House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 01 April 1642

Die Veneris, 1 Aprilis, 1642.

PRAYERS.

Collection at Fast.

WHEREAS there was Five-and-forty Pounds gathered at the last Fast here, at St. Margaret's, Westminster; It is this Day Ordered, That Fifteen Pounds thereof shall be distributed to the Poor of this Parish; and Thirty Pounds, the Remainder, to be paid into the Hands of Mr. Wheeler, to be distributed among the Poor Protestants of Ireland.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Distributions may have Power to sit when they shall please : And that the Consideration of the poor Irish that are come out of Ireland to Bristoll, be referred to this Committee.

Members for Bristoll.

Ordered, That the Report concerning the Members that serve for the City of Bristoll be made To-morrow Morning.

Message to Lords.

Ordered, That [a] Mr. Whittlock do carry up to the Lords the Bill of Explanation to the Act concerning the Irish Propositions: And that he move the Lord's to expedite, with as much Speed as may be, the Bill of Pluralities, and the Bill of Innovations.

He likewise carried up the Names of the Deputy Lieutenants of Westmorland, Somersett, and Part of Lincolneshire.

That a Copy of the Bill for Explanations be made, and sent to the Collectors of the Monies that shall come in upon that Bill.

[a] In the Margin there is wrote these Words, "Sir Gilbert Gerard went with this Message."

Proceedings concerning Kent Petition.

The Serjeant being demanded, what was become of those Warrants that he had to serve upon Sir Edw. Dering, Sir Geo. Strode, Mr. Rich. Spencer, and Sir Roger Twisden. &c.

As for three of them they were ready at the Door; only Sir Edw. Dering, who was served with the Warrant, and promised to come away with his Man the next Day.

Mr. Spencer being called to the Bar, the Copy of the Petition framed at Maidston, he read it over; and said, It was near the same that was there attested; but said, It was but an Embryo; and did desire, that he might not be prejudiced by That which was never preferred to the House: The Petition was again to be brought to the Quarter Sessions; and that, since he found it to be distasteful to the Parliament, he endeavoured to stop it.

He was commanded to withdraw; and to attend the Committees of both Houses, to examine these Businesses.

Sir Geo. Strode was likewise called in to the Bar: And Mr. Speaker told him, That he doubted not but he knew wherefore he was sent for: It was concerning a Petition, framed at Maidston in Kent; in which he was very active. He does confess, he knew of such a Petition; that he inclosed a Copy of it in a Sheet of Paper, and sent it by Mr. Pope to the Judge of that Assize; who told him, he should be glad to see it: And he said unto him, if he thought good, to shew it unto the Earl; And he thinks the Judge knew his Meaning by it (The Earl of Bristoll he meant). He confesses This is his Hand to this Petition shewed unto him. Sir Edward Deeringe was the First Man went off the Bench, to be of the Grand Jury; and he was the Second. The Judge said, "I will not command you: If you do it, you do a good Work to your Country:" That he had no Speech with the Judge before the Assizes, concerning the Grand Jury, or the Petition: That the Sheriff did return a Grand Jury; but doth not remember that That Jury was called.

Sir Roger Twisden was likewise called to the Bar: And, after he had kneeled awhile at the Bar, Mr. Speaker acauainted him, that he was sent for concerning a Petition framed at Maidston in Kent. He confesseth, he did subscribe that Petition; but had no Plot, or Design, in it; nor knew of it, till I came to the Assizes: It was Table Discourse the First time I heard of it. The Judge said, it was very necessary to have a good Grand Jury: It seems he knew the Matter better than I did; but he never named, in my Hearing, what the great Business was, wherefore he desired a good Grand Jury: And in Kent, there is ever as mean a Grand Jury returned, as in any County whatsoever: There were near Two thousand Men present, when this Petition was propounded. If there be any thing done that is displeasing to this honourable House, he is very heartily sorry for it; and humbly desired, that he might be bailed.

Dr. Piers was likewise called in to the Bar: And, after he had kneeled a while, Mr. Speaker acquainted.... with the Causes of his being sent for as a Delinquent. Confesseth, That, before the Assizes, he heard a Rumour that a Petition was intended: That, at the Assizes, hearing it publickly propounded, and being informed it should contain Matters of several Natures, he propounded a Clause might be added concerning his Profession, being a Civilian: That he drew a Clause accordingly, and gave it to Mr. Spencer, who said, He would publickly move it: Except That, he had nothing to do with that Petition: That he is a Stranger in that County, and came accidentally, a little before the Assizes, to see his Kindred that lived in Kent; That he was a Stranger to all the Proceedings in this Petition, but that One Particular.

King's Message.

That the House shall be resolved into a grand Committee, to consider of his Majesty's Message sent to both Houses Yesterday, This Proposition was put to the Question, and was resolved negatively.

Ditto.

The House, according to the Resolution Yesterday, fell to the Debate and Consideration of his Majesty's Message, sent Yesterday to both Houses.

Members not to go out.

Resolved, upon the Question, That no Member shall go out of the House without Leave, during this Debate of his Majesty's Message Yesterday sent to both Houses.

Exception to a Member's Words.

Exceptions were taken to Words spoken by Mr. Killigrew during this Debate* * *.

Resolved, upon the Question, That a Question shall be now put, concerning this Matter in Debate, touching Mr. Killigrew.

This Question was propounded, Whether Mr. Killegrew shall be from this Time disabled to serve as a Member of this House, during this Parliament

And then the Question was put, Whether this should be now put; And thereupon.

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

Hereupon the Question was resolved negatively.

Resolved, upon the Question, That Mr. Killigrew, for this Offence, shall have a sharp Reprehension.

Resolved, upon the Question, That Mr. Killigrew shall have this Reprehension at the Bar.

Mr. Killigrew was accordingly called to the Bar: And Mr. Speaker there acquainted him what Opinion the House had of his Offence: " That they conceived it to be of a very high Nature, considering the Circumstances of Time, and the Opinions of some People abroad: And therefore they have commanded me to give you a sharp Reprehension; and it is their Mercy your Censure is no severer."

Militia.

Resolved, upon the Question, That a Message be sent to the Lords, to desire their Lordships to give Order to the Lords Lieutenants forthwith to put the Ordinance concerning the Militia in Execution.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House shall next proceed upon the Particulars of this Message.

King's Message.

Ordered, That the House shall proceed upon the Particulars of his Majesty's last Message, To-morrow Morning at Nine of Clock; and that no other Business shall intervene: And that Mr. Speaker shall put the House in mind of this Order.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Gilbert Gerard, brings Answer, That he had delivered the Bill concerning the Explanations of the Act for the Irish Propositions; had moved them for the expediting of the Bills concerning Pluralities; and against Innovations: And that they did approve of the Names of the Deputy Lieutenants.

Adventurers.

Ordered, That the Committee for Adventurers do meet presently, in the usual Place.