House of Lords Journal Volume 10: 29 June 1648

DIE Jovis, 29 die Junii.

Prayers, by Mr. Strickland.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Ds. Hunsdon, Speaker.

Reduced Officers Petition for Arrears.

Upon reading the Petition of many Reduced Officers, concerning their Arrears:

It is Ordered, To be sent to the House of Commons, with Recommendations.

Petition from The Trinity House.

A Petition was presented, from the Master, Wardens, and Fellowship of The Trynity House, which was received, and read. (Here enter it.)

And the Lord Admiral, Earl of Northumb. and the Lord North, were appointed to consider of what Answer to return to this Petition.

Green & al. to be attached, for throwing down L. Bruce's Inclosures, in Gillingham Forest.

Upon reading an Affidavit of Josias Willes, Gentleman; complaining, "That Thomas Greene and others have thrown down the Hedges and Ditches belonging to the Lord Bruce, in the Forest of Gillingham, in the County of Dorsett, contrary to the Order of this House:"

It is Ordered, That the Parties named in the Affidavit shall be attached, and brought before this House, to answer the said Contempt.

Barnard versus Mayne.

Upon reading the Petition of Joell Barnard, Minister, against Dr. Jasper Mayne:

It is Ordered, That Doctor Mayne shall have a Copy of this Petition, and return his Answer this Day Fortnight.

Capt. Jessop Leave to transport the Men he has raised.

Upon reading the Petition of Captain John Jesop; shewing, "That he hath Licence to raise Eight Companies of Foot, each Company to consist of One Hundred and Fifty Men; desires Leave to transport them beyond the Seas:"

Which is granted; provided he give very good Security they shall be no Ways employed to the Hurt or Prejudice of the Parliament; and the Concurrence of the House of Commons to be desired herein.

Proclamation for Major Rolfe to surrender.

This Day Michaell Baker, One of the Messengers belonging to the Gentleman Usher attending this House, gave an Account, "That he had searched in all Places in Town where Major Rolph did use to come; but he cannot find him."

Hereupon it is Ordered, That a Letter be written to the Governor of the Isle of Wight, to require him to make Search in the said Isle for him; and, upon Discovery of him, to send him up in Safety to this House; and also that a Proclamation be issued out, to summon him to come by a certain Day.

Answer to the The Trinity House Petition.

The Lord Admiral reported the Draught of the Answer to be returned to the Masters of The Trynity House; which was read, and approved of.

And the Petitioners being called in, the Speaker read the Answer to them as follows:

"The Lords have commanded me to return unto you their hearty Thanks and Acknowledgements, for the good Affections you have expressed to the Parliament on many former Occasions, as well as in the Petitions now presented: And to your Desires therein contained, for the settling of a well-grounded Peace, the Lords neither are, nor shall at any Time be wanting, to use their utmost Endeavours for the happy and most speedy effecting thereof."

Provincial Assembly of London's Petition;

A Petition was presented, by divers Ministers of the Provincial Assembly [ (fn. 1) of London;] which was read, and ordered to be taken into Consideration on Tuesday next.

(Here enter it.)

The Answer was:

Answer to them.

That this House returns them Thanks, for their good Affections expressed in this Petition; and this House will take the Particulars into Consideration with all convenient Speed.

Capt. Jessop released.

John Jesop, being brought before this House by a Habeas Corpus, was ordered to be released; he assigning to his Creditors so much of his Arrears as will satisfy them.

Lincolnshire Ordinance.

Ordered, That the Ordinance concerning Lyncolneshire shall be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Launce's Business.

Ordered, That Mr. Adoniram Byfield, One of the Scribes to the Assembly of Divines, shall attend this House To-morrow Morning, to acquaint this House with the Matters objected against Mr. Wm. Lance, Minister, in the Assembly of Divines.

Petition from The Trinity House, for a Personal Treaty with the King.

To the Right Honourable the House of Peers assembled in Parliament.

The humble Petition of the Master, Wardens, and Fellowship, of Trinity House;

Sheweth,

"That whereas they have received a Petition from the Younger Brothers of their Corporation, as also from many well-affected Seamen, Masters of Ships, and others, therein expressing their Desires to present their Petition unto this most Honourable House: We do, in all humble Manner, shew our great Apprehension of the many Distempers, both by Sea and Land, occasioned by the Means of a discontented Party, who daily take up Arms against the Parliament and Kingdom, which (if not timely prevented, by the Mercy of God and Wisdom of Parliament) is like to engage the Kingdom again in a most bloody War, to the endangering the long-expected Peace of the Three Kingdoms, the Loss of Navigation, the Obstructing of Trade, and the utter Ruin of many Thousands of Families, relating both to Marine and Land Affairs, whose whole Subsistence depends upon Trade to and from this Kingdom. Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray your Lordships, to take the Premises into your grave Wisdoms; and that a present Personal Treaty may be had with His Majesty, which, we humbly conceive, under God, is the only Means for settling of a well-grounded Peace both in Church and Commonwealth, by which, with the Blessing of God on your Endeavours, the present Distempers may be removed, and the Kingdom again restored to a flourishing Condition; for which your Petitioners, with the whole Kingdom, shall have great Cause to acknowledge the Lord's Goodness, and our great Thankfulness to this most Honourable Assembly, for their unwearied Pains for the Good of this almost undone Kingdom. And, as we have ever shewed ourselves willing, with the Hazard of our Lives and Fortunes, to preserve the Parliament, so shall we be always ready to the utmost of our Powers (according to the Protestation and the solemn League and Covenant) to assist them, in all their just Undertakings, against their and the Kingdom's Enemies.

