DIE Mercurii, videlicet, 29 die Decembris.
PRAYERS.
The Sheriffs and Justices attend, to shew why they did not suppress the Tumults.
Ordered, That the Sheriffs of Midd. and London,
and some of the Justices of the Peace for the City of
Westm. do presently attend this House, to give a Reason
why they have neglected to prevent the coming of the
Concourse of People hither.
The Sheriffs were called in; and, being asked why
they have not observed the King's Writ, in suppressing
and preventing of Tumults and Routs, they answered,
"That the Justices of the Peace for Midd. opened the
Writ, and granted out Warrants to the Constables,
who sent Guards to the Houses of Parliament; and
upon this they were questioned by the House of Commons, and the Guards were dismissed."
The Judges to find out the Way of suppressing Tumults.
Hereupon it is Ordered, That the Judges do withdraw, and take into Consideration what is fit to be done
for to disperse and prevent Multitudes of People assembling hither.
The Lords that were appointed to wait on the King
reported, "That they have delivered the Petition to
His Majesty, concerning the Earl of Newport, touching the Kensington Business;" and His Majesty returns
this Answer for the present, "That He will put His
Answer in Writing, and send it to this House."
The King's Message about raising of 10,000 Men for Ireland.
The Lord Chamberlain delivered this Message to the
House, by Command from the King, "That His Majesty, being very sensible of the great Miseries and
Distresses of His Subjects in the Kingdom of Ireland,
which go daily increasing so fast, and the Blood
which hath already been spilt by the Cruelty and
Barbarousness of those Rebels crying out so loud,
and perceiving how slowly the Succours designed thither go on; His Majesty hath (fn. *) thought good to let
your Lordships know, and desires you to acquaint the
House of Commons therewith, that His Majesty will
take Care that, by Commission which He shall grant,
Ten Thousand English Voluntiers shall be speedily
raised for that Service, if (fn. †) the House of Commons shall declare that they will pay them."
Ordered, That this Message be communicated to
the House of Commons, by a Conference.
The Judges Opinions about Tumults.
The Judges return their Opinions, "That the best
Way to suppress Tumults is, to put in Execution the
Statute of 13 H. IV. Cap. 7."
Ships offered by the Earl of Warwick to convey Arms and Men into Ireland.
The Earl of Warwicke signified to this House, "That
his Lordship, having Two Ships now ready to go for
The West Indies, offered to transport in them Six Hundred Men with Arms and Ammunition, which the
Parliament have designed for the Service and Relief
of the Province of Munster, in Ireland, provided the
Men and Ammunition be instantly ready, so as his
Ships may not stay too long, and so be hindered in
their Voyage, and that the Ships may be supplied
with such Provisions in Ireland as the Men shall spend
going from hence to Ireland."
Hereupon this House gave the Earl of Warwicke great
Thanks for his said noble Offer, and resolved to communicate (fn. *) it to the House of Commons by a Conference.
Message to the H. C. for a Conference, about the King's Message concerning Ireland, and about the Earl of Warwick's Offer.
A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by
Sir Robert Rich and Sir Edward Leech:
To desire a Conference, by a Committee of both
Houses, touching a Message sent from the King, concerning Ireland; and also touching the Offer of the Earl
of Warwicke, for transporting Men into Ireland.
The Lord Chamberlain was appointed by the House
to deliver at this Conference what Message he delivered
to this House from the King.
And the Earl of Warwicke was appointed to acquaint
the House of Commons at this Conference with his noble
Offer.
The Judges to consider further of supressing Riots.
The Judges again were appointed to consider what is
the usual Practice in other Courts, for preventing of
Tumults and Routs.
Knowles and Grey, seditious Preachers, to be proceeded against.
Ordered, That Mr. Knowles and Mr. Grey, who have
lately preached seditious Sermons in the City of London,
shall be proceeded against by His Majesty's Attorney
General, according to Law.
A Message was brought from the House of Commons,
by Mr. Hollis:
Message from the H.C. about preventing Tumults.
"To let their Lordships know, that the House of
Commons have taken into their Consideration Two
Propositions lately sent to them from their Lordships.
"And the House of Commons says, concerning the
Proposition in general, for preventing of Tumults and
Routs, they will agree to all good and lawful Ways
as their Lordships shall think fit, for the Safety of the
Parliament: But, for the Printing of a particular Declaration, the House of Commons say, they have entered into Debate thereof, and find (fn. *) it to be a Thing
of that great Consideration that will require some Time
to consider of it.
A Guard for the House.
"Concerning the Proposition, that the Parliament
may have a Guard, the House of Commons agree
thereunto, so it be such as the Parliament approves of,
and that it be commanded by the Earl of Essex.
"Likewise the House of Commons returned Two
Letters, which was sent down to them from their
Lordships, as concerning Ireland; and the House of
Commons observe, that in One of the Letters there is
Mention made that something is imparted to the Bearer
of it, which was thought not fit to be put into a Letter, as being of that great Importance; and they let
their Lordships know, that they hear nothing of the
Bearer.
