House of Lords Journal Volume 9: 1 July 1647

DIE Jovis, primo die Julii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Walker.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Answer from the H. C.

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

That they agree to the Pass for The States Ambassador, and the Pass for Two Horses for the Earl of Pembrooke to transport into France; and that Colonel Anthony Buller do command in Chief the Isle of Scilly, till the further Pleasure of both Houses be known.

E. North'ton and Gloucestershire Clothiers.

Ordered, That the Complaint of the Clothiers against the Earl of North'ton shall be heard, by Counsel on both Sides, on Thursday next: The Earl of North'ton to have Notice thereof this Day.

Message from the H. C. with Orders; and to expedite the Propositions.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir John Evelyn Knight, &c.; who brought up several Particulars, wherein their Lordships Concurrence is desired:

1. An Order concerning paying the Reformadoes in Colonel Sandys' Regiment. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

2. An Order for appointing Circuits this Summer. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

3. To put their Lordships in Mind of dispatching the Propositions for Peace.

The Answer returned:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Two Orders now brought up: As to the Propositions, their Lordships will take them into Consideration, and send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Letters from the Commissioners with the Army, to Sir T. Fairfax and Col. Whichcott.

Divers Letters were read:

The Question being put, "Whether to go on now in the Debate concerning these Letters?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Letter to Sir T. Fairfax, for the King's Guard to be under the Direction of the Commissioners with Him.

After Debate, these following Questions were put:

"Whether a Letter shall be sent to Sir Thomas Fairefax, to see the Two Votes of the 28 and 29 of June last put in Execution; and to give Order to the Guards now with the King, to observe all Directions they shall receive from the Commissioners of Parliament?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

"Whether to write to the Commissioners, to put in Execution the Votes of the 28 and 29th of June last?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Then a Letter to be sent to Sir Thomas Fairefax was drawn up by the Speaker; and, being read, was approved of, and Ordered to be sent to the House of Commons for their Concurrence.

Letter to them, on the same Subject.

Also a Letter to be sent to the Commissioners with the King, was drawn up, and read; and, being approved of, is to be sent to the House of Commons for their Concurrence.

Message to the H. C. with them.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Heath and Mr. Sadler:

1. To deliver the Two Votes, and the Letter to be sent to Sir Thomas; and also the Letter to be sent to the Commissioners with the King; and desire their Concurrence in them all.

Drs. Sheldon and Hamond sent for, for using the Prayer Book before the King.

Upon Complaint made this Day to the House, "That Doctor Sheldon and Doctor Hamond hath often-times of late used the Common Prayer Book, and officiated before the King with divers superstitious Gestures, contrary to the Directory; and have thereby incurred the Penalty prescribed by Ordinance of Parliament for the same:"

It is Ordered, That the said Doctor Sheldon and Doctor Hamond shall forthwith appear before the Lords in Parliament, to answer such Matters as shall be objected against them.

Letter from the Commissioners with the Army.

Next, a Letter from the Earl of Nottingham and the Lord Wharton, was read; with Two Papers inclosed.

And it is Ordered, That the Consideration of these Papers shall be To-morrow.

Propositions for Peace.

Ordered, That the Propositions for Peace shall be taken into Consideration on Saturday next.

Langham and Lymbrey.

The House being informed, "That the Judges could not be ready to argue the Case concerning Alderman Langham, &c. and Captain Lymberey, &c. this Day:"

It is Ordered, That the former (fn. 1) Order shall stand, for hearing them argue the 13 of this Month.

Preachers at the Fast.

Ordered, That Doctor Love Master of Corpus Christi College in Cambridge, and Mr. Samuell Bolton, are appointed to preach the next Fast-day, in the Abbey Church, before the Lords.

Letter from the Commissioners with the King, that He intends going to Windsor, instead of Holdenby.

"For the Right Honourable the Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore.

"My Lord,

"Immediately after we received the Votes concerning His Majesty's Remove to Holdenby, we acquainted Him therewith. He answered, "That He had already resolved to remove to Windsor, and sent Part of His Stuff thither; and on Thursday intends to set forwards towards that Place; which He would have done To-morrow had it not been the Fast. After His coming thither, if He were moved, He said, we should have His farther Answer."Colonel Whaley hath not yet received any Directions from the General; so as we cannot give you any other Account of the Commands you have laid upon us, either in this of His Majesty's Removal, or by your former Votes; but remain

Hatfeild, 29 Junii, 1647.

