DIE Lunæ, 27 die Decembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Delmy.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Message from the H. C. for a Conference about Col. Rainsborough.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Rob'rt Pye Knight, &c.

To desire a Conference, so soon as it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, touching Colonel Raynsborough's going to Sea.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House appoints a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, as is desired.

Letter from Sir T. Fairfax about him.

A Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax was read, concerning Colonel Raynsborough. (Here enter it.)

Letter from the Commissioners with the King.

Another Letter from the Earl of Denbigh, was read, (Here enter it.)

Clamp's Ordinance to be Searcher of Lynn.

An Ordinance was presented to the House, for Richard Clampe to have the Searcher's Place of the Port of King's Lynn, and read.

And it is to be referred to the Committee for the Revenue, and the Committee for the Navy and Customs, to certify to this House concerning the Fitness of the said Clampe for this Place.

Ordinance for Westm. College to grant Leases, &c.

An Ordinance concerning giving Liberty to the Committee for the College of Westm. to let Leases, &c. was read, and Agreed to; and Ordered to be sent to the House of Commons, for their Concurrence.

Marq. of Winton, Liberty prolonged.

Ordered, That the Marquis of Winton have Four Months Liberty longer, upon the same Security he hath already given to the Lieutenant of The Tower, for the further Recovery of his Health.

Message to the H. C. about it;—with the Westm. College Ordinance;—and about L. Cromwel's and Ly. Cawfield's Petitions.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page:

1. To deliver the Ordinance concerning the College of Westm. and desire their Concurrence therein.

2. To recommend to them the Lord Crumwell's Petition.

3. To put them in Mind of the Lady Cawfield's Petition.

4. To desire their Concurrence, that the Marquis of Winton may have Liberty for Four Months longer, for his further Recovery of his Health, upon the same Security as he hath formerly given to the Lieutenant of The Tower.

Answer from the H. C.

Doctor Heath and Mr. Eltonheade return with this Answer from the House of Commons:

That they agree to the Order for reducing the Quorum of the Committee for Plantations.

(Here enter it.)

Report of the Conference about Col. Rainsborough commanding the Winter Fleet.

The House of Commons being come in the Painted Chamber to the Conference, the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed.

The Speaker reported the Effect of this Conference: "That Colonel Raynsborough, the 27th of September last, was nominated by the House of Commons to be Vice Admiral for this Winter's Guard; and the 8th of October last, their Lordships concurred therein; and it was sent down from their Lordships, with a Desire that he might be speedily sent away to Sea: Since, their Lordships, upon the Ground of a Letter from the General, sent a Vote down to the House of Commons, That Colonel Raynsborough may not go to Sea. That the House of Commons did order that Colonel Raynsborough should be examined; but neither the General nor the Officers of the Army have sent any Charge against him. But since, the House of Commons have received a Letter from the Army, That Colonel Raynsborough might go to Sea; and that Colonel Raynsborough hath given the House of Commons Satisfaction concerning this Business, That he is not guilty of it."

The General's Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons, was read. (Here enter it.)

Committee to examine the London Agents who encouraged the Mutiny in the Army.

Ordered, That the Committee concerning the London Agents do meet with some of the Members of the House of Commons that are of that Committee, and open the Papers sealed up, that so the original Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax to this House may be produced To-morrow Morning; and then this Business shall be taken into further Consideration.

Ordinance to raise 50,000 l. for Ireland.

Ordered, That Consideration shall be had, To-morrow Morning, of the Ordinance concerning the Ordinance for raising of Fifty Thousand Pounds.

Committee for Plantations.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That any Five of the Committee for Plantations, settled by Ordinances bearing Date the Second of November, 1643, and 21th of March, 1645, whereof One Member of the House of Lords and Two Members of the House of Commons to be present, shall be a Quorum, to act according to the Powers of the said Ordinances."

Letter from Sir T. Fairfax, desiring Col. Rainsborough may be allowed to command the Winter Fleet.

"For the Right Honourable Edw. Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore.

My Lord,

"It was but a few Days since, I made an humble Desire to the House of Commons, That the Vice Admiral might be sent to his Charge at Sea. I made my Address only to that House, because I apprehended the Command of his Attendance upon the Service of the House only stayed him. Hearing now that there is some Stick with the House of Peers, I thought it my Duty to acquaint your Lordships, That, as to those Things for which (as I understand) Exceptions have been taken to him, he had (before I writ to the House of Commons) expressed to myself and divers principal Officers such a deep Sense of the late Distempers and Miscarriages in those Things whereunto he had appeared too inclinable, and such Resolutions to decline the like for future, as gave us large Satisfaction concerning him: Upon which Assurance (together with the Consideration of the present Need of him at Sea) as I writ before to the House of Commons, so I now take the Boldness humbly to desire your Lordships speedy Consideration of his Dispatch to his Charge; and rest

Windsor, 26 Decembris, 1647.

"Your Lordship's

Most humble Servant,

T. Fairefax."

Letter from the Commissioners with the King, that they have presented the Propositions to Him.

"To the Right Honourable the Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore.

My Lord,

In Pursuance of the Instructions and Commands from the Parliament, I did, with the other Commissioners, present the Bills and Propositions to His Majesty, at Two of the Clock this Afternoon. The King was then pleased to say, "That He was assured we could not expect a present Answer; but He would take the same into Consideration, and give His Answer within few Days." This is all the Account I can return your Lordship at present; which I desire you will be pleased to communicate to the House of Peers, from

FromNewport, Dec'r 24th, 1647.

"Your Lordship's

"Most humble and affectionate Servant,

B. Denbigh."

Letter from Sir T. Fairfax to the Speaker of the H. C. for Col. Rainsborough to be sent to Sea; and for Vessels to guard the Isle of Wight.

"For the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire, Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons, at Westminster.

SIR,

I understand, by Persons well affected to your Service, that there is some Want of good Guards at Sea about the Isle of Wight, though there be now more than ordinary Need thereof thereabouts; and indeed the whole Business of your Sea Service seems to be elsewhere in too loose a Posture, considering the Condition of Affairs: Therefore, for the better Managing of that Service (without which the Safety of the Kingdom cannot be so well provided for by the best Care and Vigilancy of your Land Forces), I make bold to offer my humble Desire, That the House would be pleased to re-assume the Consideration of dismissing and dispatching the Vice Admiral Colonel Rainborow to his Charge at Sea; which, as I hope it will conduce not a little to your Service, and the Safety of the Kingdom in the present State of Affairs, so it will be with much Satisfaction to your Servants in the Army, and others that wish well to the Public, and in particular to

Windsor, 22th of Dec'r, 1647.

Your most humble Servant,

"T. Fairefax."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10 ^a cras.