House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 3 February 1644

DIE Sabbati, 3 die Februarii.

PRAYERS.

Lords present this Day:

Comes Manchester, Speaker this Day.

Answers from the H. C.

Sir Rob't Rich and Mr. Page, sent to the House of Commons on Thursday last, return with this Answer:

That they agree to the adding of Mr. Good to be of the Assembly; and to the Order concerning Currants, they will return an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Mr. Page and Dr. Aylett, sent with a Message to the House of Commons on Thursday, return with this Answer:

That they have delivered the Ordinance for appointing a Committee of both Houses to treat with the Scotts Commissioners about the Affairs of both the Kingdoms; to which Ordinance the House of Commons will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message from thence, with Orders;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Solicitor;

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in these Particulars following:

1. An Ordinance for making Mr. Rouse Provost of Eaton Colledge, and removing of Dr. Steward.

2. An Order for directing the taking of the Covenant of the Three Kingdoms.

and to expedite the Ordinance for taking the Accompts of the Kingdom.

3. To desire their Lordships Expedition in the Ordinance lately brought up, for taking of Accompts of the Kingdom.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

To the Two Ordinances now brought up, this House will send a speedy Answer, by Messengers of their own; and to the Ordinance concerning the taking of Accompts, their Lordships will take it into speedy Consideration, and send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordinance, directing the taking the Covenant of the Three Kingdoms.

Then the Ordinance for directing the taking of the Covenant of the Three Kingdoms was read Twice, and Ordered to be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

And the House was adjourned during Pleasure; and the said Ordinance was taken into Consideration.

And the House being resumed;

The said Ordinance was reported as fit to pass, with some Amendments; which being read, this House agreed to the said Ordinance, with the said Amendments; and Ordered to be sent down to the House of Commons, to desire their Concurrence therein.

Covenant to be tendered to the Judges, and other Assistants.

Ordered, That the Judges and all the rest of the Assistants and Attendants upon this House shall have the Covenant of the Three Kingdoms tendered to them on Wednesday Morning next, in this House; and all the Assistants to have Notice of it.

Message to the H. C. with the Ordinance directing the taking it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Serjeant Whitfeild and Serjeant Fynch:

To deliver unto them the Ordinance for Direction to take the Covenant; and to desire their Concurrence to the Alterations and Additions therein.

Plymouth Petition, for Mr. Hughes to be instituted to that Vicarage.

Next, "A Petition of the Mayor and Burgesses of the Town of Plymouth, in the County of Devon;

"Humbly shewing,

"That, by Act of Parliament made this present Session, the Advowson of the Vicarage of the said Town is by positive and express Words settled in and conveyed to the Petitioners; that, since the passing of the said Act, Dr. Wilson, then Incumbent, died; shortly after whose Death, the Petitioners presented to the Right Reverend Ralph Bishop of Exon, their Clerk George Hughes, Batchelor of Divinity, being a Man of great Piety and Learning, and laborious in the Ministry.

"The said Bishop took Time to advise upon a pretended Caveat (a Thing of no Validity to hinder an Institution), being put in by one Mr. Bedford, once Lecturer of the said Town, but now a Prisoner for some Misdemeanors against the Parliament; who being not only requested in the Behalf of the Petitioners, but required by the said Bishop, to shew or declare on what Cause or Pretence he did enter the said Caveat, he utterly refused so to do; whereupon, after frequent Importunity, the said Bishop promised to institute the said George Hughes, but put off the same from Time to Time; and then the said Mr. Bedford deserting his Caveat, the said Bishop pretends another Caveat to be lately entered by another Person, and delays to admit the Petitioners Presentee.

"The Petitioners have been and are under great Sufferings and Troubles for the Public Cause, whereby they have little Leisure to prosecute Suits.

"They humbly beseech your Lordships, that the said Bishop be ordered to institute the said George Hughes, according to his Promise, and the Petitioners Right; there being no Person, who, as Patron, opposeth the Petitioners."

Bishop of Exeter to institute him.

Hereupon it is Ordered, That the Bishop is hereby Ordered, That he institute the said George Hughes, accordingly, as is desired in the aforesaid Petition.

Message from the H. C. to appoint Committees to meet with the Scotch Commissioners.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir John Clatworthy, and others:

To desire their Lordships would please to appoint a Committee of Lords, to join with a proportionable Committee of the House of Commons, to receive from the Scotts Commissioners at this Time what they have to communicate to both or either Houses of Parliament.

And this House nominated these Lords following; videlicet,

The Answer returned to this Message was:

Answer.

That this House hath nominated a Committee of Six Lords, to join with a proportionable Number of the House of Commons, to receive from the Scotts Commissioners at this Time what they have to communicate to both or either Houses of Parliament.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a, Monday next.