|
| April 1. |
1. Certificate by Mr. Auditor, Thos. Brinley, of the Queen's profits
for seven years last past by copyholders' fines within her manors of
Leven and Patrington, co. York. Total 57l. 18s. 7d.; total of the
medium, 8l. 5s. 6¾d. This certificate was made by warrant from
the Commissioners of the revenues of the Queen's jointure, dated
March 1, 1640[-1]. [1 p.] |
| April 1. |
2. Account by Dr. Bardesy of the last illness and death of the
Lady Barbara, Viscountess Fielding, daughter of Sir John Lambe,
who died April 1st, 1641, half a quarter of an hour before nine at
night. [1½ pp.] |
| April 1. |
3. Certificate of Christopher Kingscote to Robert Long, her
Majesty's Surveyor General, of the quantity and annual value of her
Majesty's park of Blandsby in Pickering Forest, co. York. It contains
1,280 acres, the yearly value of the soil being 129l., which if improved
would be worth 277l. per annum; the houses, trees, and underwoods
are worth 410l. [1 p.] |
April 1.
Office of Ordnance. |
4. Certificate by the Officers of the Ordnance of gunpowder received into or issued from his Majesty's stores during March 1640-1,
and of the quantity now remaining in store. Totals in store in the
Tower, 180 lasts 19 cwt. 59 lbs, and at Portsmouth, 73 lasts 6 cwt.
98 lbs. [2 pp.] |
| April 1. |
5. Receipt by Edward Wither for 7l. 10s. received from Edward
Nicholas by the hand of Henry Thornbourgh, to the use of Lady
Cicely De la Warr, for a half year's rent for the farm of Long Parish.
[½ p.] |
| [April 2.] |
6. Petition from the co. Palatine of Chester to the Lords
Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament, delivered in by Sir Thos.
Aston, concerning Episcopacy. In favour of retaining Church
government by bishops, and deprecating various petitions which
have been spread advocating the abolution of bishops, as not tending to reformation but absolute innovation in government. This
petition was subscribed to by four noblemen, 80 and odd knights
and esquires, 70 divines, 300 and odd gentlemen, and above 6,000
freeholders and other inhabitants [Printed for John Aston, 1641.
= 2 pp.] |
| [April 2.] |
7. Petition from the co. Palatine of Chester to Parliament
concerning Episcopacy. Counter petition to the preceding, praying
for the abolition of the Bishops; showing they did not exist in the
time of the Apostles; pointing out the arbitrary government and
other abuses they have introduced, and the blessings that will
result from their abolition. This petition was subscribed to by
eight noblemen, 199 knights and esquires, 140 divines, 757 gentlemen, and above 12,000 freeholders, and other inhabitants. [Printed.
= 2 pp.] |
April 2.
York. |
8. Sir John Conyers to [Edward Viscount Conway]. I humbly
thank his Majesty for his gracious answer; I shall with impatience
attend the success of it. The money for your horses and waggons
Capt. Brough has received. Mr. Wilmot has made Capt. Legg's
brother his cornet, and O'Neale has made himself one. I send you
the enclosed that you may see what wise letters I sometimes receive
from him. Capt. Byron, O'Neale's lieutenant, tells me he will quit
that place, for he is weary of the usage he receives from him. Mr.
O'Neale writes that his new cornet has his commission from the 8th
of December [1640], and that his old cornet must have no pay from
that day; yet he went hence but on the 9th of January, and had
leave from me for three weeks. In my opinion the means for that
time is all due to him. Two sentences in semi-cipher follow. My
Lord of Northumberland writes that he has order from the King to
command all the officers, except Parliament men, to the army.
Cornet Tracy writes that Sir Foulk Huncks offers him his lieutenant's place, but that he has civilly refused it, in hope your
Lordship will assist him to a better command. He had thought
that Capt. Howard's troop would have fallen void shortly, but my
Lord General hath dispensed with his absence and Sir Jo.
Berkeley's from their troops for a while, so there's no appearance of
that, I believe. I send a list of the strength of the horse as they
have been mustered as present; yet I conceive that some troopers
who are absent with those captains who are at the Parliament, and
otherwise by leave, are made good upon the muster books for
present men. I send the rules now to his Excellency; and although
the Scots advance not, saving to enlarge their quarters, yet it has
been said they intended to pass the Tees hitherward. Though
many in this kingdom make no question of their integrity, yet if
they should pass, I have desired in my letter to his Excellency to
know how we are to behave, whether to resist them as our enemies;
because so many of this kingdom esteem them friends. [2½ pp.] |
| April 2. |
9. Petition of Dame Anne Moore, widow of Sir Francis Moore,
serjeant-at-law, to Francis Lord Cottington, Master of the Court
of Wards. In the cause between Dame Elizabeth Moore, committee
of Sir Henry Moore, Bart., his Majesty's ward by information,
plaintiff, and petitioner defendant. Petitioner has sent into court the
inventory of the goods and plate of the said Sir Francis Moore, the
ward's grandfather, in obedience to an order and injunction to that
purpose. In the said cause a commission is issued to examine
witnesses, which is to be executed this vacation; and it is materially
necessary for petitioner to have the inventory to produce before the
commissioners, and to examine witnesses thereupon, who cannot
speak but upon view of the inventory, as the same is written by
some of their own hands, as by the affidavit annexed appears. For
these reasons, and for that the plaintiff hath a copy thereof, the
same having remained in court near a twelvemonth, she prays that
she may have the said inventory out of court, to produce at the
commission. Underwritten, |
|
9. i. "Direction by Lord Cottington to Mr. Audley. Let the
inventory in the petition mentioned be delivered to petitioner, so as she or Thos. Moore, gent. named in the affidavit
annexed, enters into bond of 100l. to return it into court,
together with the commission; so as both plaintiff and
defendant may make use of it at the execution of the
commission as is necessary; and let an order be drawn
up accordingly. 2 April 1641." [Copy. 1 p.] |
| April 3. |
10. Protection by one of the Peers [Edward Viscount Conway ?]
for his servant William Owen. These are to require you to suffer
the bearer quietly to pass without molestation or arrest "during this
time of Parliament, as you will answer the breach of the privilege
belonging to all and every Peer of this realm." [Draft. ½ p.] |
April 4.
Stanstead Mountfitchet. |
11. Richard Ward to Sir Edward Deering. Being not able
through distance and business to attend upon your worship, I have
sent the things which were expunged out of my book; and a most
short survey of the contents of these two manuscripts, which I have
superscribed the greater and lesser book, that your religious
assembly and honourable court may the more readily turn to anything they please. I have both referred the House or committee to
some particular places in both these manuscripts, wherein are
passages whereby it will clearly appear whereunto they desired
and hoped ere long to lead us; and also have reduced all that was
expunged to nine short heads, and have thereunto annexed a table,
by which that undoubted and too-well experienced truth of your
worship's is confirmed, that England's "Imprimatur" is worse than
Italy's "Index Expurgatorius." Both myself and the Church have
suffered, and that not lightly, by the licensers thus handling my
book on St. Matthew; for I promised the world, in the epilogue of
that work, to go on with the rest of the Evangelists; and I had
with no small pains prepared for the press both Mark, Luke, and
almost all John; but this is so mangled that it lies by the walls,
whereby I am quite discouraged from setting forth the rest. I refer
it wholly to your worship whether you think me worthy of any
satisfaction from Dr. Weeks for the wounds and wrong which I
have received through the sides of my book by his means. I
humbly desire your worship to be a means that these two manuscripts I have sent may be licensed for the press, and I will attend
upon you for them as soon as possibly I can; and if you please to
appoint me any time after Easter, though it be within a week or
two, to preach before the House I shall most willingly attend that
service; and because of that honourable respect which I bear unto
your worship above all that I know in the House,—although I
know divers, and have some particular interest in some knights
there,—I desire that I may be brought as your chaplain or friend,
and I hope that your worship shall incur no disgrace thereby.
[2/3 p.] |
| April 5. |
12. Certificate by Richard Allison, Rector of Syderstone, and Tho.
Logher, Rector of Letheringset, co. Norfolk. That Charles Ward,
M.A. and priest in holy orders, has officiated in the cures of Fakenham
and Larringset [Letheringset], Norfolk, this five years, and demeaned
himself soberly, agreeable to his vocation, and being in all things
conformable to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England.
[½ p.] |
April 6.
York, at night. |
13. Sir John Conyers to [Edward Viscount Conway]. I send you
enclosed the copy of a letter of mine to his Excellency [the Lord
General], by which you will perceive as much as I know of the
business I write of. The foot officers are discontented, and all men
are of opinion they intend to do something; but I fear, let it be what
it will, it will not be wisely done, for our army is not in state nor
discipline, nor I think so well inclined, as to do anything worth speaking of, though some of the officers be gallant men. You will perceive
by the last part of my letter that I desire, if some commanders come
hither, I may then be spared to come to London. I beseech you
inform me what you hear touching our army, and what chiefs we
are likely to have, and also advise me what shall be fitting for me to
do; and if Mr. Goring come to command me, or any man else
that is not of more eminence, I pray your Lordship then to assist
me all you can, that I may have leave to come to London, though
but for a few days. I hope it will seem no wonder that having been
so long in these parts my occasions now draw me into the south;
and I may as well be spared for a short space, as all the world have
been spared all this while. I may well desire to change this air,
for I desire nothing more than that the army may be discharged,
and that I may leave this employment upon any reasonable terms
and without prejudice to my reputation, which I fear is a thing
almost impossible to be done; but I am thus far embarked in it and
must now attend the event. [2 pp.] Enclosed, |
|
13. i. The same to [Algernon Earl of Northumberland]. I
perceive the foot officers are not pleased with what they
have received from the Parliament touching the letter they
sent up to your Excellency, for I find by their discourses
that their discontents are not lessened, and it may be,
fearing they have displeased, may chance draw them into
further inconvenience, so that I doubt some disorder will
suddenly follow. They had a meeting at [Burrough]
Bridge on Saturday last but what their business was or
what they agreed upon I cannot learn. I hear again
they are to meet here this night or to-morrow. A rumour
has been spread in these parts for some days that a herald
at arms was come down, and so was Mr. Bellasis, Lord
Fauconberg's son, to cashier the army, which troubles them
and the country also, not hearing of full payment. I have
been informed they have endeavoured to persuade some of
the officers of the horse to join them, but to do what I know
not; therefore, to avoid all evils, as soon as the moneys were
paid out. I gave charge to the chief officers here to command
all the rest to their quarters, there to exercise and keep their
troops in order. Yet some I hear remain still in town,
but keep out of my sight. I am perplexed in this business,
and therefore despatch this express to your Excellency,
beseeching your order in it. Without that I shall be unwilling to do anything. I do also beseech you to give me
answer to that clause of my letter of the second of this
present, what shall be fit for us to do if the Scottish army
or any part of it, upon pretence of finding a better quarter,
or any other occasion, shall press upon us or seek to pass
the Tees. Your Excellency will be pleased to pardon me
that I ask this question, for the times are such that I know
not how to govern myself. I understand that some of the
foot officers by a note under their hands have desired Mr.
Goring may be Lieutenant General of this army, for which
some of them are already sorry. If he come to command here in that quality I do then most humbly beseech
you to give me your leave or to procure me the King's leave
that I may come to London to attend your Excellency. I
shall then give his Majesty and your Excellency such
reasons of my occasions there as I hope shall be pleasing
to his Majesty and your Excellency. P.S.—I beseech
your Excellency that this letter may not be made public,
for this I write is for the most part but of presumption.
[Damaged by damp. Copy. 3 pp.] |
April 6.
Covent Garden. |
14. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to Matthew Bradley.
I have received yours of April 2. The warrant signed by my Lord
General for yourself is yet at Sion, so that I cannot yet send it
down, but it is safe enough. I find you have sufficient moneys to
discharge this month's pay, and when that is done you hope there
will be a considerable sum resting, which I am glad to hear, and
should be as glad to hear what it is, as also what the charge of the
army will monthly amount to according to your last musters. It
pleaseth me well, too, that you intend to be at York this week to
set the charge right with the paymasters there, of which I expect
to hear by the next return. The bill of 300l. of Mr. Potter's I am
provided well enough for the payment of here presently, and therefore if you charge it on Miviett or yourself, which I had rather,
I shall pay it here upon sight or six days' sight, I am willing you
should have as much money in your hands as I can conveniently
return you, and therefore I have accepted a bill of exchange of 100l.
on Sir Thos. Lucas, addressed from Miviett, which is here paid, and
therefore you must now charge it on him. Touching those
warrants of my Lord Grandison I am satisfied, though I think it
is something improper for me to pay here warrants signed by Sir
Jacob Ashley, when they might receive their money upon the place.
