House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 15 June 1646

DIE Lunæ, 15 die Junii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Bond.

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Letter from the King, for the Propositions to be sent Him.

The Speaker acquainted this House, "That, on Saturday Night last, one Captain Johnston brought him a Letter from Newcastle;" which was opened, and read, as follows. (Here enter it.)

Letters from the Scots Commissioners, &c.

Next, the Speaker signified to the House, "That the Scott Commissioners delivered to him Two Letters, One from the Committee of Estates of the Kingdom of Scotland, the other from the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland here, with divers Papers inclosed;" which were opened, and read as follow.

(Here enter them.)

Ordered, That these Letters and Papers shall be communicated at a Conference with the House of Commons; and that a Letter be written to the Committee of Estates of Scotland, to return them Thanks for their Letters, &c.; and to desire the Concurrence of the House of Commons, that the King's Letter for delivering up the Garrisons may be speedily sent away.

Message to the H. C. for a Conference about them and the King's Letter;

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Heath:

To desire a Conference, as soon as it may stand with their Conveniency, concerning a Letter received from the King, and a Letter from the Committee of Estates of Scotland, and concerning a Letter from the Scotts Commissioners here, with some Papers inclosed.

about the Propositions;

2. To put them in Mind of the Propositions for Peace.

and for Col. Fielding to go Abroad.

3. To desire Concurrence, that Colonel Feilding may have a Pass, to go beyond the Seas, he taking the Negative Oath.

E. of Northampton's Mother & al. to come into the Parliament Quarters.

Ordered, That a Letter be written to Sir Tho. Fairefax, that the Earl of North'ton's Mother, with her Children and Servants, may be permitted to come out of Oxford, into some of the Parliament's Quarters.

Message from the H. C. with an Ordinance.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Ashurst:

To desire Concurrence in an Ordinance concerning appointing Assessors in the County of Lancaster.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That their Lordships will take this Ordinance into Consideration, and send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Countess of Derby, a Pass.

Ordered, That the Countess of Derby shall have a Pass, to come to London, out of Lancashire.

Moreton to be instituted to Chirch Lawford.

Ordered, That Doctor Aylett shall institute and induct Mr. Rob't Morton Clerk, to the Rectory of Chirch Lawford.

Letter to the Committee of Estates of Scotland.

Ordered, That the Earl of Pembrooke, the Lord North, and the Lord Robertes, are appointed to draw up a Letter to be sent to the Committee of Estates of Scotland, and to report the same to this House.

Jones to be intuted to Knockyn;

Ordered, That Doctor Aylett shall give Institution and Induction to Henry Jones Cleric. to the Parish of Knockyn; presented thereunto by John Earl of Bridgwater.

Selby to Horseley;

Ordered, That Doctor Aylett shall give Institution and Induction to Mr. Wm. Selby Clerk, to the Rectory of Horseley, in the County of Surrey; presented to the same under the Great Seal.

and Hodges to Birmingham.

Ordered, That Doctor Aylett shall give Institution and Induction to Mr. Ralph Hodges Clerk, to the Rectory of Birmingham, in the County of Warwicke; presented thereunto by Mrs. Mary Smith.

Letter to the Committee of Estates of Scotland.

The Lord Robertes reported from the Committee, a Draught of a Letter to be sent to the Committee (fn. 1) of Estates of Scotland; which was read, and approved of; and Ordered to be sent to the House of Commons for their Concurrence.

King's Letters.

Ordered, That it be desired, at this next Conference, that both this Letter of the King's and the last Letter from the King before this (fn. 3)

Propositions for Peace.

Ordered, That at this Conference shall be communicated to the House of Commons the further Resolutions of this House concerning the Propositions; and accordingly the Messengers had Directions to desire it.

Heads for the Conference on the King's Letters, and Order to surrender His Garrisons, &c.

