House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 25 January 1647

Die Lunæ, 25 Januarii, 1646.

Prayers.

Report deferred.

ORDERED, That Mr. Sandis do make his Report from the Committee concerning the Members that had Offices, &c. on this Day Fortnight.

Army Arrears.

The humble Petition of the Officers and Soldiers of the Regiment of Horse, raised for the Service of the Parliament, by the County of Southampton, desiring some Course to be taken for their Arrears, was this Day read.

Ordered, upon the Question, That the Sum of Six thousand Pounds be paid unto Richard Moore Esquire, by the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, upon Account, out of the Fines and Compositions of the Earl of Southampton, and such other Delinquents of the County of Southampton not yet particularly assigned, as the Committee of the County of Hants shall nominate unto the said Committee at Goldsmiths Hall; the said Six thousand Pounds to be issued according to the Order and Directions of the said Committee of the County of Hants, and employed for satisfying and paying the Arrears due to the Officers and Soldiers of the Regiment of Horse raised for the Service of the Parliament, by the County of Southampton, and for such other Uses as the Committee shall appoint: And the Acquittance of the said Richard Moore shall be a sufficient Discharge to the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, and Treasurers, for the Payment of the said Six thousand Pounds, accordingly.

Disbanding Horse.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the West to disband the Troop of Horse of Wiltshire.

Delinquents Estates.

An Ordinance for the Sale of divers Papists and Delinquents Estates, for the Pay of the Sum of Twelve thousand Thirty-five Pounds One Shilling Seven-pence, being Arrears of Officers named in Four Lists formerly presented to the House; and for the Discharge of other Debts due from the Commonwealth; and for such other Uses of the Commonwealth as both Houses shall appoint; was this Day read the first time; and ordered, upon the Question, to be read the Second time, on Thursday Morning next.

Grant to Gen. Fairfax.

Whereas, by former Order of this House, an Ordinance was appointed to be brought in for settling Five thousand Pounds per Annum, out of divers Delinquents Estates, assigned formerly for a yearly Revenue to the Earl of Essex, upon Sir Thomas Fairfax, General of the Parliament's Forces, and his Heirs; the most of which Delinquents are capable of Composition:

It is thereupon Ordered, upon the Question, That the Committee do prepare and bring in an Ordinance for settling Lands of Inheritance, of the Value of Five thousand Pounds per Annum, out of such other Delinquents Estates excepted from Pardon, not yet particularly assigned, as they shall nominate: And that, in the mean time, till the said Lands of the Value aforesaid be settled upon Sir Thomas Fairfax, accordingly, that he the said Sir Thomas Fairfax shall receive the growing Rents of the said Lands formerly assigned for the Earl of Essex, not yet compounded for.

Delinquents.

Mr. Selden, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Mr. Erasmus Erle, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Sam. Browne, Mr. Bois, Mr. Love, Mr. Maynard, Mr. John Stephens, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Twisden, Mr. Lane, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Hill, and all the Lawyers of the House;

This Committee, or any Three of them, are appointed to consider of the most sitting and expeditious way of bringing Delinquents, excepted from Pardon, to a legal Tryal: And are to meet upon it when and where they please, de die in diem; and to report on Saturday next: And have Power, upon any Doubt or Difficulty, to consult with the Judges and King's Counsel: And the Care of this Business is more particularly referred to Mr. Erasmus Erle and Mr. Love.

Publick Accompts.

The House being informed, That the Committee of Accompts was at the Door;

They were called in: And Mr. Glover did present several Accompts: The First, of Mr. Samuell Gosse: That he had paid several Sums of Money to the Value of about Ten thousand Pounds; for the Payment of which no sufficient Warrant appears: That he must get some sufficient Authority to discharge him, from this House; or else that he lies liable to the said Sum.

Another, of Sir Philip Stapilton: The Committee commanded him to declare, That they find it a very fair Accompt, the Demands to be very reasonable and just.

The Third, an Accompt of Sir Robert Pye, Mr. Wheeler, and Mr. Bell; upon which there is Twenty-five Pounds due to the Accomptants: And did further inform, That the Accomptants had put nothing to Accompt for the Service done by themselves; nor for incident Charges expended in the Service.

He did report several Obstructions, that were great Hindrances to their Sub Committees, in the several Counties, in taking and perfecting the Accompts of the Kingdom.

He did next present some Considerations to be taken of the Officers employed by the Committee of Accompts.

