Die Jovis, 4 Septembris, 1645.

Prayers.

REsolved, &c. That Five hundred Musquets, with their Furniture, and Twenty Barrels of Powder, be forthwith furnished, out of the publick Stores, for the Service of the Town of Newcastle: And that so much Money as shall refurnish the publick Stores with Twenty Barrels of Powder, shall be charged upon the Excise, and paid in its Course: And that these Arms and Powder be delivered unto John Blakiston Esquire, or to such as he shall appoint to receive the same, for the Use of the Town of Newcastle, as aforesaid.

Ordered, That the Militia of the Borough of Southwarke, and the several Commanders and Officers there, do draw forth One hundred Foot, and presently send them towards Basing, to be under the Command of Colonel Dalbyer; and, if any shall refuse to march accordingly, the Militia of the Borough, and the several Officers, do inflict such Punishments as formerly they have done in the like Case.

An Ordinance for raising Relief for the Town and County of Leicester, by way of charitable and voluntary Benevolence, in and throughout all England, and the Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick, excepting the Counties of the Western Association, was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Wheeler, Sir Arthur Heselrigge, Mr. Tate, Mr. Bond, Sir Thomas Widdrington, Mr. Long, Sir Martin Lister, Mr. Ashurst, Mr. Thomas Sanydys, Sir Robert Pye, Mr. Ellys, Mr. Erle, Sir Philip Stapleton, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Rose, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Blakiston, Mr. Rolle, Mr. Lisle, Colonel Ashton, Mr. Millington, Sir Edmund Fowell, Mr. Holland, Sir Edw. Aiscough, Sir Wm. Massam, Sir John Franklyn, Sir Thomas Dacres, Sir John Wray, Sir Samuel Rolle, Colonel Moore, Mr. Hill, Mr. Rolle, Mr. Whittacre: And are to meet this Afternoon at Two of the Clock, in the Exchequer-Chamber.

Mr. Wallop reports, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, the Opinion of the Committee concerning free Trade; and the Desire of that Committee, that this their Opinion might be referred to a Committee, the which may be appointed to confer with such of the Common-Council of London as shall be appointed, about this Business: The which was read: And

It is Ordered, upon the Question, That an Ordinance be brought in upon the Votes in this Report; and presented to the House, to be debated, on Tuesday next.

Mr. Greene is appointed to prepare and bring in this Ordinance accordingly.

Mr. Wallop further reported a Petition from the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston in the County of Lincolne.

Ordered, That the Mayor and Burgesses of the Borough of Boston in the County of Lincolne shall have the Estates of Sir Gervas Scrope Knight, and Mr. John Oldfield, in that County; and are hereby authorized to lett and dispose thereof, for the best Advantage, upon Account, until the Sum of Two thousand Pounds shall be raised out of the said Estates for the Relief of the said Borough, and for the Maintaining, Repairing, and Perfecting, of the Works and Fortifications at and about the said Borough or Town, according to the Desires of their said Petition.

He further reported, a Letter from Rabbicot, in Cumberland, of 12 Augusti 1645, from Colonel Sir John Browne to the Lord Balmerinoth, one of the Scotts Commissioners at London; also a Paper from the Scotts Commissioners here, of 22 Augusti 1645: Which were read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee, to whom the Papers, delivered in formerly by the Scotts Commissioners, concerning Mr. Barwis, a Member of this House, was referred, to proceed in the Examination of the whole Matter, as well upon those Papers, as upon any other Information from Mr. Musgrave, or Mr. Osmotherly: Which Informations the said Committee are hereby authorized to receive; and to send for the said Mr. Musgrave and Mr. Osmotherley, as Occasion shall serve: And are to meet on Monday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Queen's Court.

Ordered, That the Letter from the Committee of Cumberland, from Rose-Castle, of 23 Augusti 1645, and the Copy of the Warrants therein inclosed from Colonel John Browne, this Day read, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for the Northern Association.

A Letter, from the Commissioners, sent to the Parliament of Scotland, from Berwick, of Augusti 28 1645, and a Letter from the Commissioners with the Army before Hereford, were this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That these Letters be referred to the Consideration of the Members of both Houses, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms: And that the Members of both Houses, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, do desire, from the Scotts Commissioners, to know, What is intended to be done with their Army before Hereford, and with that Party of House gone under Lieutenant-General David Lesley towards Scotland, and where those Horse now are: And that if it shall not be thought fit that those Horse shall go into Scotland, that then they may speedily return to their own Army: And that they would give particular Information of their late unhappy Blow in Scotland; and of their present Condition there; to the end Consultation may the better be taken for their Relief, to the best Advantage of both Kingdoms: And that the Members of this House do give an Account hereof to this House. And

It is further Ordered, That a Transcript of the Letter from the Commissioners of the Parliament, from Berwick, of Augusti 28, be forthwith sent to the Committee of both Kingdoms, upon the Place, residing with the Scotts Army before Hereford: And that the Committee of both Kingdoms do take care hereof.

Ordered, That the Letter from the Committee of Pembrokshire, from Pembroke, of 9 Augusti 1645, and the Letter from Mr. Poyer, Mayor of Pembroke, of 12 Augusti 1645, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Ordered, That Saturday next be appointed to consider of raising Monies for the Service of the Publick: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of Captain Richard Mathews be referred to the Committee of Prisoners, to consider of, and appoint, a fitting Exchange for him, notwithstanding the former Order made concerning his Exchange.

The Amendments to the Ordinance for the Maintenance of the Garisons of the Eastern Association, Yesterday sent from the Lords, were this Day read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.

A Message from the Lords, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Heath;

We are commanded, by the Lords, to bring this Letter to this House: It is from the Lord Wharton; and their Sense of this Letter. Also this Ordinance; it is for Continuance of Thomas Stephens Esquire to be High-Sheriff of Gloucestershire.

The Letter was read; and the Lords Sense upon the said Letter; and the same was in hæc verba; "The Lords do think fit, that it be recommended to the Committees, sent to the Parliament, that they offer unto the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland the Withdrawing of their Garisons in the North of England; which they may employ for the Service of the said Kingdom of Scotland: And that our Committee there take due Care for the Supplying of such Garisons as shall be so withdrawn, with competent English Forces, out of the Northern Associated Counties;" and, upon the Question, assented unto.

The Ordinance for Continuing of Thomas Stephens Esquire to be High-Sheriff of the County of Gloucester was read; and was in hæc verba; "Whereas Thomas Stephens Esquire was, by Letters-Patents, made HighSheriff of the County of Gloucester, quam diu nobis placuerit, upon a former Ordinance, made by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled; and took his Oath for executing the said Office in the Month of June 1644: It is therefore now Ordered and Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the said Thomas Stephens shall continue to execute the said Office, until a Writ of Discharge shall be to him delivered, or other Order, taken by this present Parliament; and shall be saved harmless and indemnified in all Acts and Things by him done, in Execution of the said Office, from all Penalties and Damages whatsoever, by Authority of this present Parliament;" and, upon the Question, assented unto.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree with the Lords in their Sense upon the Lord Wharton's Letter: They do also agree to the Ordinance for Continuing of Thomas Stephens Esquire to be High-Sheriff of the County of Gloucester.

Ordered, That the Ordinance concerning Mr. Davies his Propositions, touching the Transportation of Provisions to the Scotts Army in Ireland, be read, peremptorily, on Saturday next; and the Instructions concerning Mr. Onsloe and Sir Robert King.

Ordered, That the Declaration to be sent into the Counties of South-Wales be read on Saturday next.