House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 8 December 1641

DIE Mercurii, videlicet, 8 die Decembris.

PRAYERS.

Message from the King about the Commission to treat with the Scots.

The Lord Keeper declared, "That His Majesty had commanded him to signify to both Houses, that it is His Majesty's Desire that both Houses would consider of, and prepare, the Instructions which the Commissioners of both Houses are to have for the treating with the Scotts Commissioners, touching the Occasions of Ireland; and that the same be presented to His Majesty.

And about Priests condemned.

"Next, the King commanded him to let both Houses know, That the French Ambassador hath presented a Desire to His Majesty, that Eight Priests condemned this Week may not be put to Execution, but banished or imprisoned in this Time, the rather for that it may concern the settling of Affairs in Ireland; which Desire His Majesty promised should be communicated to both Houses of Parliament, for their Advice herein."

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

Message from the H. C. for a Conference on these Subjects.

To desire a Conference, by a Committee of both Houses:

1. Touching a Message from the King, concerning preparing of Instructions, to treat with the Scotts Commissioners.

2. Touching a Desire of the French Ambassador, concerning the reprieving of some Priests.

Bill for Relief of Captives in Turkey.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Bill for Pirates shall meet on Friday next, at Two a Clock in the Afternoon; at which Time the Turky Merchants are to have Notice to attend the Lords Committees, to be heard, if they shall desire it.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

Answer from the H. C.

That the House of Commons will give a present Meeting, in the Painted Chamber, as is desired.

The Lord Keeper was to communicate the Message from the King to the House of Commons.

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

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir John Clattworthy, Knight:

Message from the H. C. for the Lords to sit a while.

To let their Lordships know, That the House of Commons are now in Debate of the Matter of the last Conference; and they desire their Lordships will be pleased to sit a while, for they shall have Occasion to have a Conference with their Lordships.

The Answer hereunto returned was:

That this House will sit a while, as is desired.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by the Lord Grey of Groby:

Message from the H. C. for a Conference about the Instructions to the Commissioners for Irish Affairs.

To desire a Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, so soon as it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, touching the Instructions which are to be given to the English Commissioners, to treat with the Scotts Commissioners concerning the Irish Affairs.

The Answer hereunto returned was:

Answer.

That their Lordships will give a present Meeting, as is desired, in the Painted Chamber.

Ld. Darcy versus Savile.

A Motion was made, "That an Explanation might be made of an Order made the 23d of June 1641, in the Cause between the now Lord Darcy, then Sir Conyers Darcy, and John Savile, Gentleman."

The House was adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure, to consider of it; and, after a long Debate whether this Proposition should be received into Consideration now, it being against the Order of this House to meddle with any Private Businesses, the House was resumed; and it was Resolved, upon the Question, by the major Part, That this Proposition, concerning Mr. Savile, shall be taken into Consideration presently.

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

Conference about Instructions to the Commissioners for Irish Affairs reported.

The Lord Keeper reported the Effect of this Conference: "That the House of Commons were careful not to lose any Time in the Business of Ireland; therefore they have presented to their Lordships Consideration the Instructions, which are to be given to the Commissioners of both Houses, who are to treat with the Scotts Commissioners; which Instructions were read, in hæc verba: videlicet,

Instructions to the English Commissioners to treat with the Scots concerning Ireland.

"You shall be careful to express to the Commissioners of Scotland His Majesty's gracious Acceptance, and the Thanks of both Houses of Parliament, for their Readiness to assist this Kingdom against the Rebels in Ireland.

"You shall receive the Answer of the Parliament and State of Scotland, concerning the Five Thousand Men, which we formerly desired might be sent from thence into Ireland, and upon what Conditions of Imprest Money for raising of them, and Wages for their Entertainment, or otherwise, they shall be sent furnished and transported for His Majesty's Service, and the Assistance of this (fn. 1) Kingdom against the Rebellious Irish; and you shall, by the best Ways and Means you can, expedite the raising and sending over of these Men."

These Instructions this House agreed unto; but, because it was conceived they were short in One Particular, this House thought fit this Addition following should be made unto them: videlicet,

"You shall, from Time to Time, before you grow to any perfect Agreement, give an Account of what is propounded in this Treaty unto His Majesty and the Two Houses of Parliament, and receive their Directions before you come to any binding Conclusion."

The House of Commons staying in the Painted Chamber for an Answer, the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to acquaint the House of Commons with this Addition; and to let them know, that this House agrees with them in those which they brought up.

The Lords being returned, the House was resumed.

Huntingdonshire Petition about Episcopacy.

The Lord Steward delivered in a Petition from Huntingdonshire, touching Episcopacy.

E. of Pembroke, &c. Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, An Act for the Indemnity of Phillip Earl of Pembrooke and Mountgomery, and the Lady Anne his Wife, and the Heirs and Assigns of the said Lady Anne, notwithstanding any Office to be found, and Livery to be sued out, by Henry now Earl of Cumberland, and after the Death of Francis late Earl of Cumberland, or any Act or Acts done or suffered by the said Earl Henry, since the Death of the said Earl Francis, or hereafter to be done or suffered by him, touching and concerning divers Castles, Manors, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, whereof George Clifford, late Earl of Cumberland, Father of the said Lady Anne, was seised.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Jovis, videlicet, 9^m diem instantis Decembris, hora 1^a post meridiem, Dominis sic decernentibus.