House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 9 January 1641

DIE Sabbati, videlicet, 9 die Januarii.

PRAYERS.

L. Clifford to speak with the E. of Strafford.

Lord Clifford hath Leave to speak with the Earl of Strafford.

Witnesses sworn in the E. of Strafford's and Sir George Ratcliffe's Causes.

Witnesses sworn in the Cause of the Earl of Strafford and Sir George Ratcliffe: videlicet,

Sir John Nulls, Knight.

Mr. Kellaway.

And were enjoined to Secrecy, as formerly other Witnesses have.

E. of Clare to speak with the E. of Strafford.

Earl of Clare hath Leave to speak with the Earl of Strafford.

Clarke's Naturalizing Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, An Act for Naturalizing of Symon Clarke; and, being put to the Question, it was consented to, nemine contradicente, and immediately sent down to the House of Commons, with another Bill of Sir Nic. Crispe's, by Mr. Serjeant Glanvill and Mr. Doctor Bennet.

Witness sworn in the E. of Strafford's Causes, &c.

Earl of Portland sworn at the Clerk's Table, in the Cause of the Earl of Strafford and Sir George Ratcliffe; and afterwards his Lordship had an Injunction for Secrecy, as former Witnesses had.

Counsel assigned to Bradly.

Ordered, That Ralph Bradly shall have Mr. Fountaine assigned for his Counsel, in his Cause depending before the Lords Committees of Abuses in Courts of Justice, etc. and if the said Bradly doth not make good the Petition against Mr. Justice Barckley, that the House be made acquainted therewith by the said Lords Committees.

Answer of the Survey made of Coal and Wood.

This Day the Lord Mayor, Recorder, and Sheriffs of the City of London, did appear before their Lordships, according to an Order Yesterday made by this House, for giving their Lordships an Account what Store of Coals and Wood are engrossed in the Hands of Woodmongers and others, within the Liberties of the City of London, and to give their Lordships a Reason why the excessive Rates and Prices are imposed upon the said Commodities.

Whereunto the Recorder answered: "The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs did, immediately upon the Order, make such Survey as they could for the present, and they find that there are about Twenty-five or Twentysix Wharfs belonging to the City of London, whereof they have made a Survey but of Fifteen Wharfs; and do find, that they have about Eight or Nine Hundred Chaldron of Sea Coals; and the Reason, as they for the present do conceive, of the excessive Prices of Coals, is, an Agreement and Combination made between the Masters of the Ships and Merchants of Coals and Woodmongers, taking a Pretence from the present Troubles at Newcastle."

Sophisticated Wines.

After this, the Lord Mayor was demanded, why he took no better Care to prevent the vending of sophisticated Wines, which he ought to do, by the Law and Custom of the City.

It was answered, "That he cannot now, on the sudden, make a perfect Answer thereunto of the Particuculars; but told their Lordships he did lately understand that a Cellar was broken open, and such sophisticated Wines taken away; and, upon Search and Enquiry after the Actors in it, he hath taken some, and bound them over to the Sessions to answer; and that constantly such Wines are tried, according to the Custom of the City of London; and if, upon Trial, the Wines prove adulterated, then the Heads of the Vessels are beaten out."

Quantities of Coal and Wood in London and Westminster, and Reasons of the Dearness of those Articles.

Then the Lord Mayor, and the Recorder, and Sheriffs of London, withdrew; and the Justices of Peace for Westm. gave, in Writing, an Account of what they were enjoined; (fn. 1) the Effect whereof was, a Particular of the several Quantities of Coal and Wood, which every Wharfinger in Westminster had in his Possession; and for the Reason of the excessive Rates, they conceive the Colliers, Lightermen, and Wharfingers, have made a Combination among themselves, to keep up the Prices.

Next, the Justices of Peace for Midd. and Surrey were called in; and desired further Time to make their Certificate and Informations; whereupon the House did Order, That they shall, upon Friday next, bring a perfect Information, in Writing, what Store of Coals and Wood there is in every Wharf in their Liberties near London.

And likewise it was Ordered, That the Justices of Peace for Kent shall, on Friday, give Account, and survey the Wharfs, which are in their Liberties near London, what Quantity of Coal and Wood there is, and the Reason of the extreme Rates at this Time.

Coal and Wood to be brought to London.

Ordered, That the Lord Admiral is to take Order presently, That Command be given, That all the Ships lying upon the Coast, between Newcastle and London, being bound for London, laden with Sea Coals, shall be brought forthwith up to London.

And Ordered, That the further Consideration of the whole Business concerning Coal and Wood, and the excessive Abuses and Rates thereof, be referred to the Examination of the Lords Committees for Trade.

L. Mayor, &c. of London to attend, concerning Coal and Wood.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor, Recorder, and Sheriffs of the City of London, do attend this House on Wednesday next, and bring, in Writing, a full Information and Survey of all the Wharfs, and other Places of Store, for Coal and Wood, within their Liberties; and likewise what Remedy they think fit to be used therein; and to inform themselves, as much as they can, concerning the Prices of the First Emption at Newcastle, and what Rates in the Ships.

And further it was Ordered, That the Recorder of London do attend the Lords Committees for Trade this Afternoon, to inform their Lordships, as much as he can, what Power the Lord Mayor of London hath to set Prices upon Commodities, as Coal and Wood, etc.

Visitants of E. Strafford.

The Lieutenant of The Tower brought in his Note of Names of such as have visited the Earl of Strafford in The Tower since this Day Sevennight; which was read openly.

Visitants of Sir Geo. Ratcliffe.

Next, the Under-keeper of The Gatehouse presented a List of Names, who have visited Sir George Ratcliffe in The Gatehouse, since this Day Sevennight, which was openly read.

E. of Strafford and Sir Geo. Ratcliffe's Counsel not to speak.

Ordered, That the Chief Keeper of The Gatehouse do appear, and attend this House, upon Monday next; and that none that are of Counsel or Solicitor for the Earl of Strafford be admitted to speak with Sir Geo. Ratcliffe.

E. of Newport versus Faucet.

Ordered, That the Earl of Newport's Business be heard on Monday next; in the mean Time, Mr. Faucet to remain upon his Security.

Commission for swearing the E. of Morton in the E. of Strafford's and Sir Geo. Ratcliffe's Causes.

It was moved, That the House of Commons doth desire that Earl Morton may be sworn as a Witness in the Cause of the Earl of Strafford and Sir George Ratcliffe; but, the House being acquainted that the said Earl of Morton, by reason of Sickness at this Time, is not able to come to the House to be sworn; it was Ordered by the House, That a Commission, under the Great Seal of England, be immediately prepared, for the swearing of the said Earl of Morton, directed to the Lords deputed for taking the Examinations in that Cause; to them, or any Five of them, or more.

Ponder versus Sir John Lambe.

Dr. Reeves sworn to be examined before the Lords Committees for Imprisonments, etc. in Ponder's Cause, against Sir Jo. Lambe.

E. of Cleveland to speak with the Earl of Strafford.

Earl Cleveland had Leave granted him to speak with the Earl of Strafford.

E. of Dorset to speak with the Abp. of Canterbury.

Earl Dorsett had Leave granted to speak with the Archbishop of Cant.

Adjourn.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius de Communi Banco, Locum tenens Domini Magni Sigilli, declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Lunæ, videlicet, 11^m diem instantis Januarii, hora nona, Dominis sic decernentibus.