Die Veneris, Aprilis 4, 1645.

Prayers.

Upon a Report, from the Committee of absent Members, of the Case of Mr. F. Gerard, a Member of this House;

It is Resolved, &c. That Mr. F. Gerard be forthwith admitted to take his Place as a Member in this House.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Three Associated Counties of Oxon, Bucks, and Berks, do meet this Afternoon: And that it be referred to the Consideration of this Committee, forthwith to recruit the Troop of Horse of Captain James, and now belonging to the Garison of Abingdon now at Marloe; and to send them to Abingdon furnished and armed.

The House being informed, That divers Gentlemen of the County of Sussex were at the Door, desirous to prefer a Petition to the House;

They were called in; and did prefer a Petition concerning Mr. Middleton, a Member of this House, with Articles annexed: And

It is Ordered, That Mr. Cawley do write to Mr. Middleton, and acquaint him herewith; and tell him, That the House requires his Attendance here.

The House being informed, That divers, Gentlemen of the County of Huntingdon were at the Door, desirous to prefer a Petition to the House;

They were called in; and did prefer a Petition for the Election of another Knight, in the Place of Sir Sydney Mountague, formerly chosen Knight for that County, and since deceased: The which Petition was read: And

It is Ordered, That this Petition, and all other of the like Nature, be taken into Consideration on Tuesday come Sevennight, peremptorily, the first Business; and that no other Business intervene: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind of this Order.

Whereas John Stiles, Harwey Conway, Rich. Clough, Peter Everett, and their Substitutes, are employed for the Buying and Providing of Horses for the Service of the State: It is this Day Ordered, by the Commons, in Parliament assembled, That no other Chapman whatsoever, for the Space of a Month, presume to buy any Horses, fit for the Service of War, to sell again.

Ordered, That Mr. Ashe do earnestly press the Commissioners of Excise forthwith to furnish Two thousand Pounds, to be employed as a Forthnight's Pay to those Horse of my Lord General's, who came in, and submitted to the Declaration of the Parliament.

Mr. Reynolds carried up to the Lords, besides the Messages appointed him Yesterday by Order, the Order for One hundred Pounds to Colonel Barclay, and Fifty Pounds to Adjutant Flemming, out of Haberdashers-Hall; the Ordinance for pressing Men, Watermen, and Barges.

Ordered, That the Members of the Seven Associated Counties do meet this Afternoon, to provide Two thousand Pounds for their Regiments at Abingdon, according to the Order Yesterday made.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms forthwith to give Order, That what Drakes, or other Pieces of Ordnance, may be spared at Windesore, may be speedily sent to Abingdon.

Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the Ordinance, and other Officers, do forthwith, out of the publick Stores, furnish a Mortar-piece, and all Materials requisite for the Service of a Fireworker for Abingdon; and likewise Shovels, Spades, Pickaxes, and Iron Crows, for the Service of the Garison of Abingdon.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Army where Mr. Scawen has the Chair, shall have Power to issue Warrants for delivering of Cloaths, Arms, and Ammunition, for Supply of Sir Tho. Fairefaxe's Army.

Ordered, That the Committee of the several Counties of the Association at Cambridge shall continue and meet there, and have such Allowances for their Attendance on the Service of the Parliament, as shall be thought fit by the Committee of the Association: And that a Letter be writ to them for that Purpose: Sir Dudley North is appointed to bring in the Letter.

Ordered, That the Committee of Association do meet this Afternoon, to consider what Allowances shall be fit to be allowed to the Committee of Association sitting at Cambridge, and to the respective Committees in the several Counties, for their Attendance on the Service of the Parliament: And that they likewise take into their Consideration the Maintenance of the Castle of Cambridge; and to report the same To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall be desired to use their best Diligence in expenditing the Ten thousand Pounds, Remainder of the Forty thousand Pounds formerly assigned to the Earl of Levens and the Earl of Calender's Armies, and the Arms and Ammunition for those Armies: And that they do take care to spread the Ordinances for raising the monthly Twenty-one thousand Pounds for the Earl of Leven's Army.

Ordered, That the Committee of both Kingdoms do earnestly press the Scotts Commissioners, that their Army may speedily advance, according to former Desires and Directions, there being effectual Care taken for the providing and furnishing the Monies in Arrear assigned to their Army; and likewise the Arms and Ammunition desired.

Mr. Reynolds brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Letter to be sent to Prince Rupert; and to the other Orders carried up by him; except That for pressing Men, Watermen, and Barges; to which they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordered, That Two thousand Pounds of the Three thousand Pounds, formerly assigned for the Service of the Forces of Lancashire, and no more, be paid to the Commissioners of Excise, according to former Order, to Mr. James Wainewright, to be sent into Lancashire, and paid proportionable to the Forces upon Service: And Sir Ralph Ashton. Mr. Righy, and Mr. Ashurst, are to call upon the Commissioners of the Excise for this Money.

Ordered, That the several Ordinances for discharging of Delinquents Estates, upon their Compositions with the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall, be peremptorily read the first Business on Monday Morning.

