DIE Lunæ, videlicet, 5 die Aprilis.
PRAYERS.
E. of Strafford's Petition, about his Property in Ireland, which is seized under Colour of Authority of the Irish Parliament.
A Petition of the Earl of Strafforde was read; shewing, "That, under Pretence of Order of the Commons
House of Parliament in Ireland, certain Persons have
possessed themselves of his Goods in that Kingdom,
and have entered upon the Profits of the Farm of
His Majesty's Customs, in Lease to him and others,
and imprisoned his Servants employed in that Affair;
by which Means, (fn. *) likewise a great Part of his
several Entertainments are in Arrear, and not paid,
by means whereof his Wife and Family are not a
little distressed in that Kingdom, and he deprived of
necessary Support for his Affairs, and towards his
Subsistance here, being in a Condition wherein his
Credit is little available unto him, and not of that
present Value or Esteem with any, as to supply him
in any Kind; which being the hard and unhappy
Condition of a Peer of this Realm, being yet only
under a Charge, he, in all humble Duty to the Right
and Privilege of the Peerage, cannot but represent it.
"And his humble Request is, That their Lordships would be honourably pleased to take
this his particular Condition into Consideration, and to grant him such Relief therein as
shall seem agreeable to Honour and Justice."
Irish Commissioners to be spoke with, touching an Answer to this Petition.
Ordered, That an Answer unto this Petition be
respited until the Commissioners for the House of Commons in Ireland be spoken with.
Ld. Treasurer to give his Evidence in the E. of Strafford's Case, and withdraw.
Ordered, That, if the Lord Treasurer give Evidence at the Trial of the Earl of Strafford, he is to
speak in his own Place, only during the Time he gives
his Testimony, and afterwards to withdraw himself.
Ld. Admiral's Letter about Mariners.
The Letter which the Lord Admiral writ to His Majesty, concerning the Scarcity of Mariners to supply
His Majesty's Navy, was read. Hereupon it was Ordered, That the House do sit this Afternoon, and to
have a Conference with the House of Commons
about it.
E. of Northumberland examined in the Earl of Strafford's Cause.
The Earl of Essex signified, That Yesterday himself,
and Three others of the deputed Lords, went to Syon,
to examine the Earl of Northumb. on the Earl of Straf
ford's Part, without Oath; and that likewise Two of
the Members of the House of Commons that managed
the Evidence were present, but did not cross-examine
the Earl of Northumberland, because they had no Power
from the House of Commons, having had such short
Notice of it.
Hereupon the House thought it fit, That the Lord
Steward signify to both Sides, "That, because of the
Shortness of Time, the Cross-examination of the Earl
of Northumb. could not be taken; therefore to desire
that they would agree of such a Way amongst themselves that this Day may not be lost; but to proceed
in the Evidence."
Ld. Steward to go first out of the Hall.
Ordered, That none go out of Westm. Hall before the Lord Steward.
Adjourn to Westminster Hall.
The Lord Steward adjourned this House to Westm.
Hall.
E. of Strafford at the Bar.
20th, 21st, 22d, 23d, and 24th Articles.
The Lords being sat in the Hall, the Lord Steward
commanded the Earl of Strafford to be brought to the
Bar, by the Lieutenant of The Tower; which being
done, the Lord Steward declared what the Lords had
thought fit touching the Examinations, and desired them
to consult of a Way that this Day may not be lost; and
it was agreed on both Sides, That the Earl of Strafford
should have the Benefit of the Examinations of the Earl
of Northumb. and the Lord Keeper; and that the House
of Commons might reserve unto themselves their Crossexaminations when they shall desire to use them, and
likewise to have the Examinations reserved of other
Witnesses to come viva voce, in convenient Time, as
Mr. Serjeant Glanvile and others; and then Mr. Whittlocke proceeded upon the Twentieth Article, and Twentyfirst, Twenty-second, Twenty-third, and Twenty-fourth
Articles.
Proofs.
Witnesses produced by the Commons were, the Earl
of Traquair, the Lord Treasurer, Mr. Secretary Vane.
The Earl of Morton's Examinations were read. The
Earl of Northumberland's Examinations were read. Lord
Primate's Examinations were read. The Lord Conway,
viva voce. Sir Robert Kinge, the Lord Rannelaugh, Sir
Tho. Barrington, Sir Thomas Jermyn, Comptroller of
His Majesty's Houshold, the Earl of Bristoll, the Lord
Newburgh, Earl of Holland.
Answer to each of the Articles.
After this, the Earl of Strafford made his Answer to
every particular Article.
He produced as Witnesses, without Oath, the Examination of the Earl of Northum'. taken by the Lords
deputed Yesterday, the Earl of Cambridge, Sir Tho.
Lucas, Guildford Slyngsbie, Sir Wm. Pennyman, the Lord
Treasurer, Lord Cottington, Lord Goringe, Mr. Comptroller.
Reply.
Adjourn to the Chamber of Parliament.
This being done, Mr. Whitlock made a Reply; and
after that the Lord Steward signified to the Commons,
That the Lords would sit again upon the Trial on Wednesday Morning next, at Eight of the Clock; and so adjourned the House to the usual Place above.
Committee for Religion.
The Lords being returned to the House, it was Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider of
all Innovations in Matters of Religion in the Church of
England, do meet on Thursday next, in the Afternoon.
The King's Letter concerning Mariners to be read.
Ordered, That the Letters sent by His Majesty
concerning Mariners be read To-morrow Morning; and
then to have a Conference with the House of Commons
about it, if it be requisite.
Adjourn.
Dominus Senescallus declaravit præsens Parliamentum
continuandum esse usque in diem Martis, videlicet, 6m
diem instantis Aprilis, hora 9a, Dominis sic decernentibus.