will procure a confusion and grudging among them Upon reading the Petition of the Six Persons chosen by the Commonalty of the City of London it is Ordered by the Lords in Parliament Order about Books to be used in the Case between Lord Major and Commons That the Book of Reversions shall be perused by them and afterwards with theBooks of A. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. Z. O. Liber Albus Transcript Dunthorn Customs Repertory Hamersly Journal of 6 H. 7. Journal Swinerton Middleton Hayes Journal Garroway shall be brought into the Vpper House of Parliament on Monday next being the 26th of this Instant Month of July by Nine of the Clock in the morning at which time their Lordships have Ordered to hear the said Cause Sir John Hotham Reports Friday July 23. That there will be due to the Scots upon the 12th of August 57400 l. 10000 l. is expected from the voluntary Loan of the Members so that 47000 will be requisite to pay them off Ordered That there shall be a Conference with the Lords to borrow 40000 l. of the City which the Lords agreed to and the Poll-Bill was proposed to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen for Security Earl of Essex made Lord Chamberlain This day His Majesty was pleased to give the white Staff to the Earl of Essex and he was Sworn Lord Chamberlain of His Majesties Household Sir Arthur Ingram carries up the Bill with amendments for the certainty of the Forrests as also a Bill for the Earl of Bedford Saturday July 24. The House of Commons then entered upon the Debate of the Articles from the Committee of Seven against Mr. Percy Mr. Jermyn c. Upon which they came to these Votes Votes upon the Articles from the Committee of 7. Resolved c. That Mr. Henry Percy in the Months of March and April last past in the Parish of St. Martin 's in the County of Middlesex did Compass Plot and Conspire with others to draw the said Army together and to employ them against the Parliament and by fear and dread thereof to compel the said Parliament to agree to certain Propositions by them contrived and to hinder and interrupt the Proceedings of the said Parliament Resolved c. The same against Mr. Henry Jermyn Sir John Suckling and Mr. William Davenant Resolved c. That in pursuance of the said Design the said Henry Percy by the Plot and Combination aforesaid did endeavour to persuade divers Members of the House of Commons of the said Parliament and others being Officers of the said Army that is to say Henry Wilmot William Ashburnham Esq Sir John Berkly Hugh Pollard and Daniel Oneal Esquires that they were disobliged by the Parliament thereby to incense and disaffect them against the Parliament and did hold divers Consultations with the said persons to effect the said wicked and dangerous Designs and for that purpose did set down in writing certain Propositions to the effect following that is to say The preserving of Bishops Votes and Functions the not Disbanding of the Irish Army until the Scots were Disbanded and to endeavour the settling of the King's Revenue to the proportion it was formerly The House fell upon the further Debate of the Articles from the Committee of Seven and it was Resolved Further Votes about Mr. Percy c. c. That the said Henry Percy in pursuance of the said Plot and Combination for the more secret Carriage and further Engagement of the said Conspirators and others the Persons aforenamed did minister unto the said Henry Jermin Hugh Pollard Henry Wilmot William Ashburnham Sir John Berkley and Daniel Oneal a wicked and unlawful Oath whereby they did Swear upon the Holy Evangelists not to reveal any thing spoken concerning that business in consultation directly or indirectly nor to think themselves absolved by any other Oath that should be after taken from the Secresie enjoyned by the said Oath Resolved c. That Mr. Henry Jermyn at the time the said Oath was Administred as aforesaid and at divers other times did propound and endeavour to perswade the Persons aforenamed and other Officers of the said Army to put the said Army into a Warlike Posture and to bring them up to London and likewise to make themselves sure of the Tower and so by force to compel the Parliament to conform to their Will Resolved c. That the said Henry Jermin Sir John Suckling and William Davenant in further Prosecution of the said Design by the Conspiracy aforesaid to disaffect the said Army towards the Parliament and to work a belief in the said Army that the King and Parliament would disagree and so under pretence of adhering to His Majesty to incense the said Army against the Parliament thereby the better to compass their wicked Design and further endeavoured to perswade the Army that all the French about London would assist them and to the great scandal of the King and his Government that the Prince and the Earl of Newcastle were to meet the said Army at Nottingham with a Thousand Horse Resolved c. That the said Sir John Suckling by the Conspiracy aforesaid for the better effecting the said wicked Design under the pretence and colour of some service to the King of Portugal did raise Men both Officers and Common Soldiers and further did contrive that a hundred of those Men should be put into the Tower of London under the Command of Captain Henry Billingsley thereby to possess themselves of the same as was formerly propounded by Mr. Henry Jermin that so they the said Henry Jermin and Sir John Suckling might better effect their said wicked Designs and have better opportunity to Master and Command the City of London that the said City should not be able to make any resistance when the said Army should come up according to the aforementioned Desing And the said Sir John Suckling in further pursuance of the said wicked intentions did by the means aforesaid Plot and Endeavour that Thomas Earl of Strafford then Prisoner in the Tower for High Treason and since Attainted and Executed for the same should make an Escape that by his Power they might the better compass and bring to pass the said wicked Design Resolved c. That the said Henry Wilmot William Ashburnham Hugh Pollard Sir John Suckling Sir John Berkley and Daniel Oneal by the inticement practice and insinuation of the said Henry Percy did take the aforesaid unlawful Oath Resolved c. That the said Henry Percy for the advancement of the said wicked Design did propound unto them the aforesaid three Propositions Resolved c. That the said Henry Wilmot William Ashburnham Hugh Pollard Sir John Berkley and Daniel Oneal were acquainted with the said Design mentioned in the first Article Resolved c. That the said Henry Wilmot William Ashburnham Hugh Polland Sir John Berkley and Daniel Oneal were together with the said Confederates present at divers Debates and Consultations touching the