The Sense of this Conference was, "To deliver the several Letters to them; and to let them know, this House formerly communicated to them the King's Letter of the 18 May, and did desire that it might have been communicated to the Scotch Commissioners, according to the Direction of the Letter; but it hath lain since in their Hands: Their Lordships desire both may be communicated to them, by the Members of both Houses of the Committee of both Kingdoms.

"Also to desire that the King's Warrant may be sent to Sir Tho. Fairefaz; and that he may send it to all the Governors of the King's Forts and Garrisons."

Answer from the H. C.

Doctor Aylett and Doctor Heath return with this Answer:

That the House of Commons do agree to give a present Conference, and do agree to the Pass for Colonel Feilding to go beyond the Seas.

Letter from the King, desiring the Propositions for Peace may be sent to Him; and desiring a Personal Treaty.

"CHARLES R.

"His Majesty, looking with Grief of Heart upon the sad Sufferings of His People in His Three Kingdoms some Years past, and being afflicted with their Distresses and unquiet Condition, through the Distractions about Religion, the keeping of Forces on Foot in the Fields and Gavrisons, the not-satisfying the Public Debts, and their Fears of the further Effusion of Blood, by continuing an unnatural War in any of these Kingdoms, or by renting or dividing these Kingdoms so happily united; and having lately sent a Gracious Message unto both Houses of Parliament, and Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, expressing the necessary Causes of the coming from Oxford unto the Scottish Army, without any Intention to make a Division, where He is in Freedom and right Capacity to settle a true Peace, and containing such Offers as He conceived would have been accepted, with a general Clause of complying with their Desires; and being impatient of Delays, and not acquainted with the Particulars which may give Contentment to them; His Majesty doth earnestly desire, that the Propositions of Peace, so often promised, and so much expected, may be speedily sent unto Him, that, upon Consideration of them, He may apply Himself to give such Satisfaction as may be the Foundation of a firm Peace: And for the better and more speedy attaining thereunto, His Majesty doth further propound, that He may come to London with Safety, Freedom, and Honour, where He resolves to comply with His Houses of Parliament in every Thing which may be most for the Good of His Subjects, and perfect what remains for settling both King and People in a happy Condition; being likewise most confident that they, according to their reiterated Declarations and solemn Protestations, will be zealous in the Maintenance of His Honour and just and lawful Rights.

"As His Majesty desires the Houses of Parliament to disburthen the Kingdom of all Forces and Garrisons in their Power, except such as before these unhappy Times have been maintained for the necessary Defence and Safety of this Kingdom; so He is willing forthwith to disband all His Forces and Garrisons within the same, as the inclosed Order herewith sent will evidence: And if, upon these Offers, His Majesty shall have such Satisfaction as He may be confident a firm Peace shall ensue thereupon, His Majesty will then give Order for His Son the Prince's present Return. Newcastle, the 10th of June, 1646.

"For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore; to be communicated to the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westm'r and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland."

Order from the King to the Governor of His Garrisons, &c. to surrender them.

"CHARLES R.

"Having resolved to comply with the Desires of Our Parliaments in every Thing which may be for the Good of Our Subjects, and leave no Means unessayed for removing all Differences betwixt us; therefore We have thought fit, the more to evidence the Reality of Our Intentions of settling a happy and firm Peace, to require you, upon honourable Conditions, to quit those Towns, Castles, and Forts intrusted to you by Us; and to disband all the Forces under your several Commands.

"Given at Newcastle, the 10th of June, 1646.

"To Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Thomas Glemham, Sir Thomas Tildsley, Colonel Henry Wasington, Colonel Thomas Blaigg, Governors of Our Cities and Towns of Oxford, Worcester, and Wallingford; and all other Commanders of any of Our Towns, Castles, or Forts, within the Kingdom of England, or Dominion of Wales."

Letter from the Committee of Estates of Scotland at Newcastle, desiring the Propositions may be sent to the King.

"For the Right Honnorable the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England, at Westm'r.

"Right Honnorable,

"Not only our Consciences beare Wittnesse to ourselves, but our Actions are a reall and publique Testimony to all Men who have marked our Wayes since our coming into this Kingdome, how earnest our Desires, and how constant our Endeavors have beene, to preserve the Union of the Two Kingdomes, as a principall Meanes of Happines to both; and for this End, what our Affection and Care hath bin, to observe and performe the whole Articles of the Covenant and Treatyes betwixt the Kingdomes: Yet (this much wee may truly say); at noe Tyme since the Begining of our Engagments in this Cause have wee with more Sincerity and Faithfullnes indeavored to improve our Oppertunityes for the Publique then wee have done of late, since His Majesty's unexpected comeing into our Army, by our earnest and uncessant dealing with Him to send such Messages to His Parliament as may give them full Sattisfaction, and bee a sure Ground of Peace to His Kingdomes, and of Happines to Himselfe: And although wee have not as yet prevailed soe farre against such Principles, as by Education, Length of Tyme, and the Councells and Company of such as have beene formerly bought Him, have bin deeply rooted in His Minde, as to obtayne the uttmost of our Desires; yet have wee not loosed our Labour, nor are wee diffident but that in a short Tyme He may bee moved to give Satisfaction to His People, which, when it cometh, wil bee a Matter of Rejoyceing to all that love the Settling of Religion and Peace: And wee doe earnestly entreate, and confidently expect, that the Houses of Parliament will, in their Wisdome, and from their Love of Peace, bee pleased, with the Concurrence of the Commissioners from the Parliament of Scotland, and speedily, to send such Propositions and Demaunds to bee graunted by His Majesty, as are necessary for cureing the present Distempers, the setling of Religion and Peace, the Safety of His Majesty's Person and Authority, and the confirming and conserving the Union of these Kingdomes; which being sent, wee will, upon His Majesty's Answere, cleerly and distinctly knowe how to proceede in this intended Pacification; and to sattisfy the Desires of the Parliament, and our owne, in disbanding our Forces, delivering upp the Garrisons possesst by us, and retourning Home, after all our Sufferings, with the same Cheerefullnes and Affection that wee had when wee came into this Kingdome: And wee resolve shortly to send some from us, to give your Lordships further Information of our Proceedings here, that by mutuall and joynt Advise such Things as may serve for the Peace and Good of both Kingdomes may bee brought to a speedy and happy Close; which is the earnest Desire of

Newcaslle, 10th June, 1646.

"Your Lordships

"humble Servaunts,

"Leven. Loudon.

"W. Argill. Calender.

"Crafford Lindsey. Dunfermelyne.

"Lothian. Lanerick.

"T. Hepburne. D. Home. T. Shaw.

"Ro. Frerland. W. Lengonyng."

Letter from the Scots Commissioners, desiring Supplies may be sent to their Armies in Ireland, and in the North; and that the Propositions may be sent to the King.

"To the Right Honnorable the Speaker of the House of Peeres pro Tempore; to be comunicated to the Two Houses of the Parliament.

