House of Lords Journal Volume 11: 20 May 1661

DIE Lunæ, 20 die Maii.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS, by Dr. Hodges.

Absent Lords excused.

ORDERED, That the Lord Privy Seal is excused for his Absence this Day, in regard of his ill Health.

ORDERED, That the Earl of Marlborough is excused for his Absence this Day.

Order to prevent Disturbances in the Fens.

ORDERED, That the Order for the quieting the Possession of the Fens, made on Saturday last, be forthwith printed and published.

The House called.

Next, this House was called, beginning at the youngest Baron, and so upward: And it is ORDERED, That such Lords as are absent are to pay Five Shillings apiece to the Poor, unless they be excused. And these Lords following were absent; videlicet,

Message from the King, with the following Letter.

After this, the Lord Chancellor acquainted the House, "That His Majesty hath commanded him to communicate to their Lordships a Letter sent to Him from His Parliament in Scotland, subscribed with their Names." Which this House caused to be read, as followeth; (videlicet,)

Letter from the Parliament of Scotland to the King.

"For the King's Most Sacred and Excellent Majestie.

"Most Sacred Soveraigne,

"The many and great Blessings which this Your Majestie's ancient Kingdome does now enjoy under the Administration of Your Royall Authority, and the Deliverance they have thereby from the Miseries, Bondage, and Tyranny of those Twenty Yeares Troubles, have soe ravished the Spirits of all Your good Subjects with Joy and Admiration, that, in a Sence of their by-past Faylings and present Duties, we are oblidged, in Discharge of our Consciences and Trust, to assure Your Majesty, that this Kingdome doth conceive it their Happynesse, above other Nations, to live under the Government and Protection of soe religious, soe wise, and soe gratious a Prince; and will be zealous that the Returnes of their Duty and Allegeance shall be suitable thereunto; being ready at all Occasions to hazard their Lives and Fortunes in the Maintenance of Your Majestie's Authority and Government in its present Constitution, and in every other Thing that may concerne Your Majestie's Royall Power, Prerogative, and Greatnesse, by which alone the Liberties, Freedome, and just Interest of Your People, can be secured.

"And since Your Majesty hath ben pleased to declare Your Gratious Acceptance of our weake but faithfull Endeavours, which we are oblidged unto in Discharg of that Duty we owe to God and to Your Majestie, and for vindicating the Honor and Justice of that glourious Martyr Your Royall Father, and our Native and Dread Soveraigne, of Blessed Memory; we are thereby encouraged, as Your Great Councell, to represent to Your Majestie, That we conceive it necessary for your owne Honor, and for the Advancement of Your Service, and for securing a firme and lasting Peace to Your People, that Two Hundred Horse and some Foote, for the necessary Garrisons, be kept in Pay; and that, besides these, there be a Militia of some Troopes setled upon considing Persons in the severall Counties of the Kingdome. And it is our humble Desire, That, for the further endearing the Affections of Your People, and for compleating of their Happynesse by Your Confidence in them, Your Majestie may be pleased to order that all the Forces to be made Use of within this Kingdome may consist of Natives; and that all others may be removed.

"And because many of our late Troubles were occasion'd either by the too much Countenance given to disaffected Persons, who imployed the Royall Favours and Crowne Revenues bestowed upon them for keeping up of those Troubles, or by the Unstraightnes of some Publique Ministers; we are confident, Your Majestie will have speciall Regard, in the dispencing of Favours and Trusts, to such as have ben and are faithfull to the Royall Interest; which will be of great Satisfaction to the Generality and Body of this Kingdome, who are soe loyall and affectionate to Your Majestie's Interest, as there is no Reason ether to seare or slatter any who are otherwise disposed.

"And, that Your Majesty may have the more full Accompt of our Actings, and of the Condition of this Kingdome and Your Affaires in it, we have, with the Allowance of Your Comissioner (whose Loyalty, Prudence, and Faithfullnes, in this his Trust, and in a more full and loyall Asserting of the Royall Power then in any Age formerly, doth much more above what we are able recomende him to Your Majestie's speciall Favour), made Choice of the Earle of Glencarne Your Chancellor, and the Earle of Rothes President of Your Councell, who have ben eminently instrumentall in Your Service here, to waite upon Your Majesty; and doe humbly recomende them and their Employment to Your favourable Acceptance; expecting such a Gratious Returne, as may be an Establishment to Your Majestie's Authority and Service, and an Encouragement to all honest Men, and among them to

Edenburgh, the 21 Aprill, 1661.

"Your Majestie's

"Most humble, most faithfull,

"Most obedient,

"Subjects and Servants,

"The Estates of Your Parliament of Scotland."

The King desires Money may be provided for disbanding the English Forces there.

Then the Lord Chancellor declared, "The Reason why His Majesty communicated this Letter to their Lordships was upon this Ground, that that Part of the English Army there which is not disbanded are to be in Pay no longer than the latter End of this Month; and that there is in Arrears to them Thirty Thousand Pounds."

Hereupon it is ORDERED, That the further Debate of this Letter shall be resumed on Friday Morning next. And touching the Arrears; it is ORDERED, That a Conference be had presently with the House of Commons; and to desire them, that, in regard of the Shortness of Time, they would think of some speedy Course to pay the same.

Message to H. C. for a Conference about it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Childe and Doctor Wolrich:

To desire a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, touching something in a Letter sent to the King.

Message from thence, with a Vote for burning the Covenant.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by the Lord Viscount Falkland, &c.

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in a Vote which they have made, for burning of the solemn League and Covenant by the Hand of the Common Hangman; a Copy whereof they have sent up, annexed to the said Vote.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

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

The Paper of the Covenant brought from the House of Commons was read; and this Order was made thereupon; (videlicet,)

Lords Order for burning the Covenant.

"The Lords in Parliament assembled, having considered of a Paper sent unto them from the House of Commons, for burning of an Instrument, or Writing called The Solemne League and Covenant, by the Hand of the Common Hangman, do order, That the Instrument, or Writing, called The Solemne League and Covenant, be burned, by the Hand of the Common Hangman, in The New Pallace at Westminster, in Cheapeside, and before The Old Exchange, on Wednesday the 22th of this Instant May; and that the said Covenant be forthwith taken off the Record in the House of Peers, and in all other Courts and Places where the same is recorded; and that all Copies thereof be taken down out of all Churches, Chapels, and other Public Places, in England and Wales, and the Town of Barwicke upon Tweede, where the same are set up."

ORDERED, That this Order be forthwith printed and published.

Message to H. C. to acquaint them with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Childe and Doctor Wolsley:

To let them know what Order the Lords have made for the burning of the Covenant.

Answer from thence.

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

That they will give a present Conference, as is desired.

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

Hogskinson to attend, about printing the Address.

ORDERED, That Hoskinson the Printer shall be called before this House To-morrow Morning, to be examined who gave him Order and Directions for printing the Vote of both Houses presented to the King.

Lords take the Oath of Allegiance.

ORDERED, That the Lords Committees for Privileges do consider by whom, and in what Manner, the Oath of Allegiance is to be administered; and to report the same to this House.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Martis, videlicet, 21^m diem instantis Maii, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.