House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 20 May 1644

DIE Lunæ, 20 die Maii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Thorougood.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Message from the H. C. to expedite the Ordinance for the Committee of both Kingdoms.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Thomas Barrington Baronet, and others:

To let their Lordships know, that the House of Commons have received divers Letters and Informations of the Affairs of the Public, which require Expedition and Secrecy; and in regard their Lordships and the House of Commons are so nearly concerned in the Conjuncture of Affairs, the House of Commons desires that their Lordships will please to give Expedition to the Ordinance for continuing the Committee of both Kingdoms.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

Their Lordships will take this Ordinance into present Consideration, and return an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message from thence, with Ordinances.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Ashurst and others;

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in Three Ordinances:

1. An Ordinance for regulating of Sequestrations.

2. An Ordinance concerning Sir Wm. Brewerton.

3. An Ordinance concerning the Excise of the Counties of Cheshire and Lancashire.

and to expedite Sir Thomas Middleton's.

4. They desire Expedition to the Ordinance formerly brought up, concerning Sir Tho. Middleton, without which he cannot march with his Forces.

Committee to consider of it.

This Ordinance, being read (fn. 1) Twice, was committed to these Lords following, to consider of the same, and report the same to this House:

The Answer returned to this Message was:

Answer to the H. C.

That their Lordships will take all the Particulars of this Message [ (fn. 2) into Consideration], and send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Letters from the Scotch Army.

The Speaker acquainted this House, "That he had received Two Letters from the Scottish Army;" which the House commanded to be read, as followeth:

E. of Leven's.

For the Right Honourable the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament. These, presente.

Right Honourable,

You have presented to me in your Letter the kinde Expressions of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, for which I am desirous to render all humble Thanks; and hereby do prosesse, that as the Safty of Religion and Liberty, now so neerly interested, is allwaies deerest to me, so nothinge could be so powerfull to bringe me and this Army heere, as the great Desires to further the Weell of this Kingdome, and establish the Peace of both Nations, now happily united by Nationall Covenante. Give me therfore Leave by theise to assure the Honourable Houses of Parliament, that nothinge shall be left undon, which may serve to produce the desired Issue of theise Troubles; and that this Army shall, God willinge, apply itself with constant Care and most effectuall Endeavors for speedy reducinge the Enemy, and helpinge to restore these Nations to a flourishinge Condition, under Truth and Peace; beinge confident of the Parliament's Care of them, as they are not insensible of that which theise Honourable Houses have formerly don for their Maintenance and Encouragement. My Lord Fairfax and I remaine close aboute this Citty, and have sent Two Thousand Horse and Dragooners for my Lord Manchester's better Assistance, who, I am confident, as they have Orders from us, so will they be most carefull to pursue their best Advantages, either of the Lord Newcastle's Forces, or of any other Forces which shall come from the South; and thus, having nothinge to add, with my heartiest Wishes for the Prosperity of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, and my due Respects to your Lordships, I remaine,

Ex'r.

From the Campe before York, 16th May, 1644.

"Your Lordship's
humble Servant,
Leven.

E. of Lyndsay's.

For the Right Honourable the Speakers of both Houses of the Parliament of England, at Westm.

Right Honourable,

I am comaunded, by the Comittee of Estates of Scotland appointed to attend this Army, to make knowne to both Honourable Houses, that as the Estates of Scotl. out of their just Apprehension of the great and iminent Danger of Religion, of His Majesty's Person, and of all His good Subjects, were moved to send this Army for the Releise of their Brethren into England; so this Committee and Army have resolved, in Pursuance of that Cause, accordinge to their Power, to declyne no Hardshipp nor Hazard which they may meete with, till it shall please God to bringe this Worke to a full Accomplishment, even the Settlement of Truth and Peace in these Kingdomes, accordinge to their Covennant; and that, for this Purpose, they intend to contynue and enterteyne the happy Correspondence which is now begun betwixt them and the Earle of Manchester, and to take the most speedy and effectuall Course for improving of the same, to the Advantage of the Cause, and their better Complyance with the Desires of both Houses. I am likewise comaunded to certify both Houses of the hearty Acnowledgement and Thanks this Committee and Army do accompt dew unto them for their Care and Affection exprest in their Willingnes to give unto this Army all possible Encouragements, and in their Remembrance of the distressed Condition of the Army in Ireland, in the Midst of their many other great Affaires; unto which an happy Issue, accordinge to the Ends exprest in the Covennant, is the earnest Desier, and will be the reall Endeavour of this Committee and Army, who have comaunded this to be subscribed, in their Name and Presence, by Ex'r.

From The Leagre, neere Yorke, this 16th May, 1644.

Your Honours
Affectionate Freind and Servant,
Lyndesay, Spd.

