House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 10 December 1621

Lunae, 10o Decembris

Privilege - King's Letter.

Mr. Berkeley: - We have sufficiently taken to heart the sharp Praise of his Majesty's Letter, and have already taken a good Course to vindicate ourselves from the Imputations therein. -

Natural to every Man, to advance his own Jurisdiction. - Let us think his Majesty did this, not to invade our Liberties, but to advance his own Power. - To proceed therefore fairly in our Parliament Business.

Sir Geor. Moore, accordant. - Thinks, we cannot perform our Duty to God, our King, and Country, if we shall now sit still, and do nothing.

Bills from Lords.

Mr. Serjeant Finch and Mr. Serjeant Hitcham bring down from the Lords Three Bills (formerly sent up to them by this House) with some Additions; viz. The Bill of Grace, for Wales: The Bill for levying Fines in other Mens Names : And the Bill for Transportation of Walsh Butter.

Proceeding with Business.

Mr. Mallett: - In our Petition to the King we have made a Request, to have an End of this Session before with Christmas. If this Parliament should be dissolved, as the last was, a great many good Laws would fall to the Ground, if the Bill of Continuance of Statutes should not go on. - To cast ourselves into a Committee of the whole House, and prepare that Bill.

Sir Henry Spiller: - All Orders arbitrable in any Court of Justice, and receive Alteration, or Addition, as better Cause shall appear. - To proceed therefore with our Business, notwithstanding any Order conceived, or entered.

Sir Edw. Sackvyle; - Knoweth now, the King's Letter was upon Misinformation; yet not from any in this House, as known to divers in the House. If his Majesty shall now know, we sit still, and say nothing, he doubteth, we shall not have that good Answer, we otherwise may.

Monopolies.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Ro. Crew and Mr. Attorney.

The Message this: That, whereas the Lords had received, from this House, a Bill of Monopolies, the general Scope whereof they liked well; yet some Things in it they were led to forbear, in respect of some Passages ; yet they have a Desire to recollect those Reasons in that Bill; and desire to have a Conference about it, To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Two of the Clock, in the Painted Chamber : Their Number 25.

The Messengers withdrawn;

Sir Ro. Philippes: - That he seeth not, how we can give the Lords a Meeting about this, unless we resolve to go on with our own Business. - We may, peradventure, treat about Point of Prerogative in this Conference : We in no fit State to treat in it. [a].