House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 2 December 1641

DIE Jovis, videlicet, 2 die Decembris.

PRAYERS.

King present.

His Majesty came this Day to this House, to pass the Bill for Tonnage and Poundage; and, being set in His Chair of State, the King gave Command to the Gentleman Usher, to give the House of Commons Notice to come; who being come, after Three Obeisances made, their Speaker made this Speech as follows: videlicet,

"Most dread Sovereign,

Speaker of the H. C's Speech.

"The Observation taken from the unlike Compositions and various Motions of the World made the Philosopher conclude, Tota hujus mundi Concordia ex Discordibus constat.

"The happy Conjuncture of both these Nations in the Triumph and Joy of Your Sacred Presence, extracted from the different and divided Dispositions and Opinions, gives us Cause to observe and to admire these Blessed Effects from such contrary Causes. We may without Flattery commend Your Sacred Majesty, the Glorious Instrument of the happy Change, whose Piety and Prudence, directed by the Hand of God, hath contracted this Union from these various Discords.

"The Story of these Times will seem Paradoxes in following Generations, when they shall hear of Peace sprung from the Root of Dissention, of Union planted upon the Stock of Divisions, Two Armies in the Field, both ready to strike the first Blow, and both united without a Stroke.

"Nothing can reduce these Truths into a Belief but the Knowledge of Your Piety and Justice, who have accomplished these Acts of Wonder by Goodness and Gentleness, without Force and Violence.

"This Way of Conquest, this Bellum incruentum, hath been the Rule of the most valiant and puissant Monarchs, advancing Your Glory in Safeguard of One Subject more than in the Death of a Thousand Enemies.

"Thus have You erected a Monument of Glory to Your Sacred Memory for all Generations.

"And as Your Care and Piety for the Welfare of Your Northern Kingdom called You to that Work, for the great Comfort of Your People, which Your Wisdom hath so happily consummated; so now the Distemper of Your other Kingdom (fomented by the same Spirits, whose Presence admits no Peace in Israel) calls on Your Providence to heal the Diseases of that Nation.

"The one from whence you returned, hath, with Abell (though the younger Brother), offered an acceptable Sacrifice; the other, with Cain, hath erected Altars of Blood and Revenge (the other Immolations of Jesuitical Priesthood), which invokes the Necessity of Your Justice.

"The one, to a Natural hath added a Politic Brotherhood.

"The other, of Brothers (I am sorry to say it), are become Strangers.

"The Fidelity of the one hath written a Story of Admiration to the World.

"The Disloyalty of the other hath paralleled that horrid Design (matchless before amongst all Generations); First, their Intentions, the Destruction of a Kingdom, even then when Unity and Peace was tying the Knot of Religion and Safety.

"In the Discovery, a Moment of Time prevented the Execution.

"In the Actors (Jesuits and Priests), without whom the Malice of the Devil could not have found a Party in the World fitted to act over the like bloody Tragedy.

"But this, amongst our many Joys we receive by Your happy Return, is not the least, nay the greatest; that that Providence which protected that Gracious King, Your most Religious Father, from that bloody Attempt, and increased the Blessing of a long and happy Reign, hath also defended Your Sacred Throne from all their Machinations.

"Thus we see Religion is the greatest Policy, the never-failing Support of King and Kingdom, that which firms You and Your Posterity to Your Throne, and our Duty and Obedience to it.

"Give me Leave here, most Gracious Sovereign, to sum up the Sense of Eleven Months Observation, without Intermission (scarce) of a Day, nay an Hour in that Day, to the Hazard of Life and Fortune, and to reduce all into this Conclusion: The Endeavours of Your Commons assembled, guided by Your pious and religious Example, is to preserve Religion in its Purity, without Mixture or Composition, against these subtile Invaders; and, with our Lives and Fortunes, to establish these Thrones to Your Sacred Person, and those Beams of Majesty Your Royal Progeny, against Treason and Rebellion.

"The Ways that conduce to this End, are the Defence of the Land and Sea: For the one, we have already voted to raise Monies; for the other, this Bill in some Measure will accomplish for a little Time; and to that End, I (by the Command of the Commons) humbly beseech Your Royal Assent."

Tonnage and Poundage Bill passed.

This being done, the Clerk of the Crown read the Title of the Bill; videlicet, "A Subsidy granted to the King of Tonnage and Poundage, and other Monies, payable upon Merchandize imported and exported;" and then the Clerk of the Parliament pronounced the Royal Assent, in these Words:

"Le Roy, remerciant Ses bons Subjects, accepte leur Benevolence, et ainsi le veult."