For the City and County of the City of Lincoln the Major for the time being and Thomas Grantham Esquire For the West Riding of the County of York Ferdinando Lord Fairfax Sir Edward Roads Sir William Strickland Henry Cholmley Esquire For the East Riding Sir Marmaduke Langdale John Allured Esquire For the North Riding Thomas Hebblethwait Esquire Sir Henry Anderson Sir Henry Slingsby John Wastell Esquire For the City and County of the City of York the Lord Major for the time being Sir Thomas Widdrington and Sir William Allison For the County of Sussex Sir Thomas Pellham Mr. Shelley Mr. William Hay For the Ports in Sussex William Hay Herbert Morley Esquire For the County of Bucks Sir William Andrews Baronet Sir Alexander Denton Knight Sir John Parsons For the County of Berks Sir George Stonehouse Sir John Bacchus Roger Knight Esquire For the County of Cornwal Sir Richard Carey Baronet Alexander Carey Esquire Sir Richard Butler Knight For the County of Cumberland Richard Barwick Esquire William Pennington of Seaton Esquire For the County of Cambridge Sir Dudley North Sir John Cutts Thomas Chichely Thomas Wendy and Thomas Symonds Esquires For the County of Devon Sir Samuel Rolle Sir John Bramfield Baronet For the City of Exceter the Major for the time being For the County of Dorset Sir Walter Erle Sir Thomas Trenchard Knights For the County of Essex Sir Harbottle Grimston Sir Richard Everard Sir Thomas Bendish Sir Robert Kemp. For the County of Gloucester Henry Bret Esquire Sir Robert Cook Edward Stevens Thomas Hodges Esquires For the City and County of the City of Gloucester the Major for the time being and the two Ancient Aldermen For the County of Huntingdon Sir Sydney Mountague Anslow Winch Esquire Tirel Josseline Esquire Henry Cromwel Esquire For the County of Hertford Edward Chester Edward Wingate Esquires John Butler For the County of Hereford Walter Kerle Esquire Sir William Crofts Knight John Scudamore of Kenchurch James Kirle Edward Broughton Esquires For the County of Kent Mr. Edward Boyes Sir Thomas Walsingham Sir Edward Partridge Knights Richard Lee Esquire For the City and County of the City of Canterbury Sir Edward Masters Knight and for the Ports in Kent and their Members Sir Edward Boys Knight For the County of Leicester Sir Arthur Haslerigg Thomas Lord Grey For the County of Middlesex Sir John Danvers Sir William Roberts Sir Henry Roe Sir Gilbert Gerrard Sir John Franklyn For the City of Westminster Sir Robert Pye William Wheeler John Glyn Esquires For the City of London the Lord Major Thomas Soame Isaak Pennington Aldermen Samuel Vassal and Captain John Ven Merchants Members of the House of Commons For the County of Northampton Edward Montague Esquire Sir John Dryden Sir Christopher Yelverton Zouch Tate Esquire For the County of Norfolk Sir John Potts Sir Thomas Woodhouse Sir Edmond Moundeford For the City and County of Norwich the Major for the time being For the County of Northumberland Sir John Fennicke Henry Ogle Thomas Middleton William Shafto of Babington Esquires Town of New-Castle the Major for the time being Mr. Ledyard For the Town of Barwick Sir Robert Jackson Mr. John Sleigh Gent. William Fenwick Gent. For the County of Oxon. James Fynes Sir William Cobb Sir Thomas Penniston and John Doyley Esquire For the County of Rutland Sir Guy Palmes Sir Edward Harrington Robert Horseman Esquire For the County of Surrey Sir John Evelyn Sir Ambrose Brown Baronet For the County of Salop Sir Richard Newport Mr. Richard Moore Charles Baldwin Esquire For the County of Southampton Richard Whitehead Esquire Sir William Lewis Town of Southampton Major for the time being For the County of Suffolk Sir Roger North Sir Robert Crane Robert Reynolds Esquire Sir William Platers William Cage Esquire For the County of Somerset Sir John Horner Sir John Pawlet Knights John Pyne Esquire City of Bristol the Major for the time being John Gunning John Tomlinson For the County of Westmorland Sir Philip Musgrave Knight and Baronet Sir Henry Bellingham Gawin Braithwait Esquire For the County of Wilts Sir Nevil Poole Anthony Hungerford Esquire For the County of Worcester Humphrey Solloway Esquire Edward Dingley Edward Pitt Thomas Rouse Esquire City of Worcester the Major for the time being For the County of Warwick Sir Richard Skeffington William Combes Esquire John Hales Richard Shugborough Esquires For the City and County of Coventry the Major for the time being Alderman Million John Barr Esquire For the City of Litchfield the Bailiffs for the time being For the County of Anglesey Thomas Buckley Owen Wood Esquires For the County of Pembroke Henry Williams Thomas Gwyn William Morgan Esquires For the County of Carnarvan Thomas Glyn of Nantley William Thomas Owen Wynn Thomas Madrin Esquires For the County of Denbigh Thomas Middleton John Loyd William Wyn Esquire For the County of Flynt Thomas Mostyn Humphry Dymock John Eaton John Salisbury Esquires For the County of Glamorgan William Herbert Sir Thomas Lyne Miles Buton Esquires For the County of Merioneth William Salisbury Esquire Sir James Price Knight