House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 14 April 1642

Die Jovis 14 Aprilis, 1642.

PRAYERS.

Person discharged.

ORDERED, That Mr. Hammon shall have Liberty to go down into the Country; and be discharged from any further Attendance, till, upon a new Summons, he shall be required to attend this House.

Kent Petition.

Ordered, That the Committee for examining the Business of the Petition framed at Maidston, do meet this Afternoon, at Two of Clock, in the usual Place.

Sir H. Heyman is appointed to go to the Lords, to desire their Lordships to appoint their Committee to sit likewise.

Ordered, That Tho. Sulyard, James Seyliard, Francis Cowper, John Seytiard, Anth. Saxeby, Edmund Thomas, Tho. Manninge, Tho. Rogers, Esquires, Mr. Bray, Clerk, Geo. Toller, Gentleman, the Widow Toller, be forthwith summoned as Witnesses to attend this House.

Irish Adventurers.

3tia vice lecta est Billa, An Act to enable Corporations to participate of the Benefit of the Adventurers for the speedy Reducing the Rebels in Ireland, &c; and, upon the Question, passed.

Disarming Recusants.

3tia vice lecta est Billa, An Act for the present disarming Recusants.

Arms in the Tower.

Ordered, That the Lords shall be moved to join with this House, in an Order to the Treasurers appointed to receive such Monies as shall come in upon the Act concerning the Adventurers, to issue out Three hundred Pounds, to be employed for making the Arms in the Tower, serviceable, according to such Directions as they shall herein receive from the Committee for Adventurers.

Mr. Long is appointed to move the Lords for such an Order.

Abuse of Ambassador from Toscanie.

Mr. Whittacre reports from the Committee, the Affront done to Signior Amerigo Salvietti, a publick Minister employed in the Service of the Grand Duke of Toscanie, by certain Messengers, employed by a Warrant under Mr. Speaker's Hand for the Apprehending of Priests.

Resolved, Newton, Mayo, Cooke, and Monmouth, did break open the Doors of Signior Amerigo Salvetti, he having formerly told them he was a publick Minister, pretending a Warrant for the doing thereof from the House of Commons, but having none: And the said Messengers, and Monmouth, offered Violence to his Person, and haled his Servants to Prison, and gave him railing Words, calling him and his Servants Traytors, Rogues, and Papist Dogs:

Resolved, That they conceive, that Reparation ought to be made to Signior Amerigo, for this Abuse and Insolency.

House to sit.

Sir Peter Wentworth brings Word from the Committee for both Houses, That they desire, that this House would sit this Afternoon, to the End that the Petition to be sent to his Majesty, in Answer to his Intentions expressed to both Houses of going into Ireland.

Ordered, That this House shall sit this Afternoon.

Sir Peter went up to the Lords, to desire their Lordships to do the like.

He likewise carried up the Bill concerning Corporations, to enable them to participate of the Benefit of the Bill concerning Adventurers for Ireland.

He likewise carried up the Message concerning Mr. Attorney, appointed Yesterday:

And likewise the Order for the Payment of Five hundred Pounds to Mr. Loftus, for the Providing of Shoes for the Soldiers in Ireland.

But the Lords were risen before he came.

Abuse of Ambassador from Toscane.

That Two Members of this House shall be sent to Signior Amerigo, the Toscane Ambassador, to acquaint him what Sense this House had of this great Abuse done to him, by Newton, Mayo, &c. especially in regard they did it by Pretence of some Warrant from this House, when as they had no Warrant from this House to any such Purpose.

Sir Beauchamp St. John, Sir Symonds D'Ewes, are appointed to go with this Message to the said Signior Amerigo; and to acquaint him, what this House hath done, in Detestation of that Abuse done unto him, and for Punishment of the same.

Persons committed.

Resolved, upon the Question, That Newton, Mayo, Cooke, and Monmouth, shall be forthwith committed for this Offence to the Prison of the Gatehouse; there to remain during the Pleasure of this House: And the House doth further Order, That they shall make Submission to Signior Amerigo; and desire his Pardon.

Petition against King's going to Ireland.

Mr. Pym reports from the Committee of both Houses appointed to take his Majesty's Message into Consideration, concerning his Intentions to go into Ireland, a Petition to be presented unto his Majesty upon the Occasion of that Message: The which was read; and, upon Question, assented unto; and ordered to be fair written, to be sent to the Lords to desire their Concurrence.

He likewise reported some Votes: Which were put to the Question here.

Warrant to Nurse.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker shall grant his Warrant for the Transportation of Madam Nurse, and her Servants, into France, and Six Coach Horses: and the Searchers of the Ports are required to take a special Care, that no Things prohibited be carried over with her. The Names of her Servants to be set down below the Warrant.

Declaration.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Declaration do meet presently in the Court of Wards.

Message to Lords.

Sir Peter Wentworth went up with the Message concerning Mr. Attorney: And carried up with him the Bill concerning the Corporation to become Adventurers for Ireland; and the Order for Five hundred Pounds for to buy Shoes for the Soldiers in Ireland.

St. Olave's, Southwark, Petition.

