House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 20 May 1648

Die Sabbati, 20 Maii, 1648.

Prayers.

Soldiers in the Tower.

A LETTER from the General, from Windsore, of 19 Maii 1648, touching the Lieutenant of the Tower, the Officers and Soldiers under his Command, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That the Six thousand Pounds, assigned by Ordinance of Parliament to be paid unto the Lieutenant of the Tower, out of Haberdashers Hall, be transferred and assigned over to the Treasurers at War: And that an Ordinance of Parliament be brought in, to that Purpose, by the Committee of the Army.

It is further Ordered, That this Letter from the General be referred to the Committee of the Army.

Affairs in Surry.

Resolved, &c. That the Gentlemen that serve for the County of Surry, and those Gentlemen, Members of this House, that dwell in the County of Surry, be desired to go down into the County of Surry.

Sir Richard Onslowe reports some Instructions for some Gentlemen to be appointed to go into the County of Surry: The which were read; and, upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Swinfen, Mr. Tate, Mr. Boys, Sir John Evelyn, Sir Richard Annesley, Mr. Drake, Mr. Weaver; or any Three of them: Who are presently to withdraw upon it.

Leave of Absence.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Henry Herbert, Mr. Boone, and Colonel Morley, shall have Leave to go into the Country.

The Question being put, That Mr. Lisle shall have Leave to go into the Country;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Affirmative.

Affairs in Wales.

A Letter from Lieutenant General Cromwell, of the Fifteenth Maii 1648, from Cardiffe; with some intercepted Letters inclosed; and a Declaration, in the Name of the Gentlemen and Inhabitants of Wales; were all this Day read.

A Letter from Captain Wogan, from Bridge End, of the Thirteenth of May 1648; with Papers inclosed, of the Names of such Officers as came off from Langharne to Colonel Horton: A Note of Gentlemen to be Committees of the Militia and Sequestrations in the Counties of Carmarthen and Pembrokesheire, of Persons to be Committees in the County of Cardigan.

Resolved, &c. That the Powder, Ammunition, Arms, Guns, and Shot, desired by Lieutenant General Cromwell in his Letters to the Committee at Derby House, and the Committee of the Army, be forthwith provided, and sent to him by Sea: And that it be referred to the Committee of the Army, the Committee of the Navy, and Committee of Stores, to provide all such Arms, Ammunition, and Guns, &c. accordingly: And that the Committee of the Admiralty do take care, and give Order, that these Provisions and Supplies may be conveyed by Shipping.

Resolved, &c. That the Advantage and Benefit that shall be made by the Sequestration or Sale of the Estates of those Persons that have engaged in the late Action against the Parliament Forces in South Wales and Monmouthsheire, shall be applied to the Service and Pay of the Army: And that it be referred to the Committee of the Army to prepare and bring in an Ordinance, whereby those Estates may be sequestered, sold, and disposed, to the best Advantage, for these Uses; with the Names of such Persons as they think fit to be intrusted in this Service.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to make Provision and Supply of present Monies and Shoes, for the Brigade in South Wales: And that, on Monday Morning next, the Committee of the Army do make Report of such Obstructions as they meet with in the Bringing in of Monies for the Army, and of such Remedies as they shall think fit to offer for Removal of such Obstructions.

Ordered, That the Officers and Soldiers, that drew off from Langharne, and came in to Colonel Horton, be paid in like manner, by the Committee of the Army, as other the Supernumeraries that are disbanded, and their Arrears secured.

Publick Stores.

Ordered, That, on Monday Morning next, Sir Walter Erle do make Report concerning Ammunition, and the publick Stores.

Militia.

Ordered, That, on Monday Morning next, the House do proceed with the Ordinance for settling the Militia of the Kingdom, the first Business.

Affairs in Surry.

Mr. Swynfen reports from the Committee, Instructions for the Gentlemen that are appointed to go into the County of Surry: The which were read; and, upon the Question, assented unto, and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Sir Richard Onslowe is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

And they were in hæc verba; viz.

Instructions for such Lords, and Members of the House of Commons, as shall be sent into the County of Surry.

THAT the Earl of Northumberland be desired to go suddenly down, with such other Gentlemen as the House shall please to nominate into the County of Surry.

That they use their Endeavours, by the best Ways and Means as they shall think fit, to inform the County of Surry of the undue Manner of delivering a Petition to the Houses, on Tuesday last, by many of the Inhabitants thereof; and of the great Disorders that was amongst the Petitioners, by tumultuous Shoutings, whilst the Houses were in Consideration of the Petition; to the drawing together many disaffected Persons in and about Westminster, to the Danger and Interruption of the peaceable Sitting of the Houses.

