House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 8 October 1644

Die Martis, Octobris 8, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Safety of Norffolk.

THE humble Petition of the Committee for the County of Norffolk, representing the Danger they conceive themselves liable unto by the removing the associated Forces so far Westward, desiring Care might be taken for their Safety in the Absence of their Forces, was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That the Earl of Manchester do march with his Forces forthwith into the West, for the Safety of the Publick, and consequently of each particular County, according to the Directions of the Committee of both Kingdoms: And that this House will take care of the Safety of the County of Norffolk, and the other associated Counties, in like manner as they will of the rest of the Kingdom: And it is referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to take care herein; and to send this Order to the Earl of Manchester.

Associated Counties.

The humble Petition of the Committee for the Association, sitting at Cambridge, desiring, That the Excise and Sequestration Monies within the associated Counties, may be allowed towards the Charge of their Army, was this Day read again, according to former Order: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred to this Committee to consider of, and to bring in their Opinions; viz. Sir Walth. Erle, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Sir Jo. Wray, Sir Robert Pye, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Bond, Mr. Strode, Mr. Ellis, Sir Gilbert Pykering, Mr. Tate, Sir Jo. Curson, Sir Sam. Rolle, Sir Jo. Trevor, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Heveningham, Mr. Holland, Mr. Gourdon, Sir Simonds D'Ewes, Sir Wm. Litton, Mr. Blakiston, Sir Edw. Partheriche, Mr. Pelham, Sir Beauchamp St. Johns, Colonel Walton, Mr. Corbett, Mr. Cawley, Mr. Moore, Mr. Rolle, Sir Martin Lumley, Mr. Ashherst, Mr. Heaman, Dr. Eden.

This Committee is further to consider how the Isle of Elye, and the Frontier Garisons of the associated Counties, may be secured: And are to meet this Afternoon, at Two of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records, &c.

Rutland Forces.

An Ordinance for laying a weekly Assessment upon the County of Rutland, for maintaining of their Forces, was this Day read; and, upon the Question assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Dorsetshire Garisons.

Resolved, &c. That Two thousand Four hundred Pounds be advanced and paid by the Commissioners of Excise, to such as the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Safety of the Western associated Counties shall appoint to receive the same: to be disposed of to the Garisons of Dorsetshire, in such Manner as the Committee for the West shall direct and appoint.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Trenchard, Mr. Green, and Mr. Bond, are appointed to treat with the Commissioners of Excise upon the Advance of these Monies.

Trial of Macguire, &c.

Ordered, That the Counsel assigned to manage the Evidence at the Trial of Macguire and Mac Mahon, do inquire into the State of the Evidence, and prepare an Indictment, that the said Macguire and Mac Mahon, and all others accessary to the Escape of the said Traitors, may be tried the First Day of the Term, at the King's Bench: And they are to consult with the Judges in this Business; and to acquaint Mr. Speaker when they are ready for the Trial, that the House may be acquainted therewith.

Army Committee.

Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed for Reforming of my Lord General's Army, shall have Power to examine Sir Philip Stapilton and Mr. Nicoll, upon such Matters as are referred to their Examination by former Orders.

Ordered, That . . . Archibald Hay be referred to be examined by the Committee appointed formerly for reforming my Lord General's Army.

Propositions for Peace.

Ordered, That the Propositions for a safe and wellgrounded Peace be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning peremptorily, the first Business: And Mr. Speaker is to put the House in mind hereof.

Exemptions from Impress.

Ordered, That none of the Waggoners or Carters employed, or which shall now come in with their Teams to take Employment, in the publick Service of the State, nor the Persons of John Churchman, Alexander Kensey, or Richard Billyn, who are now employed, Two of them to Portesmouth, with their Cloaths and Arms last sent thither, and the Third now ready to be sent out; shall be imprested to serve as common Soldiers, or compelled to go out with Arms, in any of the Regiments of Trained Bands, or Auxiliary, in this Expedition, or fined for Absence; any thing contained in the Ordinance of the Fourth of this Instant in anywise notwithstanding.

