House of Lords Journal Volume 5: 27 August 1642

DIE Sabbati, 27 Augusti.

PRAYERS.

Lord Kymbolton, Speaker.

Lord Grey of Scotland a Pass to go Home.

Ordered, That the Lord Grey, of Scotland, with his Lady, Children, Servants, Coach, and Horses, with Six Saddle-horses, with their Pistols and Cloak-bags, may pass into Scotland.

Thorne, a Minister, for Blasphemy.

Mr. Thorne, a Minister, was at the Bar, who was charged for speaking of Blasphemous Words.

To. Bonstred, sworn, said, "That, in a Sermon, he said, That God was puzzled to hear our Prayers."

Tho. Sibbes, sworn, saith, "That it doth, as it were, puzzle God to hear our Prayers."

Earl of Southampton comes into the House, and is ordered to withdraw.

The Earl of South'ton, coming from the King at Nottingham, came into the House, as high as his Place; who, being commanded to withdraw, went out of the House again.

To send in a Message, he brought from the King, by the Gentleman Usher.

The Lords were informed, "That the said Earl, had a Message to deliver to the Lords in Parliament, from the King;" but, in regard of the Manner of his coming into the House, and that without giving any Notice thereof before either in one Kind or another, the House did not think fit that the said Earl of South'ton should be permitted to deliver the said Message; but that he should send it in, by the Gentleman Usher attending this House.

Gentleman Usher sent to him for it.

Whereupon the said Gentleman Usher was sent out to the Earl of South'ton, with this Message in Writing: videlicet,

"1. My Lords are not satisfied with the Manner of your Lordship's coming into the House at this Time: They will not, therefore, receive any Message by your Lordship; but, as it comes from His Majesty, they are ready to receive it with all Humility, and wish your Lordship to send it in unto them by the Hands of their Gentleman Usher."

The Earl's Answer:

His Answer.

2. That he desires to let your Lordships know, he was commanded, by the King, to deliver this Message to the House; and he doth not know how His Majesty will be pleased, if he should deliver it to Mr. Maxwell."

The Lords Answer:

The Lords Reply.

3. My Lords conceive the Delivery of the King's Message to their Gentleman Usher, by their Command, is a Delivery of it to this House."

The Earl's Answer:

The Earl refuses to deliver it to the Gentleman Usher.

"The Earl of South'ton desireth not to be pressed to it, for he durst not do it until he had acquainted the King therewith."

Committee to draw up a Resolution about it.

After this, the House appointed a Committee, to draw up the Resolution of the House touching this Business, which was to be sent forth, by the Gentleman Usher, unto the Earl of South'ton: videlicet,

Earl of Northumb'land.
Earl of Holland.
Lord Viscount Say & Seale.
Lord Roberts.

Their Lordships to withdraw presently, into the Lord Keeper's Lodgings.

A Message from the Commons, by Sir Christo. Yerverton and others:

Message from the H. C. to sit a while.

That the Commons desire the Lords to fit a while, for that they have Business of great Importance to impart unto their Lordships.

Answer.

After the Messengers had withdrawn, and were called in again, they were told by the Speaker, "That the Lords would sit, as they had desired."

The Committee, returning, reported what they had drawn up, touching the Earl of South'ton: videlicet,

Resolution concerning the Earl of Southampton's refusing to deliver the King's Message to the Gentleman Usher.

That the Lords were ready to receive with Humility the Message from the King, though not from his Lordship's Hand, because they were unsatisfied with his Carriages; therefore they sent their Gentleman Usher to bring it to them, which he Twice refusing, they shall account him answerable for any ill Consequence that may ensue thereby; and their Lordships have not proceeded farther against him at this Time, in respect he was employed by the King to this House, but do command him forthwith to depart this Town;" which, being read, was approved.

He sends it in.

After this, the Earl of South'ton sent in the King's Message, by Mr. Maxwell; which was read, in hæc verba: videlicet, (enter the King's Message.)

