House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 15 November 1641

DIE Lunæ, videlicet, 15 die Novembris.

PRAYERS.

Petition of London, about the Abuse of Protections.

This Day a Petition of the City of London was read, touching the Abuse of many Protections, which was to the Stopping of Trade, etc. But, because the Petition was too general, it was agreed, it should be delivered back again, to be mended; and then their Lordships will consider further of it.

Printing Leycester's Commonwealth.

Delinquents sent for.

Complaint was made to this House, "That Mr. Sheeres, a Bookseller in Covent-Garden, Laurance Chapman, in Chancery Lane, Nic. Vavasor, in The Inner Temple, and William Cooke, in Holborne, have been Partners in printing, selling, and dispersing the libellous Book, intituled, Leycester's Commonwealth:" Hereupon it is Ordered, That the afore Persons be sent for, to appear before this House; and the Matter of the Complaint is referred to the Examination of the Committee for Printing; who are to report the Business to this House.

Rioters in Sir William Killegrew's Land discharged.

Upon the humble Petition of Henry Carr, Anthony Love, Anthony Shepheard, David Coullinge, and Solomon Bartholmewe, read this Day, acknowledging the just Sentence of this House for their Contempt to the Orders of their Lordships, and declaring their hearty Sorrow for the same, desiring to be released of their Imprisonment for the same, and shewing that they have given Sir William Killegrewe Satisfaction for the Thirty Pounds; it is Ordered, by this House, That the Persons aforenamed shall forthwith be released of their present Imprisonment, and shall make their Acknowledgement and Submission for their Contempt done to this House, on Saturday come Fortnight, being the Fourth of December next, at Donington, publicly, on a Marketday, before a Justice of the Peace in the County of Lincolne; before whom they also shall enter into Bonds of One Hundred Pounds one for another, to keep the Peace hereafter; and, having made their Submission to this House, they were discharged.

The Prince's Order to send for Delinquents, Rioters in West Derham and Roxham.

Ordered, That the Gentleman-usher attending this House, or his Deputy, shall attach, and bring before the Lords in Parliament, the Bodies of Richard Maisters, Edward Jones, and John Atmeere, of West Deereham, Thomas Lambson, Richard Younges, William Trollopp, and Tho. Clements, of Roxham, to answer their Contempts, for the Breach of an Order of this House, dated the Fourteenth of June last, made for the Prince his Highness and his Tenants quiet possessing of improved Grounds, in West Derham and Roxham, in the County of Northfolke; the Breach of which Order hath been made appear unto this House by Affidavit.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir John Hotham:

Answer from the H. C. requesting the Examinations taken by the Lords Committees.

To desire that the Examinations taken by the Lords Committees may be delivered to the House of Commons, to be made Use of.

The Answer hereunto returned was:

Answer.

That their Lordships will send them down, by Messengers of their own, in convenient Time.

Examinations by the Committees to be read here, before they are sent to the H. C.

The Examinations, being sealed up, were delivered in to the Clerk of the Parliament; and then the House was put into a Committee during Pleasure, to debate whether the said Examinations should be read in this House or no, before they be sent down to the House of Commons. And, after some Consideration had herein, the House was resumed; and it was Resolved, upon the Question, by the major Part, That the said Examinations shall be opened and read in this House, before they be sent down to the House of Commons.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by John Hampden, Esquire:

Message from the H. C. about a Discovery made to them by Beale, a Taylor, desiring the Lords would examine him.

To let their Lordships know, "That this Day there came a Man to the Door of the House of Commons, and sent in Word that he had Matters of a high Nature to reveal, concerning some Lords and Members of the House of Commons. Upon this, the House of Commons sent forth some Members to speak with the Man, who acquainting the House with some Discourse they had with the Man, the House of Commons sent for him in; who beginning to relate the Business, the House of Commons would not suffer him to name any Person, lest the Parties hearing of it should fly. And, because it concerned some Peers of this House, the House of Commons have sent the Man, who is now at Door, ready to be examined openly, or in what Manner else, as their Lordships in their Wisdoms shall think fittest."

To be examined upon Oath.

Their Lordships, taking this Message into Consideration, did Order, That the Man shall be presently called, and heard openly upon Oath, without naming any Person; and afterwards this House will put the Business into that Way as they think fit, and then give the House of Commons an Answer in it speedily; and that the House of Commons be desired to sit until they hear from this House.

Answer to the H. C.

The Messengers of the House of Commons were called in; and the Speaker told them what this House had Ordered, as aforesaid.

Beale called in.

