|
| Dec. 1/11. |
1. Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia to Sir Thomas Roe. Since I
wrote by this bearer to you, the Princess of Orange has told me of a
match almost concluded between her son and my second niece. The
bearer will tell you my sense of it and how it has been carried;
I pray do in it as he shall desire from me both to the King [of England],
and the Earl of Northumberland, and to both as of yourself. I cannot
see what the King can gain by precipitating this marriage, but only
to give a pledge to the States [of the United Provinces] for his
good behaviour. They seek to get my eldest niece, but that I
hope will not be granted, it is too low for her. Do your best in
this and that which you find for my brother's honour, for I cannot
see he can get any by hastening the match, besides you may think
what interest I have in it, both for my brother's honour, my niece's
good, and my children's. [Two seals with arms and crown. 1 p.] |
| Dec. 1. |
2. Order of the House of Commons that Mr. Sec. Windebank shall
to-morrow morning answer such questions as shall be propounded to
him on several informations delivered in here against him. Meantime he is to have notice of this order. [8 lines.] |
| Dec. 1. |
3. Mr. Glyn's report from the Committee for Inquiry after Papists.
Evidence against Sec. Windebank for releasing priests and Jesuits
under his own warrants, &c. [Printed in the Commons' Journals
ii., 41, and Rushworth's Collect., iv., p. 68. 3 pp.] |
| Dec. 1. |
4. Richard Johnson, keeper of Newgate, to Robert Read. I was
questioned by the House of Commons how and why Peter Curtis,
a priest, Young, a monk, Valentine, a Grey-Friar, and Francis Harris,
a secular priest, were committed to Newgate, and by whose warrant
they were discharged. I answered that I never had in my custody
any of the warrants of commitment or discharge, only I found an
entry in a book that one James kept when he was clerk to the keeper
that Peter Curtis was delivered by warrant from Sir Ralph Windebank, Principal Secretary of State, June 12, 1634, but it was
conceived it was a mistake of the name of Sir Ralph for Sir Francis;
that William Valentine was delivered by warrant from Sec.
Windebank, 12 December 1633; Francis Harris by the like warrant,
4 June 1634; and that Willm. Young was continued prisoner on
the indenture at Michaelmas 1635, which is all I have touching
those four. I answered, too, that since then Henry Morse was
convicted for a priest and reprieved before judgment, and afterwards
discharged by warrant under the King's hand dated 20 June, 13 Car.,
which warrant I left with you and [you] now have it, that the same
Morse and John Goodman were committed by order from the High
Commission, 18 June 1640, and were both discharged by Mr.
Secretary's warrant, 3 July 1640; that John Blake, a Papist, was
committed by Mr. Whitacre, 17 May 1640, for scandalous speeches
against religion, was tried at the King's Bench and stood on the pillory
and fined, and discharged by Mr. Secretary 4 September 1640, which
is all the account I have given. John Browne was committed by
warrant from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir John Lambe, and
Dr. Duck, dated December 5, 1639, and discharged by Mr. Secretary
[Windebank], March 19, 1639[-40], but I gave no account of him.
I only told the committee for this business [to inquire after Recusants]
to whom I also gave the same account, that one James Laurence,
formerly committed for a priest, but never in my custody, was a
prisoner to the House, but at large as he had formerly been, at the
instance of a friend of mine, and I now have him in hold. This is
all the satisfaction I can give you. The warrants and book before
mentioned I was commanded to produce all but those for Browne.
With hearty desires of good success I rest. [Endorsed: "Discharge
of Priests by Windebank." 1 p.] Enclosed, |
|
4. i. Note of Papists discharged out of the New Prison and the
Clink by Sec. Windebank alone, also a list in Read's writing of those so released from the Gate-house and Newgate.
[1 p.] |
Dec. 1.
Covent Garden. |
5. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to his deputy, Matthew
Brodley. I am so confounded here with the orders of the Parliament
House I much fear I shall not make myself understood. I have spent
many hours idly with you, I would give 100l. for one of them now.
The case is thus: the Parliament has undertaken the payment of the
army from the 10th of November, upon which foot I think the horse
and foot stand clear, had I known how to have got in that money you
returned upon me by bills of exchange, which appears to me already to
be 4,840l., I would not have undertaken this business, but I was forced
to hedge in that debt, for so it lay upon me to undergo this new
way of payment, the King having no money to pay it me. Therefore, the case standing thus, we must be both content with it for a
time, I hope it will be but a short one. There is 30,000l. to be sent
down to the army, it will be set forth I think on the 3rd inst. It is
to be distributed to the army by way of lendings, from November
10, but you must remember that this 4,840l. is part of it, for I must
pay it here, and perhaps I may stay 1,000l. more of it if I see it may
be spared. I find by your letters there is advanced by way of
lendings to the foot 7,200l., this must go on the Parliament account;
and therefore you will have some spare money in hand upon the
King's account, which I desire you will reserve in your hands and
deliver to no paymaster under you there except just so much money
as will make up the lendings, they have delivered out already.
[Margin: "The Parliament knows not of these lendings."] For the
sums the Lord General shall resolve to allow by way of lendings to
the horse and foot, as soon as I receive their directions you shall have
them, I expect them to-morrow. The trouble will be that you,
Miviott, Leech, and Henn must begin your account in new books
from November 10, and keep that account apart, for that must be the
Parliament's account, the other the King's. If the paymasters for
the horse have advanced anything by way of lendings to their
troops since 10 November, that must be looked after also, and so
much abated out of what should be allowed, for the Lord [General]
will proportion how much shall be lent to every troop and so much
must be charged to them on the Parliament's account. I am much
afraid I have not made my meaning plain, and therefore desire Talbot
may be sent hither post, and by some discourse I shall be better
able to make him understand all things here. I have written to
him to that purpose, and desire that by him I may understand the
true state of the army from November 10. The danger will be, if
you have paid any warrants since that time, how we shall come off
with them. I desire also a list of the warrants in your hands yet
unpaid. This post I have received no letters from Ripon or York,
which troubles me much. [4 pp.] Enclosed, |
|
5. i. Note of the sums returned on Henn and Miviott. [1 p.] |
Dec. 1.
Office of Ordnance. |
6. Certificate by the Officers of Ordnance specifying the quantity
of gunpowder sold during November and what remains in store.
Issued in November 3 lasts 5 cwt., remains in store in the Tower and
at Portsmouth, 213 lasts 17 cwt. 41 lbs. [2 pp.] |
| Dec. 1. |
7. Thomas Butler to Endymion Porter. Is so much in debt from
borrowing money to supply the wants of himself and family he is in
great distress, and his horse being lame at Hatfield, he knows not
how to get home; prays for assistance and advice. [1 p.] |
Dec. 1.
Burdrop. |
8. Sir William Calley to Richard Harvey. I approve well of the
moneys Mr. Long has called in, and would have the 208l. tendered
to Anne Bowdler, though it be somewhat after the day it was due;
and if it be agreed between them that Sir Edward Wardour shall
receive the money, yet besides having my bond up I would have it
under her hand in writing and not take her bare word that she did
consent thereto; for the other odd 100l. called in and the remainder
of my interest money in your hands, I wish you to keep it till you
hear from me or my son how to dispose of it. You shall be welcome
to Burdrop at Christmas or any time you think fit to come. I conceive it unlikely at present to have my bonds out of the Exchequer
as Lord Cottington and Mr. Lenthall are absent from that court.
I am glad Sir William Beecher is at liberty again. One thing seems
strange, and questionless it was a mistake in you, that the third
brother, Maurice, of the Prince Palatine is gone towards Bannier, and
the Prince himself is still in Denmark instead of France I believe.
Orders household stores. I cannot see how enough treasure should
be raised out of men's fines to pay all his Majesty's debts and fill
his coffers without the delinquency be general. We hear the Bishop
of Lincoln is called to sit in the Higher House, but I give no credit
to it, because you could not have passed by such a remarkable thing.
[Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Dec. 2.
From the Clink. |
9. Thomas Dade, keeper of the Clink, to Robert Read. According to your request Mr. Davison sent you yesterday the names of
those gentlemen committed to his custody and discharged by Mr.
Sec. [Windebank] alone, some out of the New Prison in Maidenlane, of which Davison was keeper—the prison being now
dissolved—and the rest out of the Clink; their names as presented to Parliament, were, viz., out of the New Prison, Harry More
Mr. Tressum [Tresham], now prisoner in the Clink; out of the
Clink, Humfrey Turberville, Waler, Drury, Holmes, Edward More,
a condemned man, and Southworth, a condemned man, now prisoner
in the Gate-house. I thought good to give you further notice that
the Committee insisted most on these two points, that condemned
men were discharged by him alone, and they as well as the rest by
the name of gentlemen only, no mention being made of priests
answerable to their warrants of commitment. Davison was also
questioned of my going abroad, and answered that he thought Mr.
Secretary had business with me that concerned the State, so I hope
Mr. Secretary will answer for me in that point. P.S.—Use the
same diligence in this business at the Gate-house and Newgate, for
he [the Keeper] of Newgate being required to produce his warrants
of releasement, unable to give a good account, said he thought all
the priests that were missing were released by Mr. Secretary.
[Seal with device. 2 pp.] |
Dec. 2.
Westminster. |
Nicholas to the Officers of the Ordnance. The Commissioners for
Saltpetre desired you to send by Friday an exact certificate of all
serviceable powder delivered into his Majesty's stores by Samuel
Cordewell between Nov. 1, 1639, and Nov. 1, 1640, being the fourth
year of his contract. [Copy. ½ p. See Nicholas' Letter Book, Dom.,
James I., vol. ccxix., p. 181.] |
| Dec. 2. |
10. Thomas Butler to Endymion Porter. Understanding you are
very much displeased with me for some words I wrote yesterday, I
am heartily sorry I should write or speak anything to displease
you, therefore beseech you to forgive me what is past, and I shall be
careful of what is to come. My necessity forces me to trouble you
it is so great that unless you commiserate me I cannot clear myself
out of this town, nor yield any comfort to my family when I come
home. [¾ p.] |
| Dec. 3. |
11. Sir Edward Deering's third speech in the House of Commons
on the Canons passed in the late Synod. This morning is designed
for our consideration of the late and former canons, and what the
clergy have miscalled a benevolence; I shall only touch on the
first. The Pope, they say, has a triple crown, and that he may
support it, pretends to a threefold law: the first jus divinum,
episcopacy by Divine right; this he would have you take to be
the crown next his head. Our bishops have in an unlucky time
presented their title to this crown, especially episcopacy by Divine
right. The second is jus humanum, the gift of indulgent princes,
temporal power; this law belongs to his middle crown, also
pleaded for by our prelates in print. These two crowns being
obtained he, the Pope, makes a third himself, and sets it on the top.
This also has its law, jus canonicum, of more use to him if once you
admit it than both the others; so our prelates from the pretended
divinity of episcopacy, and the temporal power granted from our
princes, now obtrude a new canon-law on us. They have charged
the canon upon us to the full, never fearing they should recoil into
a Parliament, they have rammed a prodigious and ungodly oath
into them. The illegality and invalidity of those canons may be
manifested by one shot, viz., what do you call the meeting wherein
they were made? Mr. Speaker, who can frame an argument aright
unless he can tell against what he is to argue? Would you confute
the Convocation House—they are in a holy synod. Will you
argue against their synod—they were the Commissioners? Will
you dispute their commission, they will mingle all power together,
and perhaps answer they were something else we neither know nor
imagined? Unless they own who they were, we may prosecute a
non-concluded argument. I have conferred with some of them,
founders of those canons, but can never meet any of that Assembly
who can answer the first question in the Catechism—what is
your name? The sum of their answers is, they were a convocation
house, or synodical assembly of commissioners. Indeed, a monster
to our laws, a Cerberus to our religion, a strange commission where
no commissioners names are to be found, a strange convocation
that lived when the Parliament was dead; a strange holy synod,
where one part never conferred with the other; but, indeed, they
needed no conference if it be true, quis nescit canones Lambethæ
formari, priusquam in Synodo ventilentur? They have innovated on
us, we may say it is justice and it is lex talionis to innovate on them,
and so I hope we shall shortly do. Meantime my humble motion is that
every member of that meeting who voted the canons come to the Bar of
this House with a canon book in his hand, and unless he can answer
the Catechism, as I called it, in such express terms as this House
think fit, he shall abjure his own issue, and be commanded to give
fire to his own canon. [Printed in "Cooke's Speeches in Parliament,"
ed. 1641, p. 94, and much fuller in Rushworth's Collect., iv., pp. 100
-104. 2 pp.] |
| Dec. 3. |
12. Another copy of the same with some variations. [2½ pp.] |
| [Dec. 3.] |
13. Petition of Henry Burton, late prisoner in Castle Cornet,
Guernsey, to the Commons. Recites the proceedings against him in
the Star Chamber and High Commission for two sermons preached
in his own church, St. Matthew's, Friday-street, London, in November 1636; was censured in the Star Chamber, fined 5,000l., deprived
of his benefice, degraded from all his University and other degrees,
ordered to be set on the pillory, and have both his ears cut off, and
be perpetually imprisoned in Lancaster Castle, whence he was removed
by what extra-judicial order he knows not, to the said Castle of
Guernsey. Prays the House to assign him Mr. Serjeant Atkins, Mr.
Tomlyns, and Mr. Gurdon for counsel, to assist him in the better
manifestation of his grievances in this cause. [Signed: "Henry
Burton," and endorsed: "Mr. Burton's new petition." Printed in
Rushworth's Collect., iv., p. 78. 1 p.] |
Dec. 3.