And about the Bills for Pressing Soldiers for Ireland.
and raising Mariners.
"Further, the House of Commons desired that their
Lordships would be pleased to remember that there
(fn. *) are Two Bills depending before their Lordships;
One concerning pressing of Soldiers for the Service of
Ireland; the other concerning the pressing of Mariners for the Defence of the Kingdoms of England
and Ireland: The House of Commons desires their
Lordships would speedily pass them, without which
they conceive Ireland cannot be saved."
The Answer returned to this Message was:
Answer to the H. C.
That their Lordships will take the Two Bills into
Consideration, with all convenient Speed.
For the Messenger that brought the Letter, the Earl
of Holland declares he received the Letter of Sir John
Clatworthy, Knight; but doth not know the Messenger,
nor hath heard any Thing since thereof.
The Messengers return with this Answer from the
House of Commons:
Answer from the H. C. about the Conference.
That they will give a present Meeting, as is desired,
in the Painted Chamber.
Then this House was adjourned during Pleasure, and
the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended,
the House was resumed.
The Judges Report about Tumults.
Next, the Judges reported how and what the Practice is in their Courts, to prevent Riots and Routs;
which was, "That it (fn. *) is usual at Assizes, for the
Sheriff of the County to attend all the while, with a
competent Number of Men."
Under Sheriff and Two Justices to attend the House, to suppress Riots.
Hereupon it was Ordered, That the Under Sheriff
of Midd. and Two of the Justices of Peace for Westm.
shall hereafter attend this House de die in diem, and receive the Directions of this House, for the preventing
and suppressing of Riots and Tumults hereafter.
A Message was brought from the House of Commons,
by Sir Phillip Stapleton, Knight:
Message from the H. C. concerning some Words spoke by Lord Digby in this House.
To let their Lordships know, that the House of
Commons finds by common Fame, that it hath been said
in this House by the Lord Digby, and offered to be
justified by him, "That the House of Commons have
invaded the Privileges of the Lords House, and the
Liberty of the Subject;" and that he did likewise
say in this House, "This was no Free Parliament." The
House of Commons desires that, if those Words have
been spoken by him, that Right may be done to the
Commons of England against the Lord Digby; and that,
if no such Words were spoken by him, that then a
Declaration may be set forth by their Lordships, to acquit the House of Commons of that Scandal.
The Answer hereunto returned was:
Answer.
That their Lordships will take the Message into Consideration, and send them an Answer, by Messengers of
their own, in convenient Time.
Referred to the Committee for keeping good Correspondency between the Houses.
Ordered, That the Consideration of the Words in
the aforesaid Message be referred to the Committee appointed to consider of keeping a good Correspondency
between the Two Houses.
Arms and Powder for Ireland.
The Lord Steward reported, "That the King is
willing to give Warrants for Arms and Powder to be
sent for the Service of Ireland; but He desires to
know what Particulars are required."
Ordered, That the Committees for the Irish Affairs
do consider what Proportions of Ammunition and Arms
are fit to be sent into Ireland, that the King may grant
Warrants accordingly.
House to meet at Nine in the Morning.
Ordered, That this House shall hereafter meet and
sit at Nine of the Clock in the Morning, and continue
sitting according as there shall be Occasion, and as their
Lordships shall think fit.
None but Members to wear Weapons about the Houses.
Ordered, That a Proclamation be set forth, after
the old Precedents, both for Matter and Form, to forbid
any but Members of Parliament to wear any Weapons
near the Houses of Parliament; and that (fn. *) Mr. Attorney
General shall bring a Draught forthwith unto this House
of the said Proclamation.
Pressing Seamen.
Ordered, That the Committee for the Bill for
pressing of Mariners are to fit To-morrow, at Two a
Clock in the Afternoon.
A Message was brought from the House of Commons,
by Mr. Jepson:
Message from the H. C. for a Conference about Ireland.
To desire a present Conference, by a Committee of
both Houses, if it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, concerning Ireland.
The Answer hereunto returned was:
Answer.
That their Lordships will give a present Meeting, as
is desired, in the Painted Chamber.
Pressing Soldiers for Ireland.
Ordered, That the Bill for pressing of Soldiers for
the Service of Ireland, shall be debated To-morrow
Morning.
The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the
Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the
House was resumed; and then the Lord Keeper reported the Effect of this Conference: videlicet,
Report of the Conference concerning Ireland.
"The House of Commons expressed the great
Danger that the Province of Munster is in, and the
ill Consequence that may come to that Kingdom if the
Rebels should gain it: The House of Commons have
presented Propositions to their Lordships, and desired
that this House would join with them in it.
"Resolved, upon the Question,
"1. That there shall be forthwith sent from hence
Fifteen Hundred Muskets and Five Hundred Corslets,
to Bristoll, to be with all Speed transported to Yobale,
in Munster, to be disposed of by the President there,
for the Defence and Security of that Province.
"2. That a proportionable Provision of Match and
Bullet be made and provided, for the Relief of the
Province of Munster, and the Bullets to be provided
at Bristoll.