Message from the H. C. for a Conference on a Message from the King.

A Message from the Commons, by Mr. Longe and others:

That the Commons desire a present Conference, touching a Message lately sent from the King, by Sir Jo. Culpepper.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference.

Phillips and Burnby from Huntingdon committed to The Fleet.

Ordered, That Lewis Phillippes, Under Sheriff of Huntingdonshire, and Hen. Burnbye, Bailiff of the Hundred of Toosland, in the said County, shall be received by the Gentleman Usher, and returned over to The Fleet.

House resumed.

Report of the Conference.

The Lord Kymbolton reported, "That they had received the like Message from the Commons, sent to them by the King, as the Lords had received, and likewise Two Votes, whereunto their Lordships Concurrence was desired.

"Resolved, upon the Question,

Votes of the H. C. upon the King's Message.

"That this House cannot give Answer to this Message from His Majesty, until the Proclamations and Declarations be re-called, whereby the Earl of Essex, and both Houses of Parliament, and their Adherents and Assistants, and such as have obeyed and executed their Commands and Directions, according to their Duties, are declared Traitors, or otherwise Delinquents, and until the Standard set up in Pursuance of the said Proclamations be taken down."

Read, but not agreed unto.

"Resolved, etc.

"To desire the Lords to join with this House, in a Direction to the Lord General, That he advance his Forces with all possible Speed for the Defence and Safety of the Kingdom; that this (fn. 1) the House doth not out of any Apprehension (fn. 2) of any Backwardness in the Lord General, but to give Satisfaction that this Message doth not render them any Thing slack."

Read, and agreed unto.

Answer to the H. C. about the Votes.

The Messengers being called in, the Speaker told them, That the Lords concurred with them in the latter Vote; and touching the former, they should receive an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Committee to consider of the First, and prepare an Answer to the King.

Earl Northumb'land,
Earl Holland.
Lord Viscount Say & Seale,
Lord Wharton,
Lord Rob'ts,

To withdraw presently, to consider of the First Vote; and, by the Substance of that, to draw up an Answer to his Majesty's Message, and report the same to the House.

Their Lordships, returning, reported the said Answer, in hæc verba: videlicet. (Enter Answer.)

Message from the H. C. with Orders, etc. for the Lords Concurrence.

A Message from the Commons, by Sir Rob't Harley and others:

That the (fn. 3) Commons desire their Concurrence in several Orders:

1. An Order touching Benedict Stafford, a Master of a Ship.

Agreed.

2. An Order to restrain Soldiers to break Houses, etc.

Read, agreed, and Ordered to be printed.

3. An Order that Thirty Cables shall be sent to the Earl of Warwicke.

4. An Order touching the Lord Kelley. Agreed.

5. Instructions for Kent.

To be examined by the Clerk, and to be delivered.

Message to the H. C. with an Order to prevent plundering Houses.

Sir Rob'te Rich and Mr. Page sent to the Commons, with a Public Order to avoid the plundering of Houses; and that, they having concurred with the Lords, that it may be printed.

The Order.

"Whereas daily Complaints are made of breaking into, pillaging, and robbing of Houses, in several Parts of this Kingdom, contrary to the Laws of the Land, and which hath caused a great Fear and Distraction in the Minds of many of His Majesty's loving and good Subjects, and hath been much to the Prejudice of the Peace and Quiet of this Realm: It is therefore thought fit, and so Ordered, by the Lords and in Parliament assembled, That no Person or Persons whatsoever shall henceforth presume to break into or pillage any House, steal or take away the Goods, of any Man, upon Pain of severe Punishment, according to the Laws of the Land: And it is further Ordered, That (fn. 4) no Person or Persons whatsoever shall search the House of any Man, either for Arms, Powder, or Ammunition, but with the Lord Lieutenant, Deputy Lieutenants appointed by Parliament, Justices of the Peace of the County where such Search shall be made, or other His Majesty's Officers, authorized by the Laws of this Land, or by some particular Order or Ordinance of both or either of the Houses of Parliament, or Order from the Committee of both Houses of Parliament appointed for the Safety of the Kingdom, or the Earl of Essex, Lord General: And it is further Ordered, That all such Person or Persons as have, or shall have, their House or Houses broken up, entered into, or their Goods taken away, without any Order or Ordinance as aforesaid, contrary to the Laws of the Land, shall have Restitution and Satisfaction from the Parties so wronging them, who may (by virtue of this Order) be impleaded or proceeded against, according to the Law of the Land, as Offenders: And lastly, That all Sheriffs, within the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, shall, with all possible Speed, publish this Order, in all the Market Towns within their several Counties."

