House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 20 December 1643

DIE Mercurii, 20 die Decembris.

PRAYERS.

Lords present this Day:

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker this Day.

Message from the H. C. for a Conference, about Letters from the L. General.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Peter Wentworth:

1. To desire a Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, so soon as it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, touching some Letters received from the Lord General.

Agreed, To give a present Conference, as is desired.

with an Order;

2. To desire Concurrence in an Order, That none shall be chosen Officers of the City of London as have not taken the Covenant. (Here enter it.)

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House agrees with the House of Commons in this Order.

and with Deputy Lieutenants Names for Kent.

3. To desire Concurrence for the nominating and adding Rob't Scott Esquire, and Mr. John Bix of Bapcheld, to be Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Kent.

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees in the Orders now brought up; and their Lordships, will give a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, as is desired.

Letters and Papers from the L. General.

Next was read a Letter, directed to the Speaker of this House, from the Lord General, wherein were divers other Papers, which were all read. (Here enter them.)

E. of Stamford's Arrears.

The Earl of Stamford presented to this House the Accompt of his Arrears which are due unto him for his Service of the Parliament, which Accompt is now audited, and it appears that much Monies are due unto him; therefore humbly desired, "That their Lordships would think of some Course for paying him those Arrears, whereby his Necessities may be satisfied:" Hereupon this House (fn. 1) Ordered, To recommend the said Accompt to the House of Commons, and to desire that they would take some Course for his Satisfaction.

Message to the H. C. about them.

And to this Purpose a Message was presently sent down to the House of Commons, by Mr. Serjeant Whitfeild and Mr. Serjeant Fynch.

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed.

Report of the Conference on the Letters and Papers from the Lord General.

The Speaker reported, "That, at this Conference, Sir Henry Vane Senior acquainted their Lordships with some Letters which the House of Commons received from the Lord General, being the same which were read this Day in this House; and, upon Consideration of these Letters, the House of Commons have made some Votes, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence."

The Votes were read, as followeth:

Resolutions concerning them.

"1. That the House of Commons doth approve of the Counsel given my Lord General by the Committee for the Safety, in these Letters."

Ordered, That this House agrees with the House of Commons in this Vote.

"2. That my Lord General shall be desired to pursue the Advice given him in these Letters by the Committee of the Safety."

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House agrees to this Vote, with these Alterations; videlicet, "So soon as Forces shall be put into Newport Pannell for the Safety thereof, whereby he may draw up his own Forces to himself to march."

"3. That a Letter shall be written to his Excellency, from both Houses, in Pursuance of the Advice written to him in those Letters by the Committee of the Safety."

Agreed to, with the same Addition made to the former Vote.

"4. That a Letter shall be written, from both Houses, to the Earl of Manchester, in Pursuance of the Advice given to his Lordship by the Committee of the Safety in those Letters."

Agreed to.

"5. That a Letter be written, from both Houses, to the Committee made by the last Ordinance in Hertforshire, to send the Forces presently into Newport Pannell, for the Defence thereof, according to a former Ordinance."

Agreed to.

Committee to draw up Letters to the L. General upon them.

Ordered, That the Earl of Northumb. the Lord Viscount Say & Seale, and the Lord Wharton, or any One of them to be of the Quorum, shall meet this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, with a proportionable Number of the House of Commons, to draw up the Letters according to these Votes.

Message to the H. C. about it, and to sit P. M.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Rich and Mr. Page:

To let them know, that this House agrees to these Votes, with the Alterations; and that their Lordships have appointed a Committee of Three Lords to meet, with a proportionable Number of the House of Commons, this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, to draw the Letters; and that this House intends to sit this Afternoon, at Five of the Clock.

Answer from thence.

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

That they will take the Earl of Stamford's Business into their Consideration, and return an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Clotworthies Cause.

Ordered, That the Clotworthies Cause shall be heard at this Bar this Day Fortnight, at which Time all Parties and Witnesses formerly Ordered shall appear, and attend the said Hearing.