Among the rest here is a surgeon of an hospital who has brought up
his warrant for his month's pay, and the acquittance is drawn by
you. It is but for 12l. 12s.,—no great burden for him to have
brought with him. This warrant I have suspended till I hear further from you. After I received yours by the post, I received your
letter by your brother, and sent away immediately the enclosed
letter and bill of exchange for 100l. unto the Earl of Cork, who in
downright terms has refused it, and therefore I have sent you the
bill of exchange and [David Earl of] Barrymore's letter to his father
[-in-law] back again. For the question that is made by Sir Jacob
Ashley touching the dead or runaway soldiers I think it is needless,
especially their money being due four months since, and therefore I
would make no question of it now. I know it would discontent the
officers very much, which, as I hear, are full enough already of
discontent; but for the next month you must order it punctually
according to your last musters. I sent you down an order under
Mr. Scowen's hand, as from my Lord General, that although Captain
Porter and Captain Crofts, of my Lord General's regiment, had
cashiered themselves, yet it was my Lord's pleasure they should receive their pay till the 5th of January, and that the captains that
succeeded them had their commissions dated but from that day. I
would be glad to know how they stand with you, for they have
been with me, and I can make them no answer till I hear from you.
There is one Captain Roper, a son of Viscount Baltinglass, that was a
reformadoe in Colonel Terringham's regiment, who pretends he was
absent at the time of the cashierment and has not been paid. I sent
him to Captain Burgess, who received, I take it, for the whole
regiment, but who denies that he received any entertainment for him;
and therefore I desire some direction from you, that I may give him
his answer. Now to my own business, for that is ever put in the
last place. I know no particular money lent out of my own purse
that is yet unpaid, but these two sums, 20l. to Captain Horatio
Cary, and 30l. to Sergeant-Major Brockett, which was lent to his
wife in Hampshire upon his own letters; take these into your
hands, for then I know they are safe. You will hear from us
shortly about orders for the army, but they will not concern us that
pay it; but we are all now so busy about the Earl of Strafford,
whose business is now upon the point of finishing, as we cannot
tend anything else. [4 pp.] |
April 6/16.
Paris. |
15. Robert Read to his cousin Thomas Windebank. This bearer
is a very civil man and my good friend, and I hope may be of
advantage to us in the business of the posts, for he is able to say as
much in that as any man, he being one of those Witherings has
deceived. His name is Mr. Frizell. He can tell you my uncle
enjoys bodily health, and his heart is not the heavier for some
expressions delivered him from their Majesties by Mr. Mountague
who arrived here on Saturday last. He comforts himself that he
shall have all the favour his Majesty and the Queen are able to do
him, and the rest must be remitted to God's good pleasure. I am
come to the knowledge of a report raised of me, I know not by
whom, but spread here by some English gentlemen, which is most
false and malicious, that I said all the Lords of the Parliament in
England are fools; but whether I said it in England or here I
cannot yet learn, but am sure I said it nowhere; and I think you
will answer for me that I could not be guilty of such an indiscretion.
My comfort is that I know myself so clear of any unworthiness
or corruption, that if they will have wherewithal to accuse me they
must invent it, as they have done this. It is not improbable it
may have been reported in England to my prejudice, for certainly
the framers of it did it to do me a mischief, and they cannot do me
a greater than to spread it there. I will do my best to find out
here the author of it, for although I am not in a condition to call
any man to account for it, I may discover my adversaries, and
make such use of it as I think fit. Meantime if you hear of any
such report there I beseech you use means to depress it. In regard
of the danger of going to the country we have taken a new
lodging for a month longer in town in a more private place.
[2 pp.] |
| April 6. |
16. Petition of Philippa Rogers, widow, to Francis Lord Cottington,
Master of the Court of Wards. Petitioner's husband, William Rogers,
last November died seized of divers lands in co. Gloucester, held of
his Majesty in capite by knight's service, leaving Don Rogers, his son
and heir, within age. Petitioner on her petition obtained from your
Lordship a grant of the wardship, and was appointed to compound
for it last term, and endeavoured to do so; but being taken with a
long and dangerous sickness, she committed the care thereof to
Mr. Thos. Rogers, a student at law, who endeavoured to find the
office, but could not, as divers of petitioner's writings were dispersed
in other men's hands, and both the escheator and feodary were not
then residing in the county; but Mr. Rogers, contrary to his
promise to petitioner, neglected to continue the petition for longer
time, as by the annexed affidavit appears; by reason of which
neglect and upon false pretence to your Lordship, one Mr. Lee did
upon petition obtain a promise of the same as a neglect, and got
out a writ to find the office. Petitioner prays you to confirm to her
your former grant of the wardship, and a Supersedeas to the [writ
of] Diem clausit last taken forth, and a new writ of Diem clausit
to find the office, which she will do this vacation and compound
next term. Underwritten, |
|
16. i. Let the former writ be superseded and petitioner have a
writ or commission in the nature of a Diem clausit
extremum to find the office, and let the office with a schedule
and confession of the estate be returned the sixth sitting
upon compositions in Easter term next. Francis
Cottington, 6 April, 1641. [1 p.] Annexed, |
|
16. ii. Affidavit by the same Philippa Rogers of the truth of the
above premisses, contained in her petition. 2 April1641.
[1 p.] |
April 8.
Office of Ordnance. |
17. Estimate for furnishing with ammunition ten of his Majesty's
ships and pinnaces, viz., St. Andrew, Rainbow, Bonaventure, Garland,
Leopard, Victory, Happy Entrance, Providence, Roebuck, and
Nicodemus, appointed to the seas in his Majesty's service by warrants
of the Lord High Admiral dated March 26 and April 8, 1641.
Powder, 3,669l. 10s.; stores, including shot, match, muskets, crows,
&c., 2,281l. 9s. 4d.; emptions, comprising cordage, fireworks, ships'
carriages, &c., 1,345l. 1s. 11d. Total, 7,296l. 1s. 0d. [2 pp.] |
April 8.
Chester. |
18. Judith Croxton to her cousin Mrs. Judith Croxton, at Sir
Thomas Smith's house in London. Wonders she has not heard from
her; sends love to all her relatives. [1 p.] |
April 9.
York. |
19. Sir John Conyers to [Edward Viscount Conway]. Although
your Lordship besought the King that you might quit your charge,
yet I hope it is not accepted by his Majesty; that would be a means
to stay Mr. Goring above, whom I should be loth to serve under.
The foot now say his coming hither was propounded to their ambassador Captain Chidleye by my Lord of Newcastle by order from
the King; but I hope his Majesty knows him so well that he will
find some other for this command. If he comes Sir Jacob Ashley is
resolved to quit his command; and the most part of those that put
their hands to the paper that desired him are now sorry for it. His
Sergeant-Major Willis and some few young fellows of his regiment
persuaded the rest to it. I send you a copy of my letter to his
Excellency. P.S.—I send you the enclosed list because it is spoken of
in his Excellency's letter, and that you may see the mistakes they
have sometimes [made]. Perchance the like was in the furnishing
Newcastle with ammunition. [1 p. Damaged by damp.] Enclosed, |
|
19. i. The same to Algernon Earl of Northumberland, Lord
General of the Army. I have received your Excellency's
of the 6th inst., and have already given a warrant to
Captain Legge to deliver ammunition to the troops and to
keep an account of it, and will give order to the officers to
detain money in their hands for the payment of it, when
rates shall be set, according to your command. I wrote to
you the 6th inst., and shall attend your Excellency's answer
at your leisure, and when the Parliament shall have given
directions for one part of it. I am giving order for
particular alarum places for the regiments, that I may
with more ease draw them to a general rendezvous on any
sudden occasion, and shall now give them notice of the
supply of money the Parliament is providing for them.
All but some few have repaired the few arms they have, yet
our defects of arms are very great, as may appear by the
lists I long since sent you. The country throughout complain of their want of fodder for their cattle, and will not be
long able to assist the troops; and if we should have occasion to draw together I know not how we shall subsist for
any small time, nor how to draw together for want of
money to make provision; yet I shall do my endeavour to
the uttermost. According to your order touching Lord
Conway's corporal for shooting at a dog and killing a
man, I have caused all such delinquents to be committed
to gaol, and they have now at the assizes received their trial;
a list of them I enclose. Certain provision was ordained
for the magazine of Berwick last year, and some part of it
was sent in August, but the particulars expressed in the
enclosed list were wanting. Likewise I pray your
Excellency to call to mind that I importuned you many
times last year for a supply for the magazine there, which
at last was agreed to and ordained to be sent the 5th of
September, as appears likewise by the enclosed note. At
my coming from Berwick after the cessation of arms, I was
informed a ship was come to Holy Island with those provisions, but it was a mistake, for to this hour they have
not been sent, and till now that Captain Tillier tells
me of it, I never dreamt but that they had been delivered
there long since. Whose fault it is I know not, but such
mistakes may cause great inconvenience. This I thought
fit to give you account of, and beseech you to send this list
to my lord of Newport. The oaken planks for the platforms not coming in time, deal planks were furnished, so
that if your Excellency think fit to send the rest of the
provisions that part may be spared. York, April 9.
[Copy. 2¼ pp.] |
April 9.
Paris. |
20. Sir Francis Windebank to [his son Thomas Windebank].
Your letters of April 1 are come under my Lord Ambassador's cover,
and I think you shall do well still to make use of that address,
especially remaining in Court as you purpose to do during your
quarter of attendance. I shall likewise take the benefit of that conveyance to you, and therefore call for my letters from Mr. Treasurer
[Vane]. Mr. Mountague arrived here last Saturday and has been
with M. de Chavigny and the Cardinal [Richelieu], who have received
him very well. He brought me so gracious an expression from
the Queen [of England] that I held myself obliged to make an humble
acknowledgment of it to her Majesty, which goes herewith, and I
desire you to present it to her own hands. My Lord Ambassador
[the Earl of Leicester] continues his favours to me and has been this
week with me at my lodging. I wrote lately to Mr. Treasurer [Vane]
by Mr. Frizell, who touched here in his passage out of Italy toward
England. He was Postmaster before Witherings, and drew him in
to be his partner; but Witherings, in token of his thankfulness, joined
with Sir John Coke and thrust the poor man utterly out. He is
able, and not unwilling if he be dexterously managed, to discover
much of Witherings' miscarriage in that place, which I have desired
Mr. Treasurer to make use of, and you will do well to put him in
remembrance of it from me. I have not yet taken any resolution
concerning my remove hence; not that I apprehend the malice
against me to be any whit abated, finding no cause for such a conceit,
but that I hope God will preserve me as hitherto. But I am removing to another lodging in this faubourg, which belongs to a Scotch
Colonel that is gone for England and is to stay there three or four
months. Your mother's resolution for Haines Hill is very good, and
I wish I could be with her. Sends love to his family and relations.
P.S.—Lord Vaux is fallen into an ague and has had three or four fits.
[2 pp.] |
April 9.
Burdrop. |
21. William Calley to Richard Harvey. Thanks for the news he
sent and the two legacy rings, which, however, are not substantial
enough, "because I had rather much over-do than one jot under-do
the will of such a father as mine was." Wishes to have the death's
heads all engraven and then enamelled if it may be done. Amongst
my charges of the Earl of Strafford and Archbishop Laud I do not
find any reply that they have made in defence of their innocence,
and I much desire to see if any such are come forth. I must needs
confess the charges are heavy ones, some of them. I am glad my
friends stand so well. Pray send me 12 grains of the best musk.
[Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
| April 10. |
22. The Judges' resolution upon the question propounded to them
by the Upper House concerning hearing of further witnesses in
behalf of the Earl of Strafford. That according to the course and
practice of common justice before them in their several Courts upon
trials by jury, as long as the prisoner is at the bar and the jury not
sent away, either side may give their evidence and examine witnesses
to discover truth; and this is all the opinion as we can give touching
the proceeding before us. Annotated by Nicholas in the margin,
"This question was propounded to the Judges by the Lords of the
Parliament, 10th April 1641, in the case of the Earl of Strafford,
E.N.," and endorsed by him as above. [Printed in Lords' Journal,
vol. iv., 212. ½ p.] |
| April 10. |
23. Another copy of the same. [½ p.] |
| April 10. |
24. [Dr. Dell to Nicholas ?] Our new Committee for Religion was
to have sat last Monday afternoon, but there being neither meeting
nor adjournment it was left sine die; yet on Thursday afternoon the
Bishops of Lincoln, Durham, Winchester, and Bristol met, where the
assistants, attended by some threescore divines of inferior rank,
were present, and many temporal lords; and many points of
doctrine and church service being questioned, among the rest one
lord said it ought to be put out of the Creed that Christ descended
into hell, which he did not believe. Yesterday forenoon, without any
notice to the other committees, the same spiritual lords and divines
met at the Bishop of Lincoln's lodging, where in less than two hours
they condemned, as I am informed by the Bishop of Bristol [who was]
present, about fifty points in doctrine they had met with in several
treatises and sermons of late printed amongst us. They had culled
out a passage of my Lord of Canterbury's Star Chamber speech, which
they say is that hoc est corpus meum is more than hoc est verbum
meum, which the Bishop of Lincoln censured, for that verbum did
make corpus, but he would not [say] further here, because his Grace
was like to answer it shortly elsewhere. Seal with coronet and
motto.] Enclosed, |
|
24. i. Answer by Archbishop Laud to the objection to the above
passage of his speech. Objection: 'Tis not less, since 'tis the
word which makes the body. Ans.: 1. "Corpus conficitur"
was used by some of the ancient Fathers sano sensu, but is
abused by the Romanists at this day to prove transubstantiation. Wherefore I do a little wonder to hear from some
men this phrase, To make the body. 2. In St. Augustine
'tis "Accedit verbum ad elementum et fit sacramentum."
