House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 18 August 1643

DIE Veneris, videlicet, 18 die Augusti.

PRAYERS.

Earl of Denbigh was appointed to be Speaker this Day.

Ld. Hunsden's Estate not to be sequestered.

Upon Information to this House, by the Lord Hunsden, "That [ (fn. 1) the Committee] in Hertfordshire do sequester his Rents and Goods there; and that some Persons do (fn. 2) take away his Goods at Hunsden:" It is Ordered, That the Committee of Sequestrations for that County shall be required, not to sequester the Goods and Rents of the Lord Hunsden; and that the Parties that took away his Lordship's Goods shall be sent for, to shew by what Warrant they did it.

Message from the H. C. with Ordinances.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Glynn:

To present to their Lordships Three several Ordinances, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence:

1. An Ordinance to raise Money, for a speedy Supply of Monies. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to, with the Word ["Peers"] to be added.

2. An Ordinance for recruiting the Lord General's Army speedily. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to, with a Proviso for exempting such Persons as are exempted by the Ordinance.

3. An Ordinance to command all the Soldiers that are of the Lord General's Army, and now in London, to repair forthwith to the Lord General's Army. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to, and Ordered to be speedily printed.

4. An Order to pay Two Hundred Pounds to Sir Jo. Wollaston, for Imprest-money. (Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

Earl of Westmorland, Leave to take the Air.

Ordered, That the Earl of Westmerland, giving his Word upon his Honour to remain in safe Custody, shall have Leave to ride out, and take the Air, within Five Miles Distance from London, for his Health Sake.

The Answer returned to the Messengers that brought up the last Message from the House of Commons was:

Answer to the H. C.

Their Lordships do agree with them in the Ordinance for commanding the Lord General's Soldiers in London to repair to their Colours, and to the Order for paying Two Hundred Pounds for Imprest-money; but touching the Ordinances for raising of Monies, and for recruiting the Lord General's Army, their Lordships will send a speedy Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message to them, that the Lords agree to Two Ordinances; and for a Conference about the King's Houses near London.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Dr. Ayliff:

To let them know, that their Lordships do agree to the Ordinances for raising of Monies, and for recruiting the Lord General's Army, with the Amendments; and to desire a Conference, touching the Houses of the King and Queen, near London and the City of Westm.

Message from the H. C. that they agree to the Ordinance for Sequestrations.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Serjeant Wylde:

1. That they do agree with their Lordships in the Alterations in the Ordinance for Sequestrations. (Here enter it.)

with Names of Committees for D°. in several Counties.

2. They desire their Lordships Concurrence, that Rob't Obbitt, Christopher Mayet, George Felsteed, and John Lyndsey, may be added to the Committee of Sequestrations, for the Town of Cambridge.

Agreed to.

3. To inform their Lordships, that the Name of James Tompson, [ (fn. 3) in the Ordinance] for Sequestrations, is mistaken, and is to be made John Tompson.

Agreed to.

4. That Justinian Paget, One of the Committees for Sequestrations in Com. Midd. may be discharged of that Service.

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That their Lordships do agree to all the Particulars now brought up.

Raleigh's Horse and Arms restored.

Ordered, That Carew Raleigh Esquire shall be discharged from his further Attendance on this House, their Lordships being satisfied with his Answer; and that the Horse taken from him by Colonel Marten shall be restored to him, with the Arms, and put into Midd'sex Troop.

Mr. Pitts discharged.

Ordered, That Mr. Pitts be discharged from his Restraint, he having conformed himself to the Ordinance of Parliament, for finding a Horse in Midd. Troop.

Report of the Conference of some Transactions between Sir W. Boswell and The States General.

Next, the Speaker reported the Effect of the Conference Yesterday with the House of Commons; "who presented to their Lordships some Exhibits, which (fn. 4) Sir Wm. Bosewell, Agent for the King, delivered to The States of Holland, which reflects much to the Dishonour of the Parliament and their Proceedings; in Answer unto which, the House of Commons have made a Declaration to The States of Holland, to vindicate themselves from the Aspersions of the Exhibits."

The Exhibits were read, in hæc verba: videlicet. (Here enter them.)

Next, the Declaration of the Lords and Commons was read, in bæc verba: videlicet. (Here enter it.)

Ordered, That this House agrees with the House of Commons in this Declaration.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

Answer from the H. C. that they agree to the Ordinance for recruiting the Earl of Essex's Army.

