House of Lords Journal Volume 10: 29 May 1648

Die Lunæ, 29 die Maii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Sedgwicke.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Letters from Captains of the Fleet, that they had turned out Vice Admiral Rainsborow:

The Earl of Warwicke acquainted the House with Letters which were sent to him from some of the Captains of the Eleet; giving Information, "That they had put out the Vice Admiral Rainsborowe from being Admiral: (Here enter them.) And also an Answer from them to the Letter of the Gentlemen of Kent."

Message to the H. C. with them.

And being read, it is ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

And accordingly was sent down, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Bennett.

Answer from the Kentish Petitioners.

Next, the Answer to the Instructions sent by the Earl of Thanett into Kent, was read. (Here enter it.)

Corn. Evans committed, for pretending to be the Prince of Wales.

A Letter from the Mayor of Graves ende was read, with an Examination of Cornelius Evans, who pretended himself to be the Prince of Wales.

(Here enter them.)

And he being brought to this Bar, the Speaker asked him, "How he durst take upon him the Name of the Prince of Wales?" He confessed his Fault, and desired Pardon for it; and declared the Particulars, which were the same as he had confessed in his Examination taken by the Mayor of Gravesende.

Hereupon it is Ordered, That he shall be committed to the Prison of Newgate, there to remain during the further Pleasure of the Houses, for taking upon him to be the Prince of Wales; and that the Captain of the Guards, Captain Haynes, shall convey him safely to Newgate.

Deputy Lieutenants for Norwich.

The Earl of Warwicke, Lord Lieutenant of the County of No'wich and City of Norwich, presented the Names of some Persons to be made Deputy Lieutenants of the City of Norw'ch; which, being read, were approved of, and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons for their Concurrence.

Message from the H. C. to sit a while.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Walter Erle;

To desire their Lordships would please to sit a while, in regard they have some Matter of Importance to bring up to their Lordships.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will sit a while, as is desired.

Message to the H. C. with the Deputy Lieutenants Names for Norwich;-the Answer from Kent; -and to pass the Sheriff of Camb's Order.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Bennett:

1. To desire their Concurrence in the Persons to be added to be Deputy Lieutenants of the City of Norwich.

2. To deliver unto them the Copy of the Answer from the Kentish Men.

3. To put them in Mind of the passing the Order for the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire to live out of the County.

E. and Count. of Mulgrave, and Sir Paul Pindar.

Upon hearing the Counsel of Sir Paul Pyndar, and the Counsel of the Earl of Mulgrave, concerning Sir Paul Pyndar's Title in Law to the Allum Mines in Mulgrave, in the County of Yorke:

It is Ordered, That this House have a Conference with the House of Commons, to this Effect: To declare unto them, "That their Lordships having agreed with them in the Votes for damning the Patent granted to Sir John Gibson, of the sole Making of Allum, as holding it to be a Monopoly, that it was never in their Intentions to take away any legal Right or Title which Sir Paul Pyndar, or any other Person, had in those Allum Mines, by passing those Votes."

The Matter of the Conference to be drawn up.

Frecheville, a Pass.

Ordered, That Mrs. Sarah Freshvile, with Three Servants, videlicet, Francis Harlestone, Wm. Hamocke, and John Wentworth, shall have a Pass to go into France, and return.

Viscount Fairfax, a Pass.

Ordered, That the Lord Viscount Fairfax shall have a Pass, with Servants, to go into France.

Message from the H. C. with a Vote to leave the Kentish Business to the General; and to sit P. M.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Robert Harley Knight; who brought up a Vote, for leaving the whole Business of Kent to the General, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

(Here enter it.)

The Question being put, "Whether to agree to this Vote as it came from the House of Commons?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

2. To let their Lordships know, that they intend to sit this Afternoon; and desire their Lordships would please to sit likewise.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Vote now brought up; and that their Lordships will fit this Afternoon, at Five of the Clock.

Message to the H. C. for an Answer about adding more Members to the Committee at Derby House.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Dr. Bennett and Mr. Page; videlicet,

"The Lords have formerly sent down, and pressed the House of Commons, for the Addition of a greater Number both of Lords and Commons to the Committee at Derby House: They have as yet received no Answer, and do therefore press again the Addition of a greater Number; or else they desire the House of Commons would take Notice, that the Lords that are of that Committee have made it their Request, that they may be excused from being tied to their constant Attendance there, in respect that their Occasions will not permit them to be so often present there as they conceive will be necessary for carrying on the Service of that Committee."

