House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 30 December 1647

Die Jovis, 30 Decembris, 1647.

PRAYERS.

Preachers thanked.

ORDERED, That Sir Wm. Massam do, from this House give Thanks unto Mr. Caryle, for the great Pains he took in his Sermon, preached Yesterday at Margarett's, Westminster, before the House of Commons, it being a Day of Publick Humiliation: And that he desire him to print his Sermon: Wherein he is to have the like Privilege in Printing thereof, as others in like kind usually have had.

Ordered, That Mr. Dodderiche do, from this House, give Thanks unto Mr. Seaman, for the great Pains he took in his Sermon, preached Yesterday at Margarett's, Westminster, before the House of Commons, it being a Day of Publick Humiliation: And that he desire him to print his Sermon: Wherein he is to have the like Privilege of Printing of it, as others in like kind usually have had.

Preachers appointed.

Ordered, That Sir Wm. Massam do, from this House, desire Mr. Marshall to preach before the Commons at Margarett's, Westminster, on the next monthly Fast Day.

Ordered, That Mr. Gourdon do, from this House, desire Mr. Wilson of Kent, to preach before the Commons at Margarett's, Westminster, on the next monthly Fast Day.

Riot at Canterbury.

A Letter from Sir Michael Livesay, with one inclosed from some other Gentlemen of Kent, of 28 Decembris 1647, relating, That there was a great Riot in Canterbury lately, were this Day read.

A Letter from Sir Anthony Weldon, of 29 Decembris 1647, directed to Sir Henry Vane senior, was read; relating, That all was quiet.

Churchwardens.

Ordered, That the Power given to the Committee of plundered Ministers, concerning Churchwardens, be printed.

Riot at Canterbury.

Ordered, That a Letter be sent to the Committees of Kent, to require the said Committee, or any Five of them, to examine the Matter of Fact touching the late Riot at Canterbury; and to return their Opinions to the House, What they think fit to be done upon it, together with the said Matter of Fact. And

It is Ordered, That they shall have Power to commit in this Business, as they shall see Cause.

Sir Henry Vane is appointed to prepare this Letter, to be signed by Mr. Speaker.

Grant to Stephens.

Mr. Bond reports, That the Lords do agree to the Ordinance, carried to them by him, for Reparation to be given to Mr. John Stephens out of Sir Jacob Astlie's Estate.

Riot at Elyng.

Ordered, That this Information concerning the late Riot, on the last Lord's Day, at Elyng in the County of Middlesex, be referred to the Examination of the Committee for Complaints: Who have Power to send for Parties and Witnesses; and to commit such Parties as they shall find guilty in this Business, as they shall see Cause: And are to report their Opinions, What they think fit to be done in this Business: And Sir Gilbert Gerard, Sir John Francklyn, and Sir Henry Heyman, are added to this Committee: And the Committee is to meet upon it this Afternoon.

Ordered, That the Justices of Peace of the County of Middlesex be required to proceed effectually and speedily, at the next Quarter Sessions, according to Law, against the late Rioters at Elyn: And that Sir Gilbert Gerard and Sir John Francklyn do take care herein.

Duresme Commrs.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army do direct a Letter and Instructions to the Commissioners in the County of Duresme; and make the Letter and Instructions applicable to the Commissioners in that County, as they are to Members in other Counties where Members are, there being none that serve in Parliament for that County.

Governor of Newcastle.

A Letter from Windsore, of 29 Decembris 1647, from the General, signifying, That he had granted a Commission to Sir Arthur Hesilrige to be Governor of the Town of Newcastle, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of Sir Arthur Hesilrige to be Governor of Newcastle, according to the Commission granted unto him to that Purpose by the General.

Holy Days.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of plundered Ministers, to bring in a fuller Ordinance for suppressing and abolishing the Observation of Festival Days, commonly called Holy Days; with a Penalty upon those that shall do any thing against it.

Churchwardens of Martin's.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Harris, one of the Churchwardens of the Parish of Martin's in the Fields, be forthwith put out of that Place; and be forthwith committed to the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee of plundered Ministers, to examine, How far Mr. Scipio Squire was concerned in the Business at Martin's Parish in the Fields on Saturday last, Christmas Day; and to report it to the House.

Welsh Sheriffs.

Ordered, That the Reports concerning the Welsh Sheriffs be made on Saturday Morning next.

Major Generals.

A Report from the Committee for Major Generals, concerning Colonel Harvey, as Major General, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That this Report concerning Colonel Harvey, be taken into Consideration on this Day Fortnight: And that the Report concerning Major General Browne, and the other Major Generals be then reported: And that the Committee for Major Generals be revived: and do meet this Afternoon at Two of Clock, in the Exchequer Court: And that all that will come shall have Voices at this Committee.

Middlesex Petition.

Ordered, That, To-morrow the first Business, after the Reports from Goldsmiths Hall, the Petition from the County of Middlesex be read.

Doyley's Petition.

Ordered, That, To-morrow Morning, after the Reports from Goldsmiths Hall, next after the Petition from the County of Middlesex, the Petition of Colonel Charles Doyley be read.