That the House of Commons agree with their Lordships in the Alterations in the Ordinance for pressing of Recruits for the Lord General's Army, and raising of Monies; and that they will give a present Conference, as is desired.

Message to them, that the Lords agree to the Declaration to The States General.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Dr. Ayliff:

To let them know, that their Lordships do agree to the Declaration to The States of (fn. 5) The United Provinces.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed.

Vaneinden's Cause.

(fn. 6) Ordered, That Mr. Vaneynden's Cause shall be heard on Monday Morning next; and all Parties concerned therein are to attend accordingly.

Devereux and Withypool.

Ordered, That the Witnesses of Sir Walter Devereux, in the Cause between him and Sir Wm. Withypoole, shall be examined upon Oath by Sir Edward and Dr. Ayliff, to be made Use of at the Hearing of the Cause after Michaelmas next, in Case any of the Witnesses shall die before the said Hearing; and the Defendant to cross-examine if (fn. 7) he will: Notice thereof to be given.

Chamberlaine, the King's Physician's Privilege.

Upon reading the Petition of Peter Chamberlaine, One of His Majesty's Physicians, (fn. 8) who is arrested, contrary to the Privilege of Parliament, as being the King's Servant: It is Ordered, That the said Peter Chamberlaine shall enjoy his Privilege.

Womball versus Fry.

Upon the Petition of Wm. Womball; shewing, "That one Arthur Fry, of London, Pewterer, owes a just Debt to him by Bond; but cannot be satisfied his Bond, by reason that the Goods of the said Fry are sequestered by the Committees of Sequestrations, who have the Goods at Campden's House:" Hereupon it is Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Sequestrations in London, that the Debt of Womball may be satisfied out of the Goods at Campden House.

All Soldiers of the Lord General's Army to repair to their Colours, upon Pain of Death.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That all Soldiers that have been entertained in the Army of my Lord General, and do stand upon the List, that have gone from that Army without any (fn. 9) lawful Discharge, do forthwith, upon Pain of Death, repair to their Colours; and that no Man entertain any Soldier listed in my Lord General's Army, without his Consent; and that such as shall return shall be cloathed in the same Manner as those that have continued and are still remaining in the Army: It is further Ordered, That this Order be published and proclaimed, by Beat of Drum, in all Parts and Quarters of the Cities of London, Westm. Suburbs, and Liberties, and Borough of Southwarke, and Lines of Communication; and if any Soldier of my Lord General's Army shall not hereupon depart, and repair to the Army, he shall be apprehended, and sent to my Lord General, to be proceeded against according to the Law of War: And it is referred to the Committee of the Militia of London, to take Care that this Order be forthwith published, executed, and observed, in all Points and Parts thereof."

Order for 200 l. for Conduct-money, for Two Thousand Recruits for the Earl of Essex.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, That Two Hundred Pounds be forthwith delivered, upon Accompt, to the Committee of the Militia at London, out of Sir John Gower's Monies at Haberdashers Hall, brought in upon the Ordinance of the 29th of Nov. last, to be employed for the Imprest and Conductmoney to the Two Thousand Soldiers appointed to be raised forthwith, to recruit my Lord General's Army."

Papers exhibited by Sir W. Boswell, the King's Resident at The Hague, to The States General.

"To the High and Mighty Lords The Lords and Estates General of The United Provinces, &c.

Exhibited the 15th of May, 1643.

"May it please your Lordships to understand, that there are many Weeks passed, that the Resident of His Majesty of Greate Brittaine doth expect with Impatience the full Information and Manifestation of all that which Mr. Strickland hath proposed and negotiated with The Estates of Guilders, according as the said Resident hath again and again desired, and their Lordships hath promised upon that Proposal. Signed,

"Wm. Boswell, Resident."

"To the High and Mighty Lords The Lords and Estates General of The United Provinces, &c.

Exhibited the 15th May, 1643.

"By the Resident of His Majesty of Greate Brittaine coming before their Lordships, that the said Resident having seen, by a Memorial of Mr. Walter Strickland, presented to their Lordships the 25th of April past, that His Majesty is charged there to have folded, or taken into Pay, Twenty-four Frigates at Dunkirke, for His Service, against the Kingdom of England, which is a notorious Falsehood, invented to foment the intestine Wars of that Kingdom, and to give Jealousies and Umbrages to His good Neighbours, and to interrupt the Alliance and reciprocal Amity which His Majesty desires may be most sacredly observed on both Sides.

