inhumanely put out lived not long after in torment and grief Some say he died by a more horrible Kind of Cruelty as his Belly was opened Will. Caxton and one end of his Bowels fastned to a Stake his Body pricked with sharp Ponyards till all his Entrails were extracted in which most Savage Torture he ended his innocent Life These Bishops little regarded Ecclesiastical Vocation or Function but Worldly Pomp and Courtly Rule They cannot be at Assemblies of States and Parliaments but their neglected Flock must be starved These feed not their hungry Sheep but hunger to feed on them and this Care of the World volves them in a world of Cares What hath been spoken of those Bishops I wish had not been delivered of other Latter Prelats wherein I crave Leave to speak what others write That they are grown to that Height of Idleness the Mother of Ignorance and Luxury within themselves and by reason thereof in contempt and base estimation with the People that it is thought high time that blood should be drawn from their swelling Veins I will not though perhaps I might say with them that the Commonwealth hath little use of such I mean of our Lordly Bishops but for that they are so far degenerated from the Primitive institution I wish there were reformation I speak not of demolishing but of Amendment and Restitution and until it appear that the whole is unsound I shall not assent to utter extirpation or eradication Thus much I have made bold to deliver though not in due place nor in any purpose to plead against those or any of them that have declared themselves to be of contrary Opinion I am not ignorant of my disability to enter the Lists with any or to contend with such Worthies in this or other Argument but I hope there will not be denyed to me Leave and Liberty to declare the Cause and Reason of my Vote in this House in which I have the honour to sit as a Member And if I have erred I have been mis-led not only by Learned Fathers and Divines by Synods and General Councils but by great Lords and Barons yea by the whole Peerage of these Kingdoms of England and France Peter Lord Primandy and Barree who writ the French Academy and dedicated the same to Henry the Third King of France and Poland in that Book and Chapter of the Causes that bred Change saith That Bishops and Prelates neglecting their Charge to bestow their times in worldly Affairs grew to Misliking and Contempt have procured great Offences and marvellous Trouble which may more easily be lamented then taken away or reformed being such Abuses as have taken deep Root And what he affirmeth did the Peers of France unitely deliver That Bishops should follow St. Peter 's steps to win Souls and not to meddle with Wars and Murder of Mens Bodies But to come neer and to speak of England Let us hear what the English Lords did declare We read that they did Decree in the time and Reign of King John That Bishops should not intermeddle in Civil Affairs or Rule as Princes over their Vassals and the reason is rendred for Peter say they received no power but only in matters pertaining to the Church and further inlarging themselves use these words It appertains not to Bishops to deal in Secular Affairs since Peter only received of our Saviour a power in matters Ecclesiastical what say they hath the Prelates to intermeddle with Wars such are Constantine's Successors not Peter's whom as they represent not in good Actions so neither do they in Authority fie on such Rascal Ribaulds the words in Paris are Marcidi Ribaldi how unlike are they to Peter that usurp Peter's place But this point of intermedling in Secular Affairs though I have often digressed and intermingled with the former parts is proved in its proper place to be unlawful viz. in that part that treateth thereof Craving pardon for this Deviation I will pursue the present Argument the obnoxiousness of their Sitting in Parliament and to come to the points I intended to insist on viz. The entrance of Bishops into the Parliament House and by what means they came there and continued That they have sate there from the first Parliament to this is not denyed But as we are not now to consider an fuerunt but an profuerunt so are we not to debate and discuss an factum but an fieri debuit for it was the Argument of a Pagan viz. Symmachus to the Emperor Theodosius recorded by St. Ambrose servanda est tot saeculis fides nostra sequendi sunt Majores nostri qui secuti sunt foeliciter suos Our Religion which hath continued so many years is still to be retained and our Ancestors are to be followed by us who happily traced the steps of their Fore-fathers but with Tertullian nullam velo consuetudinem defendas if good no matter how short since if bad the longer the worse Antiquity without truth as saith Cyprian is but ancient Error The first Parliament as I read began 1116 or thereabouts and in the Sixteenth or Seventeenth year of King Henry the First who being an Usurper brought in by the Bishops to the disherison of Robert his elder Brother admitted the said Bishops to be Members of the said High Court partly in gratefulness but rather for that he durst not do otherwise for was not Ralph the then Archbishop of Canterbury so proud and insolent a Prelate that we read of him that when Roger Bishop of Salisbury was to Celebrate the Kings Coronation by reason of the Palsie of the Archbishop this cholerick outdaring Prelate could hardly be intreated by the Lords to with-hold his hands from striking the Crown from the Kings Head Eadmerus of such Spirits were those spiritual Prelates and the Jealousie to lose their pompous preheminence of Honours Math. Paris Anno 1119. yet had he no other reason for this his sauciness and bold Attempt but for that Roger did not this by his appointment At the same time Thurstan was Archbishop of York who though a disloyal and perjured Man by breach of his Oath to the King Polichron l. 7. c. 18. yet was he highly favoured and countenanced by the Pope and put into that See by him in despite of the said King And as he so the rest of the Bishops not less guilty nor much less potent were likewise admitted Members of that high Court and to speak plainly how could he spare their being in that House who were to justifie his Title to the Crown Now pass we to King Stephen King Stephen another Usurper Nephew to the former King Henry him though he had an Elder Brother and before them both the Title of Anjou by his Wife Maud the Empress as also of his Son Henry to precede the Bishops did advance to the Royal Throne no less perfidiously then trayterously having formerly sworn to Maud the Empress We are also to understand
and others of the Privy Council whose hands are at the Warrant for the Commitment of Sir John Corbet ought to joyn in this Reparation viz. the Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Coventry Archbishop of York Earl of Manchester Lord Cottington Edw. Lord Newburgh Sir Henry Vane Sir Francis Windebank Then the House took into Consideration the Reasons which the Lords had offered at the Conference concerning the Bishops having Votes in Parliament Answers to the Lords Reasons for Bishops Voting in Parliament and it was agreed to offer these Reasons in Answer to them 1. The Commons do conceive that Bishops ought not to have Votes in Parliament First Because it is a very great hinderance to the Exercise of their Ministerial Function 2. Because they do vow and undertake at their Ordination when they enter into Holy Orders That they will give themselves wholly to that Vocation 3. Because Councils and Canons in several Ages do forbid them to meddle in Secular Affairs 4. Because the 24 Bishops have dependency on the two Archbishops by their Oath of Canonical Obedience to them 5. Because they are but for their Lives and therefore are not fit to have Legislative power over the Honors Inheritances Persons and Liberties of others 6. Because of Bishops Dependancy and Expectancy of Translation to Places of greater Profit 7. Because that several Bishops have of late much Encroached upon the Consciences and Liberties of the Subject and they and their Successors will be much Encouraged still to Encroach and the Subjects will be discouraged from complaining against such Incroachments if Twenty six of that Order be to be Judges upon those Complaints The same Reason Extends to their Legislative Power in any Bill to pass for Regulation of their Power upon any emergent inconvenience by it 8. Because the whole number of them is interessed to maintain the Jurisdiction of Bishops which hath been found so grievous to the Three Kingdoms that Scotland hath abolished it and Multitudes in England and Ireland have Petitioned against it 9. Because the Bishops being Lords of Parliament it setteth too great a distance between them and the rest of their Brethren in the Ministry which occasioneth Pride in them Discontent in others and Disquiet in the Church To their having Votes a long time If inconvenient Time and Vsage are not to be considered with Law-makers and some Abbots voted as anciently in Parliament as Bishops yet taken away That for the Bishops Certificate to plenarty of Benefice and Loyalty of Marriage the Bill Extends not to them the Bishops making return of them by Course of Common Law That Argument taken from the Canons and Laws Ecclesiastical This Passage is in the Report of this Conference in the Lords Journal but not in the Commons They Judged these Canons not binding so did the Bishops too yet they must be lawful against them must be considered as a fight against the Bishops with their own Weapon as a kind of Goliah 's Sword to cut off Goliah 's head but not as though the House of Commons did hereby Justifie the Legality of any thing of that Nature That for the Proviso for the Vniversities and Temporal Lords it may stand in the Bill if it please their Lordships It was added That there is an ACT preparing for the Regulating of the Vniversities and this Proviso is but permitted to remain there by way of Provision till that be Effected For the Secular Jurisdiction of the Dean of Westminster the Bishops of Durham and Ely and the Archbishop of York if they are to Execute them in their own persons the former Reasons shew the inconvenience of them and for the Temporal Courts and Jurisdictions which are Executed by their Temporal Officers the Bill doth not concern them How deeply Guilty these Anti-Episcopal Grandees of the Faction were of Hypocrisie and Collusion this Passage makes clearly apparent The deep Hypocrifie of the Grandees of the Anti-Episcopal Faction for whereas by the Bill upon which this Conference with the Lords was had and for the supporting of which these Reasons were Framed they seemed only to desire that the Bishops might not Sit and Vote in the Lords House as Peers of the Realm and not to take away the Office or Function they had at that very instant as the Reader by casting his Eye but a little backward may see a Bill before them for the utter Abolition and Extirpation of the Office it self with all its appennages commonly known by the name of the Root and Branch Bill It is not my Province to descend into so great a Field of Controversie as these Reasons against the Bishops Votes would afford a Pen of Greater Leizure however because these Papers may fall into some hands who may not be so well Antidoted against the well gilt Poyson I will adventure to give them some short strictures And therefore First the Reader is to Consider in general That the Lords Spiritual being by the Common Law of this Realm Peers in Parliament and by the Statute Law declared to be one of the Three Estates of the Kingdom if any such Inconveniences as are here objected against them were sufficient ground for the abolition of them and consequently altering the Frame of the Government then Paritate Rationis it would follow That the like or greater inconveniences would be a sufficient ground for the utter abolishing or taking away of either or both the other Two Estates viz. The Lords Temporal and Commons which Assertion evidently destroyes the Being and Foundation of Parliaments which sure no Englishman can without Horror and Detestation hear And indeed this very Consequence led these very Persons afterwards to Vote the House of Lords Vseless and Dangerous and wholly to lay them aside and divest them of all the Priviledges of their Peerage in Parliament to the utter Subversion of the Ancient Frame of the Government Nor indeed were these Inconveniencies which they represent here as so Formidable and Dangerous of any weight or moment in themselves For as to the First The hinderance of the exercise of their Ministerial Function The very share they have in preparing Laws and giving their Assent to them in that Station is one of the most weighty parts of their Episcopal Function to take Care that such Laws may be made in a Christian Kingdom as may be for the Glory of God the Advancement of true Piety and the Well Government of the Church And for any other parts of their Office though they should not be so well able to perform them during the times of Session of Parliaments which yet for any thing made appear to the contrary they may do Yet the great necessity and advantage of their Legislative Right may very well give a dispensation to the omission of the less necessary Offices of their Function for so small a time as the Sessions of Parliament Used to be till these Men obtained of the King that perpetuating ACT of which it may truly be
through this little Artifice and therefore the Merchants c. being withdrawn after much consideration the Question was put Whether this House will joyn in an humble Petition with the House of Commons to his Majesty to remove Sir John Byron Knight The Lords refuse to joyn with the Commons in a Petition to displace the Lieutenant of the Tower Several Lords enter a Protestation against the Vote for not joyning with the Commons about the Lieutenant of the Tower from being Lieutenant of the Tower of London and to place Sir John Conyers in that Place And it was Resolved Negatively These Lords following before the Question was put demanded their Right of Protestation and that they might have liberty to Enter their Dissents to this Vote which the House gave leave unto Lord Admiral Earl of Bedford Earl of Pembroke Earl of Leicester Earl of Sarum Earl of Warwick Earl of Holland Earl of Bolinbrook Earl of Stamford Viscount Say and Seal Lord Wharton Lord Pagett Lord North Lord Hunsdon Lord Willoughby de Parrham Lord St. Johns Lord Spencer Lord Kymbolton Lord Brooke Lord Roberts Lord Grey de Warke Lord Newnham Lord Howard de Escrick After which the Committee of the House of Commons were called in and the Councel of the Bishops standing at the Bar the 12 Bishops were severally brought in one after another First The Bishops answer to the Impeachment of the Commons The Arch-Bishop of York was brought to the Bar and after he had kneeled as a Delinquent he was commanded to stand up And then the Speaker by direction of the House told him That this Day was appointed for the 12 Bishops to put in their several Answers to the Impeachment of the House of Commons of High Treason against them and that their Lordships do require him to put in his Answer thereunto His Grace Answered That he had received an Order Dated the 30th of December last with an Impeachment against himself and 11 other Bishops of High Treason from the House of Commons And likewise divers Orders of several days that were appointed for them to put in their Answers and the last Order for this day which accordingly he is come to obey their Lordships Commands And for his own Answer to the aforesaid Impeachment of High Treason he gives his Answer in this manner I John Arch-Bishop of York saving to my self all advantages of Exceptions to the insufficiency of the said Impeachment for my self say That I am not Guilty of the Treason Charged by the said Impeachment in manner and form as the same is therein charged Then he desired a present and speedy Tryal and so withdrew In the same manner Thomas Bishop of Durham Robert Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield Joseph Bishop of Norwich John Bishop of St. Asaph William Bishop of Bath and Wells George Bishop of Hereford Matthew Bishop of Ely Robert Bishop of Oxon Godfrey Bishop of Glocester John Bishop of Peterborough and Morgan Bishop of Llandaff were severally brought to the Bar and gave the same Answer The Bishops having given in their Answers the Committee of the House of Commons went to their own House Then a Petition of the Bishops was read as followeth To the Right Honourable the Lords Assembled in the House of Peers The Humble Petition of John Arch-Bishop of York and other the Bishops Impeached by the House of Commons of High Treason the 30th of December last Humbly Sheweth THat your Petitioners by your Honourable Order of the date of the Impeachment The Bishops Petition to be speedily Tryed or Bailed were to put in their Answers thereunto the 7th of this Instant and have had sit hence several days for that purpose assigned them and are now this 17th of this Instant brought hither by your Lordships Order They always having been as now they are ready to obey your Lordships Commands and many of them already much Impaired both in their Health and Estates Do most Humbly Pray That a Speedy proceeding may be had therein and that in the mean time they may be admitted to Baile And your Petitioners shall ever Pray for increase of Honour and Divine Blessing upon your Lordships Jo. Eborac Godfr Glouc. Jos Norvic Tho. Duresme Jo. Asaph Guil. Bath Well Geo. Hereford Mat. Eliens Ro. Oxon. Jo. Petriburg Mor. Landaff Ro. Cov. Litch Hereupon It was Ordered by the Lords The Bishops remanded to Prison That the day of Tryal for the twelve Bishops which are Impeached of High Treason by the House of Commons shall be on Tuesday the 25th of this Instant January at the Bar of the Lords House In the mean time the Bishop of Durham and the Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield shall be remanded to the Custody of the Gentleman Vsher attending this House and the other ten to be presently remanded to the Tower there to remain until the further Pleasure of the House be known And a Message was sent to the House of Commons by Mr. Serjeant Finch and Mr. Serjeant Glanvile to acquaint them with this Order The Lord Keeper being indisposed had by the leave of the House retired himself but before his going had delivered a Letter from the King to the Speaker of the Lords House for the time which was read as follows To Our Trusty and Right well-beloved Councellor Edward Lord Littleton Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England A Letter and Message to both Houses from the King concerning the Prince CHARLES R. O Or Will and Command is That you deliver to the Parliament in Our Name the Message inclosed concerning the Marquess of Hertford's Attendance upon Our Son and for so doing this shall be your Warrant Given at Our Court at Windsor the 17th Jan. 1641. His Majesty hath seen the Order of the Lords upon the Motion of the House of Commons given to the Marquess of Hertford concerning his Care in attendance upon the Prince not without Wonder that the Parliament should make such an Order which can hardly be otherwise understood but as if there had been a Design of sending the Prince out of the Kingdom which must necessarily have reflections upon his Majesty the Prince being now in the same Place with him And his Majesty hath shewed himself both so good a Father and a King that he thinks it strange that any should have such a thought as that he would permit the Prince should be carried out of the Kingdom or that any durst give him that Counsel Whereupon it was Ordered That this Message be communicated to the House of Commons at Grocers-Hall And then the House was adjourned till the 20th of Jan. In the Commons House Mr. Quelch balled It was Ordered That Mr. Quelch now in the Serjeant's Custody by order of the House shall be forthwith bailed It was rare that ever they absolutely discharged any Person who once came under their Hands though but for the slightest Information and they rather chose to let them go under Bail by which Artifice they
the Commission sent into Scotland 469. of the House of Commons for securing Popish Recusants 654. of the same for removing the Earl of Portland from the Government of the Isle of Wight 655. for forming the Cavalres into Regiments 685. for continuing the Guards 687. against the Bishops Demurrer 715. Rebels in Ireland the Names of the principal 888. defeat the English Relief for Tredagh 904. are repell'd by Sir Arthur Syringham 905. and dislodged at Finglass by the Earl of Ormond 918. Recess of the Parliament debated 463. agreed 464. Committee of Lords for that time 484. of the Commons 486. Report of what was done during the time 488. Record relating to the Poll-Bill 324. Recorder of London his Speech to the King at his return from Scotland 675. Knighted 676. Recusant Lords some take the Protestation 237. Recusants voted to be disarmed 45â— â—â—7 469 an Ordinance for it 470. and Instructions to Commissioners for it 473. Lords and Commons agree to put the Laws in execution against them 615. an Order for it 653. a List of the prime Recusants desired by the House of Commons to be secured 662. debated by the House of Lords 667. Regiment of Horse and Foot the Charge of each 642. Remonstrance from Ireland 36 56. of the Irish Rebels 535. of the State of the Kingdom by the House of Commons see Declaration Requests see Court Reward voted to Connelly for discovering the Irish Rebellion 524. 609. Sir Edward Rhodes a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 95. Cardinal Richelieu charg'd with fomenting the Irish Rebellion 897. Duke of Richmond introduced into the House of Lords 436. Lord Roche a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 74. one Roche his Letter intercepted 896. Root and Branch Bill 248 257. Rosetti the Popes Nuntio departs the Realm 328. Sir Benjamin Rudyard his Speech about Episcopacy 249 298. about the Palatinate 328 379. against suffering either the French or Spanish to have the Disbanded Souldiers 465. Rutland Petition for Episcopacy 656. S. Lord Saint John of Bletso introduced into the House of Lords 244. Saint John one of the Commissioners to prepare the Charge against the Earl of Strafford 7. appointed a Manager of Evidence against him 29. his Argument for passing the Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Strafford 162. one of the Committee to Expedite the Charge against the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 265. his Speech at the Conference for Excluding the Bishops Votes in the Case of the thirteen Impeach'd 501. Earl of Salisbury made Lord Lieutenant of Dorsetshire 236. has leave to follow some business in the House of Commons 761. Robert Salmon a Schoolmaster a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 78. Salvo entred by the Bishops 231. by the Lords 325. for the Judges of the Court of â—ork 388. Saâ—â—â—and a Clergy-man releas'd 244. Mr. Savil a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 69. Lord Say made Mr. of the Court of Wards 246. his Speech against Bishops Votes 266. Scotch Invasion how Chargeable to England 426. that they were Invited hither 427. Scotch Rebels by Order of both Houses declared faithful Subjects 467. their Commissioners complain of delays in the Treaty for Ireland 761. Seamen a Bill for Pressing them read 236 237. 777 797. past 861. Search for Arms at Lambeth 236. about the Parliament House 846. for Arms at several Places 847 848 859. Secresie required of Persons concern'd in Examinations against the Earl of Strafford 11. and in the Examinations about the Conspiracy in the Army 232. strange Secresie of the Irish Conspirators 632. Mr. Seldon appointed to assist at the Examination of Witnesses against the Earl of Strafford 11. opposes the Bill of Attainder against him 152. one of the Committee to Expedite the Charge against the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 265. Sermons ordered to be in the Afternoon in Cathedrals 288. and in all Parochial Churches 383. William Shales accuser of Mr. Henry Bedingfield 662. Sheldons Seized upon account of Beal 's Plot 648. acquitted 686. Shepherd a Rioter releas'd 328. Ship-money in Sheriffs hands ordered to be return'd 264. a Bill against it 294. 412. Opinion of the Judges in the Case 338. Sheriff of London a Controversie about the Election of one 318 319. 407. 409. referred 413. 445. determin'd pro hac vice 456. Petition of the Lord Mayor upon it 459. Sisters reliev'd by order of the House of Lords against a Brother 367. Shippon ordered to command the Guard of the House of Commons 833. has the thanks of the House 838. ordered to send Scouts by Land and Water 859. Slingsby a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 54. 56. 86. Small a Minister a Vote in favour of him 446. Smart that Articled against Bishop Cosins rewarded 406. Sir Robert Smith a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 74. Mr. Smith a Minister Committed to the Gate-House for words against the Parliament 244. one Smith 's Case 716. Smith a Suspended Minister a Vote in his Favour 319. Soap business Votes about it 512. Delinquents concerning it sent for by a Serjeant at Arms 513. Souldiers Mutinous for want of Pay 269. Transportation of Souldiers a Conference about it 477 479. an Ordinance against it 481. a Vote that Disbanded Souldiers may go beyond Sea 495. a Bill for Pressing 740. Somersetshire Petition for Episcopacy 726. Earl of Southampton question'd for Words 846. Spanish Ambassador's House beset by the Rout 187. Speaker of the House of Commons his Letter to Sir Jacob Ashley 228. his Letter to the Army 235. Speaker of the House of Lords their Vote about the choice of him 438. Speech of the King to both Houses concerning the Earl of Strafford 186. in answer to the Speaker upon passing the Bill for Tonnage and Poundage 380. at passing the Bill against Star-Chamber and High-Commission Courts 327. to the Scotch Parliament 453. in answer to the Recorder of London at his return from Scotland 676. to both Houses upon the same 780. to the same concerning Ireland 738. to the House of Commons at his demanding the five Members 820. Speech of Mr. Pym after reading the Articles against the Earl of Strafford 9. of the same at his Tryal 30. of the Earl of Strafford in defence of his Preamble 40 to 47. of Pym in Answer to it 47. of Maynard upon the first Article against the Earl of Strafford 〈◊〉 of the Earl of Strafford upon Summing 〈◊〉 the Evidence against him 104 to 123. of Glyn upon the same 124 to 145. of Pym upon the same 145 to 152. of the Lord Digby upon passing the Bill of Attainder 157. of the Earl of Strafford upon the Scaffold 199. of William Thomas against the Bishops 211 to 226. of Sir Edward Deering upon the Bill for Abolition of Episcopacy 248. about Episcopal Government 295. concerning the Communion-Table 493. concerning bowing at the Name Jesus 610. about the Declaration of the State of the Kingdom 664 668. of Sir Benjamin Rudyard upon the Bill for Abolition of Episcopacy 249. about Bishops Deans and
are nothing at all on the matter Sir James Montgomery tells you a Tale not much Material nor Mr. Maxwell nor Sir John Clotworthy there is nothing at all in it concerning Treason Stewart's Sentence remains only to be answered in this Article for that I conceive it was justly and fairly given as I then conceived I was one of the rest and nothing was intended by that Decree but his Reformation and when he had pleased to have taken the Oath he might have been released of the Sentence and sent home again quietly The next is the 20th Article Wherein I am Charged to be a Provoker and Incendiary of a War against his Majesties Subjects of the Scotch Nation and that I should say of them They were Rebels and Traytors and being about to come into England that I should say I would root out of the Kingdom the Scotish Nation Root and Branch My Lords I shall need no more to say in this for my being an Incendiary I think by the Proof it hath been clearly made appear to your Lordships that I gave no Opinion but such as others did in the like Case It is proved by Lord Traquair and my Lord Treasurer and might have been proved by many more if it had been needful For the Words that I should say The Rooting out the Scots Root and Branch They are only testifi'd by one single Witness Salmon the School-Master swears it and no man else but he and I hope my Lords that when your Lordships do call to mind how he is Crost by his Fellow Witness John Loftus your Lordships will be satisfied he Swears I will persecute them to the Blood and root them out Root and Branch and I cannot tell what But John Loftus said indeed that I said I hope that such of the Scottish Nation as would not submit to the Ecclesiastical Government I would root out stock and branch a wonderful difference between these two But my Lords it was testified by Mr. Secretary Manwaring then present that I never spoke the one nor the other but as in my Answer I did truely and faithfully deliver it I said that unless they would take that Oath of Allegiance and secure the King of their Allegiance in that point I hope I should not see any of them stay in that Kingdom that refused it and there is no proof in the World but the School-Master and I hope your Lordships will not take him to be a good and valid proof to convince me in this Case being a person of no greater Quality and crossed by his fellow Witness For my self I do absolutely say I was so far from wishing ill to that Nation or any Dissension or Division between them that I never desired other in my heart and soul but a firm Peace through the King's Dominions My Counsels tended to that and if I might seem to begin in a contrary way yet the last resort was to bring all to quietness and so that it should be without Blood And I dare say there be them that heard me say it many a time in the King's Council That the King should be in nothing so much sparing and tender as to draw any Blood in that Quarrel I dare say many that heard it will justifie me in it And if your Lordships will give me leave I do think I have something that might procure your Lordships belief that it was so for at that time my Fortune though now by Misfortune it be mean enough was such as I needed not desire to shuffle the Cards and deal anew and especially when nothing was to be got but Blows and that I trust will be an Argument to your Lordships that nothing was desired by me so much as Peace and that under God's goodness and the protection and Benefit of His Majestie 's Scepter I might enjoy the little Estate my Ancestors left me for it is certainly true whatever the World may think to the contrary it is very little better from what my Father left me something it is and the most part of the Improvement of it was before I came to serve the King and yet I have had more from the King then I deserved in all kinds and all the whole service of my Life were it never so many years could not Merit nor deserve from him the Hundred part of what I had from His Favour My Lords Mr. Treasurer Vane says I was in the Argument for an Offensive and he for a Defensive War for a War both of us And I beseech your Lordships How should it be more Treasonable for me to be for an Offensive then for him to be for a Defensive War for a War there must be and the difference was not great and for a Councellor to deliver his Opinion and have that turned upon him as Capital to sweep from the World himself and his Posterity is a very hard Case to say no more of it The next Article is the 21th wherein I am Charged to be an Enemy to Parliaments a Breaker of Parliaments and did by that means sow ill Affections betwixt the King and His People My Lords This is more fully Charged in a Subsequent Article then this for this is but only for breaking of the last Parliament that I should advise it to be called with an intent to break it which is very unlikely for that nothing in the World could be of so happy effect to me as the success of that Meeting and yet I must destroy and disadvantage my self in that then which nothing could be of more advantage then the success of that Parliament The 22th Article is Answered already and the 23th likewise In the 24th Article comes in that of the Parliament more fully and there I am Charged Falsly and Treacherously and Malitiously to have declared before His Majesties Privy-Council That the Parliament of England had forsaken the King and given Him the Advantage to Supply Himself otherwayes and having so Malitrously Slandered the said House of Commons that I did with the Advice of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Finch Publish a False and Trayterous Book called His Majestie 's Declaration of the Causes of Dissolving the last Parliament c. This goes very heavy upon me in the World that I should be a breaker of Parliaments a Counsellor against Parliaments My Lords there is nothing proved of it and I hope I shall be cleared by your Lordships and these noble Gentlemen and all the World that I had no such thing in my heart For the Point of the Declaration I was at that time Sick in my Bed and could do nothing in it and therefore I trust I shall be acquitted as to that As to the Breaking of the Parliament or any ill-will to Parliaments I have ever honour'd them and far be it from me to wish that they may not be frequent for the good of the King and Kingdom but as oft as you shall have it urged and prest against me that I should
Matth. Paris that the Bishop of Winchester was his Brother a very Potent Man in the State And it is worthy our Noting that the Bishops did endeavour to salve their Disloyalty and Perjury by bringing in the Salick Law to this Kingdom Trayterously avowing that it was baseness for so many and so great Peers to be subject to a woman Nay it seemeth the Bishops did not intend to be true Subjects to him though a brave and worthy Prince H. Huntington had his Title to the Crown been as good as the Prelates at his Election did declare for read we not that the Bishops of Salisbury Lincoln Ely and others did fortifie Castles against him and advanced to him in Armed and Warlike manner Wendover Nay did not his Brother the Bishop of Winchester forsake him and in a Synod of Clergy accursed all those that withstood the Empress Maud Paris Malmsbury blessing all that assisted her Surely this Curse ought to have fallen on himself and the Archbishop who did trouble the Realm with Fire and Sword Sure as these were too great to be put out of Parliament so were they very dangerous therein Unto Stephen succeeded Henry the Second In this time Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury what his demeanor towards his Soveraign was and what Mischief was by him occasioned to the Kingdom would take too much time to declare though some Papists that adore him for a Saint will say he resisted on just Cause Caesarius dial lib. 8. c. 69. yet I will deliver what I read and render him with the Chronicles an Arch-Traytor and tell you that the Doctors in Paris did Debate whether he were damned for his disloyalty Rogerus the Norman avowing Bale Brit. Cent. 2. that he deserved death and damnation for his Contumacy toward the King the Minister of God From him I pass to his Son Richard the First R. 1. who had two Brothers that were Bishops the one of Duresme the other of Lincoln and after Archbishop of York and going to the Holy Land appointed for Governour of the Kingdom William Longchamp Chief Justiciar and Lord Chancellor of England and Papal Legate Fox p. 289. This Vice-Roy Paris Hovedon alii Guil. Nubu lib. 4. c. 14. Hovedon Nub. l. 4. c. 17. Hovedon p. 399. or rather King for so Paris calls him Rex Sacerdos had joyned with him Hugh Bishop of Duresm for the Parts beyond Humber This Kingly Bishop as Authors deliver did use incredible Insolence and intolerable Tyranny and commit a most Sacrilegious and Barbarous Out-rage upon the Person of Jeffery Archbishop of York and natural Brother to King Richard the First for which afterwards being taken in a Curtesans Apparel and Attire velut delicata muliercula he was banished the Realm Now as it was very difficult to turn such Papal Bishops and Regulo's out of Parliament so certainly such Lord Bishops did work there no little Mischief to Regal Power the Subjects Liberties and the Weal publique Certainly this was not the Duty and Office of a Bishop Matth. Paris Hollin in R. 1. surely the Silk and Scarlet Robes of Princes and Justiciars were as undecent for these Bishops as was the Coat of Iron of the Bishop of Beavois taken Prisoner by this King which he sent to the Pope with a Vide an tunica filii tui sit an non to which he made Answer That he was not his Son nor the Son of the Church For he had put off the peaceable Prelate and put on the Warlike Souldier took a Shield instead of a Cope a Sword for a Stole a Curace for an Albe a Helmet for a Mitre a Lance for a Bishops Staff perverting the Order and Course of things Thus we see that a Bishop must destroy Mens Lives either as a Justiciar in Court or as a Souldier in Camp Qui si non aliquem nocuisset mortuus est they would do any thing but what they ought to do Feed the Flock they desire rather to Sit in Parliament then stand in a Pulpit accounting Preaching according to Bishop Juell so far below their greatness as indeed it is above their goodness We neither deny or reject Episcopacy or Church Government it self but the Corruptions thereof and we say that the Bishops who stiffly maintained those Corruptions have inforced this our distaste When Jacob was forced to depart from Laban for ill usage I conceive that the breach was in Laban not in Jacob. So also those that did forsake Babylon God commanding to depart from it lest they should be partakers of their punishment as they were guilty of their Crimes did not occasion the schism or breach but the sins of Babylon And we confess that true it is that we refuse and forsake the present Church Government but no further then it hath forsaken Pure and Primitive Institution therefore let none say that we are desirous of Innovation for I think we may boldly with the forenamed Reverend Bishop Juell affirm Nos non sumus novatores From King Richard the First I come to King John King John an Usurper likewise who was advanced to the Regal Throne by Archbishop Hubert and the Prelates * Observe this That even in this Mans opinion England is no Elective Monarchy Matth. Paris Hist Major This lewd Bishop unjustly declaring this and all other Kingdomes to be Elective and that no man hath Right or fore Title to succeed another in a Kingdom but must be by the Body of the Kingdom thereunto Chosen with Invocation of Grace and Guidance of Gods Holy Spirit alledging further and that most plainly by example of David and Saul That whosoever in a Kingdom Excelled all in Valour and Virtue ought to surmount all in Rule and Authority and therefore they had all unanimously Elected John first imploring the Holy Ghosts Assistance as well in regard of his merits as Royal Blood And thus the Bishops blanch their disloyal assertion with Sacred Writ and their Lewd devised Plot with the Holy Ghosts Assistance Hereby they rejected the just Title and Hereditary Succession of Arthur his Elder Brother's Son And as he did this disherison unjustly and disloyally so did he this Election lewdly and fraudulently as himself after confessed when being demanded the Reason of his so doing he replyed That as John by Election got the Crown so by Ejection upon demerit he might lose the same which after he did endeavour to his utmost and at last effected by depriving him of Life and Kingdome Let me not be misconceived Matth. Paris R. Hovedon Girald Cam. who called him Principio fraenum I know Hubert died 8 or 10 years before him but what he did begin and forward was furthered and pursued by Stephen Langton and other Bishops and Prelates too long to rehearse His other Brother being Archbishop of York a strange Example saith Malmsbury to have a King ruled by two Brethren of so turbulent humours Many of their Treasonable Acts and
Disloyalties I will omit and passing by as well particular Bishops and Prelates as Stephen Arch-Deacon of Norwich and others as also of them in general I will only relate one villanous passage of Trayterous Disloyalty whereof as good Authors deliver the Archbishops and Prelates were principal Abettors and Conspirers The King being at Oxford the Bishops and Barons came thither with armed Multitudes without number and forced him to yield that the Government should be swayed by 25 Selected Peers Paris Thus one of the greatest Soveraigns was but the Six and twentieth petty King in his own Dominions c. To him Succeeded his Son K. H. 3. who being at Clerkenwel in the House of the Prior of Saint John's was told by him no less sawcily than disloyally if I may not say traiterously That he should be no longer King than he did Right to the Prelates Whereto he answered What do you mean to deprive me of my Kingdom and afterward Murther me as you did my Father And indeed they performed little less as shall hereafter appear But now to take the particular passages in order In this King's Reign Stephen then Archbishop of Canterbury as we read was the Ring-Leader of Disorders both in Church and State and no better was Peter Bishop of Winchester But not to speak of them in particular but of them all in general and that in Parliament at Oxford saith Matth. Paris and Matth. Westm came the Seditious Earls and Barons with whom the Bishops Pontifices ne dicam Pharisei those were his words had taken Counsel against the King the Lord 's Anointed who sternly propounded to the King sundry traiteterous Articles to which they required his Assent but not to reckon all the Points you shall hear what the same Authors deliver of their Intent I will repeat the words as I find them These turbulent Nobles saith M. West had yet a further Plot than all this which was first hatched by the Disloyal Bishops which was That four and twenty Persons should there be Chosen to have the whole Administration of the King and State and yearly appointment of all great Officers reserving only to the King the highest Place at Meetings Primus Accubitus in Coenis and Salutations of Honour in Publick Places To which they forced him and his Son Prince Edward to Swear for fear as mine Author saith of Perpetual Imprisonment if not worse for the Traiterous Lords had by an Edict threatned Death to all that resisted And the Perfidious and wicked Archbishop and Bishops Cursing all that should rebel against it Which impudent and Traiterous Disloyalty saith Matth. Paris and Matth. Westm the Monks did detest asking With what fore-heads the Priests durst thus impair the Kingly Majesty expresly against their sworn Fidelity to him Here we see the Monks more Loyal and Honest than the Lord Bishops we have Cashiered the poor Monks and are we afraid of the Bishops Lordliness that they must continue and sit in Parliament to the Prejudice of the King and People And so we may observe That this * This which he accounts Treason in the Bishops was no more than this Man and his fellow-Members would have imposed upon the King in the 19 Propositions Traiterous Bishop did make this King as the former had done his Father meerly Titular From him I pass to his Son Edward the First In his Reign Boniface was Archbishop of Canterbury and Brother to the Queen what he and the rest of the Prelates did in prejudice to the Regal Authority and Weal Publick I will pass over the rather for that they declare themselves in his Son's Reign so wicked and disloyal that no Age can Parallel of which thus in brief Doth not Thomas de la More call the Bishop of Hereford Arch-Plotter of Treason Omnis mali Architectum and not to speak of his contriving the Death of the late Chancellor and other particular Villanies he is Branded together with Winchester then Chancellor and Norwich Lord Treasurer to occasion the dethroning of this Prince Nay after long Imprisonment his very Life taken away by Bishop Thorlton's Aenigmatical Verse though he after denied it Edwardum Occidere nolite timere bonum est But this Adam de Orleton alias Torleton and his fellow Bishops in this King's Reign I may not slightly pass over Therefore I desire we may take a further view of them First of this Adam Bishop of Hereford we find that he was stript of all his Temporalties for supporting the Mortimers in the Barons Quarrel He being saith Thomas de la More a Man of most subtil Wit and in all wordly Policies profound daring to do great Things and Factious withal who made against King Edward the Second a great secret Party To which Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln for like Causes deprived of his Temporalties joyned himself as also Ely and others Walter Stapleton Bishop of Exeter a Turn-Coat left the Queen and came to England to inform the King of his Queens too great familiarity with Mortimer which afterward cost him his Head Perhaps some now as Thomas de la More will say he was therein a good Man yet I will take leave to think not do I fear to speak it This was no part of Episcopal Function But I will pass him by not concluding him either good or bad every Man may think as he pleaseth I will declare the Traiterous and Disloyal Actions of the other Bishop formerly mentioned This Bishop of Hereford whom I find called the Queens bosom Councellor Preaching at Oxford took for the Text My Head my Head aketh 2 Kings 4.19 concluding more like a Butcher than a Divine that an Aking and Sick Head of a Kingdom was of necessity to be taken off and not to be tampered with by any other Physick whereby it is probable that he was the Author of that Aenigmatical Verse formerly recited Edwardum occidere c. And well may we believe it for we find that he caused Roger Baldock Bishop of Norwich the late Lord Chancellor to die miserably in Newgate Not much better were Ely Lincoln Winchester and other Bishops that adhered to the Queen Mortimer and others of her part Nor can I commend those Bishops that were for the King and the Spencers The Archbishop of Canterbury and his Suffragans decreeing the Revocation of those Pestilent Peers the Judgment given against them judged as Erronious Thus these Lord Bishops as all in a manner both before and after instead of Feeding the Flock of Christ only Plotted dismal Wars Death and Destruction of Christians I might tell you how in this King's Reign as in others * Certainly this was made a President for such were the Pretences and Practises of this Man and his Associates they perswaded the Lords and Peers of the Realm that they had Power and Right not only to reform the King's House and Council and to place and displace all great Officers at their Pleasure but even a joynt Interest in
of the three Bills for Abbreviation of Michaelmas Term for pressing Marriners and for the Remainder of the six Subsidies May 13. 1641. THE great security of the Kingdom rests in the happy concurrence of the King and People in the Vnity of their hearts These joyned Safety and Plenty attends the Scepter but divided Distraction and Confusion as Bryers and Thorns overspread and make the Land barren No Peace to the King No Prosperity to the People The Duties and Affections of Your Subjects are most Transparent most Clear in the chearful and most liberal Contributions given to knit fast this Vnion with the bond of Peace The Treasures of the privy Purse are but the supplies of Princes warranted by a common Interest But the publick Tribute given by common Assent supports Royal Dignity is sheltered under the Wings of Prerogative and by that Power covered from the Eyes from the Touch of Deceivers In these we render Caesar what is due to Caesar and Tribute to whom Tribute belongeth The proper Inscription of the Crown is born here and Censures those Malignant Spirits that dare whisper into the Ears of Sacred Majesty that our selves only not Your Sacred Person not Your Royal Posterity are the Supreme Objects of the Givers The preservation of the publick Vnion the supply of Your Armies the distresses miserable distresses of the Northern parts the common Calamities of the times begat the consideration of this Bill the Remainder of the six entire Subsidies happily presented to Your Sacred Majesty by this unworthy hand the first Vote advanced a credit to us to issue them for the use of Your Sacred Majesty The full perfection adds growth to that Credit and enables us to return to Your Sacred Majesty as to the Ocean the Tribute due to Justice and Soveraignty These are the vast earnests of our desires which take their rise from the due regard from the safety of Your Throne of Your Posterity Your Royal Assent stamps Your Image here and makes this Yours and Yours only which I by the Commands of the Commons humbly beseech of Your Sacred Majesty to give After which the Clerk of the Crown reading the Titles severally the Clerk of the Parliament pronounced the King's Assent This being done his Majesty delivered a Paper to the House concerning the Draining of the Fens recommending it to their consideration as a business much concerning the good of the Kingdom The Act for restraining Bishops and others in Holy Orders from intermedling with Secular Affairs read a second time This day one Mr. John Smith a Minister in Custody of the Serjeant Attending the House was brought to the Bar and Committed to the Gate-house for words spoken against the Parliament For though all sorts of people spake freely enough against the Actions of the Judges Mr. Smith a Minister committed to the Gatehouse Ministers of State Privy-Councellors nay and of the King himself without the least controll or danger of either punishment or animadversion yet to speak against any thing done or said by the Commons was now become the most dangerous offence and which through the diligence of the well affected Party for so the Dissenters from the Church called themselves who were most notable Informers was certainly complained of to the Commons and by them most severely punished if not by Prisons yet by the great Charges of being kept long in the Custody of the Serjeant at Armes The Explanation of the Protestation formerly mentioned Friday May 14. was this day Ordered to be Printed and Published that so the Presbyterian Party might receive encouragement and assurance of their intention to pull down the Government of the Church by way of a Glorious and thorow Reformation This day Doctor Cozens and some others that are Delinquents in the Impeachment brought up from the House of Commons Dr. Cozens and others at the Bar of the Lords House were called in who kneeled at the Bar and then stood and heard the Impeachment read after it was read Doctor Cozens made his humble request in behalf of himself and the rest that this Cause may be heard publickly before the whole House This day Two Clergy-men who had been informed against in the House of Lords were Released by the following Orders WHereas Andrew Sandeland Clerk Sandeland and Waferer two Clergy Men Released hath been long in Custody for words alledged to have been spoken by him for which this House had just cause to have inflicted punishment upon him if they had been proved but after a long time no Prosecution appearing against him it is Ordered That the said Andrew Sandeland be forthwith discharged and set at liberty of and from his present Restraint or Imprisonment and that any Bond or other Security entered into by the said Andrew Sandeland for his attendance upon this House shall be forthwith Cancelled and delivered up to him Ordered That Michael Waferer Clerk having been long in Custody be forthwith discharged of his Restraint and that his Bonds and other Security given for his Attendance upon this House be delivered up to him to be Cancelled and his Cause dismissed this House because no Prosecutors have this long time appeared The Faction found better Encouragement from the Commons House to prosecute honest men by their false Informations at the Committee for Scandalous Ministers And indeed the Lords House was not at all for their purpose yet while the Bishops and so many of the Loyal Nobility sate there whose Honour and Justice would soon have discovered the Malice of these Accusations This day the Lord St. John's of Bletsoe was Introducted in his Robes Lord St. John of Bletsoe Introduced into the House of Lords between the Lord Hunsden and the Lord Grey of Wark he delivered his Writ upon his knee to the Speaker which being delivered to the Clerk it was read then the Lord Chamberlain and the Lord Moubray in the place of the Earl Marshal his Father and the King at Arms going before him brought him and placed him next below the Lord Hunsden After which he and the Lord Chief Baron took the Protestation The Commons having received an Information against Mr. Saturday May 15. Mr. Davenant and Mr. Walley sent for by the Serjeant as Delinquents Informations against Mr. Percy William Davenant the Poet and Mr. Elias Walley concerning the Business of the Army they were by Order of the House sent for as Delinquents by the Serjeant Also several Informations against Mr. Percy the Earl of Northumberland's Brother which were taken at Chichester were read upon which John Lamb and Robert Merryweather were sent for from Chichester to be Examined upon it and a Conference with the Lords was desired upon it The Earl of Bath reports the Conference Conference about Percy Merryweather and Lamb. That the House of Commons have received certain Information that on Wednesday Night last past was Sevennight Mr. Percy came to Petworth and sent for one Robert Merryweather and borrowed of him
a Conference by the Earl of Bath to the Commons THese are to signifie to this House That whereas He sent an Answer this day to both Houses concerning the Third Head lest there should be any mistake upon the word Slander His Majesty declares he did not mean all of either House of Parliament or any Members thereof Upon the Reading of the Petition of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury concerning his payment of Poll-mony It was Ordered Order of the Lords about the Arch-Bishops paying Poll-Money To be left to be paid according to the Act of Parliament The House for freer Debate was put into a Committee to consider of the Court of York and to give judgment herein and after much Debate the House was reassumed and it was Resolved upon the Question by the Major Part Resolves of the Lords concerning the Court at York That the Commission and Instructions whereby the President and Council of the North exercise a Jurisdiction is Illegal both in the Creation and Execution Resolved c. That this Commission and Instructions is unprofitable to His Majesty Resolved upon the Question Nemine Contradicente That this Commission and Instructions is inconvenient and grievous to His Majesties Subjects of those Parts Resolved upon the Question Nemine Contradicente That this House doth joyn with the House of Commons in beseeching His Majesty that the Present Commission and Instructions may be revoked and no such granted for the Future MEmorandum A Salvo for the Judges of the Court of York This House doth declare seeing the Commission and Instructions of the Court of York is Illegal in the Creation and Execution that the former Judges in the Court of York who have given Judgement and proceeded as they thought in their Consciences upon True and Legal Grounds shall not be liable to be Questioned but in case of Injustice and that none in that Case shall be barred of their Appeal And if it appear that there is a Necessity for the Ease of that Country to have a Court this House will advise with the House of Commons how one may be Established by Law for the Ease of those Parts And the Earl of Essex Earl of Bristol Viscount Say and Seal Bishop of Lincoln Lord Wharton Lord Kimbolton were appointed to prepare Heads for a Conference with the Commons concerning the aforesaid Particulars that so the Persons that were Judges and the Acts of that Court may have a Saving for them If humane Bodies and Minds are subject to the secret Influences of the Heavenly Bodies certainly England and the rest of the Brittish Dominions were at this time under the Aspects of some Violent and Malignant Configurations and there seemed to be an Universal Inclination in the People every where to Tumults Mutinies Violence and Injustice the Lords House was full of Complaints of the Disorders of this Nature throwing up Inclosures and disturbing the Possessions of others and that not singly but by Multitudes and with such Arms as Rusticks are wont to make Use of upon such Occasions of their Madness And of this the Lords were so sensible that they made this following Order WHereas daily Complaints are made unto this House of violent breaking into Possessions Order of the Lords concerning Violent and Tumultuous breaking into Possessions July 13. 1641. and Inclosures in Riotous and Tumultuous manner in several parts of this Kingdom without any due proceedings by Course of Law to warrant the same which hath been observed to have been more frequently done since this Parliament began then formerly it is thought fit and so Ordered by the Lords in Parliament That no Inclosure or Possession shall be Violently and in a Tumultuous manner disturbed or taken away from any man which was in Possession the first Day of this Parliament or before but by due Course and Form of Law and that such Possessions of all men shall continue and remain unto them as they were on the first Day of this Meeting of Parliament unless it have been or shall be by some Legal way of proceeding in some of His Majesties Courts of Law or Equity or by some Act or Order of the Parliament determined or ordered to the Contrary And in all such Cases where any such unlawful disturbance of the quiet Possession of any man hath happened or shall happen the High Sheriff of the County shall have Power by virtue of this Order together with two of the Justices of the Peace of the said County next or near to the place and such other or others as he or they shall think fit to take with him or them to repair unto the place where such Tumults happen to be and appease and quiet the Possession of the said Lands and Inclosures so disturbed as aforesaid and shall see to and cause that the Possession be continued unto the present Owners as aforesaid until by a Legal Course in some Court of Law or Equity or by order of Parliament it be determined or Ordered to the contrary The Lord Bishop of Lincoln Reported Report about the Officers of the Star-Chamber That the Lords Committees appointed to Consider of the Petition of the Officers of the Star-Chamber have fully heard their Cause and they are of Opinion and do not conceive of any fitter way of Relief for these Poor Officers the King's Servants then to remit them to the King's Mercy that His Majesty would be Graciously pleased to allow a Proportionable Relief for these Poor men out of such Fines as may accrue unto His Majesty in the High Court of Parliament to be apportioned by the Lords of the Committees or otherwise as their Lordships shall be pleased to approve thereof and Order it Upon Report this Day made unto the House by the Right Honourable the Lord Seymour that the difference between the Parishioners of St. Report about the Rioters at St. Thomas the Apostle's in pulling down the Rails Thomas the Apostle complained of to the Lords in Parliament was composed by his Lordship to whom the business was referred It is Ordered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in the High Court of Parliament Assembled that the said difference together with the Cause depending before their Lordships shall by virtue of this Order be fully ended and determined and Lastly that John Blackwell shall for himself others Petitioned against forthwith pay unto the Overseers of the Poor of that Parish upon sight hereof to the use of the said Poor the full Summ of ten Pounds of Lawful Money of England and hereof they are not to fail as they will answer to the contrary There being a Report spread abroad that His Majesty intended to send the Lord Digby abroad under some honourable Character Tuesday July 13. and as was said Ambassadour into France his Enemies in the House of Commons being extreamly nettled at it were resolved if possible to set a brand of Infamy upon his Lordship and therefore not content to have disgracefully Expelled him
said Propositions and Designs which said Propositions Designs and Consultations the said Henry Wilmot c. did not discover but consented to the same Resolved c. That the said Henry Wilmot William Ashburnham Hugh Pollard Sir John Berkley and Daniel Oneal being afterwards Lawfully Examined in Parliament upon their Oaths touching the Premisses did wholly deny the same and the said Sir John Berkley and Daniel Oneal being thereupon questioned did fly for the same The further Debate of this matter was put off until Wednesday at 8 of the Clock Munday July 26. Bill for Northern Counties passed the Lords Lord Majors Case about Electing one Sheriff c. heard The Earl of Bath Reported the Bill for securing of Mony to the Northern Counties c. And being put to the Question it was Resolved to pass The Petition of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London and the Petition of the Commonalty of the said City were read and after Councel on both sides had had a full hearing concerning the Election of a Sheriff and other Officers the House of Lords taking the whole business into consideration Ordered That this Cause should be determined on Saturday morning next in case the Lord Mayor and the Commonalty did not agree and compose the matter in Question in the mean time This was a very perplexing Case at this time for the Parliament were about to borrow 40000 l. of the City to disband the Armies and if the Cause had been determined either way in probability it would have given a stop to that Affair but more especially if it had been decided in favour of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen who could not easily have raised that Sum without the Assistance of the most wealthy of the Commonalty The Lord Chamberlain signified to the House Letters about the Army That he had received divers Letters from the Lord General which he thought fit to acquaint the House with As a Letter desiring to know a certain day for disbanding of both Armies Likewise a Letter sent to the Lord General from the Gentlemen in the Bishoprick of Durham complaining of the burthen of the Soldiers there And also a List of the Number of the Five Regiments which are disbanded being 5817 Men All which being read the Lord Chamberlain had leave from this House to Communicate them to the House of Commons Tuesday July 27. Petition out of Oxfordshire against Bishops A Petition of the Ministers and People of Oxfordshire and Barkshire against Bishops was this day read in the Commons House and referred to the Committee for the Ministers Remonstrance A Message from the House of Commons by Sir John Culpeper 7 Bills brought up by Sir John Culpeper who brought up Seven Bills which had passed that House Viz. 1. An Act for the declaring unlawful and void the late proceedings touching Ship-mony and for vacating of all Records and Process concerning the same 2. An Act for the preventing of vexatious proceedings touching the Order of Knighthood 3. An Act for the free bringing in of Gun-Powder and Salt-Petre from forreign Parts and for the free making of Gun-Powder in this Realm 4. An Act to settle the Mannor of Belgraves and other Lands in the County of Leicester to and upon William Byerley Esq his Heirs and Assigns for and towards the payment of the Debts of William Davenport Esq Deceased 5. An Act to enable Sir Alexander Denton Knight to sell the Mannor of Barvard alias Barford St. Michael and other Lands in this present Act mentioned for the payment of his Debts and preferment of his younger Children 6. An Act for Alteration of the Estate and Tenure of some Lands within the Parish of Fulham in the County of Middlesex held of the Lord Bishop of London as of the Mannor of Fulham 7. An Act for the making of the Chappel of Hoole in the County of Lancaster a Parish Church and no part of the Parish of Crosston  l. s. d. Sir John Hotham Reports Report of the Charge of the Armies That to disband the Army requires 242619 11 03 Toward which there is paid 152119 11 03 Remains to be provided 90500 00 00 The Charge of the Garrisons 40000 00 00 Total 130500 00 00 When the Earl of Warwick hath Received and Paid the 50000 00 00 There will Remain due to the Scots 53000 00 00 Besides the Remainder of the Brotherly assistance 80000 00 00 Total due to the Scots 133000 00 00 The Engrossed Bill for Confirmation of His Majesties Letters Patents to the Town of Plymouth Plymonth Bill passed and for dividing the Parish and building a new Church there was read the Third time in the Lords House and being put to the Question it was Resolved to pass as a Law Then the Speaker signified Message from the King to the Lords about Commissions in his absence That His Majesty Commanded him to acquaint their Lordships that because he intends his Journey tawards Scotland upon Monday come Sevennight and in regard that in his absence heretofore he hath left behind him Two Commissions the one directed unto the Lords of the Privy Council for ordering of the Affairs of State and the issuing out of Proclamations upon Emergent Occasions and the other Authorising a Person of Honour to be Captain General for the levying of Forces on this side Trent if there should be any necessity for the safety of the Kingdom His Majesty now thinks it fit to issue out the like Commissions for the said Publick Services in his absence with some Variations and Omissions according to the Occasions and hath named the Lord Chamberlain to be Captain General on this side Trent but His Majesty would execute nothing therein until he had made the same known to both Houses of Parliament desiring their Concurrence and Assistance in all his great Affairs Further it was signified from His Majesty That the Spanish Ambassador did send a Writing unto His Majesty wherein he presseth His Majesty for some of the Irish Companies lately disbanded to be employed in the Service of the King of Spain and that His Majesty hath Commanded that the said Writing shall be Communicated to both Houses of Parliament and he desires their Advice therein Upon which a Conference was desired by the Lords at which the Lords declared their Resolution That they would do nothing in it till Three Points were cleared First That the Ambassadour should set down the particular number of Men he desires Secondly The time When. Thirdly The manner How and the Place from Whence he intends to Transport the Soldiers Mr. Hambden made a Report from the Earl of Pembroke Mr. Hambden Reports the Letter from the Queen of Bohemia That he had received Letters from the Queen of Bohemia wherein she gave humble thanks to the Parliament for their Regard and Consideration of her There was also another Letter read from the Earl of Holland to desire That both Armies might be disbanded together for
Vote in favour of Mr. Small a Minister in Lincoln Shire The House then took into Consideration the Case of one Small a Minister in Lincolnshire sometime ago deprived of his Living by the Sentence of the High-Commission Court Conference about the Tower c. upon which it was Resolved c. That the deprivation of Edmond Small from his Living of Holm in Com. Lincoln by Sentence of the High Commission Court was Illegal and he shall be restored to his Living There was a Conference with the Lords about putting the Kingdom into a Posture of Defence as also about the Tower of London the Lieutenant Sir William Belfour being gone with the King into Scotland about some private Affairs of his own so that it was necessary that the Earl of Newport the Lord Constable of the Tower should take Care of it himself It was also there moved That Care might be taken of the Isles of Jersey Wight and Guernsey Which was agreed by the Lords and 50 men of the Hamlets to guard by Day and 50 by Night and 40 or 50 more to be added upon Emergent Occasion The Bill for Tonnage and Poundage for two Months longer was this day passed by Commission in the usual form and manner Monday August 16. Bill for Tonnage and Poundage for two Months passed by Commission * Incendiaries to be prosecuted and who those were After this the Interrogatories were delivered in to the Lords and read upon which the Scots Commissioners desire Witnesses may be Examined concerning the Earl of Traquayr Sir John Hayes Clerk Register in Scotland Sir Robert Spotswood and Dr. Walter Balcanquell and Mr. John Maxwell sometime Bishop of Ross who are pursued as Incendiaries The Interrogatories being approved of It was Ordered That the Lord Privy Seal E. Warwick E. Dover Viscount Say and Seal L. Wharton are appointed by this House to be Committees for the taking of the Examination of Witnesses in this Business and their Lordships or any Three or more to meet when they please to appoint Then the Lord Privy Seal E. Pembroke and L. Goring were sworn at the Clerks Table the Lord Keeper reading the Oath and are to be Examined concerning the Incendiaries Ordered also That John E. of Sterling Robert Young Printer William Warnor Corrector and Robert Chapman Compofer shall attend the Lords Committees this Afternoon and be Sworn and Examined in the business concerning the Incendiaries This was in order to the discovery of the Writer of the King 's large Declaration which was generally supposed to be Dr. Bellcanquel Dean of Durham which had so much Mordacis Veritatis of sharp and cutting Truth in it that the Scots thought there was no other Way to undo the Reputation of the Book but by ruining the Reputation of the Author and no way so Effectual for that as the Brand of an Incendiary burnt upon the forehead of his fame by this Publique Procedure which yet could not but even then be liable to suspition his Enemies being his Accusers and the Majority of these Lords Committees who were to report and in Effect therefore to be his Judges being apparently of the Scottish Party and Interest A Message was brought from the Commons by Mr. Strode Message about the Desperate Estate of the Kingdom and Hull to let their Lordships know That they have taken into Consideration the desperate Estate the Kingdom now stands in in the time of Disbanding the Army and they have Considered of the Danger the King's Ammunition at Hull is in if there should be any design upon it Therefore they desire their Lordships would joyn with them in some Course that the Ammunition there be not stirred nor removed from thence without the Order of both Houses of Parliament Hereupon it was Ordered That a Letter be sent to the Lord General to give Order That no Munition or Artillery of the Kings at Hull be removed or sent from thence but by Order from both Houses Mr. Pym reports from the Committee about the Commission for the Commissioners of both Houses who are to attend the King in Scotland Difficulty about the Commission for the Commissioners to go into Scotland That the first thing they took into Consideration was the Commission to give Power to these Commissioners and the doubt is Whether such a Commission may be granted or no the King being now out of the Kingdom so that the Royal Assent cannot now be had and it would be of much danger if such a Power may not be had and therefore they desire the Opinion of the House in this Point Upon which a Conference was desired with the Lords upon this Subject After which Mr. Pym Reported it to the House That the Lords were doubtful The Opinion of the Lords at a Conference about it and therefore propounded to have a Messenger sent to procure his Majesties Warrant and the Commissioners to stay here till the Messenger returned and that in the mean time they would consider of their Instructions This day the Earl of Dorset signified to the Lords House That he hath Waited on the Queen and hath acquainted her Majesty with the Humble Desires of this House touching restraining of the Capuchin Friers in Sommerset House from tampering and withdrawing the Kings People Her Majestie sayes The Queens Answer about the Capuchin Friers at Denmark-House Aug. 17. 1641. It is much against her Will that they have gone abroad or have endeavoured to pervert any from their Religion and her Majestie is also very unwilling that any English People should resort there to Chappel but her Majesty will give Order to prevent these for the future And the Earl of Dorset said He would obey their Lordships Command and send for the Chief of the Capuchins and give him a strait Command not to suffer any of the Friers to go abroad nor any English People to come to them or to hear Mass there The Impeachment brought up from the House of Commons against the 13 Bishops was read Votes in the House of Lords about the Impeachment of the 13 Bishops and the House fell into Debate what time they should have to Answer and whether in this Debate they should be present in the House And it was Resolved upon the Question That the Lords the Bishops that are Impeached may Sit in this House without Voting when it is in Debate whether they shall have further time to Answer or not Resolved c. That such of the Bishops as are Impeached shall not Sit here in this House when the Merits of the Cause is in Debate Resolved c. That when the disposing of the manner of the Proceedings of the Cause is in Debate the Bishops may Sit in this House but not Vote The Letter drawn by the Committees of both Houses to the Lord General concerning Hull The Letter to the Lord General concerning Hull was read as follows May it please your Excellency I Am commanded by the House of Peers
who invaded England faithful and Loyal Subjects in all Churches and Chappels upon the Thanksgiving Day between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland it was desired by the Commissioners of Scotland that the Loyalty and Faithfulness of his Majesties Subjects might be made known at the time of the Publick Thanksgiving in all Places and particularly in all Parish Churches of his Majesties Dominions which Request was graciously condescended unto by his Majesty and confirmed by the aforesaid Act. It is now Ordered and Commanded by both Houses of Parliament that the same be effectually done in all Parish Churches throughout this Kingdom upon Tuesday the 7th day of September next coming at the time of Publick Thanksgiving by the several and respective Ministers of each Parish Church or by their Curates who are hereby required to read this present Order in the Church Thus did they resolve not only to conquer but to triumph and this was also to be a little kind of Shibboleth for the Clergy for who ever did either speak any thing against the Scots or declined this Declaration of their Loyalty and Fidelity to the King which it was very difficult for Men of sense to believe and therefore more hard for Men of Conscience to declare were certain to be esteemed Malignants and upon the least Complaint were sure to be sent for in the Custody as Delinquents It was also Ordered That Mr. Marshal and Dr. Marshal and Burgess to preach before the Commons upon the Thanksgiving Day A Petition of some Merchants to seize some Parts of America Burgess be desired to Preach before the House of Commons upon the Thanks-Giving Day at St. Margarets Church in Westminster A Petition was presented to the House by several Merchants about the Town consisting principally of three Heads 1 That there might be a certain number of Ships well appointed and stored with Ammunition and Provision for such a Service to be sent to America and some Part to Affrica whereby we might possess our Selves with the Riches of those Countries 2 That the Spanish Party is now grown weak which may induce us with greater alacrity to attempt it 3 That we may thereby become possessed of the Command of both the North and South Seas which will both increase Commerce Shipping Sea-Men and Trade at Home and render us Formidable and Powerful Abroad The Lord Keeper signified to the House that he had received a Letter from the King at Edenburgh by Mr. Anthony Nichols who was the Express sent from both Houses to His Majesty in Scotland The Letter was read in haec verba RIght Trusty and well Beloved We greet you well Whereas We have understood by the Petition of both Houses of Our Parliament in England The King's Letter to the L. Keeper about the Commission to the Committees of both Houses which Anthony Nichols Esquire hath been imployed to Vs from them that they are resolved to send down certain of their Members for to see the Ratification of the Treaty of Pacification by the Parliament here and to that end have desired a Commission under Our Great Seal We do not hold necessary to sign any such Commission but are hereby graciously pleased to give leave to the said Members to come and attend Vs here in Scotland to see the Ratification of the said Treaty and what else belongs thereunto and this We require you to signifie unto both Houses from Vs Given under Our Signet at Our Court of Edenburgh and the 25th Day of August in the 17 Year of Our Reign Such was the Ungovernable Insolence of the Rabble of those who called themselves the Well-Affected Party by their having been indulged because not severely Punished in the Case of the Earl of Strafford that upon every Occasion like a Fire ill quenched they broke out into Disorder and Outrages which was the Occasion of this following Order of the Lords UPon Information this Day to this House An Order of the Lords about the Tumults concerning the French Ambassador Aug. 30. 1641. that the French Ambassador and his Servants hath been lately Assaulted in his own House by a Company of Rude and Insolent People unto the great Dishonor of Our Nation and to his Lordships insufferable Wrong Injury and Dishonor whereof this House is very sensible and do intend that all possible Diligence be used for the finding out of the Malefactors for the Punishment of them to the Example and Terror of others that none may presume hereafter to commit the like Outrages to any Ambassadors of whom this House will always take regard It is therefore thought fit and Ordered by this House That Mr. Hooker Mr. Long Mr. Whittacre and Mr. Shepheard his Majesties Justices of the Peace or any two or more of them shall speedily take this Business into their Examination and by all Dilligence that may be used find out the said Malefactors and to Imprison them until they find out Sureties for their good Behavior and to appear in this House on Monday the 6th of September 1641. to undergo such Punishment as their Lordships shall think fit to inflict upon them for their said Offences and Misdemeanors so committed as aforesaid And that the said Justices of the Peace having throughly examined the Business shall make Certificate unto this House on the said sixth day of September next of all the whole Matter and how they find it that thereby their Lordships may proceed therein according to that which shall be Just And lastly That the aforesaid Justices shall give Order That there shall be Watch set according to Law for the better securing the Safety of the Ambassador and his House and for preventing Disorderly and Tumultuous Assemblies Ordered That the Lord Great Chamberlain Lord Chamberlain Earl Warwick Lord Kymbolton do acquaint the French Ambassador from this House that their Lordships have taken this Business into Consideration The House of Commons also took the Case of Sir John Corbet into debate whe for saying at a Quarter Sessions in the County of Salop That the Muster Masters Wages throughout England were illegal and against the Petition of Right c. had been Imprisoned and Fined by the High Commission Court and it was Ordered That the late Lord Keeper Coventry the Archbishop of Canterbury and others who were the Occasions of it shall make him Reparations for his Sufferings and Damages and a Conference was desired with the Lords upon it where the Managers of the Commons delivered to their Lordships a Transmission of an Impeachment concerning the Cause of Sir John Corbet a Member of the House of Commons against the Earl of Bridgwater the Lord Privy Seal the Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Cottington the Lord Newburgh and the two Secretaries of State in which the House of Commons desire that the several Persons whom it concerns may be called to answer and that their Lordships would proceed therein according to Justice and that Sir John Corbet may have Reparation for his Imprisonment
Illustrious Memory of the Royal Martyr from the Barbarous Calumny which the wickedest of Mankind indeavoured to fix upon him as being conscious of and favouring this Execrable Rebellion in Ireland Whereas this makes it evident beyond the possibility of contradiction that His Majesty took all the care imaginable to suppress the very first beginnings and motions towards an Insurrection And from hence one may also very probably conjecture at the reason why his Majesty was so willing to comply with the Desire of the Spanish Ambassador to Transport such a Number of the Irish for the Service of the King his Master and possibly this very information might be the great inducement which moved his Majesty to consent to their Transportation for rationally speaking had these Levies gone forward and the Military men of that Nation been sent abroad into the Service of Forreign Princes there could have been no Rebellion or at least nothing so formidable as it proved and that which seems to confirm the Conjecture is That the Roman Catholick Members of the House of Commons in Ireland who were acquainted with the Conspiracy did with all the Artifice and Industry imaginable as well as the English Parliament indeavour to obstruct the Transportation of the disbanded and discontented Souldiers among other Specious and Colourable Arguments * Vide Dr. Borlase's History p. 8. insinuating That the Spaniards having long born ill-will to England they did not know how soon those very Regiments acquainted with every Creek of the Kingdom might be returned on their own Bowels having naturally a love to their Religion which such an Incendiary as the King of Spain might soon inflame to the highest prejudice But however this Intimation given to the Lords Justices by Secretary Vane's Letter doth abundantly clear his Majesty from the least degree of Suspition of contriving fomenting or conniving at this Irish Rebellion so it will fix a blemish either upon the Integrity or Abilities of Sir William Parsons at least after having so fair Warning given that he should never be able to penetrate into the Plot of the Irish which sure a Chief Governor of Ireland could not want Means and Instruments to do till it was so ripe for Execution as to be impossible to prevent it and which is worse to be in no tolerable posture of Provision to Suppress and Extinguish it upon the first Eruption Nor did the Conspirators in Ireland fail to Use the same Arts and Methods which those of Scotland and England and indeed all Conspirators are wont to make Use of to raise up Fears and Animosities Jealousies and pretended Grievances to unhinge the People from their Allegiance by complaining of the Mal-Administration of the Government and Publick Affairs Salust in Conjur Catal. This the Historian tells us was one of the Master-Pieces of Cataline and his Associates illis quieta movere magna merces videbatur And thus did the Irish Conspirators for at the meeting of the Parliament the great business was complaints of Grievances and Impeachments of High Treason against the Prime Ministers of State Sir Richard Bolton Lord Chancellor of Ireland and others were Impeached of High Treason and the Bishop of Derry though contrary to all presidents of that Nature as was certified by the Lords Justices to the principal Secretary upon Search made by his Majesties Commands for that purpose but as Sir John Temple observes they had a design to draw the Government wholly into the hands of Natives thereby to facilitate the intended Alteration of the Constitution And upon this occasion the Popular Men displayed their Talents in aggravating Speeches to make things little in themselves swell and appear bulky and grievous Upon the Impeachment of Sir Richard Bolton c. Mr. Audley Mervin made this following Speech My Lords I Am commanded by the Knights Mr. Audley Mervin's Speech at the Exhibiting the Articles of High Treason against Sir Richard Bolton c. March 4. 1640. Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House to present unto you Ireland's Tragedy the Gray-Headed Common Laws Funeral and the Active Statutes Death and Obsequies This dejected Spectacle Answers but the prefiguring Type of Caesar's Murther wounded to the Death in the Senate and by Brutus his Bosom Friend our Caesar's Image by Reflection even the Fundamental Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom the sole Means by which our Estates are confirmed our Liberties preserved our Lives secured are Wounded to Death in the Senate I mean in the Courts of Justice and by Brutus too even by those Persons that have received their Beings and Subsistance from them so that here enters those inseperable first Twins Treasons and Ingratitude In a plain Phrase My Lords I tender unto you Treason High Treason such a Treason that wants nothing but Words to express it To Counterfeit the King's Seal to Counterfeit the King's Money it is Treason but this dies with the individual Party To betray a Fort is Treason but it dies with a few Men. To betray an Army is a Treason but it dies with a Limited Number which may be reinforced again by Politick Industry To blow up both Houses of Parliament is Treason but succeeding Ages may replant Branches by a fruitful Posterity but this High Treason which I do now in the Name of the Houses of Commons charge and impeach Sir Richard Boulton Knight Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Sir Gerard Lowther Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas John Lord Bishop of Derry Sir George Ratcliffe Knight is in its Nature so far transcending any of the former that the rest seem to be but petty Larcenies in respect of this What is it to Subvert the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom High Treason What is it with a contumacious Malice to Trample under Feet the rich Legacies of our Fore-Fathers purchased with Sweat and Expence I mean the Statute Laws what is it but High Treason What is it through an Innate Antipathy to the Publick Good to Incarcerate the Liberty of the Subject under the Iron and Weighty Chains of an Arbitrary Government High Treason What is it since his Majesty the most amiable and delightful Portraiture of Flourishing and Indulgent Justice to his Subjects to present him Personated in their Extrajudicial Censures and Judgments but to possess if possible the Hearts of his Loyal Subjects of this Kingdom That he is a Bloody and Devouring Tyrant and to provoke their never Dying Allegiance into a Fatal and Desperate Rebellion What is it to Violate the Sacred Grants of many of his Majesties Progenitors Kings and Queens of England Confirmed under the Broad Seal being the Publick Faith of this Kingdom by an Extrajudicial Breath grounded upon no Record What is it to Insert a Surreptitious Clause forged by some Servile Brain in the Preamble of our last Act of Subsidies by which the King 's Most Excellent Majesty and the Earl of Strafford are placed in one and the same Sphear allowing them but equal Influences to nourish the
my Lords the Grave Judicious and Mature Examination and deserved Punishment of these Traiterous Proceedings will speak these times as glorious to Posterity in their Information as they are now Lamented in their Persecution The Blood-Thirsting Sword of an Hostile Enemy by a timely Union and a defensive Preparation may be prevented The thin-rib'd Carcass of an universal Famine may have his Consumption restored by a supply from our Neighbouring Nations The quick spreading Venom of Infectious Pestilence may be prevented by Antidotes and qualified by Physical Remedies But this Catholick Grievance like a Snake in the most verdant Walks for such are the unblemished Laws truly practised stings us to Death when we are most secure and like the King's-Evil can only be cured by his Majesties free and gracious Permission of our Modest and Gentle Proceedings for his Vindication and our Preservation therein concluded Spencer and Gaveston who have left their Names monumentally Odious for the Evil Counsel they fed the King's Ear with yet did possibly Advantage their own Friends while these dart their Envy and Treason for a common Center equally touching the Bounds of every Superficies for as concerning the valid Estates they have Illegally overthrown when the Laws by your Lordships Industry receive their Native Vigor they will re-assume their Confirmation but the Estates happily in themselves Legal that they have in an extrajudicial Form established will haste as speedily to their Dissolution so that Judas-like they betray their best Friends with a Kiss My Lords I cannot find any surviving Chronology of times this Season to be paralell'd with all Circumstances which makes me view the Records amongst the Infernal Spirits to find if match't there I might extenuate their Facts where first they appear like the False Spirit sent into the Mouth of the Prophet to Ahab to speak Delusions to subvert the Host of God The most Vehement and Traiterous encounter of Sathan is lively deciphered in the true example of Job where first I observe the Dismology he overthrows not Job's Magna Charta he disseizes him not of his Inheritance nor disposses him of his Leases but only disrobes him of some part of his Personal Estate when he proceeds to infringe Job's Liberty he doth not Pillory him nor cut off his Ears nor bore him through the Tongue he only Spots him with some Ulcers here Sathan staies when these Persons by their Traiterous Combinations Envy the very Blood that runs unspilt in our Veins and by obtruding bloody Acts damn'd in the last Parliament will give Sathan size ace and the Dice at Irish in inthralling the Lives of the Subjects by their Arbitrary Judicature I would not My Lords be understood to impute to the Judges an infallibility of Error nor in Impeaching these to traduce those whose Candor and Integrity shine with more admired Lustre then their white Furrs who like Trophies of Virgin-Justice stood fixed and unmov'd in the rapid Torrent of the Times while these like Straws and Chips plai'd in the Streams until they are devolved in the Ocean of their deserved Ruine No My Lords humanum est errare and the Law allows Writs of Error and Arrest of Judgment but where there is crassa ignorantia against their Oath against the Fundamental Elementary and known Laws of the Kingdom Nay My Lords where it is rather Praemeditata Malitia where there is an emulating Policy who should raze and embesel the Records in the Pratick that are for the Tender preservation of our Liberties Estates and Lives seeking only to be glorious in a National Destruction as if their Safety were only involved in our Ruine there I have command to Pitty but not excuse them To kill a Judg Quatenus a Judg is not Treason but to kill a Judg sitting in the Place of Judicature is Treason not for that the Law intends it out of any Malice against the Party but for the Malice against the Law where then can an Intensive or an extensive Malice be exprest or implyed against the Law then the Practical Dialect of these Persons impeach't speaks with a known and crying Accent The Benjamites slang Stones with their left Hands yet they would not miss a Hairs breadth these extrajudicial Proceedings are slung with the left I mean they are Sinistrious and imprint their black and blew Marks more certain and more fatal for that they may say Quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris Though these things be familiar unto us yet I cannot but admire how this unproportionable Body of Judicature should swell up into such a vast and ulcerous Dimension but why should I considering this excentrick Motion of the Body of the Law had his Birth obscure resembling the Tares that were sowed in the Night time but here is the difference they were sown by the Enemy in the absence of the Master But these are Sown by the Grand-Masters themselves purposely to over-top and choak the expected Harvest Innovations in Law and consequently in Government creep in like Heresies in Religion slyly and slowly pleading in the end a Sawcy and Usurp't Legitimacy by uncontroul'd Prescription My Lords this is the first sitting and I have only chalked out this deformed Body of High Treason I have not drawn it at length lest it might fright you from the further view thereof in Conclusion it is the humble desire of the Commons That the Parties Impeached may be secured in their Persons Sequestred from this House from the Counsel-Table and all Places of Judicature as being Civiliter Mortui that they may put in their Answers to the Articles ready now to be exhibited against them and that all such further Proceedings may be secretly expedited as may be Suitable to Justice and the Precedents of Parliaments so his Majesty may appear in his Triumphant Goodness and Indulgency to his People and his People may be Ravisht in their dutiful and Cheerful Obedience and Loyalty to his Majesty your Lordships may live in Records to Posterity as the instrumental Reformers of those corrupted Times and that the Kingdom and Common-Wealth may pay an amiable Sacrifice in Retribution and acknowledgment of his Majesties multiplied Providence for our Preservation herein Articles of the Knights The Articles of High Treason against Sir Richard Bolton c. Citizens and Burgesses in the Parliament Assembled against Sir Richard Bolton Knight Lord Chancellor of Ireland John Lord Bishop of Dery and Sir Gerard Lowther Knight Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties Court of Common-Pleas and Sir George Radcliffe Knight in maintenance of the Accusation whereby they and every of them stand Charged with High-Treason FIrst That they the said Sir Richard Bolton Knight Lord Chancellor of Ireland John Lord Bishop of Derry Sir Gerard Lowther Knight Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties Court of Comwon-Pleas and Sir George Radcliffe Knight intending the Destruction of the Common-Wealth of this Realm have Traiterously Confederated and Conspired Together to Subvert the Fundamental Laws and Government of
this Kingdom and in Pursuance thereof they and every of them have Traiterously Contrived Introduced and Exercised an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government against Law thorowout this Kingdom by the Countenance and Assistance of Thomas Earl of Strafford then Chief Governor of this Kingdom II. That they and every of them the said Sir Richard Bolton Knight Lord Chancellor of Ireland John Lord Bishop of Derry Sir Gerard Lowther Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas and Sir George Radcliffe Knight have Traiterously assumed to themselves and every one of them regal Power over the Goods Persons Lands and Liberties of his Majesties Subjects in this Realm and likewise have Maliciously Perfidiously and Traiterously Given Declared Pronounced and Published many False Unjust and Erroneous Opinions Judgments Sentences and Decrees in Extrajudicial manner against Law and have Perpetrated Practised and Done many other Traiterous and unlawful Acts and Things whereby as well divers Mutinies Seditions and Rebellions have been raised as also many Thousands of his Majesties Liege People of this Kingdom have been Ruined in their Goods Lands Liberties and Lives and many of them being of good Quality and Reputation have been utterly defamed by Pillory Mutilation of Members and other infamous Punishments By means whereof his Majesty and the Kingdom have been deprived of their Service in Juries and other Publick Imployments and the general Trade and Traffick of this Island for the most part destroyed and his Majesty highly Damnified in his Customs and other Revenues III. That they the said Sir Richard Bolton John Lord Bishop of Derry Sir Gerard Lowther Knight and Sir George Radcliffe and every of them the better to preserve themselves and the said Earl of Strafford in these and other Traiterous Courses have laboured to Subvert the Rights of Parliament and the ancient Course of Parliamentary Proceedings all which Offences were contrived Committed Perpetrated and done at such time as the said Sir Richard Bolton Sir Gerard Lowther and Sir George Radcliffe Knights were privy Counsellors of State within this Kingdom and against their and every of their Oaths of the same at such times as the said Sir R. Bolton Knight was Lord Chancellor of Ireland Chief Baron of his Majesties Court of Exchequer within this Kingdom and Sir Gerard Lowther Knight was Lord Chief Justice of the said Court of Common-Pleas and against their Oaths of the same and at such time as the said John Lord Bishop of Derry was actual Bishop of Derry within this Kingdom and were done and speciated contrary to their and every of their Allegiance several and respective Oaths taken in that behalf IV. For which the said Knights Citizens and Burgesses do Impeach the said Sir Richard Bolton Lord Chancellor of Ireland John Lord Bishop of Derry Sir Gerard Lowther Knight Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties said Court of Common-Pleas and Sir George Radcliffe Knight aforesaid and every of them of High-Treason against our Soveraign Lord the King his Crown and Dignity The said Knights Citizens and Burgesses by Protestation saving to themselves the Liberty of exhibiting at any time hereafter any Accusation or Impeachment against the said Sir Richard Bolton John Lord Bishop of Derry Sir Gerard Lowther and Sir George Radcliffe aforesaid and every of them and also of replying to them and every of their Answers which they and every of them shall make to the said Articles or any of them and of offering Proof also of the Premisses or of any other Impeachment or Accusation as shall be by them Exhibited as the Case shall according to the Course of Parliament require And the said Knights Citizens and Burgesses do pray that the said Sir Richard Bolton Knight Lord Chancellor of Ireland John Lord Bishop of Derry Sir Gerard Lowther Knight Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties said Court of Common-Pleas and Sir George Radcliffe Knight and every of them be put to Answer to all and every of the Premisses and that all such Proceedings Examinations Tryal and Judgment may be upon them and every of them had and used as is agreeable to Law and Justice Copia vera Signed PHILIP PHERNESLY Cler. Parliamenti Thus did these Popular Reforming Protestants help to unhinge the Government and not only helped forward the Designs of the Irish if Sir John Temple's observation before mentioned be true of their endeavours to push out the present Ministers and to get into their places but they gave great Countenance especially to the Vulgar and colourable pretences to the Ensuing Rebellion when even the Protestants of the Parliament of Ireland as well as the Parliament of England by their severe Procedure against the Earl of Strafford for misgovernment and Oppressions done in Ireland by impeaching of these Persons and by their repeated loud Complaints of Grievances Wrongs and Injustice publickly defamed his Majesties Government and proclaimed to the whole World That those Miseries which the Irish suffered under those their Governors and for the Redress of which they pretended to take up Arms were so great real and intolerable that both the Parliaments of England and Ireland were so deeply sensible of them as to acknowledg and thus bitterly inveigh against them Nor were the active men of the Commons House there less busie but the Lawyers Darcy Martin Plunket Cusack Brown Linch Bodkin Evers and others took upon them with much confidence to declare the Law and to frame several Queries which being proposed to the Judges and their Modest Answers not being satisfactory they gave out Resolutions of their own upon them such as might serve their Interest and Designs rather then comport with the Honor Duty and Allegiance which they owed to their Soveraign The Queries together with the Judges Answers to them as also their own Resolutions which were transmitted hither I find in the Paper-Office as followeth Questions wherein the House of Commons humbly desires that the House of the Lords would be pleased to require the Judges to deliver their Resolutions IN as much as the Subjects of this Kingdom are Free Queries propounded by the Parliament of Ireland to the Judges of that Kingdom Loyal and Dutiful Subjects to his most Excellent Majesty their Natural Liege-Lord and King and to be governed only by the Common Lawes of England and Statutes of Force in this Kingdom in the same manner and form as his Majesties Subjects of the Kingdom of England are and ought to be Governed by the said Common-Laws and Statutes of Force in that Kingdom which of Right the Subjects of this Kingdom do Challenge and make their Protestation to be their Birth-right and best Inheritance Yet in as much as the unlawful Actions and Proceedings of some of his Majesties Officers and Ministers of Justice of late years introduced and practised in this Kingdom did tend to the infringing and violation of the Laws Liberties and Freedom of the said Subjects of this Kingdom contrary to his Majesties Royal and Pious Intentions Therefore the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in
might be secured lest the same Design might be intended by them here which they have cause to fear Next That there were divers Laws and good Motions sent up to the Lords for the good of this Church and Common-wealth and that the great Impediment which did arise there that they passed not was from the Bishops and they did conceive that so long as their Votes was in the Parliament it would be a hindrance to the Progress of all good Laws and Motions and therefore they desired a further endeavour to take away their Votes This being thus said by them they put it to the Vote for lending Money and not one Hand or Vote against it And they did further declare That if the Lord Mayor would send to every Ward they would presently pay the Money or subscribe to do it in a short time The Reader may now observe That the City began to Dance after the Pipe of the Faction at Westminster and to load the poor Bishops with being the Cause of the stoppage of the intended Reformation They had wrested the Lord Mayor's Prerogative from him in the Election of one of the Sheriffs as before was shewn and did with great industry endeavour to get the Government of the City out of the hands of those who were of known Loyalty to the Crown and Affection to the Church The Faction in the Commons House needed not this Spur to quicken the Career of their Animosity against the Lords the Bishops however it was extream welcome to them and an usual Artifice by their Agents to put both the City and Country upon Directing and Petitioning what they had a mind to bring to pass this gave a great colour to their proceedings as being agreeable to the desire of the Nation the mind of the People of England and the wishes of the City for those of their Tribe though not the 40th part of the City Nation or People yet they took upon them these great Names And this Arrogant Usurpation of making themselves the Representatives of the good People of England was a vanity which was inseparable to the Party and which we shall find them making Use of upon all occasions The House of Commons thereupon fell briskly upon the Plea and Demurrer of the Bishops which was read twice The Bishops Plea and Demurrer voted Dilatory and then it was Resolved c. That this Plea and Demurrer of the Bishops is Dilatory and insufficient This Vote seems to be given at all adventure for after the Vote a Committee was appointed to consider of the Plea and Demurrer and to present their Opinion what they think fit to be done upon it and after some time Serjeant Wild Reported That after a long Debate in the Committee and variety of Opinions they came at last to this Conclusion That this Plea and Demurrer is Dilatory and insufficient just as the House had Voted before and without shewing any Reasons why but that these 12 Bishops have made no Answer and therefore to desire the Lords That they may put in a peremptory Answer such as they will stand unto There is not the meanest Freeholder in England but by the Common Law of England ought to have had the Liberty to have a Demurrer argued and unless it could be over-ruled by sound Reason and Law it must have been allowed a good Plea and yet these venerable Men who had all the security that the Magna Charta the Common and Statute Law could afford them for their Right of Peerage and Voting in Parliament could not be allowed that Common Right but without the least shadow or Error in the Plea and Demurrer assigned must be obliged to give another Answer This was the Justice of those Men and Times But it was no wonder to see them violate the Laws of Reason Religion and their own Nation for even the Law of Nations as you have seen before in the Venetian Ambassadador's Case whose Letters were opened at their Instance and Direction was not able to preserve its Sacred Power For a Complaint was brought to the Commons House by Segnior Amerigo the Agent of the Duke of Florence that under pretence of searching for Priests his House was broken open by Persons who shewed their Authority for it And hereupon even shame The Agent of Florence outraged lest Foreign Nations should withdraw all Commerce and Correspondence from them who violate the Common Law of all Nations obliged them to appoint a Committee To consider of the Outrages these are the words of their own Journal offered to Segnior Amerigo Agent to the Duke of Florence and likewise to consider of the Abuses of those Men that are imployed by this House for apprehending of Priests and they are to consider of some fit way of Reparation to be made to Segnior Amerigo and to present them to the House This day a Petition of the City of London was read Monday Novemb. 15. Touching the abuse of many Protections which was to the stopping of Trade c. but because the Petition was too General it was agreed it should be delivered back again to be mended and then their Lordships will consider further of it A Message was sent from the House of Commons to desire That the Examinations taken by the Lords Committees concerning the Plot of the Army may be sent down to the House of Commons to be made use of The Examinations were delivered Sealed to the Clerk of the Parliament and it was Debated Whether they should be openly read in the Lords House before they were sent down and upon the Question it was Resolved That they should and thereupon they were opened and read acccordingly They had now a Necessity to revive the Business of the Design of bringing up the Army that by the Assistance of that which they made a mighty Plot they might inforce the great Necessity of the King 's parting with all his Friends in Power and Trust under the Notion of Evil Counsellors with which Debate the House of Commons was in a manner now wholly taken up but sure they were the most Fortunate Persons in the World to be upon all Occasions furnished with the discovery of fresh Plots to carry on their Designs and give them countenance among the Amazed and Affrighted People and one lies under the Temptation of believing that they were the Contrivances of the Faction rather than Realities when it is observed how luckily the Discoveries happened to fall in with their other Designs For in the very nick of time when they were at a dead-lift to get the House of Lords purged of the Popish Beal's Plot. and Popishly Affected Lords and Bishops up starts one Beal a Taylor and Discovers a mighty Plot. For this Day a Message was brought from the House of Commons by John Hampden Esq to let their Lordships know That this Day there came a Man to the Door of the House of Commons and sent in Word That he had Matters of a high
sorry for having administred unto their Lordships any Occasion of so high an Offence by letting fall Words touching the Bible of the Church of England and protesteth that his Design was not to affront their Lordships or the professed Religion of this Kingdom and he did assure their Lordships That as all Catholick Subjects have ever done so he did neither refuse to swear upon the English Bible nor held himself disobliged to Answer truely whatsoever was Demanded He therefore humbly beseecheth their Lordships to Pardon his great Offonce upon this his humble Submission and Acknowledgment and to grant his Inlargement assuring their Lordships he is most willing and ready not only to depose the Truth as by his Oath he is bound in whatsoever shall be Interrogated in this particular Cause but also shall ever Pray c. Upon which their Lordships sent a Message to the Commons giving them an account of this Petition and to let them know that having given this Satisfaction they were inclined to Pardon him but will not release him out of his Imprisonment before they had acquainted them therewith according to their Lordships former Ingagement Sir Henry Vane brought up a List of the Names of such Papists as the House of Commons desired should be secured as also an Order for the Lord Admiral to set forth 4 Ships for the Service of Ireland in which they desired the Lords to joyn with them Then were read two Letters from the Lords Justices in Ireland Letters from Ireland dated Nov. 13th 1641. the one to the Lord Keeper the other to the Lord Lieutenant the Purport of which was That some Ships may be appointed to Guard the Coasts of Ireland That the Rebels have taken divers Houses and Castles That they have spoiled the County of Cavan and have made a Remonstrance of the Ground of their Revolt They desire that 10000 Foot and 1000 Horse with Arms and Munition and 100000 l. be presently sent them with a Supply of Victuals and Oats for Horses And lastly they presented an Examination of one William Shales taken the 10th of November upon Oath ministred by the Clerk of the Council of Ireland by Direction of the Board which Examination was read in the House as followeth WIlliam Shales Shales's Accusation of Sir Henry Beddingfield of Oxborough Hall in Norfolk Sergeant of the Foot Company under the Command of Sir Arthur Loftus Knight saith That about the latter End of April last he being then in Norfolk at Oxborough Hall in the House of Sir Henry Beddingfield the said Sir Henry hearing that this Examinant was lately come out of Ireland sent for him in to his Garden whither when he came he found the said Sir Henry walking with one Poole whom this Examinant supposeth was a Priest and saith That as soon as he came into the said Garden the said Sir Henry asked him whether he knew how the state of Ireland then stood To which the Examinant said That he thought that all things were quiet and at Peace there Why quoth Sir Henry doth the Army there do nothing To which the Examinant Replied That they carried themselves quietly and that any man might walk in Ireland with a Thousand pounds and a Wand only in his hand He saith also That the said Sir Henry told him That he was about to take a House in Kilkenny of one of the Butlers for that there was no safety in England for any of his Religion and asked of the Examinant Whether there were any good Hawking thereabouts To which the Examinant said That there was Then the said Sir Henry said That now his Mind was altered and that he meant to stay in England and added That he did believe that before Christmass Day next there should be seen such Combustions in England and Ireland as the like were never seen before and thereupon Cursed the Scots as Authors of these Troubles Jurat Coram nobis Ja. Ware Rob. Meredith William Shales Whereupon it was Ordered That Sir Henry Beddingfield should be sent for in safe Custody by the Gentleman Vsher of the House and none permitted to speak with him but in the presence of the Messengers and that his Study should be sealed up by the two next Justices of the Peace till the further Pleasure of the House be known Sir Thomas Barington brought up a Message from the Commons to desire that Phillips the Priest may not be released of his Imprisonment until they be first made acquainted with it To which the Lords assented and appointed the Earl of Dorset the Queens Chamberlain to give her Majesty an account of these proceedings The List of the Prime Papists who were desired to be secured by the House of Commons Next the List of Recusants Names were read which the House of Commons desire may be secured which were as follows In the County of Lancaster Mr. Preston of the Mannor Mr. Clifton of Litham Mr. Chorley Sir William Gerrard Mr. James Anderton of Clayton Sen. Mr. Blundel of Crosby Mr. Robert Cranfield of Robbs Hall Sir John Talbott Sir Cecil Trafford Mr. Hugh Anderton of Eurton Sir Alexander Barlow In the County of Stafford Sir Richard Fleetwood Baronet Mr. Jo. Wells of Horecross Mr. Dreycott of Painsley Mr. Peter Gifford of Chillington Mr. Tho. Leveson of Ashburn Mr. Francis Harcott In the County of Southampton Lord Stourton Mr. Gage of Bawbridge Mr. John Bishop of Pilewell Lord Baltimore Mr. William Owen of Abberston John Arundell Esquire In the County of Sussex Lord Viscount Mountague In the County of Warwick Robert Throgmorton Esquire Mr. Morgan of Weston Mr. William Sheldon of Weston Sir Charles Smith In the County of Montgomery Sir Piercy Herbert Knight In the County of Worcester The Earl of Shrewsbury Francis Hanford Esquire Mr. Walter Blunt Edward Sheldon Esquire Mr. William Abbington Jun. In the County of Chester Mr. Poole of Poole Mr. Starkey of Darley Mr. Stanley In the County of Monmouth The Earl of Worcester Sir Charles Sommersett Mr. Morgan of Llantern In the County of Pembroke Sir Nicholas Lewis In the County of Suffolk Sir Robert Rookwood In the County of Salop. Thomas Vnton Esquire In the County of Northumberland Roger Widdrington Esquire In the County of Northampton The Lord Brudnell Mr. Poulton Mr. Sanders In the County of Dorsett John Webb of Cansford In the County of Lincoln Sir John Thimbleby Knight Ralph Evers of Washingborough Mr. Townley of Norton Edmond Thorold of Hough Esq Anthony Mounson The Lord Harris Lord Arundel of Wardour Sir Kenelm Digby Sir John Symonds Sir John Winter Sir William Mounteth Lord Herbert Sir Robert Lyme Sir Basil Brook Sir Alexander Gordon Sir William Mounson Sir Henry Gifford After which it was Ordered That the Consideration of this List should be debated upon Munday following In the House of Commons they were still upon the great work of the Declaration of the State of the Kingdom which was not so smoothly carried but that it met with great Opposition even
Sum of 5000 l. Resolved Captain Legg bailed c. That this House doth approve and allow of the Earls of Cumberland and Newport to be Bail for Captain William Legg ut supra Mr. Mr. Williamson a Minister bailed Williamson a Minister in Custody of the Serjeant for a Sermon preached on Sunday was 7 Night in the Parish Church of St. Martins in the Fields shall be bailed and the Consideration of the Sermon was referred to Mr. Peard Then Sir Edward Hungerford Sir Henry Mildmay Sir Thomas Barrington Sir Henry Vane Sir Robert Pye Alderman Pennington Alderman Soame were appointed to treat with the Merchant Adventurers or any others concerning the Loan of 50000 l. for the Affairs of Ireland and to offer them Security out of the 400000 l. Bill and 8 l. per Cent for forbearance of their Money It was also Ordered That Sir Thomas Barrington and Mr. Martin do this Night repair unto the Constable of the Tower and desire him from this House to lodge and reside within the Tower and take the Custody and Guard of that Place Information was this Day given to the House of Lords Mâ—nday Decemb. 27. That some Members of this House have had false Rumors reported of them That during the time of the King 's being last in Scotland it was told the Queen That at a Meeting at Kensington where the Earl of Essex the Earl of Newport the Lord Viscount Say and Seal the Lord Mandevil the Lord Wharton Members of this House and the Lord Dungaruan Mr. Nathaniel Fines Sir John Clotworthy and Mr. John Pym Members of the House of Commons were present upon a discourse of Plots that should be done in this Kingdom or in Scotland the Earl of Newport should say If there be such a Plot yet here are his Wife and Children meaning that the Person of the Queen and her Children should be seized upon Vpon this the Earl of Newport stood up E. of Newport concerning a report of his speaking of seizing the Queen c. and gave the House this Account That hearing of such an Information which had been presented to the Queen he went with some other Lords and waited on the Queen and with many Protestations assured the Queen That never any such Words were spoken nor the least thought thereof conceived of any such Fact with which the Queen seemed to rest satisfied But upon Friday last his Majesty asked him Whether he heard any Debate at Kinsington about seizing upon the Queen and her Children which his Lordship denying his Majesty replyed again That he was sorry for his Lordships ill Memory The House considering this Information to be of Consequence and because several Members of the Commons were concerned in it resolved to have a Conference with the Commons concerning it that so they might search into this Business and that the Bottom of it might be found out and the Reporter of this false Rumor brought to condign Punishment And the Lord Archbishop of York Lord Admiral E. Bristol E. Holland Lord Roberts Lord Savil were ordered to draw Heads for the Conference Tumults The Tumults now began upon this little Clash of the Two Houses and the Lords refusing to joyn with the Commons to petition out Lunsford to assemble in great Multitudes to Force the Bishops by affronts to quit their station in Parliament which hitherto could not legally be obtained and there being a great Concourse of People about the Parliament Door and the Places adjoyning the Gentleman-Usher was directed to go and Command them in the King's Name to be gone and repair to their respective places of Aboad or they should be proceeded against according to Law who returned with this account That the People are willing to depart but say they dare not because there is Colonel Lunsford with other Soldiers in Westminster-Hall that lye in wait for them with their Swords drawn and that some of them who were going through Westminster-Hall home have been Wounded and Cut in their Heads by the said Souldiers Whereupon the House appointed the Lord Steward A Committee of Lords appointed to consider of the Tumults the Lord Great Chamberlain Lord Chamberlain E. Bedford E. Southampton E. Pembroke E. Sarum E. Warwick E. Clare to Examin what Warrant hath been given to Soldiers to come down this day unto the Parliament House and likewise what Notice hath been given to any others to come down to Westminster in Multitudes and who gave the Occasion that Swords were drawn and blows given in Westminster-Hall and near thereabouts among the People And to Enquire why the Justices of Peace and other his Majesties Officers did not prevent the Tumults this Day according to Law and the Commands formerly given them Their Lordships or any 7. of them to meet on Tuesday the 28 of Decemb. 1641 at 9 of the Clock in the Morning in the Painted Chamber and when after they please After this the Lords Commissioners delivered in all the Scots Commissioners Propositions as follows SInce it is desired that we should give in all our Propositions concerning the 10000 Men that are to be sent out of Scotland into Ireland We do offer to your Consideration these following Propositions to those we have already given in 1. In respect that the Country is for the most part Wasted by the Rebels and that it is necessary for the better Provision and Safety of our Army That there be delivered unto Us some Places convenient for the preserving of our Victuals and for Retreat in case of Necessity It is therefore desired That the Town and Castle of Carrickfergus Colraine and London-Derry be put into our hands wherein we may plant Garrisons and make Use of them for Magazins of Victuals Arms and Munition and for Retreat upon any Occasion And that the Magistrates and Inhabitants thereof be ordeined to carry themselves to any of our Commanders there as is fit and ordinary in such Cases We giving Assurance to use them with all Brotherly Kindness and Respect and to give full Satisfaction for what we shall receive from them and that we shall make Use of the said Places for the Honor and Advantage of his Majesty and the Crown of England and faithfully restore them to any having Commission from the King and Parliament when the War shall End or that our Army shall be by them discharged and satisfied of all Dues and Conditions made in this present Treaty 2. That the Towns of Carrickfergus Colrain and London-Derry be instantly provided with Victuals of all kinds necessary for Soldiers both for the Garrisons and to furnish the Army or any part thereof in Expeditions into any part of the Province or where they shall go for payment upon such reasonable Prices as shall be agreed upon And likewise that Powder Bullet and Match be sufficiently provided for at least 6000 Musketeers and 24 or 30 Piece of good Ordnance and that there be Gun-Smiths and ingenious Carpenters sent thither for the mending
Kensington The King's Answer to the Petition concerning the Kensington matter for the seizing of the Persons of my Wife and Children And in things of so high a Nature it may be fit for any Prince to inquire even where he hath no belief nor perswasion of the thing so I have asked Newport some Questions concerning that Business but far from that way of expressing a belief of the thing which Newport hath had the boldness and confidence to affirm which I could easily make appear but that I think it beneath me to contest with any particular Person But let this suffice that I assure you I neither did nor do give credit to any such Rumor As for telling the Name of him who informed Me I do stick to the Answer which I gave to your last Petition upon the like particular After the Reading of this it was Ordered That a Copy of this Answer be sent to the House of Commons The Bill for pressing of Marriners Bill for pressing Marriners passed the Lords House Report of the Conference with the Commons about the safety of the Kingdom c. was read a third time in the Lords House and being put to the Question it was consented to for to pass as a Law After which the Lord Keeper Reported the Conference with the Commons touching the safety of the Kingdom That Yesterday the House of Commons sent up a Message to their Lordships wherein they Expressed their Fears of the ill Consequences which will happen by the many disorders and assaults made upon the King's Subjects to the Violation of their Liberties and Peace going to and returning from the Parliament for preventing whereof and for the securing of the Parliament they desired that their Lordships would joyn with them to desire His Majesty that the Parliament may have such a Guard as both Houses might confide in that they might be commanded by the Earl of Essex to which desire the House of Commons have yet received no Answer They desire therefore their Lordships would take these following Reasons into Consideration by way of addition to their former 1. The Insolent and Traiterous Petition and Protestation of the Bishops preferred this day to their Lordships which the House of Commons conceive they durst not dare to have done without some Back in their Design 2. They desire to have a Guard because they hear that the King hath a Guard at White-Hall as apprehending it fit And the House of Commons conceives that those that are Enemies to the King are likewise Enemies to the Parliament and those that are Enemies to the Parliament are Enemies to the King The Lords then took this Message into Consideration and Debated Whether this House should recede upon these further Reasons from the Vote given last night concerning the Guards And it was Resolved upon the Question by the major part That this House thinks it not fit upon such Reasons as have now occurred to alter at this time the Vote last night and to joyn with the House of Commons to desire a Guard And it was Ordered That these two Votes be Communicated to the Commons by Serjeant Ayliff and Serjeant Glanvile After which the House having notice that the Bishops that were Accused of High Treason were attending without The Impeached Bishops at the Lords Bar. the House gave directions they should be severally called in and have their Accusation made known unto them by the Lord Keeper and then if they desired to speak they should be heard First John Arch-Bishop of York was brought in by the Gentleman-Usher and having kneeled at the Bar as a Delinquent he was commanded to stand up and then the Lord Keeper told him That the House of Commons in their Name and of all the Commons of England had Accused him and others of the Bishops with High Treason for endeavouring to Subvert the Fundamental Laws of this Realm and the Being of Parliament by preferring their Petition and Protestation this day to the House of Lords The said Arch-Bishop desired leave of the House to Speak a few words which the House granting he said He would not at this time make any Demurrer to the Charge as having never heard it before but he desired their Lordships would give him leave to do as he should be advised when he came to Answer and then he withdrew The Bishop of Durham was in the same manner brought to the Bar and the Lord Keeper repeated unto him the same Charge and he having leave to Speak said That this was the greatest Misery that ever befell him and what he did was not with any Malicious or Treasonable Intent but he going by chance to the Arch-Bishop of York 's House about two days ago he found some Bishops there and the Petition Signed by many of the Bishops and being desired to subscribe the said Petition he read it over and took some Exception at it but he was drawn to it by their Inducements and he did Subscribe it only to preserve his Right in Voting in Parliament and desiring their Lordships to have pitty upon him being a Man of great Years he withdrew And then in the same manner the Bishop of Norwich was brought to the Bar and after he had heard his Accusation he said That this was the heaviest Affliction that ever befel him and professed it was far from his thoughts to be guilty of an Offence of so high a Nature and confessed he Subscribed the Petition and Protestation but he desired the rest of his Brethren the Bishops that it might be very well considered before it was delivered but whether it was he knows not Next the Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield was brought to the Bar after the same manner and confessed He Subscribed the Petition but craved their Lordships best Constructions for he did it not with any Traiterous Intentions and submitted himself to the Pleasure of this House Next in the same manner the Bishop of St. Asaph was brought to the Bar and confessed That he Subscribed the said Petition but the thoughts of Treason were far from his heart and desired their Lordships favour to him The Bishop of Bath and Wells who acknowledged He set his hand to the said Petition but without any ill intent The Bishop of Hereford was next who said That when time was fitting he would make his humble Answer to his Charge but desired to say nothing for the present The Bishop of Ely was the next who made this short and discreet Answer He desired their Lordships would excuse him for Speaking now lest he should do himself more hurt by Speaking then by Silence The Bishop of Oxon who confessed He set his hand to the Petition but his Offence is through Ignorance and therein Craves their Lordships Compassion Then the Bishop of Glocester who confessed He set his hand to the Petition but that he was one of the last that Subscribed it which he professed was not done with any Traiterous intent but through Ignorance
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
for setting aside private Business 686. concerning Books seized by High Commission 690. that Philips be released 691. in Smith and Busby 's Case 716. for reviving the Committee for Scandalous Pamphlets 723. and for License to raise Men for the Dutch ibid. Orders of the House of Commons that no Members visit the Earl of Strafford 8. to inquire into the Militia c. 230. in behalf of Pryn 251. about disbanding the Armies 286 454. 456. concerning the Northern Counties 314. about Members of Committees 319. for afternoon Sermons in all Parochial Churches 383. for absent Members 433. that Mr. Marshal and Dr. Burgess Preach the Thanksgiving Sermon before them 467. about a full House 476. for Match and Bullet for the Parliaments Guard 496. for laying by private business 510. for opening the Irish Letters 523. concerning relief for Ireland and Irish Affairs 601 603 613 622 626 824. concerning the Guard for the Parliament 623. concerning the Second Plot in the Army 653. to discourage Petitioners for Episcopacy 655. for clearing the Kings Honour from the scandal of the Irish Rebels 689. for a Search about a Barrel of Gun-Powder 719. for Printing the Remonstrance 437. for care of Berwick Hull and Newcastle 753. concerning the Navy 787. for a double Watch 794. for a Guard under Major Skippon 833. for Sir John Hotham to keek Hull ibid. for Guards and necessary defence 878. Orders of the Lords Justices of Ireland against the Rebels 908 910. Orders for preventing the spreading of the Plague 478. Ordinance of both Houses for Commissioners to go for Scotland 455. for a Thanksgiving for the Pacification 463. for disarming Recusants 470. against Transporting Soldiers into the Service of Forraign Princes 481. for empow'ring the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to raise Men 606. for enabling the Master of the Ordnance to deliver Ammunition ibid. authorizing the Lord High Admiral to provide Shipping 607. for securing money borrow'd of the City of London 621. to prohibit the Irish going out of England without Licence 621. upon Beal 's Plot 646. to raise the Trained Bands 653. Earl of Ormond speeds to Dublin with his Troop at Summons of the Lords Justices 629. is made Lieutenant General of the Army in Ireland 904. dislodges the Rebels at Finglass 618. Earl of Orrery 's Answer to P. W. quoted 526. Sir Edward Osborn a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 95. his Warrant for levying Money 98. Overtures for a Treaty with the Irish Rebels 917. Oxford Vniversity their Petition to the Parliament in behalf of Episcopacy 305. Oxfordshire Petition against it 409. P. PAcification between the English and Scots 430 438. Palatinate a debate upon it 328 368. Vote about it 373. the King 's Manifesto upon it 383. A. Palmer a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 90. Captain Palmer accused for a Conspiracy to seduce the Army 232. Jeffery Palmer a manager of Evidence against the Earl of Strafford 29. Sir William Parkhurst a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 91. William Parkins his Speech about Bishop Wren 330. Parliament meets at Westminster 5. perpetuated by an Act 195. their first Ordinance 455. agree to a Recess 464. Order a Guard for themselves 487 Parliament in Ireland their Quaeries to the Judges there 572. their Protestation and Declaration against the Rebellion 898. Parliament in Scotland their resolutions concerning the Irish Rebellion 603. Transactions between them and the English Commissioners 608. Henry Parry a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 74. the Sentence past on him by the Irish Council 76. Sir William Parsons made one of the Lords Justices of Ireland 564. Sir William Pennyman a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 55 86 95. his Warrant to his Serjeant Major to raise Money 93. Alderman Penington informs against the Minister of Grace-Church 773. Mr. Henry Percy accused for a Conspiracy to seduce the Army 232. a Proclamation to stop him 233. Conference about him 245. his Letter to the Earl of Northumberland about it 286. Voted Chargeable with High Treason 443. Expell'd the House of Commons 725. Voted to be impeach'd of High Treason 754. Petition and Act of State about the Oath in Ireland 79. Petition of the Yorkshire Gentry 92. of the Londoners against the Earl of Strafford 160. of the like Rabble against the same 189. of the Earl of Strafford to the House of Lords in behalf of his Children 196. of the Vniversity of Cambridge 239. and of the Vniversity of Oxford for Episcopacy 305. from several Ministers of Wales against Episcopacy 317. of the Ministers and People of Oxfordshire and Berks against the same 409. of both Houses concerning Commissioners for Scotland 451. of Sir George Radcliff 464. of some Merchants for seizing parts of America 467. of the Sectaries against Dr. Heywood Mr. Booth Dr. Fuller and Mr. Hutton 492. of Judge Berkley 498. of the Parliament to the King in Scotland 644. of Rutland for Episcopacy 656. of Officers for pay 660. of the House of Commons to accompany the Remonstrance 692. of Huntingtonshire for Episcopacy 720. of Somersetshire for the same 726. of the factious Londoners against Bishops Votes c. 733. incouraged by the House of Commons 733 735. of the Parliament concerning breach of Privilege by the King's Speech 751. of Hertfordshire 753. of Cheshire for the Establish'd Religion 758 759. of the remonstrating Ministers to the House of Commons 764. of the Irish Lords and Gentlemen 769. of the London Prentices about Church-Government c. 775. of several Merchants concerning Ireland 776. of both Houses about the Kensington Business 786 of the Bishops with their Protestation 794. of the men of Bucks against Malignants c. 834 839. of the trained Bands of Westminster about dangers 839. of the Men of Bucks to the King concerning Hampden 840. of the Lord Mayor c. about the King 's going to the House of Commons 841. of several Merchants and others against Sir John Byron 881. of the Bishops either to be tried or bailed 883. Petition and Advice of the Scots Commissioners to the King 876. Petitioners for Episcopacy discouraged 655. Sir John Pettus Knighted 680. Father Philips the Queens Confessor 310. appears 315. sent to the Tower 594. a Message about him from the House of Commons to the House of Lords 597. an Information against him 599. the Queens Letter concerning him 605. petitions to be released 661. order of the House of Lords about him 691. and of the House of Commons about his Trunk 69â— â—bailed 711. Bishop Pierce see Bishop of Bath Lord Pierepoint ordered to the Black Rod for Words 740. petitions to the House of Lords and is released 742. Sir William Pierepoint his Speech at the Impeachment of Sir Robert Berkeley 332. William Pierson a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 94. Place for Trial of the Earl of Strafford agreed by both Houses 28. Plague in London 463. Orders to prevent its spreading 478. Plate a Motion that it be brought in and coin'd 259. Plymouth Bill past 410.
the Impeachment of the Bishops 448. concerning the Commons Declaration 483. Votes of the House of Commons after the hearing of the Earl of Strafford 152. upon the Bill of Attainder 157. in favour of Lilburn 211. against Mr. Finch Vicar of Christ-Church London 233. Mr. Ashton Vicar of Painswick 238. Dr. Uty Rector of Chigwel 246. the Scots desire of Vniformity in Religion between the two Kingdoms 246. Walker a Factions Preacher 250. Captives at Algiers 254. in favour of the Scots 255. about the Customers 258. Collonel Goring 272. the Council Board 324. one Faunt 324. Bishop Wren 330. Priviledge in the Case of Hollis 331 373. the Palatinate 373. Ambassadors entertaining Priests Natives of England 373. Bill for abolishing Episcopacy 380. Papists ibid. the Manifesto 386. Lord Digby 's Speech 389. the Conspiracy to seduce the Army 407 408. a Vice-Roy in the Kings absence 412. taking the Protestation and Impeaching the Bishops 415. Commissioners to be sent into Scotland 439. one Small a Minister 446. one Cooper 454. London-Derry 461. disbanded Souldiers 466 495. Communion-Table 475. their Declaration 483. the Soap business 512. selling Protections 596. Collonel Lunsford 780. Earl of Bristol 793. the Bishops their Petition and Protestation 796. Sealing of some Trunks c. 813. a Committee at Guild-Hall 823. the Lieutenant of the Tower 846. the Attorney General 874. Vox Populi a Libel against Bishops and Common-Prayer 807. Arch Bishop Usher present with the Earl of Strafford at his Death 198. an Abstract of his opinion of the Apostolical Institution of Episcopacy 279. ordered to Preach before the House of Lords on the Fast day for Ireland 754. Dr. Uty Voted a Scandalous Minister 246. W. WAde a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 74. Waferer a Clergy-man in Custody released 244. Waldron a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 58. Walter a Factious Preacher restor'd by the House of Commons 250. Walker a Phamphleteer against Bishops sent for 763. Wall a Door-keeper committed to the Fleet 650. released 655. restored to his place 660. Mr. Waller 's Speech at the Impeachment of Justice Crawley 349. Elias Walley sent for as a Delinquent 245. P. Walsh his Narrative of some matters moving the Irish to Rebel 557. Sir Edward Warder a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 39. accused for a Conspiracy to seduce the Army 232. Warrant from the King to the Earl of Strafford to make use of 40000 l. of the Treasure 42. of the Earl of Strafford to the Bishop of Down concerning Contemners of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 63. of Sir William Peniman to his Serjeant Major to raise Money 93. of Sir Edward Osborn to Levy Money 98. of the King to Sir John Byron Lieutenant of the Tower 845. Watch ordered by the House of Commons to be doubled 794. Welch Petition 317. Sir â—â—nth Welden a Conjecture concerning him 838. Welch a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 70. Christopher Wendeford Esquire made Lord Deputy of Ireland 560. dies 564. Wentworth see Strafford Sir George Wentworth a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 57. present upon the Scaffold at the Execution of the Earl of Strafford 199. Weston Lord Treasurer his acquaintance with Sir Thomas Wentworth 3. Mr. Baron Weston impeached 343. Articles against him 356. Lord Wharton a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 93. Mr. Whitacre sent to the Tower for breach of Priviledge 3â—4 White Chairman of the Committee for scandalous Ministers 233 238 246. one of the Committee to expedite the charge against the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 265. his Speech against Bishops 885. Whitlock sent to the Lords by the House of Commons to aver the accusation of the Earl of Strafford 36. one of the Committee to expedite the Charge against the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 265. Sir Thomas Widdrington carries up the Articles against the Bishop of Ely 329. his Speech at the delivery of them 395. Sir William Widdrington sent to the Tower by the House of Commons about Candles 272. discharged 288. Wife and Children relieved against a Husband refusing to Cohabit 381. Isle of Wight a motion of the House of Commons that it be put into safer hands 524 608 650. their reasons 655. Bishop Williams a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 89. Wi. Williams called to answer breach of Priviledge bailed 377. Mr. Williamson in Custody for a Sermon bail'd 780. Sir Francis Willoughby Governor of Dublin Castle 628. Lord Wilmot a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 60. Commissary Wilmot sent to the Tower on suspition of Treason 288. bail'd 377. voted guilty of Misprison of Treason and expell'd the House 725. Marquess of Winton an Information of Arms in his House 453. has leave to sell them 600. Bishop of Winton disclaims the Petition and Protestation of the Bishops 799. Sir Thomas Wiseman a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 89. Wishert 's information that Cardinal Richelieu fomented the Irish Rebellion 897. Witnesses examined against the Earl of Strafford 11 35 36 53. Toby Wood Committed to Newgate for Treasonable words 817. Lady Wotton a Recusant Peeress an Order about her 420 457. Sir John Wray smells Gun-powder 192. Bishop Wren Articled against 329. the Articles 398 releas'd of Tenths upon the Poll-Bill 780. Writts of Error an Order about them 272. FINIS
Power enough to have done it And whether ever such were spoken the suffering them to appear in print and to be dispersed throughout the Nation was of as ill Influence to the Publique as if they had been real and yet I am not without good Authority that divers of those Speeches were the true Children of those Parents at whose Doors they were laid several of them being entred in Reports of Conferences upon the Lords Journal But still I must do right where I am satisfied that it was an Artifice of the Faction to delude the People by such Speeches Printed under the passable Authority of Considerable Names and if either Sir John Holland or any other Person can by fair Authority convince me that they were in this Nature imposed upon I shall not decline doing him or them the Justice I ought to do of an Impartial Collector who has no manner of Animosity against Persons but the Actions of the late times and thinks himself under an indispensible Duty to his Prince Country and Conscience to the utmost of his Power to detect and expose the Artifices and Methods which occasioned those dreadful and detestable Revolutions and the intire Subversion of the whole Frame of the Government both Civil and Ecclesiastical among which these Printed Speeches whether spoken or not had not the least share in deluding and animating the People to the following Rebellion An Instance of the wicked Licentiousness of those Times in slurring of Speeches sometimes upon worthy Gentlemen as I have from good Authority may be seen by the Speech fathered upon Sir Edward Hales a Gentleman whose known Loyalty made him a very great Sufferer in the times when the Tyranny and Arbitrary Government of the Faction of the Two Houses of Parliament bore all the sway which was thus One Talboy a busie prating News-monger being desirous to Exchange a Speech he had pick't up for another which he wanted he went to a Scrivener at Temple-Bar who then Traded in such things who refusing a Speech without a Name to make it Currant Coin Talboy stamp'd on it that of Sir Edward Hales and for a while it passed as his but notice being taken of it Sir Edward Hales consulted his Friends Members of the then House of Commons to advise what was fit for him to do towards vindicating his Honor from the Scandal which Talboy had put upon him but Sir Norton Knatchbull who is yet alive to attest this and the rest of his Friends were of Opinion that considering the despicable Credit of the Fellow and the improbability of the Aspersion so inconsistent with the known Integrity and Loyalty of Sir Edward Hales it was more advisable to take no notice of the Imposture then to make the Speech more publick by the punishment of the Impostor by which means Talboy escaped the lash and the Speech got under that Name into the Press and out of that into the World There are some other Marginal Notes in the first Volume concerning the Members of the Convocation which by misinformation are mistakes but they are only such as can do no hurt being only the attributing some honours to some Names which they never enjoyed But I am of the opinion that St. Augustine never writ any thing that more became him then his Retractions and I hope the Ingenuous Readers will from my willingness to acknowledge the smallest mistakes do me the honour to believe that I do above all things study sincerity and that I will not in any thing to the best of my understanding impose Falshood for Truth upon the World or be guilty of misleading Posterity into Errors whilst I pretend to gratifie them with the most authentick and undisguised account of the Publick Transactions of those Things and Times with which I entertain them I have but one word more to add I am sensible that I have already fallen under the displeasure of some Persons who having been Eminent Actors in the late Times against the King and the Government and are yet Survivers and living Monuments of their own Guilt and the unexampled Clemency of their most Gracious Sovereign are extremely uneasie at the account that is here given of those Times For my particular I must disavow my having any Personal Animosity but truely those who find themselves offended by any matters in these Collections which are unjustifiable or disreputable to the Authors and Actors of them if they be such as have sincerely Repented of those past Errors and Actions will be so far from being displeased to see them Exposed and Condemned that they will be ready to do it themselves thereby to make some compensation for the former Ills they have been accessary to and if they have not yet by a thorough Penitence Attoned Heaven and procured an Act of Oblivion there as well as the Clemency of his Majesty has given them one here it is high time for them to go about it and it is a piece of Charity to put them in mind of it as this History does for which I should rather expect their thanks than their anger and displeasure and I am sure if they consult their future Interest and the little time they can hope to have still left for the performance of so great a Work there can be no Service so advantageous in Reason how unwelcom soever it may be to Passion and Prejudice as that of a faithful Monitor who gives them warning to escape the greatest of all Miseries and Dangers AN Impartial Collection OF ALL THE MEMORABLE EVENTS FROM The Scotch Rebellion to the KING'S Murther Volume II. The History of the Earl of STRAFFORD year 1641 ALTHOUGH many Ages and Histories afford us great Variety of Examples to convince us of the instability of Humane Affairs and that no persons have a more dangerous Station than such Great Ministers of State and Royal Favourites as are mounted to the Lofty Pinnacles of Honour Yet I think our Country has not produced any Instance of the Treachery of Fortune so signally remarkable as this of the Noble Earl of Strafford a Person in whose Character Every thing conspired that could make a Subject Great And certainly had he lived in any other Age than that wherein the Turbulent Whirlwind of Rebellion and Disloyalty threw down all before it his Great Wisdom Learning Courage and Loyalty would have rendred him one of the greatest Lives that ever adorned the English Chronicles as well as one of the Wisest Statesmen and Ablest Ministers that ever supported the British Throne and how great an Interest he had in that Weighty Employment both the Envy of his and the Enemies of the Royal Seat and the Miserable Fall of that Illustrious Empire of which he was so main a Pillar will abundantly manifest and indeed they who will pull down the Throne of Solomon alwayes first endeavour to remove and destroy the Lions that support it This Great and Illustrious-Man was descended of an Honourable and Ancient Family born to an
nearly interested in the Ruin of this great Person than any other he satiated his private Revenge by the pretence of Publick Justice and when in all likelyhood the Earl must have Escaped the Prosecution of his Adversaries he produced that Fatal Scrip of Paper of which mention will be made hereafter which had lain so long Dormant or rather which was newly framed upon which the Bill of Attainder in the House of Commons was founded to take away that Life which a Legal Tryal would otherwise have acquitted though not of Misdemeanors yet of the Capital Crime of High Treason My Lord Wentworth being now made one of his Majesties Privy Council gave such daily Testimonies of his singular Wisdom as soon recommended him to the Observation of that Great Man William Laud then Bishop of London and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury and that Discernment of each others Merits which generally in great Minds produces Emulation Envy and too commonly Aversion and Animosity begat in them a Friendship which being cemented by the common bond of Loyalty and Fidelity to their great Masters Service and Interest proved so firm and indissolvable as to have no other Period but that of their Untimely Deaths Nor did Fortune who seemed now wholy imployed in bestowing her treacherous Caresses upon this Noble Lord stop here for he was in a little time advanced to be Lord Lieutenant of Ireland one of the Trusts and Honours as near the wearing of a Crown as any thing can be that is not actually possessed of one when he came to that Government he found all things in great Disorder the Revenue so low that Ireland was a Burthen to the Crown of England which by his Wise Management he not only took off but so improved the Trade of the Nation and the Revenue of the Crown that that Kindom was not only able to support it self but to lend supplies to England And as he was an Extraordinary Zealous promoter of the Interest and Glory of the Established Church and the Protestant Episcopal Party for which possibly there was a stricter bond of amitie between him and the Arch-Bishop he did by the assistance of that great Metropolitane procure from his Majesty the Restoring of all the Impropriations which in that Nation were then in the Crown to the Bishops and Clergy thereby rescuing the Church-men from those disadvantages which Contempt and Poverty in these declining Ages of Religion had reduced them to and by proposing Rewards to Merit Virtue Learning and Piety encouraged men of Parts to dedicate themselves to those Nobler Studies That contenting themselves with those competent Provisions they might be enabled to resist the Temptations of applying themselves to the more gainful Arts of Secular Professions In short how he managed the Government of that Kingdom notwithstanding the turbulent Humor of the Native Irish whose Religion being Popish and whose Interest to dispossess the English whom they ever esteemed incroachers and invaders continually prompted them to Rebellions this is the clearest Testimony that during all the time that he was his Majesties Vice-Roy in that Kingdom there was not the least murmur of Sedition but all things buried in a most profound Peace and Quiet But no sooner were the Reigns of his Government taken off and even before the blood was cold which dyed his blushing Scaffold but that Kingdom was all in a blaze and from thence such sparks of Jealousie flew over into England as set this miserable Nation into such an Universal Conflagration as was not Extinguished but with whole Rivers of Blood which one may say not altogether Poetically seemed to be sacrificed by the Revenging Deity to the Manes of this Illustrious Man And now the Sun of his Glory was gotten to the Top of his Meridian and from thence had Exhaled those Vapours and sulphureous ingredients which being condensed into Clouds of Popular Discontents raised so horrible a Storm as forced him to set in a dismal Cloud Laetis hunc Numina Rebus Crescendi posuêre modum Innocence is no Protection against Envy and those Merits which raised Admiration and Satisfaction in Good and Virtuous Men produced Emulation and Hatred in the Minds of the Turbulent and Discontented and as formerly all the Complaints and Grievances of the Nation seemed to Centre in the Duke of Buckingham so now the Noble Earl of Strafford for to that Honour he was advanced inherited with the Favour of his Prince all that was Black and Criminal in a Favourite which was now become a certain mark of the Peoples Hatred The long Discontinuance of Parliaments the Imposition of Ship-mony and the Design of introducing Arbitrary Government were all placed to his Score as the intentions of bringing in Superstitions Innovations and Popery were charged upon the Archbishop of Canterbury But above all he had so Exasperated the Scottish Faction and their Friends in England that his or their Ruin as they concluded was inevitable for he had raised a Considerable Army in Ireland and being in the Sickness of the Earl of Northumberland made Lieutenant General of the Army in the North he was an utter Enemy to the Treaty and of Opinion by force of Arms to drive the Scots out of England and so confident was he in the height of his Courage that it might Easily be Effected that in one of his Letters to the Archbishop he writ That he would venture his head if he did not drive the Scots out of England and though he did not think it proper for him as the Case now stood to give the King that Advice Yet if any of the Lords would propose to the King to try the Fortune of a Battle he made not the least scruple to send the Scots back again in more haste than they came into England And had his Majesty pursued those Counsels in all humane Probability this Noble Earl might have saved not only his own but the Royal Head of his Master and that vast Expence of Blood and Treasure as well as the Honour of the English Nation which suffered infinitely abroad by all the succeeding Accidents and Events which Ensued that dishonourable Treaty but Diis aliter visum est No sooner was the Parliament met at Westminster Friday November 6. and the necessary affairs of choosing a Speaker taking the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and upon Friday Novemb. 6. the Grand Committees for Religion Grievances Courts of Justice Trade and Priviledges settled but Mr. Pym moved for a Committee of the whole House to take into Consideration the Irish Affairs from whence there were great and numerous Complaints This was seconded by Sir John Clotworthy in a Speech wherein though he did not name the Earl of Strafford yet the pointed reflections were so easie to be interpreted that the whole House knew he was the Person at whose head the Thunderbolt was levell'd After some Debate the House was Divided upon the Question and there being Yeas 165 Noes 152 it was carried in the affirmative
This Vote for a Grand Committee of the whole House for Irish affairs presently gave the Alarm to those Gentlemen of the House whose Friendship for the Earl made them Vigilant in attending the Motions of his Enemies whose Designs as well as hatred of him were not unknown to them Immediately they posted Letters down to him in the North where he was still with the Army advertising him of what was done in the House of Commons and the apprehension they had that a Storm was gathering which would shortly discharge it self upon him and leaving it to his deliberation whether to come up to the Parliament or not however they advised him if he did resolve to come that he should come prepared to impeach some of the Principal of his Enemies of a Confederacy with the Scots in their invading of England and thereby as the Duke of Buckingham had formerly treated the Earl of Bristol to crush their Accusations in the bud and disable them from his Prosecution by obliging them first to clear themselves But those who were his intimate Friends advised him either to continue with the Army over whom he had got a most powerful influence or to retire to Ireland which then also was intirely at his Devotion or lastly to take a retreat in some Eorreign Country till the Fury of the Storm was spent that from thence upon a favourable turn of his affairs he might be able to recover his Station and vindicate his Innocence they represented to him how impossible it would be for him to stand the shock of his Combined Adversaries of the Scottish Nation and Faction in both the Houses and that to run upon inevitable Ruin though it might speak Innocence and Courage yet among Wise men it would make his Judgment and Wisdom extreamly censured since the worst that could happen to him by retiring was to have Sentence passed upon him for non-appearance but that in recompence of that disadvantage and the seeming Loss of his Honour and Reputation he would certainly preserve his Life and Liberty and reserving himself for a better Destiny might as multitudes of Great Men have done before him not only recover his Glory and Integrity from under the present Eclipse but render his Reputation far more bright by coming from under the black Clouds of Calumny and Injustice Whereas should he adventure to stand the Test of Parliament he could expect little Mercy and less Justice from such of his Enemies who could not but resolve his Ruin to prevent their own and that if notwithstanding all his Integrity should Sentence of Condemnation pass upon him he should not only lose his Honor Life and Estate but endanger the present loss of his Fame if not the future too ignoble Minds being apt to judge the Condemned alwayes Criminal and that Posterity who may much more probably want those assistances to rescue a suffering Innocence from Injustice which even the Age wherein it was transacted was not sufficiently able to do will be apt to believe the Certainty of Fact which speaks a Guilt rather then the uncertainty of a Traditional Innocence though it has so happened to the Ashes of this Illustrious Innocent that the Guilt has by solemn Act of Parliament been obliterated and as he suffered by the Injustice of a Lex post nata so he had all the Reparation the Justice of a Posthumus Law could do his Memory But such was the high Courage of this Noble Earl who had much more of the Oak than the Willow about his Heart that all the Arguments and Remonstrances of his Friends were lost upon him To stay with the Army from whence he would assuredly if impeached be commanded or to retire to Ireland he judged would look too like Rebellion from which as he had the strongest aversion so it would give his Enemies some colourable foundation for a real Guilt and to take Sanctuary under the Protection of any Forreign Court was to abandon his Innocence and tacitly to confess himself a Criminal and would in the Opinion of the World make him appear guilty of all the Crimes his Accusers should lay to his Charge In the Confidence of his own Innocence and of the guilt of his Enemies of whose Confederacy with the Covenanters of Scotland he had as he thought got sufficient Evidence to Impeach several both of the Lords and Commons as guilty of an Invitation of the Scots to Invade England he takes Post for London intending as soon as he was arrived at the Parliament to present it to the House of Peers But his Enemies proved too diligent for him and knowing how great influence the first blow would have before he could accomplish his Intention they prevented him by an Impeachment as Quick as Unexpected for upon Wednesday the Eleventh of November Wednesday Novemb. 11. the Doors of the House of Commons being locked up and the Key brought up to the Table the Impeachment of the Earl was moved in the House and Messengers were sent to the Lords to desire a Conference concerning the Earl of Strafford and Mr. Pym Mr. Strode Mr. St. Johns Serjeant Grimston Lord Digby Committee to prepare a Charge against the Earl of Strafford Sir John Clotworthy Sir Walter Erle Mr. Hambden were appointed to be a Select Committee to prepare Matter for a Conference with the Lords and to draw up a Charge against the Earl of Strafford and in order to it to withdraw immediately into the Committee Chamber This retirement was only pro formâ for they had all the Charge ready and therefore they immediately returned and reported to the House a Charge against the Earl whereupon it was Resolved upon the Question That a Message be sent to the House of Lords to Impeach the Earl of Strafford Lord Lieutenant of Ireland of High Treason which Mr. Pym who by Command of the House carried it up and delivered in these Words My Lords THE Knights Citizens and Burgesses now Assembled in the Commons House in Parliament have received Informations of divers Trayterous Designs and Practices of a great Peer of this House and by virtue of a Command from them I do here in the Name of the Commons now Assembled in Parliament and in the Name of all the Commons of England accuse Thomas Earl of Strafford Lord Lieutenant of Ireland of High Treason and they have Commanded me further to desire your Lordships that he may be Sequestred from Parliament and forthwith Committed to Prison They have further Commanded me to let you know That they will within a very few dayes resort to your Lordships with the particular Articles and Grounds of this Accusation The Earl then being commanded to withdraw it was put to the Question by the Lords Whether He should be Imprisoned upon a general Accusation of Treason and being carried in the affirmative he was called in kneeling at the Barr and afterwards standing up the Lord Keeper by Command of the House spake to him as followeth MY Lord of
afflicted Whereupon a demand was then made from his Majesty of 12 Subsidies for the release of Ship-money only and while the said Commons then assembled with expressions of great affection to his Majesty and his service were in debate and consideration of some supply before resolution by them made he the said Earl of Strafford with the help and assistance of the said Archbishop did procure his Majesty to dissolve the last Parliament upon the 5 day of May last and upon the same day the said Earl of Strafford did Treacherously Falsely and Maliciously endeavour to incense his Majesty against his loving and faithful Subjects who had been Members of the said House of Commons by telling his Majesty they had denied to supply him And afterward upon the same did Treacherously and Wickely Counsel and Advise his Majesty to this effect viz. That having tried the affections of his People he was loose and absolved from all rules of Government and was to do every thing that power would admit and that his Majesty had tried all ways and was refused and should be acquitted both of God and man and that he had an Army in Ireland meaning the Army above mentioned consisting of Papists his dependants as is aforesaid which he might imploy to reduce this Kingdom to obedience 24. That in the same month of May he the said Earl of Strafford Falsely Treacherously and Maliciously published and declared before others of his Majesties Privy-Councel that the Parliament of England had for saken the King and that in denying to supply the King they had given him the advantage to supply himself by other ways and divers other times he did Maliciously Wickedly and Falsely publish and declare that seeing the Parliament had refused to supply his Majesty in the ordinary and usual way the King might provide for the Kingdome in such ways as he should hold fit and that he was not to suffer himself to be mastered by the frowardness of the People And having so maliciously slandered the said House of Commons he did with the help and advice of the said Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Finch late Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England cause to be printed and published in his Majesties name a false and scandalous book entituled his Majesties Declaration of the causes that moved him to dissolve the last Parliament full of bitter and malicious invectives and false and scandalous aspersions against the said House of Commons 25. That not long after the dissolution of the said last Parliament viz. In the months of May and June He the Earl of Strafford did advise the King to go on rigorously in levying the Ship-money and did procure the Sheriffs of several Countries to be sent for for not levying the Ship-money divers of which were threatned by him to be sued in the Star-Chamber for not levying the same and divers of his Majesties loving Subjects were sent for and imprisoned by his advice about that and other illegal payments And a great loan of a hundred thousand pounds was demanded of the City of London and the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen and the Sheriffs of the said City were often sent for by his advice to the Councel Table to give an account of their proceedings in raising of Ship-money and furthering of that loan and were required to certifie the names of such Inhabitants of the said City as were fit to lend which they with much humility refusing to do he the said Earl of Strafford did use these or the like Speeches viz. That they deserved to be put to Fine and Ransome and that no good would be done with them till an example were made of them and they were laid by the heels and some of the Aldermen hanged up 26. That the said Earl of Strafford by his wicked Counsel having brought his Majesty into excessive charges without any just cause he did in the month of July last for the support of the said great charges counsel and approve two dangerous and wicked Projects viz. To seize upon the Bullion and the money in the Mint And to imbase his Majesties Coyn with the mixtures of Brass And accordingly he procured One hundred and thirty thousand pounds which was then in the Mint and belonging to divers Merchants Strangers and others to be seized on and stayed to his Majesties use And when divers Merchants of London owners of the said Bullion came to his house to let him understand the great mischief that course would produce here and in other parts what prejudice it would be to the Kingdome by discrediting the Mint and hindring the importation of Bullion he the said Earl told them That the City of London dealt undutifully and unthankfully with his Majesty and that they were more ready to help the Rebel than to help his Majesty and that if any hurt came to them they may thank themselves and that it was the course of other Princes to make use of such Moneys to serve their Occasions And when in the same Month of July the Officers of his Majesties Mint came to him and gave him divers reasons against the imbasing the said money he told them that the French King did use to send Commissaries of Horse with Commission to search into mens Estates and to peruse their accounts so that they may know what to levy of them by force which they did accordingly leavy and turning to the Lord Cottington then present said That this was a point worthy his Lordships consideration 27. That in or about the Month of August last he was made Lieutenant General of all his Majesties Forces in the Northern parts against the Scots and being at York did in the Month of September by his own authority and without any lawful warrant impose a Tax on his Majesties Subjects in the County of York of eight pence per diem for maintenance of every Soldier of the Trained bands of that County which Sums of Money he caused to be levied by force And to the end to compel his Majesties Subjects out of fear and Terrour to yield to the payment of the same He did declare that he would commit them that refused the payment thereof and the Soldiers should be satisfied out of their Estates and they that refused it were in very little better condition than of High-Treason 28. That in the Month of September and October last he the said Earl of Strafford being certified of the Scottish Army coming into the Kingdome and he the said Earl of Strafford being Lieutenant General of his Majesties Army did not provide to the defence of the Town of New-Castle as he ought to have done but suffered the same to be lost that so he might the more incense the English against the Scots And for the same wicked purpose and out of a malicious desire to ingage the Kings Kingdoms of England and Scotland in a National and Bloody War he did write to the Lord Conway the General of the Horse and under the
the now Lord Chancellor and the Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas upon the Proofs in the Chancery decreed for the Plaintiff to which he refers himself and it may be the Lord Mountnorris was thereupon put out of his Possession To the Seventh he saith His Majesty being Intituled to divers Lands Lord Dillon his Patent questioned upon an Inquisition found Proclamation was made That such as Claimed by Patent should come in by a day and have their Patents allowed as if they had been found in the Inquisition and accordingly divers were allowed The Lord Dillon produced His Patent which being questionable he consented and desired that a Case might be drawn which was drawn by Counsel and argued and the Judges delivered their Opinions but the Lord Dillon nor any other were bound thereby or put out of Possession but might have traversed the Office or otherwise legally have proceeded that Case or Opinion notwithstanding To the Eighth he saith That upon Sir John Gifford's Petition to the King The Lord Loftus close Prisoner not delivering the Great Seal His Majesty referred it to the Deputy and Council of Ireland where the matter proceeding legally to a Decree against the Lord Loftus and upon his Appeal that Decree by his Majesty and his Council of England was confirmed to which Decree and Order he refers himself believing the Lord Loftus was committed for disobeying that Decree and for continuance in contempt committed close Prisoner He saith That the Lord Loftus having committed divers Contempts the Council by Warrant required him to appear at the Board and to bring the Great Seal with him which Order he disobeyed and was shortly after Committed and the Great Seal was delivered up by his Majesties express Command and not otherwise And an Information was exhibited in the Star-Chamber for grievous Oppressions done by the Lord Loftus as Chancellor whereof he was so far from justifying as that he submitted desiring to be an Object of his Majesties Mercy and not of his Justice The Earl of Kildare for not performing of an Award made by King James The Earl of Kildare Committed and of an Award made in pursuance thereof by the said Earl of Strafford upon a Reference from His Majesty was by the Deputy and Council Committed and a Letter being unduly obtained he did not thereupon enlarge him but upon another Letter and submission to the Orders as by the King was directed he was enlarged The Lady Hibbots and one Hoy her Son having upon a Petition Answer Examination of Witnesses and other Proceedings at Council-Board been found to have committed foul abuses by Fraud and Circumvention to have made a Bargain with the Petitioner Hibbots for Lands of a great value for a small sum of Money was Ordered to deliver up the Writing no Assurances being perfected or Money paid and it 's like he threatned her with Commitment if she obeyed not that Order but denieth that the Lands were after sold to Sir Robert Meredith to his use or that by any Order by himself made any one hath been Imprisoned concerning Freeholds but for debts and personal things as some have been used by all his Predecessors in like Causes To the Ninth he saith Warrants to such Effects have been usually granted to the Bishops in Ireland in the times of all former Deputies but the Earl not satisfied with the conveniency thereof refused to give any such Warrants in general to the Bishops as had been formerly done but being informed that divers in the Diocess of Down gave not fitting Obedience he granted a Warrant to that Bishop whereto he referreth which was the only Warrant he granted of that Nature and hearing of some Complaints of the Execution thereof he recalled it To the Tenth he saith The Lord Treasurer Portland offered the Farm of the Customs for 13000 l. per annum in some particular Species but the Earl of Strafford advanced the same Customs to 15500 l. per annum and 8000 l. Fine and by His Majesties Command became a Farmer at those Rates proposed without addition to those Rates as by the printed Books 7 Car. Regis may appear he disswaded the advance of Rates lately proposed by Sir Abraham Dawes so as it was declined the Rates of Hydes and Wooll are moderate consideration being had of their true value and of the Places whereto they are to be transported and of the Statute made in the time of Queen Elizabeth and there in force prohibiting the Exportation of Wooll unless they pay to the Crown 5 s. the Stone the Trade and Shipping of that Kingdom are exceedingly increased To the Eleventh he saith Pipe-staves were prohibited in King James's Time and not Exported but by Licence from the Lord Treasurer of England or Lord-Deputy of Ireland who had 6 s. 8 d. a 1000 and his Secretary 3 s. 4 d. for the Licence but to restrain that destruction of Timber by Command of His Majesty and Advice of His Council for His Revenue in Ireland first 30 s. then 3 l. the money was paid to His Majesty who hath thereby about 1500 l. per annum and his Lordship lost about 4 or 500 l. per annum which his Predecessors had for such Licences This is paid by the Transporter not by the Natives whose Commodity nevertheless appears by the Article to be very much increased To the Twelfth he saith The Subsidies there are an Inheritance in the Crown by Act of Parliament 6 d. was paid for Subsidy and 1 s. 6. d. for Impost upon every pound of Tobacco and Farmed 10 or 20 l. per annum the Commons in Parliament 10 Car. Regis finding the Revenue to be short of the Expence of that Kingdom 24000 l. per annum Petitioned those Grants might be applied to increase His Majesties Revenue without calling upon the Subject but upon urgent Occasions Hereupon upon the Advice of the Committee of the Revenue and in consideration of a Proclamation made in England several Proclamations were made and this settled in a way till it could be confirmed by Parliament for which purpose a Bill is transmitted according to the desire of the Commons and the Impost of Tobacco is Let to Contractors for eleven years at 5000 l. per annum for the first five years and 10000 l. per annum for the other six years and the Earl hath lent money to forward the business and by His Majesties Allowance is a Partner but hath not as yet in two years last past had any Accompts thereof or made benefit thereby He knoweth of no whipping or other punishment the Farmes of the Customs are better than formerly 2000 l. per annum five 8 parts whereof is yearly paid unto His Majesty the prices of Tobacco exceed not 2 s. or 2 s. 4 d. the pound the settling of that Revenue according to the Petition of the Commons he hath not raised or countenanced any Monopolies but opposed the same To the Thirteenth he saith He endeavoured to advance the Manufacture of
Answer to this Article and to the same Letters the said Earl referreth himself The said Earl upon sight of this and Sir Jacob Ashley's Letter had reason to believe that all fitting preparation was made and then understanding that if the Scotish Army should pass the River not only New-Castle altogether Unfortified on the South part would be lost but the said Army of 11000 Foot and 2000 Horse endangered and hearing that the Scotish Army were distressed for want of Victuals and knowing the advantage that was in opposing the passage of such a River Hereupon the said Earl by a Letter dated the 27th of August advised the Lord Conway with all the Horse and at least 8000 Foot and all the Cannon to March and Fight with them upon the passage of the River at which time the said Earl had no Charge of the Army but the truth is the Lord Conway having not with him all the Horse and not above 1500 Foot and only some part of the Cannon was in a posture to fight for the passage before the said Letter of advice came which he received not half an hour before the Fight began and proceeded according to his own judgment and His Majesties said general Direction and afterwards that is about the 30th of August and not before the said Earl took upon him the Charge of the Army at Darlington and brought it to York to be supplied with Necessaries that they wanted and purposed to have staid where they were quartered But hearing from many hands that there was a purpose to question him in Parliament and His Majesty having given him Liberty of staying there or coming away he left the Charge of the Army with the Lord Conway and other Officers as His Majesty had directed and came to London on Monday the 9th and the 11th of November was put under Restraint and so hath ever since remained And saith That the Town of New-Castle was no way under his Care and as to other matters whereto by Law he ought to answer and hath not answered he saith He is not Guilty of them or any of them in such manner and form as in the said Article is expressed and humbly prayeth a convenient time for making his Proofs and to justifie and maintain his Actions in Ireland by sight of His Majesties Warrants Records and Witnesses in that Kingdom and that if any mistake be in this Answer it may be amended And this the said Earl hopeth that upon equal Construction of his Words and Actions he shall appear free from any great and hainous Offences wherewith he is Charged and howsoever it shall please God to dispose of him he shall ever pray that by their Lordships great Wisdoms and Prudence the Affections of His Majesty and Duty of His Subjects may this Parliament be so surely knit together as may by God's blessing lastingly tend to the Prosperity and Flourishing Estate both of King and People Mr. Whitlock was Ordered to go to the Lords with this Message Saturday March 6. That the House of Commons have considered of the Earl of Strafford's Answer and do aver their Charge of High Treason against him and that he is guilty in such manner and form as he stands Accused and Impeached and that the House will be ready to prove their Charge against him at such convenient time as their Lordships shall prefix and intend to manage the Evidence by Members of their own After many Debates and Conferences preparatory to the place and manner of the Trial between the Two Houses Saturday March 13. they came to these Determinations First Determinations between the Lords and Commons about the Earl of Strafford's Trial. As to the Place it was agreed That it should be Westminster-Hall and the King to be made acquainted with it by the Lord Great Chamberlain Secondly For Persons the Lords agreed That the House of Commons should be present as a Committee of the whole House for this time with a Salvo jure to the Lords House either according to Law or Parliamentary proceedings and that this shall not be drawn into President hereafter on either side Thirdly For the Members of the House of Commons managing the Evidence the Lords granted it wholly Fourthly For the Earl's Councel That they should not speak nor interrupt the matter of the House of Commons until all the Evidence is finished That they shall not stand at the Barr but in some other convenient place where they may hear That they may speak to matter of Law only and not to matter of Fact and not unless the Lords shall think fitting and give permission Upon Monday Monday March 15. the King having been made acquainted with these Resolutions of the Two Houses was pleased to assent unto them and to appoint Monday the 22. of March 9. of the Clock for the Time of the Trial and accordingly the necessary preparations for the Tragical Solemnity were provided and the Earl had Notice of the Time and Place to prepare himself The Commons ordered the affair of the Trial in this manner Saturday March 20. First That the Members of their House shall sit together without any intermixture of others in the place prepared for them Secondly That the Members shall not meet at their House on Munday but come directly to the place of Trial. Thirdly That for the better ordering of the Business the Committee with the addition of Mr. Peard shall be at the several Doors by Six of the Clock and shall admit none into the place prepared for the Commons but such as shall bring Tickets of their Names and the Places for which they serve and no Members to be admitted till the Committee appointed to attend the Doors be come if any either Stranger or Member Offend this Order the Committee to report it to the House all the Members to be there by 8. of the Clock Fourthly That the Serjeant at Arms shall attend within the Court and his Men without to be imployed in such Service as they who manage the Evidence shall appoint Those who were appointed by the Commons to Manage the Evidence against the Earl were George Lord Digby John Hampden Esq John Pym Esq Oliver St. The Managers of the Evidence against the Earl of Strafford John Esq Sir Walter Erle Knight Jeoffry Palmer Esq John Maynard Esq John Glyn Esq In the Hall there was a Throne Erected for His Majesty On each side whereof was a Cabinet inclosed with Boards and before with Arras Before that were the Seats for the Lords and Woolsacks for the Judges below ten degrees of Seats extending further than the Middle of the Hall for the Gentlemen of the House of Commons at the End of all was a Desk closed about and set apart for the Earl and his Councel The Theatre being thus prepared whereupon this Noble Earl was to act his Tragedy Upon Munday March the 22. the Trial began Munday March 22. About 7. of the Clock in the Morning the
and Goodness My Lords they are the Beauty of the Soul they are the Perfection of all created Natures they are the Image and Character of God upon the Creatures This Beauty Evil Spirits and Evil Men have lost but yet there are none so wicked but they desire to march under the shew and shadow of it though they hate the reality of it This unhappy Earl now the Object of your Lordships Justice hath taken as much care hath used as much cunning to set a face and countenance of Honesty and Justice upon his Actions as he hath been negligent to observe the Rules of Honesty in the Performance of all these Actions My Lords it is the greatest baseness of Wickedness that it dares not look in his own Colours nor be seen in its natural Countenance But Virtue as it is amiable in all respects so the least is not this That it puts a Nobleness it puts a Bravery upon the Mind and lifts it above Hopes and Fears above Favour and Displeasure it makes it always uniform and constant to it self The Service Commanded me and my Colleagues here is to take off those Vizards of Truth and Vprightness which hath been sought to be put upon this Cause and to shew you his Actions and his Intentions in their own natural Blackness and Deformity My Lords He hath put on a Vizard of Truth in these words wherein he says That he should be in his Defence more careful to observe Truth than to gain Advantage to himself He says He would endure any thing rather than be saved by Falshood It was a noble and brave Expression if it were really true My Lords He hath likewise put on the Vizard of Goodness on his Actions when he desires to recite his Services in a great many Particulars as if they were Beneficial to the Common-wealth and State whereas we shall prove them Mischievous and Dangerous It is left upon me My Lords to take off these Vizards and Appearances of Truth and Goodness in that part of his Answer which is the Preamble And that I shall do with as much Faithfulness and Brevity as I can 1. The First thing My Lords that I shall observe in the Preamble is this That having recited all those great and honourable Offices which he hath done under his Majesty he is bold to affirm That he hath been Careful and Faithful in the Execution of them all My Lords If he might be his own Witness and his own Judge I doubt not but he would be Acquitted It is said in the Proverbs of the Adulterous Woman That she wipes her mouth and says she had done no Evil. Here is a wiping of the mouth here is a verbal expression of Honesty But My Lords the foulness and unjustness will never be wiped off neither from his Heart nor from his Actions I mean for the time past God may change him for the time to come That is the first thing I observe 2. My Lords In the second place out of his Apologetical Preamble I shall observe this He doth magnifie his own Endeavours in five particulars 1. That he hath Endeavoured the maintenance of Religion I may miss in words I shall not miss in sense 2. That he hath Endeavoured the Honour of the King 3. The Encrease of his Revenue 4. The Peace and Honour and Safety of the Kingdom 5. The Quiet and Peace of the People These are his five particulars and I shall give a short Answer to every one of them 1. For Religion My Lords we say and we shall prove that he hath been diligent indeed to favour Innovations to favour Superstitions to favour the Incroachments and Vsurpations of the Clergy But for Religion it never received any advantage by him nay a great deal of hurt 2. For the Honour of the King My Lords We say it is the Honour of the King that He is the Father of His People that He is the Fountain of Justice and it cannot stand with His Honour and Justice to have His Government Stain'd and Polluted with Tyranny and Oppression 3. For the Encrease of His Revenue It is true there may be some Addition of Sums but we say There is no Addition of Strength nor Wealth because in those parts where it hath been increased this Earl hath taken the greatest share himself And when he hath spoiled and ravined on the People he hath been content to yield up some part to the King that he might with more security enjoy the rest 4. For the Strength and Honour and Safety of the Kingdom My Lords In a time of Peace he hath let in upon us the Calamities of War Weakness Shame and Confusion 5. And for the Quiet of the Subjects he hath been an Incendiary he hath Armed us amongst our selves and made us weak and naked to all the World besides This is that I shall answer to the second Head of his Apology 3. The Third is this My Lords That by his means many good and wholesome Laws have been made since his Government in Ireland Truly My Lords if we should consider the particulars of these Laws some of them will not be found without great Exception But I shall make another Answer good Laws nay the best Laws are no advantage when Will is set above Law when the Laws have force to bind and restrain the Subject but no force to Relieve and Comfort him 4. He says in the Fourth place He was a means of calling a Parliament not long after he came to his Government My Lords Parliaments without Parliamentary Liberties are but a fair and plausible way into Bondage That Parliament had not the Liberties of a Parliament Sir Pierce Crosby for speaking against a Bill in the Commons House was sequestred from the Council-Table and Committed to Prison Sir John Clotworthy for the same Cause was threatned that he should lose a Lease that he had Mr. Barnewell and two other Gentlemen were threatned they should have Troops of Horse put upon them for speaking in the House Proxies by dozens were given by some of his Favourites And My Lords Parliaments coming in with these Circumstances they be Grievances Mischiefs and Miseries no works of Thanks or Honour 5. The Fifth is That he hath been a means to put off Monopolies and other Projects that would have been Grievous and Burdensome to the Subjects if he had hated the Injustice of a Monopoly or the Mischief of a Monopoly he would have hated it in himself he himself would have been no Monopolist Certainly My Lords It was not the love of Justice nor the Common Good that moved him And if he were moved by any thing else he had his Reward It may be it was because he would have no man gripe them in the Kingdom but himself his own Harvest-Crop would have been less if he had had sharers It may be it was because Monopolies hinder Trade he had the Customs and the benefit of the Customs would have been less when we know the
Rules of Justice He hath taken away mens Inheritances And here My Lords is an offering of Rapine an offering of Injustice and Violence And will God accept such an Offering Must the Revenues of the Church be raised that way It is true it was the more in the way of his own Preferment He knew who sate at the Helme here the Archbishop of Canterbury and such services might win more credit with him It was not an Eye to God and Religion but an Eye to his own Preferment I shall speak no more of that 9. I come to the 9th head and that is the building of Churches Many Churches have been built since his Government Truly My Lords why he should have any Credit or Honour if other men builded Churches I know not I am sure we hear of no Churches he hath built himself If he would have been careful to have set up good Preachers that would have stirred up Devotion in men and made them desirous of the knowledg of God and by that means made more Churches it had been something But I hear nothing of Spiritual Edification nothing of the knowledg of God that by his means hath been dispersed in that Kingdom And certainly they that strive not to build up mens Souls in a Spiritual way of Edification let them build all the material Churches that can be they will do no good God is not worshipped with Walls but he is worshipped with Hearts 10. He saith in the 10th place That many Orthodox and Learned Preachers have been advanced by his means and the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England by his means Protected and Defended My Lords I shall give but two or three Patterns of the Clergy that he hath preferred If you will take Doctor Atherton he is not to be found now above Ground For he was hanged for many foul and unspeakable Offences Doctor Bramhill hath been preferred to a great Bishoprick but he is a man that now stands Charged with High Treason he hath been but few years in Ireland and yet hath laid out at least 30000 l. in Purchases I shall name but one Chaplain more and that is one Arthur Gwyn who about 1634. was an Vnder-Groom to the Earl of Corke in his Stable In the year after Dr. Bramhill preferred him to be a Clergy-man and a Parsonage and two Vicaridges Impropriate were taken from my Lord of Corke and given to this Arthur Gwyn I shall add no more Patterns of his Clergy 11. I go to the 11th and that is concerning the Army He hath many glorious Expressions of his Service concerning the Army That they are 1000 Horse and 2000 Foot And that there hath been very few Papists Soldiers or Officers and none preferred by himself Truly I think he says true or within one of true in this for there was but one preferred by himself and therefore I shall not stand upon that But he says this Army was paid out of the Revenue of the Crown which heretofore it was not wont to be To that I have spoken before and shewed that many years before his time all the Charges of Ireland were born within Ireland He says and I speak that as to the Army too That neither the Arms nor Wages have been burdensome to the People of Ireland but their Lodgings and Billettings have not been easie and not without discontent Why My Lords in Dublin it self where they have a Charter that Exempts them from Billetting of Soldiers they have been fain to pay for Billetting of Soldiers Nay those Soldiers that were Servants and Dwellers in his own houses and other places must have their Billetting moneys And of this there hath been Petitions and Complaints nay it hath been spoken of in Parliament there and yet he can tell you that the marching and laying of Soldiers is without burthen and grievance to the People that was the Eleventh 12. I go to the 12th and that is the great increase of Trade The increase of Shipping 100 to one Truly My Lords in a time of Peace and in a growing Kingdom as that was being formerly unhusbanded It is no wonder that when Land encreases in the Manurance and People increase in Number both Shipping and Trade increases But it is the advantage of the time not the advantage of his Government for My Lords his Government hath been destructive to Trade And that will manifestly appear by the multitude of Monopolies that he hath exercised in his own Person And that is all I shall speak to the 12th 13. The 13th is That Justice hath been administred without bribery without partiality without Corruption these are Glorious things But there will as much fall upon him of Corruption and Injustice as of any other Offence And that My Lords will appear to you through the whole Course of our Evidence I shall not now speak of the particulars And that we may not content our selves with particular witnesses only I shall humbly desire That the Remonstrance of the Parliament of Ireland both of the Lords and of the Commons may be read And they will give a sufficient Testimony of the quality of his Justice 14. The 14th My Lords is this That he hath been a Means to His Majesty for a Parliament in England It is true he was And it is as true that we count that as mischievous a part of his design as any thing else Into what a miserable Dilemma My Lords did he bring the Kingdom that we must surrender the Liberties of the Kingdom in Parliament or see them oppressed with Force and Violence out of Parliament The particulars of this I shall leave for the instant for there is an Article that concerns this I have now passed through all the material parts of the Apologetical Preamble He concludes with a desire that he may not be charged with Errors of his understanding or Judgment being not bred up in the Law or with weakness to which humane Nature is Subject Truly it would be far from us to charge him with any such mistakes No My Lords we shall charge him with nothing but what the Law in every man's breast condemns the Light of nature the Light of common reason the Rules of Common Society and that will appear in all the Articles my Colleagues will offer to you My Lords I have some few Witnesses which I shall desire may be heard to the points I have opened and I shall in the first place desire that Sir Pierce Crosby may be heard concerning the Breach of Priviledge in Parliament also Sir John Clotworthy Nich. Barnewell Nicholas Plunket and Sir James Montgomery I have some witnesses to the point of the Revenue Sir Robert Pye Sir Edward Warder and Sir Adam Loftus To all which bitter Invectives the Earl in his occasional replies answered with as much Temper and Moderation as the other spoke with Heat and Passion making his defence with that Vivacity of understanding clearness of Expression and with such a Decency both of
single Testimony that on the matter confesses the thing in a great part For the increase of Shipping the Gentleman question'd it not Increase of Shipping and really there is now 100 Tun for one that was there before my coming And if I had time to send into Ireland for the Certificates of the Officer of the Ports the Surveyor I think who views the Ports once a Year it should appear to Your Lordships that I have not abused you nor the Honourable Gentlemen that hear me And whether that be an Argument that the Trade and Wealth of the Kingdom is improved I appeal to all that hear me when the Shipping doth so much increase And the Customs which were not above 13000 l. a year are come to 40000 l. and that on the same Book of Rates Concerning the Sentencing of Jurors Jurors Sentence in the Star-Chamber and the questioning of them in the Star-Chamber It is true divers of their Sentences were past And to those Sentences I refer my self till something be proved against the Truth and Justice of them And I think it will stand with Your Lordships Goodness to judge the best of the Court of Castle-Chamber wherein the Deputy hath but one Voice They being the King's Ministers and standing upon their Oathes to do their Duties But I think in my Conscience there was the greatest reason in the World to sentence those Persons And when it comes to be examined it will prove so And unless a strict hand be in that kind held upon the Natives the Priests shall carry them against all things that can be For either they do not or will not understand their Evidence so that it begets one of the most crying Sins in Ireland And if some Examples have been made they are upon strict Grounds and Reasons of State For if Jurors going directly and manifestly contrary to their Evidence be not punished that high and ancient Trial by Jury will fall And is it not ordinary in England to have Juries Sentenced for not finding according to the Evidence But if any one hath not been Just upon instancing of the particulars I will Answer for his Vote as well as I can For it must stand or fall according to the Merit of the Cause But one thing which I observe the Gentleman to say is very Considerable for he tells what was spent there this last Year This I have little to Answer for For when I came out of Ireland there was 100000 l. in the exchequer and how it hath been issued I know not but it hath not been done by my Warrant or Direction yet I doubt not but it will appear when examined that it hath been faithfully and justly disposed But I am not to Answer for it only I can say That when I came out of that Kingdom the Kingdom was so far from being 60000 l. in Debt as some such thing was spoken that there was 100000 l. in the King's Coffers And for the 50000 l. received by me in England Mr. Vice-Treasurer in Ireland is Accomptable for it though Mr. Vice-Treasurer never touched the money and my self as little And Mr. Vice-Treasurer discharges himself of it by Warrants issued from me and charged it upon other Accomptants who when they come to Account I doubt not but a good Account will be given Though under favour of the Gentleman of the 50000 l. 14000 l. is yet unpaid only there is an Assignment But it lies on him and his Credit for discharge of the Kings Service And it must lye on him or on some other person if himself have nothing left him And whereas it is said the money I had as borrowed was taken out when the King's Army was in want I desire Your Lordships to observe It was two Years ago when I had this money and then there was 100000 l. in Surplusage And though the King gave me Liberty of His Goodness to use it three Years it was not wanting to the Army when it stood in need of it The next thing urged was my Cozenage in the Custom-house and that I had there Cozened the King notably 5 or 6000 l. a year deep To Answer this I reserve my self till I come to the particular Article but desire leave with all Modesty to say That it shall appear I have not Cozened nor deceitfully abused His Majesty for a Farthing Token neither in that nor in any thing else And that there is no other Allowance nor Defalcation by the Grant wherein I am Interessed for 15600 l. a year and 8000 l. Fine then was allowed to the former Farmers that had it at the Rent of 13000 l. a year And that I have made the King a much more profitable bargain than he had or could have without it The next was for the Revenues of the Church That they were got without Rules of Justice And were an Offering of Rapine And that I had an Eye to my own Preferment in the Person of my Lord of Canterbury To that I have already Answered And thus having run over all the Preamble I humbly begg leave to make some Observations upon the Testimonies produced viz. That the Examinations of Sir John Clotworthy and my Lord Ranulagh I conceive do not concern me Mr. Barnewells was for things spoken when I was out of the Kingdom and were concerning Sir George Rateliffe and not me For the Remonstrances shewed wherein they disclaim the Preamble to the Act for four Subsidies I beseech Your Lordships to consider how unlikely it is that I should do any thing in that kinde fraudulently or surreptitiously For by the Custom of that Kingdom the Laws must be transmitted hither under the Hand of the Deputy and Council and so pass the Seal and be returned to Ireland when that Law was transmitted I was here in England as I take it And absolutely and directly I protest I never knew any thing in the World of that Preamble never saw it nor heard of it I think till I saw it in the Copy of the Remonstrance I never heard it was excepted against it having pass'd the Vote and three times reading in both Houses And I would have consented to have it struck out as in truth I will now being far from any thing of vanity and not thinking my self better or worse by being put in or out And if it were charged upon me as a Crime or were material for me to prove it I think I could by Witness in Town prove That it was the general Vote of the Commons House and passed with as much Applause and Chearfulness as any thing And if my Lord Dillon and Sir Adam Loftus and some other of the Irish Commissioners were examined upon Oath I believe they would Swear they never heard any Exceptions against it till the time I was Impeached with High Treason For the Particular concerning Sir Pierce Crosby it concerned not me but the reason of his being put from the Board was this All Laws must first be transmitted