French Ambassador's Servant a Guide to Nottingham.

Ordered, That the French Ambassador's Servant shall have a Post-warrant for Two or Three Horses, and a Guide to Nottingham.

Message from the H. C. with an Answer to the King's Message.

A Message from the Commons, by Mr. Pime and others:

That the Commons have agreed with the Lords, in the Answer to the King's late Message, with some little Alteration; and desire that Sir Jo. Culpepper may be the Messenger, to carry the said Answer unto His Majesty.

Which the Lords agreed unto; and it was Ordered, accordingly.

Message from the King, at Nottingham, to both Houses, proposing a Treaty for composing Differences.

"CHARLES R.

"His Majesty's Gracious Message to both Houses of Parliament, sent from Nottingham, by the Earls of Southampton and Dorsett, Sir John Culpeper, Knight, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sir William Uvedall, Knight.

We have, with unspeakable Grief of Heart, long beheld the Distractions of this Our Kingdom. Our very Soul is full of Anguish, until We may find some Remedy to prevent the Miseries which are ready to overwhelm this whole Nation with a Civil War. And though all Our Endeavours, tending to the Composing of those unhappy Differences betwixt Us and Our Two Houses of Parliament (though pursued by Us with all Zeal and Sincerity) have been hitherto without that Success We hoped for; yet such is Our constant and earnest Care to preserve the Public Peace, that We shall not be discouraged from using any Expedient which, by the Blessing of the God of Mercy, may lay a firm Foundation of Peace and Happiness to all Our Subjects. To this End, observing that many Mistakes have arisen by the Messages, Petitions, and Answers, betwixt Us and Our Two Houses of Parliament, which happily may be prevented by some other Way of Treaty, wherein the Matters in Difference may be more clearly understood and more freely transacted, We have thought fit to propound to you, That some fit Persons may be by you enabled to treat with the like Number to be authorized by Us, in such a Manner, and with such Freedom of Debate, as may best tend to that happy Conclusion which all good Men desire, the Peace of the Kingdom; when, as We promise, in the Word of a King, all Safety and Encouragement to such as shall be sent to Us, if you shall choose the Place where We are for the Treaty (which We wholly leave to you), presuming of the like Care of the Safety of those We shall employ, if you shall name another Place; so We assure you, and all Our good Subjects, that (to the best of Our Understanding) nothing shall be therein wanting, on Our Part, which may advance the true Protestant Religion, oppose Popery and Superstition, secure the Law of the Land (upon which is built as well Our just Prerogative as the Propriety and Liberty of the Subject), confirm all just Power and Privileges of Parliament, and render Us and Our People truly happy, by a good Understanding betwixt Us and Our Two Houses of Parliament. Bring with you as firm Resolutions to do your Duty; and let all Our good People join with Us in Our Prayers to Almighty God, for His Blessing upon this Work. If this Proposition shall be rejected by you, We have done Our Duty so amply, that God will absolve Us from the Guilt of any of that Blood which must be spilt. And what Opinion soever other Men may have of Our Power, We assure you nothing but Our Christian and pious Care to prevent the Effusion of Blood hath begot this Motion; Our Provision of Men, Arms, and Money, being such as may secure Us from further Violence, till it please God to open the Eyes of Our People."

Nottingham, 25 Augusti, 1642.