He next presented the Case of Mr. Blachford, employed in the Sub Committee of Accompts, in the County of Sussex, committed by the Committee at Chichester, to Arundle Castle: He has made his Appeal to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations: Their Desire is, That he may be admitted, upon his Bail, to come and prosecute his Appeal.

Mr. Pryn reported what Proceedings the Committee of Accompts had made in taking the Accompts of many great Accomptants.

Publick Accompts.

He further reported divers great and soul Abuses in the Accompts of the Committees of Sequestration: He instanced, in one Particular, of the County of Sussex; and likewise in the County of Surrey.

He reported many Considerations concerning the Accompts of Officers; instanced in Lieutenant Colonel Lilbourne, one Captain Johnson, and one Major Holmes; the Two latter having delivered in their Accompts, upon Oath, and not charged themselves with the Fifth Part of the Arrears formerly received by them; and said, Many more were in the same Condition.

He further reported a great Surcharge upon one Captain Thornton, formerly Mayor of Londonderry: Whom when they commanded to stay till he had given Answer to the Surcharge of Twenty-seven thousand Five hundred Twenty-four Pounds Thirteen Shillings and Ten-pence; that he, notwithstanding, is stolen out of the Town, and is gone into Ireland.

Mr. Fenton Parsons did further represent, from the said Committee, That some Consideration might be had of taking the Accompts concerning Ireland.

Upon the Accompt of Sir Philip Stapilton, as Captain of a Troop of Horse, Lieutenant General of the Horse to his Excellency the late Lord General the Earl of Essex his Army, and Colonel of all the Guards, both Horse and Foot, appointed to attend his Excellency's Person, this Day certified and presented, as aforesaid, by the Committee of Accompts, and this Day allowed, it appears, That there remains clearly due unto the said Sir Philip Stapilton, upon the said whole Accompt, the Sum of One thousand Eight hundred Ten Pounds Two Shillings and Ten-pence; and Respite upon the Publick Faith being comprised in the said Sum of One thousand Eight hundred Ten Pounds Two Shillings and Ten-pence.

It is Ordered, upon the Question, That the said Sum of Eighteen hundred Ten Pounds Two Shillings and Ten-pence be forthwith paid unto the said Sir Philip Stapilton, in full Discharge of all Demands, demandable by the said Sir Philip Stapilton upon his Entertainments in the Parliament's Service, out of the Fines and Compositions of such Delinquents, not yet particularly assigned, as the said Sir Philip Stapilton shall nominate to the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall: And the Acquittance of the said Sir Philip Stapilton shall be a sufficient Discharge and Warrant to the said Committee and Treasurers at Goldsmiths Hall, for the Payment of the said Sum of Eighteen hundred and Ten Pounds Two Shillings and Ten-pence, accordingly.

Upon the Certificate of the Committee for taking the Accompts of the Kingdom, certifying the Accompts of Sir Robert Pye, Wm. Wheeler and Wm. Bell Esquires, Treasurers appointed by Two certain Acts this present Parliament; the one intituled, An Act for the speedy Provision of Money for the Disbanding of the Armies, and settling the Peace of the Kingdom of England and Scotland; and the other, intituled, An Act for the speedy Loan and Contribution for the Relief of his Majesty's distressed Subjects of the Kingdom of Ireland; this Day presented from the Committee of Accompts, and allowed of; it appears, That there is due to the Accomptants the clear Sum of Twenty-five Pounds; the Accomptants not having put to Accompt any Thing for their own Service, nor for incident Charges expended in the Service;

It is Ordered, That the said Twenty-five Pounds be paid to the said Accomptants: And that the said Twenty-five Pounds be made the Sum of One hundred and Fifty Pounds: And that the said Sum of One hundred and Fifty Pounds be paid to the Accomptants, in full Discharge of all Demands, upon their Accompts, for incident Charges expended in the Service, out of the Fines and Compositions of such Delinquents, not yet particularly assigned, as they shall nominate to the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall: And the Acquittance of the said Sir Robert Pye, Mr. Wheeler, and Mr. Bell, shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to the said Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, for the Payment of the said Hundred and Fifty Pounds, accordingly.

Ordered, That the Sum of Twenty-seven Pounds Twelve Shillings due unto Mr. Wm. Wheeler, upon an Accompt presented unto this House by the said Mr. Wheeler, of Monies disbursed by him, upon the Directions of this House, for sitting Henry the Seventh's Chapel; and Jerusalem Chamber, in Westminster College, for the Service of the Assembly of Divines, be paid unto the said Mr. Wheeler, out of such Fines and Compositions of Delinquents, not yet particularly assigned, as he shall nominate unto the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall: And that the Acquittance under the Hand of the said Mr. Wheeler shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, for the Payment of the said Sum of Twenty-seven Pounds, accordingly.

