House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 17 January 1644

Die Mercurii, 17 Januarii, 1643.

PRAYERS.

French-Ambassador.

SIR Gilb. Gerard is appointed to deliver the Letters seized and stayed at Uxbridge, from the Prince D'Arcourt to Monsieur Du Molin.

Lord Lovelace.

A Letter from the Lord Lovelace to Sir H. Vane jun. the which he acquainted Mr. Speaker with, and the Committee appointed to examine the last Design in London, with this Letter; and, by their Advice, and with their Privity, sent an Answer to the Lord Lovelace, and a Messenger likewise, one Mr. Moses Wall; who presented from the Lord Lovelace a Narrative of all that passed between the Lord Lovelace and him; the which were all read; and appointed to be delivered to Mr. Speaker, to be kept by him from publick View; and were accordingly delivered unto him.

Earl of Holland.

Mr. Holles reports from the Conference had with the Lords, on Monday last desired, concerning the Earl of Holland, That the Earl of Manchester told them, That some Weeks since, the Lords had received a Petition from the Earl of Holland, desiring the Sequestration to be taken off from his Estate; the which, some Weeks since, they sent down to this House, and had yet received no Answer of it; and therefore they desired this Conference, to renew the Memories of this House: And that, on Saturday last, they had received a Petition from the Earl of Holland by the Lord Admiral, desiring to be admitted to sit in the House; whereby, and by other Assurances from my Lord Admiral, they were assured of the good Affections of my Lord of Holland, to live and die with the Parliament: And though one House were not obliged to acquaint the other with what they do, in relation to their own Members, yet, that all good Correspondence might be preserved, they thought fit to acquaint this House with thus much; and with their Resolution of admitting him to sit in the House again; and do desire, that, as their Lordships have thought fit to set a Mark of Trust upon him; so that this House would set, as a Mark of Favour upon him, the taking off of the Sequestration of his Estate.

Mr. Sam. Browne reports from the Committee appointed to consider of the Business concerning the Earl of Holland, the whole State of that Business:

That they took into Consideration several Vows and Protestations of the Lords and Commons, for adhering to my Lord General, and assisting him with Life and Fortune: Next was the General Vote and Covenant, which my Lord of Holland took among the rest, "That we are persuaded in our Consciences, that the Armies raised by the Parliament, are raised for the necessary Defence of Religion, Laws, and Liberty.

For Matter of Fact:- He went from hence to Wallingford towards Oxford: He carried with him twenty Horses; twelve for his Servants; six Coach Horses; and two Saddle Horses for himself: He continued in the King's Quarters between Eleven and Twelve Weeks, with Horses and Servants: He met the King about the Eighth or Ninth of September, as he was returning from Glocester: He was present at the Battle of Newbury: He carried also with him a Thousand Pounds, and six Pair of Pistols.

Upon his Return, this House desired he might be committed to the Tower; and be kept close till he be examined: But the Lords have admitted him into the House; and also hold it fit the Sequestration be taken off.

There is a Vote passed both Houses, That whosoever shall assist the King in his Wars against the Parliament, are Traytors, by the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, the Acts of Parliament, 11 R. II. and 1& H. IV. and 2& Februarii 1642. This Vote likewise passed both Houses, "That such Members as have actually levied War, or contributed to the Maintenance of the War against the Parliament, shall be disabled for sitting in either House, during this Parliament."

The Committee passed these Votes:

1. That Henry Earl of Holland, is guilty of deserting the Parliament; and of adhering to, and the aiding the Enemies of the Kingdom that levied War against the Parliament.

2. That he shall, for the said Offence, be impeached of High Treason and great Misdemeanors.

3. That an Impeachment shall be drawn up accordingly.

The Question was propounded; whether Hen. Earl of Holland, be guilty of deserting the Parliament:

And then the Question being put, whether this Question should be now put;

The House was divided:

The Noes went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Negative.

Importing Currans.

Sir Rob. Pye carried up to the Lords, the Order for Jordan Fairefaxe, Merchant, and others, to import and land Currans.

-Brings Answer, That the Lords will send Answer speedily, by Messengers of their own.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Aylett;

The Lords have sent down two Ordinances, which they received from this House; the one concerning Currans; which they agree unto, with the Additions annexed: The other concerning the nominating Sheriffs in the several Counties; to which they agree, with the Alterations annexed.

Importing Currans

The Amendments to the Ordinance concerning Currans, was read, in hæc Verba;

"And it is further Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That the same Rates of Six Shillings and Eight Pence per Cent. for every Hundred, over and above the Custom and Excise due for the same, shall be paid by the Owner or Owners of all such Currans as have been imported contrary to the Ordinance dated the Twentysixth of August 1642, prohibiting the Importation of Currans; except such Person and Persons, Owner and Owners, whose Currans have been imported or landed, with Approbation or Allowance of both Houses of Parliament;"

And, by Vote, upon the Question, assented unto.

Appointing Sheriffs.

The Alterations, to the Ordinance for appointing Sheriffs, were, Sir Heneage Proby for the County of Bucks; Jo. Norton of Cotterstock, Esquire, for Northamptonshire; Mr. Osborne for Rutlandshire; Humphry Fishe Esquire, for Bedfordshire; Mr. Norton for Hantshire; to be left out:

These Alterations were read; and, by Vote, upon the Question, assented unto.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Amendments and Alterations, both to the Ordinance concerning Currans, and to the Ordinance concerning the nominating of Sheriffs in the several Counties.

Irish Adventurers.

The House being informed that divers of the Adventurers in Ireland were at the Door; they were called in: And Mr. Maurice Thompson, in the Name of the rest, presented a Petition; intituled, "The humble Petition of the Committee, and whole Body of the Adventurers for Ireland, and of many Lords and Gentlemen, that have lost their Estates in that Kingdom, on Behalf of themselves, and that whole Kingdom:" Which was read:

Whereupon the House Ordered, That the Ordinance mentioned in the Petition for the Relief of Ireland, shall be read on Saturday next; and the Desires of the Petitioners be then taken into Consideration: And Mr. Speaker is to put the House in mind hereof.

The Adventurers were called in; and Mr. Speaker acquainted them with the Contents of the Order.

Army Maintenance.

Resolved, &c. That Two thousand Pounds shall be Monthly paid, out of the Monies that come in at Haberdashers Hall, upon the Fifth and Twentieth Part, or otherways, for the Maintenance of my Lord General's Army, for four Months.

Isle of Elye.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Seven associated Counties, to consider of the fortifying of the Isle of Elye; and how Forces may be maintained there.

Windsor.

Ordered, That the Business concerning Windsor, be taken into Consideration on Saturday next, in the Morning.

Money for Army.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Excise formerly appointed, to consider which Way Five thousand Five hundred Pounds Monthly, may be raised for my Lord General's Army; whereby the Associated Counties may be eased: And to report on Saturday next.

Associated Counties.

Sir Anthony Irby reports the Ordinance, with Amendments, concerning the Maintenance of the Forces in the Seven associated Counties: Which were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be ingrossed, and sent up to the Lords.

Hartford Rates.

The humble Petition of the Committee for the County . . Hartford, in the Behalf of the County; complaining of Rates set upon that County, disproportionable to Essex and other Counties; was read; but nothing done upon it.

The House adjourns till Saturday, Eight of Clock.