Answer of both Houses to it.

"May it please Your Majesty,

"SIR,

"The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, having received Your Majesty's Message of the 25th of August, do with much Grief resent the dangerous and distracted State of this Kingdom, which we have by all Means endeavoured to prevent, both by our several Advices and Petitions to Your Majesty, which have been not only without Success, but there hath followed that which no ill Counsel in former Times hath produced, or any Age hath seen; namely, those several Proclamations and Declarations against both the Houses of Parliament, whereby their Actions are declared treasonable, and their Persons Traitors; and thereupon Your Majesty hath set up Your Standard against them, whereby You have put the Two Houses of Parliament, and in them this whole Kingdom, out of Your Protection; so that, until Your Majesty shall re-call those Proclamations and Declations, whereby the Earl of Essex and both Houses of Parliament, and their Adherents and Assistants, and such as have obeyed and executed their Commands and Directions, according to their Duties, are declared Traitors or otherwise Delinquents; and until the Standard set up in Pursuance of the said Proclamations be taken down, Your Majesty hath put us into such a Condition, that, whilst we so remain, we cannot, by the fundamental Privileges of Parliament, the Public Trust reposed in us, or with the general Good and Safety of this Kingdom, give Your Majesty any other Answer to this Message."

"Sabbati, 27 Augusti, 1642.

Order to secure the Bullion, Cargo of The Clear, Stafford, of London.

"Whereas the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament are informed, That a Ship, called The Cleare of London, is lately arrived in the Port of Hampton, whereof Mr. Benedict Stafford is Master, from the West Indies, laden with Silver and other Commodities of Value, which the said Master hath brought thither without Consent of the Owners of the Silver, and other Goods, whereof Part or all is already landed, and carried to the House of Mr. Legire, Merchant, Owner of the same Ship: It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, That the Committee and Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Southampton shall forthwith, upon the Receipt hereof, send Two of their own Company to South'ton, and there, with the Assistance of Mr. Gallopp and Mr. Upton, Burgesses serving in Parliament for that Town, shall call before them the said Mr. Legire, Benedict Stafford, and such others as shall be best able to inform them of the Truth of the Premises, and of the Value of the Bullion or Coin, and the Quantity and Quality of other Lading, and to take the Bullion or Coin into their own Custody, to be brought up to London, with a sufficient Guard, that so it may be kept to the Use of the true Owners, to be restored as soon as the Parliament shall be informed to whom the same doth belong, it appertaining to the Honour and Justice of this High Court to see that Right be done, and that no Subjects of any Foreign State be wronged by the Miscarriage of any of His Majesty's Subjects in this Kingdom: Touching the other Goods, it is Ordered, That the Committees shall certify their Opinion, what is best to be done with the same Goods, that a true Accompt may be made of them to all Parties which shall be justly interested therein; willing and requiring the Mayor and Sheriff or Sheriffs of the said Town of South'ton and the County of the said Town, as likewise the Sheriff of the County of South'ton, with the Power of their several Counties, and of the said Town, and all Justices and Deputy Lieutenants of the said Counties and Town, and all other His Majesty's loving Subjects, to be aiding and assisting thereunto; and for their so doing, this shall be their sufficient Warrant."

"Die Sabbati, 27 Augusti, 1642.

Order to prevent plundering Houses.

"Whereas divers Soldiers have, in a tumultuous and violent Manner, broken into divers of the King's Subjects Houses, pillaged and ransacked them, under Pretence and Colour that they are Papists Houses, or the Houses of Persons disaffected: The Lords and Commons, taking the Premises into Consideration, do Declare and Order, That whatsoever Soldier or Soldiers shall, without the Command of the Captains of their respective Companies, or the Officers of the Field, attempt upon or break open any House whatsoever, or pillage or ransack any House, shall be pursued and punished according to the Law, as a Felon; and the said Lords and Commons do require all Officers of the Army to employ their best Endeavours, for the bringing of any such Soldiers, that shall commit any of the Insolencies aforesaid, to condign Punishment, that they may be severally and effectually proceeded against according to Law; and the Lord General is desired that this Order may be duly published in the Army, in the Head of each particular Company."

