House of Lords Journal Volume 10: 3 July 1648

DIE Lunæ, 3 die Julii.

Prayers, by Mr. Hickes.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Ds. Hunsdon, Speaker.

Deputy Lieutenants for Leicestershire.

The Earl of Stamford presented to this House the Names of such Persons as he conceives fit to be Deputy Lieutenants for the County of Leycester.

Which being read, this House approved of them, and ordered them to be sent down to the House of Commons, for their Concurrence; and the Earl of Stamford, Lord Lieutenant of the said County, is desired to go down and see the Militia settled in that County:

Tho. Lord Gray of Groby.

Message to the H. C. with their Names; and for that County Militia to be settled; and with the Ordinance for a Committee to redress Breaches of the Public Faith.

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

To communicate to them the Names of such Persons as the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Leycester presented to this House, and approved of, and desired their Concurrence therein; and to let them know, that, if they agree to them, this House hath desired the Lord Lieutenant to go down, to see the Militia settled.

2. To deliver to them the Ordinance appointing Committees of both House to hear and determine any Breach of the Articles at Oxford, or any other Articles made by the Lord General; and desire their Concurrence therein.

Roper and Wiseman.

The Petition of Henry Roper, and also the Answer of Ralph Wiseman, were read, Counsel on both Sides being at Bar; the Complaint being against a Decree made in Chancery:

It is Ordered, That Counsel on both Sides shall be heard on Friday next, in the Afternoon, at Three a Clock, touching this Particular, whether the Court of Chancery hath Jurisdiction in this Case.

Lincolnshire Ordinance.

Next, the House was adjourned into a Committee of the whole House during (fn. 1) Pleasure, to consider of the Ordinance for putting the County of Lyncolne into a Posture of Defence.

The House was resumed.

And the said Ordinance was read the Third Time.

And the Question being put, "Whether this Ordinance shall (fn. 2) pass as it came from the House of Commons?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Tatershall Castle to be re-delivered to the E. of Lincoln.

Upon Information to this House, by the Earl of Lyncolne, "That his Castle of Tattershall, in the County of Lyncolne, is made a Garrison, by the Appointment of the Committee for that County, contrary to his Lordship's Consent:"

It is Ordered, That the Governor of the said Castle shall forthwith deliver up the Possession of the said Castle to such Person as his Lordship shall assign, it being done without any Authority of Parliament: Hereof he is not to fail, as he will answer the contrary to this House.

Ordinance to prevent Members Houses from being garrisoned.

Ordered, That an Ordinance be brought in, to prevent any Houses of the Members of either House of Parliament to be garrisoned without their Consent.

Message from the H. C. with Orders and an Ordinance; and to remind the Lords of those for York, Lincoln, Essex, &c.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Dudly North Knight; who brought up divers Particulars, wherein their Lordships Concurrence is desired:

1. An Order for Tho. Fincham, George Clapthorne, and Tristram Dyamond, to be Deputy Lieutenants of the Isle of Ely. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

2. An Order for the Committee at Derby House to grant Commissions to Captain Greenwood, Captain Hatfield, and Captain Wyan. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

3. An Order for the Committee at Derby House to grant Commissions to Captain Baxter. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

4. An Ordinance concerning taking off the Sequestration of Sir John Harrison. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

5. An Order for Power to give Commissions to Officers in the Isle of Ely. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

6. To put their Lordships in Mind of the Ordinances concerning the Counties of Yorke, Lyncolne, Essex, Sussex, Worcester, and Radnor.

Ordinance to raise Money for York Forces.

The Ordinance concerning raising Money for maintaining the Forces in the County of Yorke, was read the Third Time, and passed. (Here enter.)

The Answer returned was:

Answer to the H. C.

That this (fn. 3) House agrees to all the Particulars now brought up, and likewise agrees to the Ordinances concerning the Counties of Yorke and Lyncolne: To all the rest, they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Papers concerning L. Andover.

The Earl of Mulgrave reported some Papers from the Committee at Derby House, concerning the Lord Viscount Andover; which were read.

(Here enter them.)

L. Howard of Charlton's Pass revoked.

Ordered, The Pass formerly granted to the Lord Howard of Charlton, to go beyond the Seas, is hereby revoked and made void, and is forthwith to be delivered in to the Clerk of the Parliament.

Message from the H. C. with Ordinances.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. John Ash; who brought divers Ordinances for taking off the Sequestrations from Delinquents Estates.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will return an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Dowcett examined, about the Design of killing the King.

