House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 6 March 1649

Die Martis, 6 Martii, 1648.

Civilians.

ORDERED, That it be specially recommended to the Committee for bringing in the Arrears, to take Consideration touching the taxing of the Civilians, for their Chambers in the Doctors Commons, How they may be eased, and taken off, for the Time past, and to come; and give Account thereof to the House.

Transactions with Holland.

A Letter from Mr. Walter Strickland, from the Hague, was this Day read.

Another Letter from Mr. Walter Strickland, from the Hague, of 21 Februarii 1649, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the said Letters, and the Petition of the Dutch Merchants of the Intercourse, dwelling in London, be referred to the Council of State; to examine the Business; and report to the House, What they think fit to be done therein; and, if they find Cause, to make a Stop of it accordingly, in the mean time; and likewise, upon Consideration of the said Letters, to endeavour that a good Correspondency, and nearer Union, may be effected and preserved between the Two States.

Westminster Militia.

Ordered, That the Acts concerning the Militia of the City of Westminster, and the Out Parts, be read on Friday next.

Proceedings against Cawton.

Sir William Masham reports from the Council of State, That Mr. Thomas Cawton being convented before the said Council for Treason, divulged by him in his Prayer before his Sermon before the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, at Mercers Chapel, 25 February 1648, and other Expressions in his Sermon, tending to Sedition; upon several Informations against him, he was, by the Council of State, committed to the Gatehouse.

The several Informations of Robert Bradley, Sir John Wollaston Knight, Alderman Fooke, and Alderman Aveny, touching the said Mr. Thomas Cawton, were this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That the said Thomas Cawton be left to be tried at Law, upon the Act of this present Parliament, called, An Act prohibiting the Proclaiming of any Person to be King of England, or Ireland, or the Dominions thereof.

Resolved, &c. That the said Tryal of the said Mr. Cawton be had in the Upper Bench.

Ordered, That Mr. Steele and Mr. Cooke be hereby authorized to prosecute the Tryal of the said Thomas Cawton, in the Upper Bench, upon the Act aforesaid.

Syon College.

Ordered, That Dr. Burges, Mr. Walker, or such other Person as hath in his or their Custody, the Charter or Letters Patents of Syon College, be required to bring the same to this House, on Friday next.

Irish Affairs.

Mr. Scott reports from the Council of State, a Contract heretofore made by the late Committee for Irishe Affairs at Derby House, with Colonel Tothill, for his Regiment of Foot to be sent for Ireland.

Ordered, That the Council of State shall have Power to perfect and finish the Contract made with Colonel Tothill touching his Regiment to be sent into Ireland: And that the Power which the Committee for Irish Affairs at Darby House had, be transferred to the said Council of State: Who are hereby impowered to act, and exercise the like Power in this and like Cases.

Army.

Mr. Scott reports from the Council of State, a Particular of the Forces now in being in England and Wales, of Horse and Foot 44,373; besides those fit presently to be disbanded, being 2,500:

That it is necessary to have so many kept up for the Service of England and Ireland:

That, of this Number, 12,000 Horse and Foot to be sent to Ireland:

Resolved, &c. That this House, having considered of the Necessity of securing Barwick, Carlisle, and the other new Garisons, doth think fit, that, out of the Forces now in being in England and Wales, there shall be an Addition of Four thousand Foot to the Forces, within the last Establishment.

Resolved, &c. That, out of the Forces now in being in England and Wales, there shall be likewise added to the same Establishment Twelve thousand Horse, Foot, and Dragoons, to be forthwith sent into Ireland:

Resolved, &c. That the Residue of the Forces in England and Wales, that are not comprehended within the Numbers thus established, shall be speedily disbanded.

Ordered, That the Debate about the Raising of Money for Payment of these Forces, be taken up To-morrow Morning.

Ditto.

Lieutenant General Cromwell reports from the Council of State, That they think fit there should be an Addition of Money for disbanding the Forces under Colonel Shuttleworth.

Invalid Soldiers.

Ordered, That Mr. Holland and Mr. Allen be desired to go to Goldsmiths Hall, and require the Treasurers there to make present Payment of the Three thousand Pounds ordered to the sick and maimed Soldiers, according to the Order made in that Behalf; and, in case of the said Treasurers Refusal, then to give an Account thereof to the House To-morrow Morning; that this House may take Course for raising the said Monies, by putting in new Treasurers, or otherwise, as the House shall think fit.