The Sacrament is made, not the body. 3. Be it Sacrament
or body which is made, 'tis verbum consecrationis that
makes it, 'tis not verbum predicationis, of which only I
there spake. 4. All this is true, though it be spoken of that
which is indeed verbum Dei predicatum; whereas God
knows omne verbum predicatum is not verbum Dei. 5.
A lewd minister may deprave the word and make it void
many ways, but he cannot hurt the Sacrament digne
recipienti. [In Laud's hand. 1 p.] |
| April 12. |
25. Note by Nicholas of a message from the King to the Lord
Mayor of London delivered by him. To acquaint my Lord Mayor
that his Majesty understanding there is a petition framing, and
hands getting to it by some of the city, to the Parliament, for
speedy proceedings against the Earl of Strafford, his Majesty
commanded me to tell his Lordship that he holds it a very unbeseeming thing that the city or citizens should petition for any
matter depending in Parliament, and therefore his Majesty commands that his Lordship use his present and effectual endeavours
to stop the getting of hands to that or any other petition whatsoever, and that he suffer no petition with hands to be prepared
either for his Majesty or the Parliament, for that it is a tumultuary
way, and not fit to be allowed in any civil government; and that
his Lordship have a care to do this secretly as of himself, and not
by any command from his Majesty. Mr. Recorder is to go with me
to the Lord Mayor with this message. Underwritten, |
|
25. i. Mr. Recorder and I delivered this message the 11th of
April accordingly in private to his Lordship, who
promised to have a care to perform it. [1 p.] |
| [April 12.] |
26. Petition of Sir John Lambe to the Lords Spiritual and
Temporal in Parliament assembled. Petitioner prays you to hear
the cause between Walter Walker and himself, because—1. Two of
petitioner's counsel were absent at the hearing thereof before the
Lords Committees. 2. Petitioner hath divers things to prove
before you which were not then mentioned. 3. It will appear that
Walker neither had nor hath any right to the office in question, and
if he had he hath surrendered the same. 4. Nor ought he to have
any damages, because he sustained none by petitioner, and if he did
he hath clearly released it. 5. But that he unjustly troubled
petitioner and the country without any just title, and therefore
ought to make reparation to petitioner, which petitioner humbly
prays he may do. 6. Lastly, for that if he think his title good
petitioner is ready to try the same with him at the Common Law,
where indeed it most properly belongs; and [petitioner] will take
no advantage of the said surrender. [See Lords' Journal, vol. iv.,
p. 214. Copy. 1 p.] |
April 12.
Monday morning. |
27. Nathaniel Tomkyns to [Sir John Lambe]. On Friday afternoon I understand by my brother Walter and other friends that Sir
Henry Anderson, being absent from the House when my brother
moved on your behalf, did of his own accord move that you might
have leave to go into the country for a month, and was seconded by
Sir Robert Harley; and after some opposition Mr. Hyde and Mr.
Godolphin spoke also for you, but they were withstood by Sir John
Clotworthy, Mr. Rigby, and others. Mr. Pym, taking a middle way,
was content you should go into the country to any place not above
10 miles from London, so that you might attend the House at two
days' warning [see Commons' Journal, iv. p. 117], upon notice to be
left at your lodging in Doctors' Commons. My brother came not
into the House until Mr. Hyde was speaking, and standing up to
speak after Mr. Pym, Mr. Hollis stood up also with him, who being
the first up in Mr. Speaker's eye had, according to the order of the
House, the priority of speaking. He besought them not to spend so
much time about one man's safety when the safety of the whole
kingdom was in question, that day being appointed to consider of
the two armies, both being discontented for want of pay, and if
either should come more southward it might embroil both nations.
After his speech the precise party would hear no more concerning
you, but fell to the business of the day, disputing till seven at
night whether a cessation of arms for a fortnight longer, after the
16th inst., should not be desired of the Scottish Commissioners,
which being opposed by many as a thing that would draw from
the subject 12,500l. more, and as dishonourable to move from that
House unless either the Scots or the Lords Commissioners of the
Upper House should move it as formerly, it was nevertheless resolved on division that it should be so, about 140 being against it
and 240 for it. On Saturday morning the Earl of Strafford being
come to Westminster Hall, and both Houses sitting in presence of
the King, the Commons desired they might enlarge their charge
upon the 23rd article; whereupon the Earl also desired he might
enlarge his answer upon the 21st and 23rd articles. The Lords,
retiring to their own House, returned with this resolution, that they
held it equal if the Commons added anything de novo that the Earl
should have the like liberty. The Commons, not satisfied therewith,
much pressed that they had formerly had a saving granted them,
but the Earl had none; the Earl said he had humbly besought the
Lords he might have the like saving, and he hoped it would be
held reasonable that if new objections were made he should have
permission to make new answers to them, being for his life. The
Lords met again to consult in their House with the judges, and
after half an hour the Earl Marshal delivered their opinion to be
the same as before, which as soon as the Commons heard, a great
number of the precise part cried "Withdraw! withdraw !" and the
Lords immediately thereupon cried "Adjourn! adjourn!" and so
both Houses went in little better than tumultuous manner from the
hall to their several Houses, where they did little but agree to meet
in the afternoon. The King laughed, my author says, and the Earl
of Strafford was so well pleased he could not hide his joy, being
now sine die for any further proceeding. In the Commons' House
after dinner, after much debate what course to take for the punishment of so great an incendiary, Sir Arthur Haselrigg drew out of
his pocket a Bill, supposed to have been prepared before that day,
for the Earl's attainder, and punishment by death,—hanging,
drawing, and quartering,—which Bill was with much ado kept from
being read again the same afternoon. The secret of their taking
this way is conceived to be to prevent the hearing of the Earl's
lawyers, who give out that there is no law yet in force whereby he
can be condemned to die for aught yet objected against him, and
therefore their intent is by this Bill to supply the defect of the laws
therein; and to make him more odious, a paper was that afternoon read in the Commons which young Sir Hen. Vane is said to
have found casually in his father's study, as notes of passages at the
Council table, wherein strange speeches of the Earl's were quoted,
touching the curbing of the people and introducing an arbitrary
government; and also of Lord Cottington's and others tending to
the same end; about which paper both their Majesties are said to
be much offended with Mr. Secretary Vane. From the Lords'
House I have not heard of anything, save that they sent that afternoon to the Commons for a conference about a cessation of arms
for a month longer; so it is inferred that the precise party is still
most prevalent in the Higher House too, and that it was so contrived by the correspondents in both Houses that the Commons
should give the Scots one fortnight's pay, and the Lords another,
and not to let them go till their intended work be done. [3½ pp.] |
| April 13. |
28. Speech of the Earl of Strafford on the last day of his trial in
Westminster Hall. The Lord Steward at his entry told them the
Lords had ordered that their testimonies should be waived and that
they should proceed immediately to what followed, so that day
might put an end to what concerned matter of fact. Lord Strafford
replied that in all humility he would submit himself to that or any
other their decrees whatsoever, though it could reach so far home to
him as his own life; but with all humility begged that if hereafter
he should be troubled—for they [the Commons] were to speak
last—with new matter or supplemental proof, he might be heard to
say for himself. The Lord Steward having said that it was all the
reason in the world, he went on thus:—My Lords, this day I stand
before you charged with high treason; the burthen is heavy, but
far the more that it hath borrowed the name, the Patrociny of the
House of Commons; if this were not interested I might shortly
expect a no less easy, than I do a safe, issue and success to the
business; but let neither my weakness plead innocency nor their
power my guilt. If your Lordships conceive of my defences as they
are in themselves without reference to either—and I shall endeavour
so to present them—I hope to go hence as clearly justified by you
as I am now in the testimony of a good conscience by myself. My
Lords, I have all along my charge watched to see that poisoned
arrow of treason that some would have to be feathered in my breast,
and that deadly cup of wine that hath so intoxicated some petty
misalleged errors as to put them in the elevation of high treason;
but, in truth, it hath not been my quickness to discern any such
monster yet within my breast, though perhaps now by a sinister
imputation sticking to my clothes. They tell me of a twofold
treason, one against the statute, another by the common law; this
direct, that constructive; this individual, that accumulative; this
in itself, that by way of construction. For the first I must and do
acknowledge that if I had the least suspicion of my own guilt I
would spare your Lordships this pains and pass sentence of condemnation against myself; and whether it be so or not, I do refer
myself to your judgment and declaration. You and only you,
under the favour and protection of my gracious Master, are my
judges. Under favour no commoner is my peer, nor can be my judge,
and I shall ever celebrate the providence and wisdom of your noble
ancestors that have put the keys of life and death, so far as concerns
you and your posterity, in your own hands; none but you know
the rate of your noble blood, none but you must hold the balance
in dispensing the same. I shall proceed in repeating my defences
as they are reducible to these two main branches of treason; and
for treason against the State, which is the only treason in effect,
nothing is alleged but the 15th, 22nd, and 27th articles. Here he
brought the sums of all the replies made to these three articles
before; and he alleged five reasons for nullifying the testimony of
Sir Henry Vane, because it seemed pressing: 1. That it was but a
single testimony and could not make faith in a matter of debt, much
less of death; yea, that it was expressly against the statute to
impeach a man, much less condemn him, for high treason but by
the testimony of two famous witnesses. 2. That Sir Hen. Vane
was dubious in it and expresses it with an "As I do remember," and
such and such like words. 3. That all the Council of eight besides
himself discountenance the words, as if by a singular providence
they had only taken hold on his ears. 4. That at that time the
King had levied no forces in Ireland, and therefore he could not be
so impudent as to say to the King himself that he had an army
there for reducing this kingdom. 5. That he had proved by
witnesses beyond all exception, the Marquis Hamilton, the [Lord]
Treasurer [Juxon], the Earl of Northumberland, Lord Cottington
Sir Wm. Pennyman, and Sir Arthur Terringham, that there was not
the least intention to land those forces in England. He went on:—
And so much for the articles concerning the individual treason. To
make up this constructive treason, or treason by accumulation,
many articles are brought against me, as if in a heap of felonies or
misdemeanours—for in their own conceit they reach no higher—
some prolific seed, apt to produce what is treasonable, could lurk.
Here I am charged to have designed the overthrow both of religion
and the State. The first seemeth to have been used rather for
making me odious than guilty, for there is not the least probation
[proof] alleged concerning my confederacy with the Popish faction,
nor could there be any indeed. Never a servant in authority
beneath the King, my Master, who was more hated and maligned,
and am still by these men, than myself, and that for a strict and
impartial execution of the laws against them. Hence your Lordships may observe that the greater number of the witnesses used
against me either from Ireland or Yorkshire are men of that religion;
and for my own resolution I thank God I am ready every minute
of the day to seal my disaffection to the Church of Rome with my
dearest blood. But, my Lords, give me leave here to pour forth the
grief of my soul before you; these proceedings against me seem
extremely rigorous, and to have more of prejudice than equity,
that by a supposed charge of my hypocrisy or errors in religion
I should be made so monstrously odious unto three kingdoms. A
great many thousand eyes have seen my accusations whose ears
shall never hear that when it came to the upshot I was never
accused of the same. But I have lost nothing; popular applause was
ever nothing in my conceit; the uprightness, the integrity of a good
conscience was and ever shall be my perpetual feast. And if I can
be justified in your Lordships' judgments from this grand imputation—as I hope now I am, being [seeing] these gentlemen have
thrown down the bucklers—I shall account myself justified by the
whole kingdom, because by you, who are the compendium, the
better part, yea, the very soul and life of the same. As to my
designs about the State, I dare plead as much innocency here as in
the matter of my religion. I have ever admired the wisdom of our
ancestors, who have so fixed the pillars of this Monarchy that each
of them keeps due measure and proportion with other, and have so
handsomely tied up the nerves and sinews of the State that the
straining of one may bring damage and sorrow to the whole
economy. The prerogative of the Crown and the propriety of the
subject have such mutual relations that this took protection from
that, that foundation and nourishment from this; and as on the
lute, if anything be too high or too low wound up, you have lost the
harmony, so here the excess of a prerogative is oppression, of a
pretended liberty in the subject disorder and anarchy. The prerogative must be used, as God doth His omnipotency, at extraordinary occasions; the laws answerable to that "potentia ligata in
creaturis" must have place at all other times, and yet there must be
a prerogative if there must be extraordinary occasions. The
propriety of the subject is ever to be maintained if it go in equal
pace with this; they are fellows and companions that have been and
ever must be inseparable in a well-governed kingdom; and no way
so fitting, so natural to nourish and intertex both as the frequent
use of Parliaments. By this a commerce and acquaintance is kept
between the King and the subject; this thought hath gone along
with me these 14 years of my public employments, and shall, God
willing, to my grave. God, his Majesty, and my own conscience,
yea, all who have been accessory to my most inward thoughts and
opinions, can bear me witness I ever did inculcate this:—The
happiness of a kingdom consists in just poise of the King's prerogative and the subject's liberty, and that things should never be
well till these went hand in hand together. I thank God for it, by
my Master's favour and the prudence of my ancestors I have an
estate which so interests me in the commonwealth that I have no
great mind to be a slave, but a subject. Nor could I wish the cards
to be shuffled over again upon hope to fall on a better set; neither
did I ever keep such base mercenary thoughts as to become a
pander to the tyranny, the ambition of the greatest man living.