That the House cannot attribute those Disorders to that County; but do retain in Memory their many faithful Services and good Affections expressed to the Parliament; and doubt not but those Distempers that fell out were contrary to the Desires and Liking of that County.

That they inform the Inhabitants of that County, That the Houses of Parliament intend not to hinder their presenting of Petitions in a due and fitting Way; but shall be ready to give all Encouragement and Answers thereunto, for the Satisfaction of their just Desires.

That the Houses are upon the present Consideration of Matters of most weighty Concernment, to the Settlement of the Kingdom in a safe and happy Peace; and expect to be free from tumultuous Interruptions therein.

That the Houses have ordered the restoring such Horses as were taken away from divers of the Petitioners, that behaved themselves in a peaceable Manner at that Time: And they shall take care that the whole Business be duly examined; and that all Witnesses be freely heard; and that no Misrepresentations may be made thereof, in the mean time.

Parliament Guards.

A Letter from the General, touching the Guards at the Mewes, from Windsore, of the 19 Maii, 1648, was this Day read.

Ordered, That Colonel Rich, that commanded the Regiment of Horse at the Mewes, do forthwith bring back that Regiment to the Mewes, to continue there as formerly, until this House shall take other Order.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army do give Information to the General, of the Reasons and Grounds of this Order.

Ordered, That Major General Phillipp Skippon do use his best Endeavours, that there may be a good Understanding and Correspondence held, between the Forces under his Command, and the Guards at the Mewes and Whitehall, for the Safety and Defence of the Parliament and City, and mutual Defence and Preservation of themselves.

Colonel Harvey and Colonel Venne are appointed to acquaint Major General Phillipp Skippon with this Order.

Sir I. Sedley.

Ordered, That the Information given in to the House, by a Member thereof, concerning Sir Isaack Sedley be referred to the Examination and Consideration of the Committee at Derby House.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Isaacke Sedley be forthwith sent for in safe Custody, to answer such Matters as shall be objected against him.

Tumultuary Petitioning.

Mr. Swinfen, Mr. John Stephens, Mr. Boys;

This Committee is appointed to prepare and bring in, forthwith, an Ordinance for the Preventing of tumultuous Assemblings and Meetings, and of tumultuary Petitioning; with an Assertion of the Subjects Liberty to petition in a due Manner.

Lords to sit.

Sir Thomas Dacres is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire them to sit awhile.

Treaty with the King.

Resolved, &c. That, upon Wednesday Morning next, the House do debate, Whether they will have a Treaty with the King; and, Upon what Terms.

Answer of Common Council.

Mr. Annesley reports the Substance of what was returned in Answer by the Common Council, Yesterday, to the Committee of Lords and Commons that was with them Yesterday, by Order of the Houses; viz.

That they did acknowledge, with all Thankfulness, the great Pains and Care of the Parliament for them: That their Resolutions were constant, to remain firmly conjoined in Opposition to the common Enemy, who watch for their Ruin: That they look upon the News the Committee brought them, as Light breaking through the Clouds: And that they do resolve, in pursuance of the Solemn League and Covenant, to live and die with the Parliament.

Expences of the King's Children.

Mr. Erle reports the Conference had with the Lords, touching the King's Children: That the Earl of Northumberland had represented to the Lords the Inconveniency he is always put upon, by laying out of his own Purse great Sums of Money, for Supply of the King's Childrens Occasions; and, in the Condition that his Estate now is, the Impossibility for him to do the like for the future: Desires, That what is in Arrear unto him may forthwith be paid; that such Monies as are, or shall be, allowed, for their Expences, be so assigned, that the Payment may be certain; or else, that the Houses would consider, How otherwise to provide for and dispose of the Children.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Revenue do take Order, That what is in Arrear to the Earl of Northumberland, for the Expences of the King's Children, be forthwith paid.

Ordered, That such Monies as are, or shall be, allowed, for the Expences of the King's Children, be assigned and charged upon particular Receipts of some of the Receivers of the King's Revenue: And that Mr. Scawen do prepare and bring in an Ordinance to this Purpose.

Ordered, That on Tuesday Morning next Mr. Bond do make Report concerning the Duke of Gloucester.

Excise Commissioners.

An Ordinance for Discharge of the Commissioners of Excise, for the Year 1645, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Sir Robert Pye is appointed to carry it to the Lords.

Tumultuary Petitioning.

Mr. John Stephens reports from the Committee, an Ordinance for preventing all tumultuary Meeting and Petitionings: The which was read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Mr. John Stephens immediately carried it to the Lords.

Prisoners taken in Wales.

A Letter from Lieutenant General Cromwell, to the Committee at Derby House, for Cardiff, of 15Maii, 1648, was this Day read: Wherein, amongst other things, he expresses the several Conditions of the Prisoners taken at the late Fight in South Wales; and their Intentions to try some of them by a Council of War; believing the Parliament will approve thereof.

