House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 16 November 1641

Die Martis, 16; Nov. 1641.

PRAYERS.

Browne's Petition.

THE humble Petition of John Browne, Scotchman, Prisoner in the Gatehouse, was read.

Proceedings concerning the Plot.

Mr. Whittacre, Sir John Francklin, Sir John Hippisley, Mr. Wheler, Mr. G. Long, are appointed to go immediately, and take Order to set a good Guard upon the House of the Earl of Worcester; and to search for Persons suspected of High Treason.

They are to take the like Care for setting a Guard upon, and searching, Sir Basil Brooke's House; and likewise upon such other Houses, as they shall be informed: And that they have Power to search all such Houses at such times as they shall think fit.

..... To acquaint their Lordships, what this House has done for the Searching, and setting a Guard upon, the Earl of Worcester's House; and upon what Grounds.

To desire, that the like Ordinance as was brought up from this House, for Deriving of Power upon the Earl of Essex to command the Trained Bands on this Side Trent, may be made to enable the Earl of Holland to command the Trained Bands on the other Side the Trent: And that these Ordinances may be published in Print: And that those Lords may have Power to nominate Persons of Trust to command the Trained Bands under them, that the Country may know ...../?/

That this Information, that Beale has given, may be published; and some Reward promised to them that shall contribute any thing to the farther Discovery of this Treason, or of the Hundred and Eight Men mentioned by Beale; and that any that shall discover, though he be of the Plot, shall not only have a Reward, but his Pardon.-

Sir Wm. Armyn to go to the Lords to desire a free Conference, by a Committee of both Houses of Parliament, so soon as will stand with their Lordships Conveniency, concerning the publick Safety.-

To desire, that the Priests may be brought to a more speedy Trial.

To desire, that the Forts and Castles of the Kingdom may be put in good Hands, and especially the Isle of Wight, according to a former Desire.

To acquaint them with the Information that Mr. Wadsworth has given.

These Heads were put to the Question; and assented unto.

Sir Wm. Armyn brings Answer, that the Lords will give a present Meeting, at a free Conference, as is desired.

Mr. Pym, Mr. Hollis, are appointed Managers of this Conference.

Person to attend.

Ordered, That Mr. Wm. Crofts be forthwith required to attend this House; and, if he shall refuse to come upon Summons, that then the Serjeant shall apprehend him, and bring him in safe Custody: And, Mr. Speaker is to direct his Warrant to this Purpose.

Lord Petre's House.

Ordered, That Mr. Martin, Sir H. Vane, Mr. Alderman Soame, and Captain Venn, do forthwith repair to the House of the Lord Petre, and set a good Guard upon it, and search it for Priests and suspected Persons.

Ecclesiastical Affairs.

Moved, that the Clause that has been now read, concerning the Liturgy, shall be recommitted to the same Committee; with this Direction to the Committee, that a Clause may be brought in, that may not cast any Aspersions or Scandal upon the Book of Common Prayer established by Law; and to bring in a Clause that may declare, that this House does approve of a set Form of Prayer.

Proceedings concerning the Plot.

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

The Lords have sent us to let you know, that they do join with you in the Searching of the Earl of Worcester's House: That they have appointed Mr. Maxwell to go with any that this House shall appoint for that Purpose: And they are likewise of Opinion that any Recusant's House, that is the King's Subject, * * * *

Ordered, That the Serjeant shall go with the Gentleman Usher of the Lords House, and, in the Presence and by the Directions of the Members of this House appointed to that Service, search the Earl of Worcester's House, or any other Recusant's, that is the King's Subject.

Ecclesiastical Affairs.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Clause, or any thing therein contained, that concerns the Common Prayer Book, shall be totally left out of this Declaration.

Memorandum. That an Addition be made to the Declaration, to this Purpose; To declare, that this House intends to vindicate themselves from the Imputation laid upon them, of Discouraging of Learning; and that they will advance Learning, and the Maintenance of preaching Ministers.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Clause in the Declaration, that concerns the Disposition of the Bishops Lands, shall be totally left out.

Upon the Question, whether the Clause in the Declaration, that concerns the Bishops Introducing of Idolatry, should stand;

Resolved, upon the Question, That this Clause shall stand in the Declaration, as now it stands.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this Clause, concerning the Peers Order, and the Order of this House, touching Innovations, shall be totally omitted in the Declaration.

Ordered, That this Declaration be recommitted to the same Committee that was appointed for the Penning of it; and the Additions, that are entered in the Clerk's Book, be brought to the same Committee: And they are to bring it back to the House, with what convenient Speed they can:

And Sir John Colpeper, and Lord Falkland are added to this Committee.

Examinations from Lords.

Ordered, That the Examinations brought from the Lords be read To-morrow Morning at Ten of Clock.

Letter from Ld. Strange.

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

That there was a Letter presented to the Lords by the Lord Wharton, from the Lord Strange, out of Lancashire; the which they thought fit to communicate to this House.

Trained Bands.

Mr. Arthur Goodwyn is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire a free Conference, concerning the Matter of the last Conference; And also to know, whether they had agreed to the Desires of this House, in making an Ordinance of Parliament for the authorizing the Earl of Essex to be Lord Lieutenant for commanding the Trained Bands on this Side Trent, and the Earl of Holland on the North Side of Trent.

Mr. Arthur Goodwyn brings Answer that their Lordships will give a present Meeting, at a free Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, presently, as is desired.

Person committed.

Ordered, That St. German, the Frenchman, be committed to the Prison of the Gatehouse; and that no Man be suffered to speak with him, but in the Presence and Hearing of a Keeper.

Conference.

Ordered, That the Report made of this last free Conference with the Lords shall be resumed To-morrow Morning at Ten a Clock: And Mr. Speaker to put the House in mind thereof.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees, except the Committees for the Irish Affairs, for the Remonstrance, for the Pollmoney, for the Bill of Protections, and for the Book of Rates, shall be suspended, till the House take further Order.