"Die Sabbati, 27 Augusti.

Officers for the Dock Yard at Chatham to issue Stores, for the Fleet under the E. of Warwick.

"It is Ordered, by the and Commons in Parliament, That the Store-keepers and Clerk of Check of His Majesty's Stores at Chatham do issue, out of the said Stores, Thirty Cables, of the several Dimensions hereunder written, for the Use of His Majesty's Ships now at Sea; and the said Officers are to take Care that the said Cables be forthwith sent unto The Downes, and delivered on Board His Majesty's Ship The James, or George, or to such other Ship or Ships as the Earl of Warwick shall appoint: And it is further Ordered, That the Clerk of the Check and Store-keeper at Chatham, as also the several Clerks of the Check and Store-keepers of His Majesty's Yards and Stores at Dedford, Woolwich, and Portsmouth, and all other Officers there, shall from Time to Time take in, and issue out, all such Provisions and Stores, for the Use of His Majesty's Navy, as they shall receive Directions from the Committee of the Commons House of Parliament for the Navy:

"These Cables of Necessity must be supplied, if these Ships above specified be kept out any Part of the Winter."

"Die Sabbati, 27 Augusti, 1642.

L. Kerry to raise Men in Cornwall and Devonshire, for Ireland.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, That the Lord Kerrey shall forthwith have a Commission, to levy his Men in Cornewall and Devonshire, and those Parts adjacent, or elsewhere, as shall be most convenient for that Service; and shall have Power, by that Commission, to employ them in Ireland; and they are to receive their Arms at Corke, Kinsale, and Youghall; and this to be done with all Expedition: And lastly it is Ordered, That the Levy-money shall arise out of the Adventurers monies, and that the Treasurers thereof forthwith pay the same."

"27 Augusti, 1642.

"Instructions agreed upon by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, for Sir Edward Hales, Sir Henry Heyman, Sir Humfry Tufton, Knights and Baronets, Sir Francis Barnham, Sir Edward Boys, Sir Thomas Walsingham, Sir Hen. Vane, Junior, Sir Edward Masters, Sir Peeter Wroth, Knights, Sir Thomas Payten, Baronet, Richard Browne, Augustine Skinner, John Natt, Richard Lee, Deputy Lieutenants nominated by both Houses of Parliament, and Members of the House of Commons, and Committees to be sent into the County of Kent; and for Sir John Sidley, Knight and Baronet, Sir Edward Scot, Sir George Sands, Sir William Brooke, Knights of the Bath, Sir John Rivers, Knight and Baronet, Sir Michaell Levesey, Baronet, Sir Anthony Weldon, Sir John Honywood, Sir James Oxingden, Sir Robert Honywood, Knights, Edwin Sands, William James, the Mayor of Canterbury for the Time being, John Boys of Elmington, John Porter, Edward Money, and Blunt, Esquires, the rest of the Deputy Lieutenants nominated by the said Houses of Parliament, for the Preservation of the Peace of the said County.

Instructions for the Deputy Lieutenants of Kent.

