House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 31 March 1641

DIE Mercurii, videlicet, 31 die Martii.

PRAYERS.

Adjourn to Westminster Hall.

The Lord Steward adjourned this House to Westm. Hall.

E. of Strafford at the Bar.

The Peers being set in their Places, the Lord Steward commanded the Lieutenant of The Tower to bring forth the Earl of Strafford to the Bar; who appearing, Mr. Maynard proceeded to the Tenth Article:

10th Article.

"That the Earl of Strafford had procured, for his own Gain, the Customs of Ireland to be farmed; and, for that Purpose, procured a Book of Rates to be made; but makes a Colour of it, that it was for the Benefit of His Majesty."

Proofs.

Divers Leases and Grants were produced, to prove it; and Witnesses gave their Evidence upon Oath; as the Lord Rannelaugh, Sir James Haye, Robert Goodwin, Rich. Cogan, Henry Broad, John Welsh, Patrick Allen.

Answer.

The Earl of Strafford made his Answer; and produced the Lord Cottington, Sir Arthur Ingram, Lord Dillon, as Witnesses, but not upon Oath.

Reply.

12th Article.

After this, Mr. Maynard made a very short Reply, and proceeded to the Twelfth Article, concerning "prohibiting of Importation of Tobacco, &c. and raising to himself a Hundred Thousand Pounds per Annum, by Customs, &c."

Proclamations were read.

Witnesses were produced, as Timothy Croseley, Patrick Allen, John Welsh, Patrick Gough, Nic. Plunkett.

Answer.

Then the Earl of Strafford made his Defence to this Article; and produced Guildford Syngesby, a Witness, without Oath, Lord Rannelaugh; and, after he had read many Proclamations, Letters, and Orders, he concluded his Answer to this.

Reply.

Adjourn to the Chamber of Parliament.

And then Mr. Maynard making a short Reply, the Lord Steward did let them know, That the Lords would sit again To-morrow Morning, at Eight a Clock, and adjourned the House to the usual Place above.

The Lords being come to the House; then

Adjourn.

Dominus Senescallus declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in post meridiem hujus diei, videlicet, 31^m diem instantis Martii, hora quinta, Dominis sic decernentibus.

Post meridiem.

PRAYERS.

Delinquents with Doctor Cosens to be here the 5th of May.

It was moved, That Three or Four of those Divines (whose Names are to be given in) which have Benefices in the Country, with Cure of Souls (having given Bail to answer the Impeachment which they stand charged with concerning Mr. Smarte's Business), that they may have the Leave of this House to go to their several Parishes against Easter, and afterwards to return and yield themselves here on the Fifth Day of May next ensuing, according to the Condition of the Recognizance; all which was Ordered accordingly.

A Message to the House of Commons, by Mr. Dr. Bennett:

Message to the H. C. for a Conference, about the Loan of Money from the City.

To let them know that the Lord Mayor and some of the Aldermen of the City of London are come; and to desire that the Committee that went to the City might meet with the Committee of Lords, presently, in the Painted Chamber, to receive the Answer of the City.

The Answer was:

Answer.

That they will give a Meeting presently, as is desired.

Lords to report the Conference.

The Lord Privy Seal, E. of Bristoll, and the Lord Viscount Say and Seale, appointed Reporters.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went into the Painted Chamber. The House was resumed; and the Lord Privy Seal reported briefly:

Conference reported.

"That the Recorder of London hath presented an Answer from the City, to the Propositions touching the providing of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Pounds; which was, That the Lord Mayor hath called the Aldermen and Common Council together, and some others of the Commoners that were able Men, to the Number of Fifty Persons. The Matter was effectually moved to them, as being the Request of both Houses of Parliament, upon urgent Necessity. Upon this, they fell to a Proposition for One Hundred and Twenty Commoners to be bound, Three of them together, for One Thousand Pounds a Man, and so to raise the whole Sum. They went to it Man by Man, for more Certainty, to know how every Man stood affected to this; and every one that was present expressed a Willingness to it. This was all the Account that they were able to give in so short a Time; but desired a longer Time, to give their Lordships a more compleat Answer."

Hereupon the Lords Committees, and the Committees for the House of Commons, have thought it fit that they might have Time until Saturday next, in the Afternoon; and that the Lords Committees told them that they would recede from nothing they had offered.

Adjourn.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius de Communi Banco, Locum tenens Domini Custodis Magni Sigilli, declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Jovis, videlicet, 1^m diem Aprilis, 1641, hora septima, Dominis sic decernentibus.