"Right Honnorable,

"Wee have frequently, and of a long Tyme, represented to the Honnorable Houses our earnest Desires of a happy and speedy Peace; of which wee are soe studious, that wee cannott cease from expressinge the same Desires at all Oppertunityes; and the rather at this Tyme, because of the sad Stroake lately fallen upon our Brethren in Ireland, whose former and present Sufferings under which they groane doe of themselves call soe loud, that wee doubt not the Houses, from their Wisdome, Care, and Commisseration, will tymely and effectually apply themselves to the composing of all Differences, and the speedy setling of a happy Peace in this Island, whereby they may bee enabled to send further Ayde and Succor unto that Kingdome, for prosecuting of the Warre there, and reduceing of the Rebells to Obedience; and, for the same Ends, speedily to send Provisions to the Scottish Army there, who for many Monthes have receaved noe Intertainment, notwithstanding of their Faithfullnes and greate Sufferings in that Publique Service. Annother Occasion now ministred unto us is, from the pressing and unsupplyed Necessityes of our Armye in the North of this Kingdome, who are extreamly straightned in their Quarters and Provisions; for Remedy whereof, the Lord Generall and Committee of Estates with the Army did write to the Committee at Yorke, and to Colonell Generall Poyntz, who in their Answers have declared noe Unwillingnes; but they are not enabled by any Power from the Parliament to afford them the desired Assistance and Sattisfaction, toward the Enlargment of their Quarters, or bettering of their Provisions, as will more fully appeare by the Letters themselves herewith presented: Wee doe therefore yet againe earnestly desire, that the Honnorable Houses will bee pleased to give Order to the Committee at Yorke, for the convenient Quarteringe of the Scottish Army, and for accomodating them with necessary Provisions, that the Burthens of the Country, occasioned (to our greate Greife) by the faileinge of the due and orderly Course for providinge for that Army, may bee eased; to which End, wee doe alsoe renew our former Desire, for sendinge them from hence a considerable Some of Money towards the Discharge of their Quarters. Wee must further make knowne, that, as the Committee at Yorke and Colonell Generall Points, in their Letters of the 4th of this Instant June, doe fairely and ingeniously give Testimony to the faithfull and carefull Endeavors of the Committee of Estates, for preventing Misunderstandings, and for preserving Peace and Amity betwixt the Kingdomes; of which they were pleased in these Letters to give for Instance, the Orders of the Committee of Estates for preventing the future Intertainment of such as shall give Occasion of Offence, and for disbanding the Regiment of Generall Major Vandreuske, which, as the Messinger sent hither doth assure us, is already put in Execution, and none of them are suffered to bee received into other Regiments: And as that Honnorable Committee, in their Paper of the 8th of this Instant presented to the Kinge (which wee doe herewith communicate), and in their owne Letter to the Honnorable Houses now sent, have expressed their firme Resolutions, not to suffer themselves to bee divided from their Brethren of England, with whome they are united by the solemne League and Covenant, but to preserve that happy Union, and to observe the whole Articles of the Covenant and Treatyes betweene the Kingdomes; soe upon the most particuler and assured Knowledge which wee have of their faithfull, reall, and unanimous Endeavors, wee dare confidently say, That if both Houses had bin Witnesses to their most privy Consultations, as before, soe especially since His Majesty did unexpectedly come amongest them, it had bin insteede of many Demonstrations to remove Jealousyes betweene the Nations, and to breed a more full Confidence of their Sincerity and Integrity towards this Nation: Wee, therefore, joyninge and co-operating with them for the same good Ends, doe with all Earnestnes desire the expediting of the Propositions intended to bee sent to His Majesty, that, by the Blessinge of God upon the joynt Desires, Councells, and Endeavors of both Kingdomes, Religion and Peace with all possible Speede may bee setled, all Distempers and Differences healed, all Armyes in both Kingdomes disbanded, the Country eased, our distressed Brethren in Ireland releived, and a firme Peace and Union in this Island continued to the Generations followinge; then which nothing can bee more earnestly desired or endeavored by

"Your Lordships humble Servaunts,

"Lauderdaill.

"W. Jhonston. Charles Erskine.

"Hew Kennedy. Ro. Barclay.

Worcester House, the 15th of June, 1646.

"Wee doe againe earnestly desire that the Honnorable Houses will send a Committee, to joyne with the Committee of Estates, who may bee Wittnesses of all their Proceedings, and co-operate with them for the Good of the Publique Service there."

Letter from the Committee at York to the Committee of Estates of Scotland, desiring them to remove their Army out of that County; and that they have no Power to relieve them with regard to Quarters.