Resolved, &c. That such of the Prisoners taken at the late Fight in South Wales, as are fit to be tried by a Council of War, be left to be so tried.

Excise.

Whereas the Receipts of divers Rates of Excise and New Imposts, set and imposed by Three several Ordinances of the Lords and Commons, assembled; that is to say, the First of the said Ordinances commencing the Eleventh of September, which was in the Year of our Lord God, 1643, and is commonly called the Grand Excise; the Second of the said Ordinances, bearing Date the Ninth Day of January in the said Year 1643; and the Third of the said Ordinances bearing Date the Eighth

Excise.

Day of July, which was in the Year of our Lord God 1644; to have Continuance for One whole Year, from the Time of the Commencement of the said Three several Ordinances respectively; have sithence, by several other Ordinances of the said Lords and Commons, been continued in the Hands, and under the Regulation, Order, and Government of the Commissioners, in the said first recited Ordinance, of the Eleventh of September 1643, named and appointed, and the Survivors of them; in such Manner, and during such Time, as in and by the several Ordinances passed, for their Continuance, accordingly, is expressed: And whereas by One other Ordinance of the said Lords and Commons, bearing Date the Fourth Day of October, which was in the Year of our Lord God 1645, it is ordered and appointed, That all and every the Accompts of the said Excise and New Impost should then all determine upon the Twenty-ninth Day of September 1645; and afterwards Quarterly, upon the Four usual Feast Days, or Terms of the Year; as by the said recited Ordinance, relation being thereunto had, more fully may appear: And whereas, in pursuance thereof, the Accompts of John Towse Esquire, and late Alderman of the City of London, deceased, Thomas Foote, John Kendrick, Thomas Cullum, and Symond Edmonds, Esquires, and Aldermen of the said City; John Lamott, and Edward Claxton, of the same, Esquires; Chief Commissioners and Governors, as aforesaid, of all and every the said Receipts for One whole Year, and Eighteen Days, ending the Twenty-ninth of September 1645, upon the said Ordinance of the Eleventh of September 1643; and for One whole Year and Half, and Eighty-two Days, begun the Ninth of January 1643, and ending the Twenty-ninth of September 1645, upon the said Ordinance of the Ninth of January 1643; and for One whole Year, and Eighty-one Days, ended the Twenty-ninth of September 1645, upon the said Ordinance of the Eighth of July 1644; have been duly audited, examined, and pricked over, with the Vouchers, Entries, and Books of Accompts thereof, in the several Offices throughout the Kingdom, by Wm. Bond Esquire, sole Auditor of the said Receipts, in that Behalf appointed, according to the Directions prescribed in and by several Ordinances of Parliament: Which said Accompts have been likewise presented; by the said Auditor, unto the Committee of Lords and Commons for regulating the Excise; and by them considered of, examined, and allowed: Be it therefore Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the Heirs and Executors of the said John Towse, deceased, and also that the said Thomas Foote, John Kendrick, Thomas Cullam, Simon Edmonds, John Lamott, and Edward Claxton, surviving Commissioners of the Excise, and every of them, their and every of their Heirs, Executors and Administrators respectively, hereby now are, and from time to time, and at all times, for ever hereafter, by Authority of Parliament, shall be saved harmless, and defended, for and concerning all and every Act and Acts whatsoever, by them, or any of them, or by their, or any of their Sub Commissioners, Deputies, or Under Officers whatsoever, by their Direction, or any of them, done or executed in or concerning the Collecting of the said Rates of Excise and New Impost, or in or concerning the Ordering and Governing thereof: And that the Heirs and Executors of the said John Towse, deceased, and also of the said Thomas Foot, John Kendrick, Thomas Cullum, Simon Edmonds, John Lamott, and Edward Claxton, and every of them, their Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, respectively, are, and hereby for ever hereafter shall be, acquitted and discharged of and from all Receipts, Payments, Reckonings, Accompts, Questions, and Demands whatsoever, of, for, touching, and concerning the said Three several Ordinances of Parliament herein first recited, for the several Terms before specified respectively, ending the Twenty-ninth of September 1645. And lastly, Be it Ordained, by Authority aforesaid, That the said Thomas Foote, John Kendrick, Thomas Cullum, Symon Edmonds, John Lamott, and Edward Claxton, and every of them, their Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, are, and shall be, liable for such Sums of Money, of the Debts and Surcharges set over, insuper, upon the Sub Commissioners and Debtors, in the said Accompts named; and for all such other Sums of Money due for Excise, by virtue of the said several Ordinances, until the said Twentyninth Day of September 1645, before mentioned, as already have, or hereafter shall, come to their or any of their Hands; and no more.