Ships, bound for Scilly; it is supposed that there is a designe against Garnesey to surprize
it, which should they do, it would much prejudice the passage of Marchants Ships, They
having already both Scilly, Jarsey, and Gastle-Cornet, which they keep against the Parliament,
having all proclaimed King Charles the Second.
Plimouth sound 21 March 1648.
After prayers this morning the Speaker was no sooner in his Chaire, but
immediately the House adjourned into a Grand Committee of the whole House
to debate the branches of the Act for the Assessements for the Army, And the
House voted Sir Henry Vane junior to be in the Chaire.
The Whole morning (of this day) was spent in a grand Committee, and the
branches of the said Act were debated in parts. This Act is for each respective
Countie in England, and the Territories thereof, for the raising of 90000 l. per mensem
for the maintenance of all the forces for England and Ireland that are to bee
kept up, which is to be regulated in a better, and more orderly method then formerly,
the other 30000l. a moneth is to be raised other waies: There is to bee no
other monies raised by Assesments, and this sessement (by all probability) will bee
the last, that will be laid on the people.
A motion was made by an eminent Person to divers Members of the House, That
it was found upon searching of the Records in the Tower, That the warres of Ireland
have formerly been carried on by Copper monies; and that (by all probability)
no better way might be now, provided that it goes not in England, only in Ireland,
and some of the English Plantations; but it was not at all spoken of in the
House.
About noone the Speaker resumed the Chaire, and then the reports were made to
the House of the debates, and Votes of the said Act, made by the grand Committee,
in which the House made a very large progresse.
The new Committee for the Militia of Westminster met this day (upon the
Authority of the late Act, and agreed upon a Petition which was presented to the
House of Commons (they met this day in the Inner Star chamber) their Petition
was to have some rooms in Worcester house, where the Scots Commissioners did
lie, and since some Souldiers have quartered, but it was formerly the place assigned
for the said Militia.
The House read the Petition and Ordered, That the said Westminster Militia
should meet at the said Worcester House as was desired.
The Commons also passed instructions concerning the laying of their Ammunition
there, belonging to the said Militia, which is at present in the Tower.
Upon a report from the Councel of State, the House of Commons passed further
Instructions referred back to the said Councell of State, for the regulating of the
Navie.
Then the House of Commons adjourned untill Tuesday following.
This night there went out Packets from the Posthouse in Cornwall to all the Inland
parts, and as they use to send out Wednesday nights, and return on Munday mornings,
so now it is appointed besides the continuing of that as formerly, to send also
other Packets away every Saturday night, and return on Friday mornings, if God
permit, which will be a very gallant service to the Common-wealth.
Munday 26. March.
THe House of Commons sate note this day, according to the Order on Saturday
before.