House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 3 May 1644

DIE Veneris, 3 die Maii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Clarke.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Covenant to be tendered to the E. of Carlisle.

Upon Signification to this House, "That the Earl of Carlile is desirous to take and subscribe the Covenant of the Three Kingdoms:" Hereupon this House appointed the Earls of Kent and Rutland to tender the same to the Earl of Carlile.

Witnesses sworn, to be examined concerning the Honour of both Houses, and a Peer of this House.

These Persons, videlicet, John Parsons, Eliazer Barnes, and Wm. Hickock, were this Day sworn at this Bar, as follows:

"You shall swear, That you shall true Answer make to all such Questions as shall be asked you by the Committee of Lords, in the Presence of the Committee of the House of Commons, concerning the Honour of both Houses, and a Peer of this House: You shall speak the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth: So help you God, and the Contents of this Book."

Also Edmond Potts was called in, to take the same Oath; but, in regard he was examined already in this Cause, he desired his former Examination may be delivered up to him.

He withdrew.

And this House Ordered, That all the former Depositions taken in this Cause, concerning the Honour of both Houses, and a Peer of this House, are hereby suppressed, and no Use to be made of them for the future.

The said Potts was called in again; and the House told him of the aforesaid Order.

But he humbly desired that his Examination might be delivered to him.

Hereupon this House deferred the further Consideration of this Business till To-morrow.

Message from the H. C. to acquaint the City that the Houses are preparing Propositions for a Peace;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Recorder of London; to desire their Lordships Concurrence in these Particulars:

1. That some Members of both Houses may be sent unto the Lord Mayor, Court of Aldermen, and a Common Council, to acquaint them, that the Houses are preparing Propopositions for a safe and well-grounded Peace; and that both Houses will be ready to take into Consideration such Propositions as they shall present in Behalf of the City of London.

and with an Order.

2. To desire Concurrence in an Order to pay Arrears to Captain Paleologus, lately deceased in the Service of the Parliament. (Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

Committee to acquaint the Common Council that Propositions for a Peace are preparing.

Next, was read the Order for sending to the Lord Mayor; and this House Agreed to (fn. 1) it, and nominated these Lords following to go on Monday next to a Common Council in London; videlicet,

The Answer returned was:

Answer to the H. C.

That this House agrees to the Order for paying the Arrears of Captain Paleologus.

And this House agrees to the Order for sending to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen: To this Purpose, their Lordships have nominated a Committee of Six Lords, to go to a Common Council in London on Monday next, with a Committee of the House of Commons.

Papers concerning a Dispute between Commissary General Bahier and some Scotch Officers.

The Earl of Northumb. reported, "That the Lord of Maitland delivered to the Committee of both Kingdoms a Paper, being a Declaration of Commissary General Behr; and the Committee thought it fit to be communicated to this House, that some Course may be taken to prevent some Inconveniencies which may fall out between him and some Scottish Officers which have delivered up their Commissions." Hereupon this House referred this Business to the Lord General.

Message from the H. C. with Letters from the Earls of Leven and Lindsay;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Henry Vane Junior, and others; consisting of these Particulars:

1. Two Letters; one from the Earl of Leven to the Lord Maitland, dated from Acaster, 27th April last.

The other from the Earl of Lyndsey to the Lord Maitland, dated the 26th of April last, from Acaster, being a Narrative of the Proceedings of the Scottish Army, and a Desire to be supplied with Monies and other Provisions which the Army wants.

with One to the E. of Leven;

2. A Copy of a Letter to be sent from both Houses to the Earl of Leven. (Here enter it.)

Which was read, and Agreed to.

and the Estates of Scotland;

3. A Copy of a Letter to be sent to the Committee of the Estates of Scotland, from both Houses of Parliament. (Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

and to Lord Fairfax.

4. A Letter to the Lord Fairefaix, from both Houses of Parliament. (Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees with the House of Commons in all the Letters now brought up.

Common Council to be called on Monday.

"Ordered, by the Lords in Parliament assembled, That the Lord Mayor of the City of London be desired [ (fn. 2) to call] a Common Council against Monday next, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon."

Ball and Taylor bailed.

Next, Mr. Ball tendered Harcourt Leighton and Josias Barners to be his Bail; and Mr. Taylor tendered Carter and Martyn to be his Bail; which this House approved of, and presently they acknowledged Recognizances as followeth: (fn. 3)

Order for 50 l. to Sir Philip Stapleton, Part of Captain Paleologus's Arrears.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, That the Committee at Habberdashers Hall do forthwith lend and pay Fifty Pounds, upon Accompt, to Sir Phillip Stapleton, as Part of the Arrears due to Captain Paleologus, lately deceased in the Service of the Parliament, to be deducted out of the Entertainment due to the said Captain Paleologus; and that the Arrears due to the said Captain be audited; and, when the said Arrears are paid, that then the said Fifty Pounds be re-paid out of the same to the Committee at Habberdashers Hall."

Letter from both Houses, to the E. of Leven.

"My Lord,

"We are commanded, by both Houses of Parliament, to represent unto your Excellency their just Sense and hearty Acknowledgement of that Affection which you have so constantly and faithfully expressed, not only to themselves, but to the Cause and Kingdom, in whose Assistance and Defence your Excellency hath so freely engaged yourself, notwithstanding the manifold Streights and Distractions they meet with, rendering them (at present) unable to give those Encouragements which they desire, to a Person of so great Merit, and the Forces under your Command; but as all the Hardships and Disadvantages which your Excellency conflicts with in this Cause are Additions to your Honour, so do they account them to be to their Obligation, which they shall be ready upon all Occasions to express. We are further commanded to take Notice of the great Advantage may come to the Affairs in the North, by your diligent Pursuit of the Lord of Newcastle's Forces, and joining now with the Lord Fairefax, for the more effectual and speedy reducing the Enemy in those Parts, and putting a happy Issue to the Distractions of both Kingdoms, for which the Two Houses are desirous to give you all possible Encouragement; and therefore the Earl of Manchester hath Order, with his Army, to attend the Motions of Prince Rupert's Forces, that they may not disturb you; and the Houses have appointed the Sum of Twenty Thousand Pounds to be sent within very few Days, for the Supply of your Army, which for the present they hope will give some Satisfaction, considering the manifold Necessities which lies upon the Care of the Parliament to supply, and particularly those of Ireland, which they are no less desirous to satisfy, and shall suddenly give a real Testimony of.

"We have no more to add, but that we are

"Your Excellency's."

Letter from both Houses to the Committee of the Convention of Estates, residing with the Scots Army.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"We are commanded, by both Houses of Parliament, to express unto your Lordships that thankful Acknowledgement which they account due, as to the Scottish Nation, now so happily and solemnly united with them by Covenant, so more particularly to yourselves, called out by the Honourable Convention of Estates to this Employment, wherein you so diligently endeavour to further the Good of this Kingdom with your own Trouble, (fn. 4) which the just Apprehension you have of the Importance of this present Cause, in which Religion and Liberty are nearly interested, makes you readily undergo. We are further commanded to let your Lordships know, that the Parliament is very sensible of the great Advantage it was to their Affairs, that you resolved so speedily to pursue the Enemy to Yorke; and therefore held themselves much concerned to give that Army all possible Encouragement, for the speedy reducing the Enemy in those Parts, which, by the Blessing of God upon your Forces, and those of the Lord Fairefax joined with you, they doubt not may be speedily effected: For the present, Order is given to the Earl of Manchester, with his Army, to attend upon the Motions of Prince Rupert's Forces, to prevent them from giving you any Disturbance; and the Houses have appointed the Sum of Twenty Thousand Pounds to be sent within few Days for the Use of that Army, being mindful also of what they have resolved to do for the Supply of the Scotts Army in Ireland. All that we have further to add is, that both Houses will be ready to improve all Opportunities of expressing their Care and Affection to your Army, with all due Respects to your Lordships.

"And so we remain."

Letter from both Houses to Lord Fairfax.

"My Lord,

"We are commanded, by both Houses of Parliament, to let your Lordships know how sensible they are of the many great and acceptable Services to themselves and the whole Kingdom, have been so faithfully performed by yourself and Sir Thomas Fairefax your Son, with the Forces under your Command, which in due Time they shall be careful to remember to your Honour; and in particular your late great Victory at Selby: As in the Action itself they do acknowledge the great Goodness and Mercy of God, and the gallant Deportment of yourself, your Son, and all the Commanders and Soldiers; so they look upon it in the Consequence, as that which by God's further Blessing, and the happy Conjunction of your Lordship's Forces with the Scottish Army, not only the Settlement of the North, but of the whole Kingdom may be speedily effected: The Experience they have had of your Lordship's Wisdom in the managing of all your Actions makes them forbear any Advice; not doubting but that Affairs will be so ordered by the united Counsels of your Lordship's and the Scottish General, that all Things will (by God's Blessing) proceed happily. The Earl of Manchester, according to your Lordship's Desire, is directed to attend upon the Motions of Prince Rupert, to prevent those Forces from giving you any Disadvantage; and for what concerns the further Supply of your Lordship's Army, as you have hitherto wrestled with greatest Difficulties and Discouragements of that Kind, so they doubt not but you will still consider the Public Necessity, which however it may render them unable to supply your Lordship in that Proportion is fit and may be expected, yet will they never be unmindful of it, as the Public Treasure will afford, which they will readily manifest by all Expedients and Ways which shall lie in their Power; for further Additions of which, they desire your Lordship to rest assured."