Message from the H. C. about Baron Henden's Assessment.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Walter Erle Knight, and others:

That whereas their Lordships have rated and assessed Mr. Baron Henden at Two Thousand Pounds for the Twentieth Part of his Estate upon the Ordinance, and accordingly he hath been summoned to appear at a certain Day before the Committee at Habberdashers Hall; and he hath made no Appearance before them, neither by himself nor any for him: The House of Commons (in regard he is an Assistant of this House) desires that the said Committee at Habberdashers Hall may have Power to proceed against him, according to the Ordinance.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will send an Answer to this Message by Messengers of their own.

This House thought it fit that some Proof should be made, upon Oath, that it may appear to this House that Mr. Baron Henden was summoned, and did not appear at the Day.

Sibalds and Trott.

Ordered, That the Cause depending in this House between Sibalds and Trott is hereby referred to the due Remedy at Law, and dismissed this House.

Answer from the H. C.

The Messengers return with this Answer from the House of Commons:

That they agree in the Alterations in the Votes sent down, and have appointed a proportionable Number to meet, with the Committee of Lords, at Three of the Clock this Afternoon; and their House will also sit at Five of the Clock.

Committee for the Journal.

Ordered, That the Earl of Kent and the Earl of Bollingbrooke is added to the Committee for the Journal Book.

E. of Essex's Letter, concerning his Instructions from the Committee of Safety, for moving his Army towards Sir William Waller's.

"My Lord,

"I received a Letter from the Committee of Safety the 14th of this Instant, concerning the removing of my Army towards Sir Wm. Waller's Quarters; to which I returned an Answer of the Inconveniences that might follow that Advice (both which Letters I herewith send you). This Day I have received another to the same Purpose (which your Lordship will now receive); and perceiving therein that it is reported Prince Rupert is marching that Way, which that Committee in their great and constant Care to the Public have very affectionately acquainted me with (I apprehending that, if any Thing might befall those Forces with Sir Wm. Waller, I might lie under an undeserved Censure by the common Detractors), I thought it my Duty to acquaint both the Houses with all these Letters, and withall with my Opinion of those Inconveniences that might follow my Removal at this Time; and that the Army cannot now march, having so many commanded Men in Newport, every Company in each Regiment being thereby divided, the Relief whereof I am promised within Five or Six Days to be sent thither: The Newport Men, when they come back, will expect Pay, having been so long without, and done so good Service; and the rest of the Officers also being in so great Want, as your Lordship may perceive by these inclosed, that, if the Forces be taken from hence, it is impossible to secure Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex, from the Enemy, there being a very long Line to keep, and my Lord of Manchester having but Five Hundred Horse here, and most of the Remainder of his Horse being in Lyncolneshire, and the greatest Part of his Foot as yet: And likewise I conceive Sir Wm. Waller cannot be in any great Danger, having the Benefit of so safe a Place as Farnham (now fortified), that the Enemy (especially in this Season of the Year) will not be able to do him Harm; besides, the Addition of Strength I send him is so considerable, being near Six Hundred Horse, and so well commanded, that I hold them able to encounter with a Thousand of the Enemy's. My Lord, I am to crave your Pardon for this long Diversion from your great Affairs by these inclosed Papers; but the Tenderness of my Honour, and my Fidelity to the Parliament, which I value (fn. 2) above my Life, emboldens me to it. My Lord, I am

"Your Lordship's Servant,

St. Albans, Dec. 18, 1643.

"Essex."

Committee of Safety's Letter to the Lord General, to send a Detachment to Sir William Waller at Farnham.

"May it please your Excellency,

"We understood, by your Lordship's Letter the last Night to Sir Phillip Stapilton, that your Excellency had designed Colonel Behr to march with Five Hundred. Horse towards the Relief of Sir Wm. Waller. We conceive his being with Sir Wm. Waller at this Time with so many Horses will be of very great Use to the Public, that we desire your Excellency to hasten him hither with what Speed you possibly may.