Ordered, That Mr. Pine's Business be heard on Wednesday next.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Finch and Doctor Heath;

The Lords desire a present Conference in the Painted Chamber, by Committees of both Houses, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, concerning the Ordinance for discharging the Members of both Houses from their Offices.

They likewise desire, That, at this Conference, they may say something in Answer to the Declaration of this House concerning the Privileges of the Peers.

They long since; in December last, received an Ordinance for seizing some Monies of Mr. Coryton's: To which they do agree, with some Amendments, returned with this Ordinance.

They have likewise received an Ordinance concerning Pressing: To which they do agree, with one Proviso.

They formerly received a Petition of Captain Kettleby, and recommended it to the Consideration of this House: And do desire to put the House in mind of it.

The Amendments to the Ordinance for Mr. Coryton's Monies were read; and assented unto, upon the Question.

The Proviso to the Ordinance for Pressing was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Captain Kettlebye's Petition was read:

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to examine the Truth of the Petition; and to state to the House the whole Matter concerning Captain Kettleby: And that, in the mean time, they pay him Fifty Pounds for his present Support.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House hath considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Conference, as is desired; to the Amendments to the Ordinance for seizing some Monies of Mr. Coriton's; to the Proviso to the Ordinance concerning Pressing.

Sir Arthur Heselridge, Mr. Pierpoint, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Reynolds, and Sir John Eveling, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Mr. Pierpoint and Sir John Eveling report, from the Conference, divers Papers, delivered by the Lords: The which were read; and ordered to be taken into Consideration on Monday Morning next.

"The Lords have passed the Ordinance, sent up by you, for discharging the Members of both Houses from all Offices, both Military and Civil, without any Addition or Alteration. To prevent Delays, this Ordinance being passed, the Lords think it fit to propound, that those Places in the Kingdom, which usually heretofore the Nobility have been intrusted with, as the Great Seal, That of the Revenue, and the Admiralty and Navy, being now managed by Committees, those Committees may consist of Members of both Houses, as the Power they exercise is derived from both: To this End, they desire, that the Great Seal may be continued in the Hands of those Lords and Commons who are now intrusted with it; that a proportionable Number of Lords may be added to the Committee for the Revenue; that the Admiralty and Navy may be settled in a Committee of Lords and Commons, chosen for that Purpose; and lastly, that this may be done by Ordinance of Parliament; such Ordinance to continue for Six Months."

"The Lords are of Opinion, That this Ordinance for discharging the Members of both Houses from all Offices, both Military and Civil, or any thing therein contained, doth not lessen or take away the Powers granted to the Earl of Manchester by the Ordinance of the 22th of January 1643, intituled, "An Ordinance for regulating the University of Cambridge, and for Removing of scandalous Ministers in the Seven Associated Counties."

The Lords, taking into Consideration the seasonable and acceptable Declaration which the House of Commons lately made with respect unto the Peers, have thought fit to let you know, That, notwithstanding some Discourses which passed frequently about this Town, they could never suspect, that the House of Commons, composed of so many Gentlemen of ancient Families, would do any Act to prejudice the Nobility of England: So as, upon the Assurances which you have given them by this Declaration, they do rest fully satisfied of the House of Commons real Intentions to maintain the Rights, Privileges, and Honour, belonging to the Places and Persons of the Peers: Which doth not only encourage them chearfully to join with you in hazarding their Lands and Fortunes for the carrying on of this common Cause, wherein both Houses, and the whole Kingdom, are now so deeply engaged, put will, by the Blessing of God, prove the most effectual and certain Means, so firmly to unite the Houses, and settle so perfect an Understanding between them, as shall frustrate the Endeavours of all those who seek to misinform, asperse, or divide, the Houses; and may, probably, soonest deliver the Kingdom from the Miseries which they suffer by this unnatural War. And the Lords do desire the House of Commons to be assured, that they will be as tender of any thing that concerns the House of Commons, as they can be of their own Honour, and just Rights.

IT is this Day Ordained and Declared, by the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, That the respective Committees of the Militia of London and Middlesex, and of the neighbour Counties, and their Sub-Committees, shall have Power, and are hereby required and authorized, to enter into any House or Place, where they suspect any Person or Persons, fit to be imprested for the present Service, are hid or harboured; and to imprest every such Person and Persons, according to the Limitations of the Ordinances for Impresting of Men: And further, the said Lords and Commons do hereby likewise Ordian and Declare, That the Eight Rulers of the Watermen, or any Two of them, shall have Power, and are hereby also authorized and required, to imprest so many Watermen and Barges as shall be by the said several Committees, and their Sub-Committees, thought necessary, for conveying and carrying such Soldiers as shall be imprested for the present Service from London to Maydenhead; allowing to every such Waterman or Bargeman as shall be so imprested and employed in this Service, the Sum of Five Shillings for his Voyage or Freight from London to Maydenhead, and back again. Provided always, that neither this Ordinance, nor any thing therein contained, shall extend to the entering into any House, or other Place, in the Possession of any Peer of this Realm, or any Member, Assistant, or Attendant, of or on either House of Parliament; any thing herein contained to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding.