House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 02 November 1641

Die Martis, 2 Nov. 1641.

PRAYERS.

Liocolne Ministers.

ORDERED, That this House does well approve of the good Intentions and Desires of the Ministers of the County of Lincolne, for Setting up and Maintaining of Lectures in the Parish Churches, on the Week-days, where there is no Preaching: And do order, that those things should be performed, according to their Desires.

Petition to the King.

Ordered, That the Committee for preparing Heads for a Petition to be preferred to his Majesty, for preventing the Inconveniencies that may happen to the Commonwealth, by the Choice of ill Counsellors, Officers, &c. do sit this Afternoon at Four of Clock, in the Exchequer-chamber.

A Member expelled for selling Protections.

Mr. Reynolds reports the Case of Mr. Benson, a Member of this House, concerning several Protections granted by him, to divers Men that were not his menial Servants:

"1. That Mr. Benson, who serveth for the Town of Knavesborough, in the County of Yorke, hath granted several Protections to several Persons in London, Middlesex, Nottinghamshire, Dorsettshire, Kent, Essex, and Surrey: All this did appear, by the Protections brought from the Two Compters in London. He employed Preston, his Servant, and another, his Son-in-law; and as they made the Contracts, sometimes for Forty Shillings, Thirty Shillings, Twenty Shillings, and sometimes for Seventeen Shillings, so he granted the same accordingly. Preston, being examined before the Committee, confessed, his Master had granted Twenty Protections; and that his Son-in-law did write them, and usually had Ten Shillings for the same. Next, one Joseph Smith, a Scrivener, was examined: who confessed, Preston, in the Beginning of the Parliament, came unto him, and desired him to write some blank Protections; and accordingly he writ Eight or Nine: That afterwards Preston came to him, and shewed him Two Protections, signed with Mr. Benson's Hand; and that he knew it to be his Hand: And that he delivered those Protections to one Procter and Hawkins; the One gave Sixteen Shillings; the other Seventeen Shillings; for them: Afterwards, Procter made use of his Protection against his Landlord; and the Landlord repaired to Mr. Benson, who said, that, as to himself, it should be of no Force. Afterwards, Mr. Benson granted a Protection to one Silvester, under his Hand and Seal; who gave Forty Shillings for it; and that Protection was produced at the Committee: And Silvester examined there, and confessed he paid Forty Shillings for it. We had Copies of divers other Protections, which were entered at the Two Compters, that all People might take notice thereof."

"Mr. Benson, being desired by the Committee to make Answer to these Matters, said, he could not charge his Memory with the certain Number of the Protections he had granted; but confessed, he had granted many; and that he conceived it was his Privilege, as a Member of this House, to do so."

"Upon the whole Matter, the Committee would deliver no Opinion, because it concerned a Member of the House; but commanded me to report it specially, and to leave him to the Judgment of the House."

Resolved, upon the Question, That Mr. H. Benson is unworthy and unfit to be a Member of this House; and shall sit no longer as a Member of this House.

Resolved, That Mr. H. Benson shall be forthwith sent for, as a Delinquent, by the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House.

Resolved, upon the Question, That Mr. Speaker shall issue forth his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, for a new Writ, to be directed to the Sheriff of the County of Yorke, for Electing of another Burgess to serve in his Stead.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House holds Mr. H. Benson unfit and uncapable ever to sit in Parliament, or to be a Member of this House hereafter.

Scotch Army, &c.

A Letter from Sir W. Armyne, and Mr. Hampden, to Mr. Speaker, of the 27th of Oct. dated from Morpeth; and a Note inclosed; concerning the Answer of the Scotts to the Demands of the English Committee, concerning the total Disbanding of the Army, and Sleighting of their new Works.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Delivery of the Letter from the Committee in Scotland, and the Paper inclosed, shall be one Head of the Conference.

Apprehending M. Monsigott.

Ordered, That the Serjeant shall have a Warrant for the Apprehending of Monsieur Monsigott, for a Delinquent, according to the Resolution of the House Yesterday.

Payment to R. English.

Ordered, That Sir Ro. Pye, and the rest of the Treasurers for the Poll-money at Westminster, do pay Two hundred Pounds to Robert English, Merchant, consigned by the Committee of this House in Scotland.

Grant to Queen Mother.

Ordered, That the Treasurers of London do pay the Sum of Two thousand Pounds to Sir Jo. Nulls, according to former Orders of this House, to the Use of the Queen Mother.

Irish Affairs.

Mr. Whitlocke reporteth the Conference last Night with the Lords, concerning the Affairs in Ireland.

