House of Lords Journal Volume 9: 9 December 1647

DIE Jovis, 9 die Decembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Salawey.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Martin, Johnson, and Douthcot, to be attached, for Contempt of an Order in Behalf of Worsley & al.

Upon reading the Petition of Thomas, John Worsley, &c. complaining, "That Wm. Martyn, Rob't Johnson, and Ralph Douthcot, do refuse to restore to them their Goods wrongfully taken from them, being required to restore them by an Order of this House of the Seventh of October last:"

It is Ordered, That the said Martyn, Johnson, and Douthcot, shall be attached by the Gentleman Usher, and brought before this House, to answer their said Contempt to the Order of this House.

Hawes's Cause and Governors of Christ's Hospital.

Upon reading the Petition of the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, Governors of Christ's Hospitall, concerning Hawes:

It is Ordered, That the Consideration and the Proceedings which have been thereupon is referred to the Judges, or any Three of them; who are to report what Course may (fn. 1) be taken by this House, for the Relief of the Petitioners, according to Law or Equity.

E. of Leic. versus Murdock.

Upon (fn. 2) hearing the Counsel of the Earl of Leycester against Murdocke, and also hearing of the Counsel of the said Murdocke, concerning the Contempt of an Order of this House of the Seventh of June last by the said Murdocke; but because it could not now be punctually proved that the Order of this House was served upon Murdocke:

It is Ordered, That the former Orders of this House, videlicet, of the 7th of December, 1646, and the 7th of June, 1647, shall be pursued, and Murdocke duely served with it; and when that is done, and Obedience yielded thereunto, this House will hear them upon the Matter of the Title.

Letter from the King.

A Letter from the King was read. (Here enter it.)

Sent to the H. C. and to be communicated to the Scots Commissioners.

And Ordered, To be sent to the House of Commons; and that it be communicated to the Scotts Commissioners, by the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms.

And presently it was sent down, by Sir Edward Leech and Doctor Benett.

Platt to be instituted to West Horsley.

"Ordered, That Doctor Aylett do give Institution and Induction to Mr. John Platt, to the Rectory of West Horseley, in the County of Surrey; presented thereunto by the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England; salvo Jure cujuscunque.

Gross's Ordinance to be Vicar of Ashburton;

An Ordinance was brought in, and read, for making Mr. Alexander Grosse Vicar of Ashburton, in the County of Devon, and Agreed to; and to be sent to the House of Commons for their Concurrence.

Smith's, to be Rector of Barley.

An Ordinance was brought in, and read, for making Doctor Peter Smyth Rector of Barley, in the County of Hertford, and Agreed to; and Ordered to be sent to the House of Commons for their Concurrence.

Beck's Institution.

Ordered, That the Cause of Mr. Becke shall be heard on Saturday Morning next.

Preacher at the Fast.

Ordered, That Mr. Whitacre shall preach, the next Fast, in the Place of Mr. Vynes.

Mr. Jeoffery to be instituted to Wavenden.

Ordered, That Doctor Heath give Institution and Induction unto Jo. Jeofferyes Clerk, to the Rectory of Wavenden, in the County of Bucks, void by the Death of the last Incumbent; salvo Jure cujuscunque: Wm. Sanders, Patron.

Smith and Davis.

Ordered, That the Cause between Solomon Smith Plaintiff and Edward Davies Defendant, upon a Writ of Error, shall be argued, at the Bar, the 14th Instant December, at Ten in the Morning; at which Time the Parties, by their Counsel, are to attend accordingly.

Letter from the King, pressing a Personal Treaty with the Two Houses.

"CHARLES R.

"Had His Majesty thought it possible that His Two Houses could be employed in Things of greater Concernment than the Peace of this miserable distracted Kingdom, He would have expected with more Patience their Leisure, in acknowledging the Receipt of His Message of the 16th of November last. But, since there is not in Nature any Consideration preceding to that of Peace, His Majesty's constant Tenderness of the Welfare of His Subjects hath such a Prevalence with Him, that He cannot forbear the vehement Prosecution of a Personal Treaty, which is only so much the more desired by His Majesty, as it is superior to all other Means of Peace. And truly, when His Majesty considers the several Complaints He daily hears from all Parts of this Kingdom, "That Trade is so decayed, all Commodities so dear, and Taxes so insupportable, that even natural Subsistence will suddenly fail," His Majesty (to perform the Trust reposed in Him) must use His uttermost Endeavours for Peace, though He were to have no Share in the Benefit of it. And hath not His Majesty done His Part for it, by divesting Himself of so much Power and Authority as by His last Message He hath promised to do upon the concluding of the whole Peace? and hath He met with that Acknowledgement from His Two Houses, which this His great Grace and Favour justly deserves? Surely, the Blame of this great Retarding of Peace must fall somewhere else than on His Majesty. To conclude, If ye will but consider in how little Time this necessary good Work will be done; if you the Two Houses will wait on His Majesty with the same Resolutions for Peace as He will meet you; He no ways doubts but that ye will willingly agree to this His Majesty's earnest Desire of a Personal Treaty, and speedily desire His Presence amongst you; where, all Things agreed on being digested into Acts (till when it is most unreasonable for His Majesty or His Two Houses to desire of each other the least Concessions), this Kingdom may at last enjoy the Blessing of a long-wished-for Peace.

"Given at Carrisbrook Castle, the 6th Day of December, 1647.

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