London. |
14. Certificate of George Fletcher, John Wood, and George
Warren, merchants, of London, trading to Barbary. We laded the
ship Royal Exchange, of London, 400 tons burden, with guns and
other merchandise, to be delivered in the Road of Sophia in Barbary,
to the Emperor of Morocco or his agents, paying freight according to
agreement with Robert Blake on behalf of the Emperor; which
agreement not being performed we desire authority from his
Majesty to sell the said guns and merchandise to our own use in
any place we can. [¾ p.] |
Dec. 3.
Covent Garden. |
15. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to his deputy,
Matthew Brodley. I have sent to Ripon by Goldsbury to-day
25,000l., 10,000l. of which is to be delivered to the Commissioners
for the counties under contribution; the rest is for the army. Out
of this I have paid your bills of exchange, whereof you must stand
charged; they come to 4,840l. Before you can receive this money
you shall have instructions how to dispose of it to the army. [Seal
with crest. 1 p.] |
Dec. 3.
Wakefield Lodge. |
16. Thomas Beale, lieutenant of Whittlewood Forest, co. Northampton, to [Spencer Earl of Northampton, master of the game in the said
forest]. We are assaulted on every side of the forest by deer stealers
or purlieu men, who will destroy the game if your Lordship continue
silent one half year more. I do not mean all purlieu men, but some
who have in these 12 months got their purlieus made free-warren,
and prohibit our pages or any of us irom coming therein to re-chase
the King's deer, on pain of 5l. or 10l. fine for each trespass as their
patent runs; so we cannot hunt our deer as we used to make them
keep within the forest bounds, nor know half the deer they daily
kill. Yet of deer lately killed which we could take notice of in
Lord Spencer's purlieus, and the forest adjoining, by Parson Shyrt,
John Symonds and his son, Robert Dewhurst, Anthony Gibbes, and
the rest of the inhabitants of Wicken, and Sir Edward Tyrrell, and
his company, who seldom hunt apart, I enclose a particular, by
which you may partly see the mischief done to Hanger Walk and
Wakefield in the last six weeks by not sparing unseasonable deer,
and at unseasonable times, with such violence, too, that a doe killed
by their dogs which fell in the forest was wrested out of the hands
of the page's son by the two Symonds. If you sit down under this
his Majesty's officers will shortly compass their ends concerning this
forest, which I conceive, by their large grants of free-warren, is to
destroy the game, that the King may have no pleasure here,
and be more willing to sell it. Describes more abuses by deer
stealers. If you please to confer with the King's Attorney I believe
he will question these common deer steelers in the Star Chamber,
though some of them suppose their offences will be pardoned by
this Parliament. Good my Lord, be urgent in maintaining your
own rights in the trust you have here under the King, which has
been too much trenched upon by the Earl of Holland by appointing
a steward without your consent, and granting a warrant to hawk
all the forest over, both which the former masters of the game here
had entirely to themselves; and now lastly by making the ancient
purlieus free-warren, though Sir Charles Harbord, by certificate from
me and divers letters since, had timely notice with sufficient
reasons to prevent it. And for your fee-wood, and that of your
rangers and lieutenant which by the Surveyor General, Sir Charles
Harbord's, too good husbandry for the King, has been these three
years suspended, I think it a fitting time now for you to get your
right thereto re-established, as it was always formerly duly paid to
to you and the former masters of the game. P.S.—Sir Edward
Tyrrell, presuming, I think, on the power of his brother, Windebank,
never begins his chase in his own purlieus, if he has any, but in
Lord Spencer's, and is so greedy after flesh he kills carrion or
unseasonable deer. [3 pp.] |
| Dec. 4. |
17. Minute of a warrant for the commitment of Sir John Jennings
to the Fleet. [Docquet.] |
| Dec. 4. |
18. Memorial by Sir John Lambe of what was agreed at the
Queen's Council held [at Denmark House] under date, about
tenements and rents at Scalby, co. York. [¼ p.] |
| [Dec. 4.] |
19. [Speech by Robert Read in the House of Commons in answer
to the charge against Sec. Windebank and himself.] I know I shall
come upon a huge disadvantage to answer this charge, enforced
with such confidence by this man. I know, too, with whom I have
to deal, one that has craft enough ex-officio. But I hope to prove
him not his craft's master in this, and that part of this charge is
merely fantastic, part most maliciously scandalous. The offer of
the composition is that which most nearly touches Mr. Secretary
[Windebank] and myself, and 'tis that too, I dare say, that renders
the whole business more odious to this honourable Assembly. That
no such offer was made by us, but that such an offer made by him
was scorned by us, is my part to prove, and I shall do it fully. To
prove that such an offer was made by us is his part, and I believe
he will find it hard. The party he alleges to have made such an
offer is so mere a stranger to me that to this hour I never saw
his face. But whatever he be that has made any offer in Mr.
Secretary's name or mine he shall have his thanks for it that he is
in the practice against us. These generals I thought fit to represent
to this honourable House, which, though I cannot expect they can
altogether dis-deceive them, yet I hope they may serve to suspend
their judgments till they shall have heard my answer; which is my
most humble desire. [Endorsed: "Mr. Sec. Windebank." Draft
in Read's handwriting. 1½ p.] |
Dec. 4.
York. |
20. Sir John Conyers to [Edward Viscount Conway]. The last
I received from you was to remove my regiment from Wakefield,
which had been done ere now had money come; and that we are
not to expect this 10 or 12 days. I have since informed you that
his Excellency [the Lord General] intends we shall all or most of us
remove if the truce be prolonged; and I beseech you then let me
have a direct order what troops shall remove and what stay. But,
as I have said, money must be first here to pay all scores. I
now send his Excellency a list of the quarters we now lodge in;
the like I send you enclosed, and desire to know how to dispose
of Captain Barry's troop, where he shall march, and where lodge.
Sir Jacob Ashley tells me the Eoman Catholics are all to be
discharged by the 8th of next month, and he has notice to inform
of them. I beseech you let me hear from you. [1½ p.]
Enclosed, |
|
20. i. List of the quarters of the regiments in Yorkshire. [1 p.] |
Dec. 4.
Covent Garden. |
21. Sir William Uvedale to Matthew Brodley. I have sent you
by my fellow Harrison 24,000l., there is also 10,000l. of the money
to be delivered to the Commissioners of the northern counties, the
rest is for the army. I purpose to despatch a post to you that will
be with you before this messenger. [Seal with crest. 1 p.] |
| Dec. 4. |
22. Deposition of Henry Horsfield, of Halifax, co. York, on oath
before Robert Rich, J.P., concerning the importation of fuller's-earth to
Hull. About 18 November last deponent being at Hull had information by one William Hodgson that John Holmes had brought a
good quantity of fuller's-earth, and delivered it on shore to one
Henry Holmes, of Hull, belonging to his Majesty's custom-house
there, who there offered it for sale, promising Hodgson 10s. to provide
him a chapman; but by what licence the earth was wafted thither
deponent knows not yet, but Holmes promised to bring more, that
being sold, when they pleased. About the same time a quantity of
fuller's-earth was at' Hull offered in barter with a clothier for
kersies, by Richard Wran, hall keeper there. But whether it was
the earth imported^by Holmes, or any other secretly brought thither,
deponent cannot learn. By this means deponent cannot dispose of
the quantity of earth he has been licensed to bring to the said
county [of York]. [Endorsed: "John Holmes is now loaded with
lead from Hull, and lies about Porter's Quay." ½ p.] |
Dec. 5.
Westminster. |
Nicholas to the Officers of the Ordnance The certificates of the 1st
and 3rd of December crossed each other, for in the one Mr. Cordewell
was stated to have brought in his full proportion of powder for the
month of August, and in the other that the proportion for August
was wanting. The Commissioners desire to be certified from you
for how many and which months Mr. Cordewell has delivered in his
monthly proportion of gunpowder for the fourth year of his contract.
Send back both these certificates. [Copy. 1 p. Nicholas' Letter
Book, Dom., James I., vol. ccxix., p. 181.] |
| [Dec. 5.] |
23. Henry Elsyng, clerk of the Parliaments, to Robert Reade. I
have been several times to-day to wait on you from his Grace of
Canterbury, who desires to see Mr. Sparkes' petition to the House of
Commons against Dr. Cousins, which you have among those papers
you received of me. I entreat you either to deliver it to Mr. Dell,
or to appoint him a time for me to wait upon Mr. Secretary
[Windebank] or you for it. I should also look at my journal to
satisfy his Grace in some particulars concerning Dr. Beale what time
you shall appoint, if you will let me understand it by Mr. Dell.
[1 p.] |
Dec. 6.
Whitehall. |
24. Order of the King in Council. Whereas Thomas Ball, Thomas
Pentlowe, John Gifford, Thomas Martin, John Spicer, John Friend,
Peter Whalley, Edward Arnold, Edward Pickering, Henry Collins,
John Ward, John Eakins, and Thomas West were in May last
convented before the Board for their carriage in the election in April
of knights of the shire for co. Northampton for the ensuing Parliament,
tending, as was then conceived, to the prejudice of the deputylieutenants, they having cried out "no deputy-lieutenant," and made
that an exception in the minds of the people, to the great hindrance
of the levy of soldiers then in hand; and after being examined by
the Attorney General were dismissed on entering bond to answer
any information brought against them on his Majesty's behalf in
any court of justice: this day his Majesty in Council was
acquainted by Mr. Nicholas, clerk of the Council, that the said
parties desired to have their bonds delivered up, that no further
prosecution might be taken against them. His Majesty considering thereof, and having heard his Attorney General, who took the
said examinations, was pleased to make this favourable construction, that the words mentioned were not spoken against the office
of a deputy-lieutenant but to distinguish the other gentleman to
whom they then gave their voice, who was not a deputy-lieutenant,
and with the advice of the Board ordered their bonds to be delivered
to them, and that they should be discharged from any proceeding
that was to be had against them touching the matter aforesaid.
[2 pp.] |
Dec. 6/16.
Calais. |
25. Robert Reade to his cousin [Thos. Windebank.] Thursday
night last [Dec. 3] I wrote to you from Queenborough, where we
lay on board all night. In the morning early we put forth, but
from an extreme calm got no further than Margate Roads that
night. Saturday morning we were very leisurely conveyed to Deal,
where the ship anchored, and finding her very unfit for our turns
because so unwieldy in this calm, we got a little cockboat of Deal
to waft us hither; but the night proved so dark we could not
find this town, and the next morning the fog grew so great we
had very much ado to find the passage into this place. This
Mr. Secretary [Windebank] has passed very well, having been sick
only one hour last night at sea, but of other things you will imagine
he is most sensible. If possible we shall go towards Paris to-morrow.
We should be extremely glad to hear what are like to be the proceedings concerning him, and though my own particular in this time
be of least consideration to me, yet you will oblige me infinitely
to let me know whether anything is spoken of concerning me that
may reflect so deeply upon me as to question my poor fortune;
for although I call God to witness I am not guilty of the least
corruption or dishonesty, yet I believe I may run hazard, and in such
a case it were fit to provide for the best. P.S.—Methinks by the
dexterity of our friends with you some way might be found to
accommodate these grievous businesses and so to bring us together
again. Consider it and advise with some friends about it; by my
next I will say my opinion more fully. [Seal with arms and crest.
2 pp.] |
| Dec. 7. |
26. Resolutions condemning ship-money passed by the House of
Commons on the report of the Committee for Ship-money. [Endorsed
by Nicholas: "Ship-money condemned by vote in the House of Commons." Printed in the Commons' Journal, ii., p. 46. ¾ p.] |
| Dec. 7. |
27. Another copy of the same [1 p.] |
| Dec. 7. |
28. Lord Falkland's speech in the House of Commons against the
decision of the judges in the case of ship-money. I rejoice very much
to see this day, yet truly mine opinion is we have yet done nothing
if we do no more. I will first desire the forgiveness of the House if
in aught I say I seem to entrench on another profession and enter on
the work of another robe, since I have been intrusted by the report
of a learned Committee, and confirmed by the uncontradicted rule
of the whole House; since I shall say nothing of this kind but in
order to somewhat further; and since I am confident, history alone is
enough to show this judgment [in Hampden's ship-money case]
contrary to our laws, and logic alone sufficient to prove it destructive to our propriety, which every free and noble person values no
less than his possessions. I will not profess I know of myself, and
all who know me know it of me, that my natural disposition is far
from inclining to severity, much less to cruelty; that I have no
particular provocations from their persons, and have particular
obligations to their calling against whom I am to speak; and
that only public interest has extorted from me that which I would
not say, if I conceived it not both so true and so necessary, that no
meat undigested can lie heavier on the stomach than this unsaid
would have lain on my conscience. Lord Falkland then proceeds
to expound the bearing of the case and the grounds which rendered
the decision of the judges illegal. They have delivered an opinion
and a judgment, the first in an extrajudicial manner, and both upon
an extrajudicial matter, that is such as came not within their cognizance, they being judges and neither philosophers nor politicians, in
which when it is so absolute and evident the law of the land ceases
and that of general reason and equity, by which particular laws at
first were framed, returns to her throne and Government, where
salus populi becomes not only suprema but sola lex. This argument
gradually leads up to the conclusion that the Lord Keeper Finch is
the chief transgressor. It is, therefore, my humble motion that we
choose a select Committee to draw up his and their [the judges] charge
and to examine their carriage in this particular, to make use of it in
the charge; and if he who thought tampering with witnesses in a
private case worthy of so severe a fine should be found guilty of
tampering with judges against the public security; if he shall be found
to have gone before the rest to this judgment, and to have gone
beyond them in it; that in punishment for it the justice of this House
may not deny him the due honour both to precede and exceed the rest.
