House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 2 February 1642

DIE Mercurii, videlicet, 2 die Februarii.

Prayers.

The Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas was appointed Speaker for this Day.

Absent Lords excused.

Meredith Mady.

Ordered, by the Consent of the Earl of Dover, That Meredeth Mady, his Lordship's Chaplain, being arrested for not obeying a Decree in the Court of Requests, shall be liable to the and not receive the Benefit of the Privilege of Parliament; and, if he hath had any Injustice in the Proceedings against (fn. 1) him, he may have Recourse unto this House by Petition, if he will.

Ebron, &c. Delinquents in the Fens, committed for not submitting.

William Ebron, William Crosse, George Reynolds, and George Thacker, were this Day brought to this Bar, and asked whether they would acknowledge themselves to be sorry, and make their Submission, for their Disobedience to an Order of this House, in the Disturbance of the quiet Possession of the King's Tenants, in the Fens in Lincolneshire, called The East, West, and North Fens; which they refusing to do, it is Ordered, That the said Wm. Ebron, Wm. Crosse, George Reynolds, and George Thacker, shall be forthwith committed to the Prison of The Fleet, until they make Submission to this House for the disobeying the said Order.

After this, the Lord Admiral reported, That the Lords Committees had met with the Committee of the House of Commons, and have resolved of a Draught of a Petition, which they think fit to be presented to the King from both Houses, touching the Forts and the Militia of the Kingdom, and do offer it to their Lordships Consideration. Which Petition the House commanded to be read, in hæc verba:

Petition to the King, touching the Militia, Forts, &c.

To the King's most Excellent Majesty.

The humble Petition of the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament.

Most Gracious Sovereign,

The present Evils and Calamities wherewith your Kingdoms are most miserably intangled, the imminent Dangers which threaten Your Royal Person, and all Your People, hath caused us Your most faithful and obedient Subjects, the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament, with Thankfulness to entertain, and with all Earnestness of Affection and Endeavour to pursue, the Gracious Proposition and Direction, which not long since we have received from Your Majesty; and we have thereupon taken into our most serious Consideration the Ways and Means of securing the Safety of Your Royal Person, preserving the Honour and Authority of Your Crown, removing all Jealousies betwixt Your Majesty and Your People, suppressing the Rebellion in Ireland, preventing the Fears and Dangers in this Kingdom, and the mischievous Designs of those who are Enemies to the Peace of it.

And, that we may with more Comfort and Security accomplish our Duties herein, we most humbly beseech Your Majesty, that You will be pleased forthwith to put The Tower of London, and all other Forts, and the whole Militia of the Kingdom, into the Hands of such Persons as shall be recommended unto Your Majesty by both Houses of Parliament; which, (fn. 1) they assure themselves, will be a hopeful Entrance into those Courses which, through God's Blessing, shall be effectual for the removing all Diffidence and Misapprehension betwixt Your Majesty and Your People, and for establishing and enlarging the Honour, Greatness, and Power, of Your Majesty and Royal Posterity, and for the restoring and confirming the Peace and Happiness of Your Loyal Subjects, in all Your Dominions.

"And, to this our most necessary Petition, we in all Humility expect Your Majesty's speedy and gracious Answer; the great Distractions and Distempers of the Kingdom not admitting of any Delay."

To be presented by a Committee of both Houses to the King.

Which Petition being read; it was Resolved, upon the Question, That this House will join with the House of Commons, to present this Petition to the King.

The Earl of North'ton and the Lord Willoughby of Earsby were appointed to go presently to the King, with a proportionable Number of the House of Commons, and present this Petition to Him from both Houses of Parliament.

The Lords Committees were appointed by this House to let the Committees of the House of Commons know, That their Lordships do agree with them in this Petition, and have appointed Two Lords to join with a proportionable Number of the House of Commons, and present the same to the King.

Message from the H. C. with a Commission for putting Carrickfergus into the Hands of the Scots.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir William Lewis, Knight:

To let their Lordships know, That the House of Commons have agreed unto a Commission for the putting of the Town and Castle of Carrickfergus in Ireland into the Hands of the Scotts; and the House of Commons desires their Lordships would be pleased to join with them in it, and expedite it.

The Commission being read, this House agreed thereunto with the House of Commons.

Absent Lords excused.

Committees to meet at Merchant Taylors Hall.