"May it please your Honours,

"We find, by your Lordships Letters of the First of June, you are not pleased to give any Hopes of the removing of your Forces out of the County, which we have been often Suitors for, in regard of the Disability of this County to bear the Charge of both Armies, and cannot forbear to renew the same Suit still. Your Honours are still pleased to desire our Assistance, in the quartering of, and Provision for, your Army here; to which, my Lords, we must deal ingenuously. As we had no Power in that Particular heretofore, so at this present, neither in that nor any other Public Employment, by reason the Ordinance by which we acted expired the last of May; and we having yet received no Intimation from Parliament of their Pleasure for the Continuation of it. We oftentimes applied ourselves to the House, for their speedy Course for the Provision of your Army in some equal Way, and do expect a Return daily: Till then (especially in the Condition we now are) we hope your Lordships will not expect any further Answer from us herein; and that your Lordships will rest satisfied in the Reality of our Desires and Care to do the utmost in our Power that may speak our Constancy to our Covenant, and our Zeal to prevent Mistakes that might any wise weaken the happy mutual Amity between the Two Nations. And truly, my Lords, we cannot but with many honourable Respects take Notice of your Lordships Care therein, and of that honourable Instance your Lordships have given, in your Order for disbanding of Colonel Vandrusk's Regiment; in Execution whereof, we conceive your Lordships will do yourselves and the Cause much Right. So soon as, my Lords, we shall obtain any Return from the Parliament, we shall readily give your Lordships a further Account; in the mean Time, shall desire to be accounted, as we are,

Yorke, the 4th of June, 1646.

"Your Lordships

"Most humble Servants,

"Jo. Boutcher.

"Geo. Trotter.

"Geo. Mawald.

"Tho. St. Nicholas.

"Jo. Ferrar.

"Jo. Wicklethwit.

"Raby Mere.

"Darg. Wentworth.

"Will. Goodraw."

Letter from Col. Poyntz to the Committee of Estates of Scotland, acknowledging their constant Care to prevent Misunderstandings.

"Right Honourable,

"I received your Lordships of the First of June Instant; and as I perceive your Lordships do suspend your Resolutions concerning the more Northerly Quartering of your Army till you have a Return from the Committee of both Kingdoms, so I hope your Lordships will not seek any Thing further from me in a Business of so great Concernment to this poor Country till I shall likewise have the Pleasure of those above, whose Commands and Directions your Lordships will apprehend I am engaged to observe. My Lords, I should highly injure your Lordships and myself also, if upon all Occasions I should not acknowledge your Lordships great Care and prudent Circumspection to carry on the Public Affairs, wherein both Nations have a reciprocal Interest, so as the happy Union may be preserved, and the Ends which are mutually driven at in the National League may be best atchieved; and I hope your Lordships will not believe, in any Complaints I have represented, I had the least Intention to reflect on your Lordships Particulars. And truly, my Lords, I do with many humble Thanks acknowledge it a great Favour to myself, and a convincing Evidence to the World, of (what wise Men were always satisfied in) your Lordships Desires to prevent Occasions of Distaste, that, upon my last, your Lordships have given Order for the disbanding of General Major Vandruske's Regiment, and for the preventing of the future Entertainment of such as give Occasion of Offence; the effecting of both which will be certainly of very good Consequence, and of very honourable Interpretation. For my Particular, I shall ever deem it my Honour and Happiness, in any civil Relation, to be instrumental to the Public Good; so none shall be more ready to manifest what a large Share thereof he doth account is lapt up in being esteemed, as he is,

Yorke, the 4th of June, 1646.

"My Lords,

"Your Lordships humble Servant,

"Sednham Pointz."

Letter from the Committee of Estates to the Committee at York, about Quarters for their Army; and that they had ordered Vandrusk's Regiment to be disbanded.

"10th June, 1646.

