|
| Mar. 14. |
Warrant for payment of 3,067l. 15s. 11d. to Thos. Lord Coventry
out of the profits of the Hanaper for the years 1640 and 1641,
with interest at the rate of 8l. per cent. per annum, and is in part of
6,000l. which he lent to his Majesty. [Docquet.] |
| Mar. 14. |
Grant of the office of Rouge Croix, pursuivant-at-arms, to Wm.
Dugdale, gent., with the fee of 20l. per annum, payable half-yearly
out of the Exchequer, with all other profits belonging to the said
place, during good behaviour. [Docquet.] |
Mar. 14.
Whitehall. |
Notes by Nicholas of the proceedings at the Council of War this
day. Ordered that the Earl of Newport, Master of the Ordnance,
shall call upon Colonel [Francis] Trafford for an accompt of the 600
arms which the dragoons had last year, and to appoint some to
receive the same, and deliver them into his Majesty's magazine at
Carlisle by indenture with the governor of the garrison there. Lord
Conway, Sir William Uvedale, and Sir Jacob Ashley are to call to
them Colonel Trafford, and to form 1,000 dragoons into a regiment
of 10 companies, each to consist of 100 men besides officers, and
accordingly to make an establishment for their entertainment,
and to certify the same to the Lords at their next meeting. The
paymaster of Berwick is to attend the Lord Treasurer and Lord
Cottington about an establishment for pay of the new troops and
companies of foot sent for reinforcing his Majesty's garrison there.
Resolved that the 2,000 horse now being raised shall go at first to
Hull, and be quartered thereabouts till they shall be well disciplined
and exercised, and that then they shall march to Newcastle and be
quartered thereabouts. Resolved that Thos. Manley, purveyor for
the horse, shall have 10s. per diem, besides so many clerks and
servants as the Lord-General shall think fit; he is to provide a
month's provision of oats for 3,000 horse to be stored in Berwick,
and so much hay as may be had thereabouts, and to this purpose he
is to attend the Lord Treasurer and Lord Cottington. Ordered that
the Master of the Ordnance shall provide 100 carts for carriage of
tents for the foot, the same to be ready at Newcastle by the middle
of June, the charge to be borne on the estimate for the train of artillery. Resolved that the allowance for waggons and carriages for
horse and foot shall begin 14 days before the body of the army
comes to the rendezvous, and shall continue so long as the army
shall be in the field. Ordered that Mr. Allen, the drum-major, see
what drums may be had in this city; also what youths are at Bridewell and in the hospitals who may be made fit to serve with drums
in his Majesty's army, and thereof make certificate to the LordGeneral. Ordered that Mr. Earlesman, who is cornet to Sir William
Brunker's troop, shall be cashiered and committed to prison, there to
remain during the Lord-General's pleasure, for having mustered a
borrowed horse not his own; also that Sir Wm. Brunker's pay for
himself and his horses be checked till the next muster, for his negligence in not preventing by his care the making of a false muster by
those of his troop. [Written on the same paper as March 10,
No. 74. 2⅓ pp.] |
| Mar. 14. |
1. Henry Garwaie, Lord Mayor of London, to the Council.
In compliance with your letters I have made search and inquiry
throughout the city what butchers, either publicly or privately, sell
flesh in Lent with licenses or without, and by whom granted. I
find only these eight here named, who are all licensed by me according to the Lords' direction annually given. There are divers
butchers in the parts contiguous to London, licensed by noblemen,
who sell flesh into London, but within the city no more than I have
specified. [1 p.] |
Mar. 14/24.
Paris. |
2. Charles Louis, Elector Palatine, to Sir Thos. Roe. This is to
acquaint you with my delivery out of the dungeon, upon what terms
you will see by the relation I shall send by the next post, and accompany it with a letter to the King of Denmark. What could not
be obtained at once, time and the constant assistance of my friends
may accomplish. I have only advertised the King, the Queen [of
Bohemia] my mother, and yourself, who, I do think, wish me most
good. P.S.—I have received yours of the 28th January but since
my coming hither. [Seal with arms and crest. 1 p.] |
Mar. 14/24.