"Their Lordships are most humbly prayed to cause that His Majesty may have Reason and Justice, for an Injury and Wrong so great, as well against His Majesty as the Good and Quiet of the Public.

"In the Name and on the Behalf of His Majesty.

"This was signed,

"Wm. Boswell, Resident.

At The Hague, the 15th of May, 1643.

"The Extract of a Letter written by Monsieur Devic Knight, Resident for His Majesty of Greate Brittaine, at Brussells, to Sir William Boswell, Resident for His said Majesty at The Hague, of the 4th of May, 1643.

Exhibited the 15th May, 1643.

Letter from Mons. Devic, the King's Resident at Brussels, to Sir Boswell.

"I doubt not but the Reports which have run at London, and in these Parts, of a certain pretended Arming of some Vessels at Dunkirke, to be employed in the Service of the King my Master, are come unto you; seeing that from London and Dunkirke they have written thereof unto me, and that they held me in the one and the other Place for an Instrument of the said Affair: I confess that I was surprized, upon the First Advice that I had thereof; and thereupon I wrote thereof to my Correspondent at Dunkirke, to know the Truth, and particularly of such an Arming, as not being possible to be done but in the Sight and Knowledge of the Inhabitants of the said Place; to which he made me Answer, in his Letter of the 21st of April, that the Noise was at the Beginning very great, that the King of Greate Brittaine would hire Twenty Frigates, to employ in his Service; but it began to cease upon the little Appearance there was of any, saving that which the Embarking of some Arms in the said Port might give, for to transport them, as imagined, to Newcastle. I thought to have given you Advice of that abovesaid, as also of all that I had Knowledge of, touching the said pretended arming and employing of the said Frigates, which I should not at all have concealed from you if I had had any Part therein, or if I had not believed it, as I know it to be, an imaginary Thing: And I cannot think but that, if His Majesty had had any such Design, that He would not have written to you and to me; to you, to prevent the Jealousies which Men might have taken up in your Parts; and to me, to contribute unto it the Service which without Doubt He would have commanded me therein.

"It is true, that Notice is given unto me, that certain Frigates are parted from the said Port for Ireland, with Arms and Ammunitions of War; and that it is very likely that they will take Commission from the Rebels in those Parts, to make War upon the English and Scotts; but this is so far from being with the Advice or Connivance of the King my Master, that He hath expressly commanded me to reiterate my Complaints thereof unto the Governor, and to obtain Reparation for such an Attempt upon the Treaties between the Crowns. In fine, besides the Pretext which might be taken upon that which hath been said, or upon the arming of Van Wall, which is as I have told you heretofore, and His Contract itself doth testify to be for another Design, and which concerns the Lords The Estates of the United Provinces, I see not that there is so much as any Appearance that His Majesty hath any Purpose to serve Himself of any Frigates of Dunkirke, to employ them against the Earl of Warwicke; but that this is a supposed Think, for Ends that cannot be but for the Disservice of His Majesty.

(A true Copy.)

It was signed,
Wm. Boswell, Resident."

"To the High and Mighty Lords The Lords The Estates General of The United Provinces, &c.

Exhibited the 15th of May, 1643.

"By the Resident of the King of Greate Brittaine;

Remonstrating,

"That the Resident having heretofore made most earnest Instances, that your Lordships would not any Ways be engaged with the Person of Mr. Walter Strickland, sent from the Two Houses of Parliament in England; and that you would not admit him, in this Quality pretended by him, either to Audiences, or to Treaties and Negociations; the which His Majesty could not only not take well in Case that it should be, but should be obliged to hold it for an Act altogether unworthy and contrary to the (fn. 10) Alliance which He hath with this State, repugnant to His Rights, Power, and Authority Royal, prejudicial to His Honour, and not tending (as it is clearly seen) but to animate His Subjects revolted, in their detestable Taking-up of Arms against His Majesty, the true Lord and Father of His People.

