House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 30 August 1642

Die Martis, 30 Augusti, 1642.

PRAYERS.

Members accede to Covenant.

MR. Lane, Mr. Francis, declared themselves in ... Affirmative to the Vote concerning Assisting the Earl of Essex, &c.

Speaking against Parliament.

Jo. Banastre, and Jo. Day, Two Aldermen of Wallingford, came into the House; and informed the House of very dangerous Words spoken by Mr. Rich. Pauling their Vicar.

Resolved, That Mr. Rich. Pauling, Rector of Wallingford, be forthwith sent for, as a Delinquent, for very reproachful and scandalous Words spoken by him against the Parliament.

Ordered, That Mr. Whittacre do recommend unto the Committee for the Defence of the Kingdom, the Consideration of the Information that is here given concerning Wallingford.

Distressed Protestants in Ireland.

Ordered, That the Ministers in and about London be desired to exhort the People to bestow old Garments and Apparel upon the distressed Protestants in Ireland; this House conveiving it will be a very charitable Act.

Prisoner discharged.

Resolved, That Andrew Palmer, Mayor of Herts, now Prisoner in the King's Bench, by a former Order of this House, shall be forthwith discharged from any farther Imprisonment; upon his humble Petition, and Expression of his Sorrow for disobeying the Commands of this House.

Hemsted Lecturer.

Daniel Howe, Jonathan Kinge, Churchwardens of the Parish of Hemsted, informed the House, that Mr. Jo. Taylor their Vicar, and Mr. Jo. Braine his Curate, did absolutely refuse to obey the Order of this House, for Recommending of Mr. Kendall to be a Lecturer, to preach there the Sundays in the Afternoon, and on Thursdays in the Forenoon; and that he would lose his Life rather than he would resign the Possession of his Pulpit.

Persons sent for.

Resolved, That Jo. Taylor, Vicar of Hempsteed in the County of Herts, shall be forthwith sent for, as a Delinquent, by the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House.

Resolved, That Mr. Jo. Brayne shall be sent for, as a Delinquent.

Order suspended.

This Order to be suspended, till the House take farther Order.

Sheriff thanked.

Ordered, That Mr. Spurstoe do return Thanks to the Sheriff of Mountgommeryshire, for his performing his Duty in not publishing the Proclamations concerning the Parliament, and their Proceedings; and to acquaint him, that he has done nothing but his Duty herein; and that he shall be protected, and saved harmless, by both Houses of Parliament, according to former Orders made in that Behalf.

Stepney Lecturers.

Upon the humble Petition of divers Inhabitants of the Parish of Stepney;

It is Ordered, That Mr. Wm. Greenehill, and Mr. Jeremy Boroughes, formerly recommended by Order of this House, to be Lecturers there, or such as they shall appoint, shall have the constant Managing of the Duties of the Fast Days, as long as the Fast shall continue.

Cloaths intercepted.

The House was informed, That Three hundred Suits of Cloaths, that were designed for Ireland, and going to Chester, were upon the Way intercepted, and taken from Whittacre the Carrier.

Horses seized by the King.

The House was likewise informed, That whereas some Seven or Eightscore Draught Horses, were provided for the Service of Ireland, for the Baggage and Artillery there, that his Majesty had moved the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to send his Warrant for the Seizing of them, out of the Hands in whose Custody they then were; which the Lieutenant refusing to do, his Majesty sent his own Warrant: And, as the House is informed, the Horses are seized and taken from the Hands in whose Custody they were * * * *.

Declaration in Answer to the King.

A Declaration, in Answer to that Message of his Majesty, concerning the Borrowing of an Hundred thousand Pounds from the Committee of Adventurers, and lent to the Committee for the Defence of the Kingdom, and recommitted to Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Strode, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Marten, or any Two of them: And they are presently to withdraw, to consider of some Additions to be made unto it, touching the Particulars of the Three hundred Suits of Cloaths now intercepted, and the Horse designed for Ireland, stayed at Chester.

Tilberry Blockhouse.

The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Hundred of Barestable in the County of Essex, and other Hundreds there adjacent, desiring that Captain Henry Withers may be appointed Captain of the Blockhouse in Tilberry, instead of Captain Talbott, turned out of the Charge of the said Blockhouse, by an Order of both Houses of Parliament, was this Day read; and, by Vote upon the Question, laid aside.

Affairs in Devon.