"Your Lordship's
Most humble Servant,
Edw. Mountagu."

Letter from Col. Whichcot, that he has received Notice that the King is to be at Windsor.

"To the Right Honourable the Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore. These.

"Per Express. Haste, Haste.

"Right Honourable,

"At this Instant, Mr. Dowsett with others attending upon the King are come to give me Notice, that His Majesty intends to be here To-morrow Night, with the Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament; and that from them they are to hasten the preparing of His Majesty's House within this Castle for His Entertainment; that I shall receive further Directions concerning this from the General Sir Thomas Fairefax his Excellency, and from Colonel Whalley; and that Dinner To-morrow at the Lord Carey's House by Watford is to be made ready for His Majesty as He passeth. All which I thought it my Duty to inform the Parliament of, and, as I am obliged, subscribe

Windsor Castle, about Two in the Afternoon, 30th June, 1647.

"Your Lordship's
Most humble Servant,
Xp. Whichcote."

Letter from Sir T. Fairfax, that the King desires to be at Windsor for Four or Five Days.

"For the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore.

"My Lord,

"I received a Letter this Evening from the Governor of Windsor, and also an Intimation from Colonel Whalley whom I have appointed for His Majesty's Guard, That the King desires and intends to go Tomorrow to Windsor, to remain there for Four or Five Days; having Hopes, by your Commissioners, as He Himself faith, to see His Children, which He expects shall meet Him there; and after, He is willing to remove unto some other convenient Place at a greater Distance from London. I must confess, I find my self in a great Strait what to do herein; knowing His Intentions contrary to your late Votes; and not having your further Commands or Directions to advise His Majesty herein, I could do no more but give a speedy Account of His Resolutions; and to desire you to believe, that I shall be very careful to place a very trusty Guard about Him, for the Security of His Person. I have sent to desire His Majesty, that He would alter His Resolutions, and go to some Place which might be more convenient to your present Affairs; but do conceive He will scarcely be persuaded thereunto until Four or Five Days be past; and after that, I shall, in Pursuance of your Votes, use all Diligence for His safe Remove to some convenient Place further distant from London, until the Settlement of the Affairs of the Kingdom and your Commands shall otherwise dispose of Him. I remain

Wickham, June 30, 1647.

"Your Lordship's
"Most humble Servant,
"T. Fairefax."

Letter from the Commissioners with the King, that they can't prevent the Resort of excepted Persons to the King; and desiring to be recalled.

"For the Right Honourable the Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore.

"My Lord,

"This Afternoon, about Four of the Clock, supposing by that Time an Answer might be received from the General, we again desired to speak with Colonel Whaley; who assured us, "That he had not as yet received any Orders from his Excellency, concerning the Removal of Persons that contrary to our Instructions resorted to the King."We replied, "That it lay upon us to require the Performance of the Commands laid upon us by your Votes; which we desired might be done in that Course which we had taken at Holdenby, in this Manner; to wit, That when any Person suspected to have been (fn. 2) in Arms against the Parliament, or otherwise within the Fifth Article of our Instructions, was discovered to be in the Court, he was instantly, by our Directions given to the Chief Commander of the Guards present, brought before us, and, upon Examination, if the Information proved to be true, he was appointed by us to be removed or committed, as the Case required; which was accordingly put in Execution by the Chief Commander of the Guards present, in Pursuance of the Orders we gave him; conformable whereunto, we named unto him Doctor Sheldon and Doctor Hamond, to be proceeded against in like Manner." Colonel Whalley answered, "That he was to obey the Orders of the General, and, by express Authority of the Houses, questionable at a Council of War for his Life if he did otherwise; that he was to expect particular Commands from the General, even by the Votes which at present we insisted upon; and that our Orders were not satisfactory to him until he had received his, wherein he supposed the Sense of the Houses could not be otherwise taken; for that they would not impose upon him an Obedience which might involve him in a Contradiction to the General's Orders, which if he observed not, his Life was at Stake; but it was clear they intended not to ensnare him therein, having positively referred him to Orders which he was to receive first from his Excellency, to whom he should make a Second speedy Address to that Purpose."

