House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 10 June 1642

Die Veneris, 10 Junii, 1642.

PRAYERS.

Skinners Company.

THE Company of Skinners doth chearfully condescend to bring in the Sum of Money charged upon them towards the Loan of the Hundred thousand Pounds, promised by the Citizens.

Engineers for Hull.

Resolved, upon * *, That the House doth order, that the Engineer, sent to Hull, shall have Six Shillings per Diem allowed him; and the Master Workman, Three Shillings per Diem; and the Conductor, Two Shillings per Diem.

And it is farther Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler shall pay them, severally and respectively, a Month's Wages beforehand.

Scandalous Picture.

That this scandalous Picture of Sir Jo. Hotham on Horseback upon the Walls of Hull, his Majesty on Foot before the Walls, shall be burnt by the Hands of the common Hangman, presently, in the Palace yard; and the Vent or farther Publishing of them strictly forbidden and prohibited: And that it shall be referred to the Committee for Printing, to inquire who was the Inventor, and who the Printer and Publisher, that they may be brought to condign Punishment. The Members are straightly charged to deliver all of these Pictures that they have, to the Hands of the Serjeant, that they may be burnt.

It is farther Ordered, That the Serjeant shall seize all the Pictures he can meet with in Westminster-hall: And that the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers be required to seize, in all Places, all such Pictures as they shall meet with; and bring them to the Bailiff of Westminster to be immediately burnt.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker shall send forth his Warrant, for the Apprehending of the Person that is suspected to have designed this scandalous * *

Information of Arms.

Mr. Jo. Freeman being called in, says, that he hears, by common Fame, that there is a great Provision of Arms at Hanworth, the Lord Cottington's House, to arm a Thousand Men.

One Taylor was * * * *, that a Servant of the Lord Cottington's told him, that there were Two Rooms * * * *

Portugueze Ambassador.

A Letter from the Portugall Ambassador, in Latin, presenting his own Service to this House, and in this to the Commonwealth; and likewise his Master's good Affection to this Commonwealth, and to this House.

Sir Ben. Rudyard, Mr. Holles, Sir Simonds D'Ewes, Mr. Law. Whittacre, are appointed to repair to the Portugall Ambassador, to return him Thanks for his Respects expressed in his Letter to this House.

Defence of the Kingdom.

Mr. Holles carried up to the Lords the Declaration and Propositions brought from the Committee appointed to consider of the Defence of the Kingdom; and acquainted the Lords what Course this House held in pursuance of these Propositions; and desired that it might be forthwith printed.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this Declaration and Propositions be forthwith printed.

Mr. Holles brings Answer, That the Lords have received the Propositions; and do like well the Course this House has observed in pursuance of them; and have put them into the same Course: And, as for sending them into London, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Doctor Aylett;

The Lords have appointed Six of their Lordships to go into the City, To-morrow in the Afternoon, for the Advancement of the Propositions concerning the Defence of the Kingdom; and desire this House would appoint a Committee of a proportionable ... if they hold it convenient.

Resolved, upon the Question, That a Committee of a proportionable Number shall be appointed to join with a Committee of the Lords, as is desired.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House will appoint a proportionable Committee, as is desired.

Mr. Holles, Mr. Long, Sir Jo. Evelyn, Mr. Hampden, Mr. Marten, Mr. Fienis, Sir Sam. Rolle, Sir Jo. Holland, Mr. Pierrepointe, Mr. Arth. Goodwyn, Mr. Edw. Ashe, Sir Peter Wentworth;

This Committee is appointed to join with a Committee of the Lords, to go into the City of London To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Three of Clock, for the Advancing of the Propositions for the Defence of the Kingdom.

Ordered, That the Gentlemen that serve for the City do, from this House, forthwith require the Lord Mayor to call a Common Hall, to meet To-morrow at Three of Clock in the Afternoon.

Parliament Guards, &c.

The House being informed that the Sheriffs were at the Door; * * * *

They said, they had formerly received Orders from this House, for Sending down of Guards to attend both Houses. That now, since they have received from his Majesty a Writ under the Broad Seal, not to send forth any Warrants, or Summons, concerning the Raising or Training of Men, or Meddling with the Militia; and that, likewise, seeing the Militia of the City is settled in a Committee; they desire the Commands concerning it may issue unto Them; yet, notwithstanding, they shall submit themselves; and desired to know the Opinion of this House.

The Sheriffs were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, told them, "That you have seen the Declaration of both Houses, concerning the Proclamation, in which you may see the Opinion of both Houses: You have likewise received divers Orders of both Houses, concerning the Sending down of Guards to attend both Houses; and concerning the Militia: This House expects and injoins you, that, according to those Orders, you continue to give out your Warrants for Bringing down of Guards to attend both Houses, as formerly you have done."

