House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 11 February 1642

Die Veneris, videlicet, 11 die Februarii.

PRAYERS.

The Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas was chosen Speaker for this Day.

Powder sent to Mr. Leigh.

Thomas Parnell was brought in, and being asked what Powder he hath sent down from London into Staffordshire and Cheshire; he said, "That he had received divers Letters from Mr. Thomas Leigh of Adlington, in Cheshire; to send him down Seven Hundred Weight of Gunpowder; and accordingly he sent down Four Hundred Pounds Weight by Hollingworth the Carrier, and Three Hundred Pounds Weight by Amery, the Carrier of Staffordshire; and that he had received a Letter from Mr. Leigh, acknowledging that he hath received the Four Hundred Pounds Weight; but the Carrier that carried down the last Powder comes to Town this Day:" Hereupon it is Ordered, That Guys, the Powder-maker of whom the Powder was bought, and Hollingsworth and Amery the Two Carriers, shall be sent for, to attend this House, to be examined further in this Business.

Duke of Richmond's Absence excused.

The Duke of Richmond is excused for his Absence from this House, being to attend the King in His Journey.

Ld. Admiral to send Ships of Observation to France.

Ordered, That the Right Honourable the Lord High Admiral of England shall be hereby desired from this House, that he will forthwith dispatch and send Two Barks of Advice, the one to go to Deepe and Newhaven, and the other to go to Brest in Brittany, to discover whether there be any Preparation by Sea or Land in those Parts; and likewise to see if there be any Embargo upon our Ships in France; and that this House have a speedy Account of the whole Business.

Spanish Merchants concerning Bullion.

Divers Spanish Merchants appearing this Day, according to the Order of this House; it is Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider of the Petition of the Merchant Strangers dealing for Bullion shall presently meet, and hear what can be said on both Sides, concerning the Petition of the Merchant Strangers.

Next, an Abstract of a Letter was read, written from Antwerpe, to a Merchant in London, dated the 23d of January 1641, to this Effect: videlicet,

"This City is full; and we understand of nothing more than of the Affairs of England, every One being (fn. 1) afraid that there will happen great Mischiefs, and suddenly, unless that God doth prevent it; and, as you have neither Wife nor Children to oblige you to stay in England, I counsel you to withdraw you out of this evident Danger; and, according to my Judgement, you do well to come hither, where you shall be welcome.

Another Abstract of a Letter from Antwerpe, of the First of February 1641.

"By my last of the 23d, I counseled you to come hither, to avoid the imminent Danger; which once again I pray you, and the rest of our Friends.

"Written to Sir John Regnier, of London.

Bill against Pluralities, &c.

Next, this House was adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure, to consider of the Amendments and Alterations in the Bill against Pluralities, which were read, and approved of; and the House being resumed, it was Resolved, To have a Conference with the House of Commons about (fn. 2) it, to acquaint them with the said Alterations and Amendments.

The King's Answer that He will appoint Sir Jo. Conyers Lieutenant of The Tower.

The Earl of Cleveland reported the King's Answer to the Desires of both Houses, for recommending Sir John Conyers to be Lieutenant of The Tower of London: videlicet,

"Although His Majesty conceives that He is not obliged to give an Answer, in any Particular concerning the Forts and Militia of the Kingdom, until He shall know and consent to the Power and the Time how and to whom the Forts and Militia shall be disposed; yet, to shew His real Intention to satisfy the Fears of His People, He is content to accept of Sir John Conyers in the Place of Sir John Byron, for to be Lieutenant of The Tower of London, having already, at his earnest Desire, received the Surrender of the said Place from him."

Sent to the H. C.

This Answer was sent down to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Doctor Bennett.

Report from the Committee about the Bullion of Merchants Strangers.

After this, the Lord Robartes reported from the Committee that were appointed to consider of the Petition of the Merchant Strangers trading for Bullion, "That the Committee hath heard Merchants on both Sides; and the Merchant Strangers are satisfied with Sir John Conyers being made Lieutenant of The Tower of London; and it was agreed that Three Months should be given the Merchants to dispose of their Bullion and Coin here, in Case there should be a Breach between England and, Spaine, upon Condition it should be reciprocal; and (fn. 2) for the better securing of the Strangers Merchants, that there should be no Seizure nor Invasion upon their Bullion in the Mint, the Committee thought it fit that an Ordinance of Parliament should be made for their Security:" To which this House agreed; and Ordered, That the Lords Committees should make a Draught of an Ordinance, and present the same to this House.

Adjourn.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius de Communi Banco declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Sabbati, videlicet, 12^m diem instantis Februarii, 1641, hora 1^a post meridiem, Dominis sic dcernentibus.