House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 27 March 1643

Die Luno, 27 Martii, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Sir Charles Bowles.

ORDERED, That Colonel Venn be desired to let Sir Charles Bowles, a Prisoner in the Castle at Windesore, have the Conveniency of a Chamber to himself.

Persons committed.

A Letter from my Lord Fairefax from Selbye, of the 15th of March, relating the apprehending of Henry Benson and Tho. Dearelove, formerly sent for as Delinquents, for many great Misdemeanors and Contempts against the Parliament was this Day read.

Resolved, That Henry Benson and Tho. Dearlove be forthwith committed Prisoners to Newgate; there to remain as Prisoners, during the Pleasure of the House.

Devon Association.

A Letter from some Gentlemen of Devon, desiring, that they may have Power to enter into an Association amongst themselves, was this Day read; and

Ordered, That Mr. Hill and Mr. Young do prepare an Association to this Purpose.

Sequestring Ministers.

A Letter from Mr. Prideaux relating, that the King's Forces in Cornewall do grant out their Warrants for seizing the Estates of all such as contribute to the Parliament; and likewise desiring, that an Order might be granted to himself and Mr. Nicoll, to take the Informations against such Ministers as have deserted their Cures, and betaken themselves, either to the King's Army, or to the Army raised against the Parliament in Cornewall; to the end that Sequestrations may be prepared for sequestring their Livings.

Treaty with the King.

Mr. Pym reported the Reasons for the Articles of Cessation, and upon what Occasion they were not sent away, as was appointed; in regard some of the Lords and Commons, being met together, had discovered some Things, which they think would not have slipt the House, if it had been well observed: And brought in the Reasons fair written; one Copy, as they passed both Houses; another Copy, as it was last amended.

And the Question being put;

The Copy, as it last passed the House, was assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Committee, to be presented unto his Majesty; and Mr. Pym ordered to carry it to the Earl of Manchester; and to take care, that the Originals, that passed both Houses, may be amended, according to the Copy sent to his Majesty.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee at Oxon be required to acquaint his Majesty with all their Instructions, upon the two first Propositions carried up by Sir Gilb. Gererd.

Person sent for in custody.

Upon the humble Petition of Rowland Ashfield, one of the Servants under the Knight Marshal of his Majesty's Household; shewing, that at the Suit and Instance of one F. Heath, upon an Action of Trespass, he arrested Lieutenant Ottawell Nedham, who, he since was informed, is a Lieutenant in the Army under the Command of the Earl of Essex, and in actual Service: Whereupon he released the said Nedham; that thereupon the said Heath sues your Petitioner and his Sureties: It is Ordered, That the said F. Heath be forthwith summoned, and brought up in safe Custody; and that all the Suits upon this Occasion be stayed in the mean time.

Marsbalsea Court.

Mr. Glyn, Mr. Ellis, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Noble, Sir Walth. Erle, Mr. Whittacre, Mr. Bell, Mr. Holland, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Selden, Mr. Browne, Sir H. Vane, Mr. Hill, Mr. Ro. Goodwyn, Mr. White;

This Committee is added to the Committee for Dispatches; and Mr. Glyn is to have the Chair; and they are to take into Consideration the Marshalsea Court in Southwarke, and the Grievances and Oppressions the Kingdom hath suffered by it; and are to meet this Afternoon, at Two of Clock, in the Court of Wards; and have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Gilb. Gerard brings Answer, that the Lords do concur in this Order.

Member disabled to sit.

Resolved, upon the Question, That Mr. Ferdinando Stanhope be forthwith disabled for sitting or continuing any longer a Member of this House, during this Parliament.

Military Affairs, &c.

The Extract of a Letter from Sir Wm. Waller to my Lord of Essex, about the taking of Malmesbury; and a Letter from Mr. Ashe, a Member of this House; and a List of the Commanders; was read.

A Letter from Uxeter, likewise from Sir Wm. Brereton, and Sir Jo. Gell, and a Crucifix, and Agnus Dei, taken in the Pocket of the Earl of Northampton, was this Day read.

Ordered, That Letters of Thanks and Encouragement be written unto Sir Wm. Waller, Sir Wm. Brereton, Sir Jo. Gell, Sir Arth. Heselrig, and the rest of the Commanders, by the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom; and that the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom do take care in it; and that Mr. Noble and Mr. Hill do take care, that Extracts of all these Letters and Informations may be printed.

Mr. Noble is to prepare a Letter of Acknowledgment of their Service; and of Thanks to be returned to the Gentlemen and Commanders of Staffordshire, for their good Service.

E. of Bathe.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Rob. Riche and Mr. Page;

The Lords do desire to put you in mind, that they formerly sent unto you concerning the Earl of Bathe; that their Lordships are infinitely prest by him, for some Enlargement, in regard of his Indisposition: They are not willing to do any thing in it, until they had first acquainted this House with it; and do desire, that, if this House have any thing to object against him, that they would send it up.

Sir Walth. Erle, Mr. Rolle, Mr. Bond, Mr. Hill, Mr. Selden, Mr. Hart, are appointed to examine the State of the Charge and Informations against the Earle of Bathe; and are to bring it in To-morrow Morning; and are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, in the Star Chamber.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; that this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will send an Answer by Messengers of their own, speedily.

