House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 16 August 1641

Die Lunæ, 16 Aug. 1641.

PRAYERS.

Lincolns-inn-fields.

THE humble Petition of the Barristers and Students of Lincolns Inn was this Day read: And it is thereupon Ordered, That there shall be a Stay made of any farther Building in Lincolns-inn-fields (especially by Mr. Newton) till this House shall take farther Order therein; there being a Bill directed to be drawn by a Member of this House, for restraining the Excess of Buildings; which, by the late Increase thereof, are found, in many several respects, to be of great Inconvenience to the Commonwealth, and of Danger to this Place.

Letter to Ld. General.

Sir Jo. Hotham, Lord Falkland, Lord Fairefax, Mr. Hide, are to prepare a Letter to be sent to the Lord General, in Answer of the Letter received from his Excellency this Morning.

Commrs for London, &c.

Ordered, That the Commissioners for the Cities of London and Westminster shall, To-morrow Morning, give notice to this House, what Money they have in Cash, that this House may thereupon take Confideration of Disposing of it as they shall think fit.

Royal Assent to a Bill.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Ro. Rich and Mr. Page;

The Lords sent them to give notice to this House, that now the Commission is come for giving the King's Royal Assent to the Bill of Tonage and Poundage, when this House shall be ready to bring it up.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; that this House has taken into Consideration their Lordships Message; and return this Answer, that they shall be ready to bring up that Bill when their Lordships shall please to send them word, that they defire they should bring it up.

Papists trading in London, &c.

Mr. Pym, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Grimston, Sir H. Vane, Mr. Rolle, Sir Edw. Hungerford, Mr. Morley, Mr. Hide, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Tho. Barrington, Mr. Crue, Sir Jo. Corbett, Sir Edw. Partridge, Mr. Lower, Sir Jo. Colpeper, Mr. Venn, Mr. Vassall, Sir Walt. Erle, Sir H. Anderson, Mr. Catlyn, Mr. Law. Whittaker, Mr. Smyth, Sir Wm. Lewis, Sir Edw. Hale, Mr. Moore, Mr. Hollis, Mr. Strode, Serjeant Wilde, the Citizens and Burgesses for the Cities of London, Westminster, and Cant';

This Committee is to take into Consideration the Petition of a Multitude of poor Tradesmen and Artificers in and about the Cities of London and Westminster, and the Suburbs and Liberties of them both: And they are to consider of some Course to prevent that no Papist exercise any Trade here; and likewise to consider, that the poor Protestants, that have fled hither for Matter of Religion; may enjoy the Privileges formerly granted unto them: And the Bill in Mr. Rigby's Hand concerning this Business, is likewise referred to the Consideration of this Committee.

Royal Assent to a Bill.

The Gentleman Usher of the Lords House came, and acquainted the House, that the Lords are ready to give his Majesty's Royal Assent, by Commission, to the Bill of Tonage and Poundage; and desire that the Speaker and this House would bring up the said Bill.

Letter to Ld. General.

Lord Falkland presents, from the Committee appointed for that Purpose, a Letter to be sent to the Lord General, in Answer of a Letter received this Day from his Excellency.

Disbanding the Army.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Ro. Rich and Mr. Page;

The Lords desire to have a Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning some Letters received from the Lord General, touching the Disbanding of the Army.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

This House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and will give a present Meeting as is desired.

Mr. Hide, Lord Herbert, Sir H. Vane, Sir Wm. Armyn, Lord Falkland, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Tho. Barrington, Mr. Crue, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Commrs to Scotland.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare Heads for Instructions for the Commissioners that are appointed to go into Scotland, do repair forthwith into the Inner Court of Wards, to perfect that Business.

Conference.

Lord Falkland reports the Conference with the Lords: And thereupon Two Letters were read from the Lord General; One to the Speaker of the Lords House; and One other to the Lord Chamberlain: The which Letters were read.

House to sit.

Ordered, That this House shall sit this Afternoon at Two of Clock.

Mr. Strode went up to the Lords with this Message;

To acquaint their Lordships, that this House is resolved to sit this Afternoon; and to desire their Lordships would be pleased to do the like, if it may stand with their Conveniency.

Price's Case.

Mr. Rigby reports from the Committee appointed for that Purpose, the Case of putting Mr. Arth. Price out of the Commission for the Peace in the County of Montgomerye, with the Circumstances thereupon depending: And the Debate thereof was laid aside for this time.

Lords to sit.

Mr. Strode brings Answer, that the Lords will sit this Afternoon, at Four of Clock.

Commrs to Scotland.

Mr. Pym reports from the Committee appointed to consider of Commissioners going from Parliament here to the Parliament in Scotland:

The First Thing they took into Consideration was, the Commission to give Power to these Commissioners; and the Doubt is, whether such a Commission may be granted or no, the King being now out of the Kingdom, so that the Royal Assent cannot be now had; and it would be of much Danger, if such a Power may not be left; and therefore do desire the Opinion of the House in this Point.

Ordered, That a Message be sent to the Lords this Afternoon, to desire a free Conference, concerning the Power that shall be derived to such Persons, as are appointed by both Houses to go into Scotland upon the Affair of this Kingdom.

The Committee formerly appointed to prepare Instructions for the Commissioners, are appointed to prepare Heads for this Conference: And Mr. Bridgeman and Sir H. Vane are added to this Committee: And Sir Tho. Barrington to go up with this Message to the Lords.

Post Meridiem.

Regulating Watermen.

1² vice lecta est Bill, AN Act concerning the Generality of Watermen, for an Addition unto Two several Statutes, the One made in the Second and third Year of the Reigns of King Philip and Queen Mary, the other in the First of the Reign of the late King James, concerning the good Government of Wherrymen and Watermen using the Trade of Rowing upon the River of Thames.

