House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 11 April 1645

Die Veneris, 11 die Aprilis.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Langley.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Mr. Herbert freed from an Arrest by Wanley, to solicit his Father Lord Herbert's Business.

Upon reading the Petition of Edward Herbert Esquire, Second Son unto the Lord Herbert of Cherbery; shewing, "That he is is indebted unto one Vanley, a Taylor, for Cloaths; and, having not present Monies to satisfy him, did give him Security, at his Desire, by entering into a Bond of One Hundred Pounds, unto one Thomas Major, for the Use of the said Vanley, who hath now arrested the Petitioner, who hath been, and still is, employed by his Father, to solicit and attend his Business and Affairs: Therefore he humbly prayeth, in regard he cannot for the present, by reason of the Misery of the Times, pay the said Taylor his Debt, which otherwise he would willingly have done rather than have troubled their Lordships; and prayeth, that he may, by Order of this House, have his Liberty granted him, according to the Privilege of Parliament, to attend his Affairs."

Hereupon this House Ordered, That the said Edward Herbert shall be released from his present Arrest, and have the Privilege of Parliament, as being appointed by his Father to solicit (fn. 1) and follow his Affairs.

Absent Lord excused.

Ordered, That the Absence of the Earl of Essex is excused; and his Lordship hath Leave to attend his Affairs for Three or Four Days.

Ordered, That the Earl of Rutland is excused for being absent.

The Speaker reported to this House the Paper received Yesterday from The States Ambassadors, transated into English; which was read, as followeth:

Paper delivered by The States Ambassadors at their Audience.

"Most noble Lords,

"Our Lords did consider Two Things, to send us their Ambassadors into this Kingdom; that is to say, their Duty, and your Service. The First did consist in their Power, and in your Resentment of these present Distractions; the other was at your Choice and Acceptation, if you should think it fit.

"We have a great while ago, and at several Times, spoken to your Honours of the one and of the other, as also to the King, who hath honoured The States, in accepting the Offers of our Interposition; with your Honours, we are still at the Beginning, without any Certainty or Likelihood to be accepted.

"We have already obtained our Leave from the King, and we have left His Majesty full of Good-will and Disposition to a just and reasonable Accommodation; and we are also going away well contented concerning the Point of the Evangelical and Protestant Religion: For the Offers which His Majesty hath permitted us to make lately to your Honours, and for the King's Rights, the Liberties and Privileges of this Kingdom, Parliament and Subjects, there is no Doubt that, when His Majesty shall receive Satisfaction, the King also will give Satisfaction to every one.

"But, my Lords, we can stay here no longer; without being avowed of your Honours in the Interposition, we are useless; for which Cause, our Lords and Superiors have commanded us, in this Case, to take our Leave, and to return Home; for which Office, and last Duty, we are come hither; and we will not cease to with to this some-time flourishing Kingdom (fn. 2) Peace and Accommodation, which is and will be always to you so prositable and necessary.

"Deliberated, by the Extraordinary Ambassadors of the High and Mighty Lords The General States of the United Provinces, to the Lords assembled in Parliament of England at Westm. the 10th of April, 1645.

"G. Boreel.
"Jo. De Reade de Rensfrer."

Referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Upon reading the Paper aforesaid: It is Ordered, That it is referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to be taken into present Consideration; and a speedy Report to be made thereof to this House, what they think fit thereupon.

Message from the H. C. with an Ordinance to exempt Cambridge University from Taxes.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Anthony Erby Knight;

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in divers Particulars:

1. An Ordinance concerning exempting of the University of Cambridge from Taxes and Assessments.

(Here enter it.)

Read Three Times, and Agreed to.

And an Ordinance to the same Effect to draw up for Eaton Colledge, and the College of Westm.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Ordinance for exempting the University of Cambridge; as concerning the other Particulars, this House will take them into Consideration, and send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Fees to the Officers of this House, on passing Private Ordinances.

Ordered, That the Sub-committee for Privileges, or any Three of them, do meet To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock, and take into Consideration what Fees shall be paid to the Officers of this House, upon the passing of Private Ordinances, before they be passed absolutely; and to make Report thereof to this House.

Raystrick versus Col. Stepkin.

Ordered, That Colonel Stepkin shall put in Bail, before Mr. Justice Bacon, to answer to the Action of Raystricke against him, for Battery.

Ordinance to free the University of Cambridge from Taxes, &c.

Whereas humble Representation hath been made to the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, on the Behalf of the University of Cambridge, That the said University, and the several Colleges therein, are brought to such Necessity, by reason of the failing of their Rents (a great Part whereof cannot be received in these Times of Troubles and Distraction), as they shall be altogether unable to support any longer the Students of the said Societies, unless they may be freed and exempted (according to their Charter and the Indulgence of former Parliaments) from all Military Taxes, and other Contributions to the Public Service, which are imposed by Ordinance of Parliament: The said Lords and Commons, taking the Premises into Consideration, and to the End they may give as much Ease and Relief as the Times will bear to these eminent Schools and Seminaries of Learning, for their better Encouragement to continue their Studies with Diligence, for the Public Benefit both of Church and Commonwealth, think fit and Ordain, and be it Ordained, That nothing contained in any Ordinance or Ordinances of Parliament, for and concerning the imposing, levying, or paying, of any Assessments, Taxes, and Charges whatsoever, as well already made and charged, as hereafter to be made and charged, by virtue of any of the said Ordinances, shall be extended to charge the said University of Cambridge, or any of the Colleges or Halls within the said University, nor any the Rents and Revenues belonging to the said University or Colleges, or any of them; nor to charge any Master, Fellow, or Scholar, of any of the said Colleges, nor any Reader, Officer, or Minister, of the said University or Colleges, or any of them, for, or in regard of any Stipend, Wages, or Profit whatsoever, arising or growing due to them, or any of them, in respect of the said several Places and Employments in the said University; any Thing in the said Ordinances, or any of them, to the contrary in any Wife notwithstanding; and all Assessors, Collectors, and others whom this may concern, are hereby required to take Notice of this Ordinance: Provided, That the Tenants who enjoy Leases from the said University and Colleges respectively do claim no Freedom, Exception, or Advantage, by this Ordinance."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.