For the County of Pembrook Sir Richard Philips Baronet Sir Hugh Owen Knight and Baronet For the County of Montgomery Arthur Price Esquire Richard Griffith Edward Vaughan Esquires For the County of Radnor Thomas Lewis Robert Williams Richard Jones Esquires For the County Palatine of Durham Sir Lionel Madidson Sir Alexander Hall George Lilburn Clement Fulthorp For the County of Cardigan Walter Loyd James Lewis Esquires For the County of Carmarthen Richard Earl of Carberry Francis Loyd Esquire For the County of Monmouth Sir William Morgan Thomas Morgan William Herbert of Colebrook William Baker of Abergany Sir Robert Cooke Sir Charles Williams James Kirke Esquires Which said Persons so appointed and nominated or any one or more of them together with the Justices of the Peace of every Shire County or Riding respectively or any one or more of them or the Major Bailiffs Justices of the Peace Jurats or other Head-Officers within any City or Town Corporate or other Priviledged places or any one or more of them respectively shall have Power and are hereby authorized and required to do and perform all and every such thing and things as shall be necessary to the due execution of this present Ordinance according to the Instructions herewith annexed which said Instructions are hereby Ordered and Commanded to be duly observed and executed by all and every Person and Persons whom it shall or may appertain as they will answer the contrary at their Perils This Ordinance to continue no longer then till the end of this present Session of Parliament Instructions appointed by Ordinance of Parliament to the Persons thereby Authorized for the Disarming of Popish Recusants Instructions to the Comissioners for Disarming Popish Recusants and others and other dangerous Persons I. SUch Members of the House of Commons and other Persons as in and by the said Ordinance are particularly named and appointed or any one or more of them and the Justices
God be praised he met with a Gracious King upon whom he could not prevail and for his bringing the Army into England thô he tells Sir William Pennyman he did not intend it yet there was Vox Populi and that was a horrid Witness That he intended to invade the Property of the People is plain from his own words That the King should make Restitution when the Danger was over and his saying That a Privy Councellor ought not to be questioned for his Counsels was so great a proof of his Actions that he could not give a Greater Then by consent my Lord moving for a dayes interval his Voice and Strength being spent the Court was adjourned till Wednesday Upon Wednesday the Commons proceeded to the 25th Article of the Charge Wednesday April 7. Artic. 25. concerning the Earl of Strafford's advice of Vigorously levying Ship-money and by compulsion Endeavouring to raise money upon the Lord Mayor and City of London and that for their not complying they deserved to be put to Fine and Ransom To this the Lord Treasurer Bishop Williams deposed Lord Treasurer That Ship-money coming in very slowly they were forced to take out great Sums to furnish the Fleet out of the Money provided for the Army and my Lord Strafford said That if it were not repaid the Army would be destitute and therefore advised the Ship-Money might go on vigorously to repay it Sir Tho. Wiseman deposed Sir Thomas Wiseman That the Aldermen being called before their Lordships about the Loan my Lord Strafford said They would never do their Duty well till they were put to Fine and Ransom and to His Majesty You will have no good of this man meaning as he supposes the Lord Mayor till he be laid by the heels but whether about Loan or Ship-money that was spoken he remembers not The Earl of Berkshire deposed Earl of Berks. That the King desiring to borrow Money upon good Security at 8. per Cent. and the Aldermen Excusing themselves for nominating who were able to lend in their several Wards my Lord Strafford said Gentlemen in my Opinion you may be liable to Fine and Ransom for refusing the King's Command in not certifying the Names Sir H. Garaway deposed That being Lord Mayor Sir Henry Garaway he attended the Council about Ship-Money informing His Majesty That the Willing Men had only paid the Money and they thought it unequal others should go free That it was the Opinion of the City That a Writ for Ship-Money and a Writ for a Parliament did not agree and that they found People generally averse to it whereupon my Lord Strafford said to the King Sir you will never do good on this Man till you have made him an Example he is too diffident or to that purpose unless you commit him you shall do no good upon him And about the Loan-Money desiring to be spared in seting a Rate on Mens Estates the Earl said to the King Sir you will never do good of these Citizens of London till you have made Examples of some of the Aldermen to his best remembrance he said Unless you hang up some of them you will do no good upon them this he spake positively The Earl replyed That he would speak with as much Truth The Earl's Defence thô not so much confidence as this Gentleman That he must still insist upon this that admitting it proved it does not amount to Treason nothing being proved but by single Testimonies that as to Ship-money there was a Judgment given in the Star-Chamber and if he was in an Error he was led into it by the practise of the Times and wiser men than himself howbeit he doth not justifie himself in that point being better informed by what he hath heard since is the Judgment of those to whose wisdom he submits That in such a Case of extreme necessity he might hold the Aldermen lyable to Fine and Ransom in case they did not submit to the King's demands he wishes he had not spoken them but being a little Excess of Extravagant Speech he hopes by their Lordships Favour it may be excused and God forbid for every such Excess a man should be Arraigned for Treason for otherwise few