Leave of Absence.

Mr. Toll has Leave to go into the Country.

Sir R. Knight.

The humble Petition of Sir Rich. Knight was read.

Defence of the Kingdom.

Sir Walter Erle reports from the Committee appointed to consider of putting the Kingdom in a Posture of Defence:

That some Authority shall be given to some Person, in the Absence of the King, to put the Kingdom into a Posture of Defence: And to do all other Things necessary for the Defence of the Kingdom:

That a present Course be taken for Provision of Gunpowder and other Ammunition for the Counties, especially those upon the Sea Coasts: And those that have at this time no Magazines, to be first provided:

That the Committee should inform themselves, what Proportion of Men will be sufficient for the Guarding of the Tower:

That the Constable of the Tower shall reside there during the King's Absence:

That of the Hamlet Men, being Five hundred, which should attend the Tower, Fifty of them should be appointed to guard it by Day, and as many by Night:

That some Course be taken for Restoring of the Arms to the Counties, from whence they have been taken any time within these Three Years.

Commrs to Scotland.

Mr. Pym reports from the Committee appointed to prepare Instructions * * * *

1. To signify unto the Lords, that this House doth agree and consent to the Proposition, made by the Lords, for sending some Persons to the Parliament of Scotland from both Houses: And to desire their Lordships to declare in what manner these Persons shall be authorized.

And for their Instructions:

1. To take care of the Ratification of the Treaty, and of those Acts which concern both Nations; and to bring with them an authentick Exemplification of the same.

2. That they see the Commission settled concerning Trade, and of keeping good Correspondency between both Kingdoms for a publick Peace, according to the Articles of the Treaty.

3. To demand Satisfaction for such Debts as shall remain due from the Scotts unto the Northern Counties, for Provision and Monies raised and taken up for the Scotch Army.

4. To clear the Proceedings of the Parliament of England towards the Parliament of Scotland, if they shall find any false Reports, which may breed a Misconstruction between both Kingdoms.

5. To assure them of the good Affection of the Parliament of England in all Things, so far as concerns the Service of his Majesty, and Peace and Prosperity of both Nations.

6. To certify the Parliament from time to time of their Proceedings, and of all Occurrences which shall concern the Good of this Kingdom.

7. That they shall put in Execution such further Instructions as they shall receive from both Houses, and as his Majesty shall approve of.

And then both Houses to address themselves in a humble Petition, unto his Majesty, as followeth:

The humble Petition of &c.

8. That they proceeded not in the Treaty with the Parliament in Scotland, till a Warrant and Commission be sent down unto his Majesty, by a Messenger of Purpose, and a Return with the Warrant to pass the Commission under the Great Seal of England:

To propound to the Lords, what Authority these Persons shall have to treat, whether by Commission, &c.

Commrs to Scotland.

Sir Tho. Barrington is appointed to go up to the Lords, to desire a free Conference, concerning the Persons that are to go from both Houses to the Parliament of Scotland.

The same Committee that was appointed to prepare Heads for the Conference, are to manage this Conference.

Sir Tho. Barrington brings Answer, that their Lordships will give a present Meeting, as is desired.

Apprehension of Savage, &c.

A Letter from the Earl Marshal to Mr. Pimme was read; and it was Ordered as followeth:

Whereas this House was this Day informed by a Letter from the Earl Marshal, that there was one Savage, apprehended by one Captain Waddsworth, upon Suspicion of being a Priest; and a young Man in his Company, the which young Man the said Savage affirmed to be his Servant: And whereas it likewise appeared by the said Letter, that it was affirmed, that the said Savage was of the Retinue of the Queen Mother; It is this Day Ordered by the said House, That the said Savage shall be forthwith released, and shall go over with the Queen Mother; and that the said Mr. Waddsworth shall forthwith bring the said young Man to the Committee for Recusants convict, to be by them examined; and, upon their Report, this House will take farther Resolution therein.

HullGarison.

Mr. Strode is appointed to go up to the Lords with this Message;

To desire their Lordships to join with this House, to send for the Mayor of Hull, and to give him a strict Command to keep the Arms and Ammunition there safely; and not to deliver any of them, till he hath further Order from both Houses of Parliament, And to have a Care to the Forts and Strengths of the Town.

The Tower, &c.

That the Report, this Day made, concerning the Tower, shall be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning at Nine of Clock: And the Consideration of sending down the Governor of Portesmouth to his Government be then presented to the House likewise.

Leave of Absence.

Sir William Carnaby, and Sir William Widdrington, have Leave to go into the Country.

Mr. Jo. Moore has Leave to go into the Country on Friday Morning next.

Commrs to Scotland.

Mr. Pym reports from the free Conference with the Lords, concerning what Power to be given to those of both Houses that were to be sent to the Parliament of Scotland, that the Lords were somewhat doubtful, and propounded to have a Messenger sent to procure his Majesty's Warrant, and the Commissioners to stay here till the Messenger returned. Then, when we propounded our Instructions, they went into the House; and said they would consider of them.

HullGarison.

Mr. Strode reports the Answer of the Message delivered to the Lords; that their Lordships will join with us to take a speedy Course to send to the Mayor of Hull for Securing of the Arms there; and have named a Committee of Five, to join with a Committee of this House, to think of the manner of the Securing the Town and Arms.

Sir John Colepeper, Sir John Merrick, Sir John Hotham, Mr. Hollis, Sir Wm. Armyn, Sir Wm. Lewis, Lord Falkland, Sir Benjamin Rudyard, Mr. Pym, Colonel Goring;

This Committee is appointed to meet with a Committee of the Lords, concerning the Securing of Hull; having Power to meet without further Order, whensoever the Lords shall appoint.