House of Lords Journal Volume 10: 9 June 1648

DIE Veneris, 9 die Junii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Taylor.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Ly. Suf. Cæsar's Will to be produced in Saby's Suit.

Upon reading the Petition of Wm. Saby; shewing, "That there is a Trial shortly to be, concerning the Title of some Land which the Petitioner holds; and for Want of a Writing, called The Originall Will of the Lady Susan Cæsar, now remaining in the Office of the Court of Wards, he is likely to suffer much:"

It is Ordered, That the Clerk of the Office of the Court of Wards shall cause the said Will to be brought to the said Trial; and, after shewing it there, is to be returned into the said Office; and that the Deposition of Blundell, formerly taken in the Prerogative Court upon Oath concerning the said Will, shall be made Use of and read at the Trial, he being since dead.

E. of Manchester, Leave to be absent;

Ordered, That the Earl of Manchester hath Leave to be absent for Ten Days from the Time of his going.

and L. Say & Seale.

Ordered, That the Lord Viscount Say & Seale hath Leave to be absent for a little Time.

Answer from the H.C.

Doctor Heath and Mr. Eltonheade return with this Answer from the House of Commons:

That they agree to the Continuance of further Liberty to Mr. Walter Mountague: To all the rest, they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Petition from Sussex.

A Petition from the County of Sussex, was presented to the House, by the Earl of Northumb. and read. (Here enter it.)

And this Answer was returned them by the Speaker:

Answer to it.

"That this House hath received the Petition of the Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy, and Commonalty, of the County of Sussex, by the Hand of the Earl of Northumb.; and that the Lords have commanded him to return Thanks to the County of Sussex, for the good Affections which they have expressed to the Parliament and Kingdom; and they take Notice, and are well satisfied with the Compliance of that County to the Directions of Parliament, in the Way of the Delivery of this their Petition. They have already made some Proceedings, which they hope may bring His Majesty to a safe Treaty with the Two Houses of Parliament, for the settling of a secure and well-grounded Peace, the which they will prosecute with all Care and Diligence; and they desire you to be assured, that they will use their utmost Endeavours, that our sad Differences and Divisions may be speedily and happily composed, that so the Laws and fundamental Constitutions of this Kingdom may have their free Course and full Vigour. Neither will they be wanting to contribute their utmost Help, for the freeing that County and the whole Kingdom from all those Taxes and Impositions that the Necessity of these late Wars have occasioned, as soon as the Safety of the Kingdom shall permit."

Committees to put in Execution the Militia in their several Counties.

Ordered, by the Lords in Parliament assembled, That the several Committees in the several and respective Counties, and such other Persons formerly intrusted with the Militia by Authority of Parliament not since particularly disabled thereunto, be hereby authorized and required to put in Execution the several Powers given to them by any Ordinance of Parliament, for the Safety and Preservation of their several Counties.

Petition from Sussex, for a Treaty with the King;-for the Army to be disbanded;-and for no Garrisons to be kept up in that County.

"To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, at Westminster.

"The humble Petition of the Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy, and Commonalty, of the County of Sussex;

Sheweth,

"That the miserable Effects of this Civil War under which our County and Three Kingdoms have long and heavily groaned are the only Motives of these our humble and servent Desires hereby propounded to your Honours:

"1. That our most Gracious Sovereign Lord King Charles may be speedily and honourably received to a safe Treaty with the Two Houses of Parliament, for the firm settling of a well-grounded Peace both in Church and Commonwealth; as also of His own most just Rights, as of the Rights of Parliament.

"2. That the Arrears of the Army under the Command of the Lord Fairefax may be paid, and they with all Expedition disbanded.

"3. That, according to the fundamental Constitutions of this Kingdom, we may be governed by the known Laws of this Realm, and not otherwise.

"4. That from henceforth our Estates and Goods may be free from all Taxes and Impositions.

"5. That no Garrisons within the said County be any longer continued; and that the Ordnance and Ammunition taken from the Sea Towns may be returned, for the better Defence of themselves and the whole County from Foreign Invasion.

"We therefore (as other well-affected Counties have already) do humbly pray you to yield a present Condescension to our humble Desires, that so our sad Differences and Divisions may be speedily and happily composed, all Misunderstandings between Prince and People timely removed, His Majesty according to our solemn Engagements rendered glorious, both King and Kingdom returned to their pristine Dignity and Splendor at Home and Abroad; and yourselves thereby merit the grateful and universal Acclamations of good and faithful Patriots.

"And your Petitioners shall pray, &c."