House of Lords Journal Volume 9: 17 June 1647

DIE Jovis, 17 die Junii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Calamy.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Letter from the Scots Commissioners.

The Speaker acquainted this House with a Letter which was sent to him from the Scotch Commissioners, dated the 16 of June Instant; which was read.

(Here enter it.)

L. Lauderdail, a Pass to the King.

Ordered, That the Lauderdaill shall have a Pass, to go to the King.

Message from the H. C. with a Vote for a Month's Pay for Sir T. Fairfax's Army:

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir John D'anvers Knight, &c.; who brought up several Votes, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence:

1. For a Month's Pay for the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to, upon the Question.

Protest against it.

Memorandum, That these Lords following, having Leave of the House, entered their Dissents to the aforesaid Question.

"Comes Suffolke.
Comes Stamford.
Ds. Maynard."

And with more Votes.

The rest of the Votes were read, and Agreed to. (Here enter them.)

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to all the Votes now brought up.

Messenger attends from the King:

The Gentleman Usher acquainted the Speaker, "That there was a Gentleman at Door, that had something to say to their Lordships from the King."

The Speaker making it known to the House, the House commanded he should be called in; which accordingly he was.

And having delivered what he had in Command from His Majesty, he withdrew.

Thanked, and to put his Message in Writing.

And the House Ordered him to be called in again; and to have Thanks given him; and desire him to put down in Writing under his Hand, what he now delivered.

Sir Wm. Russell & al. and Lenthall & al.

Upon reading the Petition of Sir Wm. Russell Knight, Wm. Geere, John Wood, and others, "That whereas this House did order, to give their Opinions in Writing, whether a Prohibition did lie in the Cause between the Petitioners and Marston and Lenthall, &c.; and the Judges having delivered their Opinions accordingly, That a Prohibition did lie in the Case: Therefore desired to leave the Judges free; and to give Leave to the Petitioners to move in due Course of Law:"

It is Ordered, That this House leaves it free to the Judges, to do what in Law they think fit to be done in this Cause.

Letter from the Scots Commissioners.

Another Letter sent from the Scotch Commissioners, concerning the Scotch Army in Ulster, was read, and Ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

(Here enter it.)

Message to the H. C. with this and the former One; and for L. Lauderdail to have a Pass to the King.

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

To desire their Concurrence in a Pass, (fn. 1) for the Lord Lauderdaill, to go to the King.

2. To communicate to them the Letter from the Scotch Commissioners, concerning the Scotch Army in Ulster.

Lady Wenman, a Pass.

Ordered, That the Lady Wenman shall have a Pass, for herself and her Company, to go into the Country, with a Coach and Horses, and Saddle Horses.

Lady Mountague's Privilege, in Forbench's Suit against her.

The House was informed, "That a Letter was issued out of the Chancery, for the Lady Viscountess Mountague, for her to appear, at the Suit of Richard Forbench; and she desires to have the Benefit of her Privilege as a Peeress of this Kingdom:"

Which this House granted to her, and allowed the same.

Message from the City of London, about their Committee going to Sir T. Fairfax; and with a Relation of their Proceedings.

The House being informed, by the Gentleman Usher, "That some Aldermen and others were at the Door, to deliver a Message from the City of London:"

And being called in;

Alderman Foulkes gave an Account of their going to the General, with the Letter from the City of London; and of the Answer of the General to it, and the Votes of the Lord Mayor and Common Council of the City of London thereupon.

And several Papers were delivered in by Alderman Foulkes; which were publicly read, as follow.

(Here enter them.)

The said Messengers being withdrawn;

Answer to them.

The House took into Consideration, what Answer to return to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, of the City of London.

And the House was adjourned into a Committee of the whole House, to debate the Business.

The House being resumed; and the Speaker read the Answer in Writing.

And the Question being put, "Whether to agree to the Words now read; without Addition of those other Words mentioned?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Then the Messengers were called in again; and the Speaker read this Answer to them as follows; (videlicet,)

"That the Lords return you Thanks for the Expressions of your good Affections, and for your Respect in communicating these Papers unto them: And they have commanded me to let you know, that the Orders you mention are already annulled and made void, by Order of both Houses of Parliament."

Message from the H. C. with a Vote for the Army to remove further from London;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Walter Erle;

To communicate to their Lordships a Vote, wherein they desire their Lordships Cancurrence:

1. That the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax be, and are hereby, required to remove Forty Miles from London. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

and a Letter to Sir T. Fairfax.

