House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 16 September 1643

DIE Sabbati, 16 die Septembris.

PRAYERS.

The Lord Grey of Warke, Speaker of the House this Day.

Withers, broke open Doors at Whitehall.

Upon Information to this House, by the Earl of Pembrooke, "That one Mr. Withers hath broken open some Doors at Whitehall, to search the House:" Hereupon this House Ordered, To send to the House of Commons, to desire them to expedite the Order sent down to them, for Protection of the King's Goods in His Houses; and to desire that the Houses of the King and the Queen may be searched, according to the said Ordinance.

Message to the H. C. that Whitehall may be searched by a Committee of both Houses.

A Message to this Purpose was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Serjeant Glanvile and Mr. Serjeant Fynch:

To desire the House of Commons, that the King's House at Whitehall may be searched by a Lord and Two of the House of Commons, their Lordships resolving that no Goods of Delinquents and Malignants shall be kept there; and that presently a Committee of both Houses may be sent to see it searched.

The Speaker reported the Effect of the Conference Yesterday with the House of Commons; which consisted of Two Parts:

Report of the Conference concerning the Covenant;

1. Was a Draught of a Covenant presented to their Lordships, which was sent from the Kingdom of Scotland; that the House of Commons appointed a Committee to treat with the Scotts Commissioners, about some Particulars which were in Question with them upon the Debate; and the Commissioners and the Committee having agreed upon some Alterations therein, upon reporting the same to the House of Commons, they referred the same to the Assembly of Divines, to receive their Opinions concerning the lawful taking thereof in Point of Conscience; and, upon their Report, the House of Commons have agreed to the same, with the Alterations; and they do now bring it up to their Lordships, and desire Concurrence therein by their Lordships; and that it may be transmitted again to the Assembly, that they may set forth a Declaration, to express the Lawfulness of taking it in Point of Conscience."

The said Covenant was commanded to be read.

Members from Scotland added to the Assembly.

Then it was reported, "That the Desire of the House of Commons was, that their Lordships would please to concur, that the Lord Maitland, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Gillaspie, and Mr. Rob't Melldrum, shall be admitted into the Assembly, to be present there, and to debate upon Occasion."

Agreed to.

Declaration to be published, concerning the Legality of taking the Covenant;

Further they desired, "That it be referred to the Assembly of Divines, to set forth a Declaration, with the Reasons and Grounds that have induced the Assembly to give their Opinions, that this Covenant may be taken in Point of Conscience."

Agreed to.

to treat with the Scots Commissioners about the Manner of taking it.

"Also that it be referred to Committees formerly appointed to treat with the Scotts Commissioners, to treat with them about the Manner of taking the Covenant in both Kingdoms."

Agreed to; and referred to the Committee of this House, to join with the Committee of the House of Commons.

Report of the Conference concerning Letters received from the L. General.

Then was reported "Two Letters received, One from the Lord General;" which was read. (Here enter it.)

"The other from Colonel Massy;" which was read. (Here enter it.)

"Upon Consideration of these Two Letters, the House of Commons have made some Votes, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence; videlicet,

Col. Massey, 1000 l. and to be preferred;

"1. That Colonel Massie shall have One Thousand Pounds bestowed upon him, as a Reward, and an Acknowledgement of his Service, whereof Five Hundred Pounds to be paid in present; and that it be recommended especially to the Committee for Advance of Monies, to take Care that the rest of this Thousand Pounds be paid with all convenient Speed; and that it be recommended to my Lord General, to prefer him to some Place of Honour and Profit."

Agreed to.

Arrears of Gloucester Garrison to be paid;

"2. That the Arrears of the Garrison of Gloucester shall be forthwith paid, upon Accompt made; and that the Monies in Mr. Steven's Hand shall be made Four Thousand Pounds; and that the Officers and Soldiers of that Garrison shall have a Month's Pay bestowed upon them, as a Reward of their Service; and it is referred to the Committee for Advance of Monies, to provide these Monies with all Speed."

