House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 23 April 1645

Die Mercurii, Aprilis 23, 1645.

Prayers.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Rich. Walmesley of Dunkenhalgh, in the County of Lancaster, shall have Liberty, and the Licence of this House, to stay beyond the Seas in France for Two Years: And that his Stay shall be no Prejudice unto him.

Ordered, That my Lord Fitz-Williams, a Member of this House, shall have the Leave of this House to go down into the Country.

Resolved, &c. That Robert Houghton, of Norfolk, Esquire, shall have Mr. Speaker's Warrant to travel into France for Three Years; and to take a young Scholar of Cambridge with him.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to hear the Complaints, and consider of the Inconveniences and Damages sustained by the County of Middlesex, by Billeting and Free-Quartering of Soldiers; and to send for Parties and Witnesses; and to give them Redress, as well by considering how those Billets may be satisfied, and how to prevent the like Inconveniences for the future.

Resolved, &c. That a Thousand Pounds shall be forthwith raised and provided for the Service and Safety of the Isle of Elye, and charged upon the Excise: And Colonel Walton, Sir Dudley North, Sir Roger North, Sir Jo. Potts, Sir Christ. Wray, Sir Anth. Irby, Sir Nath. Barnardiston, and Sir Wm. Playters, are desired to procure this Money upon their personal Credit, to be repaid, with Interest for the Forbearance, out of the Excise: And they are to give an Account of this Business to the House To-morrow.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons, for the Disposing of Commands Military, to consider of a Commander for the Isle of Eyle; and to nominate him to the House with all Speed.

Resolved, &c. That Three hundred Pounds more, to make up the Thousand, formerly charged upon the Excise, Thirteen hundred Pounds, shall be charged upon the Excise, for sending away the Horse to Gloucester: And it is especially recommended unto all the Gentlemen of Gloucestershire, to use their best Endeavours to procure this Thirteen hundred Pounds upon their personal Credits; to be repaid, with Interest for the Forbearance, out of the Excise.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of John Hay, and Christ. Claes, to be Captains of Troops of Horse: And that the Committee of both Kingdoms do grant their Commissions accordingly.

Ordered, That Three hundred Pounds per Week be charged upon the Excise, for the Maintenance of Six hundred Foot, and One hundred and Twenty Dragoons, for the Isle of Ely, and the Garison of Croyland.

Sir Anthony Irby to bring in an Ordinance to that Purpose.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve, That there be Fortifications made about the Church of Croyland: And that Four hundred Pounds be provided for the Making of these Fortifications, and for a Month's Pay of the Arrears of the Fifth, and Twentieth-Part of Lincolnshire, and other Monies, in the Hands of the Receivers thereof in that County: And Mr. Weaver is hereby commanded to deliver in his Books and Accompts to the Committee of the Association.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Mr. Page;

That the Lords have returned the Ordinance for Martial Law for Kent; and the Ordinance for settling a Ministry in the North; and the Vote for the City of London to present a Lieutenant for the Tower of London; with several Additions and Alterations: They moved first from this House: And the Lords have agreed . . them with those Alterations and Additions; and do desire the Concurrence of this House in them.

They likewise sent down a Letter from Mr. Legge, the Governor of Oxford, with another Letter in it from Prince Rupert, and directed to the Earl of Essex; which they desire may be taken into Consideration.

The several Amendments in the Ordinance for Martial Law in Kent; in the Ordinance for settling a Ministry in the North; and the Alterations in the Vote concerning the Lieutenant in the Tower; were all of them read; and assented unto.

Ordered, &c. by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council of the City of London, do present the Name of a fit Person, to both Houses of Parliament, to be Lieutenant of the Tower of London; that thereupon the Houses may take the same into Consideration.

The Letter from Mr. Legge, of the 19th of April 1645, from Oxford, with the inclosed from Prince Rupert, of the 15th of April 1645, were this Day read; and thereupon ordered to be referred to the Committee appointed to prepare the Declaration upon the Proceedings of the Treaty; to consider, What is fit to be done upon the same.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That the House hath considered of their Lordships Message: And, as to the Amendments and Alterations in the Ordinance for Martial Law in Kent; the Ordinance for settling a Ministry in the North; and the Vote touching the Lieutenant of the Tower; this House do agree: And, as to the Letters from Mr. Legge, and Prince Rupert; the House hath taken them into Consideration.

The Propositions and Offers of Mr. John Davies, for Supply of the Scotts Army, were this Day read, in hæc verba; viz.

Whereas there is demanded, for the Use of the Scottish Army in Ireland, Sixteen thousand Bolls of Oatmeal, Seven thousand Cassocks and Breeches, Seven thousand Pair of Shoes, Seven thousand Pair of Stockings, Seven thousand Caps, and Four thousand Pounds-worth of Cloth, and other Necessaries, for the Officers:

Imprimis, I do offer to deliver, in Carrickfergus, upon mine own Adventure, by the last of July, Sixteen thousand Bolls of Oatmeal, at Fifteen Shillings per Boll; which amounts unto Twelve thousand Pounds.