2. A Letter to the General, to put into Execution the aforesaid Vote. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Vote and the Letter now read.

Message from the King:

Next, was read the Paper containing what Message was sent from the King, to the House, by Mr. Reymes; which he delivered this Day, by Word of Mouth, at this Bar, and subscribed with his own Hand.

(Here enter it.)

To be printed.

The Question being put, "Whether to have this Paper delivered in by Mr. Rymes under his own Hand to be printed ?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Lock to be instituted to Shalfleet.

Ordered, &c. That Doctor Aylett shall give Institution unto James Lock Clerk; unto the Vicarage of Shalflett, alias Shalsfleete, in Com. South'ton, void by the Cession of the last Incumbent, salvo Jure cujuscunque; he taking the National League and Covenant, and producing his Presentation thereunto under the Great Seal of England.

(fn. 2) "A Narration of several Passages betwixt His Majesty and Master B. Reymes, at Newmarket, concerning the Army; communicated to the Committee of the Militia of London, and to the Right Honourable the House of Peers, upon Thursday the Seventeenth of June, 1647.

Mr. Reymes's Narration of what passed between the King and him, in Presence of the Commissioners, concerning the Army forcing Him from Holdenby; —His good Intentions towards the Parliament, &c.

"In Obedience to this Right Honourable House their Command, I shall here give an Account of my Admission into His Majesty's Presence, and Commission of delivering this Message to the Militia of London, who have thought fit it should be communicated to both Houses of Parliament.

"For the First, Partly my Occasions, partly my Desire of seeing His Majesty, drew me to Sir William Russel's, where He was then playing at Bowls with some of the Commissioners. Among the rest, Major General Browne, espying me, prossered me the Honour of His Majesty's Hand, which I readily accepted of, so it might be without Inconvenience; and coming near His Royal Majesty, He was graciously pleased to grant me that Favour; withal asking my Name, and something else of Major General Browne which I heard not. But he soon after came to me, and desired my Attendance at Court; where, at my Entrance, I was received by him, according to his Promise, and carried into the Presence Room, where he acquainted me with several Passages betwixt His Majesty, the General, Lieutenant General, and Colonel Whaley, whom the King had that Day: struck, for being so presumptuous as to listen while His Majesty was in Conference with One whom they suspected to be come from London: From this he fell to a Relation of His Majesty's Averseness and Unwillingness to comply at all with the Army's Proceedings; saying; "That all their Actions, for aught He saw, were both inequitable in themselves, and disproportionable to their Pretences:" To this the Major General added, "That it did highly concern both the Parliament and City, to be careful of their Safeties; he being an Ear-witness daily of their Threats, and how much they are animated with the Hopes of Spoil, and enraged with Hatred to the Parliament."

"This he desired me to deliver, and so led me into the Privy-chamber; and His Majesty presently came out of his Bed-chamber. He came towards me, who was standing with the Commissioners. Then Major General Browne anticipated His Majesty's Discourse, by an humble Entreaty, "That He would be pleased to confirm the Relation he had given me of His Majesty's Unwillingness to come from Holdenby, and how much against His Will He staid here." In Answer to which, His Majesty, clapping His Hand on His Breast, said, "Upon My Life, I came against My Will; which, He told me, I might well conjecture myself, by the Relation He was pleased to afford me of His being taken from Holdenby: But (said He) rather than to be carried by Neck and Heels (that I may use His own Expression), I went along: Nor am I so in Love with their Proceedings that I should be willing to continue here, for I find Myself an absolute Prisoner. As concerning My Refusal of returning to Holdenby, which by some of My Subjects may be misunderstood, for all the Reason I had was, That I chose golden Fetters and a lightsome Room before a dark Dungeon; for I conceive this to be the better Air, knowing that My Restraint there should not be less than here." Then, appealing to the Commissioners, He said, "Have I not told the General himself and others, That I admired by what Authority he durst thus resist Him and His Parliament." To which he answered, "There was Necessity." He told them, "They did more than e'er the King, though in the Height of His Power, durst, to inforce Justice, either in Criminal or Civil Affairs: Indeed I have many Times hastened it; but never inforced it, as they have done, in saying, "Give us Justice, or—." Yet, for My Part (proceeded His Majesty), I know not what they do or intend, but what I hear from these Gentlemen, pointing to the Commissioners; for they have not sent legally to Me since My Coming: Therefore tell all those whom you think fit Communicants of this Business, that I desire nothing more passionately than to be with My Parliament."

