House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 4 January 1642

DIE Martis, videlicet, 4 die Januarii.

PRAYERS.

The King's Answer about the Guards.

The Lord Steward reported, "That the King will send an Answer to the Desire of both Houses Yesterday, concerning the Guards, very speedily, which may be To-day or To-morrow."

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Serjeant Whitfeild and Serjeant Glanvile:

Message to the H. C. to acquaint them with it.

To communicate the aforesaid Answer of the King to them.

Proger discharged.

Upon the Report of the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench made this Day unto the House, it is Ordered, That Arthur Progers, now a Prisoner in The Gatehouse at Westm. shall be forthwith freed, and set at Liberty, of and from his present Restraint and Imprisonment.

"To the Keeper of the Gatehouse at Westm."

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

Message from the H. C. about the Safety of the King and Kingdom, and concerning Privilege of Parliament.

To desire a present Free Conference, if it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, by a Committee of both Houses, touching the Safety of the King and Kingdom, and touching the Privileges of both Houses of Parliament.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

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

The Messengers which were sent to the House of Commons return with this Answer:

Answer from the H. C.

That they have delivered their Message.

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 the Effect of the Conference, which was:

Conference about Privilege of Parliament reported.

About the Guards at Whitehall.

"That the Occasion of this Conference was, to put their Lordships in Mind that last Night, at the Conference, the House of Commons informed their Lordships of (fn. 1) a Guard of Soldiers, which were in a Warlike Manner at Whitehall, near the Houses of Parliament, which they conceive to be a Breach of the Privilege of Parliament, being without the Consent of both Houses; for vindicating of which Breach of Privileges the House of Commons desired their Lordships to join with them, humbly to move His Majesty that the said (fn. 1) Guard may be discharged; but the said Guards be not dismissed, but continued; the House of Commons do now again desire their Lordships to join with them to vindicate the Privileges of Parliament, and do reiterate their Desires Yesterday, and that upon these Reasons:

"1. The House of Commons have received fresh Informations, that divers Gentlemen have made their Addresses to the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court, and have dealt with them to come armed to Whitehall, when they shall be required; yet they have not condescended thereto.

The Commons complain of the Charge of their Five Members for Treason.

"2. The House of Commons have met with a scandalous Paper, as was published abroad, to the Scandal (fn. 1) of some Members of both Houses. The Paper, being read, contained Articles of High Treason and High Misdemeanors against the Lord Kymbolton, a Member of this House, and Denzill Hollis, Esquire, Sir Arthur Haslerigg, John Pym, Esquire, John Hampden, Esquire, and William Stroude, Esquire, Members of the House of Commons. The Desire of the House of Commons is, that their Lordships would join with them, to find out the Authors, and to bring them to condign Punishment for so high a Breach of the Privileges of Parliament."

Nothing at this Time was Resolved of.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Mercurii, videlicet, 5^m diem instantis Januarii, hora 1^a post meridiem, Dominis sic decernentibus.