[Printed in "Cooke's Speeches in Parliament," ed. 1641, pp. 336-341.
and in Rushworth iv., pp. 86-88. 8¼ pp.] |
| Dec. 7. |
29. Thomas Williams to [Endymion Porter]. Protests his
gratitude for past favours. Has sent an Oxford cake by bearer,
his cousin, from which if it prove good let Captain Porter have one
toast in a cup of Muscadine. Entreats his cousin may have his
petition signed, for which alone he stays; for his adversaries wish
to crush him and already give out that next term they will pay
him. [½ p.] |
Dec. 7.
Glympton. |
30. W. Wheate to Dr. [Richard] Bailey, dean of Salisbury, his
brother-in-law. I am heartily vexed at the gross foolery of these
Chester men; their proceedings are absolutely without any privity
of mine, and I hope so of my father Stone. They had not cause to
complain of his Grace of Canterbury unless it were for his favour
in helping them out of those briars; and it is most absurd in them
to mention any of those particulars which I and my father Stone
did act, and for mentioning whereof we now must inevitably incur
his Grace's hard censure. I pray you confer with my father hereof and plead for us as you find just cause, and if you intimate it
requisite for me to come up and justify any particular I shall do
it most readily. I am sorry things have been so ill-carried
concerning our friend Mr. Warner. His wife is better and they
send their love [Dorso, in Laud's handwriting: "Mr. Wheate's
letter about the Chester men." Seal with arms broken. 2/3 p.] |
Dec. 8.
York. |
31. Sir John Conyers to [Edward Viscount Conway]. Last
night I again received order from his Excellency [the Lord General]
to remove the horse to other quarters in and about Marchland;
but the troops being a month's pay behindhand and having got
credit in their quarters according to his Excellency's orders, it
would be a great inconvenience to the country to go hence and
leave their scores unpaid. I have, therefore, stayed them here till
his Excellency's further order and fear I shall be chidden for it, though
I think I have not done amiss. I have also desired in this now and
in my last to know who shall remove and who stay, for some have
been in these quarters but awhile, and the Tees ought to be guarded
and Stockton Castle not abandoned. This his Excellency said in
one of his last, but gives me no direct order in it. His Excellency
writes also that the Parliament and the King have resolved to
cashier the Popish officers, and that next pay-day it shall be put in
execution, but gives me no order who shall be discharged nor who
shall do it; this day is the pay-day his Excellency meant but there
is no money to pay them. He writes also to cause 20,000l. to be
conveyed to Croft Bridge for the Scotch army and that it must be done
by a discreet captain; here are but three in all, of whom Vaughan, a
Papist, is one and he will now be discharged. I will take order in that
and Jack Minee [Captain John Mennes ?] shall be the man. I have
sent Sir Foulke Huncks towards Dykemarsh and Marchland to
inform himself of those places and mark out our quarters, that we
may with the more speed remove on his Excellency's order. I
believe you were glad to be gone hence when here was much
business, for [my part] I am very weary of this place now there is but
little to do. I am of opinion the business will not last long with us
here, nor with me elsewhere. [2 pp.] |
Dec. 8.
Covent Garden. |
32. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to his deputy,
Matthew Brodley. There is 50,000l. now upon the way, 30,000l. of
it is for the army, the other 20,000l. is for the relief of the northern
counties, you must take care it is delivered to the Commissioners
for the northern counties at Ripon, whither indeed all your moneys
are to come according to your own directions. This 30,000l. must
be distributed to the horse and foot by the way of lendings, but you
must remember that all you have lent already must be part of it;
your bills of exchange are paid out of it and whatever you have
advanced to the army more than those bills must be reserved by you
to pay some arrears of the King's army unto November 10, and
when I know what remains I will give you directions how to dispose
of it. The case is altered with us now again, for the Parliament is
contented that the Lord General shall have the disposing of the
moneys as he formerly had, and I enclose a list signed by him
how the moneys are to be disposed of. You know the Scotch and
English reformados are to be cashiered, and certainly if you cannot
get money from the Lord Mayor of York, they will expect to be
paid to the very day on which you pay them off, and I know not
well how it can be avoided. Deliver over the 20,000l. to the
Commissioners for the northern counties as speedily as you can, for
they pretend their countries are plundered for want of it. I have
sent you copies of the Lords' letter to the Commissioners, of the
Parliament's orders, and of an acquittance by which you may see
the substance. I have sent also a bill for 100l. which I have paid
here to Sir William Allenson directed to his lady, it is to be paid
at sight, and was done upon much importunity. I send also
another bill drawn from me by the like importunity which is for
14 days' pay that I have advanced to Captain Porter; pray take
care I lose it not. Golsbury brings with him 25,000l. with his
bills of exchange, and Harrison 24,000l., only somewhat for his
charge is deducted; the other 1,000l., making up Harrison's 25,000l.,
I have stayed here for bills of exchange and portage money
300l. of it must be paid to Sir John Conyers and 100l. to Sir
William Allenson. I have sent also a warrant for Talbot to come
post; if you think needful send him, for by that means we may
clearly understand one another. P.S.—I have sent you a letter
of Miviott's by which you may see what has been advanced to the
troops under his charge. It is not intended by these directions
that you should advance these sums to every regiment out of the
money sent down, but that you should make up the sums formerly
advanced to these sums, otherwise your bills of exchange cannot
be paid. Lieutenant-Colonel Price desires you to receive his
entertainment for him and pay none of it to his lieutenant and
when you have it I will pay it him here. More money will be
sent shortly, when you shall have at least order to clear the army
one month. [4 pp.] |
| Dec. 8. |
33. Certificate by the Officers of the Ordnance of the gunpowder
delivered into his Majesty's stores by Mr. Cordewell, his Majesty's
gunpowder-maker, from 1 November 1636 to 8 December 1640. From
November 1636 to November 1637 he delivered in 240 lasts; from
November 1637 to November 1638, 200 lasts, or 40 lasts less
than the quantity contracted for per annum; from November 1638 to
November 1639, 240 lasts; and from November 1639 to November
1640, 214 lasts, or 26 lasts less than the contracted amount, which
is still deficient for this year. [22/3 pp.] |
| Dec. 8. |
34. Deposition on oath of William Hurman before John Page, that
having examined the yearly value of the inheritance of Thomas
Lord Arundel of Wardour in cos. Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall at
his direction, he conceives that if the said inheritance were now sold
it would not yield 3,500l. [½ p.] Annexed, |
|
34. i. Deposition on oath of John Ellis before the same, that
Thomas late Lord Arundel of Wardour, deceased, had
divers children, who, together with their issue, are above 20
persons now living. [¼ p.] |
| Dec. 8. |
35. Certificate of Thomas Sheppard, J.P. for Middlesex, that Sir
Thomas Aston, Knight and Baronet, has this day taken the Oath of
Allegiance before him. [Seal with arms damaged. ½ p.] |
| Dec. 9. |
36. Order of the House of Commons. That Sir George Ratcliffe,
now in the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms attending the House, be
by the Speaker's warrant committed to the Gate-house and be kept
there in safe custody during the House's pleasure, there being an
information of high treason against him; no man to speak with him
but in the presence and hearing of the Keeper of the Gate-house.
[1 p.] |
Dec. 9.
Office of Ordnance. |
37. Certificate of the Officers of the Ordnance to the Commissioners for Saltpetre and Gunpowder. That Mr. Samuel
Cordewell, gunpowder-maker to his Majesty, has in the year
November 1639 to November 1640 delivered into his Majesty's
magazine only 200 lasts of powder, being 40 lasts short of the yearly
quantity he contracted to supply. [1 p.] |
Dec. 9.
Covent Garden. |
38. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to Matthew Brodley,
his deputy. I have sent you by Lord Crawford a list signed by the
Lord General for payment of the Scotch reformados. I have also
advanced him 100l., which you must defalk out of his pay; I could
not avoid it for they had no money to carry them down. I much fear
they [the reformados] will expect their pay to the very day on
which they are paid off, and if so you must advise with Sir John
Conyers or Sir Jacob Ashley, who must grant you a warrant to do
it. Deliver the 20,000l. for the northern counties to their [the
Scotch] Commissioners at Ripon as soon as may be. [Seal with
crest broken. 1 p.] |
| Dec. 9. |
39. Receipt by Matthew Brodley for 1,000l. received of Thomas
Hodgson, alderman of York, for the use of Sir William Uvedale in
paying the army; to be repaid by Sir William within 10 days after
sight hereof. [½ p.] Dorso, |
|
39. i. Received the above 1,000l. from Sir William Uvedale for
the use of Alderman Hodgson, of York. Thomas Dickson
Dec. 19, 1640. [4 lines.] |
| Dec 9. |
40. The like for 350l. received from Sir John Conyers. [½ p.] |
| Dec. 9. |
41. The like for 300l. received from Thos. Hewley, draper, of
York. [½ p.] Dorso, |
|
41. i. Received the above William Lester, servant to Mr. Tempest
Milner, draper, of the Red Lion, Watling-street. December 22, 1640. [4 lines.] |
| Dec. 9. |
42. The like for 200l. received from William Loupe, clerk in
Mr. Brookes' office in the Exchequer. [½ p.] |
| Dec. 9. |
43. The like for 200l. recieved from Robert Hemsworth, alderman
of York. [½ p.] |
| Dec. 9. |
44. Certificate by Sir Edward Wardour, J.P. for Middlesex, that
Henry Skipwith, son of Sir Henry Skipwith, has now taken the
Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy before him. [½ p.] |
| Dec. 10. |
45. Petition of Edmund Craddock to the House of Commons.
Petitioner being one of the church-wardens for St. Martin's Parish, in
Leicester, for the year 1633, was, on discharge of his office in 1634,
cited to appear in the spiritual court held at [Market] Harborough
before Sir John Lambe, commissary to the Ordinary of the diocese,
and Mr. Reginald Burden, his surrogate; where several articles were
exhibited against petitioner about pretended misdemeanours in the
execution of the said office, to the following effect: 1. That he
refused on Mr. Burden's command to remove one Jacob Bothomley
an excommunicated person, out of St. Martin's Church during
Divine Service. 2. That he did or might know that divers of the
parishioners during the time he was church-warden omitted to stand
up at the rehearsal of the Creed, to bow at the name of Jesus, to
kneel at public prayers, or to sit uncovered at the time of Divine
Service [marginal note: "These four offences he was bound by law
present"], yet he omitted to present any person so offending to
the Ordinary at his visitation; with divers other articles of the like
nature. Petitioner having appeared on the citation was examined,
and by order of the court was adjourned to appear again at a
certain day appointed by the said judges; and so from one day to
another his appearance was adjourned 30 several times, so he was
forced on every adjournment to repair to Harborough and back,
a distance of 12 miles from Leicester, and was kept in continual
attendance thereupon from June 1634 till December 1635; and at
length for want of appearance in the said court he was by Sir John
Lambe and Mr. Burden excommunicated, nor could he be absolved
till he had by the taxation of the surrogate of the court paid
5l. 10s. to the proctor that prosecuted him ex-officio. Petitioner
desires this Assembly to take this case into their consideration, that
poor subjects may be eased from the insupportable burthen they
undergo by the abusive proceedings of ecclesiastical courts in this
and many other cases of like nature. [Copy. Endorsed by Sir
John Lambe: "R. 10 Dec. 1640," but Craddock's petition was not
referred to the Committee for scandalous ministers till 29 June
1641. The marginal notes are by Sir John Lambe. 14 pp.]
Annexed, |
|
45. i. Form of acknowledgment enjoined on Edmund Craddock,
of St. Martin's Parish, Leicester. 19 Sept. 1636. |
|
45. ii. Certificate that Edmund Craddock performed his acknowledgment in the vestry of St. Martin's, Leicester, Oct. 9,
1636. [1½ p.] |
| [Dec. 10.] |
46. Petition of Jacob Bothomley to the same. Petitioner being
apprentice to his father, late of Leicester, did, in 1634, by his
command, repeat to him the notes he had taken of a sermon
preached at St. Martin's Church, Leicester, on a Lord's day in that
year. For so doing petitioner was cited to appear in the spiritual
court before Sir John Lambe, commissary to the bishop of that
diocese, and Mr. Reginald Burden, the surrogate, and for his
pretended offences he was by them enjoined in St. Martin's,
Leicester, in time of Divine Service, to make his public acknowledgment hereto annexed. Petitioner refusing to perform this order
they decreed excommunication with an inhibition, thereby not only
pronouncing petitioner excommunicate, but in the public congregation inhibiting all persons to buy or sell, eat or drink, or have any
commerce with him. So he was forced to give up his trade in
Leicester, and seek a livelihood elsewhere, notwithstanding his
earnest petition to Sir John Lambe in London for absolution. He
continued excommunicate for six years, till the issuing of the writs
for this Parliament, when he was absolved. He humbly offers his
cause to the consideration of this House, and craves such redress as
shall be thought meet. [Copy, with marginal notes and queries by
Sir John Lambe on petitioner's statements. 1¼ p.] Annexed, |
|
46. i. An order of acknowledgment enjoined on Jacob Bothomley,
of All Saints' Parish, Leicester, to be performed as follows:—
[Marginal note by Lambe: "Did he not submit at his
absolution, and promise or consent to perform this penance ?"]. He is next Sunday at evening prayer to come
into St. Martin's, Leicester, and stand as the minister shall
appoint where he may be best seen and heard by the congregation, and penitently to repeat this confession in an
audible voice after the minister, "Good people, whereas I,
not having the fear of God before mine eyes, nor respecting
my soul's health, have wilfully and stubbornly broken the
King's Majesty's laws which in conscience I ought to have
obeyed, by taking upon me" [marginal note: 'Sir, to my
best remembrance the words within inverted commas
which I have under-scored were put out of his acknowledgment, and then he consented to do it'], having no
authority or lawful calling hereunto, to expound the
Word of God by repeating sermons, and performing or
rather profaning other parts of God's Divine Service in
public, delivered by me in private meetings and before
persons excommunicate, contrary to the laws and lawful
commands of my ordinary, thereby breaking the godly
peace and unity of the church, and giving scandal to
religious and sober-minded persons. I do, therefore, being
enjoined by my ordinary, humbly acknowledge my offence
and am heartily sorry for it, and do from my heart
acknowledge that all the King's Majesty's laws ecclesiastical are agreeable to the Word of God, and that I will
hereafter conscionably and faithfully observe the same, and
live in due obedience of his Majesty's laws and the lawful
commands of my ordinary and superiors, and never
offend again in this kind. And I desire you all here present
to be satisfied with this my submission and acknowledgment, and to pray with me, and for me in this form of
prayer, Our Father which art, &c." [Copy. 1¼ p.] |
| Dec. 10. |
47. Another copy of the same. [Endorsed by Sir John Lambe:
"Copy of Jacob Bothomley's petition, R. December 10, 1640." 2 pp.] |
| [Dec. 11.] |
48. A political squib written upon the presentation of the City's
petition against Bishops to the House of Commons, entitled, "Alderman Woolestone's [John Wollarton's ?] speech upon that discreet
petition against Bishops and Church Government, subscribed by him
and Alderman Warner, together with some 5,000 ingenious and
understanding craftsmen; and by them without fear or witting
faint-heartedness presented to the House of Commons." It is a
pungent doggerel poem of 150 lines, beginning—
"To you, grave Speaker, and the rest beside
Grace from above and peace be multiplied,"
and then proceeding to rail against bishops and episcopacy in such
lines as—
"First, down with Bishops, that ungodly fry,
You may at leisure yield the reason why . . ."