"After this, I assumed the Boldness to tell His Majesty, "That I thought Him then politically absent, when His Affection, thought not His Person, was alienated from them." To which He answered, "It was very right." Next, I told him, "I thought it would be no small Comfort to those whom He was pleased to make Partakers of this His Intention, that His Majesty's Propension and Inclination towards them was so great;" which He bid me "assure them, whatsoever other illusive Persuasion would possess them to the contrary; and moreover, That if He were at the Head of their Army, He would declare and protect against all their Proceedings; and, whatsoever they heard to the contrary, desired them not to believe, no, though under His Hand, unless they spake with One who had it from His own Mouth."

"Last of all, at my Demand of some Letter, One of the Commissioners, Major General Browne, answered, "That that was not so safe; and this would be as effectual."

"This is all my Memory supplies me withal. The Incompactedness of this Narration shall, I hope, obtain your Honours Pardons; being penned without the least Premeditation, and without affecting the least methodical Stile; only in Obedience to your Honours Commands, that I might testify myself to be

"Your Lordships
Most devoted Servant,
B. Reymes.

"Die Jovis, 17 Junii, 1647.

"Ordered, by the Lords assembled in Parliament, That this Narration be forthwith printed and published.

"Jo. Brown,

Cler. Parliamentorum."

Paper from the Scots Commissioners, that One of them may attend the King, to learn the Circumstances of His being removed from Holdenby.

"For the Right Honorable the Speaker of the House of Peeres pro Tempore.

"Right Honnorable,

"Understanding His Majesty was carried away from Holdenby without the Authority of the Houses or His owne Consent, wee delivered in a Paper upon the 5th of this Instant, wherein wee expressed our Sense of that violent Act, and desired He might bee brought to some of His Houses neerer London: And now haveing seene the Votes of both Houses for bringing His Majesty to Richmond, whereby it appeares they gave noe Warrant to remove Him from Holdenby; to the End wee may be able to give a cleere Account of His present Condition to the Kingdome of Scotland, wee have resolved that some of our Number shall for this Purpose repaire to His Majesty at Newmarkett, or where He shal be; and, in this Tyme of Jealousy and Distraction, have thought fitt to acquaint the Honnorable Houses therewith, that such as are to goe may have their Passe. And soe wee rest

Worcester House, the 16th June, 1647.

"Your Lordship's Humble Servants,
Lauderdaill.
Charles Erskine.
Hew Kennedy.
Ro. Barclay."

Another, for Supplies for their Army in Ulster, or that they may be disbanded.

For the Right Honorable the Speaker of the House of Peeres pro Tempore; to be comunicated to both Houses of Parliament.

"Right Honnorable,

"For these Twelve Moneths past some have attended here from the Scottish Army in Ireland, earnestly solliciting that either they might be supplyed with Moneys and Provisions whereby to carry on the Service wherein they are imployed; or otherwise that they might receive Sattisfaction, and be dismissed. The Prejudices and Dangers in delaying to give an Answere to soe just Desires have bin likewise represented. And now these who were sent hither to the Parliament from that Army haveinge noe Hope to receive an Answere, and not being able to stay any longer in Expectation thereof, wee have thought fitt to acquaint the Honorable Houses therewith, that wee may be free of any Inconveniences or Evills that may followe. And soe wee rest

Worcester House, the 17th Day of June, 1647.

"Your Lordship's Most humble Servaunts,
Lauderdaill.
Charles Erskine.
Hew Kennedy.
Ro. Barclay."

Petition from that Army, to the same Effect.

"Right Honnorable,

"After our Losse at Benbourb, wee sent Captain Drumond to your Lordships, sheweing the Extremityes wherein both Army and Country did stand; expecting your Lordships would take them soe into your Considerations, as wee might have bin inabled to have done your Lordships some considerable Service before this: But, with sorrowfull Mynds, wee finde your Lordships greater Affaires have hindred any Comfort or Helpe to have issued unto us to this Day. Wherefore, seeing your Lordships Commissioners, when they were here, spoke much concerninge your Lordships Resolution to sattisfy and dismisse this Army, the Season drawing on, wee resolved to send this Bearer Colonell Monro unto your Lordships, who will shew our Mynds and Willingnes to receive Sattisfaction, and leave this Service, or our Desires to be enabled to goe forward in the Service, as your Lordships shall finde it most expedient. Wee humbly intreate, and are hopefull, your Lordships will thinke upon those Wayes whereby your owne Service may be advanced, and wee after soe much Missery (in your Lordships Service) receave that Sattisfaction, which shall move us ever to pray for your Lordships Prosperity and Happines, who are

Carrickfergus, 26th March, 1647.