A Letter from Sir Sam. Rolle, of the 25th of August, concerning, his and the rest of the Deputy Lieutenants Proceedings, and settling the Militia through the whole County of Devon; as likewise a Warrant from his Majesty, to Arth. Bassett Esquire, to make him Colonel of the Regiment now under the Command of Sir Sam. Rolle; and likewise a Letter from Arth. Bassett to Sir Sam. Rolle ....

Persons sent for.

Resolved, upon the Question, That Arth. Bassett Esquire shall be forthwith sent for, as a Delinquent; and that the High Sheriff of the County of Devon, and the Committee of this House, and Deputy Lieutenants, do take Order for Apprehending of the said Bassett, and sending him up, as a Delinquent: And that they likewise be required to send up Sir Hugh Pollard, as a Delinquen.

Members disabled to sit, &c.

Resolved, That Sir Richard Cave shall be disabled to sit any longer as a Member of this House, during this Parliament.

Resolved, That Sir Rich. Cave shall be forthwith sent for, .. a Delinquent.

Gudamore's Delinquency.

Resolved, That Humphrey Gudamore, High Constable of the Hundred of Witheridge, in the County of Devon, shall be forthwith sent for, as a Delinquent, for being very active in executing the Commission of Array, and granting out his Warrants to the Petty Constables of that Hundred to hinder the Appearance of the Trained Bands, upon the Ordinance of the Militia.

Ordered, That the Sheriff, the Committee of this House, and the Deputy Lieutenants of that County, be required to take Order for Apprehending of these Delinquents likewise, and sending them up to the Parliament.

New Sarum Writs.

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery do, on Thursday next, give an Account of such Warrants as he has received, for Issuing of new Writs for Electing of new Burgesses to serve for New Sarum, &c. and what is done thereupon; that this House may take farther Order herein.

Member to be summoned.

Ordered, That Wm. Stanhope Esquire, a Member of this House, be summoned to attend the Service of the House, on Thursday come Sevennight at farthest.

Military Affairs.

The House was informed of an Advantage that Two hundred Dragoons, of the Town of Northampton, had upon Three hundred of the King's Troops: They made them fly, and took Twenty of them; and afterwards being scattered, they were met at Brackley, and there Twenty more of them were taken.

Ordered, That the Burgesses that serve for the Town of Northampton, do write a Letter to the Town of Northampton, to take Notice of their Courage.

Sheriffs of Yorkeshire, &c.

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House holds it fit, that the Sheriffs of Yorkeshire, Leicestershire, and Sommersettshire, and Warwickshire, shall continue in their Places of Sheriffs, and keep their Custody of their Counties throughout their Year; and not resign their Charges or Places to any Man whatsoever, upon any Pretence of Warrant or Command: And that the Lords Concurrence be desired herein; and that they injoin them not to resign their Places unto * * * *

Letter to Sheriff of Sommersett.

Ordered, That Mr. Hunt do prepare a Letter to be sent to the High Sheriff of Sommersett, to take Notice of his good Service, in refusing to yield up the Custody of his County; and to require him not to resign it up; and to assure him, that he shall be protected and saved harmless for his so doing.

Kent Petition.

The House being informed, that divers well-affected Gentlemen of Kent were at ... Door, to present to this House an humble Petition;

They were called in: And Sir John Sedley, in the Name of the rest, spoke to this Effect following:

"Mr. Speaker,

"I am intrusted by the well-affected Gentry and Commons of Kent, to present their humble Desires, and faithful Resolutions, in a Petition to this Honourable House.

This Petition comes guided hither with as many Hearts as Hands. It is like a Coat without Seam: It hath no subtil disguised Preamble to it: It is all of a Piece; speaking plain Language; yet full of Loyalty and Obedience to his Majesty and the Parliament.

This Petition is more considerable than any that hath been presented from this County, coming not only from that Part of the Gentry who are exceedingly well affected to the true Religion, and their Country; but embraced with such an unanimous Consent of the intire Body of the Commonalty, as that each Man contested for the first Subscription to it.

The Commons of Kent are very deeply sensible of the many Injuries done them by several Petitions, especially by that late unexampled bold one to his Majesty, falsly assuming to it the Votes of the whole County; whereas, indeed, it was contrived by a few malevolent and ambitious Spirits only, and wholly disclaimed by the Commons, and was subscribed by divers loose and dissolute Persons: This was grown to a dangerous Imposthume (having gathered the most of its Corruption about the Town of Maidstone), had not the Parliament timely observed it, and applied that seasonable Remedy, sending down the late Troops of Horse to * * *, thereby preventing all further or future Ulcerations. For ... vigilant Care of theirs, thus to preserve the whole Body, the Commons have desired me to return their most humble and grateful Acknowledgment to this Honourable House."