It concludes—
"Besides, this discipline will work a wonder
Ne'er known since Popes went out, 'twill keep Kings in safety."
[4 pp.] |
| [Dec. 11.] |
49. Petition to the House of Commons [endorsed by Archbishop
Laud: "Draft of the City's petition in Parliament," apparently a
counter petition to that printed in Rushworth iv., p. 93, being favourable to the retention of the episcopal government and forms of the
Established Church]. The unexampled care and labour of this
Assembly to remove what might any way shake the settled peace
of the Kingdom in Church or Commonwealth emboldens us to
represent our fears and humbly seek redress. Whereas you have
already, to our great joy and comfort, given new life and vigour to
the laws prudently made against Popish recusants, and removed
divers innovations in our Divine Service tending to their favour as
we feared, and have put us in great hope of deliverance from
Popery, as time and opportunity shall enable you to finish that great
work, whereto we glady promise our best endeavours: now we find
that by neglect of due execution of Church government, divers other
schisms, that for a long time slept or lurked in corners, are in
several conventicles professed almost as publicly amongst us as the
true doctrine of the Church of England; and the due preaching of
the Word of God is oft diverted from teaching the true doctrine of
our Church, and the observance of the legal and evangelical commandments, and other fit instructions of saving faith and Christian
conversation, to contentions about matters indifferent, declamations
against the established form of divine service, and to seditious
incitements to tumults. And hence have grown in the Church
distractions of very dangerous consequence, tending to the great
dishonour of Almighty God, the scandal of the true Protestant
religion professed by us, the abuse of those holy places consecrated,
and ever since the Reformation continued apart, for God's public
worship, the contempt of the ministry so far that illiterate laymen
have presumed to preach and minister the sacraments, and the
general corruption of manners and growth of disobedience. Hereby
the consciences of good men are disquieted and disheartened, and the
bad let loose to profaneness and contempt of government and magistracy, so far that we have just cause to fear these growing evils will
shortly produce further outrages dangerous to the City and the
whole kingdom, if not prevented by your timely care and countenance of the public magistrate in the just execution of the laws for
suppressing such disorders, and in confining the ministers and
lecturers to their holy and modest duties of sincere doctrine, exemplary humility and obedience, by all good means promoting the
unity of the Church and peace of the kingdom. We, therefore, pray
the timely and speedy help of this Assembly for strengthening the
enfeebled sinews of government, and for quenching the seditions that
schismatical ministers and preaching laymen daily kindle amongst
us, whereby we may subsist till you shall one by one destroy the
cankers of public liberty in our Commonwealth, to which nothing
can be so destructive as anarchy; and weed out the schisms and
false opinions in our Church which can never be safe if divided.
[Corrected and endorsed by Laud. 1 p.] Annexed, |
|
49. i. Draft of the clause "whereas you have already . . .
best endeavours," substituted in place of the corresponding clause in the above petition, which is struck out.
[8 lines.] |
| [Dec. 11.] |
50. Petition of the inhabitants of East Holland and Sibsey, and
other commoners in the east and west fens, lying on the north-east side
of the river Witham, co. Lincoln, to the same, signed by Nehemiah
Rawson, John Lyne, and William Clay. Petitioners and all dwelling
in East Holland, Sibsey, and places adjoining during the time of
their residence there have time out of mind enjoyed free common
of pasture for all their cattle and turbary and other profits in the
said east and west fens, by reason of which commons, multitudes of
people have been induced to live in those unwholesome parts, and
have been enabled, not only to make many chargeable gotes, drains,
bridges, and other works of sewers for preservation of the fens, but to
maintain many thousand families, and to pay to his Majesty's provision
100l. per annum for East Holland only, and to maintain in arms for
his Majesty's service, and the kingdom's, 140 footmen at least, besides
horses and other great charges. Yet of late some persons, out of a
covetous desire to advance their own out of petitioners' estates, have
endeavoured to deprive them of the greatest part of the commons,
the principal livelihood of many thousands of petitioners; and to
effect this Sir Anthony Thomas, pretending the fens were hurtfully
surrounded about 10 years since, procured himself to be chief undertaker for draining the drowned grounds in those parts, and procured a Commission of Sewers directed to sundry persons of
quality residing in those parts, who proceeded by jury of substantial
men to inquire what grounds were hurtfully surrounded, which
jury of above 30 able men returned on oath that only the east fen
and some sea-walls adjoining were hurtfully surrounded; whereupon
Sir Anthony Thomas and his secret assistants more intending to add
to their estates by getting great shares out of the west fen and other
grounds, which were good and rich ground, than to advance the
public good by improving bad ground, and finding the Commissioners
of Sewers would not unjustly betray petitioners' estates to their
covetous desires, by strength of their friends procured a new Commission of Sewers from his Majesty, superseding the former. Few
or none of the old Commissioners were named in the new Commission, but most of those named were coadjutors of Sir Anthony
Thomas, and having thus obtained power, the new Commissioners
without any jury, and in an illegal way, on a slight and colourable
view of their own, found not only the east fen but great quantities
of the west fen and other grounds, the particular inheritance of many
persons, to be hurtfully surrounded and thereupon imposed several
taxes on the fens and grounds for draining them; and for nonpayment of the tax which they knew beforehand could not possibly
be paid, they unlawfully decreed to Sir Anthony Thomas, John
Worsop, and other partners in the design not only a full half of
all the east fen, but also about 5,000 acres of the west fen, the whole
fen being only about 17,000 acres, and also many several grounds of
divers lords and owners near those fens, to the great impoverishing
of the whole country thereabouts and the utter undoing of multitudes of petitioners and their families. Since this decree Sir
Anthony Thomas, John Worsop, and their participants have inclosed
all the grounds decreed them, and by privy conveyances have
divided them amongst themselves and their friends, and the residue
of the fens left to petitioners remain as hurtfully surrounded as
before the draining was undertaken, and they have excluded petitioners from having their wonted course in their old drains for their
other grounds of inheritance not contained in the undertakers' level, to
petitioners' very great damage, and have appropriated the bridges and
sluices over the same to their own use without giving any satisfaction for them, and many of the new works of the undertakers are so
weakly erected that some of them have lately fallen down and so all the
country about had been in great danger of being surrounded had not
the inhabitants by their great industry and at excessive charge
speedily prevented it. Further, Sir William Killigrew, Robert
Longe, George Kirke, a groom of the Bed Chamber, and Thomas
Cooke, counsel-at-law, not content herewith, but desiring more of
the west fen, have procured some agreements with his Majesty to
have the west fen, reserving an inconsiderable rent to his Majesty for
it, and the better to wring from petitioners the residue of the said
fen not taken from them under colour of draining, and to gain the best
part of it to share amongst themselves, they procured a great number
of Privy Seals out of his Majesty's Court of Duchy at his Majesty's
suit and served them on a multitude of petitioners, being men
accustomed to live in peace and unacquainted with law suits, on
purpose to terrify them into yielding them another great proportion
of the west fen by way of improvement as pretended lords of the
soil, and before the return of the Privy Seals George Kirke and his
partners procured and brought into the country a commission to
treat with petitioners about the fen and his Majesty's right therein, affirming they should have his Majesty's favour if they
would yield him a proportion thereof peaceably, but if not his
Majesty would proceed in suit against them; upon which threats
and specious pretences Kirke, Longe, and their participants obtained
from some of petitioners agreements to have part of the said fen, and
to settle the rest with many advantages on petitioners, to which
agreements very many of the most considerable persons among petitioners never consented, but Sir William Killigrew, George Kirke,
and their partners, under colour of such pretended agreements,
inclosed by force to themselves, but in pretence for his Majesty, about
6,700 acres of the best part of the west fen, and left petitioners a
very small quantity, and that in such narrow bits that it is rather
highways to the said participants' great inclosures than common for
the thousands of people that have right of common therein, and the
better to establish themselves in their possession, they caused
petitioners to be sued in his Majesty's Duchy Court at his Majesty's
suit, and the possession of the premises to be settled on themselves
and taken from petitioners by injunctions illegally obtained, by
which petitioners are stript of the premises, albeit not one article
of the pretended agreements is made good to any of them. Moreover the participants have sued, pursuivanted, and imprisoned many
of petitioners to their utter ruin. Petitioners pray to be restored
to their rightful commons in the said fens, and to be repaired for the
damages they have sustained, and that the offenders may be punished according to their demerits. Signed by Nehemiah Rawson,
John Lyne, William Clay. [2 sheets.] |
| Dec. 11. |
51. Summons by William Ellys, chairman of the Committee of
Fens, requiring certain persons whose names are not given to appear on
the 1st Feb. [1641], before the Committee of the House of Commons
that is to take into consideration the petition of the inhabitants of
East Holland, Sibsey, and other commoners in the east and west
fens lying on the north side of the river Witham, in co. Lincoln, on
that day. [Endorsed: "Received from Mr. Rawson Dec. 15, 1640."
Draft. ⅓ p.] |
| Dec. 11. |
52. [Sir John Conyers] to Algernon Earl of Northumberland.
I have to-day received yours of the 8th inst., and with it a list of
moneys to come down for the troops, and order for disposing of
them. The money will be welcome to the soldier and the country,
but five weeks will be due to the troops before it can be here, for
it is not expected till Tuesday at the soonest. Sir Foulke Huncks
is not returned from Dikemarsh, but has sent back his lieutenant,
Marrowe. I send you his letter, but Marrowe avouches the quarters
in Dikemarsh, Marshland, and Isle of Axholme are far worse for horse
than he expresses. The rivers he writes of are only passable by boat,
three, four, or five horses at most in a boat, and in bad weather no
boat can stir, he has passed three to-day. There are four or five towns
at most, in each of which one troop may lodge, but in 10 others
one troop cannot lodge, he says scarce a squadron; and the baggage
of the troops must be left here, for he says 'tis almost impossible
for horse alone to stir, so 'tis no good winter quarter for horse or
foot. I shall once more attend your pleasure herein, and beseech
you to consider if you are absolutely pleased we shall remove,
whether it will not be better to march farther, and lodge wholly
on the skirts of cos. Nottingham and Lincoln, and not in the
Marshlands, except it be in Wakefield alone, where my troop and
O'Neale's are. The officers of the troops persuade me the country had
rather they stayed than otherwise, especially if money come to pay
punctually. I have called for the names of all the Popish officers
in the troops [of horse], those I have received I enclose, the rest
shall follow as soon as possible if there are any more. I pray give
me further order in what manner they shall be put off, they will
expect at least an honest discharge, and say whether you intend the
Quarter-masters and corporals to go with the rest. Mr. O'Neale's
Quarter-master and all his corporals are Papists, and more than half
his troop; please appoint officers, for in some troops but few will
be left, so many being absent. I know but two Popish officers of
horse at Berwick, Turberville, my lieutenant, and Simson, Sir William Brouncker's cornet, a kinsman of Sir John Fenwick's. I know
no chief officers of foot that are Papists, but you will receive
account of them from Sir Michael Ernle. Turberville married my
niece, and his wife writes she finds him wholly inclined to our
Church; but I leave it to you to judge him according to the information you receive from Sir Michael Ernle. If he be discharged
let my cornet, Price, be my lieutenant there, and Parrott my cornet
in the army, my cornet there, though I think the one will not far outlast the other. For our quarters again, a gentleman or two living
about Wakefield have told me that towards Otley, Morley, and
Barnsley my regiment may well be quartered without any prejudice to the country. [Copy. 3 pp.] Enclosed, |
|
52. i. List of the Popish officers of horse in the army, they
number 15. [1 p.] |
| [Dec. 12.] |
53. List of Popish officers in the foot army of 16 regiments, about
60 in number. [2¾ pp.] |
Dec. 12.
