House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 7 December 1644

DIE Sabbati, 7 die Decembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Gibson.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker this Day.

Ordinance for a new Seal for the Dutchy of Lancaster.

The Lord North reported, "That the Committee have considered of the Ordinance for putting into Execution the Seal of the County Palatine of Lanchashire; and they think it fit to pass with some Alterations."

Which being read, this House Agreed to the said Alterations.

Reception of the French Minister.

Upon Report, "That the Committee concerning the French Agent have considered of the Business referred to them; and they see no Cause to recede from what the Houses have settled already, concerning the Reception of the French Agent."

And this House confirmed the Opinion of the said Committee, and Ordered the same accordingly.

E. of Suffolk's Cause.

The Earl of Northumb. reported, "That Yesterday being appointed by this House, for the Hearing of the Business of the Earl of Suffolke and others, before the Committee of Lords appointed for that Business; at which Time the Lords met, and the Earl of Suffolke was ready with his Counsel, but no Counsel on the other Side appeared: The Committee, taking this Neglect into Consideration, thought it fit that the Defendants should pay the Charges which the Earl of Suffolke was at, in seeing Counsel for that Day."

Hereupon this House approved of the Opinion of the Committee; and Ordered, That the Defendants shall pay Ten Pounds, for his Charge of seeing Counsel that Day.

Griffith, for Scandal against the Prince Elector.

Ordered, That the Committee to examine the Business concerning John Griffith Esquire shall have Power to send for such Persons and Witnesses as they shall (fn. 1) think fit, concerning this Business.

L. Cantire desires Leave to carry 500 Prisoners to serve under him in France.

The Lord Wharton reported from the Committee of both Kingdoms, "That the Lord of Cantire, Brother to the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, doth desire he may have Leave from the Parliament to entertain Five Hundred Volunteers, that are Prisoners, to serve under his Command, and go into France; he undertaking they shall not be employed against the Parliament."

Answer from the H. C.

Dr. Heath and Dr. Aylett return with this Answer to the Message sent Yesterday to the House of Commons:

That they agree to give Audience to The States Ambassadors on Tuesday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, in the same Manner as is proposed.

Answer to be delivered to The States Ambassadors.

Ordered, That the Master of the Ceremonies shall give Notice to The States Ambassadors, "That the Houses have appointed to give them an Answer on Tuesday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, in the same Manner as this House received their Propositions; and that the Lords do send their Coaches, to bring the said Ambassadors and their Company to the Houses; and when the Ambassadors come, the Speaker is to acquaint them with it; and the Answer to be read by the Clerk of the Parliaments."

Ordinance for Attainder of the Archbishop of Cant.

The House was adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure, to consider of the Evidence against the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The House being resumed; it is Ordered, That this House will proceed in this Business on Monday Morning next, at Nine a Clock; at which Time their Lordships are to have Notice to attend the House.

Ordinance for Relief of Soldiers Widows, &c.

The Ordinance concerning the Widows of Soldiers, &c. was read the Second Time, and committed to these Lords following:

Lord General.

Lord North.
Lord Willoughby.

Any Two, to meet this Afternoon.

Ordinance for Provision of Salt-petre and Ammunition.

"Whereas, for the better furnishing of the Public Stores with Gunpowder and Ammunition, several Contracts have been lately made, as well with such of the Salt-petre Men as are by Ordinance of Parliament authorized to make Salt-petre within this Kingdom, as with Samuell Cordwell and James Berisford, Gunpowder-makers, for the converting of the same, and of such Foreign Petre as hath been lately bought of William Curteene and William Toomes Esquires, into Powder; and whereas it is also thought fit, that some convenient Provision of Match and Bullet should be made, for the furnishing of the said Stores, to be made Use of upon Occasion: It is therefore Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Sum of Six Thousand Pounds shall be raised, and paid out of the grand Excise or new Impost, for doing and carrying on the said Work, in Manner and Form following; (videlicet,) Two Thousand Pounds thereof upon passing of this Ordinance, and the other Four Thousand at Three Months and Three Months after, by equal Portions, unto Sir Walter Erle Knight, Lieutenant of the Ordnance, for the Uses and Purposes aforesaid; and the Receipt of the said Sir Walter Erle from Time to Time for the same shall be their sufficient Discharge in that Behalf."