House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 12 March 1642

Sabbati, 12 Marti, 1641.

PRAYERS.

King's Speech on Declaration.

MR. Fines reports his Majesty's Speech to the Committee the Ninth of March 1641, when they presented the Declaration of both Houses of Parliament at Newmarket.

I AM confident that you expect not I should give you a speedy Answer to this stranger and unexpected Declaration; and I am sorry, in the Distraction of this Kingdom, you should think this way of Address to be more convenient than that proposed by My Message of the Twentieth of January last, to both Houses.

As concerning the Grounds of your Fears and Jealousies, I will take Time to answer particularly; and doubt not but I shall do it to the Satisfaction of all the World. God, in his good Time, will (I hope) discover the Secrets and Bottoms of all Plots and Treasons; and then I shall stand right in the Eyes of all My People. In the mean time I must tell you, that I rather expected a Vindication for the Imputation laid on me in Mr. Pym's Speech, than that any more general Rumours and Discourses should get Credit with you.

For my Fears and Doubts, I did not think they should have been thought so groundless or trivial, whiles so many seditious Pamphlets and Sermons are looked upon, and so great Tumults are remembered, unpunished, uninquired into: I still confess my Fears; and call God to witness, that they are greater for the true Protestant Profession, My People and Laws, than for My own Rights or Safety; though, I must tell you, I conceive that none of those are free from Danger.

What would you have? Have I violated your Laws? Have I denied to pass any one Bill for the Ease and Security of My Subjects? I do not ask You, what you have done for Me.

Have any of My People been transported with Fears and Apprehensions? I have offered as Free and General a Pardon as yourselves can devise.

All this considered, there is a Judgment from Heaven upon this Nation, if these Distractions continue. God so deal with Me and Mine, as all my Thoughts and Intentions are upright for the Maintenance of the true Protestant Profession; and for the Observation and Preservation of the Laws of this Land: And, I hope, God will bless and assist those Laws for my Preservation. As for the additional Declaration, you are to expect an Answer to it, when you shall receive the Answer to the Declaration itself.

Ditto.

A Message from the Lords by Sir Ro. Rich and Mr. Page;

The Lords appointed to attend his Majesty, together with those appointed of this House, with the Declaration, being returned, they have brought his Majesty's Answer in Writing: Which they have commanded us to deliver unto you.

12° Martii.

Raising Money.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde is appointed to carry up the Bill for Raising and Levying of Monies, &c. And was likewise commanded * * * *.

Contribution for Ireland.

Ordered, That the Treasurer, appointed by the Act of Contribution and Loan towards the Relief of his Majesty's distressed Subjects of the Kingdom of Ireland, do forthwith pay unto Mr. Nich. Loftus, Deputy Treasurer at Wars for Ireland, or his Assignee, the Sum of Two thousand Pounds, out of those Monies that are come in by virtue of that... to be issued out by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland's Warrant, for the Service of Ireland: And that the Lords be desired to join in this Order.

Ordered, That a Thousand Pounds, out of the Monies that was brought in by the voluntary Contribution of the several Companies for the Relief of Ireland, and especially for Londonderry, be forthwith paid unto Sir Tho. Staple and Mr. Newberry, upon Account, to pay for Six hundred Arms that are bespoke, and ready for the Defence of that Place.

Payment to Bolles.

Ordered, That the Sum of One hundred and Fifty-four Pounds Eighteen Shillings and Eight-pence to be paid to Lieutenant Colonel Bolles, according to the Intention of the Order, 9° Martii instant.

Reducing Irish Rebels.

3^a vice lecta est Billa, An Act for the speedy and effectual Reducing of the Rebels in his Majesty's Kingdom of Ireland to their due Obedience to his Majesty, and the Crown of England; and, upon Question, passed: And Mr. Reynolds is appointed to carry it up to the Lords; and to desire the Lords to appoint their Deputy Lieutenants, and appoint a very speedy Day for Sending down of their Names to this House.

Raising Money.

Serjeant Wilde reports, that he had carried up the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds to the Lords; and that the Lords will take it into a speedy Consideration.

Contract for Powder.

Sir Jo. Evelyn reports from the Committee for Powder, that they had agreed with Mr. Cordwell to furnish Powder at Four Pounds and Ten Shillings the Barrel.