Agreed to.

Assistance to Col. Massey;

"3. That it be referred to the Committee for the Safety, to take Order for sending of the Thousand Men, the Troops of Horse, the Pistols, and other Provisions, desired by Colonel Massie's Letter.

Agreed to.

Public Thanksgiving;

"4. That Public Thanksgiving be given, on the next Lords day, in all the Churches of London and Westminster, and the Parishes within the Bills of Mortality."

Ordered, To send to the Lord Mayor of London, and the Justices of the Peace of Westm. to give Directions and Command that the same may be done accordingly:

Letter of Thanks to be sent to the Lord General.

"That a Letter be sent, by both Houses, to my Lord General, acknowledging the great Service he has done, in the conducting of his Army in the difficult March to the Relief of Gloucester."

Agreed, To send a Letter speedily to the Lord General, from both Houses, to give him Thanks, as is above expressed; and that the said Letter be printed and published.

Answer from the H. C. about searching Whitehall.

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

That they have nominated Two Persons of their House, to join with a Lord, to search the King's House at Whitehall presently.

Hereupon this House appointed the Earl of Pembrooke to be a Committee for this House.

Message from thence, for the Earl of Denbigh to command in Warwick, &c.

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

To let their Lordships know, that they have nominated the Earl of Denbigh to command in Chief the Forces of the Counties of Warwicke, Salop, Worcester, and Stafford; and they desire their Lordships Concurrence therein, and that he may be sent down with all convenient Expedition.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House concurs with the House of Commons in appointing the Earl of Denbigh to command in the Four Counties mentioned in the Message, and have referred his speedy Going to himself.

The Covenant.

Ordered, That this House will take the Covenant into Consideration on Monday Morning next.

Ld. General's Letter, that he had relieved Gloucester.

"SIR,

"I will not trouble you with the Particulars of our March; you shall, God willing, hear that more at large hereafter. You may be certified only hereby, that (fn. 1) the First Time the Enemy appeared before us was at Ayno on the Hill, with a very great Body of Horse; which Colonel Middleton faced more than a whole Day, with but Two Regiments, and in Campania, and skirmished very often with them. The Enemy faced us afterwards at Stoe the Ould, with about Four Thousand Horse, and retreated before us Two Days together, without engaging himself more than by small Skirmishes. Upon Tuesday in the Evening, the King's Forces, seeing us approach, raised their Siege from before Glocester, whither it pleased God we came very seasonably, for the Governor had not above Two or Three Barrels of Powder left; yet had he managed his Business with so much Judgement and Courage, that the Enemy, not knowing of such Want, had but small Hopes of attaining their Desires. We now stay here only for the relieving of Gloucester with Victual and other Provisions, of which there is an extraordinary Scarcity. That which I must press you with earnestly at this Time is, First, That there be a sudden Provision of Eight or Ten Thousand Pounds, to be sent to that Garrison, without which there will be an Impossibility of maintaining it this Winter; the Discontent of the inferior Officers and common Soldiers being very great, for Want of their Pay and Arrears, they at this Time justly expecting rather Reward for their good Service, than Want of what is their Due. The Second, That the Thousand Foot, which the Parliament is already engaged by Promise to send, may speedily march thither, without which they will not be able to fetch any Provisions from the Country, but the Enemy will be Master to the very Gates. The Third, That Sir William Waller may be speedily sent down into these Parts, which is the only Means to preserve those Friends you have here; for mine own Army is in such extreme Necessity for Want of Pay (being now in an Enemy's Country, and at this Time within Four or Five Miles of the King's Army, where no Provisions can be had but for ready Money), and so little Hopes I have of a Supply from you, that, unless we can presently fight, I must be immediately necessitated to draw into some other Place, which may be nearer Supplies, and have a more free Intercourse to London.

Tuexbury, Sept. the 10th, 1643.

Your assured Friend,
Essex.

"For the Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till Monday, 10^a a Clock.