Ordered, That this House shall be adjourned until Friday next, at Nine of the Clock in the Morning; and that the Committee for the Irish Affairs, and the Defence of the Kingdom, shall meet To-morrow, at Merchant Taylors Hall, in London, at One of the Clock in the Afternoon, and have hereby the same Powers given them as they had last; and it is further Ordered, That the Lords that are to go with the Petition to the King shall (if they receive the King's (fn. 1) Answer, and come to Town To-morrow) report the same to the Lords Committees, at Merchant Taylors Hall.

Message to the H. C. to acquaint them with it.

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

To let the House of Commons know, that this House will adjourn until Friday Morning next; and To-morrow in the Afternoon have appointed the Committee for the Irish Affairs to meet, at Merchant Taylors Hall, with the same Powers as they had last.

Lieutenant of The Tower and the Sheriffs to attend.

Ordered, That the Sheriffs of London and Midd. and the Lieutenant of The Tower, shall attend this House on Friday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon.

The Twelve Bishops Trial deferred.

Ordered, That the Trial of the Twelve Bishops, that are impeached by the House of Commons of High Treason, shall be heard at this Bar, on Tuesday the 8th Day of this Instant February.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

Answer from the H. C.

That the House of Commons will return an Answer, by Messengers of their own, speedily.

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

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Hugh Chomeley, Baronet:

To desire their Lordships would fit a while; for they have some Business in Agitation, which they desire to impart to their Lordships.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will sit a while, as they have desired.

Message to the H. C. to acquaint them with the 12 Bishops Trial being deferred.

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

To let them know, that this House have put off the Trial of the Twelve Bishops until Tuesday next.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

Answer.

That they have delivered their Message to the House of Commons, as they were commanded.

Message from the H. C. that they agree to the Petition to the King, about the Militia, &c.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Hampden:

To let their Lordships know, that the House of Commons have consented by Vote, and do join with their Lordships, to present the Petition concerning the Forts and Militia of the Kingdom to the King; and, to that Purpose, they have appointed Four Members of their House to go with the Two Lords, and present the same to His Majesty.

Petition to be ingrossed and presented.

Hereupon the House Ordered, That the said Petition be ingrossed, and delivered to the Earl of Northampton and the Lord Willougby of Earsby, to be presented to the King.

Message from the H. C. with a Letter to the Mayor and Aldermen of Hull.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Whitlocke:

To present to their Lordships a Draught of a Letter to be sent to the Mayor and Aldermen of Hull, in which they desire their Lordships to join with them. The Letter was read, in hæc verba:

"Mr. Mayor,

"Both Houses of Parliament taking Notice, that, according to their Order, some Companies of the Trained Bands are admitted into your Town (wherein you have done acceptable Service), and they being likewise informed that divers Soldiers of those Companies have been put to many Inconveniences, for Want of Lodgings within the Town; I am to let you know, that it is the Pleasure of both Houses of Parliament to recommend unto you, and to the Inhabitants of your Town, that, according to the Advice of Mr. Hotham, you take special Care that convenient Lodgings, at reasonable Rates (which the House of Commons will satisfy, without abating the Soldiers Pay), may be provided for all the Soldiers of those Companies lately received into your Town; and they doubt not of a ready Performance of your Parts in this Business, wherein the Safety of the Town and the Magazine there of the whole Kingdom is so much concerned.

"To the Mayor, or his Deputy, and the Aldermen, of the Town of Kingston upon Hull."

Ordered, That this House agrees with the House of Commons in this Letter to the Mayor and Aldermen of Hull; and that it be signed by the Speaker of this House.

And for a Supply of Arms, etc. for Hull.

2. The House of Commons desire their Lordships to join with them, that His Majesty may be moved, "That a Warrant be given, that Ammunition may be delivered to the Soldiers at Hull, for the Defence of the said Town and the Magazine there."

The King to be moved for it.

Ordered, That this House agrees with the House of Commons herein, and appoints the Earl of North'ton and the Lord Willoughby de Earsby to move the King to grant out Warrants accordingly.

This Committee to meet at Merchant Taylors Hall.

3. The House of Commons do let their Lordships know, that they have likewise adjourned their House until Friday next; in the mean Time they have their Committee for the Irish Affairs to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Merchant Taylors Hall.

The Answer returned to the Messengers of the House of Commons was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to all the aforesaid Particulars of this Message.

Adjourn.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius de Communi Banco, Locum tenens Domini Custodis Magni Sigilli, declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Veneris, videlicet, 4^m diem instantis Februarii, hora 9^a Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.