House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 10 December 1644

Die Martis, Decembris 10, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Heywood's Grant.

WHEREAS the House formerly conferred upon Elizabeth Heywood, Wife of Heywood, deceased, Part of the Estate of John James, who wounded her late Husband; and did assign the same to Sir Robert Pye, a Member of this House, for the Use of the said Mrs. Heywood: For which Part of the said Estate Sir Walth. Roberts hath since compounded with the said Mrs. Heywood: It is this Day Ordered, That the said Trust be transferred from Sir Robert Pye, and conferred upon Sir Walth. Robarts.

Waggoners Claims.

An Ordinance for providing and paying of Two thousand Pounds to Sir Gilbert Gerard and Mr. Jo. Trenchard respectively, to be by them respectively issued towards the Satisfaction of divers Waggoners employed in the Service of the Parliament, under my Lord General and Sir Wm. Waller, according to the Lists annexed, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Redemption of Captives.

An Ordinance for levying and collecting One Fourth per Cent. upon Merchandize exported and imported, for the Relief of Captives taken by Turkish and Moorish Pirates, was this Day read the Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto the Committee for the Navy, and the Committee for Merchant Adventurers, where Mr. Whitelock has the Chair: The which Committees are joined as to this Business; and are to meet this Afternoon, at Two post Meridiem, in the Treasury Chamber. And

It is Ordered, That the Officer at the Custom House do continue the Collection of the Duty of One Fourth per Cent. in the mean . . ., till the House take further Order: And that the Petitions from the Merchants, and from the Wives of the Captives, and from Colonel Manwaring, be referred to the Consideration of this Committee.

It is further Ordered, That Colonel Manwaring do forthwith pay into the Chamber of London all such Monies as are remaining in his Hands, collected upon the Duty of One per Cent.

Advance from Excise.

An Ordinance for reimbursing the Commissioners of Excise Two thousand Pounds advanced by them for most pressing Occasions; together with Eight per Cent. for the Time of Forbearance; and for assuring unto them the Reimbursement of what Monies they shall advance upon the Credit of Excise, out of the Monies to come in thereupon, before the Receipts shall be disposed into other Hands; was this Day read; and, upon Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Chaloner's Wardship.

An Ordinance for freeing and exempting from Wardship the Body and Lands of Edw. Chaloner, the Heir of Edw. Chaloner, &c. was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Removing Aldermen, &c. of Yorke.

A Letter from Yorke, of Novembris 29, from the Lord Fairefaxe the Governor, Lord Mayor, and the Committee there, desiring divers of the Aldermen, and Two of the Ministers there, to be removed, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Roger Jaques, Sir Robert Belt, Sir Edm. Cowper, Knights, and Aldermen of the City of Yorke, as also Alderman Scott, Alderman Hemsworth, and Alderman Mayers, Aldermen of the City of Yorke, be forthwith disabled, and removed from their Places of Aldermen; and disfranchised of the Liberties and Privileges of the said City: And that an Ordinance be brought in to this Purpose.

Sir Tho. Widdrington, Sir Wm. Allanson, Mr. Millington, and Sir Philip Stapilton, are to prepare and bring in this Ordinance.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Roger Jaques, Sir Robert Belt, Sir Edmond Cowper, Knights, and Aldermen of the City of York, as also Alderman Scott, Alderman Hemsworth, and Alderman Mayers, Aldermen of the said City, be forthwith sent for, as Delinquents, by the Serjeant at Arms.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Stones, Two Ministers yet remaining in the City of Yorke, be removed and sequestered from their Livings; and sent for, as Delinquents, by the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Widdrington, Sir Wm. Allanson, Mr. Millington, and Sir Phil. Stapilton, do prepare a Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, and sent to my Lord Fairefaxe, and the Committee at Yorke, to acquaint them with the Votes of this House concerning Sir Roger Jaques, &c.; and to acquaint them, that the House doth expect that such as shall shew any Malignancy, by any Post Fact, since the Articles of Surrender, should be secured and punished by them, notwithstanding the said Articles.

Negociations with the King.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whittfield, and Serjeant Finche;

The Lords having received, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, a Safe Conduct for the Duke of Richmond, and the Earl of Southampton, to which they have made some Alterations; and desire the Concurrence of this House in it, as it is here sent down.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, in the Safe Conduct sent down from the Lords, for the Duke of Richmond, and the Earl of Southampton.

Resolved, &c. That the Speaker of this House shall sign this Safe Conduct: And that the Lords be desired, that their Speaker may likewise sign it.

Sir Wm. Waller presented, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, the Letter to be written by my Lord General, wherein the Safe Conduct is to be inclosed: The which was read, and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Propositions to the King.

Resolved, &c. That the Propositions sent to his Majesty for a safe and well-grounded Peace be forthwith printed.

Reception of Duke of Richmond, &c.