The Petition of the Parishioners of St. Olave's in Southwarke, in the County of Surrey, was this Day read: And is thereupon

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Two next Justices of Peace, to examine the Matter complained of in their Petition; and to certify the true State of the Business, and the whole Matter of Fact, to this House, Saturday Morning: And the said Justices are hereby required to take care, that the Peace be kept in the mean time.

Innovations.

Ordered, That Sir Arth. Haselrigg do move the Lords to hasten the Bill concerning Innovations.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Peter Wentworth bringeth Answer, That the Lords do concur in the Order for Five hundred Pounds; And, for Mr. Attorney General, on Saturday next they will take it into Consideration.

Petition against King's going to Ireland.

Ordered, That the Commissioners that are appointed to treat with the Scottish Commissioners, do acquaint them with the Message received from his Majesty; and the Resolution of this House to petition his Majesty not to go into Ireland; and to deliver unto them a Copy of the Petition and Votes: And that this be One Head of the Conference, to desire their Lordships Concurrence herein.

Mayor of Monmouth.

Ordered, That unless some Information come in To-morrow Morning, against the Mayor of Monmouth, the House holdeth it fit, that he should be forthwith discharged: And Mr. Harbert is to have Notice of this Order.

Commissions for Supply Bill.

Sir Rob. Coke reports that he went to the Lord Keeper; who acquainted him, that all the Commissions concerning the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds, were sent away a Week since.

Prisoner discharged.

Upon the humble Petition of Col. Francis Edmunds;

It is Ordered, That he shall be discharged of any further Imprisonment of Restraint; he putting in Security not to go to Ireland; and to transport himself into other Parts beyond the Seas.

Conference, &c.

Mr. Rogers, according to the Order Yesterday, went up to desire a Conference, concerning the Matter of the last Conference, touching the Letters to the Earl of Essex, and Earl of Holland; and likewise, touching his Majesty's Resolution to go into Ireland; and carried up with him the Addition of the Names for Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Buckingham: And was ordered to desire the Lords to send forth their Commissions to their Deputy Lieutenants, Colonels, and Captains.

Petition against King's going to Ireland.

The ingrossed Petition concerning the King's Message to go into Ireland, was read; and ordered, upon Question, to be delivered at this Conference.

The Votes were likewise read; and ordered, upon Question, to be delivered at this Conference.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Rogers brings Answer, the Lords will give a present Meeting: And that they approve of the Names of the Deputy Lieutenants, added for the County of Bucks; and will speedily send their Commissions to the Deputy Lieutenants, &c. Colonels, and Captains.

Deputy Lieutenants.

Sir Jo. Fenwick reports, that the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Northumberland had nominated the Mayor of Berwick, for the Time being, and Sir Robert Jackson Knight, to be Deputy Lieutenants for the Town and Port of Berwick.

May it please Your Majesty;

Petition to the King against going to Ireland.

YOUR most loyal and faithful Subjects, the Lords and Commons in Parliament, have duly considered the Message received from Your Majesty, concerning Your Purpose of going into Ireland, in Your own Person, to prosecute the War there, with the Bodies of Your English Subjects, levied, transported, and maintained at their Charge; which You are pleased to propound to us, not as a Matter wherein Your Majesty desires the Advice of Your Parliament; but as already formerly resolved off, and forthwith to be put in Execution; by granting out Commissions for the levying of Two thousand Foot, and Two hundred Horse, for a Guard for Your Person, when You shall come into that Kingdom: Wherein we cannot chuse but, with all Reverence and Humility to Your Majesty, observe, that You have declined Your great Council the Parliament, and varied from the usual Course of Your Royal Predecessors; that a Business of so great Importance, concerning the Peace and Safety of all Your Subjects, and wherein they have a special Interest, by Your Majesty's Promise, and by those great Sums which they have disbursed, and for which they stand engaged, should be concluded and undertaken without their Advice. Whereupon, we hold it our Duty to declare, That if, at this Time, Your Majesty shall go into Ireland, You will very much endanger the Safety of Your Royal Person and Kingdoms, and of all other States, professing the Protestant Religion, in Christendome, and make Way to that cruel and bloody Design of the Papists, every-where to root out and destroy the Reformed Religion; as the Irish Papists have, in a great part, already effected in that Kingdom; and, in all likelyhood, would quickly be attempted in other Places, if the Consideration of the Strength and Union of the Two Nations of England and Scotland, did not much hinder and discourage the Execution of any such Design. And, that we may manifest to Your Majesty the Danger and Misery which such Journey and Enterprize would produce, we present to Your Majesty the Reasons of this our humble Opinion and Advice;

1. Your Royal Person will be subject, not only to the Casualty of War, but to secret Practices and Conspiracies; especially, Your Majesty continuing Your Profession to maintain the Protestant Religion in that Kingdom; which the Papists are generally bound, by their Vow, to extirpate.

