House of Lords Journal Volume 10: 29 January 1649

DIE Lunæ, 29 die Januarii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Salwey.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Denbigh, Speaker.

States Ambassadors desire an Audience.

The Speaker acquainted the House, "That Yesterday the Ambassadors of The States Generall of The United Provinces were with him, and delivered a Letter to him; and desired that he would acquaint this House, that it was their Request, that this House would appoint as speedy a Time as possible may be for their Audience, in regard it concerned Business very important, as conducing to the Good of this Kingdom and The States."

His Lordship further acquainted the House, "That this Morning he hath received another Letter from the said Ambassadors, directed to his Lordship, wherein was inclosed a Letter of Credence."

The House thought not fit to receive (fn. 1) in this Manner; but was returned, to be delivered by the Ambassadors themselves when they had Audience.

And it is Ordered, That Sir Oliver Fleming, Master of the Ceremonies, do attend the Ambassadors of Holland; and let them (fn. 2) know, "That, in regard of their Importunity, their Lordships will give them a present Audience; and accordingly will expect them before they rise."

Admiralty Jurisdiction Ordinance.

Mr. Baron Atkins made Report concerning the additional Ordinance touching the Jurisdiction of the Admiralty; which was read. (Here enter it.)

Marsh, E. of Arundel's Servant, Privilege.

Upon reading the Petition of William Marsh; shewing, That, he being the menial Servant of the Earl of Arundle and Surrey, and going on Saturday the 27th of this Instant January about his Lordship's Occasions, near Temple Barr, in the Liberty of The Savoy, he was arrested, by Wm. Taunton and Thomas Leston, Bailiffs for the Liberty of Westm. at the Suit of Ursula Harrison, and is now detained in the House of one King, a Bailiff, as a Prisoner, notwithstanding he produced his Lord's Protection; therefore desires the Protection of this House, and (fn. 2) to be released:"

It is Ordered, That the said Kinge shall immediately, upon Sight hereof, bring the said Marsh before the Lords in Parliament; and hereof he may not fail, as he will answer the contrary.

States Ambasdors Audience.

Next, the House gave Audience to the Ambassadors of The States Generall of The United Provinces.

And they having spoken what they had in Commission, they delivered their Letters of Credence; which were read.

And then the Ambassadors were desired to withdraw themselves into the Lord Keeper's Lodgings.

And then, after Consideration, they were admitted in again.

Then the Speaker told them, "That the Lords in Parliament have commanded him, in their Names, to congratulate their safe coming into England; and that their Lordships do put a great Esteem upon the Ministers and Ambassadors which come from that State, especially upon their Excellencies Persons; and to assure them, that what they have or shall represent from that State from which they come shall be respectfully received. And desired that they would deliver what they have now said by Word of Mouth in Writing, that so their Lordships may the better consider of it."

This being done, they departed.

Marsh, E. of Arundel's Servant, Privilege.

William Marsh, menial Servant of the Earl of Arrundell, was brought to the Bar, by William King the Bailiff.

And it appearing that he was arrested upon a Bill of Midd. only, and not upon any Execution:

It is Ordered, That he shall be set at Liberty, and freed from his Restraint concerning this Business, being arrested contrary to the Privilege of Parliament; and this to be a sufficient (fn. 3) Warrant for so doing to the Officer in whose (fn. 4) Custody he is.

D. of Richmond to export Horses.

Ordered, That the Duke of Richmond hath Leave to transport Six Geldings into Holland, Custom-free, with Servants.

Lords summoned.

Ordered, That such Lords as are in Town shall be summoned to attend the House To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock.

Judges Report, concerning the Ordinances for settling the Jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court.

"According to your Lordships Order of the 22th of January Instant, we have perused the Ordinance of the 12th of April, 1648, touching the Admiralty, and the latter additional Ordinance now presented to your Lordships. And we find that, to the Causes therein contained, they both agree (save that the latter doth more plainly take in all Causes then depending and under Prohibition): But whereas there is a Proviso in the former Ordinance, that it shall continue but for Three Years, by the latter all Causes (fn. 5) begun there at any Time within the said Three Years shall go on till they be determined; so that, if they be begun but within a Week or a Day before the End of the said Three Years, how many soever they be, the Ordinance is to continue till the same be determined: And by this latter Ordinance it is expressed, that they shall not be interrupted by any Prohibitions, for any Causes begun during the said Three Years; whereas the former is, that they shall not be molested or interrupted, not speaking of Prohibitions. These are the material Differences we find; which we humbly submit to your Lordships Judgements.

John Wylde.

"Edw. Awtkins."

Bennett and Dormer to have Writings out of the Court of Wards.

Die Jovis, 25 January, 1648.

Upon reading the Petition of George Bennett Esquire, late His Majesty's Ward, and of Euseby Dormer and Susan his Wife, Sister to the said Ward; shewing, "That the Evidences, Deeds, Leases, and Writings, of Georg Bennet deceased, and Edward Cotton deceased, and other Writings, which were brought into that Court by many Orders, at the Suit of the Ward, are remaining in that Court; and that the Petitioners, having Occasion by Suits in Law to produce their said Writings for the Maintenance of their several Rights, and Recovery of other Rights and Debts due unto them, cannot, for Want of the said Writings, recover their respective Estates, but are in Danger to lose a great Part thereof:"

It is Ordered, by the Lords in Parliament assembled, That Mr. Hugh Awdley, and the Officers of the late Court of Wards, in whose Custody the said Writings are, be hereby authorized and required to deliver to the said Petitioners all such Writings, Evidences, Deeds, Leases, and Papers, both of the said Georg Bennett and Edward Cotton, and all other Writings which were at any Time by any Person whatsoever brought into the said Court, at the Suit of Georg Bennett the Ward; and this to be a sufficient Discharge for so doing.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.