Then Thomas Beale, a Taylor, dwelling in Whitecrosse Street, was called in, and he made a Relation of the whole Business, with all the Circumstances, without naming any Persons; but the Second named the Persons: The Heads of the Matter were these: videlicet,

His Relation of a dangerous Plot against the Parliament.

"That this Day, at Twelve of the Clock at Noon, he went into the Fields, near unto The Pest House, and, walking on a private Bank, he heard some talking, but did not see them at first; but, finding them by the Voice, he, coming within Hearing of them, understood they talked of State Affairs; and, going nearer them, he heard them say, that it was a wicked Thing that the last Plot did not take; but, if this go on as is in Hand and intended, they shall be all made; and also heard them say, that there was One Hundred and Eight Men appointed to kill One Hundred and Eight Persons of the Parliament, every One his Man; some were Lords, and the others were to be Members of the House of Commons, all Puritans; and the Sacrament was to be administered to the Hundred and Eight Men, for performing of this; and those that killed the Lords were to have Ten Pounds, and those that were to kill the Members of the House of Commons Forty Shillings; that Gorges, being the Thirty-seventh Man, had taken the Sacrament on Saturday, to kill One of the House of Commons, and had received Forty Shillings.

"That one Phillip, coming to London on Sunday Night late, was charged to be at my Lord's Chamber, where was only my Lord, Father Jones, and Father Andrewes; he also had his Charge, and Five more with him, he being the Hundred and Eighth Man, and the last, as he thought.

"That Phillip had been in Warwickshire, in Worstershire, and in Buckinghamshire, with Letters; and that he delivered Letters to Mr. Sheldon, who gave him his Dinner, and a Piece for his Pains, charging him to make Haste to London again, and giving him Letters to deliver to my Lord.

"That Dick Jones was appointed to kill that rascally Puritan Pym; and that Four Tradesmen, Citizens, were to kill the Puritan Citizens, which were Parliament Men.

"That, on the same Day, being the 18th of this Month, when the City shall be in a Tumult, there shall be Risings in Six several Parts of this Land by the Papists, videlicet, in Warwickshire, in Worstershire, in Buckinghamshire, and in Lancashire. The other Places he remembers not.

"That those that were to kill the Lords were brave Gallants, in their Scarlet Coats, and had received every Man Ten Pounds a-piece; and, when that was gone, they might come and fetch more.

"That this was to be done either coming down Stairs, or taking their Coaches, or entering into their Lodgings, or any other Way as they should see Opportunity.

"That, although all were not killed, yet the Tumult would be so great that it would prevent sending to Ireland; and that was Father Andrewes's Wit, to prevent sending thither; because, if they prevailed there, they should not have Cause to fear here."

Beale withdrawn from the Bar.

This Relation being made, with other Circumstances, Thomas Beale was commanded to withdraw; and this House took in serious Consideration what Course was fit to be speedily taken in this Business.

Browne, a Priest, in The Gatehouse, sent for.

And this House being informed, "That there is one Father Browne, a Priest, in The Gatehouse, who is a likely Man to give Information and Descriptions of Father Jones and Father Andrewes, mentioned in the Relation;" the House appointed the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and Mr. Justice Reves to go presently to The Gatehouse, to examine the said Browne, concerning the aforesaid Persons; and had Power to ask him any Question as they thought fit, concerning this Business.

Order concerning apprehending Priests, &c.

Ordered, That the Justices of the Peace for the City and Liberties of Westm. the Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, and the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the City of London, do presently make speedy and privy Search this Night, for Father Jones and Father Andrewes, Priests, and for all other Seminary Priests and Jesuits, and do cause them to be forthwith taken and apprehended, and put into safe Custody, until the further Pleasure of this House be known; and that their Names be returned to this House; and that any Man that shall discover any Popish Priest or Jesuit, and procure them to be apprehended, shall be rewarded by the Parliament.

Mr. Sheldon and his Son sent for.

Ordered, That the Gentleman-usher attending this House, or his Deputies, shall repair unto Edward Sheldon, Esquire, the Elder, and Edward Sheldon, the Younger, his Son, and bring them unto the Lords in Parliament, with a safe and strong Guard upon them, if there shall be Cause; and that the Sheriff of the County wherein the said Mr. Sheldons now reside shall aid and assist the said Gentleman-usher, or his Deputies, for the safe bringing up of the said Mr. Sheldons up to this House, if the said Gentleman-usher or his Deputies shall desire it; and that the said Gentleman-usher, or his Deputy, shall call in Two of the next Justices of the Peace, and seal up their Study Doors, and make Search for Priests and Jesuits, and bring them up, that they may be proceeded in as this House shall direct.