deposed positively the Words in the Charge The Lord Gorminstone also deposed that he heard the Earl speak those words at another time in open parliament Lord Gorminstone and that the Commissioners who drew the Instructions for the Government of Ireland were a Company of narrow hearted Commissioners The Lord Kilmallock deposed the same Sir Pierce Crosby deposed the same Lord Kilmallock Sir Pierce Crosby My Lord of Strafford after a quarter of an hours respite made his Defence That he had observed the Natives of Ireland have not been Prepitious to their Governours he instanced in Sir John Perrot on their Testimonies attainted of Treason in a legal Ordinary way who lost his Estate though not his Life and yet after it was confest there was little truth in the Accusation My Lord Faulkland had the same treatment being informed against by the same Witnesses Sir Pierce Crosby and Lord Mount-Norris and yet it appeared he had dealt as Honourably Justly and Nobly to his Vnderstanding as any man could do That it was impossible but in the way of Justice a Governour must give Offence to many which he intreated their Lordships to consider He said That though the words were spoken yet were they not Treason and had they been Treason yet by Proviso of Stat. of Ed. 6. the Information ought to be within 30 dayes He instanced in the Lord Cook in Calvin's Case 20 H. 6.8 Dyer 360. to prove that the Laws and Customs of Ireland are diverse from the Lawes of England That he should do Extreamly ill to the Honour of the English Nation and to the memory of divers of their Lordships Ancestors if he should not say and think that Ireland is a Conquered Nation He instanced in the Stat. 11 Eliz. where at the Attainder of Shan Oneal the samous Rebel it is said that all the Clergy were assembled in Armagh at the time of the Conquest That King Henry the Second is in the Statute called the first Conqueror of Ireland That all Histories acknowledg it That he spoke the Words to magnifie the King's Grace and Goodness and that there was then no offence taken at them For the other words That the King might do with them what he pleased let them relate to the Conquest and there is no Offence in them As to the words spoken to the Recorder of Dublin he did with the greatest assevetarion utterly deny the speaking of them Mr. Slingsby his Secretary averred the same and that the first words were so well taken that he was thereupon invited to the Mayor's House at a publique Entertainment To their Charters being void he said it was Evident they were so in point of Law as he was informed by the King's Council for their Non-performance of the Trust reposed in them appealing to my Lord of Cork that the reason of it was that most of the Aldermen were Recusants and would Plead their Charters against the Orders of the Board by which means many great disorders were continued The Managers Urged That this justified a part of the Charge that Charters were judged by the Board whereas the Council-Table hath no such Power The Earl replyed It was not to judg their validity but whether ill Vsage and Extortion were not practised under colour of them and that they were complained of as grievances in Parliament Lord Dillon which the Lord Dillon averred to be true To which the Earl added That he did it in favour of the Protestants who were by these Charters depressed by the Roman-Catholicks and that he looked upon this which was objected as a Crime as a service to the Protestant Religion He said it would perhaps be well known hereafter when he was in his Grave that his great fault was his great zeal to bring them to conform to the Church of England That notwithstanding this they still enjoy their Charters and for his saying Ireland was a conquered Nation it was upon the Occasion of pressing them to supply the Crown for that if the Kingdom of England should still be put to the Charge and the whole Expence rest on the Conqueror you might very well think you are so dealt with as never any other Conquered Nation had been adding There were Copies of his Speech that would justifie what he said and that the Speech was in Ireland That my Lord Ormond told him it was ill resented To which he answered Truly my Lord you are a conquer'd Nation but you see how I speak it and no otherwise The Lord Dillon averred Lord Ranulagh Sir George Wentworth that he stood under the Cloth of State but did not hear the words That they should expect Laws as from a Conqueror The Lord Ranulagh remembred the first words but not their last Sir George Wentworth said That he brought the Speech to the King and in that there was no such word The Managers then Urged That though this was not in that Speech yet some thing was then spoken though in a milder sence but it was spoken after upon Occasion of a Petition delivered by the Commons after they had given the King the Subsidies concerning their Laws To this Mr. Fitzgarret deposed That there was such a Petition Fitzgarret and that there was an answer given either at the Board or in full Parliament from the House of Lords but he does not remember any part of it but afterwards the Earl affirming it was at the Board and not in Parliament he said he conceived there were two Petitions one to the Council another to the Parliament about redress of Grievances but remembers not the Answer But the Lord Gorminstone spoke positively then Lord Gorminston That it was in Parliament upon the Occasion of that Petition wherein as my Lord Strafford observed he contradicted himself having before fixed it on the Speech in the beginning of the Parliament upon Petition of the Commons desiring the benefit of some Graces his Majesty had been pleased to confer on them The Lord Killmallock deposed it was in Parliament Lord Killmallock 3 or 4 dayes after the delivery of that Petition Then the Statute of 28 H. 6. King James's Instructions 1622 and a Proclamation upon them were read dated November 1. 1625. whereby it was Ordered That no private Causes should come before the Board but be referred to their proper Courts Then the 4th Article was read being concerning the Lord of Cork's being disseized of an Impropriation and saying Lord Ranulagh That an Act of State should be as binding as an Act of Parliament The Lord Ranulagh deposed That the Cases of the Church and Plantations were in the times of former Deputies Resolved at the Board and that he never knew any other Titles determined there But the further Disquisition was put off till the next day Upon Friday the Earl of Cork was Examined and deposed Friday Mar. 26. Earl of Cork That the Lord Deputy presented one Arthur Gwyn formerly Groom to the said Earl of Cork to a
Rectory of which he had been possessed as Tenant to the Crown 35 Years that taking out Writs to arrest Gwyn the Earl bad him recal them or he would clap him in the Castle and that he would not have his Orders disputed by Law nor Lawyers that he desired Gwyn being Poor he might give security which the Earl said was just and that it should be so entred in his Order but that Sir Paul Davis told him that my Lord Strafford found fault with it and struck it out with his own hand that making a Lease to an Incumbent contrary to an Act of State that no Lease should be longer then the Incumbent's Life and being prosecuted for it the Earl told him an Act of State should be as binding as an Act of Parliament John Waldron deposed the same in the Case of a Lease between the Merchants of Galloway and some others John Waldron John Kay Lord Killmallock Sir Pierce Crosby John Kay deposed the same the Lord Killmallock deposed the same and that Sir George Radcliff my Lord Strafford's Eccho an occasion of throwing out a Bill making its Felony to have Powder without licence said the same Sir Pierce Crosby deposed the same To this the Earl answered The Earl's Defence That the Council Board of Ireland was a Court of Record that it was so in favour of the English Protestants and Clergy This he proved by the Lord Dillon in the Lord Chichester's and Lord Grandison's time Lord Dillon that the Acts of State were by the Judges reputed as Laws of the Land for the present and proceeded by Arrest Imprisonment and Fines upon contempt Sir Adam Loftus which Sir Adam Loftus confirmed Then the Order which my Lord of Cork mentioned was read attested and acknowledged to be Sir Paul Davis his hand where it appeared the Clause my Lord Cork said was struck out was standing still only my Lord Cork was limited to prosecute within a Year So what was objected about Gwyn he said he was unknown to him but produced a Certificate from the University of Dublin That he was a Master of Arts of 12 or 14 Years standing adding That my Lord of Cork must be an Excellent Schollar under whom his Groom had so much profited For the Words spoken to the Earl of Cork though he had so quick a memory as to swear them roundly as laid in the charge to a syllable yet they carry their own Contradiction the Order produced referring him to the Law at the highest if the words were spoken they are but indiscreet and it was severe to be punished for being no wiser than God Almighty had made him that my Lord is but a single Witness and he is not prosecuted according to 1 E. 6. cap. 12. That the other Witnesses are Extrajudicial proving words spoken in other places and times then he is charged withal and yet that the words may bear a fair interpretation for that the King being the Law-giver which he hoped none would deny without the Crime of Treason the King's sentence is a Law in matters not determined by Act of Parliament that Prerogative is a part of the Fundamental Law as well as the Property of the Subject That he had alwayes wished for an harmony between them and that they might keep in their wonted Channel if either of them rise above their due heights nothing could be expected but subversion of the Common-wealth either by Tyranny or Rebellion That prerogative was like the First liberty of the subject like the 2d Table either both or neither can be preserved That Prerogative as long as it goes not against the Law of the Land is the Law of the Land and binding being made to prevent a temporary mischief before an Act of Parliament can give Remedy He excepted against the Lord Killmallock 's swearing Sir George Ratcliff to be his Eccho it being impossible to swear his thoughts Against Mr. Hoy and Sir Pierce Crosby as persons concerned against him in point of Interest and to Mr. Waldron 's That the circumstance qualifies the Words it being according to a Statute directing that Leases should not be made without reserving the Moiety of the yearly value After which the Manager replyed That this Article proved the Earl of Strafford's intention to subvert the Government that whereas he saies they are not prosecuted in time the Effects continue to this day and they prosecute him Flagrante Crimine that threatning the Earl of Cork was Arbitrary Government that he hath made it a habit to speake such words as appears by the several times that he himself had confessed the words that when things are rejected in Parliament they are not to be supplied by an Act of State Then they desired to Examin another witness Roger Lotts Witness which the Earl excepting against as not regular the Lords adjourned to their House to consider of it and returning he was admitted and deposed concerning the Bill for Powder without Licence to Felony the Earl told them He would make it an Act of State and that should be as Good To which the Earl replied It was done by Command and for reasons of State not fit to be made publick to keep Powder out of unsafe hands but did not conduce to his acquittal or Condemnation Upon Saturday March 27. Saturday March 27. The 6th day Artic. 5. they proceeded to the Sentencing the Lord Mountnorris at a Council of War thereby Exercising a Tyrannical Power over a Peer of the Realm of Ireland c. First the Sentence was read reciting the King's Letter which commanded a Council of War to sit upon the Lord Mountnorris being a Captain for inciting Revenge against the Lord Deputy-General of his Majesties Army The Lord Mountnorris deposed That he was called to a Council of War Lord Mountnorris Witness charged to have spoken words to this purpose That being told a Kinsman of his had hurt the Lord-Deputies Foot having the Gout he should say Perhaps it was done in Revenge of that publick affront that my Lord Deputy did me formerly but I have a Brother that would not have taken such a Revenge that he was required instantly to confess or deny the Charge that he desired time to answer but was denied as also to produce witnesses to disprove the Lord Moor and Sir Robert Loftus who upon Oath had affirmed it that thereupon in half an Hour Sentence was Pronounced against him by Sir Charles Coot Provost Marshal That the Lord-Deputy in scorn told him That he might proceed to Execution but he would Supplicate his Majestie for his Life and rather lose his Hand then he should lose his Head that he was committed to Prison December the 12th and bailed out the 18th the Physitians making Oath he was in danger of his life the High oppression and Injustice having thrown him into a desperate sickness committed again Apr. the 11th let out May the 2d by reason of Sickness recommitted the 30th of January following
think fit and to direct a Course for the Licensing the Sale thereof to the best improvement yet so as to take care to prevent the bringing in Vnsound Tobacco Then he offered the Contract of Carpenter Bartholomew Peatly and others for 11 Years at 5000 l. the first 5 Years and 10000 l. the Six last freed from Custom and paying only 3 d. Impost In which he did nothing but with the assistance of the Council there That there was an Act of Parliament in agitation to settle it in the Crown That he always judged a Proclamation Lawful till a Parliament confirms it As to the Punishments they were for Perjury and in terrorem and where it is objected That it is not sold at Reasonable Rates the Contractors are to Justifie themselves and he doubts not but they can That to the vast profit of 100000 l. it is admirable for at his coming away the Contractors were 6000 l. out of purse and for his gains by the Customs he dealt freely they were about 4 5 or 6000 l. per annum better then the Rent which he thinks is not considerable in the Charge of Treason He told their Lordships that he could not give a particular account the Ministers had been so dealt withal laid in prison and abused if you will speak of a Tyrannical and Arbitrary way of Government At which Expression exceptions were taken but he explained it of Ireland not of things here for which he produced two Orders for the seizure of his Goods concluding it was at worst but a Monopoly and that he never heard was judged Treason To which Mr. Maynard replied Managers Reply That this was no good service to His Majesty that when the Commons shall desire something may be done therefore any thing may be done and that it was never their Intention to put such Cruelties upon the Subject that his Majesties Letter was upon misinformation that if it had been so a Monopoly set up in England could not justifie the setting up one in Ireland that his Crime was the greater by endeavouring to justifie it under a name so Sacred as his Majestie 's That though a Proclamation hath a Temporary Power yet not to take away the Goods of the Subject This Day the 13th Article was read Article 13. Thursday April 1. Article was read wherein the Earl of Strafford was Charged with putting the Natives of Ireland upon working of Flax in a way unknown to them and seizing their Goods upon pretence of their disobeying his Orders to his own Vse whereby Thousands were undone To prove this his Proclamations were read as also a Warrant to one Benjamin Croky and his Deputy Witnesses Benjamin Croky Sir John Clotworthy to seize all Yarn made contrary to Proclamation To this Benjamin Croky sworn deposed That he did seize Yarn and it was taken from him by one Joseph Carpenter who converted it to my Lord's Looms Sir John Clotworthy deposed That he saw the Proclamation and Warrant being a Justice of Peace and Examined several People who were abused which Examinations he sent to the Lord-Deputy for which he was severely threatned and hardly Escaped being sent for by a Serjeant at Arms that upon these Proclamations the Markets were deserted and they sold it privately to avoid seizure thereupon the Officers came to him for assistance and threatned the Constables and broke open Chests that he took away the Yarn from them and restored it to the Proprietors That this made great Disorders and many People were starved losing all they had provided for their half Years Rent The Lord Ranulagh deposed That at Athlone Complaints were made to him of one Dennis who had seized a great quantity of Yarn that conceiving it an abuse he sent a Gentleman to inform the Lord Deputy to whose Intention he thought this proceeding not agreeable and that my Lord withdrew the Warrants Then part of the Remonstrance of the Commons in Ireland was read shewing That the Pursivants by seizing the Yarn destroyed the Market that the Merchants meeting the People at private Houses they way-layd them and took away their Yarn and Cloth seizing on all not leaving the poor people so much as to cover their nakedness That they took away their Iron Pots upon a pretence of another Proclamation and by this cruelty exceeding Pharoah their poor Children were forced to eat Grass with the Beasts where they lay down and died by Thousands as will be proved by 20 Thousand That the Judges procured the Lord Lieutenant to Recall the aforesaid Proclamations Mr. Fitzgarret deposed Mr. Fitzgarret That Yarn and Cloth were the staple Commodities of Ulster that the Proclamation and Execution of it impoverished that whole Province That the Officers used extreme cruelty and that one Dr. Cook told him he thought in his Conscience many Thousands were Famished To this the Earl answered The Earl's Defence Here was something like oppression but nothing like Treason That the Intention of these Proclamations was the Improvement of the Manufacture for the good of the Kingdom and to take away abuses That however the Proclamations are not his single acts but of the Deputy and Council That he conceives they had Power to bring them to the English Customs as in other Cases of drawing by the Horse tails burning the straw to get out the Corn and such Irish Customs That his principal design was to prevent the prejudice of the Woollen Manufacture of England the Wool of Ireland increasing and he thought to set up the Linnen Trade would advance Ireland and not prejudice the clothing Trade of England That he lost 3000 l. by attempting it that he cannot be accountable for the abuses of the Officers of whom Croky was the chief now a Witness against him as my Lord Ranulagh has informed their Lordships That he cannot conceive so many Thousands should be starved by his Looms when the whole yearly value came not to above 16 or 1700 l. He is sorry for that Remonstrance of the Commons thinking he had merited a better opinion from that Kingdom and having a little fortune there honestly got could not but wish well to it and he hoped when misinformations were cleared still to regain their good esteem where to the best of his Conscience he had done Justice and deserved well That Mr. Fitzgarret speaks by Report which is no proof and the Commons Remonstrance being but a Charge and not upon Oath he conceives cannot be the proof of a Charge concluding as he began That there might be oppression in the Execution but nothing of Treason in himself or the rest of the Council Mr. Maynard replyed That he was still striking the same string Managers reply no Treason though a high and wilful overthrow of the fundamental Rules of Justice in the Kingdom was evident that a good intention is no excuse to the taking away mens Goods and applying them to his own Vse that the good Company he speaks of is only to
say he is not the only person that deserves punishment and he is the less innocent for misguiding and drawing others into such Actions That he that Commands is more guilty then he that Executes He sayes it was recalled after two years this was the Effect of the tumults and this so that it seems he could go no further and so he left off That its likely the Commons Remonstrance went upon good information and that all he said did not amount to an Excuse having no command as in the Case of the Tobacco Mr. Glyn added That my Lord confessing he lost 3000 l. convinces the point he denyes which was that it was not to advance Trade but for his own profit though it proved not so which the Earl Explained that he made Cloth 6 or 7 years and the Cloth it self not the Yarn was worth 1700 l. per annum for the Yarn was not worth 400 l. and in that time he might very well lose 3000 l. The 14 Article was for the present laid aside Article 15. and they proceeded to the 15th His labouring to subvert the Established Laws and introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Power passing by the first part Mr Palmer who managed the Evidence insisted upon the 2d part of laying Souldiers by Warrant upon Offenders which warrant was given to one Savil a Serjeant at Arms. Mr. Savil being sworn produced a Copy of the Warrant Witness Mr. Savile against which the Earl excepted saying The Original ought to be produced his Life and Honour depending upon his Trial and that it were Treason Savile Swears to justifie himself he being the Person that executed this Treason Mr. Maynard said That if in a Letter one command Treason if the Letter be burnt the Treason cannot be proved if the Original must only prove it The Lord Clare demanded of Savil How they came by the Copy He answered He knew not but that one William Somer Secretary to the Lord Ranulagh had a Copy of it to which he set his hand in order to save a Soldier who had taken two Pewter-Dishes and was like to suffer unless he had a Copy of the Warrant and that this was a true Copy Upon which the House of Lords adjourned and at their return adjudged it should not be read in regard it was not attested So they proceeded to prove the effects of the Warrant To which Savil Deposed That by virtue of this Warrant Soldiers were laid upon delinquents who disobey orders abscond or are rescued from the Pursevants That the Soldiers go with Arms and have Meat and Drink from the Partie they lie on That he had laid Soldiers upon one Francis Ditton one Conolly and Luke Borne who could not be brought in by any other means That his warrant was general the Soldiers foot the number left to his discretion that my Lord never spake to him about complaints made of him that the Secretaries would demand why he did not put the Warrant in execution he said they were poor men Patrick Gough but it never came to my Lord's hands that he knows the greatest number laid was 5 and an Officer Patrick Gaugh deposed he had seen the Warrant Signed Wentworth on the top and a Seal to it that the Execution was a constant Course for contempt that the Soldiers were insolent that lying upon one Bern they took other mens Cattel Burnt part of his House sold his Corn to buy Beer but there was no such liberty given by the Warrant Richard Welsh deposed to the same effect Rich. Welsh of Soldiers laid upon one Francis Dillon Patrick Clear deposed Patrick Clear That Soldiers were laid upon one Agnes White being 80 years Old but upon affidavit of dissability to appear after a Month taken off Nicholas Ardagh deposed to the same effect Nich. Ardagh for debt upon a Paper-Petition Edmond Bern confirmed the Insolence of the Soldiers Edmond Bern. that he was forced to flie into Holland and lost 500 l. by this means Robert Kennedy deposed the same as to Bern Rob. Kenedy but that my Lord was gone to England that he did not see the Warrant but wondred at the Course it having never been done so before the Lord Strafford 's time Mr. Robert Little Little attested for the Earl that He never made any Warrant to Pigot or to Savil nor entred them in his Book or ever saw such Warrant or Entrie The Lord Ranulagh deposed Lord Ranulagh That he had heard something of it upon complaint of one Davis that by combination of the Serjeant and his Adversary he had Soldiers laid upon him which he told the said Lord Ranulagh was by a Warrant Dormant from the Lord-Deputy Wansford That formerly it had been used to lay Soldiers on the relievers of Rebels and for non-payment of Contribution-money but not in a Civil way between Party and Party and upon the Earl's motion he confessed that as a Captain he levied the Rent due to the Exchequer for his Pay by his Soldiers as had been Customary That in King Jame 's time 1628. the Gentlemen of Ireland got leave of the King that for non-payment of Rents or Contribution Soldiers might lie upon the defaulters Mr. Palmer concluded That this was an Act of Hostility by 25 Ed. 3. levying War against our Sovereign Lord the King within His Realm and by the 18 H. 6. cap. 3. made at Dublin in which are these words An Act c. It is agreed and Established That no Lord or any other of what condition soever he be shall bring or lead from henceforth Hoblers Kern or Hooded-men neither English Rebels nor Irish Enemies nor any other People nor Horse to lye on Horseback or Foot to lye on the King's People but on their own cost without consent And if any do so he shall be adjudged as a Traitor After a little time to peruse his Notes the Earl made his Defence The Earl's Defence He desired their Lordships to remember his Witnesses were to come out of Ireland That his time had been so short that he could have none but such as came accidentally That the Customs of Ireland differ from those of England that it had been the Ordinary practice of the Deputy and Council before his time to assess Soldiers not only on the party but his kndred without levying War Lord Dillon That these were ordinary Fellows and to shew what was meant by Rebels in Ireland the Lord Dillon Examined attested That such as having committed Felony or some unjustifiable Act and withdraw into the Woods if upon Proclamation they come not in are reputed Rebels and Traitors Sir Arthur Tyrringham averred That the practice was such in the Lord Faulkland 's time and that such as come not in upon Proclamation John Conley are reputed Rebels John Conley attested That in the Lords Faulkland Grandison and Chichester's times the King 's Rents were collected by Horse-men Henry Dillon who laid upon them
between Residence and Restraint to complain to his Majesty that if the Laws of England and Ireland as his Lordship sayes be the same the Passage is open by 4 Jacob. which Repeals 5 Rich. 2. unless the King by Proclamation or a Ne Exeat Regno on special Causes lay a restraint That to the Lord Esmond 's Commission if there was one that Record ought to be produced That for the Lord Roche there was an Information but that was ceased before the denial of the Licence That the true reason why Mac-Carty was denied licence was that he should not complain of his Suit which he said Mr. Little confessed upon taking his Petition as was deposed upon Oath by one John Meaugh John Meaugh And as to Parry 's Sentence it declares something said to be the Cause but not the whole To his last that this is not Treason though they are not individual Treasons yet they are the multiplication of acts of Arbitrary Power and his obtaining power to hinder Subjects access to his Majesty is taking such a Soveraign Power that Non sentit parem nec superiorem Mr. Maynard added That they laid the stress upon this that it was to prevent Complaints of his injustice to his Majesty and that his intention might make that ill which in it self was not so To which Mr. Glyn supplyed That his Design was introducing a Tyrannical Government and before he goes about his work he puts off all means of Redress The 17th and 18th Articles being for the present waved Mr. Artic. 19. Whitlock proceeded to the 19th Article shewing That as he had Exercised Tyrannical Power over the Lives Liberties and Estates of the Irish so over the Consciences of the Scottish Subjects in Ireland by a new Oath and that he said he would root out the Scottish Nation if he returned to Ireland To prove this Sir James Montgomery was sworn who deposed Sir James Montgomery That the Lord-Deputy sent for most of the principal of the Scottish Nation to Dublin by Letters and being come the Lord Viscount Montgomery being indisposed with a Cold the Lord came to his Lodgings where they were to attend him he communicated to them the disorders of Scotland and wished them to do something to vindicate themselves from being of the Confederacy that then the Bishops of Down and Raffo proposed the joyning in a lawful Oath as the others had in an unlawfull and to Petition the Lord-Deputy for it the Bishop of Down offered to draw it but my Lord put it upon the Bishop of Raffo that he took the Liberty to tell his Lordship it was amiss to consider of it To which he replyed Sir James you may go home and Petition or not Petition if you will but if you do not or who do not or to that purpose shall do worse That 2 Petitions were drawn one down right railing the other bitter enough and when it was desired to be softned answer was made the Lord-Deputy had seen it and did approve it that with little alteration the Petition was Signed and Delivered an Oath was framed which my Lord himself administred to them that Commissions came down immediately to administer it to all men and women above 16 years of Age and certifie the names of refusers that many fled out of the Countrey some absconded others were apprehended and he thinks censured some left their Corn on the Ground but being asked about the Papists he did not hear that the Oath was tendred to them or that they were called Then the Oath was Read which see before in the beginning of these Collections Maxwell Sir John Clotworthy Mr. Maxwell sworn deposed to the same Effect Then Sir John Clotworthy sworn deposed That upon the imposing it being a Commissioner he knew multitudes fled left their Corn on the Ground Cattle and Dwellings Richard Salmon deposed Rich. Salmon a School-master That at the Proceedings against Mr. Stuart he being willing to take the first part of the Oath as to Allegiance and Supremacy but the later part as to Ecclesiastical Duties he durst not my Lord told him they had other Oaths for that but this was for both and those who were obedient to Ecclesiastical Orders he would lay his hand under their Feet to do them good but whosoever would resist he would prosecute to the blood That my Lord said further They had made him forget himself by putting him into some passion That they were Traitors and Rebels and that if his Majesty would Honour him so much as to send him back again he would eradicate Root and Branch of all that Nation out of the Kingdom of Ireland saving the Lords and others that had taken the Oath That Mr. Steward was Fined 5000 his Wife 5000 his 2 Daughters 3000 l. a piece and James Gray 3000 as he remembers That Gray was not worth 100 l. Mr. Stuart maintaining him in Prison John Loftus sworn John Loftus deposed to the Fines and the words about the Scottish Nation Mr. Whitlock Summed up the Evidence concluding This was to take a Power far above Law to bind their Consciences that it shewed my Lord's Intention to alter Laws with all his Force and Cruelty The Earl then made his Defence The Earl's Desence That their Lordships and particularly the Lord Steward who was General of the Army against the Scots knew the posture of the King's affairs their fears of the Scots in Ireland and their Confederacy with the Covenanters one being condemned and Executed for Plotting to deliver Knockfergus to a Great man in Scotland To prevent this Lord Dillon there was a debate of Council-Board which was attested by the Lord Dillon and that the whole proceeding about the Oath was concluded on as necessary for the preservation of the State Sir Philip Manwaring and Sir Adam Loftus affirmed the same Sir Philip Manwarin Sir Adam Loftus and that none of the Gentlemen who took the Oath appeared refractory My Lord added They did it chearfully save only Sir James Montgomery which he remembers to their Honour that there being an Expression in the Petition Offering their Lives and Fortunes for vindicating the Regal Power which he said might be turned too strictly upon them he qualified it with these words In equal manner and measure with other his Majestie 's Subjects which as my Lord Montgomery will he is assured justifie were put in by him The Petition and the Act of State were then read being to this Effect By the Lord-Deputy and Council WENTWORTH Where We have lately made an Act of Council in these words WHereas divers Lords Spiritual and Temporal Knights The Act of State and Petition about the Oath in Ireland and others inhabiting in this Kingdom have lately exhibited a Petition to Vs in these words following To the Right Honourable the Lord Deputy and Council c. The Humble Petition of c. The Petition recites The horror apprehended by the Petitioners His Majesties
took Exception at their Petitioning for a Parliament and said Leaving out that Clause he would joyn with them in that Petition Sir Henry Cholmley deposed Sir Hen. Cholmley That informing my Lord that notwithstanding the Warrants Mony came not in and that unless he had money shortly the Regiment of which he was Colonel would disband his Lordship told him he would send a Levy on the Goods of those that refused but knows not whether such Levies were sent Sir John Hotham deposed much to the same Effect Sir John Hotham Sir Philip Stapleton deposed Sir Philip Stapleton That the Gentry upon the King's Summons being met drew the Petition to which there were 100 hands and that the Earl refused to deliver it unless the concluding clause were left out but most of them resolved to stand to that Petition and many went out of Town not doubting the delivery of it My Lord put it to the Vote where there were many Papists and on the Vote delivered an Answer what he knows not for he stayed behind to draw another Petition and humble Protestation to his Majesty that this Petition was the Answer of the Countrey Lord Wharton deposed Lord Wharton That attending my Lord Strafford with this Petition he refused to deliver it upon the Exception before mentioned that divers of the Gentlemen that were there would not go back from that with which so much humility and reason they thought was desired thereupon my Lord went to the King but they who thought not fit to alter the Petition went not with him and what he said he knows not Then this following Warrant of Sir William Pennyman's was produced and he owning it and it being not in Accusation of himself but grounded on my Lord Strafford's Command for Levying money it was read To the Constable of Sergeant-Major Yaworthe's Company WHereas the Lord Lieutenant-General of his Majesties Army Sir William Pennyman's Warrant by His Majesties Command sent forth Warrants to the Constable of this Weapontake of Longborough for Collecting and Paying the Soldiers of my Regiment Six weeks pay to be delivered from my hands which is not yet received from c. These are therefore once more in his Majesties Name to Will and Require you forthwith to pay or cause to be paid to the said Sergeant-Major the several Rates and Proportions both of the First and Second Contribution Assessed on your Town c. And if any Person or Persons shall refuse so to do you are instantly on receit hereof to bring him or them c. to serve in their own Persons for the defence of this County as the necessity of this Cause requires And hereof c. fail not 19 Octob. 1640. William Pennyman To this Sir William deposed That he cannot say whether the first Warrant was issued by the Vice-President or whether any was issued by my Lord Strafford 's direction And being again and again urged to speak positively and Categorically he said he did verily believe the ground of the Warrant of the Deputy-Lieutenants to Levy money on the Countrey was That my Lord told them That he had acquainted the Lords of the great Council and his Majesty and that he did it by their consent but he was out of the room when it was drawn only Mr. Rockly a Deputy-Lieutenant told him so Sir Henry Griffin deposed That he heard my Lord say Sir H. Griffin That he had direction from the great Council to Levy money for Sir William Pennyman and Sir Thomas Danby's Regiments and that by a clause in the Order the Refusers were to be compelled to serve in person Sir Robert Strickland sworn deposed the same Sir John Burroughs sworn deposed That upon the 20th of October Sir Robert Strickland Sir John Burroughs Mr. Robert Strickland and Mr. Mallard coming as he thinks to tender their services to the Lords among other discourse mentioned some Order concerning the relieving the two Regiments for the Guard of Richmonshire and that thereupon themselves my Lord Strafford and the rest of the Deputy-Lieutenants had granted Warrants for the assessing Money at this the Lords were startled and commanded him to inform them if there were any such Order he told them being Clerk That he remembred none nor drew up any The Lords desired those 2 Gentlemen to give them Copies of those Warrants they had sent out and that Sir John should take their Testimony which he did My Lord of Strafford did take notice that some such thing had been done at Rippon and said then to the Lords That he did conceive he had the King's Order and their Lordships approbation for the issuing out of this Warrant but since he conceives their Lordships disliked it and had taken Copies of it he was very willing to withdraw these Warrants And this was on the last day of the great Council but that my Lord-Deputy appealed to the King and the King said he did acquaint him with it before the Lords but that the Lords absolutely declined the making any such Warrants and were generally against it Mr. Henry Cholmley sworn Mr. H. Cholmley deposed That my Lord said That the Custom was that private men should serve in Person in the Trainbands or maintain the Charge of them and the Common-mens Charge is born by the Constables of the Town whence they come and told the King Sir if you please Mr. Vice-President may or shall send out Warrants to this purpose William Dowsen deposed Will. Dowsen That Mr. Yaworth Sir William Pennyman's Major came with 4 Musketeers to Egton sent for the Assessors who being unwilling to assess he told them they should answer it before my Lord General and shewed a Warrant from Sir William Pennyman but he did not see it but 2 Musketeers went with each Constable to Levy the money William Pierson deposed the same Will. Pierson And that he saw Sir William Pennyman 's name to the Warrant and that in the Town 4 Musketeers went with the Constable Sir William Ingram deposed Sir William Ingram That inquiring of my Lord Strafford how the Soldiers must be maintained my Lord told him the private men must maintain their Soldiers at 8 d. per diem or else he would commit them and the Soldiers should be maintained at that Rate out of their Estates and if any refused to pay their Assessment they should be committed to Prison and lye there and he would have all men to know that refused to pay such Contribution that they were in little better Condition then guilty of High Treason Sir Henry Griffin deposed Sir Henry Griffin That his Regiment advancing he received 300 l. on the Assessment by virtue of this Warrant but more they could not nor would not pay upon which complaining to my Lord he told him he would take a Course and my Lord did grant forth his Warrant and sent a Messenger from Constable to Constable and all was paid and for ought he knows
desired the Earl to name his Witnesses if he would receive any benefit of the Order He answered That he would nominate after them in regard they were first in the Order They replyed That he knew their Article they did not know his He said he would bring proofs about the 2.5.13 and 15. Articles and desired that they would proceed to the Nomination But they told him They could not submit to the Order without the advice of the whole House Then suddenly a mighty Noise followed of the whole House of Commons calling out Withdraw Withdraw which they did with those Eminent Symptoms of displeasure and in that Tumultuary Confusion that it produced fear and wonders in the Spectators for both the Houses broke up without so much as adjourning the Court or appointing the next time of Meeting nothing but anger and resentment seemed to sit upon mens faces and a certain dismal Expectation of the Effects of a distempered State The Violent men of the House of Commons who Prosecuted the Earl began now to apprehend they might meet with a Dissapointment in their Expectations and that the Earl did not stand so Criminal in the apprehensions of the greatest part of the Lords as they had endeavoured to render him but that some Beams of Innocence began to shine from him even under the black Clouds which they had raised against his Reputation and judging after all this Noise of High Treason which they had raised and which filled the most obscure Corners of the Nation was become the great expectation of the World that if he should come to be cleared by the suffrage of his Peers not only his Glory and Reputation would appear more bright by so black a foil but their Reputation and Interest must for ever set and sink in the Opinion of the vulgar who are apt to Measure Actions by their success and Consequently that this would give such a blow to their yet Infant Designs as must render them abortive in their very Embrio therefore no sooner were they retired in the forementioned disorder and heat but they fell upon a new Method to effect the Ruin of this Great Man That which they pretended was designed to be offered as further proof of the 23 d Article and wherein they thought the Lords had not done them Justice was a certain Paper which Sir Henry Vane Jun. pretended to have found in his Father's Cabinet being a Note or short Memoires of what passed at a Junto of the private Committee for the Scotch affairs charging the Earl of Strafford Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Lord Cottington with an intention then mentioned of bringing in the Irish Army and full of pernicious counsell to the King and slanderous words against the Commons in the last Parliament This pretious Relique Sir Henry discovered to Mr. Pym whereupon a Bill of Attainder which Mr. Pym had ready for the Purpose was immediately voted to be read and so eager were they upon the Chace that contrary to Parliamentary Custom and Reason which in things of moment ought to govern by that standing Rule Deliberandum est diu quod statuendum est semel it received a second reading Sunday now proved no day of rest the concerned were busie to spread terrors and affrightments in the minds of the People all the discourse was of the Breach like to ensue between the Two Houses and licentious Tongues were not sparing to declare That since the House of Commons had voted the Bill of Attainder they would also declare all his adherents Traitors Many big words were spoken and it was reported that some of the Nobility should say That it was unnatural to have the Head governed by the Members that they hated Rebellion no less than Treason hat the same blood which Ennobled their Ancestors run also in their Veins and they would never permit themselves to be suppressed by a popular Faction And certainly many of the Lords began to see through the Disguise and that they could not Condemn the Earl of Strafford in the Legal way of Procedure upon Constructive or as it was then called accumulative Treason but they must let loose such a furious Lion as would devour them and their Posterity and this was the fear of the Earl's Enemies for had it come to a Period upon the Trial it was the General belief he would upon the Honour of the Peerage have been found Not Guilty However it happened the Difference was at last composed at a Conference the Lord Steward acquainting them That their Lordships are resolved the Commons may proceed as formerly was intended before the offer of further Evidence to be propounded the Earl of Strafford to recollect his Evidence first and that being done the Members of the House of Commons to state their Evidence and this to be done to morrow morning whereof they will give the Earl of Strafford Notice Accordingly upon Tuesday April 13. Tuesday April 13. the Lord Strafford being brought to the Hall and standing at the Bar The Lord High Steward informed him That the Lords do Expect his Lordship should summ up the Evidence as the Gentlemen of the House of Commons should do theirs for the close of the proofs of the matter of Fact desiring him to do it with all the brevity and clearness he could The Earl humbly moved clearly to understand what was expected from him and whether new matter might be alledged on either side The Lord Steward replying That if there be any new matter God forbid but they might alledg it The Earl answered That he was in all things ready to manifest his Obedience to their Lordships and will offer no new matter unless it arise from the other side And then he proceeded to summ up his Evidence as followeth May it please your Lordships IT falls to my turn The Earl of Strafford's Summary of the Evidence by your Lordships leave and favour to presume to put you in mind and to represent to you the Proofs as they have been offered which I shall do to the best of my Memory with a great deal of Clearness I shall desire to represent them neither better nor worse then they are in themselves and I wish the like Rule may be observed on the other side For in the proceeding of this Cause I heard them alleadge that as they conceived divers Articles were fully proved Whence I conceive there was nothing fully Proved My Lords my Memory is weak my Health hath been impaired and I have not had such quiet thoughts as I desired to have had in a business of so great and weighty importance to me And therefore I shall most humbly beseech your Lordships that by your Wisdom your Justice and Goodness I may be so much bound to you as to have my Infirmities supplyed by your better Abilities better Judgments and better Memories My Lords The Charge I am to Answer is a Charge of High-Treason and that which makes it the most grievous of all it is an
I remember Lastly in farther taking away of this Testimony I have proved it by a great many Witnesses beyond all exception that there was never any such intendment of the bringing this Army into England nay that the Design was quite otherwise and this hath been apparently cleared before your Lordships By the Testimony of my Lord of Northumberland Marquess of Hamilton Sir Thomas Lucas and Mr. Slingsby And might have been further justifi'd by the Testimony of my Lord of Ormond President of Munster and Sir John Burlace Master of the Ordnance in Ireland if they had been here to have been produced So that all these laid together the strong and clear proof on my part the producing of a single Witness which by the Proviso of 1 Edw. 6. cannot rise in Judgment against any man for High-Treason I trust all these laid together I shall appear to your Lordships clear and free from these two points whereupon they enforce me to be within the compass of Treason by the Statute alleadged The Third Treason that is laid to my Charge is upon the 27th Article where Four Musquettiers being sent to Egton by Sergeant Major Yaworth to call for their Eight pence a day is prest upon me as a Levying of War upon the King and His People and to be High-Treason upon the Statute of 25 E. 3. These be wonderful Wars if we have no greater Wars then such as four men are able to raise by the Grace of God we shall not sleep very unquietly But How do they prove this to be done by me they produce to your Lordships the Warrant of Sir William Pennyman but had no Warrant at all of mine to shew Sir William Pennyman doth not alledge any Warrant of mine to that purpose he speaks of a General Warrant wherein I and the Deputy-Lieutenants joyn for the paying of the Fortnights pay as they call it and that is very true but that I should give Warrant to Levy by Soldiers no such thing is proved no such thing is shewed no such thing is alleadged by Sir William Pennyman that best knew it and should do it in his own Justification if there were such a thing but on the other side I must humbly beseech your Lordships to mind you what a clear and full proof I made thereof to you till you were weary though I think I I could have continued it a year longer if need had been that there was nothing done by me in the Levying of the first Months pay or the second Fortnights pay but with full consent of the Country nothing being of Constraint nothing being of force put upon them The Second Point was a Warrant shewed to your Lordships or at least pretended from Sir Edward Osborne the Vice-President wherein he charges them to obey and persue the substance and direction of his Warrant on pain of Death and this must likewise be laid to me My Lords I confess I have faults enough more than a good many though I trust neither so crying nor grievous as some would pretend them to be but Faults I have more then too many I need not take nor add to my self other Mens but whether this be a Fault or no I cannot undertake to Judge But certainly I am in no Fault for I was at when this Warrant issued from Mr. Vice-President and I dare say he is a Gentleman so worthy and noble and so great a Lover of Truth that let him be examined upon Oath if he shall not absolutely clear me from Privity or Direction of it I so much rely on him that I will be thought Guilty before your Lordships for this Charge Now my Lords having gone over all that first part which I thought fit to apply my self to and that is Statute-Treason There is no Statute-Treasons in the whole Charge nor colour or pretence thereof save onely that of Newcastle which was waved In these my Lords I hope I am clear before your Lordships and sure I am they give me little disquiet for in good faith I am clear in my own poor Judgment Then comes in the second Condition of Treason in the Charge and that is Constructive Treason and it is laid down in the first Article of the General Charge For my Lords I must tell you the First Articles exhibited are Grounds and Foundations whereupon the rest are gathered and to which they resort and apply themselves severally I do conceive my self in a manner by themselves clear of seven of these for they have in a manner relinquished Five of them So that the First Article is the main Article whereupon I must be touched and that is laid in the Charge thus That I have Trayterously endeavoured to subvert the Fundamental Laws and Government of the Realms of England and Ireland and have by Trayterous Words Councils and Actions declared the same and have advised His Majesty to Compel his Subjects to submit thereunto by force My Lords I must confess I have many times with my self considered with wonder at the Wisdom of our Ancestors that set the Pillars of this Monarchy with that singular Judgment and Providence that I have ever observed that so oft as either the Prerogative of the Crown or Liberty of the Subject Ecclesiastical or Temporal Powers exceed those modest bounds set and appointed for them by the sobriety and moderation of former times the exercise of it over-turn'd to the Prejudice and to the Detriment of the Publick Weale all the Strings of this Government and Monarchy have been so perfectly tuned through the skill and attention of our Fore-Fathers that if you wind any of them any thing higher or let them lower you shall infallibly interrupt the sweet accord that ought to be entertained of King and People With this Opinion I had the honour to sit many years in the Commons House and this Opinion I have carry'd along with me exactly and intirely for Fourteen Years in the King's Service ever Resolving in my heart Stare super vias antiquas to promote with equal care the Prerogative of the Crown and the Liberty of the Subject to Introduce the Laws of England into Ireland ever setting before my self a Joynt and Individual well-being of King and People for either they must be both or neither which made my Misfortune the greater to be now in my Gray Hairs charged as an under-worker against that Government a Subverter of that Law I wost affected and a Contriver against that Religion to the truth whereof I would Witness by the Sealing of it with my Blood My Lords As to the latter part concerning my Religion they have quitted me and I have nothing to answer to that because it is waved and I trust my Lords I shall clear my self in the first part concerning my being a Subverter of the Fundamental Laws that I shall stand clear to your Lordships Judgments in that Case My Lords This Subversion must be by Words by Councils and by Actions in Ireland and in England My Lords
time of this Noble Lord's Defences he did not so much as crave any of our Opinions or acquaint us with any thing that tended that way and for the matter of Law Those Statutes cited by himself and offered to your Lordships Consideration were none of our stock but taken up at his own adventure I do not speak this to derogate from the pertinency of those Statutes for they shall be the subject of my Discourse but that the Noble Lord may not be disappointed of your Lordships right Conception and his own due praise My Lords It is your Pleasure we meddle not with matter of Fact and indeed we need not meddle at all with it because we hope it is already done and that sufficiently to our hands yet the matter of Law doth so naturally arise out of the matter of Fact that of necessity by your Lordships Favour we must sometimes touch on this if we speak to that Nor do we conceive it possible for us to speak advantagiously enough for the Lord Strafford 's just Defence unless the whole matter of Fact be determined as either proved or not proved or at least some states of Questions agreed upon where we may fix and settle our Arguments And so it is my Lords that I have chosen not at all to touch the Matter of law untill your Lordships shall be pleased to chalk me out a Way unless it be to clear your Judgments in one Statute only viz. 25 Ed. 3. because when the same was alledged by the Lord Strafford for his own Defence that not being convict by the letter thereof he could not be convict of Treason I remember the Salvo of that Statute was much insisted upon by those from the House of Commons as much conducing to their Ends. My Lords I will first speak of the Statute it self and then of its Salvo or Provision the Statute is That if any man shall intend the Death of the King the Queen or their Children kill the Chancellor or a Judge upon the Bench imbase the Kings Coyn or counterfeit the Broad Seal c. he shall be convicted and punished as a Traytor That the Lord Strafford comes within the letter of this Statute is not so much as once alledged nor indeed can it be with any Reason All that can be said is that by relation or argument à minore ad majus he may be drawn thither And that this cannot be I humbly offer these Considerations 1. This is a Declarative Law and such are not to be taken by any way of Consequence Equity or Construction but by the letter only otherwise they should imply a contradiction to themselves and be no more Declarative Laws but Laws of Construction Secondly This is a Penal Law and such if our Ground hitherto unquestion'd holds good can admit of no Inductions or Inferences for Penalties are to perswade the keeping of known Laws not of Laws conjectural ambiguous and by Consequence which perhaps the most Learned may not in their disputes question much less the Subject who is not to interpret the Statute doubt of in the point of Obedience nay rather without doubt he is to obey the letter of the Statute and conceive and that truly that he is not liable to the Penalty Thirdly We have a notable Statute 13 Eliz. c. 2. whereby it is declared That the bringing of Bulls from Rome to stir up the Subjects to Mutiny and Rebellion shall be punished as Treason Now if by interpretation or by consequence this sense might have been thrust upon preceding Statutes the making this had been superfluous and the persons then charged with that Crime might have been impeached of Treason even before the making of this Act. Fourthly Anno 21 Ed. 3. we have a Statute declaring That for a Servant to kill his Master is an Act of Treason and in the 27th Year of the same King a Process was framed against a man of Treason for Killing his Father grounded upon the same Argument à Majori ad Minus but it was found and the Sentence is yet in the Records that although in the 21 of Ed. 3. that Argument might have been admitted yet in the 27 it could not by reason of the Declarative Law intervening in the 25th Year And this Case comes very home to the point in hand My Lords I will not demand what kind of Offence it may be for a man to Subvert the Fundamental Laws of a Kingdom the Crime doubtless is unnatural and monstrous and the punishment must keep the same proportion only I must presume to offer these few things to your consideration 1. That one or more Acts of Injustice whether malitiously or ignorantly done can in no sense of Law be called the Subversion of the Fundamental Laws otherwise as many Judges perhaps so many Traytors It is very incident to Man's Nature to Err nor doth the Lord Strafford plead his Innocence in Oversights but in Treason 2. I do remember the Case of John de la Pool Duke of Suffolk this man in the 26 H. 6. was charged by the House of Commons with Eight Articles of Treason and those too very like to these against the Lord Strafford 1. That he had given the King bad Advices 2. That he had embased his Coyn. 3. That he had Sessed Men of War 4. That he had given out Summary Decrees 5. That he had imposed Taxes 6. That he had Corrupted the Fountain of Justice 7. That he had perswaded the King to unnecessary War 8. To the giving up Anjou in France Ovum Ovo And for all these though he was charged with High Treason for wronging the Right of the Subject and Subverting the Fundamental Lawes of the Kingdom yet after long agitation the matter was found by the Lords in Parliament not to imply Treason but only Felony Add to this another Case in the 23 H. 8. where one was charged for Subverting the English Laws and yet no Treason charged upon him Add to both these the Case of Richard Larkes pleaded at the Common-Pleas who was charged with Treason for subverting the Law but convicted only of Felony By which you may see my Lords what to this time hath been the Judgment of subverting the Lawes Thirdly It is very considerable That the Lord Strafford is not charged to have Subverted the Laws but only to have Intended to subvert the Fundamental Laws and this I conceive if there were no more might keep him free from that Statute of 25 Ed. 3. for although as touching the Life of the King the Queen and Children Intention is a Treasonable Act yet in all other things there mentioned there must be Action besides Intention For it is not said That if a Man doth intend to kill a Chancellor it shall be Treason but only if he doth kill him and if he doth Actually counterfeit the Broad Seal And although a man should prepare a Furnace make ready his Stamp and melt his Bullion yet if he gives not the King's Impress
Corruptives of Judgment Mr. Speaker I do before God discharge my self to the uttermost of my Power And do with a clear Conscience wash my hands of this mans blood by this solemn Protestation That my Vote goes not to the taking of the Earl of Strafford 's Life Exceptions were taken at this Speech upon Friday following and the Lord Digby Explained himself but for the present there was nothing done in it though afterwards the sleeping Revenge roused it self to some purpose for upon the 15th of July to do him all the infamy they could this Speech was by Order of the House burnt by the hand of the Common Hangman in Smithfield Palace Yard and in the Royal Exchange The Lords made no great hast in dispatching the Bill of Attainder Saturday April 24. and therefore the Faction fell upon other Methods of quickening them one of which was a Petition from many Thousands of the City which was upon Saturday presented by them to both Houses thereby to make it appear the Desire of the City and to speak truth they had strangely Exasperated the City against him as will appear by the Petition which follows To the most Honourable Assembly of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament The humble Petition of divers Citizens of London SHEWETH THat notwithstanding His Majesties Gracious Answer The first Petition of the Citizens against the Earl of Strafford April 24. to the humble Petition of his Loyal Subjects in Summoning this Parliament with the great Care and Endeavoured pains taken by both Houses for the removing the heavy Grievances in Church and Common-wealth whereof the Petitioners have already received some Fruit for which they desire to return their most humble and utmost Thanks yet nevertheless they are enforced with all Humility to represent to this most Honourable Assembly some of those Obstructions which do still hinder that freedom and fulness of Trade in this City they have formerly had and which considering the numerous multitude thereupon depending they conceive it not able comfortably to subsist As the unsetled Condition of the Kingdom even since the Troubles in Scotland hath caused both Strangers and also some of our own who did furnish great summs of money to use to call it in and remit much of it by Exchange into Forraign Parts and stand now in expectation of what the Issue of things may be The stopping Money in the Mint which till then was accounted the safest place and surest Staple in these parts of the World still doth hinder the Importation of Bullion the Scots now disabled to pay such Debts as they owe to the Petitioners and others in the City and by reason of the Oppressions exercised in Ireland their Debts also are detained there The English Trade by reason of our general Distractions and Fears is so much decayed that Country Trades-men cannot pay their Debts in London as formerly The great Sums of Money unduly taken by His Majesties Officers and Farmers for Impositions upon Merchandize Exported and imported and the want of Relief in Courts of Justice against them The drawing out from the City great Sums of Money which is the Life and Spirit of Trade for His Majesties Service in the North and being there employed is not yet returned Besides all which from what strong and secret Opposition the Petitioners know not they have not received what so much time and pains might give and cause to hope but still Incendiaries of the Kingdoms and other Notorious Offenders remain unpunished The Affairs of the Church notwithstanding many Petitions concerning it and long Debate about it remains unsetled the Papists still Armed the Laws against them not Executed some of the most Active of them still at Court Priests and Jesuits not yet Banished the Irish Popish-Army not yet Disbanded Courts of Justice not yet reformed and the Earl of Strafford who as now appears hath Counselled the Plundring of this City and putting it to Fine and Ransom and said It would never be well till some of the Aldermen were hang'd up because they would not yield to Illegal Levies of Monies had so drawn out and spent this time in his business to the very great Charge of the whole Kingdom and his endeavour to obtain yet more all which makes us fear there may be practices now in hand to hinder the Birth of your great endeavours and that we lie under some more dangerous Plot than we can discover All which Premisses with their Fears and Distractions growing there-from and from things of the like nature the Petitioners humbly offer to the most grave Consideration of this most Honourable Assembly as being the true Causes of decay of Trade discouragement of Trades-men and of the great scarcity of Monies with the Consequences they labour under And do humbly pray That their sad Grievances may be Redressed the Causes of their Fears removed Justice executed upon the said Earl and other Incendiaries and Offenders the rather in regard till then the Petitioners humbly conceive neither Religion nor their Lives Liberties or Estates can be secured And as in Duty bound they shall ever pray c. But all they could do notwithstanding the frequent Conferences and Debates the Lords resolved to hear what the Councel would first say upon the Legality of the Bill upon which this Message was sent to the Commons by Judge Foster and Judge Heath That their Lordships will be ready to meet at a Conference by a Committee of both Houses at Nine of the Clock upon Thursday Morning in Westminster-Hall there to hear this House according to their own Offers when they brought up the Bill of Attainder of the Earl of Strafford Mr. Hide was this Day sent up to the Lords Widnesday April 28. to acquaint them with the Fears they have that the Earl of Strafford may design to Escape That he hath Ships at Sea at Command and the Guards weak and to desire he may be made a close Prisoner and the Guards strengthened To which the Lords answered They would take it into Examination and give Directions accordingly Upon Thursday the Houses being met at the Hall Thursday April 29. the King Prince and Queen being present Mr. St. Johns to whom that Province was consigned by the Commons made his Argument of the Legallity of the Bill of Attainder as followeth My Lords THE Knights Mr. St. John's Argument at Law for passing the Bill of Attainder April 29. Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament have passed a Bill for the Attainting of Thomas Earl of Strafford of High-Treason The Bill hath been transmitted from them to your Lordships it concerns not him alone but your Lordships and the Commons too though in different respects It concerns his Lordship the highest that can be in the Penal Part so it doth on the other side as highly concern your Lordships and the Commons in that which ought to be the tend'rest the Judicatory within that that Judge not them who Judge
Treasons are commited in Ireland therefore not tryable here Answ My Lords Sir John Parrot his Predecessor 24 Ed. was tryed in the Kings-Bench for Treason done in Ireland when he was Deputy and Oruche in the 33 year of Queen Elizabeth adjudged here for Treason done in Ireland Object But it will be said these Tryals were after the Statute of the 34th year of Henry the 8th which Enacts that Treasons beyond Sea may be tryed in England Answ My Lords his Predecessor my Lord Gray was tryed and adjudged here in the Kings-Bench that was in Trinity-Term in the 33 year of Henry the 8th this was before the making of that Statute Object To this again will we say That it was for Treason by the Laws and Statutes of England that this is not for any thing that 's Treason by the Law of England but an Irish Statute So that the question is only Whether your Lordships here in Parliament have cognizance of an offence made Treason by an Irish Statute in the ordinary way of Judicature without Bill for so is the present question For the clearing of this I shall propound two things to your Lordships consideration Whether the Rule for expounding the Irish Statute and Customs be one and the same in England as in Ireland That being admitted whether the Parliament in England have cognizance or jurisdiction of things there done in respect of the place because the Kings Writ runs not there For the first in respect of the place the Parliament here hath cognizance there And Secondly If the Rules for expounding the Irish Statutes and Customs be the same here as there this exception as I humbly conceive must fall away In England there is the Common Law the Statutes the Acts of Parliament and Customs peculiar to certain places differing from the Common-Law If any question arise concerning either a Custom or an Act of Parliament the Common-Law of England the First the Primitive and the General Law that 's the Rule and Expositor of them and of their several extents it is so here it is so in Ireland the Common-Law of England is the Common-Law of Ireland likewise the same here and there in all the parts of it It was introduced into Ireland by King John and afterwards by King Henry 3. by Act of Parliament held in England as appears by the Patent Rolls of the 30 year of King Henry 3. the first Membrana the Words are Quia pro Communi Vtilitate terrae Hiberniae unitate terrarum Regis Rex vult de Communi Concilio Regis Provisum est quod omnes Leges Consuetudines quae in Regno Angliae tenentur in Hibernia teneantur eadem terra eisdem legibus subjaceat per easdem Regatur sicut Dominus Johannes Rex cum ultimò esset in Hibernia statuit fieri mandavit quia c. Rex vult quòd omnia brevia de Communi Jure quae currunt in Anglia similiter currant in Hibernia sub novo sigillo Regis mundatum est Archiepiscopis c. quod pro pace tranquilitate ejusdem terrae per easdem leges eos regi deduci permittant eas in omnibus sequantur in cujus c. Teste Rege apud Woodstock Decimo nono die Septembris Here is an union of both Kingdoms and that by Act of Parliament and the same Laws to be used here as there in omnibus My Lords That nothing might be left here for an exception that is That in Treasons Felonies and other capital offences concerning Life the Irish Laws are not the same as here therefore it is enacted by a Parliament held in England in the 14th year of Edw. 2. it is not in print neither but in the Parliament Book that the Laws concerning Life and Member shall be the same in Ireland as in England And that no exception might yet remain in a Parliament held in England The 5th year of Edw. 3. it is Enacted Quod una eadem Lex fiat tam Hibernicis quam Anglicis This Act is enrolled in the Patent Rolls of the 5th year of Edw. 3. Parl. membr 25. The Irish therefore receiving their Laws from hence they send their Students at Law to the Inns of Courts in England where they receive their Degree and of them and of the Common Lawyers of this Kingdom are the Judges made The Petitions have been many from Ireland to send from hence some Judges more learned in the Laws than those they had there It hath been frequent in cases of difficulty there to send sometimes to the Parliament sometimes to the King by advice from the Judges here to send them resolutions of their doubts Amongst many I 'll cite your Lordships only one because it is in a case of Treason upon an Irish Statute and therefore full to this point By a Statute there made the fifth year of Edw. 4. there is a provision made for such us upon suggestions are committed to prison for Treason that the party committed if he can procure 24 Compurgators shall be bailed and let out of prison Two Citizens of Dublin were by a Grand-Jury presented to have committed Treason they desired benefit of this Statute that they might be let out of prison upon tender of their Compurgators The words of the Statute of the 5th year of Edward 4th in Ireland being obscure the Judges there being not satisfied what to do sent the case over to the Queen desired the opinion of the Judges here which was done accordingly The Judges here sent over their opinion which I have out of the Book of Justice Anderson one of the Judges consulted withal The Judges delivered their opinion upon an Irish Statute in Case of Treason If it be objected That in this Case the Judges here did not judge upon the party their opinions were only ad informandam Conscientiam of the Judges in Ireland that the Judgment belonged to the Judges there My Lords with submission this and the other Authorities prove that for which they were cited that is that no absurdity no failure of Justice would ensue if this great Judicatory should judge of Treason so made by an Irish Statute The Common-Law rules of Judging upon an Irish Statute the Pleas of the Crown for things of Life and Death are the same here and there this is all that yet hath been offered For the Second point That England hath no power of Judicature for things done in Ireland My Lords the constant practice of all ages proves the contrary Writs of Error in Pleas of the Crown as well as in Civil Causes have in all Kings Reigns been brought here even in the inferior Courts of Westminster-Hall upon Judgment given in the Courts of Ireland the practice is so frequent and so well known as that I shall cite none of them to your Lordships no president will I believe be produced to your Lordships that ever the Case was remanded back again into Ireland because the question arose upon an
Irish Statute or Custom Object But it will be said that Writs of Error are only upon failure of justice in Ireland and that suits cannot originally be commenced here for things done in Ireland because the Kings Writ runs not in Ireland Answ This might be a good Plea in the Kings-Bench and inferior Courts at Westminster-Hall the question is Whether it be so in Parliament The Kings Writ runs not within the County-Palatine of Chester and Durham nor within the Five Ports neither did it in Wales before the Union of Henry the 8th's time after the Laws of England were brought into Wales in King Edw. the 1. time Suits were not originally commenced at Westminster-Hall for things done in them yet this never excluded the Parliament-suits for Life Lands and Goods within these jurisdictions are determinable in Parliament as well as in any other parts of the Realm Ireland as appears by the Statute of the Thirtieth year of Henry 3. before-mentioned is united to the Crown of England By the Statute of the Eight and twentieth year of Hen. 6th in Ireland it is declared in these words That Ireland is the proper Dominion of England and united to the Crown of England which Crown of England is of it self and by it self wholly and intirely endowed with all Power and Authority sufficient to yield to the Subjects of the same full and plenary remedy in all Debates and Suits whatsoever By the Statute of the Three and twentieth year of Henry the 8th the first Chapter when the Kings of England first assumed the Title of King of Ireland it is there Enacted that Ireland still is to be held as a Crown annexed and united to the Crown of England So that by the same reason from this that the Kings Writs run not in Ireland it might as well be held that the Parliament cannot originally hold Plea of things done within the County-Palatine of Chester and Durham nor within the Five Ports and Wales Ireland is a part of the Realm of England as appears by those Statutes as well as any of them This is made good by constant practice in all the Parliament Rolls from the first to the last there are Receivers and Tryers of Petitions appointed for Ireland for the Irish to come so far with their Petitions for Justice and the Parliament not to have cognizance when from time to time they had in the beginning of the Parliament appointed Receivers and Tryers of them is a thing not to be presumed An Appeal in Ireland brought by William Lord Vesey against John Fitz-Thomas for Treasonable words there spoken before any Judgment given in Case there was removed into the Parliament in England and there the Defendant acquitted as appears in the Parliament Pleas of the Two and twentieth year of Edw. 1. The Suits for Lands Offices and Goods originally begun here are many and if question grew upon matter in Fact a Jury usually ordered to try it and the Verdict returned into the Parliament as in the Case of one Ballyben in the Parliament of the Five and thirtieth year of Edw. the 1. If a doubt arose upon a matter tryable by Record a Writ went to the Officers in whose custody the Record remained to certifie the Record as was in the Case of Robert Bagott the same Parliament of the Five and thirtieth year of Edw. the 1. where the Writ went to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer Sometimes they gave Judgment here in Parliament and commanded the Judges there in Ireland to do execution as in the great Case of Partition between the Copartners of the Earl-Marshal in the Parliament of the Three and thirtieth of Edward the 1. Where the Writ was awarded to the Treasurer of Ireland My Lords The Laws of Ireland were introduced by the Parliament of England as appears by Three Acts of the Parliament before cited It is of higher Jurisdiction Dare Leges then to judge by them The Parliaments of England do bind in Ireland if Ireland be particularly mentioned as is resolved in the Book-Case of the First year of Henry the Seventh Cook 's Seventh Report Calvin's Case and by the Judges in Trinity-Term in the Three and thirtieth year of Queen Elizabeth The Statute of the Eighth year of Edward the 4th the first Chapter in Ireland recites That it was doubted amongst the Judges whether all the English Statutes though not naming Ireland were in force there if named no doubt From King Henry the 3d his time downwards to the Eighth year of Queen Elizabeth by which Statute it is made Felony to carry Sheep from Ireland beyond Seas in almost all these Kings Reigns there be Statutes made concerning Ireland The exercising of the Legislative Power there over their Lives and Estates is higher than of the Judicial in question until the 29th year of Edward the 3d erroneous Judgments given in Ireland were determinable no where but in England no not in the Parliament of Ireland as it appears in the close Rolls in the Tower in the 29th year of Edward the 3d. Memb. 12. Power to examine and reverse erroneous Judgments in the Parliaments of Ireland is granted from hence Writs of Error lye in the Parliament here upon erroneous Judgments after that time given in the Parliaments of Ireland as appears in the Parliament Rolls of the Eighth year of Henry the 6th N o 70. in the Case of the Prior of Lenthan It is true the Case is not determined there for it 's the last thing that came into the Parliament and could not be determined for want of time but no exception at all is taken to the Jurisdiction The Acts of Parliament made in Ireland have been confirmed in the Parliaments of England as appears by the close Rolls in the Tower in the Two and fortieth year of Edward the 3d. Memb. 20. Dorso where the Parliament in Ireland for the preservation of the Countrey from Irish who had almost destroyed it made an Act That all the Land-Owners that were English should reside upon their Lands or else they were to be forfeited this was here confirmed In the Parliament of the Fourth year of Henry the 5th Chap. 6. Acts of Parliament in Ireland are confirmed and some priviledges of the Peers in the Parliaments there are regulated Power to repeal Irish Statutes Power to confirm them cannot be by the Parliament here if it hath not cognizance of their Parliaments unless it be said that the Parliament may do it knows not what Garnsey and Jersey are under the Kings subjection but are not parcels of the Crown of England but of the Duchy of Normandy they are not governed by the Laws of England as Ireland is and yet Parliaments in England have usually held Plea of and determined all Causes concerning Lands or Goods In the Parliament in the 33 Edward 1. there be Placita de Insula Jersey And so in the Parliament 14 Edw. 2. and so for Normandy and Gascoigne and always as long as any part of
committit from the Lex talionis he that would not have had others to have a Law Why should he have any himself Why should not that be done to him that himself would have done to others It 's true we give Law to Hares and Deers because they be Beasts of Chase It was never accounted either cruelty or foul play to knock Foxes and Wolves on the head as they can be found because these be Beasts of Prey The Warrener sets Traps for Polcats and other Vermine for preservation of the Warren Further my Lords most dangerous Diseases if not taken in time they kill Errors in great things as War and Marriage they allow no time for repentance it would have been too late to make a Law when there had been no Law My Lords for further Answer to this Objection he hath offended against a Law a Law within the endeavouring to subvert the Laws and Polity of the State wherein he lived which had so long and with such faithfulness protected his Ancestry Himself and his whole Family It was not Malum quia prohibitum it was Malum in se against the Dictates of the dullest Conscience against the Light of Nature they not having a Law were a Law to themselves Besides this he knew a Law without that the Parliament in Cases of this Nature had Potestatem vitae necis Nay he well knew that he offended the Promulged and Ordinary Rules of Law Crimes against Law have been Proved have been Confessed so that the Question is not De culpa sed de poena What degree of Punishment those Faults deserve We must differ from him in Opinion That twenty Felonies cannot make a Treason if it be meant of equality in the use of the Legislative Power for he that deserves death for one of these Felonies alone deserves a Death more painful and more Ignominious for all together Every Felony is punished with loss of Life Lands and Goods a Felony may be aggravated with those Circumstances as that the Parliament with good reason may add to the Circumstances of Punishment as was done in the Case of John Hall in the Parliament of the 1 H. 4. who for a Barbarous Murder committed upon the Duke of Glocester stifling him between two Feather-Beds at Calice was adjudged to be Hanged Drawn and Quartered Batteries by Law are only punishable by Fine and single Damages to the Party Wounded In the Parliament held in 1 H. 4. Cap. 6. one Savage committed a Battery upon one Chedder Servant to Sir John Brooke a Knight of the Parliament for Somersetshire It 's there Enacted that he shall pay double Damages and stand Convicted if he render not himself by such a time The manner of proceedings quickned and the penalty doubled the Circumstances were considered it concerned the Common-Wealth it was a Battery with Breach of Priviledge of Parliament This is made a perpetual Act no warning to the first Offender and in the Kings-Bench as appears by the Book-Case of 9 H. 4. the first leaf Double Damages were recovered My Lords in this of the Bill the Offence is High and General against the King and the Common-wealth against all and the best of all If every Felony be loss of Life Lands and Goods What is Misuser of the Legislative Power by Addition of Ignominy in the Death and Disposal of the Lands to the Crown the Publick Patrimony of the Kingdom But it was hoped that your Lordships had no more skill in the Art of killing Men then your worthy Ancestors My Lords this Appeal from your selves to your Ancestors we do admit of although we do not admit of that from your Lordships to the Peers of Ireland He hath Appealed to them your Lordships will be pleased to hear what Judgment they have already given in the case that is the several Attainders of Treason in Parliament after the Statute of 25 E. 3. for Treasons not mentioned nor within that Statute and those upon the first Offenders without warning given By the Statute of 25 E. 3. it 's Treason to levy War against the King Gomines and Weston afterwards in Parliament in the 1 R. 2. n. 38 39. adjudged Traytors for surrendring two several Castles in France only out of fear without any Compliance with the Enemy this not within the Statute of 25th E. 3. My Lords In the 3d year of Rich. 2d John Imperiall that came into England upon Letters of Safe Conduct as an Agent for the State of Genoa sitting in the evening before his door in Breadstreet as the words of the Records are Paulo ante ignitegium John Kirkby and another Citizen coming that way Casually Kirkby troad upon his Toe it being twilight this grew to a Quarrel and the Ambassador was slain Kirkby was Indicted of High-Treason the Indictment finds all this and that it was only done se defendendo and without malice The Judges it being out of the Statute 25 E. 3. could not proceed the Parliament declared it Treason and Judgment afterwards of High-Treason there 's nothing can bring this within the Statute of 25 E. 3. but it concerns the Honour of the Nation that the publick Faith should be strictly kept It might endanger the Traffique of the Kingdom they made not a Law first they made the first man an Example this is in the Parliament Roll 3 R. 2. Number 18. and Hillary-Term 3 R. 2. Rot. 31. in the Kings-Bench where Judgment is given against him In 11 R. 2. Tresilian and some others attainted of Treason for delivering Opinions in the Subversion of the Law and some others for plotting the like My Lords the Case hath upon another occasion been opened to your Lordships only this is observable that in the Parliament of the first year of Henry the Third where all Treasons are again reduced to the Statute of 25 E. 3. These Attainders were by a particular Act confirmed and made good that the memory thereof might be transmitted to succeeding Ages they stand good unto this day the offences there as here were the endeavouring the Subversion of the Laws My Lords after the 1 H. 4. Sir John Mortimer being committed to the Tower upon suspition of Treason brake Prison and made his escape This is no way within any Statute or any former Judgment at Common-Law for this that is for breaking the Prison only and no other cause in the Parliament held the second year of Henry the Sixth he was attainted of High-Treason by Bill My Lords Poysoning is only Murder yet one Richard Cooke having put Poyson into a Pot of Pottage in the Kitching of the Bishop of Rochester whereof two persons dyed he 's Attainted of Treason and it was Enacted that he should be Boyled to death by the Statute of 22 H. 8. c. 9. By the Statute of the 25. H. 8. Elizabeth Barton the Holy Maid of Kent for pretending Revelations from God That God was highly displeased with the King for being divorced from the Lady Catherine and that in
both Houses of Parliament Consent for my sake that I should moderate the severity of the Law in so important a Case I will not say that your Complying with me in this my intended Mercy shall make me more willing but certainly 't will make me more Chearful in Granting your just Grievances But if no less then his Life can satisfie my people I must say Fiat Justitia Thus again recommending the Consideration of my Intention to you I rest Your unalterable and affectionate Friend Charles R. Whitehall 11th of May 1641. If he must dye it were Charity to Reprieve him till Saturday This Letter all Written with the Kings own Hand Twelve Lords sent to the King and delivered by the Hand of the Prince was Read twice in the House of and after serious Consideration the House resolved presently to send 12 of the Peers Messengers to the King humbly to signifie That neither of the Two Intentions expressed in the Letter could with duty in them or without danger to himself his dearest Consort the Queen and all the Young Princes their Children possibly be Advised all which being done accordingly and the Reasons shewed to His Majesty he suffered no more words to come from them but out of the fulness of His heart to the observance of Justice and for the Contentment of His People told them That what he intended by his Letter was with an if if it might be done without Discontentment of his People if that cannot be I say again the same I writ Fiat Justitia My other intention proceeding out of Charity for a few days Respite was upon certain Information that his Estate was so distracted that it necessarily required some few dayes for settlement thereof Whereunto the Lords Answered Their purpose was to be Suitors to his Majesty for favour to be shewed to his Innocent Children and if himself had made any provision for them the same might hold This was well-liking unto his Majesty who thereupon departed from the Lords At his Majesties parting they offered up into his hands the Letter it self which he had sent but He was pleased to say My Lords What I have written to you I shall be content it be Registred by you in your House In it you see my mind I hope you will use it to my Honour This upon return of the Lords from the King was presently Reported to the House by the Lord Privy-Seal and Ordered that these Lines should go out with the Kings Letter if any Copies of the Letter were dispersed The night before his Execution he sent for the Lieutenant of the Tower and asked him if he might not see and speak with my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and being answered that he could not permit it without Order from the Parliament Mr. Lieutenant said he you shall hear what passeth between us it is not a time for me to Plot Treason or for him to Plot Heresie to Which the Lieutenant answered That his Lordship might Petition the Parliament for that favour No said he I have gotten my Dispatch from them and will trouble them no more I am now Petitioning an higher Court where neither Partiality can be expected nor Error leared but my Lord said he turning to the Primate of Ireland then with him what I would have spoken to his Grace of Canterbury is this You shall desire the Archbishop to lend me his Prayers this night and to give me his blessing when I go abroad to morrow and to be in his Window that by my last farewell I may give him thanks for this and all his other former favours the Lord Primate immediately did his Message and returned with this Answer from my Lord of Canterbury That in Conscience he was bound to do the first and in duty and obligation to do the last but that he feared his weakness and Passion would scarce lend him Eyes to behold his last departure And now we come to conduct this Illustrious Life to the last Scene and Epilogue of his Tragedy Wednesday May 12. having accoutred his Soul with necessary Preparation he came out of his Chamber attended by several Gentlemen and Persons of Quality together with the Lieutenant of the Tower and the Guards when he drew near the Archbishop's Lodgings he said to the Lieutenant Sir though I do not see the Archbishop give me leave I pray you to do my last observance towards his Rooms but the Archbishop being advertized of his coming immediately came to the Window upon which the Earl bowing himself to the Ground said My Lord your Prayers and your Blessing The Archbishop lifting up his hands gave him both but unable to support the suddain Effort with which a passionate Friendship deluged his Soul at that dismal separation he sunk down with grief as if his great Soul would have forced a Passage to wait upon the Earl's in its passage to Eternity nor will any persons who bave been touched with the tenderness of a real Friendship think this so great a Weakness as his and the Earls Enemies did endeavour to represent it if they consider that such a separation carries in it even all that can be thought terrible or afflictive in Death it self The Earl went a little further and making a second bow took his last Adieu saying Farewel my Lord God protect your Innocence As he was thus with a Countenance so Serene and August more like a General to a Triumph then a Prisoner to an infamous Scaffold marching out of the Tower the Lieutenant desired him to take Coach lest the inraged People should fall upon him and tear him in pieces No said he with an Air full of Innocence and Courage Mr. Lieutenant I dare look Death in the Face and I hope the People too have you a care that I do not Escape and 't is equal to me how I dye whether by the stroak of the Executioner or the madness and fury of the People if that may give them better content it is all one to me Being mounted upon the Scaffold he made his Obeysances and began to take his last farewell of his Friends who appeared much more concerned than himself and observing his Brother Sir George Wentworth to weep excessively Brother said he to him with a chearful briskness what do you see in me to deserve these Tears doth any indecent fear betray in me a Guilt or my Innocent boldness any Atheism think now that you are accompanying me the third time to my Marriage-Bed Never did I throw off my Clothes with greater freedom and content then in this preparation to my Grave That Stock pointing to the Block must be my Pillow here shall I rest from all my Labours No thoughts of Envy no dreams of Treason Jealousies or Cares for the King the State or my self shall interrupt this easie Sleep therefore Brother with me pitty those who besides their Intention have made me happy Rejoyce in my happiness Rejoyce in my Innocence Then kneeling down he made this
the Regiment of the Kingdom together with the King And now will any say No Bishop No King yet one word more before I part with these Bishops what Ground-work they laid and what means they used for the Ruine of King and Kingdom was it not their working upon the Impotence of a Womans will insinuating what indignity it was that a She-Daughter of France being promised to be a Queen was become no better than a waiting-woman living upon a Pension and so nourishing in her great Discontents perswaded her going to France which was the Matter and Embrion and as I may say the chief Cause of Common Destruction which after ensued God keep all good Princes from heark'ning or consenting to the pernicious Counsels of such pestilent Priests and prating Parasites To declare all their Disloyalties in Parliament and out would fill a large Volume But now Brevis esse laboro therefore I only say That as it was not for their Goodness but Greatness that they sate in Parliament so their sitting there did I think I may say almost evert Monarchy yea Regality with what face can they inculcate that Aspersion No Bishop no King Certainly by what I have already delivered and shall now declare in the Reigns of Succeeding Princes it will â—ppear quite contrary that where Lordly Bishops domineer and bear Rule and Sway neither Kings nor Kingdoms themselves or Subjects are secure Now to the Reign of King Edward the Third did not John Archbishop of Canterbury perswade and incite this King and the Parliament to a most dangerous War with France whereby the Death of Millions hath been occasioned To such Mischief do they use their Learning and Eloquent Orations in Parliament What Epiphanius delivered of Philosophers that they were In Re stultâ Sapientes so may we say of such Bishops that they are In malo publico facundi But to pass by particular Men and Actions I shall only deliver unto you some Notable Passages in Parliament Anno 1371. The Parliament did Petition the King to have them deprived of all Lay-Offices and Government they being commonly the Plotters and Contrivers of all Treasons Conspiracies and Rebellions the very Incendiaries Pests and Grievances both of the Church and State the chiefest Instruments to advance the Peoples usurped Authority though with Prejudice of the Kings which they never cordially affected and the Arch-Enemies of the Common-wealth through their private Oppression Covetousness Rebellion and Tyranny when they have been in Office as may appear by Antiquitates Ecclesioe Britannicae in the Lives of Anselm Becket Arundel c. Here we see that they never affected the Authority of Kings but rather were Scourges to their Sides and Thorns in their Eyes Now we come to R. 2. his Grandchild who Succeeded him R. 2. we read that when in Parliament in London the Layety had granted a Fifteenth on Condition that the Clergy would likewise give a Tenth and Half William le Courtney then Archbishop did stiffly oppose it alledging they ought to be free nor in any wise to be taxed by the Layety which Answer so offended the Lords and Commons Tho. Walsingham that with extream fury they besought the King to deprive them of their Temporalties alledging That it was an Alms-Deed and an Act of Charity thereby to humble them that was then delivered for an Alms-Deed and an Act of Charity which is now accounted Sacrilege and Cruelty The next that Succeeded him was H. 4. but an Usurper also H. 4. for at that time there were living of the House of York whose Right by the Title of Clarence was before his as Mortimer c. In opposition to his Claim and Right the Bishop of Carlisle made a most Eloquent Oration but to what purpose Hayward to perswade his dethroning now vested in the Regal Government and thereby to ingage the Kingdom in a Civil War which when his Oratory could not effect he laboured and so far prevailed that by his subtil insinuations and perswasions many Princes of the Blood Royal Joh. Stow ex Anonymo Hal. Cron. and other great Lords were drawn to a Conspiracy himself laying the Plot together with the Abbot of Westminster the Chief Wheels of all the Practice as moving the rest for the King's Death whereby he brought to the Block those Noble Peers and as his Pestilent Council had infected their Minds so was the Blood of them John Stow Annals Hall ex Walsingh and theirs tainted by this foul Treason but as I discommend his disloyal Actions so I no better approve the other flattering and Time-serving Bishops who did Plead the Right of the Title of the said King more Eloquently than Honestly more Rhetorically than Divinely for which their Expressions they were employed as Ambassadors to Foreign Parts to declare and justifie his Title and Right to the Scepter the Bishop of Hereford to Rome the Bishop of Durham to France the Bishop of Bangor to Germany and the Bishop of St. Asaph to Spain which Bishop of Asaph sate as Judge in that Parliament and pronounced the Sentence of Deposition against King Richard The Form as near as I remember was We John Bishop of St. Asaph John Abbot of Glastenbury Commissioners named by the House of Parliament Sitting in Place of Judgment c. Here you may note that the Bishop did pass Judgment of a great Inheritance no less than Two or Three Kingdoms and though not between two Brothers but Cozins yet did adjudge most wrongfully as was most apparent I note withal That the Title of Lord is not assumed by this King-deposing Bishop nor any other that I read of Now what he had judged in Parliament his Holy Brother of Canterbury must make good in Pulpit Fabian 1. Concor Hall ex Fab. delivering what unhappiness it was to a Kingdom to have it governed by such a Man Certainly a most dangerous Position to an Hereditary Monarchy I also note that this Arch-Bishop was Brother to the Earl of Arundel and at the same time the Arch-Bishop of York a near Kinsman to the Earl of Wiltshire and who durst then plead against the Right of the Bishops Sitting in Parliament In the same King's Reign Richard le Scroop the Arch-Bishop of York did in Parliament enter into Conspiracy with Thomas Mowbray Earl Marshal against the said King for which they were both beheaded And now in the said King's Reign in the Parliament of Coventry let me also tell you That in the said Parliament as in other both before and after a Bill was exhibited against the Temporalties of the Clergy who called that Parliament Parliamentum Indoctorum saying That the Commons were fit to enter Common with their Cattle having no more Reason then bruit Beasts This is Speed's delivery but I take it that he repeateth it as the Prelates Censure of the House of Commons But to him succeeded Henry the Fifth H. 5 in his time did not Henry Chichley in an Eloquent Oration in Parliament revive
