House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 27 August 1641

DIE Veneris, videlicet, 27 die Augusti.

PRAYERS.

Abuses in Wines.

Ordered, That any Five of the Lords Committees for Wines do meet To-morrow Morning, at Eight a Clock, in the Painted Chamber.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Robert Rich and Mr. Page:

Message to the H. C. for a Conference, about the Recess.

To let them know, That their Lordships are now ready to give a Meeting concerning the Recess.

Next, a Letter was read, drawn up by the select Committees of both Houses, to be sent to the Lord General: videlicet,

Letter to the Ld. General.

"May it please your Excellency,

"I presented your Letter of the 23d of August to the House of Peers, by which they understand what Progress your Excellency hath made in disbanding the Army, wherein Diligence hath prevented the Time propounded in your former Letter. And I am commanded to declare, that, in their Apprehension, your Excellency hath hereby fully and clearly expressed your Care of the public Good and Safety of the Kingdom, and your Respect to the House, which works in them much Contentment, and yields a great Return of Honour to yourself. As nothing can be dearer to the Parliament than the public Good, so your Excellency can in no Way more advance yourself in their Estimation, than by joining with them in that Affection: The Reason which moved them to desire the Horse might be first disbanded, was of very especial Importance, and still inclineth them to continue the same Expectation for those who are yet undisbanded. But, for the Time past, they rest satisfied in the Answer and Proceedings of your Excellency, assuring themselves, that although there was some Difference in the Way, yet you fully agree with them in the End, which is, to ease the Commonwealth, and settle the public Peace with as much Expedition as may be; for the more speedy effecting whereof, there is already Three and Twenty Thousand Pounds on the Way, and Order given for Seven and Twenty Thousand Pounds more to be sent with all Speed; and a Course taken by the House of Commons to quicken the Payments of the Poll-money in the Nine Shires adjoining to Yorke; and both Houses of Parliament have, by an express Ordinance, commanded the Sheriffs of Eight other Counties to bring all their Monies immediately to Yorke; whereby the House conceiveth, and hopeth, your Excellency will be supplied with Treasure sufficient to disband the Remainder of the Army by the Time prescribed, or sooner, if it may be; and that, by your prudent and faithful effecting thereof, the heavy Burthen of Care and Pains, which lies upon you in the Discharge of this great Trust, will be removed, and shall end in the Thanks and Obligations of this House, and of the whole Kingdom; producing to your Excellency such an Increase of Honour and Happiness as shall be suitable to your own Merit, and the Desires of

"Your Excellency's Most humble Servant,

"Edw. Littleton, C. S."

This being read, the House approved of it; and Ordered it should be subscribed by the Lord Keeper, and sent to the Lord General.

Order about the Thanksgiving.

After this, the Lord Privy Seal reported the Order concerning the Thanksgiving to be kept the 7th of September, for the Conclusion of the Peace between England and Scotland, drawn up by the Committees of both Houses.

The Order was read, in hæc verba: videlicet,

"An Ordinance of Parliament for a Day of Public Thanksgiving for the Peace concluded between England and Scotland.

"Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to give a happy Close to the Treaty of Peace between the Two Nations of England and Scotland, by His wise Providence defeating the evil Hopes of the subtle Adversaries of both Kingdoms; for which great Mercy, it was, by the King's most Excellent Majesty, the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament, enacted, That there should be public Thanksgiving in all the Parish Churches of His Majesty's Dominions; it is now Ordained and Declared, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That the Time for the Celebration of that public Thanks to Almighty God, for so great and public a Blessing, shall be on Tuesday the 7th of September next, by Prayers, Reading and Preaching of the Word, in all Churches and Chapels of this Realm; whereof we require a careful and due Observance, that we may join in giving Thanks, as we partake of the Blessing, with our Brethren of Scotland, who have designed the same Day for that Duty."

To be printed.

Ordered, That this Ordinance be printed forthwith.

The Messengers return this Answer from the House of Commons:

Answer from the H. C.

That they will give a present Meeting, in the Painted Chamber, touching the Recess.

The Lord Privy Seal and the Lord Bishop of Lincolne were appointed to report this Conference.

Conference about the Recess reported.

