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
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
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
and Boats they have to Transport Men in and what Number of Men they are able to send over if need he and they find that they are able to Land a considerable number of Men in the North of Ireland and that with more speed and less charge then it can be done from any other part of the Kings Dominions and their Highlanders are conceived proper to fight with the Irish in their own Kind and Country amongst Hills and Boggs An Information was given in by one Col. Hunkes That two disbanded Troopers Moor and Mac-Miller had listed about 40 Men who were lodged near the Iron Gate of the Tower in St. Katharines and that one Bourk an Irish-man of Lincolns-Inn paid them 14 d. per diem that according to the Order of the House he had taken care to disarm them Whereupon Bourk being sent for and Examined confessed that he was an Irish-man and a Roman Catholique That he did this to advance his Fortunes being to Command them in the Service of the King of Spain against Portugal That he received Money from the Spanish Ambassador to pay them and that he did it upon the Order of the House of Commons dated the 26th of October last which gave Licence to Transport the disbanded Soldiers It appearing to the Lords that the Order did Expresly prohibit the Transporting of any of the Kings Subjects Natives of England or Ireland Bourk was committed to the Custody of the Gentleman Usher during the Pleasure of the House Moor and Mac-Miller were for a former misdemeanor in abusing the Lord General Sir John Conyers and assaulting and sending a Challenge to one Captain Trist committed before to Newgate Hereupon Order was sent to the Constable of the Tower to keep diligent Watch for the Safeguard of it The Justices of the Peace for Middlesex and the City of Westminster were also Ordered to make speedy and diligent search in and about the Suburbs of London and Westminster What Irish are residing in their several Jurisdictions and to cause their Names to be taken and return them into this House and to cause strong and good Guards to be set upon such as they find to be dangerous and suspected Persons untill the pleasure of this House be further known Directed To William Roberts John Hooker and Thomas Shepherd Justices of the Peace for Middlesex Upon the reading the Petition of the Bishops that are Impeached Council assigned to the Impeached Bishops shewing That the Councel that was assigned them by this House refuse to be of Council for them because they being Commoners are involved in all the Acts and Votes of the House of Commons Hereupon it was Ordered That Serjeant Jermin Mr. Hern Mr. Chute and Mr. Hales be sent for to give their Answers herein Order of the Lords to expel all Romish Recusants out of the Inns of Court and Chancery It was also this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament That the Treasurers Recorders Readers and Benchers of the Societies of the four Inns of Court shall make or cause to be made diligent Search and Examination whether there be any Recusants of any Nation whatsoever admitted into their several Houses or into the Inns of Chancery belonging thereunto or live within the same Houses And if upon search any shall be found that they be forthwith dismissed and expelled out of the said Houses And it is further Ordered That no Romish Recusant shall hereafter be admitted into any the said Inns of Court or Inns of Chancery upon any pretences whatsoever Directed To the Treasurers Readers and Benchers of the Society of the Inner-Temple To the Treasurers c. of Grayes-Inn To the Treasurers c. of the Middle Temple To the Treasurers c. of Lincolns-Inn In the Commons House it was likewise Ordered Order of the Commons to tender the Oaths of Alleglance and Supremacy to Irish Recusants and others in the Inns of Court Order of the Commons to Examine all Irish endeavouring to pass over into Preland That the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy shall be tendred to the Irish Gentlemen and such others as are suspected for Recusants as are within the Inns of Court that are Students there and that the Lord Keeper shall be desired to award a Commission to that purpose to the Benchers of the several Inns of Court respectively It was also Ordered That all suspected Persons Irish and others that do endeavour to pass over into Ireland shall be Examined by the Mayor or other Officers of the several Ports where they endeavour to take Shipping upon such Instructions as they shall receive from this House and that the said Officers do tender unto all such persons the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and to Convict such according to Law An Information was this day given in to the Commons against one Mr. Carter a School-Master at High-gate for words spoken by him Viz. Chamberlain an Informer That Mr. Carter said That they were mad that would read the Order of the House of Commons of the 8th of September concerning