Paris. |
3. Robert Earl of Leicester, ambassador in France, to [Sir Thomas
Roe]. I wrote to you on the 29th February, and sent you the
copies of the demands which these ministers had made to the Prince
Elector, as likewise of a project of such an act as his Highness would
be contented to join for satisfaction of the French King, and I hope
you received the same. I have now little to say, but that the
Prince Elector, on Wednesday 11/21 of this month, was brought by
M. de Champigny from the Bois de Vincennes to my house, where
his Highness is content to accept an ill lodging (but the best I have)
till the house be ready for him, where M. de Champigny has assured
him that he shall be lodged and treated by the French King as soon
as Prince Casimir goes away, which is expected within very few
days. His Highness [the Prince Elector] has written to you himself,
therefore I shall not trouble you any further. I perceive he has, as
there is good cause, much confidence in your affection to his person
and interests, and assures himself that you will continue it. I received last week a letter which Mr. [Joseph] Avery, by your
appointment, wrote to me, and I pray you to assure him of my
desire to do him service. [1 p.] |
Mar. 14.
Elmore. |
4. Sir William Guyse to Nicholas. I acknowledge with thankfulness the favour you have done my son in keeping him from the
shrievalty this year; it manifests you have not forgotten the old
love betwixt your father and me, which argues a generous mind in
you. I wish I knew how to make you requital. I lately received
letters from the Lord Admiral for the pressing of seafaring men in
this county [of Gloucester] for his Majesty's service this year. The
substance of these letters having been divulged before their delivery
to me the greater part of the sailors hid themselves, so that I could
not perform this service in such manner as I desired, wherefore I
have been obliged to send the bearer to inform the Lord Admiral of
the truth, wherein I pray your assistance and directions to him, who
is unknown to my lord. [¾ p.] |
| Mar. 14. |
5. Account by Sir William Russell and Henry Vane, Treasurers
of the Navy, of ship-money received by virtue of writs issued in
1636. Total received, 189,692l. 3s. 1d.; in arrear, 6,922l. 4s. 7d.
[1 p.] |
| Mar. 14. |
6. Similar account for 1637. Total received, 178,599l. 15s. 6d.;
in arrear, 17,814l. 12s. 2d. [1 p.] |
| Mar. 14. |
7. The like for 1638. Total received, 55,690l. 3s. 5d.; in arrear,
14,059l. 16s. 7d. [1 p.] |
| Mar. 14. |
8. The like for 1639. Total received up to this date,
3,811l. 9s. 2d. [⅓ p.] |
| Mar. 14. |
9. Account of ship-money for 1639 levied and remaining in the
hands of the sheriffs. Total, 3,847l., making with the 3,811l. paid
in to the Treasurers of the Navy, 7,658l. It is added that 58l. had
this week been paid of the ship-money arrears of 1636, 40l. of the
arrears of 1637, and 391l. of the arrears of 1638, but no part of
the arrears for 1635. [1 p.] |
| Mar. 16. |
10. Jerome Earl of Portland to the King. Give me leave to
represent to you that your castles and forts in the Isle of Wight are
much out of repair. In 1636 you sent the Earl of Newport and
others to make a general survey of all your castles there, and estimates for their reparations, which they accordingly did, but at so
low rates that if the money had been presently issued it would not
have perfected the works. It was two years after before any money
was laid out there, in which time works formerly decaying were
much more ruined, and then part of the money was expended in
fees to the office, insomuch that the charge your Majesty has been
at will be almost useless, except you order the reparations to be
perfected; besides the great storms this winter have done much
harm to your Majesty's house at Carisbrooke, and sunk a curtain at
the sconce at Sandham. I therefore beseech your Majesty either
to command a new survey to be made, or to grant a Privy Seal and
moneys to be issued by way of imprest, to be accompted for, for
these reparations, which if delayed will cost a far greater charge.
I conceive that 800l. will perfect all the castles and make your
houses habitable, so that your service may be better attended there.
May it please you to be informed that it was formerly thought
necessary by Sir John Ogle and others, who have by command
surveyed the island, that a redoubt should be built at or about
Carew's sconce, but this was thought unfit by the Earl of Newport
in consequence of his not being aware that this place and Hurst
[Castle] will command all the ships which pass at the Needles; for
this reason, at my suit to the Lords, it was referred to the Trinity
House to certify whether it were so or no, since which time nothing
has been done in it. I am likewise informed there is a decree lately
made in the Exchequer for draining certain lands and a haven to the
north-east of the island; but before that work goes forward I beseech
you to command that place to be surveyed, and consider whether
the draining will not make it a much easier landing-place for an
enemy than any other in the island. [3 pp.] |
Mar. 16.