This Day Dowcett was called in; and, at the Bar, he was asked by the Speaker,; "What he knows concerning the Design of making the King away in the Isle of Wight?"

Upon this, he delivered in a Paper, signed with his own Hand, which was the Truth of what he could say concerning this Business.

The said Paper was received, and read in the House; and then he took his Oath of the Truth of the said Paper. (Here enter it.)

Rolfe's Charge:

Ordered, That Mr. Serjeant Fynch shall make Use of this Paper, in drawing up the Charge against Rolph; and that Mr. Dowcett shall attend Mr. Serjeant Fynch.

To be kept close Prisoner.

Ordered, That Major Edmond Rolph, now a Prisoner in The Gatehouse, shall be kept close Prisoner, until the Pleasure of this House be further signified.

Treaty with the King:

Ordered, That the Quorum of the Lords of the Committee that are to consider of the Propositions to be sent to the King is hereby reduced to Three Lords; and the House of Commons to be desired to lessen their Quorum of their Committee.

Message to the H. C. about it.

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

1. To put them in Mind of the Vote for not insisting upon the Three Propositions.

2. To let them know, that this House hath reduced the Quorum to Three Lords, that are of the Committee appointed to consider of the Propositions to be sent to the King for Peace; and desire them to do the like, if they think it convenient; and that the said Committee may meet this Afternoon.

Smeath to be Instituted to Walkern;

Ordered, That Doctor Heath give Institution and Induction unto Symon Smeath Clerk, Master of Arts, to the Rectory of Walkerne, in Com. Hertford, void by the Death of Jo. Gorsuch, the last Incumbent; salvo Jure cujuscunque: Mrs. Elizabeth Stanton, Widow, Patroness.

and Sheppard to S. John's, in The Devizes.

Ordered, That Doctor Aylett give Institution and Induction unto Jo. Sheppard Clerk, to the Rectory of St. John's, in the Village of The Devises, together with the Chapel of The Blessed Mary thereunto annexed, in Com. Wilts, void by the Death of the last Incumbent; salvo Jure cujuscunque: Granted by the Great Seal.

Papers from the Committee at Derby House, about L. Andover.

Die Saturni, 1 Julii, 1648.

At a Committee of Lords and Commons, sitting at Derby House.

"Ordered, That it be reported to the House of Peers, That, upon the Twenty-seventh of June, a Packet of intercepted Letters were sent to this Committee, from the Committee of Kent, wherein, amongst others, was One directed to the Lord Viscount Andever, as appears by the Cover of the said Letter, which is here annexed, together with the Letter itself; which, being partly in Cypher, this Committee appointed to be decyphered, which is also annexed: That this Committee thereupon desired the Lord Andever to be here this Day, where the following Questions were propounded to him; videlicet,

His Examination about an intercepted Letter.

1. Whether his Lordship knows the Hand in which that Letter is written, which was then shewed his Lordship?

2. Whether he hath formerly received any Letters from the same Hand?

3. Whether he hath the Cypher in which that Letter is written? If he hath, that then he deliver in the same.

The Sum of his Lordship's Answer to the said Questions was:

That no Man is bound to betray himself.

That he hath always carried himself as a Man of Honour.

That he will answer neither (fn. 4) Aye nor no, in this Matter.

That many Letters may be written, which it concerns not the Committee to take any Notice of.

That if he did know any Thing that might be of Prejudice to the Kingdom, no Man should be more ready to reveal it than himself.

The Letter being then read to his Lordship as it was decyphered, the following Questions were asked.

1. Whether he hath a Commission come to him from the Prince, or any other; or whether he expects any Commission, and what that Commission is?

2. Whether he hath not heard of any such Commission?

3. Whether, according to the Words of the Letter, he hath not desired such a Commission?

4. Whether he hath not an Invitation, or Leave, from the Prince or Queen, to come to Callice, or any other Place, to the Prince?

And upon Occasion of his Lordship's mentioning a Pass from the House of Peers to go beyond Seas, it was also asked of his Lordship, Whether he intended to go?

To all which, the Sum of his Answer was as followeth:

That his Lordship hath no such Commission, nor hath heard of any such, nor expects any, nor desired any.

That he intended to go into France, and particularly into Normandy.

That for being invited to go to the Prince, he saith, he is his Servant, sworn of his Bedchamber.

That he cannot answer any Demands concerning the Prince as an Examinate, in regard of that Oath; though otherwise his Lordship professeth he knoweth nothing of this about which he is interrogated.