Governour under Sir Thomas Jermyn of the Isle of Jersey having given an Account of the state of the Isle was Ordered to repair to his Charge there and if Mr. Percy Mr. Jermyn c. were there to apprehend them and cause them to be safely conducted to the House of Lords A Conference was this day appointed to be had with the Lords Fri day May 7. Heads of a Conference about the present dangers of Portsmouth and the French to acquaint them that divers persons who were suspected to have a hand in the Conspiracy and that in order to the discovery of it should have been Examined were gone that new Informations were brought to the Commons of several French Forces lay in Piccardy to be Transported into England probably into Portsmouth and to desire their Lordships to joyn with this House for the Discovery of these Practices and that some Forces may be drawn out of Wiltshire and Barkshire for securing of Portsmouth Sir Walter Erle was also ordered to go down into Dorsetshire to take care of the preservation and safety of that County Sir Hugh Cholmley to go to the Lords to desire them to move his Majesty that the Earl of Essex in this time of danger may be made Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire A Proclamation was drawn to bring in Mr. Percy c. WHereas Henry Percy Esq Henry Jermyn Esq Proclamation to bring in Mr. Percy Sir John Suckling Knight William Davenant and Captain Billingsly being by order of the Lords in Parliament to be Examined concerning designs of great danger to the State and mischievous ways to prevent the happy Success and Conclusion of this Parliament have so absented and withdrawn themselves as they cannot be Examined His Majesty by the advice of the said Lords in Parliament doth strictly charge the said Henry Percy Esq Henry Jermyn Esq Sir John Suckling William Davenant and Captain Billingsly to appear before the said Parliament at Westminster within Ten days after the Date hereof upon pain to undergo such forfeitures and punishments as the said Lords shall order and inflict upon them The Earl of Bristol Reported to the Lords House Earl of Bristols Report about disbanding the Irish Army May 7. That his Majesty had taken a resolution for the disbanding of the new Irish Army to that purpose an estimate hath been given in to the King of the Charges that 10000 l. will now do it Whereupon there is order taken for the speedy Raising and Returning of Moneys to that intent And Sir Adam Loftus Vice-Treasurer of Ireland hath engaged himself to repay in September next those Monies shall be disbursed by the Earl of Cork and others in the interim for that purpose That likewise there is care taken how to dispose and imploy the said Soldiers that they may not be troublesome to that Country to that purpose there are Eight Colonels and Captains Nominated who will take off these Men and Transport them to Forreign Parts which his Majesty will give way unto if it be to a Prince that he is in Amity with provided that these Commanders do give the King and Parliament an Account both of their Persons and their Imployers before they have the Command of the Soldiers Mr. White Chair-man of the Committee for Scandalous Ministers Saturday May 8. Reports the matter of Complaint exhibited against Edward Finch Vicar of Christ-Church London Upon which these Votes passed Resolved c. Votes about Mr. Finch Vicar of Christ-Church London That the said Edward Finch is guilty of practising Innovations in the Church Non-Residency foul Extortion neglect of the Duty of his Function and prophaning the Sacrament a Man of prophane Life scandalous in his Doctrine and Conversation and a hinderer of preaching Resolved c. That the said Edward Finch is a man unfit to hold any Benefice or Promotion in the Church Mr. White is Ordered to transmit this Case to the Lords that the Parish may be eased of him Thus early did they begin to strike at Root and Branch of Episcopacy for all those who were obedient to their Governours in the Church or thought God Almighty ought to have bodily Worship and Adoration in those places where he has put his Name and made them Houses of Prayer all those who thought kneeling at the Receiving the Holy Sacrament necessary or any other decent Postures Gestures or Vestments that might outwardly signifie inward Veneration and Homage Lawful and Expedient were upon the slightest Accusations voted Guilty of Innovation Prophaneness and unworthy of any Promotion in the Church And as Mr. Symmons Vindicat of King Charles p. 73. Symmons in his Vindication of King Charles who was an Eye-witness of this terrible Persecution informs us All Accusations against any though the best Ministers by the most malicious and lewdest persons were invited by Ordinance incouraged and admitted of without any proof at all And it can be no wonder that the Orthodox Clergy suffered so deeply both in their Reputation and Estates when not only their Accusers which mostly were the several Sectaries in their Parishes or such others as went about to defraud them of their just Dues were their most inveterate Enemies but their Judges too were frequently both Parties in promoting and managing those Accusations and by their open favouring their Accusers shewed the partiality of Enemies The Faction saw the absolute necessity of getting the power of the Sword into their hands both to justifie what they had already done and to support them in what they intended by their pretended Reformation which was totally to abolish Episcopacy in the Church and to clip the Wings of Prerogative if not wholly to take away the Government of Monarchy it self Now to the accomplishment of this design upon the Militia Navy Forts Magazines and Strength of the Nation all Arts imaginable were used to gain the People the great pretences were Liberty Property and Religion for as Mr. Hambden one of the principal Grandees of the Faction told a private friend without that they could not draw the People to assist them The great Rubb in their way to the gaining of the People they knew would be the Loyal and Orthodox Bishops and Clergy these therefore were to be removed that so Creatures of their own might be introduced into Corporations and especially into the City of London who might from the Pulpit preach the Oracles of Sedition and Rebellion delude the People animate and incourage them to assist the Parliament in this Glorious Reformation by putting the power of the Sword into their hands That they might effect this they did not only obtrude Lecturers by order of the House upon most Churches of Note in London and elsewhere but by their means and the restless malice of the Sectaries were perpetually Petitioning and Articling against the Episcopal Clergy And to encourage this Trade of Parson-hunting as the factious Sectaries called it and which did extreamly tie them to the Parliament a pretended Order of the
could upon occasion and when they had an intention to flatter the King in order to some further Favours do it themselves Thus did this Great Prince indeavour in every thing to oblige this stubborn Faction but alas he met with nothing but ingratitude from their Presbyterian Temper who looked upon what ever he gave as his Duty and construed his most Gracious Concessions to be the Effects of his Fear not his Bounty and from thence they took courage to raise their demands higher as hereafter we shall see This day the Bill for pressing Marriners and others was passed and Ordered to be ingrossed The Earl of Bristol signified to the House of Lords That the Scots Commissioners had desired the Lords Commissioners to present to the Parliament an Extract which they have made of a Letter sent them from the Committee at New-Castle dated the 30th of April which was read Viz. WE find by Sad Experience Extract of a Letter from Newcastle read in the House of Lords that if a way had been invented to ruin us there could not be one more ready then this undermining of us by granting new Cessations and keeping back of the Monies promised for our daily Maintenance which makes us Earnestly to recommend to your Lordships Care the pressing of Money for us with speed and to consider well of our Estate in case any new Cessation be desired We perceive likewise the same Effects to follow upon the Prorogation of the Parliament for the Countrey by delay of Justice stop of Trade keeping up Armes within and sending their Victuals to us is so exhausted that e're it be long this Remedy will be worse then the Disease These Considerations make us to intreat your Lordships with all earnestness to press for an Answer of our Demands and a Conclusion of the Treaty in such a way as your Lordships shall think fitting having respect first to the Cause in hand and next to the Condition of our Army and the Estate of the Country at home Then his Lordship told them that the Scots have received an Answer from the King of those Articles which his Majesty had undertaken to consider of and declared the earnest desire that the Scots Commissioners had exprest to the Lords Commissioners to have an end of the Treaty and the Peace setled that so they may return into their own Countrey Hereupon a Message was sent to the Commons to desire a Conference by a Committee of both Houses presently touching the Treaty of both Kingdoms Divers Recusant Lords declared to their House Some Recusant Lords take the Protestation that they were ready to take the Protestation so much as concerns the Civil part of it so they might be dispensed with for the matters of Religion which binds their Consciences which the House giving way to the Lord Marquiss of Winchester the Earl of Rivers and the Lord Audley made the Protestation accordingly It was this day Ordered That Mr. Tuesday May 11. The Bill for Pressing Seamen passed the Lords House The Lords to intercede with the King for the Wife and Children of the Earl of Strafford Tumults A Conference about the Queen Mother Pym's Speeches at the beginning and end of the Lord Strafford's Trial as also Mr. St. John's Argument in Law should be Printed The Bill for the better Levying of Marriners was read a Third time and being put to the Question It was Resolved That it was fit to pass for a Law Nemine Contradicente It was also Resolved That the House of Lords should become Suitors to his Majesty about the Wife Children and Creditors of the Earl of Strafford that he will be pleased to take them into his Mercy and Consideration There was also a Conference appointed to be had with the Lords that some care may be taken of the Queen-Mother who was threatned by the Rabble A great Character being given of her that she was a person of great moderation and had expressed her desire to the King that he should Govern by Parliaments how dishonourable it would be to this Nation to suffer her to be treated with rudeness and insolence in a place whither she was come expecting Protection They had now raised a Devil to affright the King which they began to be affraid of themselves for the Tumults grew so high that 1000 Seamen being got together about the Tower pull'd down Two Houses opposed the Trained-Bands who were sent to disperse them and in the Fray kill'd two of them and wounded others Upon Report from the Committee for Religion concerning Mr. Wednesday May 12. Votes about Mr. Will. Ashton Vicar of Painswick Ashton Vicar of Painswick It was Resolved c. That the Vicar of Painswick Mr. William Ashton is a common haunter of Ale-houses a common Drunkard a frequent attempter upon the Chastity of Women and unfit to hold any Benefice or Promotion in the Church and the Case to be transmitted to the Lords I do not find this Gentleman Recorded by Mr. White the Chairman of this Scandalous Committee which makes me apt to believe that his Crimes were too slenderly proved to indure the Light and well we may judge him innocent notwithstanding this heavy Charge when even some of those who were recorded in that shameless Book of Centuries who were Accused of Adultery and Drunkenness had those horrid Accusations supported by no other proof than only kissing a Woman in the presence of Company and the drinking only one half pint of Wine but the manner was to lay all manner of Crimes in the Petition and Articles and if any of the least or which they called so such as bowing at the Name of Jesus Preaching against Sacriledge or for Conformity c. were proved the Charge was supposed sufficiently made good and they were Treated accordingly as if they had been the most notorious Criminals and those Crimes most notoriously proved The Bill for the further relief of his Majesties Army and the Northern parts of this Kingdom Bill for the Army c. and for shortning Michaelmas Term passed the Lords House Order to Pillory Harwood and Drinkwawater for Contempt of the House as also the Bill for abbreviating of Michaelmas Term being Thrice read in the House of Lords upon the Question they were severally agreed to be passed as fit for Laws It was also Ordered That Robert Harwood and Thomas Drinkwater for their Contempt of the Orders of the Lords House should be set upon the Pillory in the new Palace-Yard at Westminster there to remain two hours in the Morning with Papers on their Heads with this Inscription For disobeying and using scornful speeches against an Order of the Vpper House of Parliament In the Commons House the Petition of the University of Cambridge for the maintenance of Episcopacy and Cathedrals were read which as I find it in the Collection of Speeches commanded to be Printed by his Majesty to let the Nation see that it was only the Faction that desired their overthrow
Whereas the taking away the Bishops Voices and Peerage in Parliament must of necessity utterly Exterminate one of the three Estates as before was said so de-declared by the Statute Law of the Land Upon Information to the Lords Order of the Lords about Ship-mony remaining in divers Sheriffs hands that divers Sheriffs had remaining in their hands Monies which were collected of the Counties for Ship-mony and undisposed of it was Ordered That these Lords Committees following do consider and think of some way to restore the Ship-mony remaining in the hands of any Sheriff or Vnder-Sheriff and other Officers undisposed of in every Shire unto the several persons from whom it was received or else that it be imployed in some way for the ease and good of the Countries where it hath been Collected viz. Earl of Bath Earl of Essex Earl of Berks Viscount Say and Seal Episcop Winton Episcop Lincoln Their Lordships or any four of them are to meet when and where they please The Petty-Farmers of the Customs Sir Paul Pindar Sir John Jacob Sir Job Harvey Sir Nicholas Crisp and Sir John Harrison got a Petition presented to the House which was read and answered Petty-Farmers of the Customs Petition the House That the House would take the justness of this Petition into Consideration in due time * Saturday June 5th Lay-Preachers One Robinson a Clerk in the Custom-House John Spencer a Horse-Courser Adam Banks a Stockinseller John Durant and one Green being Complained against for Preaching being mere Lay-men were by Order summoned to appear before the House Thus Early the Banks of Episcopal Authority over the Church being broken down did the floods of Ungodly men the deluge of unordained Schismaticks begin to flow in upon the Nation and by the Example of their Superiors who invaded the Crown took incouragement to invade the Priesthood and though one would have thought that this might have given them a fair prospect of the Danger which must accrue to the Church by pulling down the Pillars of it Committee appointed to Expedite the Charge against the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and thereby Encouraging the Factious Schismatiques to lay it wast yet Mr. Sollicitor St. John Mr. Glyn Mr. Selden Mr. Vaughan Mr. Prideaux Mr. Maynard Sir Thomas Widdrington Mr. Peard Mr. Rigby Mr. White Mr. Hambden Mr. Whitlock were ordered to Expedite the Charge against the Archbishop of Canterbury This day the Lord Marquess of Hartford was introducted between the Lord Marquess of Winton and the Earl of Essex all in their Robes Lord Marquess of Hartford introducted 5. Junii 1641. the Lord Great Chamberlain the Earl Marshal and Garter going before and having delivered his Patent of Creation dated 3 o. die Junii 1641. 17 o. Carol. Regis upon his Knee unto the Speaker who delivered it unto the Clark to be read which being done he was brought and placed next below the Lord Marquess of Winton In the Lords House the Bill concerning the Bishops was taken into Consideration and for the better debate of it the House as was Usual was put into a Committee during pleasure but before the House could come to any Result a Message was brought from the House of Commons hereupon the House was resumed and it was Ordered That the further Debate of the Bill concerning the Bishops shall be to morrow morning the first Business and also the Reasons of the House of Commons why Bishops should not Vote in Parliament are to be Considered I will not be positive but I have good reason to conjecture That at this time and upon this occasion the Lord Viscount Say and Seal made one of his Long-winded Speeches against Bishops which was so much applauded by those long Parliamentarians and I am the rather induced to believe it in regard of an Order of the House immediately following the Debate n haec verba Ordered and Declared Order against formal Speeches as unparliamentary That reading of formal Speeches and Answers out of Papers in this House is no Parliamentary Way The House was not yet purged of those Noble and Loyal Lords who were for Monarchy and Episcopacy and the Supporting the Ancient and Fundamental Establishment of Parliaments by the Three Estates of Lords Spiritual Temporal and Commons and these long formal Speeches very much retarded the Proceedings and Debates of the House which seems to be the reason of this Order However take the Speech as I find it in several Prints by which the Reader will see what the Champion of the Age against Bishops was able to say upon the subject My Lords I Shall not need to begin as high as Adam The Lord Viscount Say and Seal his Speech against Bishops Votes c. in answer to what has been drawn down from thence by a * * Bishop of Lincoln Bishop concerning this Question for that which is pertinent unto it will only be what Concerns Bishops as they are Ministers of the Gospel what was before being of another Nature can give no Rule to this The Question that will lye before your Lordships in passing of this Bill is not Whether Episcopacy I mean this Hierarchical Episcopacy which the World now holds forth to us shall be taken away Root and Branch but Whether those Exuberant and superfluous Branches which draw away the Sap from the Tree and divert from the right and proper use whereby it becomes unfruitful shall be cut off as they use to pluck up Suckers from the Root The Question will be no more but this Whether Bishops shall be reduced to what they were in their first advancement over the Presbyters which although it were but a human device for the Remedy of Schisme yet were they in those Times least Offensive or continue still with the Addition of such things as their own Ambition and the Ignorance and Superstition of succeeding Times did add thereunto and which are now continued for several Politic Ends. Things heterogeneal and inconsistent with their Calling and Function as they are Ministers of the Gospel and thereupon such as ever have been and ever will be hurtful to themselves and make them hurtful to others in the Times and Places where they are continued And these things alone this Bill takes away that is their Offices and Places in Courts of Judicature and their Employments by obligation of Office in Civil Affairs I shall insist upon this to shew First how these things hurt themselves And Secondly how they have made and ever will make them hurtful to others They themselves are hurt thereby in their Consciences and in their Credits In their Consciences by seeking or admitting things which are inconsistent with that Function and Office which God hath set them apart unto They are separated unto a special Work and Men must take heed how they misemploy things dedicated and set apart to the Service of God They are called to Preach the Gospel and set apart to the Work of the Ministry and the Apostle saith
Episcopacy which was the general Common Place of declaiming against the Hierarchy and I do it the rather because this Calumny hath like a Leprosie infected not only the Vulgar Minds of all the Schismaticks in the English Dominions but also many Persons of better quality and more abilities and opportunities to free themselves from being imposed upon by such foolish Impostures He tells you The Root of it was Pride the Bishop exalting himself above the Presbyter the Metropolitan above the Bishop and so on And that the very spirit of this Order is a spirit of Pride Exalting it self in the Temple of God over all that is called God which is the very Character the Apostle gives of The Anti-Christ Now that this Prelacy or Order of Episcopacy was not that Antichrist is most manifest from both the Scriptures and the Ecclesiastical History for either the beloved Apostle Saint John who lived and dyed Bishop of Ephesus and himself faw and doubtless Ordained many of those Bishops of Asia must either be himself a member of Anti-Christ or the Order is not Now let the Anti-Episcopal Men take hold of which Horn of the Dilemma they please I am sure the Foundation of their Argument and all the Babel of Confusion which is built upon it must fall It was an unlucky appeal which in the End of his Speech he seems to make to Providence and the Signal Hand of Heaven in Restoring that Government and this Church together with the Fatal Catastrophe of this unfortunate Gentleman and others his Colleagues who were so violently bent upon Ruin of Root and Branch are certainly if Arguments must be drawn from Providence such irrefragable ones in favour of Episcopacy as no Age Ever saw since Israel passed through the Red Sea to the Land of Promise For the Reader 's better Satisfaction in this important Matter the want of a true and good Understanding whereof gave no small Assistance to those dismal Calamities which afterwards befell the Miserable Nations I will present him with a short Abstract of the Judgment of Archbishop Vsher whose Testimony I rather make Use of in this particular because Even the Presbyterian Faction at that time seemed to set a great Value upon him as a Moderate Learned and Pious Man The Reverend and Learned Prelate James Lord Archbishop of Armagh An Abstract of Arch-Bishop Ushers Opinion of Episcopacy being of Apostolical Institution 1641. Primate of Ireland did in the Year 1641. when this Debate was most Violent the Presbyterian Faction indeavouring to Extirpate Episcopacy Root and Branch and to Introduce the Scottish or rather the Old Heretick Aërius his Parity and Identity of Priest and Bishop write a small Pamphlet upon this subject shewing from the Records of Antiquity That the Apostles Ordained Bishops to succeed them in all Churches Which may for Ever Silence these Gainsayers who have nothing in their Mouths but the Antichristian and Lordly Prelacy a Reproach which if traced to the Original of this Institution will at last fall upon the Apostles themselves if not upon Him whom St. Peter stiles The Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls The Book was Printed by G. M. for Thomas Downes and to be sold by William Lee at the Turk's Head in Fleetstreet 1641. To prove that those whom our Translation calls Elders the Greek Presbyters were subordinate to the Bishop he proves That the same Persons whom St. John in the Revelation calls the Angels of the Churches were those whom the Primitive Fathers and the Church then called Bishops and particularly that Timothy was Bishop of Ephesus and that one of those Angels to whom St. John writes was Successor to him which he proves First by the Succession of Bishops Secondly by the Testimony of Ignatius and others For the first it was publickly declared by Leontius Bishop of Magnesia in the General Councel of Chalcedon Act. 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That from Timothy and therefore by undeniable consequence from the very dayes in which the Apostles lived there had been a Continued Succession of Twenty seven Bishops all of them Ordained in Ephesus That Beza himself in his Commentaries confesseth as much that Timothy had been sometimes the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Antistes or President of the Ephesian Presbytery which is the Appellation which Justin Martyr gives unto him whom the other Fathers term a Bishop and that Timothy was Ordained Bishop of the Church of the Ephesians is confirmed by the Testimony of Eusebius Hist lib. 3. c. 4. as also by Two Ancient Treatises concerning the Martyrdom of Timothy one Anonymous in the Library of Photius the other bearing the name of Polycrates who was himself Bishop of Ephesus and born within 37 Years after St. John wrote the Revelations That Onesimus was Bishop of Ephesus and consequently the Angel of that Church to whom St. John writ the Epistle in the Revelation he proves from Ignatius Now Ignatius whom Theodoret in Dialogo 1. Foelix 3. in Epistola ad Zenonem Imperatorem recitata in 5 Synodo Costantinopol Act 1. Tomo 2. Concil pag. 220. Edit Binii Anno 1606. As also Johan Antiochenus Chronic. lib. 10. M. S. report to have been Ordained Bishop of Antioch by St. Peter without all controversie did sit in that See the very same time when St. John writ that Epistle to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus for St. John writ his Revelation towards the End of the Empire of Domitian as Ireneus testifies or in the 14th Year of his Reign as Eusebius and Hierom say from thence there are but 12 Years to the 10th of Trajan wherein Ignatius in that last Journey which he made for the consummation of his Glorious Martyrdom at Rome wrote another Epistle unto the Church at Ephesus making mention therein of Onesimus as their Bishop and puts them in mind of their duty to him and concurring with him as their worthy Presbytery did He further tells us that Polycarpus was then Bishop of Smyrna when St. John wrote to the Angel of the Church there of whom Irenaeus who did no tonly know those worthy men who succeeded Polycarp in that See but also was present when he himself did discourse of his Conversation with St. John and of those things which he heard from those who had seen our Blessed Lord Jesus saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Polycarpus saith he was not only a Disciple of the Apostles and conversed with many of those who had seen Christ but was also by the Apostles themselves constituted in Asia Bishop of the Church in Smyrna whom we our selves also did see in our Younger Years for he continued long and being very aged he most Gloriously and Nobly suffering Martyrdom departed this life Iren. lib. 3. cap. 3. He gives us an Account of what Irenaeus and Tertullian write concerning the Bishops succeeding the Apostles writing against the Hereticks of those Early Ages Habemus annumerare eos qui ab Apostolis Instituti sunt Episcopi in Ecclesiis
Members and Assistants of this House as they shall nominate may be Examined Whereupon it was Ordered That this House will joyn with the House of Commons in this Message Ordered That the same deputed Lords do take the Examination of Witnesses upon Oath in the Cause concerning the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury as were deputed in the Earl of Strafford 's and the same Oath to be Administred and the same Course to be observed in the rest of the Particulars Ordered That the now Earl of Bedford shall be added to the Deputed Lords in his Father's room and Mr. Attorney General and Mr. Serjeant Glanvile are appointed to write down the Examinations This afternoon A standing Order of the House it being a considerable time before there were Forty Members to make a House it was Ordered That so soon as the House Sits and that the Serjeant comes to any Committee then Sitting to signifie to them that the House is Sitting that the Chair-man shall immediately come away to attend the Service of the House Ordered That the Committee for the Bishop of Bath and Wells sit to morrow in the Afternoon at Two of the Clock in the Dutchy Chamber The Case of one Mr. Smith a Minister Votes in the Case of Mr. Smith a suspended Minister formerly suspended by Sir John Lamb being reported to the House it was Resolved c. That Mr. Smith was illegally suspended by Sir John Lamb and that Sir John Lamb ought to give him reparation and satisfaction for his damages sustain'd by that Suspension Mr. Hide reports the Articles against Sir John Bramston Knight Mr. Hide Reports the Articles against Lord Chief Justice Bramston The Controversy between the Lord Major and Commonalty of London about Election of one Sheriff heard Lord Chief Justice of the King's-Bench All which being singly Voted together with the Title were ordered to be ingrossed in order to their being carried up to the Lords Upon the opening of the Cause between the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and the Commonalty of London concerning the Election of one of the Sheriffs which formerly hath been chosen by the Lord Mayor and presented to the Commonalty on Midsummer-day for their Confirmation and likewise the differences concerning the Nomination and Election of other Officers now in question between the said Lord Mayor and the Commonalty the Lord Mayor alledging the said Sheriff and Officers to be Nominated and Confirmed by him according to the constant practice of the said City for 300 years last past without any contradiction or gain-saying But the Commonalty alledging on the behalf of the Commons that they had interest in the said Nomination and Elections It was thereupon Ordered by the Lords in Parliament That the said Lord Mayor shall call a Common-Hall on Friday 2 July 1641. Which Common-Hall is to consist of the Masters and Wardens and Livery-men of the several Companies of London and no other And that the Commonalty are then to Assemble in a peaceable and quiet manner to settle and compose the Dfferences between the said Lord Mayor and themselves if they can if not then to make choice of Six discreet persons of the said Commonalty to treat and debate this business between them and settle and compose all differences among themselves between this and Friday come seven-night being the Ninth of July 1641. But in case the said Differences cannot be composed then the pleasure of the House is that the said Cause shall be heard in open House at the Bar on the said Ninth of July And that in the mean time the said Persons so chosen as aforesaid shall have free liberty by themselves their Council and others that they shall employ to View and Transcribe such and so much of the Charters of the said City Acts of Common Council Books of Entries of Elections and Accompts and all such other Acts and Records as shall or may concernt the said Causes in Question and that all Clerks and others in whose Custody the said Instruments are shall be assisting to the said Searchers And lastly that if the Cause shall come before the Lords in Parliament that then the said six Persons so chosen as aforesaid shall attend the same before their Lordships Thus Early did the Faction grasp at every thing of Power and Authority and the Common-Halls indeavouring to divert the Lord Mayor of his Priviledges was but a fore-runner that the House of Commons would do the same and set up the Popular Authority above that of their Soveraign Lord the King of whom the Lord Mayor was the immediate Representative Then the Earl of Bristol Reported to the House The Earl of Bristol's Report of the Scots Commissioners Answer about the staying the Kings Journey June 29. 1641. That the Lords Commissioners had met with the Commissioners of Scotland and delivered unto them the Paper concerning the time of his Majesties Journey into Scotland Which was read in haec verba Viz. His Majesty hath Commanded us to let you know That whereas he hath been Petitioned by both Houses of Parliament for some stay of his Journey to Scotland until the Armies be Disbanded and that divers other things for the Peace and Good of this Kingdom be setled And whereas his Majesty doth acknowledg himself ingaged by his Promise and by his Letters as likewise by his late Proclamation declaring his Resolution to be present at the Holding of the Parliament in Scotland at the day in the Proclamation limited his Majesty being desirous to give Satisfaction to the Parliaments of both Kingdoms hath Commanded Us to declare unto you the Desire of the Parliament of England and to Treat with you how his Going may be best Fitted and Accommodated to the Convenience of both Kingdoms and the Desire of both Parliaments Then was read the Scottish Commissioners Answer hereunto which follows We do with all Thankfulness acknowledg his Majesties Royal and Tender Care of Settling the Affairs of his Ancient and Native Kingdome of Scotland and the Constancy of his Resolution according to his Royal Promise and Proclamation to be present at the Day appointed Our Affection also toward the Settling of the Affairs of England and the Desires of the Houses of Parliament that his Majesties Journey to Scotland may be stayed for some time to that Effect do so far prevail with us that we shall deal most Earnestly with the Parliament of Scotland That they Adjourn their Meeting till the 5th of August or if they shall find that a new Adjournment of the Parliament after so many Prorogations be so prejudicial to the present Condition of the Affairs of that Kingdom that it cannot be granted We will Endeavour That they may in their Meetings be only Exercised in preparing Matters for the Parliament and that they determine nothing nor make any Act till the day Designed for his Majesties coming But withall we must signifie That the present Constitution of that Kingdom for want of Councel Session and other Courts of
the right Way It behoves us therefore and is expedient that we should add a Period to these Irregular ways that the Vulgar may no longer wander ill in these distracted parts Master Speaker I have now unloaded my mind of her weary burthen and I beseech you digest my words with your serious considerations in this respect of establishing the Church-Government in true sincere perfect and unpoluted Religion which if we do perform and fully effect we shall do great Honour to God get great Credit to our Selves and give great Satisfaction to the whole Kingdom This is my Opinion this is my Expectation this is my Prayer and lastly this is my Hope A Message was sent this Morning from the House of Commons by the Lord Viscount Wainman Message about a Bill for Clerk of the Market c. who said he was Commanded to deliver to their Lordships Three Bills which had passed the House of Commons 1. Entituled An Act for the better ordering the Office of Clerk of the Market allowed and confirmed by this Statute and for the Reformation of the false Weights and Measures 2. An Act against divers Encroachments and Oppressions in the Stannery Courts 3. An Act for the Confirmation of his Majesty's Letters Patents to the Town of Plymouth and for dividing the Parish and building of a new Church And he was further to desire a dispatch of some Bills brought up formerly as the Bill against Pluralities and that their Lordships would appoint some time when their Lordships shall be at leisure that the Commons may come up with the Impeachment against the Judges The Answer which was returned to the Message was The Lords Answer That their Lordships will give a dispatch to these Bills now brought up with all convenient speed and will in a short time give a dispatch to the Bill against Pluralities And further it was told them That their Lordships have appointed great business this Morning concerning the safety of the Kingdom but will Sit this Afternoon at Three of the Clock at which time they will give the House of Commons a meeting concerning the Impeachments of the Judges The House of Commons this Day fell upon the matter of their Priviledges in the Case of Mr. Hollis and others 3 Car. Tuesday July 6. and upon the Debate of the House came to these following Votes Votes about Priviledge in the Case of Hollis c. 3 Car. Resolved c. That the Warrants of the Lords and others of the Privy Council compelling Mr. Hollis and others to appear before them during that Parliament is a Breach of Priviledg Resolved c. That the Committing of Mr. Hollis and others by the Lords and others of the Privy Council 3 Car. during that Parliament is a Breach of Priviledg Resolved c. That the Searching and Sealing of the Chambers Studies and Papers of Mr. Hollis Mr. Selden and Sir John Eliot being Members of Parliament and issuing out Warrants for that purpose is a breach of Priviledg Resolved c. That the Exhibiting an Information in the Court of Star-Chamber against Mr. Hollis and others for Matters done by them in Parliament being Members of Parliament is a breach of Priviledg Resolved c. That Sir Robert Heath Sir Humphrey Davenport Sir Heneage Finch Mr. Hudson and Sir Robert Berkley that subscribed the said Informations are guilty of the breach of Priviledg Resolved c. That there was a Delay of Justice towards Mr. Hollis and others upon the Habeas Corpora in that they were not Bayled in Easter or Trinity Term 5 Car. Resolved c. That Sir Nicholas Hide then Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Kings-Bench is guilty of this Delay Resolved c. That Sir William Jones one of the Justices of the Kings-Bench is guilty of this Delay Resolved c. That Sir James Whitlock Knight one of the Justices of the Kings-Bench is guilty of this Delay A Conference was had with the Lords in the Painted Chamber at the transmitting of the Impeachments of the Judges at which time Mr. William Perpoint upon the reading the Articles against Sir Robert Berkley Knight one of the Justices of the Court of Kings-Bench made this Speech in aggravation of their Crimes My Lords I Am Commanded to present to your Lordships these Articles Mr. William Perpoint's Speech at the Impeachment of Sir Robert Berkley July 6. 1641. with which the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament in their own Name and in the Name of all the Commons of England Impeach Sir Robert Berkley Knight one of the Justices of his Majesties Court of Kings-Bench in maintenance of their Accusation of High Treason and other great Misdemeanours The Articles they desire may be read The Articles were read by Mr. Newport The High Treason is in the first Article in his Endeavours to Subvert the Fundamental Laws of this Realm and to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government which hath been lately adjudged Treason in the Cause of the Earl of Strafford The other Articles prove the first By his Opinions Certificates Judgments by his denials of the benefits of our Laws which have been read to your Lordships No Fundamental Law to the Subject is left our Goods our Lands our Bodies the peace of a good Conscience are by him given up to Arbitrary Tyrannical Government Nothing hath been omitted to make a Judge know the Lawes to make him Just or fear him from being Evil We have Inns of Court peculiar to that Study Judges from thence onely chosen seldom any but what have been Twenty Years there Honours and Revenues are given to Judges Encouragements to do well this Judge had these Judges are sworn according to Law to serve the King and his People according to Law to Counsel the King and for not so doing to be at his Will for Body Lands and Goods this Judge took that Oath The Lawes the Judges study impose the greatest punishments upon unjust Judges shew that these punishments have been inflicted more could not be done to perswade or fear a Judge His Offences shew in him great Ambition yet he was most timorous of displeasing the Great in Power He did not only forbear doing what he was sworn to do but was most active against our Laws and in opposing and punishing any that did maintain them To have only received Bribes though they blind the Eyes and though the Desire to get Money encreaseth with Age that hainous Crime in a Judge had been in comparison with his Offences a tolerable Vice for from such a Judge Justice is also to be had for money Ambition is violent and ruines whilst Covetousness is making a Bargain The words of his Opinion and Judgment are for the King's Power It is pleasing to the Nature of Man that others should obey his Will and well framed dispositions of Princes may easily be perswaded their Power is unlimited when they are also put in mind that therefore they have
cùm stabis ad aras In tua quod fundi cornua possit erit He hath cropt and infring'd the priviledges of a banish'd Parliament but now it is returned he may find it has power enough to make a sacrifice of him to the better establishment of our Laws And in truth what other satisfaction can he make his injur'd Country then to confirm by his example those Rights and Liberties which he had ruined by his opinion For the proofs My Lords they are so manifest that they will give you little trouble in the disquisition his Crimes are already upon Record the Delinquent and Witness are the same having from several sorts of Judicature proclaimed himself an Enemy to our Laws and Nation Ex ore suo judicabitur To which purpose I am Commanded by the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons to desire your Lordships that as speedy a proceeding may be had against Mr. Justice Crawley as the Course of Parliament will permit The Articles against Mr. Justice Crawley were these Articles of the House of Commons in the Name of themselves and of all the Commons of England against Sir Francis Crawley Knight one of the Justices of His Majesties Court of Common-Pleas impeaching him as followeth 1. The Articles of Impeachment against Judge Crawley THat he about the Month of November Anno 1635. then being one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas and having taken an Oath for the due Administartion of Justice to His Majesties Liege People according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm subscribed an Opinion in haec verba I am of Opinion That as where the benefit doth more peculiarly redound to the good of the Ports or Maritime Parts as in Case of Piracy or Depredations upon the Seas there the Charge hath been and may be lawfully imposed upon them according to Presidents of former Times so where the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger of which His Majesty is the only Judge there the charge of the Defence ought to be born by all the Realm in general This I hold agreeable both to Law and Reason 2. That he in or about the Month of February Anno 1636. Then being one of the Justices of the said Court of Common-Pleas subscribed an extrajudicial Opinion in answer to Questions in a Letter from His Majesty in haec verba ut supra in the Articles against Judge Berkley 3. That he then being one of the Justices of the said Court of Common-Pleas delivered an Opinion in the Exchequer Chamber against John Hampden Esquire in case of Ship-Money that he the said John Hampden upon the matter and substance of the case was chargable with the Money then in Question a Copy of which Proceedings and Judgment the Commons of this present Parliament have already delivered to your Lordships 4. That he then being one of the Justices of the said Court of Common-Pleas declared and published in the Exchequer Chamber in Westminster and the Circuit where he went Judge That the Kings Right to Ship-Money was so inherent a Right in the Crown as an Act of Parliament could not take it away And with divers malicious Speeches inveighed against threatned and discountenanced such as refused to pay Ship-Money All which Opinions and Judgments contained in the first second and third Articles are destructive to the Fundamental Laws of this Realm the Subjects right of Property and contrary to former Resolutions in Parliament and to the Petition of Right which said Resolutions and Petitions of Right were well known to him And the said Commons by Protestation saving to themselves only the Liberties of exhibiting at any time hereafter any other Accusation or Impeachment against the said Sir Francis Crawley and also of replying to the Answer that he the said Sir Francis Crawley shall make unto the said Articles or any of them or of offering Proof of the Premisses or of any of their Impeachments or Accusations that shall be exhibited by them as the Case shall according to the Course of Parliaments require Do pray that the said Sir Francis Crawley one of the Justices of the said Court of Common-Pleas may be put to answer to all and every the Premisses and that such Proceedings Examinations Tryals and Judgments may be upon every one of them had and used as is agreeable to Law and Justice The Articles of Impeachment against Sir John Bramston Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Kings-Bench were as follow Articles of the House of Commons The Articles of Impeachment against Sir John Brampston Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. in the name of themselves and all the Commons of England against Sir John Brampston Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Kings Bench Impeaching him as followeth 1. THat the said Sir John Brampston then being Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Kings Bench and having taken an Oath for the due Administration of Justice to His Majesties Liege People according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm did on or about the last of November 1635. Subscribe his Name to an Opinion in haec verba I am of Opinion that as where the benefit doth more peculiarly redound to the good of the Ports or Maritime parts as in case of Pyracy or Depredations upon the Seas there the Charge hath been and may be lawfully Imposed upon them according to Presidents of former times so where the good and safety of the Kingdom in General is coned and the whole Kingdom in danger of which His Majesty is the only Judg there the Charge of the defence ought to be born by all the Realm in General This I hold agreeable both to Law nnd Reason 2. That he the said Sir John Brampston then being Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Kings Bench about the Month of February 1635. did Subscribe an extrajudicial Opinion in answer to questions in a Letter from His Majesty ut supra in the Articles against Sir Robert Berkley Which said Opinions contained in the first and second Articles are destructive to the Fundamental Laws of this Realm the Subjects right of Propriety and contrary to former resolutions in Parliament and to the Petition of Right 3. That he the said Sir John Brampston then Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Kings Bench about Trinity Term 1637. refused to Bail or Discharge Alexander Jenings Prisoner in the Fleet brought by Habeas Corpus to the Barr before him the return of this Commitment being two several Warrants from the Lords of the Council Dated the fifth of November 1635. the first expressing no cause the other for not paying Messengers Fees and until he should bring Certificate that he had paid his Assesment for Ship-money in the County of Bucks And the said Sir John Brampston the first Warrant being only read then said The cause of his Commitment did not appear and that it was not fit for every Goaler to
be made acquainted by the Lords of the Council why they Committed and therefore Remitted him And in Michaelmass Term after the said Jenings being brought by another Habeas Corpus as aforesaid and the same returned yet he the said Sir John Brampston refused to Discharge or Bail him but remitted him And in Easter Term next after several Rules for His Majesties Council to shew cause why he the said Jenings should not be Bailed a fourth Rule made for the said Jenings to let His Majesties Attorney have notice which notice was given accordingly yet he remitted him And the said Jenings by another Habeas Corpus brought to the Barr as aforesaid in Trinity Term after and the same return with the addition of a new Commitment of the fourth of May 1638. suggested that he the said Jenings had used divers scandalous words in derogation and disparagement of his Majesties Government After several Rules in the end of the said Trinity Term he again remitted him to Prison And he the said Sir John Brampston about the ninth of July after at his Chamber in Serjeants-Inn being desired by Mr. Meawtis one of the Clerks of the Council-Board to discharge the said Jenings for that he the said Jenings had entred into a Bond of 1000 l. to appear before the Lords of the Council the next Michaelmas Term after and to attend de die in diem yet the said Sir John Brampston refused to discharge the said Jenings until he entred into Recognisance to appear the next Term and in the mean time to be of his good behaviour And the said Jenings was continued on his said Recognisance till Easter Term after And the said Sir John Brampston did on the fifth of June 1640. deferr to grant His Majesties Writ of Habeas Corpus for Samuel Danvers and William Pargiter Esquires Prisoners in the Gate-House and in the Fleet and when he had granted the said Writ the said eighth Day of June after the return being the Order of the Council-Table not expressing any cause he the said Sir John Brampston deferred to Bail the said Pargiter And the eighteenth of June after made a Rule for a new return to be received which was returned the five and twentieth of the said June in haec verba Whereas His Majesty finding that His Subjects of Scotland have in Rebellious and Hostile manner Assembled themselves together and intend not only to shake off their obedience unto His Majesty but also as Enemies to Invade and Infest this His Kingdom of England to the danger of His Royal Person c. For prevention whereof His Majesty hath by the Advice of His Council-Board given special Commandment to all the Lord Lieutenants of all the Counties of this Realm with expedition to Arm and Array a certain number of able Men in each County to be prepared ready to be conducted to such places as should be appointed for their Rendezvouz in their several and respective Counties there to be conducted and drawn together in a Body for this Service And whereas His Majesty according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm and the constant Custom of His Predecessors Kings and Queens of this Realm hath Power for the defence of this Kingdom and resisting the Force of the Enemies thereof to grant forth Commissions under His great Seal to such fit Persons as he shall make choice of to Array and Arm the Subjects of this Kingdom and to compel those who are of able Body and of able Estates to Arm themselves and such as should not be able of Bodies but of Ability in Estate to Assess them according to their Estates to contribute towards the charge of Arraying and Arming others able of Body and not being able in Estate to Arm themselves And such Persons as should be contrariant to commit to Prison there to remain untill the King should take further order therein And whereas the Earl of Exceter by vertue of His Majesties Commission to him directed for the Arraying and Arming of a certain number of Persons in the County of Northampton hath assest William Pargiter being a Man unfit of Body for that Service but being of Estate and Ability fit to contribute amongst others to pay the Summ of five Shillings towards the Arraying and Arming of others of able Bodies and wanting Ability to Array themselves And whereas we have received Information from the said Earl that the said William Pargiter hath not only in a willful and disobedient manner refused to pay the said Money assessed upon him towards so Important a Service to the disturbance and hinderance of the necessary defence of this Kingdom but also by His ill example hath misled many others and as we have just cause to believe hath practised to seduce others from that ready obedience which they owe and would otherwise have yielded to His Majesties just command for the publick defence of His Person and Kingdom which we purpose with all convenient speed to enquire further of and examin These are therefore to will and require you to take into your Custody the Person of the said William Pargiter and him safely to keep Prisoner till further Order from this Board or untill by due Course of Law he shall be delivered And the like return was then made in all things mutatis mutandis concerning the said Danvers for not paying a Summ of Money assessed upon him Yet he the said Sir John Brampston deferred to Bail the said Danvers and Pargiter but remitted the said Danvers to the Fleet where he remained till the 12 of July 1640. and the said Pargiter to the Gate-House where he remained till the Ninth of November last although the said Jenings Danvers and Pargiter upon all and every the said Returns ought to have been discharged or bailed by Law and the Councel of the said Jenings Danvers and Pargiter offered in Court very sufficient Bail And he the said Sir John Brampston being Chief Justice of the Court of Kings-Bench denyed to grant His Majesties Writ of Habeas Corpus to very many other His Majesties Subjects and when he had granted the said Writs of Habeas Corpus to very many others His Majesties Subjects and on the return no Cause appeared or such Cause only as was clearly bailable by Law yet he remanded them where they remained Prisoners very long which said deferring to grant the said Writs of Habeas Corpus and refusals and delays to discharge Prisoners or suffer them to be Bailed contained in this Article are destructive to the Fundamental Laws of this Realm and contrary to former resolutions in Parliament and to the Petition of Right which said Resolutions and Petition of Right were well known to him the said Sir John Brampston 4. That whereas there was a Cause depending in the Court Christian at Norwich between Samuel Booty Clerk and Collard for two Shillings in the Pound for Tythes for Rents of Houses in Norwich and the said Collard moved by his Councel in the Court of Kings-Bench
Cohabit July 12. 1641. It was Resolved to pass as a Law Nemine Contradicente UPon Report this Day made unto the House from the Lords Committees for Petitions That William Walter was complained of by the Petition of Elizabeth Walter his Wife for refusing to Co-habit with her or allow her and her 3 Children Maintenance and Supportation for their Lively-hoods although he hath a Good and a Plentiful Estate It was thought fit and so ordered by the Lords in Parliament That the said William Walter shall settle Lands and Tenements cleared from all former Incumbrances other then Leases whereupon the usual Rent is reserved lying in the County of Pembroke upon such Trustees as the said Mrs. Walter shall Nominate to the use of her self and her said 3 Children during the time of her Life And Mr. Justice Foster and Mr Justice Heath's assistance to the said Lords Committees for Petitions are hereby desired by the Lords in Parliament to direct the Counsel of the said Mrs. Walter what security shall be taken in or out of the Premisses and how and in what manner an Estate of and in the Lands and Tenements or Tithes of the said William Walter shall be setled or charged and chargeable with the payment of sixty Pounds per An. to the use of the said Mrs. Walter and her 3 Children the first payment whereof to begin at Michaelmass next ensuing the Date hereof And in Case the said Mr. Walter 's Estate shall encrease by the Death of his Mother or Grandmother or otherwise it is their Lordships Pleasure that the Moiety of the same as it shall fall and accrew to him shall be settled and paid unto the said Feoffees to the use of the said Mrs. Walter and her 3 Children as aforesaid by the Advice of the Judges aforenamed And further that if the said William Walter shall refuse or delay by the space of a Month next ensuing to make such settlement in manner as aforesaid then it is their Lordships Pleasure that a Sequestration shall be awarded to such Person or Persons as the said Mrs. Walter shall nominate to take and receive so much of the Yearly Rent and Profits of the said Lands and Tenements of the said William Walter as shall amount to such proportions and allowances as aforesaid to be answered to the said Mrs. Walter or her Assigns half Yearly for the uses aforesaid UPon Report this Day made unto the House from the Lords Committees An Order of the Lords concerning a Vicaridge in Sir Peter Osborn's Case Plaintiff against Thomas Joyce Clerk July 12. 1641. for Petitions in the Cause of Sir Peter Osborn Knight Plaintiff and Thomas Joice Clerk it appeared unto their Lordships That Sir John Osborn Knight deceased Father of the said Sir Peter was seized in Fee of the Rectory of Hawnes in the County of Bedford to which the Advowson of the Vicaridge did consist only of eight Pounds per Ann. stipend That the said Sir John Osborn did in the 9th Year of King James convey the Inheritance of the said Rectory and Vicaridge together with a new House built upon his own Land to the now Bishop of Durham Sir Thomas Cheek and others for the Increase of Maintenance of such Vicar or Vicars as should be nominated by the said Sir John or his Heirs But before the Gift Sir John puts in Mr. Brightman and Mr. Wilson successively who injoyed the said House and Tythes and after the Gift nominated Mr. Sherley who was only Licensed by the Bishop but never Instituted or Inducted After the Death of the said Mr. Sherley the said Sir Peter Osborn nominated Mr. Buckley who was Licensed by the Bishop without being instituted or Inducted the Defendant Joyce obtains a Presentation by Lapse and gained a Decree in Chancery for the Rectory House and Tythes against which Decree Sir Peter Osborn objected that the Donor intended the said Rectory to him only that was to be nominated by himself or his Heirs and could not intend it to any that came in by Lapse it being then in Lapse when his Gift was made which was denied by the Defendant and affirmed that it was intended to the Incumbent whoever he was otherwise the Charity of the Donor would be overthrown Whereupon the Decree and Deed of the said Sir John Osborn was produced and read before the said Lords Committees who after long Debate by Councel on both Sides were fully satisfied That the Donor intended it to none but such as should come in by the Nomination of him or his Heirs Whereupon it is Ordered and Adjudged by the Lords in Parliament That the said Lay Fee Rectory and House together with all the said Donors Gift setled by the said Deed shall by virtue of this Order go to such Clergy-Man or Men as the said Sir Peter Osborne and his Heirs shall Nominate and Appoint according to the meaning of the said Donor and no other And that the Defendant Joyce that came into the vicaridge by Lapse shall have no Advantage of the Gift so made by Sir John Osborne but shall forthwith upon Notice hereof relinquish the same and shall also Answer to the Feoffees for all the Profits of the said House and Rectory by him taken ever since the said Decree and if the said Defendant Joyce conceives he hath any Right he is left to try the same at the Common Law without taking any advantage of the said Decree or of any thing done by Sir Peter Osborne in Obedience to the said Decree A Message was brought from the House of Commons by Sir Henry Vane Junior to desire that the Bill for Tonnage and Poundage may be delivered unto them to be brought up and presented by their Speaker with the Commission under the Great Seal annexed THeir Lordships taking this into Consideration Message from the Commons about the Bill of Tonage and Poundage and perusing the Commission found by the Tenor of the said Commission that the Bill of Tonnage and Poundage could not pass the Royal Assent by virtue of this Commission if they were separated therefore to avoid all Ambiguities Resolved to send some Lords to desire His Majesty would be pleased to come in Person to give the Royal Assent to the said Bill Hereupon the E. Bath E. Essex E. Cambridge E. Bristol Bill for Tonnage and Poundage passed the Royal Assent went presently to attend his Majesty therein who brought this Answer That the King will be here presently His Majesty being come and satt in the Chair of State the Commons were sent for who came and by their Speaker presented the Bill for Tonnage and Poundage then the Clerk of the Crown read the Title of the said Bill and the Clerk of the Parliament pronounced the Royal Assent thereunto in these words Le Roy remerciant ses bons Subjects accepte Leur Benevolence et ainsi le veult It was this day Ordered in the Commons House Munday July 12. Order for Aftornoon Sermons in all
out of their House they revived his Dormant Speech concerning the Attainder of the Earl of Strafford And notwithstanding that tender point of freedom of Speech which he might well plead as a Member of that Body where it is allowed to all Men to speak according to their Conscience yet upon the Debate of it they proceeded to these Votes Resolved c. Votes about the Lord Digby's Speech against the Bill of Attainder of the E. of Strafford That the Lord Digby 's Speech upon the Bill of Attainder of Thomas late Earl of Strafford contains matters Vntrue and Scandalous and that the Printing and Publishing of it is a Crime Resolved c. That Sir Lewis Dives and John Moor and Thomas Parston the Printer are Delinquents for Printing and Publishing the said Speech Ordered to be burnt by the Common Hangman Ordered That the Lord Digby 's Speech be burnt by the hand of the Common Hang-man on Friday in the Palace-Yard Cheapside and Smithfield And that these Votes be transmitted to the Lords for their Concurrence and that the Lords be moved to joyn with this House to Petition His Majesty That he would be pleased to forbear to confer any honour upon the Person of the Lord Digby who hath deserved so ill of the Parliament An Order for the speedy raising the Mony for disbanding the Army according to the Act of Parliament Wednesday July 14. The first Printing of the Orders of the H. of Commons was this day Ordered by the House of Commons to be Printed by the King's Printers The Order following about the Lord Digby's Speech to be presented to their Lordships at a Conference WHereas upon the 21 of April last past Orber about the L. Digby's Speech there was a Speech spoken in the House of Commons at the passing of the Bill of Attainder of Thomas Earl of Strafford by the Lord Digby then a Member of the said House the which Speech contained in it matters Vntrue and Scandalous as they have reference to the Proceedings of the Committees of the Lords House and this and to the Evidence of the Witnesses produced in that Cause And whereas the said Speech was published by the Lord Digby after the said Bill of Attainder was past by Vote in this House and after that great offence was taken to the said Speech and the same questioned in the House to the scandal of the Proceedings of this House and is since come forth in Print to the scandal of the Proceedings of His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament It is therefore this day Ordered by the said House That all the said Books so Printed shall be publickly burnt on Friday next part of them in the New Palace-Yard at Westminster the other part of them in Cheap-side London and the rest in Smithfield by the hands of the Common Hang-man And to that purpose the Bailiff of Westminster and the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex respectively are hereby required to be Assistant to the effectual Execution of this Order and see the said Books burnt accordingly And it is also Ordered by the said House That the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers do their utmost endeavours to collect all the said Books into their hands remaining now dispersed among their Company and others and forthwith deliver them to one of the Sheriffs of London to be burnt according this Order And all others who have any of the said Books are hereby required forthwith to deliver them to one of the Sheriffs of London or Bailiff of Westminster as they will undergo the displeasure of this House in doing the contrary to be burnt according to this Order The ingrossed Articles against the Bishop of Ely were read Upon his Petition and Submission to the House Mr. Mr. Whittacre released from the Tower Pym Reports the Conference about the Q. Journey to the Spaw Whittacre was this day discharged from his Imprisonment in the Tower Mr. Pym Reports the Conference with the Lords about the Queen's Journey That the Lords had agreed to the Propositions and had resolved to send a number of their House to desire His Majesty to be pleased to appoint some time when such a certain number of both Houses as he shall think fit may attend him touching this business and that if he please the Queen to be prefent The Lords appointed to wait upon the King to know his pleasure herein were Lord Steward Lord Chamberlain Earl of Bath Earl of Bedford and Earl of Essex An Act for the Confirmation of the Subsidies granted by the Clergy was this day read the Bill was once read the Preamble and Confirmation was read 3 times And afterwards being put to the Question Bill of Subsidies granted by the Clergy passed the Lords and carried down to the Commons Thursday July 15. it was consented to pass Nemine Contradicente Then the Confirmation being Subscribed by the Clerk of the Parliament Soit baille aux Comuns it was sent down to the House of Commons by Serjeant Whitfield and Serjeant Finch to pass there A Message from His Majesty by the Lord Chamberlain to acquaint the Lords that he appoints to meet both Houses at Four of the Clock this day in the Banquetting-House about the Queen's Journey which was at a Conference communicated to the Commons Heads of the Address to stop the Queens Journey YOur Majesties Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons taking notice of an Intention of the Queen's Majesty to pass beyond the Seas whereby the Kingdom will be deprived of the comfort of Her Majesties presence they have thought good to express their humble Duties and Affections to Your Majesty and to the Royal Person of the Queen in some Considerations which they do now present unto You as they conceive very important for the good of this Kingdom and the safety and contentment of Her Majesty whose Honour and Happiness shall always have a chief place in their Estimation which Considerations are these following I. First there is great Cause to doubt lest the Papists have some Design upon Her Majesties Journey because the House hath been informed that divers of them have sold off their Lands to a great value and used other means to get ready mony 2. It is observed some of them have been very diligent gathering great quantities of Gold 3. It is informed that more then ordinary numbers of Papists are gone beyond Sea already and those of the better sort II. The great number of English Fugitives now beyond the Seas who by their late Designs and Practices are known to be full of Malice to the State and will no doubt seek all opportunities of access to Her Majesty and as much as they can labour to infuse into her such evil Counsels as may trouble the Peace of the Kingdom whereof at this time there is more danger because the Affairs of the Kingdom are not yet fully setled and upon the Disbanding the Army all Parts are like to
from the King in haec verba His Majesty hath commanded Me to tell you Munday July 19 Message from the King about a Priest of the Venetian Ambassadors that upon a Complaint of the Venetian Ambassador for the imprisoning of a Priest being His Majesties Subject he thinks fit that these two Things be done First That all Ambassadors should have it declared to them in His Majesties Name that they retain no Priests Natives of any of His Majesties Dominions Secondly That the Priest belonging to the Venetian Ambassador be presently sent out of the Kingdom and not to return again but at his Peril This Favour His Majesty thinks fit to shew the Venetian Ambassador seeing the particular Person as His Majesty is informed hath been his Servant these three Years and was brought over with him when he came the Ambassador being ignorant of the Laws of the Kingdom Whereupon it was Ordered That the Committee of Ten inform themselves of the truth of the Ambassadors Complaint and the State of the Case Bill about the Marches of Wales A Message was brought from the Commons by Sir Robert Harlow who also brought up a Bill which had passed that House for freeing five Counties from the Jurisdiction of the Marches of Wales Mr. Bellasis also brought up another Bill Bill for Billet Money c. which had passed the House of Commons Entituled an Act for securing of such Monies as are or shall be due to the Inhabitants of the County of York and the other Counties adjoyning wherein His Majesties Army is or hath been Billetted for the Billet of the Soldiers of the said Army as also to certain Officers of the said Army who do forbear part of their Pay according to an Order in that behalf in the Commons House of Parliament this present Session for such Use of their parts as they shall forbear Five new Heads added to the Ten former Propositions July 20. 1641. The Earl of Bristol Reports from the Committee of both Houses for the Ten Heads That the House of Commons have presented to their Lordships five Propositions which they desire may be added to the other Ten Heads and that their Lordships after Consideration of them would joyn with them to move His Majesty therein the Heads were these viz. I. The House of Commons doth declare That no Forreign Ambassador what soever ought to shelter or harbor any Popish Priests or Jesuits that are Natives of the Kings Dominions under pretence of being their Servants or otherwise and that the select Committee of their House for the Ten Propositions shall present this Declaration to the Committee of this House to the end that their Lordships may joyn with them to Petition His Majesty that this may accordingly be observed II. That Care may be taken concerning several Commissions granted for the Levying of Men in Ireland to the number of Fourteen Thousand Men as is informed and all of them Papists to the end to be transported as is conceived to Princes not well affected to this Kingdom and that Popish Commanders may not have such Power by Commissions as is of late granted to them III. Also that no Papist hereafter may have the keeping of any Castle Fort Chace Forrest Park or Walk within England and Wales and that such as are in Possession may be outed according to Law IV. That the King be moved to let the House of Commons have such Gun-powder out of His Majesties Stores as may be spared and they will pay after the rate of ten Pence per Pound for it as soon as they can get Monies V. And lastly To move His Majesty that the Arms which have been taken from the several Counties may be restored to them and if His Majesty can spare any Arms out of His Store they will buy them Hereupon the Lords taking these five Propositions into Consideration Ordered To joyn with the House of Commons humbly to move His Majesty that he would please to Assent to them To this purpose Earl of Essex Earl of Warwick Earl of Cambridge Earl of Bristol Viscount Say and Seal were appointed to attend His Majesty for His Answer After which William Smyter William Shepheard Toby Gratwick Rioters at St. Olaves released George Ewer Hugh Barcok Thomas Low George Pitcher and Edward Symonds upon their Humble Petition and Acknowledgment of their Misdemeanors in the Tumult at St. Olaves and St. Saviors were released from their Imprisonment A Conference having been had-with the Lords about the French Ambassadors Tuesday July 20. French Ambassador desires to have the Disbanded English Army for his Masters Service desire to have some of the disbanded Troops Sir John Culpeper Reports That the French Ambassador had waited upon His Majesty to desire that upon disbanding of the English Army he might have liberty to carry such Men over for his Masters Service as he could agree with and that His Majesty had told him that he would give no Answer till he had acquainted the Parliament with it Whereupon it was Ordered That the House should consider of it on Thursday Morning The engrossed Articles against the Bishop of Ely were this Day carried up to the Lords by Sir Thomas Widdrington who at the reading of them made this following Oration to blacken the Lawn Sleeves which was then the greatest Perfection of Eloquence and of Religion to be highly uncharitable My Lords I am commanded by the Knights Citizens and Burgesses now Assembled for the Commons in Parliament to deliver to your Lordships these Articles against the Bishops of Ely May it please your Lordships first to hear them read MY Lords These Articles are dipped in those Colours Sir Thomas Widdrington's Speech at the reading of the Articles against the Bishop of Ely 20 1641. in which this Bishop rendred himself to the Diocess of Norwich they need no Gloss nor Varnish In them you may behold the spirit and disposition of this Bishop hear the groans and cryes of the People see a Shepherd scattering I had almost said devouring his own Flock He that was desired to paint Hercules thought he had done enough when he had made a resemblance of the Lyons Skin which he was wont to carry about him as a Trophy of his Honor. I will say that in these you will not find a resemblance of the Lyons Skin I am sure you will find the resemblance of the Skins that is to say the tattered and ruin'd Fortunes of Poor Innocent Lambs who have extreamly suffered by the violence of this Bishop In the year 1635 this man was created Bishop of Norwich he is no sooner there but he marcheth furiously In the Creation of the World Light was one of the first productions the first visible action of this Bishop after his Creation into the See was to put out many burning and shining Lights to Suspend divers Able Learned and Conscientious Ministers he that should have been the golden Snuffer of these Lights became the Extinguisher and
behalf The Second Article is condescended unto according to the Proposition added to the Act of Pacification The Third Demand concerning making of War with Forreigners with the other Two Articles concerning Leagues and Confederations and concerning mutual Supply and Assistance against forreign Invasion is agreed to be referred to Commissioners to be chosen by His Majesty and the Parliaments As likewise the Fourth Fifth and Sixth Articles concerning Trade Commerce Naturalization mutual Priviledges and Capacity and other of that Nature and the demands concerning the Extract of Bonds and Decrets and the manner of safe Conduct for Transporting the Monys from England to Scotland are all referred to be taken into Consideration by the Commissioners to be appointed by both Parliaments who shall have power to Advise and Treat thereupon and report to the Parliaments respectively It is just that the Tenor of the Commission for Conserving of Peace should be agreed on by mutual Consent but the closing of the Treaty not to stay hereupon but to be left to the Commissioners to be named To that desire concerning such as should be placed about the Prince the King hath already given a clear satisfactory Answer That there be an Act of Parliament of Publick Faith for securing the payment of 220000 l. which is Arrear of the Brotherly Assistance is just and order is given for it accordingly and it shall be Communicated with the Scottish Commissioners that it may be a perfect Security The Tenth for appointing a Quorum for attending the payment of the Mony is already moved to the Parliament and will be done as is desired The Eleventh Article is very just and order shall be given accordingly for recalling all Proclamations and for Publick Thanksgiving The Twelfth Article for the Castle of Edinburgh and other Strengths of Scotland is to be settled betwixt His Majesty and the Commissioners of Scotland or by His Majesty and the Parliament of Scotland Which being read this House approved both of the Propositions and the Answers and Ordered That they should be Communicated to the House of Commons â—o morrow morning Mr. Thursday August 5. Report of the Conference about the Custos Regni Pym Reports the Conference with the Lords concerning the Custos Regni Lord Privy Seal told them That the occasion of this Conference was the matter of a former Conference desired by this House wherein two Propositions were delivered concerning a Custos Regni Commissioners to be appointed in the Kings absence to Pass these Bills 1. The Act of Treaty 2. Any Bill for raising Mony as there shall be occasion 3. For raising of Forces for Service at Sea and Land to resist forreign Invasions or Seditions at home with all things necessarily incident thereunto 4. Any Bill for Tonnage and Poundage or other Duties upon the Exportation or Importation of Commodities 5. The Bill for the preservation of the Mines for Salt-Petre and making Gun-Powder for the defence of the Kingdom 6. A Power to Pass the Bill concerning the 8 Subsidies given by the Clergy A short Act to be drawn Authorizing the Passing of Bills to be conceived upon these Heads Lord Say said That the Lords intended not to conclude this House but that they might add what they should think necessary to be Expedited in the King's absence and that some Course might be taken that the Parliament might Sit till an Act might pass to Enable and Confirm this Commission The House was then acquainted That the Bishoprick of Durham County of Northumberland and Town of Newcastle are willing to take the Parliaments Security for Billet Whereupon it was agreed That the House is contented to pay with all speed unto the Scots Commissioners the residue of the 80000 l. which they have provided accordingly and desire that the Scots Commissioners give speedy notice thereof unto their General whereby he may apply himself to put the Army into a readiness to march away according to their promises immediately upon the receipt of the said Monys And this House desireth they will receive so much of the said Mony here as conveniently they can dispose of and the House is ready to send the Residue to Newcastle if they shall desire it This day one Mr. Smith Rector of Long-Ditton in Kent Mr. Smith a Minister sent to the Gate-house who was sent for as a Delinquent upon an Information given in against him by some of the Godly and Well Affected Party that he should say The House of Commons had undeservedly Imprisoned an honester Man than any of themselves in the Tower meaning the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury For which he was committed to the Gate-House Bill against Knighthood passed by the Lords Message from the Commons about disbanding This day the Bill to prevent vexatious proceedings touching the Order of Knighthood being read a Third time and put to the Question it was Resolved to pass as a Law A Message was brought from the House of Commons by Sir Philip Stapleton to let their Lordships know That they have considered of the disbanding of both Armies and are provided of Mony to effect it and that they have resolved to take the Publick Faith of the Scots for their disbanding Further That the House of Commons had made an Order That the Horse of the King's Army be first disbanded therefore do desire this House to joyn with them That the Horse of the King's Army be first disbanded and that forthwith To which after some Consideration the Lords agreed The Petition of the Creditors of Sir Thomas Dawes was read shewing A Ne exeat regnum awarded a gainst Sir Tho. Dawes That they stand bound with the said Sir Thomas for great Sums of Mony and they have Reason to fear that he will depart this Kingdom Hereupon it was Ordered That there shall be a Ne Exeat Regnum issued out against the said Sir Thomas Dawes The House of Commons being upon the Consideration of the King's Journey Friday August 6. Commons resolved to insist upon a Locum Tenens in the Kings absence it was Resolved c. That this House shall at a Conference with the Lords insist upon the King 's appointing a Locum Tenens during his absence The Bishop of Lincoln reports the Conference with the Commons about a Locum Tenens in the King's absence in these words That formerly the House of Commons had brought up a Proposition concerning a Custos Regni in the King's absence Conference about a locum tenens in the Kings absence of which they have received no Answer which makes them now renew it again as formerly and they do offer some more Reasons 1. Because that in the King's absence many Emergent Occasions may happen in Parliament or otherwise where necessary use may be of the King's Authority especially in these time when things are not yet so fully setled 2. That by all Presidents it doth appear That when a Parliament was Sitting in the King's absence there was a Custos
That they would not have done this but upon inevitable Necessity the Peace and Safety of both the Church and State being so deeply concerned which they do however declare to the End that neither any other Inferior Court or Councel or any other Persons may draw this into Example or make use of it for their Encouragement in neglecting the due observance of the Lords Day Which being read Sir Jo. Culpeper Ordered to carry up this to the Lords for their Concurrence was assented to Nullo Contradicente Ordered That Sir John Culpeper carry up this Order to the Lords and to acquaint their Lordships how it past Nullo contradicente and that if it pass so in their House to desire it may be so entred that it may appear to Posterity with what Vnanimous Consent both Houses of Parliament are solicitous for the due Observation of the Lords Day and likewise to desire of their Lordships That it may be printed as the Declaration of both Houses To which the Lords also assented Nullo contradicente Which being done it was ordered to be entred in the Journals and printed for Satisfaction to Posterity A Proposition from the French Ambassador This day the Earl of Warwick reported that the French Ambassadour was with him and desired his Lordship That he would acquaint this House That he desired leave for the Raising and Transporting of a Regiment of English Souldiers for the Service of the French King and in particular the Earl of Carnarvan 's Troop of Horse and he said if occasion requires hereafter to imploy them in the Service of the Palatinate the French King would add Ten Thousand Foot to them in that design Hereupon the House thought fit that the French Ambassadour set down his Proposition in Writing Duke of Lenox made Duke of Richmond and Introducted Monday August 9. and then present it to this House This Day the Lord James Duke of Richmond was with the Usual Solemnity Introducted his Writ bearing Date 8th Aug. 1641. Ordered That the Gracious Answer from his Majesty be entered in the Journal of the House His Majesty sent this following Message to the House That his Majesty forgot to tell the Houses yesterday one Thing That his Businesses are so well prepared in Scotland that he shall make no long stay there and intends to be back before Michaelmas A Message from his Majesty and it may be by the midst of September Concerning the Army which he is sorry is not already disbanded but upon the Word of a Prince he will do his best and hopes not without good effects for the speedy Disbanding thereof That besides the Bill for the Scots Treaty another Bill will come down from the Lords for securing the Government in his Majesties absence And his Majesties Command at this time is to signify his desire to the House that they pass both these Bills some time this Day that so his Majesty may give his Assent unto them His Majesty desires the speedy passing of this last Bill conceiving that the passing thereof may assist his Majesty in the desired disbanding of the Armies And that when his Majesty upon Saturday bid the Lords severally Farewel his Intent then was to both Houses which if they did not so understand it his Majesty now commanded to signifie it as his Intention therein A Message was brought from the House of Commons by Mr. Message from the Commons to have E. Pembroke made L. Steward and E. Salisbury L. Treasurer Hollis to let their Lordships know That they understand that the Lord Steward is to go beyond the Seas with the Queen and so is to resign his Staff The House of Commons desires their Lordships to joyn with them to move his Majesty that he may resign his Staff to the Earl of Pembroke who is a very fit Person for that Place And further he was commanded by the House of Commons to signifie That they have taken into Consideration the setling of the King's Revenue and because it will be requisite to have a Lord Treasurer that is a Person of Honor and Abilities they have Voted Nemine contradicente the Earl of Salisbury to be a very fit Person for that Place therefore the House of Commons desires that their Lordships would joyn with them to recommend him to his Majesty for that Place The Bill for the Commission from his Majesty to give the Royal Assent to certain Bills c. was passed the Lords and carried down to the Commons A Message was brought from the House of Commons by Sir Arthur Haslerig Bill for publick Faith for Brotherly Assistance passed the Lords who delivered from the House of Commons the Bill of Publick Faith for securing by publick Faith the Remainder of the friendly Assistance and Relief promised to our Brethren of Scotland which was read immediately three times successively and being put to the Question and it was Consented to pass as a Law Nemine contradicente The Bill for Regulating and better Ordering the Clerks of the Market being read a third time passed the Lords House Tuesday August 10. Clerk of the Markets Bill passed the Lords House Conference about the Commission to pass Bills in the Kings Absence A Conference having been desired by the Commons concerning the Bill to strengthen the Kings Commission for passing Acts in his Absence it was thus reported by the Lord Keeper That the House of Commons had returned the Commission and the Act to enable the Commission with some Amendments and desired that some Additions might be made both to the Commission and to the Act for the Commons conceive that they are both too Particular and not General enough which may be very prejudicial For 1 They find no President that a Parliament was ever Sitting without a General Power 2 It might be a dangerous President to accept of a Limited Commission by an Act of Parliament 3 There may happen Emergent Occasions for the Safety of the Kingdom which cannot be foreseen therefore 't is dangerous to accept of such a Limited Commission by an Act of Parliament His Majesty being come to the House The King passes Bills in the Lords House for Pacification c. and the Commons with their Speaker being come up according to the usual manner these following Bills were passed 1 An Act for the Confirmation of the Treaty of Pacification between the Two Kingdoms of England and Scotland 2 An Act for securing by Publick Faith the Remainder of the Friendly Assistance and Relief promised to our Brethren of Scotland 3 An Act for the free bringing in of Gun-Powder and Sal-Petre from Forreign Parts and for the free making of Gun-Powder in this Realm Memorandum His Majesty said he hoped that the Parliament would consider of a Bill for making of good Gun-Powder and for preserving the Sal-Petre Works for the Defence of this Kingdom and if they did not He professeth Himself to be clear of the Inconveniences which else will follow 4 An
That the Scots desire that an Order of the House of Commons may be made for the repaying of the 28000 l to the Bishoprick of Durham and the Town of Newcastle that the Scots may deliver the said Order for their Discharge These 8. Heads being proposed to the Commons at a Conference the next day being August 13. they gave these Answers 1. To the First concerning the 7th of September to be the Day for Thanksgiving for both Kingdoms they have agreed to it 2. To the Second For the Scots Army passing over the Tweed the 25th of August agreed to 4. To the Fourth That the restoring of the Ordnance at Newcastle and that the Arms and Munitions may be all restored or paid for to be recommended to the Scots Commissioners Agreed to 6. To the Sixth Concerning seeing the Treaty to be finished in Scotland They desire that Commissioners may be sent from both Houses of Parliament to see the Treaty performed and to settle the Peace of both Kingdoms 7. To the Seventh Touching the Scots Army Marching through Barwick agreed to be in such sort as shall be appointed and settled there with the General and Governor of Barwick 8. To the Eighth touching the Order for paying the 280000 l. to the Bishoprick of Durham and the Town of Newcastle the House of Commons hath made an Order to that purpose and they will deliver it to the Earl of Warwick to be delivered to the Scots Commissioners The Commons fell this day into debate about Mr. Percy Sir John Suckling and Mr. Jermyn and it was urged That it would be made good by several Acts of Parliament and other Presidents That to conspire or indeavor to compel the Parliament to any thing is Treason And after long canvasing of the Matter it was Resolved c. Votes that Sir John Suckling Mr. Jermyn and Mr. Percy shall be charged with High-Treason That Sir John Suckling upon the whole matter shall be charged by this House with High-Treason Resolved c. That Mr. Henry Percy shall be charged with High-Treason Resolved c. That Mr. Henry Jermyn shall be charged with High-Treason The House of Commons being it seems now better Instructed since the last Conference with the Lord Privy Seal Friday August 13. fell upon the further Impeachment of the Bishops which was thus Reported by Serjeant Wild. WHereas the Knights Further Impeachment of the Bishops Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament have lately impeached the several Bishops hereafter named that is to say Walter Bishop of Winchester c. before your Lordships in this Parliament of several Crimes and Misdemeanors in Contriving Making Promulging and Executing several Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical and by granting a Benevolence or Contribution to His Majesty contrary to Law Now the said Commons do further declare to your Lordships that the said Canons Constitutions and Grant of a Benevolence contained in two several Books the one Intituled the Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical treated upon by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York Presidents of the Convocations for the respective Provinces of Canterbury and York and the rest of the Bishops and Clergy of those Provinces and agreed upon with the Kings Majesties License in the several Synods begun at London and York Anno Dom. 1640 and in the Year of the Reign of Our Soveraign Lord King Charles by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland the 16. the other Intituled a Grant of the Benevolence or Contribution to his Most Excellent Majesty by the Clergy of the Province of Canterbury in the Convocation or Sacred Synod holden at London An. Dom. 1640. Which Things I am commanded by the House of Commons to deliver to your Lordships and further to declare to your Lordships That all and every the said Canons and Constitutions and Grant of Benevolence and the Contriving Making Publishing and Executing of the same and every of them were and are contrary to the King's Prerogative the Fundamental Laws and Statutes of the Realm the Rights of Parliament the Propriety and Liberty of the Subject and tending to Sedition and of dangerous Consequence and were so Contrived Made Promulged and Executed to the great Oppression of the Clergy of the Realm and others his Majesties Subjects and in Contempt of his Majesty and of the Laws and do pray as they did before that the said Bishops may be forthwith put to their Answer in the Presence of the Commons and that such further Proceedings may be had therein as to Law and Justice appertains The Scots Commissioners having desired a Commission to Commissioners of both Nations for Examination of Witnesses about Incendiaries and having given the Names of such of their Nation as they desired might be in the Commission It was Ordered by the House of Lords Order for a Commission to examine Witnesses about Incendiaries That the Clerk of the Crown shall Issue out a Commission under the Great Seal of England and the Lord Keeper is to Seal it accordingly by Virtue of this Order which Commission is to be directed to the Lord Keeper the Lord Privy Seal the Earl of Warwick the Lord Viscount Say and Seal Lord Wharton and the Lord Kimbolton To the Lord Lowdon Sir Patrick Hepbourn and John Hepbourn and John Smith Esquires to joyn with several Members of the House of Commons or any five of them to examine Witnesses touching Incendiaries concerning both Kingdoms of England and Scotland The Business of paying the Billet Money in the several Quarters where the Scots Army had lain came into debate and it was Resolved House of Commons undertakes to pay the Scots Billet c. That the House of Commons undertakes to discharge our Brethren the Scots of these Summs and to pay the said Counties viz. Â l. s. d. To the County Palatine of am 26663 13 10 To the Town of New-Castle 2000 00 00 To the County of Northumberland 10224 06 10 Total 38888 00 08 Mr. Pym Reports Money paid for the Q. Mothers Journey That he had paid Seven Thousand Pounds to the Earl Marshal for dispatch of the Queen-Mother out of England Captain Chudleigh being Examined concerning the matter of the Army Capt. Chudleigh's deposition against Mr. Jermyn Mr. Perce c. saith That Sir John Suckling told him That he should not depend upon what Commissary Wilmot Col. Ashburnham or Captain Pollard said for they had quitted their Affection to the Army and fallen into a Parliamentary wayâ— This in the Month of March before Col. Goring went to Portsmouth He saith further That he could not conjecture by any Discourse that Ever he had with Mr. D'avenant that he knew any thing of any Design of bringing up the Army only by the Discourse he had with him he could discover an affection to the Army and that he charged him alwayes to keep all our Discourses between us secret because the Times were dangerous All this discourse he had with