"Your Lordships
Humble Servaunts,
H. Cochran.
Rob't Monro.
Dalyell. Gordone.
John Jonstonn.
William Cam . . . . J. Montgomery.
Wm. Stewart.
Wt . . Nstonne.
(fn. 3) Bo. Kennedy.
Hamilton.
Da. Monro.
Wm. Cunyngham.
George Barclay."

Message from the Common Council, with a Narrative of what passed between their Committee and Sir T. Fairfax, &c.; and to stop all Levies of Men, &c.

"Commune Concil. tent in Camera Guild. Civitatis London 15^to Die Junii, 1647.

"Upon Relation now made by the Committee of this Court, of the noble and courteous Reception and Entertainment of them, by his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairefax and the rest of the Commanders, at St. Albans, and of the Passages and Answers between them concerning the Contents of the Letter sent from this Court; and after reading of the Letter and Papers presented unto this Court from his Excellency and Council of War, and long Debate thereupon had: It is thought fit, and so Ordered by this Court, That the said Committee shall To-morrow Morning, acquaint both Houses of Parliament with those Letters, and signify the Desire of his Excellency and his Council of War, that this City of London would use their Endeavours to prevent the Listing of Soldiers under Officers in and about the Cities of London and Westm'r, and Parts thereunto adjacent (besides the Trained Bands and usual Auxiliaries), for the making of a new War; and that those already raised may be forthwith discharged: And the said Committee are hereby ordered to take the Contents of the said Letters into serious Consideration; and to prepare a Letter, to be sent from this Court, in Answer to the same, to give Satisfaction to his Excellency and his Council of War, that no Forces are, or shall be, listed within the City, but their own Trained Bands and Auxiliaries, and to signify this Court's Proceedings herein: And the said Committee are to present unto this Court a Draught of the said Letter, to be sent as aforesaid.

"Michell."

Letter from Sir T. Fairfax and the Council of War, to the City, desiring they would prevent Levies of Men to oppose the Army.

"For our Honoured Friends, Alderman Warner, Alderman Fowke, Alderman Gibbs, Alderman Viver, and the rest of the Commissioners of the City of London.

"Being informed that divers Soldiers are daily listed under Officers, in and about the Cities of London and Westm'r, and Parts thereto adjacent, besides the Trained Bands and usual Auxiliaries; we strongly apprehend that (notwithstanding all our Desires and Labour of Peace) the Kingdom is like to be precipitate by some Persons into a new War: Therefore (before we can answer that Part of your City's Letter to remove Thirty Miles Distance from London) we desire the City would use their Endeavours to prevent all such Listings, and therein deal so effectually, as that nothing be for future done towards such Listings, or raising any Forces; and those already raised may be forthwith discharged: But, if this cannot be done, we shall be forced, by an unwilling Necessity, to apply our Endeavours to break all Designs of that Kind; and therein we hope to receive the Concurrence of your City; professing, we have nothing else in our Eye, but yours, our own, and this poor Kingdom's Good and Quiet.

"Hereof we desire to hear speedily from you, and so from Time to Time, as oft as may be; which we shall own as a Seal of that reciprocal Love which the City's Letter purports to this Army, and shall on our Part be most earnestly endeavoured to be maintained.

June 14th, 1647.

"Signed, in the Name, and by the Appointment, of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairefax, and his Council of War.

"Jo. Rushworth, Secr.
Concordat cum Original.
Michell."

Another Letter, promising to consider of the Desire of the City, for removing further from London, as soon as they learn the Resolutions of the Parliament, concerning their Desires.

"Right Honourable and Worthy Friends,

"We are very glad our Letter from Royston, of the Tenth of this Instant June, had so good a Reception with you; whereof you have given us Assurance by your Letter of the Twelfth of this Instant, and by those Worthy Aldermen and others the Members of your City whom you sent unto us; to whose Hands we Yesterday returned such Answer (to that Part of your Letter for our Removal to Thirty Miles Distance from London) as the present Exigency of Affairs could possibly admit: To which we add this sincere Assurance, That, so soon as we shall receive the next Resolution from the Parliament, in relation to the Proceedings upon the Papers now given in unto them (whereof likewise your Commissioners have recived a Copy from us), we shall then immediately give you such further Answer and Satisfaction to that Particular as the Nature of those Results will permit, with respect only had to the necessary Prosecution of those pressing Concernments of the Kingdom comprized in those Papers; whereunto, for the Justness and Reasonableness of our Desires, and their Consistence with the true Honour, just Power, and Privileges of Parliament, the Liberty of the Subject, and the Safety of your City and Kingdom, we do refer you.

