House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 16 June 1646

DIE Martis, 16 die Junii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Salawey.

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Cartwright & al. versus Rawleigh.

Upon reading the Petition of John Cartwright and others; shewing, "That they having brought their Action against George Rawleigh, for to be repaired for what Losses they have suffered by him by Plunder when he was in Arms, but not as having done any as Soldier in Command."

It is (fn. 1) Ordered, That both Sides shall be heard Tomorrow Morning, by Counsel, at this Bar.

Col. Hastings & al. a Pass, to go beyond Sea.

Ordered, That Colonel Henry Hastings, Sir Augustine Cockaine, Edward Stanford Esquire, and Richard Ashley Gentleman, and Tho. Pegg, Tho. Porter, John Banks, Henry Shawell, Wm. Gibson, Francis Eaton, Tho. Wakelin, Wm. Tayler, Jo. Pike, and Ralph Garret, with their or some of their Servants, shall have a Pass, to transport themselves, with Sixteen Horses and Geldings, and a proportionable Number of Arms for so many Horses and Men, and Monies (not exceeding the Sum of Three Hundred Pounds), from Dover or Rye, to any Parts beyond the Seas.

Ordinance to raise Forces for Ireland.

The Lord Willoughby reported from the Committee, the Alterations in the Ordinance concerning raising of Horse and Foot for the Service of Ireland; which were read, and debated.

And the Question being put, "Whether to agree to this Ordinance with these Alterations?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, That this Ordinance be sent to the House of Commons, and their Concurrence desired in the Alterations.

Sir F. Boteler released, on Bail.

Upon reading the Petition of Sir Francis Boteler, a Prisoner of War in The Tower; shewing, "That his Health being much impaired by his Imprisonment in The Tower, desires Leave to go to his Mother's in Hartfordshire, putting in Security to the Lieutenant of The Tower to be a true Prisoner, and to render himself when he shall be required."

Which Desire of his this House approved of; and the Concurrence of the House of Commons to be desired herein.

Message to the H. C. with Ordinances; &c.

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

1. To deliver to them the Ordinance for Hull, with the Alterations; and to desire their Concurrence therein.

2. To deliver to them the Ordinance for raising Horse and Foot for the Service of Ireland, with the Alterations; and desire their Concurrence therein.

3. To put them in Mind of the Ordinance concerning Mr. Inggle, a Minister.

4. To desire their Concurrence in a Pass for Dr. Collidon, to go beyond the Seas, and return, with his Wife.

5. To put them in Mind of Mr. Corbett's Ordinance.

6. To put them in Mind of the Names of the Persons added to the Committee of the County of Westm'land.

Platt and Selby, concerning the Parsonage of Horseley.

Upon reading the Petition of John Platt:

(Here enter the Petition.)

It is Ordered, That Mr. Selby, Minister, shall have a Copy of this Petition, and return an Answer to this House on Friday next, how he comes to lay Claim to the Parsonage of Horsely under Pretence of a Lapse; and in the mean Time all Proceedings upon the Presentation to be staid until the Pleasure of this House be further signified.

England and Clarke.

This Day this House heard Counsel, to argue the Errors, in the Writ of Errors depending in this House between England Plaintiff, and Clarke Defendant.

And it is Resolved, That this House affirms the Judgement; and that it be remitted into the Court of King's Bench, that so Judgement may be executed accordingly.

Pitcher and Draper.

Likewise this Day this (fn. 2) House heard Counsel, to argue the Errors, in the Writ of Errors depending in this House between Pitcher Plaintiff and Draper Desendant.

And it is Resolved, This House affirms the Judgement; and that it be remitted into the Court of King's Bench, that so Judgement may be executed accordingly.

Message from the H. C. with Letters from Ireland; and with an Order, Votes, &c. concerning Ireland.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir John Temple Knight, &c.

1. To communicate Letters from the Commissioners in Ulster in Ireland. (Here enter them.)

2. To put their Lordships in Mind of the Ordinance for raising Horse and Foot for the Service of Ireland.

3. To desire Concurrence in an Order, That the Power of the Commissioners in Ulster be enlarged for Three Months after the Expiration of their present Ordinance, which determines the 3d of July next; and that they may have Power to act alone, in case the Scotts Commissioners join not with them.

4. To desire Concurrence in divers Votes, concerning Forces to be sent to Ulster speedily.

5. To put their Lordships in Mind of the Order for adding Sir Wm. Waller and Mr. Wallop to be of the Committee for the Irish Affairs.