to give your Lordship many thanks not only for your great care daily exprest of the Army but for your no less vigilancy over the present distracted Estate of this Kingdom particularly for the account given by your Excellency to my Lord Chamberlain of the doubts conceived by your Lordship concerning it and we hope that if the causes of those doubts shall increase that your Excellency will likewise increase both your Vigilancy to discover and your Industry to inform us of all such proceedings as may concern us to be made acquainted with for the Publick Good I am likewise to acquaint your Excellency That to prevent all inconveniencies and dangers that may happen of which we find your Lordship to have already so quick and just a Sence both Houses have joyned to secure Hull as a place of great Importance especially by reason of the Magazine and upon which ill affected Persons may most readily have some design and in pursuance of that Resolution your Lordship will receive Orders from the House of Commons and I am to deliver your Lordship those of the House of Peers That your Lordship command the Major of Hull in the name of both Houses to use all possible care to secure the Town committed to his charge and not to suffer the Arms and Amunition in that Magazine to be disposed of without the Orders of both Houses I shall trouble your Lordship no further but only to desire your Excellency to continue your speed of Disbanding of the Army in the method already Ordered which till it be effected as we are confident it will be so soon as your Lordship can bring it to pass I am commanded to make a part of every Letter which I shall direct to your Excellency Your Excellencies Humble Servant Edward Littleton The time for the 13 Bishops to put in their Answer The Lords fell upon the Debate at what time the Bishops should put in their Answer and iâ— was Ordered That the Lords the Bishops that are Impeached by the House of Commons are to make their Answers thereunto on Thursday come Month being the 16th day of September nexi It was this day Ordered by the Commons 3000 l. Ordered for the Garrison of Portsmouth That Three Thousand Pound shall be paid by the Sheriff of Hampshire out of the Poll-Money to Colonel Goring for the Garrison of Portsmouth The Committee then reported the Case about the Pattent for Soap Monoply of Soap voted Illegal upon which it was Resolved c. That the Patent Indenture Decree and Process in the Star-Chamber about Soap-Boilers is Illegal The Commons having desired a Conference with the Lords Wednesday August 18. Report about putting the Kingdom into a Posture of Defence about putting the Kingdom into a Posture of Defence Mr. Hollis Reports that Conference The Lord Chamberlain told us his Majesty before his going had declared That he would appoint a General for the South Side of Trent and that his Majesty was pleased to nominate him and that since his Majesties going a Commission had been delivered unto him under the Great Seal He apprehended this too great a Burden and knew not what Exception had been taken to the Proceedings of the Lord Lieutenants and Deputy Lieutenants That by this Commission in case of Tumults and Commotions he is to raise Forces and Men for the securing the Person of the Queen the Prince and the rest of the Royal Family He offered these Difficulties That when these Forces were raised he knew not how to levy Money for the Payment of them and besides he is to take a Care if there were an Invasion from Abroad for which he was ill prepared having no Intelligence or Correspondency from Ambassadors Abroad or from the Fleet and so concluded with a desire of Advice from this House Orders concerning the Bishops to prepare for their Answer In order to their Preparation for giving in their Answer It was this day Ordered by the House of Lords That the Bishop of Rochester with one other of the Bishops may have free Access twice unto the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury to speak with him concerning their Answer to the Impeachment brought up against them from the House of Commons for making a Book of Canons c. and they are to speak with the said Archbishop of Canterbury about no other Business It was also Ordered That the Lords the Bishops may Access unto and have Copies of all such Acts and Records as are in any of his Majesties Courts of Justice and Publick Offices which may make for their Defence or Answers to the Impeachments brought against them from the House of Commons Upon what Ground Information or Suspicion it does not appear but it was this day Ordered That Mr. Justice Heyward shall have Power by virtue of this Order Order to search under the Parliament Houses to search before the next Meeting of Parliament at Roseby's House the Tavern and such other Houses and Vaults or Cellars as are under the Vpper House of Parliament that there be no Powder Arms or any other Ammunition as may endanger the Safety of the Houses of Parliament and hereof Account is to be given to this House The Lord Viscount Say and Seal reported the Conferences Yesterday with the House of Commons touching disarming Popish Recusants THat because divers former directions have been frustrated The Result of the Conserence about Disarming Recusants Aug. 18 1641. the House of Commons holds it necessary to add some extraordinary courses at this time for the disarming of Papists there being more then extraordinary cause of danger for effecting whereof It is propounded and desired That Commissioners or Committees may be forthwith sent into the Counties of most danger as Yorkshire Lancashire Cheshire Staffordshire Hampshire and Sussex Authorized by Ordinances of Parliament to see the Papists disarmed in those places That these Committees may examin where the defect hath been that former Orders have not been observed especially in Case of such Papists as are in Power and that they may have direction to give the Oath of Allegiance to such as are justly suspected of Popery That the Commons have informed that divers Recusants have been kept from Conviction by Priviledg of Parliament allowed in the Upper House whereupon it was delivered as the clear Opinion of the House of Commons That no Priviledg of Parliament is to be allowed in this Case of Conviction or Disarming of Recusants for which these Reasons are given 1 That no Priviledg is allowable in Case of the Peace betwixt Private Men much more in Case of the Peace of the Kingdom 2 That Priviledg cannot be Pleaded against an Indictment for any thing done out of Parliament because all Indictments are contra pacem Domini Regis 3 Priviledg of Parliament is granted in regard of the Service of the Common-wealth and is not to be used to the danger of the Common-wealth 4 That all Priviledg of Parliament is in the power
of Parliament and is a restraint to the proceedings of other inferior Courts but is no restraint to the proceedings of Parliament and therefore seeing it may without in justice be denied this being the Case of the Common-wealth they conceive it ought not to be granted Whereupon it is desired that their Lordships will declare that all Priviledges shall be void in case of the Conviction or Disarming of Recusants and that all their Certioraris out of the King's Bench to hinder the Conviction of Recusants may be Superseeded That this direction may extend to Lords as well as to other Common Persons there being more cause of fear from them in regard of their Power and Greatness then from others That if any Popish Recusant of Quality shall be found not to be Convicted that such Pesons be commanded forthwith to attend the Parliament The Opinion of the House of Commons is That Popish Recusants as this Case is may be Disarmed by the Common-Law being Persons justly to be suspected for some dangerous design and that where there is cause of fear this may be extended to such Persons as have Wives Recusants or Children or any but considerable number of Servants as may give good Cause of Suspitions That in ordinary Cases if there be a Combination to do any mischief to commit a Riot Rob a House or hurt any private Person the Justices of the Peace may take security to prevent such damages much more in the Case where the danger of the Common-wealth is to be prevented Divers Presidents were remembred for the Disarming of Lords of Parliament the Marquess of Winchester Lord Peter Lord Vaux Lord Arundel of Wardour and divers others Then after some Consideration of this Conference It is Ordered That this House doth joyn with the House of Commons to send Commissioners to Disarm Recusants according to Law for the other part of it their Lordships will take it into consideration Sir William Armyn brings this Answer to the Message to the Lords The Lords Answer about the Commissioners for Scotland concerning the Commissioners designed for Scotland That the Lords are of Opinion that the Commission and Instructions be presently prepared together with a Petition to his Majesty and that this be sent away with all Speed and in the mean time the Commissioners may be going their Journey and those Instructions and Commission may meet them on the Way if this House thinks fit Mr. Pym reports the Petition and Instructions to the Commissioners for Scotland To the King 's Most Excellent Majesty The Humble Petition of your Majesties Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons now Assembled in Parliament Most Gracious Sovereign YOur Majesties Absence at this time the Parliament sitting The Petition to the King concerning the Commissioners for Scotland doth not only afflict us with much Grief but hinders us in making such Provision for the Public Necessities and Dangers of the Kingdom as we desired to do for the Safety whereof We shall be often forced to resort to your Majesties Wisdom and Goodness Whereupon both Houses of Parliament have agreed to send William Earl of Bedford Edward Lord Howard Nathaniel Fiennes Esquire Sir William Armyn Baronet Sir Philip Stapleton Knight and John Hambden Esquire to attend your Majesty to convey to us your Majesties Commands and Directions and to present to your Majesty our Humble Petitions and Desires and likewise to see the Expediting of such Acts in the Parliament of Scotland and other Affairs as by the late Treaty or otherwise concern the Kingdom Wherefore our most Humble Suit to your Majesty is That you will be graciously pleased to admit the said William Earl of Bedford Edward Lord Howard Nathaniel Fiennes Sir William Armyn Sir Philip Stapleton and John Hambden Esquire to be your Majesties Commissioners for the dispatch of the Affairs aforementioned according to such Instructions as they have now received or shall from time to time receive from both Houses of Parliament with your Majesties Consent and Approbation The Instructions for the said Commissioners follow I. YOV shall take care that all those Acts that concern both Kingdoms of England and Scotland The Instructions for the Commissioners and are already agreed upon in the Treaty between the Commissioners of both Nations and which are Confirmed by an Act of Parliament passed in this present Session shall likewise be confirmed and ratified in the Parliament in Scotland and You shall take an authentique Exemplification thereof to bring home with you II. You are to take Care that the Commissions agreed upon in the same Treaty concerning the Trade of both Kingdoms and concerning the Publique Peace and Correspondency betwixt the Two Nations may be settled and dispatched accordingly III. You are to demand Satisfaction of such Debts as shall remain due to the Northern Counties of England for any Money or Provision taken up by the Scottish Army IV. You shall be Careful to clear the Proceedings of the Parliament of England towards the Scots if you find any false Reports or Imputations cast on those Proceedings by persons ill-affected to the Peace of both Kingdoms V. You shall upon all fit Occasions assure the Parliament of Scotland of the good Affections of his Majesties Subjects of the Parliament of England and all things which shall concern the Service of his Majesty and the Peace and Prosperity of both Nations VI. You shall be Careful to certify the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament from time to time of all Proceedings therein and of all Occurrences which shall concern the good of this Kingdom VII You shall put in Execution such further Instructions as you shall receive from the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament with his Majesties Approbation and Consent signified under his Royal Hand It was Ordered Mr. Nichols to go with the Petition c. 1000 l. advanced for the Charges of the Commissioners That Mr. Anthony Nichols a Member of this House shall go to his Majesty from this House with the Petition and Instructions It was likewise Ordered That a Thousand pounds shall be advanced by Sir Robert Pye Mr. Wheeler and the Treasurers of Money for Westminster for the Commissioners Charges and their Acquittance or any two of them to be a Discharge Sir Philip Stapleton and Mr. Hollis were also Ordered to attend Her Majesty Sir Ph. Stapleton and Mr. Hollis to attend the Q. before they go for Scotland to know what Commands her Majesty will lay upon the Members of this House that are to go to His Majesty in Scotland The Lord General as indeed any person moderately skilled in Martial Affairs would have done made some difficulty it seems of letting so powerful an Army though of our Dear Brethren of Scotland March through so Important a Pass as the Town of Barwick and upon this wrote to the Parliament concerning it Whereupon the Lord Keeper Littleton returned this Answer My Lord I Have received your Letter dated the 16th of this
present Month Letter to the Lord General for the Scots to March over Barwick Bridge concerning the Passage of the Scots over Barwick Bridge and have acquainted the Lords with the same they have Commanded me to signifie unto your Lordship That since it is a Resolution taken by both Houses and consented to by them they see no Cause to alter it or to give an Occasion to the Scots to hinder their March as is agreed and concluded on by the Treaty here and therefore they adhere to their first Order to your Lordship for their Passage over Barwick Bridge and do require your Lordship to obey the Order of the Houses only for the Manner and Onder they recommend it to your Lordships Care and Directions that it may be speedy and with Safety God have your Lordship in his Keeping Your c. His Majesty was now Safely Arrived in Scotland Monday Aug. 19. purposing with all Application imaginable to Settle and Quiet the Minds of his Subjects of that Kingdom in hopes that it might conduce very much to the Composure of the Affairs of England and for this purpose at his first appearance in the Parliament of Scotland being Thursday August 19th he made this following Speech My Lords and Gentlemen THere hath nothing been so displeasing to Me as those Vnlucky Differences which have happened between Me and My People His Majesties Speech to the Parliament of Scotland Aug. 19. 1641. and nothing that I have more desired than to see this Day wherein I hope not only to settle these Vnhappy Mistakings but rightly to know and to be known of My Native Countrey I need not tell you for I think it is well known to most what Difficulties I have passed through and overcome to be here at this present Yet this I will say If Love to My Native Countrey had not been a chief Motive to this Journey other respects might easily have found a shift to do that by a Commission which I am come to perform My Self And this considered I cannot doubt of such real Testimonies of your Affections for the maintenance of that Royal Power which I enjoy after an Hundred and eight Descents and which you have professed to maintain and to which your own National Oath doth oblige you that I shall not think any Pains ill bestowed Now the End of My Coming is shortly this to perfect whatsoever I have promised and withal to quiet the Distractions which have and may fall out amongst you And this I mind not superficially but fully and chearfully to perform For I assure you That I can do nothing with more chearfulness then to give My People a general Satisfaction Wherefore not offering to Endear My Self unto you in Words which indeed is not My way I desire in the first place to Settle that which concerns the Religion and Just Liberties of this My Native Countrey before I proceed to any other Act. Information of Arms in the Marquess of Winton's House at Basing-Stoke In the House of Commons one Mr. Sewer did this day give Information that he did see on Monday was seven-Night a great many Arms in the Marquiss of Winchester's House at Basingstoke a Recusant and that the Keepers of them told him there were Arms for a thousand five hundred Men. One Welsh an Irish Priest was ordered to be sent for and if he refused to come to be taken into Custody by the Serjeant It was also Ordered Order about disbanding That Mr. Arthur Goodwin Mr. Hotham and Sir Henry Anderson shall go into the North about disbanding the Army to whom Mr. Scowen was afterwards added by a Vote of the House The Copy of the Commission to be sent for his Majesty to Sign for the Commissioners to impower them to go into and Act in Scotland was also read which was as follows Commission for the Commissioners that are to go to Scotland CHARLES by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. To Our Trusty and right well Beloved William Earl of Bedford and to Our trusty and right well Beloved Edward Lord Howard and also to Our trusty and well Beloved Nathaniel Fiennes Esquire Sir William Armyn Baronet Sir Ph ilip Stapleton Knight and John Hambden Esquire Greeting Know Ye that We reposing special Trust and Confidence in your approved Fidelity Wisdom and Discretions have Nominated and Appointed you to be Our Commissioners and by these said Presents give unto you or any three or more of you full Power and Authority to go into Our Kingdom of Scotland and there to Treat Confer and Concluds with such of Our Commissioners as shall be Named and Authorized in Our Parliament of Scotland according to the Instructions hereunto Annered And you or any three or more of you are likewise to Observe and Pursue all such further Instructions as you or any three or more of you as aforesaid shall from time to time receive from the Lords and Commons Assembled in Our Parliament of England with Our Consent and Approbation Signified under Our Royal Hand In Witness c. The House took into Consideration the Case of Mr. Votes about Mr. Cooper suspended by Dr. Rone and Sir John Lamb. Cooper Rector of Alton in Com. Huntington and it was Resolved c. That the Suspension of Mr. Cooper Rector of Alton in Com. Huntington for not reading the Book of Recreations is illegal Resolved c. That Doctor Rone and Sir John Lamb ought to give him Reparation for his Damages sustained and that his Suspension be taken off Post Meridiem Mr. Pym Reports the Order agreed upon by both Houses for the Disbanding in haec verba WHereas it was Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament August 7. 1641. Order of both Houses for disbanding the Army That the Horse Troops of the King's Army be forthwith Disbanded whereunto his Majesty gave his Corsent and signified his gracious Pleasure to have it effected accordingly all which was certified to the Earl of Holland General of his Majesties Army by two several Letters from the Speakers of both Houses respectively and withal a Copy of the same sent unto him We understand by a Letter from the Lord General that none of the Horse are yet disbanded nor intended to be disbanded until the 24th of this Month and that it is propounded that some of the Foot shall then be disbanded before the rest of the Horse now both the Houses of Parliament expecting that this Order should have been performed accordingly do hereby expresly Order that the Lord General all further Delays and Excuses set apart shall forthwith disband all the Horse Troops of the Army before any of the Foot and commanded them and all the Officers of the said Horse Troops to depart from the Army which they do hereby declare to be a Matter of great Importance to the good of the Common-Wealth and therefore they do expect a quick and ready Obedience thereunto
as well by the Lord General as by all other Commanders Officers and Soldiers of the Army whereof they expect a strict and speedy Account After which Mr. Pym and Sir John Culpeper were Ordered to draw a Letter to be sent to the Lord General and Mr. Rushworth Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons to ride Post with it and the House will take it into Consideration to requite him for his Pains and Charges This Day Sir William Bringhurst Mr. Wilson Mr. Broadgate Mr. Friday August 20. Diverse Persons Bailed The first Ordinance of the Lords and and Commons about Commissioners to go to Scotland Slany Mr. Gardner and Mr. Inego Jones were Ordered to be Bailed and 10000 l. for the Principals and 5000 l. for each of the Sureties The Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the Commissioners for Scotland was read in the Commons House in these Words THe Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled do hereby Order and Appoint William Earl of Bedford Edward Lord Howard two of the Peers of the Lords House Nathanel Fiennes Esquire Sir William Armyn Baronet Sir Philip Stapleton Knight and John Hambden Esquire Members of the House of Commons to be Committees for both Houses of Parliament to attend the Kings Majesty during his Absence in the Kingdom of Scotland and do hereby Authorize them or any three or more of them from time to time to present to his Most Excellent Majesty the humble desires Counsel and Advice of his Majesties most Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament according to such Instructions and Directions as are hereunto annexed or shall at any time hereafter be sent unto them by the Order and Consent of both Houses The Commissioners Instructions I. Instructions for the Commissioners for Scotland YOV shall humbly desire his Majesty That the Treaty agreed upon between the Commissioners of England and Scotland confirmed and ratified in this present Parliament may likewise be confirmed and ratified in the Parliament in Scotland II. You shall present to his Majesty the just Demands of any of his Loyal Subjests of England concerning a due Satisfaction to be made of all Debts due to them for Mony Arms or Provisions taken up by the Scottish Army III. If you shall understand that the Army of Scotland is not returned back or the Army of England not disbanded according to the Articles of the Treaty and Order of Parliament you shall be very instant and earnest in Petitioning his Majesty that all Obstacles and Impediments taken away the Kingdom may be freed from that great Charge this might have been done with half the Charges if the E. Strafford's Advice had been taken and those Mischiefs under which it groans by reason of those Armies IV. You shall by all fit ways of Petition and Intercession to his Majesty further and preserve the Peace and good Correspondency betwixt the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland V. You shall from time to time Certifie both Houses of Parliament of such Accidents and Occurrences as may concern the good of the Kingdom Which Ordinance and Instructions were agreed to by the Lords at a Conference this Day The great Obstacle to the disbanding the Army Mony Ordered disbanding the Army though it filled the Heads of the Party with Fears and Jealousies which from them was diffused through the whole Nation was perfectly the want of Money and not such Designs of dangerous Consequence as were pretended to amuse the People this they well knew and therefore Ordered thirty thousand Pound to be sent down to Pay and Disband the Army A Message was brought from her Majesty to the House The Qs. Answer to the Commons about the Commissioners carrying any Message to the King Order about the L. Major and Commonalty of London about the choice of one Sheriff That her Majesty returns her Thanks for the Respects of this House but She hath lately sent to His Majesty and hath nothing at this time to write This Morning the Lord Privy Seal Reported That the Lords Committees meet Yesterday to see if they could Mediate and Compose the Differences between the Lord Mayor of London and the Commonalty touching the Election of one Sheriff but they could have no success in it and so left it to the Consideration of this House Hereupon the Lord Viscount Say and Seal and the Lord Bishop of Lincoln were appointed to withdraw and consider of an Order for setling the Election of the Sheriff pro hac vicê with a Salvo on both Parts which Order is to be entred in the Books of the Chamber of London the Order was in these Words IN the Cause depending between the Commons and Citizens and the Lord Major of the City of London about the Nominating and Electing of one of the Sheriffs of the said City for this Year ensueing their Lordships taking it into their Consideration that the Election should have been dispatched upon Mid-Summer day last past and finding that upon Omission of performing the Election as upon that Day Devolutions have ensued pro tali vicé to the Commonalty of London do Order that for this time the said Commonalty shall forthwith proceed to the Nomination and Election of both their Sheriffs for the Year following hoping that for the first of the two Sheriffs they will make choice of that Party that was Nominated by the Lord Major and their Lordships do further declare That this Order shall be no way prejudicial to any Right and Prerogative claimed by the Lords the Majors of the City of London for the time being nor yet to any Right or Claim made by the Commons or Citizens in this matter now in Question amongst them It was also Ordered That those Lords that are to go into Scotland with some of the Members of the House of Commons shall go to the Lord General in their Passage The Commissioners for Scotland to quicken the Disbanding Order to stop proceedings upon the Conviction of the Lady Wotton a Recusant to desire that the Order of both Houses may be put into speedy Execution for the disbanding of the Horse and they are to give an Account of the Lord Generals Answer Upon signification this day made unto the Lords House that an Indictment and Conviction in London against the Lady Margaret Wotton for Recusancy is returned into the Treasurers and Remembrancers Office of the Court of Exchequer and the Pipe contrary to former Orders of this House in that behalf and against the Priviledges of the same It is Ordered That no further Proceedings shall from henceforth be had in the said Treasurers Remembrancers or Pipe Offices against the said Lady upon the said Conviction nor any Process shall be thence made or issue thereupon until this House shall give further Order in this Matter Upon a former Information to the Commons by one Sewer Saturday August 21. Disarming of Recusants that he had seen a great quantity of Arms in the Marquiss
be taken of the proceedings of the several Sheriffs as also the Treasurer of His Majesties Army and of the Treasurer appointed by the Act and of their obedience and conformity to this Order and if any shall fail therein it shall be Interpreted as a great neglect of the safety of the Kingdom and contempt of both Houses of Parliament for which they shall be called to answer and make satisfaction as well for their offence as for such damage as the Common-wealth hath undergone by their default There came Letters also this day That the Scotch Army Wednesday August 25. were marched away and that his Majesty had prevailed with the Parliament of Scotland that their Ordnance and Ammunition should be left at Newcastle to be conveyed to London or some other Magazine There was this day a Debate in the Commons House about Disbanding the Officers of the Army who are about the Town and after that concerning the Pay due to Commissary Wilmot Coll. Ashburnham Mr. Percy c. Upon which it was Resolved That their Pay should for the present be stopped Whereupon Mr. Selden stood up and spoke in mitigation of their faults Conceiving them as he said not only acquitted but pardoned by the Act of Pacification which was an Act of Pardon But to this it was answered That that Act concerned only the Differences between the Two Kingdoms and not the Offences of particular persons for that if it did the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Delinquents could not be proceeded against This day the Lord Mayor of London having Petitioned the House of Lords and attending there he was called in Lord Major of London Petitions the Lords and the Recorder desired to be heard in the behalf of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen touching the Order made lately by this House concerning the Election of one of the Sheriffs of London which he said concerned very much the Government of that City and likewise to acquaint their Lordships with some of the things which will ensue as inconveniencies to the City thereupon Upon this the Major and Recorder and others were commanded to withdraw and this House taking the same into Consideration Resolved to hear them in any thing which concerns the good Government of the City or any grievances which are likely to grow upon the City by other Occasions but not to hear them to speak any thing to arraign the Orders of this House The Petition of the Mayor c. was read among other Complaints sets forth That they doubt the Commons of the said City will throw off the Government of the Common-Council which tends much to the Peace and Wellfare of the City Then the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Recorder were called in again and the Lord Keeper told them That their Petition hath been read and that their Lordships conceive their Order to be very just and no ways prejudicial to either side it being with a saving of both Rights therefore will hear nothing to arraign it As for the Government of the City the Lords are very careful of it and Command the Lord Mayor c. to be so likewise And for the Common-Council their Lordships do let them know That they are resolved to maintain it as tending much to the well and quiet Government of the City and when the particular matters of Difference between them and the Commons shall appear this House will do what they can to settle the differences between them Thus did every thing run swiftly down the Torrent against not only the Monarchy but even the Image of it the Popular humor and inclination to Popular Government being grown Predominant and the Epidemical Disease both in the Church and State THe Lord Bishop of Lincoln Reported the Conference about the state of the Navy The Conference about the State of the Navy Aug. 26. 1641. That the House of Commons have taken into their Consideration the Present State of the King's Navy and they find that many Ships are laid by and twelve no Vse is to be made of them also they find that the Arrears of the Officers of the Navy are very great and the Provisions of the Magazines decayed That for the Guarding of the Narrow Seas this Year the House of Commons set forth Ten of the King's Navy and Ten Merchants Ships the Charge whereof will amount to 59000 l towards the Payment whereof there is only advanced 12000 l. out of the Money granted to the King for Tonnage and Poundage And considering that the Sea-men when they come home will Expect their pay and are to remain in their Pay until they receive their Wages which will grow to an Excessive Charge unless some Course be taken for providing of the said 57000 l. For defraying of which Sum and for discharging of other Charges of the Navy the House of Commons are of Opinion and desire this House to joyn with them in it That the Commissioners of the Treasury do issue out Warrants to the Farmers of the Custom-House to pay 15000 l. a Month to the Treasurers of his Majesties Navy out of the Money received for Tonnage and Poundage towards the raising the aforesaid Sums the time to begin from the First day of August 1641 to the First day of December next and that some Member of this House be joyned with Two of the House of Commons to see this done in the time of the Recess And further the House of Commons desires that the Lord General may receive Directions to give Order to the Governor of Barwick to ship the Ordnance and Ammunition there in such Ships as shall be appointed to bring them to the Tower of London and the like Warrant to be given to the Governor of Carlisle to bring the Ordnance and Ammunition from Carlisle to Newcastle to be Shipped for the Tower which Ships are to be Wafted by one of his Majesties Ships Hereupon it was Ordered That this House doth joyn with the House of Commons herein A Letter was also this day Read which was drawn up by the Select Committees of both Houses to be sent to the Lord General in these Terms May it please your Excellency I Presented your Letters of the 23d of August to the House of Peers The Letter to the Lord General about the 9 Counties paying Poll-Money at York to finish the Disbanding by which they understand what progress your Excellency hath made in Disbanding the Army wherein your diligence hath prevented the time propounded in your former Letter and I am commanded to declare that in their apprehension your Excellency hath hereby fully and clearly expresed your care of the Publick Good and Safety of the Kingdom and your respect to the House which works in them much contentments and yields a great return of Honor to your self as nothing can be dearer to the Parliament than the Publick Good so your Excellency can in no way more advance your self in their Estmmiation then by joyning with them in that affection The Reason
inconstancy in him but it was certainly out of a true and peculiar understanding his power The present State of Christendom is apparent That the House of Austria begins to diminish as in Spain so consequently in Germany That the French do swell and enlarge themselves if they grow and hold they will be to us but Spain nearer hand Alliances do serve well to make up a present Breach or mutually to strengthen those States who have the same ends but politick Bodies have no Natural affections they are guided by particular interest and beyond that are not to be trusted Although it may be good Policy to breed a Militia at the charge of other States abroad for our own use and occasions at home yet that ought rather to be done amongst Friends of the same way and so the Low-Countries have been an Academy to us His Majesty hath now an Ambassador Treating with the Emperor about the Palatinate If we send away our Men it will so damp and discountenance the affairs of the Prince Elector as the World will believe we never had nor ever shall have any intentions to assist him at all I have observed for divers years That England is not so well Peopled but we do want Work-folks to bring in Harvest our Disbanded Soldiers will least dislike that kind of Work and if they be speedily Dissolved that employment will entertain them for the present and inure them to labour for hereafter Upon these considerations Mr. Speaker I cannot give my advice to add more strength to France by weakning both our selves and our Friends As for sending the Irish into Spain truly Sir I have been long of Opinion that it was never fit to suffer the Irish to be promiscuously made Soldiers abroad because it may make them abler to trouble the State when they come Home Their intelligence and practice with the Princes whom they shall serve may prove dangerous to that Kingdom They may more profitably be employed upon Husbandry whereof that Kingdom hath great need Besides it will be exceeding prejudicial to us and to our Religion if the Spaniard should prevail against the Portuguez It were better for us he should be broken into lesser Pieces his Power shivered If the King of Portugal had desired these Irish I should rather have given my Vote for him then for the King of Spain because it will keep the Ballance more even Spain hath had too much of our Assistance and Connivence heretofore I am sure it lost us the Palatinate Now that it is come to our turn to advise I hope we shall not do over other mens faults again If the present Government of Ireland be not able to restrain their disordered People there is a Noble Lord already designed to that Charge who by his knowledge in Martial Affairs and other his great Abilities will be no doubt abundantly capable to reduce them to a due obedience Wherefore Mr. Speaker upon the whole matter My Opinion is that we should not be forward to spend our Men but rather to preserve and husband them for our own use and employments for our Friends for our Religion Whether the Close of this Speech did not cast an Ominous Aspect upon the succeeding Actions of this Parliament what ever the Speaker meant let the Reader judge However there is no doubt but this Prohibiting the Irish Army to pass into the Service of the King of Spain had a most direful Influence upon all the following Miseries which befell these Kingdoms After which the House came to these Votes Resolved upon the Question That this House holds it not fit nor gives Assent that there should be any levies of Men in Ireland for the service of the King of Spain Resolved c. That this House thinks it not fit nor gives Assent that there should be any levies of Men in any of his Majesties Dominions for the French King's Service Upon this a Conference was desired with the Lords which was to this Effect Conference about Soldiers for Forreign Ambassadors That the Spanish Ambassador formerly did move the King that he might have leave to Levy and Transport four Regiments of Soldiers in Ireland for the Service of the King of Spain his Majesty was pleased to declare that he would do nothing herein without the Advice of both Houses of Parliament and since they understand his Majesty hath been informed that the Parliament did Assent to the Levying and Transporting of the said Soldiers to the end that it may appear that the House of Commons are far from giving their Assent therein they have resolved and declared that they hold it not fit nor give Assent that there be any Levies of Men in Ireland for the Service of the King of Spain and hold it fit that there be a suddain stop made of the Ships contracted for by the Spanish Ambassador for the Transporting of the Soldiers out of Ireland And further they hold it not fit nor give Assent that there should be any Levies of Men for the French King's Service within any of his Majesties Dominions for that they know not what Vse this Kingdom may have of Men. Upon which the Lords having debated the Matter passed the same Votes with the Commons and further Ordered Sir John Pennington should stay all the Ships in the Downes which were hired by the Spanish Ambassador to transport these Men as also to stop such Ships as were riding in the River of Thames till the further pleasure of the House be known An Order was also sent to the Lord Newport Constable of the Tower to tender the Protestation to all such Persons as he takes into the Tower for the Guard and Defence of it and if any of them refuse not to admit them to be of the Guard A further Order was this Day pass'd both Houses Monday August 30. concerning the Thanksgiving for the Pacification the Scots it seems being not content after having invaded England in a Hostile manner put the Nation to above a Million of Mony through the Interest they had in the Presbyterian Faction to purchase a Peace even upon their own Conditions unless they might be publickly declared Loyal and Faithful Subjects to such hard Terms did the Obstinate Faction drive his Majesty even while they made him all the Protestations of Humility Duty Loyalty and Allegiance which certainly to a great Monarch who by Proclamation had justly stiled them Rebels and had lead an Army against them was a severe Request not to call it an Imposition and which none but Presbyterians or their Off-Spring would have attempted but such was the Fury and Violence of the Current that there was no stopping or stemming of it and his Majesty found himself under such hard Circumstances and Difficulties that he was even compelled to yield to this most extravagant Request See here the Order WHereas according to the Act of this present Parliament for Confirmation of the Treaty of Pacification An Order to declare the Scots
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
Altarwise and place them in some convenient place of the Church or Chancel and to take away the Rails and level the Chancels as heretofore they were before the late Innovations These high Pretences against Innovations Popery and Superstition were the Witchcrafts with which they insensibly drew on the undiscerning People into the most desperate and horrid Sin of Rebellion and amongst the rest of these frightful Crimes with which they blackned the Archbishop and the Clergy this horrible Sin of Innovation was one of the most terrible when the truth is this was so false and far from being an Innovation that whoever has travelled into the Early Regions of Antiquity will both find the Name and Thing of Alter very frequent among the Ecclesiastical Writers and the Holy Fathers of those Ages and that ever since Christianity came from under the Rod of Persecution and that Temples were erected for the Publick Worship of Almighty God they were built after the same Manner and Form with our Churches and the Holy Table was placed at the East end of them and the indeavor of the Archbishop and Regular Clergy to bring in this Piece of Uniformity into the Church of England was so far from being a Novelty or Innovation that the Design of it was to reduce them to this Primitive Custom and Usage of the Primitive Christians so Ancient and Primitive that Nicephorus and Socrates in the Ecclesiastical History make mention of two Altars placed in the West end of two Churches which was then accounted a strange Innovation Wednesday Septem 1 and directly contrary to the constant Custom of the Church The House being now shortly to be Adjourned for some time by Reason the Plague begun to encrease several Persons Petitioned the Commons to be admitted to Bail upon which It was Ordered That Alderman Abel Mr. Kilvert Thomas Powlet Diverse Persons Bailed Charles Cotton Edward Watkins Lewis Kirk shall be Bailed the Principals at 1000 l. and the Sureties each 500 l. Bail Ferris also who was in Custody for Breach of Priviledg for Arresting a Servant of one of the Members and the Post-Master of Ware who was committed to the Serjeant at the complaint of Mr. Rushworth Debate about Religion about Post-Horses were Ordered to be Bailed upon reasonable Bail The House also fell upon the Church-work again which was to be Swept with their beesom of Reformation by abolishing Order Decency and Government as Superstition and Innovation to this purpose it was moved that they might consider of what alterations and additions were to be made in the Book of Common-Prayer whereupon Sir John Culpeper stood up and moved that the Book of Common-Prayer might be continued and remain without alteration or addition and that it might be observed and used with all due Reverence throughout the Kingdom Upon which the Question being put whether they should proceed to the farther consideration of this matter the House was divided upon it with the Yeas were 55 with the Noes 60 so it was for the present laid by This was always one great Artifice of the Party That when there was a thin House and any thing was moved which they perceived they should not be able to Carry to get it put off till either the contrary Party being tired with long Sitting were gone out of the House or that they found their own Party strong enough to carry the Vote And this the Reader shall find verified in a few days and that they not only proceeded to Vote but Authoritatively to Enact this their pretended Abolition of Innovations without the consent of either the King or House of Lords The House being very thin many of the Members being gone into the Country by reason of the spreading of the Contagion It was Ordered That lest the House should fall for want of Forty of the Members to be present at the Adjournment that there should at least Sixty meet the next Week to agree about the Recess upon which the House was Adjourned till Monday next Upon hearing the matter concerning the affront put upon the French Ambassador It was this day Ordered by the Lords as follows WHereas it appears by the Certificate of the Justices of Peace and by Proof of Witnesses Viva voce this Day at the Barr The Order about those who assaulted the French Ambassadors House upon full Examination of the business That Christopher Cook John Symons Richard Clarke John Bird Gyles Philips and Roger Gardner were principal Actors in committing of the great Outrage and Assault upon the French Ambassadors House in Lincolns Inn Fields as flinging of Stones and Assaulting the said House to the great molestation and dishonor of the said Ambassador which this House is very tender of It is Ordered that the Delinquents aforesaid shall forthwith stand committed to New Bride-well there to remain until their Masters or some others shall be Sureties for their Good Behaviour and that they appear at the next Sessions for Middlesex furthermore that the aforesaid Offenders shall stand on Pillories on Wednesday next in the morning for an hours space before the said Ambassadors House without being Vailed and shall publickly ask forgiveness upon their Knees of the Ambassador after which they shall be whipped before the said Ambassadors Door and along the Fields and Streets thereabout And Lastly it is Ordered that Mr. Long Mr. Sheppard Mr. Whittaker and Mr. Hooker Justices of the Peace together with the Sheriff of Middlesex who is to put this Order in Execution shall take special Care that there be a sufficient Guard about the Ambassadors House to prevent such Tumults that so the Peace may be kept during the time of the Execution of this Order The Ambassador being acquainted with this Order did by the Lord Chamberlain return his humble Thanks to the House for the same but desired That the Execution of it might be spared Whereupon it was Ordered That the Whipping be spared and that it be signified to the Offenders that it is remitted at the request of the said Ambassador And afterwards upon his request the Sentence was wholly remitted they asking him Pardon upon their Knees and they were released from their Imprisonment The Bishop of Lincoln who had formerly been so great a Favourite of the Commons Monday Septem 6. yet was a Bishop still and therefore upon any little false step contrary to their Sense more liable than another person to fall under their displeasure which happened to be upon this Occasion The Commons it seems had a great mind to try the Extempore Talent of Marshal and Burgess being men of Renown in that way of treating God Almighty and their Auditors with Prayers that were not tied to any Set Form whereby the Spirit was stinted and the Candle of mens Parts put under a bushel as the phrase of the Times went Now my Lord of Lincoln had it seems compiled a set Office as had been Usual upon the like Occasions for the Service of the Day of
certainly by the informing Sectaries who were very diligent in springing Game for the Committee and Sub-Committees for Religion the Ministers Remonstrance and for Scandalous Ministers Mr. White 's Mr. Corbet's Sir Robert Harlow's and Sir Edward Deering's Committees And then these Godly Informers must be gratified for their Petitions Informations and such like good Service to the Common-Wealth by the Imprisonment Scorn and Contempt Charges and many times utter Ruine of the truly Loyal and Orthodox Clergy of the Church of England And whoever will take the pains to Rake in that Libel of Mr. White 's called The first Century of Scandalous Malignant Priests will find that the greatest Crimes which many of the Clergy were Accused for and turned they and their Families naked to the wide World were the disobeying this Order For Bowing at the Name of Jesus Examples 33 and 43. For setting up the Name of Jesus in the Church Ex. 72.83 Preaching against Sacriledge Ex. 22. Bowing the Body in God's House Ex. 7. But to return to the House of Commons after the Voting of this Declaration they fell upon the business of the Recess and preparing Instructions for the Committee which was to Sit during the time of the Adjournment And Mr. The standing Committee during the Recess of the Parliament Pym Sir Gilbert Gerrard Sir John Franklin Sir John Culpeper Mr. Wheeler Sir Henry Mildmay Mr. Bridgman Sir Thomas Bowyer Sir Thomas Barrington Sir Edward Hales Sir William Litton Sir Richard Cave Mr. Robert Goodwin Sir Samuel Luke Mr. Wingate Sir Robert Pye Alderman Soams Alderman Pennington Captain Venn Mr. Vassal Lord Falkland Capt. Rainsborough Mr. Bence Sir Peter Wroth Sir John Holland Mr. Winwood Mr. John Goodwin Sir Thomas Dacres Mr. Morley Mr. Henry Martin Mr. Arthur Goodwin Sir John Clotworthy Mr. White Mr. Sollicitor Mr. Spurstow Mr. Laurence Whitacre Serjeant Wild Mr. Strode Sir Henry Vane Mr. Glyn Sir Symon D'Ewes Sir William Drake Mr. Beddingfield Sir Gilbert Pickering Mr. Blakston Mr. Waller were appointed to be a Committee during the Recess This Committee to meet on Saturday next in the Exchequer-Chamber at Nine of the Clock in the Fore-noon Directions for the Committee during the Recess and they are to meet every Tuesday and Saturday in every Week and at such other times as they think fit during the Recess and they or any Six of them have power to meet with the Commissioners of the Lords appointed during their Recess at such times as they shall appoint They have Power to receive open and answer such Letters as come from the Committee in Scotland according to former Instructions and Orders of this House To take Care that the Orders of this House be punctually observed concerning Disbanding the Army Train of Artillery and Garrisons and for the Issuing and sending down of Money to those purposes To Recall the Committee in Scotland if they see Cause To go on in preparation of Proceedings against the Principal of such Delinquents as are already Voted or Complained against and to report Vpon any Informations of Riots or Tumults to have Power to send to all Sheriffs Justices of Peace and other Officers to stir them unto their Duties in repressing them and to report To Examine the Entries of the Clerks Books and that the Committee may not mistake any past Actions of the House a Clerk to be left there with the Books To take Care of the Preparations for his Majesties Revenue and to take into Consideration any Accounts to his Majesty To go on in prosecution of the Consideration of a West-Indian Company To take into Consideration the Fishing upon the Coasts of England Scotland and Ireland To take into Consideration the Resolutions of the Abuses in Exchange and Transporting of Money and the Regulating of the Par between this and other Nations To prepare the Irish Laws depending to be either at the Access transmitted to the Lords or recommended to the Irish Parliament To consider about Sal Petre and Gunpowder To send for any Persons Writings and Records To prepare a Discharge for the Earl of Warwick according to those Acquittances he hath given concerning the Northern Counties After which the Speaker desired he might have leave to go into the Country during the Recess which being granted the House was Adjourned till October 20. at Eight of the Clock in the Morning Happy had it been for England had they never met again to be the Authors of the most Dismal Tragedy that ever was Acted upon the Theatre of England but Providence whose Wisdom is unsearchable had Ordained them to be a Scourge to a People Wanton with Long Peace Ease Plenty and Even Religion it self The day to which the Parliament was Adjourned being now come Wednesday Octob. 20. both Houses met And the Lords being sate in their House and divers of them observing the Palace Yard full of Armed Men it was moved That it might be known upon what Grounds and Reasons the Trained Bands of Westminster were in the Old and New Palaces assembled The Lord Chamberlain being Captain General of the South Parts of this Kingdom during the King's absence in Scotland by Command of the House signified That his Lordship received a Desire from the Committee of the House of Commons which sate during the time of the late Recess that there might be a Guard of Souldiers about the Parliament to prevent the Insolence and Affronts of Souldiers at this time about the Town and to secure the Houses against other Designs which they have reason to suspect untill the Parliament meets and gives further Order therein Hereupon it was Ordered The Parliament takes a Guard of the Trained Bands of Westminster That the Lord Chamberlain shall by virtue of this Order continue a Guard of Souldiers to guard the Parliament Houses until the further Pleasure of the Parliament be known and that the Number of the said Soldiers shall be wholly left unto the discretion and management of the said Lord Chamberlain Captain General After this the Lord Keeper informed the House That he had received a Letter from the Lord Howard in Scotland dated the 14th of October which was read The Conspiracy in Scotland declaring That upon Monday Night then last there fell out a great Interruption in the Business there by reason of an Information given to the Marquiss of Hamilton the Earl of Argyle and the Earl of Lannerick That there was a Design to seize upon their Persons that Night whereupon they removed their Lodgings and stayed in the City all Night and relation being made hereof the next day to the Parliament the Earl of Crawford Colonel Steward and Colonel Cockram were restrained and after a further Examination his Lordship will give this House a further Information The first thing that was done in the House of Commons Mr. Pym's Report of what was done during the Recess Mr. Pym Reports what was done during the Recess THE first thing we had in Charge was
concerning the Declaration of the House about Innovations the Committee have sent divers of them into the Country and have found that in some places where there were good Ministers It was designed for a Snare for the Loyal Clergy they were Entertained and in some other places they were neglected but for the most part it is by those that have been questioned here for other Matters The Committee took into Consideration the Intention of the House concerning the publishing of the Declaration therefore they gave Directions to require the publishing thereof in Churches and that the Churchwardens might see the Execution thereof Some Particulars concerning this will come in a Special Report which I shall now only touch upon in General in regard of the Great Importance of the Business first to be considered of this day touching the Troubles of Scotland of which I shall give you an account The next thing the Committee did take into Consideration was the Correspondency with the Committee in Scotland in receiving Letters from them and sending Answers to them I shall not need to produce their several Letters now it will take up too much time but the chief Point was touching the Disbanding of the Army and two Garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle for Carlisle it is totally Disbanded and the Soldiers sent into Ireland to be placed there as they were before in the King's Army for we did conceive it Fitter those new men now in the King's Army there should be dismissed and these that were formerly taken from thence should be entertained again for we hear a good report of their Carriage at Carlisle For the Garrison at Berwick that required longer time of Consideration at the Committee for besides the demolishing of the Works which was much pressed by the Scots and seconded by a Letter from his Majesty out of Scotland there was a want of Money yet the Committee got sufficient to Disband all and sent it down and because the Scots Commissioners desired to know a certain day of our Disbanding and then they would upon knowledg of that disband their Forces whereupon the Committee set down the 15th of October to be the last day of Disbanding and the Letter yesterday received from Sir Michael Ernley shows that he hath Money enough to disband all and that the Horse are disbanded and Five Companies of Foot and that on Friday last the other Companies of Foot had been disbanded but that a Letter came from Sir Henry Vane in his Majesties Name requiring to stay the disbanding of the rest till further Order of which you shall hear more when I come to that part of my Report month October 1641. For the Arms and Ammunition at Carlisle the Committee gave Order for the safe laying of them up to be well kept till the next Spring that it be more Seasonable to send for them away they being now five or six miles from the Sea side which would have taken now much time to have shipped them and Sir George D'alliston and other Members of the House are desired to take care of the safe keeping it in the mean time For the Ammunition at Berwick the Committee have sent six Ships to Transport the same to the Tower and agreed with them for a certain Sum for the doing thereof within such a time and if they stayed longer to have so much per diem for demurrage The next thing we took into Consideration at the Committee was concerning Tumults though we cannot say any great Tumults yet there were seeds sown which might have occasioned some in the Execution of the Order of the House touching Innovations but I shall make a particular Report of those Parishes where they were at blows and likely to come to blows if the Committee had not sought the prevention of it which was the Ground why the Committee entertained their Petition There was another like Trouble and sign of Tumult by the frequent resort of Troopers to Town and to the Committee who delivered in Thirty Petitions to the Committee in their own Names and the Names of other discontented persons in the Army We could not refuse to accept their Petitions lest they should grow to Tumults and of their Complaints and the Nature of them I shall give a particular Report but the Committee Voted nothing concerning them It will be very fit to resolve something concerning them that they may depart the Town for under the name of the Soldiers many Robberies are done which occasioned the Committee to give Order See here a Committee Exercise more power than they would allow the King and a pretty Evasion of the Order of Parliament in giving single Passes by which 20000 Men might have been as Easily Transported as 200. That all of them that desire to have Passes to go beyond Sea might have the same But this would not serve their turn unless they might have liberty to receive pay here to go in Companies under Commanders to the Service of Forreign Princes which the Committee could not give way unto in regard of the Ordinance of both Houses to the contrary There is another Head the Committee had in Charge concerning the King's Revenue All that we could do in that which I did by the direction of the Committee was to take Care for a Ballance touching the same and accordingly I spake with the King's Officers about it and a Ballance will be ready when you shall please to call for it The next was concerning the Exchange beyond Sea I think for that there will be a good return made for the Benefit of the Common-wealth Another thing was concerning the Irish Petitions but the Gentleman that used to be in the Chair for Irish affairs Mr. Whistler was out of Town and had most of their Petitions with him so we could do nothing only one Mr. Cope and Mr. Lomach who had long attended had their Case made known to the Committee the one desiring to have two Witnesses Examined upon a Petition here depending who are ready to go to Sea and the other Mr. Cope of English Parents and great Family is a Petitioner for recovery of an Estate of great Value which he conceives hath been long kept from him wrongfully and desires that a Committee may but consider of the Depositions already taken touching the same in several Courts of Record Whether these be not just Cause for him to have Relief and matter of Ground to proceed on in his Petition and if not he will desist in Petitioning the House Next thing in Charge was concerning the Delinquents in that we made but a small progress for we had a desire to have perfected the Charge against my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury but in regard those of the Long Robe of the Committee were for most part absent we could not proceed therein Next there came to me to my Lodgings at Chelsey Sir John Berkley and Sergeant Major Oneal who said That they were accused and had rashly withdrawn themselves but upon
set up Mr. Sedgewick a Factious Minister to preach a Thursday-Lecture in his Parish This day the whole Trained Bands of Westminster attended all the day long in Arms The Trained-bands raised to Guard the Parliament in the Palace Yard till both the Houses rose when they received Directions from the Earl of Essex to divide their whole number being about 500 Men into four parts for that it would be too hard duty for the whole Band daily to attend and also to watch by Night therefore one hundred might attend for the Day and be relieved at Night for a Corps du Guard and by this means they might alternatively be eased The Commons reassumed the Debate concerning the Danger of the Times Thursday October 21. and Ordered that another Head of the Conference with the Lords should be to move That an Express be sent to the Committee of both Houses in Scotland to let them know That the Parliament takes well the Advertisement and that they conceive the Peace of that Kingdom concerns the Good of this Kingdom and that if there be any Tumult to oppose the Acts Confirmed by both Kingdoms and that his Majesty will Command any Assistance to Suppress them that both Houses will be ready to maintain his Majesty in his Greatness and to suppress those that are disturbers of the Peace It was also further desired at the Conference That Sir John Berkley and Daniel Oneal who had rendred themselves to the Committee during the Recess might be Examined by the Lords in the same manner as the others who were suspected of the Confederacy had been and it was particularly Ordered by the Lords That Sir John Berkley be Examined concerning what he reported of the Lord Admiral 's Advice to him to come over into England he being fled upon a suspition of having a hand in the late Treason of bringing up the Northern Army against the Parliament A Complaint was brought into the House against the Curate and some Parishioners of Cripplegate for not obeying the Order of Sept. 8th for Reformation Upon which occasion Sir Edw. Deering whom for his last Speech the Faction began to dislike spake as follows Mr. Speaker IT is very true as is instanced unto you that your late Order and declaration of the eighth and ninth of September Sir Edw. Deering's Speech about the Order of the 8th of September Oct. 21. 1641. are much debated and disputed abroad perhaps it may be a good occasion for us to re-dispute them here The intent of your Order to me seems doubtful and therefore I am bold for my own instruction humbly to propound two Quaeres 1. How far an Order of this House is binding 2. Whether this particular Order be continuant or expired Your Orders I am out of doubt are powerful if they be grounded upon the Laws of the Land Upon that warranty we may by an Order enforce any thing that is undoubtedly so grounded and by the same Rule we may abrogate whatsoever is introduced contrary to the undoubted foundation of our Laws But Sir this Order is of another nature another temper especially in one part of it Of which in particular at some other time Sir There want not some abroad men of Birth Quality and Fortunes such as know the strength of our Votes here as well a some of us I speak my own Infirmities men of the best worth and of good affiance in us and no way obnoxious to us They know they sent us hither as their Trustees to make and unmake Laws They know they did not send us hither to Rule and Govern them by Arbitrary Revocable and Disputable Orders especially in Religion No time is fit for that and this time as unfit as any I desire to be instructed herein Mr. Speaker in the second place there is a Question whether this Order whereupon your present complaint is grounded be permanent and binding or else expired and by our selves deserted I observe that your Order being made the eighth of September in hope then of concurrence therein by the Lords that failing you did issue forth your last resolution by way of declaration the ninth of September wherein thus you express your self That it may well be hoped when both Houses shall meet again that the good propositions and preparations in the House of Commons for preventing the like grievances and reforming the disorders and abuses in matter of Religion may be brought to perfection wherefore you do expect that the Commons of this Realm do in the mean time What obey and perform your Order made the day before No such thing but in the mean time quietly attend the Reformation intended These are your words and this my doubt upon them whether by these words you have not superseded your own Order Sure I am the words do bear this Sence and good men may think and hope it was your meaning My humble Motion therefore is this I beseech you to declare that upon this our Re-convention your Order of the eighth of September is out of Date And that the Commons of England must as you say quietly attend the Reformation intended which certainly is intended to be perfected up into Acts of Parliament And in the mean time that they must patiently endure the present Laws until you can make new or mend the old The Commons fell again upon the Impeachment of the Bishops Friday Octob. 22. and a Message being sent to the Lords to desire they might be put to a speedy Answer the Tenth of November was given the Bishops for a day to give in their Answer to the Charge A Letter was then read in the House which was to be sent to the Committee in Scotland Which was as followeth THE Advertisement which you have given in your Letters of the 14th of this Month The Letter to the Committee in Scotland concerning the Designs against the Persons of the Lord Marquiss Hamilton the Earls of Argyle and Lannerick hath been communicated to both Houses who do very much commend your Wisdom and Diligence in sending them timely Notice of an Accident of such great Consequence to the Peace both of this and that Kingdom and do give you Thanks for your Care therein and I am to let you know That We have received no other publique Intelligence thereof Wherefore the Desire of both Houses is That so long as you stay there you continue to Inform the Houses of Parliament of the Further Proceedings in this matter and such other Accidents as may any way concern the Safety of both Kingdoms and thereupon they have thought good to make further addition to your former Instructions touching some things which they conceive fit to be represented to his Majesty from the Lords and Commons of this Parliament here as you may perceive by the inclosed which I am Commanded to send to you and to commend to your Care and Wisdom not doubting but you will fully answer their Expectations and Confidence And for
auxi mesmes les Communes remercierment les seigneurs Espirituelx Temporelx de lour bon droiturell Jugment quils auoint fait come Piers du Parlement That the said Commons returned thanks to the Lords Temporal and Spiritual for the good and upright Judgment which they had made as Peers of Parliament In the 2 of H. 6 John Lord Talbot accused James Boteler Earl of Ormond Rot. Par. n. 9. 2 H. 6. in Parliament of sundry Treasons and the Record saith That De avisamento assensu Dominorum Spiritualium Temporalium ac Communitatis Regni Angliae in eodem Parliamento existent ' facta fuit quaedam Abolitio delationis nunciatonis Detectionis predict ' c. By the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons of England there was made a certain abolition of the said Accusation Relation and Discovery From which Presidents it is evident that the Lords the Bishops did Sit and Debate Vote and Determin in Causes Capital as well as the other Temporal Lords The third Position is that they are a third Estate in Parliament Which is proved both by undeniable Reason and undoubted Presidents and Records That there are three Estates in the Parliament of England is a matter on all hands allowed But some Persons who would bring down the Soveraignty to a Coordinacy do affirm that the King is the third Estate the Lords making one and the Commons the other which dangerous Position as it doth submit the Monarchy to great hazzards so it gave occasion and colour to the taking away of the Peerage of the Bishops the third Estate notwithstanding their Exclusion being according to this principle left as Intire in the Lords House as it was upon the Exclusion of the Lord Abbots in the time of King Henry the Eighth Now that the King is not one of the three Estates and consequently that the Lords the Bishops must be so and were ever accounted so evidently appears by the Records of our Parliaments which are cited to this purpose as follows In the Parliament of 1. H. 4. By the Roll it appears that King Richard the Second appointed two Procurators to declare his Resignation of the Crown coram omnibus Statibus Regni before all the States of the Realm and one of the Articles against him was concerning his Impeachment of Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury coram Rege omnibus Statibus Regni before the King and all the Estates of the Realm And who all these Estates of the Realm were it most fully appears in that the Commissioners for the Sentence of this unfortunate Kings deposition are said to be appointed Per Pares Proceres Regni Anglia Spirituales Temporales ejusdem Regni Communitates omnes status ejusdem Regni representantes By the Peers and Nobility of the Kingdom of England Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons of the same representing all the Estates of the said Realm So that First the Bishops are declared Peers of the Realm in Parliament Secondly The Estates of the Parliament are to represent all the Estates of the Kingdom Clergy Nobility and Commons Thirdly The three Estates in Parliament are the Lords Spiritual the Lords Temporal and the Commons of the Realm In the Roll of Parliament Rot. Parl. 1. R. 3. 1. R. 3. it is Recorded That whereas before his Coronation certain Articles were delivered unto him in the name of the three Estates of the Realm that is to say of the Lords Spiritual Lords Temporal and of the Commons by name c. Now forasmuch as neither the said three Estates neither the said Persons which in their name presented and delivered as it is aforesaid the said Roll unto our Soveraign Lord the King were Assembled in Form of Parliament divers doubts have been moved c. Now by the said three Estates Assembled in this present Parliament and by Authority of the same be ratified and Enrolled c. Upon which Record Mr. Prinn himself makes this Marginal Note The three Estates must concur to make a Parliament no one or two of them being a full or Real Parliament but all conjoyned In the 3. H. 6. it is said in the Record Prinn Abridgments of Records p. 710. 714. the three Estates Assembled in this present Parliament In the Explanation of the Duke of Bedford's Power as Protector It is said it was advised and appointed by the Authority of the King Assenting the three Estates of this Realm so that it is plain that the King was not then accounted one of them Rot. Par. 3. H. 6. n. 19. 6. H. 6. n. 24. In the 11. H. 6. The Duke of Bedford appeared in Parliament and declared the Reason of his coming coram Domino Rege tribus Statibus Regni before the King and the three Estates of the Realm 11. Hen. 6. n. 10. and n. 2. n. 2. N. 11. Domino Rege tribus Regni Statibus in presenti Parliamento Existentibus Our Lord the King and the three Estates in Parliament being present where the King is plainly distinct from the three Estates 11. H. 6. N. 2. The Lord Cromwell Lord Treasurer Exhibits a Petition in Parliament wherein he saith that the Estate and necessity of the King and of the Realm have been notified to the three Estates of the Land Assembled in Parliament In the Appendix to the Rolls of Parliament that Year the Duke of Bedford saith in his Petition to the King How that in your last Parliament yit lyked your Hyghness by yaduis of three Estates of yis Land to will me c. 23. H. 6. N. 11. Presente Domino Rege 23. H. 6. n. 11. tribus Statibus in presenti Parliamento Existentibus c. Our Lord the King being present and the three Estates in the present Parliament Assembled 28. H. 6. N. 9. Domino Rege 28. H. 6. n. 9. tribus Regni Statibus in pleno Parliamento comparentibus c. Our Lord the King and the three Estates in full Parliament appearing c. 1. H. 6. 1. H. 6. The Queen Dowager in her Petition mentioning the Ratification made in Parliament 9. H. 5. saith it was not only sworn by the King but by the three Estates of the Kingdom of England Cest assavoir Les Prelatz Nobles Grands per les Comuns de mesm le Royalm Dengleterre That is to say by the Prelats Nobles and Great Men and by the Commons of the said Realm of England And since the Reformation In the 8 of Eliz. 1. 8. Eliz. 1. The Bishops are in Parliament called one of the greatest States of this Realm From all which Instances it plainly appears First That there are three Estates in the Fundamental Constitution of every Parliament Secondly That there are three Estates besides the King and consequently that he cannot be one of the three Thirdly that the Lords Spiritual the Bishops are a Third Estate of the Realm in Parliament
Quod erat probandum Object 1. It remains now to answer some Objections which are made against these Positions And First a Canon which they urge was made at Westminster by Richard Arch-Bishop of Canterbury that Persons in Holy-Orders should not agitare Judicium sanguinis To which it is Answered That this is part of one of the Canons of Toledo which never were any part of the Common or Statute Law of this Land even in times of Popery much less obliging now since the Reformation but however the very Canon it self is perverted for the Prohibition explains it self unde prohibemus ne aut per se Membrorum truncationes faciant aut inferendas Judicent they were prohibited personally to be the Executioners in dismembring or to pronounce the Judgment or Sentence in Cases of that Nature Two Offices of which neither the Lords the Bishops nor the most inferior of the Clergy will at this time contend for or be ambitious of Object 2. It is Objected Secondly that in the 11. of Richard the Second the Bishops in Cases of Blood entred a Solemn Protestation in Parliament which was Assented to by the King the Lords Temporal and Commons with these words Non licet nobis aut alicui eorum juxta Sacrorum Canonum instituta quomodolibet interesse That according to the Canon Law it was not lawful for them or any of them in any manner to be present To this it is answered That the Protestation saith as Peers they had Right as per Baroniam de Domino Rege tenentes in Parliamentis Regis quibuscunque personaliter interesse cum caeteris Paribus aliis de Regni negotiis consulere Tractare Ordinare Statuere definire ac caetera facere quae Parliamenti tempore ibidem imminent facienda holding of our Lord the King by Baronage to be personally present in all Parliaments of the King together with the rest of the Barons and others to Consult Treat Order Appoint and Determin of the Affairs of the Kingdom and to do all other things which in the time of Parliament were there to be done And it is plain the King Temporal Barons and Commons allowed they had this Right But it being a troublesome time the Kings Ministers being to be Impeached in that Parliament which was called Parliamentum sine Misericordia because the King gave up all his Court Ministers to be Sacrificed to the Animosities of the Potent Faction of the Lords binding himself not to pardon any without their consent the Bishops were willing to get out of harms way and therefore pleaded the Canons in excuse And possibly both sides might have their several ends in consenting to this protestation the King that so he might call in Question the Acts done without them as it happened 21. R. 2. when all done in this Parliament was Repealed and made void for this Reason the Lords might consent to the Bishops withdrawing that so their Affairs might proceed without opposition against the Kings Ministers But however as before these Canons being not the Law of the Land neither then nor now could be no real Barr to their Right Nor did they upon other occasions think them so as appears by several Instances beforementioned upon the second Position It is Objected in the third place Object 3 That there was a Parliament held 25 E. 1. at St. Edmonds-Bury Excluso clero And notwithstanding many good Laws were there made and that upon this Case in Kelway's Reports it is said to be the Opinion of the Judges that the King may hold his Parliament without the Bishops To this it is answered First That it is but one single Instance and an Extraordinary Case and that it is not only ill but dangerous arguing and concluding universally from one single president for if a Parliament may be good without one Estate why not without another and according to their Position who make the King Lords and Commons the three Estates any one of the three may be Excluded upon the same reason Secondly The Bishops in this Parliament were not Excluded by the King and the other two Estates but by their own voluntary action And the occasion of it was a Bull of Pope Boniface the 8. prohibiting the Clergy to give any more Subsidies which whatever Influence it had then can have none upon the Bishops since the Reformation And whereas it is said many good Laws were made in that Parliament never since questioned it is evident by the Rolls that all that was done in that Parliament was the granting of a 12th by the Laity to the King As for Kelway's reason in his Reports that they might be excluded because they have no places in Parliament by reason of their Spiritualty but only by reason of their Temporal Baronies it will hold as well against the other Barons And that this is but one President of a Parliament without Bishops agaâ—nst a Multiutde of others wherein they were present Et consuetudo Parlamenti est Lex Parlamenti and that Law is the Law of the Land It is Objected Object 4 That if they were a distinct Estate they would have a distinct-Negative I think the best answer to this is the former that Consuetudo Parlamenti est lex Parlamenti and though former Parliaments have ever owned them a distinct Estate yet as the Author observes they sit there now not in their Spiritual Capacity as formerly in the Saxon times before Baronies but in their Temporal Capacities as Barons by Tenures and they have ever Voted in Common with the other Lords according to Custom of Parliament which is the Law of Parliament In the last place it is Objected Object 5 if they were Peers of the Realm they would according to Magna Charta be tried by their Peers but they are in Capital Cases tried by Juries of the Commons To this it is answered First That they have challenged and had this Priviledg in Parliament So John Stratford Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Antiq. Brit. p. 223. Rot. Par. 15. E. 3. n. 7. tanquam major par Regni post Regem vocem primam in Parliamento habere debens put himself upon Trial by his Peers and after great debate it was at length resolved that the Peers should be tried only by Peers in Parliament and he had appointed to examin the Articles against him 4 Bishops viz. London Hereford Bath and Exceter 4 Earls Arundel Salisbury Huntington and Suffolk 4 Barons Percy Wake Basset and Nevil After which he was admitted to answer for himself in Parliament devant les Piers before his Peers 21. R. 2. Tho. 21. R. 2. Arundel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was Impeached of High-Treason before the King and Lords in Parliament The Kings answer was that forasmuch as this Impeachment did concern so High a Person Pier de Son Roialm a Peer of the Realm he would be advised But soon after he was condemned for Treason by the House the Proxy of the Bishops Sir Thomas Percy giving his
Vote for them Secondly Temporal Barons have not always been tried by their Peers for 28. H. 6. William de la Poole Duke of Suffolk waved being tried by his Peers and submitted to the Kings mercy upon which the Lords Temporal and Spiritual entred a Protestation that this should not be or turn to the prejudice of them their Heirs nor Successors in time coming but that they might enjoy their freedom in case of their Peerages as largely as their Ancestors and Predecessors had done Thomas Lord Berkley being Arraigned for the Deâ—th of King E. Rot. Par. 4. E. 3. 2 before the Parliament put himself upon his Countrey and the Jury brought him in not Guilty Thus far the Learned Author from whom for the Readers ease and satisfaction in this important particular I have made these short Collections and refer the more Curious to the Book it self I should have given the Reader an account before of the great Complaints of the City against Protections Thursday October 28. but here I present him with the Report which Mr. Reynolds made in the House of Commons upon that Subject which was That the City of London did heretofore present a Petition in the Name of the whole City Report in the House of Commons concerning the Complaint of the City about Protections c. complaining of Protections and Priviledges claimed by Members of both Houses and by the Kings and Queens Servants and having no Redress by their Petition they called a Common Councel and upon a long Debate among themselves they did agree unanimously * This deserves to be taken Notice of for by this it is Easy to conjecture the Grievances of the Nation were aggravated far more then in truth they deserved That this Grievance was greater and more prejudicial to the City and the whole Kingdom than that of Salt Soap Leather and Ship-Money Thereupon they did agree to Address themselves by way of a second Petition to this House and that Petition was referred to a Committee to Regulate Protections this was done 6 July last and during the Sitting of that Committee they attended there two or three times and presented a Book in Folio of the Members of this House that have granted Protections as also the Names of those of the Kings Queens and Princes Servants that were Protected Upon all which they grounded their Complaint which Complaint was there presented in Writing And it was the Opinion of the Committee That it should be read in the House at this time of the Report being Reasons tendred by the Committee appointed by the Common-Councel of the City of London against Protections Priviledges and priviledged Places c. Upon the Reasons mentioned in the Paper and upon other Considerations and after a long Debate and being a tender point to trench upon the Priviledges of Parliament they proceeded unto these two Votes which they commanded me to Report 1. That all the Members of this House should be pleased during the pleasure of this House to wave all Protections for their Menial Servants or others 2. That during the Pleasure of this House all the Lands Estates and Goods of every Member of this House should be Lyable to the Payment of just Debts But for all the Complaints of the City and the greatness of the Grievance which Exceeded all the Monopolies of Salt Soap Leather and Ship-Money put together this was a point so necessarily tender that they made very slow steps toward the Redressing of it or joyning with Mr. Reynolds and his Committee in their Votes And nothing further was at present done in it more than barely to give the Complaint a hearing Had the King Queen and Prince only been concerned in Protections it had immediately been Voted Illegal Unjust against the Liberty of the Subject c. but it too nearly concerned some of them to comply with the Votes of the Committee for if they had particularly I instance in the late infamous Usurper Oliver Cromwell instead of Sitting in the Commons House they were in danger to take up their Lodgings in a Common Prison For had hâ— and many others in the House made all their Lands Estates and Goods lyable to the payment of their just debts they would have been quickly found Bankrupts in Estate then as much as they were afterwards in Honesty and Reputation and unless the Charity of the Faction who obtruded them upon the People for Representatives had maintained them out of the Common Stock they must have wanted Bread as well as they who set them up would have wanted Instruments to carry on their Blessed Work of Reformation which in reality was by many of these hungry and broken Fortunes only to Establish their own out of the Ruins of the Church And therefore to cut off all further Trouble on that side Order to Enter only upon Publick business by letting this Affair and Complaint of the City sleep sine die It was the 28 of October Ordered That in regard of the Weighty and Important Matters in agitation in the House this House will not enter upon any private Matters but into Publick Business only till further Order and this Order to be Printed and Published that so all persons may take Notice of it and regulate themselves accordingly And the truth is they were now deep upon Consultation of the Fatal Point which Ushered in the Rebellion and not only this but many others in former Ages Committee to prepare Heads for a Petition to the King against Evil Councellors c. for a Committee was appointed to prepare Heads out of the whole Debate that has been this day for a Petition to be preferred to his Majesty To prevent the Mischiefs that may happen to the Common-Wealth by the Choice and Imployment of Evil Councellors Ambassadors Judges Officers and other Ministers of State and they are to meet this Afternoon at 4. of the Clock in the Exchequer Chamber and have Power to send for Parties Witnesses Papers and Records and any thing else that may conduce to the Service This day the Certificate of the Two Chief Justices in the Case of Cook and Blackston Friday October 29. referred to them by Order of the House of Lords was Read viz. May it please your Lordships ACcording to your Lordships Order of the 9th of September last touching the business between John Cook Clerk Plaintiff A Case about Superinduction to a Rectory before the Lords and Benjamin Blackston Defendant We have heard the Parties and their Councel on both sides And we find that the said John Cook was Presented Instituted and Inducted into the Rectory of West Thorney in Sussex after the Death of Godfrey Blackston former Incumbent there who died in the Month of January 1637. And that Mr. Blackston procured a Super-institution to this Church and by colour thereof hath gotten the Possession from Mr. Cook We are of Opinion That the Super-institution of Mr. Blackston is void and that Mr. Cook ought
to be restored to his Possession and to hold the same quietly untill he shall be Evicted by Course of Law And we think fit that Mr. Blackston should be left to his Remedy and Course at Law to try his Title to the same Church and for such Wrongs as he supposeth that Mr. Cook hath done unto him And that Mr. Cook be left also to his Remedy and Course in Law for such Wrongs and Damages as he doth Alledg that Mr. Blackston hath done unto him All which we â—â—mbly submit to your Lordships Wisdom 25 October 1641. John Bramston John Bankes Upon this the House Ordered The Order of the Lords upon it That the Possession of the Rectory of West Thorney shall be setled upon the said John Cook according to the aforesaid Certificate and that the Sheriff and Justices of the Peace shall give him Possession and continue him quietly in the same until he shall be evicted by Course of Law and that the rest of the Certificate is hereby fully confirmed and Mr. Blackston left to his Remedy and Course of the Law to try his Title to the same Church A Message was brought from the House of Commons by Mr. The Tryal of Judge Berkley put off Perpoint to let their Lordships know That by reason many of their Witnesses are in Places remote so as they cannot be ready for the Tryal of Mr. Justice Berkley on the second of November next therefore the Desires of the House of Commons are that their Lordships would be pleased to take the same into Consideration and put the Tryal off for some Longertime whereupon it was Ordered That the Day of Tryal of Mr. Justice Berkley is put off from the Day appointed until this House gives further Order herein and Mr. Justice Berkley is to have speedy Notice hereof In the Commons House it was this day Ordered That the Orders concerning the Soldiers to depart the Town shall be Printed and Published as also the Orders made by the Lord General the Lords also Assenting A Committee was also appointed An Order of Commons to make such as they voted Delinquents Estates forfeifted Debate in the House of Commons concerning the five new Bishops to present the Names of those Persons that are Voted Delinquents by this House to the end the House may present such of their Names as they shall think fit to the Lords whereby their Estates may be lyable for their Offences Then the House fell into Debate concerning the Conge d' Eslires for the making of the five New Bishops and upon the Question the House was divided with the Yeas were 71 with the Noes 53. Whereupon a Committee was appointed to prepare Heads for a Conference with the Lords to desire them to joyn with this House in a Petition to his Majesty to stay the making of the five Bishops until further Consideration be had by both Houses The Lord Keeper reported the Conference with the Commons touching the Safety of the Kingdom and the Security of the Princes Person to this Effect Saturday October 30. Report of the Conference about the Safety of the Kingdom c. That the House of Commons are full of Tenderness of the King's Honor Duty to the King's Person and his Posterity It was said that it was not News now a-Days to hear of dangerous Designs they having newly discovered some more therefore the House of Commons have Reason to look into every Corner whence Danger may come And upon Information the House of Commons understands that of late the Prince hath been much from his own House at Oatlands out of the Custody of his Governor they do not doubt of the Motherly Affection and Care of the Queen towards him but there are dangerous Persons at Oatands Priests and Jesuits as hath of late appeared by some Examinations taken and some of them are sent for by the House of Commons Vpon these Reasons the House of Commons desires That a Message be sent to the Lord Marquiss of Hertford from both Houses of Parliament That he should forthwith take the Prince into his Custody and Charge and attend upon him in Person and desire that the Prince may make his Ordinary Abode and Residence at his own House at Richmond and that his Lordship will place such Persons about him as he will be answerable for to both Houses Whereupon it was Resolved To send the Lord Chamberlain to the Lord Marquiss of Hertford and the Earl of Holland to acquaint the Queen herewith and to present Her Majesty the Reasons of it In the House of Commons Mr. King reports the Case of the Soap Business Votes about the Soap Business in the H. of Commons Whereupon it was Resolved upon the Question That all those who made the Decree in the Star-Chamber are Delinquents Resolved c. That the Proclamation dated 26. Januarii 1633. made in pursuance of the Decree of Star-Chamber of the 23 of August 1633. for regulating the Trade of Soapers and two other Proclamations the one dated 13 July 1634. and the other dated the 25 January 1634 concerning Soapers are illegal and tend to the Subversion of the Laws of this Realm and are against the Liberty of the Subject Resolved c. That the Orders of the Council-Board of 29th of September 1634. of the 24 of November 1634. of the 29th of July 1635. concerning the Soapers and of the 18 of December 1636. for a Commission to Sir John Hales Knight and John How Esquire and the Dormant Warrant of the One and Thirtieth of December 1636. to such of the Soapers of Westminster were Illegal and against the Liberty of the Subject Resolved c. That all who Signed the Warrants were Delinquents Resolved c. That the restraining of the Subjects Persons the Examination of them upon Oath against themselves the imposing of Fines upon them and the Sharing of those Fines by Colour of the Order of the Council-Table dated the 10 of December 1636. and a pretended Commission directed unto Sir John Hales Knight and John How Esquire are Illegal month November 1641. and a Grievance to the Subject and the same were put in Execution by the said Sir John Hales John How and Corporation of Soapers of Westminster and their Officers and they for the doing thereof are Delinquents and ought to make amends to the Parties damnified thereby Resolved c. That the Matter agreed upon by the Indentures of Covenants dated the 12th of April 1636. made between the King and Sir Henry Compton and the rest of the Soapers of Westminster are Illegal and a great Grievance to the Subject and of dangerous Consequence in the Execution Resolved c. That these several Parties viz. That were Covenanters with the King by the Indenture of Covenant dated the 12th of April 1636. are Delinquents and ought to make Amends to the Common-Wealth and to all such as after these Covenants entred into were restrained the Vse of their Trades of making Soap or sustaining
any Loss in their Fat 's Panns or otherwise by occasion of the Corporation of Westminster Resolved c. That the Obligation entred into by the Soapers of London to his Majesty upon their Deliverance out of Prison upon the Sentence of Star-Chamber conditioned that they would not make any more Soap without the License of the Corporation of Westminster were Illegal and contrary to the Liberty of the Subject Resolved c. That Sir John Hales Francis Plowdon Fitz Williams Conisby Delinquents about the Soap-Patent sent for by the Serjeant at Arms. Edmund Windham John Gifford George Vaughan _____ Stradlings shall be sent for as Delinquents by the Serjeant at Arms attending this House It was Ordered That according to the Order of the Ninth of November last Mr. Fitz Williams Conisby shall be expelled this House he being a Monopolist and that the Speaker Issue out a Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown for a Writ for a new Election for a Member to serve for the County of Hertford in his Place It was also Ordered Burgess to Preach before the Commons November 5th Monday Novemb. 1. The News of the Irish Rebellion which broke out upon Saturday October 23. That Doctor Burgess shall be desired to Preach before this House upon the Fifth of November This day the Lord Keeper informed the House of Lords That the Lord Lieutenant General of Ireland having yesterday Morning received a Pacquet of Letters and Examinations from the Justices and Council of Ireland discovering an Insurrection and Treason in that Kingdom and that the Rebels have already committed divers Murders and fired Houses and Villages of the Protestants there Vpon this the Privy-Council met at White-Hall and considering it to be a Matter of so great Importance thought it not fit to omit any Opportunity nor loose Time therefore because this House was appointed not to sit until this Afternoon * The L. Keeper the L. P. Seal L. High Chamberlain E. Marshal L. Admiral L. Chamberlain E. of Bath E. of Dorset E. of Leicester E. of Warwick E. of Holland E. of Berks E. of Bristol L. Viscount Say and Seal L. Mandeville L. Goring L. Willmot acquaint the Commons with the Irish Rebellion After they had staied a little Chairs were brought them and the Speaker desired them in the Name of the House to sit and be covered the Lords of the Council as Privy Counsellors thought it expedient to communicate the same speedily to the House of Commons and this Morning in a full House their Lordships in Person caused the Letters and Examinations concerning the Business to be publickly read unto them and desired the House of Commons to take the same into Consideration Hereupon the Letters and Examinations were read first a Letter which was sent from the Council of Ireland to the Lord Lieutenant General as follows May it please Your Lordship ON Friday the 22th of this Month after Nine of the Night The Letter from the Council of Ireland to the Lord Lieutenant General of the Discovery of the Irish Rebellion this Bearer Owen Connelly Servant to Sir John Clotworthy Knight came to me the Lord Chief Justice Parsons to my House in great secresie as indeed the Case did require and discovered unto me a most wicked and damnable Conspiracy plotted and contrived and intended to be also acted by some evil affected Irish Papists here The Plot was on the then next Morning Saturday the 23 of October being * * Ignatius Loyola not the Martyr Ignatius the Tutelar St. of Romish Rebels Ignatius Day about Nine of the Clock to surprize His Majesties Castle of Dublin His Majesties chiefest strength of this Kingdom wherein also is the principal Magazine of His Majesties Arms and Munition And it was agreed it seems among them that at the same hour all other His Majesties Forts and Magazines of Arms and Munition in this Kingdom should be surprised by others of the Conspirators And further That all the Protestants and English throughout the whole Kingdom that would not joyn with them should be cut off and so those Papists should then become possessed of the Government and Kingdom at the same Instant As soon as I had that Intelligence I then immediately repaired to the Lord Justice Borlace and thereupon we Instantly Assembled the Council and having sat in Council all that night as also all the next day the 23 of October in regard of the short time left us for the Consultation of so great and weighty a matter although it was not possible for us upon so few hours warning to prevent those other great mischiefs which were to be acted even at that same hour and that at so great distance as in all the other parts of the Kingdom yet such was our industry therein having caused the Castle that Night to be strengthned with Armed Men and the City Guarded as the wicked Councels of those Evil Persons by the great Mercy of God to us became defeated so as they were not able to act that part of their Treachery which indeed was principally intended and which if they could have effected would have rendred the rest of their Purposes the more easie Having so secured the Castle we forthwith laid about for the Apprehension of as many of the Offenders as we could many of them having come to this City but that night intending it seems the next morning to act their Parts in those Treacherous and Bloody Crimes The first man apprehended was one Hugh Mac-Mahon Esq Grand-son to the Traytor Tyrone a Gentleman of a good fortune in the County of Monoghan who with others that morning was taken in Dublin having at the time of their apprehension offered a little resistance with their Swords drawn but finding those we imployed against them more in Number and better Armed yielded He upon Examination before us at first denied all but in the end when he saw we laid it home to him he confessed enough to destroy himself and impeach some others as by a Copy of his Examination herewith sent may appear to your Lordship We have committed him until we might have further time to Examine him again our time being become more needful to be imployed in Action for securing the Place then in Examining This Mr. Mac-Mahon had been abroad and served under the King of Spain as a Lieutenant Colonel upon Conference with him and others and calling to mind a Letter which we received before from Sir William Cole a Copy whereof we send your Lordship here inclosed we gathered that the Lord Mac-guire was to be an Actor in surprizing the Castle of Dublin wherefore we held it necessary to secure him immediately thereby also to startle and deterr the rest when they found him laid fast His Lordship observing what we had done and the City in Arms fled from his Lodging early before Day it seems disguised for we had laid a Watch about his Lodging so as we think he could not pass without