Kentish Business left to the General.

"Resolved, upon the Question, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled,

"That they do declare, that they do leave the whole Managing of the Business of Kent to the General."

Letter from the Mayor, &c. of Gravesend, about Evans, the pretended P. of Wales.

"To the Right Honourable the Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the Lords House of Parliament. These present.

"May it please your Honour,

"The pretended Prince lately landed at Sandwich, in Kent, being by the East Kent Gentlemen, together with this Examination taken by Mr. Mayor of Rochester, sent unto us by them, with Instructions to have him safely conveyed and delivered to your Honour, that you would be informed in the Premises: Which, according to our Duty, we humbly present to your mature Considerations; and rest

"Your Lordship's

"Humble Servants,

Gravesend, 28 die Maii, 1648.

"Ed. Brownling Mayor.

John Stezt.

Geo. Clarke.

Walter Hill."

His Examination, declaring that he assumed the Name of the P. of Wales by V. Adm. Rainsborough's Desire.

"The Examination of Cornelius Evans, born at Marsellys, taken before Philip Ward Esquire, Mayor of the City of Rochester and George Newman Esquire One of His Majesty's Justices of Peace, the 28th Day of May, 1648;

"Who faith, That, about Three Weeks since, he this Examinant came from his Lodging at St. Katherine's, near The Tower of London (the House where he lodged being inhabited by one Nicholas Evans Mariner), and passed through the County of Kent, to Dover, hoping there to have got Passage from thence to Marsellys; but not meeting any Shipping there bound for The Streights, and understanding that there were Ships in The Downes bound thither, after he had continued about Three Days at Dover, went from thence to Deale, hoping there to get Passage; and in this Examinant's Journey thither, going by a Castle near the Town of Deale, took Notice that a Gentleman with a Gentlewoman was walking in a Garden near the said Castle, whom this Examinant, upon Enquiry, understood to be Colonel Rainsborrow, Governor of the said Castle, and his Wife: And this Examinant coming to Deale, to the House of one Mr. Baker, at the Sign of The Crowne; immediately after his coming thither, there came Three Seamen into his Company, who presently called for Beer, and desired to drink with this Examinant, and pressed him to drink the King's Health; which they all did: And, upon Conference with this Examinant, One of the said Seamen, belonging to Colonel Rainsborrow's Ship, whom this Examinant upon Speech with him conceived to be the Coxswain of the said Ship, told this Examinate, "That he thought he knew him this Examinant, and that he this Examinant was the Prince;" and thereupon told this Examinant, "That Colonel Rainsborrow had sent him to this Examinant, wishing him this Examinant to say, that he was the Prince;" and telling this Examinant, "That if he this Examinant would so say, and take upon him to personate the Prince, that the Prince would well reward this Examinant for the same, and would come over in a short Time;" and thereupon prevailed with this Examinant to assent thereunto. But, after the said Seamen were departed from this Examinant, he this Examinant, thinking with himself that it might not be safe for him to say and give out that he was the Prince, resolved to shun the same, and thereupon went from Deale to Sandwich; and upon this Examinant's coming along by the Sea Side, before he this Examinant came into the Town, he observed a Ship's Long Boat, with divers Seamen therein, some having Pistols and others Swords about them, rowing very hastily up towards Sandwich; and, before they were landed, this Examinant was got to The Bell Tavern there; and so soon as the Seamen were landed, they presently came up to the Town of Sandwich, and declared about the Town, "That the Prince was there;" and thereupon the Seamen and the Inhabitants of the Town came to the House where this Examinant was; and the Seamen, affirming that this Examinant was the Prince, declared privately, "That they came to take this Examinant (calling him the Prince) into their Custody, to carry him on board their Ship;" which they so did, as this Examinant conceived, the better to beget a Belief in the Inhabitants of the Town that this Examinant was the Prince indeed. And about an Hour after this Examinant so came to The Bell Tavern in Sandwich aforesaid, one Captain Foster, inhabiting in the said Town, came to this Examinant; and, upon private Conference with this Examinant, telling this Examinant of the confident Report about the Town that this Examinant was the Prince, desired to know the Truth thereof. And this Examinant doth confess, that thereupon he did affirm that he was the Prince; whereat the said Captain Foster stood bare to this Examinant, and carried himself very civilly towards him: But this Examinant then desired the said Captain Foster, that he would not discover that this Examinant was the Prince. And thereupon the said Captain Foster took Order in the House, that this Examinant should be well accommodated, promising to come to this Examinant in the next Morning, and departed for that Night; and in the next Morning the said Captain Foster, with the Mayor of the Town and Town Clerk there, came to this Examinate, and told this Examinant, "That it was reported about the Town, and known, that this Examinant was the Prince, and that it could not be concealed;" and thereupon took an Examination in Writing from him. And this Examinate still affirming himself to be the Prince, thereupon the said Captain Foster and the Mayor of the Town desired to know whether this Examinant would go to the one of their Houses or the other. And this Examinant making Choice to go to the said Captain Foster's House, was carried thither accordingly. But before he went from The Bell Tavern, and not above Two Hours after he first came thither, he was presented by a Gentlewoman (whose Name he knoweth not) with One Hundred Pieces of Gold, and Three Bunches of Asparagus. And this Examinant further faith, That, after he came to the said Captain Foster's House, there came at several Times Two Seamen to him, one after another, and told this Examinant, "That their Master Colonel Rainsborough remembered him to this Examinant; and desired him to remember the Message which Colonel Rainsborrough had sent to him whilst he was at Deale; and desired this Examinant to be resolute in affirming that he was the Prince; and that Colonel Rainsborrow bid them tell him this Examinant, that it would not be long ere the Prince came over; and that he would well reward this Examinant for the same." And this Examinant further faith, That, after this Examinant came to the said Captain Foster's House, in the Afternoon of that Day, he was invited by the Seamen (who the Day before came with their said Boat to Sandwich) to go with them in their Boat, that they might shew him Sport upon the Water with a Dog which they had there: And this Examinant went with them accordingly; who, whilst this Examinant was in the Boat, were all bare, and carried themselves with all Respect to this Examinant, as if he had been the Prince indeed: And whilst this Examinant was in the Boat, he observed, that it was said amongst the said Seamen, "That if Blacke Tom were there, now would be the Time to hinder the Petition from going to the Parliament:" And this is all this Examinant can say, save that the Seamen that spake with this Examinant from Colonel Rainsborrow, at Mr. Baker's House at Deale, wished this Examinant to get a Blue Ribbon, and to wear the same cross his Breast.