"The Lord Keeper said, the Lords did take in good part our Care in the speedy Provision of Fifty thousand Pounds; and for the Prevention of further Danger in Ireland: They commanded him to return their Lordships Answer; 1. That they had appointed a select Committee, of Twelve Members of their House, to meet with a select Committee of a proportionable Number of this House, to go into the City, for the Providing of Monies. They have also appointed Twenty-six of their House, to meet with a proportionable Number of this House, to consider of the Affairs in Ireland. 3. They do agree to the Reward to be given to Owen Connelles. 4. They appoint the said Committee of Twenty-six to take the further Examination of Owen Connelles, upon Oath, in the Presence of the Committee of this House. And, for the Securing of the Persons of Papists, he said, they were of Two Sorts; Persons convicted, and others not convicted: For those convicted, they agree unto; for the other, they refer it to the Consideration of the Committee. And, lastly, they agree to a Proclamation to issue forth, for the Calling back by Proclamation those English Papists, that have gone over into Ireland within One Year."

Loan from the City.

Sir Tho. Barrington, Lord Falkland, Sir Walth. Erle, Sir H. Vane, Mr. Pierrepoint, Sir Edw. Hungerford, Mr. Bellassis. Sir Rich. Onslowe, Mr. Glyn, Sir Martin Lumley, Sir Arth. Haselrig, Sir Ro. Pye, Sir Wm. Lewis, Sir John Pawlett, Sir Guy Palmes, Sir Ro. Parkhurst, Sir Anth. Irby, Sir Wm. Litton, Lord Compton, Sir John Clotworthy, the Burgesses of London;

This Committee is to meet with a proportionable Number of the Lords, to go into the City of London, to treat with them about the Loan of Fifty thousand Pounds.

Irish Affairs.

Sir John Clotworthy, Mr. Pym, Mr. Hollis, Sir John Hotham, Sir Tho. Bowyer, Mr. Crue, Mr. Whitehead, Sir Hugh Cholmely, Sir John Price, Sir Wm. Brereton, Sir Oliver Luke, Mr. Nicholls, Lord Falkland, Sir Martin Lumley, Mr. Strode, Lord Lisle, Lord Dungarvon, Sir Norton Knatchboll, Sir Rich. Onslowe, Mr. Whittlock, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Maynard, Sir H. Vane, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Sir Ro. Coke, Mr. Glyn, Sir Arth. Haselrig, Mr. H. Bellassis, Mr. Sutton, Sir Wm. Litton, Sir Robert Harley, Mr. Martin, Sir Walth. Erle, Sir Wm. Strickland, Sir Rich. Cave, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Reynolds, Sir Tho. Barrington, Sir Edw. Hungerford, Mr. Arth. Goodwyn, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Ro. Parkhurst, Sir Dudley North, Mr. Hide, Mr. Kirton, Sir John Potts, Mr. Bridgeman, Sir Beauchamp St. Johns, Serjeant Wilde, Sir Symonds D'Ewes, Mr. Pelham, Sir Anth. Irby, the Burgesses of London;

This Committee, or any Fourteen of them, is appointed to meet with a proportionable Number of the Lords, to consider of the State of the Irish Affairs.

It is likewise referred unto them, to consider of some Course for securing the Persons of Papists not convict, according to One Head of the Conference Yesterday; and to open Letters, according to the Resolution of this House, and agreed unto by the Lords.

This Committee is to be a standing Committee; and to meet at such times as they themselves shall think fit.

Sir John Clotworthy, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Hollis, Mr. Pym;

These Four are to prepare Interrogatories, to be administered to the Servant of Sir John Clotworthy; that discovered the Treasons of Ireland.

Resolved, upon the Question, That One Head of the next Conference shall be, to desire the Lords to give an Answer to that Head of the Conference Yesterday, concerning the putting the Custody of the Isle of Wight into another Hand.

Proceedings against Recusants.

Ordered, That those Gentlemen that were employed in the Disarming of Recusants in the County of Southampton, do forthwith take some Course for the Disposing and Dispersing of the Arms of the Marquis of Winton, in such manner as they may be best for the Defence of the Country; according to the Directions of the Ordinance of Parliament, made in that Behalf.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Widrington do prepare a Bill, and present it to the House, concerning the better Bringing of Recusants to their Trial, for their Conviction: First, in considering in what manner the Attorney may grant his Warrants to the Clerks of the Assize, to pray a Tales in the Convicting of Recusants; and to prevent the Abuse in granting Certioraris, to the Hindrance of their Conviction.

Hurst Castle.

Ordered, That the Lord George, who is Captain of Hurst Castle, be forthwith summoned to appear here, to give an Account why he suffered that Castle to go to Decay.

Turkish, &c. Captives.

2da vice lecta est Billa, An Act for the Relief of the Captives, taken by Turkish, Moorish, and other Pirates; and to prevent the Taking of others in time to come: And, upon Question, committed unto Mr. Waller, Mr. Vassall, Sir Walth. Erle, Mr. Kinge, Mr. Mathewes, Sir Ro. Pye, Mr. Pury, and to the Committee for the Captives of Algiers: And are to meet this Day Sevennight at Four post meridiem, in the Exchequer-chamber: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, and Records.

Arundell, &c. Election.

Ordered, That the Business shall be heard To-morrow concerning the Election for Arundell and Tewksbury.

Forming Ambassador's Doors.