"Whereas it doth appear, to the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, That the King, seduced by wicked Counsel, hath raised War against His Parliament and other His good Subjects, and hath drawn together great Troops of Papists and ill-affected Persons, and sent out Commissions for the levying of others, to the great Hazard of Religion and the Public Peace of the Kingdom: You shall therefore take special Care, that the Ordinance concerning the Militia be forthwith put in Execution through the said County of Kent; and, for that Purpose, you, or any Three of you, shall have Power and Authority to arm, train, and put in Readiness, all and every the Inhabitants of that County, fit for the Wars, as well of the Trained Band as other Voluntiers, both Horse and Foot; and them, under the Command of such Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Serjeant Majors, Captains, and other Officers, as you, or any Three of you, shall nominate and appoint, to lead and conduct, as well against all Foreign Forces that shall in Hostile Manner invade the said County, as for the resisting and opposing of all such other Forces as shall be there raised to the Disturbance of the Peace of that County; and the Sheriff and all other Officers of the said County are hereby enjoined to assist you, and every of you, herein; and if any Person whatsoever shall levy, or endeavour to levy, or billet, any Soldiers, or to draw or keep together the Trained Bands, or other armed Forces of the said County, or any other Forces, by Colour or Pretence of any Commission or Warrant from His Majesty, under the Great Seal, or otherwise, without Order or Consent of both Houses of Parliament, you are to make known to the Trained Bands, and other Inhabitants of the said County, that those who shall appear upon any such Warrant, or obey any such Commission, shall be held Disturbers of the Public Peace, and those who shall not appear upon any such Warrant or Commission, nor do any Thing in Execution thereof, shall be protected by both Houses of Parliament; and you, or any One or more of you, shall, in the Name and by the Authority of both Houses of Parliament, require and command all Persons to forbear the Execution of such Commission or Warrant, and the same to be delivered up to you, or any of you, to be sent to the Speaker of the House of Commons; and you, and any Three or more of you, are hereby required to draw together such of the Trained Bands, and other Forces of the said County, as shall be expedient, for the suppressing of all such Assemblies, and for the apprehending of all or any Person or Persons as shall, after Admonition and Command by you, or any of you, made unto them, to forbear the Execution of any such Commission or Warrant, or the calling or gathering or keeping together of any such Forces or Assemblies, still persist in doing the same, and likewise such as shall bear Arms by Colour of any Warrant or Commission from His Majesty, under the Great Seal, or otherwise, without Order or Consent of both Houses of Parliament, and also such disaffected Persons as shall be found raising any Parties or Factions against the Parliament, to be sent up hither, to answer such their Offences, as to Law and Justice shall appertain; and you, or any One or more of you, the abovesaid Members of the House of Commons, shall, in the Name of the Lords and Commons, require the Sheriffs of the said County to publish throughout the same the Declarations commanded to be published by both Houses of Parliament.

"2. You are required to suppress all Persons whomsoever, who shall levy any Soldiers, or draw together any of the Trained Bands, by Colour or Pretence of any Commission from His Majesty, under the Great Seal, or otherwise; and you, and any One or more of you, shall stay, search, and examine, or cause to be stayed, searched, and examined, all suspicious Persons and Carriages, and to search, or cause to be searched, all suspicious Places, and shall seize upon all Horses, Arms, Ammunition, Money, Plate, or other Provision whatsoever, raised or provided, under Pretence of His Majesty's Service, for the fomenting or maintaining any such unnatural or unlawful War against His People.

"3. You, or any Three or more of you, shall observe and execute the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament of the 8th of this Instant August, for the Suppression of the Rebellion and Commotion raised by the Marquis of Hartford, in the County of Somersett, and other Western Counties, and by the Earl of Northampton and others in the Counties of Leicester, Northampton, Warwicke, and other adjoining Parts, and of any other Rebellion or Commotion, raised, or that shall be raised, by any other Person or Persons, within the said County.

"4. You, or any Three or more of you, shall conduct and lead all such Forces of Horse and Foot, as shall be appointed by the Lord General, the Earl of Essex, for this Service; and shall fight with, kill, and stay, all such as shall by Force oppose you in the Execution of that Ordinance, and all other Assistants, Aiders, and Abettors; and you shall levy such other Forces of Horse and Foot as his Excellence shall, by his Commission, give you Power to levy, under such Colonels, Commanders, and other Officers, as shall be by him appointed or directed; and you shall pursue the said Traitors and Rebels, in the said County, or in any other Counties or Places of the Kingdom in which they shall retire themselves; all which Forces, so to be raised, shall have the same Pay as the rest of the Army is to have; and you shall defend and protect His Majesty's Subjects from Violence and Oppression, by the illegal Commission of Array or otherwise; and you shall hinder and forbid the Execution of that illegal Commission, and, in all Places, to the uttermost of your Power, endeavour to preserve and restore the Peace of the Kingdom.

