House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 12 January 1644

Die Veneris, 12 Januarii, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Londonderry.

ORDERED, That Mr. Collins do deliver up such Papers as are in his Custody, as concern Londonderry, to Mr. Recorder, for the Use of the City.

Transporting Corn.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom the Consideration of transporting of Corn, and of giving Liberty to all that will to buy Corn . . . . do bring in an Ordinance to those Purposes.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Customs do take care, that no Corn whatsoever be transported: And that they send Copies of this Order to all Ports and Creeks: And the Care of acquainting the Commissioners with this Order is referred to Mr. Spurstoe.

Haberdashers Hall Revenue.

An Ordinance concerning the Accounts at Haberdashers Hall, and the issuing forth of deposited Monies, was this Day read the Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Stephens, Mr. Hodges, Mr. Jennour, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Eisle, Mr. Cage, Mr. Strode, Mr. Holland, Mr. Ellis, Sir Wm. Massam, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Trenchard, Sir Tho. Middleton, Mr. Pury, Mr. Bond, and the Committee at Haberdashers Hall, that are Members of this House: And are to meet this Afternoon, at Two of Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber: And the Care of it is especially referred * * *

States Ambassadors.

* Solicitor, Sir H. Vane sen. Sir Philip Stapilton, Mr. Hollis, Sir H. Mildmay, Mr. Whitlock, Sir Christ. Yelverton, Sir H. Vane jun. (Sir Wm. Strickland added; and to take care * * * *);

This Committee is to examine Sir Abraham Williams, concerning his sending to the States Ambassadors; and to consider of the Entertainment and Reception of them; and to send the Master of the Ceremonies to them.

Sir Christ. Yelverton is appointed to go to the Lords, to acquaint them, that this House is informed, that the States Ambassadors are come to Gravesend; and that this House thinks fit to send the Master of the Ceremonies to them: And desire the Lords Concurrence therein.

French and States Ambassaders.

Sir H. Vane reports from the Committee for the Safety, the Letter to be sent from both Houses to Prince D'Harcourt, upon the Occasion of the Letters and Covers that were opened, and the Stay of the Pacquet: . . . . was read; and, by Vote, upon the Question assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That it shall be indorsed "For the Prince D'Harcourt."

Sir Christ. Yelverton brings Answer, That the Lords do concur in sending the Master of the Ceremonies to the Ambassadors, that are come from the States of the United Provinces.

Ordered, That a Duplicate of the Letter to be sent to the Prince D'Harcourt be made; and one sent by Monsieur Du Molin, and another by a Trumpet.

Loan from Merchant Adventurers.

Whereas the Governor, Assistants, and Fellowship, of Merchant Adventurers of England, have advanced the Sum of Ten thousand Pounds, for the Use of Sir Wm. Waller his Brigade; Be it therefore Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the said Ten thousand Pounds, with Interest, after the Rate of Eight per Cent. shall be repaid, out of the Receipts of the Excise, or new Impost, on the Fifteenth Day of July next, unto the said Governor, Assistants, and Fellowship, of Merchants Adventurers of England, or their Treasurer for the Time being: Whose Receipt, together with the Common Seal of the said Fellowship, shall be a sufficient Discharge for the Whole, or any Part or Parcel thereof, unto the Commissioners of the said Excise, or new Impost: Who are hereby authorized to make due Payment thereof accordingly.

States Ambassadors.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whittfield and Dr. Aylett;

The Lords are unwilling to omit any Respect to the States Ambassadors; and therefore have appointed a Member of their House; and desire this House to appoint a proportionable Number of this House; to meet them at Greenwich.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, to send Two of their Members to meet the States Ambassadors at Greenwich.

Sir Wm. Strickland, Sir H. Mildmay, are appointed to go with a Committee of a proportionable Number, to meet the States Ambassadors at Greenwich.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message, and have appointed Two of their Members to meet the States Ambassadors at Greenwiche.

French Ambassador.

Ordered, That Mr. Tate, Sir Tho. Barrington, Sir Peter Wentworth, do send for the French Agent, Monsieur Du Molin; and, in his Presence, open the Cloak Bag, and lay up the Letters again safe, and in Order; and to acquaint him with the Intention and Order of the Houses, to write to Prince D'Harcourt; and that the Letters and Passes will be ready To-morrow Morning, and delivered unto him, to be sent unto him.

Repayment of Money.

Ordered, That the Monies due unto the Gloucestershire Gentlemen, for Monies advanced by them formerly, and for which they have had an Ordinance for Repayment, be forthwith repaid unto them, notwithstanding any former Ordinance: And that the Committee at Haberdashers Hall do take care for the Payment thereof accordingly.