Gen. Skippon.

Resolved, &c. That Notice be taken of Major General Skippon's good Services in general, and in particular in his Government at Newcastle: And that the Thanks of this House be returned to Major General Skippon, in Acknowledgment thereof.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Eastern Association, to consider of the eminent and faithful Services done to the Parliament by Major General Skippon; and to consider of some Recompence to be made to the said Major General Skippon, in Acknowledgment of the said Services.

Southwark Militia.

An Ordinance for settling the Militia of the Borough of Southwark was this Day read; and, upon the Question, re-committed; and ordered to be brought in on Saturday Morning next.

Westminster Militia.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for settling the Militia of Westminster be read on Saturday Morning next.

Mr. Broad.

Ordered, That, on Monday Morning next, the Report concerning Mr. Broad be made.

Mr. Rigby.

Ordered, That, on Monday Morning next, the Report concerning Mr. Edward Rigby be made.

Assessments for Ireland.

Ordered, That, on Tuesday next, the Ordinance for Twenty thousand Pounds per mensem Assessments for Ireland be reported.

Letter read.

A Letter from the Commissioners employed to the Army, from Windsore, of 29 Decembris 1647, Ten at Night, was this Day read.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords have sent an Order, in which they desire the Concurrence of this House, That the Earl of Cleveland may be continued Four Months longer out of the Tower of London, upon the Bail formerly given by his Lordship to the Lieutenant of the said Tower of London:- A Report from the Committee of Irish Affairs, at Derby House, upon a Petition in behalf of the Lord Viscount Ardes: with an Order upon it: In which they desire the Concurrence of this House: A Report from the Committee of the Admiralty, for the Settling of Two Packet Boats between Chester and Dublyn: Which the Lords agree unto; and desire the Concurrence of this House:- A Petition of William Sykes Merchant, of Hull, for Monies due unto him, as by an Accompt signed by the Committee for taking the Accompts of the Kingdom, appears:- To put you in mind of a Petition of Colonel Andrewes; which they formerly sent unto you; and desire you to take into Consideration.

Earl of Cleveland.

The Question being put, Whether this House shall send Answer by Messengers of their own, to the Order for continuing Liberty to the Earl of Cleveland for Four Months longer, upon the same Bail;

It passed with the Affirmative:

Exchange of Prisoners.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords; and so think fit, that Colonel Jones be written unto, That he shall exchange Colonel Birne and the Earl of Westmeath, for the Lord of Airdes and Colonel Theophilus Jones, if he can get none else.

PacketBoats.

Upon a Report from the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, of 23 Decembris 1647, this Day sent from the Lords (to which Committee it was referred, by former Order from this House, to provide and fit Two Packet Boats, to go between Chester and Dublyn);

It is Resolved, That this House doth approve of the Contract made by the Commissioners of the Navy with Captain Stephen Rich, for the Continuance of Two Packet. Boats to attend this Service only, after the Rate of Eleven Pounds per mensem for each; he covenanting to set Sail upon Receipts of any Packet to or from the State; and that One of the Packet-Boats shall for that Purpose be constantly attending at Dublyn, and the other at Holyhead: And do Order, That the said Allowance of Eleven Pounds per mensem, for each Packet-Boat, be continually and duly paid to the said Captain Stephen Rich, or his Assigns, by Order of the Committee of the Navy, directed to the Treasurer of the Navy.

Payment to Riche.

They do further Order, That the Sum of Three hundred Nineteen Pounds Eight Shillings Five Pence, certified by the said Commissioners of the Navy to be due unto the said Captain Stephen Riche, for his past Services, in providing and maintaining Two Packet Boats for the Purposes aforesaid, be likewise paid, by Order of the said Committee of the Navy, directed to the Treasurer of the Navy.

Sykes' Claims.

Upon a Petition now read, presented by a Member of this House, from William Sykes, of Hull, Merchant;

It is Ordered, That the Sum of Three thousand Nine hundred Sixty-three Pounds Eighteen Shillings and Fivepence, certified by the Committee of Accompts to be due to the Petitioner, for Arms and Ammunition delivered for the Service of the Parliament, be charged upon the Moiety of the Receipts of the Excise, in Course, not engaged, with Interest for the same, from this Time, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. payable every Six Months. And

It is further Ordered, That Mr. Thorpe do bring in an Ordinance to this Purpose.

Wilson's Petition.

Ordered, That Mr. Rowland Wilson's Petition be read on Monday Morning next.

Sykes' Claims.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Northern Association, to consider of the Demand made by Mr. Wm. Sykes, of Interest, to the Sum of Two thousand Seven hundred and Eleven Pounds Four Shillings and One Peny (the which Interest is not allowed upon his Accompt, certified by the Committee of Accompts); and to state the Matter of Fact to the House; and, if they find the Demand just and reasonable, to report to the House, How Satisfaction may be made to him for the same.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message: And, as to the Order for the Exchange of the Lord Airdes and Colonel Theophilus Jones, they do agree: To the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.