The Vote concerning Colonel Edward Massie's Horse and Foot was read; and Ordered, That the Consideration thereof shall be respited until To-morrow Morning.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Addition of Sir Wm. Waller and Mr. Wallopp to the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland: To all the rest, this House will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Letter from the Commissioners in Ulster, that the Parliament's Forces there have been defeated; and desiring Supplies, and proper Powers.

"For the Most Honourable the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

"May it please your Lordship,

"It is excusable to be Messengers of sad News when the Safety of a Kingdom lies upon quick Intelligence and speedy Supplies. The Parliament's Forces in this Province, both Brittish and Scottsh, have received the greatest Overthrow and Loss that to our Knowledge ever befell the Crown of England in any Rebellion. The inclosed Relation will give your Lordship as full an Account as we can yet make thereof: What is to come, we are well assured, will but help to sadden it. We are using all possible Means to secure the Country, which will be most difficult, against the Enemy, whose natural Insolency, heightened with Victory, makes us expect the worse that can be done by them for the Ruin of the remaining Party, which they will certainly effect, and therewith re-gain Connaght, unless by the Parliament's and your Lordship's Wisdom and Care speedy Relief both of Men, Money, and Arms, Ammunition, and Victuals, be sent hither. And here we beseech your Lordship, that we may have Leave to mention the often Representations we have made to the Committee of both Kingdoms, the Committee of Lords and Commons for Ireland, and your Lordship, in the most earnest Way of Expression it was possible for us, of the pressing Wants both Armies and the Country were in of all Things necessary for an Army, especially of Arms, which we wish had been so far considered and supplied as that this Stroke (so Judgementlike) might not have hazarded the Parliament's Interest in this Province; which we much apprehend, so great an Astonishment is fallen upon Persons of all Sorts, as is usual in such remarkable Disasters.

"We are here in the Capacity only of private Men; having no Power but joint with the Scottsh Commissioners, who have left the Kingdom: Yet we are enforced to act as if we had Power, because here is none to order Affairs, though we must profess ourselves unable to undergo the Burthen; and as we have formerly humbly represented our Intention of returning, that Commission expiring the Third of July, so we do now again humbly move, that we may no longer be continued here in a Condition uncapable of serving the Parliament, or supporting ourselves.

"We conceive it will be expedient to command all Officers now at London to their Charges, if Provisions be first hastened; for otherwise here will be already too many to perish.

"Your Lordship will find, by perusing the Relation, that several Regiments are untouched; as namely, the Lord Folliott's, Sir William and Sir Robert Steuart's, Colonel Mervin's, Sir John Clotworthye's, and some of the Scottsh Regiments; but it is yet uncertain what is become of Sir William and Sir Robert Steuart's and Colonel Montros' Regiments and Troops; for we have this Evening received Letters, that they were ordered by the Major General to meet him near the Place of Battle, and intended to do so accordingly; but supposing them all safe, yet the Country is so large that the Forces here are to defend, and the Garrisons so many, that they will not be able to gather the Body of an Army so soon from all Sides, but that the Enemy will first ruin the greatest Part of the Country; and when they shall be united, they may more probably receive a Second Defeat than a stronger Army did the First, having now to do with an Enemy flushed with Victory.

"We have thought it so necessary to post this Dispatch to your Lordship, that we cannot mention many Things which it were expedient to touch, and your Lordship's Wisdom will prompt to you as fit to be considered in this Occasion; neither have we Time to write to the Speaker of either House, or Committee of both Kingdoms, and Lords and Commons for Ireland; and therefore must beseech your Lordship that this may be communicated to them, and the Messenger hastened back, with such Assurance of present Supplies as may stay the People's Hearts till they come.

"We have written Letters to the Committees of Lancasheir and Chesheir, being the nearest Help; and send your Lordship the Copies inclosed, to the End that, if they answer our Desires, Course may be taken for their Satisfaction; if not, they may be quickened from London; so, beseeching your Lordship's speedy Answer and Direction, we remain

Belfast, the 6th of June, 1646.

"Your Lordship's

Most humble Servants,

"Arthur Annesley.

"William Beale."

"A Relation of the Defeat given by Owen M' Art, General of the Ulster Rebels, to the Army of the Brittish and Scottsh under the Command of General Major Monro, near Benburb, in the County of Tyrone, the 5th of June, 1646.

Account of the Defeat of the Parliament's Forces in Ulster, by the Rebels under M' Art.