"Cornellis Ivans.

"This Examination was taken before us, at Rochester, the 28 May, 1648.

"Phill. Warde Mayor. Geo. Newman."

"My Lords,

Answer from the Kentish Petitioners.

"We have seen the Instructions from your Lordships, to the Right Honourable the Earl of Thanett; upon Consideration of which, we have thought fit to return this Answer to your Lordships:

"That we have Cause to believe there are many Persons now about your Lordships, who endeavour to infuse into you very sinister Opinions of our Proceedings in relation to the Safety of this County at this Time, who, when we shall be admitted to a fair and equal Hearing, will appear to be the greater Disturbers thereof themselves, and that our Intentions are free from all other Ends than natural Defence. We humbly beseech your Lordships to understand, that we are in a firm Resolution to observe the Declaration of the Houses; and, for the Manner of presenting our Petitions and Complaints, will follow the Directions in the said Declaration, but saving to ourselves always the Liberty of preserving the most ancient and inviolate Freedom of this County. We must desire your Lordships to put a fair Interpretation upon our Purposes of continuing within the Safeguard of our Arms, till we have Assurances from your Lordships that the Clamours of those above against us have had no Success, in their enraged Design of engaging this County in Blood and Ruin, when they find never so small a Diminution of their arbitrary Power, so long exercised over us, endeavoured to be taken from them; not doubting but, upon the Presentation and fair Reception of our Petition and just Complaints, the Houses will give such reasonable Relief therein, as will abundantly discover the Inclination of this County to Peace and Amity.