No, I have and shall ever aim at a fair but a bounded liberty,
remembering always that I am a freeman, but a subject; that I
have a right, but under a Monarch. But it hath been my misfortune now under my grey hairs to be charged with the mistakes
of the times, which are now so high bent that all appears to them
to be in the extremes for Monarchy which is not for themselves:
hence it is that designs, words, yea, intentions are brought out for
real demonstrations of my misdemeanours—such a multiplying
glass is a prejudicated mind. The articles contain expressions and
actions; my expressions either in Ireland or England, my actions
either before or after these late stirs. In this order he went through
the whole charge from the first to the last article, and repeated the
heads of what was spoken by himself before. Only in the 28th
article he added,—if that one article had been proved against him it
contained more weighty matter than all the charge besides, and
that it had not only been treason but villany in him to have
betrayed the trust of his Majesty's army. Yet because the gentlemen had been sparing because of the times to insist upon that
article,—though it might concern him much,—he would keep the
same method and not utter the least expression that may seem to
trouble the happy agreement interceded for, though he wished the
same might deceive his expectation. Only thus much [he would
say], he admired how himself, who was an incendiary in the 23rd
article against the Scots, is become their confederate in the 28th, or
how he could be charged at one time for betraying Newcastle and
fighting with the Scots at Newburn; seeing there was no possible
means to preserve the town but by hindering the passage there. That
he had never advised war further than in his poor judgment might
concern the very life of the King's authority and the safety and
honour of this kingdom; nor saw he what advantage could be
made by a war in Scotland, where nothing could be gained, but
many hard blows. For his part he ever honoured that nation; but
he ever wished them to live under their own climate, and had no
desire they should be too well acquainted with the better soil of
England; but he thought that article had been added in jest or as
a supernumerary, and he very little suspected to be upon the Scots'
confederation. He wished, as he hoped it was, that every man
were as free from that imputation as himself. And then closed his
defence with this speech:—My Lords, you see what may be alleged
for this constructive, rather this destructive, treason. For my part, I
have not the judgment to conceive that such a treason is either agreeable to the fundamental grounds of reason or law. Not of reason,
for how can that be treason in the whole which is not in any of the
parts? or how can that make a thing treasonable which in itself is
nothing so? Nor of law, since neither statute, common law, nor
practice hath from the beginning of this Government ever mentioned such a thing. And where, I pray you, my Lords, hath this
fire without the least token of smoke lien hid so many hundreds of
years, and now breaks forth in a violent flame to destroy me and
my posterity from the earth ? My Lords, do we not live by laws,
and must we be punishable by them ere they be made? Far better
it were to live by no law at all, but be governed by those characters
of discretion and virtue stamped in us, than to put this necessity of
divination upon a man and to argue [accuse] him of the breach of a
law ere it be a law at all. If a waterman split his boat by grazing
on an anchor, and the same hath a buoy appendant to it, he is to
charge his own inobservance; but if it have none, the owner of the
anchor is to repair the loss. My Lords, if this crime which they
call arbitrary treason had been marked by any discernment of the
law, the ignorance of the same should not excuse me; but if it be
no law at all, how can it in rigour, in strictness itself condemn me?
Beware you do not awake these sleeping lions by the raking up of
some neglected, some moth-eaten records,—they may sometime
tear you and your posterity in pieces. It was your ancestors' care
to chain them up within the barrier of a statute; be not you
ambitious to be more skilful, more curious than your fathers were
in the art of killing. My Lords, it is my present misfortune, but
for ever yours, and is not the smallest part of my grief, that not the
crime of treason, but my other sins, which are exceeding many,
have presented me before this bar; and except your Lordships'
wisdom provide for it, may by the shedding of my blood make a
way for the tracing of yours. You, your estates, your posterities
lie all at the stake if such learned gentlemen as these, whose lungs
are well acquainted with such proceedings, shall be started out
against you: if your friends, your counsel [were] denied access to you,
if your professed enemies admitted to witness against you, if every
word, intention, circumstance of yours be alleged as treasonable, not
because of a statute, but a consequence, a construction of law heaved
up in a high rhetorical strain, and a number of supposed probabilities, I leave it to your Lordships' consideration to foresee
what may be the issue of so dangerous, so recent precedencies.
These gentlemen tell me they speak in defence of the commonweal
against my arbitrary laws; give me leave to say that I speak in
defence of the commonweal against their abitrary treason; for if
this latitude be admitted, what prejudice shall follow to the King,
to the country, if you and your posterity be disabled by the same
from the greatest affairs of the kingdom! For my poor self, if it
were not your Lordships' interest, and the interest of a saint in
heaven, who hath left me two pledges here on earth, I should never
take the pains to keep up this ruinous cottage of mine. It is laden
with such infirmities that in truth I have no great pleasure to carry
it longer about with me, nor could I leave it ever in a better time
than this, when I hope the better part of the world would perhaps
think by this my misfortune I had given a testimony of my
integrity to God, my King, and country. And, I thank God, I
account not the afflictions of this life comparable to the glory which
is to be revealed in the world to come. Here I had something
more to say, but my voice and my spirits fail me; only I do in all
humility and submission cast myself before your Lordships' feet.
Let me be a Pharez to keep you from shipwreck, and do not put
such rocks in your own way, which no prudence nor circumspection
can eschew or satisfy but by utter ruin. And whether judgment in
my case—I wish it were not the case of you all—be to life or death,
it shall be righteous in mine eyes, and received with a Te Deum
laudamus. Now, In Te Domine confido, ne confundar in eternum.
[The above speech is printed at much greater length in Rushworth,
"Trial of Strafford," pp. 633-660; but the version given above
differs so widely from Rushworth, and contains so much new
matter, it has been thought right to give it here in extenso. See also
for quotations from the speech, Forster's "Life of Strafford" p. 394,
&c. Endorsed by Nicholas: "The Earl of Strafford's speech and
repeating of his defence to the charge against him, the last day of
his trial in Parliament." 62/3 pp.] |
April 13.
Covent Garden. |
29. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to Matthew Bradley.
Colonel Vavasour has procured a warrant from the Lord General for
the rest of his waggon money. It must come out of the King's
money, yet you must so carry the matter that he may think it must
come out of the Parliament money, to prevent importunity of others.
As for Doctor Denton, I wonder how he should come to this knowledge as much as you do; but in his letter he says he has it from the
Secretary. I am sure neither he nor anybody else has heard it from
me, for I have denied it both to the General and the King. But
whatever he supposes I think he will get no warrant, he has so
neglected the service. The Lord General at his going off has given
many warrants for rewards: to the Advocate of the Army 100l. to
Doctor [Thos.] Cademan 100l. and 60l. for a waggon, and divers others,
as 50l. apiece to Mr. Scowen and yourself. I desire your opinion of
these payments; my advice goes to spare the King's money as much
as I can, and therefore I would pay none out of that stock but the
waggon money and your 50l., and let the rest go out of the Parliament money. Doctor Cademan desires to receive 100l. of this
money here, and that his son may receive the 60l. for his waggon
there; and if you will put it into this way he will give you 5l. for
your despatch. The warrants must be sent down for his son's hand,
and the 100l. I shall pay here on a return from you, though my stock
of money is now low, and I desire no more moneys be returned upon
me till you hear from me. Davenant is paid his 40l., Colonel
Goring is paid here only for this last month's pay, from December 8
to January 5, as Colonel of the first Bragado [brigade] and Colonel
and Captain of a regiment. You have a remainder of 2,000l. in your
hands of the Parliament moneys that came last to you now; and of
the former 4,000l. I desire to know whether you mean this 4,000l. to
be Parliament money or the King's; it lights so right upon the sum
that it makes me doubtful. Touching Lord Barrymore's business
I cannot possibly by this post return you any answer, for the Lord
[General] being at Sion, and Mr. Scowen not going thither at this
time, has put by all my means to present it. Perhaps my Lord
[General] may be courteous now at his going off, the Earl of Holland
being declared our General, but his commission is not yet under seal.
Captain Crofts and Captain Porter are left out of Sir Jacob Ashley's
warrant; but look whether the new captains be not put in, for if
they be there will be a double payment, for their pay is to begin
from the 5th of January. Our new General talks of coming down
as soon as we can get money, which we are fairly promised from the
City, and therefore it cannot be long before we meet. [4 pp.] |
| April 13. |
30. Certificate by William Gwynn, Auditor, of the fines and customs
of the tenants of the manors of Crowland, Holbeach, Whaplode, and
Epworth, in co. Lincoln, for the past seven years. Total, 605l. 3s. 6d.
The copyhold tenants of the manors of Spalding and Moulton, co.
Lincoln, pretend to have their fines certain. The fines of the
copyholds in Barrow and Goxhill manors the tenants were wont to
keep in their hands towards the repair of their banks against the
Humber; but there is a stay of admittances by warrant from her
Majesty's Council within those manors, as I am informed, and also
of Barton manor. [¾ p.] |
| April 13. |
31. Certificate by Justinian Povey, Auditor, of the arrears of all the
Greenwax due and unpaid to her Majesty in the 9, 10, and 11 years
of the reign of Charles I, in the following counties: Lincoln, Norfolk,
Oxford, Berks, Notts, Derby, Beds, Bucks, Suffolk, Cambridge, and
Huntingdon, Surrey, Middlesex, Herts, York, Wilts, Hants, Hereford,
Gloucester, and Warwick. Total 13,982l. 17s. 11d. Underwritten, |
|
31. i. These arrearages are granted unto Mr. Arpe, Provider of
her Majesty's Robes. |
|
31. ii. This certificate is made by warrant from the Queen's Commissioners, dated March 29, 1641. Examined by Justinian Povey, Auditor, April 13, 1641. [12 pp.] |
| April 14. |
32. Certificate of Richard Harison and William Barker, two of the
Commissioners for assessing and taxing the two first subsidies of the
four entire subsidies granted to the King by the present Parliament.
That Sir Francis Windebank is assessed and taxed towards the
payment of the first two subsidies in the parish of Clewer, in
Ripplesmere hundred, in the Forest division of co. Berks, and the
assessment has been paid. [2/3 p.] |
| April 14. |
33. Bill of Thos. Dennis for haberdashery, amounting to 1l. 5s.,
besides which, for making the suit, 6s. [= ½ p.] |
| April 15. |
34. Petition of Henry Earl of Danby to the Lords Commissioners
of her Majesty's revenue. Petitioner is tenant to her Majesty
of Blandesby Park, in the honour of Pickering, co. York, part of her
Majesty's jointure, in the last demise whereof are about seven years
yet unexpired. He prays a new lease of the park and appurtenances to him or his assigns for such term of years or lives, and
on such reasonable conditions, as to your Honours shall seem meet.
Underwritten, |
|
34. i. Mem. by Nathaniel Tomkyns that Robert Long, her Majesty's
Surveyor General, is desired by the Board to certify the
value of the premises. Denmark House, 15 April 1641.
[2/3 p.] |
| April 15. |
35. Account by Richard Hollings of the Recusants' Revenues for
the South, from Michaelmas, 1639, to Michaelmas, 1640. Total,
4,680l. 17s. 3½d., whereof is issued 4,131l. 18s. 8½d.; in hand,
548l. 18s. 7d. Also statement of what is to be paid into the
Exchequer to clear the aforesaid account. [12/3 pp.] |
| [April 15.] |
36. Questions submitted [in the House of Lords] concerning the Earl
of Strafford's trial. 1. So many of your Lordships as are of opinion
that the going by way of Bill in the discussing of the matter of fact
in this whole cause that the rule shall be the persuasion of every
man's conscience, say Content; so many as [are] not of this opinion,
say Not content. Voted upon the question, Content. 2. Whether
the Earl of Strafford did give warrant for the sessing of soldiers in
Ireland upon men's lands, and that the same was executed accordingly.
Voted upon the question, He did. 3. That the soldiers were sessed
for disobeying the Earl of Strafford's orders in causes grounded upon
paper petitions between party and party and against their consents.
Voted upon the question, It was so. 4. Soldiers sessed with arms in
a warlike manner. Voted, It was so. 5. Sessing of soldiers with
arms, and an officer to conduct them. Voted, It was so. [Probably
April 15, 1641; see Lords' Journal, IV. pp. 217, 218. 1 p.] |
April 16/26.