And being demanded whether the Lord Mac-guire was one appointed to this Business he at last said he thought he was William Parsons R. Dillon Ad. Loftus J. Temple Tho. Rotherham R. Meredith The Examination of Richard Grave of Dronibote in the County of Monoghan The Examination and Deposition of Richard Grave concerning the Irish Rebellion Yeoman taken the 25th of October 1641. WHo saith That on Friday last the 22d of this Month a little before Night a Son of Art-Oge Oneal's of the Fues whose Name he knoweth not accompanied with about One hundred of the said Art-Oge's Tenants Armed with Swords Pitchforks and some Muskets came to Dronibote aforesaid to the House of William Grave Brother to the said Richard and having broken down the Doors and Windows of the said House they Rifled it and robbed him of all the Money they could find there and of sundry other Goods which they were able to carry away and when they had so done they came to the House of William Grave the Elder Father to the Examinat and having broken down the Doors of the said House they robbed him of all his Money Linnen and Clothes and sundry other Goods He saith also That the same Night they broke into and robbed the House of Sir Henry Spotswood in the same Town and took from thence all the Money and Plate which they found there as also divers Houshold-Goods and a fair Stone-Horse He saith also That about Twelve a Clock the next Day the same persons came again to the said Town accompanied with Two or Three hundred more and then Robbed and spoiled it of all the rest of the Goods and Chattels which they found and presently after they set fire upon all the Houses there and burnt them to the Ground he saith also That the Goods which his Father and himself and his Brother did lose thereby were worth 500 l. and that he verily believes that the Goods which Sir Henry Spotswood lost thereby were worth 1000 l. at least He saith further That on Friday aforesaid while the said Art-Oge's Son was in this Examinat's Father's House he heard him the said Art-Oge's Son and one Patrick Mac-Cadron of Drombee who was one of them who were then in the Company say That it was but the Beginning but before they had done they would not leave one alive Rich nor Poor who went to Church and saith also That the said Art-Oge's Son and Patrick Mac-Cadron said there That by the next Night Dublin would be too hot for any of the English Dogs to live in James Ware The Proclamation which was set out and dispersed to as many Places as it was possible to give Notice of the Discovery of the Conspiracy was in haec verba The Proclamation of the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland to stop the Rebellion Oct. 23. 1641. By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase THese are to make Known and Publish to all his Majesties good Subjects in this Kingdom of Ireland That there is a Discovery made by Vs the Lords Iustices and Council of a most Disloyal and detestable Conspiracy intended by some Evil Affected Irish Papists against the Lives of Vs the Lords Iustices and Council and many other of his Majesties faithful Subjects Vniversally throughout this Kingdom and for the Seizing not only of his Majesties Castle of Dublin his Majesties principal Fort here but also of all the other Fortifications in the Kingdom and seéing by the great Goodness and abundant Mercy of Almighty God to his Majesty and this State and Kingdom those wicked Conspiracies are brought to Light and some of the Conspirators committed to the Castle of Dublin by Vs by His Majesties Authority so as those wicked and damnable Plots are now disappointed in the Chief Parts thereof We therefore have thought fit hereby not only to make it publickly known for the Comfort of His Majesties Good and Loyal Subjects in all Parts of the Kingdom but also hereby to require them That they do with all Confidence and Chearfulness betake themselves to their own Defence and stand upon their Guard so to render the more Safety to themselves and all the Kingdom besides and that they Advertize Vs with all possible Speéd of all Occurrents which may concern the Peace and Safety of the Kingdom and now to shew fully that Loyalty and Faith which they had always shown for the Publick Services of the Crown and Kingdom which We will value to His Majesty accordingly and a special Memory thereof will be retained for their Advantage in due time and We require That great Care be taken that no Levies of Men be made for Forreign Service nor any Men suffer'd to March upon any Pretence Given at his Majesties Castle at Dublin 23th of October 1641. Robert Dillon Adam Loftus Tho. Rotheram James Ware Robert Digby John Temple Fra. Willoughby Robert Meredith Two private Letters were read sent to the Lord Lieutenant the one from Sir John Borlase one of the Lords Justices of Ireland the other from Sir John Temple declaring the State and Danger which that Kingdom is in if there be not present Supply both of Arms Men and Money from England Likewise the Lord Keeper acquainted the House The Irish Letters Ordered to be opened That the Lords of the Council being informed of the Pacquets of Letters that came this Week from Ireland have sent out their Orders and stayed them and committed them into the Hands of the Gentleman Vsher until their Lordships further Directions be known herein Whereupon the Lord Privy Seal Lord Admiral Lord Chamberlain Earl of Bath Earl of Southampton Earl of Leicester and Earl of Warwick were appointed to be a Committee to open and read such Letters as conduce any thing to the discovery of the Affairs of Ireland and to report the same to this House and to return those which concern Merchants Affairs to the-Post Master to be delivered to the Owners their Lordships or any Seven or more of them to meet when they please and have Power by virtue hereof to divide themselves into several by any four or more as they shall see Occasion In the Commons House after the reading of the above related Papers concerning this Horrid Conspiracy in Ireland the House was resolved into a Committee of the whole House to consider what was to be done upon this Emergency and several Votes were passed for several Heads of a Conference which was Ordered to be desired with the Lords upon this Occasion which the Reader to avoid Repetition will find in the Report of that Conference together with the several Answers of the Lords unto them Among other Votes for a Recompence and Incouragement to Owen ô Connelly the first Discoverer of this Detestable Treason it was Resolved upon the Question A Reward voted to Connelley for discovering the Irish Rebellion That Owen Connelly who discovered this Great Treason in Ireland shall have 500 l. presently paid him and 200 l. per
annum Pension untill Provision be made of Inheritance of a greater Value and to be recommended to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for some Preferment there A Message was then carried up from the House of Commons by Sir John Clotworthy Knight to desire a present Conference by a Committee of both Houses if it may stand with their Lordships Convenience touching the Troubles in Ireland and the Security of this Kingdom To which the Lords immediately consented and the Lord Keeper was Ordered to Report the Conference which he did to this Effect Mr. Report of the Conference about the troubles in Ireland Nov. 1. 1641. Pym said he was Commanded by the House of Commons to desire their Lordships to let the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland know That they take his Diligent and Timely acquainting the Parliament with his Intelligence concerning the Rebellion and Treason in Ireland very well for which he was Commanded to give his Lordship Thanks from the House of Commons for his good Service done therein to the King and Kingdome He said He was further to Acquaint their Lordships with some Resolutions which the House of Commons have made concerning the Affairs and the Securing of this Kingdom To which purpose they Resolved That 50000 l. shall be forthwith provided and they desire that a Select Committee of the Members of both Houses may be appointed to go to the City of London and to make a Declaration unto them of the State of the Business in Ireland and to acquaint them That it will be an Acceptable Service to the Commonwealth to Lend Money and that the Committees propose to the City the Loan of 50000 l and to assure them That they shall be Secured both for the Principal and Interest by Act of Parliament 2. That the House of Commons desires That a Select Committee of both Houses may be appointed to consider of the Affairs of Ireland and of the raising and sending of Men and Ammunition from hence into Ireland and of the Repair of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland thither and of a Declaration of both Houses of Parliament to be sent into Ireland and that Committee to have power from time to time to open Pacquets sent into Ireland or from Ireland 3. For a Reward for Owen Connelly ut supra in the Vote 4. That a Committee of Lords may be nominated to take the further Examination of Owen Connelly upon Oath upon such Interrogatories as shall be Offered by a Committee of the House of Commons and in the presence of that Committee 5. That the Custody of the Isle of Wight for the present may be sequestred into another hand 6. That the Persons of Papists of Quality in the several Counties where they reside may be secured and such English Papists as within one Year last past have removed themselves into Ireland Except the Earl of St. Albanes and such other Persons as have their Ancient Estates and Habitations there may by Proclamation be Commanded to return hither within one Month after the Proclamation there made or otherwise some Course to be taken by Act of Parliament for Confiscation of their Estates The Lords taking these Propositions into Consideration severally The Lords Answers to the Commons Propositions concerning Ireland c. Resolved as followeth 1. To the First It was Agreed That a Select Committee of Lords should joyn with a proportionable Number of the Commons to go to the City of London to Borrow 50000 l. for the Irish Affairs and the Lord Privy Seal Lord Admiral Earl of Warwick Earl of Bristol Lord Bishop of Winton Lord Bishop of Lincoln Lord Bishop of Glocester c. were named and Ordered to go to Morrow at 4 a Clock in the Afternoon 2. To the Second It was Agreed and the same Committee appointed this Day for Opening of Letters were Ordered to seâ—â—e for this matter 3. To the Third concerning a Reward to be given to Owen Connelly Agreed to 4. To the Fourth Agreed that the same Committee for opening Letters shall Examine Connelly with this Liberty That any Peer may be present unless he be forbidden by this House 5. The Fifth Proposition concerning the Isle of Wight laid aside for the present 6. Concerning the 6th Proposition It is agreed That such as are Convicted Recusants shall be secured according as the Law hath appointed for such as are not convicted Recusants it is referred to the Select Committee of both Houses to consider what Course is fit to be taken to secure their persons in those Cases where the Law is defective Concerning the Proclamation the Lords think fit That the Minutes or Draught of a Proclamation be sent to the King in Scotland that so he may from thence send his Warrants and Directions for issuing out a Proclamation to that Purpose in Ireland After which the Lord Keeper by Command gave Thanks in the Name of the House to the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland as before Mr. Pym had done in the Name of the Commons And he was further desired speedily to write to the King and acquaint him with the Affairs of Ireland and the Danger that Kingdom is now in and to let His Majesty know What Course the Parliament here hath taken for to give Supply and Aid for the Reducing of the Rebels And also the Lord Lieutenant was commanded to write to the Lords Justices of Ireland and the Council there to let them know That the Parliament hath taken into their Care to send them a Supply of Men and of Money with all convenient speed and are Resolved to give them Assistance in this great Defection wishing them to persist in their Diligence and Care in defending that Kingdom against the Rebels until Succours can be sent them And that they give Intelligence with the first Opportunities how the State of that Kingdom is and how the Rebels behave themselves Before we proceed any further in this Parliamentary Account of these Transactions concerning this dismal Tragedy and Infamous Conspiracy acted by these Irish Papists I think it will be no less than both the Readers Curiosity and the Nature of the Matter obliges me to give a Succinct account of the Occasions Reasons and Grounds of this Horrid Treason and Rebellion leaving the following Series of it to be interwoven with the other Matters which will compose these Historical Collections and this I will endeavour with all the Truth and Impartiality I am capable of according to the best of my Judgment and the Sentiments of such Authorities as having been Actors in or at least Eye and Ear witnesses of the Management of the Affairs of Ireland during this Calamitous Storm or rather Hurricane of that Rebellion wherein whole Rivers of humane Blood were most inhumanely shed and the Fields of that Island formerly for its Renowned Piety called the Island of Saints blushed with so many Carnages as were capable of changing the name into the Island of Devils were it not that the better
kind of Zeal counts all merciful Moderation Lukewarmness and had rather be Cruel then counted Cold and is not seldom more greedy to kill the Bear for his skin then for any harm he hath done the Confiscation of Mens Estates being more beneficial then the Charity of saving their Lives or reforming their Errors When all proportionable Succours of the poor Protestants in Ireland who were daily Massacred and over-born with Numbers of now desperate Enemies was diverted and obstructed here I was earnestly entreated and generally advised by the chief of the Protestant Party there to get them some respite and breathing by a Cessation without which they saw no probability unless by Miracle to preserve the Remnant that had yet escaped God knows with how much Commiseration and serious Caution I carried on that business by persons of Honor and Integrity that so I might neither encourage the Insolence of the Rebels nor discourage the Protestants Loyalty and Patience Yet when this was effected in the best sort that the necessity and difficulty of my Affairs would then permit I was then to suffer again in my Reputation and Honor because I suffered not the Rebels utterly to devour the remaining handfuls of the Protestants there I thought that in all reason the gaining of that respit could not be so much to the Rebels advantages which some have highly Calumniated against me as it might have been for the Protestants future as well as present safety if during the time of that Cessation some Men had had the Grace to have laid Ireland's sad condition more to heart and laid aside those violent Motions which were here carried on by those that had better skill to let Blood than to stanch it But in all the misconstructions of my Actions which are prone to find more credulity in Men to what is False and Evil then Love or Charity to what is True and Good as I have no Judge but God above me so I can have comfort to appeal to his Omniscience who doth not therefore deny my Innocence because he is pleased so far to try my Patience as he did his Servant Job's I have enough to do to look to my own Conscience and the faithful discharge of my Trust as a King I have scarce leisure to consider those swarms of reproaches which issue out of some Mens mouths and hearts as easily as smoak or sparks do out of a Furnace much less to make such Prolix Apologies as might give those Men satisfaction who conscious to their own depth of wickedness are loath to believe any Man not to be as bad as themselves 'T is Kingly to do well and hear ill if I can but act the one I shall not much regard to hear the other I thank God I can hear with Patience as bad as my worst Enemies can falsly say and I hope I shall still do better then they desire or deserve I should I believe it will at last appear that they who first began to Embroil my other Kingdoms are in great part guilty if not of the first letting out yet of the not timely stopping those horrid Effusions of Blood in Ireland which whatever my Enemies please to say or think I look upon as that of my other Kingdoms exhausted out of my own Veins no man being so much weakned by it as my Self And I hope though Mens unsatiable Cruelties never will yet the Mercy of God will at length say to his Justice It is enough and command the Sword of Civil War to sheath it self his merciful Justice intending I trust not our utter Confusion but our Cure the abatement of our sins not the Desolation of these Nations Though this to all unprejudiced Men be a most clear Vindication of the suffering Innocence of that oppressed Prince yet I cannot but subjoin one passage in his Soliloque immediately following the former Discourse wherein His Majesty seems with that clear Confidence to put in his Appeal to Innocence before the dreaded Tribunal of Heaven as will not admit the least scruple of doubt among such as have any grains of Charity or even Humanity left to disbelieve him and if there should be yet found any among his surviving Enemies so obdurate or flinty hearted to persist in that infidelity Heaven it self hath undertaken to convince the whole Universe of his spotless Innocence by answering this Appeal in the Miraculous Restauration of his Son our most Gracious Sovereign and the Royal Family to his and their undoubted Right in despight of all the Power and Malice of his Usurping Enemies The passage is this If I have desired or delighted in the Woful Day of my Kingdoms Calamities if I have not earnestly studied and faithfully indeavoured the preventing and composing of these bloody Distractions then let thy hand be against me and my Fathers House O Lord thou seest I have Enemies enough of Men as I need not so I should not dare thus to Imprecate thy Curse on Me and Mine if my Conscience did not Witness my Integrity which thou O Lord knowest right well But I trust not to my own Merit but thy Mercies Spare us O Lord and be not angry with us forever And now because it will give the clearest prospect of this Insurrection that I have seen though not altogether in its proper place I will give the Reader a view of Mac-guires voluntary Confession which was as follows The Relation of the Lord Mac-guire written with his own hand in the Tower and delivered by him to Sir John Conyers then Lieutenant to present to the Lords in Parliament BEing in Dublin Candlemass-Term last was Twelve-Month 1640. the Parliament then Sitting Mr. Roger Moore did write to me The L. Macguire's Rolation of the Irish Rebellion Oct. 23 1641. desiring me That if I could in that spare time I would come to his House for then the Parliament did nothing but Sit and Adjourn expecting a Commission for the continuance thereof their former Commission being expired and that some things he had to say unto me that did nearly concern me and on receipt of his Letter the new Commission for continuing the Parliament landed and I did return him an Answer That I could not fulfil his Request for that present and thereupon he himself came to Town presently after and sending to me I went to see him at his Lodging And after some little time spent in Salutations he began to discourse of the many Afflictions and Sufferings of the Natives of that Kingdom and particularly in those late times of my Lord Strafford's Government which gave distast to the whole Kingdom And then he began to particularize the Suffering of them that were the more antient Natives as were the Irish how that on several Plantations they were all put out of their Ancestors Estates All which Sufferings he said did beget a general discontent over all the whole Kingdom in both the Natives to wit the Old and New Irish And that if the Gentry of the Kingdom
found to be false and so the Messenger departed with Directions that if the Earls death were true he should repair into the Low-Countries to Colonel Owen O Neale and acquaint him with his Commission from the Earl whereof it was thought he was not Ignorant and to return an Answer sent by him and to see what he would Advise or would do himself therein But presently after his Departure the certainty of the Earls Death was known and on further Resolution it was Agreed That an Express Messenger should be sent to the Colonel to make all the Resolutions known to him and to return speedily with his Answer And so one Toole O Comely a Priest as I think Parish Priest to Mr. Moore was sent away to Colonel O Neale In the interim there came several Letters and News out of England to Dublin of Proclamations against the Catholicks in England and also that the Army raised in Ireland should be Disbanded and Conveyed into Scotland And presently after several Colonels and Captains Landed with Directions to carry away those Men amongst whom Colonel Plunkett Colonel Burne and Captain Bryan O Neale came but did not all come together for Plunkett Landed before my coming out of Town and the other two after wherein a great sear of Suppressing of Religion was conceived and especially by the Gentry of the Pale and it was very common amongst them that it would be very inconvenient to suffer so many Men to be Conveyed out of the Kingdom it being as was said very confidently reported that the Scottish Army did threaten never to lay down Arms until an Uniformity of Religion were in the three Kingdoms and the Catholick Religion suppressed And thereupon both Houses of Parliament began to oppose their going and the Houses were divided in their Opinions some would have them go others not but what the definitive conclusion of the Houses was touching the Point I cannot tell for by leave from the House of Lords I departed into the Country before the Prorogation But before my Departure I was informed by John Barnewall a Fryer that those Gentlemen of the Pale and some other Members of the House of Commons had several Meetings and Consultations how they might make Stay of the Souldiers in the Kingdom and likewise to Arm them in Defence of the King being much injured both of England and Scotland then as they were informed and to prevent any Attempt against Religion and presently after I departed into the Country and Mr Reyly being a Member of the House of Commons stayed the Prorogation and on his coming into the Country sent to me to meet him and I came to his House where he told me that he heard for certain that the former Narration of Barnewall to me for I did acquaint him with it was true and that he heard it from several there also was Emar Mac Mahone made firmly privy to all our Proceedings at Mr. Reylys lately come out of the Pale where he met with the aforenamed John Barnewall who told him as much and he formerly told me and moreover that those Colonels that lately came over did proffer their Service and Industry in that Act and so would raise their Men under Color to Convey them into Spain and then seize on the Castle of Dublin and with their Arms there to Arm their Soldiers and have them ready for any Occasion that should be Commanded them but that they had not concluded any thing because they were not Assured how the Gentlemen of the remote Parts of the Kingdom and especially of Vlster would stand Affected to that Act and that Assurance of that Doubt was all their Impediment Then we three began to think how we might assure them Help and of the Assistance of Vlster Gentlemen It was thought that One should be sent to them to acquaint them therewith and they made Choice of me to come by reason as they said that my Wife was allyed to them and their Country-Woman and would believe me trust me sooner than other of their Parts they or most of them being of the Pale And so without as much as to return Home to furnish my self for such a Journey Volens Nolens they prevailed or rather forced me to come to Dublin to confer with those Colonels and that was the last August was Twelve-Month Coming to Town I met Sir James Dillon accidentally before I came to my Lodging who was one of those Colonels and after Salutations he demanded of me where my Lodging was which when I told him and parted the next Day being abroad about some other Occasions in Town I met him as he said coming to wait on me in my Chamber but being a good Way from it he desired me to go into his own Chamber being near at hand And then began to discourse of the present Sufferings and Afflictions of that Kingdom and particularly of Religion and how they were to expect no Redress the Parliament in England intending and the Scots resolving never to lay down Arms until the Catholick Religion were suppressed Then he likewise began to lay down what Danger it would be to suffer so many Able Men as was to go with them to depart the Kingdom in such a time Neither said he do their other Gentlemen that are Colonels and my self affect our own private Profit soas to prefer it before the general Good of the Kingdom And knowing you are well Affected thereunto and I hope said he ready to put your helping-hand to it upon Occasion I will let you know the Resolution of those other Gentlemen and Mine which is if weare ready to raise our Men and after to Seize on the Castle where there is great store of Arms and Arm our Selves This was the first Motion that ever I heard of taking the Castle for it never came into our Thoughts formerly nor am I perswaded ever would if it had not proceeded from those Colonels who were the first Motioners and Contrivers thereof for ought known to me and then to be ready to prevent and resist any Danger that the Gentlemen of the Kingdom like thereof and help us For we of our selves neither are able nor will do any thing therein without their Assistance I began according to the Directions that were sent with me to approve of their Resolution and also to let him know how sure he might be of the Assistance of those of Vlster Then he told us that for my more Satisfaction I should Confer with the rest of the Colonels themselves as many as are Privy to the Action and accordingly a Place of Meeting was appointed that After-Noon and on the Time and Place appointed there met Sir James himself Colonel Bourne and Colonel Plunket And that former Discourse being renewed they began to lay down the Obstacles to that Enterprise and how they should be Redressed First If there should War ensue how there should be Money had to Pay the Soldiers Secondly How and where they should procure Succors
found guilty of them be punished Yet we may not omit although no motive whatsoever could justifie their Vndertakings to represent That before they fell from their Obedience to the Government Sir William Parsons one of the Lords Justices that supplied the Deputy's place at a publique Entertainment before many Witnesses did positively declare That within a Twelvemonth no Catholick should be seen in Ireland Many hands were sought and Thousands were found to subscribe a Petition tending to the introducing a severe Persecution against Catholiques who were the far greater number of the Inhabitants of Ireland and the menace of an Invasion of a Scottish Army of which men did at that time frequently discourse bred frightful apprehensions So as these and other Grounds of suspition being improved by such among them whose particular Interests could be most favoured and better advanced in Vnquiet Times laid the Foundation of that Rebellion But even those Men and at that time when the Lords Justices did not appear to be prepared for Resistance by their Remonstrance humbly begg'd their Grievances might be redressed by the Advice of the Two Houses of Parliament then met at Dublin But the Lords Justices who by their Words and Actions not only Expressed their unwillingness to stop the farther growth of these Distempers but meant to increase them and were often heard to wish That the Number were greater of such as became Criminal by Proroguing the Parliament made them Desperate However the Nation by their Representatives in the two days which were only allowed them to Sit husbanded their time so as to leave to Posterity a Monument of their aversion to such attempts by declaring That those men had Trayterously and Rebelliously taken Arms and offering to employ their Lives and Fortunes in reducing them to their Obedience if they might be permitted then to Sit. But this was denyed them and by a strange change from the Ancient Form of Government a Parliament then Sitting was Prorogued whereas our Ancestors upon a far less occasion then quieting of so high distempers were usually called upon to Assist the King with their Advice To this may be added That the Earl of Ormond proposed at the Council-Board the raising of 5000 Men in the space of Three Weeks if he might be authorised so to do with which Strength he undertook to dissipate those then weak beginnings of the Ensuing Mischiefs and to prevent their farther growth but was refused it so as thus far we may observe who they were that widened the Wound instead of stanching the Blood This Foundation being thus laid that which at first was but a spark and might be easily quenched began to Flame And freedom of Rapine having suddenly drawn Numbers together the unrepress't Conspirators became a Formidable Army and besieged Tredah passing the River of Boyne which was the Rubicon of the Pale and had in all former Rebellions been maintained with their blood by those antient English Colonies planted there Now it was that the Times began to favour the Design of the Lords Justices and their Party in the Council which was as forward as they to foment the Distractions for the Ulster Army lying in the Bowels of the Country the Forces being not yet come out of England and the Natives themselves both unarm'd and distrusted by the State they were forced at first by their Regular Contribution to prevent the desolation which would have followed their refusal to supply them Hereupon such Contributors began to be looked upon and Character'd as Men fallen from the Government And a Party that was sent from Dublin having killed at Santry but three Miles distant from thence some innocent Husband-men among whom there was two Protestants and carried their heads as in Triumph to the City the neighbour Inhabitants alarm'd thereat had recourse to such Weapons as first came to hand and gathered in a Body whereupon the Lords Justices set forth a Proclamation in Nature of a safe Conduct by which these so in Arms and Mr. King of Clantarffe by special name had five days respite to come in and present their Grievances But before three Nights of the time prefixed were Expired Mr. King 's House was Pillaged and Burnt by direction of the Lords Justices Not long after supplies being arrived out of England and the Siege of Tredagh Raised and consequently the force removed which necessitated the Inhabitants to comply with the Ulster Army the Nobility and Gentry of the Pale prevailed with Sir John Read His Majesties Sworn Servant a stranger to the Country un-engaged and an Eye-witness of their proceedings then upon his Journey to England to take the pains to present their Remonstrance to His Majesty and to beg Pardon for what they were thus compelled to Act. But he poor Gentleman coming to Dublin was apprehended and not concealing the Message intrusted with him was put to the Rack the most part of the Questions which were then asked him in Torment being no other then such as might lead him to accuse the King and Queen to be Authors and Fomenters of that Rebellion Moreover the Two Houses of Parliament in England for the better inducing the Rebels to repent of their wicked attempts commended to the Lords Justices according to the Power granted them in that behalf to bestow His Majesties Gracious Pardon to all such as within a Convenient time c. should return to their Obedience The Lords Justices notwithstanding such Order and His Majesties Gracious Pleasure signified to that effect by their Proclamation dated in November 1641 limited such His Majesty's and the Parliament's of England their favourable and general intentions to the Inhabitants of a few Counties provided always they were not Free-holders and afforded them no longer time then Ten days after the Proclamation to receive benefit thereby But notwithstanding these Restrictions the Lord of Dunsany Sir John Netervill Patrick Barnewal of Kilbrue and many others who had notice of His Majesties Gracious Inclination towards the Nation and the Parliament of England 's Order in favour of them submitted to the Lord Marquess of Ormond then Lieutenant General of His Majesties Army who recommended them to the Lords Justices intimating that the good Vsage to be Extended to them would have an Influence on many others and be a great Motive to quiet the Distempers which then began to spread But the Lords Justices whose Design was not to be carried on by Mercy and Indulgence to prevent Submissions Imprisoned and Indicted by a Jury which did not consist of Freeholders those so Submitting and put the said Mr. Barnewal of the Age of 66 years to the Torture of the Rack This notwithstanding the Noblemen and Gentry inhabiting the Country next to Dublin applied themselves humbly by their Letter to the Lords Justices which when the Earl of Castlehaven a Nobleman of English Birth who freely before that time had access to Dublin came to present he was made a Prisoner Wherefore when the Nation observed That their advice in
Parliament was not only thought unnecessary but themselves involved in a general distrust That neither the Parliaments nor the Marquess of Ormond 's offer to suppress the Rebellion would be accepted That the inforced complying of the Nobility and Gentry of the Pale with a powerful Army which was Master of their Lives and Fortunes was imputed to them as a malicious aversion from the English Government That the blood of Innocent Husband-men was drawn and the heads of Men were grown an acceptable Spectacle in Dublin That the Publick Faith was broken and Mens Houses particularly inabled to claim benefit by it pillaged and burnt That all ways were obstructed by which they might implore His Majesties Mercy and represent their Conditions That the Favourable Intentions of the Parliament of England and His Majesties Gracious Pardon which was meant should extend to all save such as were guilty of blood was so limited by them as no estated man could receive benefit by it That those who notwithstanding these Restrictions cast themselves freely upon His Majesties mercy were Imprisoned Indicted and some of them Rack't That the Earl of Castlehaven might have found it a Capital Crime to mediate in their behalf if he had not made his Escape after Twenty Weeks Imprisonment That the King 's Sworn Servant was Rack't and his Ministers whose Duty it was to have been Zealous for the honour of their Master endeavoured to asperse it and render him and his Royal Consort odious to his People by striving to Extort from a tortur'd man some Testimony by which they might be accused of raising and Fomenting that Rebellion When these and many other Arguments of this kind which for fear of prolixity are omitted had convinced the Catholiques of Ireland that the Lords Justices and that part of the Council which adhered to them became unfaithful to His Majesty and had designed the Ruine of that Nation and the Extirpation of their Religion that Law which moves the hand by interposing it self to bear off a stroak aimed at the Head Convened an Assembly of these who were exposed to those so eminent dangers in which they modelled a Government in order to their Natural defence obliging themselves by such an Oath to His Majesty his Heirs and Successors as well shewed their affection to the Crown and their unalterable resolutions to maintain His Majesties Rights and to follow his Fortune Between these divided Governments there have been Battels fought Cities and Forts besieged and much Christian Blood spilt which will one day lye at some Mens doors And who those are the Eternal Wisdom best knows and the Reader is left free to determine Thus far the said Narrative Printed and Published at London in the Year 1660 And which I find in P. W's Reply to the * Earl of Orrery Person of Quality's Answer c. Pag. 7. By which it appears That the Lords Justices used some indiscreet as well as unjust Severities which did not a little contribute to the inflaming of the Rebellion but still it was a Rebellion which is a Crime so black and horrid in the sight of God and all good Men that no excuses can Palliate or Extenuate nor any Circumstances of Hardships or Oppressions Injustice or Wrongs can justifie since it is utterly inconsistent with not only all the Rules of Civil Polity but the Divine Rules of Christianity which teaches us not to resist the Powers which are ordained of God under a penalty of Damnation which is a danger and a loss of so vast Extent as that the loss of Liberty Goods and even Life it self which are the utmost we can suffer from unjust Men are but trifles if compared with it and the Method is Extravagant to the very last Degrees of Folly and Madness which applies a Medicine Ten Thousand times worse then the Disease and is such a piece of discretion as for a Man to leap into the Sea to avoid a shower which would wet him to the skin Without all Controversie the Progress and Growth of this Horrid Rebellion as before was observed must be attributed in a great Measure to the Misfortune Untimely Death of that Great Man and Wise Governor the Earl of Strafford For upon his quitting of Ireland the Nation which before seemed to do and really injoyed a most Serene and Quiet Calâ— of Peace began to be over-cast and clouded with Discontents Grievances Fears and Jealousies which notwithstanding all the Power of the Beams of his Majesties Grace and Favour which were so warmly bestowed upon them were so far from being thereby dissipated that they still Encreased until at length those black and sullen clouds discharged themselves in the most dismal Tempest of Fire and Blood that any Age or almost any Nation under Heaven hath beheld And this will most Evidently appear by the Consequences which immediately followed upon the Earl of Strafford's parting with the Rains of that Government Christopher Wendesford Esq Mr. of the Rolls in Ireland made Lord Deputy there April 3. for upon his coming for England Christopher Wendesford Esq Master of the Rolls was the 3d. of April 1640. sworn Lord Deputy He was a Person of great Abilities and one with whom the Earl of Strafford had even from their Early Years contracted an Intimacy and Friendship which Ended not but with their Lives and so great was his Fidelity to this Noble Earl that perceiving the Parliament of Ireland who not long before had sung such Hosanna's to the Earl of Strafford in the Peamble to the Bill of Subsidies now running as fast down the Hill in joyning with his Enemies in England to procure his Ruin and Destruction he Adjourned the Parliament in November following to the 26th of January hoping by that means to prevent the Blow which he saw they were levelling at that Wise and Illustrious Head but notwithstanding all that he could do the Earl's Enemies made a shift before they broke up to frame a Remonstrance against the Earl and though he used his utmost Endeavours to stop the Committee of the Parliament from carrying into Englund yet was he not able to prevent it nor their passage but that all the Ports being open four Lords and 12 Commoners the greatest part of which were Papists passed over into England and Exhibited their Remonstrance and did the Earl all the Ill Offices they were able for which they were then Highly Countenanced and Caressed by the Faction in the English Parliament who together with the Scottish Rebels then at London to finish the Treaty between the Two Kingdoms pursued the Life of that Great Man with the Utmost Vigor and Animosity that Malice and Power would suggest unto them The Names of the Irish Committees were The Nomes of the Irish Committee The Lord Viscount Gormanston Lord Kilmalloc Lord Castiloe L. Baltinglass Of the Commons For Lemster Nich. Plunkett _____ Digby Richard Fitz-Garret Esquire Munster Sir Hardress Waller Sir Donnogh Mac-Carti John Welsh Esquire Conaght Robert Linch Geffry
grants and otherwise And that all His Majesties debts then due in this Kingdom were satisfied out of the said Subsidies and yet His Majesty is of late as the Petitioners have been informed in the House of Commons become indebted in this Kingdom in great Sums And they do therefore humbly beseech that an exact accompt may be sent to His Majesty how and in what manner his Treasure issued 12. The Petitioners do humbly conceive just and great fears at a Proclamation published in this Kingdom in Anno Domini 1635. Prohibiting Men of Quality or Estates to depart this Kingdom into England without the Lord Deputies License wherein the Subjects of this Kingdom are hindred and interrupted from free access to Address to His Sacred Majesty and Privy Council of England to declare their just Grievances or to obtain Remedies for them in such sort as their Ancestors have done in all Ages since the Reign of King Henry the Second and great Fees exacted for every of the said Licenses 13. That of late His Majesties late Attorney General hath exhibited Informations against many Boroughs of this Kingdom into His Majesty's Court of Exchequer to shew cause by what Warrant the said Burgesses who heretofore sent Burgesses to the Parliament should send the Burgesses to the Parliament and thereupon for want of an Answer the said Priviledges of sending Burgesses was seised by the said Court which proceedings were altogether Coram non Judice and contrary to the Laws and Priviledges of the House of Parliament and if way should be given thereunto would tend to the Subversion of Parliaments and by consequence to the ruine and destruction of the Common-wealth And that the House of Commons hath hitherto in this present Parliament been deprived of the Advice and Counsel of many profitable and good Members by means thereof 14. By the powerfulness of some Ministers of State in this Kingdom the Parliament in its Members and Actions hath not his natural Freedom 15. And lastly That the Gentry and Merchants and other His Majesty's Subjects of this Kingdom are of late by the Grievances and Pressures beforesaid and other the like brought very near to Ruine and Destruction And Farmers of Customs Customers Waiters Searchers Clerks of unwarrantable proceedings Pursivants and Goalers and sundry others very much enriched whereby and by the slow Redress of the Petitioners His Majesties most Faithful and Dutiful People of this Kingdom do conceive great fears that their readiness approved upon all occasions hath not been of late presented to his Sacred Majesty For remedy whereof the said Petitioners do humbly and of right beseech your Lordship that the said Grievances and Pressures may be speedily redressed and if your Lordship shall not think fit to afford present relief that your Lordship might admit a select Committee of this House of Persons uninteressed in the benefit arising of the aforesaid Grievances to be licensed by your Lordship to repair to his Sacred Majesty in England for to pursue the same and to obtain fitting remedy for their aforesaid and other just Grievances and Oppressions and upon all just and honourable occasions they will without respect of particular interest or profit to be raised thereby most humbly and readily in Parliament extend their uttermost endeavour to serve His Majesty and comply with his Royal and Princely occasions And shall pray c. Not long after the Lord Deputy Wendesford died Lord Deputy Wendesford dies viz. the Third of December following whereupon Robert Lord Dillon of Kilkenny-west and Sir William Parsons Knight and Baronet Master of the Court of Wards L. Dillon and Sir William Parsons made Lords Justices were Constituted Lords Justices of Ireland and were accordingly Sworn the 30th of December 1640. But the Lord Dillon whose Son had married the Earl of Strafford's Sister and who being a Person of great Parts and Abilities and passionately devoted to the Earl's Interests both by Alliance and Inclination was no way grateful to the Faction it was not long therefore before the King who in all things endeavoured to sweeten them by gratifying them in whatever they desired was prevailed with L. Dillon displaced and Sir John Borlase substituted in his room at the Importunities of the Irish Committees then at the Court to displace the Lord Dillon and appoint the aforesaid Sir William Parsons and Sir John Borlase to be Lords Justices of the Kingdom of Ireland These Gentlemen by His Majesties Command applied themselves to give such satisfaction to His Majesties Subjects of Ireland as in reason they could desire and among other things His Majesty was pleased to reduce the Subsidies from 40000 l. a Subsidy to 12000 a piece and all things seemed to be in a most quiet and peaceable Posture and Condition of Settlement But yet even then which seems much to confirm the Lord Macguire's Confession this Rebellion was upon the Anvil for about the latter end of the year 1640 the King received some advertisements of a Design then on Foot to raise some Commotions in Ireland whereupon the King whose care for the Security of his Kingdom and Protestant Subjects of Ireland was always awake caused Sir Henry Vane his Principal Secretary of Estate to advertise the Lords Justices Parsons and Borlase of it and to Command them to take care therein The Letter which I find in Dr. Borlase's History was delivered to the Lord Parsons and found after his Death in his Study by Sir James Barry Lord Baron of Santry and presented to His present Majesty and was in these Terms Right Honourable HIS Majesty hath Commanded me to acquaint your Lordships with an Advice given him from abroad Sir H. Vane's Letter to the Lords Justices concerning some Informations of danger in Ireland and confirm'd by his Ministers in Spain and elsewhere which in this Distemper'd Time and Conjuncture of Affairs deserves to be seriously consider'd and an especial care and watchfulness to be had therein which is That of late there have passed from Spain and the like may well have been from other Parts an unspeakable number of Irish Church-men for England and Ireland and some good old Soldiers under pretext of asking leave to raise Men for the King of Spain whereas it is observed among the Irish Friars there a whisper runs as if they expected a Rebellion in Ireland and particularly in Connaght Wherefore His Majesty thought fit to give your Lordships this notice that in your Wisdoms you might manage the same with that Dexterity and Secresie as to Discover and Prevent so pernicious a Design if any such there should be and to have a watchful Eye on the Proceedings and Actions of those who come thither from abroad on what pretext soever and so herewith I rest Your Lordships most Humble Servant Henry Vane White-Hall March the 16 th 1640. The preservation of this Letter appears very uncommon and looks as if Providence interessed in the Vindication of Oppressed Innocence had reserved it to clear the
nor any Security given therefore they desired their Lordships to take the same into Consideration for they relied more upon their Lordships Honor than their Security He said There was now such a slighting of the Government of the City that there is an Equality between the Mayor and the Commons the Power of the Mayor no more then that of the Commoners of the City they desired but Countenance from their Lordships and their Lordships shall have Service from them The Recorder delivered this as their Answer That they had hearty and good Affection to the Cause it being for Religion's sake the saving the Lives and Estates of Protestants the saving of a Kingdom and preserving it to the dependency of this Crown they would do their utmost Endeavours but would not promise any thing before every man had consulted with himself what he was able to do which they promised to do speedily and he hoped to give a further account thereof this Night Mr. Pierrepoint also in the Commons House made the Report about the same Proposition The Commons Report about the same which because it varies from the other in some particulars I will insert here as follows He said That according to the Commands of the House several of the Committee went to the Lord Major and Common Councel and delivered the Commands of this House how well this House took the former Lending of Money The Answer given us by Mr. Recorder was 1 That there were several Grievances they suffered under as first under the Protections which are granted which did not only hinder their lending of Money but did stop Trade To that Sir Henry Vane did give them satisfaction both of the Order lately made against Mr. Benson for granting of Protections and that this House had committed to the Care of a Committee to draw a Bill to prevent the Inconveniences that happen thereby Next Mr. Recorder propounded That 50000 l. heretofore lent to the Peerage of this Realm for the Publique Affairs is not yet paid Next the Common Council did find themselves aggrieved by a disrespect shewn to the Lord Mayor and the Magistrates of London by divers people who refuse to give any Obedience to any Warrant to appear before the Lord Mayor declaring they would not come and particularly in the Case of providing of Money and for their Loans of Money they will take into consideration and give an Answer this Day but the Security for the same is Expected to be by Act of Parliament The Commons then entred upon the consideration of the Irish affairs and several Votes were passed in order to the Relief of that Kingdom which were presented to the Lords for their Concurrence and which to avoid unnecessary repetitions the Reader will find when they come before the Lords An Information was brought to the House by one Richard Butch a Warder That there was great resort to Father Phillips in the Tower An Information against Phillips the Priest in the Tower Whereupon it was Ordered That Sir Gilbert Gerrard Sir John Franklyn Sir Thomas Barrington and Mr. Laurence Whittacre do forthwith repair to the Tower to Examine all such Strangers as they shall find there of their Dwelling and Business there and to tender them the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the Warders are hereby required to suffer none to come out of the Tower till these Gentlemen are come forth again Mr. Maynard Reported the Case of Gatton in Surrey Mr. Owfield his Election to serve for that Place is settled Case of Gatton in Surrey upon Election of Members the difference resteth between Mr. Sandys and Mr. Sanders who are returned by two Indentures Mr. Sanders hath for him 14 Voices Mr. Sandys hath 8 Voices but of the 14 Voices for Mr. Sanders 8 of them are dwellers out of the Town and one of them a Minister yet all of them have Freehold in the Town and of Mr. Sandys 8 Voices one of them was a Recusant Convict another the Clerk of the Parish who receiveth Yearly Wages from the Parish and then if these two should be declared to have no Voices their Voices are Equal so the Question in Debate was Whether the Election belonged to the Burgesses by Common Right or that the Free-holders dwelling out of the Town who had Freeholds in the Town ought to have Voices by virtue of a Particular Prescription The Committee were of Opinion That there was a Prescription in this Case which was good against a Common Right It appears by a Record 33 H. 8. that a Return was made by one Inhabitant And 10 E. 6. 6 E. 6. Returns made by the Inhabitants and Burgesses But 18 Jac. a President was shewn on the behalf of the Freeholders And for the Parson of the Parish Whether he shall have a Voice that cannot Sit here if he were chosen and next whether by Law a Recusant Convict ought to have a Voice and thirdly to receive the Judgment of the House whether one that receives Alms of the Parish shall have a Voice and then whether the Clark of the Parish who receives 50 s. per annum of the Parish is one that lives of the Alms of the Parish These were doubts offered to the Committee in the debate of this Election Vpon the matter it was Resolved c. That there is no sufficient proof of a Prescription against the Common Right within the Burrough of Gatton in Com. Surrey Resolved c. That the Parish Clark of the Burrough of Gatton does not appear upon the Evidence given to this House to be an Alms-man Resolved c. That Mr. Sanders Election for the Burrough of Gatton is not good Resolved c. That Mr. Sandys Election for the Burrough of Gatton is good Resolved c. That Mr. Sandys is well Elected and ought to Sit as a Member of this House upon the Election for the Burrough of Gatton The Lord Keeper signified this Day Thursday Novem. 4. That he had received a Letter from Mr. Secretary Vane dated the 28th of October last from Holy-Rood House touching the Intelligence which his Majesty had received in Scotland concerning the Rebellion in Ireland which is by his Majesties Command to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament here to whom he hath recommended the Care of those Affairs and Expects their Advice what Course is fittest to be taken for the reducing of that Kingdom The King Informed in Scotland of the Irish Rebellion recommends it to the Care of the Parliament Marquess of Winton has leave to sell his Arms. Likewise his Lordship said he had received Copies of other Letters which were sent to his Majesty out of the North Parts of Ireland desiring his Majesty to send them speedy Supplies for the Saving of that Kingdom All which were referred to the Committee for Irish Affairs It was Ordered That the Lord Marquess of Winchester shall have liberty by vertue of this Order to sell off his Arms to such Tradesmen as
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
the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland making some scruple of raising Men to be imployed in the busness of Ireland without the King's Commission and his Lordship desiring to have the Authority of the Parliament for the same in the mean time It is thought fit and so Ordered by the Lords in Parliament according to the Power given unto them by His Majesty mentioned in an Order dated the sixth of November 1641. That the said Lord Lieutenant shall have full power by virtue of this Order to Levy Men according to the Order given him from the Parliament in the interim until His Majesty shall grant him a Commission under the Great Seal of England for his Warrant for so doing The House of Commons did also take notice of the Doubt of the Earl but notwithstanding did resolve and think fit that he should proceed to raise men for the Service by Virtue of the Ordinance of Parliament It was also Ordered by the Lords and Commons A Council of War for the Affairs of Ireland That the Lord Viscount Wilmot Sir John Conyers Sir Jacob Ashly Sir Simon Harcourt Sir John Heyden Sir Foulk Hunks Sir Thomas Glemham Sir Robert King Colonel Culpeper Colonel Vavasor Lieutenant Colonel Ballard and Captain Skippon shall be Assistants as a Council of War to the Committees of both Houses of Parliament appointed for the Affairs of Ireland and have full Power by virtue of this Order to meet and consider of the present state and condition of the said Kingdom and also of an Establishment for the Army Lords agree with the Commons to put the Laws against the Papists in Execution speedily The Lords then entred upon the Consideration of the Proposition sent from the Commons concerning securing the Persons of Popish Recusants and after a long Debate the Result was this That whereas the House of Commons desired that the persons of the Romish Recusants for the safety of the Kingdom might be secured this House doth consent with them therein and Orders That the Laws of this Kingdom shall be put into Execution against them presently Upon the desire of the Commons by Mr. Pym Letters from France and Antworp stopped it was Ordered by the Lords That the Foreign Letters from France and Antwerp be stopped and perused by the Lords Committees for opening Letters there being as Mr. Pym said ground and intelligence that those Letters will discover some Root of the Rebellion in Ireland The Declaration of the State of the Kingdom was also this day read and it was moved that a Consideration of these particulars might be added and which is very uncommon I find in the Margin of the Journal the Names of the Persons which made the several Motions which in regard it is to be supposed they did it in futuram rei Memoriam that Posterity might not hereafter be to seek for their Names I will take care to transmit them down to future Ages but whether they will have Statutes Erected for the Achievement I cannot promise unless it be of Infamy Moved That the last Expedition into Germany J. C. but whether Corbet or Clotworthy I cannot tell The Loans upon Privy Seals The Commission of Excise might be added The Additional Explanation to the Petition of Right Palmer I suppose The Declaration set forth upon the Breach of both Parliaments Strode The Proclamation set forth Wingate forbidding People so much as to talk of a Parliament Gun-Powder Monopoly J. C. as it was a Project for the disarming of the Kingdom The destruction of Timber Wildt especially in the Forrest of Dean by Recusants The Entituling the King to the Lands between High-Water J. C. and Low-Water mark The abuses of Purveyors and Salt-Petre men Whitlock The Commission of Sewers to be further Explained Cromwel The Court of Wards Smyth The Jurisdiction of the Council of the Marches The Council Table as they take Cognizance of Me Te. The Buying and Selling of Honours and Dignities The further Debate ordered to be resumed to Morrow The Lord Keeper Reported the Conference with the Commons Yesterday That Mr. Pym delivered by Command divers Heads agreed upon by the Commons Wednesday Novem. 10. which are Instructions to be sent to the Commissioners of both Houses now attending his Majesty in Scotland which they desire their Lordships to joyn with them in The Instructions were read in haec verba 1. YOu shall humbly inform his Majesty Instructions to the Commissioners in Scotland Nov. 10th 1641. That the Propositions made to the Parliament of Scotland concerning their Assistance for suppressing the Rebellion in Ireland hath been fully considered and debated by both Houses of Parliament here and their Wise and Brotherly Expressions and Proceedings are apprehended and Entertained here by us not only with Approbation but with Thankfulness Wherefore we desire that his Majesty will be pleased That You in the Name of the Lords and Commons of England give publick Thanks to the States of the Parliament of Scotland for their Care and Readiness to imploy the Forces of that Kingdom for the reducing the Rebellious Subjects of Ireland to their due Obedience to his Majesty and the Crown of England 2. You shall further make known to his Majesty That in the great and almost Vniversal Revolt of the Natives of Ireland cherished and fomented as we have Cause to doubt by the Secret Practices and Encouragements of some Forreign States ill-affected to the Crown and that the Northern Parts of that Kingdom may with much more Ease and Speed be supplied from Scotland than from England We humbly desire and beseech his Majesty to make Vse of the Assistance of his Parliament and Subjects of Scotland for the present Relief of those Parts of Ireland which lie nearest to them according to the Treaty agreed upon and confirmed in both Parliaments and this Affectionate und Friendly Disposition now lately Expressed as is more particularly specified in the 5th Article 3. You shall present to His Majesty the Copy Enclosed of the Declaration which We have sent into Ireland for the Encouragement of his good Subjects there and for the more speedy and Effectual opposing of the Rebels and in Execution and performance of our Expressions therein made of Zeal and Faithfulness to his Majesties Service We have already taken Care for 50000 l. to be presently Borrowed and Secured by Parliament We have likewise resolved to hasten the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland very speedily to repair thither and forthwith to raise a Convenient number of Horse and Foot for securing Dublin and the English Pale with such other Parts as remain in his Majesties subjection intending to second them with a far greater Supply 4. We have further Ordered and Directed That his Majesties Arms and Munition lying in the City of Carlisle shall be Transported into the North Parts of Ireland for the supply of Carrick-fergus and other his Majesties Forts and
appeared without all doubt to be universal in all the Northern Parts and it was dangerously to be suspected that this impetuous Torrent would not be contained within those Bounds but that the other Parts of the Kingdom would by their Example and Incouragement break all the Banks of Obedience and Loyalty so that an universal Deluge of Rebellion was hourly expected And to add to the misfortune there was no Mony in the Exchequer to raise Men to oppose the Progress or crush the first beginnings of the Conspiracy the veterane Army which was kept a foot was very inconsiderable and dispersed into several distant Quarters and Garrisons and if they had been together not much above 3000 Foot and Horse as appears by this following List A List of his Majesties Army in Ireland 1641. before the Rebellion A List of the Officers and Army in Ireland when the Rebellion brock out The Foot Companies consisting of 6 Officers viz. Captain Lieutenant Ensign Chyrurgeon Sergeant and Drum and 44 Soldiers each Company were under these following Commanders Lord Lieutenant's Guard 45 Sir Robert Farrar 44 Sir Thomas Wharton 44 Sir George St. George 44 Captain Francis Butler 44 Lord Docwra 44 Sir Robert Steward 44 Lord Viscount Baltinglass 44 Captain George Blunt 44 Sir Frederick Hamilton 44 Sir Lorenzo Cary 44 Sir John Gifford 44 Sir John Nettervile 44 Sir Arthur Tyringham 44 Captain Charles Price 44 Capt. Thomas Games 44 Sir John Borlase 44 Sir Arthur Loftus 44 Lord Esmond 44 Sir George Hamilton 44 Sir William Stewart 44 Sir John Sherlock 44 Captain John Ogle 44 Sir William St. Leger 44 Lord Blaney 44 Lord Viscount Rannelagh 44 Sir John Vaughan 44 Sir Henry Tichbourn 44 Lord Castle Stewart 44 Capt. Chichester Fortescue 44 Captain John Barry 44 Capt. Thomas Rockley 44 Capt. Philip Wenman 44 Sir Charles Coote 44 Sir Francis Willoughby 44 Capt. Robert Bailey 44 Capt. William Billingsley 44 Lord Lambert 44 Lord Folliot 44 Captain Robert Biron 44 Earl of Clanricard 44 These 41 Foot Companies contain Officers 246. In all 2297. Soldiers 2051. In all 2297. The Horse Troops consisting of Captain Lieutenant Cornet and Horsemen The Lord Lieutenants 108. Earl of Straffords 58. Lord Wilmots 58. Lord Viscount Moors 58. L. Viscount Cromwel of Lecale 58. Sir George Wentworths 58. Sir Adam Loftus 58. The Marquess of Ormonds 107. Lord Dillons 58. Sir William St. Legers 58. Lord Viscount Grandisons 58. Captain Arthur Chichesters 58. Lord Viscount Conways 58. These 13 Troops contain Officers 42. In all 943. Horse and Foot 3240. Soldiers 901. In all 943. Horse and Foot 3240. A very inconsiderable Army had they been altogether in a Body The only thing which was of considerable advantage was That the Magazines were well stored with Arms and Ammunition For besides several Pieces of Artillery most of them fit for present Service there was Arms for 10000 Men 1500 Barrels of Powder with Match and Ball proportionable in the Castle of Dublin but this Store was owing to the Care and Prudence of the Wise thô Unfortunate Governor the late Earl of Strafford whose Providence even after his Death became thus Serviceable towards the preservation of that Kingdom However in this Extremity of Affairs the Lords Justices and Council set themselves with all possible application to provide against this threatning Tempest Sir Francis Willough by Governor of the Castle of Dublin And in the first place they Constituted Sir Francis Willoughby Governor of the Castle of Dublin placing such a Number of Men in Garrison there as might be able to defend a Place of so great Importance as that then was by reason of the Stores of Arms and Ammunition there deposited that from the surprizing of it the Rebels had promised themselves the greatest advantages in their Wicked Enterprizes and thô Providence had discovered and disappointed that part of their Design yet it might reasonably be suspected that they would not give over that attempt the accomplishment of which either by force or fraud would of necessity so much facilitate all their other Intentions Letters and Expresses were dispatched unto the Presidents of Munster and Connaght Letters sent to the Nobility and Gentry to inform them of the discovery of the Plot. and to diverse of the Principal Gentlemen in those two Provinces as also to those of the Province of Lemster giving them an Account of the Discovery of the Plot that so they might stand upon their Guard and take the best Measures they could for their own and the Security of those Countries where they Inhabited an Express was sent to the Earl of Ormond then at his House at Carick with Letters to the same Effect and also to desire his Lordship with all possible Expedition to advance with his Troop of Horse to Dublin They sent Commissions to the Lords Viscounts of Clandeboys and of Ardes for Raising and Arming of the Scots in the Northern Parts as also soon after to Sir William Steward and Sir Robert Steward and several other Gentlemen of Quality in the North which they were forced to send by Sea the Rebels having cut off all intercourse to those Parts by Land The Letter to then Earl now his Grace the Duke of Ormond was as followeth AFter Our very hearty Commendations to your Lordship by this Proclamation your Lordship will find the Condition of Affairs here Our haste admits not long Discourse upon this Subject A Letter from the Lords Justices and Council to the Earl of Ormond of the discovery of the Pot Oct. 24. 1641. only we pray and require your Lordship to give Order that it be published there We having also directed this Bearer to leave one Proclamation at every Market-Town in his Way thither for the more speedy Publication of the disappointment of their Design In the weighty Consultations now requisite here your Lordship's Presence with us is so necessary as we must pray and require you to repair speedily hither where your stay shall not be longer than of necessity shall be requisite And so We bid your Lordship very heartily Farewel From his Majestie 's Castle of Dublin 24 October 1641. Your Lordships very loving Friends Will. Parsons John Borlase Rob. Dillon Rob. Digby Ad. Loftus John Temple Fra. Willoughby Ja. Ware Rob. Meredith The Plot was to Surprize all the Forts of the Kingdom yesterday at one Hour and they have taken Castle Blaney and Neury but yet we hear of no more The Lord Macguire Captain Mac-Mahon and several others We have Committed to the Castle Your Lordship is also required to bring your Horse Troop hither To our very good Lord James Earl of Ormond c. Upon which Summons from the Lords Justices and Council his Lordship did with all the haste and diligence imaginable march with his Troop to Dublin there to receive their Commands and give Testimony of that Courage and steady Loyalty which will for ever Record his Name in the Memoires of Time for one of the most
Celebrated Persons of his Age and indeed had the Lords Justices been willing and able to have hearkned to his Lordships Motion at the Council Board to put him immediately at the Head of any considerable Strength he would in probability by God's assistance have made a short dispatch of that Rebellion for it was some considerable time before the Rebellion became Universal or otherwise Captain Byron with a single Company of 50 Men could not as he did have by command from the Lord Justices and Council have marched Safe and without disturbance from Youghall to Dublin which is above 80 Miles nor was there any rising about Kilkenny till two Months after the first Eruption but it is too evident that as the supine carelessness of some did encourage the Irish to Rebel so there were others in Power who were so taken up with the Contemplation of Forfeitures that they rather increased the Fuel than took Care to suppress the Flame so that it is no wonder if his Lordships Motion was rejected till it was too late However several Commissions were given out to diverse Gentlemen even of the Romish Religion to raise Men to suppress the Rebellion The Commissions then given out run in the Stile of Martial Law which was thought no more than Requisite as appears by this following which was given to the Lord Gormanstone By the Lords Justices and Council W. Parsons John Borlase RIght Trusty and Well-beloved A Copy of the Commissions for suppressing the Rebellion in Ireland Nov. 1641. We greet you well Whereas divers most Disloyal and Malignant Persons within this Kingdom have Traiterously conspired against His Majesty His Peace Crown and Dignity and many of them in Execution of their Conspiracy are Traiterously Assembled together in a warlike Manner and have most inhumanly made Destruction and Devastation of the Persons and Estates of divers of his Majesties Good and Loyal Subjects of this Kingdom and Taken Slain and Imprisoned great Numbers of them We out of Our Care and Zeal for the Common Good being desirous by all means to suppress the said Treasons and Traitors and to conserve the Persons and Fortunes of His Majesties Loving Subjects here in Safety and to prevent the further Spoil and Devastation of his Majesties Good People here Do therefore hereby Require and Authorize you to Levy Raise and Assemble all every or any the Forces as well Footmen as Horsemen within the County of Meath giving you hereby the Command in Chief of all the said Forces and hereby further Requiring and Authorizing you as Commander of them in Chief to Arm Array Divide Distribute Dispose Conduct Lead and Govern in Chief the said Forces according to your best Discretion and with the said Forces to Resist Pursue Follow Apprehend and put to Death Slay and Kill as well by Battel as other ways all and singular the said Conspirators Traitors and their Adherents according to your Discretion and according to your Conscience and Discretion to proceed against them or any of them by Martial Law by Hanging them or any of them till they be dead according as it hath been accustomed in time of open Rebellion and also to Take Waste and Spoil their or any of their Castles Holds Forts Houses Goods and Territories or otherwise to Preserve the Lives of them or any of them and to receive them into his Majesties Favor and Mercy and to forbear the Devastation of their or any of their Castles Forts Houses Holds Goods and Territories aforementioned acccording to your Discretion Further hereby Requiring and Authorizing you to Do Execute and Perform all and singular such other things for Examination of Persons suspected discovery of Traitors and their Adherents parlying with and granting Protections to them or any of them taking up of Carts Carriages and other Conveniences sending and retaining Espials Victualling the said Forces and other things whatsoever conducing to the purpose aforementioned as you in your Discretion shall think fit and the necessity of the Service require further hereby Requiring and Authorizing you as Commander in Chief to Constitute and Appoint such Officers and Ministers respectively for the better Performance and Execution of all and singular the Premises as you in your Discretion shall think fit And We do hereby require and command all and singular His Majesties Sheriffs Officers and Ministers and Loving Subjects of and within the County of Meath and the Borders thereof upon their Faith and Allegiance to His Majesty and to his Crown to be Aiding Helping and Assisting to you in the Doing and Executing of all and singular the Premises This Our Commission to continue during Our Pleasure only and for the so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant Given at His Majesties Castle of Dublin Novemb. 1641. R. Dillon Ja. Ware Jo. Temple Rob. Meredith To Our very good Lo. Nicholas Vic. Com. Gormanstone Immediately upon the setting out of the Proclamation of the 23 of October divers Lords of the English Pale came to Dublin and there declared to the Lords Justices and the Board with severe Protestations their great Loyalty and Affection to his Majesty and that they would with all readiness assist their Lordships in the suppressing of this Rebellion but within two or three days they returned with a Petition wherein they offered they said the deep Sense they had of an Expression in that Proclamation as if by the Words evil affected Irish Papists there being no Distinction they might be misinterpreted so as to reflect upon them as comprehended under those general Terms Whereupon the Lords Justices and Council that they might clear this Point and thereby secure themselves of the Loyalty and Services of these Gentlemen who as well as their Ancestors had upon former Occasions manifested great Loyalty to the Crown of England therefore to remove all Scruples put out this following Explanatory Proclamation By the Lords Justices and Council W. Parsons John Borlase WHereas a Petition hath been preferred unto Vs A Proclamation for the Satisfaction of the Lords and Gentlemen of the English Pale Oct. 28. 1641. by divers Lords and Gentlemen of the English Pale in behalf of themselves and the rest of the Pale and other the old English of this Kingdom shewing That whereas a late Conspiracy of Treason is discovered of ill-affected Persons of the old Irish and that thereupon a Proclamation was published by Vs wherein among other things it is declared That the said Conspiracy was perpetrated by Irish Papists without distinction of any and they doubting that by those general Words of Irish Papists they might seem to be involved though they declare themselves confident that We did not intend to conclude them therein in regard they are none of the Old Irish nor of their Faction or Confederacy but are altogether averse and opposite to all their Designs and all other of like Condition We do therefore to give them full satisfaction hereby declare and publish to all his Majesties Good Subjects in this Kingdom
Officers as to me shall seem expedient for the Levying of Forces for the Defence of the said Kingdom of Ireland of such Persons as shall voluntarily undertake the said Service I do hereby Constitute and Appoint you Collonel of a Regiment of Foot-men to serve in this present Expedition which Regiment you shall by Virtue of this Commission forthwith Levy in such parts of His Majestie 's Kingdom of England as you shall think fit for His Majestie 's Service in this urgent occasion And this Regiment being Levied you shall receive it into your Charge as Collonel and conduct it to the City of Chester where you shall Embarque it and Transport it with all possible speed unto the City of Dublin in His Majesties Kingdom of Ireland and diligently Exercise your Regiment Commanding all Officers and Soldiers of the said Regiment to obey you as their Collonel for His Majestie 's Service according to the Commission given you And you are likewise to observe and obey such Orders and Directions as you shall receive from my self and the superior Officers of the Army according to the Discipline of War Given c. After which the House entred upon the Debate of the Ordinance Ordinance to raise the Train Bands Assented to by the Lords for Enabling the Earl of Essex and Holland to raise the Trained-Bands And after a long Debate it was Assented to with some little Alterations and so sent down to the Commons It was this day Ordered That the Justices of Peace Order to put the Laws in Execution against Recusants and Depaty-Lieutenants and all other His Majestie 's Officers and Ministers in every County shall take Care to put the Laws in Execution against those Recusants That do not observe and obey the Order of this House made the 16th of this Instant November The Order was to Command them to depart from London to their several Places of abode in their respective Countries Mr. Wiseman the Remembrancer of the City of London No Priests to be found in the City gave the House an Account That there hath been a search made in London for Priests and Jesuits and they could find none but have Apprehended four Persons who refuse to take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy Whereupon it was Ordered That the Recorder of the City of the said City shall Proceed against those Persons according to Law In the House of Commons Commons Vote a second Plot of the Army they fell upon the Business of the Plot of the Army and the several Examinations being read which were taken by the Deputed Lords were transmitted to the Commons The Examinations were Mr. Daniel O Neal's taken November 13. Sir Jacob Asteleys Examination Sir John Conyer's his Examination Sir Charles Lucas his Examination October 29. A Second Examination of Sir John Conyer's which was taken October 30 which was twice read as was also that of Captain William Legg taken the same day The Examination of Sir Foulk Huncks taken 29 of October upon which the House proceeded to this Vote Resolved c. That upon the Examinations now read there is sufficient Evidence for this House to believe That there was a second Design to bring up the Army against the Parliament and an Intention to make the Scotch Army stand as Neutrals It was Ordered That Sir John Hippeslley and Sir John Franklyn shall appoint some Guards with Halberts to stand in places most convenient for the safety of this place It was also Ordered That Mr. Oneal shall be allowed 5 l. per Week out of the Arrears of his pay from the time of his Committment for his present maintenance That Sir Simon Harcourt shall have 20 s. per diem above his ordinary pay as Commander of the Forces in Dublin and that 457.6.8 being a months pay shall be advanced for his Officers and 101 l. for providing of Halberts Ensigns and Partisans Orders were also issued from this House to the Sergeant at Arms attending the House to search for Priests and Jesuits as also to the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London to search diligently in the City this night The Lord Keeper did this day Report the Conference with the Commons Thursday Novemb. 18. That the House of Commons were of Opinion That there was reason enough for the Lords to joyn with them for securing the Persons of Popish Recusants and that they were not satisfied with their Lordships Answer at this time touching that business 1. Because they conceive the Popish Recusants are of as much danger The Commons Reasons for securing PoPish Recusants in the Country among their Friends and Neighbours of their Religion as they are here at this time especially when they have liberty to go abroad 2. That the Penalty is only against Convicted Recusants and the House of Commons desires it may be against suspected Persons and Favourers of Recusants 3. It would ask too much time to stay for the putting of the Laws in Execution at this time therefore the House of Commons desired that they may be secured by Imprisoning of their Persons and that for these Reasons 1. They always take security against the breach of the Peace if it concern only a private Person this is concerning the security of the whole Kingdom none is so fitting to be given as the Imprisonment of their Persons 2 That at this time they had reason to suspect the Papists and to secure them upon these Grounds 1 The Tye that lies upon their Consciences to secure the Kingdom when it is in so much danger 2 Considering the Rebellion now in Ireland for the Cause of Religion 3 Considering the Informations and Relations from sundry Parts of the danger of Recusants here and the Correspondency is conceived they have with the Business in Ireland 4 Considering both Houses had joyned by Ordinance to disarm Recusants according to Law This the House of Commons said had been done formerly upon Suspition of Danger as in 88. The House of Commons intend this should extend to the most Chief and Active Recusants of the greatest Quality and Danger a List of such Names as they desire may be secured they will bring up very speedily and they intend they should be as Hostages for the Peace and Security of the Kingdom no hurt being meant to their Persons If this were not done the House of Commons said They could not Answer for the Safety of the Kingdom Next was reported the Reasons of the Commons why they desired that the Government of the Isle of Wight being of so great Importance to this Kingdom may be Sequestred for the present into another Hand Because the Earl of Portland 's Father Mother and Wife were and are Recusants and that a Sister of his married a Recusant and if these Reasons did not satisfy their Lordships The Commons Reasons for removing the E. of Portland from the Government of the Isle of Wight The E. of Portland's defence they desired Liberty to bring up other
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
a full and just satisfaction for the same do hereby declare That this said Sum of 50000 l. lent for the Irish Affairs and the Sum of 50000 l. more lent by the said City unto the Peers attending His Majesty in the Northern Parts before the beginning of this present Parliament and such other Sums lent by the said City unto this Parliament which are not yet paid or otherwise secured shall be fully satisfied and repaid unto the said City of London with Interest after the rate of 8 l. per cent for a Year out of such Moneys as are or shall be raised by Authority of Parliament and for that purpose will Exhibit a Bill and become humble Suiters to His Majesty that the same may be passed with all Expedition Provided always that this present Declaration shall not be in any wise prejudicial to any Members of the said House of Commons who have formerly lent any Sums of Money to this Parliament nor to the Northern Counties nor to any persons whatsoever to whom the Houses of Parliament or the House of Commons have formerly Ordered the Payment of any Sums of Mony nor to any security given to them before the making of this Declaration Mr. The Commons Reasons for the Continuance of Guards Pym presents from the Committee the Reasons of both Houses of Parliament for the continuance of a Guard viz. 1. The great numbers of disorderly suspicious and desperate Persons especially of the Irish Nation lurking in obscurâ—â— Allies and Victualling Houses in the Suburbs and other places near London and Westminster 2. The Jealousie conceived upon the discovery of the Design in Scotland for the surprising of the Persons of divers of the Nobility Members of the Parliament there which had been spoken of here some few days before it broke out not without some whispering intimation that the like was intended against divers Persons of both Houses which found more Credit by reason of the former attempts of bringing up the Army to disturb and inforce this Parliament 3. The Conspiracy in Ireland managed with so much secresie that but for the happy discovery at Dublin it had been Executed in all parts of the Kingdom upon one and the same day or soon after and that some of the chief Conspirators did profess that the like course was intended in England and Scotland which being found in some degree true in Scotland seemed the more probable likewise to be done in England 4. Divers Advertisements from beyond the Seas which came over about the same Time that there would be a great alteration in Religion in England in a few days and that the necks of both the Parliaments should be broken 5. Divers Examinations of dangerous Speeches of some of the Popish and discontented party in this Kingdom 6. The secret Meetings and Consultations of the Papists in several Parts their frequent Devotions for the prosperity of some great Design in hand These several Considerations do move the Parliament to desire a Guard under the Command of the Earl of Essex and they do conceive there is just Cause to apprehend that there is some wicked and mischievous practice to interrupt the peaceable proceedings of the Parliament still in hand for preventing whereof it is fit the Guards should be still continued under the same Command or such other as they should chuse But to have it under the Command of any other not chosen by themselves they can by no means consent to and will rather run any hazard then admit of a Precedent so dangerous both to this and to future Parliaments And they humbly leave it to His Majesty to consider whether it will not be fit to suffer his High Court of Parliament to enjoy that Priviledge of providing for their own safety which was never denied other inferior Courts And that he will be pleased graciously to believe that they cannot think themselves safe under any Guard of which they shall not be assured that it will be as faithful in defending His Majesties safety as their own whereof they shall always be more careful then of their own Among all these Reasons here is not one word of Beal the Taylors Discovery of the 108 Men which for 40 s. apiece were to do such strange things it seems by this time they found it an incredible Story and it is very probable that if the other grounds of their fears did not proceed from their own Quiver yet if they had Examined them they would have found them as frivolous as that or the Scotch Design against Hamilton and Arguile which upon the strictest Scrutiny would not afford more proof then to make a noise about the Streets of Plots against the Parliament the better to incite the unruly Multitude to Tumults and Insurrections which they now began to raise again to cry out No Bishops and with unheard of Insolence to affront His Majesty and whoever was Loyal But the King having Ordered them a Guard of the Trained Bands they were so displeased not at the thing for they had made use of them before but at His Majesties appointing them that it was Ordered in the House of Commons That the Guard should be dismissed and without giving His Majesty an Account or presenting him with the Reasons above recited the very same day Mr. Glyn and Mr. Wheeler were Ordered to require the High Constable of Westminster to provide a strong and sufficient Watch in their stead But to make a little flourish of Loyalty and tenderness for the King's Honour and Reputation it was this day Ordered That a Declaration be drawn for clearing His Majesties honour from false Reports cast upon him by the Rebels in Ireland and a Provision to be made Order for a Declaration to clear the Kings Honor from the Scandals of the Irish Rebels that there may be no Conclusion of that War to the prejudice of this Kingdom There might be malice even in this seeming kindness for whilst they pretended to vindicate His Majesties Honour they divulged the Scandal to the whole Nation and by their subsequent Actions and Declarations which within a little while after they published to improve the belief of that Scandal one would think they intended to prepare the way for it by this plausible pretence of a Vindication And most certainly they could intend him no real Reparation when themselves were this Day resolved to defame his Government from the very beginning of his Reign by that Scandalous Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom for this very Day Mr. Pym Sir Symon D'Ewes The Names of the Committee who were appointed to deliver the Remonstrance Sir Arthur Ingram Sir John Thyn Sir Henry Bellasis Lord Gray Sir Christopher Wray Lord Fairfax Sir Ralph Hopton Sir Richard Winn Sir John Corbet Sir Edward Deering and Sir Arthur Haslerig were Ordered to wait upon his Majesty what time he appoints with the Petition and Declaration and indeed all their Actions seemed to carry Fire in one Hand and
speed as the weightiness of the business will permit And so He gave us all his Hand to kiss and afterwards sent Mr. Comptroller to us with this Message to be delivered to the House That there might be no publishing of the Declaration till the House had received his Majesties Answer We were all Entertained by Mr. Comptroller with great Respect and Lodged by the King's Harbinger This Day Mr. Mr. Jarvaise Hollis restored to his place in the House of Commons Jervaise Hollis who had formerly been Expulsed the House for a Speech which he made with a great strength of Reason and Courage but more heat than the Times would bear against the tame Compliances with the Scottish Army then in England was restored to his place to sit as a Member of the House of Commons The Debate about the Tumults was as it had been the day before adjourned till to morrow The Earl of Bath Reported the Conference had this Day with the Commons That they did let their Lordships know Friday Decemb. 3. Ammunition sent from the Tower for Ireland That whereas there were divers Waggons and Carts loaden with Arms and Ammunition from the Tower of London to be conveyed to West-Chester and to be Shipped for Ireland which were but slenderly Guarded therefore they desire that their Lordships would be pleased to joyn with them to move his Majesty to give Order to the Sheriffs of the several Counties through which they are to pass That they may be guarded safely to West-Chester To which the Lords agreed Also That Information was given That a Ship was lately discovered in Milford Haven loaden with Arms and Ammunition and that it is reported the Men in her be French-men but they speak English and that another Ship as they are informed is in the Haven of Aberdoney in Cardiganshire and the Men buy up the Provisions of that Country That two Men which were in that Ship they understand are now in Town Whereupon the Lords Ordered that they should be sent for to be Examined concerning this business It will possibly to some persons appear very superfluous to take notice of such trifling passages as these Informations and the Necessity of Guarding the Waggons to West-Chester but it is to be considered That as trifling as these things now may seem to be the Faction industriously pickt up all such Informations and made Extraordinary Use of these little Arts to facilitate their Great Design for now the Kingdom was to be put into a Posture of Defence as they termed it that was they intended to wrest from the King the Power of the Sword the Militia of the Nation and nothing could be more serviceable to them in amusing the People with imaginary Dangers of French Ships laden with Arms and Ammunition and French-men that speak English and consequently Fears of Forreign Invasions c. than these stories which being spread abroad and sufficiently magnified by running from hand to hand gave a Countenance to their unjust Demands of settling the Militia and puting the Kingdom into this Posture of Defence The King having acquainted the Lords That Certain Commissioners were come from Scotland to Treat with both Houses of Parliament concerning the Assistance for Ireland Commissioners of both Houses appointed to treat with the Scots Commissioners concerning Assistance for Ireland and to settle all the Condition and State of the Warr the Lords Appointed and Nominated the Earl of Bedford and the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Lord Howard of Escrick and the Commons Nathanael Fynes Esquire Sir William Armyn Baronet Sir Phillip Stapleton Knight and John Hampden Esquire to be Commissioners to be Empowered by the King's Commission to Treat with the said Scottish Commissioners who were to acquaint his Majesty and the Parliament with their Proceedings before they came to any final Conclusion The Councel of the Impeached Bishops were called in to be heard in that affair who informed their Lordships The Bishops Plea and Demurrer to be argued Tuesday Dec. 7. That the Cause will not be fit for hearing until the Bishops have put in their Answers for until then there can be no Issue joyned and they conceive no Answer can be made until the Charge be particular therefore the Bishops abide by their Plea and Demurrer Whereupon the House Ordered That the Councel for the Bishops shall be heard at the Barr what they can say in maintenance of the Plea and Demurrer to the Impeachment brought up from the House of Commons against the Bishops on Tuesday the 7th of this instant December at which time and place the House of Commons or such of their Members as they shall appoint may be present if they please And a Message was sent by Sir Robert Rich and Dr. Bennet to acquaint them with this Order Phillips the Priest was this Day according to a former Order Bailed Phillips the Priest bailed upon conditions not to go to Court c. as before Two Bills were brought up from the Commons by Sir William Lewis the One Entituled An Act for the better raising and levying of Soldiers for the present Defence of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland The other For Relief of Captives taken by Turkish Pyrates and to prevent the same for the time to come Little of moment passed in the Commons House besides the reading and passing the above named Bills and Messages before recited about the Bishops c. only St. Germain the French man released the Debate of the Tumults was again put off till to morrow and Monsieur St. Germain a French-man whose close Imprisonment with strict Orders That no person should speak with him but in the presence of a Keeper c. which had made a mighty noise about the Town and so answered the design why he was taken up was this day by Order of the Commons discharged from his Imprisonment This day Sir George Whitmore Mr. Cordall Mr. Soame Mr. Gayer Several Aldermen with the Sheriffs and Recorder of London attend the King at Hampton-Court Mr. Garret Mr. Wollaston and the two Sheriffs of London being all Aldermen of the same City together with the Recorder by virtue of an Act of Common Council attended his Majesty at Hampton-Court to render him the Thanks of the City for his gracious favour done them by affording them his Royal Presence and giving so great Testimonies of his Affection and Kindness to the City They were conducted to His Majesty by the Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain to the Queen and Sir Peter Wiche Comptroller to his Majesty where after they had returned the Humble Thanks of the City to his Majesty for his former Favours they offered these two humble Petitions First That their Majesties would vouchsafe this Honor to the City if it might stand with their good Pleasures to make their Residence at this Season of the Year at the Palace of Whitehall The Second was That whereas since his Majesties happy Return
not to tender a thing called a Plea and Demurrer As also that the Commons conceive they ought to have been called in this Case for that they have desired it in both their Charges to be present at their Answer and that it was their Right to have been called Further They observe the long delay to the Commons for that they having charged these 13 Bishops long since for meer matter of Fact to be brought so late to Answer may introduce great inconveniencies in this particular and in the Consequences and is not Exampled by former Precedents That therefore upon these Grounds the Commons desire the Lords they may be admitted to make good their proof against these 13 Bishops and that they may be brought to Judgment It was this day Ordered by the Lords Tuesday Decemb. 7. Some Causes in Parliament determinable in no other Court That Forasmuch as the Cause between Smith and Busby in a Writ of Error decidable in no other Court but in Parliament in regard the Suit was Commenced by Original Writ and depending long before the Lords here it having been sundry days attended for Argument with Counsel And being it is a matter in Law the presence of the Judges is thought needful and so cannot be heard in the Term without prejudice to the several Courts of Westminster-Hall It is therefore Ordered by this House That the said Case shall be argued at this Bar on Thursday Sevennight next being the 16th of this Instant December and the Judges are desired to be present at the said Argument And further That the Parties of either side or their Council are to attend and come prepared for arguing and debating the Points in the said Case at their perils The following Commission to give Power to the English Commissioners of both Houses to Treat with the Scots Commissioners touching the Affairs of Ireland was read viz. CHARLES by the Grace of God The King's Commission to several Lords and Commons to treat with the Scots Commissioners concerning assistance for Ireland c. To Our right Trusty and right Well-beloved Cousin William Earl of Bedford and to Our right Trusty and right Well-beloved Cousin and Councellor Robert Earl of Leicester Lieutenant General and Governor General of Our Realm of Ireland as also to Our Trusty and right Well-beloved Edward Lord Howard of Escrick and likewise to Our Trusty and right Well-beloved Nathanael Fines Esq Sir William Armyn Baronet Sir Philip Stapleton Knight John Hampden Esq Greeting Know ye That We reposing assured Trust and Confidence in your approved Wisdoms Fidelities and great Abilities have Nominated Constituted and Appointed you to be our Commissioners and by these presents do give full Power and Authority unto you or any Three or more of you whereof the said Earl of Bedford Earl of Leicester or Lord Howard to be one to Treat and Consult with Our Right Trusty and Right Well beloved Cosins William Earl of Lothian and John Earl of Lindsay Our Commissioners of Our Scottish Nation of and concerning Our Irish Affairs for the quieting and suppressing of all Tumults Insurrections and Rebellions moved and raised in Our Realm of Ireland and settling Peace and Tranquillity therein according to such Instructions and Directions as you shall hereafter from time to time receive from Vs in that behalf Wherefore We Will Require and Command you or any three or more of you whereof the said Earl of Bedford Earl of Leicester and Lord Howard to be one forthwith with all diligence to attend the Execution of this Our Commission accordingly And whatsoever you shall do in this behalf according to the Tenor hereof this Our Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge for the same Witness Our Self at Westminster the 7th day of December in the 17th Year of Our Reign c. The late Bishop of Lincoln now Archbishop of York Late Bishop of Lincoln now Archbishop of York Reports the Conference concerning the Bishops Impeached Reported the Conference with the Commons Yesterday concerning the Impeached Bishops which because it differs from the Heads Reported for that purpose by Mr. Glyn in the Commons Journal I thought it not amiss to insert His Grace Reported That Mr. Glyn said That the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons having lately received a Message from their Lordships that their Lordships had appointed this day to hear the Plea and Demurrer of the Bishops and that such of the House of Commons might be there as they thought fitting commanded him to deliver unto their Lordships these Particulars That the Canons and Constitutions in Question were voted by both Houses to contain Matters contrary to the King's Prerogative the Laws of the Land the Right of Parliament the Propriety and Liberty of the Subject and many matters tending to Sedition and of dangerous Consequence That thereupon the House of Commons to the intent to bring this Matter to Judgment brought up their Impeachment of the 13 Bishops 4th Augusti last which was read verbatim This was all that was acted 4o. Augusti But least this Impeachment might prove too general they brought up a second Charge or Impeachment 13 Augusti which was read in haec verba Whereas the Knights Citizens c. which to avoid Tautologies the Reader may see before in the Transactions of the 13 August By the bringing of this second Impeachment the House of Commons conceive they had satisfied two main Objections 1. That the Book of Canons and Constitutions was not particularly instanced upon in the first which now they punctually deliver with the Impeachment 2. That they had not before charged any thing in particular but now they did That all and every the said Canons and Constitutions and Grants of Benevolence c. were and are contrary c. as in the Vote And hereupon they desired the 13 Bishops might be put to their Answers and yet for all this Desire of the Commons 13. Augusti they had several times which spent almost a Quarter of a Year given them to answer in Their last and peremptory day was the 10th of November last and then they put in no Answer at all but a certain Writing which they are pleased to call a Plea and Demurrer Vpon notice hereof the House of Commons returned an Answer That whereas they had impeached 13 Bishops whereof one of them had pleaded Not Guilty and the rest had neither confessed nor denyed the Impeachment they desired a prefixed day to descend to Proofs and make good the Charge Soon after they received a Message from their Lordships That their Lordships had appointed this day to hear the Demurrer argued Hence it appears That notwithstanding divers daies are given to the Bishops to answer nothing is brought in but a Plea and Demurrer which was not to be admitted for two several Reasons 1. No Defence ought to be made to an Impeachment brought in by the Commons but in the presence of the Commons and it ought to be