Then the King made this Speech as followeth:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

The King's Speech.

"I think it fit, after so long Absence, at this First Occasion to speak a few Words unto you; but it is no Ways in Answer to Mr. Speaker's Learned Speech. Albeit I have stayed longer than I expected to have done when I went away; yet in this I have kept Promise with you, that I have made all the Haste back again that the settling of My Scotch Affairs could any Ways permit; in which I have so good Success, that I will confidently affirm to you, that I have left that Nation a most peaceable and contented People; so that, although I have a little mis-reckoned in Time, yet I was not deceived in My End.

"But, if I have deceived your Expectations a little in the Time of My Return, yet I am assured that My Expectation is as much and more deceived in the Condition wherein I hoped to have found Business at My Return; for since that, before My Going, I settled the Liberties of My Subjects, and gave the Laws a free and orderly Course, I expected to have found My People reaping the Fruits of these Benefits, by living in Quietness and Satisfaction of Mind; but, instead of this, I find them disturbed with Jealousies, Frights, and Alarms, of dangerous Designs and Plots; in Consequence of which, Guards have been set to defend both Houses: I say not this as in Doubt that My Subjects Affections are any Way lessened to Me, in this Time of My Absence; for I cannot but remember, to My great Comfort, the joyful Reception I had now, at My Entry into London; but rather (as I hope) that My Presence will readily disperse these Fears, for I bring as perfect and true Affection to My People as ever Prince did, or as good Subjects can possibly desire; and I am so far from repenting Me of any Act I have done this Session, for the Good of My People, that I protest, if it were to do again, I would do it; and will yet grant what else can be justly desired for Satisfaction in Point of Liberties, or in Maintenance of the true Religion that is here established.

"Now I have but One Particular to recommend unto you at this Time; it is Ireland; for which though I doubt not your Care, yet methinks the Preparations for it go but slowly on; the Occasion is the fitter for Me now to mention it, because of the Arrival of Two Lords from Scotland, who came intrusted from My Council there (who now, by Act of Parliament, have full Power for that Purpose), to answer that Demand, which it pleased both Houses to make Me, by Way of Petition, that met at Barwicke, and which the Duke of Richmond sent back, by My Command, to My Scottish Council; therefore My Desire is, that both Houses would appoint a select Committee to end this Business with these Noblemen.

"I must conclude in telling you, that I seek My People's Happiness; for their Flourishing is My greatest Glory, and their Affections My greatest Strength."

The King, having ended His Speech, departed; and the Commons went to their House.

Abuses in Wines.

Ordered, That the Committee for Wines do meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, in the Painted Chamber; and the Merchants and Vintners to attend.

Bp. of Hereford not to pay Tenths for Poll-money.

Upon the Petition of the Bishop of Hereford, it is Ordered, That he, having paid Sixty Pounds for Poll-money, shall be free from any further Payments for the same, and shall not pay after the Rate of Tenths, because he is freed from paying of Tenths under the Great Seal of England, and that upon good and valuable Consideration; divers Manors having been taken from the Bishoprick of Hereford, in the Beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.

Judges Opinion concerning Riots, &c.

The Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench reported, That the Judges have considered the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom, for preventing of Riots, Routs, and unlawful Assemblies; and they are of Opinion, That the best Way is to issue forth Writs, according to the Statute of 2 H. V. Cap. 8. which Statute was presently read; and it is Ordered, That the Lord Keeper shall forthwith issue forth Writs to the Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace of the City of London, and the Counties of Midd. and Surrey, and to the Justices of the Peace for the City of Westminster, according to the Statute of 2 H. V. Cap. 8. concerning Riots, Routs, and unlawful Assemblies; and the Judges to be advised withall for the Form of the said Writs.

Bill for laying down Privilege of Parliament in certain Cases.

After this, the House was adjourned into a Committee, to debate the Bill touching the laying (fn. 1) down Protections; and, after a long Debate, the House was resumed; and these Lords were appointed to withdraw presently, and consider and draw up what Amendments and Alterations are fit to be made to the aforesaid Bill, according to the Sense of the House; and to report the same: videlicet,

The Lords being returned into the House, the Lord Privy Seal reported the Amendments and Alterations of the said Bill; which, being read Thrice, were approved of; and then the House Resolved, To have a Conference with the House of Commons To-morrow, and acquaint them therewith.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Jovis, videlicet, 3^m diem instantis Decembris, hora duodecima, Dominis sic decernentibus.