2dly, I will ship away from London, by the last of May, and deliver at Carrickfergus, upon the Parliament's Adventure, Seven thousand Shirts, Stockings, Suits, Shoes, and Caps, as aforesaid, for Twenty-five Shillings a Suit, Shirt, Stockings, Shoes, and Cap; which amounts to Eight thousand Seven hundred and Fifty Pounds.

3dly, I will deliver, and ship away, as aforesaid, Four thousand Pounds-worth of Cloth, and other Necessaries, for the Officers, for a Peny in the Shilling Profit.

All which amounts to Twenty-four thousand Seven hundred and Fifty Pounds.

In Satisfaction whereof, I demand Three thousand Pounds, of Advance, within One Month; Three thousand Seven hundred and Fifty Pounds, within One Month after That: And the other Eighteen thousand Pounds, that remains, I am content to receive it out of the Ordinance of the Sixteenth of October last for Ireland, after the Eighty thousand Pounds paid: Provided always, That I may receive Satisfaction for the Money due unto me these Two Years past, and upwards, from the Parliament, on the Remain of the said Ordinance, after the Eighty and Eighteen thousand Pounds is paid; for Provisions delivered to the Scottish and Brittish Regiments in Ulster, by Direction of the Parliament, according to a Contract made with me by Mr. Nathanael Fiennes, Sir Philip Stapleton, and Mr. John Hampden; out of the said Ordinance; which amounts unto Nine thousand Forty-and-five Pounds, as appears by my Accompt made the Tenth of April 1643; and also One thousand and Five hundred Pounds, which I stand engaged to Mr. Beard, and One thousand Six hundred and Fifty Pounds to Mr. Browne, both of Cheapside; for which they received Warrants from the Parliament to receive their Monies from Guildhall, but have not received any of the same (the same Warrants being charged upon me, as received, in my Accompt): All which amounts unto Twelve thousand One hundred Ninety-and-five Pounds.

And if it shall so fall out, that I shall not receive Satisfaction for the said Eighteen thousand Pounds, and the Twelve thousand One hundred Ninety-and-five Pounds, in Part, or in All, out of the said Ordinance, within Six Months after the Delivery of the said Meal at Carrickfergus, and the Shipping of the said other Goods from hence; Certificate being returned of the same; then I humbly offer to your Lordships Consideration, to prescribe such a Course for my further Satisfaction, as you, in your Wisdoms, shall think fit.

All which being accepted of, and agreed unto, by your Lordships, and special Care being taken for the Levying and Bringing in of the said Monies upon the said Ordinance in all Places within the Parliament's Power, whereby I may be enabled to satisfy my Creditors; I will be ready, if your Lordships think fit, upon an Ordinance, in August or September next, to furnish Forty or Fifty thousand Pounds-worth of such Commodities as your Lordships shall direct, for the Service of Ireland.

John Davies.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of, and agree to, these Propositions, and the Contract and Bargain contained in these Propositions.

Sir Thomas Witherington reports the Answer of the Earl of Northumberland, touching the Pictures and Goods at Yorke-House, in hæc verba; viz.

1. That he conceived he had as good Interest in them, during the Lease of the House, as he had in any other Part of his Estate; but is resolved and contented to lay down all his Interest at the Command of the House of Commons) knowing the Necessity of the publick Affairs), though the Thing be never so inconvenient unto him; as this will be.

His Lordship desired;

1. In regard the taking away of the Pictures will make the House, in the principal Rooms of it, very unuseful for his Habitation; That the House of Commons would provide for the Payment of the Rent, during the Residue of the Term, which is Two Years and an half, and is Three hundred and Fifty Pounds per Annum; and that the same may be paid unto him in Hand, that he may lay it out upon his own Use, to make it habitable; and he will satisfy the Party to whom the Rent is assigned.

2. But, for the present, though his Lordship removes to St. James; yet, intending to keep the House in his Hand, as a Place of Retirement for himself, his Lady, and Children, upon Occasion; that little Stuff that remains, being of no considerable Value, may not be removed.

3. The State being indebted unto him Three hundred and Sixty Pounds, which should have been paid out of the Four hundred thousand Pounds Bill, and for which his Lordship hath an Order; That his Lordship may have some of the smaller Pictures, in Consideration of that Money, at such Rates as shall be thought fit by such Persons as shall be intrusted by the House of Commons in that Behalf.

4. Lastly, His Lordship desires, that the Pictures of the Duke of Buckingham, and of other Persons of that Family, may be left in the House, being of no Value.