"My Lords, This is the Account we can give you of this County, by the Hands of the Noble Lord the Earl of Thanett; whom also we have desired to inform your Lordships further, that our present Posture tends not to offer to the Parliament no Acts willingly unbeseeming our fair Intentions; but do and shall take strict Care to repress, wheresoever we find it, the incensed Spirit we see to be in the People; which how it hath raised, we shall in due Time be able to make appear. And so we rest,

"My Lords,

"Your Lordships humble Servants,

Post Meridiem.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Salway.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Message from the H. C. with an Ordinance and Orders.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Francis Gerrard; who brought up several Things, wherein their Lordships Concurrence is desired:

1. An Ordinance to make Robert Earl of Warwicke Lord High Admiral of England.

Read First and Second Time, and Agreed unto.

(Here enter it.)

2. An Order for the Lord High Admiral to give Indemnity to the Captains and Mariners.

(Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed unto.

3. An Order that the Guards of the City shall attend the Parliament. (Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

"An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons, to make Robert Earl of Warwicke Lord High Admiral of England.

Ordinance for the E. of Warwick to be Lord High Admiral.

"The Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, taking into Consideration the great and faithful Services done to the King and Parliament by Robert Earl of Warwicke, both by Sea and Land, and his great Experience, Judgement, and Fidelity, in Maritime Affairs, do order and ordain, That the said Robert Earl of Warwicke shall be Lord High Admiral of England, &c.; and they do hereby ordain and establish him the said Lord Earl of Warwicke Lord High Admiral of England, Ireland, and Wales, and the Dominions and Isles of the same, of the Town of Callis, and the Marches thereof, of Normandy, Gascoigne, and Gwines, and Captain General of His Majesty's Seas and Navy Royal; and they do hereby give him full Power and Authority, in his own Name, and under his own Seal, as Lord High Admiral of England, &c. to issue out of the High Court of Admiralty Warrants and Writs, for the arresting of Ships and Persons, in all Maritime and Civil Causes, and to constitute and appoint Vice Admirals, Judges, Registers, Marshals, and all other Officers requisite and necessary for the Judicatures for Civil and Maritime Causes, and Captains, Masters, Pursers, Gunners, and all other Officers requisite and necessary for the Navy, and to do and execute all other Things belonging and appertaining to the Office of Lord High Admiral of England, Ireland, and Wales, in as full and ample Manner as ever any Lord High Admiral formerly did, might, or ought to have done; to have and to hold the said Office of Lord High Admiral of England, Ireland, Wales, &c. with all Fees, Profits, Rights, and Emoluments, thereunto belonging and appertaining, until the said Office shall be otherwise settled or disposed by both Houses of Parliament: And the said Lords and Commons do hereby further order and ordain, that the said Robert Earl of Warwick, and all Vice Admirals, Judges, Registers, Marshals, Captains, Masters, and other Officers of Ships, and all other acting under him in the said Office, shall be by them saved harmless and indemnified, for all Acts that they shall do, according to their several Offices: And finally the said Lords and Commons do hereby order and ordain, That a Patent shall be drawn, of the said Office of Lord High Admiral of England, Ireland, and Wales, in Manner and Form accustomed, and according to this Ordinance, in His Majesty's Name, for the said Robert Earl of Warwicke, and sealed and passed under the Great Seal of England; by the Commissioners lately established by the said Lords and Commons, who are required, and shall be hereby warranted, to seal the same; and in the mean Time the said Robert Earl of Warwicke shall be and execute the Place of High Admiral of England, as is before declared.

"And forasmuch as Algernone Earl of Northumberland was displaced by His Majesty from being Lord High Admiral of England, for his Obedience to the Commands of both Houses of Parliament: The Lords and Commons do therefore declare, That, by this Ordinance, they do not weaken their Intentions, expressed in their Declaration of the Eleventh of July, 1642, concerning the said Earl of Northumberland; but will perform them in such a Way as by the Wisdom of both Houses shall be thought fit."

L. High Admiral to give Indemnity to Captains and Mariners.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That it be wholly left to the Earl of Warwicke (Lord High Admiral of England), to give Indemnity to the Captains and Mariners, as he shall see Cause, and judge it fitting."

Militia Committee to send Guards to the Parliament.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Committee of the Militia of London shall have, and hereby have, Power to send, from Time to Time, such Forces to be a Guard to the Parliament, as they shall think fit, or as they shall at any Time receive Order for from either of the Houses of Parliament."

Adjourn.

Adjourned 10 To-morrow.