"Therefore, so it is, that His Majesty abovesaid hath given Order and express Command to His said Resident, more earnestly, and to the Life, to renew the Instances abovesaid, as well in regard of the said pretended Messenger, as of any other, who, in such or the like Quality, may hereafter be sent from the said Two Houses unto this State; and to protest expressly, That the Reception and Continuance of the Negociations of the said Strickland with your Lordships is extremely displeasing to His Majesty; and that He holds all that is or hath been done, or shall be done, whether it be with him or with any other, who, without special Command of His Majesty, shall be presented to your Lordships, is and shall be done directly contrary, as well to His Good-will, as to His Right and Royal Power; and that the Resolutions which with him or them, or upon his Occasion, and at his Instance, shall be formed, shall be undue Acts, and notorious Usurpations upon the high Rights of His Royal Crowns: As, on the other Part, His said Majesty, as well in regard of the Goodness of His Cause, as of the good Alliance and common Interest in the Public Good, Quiet, and Tranquillity, and above all of the Conservation and Maintenance of them, doth assure Himself of the Prudence, Justice, and Discretion, of your Lordships, that they will not at all permit that He should be so violenced by His own Subjects; and that at least your Lordships, His good Allies and Confederates, will not furnish them with Occasions of persisting in their Rebellion; but, on the contrary, your Lordships will rather desire to furnish, and cause to spring up to His Majesty, Occasions of more and more tasting the true Fruits and Effects of His Love and Royal Good-will.

"In Pursuit of Instructions and by the express Command of His Majesty.

"Signed,
Wm. Boswell, Resident, &c."

At The Hague, the 15th of May, 1643.

"To the High and Mighty Lords, The Lords the Estates General of The United Provinces.

Exhibited the 15th of May, 1643.

By the Resident of the King of Greate Brittain;

Remonstrating,

"By Order and express Command of the King, of the 14th of April, in Oxford, the extreme Displeasure and Resentment which His Majesty receiveth, in that many Violences and Robberies being exercised by a strong Hand in the City of London, and divers other Parts of His Kingdom of England, against the Persons and Goods of His loyal Subjects, and for Maintenance of the horrid and unnatural War not long since raised against His Majesty, many Jews and other People of uncertain Condition do employ themselves in the private Receiving and Transport of such Goods into these and other strange Countries, to the inestimable Prejudice of His faithful Subjects, and Scandal of all those that shall permit a Receptacle to Things so unjustly gained; being most assured that, without such thievish Buyers and Sellers, this furious Rebellion could not be able to subsist any long Time: It is therefore that His Majesty doth earnestly require and insist, that it would please your Lordships, effectually to forbid all the Subjects and Inhabitants of these Countries, not to dare to receive, truck for, or transport out of the said Kingdom, any such Goods, or other Pillages, taken in this Sort from the faithful Subjects of His Majesty, under what Pretence soever; and, on the contrary, that it would please your Lordships to Ordain, that exact Inquisition may be made throughout in these Countries, more particularly in the maritime and respect Towns, for all such Sort of Goods and Pillage, that they may be taken out of their Hands where they shall be found, and preserved for the true Proprietors, who have been unlawfully and by Force dispoiled of them; the which His Majesty, according as He hath commanded His said Resident, doth assure their Lordships, that of His Part He shall take it very well; as, on the other Side, His Majesty hath thought good to let them understand, that He cannot hinder Himself from taking the Refusal thereof for a Disesteem, and for a voluntary Infraction of their Part of the Amity and Confederation betwixt His Majesty and their Lordships, of which He desires by all Means possible (fn. 11) the entire and perpetual Conservation.

"In Pursuit of Instructions and by the express Command of His Majesty, was signed,

"Wm. Boswell, Resident, &c."

At Hague, May, 1643.

"To the High and Mighty Lords, The Lords and Estates General of The United Provinces.

Exhibited the 15th of May, 1643.

"May it well please your Lordships to understand, that there are many Weeks passed, that the Resident of His Majesty of Greate Brittaine doth expect with Impatience the full Information and Manifestation of all that which Mr. Strickland hath proposed and negociated with The Estates of Guilders, according to the said Resident hath again and again desired, and their Lordships have promised upon that Proposal.

"Signed,

"Wm. Boswell, Resident."

At The Hague, the 14 May, 1643.

"A Declaration of the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England assembled, to the High and Mighty Lords, The States General of The United Provinces, concerning divers Exhibits presented to them by Sir Will'm Boswell, His Majesty's Resident with their Lordships.

The Parliament's Declaration to The States General, concerning these Papers presented to them by Sir W. Boswell.