would Escape the Danger of hasty words for the words about hanging them up My Lord Major at first said it to the best of his remembrance and afterwards absolutely And he sayes to the best of his remembrance he did not speak them and if he did being spoken in so good Company some of their Lordships would have remembred them And however it stands with him now before these misfortunes befel him he was equally to be Credited with this Gentleman all the difference being one sayes it the other denies it and that at most being a hasty word and excusable in a free spoken man as he was and who smarts for it he hoped their Lordships Honour and Justice will rather Excuse then punish it Mr. Maynard replyed Managers Reply The Committee shall need to say little to this Answer but that such words compared with his other words and Actions proceed not from passion but Principles to do all things by his Will against Law and that my Lord knew these things and especially the Ship-money were against Law himself having so great a hand in the Petition of Right Mr Glyn added That whereas my Lord thinks it hard to be questioned for hasty words as High-Treason their Lordships may remember how for words concerning Treading on his Toe he prosecuted the Lord Mountnorris as far as to Life They next proceeded to the Charge in the 26 Article Artic. 26. concerning seizing the money in the Mint and Embasing of Coyn. To prove this Robert Edwards sworn Rob. Edwards deposed That going to represent to him the Inconvenience of the seisure of their Money in the Tower and that some Forreigners being concerned in it the Merchants Estates abroad upon their Complaint would be seized my Lord answered That if they fared amiss they might thank themselves and though they think it so strange here yet beyond Sea it is not so but on Commands men have their Goods taken and touching the City he said They dealt unthankfully with the King there being 14000 l. due for Ship-money which they denied and did more to maintain Rebels than to maintain his Majesty Being bid repeat it he said upon their Petition to my Lord about the Money in the Tower the Earl said That if they did speed amiss they might thank themselves for they were more ready to hold with Rebels than to give the King his due which was 14000 l. Ship money that my Lord was sick and sate in his Chair said That he knew nothing of it till that morning Anthony Palmer sworn Ant. Palmer deposed That in discourse with my Lord about base money and giving him reasons against it he shewed him and the other Officers of the Mint a Letter sent him out of France
c. Next the Bishop of Linclon reported that at the same Conference Mr. Nichols that was sent into Scotland to his Majesty from both Houses reported That he had delivered the Petition and the Draught of the Commission to his Majesty but his Majesty thought not fit to sign it for these Reasons which he commanded him to signify to the Parliament 1 That his Majesty conceives the Treaty of Pacification The King's Reasons for not signing the Commission sent into Scotland by Mr. Nichols from both Houses between the two Kingdoms is already ratified by the Parliament of Scotland 2 If this Commission should be granted it would beget new Matter 3 It would be a means to keep his Majesty longer there then he intended to stay 4 That the Scots Army is over the Tweed and that the Lord General hath almost Disbanded all Our Army and hath begun with the House A Letter from the Lord General was read declaring Contents of a Letter from the Lord General That he will pursue the Orders of Parliament in disbanding the Army but he understands that the Scots will keep 5000 Men undisbanded until our Army be all disbanded and our Fortifications at Barwick and Carlisle slighted and that to this purpose he had received Directions from his Majesty to demolish the Fortifications and remove the Ordnance and Munition from thence The Bishop of Lincoln Reported the Conference with the Commons concerning Disarming Recusants to this Effect THat the House of Commons had taken into consideration the Store of Arms in this Kingdom and they find The Conference about disarming Recusants Aug. 30. 1641. that there are many Arms in the hands of Popish Recusants for disarming of whom the House of Commons have frequently recommended to this House the disarming of them according to the Stat. of 3 Jac. but they have found that the good came not by this Statute as was intended for upon Indictments for Recusancy there were Certioraris's granted Therefore the House of Commons have taken these things into consideration again and the rather because of the Kings absence at this time in Scotland and that the time of the Recess draws nigh and considering the late Troubles of this Kingdom whch are not yet settled the House of Commons have considered of an Ordnance of Parliament and some Instructions to be given unto such Commissioners as they have named to see to the disarming of Popish Recusants according to the Statute of 3 Jacobi which Ordinance and Instruction they present to their Lordships desiring them to joyn with them herein Then the aforesaid Ordinance and Instructions were read in haec verba An Ordinance made and agreed by the Lords and Commons in Parliament for the speedy disarming of Popish Recusants and other dangerous Persons The Ordinance of Parliament for Disarming Recusants WHereas for the preventing and avoiding of dangers that might grow by Popish Recusants Provision hath been heretofore made by Act of Parliament for the disarming of all Popish Recusants convicted within this Realm which said Law hath not taken so good effect as was intended by Reason such Recusants and Persons Popishly affected have by subtle practices and indirect means kept themselves from being convicted or being outwardly conformable have caused or suffered their Children Grand-children and Servants to be bred up and maintained up in the Popish