The Sheriffs were called in again: And Mr. Speaker returned them Thanks, in the Name of the House.

Ordered, That the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex do continue to give out their Warrants for the Bringing down of Guards to attend both Houses, as formerly they have done.

London Militia, &c.

The House being informed, that the Committee for the Militia of the City of London were attending at.. Door; they were called in: And Serjeant Major Skippon, in the Name of the rest, informed the House, That a Proclamation was published Yesterday in the City of London, which, as they conceived, did, in a high Manner, concern both Houses, the Committee for the Militia, and the Ordinance for the Militia itself. They desire to express, notwithstanding, That they are not at all discouraged with this Proclamation; but are resolved chearfully to go on in continuing their Obedience to the Ordinance concerning the Militia; being assured it is grounded upon the fundamental Laws of the Land.

The Committee were again called in: And Mr. Speaker told them by the Command of the House, "They desired you should continue in your Resolutions, and in your Obedience to the Ordinance and Commands of both Houses of Parliament; who have commanded nothing therein, but is legal and just for every Subject to yield Obedience unto: And very speedily the House will take this Business into Consideration."

Militia.

Mr. Hobby is injoined to go into the Country, to see the Ordinance for the Militia put in Execution.

Merchant Strangers.

Ordered, That all the English born, that trade within the City, and are not free of any Company, shall be likewise summoned, by the Lord Mayor, to appear amongst the Merchant Strangers, at Merchant Taylors Hall, on Tuesday next, at Two of the Clock: And the Lord Mayor is further required to cause the Aldermen and Deputies of the several Wards to make a List of the Names of such Men of Ability that do inhabit within their several Wards, and are not free of any Company, to the end that they may the more conveniently be summoned to appear at Merchant Taylors Hall, as aforesaid.

Answers of Members.

Moved, That the Committee appointed to go into London for the Advancement of the Propositions, may be the Committee to receive the Answers of such as have not declared themselves in the House.

Smyth's Loan.

Sir Tho. Smyth offers to lend an Hundred Pounds freely, for the Service of Ireland; and to pay it in at Chester.

Merchant Adventurers.

Ordered, That the Committee to treat with the Merchant Adventurers may have Power, any Two of them, to treat with them.

Trade.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Commissions concerning Commerce and Trade, do meet this Afternoon in the Court of Wards.

Information of Arms.

The Question being put, whether the Lords should be acquainted with the Information this Day given to this House, of Two Rooms full of Arms at the Lord Cottington's House, and of Two Pieces of Ordnance hidden under Straw;

The Question passed with the Negative.

Propositions for bringing in Plate, &c.

WHEREAS it appears that the King, seduced by wicked Counsel, intends to make War against his Parliament; and, in pursuance thereof, under Pretence of a Guard for his Person, hath actually begun to levy Forces, both of Horse and Foot; and sent out Summons, throughout the County of York, for the Calling together of great Numbers; and some ill-affected Persons have been employed in other Parts to raise Troops, under the Colour of his Majesty's Service, making large Offers of Reward and Preferment to such as will come in : And that his Majesty doth with a high and forcible Hand, protect and keep away Delinquents; not permitting them to make their Appearance, to answer such Affronts and Injuries as have been by them offered unto the Parliament: And those Messengers which have been sent from the Houses for them, have been abused, beaten, and imprisoned; so as the Orders of Parliament, which is the highest Court of Justice in this Realm, are not obeyed; and the Authority of it is altogether scorned and vilified; and such Persons as stand well affected to it, and declare themselves sensible of these publick Calamities, and of the Violations of the Privilege of Parliament, and common Liberty of the Subject, are baffled and injured by several Sorts of malignant Men, who are about the King; some whereof, under the Name of Cavaliers, without having Respect to the Laws of the Land, or any Fear either of God or Man, are ready to commit all Manner of Outrage and Violence; which must needs tend to the Dissolution of this Government, the Destroying of Religion, Laws, Liberty, and Property; all which will be exposed to the Malice and Violence of such desperate Persons as must be employed in so horrid and unnatural an Act, as the Overthrowing of a Parliament by Force, which is the Support and Preservation of them all: Which being duly considered by the Lords and Commons, and how great an Obligation lies upon them, in Honour, Conscience, and Duty, according to the high Trust reposed in them, to use all possible Means, in such Cases, for the timely Prevention of so great and irrecoverable Evils, they have thought fit to publish their Sense and Approbation of this imminent Danger; thereby to excite all well-affected Persons, to contribute their best Assistance, according to their solemn Vow and Protestation, to the Preparations necessary for the Opposing and Suppressing of the traiterous Attempts of these wicked and malignant Counsellors, who seek to engage the King in so dangerous and destructive an Enterprize, and the whole Kingdom in a Civil War, and destroy the Privileges and Being of Parliaments; This Recourse to the good Affections of those that tender their Religion, and just Liberties, and the Enjoyments of the blessed Fruits of this present Parliament, which were almost ready to be reaped, and are now as ready to be ruined by those wicked Hands, being the only Remedy left them under God, and without which they are no longer able to preserve themselves, or those by whom they are intrusted.