Resolved, &c. That Somerset House be appointed and assigned for the Reception of the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton: And that the Lords be acquainted herewith; and their Concurrence desired.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Safe Conduct, as it is sent from their Lordships.

Members not to visit Duke of Richmond, &c.

Resolved, &c. That no Member of this House shall either visit the Duke of Richmond, or the Earl of Southampton, or any Person that come with them from the King's Quarters, or receive Visits from them, or any of them, or send Messages unto them, or any of them, or receive Messages from them, or any of them, without the particular Leave of this House (fn. a).

States Ambassadors.

The House being informed, That the States Ambassadors were, according to the Appointment of both Houses, ready to receive the Answer of the Parliament of England, to their Offer of Interposition in this Matter of the unhappy Differences between the King and his Parliament;

They were with the same outward Ceremony in all Points, admitted to their Answer, as they received their Audience:

And having taken their Places in fair Velvet Chairs, appointed for that Purpose, Mr. Speaker in his Chair, delivered the Answer by Word of Mouth; and then gave it to the Clerk in Writing, who presented it to the Ambassadors.

Ordered, That Sir Oliver Fleming, the Master of the Ceremonies, do desire the States Ambassadors to put in Writing, That which this Day they offered by Word of Mouth, in French; to the end that thereupon the House may take such Resolutions, and give such Answer, as shall be fitting.

Armies in the North.

Ordered, That To-morrow Morning the House do proceed in Consideration of the Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, touching the Armies in the North, the first Business.

Army Pay.

Upon Sir Wm. Waller's Report from the Committees of both Kingdoms;

It is Resolved, &c. That Seven thousand Pounds be forthwith provided, out of the Excise, towards the Payment of the Forces under the immediate Command of my Lord General and Sir Wm. Waller: And that the Distribution and Disposition of these Monies, be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms: And they are desired in the Distribution and Disposition of the same, to look principally upon the Troopers, and Common Soldiers of those Armies.

Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Bond, Mr. Nicoll, Mr. Trenchard, are appointed forthwith to go to the Commissioners of Excise, earnestly to press them to advance this Seven thousand Pounds for the Armies; and likewise a Thousand Pounds for the Reformadoes.

Glanvile's Fine.

Resolved, &c. That Serjeant Glanvile be admitted to his Fine and Composition for his Delinquency: And that he be referred to the Committee at Haberdashers Hall to compound for his Delinquency; and for his Fifth, and Twentieth Part: And that the First Two thousand Pounds that shall be raised by this Composition, shall be employed, upon Account, for the Service of the Garison of Portesmouth: And that the next Two hundred Pounds that shall be raised by this Composition, shall be paid to the Discharge of a Debt owing by the Parliament to one Richard Jones, for Arms taken of him for the Service of the Parliament; and for which he now lies imprisoned.

Earl of Manchester's Association.

Ordered, That Mr. Reynolds do To-morrow bring in a Letter to be sent to the Committees of the Earl of Manchester's Association, to press them to send in the Monies for the Forces of that Association.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Members of this House that are of the Committee of the Earl of Manchester's Association, to receive and examine the Complaints and Informations, that have been made to this House, of the Misemploying the Monies raised in those Counties, and diverting them from the Pay of the Soldiers; and to make Report to the House, together with their Opinions what is fit to be done thereupon: And that they call the Treasurers of that Association to an Account.

Money for Army.

Ordered, That Captain Skinner do prepare a Letter to be sent to the Committees of Kent; Mr. Cawley One, to be sent to the Committees of Sussex; Sir Richard Onsloe One, to be sent to the Committees of Surrey; and Mr. Lisle One, to the Committee of Hants; for the Bringing in of their respective Monies, to pay the respective Forces of their Association.

Portesmouth Garison.

Ordered, That the Committee for Windsore do consider of some Propositions, for the future Payment of the Garison of Portesmouth: And Sir Henry Mildmay and Colonel Jephson are added to this Committee.

Waggoners Claims.

Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, now assembled in Parliament, That Two thousand Pounds shall be forthwith provided, to be paid as followeth; viz. A Thousand Pounds to Sir Gilbert Gerard Baronet, Treasurer at Wars, to be by him issued, towards the Payment and Satisfaction of diverse Persons mentioned in a List hereunto annexed, that have served as Waggoners under the Lord General, the Earl of Essex; and the other Thousand Pounds to John Trenchard Esquire, to be by him issued, towards the Payment and Satisfaction of sundry other Persons mentioned in another List hereunto annexed, that have served as Waggoners under Sir Wm. Waller Knight. And be it further Ordained, That the said Sir Gilbert Gerard and Mr. Trenchard, shall respectively, according to the said several Lists, make proportionable Payments to every of the said Persons, according to such Sums of Money as they shall receive for this Purpose of Ordinance of Parliament, or by Order of the House of Commons, from time to time. And be it lastly Ordained, That Five hundred Pounds of Sir Thomas Allen's Fine and Composition, shall be paid for this Use to the said Sir Gilbert Gerard; and the other Five hundred Pounds to Mr. Trenchard; notwithstanding any former Order.