"We hear that most of the King's Forces about Toceter are removed Southward, to join with the Lord Hopton; which if your Excellency find to be so, we humbly offer to your most serious Consideration, whether it will not be necessary for your Lordship to remove your Quarters near to Farnham, or to send some Foot speedily thither to Sir Wm. Waller; or otherwise he will not be able to prosecute this great Advantage which he has now gotten, for the King's Forces increase in Hampshire and Sussex, and divers new Regiments are a raising there, which would prove very prejudicial to the Public, unless presently prevented, which we hope your Lordship in your Wisdom will find a Way to remedy; being the Safety of this Place and the whole Kingdom is so much concerned in it. We desire your Lordship's Answer by this Express, that we may frame our Resolutions accordingly; and we remain

"Your Lordship's

"Most affectionate Friends

"and most humble Servants,

"Northumberland.
"Pembrook & Mountgomery.
"Wm. Pierrepoint.
"Art. Hesilrige.
"H. Vane.
"Anth. Nicholls.

"For your Excellency."

L. General's Answer to them.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"Although the Horse are extremely behind for Want of Pay, and want both Horse and Arms, yet I hope to have Five Hundred Horse ready to march upon Saturday Morning, with Colonel Behre, towards Sir Wm. Waller, and for that Purpose have stopped giving him Commission to be Commissary General of the Horse, because he may receive his Directions from Sir Wm. Waller during such Time as I can spare him there. To the Second Part of your Lordships Letter, I have often informed your Lordships, both by Letters and also by Word of Mouth, that I have not One whole Company amongst the Foot, they being divided, Half here, and Half at Newport; and, till that Garrison be furnished, cannot take them away, unless your Lordships Pleasure be to quit Newport and these Parts, which would be of such absolute Ruin to all these Counties, that, unless the Parliament commands it, I dare not give Way into it; and besides, they will be presently in such Want of Pay, that, without there be Order taken for their Pay till the Ordinance begins, I shall hardly be able to keep them together any where, much less to recruit them. When I was last at London, the Foot being drawn into Arms, it was spread amongst them, that the Reason of their drawing into the Field was to take out a Party, to send Sir William Waller; upon which there was a Mutiny amongst them, with a Resolution, that whose Lot soever it should be to march, the rest would oppose it. I hope, now that I have spared so great a Strength of Horse from these Parts, there will be a Care taken for the Supply of Horse and Arms, most of the Horsemen being on Foot, the strongest Troops sent away, and divers of the Counties having not sent in the Numbers of Horse they promised, especially Midd. from whence I have had but Fifty-five of Two Hundred. The Enemy is fortifying near Henly at Greenland, which will be a great Prejudice both to the River and Windsor; but, by reason of my sending of those Horse I shall not be able to do that to them which I intended, I thought fit to acquaint your Lordships with it, lest it should be laid to me hereafter as a Neglect.

"Your Lordships, &c.

St. Albans, Dec. 14. 1643.

"Essex.

"For the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons Committees for the Safety of the Kingdom."

Another Letter from the L. General, about the Payment of his Forces.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"According to your Directions, I have sent your Lordships this Commission, which you will please to send Sir Thomas Fairefax, hoping by this Time he is upon his March that Way, there being hardly Money left to pay a Messenger; for of the last Three and Twenty Thousand Pounds which was sent down, which is now almost Six Weeks agone, the City Forces had the Three Thousand Pounds that was sent down for Recruits, Seven Hundred Pounds for the Garrison of Alisbury, besides the better Part of Two Hundred Pounds more thither since, to make up the Fortnight's Pay; all the Horse and Foot here and at Newport paid compleat for Fourteen Days; a Week's Pay for the Foot at St. Albans, from the Serjeants downward: Yesterday there was a great Mutiny of Three or Four Hundred gathered together, threatening to pillage the Town, but my coming presently dispersed them; otherwise great Mischief would have been done, it being Market-day. I have likewise another Week's Pay for the Foot from Serjeants downward, for To-morrow, which is all the Money that is left, having paid nothing else but what bleeding Necessity compelled me to, of which I am ready to give an Accompt, having not been able to relieve divers, whereof some Captains of my own Regiment, that, through Sickness and Hurts, are ready to perish; and how the other Officers, for Want of Pay, will do, I know not. And the Train of Artillery, who have done real and faithful Service to the State, are grown to that Necessity, as you may perceive by this Petition inclosed, that, if there be not Pay provided for them by the latter End of this Week, both for those, these, and those that come from Newport, I shall never be able to keep them together, without plundering the Country. Colonel Behre is gone with the Horse, though they have been long without Pay; and if the Horse in Sir Wm. Waller's Brigade be paid, and they unpaid, I fear the Issue; though otherwise I never saw Men better contented with so little Pay, as the Horse have generally. My humble Desire is, that if there be no Pay like to come by the latter End of this Week, that I may know, I not being able to stay amongst them to hear the crying Necessity of the hungry Soldiers, &c. I have likewise sent your Lordships Sir William Brereton's Letters, that you may take it into your further Care; I not being (fn. 3) able to spare any out of this Army.