1. They the said Lords and Commons do Declare, That whosoever shall bring in any Proportion of ready Money or Plate, or shall underwrite to furnish and maintain any Number of Horse, Horsemen, and Arms, for the Preservation of the publick Peace, and for the Defence of the King, and both Houses of Parliament, from Force and Violence, and to uphold the Power and Privileges of Parliament according to his Protestation, it shall be held a good and acceptable Service to the Commonwealth, and a Testimony of his good Affection to the Protestant Religion, the Laws, Liberties, and Peace of this Kingdom, and to the Parliament and Privileges thereof.

And, because a considerable Aid cannot be raised by few Hands, and the Condition of all Mens Estates and Occasions is not always proportionable to their Affection, the Lords and Commons do Declare, That no Man's Affection shall be measured according to the Proportion of his Offer, so that he express his good Will to this Service in any Proportion whatsoever.

2. And it is further Declared, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that whosoever shall bring in any Money or Plate, or shall furnish or maintain any Horse, Horsemen, and Arms, for the Purposes aforesaid, shall have their Money repaid with the Interest, according to Eight Pounds per Cent. and the full Value of their Plate, with Consideration for the Fashion, not exceeding One Shilling per Ounce; and shall have full Recompence for all their Charge, in Finding, Furnishing, and Maintaining of Horse, Horsemen, and Arms: And for this both Houses of Parliament do engage the Publick Faith.

3. And it is Ordained, That Sir John Wollaston, Knight and Alderman, Alderman Towse, Alderman Warner, and Alderman Andrews, shall be the Treasurers to receive all such Monies and Plate as shall be brought in for the Purposes aforesaid: And that Acquittances of them, or any Two of them, for the Receipt of the same, shall be a sufficient Ground for the Party so lending Money or Plate, to demand the same again, with the Interest, and likewise Consideration for the Fashion of the Plate.

4. It is Ordered, That * * * * shall be Commissaries, to value the Horse and Arms that shall be furnished for this Service; and that a Signification under the Hand of them, or any Two of them, of such Values of Horse and Arms, and of the Time when they were first brought in, shall be a Warrant to demand Satisfaction, according to the said Values: And they shall keep an Account of the Time, from the first Inrollment of any such Horse and Horsemen, that such as find and maintain them, may be repaid, according to the Rate of Two Shillings and Sixpence per Diem, for so long time as they have maintained them in this Service: And the Commissioners are to attend at Guildhall, for the Receiving and Inrolling of such Numbers of Horse, as shall be brought in.

5. It is Ordered, That whosoever shall bring in Money, or Plate, or shall provide and maintain Horse, Horsemen, and Arms, for this Service, shall do according to their Duty therein: And the Lords and Commons do engage the Power and Authority of Parliament to save them harmless from all Prejudice and Inconvenience that may befal them by Occasion thereof.

6. It is Ordered, That the Members of either House who are present, shall be desired to declare in their Houses respectively, what Money or Plate they will bring in, or what Horse, Horsemen, and Arms, they will find and maintain.

7. It is desired, That all such as have their Residence in or about London, or within Eighty Miles, will bring in their Money, Plate, or Horse, within a Fortnight after Notice; and they that dwell further off within Three Weeks.

8. And, because every Person may not be provided with present Money, or with Horse, or not have his Plate with him, which he means to bring in; and yet resolves to contribute his Part within the Time limited; and that it is necessary it should be presently known what the Provision will be for the Effecting of this great and important Service; It is Ordered, That the Committees of either House appointed for that Purpose, respectively, shall receive the Subscriptions of such Member of each House, as have not declared themselves in the House, or are absent upon the publick Service, or for their private Occasions. 2. That the Committee of London, intrusted with the Militia, shall receive the Subscriptions in London and Middlesex. 3. That some Persons nominated by the Knights and Burgesses of each County, and approved by both Houses, shall be appointed to receive the Subscriptions in the several Counties.

9. And lastly, it is Declared, That whatsoever is brought in, shall not at all be employed upon any other Occasion, than to the Purposes aforesaid; which are, to maintain the Protestant Religion, the King's Authority, and his Person in his Royal Dignity, the free Course of Justice, the Laws of the Land, the Peace of the Kingdom, and the Privilege of Parliament, against any Force which shall oppose them; and this by the Direction of both Houses of Parliament.