Innovations And for the Protestation there were none but fools had taken it Whereupon Mr. Green who was also present said he had taken it Carter replied It was for want of information and he would maintain that it was against Reason Justice and Law and whereas said he it is to maintain the Priviledge of Parliament no Justice of Peace nor Constable but had as much priviledge as they had And said further That it was against the King and State I answered him Are you wiser than two Kingdoms for the Scots have taken it likewise What do you talk said he of a Company of Rebels and Rascals the Parliament hath dishonoured the King and Kingdom by making a Peace with them Upon which complaint it was Ordered That Carter should immediately be taken into Custody by the Sergeant at Arms. By which passage the Reader may plainly see the Genius of those times and of those Men who verified the saying of the Poet Nec Hospes ab Hospite tutus No person could in common discourse have the freedom of conversation but was in danger of these Zealous Informers who made it their business to run with informations to the House of Commons against such as durst oppose their Votes and Arbitrary Orders Tuesday Novemb. 9. Serjeant Jermin Mr. Chute and Mr. Hales appeared this day before the Lords and declared themselves willing to be of Council with the Lords the Bishops in the Impeachment brought up from the House of Commons The Bishops to answer their Impeachment upon Friday November 12. as they were formerly assigned by the House Whereupon it was Ordered That the Bishops that are impeached shall put in their Answers to the said Impeachment on Friday Morning next and that the Bill concerning the Bishops Votes shall be deferred until then Upon report of the Lords Committees for the Irish Affairs Earl of Leicester scruples raising men without the Kings Commission that
manifestation thereunto subscribeth this 16th day of May 1654. Robert R. Farnam his Mark. This Deposition was taken before Us Commissioners for the Revenue of the Precinct of Cork Robert Phaier Esay Thomas Tho. Woodlif Twelve Depositions in behalf of the Lord and Lady Muskery viz. 1 Sarah Vokely 2 Barbara Moore 3 Mrs. Love 4 Catharine Floyd 5 Mary Thomas 6 Sampson Moor. 7. Eliz. Wharton 8 Ann Field 9 Corporal Biddel in behalf of the said Lord and Lady with Eliz. Lasdoffers in behalf of the said Lady 10 Richard Love 11 Richard Allen and William Baker 12 Eliz. King 13 A Copy of the Certificate of the Lady Muskery's civil carriages since the Rebellion taken before the said Commissioners Dated with the above Depositions the 16th day of May 1654. The Bishop of Ferns also gave this Certificate That he saw a Gibbet upon Carigodrohitt Hill with Two Irish-men hanging on it Executed by the Lord Muskery 's Order for Robbing some English-men coming out from Kerry in the Week before Christmas 1641. Dat. March 28 1682. The Rebels grown now numerous by meeting with little or no opposition and insolent by their Successes began to think of carrying all before them and Sir Phelim O Neal had got together a great Army though but in very ill Equipage insomuch that he divided his Body and with one part marched down towards Lisnagarny near the chief Plantation of the Scots whom hitherto they had professed they would permit quietly to live among them and keep what they were possessed of and the other part advanced towards the English Pale and took in Dondalk Dondalk taken by the Rebels which they did with little difficulty there being only one Company in the Town of the Army commanded by a Lieutenant who having neither Arms nor Ammunition quickly yielded the place which he saw it impossible to defend the Inhabitants being willing to Entertain the Rebels into the Town as they had before into their Hearts and good Affections After the taking of this Town which was about the beginning of November they marched further into the County of Lowth and took in Ardee a little Town within Seven Miles of Tredah The State had present advertisement from the Lord Moor A Garrison opportunely sent to Tredah of their Motions and the Design they had upon Tredah and the ill posture it was in and therefore dispatched away Sir Henry Tichburn with a Regiment wherein several who had been Field-Officers in former Employments voluntarily served as private Captains who going from Dublin the third of November happily arrived there the next day and after them several Troops under the Command of Captain John Slaughter Lieutenant to Sir Thomas Lucas Commissary General Thomas Graham Lieutenant to Sir Adam Loftus and others by which means that important place was preserved from falling into the hands of the Rebels The Lords Justices and Council did also with all diligence apply themselves now to fortifie the City and Suburbs of Dublin Dublin fortified which the Rebels among other Insolencies threat'ned to Attaque Sir Charles Coot was made Governour of the City and had a Commission to raise a Regiment of the poor stripped and dispoiled English who had taken Sanctuary in that City as also the Lord