High and Mighty Lords,

"We, the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England assembled, have perused several Declarations and Requests presented to your Lordships by Sir William Boswell, His Majesty's Agent now resident with you, of the Date of the 15th of May last. The Importance of the Matters was such, as did require a more speedy Satisfaction: But the pressing Necessities and Distractions of the Kingdom have diverted our Thoughts and Time to other Occasions, of more instant and imminent Danger; to which we did with more Confidence apply ourselves, knowing the Justice and Wisdom of your Lordships to be such, as of yourselves to discern the Unreasonableness of those Propositions.

"The First of those Demands is, That your Lordships would refuse to admit Walter Strickland Esquire, now residing there by the Command and Authority of both Houses, or to give him any Audience in that Quality; concerning which, we pray your Lordships to consider how injurious this would be to the Person of Mr. Strickland, a Gentleman of approved Fidelity, and likewise prejudicial to that Correspondence and Alliance, which, since the happy Reformation of Religion, hath been continued betwixt these Two States, to the great Honour and Advantage of both; and therefore we cannot but with assured Confidence expect that he, being sent unto you by the Representative Body of this Kingdom, shall be received to your Audience and Credit, in those Treaties and Negociations which are or shall be committed to his Charge; and that you will not conceive this to be derogatory to the Power, Honour, or Royal Authority of His Majesty, howsoever the said Sir William Boswell hath most maliciously and traiterously aspersed the loyal and dutiful Proceedings of the Parliament, with the scandalous and malicious Names of Revolting, and Rebellion of Subjects, and of a detestable Taking of Arms against their Sovereign Lord.

"And we have no less Confidence in your Lordships great Wisdom, that you will not judge the long and painful Endeavours of the Parliament, for the settling of a perfect Reformation in the Church, and a firm Peace and Tranquillity in the State, for the Honour of His Majesty, and everlasting Happiness of this Kingdom, to be any Usurpation or Invasion upon the just Rights and Prerogatives of His Majesty's Crown and Dignity; to the Maintenance and Establishment whereof we bear a more real and sincere Affection than those who, under a feigned Pretence of adhering unto Him, aim at the total Subversion of His Majesty, and the Royal Family, of this late happy and flourishing Kingdom, and of, that which is of the most dear and precious Esteem of all, the true Reformed Protestant Religion.

"And it cannot be doubted but your Lordships do well remember, that the Subjects of your Countries, oppressed by the Princes there governing, and by their subordinate Instruments, being deprived in an ordinary Way of all just Relief, were forced to make known the Justice of their Cause to divers other Sovereign Princes and States; and were so far from being refused upon any such Supposal that such Addresses were derogatory to Sovereign Power, that they there upon obtained both Liberty to vindicate their Proceedings from all false Aspersions, and likewise Aid and Assistance to preserve their just Liberties; so that this Demand appears not only contrary and destructive to the Principles of your own State, to the Judgement and Practice of all those Princes and States which held Correspondence with you, but even against the Laws of Nations and Humanity, which do require and authorize those who are oppressed by the unjust Power and Violence of others, to use the Means which God shall put into their Hands for their own Defence, and likewise to implore the Aid and Assistance of others; and the affording of such Aid (especially where Religion is in Danger to be destroyed, in which all true Professors thereof have a common Interest) hath ever been esteemed an Act of Piety, Justice, and Charity; which as in the Proceeding of your State hath been crowned with much Blessing, Honour, and Prosperity, so we cannot but hope for the same Effects, considering we have only raised Arms for our just Defence, against those several Armies of the Papists, Prelatical Party, and other ill-affected Persons, countenanced by His Majesty's Authority, and employed for the Subversion of the Reformed Religion and fundamental Government of this Kingdom; and shall be ever ready to lay down these Arms as soon as those Armies shall be disbanded, and the Papists and other Delinquents disarmed, and no longer defended by Force against the just Authority and Jurisdiction of Parliament, contrary to the fundamental Laws of this Kingdom, for the Maintenance and Preservation whereof the Two Houses of Parliament are especially trusted.