Paris. |
37. Sir Francis Windebank to [the King]. I have received a signification of your Majesty's pleasure to declare, upon my allegiance to
your Majesty, whether, in a debate in Council at a Committee about
a defensive and offensive war with the Scots, I remember that the
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland did say, that having tried the affections
of your people, you were absolved from all rules of government, and
were to do everything that power would admit, since your subjects
had denied to supply you; and that in so doing you should be
acquitted both of God and man; and that your Majesty had an
army in Ireland which you might employ to reduce this kingdom
to obedience. To which, upon my allegiance to your Majesty, I do
most humbly make this clear and true answer, that having been no
indiligent observer, which your Majesty may well remember, of what
passed in debate from time to time in Council at the Committee
about a defensive and offensive war with the Scots, I do not remember that my Lord Lieutenant of Ireland did say the words above
mentioned, or any other to that purpose; being confident that in a
business so remarkable and of so great moment I could not but have
remembered them if they had been spoken. And further I do as
clearly testify that until the charge lately laid upon the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, I do not remember that ever I so much as heard
the least speech that the army in Ireland was to be employed to
reduce the kingdom of England to obedience; and either I misunderstood the sense of the Committee from time to time, or else
the consultations of the Committee concerning the disposing and
employing of the Irish army did ever bend wholly another way.
[2 pp.] |
| [April 16 ?] |
38. Note of fees due to the officers in the Upper House of Parliament for the Bill that has passed that House for the confirmation of
the Queen's jointure. Total, 19l. 3s. 4d. [Endorsed by Sir John
Lambe: "Queen's Bill due to the clerks of the Parliament." ½ p.] |
| [April 16 ?] |
39. Petition of the Master and Wardens of the Bricklayers' Company to the House of Commons. After reciting the ordinances of
17 Edward IV. and 10 Elizabeth for regulating the making of bricks
and tiles, they pray for an assize of brick and tile according to those
ordinances, that the Master and Wardens or their deputies may
search for any defaults and offences, and finding any may make
entry thereof in some court of their company within a month: that
everyone offending in making or selling brick, tile, lime, or sand
shall forfeit for every 1,000 bricks or plain tiles, 3s. 4d.; for 100
roof, gutter, or corner tiles, 6d.; for every load of sand, 3d.; and for
every 100 of lime, 12d.: that for their great pains in searching they
may have for bricks, &c. put to sale in London or within 15 miles,
for every 1,000 bricks, ½d.; for 1,000 plain tiles, 1d.; for 100 roof
corner, or gutter tiles, ½d.; for every load of sand, ¼d.; and every
100 of lime, ½d.: and in every action or distress for debt, one moiety
of the fines to go to them, the other to the King. [Printed. 1 p.] |
April 16/26.
Paris. |
40. Robert Read to [Thomas Windebank]. I am still of opinion
that the Act of Council was left in the trunk of secret papers or in
my uncle's black box; for those other Scottish papers which were
above in my study at Whitehall were but ordinary things. However
I am sure Mr. Treasurer [Vane] had a copy of it sent him into the
North, for I transcribed it. I am very glad to hear my Lord of
Strafford is like to speed so well, and so I hope is every good
Christian; for I cannot believe that any man professing Christianity
can desire the death of an innocent person, since we know that He
by whom we are Christians desires not the death of a sinner. I
thank you for your favourable remembrance of me in my own particular: I desire not the prejudice of any person, but if they must
be prejudiced and others advantaged by it, I know no reason why I
should not pretend as well as another. A living must be had one
way or other. [1 p.] |
April 17/27.
The Hague. |
41. Sir William Boswell to the King. By command of the Queen
[of Bohemia], your sister, having had divers conferences with the
Portugal Ambassador here, Don Tristran de Mendoza Furtado, in
pursuit of frequent professions he had made of his disposition and
power to do her Majesty and the Palatine family good service, I
waited on her Majesty at a private audience she gave him: when
he put a proposition into her Majesty's hand, which she transmits
in her own letters to your Majesty; accompanying it with verbal
explanation of divers points arising from it. Of which I have given
this brief account with so much the better confidence, because I
observe it proceeds in a most respectful manner from a handsome
hand; tends to a good end; is like to prove of excellent effect in
the Prince Elector's behalf; tacitly to open a way of obliging the
Portuguese to your Majesty; no way to engage you to any rupture
with Spain and the House of Austria; but is apparently feasible in
itself; and possible without any very great cost or inconvenience to
your Majesty. All which I do most humbly submit unto your
majesty's royal goodness and wisdom, only adding that the Ambassador,—having oft implied to her Majesty and myself how much his
master, the new King, and himself desired your friendship above all
others,—bewrayed withal that he would enlarge himself very far
to gain the same when he should understand your Majesty's gracious
pleasure and acceptation hereof. [3 pp.] |
April 17/27.
The Hague. |
42. Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia to the same. By what I write
now to my son, and what Sir Wm. Boswell writes to you, you
will see what has passed betwixt the Portugal Ambassador and me.
I enclose his proposition, of which I humbly beseech you let me
receive your pleasure; and if you like it, I beseech you commission
Sir William Boswell to treat with him about it. I chose rather to
send him to the Ambassador than one of my own, because his being
your servant did carry the greater countenance and make the Ambassador the more free with him, though he went in my name. I like
these propositions the better because they will put you to less
charges than any other way. The Ambassador beseeches you none
as yet may know it but yourself; I only acquaint Sir Henry Vane
with it. I beseech you to do in this as you think will be best for
my son, for next to God I do rely upon you. The Ambassador says
you need not break with Spain for this time, all may be done in
your nephew's name; neither can I think it will hurt the treaty at
Ratisbon, but rather make it better, when they shall see my son in
posture to hurt them. [2 pp.] |
April 17/27.
The Hague. |
43. The same to Sec. Vane. To the same effect as the above
concerning the Portuguese Ambassador's proposition. I forgot in my
letter to the King to beseech him if he like the project to write to
the Prince of Orange an effectual letter to give all the assistance he
can about it to the States, and that Sir William Boswell may
deliver it. If it be written with his own hand it will be the better.
[Two seals with arms and coronet. 1 p.] |
| April 17. |
44. Order of the House of Lords for quieting his Majesty's possessions in the fens, co. Lincoln. Endorsed: "Copy of the order of
the Lords of Parliament concerning our possessions in the West fen."
[Printed in the Lords' Journal, IV. p. 220. ¾ p.] |
| April 17. |
45. Commission from Henry Earl of Holland, "Captain General
of his Majesty's army imployed in this present expedition," to
Thomas Salter. Appointing him ensign of the foot company,
whereof Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Waites is Captain, in Colonel
Henry Wentworth's regiment. [Paper seal, with arms, coronet, and
supporters. Strip of parchment.] |
April 17.
Rothwell. |
46. [Sir John Lambe] to William Viscount Say and Sele. I
should not presume to be thus troublesome to your Honour but in
case of necessity, nor then but in a just cause. Upon extremity of
my sickness both of body and mind the Lords were pleased to give
me leave to repair into the country for recovery of my health, as in
the inclosed, till the 5th of May next: yet on Monday the 12th of
April, when I was gone, Dr. [Walter] Walker moved and got the
1,250l. formerly allowed for his damages by the Lords Committees
confirmed or voted to him in the House [of Lords] [see Journals,
IV. p. 214] in my absence and without any warning given me.
This I will hope was not the meaning of the Lords, to give me leave
to be absent and to do me so great a prejudice the whiles, if they
had remembered the order. That my cause is just it is thus: 10 or
11 years since Walker got a patent of my commissaryship of
Leicester over my head, supposing an error in my grant; he sued at
law, and I had orders in Chancery to continue my possession. He
got a judgment by a mistake in the special verdict, and I brought a
writ of error which yet depends; so in 1632 the suits rested. He
became Commissary of Bedford and I continued my place at
Leicester, till now by order of the Lords I have left it. Five years
after, 1637, he surrendered up his patent to me, and released all
suits, judgments, damages, and demands whatsoever; and this freely
of himself sealed and delivered ere he came at me, and ere I knew
it. But that which he urged to the Lords Committees, and they
then apprehended was, that I got the King to stay the proceedings
of the law till the Star Chamber suits were ended, whereby he had
great loss in his charges: all which cannot help him to a penny, for
were his patent and right to the office never so good, as indeed it
was not, yet he might surrender it; and if he had ten times as great
damages he might release them, and he did so five years after. It
may be said I did ill in getting the King to stay the course of
justice; be it so; and that I may be punished, but not to him; he
hath released all, and I have now lost the office, which is some punishment. My good Lord, I hold you just, that love right, which makes
me fly to you. I can claim no favour, for I think your Lordship
never heard of me, other than ill, till this Parliament, and now by
many clamours, though untrue. But if I were as bad, and worse,
yet I ought to have right, which I humbly beseech your Honour for
God's sake, for your own sake, and for justice sake be a means in
what you can to help me to. P.S.—In hope of good recovery.
[Draft written on the cover of a letter addressed to Sir John Lambe,
with a seal and device. 1 p.] |
| [April 17.] |
47. Notes in Sir John Lambe's handwriting of the answer
returned to Dr. Walker's petition; containing the information embodied in the above letter. Bishop Williams of Lincoln about 1630
granted to his man Walker a patent of my office of Commissary of
Leicester, which I had held during two bishops' times before his
and for ten years in his time, and was confirmed in by the Dean
and Chapter. Hereupon grew long suits, the particulars of which
are here given. [1 p.] |
April 19.
Whitehall. |
48. Queen Henrietta Maria to Sir Richard Wynne, her Treasurer
and Receiver General. Warrant to pay to Robert Long, her Majesty's Surveyor General, such moneys as the Commissioners for her
Majesty's revenue shall from time to time order to be expended for
disafforesting and improving the forests of Pickering and Knaresborough and Blandsby Park, co. York. The whole benefit to be
made by the disafforestation and improvement of those lands the
King having bestowed on her Majesty by his letters of the 18th
March last. [Signed but not sealed. 1 p.] |
| [April 19.] |
49. Petition of Leonard Pinckney, Commissary General of
Victuals for his Majesty's army in the North, to Algernon Earl of
Northumberland, Lord Admiral of England. Petitioner obtained
a Privy Seal for the putting to sale of all the provisions in his
Majesty's magazines at York and Kingston-on-Hull for his Majesty's
best advantage, which he has accordingly done and sold to Thomas
Radbeard and others with condition of transportation to be granted
them from you, without which they could not possibly have been
sold. So the undermentioned provisions being sold by order of the
office of the Navy, Mincing Lane, the 13th of April, and speedily
to be delivered to the contractors according to the articles of agreement, viz., 500 hogsheads of beef, 800 weigh of cheese, 150 barrels
of oatmeal, five hundred thousand weight of biscuit, 30 barrels of
peas, petitioner craves that speedy transportation may be granted
to the contractors, and for which he has given security for the
performance of covenants accordingly. [1 p.] |
| [April 19.] |
50. Another copy of the same, but addressed to the Council.
[1 p.] |
| April 19. |
51. Petition of the same. Petitioner, for same reason
as above, has sold to William Harris, John Swaile, and Mr. Wilson
of London, cheesemongers, 1,200 firkins of butter at 12d. in each
firkin advantage, with condition of transportation to be obtained
from you, and without which they could not possibly have been
sold, being much wasted and decayed; which butter is to be
delivered according to agreement. Petitioner prays that licence
for transportation may accordingly be granted to the persons
above named. Underwritten, |
|
51. i. Note by the Earl of Northumberland, as Lord High
Admiral: For the reasons contained in these two petitions,
I conceive it necessary that letters of transportation be
forthwith granted to the parties therein mentioned, according to the contract made with them by virtue of his
Majesty's Privy Seal for the speedy sale of the said provisions, the buyers thereof having for that cause given a
greater rate for the same than otherwise they would, and
for performance of covenants given good security. Sion,
19th of April, 1641. [1 p.] |
| April 19. |
52. Another copy of the same, but addressed to the Council.
[1 p.] |
April 19.
Oxford. |
53. Humphrey Hawkins to Richard Harvey. I understand by
you that my answer is expected that Mr. La Mence may consummate the business. As in this, so in all things, I shall ever refer
myself to be ordered by my most noble friend, Mr. Porter, and whatsoever he shall direct Mr. La Mence to do I shall most humbly
subscribe to it. I am newly crawled from the brink of the grave.
[Seal with device. 2/3 p.] |
| April 19. |
54. Certificate by Sir Edmund Sawyer of the amount of fines,
taken on the average of the past seven years, paid to the Queen in
the undermentioned manors: made by warrant from Sir John
Lambe and others, her Majesty's Commissioners, dated March 1,
1640[-1]. Surrey:—Manor of Chertsey, 117s. 7½d.; Egham,
25l. 10s. 3½d.; Richmond, 98l. 5s. 4d.; co. Bedford:—Manor of Millbrook, 45s. 9d.; Ampthill, 23s. 2½d.; Steppingley, 9s. 6¼d. [Endorsed: "Sir Edmund Sawyer's certificate of the arbitrable fines of
copyholders." ¾ p.] |
April 19.
London. |
55. Letters patent of Sir John Borough, Garter King-at-Arms,
confirming to Sir Edward Littleton, created Baron Littleton of
Munslow, the coat of arms sketched at the head of this paper in
pencil, to be used by him, with supporters as appropriate to his
rank. [Latin. 3 pp.] |
April 20.