Lambert had to raise another But the greatest difficulty was Money which either was so really scarce or so pretended by the Mayor Aldermen and Citizens that when the Lords Justices sent to borrow Money of them to victual the Castle and carry on the Fortifications The Corporation of Dublin not able to raise above 40 l. they positively affirmed to the Board all they could raise would not amount to above 40 l. and part of that in Cattle too which to Posterity will rather appear an Argument of the little Affection they had to the Government and to keep out the Rebels than of any real Want or Poverty However the Master of the Rolls by a pretty Artifice got the Castle plentifully Victualled for observing the Frights and daily Alarms in which the Protestants in the City were in he laid hold upon this occasion Dublin Castle well Victualled by a pretty Artifice of the Master of the Rolls and sending for some of the best Merchants of the Protestants he represented to them how unsafe their Goods were in the Town and advised them to bring them for security into the Castle where they should be under a strong Guard and withal engaged That if they were made use of for the Publick Service he would become engaged for so much which he would repay out of the first Money consigned from England which promise he exactly afterwards made good by Bills drawn upon the Chamber of London by this means he got 2000 Barrels of Beef 2000 Barrels of Herrings and a large proportion of Wheat into the Stores of the Castle which afterwards proved of excellent Use for the Relief not only of the Castle but of the Army which was quartered in the City a long time after To prevent Dangers which might happen by the great resort of Strangers to the City which raised great apprehensions in the honester Party of the Inhabitants a Proclamation was made commanding all Persons in His Majesties Name not dwelling in the City of Dublin within one hour after the Publication thereof immediately to depart upon pain of Death and this not seeming sufficiently effectual upon the 28th of October a second Proclamation more severe was issued out to the same purpose with the penalty of death to such as should harbour or entertain such suspitious Persons The Proclamations were as follow By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons Jo. Borlase FOr great and weighty reasons of State A Proclamation commanding all Strangers upon pain of death to depart the City and Suburbs of Dublin 23 Octob. 1641. concerning highly the Peace and Safety of this City and Kingdom We do hereby in His Majesties Name strictly Charge and Command all manner of Persons of what Degree and Condition soever who are not dwellers in this City or Suburbs that within one hour after publishing this Proclamation they depart from the Suburbs of this City and return to their own dwellings and that upon pain of death to be presently executed upon them if any of them be found here after that time And all Housholders in the Suburbs to whom any such may come are to be equally guilty with such Contemners if they Lodge or Entertain any of the said Persons hereby required to depart Given at His Majesties Castle of Dublin 23 October 1641. R. Dillon Ad. Loftus Jo. Temple Fr. Willoughby Ja. Ware Rob. Meredith A second Proclamation for all Strangers upon pain of death to depart out of Dublin c. Octob. 28. 1641. By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons Jo. Borlase WHereas notwithstanding the late Proclamation published in this City requiring all Stangers to depart from the same upon pain of Death divers Strangers do daily repair to the same and
Law and immediately sent down to the Commons by Serjeant Finch and Serjeant Glanvile A Message was sent to the Commons to let them know That the Queen hath desired the Inlargement of Phillips the Priest and that the Lords being satisfied with his Submission and having nothing against him further depending in their House are inclinable to release him but resolved according to their Engagement to let the House of Commons be first acquainted with it Upon which the Commons made this Answer That they desire he may be continued still in his Restraint in regard he is a Priest and complained of for seducing his Majesties Subjects Several Bills were sent up to the Lords two private ones a third for the laying down of the Privilege of Parliament concerning Protections in some Cases c. a fourth for the Forfeiture of the Lands of John James who stabbed Justice Heywood at White-Hall and for his further Punishment c. An Ordinance was also brought into the House of Commons for reimbursing the City the 50000 l. last borrowed and the 50000 l. formerly lent to the Peers in the Northern Expedition The Commissioners being now returned from Scotland Wednesday Novemb. 