"Hereby your Lordship may well understand, that we are in no Capacity of serving you, either in this or what concerns His Majesty's Remove; presuming you will not expect we should take this Employment upon our own Hands, without the Ministry of those you have appointed to obey us. We have now Six Months constantly attended upon this Service, and do earnestly desire to be discharged; which shall be taken as a special Favour to,

Hatfeild, 30 Junii, 1647.

"My Lord,
Your most humble Servant,
Edw. Mountagu."

Letter from the Commissioners with the King, that they have pressed Sir T. Fairfax, &c. to proceed in the Treaty.

"For the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers. These.

"I Julii, 1647, Seven in the Morning.

"May it please your Lordship,

"Yesterday (being the Fast) we put the General in Mind of the Treaty, and did earnestly press him thereunto by Letter, a Copy whereof we send you: In Answer to which, we received the inclosed, above One of the Clock this Morning. Being all at present, we rest

Wickham, 1 Julii, 1647.

"Your Lordship's
Humble Servants,
C. Nottingham. P. Wharton."

Letter from them to him; for that Purpose.

"May it please your Excellency,

"Having received Power from both Houses to treat with your Excellency, and such of the Army as you should appoint, upon Papers and Desires sent from the Army to the Houses, and the Votes sent to us their Commissioners; wherewith we acquainted your Excellency on Sunday last, and did then desire your Excellency to put the said Treaty into a Way, which Desire we have every Day since renewed: Forasmuch as the Peace of the Kingdom is highly concerned in the speedy Dispatch thereof, and the Expectations both of the Houses, City, and Kingdom, are much set thereon (your Quarters being now removed at some reasonable Distance farther from the City); we desire to know from your Excellency, with what Persons we are to treat, and the Time and Place of Meeting, for the bringing this Business to a speedy Conclusion: In this we are the more earnest, because we are very sensible that all Delays herein will be unacceptable to the Houses. And thus rests,

From The Katherin Wheele, in Wickham, 30 June, 1647.

"Sir,
Your Excellency's
Humble Servants,

"C. Nottingham.
P. Wharton.
Hen. Vane.
Thomas Widdrington.
Rob't Scawen.
Thom. Povey.

"For his Excellency Sir Tho. Fairefax Knight. These.

"Vera Copia, exam.
Per Geo. Pyke."

Sir T. Fairfax's Answer.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I am very sensible of the great Inconveniencies which Delay in the speedy Settlement of the Affairs of the Kingdom may produce; and therefore I am ready, according to the Parliament's Desires, to appoint Officers to treat and attend your Lordships for that Purpose with all possible Speed, that Delay may not rest on my Part: But I must needs tell you, That the Army is unsatisfied, and do conceive themselves and the Kingdom unsafe, until their last Propositions delivered in unto the House be fully answered, which they hope will be the Parliament's next Care; and therefore desire to know their Pleasure concerning them, before they come to a Conclusion in any Thing: Which being done, I am confident, they will proceed with unanimous Intention to observe their Commands, in all Things which may tend to the Good of this Kingdom.

Wickham, June 30, 1647.

"By the Appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairefax and his Council of War.

"Signed, Jo. Rushworth.

"For the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons, Commissioners of Parliament, residing in the Army.

"Copia vera, exam.
per Geo. Pyke."

Order for paying the Reformadoes in Col. Sanderson's Regiment.

"Upon the humble Petition of the Officers mentioned in the annexed Petition, who have served in the Regiment of Reformadoes under the Command of Colonel Henry Sanderson, whose Accompts are stated, for their Service in the same Regiment, by the Committees of the Three Counties of Berks, Bucks, and Oxon, and have not brought in any other Accompts or Certificates to receive any Arrears for any other Service: It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Mr. Greenhill and the rest of the Treasurers at Christ Church do forthwith pay unto the said Reformado Officers, or their Assigns, such a Proportion of Pay, as is ordered to be paid unto other Officers whose Accompts are stated; and this, with the Receipts or Acquittance of the said Officers, or their Assigns, shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Treasurers, or any of them, for Payment of the same, or any Part thereof."

Judges to go the Circuits for the Summer Assizes.

"Resolved, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That they do declare, That there shall be Circuits this Summer in all the Counties of England and Wales, as formerly; and that it be referred to the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, to appoint Judges for the said several Circuits, as formerly; and to present them to the Houses for their Approbation."