House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 16 September 1644

DIE Lunæ, 16 die Septembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Painter.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Answer from the H. C.

Sir Edward Leech and Dr. Aylett, sent on Saturday last with a Message to the House of Commons, return with this Answer:

That they agree with their Lordships in the Alterations in the Order concerning the Earl of Westm.; and concerning the Paper of the Archbishop of Canterburie's Counsel, they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordinance concerning Worcestershire.

Ordered, That the Earl of Kent, Earl of Nottingham, and the Lord Bruce, are added to the Committee for the Ordinance concerning Worcestershire.

Sir Edward Deering's Sequestration taken off.

Ordered, That the Sequestration of Sir Edward Deering's, Baronet, Estate be taken off, without paying any Fine.

Ordinance for Mr. Prideaux to be Postmaster.

The Ordinance for appointing Mr. Prideaux to be Post-master, was Once read. And it is Ordered, That nothing be done further in this Business, before the Lord Admiral be heard concerning his Claim to the said Office.

Latch and Dawes.

This House heard the Counsel on both Sides concerning the Five Bonds entered into by Mr. Latch to Sir Thomas Dawes, whether they were in Trust or not: And it is further Ordered, That the said Counsel on both Sides shall be heard at this (fn. 1) Bar, concerning Sir Tho. Dawes Petition, mentioned in the Order of the 9th of September, 1644, this Day Sevennight.

Paper from the King.

A Letter was read, thus directed, sealed with the King's own Seal, inclosed in a Letter to Sir Wm. Waller, "To the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westm." which being opened, there was Two Papers inclosed; and presently they were read, as followeth. (Here enter them.)

Committee to meet with One of the H C. to peruse them.

Ordered, That these Particulars be communicated to the House of Commons; and to desire that a Committee of both Houses may be appointed to meet, to consider what is fit to be done upon this Letter of the King's to both Houses, and to report the same to the Houses.

And presently this House nominated these Lords Committees following:

Their Lordships, or any Five, to meet To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock, in the Painted Chamber; and to have Power to adjourn themselves from Time to Time, as they shall see Cause.

Message to the H. C. about it.

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

To acquaint them, that this House received a Letter from the King, directed to both Houses, inclosed in a Letter from Sir Wm. Waller; upon reading of which, their Lordships have appointed a Committee of Thirteen Lords, to consider what is fit to be done upon this Letter of the King's, and report the same to this House; and have appointed them to meet To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock, in the Painted Chamber, with Power to adjourn themselves as they see Cause; and to desire that they would nominate a proportionable Number of their Members, to meet the said Thirteen Lords, at (fn. 2) the Time and Place aforesaid, with the like Powers.

Message from thence, about L. Coventry's and Mr. Palmer's Assessments;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Pye Knight, and others;

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in these Particulars following:

1. An Order concerning the Assessments of the Twentieth Part of the Lord Coventry, and of Mr. Palmer now a Prisoner in The Fleete, to be employed and bestowed in such Manner, (fn. 3) and for such Uses, as by the Committee of Lords and Commons shall be directed and appointed.

and with an Ordinance.

2. To desire Concurrence in an Ordinance for commanding the Officers of the Army about this Town to go to their Charges in the Army. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

L. Coventry's and Mr. Palmer's Assessments.

Ordered, That this House agrees to the Assessment of Mr. Palmer; and concerning the Lord Coventry, this House doth assess him at Fifteen Hundred Pounds for his Twentieth and Fifth Part, and do assign it for the Use of the Western Parts, as is desired.

The Answer returned was:

Answer to the H. C.

That this House agrees to all the Particulars now brought up, excepting to that concerning the Lord Coventry; concerning whom, this House will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Answer from the H. C.

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

That the House of Commons have nominated a Committee of a proportionable Number, to meet To-morrow Morning, as is desired.

Letter from the King to both Houses, to accommodate Differences.

"CHARLES R.