Then this House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed; and the Lord Privy Seal reported the Effect of the Conference: "That the House of Commons have considered, That the Scottish Army is gone out of this Kingdom, and the King's Army is almost disbanded; the rest is in good Forwardness; and that the Plague increases in the City of London and Westm. and the Parts adjoining; therefore have thought of a Recess to be by their House from Wednesday Sevennight to the 20th of October next. They have resolved of nothing yet, but only propose it, and desire their Lordships to consider of it, and join with them therein, if this House sees it fit."

Hereupon this House, taking the same into Consideration, did think fit to propound to the House of Commons to have a Recess, from the 8th of September until the First Day of November next.

Then this House was adjourned again during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference. The House being resumed, the Lord Privy Seal reported, "That he had delivered the Proposition to the House of Commons, touching the Recess; and the Commons will repair to their House, and return an Answer in convenient Time."

Arrears of the Office of Ordnance.

Ordered, That these Lords following do draw up Heads for a Conference with the House of Commons, concerning the Arrears of the Office of the Ordnance for setting forth the Navy this Year; and to present the same to this House To-morrow Morning: videlicet,

Bishops Leave to be absent.

Ordered, That the Bishops of Durham, Gloucester, and Landaph, have Leave to go to their Dioceses.

Ordered, That the Bishop of Gloucester hath Leave to speak with the Archbishop of Cant. at The Tower.

Order for the 15000£. a Month for the Navy.

Upon Report to this House of the Conference concerning His Majesty's Navy, "That it is the Opinion of the House of Commons, That Fifteen Thousand Pounds per Month should be paid out of the Receipts upon the present Bill of Tonnage and Poundage, from the Commencement of the said Bill to the Expiration thereof, for the Discharge of the Twenty Ships set forth by Order of the House of Commons, and of other Expences for the Support of the Navy; and that the Commissioners for the Treasury shall be desired to grant Warrants accordingly; and that the Customers be appointed to make the said Payments." Hereupon it is Ordered, That this House do concur herein with the House of Commons.

Ordered, That the Lord Admiral is appointed by this House to join with Two Members of the House of Commons, to see the said Fifteen Thousand Pounds paid Monthly; and, because of his Lordship's Absence at this Time, the Lord Chamberlain is to give him Notice of it from this House.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Charles Price:

Message from the H. C. for a Conference about the Recess.

To desire a present Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, touching the late Free Conference concerning the Recess.

The Answer hereunto returned was:

Answer.

That their Lordships will give a present Meeting, in the Painted Chamber, as is desired.

Sir Geo. Ratcliffe's Petition about his Estate.

The Petition of Sir George Radcliffe was read; complaining, "That he, being seized in Fee of some Lands in Ireland, is dispossessed of the same, in respect of the Impeachment of Treason against him here, by Means whereof he hath not received any Thing out of his Estate in Ireland for about Six Months last, and so had wanted Bread if he had not been supplied by the Charity of some Friends. He humbly prays that he may be restored to his said Estate, and be enabled, by Order of this House, to demand and receive his Rents there due unto him, whereby to sustain himself and his Family from Want." Hereupon it is Ordered, That the Lord Privy Seal, Bishop of Lincolne, and the Lord Wharton, do draw up a Letter, which shall be sent from this House to the Two Lord Chief Justices of Ireland, to desire them to prevent, by what legal Way they can, the Estate of Sir Georg Radcliff from Ruin, whereby he may have some Maintenance to sustain (fn. 1) him; and to present the same to this House To-morrow Morning.

Conference about the Recess reported.

This House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference. The House was resumed; and the Lord Privy Seal reported, "That the House of Commons have considered of their Lordships Proposition, to have the Recess from the 8th of September till the First of November next; but the House of Commons say, That their former Reasons are so weighty and prevalent with them, to have the Recess to be but until the 20th of October, that they desire to present them again to their Lordships, joined with some other Reasons; as, First, the Nature of the Causes which are depending in both Houses, some whereof being for High Treason and the Impeachment of the Judges, the Inception of which Business they desire may be before the next Term.

"2. The Time of Payment of Monies promised to the City of Yorke falls out to be before the First of November; therefore they desire their Lordships would join with them to have the Recess until the 20th of October next."

Ordered, That this House doth join with the House of Commons in the Time of the Recess, videlicet, from the 8th of September to the 20th of October next, provided there fall out no emergent Occasion between this and Wednesday come Sevennight.

Lords not to depart till the Recess.

Ordered, That the Lords be kept together until the Recess.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Sabbati, videlicet, 28^m diem Augusti, hora 9^a, Dominis sic decernentibus.