Whitehall. |
56. Sir John Wintour, Secretary and Master of Requests to the
Queen, to Sir Thomas Hatton, Sir Charles Harbord, and Robert
Long. It is her Majesty's pleasure that with all expedition you
prosecute her service in ascertaining the arbitrary fines of copyholders within the manors in jointure to her Majesty, attending
Lord Treasurer [Juxon], Lord Cottington, and Lord Barrett therein
according as there shall be occasion for such warrants, directions,
or commissions to be issued out by them for the accomplishment
of that service as you shall judge fit; and after such obtained that
you put the same forthwith in execution. P.S.—I hold it very
necessary for her Majesty's service that while the commissions are
drawing you prepare surveys or any other things necessary for the
despatch of this business. [Endorsed by Robert Long: "Received
from Mr. Sec. Wintour about compounding for the arbitrable fines
of copyholders: directed to Sir Charles Harbord, Sir Thomas
Hatton, and myself." 1 p.] |
| April 20. |
57. Information concerning John Denison, a minister. He did
assist one who lately was apprentice to Mr. Anthony Biddulph, of
this city, merchant, in robbing his said master of 500l., whereof
Denison had for his part 215l., which himself confessed before
several witnesses upon his examination; and being apprehended, and
brought before Justice Shephard and examined, he there produced
a protection which Lord Lovelace had given him; yet the Justice,
considering the heinousness of his crime, did then commit him to
prison, his warrant importing that he was found accessory to the
robbing of Mr. Biddulph. But the next day the Justice, having
been sent to by Lord Lovelace, discharged Denison and set him at
liberty, and being demanded the reason, said he durst not keep one
in prison who was protected by a Baron in time of Parliament.
Afterwards Lord Lovelace, being expostulated with by a member of
the House of Commons, and the wickedness of Denison in this and
many other notorious crimes being represented to him, he answered
that he had protected him and would maintain his protection.
Denison forthwith, after he got at liberty, fled beyond sea; also
it is conceived that he was not chaplain to the said lord, as is
intimated in the protection. These things happened about the 18th
or 20th of April last, 1641. Sufficient proof of these particulars
will be made if you send to the Saracen's Head, by the Great
Conduit in the lower end of Cheapside, to Thomas Whitley.
[1 p.] |
April 20.
Covent Garden. |
58. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to Matthew Bradley.
I like your advice that the new warrants of rewards may lie by
until we come to make up the accounts, and then we may place them
upon either the King or Parliament as we shall see cause. The
last 36,000l., though you call it out of the Exchequer, is Parliament
money, and I have sent you a note of it as perfect as time would
give me leave to make it. I perceive the 6,000l. in your hands is the
most part of it the King's money, only 2,000l. the Parliament's. I do
not doubt but you are much importuned to lend the officers money,
which I know you will be as sparing as may be to do. We are
passing another Bill of subsidies, and as soon as that is done, and the
Earl of Strafford's business finished, we shall have more moneys;
until then you must look for none. For your warrant of Lord
Barrymore's, Mr. Scowen has promised me it shall be done. By this
post you cannot have it, but by the next if it be to be done.
Meantime take a good course to make a stoppage of it, by Sir Jacob
Ashley, to whom the Earl of Holland has sent his warrant to continue
issuing the moneys. I am commanded by the King to certify him
what day the Earl of Ettrick, Governor of Edinburgh Castle, entered
into pay with you there, and what day his pay ended, whereof, I pray,
fail me not by the next return. I am also desired by a very dear
friend of mine, Sir Edmund Verney, to return hither from his son,
Captain Verney, 40l., which if you will receive there from him I will
pay it here, and put it on the next account. My Lord of Holland
talks of coming down to the army very suddenly, and hopes to get
credit there to clothe the soldiers by the means of Sir Arthur Ingram.
I shall not come with him unless we can get here at least two months'
pay, and if that may be had, then you may look for me. The young
Prince of Orange is received this day at Court, and we are all
commanded to attend there. P.S.—One Capt. Herbert hath brought
a letter from you; I think I shall lend him upon it one month's pay.
He is of Sir John Merrick's regiment. I have written also to Leech
to deliver you the 30l. he hath defalked from Sergeant-Major
Brockett and the 20l. from Captain Cary. [Dated 23 April 1640,
but endorsed by Bradley 20 Apr. 1641, which appears to be correct.
[3 pp.] Enclosed, |
|
58. i. Note of the 36,000l. received by him of the Parliament
money, being part of the 50,000l for payment of the army,
and the way in which it has been disposed of. [1 p.] |
April 21.
Salisbury Close. |
59. Richard Green to Nicholas. I have been this day at
Wherwell and received your rents for Wherwell, Bullington, and
Tufton. Farmer Poore met me there, but would give but 29l. per
annum for Westover; yet after much debate he was contented to
give the full rent for this year, if yourself and Mr. Ashburnham shall
not ease him, and for after years he will defer till he has spoken with
you. For Fullerton I hear not from Mr. Milles, neither have I any
other chapman for it as yet. There will be occasion of your directions
in divers things, principally for preservation of your wood, which is
so miserably destroyed with the conies that it grieves me to see.
Mr. Thornborough kills abundance, and now, being a special time,
follows it very hard; but I am persuaded, unless Lady de la Warr
direct some other course in her woods also, it is not possible to
preserve your wood in any measure, or to make the wood or land
adjoining of any considerable profit, whereof your tenant Mr. Thornborough is very sensible. The fishing I let for 3l., but the tenants
complain they cannot enjoy it according to the lease, but some interrupt and some fish with them, pretending titles. They were all well
yesterday at Sarum. Dorso by Nicholas, |
|
59. i. Memorand. that this 3rd of May 1641 there was 6d.
tendered by Mr. E[dward] N[icholas], Clerk of the Council,
assignee of the within-named Mr. John Ash[burnham],
to the use of Richard Sherp, according to an especial
proviso contained in the lease, whereby the said lease is
become totally void. [Seal with crest. 1 p.] |
| April 21. |
60. Speech of Lord Digby in the House of Commons to the Bill
of attainder of the Earl of Strafford. [Printed in Rushworth V. 225.
Printed pamphlet. 12 pp.] |
| April 21. |
61. Certificate of Peter Heywood, J.P. for Westminster, to the
Council. That Thos. Maning, of Wadham College, Oxford, gent.,
has voluntarily taken the Oath of Allegiance before him this day.
[½ p.] |
| April 22. |
62. Nathaniel Tomkyns to [Sir John Lambe]. I am very glad
you find your health so well amended by the fresh air of the
country. I will begin with her Majesty's affairs, because you will
desire to understand what passed at the meeting of the Queen's
Council last Thursday, where there was a greater appearance than I
expected, six or seven commissioners, divers auditors and receivers,
who passed such accounts as were undeclared at the former meetings.
There was besides a long debate concerning the ascertaining of the
copyhold fines in all the manors of her Majesty's jointure, at the
first proposal whereof you were present: the determination was that
warrants should first be obtained from both their Majesties, and then
such commissions as should be requisite should be sued forth of the
Exchequer and Court of Duchy to divers commissioners, with whose
names I think it not pertinent to trouble you, one of their Majesties'
surveyors being always one. Another order was made that the
commission for surveying the bailiwick of St. James-in-the-Fields
should be renewed, which if it require haste I shall send you next
Thursday for the Great Seal with wax fit to seal it; but otherwise I
shall let it rest till your return. I presented to them the bill of fees
delivered me by the Clerk of the Parliament for passing the Queen's
jointure in the Higher House [see April 16, No. 38], and Sir Thomas
Hatton, for whom I got also an order from them concerning the
improvement at Somersham, spake in their behalf, as he promised
me he would; and the Board were inclined to sign it until Mr.
Attorney gave a delay therein by saying that when it passed at the
last convention the King and Queen both told him the Clerk should
not have any fee for the Queen's business; but that they should in
the end have a gratuity for their pains. I took the boldness to plead
earnestly herein in regard when we took forth your order for leave
I faithfully promised them to get the bill signed; but all I could say
was in vain: since when they have much reproached me, and are very
clamorous against all the Queen's Council, and will certainly do any
of them a mischief if it lie in their power. Yesterday afternoon both
Houses sat, and after much debate, and twice dividing, the House of
Commons, though the opposers were far the less number, the Bill
against the Earl of Strafford was sent up to the Lords, who sat on
purpose, for it was six o'clock at night before it was presented; and
myself going in with the throng observed that some of the Earl's
friends in that House looked sadly on it. They have appointed
Saturday, Easter Eve, to hear the lawyers of the Commons' House
prove those several heads to be treason wherewith he is charged.
Those who are most his friends begin to doubt the worst, and that
his Majesty will be put to a very great strait, and in a manner
necessitated to do that in the Earl's case which is so much against
his heart. I have lost two or three days in attending the Parliament
touching a business of great moment much concerning a near friend
of mine. I purpose to enter your order of the Commons' House for
the discharge of your contempt, and will again confer with the
Sergeant and pay his man, if Sir Henry Anderson and other friends
so advise, who I am sure will take such care of you that you need
not think of returning until the time required by the Lords' order,
the general business of both Houses being not yet ended. Yesternight,
so soon as yours of the 17th inst. came to my hands, I took the
enclosed [see April 17, No. 46], to my Lord Say's house, adjoining
Brook House, near us in Holborn; and understanding his Lordship
had come not well from the Parliament, and gone to bed at 3 o'clock
[in the] afternoon, I left it with a nephew of my wife's, Mr. James
Kyrle, who waits on his Lordship in his chamber, and has undertaken
to deliver it and give me an account thereof. [2 pp.] |
| April 22 and 23. |
63. Memorandum by Alexander Rigby, that at my departure from
London I delivered to Mr. Prynne, upon the 22nd and 23rd days of
April, 1641, seven-and-thirty several parcels of writings, figured with
so many figures, which he is to redeliver to me at my return, that I
may keep them for the right owners. These writings concerned the
proceedings against Mr. Bastwick, Mr. Burton, and Mr. Prynne.
[1 p.] |
April 23./May 3.
Paris. |
64. Sir Francis Windebank to [his son, Thomas Windebank].
Your letters of April 15 are very welcome to me, both for themselves and the comfort they bring of your mother's and your health.
But I am not a little troubled to find you had received none of mine
that week. The letters that should have come to you were of the
9/19 April, and were sent hence under my Lord Ambassador's [Robert
Earl of Leicester] cover directed to Mr. Sec. Vane, which I have
hitherto found the surest way. How they are come to miscarry
now I do not understand, presuming that Witherings, though he
want no malice to betray anything that may fall into his hands
concerning me, yet dares not intercept any packet addressed to Mr.
Treasurer, as this was. Time may perhaps clear this business,
though your mother's and your trouble set aside in not having
heard from me, which I consider by mine own upon the like
occasion, I do not care into what hands my letters may have
fallen. I remember well I then sent you a letter for the Queen
in acknowledgment of the gracious remembrance her Majesty
vouchsafed me by Mr. Mountague, which was all of moment to you
from me at that time. I think likewise there was a letter of
attorney then sent you to enable you to receive my rents and any
moneys else due to me. Last week I sent by the same way a letter
to his Majesty [see April 16, No. 37], with a duplicate of it to you,
concerning the business wherein you had signified his Majesty's
pleasure to me. I hope if that have fallen into other hands they
will not dare to keep back that which was directed to his Majesty,
whatsoever became of the rest. Since my last, Robin has been very
ill and let blood, but I thank God is somewhat better. His servant
Pharamond has been likewise in some indisposition, and upon opening a vein has found much ease. Myself am hitherto the most
valiant, though I have the greatest cause of distemper. I am in my
new lodging, but nothing pleased with it, nor do I think to stay in
it beyond the month for which I hired it. PS.—I have written to
Mr. Treasurer concerning the board wages. I would have solicited
my Lord Steward for these moneys, but that I consider the great
weight of business that lies upon him, and I rather wish you to
make your addresses to my Lady of Arundell, and humbly desire
her ladyship to mediate for me to my Lord, with my most humble
remembrance to them both. [2 pp.] |
April 23./May 3.
Paris. |
65. Robert Read to [the same]. I infinitely wonder how our
letters of the 9/19th should miscarry, since they were sent by the same
way that has been hitherto so sure. But the world grows every
day worse and worse, and is so full of deceit and malice that I
think there will be no living shortly for an honest man in it.
Perhaps Witherings has met with it again; if he have, my comfort
is that no better fortune will befal him in that than usually does to
harkeners who never hear good of themselves: yet methinks, since
the House of Parliament were more noble than to countenance
him in his last unworthiness of that kind, he should not have
much courage to do it again. Since last week I have been much
indisposed with an ague or fever or both, but I thank God I am
upon recovery. I purpose to send you another letter of attorney,
though I am in hope that the former, together with the letters, may
yet be come to your hands. If last week's letters should have been
likewise miscarried, somebody must be called to account for it, for
you know what business of consequence it contained. P.S.—The
letters could not fall into any other hands than Mr. Treasurer's or
Witherings', and therefore must be demanded of one of them.
