this present September, and ending on the Eleventh of September next. And be it hereby further Ordained, by Authority aforesaid, That whereas the said Commissioners of Excise are further authorised, by an Additional Ordinance of Parliament, dated the Eighth of July last, to levy and collect the several Sums of Money, by way of Excise, upon the Commodities therein specified, That the said Commissioners of Excise shall be allowed the Sum of Six-pence upon every Pound which shall be received, according to the said Ordinance; and shall and may chuse such Deputy or Deputy, Officer and Officers, as they shall think needful for the Collection thereof; and allow such Salary, and yearly Stipend or Reward, unto them, and every of them, as is directed in these Particulars, by the Ordinance of the Eleventh of September One thousand Six hundred Forty-three: And that they the said Commissioners of Excise, their Deputies and Officers, or any of them, which shall do any thing in Execution or Performance of the said Ordinance of the One-and-thirtieth of August last, shall be therein, from time to time, protected and saved harmless, by the Power and Authority of both Houses of Parliament.