House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 15 March 1644

DIE Veneris, 15 die Martii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Gower.

Lords present this Day:

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Answer from the H. C.

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

That they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own concerning the taking off the Sequestration from the Earl of Holland's Estate.

E. of Kent, Leave to bury his Wife in Westminster Abbey.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords assembled [ (fn. 1) in Parliament,] That, the Dean and Prebends of Westm. being absent, the Right Honourable Henry Earl of Kent shall have free Liberty to interr and bury the Body of Mary his late Countess and Wife; in the Chapel called St. Paules Chappell, in Westm. Church, or in some other Place in that Church."

Message from the H. C. for a Conference about a Peace.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Harley Knight:

To desire a Conference, so soon as it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, touching a happy and blessed Peace to be made through all His Majesty's Dominions.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will give a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, as is desired.

Message to them, about the Earl of Thanet's Sequestration.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Serjeant Whitfield and Doctor Aylett:

To acquaint them with the Earl of Thanett's Petition; and to let them know, that, seeing his Lordship comes upon the Declaration of both Kingdoms, that their Lordships think it fit that some Course may be taken to relieve him, according to the Prayer of his Petition, for staying the cutting of his Timber and Woods; and to desire their Concurrence therein.

Countess of Rutland's Assessment.

Upon reading the Petition of Francis Countess Dowager of Rutland; shewing, "That the being assessed at Haberdashers Hall for the Twentieth Part, she being a Peeress of this Kingdom, desires she may be assessed by the Peers, according to the Ordinance of Parliament, and not by the Committee at Haberdashers Hall:" Which this House Ordered the same accordingly.

Report concerning the Servants of the King's Children.

1. The Lord Admiral reported, "That the Committee for St. James thinks it fit that Mr. Torshell of Thisselworth be Household Chaplain to the King's Children at St. James; and to have Two Hundred Pounds per Annum for the same.

"2. They think it fit that there be a Quorum for the Committee of the Princes House; any Five, whereof One Lord and Two Commoners (fn. 2) to be present, to meet in the Lord Keeper's Lodgings, Tuesday and Thursday, at Eight in the Morning.

"3. That Mr. Rob't Cerne be admitted the First Equerry to the Duke of Gloucester, when there should be Occasion.

"4. That Mrs. Lamy be remembered on the First Occasion."

To all which Particulars this House (fn. 3) Agreed.

Ordinance for Currants.

Ordered, That the Lord Admiral (fn. 2) be added to the Committee for the Ordinance for Currants.

Oath to be taken by the Committees of both Kingdoms.

Ordered, That the Lord Wharton is appointed to make Report of the Conference which lies in his Hand unreported, concerning the Oath to be taken by the Committees of both Houses, on Monday Morning next, at Eight of the Clock; and the Lords to have Notice hereof, to be present that Day.

Ordinance concerning Currants.

The Lord Admiral reported from the Committee concerning Currants, "That they have considered of the said Ordinance, and think it fit to pass with some Amendments;" which being read, they were Agreed to.

Answer from the H. C.

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

That they will send [ (fn. 2) an Answer, by] Messengers of their own, concerning the respiting the cutting down of the Earl of Thanett's Woods.

Ordinance for Currants sent to them.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Serjeant Whitfield and Dr. Aylett:

To deliver to them the Ordinance concerning Currants; and to desire their Concurrence in the Amendments.

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

Report of the Conference concerning a Peace.

The Speaker reported the Effect of this Conference; which was, "That Mr. Tate said, he was commanded by the House of Commons to deliver to their Lordships (fn. 2) a Declaration and Vote, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence;" which were read, as followeth:

Declaration, that the Two Houses will consider of Means to effect it.

"Whereas there have been many Endeavours from Oxford, by Declarations, Messages, and otherwise, to raise a Belief in the People, and in Foreign Parts, that they were inclined to Peace, and the Parliament averse to it; notwithstanding that the several Means and Addresses to the Parliament for that Purpose have been such, as in Conclusion did appear clearly to hinder and obstruct the same; which the House of Commons taking into Consideration, and that the Parliament hath always endeavoured a firm and just Peace; they do now think fit of themselves further to prosecute the same, finding the Commissioners of Scotland have Instructions to join with them, to consider and prepare such Grounds as by mutual Advice and Consent of both Kingdoms may bring all His Majesty's Dominions to a happy and safe Peace, for which Purpose they have passed this Vote; videlicet,

Vote to refer it to the Committee of both Kingdoms.

"That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider of and prepare some Grounds for settling a just and safe Peace in all His Majesty's Dominions, such as both Kingdoms may consent unto, and prosecute and present them to both Houses.

"And they have referred it to the Committee of both Kingdoms, that so the Advice and Counsel of the Commissioners of Scotland may be had therein."

And the House was adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure, to debate this Message.

And the House was resumed.

It is Ordered, That this House agrees to the First Part of this Conference; being the Declaration.

Next, the Vote was read again; videlicet,

"That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider of and prepare some Grounds for settling a just and safe Peace in all His Majesty's Dominions, such as both Kingdoms may consent unto, and prosecute and present them to both Houses."

The Vote rejected.

And the Question was put, "Whether this House agrees to this Vote brought up from the House of Commons?"

And it was Resolved in the Negative.

A Committee to draw up Reasons for it;

Ordered, That this House will nominate a Committee next Time the House sits, to draw up Reasons to give to the House of Commons, why this House doth not agree with the House of Commons in this Vote.

and another to prepare Grounds for settling a Peace.

Ordered, That this House thinks it fit that another Committee be named, of Nine Lords, to consider of and prepare some Grounds for settling of a just and safe Peace, and to advise with the Commissioners of Scotland therein, and report the same to this House.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 8^a cras.