Affairs in Lincolneshire.

A Letter from Lincolne, of the Twenty-fourth of March 1642, from Sir Edw. Ayscough and Mr. Grantham, desiring, that Sir Jo. Wray, Sir Wm. Armyn, and Mr. Hatcher, may be sent down unto them, to give them their Assistance in that Country.

Ordered, That Sir Jo. Wray and Mr. Hatcher do go into the County of Lincolne, to advance the Service of the Parliament in that County; and that they repair unto my Lord General, to acquaint his Excellency with the State of Lincolneshire, and to consult with his Excellency about it.

Seizing Goods of Adherents to Parliament.

Sir Walth. Erle is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, concerning some Informations they have received of his Majesty's granting Commissions for the seizing the Goods, sequestring the Rents and Profits, of all such as have contributed to the Relief of the Parliament.

Mr. Pym, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Ellis, Sir F. Knolles junior, Sir Walth. Erle, are appointed to manage this Conference; and to produce, at the Conference, the Letter from Mr. Prideaux, concerning Sir Ralph Hopton's giving Warrants for seizing the Estates and Rents of such as contribute to the Parliament; the Proclamation of the Eighth of March, against Associations and Contributions.

Mr. Ellis to acquaint the Lords with the Warrants issued in Lincolneshire: And

Knollis' Tenants.

Sir F. Knollis is appointed to acquaint the Lords with what has been done at Redding, to Tenants of his, for the sequestring of his Rents, and causing them to be paid unto him.

Transporting Gold.

Ordered, That the Information, this Day given concerning one that undertakes to bring in Ten thousand Pounds upon such as have transported Gold, be referred to the Committee for Monies, where Mr. Trenchard has the Chair.

Suspected Persons.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker grant his Warrant for the apprehending of Two suspected Persons, that Mr. Bond will acquaint him with.

Mr. Bond is to bring in an Ordinance to enable the Lord Mayor to grant out Warrants, for searching for suspected Persons, in all Places within the Liberties and Suburbs of Westminster and London, and Parts adjacent.

Conference with Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Rob. Riche and Mr. Page;

The Lords desire a present Conference, by Committees of both Houses, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning the Ordinance for seizing the Estates of notorious Delinquents, to acquaint you, that they have agreed unto it, with some Amendments; and likewise to acquaint you with something concerning Sir Hugh Pollard.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; that this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will give a present Meeting, as is desired.

Mr. Grimston, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Pym, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Mr. Glyn reports, from the Conference, the Amendments and Alterations made by the Lords, to the Ordinance for seizing the Estates of notorious Delinquents; the which were read; and particularly put to the Question; and, by Vote, upon the Question, assented unto.

He likewise reported, That the Lords had appointed a Committee of Six of their House, to take care of the Execution of this Ordinance; and desired this House to appoint a Committee of a proportionable Number.

He further reported, that the Lords had received a Petition for the Removal of Sir Hugh Pollard, from the Prison where he was, to his own House, in Holborne, upon good Security, that he would be a true Prisoner there: That they were the rather inclined unto this, in regard of his great Indisposition of Health, which was certified under his Physician's Hands, Dr. Edm. Smyth: And that they were informed, That he never appeared in War against the Parliament; that though a Commission were directed unto him, that he never put it in Execution; and never intended to serve against the Parliament.

Delinquents Estates.

1. "Wm. Archbishop of Canterbury," to be inserted in the Eighteenth Line of the first Sheet.

2. After the Word "contribute," in the Twenty-fifth Line of the first Sheet, add, "not being under the Power of any Part of the King's Army, at the time of such contributing."

3. In the Eighteenth Line in the First Sheet, leave out these Words "of all Papists and."

4. And in the Fifteenth Line, in the Second Sheet, after the Word "have," add "and also Two Parts of all the Money, Goods, Chattels, Debts, and personal Estate, and Two Parts of all and every the Manors, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, Rents, Arrearages of Rents, Revenues, and Profits, of all and every Papist, or which any other Person hath in Trust for any Papist, or to the Use or Uses of any Papist."

5. In the Sixteenth Line, in the Second Sheet, after the Words "have done," add "from Year to Year."

6. In the Fourth Line of the Third Sheet, instead of the Word "said," add "such."

And, for the Fifth Line of that Sheet, put out the Word "the," and add "such," instead thereof.

And after the Word "Duties," in the Sixth Line of that Sheet, add these Words, "as aforesaid."

For the Fourteenth Line of the Third Sheet, put out "Two Parts of his Rents in Three Parts, to be divided, shall have a third Part thereof abated," and add, instead thereof, "shall, upon their Obedience and Conformity to this Order, be considered out of the said Rents, Revenues and Profits."

In the Nineteenth Line, in the Fourth Sheet, put out "to the Committee of both Houses of Parliament, for Examinations," and add, in Room thereof, "to the Committee of Lords and Commons, appointed for this Service."

