House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 8 May 1645

Die Jovis, Maii 8, 1645.

Prayers.

According to former Order, the Grand Committee of the whole House proceeded to the further Consideration of the Business concerning such as are not to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, upon Point of Scandal.

Mr. Whittacre called to the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Whittacre reports from the Grand Committee: And, upon Consideration thereof,

It is Resolved, upon the Question, That the Eldership of every Congregation shall judge Matter of Scandal voted by this House, being not Capital, upon the Testimony of Two credible Witnesses.

Resolved, &c. That the Eldership of every Congregation shall minister an Oath to such Witnesses, as shall be produced before them, for Proof of any Matter of Scandal voted by this House, being not Capital.

The Question being put, Whether this House should now desire the Concurrence of the Lords in these Votes;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Negative.

Mr. Sollicitor reports the Amendments to the Declaration Yesterday re-committed, concerning the Transaction between the Parliament and the States Ambassadors; and their Demeanor to the Parliament: The which were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto. And

It is Ordered, upon the Report, That the Clause concerning the Information, "That, when the Ambassadors went to Oxon, the Queen, for the most part, prepared their Audiences with his Majesty; and that they took their Advices from them, How to demean themselves towards the Parliament;" shall be totally left out.

He further reported a Letter, of March the 26th, 1645, from the King, from Oxon, to the States-General, sent to them by their Ambassadors Extraordinary, superscribed, "To the High and Mighty Lords, Our good Friends and Allies, the States-General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries:" Signed, "Your very Loving Friend,

Charles R."

And countersigned, "By His Majesty's Command,

Edw. Nicholas."

Resolved, &c. That this Letter shall be Part of this Declaration.

Resolved, &c. That this Letter shall be sent to the StatesProvincial.

Then the Declaration was intirely put to the Question; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

And Mr. Sollicitor is appointed to carry it up.

Resolved, &c. That this Declaration shall be sent to the States-General, in English and French.

Resolved, &c. That the National League and Covenant, mentioned in the Declaration, shall be sent, in English and French.

Resolved, &c. That the Lords be desired, That the Declaration be so fitted, as to make it proper to be sent to the States-Provincial.

Ordered, That the Governor of the Company of Merchants-Adventurers in London do take special Care, That the Solemn League and Covenant of both Kingdoms be speedily sent over to the Companies of Merchant-Adventurers beyond the Seas: And that the Governors of the said Companies there do, at the next Court-Day after the Receipt thereof, take care, That the same be taken and subscribed by the several Members of their said Companies: And that they do certify the Names of such as refuse or neglect the same to the Governor here; who is to acquaint the House with their Refusals or Neglects. And Sir Robert Harley is to acquaint the Governor here with this Order.

Mr. Green reported the Amendments to the Ordinance for appointing Agents to reside in Flanders: The which were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto: And the Ordinance, with the Amendments, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be carried to the Lords by Mr. Green.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy do prepare Instructions for the Agents to be sent into Flanders, and dispatch them away without further Report to the House; and advance such reasonable Sums of Money, for the Accommodation of the said Agents, as they shall think fit; and consider of their future Allowances; and to present their Opinions to the House.

Ordered, That Mr. Spurstoe do go to the Lord Mayor of the City of London, from this House; and do desire him to give Directions for Summoning of a Common-Council to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon.

Mr. Beddingfeild, Sir John Evelyn junior, Mr. Recorder, Sir John Potts, Sir Wm. Massam, Sir Edward Hungerford, Mr. Ashe;

This Committee is appointed to go from this House to the Lord Mayor and Common-Council in London, Tomorrow in the Afternoon; and earnestly to press them presently to lay down the Three Months Assessment, set upon the City, and due to Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army; the Necessities of the Army requiring sudden Payment of it.

Mr. Sollicitor brings Answer, from the Lords, That, as to the Declaration carried up by him, the Lords will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Sir Peter Wentworth brings Answer from the Lords, That to the Two Votes concerning the Government of the Isle of Ely, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

An Ordinance for punishing, by Martial Law, in the several Counties, such imprested or listed Soldiers as run from their Colours, was this Day read the First and Second time.

And the Question being put, For the Commitment;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Negative.

And then the Question being put, For the Passing of it;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee for the Army, to consider of some Course for the preventing the great Mischiefs that happen by the coming away of Soldiers from their Colours or Conductors.

Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Grimston, Mr. Ellis, Sir Thomas Widdrington, Mr. Hill, and Mr. Lisle, are added to this Committee: And they are to bring in their Report Tomorrow Morning.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page;

The Lords desire a Conference, by a Committee of the whole House, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning the Ordinance touching the Business of the Admiralty, concerning Colonel Tyllyer, and concerning divers Officers of the late Army, that have been kept long in Restraint.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to give a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, as is desired.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Thomas Fairfax shall have Power to receive and dispatch all such Trumpeters, or other Messengers, as shall come to him, concerning the Exchange of Prisoners, or concerning any other thing touching the Army under his Command.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Thomas Fairfax shall have Power to receive Trumpeters, and other Messengers; and to discharge the Messengers; and to acquaint the Houses with the Matters of their Messages.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms to receive and discharge all Trumpeters, or other Messengers, that shall come from the King's Quarters to this Town; and to report their Messages to the Houses; and to discharge the Trumpeters that are already here; and to take care of defraying the Expence of the Trumpeters that have been detained here for some time.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Sir Edw. Aiscough, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Holles, Sir Walter Erle, are appointed Reporters of the Conference desired by the Lords.

Ordered, That Mr. Scawen do proceed in his Report touching the Army To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That Mr. Holles do make his Report concerning the Supply of those Commands which are vacated by the late Ordinance, To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That Sir Anthony Irby do report the Ordinances concerning the Isle of Ely, To-morrow Morning.