House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 29 January 1658

Friday, the 29th of January, 1657.

Examination of Collingwood.

THE House being acquainted, that one Sir Robert Collingwood, who was sent for in Custody, as a Delinquent, to answer an Information exhibited against him in this House, concerning some Words, charged to be spoken by him, concerning his Highness, and Robert Fenwick Esquire, one of the Members of this House; It was

Resolved, That Sir Robert Collingwood be now called in, and examined concerning the Words informed to have been spoken by him.

Whereupon he was called in; and brought to the Bar: Where he kneeled down; and afterwards was, by Mr. Speaker, commanded to stand up: And the said Information being read unto him, as the same was delivered into the House, under the Hand of one Robert Ogle; and the said Sir Robert Collingwood examined concerning the same; he confessed his being at Alnwick at the Time and Place and in the Company of the Gentlemen named in the said Information; but did utterly deny the Speaking of the Words contained in the said Information, and now read to him: Whereupon it was

Resolved, That Sir Robert Collingwood be discharged of his Imprisonment.

Protector's Answer when attended.

Mr. Nathaniel Bacon reports from the Committee appointed Yesterday to attend his Highness with some Resolves of this House, concerning his Speech made in the Banqueting-House at Whitehall, on Monday the Twenty-fifth of this Instant January, That the Committee, in a full Appearance, attended his Highness at the Withdrawing-Chamber at Whitehall, and presented to him the Resolves of this House: And further reports, The Substance of his Highness' Answer to the said Committee: The which was read; and was as followeth; viz.

His Highness said, He could not have looked upon the Committee as a Committee of the House of Commons, had he not seen the Paper, and the Persons of the Committee.

That what he spake in the Banqueting-house was delivered to both the Houses; the House of Lords and the House of Commons: And that he was exceeding tender of the Breach of Privilege of either House, whereunto he had sworn; and, by the Blessing of God, would maintain: And that he did not know, nor was satisfied, that it was not against the Privilege of either House, for him to give an Answer to either of the Houses apart.

That he spake to the Houses those Things that did lie upon his own Heart; and that he did acquaint them honestly and plainly how Things stood, in Matters of Fact; but, of the Particulars, he doth not remember Four Lines.

That he had considered with some Persons about the Papers relating to Money; and found some Particulars short, and some over; but he would take them into Consideration, and set them right; and would give a timely Account thereof. He desired his Affections might be presented to the House; and that he would be ready to serve them faithfully in the Capacity that he is in.

Members summoned.

Resolved, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do go, with the Mace, into Westminster-Hall; and require the Members to give their Attendance in the House.

Call of the House.

Resolved, That the Names of the Members of this House be called over on Monday Morning next.

Answer to Message from Other House.

The House, according to former Order, did this Day take into Consideration, What Answer they will return to the Message brought from the Other House by Mr. Justice Wyndham and Mr. Baron Hill, on Friday last.

Resolved, That this Debate be adjourned till To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock.

The Question being propounded, That the House shall be resolved into a Grand Committee To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock, to take the Matter now in Debate into Consideration;

The Question being put, That that Question be now put;

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So it passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put, That the House shall be resolved into a Grand Committee To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock, to take the Matter now in Debate into Consideration;

It passed with the Negative.