DIE Veneris, 8 die Januarii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Cawdrey.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

French Ambassador to have Goring House.

The Speaker acquainted the House, "That Sir Oliver Fleming, Master of the Ceremonies, informed him, That the Steward of the French Ambassador told him, that the French Ambassador is coming to London, and (fn. *) will be here about Monday or Tuesday next: Therefore desires to know where he shall be lodged."

Hereupon this House thought it fit he be received at Goringe-house, where first he lay.

Message to the H. C. about it; and to remind them of Two Ordinances;-and about building some Frigates.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page:

To let them know, that the Lords, being informed that the French Ambassador will be at London on Monday or Tuesday next, do think it fit that he come to Goringe House, where he was first received; and therefore desire it may be made ready for him.

2. To put them in Mind of the Ordinance for the Lambeth Library to be bestowed upon the University of Cambridge.

3. To put them in Mind of Doctor Gibbons' Ordinance.

4. To deliver to them the Report concerning the building of the Three Frigates, with the Sense of the House upon it.

Ordinance concerning Chester.

The Ordinance concerning the County of Chester, was read Twice, and committed to these Lords following, to consider of it, and report their Opinions to this House:

Any Three, to meet To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock.

Mr. Justice Rolls and Mr. Baron Atkins, to be Assistants.

Lapthorne's Ordinance.

Ordered, That the Committee concerning Mr. Lapthorne's Ordinance shall meet To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock; and afterwards to adjourn from Time to Time, as they shall see Cause.

Letters from York.

A Letter from Major General Skippon, was read.

(Here enter it.)

A Letter from Alderman Gibbs and Mr. Noell, was read, sent from Yorke. (Here enter it.)

Jones and Vesey in Error.

Ordered, That the Errors between Jones and Vesey shall be argued, at this Bar, by Counsel on both Sides, on the 11th of January Instant.

White and others for defacing the E. of Essex's Effigy in the Abbey.

The Examination of John White, who defaced and cut the Effigies of the Earl of Essex in the Abbey Church, was read. (Here enter it.)

It is Ordered, That the Persons mentioned in the Examination shall be sent for, to appear before this House the 20th of this Instant January, to be examined concerning this Business.

Lady Blaney's Order.

The Order concerning the Lady Blany was Agreed to, leaving out the Word ["Leycester"]. (Here enter it.)

Withers's Sequestration.

The Earl of Denbigh reported the Case of Mr. Anthony Withers, from the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations. (Here enter it.)

And being put to the Question, "Whether an Ordinance shall be brought in, for taking off the Sequestration of the said Anthony Withers?"

It was Resolved in the Negative.

Papers from Ireland, about the Scots Army there.

The Earl of Northumb. reported some Papers from Ireland, concerning the Scotts Army. (Here enter them.)

"Die Jovis, 7 Januarii, 1646.

"At a Committee of Lords and Commons, at Derby House.

"Ordered, That the Two Letters of the Commissioners in Ulster, of the 21th and 24th of December, and also the Seven several Papers sent therewith, be reported to both Houses; and to offer it to the Houses, whether they will not second what the Commissioners have done to the Parliament of Scotland, concerning the Town of Belfast; the having that Place being so necessary for the Preservation of the Soldiers now sent thither.

"Gualter Frost."

Ordered, That the rest of the Papers shall be read To-morrow Morning.

Cable and Cross.

Ordered, That the Cause between Cable and Crosse shall be heard on Saturday come Sevennight.

Martin, a Pass to France.

Ordered, That Martyn shall have a Pass, to go into France, to the Earl of Winchelsey.

Letter from General Skippon, that the Money for the Scots was arrived at York.

"To the Right Honourable the Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore. These humbly present.

My Lord,

"Under God's special Favour, we arrived here Yesterday, and have lodged our Treasure in Safety: As yet none are come from the Scottish Army to join in telling the Money; but some are expected Hourly. This I held myself obliged in Duty to acquaint your Lordships with; desiring nothing more than to give your Lordships Assurance of my Care and Faithfulness in discharging that Trust reposed in me, as becometh,

"My Lord,

"Your Lordship's true-hearted Servant,

Yorke, the 4th of January, 1646.

"Ph. Skippon.

"Since the Writing hereof, the Deputy Treasurers of the Scotts Army are come."

Letter from the Treasurers at York, on the same Subject.

"For the Right Honourable the Earl of Manche'r, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore. these present.

"Your Honours may be pleased to receive this further Account in Addition to our former: That, on Sabbath-day Morning, we received Answer from the Scotts General, That he had received ours, and had appointed Mr. John Drumond to repair to Yorke, to see the Monies expressed in the Articles of Agreement betwixt the Two Kingdoms told and packed up, and doing any Thing requisite in that Behalf, and to use all possible Diligence to be with us against the Time desired, which accordingly we expected on Sabbath-day Night; but he came not till this Night; which so soon as he was in his Quarters, we applied ourselves to him, to agree upon the carrying on of the Work: And although as yet he hath not Tellers enough to tell over the Money in so few Days, yet faith it shall not hinder, but that the Business shall be dispatched within the Time limited. All which we thought it our Duty to signify to your Lordship; and remain

"Your Honour's humble Servants,

Yorke, Monday Night, the 4th of January, 1646.

"Wm. Gibbs.
Tho. Noell."

Letter from the English Commissioners in Ireland, to Gen. Munro, desiring the Troops from England may be admitted into Belfast.

"SIR,

"Being arrived here, and authorized with Power from the Parliament of England to order and direct the Forces that are or shall be designed for subduing the Rebels; we have already brought with us out of England Two Regiments of Foot, divers of which we suppose are landed about Bangor (according to our Orders), for their present Refreshment, after enduring much Hardship by Sea; and we think fit to acquaint you, That we are commanded by those that have employed us (upon the Failure of the Treaty with the Lord of Ormond, which hath not succeeded) speedily to direct the Forces to Belfast; in Pursuance whereof, Part of them (through God's Blessing) are safely arrived as before-mentioned, and the rest we imbarked in the Harbour of Dublin, whom we expect by the First fair Wind.

"Sir, we doubt not of your ready Compliance with the Directions of the Parliament of England, in order to this great Service; and have therefore addressed these to you, to let you know of the Landing of these Forces, and their coming to quarter in this Place whereunto they are directed; in which we rest assured of your chearful Concurrence, and that, by their Conjunction with your Forces, we may not only secure these Parts against Attempts of the Rebels, but jointly and unanimously proceed in the Prosecution of the War, and advancing the good Cause in which we are engaged; desiring withall, that it may be understood, we do not intend that these Forces shall trespass in the least Kind on the Quarters of your Men for Maintenance; but that they, having only Accommodation of Shelter, shall be so provided with Victuals and Necessaries (which we have brought with us and are ordered to follow us immediately from England) as may administer Occasion of Advantage rather than Prejudice to these Parts. So we remain

"Your very affectionate Friends to serve you,

Belfast, 1 Dec. 1646.

"Rob. Meredith. Rob. Kinge. Jo. Clotworthy.

"We have had a hard Voyage by Sea, and are not as yet furnished with Horses; otherwise we would have given you a Visit at Carrickfargus.

"For the Honourable General Major Monro, at Carrickfargus. These."

Gen. Munro's Answer.

"Honnorable Sirs,

"As I am glaid of your safe Arrivalls, soe I doe heartily wish for the Continuance of mutuall Love and Freindshipp betwixt all the forces intended against the common Enemy; and that their comeing and yours may administer Occasion of Advantage rather then Prejudice either to the Army or Country. As touching the Quartering at Belfast, if you have a direct Order from the Committee of both Kingdomes for that Effect to the Comaunder in Cheife, I doe not doubt but it will bee readily obeyed by him, who must answere for his Deportment to the Generall of the Army, the Earle of Leven; if otherwise that bee wantinge, I beleeve the Colonell wil bee loath to part with his Guarrison, till such Tyme as he knowes of his Excellency's Pleasure; which formerly was the Stopp to the Parliament's Demaund the last Yeare, concerning the giveinge upp of that Guarrison (as is knowne to Sir Robert King) when Captaine Kennedy was sent expressly into Scotland for that End. For my Part, bee pleased to knowe, that my Commaund over Colonell Home's Guarrison cannot reach soe farre as to put him from it, unlesse I were acquainted with the Generall's Pleasure; being more then I could answere for on my Life and Creditt. Therefore I humbly intreate for your favorable Construction in a Matter of this Moment; and I shall ever strive to approve myselfe as becometh the faithfull Servaunt of the Publique, and

"Your affectionate Freind and humble Servaunt,

Carrickfargus, 1 of Decembris, 1646.

