House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 12 November 1640

DIE Jovis, videlicet, 12 die Novembris.

PRAYERS.

Sir William Beecher's Petition.

Sir William Beecher's Petition was read, wherein he doth acknowledge his Error, in opposing his Sense to the Judgement of this Honourable Assembly, where upon, and considering the Infirmity and Sickness of the said Sir William Beecher, their Lordships were pleased to extend their Favours towards him; and Ordered, That he should be released speedily of his Imprisonment.

The King to be acquainted with the Earl of Straffords Commitment.

It was moved, That their Lordships would be pleased to take it into their Considerations, that His Majesty be made acquainted with the just Commitment Yesterday, and sequestering from this Honourable House, of the Earl of Strafford, with the Reasons and Manner of it. For that Purpose, divers Lords were appointed, to recollect and gather the Heads of those Particulars, as are fit and material to be represented unto (fn. 1) His Majesty.

The Names of the Lords appointed for that Purpose were, The

These Lords withdrew themselves into the Prince's Chamber.

Passage between England and Ireland opened by His Majesty.

The Earl Marshal reported to the House, That himself, with the rest of the Lords appointed with him Yesterday, have humbly besought His Majesty, for the opening of the Passage between Ireland and England, whereby the Subjects may have free Passage, may be opened, notwithstanding any Restraint. And His Majesty was pleased immediately to give Orders, That, by the same Means as it was restrained, it should again be opened, and made free.

House to be called.

Ordered, That the House shall be called upon Monday next.

His Majesty to be moved, to open the Passage between Ireland and England by Proclamation.

The Lord Keeper was appointed by their Lordships, and in Behalf of their Lordships, humbly to present unto His Majesty their Desire, That, as the free Passage between Ireland and England was restrained by Proclamation, so His Majesty would be pleased to open it again by Proclamation.

Relation of the Treason of Oconnor, an Irish Roman Priest.

The Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench signified to the House, That this Morning himself and Mr. Attorney General were commanded, by His Majesty, to deliver unto their Lordships the Relation concerning one Oconnor, an Irishman, a Romish Priest, now close Prifoner in The Gatehouse; his Offence being of a high and transcendent Nature. He told their Lordships, that he hath been examined by a Justice of Peace of Middlesex. The Witness against him is One Woman, and she of good Fame and Credit, and now a good Protestant, though formerly a Romish Recusant. This Woman hath had often Discourse with the said Oconnor, who told the Woman that many Thousands were in Pay, to be ready to cut all the Protestants Throats; and being asked how that could be, he answered, "By killing the King first;" and being asked how that could be, he said, "This Hand (meaning his own Hand) should do it." This they were commanded to signify unto their Lordships, that they may examine further the Proceedings, if their Lordships so please. Hereupon their Lordships thought fit that Oconnor should be forthwith tried by Law, before the Judges, in the King's Bench, but afterwards their Lordships were informed that the House of Commons had sent to the Judges, that his Trial might (fn. 2) be deferred until the Judges hear from them.

Viscount Stafford introduced.

This Day the Lord Viscount of Stafford was introducted in his Robes, between the Lord Viscount Campden and the Lord Mowbray; and, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Earl Marshal, Garter, and the Gentleman of the Black Rod going before, he presented his Patent of Creation, bearing Date 11 die Novembris, 16° Caroli Regis, on his Knee, to the Lord Keeper; and, after it was delivered to the Clerk, and read, he was brought to his Place on the Viscounts Bench.

Order upon the Earl of Stanford's Petition.

It was moved, That those that are Delinquents in the Earl of Stanford's Petition, and are Officers in His Majesty's Army in the North, that the Earl of Northumberland, Lord General, be made acquainted with it; and he to give Directions in it. The other Delinquents are to be sent for, by the Order of this House.

A Message from the House of Commons, by Sir Thomas Roc, to this Effect videlicet,

Message from the House of Commons for a Conference, touching the Proceedings at Yorke,

and touching the Breach of the Lords Privileges by Two of their Members.

That the House of Commons, having received a Message touching a Conference with a Committee of both Houses, concerning a Narration of the Proceedings at Yorke, and with the Scottish Commissioners at Rippon, he was commanded to let their Lordships know, that the Commons will be ready to give their Lordships a Meeting, when they shall please to appoint; and touching the Message from their Lordships, concerning the infringing of their Privilege by Two Members of the House of Commons, they will be ready, at some longer Time, to give them an Answer.

Answer.

These Messengers of the Commons withdrew; and the Lord Keeper, reporting the said Message to the House, was appointed to return this Answer: That, concerning the first Part of their Message, their Lordships will be ready to give a Meeting, with a Committee of both Houses, at Three of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Painted Chamber.

Message to the House of Commons, concerning the Passage between England and Ireland.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and the Lord Chief Baron: To let them know, That the Lords have moved His Majesty, touching the opening and clearing the Passage from Ireland to England, whereby the Subjects may have free Passage; and that His Majesty hath willingly condescended thereunto; and to that Purpose hath given Order it shall be done speedily and effectually.

Answer.

The Judges return this Answer only: That they have acquainted the House of Commons with the Message.

Report of the Reasons to be signified to His Majesty for the Earl of Strafford's Commitment.

The Lords being returned from drawing the Heads whereof to give His Majesty an Account (fn. 3) concerning the Commitment and Sequestering of the Earl of Strafford, the Earl of Bristoll reported them to the House; and, being approved, the said Lords were appointed to present them presently to His Majesty.

The Lord Keeper was appointed by the House to make an Induction before the Narration, which is to be delivered in the Afternoon at the Committee of both Houses; and the Lords Commissioners to sit together in the Middle of the Table.

Lords excused.

Earl of Cleveland hath Leave to be absent for Two or Three Days.

Earl of Hartford excused.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in horam secundam post meridiem hujus dier, Dominis sic decernentibus.

Huc usque examinatur per Dominos,
He. Bathon. Warwicke.
Hen. Dover.
Mowbray Et Matravers.
P. Wharton.
Edward Mountagu.
W. Robertes.

Post meridiem.

PRAYERS.

Conference about the Proceedings at York and Rippon.

The Lords Spiritual and Temporal went into the Painted Chamber, to the Conference of both Houses, and, after the Lords Commissioners had made a long Narration of the Treaty at Rippon, with the Scottish Commissioners, and the Affairs at Yorke, being returned into the House;

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Veneris, videlicet, 13^m diem Novembris instantis, hora 9^a, Dominis sic decernentibus.