House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 25 April 1643

DIE Martis, 25 die Aprilis.

PRAYERS.

Answer from the H. C. about the Sequestrations.

The Messengers sent Yesterday to the House of Commons return with this Answer:

That the House of Commons will take Order, that the Witnesses concerning the Sequestrations shall be ready at the Time appointed.

Letter from Sir John Gell, about sending up the E. of Chesterfield.

A Letter, written to the Speaker of this House, from Sir John Gell, was read: The Contents was, "That they cannot convey the Earl of Chesterfeild up to the Parliament from Sheriff to Sheriff, because they want Forces."

Sir John Gell to keep him in Custody.

Ordered, That Sir John Gell be directed, from this House, to keep the Earl of Chesterfeild in Custody where he is, and to be disposed of by him as he shall appoint.

A Letter from the Lord General, to the Speaker, was read, dated the 24th, Reading.

E. of Essex's Letter, that he has had some Skirmishes with the King's Forces, and expects a general Attack from them.

"My Lord,

"I hold it my Duty to acquaint the Parliament with some Passages that happened Yesterday Morning, and this last Night: In the Morning, about Two of the Clock, Captain Carr that commands Sir Wm. Balfore's Troop, with Two Troops more, being upon the Guard at Causam, to take Care that no Provisions should be put into the Town, the General Ruven, with some Two Thousand Five Hundred Horse and Dragooners, namely, Seven Regiments of Horse, and Two or Three Hundred Dragoons, surprized Two Centinels; but, having the Alarm, our Troops charged with Forty Horse, and so retreated to Colonel Bartley's Regiment, that was drawn over the Bridge. The Enemy charging, the Musketeers gave Fire (having Colonel Holborne with his Musketeers) so resolutely, that they wheeled about and went away, our few Horse following them Three Miles; their Intention was to put in Forty Barrels of Powder.

"That Evening, I sent out Colonel Middleton and Colonel Medrum with Horse, and Colonel Melve with Four Troops of his Dragoons, to find out the Enemy; they fell in about Eleven at Night at Dorchester, where the King's Life-guard of Foot lay, and the King's Standard, which they knew not of till afterwards.

"If the Soldiers could have been kept from Plundering, they might have done much more; but, there being Four Troops of Horse there, besides the Regiment, and in Danger of having Wallingford cut the Passage between them and us, they only routed most of that Regiment, took the Captain Lieutenant to the Guards, One other Lieutenant, Two of the King's Harbingers, Forty Prisoners, One Hundred and Fifty Horse, One Cornet, which they say was Sir Tho. Aston's.

"The King draws all His Forces, Prince Maurice being come, and Prince Rupert Hourly expected, Brill quit, and marching this Way; so that we are to expect this Night, or Tuesday Night, which we rather conjecture, all the Forces to fall upon us; besides Proclamations sent out, to raise all the Countries from Sixteen to Sixty, which if the Parliament had sent out in that Kind, it would well have strengthened their Army.

"We doubt not but that God, which hath shewed us so many Blessings hitherto, will protect us out of these Storms that threaten us. We that serve you are in a hard Condition, losing all our Fortunes; and those that (fn. 1) are violentest against the Parliament, their Estates protected. If the Army be well paid, it is no Matter; if not, it must break, which I think for the Number is the bravest Army in Christendom. I believe that the Time is thought long that Reading holds yet out. I assure you, it is a very strongly fortified Town, all palisadoed, and strong in Outworks.

"I am very loath to venture the Soldiers upon such Works, being probable that many may be lost in Storming; and now especially it were our great Hazard, the Enemy being so near, and we must be in a Posture to fight; but I doubt not but, by God's Blessings, I shall give you a good Account of this great Business. Sir Wm. Waller doth not come to me, according to my Expectation and Order, though Prince Maurice be come from him, and turned upon me, so that I have now all the King's Forces to deal with, both without and within the Town, without the Assistance which I had Reason to look for.

From before Reading, the 24th April, 1643.

"Your Lordship's humble Servant,
Essex."

Ordered, To communicate this Letter, and Sir John Gell's, and the Queen of Bohemia's, to the House of Commons.

Message to the H. C. for a Conference on this and other Letters.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Doctor Bennett:

To desire a Conference, concerning Letters received from the Queen of Bohemia, the Lord General, and Sir John Gell concerning the Earl of Chesterfeild.

Message from thence; for one about the E. of Chesterfeild.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir John Corbett Baronet:

To desire a Conference, concerning the Earl of Chesterfeild.

and with an Ordinance for Concurrence.

2. To desire their Lordships Concurrence in an Ordinance, concerning the Redeeming of the Captives of Argier. (Here enter it).

Answer returned was:

Answer to the H. C.

That their Lordships will give a present Conference, as is desired; and that their Lordships do agree in the Ordinance now brought up.

Message from thence, that they may communicate a Letter to be sent to Lord Fairfax;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Nicholls:

To desire, at the next Conference, they might communicate to their Lordships a Letter to be sent to the Lord Fairefaix.

and with Commissioners Names for Devon.