Religion and have otherways hindred the due Execution of the said Law to the great danger and grievance of the Common-wealth And for that it is too manifest that the said Popish Recusants have always had and still have and do practise most dangerous and pernicious designs against the Church and State and by the Laws of this Realm in times of imminent danger or of any forcible Attempts Designs or Practises against the Peace and Safety thereof all Armor Weapons and other Provisions that may tend or be imployed to the effecting of such mischievous Designs ought timely to be removed and taken away and all fit means used for the securing of the Peace and safety of the Realm And for the preventing of such further mischiefs as may happen by any Outrage or Violence to be offered It is therefore Ordained and Provided by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled That all such Arms Gun-powder and Munition of what kind soever as any Popish Recusant convicted or any Person or other which is or shall be Indicted for such Recusancy and such Indictments either are or shall be removed by Certiorari or being not removed shall not by Appearance and Traverse or otherwise be Legally discharged before this Ordinance be put in execution or which shall not have repaired to Church more then once in every Month or shall not have received the Holy Communion according to the Rites of the Church of England within one whole year next before the making hereof and which shall refuse to take the Oaths of Supremacy or Allegiance upon Lawful Tender thereof made or whose Children or Grand-children or any of them being at his or her dispose or living in the House with them is or shall be bred up in the Popish Religion or have not repaired to Church within one year next before the making of this Ordinance according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm or whose Houshold Servants or any two or more of them is or shall be of the Popish Religion hath or shall have in his and their House or Houses or elsewhere or in the hands and possession of any other to his or their use or at his or their disposition other then such necessary Weapons as shall be thought fit by the Persons Authorized to take and Seize the said Munition to remain and be allowed Arms for the defence of the Person or House of such Recusant or Person aforesaid shall forthwith be taken from every such Popish Recusant or Person as aforesaid and from all others which shall have the same to the use of any such Popish Recusant or Person by such Person and Persons as are and shall be by this Ordinance appointed and authorized in that behalf for every Shire County and Riding within this Realm and Dominion of Wales that is to say For the County of Bedford Sir Oliver Luke Sir Beuchamp St. John Sir Roger Burgoigne Knight For the County of Lancaster John Moor Alexander Rigby Esquire Members of the House of Commons and the two Knights that Serve for that County For Cheshire Sir William Brereton Baronet Peter Vennables Esquire For the City of Chester Francis Gamull Esquire the Major for the time being For the County of Stafford Sir Edward Littleton and Sir Richard Levison For the County of Derby Sir John Curson William Allestre Esquire For the County of Nottingham Sir Thomas Hutchinson Robert Sutton Esquire For the Town and County of Nottingham Sir Thomas Hutchinson Robert Sutton Esquire and the Major for the time being For the County of Lincoln Thomas Hatcher Thomas Grantham and John Broxholm Esquires
part Succesless our dangers grown upon us by iterated Plots Priests and other Delinquents unpunished to the Encouragement of others Ireland lost by protracted Councels while thousands are there Butchered by many Cruelties and to cut off all hopes of future Reformation the very being of our Parliaments endangered by desperate and unexampled breach of Priviledges which by our Protestation lately taken we are bound with our Lives and Estates to maintain And in respect of that late attempt upon the Honourable House of Commons we are now come to offer our service to that end and resolved in their just defence to live and die And therefore humbly Pray that this most Honourable House will Cooperate with the House of Commons in most Speedy perfecting the most necessary work of Reformation bringing to condign and Exemplary Punishment both wicked Councellors and evil Plotters and Delinquents that Ireland may have speedy relief the Priviledges of Parliament fortified against all future Attempts and the whole Kingdom put into sure and present Posture of Defence that we may live both Safe from all Practices of the Malignant Party at home and the endeavours of any ill affected States abroad And Your Petitioners shall ever Pray c. The Petitioners were called in again and told That this House takes well their coming hither with their Petition and their Care of the Priviledges of Parliament and the Kingdom of Ireland for which this House gives them thanks and their Lordships will take their Petition into consideration The Lord Keeper acquainted the House that he had received a Command from his Majesty to attend him at Windsor he received the permission of the House to do it and was ordered to acquaint his Majesty with the Order concerning Hull and likewise to move his Majesty from both Houses for his Royal Assent to three Bills which have passed both Houses one for Pressing of Marriners another concerning Redeeming of Captives at Algiers and the third concerning the Power of both Houses to Adjourn the Parliament The Lord Kymbolton moved Lord Kymbolton moves to be Tryed That if the House thought the Proceedings against him Legal that Mr. Attorney might be Commanded to Prosecute the Accusation against him for that if Mr. Attorney be ready to make good the Charge against him he is ready to answer it and that he desired no further time His own Innocency making him thus Confident as he said though