[1 p.] |
April 23./May 3.
Paris. |
66. The same to [the same]. Has found another way of sending
letters, which he advises his cousin also to use. They do not like
their new lodging, and have been to see another, where they will
probably settle till they know what will become of them in
England. I am very much beholding to Dr. Davison, who has been
very diligent with me in my sickness, and is otherwise very useful
to us. [1 p.] |
| April 23. |
67. Memorandum by Nicholas. The King this 23rd of April,
1641, commanded me to leave this warrant to be dated when Mr.
Henry Percy should give notice. [2 lines.] |
April 24.
Covent Garden. |
68. Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer-at-Wars, to Matthew Bradley.
In answer to yours of April 23, I would only advise you to write
a civil letter to Mr. Scowen, touching your own warrant, for I find
the Earl of Holland purposes to use his own secretary, Mr. Lucas,
in this service, and that Mr. Scowen's employment will cease;
and I would wish a fair going off betwixt you. You have put the
last moneys sent down, I mean the 36,000l. and the moneys
returned, upon a just account, and I purpose before the next return
to compare them with my books here. For money the case stands
thus—but this I recommend to yourself only—the Parliament is
taking care for it, but I believe there will be none had till the Earl
of Strafford's business is despatched, which now depends in the
Lords' House, we having passed a Bill of attainder against him.
Lord Barrymore's warrant I have sent you, signed by my Lord of
Northumberland. I have acquainted Sir Nicholas Selwin he must
expect no money here, but he tells me he is to go down to the
army, and then he will make his reckonings even; and for the
former reckonings betwixt him and Leech and you, I shall presently
settle a course in it that you may have your acquittances up again.
As for Doctor Cademan's business and Captain Verney's, when their
warrants come, and the Captain's money is paid, it shall be ordered
as you think good. I am glad the soldier is so well pleased with
the hope of clothing; I hope it will be done, and that that hope
will stay them together, for I do not see that things go so here but
that we may have use for them. The news of Leslie's fortifying
Darlington, and bringing his ordnance thither unto the side of the
Tees, I like not, I confess. It behoves us to stand upon our guard,
which God send your commanders careful of. Let me hear by the
next how Leslie goes forward with this purpose. [2 pp.] |
April 24.
Whitehall. |
69. The King to Francis Lord Cottington. Warrant to be absent
from Parliament on account of ill health, provided he give his proxy
to some one who may for him and in his name give his voice and
consent to the matters to be treated and concluded in the Parliament. Given under the sign manual at Whitehall. [Dorso:
"Proxy to the Lord Goring, 27th April, 1641." 1 p.] |
| April 24. |
70. Note of payments made by writs of Privy Seal and other
warrants during Michaelmas term, 1640. Total, 68,361l. 19s.;
balance remaining in hand under date, 858l. 4s. 4d. [2½ pp.] |
April 25.
London House. |
71. Warrant of Lord Treasurer Juxon. By virtue of an order of
the Board of the 22nd inst. I hereby require you to suffer William
Harris, John Swale, and William Wilson of this city, cheesemongers, to transport beyond seas 1,200 firkins of butter without
molestation. [Copy. ½ p.] |
April 26./May 6.
Paris. |
72. Sec. Windebank to his son, Thomas Windebank. My Lord
Ambassador [the Earl of Leicester's] sudden repair into England,
and this gentleman, Mr. Alesbury's, friendly offer to see you and to
do me courtesies there, hath brought you these. You must not fail
to attend my Lord of Leicester as soon as you may, and to acknowledge his great favours to me. You shall do well likewise to be an
humble suitor to the Queen in my name, that she will be pleased to
take notice to my Lord of the fair and noble treatment I have
received from him for her Majesty's sake and upon her recommendation, and this you may do at some time when my Lord may be
present, and be sure it may not be forgotten. If you can be of any
use to Mr. Alesbury I pray you be ready to serve him, and let him
know you will be so in acknowledgment of his love to me.
P.S.—Robin has been in some distemper again, and has been let
blood the second time; but is not otherwise very ill, though not
well. [Seal with arms and crest. 1 p.] |
April 26.
The Anne Percy in the Downs. |
73. Capt. Robert Slingesby to [Algernon Earl of Northumberland, Lord Admiral]. This morning Capt. Wake came into the
Downs, oringing with him a convoy from Dunkirk, amongst which
Benjamin Bingley, in a barque of London, bound for London with
goods for English merchants, straggled a little from him, and in the
night a sloop of Calais came aboard of him, first discharging a
volley of small shot into him, and then entered him, wounding
and beating the men, stowed most of them; the master suddenly
cut the halyards of his mainyard, whereby Capt. Wake had
opportunity to man both his boats with musketeers, to send to
her rescue before they could carry her away, in the meantime discharging some pieces of ordnance at them. The Frenchmen, perceiving that they could not carry her off, betook themselves to their
own vessel, but before they went, one of them drew a cutlass, telling
the master that since they could not have her, he should reap no
good of her, and therewith thrust him through the body, that he fell
down dead. The same vessel not many hours before attempted a pink
(coming from Dunkirk to the Downs for convoy) at the south end of
the Goodwin, but finding him hotter than he expected gave him
over. These Calais sloops come daily and nightly into the Downs,
and keep us in continual vigilance, lest they should take some out
of the Road in the night. Their insolencies are so great, and so
frequent, that if they continue a little longer in the conceit of
impunity I think they will very shortly presume to rifle villages on
the shore, since already they make no distinction between English
laden with free goods and strangers with ammunition. [1½ pp.] |
April 26.
Exeter. |
74. Nathaniel Tomkyns [Prebendary of Worcester] to [Sir John
Lambe]. Nothing has been done in the Queen's affairs since my
last. Mr. Jermyn sent one day to me to know where you were,
that he might [send] a lease sealed lately passed to Mrs. Howard.
There is a difference at present betwixt the two Houses of Parliament, touching the Commons' desire, now that the Bill against the
Earl of Strafford is presented up, to sit at the hearing of his counsel
as co-judges with the Lords with their hats on, to which the Lords
not assenting, the Commons are now content to sit as they did in
Westminster Hall uncovered, if so be that the Lords will please to
come as a Committee without their robes: to which the Lords, having
not yet yielded, the controversy is not yet ended. Besides, Sir
Henry Vane's deposition touching the Earl of Strafford is lost by
the Clerk of the Higher House, who cannot give any account how
it went out of his hands: and in a copy thereof since found great
difference is found in the sense by the altering or rather by the
adding of one letter "t," for whereas it was in the original that the
Earl should say "His Majesty might by the Irish army reduce the
Kingdom here," &c., it is "there" in this copy, and so refers to Ireland
only. Another paper touching Sir Henry Vane also is lost by the
Select Committee of the Lower House, it lying upon Mr. Pym's table
when five others were present, viz., Lord Digby, Sir Walter Erle,
Sir John Clotworthy, Mr. Hampden, and Mr. Maynard, which occasioned a variance and reproaching one another publicly, every one
making their several protestations of being guiltless therein. The
suspicion fell most on Lord Digby, who was last in the chamber,
and had said to some of them that Mr. Pym should do well to have
more care of his papers than to let them lie so loose, &c. The lord
protested his own innocence, and said it must be some unworthy
man who had his eye upon place and preferment, wherein he was
supposed to allude to Mr. Pym himself, who has been with the
King twice of late, and since the Lord Cottington laid his offices at
the King's feet, is designed by the voice of the people to be his
successor in the Chancellorship of the Exchequer. This is but as
a subdivision of the Committee, but the whole House is not without
division. After my Lord Digby had made his speech for the Earl
of Strafford, the next day 10 of the precise party made speeches
against several parts thereof. Mr. White did his lordship most
service in helping to explain and excuse, &c., his lordship's chief
plea being, that the House might do justly in transmitting him to
the Lords, and yet it might be a kind of murder in him, being
against his conscience, but he humbly submitted his opinion to the
judgment of the House. This kept him from the bar; but he is
not acquitted, but they let it hang over him, to keep him in
awe. Sir Robert Hatton, for endeavouring to excuse him, by reason
of his quality, they called to the bar likewise, saying every man sat
there as a commoner, and should be dealt with as a commoner, &c.
The heat continued such for a day or two, that a list was made of
the 56 that sat as well-wishers to the Earl of Strafford, called
Straffordians, and pasted upon posts at the Exchange and other
places, and on the other side divers of the 204 that went out against
him were named in a catalogue, Alderman Penington being one, and
the title was "The Anabaptists, Jews, and Brownists of the House
of Commons." I hear it whispered in the court that the King will
not let the Earl go, and that the Parliament is not likely to be
long-lived. The Earl of Holland is made General of our army, but
a Commission is to govern it. Lord Savill is lord lieutenant of Yorkshire, and has a patent for custody of Sherift Hutton Park, which the
Lord President [of the North] once had, but the Earl of Strafford
had that during life, and the Parliament would take that government away. The Prince of Orange with his 400 gentlemen made a
full court here. [Endorsed by Sir John Lambe. 3 pp.] |
| April 27. |
75. Robert Earl of Warwick to Captain Sir John Pennington,
Admiral of the Fleet, "in the Sound of Plymouth." Your love and
respect to me upon all occasions has tied me in a very sure knot of
friendship to you, and upon all occasions I shall rest most ready
to serve you. I have sent you the Portuguese, and do desire you to
call to Capt. Camoke at the Cowes as you go in for the other six,—
three aboard him, and three aboard Capt. Beaumont. P.S.—I send
you by your master a letter to Sir John Hippisley. [Seal with arms
and coronet. 1 p.] |
April 27./May 7.
Paris. |
76. Robert Read to Thomas Windebank. I cannot omit to
present my service to you by this gentleman, though my arm be in
a scarf, for the second letting blood to quit myself of a feverish
indisposition. My Lord Ambassador [the Earl of Leicester] has
been spoken with very particularly about the letters that miscarried,
and his secretary Mr. Batiere, and they both affirm they could fall
into no hand but Mr. Treasurer's, having been enclosed in my
Lord's own cover to him. My Lord Ambassador's departure hence
is very sudden. I hope there is somewhat doing for him on that
side to his advantage; he has used Mr. Secretary [Windebank] so
well here, and I am confident he will be as good to us there if it lie
in his way. If you have anything of consequence to write whilst my
Lord Ambassador shall remain there, I doubt not but Mr. Aylesbury will obtain his Lordship's favour to put your letter under
his own cover hither, which cannot but come very safe. This is all
the trouble I shall give you till the next post, which I make
account will be there before this, for I hear my Lord goes to the
sea's side in his own coach, wherewith he can make no extraordinary expedition. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
April 28.
Queen's College, Oxford. |
77. John Nicholas to his father Edward Nicholas. Writes lest
he should be reckoned in the number of oblivious sons. I am very
much obliged to the Vice-Chancellor [Dr. Frewen] for his love to
me; I have taken with him many meals this Lent. My tutor
presents his service to you. [1 p.] |
April 28.
Burdrop. |
78. William Calley to Richard Harvey. Your letters of the
15th and 22nd inst. I have received both, intimating the black
cloud that hangs over my Lord Cottington's head, which I pray
God may pass away without any tempest. My prayers are the
best service I can do him, and those he shall have. On Saturday,
the 10th inst., between twelve and one at night, we lost eight pairs
of new canvass sheets laid in the garden to be whited; but, whether
overburdened or out of running, the thieves dropped three pairs in
two several places openly to be seen, as if they had gone that way;
which I cannot believe they did; neither do I think they were
strangers altogether. All that I can dislike in the legacy rings, is
that they [are valued at less than] 3l. apiece, which [it] was the will
of my deceased dear father they should be worth. Therefore I pray
at least let them be of the full value. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
April 30.
York. |
79. Sir John Conyers to Edward Viscount Conway. I am glad to
hear you have not quitted your command; if it be not much to your
advantage to leave it, I pray you may still hold it. I am still told
of divers that are to succeed your Lordship, but yet hear of none I
shall willingly obey. If some of them come I must retire, coûte
que coûte. That the Parliament will provide pensions for any of
our profession I cannot believe, we are too contrary to their
humour; but that they say something to please us I may easily
imagine. The Lord General writes, and most men say, he will be
here shortly; but I believe it not, except he brings money and
justice with him. If you give the Prince of Orange but [the title
of] Highness you do no more than he has had long in Holland, for
so soon as his father was possessed of it, the next work in that
Court was to banish Excellency from this Prince also. [Seal with
arms, broken. 1 p.] |
April 30./May 10.
Calais. |
80. Robert Read to [Thomas Windebank]. My last to you was
of the 7th present, by Mr. Aylesbury, who went hence with my Lord
Ambassador [the Earl of Leicester] on Wednesday last. His Lordship is gone by Dieppe, and purposes to make as much haste as he
can with his own coach, yet I believe this will come to your hands
before his Lordship's arrival at Court. I am glad ours of the 19th
came at last to you. It is a mere device to say they were sent an
extraordinary way, for they were put up here in the packet that
went by the ordinary, and how they could then come by an extraordinary I do not understand; but I guess at the reason why they
were detained so long from you. I believe it is likewise a mere
device that my Lord Ambassador's Secretary should complain of
swelling his packets; for my Lord oftentimes demanded here,
whether we had no other packets to send, and has seemed troubled
when we made use of any other way. But it is easily judged by
this that Mr. Treasurer [Vane] is weary of doing that favour for us,
and so we must trouble him no more. I am very glad my Lord
Chamberlain uses you so well as to give you the use of our lodgings;
it is no ill sign, I hope, of the success of our unfortunate business.