Ordered, That May and Newton, Messengers authorized by this House to apprehend Priests, be summoned to appear here To-morrow Morning to answer their breaking open the Doors of the Agent of the Duke of Florence: And that his Kinsman and Servants, carried to Prison by those Messengers, be forthwith set at Liberty, upon the Agent's passing his Word, that they shall be ready at all times to attend the House.

Parliament Guard.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Ro. Rich and Sir Edw. Leech;

The Lords desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, concerning That the Lord Chamberlain of the Household had to speak and relate to the Lord Marquis Hertford; and concerning That the Lord of Holland had to relate to the Queen; and concerning the Guard appointed to attend the House of Parliament.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; that this House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and will give a present Meeting as is desired.

Sir Walth. Erle, Mr. Crew, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Mr. Whittlock, Mr. Hide, Sir Simonds D'Ewes, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Interrogatories to Ocannoly

INTERROGATORIES to be administered to Owen Ocannoly.

What Ground had you to suspect, that the Papists had any Design upon the State of Ireland?

What have you heard any Priests, or others, say, concerning the Promoting of the Romish Religion?

What Discourse have you had with Hugh Ogh Mac Mahoun, concerning any such Design in Ireland?-Declare the whole Matter.

Have you heard of any Design of the like Nature in England or Scotland? What is it you heard?-Declare your whole Knowledge.

Committee to the City.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Bennett;

The Lords do understand, that the Lord Mayor and the Common-council are ready, expecting Committees of both Houses: Their Lordships are ready; and expect the Committee of this House.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; that this House has considered of their Lordships Message; and is resolved, that the Committee of this House shall meet the Committee of their Lordships presently, in the Painted Chamber.

Conference.

Mr. Whittlock reports the Conference this Day had with the Lords:

Proceedings concerning the Prince.

"That the Lord Keeper said, the Lord Chamberlain and Earl of Essex had Command from the Lords, to deliver the Substance of this Conference, which consisted of three Parts: The Lord Chamberlain said, according to the Commands of both Houses, he went to Richmond to the Marquis of Hartford; and acquainted him with the Commands of both Houses, to take the Prince into his Charge. He went from thence to Oatlands, and stayed there all Day; but, in regard there was no Lodging there for him, the Marquis returned to Richmond. That the Queen told him, she had appointed the Prince to return as this Day to Richmond: And he believes he is returned to Richmond."

Sir Tho. Widdrington reports further of this Conference;

"That the Earl of Holland said, he had, according to the Commands of both Houses, waited upon her Majesty; and presented her with the Reasons of both Houses, why they desired that the Prince should reside at Richmond; 1. Because that he lost much Opportunity in Improving himself in his Learning and Study by being at Oatlands: Next, though the Parliament doth not think her Majesty would intimate any thing unto him concerning her Religion; yet there were many about her, which might prepare him with those Impressions in his Religion, which might sit upon him many Years after. Next, that in this time, so full of Danger, (for we hear of new Treasons every Day) that the Prince might be more secure; and yet, his Lordship said, he acquainted the Queen, that it was not the Intention of the Houses of Parliament, that the Prince should not at all wait upon her Majesty; but might come when her Majesty was desirous to see him; but yet, that his Place of Residence might be at Richmond: For otherwise his Governor could not take that Charge over him, as was required by the Parliament; nor be answerable for such Servants as were about him. His Lordship was pleased further to say, that her Majesty gave this Answer: That she gave the Parliament Thanks for their Care of her Son: The Occasion wherefore her Majesty sent for him, was to celebrate the Birth-day of One of his Sisters; but, that the Prince should be presently sent back to Richmond: And her Majesty said, she did make no doubt, but upon the King's Return, the Parliament will express the like Care both of the King's Honour and Safety."

Parliament Guard.

Mr. Whitlocke further reports; "The Lord Chamberlain said at this Conference, that he had taken Care for a Guard: That many of them complained of standing upon their Guard Twenty-four Hours, without Relief, and some Captains neglected to come: Therefore, Order to be taken."

Ordered, That Captain Jennings and Captain Smyth be summoned to appear, to give Reason . . . they and their Companies did not appear, according to the Orders they received.

Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler do speak to Mr. Willis, to permit the Soldiers to have his Kitchen for a Court of Guards.

Sir Jo. Hepsley, Sir Rob. Pye, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Mr. Wheeler, Sir John Franklyn, Sir Rich. Cave, Sir Rich. Wynne, Mr. Bell;

This Committee is to consider what Recompence is fit to be given to the Soldiers, and in what manner: And the Consideration of filling the Companies is likewise referred to this Committee.

Irish Affairs.

Sir Wm. Masham is appointed to go to the Lords, to acquaint their Lordships, that this House has appointed a proportionable Number of their Members, to meet with the Committee of the Lords appointed for Irish Affairs: And to desire their Lordships to appoint a Time when the Committees shall meet.

Sir Wm. Masham brings this Answer; that the Lords have appointed To-morrow at Nine of the Clock, in the Painted Chamber, for both Committees to meet.