Ordered, That Mr. Cordwell shall have Liberty to deliver unto such Gentlemen, and other Merchants, with whom he had contracted before the Making of the Order of Restraint of this House, such Quantities of Powder as he had promised as aforesaid, giving a Note unto the Committee where Sir Jo. Evelyn has the Chair, of the Names of such Persons as he shall deliver the same unto.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House holds it fit to take off all such Powder as Mr. Cordwell shall make Monthly; and that they will take Order, that he shall be paid Monthly for it, at the Rate of Four Pounds Ten Shillings the Barrel.

Ordered, That Sir Jo. Evelyn, Mr. Vassall, and Mr. Ven, or any Two of them, shall treat with the Lord Mayor, the Court of Aldermen, and the Common Council, to provide such a Stock of Money as may, from time to time, take off this Powder, allowing them Interest for it; and likewise to provide a Store-house to keep it safe in, for the Use of the Kingdom.

Ordered, That Sir John Potts, Mr. Whitehead, Sir Harvey Baggott, Mr. Rolle, Mr. Vassall, Mr. Bence, Sir Ro. Coke, Sir Jo. Hippisley, Sir Tho. Walsingham, Mr. Ven, Sir Tho. Dacres, Sir Nich. Slany, Sir Tho. Jervoise, Sir Wm. Massam, Mr. Martin, Sir Dudley North, Sir Jo. Holland, Sir Ro. Parkhurst, Mr. Sutton, Mr. Trenchard, Mr. Morley, Sir H. Heyman, be added to the Committee for Gunpowder, where Sir John Evelyn has the Chair: And are to meet on Monday next, at Eight of Clock, in the Inner Court of Wards.

Basingstoke Lecturer.

Upon reading the humble Petition of Geo. Baynarde, Gentleman, Mayor of the Town of Basingstoke, in the County of Southampton, as well in the Behalf of himself, as of the rest of the said Town: It is this Day Ordered, That Ambrose Webb, Vicar of the Parish Church of Basingstoke aforesaid, shall permit Mr. John Brockett, Clerk, the free Use of the Pulpit in the said Church, to preach the Lecture Days in the said Parish Church, according to the Intention of the Benefactors, for the Maintenance of that Lecture, from time to time; and also to permit such succeeding Lecturers, as shall be hereafter, to preach in the said Church.

Innovations.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde reports from the Committee, appointed to consider of the Bill concerning Innovations, with the Amendments and Additions to that Bill: Which being twice read; the Bill was re-committed unto Serjeant Wilde, Mr. Whistler, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Glyn, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Dr. Eden, Sir Simonds D'Ewes, Sir Arth. Haselrig, to withdraw presently into the Committee Chamber, and to bring it in again.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Reynolds carried up to the Lords the Bill concerning the Propositions for reducing the Rebels in Ireland, according to the former Order of this House. He likewise carried up the Order for the Paying of Two thousand Pounds to Mr. Loftus out of the Contribution Money, to desire their Lordships to join in it.

Message to Lord Mayor.

That Mr. Long, Mr. Ven, Mr. Peard, do go to the Lord Mayor, and let him know from this House, of the Information they have received of his Sickness; and that there is a Necessity presently to settle the Militia of the City of London, by a Common Council: To acquaint him. That this House advises him to make a Deputy, if his Sickness will not permit him to dispatch That of the Militia, and other the great Affairs of the City: And if they find the Lord Mayor so sick, that they cannot speak with him, then to report the same on Monday Morning.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Reynolds brings answer, That the Lords will take the Bill concerning the Propositions for Ireland into speedy Consideration: That they had ordered to send down the Names of the Deputy Lieutenants on Monday next; and that they did agree with this House in the..

Pluralities.

Sir Christ. Wray is appointed to go to the Lords on Monday next, to put their Lordships in mind of the Conference concerning the Bill of Pluralities.

Letters seized.

Ordered, That the Letters sent up by Mr. Bassett out of Cornwall, that were seized in a Ship stayed in Cornewall, be referred to the Committee for Informations.

Mr. Whittacre informs, That, amongst many Letters brought to that Committee, there was one Packet, directed to the Spanish Ambassador: The which the House ordered him to... the Spanish Ambassador as they are.

Cademan's Petition.