24. The Commissioners return from Scotland the Lord Keeper was commanded in the Name of the House of Lords to let the Lord Howard of Eskrik know That the House doth acknowledg that his Lordship hath very carefully and faithfully discharged that Trust which this House reposed in him in his Imployment in Scotland as a Committee for this House for which the House gives his Lordship Thanks and will be ready upon all Occasions for his Good to Recommend him to the King The House of Lords being Yesterday adjourned in regard they were informed of his Majesties coming from Scotland Thursday Novemb. 25. sate not till Friday and that it may a little recreate the Reader who may well be tired with so much Tragedy and the repeated Troubles of Rebellions Plots and Conspiracies of which this unhappy Age was so Fertile I will present him with the short Sun-shine of that Days Solemnity which hath so often been resembled to the Treacherous Hosannas which preceded the Crucifixion of the Glorious Redeemer of the World and not without Reason for while he made that short Ovation in London the Scribes and Pharisees of the Faction at Westminster were in Consultation of that Remonstrance which was to crucify his Reputation and was the first bold Step to the taking away his Crown and Life Notice having been given of his Majesties Return this day to White-Hall the Nobility Gentry Lord Mayor Aldermen and Recorder The King returns from Scotland and the-manner of his Reception by the City with many of the Principal Citizens went to attend his Majesty and Conduct him to the City So soon as they met him Mr. Recorder of London Addressed himself with all due Respects to his Majesty in this congratulatory Speech May it please Your Majesty THis is a day of Exceeding great Joy to your Citizens of London Mr. Recorder of London's Speech to the King at his return from Scotland joy exalted to the highest degree to see you return in safety after a long absence and to see this happy meeting with your Dearest Consort our good and gracious Queen and with these blessed Children that are the Fruits of your Loves and Pledges to us of a fruitful and hopeful Succession I can truly say this from the Representative Body of your City from whence I have my Warrant they meet Your Majesty with as much Love and Affection as ever Citizens of London met with any of Your Royal Progenitors King or Queen of this Kingdom and with as hearty a desire to shew it self fully Pardon their failers where you meet with any We tender unto You no formal Present it would but lessen us whatever it were I am sure it would be far short of our meaning but we present unto You our hearts and affections hearts of true Subjects full of Loyalty to You our King and Sovereign 'T is true in this we offer Your Majesty but your own they were by just right Yours before but upon this new and enlivening occasion be pleased to take them as a new gift we offer them chearfully vouchsafe to accept them graciously and with the Influence of those Excellent and Princely Vertues which we know by great assurance to be eminent in Your Royal Person we doubt not but Your Majesty will continue the defence of our Establisht Religion and the clear Current of Justice through all the Streams of which Your Majesty is the Royal Fountain Vouchsafe likewise to uphold and countenance that Ancient Form and Frame of Government which hath been long Established in the City that Power and Authority of Yours which You have committed to Your Lord Mayor your true and faithful Subject and Servant and the fit reverence and respect due to the Aldermen his Brethren who are to assist him in his Government we shall be thereby the better enabled to serve Your Majesty and constantly to render to You the Fruits of a true Obedience And as our Duty binds us we shall never cease to Bless You and Pray for You and Your Dearest Consort our gracious Queen and for this Your Royal and Princely Off-spring for Your Majesties long Life and prosperous Reign over us in Peace and Glory and with full contentment And I doubt not but every true Subject will joyn with us in this and say Amen These Expressions of Joy of Love of Loyalty and these hearty wishes and desires which I have mentioned I meet with every where from your Citizens of London they are the soft and still Musick prepared for Your Majesties Welcom and Entertainment this Day The joyful Acclamations of Your People upon the sight of your Royal Person will make it louder and all chearfully bearing their agreeing parts together shall I hope this Day make up to Your Majesty a full and pleasing Harmony To which His Majesty immediately returned this Gracious Answer Mr. Recorder I Must desire you The King's Answer to the Recorder of London's Speech because My Voice cannot reach to all those that I desire should hear Me to give most hearty thanks to all the good Citizens of London for their hearty Expressions of their Love to Me this Day And indeed I cannot sufficiently express the contentment I have received therein For now I see that all these former Tumults and Disorders have only risen from the meaner sort of People and that the Affections of the better and main part of the City have ever been Loyal and Affectionate to My Person and Government And likewise it comforts Me to see That all those misreports that have been made of Me in My absence have not the least power to do Me prejudice in your Opinions as may easily be seen by this days Expressions of Joy And now I think it fit for Me to assure you That I am returned with as