Ordered, That Thanks be returned to the Earl of Northumberland: And that this House doth approve of these Propositions: And that it be referred to those that shall have the Care of the Sale of the Pictures in Yorke-House, to see them performed,

Sir Robert Harley, Mr. Gourdon, Sir John Clotworthy, Sir Thomas Widdrington, Sir Wm. Strickland, Sir Henry Cholmley, Mr. Recorder, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Blakiston, Sir John Evelyn junior, Mr. Francis Gerard, Sir Jo. Dreydon, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Cawley, Sir John Hippisly, Sir Wm. Constable, Mr. Dowse;

This Committee, or any Six of them, is appointed to view the Pictures in York-House; and to report to the House the Quality and Condition of them: They are to go this Afternoon at Two of Clock, upon this Service: And the Care of it is especially referred to Sir Robert Harley.

Sir Thomas Widdrington carried up to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Ordinance for punishing Soldiers imprested, deserting their Colours: The Order for Pistols and Carabines out of Haberdashers-Hall for Gloucester: The Vote for Colonel Whitchcott to be Governor of Windsore.

Ordered, That Three thousand Pounds shall be charged upon the Excise, to be paid in its Course, and employed for the Payment and satisfying the first Three thousand Pounds, to be advanced within a Month, upon the Contract made this Day with Mr. John Davies, for Furnishing of Commodities to Ireland: And Sir Henry Vane, Mr. Recorder, and Mr. Crew, are desired to employ their best Endeavour to procure this Money upon the Credit of the Excise; to be repaid out of the Excise, with Consideration of Eight per Cent. for the Forbearance.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee appointed to view the Pictures at York-House, to consider how the Three thousand Seven hundred and Fifty Pounds, appointed to be paid by Mr. John Davies, upon the Contract this Day made with him, may be paid and satisfied unto him at the Time limited in the Propositions of Mr. John Davies, this Day presented, and approved of.

Mr. Sollicitor and Mr. Recorder reported, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, the respective Petitions of divers Officers of the Scottish Nation: The which were read.

Resolved, &c. That there shall be a like Regard and Respect used to the Officers of the Scottish Nation, as to the English Officers that served in the respective Armies of the Parliament, and now go off: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Army where Mr. Scawen has the Chair, to consider of their Arrears of all the Officers of the Scottish Nation that served in the Armies of the Parliament, and now go off; and in particular of those Scottish Officers, whose Petitions were this Day delivered; and what Proportion of their respective Arrears is fit to be paid unto them for the present, according to the Qualities of their Employments, and their Occasions.

It is further Ordered, That the Consideration of the Arrears of Major-General Potley be likewise referred to this Committee, in the same manner as the Scotts Officers are: And they are to make a Report with all Speed.

Ordered, That it be referred to Mr. Tate and Mr. Rowse, to consider, What has been done by the House upon the Papers given in by the Scotts Commissioners touching the Matters of the Church; and likewise, What Progress the House has made in the Matters concerning the Church; and to report it to the House; that an Answer may be returned to the Scotts Commissioners.

Mr. Holles, Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Prydeaux, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Ashe, Sir Henry Vane, Mr. Recorder, Sir Walter Erle, Mr. Sollicitor, Mr. Bainton, Sir Henry Cholmley, Sir Wm. Alanson, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Mr. Blakiston, Mr. Alexander Bence, Sir Phil. Stapilton, Mr. Crew, Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Erle;

This Committee, or any Four of them, is appointed to view the several Papers given in by the Scotts Commissioners, that lie unanswered; and to state them to this House; and to report such Answers to them as they think fit: And have Power to confer with the Scotts Commissioners upon Occasion: And are to report on Saturday next: And are to meet To-morrow at Two of Clock in the Afternoon, in the Queen's-Court: And have Power to send for Parties and Witnesses: And the Care of it is particularly referred to Mr. Lisle and Mr. Whitelock.

And the humble Petition of the Masters and Owners of the Ships trading to Newcastle is referred to the Consideration of this Committee: And the Letters and Papers, from the Commissioners of both Kingdoms, directed to Mr. Speaker, Sir Henry Vane, Sir Thomas Widdrington, and Mr. Blakiston, yet unanswered, are likewise referred to the Consideration of this Committee.

Mr. Erle reports, from the Committee of the West, the Petitions of divers Officers and Commanders of the Scottish Nation, whose Names are thereto subscribed.

It is thereupon Ordered, That Four hundred Pounds be forthwith provided towards their Pay; and that Two hundred Pounds thereof shall be charged upon Haberdashers-Hall; and the other Two hundred Pounds upon the Revenue: And it is referred to the Committee of the West, to consider, What Pay is due unto them; and how to proportion this Money.

Ordered, That the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Counties of Downe and Antrim, in Ireland, be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to be taken into Consideration.