House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 13 August 1646

Die Jovis, 13 Augusti, 1646.

Prayers.

ACCORDING to the Order Yesterday made, the House proceeded to the Consideration of the Paper Yesterday sent in from the Commissioners of Scotland: The which was twice read.

A Message from the Lords, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Heath;

The Lords have commanded us to let you know, That they desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, in the Painted Chamber, at Ten of Clock this Morning, if it may stand with your Conveniency, concerning the Report of the Commissioners sent, with the Propositions, to the King; and likewise concerning the Contents of a Paper their Lordships have received from the Scotts Commissioners here. They have sent you a Letter from the French Agent; of which the Lords having considered, think fit the Agent's Portmanteau be put into the Hands of Mr. Browne, the Clerk of the Parliament, there to be secured: And desire your Concurrence therein:-The Earl of Cleaveland desiring further Time for his Return into the Tower; the Lords, in respect of the Plague is near to the Tower-Gate, think fit to inlarge the Time formerly granted to the said Earl, upon the same Bail, for One Month longer: And desire your Concurrence therein. The Lords do think fit, That the Plate of the late Great Seal, and other Seals, which are defaced and broken, be given to the Speakers of both Houses: And desire your Concurrence therein.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree to a present Conference, as is desired.

Resolved, &c. That the Portmanteau, taken at Sea with Monsieur de Mountereul, and sent from Yarmouth, and the Letters and Things in it, be forthwith delivered to the French Agent.

The Examinations of George Beare and Arthur Steart, Two of the Company of the Ship Mary-Rose, taken, upon Oath, before the Bailiff and others of Yarmouth, 6 Augusti 1646, concerning some French Letters taken at Sea aboard a French Ship laden with Coals.

A Letter from Monsieur de Montereul was read: And

Ordered, That it be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports: And that they shall have Power to confer with Monsieur de Montereul, if they shall see Occasion; and to write a Letter to the Parliament's Agent in France; and to send a Copy of Monsieur de Montereul's Letter, and of the Examinations; and to write a Letter, if they shall think fit, to the Secretary of State in France, or such other Persons as they shall judge necessary: And that such Letters, as they shall agree on, shall be sent to Mr. Speaker, and signed by him: And that the French Letters, sent from Captain Pett, be delivered to this Committee: And that they shall have Power to deliver them to Monsieur de Montereul, if they shall think fit.

Ordered, That the Committee do send for Captain Pett, and such other Persons as they shall find necessary; and examine the whole Matter of Fact concerning the Stay of Monsieur de Montereul at Sea, and of the Portmanteau and Letters: And that Mr. Speaker shall have Power to sign such Passes for the French Agents, and their Servants, as the Committee shall think fit to be granted.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That the Time, formerly granted to the Earl of Cleaveland, be inlarged for One Month longer, upon the same Bail.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, That the Plate of the late Great Seal, and other Seals, which are defaced and broken, be given to the Speakers of both Houses.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

The House has considered their Lordships Message, And, as concerning the Letter from the French Agent, and the Portmanteau, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own: And, as to all the rest, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Mr. Holles, Sir Philip Stapilton, Mr. Nath. Fienis, Sir John Holland, and Mr. Lisle, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Ordered, That Mr. Jesson, a Member of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country; and his Attendance upon the Service of the House dispensed with.

Ordered, upon the Question, That, To-morrow Morning, the first Business, the House proceed to the further Consideration of the Paper Yesterday sent in from the Commissioners of Scotland.