"Your Lordship's, &c.

17 Dec. 1643.

"Essex.

"For the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons Committees for the Safety of the Kingdom."

Committee of Safety's Letter to the Lord General, to move with his Army towards Sir William Waller's.

"May it please your Excellency,

"We have received several Advertisements that Prince Rupert, with Six Thousand Horse and Foot, is on his March from Oxon towards Sir William Waller, so that we doubt, unless some considerable Force, be presently sent to his Assistance, he may be suddenly distressed, and run the Hazard of the Loss of his Brigade, which will endanger Kent and that Association: We therefore humbly offer our Advice to your Excellency, to march forthwith to Windsor, or some other Place near Sir William Waller's Quarters, for the securing him and his Forces from that Power (fn. 4) and Strength which is now drawing thither, under the Command of Prince Rupert. We shall not fail to do our utmost Endeavours for advancing Money for the Payment of your Excellency's Army, and conveying it to the Place which your Excellency shall appoint in your March, so soon as we shall hear from your Excellency; and we further offer it to your Excellency's Consideration, whether you think not fit to send a Dispatch to the Earl of Manchester, to draw up his Forces towards Newport Pagnall, for the securing thereof and the Parts adjacent. These Things are recommended to your Lordship, by

"Your Excellency's

"Most affectionate Friends

"and humble Servants,

"Northumberland.
"Warwick.
"W. Say & Seale.
"Bollingbrooke.
"Denzell Hollis.
"Anth. Nicholl.

Westm. 18th Dec. 1643.

"For the Lord General the Earl of Essex his Excellency: These."

"An Ordinance to disable any Person, within the City of London and Liberties thereof, to be of the Common Council, or in any Office of Trust within the said City, that shall not take the late Solemn League and Covenant.

Ordinance to disable any Person within London, &c. to be of the Common Council, or any Office, that shall not take the Covenant.

"The Lords and Commons, taking into their Consideration, that the Well-government and Peace of the City of London, and the Liberties thereof, doth chiefly depend upon the Faithfulness and Integrity of the Persons that have and bear the Public Offices and Places of Trust therein; and that, in these Times of Trouble, more than ordinary Care is to be taken in the Choice and Election of them, and that their good Affection to the true Protestant Religion, and to the Parliament and Peace of the City and Kingdom, should be openly testified and made known, before they be admitted unto any such Place or Office; and whereas, by the ancient Customs and Usages of the said City, those of the Common Council, and some other Officers of the City, are to be chosen at or about the 21th Day of this Instant December: The Lords and Commons do Ordain and Declare, That no Person shall be elected into any the said Offices, nor shall be capable thereof, nor shall have Voice in any such Election, whose Person hath been imprisoned, or his Estate sequestered, for Malignancy against the Parliament, or that, before his Election or Vote in such Election respectively, shall not have taken the late Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and Defence of Religion, the Honour and Happiness of the King, and the Peace and Safety of the Three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland; and Sir John Wollaston Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the Aldermen in their several Wards, and all other Persons to whom the Election of any the said Officers shall appertain, are hereby required to see this Ordinance duly put in Execution."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 5 ^a post meridiem.

Post meridiem.

PRAYERS.

