House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 31 December 1641

Die Veneris, 31 December, 1641.

PRAYERS.

Letters to be examined.

SIR Wm. Litton, Mr. Law. Whittacre, Mr. Trelawny, Sir Walt. Erle, Mr. Vassall, Sir Chr. Yelverton, Mr. Waddon, are ordered presently to withdraw, and peruse the Letters, directed to several People in Rome, and staid by the Mayor of Plymouth, and sent up by him to this House.

Loan from Merchant Adventurers.

Mr. White is appointed to prepare an Ordinance to secure the Thirty thousand Pounds borrowed of the Merchant Adventurers in the mean time, till * * * *.

Bishops Temporal Jurisdiction.

Ordered That Mr. Peard shall go to the Lords, so soon as they are set, to put them in mind of the Bill sent up from this House, for the Taking away the Bishops Votes.

Sir F. Fortescue, &c.

Ordered, That Mr. Ro. Goodwin, and Mr. Cary, do repair unto the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and, from this House, recommend unto him Sir Faithful Fortescue for some Place of Command, in Consideration, that he has the Keeping of the Castle of Carrickfergus, for his Life, by Patent; the which Castle is now agreed, by this House, among other Places, to be put into the Hands of the Scotts: They are likewise to desire his Lordship to send, by these Gentlemen, a List of his Officers, according as has been formerly desired by this House: They are farther to desire his Lordship, that the Protestation may be tendered to such Officers as are raised here, and sent from hence, according to the Resolutions of both Houses; and, likewise, that the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance may be tendered unto them, according to the Statutes in that Case provided: And that the Lord Keeper be desired to award a Commission to the Lord Lieutenant, to enable him to administer the said Oaths.

Treaty with Scotland.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House holds it fit to accept of the publick Faith of the Kingdom of Scotland, for the Performance of the Articles of the Treaty on their Side.

Heads for an Answer to the First Part of the Scotts Second Proposition upon their last Paper.

That they may make their Provision in any Part of England.

That they may agree with the English Shipping for Transportation of that Provision; and shall have the same Assistance of the State, for Providing of Shipping as the English have.

That this House will be Suitors to his Majesty, to have Liberty to transport the same; and have it Custom-free.

That Money shall be advanced by this House, to enable them to make the Provision.

That Caution be given, that the Provision for Corn and Victuals, made by them, shall not be transported for Relief of the Enemy.

That if they like not of this, that the like Provision shall be made for them as for the English.

Ordered, That the Commissioners appointed to treat with the Scots Commissioners, do prepare an Answer to the First Part of the Second Proposition upon these Heads; and also an Answer to all other the Propositions.

Powder and Arms.

Sir John Colpeper, Sir Rich. Cave, Sir John Hotham, Sir John Evelyn, Sir Sam. Rolle, Sir Edw. Partheriche, Mr. Cary, Mr. Glyn, Sir Walt. Erle, Sir Ralph Hopton. Sir Tho. Barrington, Mr. Pury;

This Committee, or any Four of them, are to take Consideration how this Kingdom may be furnished with Powder and Arms: and report it to the House: And are to meet at such Times as they shall think fit: And have Power to send for such Parties as they shall think requisite for this Service.

Scotch Propositions.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House holds it fit to assent unto the Scotts Third Proposition; and Proposition.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House holds it fit to assent unto the Scotts Fourth Proposition. that Power shall be given to the General there to raise Horses for the Services expressed in the Article, at the publick Charge of that Kingdom, as they shall have Occasion to use them.

Resolved, upon the Question, that this House holds shall be recommitted to the Commissioners, upon the Sense of the Debate now had.

Resolved, &c. That this shall be the Answer to the First Part of the Sixth Article; "That the Scotts shall be entertained and paid for Three Months; and they shall have a Month Pay advanced beforehand; and shall be afterwards paid as the English Army is paid."

Resolved, &c. That, to the latter Part of the Sixth Article, this House doth assent unto.

Impeachment of the Bishops.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir [Edward] Leech and Doctor Bennett;

The Lords have committed the Bishops that were Yesterday accused by this House, and that they have given them this Day Sevennight to put in their Answer.

Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Glyn, Mr. White, Mr. Bridgeman, Mr. Hill, Serjeant Wilde, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Peard;

This Committee, or any Three of them, are to meet at such Times as they shall think fit, to consider of the Impeachment already made by this House of the Twelve Bishops; and whether it be needful to add any thing more to it; and what way will be best for this House to proceed in, to bring them to a sudden Trial.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Peard brings Answer, that the Lords will give Answer to the Bill concerning the Bishops in convenient time.

Oneile's Impeachment.

Mr. Hotham is appointed to desire a Conference with the Lords To-morrow, concerning the Impeachment of Mr. Oneile.

Letters examined.

Mr. Whittacre reports, that he found nothing in the Letters appointed to be perused by the Committee designed for that Service.

Irish Affairs.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whittfield and Serjeant Glanvile;

The Lords have agreed to all the Propositions concerning the Irish Business, that were lately brought up by Sir John Colepeper, and others, at a Conference.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Province of Munster shall take care to see the Orders performed, agreed upon by both Houses, concerning that Province of Munster.

Oconnelly, &c.

Mr. Hotham reports, that he delivered the Message of this House to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, concerning Owen Oconnelly, Mr. Jepson, the President of Munster, and the President of Connaght; and that this House did expect his Readiness in assenting thereto: But received no Answer.

Ordered, That Mr. Hotham and Mr. Cromwell do again repair to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; and desire a speedy Answer concerning the said Parties.

Militia.

Ordered, That the House be resolved into a Committee, to take into Consideration the Militia of the Kingdom, on Monday next: And Mr. Speaker is to put the House in mind hereof.

Parliament Guard.

Mr. Hollis, Sir Hen. Milmy, Sir Jo. Holland, Sir Sidn. Montague, Sir Chr. Wray, Mr. Perepoint, Lord Cramborne, Mr. Herb. Price, are to wait upon his Majesty from this House; and to represent unto his Majesty the Grounds of our Fears; and to desire, that this House may have a Guard of the Trained Bands of the City of London, under the Command of the Earl of Essex, To-morrow Morning.

Mr. Hollis is to deliver this Message.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare Heads for a Declaration concerning the Obstructions in the Affairs of Ireland, do bring in the same on Monday Morning.

Proceedings of Parliament.

Ordered, That To-morrow Morning, the House do take into Consideration some such Propositions, as may settle a Peace and Union in the Kingdom, and facilitate the Proceedings of Parliament.

Irish Affairs.

Letter from Sir John Temple read, directed to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, dated at Dublyn, 21° Decembris.

Another Letter from Sir Jo. Tichborne, Governor of Tredagh, dated 19° Decembris, read.

Whereas Sir Charles Valvasor was to raise Five hundred Men, in England, and Five hundred, in Ireland: And whereas it is ordered, that One thousand Foot shall be raised here, to be sent into Munster, to be under Command of the President of Munster: It is this Day Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Munster to take into Consideration, that Sir Charles Valvasor may have Five hundred of those Thousand, intended for to go under the Command of the President of Munster; and that the President of Munster may raise the Five hundred Men in Munster, which Sir Charles Valvasor was to have done: And to present the same to this House, and of their Opinions herein.

Raising Soldiers.

Mr. Rigby, Sir Arth. Haselrigg, Sir Tho. Barrington, Sir Walter Erle, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Bosvile, Mr. Darly, Sir Rob. Pye, Mr. Whittacre, Sir Gilb. Gerard, Sir Jo. Franklyn, Mr. Purfrey, and the Citizens of London;

This Committee, or any Four of them, are to make Inquiry, by what Warrant the Drums for Volunteers do beat up, and Men are levied; and to inform themselves what Numbers are levied; and to tender the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy: And to send for Constables, Officers, and other Persons whatsoever; and for Commissions and Writings: and are to meet when and where they please.

Ordered, That the Proposition now made by Sir Hugh Chomley, for the Raising of Men after the Rate of Thirty Shillings a Man, shall be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Irish Affairs for the Province of Munster.

Persons to attend.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker shall grant his Warrant for such Persons to attend this House, as shall be nominated unto him, at the Issuing of the Warrant.

Irish Affairs.

The Lord Lisle informed the House, that he had spoke with the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland concerning the Message delivered by Mr. Hotham: And the Reason wherefore he gave no Answer was, because it was a Command of the House; and, by the Effects, there should .. been seen an Observance.

Answer from the King.