Sir H. Vane junior, Sir H. Heyman, Sir Philip Stapilton, Mr. Browne, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Skinner, are appointed to withdraw, to prepare an Answer to be given to these Gentlemen of Kent, that now petitioned the House.

Isle of Wight.

A Message from the Lords by Sir Ro. Riche and Mr. Page;

The Lords have sent these Papers unto you; a Letter from Captain Swanley, and the Articles inclosed: They concern some Proceedings in the Isle of Wight: They do recommend unto you the Services of some Men mentioned in these Papers, that they may not one have a Protection, and be saved harmless, for some Things they have done, peradventure beyond any Commission; but to return them Thanks, and an Acknowledgment of the good Services they have done, by way of some Reward.

Marquis of Herts.

They likewise desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, concerning some Papers they have received, signed by the Marquis Herts.

Isle of Wight.

Resolved, That it shall be referred to a Committee to consider of an Ordinance to save harmless, and for the Indemnity of, Captain Swanley, and the rest of the Captains and others, for that they have done in their Service upon the Isle of Wight, and the Castles there, and against Portesmouth; and likewise to consider and prepare a Commission to enable them to land Men and Ordnance, and to use hostile Acts, upon Occasion, for the Service of the King and Parliament:

Mr. Ellis, * Glyn, * White, * Whittacres, Mr. Hill, Mr. Green: And are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of Clock, in the Star Chamber.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Navy, to consider of some Reward to be given to Captain Swanley, and the rest of the Captains and Officers, and their Companies, for the good Service they have done at the Isle of Wight and Portesmouth: And are to write a Letter unto them in the mean time.

Message to Lords.

Sir Christ. Yelverton carried up to the Lords the Order for the Eight hundred Pounds to Mr. Holles, &c. the Order for Two thousand Pounds to Mr. Gethings; the Order concerning the Sheriffs continuing their Places the * *

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That the House has considered their Lordships Message; and... the particular Papers into Consideration; and have taken some Order in them: And do likewise agree to a present Conference, as is desired.

Conference.

Mr. Pym, Sir Tho. Barrington, Sir H. Mildmay, Mr. Strode, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Christ. Yelverton brings Answer, that the Lords do agree unto all the Orders that he carried up.

Declaration in Answer to the King.

The Declaration, in Answer to his Majesty's Message concerning the Retracting of an Order made by both Houses concerning the Loan of an Hundred thousand Pounds, lent by the Committee for Adventurers, to the Committee for the Defence of the Kingdom: Which was re-committed: And or ....* * * *

Marquis Hertford, &c.

Mr. Pym reports from the Conference, a Declaration, signed by the Marquis Hertford, Lord Pawlett * * *

Members turned out.

Ordered, That a List shall be made of all those Members that have been turned out of the House.

Impeachment of Lord Pawlett, &c.

Resolved, That Jo. Lord Pawlett shall be accused, by this House, of High Treason, in the Name of themselves, and of all the Commons of England.

Resolved, upon the Question, That F. Lord Seymour, Sir Jo. Pawlett, Jo. Digby Esquire, Sir Jo. Stoell, Sir Ralph Hopton, Sir Charles Berkeley, Sir H. Berkely, Sir Edw. Berkeley, Sir Edw. Rodney, Sir F. Doddington, Edm. Windham, Tho. Smyth, Edw. Kirton, Esquires, shall be accused, by this House, of High Treason, in the Name of Themselves, and of all the Commons of England.

Ordered, That the Accusations of High Treason of these Lords and Gentlemen, and likewise of James Lord Strange, shall be sent up to the Lords on Thursday Morning next; and the Lords.. desired, that Proclamation may issue forth, for the Lord Marquis Herts, the Earl of Northampton, H. Hastings Esquire, James Lord Strange, and these other Gentlemen, to appear at a Day certain, or else to stand attainted of High Treason.

Mr. Serjeant Wilde, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Hill, Mr. White, are appointed to prepare an Impeachment of High Treason against these Lords and other Gentlemen.

Sir G. Strode.