Lords present this Day:

L. Wharton, Speaker this Day.

Message from the H. C. with the following Letters.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Henry Vane Junior, and others:

To let their Lordships know, that the Committees have drawn up Three Letters, One to be sent to the Lord General from both Houses; the other to the Earl of Manchester; and the other to the Committee of Hartfordshire; which Letters have been approved of by the House of Commons, and they desire their Lordships Concurrence therein.

The said Letters were (fn. 5) severally read, and Agreed to.

The Letters follow:

Letter from both Houses to the E. of Essex, to follow the Instructions he received from the Committee of Safety.

"Our very good Lord,

"We are commanded by both Houses to acquaint your Lordship, That they have received your Letter, dated the 18th present, with the inclosed Copies of Letters between the Committee of Safety and your Excellency; and, having well weighed the Grounds expressed in the Letters from the Committee of Safety to your Lordship, and taking into their Consideration how necessary it is that the Passages be secured where the Forces of the Enemy may break into Surrey, Midd. and Kent, they have thought fit to approve the Advice given to your Lordship by the Committee of the Safety, for the speedy drawing your Lordship's Forces towards Winsor, or those Parts, especially seeing Sir William Waller is now marched towards Arundell with all his Forces, and hath left only a Garrison in Farnham Castle; and that Sir Raph Hopton (as the Houses are informed) hath drawn all the Forces he can make towards Basing; and to the End that the Counties where your Lordship's Army is now quartered may not be exposed to Danger by the breaking in of the Enemies Forces upon your Lordship's marching from thence, the Two Houses have written their Letter (a Copy whereof they send to your Lordship here inclosed) to the Earl of Manchester, in Pursuance of the Advice lately given his Lordship by the Committee of Safety, and the Directions from your Lordship in that Behalf, for to draw up speedily the Forces under his Lordship's Command, for the Security of those Counties: The Houses have likewise sent another Letter (the Copy whereof is here inclosed) unto the Committee of the Militia of Hartfordshire, for the speedy sending into Newport Pannell the Forces intended for that Garrison; and therefore we are from both Houses to desire your Lordship, that (Newport Pannell being secured) your Lordship do pursue the Advice given your Excellency by the Committee of Safety, for the drawing your Forces towards Winsor, or those Parts, which will be (as they conceive) of greatest Security to this City, and the Counties most threatened and subject to Danger. And so we bid your Lordship most heartily farewell, being

"Your Lordship's

"Affectionate Friends and Servants.

"For the Earl of Essex his Excellency."

Letter from both Houses to the E. of Manchester, to march towards Newport Pagnell.

"Our very good Lord,

"We are commanded by the House to send this Dispatch unto your Lordship, in Pursuance of what you have already received from the Committee of the Safety; and likewise we doubt not, from his Excellency, that accordingly your Lordship will with your Forces march towards Newport Pagnall, or such other Place as his Excellency shall judge most convenient for the securing those Parts; which, upon his Removal to oppose the great Forces which are gathering together to break in upon the Coast of Sussex or Surrey, will else be left naked, and give an Inlet to any Attempt of the Enemy for the invading us on that Side: Both being equally mischievous, must be equally provided for; and we doubt not of your Lordship's Readiness to any Thing which may conduce to the Public Good; nor are many Words needful to incite you to it, the very Proposal of it being sufficient. This is all we have in Charge from the Houses; nothing remains but that we are

Dated Westm. 20 December, 1643.

"Your Lordship's

"Most affectionate

"Friends and Servants.

"For the Earl of Manchester."

Letter from both Houses to the Committee of Hertfordshire, for the Forces of that County to do the same.

"Gentlemen,

"We are commanded by both Houses of Parliament to require you forthwith to dispatch such of your Forces to Newport Pagnall as may secure that Garrison, that my Lord General may be enabled to march away Westward, the Enemy having drawn most of his Forces that Way; and thereof the Houses do presume your Care hath been such, that your Forces are already there, or upon their March, they having given you all the Assistance you desired to enable you thereunto, by passing the several Ordinances you presented to them; yet, left there should be any retarding of a Business so much importing the Public Safety, they thought fit to quicken you by this Express; and so, not doubting of your Care herein, we rest

"Yours.

"For the Committee of Hartford."