Ordered, That these Letters be communicated to the House of Commons.

Message from the H. C. to expedite the Ordinance concerning the Committee of both Kingdoms.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Stroude and others:

That he was commanded once again to desire their Lordships would give Expedition to the Ordinance concerning the Continuance of the Committee of both Kingdoms, there being extraordinary Necessity of the speedy expediting of it, they having received a Letter this Morning from the Lord General, of the Want of Provisions for the Army; therefore they desire their Lordships speedy Expedition herein.

Committee to meet about it.

The Committee were appointed to withdraw, and perfect their Report for this Ordinance.

Message from thence, with a Letter to the Lord General, in Answer to his, inclosing the Letters from Oxford.

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

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in a Letter to be sent to the General, in Answer to his Letter to both Houses, concerning the Answer which he is to return to the Marquis of Hertford's Letter, and the Earl of Barshire, and the Earl of Forth.

The said Letter was read, and Agreed to, with a small Amendment.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That their Lordships will send them an Answer, by Messengers of their own.

Message to them about it, and with the Two Letters from the Scotch Army.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Rich and Mr. Page:

To let them know, that this House agrees with them in the Letter to the Lord General, with the small Alteration in the Subscription.

Also to deliver to them the Letters from the Scottish Army, read this Day.

L. Wharton, Leave to be absent.

Ordered, That the Lord Wharton hath Leave to be absent for Four or Five Days, by Intervals, to take Physic.

Archbishop of Cant's Trial put off.

Ordered, That the Trial of the Archbishop of Canterbury is deferred until Wednesday Morning next.

Committee to hear the Judges concerning Writs of Error.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to hear the Judges what they can propound concerning Writs of Error shall meet on Wednesday next, in the Afternoon; and the House of Commons are to be sent to, to name a Committee, to join with the Lords Committees therein.

Answer from the H. C.

The Messengers sent to the House of Commons return with this Answer:

That they have delivered the Two Letters to the House of Commons; and they agree to the Letter to the Lord General, with the Amendment. (Here enter it.)

Ordinance concerning the Committee of both Kingdoms.

The Lord Hunsdon reported from the Committee, That they have considered of the Ordinance concerning the Committee of both Kingdoms; and they think it fit to pass, with some few Alterations."

And this Question was put, "Whether this House doth agree with the House of Commons in this Ordinance, as they sent it up?"

And it was Resolved in the Negative.

Alterations in it.

Resolved, upon the Question, That, in the last Line save One, the Word ["Four"] shall be made ["Three"].

Resolved, upon the Question, That there shall be Two Lords added to the Number of the said Committee.

Next, this Question was put, "Whether this Amendment for the naming of the Commoners to be added to the Committee shall stand?"

And it was Resolved in the Negative.

Ordered, That the Earls of Pembrooke and Sarum are hereby appointed to be added, to be of the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Message to the H. C. about it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Rich and Mr. Page:

To let them know, that this House agrees with the House of Commons in the Ordinance concerning the Committee of both Kingdoms, with the Amendments, wherein their Lordships desire their Concurrence.

Sir Thomas Trevor freed from the Impeachment against him.

Whereas Sir Thomas Trevor Knight, One of the Barons of the Exchequer, hath been impeached by the House of Commons, and received his Judgement thereupon in this House: It is Declared, by the Lords in Parliament, and so Ordered, That the said Sir Thomas Trevor shall be for ever hereafter freed and discharged of the said Impeachment; and shall not be any further proceeded against, or questioned, upon the same, or any Part thereof, or for any Matter alledged or contained in any of the said Articles exhibited against him.

Letter from both Houses to the Lord General, in Answer to his, inclosing the Letters from Oxford.

Our very good Lord,

We are commanded to return your Lordship Thanks from both Houses, for your Care to make known unto them the Desires expressed in the Letters of the Marquis Hartford, Earl of Berks, and Earl of Forth, directed to your Excellency, and to receive the Pleasure of the Houses before you give them an Answer. For the Usage of Prisoners of War in The Tower, mentioned in One of the Earl of Forth's Letters, the Houses have taken it into their Consideration, and intend to settle some speedy Course therein if there be Cause: For the Matters desired by the other Letters, the Houses do not think fit they should be granted, nor any Pass to Mrs. Crofts, or other Women, to come from the King's Quarters to this City, until their further Order, there being already so many of them and other suspicious Persons come from the King's Quarters, that, for the Safety of this Place, it is thought fit (as by the Order inclosed your Lordship may perceive) to have them speedily removed: The Houses are mindful of supplying your Armies with Money, which they hope will be in Readiness in a short Time. My Lord, we are

Your Lordship's

"Very loving Friends and Servants."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.