Mr. Hollis reports that he obeyed the Commands of this House: That his Majesty gave this Answer; That he did desire to give a speedy Answer to any thing that imports the House of Commons: But said, he could not remember what was delivered, it consisting of so many Particulars; and therefore desired to have it in Writing: And further said, that we were called here to sit by his Majesty's Writ, and were under his Safety, and should tender us as his Children.

Execution of the Seven Priests, &c.

Ordered, That Mr. Strode shall go to the Lords with this Message; To desire them to join with this House to move his Majesty, that the Execution of the Law may pass against the Seven Priests; and that the Capuchins may depart the Kingdom, according to the former desire of both Houses; and that a Commission may issue forth for the Giving the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to the Servants of the King's, Queen's, and Prince's.

Parliament Guard.

Ordered, That Sir Hen. Mildmy and Mr. Price shall wait upon his Majesty, and deliver the Message in Writing unto his Majesty concerning a Guard; and acquaint his Majesty, that though this House hath adjourned itself till Monday next, yet they have left Power with Mr. Speaker to receive such Answer, as his Majesty shall please to send to the said Message.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That the Committee for Irish Affairs shall meet at such Time, and in such Place, as they shall think fit, and agree upon.

Parliament Guard.

Mr. Hollis, Mr. Pym, Sir Sam. Luke, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Wheeler, Sir Walt. Earle, Sir. Tho. Barrington, Mr. Strode, Sir Wm. Litton, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Long, Lord Cramborne;

This Committee is appointed to consider of such Answer as his Majesty shall please to send to the Message of the House, concerning a Guard; and what is fit to be done thereupon: And if his Majesty shall not vouchsafe to send any, to consider what then shall be fit to be done for the Safety of the King, the Kingdom, and this House. And it is further Ordered, That Mr. Speaker shall have Power, by this Order, to receive such Answer as shall be sent from his Majesty, and to send it to the Committee: And they have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, and Records: And all, that will come, are to have Voices at this Committee: And are to meet To-morrow at Nine of the Clock at Yeildhall in London.

Message to the King for a Guard.

Mr. Hollis presented to the House, in Writing, the Message, which he delivered, by the Commands of this House, to his Majesty by Word of Mouth; which was read in hæc verba, and voted; and

Resolved, upon the Question, to be the Effect of that Message which he was formerly commanded to deliver to his Majesty by Word of Mouth.

Most gracious Sovereign,

WE are sent by the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, of the House of Commons, Your faithful and loyal Subjects, who are ready to lay down their Lives and Fortunes, and spend the last drop of their Blood, to maintain Your Crown and Royal Person in Greatness and Glory; and do, by us, cast themselves down at Your Royal Feet, to present unto Your Majesty their humble Desires upon their great Apprehensions and just Fears of mischievous Designs and Practices to ruin and destroy them.

There have been several Attempts heretofore to bring Distraction upon their whole Body at once, and Threats and Menaces against particular Persons: There is a malignant Party bitterly invenomed against them, daily gathering Strength and Confidence, and now come to such Height, as they have given Boldness to some to imbrue their Hands in the Blood of your Subjects, in the Face and at the Doors, of the Parliament, and at Your Majesty's own Gates; and have given out insolent and menacing Speeches against the Parliament itself. This causeth great Distractions among the People in general, and much Fear and Apprehension in the House of Commons, that, they conceive, they cannot with the Safety of their Persons, (upon which the Safety and Peace of the whole Kingdom doth now depend) sit any longer, unarmed and unguarded as they are: They have therefore their Recourse unto Your Majesty, most humbly beseeching You, that it may stand with Your good Liking, if they provide for their own Safety; which the very Law of Nature and Reason doth allow unto them. It is their humble Desire, that they may have a Guard out of the City of London, commanded by the Earl of Essex, Lord Chamberlain of Your Majesty's Houshold; of whose Fidelity to Your Majesty and the Commonwealth, they have had long Experience. By this your Majesty's Grace and Favour, you will remove their Fears, fill them with Comfort and Assurance, and enable them to serve Your Majesty, in such a way, as shall render Your Majesty, and Your Government, happy and glorious. And to this they do most humbly desire Your Majesty's gracious and speedy Answer, because their Safety, and the Safety of the whole Kingdom, depends upon it, and it will not admit of any Delay.