2. To desire their Lordships Concurrence, in adding some Names to be Commissioners for the County of Devon.

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to adding of the Names for the Commissioners of the County of Devon; and that their Lordships do agree to the communicating of the Letter to the Lord Fairefaix, at the next Conference.

Commissioners for Devonshire.

Message from the H. C. with an Order for Concurrence.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Earle:

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in an Order concerning Sir Wm. Waller and Sir Arthur Haselrigge.

The said Order was read.

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees with the House of Commons in this Order now read.

Dowager Lady Campden's Petition, for Relief from the Weekly Assessment.

The humble Petition of Eliz. Viscountess Dowager of Campden was read; shewing, "That she was assessed, by the common Assessors in London, at Fifteen Hundred Pounds, for the Twentieth Part of her Personal Estate, which Sum, she offered to make Oath, was far unproportionable to the same: That being refused, she was inforced to have Recourse to this House for Relief, and Privilege as a Peeress of this Realm, to be assessed as others of her Quality were, which was by a free Vote granted unto her; but, before she had put up her Request, she had paid in Twelve Hundred Pounds, partly upon Promises of a Member of either House, that she should not be pressed for more; and, upon Information given her that it would be very well taken if she should of her free Will (notwithstanding the Privilege granted her) pay the other Three Hundred Pounds, she forthwith did the same.

"And Ten Days after, being informed of the great Want of Money to pay the Army, she sent Two Thousand Pounds, a great Part of which she took up at Interest upon Bond, hoping that these great Disbursements would have begot some Regard of her for the future: But it seems to her, that they are rather the Means of further Disquiet and Wrong to her; for now, upon the Weekly Assessment for the Army, she is assessed at Ten Pounds the Week, too heavy a Burthen for her to bear; and therefore she humbly desires Relief of this most Honourable House."

Recommended to the Lord Mayor.

Ordered, That the Speaker shall recommend this Business, from this House, to the Lord Mayor of the City of London, to do his Endeavour to give what Relief may be in this Business.

Heads for the Conference on the E. of Essex's Letter.

The Speaker, at the Conference, is to let the House of Commons know, "That their Lordships do not understand upon what Ground the Lord General makes this Expression in his Letter ["we that serve you are in a hard Condition, losing all our Fortunes; and those that are violentest against the Parliament, their Estates protected"]; their Lordships being conscientious to themselves that they have not refused to join in the Ordinances for the sequestering and seizing of the Estates of Delinquents, &c. and that it is their Lordships Opinion, That the Estates of Delinquents be employed to the Public Charge, and not to particular Persons, which may be inconvenient, because too many will expect the same."

The Messengers sent to the House of Commons return with this Answer:

Answer from the H. C.

That the House of Commons will give a present Conference, as is desired, in the Painted Chamber.

The Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed.

Carr, a Pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Rob't Carr shall have a Pass, to go to Scotland, and back again to London.

Gardner, a Pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Edmond Gardner shall have a Pass, to go to Oxford, and return again to London.

E. of Dungarvan, a Pass.

Ordered, That the [ (fn. 2) Earl of] Dungarvan shall have a Pass, to go to Oxon.

Report of the Conference about the E. of Chesterfield;

The Speaker reported the Effect of this Conference; which was, "To communicate to their Lordships a Letter from Sir John Gell, concerning the bringing up of the Earl of Chesterfeild, which they cannot do with Safety; and they look upon the Earl of Chesterfeild as a Person that was taken in Arms against the Parliament; and they desire that he and the rest of this Nature may be removed with the Consent and Order of both Houses.

and about a Letter to Lord Fairfax.

"2. They presented to their Lordships Consideration a Letter to be sent, from both Houses, to the Lord Fairefaix;" which, being read, was agreed to.

(Here enter it.)

This House took into Consideration the First Part of this Conference, and conceived that it was contrary to the Privilege of this House, because this House hath Power over their own Members, to send for them and dispose of them how they please: Therefore the House appointed these Lords following, to consider of this Particular and others, and draw up what is fit to be communicated to the House of Commons at a Conference, for vindicating the Privilege of this House:

Committee to consider of the Privileges of this House, concerning the Request of the H. C. that the Earl of Chesterfield may be disposed of by Order of both Houses.

Their Lordships, or any Four, to meet on Thursday Morning, by Eight of the Clock.

E. of Portland, Leave to be absent.

Ordered, That the Earl of Portland hath Leave to be absent from this House until Saturday next.

Letter to Lord Fairfax, from both Houses.