"2. As touching another Remonstrance made by Sir William Boswell to your Lordships, concerning many Violencies and Robberies supposed to be done and committed, by a strong Hand, in the City of London and other Parts of the Kingdom, against the Persons and Goods of His Majesty's loyal Subjects, and for Maintenance of the horrible and unnatural War pretended to be raised against His Majesty; which Goods coming to the Hands of many Jews, and other Persons of an uncertain Condition, are said to be transported into those Countries and other Parts, which is by him represented as a Means of the longer Continuance of that furious Rebellion, as he untruly and maliciously styleth it:

"We, the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, do Declare, That His Majesty, seduced by evil Counsel, having made a War upon the Parliament, and thereby inforced it to a necessary Defence, and the Maintenance of the same Defensive War requiring Support, they have, according to the Power and Trust reposed in them by the fundamental Constitution of this Kingdom, raised convenient Forces, with Means proportionable for the Payment and Supply of those Forces; the Charge whereof, in Reason and Justice, ought to be born by the Subjects, who are bound to defend the Parliament from Force and Violence, and to whom the Benefit of such Defence will redound, by the Security and Preservation of the true Reformed Religion and the Liberties of the Kingdom, wherein all have an equal Interest; which notwithstanding, divers Persons have been found to make Default in Payment of their Part of such Charges, whereupon so much of their Goods have been by Ordinance of both Houses seized, as might make Satisfaction of such Payments, and, being sold in a due and open Manner to those who would give most for the Advantage of the Commonwealth and of the Owners of those Goods, the Proceedings therein are not liable to those unjust and ignominious Aspersions of Thefts and Robberies, which are cast upon them by the said Sir William Boswell.

"And we further Declare, That divers traiterous and ill-affected Persons of this Kingdom, having employed their Persons and Estates to the Maintenance of this unnatural War against the Parliament, and by the Laws of the Kingdom forfeited both their Lands and Goods, the Two Houses have Ordained, That the Lands and Goods of such Person should be seized on, and converted to the Use of the Kingdom, the Goods to be sold at the best Price, or otherwise employed for the common Good; but whether any Goods have been in either of those Cases transported beyond the Seas, we know not; yet, if any have been, we rest assured, in the Justice of that wise State, that they will not interrupt the Possession and Propriety of the Buyers, in Favour of those who have been declared Traitors and Delinquents by the Highest Judicatory of this Kingdom, in Cases subject to their Jurisdiction; and, although it be not proper for the Two Houses to take Notice of the particular Buyers, yet we do not believe that any Jews, or others of an uncertain Condition, as is represented in that Remonstrance, have bought or transported any of those Goods.

"And, for the further clearing ourselves from the Scandals and Aspersions unjustly cast upon us in that Remonstrance, we do Declare, That, upon all Occasions, we have been careful to restrain and punish all Plundering and unlawful Violence exercised upon the good Subjects of this Kingdom; and with great Grief and Compassion have received frequent Advertisements of the barbarous and universal Plunderings, Outrages, Murders, and other Cruelties, practised by His Majesty's Forces, which have been justified and allowed either by His Majesty, or those who command under Him, to the Destruction of much People, the Spoil and total Decay of many great Towns, and miserable Impoverishment and Waste of a great Part of the Kingdom.

"3. A Third Desire of the said Sir Wm. Boswell's, exhibited the same Day, is, that he might receive Information and a clear Understanding of those Things which have been propounded and negociated by Mr. Strickland with The States of Gelders; concerning which the Two Houses desire your Lordships to consider, that the same Mr. Strickland hath been deputed and authorized by us, to negociate such Businesses with your Lordships, with The States General, or any other particular State of The United Provinces, as he hath received in Charge; which much concerning them in their Honour and Safety, they doubt not but he hath proceeded therein with Faithfulness and Discretion towards His Majesty and the Parliament, and without any Disrespect or Offence to your Lordships; and seeing His Majesty hath made open War against us, we assure ourselves your Lordships will not think it fit that the said Mr. Strickland shall give an Account thereof to Sir William Boswell, or any other of His Majesty's Ministers, but only to those that sent him.

