House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 8 June 1643

DIE Jovis, videlicet, 8 die Junii.

PRAYERS.

Earl of Manchester was appointed to be Speaker this Day.

Ross and Wheeler, Prince's Servants, a Pass.

Ordered, That Hugh Ross and Charles Wheeler, Servants to the Prince his Highness, shall have a Pass, to go to Oxford, with Two Men, Two Horses, and Two Cloak-bags, with their Necessaries, with a Sumpter-horse, and Two Trunks, with Mourning, Linen, and other Necessaries, for His Majesty, the Prince, and the Duke of Yorke, and return again to London.

Lady Hatton, a Pass.

Ordered, That the Lady Hatton shall have a Pass, to travel to the Waters beyond the Seas, for her Health.

Pass for the Earl of Arundel's Furniture.

Ordered, That a Pass shall be granted, for transporting beyond the Seas, for the Use of the Earl of Arundle, Eight Bundles of Bedding and Hangings, Six Boxes and Trunks, with Bed and Table Linen, and Apparel, Six Cases and Hampers, with Chairs and Stools, and the Out and Inside of a Coach, and Six Cases of Pictures.

Bringhurst, a Pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Bringhurst and his Man shall have a Pass, to go to York, and return again to London.

Report of the Conference concerning the Plot against the Parliament and Kingdom.

Next, the Speaker made the Report [ (fn. 1) of the Conference] with the House of Commons Yesterday, concerning the Discovery of a great Plot. (Here enter the Report.)

"The Narrative being made, the House of Commons produced the Examinations at the Conference, to prove the Particulars; that being done, they made some Observations thereupon.

Some of the Commons have taken an Oath or Covenant, and request the Lords to do it;

and present One for the whole Kingdom to take.

"This being done, the House of Commons presented to their Lordships an Oath, or Covenant, which the House of Commons for the most Part have already taken, and some small Number have desired a few Days to consider of it; and the House of Commons desire that (fn. 1) their Lordships would take the same. And further, they brought up an Oath or Covenant to be taken by the whole Kingdom, for Discovery of such Designs as these, and to express Detestation of all of the like Nature, and to distinguish the good and well-affected Party from the bad, and to unite the good faster together amongst themselves.

"Next, they offered to their Lordships Consideration some Votes, wherein the House of Commons desire their Lordships Concurrence:

Public Thanksgiving, for the Discovery of the late Plot.

"1. That a particular short Day may be appointed, wherein both Lords and Commons, and the Cities of London, Westm. and Suburbs, may meet, and give Public Thanks to God, for this Discovery and great Deliverance."

Ordered, That Tuesday next, being the 13th of this Instant June, is appointed for the Celebration of Public Thanksgiving to God, for this Discovery, and great Deliverance, by the Lords and Commons, the Cities of London and Westm. and the Suburbs; the Lords to keep it in the Abbey Church at Westm. and Mr. Calamy to preach in the Morning, and Mr. Herle to preach in the Afternoon: And further it is Ordered, That Tuesday come Month is appointed for the keeping the Thanksgiving throughout the whole Kingdom.

The Second Vote:

A Pardon to those who were concerned in it, that will surrender, and make Discoveries.

"That a free Pardon shall be granted, for this Offence, to all such Persons of the Cities of London and Westm. and Suburbs, or elsewhere, as have been in this Plot, and are not yet taken, nor have fled, as shall come in voluntarily before the 15th of this present Month of June, and discover their whole Knowledge of this Design, and shall heartily join with the Parliament in the Defence of the Kingdom; this Discovery to be made to the Speaker of the House of Commons, or to the Lord Mayor of London."

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

The Third Vote:

Stricter Guard to be kept in the City.

"That it be recommended unto the City, that there may be stricter and better Guards kept, till these Businesses are settled."

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

The Fourth Vote:

Earl of Warwick to be acquainted with this Discovery, and the Oath to be taken by the Fleet.

"That Letters be sent to the Earl of Warwicke, to inform him of the State of the Examinations, and of this Discovery; and that the like Oath may be taken through the whole Fleet, by all the Officers and Mariners of the Fleet."

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

The Fifth Vote:

The Prisoners to be secured.

"That some better Course be taken, for securing the Prisoners, and keeping them in streight Custody."

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

Message from the H. C. that all their Members have taken the Covenant, and that they intend to send a Committee into the City, to make a Narrative of the Discovery of the Plot.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Christopher Yelverton, Knight and Baronet:

To let their Lordships know, that all the Members of their House have taken the Covenant; and that the House of Commons intends to send a Committee this Afternoon, to make the same Narrative to the City of London as was made Yesterday at the Conference.

Then their Lordships took into Debate the Covenant brought up Yesterday from the House of Commons; and, for the better Consideration thereof, the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee.

The House being resumed;

Covenant to be tendered to the Lords.

And the Speaker desiring to know the Resolution of the House concerning the taking of this Covenant, and their Lordships considering it was a voluntary Oath, Resolved, That it should be offered to the Lords to take; and because of the Shortness of Time now for the doing of such a solemn and serious Business, Ordered, That the said Covenant shall be tendered to the Lords To-morrow Morning.

The Speaker acquainted the House, "That he had received a Letter from the Lord Grey of Warke;" which was read, as followeth:

Lord Grey's Letter, that, if he leaves his Army, the Troops will disband.

"My Lord,

"I received your Lordships of the 5th of June, the 6th of the same; I shall ever, with all Humility, bow to the high Commands of both Houses of Parliament, and I conceive I am now in their Employment not unnecessary: Should I go back, I am confident the Forces under my Command would dissolve in very few Days; of what ill Consequence that might be, I refer to their Lordships Wisdom to consider, for in the Number of Counsellors is Safety. Besides, to leave the Army now upon my March, would reflect upon what I am very tender; so, hoping, upon Second Thoughts, the Houses will pitch upon some of better Experience in those Parts, I shall endeavour not to be unserviceable to the State here.

From my Quarters at Nettlebed, June 7, 1643.

"Your humble Servant,
Grey of Warke."

Lord General to be applied to concerning it.

Ordered, That the Speaker of this House shall write a Letter to the Lord General, and send this Letter inclosed; and to know of him whether Inconveniency may be prevented, of the disbanding of the Forces under the Lord Grey, if he be commanded to come up, and be sent into Scotland upon the Command of the Parliament.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a cras.