Whitehall. |
11. Notes by Nicholas of the proceedings this day at the Council
of War. Resolved and ordered that in regard the cornet and some
others of the troop belonging to Sir William Brouncker made a
false muster when they were first mustered near this town, by
showing borrowed horses, that neither Sir William nor any others
of that troop shall enter into pay until they be again mustered at
York, and there show at least 40 horses; and this was by the
Lords the rather thus ordered for that Sir William promised to
satisfy his troop till that time at his own charge. Ordered that the
officers of the Ordnance shall view the arms for horse in the hands
of Sir John Suckling, William Cox, and Richard Wright, and shall
certify the numbers, condition, goodness, and prices of the same.
Ordered that Mr. Pinkney, formerly directed to be commissary for
victuals, shall take charge of all provision of victuals laid in magazine at Berwick and elsewhere, and that the Lord-General may
appoint other commissaries in other places; also commissaries for
musters and other services for the army, with warrant for the pay of
themselves, their deputies, and clerks. The Master of the Ordnance
was prayed to give order for a sufficient number of drums, colours,
partisans, and halberds for the army, consisting of 30,000 foot in
25 regiments, which he, being present, took notice of. Resolved
that the cornets of every troop of horse, who formerly had only
the same allowance of pay or horses as the quartermaster, shall have
6s. per diem, being 2s. more than the quartermaster. Ordered that
the Earl of Newport perfect the train of artillery, specifying what
number of officers and men are requisite, with their pay or allowances; the certificate to be presented at the next sitting, in order
that the Lords may attend the King with the same. Resolved that
allowance be given for one waggon and three horses to the captain
of the Lord-General's horse guard. [2 pp.] |
| Mar. 16. |
12. Notes taken by Sec. Windebank at the meeting this day of
the Committee of Council for hearing the Covenanters deputed from
the Parliament of Scotland. Lord Marquis [Hamilton] asked whether
these were demands or reasons of the Parliament [of Scotland] or
their own. If they were the Parliament's he would not censure
them, but hoped, he being a member of the Parliament, the second
in that kingdom, they were not the Parliament's, but if they were
their own he would utterly disclaim them. They say they are
according to their instructions. These were given to them by the
Parliament, and it was done ingenuously. If it were the Parliament's, how are they authorised to deliver them? The commissioner
avowed he desired the Church business should have gone on first,
but they would not suffer it. The King: if they under colour of
the Church business will go to the temporal, the deel a Church
business will he confirm. They would have been contented if they
would have constituted the Parliament that turned out the bishops.
The Parliament was before the Lords of the Articles; this the
foundation of Lord Loudon's argument: take away this, and [you]
take away his argument. A number of the best of the nobility
protested against this protestation, and therefore not the whole
Parliament. Lord Loudon charged Lord Traquair that he had not
made his writ good by word. The Earl of Traquair upon his knees
desired if this could be proved he would lose his head. The other
did the like. [Margin: That which he had agreed to by the
Articles he did contradict by word afterwards.] The commissioner
could never have a journal of what passed as he ought to have had,
nor have anything registered. He, the Lord Loudon, dare not define
whether the King hath power or not to prorogue a Parliament in
the height of his power, but only to show what has been the constant
practice, and to be silent where the law doth not speak; nor has he
commission to say further in that point than he has set down in
the answer to his Majesty. [1 p.] |
Mar. 16.
Rhosmore. |
13. Owen Wood, sheriff of Anglesey, to the Council. By mine
of the 14th February I certified you how late the ship-money
writ and instructions came to my hands, and how I had given
warrants for subdividing of the general assessment, which were
accordingly brought in. I have since issued my warrants to the
collectors in each hundred for the speedy levying of the money, but
by reason it is a dead time of the year for money in this island, the
revenue whereof consists in the sale of their cattle, for which there
be no markets till summer, the collection goes the slower on. I
shall be careful to hasten the same with all importunity, and furnish
you with a further account with all possible speed. According to
your command I send a note of what each hundred stands charged
with, and what each clergyman is assessed to in particular for his
mere ecclesiastical means, and what for his temporal. [Seal with
crest and arms. 1 p.] Encloses, |
|
13. i. Note of what the clergy are assessed, as well for their mere
ecclesiastical possessions as their temporalities, severally,
within the county of Anglesey. [1½ p.] |
| Mar. 16. |
14. Copy of an order made at a court of the Company of Cardmakers of London, imposing fines for seven trade offences by
Richard Reeve, a member of that company. [¾ p.] |
| Mar. 16. |
15. Answers preferred to a petition of Richard Reeve complaining
against the officers of the Cardmakers' Company for taking away
his cards and tools, and debarring him from his trade, to his utter
ruin. It is desired that some course may be taken with the said
Reeve for troubling the Lords with these false informations. [Copy.