it is shrewdly to be suspected he had other Motives and Reasons drawn from the Power and Prevalency of the Faction which gave him this assurance However Mr. Attorney was sent for who informed the House That what he had done was by the Express Command of the King his Master and not done by his Advice that he had attended the King to receive his Majesties further directions therein who told him when he went out of Town he would leave something with the Lord Keeper to acquaint this House further with concerning this Business And that he had attended the Lord Keeper to know whether the King had left any directions with him who told him he had received none from his Majesty but that he was Commanded to attend his Majesty Speedily Hereupon the Lord Kymbolton desired the House That some speedy Course may be taken that his Life Estate and Honour may be Secured A Message was brought from the House of Commons Message concerning the Tower to remove Sir John Byron by Sir Henry Vane Junior to let their Lordships know That in regard of the great Jealousies and Distractions of the City of London by Sir John Byron 's being Lieutenant of the Tower of London as appears by the Citizens shutting up their Shops and giving over Trade and in regard of the good Affections Expressed this day to the Parliament the House of Commons desires their Lordships to joyn with them to Petition the King that Sir John Byron may be forthwith removed from being Lieutenant of the Tower and that Sir John Conyers may be recommended to his Majesty for that Place After much Debate of this Message it was put to the Question Lords Dissent and it was Resolved c. That this House thinks it not fit to joyn with the House of Commons in an humble Petition to his Majesty for removing of Sir John Byron Knt. from being Lieutenant of the Tower and placing of Sir John Conyers there The Bishops were also ordered to put in their Answers to the Commons Impeachment of High Treason Bishops to put in Answer on Friday next The Lord Chamberlain then acquainted the House That the King hath sent Command to his Lordship and the Earl of Holland to attend his Majesty at Hampton-Court but before they went they desired to know the pleasure of this House being bound by their Writs to attend the business of the Kingdom Whereupon the House Commanded the Lord Chamberlain Lords sent for by the King not permitted to go by the House and the Earl of Holland to attend this House and would not dispense with their Absence in regard of the many great and urgent Businesses depending in this House It was the strangest fortune in the World certainly that these Men of the Faction had that when ever they stood in need of a Plot to countenance their designs and to stir up the People to Sedition some kind Person or other was sure to furnish them with one or more as there was occasion for this day in the very Critical Juncture of time a Letter was produced in the House of Commons and there read and immediately Communicated to the House of Lords The Letter were as follows To the Worshipful and my much honour'd Friend Orlando Bridgman Esq a Burgess of the Parliament at his Chamber in the Inner Temple these present SIR WE are your Friends Two Letters of a strange Plot strangely discovereâ— to the Commons these are to advise you to look to your self and to advise others of my Lord of Strafford 's Friends to take heed lest they be included in the common Calamity Our advice is to be gone to pretend business till the great hubbub be past withdraw lest you suffer with the Puritans We intreat you to send away the inclosed Letter to Mr. Anderton inclosed to some Trusty Friend that it may be carried safely without suspicion for it concerns the common safety So desire your Friends in Covent-Garden January 4th The inclosed was directed To the Worshipful and my much Honour'd Friend Mr. Anderton these SIR ALthough many Designs have been defeated yet that of Ireland holds well and now our last Plot works as happily as that of Ireland We must bear with something in the main His Will is strong enough as long as he is fed with Hopes the Woman is true to us and real her Council about her is very good I doubt not but to send you by the next very joyful News For the present our Arch-Enemies Pym Hampden Strode Hollis and Haslerigg are blemished
be taken for the reâ—â—ring of them that the Towns and Castles of Carrick-fergus and Colerain shall be put into the hands of the Scots to be places for their Retreat Magazines and Garrisons And that those Towns and Castles shall remain in the Scots hands untill the Wars shall end or till they shall be discharged of that Service this House holds it fit likewise to accept of the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of Scotland for the redelivery of the said Castle and Towns and that the Kingdom of England shall give Publick Faith for the Payment of all Dues that shall arise upon this present Service Resolved c. That for the Provision of Victuals for the Scots Army Money shall be advanced out of their Pay to enable them to make Provision which they may make out of any Parts of England and Wales to their best advantages and that to Transport it they shall have the same assistance for providing of Shipping from the State that the English Army hath And that his Majâ—â—y shall be moved to grant his License for the Transporting thereof Custom-free Caution being given that under colour of such Provisions victuals be not carried to the Rebels And if this Proposition be not accepted then the like Provisions shall be made for them as shall be made for the English Army And the rest of the Article is assented to Resolved c. That this House holds it fit to Assent to the Scots third Proposition and that Power shall be given to the General there to raise Horses for the Service exprest in the Article at the publick charges of that Kingdom as they shall have occasion to use them Resolved c. That