2. It will exceedingly encourage the Rebels, who do generally profess and declare, that Your Majesty doth favour and allow their Proceedings; and that this Insurrection was undertaken by the Warrant of Your Commission; and it will make good their Expectation of great Advantage, by Your Majesty's Presence at this Time, of so much Distraction in this Kingdom; whereby they may hope we shall be disabled to supply the War there: Especially, there appearing less Necessity of Your Majesty's Journey at this Time, by reason of the manifold Successes which God has given us against them.

5. It will much hinder and impair the Means whereby this War is to be supported, and increase the Charge of it; and, in both these Respects, make it more insupportable to Your Subjects: And this we can confidently affirm, because many of the Adventurers, who have already subscribed, do, upon the Knowledge of Your Majesty's Intentions, declare their Resolutions not to pay in their Money; and others, very willing to have subscribed, do now profess the contrary.

4. Your Majesty's Absence must necessarily very much interrupt the Proceedings of Parliament; and deprive the Subject of the Benefit of those further Acts of Grace and Justice, which they shall humbly expect from Your Majesty, for the establishing of a perfect Union and mutual Confidence betwixt Your Majesty and Your People, and procuring and confirming the Prosperity and Happiness of both.

5. It will exceedingly increase the Jealousies and Fears of Your People, and render their Doubts more probable, of some Force intended by some evil Counsels near Your Majesty, in opposition to the Parliament, and Favour of the malignant Party of the Kingdom.

6. It will bereave Your Parliament of that Advantage, whereby they were induced to undertake this War, upon Your Majesty's Promise, that it should be managed by their Advice; which cannot be done, if Your Majesty, contrary to their Counsel, shall undertake to order and govern it, in Your own Person.

Upon which, and divers other Reasons, we have resolved, by the full and concurring Agreement of both Houses, that we cannot, with the Duty which belongs to us, consent to any Levies, or raising of Soldiers, to be made by Your Majesty, for Your intended Expedition into Ireland, or to the Payment of any Army or Soldiers there, but such as shall be employed, and governed, according to our Advice and Direction: And if such Levies shall be made by any Commission of Your Majesty, not agreed to by both Houses of Parliament, we shall be forced to interpret the same to be raised to the Terror of Your People, and Disturbance of the publick Peace; and hold ourselves bound by the Laws of the Kingdom, to employ the Authority of Parliament, to suppress the same.

And we do further most humbly declare, that if Your Majesty shall, by ill Counsel, be persuaded to go contrary to this Advice of Your Parliament (which we hope Your Majesty will not) we do not in that Case hold ourselves bound to submit to any Commanders which Your Majesty shall chuse; but do resolve to preserve and govern the Kingdom by the Counsel and Advice of Parliament, for Your Majesty and Your Posterity, according to our Allegiance, and the Law of the Land.

Wherefore we most humbly pray and advise Your Majesty, to desist from this Your intended Passage into Ireland, and from all Preparations of Men and Arms, tending thereunto; and to leave the managing of that War to Your Parliament, according to Your Majesty's Promise made unto us, and Your Royal Commission granted under Your Great Seal of England, by Advice of both Houses: In Prosecution whereof, by God's Blessing, we have made a prosperous Entrance, by many Defeats of the Rebels; whereby they are much weakened and disheartened, and have no probable Means of Subsistence, if our Proceedings shall not be interrupted by this interposition of Your Majesty's Journey; but that we may hope, upon good Grounds, that, within a short Time, without Hazard of Your Majesty's Person, and so much dangerous Confusion to Your Kingdoms, which must needs ensue if you should proceed in this Resolution, we shall be enabled fully to vindicate Your Majesty's Right and Authority in that Kingdom, and punish those horrible and outrageous Cruelties which have been committed, in the murdering and spoiling of so many of Your Subjects; and bring that Realm to such a Condition, as may be much for the Advantage of Your Majesty and his Crown, the Honour of Your Government, and Contentment of Your People. For the better and more speedy effecting whereof, we do again renew our humble Desires of Your Return to Your Parliament; and that You will please to reject all Counsels and Apprehensions which may any way derogate from that Faithfulness and Allegiance, which in Truth and Sincerity, we have always borne and professed to Your Majesty; and shall ever make good, to the utmost, with our Lives and Fortunes.

Resolved, upon the Question, That in respect of the great Fears and Distractions of this Kingdom, and for the Security of his Majesty's good Subjects, and in regard his Majesty hath committed the Managing of the War of Ireland to the Parliament; if any Man shall endeavour to raise Forces for Ireland, or otherwise, or continue any Forces so raised, without Consent of both Houses of Parliament, it is declared, that he is an Enemy of the State, and liable to the Censure of Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That it is declared by this House, that this Vote doth not restrain or abridge any legal Power of the Sheriffs of the several Counties.

Resolved, &c. That this Vote shall be sent to the several Sheriffs: And they are hereby required to suppress and hinder all those that shall endeavour to raise any such Forces, contrary to this Vote.

Resolved, &c. That this Vote shall likewise be sent to Sir John Hotham: And that he be required to be careful to observe the Order and Directions formerly given him; and not deliver any Arms or Ammunition out of his Majesty's Magazine at Hull, but by Order of both Houses of Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That the Lords be moved to join in these Votes.