That his Lordship hath engaged himself not to depart without further Directions from the House of Peers, or from this Committee.

"Ex'r. Gualter Frost, Secr."

My most, &c.

"I have moved the having of such a Commission, and in the Way you desired, which shall certainly come to you the next Post. The Prince is going to Callis this next Week, where, according to the Promises of the Queen and Prince, you may come if you please. But, as your Servant, I do desire the Consideration of that may not be any Impediment to the effecting this other you have proposed, which would be of infinite Advantage to our Master's Interest. You see, I do not neglect such Things as really do concern you; which I hope is sufficient to assure you, that I am most perfectly

Yours.

"My Lord Cottington, Hide, and all the old Council, will come to Callis. You will dislike the Ways that we go as much as your Friend doth; and your other Friends are wavering, and nothing steady. It is undetermined whether the Prince goes to Holland or Scotland, or not from Callis. You shall hear at large from

Your obedient Servant,

4 July, 1648. "220."

Dowcett's Examination, about the Design of killing the King, in the Isle of Wight.

I am ready to make Oath, That Mr. Richard Osborne told me, the King's Person was in great Danger; and that the said Rolfe had a Design onfoot for the conveying His Majesty's Person to some Place of Secrecy, where only Three should go with Him, and where they might dispose of His Person as they should think fit; which Information from Mr. Osburne, and the Assurance I had of His Majesty's Intentions forthwith to come to His Parliament, was the Cause of my Engagement in this Business.

I am ready likewise to depose, That the said Rolfe (fn. 5) came to me, when I was a Prisoner in the Castle, and, in a jeering Manner, asked me why the King * came not down according to His Appointment; and then, with great Indignation and Fury, said he waited almost Three Hours under the new Platform, with a good Pistol ready charged, to receive Him if He had come.

"A. Dowcett."

Capt. Baxter to command Forces in Norf. and Suff.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to grant a Commission to Captain Baxter, for commanding a Troop of Horse of Volunteers, in the Counties of Norff. and Suffolke.

Ordinance to settle the Militia of Lincolnshire.

An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament.

Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Persons following; (videlicet,) For the County of Lincolne; John Earl of Rutland, Henry Earl of Stamford, Edmond Earl of Mulgrave, Edward Lord Clinton, William Pierepont Esquire, Francis Pierepont Esquire, Nathaniell Fiennes Esquire, Sir John Wray Knight and Baronet, Sir Wm. Armyn Baronet, Sir Edward Ayscough Knight, Sir Anthony Irby Knight, Sir Hamond Whichcote, Sir Richard Erle Baronet, Sir John Brownlow Baronet, Sir William Brownlow Baronet, Sir Thomas Trollope Baronet, Francis Clinton alias Fynes, John Wray, Wm. Armyn, Thomas Grantham, Thomas Hatcher, Edward Ascough, Edward Anderson, Henry Pelham, Edward Rosseter, William Wray, Wm. Oldfeild, Thomas Lister, Mountague Cholmly, Mullineux Disnie, Wm. Ellis, John Archer, John Nelthorpe, John Harrington, Thomas Irby, John Hobson, Wm. Godfrey, Thomas Cupledike, Henry Massingberd, Dreyner Massingberd, Charles Hall, Edward Nelthorpe, Edmond Ellis, William Savill, Thomas Hall, Humphry Walcott, John Weaver, John Balgry, Anthony Markham, Wm. Dowman, John Wisby, Wm. Bury, Wm. Lister, and Wm. Tompson Esquires: For the County and City of Lincolne; The Mayor for the Time being, Thomas Grantham, Thomas Lister, Henry Pelham Esquire, Wm. Marshall Alderman, George Bracebridg Alderman, Edward Emys Alderman, Originall Pert Citizen, and the Mayor of Boston for the Time being: Shall be Committees, respectively, in the said Counties, and County and City of Lincolne; and shall have Power and Authority, and are hereby authorized, by themselves or any Three or more of them, in the respective County and Counties and City aforesaid, to put the said Counties and Places into a Posture of Defence, and to raise Forces, Horse, and Foot, and them to list, arm, and exercise, and to form them into Regiments, Troops, and Companies, and them to muster, array, and weapon, from Time to Time, in Places fit for that Purpose, under the Command of Colonel Edward Rosseter, who hath hereby Power and Authority to give Commissions to Captains and other Officers, from Time to Time, in the respective Counties aforesaid; as often as there shall be Occasion in that Behalf; and the said Committee shall have Power, and are hereby authorized, by themselves or their said Commanders and Officers, to lead, conduct, and employ, the said Persons, arrayed and weaponed, for the Suppression of all Rebellions and Insurrections that shall or may happen within the Counties and Places aforesaid, according as the said Committees respectively shall from Time to Time give Directions, or shall be otherwise directed from Time to Time by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, or the Committee sitting at Derby House; any former Order, Declaration, or other Matter to the contrary hereof, in any Wise notwithstanding: And for all and every their Doings herein, the said Person and Persons shall be saved harmless and indemnified, by the Authority of Parliament.