I wish an end were put to my Lord Lieutenant's business, for the
sooner that is finished, the sooner will ours come into agitation.
On Saturday next we are to remove to another lodging, which is
more open and wholesome than any we have been in hitherto.
My uncle is loth to stir out of town till we hear more from your
parts. Lord Cottington does very wisely in what you mention; I
wish somebody else could have done so too. Since I began this I
have spoken with Mr. Battiere, and he tells me that about three
weeks since he wrote to Mr. Weckherlin not to trouble my Lord's
packet with letters to merchants and other people here in Paris,
which my Lord knew not, Mr. Weckherlin having of late sent
many such letters under his Lordship's cover. But for ours my
Lord was so far from finding fault with them, that he commanded
Mr. Battiere at his going away to receive our letters, and send them
under cover to his Lordship, and promised to send yours under his
own cover hither. [2 pp.] |
April 30./May 10.
Paris. |
81. Sir Francis Windebank to his son Thomas. Communication
difficult. I am glad mine of the 19th came to you at last. It seems
they miscarried, but through no fault of the Lord Ambassador here
[the Earl of Leicester], who, I am assured, put them under his own
cover to Mr. Treasurer Vane. I sent you in one of mine a duplicate
of the letter I wrote to his Majesty, but seeing the original came so
well, you may keep it by you. The ambassador has gone hence to
England, and Mr. Aylesbury with him. Begs his son to wait upon
the ambassador and make his acknowledgments, and likewise to
put the Queen in mind to take notice of his Lordship's fair usage of
him [Sir Francis] for her sake. I perceive my son Turner could be
contented to change his livings in the Church for some other now
upon the vacancies, and I would I were in a position to contribute
anything to his desires. His services in Court begin now to be of
some antiquity; and I know his Majesty's intentions to him in the
former world, when his friends had power to make use of them, were
extraordinarily good. In this low and afflicted condition wherein I
now find myself, I cannot hold my mediation to any near the King
of consideration; and, besides, I understand not what way the King
will take for the disposing of those preferments now that my lord
Archbishop is from him, or whether it will sort with his present affairs
to make choice of such men as were heretofore held worthy. But if
you or he think that my humble suit to the King or Queen in his
favour will be of any advantage to him, I do give you hereby full
power to solicit both their Majesties in my name, and to make it
my humble request to them, to vouchsafe him some mark of favour
in such particular as he shall desire. This, I pray you, let him know,
with the remembrance of my dear love to him and Pegg. Concerning that wherein you desire to be instructed for the better
securing of the monies lent to his Majesty for the post business, I
do not apprehend any danger in the Privy Seal, if the party whose
name is used be honest. Nevertheless, if, upon advice with any
friend, you shall find danger, there can be no other remedy than to
alter the Privy Seal, and to cause a new one to be passed in some
other name of more trust; or else that two several Privy Seals be made,
the one for one moiety of the money to be paid to Mr. Treasurer
[Vane] in such a name as he shall appoint, and the other moiety to
me in such a name as I shall choose. But none of this can be done
without Mr. Treasurer's knowledge and consent. I shall be glad to
hear of your mother's safe arrival and well-being in the country.
Commend me to Nanne, and let her know I am very glad she is so
well recovered of her late sickness. God bless her and you and all
the rest, and preserve you all that I may enjoy you again before
I leave this world. P. S.—Since I began these Mr. Batiere [Secretary
to the Earl of Leicester] has been with me, and tells me that my
Lord of Leicester gave him in charge at his departure to be careful of
my letters, and to convey them in his own paquets to him, by which
address you are to receive these, and you may from thence return
answers under my Lord's covers. I pray you present my affectionate
thanks to Mr. de Vic for his letters, and let him know it is not
want of respect that I have not done it in a letter apart to
him as I ought, but merely to free him from so much importunity
and danger. I received a friendly remembrance from Sir Thos.
Reynell in Mr. de Vic's letter, which I pray you acknowledge to
Sir Thos. from me. On second thoughts, considering my Lord of
Leicester going by the way of Dieppe may perhaps find but a slow
passage, I have thought fit to send these by Mr. Burlamachi's
means. It is said here that my Lord of Leicester is sent for to be
Lord Deputy of Ireland. [3 pp.] |
| [April.] |
82. The voluntary confession of John Browne, a Romish priest,
of the age of 72, a prisoner in the Gatehouse, who, being twice
examined by a Committee of the House of Commons [see Commons'
Journal, ii. 118], did thereupon further explicate himself for the good
of the Commonwealth and ease of the House. The House notices
that the party who delivered this petition is one of the most eminent
of this age in these dominions, who has read divinity, mathematics,
and philosophy at Salamanca, Alcala, Holland, Avignon, Rome,
Venice, and Genoa; has preached at Paris, in presence of the French
King, at Antwerp, Brussels, Dunkirk, &c; and who desires to inform
concerning some special points for the weal of this State, which he
has observed above 50 years past, which are reduced to these heads:
1. Concerning the Jesuits, and danger they have done to these
kingdoms, labouring that the Oath of Allegiance might not be taken;
the ways they use with their penitents; and projecting of monopolies; of the ministers and substitutes they use; and the way quite
to root them out of these dominions. 2. The reformation of some
things in the Queen's Court, and of some persons which are fit to be
removed. 3. The Archbishop of Canterbury, and of the great
damages done partly by himself, and in his Court of High Commission. 4. Of the manner whereby the Pope means to intrude himself
into the temporal monarchy of these kingdoms; and, to eschew all
future danger in time coming, what persons are to be removed from
hence; and that there should not be permitted any Resident to remain at Rome for the Queen, nor any here from the Pope; nor for
foreign princes, to stir sedition in the State, namely, France and
Spain. 5. That Roman Catholics shall be stopped from going over
sea with their goods and all. The pamphlet enlarges on the above
five subjects, going back many years to trace the influence of the
Jesuits, the Pope, &c. in England. [32½ pp.] |
| [April.] |
83. Another copy of the same. [15 pp.] |
| [April.] |
84. Another copy of the same, imperfect. [44 pp.] |
| [April.] |
85. Abstracts of certain of the charges preferred against the Earl
of Strafford, so far as they could be gleaned by the writer, and addressed to Edward Viscount Conway. 1. That Strafford has often
sat in Council. 2. That, contrary to the statute of 18 Hen. 6, he has
caused several soldiers of horse and foot to be quartered upon the
King's subjects against their will, which is treason. 3. That he has
caused the Earl of Clancarty and Col. Fitzpatrick, and several other
notorious rebels, to be restored to their estates, and, under pretence
of that restitution, to possess much more land than ever they had.
4. That the Adventurers who were possessed of his estate have been
removed to bogs and mountains without any valuable satisfaction
5. That he has endeavoured by oppression to force those who have
lands adjacent to his to part with them at inconsiderable prices,
particularly in the case of Colonel Gower, to whom he said, "I will
have it, and recompense it to you in money as I please." 6. That
when the opinion of any commissioners of the Court of Claims has
been against him, he has caused such commissioners to absent themselves at the times of the sentence, that so nothing might pass
contrary to his pleasure. 7. He has procured letters from the King
in behalf of such persons as never were in being, and has caused the
title of such letter men to be set up against the Adventurers; and
having so dispossessed the Adventurers, has entered into the lands by
pretended purchase, and enjoys them himself. I cannot learn any
more of the heads, and of these all seem to me very frivolous, except
the 2nd and 5th. [Seal with crest. 1 p.] |
| [April.] |
86. Fifteenth article of the Commons' impeachment in Parliament
against Thomas Earl of Strafford, charging him with setting up
arbitrary government in Ireland by illegally taxing divers towns
and billeting soldiers on the inhabitants to compel them to pay,
and by illegally and by force ejecting certain families from their
estates. [Printed in Rushworth's Trial of Strafford, pp. 67 and 426;
and State Trials, iii., pp. 1393-4; and in Cooke's "Speeches in Parliament," 130.] [1½ p.] |
| [April.] |
87. Extracts from and references to the rolls of Parliament and
other records touching the law of treason and famous cases of
impeachment for treason, since temp. Edw. 3. Probably used in
the Earl of Strafford's trial. [4 pp.] |
| [April.] |
88. Extracts from a letter of [Sir John Conyers to Edward Viscount
Conway.] For it is certainly reported here that Holland, Goring, and
Percy are to be our chiefs, and not one of all three that knows aught.
Shall not I be in a good case, &c. I will never stay to command
them, having such chiefs. If Goring comes, Sir Jacob Astley will
not stay, and I will be sick or lame, &c. I am certainly told that the
13th of this present, the day you wrote to me last, you resigned your
place to Mr. Percy, &c. For aught I hear the foot continue still
in their former designs. I would willingly be advised how I should
best behave myself in the business, for 'tis said 'tis pleasing to
the King. |
| [April ?] |
89. Memorandum, intended for the Earl of Bedford, relative to
his investigation of the King's revenue and expenditure. The
first thing your Lordship is to take care of is to have the present
state of the whole revenue clearly set down, that it may appear in
what condition you receive it, whereof some remonstrance is to be
made to his Majesty and the Council. And for your better satisfaction therein, first a balance is to be made showing his Majesty's
annual estate and his annual charge, the casual revenue being
computed by a medium of seven or ten years, and the casual
expenses in like manner. This balance is to be made by Sir
Robert Pye, and Bingley, one of the auditors of the imprests, some
other auditor being added to assist them; and I take auditor Philips
to be the fittest man; or rather by a commission to be issued to
these and some others. Secondly, your Lordship must be particularly informed by Sir Robert Pye and Sir Edward Wardour of all
the anticipations on his Majesty's revenue, and of all his Majesty's
debts by Great Seal and Privy Seal, for which no assignations are
made. Thirdly, you must have a brief information, from some
officers of the Customs, how the great and petty farms are for the
present disposed of, how long they are contracted for, and under
what rents; what collections of impositions or other duties are in
danger of being totally lost by the present Parliament, or of being
impaired by any alteration of State, or of trade at home or abroad.
By these informations you will in some measure understand the
present state of the revenue, so as to represent the same to his
Majesty and the Council; which being done, the next care may be
to reduce things to some better order than you received them in,
which cannot be well done but by the Parliament, nor by them
unless things be prepared for them. The first thing may be to
reduce all pensions and other payments into the receipt of the
Exchequer, some of them being now assigned on other revenues.
The reducing them to the Exchequer is legal and regular, and will
bring all the revenues and all payments under one account, and
give you the true power of the King's payments, which otherwise
you have not. The second thing is, what may be saved, and what
charges retrenched, in his Majesty's estate; wherein, I believe, upon
a careful examination of the King's estate, very much may be done,
viz. in his Majesty's and the Prince's house, in pensions bought and
transacted from man to man, and some others likewise in the
wardrobe and stables, in superfluous and useless officers in the
castles and forts, in ordering the customs and other revenues, and
in divers other particulars. It will be very difficult, from the great
anticipations, to make the King subsist on his own revenue without supply from his people in Parliament. But if subsidies were
given I conceive it very easy; first, because the subsidies would give
the King credit; secondly, some anticipations on present and
immediate revenues might be removed, and the King make use
thereof for his present subsistence, and appoint the anticipations to
be paid out of the subsidies. It will be very important to forbear
anticipations for the future as much as possible; and I think it
very possible to forbear them if the revenue be once balanced,
settled, and regulated, some annual provision being made for the
King's just debts. There are several monthly payments into the
Exchequer from the great farm, and divers collections of the
customs, impositions, and other duties, which are for the monthly
supply of the King and Queen's household charge, for the works,
for the Treasurer of the Chamber, for the Guard and other necessary
payments. Your Lordship must be particularly informed by Sir
Robert Pye what and how much these monthly payments are, and
out of what revenues and to what uses they are issued. And there
must be especial care to establish these payments, and to settle as
many monthly payments as possible, because this will be a means
of much security and quiet to you, and will keep much clamour
and complaint from the King. The government of the revenue of
Ireland and all the affairs of that kingdom formerly depended
principally on the Lord Treasurer, till my Lord Lieutenant's [Earl of
Strafford's] time, who procured instructions and powers that made
him independent of all but the King and himself. You must therefore take some care that the instructions of the next Deputy be
conformed to ancient precedents, and not to those of my Lord Lieutenant; and that a correspondence and dependence be settled
between your Lordship and the Lord Deputy and other officers of
that kingdom, as the Vice-Treasurer, who is also Treasurer for the
army, the Masters of the Wards and Rolls, &c. [Endorsed: "This
was intended for my Lord of Bedford." 3½ pp.] |
