House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 1 March 1642

DIE Martis, videlicet, 1 die Martii.

PRAYERS.

The Lord Admiral reported, "That the Committee appointed Yesterday to consider of the King's Answer have prepared a Draught of a Message, which the Committee have voted fit to be presented to the King; which was read, in hæc verba: videlicet.

Draught of a Message to the King concerning the Militia and the Prince.

"Most Gracious Sovereign,

"Your Majesty's most loyal and obedient Subjects, the Lords and Commons in Parliament, do find their just Apprehensions of Sorrow and Fear, in respect of the public Dangers and Miseries like to fall upon His Majesty and the Kingdom, to be much increased upon the Receipt of Your unexpected Denial of their most humble and necessary Petition concerning the Militia of the Kingdom; especially grieving that wicked and mischievous Counsellors should still have that Power with Your Majesty as, in this Time of imminent and approaching Ruin, rather to incline Your Resolutions to that which is apt to further the Accomplishment of the Desires of the most malignant Enemies of God's true Religion, and of the Peace and Safety of Yourself and Your Kingdom, than to the dutiful and faithful Counsels of Your Parliament.

"Wherefore they are enforced, in all Humility, to protest, That, if Your Majesty shall persist in that Denial, the Dangers and Distempers of the Kingdom are such as will endure no Delay; but, unless You shall be graciously pleased to assure to them by their Messengers, that You will speedily apply Your Royal Assent, to the Satisfaction of their former Desires, they shall be inforced, for the Safety of Your Majesty and Your Kingdoms, to dispose of the Militia, by the Authority of both Houses, in such Manner as hath been propounded to Your Majesty; and they resolve to do it accordingly.

"They likewise most humbly beseech your Majesty to believe that the dangerous and desperate Design upon the House of Commons, mentioned in their Preamble, was not inserted with any Intention to cast any Aspersion upon Your Majesty; but therein they reflected upon that malignant Party, of whose bloody and malicious Practices they have had so often Experience, and from which they can never be secure unless Your Majesty will be pleased to put from You those wicked and unfaithful Counsellors, who interpose their own corrupt and malicious Designs betwixt Your Majesty's Goodness and Wisdom, and the Prosperity and Contentment of Yourself and of Your People; and that, for the Dispatch of the great Affairs of the Kingdom, the Safety of Your Person, the Protection and Comfort of such Subjects, You will be pleased to continue Your Abode near to London and the Parliament, and not to withdraw Yourself to any the remoter Parts; which if Your Majesty should do, must be a Cause of great Danger and Distraction.

"That Your Majesty will likewise be Graciously pleased to continue the Prince his Highness in these Parts, at St. James's, or any other of Your Houses near London, whereby the Designs which the Enemies of the Religion and Peace of this Kingdom may have upon his Person, and the Jealousies and Fears of Your People, may be prevented.

"And they beseech Your Majesty to be informed by them, that, by the Laws of the Kingdom, the Power of raising, ordering, and disposing the Militia, within any City, Town, or other Place, cannot be granted to any Corporation, by Charter or otherwise, without the Authority and Consent of Parliament; and that those Parts of the Kingdom which have put themselves in a Posture of Defence, against the common Danger, have therein done nothing but according to the Declaration and Direction of both Houses, and what is justifiable by the Laws of this Kingdom.

"All which their most humble Counsel and Desires they pray Your Majesty to accept, as the Effect of that Duty and Allegiance which they owe unto You, and which will not suffer them to admit of any Thoughts, Intentions, or Endeavours, but such as are necessary and advantageous for Your Majesty's Greatness, Honour, and the Safety and Prosperity of the Kingdom, according to that Trust and Power which the Laws have reposed in them."

Resolved, upon the Question,

That this Message now read shall be presented to the King, from both Houses of Parliament.

Lords appointed to go to the King, with the Message.

Then this House appointed the Earl of Suffolke, Earl of Warwicke, Earl of Clare, the Lord Paget, Lord Brooke, and Lord Feilding, to join with a proportionable Number of the House of Commons, to present this Message to the King from both Houses; and to return by Ten of the Clock To-morrow Morning, if the King be at Theobalds; but, if His Majesty be gone further, then the Lords are to return the next Day after they have attended the King.

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

Message to the H. C. to appoint a Committee to go with them to the King.

To let them know, that this House hath voted this Message to be presented to the King, from both Houses; and that their Lordships have appointed Six Lords to attend the King with it, and do desire that the House of Commons would join in the same Message, and appoint a proportionable Number of their Members to go with the Lords to the King; and that they be enjoined to return To-morrow Morning, by Ten of the Clock; but, if the King be not at Theobalds, then to return the next Day after they have attended the King.

E. of Westmoreland Leave to be absent.

Ordered, That the Earl of Westm'land hath Leave to be absent for a Week.

Bps. of Durham, and Co. & Litch. to Leave to Petition the H. C.

The Petition of the Bishops of Duresme and Cov. & Litchfeild was presented to the House; shewing, "That whereas the House of Commons have voted a free Liberty unto them, and other Bishops impeached before their Lordships, to answer for themselves, and by themselves, without Counsel:

"Their humble Petition is, that, if it may consist with their Lordships Wisdom and Favour, both of them may be permitted the Liberty to present themselves before the House of Commons, to manifest unto them the Truth of their Cause, according to the Sincerity of their Intentions, at such Time or Times as they shall be pleased to appoint."

Hereupon their Lordships, taking this Petition into Consideration, and considering that these Bishops are Prisoners to this House; Ordered, That the Two Bishops aforesaid shall have Leave to go to the House of Commons, as they desire, if they will.

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

Answer from the H. C. about the Message to the King concerning the Prince and the Militia.

That the House of Commons do agree with their Lordships, in the Draught of the Message to the King, in every Part; and they have appointed a proportionable Number of their House, to join with the Committee of this House to present the said Message to the King; and have assigned them the same Time for their Return as their Lordships have.

Fitch's Privilege.

This House being informed, "That Gilbert Fitch, One of the Marshals of His Majesty's Hall in Ordinary, is arrested, contrary to the Privilege of Parliament;" it is Ordered, That the said Gilbert Fitch shall be released from his present Restraint, and have the Privilege of Parliament allowed him, as the King's menial Servant.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Mercurii, videlicet, 2^m diem Martii, (fn. 1) 1641, hora 10^a Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.