"My Lord,

"Your Letters of the 17th of April have been imparted to both Houses of Parliament, who have commanded us to let you know, that they do join with you in their Thanks to God, who hath hitherto preserved you, and those small Forces, from the Power and Violence of such a Multitude of malicious and devouring Enemies, and, by your Means, hath kept some Part of that Country from their Fury and Rapine: They would have you rest assured, that they do very much value your Merit, Industry, and Courage, expressed in so many great Services; and that they cannot manifest it in so plentiful Supplies of Money, Men, and Munition, as they would, and as the Danger, Necessity, and Importance of those Parts do require, which they (fn. 3) desire you to believe not to proceed from any Neglect of that County, which they acknowledge to have contributed as much to the Support of the common Cause as any County in the Kingdom, and have born as great a Burthen of the Public Miseries: The true Reason is, that, in this general Combustion of the Kingdom, the Contributions of most Counties are consumed in their own Defence; and the City hath been so extremely exhausted, that it can hardly support the Lord General's Army, unto which a great Arrear remains unpaid, both for Pay and for Supplies of the Magazine; yet, in this great Difficulty, they have taken Care to assist you, both with Men, Money, and Munition; and have especially recommended it to the Committee of Lords and Commons, both to procure such a Proportion of all as the Affairs and Necessity of the State can afford, and to dispatch them to you with as much Expedition as may be. Your Lordship is desired to tell Sir Thomas Fairefax your Son, and the rest [ (fn. 3) of the] Commanders, that their Courage and Constancy is very much approved by both Houses, who will endeavour to find some Opportunity of a more real and advantageous Expression of the Esteem they have of the Service; and likewise to publish to all the Soldiers, that the Lords and Commons will not forget what they have done and endured for the Public Defence of Religion and of the Kingdom, or omit any Occasion of giving them all due Encouragement to continue their Faithfulness in this Service for the future, and just Recompence for that which is past. Other Particulars shall be communicated to you by your Agent Mr. White. This is all we have now received in Command. We shall add nothing of our own, but our hearty Prayers for the Continuance of God's Protection and Blessing to you, and the affectionate Respects of

Westm. the 25th of April, 1643.

"Your Lordship's Friends and Servants,
Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore.
William Lenthall, Speaker of the Commons House in Parliament."

Ordinance for Collections to be made for Relief of Captives in Algiers.

Upon the humble Petition of Elizabeth Chickley, Susan Robinson, Mary Savage, Katherin Swanton, Mary Taylor, Julian Morris, and Lucie Michell, on the Behalf of themselves and many others, setting forth, "That their Husbands and others were taken by Turkish Pirates, carried to Algier, and there now remain in miserable Captivity, having great Fines imposed on them for their Ransoms; and that the Petitioners have endeavoured (by Sale of their Goods, and Help of their Friends) to raise what Part they can of the said Fines; but, being very poor, and having great Charge of Children, are no ways able to make up the said Fines without some other Relief, so that their said Husbands, with the other Captives and themselves, for Want thereof, are like to perish; for Relief wherein, the Petitioners humbly implore the Aid of this Parliament, as by the said Petition may appear: And whereas the Parliament did heretofore take Course for the setting forth of a Fleet of Ships, for the suppressing of those Pirates, and Deliverance of those poor Captives, which hath not taken that Success which could be wished in respect of the Rebellion in Ireland, and Distempers in this Kingdom, the Safety of both which Kingdoms have inforced the Parliament to employ several Fleets of Ships for the Defence, Preservation, and Safety of His Majesty's Dominions, and clearing the Seas of Pirates and other Enemies to the State nearer Home: It is therefore thought fit, and so Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That Collections be made, in the several Churches, within the City of London and Westm. and the Borough of Southwarke, and the Suburbs and Liberties of the said Cities, of the charitable Benevolences of well-disposed Christians, for and towards the Relief of the said Captives; and the Monies then collected to be returned and paid by the Churchwardens and Collectors into the Hands of the Commissioners of the Navy appointed by both Houses of Parliament, who are to take Care of the Distribution and Employment thereof, for and towards the Redemption of the said Captives; the Lords and Commons not doubting of a free and liberal Contribution of all His Majesty's People to so good and pious a Work, the great Pressures being upon the State at present disabling or not permitting them to afford them any other Relief: The Collection to last Two Months, and to be but Once made in any Parish."

Order to secure the Repayment of Money, &c. advanced for the Support of the Army under Sir W. Waller and Sir Ar. Haselrigg.

"The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, having received Information by Sir Arthur Haselrige, a Member of the House of Commons, that there is great Need of a present Supply, both of Horse and Foot, to be sent to Sir William Waller, the better to enable him to keep the Field, the Enemy being very strong: They do hereby Declare, That all such as shall assist for the promoting the great Work now in Hand, and to that End shall lend to Sir William Waller, or Sir Arthur Hasilrigg, either Horse or Men, fitted and prepared for the War, or Money for the carrying on of the Work, shall not only manifest their being well-affected to the Public, but shall do an acceptable Service to the Kingdom: And further the Lords and Commons do hereby Order and Declare, That what Monies shall be by any disbursed and lent, or other Charges undergone, in this Behalf, upon just Accompt, shall be re-paid out of the Public Stock of the Kingdom, for which they do engage the Public Faith; and likewise the said Lords and Commons do authorize all such Persons as shall be appointed by Sir Arthur Hasilrigg, to receive the Monies, Horse, Arms, and other Provisions as aforesaid, to have full Power and Authority to give Receipts and Certificates for the same."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a, Jovis.