= 2 pp.] |
| Mar. 17. |
16. Mr Layburne to Sec. Vane. I here present to you a copy of
[Peter] Gifford's composition for his recusancy, taken out of the
Pipe Office, where the same is recorded, to which is annexed Sir
Henry Croke's certificate concerning his due payment of his yearly
rents. I assure you his Majesty's officers of the Exchequer much wondered that Mr. Gifford should be troubled for transgressing penal
statutes made against Recusants, seeing that he pays to the King the
greatest rents of any Recusant saving two or three. I send also enclosed Mr. Gifford's confession concerning his children. [Seal with
arms. 1 p.] |
Mar. 17.
Edinburgh Castle. |
17. Patrick Lord Ettrick to the same. This instant, after the
sealing of my packet, the Lords of the Covenant sent two lords
and two of the town [of Edinburgh] to tell me, in answer to my
demand as to their intention by bringing much earth into a yard
near the castle, that they did it to defend themselves as well as they
could, and, for all that I perceive, they intend to build batteries and
to block me up, having already denied me anything but daily
provision. I beseech you to acquaint his Majesty herewith, as well
deserving his serious consideration, and to let him know that, if I
receive not his intended supplies forthwith, they will, as I conceive,
be denied admittance. I further beseech his Majesty to send me an
answer to my last letters, and to despatch away Captain Ridpeth,
whom I sent post. Endorsed, "Received on the 22nd." [Seal with
devise, broken. 1 p.] |
Mar. 17.
Edinburgh Castle. |
18. William Roberts, secretary to Lord Ettrick, to Sec. Windebank. Not having been in town to learn any occurrences before my
lord's letter sent you of the 11th inst. [see page 545, No. 90], I
could not then give you any intelligence. What I have heard since,
mostly from Sir John Ruthven and Colonel Francis Ruthven, I
present to you, and for the errors I may commit I beg your pardon.
[1 p.] |
|
18. i. Summary of news above referred to. The town of Edinburgh has raised soldiers besides those of their town to
reinforce the same, and has appointed Col. Blair to be
commander. They keep strong watches by day and night;
they exercise their soldiers both here and throughout the
country. Of late the people of the town of the greater sort
have seemed to be in great distraction, as being one day
very calm and humble, and another day as peremptory.
The meeting of noblemen began on Tuesday last, and is
not ended, nor have all the noblemen come to town. It
is reported that the people have subscribed a bond that every
man shall part with the tenth part of his estate towards
the maintenance of their intended armies, which some of
the richer sort did not without much murmuring, and
some have refused it. Also that since this meeting began
that they tendered it to Lesley to be their general again,
and would have joined some noblemen in commission
with him, which he has refused, and thereupon it is
supposed by some that, if Lesley accepts not thereof, Lord
Almont will be made general. There have lately arisen
great contentions betwixt some noblemen and others in
Angus, which are not yet appeased. It is reported that
great contentions arise betwixt the Earl of Argyle and
the Earl of Seaforth, and that Seaforth intends to join or
has joined with the Earl of Airlie and Lord Rae to serve
his Majesty. It is reported that Lesley made a speech in
this present meeting which has much encouraged the people,
so that they resolve to fight with his Majesty's army, though
ten to one. It is supposed that the Lord Deputy of
Ireland is to invade the north of Scotland with an army
from Ireland, and it is said that if he does so the Earl of
Argyle will, from a river in the west, transport an army
to Ireland, and hopes to make a strong party of malcontents there to join with him. The Earl has prepared
boats and other vessels in a river where his Majesty can
send no ships to prevent them. They say their armies
will be all volunteers and very willing men, and the
King's armies prest men, therefore they care not how great
the King's armies are. They report that they have as
much ordnance and ammunition as they desire, besides
many other great boasts which they make daily. [1¼ p.] |
| Mar. 17. |
19. The mayor and jurats of Hastings to Robert Read, secretary
to Sec. Windebank. You have the election of one of the barons
of this next Parliament passed upon you this day for this township,
wherein we wish you much joy. Our desire is that you would
come to us as soon as conveniently you may, to take your oath
and orders as becomes, when we will more particularly acquaint
you with the affairs of this town, but if you cannot without
prejudice we will take some other course to save your pains and
trouble. P.S.—Sir John Baker, Bart., is joined with you; he lies
next door to the Horn Tavern in Fleet Street, London, to whom we
have also written to like purpose. [2/3 p.] |
| Mar. 17. |
20. Renaldo Knapton, under-sheriff of Dorset, to Nicholas. The
high-sheriff has received the Lords' letter of the 5th instant, wherein
he is reproved for his remissness concerning the ship-money. He
cannot as yet procure all the rates from the constables to be confirmed, but will proceed with all diligence, both by way of distress
and otherwise. He has now sent up by his brother 554l., and
hopes by the next term to transmit a good part of the remainder.
