within 15. Leagues of this place, hastning to them. I conceive the Court hath
no other game to play, but to fight them all as soone as they can, having a very gallant
Army, to force the Citizens and the Arch Duke to grant all their Demands, but I
believe the Citizens will avoid fighting as much as they can, their horse being poor,
for want of provisions, being not able to do service; And besides, they hope to drive
the Kings Army to those streights by putting off fighting, that by May, they may debouch
it, we shall shortly see what will be done.
St. Jermins 20-10.March 1648.
Fryday March 23.
THe house this day according to former order, considered of the great necessities of
the poor people of this Nation by reason of the hardnesse of the times and deadues
of Trade, and how this may be supplyed and vagrants and other idle persons set on
work within the Cities of London and Middlesex, and late lines of communication.
An Act for that purpose was read the first time, and upon a question committed to
a committee chosen for the further consideration and alteration thereof; according
to the sense of the house then had of it, and they were to meet that afternoone, and
make speedy report again to the house.
The house having passed an Act for dissolving of the Kingly Office and power in
this Nation as you have it before, this day ordered that the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs
of the city of London, be required to publish and proclaim at the Exchange London,
Cheapside, and other most remarkable places in the city, the said act, and that they be
required each of them to proclaim the same in person, and to give an account thereof
to the house.
The house then ordered that the former of the Writ to be directed to the Sheriffs
of the severall counties of the Nation for publishing and proclaiming the said act, at
all Market Towns in their severall counties should be read, having referred the same
before to the consideration of a committee. The Writ accordingly was read and assented.
The house being informed, that there were 8000 l. of the 50000 l. which should
have been paid to the Scots, but since disposed of by speciall order of the house for the
use of the Navy, they ordered that the Treasurers of Goldsmiths Hall should be required
to pay the said, 8000 l. to the Treasurers of the Navy, for the use of Navy, and
it it-appear that the said 8000 l. is not charged or ought not to be paid out of that receipt,
that then the 8000 l. be repaid to Goldsmiths-Hall.
Upon a Report from the councel of State, concerning the disposall of the personal
Estates of the late King, Queen, and Prince, for the use of the publique. The house spent
much time in debate thereof, and ordered that there should be commissioners appointed
(not Members of Parl.) for the Supervising, listing, and inventaring of the goods,
and other personall Estates of the said late King, Queen, and Prince.
They likewise ordered, that there should be certain Commissioners appointed, not
Members of the house, for the apprizing, valuing, and putting to sale the said goods
for the use of the publique.
The house then took into consideration, the sad condition of such who had much
monies owing them by the King, Queen, and Prince, before she beginning of these