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
to apprehend the Persons there or in any other place Information was also given of Arms at Fox-Hall which being the Lord Herberts he was willing they should be disposed of as the Parliament thinks fit and therefore Sir John Evelyn was appointed to go with a Message to desire the Lords to joyn with the Commons for the removing them from thence to the City of London to be there securely kept in regard of the Danger of these times and the weakness of that Place the Situation of it so near the Houses of Parliament and the conveniency of Water and the Forces that are now Assembled at Kingston Thus did they amass a multitude of Informations searched all corners for Arms and Ammunition to countenance the Noise of a Plot against the Parliament but truly with very little success most of these hopeful Plot Eggs proving Addle and Dwindling into nothing more then serving the present turn of keeping up the People in a belief of this Horrible Plot against the Parliament The House of Lords being informed that one James Hanham a Recusant of Holle-Well in Sommerset-shire Thursday Jan. 13. had Arms for 40. Foot and 20. Horse and three Pieces of Brass Ordnance which causeth great terror to his Majesties good Subjects It was Ordered that the Sheriff of that County and the two next Justices of the Peace should Seize and take into their Custody the Arms and Ordnance that they shall find in the House of the said Hanham and keep them for his Majesties Use and Service A Message was then brought from the House of Commons by the Lord Grey of Grooby to let their Lordships know That they find abroad under the hand of the Clerk of this House Articles of High Treason and of other Misdemeanors against the Lord Kymbolton and five of the Members of the House of Commons and they desire to know how those Articles came into this House To which the Answer was That these Articles were brought into this House by Mr. Attorney General The Lord Keeper next Reported to the House That he had waited on the King and according to their Lordships command he had moved his Majesty from both Houses that he would be pleased to give his Royal Assent to the three Bills lately passed both Houses and likewise hath acquainted his Majesty with the Order made concerning the putting of Sir John Hotham into Hull for the securing of the Town and the Magazines there And his Majesty returns this Answer 1. The Kings answer concerning the three Bills passed Concerning the Bill for pressing of Marriners and concerning the Captives of Algier his Majesty is content to pass his Royal Assent for them for that purpose he hath given Warrant for a Commission But for the Bill of giving Power to the Houses to Adjourn into London his Majesty says in regard neither he nor any of his Council hath seen it he will take some time to consider of it before he resolves any thing therein 2. For the Fears concerning Hull his Majesty hath formerly considered the same and hath already taken Special care for the security of that Place from the adjoyning Papists Likewise his Lordship Reported That his Majesty had commanded him to deliver this answer to both Houses touching the Lord Kymbolton and the five Members of the House of Commons That his Majesty taking notice The Kings Message concerning the Lord Kymbolton and the 5 Members that some conceive it disputable whether the Proceedings against the Lord Kymbolton Mr. Hollis Sir Arthur Haslerig Mr. Pym Mr. Hambden and Mr. Strode be Legal and Agreeable to the Priviledges of Parliament and being very desirous to give Satisfaction to all Men in all matters that may seem to have relation to Priviledges is pleased to wave his former Proceedings and all doubts being by this means settled when the Minds of Men are composed his Majesty will proceed thereupon in an unquestionable Way and assures his Parliament that upon all occasions he will be as careful of their Priviledges as of his Life and his Crown Whereupon it was Ordered That this Answer be Communicated to the House of Commons Upon this occasion I find a Speech of the Earl of Monmouth's made this day in the House of Lords which because it takes notice that the King did not think himself safe at White-Hall I have here inserted and I find this also confirmed in a little Book written by Mr. Howel Howells Inspections into the Carriage and Consults of the long Parliament pag. 97. and Dedicated to the late Usurper where recounting the Transactions of those times he said That the King rather then Expose himself to such bare Indignities as were offered to him during these Popular Riots and there being Dark Whispers of an attempt upon his Person He Retired to Hampton Court and thence to Windsor Castle c. The Earles Speech was as follows My Lords I Shall desire to be heard speak a few Words The Earl of Monmouth's Speech in the Lords House January 13. 