House of Lords Journal Volume 11: 27 July 1660

Die Veneris, 27 die Julii.

Prayers, by Mr. Hodges.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Torwood, E. of Oxford's Servant, Privilege.

Upon Information to the House, "That Michaell Torwood Gentleman, a menial Servant to the Earl of Oxford, is arrested, by Mr. Hastings, Under Sheriff of Midd. and Henry Lucas Bailiff, contrary to the Privilege:"

It is Ordered, That the said Michaell Torwood shall be forthwith released; and the said Under Sheriff and Bailiff be sent for as Delinquents, and brought before this House to answer their said Offence; and the Serjeant at Arms to attach them.

E. of Sterling and Levingston.

Ordered, That the Cause between the Earl Sterling and Mr. Levinston be heard, at this Bar, this Day Sevennight.

Sub-committee for Petitions.

Ordered, That the Sub-committee for Petitions do meet every Morning, de Die in Diem, to try Petitions.

L. Purbeck to be bailed.

The Earl of Pembrooke reported from the Committee for Privileges, "That the Opinion of the Committee was, That the King's Counsel be appointed to bring in a Charge against the Lord Viscount Purbecke within a short Time, or else that he be discharged:"

It is Ordered, That he be bailed, giving his own Security of Ten Thousand Pounds for his Appearance. To this Purpose, the Gentleman Usher is to bring him to this Bar To-morrow Morning.

E. of Brecknock introduced.

Upon Information to the House, "That His Majesty hath conferred a Title of Honour upon the Lord Steward, the Marquis of Ormond;" and his Lordship being in the Lobby, the House appointed the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Earl of Bedford, and the Earl of Strafford, with Garter at Arms, to introduct him in the usual Manner. And his Lordship delivering his Patent to the Lord Chancellor, it was read publicly by the Clerk of the Parliament. The said Patent bears Date the 20th Day of July, 12 Car'l. II. and creates his Lordship Baron De Lanthony, and Earl of Brecknock.

Which done, he was brought to his Place and Seat, next below the Earl of Sandwich.

Dr. Smith's Information against the Committee of Leicester.

Ordered, That the Petition of Dr. Smithe, concerning the Committee of Leycester pressing Persons to subscribe the Petition for the Trial of the late King, is referred to the Examination of the Committee for Petitions.

Dingley's Petition.

Ordered, That the Petition of Nic. Dingley, Minister, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Petitions.

Message to H. C. concerning Papers, &c. belonging to some Lords.

Ordered, That a Message be sent down to the House of Commons To-morrow Morning, to put them in Mind of a Message formerly sent to them, concerning Evidences and Writings in the Hands of the Clerk of their House which concern some Peers of this House.

E. of Worcester to have Possession of the Gatehouse.

Ordered, That this House doth declare, that the Gatehouse belonging to Worcester House is comprehended to be Part of Worcester House, whereof the Marquis of Worcester is to have Possession according (fn. 2) to a former Order of this House.

House to be called.

Ordered, That this House shall be called on Tuesday Morning next.

The King present.

The King this Day came to the House; and made a very Gracious Speech, touching His Desire of speedy passing the Bill for Indemnity and Oblivion.

Thanks to His Majesty for His Speech.

Ordered, That the Lord Chamberlain is appointed humbly to move His Majesty from this House, "That He will please to give Order, that His Speech made this Day may be printed;" and that the humble Thanks of this House may be returned from this House for the same.

Message from H. C. about the Bill for Tonnage and Poundage; and to remind the Lords of other Bills, &c.

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

To inform their Lordships, that they have passed the Bill for Tonnage and Poundage.

Also to put their Lordships in Mind of some Business of great Concernment that lies undispatched in this House; videlicet, the Bill for fundamental Liberties, the Bill for confirming of Judicial Proceedings, the Bill of General Pardon and Indemnity, and the Proclamation for putting the Laws in Execution against Priests and Jesuits.

And the House of Commons desire His Majesty may be moved, "That He would be pleased to appoint a Time to give his Royal Assent to it."

King's Speech.

"His Majesty's Gracious Speech to the House of Peers.