Negociations with the King.

According to an Order of the Lords and Commons, assembled in the Parliament of England, at Westminster, We do hereby will and require all-&c. and all other Ministers and Persons whatsoever, to permit and suffer the Duke of Richmond, and the Earl of Southampton, and their Attendants, not excceding the Number of Fifty, with their Horses, Coaches, and other Accommodations for their Journey, freely, peaceably, and quietly, to pass by and through all Guards, from his Majesty to the Lords and Commons, assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster: Who are to come to the Lords and Commons, assembled in the Parliament of England, at Westminster, and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, with his Majesty's Answer to the Propositions presented unto him, from the Parliament of both Kingdoms, for a safe and well-grounded Peace; and to remain free and peaceably, during their Stay; and to return back again by and through all Guards and Places to his Majesty, when they shall think fit, without any Lett, Hindrance, or Molestation: And to these our Commands, we require your due Obedience, as you will answer the contrary at your utmost Peril. Westminster, the Tenth of December 1644.

I am commanded by the Lords and Commons, assembled in the Parliament of England, to send this inclosed Safe Conduct for the Duke of Richmond, and the Earl of Southampton, as is desired in your Letter.

Advance from Excise.

Whereas John Towse Esquire, Alderman of the City of London, and the rest of the Commissioners of Excise, and New Impost, have advanced and lent the Sum of Two thousand Pounds, to be disposed of by the Committee of both Kingdoms, for the most pressing Occasions: Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the said Commissioners of Excise shall and may satisfy and reimburse themselves the said Two thousand Pounds, together with Interest for the same, after the Rate of Eight per Cent. for so long time as the same, or any Part thereof, shall be forborne, out of such Intervals of Receipts as shall happen, when other Payments upon the Monies coming in upon the Office of Excise, shall not fall due; or for want of such Intervals, then as the same shall follow in Course; and shall not, by any other Order or Ordinance of one or both Houses of Parliament, be debarred from satisfying themselves accordingly: And that the said Commissioners of Excise shall pay the said Two thousand Pounds unto Walter Frost Esquire, for the Use aforesaid, whose Receipt shall be their sufficient Discharge in this Behalf. And it is further Ordained, by Authority aforesaid, That the said Commissioners shall be secured, indemnified, and reimbursed, all such Monies as they have any way advanced and lent upon the Credit of the Excise, out of the Receipts to come in thereupon, before the same shall be disposed of into any other Hands.

Wokingham Minister.

Whereas there is no Vicarage belonging to the Parish Church of Wokingham, in the Counties of Berks and Wilts, the Rectory of the same Church being impropriated to the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury, and at a small Rent reserved, leased out by the said Dean and Chapter, for Term of Life, to Henry Barker Gentleman, whose Estate, and, amongst other things, the said Rectory, was lately sequestered by the Committee appointed by Parliament, for Sequestrations in the County of Berks; for the Delinquency of the said Henry Barker: And forasmuch as the Inhabitants of the Town and Parish of Wokingham, having formerly maintained a Preaching Minister amongst them, for the most part, by their voluntary Contributions; but at the present are not only destitute of a Minister, but disabled to provide any, by reason of the extreme Poverty they are reduced to, by the many Quarterings, Plunderings, and Burning of their Houses by the Enemy, and long Visitation of Sickness among them: The Lords and Commons, taking their distressed Condition into serious Consideration, have Ordered, and be it Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That One hundred Pounds per Annum be allowed out of the Tythes and Profits of the said Rectory, for the comfortable Maintenance of a Preaching Minister in the said Church: And the said Committee of Sequestrations for the said County of Berk, are desired to take it into their Care, that a godly and painful Minister be speedily provided, to officiate the Cure there: And are hereby authorized to pay unto such Minister, the said Stipend of One hundred Pounds per Annum, out of the Tythes and Profits of the said Rectory.

Payment from Excise.

Whereas by an Ordinance passed the Seventh Day of this present December, for the Payment of Six thousand Pounds, by the Commissioners of Excise, to Sir Walter Erle Knight, Lieutenant of the Ordnance, for Provision of Powder, &c. videlicet, Two thousand Pounds in Hand, and the other Four thousand Pounds at Three Months and Three Months: It is hereby Declared, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That Two thousand Pounds thereof is lent by the said Commissioners, and they are to be allowed Interest for the same, at Eight per Cent.; and to reimburse themselves the said Two thousand Pounds, out of the Intervals in Course: And the other Four thousand Pounds is to be paid to the said Sir Walter Erle in Course, after former Payments assigned.