Northampton Assessment.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That Sixty Pounds by the Week, over and above the weekly Tax imposed upon the whole County of Northampton by the late Ordinance, shall be laid equally and indifferently upon the several Hundreds of the East Division of the County aforesaid; and shall be employed towards the Maintaining a Troop of Horse for the Security of the said East Division, and the Service of Rockingham Castle, as the Committee for the County of Northampton shall direct: And this to continue the Space of Six Months, and till the Parliament shall give further Order.

Rutland Assessment.

It is Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That Sir Edward Harrington Knight and Baronet, Sir James Harrington Knight, Evers Armyn, Robert Horsman senior, Colonel Thomas Waite, Christofer Browne, John Osborne, Robert Horsman junior, John Hatcher, Esquires, or any Three or more of them, for the Furnishing of Arms and Ammunition, making of Fortifications, and paying of Officers and Soldiers, and other publick necessary Charges, for the Defence and Preservation of the County of Rutland from Plunder and Ruin, shall or may, from time to time, during the Space of Six Months, to commence from the Ninth of September *, raise in the said County such Sums of Money as shall be by them, or any Three or more of them, thought necessary for the Use aforesaid; the same to be rated and assessed in like sort as was the Four hundred thousand Pounds granted by Act of this present Parliament; not exceeding the Sum of Two hundred and Fifty Pounds a Week: And for the better levying of the said Sums of Money, the said Committee, or any Three or more of them, shall or may nominate and appoint Treasurers, Collectors, and Assessors, in the said County, for assessing, receiving, and collecting the said Sums of Money; and shall or may grant Warrants under their Hands, to any Constable, or other Person or Persons, as well Soldiers (when Need shall require) as others, to raise and levy the said Sums so assessed and taxed as aforesaid, upon all such Persons upon whom any such Sums shall be so assessed and set, that do refuse or neglect to pay the same, by way of Distress and Sale of the Goods of the Persons so assessed and refusing; and Two-pence for every Shilling that shall not be paid upon Demand, to bear the Charge of those that distrain: And, in case any Opposition be made, and no Distress can be found, the said Committee, or any Three or more of them, shall or may commit such Person or Persons refusing to pay, or not having a sufficient Distress to be found as aforesaid, to some Gaol or Prison within the said County; there to remain until Payment be made of such Sum or Sums of Monies as aforesaid: For which Sums so to be raised, the said Committee shall be accountable to both Houses of Parliament, or such as they have appointed, and to none else: And, if any shall refuse or neglect the Execution of such Warrants as shall be directed to them by virtue of this Ordinance, it shall be lawful for the Committee, or any Three of them, to punish such Person refusing or neglecting, by Fine, not exceeding Five Pounds; to be levied as aforesaid. Provided, that where it shall appear to the said Committee, or any Two of them, that any Person hath been over-rated to the Tax upon the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds, an Abatement may be made in the Tax of such Persons by the said Committee, or any Two of them, according to their Discretions. Provided also, That this present Ordinance shall be no Hindrance to Taxes made by any former Ordinance, nor to any Taxes formerly paid towards the Maintenance of the Garison at Rockingham.

Gersey.

Ordered, That the Business concerning Gersey be taken into Consideration To-morrow.

Lord Howard's Son's Pass.

Ordered, That the Lord Howard's Son of Escrigge shall have Mr. Speaker's Pass to go beyond Sea; and Liberty to transport with him Three Horses, Three Servants, Two Trunks of Apparel, and Thirty Pounds in Money.

Grant to Valentine.

Whereas Mr. Valentine, a Member of the House of Commons, who hath suffered long Imprisonment for his Affection to the Publick, and is hindered by the Enemy from receiving any Profit of his Estate in the County of Chester, whereby he is deprived of all Livelihood; It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, That One hundred Pounds shall be allowed unto the said Mr. Valentine, for his present Subsistence, out of the Sequestrations in Westminster: And the Committee of Sequestrations in Westminster: are hereby authorized to pay the said Mr. Valentine a Hundred Pounds accordingly, out of the first Monies that shall arise out of the Proceed of the said Sequestrations.