House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 31 December 1644

Die Martis, Decembris 31, 1644.

Prayers.

The humble Petition of divers of the Inhabitants of the County of Bucks of the Hundred of Stoke, and Parts adjoining, complaining of the Miseries they suffer by quartering Armies and Forces upon them, was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred and recommended to the Committee of both Kingdoms: And the Members of this House, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, are required to give an Account hereof to the House To-morrow Morning.

According to an Order Yesterday made, the House resumed the Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, concerning the Scotts Armies in England and Ireland; and concerning the English Army in the North; and resumed the Consideration of the Earl of Calendar's: And found, that as to their Desire of a Proportion of their Arrears to be forthwith provided, That Order was taken for the present Raising of Ten thousand Pounds upon the Credit of Excise, to be paid, upon Account, towards the Payment of their Arrears: And, as to their further Entertainment, they have referred it to the Committee of both Kingdoms; to consider how the Charge of the Armies may, in the best manner, be contracted, and the Kingdom better enabled to perform their Undertaking: And, as to the Reservation of the Assessment upon the Four most Northern Counties, the House has referred the Consideration thereof, till the Ascertaining of the Pay of my Lord Fairefaxe his Army come under their Consideration.

Concerning the Payment of the Thirty thousand Pounds due to the Army in Ireland, the House is informed, That Ten thousand Pounds, or thereabouts, is drawn upon the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall by Bills; and Mr. Jo. Ashe is appointed to give an Account of the certain Sum to the House. That Ten thousand Pounds in ready Money is now lately sent to the Scotts Army in Ireland.

And to the end that the Remainder of the said Thirty thousand Pounds may be the more speedily brought in, and the Four thousand Pounds [ (fn. 1) ] monthly more duly paid;

It is Ordered, That the Ordinance for removing and clearing the Obstructions in bringing in the Sequestrations be read, so soon as this Report shall be ended.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider, Whether, out of the Eighty thousand Pounds assigned by a late Ordinance for the Armies in Ireland, Five thousand Arms can be provided to be sent to the Scotts Army in Ireland.

Resolved, &c. That Three hundred Pair of Pistols, with Holsters and Furniture, be forthwith provided and furnished out of the publick Stores, to be sent to the Regiment of Horse with the Scotts Army in Ireland.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Lord Admiral, and the Committee of the Navy, to take care, that the Eight Ships, according to the Treaty, may be set forth and directed to guard the Northern Coasts of Scotland and Ireland: And, if there be any Obstructions in the Business, to represent them to the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Lord Admiral, and the Committee of the Navy, to give an Account to the House, Wherefore the Ships appointed for the Guard of the Northern Coasts, according to the Treaty, performed not their Duties upon those Coasts, but deserted their Posts, and came in contrary to Directions; and to represent unto the House where the Fault lay; and by whose Occasion the Difference happened.

Ordered, That it be referred to Sir Thomas Widdrington and Mr. Recorder, to prepare, and forthwith to bring in, an Ordinance for the Raising of Twenty-one thousand Pounds monthly, by a weekly Assessment upon the Counties, according to the Proportion of the Two Months weekly Assessments assessed by the Ordinance of Augusti 3 1643.

Ordered, That That Part of the Report concerning the Ascertaining of the Pay of the Lord Fairfax his Army, be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning peremptorily, the first Business: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.

Ordered, That in case the Lieutenant of the Tower have received any Order or Warrant from either of the Houses to reprieve the Execution of the Sentence given against Sir John Hotham, that he send forthwith a Copy of the said Order or Warrant to the House: And that he do forthwith attend the House (if with Safety he can), to give a further Account thereof.

Sir Rob. Pye is appointed to go to the Lords, to acquaint the Lords, That this House knows no Reason why Justice should not proceed against Sir John Hotham.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider, Whether, out of the Remainder of the Ordinance above the Eighty thousand Pounds, Six hundred Suits may be provided for the Troopers of the Regiments of Horse with the Scotts Army in Ireland; and Two Months Pay for the Officers of the said Regiment; and Twenty Shillings for each Trooper.