Captain Francis Gregory 's Company The Order was directed To all Mayors Justices of Peace Constables and all others His Majesties Officers to be Aiding and Assisting to the said James Watts with all convenient Expedition that may be afforded The like Orders of the same date was granted for taking up of 40 Men for Captain Peyton's Company by John Grey and John Tirrel For 40 Men for Lieutenant Colonel Corbet's Company by William Jenkins For 40 Men for Captain Honywood's Company by Robert Harding and Dymock Holby In the Commons House several Northern Petitions were this day presented for the Billet-Money which was engaged to be paid to the Inhabitants of those Counties where the Scots and English Armies were Quartered Whereupon Sir John Hotham Reported from the Committee appointed to Examine that matter the State of the Money and the Debt of the Kingdom by which it appeared as followeth  l. s. d. The first Two Subsidies 108672. 06. 00. The Third and Fourth Subsidies 96461. 19. 09.  205134. 05. 09. Paid out to divers Citizens of London 51507. 05. 08. To Sir John Harrison 51885. 16. 10. To Alderman Pennington 9972. 13. 10. To other Persons Members of the House 18497. 15. 08. To the Inhabitants of several Wards 45893. 13. 09. To Sir William Udal for the Army 9000. 00. 00.  186757. 05. 09. So rests of the Four Subsidies 18377. 00. 00. Of which paid for the Affairs of Ireland to be repaid out of the Citizens Loan-Money 12000. 00. 00. And to be repaid to Sir Robert Pye Sir Edw. Hales and others that lent it 2000. 00. 00. Remains 4377. 00. 00. Receipts of the Poll-money in general throughout the Kingdom 256720. 18. 02. Viz.    Poll-money paid at York 37371. 09. 10. Sir William Udal from the 7 Northern Counties 15450. 00. 00. Poll-money from Sir Rob. Pye and Mr. Wheeler 37415. 09. 02. Poll-money by the Treasurers 162195. 04. 07. In London 4288. 14. 07. Memorandum in Cash in the City of London 8 Dec. not paid to the Lenders 5596. 15. 11. Total Received upon the four first Subsidies 205134. 05. 09. Vpon the Poll-Bill 256720. 18. 02. The Composition of Old and New Customers 165000. 00. 00. Total 626855. 03. 11. Issued to Sir William Udal 339760. 00. 00. To the Scots 291361. 19. 04. To Sir John Mills for the Queen Mother 7000. 00. 00. To Colonel Goring 3000. 00. 00. To the Pay-Master at Berwick 29000. 00. 00. To the Pay-Master at Carlisle 10000. 00. 00. To Mr. Vassal for Ships to Holy-Island 170. 00. 00. To the Commissioners for the Poll-money 600. 00. 00. To the Committee in Scotland 1200. 00. 00. To O Connelly 500. 00. 00. To several Persons upon Orders 307. 09. 00. Total Issued 682899. 08 04. Total Received 626855. 03. 11. Remains in Debt 56044. 04. 05. Besides for Billet-money 64000. 00. 00. For Half Pay 26000. 00. 00. More for Billet 38000. 00. 00. Scots Arrears of Brotherly Assistance 220000. 00. 00. Peers to the City of London 56000. 00. 00. For Ireland to the City 56000. 00. 00. Total Debt 516044. 04. 05. Having thus helped to purge the Nation of some superfluous Money as appears by this Account which was in a manner wholly occasioned by the Invasion of their Reforming Brethren of Scotland they began now to think of Purging out the Loyal Members from their own House as well as the Bishops from the House of Lords And it was upon the Debate Resolved c. severally That Mr. Henry Wilmot Sir Hugh Pollard Wilmot Pollard and Ashburnham Voted guilty of Misprision of Treason and out of the House Mr. William Ashburnham and Sir John Berkley shall be accused of Misprision of Treason And it was Ordered That Mr. Wilmot who serves for Tamworth Sir Hugh Pollard Burgess for Belraston Devon Mr. William Ashburnham Burgess for Luggershall and Mr. Henry Piercy Knight of the Shire for Northumberland shall be disabled from Sitting as Members in the House of Commons and that Mr. Speaker direct his Warrants to the Clark of the Crown to issue out Writs for new Election of persons to serve in Parliament in their places It was also Ordered That Captain Legg shall be sent for by the Serjeant at Arms attending this House as a Delinquent There being this Day a Company of Watchmen Captain Legg sent for as a Delinquent Friday Decemb. 10. Parliament displeased at a Guard because not of their own appointment with Halberds about the Parliament Door It was moved that some of them might be called in to know who did command them to come and by what authority and to what purpose they come Hereupon two of the Constables were brought in and demanded the Reason why they came thither They said They came by virtue of a Warrant from the High Constable to be ready this Day to attend the Houses of Parliament because of a Riot is likely to be in Westminster Whereupon it was Ordered That the High Constable and the Vnder-Sheriff do attend this House presently In the Interim a Petition was delivered unto the House by the Lord Marquess of Hartford from the Loyal part of the Inhabitants of Somersetshire concerning the Government of the Church which was read presently in haec verba To the High and Honourable Court of Parliament now Sitting The Humble Petition and Remonstrance of the Knights Gentry Clergy Free-holders and Inhabitants of the County of Somerset Humbly Sheweth THat having with grief of Mind heard of sundry Petitions been Exhibited to this Right Honorable Assembly The Somerset-Shire Petition for Episcopacy and the Liturgy presented to the Lords by the Marquiss of Hertford Decemb. 10. 1641. by some of the Clergy and Laity about London and some Counties tending to the Subversion of the Church Government Established in this Kingdom We therefore tendring the Peace and Welfare of both do in all humbleness presume to make known our Opinions and Desires concerning the same Nothing doubting of the like good acceptance of our humble Petition and Remonstrance in this behalf being tendred with no less good Affection to the Peace and Happiness of the Church the Prosperity of his Sacred Majesty and this whole Kingdome For the present Government of the Church we are most Thankful to God belâ—eving it in our hearts to be the most Pious and the Wisest that any People or Kingdom upon Earth hath been blest withal since the Apostles dayes Though we may not deny but through the frailty of Men and Corruption of Times some things of ill Consequence and others needless are stollen or thrust into it which we heartily wish may be reformed and the Church restored to its former Purity And to the End it may be the better preserved from present and future Innovations we wish the wittingly and maliciously guilty of what Condition soever they be whether Bishops or other inferior Clergy may receive condign punishment But for the miscarriage of Governors to destroy the Government we trust it shall never
or Provisional Clause to be added to the said Bill by way of Limitation or Restriction and did also at the same time express his displeasure against some Person or Persons which had moved some Doubt or Question concerning the bound of Prerogative which the House of Commons declare to be a breach of the Fundamental Priviledges of Parliament The House of Commons do therefore desire their Lordships would joyn with them in an humble Petition to his Majesty to take notice that the Priviledge of Parliament is broken herein and to desire him that it may not be done so any more hereafter After this matter had been debated by the Lords it was Ordered That their House will joyn with the House of Commons in a Petition to His Majesty herein And the Lord Arch-Bishop of York Earl of Pembroke Earl of Bristol Earl of Holland Viscount Say and Seal Episcopus Durham Episcopus Winton Episcopus Roffen were appointed a Select Committee to meet with a proportionable number of the House of Commons to consider of the Breach of Priviledge of Parliament and and to prepare some things incident hereunto and present the same to the House This Committee to meet with the Commons on Wednesday the 15th of this Instant December at Nine of the Clock in the Morning in the Painted-Chamber The Committee appointed by the Commons to meet with the Lords were Mr. Pym Serjeant Wild Mr. Glyn Mr. Martin Mr. Strode Sir Hugh Cholmley Mr. Hollis Mr. Hampden Mr. Sam. Brown Sir Thomas Barrington Sir Edward Rodney Sir Thomas Bowyer Sir William Armyn Sir Francis Barnham Sir Walter Earl Sir Edward Aiscough Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Anthony Irby Sir William Lewes Mr. Strangeways Sir Robert Cooke Sir Edward Montforte Sir William Litton and Sir Henry Ludlow The Lord Keeper also Reported the Effect of two other Conferences had this day with the Commons The first Conference consisted of two particulars First Whereas a Proposition was made by the French Ambassador to the King for saving Seven Romish Priests which were Convicted and the House of Commons presented their Opinions to this House that five of those seven Priests may be Executed according to the Laws Now the House of Commons desire their Lordships to joyn with them in an humble Petition to His Majesty that the Execution of the Laws may be done upon all the seven Priests and that both Houses would become Suitors to the King to take off the Reprieve Next a Letter was read sent from one Parthington in Ireland written to Sir John Clotworthy Knight shewing the great and barbarous Cruelties acted upon the Protestants in Ireland by the Rebels as hanging of them and pulling their Flesh from their Bones cutting off their Heads Hands and Feet ripping up of Women great with Child and killing of Children with divers other inhumane Acts. The second Conference was touching the Declaratory part of the Bill for Pressing of Soldiers That the House of Commons consents now to the Words or Compelled that they should be inserted into the Preamble of the said Bill upon condition that these Words may be added except it be in Case of Necessity of the sudden coming of an Enemy into the Kingdom And lastly That the House of Commons doth not intend to give any Reasons for the fortifying of the Declaratory Cause in the Preamble of the Bill for pressing of Soldiers it being a thing unusual for them so to do It seems the House of Lords was in great disorder about the King's Speech Lord Pierpoint to the Black Rod for some Words offensive to the Lords for the Lord Pierpoint in his Speech having said That it was not Honourable for this House to be in such Noise and Tumult the House conceived these words to be a great Offence to so Great and High a Court as this is and being charged with the Words he was Commanded by the House to withdraw but before he withdrew he desired to explain himself which he was permitted to do and he professed he did not speak the Words to give any Offence to the House His Lordship being withdrawn the House took the Offence done into Consideration and Ordered That the Lord Pierpoint shall be committed to the Custody of the Gentleman-Vsher attending the House for the present After which the House took into consideration the Proposition of the Commons concerning the seven Priests and it was upon the Question after much Debate Resolved by the major part to joyn with the Commons in an humble Petition to his Majesty That Execution of the Laws may be done upon all the 7 Priests that are Condemned and that he will be pleased to take off his Reprieve Memorandum The Lords the Bishops withdrew themselves before the voting of this Question it being in Agitatione causae sanguinis The Lord Steward and the Lord Chamberlain were Ordered to attend the King from both Houses concerning the 7 Priests to be Executed as aforesaid and that his Majesty will take off his Reprieve Most part of this day was spent by the Commons about the Debates of the King's Speech the Result of which the Reader hath already in the Conferences with the Lords but still the Faction could spare little time to remember their Petitioning Friends of Black-Heath who had run their Heads into the Noose of the Law and a Commission was gone out against them for an Inquisition upon which Occasion as before they had warned the Under-Sheriff of Surrey so this day produced an Order of the Commons to the Justices of the Peace of Surrey not to proceed in any Inquisition concerning any Persons that met to subscribe a Petition to be preferred to this House till they should recive further Orders therein from the House This day the Lord Arch-Bishop of York Wednesday Decemb. 15. reported from the select Committee of both Houses concerning the Privileges of Parliament three Particulars which the Committees think fit to be voted in both Houses as a Breach of the Privileges of Parliament And also that a Declaratory Protestation be entred into by both Houses for the claim of those Liberties and this to be drawn up by the Committees Likewise the Committees think fit that a Petitionary Remonstrance be presented to His Majesty from both Houses declaring the Right of Parliament to those Privileges and the Particulars wherein they have been broken with an humble Desire that the like may not be done hereafter and that his Majesty will be pleased to discover the Parties by whose Misinformation and evil Council his Majesty was induced to this Breach of Privilege that so they may receive condign Punishment for the same and that his Majesty be further desired to take no notice of of any Mans particular Speeches or Carriage concerning any Matter Debated and Treated in Parliament a Form whereof is to be drawn and presented to the Committee to Morrow Morning at Nine of the Clock And that the Committees have appointed the Lord Arch-Bishop of York the Lord Roberts Sir
they do with all dutiful Reverence to Your most Excellent Majesty declare That it is their Ancient and Vndoubted Right that Your Majesty ought not to take notice of any matter in Agitation and Debate in either Houses of Parliament but by their information and agreement And that Your Majesty ought not to propound any Condition Provision or Limitation to any Bill or Act in Debate or preparation in either Houses of Parliament or to manifest or declare your consent or dissent approbation or dislike of the same before it be presented to Your Majesty in due course of Parliament And that every particular Member of either House hath free liberty of Speech to propound or debate any matter according to the order and course of Parliament And that Your Majesty ought not to conceive displeasure against any Man for such Opinions and Propositions as shall be delivered in such debate it belonging to the several Houses of Parliament respectively to judge and determine such Errors and Offences in Words or Actions as shall be committed by any their Members in the handling or debating any matters depending They do further declare That all the Priviledges above-mentioned have been lately broken to the great sorrow and grievance of your most humble and faithful Subjects in that Speech which Your Majesty made in Parliament to both Houses upon Tuesday last the 14th of this present Month of December in that Your Majesty did therein take notice of a Bill for impressing of Soldiers being in Agitation in the said Houses and not agreed upon And that Your Majesty did therein offer a Salvo Jure or provisional Clause to be added to that Bill before it was presented to Your Majesty by the Consent of both Houses and did at the same time declare Your displeasure against such Persons as had moved some Doubt or Question concerning the same Bill All which they do affirm and declare to be against the Ancient Lawful and Vndoubted Priviledges and Liberties of Parliament And therefore they most humbly beseech Your Majesty by Your Royal Power and Authority to maintain and protect them in these and all other the Priviledges of Your High Court of Parliament that You will not for the time to come break or interrupt the same And that none of Your Loyal Subjects may suffer or sustain any prejudice in Your Majesties favour or good opinion for any thing done or spoken in Parliament And for the reparation of Your Loyal Subjects in this their just Grievance and Complaint for the Breaches of their Priviledges above-mentioned and prevention of the like for the time to come That Your Majesty will be pleased to declare and make known the Name or Names of the Person or Persons by whose mis-information and evil Counsel Your Majesty was induced to the same that so he or they may receive such condigne punishment as shall appertain to Justice in that behalf And this they most humbly desire and as Your greatest and most faithful Councel shall advise Your Majesty to perform as that which will be not only a comfort to themselves but likewise a great advantage to Your Majesty by procuring and confirming such a Confidence and Vnity betwixt Your Majesty and Your People as may be a foundation of Honour Safety and Happiness to Your Person and Throne as they stand bound always to pray for and endeavour Which being done it was Resolved upon the Question That this Petition and Remonstrance now read shall be presented to the King and these Lords following were appointed to go along with such Members as the House of Commons should appoint to attend the King accordingly Viz. Arch-Bishop of York Lord Steward Earl Marshal Lord Admiral Earl of Bath Earl of Dorset Earl of Cambridge Earl of Bristol Earl of Holland Lord Wharton The Commons appointed the same Committee for this Service which are before named to whom were added Sir Henry Vane Senior Mr. Lisle Sir Ralph Hopton Lord Crompton Lord Buckhurst Mr. Jones Sir Edward Patherich Mr. Palmer Sir Rich. Buller Sir Sam. Oldfield Sir Simon D'Ewes Mr. Cary Sir Jo. Culpeper Sir Rob. Harley Sir John Clotworthy The Lord Steward and the Earl of Holland were appointed presently to attend the King To know what time he will please to appoint the Select Committees of both Houses may wait upon him for this purpose To which the Lord Steward brought Answer That the King appoints to morrow at two of the Clock at White-Hall In the Commons House Orders to the Mayor of Berwick Hull and New-Castle to take care of those Places after the Reading and Voting of the Protestation Petition and Declaration It was Ordered That Mr. Speaker do write his Letters to the Mayor of Berwick enjoyning him to require such Papists and suspected Persons as reside in Berwick or make their Constant repair thither forthwith to depart the Town and such as shall refuse to tender the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance unto them and to proceed against them according to Law And to require him that a Guard be kept at the several Gates of that Town and that the Arms of that place be in readiness And Mr. Speaker is likewise to write to the Mayor of Newcastle and to the Mayor of Hull requiring them to have a special Care in the disarming of Recusants and injoining them to depart those places and such as shall refuse to tender unto them the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance and to proceed against them according to Law and to have the Arms of those Towns in a Readiness and good Condition for the defence of these Places especially the Mayor of Hull to provide well for the safety of the Magazine there And that Sir Robert Harley and Mr. Littleton do repair to the Lord Keeper and to desire him to issue out Commissions to the Mayors of Berwick Hull and Newcastle enabling them to tender the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance to Papists and suspected Persons After which it was Resolved upon the Question Sir James Douglas to be sent for as a Delinquent That Sir James Douglass shall be sent for as a Delinquent by the Serjeant at Arms attending the House A Petition of the Knights and Gentlemen of the County of Hertford on the behalf of themselves and divers others was this day read and it was Ordered That the same shall be taken into Consideration on Saturday next and also at the same time to Debate such other Matters as shall be necessary for the defence of the Kingdom and of putting the Kingdom into a Posture of Defence And Mr. Speaker is to put the House in mind of this Order I have not been able to recover this Petition but it is easie by the Order that treads upon the Heels of it to know that the Matter was putting the Bishops out and the Kingdom into a Posture of Defence which Two Topicks were by the indefatigable Emissaries of the Faction laboured for night and day To say the truth they were the most industrious
Sollicitors to promote mischief that ever the Sun saw and used the utmost diligence to set such Petitions on foot and by all the Arts imaginable but more particularly by threatening the Timerous with the Parliaments displeasure so procure hands to such Petitions which were to be presented to the Houses as the Sense of the Nation by which way of procedure they endeavoured to put a fair Countenance upon their Actions as being the Results of the Desires of the People when as in reality they were their own Contrivances and those Petitions were most of them framed by a Juncto of the Faction at London and then by their Agents sent down and set afoot in the Country It was also Ordered That Sir Robert Cooke do repair to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and to desire him for the Expediting of the Service of that Kingdom to issue forth Commissions for the Raising of two Regiments in Ulster and also to hasten all other Commissions for the Raising of Men for that Kingdom and to acquaint him with the Two Orders for the Impressing of 3000 l. for the Raising Conducting and Transporting 2 Regiments of 1500 Men and to the Master of the Ordnance to deliver unto him such quantities of Powder as shall be thought necessary for the present Expedition to be sent into Munster in Ireland The Arch-Bishop of York Reports Friday Decemb. 17. That the Committee of this House met with the Select Committee of the House of Commons and waited on the King at White-Hall and delivered unto his Majesty the Petition and Remonstrance of both Houses touching the Priviledge of Parliament and his Majesty returns this Answer That he will send an Answer in convenient time in Writing The House of Lords then fell into debate about several Amendments to the Declaration to be offered to the King not to Tolerate the Popish Religion in Ireland or any other of His Majesties Dominions and it being moved That a Clause might be added That no Religion might be Tolerated but what is Established by the Laws of this Kingdom The Lords of the Faction being aware of the Consequence and being as much resolved to destroy the Religion by Law Established as the Papists could be for the hearts of them therefore stoutly opposed it and after a long Debate It was Ordered That this House approves of and confirms the Report with the Amendments and Alterations and that the Clause against Tolleration of Popish Religion shall go singly as it is and that the Amendments and Alterations be communicated to the House of Commons And it was further Ordered That the Earl of Bristol do draw a Declaration to this Effect That no Religion shall be Tolerated in his Majesties Dominions of England and Ireland but what is or shall be Established by the Laws of this Kingdom and present the same to the Committee for Religion who are to meet on Tuesday next at such time and Place as the House shall appoint on Monday A Message was brought from the House of Commons by Sir Arthur Hazlerigg The Fast for Ireland to let their Lordship know That the Commons do fully agree to the three Days appointed for the Fast The Days were Wednesday next for both Houses of Parliament and London Thursday next for the City of Westminster and Thursday come Month for the whole Kingdom Then the House appointed the Lord Arch-Bishop of York to Preach the Fast Sermon in the Abby before the Lords in the Morning and the Lord Primate of Armagh to Preach in the Afternoon and Tuesday was appointed to be the day for gathering the Collection of the Lords towards the Relief of the poor distressed English who had been stripped and despoiled by the Rebels The Commons fell upon the Revived Affair of the Plot of the Army Mr. Daniel O Neal and Mr. Jermyn and Mr. Percy to be Impeached of High Treason and first the Impeachment of the Commons House of Parliament against Daniel O Neal Esq for High Treason was this Day read and Re-Committed to the same Committee to prepare it in such a way as that all the Evidence may be brought in Then it was Resolved c. That Mr. Jermyn Mr. Percy and Sir John Suckling shall be Accused by this House for the present and Impeached of High Treason The Question was propounded Whether Sir John Berkley shall be bailed upon the tender of such Bail as this House shall allow of and then the Question was put Whether this Question should be now put the House was divided the Yeas went forth with the Yeas 104 with the No. 98 so it passed in the Affirmative then the Question was put Whether Sir John Berkley should be bailed the House was divided again and the Yeas went out with the Yeas 122 with the No 84. Sir John Berkley ordered to be Bailed Whereupon it was Ordered That Sir John Berkely should be bailed A Petition from the County of Surrey was read and such Gentlemen as did attend were called in and did avow it and Mr. Speaker told them That this House did accept it in good Part and did not doubt of the Truth of it that they might get more Hands as is alledged in the Petition they are satisfied with those already gotten and for the procuring of more the House referred it to their Judgment Mr. Pym's report of the delivery of the Petition to his Majesty Mr. Pym Reported That the Committee who attended his Majesty had a suddain admittance and a gracious acceptance that the Lord Arch-bishop of York read the Petition and his Majesty said That as it had taken some time to prepare so he would take some time to answer it and that lest there might be some Mistakes in Words he would give his Aswer in Writing Then the House fell upon the Business of Ireland Votes concerning Ireland and it was Resolved c. That the Pay to the Officers of the new Levies shall continue for six Months according to the proportions formerly resolved upon if the Wars shall so long continue Resolved c. That the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland shall be directed to pay 562 l. 17. s. 4 d. according to the Rate agreed upon being a Months Pay for the Officers of his own Regiment Resolved That the Lord Dungaruan 's Troop shall have a Months Pay according to the Rate agreed upon Resolved c. That 114 l. 16 s. o. being a Months Pay shall be paid to the Officers of the four hundred Fire-locks consisting of two Companies Resolved c. That 800 l. shall be imprested for the Raising Conducting and Transporting into Ireland the said 400 Fire-locks and keeping them there till the first Muster Resolved c. That the Sum of 214 l. 13 s. 4 d. shall be paid to the Officers of the 500 Men in five Companies which are to go to Knockfergus for a Months Pay Resolved c. That the Sum of 1000 l. shall be paid for the Levying Conducting and Transporting
the deep Sense they have of the Calamities incumbent on that and in danger to fall on this Kingdom with all Humility crave leave to present most humbly desiring that in pursuance of the Zeal and Fervency already shewn to the Glory and Worship of God to the Honor and Renown of his most Excellent Majesty both which are now strongly assaulted and push't at and out of the Tender Commisseration already Expressed for Relief of that bleeding Kingdom That this Honorable Assembly will represent such prevalent Arguments unto his Sacred Majesty and the House of Peers That the 10000 Men tendred by the Kingdom of Scotland and accepted of by this Honorable Assembly may be speedily Ordered to resort into Ulster not but that We do desire there may be as great a Proportion of Soldiers sent out of this Kingdom as soon as they can be prepared if so it may please his Majesty and both Houses of Parliament the Contagion of the Rebellion in Ireland having spread it self over so many other Parts of the Kingdom and yet daily more and more increasing as will require the service of those who shall be sent out of England for the Subdual of the Rebels and Comfort of his Majesties good Subjects in the other Provinces But for asmuch as your Petitioners many of them whose whole Estates and some of their Wives Children and nearest Kindred or Friends are already in the Hands and Possession of those Barbarous Bloody Rebels of Ulster and that they have more than ordinary Cause to fear That the remaining Protestant Party together with the important Towns of Carrickfergus London-Derry and Colerain being the chiefest Bullworks and Fortresses of that Province may for want of speediest Relief be surprized and destroyed and by that means the rest of the Kingdom Extreamly indangered to the irreparable dammage and discomfort of his Majesty and all his Good and Loyal Subjects of all his Dominions Therefore your Petitioners do most instantly supplicate this Honorable Assembly to endeavour the hastening thither with all possible Expedition the 10000 Men out of Scotland whose Assistance being within Three hours Sail may be soonest conveyed and whose Constitutions will notably match with the Rebels being well able as many of these Petitioners have known by former Experience to follow them through the Boggs and Moorish places frequent in those Parts during this Winter Season which other Supplies may not be so fit for at present This Number added to those Raised and to be raised in those Parts through Gods Blessing may soon Check those Insolencies and contribute much for reducing that Kingdome to due Obedience and yield unspeakable Comfort and Relief to many Thousand disconsolate bleeding Protestant Souls who have long languished in Expectation of Aid from that and this Kingdom the longer retarding whereof will carry loud Cries to Heaven against those who cause the same And your Petitioners shall pray c. A. Loftus Ro. Digby Tho. Foliot Hen. Blaney Fr. Mountnorris Cromwell Edward Loftus Arthur Jones Geo. Blundel Robert King Jo. Clotworthy Faith Fortescue Joh. Moor Arthur Annesley Rob. Packhurst Ra. Walles Tho. Fortescue Ro. Whistler Nicholas Loftus Rich. Fitz-Gerrard Rich. Perkins Jo. Davis After the Reading of this Petition Inego Jones Esquire The Answer of Inego Jones to the Complaint of the Commons Surveyor of his Majesties Works put in his answer to the Declaration of the Commons in behalf of the Parishioners of St. Gregories London At which day the said Inego Jones Esquire appeared before the Lords in Parliament and being demanded what he could say in Answer to the Declaration brought up from the House of Commons against him He the said Inego Jones for Answer thereunto saith That he is not Guilty of the Offence charged in the said Declaration in such manner and Form as therein is Expressed Whereupon Friday Fortnight was ordered for the day of hearing the Cause It was also Ordered That the Lord Visâ—â—nt Loftus Ro. Lord Digby Lord Foliot Lo. Docura Lo. Blany Lord Mountnorris Sir Faithful Fortescue Sir Robert King Edw. Loftus Nich. Loftus Arthur Jones Geo. Blundel John Moor Arthur Annesley Ro. Whistler Jo. Davis Richard Fitzgerrard and Rich. Perkins do attend the Lords Committees for Irish Affairs to morrow at 9. of the Clock in the Painted Chamber who are to hear what Reasons they can give concerning the putting off the Parliament of Ireland After which the Lord Keeper reported the Effect of the Conference and an Answer to their Lordships Two Propositions offered to the House of Commons this day A Smart Answer of the Commons to the 2 Propositions of the Lords forsending 10000 English as well as 10000 Scots into Ireland 1. For the Certainty which their Lordships desire of sending 10000 English into Ireland the House of Commons say That they were not Vsed to be Capitulated withall their Actions are free as well without Conditions as Capitulations and the House of Commons desire it may be so no more 2ly The House of Commons think they have given sufficient certainty already having formerly Voted the sending of 10000 English into Ireland and transmitted the same to their Lordships and likewise sent the same into Ireland therefore they think it not necessary to Vote it again but do desire their Lordships would Vote the sending of 10000 Scots to Ireland by it self without any Relation to the 10000 English and that speedily the Safety of Ireland depending upon it Further the House of Commons do desire their Lordships to do it in regard they conceive the 10000 English can not go unless the Bill for pressing passes This last Clause easily unriddles all the rest they had a Design to clip the Prerogative by that Bill and to put the issue of passing or not passing it upon this popular Theme of the Tragical necessity of Ireland when if they would have raised Mony there would not have wanted 10000 English Soldiers without pressing for that Expedition or any other the Genius of the Nation having ever been Martial and rather too forward to run into Arms then otherwise at the Beat of the Drum The House of Lords was immediately then resolved into a Committee of the whole House to debate this Conference Votes of the Lords for 10000 English 10000 Scots for Ireland and the House being resumed It was Resolved Nemine contradicente That 10000 English shall be sent into Ireland Resolved upon the Question That 10000 Scots shall be sent into Ireland upon such Conditions as shall be agreed upon by the Parliament of England Ordered That the Lords Commissioners do acquaint the Scots Commissioners with the aforesaid Votes and to let them know That this House hath entred into Consideration of their Propositions and will give them an Answer herein with all Expedition It was also Ordered That the Committee for keeping of a good Correspondency between both Houses shall meet on Friday Morning to take into Consideration this last Message brought up from the House of Commons
and disorders about the Houses of Parliament 2. To joyn with them in a Petition to his Majesty that the Houses of Parliament may have a Guard But the Faction of the Commons had other imployment for these Tumults Favoured by the Faction of the Commons and were so far from thinking fit to discourage them that some of these insolent People being laid hold on and Committed to the Gate-house their Friends in the Commons House receiving quick advertisement of it immediately dispatched Sir Robert Pye Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Glyn to inquire upon what Grounds those Citizens are Committed to the Gate-house and by whose Authority and to discharge them if they shall see Cause And when this Conference was reported by Mr. Hollis they were not at leisure to consider of it that night it was too late and therefore it was deferred till the next day and the next day when it was moved the Question being put whether the Question shall be put at this present concerning the joyning with the Lords in a Declaration as is desired it past in the Negative they being it seems so unwilling to disoblige the Rabble that they would not so much as permit the Question to be put concerning it and it is easie to conjecture with what courage this inspired those Rude and Insolent People Porters Watermen c. when they saw themselves out of the reach of the Law the only thing those mean and sordid spirits are capable of being kept in order with and that they had nothing to fear when their Guardians of the Commons House would not suffer the tenderest part of the Law a Proclamation to be awarded against them Sir Thomas Barrington this day Reported in the House of Commons ' That according to the Command of the House E. of Newport discharged from being Constable of the Tower not being able to meet with the Constable of the Tower he wrote a Letter unto him that yesterday he came to him and told him that his Majesty was pleased to discharge him of the Constableship of the Tower and to tell him he did it because it was cause of Jealousie The Reader will from hence gain a clear Light into the Mystery of all this Bustle about the Scandal which took up so great a part of this and the following Days Debate and will easily perceive the displeasure of this Lords being displaced raised all this Dust which however blanched as a Scandal upon him and others yet is so like the sayings of some in that Company at Kensington that one can difficultly be perswaded to believe but that with all this Smoak there was some Fire that the King spake what he did upon good assurance but that such was the Fury and Violence of the headstrong Faction that to have produced any Witness in a matter which concerned them so nearly and would have exposed their Designs would have been to have thrown a Man into a Den of half starved Lyons and it had been impossible to have escaped their fury without the help of Daniels Miracle in the Sacred Story The Lord Dillon and Col. L. Dillon and Colonel Taaf Imprisoned Taaf having by Order of the House been taken into Custody their Papers were searched and ordered by a Committee to be perused and they to remain in Custody till the House takes further Order therein It was also Ordered That Col. Lunsford summoned to the Commons House Lunsford be summoned to attend this House to morrow morning at 10 of the Clock and that Mr. Thraile be required to be here at the same time as also Capt. Hide Capt. Scrimshire Mr. Butler Mr. Brooks and Mr. Moore and that the Citizens who gave the Information at the Bar against Colonel Lunsford be required to be here at the same time The Reader may here see the terrible Army under Colonel Lunsford which frighted the Citizens as they pretended in Excuse to the Lords that they durst not go through Westminster-Hall A Committee was appointed to joyn with the Lords Committee for the Petition concerning L. Newport to draw the Petition concerning the Lord Newport viz. Sir Henry Vane Senior Mr. Glyn Sir Edward Hungerford Sir Gilbert Gerrard Sir John Culpeper Sir Thomas Barrington Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Robert Cooke Mr. Strode Mr. Long Sir Benjamin Rudyard and Mr. Hollis The Tumults as the Reader may have observed Tuesday Decemb. 28. begun now to be Frequent Dangerous and Insolent which occasioned his Majesty this Day to Issue out his Royal Proclamation against them as followeth By the KING HIs Majesty taking into His Princely Consideration A Proclamation against Tumults the manifold Inconveniencies and Mischiefs that may arise and happen by the Riotous and Tumultuous Assemblies in and about the Cities of London and Westminster not only to the violation of His Majesties Peace and Scandal of Government but to the Disturbance of His Houses of Parliament now Assembled doth strictly Charge and Command all the Inhabitants of His Cities of London and Westminster and the Liberties thereof and also of the Suburbs and Confines of the said Cities and Places adjoyning that upon no Occasion they do not Assemble themselves in any Tumultuous or Riotous manner in any Part or Place in or near the said Cities or Liberties and that all Perlons now Assembled in any Numbers without his Majesties Authority do forthwith upon Publishing this His Majesties Proclamation dissolve their Assemblies and Companies and repair to their Dwellings or Places of aboad upon their Perils of being proceéded against as Violaters of the Publick Peace of this his Majesties Kingdom and of being punished according to the Severity of the Laws and Statutes of the same Given at Our Court at White-Hall this 28th day of December in the Seventeenth Year of Our Reign God save the King The Lord Keeper was this Day ordered to wait on the King The King to be moved for a Monthly Fast for Ireland and move his Majesty from both Houses of Parliament that a Monthly Fast may be kept throughout the whole Kingdom during the Troubles of Ireland and that his Majesty will be pleased that a Proclamation may issue forth for this purpose and likewise for the keeping of the 20th of January next as a Fast throughout the whole Kingdom except London and Westminster where it hath been already Solemnized Then the Lord Admiral reported the draught of the Petition drawn up by the Committee of both Houses in the Kensington business which was read as follows To the King 's most Excellent Majesty The Humble Petition of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled WHereas The Petition of the Lords and Commons about the Kensington business during Your Majesties last being in Scotland the Queens Majesty received Information that at a meeting in Kensington where the Earl of Essex the Earl of Newport and Lord Viscount Say and Seal the Lord Mandevile the Lord Wharton Members of the Lords House the Lord Dungaruen
Destruction will speedily follow That both Houses have lately taken a Protestation for the Maintainance of their Priviledges Persons and Goods a High Breach whereof is at this Instant for divers Members of the House of Commons have their Persons Assaulted and laid in wait for their Chambers Studies and Trunks have been Ransacked and Sealed up as Mr. Hollis Mr. Pym and Mr. Hampden Besides the House of Commons understands that there are Guards of Souldiers set near the Parliament Houses as at White-Hall which being done without consent of the Parliament they hold it to be a Breach of the Priviledges of Parliament The House of Commons therefore desires their Lordships would joyn with them in an Humble Desire to his Majesty that the Guards at White-Hall may be removed and that the Parliament may have such a Guard as shall be approved of by the King and both Houses of Parliament And also the House of Commons desires their Lordships to joyn with them to Vindicate the Breaches of the Priviledges of Parliament and if a Guard cannot be obtained then they desire their Lordships to take into Consideration to Adjourn to another place where they may sit in Security Whereupon it was Ordered by the Lords That all Chambers Studies and Trunks that are Sealed up or Locked belonging to Mr Hollis Mr. Pym Mr. Hampden or to any Members of Parliament shall be forthwith unsealed and unlocked and left to their free Vse and Dispose And it was likewise Ordered That this House will joyn with the House of Commons in an humble Petition to his Majesty to desire such a Guard as himself and both Houses of Parliament shall approve of and the same is to continue so long as the King and both Houses of Parliament shall think fit And the Lord Steward and the Lord Chamberlain were appointed to attend the King from both Houses of Parliament with the aforesaid Order concerning Guards and humbly to desire his Answer therein In the Commons House immediately after this Conference Mr. Francis a Serjeant at Arms sending in Notice The King demands the five Members by a Serjeant at Arms. That he was Commanded to deliver a Message from his Majesty to Mr. Speaker he was called in to the Bar without his Mace and there he delivered this Message I am Commanded by the Kings Majesty my Master upon my Allegiance that I should come and repair to the House of Commons where Mr. Speaker is and there to require of Mr. Speaker five Gentlemen Members of the House of Commons And that these Gentlemen being delivered I am commanded to Arrest them in his Majesties Name of High Treason Their Names are Mr. Hollis Sir Arthur Haslerigg Mr. Pym Mr. Hampden and Mr. William Strode Whereupon Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord Falkland Sir Philip Stapelton and Sir John Hotham were appointed to attend his Majesty and to acquaint his Majesty That this Message from his Majesty is a matter of great Consequence it concerns the Priviledge of Parliament and therein the Priviledge of all the Commons of England That this House will take it into Consideration and will attend his Majesty with Answer in all Humility and Duty with as much Speed as the greatness of the Business will permit And in the mean time this House will take Care that those Gentlemen mentioned in the Message shall be ready to Answer to any Legal Charge laid against them And Mr. Speaker did by Command of the House enjoyn these five Members particularly one by one to give their attendance on this House de die in diem till the House take further Order But notwithstanding all their fair words how much they intended to abide a fair and legal Tryal a little patience will inform the Reader for immediately Sir William Flemming and another Gentleman who had in obedience to the Kings Warrant Sealed up the Studies and Trunks of those five Members were apprehended by Mr. Speakers Warrant as Delinquents and ordered to remain in the Serjeants Custody till further Order Message about the King Queen and Princes Servants taking Oaths of Supremacy c. A Message was also this day sent up to the Lords by Mr. Strode to desire their Lordships That whereas upon the Request of the House of Commons their Lordships have agreed with the House of Commons that the Servants belonging to the King Queen Prince or to any of the Kings Children shall according to the Law take the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance the House of Commons desire that the Lord Keeper may be Ordered to Issue forth Writs for that purpose to Persons of Honour to see it done accordingly Next that their Lordships would joyn with them to take a Course that the Colledge of Cappuchin-Friers at Sommerset-House may be Dissolved And lastly That their Lordships would move his Majesty that the seven Romish Priests Condemned in London may be Executed according to the Laws To which the Answer of the Lords was That they will take the first part of the Message into Consideration in convenient time To the second Their Lordships agree and will send to move the King in it And that they have already sent to the King concerning the Execution of the seven Priests And accordingly the Lord Steward and the Lord Chamberlain were appointed to attend the King and move him from both Houses of Parliament That the Colledge of Cappuchins at Sommerset-House may be dissolved I cannot find the following Speech in the Journal and by its being addressed to Mr. Speaker and not to their Lordships as is usual in Speeches made in the Lords House I am apt to suspect the Publisher not well versed in matters of that Nature and that it may be a Surreptitious Copy But whether it were Spoken by his Lordship or not it was made Publick and Printed under his Name and did all the Mischief a Real Speech could have done in Exasperating the Multitude against the King upon this Occasion And the Bishops who were certainly to be loaded with their share of the Obloquie in whatever went cross to the Faction The Speech was thus A Judicious Speech made by the Right Honourable the Lord Kymbolton in Parliament Jan. 3. 1641. Concerning the Articles of High Treason exhibited against his Lordship Sir Arthur Haslerig Mr. Pym Mr. Stroud Mr. Hollis and Mr. Hampden by His Majesty Mr. Speaker The Lord Kymbolton's Speech upon his Impeachment January 3. 1641. THere hath already been so much spoken by the other Gentlemen concerning this Accusation of High Treason even sufficient as I conceive to clear us all that are Impeached that I know not what to say more touching the same Onely under favour give me leave to speak what I conceive of the cause of the procuring of this Accusation the Authors that procured it and of the effects which I perceive will follow upon the same Mr. Speaker It is not long since this Honourable House accused of High Treason the Twelve Bishops for their Illegal and Trayterous
Yea 170. Mr. Arthur Goodwinn Tellers for the Yea 170. Whereupon It was Resolved c. That a Committee shall be named by this House to fit at Guild-Hall and all that shall come to have Voices at this Committee That this Committee shall have Power to direct and appoint such Monies to be paid as shall be necessary for the Troops at Chester That the Committee for Munster shall have power to sit when they will and to put in Execution all such Propositions as are already agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament Then this following Paper drawn by the forementioned Committee was read and afterwards Voted A Paper concerning his Majesties coming to the House of Commons in vindication of Privileges their adjournment to Guill-Hall London Whereas his Majesty in his Royal Person Yesterday being the 4th of Jan. 1641. did come to the House of Commons with a great multitude of Men Armed in a War-like Manner with Halberds Swords and Pistols who came up to the very Door of this House and placed themselves there and in other Places and Passages near to the House to the great Terror and Disturbance of the Members then thereof sitting and according to their Duty in a peaceable and orderly Manner treating of the great Affairs of both Kingdoms of England and Ireland and his Majesty having placed himself in the Speaker's Chair did demand the Persons of divers Members of that House to be delivered unto him It is this Day declared by the House of Commons That the same is a high Breach of the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament and inconsistent with the Liberty and Freedom thereof And therefore the House doth conceive they cannot with Safety of their own Persons or the Indemnities of the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament sit here any longer without a full Vindication of so high a Breach of Priviledge and a sufficient Guard wherein they may confide for which both Houses joyntly and this House by it self have been humble Suitors to his Majesty and cannot as yet obtain Notwithstanding which this House being very sensible of the great Trust reposed in them Especially at this time of the manifold * Which they had occasioned Distractions of this Kingdom and the lamentable and distressed Condition of the Kingdom of Ireland doth Order That the House shall be adjourned until Tuesday next at One of the Clock in the Afternoon and that a Committee to be named by this House and all that will come to have Voices shall sit at Guild-Hall in the City of London to morrow Morning at 9 of the Clock and shall have Power to consider and resolve of all things that may concern the Good and Safety of the City and Kingdom and particularly how our Priviledges may be vindicated and our Persons secured and to consider of the Affairs and Relief of Ireland and shall have Power to advise and consult with any Person or Persons touching the Premisses and shall have Power to send for Parties Papers and Records And it is further Ordered That the Committee for Irish Affairs shall meet at the Guild-Hall aforesaid at what time they shall think fit and consult and do touching the Affairs of Ireland according to the Power formerly given them by this House And that both of the said Committees shall report the Results of their Considerations and Resolutions to the House Then it was resolved upon the Question That it shall be thus Ordered The Committee appointed to sit at Guild-Hall Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr. Glyn Mr. Whitlock L. Falkland Sir Philip Stapleton Mr. Fiennes Sir Ralph Hopton Sir John Hotham Sir Walter Earl Sir Robert Cooke Sir Thomas Waslingham Sir Samuel Rolls Mr. Pierrpoint Mr. Walther Long Sir Richard Cave Sir Edward Hungerford Mr. Grimston Sir Christopher Wray Sir Benjamin Rudiard Sir John Hippesley Mr. Herbert Price Sir John Wray Sir Thomas Barrington Mr. Wheeler Sir William Litton And this Committee are appointed by the former Order and are to pursue the Directions of the former Order and all that will come are to have Voices at this Committee These Resolutions following Orders concerning Ireland to exhaust the King's Stores being the Sum of what was agreed upon by the Committee of both Houses for Irish Affairs were this Day presented to the House and read and by Vote upon the Question ordered accordingly That the Arms and Ammunition of all Sorts with the Ordnance at Carlisle be sent into Ireland to Carrickfergus for Supply of those Parts of the North of Ireland and the Arms to be Ordered as my Lord Lieutenant shall direct That for a further Supply of those Parts and for the Arming of those two Regiments under the Lord Conway and Sir John Clotworthy that there be sent from the Tower 1000 Muskets with Bullet and Match proportionable 1500 Swords 10 Last of Powder these Arms and Ammunition to be sent thither and ordered and disposed of as the Lord Lieutenant thinks fit That 10 Last of Powder with Bullets and Match proportionable be sent from the Tower to Munster to be delivered to the Lord President of Munster or whom the Lord Lieutenant thinks fit That 2000 l. be Ordered to be delivered to Sir William Brereton upon Account for Payment of the 300 Horse now at Chester and for their transportation out of the Subsidies or Poll-Money That 3000 l. be assigned to be received in Cheshire or Wales out of the Subsidy or Poll-Money by the Victualler for the present Relief of Dublin and Drogheda That 2000 l. be delivered to the Victualler of Carrickfergus who is ready to set on the Work here having a Ship at his Charges in the River The Commons had as a Committee sate at Guild-Hall in the Morning where it seems there were great Debates concerning the Breach of Priviledges upon which Subject I find in the Prints of those times some Speeches enumerating some of the Priviledges of Parliament at least then reputed so which whether they remain so still I leave to the decision of those who are concerned The Speeches were as follows Mr. Speaker THere are no Courts of Judicature in this Kingdom of England Mr. Grimston's Speech at the Committee sitting at Guild-Hall Jan. 5. concerning Breach of Priviledges c. but they have several Rights and Priviledges appertaining and belonging unto them and have such Power and Authority in the several Jurisdictions of the same Offices that they may call to an account prosecute and bring to Judgment the Infringers and Breakers of the same Of all these Courts there is none yea put them all together they are not of such Power and Jurisdiction but inferior and subject to the Ordinances and Statutes of the High Court of Parliament Mr. Speaker of such awful predominancy is the very Name of a Parliament to this Nation that it strikes with Terror and Despair all such Evil Doers as are Male-factors in the State On the contrary side it cherishes and comforts the drooping spirits of men
which time they met and concluded of an Order to Adjourn the House till Tuesday the 11th of January 1641. And in the mean time appointed a Committee of the House of Commons to Sit in London to consider of the Safety of the King Kingdom and Parliament and of repairing of the Priviledges of Parliament so highly broken Which Meeting hath produced several Orders and Decalrations for maintaining the Priviledges of Parliament which are to be reported to the House and there to have its force But for the Safety of the Kingdom and City which they conceived to be in Imminent danger the Committee for Irish Affairs of the House of Commons propounded the consideration thereof to the Committee of the Lords House for Irish Affairs who sate likewise in London who in regard the King had denyed both Houses a Guard to protect them and in regard such an Hostile Plot was intended as was apparently proved declared their Opinion That whereas the King and Parliament was in so great danger that in that Case the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex ought to come with the Posse Comitatus to the Parliament to defend the King and Parliament To which Opinion the Committee of the House of Commons assented which was communicated to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Councel of London and they delivered their Opinions herein and expressed their forwardness hereunto This Breach of Priviledg of Parliament begot much discontent in the Parliament and People and the more in regard by special Command the Articles against Master Pym and the rest were Printed and the same published by Sir William Killegrew and Sir William Flemyn and delivered in his Majesties Name as they falsely pretended to the Four Inns of Court to the end to make these persons the more odious to them and the Kingdom And in regard the consequence of admitting this Accusation in this manner against these five persons is a president to take away the whole House of Commons at a breath under pretence of High Treason if as God forbid an Accusation of this Nature should be hereafter and considering that to this very day 11 Januar. 1641. no Articles of Impeachment is come into the House of Commons by the King's Attorney or otherwise or from the Lords House if any be there against them till which time that it come from thence by Messengers of their own if there first depending the House cannot legally take notice thereof This and many other Reasons made the House of Commons to insist upon it besides the great merit of these persons whom as the House hath declared though as dear as their Lives unto them they will deliver over unto a Tryal so as his Majesty will proceed against them in a Legal way either at the Kings-Bench or in Parliament and produce any Subject in England that will stand to make good the Accusation and in case they fail to make it good that his Majesty will let them be forth-coming and also to discover those wicked Counsels that have advised him to this course that they may be brought to condigne punishment The City and People in the adjacent Parts are so much moved in this business and fearing some suddain Execution may be done upon the Parliament both the House of Peers and House of Commons and the Lords of the Privy Councel having declared that this Act of his majesties without their Advice and against the Priviledges of Parliament That they yesterday declared That Eight Companies of the Trayned Bands with 8. Pieces of Ordnance and divers Horsemen mounted shall Guard the Committees of the House of Peers and Commons from Grocers-Hall in London to Westminster And the Sea Captains Masters of Ships and Marriners with small Barges and Long-Boats sufficiently Mann'd and Armed with Murderers Rablets Faulchion and Minion with Musquet and Half-Pikes to the number of 2000 persons have engaged themselves to Guard the Parliament by Water The Trayned Bands in Southwark have offered themselves to secure all the other side of the Water and the Apprentices tendred their Services to attend the Parliament to the number of Ten Thousand with Warlike Weapons but those the Parliament enjoyned to stay at home And lastly the Watermen tendred their Barges for more Safety to carry the Parliament-men by Water All which to the great admiration of all the Beholders put in Execution this day And that which is most considerable 4000 Horsemen are come to the House of Commons this day except some of them which lay at Vxbridge and places thereabouts with a Petition in the Name of the whole County of Buckingham That Mr. Hampden their Knight of the Shire may receive his Tryal and not lie under the name of High Treason and cannot obtain a Legal way of Tryal and that if he acquit himself as no good men make doubt of Justice in a high measure may be done upon the false informers of his Majesty how near or how great soever They being confident that it is but design of the Popish Party to put an interruption in the Proceedings of Parliament that no Relief may be sent to Ireland but that more Protestant Blood may be shed there and that all Acts made this Parliament may be avoided under pretence of no Free Parliament And lastly to force a Breach of this Parliament by an untimely Adjournment or fayl of meeting through fear of danger By this it will be easy to observe how the People were deluded and inflamed into those Heats and Commotions which cast this Nation so dear and by what wayes the popular Poison and and Contagion spread it self far and wyde so as to become almost an Epidemical Disease throughout the Kingdom and will plainly demonstrate how dangerous a Tool the Press is when the Hand of Faction And now let us take a view of their Actions and how they demeaned themselves having got the Bishops cooped into the Tower and the King out of the Town Tuesday Jan. 11. and themselves triumphantly replaced at Westminster The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Reported That the Lords Committees for the Irish Affairs have met in London with the Committee of the House of Commons and have agreed upon some Resolutions concerning the Affairs of Ireland 1. That 2500 l. out of the Loan Money be forthwith delivered to Sir Job Harvey and Sir John Nulls who have undertaken to return it to Chester for the Paying and Transporting the 300. Men now there to Dublin 2. That 3000 l. more be paid to them they having undertaken to give Credit to Mr. Walter Frost Commissary for the Victuals The Committee of the House of Commons told the Lords Committees likewise That they were now at the bottom of their Purses and for-as-much as the necessity of providing Money and of the Supply for the present relief of Ireland requireth the Consideration of both Houses of Parliament and for-as-much as they cannot sit in safety without strong and sufficient Guards from the City of London and adjacent Parts they desire
the Lords Committees to joyn with them to consider of a Way for Securing of both Houses by Guards as aforesaid that they may come and return and remain in safety Hereupon the Lords Committees have Voted That it is fit and necessary that there should be strong and sufficient Guards from the City of London and adjacent Parts for the securing of both Houses that they may sit in safety Secondly Their Lordships have Voted That it is a legal way for the Houses to require the Sheriffs of Middlesex and London to attend for that purpose with the Posse Comitatus and that they will Report these Votes to the House of Commons accordingly And the Lords Committees meeting with the Committee of the House of Commons the 10th of this instant January were of Opinion That Guards are necessary to be placed before the Committee for Irish Affairs do sit at Westminster and for the manner of ordering of the Guards they referred it to the Common-Council of the City of London And their Lordships will Report to the House of Lords That the placing of those Guards for the safety of the Irish Committee is in their Opinion an acceptable service to the Common-wealth Which Report being made it was confirmed by the House and the several Votes approved and Ordered accordingly Then the Lord Steward Reported the Kings Answer touching the desire of both Houses concerning Guards which Answer was read in these words WE having considered the Petition of both Houses of Parliament concerning a Guard do give this Answer That We will to secure their Fears Command the Lord Mayor of London The Kings answer concerning Guards to appoint 200. Men out of the Train'd Bands of the City such as he will be answerable for to Vs to wait on the House of Parliament that is to say one hundred on Each House and to be Commanded by the Earl of Lindsey it being most proper to him as being Lord Great Chamberlain who by his Place hath a particular Charge of the Houses of Parliament and of whose Integrity Courage and Sufficiency none can doubt But the Faction of the Commons were resolved to have no Guard of the Kings but one of their own appointment Order for a Guard of the Train'd Bands to be Commanded by Major Skippon for upon a Vote of the Commons to this purpose it was Ordered That the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex be hereby required to send two Companies of the Train'd Bands of the City of London and County of Middlesex under the Conduct of Serjeant Major Skippon to attend both Houses of Parliament every day for security of the Parliament until both Houses do give order to the Contrary Directed to the Sheriff of the City of London and Middlesex A Message was brought up by Sir Philip Stapelton who brought up a Bill which had passed the House of Commons Intituled An Act declaring That the Lords and Commons may Adjourn themselves respectively to any Place 2. To let their Lordships know that the House of Commons are informed that there is at Hull a Magazin of Arms of the Kings for 16000. Men and proportionable Ammunition But in regard no great strength is in the Town and that the Countrey about is full of Papists ill affected The House of Commons desires their Lordships to joyn with them that some Companies of the Train'd Bands next adjoyning to Hull be forthwith put into that Town for the Safeguard of that Town and the Magazin there and the said Train'd Bands to be under the Command of Sir John Hotham Knight who hath the Command of that Town already by Patent from the King Whereupon it was Ordered Order for Sir John Hotham to keep the Town of Hull That some of the Train'd Bands of Yorkshire nearest to Hull in the said County under the Command of Sir John Hotham Knight shall with all speed be put into the Town of Hull for the securing of the Kings Magazin there and the said Town and hereof the said Sir John Hotham is by Virtue of this Order Commanded to perform accordingly And the said Sir John Hotham is to Command the Town and Forces therein and all Parties whom it concerns shall give their Obedience unto the said Sir John Hotham and his Ministers And lastly That Sir John Hotham or whoever he shall appoint under him shall not deliver up the Town of Hull or Magazin there or any part thereof without the Kings Authority Signified unto him by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament Directed to Sir John Hotham the Elder The Vizor now began to drop off apace for the plain English of this and the former Order for a Guard was that the King was only to have the Name but the two Houses were to have the Substance of the Royal Authority And certainly no men ever moved by more Regular Steps towards Rebellion they had pretty well Exhausted his Majesties Stores for the Service of Ireland and now they were resolved to Secure the Rest The Tower of London hung still mightily in their Light and though the King had Displaced Lunsford yet Sir John Byron the present Lieutenant who was a Person of great Loyalty Courage and Gallantry was by no means agreeable to their Liking or Designs and therefore the next attempt was to get quit of him and a Confiding man a Creature of the Faction placed in that Important Command as we shall presently see Then the Act An Act for the Lords and Commons to adjourn themselves to any place passed the Lords declaring that the Lords and Commons may Adjourn themselves respectively to any Place was read twice and after a short debate a third time and upon the Question it was consented to to pass as a Law From whence it is observable that even this Parliament who had gotten an Act that they should not be Prorogued or Dissolved without their own Consent yet did not think they had Power without the Royall Assent to an Act of Parliament to Adjourn themselves to any other Place from Westminster whither they were by Writ Summoned to Assemble and Sit and which likewise is a Concession that it was so solely in his Majesties Power though not to Dissolve them yet to have Adjourned them to some other Place less Factious and Troublesom then at that time London was A Petition was presented this day to the Lords from the Inhabitants of Bucks as follows To the Right Honourable the House of Peers now Assembled in PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Bucks Bucks Petition to the Lords Jan. 11. 1641. SHEWETH THat whereas we hoped upon the happy Assembling of this present Parliament we should have had a speedy Redress of those Pressures we have for many Years been under but have been hitherto in great Measure Frustrated of your hopes by the strong Counter-working of a Malignant Faction whereby the perfecting of Reformation is hindred the endeavours of the House of Commons in great
charged for no less then Treason before I write next doubt not but to have them in the Tower or their Heads from their Shoulders The Sollicitor and Fiennes and Earl we must serve with the same Sauce And in the House of Lords the Lord Mandeville is touched but Essex Warwick Say Brooke and Paget must follow or else we shall not be quiet Falkland and Culpeper are made Friends to our side at least-wise they will do us no hurt The Protestants and Puritans are so divided that we need not fear them the Protestants in great part will join with us or stand Neuters while the Puritan is suppressed if we can bring them under the Protestants will either fall in with us generally or else if they do not they are so indifferent that either by fair or foul means we shall be able to command them The mischievous Londoners and the Apprentices may do us some hurt for the present but we need not much fear them they do nothing Orderly but Tumultuously therefore we doubt not much but to have them under Command after one brunt for our Party is strong in the City especially Holbourn in the new Buildings and Westminster We are afraid of nothing but the Scots appearing again but we have made a Party there at the King's last being there which will hold their hands behind them †The very stile of a Canting Puritan as no doubt he was that forged this Letter while we Act our part at home Let us acquit our selves like Men for our Religion and Country Now or Never The King's heart is Protestant but our Friends can perswade him and make him believe any thing He hates the Puritan Party and is made irreconcilable to that side so that the Sun the Moon and the Seven Stars are for us * * A notorious untruth in fact as to matter of Number There are no less then 20000 Ministers in England the greater half will in their places be our Friends to avenge the Bishops dishonour let our Friends be incouraged the work is more then half done Your Servant R. E. I cannot tell whether it will not appear equally ridiculous as the Letters themselves to indeavour to manifest that this Letter with the inclosed were mere Fictions since it seems they thought little better of them themselves for when these Letters were sent up to the Lords by Sir John Hotham he delivered the Message in these words That he was sent to inform their Lordships of two Letters one sent to Mr. Orlando Bridgman a Member of the House of Commons another written to one Mr. Anderton which they offer to their Lordships to make use of them as they think fit which kind of slight recommendation their Lordships it seems understood so well that they were only read and laid by without further notice taken of them But there was a further use for them for these Letters quickly got into Print and contributed not a little by those cursed Reflexions with which they were stuffed to blacken the Reputation of the King and Queen and confirm the Credulous Multitude in the belief of a great and horrid Plot of the Papists and Episcopal Protestants against the Parliament which was a point absolutely necessary to be gained by the Faction in order to what was now too apparent to all Honest and Loyal Men the carrying on a Plot of the Puritans as they were then called by Rebellion to accomplish the work of Reformation But to put the matter out of dispute having occasion to search among the old musty Papers of that time in the Clerk of the Parliaments Office I found these very Original Letters and being strongly possessed in my imagination that by comparing of hands there being something very particular in the hand that writ those Letters I should find out the cheat I found several Letters written by Sir Anthony Welden with the very exact and distinguishing stroaks and cutting of the Letters so like that written to Mr. Bridgman that I do not in the least doubt but whoever was the Contriver Sir Anthony was the Amanuensis and indeed it suits well enough with such a Kitchin-stuff Courtier as he afterwards proved both by his Actions and the Infamous Libel written by him called The Court of King James The Papers are in my possession if any Persons doubts shall tempt them to disbelieve my positive Opinion in this matter The Commons that they might Rivet themselves into the hearts of the Seditious Rabble who had conducted them and the five Members to Westminster resolved not only to thank them but to indemnifie them too for this Riotous and Tumultuary procedure And therefore first divers Sea Captains Masters of Ships and Marriners were called in to whom Mr. Speaker delivered this by the Command of the House 1. Thanks to the Sea Captains c. That the House did take special notice of the performance of this Service of theirs to this House and to the Common-wealth and gave them thanks for it and desired them to Communicate the same to the rest of the Sea-men and Marriners 2. For the Petition which they delivered to the Committee of this House the other day in London that this House will take it into speedy Consideration as also any other desire of theirs that they shall make to this House Then divers of the Trained Bands of Westminster were called in Thanks to the Trained Bands of Westminster whose Petition being read and Ordered to be Entred Mr. Speaker acquainted them as followeth That this House hath taken notice of the Expression of a great deal of Affection in their Petition unto this House and have Commanded him to give them thanks for it and that this House had never any cause to be Jealous of them and shall make use of them as there shall be occasion The Sheriffs of London were also called in Thanks to the Sheriffs of London c. to whom Mr. Speaker spake as followeth That this House was very sensible of their great care and love and respect to this House and in them to the Common-wealth as also to the Committee of this House that sate in London and for the special Service done this day and hath Commanded him to give them hearty thanks for it and to desire them to return the like to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen Thus did they Court the People like Absolom Order Indemnifying the Citizens for Guarding the Parliament indeavouring to steal their hearts from their Sovereign by flattering Speeches with the same intention that he did those of his King and Father and to incourage them to persist in those Tumultuary Courses it was Resolved upon the Question That the Actions of the Citizens of London and others in the guarding and defence of the Parliament or the Priviledges or Members thereof either by the Trained Bands or otherwise are according to their Duties and the late Protestation and the Laws of this Kingdom and that if any Person shall
City and that the Resolution of the said Committee can take no effect until they be communicated to the Common Council the House of Commons desires their Lordships to joyn with them in an Order That the Lord Mayor shall call a Common-Council together as often and at such times as shall be desired by the said Committee and that whatsoever Order the said Lord Mayor hath or shall receive from either of the Houses of Parliament shall be imparted to the said Committee To the first part of this Message the Lords agreed To the second That the Lord Digby have notice to attend this House if he be at Kingston or at Court but if he be gone to Sherborn to fetch up his Lady he is to go on his Journey To the third It was Resolved c. That this House will joyn with the House of Commons concerning the Governor of Portsmouth These Lords following Lords Dissenting from the Vote about Portsmouth before the Question was put Desired their Right of entring their Dissent to this Vote if it were carried against them Which the House gave way unto viz. Earl of Southampton Lord Mowbray Lord Wentworth Lord Pierpoint To the latter part of the Message concerning the Common-Council the House agrees therein with the House of Commons and the next day they were drawn into formal Orders of both Houses The Earl of Southampton speaking some Words in the Debate of this Message which the House conceived to reflect upon the Honor of the House Earl of Southampton questioned for Words which were That the Parliament had neglected their Duty to the King for the safety of his Person Upon which his Lordship was put to explain himself which being done these Resolutions passed Resolved c. Nemine contradicente That this Parliament have performed their Duties to the King for the Safety of his Person Resolved c. That the Earl of Southampton hath satisfied this House with the Explanation he now made of himself A Message was then brought from the House of Commons by Sir Philip Stapleton being two Votes concerning Sir John Byron Lieutenant of the Tower to which they desired the Concurrence of the Lords 1. Votes of the Commons concerning the Lieutenant of the Tower That Sir John Byron the now Lieutenant of the Tower hath committed a high Contempt against the Authority and Priviledges of Parliament in refusing to appear upon the Summons of both Houses of Parliament To which the Lords agreed 2. That Sir John Byron the now Lieutenant of the Tower shall be sent for as a Delinquent The Lords deferred giving any Resolution of this last Vote at this time Search to be made about the Commons House In the Commons House it was this day Ordered That another Lock be set upon the Door under the Stairs at the Door of the Commons House and that Mr. Bell keep the Key and search it every Morning also that it be referred to the Committee appointed to search about the Houses and Places near the Parliament House to take daily care that all Places thereabout be safeguarded and kept Secure Mr. Calcot the Informer of Lunsford's being at Kingston with 500 Horse Theophilus Calcot gave the House Information of many Horse under the Command of Collonel Lunsford were Lodged at Kingston upon Thames to the number of 500 or thereabouts That there came Yesterday two Loads of Ammunition that there was last night Captain Thomas Howard a Member of the Commons House and as they say had a Command of some Men there Which occasioned the Message before mentioned It seems the Information did not agree for afterwards Mr. Hollis reported from the Committee appointed to consider of this Information That there were about 200 Men there that they have Pistols and discharge them and carry themselves in a disorderly Manner to the Terror of the People And in reality all this great Army at Kingston was only the Lord Digby and his ordinary Retinue But every thing was Multiplied and Magnified to the highest degrees and whether true orfalse it did the business Effectually and kept up the Fears and Jealousies of the People and confirmed them in the belief of strange Plots against the City and Parliament Then Mr. Sollicitor St. Johns Mr. Whitlock Sir H. Anderson The Committee to draw the Declaration to be sent into all Parts of the Kingdom to put themselves into a Posture of Defence Sir Gilbert Gerrard Mr. Green Sir John Holland Mr. Whistler Sir H. Mildmay Mr. Rigby Mr. Boduile Mr. Grimston Sir Martin Lumley Sir Edward Hungerford Mr. Cave Sir Edward Patherich Serjeant Wild Sir Thomas Barrington Mr. Ashton Mr. Moore Mr. Strode Sir J. Evelyn Mr. Noble Sir William Massam Mr. Lisle were appointed a Committee to take into consideration the drawing of a Letter or other Declaration to be presented to the Lords and by both Houses to be publish't in Print and sent into all the parts of the Kingdom advising them with all Expedition to be in a readiness and a good posture of Defence upon all occasions to defend their several Counties from Invasion by Papists or other ill affected Persons and to declare the several Designs that this quarter of a year last past hath been against the Parliament and safety of the Kingdom It was also Ordered That 2000 l. of the Pole Money shall be paid by the Lord Mayor of York to Sir John Hotham for the service of Hull It was also Ordered upon the Information of Mr. Thomas Blunt Search for Arms at Mr. Ropers at Eltham in Kent That the said Mr. Blunt and Mr. Gibbon or either of them do forthwith make diligent search in the House of Mr. Anthony Roper in Kent at Eltham or any other suspected place for Arms and Ammunition and if they find any there to Seize the same and to apprehend the Person of him or any other Suspected Persons and to take Examinations touching this matter and to use their best indeavours for the Apprehending of Mr. Cecil Cave Who as Blunt said he had been informed had given out that ere long Bloud would be Sold as cheap as Milk The Serjeant was ordered to repair to the Queens Millener Letters to Mr. Crofts opened and require him forthwith to attend the House with the Paquet of Letters which he this day received by the French Post directed to Mr. Crofts Joseph Lee a Waterman informed the House of some great Saddles going to Kingston by water whereupon Order to Seize Saddles and Horses the Serjeant was commanded to Seize them And an Order was sent to the Justices next Hampton Town to make stay of some Horses that the House is informed are now in the Stable of one Mr. Robinson until this House shall take further order An other Order to Sir John Franklyn and Mr. Search for Arms at Sir James Hamiltons Lodgings Whittacre to search the Lodgings of Sir James Hamilton for Arms and Ammunition and to Seize the same and
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
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
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
both kept these Persons under the Terror of their Lash and also justified their own Proceedings in being so merciful to take Bail for such Persons as by this means were though never so Innocent still reputed Guilty and obnoxious to the Justice of the Parliament After this there were several Declarations read and the last mentioned concerning putting the Kingdom into a posture of Defence which was now the great Affair upon their Hands And in Order to the better accomplishing of it An addition to the Committee for putting the Kingdom into a Posture of defence Mr. Martin Mr. Sam. Brown Sir Gilbert Gerrard Sir Walter Earl Sir Tho. Bowyer Sir Robert Pye Sir John Holland Lord Fairfax Sir Hen. Heyman Mr. Seldon Mr. Bodville Sir John Evelyn Sir Tho. Barrington Sir Arthur Ingram Sir Tho. Widdrington Mr. Hill Mr. Rigby were added to the Committee appointed to consider of putting the Kingdom into a Posture of Defence A Committee was also appointed to examine Captain Legg concerning the Commission and Instructions which he carried down concerning the securing the Magazine of Hull Thanks to the Inhabitants of Bucks for their readiness to suppress the Kingston Forces It was also Ordered this Day That the Knights of the Shire for the County of Bucks do return Thanks to the Sheriff Justices of the Peace Gentry and Free-Holders of the County of Bucks that have prepared themselves in a readiness to suppress the Forces informed to be at Kingston and to acquaint them that this House is informed those Forces are dispersed and therefore that at this time there is no need of their coming out of their County Then it was Resolved c. and accordingly Ordered That Mr. White Master of the Ship lately come from Berwick by Order of the House of Commons with Arms and Ammunition and under their Pay shall fall down the River with the Ship somewhat beyond the Command of the Tower and no further and that if any Person shall offer to take away the Arms and Ammunition out of the said Ship that then he shall call to him the assistance of Saylors and other Persons for the keeping of the same till further Order of the House of Commons They were perpetually urging the King for Arms and Ammunition out of the Tower and other Stores for Ireland yet a thought never entred into their Heads to send this Ship with her Lading away for a present Supply which certainly they would have done had they not been really solicitous to exhaust the King's Stores rather than to relieve Ireland and this was also to countenance the Fears and Jealousies of the Lieutenant of the Tower in Order to have him displaced The Lords having appointed a Committee of 21 Lords to consider the matter of Breach of Privileges Sir Henry Vane Mr. Pym Mr. Hollis Sir Phillip Stapleton Sir Hugh Cholmeley Mr. Whitlock Mr. Grimston Mr. Chancellor of Excheq Sir John Evelyn Sir Robert Coke Sir Benjamin Rudyard Serjeant Wild Sir Walter Erle Sir Thomas Barrington Mr. Prideaux Mr. Sollicitor Sir Samuel Rolle Mr. Nath. Fiennes Mr. Hampden Mr. Arthur Goodwin Mr. Cage Mr. Rouse Lo. Falkland Lo. Gray Lo. Wenman Mr. Rogers Mr. Selden Mr. Lav. Whittacre Sir John Potts Mr. Reynolds Mr. Palmer Committee to consider of breach of Privilege Sir Tho. Bowyer Mr. Kirton Mr. Martin Mr. Long Sir John Hotham Sir John Holland Mr. Strode Mr. Glyn Mr. Rigby Sir Guy Palmes Sir Ralph Hopton Mr. Brown Mr. Vaughan Sir Ed. Patherich were appointed a Committee to joyn with the Lords for that purpose and to frame a Petition to his Majesty The Committee which was appointed to be present at the Lords House at the Bishops giving in their Answer were Mr. Glyn Serjeant Wild Mr. Samuel Brown Mr. Rigby Mr. Reynolds Mr. Prideaux Mr. Palmer Mr. Whistler Sir Tho. Widdrington Mr. Lisle Mr. Hill Mr. Grimston Mr. Sollicitor Mr. Peard Mr. Bagshaw Mr. White The last of which a most bitter Enemy of the Loyal and Orthodox Clergy took occasion to display his malice against them in this following Speech Mr. Speaker Mr. White 's Speech against the Bishops Jan. 17. 1641. BY woful experience we have been sensible of the great evils committed by ill affected persons to the peace and security of the Kingdom producing thereby these dangerous and troublesome times * * even such as this speech maker even such are the troubles that this whole Nation and the other his Majesties Kingdom 's is fallen in to and lies groaning under that we have not felt the like in this Land never since the civil divisions between the two Houses of York and Lancaster or Barons wars were on foot in the same nay let these troubles of our times be compared with them * * Never a truer word spoken they are of far more dangerous consequence there was in those days onely the sword to decide the controversies no other place chosen for that purpose but the field in a Warlike and Couragious manner In these our divisions we have adversaries of no courage or magnanimity that rise against us only subtil and treacherous spirits lying in their Cabinets and keeping themselves close in their stately buildings their devising on divellish and hellish stratagems to be put secretly in Execution for our Destruction as powder-plots fiering privately of Towns nay Cities if their endeavours might have success according to their desires which strikes us with amasement and continual fear of our safety in our own habitations and places of livelyhood we cannot discern so corrupt are the hearts of most men who scarce to converse inhabit or eat withal so malicious is Satan working in his instruments in whom he dwells and over whom he altogether Reigns and Rules to bring to pass his own ends that he works by no ways but by practising of unheard or unconceived of Plots amongst Christians as by Sorcery Witchcraft Poisoning and the like these inventions can we not be aware of A man seeing his Enemy and knowing him to be so may use means either to resist or flie from him thereby to save himself but being in place unsuspected to meet an Enemy pretending himself a Friend or at least not knowing or conceiving him to be his Enemy how can he be secure how can he defend himself or Preserve himself from his Malice or Destruction these times are now filled with such malignant Spirits devoted altogether to the service of the Divel labouring by all means to bring confusion and desolation on all the opposers or not complyants to their wicked designs Mr. Speaker having presented to your considerations the manifold dangers and troubles we sustain by these practises of malignant persons I presume humbly to present to your view the Authors of the same their practices to compass their desires and the means to avert and remedy the same which I desire you to consider of and apply the same as to your Judgements and Wisdoms shall seem requisite The greatest and chiefest
Violence The Ulster Rebels are grown so strong as they have sufficient Men to leave behind them in the places they have gotten Northward and to lay Siege to some not yet taken as Emiskillin in the County of Fermanagh and Agher in Tirone and yet to come many thousands to besiege Drogheda in view whereof within 3 or 4 Miles they have stood with their Colours flying since Sunday the 21st of November expecting more Forces from Cavan and that way to gird the Town round about They have already taken Mellifont the Lord Moor 's House though with the loss of about 120 Men of theirs and there in cold blood they murdered Ten of those that manfully defended that place We hear also that the whole County of Lowth both Gentry and others are joyned with the Rebels and that the Sheriff and John Bellew Esq is likewise with them this County being one of the five of the English Pale having formerly still been true to the Crown In the County of Meath also being the most considerable of the five all the Common People and many of the younger Sons of the Gentry beyond the River of Boyne Twenty Miles from Dublin do either joyn with the Rebels or otherwise rob and spoil the English Protestants till within Six Miles of Dublin We sent to Drogheda 1100 Foot and 3 Troops of Horse and caused Four other Foot Companies to be raised there and this day we send thither 600 Foot more raw Men and unexperienced and another Troop of Horse And we provide the best we may for the defence of this City yet most of the Men we have are not Trained nor Exercised and many of them are Irish for others we have not and we fear that when we come to blows many of those will forsake their Commanders and side with the Rebels as they have done in the Counties of Cavan and Wickloe where of Companies of 40 Men of our Soldiers not above six or seven stayed on our side but took part with the Enemy Our main indeavour is to preserve this City and Castle for his Majesty The Rebels have now framed an Oath which they Administer to all that joyn with them the Copy whereof you have here inclosed as it was taken out of some Copies scattered abroad for all Mens view To conclude we renew our Suit for our Supplies of 100000 l. in Money 10000 Foot and 1000 Horse in present and Arms and Munition for them and for the Stores and Places of Defence not yet lost and that so much Money Men and Arms as are already gotten may be sent onward and the rest to be sent after and that the third part of the Shot be Callivers and the other two parts bastard Muskets as more suiting with the Service of this Kingdom and if those Supplies be not immediately sent away the Kingdom will be in danger to be lost Extract of a Letter of the said Lords Justices and Council of the 26th of November to the said Lord Lieutenant WE have received information That the Lord Viscount Dillon who Two Months since was admitted to be a Member of this Board and is now imployed by the Lords House of Parliament here to attend his Majesty carries along with him or is to have sent after him some Writing Signed by many Papists of the Nobility and Gentry of this Kingdom which Writing as we are Informed contains a profession of Loyalty to his Majesty and an offer of themselves by their Power to reprieve this Rebellion without Aids of Men from England which if there be any such his Lordship though a Member of this Board hath not Communicated with us the Justices who ought to be made acquainted with what may have Relation to the Safety of the Kingdom But if the Lord Dillon 's Counsel shall tend any way to stay the Succours intended to be sent us out of England or to entertain his Majesty with a belief that those here will raise sufficient Force to reduce this Kingdom we humbly beseech leave to declare our Opinions herein That is that if our expected Succours from England be kept from us undoubtedly the English and Protestants of this whole Kingdom will be either put to the Sword or be forced to forsake the Kingdom and the sole Power and Sway in all Magistracy must necessarily fall into the hands of the Irish which will at their own pleasure shake off the Government of England and set up their Idolatrous Religion and prove the most dangerous Enemies to England We do confide so much in the Wisdom of His Majesty and the Parliament of England and your Lordships prudent Conduct of a matter so highly importing the State as that they will not to save a little charge expose both Kingdoms to such Dangers after the expence of so much English Blood and Treasure as hath been spent to gain this Kingdom nor will the charge be lost in overcoming this Rebellion by the Wisdom and Valour of England when it shall be abundantly recompenced not only in the settlement of a more firm Peace and Safety to England but also in raising a greater and more considerable Revenue here to the Crown then formerly out of the Estates of the Authors of the mischief The Rebels keep from us all Accesses to our Markets to starve us as they say nor can we help it for want of Men to send abroad several ways So it will be absolutely necessary that the Magazine of Victuals on the English Sea-Coasts on this side be fully stored with all speed that Supplies be hastened hither to Dublin A Regiment of a 1000 Men raised in Munster by Colonel Garret Barry for Spain was Commanded to Disband by the Lord President but they continue still as they were increasing in their numbers We have not yet sufficient force to compel them and it is doubted that he expects there some Arms from Foreign Parts so as it appears necessary that the Shipping designed for guarding those Coasts be hastened away speedily Extract of a Letter of the Lords Justices and Council to the Lord Lieutenant Dated the 27th of November 1641. WE hear that some have given out that our Dangers here are not so great as we declare which misinformations if they should gain credit there might cause the lessening or retarding our Supplies which perhaps may be the aim of those that have so misinformed if any can be so wicked and though we hope that such reports cannot be of equal value or estimation with the joynt representations of this State yet we crave leave to declare that the Rebellions are such and so great as we have formerly represented and far more dangerous then Words can express and we affirm That if those Supplyes come not speedily the Danger will be found far more lamentable to both Kingdoms and we beseech that no Credit be given to the contrary The Disturbances are now grown so general that in most Places and even round about this City within 4 Miles of us not the