Guildhall. |
54. Printed Acts of the Lord Mayor and Common Council of
London, containing regulations concerning the inquest for the ward
of Walbrook and other wards, the choosing Common Councilmen to
represent the ward, the watch, lighting, constables, new comers to
the ward, precautions against fire, hucksters of ale and beer,
foreigners, cleansing the streets, &c., &c.; Acts for the reformation of
divers abuses in conducting the inquest for the ward; with the
articles of the charge of the wardmote inquest, being a detailed
account of the matters to be inquired into. [London, printed in
black letter by Robert Young, printer to the honourable city of London.
6 pp.] |
| Dec. 12. |
Warrant of the Commissioners for Gunpowder to Montjoy Earl
of Newport. To issue 12 barrels of gunpowder to Everard
Boulton, of Tower-street, London, ammunitioner for furnishing of
ships and supply of his shop. [Minute. See vol. ccclv., No. 61, p. 14.
5 lines.] |
Dec. 12.
Covent Garden. |
55. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to Matthew Brodley,
his deputy. I have received direction from the Lord General that it
is his pleasure, notwithstanding the particular instructions under his
hand for the proportion of the regiments and troops of horse, that it
should all pass by the warrants of Sir Jacob Ashley and Sir John
Conyers. The best way to rectify this will be, when you come to
perfect a full month's pay for horse and foot, to require particular
warrants for every regiment and troop; and that takes away all
the former warrants by lendings. We shall despatch more money to
you next week, with which you must perfect a full month's pay to
the whole army; and there will be some over for lendings towards
the next month. I know you are now in a difficult business to
settle those payments in another account upon the Parliament, but
that once done the business will fall easy enough, and you and I shall
meet again shortly. P.S.—Colonel Lunsford has been with me
divers times about 200l. which he left with his sergeant-major there,
Hugh Powell, to distribute among his soldiers; I pray if you can
inform yourself how the case stands or else direct Henn how to do
it, who I think now has the payment of that regiment; that I may
give him some answer. [2 pp.] |
Dec. 12.
Burdrop. |
56. Sir William Calley to Richard Harvey. Do not pay Sir
Edward Wardour the 208l. till you have Anne Bowdler's consent,
and my bond up besides. For the 100l. which was payable by
Mr. Lambert the 15th ult. and is now taken in, keep it by you with
such interest of mine as you have remaining till you hear from me
or my son; if I may have it by the end of Hilary term I think it
will serve, and by that time I hope you will be able to change it into new gold to be sent me by Mr. Morse or Mr. Whippe. I am glad
the Parliament goes on so hopefully and if the Bishop of Lincoln
[Williams] should be backward in speaking to maintain anything
that anciently belonged to the jurisdiction of bishops, he would be
an enemy to himself, which no man willingly is. It seems somewhat
strange Burton and Prynne should be ushered into London with so
many horsemen and coaches, but it would seem more strange if after
all this noise they should be served as Leighton was, their cases
being not much unlike, and be sent back to the places whence they
came. I have lately had a shrewd distemper as well as lameness.
I like the napkins and tabling cloth, but the latter is 3 ells short of
the 63 ells I wrote for. [Seal with arms. 12/3 p.] |
Dec. 13.
Calais. |
57. Sec. Windebank to his son, Thomas Windebank. I have stayed
longer here than I expected, the Governor [M. le Conte de Charost]
intimating to me with great civilty, the day after my arrival, that
his instructions are not to suffer any stranger of quality to pass without giving notice to the State, and that he had accordingly sent an
express to M. de Chavigny, and he desired me to have patience till
his return. This morning the courier is returned with a letter from
M. de Chavigny, not only commanding licence for my departure, but
expressing great respect to my person, and giving order for my
accommodation with anything this place can afford, so that tomorrow morning, God willing, I go hence by coach towards Paris.
The civilities I have received from the Governor are very many and
extraordinary, especially since the letter of M. de Chavigny, he having
given me an entertainment to-day at dinner, and sent his coach to
attend me wherever I would. I desire you to acquaint her Majesty
[Queen Henrietta Maria] with it and to present her my most humble
services and thanks, seeing it is merely in my relations to her I receive
these honours; and withall to move her whether she will not make
some demonstration of her gracious acceptance hereof to the Governor,
in the way her princely wisdom thinks most fit. The only contentment
I had of my stay here was the hope of receiving letters from you
by the packet-boat this week, to which purpose I sent for the mail
addressed to Paris and by the Governor's authority opened it but
found nothing for me. Acquaint Mr. Burlamachi with it, and assure
him I sealed up the mail again with my own seal in presence of the
Governor and those that have charge of the letters, and they are all
sent. For my own most unfortunate business in Parliament, I long
to hear what effect my leaving England has produced, though I
expect little good but to be kept from extremities. Concerning my
domestic affairs, the chiefest I recommend to you is the care of your
poor mother, on whose living and comfort depends mine. Next I
must desire you to procure me a bill of credit, to which purpose
Robin has written to Burlamachi, for I find my charge here will be
high, and if his Majesty shall not relieve me I shall not be able by my
own revenue to subsist. This I have represented to the Lord Treasurer
[Juxon] and Lord Cottington, and desired them to order payment of
the money due to me in the Exchequer which at Michaelmas last
was 800l. You will do well too to solicit them for payment of the
money for which I stand engaged to Mr. Ricaud for the King, and
not to forget my board wages nor the money in the Earl of
Newcastle's hands. The letters that go herewith you will deliver
yourself with the remembrance of my humble services to those
Lords to whom I have written to assist you as occasion presents.
That to the Lord Chamberlain [Philip Earl of Pembroke] is more
particular than the rest, and I have left it open that you may show
it to his Majesty, and if he like it, deliver it, otherwise not. Asks for
a trunk of linen and apparel to be sent by the packet-boat. The
ship in which we should have passed was within 24 hours after we
left it pillaged by the Dunkirkers, but rescued from them by the
French and brought hither as lawful prize, so it was happy we forsook
her and passed in a shallop; and though our passage were full of
hazard yet we avoided a greater danger. [Endorsed: "My father,
from Calais." 22/3 pp.] |
| Dec. 14. |
Certificate of the Commissioners for Gunpowder. That they
accept the proportion of gunpowder delivered by Mr. Cordewell, his
Majesty's gunpowder-maker, for the year November 1639 to November 1640, the fourth year of his contract, though under the proportion required by his contract: Mr. Poole having certified that the
saltpetre delivered to Mr. Cordewell in the year was not sufficient to
enable him to make the 240 lasts of gunpowder as required by hi
contract. [Copy. 1 p. See vol. ccxcii., p. 123.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The same to the Officers of the Ordnance, ordering them to
reckon the 20 lasts of gunpowder Mr. Cordewell will this month
bring into his Majesty's store as the proportion he is to furnish for
last month, the first month of the fifth year of his contract; he not
having supplied the proper quantity of gunpowder in the fourth
year of his contract, because an insufficient quantity of saltpetre
was given him. [Copy. 1 p. See Ibid., p. 124. |
Dec. 14.
Calais. |
58. Robert Reade to his cousin, Thomas Windebank. Relates
their stay at Calais. When the express will return the Governor,
M. le Conte de Charost, knows not certainly, but expects him hourly.
If he come not soon Mr. Sec. [Windebank] purposes to desire Mr.
Aubert to go to Paris, and acquaint the Earl of Leicester with our
stay here, and desire his interposition for removing any difficulty
there may be there. My uncle is very much dejected, still making
account that he and his family are utterly ruined; I pray God send
us some comfort from your parts, or we shall have a miserable time
in these. If you could get the King, or Queen, or both, to write to
him it would be a huge consolation to him. He has been very
averse to go to Paris, giving the same reason against it as I urged
for it, that he shall be frequented with company; he fearing
that may add to, and I hoping it may take off from, his trouble.
Besides, he acquainted the Governor on his arrival with his purpose
to go to Paris, and we have taken letters of exchange hence thither,
and now to go to any other place would raise a jealousy of him in
this people, and you well know how apt they are to take umbrage.
Neither can we in any other place in France receive our letters so
well out of England, or return answers. Since we stay here so long
I wish with all my heart Pharamond had come this way for I
presume he brings letters which if he go any other way we shall
not receive till we come to Paris. If he should not have left
London before this comes to you give him order to come hither.
It may probably be Mr. Treasurer [Vane] may make a difficulty of
giving him a pass; in such case cause Pharamond to make one,
and get the King's hand to it, for my uncle would fain have him
with us, and I have great use for him. If he have the King's pass,
he may mention in it how much money he brings with him, which
I would wish him to do if he bring any; but if he bring bills of
exchange only that will not be needful. Methinks if the King
would avow Mr. Secretary gallantly, as in honour and justice he is
obliged, an end would easily be put to our troubles; but if he avow
him only in part, and make difficulty of the rest, we are lost. It is
the same thing to the King to avow all or part, but to Mr. Secretary
it is not, for if any one act of his in favour of the Roman [Catholic]
party be disavowed he must suffer as much as if none were avowed.
And it were good this were enforced on the King and Queen, and
to such as you make use of in our business. Discusses fully their
money matters. It is time to think of speaking to Mr. Warwick,
for order to Mr. Willmer to pay the interest due for the money lent
the King; but whether we are now to receive the interest due for
the whole 3,000l., or only for the 1,500l. I cannot tell, and therefore I have written a letter apart to you concerning this business,
which you may show Mr. Warwick. My uncle has written to
Lord Treasurer [Juxon] and Lord Cottington about the money due
to him out of the Exchequer, 800l. for a whole year last Michaelmas.
But, to tell the truth, no money can be demanded out of the
Exchequer for intelligence since Aug. 4th last, at which time by
contract between the King and the Lords concerning the post place
the intelligence money was to cease; so there will be two months
abated out of a year for the intelligence money, but the fee of 40l.
per annum due on the patent goes on still, and must be paid out of
the Exchequer. If you speak with Mr. Falconberg he will be very
useful to you. But for these moneys the Lord Treasurer and
Lord Cottington must be solicited by yourself, and Mr. Warwick's
assistance must be desired. If the post business should run any
hazard care must be taken that our money be returned us; about
this it will be fit to advise with Mr. Treasurer [Vane], who is
equally interested with Mr. Secretary [Windebank] in that business.
If my uncle's place of secretary be not disposed of before Christmas,
as I hope it will not, it is to be considered whether the New Year
gifts to the King, and those to the Household, should not be paid.
And in this my uncle desires you to advise with Mr. Treasurer
[Vane], whether he thinks they should be paid, 10l. must be
delivered to the Master of the Jewel-house on New-Year's morning
in a little purse for the King; and for the rest to the Household,
you will find an old note of them amongst the papers I took out of
my pockets at my coming away, which note I received awhile since
from one of Sir John Coke's servants. I have now written to Mr.
Burlamachi for letters of credit for 1,000l. which must be paid by
him out of the moneys due to us in the Post Office, as we shall
receive them at Paris. Asks that clothes and linen may be sent to
Paris for his uncle and himself, if Mr. Burlamachi will undertake to
send a trunk. I have written to Mr. Porter to desire his good
offices in my absence, for I know, inconsiderable as I am, I cannot
escape the malice of the times; therefore cause it to be delivered
him. We opened the bag of letters by the ordinary from England
yesterday but found none for us, which makes me believe Pharamond
is by this time come from London, and that we shall find him at
Paris with letters. The letters that go herewith to the Queen and
the Lords Mr. Secretary desires you to deliver all with your own
hand, and to address yourself to them as they shall give you
encouragement. [Endorsed: "My Cousin Reade from Calais."
6 pp.] |
Dec. 14.
Calais. |
59. The same to the same. The letter mentioned above, containing instructions about the 3,000l. lent by Sec. Windebank to the
King; and the money due to Sec. Windebank out of the Exchequer.
[2 pp.] |
| Dec. 15. |
60. Petition of Daniel Farvack and Isaac le Gay, merchants, of
London, to the Council. According to your directions on the
petition annexed Mr. Attorney General has considered the matter
and certified his opinion on the back of the same petition.
Petitioners therefore beseech you, as the Earl of Danby, Governor of
Guernsey, is now in Oxfordshire, to appoint the Clerk of the Council,
or some other now in town, to take such security as in the certificate
is mentioned; and that that being entered petitioners may have
your letters to the Bailiff and Jurats of Guernsey, and others whom it
may concern, commanding them forthwith to deliver the goods in
the annexed petition mentioned to such as petitioners shall appoint.
Underwritten, |
|
60. i. Petitioners are to attend Sir Peter Osborne, Deputy Governor
of Guernsey, who is prayed to take bond of them according
to Mr. Attorney's certificate, and thereupon the Lords will
write their letters as is desired. Edward Nicholas,
Whitehall, 25 September 1640. [1 p.] Dorso, |
|
60. ii. Sir Peter Osborne to the Council. According to your
order I have many days attended and done my best in
this business, it being but very lately that any of the
creditors appearing before me would agree to receive the
security offered by petitioners; but Mr. Knolles still
persisting in his exceptions, alleging the parties to be all
associated in one course of trade, and pretending besides a
greater debt than these goods can satisfy, I have not thought
meet to take the security without your further directions;
which being required to certify I leave to your consideration.