Ordered, That Mr. William Sheldon, now in Town, be forthcoming at such Time as this House shall send for him; in the mean Time, his Study to be sealed, until further Order of this House.

Order concerning Recusant Lords.

Ordered, That all Lords Recusants, being Members of this House, and Peers of Parliament, being now in Town, shall come to this House on Tuesday the Sixteenth of this Instant November, by Nine of the Clock in the Forenoon.

Richard Jones to be apprehended.

Ordered, That strict and near Search shall be made with all possible Speed, in all Parts in and about the City of London, and the Liberties thereof; for one called or known by the Name of Richard Jones, who being apprehended, shall be forthwith brought before this House.

Directed, "To the Mayor and the Two Sheriffs of London."

Counties of Worcester, Lancashire, Warwick, and Buckingham, to be secured.

And also it was Agreed, That the Deputy Lieutenants of the Counties of Worcester, Lancashire, Warwickshire, and Buckinghamshire, have a Charge to secure these Counties.

Message to the H. C. for a Conference, about this Piot.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the Master of the Rolls and Mr. Justice Malett:

To desire a Free Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, touching the late Message.

Lords to return from the Conference.

Ordered, That all the Lords do return hither again from the Conference.

House to be called Tomorrow.

Ordered, That this House shall fit To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock, and the House then to be called.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

Answer from the H. C.

That the House of Commons will give a present Meeting, in the Painted Chamber, as is desired.

Subject of the Conference.

The Lord Keeper was appointed to let the House of Commons know, "That their Lordships have heard the Relation of Thomas Beale; and to acquaint them what Orders their Lordships have concerning this Business; and to desire them to take the Business into their Consideration; and, if they can think of any thing else as is fit to be added for the present, their Lordships will hear them in it."

Conference concerning the Piot 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 Keeper reported, "That he had acquainted the House of Commons, at this Conference, what Orders and Provisions their Lordships had taken upon the Relation of Beale; and the House of Commons joins with this House in all the Particulars, and desires they may be put into Execution; and that the House of Commons hath given Directions to the Knights of several Shires, that they set down the Names of all the Popish Recusants in their Counties, which are active Men, and return their Names to their House; and, as soon as they have received this Account, they will present their Lordships with a List of their Names."

Browne, the Priest, examined.

The Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas reported, "That he hath examined Father Browne, whether he knows any such Men as Father Jones and Father Andrewes; and his Answer is, he knows none such."

Proger's Words about Ireland.

The Lord Admiral informed this House, "That he had received some Informations from the City of Chester, against one Arthur Proger, who was going for Ireland, concerning some Words which he hath spoken touching the Rebellion in Ireland, and other Words which are of a high Nature."

Proger sent for.

The Informations and the Examination of the said Arthur Proger were read, and it is Ordered, That the Mayor and Sheriffs of Chester shall forthwith, upon Sight hereof, safely convey, or cause to be conveyed, unto this House, the Body of Arthur Proger, being now in Custody in Chester.

Examination of the Soldiers concealed in St. Katherine's for the Spanish Service.

Ordered, That the Lord Chief Justice shall give an Account to this House To-morrow Morning what he hath done in the Examination of the Soldiers in St. Katherin's.

Examinations of Witnesses, concerning ill Counsel given to the Army.

Next was read the Examinations of Sir Jacob Asteley, Sir John Conyers, Captain Legg, Sir Charles Lucas, and Mr. Daniell Oneales, which were taken by the deputed Lords, touching the ill Counsels which were given to the late Army. And it is Ordered, That the said Examinations be sent down to the House of Commons.

Message to the H. C. with these Examinations.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Justice Reves and Justice Malett:

To deliver the aforesaid Examinations to the House of Commons.

Soldiers at St. Katherine's to be sent away.

Moor and Mackmiller to see nobody.

Ordered, That the Soldiers in St. Katherin's shall be transported into Foreign Parts, if there be a fit Occasion, provided it be not into Ireland; and further it is Ordered, That Edmond Moore and Richard Mackmiller, now Prisoners in Newgate, shall be kept apart one from another; and that none shall be suffered to come to them, but the Keeper or his Servants, until the Pleasure of this House be further known.

A Message was brought up from the House of Commons, by Arthur Goodwin, Esquire:

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

To desire a present Free Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, if it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, touching the Matter of the last Conference.

The Answer hereunto returned was:

Answer.

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

The Messengers return with this Answer:

That they have delivered the Examinations to the House of Commons.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed.

Ordered, The Report of this Conference shall be made To-morrow.

Adjourn.

Dominus (fn. 1) Custos Privati Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem-crastinum, videlicet, diem Martis, 16^m diem instantis Novembris, hora 9^a, Dominis sic decernentibus.