House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 30 November 1644

DIE Sabbati, 30 die Novembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Sallaway.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Sutton Marsh.

Whereas Thomas Welby is to accompt to the House for Eleven Hundred Pounds received by him of the Rents of Sutton Marsh, and to pay the Money to the Earl of Pembrooke or his Assigns; the said Mr. Welby is now ready to accompt: It is Ordered, That Mr. Johnson and Mr. Sanson shall hereby have Power to take the Accompt.

Mr. Sharpe to be Minister of Sundrich.

Whereas an Ordinance was lately sent to the House of Commons, for nominating Robert Cassingherst to be Minister of Sundrich, in Kent; upon reading of a Letter this Day to Mr. Sharpe, signifying, "That, in regard of his ill Health, he is not able (fn. 1) to officiate the said Cure, and resigns to the said Sharpe:" It is Ordered, That the said Sharpe be recommended to the House of Commons, that he may be appointed in Mr. Cassingherst's Place, to officiate the said Cure.

E. of Denbigh's Report of the Delivery of the Propositions for Peace to the King.

The Earl of Denbigh reported to this House, "That, according to their Lordships Commands, he with the rest delivered the Propositions to His Majesty, for a safe and well-grounded Peace; and on Wednesday last, in the Evening, he and the rest received this Paper from the King, which was read: But the King gave this Answer, "This is My Answer; and you must take it, and carry it to those that sent you."

"Then the Paper was (fn. 2) read, as followeth:

The King's Answer to them.

"CHARLES R.

"The Propositions newly presented to His Majesty being very long, and containing Matters in them of very great Moment and Importance, as being in great Part an Alteration of the Frame of Government both in Church and State; and the Messengers who presented them declaring that they have no Power to treat, or to consent to any Alteration; it cannot be expected that His Majesty should return a present, particular, and positive Answer: But, as He hath from His Soul always desired the settling a happy Peace in this distracted Kingdom, and to that Purpose hath from Time to Time made all possible Overtures, so He hopes that God will so work upon the Hearts of all Persons concerned, that even this Application (such as it is) upon further Thought and Consideration may produce some good Effects towards it; to the which, His Majesty calls God to Witness, there shall be nothing wanting on (fn. 3) His Part, which is agreeable to Honour, Justice, and Conscience. There shall all possible Expedition be used in preparing His Majesty's Answer, which He intends speedily to send by Messengers of His own; and to that Purpose, that there may be no Loss of Time, He desires a safe Conduct may be presently sent, for the Duke of Richmonde and the Earl of Southampton, with their Attendants, to bring up His Majesty's said Answer; and His Majesty doth heartily with, that God may so well deal with Him and His, as He endeavours all just and lawful Ways to restore His poor Kingdom to a lasting, happy, and blessed Peace.

"Given at the Court at Oxford, this of Nov. 1644."

Committee to consider of it.

Hereupon the Lord General, Lord Admiral, the Earls of Northumb, Denbigh, and Manchester, Sarum, Viscount Say & Seale, and the Lord North, are appointed presently (fn. 2) to withdraw, to consider what is fit to be done upon this Paper, and report their Opinions to the House.

Message to the H. C. for a Conference about it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Rich and Mr. Page:

To desire a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, by a Committee of both Houses, concerning a Paper received from the King.

The Earl of Kent presented a Paper to this House, wherein he desired their Lordships Direction; which was read, as followeth:

Report of the Prisoners convcted at Northampton.

"To the Right Honourable the Lords and others His Majesty's Commissioners for the Great Seal of England.

"May it please your Honours,

"We are bold to certify you, that we lately executing the Commissions of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol Delivery for this County of North'ton, Thomas Cleaver and John Appleyard were there convicted before us, for Horse stealing; and Robert Linacre and Edward Warde for Murther of a Woman, by ducking her for Witchcraft; and, after their Condemnation, we thought it convenient, and did reprieve them: We humbly present them to your Honours; and because they must remain in the Gaol, and will be a daily Charge to the Country for their Allowance, and are very able, and as they affirm willing, to serve in the Wars for the King and Parliament, we humbly desire your Honours would be pleased to direct a Way for a general Pardon to pass for them; and also for Elizabeth Warwicke and Alice Hampton, Two Women which remain in the Gaol, and were long sithence reprieved after their Condemnation by the Judges of Assize; the rather, because we find it very prejudicial in these Times to have our Gaol full of Prisoners. All which, nevertheless, we leave to your Honours grave Considerations; resting

"Your humble Servants,

North'ton, 13 Nov. 1644.

To be pardoned.

Ordered, That this House thinks fit to grant a Pardon to the aforesaid Malefactors; and to desire the Concurrence of the House of Commons therein.

Answer from the H. C.

The Messengers return with this Answer from the House of Commons:

That they will give a present Conference, as is desired.

Heads for the Conference on the King's Answer to the Propositions for a Peace.

The Earl of Northumb. reported what the Committee had prepared to offer to the House, concerning the Paper received from the King; which was read, as followeth:

"That the Duke of Richmonde and the Earl of Southampton, being employed by His Majesty unto the Two Houses of Parliament, with His Answer unto the Propositions of both Kingdoms lately presented unto Him, shall have a safe Conduct to come to London, and return again, with their Necessaries and Attendance, not exceeding; and that this may be referred unto the Committee of both Kingdoms, to the End that the Commissioners of Scotland may herein be consulted with."

Ordered, That this be communicated and offered to the House of Commons, at this Conference; and their Concurrence to be desired.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed.

Message from the H. C. to refer the Matter of this Conference to the Committee of both Kingdoms.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Harley Knight, &c.

To let their Lordships know, that the House of Commons concurs with their Lordships, in referring the Matter of the last Conference to the Committee of both Kingdoms; and the House of Commons have made an Addition to that Reference, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence:

The Addition was read; videlicet,

"That the debating of the Message, together with the Papers sent from the Lords, be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms; and they are to return to the Houses their Opinions, what they think fit to be done thereupon."

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

This House agrees with the House of Commons in this Addition.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 11^a, Monday next.