House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 5 April 1641

DIE Lunæ, videlicet, 5 die Aprilis.

PRAYERS.

E. of Strafford's Petition, about his Property in Ireland, which is seized under Colour of Authority of the Irish Parliament.

A Petition of the Earl of Strafforde was read; shewing, "That, under Pretence of Order of the Commons House of Parliament in Ireland, certain Persons have possessed themselves of his Goods in that Kingdom, and have entered upon the Profits of the Farm of His Majesty's Customs, in Lease to him and others, and imprisoned his Servants employed in that Affair; by which Means, (fn. 1) likewise a great Part of his several Entertainments are in Arrear, and not paid, by means whereof his Wife and Family are not a little distressed in that Kingdom, and he deprived of necessary Support for his Affairs, and towards his Subsistance here, being in a Condition wherein his Credit is little available unto him, and not of that present Value or Esteem with any, as to supply him in any Kind; which being the hard and unhappy Condition of a Peer of this Realm, being yet only under a Charge, he, in all humble Duty to the Right and Privilege of the Peerage, cannot but represent it.

"And his humble Request is, That their Lordships would be honourably pleased to take this his particular Condition into Consideration, and to grant him such Relief therein as shall seem agreeable to Honour and Justice."

Irish Commissioners to be spoke with, touching an Answer to this Petition.

Ordered, That an Answer unto this Petition be respited until the Commissioners for the House of Commons in Ireland be spoken with.

Ld. Treasurer to give his Evidence in the E. of Strafford's Case, and withdraw.

Ordered, That, if the Lord Treasurer give Evidence at the Trial of the Earl of Strafford, he is to speak in his own Place, only during the Time he gives his Testimony, and afterwards to withdraw himself.

Ld. Admiral's Letter about Mariners.

The Letter which the Lord Admiral writ to His Majesty, concerning the Scarcity of Mariners to supply His Majesty's Navy, was read. Hereupon it was Ordered, That the House do sit this Afternoon, and to have a Conference with the House of Commons about it.

E. of Northumberland examined in the Earl of Strafford's Cause.

The Earl of Essex signified, That Yesterday himself, and Three others of the deputed Lords, went to Syon, to examine the Earl of Northumb. on the Earl of Straf ford's Part, without Oath; and that likewise Two of the Members of the House of Commons that managed the Evidence were present, but did not cross-examine the Earl of Northumberland, because they had no Power from the House of Commons, having had such short Notice of it.

Hereupon the House thought it fit, That the Lord Steward signify to both Sides, "That, because of the Shortness of Time, the Cross-examination of the Earl of Northumb. could not be taken; therefore to desire that they would agree of such a Way amongst themselves that this Day may not be lost; but to proceed in the Evidence."

Ld. Steward to go first out of the Hall.

Ordered, That none go out of Westm. Hall before the Lord Steward.

Adjourn to Westminster Hall.

The Lord Steward adjourned this House to Westm. Hall.

E. of Strafford at the Bar.

20th, 21st, 22d, 23d, and 24th Articles.

The Lords being sat in the Hall, the Lord Steward commanded the Earl of Strafford to be brought to the Bar, by the Lieutenant of The Tower; which being done, the Lord Steward declared what the Lords had thought fit touching the Examinations, and desired them to consult of a Way that this Day may not be lost; and it was agreed on both Sides, That the Earl of Strafford should have the Benefit of the Examinations of the Earl of Northumb. and the Lord Keeper; and that the House of Commons might reserve unto themselves their Crossexaminations when they shall desire to use them, and likewise to have the Examinations reserved of other Witnesses to come viva voce, in convenient Time, as Mr. Serjeant Glanvile and others; and then Mr. Whittlocke proceeded upon the Twentieth Article, and Twentyfirst, Twenty-second, Twenty-third, and Twenty-fourth Articles.

Proofs.

Witnesses produced by the Commons were, the Earl of Traquair, the Lord Treasurer, Mr. Secretary Vane. The Earl of Morton's Examinations were read. The Earl of Northumberland's Examinations were read. Lord Primate's Examinations were read. The Lord Conway, viva voce. Sir Robert Kinge, the Lord Rannelaugh, Sir Tho. Barrington, Sir Thomas Jermyn, Comptroller of His Majesty's Houshold, the Earl of Bristoll, the Lord Newburgh, Earl of Holland.

Answer to each of the Articles.

After this, the Earl of Strafford made his Answer to every particular Article.

He produced as Witnesses, without Oath, the Examination of the Earl of Northum'. taken by the Lords deputed Yesterday, the Earl of Cambridge, Sir Tho. Lucas, Guildford Slyngsbie, Sir Wm. Pennyman, the Lord Treasurer, Lord Cottington, Lord Goringe, Mr. Comptroller.

Reply.

Adjourn to the Chamber of Parliament.

This being done, Mr. Whitlock made a Reply; and after that the Lord Steward signified to the Commons, That the Lords would sit again upon the Trial on Wednesday Morning next, at Eight of the Clock; and so adjourned the House to the usual Place above.

Committee for Religion.

The Lords being returned to the House, it was Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider of all Innovations in Matters of Religion in the Church of England, do meet on Thursday next, in the Afternoon.

The King's Letter concerning Mariners to be read.

Ordered, That the Letters sent by His Majesty concerning Mariners be read To-morrow Morning; and then to have a Conference with the House of Commons about it, if it be requisite.

Adjourn.

Dominus Senescallus declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Martis, videlicet, 6^m diem instantis Aprilis, hora 9^a, Dominis sic decernentibus.