Upon a Report from the Committee for Irish Affairs, that they had received a Petition from Doctor Cademan, to be admitted to be employed as a Physician in this Irish Expedition; the Petition was received, and not read.

And the Question being put, whether this House should approve of the said Doctor Cademan, to be employed as a Physician to the Army of Ireland;

It passed with the Negative.

Lancashire Petition.

The House being informed, that divers Gentlemen of the County Palatine of Lancashire were at the Door, who desired to prefer a Petition to this House;

They were called in, and did present their Petition:

And then they withdrew:

And their Petition was read:

They were again called in: And Mr. Speaker told them, "That the House had read their Petition; and do find in it many weighty Considerations, and great Expressions of their Care and Affection to the Commonwealth, and to this House in Particular: For the Particulars mentioned in the Petition, they will take them into Consideration."

Ordered to be entered.

12°-14° Martii.

Books seized.

Mr. Pym acquaints the House, that the Lord Admiral had received about Three hundred Books that were found in the Ship stayed in Cornewall.

Pressing Soldiers.

Mr. Glyn, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. White, Mr. Whittlock, Mr. Crue, are appointed to view the Statutes, in point of Pressing Soldiers; and concerning those shall run away after they had received Press-money; and do present their Opinions upon them to the House.

Publishing Declaration, &c.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House thinks it fit to order that the Declaration last presented to his Majesty, be forthwith published in Print, together with the additional Reasons for his Majesty's coming to Town.

Resolved, upon the Question, That a Message be sent to the Lords, to desire their Lordships to join with this House in this Order.

Resolved, upon the Question, That Mr. Morley do carry up this Message; and acquaint the Lords with the Reasons of this Resolution; which was, that the King's Message being printed, and not the Declaration, it might much reflect upon the Parliament.

Apprehending Brian, &c.

That an Order, or some publick Declaration, of both Houses, may pass for the Apprehending of * Brian, Macshellany Birne, Mr. Nicholas Plunkett, Mr. Wm. Brent.

Officers Pay.

Resolved, upon the Question, That those Officers of the Six Regiments, that were listed and approved of by this House, shall have half the Pay of their Entertainment allowed them, since the Time of their Approbation by this House.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That Mr. Martin go to the Lords, to desire their Lordships to speed the Commission and Instructions concerning the Affairs of Ireland.

Publishing Declaration, &c.

Mr. Morley brings Answer, That the Lords do agree with this House, in ordering that the Declaration, and the additional Reasons for his Majesty's coming to Town, be forthwith published in print.

Loan for Ireland.

The House being informed that there was Thirty thousand Pounds ready, upon good Security, to be lent for the Service of Ireland: And Mr. Pym, Sir H. Vane, and Sir Philip Stapilton, are appointed to treat with those Persons; and to know what Security they desire.

Middleton's Petition.

The humble Petition of Capt. Thomas Middleton was this Day read; and the House would do nothing upon it.

Reformado Officers.

The humble Petition of the English Reformado Officers was read; and the House doth not conceive that the Petition doth any way appertain unto them, or that there is any Pay due unto them from this House.

Crispe's Petition.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of Nicholas Crispe, this Day presented to this House, be referred to the Committee for Contributions.

Security for Loans.

Ordered, That such Persons as shall enter into Security for the Advance or Loan of any Monies, shall be secured out of the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds; and that in the mean time they shall have an Ordinance of Parliament for their Security.

Lord Mayor.

Mr. Long reports, that the Committee appointed by this House endeavoured to speak with the Lord Mayor; but could neither be admitted themselves to speak with him, nor procure their Message to be sent unto him.

Sir G. Hamilton.

Ordered, That Mr. Pym be added to the Committee for the Examination of Sir Geo. Hamilton.

Common Council.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor do call a Common Council, to meet upon Monday next, at Nine of the Clock, and that, if he be not able to go himself, he do appoint a Deputy, to be there present, in his Absence.

Ordered, That Doctor Winston be required, from this House, to acquaint the Lord Mayor with this Order; and receive his positive Answer: And Doctor Winston is further required to attend this House on Monday Morning at Nine... Clock, to give an Account thereof: And Mr. Jo. Goodwyn is desired to go with these Orders; and to acquaint the Doctor therewith; and to go with him to the Lord Mayor.

Innovating.

Ordered, That the Bill concerning Innovations be reported on Monday Morning.