this House holds it fit to Assent unto the Scots 4th Proposition Resolved c. That the Scots shall go in the Way and Order of an Army under their own General and Subaltern Officers which General shall have the same Pay that the Scots allowed when they imployed one themselves and that they shall have the Province of Ulster appointed wherein they shall first prosecute the War And to that part of the Article concerning Power to give Conditions to Towns Castles c. as shall be most expedient for the Service it is assented to but not to give any Toleration for the Popish Religion To be treated on further That their whole Army should be Commanded out of the Circle by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he shall think fit before the Rebellion be totally Suppressed in Ulster as also that a third part of their Army may be drawn away upon occasion Resolved c. That the Scotch shall be entertained and paid for three Months and that they shall have a Months Pay advanced before hand and shall be afterwards Pay'd as the English Army is This to be the Answer to the first part of the sixth Article the House doth assent unto the Rest Resolved c. That the seventh Article shall be recommitted All which Votes of the Commons were read before the Lords but nothing further done in it at this time Then a Conference was had between the two Houses touching the Kings Message concerning the Lord Kymbolton and the Five Members of the Commons House where this following Vote of the Commons was communicated to their Lordships for their Concurrence and the Lords did in terminis concur with them in it Vote of the Lords and Commons against the Attorney General and it was Resolved c. That the Impeachment made by Mr. Attorney in the House of Lords against the Lord Kymbolton and the five Members of the House of Commons and the proceedings thereupon is a high breach of the Priviledge of Parliament Whereupon a Committee of 21 Lords and a proportionable Number of Commons were appointed to draw an humble Petition to his Majesty that those that did inform his Majesty against the Members mentioned in the Messages from his Majesty may come in betwixt this and next Thursday to charge them or else that they may be freed in such a way Election for a Burgess for Arundell as the Parliament shall think fit In the House of Commons a Debate happened this morning concerning the Return of a Burgess for the Town of Arundell which came to this Vote Resolved c. and Ordered That Mr. Downes who is returned a Burgess for the Town of Arundell in â—he County of Sussex under the Common Seal of the Town by the Mayor of that Town shall be presently Sworn and admitted as a Member into the House until such time as the Election be Determined And to make it sure that he should continue so the Question being put for the reviving of the Committee for Priviledges it past with the Negative And it was further Ordered That the High Sheriff of the County of Sussex who has Returned two Indentures for the Town of Arundell shall be Summoned to appear here at the Bar to amend his Return Then Sir Henry Mildmay acquainted the House Marquess of Hamilton's Complement to the Commons concerning the Arms at Fox-Hall That the Marquess of Hamilton was Yesterday informed That this House had made an Order for the removal of a 1000. Musquets and several Pieces of Ordnance from Fox-Hall to the City of London for more safety in these times of trouble He saith That he had some Pieces of Ordnance there belonging unto him which were given him by the King of Sweden but however was willing that this House should remove them to London or elsewhere and to remain there as the House shall think fit Upon the Debate of the Conference to be desired with the Lords concerning the Lord Digby and the Kingston Business Sir Philip Stapleton made this following Speech Mr. Sir Philip Stapleton's Speech concerning the Lord Digby Collonel Lunsford Jan. 15. 1641. Speaker IT is the continual practice of the Devil after any of his Works of Darkness and Maliciousness intended against God and his Christ is discovered and Annihilated by the special Power of Divine Providence to practice new being always striving to encrease his own Kingdom always winning to himself fresh Instruments to yield to his Suggestions and Temptations and Execute the same I am now to speak concerning this new Treachery and Conspiracy endeavoured to be practised by two Eminent Persons that have especially the one of them obtained the Favour not only of their Prince but applauded for their better Parts by most of his Majesties Subjects the Lord Digby and Coll. Lunsford The first had the Honour to sit in this House as a Member thereof so well approved was he both of his King and Country none more Fervent against evil doers at the first then himself seemed to be both by his Speeches and Disputes but in heart always as it seems Favouring the Bishops and their Cause although it seemed but a little yet increasing daily more and more grew to such strength in his oâ—â—ion concerning his own worth that he adventured to take part
