House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 24 February 1645

DIE Lunæ, 24 die Februarii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Stirry.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Copley, E. of Mulgrave's Servant, Privilege.

Upon reading the Petition of John Copley, a menial Servant to the Earl of Mulgrave; shewing, "That he is arrested, by Two Serjeants at the Mace, at the Suit of one Shipp, a Taylor, contrary to the Protection of the Earl of Mulgrave, and the Privilege of Parliament:" It is Ordered, That the said Copley shall presently be released from his present Imprisonment, and enjoy the Privilege of Parliament; and the said Shipp and Nic. Walgrave, and John Emms, Serjeants, shall appear before this House, to answer the said Arrest, the Protection being shewed to them before the Arrest.

States Ambassadors Audience.

The Speaker acquainted this House, "That The States Ambassadors sent to him this Morning, and desired him to let their Lordships understand, that they have something to communicate to this House, of great Importance; and they desired to have Audience this Day."

And, after Debate, whether they should have Audience now or at some other Time, it was Resolved, upon the Question, That The States Ambassadors shall be admitted to have Audience now, as they desired.

And The States Ambassadors being come in the Little Lobby Chamber, the House Ordered they should be conducted into this House, by the Gentleman Usher attending this House; but none of their Attendants to be present, but their Secretary.

They being come, they delivered what they had to propound by Word of Mouth in French; and afterward the Effect was delivered in Writing by them, and read by their Secretary in English.

This being done, they departed; and the House commanded the said Paper to be read. (Here enter it.)

Weldon's Petition.

The Petition of Anthony Weldon, a Prisoner in Newgate, was read, and laid aside.

Message to the H. C. about the Paper delivered by The States Ambassadors.

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

To communicate the Paper received this Day from The States Ambassadors; and to let them know, that this House conceives the said Paper may be of dangerous Consequence; and that their Lordships do desire that the Consideration thereof may be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, and they to report to both Houses what they conceive of it.

Thanks to the Lords who negotiated at Uxbridge.

The Speaker, by the Directions of the House, gave the Lords Commissioners that treated at Uxbridge (being this Day returned) Thanks for their great Pains and Care expressed in the Business of the Treaty.

Paper from The States Ambassadors, concerning the Treaty at Uxbridge, between the King and the Houses.

"Translation.

"Right Honourable,

"We have heretofore, as well particularly as in public, demonstrated the High and Mighty Lords our Lords The States Generall of the United Provinces their great Desires and sincere Endeavours, they constantly continue, that, in a happy Hour, they might see a good Accommodation, betwixt the King and His Parliament, and Peace re-established in these Kingdoms.

"And your Honours, by your Professions by Word of Mouth, and of late given unto us in Writing the 10th of December last past, have not only testified that the said Desires and sincere Intentions of our Lords and Superiors were very acceptable unto you; but also you added, that your Honours did judge the said Accommodation and desired Peace did as highly concern those that make Profession of the true Protestant Religion, and in particular our Lords and Superiors.

"All these Motives, suppeditated by Your Honours and our Duties, have continually wrought in us a very great Care, to fix an Eye upon His Majesty's Proceedings and Yours, and now lately upon the Conference and Treaty that at present is in Hand at Uxbridge, where His Majesty's and your Commissioners labour (as we hope) with Utility to obtain a so much desired Success.

"We must also say, that, at our being at Oxford, we have received the Honour, that His Majesty hath ordered to communicate unto us all the Passages of that Conference; and, by the one and the other, we have observed in the First Place, that His Majesty above all Things desireth an Accommodation with your Honours, and that His Majesty entirely inclines to give all Manner of Content, and Assurance of His Affection in all Things which are just and honourable.

"In the Second Place, we are informed, That, by the Answer to the Propositions of your Honours touching the Point of Church Government, the Personal Excesses that may have been committed heretofore were not to be feared for the future.

"Thirdly, That, if in the Form of Government itself, and the Exercise thereof, and the Jurisdiction therein comprehended heretofore, any Thing was to be excepted against; your Honours can judge if that be not prevented, by Means of those Offers His Majesty hath made to that End.

"And notwithstanding, Sirs, we have seen that the Point of Church Government was yet behind and without Accommodation; wherefore we have been moved to consider more exactly how your Honours in this Point might desire any other or further Satisfaction; and we are obliged to say, that this Consideration is fallen out so well, that His Majesty hath declared unto us, and permitted us to communicate unto you, that, if your Honours are not contented with that which He hath offered by His Commissioners at Uxbridge unto yours there, that His Majesty is out of Abundancy (fn. 1) contented that a Na tional Synod may be called and assembled, and thereunto the Deputies of all other Protestant Churches of Europe invited, for their Advice, which Synod shall examine all that which concerns the Point of Religion in the said Government of the English Church, that might be contrary to the Word of God, whether in Part or in general; that His Majesty is contented to correct and redress it accordingly; and by that Means, as by a common Consent of all those that make the same Profession of Faith and Religion, to put a good End to all these present Distractions.

"Delivered by their Excellencies the Lords Ambassadors of the High and Mighty States Generall of The United Provinces, unto the House of Peers assembled in the Parliament of England at Westm. the 24th of February, 1644, Stil. Angl."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.