The Diary of Thomas Burton: 11 June 1657

Diary of Thomas Burton Esq: Volume 2, April 1657 - February 1658. Originally published by H Colburn, London, 1828.

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'The Diary of Thomas Burton: 11 June 1657', in Diary of Thomas Burton Esq: Volume 2, April 1657 - February 1658, (London, 1828) pp. 219-223. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/burton-diaries/vol2/pp219-223 [accessed 25 April 2024]

In this section

Thursday, June 11, 1657.

Mr. Fenwick presented a paper against Sir Robert Collingwood, and Daniel his son, and Mr. Pemberton, for words spoken against him. Sir Robert Collingwood said, "he was a base fellow; his father was hanged for felony; and he did wonder who sent him to the Parliament." This paper was read.

Sir William Strickland. That gentleman's father was a person of blood and worth, and died in his bed. Of the gentleman himself, if he were not present, I should say more. He was the first that brought in the Scots to your help." He was banished for his conscience, &c.

Major-General Disbrowe and Mr. Highland moved to put off this, till next meeting, and to refer it, in the motion, to the justices to examine.

Sir William Strickland. The business needs no examination; the party that informs is at the door: his name is Mr. Robert Ogle. (Anglicè Ranting Robin.)

Mr. Speaker. Mr. Fenwick's father was born in the same parish that I was born in. He died in his bed, and all his neighbours were at his burial. He was of an ancient family; Sir John Fenwick's (fn. 2) next kinsman, who is of worth in that county. (fn. 3)

The informant was called in, and justified at the bar all that was contained in the paper, (fn. 4) and withdrew.

Mr. West. I move for exemplary justice upon this person who hath abused both a Worthy member and the Parliament and all intrusted by you; and that the parties may be sent for, as delinquents, and remain in custody till next sessions.

Colonel Shapcott, for saving time, shortly seconded that motion, and it was so resolved, that they be sent for as delinquents, &c.

See the examinations and all proceedings upon, infra. (fn. 5)

Dr. Clarges reported amendments to " the Bill for preventing the increase of new buildings."

Mr. Speaker reminded the House of what was moved by Captain Baynes in the morning; for a day to be appointed for the Grand Committee, touching the Excise, to sit: but there was no resolution upon it.

Dr. Clarges went on with the report.

There was a great debate upon the proviso, about the lime and brick-kilns to be removed five miles from London.

Mr. Speaker was zealous for the proviso, and the citizens against it.

Mr. Bond. The citizens are not sensible of what is their own good. Indeed I never knew them make any motion in this House but it was for their own good. It is a great nuisance, certainly, the smell of those kilns.

Some moved that they had consulted physicians, and one at the Committee affirmed it was a wholesome smell of brickkilns. (fn. 6)

Post Meridiem (fn. 7).

Mr. Bampfield reported from the Grand Committee for Religion. (fn. 8)

Ordered, that the Grand Committee be moved to impower this sub-Committee to send for such godly, learned ministers, and others, as they shall think fit to advise with, concerning the best versal of the Psalms, on the amendment of Mr. Sternhold and Mr. Hopkins's Versal of the Psalms, or any other, if need be; and what is fittest to be done thereupon. (fn. 9)

Resolved, by the said Grand Committee, that this business be presented to the Parliament, and that the House be moved to secure the person of the printer.

Resolved, that the House be moved, that they will be pleased to give order, that the impressions of these Bibles in the printer's custody be secured, and those sold be called in.

Ordered, by the Parliament, that the 7900 bibles, in 24mo. printed in the year 1653, secured by the sub-Committee of the Grand Committee for Religion be seized on, to prevent the sale and dispersing thereof.

Ordered, that John Feild, the printer, be required to get in such books as have been of that impression; and that he do attend the House the first Wednesday in November next, to give the House an account thereof, and also touching the mis-printing the said Bibles.

The House resumed the debate (fn. 10) upon the amendment to the Bill touching buildings.

A proviso in the amendment concerning sailors and mariners was read.

Another proviso was tendered to this Bill, touching building upon two hundred and fifty acres of meadow, lying by the State's dock at Deptford, for making of a mould, lately purchased of Sir John Barkstead and his regiment, by Roger Stanton and others, upon encouragementof the making a mould or harbour for riding of two or three hundred sail of ships of England, without anchor or cable; towards which, much hath been already expended and contracts made to a great value.

Ordered, that this proviso be referred to the same Committee to state the matter of fact, and report their opinion therein to the House.

Footnotes

  • 1. In March, 1642–3, when, says Whitlock, "the Scots pass over the Tyne, with a complete army, to assist the Parliament."—Memorials, (1732) p. 68.
  • 2. The father, probably, of Sir John Fenwick, who was beheaded for treason against the Revolution government, in 1697.
  • 3. Northumberland; for which the members were, besides, Sir Thomas Widdrington, the Speaker, William Fenwick, and the present complainant, Robert Fenwick.—Parl. Hist. xxi. 12.
  • 4. "The information of Robert Ogle, of Eslington, in the county of Northumberland, Gentleman, who saith, that in April last, he being at his Inn, at Alnwick, in the said county, Sir Robert Collingwood, of Branton; John Salkeld, of Rock, the younger; Daniel Collingwood, son of the late Sir Robert; and one Robert Pemberton, came into the room where this informant was; where, falling upon discourse about a king, Sir Robert Collingwood said, 'We must have a king, and will have a king; and my Lord Protector dares not refuse it.'" "And afterwards, the said Sir Robert Collingwood began to inveigh against Robert Fenwick, Esquire, a member of this present Parliament, saying, 'He was a base fellow; his father was hanged for felony; and he did wonder who sent him to the Parliament.' "And further, this informant saith, That some few days before, he being in company where Cavalier gentlemen were murmuring, that they had been debarred from horse-races, Daniel Collingwood, son of the said Sir Robert, thereupon took liberty to say, 'that there was none now in power, but the rascality, who envied that gentlemen should enjoy their recreations."' "Robert Ogle." Journals.
  • 5. The writer of the MS. has given no farther particulars.
  • 6. " The question being put, that this House doth agree with the Committee, in the clause touching making of lime or brick, within five miles of London; it passed with the negative."—Journals.
  • 7. There is a blank in the MS. for the afternoon of June 11th, 1657, which I here supply from the Journals.
  • 8. See Vol. i. p. 351. note †. The following is the Report:— "At the sub-Committee for Religion, concerning false printing the Bible and the Versal of Psalms, printed by Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Sternhold, and to offer a better, if thought fit, November 12, 1656. "Among other late impressions of the Bible, yet under examination, this Committee have examined the impression particularly referred, in 24mo. printed in the year 1653, which is acknowledged by Mr. John Feild, Printer, to be by him printed; and that he printed to the number of about 2000 of them. "That in the said Bible, there are already discovered several omissions and mis-printings. "That Mr. Feild hath alleged something in extenuation of his fault. But, in regard, the Committee have not power to take cognizance thereof, they thought it not fit to proceed to the examination of the truth thereof. "That the Committee, by two of their members, have secured 7900 of the said imprinted Bibles in Mr. Feild's hands, till further order: which are all at present discovered, and remain unsold. "That, we understand, there are yet in the hands of several Booksellers, in and about London, and the country, many of the said Bibles undispersed, It is humbly offered by the Committee, as their opinion, that some speedy course be taken to prevent the dispersing the said Bibles, now in Bookseller's hands; and that order may be given concerning these in sheets secured. "The Committee have under examination other Bibles, which are discovered very faulty."—Journals.
  • 9. See Vol. i. p. 349. note †.
  • 10. See supra, p. 221.
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