to give Sir Henry Tichbourn notice of the approach of this intended Relief and the Design of the Rebels and to order him to take all possible Care of securing their Passage Which Sir Henry by the same Messenger gave his Lordship assurance he would not fail to do and accordingly that very Day he marched out with a considerable Party to meet them but these loose and ill disciplined Men not used to Military Affairs took up their Quarters at Batruby eight Miles short of Tredagh by which means he missed of joyning them that Night The next Day they continued their March but in a disorderly way The English going to relieve Tredagh defeated till they came to Julian's Town where the Rebels having notice from the Lord Gormanston as Sir John Temple from Mr. Creightston's Examination affirms were drawn up to intercept them and by reason of a Mist which then fell and through the negligence of the Scouts who were sent out to give Intelligence they were got within Musket Shot of the Enemy before they discovered them The Major however drew them up presently into what Order he could and they were in a Place of great advantage but a Lieutenant unfortunately giving out the Word Counter-march and thereupon the Men facing about in some Disorder the Rebels gave a hideous Shout and immediately charged them Which with their own fear unaccustomed to the dreadful Face of War put them into such Confusion that they could not be persuaded to make one Charge but throwing down their Arms they every Man fled and gave the Rebels an Easy though considering the Number a bloody Victory for of the whole Party only Sir Patrick Weames with the Horse the Major and 2 Captains with about 100 Men escaped to Tredagh the other three Captains with all the rest of the Soldiers except such as were Irish being there cut off and all the Arms Ammunition and Carriages being also taken by the Rebels This unfortunate Blow as it gave great incouragement to the Rebels so it did extremely deject the Spirits of the English and Protestants but to inliven them a little Sir Charles Coot who with a commanded Party was sent out into the County of Wicklow to repress the Insolencies of the Brins and Tooles who ravaged that Country committing many Depredations and Murthers upon the Protestants meeting with Luke Toole with a thousand Irish under his Command he set upon him and quickly routed them obliging him and his Men to take the Sanctuary of an Irish Bogg for his Security At Wicklow he caused some of those who were accused of the Spoiles and Robberies there to be Executed which the Rebels took for a Pretence to Revenge by the Murder of many Protestants which fell into their Hands About this time there arrived 20000 l. in pieces of Eight 20000 l. arrives out of England which went currant for 4d more in a piece then in England which was a very seasonable Supply and gave some Life and Spirit to the drooping Affairs of the Protestants and enabled the Government to carry on the Levies The King sends Mony and Arms to Ireland from Scotland with which they were now in Hand his Majesty also assisted by the Duke of Richmond had caused such Proportions of Arms and Ammunition with all the Money he could spare to be conveyed out of Scotland with Commissions to Sir Robert Steward and other Persons of Quality in the North of Ireland to give the Rebels a diversion on that side But the Rebels had set their Rest upon the taking of Tredagh and therefore quitting the North with the greatest of their Forces they drew down towards that Place But in their March thither Sir Phelim O Neil and Sir Con Mac-gennis made an Attempt upon Lisnegaruy where Sir Arthur Terringham who commanded a small Party of 400 Foot and was assisted by the Lord Conwayes and part of Captain St. John's Troop to the number of 380 Horse The Rebels repulsed at Lisnegaruy by Sir Arthur Tirringham gave them such warm Entertainment that they were repulsed with considerable loss both of Men and Reputation leaving six of their Colours and many of their Rebellious Adherents slain upon the Place without any considerable loss on the Protestants Side more then of Captain Boid and Captain St. John who fell in the Field of Honor with some private Soldiers and some few others who were wounded in the Incounter And before they sate down before Tredagh a Party of 1300 Foot besieged Mellifont the Lord Moore 's House where were only 24 Musketeers and 15 Horse who bravely defended the Place till their Ammunition was spent and then the Horse setting open the Gate made their way through the Enemy in despight of their Opposition and came safe to Tredagh and the Foot yielded upon Promise of fair Quarter which was but ill kept by the Rebels who killed some of them in cold Blood stripped the rest and Plundered the House carrying away whatsoever was of any Use or Value And now the Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale seeing the Success of the Northern Rebels and the little Force that was raised in Ireland or brought over from England to oppose them began to falter in their Loyalty also and under the pretence of Fears and Jealousies the Common Ingredients of Rebellious Designs to stand upon their Guard and to give too just Suspitions to the Government that they would rather joyn with the Rebels then assist to the Suppressing them The Lords Justices and Council therefore resolving to try them sent this Letter to them AFter our very hearty Commendations to your Lordship A Letter from the Lords Justices and Council to the Irish Lords of the Pale for as much as we have present occasion to confer with you concerning the present State of the Kingdom and the safety thereof in these times of danger We Pray and require your Lordship to be with us here on the 8th day of this Month at which time others of the Peers are also to be here And this being to no other end we bid your Lordship very heartily farewell From his Majesties Castle of Dublin the third day of December 1641. Your very Loving Friends Will. Parsons Jon. Borlase Ormond Ossery Ant. Midensis R. Dillon Ad. Loftus Ge. Shirley J. Temple Rob. Meredith To our very good Lord George Earl of Kildare The like Letters were the same day dispatched to the Earl of Antrim Earl of Fingale Viscount Gormanston Viscount Netervile Viscount Fitz-William Lord Trimblestone Lord Dunsany Lord Slane Lord of Hoath Lord Lowth Lord Lambert But the Lords of the Pale who had been already Treating with the Northern Rebels and therefore looked upon this as an artifice to ensnare them durst not adventure themselves to Dublin but Summoning an Assembly at the Hill of Tarah the Lord Gormanston brought thither an Answer ready drawn which being read and approved of was Signed by the Lords present and sent away the Copy whereof was as followeth
May it please your Lordships WE have received your Letters of the third of this Instant The Answer of the Lords of the Pale to the Lords Justices Dec. 7. 1641. intimating that you had present occasions to confer with us concerning the present State of the Kingdom and the safety thereof in these times of danger and requiring us to be with you there on the eighth day of this Instant we give your Lordships to understand that we have heretofore presented our selves before your Lordships and freely offered our advice and furtherance towards the particulars aforesaid which was by you neglected which gave us cause to conceive that our Loyalty was suspected by you We give your Lordships further to understand that we have received certain Advertisement that Sir Charles Coot Knight at the Council Board hath uttered some Speeches tending to a purpose and resolution to Execute upon those of our Religion a general Massacre by which we are all deterred to wait on your Lordships not having any security for our safety from these threatned Evils or the safety of our Lives but do rather think it fit to stand upon our best guard until we hear from your Lordships how we shall be secured from these Perils Nevertheless we all protest that we are and will continue both Faithful Advisers and resolute furtherers of his Majesties service concerning the present State of the Kingdom and the safety thereof to our best Abilities and so with the said tender of our humble service we remain Your Lordships humble Servants Fingale Slaine Netterville Lowth Gormanston Dunsany Oliver Trimbleston Decemb. 7. Received 11. 1641. To the Right Honourable our very good Lords the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland For much about this time the Lords of the Pale had entered into a Combination with the Vlster Rebels as appears by the Deposition of Edward Dowdall Esq a Gentleman of the Pale who was present at the whole Management of this Affair and deeply concerned in all their Councels and Actions who Deposed before Sir Rob. Meredith Chancellour of the Exchequer as followeth HE Deposeth The Deposition of Mr. Dowdall concerning the Treaty between the Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale and the Ulster Rebels That some four or five days after the defeat of the English Souldiers at the Bridge of Gellianstown there Issued a Warrant from the Lord of Gormanston to the Sheriff of the County for a general Meeting of all the County of Dulick But the Place of Meeting was afterwards changed to the Hill of Crofty where all the Lords and Gentry of the Country met viz. The Earl of Fingale the Lord Viscount Gormanston the Lord of Slaine the Lord of Lowth the Lord of Dunsany the Lord of Trimblestone the Lord Nettervile And of the Gentry Sir Patrick Barnwall Sir Christopher Bellow Patrick Barnwall of Kilbrew Nicholas Darcy of Plattin James Bath of Acharn Garret Ailmer the Lawyer Cusake of Gormanston William Mallone of Lesmullin Sedgrave of Kileglan Linch of the Knos Lynam of Adamstown Laurence Doudal of Athlumney Nicholas Doudal of Brownstown this Examinates Brother and him this Examinate with a Multitude of others to the number of 1000. Persons at the least whose names he this Examinate cannot for the present call to mind And after about two or three hours spent upon the said Hill of Crofty by the Lords and Gentry aforesaid There came towards them Collonel Mahowne Philip O Rely Hugh Boy Rely Roger Moore Hugh Birne and Captain Fox attended on with a Guard of Musqueteers And this Examinate saith That as soon as the Parties drew near unto the said Hill the Lords and Gentry of the Pale rode towards them and the Lord of Gormanstone being one of the first spake unto them and demanded of them Why and for what reason they came Armed into the Pale Vnto which Roger Moore made present Answer That the Ground of their coming thither and taking up Arms was for the Freedom and Liberty of their Consciences the maintenance of his Majesties Prerogative in which they understood he was Abridged and the making the Subjects in this Kingdom as free as those in England were Whereupon the said Lord of Gormonston desired to understand from them truly and faithfully whether those were not pretences and not the true ground indeed of their so doing and likewise whether they had not some other private ends of their own which being by all denyed upon profession of their sincerity his Lordship the Lord Gormanston then told them Seeing these be your true ends we will likewise joyn with you therein unto which course all agreed And thereupon it was publickly and generally declared that whosoever should deny to joyn with them or refuse to assist them therein they would account him as an Enemy and to the utmost of their Power labour his Destruction And this Examinate saith That after the agreement so made as aforesaid There issued another Warrant to the Sheriff of the County of Meath to Summon all the Lords and Gentry of the County of Meath to be at the Hill of Taragh about a week after and accordingly there met at the same place the Earl of Fingale the Lord of Gormanston and the rest of the Lords and Gentlemen aforenamed together with Sir Thomas Nugent and Nicholas Plunket the Lawyer Birford the Lawyer and a multitude of others and the work of that day was first to make Answer to a Summons made by the State for the calling of the Lords unto Dublin which Answer was brought ready drawn by the Lord of Gormanston and presented by his Lordship and being perused by the said Council at Law was Signed by the Lords The Board having Information that Luke Netterville Esquire George Blackney of Richenhore Esquire George King of Clantarf and others were Assembled at Swoords they sent to charge them upon their Allegiance forthwith to depart and not to unite any more in such a manner as by the following Order from the Board appears By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase WHereas we have received Information An Order of the Lords Justices and Council to dissolve an unlawful Assembly at Swoords Dec. 9. 1641. that Luke Nettervile Esq George Blackney of Rickenhore Esq and George King of Clantarfe Gentleman and other Gentlemen of the County of Dublin with great numbers of Men are Assembled together in a Body at Swoords and thereabouts within six Miles of this City for what intent we know not but apparently to the Terror of his Majesties good Subjects and though considering the unseasonableness of this time chosen for such an act without our privity whatsoever their pretence is a construction might be made thereof to their disadvantage yet we being willing to make an Indulgent Interpretation of their Actions in regard of the good opinion we have of the Loyalty of those Gentlemen who it seems are principals amongst them in that Assembly and conceiving there may be some mistaking in that enterprise we have
chosen the rather hereby to charge the said Luke Nettervile Blackney King and all the Persons there Assembled with them upon their duties of Allegiance to his Majesty immediately upon sight hereof to separate and not to unite any more in that manner without direction from us and that the said Netervile Blackney King and six others of the Principal Persons of those who are so Assembled at Swoords or thereabouts as aforesaid do appear before us to morrow morning at ten of the Clock to shew the cause of their Assembling in that manner whereof they may not fail at their extream Perils Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin 9. Decemb. 1641. Ormond Ossery Rob. Dillon Cha. Lambart J. Temple Charles Coot But instead of Obedience to the Commands of their Lawful Superiors they returned this Answer That they were constrained to meet there together for the safety of their Lives That they were put into so great a Terror by the rising out of some Horse Troops and Foot Companies at Dublin who Killed four Catholicks for no other reason than that they bore the name of that Religion as they durst not stay in their Houses and therefore they resolved to continue together till they were assured by their Lordships of the safety of their Lives before they ran the hazard thereof by manifesting their due obedience to their Lordships And there they began to form a kind of an Army Constituting Richard Golding Thomas Russell Francis Russâ—ll Robert Travers Christopher Hollywood and others to be Captains over such Men as they had and intended to Raise Hereupon the Lords Justices and Council Published a Proclamation the 13th of December Declaring their Innocency and that those four they alledged were Killed as Papists one of which was a Protestant were such as were found actually Guilty of Rebellious Courses commanding them upon their Allegiance to his Majesty to separate upon sight of their Warrant and that the said Luke Netterville and his Accomplices should appear before the Board on the 18th of the said Month to the end they may be fully heard by the Lords Justices and Council to which end their Lordships thereby gave them and every of them the Word of the State that they might then securely and safely repair thither without danger of any trouble or stay whatsoever But they took little notice of these Commands or Promises but continued still at Swoords and their Numbers increasing they threatned to come and Incamp at Clantarfe a little Village Situate upon the very Harbor of Dublin where some of their Party had already at low Water Seized and Plundred a Barque lying there carrying a great part of the Goods they took from Aboard her to the dwelling House of Mr. King who was owner of that Village This insolent and daring Villany put the Board upon a very quick and severe Resolution fearing that if they should in good earnest Seize upon that Village and make any Fortifications there by the Assistance of the Rebels Ships at Wexford they might stop up the Haven of Dublin and prevent all Relief from coming to them from England which was the only Remainder of hopes which they had left And therefore the said King continuing in his Contumacy with the other Gentlemen at Swoords an Order of Councel was Issued to Prosecute the Rebels at Clantarf and their Relievers as follows By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase FOrasmuch as divers of the Inhabitants of Clantarfe Order of the Lords Justices and Council for prosecuting the Rebels at Clantarf c. 14th Dec. 1641. Raheny and Kilbarrock have declared themselves Rebels and having Robbed and Spoiled some of his Majesties good Subjects are now assembled thereabouts in Arms in great Numbers Mustering and Training of their Rebellious Multitudes to the Terror and Danger of his Majesties good Subjects as well at Land as at Sea which their boldness is acted in such a manner as to put scorns and Affronts upon this State and Government they acting such Depredations even before our Faces and in our own View as it were in despight of us It is therefore Ordered that our very good Lord the Earl of Ormond and Ossery Lieutenant General of the Army do forthwith send out a Party of Souldiers of Horse and Foot to fall upon those Rebels at Clantarfe and thereabout who in such disdainful manner stand to out-face and dare us and to endeavour to cut them off as well for Punishment of them as Terror to others and to Burn and Spoyl the Rebels Houses and Goods and to prevent their further annoying of the Shipping going out and coming in and lying in Harbour those Souldiers are to bring up or cause to be brought up to the new Crane at Dublin such of the Boats and Vessels now lying there as they can upon the sudden and to Burn Spoyl Sink and make unserviceable the rest Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin 14th December 1641. Ormond Ossery Rob. Dillon Cha. Lambart Ad. Loftus J. Temple Cha. Coote Fr. Willoughby Also the same day an Order was Issued from the Board for Prosecuting the Rebels at Swoords as followeth By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase WHereas divers Rebels lately Assembled at Swoords and other Places An Order of the Lords Justices Council for prosecuting the Rebels and their Relievers at Swoords Dec. 14th 1641. where they continued in Warlike manner braving this State and Robing and Spoyling his Majesties Good Subjects thereabouts in Scorn and Contempt of this Government and Terror of his Majesties well affected Subjects thereabouts And whereas those Rebels have been harboured and relieved by the Inhabitants of Swoords and other Places who have shewed so much readiness to comply with them and good affection towards them as they did not in all the time they continued there send us any Advertisement thereof or of the Number or Strength of the Rebels whereby we might take a course to Vindicate his Majesties Honour in this State and Government from the Scorn and Affront of the Rebels and render deliverance and safety to his Majesties good Subjects It is therefore Ordered That our very good Lord the Earl of Ormond and Ossery Lieutenant General of his Majesties Army do forthwith send out a Party of his Majesties Forces Horse and Foot to fall upon those Rebels and their said Relievers and Harbourers and to cut them off and as well for Punishment of those their Relievers as for Terror to others to Burn Spoyl and Destroy the Houses Corn and all other Goods of the said Relievers at Swoords or other Places where the Rebels have been or are Relieved Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin the 20th day of December 1641. Ormond Ossery Cha. Lambart Ad. Loftus Jo. Temple Cha. Coote Fr. Willoughby Ja. Ware Rob. Meredith And accordingly the next day Sir Charles Coot with a Commanded Party went to Clantarfe and set the Village on Fire Burning their Boats and Houses so that they
distinct Body of an Army and thereupon declared the Lord Gormanston General of the Forces to be raised in the Pale Hugh Birne Lieutenant General and the Earl of Fingal General of the Horse And to straiten the City of Dublin by keeping Provisions from coming thither Luke Neterville sent two strong Parties the one to possess Finglass within two Miles of the City and the other to Santry where they lay till those at Finglass were dislodged from thence by Col. Crafford lately arrived out of England with a Recommendation from the Prince Elector Palatine under whom he had served in the Wars of Germany The dislodging of the Rebels from Finglass happened by a pretty odd Adventure for Crafford having raised a Regiment of the stripped and despoiled English who came to Dublin for Sanctuary he daily Exercised them and being a Person of a good competency of Confidence and forwardness he requested the Earl now His Grace the Duke of Ormond to take a view of them and see how well in so short a time he had improved and disciplined his Men the next Morning His Grace with about 20 Horse of his Servants and some Persons of Quality went into the Field to see them Train but when he came there he found no Men upon the place but presently after hearing some shooting and conceiving they might be marched to some more convenient place he advanced to the place where by the shooting he judged they were when he came near he saw there was a Man brought off wounded whereupon he perceived it was no matter of Jest for it seems Crafford who had resolved to signalize himself had made an attempt upon the Rebels at Finglass but his Men who had scarcely recovered the fright they had escaped were not so well in either Courage or Discipline but that they had shewed the Rebels their Backs if His Grace by the opportune appearance of this small body of Horse had not reinforced them and the Rebels having no Horse and not knowing what strength or numbers were coming upon them immediately retired and drew off from the place The other Party at Santry hearing of the approach of Sir Charles Coot consulted with their heels for the security of the rest of their Bodies and quitted the place with so much fear and haste that they left behind them the best part of their Equipage and Provisions And to add to these misfortunes under which the Government and the English Protestants were so miserably oppressed the Provinces of Munster and Connaght now followed the Example of Vlster and Lemster and broak out into actual Rebellion so that now there was not one Corner of Ireland but what was infected with this dismal Contagion the whole Body was sick and the Heart faint and languishing The landing of Sir Simon Harcourt Sir Simon Harcourt with a Regiment arrives at Dublin Decemb. 31. a brave Experienced Captain with his Regiment who arrived at Dublin the last of December raised some hopes that Assistance and Relief would come from England but those very hopes were strangely over-ballanced by the Fears lest they should come too late And these delays had like to have proved Fatal for many of the Soldiers who came out of England seeing the weak and low condition of the City and the great Strength and Numbers of the Rebels began not only to shrink from the Service which appeared so desperate but mutinuously to perswade their fellows to return for England which occasioned the Publishing of this Proclamation By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase WE do hereby in His Majesties Name A Proclamation forbidding Soldiers to return to England Charge and Command all His Majesties Soldiers of this Army that upon pain of Death none of them presume to depart hence for England without express License in that behalf from the Lieutenant General of the Army And we Command all Owners and Masters of Ships Barques and other Vessels that upon pain of Death none of them do permit or suffer any of the said Soldiers to go aboard them or to be carried from hence into England And we require the Searcher and all other Officers and Waiters of the Customs that they and every of them do take special Care to prevent the Shipping or Exporting of any of the said Soldiers as aforesaid whereof they may not fail Given at His Majesties Castle of Dublin the 18th of Jan. 1641. Ormond Ossory R. Dillon Ad. Loftus J. Temple Charles Coote Fra. Willoughby Rob. Meredith The Board had not been at all wanting to represent the sad Condition of their Affairs to the Lord Lieutenant and the Two Houses of Parliament in England and the Reader may have observed that upon all occasions His Majesty had indeavoured to the uttermost of the Power he had left to forward the Relief and Assistance of Ireland But the Scots stood upon high Terms being rather managed with the desire of the English Money the sweetness of which they had tasted then with compassionate Zeal and Brotherly Kindness though they affected that word mightily to afford Sudden and Seasonable Relief to Ireland which they might with the greatest ease imaginable have done from Scotland that Country lying so near as to be within a few hours Sail from thence And for the Two Houses of Parliament in England they were so wholly taken up with their own Affairs and Designs against the King which now began to ripen apace towards an open Rebellion that they had no leisure to attend the present Relief of Ireland to any purpose insomuch that the Arms and Ammunition taken out of the King's Stores for that Service could not get a conveyance to the Ports whither they were Ordered for Transportation for want of Money as was often represented to the Two Houses by the Lord Newport Master of the Ordnance as before hath been made appear from the Journals and the Men who were raised and got as far as Chester lay there also Money-bound as is evident from this following Letter written from Col. Monk afterwards the memorable Duke of Albemarle to the Lord Lieutenant My Lord I Have received one Letter from your Lordship A Letter from Col. Monk to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and one from your Secretary and all your Lordships Commands have been observed here are Twelve Companies of your Lordships Regiment come to Chester there is only wanting your Lordships own Company and 40 Men of Captain Cope 's Company the which 40 Men he is bringing up himself and your Lordships Regiment is 1200 marching Men in Rank and File at this present We shall want nothing for our present Imbarquing but Money and your Lordships own Company for our Men are all Armed and Shipping ready to carry them over the want of Money with us has been very great by reason we have been forced to pay our Companies our selves ever since our Arrival here We could not prevail with the Townsmen of Chester for the furnishing of us with any
Moneys by reason of these Troublesome Times but on the receipt of your Secretaries Letter to the Commissary we shall receive the Over-plus of the Monies which was appointed for the Horse which is 240 l. which will help us a little but if there is not some Monies now on the Way for us I doubt the Soldiers will disband suddenly I shall beseech your Lordship to put the Irish Committee in mind of their promise for Coats and Caps Shoes and Stockins for the Soldiers it is very needful and will be very advantagious for the Service if the Soldiers have them and by promise from us are expected by the Soldiers The Officers that are wanting at this present of your Lordships Regiment besides those that are wanting with their Companies is Capt. Snelling Lieutenant Palmer Captain Bois 's Lieutenant and Ensign Smith Captain Turvil 's Ensign I understand by my Lord Lisle that one Mr. Morrison is to be your Lordships Ensign who came this day to Chester I shall desire with your Lordships next Commands I may understand what quantity of Ammunition we shall carry from hence with us into Ireland or if we should be stayed here by contrary Wind what Ammunition you will be pleased to allow us weekly for Exercising desiring your Lordships pardon for being so tedious I humbly take my leave Your Lordships most humble Servant to be Commanded George Monck Chester 21 Jan. To his Excellency the Earl of Leicester L. Lieutenant of Ireland these present at Leicester-House in St. Martin's-Fields In this distressed Estate stood the Affairs of these miserable Kingdoms Scotland recovered from those Rebellious Commotions raised by the Presbyterian Faction by Remedies that proved more Fatal to the King then the Disease Ireland all in a Flame and England by the prevalency of the same Faction which had raised the disturbances in Scotland ready to follow their Example and to pursue their Model of Reformation by the same wicked Courses of Religious Dis-obedience and Rebellion in which Condition I must at present leave them till such time as it shall please God to give me ability and opportunity I may after some little necessary Refreshment pursue this Laborious work in perfecting the Remainder of these Historical Collections FINIS A TABLE Of the principal Matters in this Second Volume A. ANswer of the King to the Commons request about his Servants 231. Concerning the Irish Acts 421. About disbanding the Horse 429. To the reasons for staying his Journey to Scotland 434. To the Speech of the Recorder of London 676. To the Petition of both Houses about Guards for the Parliament 685 833. To the Petition of the Aldermen c. at Hampton Court 712. To the Petition accompanying the Remonstrance 744. To the Petition about Breach of Priviledge 762. To the Petition concerning the Kensington business 796. To the Message of the House of Commons for a Guard 803. To the Petition from Buckinghamshire 841. To the Petition of the Lord Mayor c. 842. To the Message concerning the three Bills 848. To the Commons demand of stores 860 To the Message concerning the Bill for Adjournment 877. Alderman Abel a Patentee a Bill Ordered against him 256. Bailed 475. Accompt of the Armies 292 410. Act of State about the Oath in Ireland 79. Act of Parliament for reversing the Attainder of the Earl of Strafford 23. Act of Scotch Parliament part of one making it Treason to Levy Forces without the Kings consent 682. Act of Common-Council of London against Tumults 803. See Bill Adjournment Bill past by both Houses that it be in the power of the Houses respectively 834. The Kings Answer to it 877. Earl of St. Albans his Letter from Ireland concerning Affairs there 686. Aldermen Sheriffs c. of London attend the King at Hampton Court 711. Many of them Knighted 712. America Petition of some Merchants that parts of it be seiz'd 467. Mr. Anderton a Member of the House of Commons receives a Letter about a Plot 836. Anslow a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 60. Answer of the Earl of Strafford to the Articles of Impeachment 20 to 27. To Pym 's Speech against the Preamble of his Answer 39. Of the House of Commons to the Lords Reasons for the Bishops Voting in Parliament 260. Of the Judges to certain Queries about Matters in Parliament 374. Of the Scotch Commissioners to the two Propositions 406. Their Answer about disbanding the Army 412. Of the English Commissioners to the Propositions of the Scots Commissioners 423. Of the Scots Commissioners to the reasons for staying the Kings Journey 435. Of the House of Lords to the Propositions of the Scots Commissioners about difficulty of Marching their Army home 538. Of the House of Lords to a Petition of the Lord Mayor concerning the Londoners denying subjection to the Common Council 460. Of the House of Lords to the House of Commons Propositions concerning Ireland 525. Of the Judges in Ireland to Queries of the Parliament there 575. Of the City of London to the Parliaments desire of lending Money 598 644. Of the Queen concerning Father Philips 605. Of the House of Commons to the House of Lords two Propositions about the Scotch relief of Ireland 771. Of the several Impeached Bishops 797. Of the Lords of the Pale to the Lords Justices 906. Of the same to the Vindication of the severity of Sir Charles Coot 917. Apology of the Lord Digby 863. Apprentices of London their Petition concerning Church Government c. 775. An account of a Tumult of them 805. Nicholas Ardagh a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 70. Argiers a Vote about the Captives there 254. Act for them past 861. Argument of Mr. Lane in behalf of the Earl of Strafford 153. Of Recorder Gardner for the same 156. Of Mr. St. John for the Bill of Attainder 162. Arch-Bishop of Armagh his Testimony in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 83 See Usher Arms search'd for at Lambeth 236. Supplied to the Lords of the English Pâ—â—â— 632. Sent from the Tower for Ireland 710. search for Arms at Mr. Ropers at Eltham 847. At Sir James Hamilton 's Lodgings ibid. At Sir James Hanham 's in Somersetshire 848. At the Lady Rivers and at Oxon 859. Army pretended to be in danger of being seduced 231. Several Lords Examined about it 258. An Account of it 272. Army in Ireland a Report for disbanding it 233. The State of it in the Earl of Strafford 's time 537. State of the same when the Rebellion first broke out 627. Articles of Impeachment against the Earl of Strafford 8. Of further Impeachment against the same 11. Against the Judges 324. Against Sir Robert Berkley 337. Against Lord Chief Baron Davenport 347. Against Baron Trevor 352. Against Baron Weston 356. Against Justice Crawley 362. Against Lord Chief Justice Bramstone 363. Against the Bishop of Ely 398. Against the Lord Chancellor of Ireland c. 570. Against Lord Kimbolton and the five Members 811. Arundel Debate about the
Election of a Burgess there 870. Earl of Arundel constituted Lord High Steward of England for Trial of the Earl of Strafford 29. Captain Ashburnham Committed on suspicion of Treason 288. Bailed 377. Gets a Vote for his Pay 477. Voted guilty of Misprision of Treason and expell'd the House of Commons 725. Mr. Ashton Vicar of Panswick Voted a scandalous Minister 238. Assembly of Irish at Swoords Order to Dissolve it 908. Attainder of the Earl of Strafford 103. The Bill read thrice in one day and passed the Commons 157. Mr. St. John 's Argument for it 162. Passes the Lords 192. And the King by Commission 195. Repealed since the King's Restauration 203. Attorney General Ordered to justifie his Charge against Lord Kimbolton and the five Members 843. Which he does 850. House of Commons desire to Examine him 850. Vote of Both Houses against him for Breach of Priviledge 870. Examination of him 873. Votes of the House of Commons against him 874. Ax expresly forbidden to be born before the Earl of Strafford at his coming to Tryal 29. B. BAgshaw of Windsor his Information to the House of Commons 859. A Conference about it 862. Sir William Balfour Lieutenant of the Tower brings the Earl of Strafford to the Bar 37. A false Loon 190. His removal angers the Factious 773. Ballad against the Bishops and Common-Prayer 807. Barnwell a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 36 83. Sir Thomas Barrington a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 83. Bishop of Bath and Wells inform'd against Dr. Beal referred to the Committee for Scandalous Ministers 773. Beal a Taylor finds out a Plot 647. An Ordinance about it 649. Conference upon it ibid. Sir Henry Bedingfeild Accused 661. Sent for 662. Examined 690. Acquitted 691. Mr. Benson a Member of the House of Commons Charged with selling Protections 595. Expelled the House and declared a Delinquent for so doing 596. Sir John Berkley sent for as a Delinquent 288. Sent to the Tower 490. Order'd to be Examined 492. Voted guilty of Misprision of Treason 725. Order'd to be Bail'd 755 780. Sir Robert Berkley Impeach'd by the House of Commons 332. Articles against him 337. Brought to the Bar of the House of Lords 497. His Petition to the House of Lords 498. Assigned Council 499. His Tryal put off 511. Earl of Berkshire a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 89. Edmund Bern a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 70. Berwick An Order for the Mayor to take care of it 753. Bill of Attainder See Attainder Bill for perpetuating the Parliament passes the Lords 192. And the King by Commission 195. Repeal'd since the Kings Restauration 203. For relief of the Army 238. For abbreviating of Michaelmas Term ibid. For restraining Ecclesiastical Persons from medling in secular Affairs 242. Thrown out of the House of Lords 271. Bill for Abolishing Episcopacy proposed 248. Debated in the House of Lords 255. Private Bills past by Commission 256. Bill for Root and Branch read twice 257. For Tonnage and Poundage ibid. 381. For disbanding the Armies ibid. For taking away the High Commission Court and Pluralities ibid. For taking away the Star-Chamber and regulating the Council-Board 258 271. For Regulating Clerks of the Market 259. For disarming Recusants 260. Against the new Canons ibid. Against Pluralities and Non-Residencies 293. Against Ship-Money 294. A Copy of the Root and Branch Bill 300. Bill against Scandaleus Ministers 309. For taking away the Court of Requests ibid. To prevent Suits for Knighthood ibid. Three Bills brought up to the House of Lords their Titles 393. Bill for the Marches of Wales 394. For Billet-money ibid. For the Northern Counties 409. Seven Bills brought up to the House of Lords their Titles ibid. Bill for securing Religion rejected 411. For imposing the Protestation rejected 414. Eleven Bills passed the King their Titles 431. Six more pass'd by the King and their Titles 438. Bill for a Lord General and Lord High Admiral rejected 719. For Relief of Captives at Argiers 731. Three Bills past the House of Commons their Titles 777. Billet-money undertaken for the Scots by the House of Commons 444. A Bill for Billet-money 394. Captain Billingsley Accused for a Conspiracy to seduce the Army 232. A Proclamation to stop him 233. Bishops their advise against passing the Bill against the Earl of Strafford 192. A Salvo for them 231. Thirteen of them impeached about the New Canons and Oath 418 443. An Order concerning their Answer 449 484. Order that they have Council 495. A Debate in the House of Commons what they are guilty of 497. Debate whether other Bishops shall Vote in their Case 500. Abstract of the grand question upon it 503. Their Council refuse to undertake their Cause 613. A time appointed for their Answer 614. Which they put in by Plea and Demurrer 641. That Voted dilatory and insufficient 645. Conference about them 691 717. Ordered to be heard 711. A second Charge against them by the House of Commons 717. Order to Answer it 718. They adhere to their Demurrer 731. Twelve Bishops their Petition and Protestation 794. Votes of the House of Commons against them 796. Impeached ibid. Taken into Custody ibid. Brought to the Lords Bar 797. Their several Answers ibid. Two of them Committed to the Black Rod the rest to the Tower 799. Desire Council which is granted 812. Order to put in their Answer 836. They Answer 882. They Petition to be speedily Tryed or Bailed 883. Remanded to Prison ibid. Mr. Blaney summon'd for Preaching against the Protestation 288. Sir Richard Bolton Lord Chancellor of Ireland impeached 566. Articles against him 570. Books seized by Order of the High Commission how disposed of 690. Mr. Booth Minister of St. Botolph Aldersgate Petition'd against by the Factious 492. Sir John Borlase made one of the Lords Justices of Ireland 564. Dr. Borlase his History of the Irish Rebellion censured 531. Lieutenant Bowles Voted a Delinquent for raising voluntiers for Ireland 874. Lord Chief Justice Bramstone impeached by the House of Commons 363. Mr. Orlando Bridgman receives a Letter about a Plot 836. Earl of Bristol a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 83. His Report about disbanding the Irish Army 233. Vote of the House of Commons that he be removed from the King and his Council 793. Lord Bruce introduced into the House of Lords 421. Buckinghamshire Petition to the House of Lords about Malignants c. 834. To the House of Commons about the same 839. To the King concerning Hampden 840. Mr. Burgess Ordered to Preach before the House of Commons 467 513. Sir John Burroughs a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 93. Busby 's Case an Order in it by the House of Lords 716. Sir John Biron a Message of the House of Commons for removing him from being Lieutenant of the Tower 835. Ordered to appear before them 844. Refuses 845. Votes of the House of Commons about him 846. Brought to the Bar
Ireland to the Lord Lieutenant 900 901 902. F. RObert Farnham 's Deposition in behalf of the Lord and Lady Muskerry 635. Sir Robert Farrer a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 60. Fast mov'd for by the House of Commons for the Irish Rebellion 737. agreed 754. for a monthly one 777. Faunt 's Case 324. Mr. Finch Vicar of Christ-Church London Votes against him 233. Fitz-Garret a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 57 68 74. Florence the Resident from thence his Complaint 596. a Committee upon it 645. Forrests ascertain'd in their Bounds by Act of Parliament 431. many Frays happen about it 499. 625. Sir Edward Fowles a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 11. Blunders in his Evidence 55. Mr. Franklin a mistake in his Annals rectified 247. Sir Ralph Freeman a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 91. French the House of Commons in great fear of them 233. 242. French Embassador desires the English Disbanded Army for his Masters Service 395 436. Tumults about his House 468. intercedes for the Rioters 476. Dr. Fuller Dean of Ely Petitioned against by the Sectaries 492. sent for as a Delinquent for his Sermons 609. Bayled 626. G. SIr Henry Garaway a Witness against the Earl of Strafford Gatton in Surry a dispute about Election of Members there 599. Lord General scruples letting the Scots march through Berwick 452. S. German a Frenchman committed to the Gate-House 651. released 711. Mr. Glyn appointed a Manager of Evidence against the Earl of Strafford 28. passionate at some expressions of the Earl of Strafford 39. his Speech upon summing up the Evidence 124. one of the Committees to expedite the Charge against the Arch-Bishop Laud 265. his Speech about breach of Priviledge 827. Henry Gogan a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 90. Evers Gore a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 53. Lord Gorge Governor of Hurst Castle Summoned to appear 596. Collonel Goring accused for a Conspiracy to seduce the Army 232. discovers a Vote in his Favour 272. Lord Gorminston a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 56. contradicts himself 57. his Commission for suppressing the Irish Rebellion 630. is said to have given Intelligence to the Rebells 905. combines with them 907. they make him General of the Forces of the Pale 917. Patrick Gough a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 70. John Gower a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 53. Grand Question concerning Bishops Votes in Capital cases an abstract of it 503. Lord Grandison see Newark Richard Grave his Examination about the Irish Rebellion 522. Dr. Gray sent for as a Delinquent 772. St. Gregories Parishioners Complaint against Inigo Jones 728. Sir Henry Grisfin a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 93 94. Serjeant Grimstone one of the Committee to prepare the Charge against the Earl of Strafford 7. appointed to be presented at the Examination of Evidence against him 11. his Speech concerning Breach of Priviledge 825. Guard Ordered about the Parliament House 487. a Conference about it 595. Establisht by the House of Commons 623. Dissolv'd by the King 684. Message c. about it 684 685. Reasons of the House of Commons for their Continuance 687. refused by them when ordered by the King 688. Guard not of their own appointment displeases them 726. examin'd and discharg'd 727. Votes of the House of Commons about Guards 729 732. their Message about it 789. rejected by the House of Lords 793. a Committee ordered to wait upon his Majesty concerning it 801. the King orders one under the Earl of Lindsey 833. the House of Commons Order another under Major Skippon 833. both Houses appoint a Guard upon the Tower 844. an Order drawn up by the House of Commons for Guards and necessary defence 878. Gun-Powder an Act for importing and free making it 416 438. Gunners of the Tower examined by the House of Commons 856. Sir Richard Gurney Lord Mayor of London Knighted 676. H. DR Hacket 's defence of Deans and Chapters in the House of Commons 240. Hampden one of the Committee to prepare the Charge against the Earl of Strafford 7. appointed a Manager of Evidence against him 28. one of the Committee to expedite the Charge against Arch-Bishop Laud 265. Impeached of High Treason 811. his Speech in vindication of himself 817. a Petition from Bucks to the King about him 840. Marquess Hamilton a Witness in the case of the Earl of Strafford 86. made a Duke 683. his complement to the House of Commons concerning the Arms at Fox-Hall 870. James Hanham his House search'd for Arms 848. Sir Simon Harcourt arrives at Dublin with a Regiment 918. Robert Hawood ordered to the Pillory for Contempt 238. excused 245. Lady Hatton and Bishop of Ely their Case 270. Sir Arthur Hazlerig Impeach'd of High Treason 811. Bishop of Hereford excused part of his Poll-Money 709. Marquess of Hertford introduc'd into the House of Lords 265. ordered to take charge of the Prince in person his answer 595. a Message about it from the House of Commons 857. Hertfordshire Petition 753. Dr. Heywood Petition'd against by the Sectaries 492. Hibbols a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 62. Mr. Hide his Speech at the delivery of the Articles against the Lord Chief Baron c. 343. High Commission Court a Bill for taking it away 257. Collonel Hill Voted Delinquent for raising Volunteers for Ireland 874. Earl of Holland a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 84. Mr. Jervis Holls who had been expell'd the House for an honest Speech restor'd 710. Dr. Hollis and others Votes in their favour 331 373. his Speech in praise of Sir Randol Crew 365. concerning the Palatinate 378. in justification of the Votes for taking the Protestation 416. he is Impeached of High Treason 811. Honours a Conference about the Kings bestowing them 325. Horses inquiry after Transporters of them 655. Sir John Hotham a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 92. appointed Governor of Hull by the House of Commons 833. Hoy a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 62. Hull Order for the Mayor to take care of it 753. Order that Sir John Hotham be Governor of it 833. Huntingdonshire Petition for Episcopacy 720. Hurst Castle going to Decay Examined 596. Mr. Hutton Curate of St. Giles Cripple-Gate Petition'd against 492. ordered to be taken into custody 497. Hypocrisie of the Anti-Episcopal Grandees 261. I. KIng James his Collection out of Bellarmin 226. Mr. Henry Jermyn accused for a Conspiracy to seduce the Army 232. a Proclamation to stop him 233. Voted chargeable with High Treason 443. Voted to be Impeach'd 754. Impeachment of the Earl of Strafford 7. of Sir George Radclif 8. of Sir Robert Berkley 332. of the Barons of the Exchequer 343 352 356. of Mr. Justice Carwley 357. of the Lord Chief Justice Bramstone 363. of the Bishops for the New Canons and Oath 418 443. second Impeachment of the same 717. Incendiaries a Commission for their Prosecution 444. who were
Lords concerning Kymbolton and the five Members 848. to both Houses concerning Breach of Priviledge 858. Message of the Queen to the House of Commons about her Journey 405. Message of either House to the King upon occasion of his Letter about the Earl of Strafford 197. to desire him to stop some Allowances 368. of the House of Commons to the House of Lords about a Conspiracy to seduce the Army 231. about restraining Ecclesiastical persons from medling in secular affairs 242. about paying the brotherly assistance to the Scots 315. about the Charge and Trial of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 318. to the Lord Keeper that the Judges travel not on the Lords day 325. about three Bills 331. concerning Disbanding the Army 424. about making the Earl of Pembroke Lord Steward and the Earl of Salisbury Lord Treasurer 437. about the Impeach'd Bishops 439. desiring that a convenient number of Lords stay in Town 445. concerning the desperate condition of the Kingdom 447. Message from the House of Lords to the House of Commons by one person only gives offence 474. Message of the House of Commons to the Queen about the Prince 597. to the House of Lords about Philips the Priest ibid. to Forraign Ambassadors not to harbour English Priests 652. to the House of Lords to press expedition for Ireland 750 761 768 769. concerning a Declaration to suppress Tumults and a Guard 789. concerning the Lord Digby 791. to revive the Bill against Bishops Votes 800. that the Kings Queens and Princes Servants take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy 814. to the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court and to the Common-Council of London 817. about the Kings coming to the House 822. their Message about the Tower rejected 835. concerning the Prince and Marquess of Hertford 657. concerning the adjournment to Grocers Hall c. 879 880. Message from the Scots Commissioners about the Kings Journey into Scotland 318. of the Venetian Ambassador to the House of Lords 655. Michaelmas Term abbreviated 238 243. Militia enquired into by order of the House of Commons 230. Mines Royal Order about them 446. Scandalous Ministers a Committee about them 233. Factious Ministers their Petition to the House of Commons 764. Money borrow'd of the Londoners by the House of Commons 236. desired to be continued 255. more to be borrowed 407 411 595 597 644. an Ordinance for securing Money lent by the City 621 687. Money to be conveyed to the Army an Order for its safety 415. Colonel Monk his Letter to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 919. Earl of Monmouth 's Speech concerning fears c. 849. Sir James Montgomery a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 64 77. Lord Morley Ordered to be Tryed by his Peers for Murther 307. Earl of Morton a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 82. Lord Mountnorris a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 36 39 59 63. Lord and Lady Muskerry Irish Papists kind to the English 635. N. NAmes of the persons who made the several motions towards the Declaration of the State of the Kingdom 615. of the chief Irish Rebels 632. Narrative of a Plot by Beal a Taylor 647. James Nash a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 874. Nash and Kynaston 's Case 258. Navy the State of it 460. Debated 757. Order of the House of Commons about it 787. Sir Paul Neal a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 95. Lord Nettervile 's Son ordered 〈◊〉 be brought before the House of Lord â—77 Lord Newark his Speech about the â—â—â—rage of Bishops 251. concerning their medling in secular Affairs 252. Lord Newburgh a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 83. New castle an Order to the Major to take care of it 753. Earl of Newport made Constable of the Tower 230. enabled as Master of the Ordnance to deliver Arms c. for Ireland 606 desired by the House of Commons to reside in the Tower 780. inform'd against for a design to seize the Queen c. 781. discharged of his Constableship of the Tower 785. Petition of both Houses about him 786. Non-Residence a Bill against it 293. Earl of Northumberland a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 82 86. O. OAth of Allegiance and Supremacy by Order of the House of Commons to be tendred to Irish Recusants and others in the Inns of Court 613. and to the Kings Queens and Princes Servants 814. the Oath for Ireland an Act of State and Petition about it 79. Oath of Secrecy administred to persons concerned in preparing for the Tryal of the Earl of Strafford 11. Officers of the Army Petition for Pay 660 757. Ordered a Moiety 772. those in Ireland commanded to their Charges 594. and in the examination of the Army Conspiracy 232. O Neal a Serjeant Major sent for 286. Committed 490. Ordered to be examined 492 625 714. Voted to be impeach'd of High Treason 754. committed to the Gate-house 757. Sir Phelim O Neal his Execution 529. his Letter to Sir William Hamilton 895. Opinion of the Judges upon an exception of the Earl of Strafford 101. upon the Bill of Attainder 192. in the Case of Ship-money 338. in answer to some Quaeries concerning matters in Parliament 374. concerning a Custos Regni 430. Opinion of the House of Lords about a Commission for Commissioners to attend the King in Scotland 448. 451. Opinion of a City Divine about Episcopacy presented to the House of Commons 302. Orders of both Houses relating to the Trial of the Earl of Strafford 28. for the payment of the Poll-Money to expedite disbanding 458. for declaring the Scotch Rebels to be loyal Subjects 467. for securing the Money borrowed of the City 687. for a Guard upon the Tower 844. Orders of the House of Lords concerning new Proofs against the Earl of Strafford 102. to stop the Ports 232. to pillory two Persons for a contempt 238. about Tumults 246 388 468 476 603 692 856 484 495 691 718. about Ship-Money in the Sheriffs hands 264. against formal Speeches 265. about Writs of Error 272. for Provision for Sisters by a Brother 367. for relief of Wife and Children against a Husband refusing to cohabit 381. concerning a Vicarage between Sir Peter Osborn and Thomas Joice 382. concerning the Arch-Bishops Poll-Money 387. for securing Money carried to the Army 415. for the Lady Wotton 420. 457. for exemplifying the Acts for Pacification and Brotherly Assistance 439. for examining Witnesses about Incendiaries 444. for referring the Election of Sheriffs of London 445. 456. about Mines Royal 446. concerning the impeached Bishops 449 484 495 691 718. search under the Parliament House 450. to quicken the disbanding 457. concerning a Guard about the Parliament House 487. concerning the relief of Ireland 601 603 626. to expel Romish Recusants out of Inns of Court 613. for bringing Ammunition from Hull 643. about the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ibid. for apprehending Priests and Jesuites 647 648. for putting the Laws in execution against Romish Recusants 653.
Chapters 298. about the Palatinate 379. against parting with the Disbanded Soldiers 465. two Speeches of the Lord Newark concerning Bishops 251. of the Lord Say against Bishops Votes 266. of Sir Henry Vane against Episcopaâ—â— Government 276. of William Thomas against Deans and Chapters 282. of Mr. Pury against the same 289. of the Speaker of the House of Commons to the King at passing the Bill for Tonnage and Poundage 307 706. and of the Bill for Poll-money 326. of Sir Simon D'ewes about the Poll-Bill 322. of Sir William Parkins against Bishop Wren 330. of Sir William Pierrepoint at the Impeachment of Sir Robert Berkley 332. of Mr. Hide at delivering the Articles against the Lord Chief Baron c. 343. of Mr. Waller at the Impeachment of Mr. Justice Crawley 349. of Mr. Hollis in behalf of Sir Randal Crew 365. about the Palatinate 378. in justification of the Votes for taking the Protestation 416. of Sir Simon D'ewes about the Palatinate 368. of Sir Thomas Widdrington at delivering the Articles against the Bishop of Ely 395. of Pym at a Conference about Excluding the Bishops Votes in the case of the thirteen impeached 500. of Mr. St. John about the same 501. of Audley Mervin at exhibiting Articles of Treason against Sir Richard Bolton 556. of Pym against Evil Councellors 619. of the Recorder of London to the King upon his return from Scotland 675. of the Lord Kimbolton at his Impeachment 815. of Hamden at his 817. of Mr. Grimstone concerning breach of Priviledge 825. of Glyn about the same 827. of the Earl of Monmouth about fears 849. of Sir Philip Stapleton concerning the Lord Digby and Collonel Lunsford 870. of Mr. White against the Bishops 885. formal Speeches declared unparliamentary by the House of Lords 265. Stanneries for Court Sir Philip Stapleton a Witness in the case of the Earl of Strafford 92. Statute of 〈…〉 cited 97. Star-Chamber a Bill for taking it away 258 324. past 271 327. a Message about the Officers of it 368. a Report about them 389. Earl of Strafford a short account of his rise 2 3 4. inveigh'd against in Parliament by Sir John Clotworthy 5. advised to withdraw 6. Impeach'd by the Commons 7. taken into Custody 8. sent to the Tower 10. his Answer to the Impeachment 20 to 27 brought to his Tryal 29. his several Defences see Defence taken with a fit of the Stone 100. Bill of Attainder against him 103. past by the King 195. he Petitions for his Children 196. his carriage at his Death 198. his Speech upon the Scaffold 199. Epitaphs upon him 204 205. his Wife and Children interceeded for by the House of Lords 237. his Death of what miserable consequence to Ireland 537. Lord Strange his Letter of dangers in Lancashire 650. Strangers by Proclamation commanded to depart Dublin and the Suburbs 637. Sir John Strangeways his motion against Tumults slighted 259. Sir Robert Strickland a Witness in the case of the Earl of Strafford 93. Strode one of the Committee to prepare a Charge against the Earl of Strafford 7. impeach'd of High-Treason 811. Subsidies six the Bill for them past 243 Subsidies granted by the Clergy 391. Summary of Evidence against the Earl of Strafford 104. Superinduction to a Rectory a Case upon it 511. T. COllonel Taaf committed by the House of Commons 785. Mr. Taylor an honest Burgess of Windsor expell'd the House and committed to the Tower 257. discharged 286. Sir John Temple his Letter from Ireland 371. Term abbreviated 238. Thanks ordered to the Queen by the House of Commons 405. to the Earl of Bristol by the House of Lords 430. to the Lord General by the same 496. to Calamy and Marshal by the House of Commons 775. by the same to the Train'd Bands Sheriffs and Major Skippon 838. to the Inhabitants of Bucks 884. to the Scots Commissioners 887. William Thomas his long Speech against the Bishops 211 to 226. another Speech against Deans and Chapters 282. Thorp a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 53. Tobacco two Proclamations of the Earl of Strafford about the Sale of it 66. Toleration of the Popish Religion in Ireland Votes and Debates about it 737 754. Tonnage and Poundage a Bill for it 257. 294 308 381 383 447 687 708. Fower of London a Conference about the Lieutenant there 773 778 Order of the House of Commons about it 775. their Declaration upon it 778. The Constable desired by the House of Commons to reside there 780. a Message to the House of Lords about it 835 844. Trained Bands raised to guard the Parliament 492. those of Westminster their Petition to the House of Commons 839. Earl of Traquair a Witness in the case of the Earl of Strafford 82. Treaty between the Lords c. of the Pale and the Ulster Rebels 907. with the Irish Rebels proposed 917. Tredagh opportunely garrison'd 636. Relief for it unfortunately defeated 905. Mr. Baron Trevor impeach'd by the House of Commons 343. Articles against him 352. Mr. Trevor ordered to be of Council for the Bishops 648. Tryal of the Earl of Strafford the manner agreed by both Houses 36. Tumult about the Spanish Ambassadors House 187. another on a ridiculous occasion 192. a Conference about them 245. Order of the Lords about them 246. Tumults about the Queen Mother 247. disturb people at the Communion 271. Order about them 275 291 393 395. Tumults about the French Ambassador 468. Order about them 476 603 692 856. Judges report the Statutes in force against them 709. But they are favour'd by the House of Commons 709. disavow'd by the Common-Council of London 712. 803. more Tumults 781 788 789 792. a Committee of the Lords to consider upon them 781. still favour'd by the Factious Commons 784 790 792 838. a Proclamation against them 786. Message from the House of Commons about them 789. Tumultuary Petitioning encouraged by the House of Commons 735. Sir Arthur Tyrringham a Witness for the Earl of Strafford repels the Irish Rebels at Lisnegarves 906. V. SIr Henry Vane Enemy to the Earl of Strafford and why 3. a Witness against him 82 83 84. his Speech against Episcopal Government 276. his Letter to the Lords Justices of Ireland 565. Sir Henry Vane junior produces a Paper pernicious to the Earl of Strafford 103. an Account of it 208. Captain Ven a godly Complainant 496. Venetian Ambassador a Priest of his Retinue imprison'd 394. he complains of the breaking open his Pacquet 640. Answer of the House of Lords 1641. his reception of it 643. a Message from him 655. Vintners Case against Alderman Abel and Kilvert 256. Voluntiers come in for Ireland 772. Message from the King about them 787 789 793. Votes of both Houses concerning the Irish Affairs 600 642 643 729 755 762 772 778 791. concerning Breach of Priviledge 741. Votes of the House of Lords upon debating the Bill concerning the Bishops 255. against the New Canons c. 285. concerning the Council at York 388. about
Sure I am it is both the Practice of England and Ireland and hath alwayes and at all times been practised and used and is only for the preventing of Fraud and Deceipt in Merchants by not paying the King's Duties and Customs The 15th is Answered already I hope The 16th doth Charge upon me certain Propositions I made before I went into Ireland And in good Faith my Lords you may see how short-sighted men may be to their own Actions for I did very well believe I should never have reaped any thing from those Propositions but Thanks I am sure they were well received then when they were offered to His Majesty and the Council and I must truely Confess I never thought they should be objected against me as a Fault My Lords The Proposition was That no man should be allowed to Complain of Injustice or Oppression in Ireland unless he first addressed himself to the Deputy My Lords there was no Original Intent but only to prevent Clamours and Unjust Vexations of the King's Ministers there that after men had received Judgment of the King's Courts they might not presently come and by Clamours call over a Chief Justice or a Chancellor or President to Answer here and be at charge of five or six hundred pounds unless they acquaint the Deputy with it that they might be righted in the place and this is Charged against me as a great Crime Truly My Lords I shall Confess and Amend any thing and trust other Judgments rather than mine own but I see not how this can Charge me as intending to subvert the Laws of the Land but rather to preserve them The other concerns a Proclamation That none shall depart the Kingdom without License My Lords for that I have shewed that no man out of that Kingdom can come without License but upon very great Penalties I have shewed likewise it was the desire of their own Agents some 15 or 16 years since That there might be such a Restraint and none might come over without License I have shewed you likewise the Instructions to my Lord of Faulkland by which he was Commanded in persuance of that Desire that none should come over without his License I have shewed the express Command of His Majesty to me to have it so I have shewed you likewise the Reasons of State why it should be so to prevent that practice and Intelligence which might otherwise arise betwixt them of that Nation serving under Tir-Counell and O Neale and likewise to prevent the going over and Transplanting the Prime Nobility and Gentry to Seminaries and other such places there to be brought up and therefore in reason of State it is a Restraint and ought so to be But having these grounds of Law Warrant Practice Former Instruction and all Why this should be brought to me in particular Charge to Convince me of endeavouring the Subversion of the Laws I must submit to your Lordships My Lords There is in the latter part of this another Charge concerning the Sentencing of one Parry who was Sentenced as I conceive very Justly and I have no more to answer for in that Sentence than any of the rest having but a single Voice and that I should answer for all I confess is something hard But there is no manner of Testimony in the World in this save the Testimony of Parry himself Now if Parry the Man offended his Testimony shall be taken against the Judge I know no Man can be safe and other Testimony is not offered and therefore I trust that that will easily fall off of it self The 17th is likewise waved and is in Truth of no great Consequence one way or other and therefore I shall give no other Answer to it It was well waved and had been as well left out having no great matter in it The 18th is likewise waved but it is that which sticks very heavy upon me and wherein I find my self as much afflicted as in any one part of the Charge For my Lords here I am Charged up and down to endeavour to draw upon my self a Dependance of the Papists in both Kingdoms of Ireland and England and that I have during the time of my Government restored diverse Mass-Houses in Dublin and elsewhere that have been by Precedent Deputies taken away I am likewise Charged to have drawn to my self a Dependance of the Irish Army Eight Thousand all Papists and likewise to have miscarried my self in a Commission intrusted with me before my going into Ireland concerning Compositions for Recusants This is a very heavy and grievous Charge and hath raised a great deal of Ill Opinion against me in the World to be a Favourer and Contriver with Papists and I know not whom against the Religion I profess a Greater and Fouler Crime there cannot be against God or Man and yet this goes in Print all over the World and when it comes to the Point here is no Proof nor any part of the Charge made good And therefore since it is not made good by the Charge I humbly desire I may be vindicated in your Lordships Noble Opinions and the Opinions of all that hear me that I am in my Religion what I ought to be and that which I will Dye in and Maintain against all the World And I am so far from Contriving any thing to the hinderance of it that if God give me life I will serve it and prevent any inconvenience to it and my Religion and Duty to God is so Dear and precious to me that there is nothing in this World but I shall lay it down as Straw and Stubble under my feet and trample upon it rather then in any kind forfeit that but in the mean time I suffer and must be content My Lords The next is the 19th Article and that was for framing a New and Unusual Oath which the Scots did take in Ireland to give Pledges of their Allegiance to the King I have shewed you for that that the Oath was framed by the King 's express Command in January before the Oath was given which was I think in May. And I did then humbly conceive it lawful for me so to do being only to take from them a Pledg of their Allegiance to the King I confess I conceived such an Oath might have been lawfully Administred to the People and shewed that the same Oath was Administred here in England to those of that Nation I shewed that it was taken in Ireland voluntarily And I humbly represent to your Lordships the time when this Oath was required when the King and both the Armies were in the Field lodged not far from one another And whereas it is said it should oblige the Clergy in Ecclesastical Matters if your Lordships call to mind the very Oath it self clears that Point requiring onely a Temporal Obedience and Allegiance in a time of that Danger and Distraction given by the King 's own Command and to no other purpose And my Lords the Proofs
Captainship make any demand of the people of any Exaction nor as a Captain assemble the people of the Shire-Grounds nor as a Captain shall lead those people to do any acts Offensive or Invasive without Warrant under the Great-Seal of England or of the Lord-Deputy Deputy upon penalty that if he do any thing contrary to that Act that then the Offender shall forfeit a Hundred pounds My Lords the Rebels had been out the Courts of Justice scarce sate for defence of the Country divers usurped the place of Captains concluded of War against the Rebels and invaded them without Warrant Invading the Rebels without Authority is a crime This appears further by particular clauses in the Statute none shall exercise any Captainship within the Shire-grounds nor assemble the men of the Shire-grounds to conclude War or lead them to any Invasion That that had anciently been so continued to this time that is the Irish and the English Pale they within the Shire-grounds were within the English Pale and ad fidem legem Angliae The Irish without the Pale were enemies always either in open act of Hostility or upon Leagues and Hostages given for securing the Peace and therefore as here in England we had our Marches upon the frontiers in Scotland and Wales so were there Marches between the Irish and English Pale where the Inhabitants held their Lands by this tenure to defend the Country against the Irish as appears in the close Roll of the Tower in the 20th year of Edw. 3. membrana 15. on the backside and in an Irish Parliament held the 42 year of Edw. 3. it 's declared That the English Pale was almost destroyed by the Irish enemies and that there was no way to prevent the danger but only that the Owners reside upon their Lands for defence and that absence should be a forfeiture This Act of Parliament in a great Council here was affirmed as appears in the close Roll the 22 year of Edw. 3. Membrana 20 dorso Afterwards as appears in the Statute of 28 Hen. 6th in Ireland this Hostility continued between the English Marches and the Irish Enemies who by reason there was no difference between the English Marches and them in their Apparel did daily not being known to the English destroy the English within the Pale Therefore it is enacted that every English-man shall have the hair of his upper Lip for distinction sake This hostility continued until the 10th year of Henry the 7th as appears by the Statute of 10 H. 7th and 17th so successively downwards till the making of this very Statute of 11 Eliz. as appears fully in the 9th Chap. Nay immediately before and at the time of the making of this Statute there was not only enmity between those of the Shire-ground that is the English and Irish Pale but open War and acts of Hostility as appears by History of no less Authority than that Statute it self for in the first Chapter of that Statute is the Attainder of Shane Oneale who had made open War was slain in open War it 's there declared That he had gotten by force all the North of Ireland for an hundred and twenty miles in length and about a hundred in breadth that he had mastered divers places within the English Pale when the flame of this War by his death immediately before this Statute was spent yet the Firebrands were not all quenched for the Rebellion continued by John Fitz-Gerard called the White Knight and Thomas Gueverford this appears by the Statute of the Thirteenth year of Queen Eliz. in Ireland but two years after this of the Eleventh year of Queen Eliz. where they are attainted of High-Treason for Levying of War this Eleventh year wherein this Statute was made So that my Lords immediately before and at the time of the making of this Statute there being War between those of the Shire-Grounds mentioned in this Statute and the Irish the concluding of War and Acts Offensive and Invasive there mentioned can be intended against no others but the Irish Enemies Again The words of the Statute are No Captain shall assemble the people of the Shire-grounds to conclude of Peace or War Is to presume that those of the Shire-grounds will conclude of War against themselves Nor with the Statute Shall carry those of the Shire-grounds to do any Acts Invasive by the construction which is made on the other side they must be carried to fight against themselves Lastly The words are That as a Captain none shall assume the Name or Authority of a Captain or as a Captain shall gather the people together or as a Captain lead them the offence is not in the matter but in the manner If the Acts offensive were against the Kings good Subjects those that were under Command were punishable as well as the Commanders but in respect the Soldiers knew the service to be good in it self being against the enemies and that it was not for them to dispute the Authority of their Commanders the penalty of 100 l. is laid only upon him That as Captain shall assume this Power without Warrant the People commanded are not within this Statute My Lords The Logick whereupon this Argument is framed stands thus because the Statute of the Eleventh year of Queen Elizabeth inflicts a penalty of 100 l. and no more upon any man that as a Captain without Warrant and upon his own head shall conclude of or make War against the King's Enemies Therefore the Statute of the 18th year of Henry the 6th is repealed which makes it Treason to lay Soldiers upon or to levy War against the Kings good People But My Lords Observation hath been made upon other words of this Statute that is that without Licence of the Deputy these things cannot be done this shews that the Deputy is within none of the Statutes My Lords This Argument stands upon the same reason with the former because he hath the ordering of the Army of Ireland for the defence of the people and may give Warrant to the Officers of the Army upon eminent occasions of Invasion to resist or prosecute the Enemy because of the danger that else might ensue forthwith by staying for a Warrant from His Majesty out of England My Lords The Statute of the 10th year of Henry the 7th Chap. 17. touched upon for this purpose clears the business in both points for there is declared That noâ—e ought to make War upon the Irish Rebels and Enemies without Warrant from the Lieutenant the forfeiture 100 l. as here the Statute is the same with this and might as well have been cited for repealing the Statute of the 18th year of Henry the 6th as this of the 11th year of Queen Elizabeth But if this had been insisted upon it would have expounded the other two clear against him Object My Lords It hath been further said although the Statute be in force and there be a Treason within it yet the Parliament hath no Jurisdiction the
existit at quod in Recordo illo in nullo est errat ' Ide◠Consideratum est quod judicium predictum in omnibus affirmetur in omnibus suo robore effectu stet remanet dicta Causa pro Errore superius assignat ' aut allegat ' in aliquo non obstante super quo Record processum predict ' necnon process ' predict ' Curia Parliamenti ibidem in premissis habit ' è predict ' Curia Parliamenti coram Domino Rege ubicunque c. per predict ' Cur ' Parliamenti Remittentur ac predictus Carolus in Curia Domini Regis coram ipso Rege habeat Executionem judicii predicti versus prefatum Thomam juxta formam effectum judicii illius predict ' Breve de Errore super ' inde non obstante Subscribed by the Clerk of the Parliament and delivered to the Defendant in the Writ of Error 29 May 1641. to be remitted into the King's-Bench that Execution may be had upon the Judgment Mr. Monday May 31. Bills for taking away the Court of Sear-Chamber and regulating the Council Board ingrosted Tuesday June 1. Votes about the Petty Farmers of the Customs Prideaux reports the Bill for taking away the Jurisdiction of the Court of Star-Chamber as being contrary to Law and tending to the bringing in of Arbitrary Government as also a Bill for regulating the proceedings of the Council-Board upon which they were ordered to be ingrossed The House fell this day upon the business of the petty Farmers of the Customs Sir Nicholas Crisp Sir John Nulls Sir John Harrison c. and upon the Debate it was Resolved c. That the Petty Farmers of the Customs taking above three pence in the pound of Merchants Strangers and others of the King's Subjects more then by Law allowed is Illegal Resolved month June 1641. c. That the said Petty Farmers for taking above the said three pence in the pound are Delinquents Resolved c. That the said Petty Farmers are for the said offence liable and ought to make restitution Notwithstanding which in favour of Sir John Harrison Resolved That Sir John Harrison a Member of the House in regard of his great service in advancing fourty thousand pounds shall not be prejudiced as to his sitting in the House Sir John Strangeways moved in the behalf of himself and the 59 that Voted against the Bill of Attainder of Thomas Earl of Strafford that there might be some order taken for their security for that they went in fear of their Lives daily affronts and great abuses being put upon them by licentious people who resorted about the Parliament House But these mighty asserters of the Priviledges of Parliament one of the greatest whereof is freedom of Speech and liberty to Vote according to a Man's Conscience thought not fit in this Case to assert their Priviledge but to leave these worthy Gentlemen at the mercy of the Rabble who were by no means to be disobliged there being further occasion to make use of their Tumultuary Insolence in order to their thorough Reformation This day Mr. Tayler presented his Petition Wednesday June 2. desiring to be restored upon his submission but it was rejected A Debate arising about ways for raising of Mony a Motion was made Motion to bring in Plate to be Coined That in regard Mony could not be procured so suddenly as the present necessity of Affairs required there might be some Expedient thought on to bring in the Plate of the Kingdom to the Mint and it was referred to a Committee to consider of it and what way it might be done The Bill for Regulating the Clerks of the Market being Reported Bill for the Clerk of the Market ingrossed Thursday June 3. Report of the Conference with the Lords about the Bishops Bill was Ordered to be Ingrossed Mr. Pierrepoint Reports the Conference with the Lords concerning the Bill for disabling Bishops to Vote in the House of Peers That their Lordships conceive that the Commons understand not unlawfulness to have any Votes there to mean to be contrary to any Law but of convenience or inconvenience because if they had thought it absolutely unlawful they would not have made Exception of the Vniversities and of such of the Nobility as should happen to be in Holy Orders And for the Bishops Right to Sit and Vote in Parliament their Lordships conceive that both by the Common Law Statutes and constant practice there is no question of it As for inconveniencies their Lordships did not yet Vnderstand any such that might induce them to deprive the Bishops and their Successors of the Right of voting in Parliament but if there be such which they yet know not they will be willing to hear them and take it into Consideration For their Votes in the Star-Chamber Council Table or any Office in Secular Affairs they have fully consented to the desires of the Commons Their Lordships have Excepted the Dean of Westminster as being a Corporation confirmed by Act of Parliament Sexto Eliz. As also that of Durham Ely and Hexam and the several Jurisdictions of those Bishops to keep Courts-Baron there by their Stewards c. And all other Courts Executed by Temporal Officers which their Lordships conceive not to be contrary to this Bill After which the Bill for disarming Recusants being reported Bill for Disarming Recusants ingrossed Bill against New Canons Read first time was ordered to be ingrossed Then a Bill for the making void of certain Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiastical lately made and for the punishment of such Prelates and others as were the framers and makers of them was read the first time The House then Entred upon the consideration of the Scottish Articles some of which were assented to Sir Thomas Widdrington reports the Case of Sir John Corbet Friday June 4th Report of Sir John Corbet's Case upon which these Votes passed Resolved c. That the Imposition of 30 l. per annum laid upon the Subjects of the County of Salop for the Muster Masters Fee by the Earl of Bridgwater Lord Lieutenant of that County is an Illegal Charge and against the Petition of Right and that it is high presumption for a Subject to impose any Tax upon the Subject and that the taking it is at Extortion against the Right of the Subject Resolved c. That the Attachment from the Council Board by which Sir John Corbet was committed was an Illegal Warrant Resolved c. That Sir John Corbet ought to have Reparation for his unjust vexation and imprisonment Resolved c. That the Earl of Bridgwater ought to make Sir John Corbet reparation Resolved c. That the House thinks sit that the Attorney General take the Information in the Star-Chamber against Sir John Corbet off the File and that he take some Course that the Bond which he entred into to attend the Suit at the Hearing be delivered unto him Resolved c. That the Lords
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
Mr. Nathanael Fiennes Sir John Clotworthy and Mr. John Pym Members of the House of Commons were present upon a Discourse of some Plots that should be done in this Kingdom or in Scotland the Earl of Newport should say If there be such a Plot yet here are his Wife and Children insinuating the same to signifie that the Person of her Majesty and her Children should be seized upon And whereas Your Majesty upon Friday last was pleased to demand of the Earl of Newport whether his Lordship heard any Debate at Kensington about seizing upon the Queen and her Children which when his Lordship had denied with many and deep Asseverations Your Majesty replied again That he was to tell Your Majesty no more then you knew already and therefore should consider well what he should Answer and his Lordship denying it the second time Your Majesty parting from him replied you were sorry for his ill Memory seeming thereby to give Credit to that Information which Information and Report tend not only to the great scandal of the Members of both Houses of Parliament before named but express an endeavor to stir up Jealousies and work a Division between Your Majesty and the Parliament It is therefore the humble and instant desire of the Lords and Commons in this Parliament That Your Majesty will be pleased to declare who was the Reporter or Reporters of those Words pretended to be spoken at Kensington by the Earl of Newport And that Your Majesty will be pleased likewise to move her Majesty to discover who acquainted her therewith And this as Your greatest and most faithful Council they advise Your Majesty to perform the Exigency of the Affairs of both Kingdoms being such as necessarily require a sudden Remedy which cannot expect any possibility of success without a right Vnderstanding between Your Majesty and the Parliament the only way for effecting hereof is by the present discovery and removal of ill Counsellors and false Informers which to our great Grief we have by Experience found to be too frequent and active in these Dangerous Times After the Reading whereof it was Ordered That this House agrees that this Petition be presented to the King And the Lord Admiral Earl of Bath and Earl of Holland were appointed to wait on the King to know when the Select Committees of both Houses shall attend him to present the aforesaid Petition Who being returned brought Answer That His Majesty hath appointed them to attend him for this purpose to morrow in the Afternoon at One of the Clock at White-Hall The Lord Chamberlain signified to this House Message from the King to the Lords concerning Volunteers for Ireland That the King had commanded him to let the Parliament know that His Majesty will furnish 10000 English Volunteers if the House of Commons will undertake to pay them Upon a Debate this day the Reason of which the Reader will meet hereafter it was Resolved upon the Question That this Parliament is at this present a free Parliament In the Commons House Mr. Pym Reported an Order from the Committee of the Navy in these Words It is this day Ordered by the Commons House of Parliament Order of the Commons touching the Navy That the Committee for the Navy where Sir John Culpeper has the Chair shall Examine why the 55000 l. Ordered in August last by both Houses for supply of the Navy out of the last Bill of Tonnage and Poundage hath not been accordingly performed and having found out the Obstructions therein shall present the same to this House with all convenient speed together with their Opinions what is fittest to be done thereupon and they are further to Examine what Monies are likely to come in upon the present Bill of Tonnage and Poundage during the time it is granted and to report it to this House That the Ordinary and Extraordinary Charge of the Navy for the Year 1642 may be provided for out of the same It is further Ordered That in case the Mony arising out of the last Bill of Tonnage and Poundage shall not be found sufficient to discharge the abovesaid Sum of 55000 l. that then what shall be wanting thereof shall be forthwith paid to the Treasurers of the Navy out of the Monies coming in upon the present Bill of Tonnage and Poundage It is also Ordered That the Sum of 2058 l. 10 s. shall be paid out of the Monies payable by virtue of the aforesaid Bill to the Officers of the Ordnance for the Expences in their Office for the setting out of the last Summers Fleet according to the Engagement of this House It is further the Opinion of the Committee that in the Case of Sir Henry Vane junior concerning the Office of the Treasurer of the Navy That this House do declare that they will take that into Consideration when they shall consider of the passing the next Bill for the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage This Order being read was Voted and upon the Question Assented unto It may be remembred what flourishing Speeches Mr. Speaker had formerly made to the King upon the tendring of the Bills for Tonnage and Poundage to his Majesty for the Royal Assent which yet by this Order appear to have been such meer Complements that the King was not so much as a Trustee for the Publick but the Money raised in his Name and by his Authority was to be wholly managed by their Order And Sir Henry Vane for the kindness done them in the Earl of Strafford's Case must be sure to be remembred for a beneficial Office as in truth if in any thing they acted generously and wisely it was in obliging their Friends by Rewards and discouraging their Enemies by punishments the two Methods which Govern the World and which all great Men and great Undertakers have ever by Experience found to be the certain Supporters of their Designs and Enterprizes The Tumults began now to be so horrible Insolent by the Countenance they received from the Faction of the House of Commons Wednesday Decemb. 29. and particularly from their great Patron Pym who publickly at a Conference said God forbid the House of Commons should proceed in any way to dishearten people to obtain their just desires that they not only ran by Troops down to Westminster to cry No Bishop but as they passed by White-Hall they cried They would have no Porter's Lodge but would come to speak to the King themselves without Controul and at their own Discretion The House of Lords hereupon sent for the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex to attend their Lordships Tumults who being called in and being asked Why they have not observed the King's Writ in suppressing and preventing of Tumults and Routs They Answered That the Justices of the Peace for Middlesex opened the Writ and granted out Warrants to the Constables who sent Guards to the Houses of Parliament and upon this they were Questioned by the House of Commons and the Guards were dismissed
Holiness and love of Sin Will work their destruction which now doth begin Their Curbing the Gospel will kill their own growth Go Toll the Bell for them and eke for their Broth. Nor were they who pretended to be Poets on the other side idle but pelted them with Rolands much like the others Olivers I will give the Reader but Two or Three Stanza's of a Litany month January 1641. lest I surfeit him of this sort of Mechanick Wit which yet wanted not Truth From all dissembling Sep'ratists and those That snuffle their unlearned Zeal in Prose As if the way to Heaven was through the Nose Libera nos c. From those that dare work ill in every Season And are so far from Sanctity or Reason They dare believe there 's Piety in Treason Libera nos c. From them which nothing but false Rumors Rear And likewise those which lend such Men an Ear Who publish for a Truth all which they hear Libera nos c. From those indiff'rent Men that know no Guide Who are from their Allegiance so wide That come what will they 'l take the strongest side Libera nos c. But the number of the Malicious and Seditious Pamphlets did far exceed those that had any thing honest in them And how trivial soever such things may appear yet it is incredible what mischief they do and what Impressions they make upon the credulous Vulgar and it may be a piece of Policy not misbecoming the wisest States-men to obviate such Arts as seeming little yet are of such universal dangerous influence upon the lower Ranks of People whose hands act those mischiefs which the more cunning heads of the Faction contrive and I know not any one thing that more hurt the late King then the Paper Bullets of the Press it was the Scandalous and Calumniating Ink of the Faction that from thence blackned him and represented all his Words and Actions to the misguided People who would difficultly have been perswaded to such a horrid Rebellion if they had not been first prepossessed by the Tongues and the Pens of the Faction of strange and monstrous Designs which they said the King and his evil Councellors the Bishops and Malignants who were all by these Pamphlets stiled Papists and Atheists had against their Lives Liberties and Religion But I crave the Reader 's pardon for this seeming digression and now let us pursue our Voyage through this Tempestuous New Year The King that the whole World might see how sollicitous he was in every thing for the deplorable State of Ireland which the Faction were so far from relieving in good earnest that they were angry at the beating up of Drums for Volunteers for that Service issued out his Royal Proclamation for the suppressing of those Rebels as follows By the KING A Proclamation for the suppressing the Rebellion in Ireland Jan. 1. 1641. WHereas divers lewd and wicked Persons have of late risen in Rebellion in Our Kingdom of Ireland surprized divers of Our Forts and Castles possessed themselves thereof surprized some of Our Garrisons possessed themselves of some of Our Magazins and Munition dispossessed many of Our Good and Loyal Subjects of the British Nation and Protestants of their Houses and Lands robbed and spoiled many thousands of Out good Subjects of the British Nation and Protestants of their Goods to great Values Massacred Multitudes of them imprisoned many others and some who have the Honor to serve Vs as privy Counsellors of that Our Kingdom We therefore having taken the same into Our Royal consideration and abhorring the wicked Disloyaity and horrible Acts committed by those Persons do hereby not only declare Out just Indignation thereof but also do declare them and their Adherents and Abettors and all those who shall hereafter joyn with them or commit the like Acts on any of Our good Subjects in that Kingdom to be Rebels and Traitors against Out Royal Person and Enemies to Our Royal Trown of England and Ireland And We do hereby strictly Charge and Command all those Persons who have so presumed to rise in Arms against Vs and Our Royal Authority which We cannot otherwise interpret then Acts of High Rebellion and detestable Disloyalty when therein they spoil and destroy Out good and loyal Subjects of the British Nation and Protestants that they do immediately lay down their Arms and forbear all further Acts of Hostility wherein if they fail We do let them know That We have Authorized Our Iustices of Ireland and other Our Chief Governor or Governors and General or Lieutenant General of Our Army there and do hereby accordingly require and authorize them and every of them to prosecute the said Rebels and Traitors with Fire and Sword as Persons who by their high Dissoyalty against Vs their Lawful and undoubted King and Sovereign have made themfewes unworthy of any Mercy or Favour wherein Our said Iustices or other Chief Governor or Governors and General or Lieutenant General of Our said Army shall be countenanc'd and supported by Vs and by Our powerful Succors of Our good Subjects of England and Scotland that so they may reduce to Obedience those wicked Disturbers of that Peace which by the blessing of God that Kingdom hath so long and so happily injoyed under the Government of Our Royal Father and Vs and this Our Royal Pleasure We do hereby require Our Iustices or other Chief Governor or Governors of that Our Kingdom of Ireland to cause to be publish't and Proclaimed in and throughout Our said Kingdom of Ireland Given under Our Signet at Our Palace at Westminster the first day of January in the Seventeenth Year of Our Reign 1641. God save the King The King at his last being in Scotland Munday January 3. had gained Informations there of the secret Intrigues of the Faction and their Contrivances to promote the Scottish Invasion and Rebellion and that they were Meditaâ—ing the same Course in England And therefore this day the Lord Keeper Signified to the House of Lords That he was commanded by the King to let their Lordships know that his Majesty hath given Mr. Attorney General Command to Acquaint their Lordships with some Particulars from him Hereupon Mr. Attorney standing at the Clerks Table said That the King had Commanded him to tell their Lordships that divers Great and Treasonable Designs and Practices against him and the State have come to his Majesties knowledge for which the King hath given him Command in his Name to Accuse And did Accuse six Persons of High Treason and other High Misdemeanors by delivery of the Articles in Writing which he had in his hand which he received from his Majesty and was Commanded to desire your Lordships to have it read In which Articles the Persons Names and the Heads of the Treason were contained Which Articles were Commanded to be read and were in these words Articles of High Treason and other High Misdemeanors against the Lord Kymbolton Mr. Denzil Hollis Sir Arthur Hasterigg
Mr. John Pym Mr. John Hampden and Mr. Will. Strode I. THat they have Traiterously endeavoured to Subvert the Fundamental Laws and Government of the Kingdom of England Articles of High Treason against the L. Kymbolton Mr. Denzil Hollis c. to deprive the King of his Royal Power and to place in Subjects an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Power over the Lives Liberties and Estates of his Majesties Liege People II. That they have Traiterously endeavoured by many Foul Aspersions upon his Majesty and his Government to Alienate the Affections of his People and to make his Majesty odious unto them III. That they have endeavoured to draw his Majesties late Army to difobedience to his Majesties Command and to side with them in their Traiterous Designs IV. That they have Traiterously Invited and Encouraged a Forreign Power to Invade his Majesties Kingdom of England V. That they have Traiterously Endeavoured to Subvert the Rights and very being of Parliaments VI. That for the Compleating of their Traiterous Designs they have endeavoured so far as in them lay by Force and Terror to compel the Parliament to joyn with them in their Traiterous Designs and to that End have Actually Raised and Countenanced Tumults against the King and Parliament VII And they have Traiterously Conspired to Levy and actually have Levied War against the King After which Mr. Attorney declared That he was farther charged to desire certain things on his Majesties behalf 1. That a Select Committee of Lords may be appointed to take the Examinations of such Witnesses as the King will produce in this business as formerly hath been done in Cases of the like Nature according to the Justice of this House and this Committee to be under a Command of Secresy as formerly 2. And his Majesty Commanded him to ask Libenty to add and alter if there should be Cause according to Justice 3. By the like Commandement he desired that their Lordships would take care for the securing of the Persons as in Justice there should be Cause Hereupon the Lord Kymbolton being present in the House offered himself to obey whatsoever it should please this House to Impose upon him and what course their Lordships would please to take with him he would submit thereunto but as he had a Publick Charge so he desired he might have a publick Clearing Hereupon it was Ordered That this business shall be taken into Consideration by a Committee of the whole House and to consider whether this Accusation of Mr. Attorney General of the Lord Kymbolton and others of High Treason and High Misdemeanors be a Regular proceeding according to Law and whether there were any such Proceedings ever before in this House and whether an Accusation of Treason may be brought into this House by the Kings Attorney against a Peer of Parliament and whether any Person ought to be Committed to Custody upon a general Accusation from the King or the House of Commons before it be reduced into Particulars And these Lords following were appointed Committees to peruse and consider of Presidents and Records concerning the aforesaid Particulars and Report the same to the House Lord Steward Lord Chamberlain Earl of Bath Earl of Southampton Earl of Warwick Earl of Bristol Earl of Holland Mr. Serjeant Whitfield and Mr. Serjeant Glanvile Assistants their Lordships or any five of them to meet and search Records when and where they please After this a Petition of the twelve Bishops that are Impeached by the House of Commons of High Treason was read Desiring that they may have Council Assigned them by this House to advise them in their defence and in particular They desired these Councellors following Mr. Counsel Assigned for the Bishops Lane the Princes Attorney Sir Thomas Gardner Recorder of London Mr. Herne Mr. Chute Mr. Fountain Mr. Hales Mr. Trevor who were thereupon by the Lord Assigned to be of Council for the Bishops It was also Ordered That this House layes no restraint upon any Member of this House but any Peer may go and see the Bishops in the Tower if he please Then the House Ordered That in regard of the many Occasions at this present the House cannot take the Propositions brought last from the Scotch Commissioners concerning Ireland into so speedy Consideration as the Necessity of the Kingdom requires That the Lords Commissioners do Treat with the Scotch Commissioners about the said Propositions and bring them to as low Terms and Conditions as they think fit for this House to grant and to Report the same to the House The King in Prosecution of his Impeachment of the aforesaid Gentlemen of the House of Commons had Commanded their Chambers Studies and Trunks to be Searched and had Issued out Warrants for their Apprehension in order to bring them to a Fair and Legal Tryal but this Procedure did so fire and Irritate the Faction that they fell to Voting and out-cries of the Breach of Priviledge of Parliament as if those very Walls had been a Protection against Treason as indeed they afterwards proved For it was Immediately Resolved c. That the several Parties now Sealing up of the Trunks or Doors or Seizing the Keyes of Mr. Pym Mr. Hollis or any other Members of this House that the Serjeant shall be informed of Votes concerning Sealing of Trunks Doors c. shall be forthwith Apprehended and brought hither as Delinquents and that the Serjeant shall have Power to break open the Doors and to break the Seales off from the Trunks Resolved c. That Mr. Speaker shall Issue a Warrant directed to the Serjeant at Armes attending on this House to the Effect of the Order abovesaid Resolved c. That if any Persons whatsoever shall come to the Lodgings of any Member of this House and there do offer to Seal the Trunks Doors or Papers of any Members of this House or to Seize upon their Persons that then such Members shall Require the Aide of the Constable to keep such Persons in safe Custody till this House do give further Order and this House doth declare That if any Person whatsoever shall offer to Arrest or Detain the Person of any Member of this House without first acquainting this House therewith and receiving further Order from this House that it is lawful for such Member or any Person Assisting him to stand upon his and their Guard of Defence and to make resistance according to the Protestation taken to defend the Priviledge of Parliament And Mr. Conference about Breach of Priviledge in Sealing Studies c. Walter Long was sent up with a Message to the Lords for a Conference by a Committee of both Houses touching the Breach of Priviledge of Parliament which the Lord Keeper Reported as follows That the House of Commons apprehended the Parliament to be the great Council and the Representative Body of the Kingdom and both Houses are but one Body of the Realm the Priviledges are as the Walls and Sinews of the Parliament which being cut