House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 6 March 1644

Die Mercurii, 6 Martii, 1643.

PRAYERS.

Scotts Army, &c.

SIR H. Vane proceeded with his Report.

Resolved, That the Fifth Article of the Result of the Committees of both Kingdoms, concerning the Demands about the Scotts Army in Ireland, be referred to the Conderation of the Committee of both Kingdoms here; who are to present their Opinions upon it, with all convenient Speed.

Resolved, That this House doth assent unto the Sixth Article of the Treaty, concerning the sending of Five thousand Arms to Carrickfergus, for the Use of the Scottish Army.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree to the last Article, That as long as the British Regiments shall remain in the Service of the King and Parliament, that the Two Houses of Parliament do give Satisfaction to them, for their Maintenance.

That, touching the Fifty thousand Pounds desired in the Third Demand about the Scotts Army in Ireland, the Answer of the House is expressed in the Paper returned by way of Answer to the Paper of the Scotts Commissioners.

Ordered, That the Committee with the Scotts Army shall have Power to receive the Arrears of Recusants within the Northern Counties; and that an Instruction be brought in to that Purpose.

Resolved, &c. That the Sum of Four hundred Pounds monthly, shall be allowed to the Committee with the Scotts Army, for defraying of their publick Charges.

Leicester Hospital.

Ordered, That Mr. Recorder do go the Chancellor of the Duchy; and acquaint him, that this House holds fit, that the Living of the Hospital of Leicester should be bestowed upon Mr. Gray, Brother to the Earl of Kent, according to the former Order of Sequestrations; and to desire him to bestow it upon him accordingly; and to know of him, where the Duchy Seal now is; and to represent his Answer to both Particulars to this House.

List of Officers.

Ordered, That the Committee do forthwith withdraw, and bring in a Report of the List of the Officers of the Lord General's Army.

Lords agree to Ordinances.

Mr. Millington reports, that the Lords do agree to the Two Ordinances concerning my Lord Fairefaxe.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Solicitor carried up to the Lords, the Instructions to Mr. Stricland, together with the additional Instruction this Day passed; and the Ordinance for Ten thousand Pounds.

Answer.

-Brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Ordinance for Ten thousand Pounds: And, as to the Instructions to Mr. Strickland, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Secretary to Committee.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Wm. Roe shall be, and is hereby appointed and constituted Secretary to the Committee residing with the Scotts Commissioners.

Scotts Army.

All the Articles of the Answer to the Scotts Paper, concerning Supplies to the Army come in to our Assistance, according to the Treaty; and concerning Supplies to be sent into Ireland to the Scotts Army there; and additional Instructions to the Committee residing with the Scotts Army, for the raising of Monies for the better Maintenance of those Forces; were all read, debated, and particularly resolved, upon the Question; and ordered to be delivered unto the Lords at a Conference, and their Concurrence desired therein.

Chester Forces, &c.

An Ordinance for enabling Sir Wm. Brereton Baronet, to put in Execution the several Ordinances of Parliament made for the raising of Monies, &c. in the County of Chester, for the raising and maintaining of Forces for Defence of the said County; and to administer the National League and Covenant to all Persons within the said County, as he shall think fitting; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon Question, committed unto Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Maynard, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashherst, Mr. Jesson, Mr. Cage, Sir Arth. Heselrig, Mr. Grimston, Sir Tho. Barrington, Mr. Sam. Browne, Mr. Asheton, Sir Wm. Massham, Sir Mart. Lumley, Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Corbett, Sir Rob. Pye, Mr. Blakiston, Sir Peter Wentworth: And are to meet this Afternoon at Two of Clock, in the Duchy Court: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records.

Aylesbury Garison.

Resolved, &c. That Three thousand Pounds shall be forthwith advanced, out of the first Monies that shall come in upon the Arrears and growing Profits of the Court of Wards, for Supply of the Garison of Aylesbury.

Money for Army.

Mr. Wallop reports from the Committee of both Kingdoms, That they desire, that Sir Wm. Waller may be presently furnished with Three thousand Pounds, to enable the supernumerary Forces, that are above the Number maintained by the Association, to march presently; and to consider of their Arrears; and to settle a constant Pay for their future Entertainment.

Mr. Nicoll undertakes, upon the Credit of the Tin Money, to furnish the Army desired by Sir Wm. Waller, to enable him to march presently.

Resolved, &c. That the Credit of the Three thousand Pounds, Tin Monies, to come in the First of April, shall be engaged to furnish Sir Wm. Waller with the Arms desired by Sir Wm. to enable him to march presently; and that a Thousand Pounds Credit, of the said Three thousand Pounds, shall be employed towards the furnishing of Cloaths and other Necessaries for Sir Wm. Waller's Soldiers.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of the Western Gentlemen, to call unto them the Tin Farmers; and, by Conference with them, or otherwise, to furnish a Thousand Pounds ready Money presently, to enable Sir Wm. Waller presently to march.