"4. To the Fourth Demand of the same Resident, wherein it is alledged, That Mr. Strickland, in his Memorial presented to their Lordships the 15th of April, had charged His Majesty to have retained into His Service Twenty-four Dunkirke Frigates, to be employed by Him against the Kingdom of England, which is said to be a notorious Falsehood, devised for the fomenting of the Civil War of this Kingdom, and to beget Jealousies and Misapprehensions betwixt His Majesty and His Neighbours, and thereby to interrupt their reciprocal Alliance and Friendship; your Lordships may be pleased to remember, that what Mr. Strickland hath done therein hath been avowed to be done by Direction of both Houses of Parliament, upon Advertisements from Dunkirke, and other Parts of Flanders, that such Ships were entertained by His Majesty for that Purpose; which Report, it is apparent, was not devised by us, it being manifest by many other (fn. 12) Proofs, and by the Letter of Monsieur De Vicq, His Majesty's Resident in Bruxells, dated 4 Maii, 1643, and exhibited to your Lordships by Sir William Boswell at the same Time, that such a Report was frequently divulged and believed in these Parts; and your Lordships will not wonder if the Two Houses of Parliament (who could not know what private Instructions had been given in that Behalf to His Majesty's Ministers, nor what Negotiations they had thereupon) were so apprehensive of the general Report and Belief in those Parts, where the Truth was most likely to be known, as thereupon to take Occasion to give such Instructions to Mr. Strickland, as might prevent the Mischief like to grow, both to this Kingdom and to the Subjects of The United Provinces, if any such Thing should be in Practice; all which was done without charging His Majesty, or seeking to weaken the Alliance betwixt Him and any of His Friends: And, as it was out of our Power to suppress any such Report if it were false, so was it a most necessary and proper Duty, strictly obliging us, to make Provision against the Danger and Damage which might thereupon have ensued to this Kingdom, if it should have been true."

Two Thousand Men to be raised, for recruiting the Lord General's Army.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Two Thousand Men be forthwith raised, by Way of Imprest, according to the Power and Limitations and Directions of the late Ordinance of Impresting, out of the Cities of London and Westm. the Liberties, Suburbs, Borough of Southwarke, and Parishes within the Bill of Mortality, to be forthwith sent to recruit my Lord General's Army; and the Execution of this Order is referred to the Lord Mayor and Committee of the Militia of London: Provided that this Order shall not give Power for the Impressing of any Person or Persons, who by any former Order or Orders are excepted."

"An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, for a speedy Supply of Monies, within the City of London and Liberties thereof, for the Relief and Maintenance of the Armies raised, and to be raised, for the necessary Defence of the City and Liberties aforesaid.

Ordinance for raising Monies in London, &c. for the Armies, raised, or to be raised, for Defence of the City.

"The Lords and Commons, finding that there is, for the present, an urgent Necessity for the speedy raising and levying considerable Sums of Money, for the necessary Defence of Religion, Laws, and Liberties, and of the City of London, with the Liberties thereof, the chief Objects of our Enemies Malice, have hereby Ordained, and be it Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That all and every Person and Persons, as well Aliens, and Strangers born out of the King's Obeisance, as Denizens, and others inhabiting, or who at any Time since the Beginning of this Parliament did inhabit, within the said City of London and Liberties thereof, forthwith after Publication hereof, shall, by Way of Loan, for every Sum of Four Shillings, which every Person and Persons paid, or was rated or assessed to pay, for Twenty Shillings Lands, in any One of the Two last of the Six First Subsidies granted this present Parliament, lend for the Service aforesaid, and pay to the Treasurers hereafter appointed, the Sum of Ten Pounds; and for every Sum of Eight Shillings, which every such Person or Persons paid, or was rated or assessed to pay, for Three Pounds Goods in any One of the said Two last of the First Six Subsidies granted this present Parliament, the Sum of Twenty Pounds, and so ratably, according to that Proportion, for all and every greater Sum and Sums of Money rated and assessed upon any Person or Persons for the aforesaid Subsidies, either for Goods or Lands, within the said City and Liberties: And it is further Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That the Alderman, Alderman's Deputy, and Common Council Men, of each Ward within the said City and Liberties, or the greater Number of them, shall be a Committee, in their several Wards, forthwith to nominate and appoint some trusty, able, and well-affected Persons, either amongst themselves or others inhabiting within each Ward respectively, who, upon Sight of the Rolls of the said former Subsidies, shall cause the Rates and Assessments, hereby Ordained to be lent, to be paid in as aforesaid; and the said Aldermen, Aldermens Deputies, and Common Council Men, of each Ward, or the greater Number of them, calling in to their Assistance such as they shall think fit, shall also, within their several Wards, have hereby Power and Authority to rate and assess, in such proportionable Manner as they shall think fit, towards the Payments of the said Monies for the Service aforesaid, such other Person and Persons, as well Strangers as others, who, being of Ability to pay, were notwithstanding not rated nor assessed in the said former Subsidies.