"5. You, or any Three or more of you, shall take from the said Rebels and Traitors all such Arms, Ordnance, and Ammunition, as they have taken from His Majesty's Subjects, and restore the same to the Owners.

"6. You, or any One or more of you, shall take Care, that such Resolutions and Orders of both Houses as have been, or shall be, delivered or sent down unto you, or any of you, be put in Execution; and shall require the several Sheriffs, and Justices of the Peace, and all other His Majesty's Officers and Subjects of the said County, to be aiding and assisting unto you, and every of you, for that Purpose: You shall declare unto all Men, that it hath ever been, and still shall be, the Care and Endeavour of the Parliament, to provide for His Majesty's Safety; and that they do not, nor ever did, know of any Evil intended against His Majesty's Person, which might move Him to require any extraordinary Guard; that His greatest Safety is in the Affections and Fidelity of His Subjects, and in the Advice and Counsel of His Parliament; and His greatest Danger in withdrawing Himself from them; so that, under Colour of doing Him Service, disaffected and malignant Persons, obnoxious to Justice for their great Enormities, have raised Forces, which they labour to increase, to the Disturbance and Hazard of the Kingdom.

"7. You, and every of you of the Members of the House of Commons, and any One or more of you, shall endeavour to clear the Proceedings of Parliament from all Imputations and Aspersions, and shall from Time to Time certify us of all Things which you conceive necessary for the present Service: And that we may have a speedy Account of it, and that our Directions to you, as well as your Advertisements to us, may have clear and speedy Passage, you, and every of you, shall lay a strict Charge upon all Post-masters and Messengers, that they do not suffer any Letters, or other Dispatches, to or from the Parliament, to be intercepted or stayed; and, if any shall presume to make Stay of any such Dispatches, you, and every of you, shall direct the Post-masters and Messengers to repair to the Justices of the Peace, Constables, and all other Officers, for their Aid and Assistance, who are hereby required to take special Care that there be no such Interruption.

"8. You, or any One or more of you, are hereby authorized and required to disarm all Popish Recusants, and other dangerous and ill-affected Persons, as well Clergymen as others, as have testified, or shall testify, their ill Dispositions to the State of the Kingdom; and all such Arms, and all other Arms formerly taken from Popish Recusants, shall be employed by you for the Defence of the County.

"9. You, or any Two or more of you, shall take Care, that none of the Recusants Arms, or other Ammunition of the said County, shall be taken or carried out of the same, upon any Pretence or Command whatsoever, without Warrant from both Houses of Parliament; and you, and any Two or more of you, shall give Order and Directions to the Sheriff of the said County, Justices of Peace, and other Officers, to require and command all Popish Recusants in the said County to confine themselves to their Dwellings, according to the Statute in that Case provided; and if any such Recusant shall be found to transgress therein, you, and every of you, shall cause the Justices of the Peace forthwith to bind them to their good Behaviour, and, upon Refusal or Neglect to give Security accordingly, to commit them to Prison, and further to proceed against them according to the Law.

"10. You, or any Three or more of you, shall also, in the Name of both Houses of Parliament, require all such Persons, who have in their Custody any Part of the Public Magazine of the County, to deliver the same to you, or some of you, to be disposed of and employed for the Defence of the said County; and, in Case of Refusal, you are hereby authorized to seize, take, and carry away, and dispose of the same, for the Purposes aforesaid.

"11. You, or any Three or more of you, are likewise to give Charge, from both Houses of Parliament, to all Captains, Lieutenants, and other Officers for the Militia, that they shall be observant to such Directions as they shall from Time to Time receive from the Lord Lieutenant of the said County, or his Deputies, or any of them, for due Performance of any the Commands of the said Houses.