Gloucester Garison.

Resolved, &c. That the Monies arising from the Excise, in the City of Gloucester, shall be employed to the Payment of the Garison there, until the House take further Order.

Ordered, That the Committee for Gloucester do take care and consider how Five thousand Pounds may speedily be raised to pay the Garison of Gloucester.

Letters to be translated.

. . . . the Letters from Algier, be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to be translated.

Military Affairs.

Letter from the Lord Gra, dated at Leicester, 9 Januarii, 1643; of another Defeat given unto the Forces of Belvoir Castle.

Recruiting the Army.

Mr. Whittacre reports from the Grand Committee to consider of the Ordinance for recruiting my Lord General's Army, the Amendments of that Ordinance: Which were twice read.

Ordered, That this Ordinance be taken into Consideration on Monday next: And that it be referred to the Committee for the Excise, to consider of the State of the Excise; and to present the same to the House on Monday next: And Sir Henry Vane sen. Mr. Recorder, and Mr. Green, are especially ordered to take care herein.

Letter from Massy.

Ordered, That the Letter from Colonel Massy be especially recommended to the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom, to take it into Consideration speedily.

Army.

Ordered, That the Ordinance concerning my Lord of Manchester's Forces be taken into Consideration, next after the Ordinance for recruiting my Lord General's Army.

Army Pay.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed concerning the Excise, do advise with my Lord General what Sum of Money he thinks will serve for a Month's Pay for his Army; and to call the Auditor before them; and to consider what is fit to be done to keep the Forces together; and also to consider, how a considerable Sum of Money may be raised upon the Credit of Excise, or otherways, for the Maintenance of the Army.

Pressing Mariners.

The Ordinance, sent down from the Lords, concerning the Pressing of Mariners, and Exemption of Watermen, was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

The Covenant.

The Ordinance, sent down from the Lords, concerning the tendring the Covenant to all Officers in Chancery, and Pleaders at the Bar, was read; and committed to Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Bond, Mr. Cage, Mr. Reynolds, Sir Tho. Barrington, Mr. Smyth, Mr. Maynard, Mr. Wheeler, Sir Wm. Massam, Sir Henry Mildmay, Mr. Goodwyn, and Mr. Long; or any Four of them: Are to meet To-morrow at Three of Clock in the Court of Wards.

Sir J. Clotworthy.

Ordered, That the Business concerning Sir John Clotworthy be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning: And Colonel Strode and Mr. Devenish are required then to attend the House.

Sir Tho. Barrington reports * * * *

Contract for Salt-petre.

Articles of Agreement, made between the honourable Committee of the Safety of the Kingdom and William Courteen Esquire;

THAT the said Wm. Courteen shall, at his Costs and Charges, cause to be refined the Parcel of East India Salt-petre, of about 3,600 Hundreds Weight, received the last Summer by the Ships Loyalty and Unity, from the East Indies, and now lying in two Warehouses at Somers Key and Horse Downes: Which Salt-petre shall be double refined, fit and ready to make Powder; and shall be delivered at the Wharf or Place within London, and to the Person or Persons by the honourable Committee thereunto appointed.

And the Delivery of the Salt-petre aforesaid shall be made, one Fourth of the whole Parcel, within One Month after the Date of the Ordinance for Payment; one Fourth within Two Months; one Fourth within Three Months; and the Remainder within Four Months; after Date of the said Ordinance.

The honourable Committee shall pay, or cause to be paid, to the said Wm. Courten, or his Assigns, after the Rate of Five Pounds the Hundred Weight, of One hundred and Twelve Pounds, Salt-petre, double-refined, fit and ready to make Powder; ready Money:

The Payments whereof shall be made, upon the Delivery of the Salt-petre, one Fourth within One Month after the Date of the Ordinance for Payment; one Fourth within Two Months; one Fourth within Three Months; and the Remainder within Four Months after the Date of the said Ordinance.

And it is further agreed, That the said Mr. Courten shall not sell any Salt-petre to any Person whatsoever, without the Knowledge of this Committee.

Which Payments are to be assigned, by Ordinance of Parliament, out of the Receipts of the several Ordinances of the Excise; the one Moiety to be paid out of the Ordinance of the Eleventh of September; the other Moiety to be paid out of the Ordinance of Flesh and Salt, of the Tenth of January; the one Moiety of the Powder being for the Navy; and the other Moiety for the Army.

Agreed unto, Januarii 12: And appointed that an Ordinance be brought in to this Purpose, by the Committee of the Safety: And the Care of it is especially referred to Mr. Nicoll.