1641. which I would much rather have heard spoken by any of your Lordships that so they might have a happier and a more handsome Expression though with a better Heart and clearer Intentious they could not have been spoken The sad Condition we are now in My Lords is such as is too apparent to any man who hath but half an Eye the City of London is full of Jealousies and Apprehensions we sit not here free from Fears the King hath with-drawn himself from hence together with his Queen and Children out of a belief as I conceive that his Majesties Person was not safe here While things continue in this Posture My Lords we may well fear an impairing we can hardly hope for the bettering of Affairs God hath plac'd us My Lords in the Medium betwixt the King and his People Let us play our Parts My Lords Let us do our Duties and discharge our Consciences Let us really prove what we are by Name Noblemen Let us indeavor to work a perfect and a true Vnderstanding between the King and his People Let us freely unbosome our selves to his Majesty and desire that his Majesty will be pleased to do so to us and to this end My Lords which is the end of my Motion if it shall be approved of by your Lordships I do humbly move that by way of Conference or any other way we may desire the House of Commons to joyn with us first in an humble Petition to his Majesty that he would be graciously pleased to return to his good City of London as the safest Place we conceive for his sacred Person in these distemper'd Times and then that they will likewise joyn with us in a Profession or Protestation that we will do what in us lies to free his Majesty from his Fears to take from the Citizens of London and his Majesties other Subjects their Jealousies and Apprehensions and that we will Live and Dye his Majesties faithful Advisors
House of Commons an Order was issued to the High Sheriff of Suffolk calling to his Assistance Sir William Spring Mr. Order to search the Lady River's House for Arms. Maurice Barrow or either of them to his assistance to search the House of the Lady Rivers and to seize what Arms they shall find there and put them in safe Custody Another Order was issued to the Vice-Chancellor of Oxon Order to search for Arms at Oxon. the Major and Sir Nathaniel Brent Alderman of that City or any two of them to search the Houses of Mr. Green Mr. Napier at the Starr and Mr. Williams and any other suspected Place for Arms and take good Order to remove them and put them in safe Custody and shall likewise seize the Persons of such Recusants as shall resort to either of these Places or any other House or Place within the University or City of Oxon. It was also Ordered That a Messenger be sent Post on purpose to Portsmouth with the Ordinance of both Houses and this House undertakes to see the Messenger paid Then Mr. Bagshaw of Windsor was called in and did inform the House Bagshaw of Windsor an Informer That the last Night as he went to Windsor he saw divers Troops of Horse That there came a Waggon loaden with Ammunition last Night to Windsor That there was another Waggon that went away from Windsor to Farnham That there was a Messenger gone to Portsmouth That he was informed there were about 400 Horse in the Town and about some forty Officers Whereupon Mr. Arthur Goodwin was sent to desire the Lords to sit a while in regard this House doth believe they shall have Occasion to come up to them with some Matters of great Importance And presently after Sir Edward Hungerford went up to the Lords to desire a Conference touching the Peace and Safety of the Kingdom And upon this Information Skippon ordered to send out Scouts by Land and Water which was of the same Stamp with the other about Kingston it was Ordered That Serjeant Major General Skippon do take Care That ten Horsemen be forthwith appointed to go as Scouts from time to time to bring Intelligence if any Forces do approach near the City and this House will undertake that they shall be satisfied and also to take care for the appointing of such Boats or small Vessels as shall be necessary by Water for the Service aforesaid and the House will take care Satisfaction also be given to those so imployed It is impossible to enter into the Head of any Man of Sense that the Faction was under any real Fears from this Information but there is another sort of Fear a Politick Fear which was by these preparations of Scouts by Land and Water to perswade the City that the Parliament had discovered some huge Plot against them which they were so solicitous to prevent for had the Information been true as in probability it was very false since Bagshaw does not affirm it of his own Knowledg but by a second-hand Information which he had met with what occasion of Fear could 400 Men give to the City of London or to the Parliament the House of Commons being able to have given Battle to such a Number if they should have had any Design against them as they indeavoured to make the City and the whole Nation be lieve But the Faction had a very particular Service