"And it is also Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That all and every Person and Persons, rated and assessed by virtue hereof, shall, within Three Days after Demand made by such Person or Persons as the said Committees, or the greater Number of them, shall appoint as aforesaid, after Notice thereof given and left at his usual Dwelling-place, pay to the Treasurers hereby appointed, or to any Two of them, One Half of the Sum so rated or assessed, or to be rated and assessed, upon him or them; and the other Half within the Space of One Month after Publication hereof: And if any Person or Persons, so assessed, or to be assessed, by virtue of this Ordinance, shall fail therein, that then the said Committees, or any Two of them, within their several Wards, by such Person or Persons as they shall appoint, shall levy the Sum so assessed, or to be assessed, by Distress of the Goods and Chattels of such Person and Persons so assessed or to be assessed, and neglecting or refusing to pay the same, in Manner aforesaid, and sell the Goods so distrained for the Service aforesaid; and, if no sufficient Distress can be found, that then the said Committees, or any Two of them, within their several Wards, by such Person and Persons as they shall appoint, shall certify the Names of every such Person and Persons to the Committee of the House of Commons for Examinations fitting at Westm. or to the Committee of the Militia of London, or any Three of them, who shall hereby have Power respectively to commit such Person and Persons to safe Custody, without Bail and Mainprize, wheresoever the said Persons shall be found, whether within the said City and Liberties or without; and his Estate shall be moreover sequestered by the Committee of Sequestrations for the said City of London, or of such County where his Estate shall be found, to be employed for the Service aforesaid, until the Sum so charged upon him be satisfied: And the said Lords and Commons do further Ordain, That all and every Person and Persons shall pay in their Portion of Money hereby rated and assessed upon them, and every of them, according to this Ordinance, at The Guildhall, London, unto Sir John Wollastone Knight and Alderman, Mr. Alderman John Warner, Mr. Alderman Towse, and Mr. Alderman Andrewes, or to such other Person or Persons as shall be from Time to Time hereafter nominated and chosen by the Common Council of London for that Purpose, or to any Two of them, who are hereby appointed Treasurers for the receiving and issuing forth of the Monies aforesaid; all which shall be issued forth and paid by Warrants under the Hands of the Committe of the Militia of London, or of such others as the Common Council of the said City of London shall appoint, for the Intent and Purpose aforesaid: And, for all such Persons as shall pay in their Monies according to the true Intent and Meaning of this Ordinance, it is hereby Ordained, That they shall have the Security of the Common Seal and Chamber of London, in Manner as it was granted and agreed upon by Act of Common Council the 11th of this Instant August, 1643: And it is further Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That (all Pretences and Delays set aside) all and every Person and Persons inhabiting within the said City and Liberties, heretofore rated and assessed to pay any Sum or Sums of Money by virtue of any Act or Ordinance of Parliament, or of any Act of Common Council, for the Service aforesaid; and all Aldermens Deputies, Common Council Men, Collectors, or any other Person or Persons within the said City and Liberties, that now have, or hereafter shall have, by virtue of this or any other Act or Ordinance of Parliament, or of any Act of Common Council heretofore made, or by any voluntary Subscriptions, any Sum or Sums of Money, in their or any of their Hands, collected for the Service aforesaid, and shall not, within Six Days after Publication hereof, or after the Receipt of such Sum or Sums of Money, bring in the said several Sums to the Treasurers and Receivers appointed for that Purpose, shall respectively undergo the like Penalty as is hereby formerly appointed to be imposed upon those that shall neglect or refuse to pay in their Money rated and assessed according to the Proportions of the Subsidies expressed in this Ordinance: And it is further Ordained, That the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, within the said City of London, shall have Power, and are hereby authorized, to commit to Prison any Person or Persons, hereby appointed to execute this Ordinance, that shall wilfully refuse the same, or shall be negligent in the Execution thereof: Provided always, that this Ordinance shall not extend to give Power to rate or assess any of the Peers, Members, Assistants, or necessary Attendants, of either of the Two Houses of Parliament, or of any Person whose Estate is seized upon, by the King's Forces, Power, or Command, for his good Affections or Conformity to the Commands of the Parliament, and hath been necessitated to withdraw himself from his ordinary Place of Habitation to the City of London."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a cras.