In the Thirteenth Line of the Fifth Sheet, put out, "or such as they shall appoint," add, instead thereof, "or to the said Committee of Lords and Commons aforementioned."

In the Eleventh Line, in the Sixth Sheet, after the Words "if any," add "College or Hospital, whose Revenues, or any Part thereof, have not been employed for Maintenance of the War against the Parliament."

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, to nominate a Committee, for putting in Execution the Ordinance for seizing the Estates of notorious Delinquents, &c.

Sir Tho. Barrington, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Holland, Mr. Pym, Mr. Bond, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Serjeant Wilde, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Trenchard, Sir Tho. Middleton, Sir Gilbert Gerrard;

This Committee is appointed to meet with a Committee of a proportionable Number of the Lords, to consider of all Means for the speedy and effectual putting in Execution the Ordinance for seizing and sequestring the Estates of notorious Delinquents; and to give Order for the dispersing of them, and for the-Payment of the printing of them.

Ordered, That * * * do, To-morrow, acquaint the Lords, that this House has named a Committee, to join with a Committee of a proportionable Number of the Lords, for putting in Execution the Ordinance for sequestring the Estates of notorious Delinquents, &c.; and to desire their Lordships to appoint a Time and Place for this Committee to meet.

Ordered, by the Commons, in Parliament assembled, That if any Person, Tenant, or other, after Notice hereof given by the Publication in Print, shall pay unto Wm. Archbishop of Canterbury, John Archbishop of York, Thomas Bishop of Duresme, Robert Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, Joseph Bishop of Norwich, John Bishop of Asaph, Robert Bishop of Oxon, Wm. Bishop of Bath and Wells, George Bishop of Hereford, Matthew Bishop of Ely, Godfrey Bishop of Gloucester, John Bishop of Peterborough, Morgan Bishop of Landaffe, John Bishop of Worcester, or to any such Bishops, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Prebends, Archdeacons, or any other Person or Persons, Ecclesiastical or Temporal, as have raised, or shall raise Arms against the Parliament, or have been, or shall be in actual War against the same; or have voluntarily contributed, or shall voluntarily contribute, (not being under the Power of any Part of the King's Army, at the Time of such contributing) any Money, Horse, Plate, Arms, Ammunition, or other Aid or Assistance, for or towards the Maintenance of any Forces raised against the Parliament, or for the opposing of any Force or Power raised by Authority of both Houses of Parliament, or for the robbing, spoiling, plundering, or destroying of any the King's Subjects, who have willingly contributed, or yielded Obedience to the Commands of both Houses of Parliament, or to such as have joined, or shall join, in any Oath, or Act of Association, against the Parliament; or have imposed, or shall impose, any Tax or Assessment upon his Majesty's Subjects, for or towards the Maintenance of any Forces against the Parliament; or have or shall use, any Force or Power to levy the same, any Rents, Profits, Fees, or other Advantage or Emoluments, due to them, or any of them, payable or chargeable upon any of their Lands or Offices; that such Payment shall be accounted as Non-payment; and that they shall be liable, and shall pay the same, to such as, by-Authority of both Houses of Parliament, shall be authorized to receive the same.

English and Scotch Officers.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom the Difference between the English and Scotts Officers was formerly referred, shall have Power to take up and determine, in the best Way they can, that Difference and Quarrel.

Mayor of Plymouth's Indemnity.

The Commons, now assembled in Parliament, having Information, that the Cornish and other Forces, commanded by Sir Ralph Hopton (by the several Invasions of Decon, and the blocking up and besieging of Plymouth) have occasioned the Expence of great Part of the Granary and Magazine of Victuals and Ammunition in the said Town, and consumed and eaten up the Parts adjacent; by means where of great Dearth is like to befal that Part of the County of Devon; and the Town more subject to be attempted by such as are Enemies to Peace, unless some speedy Remedy should be employed; and being further informed, that the Mayor of Plymouth aforesaid, to prevent the said Dearth (justly feared) hath staid certain Ships of Corn, who came thither, bound for Spaine, and made Sale thereof, giving good Satisfaction to the Masters of the said Ships for the same: They do not only well approve of his so doing, but also hereby do ordain and give full Power and Authority to him, the said Mayor, to supply the said Town, and the Parts adjacent, in like manner, with Corn, and other Vietuals, as also with Ammunition, as often as there shall be Need, during the Continuance of the War; giving like Content to the Owners: And, in so doing, be shall be protected, and saved harmless, by both Houses of Parliament.

Devon Ministers.

Upon Information this Day given to the House of Commons, that divers Ministers, in the County of Devon, and City of Exon, having Cure of Souls, are gone out of the County, and have, by a good Space, neglected to officiate their Cure, and are informed to be in those Armies raised against the Parliament; it is therefore Ordered, That it be referred unto Edm. Prideaux and Anth. Nicoll, Esquires, Members of this House, now being employed in those Parts, to inquire into and examine the Particulars thereof, and thereupon certify this House the Truth of the same, that some Course may be taken for providing and settling able and sufficient preaching Ministers in those several Parishes, and a competent Maintenance, by Sequestration of the Tythes and Profits of such Benefices, by the Authority of the High Court of Parliament.