"Provided, That this Ordinance, and every Thing therein contained, shall continue for the Space of Six Months, and no longer."

Order for paying Forces in Derby.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Troops under the Command of Captain Greenwood, Captain Hatfeild, and Captain Wyan, be raised and paid out of the Monies arising out of the Sequestrations in the County of Derby."

Ordinance approving of the Assessment for the Yorkshire Militia.

"Whereas the Committee for the Militia for the County of Yorke, and City and County of the City of Yorke, and Town and County of Kingston upon Hull, being authorized by Ordinance of Parliament, intituled, "An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the settling of the Militia in the Northern Counties," and dated the Three and Twentieth Day of May last past, to put the said several Counties, City, and Town respectively, into a Posture of Defence, have, in order thereto, and in respect of the immediate Necessity of the Service, laid a Cessment of Seven Thousand Pounds upon the said several Counties, City, and Town: It is Ordered and Ordained, That the said Cessment be, and is hereby, allowed and confirmed; and that as well the said Cessment of Seven Thousand Pounds, as such other Cessment or Cessments as the said Committee shall hereafter lay upon the said Counties and City and Town, for the said Service, not exceeding in the whole Seven Thousand Pounds more, be rated, collected, and levied, by such Ways and Means as by the Ordinance for the associating the Northern Counties, dated the Twentieth Day of June, 1645, is directed and appointed; and further, that the said Monies, so to be rated, collected, and levied, be issued out and employed by the said Committee, for the discharging the Quarters, and otherwise maintaining the said Forces, so to be raised by virtue of the said Ordinance of the 23th of May last, in such Sort as the said Committee, or any Four of them, shall think meet, and for no other Use or Intent."

Commissions to raise Forces in Derby.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to grant Commissions to Captain Robert Greenwood, Captain Thomas Hatfeild, and Captain Gabriell Wyan, to command each of them a Troop of Horse, for the Security and Defence of the County of Derby."

Ordinance to clear Sir Jo. Harrison of his Delinquency.

Whereas the Sum of One Thousand Pounds is accepted by both Houses of Parliament, as a Fine, of Sir John Harrison Knight, for his Delinquency, in adhering unto and assisting the Forces raised against the Parliament: It is Ordered and Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Five Hundred Pounds, Part of the said Thousand Pounds, be paid, upon Accompt, to Colonel Ralph Welden, Governor of the Forts and Island of Plymouth, to enable him forthwith to repair to his Charge; and that Five Hundred Pounds more, the remaining Part of the said Thousand Pounds, be paid, upon Accompt, to the said Colonel Ralph Welden, for furnishing Victual and other Provisions necessary for the Forts and Island, and for making such Reparations as are requisite for the Safety of the said Places; and that the Acquittance or Acquittances of the said Colonel Ralph Welden, or his Assignee, shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge unto the said Sir John Harrison, of and for the Payment of the said Thousand Pounds accordingly; and that, upon the Payment of the said Thousand Pounds by the said Sir John Harrison, the Sequestration thereupon shall be and is hereby discharged."

Deputy Lieutenants for Ely:

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That Thomas Fincham of Outwell, George Glaptborne of Whittlesea, Tristram Dymond of Upwell, in the Isle of Ely, Esquires, be nominated and appointed Deputy Lieutenants of the Isle of Ely."

Order for Forces to be raised for Defence of it.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Officers of the Two Regiments of Foot which are raised, by virtue of the Ordinance for the Posture of Defence, within the Isle of Ely, have Power, and are hereby authorized, to raise Three Score Horse, to be formed into a Troop; and that Colonel John Hubert do command the said Troop; and that the said Troop do pursue the Orders of the Standing Committee or Commissioners of the Isle of Ely; and that it be referred to the Committee at Derby House, to grant a Commission to the said Colonel John Hubbert, to command the said Troop."