House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 25 December 1646

DIE Veneris, 25 die Decembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Hickes.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

D. of York's Answer about the Attempt to carry him away.

The Speaker reported, "That the Committee were Yesterday with the Duke of Yorke, and asked him some Questions concerning the Attempt of his conveying away; and his Answer was as follows:

"The Answer of the Duke of Yorke, the 24th of December, 1646.

"That he did receive a Message from his Father by Johnson, and only by him, by Word of Mouth, on Monday was Sevennight: The Message was delivered here at the Tennis Court at St. James.

"The Message was, for him to come to the King to Newcastle, or into France.

"That, when Johnson went to Newcastle about a Month or Six Weeks ago, he told his Highness he should have some such Message as this come from the King: That Johnson asked his Highness whom he would make Choice of to contrive the Business; and his Highness sent Hill, who was to convey to his Highness what they should resolve of.

"That, when Johnson told his Highness of it first, his Highness said, he would send Hill to him.

"That Johnson told his Highness publicly, That he was not permitted to come to the King; but privately told his Highness the aforesaid Message."

Col. Villiers to be examined about it.

Ordered, That this Committee shall meet again To-morrow in the Afternoon; and further examine Colonel Villiers, and in particular concerning Watson.

Scots Commissioners to be acquainted with this Attempt, and to prevent the King escaping to France.

Ordered, That a Letter be written to the Commissioners of the Scotts Army, to acquaint them with this Design of conveying the Duke of Yorke from hence into France; and likewise to let them know of the Rumour that is spread abroad, that there is an Intent of the King's escaping into France; and to desire them that they would take Care to prevent such Attempt.

The Earl of Northumb. Earl of Warwicke, Earl of Lyncolne, and Earl Manchester, are appointed to draw up a Letter to that Effect.

Message from the H. C. to communicate the King's Letter to the Scots Commissioners; and with Orders.

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

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in several Particulars:

1. To have the King's last Letter communicated to the Scotts Commissioners. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

2. An Order for Thanks to be given to the Scotts Commissioners. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

3. An Order that Four Pounds a Week shall be paid to the Lady Denny. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to all the Particulars now brought up.

King's going out of the Kingdom to be prevented.

The Earl of Manchester reported from the Committee, the Paper drawn up by the Committee, concerning the King's going out of the Kingdom to be prevented: But, if the House approves not of this Way, then they offer, whether it will be sitter to send to the Scotts Commissioners here.

And the House approved of the latter Propositions, and made this Order following:

Scots Commissioners to be desired to write to their General, &c. about it.

"Ordered, by the Lords and in Parliament assembled, That the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms do acquaint the Commissioners of Scotland, this Afternoon, with the Apprehensions that the Houses have of the King's going beyond the Seas; and therefore to desire the Commissioners of Scotland to write down to their General and Committee there, that they would take all possible Care to prevent the same."

Message to the H. C. about the following Particulars.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page:

1. To desire Concurrence in the Order to be communicated to the Scotts Commissioners, for to desire them to send to prevent the King's going beyond the Seas.

2. To desire their Concurrence in Colonel Manwaring's Ordinance.

3. To recommend the Petition of Bemister to them.

4. To desire the Committee for the Duke of Yorke's Business may meet To-morrow in the Afternoon.

5. To desire their Concurrence, that the Earl of Cleavland may have Liberty, for Four Months longer, to remain where he is, upon the same Security.

Slipper and Cook.

This Day the Writ of Error between Slipper Plaintiff and Cooke Defendant was argued by Counsel: And there appearing to this House that there was no Error in the Judgement; it is Ordered and Adjudged, by this House, That the Judgement in the King's Bench is hereby confirmed, that the Judgement be remitted into the King's Bench, that so Execution may be taken out.

Commissioners of the Great Seal.

Ordered, That the Business concerning the Commissioners of the Great Seal shall be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

King's Letter to be communicated to the Scots Commissioners.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Letter from the King from Newcastle, and this Day read, be communicated to the Scotts Commissioners here by the Members of both Houses that are of the Commitete of both Kingdoms."

Thanks to be given to the Scots Commissioners for their Civilities.

"The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament do Order, That Thanks shall be given to the Commissioners of Scotland, for all their Civilities, and for this last kind Offer.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That this be delivered to the Scotts Commissioners by the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms."

Order for 4 l. per Week to Ly. Denny.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Sum of Four Pounds per Week be paid to the Lady Ruth Denny, Relict of Sir Edward Denny Knight, deceased, out of the Receipts at Habberdash'rs Hall, for the Maintenance of the said Lady and her Seven Children; the said Weekly Payment to continue during the Pleasure of both Houses."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a cras.