House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 29 December 1645

DIE Lunæ, 29 die Decembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Vynes.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Letter from Sir T. Glemham, inclosing One from the King.

The Speaker acquainted this House, "That a Trumpeter on Saturday last brought him a Letter from Sir Thomas Glembam, with an inclosed from the King."

The Letters were read, as follow:

"For the Right Honourable and my Noble Lord, the Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore.

"My Lord,

"By His Majesty's Command, I send (fn. 1) the inclosed to your Lordship, to be presented according to the Directions; and so I rest,

"My Lord,

"Your Lordship's humble Servant,

Oxford, the 26th of December, 1645.

"Tho. Glemham."

King's Letter, containing Propositions for Peace, and proposing to come in Person to Westminster, to treat with the Two Houses and the Scots Commissioners for Forty Days.

"CHARLES R.

"Notwithstanding the strange and unexpected Delays (which can be precedented by no former Times) to His Majesty's Two former Messages, His Majesty will lay aside all Expostulations, as rather serving to lose Time, than to contribute any Remedy to the Evils which for the present do afflict this distracted Kingdom: Therefore, without further Preamble, His Majesty thinks it most necessary to send those Propositions this Way, which He intended to do by the Persons mentioned in His former Messages; though He well knows the great Disadvantage which Overtures of this Kind have, by the Want of being accompanied by well-instructed Messengers.

"His Majesty conceiving that the former Treaties have hitherto proved ineffectual chiefly for Want of Power in those Persons that treated, as likewise because those from whom their Power was derived (not possibly having the particular Informations of every several Debate) could not give so clear a Judgement as was requifite in so important a Business: If therefore His Majesty may have the Engagement of the Two Houses of Parliament at Westminster, the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, the Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council, and Militia of London, of the Chief Commanders in Sir Tho. Fairefax' Army, as also those in the Scotts Army, for His Majesty's free and safe Coming to, and Abode in, London or Westm. (with such of His Servants now attending Him, and their Followers, not exceeding in all the Number of Three Hundred), for the Space of Forty Days; and, after the said Time, for His free and safe Repair to any of His Garrisons of Oxon, Worcester, or Newarke, which His Majesty shall nominate at any Time before His going from London or Westm.; His Majesty propounds to have a Personal Treaty with the Two Houses of Parliament at Westm. and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, upon all Matters which may conduce to the restoring of Peace and Happiness to these miserably-distracted Kingdoms; and to begin with the Three Heads which were treated on at Uxbridge: And for the better clearing of His Majesty's earnest and sincere Intentions of putting an End to these unnatural Distractions, knowing that Point of Security may prove the greatest Obstacle to this most blessed Work, His Majesty therefore declares, That He is willing to commit the great Trust of the Militia of this Kingdom, for such Time, and with such Powers, as are expressed in the Paper delivered by His Majesty's Commissioners at Uxbridge, the 6th of February last, to these Persons following; videlicet, the Lord Privy Seal, the Duke of Richmond, the Marquis of Hartford, the Marquis of Dorchester, the Earl of Dorsett Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of Northumb. the Earl of Essex, Earl of Southampton, Earl of Pembrooke, Earl of Sarum, Earl of Manchester, Earl of Warwicke, Earl of Denbigh, Earl of Chichester, Lord Say, Lord Seymour, Lord Lucas, Lord Lexington, Mr. Donzell Holles, Mr. Pierepont, Mr. Henry Bellasis, Mr. Rich. Spencer, Sir Tho. Fairefax, Mr. John Ashbournham, Sir Gervoise Clifton, Sir Henry Vane Junior, Mr. Robert Wallop, Mr. Tho. Chicheley, Mr. Oliver Cromwell, and Mr. Phillip Skippon; supposing that these are Persons against whom they can take no just Exception: But, if this doth not satisfy, then His Majesty offers to name the One Half, and leave the other to the Election of the Two Houses of Parliament at Westm. with the Powers and Limitations before mentioned.

"Thus His Majesty calls God and the World to Witness of His sincere Intentions and real Endeavours for the composing and settling of these miserable Distractions; which He doubts not but, by the Blessing of God, will soon be put to a happy Conclusion, if this His Majesty's Offer be accepted; otherwise He leaves all the World to judge who are the Continuers of this unnatural War: And therefore He once more conjures you, by all the Bonds of Duty you owe to God and your King, to have so great a Compassion on the bleeding and miserable Estate of your Country, that you join your most serious and hearty Endeavours with His Majesty, to put a happy and speedy End to these present Miseries.