"And pray, & c.

Petition from Masters of Ships, Mariners, and others, to the same Effect.

"To the Right Honourable the House of Peers assembled in Parliament.

"The humble Petition of the Commanders, Masters, and Mariners, of the Shipping belonging to the River of Thames, whose Names are hereunder subscribed;

"Humbly sheweth,

"That your Petitioners have to this Time faithfully assisted (according to their Oaths and several Undertakings) in the Defence of this Kingdom, and for the Preservation of His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament in their just Rights and Privileges; wherein they have chearfully adventured their Lives, and spent much of their Estates. And your Petitioners cannot but acquaint your Honours, that they had of late more than Hopes, that since His Majesty's evil Council were removed from Him, and no Face of an Enemy appearing to obstruct, that, by the settling of His Majesty in His just Rights, this miserable distressed Kingdom might have enjoyed a happy and lasting Peace. But, to the great Terror and unspeakable Grief of your Petitioners, they find themselves in a far worse Condition than ever, unless by the great Wisdom of this Grave Assembly it be timely prevented; for, when we consider the manifold Dangers now upon us, and the long Time likely to be spent before a Personal Treaty is likely to be had, we may justly fear the utter Ruin of this once-flourishing Kingdom; especially considering the many Armies already on-foot in the several Parts thereof, besides the late Falling-off of the Ships, which we cannot look upon but as a Business of the greatest Danger which hath yet happened; for, besides that it is a laying flat of our strong Walls, whereby we are exposed to all Foreign Invasions, the Loss of Trade will be of such Consequence, that we shall not need to fear a Second Ruin; nor can your Petitioners conceive any Way how those Ships may be reduced, when their Pretence is, that the Peace of this Kingdom may be settled by a Personal Treaty with His Majesty, which, your Petitioners are bold to offer to your Honours, is the Sense of all or the greatest Part of the Seamen of England.

"Wherefore they most humbly pray, that there may be a speedy Treaty had with His Majesty, for the settling the Peace of this Kingdom; and that, in the mean Time, His Majesty may be entreated to remove to some One of His Houses which may be most convenient, where He may be with Honour, Freedom, and Safety.

"And your Petitioners shall be ready, with their Lives and Fortunes, to assist the Parliament against all those that shall oppose the same. To all which, your Petitioners humbly beg a gracious and speedy Answer."

Petition from the Provincial Assembly of London, for the Directory, Consession of Faith, and Catechisms, to be established; and for the Ordinances for the Observation of the Lord's-day, to be enforced.

"To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament.

"The humble Petition of the Provincial Assembly of London;

"Sheweth,

"That your Petitioners are deeply sensible of the notorious Ignorance, the execrable and horrid Prophaneness, Atheism, Heresies, and Blasphemies, which have abounded in this Province, and overspread the Kingdom, to the pulling down of God's just Indignation and heavy Judgements upon us, notwithstanding the manisold Endeavours of the Honourable Houses, by several Ordinances heretofore and of late published, for Remedy thereof; for which your Petitioners do return their most humble and hearty Thanks, and do bless God on your Behalf; not ceasing to pray, that the Almighty may strengthen and encourage your Hearts and Hands to carry on His Work, in the Midst of all your Difficulties and Distractions. All which Evils, your Petitioners humbly conceive, through the Blessing of God, will be redressed, by the effectual Prosecution of the Reformation of this Church, in Doctrine, Discipline, and Government, according to the Word of God, and the Example of the best Reformed Churches, as was in Part represented unto the Honourable Houses, by a Petition from the Provincial Assembly of London, dated the 11th of January, 1647.

"May it therefore please the Honourable Houses;

"1. To resume the Consideration of the forementioned Petition; and to grant the humble and necessary Requests contained therein.

"2. That you would be pleased to establish the Larger and Lesser Catechisms lately presented unto the Honourable Houses, by the Reverend Assembly of Divines sitting at Westm'r; and to ordain and enjoin, that they may be publicly taught and learned throughout the Kingdom.

"3 That you would likewise be pleased to add your Civil Sanction to the Consession of Faith, presented unto (fn. 2) you by the said Assembly of Divines.

"4. That the Directory for Church Government, presented also unto your Honours by the said Reverend Assembly, may be fully and effectually established, and universally observed throughout the whole Kingdom.

5. And that the Acts and Ordinances of Parliament for the better sanctifying the Lord'sday, and Observation of the Public Fasts, as also for the Suppression of Prophaneness, may be more effectually put in Execution.

And hereby we hope that the Knowledge of the Lord will be increased, the Power of Godliness advanced and promoted, the Ends of our Covenant faithfully prosecuted, and Unity and Purity, in Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship, preserved amongst us, and our Posterity after us.

"And we shall ever pray, &c.

"Signed, in the Name, and by the Appointment, of the Provincial Assembly.

Jer. Whitaker, Moderator.

Wm. Taylor, Scribe.

W. Wickins, Scribe.