Ordered, That Lieutenant Colonel Crimes be referred to the Committee of Accompts, to receive, state, and certify his Accompts.

The humble Certificate of the Committee of Accompts for the Kingdom, concerning Colonel Wm. Strode's Accompts, was this Day read; upon which Certificate there is certified, as due to the Accomptant, Two thousand One hundred Sixty-three Pounds Six Shillings and a Peny.

It is Ordered, That this Accompt be referred to the Committee this Day appointed to consider of the Matters this Day presented from the Committee of Accompts; to receive the Exceptions to the said Accompt: And that the said Exceptions be brought in within Five Weeks: And they are to examine as well the said Accompt as the Exceptions; and to report all to the House.

Redding.

Ordered, That the Petition concerning Redding be read To-morrow, the first Business.

Mayor of Londonderry.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Parliament of England, now in the Province of Ulster in Ireland, do seize upon Mr. Thornton, late Mayor of Londonderry; and send him over, in safe Custody, a Prisoner; to answer unto such Matters as there is, or shall be, laid to his Charge in England.

Thompson's Accompts.

The Certificate of the State of the Accompts of Colonel George Thompson, a Member of this House, from the Committee of Accompts, signed 31 Decembris, 1646, was this Day read: And

It is thereupon Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve and allow of this Accompt.

Ordered, That the Sum of Two thousand Two hundred and Five Pounds Three Shillings and Six-pence be paid by the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall unto Colonel George Thompson, out of the Fines or Compositions of such Delinquent or Delinquents, not yet disposed of, as he shall nominate unto the said Committee, in full of all Sum and Sums of Money demanded or payable unto him, in and by his Accompts certified to this House from the Committee for taking the Accompts of the whole Kingdom, and signed by them the 31st of December, 1646, this Day read: And that the Acquittance of the said Colonel Thompson shall be a good Discharge to the said Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, and the Treasurers there, for the Payment of the said Two thousand Two hundred and Five Pounds Three Shillings and Six-pence, accordingly.

Bailing Blachford.

Resolved, &c. That Henry Blachford, now Prisoner at Chichester, or at Arundle Castle, be forthwith bailed by the Committee who committed him.

Publick Accompts.

Sir Henry Mildmay, Sir Robert Harley, Mr. Bulkley, Mr. Francis Allen, Mr. Lisle, Colonel Harvey, Major Sallwey, Sir Richard Skevington, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Boughton, Mr. Jesson, Mr. John Stephens, Mr. Boone, Sir John Burgoyne, Mr. Scawen, Mr. Ravenscroft, Mr. Swynfen, Sir Thomas Dacres, Mr. Dennis Bond, Mr. Aiscough, Sir Richard Lucy, Colonel Bosevile, Sir Arthur Hesilrigge, Mr. Edward Ashe, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Gourdon, Mr. Tate, Mr. Beding field, Mr. Strode, Mr. John Corbett, Mr. Lemman, Sir John Evelyn of Wiltes, Lord Cranbone, Colonel Leigh, Mr. Wheeler, Colonel Morley, Mr. Nath. Fienis, Lieutenant General Cromwell, Mr. Henry Pelham, Mr. Doyly, Sir Richard Onslow, Captain Wingate, Mr. Alderman Hoyle, Mr. John Rolle, Mr. Rose;

This Committee, added to the Committee formerly appointed to consider of divers Matters formerly presented from the Committee of Accompts where Mr. Samuell Browne has the Chair, have Power to examine the Accompts this Day presented from the Committee of Accompts, not allowed of; and to advise with the Committee of Accompts; and consider of the Obstructions concerning Accompts, this Day offered at the Bar; and to receive all such other Particulars from them as they shall present, concerning Obstructions in Accompts; and likewise to receive any Complaints against Committees that pass any unjust Accompts; and all other Complaints against any Sub Committees of Accompts: And are to consider of some Way of stating the Accompts of such Persons whose Accompts are returned, and as do or shall claim any Thing for any Service in Ireland; and also to consider of apt and effectual Remedies for any the said Obstructions or Complaints; and present their Opinions thereupon to the House: And are to meet on Monday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Duchy Court; and so from time to time: And have Power to send for Parties, Papers, Witnesses, Records.