"As to your Desires (expressed in the Instructions to your Commissioners) of our Care for the Safety of His Majesty's Person while amongst us, we had, upon His First coming into our Quarters, assigned, and have since continued, in Attendance about His Majesty, a Guard of Two Regiments of Horse, of as faithful Men, and under as trusty a Command, as this Army doth afford; neither shall our future Care be wanting in any further Provision, necessary for the Safety of His Royal Person.

"And now we cannot but take Notice, as of the past most free and forward Engagements of your Famous City in the same Cause which we are now desiring to see a Period to, and Accomplishment of; so of your continued Readiness to close with us in our just and necessary Desires to the same Ends; as also of your present prosessed Averseness to engage in any Thing that may tend to any further War or Distraction in this Kingdom: For all which, we cannot but return (after our Praises to God) Thanks to you and your City. And we assure you, that the Sense thereof hath a deep Impression in our Spirits, to find (as we do hitherto) the Hand of God working all Mens Hearts to so clear and unanimous Concurrence with our own, in our Desires for the present settling and securing the Rights, Liberties, and Peace of the Kingdom; beyond which we have no Aims or Ends of our own.

St. Albans, June 15th, 1647.

"Signed, in the Name, and by the Command, of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairefax and the Council of War.

"By me,

"Jo. Rushworth.

"For the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of London.

"Concordat cum Original.

"Michell."

Order of the Committee of Safety, for assembling Forces:

"Ordered, by the Committee of Lords and Commons, and the Committee for the Militia of the City of London, &c. That Colonel Dalbeere, Sir Thomas Cooke, Colonel Sanderson, Colonel Wilshire, and Colonel Meddupp, be hereby desired to bring in particular Lists of the Names and Qualities of all such Gentlemen and Reformado Officers as they shall find willing to engage in the Service of the Parliament, by Ten of the Clock in the Morning of this present Saturday.

"Dated at Guildhall, London, the 12th of June, 1647.

"Tho. Partington,
Clerk to the said Committee of the Militia.

Order for annulling it.

"Ordered, That the Order above written, dated the 12th Instant, under the Clerk's Hand, be, as much as in this Committee lieth, annulled.

"Dated at Guildhall, London, the 16 June, 1647.

"Tho. Partington,
Clerk to the said Committee."

Order for a Month's Pay to Sir T. Fairfax's Army.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That One Month's Pay be forthwith paid to the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax, according to their last Muster.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That this One Month's Pay shall be paid to the Common Soldiers, upon Accompt, as Part of their Arrears; and to the Officers, as Part of the Three Months Pay formerly ordered to be paid to them, upon their disbanding, or engaging for Ireland."

Order for a Month's Pay to Col. Rosseter's Regiment.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Committee of the Army do give Warrant to the Treasurers at Wars, to pay One Month's Pay, upon (fn. 4) Accompt, to Colonel Rossetter's Regiment, in like Manner as the Month's Pay is ordered to be paid to the Army."

Order for a Month's Pay for the Forces at Newcastle and Tynmouth.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Committee of the Army do give Warrant to the Treasurers at Wars, to pay One Month's Pay, upon Accompt, to those Forces that are Part of the Army, and are now at Newcastle and Tynmouth, in like Manner as the Month's Pay is ordered to be paid to the Army."

Letter to Sir T. Fairfax, to put in Execution the following Vote, and to observe other Votes concerning the Army.

"SIR,

"The Lords and Commons, being desirous to prevent Jealousies and Misunderstandings between them and the Army, and, as much as in them is, to preserve the Kingdom in Peace, and prevent a new War, have passed several Votes; which they have commanded their Commissioners to communicate unto you.

"And, to prevent the great Mischiefs that may arise through Peoples Discontents by Scarcity of Provisions, and to the End the Parliament may have the more free Debate upon the Matters presented to them from the Army, the Houses do require you, that, according to their former Order, you would speedily remove the Army Forty Miles Distance from London. And they require you likewise to take Order, that no Forces be raised or admitted into the Army, nor any Forces placed in any Fort, or displaced from any Garrison, which they have made, without their Approbation.

"The Houses do likewise expect from you a speedy and positive Account of what you have done upon the Letter and Votes you have received, for the Removal of the King's Person to Richmond.

"So we rest.

"Your affectionate Friends."

The Army to remove Forty Miles from London.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax be, and are hereby, required to remove Forty Miles from London."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.