December 15, 1640. [½ p.] |
| Dec. 15. |
61. Resolutions of the House of Commons, passed December 15
and 16, annuling the Canons and Benevolence passed by the late
Synod, and denying the power of Convocation to make any Acts or
Canons without consent of Parliament. [Printed in the Commons'
Journal II., pp. 51, 52; Lords' Journal iv., p. 273; and Bushworth
iii., 1365. 1 p.] |
| Dec. 15. |
62. Another copy of the same. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 15. |
63. Order of the Lords Committees for Petitions. Whereas it was
by this Committee ordered on December 8th that the Earl of Lincoln
should have delivered to him the indenture of articles between the
Earl of Lindsey and Sir William Killigrew and Mr. Long, and
between him, the said Earl of Lindsey, and his participants, that
copies might be taken on which the state of the cause for matters of
law, as was alleged, would in some points rest: upon reading the
petition of the said Earl [of Lincoln] it is this day ordered by the
Lords Committees that if, on the exceptions to decrees of [the Commissioners of] Sewers in the points of law which are to be set down
on the Earl of Lincoln's part by Tuesday night next, it shall appear
to the judges that these matters in law cannot be fully cleared
without view of any writings which the Earl of Lindsey or his
participants have, but that part of the cause will depend on the
same, then the counsel of the Earl of Lincoln shall have a view of
the same. [1 p.] |
Dec. 15.
Gate-house in Westminster. |
64. Certificate of John Brokcaes in the absence of [Aquila] Wykes,
keeper of the Gate-house, that Cap. Brinckmere [Levine Brinckmary]
stands committed by Mr. Secretary Windebank's warrant, and no
other; neither is there any further charge against him. [⅓ p.] |
Dec. 15.
Covent Garden. |
65. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to Matthew Brodley.
By a fit of the gout the use of my right hand is taken from me, so
I must use the help of another. I approve well of the course you
have taken with the reformadoes, for you have saved much money
by it. I shall despatch the bills of exchange which have enabled
you to do this as fast as I can, I hope next week, and if hereafter
you have occasion to use credit in this kind, I shall make it good
here till I send you word to the contrary; and if you will draw a
letter of credit to that purpose and send it me I will sign it and
return it you. The Scotch reformadoes I believe are with you ere
this, for they went from me with a list from the Earl of Northumberland last Thursday. I confess I am of your opinion that the best
way to pay the army would have been to have paid it out till
December 8 with the money now with you; but my letters sent by
your brother will, I think, satisfy you; for the Parliament undertaking the payment from November 10, not knowing any lending that
was disposed in the army, if we had proceeded by way of payment,
I must have discovered it. The case is plainly thus: that from
November 10 the Parliament must pay all, and if there be any of the
King's money employed on the army since then you must gather it
back out of such money as from time to time comes to you from the
Parliament, and it must serve to pay certain arrears of the army
before November 10th; and when I understand from you what
proportion of money it is, I shall then give you order to dispose of
it. If you can handsomely provide for this take what course you
please in payment of the army and the train of artillery. As for
the field officers and the Lord General's train, they were admitted
[omitted ?] on purpose, because when the next money comes down,
which I hope will be on the way this week, or the beginning of next at
the farthest, there was an intention to pay them out with the rest of the
army. P.S.—Since the writing this Sir John Hotham has been with
me; he desires to pay in 1,300l. at York, which I have consented to,
so if he deliver it in to you on your bill of exchange I will pay it
him and will stay so much here out of the next money that is to
come to you on purpose to satisfy it. [Seal with crest. 1½ p.] |
Dec. 15.
Brussels. |
66. George Shaw to Richard Harvey. Has just received his letter
of November 2, saying Mr. Lanyon has paid the 50l., and deferred paying
the share of the profits till he receives his pay. Requests Harvey,
if his occasions call him into the country, to ask Lanyon for the
profits, which, for the reasons he states, he is sure will amount to
another 50l. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 16. |
67. Resolutions of the House of Commons passed December 16,
condemning the late Canons as containing money matters contrary to
the King's prerogative, to the fundamental laws and statutes of the
realm, to the right of Parliaments, to the property and liberty of
the subjects, and matters tending to sedition, and of dangerous
consequence. [See above, No. 61. Printed in Commons' Journals,
ii., 51. ¾ p.] |
| Dec. 16. |
68. Names of the members of the House of Commons forming the
Committee to prepare the several votes concerning the new Canons
for presentation to the Lords; to consider who were the principal
promoters and actors in them, and especially how far the Archbishop
of Canterbury was an actor in them, and in the great design to
subvert the laws and religion of the realm; and to prepare a charge
against him and others. [Printed in the Commons' Journals ii.,
p. 52. 1 p.] Underwritten, |
|
68. i. Ordered that the Committee for the [Arch]bishop of
Canterbury do meet on Monday next in the Treasury
Chamber. Saturday, 15 May, 1641. [4 lines.] |
|
68. ii. This Committee adjourned to Thursday, May 20. 17
May 1641. Dorso, |
|
68. iii. This [Committee] is adjourned till Monday next in the
Treasury Chamber. 10 June 1641. [2 lines.] |
Dec. 16.
York. |
69. Sir John Conyers to [Captain John Mennes]. I told you of
20,000l. that was to come down for relief of the northern counties,
and payment of the Scotch army, it has now come to Ripon, but it
will be Saturday before our money comes thither. You are with
all convenient speed to command two troops of the Commissary's
regiment to march with you to Ripon, there to receive the money,
and bring it safe to Croft Bridge, where you shall deliver it to
the Commissioners appointed by the Lords to receive it, or to the
Scottish officers, according to their order; and that there may be no
mistake I send you the copy of the clause in the Earl of Northumberland's letter which concerns the convoy of that money; as also
a copy of the Lords Commissioners' letter to certain gentlemen in
the north whom I believe you will either find at Ripon or meet on
the way to Croft Bridge. I send you also an order to the officers
of Sir Thomas and Sir Charles Lucas' troops to meet you, and
attend you to Croft Bridge. When you have no more use for them
return them to their quarters; meantime send a trumpeter or two
to carry this order to them, and appoint them where to meet you.
I do not appoint what two companies of your regiment shall march
with you because you know best how they lodge, and those that lie
nearest the way and Ripon are in my opinion fittest for this service,
but I leave it to your discretion. P.S.—I think you will do well
to order the troops of Richmond to meet you at Catterick Bridge.
[12/3 p.] Subjoined, |
|
69. i. Copy of the above-mentioned clause of the Earl of Northumberland's letter ordering the safe convoy of the 20,000l.
for the Scots. [½ p.] Enclosed, |
|
69. ii. The above-mentioned order to the officers of Sir Thomas
and Sir Charles Lucas' troops to meet Captain John
Mennes, and attend his commands in his Majesty's service.
[Copy. ½ p.] |
| Dec. 16. |
70. Certificate of Christian van Vianen, his Majesty's servant,
undertaking that Levine Brinckmary, a high German, prisoner in
the Gate-house, shall leave this kingdom within 14 days after the
date hereof; that being the condition on which the Council set him
at liberty. [½ p.] |
| Dec. 17. |
71. Petition of John Bastwick, doctor of physic, late close prisoner
in Scilly, to the Commons. Petitioner about six years since set out a
book in Latin called "Elenchus Religionis Papisticæ," with an addition called "Flagellum Pontificis et Episcoporum Latialium," being
provoked to it by Richard Short, a Papist, who maintained the Pope's
supremacy, the mass, and Papal religion; in which book petitioner,
to prevent all misinterpretation of his pious intentions, in his epistle
to the reader fully declared that he meant nothing against such
bishops as acknowledged their authority from kings; yet, because
the better to overthrow the Papal usurpation over Christian princes
he maintained, by way of argument, as other orthodox writers on
the subject have usually done, a parity of the Bishop of Rome with
other bishops and Presbyters by the Word of God, denying his or
their supremacy over other ministers to be by Divine institution;
thereupon a pursuivant from the High Commission Court came into
his house at Colchester in his absence, and, assisted by the bailiffs
and constables of Colchester, ransacked his house and trunks, with
great violence broke open his study, and carried away some of his
books and writings without restoring them; petitioner was then
prosecuted in the High Commission principally for his said book,
and after a long and expensive prosecution, on the 12 Feb. 1634,
he was fined 1,000l., excommunicated, debarred the practice of
physic, his chief livelihood, his book ordered to be burnt, and he to
pay costs of suit, and be imprisoned until he should recant, all which
was only for the said book, in which he maintained the prerogative
of kings against the Papacy. Lately Thomas Chouney, of Sussex,
wrote a book maintaining the papal religion, and the Church of Rome,
and averring it to be a true church, which book is dedicated to the
Archbishop of Canterbury, and patronised and defended by him,
and Chouney not troubled for it; and after the above censure all the
bishops then present denied openly that they held their jurisdiction
from his Majesty, and affirmed that they had it from God only, and
the Archbishop of Canterbury, amongst other erroneous sayings,
maintained Chouney's book, and that the Church of Rome was a
true church, and erred not in fundamentals, and he and other
bishops defamed Scripture and abused Calvin. Wherefore, and to
vindicate his innocency in the matters for which he had been most
unjustly censured, petitioner published another book in Latin, "Apologeticus ad presules Anglicanos," expressing the true proceedings
and speeches at his censure; for which book, and his book "The
Litany," not then in print, an information was exhibited against him
and others in the Star Chamber, petitioner's answer to which being
only subscribed by himself, because he could get no counsel to sign
it, he tendered first at the Star Chamber Office, then in open court
at the Star Chamber bar, but the Court of Star Chamber would not
accept it for want of counsel's hand to it, contrary to precedents,
but took the information pro confesso, censured petitioner in 5,000l.
fine, to stand in the pillory, lose both his ears, and be close prisoner
in Launceston Castle, Cornwall; all which has been executed on him
to the peril of his life. After all which, petitioner, by what order he
knows not, it being no part of his censure, was transported from the
said Castle to Scilly Island, where he has been in close durance above
three years, and none of his friends suffered to come to him, his
very wife being prohibited by the Council's order under pain of
imprisonment from setting foot on that island; so petitioner has
been exiled from his wife and children besides the great misery he
endured, all which is contrary to the law of God and man, and the
liberty of a free subject, and to the utter undoing of petitioner and
his family. He prays you to take into your consideration these
pressing grievances, to afford him relief consonant to justice and
equity, and to assign him for counsel Mr. Sergeant Atkins, Mr.
Ludlow, Mr. Tomlins, Mr. Gurdon, and Mr. Randol, to assist him in
this his complaint; and to order that he may take out gratis such
copies of the censures, orders, &c. in the several courts as shall
anyways concern this his sad, yet most just complaint, with warrant
to bring in his witnesses. [Endorsed: "Received and referred to a
Select Committee Dec. 17, 1640." Printed in Rushworth iv., pp. 7981. 1 sheet.] |
| Dec. 18. |
72. Balance of his Majesty's ordinary receipts and expenditure
made by a medium of five years, viz., 1635, to 1640; total receipts,
618,379l.; payments, 636,536l.; excess of expenditure over revenue,
18,157l. [1 sheet.] |
Dec. 18.
Stockholm. |
73. Lieutenant-General James King to Sec. Vane. Protests his
joy in having so gracious a King and master, and so faithful a patron
[as Sec. Vane]. I wish I had received his Majesty's command by
your letter before I left Hamburrie [Hamburg], as I could then have
given speedier obedience to his command than I can here, where I
arrived yesterday. Nevertheless, I will use all possible diligence to
obey his Majesty's commands; meanwhile excuse my absence to his
Majesty and show him he is partly the cause thereof, for on his
gracious licence I intended this journey as I wrote to you before
departing from Hamburg. In particular I wrote to you on Oct. 24
enclosing one for his Majesty giving him humble notice of my
journey to Sweden; I hope they have come safe to your hands.
Asks to be informed on his return to Hamburg what the King
designs him to do. [Seal with arms and crest. 2½ pp.] |
Dec. 18.
York. |
74. Sir John Conyers to [Edward Viscount Conway]. This other
part [see the subjoined] is my letter now sent to his Excellency [the
Lord General], so that you having seen that you know all I am able
to inform you from hence. I send you also a copy of the defects of
arms. I can think of no way to mount, arm, and complete the
troops except for the King to disburse the money at first and
defalk it from the captains as before or in some greater quantity;
and they again from their troops. I can think of no way to defend
the Tees but to fortify upon it, especially where it is fordable; and
if it be so all through a good line must be run with redoubts on it
to flank one another. The war must be made with one army here
and another to enter Scotland at Leith; if not there, about Holy
Island and Berwick, and Heymouth, a little place not far beyond
Berwick, if the [Scots] possess it not themselves as spoken of; and
awhile since it was said they had brought cannon thither. I saw a
day or two since a letter from—[the name is in cipher]; he writes
that three troops of a regiment shall be cashiered, and it shall go hard
but he will have the naming of those that shall stand of my regiment.
I beseech you take notice of it; he is no fool, and therefore must
needs be a knave. I received yours of the 15th inst. with the
enclosed which I do not well understand. [1 p.] Subjoined, |
|
74. i. The same to Algernon Earl of Northumberland. I have
received yours of the 15th inst. Captain Mynce [Mennes]
has marched to-day towards Ripon to convoy the
money to Croft-bridge according to your order; he has with
him near 140 horse of that regiment and I have given order
to Sir Thomas and Sir Charles Lucas' troops to meet him,
march with him to the bridge, and then return to their
quarters. Next Monday my regiment is to muster, and
on Wednesday the Guards and Mr. Wilmott's, and on
Thursday they shall remove their quarters. Describes the
new quarters they are to take up. This shall all be done
as well as may be, but money is so scarce I fear we shall
not leave those quarters without disorders. When Capt.