A Paper, being a Copy of a Warrant, without Date, signed Godfrey Bossevile, John Barker, Peter Burgoyne, Wm. Colmore, Thomas Willoughby, George Abbotts, and Thomas Barsnet, forbidding to make any Accompt to the Sub Committee of Accompts, for the Reasons therein mentioned, was this Day read: And

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee this Day appointed concerning Obstructions in Accompts.

The Committee of Accompts were again called in: And Mr. Speaker acquainted them, That the House had spent some Time about the Particulars they had this Day received from them; and had taken their Pains, and their Freeness, into Consideration; and had commanded him to give them Thanks for it.

He further acquainted them, That a Committee was appointed to take their desires into Consideration; and to confer with them concerning any Obstructions about Accompts; and consider of apt and effectual Remedies for them.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords desire, that this House will sit this Afternoon: And they desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, to impart unto you some Letters from the Parliament of Scotland, of great Consequence, at Four of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with your Conveniency.

They have commanded us to deliver you these Three Reports, from the Committee of the Admiralty: Two of them concerns the Summer Guard; which the Lords have agreed unto; and desire your Concurrence therein; and that you will take them into speedy Consideration: The Third doth concern Sir George Askue to be Governor of the Isle of Silley; which they refer to your Consideration. This Petition of divers Inhabitants near Bridgwater the Lords think fit to refer it to the Committee of the West to examine and report to both Houses; wherein they desire your Concurrence.

House to fit.

Resolved, &c. That this House do sit this Afternoon at Three of the Clock.

Conference agreed to.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree to a Conference with the Lords, by a Committee of both Houses in the Painted Chamber, at Four of the Clock, concerning the Letters from the Parliament of Scotland, as is desired.

Ordered, That to the rest of the Particulars of this Message, this House will return Answer by Messengers of their own.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That, when the House meets this Afternoon, the Business of Ireland shall be taken into Consideration,

Answer returned by the same Messengers.

Answer to Lords.

The House has considered your Lordships Message; and will fit this Afternoon; and doth agree to the Conference at Four of the Clock, as is desired: And, for the rest, they will take them into speedy Consideration; and send Answer thereunto by Messengers of their own.

The House, according to Order, adjourned itself until Three of the Clock this Afternoon.

Post meridiem.

Papers from Scotland.

MR. Holles, Sir Phil. Stapilton, Mr. Knightley, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Grimston, are appointed Reporters of the Conference desired by the Lords, and granted in the Forenoon, concerning Papers of Importance received from the Kingdom of Scotland.

Candles.

Ordered, upon the Question, That Candles be now brought in.

Earl of Worcester's Estate.

Ordered. That Mr. Dennys Bond do on this Day Sevennight, the first Business, make Report from the Committee of the Revenue, concerning the personal Estate of the Earl of Worcester.

Reports deferred.

Ordered, That the Ordinance and Report from the Committee of the Revenue, concerning Mr. Hill and Mr. Pennoyer, be made on Monday next.

Mouse's Petition.

Ordered, That Mr. John Goodwyn do, the next Day the House fits upon private Petitions, make Report of the Business concerning Mrs. Mouse.

Scotch Affairs.

Mr. Grimston reports the Conference, desired by the Lords concerning some Papers, of great Consequence, received from the Parliament of Scotland.

That the Earl of Manchester said, That the Expressions in this Letter, Declaration, and Paper, was such a Testimony of the Fidelity of that Kingdom to this, that the like was never given by any Kingdom to another.

That they had declared their Resolution upon the Whole; and had appointed a Committee of Six, whereof Three to be of the Quorum: And desire that this House would appoint a Committee of a proportionable Number, to digest the Three first Resolutions into a Letter, to be sent to the Parliament of Scotland: And desired the Concurrence of this House in all the Votes.

The Reporter first read the Letter, Declaration, and Desires, of the Parliament of Scotland; and a Paper of the Lords Votes; all delivered at this Conference.

They were again read by the Clerk.

Resolved, &c. That this Report concerning the Letter, Declaration, and Desires of the Parliament of Scotland and the Lords Votes, be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning, positively, at Ten of the Clock: And that Mr. Speaker do put the House in mind to proceed to the Consideration of this Business at Ten of the Clock, accordingly.

Reports deferred.

Ordered, That the Reports from Goldsmiths Hall be made To-morrow Morning, the first Business, till Ten of the Clock.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Major Thomas Harrison, a Member of this House, shall have the Leave of this House to go into Ireland, and his Attendance here dispensed with in the mean time.