House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 28 December 1644

DIE Sabbati, 28 die Decembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Connaught.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker this Day.

Message to the H. C. that the Lords agree to referring the Manner of the Treaty to the Committee of both Kingdoms.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Serjeant Whitfield and Mr. Serjeant Fynch:

To let them know, that, because there hath been much Time spent already in considering to what Committee it should be referred to consider of the Instructions, and the Manner of the Treaty; and it being a Business of Peace or War, their Lordships are willing to give Way for this present, and for this particular Business, that it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms; and that they meet with all convenient Speed, and give an Account thereof to the Houses (fn. 1), so soon as possible may be.

Author of the Libel against the Peers, to be enquired after.

Ordered, That the Gentleman Usher attending this House shall repair to the Lord Mayor of London, and the Master and Wardens of the Stationers Company, to let them know, "That this House expects a speedy Account of them, what they have done in finding out the Author, Printer, or Publisher, of the scandalous Libel."

Woodward and Milton complained of, for printing Libels.

The Wardens of the Stationers Company gave the House an Account, "That they have used their best Endeavours to find out the Printer and Author of the scandalous Libel; but they cannot yet make any Discovery thereof, the Letter being so common a Letter; and further complained of the frequent Printing of scandalous Books by divers, as Hezechia Woodward and Jo. Milton."

Hereupon it is Ordered, That it be referred to Mr. Justice Reeves and Mr. Justice Bacon, to examine the said Woodward and Milton, and such others as the Master and Wardens of the Stationers Company shall (fn. 2) give Information of, concerning the printing and publishing their Books and Pamphlets; and to examine also what they know concerning the Libel, who was the Author, Printer, and Contriver of it: And the Gentleman Usher shall attach the Parties, and bring them before the Judges; and the Stationers are to be present at their Examinations, and give Evidence against them.

Directory for Public Worship.

Ordered, That this House will take the Directory into further Consideration on Tuesday Morning next.

Sir J. Hotham's Petition for Mercy.

A Petition of Sir John Hotham Knight and Baronet, was read; shewing, "That this Honourable House's Clemency already experienced emboldeneth the Petitioner to present to their Consideration the sad Condition of a dejected Family, himself and his Son being under the heavy Sentence of Death; and so much the sadder, as that they once enjoyed a plentiful Measure of their Favour, from which by too many of their own Defects they are now unfortunately fallen.

"The Weight of their Lordships just Displeasure, under which he now lies, cuts off from him all Hopes and Claim of former Merit, further than what their own free Goodness shall intitle him to.

"He therefore humbly casts himself at their Lordships Feet, in full Submission to their just Authority, desiring that in Judgement you will remember Mercy; and if such ample Measure of their Favour as the Petitioner's natural Affection, equally propense to himself and his own Bowels, might desire, may not in Justice be afforded to both; yet that this whole Family, that was the First that drew their Swords in this Cause, may not be cut off Root and Branch; but that a Remnant (according as to their just Wisdoms shall seem most meet) may be left, as a Monument of this House's Clemency to all Posterity. And the Petitioner, which Way soever their Lordships Favour in Wisdom shall incline, shall rest fully satisfied, and shall in Life or Death acknowledge himself ever bound to pray, &c.

"John Hotham."

To be recommended to the H. C.

And the House taking this Petition into Consideration, and weighing the former Merits and good Service of Sir John Hotham; it was Resolved, upon the Question, That this Petition shall be sent down to the House of Commons, and they desired to concur with this House, that Sir John Hotham's Life may be spared.

And accordingly the Petition was sent down, by Sir Edward Leech and Dr. Aylett, with the Desire abovesaid.

Ordinance for excluding Members from holding Offices.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for excluding the Members of either Houses to have Places and Command, in Civil and Military Affairs, shall be taken into Consideration on Monday Morning, at Ten a Clock.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a, Monday next.