for these strange Rumors which they so industriously fomented and magnified and that was by the help of these imaginary Dangers to wrest the Sword of the Militia out of His Majesties hands for unless they had the management of it they nor the Kingdom as they made the People believe could not be in any condition of Safety And in order to this Mr. Pierpoint Committee for putting the Kingdom into a posture of defence Sir Richard Cave Mr. Hollis and Mr. Solliciter Sir Philip Stapleton Mr. Glyn Sir H. Vane Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer were appointed to be a Committee to consider of some Heads and present them to the House to morrow morning for putting the Kingdom into a Posture of Defence Then his Majesties Answer to the desires of the Commons concerning Arms for Ireland was read as followeth HIS Majesty having considered of the Message delivered to him from the House of Commons of the 12th of this present Month His Majesties Answer to the Commons concerning Arms out of the Stores for Ireland whereby it is desired that he should give a general Warrant for delivery of Arms and Ammunition for the Service of Ireland returneth this Answer That as His Majesty hath been very careful to contribute all that possibly he could for furnishing Provisions for the Relief of Ireland so he shall be ready to give Warrants immediately from time to time for any particulars that shall be thought fit by his Parliament to be sent out of his Stores for that Service and for the present hath given Warrant for the delivering 1500 Muskets with all things to them belonging and 500 Pikes and Corslets and 2000 Swords out of his Tower of London and Arms for 500 Horse out of the Magazine of Hull The Earl of Newport this day signified to the House Saturday January 15. That he had received Warrants from the King to Transport the Arms and Ammunition desired for Ulster only he wants Money and Ships to convey them A Conference was had between the Lords and Commons concerning the Lieutenant of the Tower Lord Keeper Reports the Conference concerning the Lieutenant of the Tower which the Lord Keeper thus Reported That the House of Commons conceive the Tower of London to be a Place of that great Importance that they do renew a former Motion that their Lordships would joyn with them humbly to Petition the King that the Lieutenant now in may be removed and such a Person put in as the King Parliament and City may confide in The Parliament confides not in Sir John Byron because he hath been disobedient and hath refused to come upon the Summons of both Houses of Parliament not that they speak this as desiring it may be a cause of Punishment upon him but as a ground of distrust The City says Though the Lieutenant may be a worthy Gentleman otherwise yet he is a Man unknown to them which already causes ill Effects for Merchants begin to take away their Bullion out of the Mint and write Letters to their Factors to send no more And at the present there is a Ship come laden very richly with Bullion but the Owners do forbear to bring it into the Mint because they cannot confide in the Lieutenant of the Tower This concerns the City and Trade exceedingly for it is a Charge to the City to maintain a Guard about the Tower therefore the House of Commons desires their Lordships to join with them in an humble Petition to his Majesty That Sir John Byron now Lieutenant of the Tower may be
removed and that Sir John Conyers may be recommended to his Majesty for that Place But before the House of Lords would give any Resolution herein it was Ordered That the Common-Council of the City of London the Merchants that have Estates in Bullion the Minters and all others concerned shall be inquired of whether there be a stay of the Mint or any forbearance of bringing in of Bullion into the Tower of London and if there be whether it proceeds in respect of Sir John Byron 's being Lieutenant of the Tower and hereof speedy Certificate to be made to the Lords in Parliament A Message was then brought from the House of Commons by Denzil Hollis Esquire 1. He brought up the Bill for the Relief of his Majesties distressed Subjects of Ireland 2. To desire the Lords to join with them in an Ordinance to secure 50000 l. borrowed of the Merchant Adventurers for the Affairs of Ireland 3. To move the King to concur with both Houses in the Order made giving Power to Sir John Hotham for securing the Town of Hull and the Magazine there for his Majesties Service To which the Answer was That their Lordships will take the particulars into Consideration this Afternoon The Ordinance for securing the said Merchant Adventurers was read in these words THe Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for securing the Merchant Adventurers 50000 l. having a due Regard to the good Affections of the Governors Assistants and Fellowship of Merchant Adventurers of England expressed in the present advancing and lending of 30000 l. of Lawful Money and forwardness to advance and lend the foresaid Sum of 20000 l. more of like Money if their Affairs will