"Wednesday, the 3d of June, being appointed for a great Part of the Brittish and Scottch Forces both Horse and Foot to meet at the Rendezvous on Blayers Moore, near Lisnegarney; there came accordingly Major General Monro's Regiment, the Lord Mountgomery's, the Lord Claneboy's, the Lord Blayne's, the Earl of Glencarne's, the Earl of Crawford Lindseye's, Colonel Mountgomerye's, and Colonel Home's their Regiments, with Twelve Troops of Horse commanded by the Lord of Ardes, and the whole Army, being betwixt Five and Six Thousand, provided for a Month, they marched this Night to Dromore, Seven Miles; having first received Intelligence, from the Commissioners of the Parliament and other Ways, of Owen M' Art's Army drawing into the Parts about Enniskilling.

June the 4th, they marched to Hamilton's Bawne Sixteen Miles; and sending out a Party of Horse before them to take Prisoners for Intelligence, they took One, who, upon strict Examination by the Major General, informed him that the Enemy was near Benburb, being Six Regiments and Twelve Troops of Horse, victualed for Ten Days; whereupon he resolved to take his March that Way; and, June the 5th, marched towards Benburb; but finding Owen M' Art's Men possessed of the Pass, the Major General resolved (seeing the Enemy had Victuals but for a short Time) not to hazard his Army upon Disadvantages, and therefore took his Way to the Pass of Kenard, where finding no Opposition, he marched through, with much Joy both of Officer and Soldier, thinking they had them then sure, and so went towards the Enemy, who had seated themselves amongst Trees and Bushes, near the Pass of Benburb, at The Black Water River-side; which being discovered, the Major General caused plant his Ordnance thwarting one the other, and quickly beat them out of the Bushes; then they drew up into Battalia in an advantageous Place hard by, and at the same Time the Major General ordered his Battalia and Reserve, flanking his Body on both Sides with Wings of Horse, and with a Commanded Party of One Hundred Horse charged their Foot without Effect; whereupon their Horse charged some of ours, who gave Ground; and the Irish coming on with a Shout, the Foot on both Sides fell in pell-mell, and were left engaged in great Confusion by the Horse, who began to shift for themselves; and in the Fight the Lord Mountgomery was taken Prisoner, and some others. The Foot, seeing the Horse fly, did most of them fling away their Arms, and shifted for their Lives, many being drowned in The Blacke Water, and few being yet come into our Quarters but Baggage-men who escaped on the Baggage-horses. The Major General with several of his Officers are come to Belfast this Evening; being forced to ride hard for it, when they could not get the Men to stand. A good Part of the Horse are also safe; but it is to be feared most Part of the Foot cut off, for we have not as yet News of any of the British Officers almost that are got off. It is uncertain whether the Lord Blayney be taken or killed; Lieutenant Colonel Crawford of the Lord Clandeboy's Regiment is generally reported slain, as is also his Cornet, being both very gallant Men; Captain Dromond of Lindseye's Regiment slain; Lieutenant Colonel Keeth is said to be Prisoner; our whole Bag and Baggage, with the Ordnance and all our Arms, lost.

"The Rebels had never such a Day of the Protestants. The Lord sanctify His heavy Hand unto us, and give Courage to His People to quit themselves like Men till Help comes!

"Dated at Belfast, June the 6th, at Night."

Platt versus Selby, concerning the Parsonage of West Horseley.

"To the Right Honourable the Lords in Parliament assembled.

The humble Petition of John Platt, Minister at West Horsley, in Surrey;

"Sheweth,

"Whereas the Parsonage of West Horsely, in Surrey aforesaid, was sequestered because of the Delinquency and Absence of Dr. Howell, and your Petitioner placed therein by the Committee of that County, and confirmed by the Honourable Committee of plundered Ministers; and for his further Encouragement the Committee of the said County of their own Accord procured for your Petitioner the next Presentation from the Honourable the Lady Mountague, which for the present cannot take Place, the said Dr. Howell being still living.

Yet notwithstanding, one Mr. Selby, under Pretence of the said Living being lapsed into the King's Gift since Dr. Howell was sequestered, hath secretly, and unknown to your Petitioner, procured a Presentation from the Broad Seal, and an Order for Institution to the said Living, from this Honourable House.

"Your Petitioner having been faithful and diligent in his Place, and undergone much Hazard in regard of the Enemy, and paid great Taxes ever since the last Harvest, and, in Confidence of a quiet Enjoyment, expended much Money in necessary Repairs; and if a Precedent in this Kind succeed, it may tend to the disheartening and ejecting of many faithful, godly Ministers, who are placed in sequestered Livings by the Parliament;

Humbly craveth, that the said Presentation, and Order for Presentation, be suspended until the Pleasure of both Houses be farther signified herein; and in the mean Time your Petitioner continued in the said Living.

And your Petitioner shall ever pray, &c.

"John Platt."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a cras.