I pray you to direct him where to pay it. [Seal with arms. ¾ p.] |
| Mar. 18. |
21. John Brownlow, sheriff of co. Lincoln, to the Council. I have
used all the diligence I could for levying the ship-money in this
country, yet through the negligence and averseness of the assessors
in very many places I cannot procure it to be assessed, divers of
them directly refusing to make any assessments, and others delaying
it with unnecessary excuses, some of whose names I present to
your Lordships, not venturing to trouble you with the whole multitude of them, craving your assistance and further directions, for
without the help of the inhabitants it is not possible to assess the
particular persons of every town. I have collected 650l., which
according to my former directions I have sent up to the Treasurer
of the Navy, and will do my utmost endeavour to procure the
remainder. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Mar. 18.
Berwick. |
22. Capt. Charles Lloyd to Sec. Windebank. There is but small
alteration since my last letter. The masons are at work repairing the
old wall. I hope I shall have done with the bridge this next week.
Reports the further progress of the works about Cowport and Maryport. The timber from Holy Island is used up, so I must crave
a further supply, which I could wish were sent hither, for the
removing of it from Holy Island is very chargeable. I wrote to
you about a place for stowage of my materials, the townsmen
being very refractory and demanding excessive rates. I likewise
desire the Lords' warrant for carts and other carriages to be supplied
by the country at the King's rates. Endorsed, "Received 23rd."
[1 p.] |
Mar. 18.
Berwick. |
23. Sir Michael Ernle to Sec. Windebank. I received a letter
from the Earl of Northumberland on the 15th instant commanding
me to receive 400 men into this town, who are to be here by the
1st of April, and then to discharge the five companies of the trainedbands. I wrote to you in my last that the Scots intended to put
men into Kelso and Jedburgh, where as yet there are only arms,
but no men. The Lords of the Covenant are very busy. At
Edinburgh there are 500 men armed under the command of
Colonel Blair, and I am informed they intend to raise 4,000 more,
whereof 2,000 are to come upon these borders, and other 2,000 are
to be upon the north of Scotland. P.S.—I am informed that the
Lord Loudon, who is now at London, brought 500 books with him,
which he has spread abroad in England. Endorsed, "Received the
23rd, and answered the 29th instant." [Seal with crest and arms.
1p.] |
Mar. 18.
Pendennis. |
24. Nicholas Lanning [to Sec. Windebank]. This very hour came
news of the death of worthy Sir Francis Godolphin, Governor of Scilly.
I know not whether that command be already given in reversion,
but am sure it is inferior to none in England. If this prove a timely
advertisement, and may any way advance the designs of your
lordship or your friends, I have my end. [p.] |
Mar. 18.
Tehidy. |
25. Thomas Bassett, Lieutenant-Governor of Scilly, to Nicholas.
My uncle, Sir Francis Godolphin, was his Majesty's receiver of the
rents of the Crown in cos. Cornwall and Devon, a place more of
honour than profit. It has pleased God to take him from us, and
I beseech you to use your power with your friends for my advantage, that I may succeed to the office as his near kinsman and an
inhabitant within the county where those lands lie. By Sir Francis'
death the command of the fort of Scilly is also void, and my brother,
who waits on you herewith, has served the King in all his wars,
and a more honest or able man cannot be chosen to serve his
Majesty in that duty. I beseech you to hear and favour him in it.
