House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 2 April 1644

Die Martis, 2 Aprilis, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Articles against Batten.

RESOLVED, &c. That the Committee for the List of the Officers of the next Summer's Fleet, shall have Power to examine and consider of the Informations and Articles against Captain Batten, this Afternoon; and to report their Opinions To-morrow Morning.

Irish Affairs.

Mr. Trayle, who was employed into Ireland by the Committee of Adventurers, was called in to the Bar; and there informed the House, of the State of the British and Scotts Forces there; and of their good Affections to the Parliament of England; and their Inclinations to take the solemn League and Covenant; and their Disaffection and utter Dislike of the Cessation; and of any Peace that shall ensue thereupon.

Assessment for the Scotts.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, to bring in an Ordinance for imposing a Penalty upon such Assessors as refuse to assess the Monies within the City and Suburbs, upon the Ordinance of raising of Sixty-six thousand Six hundred Sixty-six Pounds Six Shillings and Eight-pence, for the Scotts.

Victory over Sir Ralph Hopton.

Sir Arth. Heselrig made a full Relation of the Passages of the Battle fought on Friday last, the Twenty-ninth of March 1644, between the Forces under the Command of Sir Wm. Waller, and those of Sir Ralph Hopton; and the great and wonderful Success it pleased God to give Sir Wm. Waller's Forces, in having a great and absolute Victory over all Sir Ralph Hopton's Forces, in totally routing, dispersing, and defeating of them.

Resolved, &c. That this Day Sevennight shall be appointed for a publick Thanksgiving, to be given to God in all Churches and Chapels within the Cities of London, Westminster, and Line of Communication, for the great Success it has pleased God to give the Parliament Forces under the Command of Sir Wm. Waller and Sir Wm. Balfore, over Sir Ralph Hopton's Forces; in totally routing and defeating of them.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Sir Rob. Harley is appointed to go to the Lords with this Message.

Exchange of Prisoners.

Resolved, &c. That Colonel Beard shall be forthwith committed Prisoner to the Lord Petre's House, for levying and being in actual War against the King, Parliament, and Kingdom.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Exchange of Colonel Beard, Prisoner to the Parliament, for Captain Hacker and Mr. Staneley, Prisoners to the King's Forces.

Prince Elector.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Robert Riche and Mr. Page;

That the Lords had commanded them to put you in Remembrance of the Desire of the Palsgrave, sent down from their Lordships some time since; and do conceive that his Carriage and Respect from the Parliament, doth desire much Favour; and that you will give him such Dispatch as you shall think fit.

Ordered, That, To-morrow Morning, the Business concerning the Prince Elector be reported, the first Business.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the Business and Affairs of Ireland, be resumed To-morrow Morning.

States Ambassadors.

Mr. Prideaux reports from the Committee, the Considerations upon the Matter of the late Conference, touching the Reference of the Paper from the States Ambassadors. And

It is Ordered, That this Report be re-committed, and resumed To-morrow Morning.

Earl of Nottingham, &c.

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

The Lords desire to put this House in mind of the Ordinance formerly sent down from their Lordships, concerning the Earl of Nottingham; and likewise of an Ordinance concerning the Countess of Exon's Chaplain; and to take it into a speedy Consideration for a Dispatch.

Ordered, That the Ordinances concerning the Earl of Nottingham; and concerning the Countess of Exon's Chaplain; be taken into Consideration on Thursday Morning next.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and have appointed a speedy Day for taking into Consideration the Ordinances mentioned in their Lordships Message.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Nicoll brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Ordinance for Five thousand Pounds for Sir Wm. Waller; and the Ordinance for Forty Pounds to the Scouts.

Scotts Army.

A Letter from the Committee residing with the Scottish Army, from Sunderland, of the Twenty-seventh of March; relating to the State of the Affairs of the Army, and their Proceedings; was this Day read.

Mr. Bowles was called in, who brought the said Letter; and informed the House, by Word of Mouth, at large, of the Condition and State of the Scotts Army, and their Marches and Proceedings.

Ordered, That the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall do meet this Afternoon, to make Provision of Necessaries to be sent unto our Brethren of Scotland.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider of some Course, for the better and easier opening and enlarging the Quarters of the Scottish Army, in the Northern Counties.

Ordered, That my Lord Admiral be desired to give some Directions, that a Convoy of Ships may be appointed to convoy the Ships that carry Provisions to our Brethren the Scotts; and trade, from thence, for Coal.

Loan from Long.

Ordered, That Colonel Long be repaid the Five hundred Pounds he advances, by way of Loan, for the Pay of the City Forces with Sir Wm. Waller, out of the First Monies that shall come in to the Committee of Revenue: And the Committee of the Revenue is ordered to pay the same accordingly.

Money for Army.

An Ordinance for assuring the Re-payment of such Monies, with Interest, as shall be subscribed and advanced by any well-affected Persons, for the speedy raising of a new Supply of Forces of Horse and Foot, out of the City, out of the Excise, a Twelve-month hence, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, by Vote upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Recorder and Mr. Prideaux: And they are to bring it in To-morrow Morning peremptorily: