House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 24 April 1626

Lunae, 24o Aprilis

Proceedings against Duke of Buckingham.

Mr. Glanvyle moveth from the select Committee of Twelve, that they understand, some Exceptions taken, by some Members of this House, against their keeping their Examinations private, without admitting some other Members thereof. -

That some great Matters of Weight more now propounded, which, if they shall be publickly now examined, may, by the Notifying thereof, hinder the Service and Ends of the House. - Desireth the Direction of the House in it. Much Dispute, whether the Members of the House, not of a select Committee, may come to the select Committee. Upon Question, the Twelve, already chosen, to send for any Witnesses they shall think fit, without acquainting any therewith, to examine them; but that, at the Examination, any Member of the House may be present. And this Committee hath also Power to send for any Books, or Writings, which they shall think fit: And that, if any of the Witnesses shall be sick, or hindered by other Impediment, that they cannot come to them, this select Committee may appoint Three of themselves, or more, which they will, to repair unto them, to examine them ; and then they to report those Examinations to the select Committee of Twelve; at which any other Member of the House may be present: And those Examinations to be set down in Writing, with the Witnesses Hand to it, or Mark, if he cannot write, if he will put his Hand to it. Much Debate, whether this select Committee shall examine any new Matter, concerning the Duke, not heretofore propounded in the House, or at the grand Committee. Upon the Question, this select Committee to have Power from the House, to consider, and examine, of any new Matter, to be propounded to them, concerning the Duke of Buckingham, though not heretofore propounded in the House, or at the grand Committee; with like Power, as aforesaid ; the Question being twice put, the Voice doubtful; the House divided: The Yea went out. Some desiring, they might go into the Committee Chamber, as having given no Voice; resolved by the House, they might not; but that all present at the Debate -

Tellers for the Yea, Sir Francis Barrington, Sir Tho. Hobby :

Tellers for the Noe, Sir Wm. Strode, Sir Ro. Crane:

With the Yea, 228.

With the Noe, 168

Difference.....

Duke's Answer to Message.

Mr. Gifford reported the Duke's Answer to the Message sent by him, and Sir J. Heppesley, upon Saturday

Debate, &c. in Committee.

Ordered, That no Member of the House shall be present at the Debate, Disposition, or Penning, of the Business by the select Committee; but only to be present at the Examination, and that without Interposition. -

Duke of Buckingham.

That they acquainting the Duke with the Message, the Duke answered, he could not give Answer, before he had acquainted the Lords with it. That, having so done, he this Forenoon asked Leave of the Lords ; who would by no Means consent: And his Answer being dictated, and put into Writing; which he read -

Mr. Speaker to attend.

Mr. Speaker to come to the House by Five Clock this Afternoon.

Resolutions against Duke of Buckingham.

1. Upon Question, the Lord Admiral the Cause, that the Narrow Seas and our Coasts have not been sufficiently guarded, sithence the Dissolution of the last Treaties with Spayne.

2. Resolved, upon Question, The Plurality of the Offices, of Lord Admiral, Warden of the Five Ports, and Master of the Horse, and other Offices, in the Duke's Person, are to be affixed a Cause of the Diminution of the Honour and Strength of the Kingdom.

3. Upon Question, the Particular, concerning the Lord Robertes buying his Honour, to be an Instance to be affixed upon the Person of the Duke, under the Head of the Sale of Honour.

4. Upon Question, the Lord of Buckingham, the Cause of conferring Honours upon such, for the Maintenance of whom the King's Revenue is exhausted.

5. Upon Question, the Duke of Buckingham the Cause of the Delivery of our Ships into the Hands of the French, which were employed against Rochell.

6. The Extorting Money from the East India Company, resolved, upon Question, before, Jovis, 20o Aprilis last.

7. Upon Question, the Two particular Instances of the Duke's Buying of the Wardenship of the Five Ports, and of the Selling of the Place of the Treasurership to the Lord of Manchester, are to be affixed to the Person of the Duke, under the Head of Sale of great Offices, and Places of Judicature.

8. Upon Question, the Duke of Buckingham a Cause of the Intercepting, unnecessary Exhausting, and Misemploying, of the King's Revenue.

Lunae, 24o Aprilis - Post Meridiem

Adjournment.

Mr. Speaker being come, and set, the select Committee, by Mr. Wandesford, informed, that the select Committee should not be ready to report any thing unto them this Night; and thereupon the House arose.