Mennes received my order to march with two troops to
convoy the money he came to me to tell me it could not be
done without money to discharge the quarters; for a whole
troop leaving their lodging without payment they would
think all was lost and without doubt some mischance
would fall out. So I caused him to command 25 men
out of each troop, and we had a day's work here to
borrow 100l. to feed those men on the way; for all the
paymasters had not a groat in the world. Now Mr. Brodley
writes that 'tis impossible for him to furnish money
according to the orders you signed and sent down. I have
replied that those that remove must have a month's pay
whatever becomes of the rest. What he will do I know not,
but I am sure without it you will hear of it, for the
troopers and the country are impatient for want of money;
and on Tuesday next there is six weeks due to the army.
I beseech you take order that a supply may be sent, for
without it here is no living. The army is insolent enough
and so is the country far more than ever they have been,
and they have reasons. We shall be glad to give way to
them because no complaints shall come up, and I desire
nothing more than to keep order and do right to all men,
but without payment no justice can be done. I beseech
your order what is to be done in matter of life and death,
for I should be loath to be hung for hanging a villain.
If we pursue malefactors, commit them and do not
punish them, it is better for example's sake not to meddle
with them. Mr. Percy's cornet informed me since my last
to you that his Captain Triest is a Protestant, and he has
since professed the same to me, but says he has not made
show of it by reason of his uncle, the Bishop of Ghent, from
whom he expects a good fortune. I shall attend your
order about him. It were good Major Trafford's troop
were disposed of with the first if you mean it not to him,
for he says if he leave it it will undoubtedly disband;
and in regard of the garrison it were good there were a
captain. Captain Armstrong will be with you before
this comes to you. [1¾ p.] |
| Dec. 18. |
75. Note of the charge of extraordinary works done at the Tower
of London according to several estimates and special warrants in the
months of September, October, November, and December, 1640.
Total, 1,405l., whereof is paid 656l.; left unpaid 749l. [½ p.] |
| Dec. [19.] |
76. The opening paragraph of Harbottle Grimston's speech in
Parliament on a further debate touching the Archbishop of
Canterbury. There has been presented to the House a most faithful
report of the conference we had with the Lords yesterday [Dec. 18],
with the opinion of the Committees that they conceived it fit that
the Archbishop of Canterbury should be sequestered. I must second
the motion and shall be bold to offer my reasons for conceiving it
necessary we should proceed a little further than the desire of bare
sequestration only. Mr. Speaker, long introductions are not suitable
to weighty businesses. We are now fallen upon the great man the
Archbishop of Canterbury. [This extract is dated Dec. 10, 1640, but
the speech was not delivered till the 19th. See Commons' Journals.
Printed in full in Rushworth iv., p. 122; and in Cooke's "Speeches
in Parliament," pp. 179-181. 1¼ p.] |
| Dec. 19. |
77. Certificate by Edward Fenn that 317l. 2s. 6d. ship-money has
been received since the last certificate of November 27. [¼ p.] |
| Dec. 19. |
78. Certificate by Thomas White, Edward Hasell, and James
Harbin, that on 19th of December 1640, Thomas Lynn, cardmaker,
affirmed the proceedings in the contract with Mr. Squibb were with
consent of the Cardmakers' Company, and the offer of 3d. on a pair
to the King and ½d. to the sealer was made by them and consented
to on all hands; and the contractors were to have 28s. a gross from
the King; at several meetings of the Company at the Temple, Broadstreet, and elsewhere, it was always agreed the King should have
3d. a pair, and they [should be] sold for 6d.; that the Company
always insisted much on an allowance for their poor out of the
King's profit yearly; and that Edward Fryer petitioned for 300l. he
had disbursed about the charter to be paid out of the King's profit.
The contractors consented to a less number than they usually made
before, having a better price for them, they conceiving that fewer
cards would be used than formerly because the price was to be raised
to 6d. a pair, and that Mr. Lynn and others were all together at
Broad-street and heard Mr. Squibb's contract read to them before it
was engrossed at Mr. Attorney's. [1 p.] Underwritten, |
|
78. i. Thomas Ghostley, cardmaker, affirms that what Mr. Lynn
has here alleged is all very true, of which he is ready to
make oath. [3 lines.] |
| Dec. 19. |
79. Certificate by William Ryley, Bluemantle, of the death of
William Lord Maynard, Baron Maynard of Estaines [ad Turrim]
under date. He died in Finsbury-fields, London, and is buried in the
parish church of Estaines, Essex. Deceased married: 1st, Frances,
daughter of [William] Cavendish Earl of Devon, by whom he had
one daughter, who died young; 2nd, Anne, daughter and heir of Sir
Anthony Everard, by whom he had one son, William, now Lord
Maynard, and five daughters, all still young. The certificate is attested by Charles Maynard, brother of the deceased. [1 p.] |
Dec. 19.
Norfolk. |
80. Note of petition of Mary Osborn, widow, for respite to
return the office after the death of Nicholas Osborn, her late
husband, and to compound for the wardship of her son till next
term; alleging she wants evidence to prove the tenure, &c. Underwritten, |
|
80. i. Let petitioner return the office and attend with a schedule,
&c. the sixth sitting in Hilary term next. Francis Cottington. 21 December 1640. [½ p.] |
Dec. 19.
Burdrop. |
81. Sir William Calley to Richard Harvey. Has received the
household stores. Sir Edward Wardour is more ready to receive
the 208l. than I am to pay it without Anne Bowdler's consent in
writing; and I desire you to hold constant your former resolution
touching that matter. I am glad to hear the Parliament goes on; I
hope it will produce general good to this kingdom every way. It
seems Bastwick is as much in the eye of a great many as ever
Burton and Prynne were or he would not have been ushered into
London so. Go to my cousin Parry's, a gent. in London, or some one
else, and get me a writ of "Latitat" out of King's Bench against
Thomas and John Goffe, of Catcombe, in the parish of Hilmerton;
the "Justicies" was for 200l. which yet I have not executed.
Wishes to appoint his own bailiffs. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Dec. 20.
Locking. |
82. Humphry Hawkins to the same. Prays him to give this
[brawn] to Mr. Porter with his humble service. Is now so ill he
knows not whether he shall be able ever to see brawn more.
[Seal with device. 1 p.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
Warrant of Henry Earl of Holland to [Sir Robert Bennett], surveyor and comptroller of the works at Windsor. I am informed
that the pale and rails betwixt the course and open walk in Sir
Matthew Lyster's charge in the Great Park at Windsor is in great
decay, so as neither the course can be kept several for the male deer
which is their only relief, nor can the deer be brought to their
standings. You are to view the defects and to certify me the
charge of reparation, the quantity of timber, and in what part of the
woods the timber may be best spared. [Copy = 1 p. See vol.
ccclxxxiv., p. 106.] |
| Dec. 21. |
83. Account of 2,310 bags of pepper bought by Francis Lord
Cottington for the King, from the East India Company, and sold
again by the King at a loss of 6,581l. 0s. 10d. Underwritten, |
|
83. i. Order by Lord Treasurer Juxon for Mr. Auditor Bingley
to cast this up and certify if it be "rightly cast or how he
finds it. 21 Dec. 1640." |
|
83. ii. Certificate by George B[ingley] that he finds the same
rightly cast up in each particular. 26 December 1640.
[1 p.] |
Dec. 22.
Covent Garden. |
84. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-wars, to Matthew Brodley,
his deputy. Has received his letters of the 14th, 16th, and 18th inst.
For altering the course the Earl of Northumberland has set down
by an order and paying the army full three weeks, to the 1st of
this month, both officer and soldier, I think you have done very well,
for I suppose by this time the officer is in as great want as the
soldier. The surplus money advanced to the soldier by way of
lendings over and above the bills of exchange which I paid out of the
last 30,000l., and which by your paper is a considerable sum, and only
known to you and me, must be taken off again by degrees when we
receive more plenty of money; which we shall not do till we can get
in some subsidies; and then it must be applied to pay some arrears of
the army before November 10. The King has already asked me twice
for his 5,000l. lent out of his privy purse, but I have given him no
hope of it, for out of the Parliament money it cannot come. You
have done very well to give seven weeks' pay to the English reformadoes; three weeks of it must come out of those moneys, for the Parliament will allow of it no further than from November 10; and yet
I would not but that you had done it for now we are rid of them.
You must expect the money you have drawn upon me by bills of
exchange, since the last I sent, must be paid out of the money now
to be sent for the army, for I am not able otherwise to do it, and in
good faith I am not confident whether I should persuade you to
continue that course of taking up by bills of exchange or no, for
though the Parliament be sure yet it is slow, and those bills may be
here upon my hands. I have been too ill to leave my room for more
than a fortnight, but hope to be abroad in a few days. The latter
part of your letter troubles me wherein you not only persuade me
to quit this employment but resolve if I should continue it to desert
me in it. Truly, Brodley, I have not deserved to be so left for I
have rather used you as my friend than as my deputy; and by
some letters of mine since we parted you may find it was my desire
we might ever live together as friends whensoever this business is
at an end, which cannot now be long. Whatsoever hazard I run
in it you shall receive no blame, I know you to be so perfectly
honest. Do but your best endeavour, it is all that shall be required
of you. We are both now engaged and how I should come off,
though I study it, I know not well, nor do I know how you can, for
the officers of the army have written to the Lord General in commendation of your care and sufficiency. Therefore, if your respect to
me would not carry you on in this business even that would importune
it. [4 pp.] |
| Dec. 23. |
85. Order of the Grand Committee for Grievances, requiring
Edward Nicholas, Clerk of the Council, to bring before them this
day fortnight all orders and petitions remaining in his custody
concerning the Vintners and Alderman Abel, and the Medium
Merchants; for the Vintners are then to make good their petition.
[Endorsed by Nicholas: "Received 4th Jany. 1640[-41], at 2
o'clock in the afternoon." ½ p.] |
| Dec. 23. |
86. Information given by Mr. Edward Corbett to the Committee
for the Universities, concerning recent innovations in government
and religion in Merton College, Oxford. The innovations, which
are all attributed to Archbishop Laud, are contained in five articles,
and the proofs of the articles are given. The articles are: 1. In
Easter week 1638 the Archbishop of Canterbury took on him the
title of visitor of Merton Coll., Oxford, and began a visitation,
without any right or authority. 2. He continued the visitation of
Merton College almost three years, and prorogued it unto the fourth
without any just cause, and to the great dishonour, and disprofit of
that ancient foundation. 3. In the time of his visitation of Merton
College he has oppressed many of the House. 4. In the time of his
visitation he has broken many of the statutes of the House. 5. Sir
John Lambe, the Archbishop's visitor, in 1638, gave the oath exofficio to the warden, fellows, and scholars of Merton, and afterwards from his Grace, proposed 30 articles to be answered in
writing by virtue of the oath, one of which inquired after those
who did not bow towards the altar. 6. Sir John Lambe pressed
the article of bowing on Mr. Corbett and Mr. Cheynell with threats,
foul language, and suspension of Mr. Cheynell. [21 pp.] |
Dec. 23.
Ripon. |
87. Sir Jacob Asteley to [Edward Viscount Conway]. Upon
receipt of your letter I went to the paymaster, and he declares that
Lieutenant-Colonel Howard is completely paid to such as have at
times fetched money for the regiment. Hereupon I sent your letter
to Sir Charles Vavasour by his own brother, the Colonel, and I
doubt not Lieutenant-Colonel Howard is satisfied. If I may know
otherwise in time I will stop as much money as is due to him from
the regiment in the paymaster's hands. My lord I hope you in
Parliament intend absolutely to make peace; yet from all parts it is
said the Scots rather strengthen themselves, and 600 of their foot
lately came to Darlington. For this army, God help us; the
soldiers and officers are 23 days unpaid, and no news as yet of the
coming of money. The country is weary of trusting our soldiers,
and in some towns [the people] have been troublesome. I have so
much to do to make things go right, and seek by all means to
pacify the country and animate the people to trust, although the
officers lend the men all they have. I will only end with this,
which is strange to me, that being in a treaty our adversaries are
vigilent and we careless, the best part I can act is to appease the
discontents of the country that lies open to an enemy if they will be
so to their spoil and ruin. If any will say that the train bands
shall be able with our army to defend the country here is neither
deputy-lieutenant, justice of peace, nor a wise constable to help us.
[Seal with arms broken. 1 p.] |
| Dec. 23. |
88. Note of the leases and rents of the houses in Bell-yard,
London, viz., the Bell, the Mermaid, Golden Key, and Three Goats'
Heads, demised by John Harborne to Abraham Musgrave by indenture dated 21 Dec. 1632, and subsequently conveyed to Mr. Poulson
by leases herein specified. The annual income Poulson derives from
them is 84l. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 24. |
Warrant of the Council of War to Thos. Falconberg. To issue to
Capt. Henry Yonger, comptroller, and to Henry Bludder and
Edward Dankeert, gents. of the Ordnance for the train of artillery
for the south parts, one month's pay to be accompted from the 9th
instant inclusive. [Minute. ⅓ p. See vol. cccxcvi., p. 351.] |
| Dec. 24. |
89. Order of the House of Commons. That the English Lords
Commissioners appointed to treat with the Scots shall receive
25,000l. from the city of London, and 5,000l. from Sir William
Uvedale, for relief of the northern counties. [Printed in Commons'
Journal ii., p. 58. ½ p.] |
Dec. 24.
Audleby. |
90. Sir Foulk Hounckes to Edward Viscount Conway. This is
humbly to entreat you to assist us with arms, and also for the
money for recruiting our troops; they are in good order, except
Captain Barry's troop, which lies near your regiment, and they are
day and night upon the ways robbing. I know nothing the country
can complain of us for; for my own particular, I will endeavour
to deserve your good opinion and favour, desiring to serve you with
all true faithfulness. [Seal with arms and crest. 1 p.] |
| [Dec. 25.] |
Note of venison brought to Whitehall for Christmas 1640, for the
consumption of his Majesty's household, and issued by [the Earl of
Holland's] warrant out of the several forests, chases, and parks as
here specified, total 104 does and five hinds. [Copy. 1¼ p. See
vol. ccclxxxix., p. 105.] |
Dec. 26.