"12. You, or any One or more of you, shall resist and repel, and are hereby authorized to resist and repel, by the Power of the said County, and by all other Ways and Means, all such Force and Violence as shall be raised or brought, by any Person or Persons, to the Hindrance or Disturbance of this present Service, or for the arresting or seizing of the Persons of you, or any of you, or of any others which shall be employed in the Performance of the Ordinances, Instructions, and Commands of both Houses of Parliament, for any Thing done in Execution thereof; and the several Sheriffs and Justices of Peace of the said County, and other Officers and Subjects, are hereby enjoined to be aiding and assisting to you, and every of you, for the better and more speedy Execution of the Premises.

"13. You, or any Three or more of you, shall hereby, with the Consent of Two of the Members of the House of Commons aforenamed, have Power and Authority to fortify any Part, or Place, of the said County, in such Manner and Sort as you, or any of you, with the Consent of Two of the Members of the House of Commons afore-named, shall think fit, for the Safety of the said County; and, for the more Security of the same, shall set forth several Guards and Forces, in all such Places and Towns of the said County as you, or any of you, with the Consent of any Two of the Members of the House of Commons afore named, shall think it requisite; and to cause the Beacons within the said County to be watched, guarded, and fired, as Occasion shall require.

"14. You, and every of you, shall observe and execute all such further Directions and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from both Houses of Parliament, as likewise from the Committee of the Lords and Commons appointed to take Care for the Safety of the Kingdom; and whatsoever you shall do therein, or any other Person in Aid or Assistance of you, it shall be accepted as a good and necessary Service to the Kingdom; and for their and your so doing, they and you shall be defended and protected by the Authority of Parliament; and this Resolution of the Lords and Commons, to protect those that shall obey and further their Commands, you shall publish and declare, upon all Occasions, for the better Encouragement of the Subjects of this Kingdom in that Behalf.

"15. You, and every of you, shall take Care to put in Execution the Propositions and Orders made by the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, for bringing in of Money or Plate, to maintain Horse, Horsemen, and Arms, for the Preservation of the Public Peace, and for the Defence of the King and both Houses of Parliament; as also other Instructions and Additions for Deputy Lieutenants which are Members of the House of Commons, and other Lieutenants of several Counties, concerning the last Propositions, according to a Declaration of the said Lords and Commons made thereupon; and that you, or any Three or more of you, shall or may call together the Inhabitants of the County, at such Times and Places as you shall think fit, and propound to them what Horsemen and Arms they will find and maintain, or what Money they will contribute, for the Defence of that County, of which Monies you shall appoint Receivers and Treasurers; and which Forces, and all other Forces that shall be raised in that County, by the Authority of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, and their Officers, you, or any Three or more of you, shall lead, conduct, and employ, for the Defence of the said County; and of the Monies arising out of the said Contribution within your County, you, or the major Part of you, shall have Power to issue forth such Sum or Sums of Money, upon Accompt, as you shall find requisite, for the providing of Arms and Ammunition, for the Defence and Security of the said County, as also for the paying of such Soldiers as shall be levied and employed for the Purposes aforesaid.

"16. You, or any Three or more of you, shall or may, in the Absence of the Lieutenant of the County, make and appoint such Captains, and other Officers, as shall be requisite, for the Service and Defence of that County, and to remove them out of their Places, and to make others, from Time to Time, as you shall think fit for that Purpose.

"17. You, or any Two or more of you, shall or may require strong Watches and Wards to be set, by the Constable, or such other Person as you shall think meet, in all convenient Places in that County, for the Peace and Safety thereof.

"18. You, or the greater Part of you, whereof Two to be Members of the House of Commons, may join in Association with the adjacent Counties, for the mutual Defence each of other County.

"19. You, or any One or more of you, shall or may apprehend all such Persons as shall oppose you, or refuse to obey you, in the Premises; and to send him or them in safe Custody up to the Parliament, or the Committee of Parliament for Defence of the Kingdom, to be proceeded with according to Justice."

Adjourn.

Adjourn, 10^a Monday next.