Resolved, That Sir Wm. Waller be hereby directed to levy the Proportions of the Horses, set upon the Counties of Sussex and Surry by the Ordinance of Association, if they be not brought in by the Committees, within these Three Days.

Message from Lords.

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

The Lords do concur with this House in the Instructions to be sent to Mr. Strickland; and to desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning the King's Letter.

Conference.

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

Mr. Holles, Mr. Recorder, Sir H. Vane jun. Mr. Solicitor, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Windesore Garison.

Ordered, That the Business concerning Windesore Garison, be taken into Consideration, the first Business, To-morrow Morning, peremptorily.

King's Letter.

Mr. Holles presents, from the Committee, the King's Letter; and the Lords Observations and Opinions upon it, in Writing.

The Lords Observations and Opinions upon the said Letter, were read: And

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree and concur with the Lords in all the Particulars of this Paper.

List of Officers.

Resolved, &c. That the Report concerning the List of my Lord General's Officers be made To-morrow Morning, the first Business; and that no other Business intervene: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.

Garisons.

Ordered, That Sir Philip Stapilton do, To-morrow, make Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, concerning the Garison of Newporte Pagnall, Hillsden House, &c.

CHARLES Rex.

King's Letter.

Out of Our most tender and pious Sense of the sad and bleeding Condition of this Our Kingdom; and Our unwearied Desires to apply all Remedies, which, by the Blessing of Almighty God, may recover it from an utter Ruin; by the Advice of the Lords and Commons of Parliament, assembled at Oxford, Who do propound and desire, That a convenient Number of fit Persons may be appointed and authorized by you, to meet, with all convenient Speed, at such Place as you shall nominate, with an equal Number of fit Persons, whom We shall appoint and authorize; to treat of the Ways and Means to settle the present Distractions of this Our Kingdom, and to procure a happy Peace; and particularly, how all the Members of both Houses may securely meet in a free and full Convention of Parliament, there to treat, consult, and agree upon such things as may conduce to the Maintenance and Defence of the true Reformed Protestant Religion, with due Consideration to all just and reasonable Ease of tender Consciences; to the settling and maintaining of Our just Rights and Prerogatives; of the Rights and Privileges of Parliament; the Laws of the Land; the Liberty and Property of the Subject; and all other Expedients, that may conduce to that blessed End of a firm and lasting Peace both in Church and State, and a perfect Understanding between Us and Our People: Wherein no Endeavours or Concurrency of Ours shall be wanting. And God direct your Hearts in the Ways of Peace.

That the Lords have observed in this Letter from his Majesty, amongst other things, that what is propounded in it by the Advice of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford, which is the very same Title given to this Parliament; which puts them at Oxford into an equal Condition with us, though they be Persons which have, contrary to their Duty, deserted the Parliament; and have contributed to the Maintenance of the War against it; and therefore are and may be justly excluded.

Their Lordships do further observe, that though there be, in a Letter, some general Words for Religion; Ease of tender Consciences; his Majesty's just Prerogatives; Rights and Privileges of Parliament; Laws of the Land; and Liberty and Property of the Subject; yet the only Expedient offered for these Ends is, to treat, how the Members of both Houses may securely meet in a full and free Convention of Parliament: Whereof no other Conclusion can be made, but that this is not a full and free Convention of Parliament; and that, to make a full and free Convention, the Presence of those at Oxford is necessary:

Their Lordships therefore offer it to the House of Commons, to desire their Concurrence herein, That a Letter may be written, in very plain and humble Language, to his Majesty; representing unto him, amongst other things, that the continuance of this Parliament here, is established by a Law passed by himself; the which (as all other Laws of the Kingdom) he is sworn to maintain, as we are sworn to our Allegiance: That we must, in Duty, and are bound and resolved, with our Lives and Fortunes, to defend and preserve the just Rights, and full Power, of this Parliament: That, as we have used all Means for a just and safe Peace, so we will be never wanting to do our uttermost for the procuring of it: And, as the only Means thereof, we do humbly and earnestly desire his Majesty to come to his Parliament, by such a Day as shall be named; and that if he will not, we must use such Means, and make such Provision, for the present and future Preservation of Religion, and of the Kingdom, as, in the Wisdom of the Two Houses, shall be found fit and necessary.

Their Lordships desire, that this Letter may be speedily dispatched; as also a Declaration to the Kingdom, upon This and the Two former Letters from Oxford, to undeceive the People of the Artifices thereof, under the Pretence of Peace to set up another Parliament: And that if the House of Commons approve hereof, it may be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to prepare them for the Houses; because that, thereby, the Counsel and Advice of the Scotts Commissioners may be had.

Resolved, &c. That this House does agree and concur with the Lords in all the Particulars of this Paper.