Burdrop. |
91. Sir William Calley to Richard Harvey. Finds the linen
cloth is only half an ell short of the quantity he wrote for. Though
my money be changed into new gold, I do not expect it to be sent
sooner than after Hilary term next by Mr. Morse or Mr. Whippe;
and could I find as safe a messenger as one of them, to have it here
by the end of March would serve well enough. Present our service
to your master and mistress [Mr. and Mrs. Endymion Porter]. I
am not out of hope that I may live to look out of doors again,
though peradventure not on a sudden. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
| Dec. 28. |
92. Bill of Oliver Wolfe for medicine supplied to Endymion
Porter, amounting to 2l. 17s. 2d. Receipted July 17. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 29. |
93. Petition of William Jones, the oppressed printer, to the House
of Commons. Petitioner has been a printer 54 years, nine years
whereof he served his apprenticeship, and a master printer's place
falling vacant he was chosen to fill it by a decree in the Court of
Star Chamber in the 28th year of Queen Elizabeth; in all which time
he has refused to print all heretical or schismatical books, scandalous
pamphlets, Popish books, or ballads, or anything tending to poison
youth, or otherwise to the dishonour of God. By the means of the
Archbishop of Canterbury he has been deprived of his calling these
three years and four months, whereby himself, his aged wife and six
small grand children, who were maintained by him, are in a miserable
condition and had perished before this had not God moved the
hearts of charitable people to commiserate his condition. Petitioner
beseeches you to restore him to his trade. [½ p.] Subjoined, |
|
93. i. William Jones' petition to the Committee of Trade. Read
December 29, 1640. |
|
93. ii. This petition is referred to the Committee appointed to
consider the charge against Archbishop Laud. Feb. 23,
1640[-41]. |
| Dec. 29. |
94. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to Matthew Brodley.
I have received yours of December 25, by which I find how you
have distributed the last money sent you, and that you have
completed three weeks pay to the army except the field officers,
which I approve of very well. Now 16,000l. more is sent down,
these bills of exchange and other payments here and that 1,300l. of
Sir John Hotham's excepted. This money will not be with you till
Saturday week, and I will leave to you, who are upon the place,
whether you will dispose of it by way of lendings from December 1,
or will pay out the month till December 8, which I fear much it
will hardly do. The army being thus far behind I know you have
a very troublesome part of it; I can only give you this comfort, that
the Parliament has given four subsidies for relief of the northern
counties and payment of the army, which must be paid in with all
speed possible; meantime it will give us credit here to borrow more
money, and so I hope I shall be able to despatch more money to you
very shortly. This payment will be sure, but the army must have
patience for some time. Last week I forbad all the under-paymasters to meddle any more with bills of exchange. To you I have
sent a commission, such a one as I could frame of myself, if it be
not sufficient send me a draft next week and I will return it signed;
and will make good anything you shall do in that kind. I know
the place you now perform under me is very troublesome, but be
not discouraged, and use that word "si pereo pereo" no more, for if
I have honesty or honour in me you shall not suffer blame or the loss
of one hair in this business; and at the end of the work you shall
not think your pains ill bestowed. I sent yours to Captain
Conningesby by Sanckford, who has brought me back answer from
him that at this time he has no money and that the King owes him
much, he hopes to get in some of it shortly and then he will come
and speak with me about it. P.S.—I am much troubled here sometimes whether to direct my letters to York or Ripon; when you
write if you can tell me how to direct them, it will ease me much.
[4 pp.] Enclosed, |
|
94. i. Note of money paid here by bills of exchange and otherwise
out of the 16,000l. now sent down to Ripon, also of other
like sums remaining to be paid. I lent Capt. Porter 10l.
and sent you his bill for it; pray do not forget to take it up
for me. [4 pp.] |
| Dec. 30. |
95. His Majesty's final answer concerning incendiaries accepted by
the Scottish Commissioners, 30 December 1640. Besides his
Majesty's former answers he has commanded us to declare in his name
that he will not employ any person or persons in office or place
that shall be judged incapable by sentence of Parliament, nor will
make use of their service without consent of Parliament, nor grant
them access to his person that they may interrupt or disturb that
firm peace which he now so much desires, being confident that they
will proceed in a fair and just way, according to their several
professions, with that respect to his Majesty's honour which in
reason he may expect from good and dutiful subjects. [Damaged by
damp. ½ p.] |
| Dec. 30. |
96. Certificate by Sir John Strangwaies that Sir Christopher
Yelverton, burgess for Bossiney, Cornwall, was to-day sworn before
him. [¼ p.] |
Dec. 30.
"In haste, late at night." |
97. Sir Henry Vane to Edward Nicholas. I shall be in town
about a week [hence], in the meantime, if you will take my poor
advice, reject not your first way but keep it on lest it cross that
which I should like better, engage not yourself that way but take
heed you turn them not against you, for I find such as go that way
will not stand with the greater number, yet is their help good in the
dark. When I see you I believe I shall be able to say more, which
shall be ever like a true friend and with my best judgment. [Seal
with arms. 1 p.] |
Dec. 30.
Covent Garden. |
98. Sir William Uvedale to Matthew Brodley. Till one week more
be past forbear returning much money on me by bills of exchange,
for by that time I shall be able to send you word when we shall
receive more money and then I shall be ready for it. I would gladly
keep your word and mine with all men, and that only makes me
give you notice of this. [Seal with crest broken. 1 p.] |
Dec. 30.
Lincoln's Inn Fields. |
99. Felix Longe to Richard Harvey. Mr. Guydott is very willing
to pay in the 100l. to Sir William Cawley and Sir John Evelyn, of
Everley, Wilts., and Tanfield Vachell, of Reading, Berks., will be
bound for it. If you like this send me Guydott's bond by the bearer,
and word when I may come to see you there, or rather when we
shall see you here. [1 p.] |
Dec. 31.
Whitehall. |
100. The Council to all Mayors, Sheriffs, Justices of Peace, &c.
Whereas Captain Thomas Rudd, principal engineer for his Majesty's
fortifications, is by special command to take present order for the
repair of his Majesty's fort called Archcliff Bulwark, near Dover.
These shall be to require you to aid and assist him in causing to be
imprested in and about London and elsewhere such masons and other
workmen as he shall think needful for repair of the said fort:
taking care that such wages be paid them as is usual in like cases.
And in all things tending to advance this service you are to assist
Captain Rudd and his deputy as need shall require. [Draft. 1 p.] |
| Dec. 31. |
101. Report of the Committee of Privileges, concerning the right
of Peers of this realm to answer upon honour only; with the amendments to be entered as an order of this House. [Printed in the
Lords' Journal iv., p. 120. 12/3 p.] |
| Dec. 31. |
102. Miles Corbett to Sir John Lambe. Communicates an order
of the Committee of the House of Commons for considering the
true causes of the great scarcity of preaching ministers throughout
the whole kingdom, requiring Sir John Lambe to appear before
them in the Court of Wards at Westminster on January 12 next by
2 o'clock in the afternoon, to answer such matters as are and shall
be objected against him in a petition of the parishioners of St. Martin's
Orgar, London. [½ p.] |
| Dec. 31. |
103. Certificate by the Treasurers of the Navy of ship-money paid
in upon the writs issued in November 1639; total, 41,856l. 15s. 1d.;
remaining to be paid, 168,543l. 4s. 11d. [1 sheet.] |
| [Dec. 31 ?] |
104. Paper headed "to the King." It begins, "The King is abused,
the law is wrested, it slays the innocent, it acquits the guilty; 'tis
like a spider's web, it catches the small, the great ones break through."
The writer after commenting on the maladministration of justice,
which will shake the monarchy to its foundations, says he loves the
King so much he would have revealed an intended plot which he
expects will take effect next summer, but he is sworn to secrecy; and
to prevent the malice of Judge Jones, he has to day poisoned himself
at the Bar of the King's Bench. A corrupter judge the kingdom
has not, all manner of villany he will let pass if only he be sufficiently
bribed. [1¼ p.] Dorso, |
|
104. i. Roche a priest that lives in Dublin, and a bishop called
Barnwell, would commend him to Tyron in Flanders and
he should be an actor in the design that should free the
Papists in Ireland. We may take Dublin by an onslaught as easily as kiss a man's hand. The kingdom is so
secure and the soldiers so base it is easy to take the kingdom, &c. |
|
104. ii. This letter was found among Windebank's papers and
was written three years since as is supposed. 1648 Dec. 7. |
| [Dec.] |
105. Information by John White and others concerning the
feoffees for impropriations and their suppression, referred from the
Grand Committee for Religion to the Committee concerning Preaching Ministers. [See Commons' Journals ii., 61.] Dr. Jonge and
others, feoffees entrusted with money for buying impropriations and
with other money, and lands for maintenance of preaching, did
accordingly buy divers impropriations and lands, and settled
learned and painful preachers in divers parishes, and were likely in
a short time to do much good in propogating religion. By the
means of William Archbishop of Canterbury a bill was exhibited in
the Exchequer Chamber against the said feoffees, and a decree
thereupon, Feb. 11, 8 Car., made, whereby and by subsequent orders
the things bought by them and given to them were taken from
them, the good work wholly destroyed, and most of the good uses
perverted, and thereby general discouragement drawn on all men
from giving to such pious uses. That the Archbishop procured this
work to be crushed, and bragged that he was the man that had set
himself against it, and thanked God that he hath effected it, is
proved by John White, John Sedgeswick, clerk; Willm. Kendall,
at the sign of the Rose in Brad-street; John Lane and John Tooly,
of Allhallows, Bread-street, London. [Dorso: 'Dr. Heylin's Act
Sermon." 2/3 p.] |
| [Dec. ?] |
106. Note of grievances that spring from the absoluteness of the
Chancellor, and their remedies [probably submitted to the Committee for Courts of Justice]. 1. In decreeing matters either upon
petition or references to the Masters of the Chancery, without
hearing the cause himself; or else upon collateral matter grown
upon motion, and neither contained in bill nor answer. 2. In
appointing the plantiff or defendant to show cause by a day
peremptorily limited, why an order prayed by the adverse party
should not be entered; and then refusing to hear his counsel that
day, whereby for want of showing cause the order is entered to his
prejudice. 3. In committing offenders against his orders to close
prison as in case of treason, and fining them till they conform,
contrary to law and the practice of that Court. 4. In awarding
possession by injunction as if the recovery were at common law.
5. In deciding titles of law in the Chancery upon English bills,
calling one or two judges to assist him. 6. By staying execution
of justice upon bare surmise or information of one part without
hearing the other party. For remedy of these grievances it is
desired to be enacted as follows: 1. That no cause be heard and
ordered by him but upon bill and answer, and nothing decreed
which is not expressly in the bill. 2. That in all orders wherein a
day is peremptorily fixed, the same orders may be heard that day
in course, and no other cause till that be ended. 3. That no further
execution be used of any order in Chancery, but by imprisoning the
party that disobeyeth them and that in such sort only as is used in
case of execution at common law, and in no straiter manner.
4. That all bills containing matter of law be referred to the common
law. 5. That no reference be made to any Master of the Chancery,
but in matter of account for auditing it only, or for insufficiency of
an answer or interrogatory. 6. That no course of common law be
stayed without calling the party that sues to have it. [1 p.] |
| Dec. |
107. Accounts of Matthew Brodley, deputy treasurer-at-wars, and
John Leech of payments to the army from and after November 10,
1640. [6½ pp.] |
| Dec. |
108. Account of pensions paid to several cardmakers, and dicemakers from Michaelmas 1637 to December 1640, amounting to
1,191l. 16s. 6d. [2 pp.] |
| Dec. |
109. Extracts out of the Records specifying the sums paid by order
for pious uses, especially for repair of St. Paul's, from 1630 to 1640.
[8½ pp.] |
| Dec. |
110. Inventory of the books and papers of Dudley Carleton,
Viscount Dorchester, deceased, received from Sir Henry Vane, and
which not having been any part of his Majesty's papers, nor at all
incident to the place of Secretary of State, they were by the said
Viscount on his death bed given to his nephew, Sir Dudley Carleton,
from whom they were detained, with many others of like nature,
by Sir Francis Windebank while he was Secretary, by whose children and servants since his absenting himself they were delivered to
Sec. Vane. In all 38 manuscripts, &c. [4 pp.] |
| Dec. |
111. Bond of Lawrence Squibb to Robert Fryer, cardmaker, of
London, in 100l., to abide by the decision of George Tuke and John
Thacker, indifferently chosen arbitrators to decide all matters
between Squibb and Fryer; or of any umpire the said arbitrators
shall appoint. [Dorso: "Received 1,514l. 1s. 8d., remains 5l. 7s. 4d."
Copy. ½ p.] |
| [Dec.] |
112. List of orders and debts wanting [for sums of money issued
under the Great and Privy Seals]. The names of the people to whom
the moneys were owing and the sums issued are given, commencing
16th Oct. 1639. [1⅓ p.] |
| [Dec. ?] |
113. Political lampoon, in verse, beginning—
"The State lay sick, very sick, and in all haste,
The doctors were sent for," &c.
It describes how nothing could care her but a Parliament. It
ends—
"The rest must dance when the Deputy [Strafford] leads,
A fast, a Parliament, and fourteen heads."
[Damaged by mice. 3½ pp.] |
| [Dec.] |
114. Note of the names of the poor people in Longparish amongst
whom Edward Nicholas' 5l. was distributed. [2/3 p.] |