"Given at the Court at Oxon, the 26th of December, 1645.

"For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore, to be communicated to the Two Houses of Parliament at Westm. and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland."

Committee to prepare a Draught of the Sense of this House upon it:

Upon reading of these Letters, this House Resolved, To communicate the same to the House of Commons; and the Earl of Northumb. Earl of Manchester, Lord Viscount Say & Seale, and the Lord Robertes, were appointed to draw up somewhat to be sent with them, as the Sense of this House.

The Lord Robertes reported the Draught, as followeth:

Report of it.

"The Lords do think fit to refer this Letter unto the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to communicate the same unto the Scotts Commissioners, and to advise with them, and prepare an Answer unto His Majesty's Letter, especially to such Particulars as derogate from the Honour of the Parliament; and containing Reasons why that which is propounded therein cannot be assented to, and report the same unto both Houses."

This House approved of this Report.

Message to the H. C. with it, and the Letter.

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

To deliver to them the King's Letter received this Day, with the Sense of this House thereupon.

Message from thence, to continue the Committee of the Admiralty;

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

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in these Particulars:

1. That the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports be continued, according to the Powers formerly granted unto them, for Six Months longer; and that they be enjoined diligently to attend that Service.

Agreed to.

and with Ordinances.

2. An Ordinance concerning Thirty Thousand Pounds, out of the Excise, for Sir Tho. Fairefax' Army.

(Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

3. An Ordinance concerning the Treasurers of the Army, and the Committee for the Army.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will send an Answer, by Messengers of their own, concerning the Treasurers at War: To the rest, this House agrees.

March. of Winchester to be with her Husband in The Tower.

Ordered, That the Lieutenant of The Tower of London do permit the Lady Marques of Winton, Wife of the Lord Marquis of Winton, now Prisoner in The Tower, to have Lodgings within the said Tower; and that it is hereby specially recommended unto the said Lieutenant, to accommodate the said Lady Marques in this Particular.

Lords Leave to visit her.

Ordered, That any Lord of this House hath Liberty to go and visit the Lady Marques in The Tower.

Committee of the Admiralty desire the Papers delivered in by them, may be considered.

The Earl of Warwicke reported, "That the Committee for the Admiralty desires their Lordships to be mindful of the Business about Captain Lockier to have Command of The Weymouth Frigott, late Browne Bushell's; and of signing the Letter to the Governor of Flanders; and also the Payment of the Ships employed for Convoy of the Northern Fishermen, and Defence of the Coasts of Norff.; and lastly, concerning the Business of paying for the Powder seized on for the State's Use."

Ordered, To send to the House of Commons, by the next Message, to put them in Mind of these Particulars.

His Lordship reported another Paper; which was read, as follows:

"At the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports.

Ordinance for their Establishment almost expired.

"Ordered, That it be represented from this Committee to both Houses of Parliament, That the Ordinance whereby this Committee is established determines on the last of this present December; that further Provision may be made, for disposing the Admiralty and Cinque Ports."

Ordinance for 30,000l. for Sir T. Fairfax's Army.

"Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Thirty Thousand Pounds shall be paid, out of the Receipts of Excise, upon the Ordinance of 11 September 1643, either by Intervals when other Ordinances become not payable, or otherwise in Course, according as this Ordinance shall succeed in its Date, for the Payment of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax Knight, General for the Parliament; which said Sum of Thirty Thousand Pounds the Commissioners of Excise for the Time being are hereby authorized to pay accordingly, unto Sir John Wollaston Knight, and the rest of the Treasurers at War, for the Use aforesaid; whose Receipt shall be their and every of their sufficient Discharge: And this Ordinance shall be likewise Security unto such Person or Persons as shall advance (fn. 2) and lend the said Thirty Thousand Pounds, or any Part thereof, for their Reimbursement, by Intervals or Course as aforesaid, together with Interest, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Centum, for so long Time as they shall be out of all or any Part thereof; for Payment of which Principal or Interest unto the Advancers or Lenders thereof respectively, this Ordinance shall be likewise a sufficient Warrant, together with the Receipt of every of them, unto the Commissioners of Excise, and every of them."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a cras.