Ordered, That the Lords be moved to summon Sir Geo. Strode's Bail to bring in his Person.

Kentish Petition, &c.

Ordered, That the Order for referring the Kentish Petition to the Committee for the Defence of the Kingdom; and a List how the Case stands, for the Kentish Delinquents; be carried and referred to the Consideration of the said Committee.

Kentish Delinquents.

Resolved, &c. Sir Wm. Clarke, Mr. Richards, Mr. Chute, Mr. Richaut, Sir Jo. Tufton, Sir Leonard Feerbye, Sir Edw. Filmar, Sir Jo. Mainy, Sir Anth. Sellinger, shall be forthwith sent for, as Delinquents, for being Actors in, Framers and Contrivers of, the Kentish Petition, at this last Assizes.

And it is further Ordered, That Colonel Edwyn Sandys, the Deputy Lieutenants, and Justices of Peace, in that County, be aiding and assisting to the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House, his Deputy or Deputies, for the Apprehending of the said Persons.

Countess Rivers.

Message from the Lords, by Dr. Aylett and Dr. Heath;

That they have sent down an Order concerning the Countess Rivers; wherein they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Answer was returned by the same Messengers; That this House will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Letter to Holland for Arms.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Declaration of Essex, to draw the Form of a Letter from this House to the States, to permit such Quantities of Arms to come from thence, as shall be bought for the Service of the County of Essex.

Declaration to Essex.

It is further Ordered, This this Committee shall perfect the Declaration.

Mr. Glyn, Mr. Rous, Mr. Strode, Mr. Gurdon, Mr. Reynolds, Sir Tho. Barington, Sir Rob. Harley, are added to that Committee: And are to meet this Afternoon, at Three .. Clock, in the Court of Wards.

Sibthorpe's Petition.

Ordered, That the humble Petition of Anne Sibthorpe, Wife of Hen. Sibthorpe, Serjeant Major, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Informations; who are to report their Opinions thereof unto this House.

Account of Money.

Ordered, That Sir Ro. Harley do give an Account to this House, on Thursday Morning, what Monies are remaining with the Treasurers of London, that comes in upon the Bill of Four hundred thousand Pounds.

Book taken with a Priest.

Ordered, That Mr. Rous, Mr. Millington, and Mr. Whittacre, do consider of the Book taken with a Priest, and sent up from the Committee at Portsmouth; and to report their Opinions thereof unto this House.

Money due to the Scotts.

Ordered, That the Residue of the Monies due for the Ten thousand Boles of Meal allowed to the Scotts, be forthwith paid unto the Scotts Commissioners, or such as they shall appoint.

Letter to Sheriff of Somersetshire.

A Letter from Mr. Speaker to the High Sheriff of Somersetshire, to require him to continue the Charge and Custody of his County, as Sheriff, during the Year, notwithstanding any Command to the contrary, was read; and assented unto; and ordered to be signed by Mr. Speaker.

Dodswell, a Delinquent.

Ordered, That the Serjeant do receive and keep in safe Custody Mr. Dodswell, who was sent for, as a Delinquent.

Kent Petition and Protestation.

To the honourable the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, now assembled in the High Court of Parliament,

The humble Petition and Protestation of the Knights,

Gentlemen, and Commons, of the County of Kent,

Sheweth;

THAT the Fear of Misapprehensions and Misunderstandings of our Duties and Respects to this House, is that which emboldens us humbly to present our Affections and Protestations.

And, first, with all possible Thanks for your great Care and Resolution, in the well Discharge of your publick Trust; which, with so much Opposition to you, (never read or heard of in former Times), you have hitherto undertaken, and encountered with the Hazard of some of your Lives and Fortunes. And we do All confidently believe, and much Joy in the Thought of it (notwithstanding the Misrepresentation of your Actions by some ill-affected to the publick Good, for private Ends), that all your Actions and Endeavours have aimed at the Maintenance of the Protestant Religion, the Preservation of the King's Person, the Rights and Privileges of Parliament, and the Liberties of the Subject, according to the late Protestation commended to us.

And that there may not appear of any Failure in our Duties and Respects to you, we, the Knights, Gentlemen, and Commons, of the County aforesaid, do humbly present this Protestation; that, to our utmost Powers and Endeavours, and with the Hazard of all that is near or dear unto us, in our Lives and Estates, we shall and will maintain, preserve, and defend the Rights and Privileges of Parliament, and the full Authority thereof, the King's Person, the Protestant Religion, and the Liberties of the Subject.