"It having pleased God in so eminent a Manner lately to bless Our Armies in these Parts with Success, We do not so much joy in that Blessing for any other Consideration, as for the Hopes We have that it may be a Means to make others lay to Heart, as We do, the Miseries brought and continued upon Our Kingdom by this unnatural War; and that it may open your Ears, and dispose your Minds, to embrace those Offers of Peace and Reconciliation, which have been so often and so earnestly made unto you by Us, and from the constant and servent Endeavours of which We are resolved never to desist; in Pursuance whereof, We do upon this Occasion conjure you to take into Consideration Our (too long neglected) Message of the Fourth of July, from Evesham, which We again renew unto you; and that you will speedily send Us such an Answer thereunto, as may shew unto Our poor Subjects some Light of a Deliverance from their present Calamities, by a happy Accommodation; towards which, We do here engage the Word of a King to make good all those Things which We have therein promised, and really to endeavour a happy Conclusion of this Treaty. And so God direct you in the Ways of Peace.

"Given at Our Court at Tavestock, the 8th of September, 1644.

"By His Majesty's Command,
Geo. Digby."

Letter from the King to both Houses, to appoint Persons to treat with Him about a Peace.

"CHARLES R.

"We, being deeply sensible of the Miseries and Calamities of this Our Kingdom, and of the grievous Sufferings of Our poor Subjects, do most earnestly desire that some Expedient may be found out, which, by the Blessing of God, may prevent the further Effusion of Blood, and restore the Nation to Peace; from the earnest and constant endeavouring of which, as no Discouragement given Us on the contrary Part shall make Us cease, so no Success on Ours shall ever divert Us; for the effecting whereof, We are most ready and willing to condescend to all that shall be for the Good of Us and Our People, whether by Way of Confirmation of what We have already granted, or of such further Concessions as shall be requisite to the giving of a full Assurance of the Performance of all Our most real Professions, concerning the Maintenance of the true Reformed Protestant Religion established in this Kingdom, with due Regard to the Ease of tender Consciences, the just Privileges of Parliament, and the Liberty and Property of the Subject, according to the Laws of the Land; as also by granting a General Pardon without or with Exceptions, as shall be thought fit; in order to which blessed Peace, We do desire and propound to the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westm. that they appoint such and so many Persons as they shall think fit, sufficiently authorized by them, to attend Us at Our Army, upon safe Conduct to come and return (which We do hereby grant), to treat and conclude with Us, how the Premises and all other Things in Question betwixt Us and them may be fully settled; whereby all unhappy Mistakings betwixt Us and Our People being removed, there may be a present Cessation of Arms, and, as soon as may be, a total Disbanding of all Armies, the Subject have his Due, and We be restored to Our Rights; wherein, if this Our Offer shall be accepted, there shall be nothing wanting on Our Part, which may make Our People secure and happy.

"Given at Our Court at Evesham, the 4th of July, 1644.

"By His Majesty's Command,
Geo. Digby."

Officers who leave their Colours without Leave, to be subject to Martial Law.

"Resolved, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That One of the Articles for the Commissioners of Martial Law shall be, to have Power, and are hereby authorized, to proceed against such Officers and Soldiers as have departed, or shall depart, from their Colours, without Leave, according to my Lord General's Articles: And further Ordered, That the Committee for the Militia have Notice of this Order, who are hereby enjoined to give Directions to the several Courts of Guards, to apprehend such of the said Officers and Soldiers, as they come to the Courts of Guards; and this Order to be printed and published."

Soldiers in London, who do not repair to their Colours, to be subject to Martial Law.

"Ordered and Declared, by the Lords and Commons, That all Officers and Soldiers that are in and about the Cities of London and Westm. and are under or have Command abroad, and do not depart the same by Friday next, and go to their several Colours and Charges, shall be proceeded against by the Commissioners for Martial Law, according to my Lord General's Articles, who have Power hereby to proceed against them accordingly (excepting against such as are to attend by Order of Parliament).

"The Committee of the Militia is hereby Ordered to publish this Order forthwith, upon Beat of Drum."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a, Wednesday next.