House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 20 September 1644

DIE Veneris, 20 die Septembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Painter.

Ds. North, Speaker this Day.

Ordinance concerning Worcestershire.

The Earl of Kent reported, "That the Committee have taken into Consideration the Ordinance (fn. 1) of the County of Worcester; and they think it fit to pass, with Addition of a Proviso, which they offer to their Lordships Consideration."

Then the said Ordinance with the Proviso was read, and agreed to with the said Proviso.

Message from the H. C. about securing Mrs. Leviston, who was accessary to the Escape of Ld. M'Gwire and M'Mahoune, at whose House the French Minister lives, and who protects her;

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

To let their Lordships know, that whereas the Lord Maguire and Mackmahowne, being Prisoners in The Tower of London for High Treason, escaped out of the Prison; and it being informed, that one Mrs. Leviston, a Widow, was aiding to it; the House of Commons appointed some of their Members to repair to the House of the said Mrs. Leviston, to apprehend her, and search for Papers; but, because the Resident for the French King lay at the said Mrs. Leviston's House, Address was made to the Servants of the French Resident (the Resident himself not being within), to acquaint them with the Reason of their coming, and by what Authority they did come. Before their Departure, the Resident himself came Home; and the Gentlemen of the House of Commons applied themselves to him, to give him Satisfaction of the Reason of their coming; which was only to secure the said Mrs. Leviston, who was a Traitor by the Laws of this Land, and her Papers, which were conceived to be of dangerous Consequence to this State; and told him, that there was nothing intended to him of Disrespects, or Breach of Privilege as a Public Minister. But the Resident, not being contented with this, was very angry; and his Servants came with Swords and Pistols to oppose those that came by Authority. Upon this, it was thought fit to receive the further Directions of the Parliament, what is fit to be done herein; and, in the mean Time, there is a Guard left, to secure the said Mrs. Leviston and her Papers. The House of Commons, being made acquainted herewith, think it fit to send Committees of both Houses presently to the House of Mrs. Leviston, taking with them such Strength as they think necessary, to apprehend the said Mrs. Leviston and her Papers; and to let the Resident know, that the Houses of Parliament conceive that such Persons as are Traitors by the Laws of this Kingdom are not to be protected by Ambassadors or Residents, by the Law of Nations; and the House of Commons desires their Lordships Concurrence in sending a Committee with the House of Commons as aforesaid.

with a Letter to Ld. Inchiquin.

2. The House of Commons desires Concurrence in a Letter to be sent to the Lord Inchequin.

(Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

Committee to go with One of the H. C. to secure Mrs. Leviston.

Also this House nominated the Earl of Kent, Earl of Denbigh, and the Lord Viscount Say & Seale, to be Committees, to join with a Committee of the House of Commons, to go to the French Resident, as is desired; and their Lordships to meet the Committee of the House of Commons presently, in the Painted Chamber, to consider of the Business.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Letter to the Lord Inchequin, and have appointed Three Lords to join with a Committee of the House of Commons, to go (fn. 2) to the French Resident, according as is desired; and have appointed them to meet presently, in the Painted Chamber.

Paper from The States Ambassadors, for an Answer to their former One, offering themselves as Mediators between the King and Parliament.

Next, a Paper was presented to this House from The States Ambassadors, directed "To the Lord Grey of Warke, (fn. 2) Speaker of the House of Peers assembled in the Parliament of England;" which was read in English, as followeth: (Here enter it.)

"Right Honourable,

"We have divers Times desired your Lordship by Word of Mouth, as we now do by these few Lines, that the Honourable Parliament might be induced to give us some Answer unto our Interposition presented unto them.

"Your Lordship knows, that this Interposition could not be intrusted in better and surer Hands than those of our State and their Ministers, who, for acquitting our Charge for the Interest of that State that hath sent us, and for the Satisfaction of our proper Proceedings, we will, neither can we, have any other Aim, as that unto which our Instruction tends, which is your just Contentment.

"For our Lords and Superiors have expressly sent us hither, and above all recommended the Conservation and Maintenance of the true Christian Protestant Religion, which you have and do profess jointly with us.

They have also charged us to advance the Protection of the Laws of this Kingdom, without patronizing any Act which might tend to the Infeebling or the Destruction of the same; but for to accommodate a good, firm, and a sure Peace and Union between His Majesty, the Parliament, and His People, a Peace and Union in sincere Truth; and to see you settled in such a State, that His Majesty, the Parliament, and the Subjects, may enjoy all that which is due respectively unto them, according to the said Laws of this Kingdom; and that the Accord following thereupon might have all necessary Security of a good and sincere Observance.

"Your Lordship may be assured, we have no other Intention than the Advancement of your Honour and Reputation, which cannot be more advanced than by a good Re-union amongst you, which Re-union cannot be good, neither durable, if it is not as well just as assured; unto which we do offer to travail with all our Hearts and Possibility, if the Honourable Parliament will be pleased to declare that our Intercession is acceptable unto them.

"We do then desire that this may be communicated to the Honourable Parliament; and that we may [ (fn. 3) not only] have an Answer, but, if it will please them, a speedy and good one.

18 Sept. 1644.

"G. Boreel.
Jean de Reade.
Alb. Joachimi."

Ordered, That this Paper be communicated to the House of Commons.

Message to the H. C. with it, and the Ordinance concerning Worcestershire;

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and

1. To deliver the Ordinance to them concerning the County of Worcester; and to desire their Concurrence in the Proviso.

and about Ld. Coventry's Assessment.

2. To let them know, that this House hath assessed the Lord Coventry at Fifteen Hundred Pounds, for his Twentieth and Fifth Part; and do agree with them, that it shall be disposed as they desire.

3. To deliver unto them the Paper of The States Ambassadors, received this Day.

Letter to Ld. Inchiquin, &c. thanking them for the Declaration against the Papists; and that there are Supplies of Men, Money, &c. forwarding to Munster.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"Your Letter of the 17th of July, from Corke, we have received; and do take this Declaration of yourselves against those bloody and barbarous Popish Rebels as a very seasonable and acceptable Service in this present Conjuncture of Time; as that which we hope will be a Means somewhat to stop their Fury, in the Prosecution of their Design of rooting out all true Religion, and the Professors of it there, in such a Way of Cruelty and Immanity as become only the Enemies of human Kind; of which Service the Houses hath commanded us to signify their Acceptance; and to assure you, that they shall be ready to give the most effectual Concurrence to your Desires, and Encouragement in your Proceedings, that the present troubled State of Affairs will permit, until, through the Blessing of God upon our Endeavours, settling the State of our Affairs, we shall be enabled to a more full and through Prosecution of the War there: For the present, we have thought fit that a free Trade (according to your Desires) be allowed to those Places that have declared; and we are about to pass an Ordinance for Eighty Thousand Pounds for the managing of that War.

"The Regiment that was at Wareham of Lieutenant Colonel O Bryan's have surrendered that Place, and have received Twelve Hundred Pounds; and Provision is making ready for their Transportation to you. There is also some Victuals to be sent to you from The Low Countryes, provided with the Money of the Contribution there made."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.