And we humbly desire, that all ill-affected Persons opposite hereunto, by the Power and Justice of this House, may receive such a Degree of Punishment, as those that are professed Enemies to the true Religion, the Peace and Prosperity of this Kingdom.

And we humbly pray God (whom we infinitely praise and thank for his Blessings hitherto .... your Endeavours, manifested in the happy Settlement of Peace, betwixt us and our neighbour Nations; and in the Preservation of some of your Members from apparent Dangers), that those Mists of Misunderstanding, fomented by Persons ill-affected to our publick Peace and Religion, and now interposing betwixt his Majesty's Grace and Goodness to you, and your Duties to him, hindering those sweet Influences, which otherwise, in a great measure, by all Probability, would leave a free Passage betwixt his Majesty and you, by your great Wisdoms, may be so dispelled, and taken away, that a clear and right Understanding might be had of your Actions and Intentions to his Majesty and this Kingdom: And this (God working in his Majesty's Heart an Inclination thereunto), we are confident, will speedily render a great Proportion of Happiness to his Majesty, yourselves, and the rest of this Kingdom,

Which shall be the Prayers of * * * *.

To the Right honourable the Commons House of

Parliament.

WE your humble and faithful Petitioners, inhabiting in the County of Kent, being deeply sensible of the many Miseries which these calamitous Times (notwithstanding your great Care and Vigilance to prevent the same) are likely to produce; wherein his Gracious Majesty, seduced by the malevolent Counsel of an ill-affected Party of Malignants and Cavaliers, the Protestant Religion, his Royal Person and Honour, the Privilege of Parliament, and the Subjects Liberty, are threatened with too apparent Hazard and Ruin: Towards the Support of which, your Petitioners, according to the Duty of loyal Subjects, and good Christians, are not only willing to contribute their best Wishes and Votes, but even the utmost of their Endeavours, both with their Lives and Fortunes, for the Redeeming of his Majesty from such Hands, and our Religion and Liberty from such Peril and Danger. But may it please this honourable House, to consider that the Petitioners apprehend themselves in a Condition and Posture nothing suitable to this their Resolution; being deprived, and left naked, by the Taking our Arms from us, in the late Expedition for Scotland. We therefore beseech your provident Care to empower us with such a Proportion of Ammunition and Arms, to be magazined in these Parts, whereby we may be enabled to manifest our Affections and Obedience to the Command of King and Parliament, both for the Pursuance of the aforesaid Intentions, and Opposition of all illegal Infringements of our Laws and Liberties, such as the Commission of Array wherewith we are at this Time threatened; and what other of the like Nature and Condition soever shall be hereafter obtruded upon us.

And your Petitioners shall be bound, &c.

Answer to Kent Petitions.

The Answer of the House of Commons to the Petitions of the Knights, Gentlemen, and Commons, of the County of Kent, presented the 30th of August, 1642; delivered by their Speaker.

Gentlemen,

I AM commanded by the House to let you know, that it is no small Satisfaction and Contentment to this House to find the Affections and Resolutions of your County, expressed to them so seasonably, and so worthy of yourselves, as they now receive them in these Petitions; especially, observing the many subtle Practices that have been set on Foot, under the Name of that County, to work in this House a contrary Opinion of you; from which you have now so well and fully vindicated yourselves and them.

Nor can they but observe, that at this Time, when, contrary to the fundamental Constitution of this Government, both Houses of Parliament, and the whole Kingdom in Them represented, All, by the Seducement of wicked Counsel, proclaimed Traitors (a Thing until this Time unheard of); you do, with so much Zeal and Resolution, offer yourselves, your Lives and Fortunes, to support your Religion and Liberty, your Country, King, and Parliament, all now in eminent Danger of utter Ruin: For which the House hath commanded me to return you their most hearty Thanks. And touching these malignant and ill-affected Persons, whereof you have, in your Petition, given a general Character; and in particular presented a List of some of them; this House doth assure you, that they will, according to your Desires, proceed against them with all Expedition and Severity. And, concerning your Desires for a Supply of Ammunition and Arms, for the Defence of your County, such hath been the Care of both Houses in that Particular, and for the general Security and Peace thereof, that they have already granted full Power and Instructions to a Committee, and the Deputy Lieutenants appointed by them for your County, to take a Course therein, which they doubt not will give you ample Satisfaction.