admit the same for the security of this Common-wealth in the supply of the present Affairs in Ireland which the said Lords and Commons do take in very good part and being resolved to make a full and just satisfaction for the same do hereby declare that the said Sum of 30000 l. and such Sum and Sums as they shall further advance and lend as aforesaid shall be fully satisfied and paid unto the said Company of Merchant Adventurers into the hands of their Treasurer for the time being with Interest after the Rate of 8 l. per cent for a Year out of such Moneys as shall be next raised by Authority of Parliament To which Ordinance the Lords agreed Then the Lord Keeper informed the House The Act for the Captives at Argiers and for pressing Marriners passed by Commission That the Commission was come signed by his Majesty for giving the Royal Assent to two Bills one for pressing of Marriners the other against Pyrates Then the Lord Keeper the Lord Great Chamberlain and the Earl of Cumberland three of the Commissioners being sate upon a Form for a-cross the House between the Chair of State and the Lord Keeper's Wool-sack the Gentleman-Usher of the Black-Rod was commanded to go for the House of Commons who being come with their Speaker the Lord Keeper acquainted the Lords and Commons That his Majesty having such occasions as he could not come to this House to give his Royal Assent to the Two Bills in Person hath given a Commission under the Great Seal of England the Contents whereof was read openly which being done the Clerk of the Crown was commanded to read the Titles of the Bills severally in haec verba viz. An Act for the freeing of the Captives of Argier and to prevent the taking of others An Act for pressing of Marriners and Soldiers for the present Guarding of the Seas and the defence of his Majesties Dominions Which being done the Clerk of the Parliament pronounced the Royal Assent to them particularly and severally in these Words Le Roy le Veult And then the Commons returned to their House After this the Lord Keeper Reported the Conference yesterday to this Effect The L. Keeper's Report of the Conference concerning Bagshaw's Information That the House of Commons received Information concerning divers Forces of Horses and Armed Men in a Warlike manner which have been seen at Kingston and afterwards at Windsor and now gone towards Farnham and that Yesterday about 100 Men were met going from London towards Windsor Armed with Pistols and Waggons were going towards Windsor laden with Ammunition The House of Commons say this causeth much wonder at this time all at Peace and a Parliament sitting that such Forces should be Levied therefore they desire that it may be declared by both Houses That whosoever shall raise Forces at this time without Consent in Parliament may be esteemed Enemies and Disturbers of the Peace of the Kingdom and that both Houses will take care to suppress them and likewise the House of Commons desire That a Message be sent to the King to this purpose and to acquaint his Majesty that both Houses of Parliament will be very careful of the Publick Peace and that they hold it against the Law any Forces should be so levied And further the House of Commons acquaints their Lordships That the Lord Digby hath been with the Soldiers at Kingston and given them thanks in the King's Name and told them That his Majesty came out of London to keep them from being trampled in the dirt therefore they desire that the Lord Digby may be summoned to attend this House forthwith Hereupon it was Ordered Order to Summon the Lord Digby to attend the House of Lords That the Lord George Digby shall be Summoned forthwith to attend this House as a Peer of this Realm and hereof he is not to fail Directed to the Gentleman-Usher attending the House of Peers It will be worth the Readers while to cast his Eye a little back upon the Information of Bagshaw of Windsor upon which Foundation all this Conference was built and as there is little doubt but Bagshaw saw double so the Commons looked through their usual Multiplying Glass and saw his single Waggon of Ammunition turned into Waggons and those few Soldiers which he only by Report heard to be at Windsor were Multiplied into an Army But they had a Design now behind the Curtain of seizing the Militia into their Hands either with or against the King's Consent to which this noise of raising Forces by the Lord Digby was to contribute by heightning and swelling the Peoples Fears and Jealousies throughout the Nation in order to smooth their Way to this great Design upon which these Criminals of the Faction built their own Security though they pretended the Safety of the Nation But that I may give all the light I can possibly into this Affair which filled the City and Nation with Terror and Amazement I will present the Reader with the Lord Digby's Apology which besides the clear account it gives of this Kingston Army will also let in some light into other dark and obscure passages both before and after this time and will set the Arts and Intrigues of the