"3. That Ten Lasts of Powder be forthwith speeded
by Carts to Bristoll for Yohale.
"4. That Two Regiments, of One Thousand Foot in
a Regiment, be forthwith raised, of Voluntiers, out
of the Western Counties; and that the Colonels may
be contracted with Thirty † for every Soldier,
for the raising and transporting them into Munster.
"5. That their Entertainment may be the same that
the House hath allowed for the other Officers; and
that they may be mustered at their Landing in Munster,
and that the Officers may then begin.
"6. That Arms and Munition may be sent from
hence for those Two Regiments; that Sir Charles
Valuasoe be required to hasten the raising of his Five
Hundred Men appointed by the House for Munster.
"7. That the Lords be desired to join with the
House herein, that His Majesty may be moved from
both Houses for the Arms and Munition.
"8. That Two Ships, for about Two Hundred Tun
a-piece, rigged and provided as Men of War, may
be hired at Bristoll, for the present Guarding of the
Coast of Munster, and to transport Men, Arms, and
Munition from hence.
"9. It is likewise Ordered, That Levy-money shall
be allowed to the Lord Inchequin and Mr. Jepson, for
the raising of Two Troops of Horse, each of them
consisting of One Hundred, after the Rate of Ten
Pounds a Horse; and that Arms shall be provided,
both for the aforesaid Two Troops, and likewise
for a Third of One Hundred, to be raised and commanded by Sir William Courteny; all which Three
Troops are to be paid by the Province of Munster,
according to the Rate allowed to other Troops in the
Irish Army.
"10. It is desired, That the Lords would join with
this House, to move His Majesty to grant a General
Warrant to the Earl of Newport, for the issuing of
such Arms and Ammunition, from Time to Time, as
shall be thought fit by both Houses of Parliament,
the King being made acquainted therewith; and likewise to move His Majesty to grant a General Warrant
to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, for the transporting from Time to Time such Men, Horse, and Ammunitions, as shall be thought fit by the King and
Parliament."
Sheriffs of Middlesex and London commanded to suppress Tumults.
Next the Sheriffs of Midd. and London, and some of
the Justices of the Peace for Westm. were called; and
the Statute of 13 H. IV. Cap. 7. was read unto them;
and they were commanded to do their Duty, according
(fn. *) to this Statute now read, at their own Perils; and,
if they doubted of any Thing, then they are to resort
to this House for Advice and Directions therein.
A Message was brought from the House of Commons,
by Denzill Hollis, Esquire:
Message from the H. C. about Disorders upon the King's Subjects.
To let their Lordships know, "That the House of
Commons have received Information of great Disorders committed between this and Charing Cross; that
certain Persons in the Habits of Gentlemen, who are
reported to be Officers in the late English Army, and
are now in Whitehall, or some Places thereabouts,
backed and countenanced by a Guard of the Trained
Bands attending about Whitehall, do issue out in
Numbers, and assault the King's Subjects going and
returning in the King's Peace to and from the Parliament, offering to them (as they are credibly informed) no Offence at all, and Twenty or Thirty of
them sore wounded.
"This the House of Commons conceive to be a true
Violation of the Liberty of the Subject, and an Affront
to the Parliament, and will, in the End, strike an Awe
and Terror into the Parliament, if not prevented by
the Wisdom of your Lordships and the House of
Commons.
A Guard desired by the H. C.
"The House of Commons are likewise informed,
by a Member of their House, that he going from
the House to his Lodging, through the Church-yard,
found there a Guard of Soldiers, and enquiring of
them by whose Command they were there, they
answered, By the Lord Archbishop of Yorke's. If this
be to be suffered, to have Guards set about the Parliament in this Manner, to the Terror and Affray of
the People, the House of Commons submit it to your
Lordships Judgement; and therefore, to prevent all
Inconveniencies, the House of Commons desire to
have a Guard, otherwise there will follow certain
Mischief in the End; which the House of Commons
foreseeing, do give your Lordships timely Warning,
that, if it happen, they may clear themselves to all
the World: Therefore, that we may still be a free
Parliament, he [ (fn. †) was commanded] to desire their Lordships, that, according to their own Proposition, and
upon such Conditions as the House of Commons consented to it, that your Lordships will presently join
with the House of Commons, in an humble Petition
to His Majesty, that the Parliament may have a
Guard, and such a one as may be approved of by
both Houses of Parliament, and to be commanded by
the Earl of Essex."
Debate about joining with the H. C. in their Desire.
Then this House taking this Message into Consideration, after a long Debate, this Question was put,
whether this House will join with the House of Commons
in an humble Petition to His Majesty, to desire that the
Parliament may have a Guard, and such a one as may
be approved of by both Houses, and to be commanded
by the Earl of Essex.
And it was resolved negatively.
(fn. *) The Answer Returned to the House of Commons
was:
That this House will send them an Answer To-morrow
Morning, concerning this Message.
Adjourn.
Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Jovis, videlicet, 30m diem instantis Decembris, hora nona Aurora,
Dominis sic decernentibus.