House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 25 October 1644

Die Veneris, Octobris 25, 1644.

PRAYERS.

London, &c. Fortifications.

AN Ordinance for raising Monies for defraying the Charge of maintaining the Fortifications about the Cities of London, Westminster, and Lines of Communication, by raising the monthly Sum of Six thousand Nine hundred and Sixty-two Pounds Four Shillings within the Places aforesaid, was this Day read the Second time; and, upon Question, committed unto Sir Hen. Vane senior, Sir Christ. Yelverton, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Mr. Recorder, Sir Ben. Rudyard, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Ashherst, Mr. Vassall, Sir Hen. Cholmeley, Mr. Scawen, Sir Christ. Wray, Mr. Knightley, Sir Jo.Francklyn, Sir Sam.Rolle, Sir Jo. Evelyn, Sir Walth. Erle, Colonel Ven, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Colonel Purefoy, Sir Tho. Soame, Lieutenant of the Tower, Mr. Wheler, Mr. Bell: And all that will come to have Voices: And are to meet upon it on Monday next, at Two post Meridiem, in the Star Chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records.

Judge Advocate.

Ordered, That Mr. Lisle do, To-morrow, make Report of the Business concerning the Judge Advocate.

Military Affairs.

A Letter from Mr. Herbert and Colonel Pindar, Commissioners in my Lord General's Army, from Reading, of Octobris 24, representing the Condition of the Forces now joined, was this Day read.

Taking of Newcastle, &c.

A Letter from Sir Wm. Armyn, of Octobris 19, 1644, concerning the Taking of Newcastle by Assault, Octobris 19; and a Letter from Sir Adam Hepbourne, concerning the particular Means used by the Lord General to spare the Effusion of Blood, and the obstinate Refusal of them within the Town, and the Taking of the Town at last by Assault; and likewise a Letter from Duncannon Fort; and an Extract of a Letter from Captain Swanley; were all read; and restored unto Sir Hen. Vane, to be carried up to the Lords.

Duncannon Fort.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to give Directions to the Sub Committee appointed for the Affairs of Ireland by them, to take care to supply to the Fort of Duncannon, the Necessaries desired and mentioned in a List sent to this House.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Arth. Loftus be recommended unto the Consideration of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to be Governor of the Fort of Duncannon; and that he may be accommodated with Necessaries to fit him for his Departure hence, and entering upon the Charge.

Letter from an Irish Commander.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Robert Riche and Mr. Page;

The Lords have sent down a Letter from a Commander that has merited well in Ireland; which they recommend unto this House, for a Reward to be given this Commander, for his further Encouragement.

Ordered, That this Letter be recommended to the Committee of both Kingdoms; to consider of and appoint some fit Reward for the Commander mentioned in the Message.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has taken their Lordships Message into Cnsideration.

Persons excepted from Pardon.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Jo. Marley and Sir Nich. Coale, formerly comprehended in the Fourth Qualification of the Fourteenth Proposition, shall be excepted in the First Qualification, among those that must expect no Pardon.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Tho. Riddall junior shall be excepted in the First Qualification of the Fourteenth Proposition, among those that are to expect no Pardon.

Payments from Excise.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of Excise do, Tomorrow, return an Account to this House, whether they will accept of, and comply with, the Ordinance for the Payment of Two thousand Pounds for Provision of Victuals for the Armies; and whether they will pay the Three hundred Pounds, according to the Order of the Committee of both Kingdoms Yesterday made.

Mr. Vassall and Mr. Alexander Bence are appointed to acquaint the Commissioners of Excise with this Order; and to report their Answer.

Propositions for Peace.

Sir Hen. Cholmeley went up to the Lords, to desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, soon as might stand with their Lordships Conveniency, concerning the Propositions for a safe and well-grounded Peace.

Sir Hen. Cholmeley brings Answer, That the Lords will give a present Meeting at a Conference, as is desired, in the Painted Chamber.

Sir Hen. Vane junior, Sir Philip Stapilton, Mr. Holles, are appointed Managers of this Conference.

Bowey's Petition.

The humble Petition of John Bowey, a poor Scotchman, was this Day read; concerning a Seizure of Ninety-two Pounds of his in Foreign Coin; which he endeavoured to transport; and was seized by the Pinnace at Lymehouse: And

The House does Order, That the Forfeiture of these Monies to the State, be remitted.

Church Government.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Aylett;

The Lords have thought fit to add my Lord Admiral to the Committee appointed to meet with the Commissioners of the Church of Scotland, touching the Affairs of the Church.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree to the adding of the Lord Admiral to the Committee appointed to treat with the Commissioners of the Church of Scotland, touching the Affairs of the Church.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to add the Lord Admiral to the Committee, as is desired.

City Propositions.

Mr. Reynolds reports from the Committee appointed to consider of the City Propositions: Whereupon,

It is Resolved, &c. That the Lord Mayor, Court of Aldermen, and Common Council, be desired to present speedily some few Propositions that are of most Importance, for the present; and to involve the rest in general Terms; that so the Propositions of the Two Kingdoms may not be retarded.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor be desired forthwith to call a Common Council: And Mr. Recorder, Lieutenant of the Tower, Mr. Reynolds, Colonel Ven, Mr. Hollis, and Mr. Vassall, are appointed to go to the Common Council, to impart the Vote of the House accordingly.

Publick Thanksgiving.

The Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, having received certain Intelligence of God's gracious Providence, in delivering the Town of Newcastle into the Hands of our Brethren of Scotland, come in to our Assistance; do Order, That publick Thanks be given to God on our and their Behalf, by all the Ministers within the Cities of London and Westminster, and the Lines of Communication, on the Lord's Day next, for this great Blessing from the Lord of Hosts: And the Lord Mayor of London is desired to take care, that timely Notice be given to the several Ministers of the several Parishes and Places aforesaid.

Sir Robert Harley went up to the Lords with a Message, to the Substance and Purpose of this Order:

Brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to a Publick Thanksgiving on the next Lord's Day, as is desired.