"Noble Gentlemen,

"Wee doe perceave, by your Letters of the 4th Instant, that the Ordinance of Parliament, by which you acted in all Publique Imployments, expired the last of May, soe that you are not furnished with Authority to afford us any Assistance in the quartering and provideinge for our Army, which wee shall forbeare therefore to presse any further; not doubting but, when you are better enabled, and your Power enlarged, you will continue your Publique Care and Affection to doe every Thing that may bee for the Good of the Army, and preserving the mutuall Amity and Union of the Two Kingdomes, which wee shall study to confirme by all Wayes and Meanes that are in our Power; haveing alsoe seriously recommended the same to G. Leiuetenant Lesly (whome wee desired to repaire to us, aboute the executing of that Order for disbanding Generall Major Vandrusk's Regiment), that he would likewise take speciall Care to prevent all Mistakes that might begett any Misunderstanding betwixt us. Soe wee remaine

"Your, &c.

"Signed,

"Loudoun. Calender.

"Leven. Crawford Lindsay.

"Argill. Lanerick. Lothian.

"Dunfermling.

"A. Hepburne. D. Home. Fryland.

"Tho. Ker. W. Glendoninge."

Paper delivered to the King by the Committee of Estates, desiring that the Prince might not go beyond Sea.

"Wee doe humbly represent to Your Majesty, that wee conceave it will much contribute for the Good of Your Service, and the better procureing a right Understanding and well-grounded Peace, if Your Majesty were pleased to give Order, that the Prince his Highnes goe not beyond Sea; but that he may stay within this Kingdome, soe as hee may reside therein with Honnor and Safety, for preventinge the Dangers which may bee to his Person and Religion, and the Jealousyes and Inconveniencyes which may ensue upon his Highnes goeing out of the Kingdome in this Juncture of Tyme and Affaires."

2d June, 1646.

Paper from them, desiring the King to treat with the Houses for a Peace.

"Whereas, upon Consideration of the present Condition of Affaires, and Sense of our Duty, wee did in all Humility and Faithfullnes advise and beseech Your Majesty, that You would bee pleased to send such a Message to the Houses of Parliament and Commissioners of Scotland as might bee a Ground of setling Religion and Peace according to the solemne League and Covenant; it is still our earnest Desire, that Your Majesty would bee graciously pleased to send such a Message, for the further Sattisfaction of Your Parliaments, and preventing of imminent Dangers which may ensue upon the Delay thereof; which if Your Majesty shall not (out of Your Wisdome, and Compassion of the sad Condition of Your Kingdomes) bee pleased to grant, wee shal bee constrained presently to take such a Course, as that, by mutuall Advise and Resolutions of both Kingdomes, they may bee saved from a Breach, and the dangerous Sequells prevented which may followe.

8 June, 1646.

"Signed by all the Committee and Generall Officers of the Army."

Letter from the Committee of Estates to Gen. Poyntz.

"10th June, 1646.

"Right Honnorable,

"Wee receaved yours of the 4th Instant, sheweinge that you could not sattisfy the Desires of our former Letter, nor afford us any Assistance towards the Enlargment of our Quarters, untill their Pleasure were knowne whose Directions you were to observe.

"And seing you are not furnished with Authority in that Behalfe, wee shall not further presse it untill you bee otherwise inabled; not doubting but you will manifest the Continuance of that Friendshipp whereof wee have alwayes had the Experience; in the meane Tyme, wee cannott but bee very sensible of your Expressions and Acknowledgment of our Care and Faithfullnes in our Publique Employments; and shall endeavor soe to behave ourselves in pursueinge the Ends of our Covenant, that all our Wayes and Actions may speake our Constancy and Zeale to preserve the happy Union and Amity of both Kingdomes, and to prevent every Thing, to the uttmost of our Power, that may tend to the Infringment of that Union, in Assurance whereof wee rest

Newcastle, the 10th of June, 1646.

"Your, &c.

"Signed,

"Leven. Loudoun. Callander. Argill.

"Crawford Lindsay. Dunfermling. Lanrick. Lothian.

"A. Hepburne. D. Home. Fryland. J. Ker.

"W. Glendoninge."