"Robert Monro.

"For the Honnorable the Commissioners of the Parliament of England, residing at Belfast. These present."

White's Examination, about destroying the E. of Essex's Effigy in Westm. Abbey.

"The Examination of John White, of South Perot, in the County of Dorsett, Husbandman, taken this 11th Day of December, 1646.

"Who faith, and voluntarily confesseth, That, upon Tuesday last was Fortnight, he came to London; and upon Thursday following he came into the Abbey at Westm'r, about Two Hours before Night, and walked there till Night, and then went and hid himself in a Pew next the Pulpit until One of the Clock; and about a Quarter of an Hour afterwards, he went to find the Door that leaded to the Earl of Essex's Hearse; and finding it locked, he wrenched it open with a Hatchet, he had bought for that Purpose of an Ironmonger near Ludgate, which cost him Twelve Pence; and feeling for the Effigies, as soon as he felt it, he cut off the Head as near as he could, which he thinks he did with about Seven or Eight or Ten Blows, and took out his Knife, and cut and ripped the Cloaths and Boots, and threw the Effigies over, and then laid down there in the Seat until about Four or Five of the Clock in the Morning; and then went down and sat by the Cradle until the People came into the Church, and then went and heard the Morning Sermon: And further faith, That first of all, about Ten of the Clock of that Night, he struck at the Head of Mr. Cambden's Monument with his Hatchet, but knew not where he hit it, for it was very dark; and a little Dog barking at him there, he gave over: And the Reason that he did all this was, for that the Hearse and Effigies did dishonour Christ, and was bound to it both Body and Soul by Promise to an Angel, and was bound afterwards to reveal it: And farther faith, That he went to one Mr. Mapesden, a Justice of Peace, at Maidstone, in Kent, to seek some Work, about a Fortnight before Michaelmas last, whither he went by Direction of an Angel; and while this Examinant was at Work with Mr. Mapesden, he intreated him to go into a private Room, that he might speak with him; and then, being together in a Room after Dinner, he told Mr. Mapesden, "That an Angel had oftentimes spoken to him, by the Speech of other People; and the said Angel told this Examinant, that, the City of London living in such vile Sins and Wickedness, the Lord was so angry with them, that He would send so great Plagues that they should not be able to bury one another, or else He would fire it as He did Sodome and Gomorrah:" And this Examinant knowing that Mr. Mapesden did often ride to London, he therefore desired him to acquaint the City therewith, because himself was a Stranger; and thereupon Mr. Mapesden asked him, "If he were not appointed by the Angel to go to any other besides him?" And this Examinant replied, "He was appointed to go to the Parson of Maidstone, Mr. Wilkins by Name;" and so, at Mapesden's Intreaty, went afterwards, upon a Monday Morning, to the said Mr. Wilkins, who was a more fitter Man, going every Monday to the Parliament-house about Business, as Mr. Mapesden said: And this Examinant speaking with the said Mr. Wilkins, he related the whole Matter to him touching the City of London, as he had done formerly to Mr. Mapesden; and Mr. Wilkins then told this Examinant, "That it was true, for the Angel spoke it then to Mr. Wilkins, and bid him tell it to this Examinant:" And this Examinant further faith, "That the said Mr. Wilkins told him, That the Angel bid him ask this Examinant, whether he had not heard that the Earl of Essex was dead?" Whereupon he answered, "Yes, for that he heard it from a Woman that picked Hops in Mr. Mappesden's Hop-yard:" And thereupon Mr. Wilkins willed this Examinant, by the Appointment of the Angel, "to go back to London, and he should see the Earl of Essex's Funeral, which was to be in such a proud and vain-glorious a Manner as he had never seen before; and that Jesus Christ was greatly offended with it; and when it should come into the Church, he should charge them, in the Name of Jesus Christ, not to go in there, nor into any Church of London:" And accordingly, upon the Day of the Funeral, a little before the Abbey-door, as the Image was carrying, he did say these Words, "I require you, in the Name of Jesus Christ, that you carry him not into the Church, to dishonour Christ." And further faith, That when Mr. Wilkins told him he should speak the Words aforesaid, he this Examinant asked him, "What he should do, if they did not obey him, but carry it in by Violence?" Then Mr. Wilkins replied, "That this Examinant should know better afterwards by the Angel what to do with it;" and gave this Examinant Six Pence; and if he had staid until the next Lord'sday he would have a Gathering for him in the Church; and bid his Wife give him a Piece of Bread, and so went up into his Chamber: And this Examinant never saw him since. And this Examinant further saith, That, after the Day of the Funeral, he staid here in Town about a Fortnight, touching Suits in Law, and was admitted in Formâ Pauperis in the Chancery, and then carried down a Subpæna for Three Men, (videlicet) Roger Courtis, Gregory Gibbs, and Thomas Lane, all of South Perott aforesaid; and upon Thursday the 12th of November, this Examinant met with the said Mr. Gibbs, at Robert Cubb's House, Tenant to the said Gibbs; and Gibbs bid him Welcome; and then Mr. Gibbs asked him, "from whence he came?" and being told from London, he asked this Examinant, "if he had brought a Subpæna for him?" whereunto this Examinant answered, "He had, and had left it with his Wife." Whereupon the said Gibbs thrust this Examinant out of Doors, and gave him a Kick in the Breech, and tore his Coat with his Spur. Then the said Robert Cubbe spoke to this Examinant presently without the Door; and told him, "That the Angel had blamed Mr. Gibbs for striking of him, and would have no Man to wrong him; for I do punish him myself enough, saith the Angel," as Cubbe said. And this Examinant further saith, That the said Mr. Gibbs and Robert Cubbe, in the Presence of a Minister whose Name he knoweth not, as this Deponent stood at the Door, asked him divers Questions touching the Earl of Essex' Funeral, of the Manner thereof, and "whether he spake those Words he was commanded by the Parson of Maidstone?" And thereupon he told them "he did." And then they asked this Examinant "what was done to him after he had spoke those Words?" And he told them, "There was One that thrust him from the Place a good Way off; and then they carried the Image into the Church." And then the said Mr. Gibbs and Cubbe told this Examinant, That the Angel said, "If the Image was kept there, he would fire the City." Whereupon this Examinant fell upon his Knees, and prayed the Angel that he would intreat Jesus Christ to forbear the Firing of the Town; and upon Condition thereof he would do whatsoever the Angel would have him. And then thereupon they told this Examinant, that the Angel commanded him to cut all the said Image, Hearse, and all that was about it, in Pieces; and to beat down the rest of the Images in the said Church: Which this Examinant did undertake to do at one Time or other, if the Angel would defend and support him in it while he was doing of it.

"Capt. Die et Anno supradictis, coram me,

"Th. Fawconberge."

Order for 200l. per Ann. and 300l. in Hand, to Lady Blaney.

"It is this Day Ordered and Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Sum of Three Hundred Pounds be forthwith allowed and paid unto the Lady Jane Blaney, for her present Subsistence, and Two Hundred Pounds per Annum for her future Maintenance, to continue during the Pleasure of the Houses, to be deducted out of the Arrears due to her Husband for his Entertainment; and that the Three Hundred Pounds, and Two Hundred Pounds per Annum, be paid unto the said Lady Blaney, or her Assigns, out of the Sequestration of the Estate of the Lord Brudnell; and the Sequestrators in the County of Northampton, where Part of the Estate lies, are hereby required to make due Payment of the said Three Hundred Pounds, and Two Hundred Pounds per Annum; and that an Acquittance under the Hand of the said Lady Blaney, or her Assigns, shall be (fn. *) from Time to Time to the said Sequestrators for the Payment thereof accordingly."

Footnotes