"My Lords,

"When I came first hither to you, which was within Two or Three Days after I came to Whitehall, I did with as much Earnestness as I could, both by Myself and the Chancellor, recommend to you and the House of Commons, the speedy Dispatch of the Act of Indemnity, as a necessary Foundation of that Security we all pray for. I did since, by a particular Message to the House of Commons, again press them to hasten that important Work; and did likewise, by a Proclamation, publish to all the Kingdom, That I did with Impatience expect that that Act should be presented to Me for My Assent, as the most reasonable and solid Foundation of that Peace, Happiness, and Security, I hope and pray for, to Myself and all My Dominions. I will not deny it to you, I thought the House of Commons too long about that Work; and therefore, now it is come up to you, I would not have you guilty of the same Delay. I thank God, I have the same Intentions and Resolutions now I am here with you, which I had at Breda; and believe that I owe My being here to God's Blessing upon the Intentions and Resolutions I then expressed to have. I will read to you what I then said:

"And, to the End that the Fear of Punishment may not engage any, conscious to themselves of what is passed, to a Perseverance in Guilt for the future, by opposing the Quiet and Happiness of their Country, in the Restoration both of King, Peers, and People, to their just, ancient, and fundamental Rights; We do, by these Presents, declare, That We do grant a Free and General Pardon, which We are ready upon Demand to pass under Our Great Seal of England, to all Our Subjects, of what Degree or Quality soever, who, within Forty Days after the publishing hereof, shall lay Hold upon this Our Grace and Favour, and shall by any Public Act declare their doing so, and that they return to the Loyalty and Obedience of good Subjects (excepting only such Persons as shall hereafter be excepted by Parliament): Those only excepted, let all Our loving Subjects, how faulty soever, rely upon the Word of a King, solemnly given by this present Declaration, That no Crime whatsoever, committed against Us or Our Royal Father before the Publication of this, shall ever rise in Judgement, or be brought in Question against any of them, to the least Endamagement of them, either in their Lives, Liberties, or Estates, or (as far forth as lies in Our Power) so much as to the Prejudice of their Reputations, by any Reproach or Term of Distinction from the rest of Our best Subjects; We desiring and ordaining, that henceforward all Notes of Discord, Separation, and Difference of Parties, be utterly abolished among all Our Subjects, whom We invite and conjure to a perfect Union among themselves, under Our Protection, for the Re-settlement of Our just Rights and theirs, in a Free Parliament; by which, upon the Word of a King, We will be advised.

"My Lords,

"If you do not join with Me in extinguishing this Fear, which keeps the Hearts of Men awake, and apprehensive of Safety and Security, you keep Me from performing My Promise; which if I had not made, I am persuaded neither I nor you had been now here. I pray, let us not deceive those who brought or permitted us to come together. I knew well there were some Men who could neither forgive themselves, or be forgiven by Us; and I thank you for your Justice towards those, the immediate Murderers of my Father. And, I will deal truly with you, I never thought of excepting any other. I pray think well upon what I have offered, and the Benefit you and I have received from that Offer; and encourage and oblige all other Persons, by not excluding them from the Benefit of this Act. This Mercy and Indulgence is the best Way to bring them to a true Repentance, and to make them more severe to themselves, when they find we are not so to them. It will make them good Subjects to Me, and good Friends and Neighbours to you; and we have then all our End, and you shall find this the securest Expedient to prevent future Mischief. Therefore I do earnestly desire and conjure you, to depart from all particular Animosities and Revenge, or Memory of past Provocations; and that you will pass this Act, without other Exceptions than of those who were immediately guilty of that Murder of My Father. My Lords, I have told you My Opinion, and I hope you will be of the same. If any Persons appear of such dangerous and obstinate Principles, that the Peace of the Kingdom cannot be preserved whilst they have Liberty in it, some other Course may be taken, that they shall not be able to do Hurt; and, I assure you, there is nothing can enable them to do so much Harm, as the deferring the passing this Act.

"I hope I need say nothing of Ireland, and that they alone shall not be without the Benefit of My Mercy. They have shewed much Affection to Me Abroad; and you will have a Care of My Honour, and of what I have promised to them. I do again conjure you, that you will use all Expedition in the Dispatch of this Bill."

E. of Worcester's Order for the Possession of the Gatehouse at Worcester House.

The House was this Day informed, "That one Anne Tisser, who holdeth the Gatehouse at Worcester House, refuseth to deliver the Possession thereof, according to an Order of this House, dated the 20th of June last, for the Delivery-up of the Possession of the whole House unto the Lord Marquis of Worcester."

It is Ordered, by the Lords in Parliament assembled, That the said Anne Tisser, and all claiming from her, shall forthwith, upon Sight hereof, obey the said Order, and deliver the Possession of the said Gatehouse unto the said Lord Marquis, or his Assigns; this House declaring the same to be Part of Worcester House, and so comprehended in the said Order.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 8^a cras.