And truely they had some reason to do so for certainly this was a direct Levying of War being absolutely without the King's knowledge privity or consent and from this Period ought to be Dated the actual Rebellion which manifestly proves the Faction to be the Aggressors A Message was brought up to the Lords by Mr. Nathanael Fiennes 1. To desire that their Lordships would give dispatch to the Scots Propositions 2. To the Bill for a Contribution for Ireland 3. To let their Lordships know Message concerning adjourning to Grocers-Hall c. That the House of Commons do resolve to Adjourn their House till Thursday at Eight of the Clock and had appointed in the mean time a Committee whereunto all that would come should have Voices to sit in London at Crocers-Hall and have given them a large Power 1. Concerning the Safety of the Kingdom 2. Concerning Priviledges of Parliament 3. The Affairs of Ireland 4. Concerning the setling of the present Distempers And the House of Commons desire That if their Lordships think so fit that they would appoint a like Committee and that their Lordships would give them power to meet and confer with the Committee of the House of Commons 4. The House of Commons desires That the Committees for Ireland might meet there if their Lordships think it fit 5. That the Committee that their Lordships have appointed to take Examinations upon Oath as also the Committees appointed to draw a Petition to his Majesty concerning the Breach of Priviledges might likewise sit there Order of the Lords for adjournment to Grocers-Hall if their Lordships think fit To all which their Lordships consented as appears by this their Ensuing Order Ordered That the Committee for the Irish Affairs shall meet at Grocers-Hall on Tuesday the 18th of this Instant January at Nine of the Clock in the Morning and that they shall have Power to Treat and Debate concerning the Safety of this Kingdom the Priviledges of Parliament the Affairs of Ireland and the setling of the present Distempers and to take into Consideration his Majesties Message sent to both Houses And likewise that the Committee to take Examinations upon Oath may be there as also the Committee appointed to draw a Petition to his Majesty concerning breach of Priviledges and to consider of all means for vindicating the same And it is further Ordered That all the Lords may be present at the said Committees and have Votes and every of them shall have Power to Debate among themselves and with the Committee of the House of Commons and to call all Persons whom they shall think fit before them and likewise to Adjourn from time to time and from place to place as they shall see Cause and the Votes and Results of the Committee to Report unto this House This Adjournment was to keep up the belief that they did not sit in safety at Westminster and to countenance the attempt upon the Militia at which they were now driving might and main Still Sir John Byron the Lieutenant of the Tower was a great Beam in their Eye and therefore to get possession of the Tower they had perswaded several Merchants and others to Petition against him and that it was framed by the Artifice of the Faction the wording of it and the Answers of the Petitioners make apparent for they speak the same Language the Commons had taught them at the last Conference for this purpose with the Lords For a Message was brought up from the House of Commons by Sir Henry Vane Junior to this Effect That the House of Commons having by divers Conferences expressed unto their Lordships the just causes of Fears and Jealousies that are in the City by reason of Sir John Byron 's being Lieutenant of the Tower of London which caused the House of Commons formerly to desire their Lordships to joyn with them to Petition the King that he might be removed from that Place which their Lordships thought not fit to joyn in then Now the House of Commons present to their Lordships a Petition delivered to them from divers Merchants and Goldsmiths of London that have great store of Bullion in the Tower and have divers Ships laden with Bullion lately come into the River and by reason of the Fears and Jealousies they have of the now Lieutenant of the Tower they forbear to bring in their Bullion as may appear by the Petition which was read in haec verba To the Honourable Assembly of the House of Commons in Parliament The Humble Petition of the Merchants and Goldsmiths Traders to His Majesties Mint with Foreign Bullion and Coin Sheweth THat many Jealousies and Fears have risen in your Petitioners Merchants and Goldsmiths Petition against the Lieutenant of the Tower Jan. 17. 1641. by reason of the sudden Removal of that worthy Gentleman Sir William Balfour Lieutenant of the Tower and that the same is now Commanded by one of whom we have not that satisfaction as formerly we have had Your Petitioners therefore in all humility tender this considerable Request to this Honourable Assembly That there may be such a Lieutenant there-placed it being a Place of so great Trust and Considence as shall be thought fitting by this Honourable Assembly which undoubtedly will not only cease our Fears and Jealousies in these distractive times but will occasion us to continue all possible incouragement to our Correspondents beyond the Seas that the Importation of Bullion and Coin of which great quantity is newly arrived in Spain may have its free Course as in former times to the wellfare of Trade in general And Your Petitioners shall pray c. Henry Futter David Otgher Nic. Corsellis Abra. Fortry Diericke Ooste with several others The House of Commons upon this do desire that their Lordships would joyn with them humbly to Petition the King That Sir John Byron Knight now Lieutenant of the Tower of London may be removed and Sir John Conyers recommended to his Majesty from both Houses for that place Whereupon the Merchants and Goldsmiths that Exhibited the aforesaid Petition to the House of Commons presented another verbatim the same to the Lords which being read the House fell into Debate of it and they were called in and asked these Questions by the direction of the House 1. What number of Merchants and Goldsmiths besides themselves brings in Bullion to the Mint To which they Answered Sir Peter Riccaut and a few more but no great number 2. What reasons they have for their Fears and Jealousies of Sir John Byron Lieutenant of the Tower and why they forbear to bring in Bullion to the Mint They had Conn'd their Lesson perfectly and therefore said That they heard that he hath disobeyed the Orders of both Houses of Parliament when he was sent for to come and attend them Also that he is a Gentleman unknown to them and they desire to have such a Lieutenant put in as the Parliament approves of But the Lords it seems easily saw