Your power with Sir Francis Windebank, who in our tin business
has a little knowledge of me, can easily effect this for me, and
will on your instance. [Seal with crest. 1 p.] |
| Mar. 18. |
26. Estimate, certified by order of the Council of War and warrant
from the Master-General of the Ordnance, of the charge of 100 carts
for carriage of tents for infantry, to be ready at Newcastle by the
middle of June next. Total, 1,293l. 6s. Underwritten, |
|
26. i. Notes by Nicholas. There are letters written to several
counties for sending to Newcastle by the middle of June
not only 300 horses for these carts, but 1,100 more for the
train of artillery, and to send with every three horses a
carter. There is to be an allowance of 1s. per diem for
every horse, and 8d. per diem for a carter. [1 p.] |
| Mar. 19. |
27. The King to Patrick Lord Ettrick. With yours of the 11th
instant we received the two certificates of the provision of munition
and victuals in our castle of Edinburgh, and we will not fail to send
you supplies, both of men and other things necessary for your
defence, with as much speed as may be. For moneys, we sent you
lately by your servant 1,500l., besides a former sum of 500l., which
was delivered to your secretary Roberts for our service. By the
last messenger we likewise sent letters to the town of Edinburgh,
thanking them for the obedience they showed to our commands in
assisting to convey the men and munition into the castle, and commanded them to continue their diligence in supplying you upon all
occasions with such things as you should want, especially at this
time with workmen, timber, and other materials for reparation of
the works and walls lately fallen down, seeing their own safety is
concerned therein. But because we understand by these your last
letters of the 11th present, that you find the people there far more
insolent than ever heretofore, and that they have not only denied
you timber to repair the walls, but even at the gates of the castle
such as bring in daily provisions are much abused and their provisions taken from them, we have renewed our commandments in
a more strict manner to the provost and magistrates not only to
suppress these insolencies, but likewise to cause you to be furnished
with timber and all materials necessary for the reparation of the
ruined works, and this upon their allegiance and as they will
answer the contrary at their utmost perils; and if in contempt of
these our commandments they shall not only neglect this our service, but shall presume to raise any work near the castle, by which
the force and strength of that place may be rendered less considerable or less able to defend itself or to command the town, in
such case we will and require you to have recourse to hostility and
open force, and to use all the power and strength you have to
batter down and demolish any such work, and not to suffer the
town to put such a bridle upon you, to our and your perpetual
dishonour. This being a business of so great importance, as that
our own honour and the success of our affairs in that our kingdom,
besides your own interests, are highly concerned herein, we doubt
not but you will take it to heart, as becomes a person of honour and
merit, and obliged to this service both by your duty and promise,
and will order it accordingly. Whereas we perceive by the Earl of
Traquair that you are in doubt whether we have granted the
entertainment to your son which you desired, we do hereby signify
our pleasure that we have granted to him the entertainment
of 15s. by the day, to begin from the 1st of August last, which
was the time of his entrance into the service. Endorsed, "19th
March 1639-40." [Draft in the handwriting of Sec. Windebank.
2 pp.] |
| Mar. 19. |
28. The King to the Provost and Bailies of Edinburgh. By our
letters of the 10th of this present we signified our pleasure to you
to supply Lord Ettrick, Governor of Edinburgh Castle, with workmen, timber, materials, and all other things necessary for the
reparation of the works and walls lately fallen down there, which,
considering how much your own preservation in these disorderly
times is concerned therein, we doubted not but you would readily
have obeyed; but because we understand that, upon such instances
as have been made to you for this service by our said governor,
you have delayed to give him satisfaction, we have thought good by
these our special letters to reiterate our former commandments to
you, charging you upon your allegiance not to fail immediately to
furnish the governor with workmen, timber, and all other things
necessary, at reasonable and usual prices. We further stringently
command you to suppress and punish all such of that town as,
upon complaint of our governor, shall be found guilty of offering
any violence or insolency to any of the garrison there, with whom
our pleasure is that you shall hold a fair and friendly intelligence,
and whom we have commanded to use the like respects and civility
to you, upon which your mutual safeties and preservation will much
depend. Thus you see our princely care of your good, and we doubt
not but you will show yourselves worthy of it by your readiness
in this service, which so much concerns both us and you. Endorsed,
"19th March 1639-40." [Draft in Sec. Windebank's handwriting.
1⅓ p.] |
Mar. 19.
Whitehall. |
29. Sec. Windebank to Patrick Lord Ettrick. I presume that
one part of your letters of the 11th inst., with which you honoured
me, concerning further supplies of money, is already answered by
his Majesty's letters of the 10th. The party to whom these were
entrusted had delivered to him 1,000l. to be employed for the King's
service as you should direct. His Majesty having now understood
by your last letters that the townsmen of Edinburgh are grown
insolent since the ruin of the works and wall of the castle, and
that they have not only refused to supply you with timber and
other necessaries for the repairing of those works, but used violence
and outrage to such as you sent out for provisions, has written a
quick letter to them, a duplicate whereof goes herewith, commanding
them, upon their allegiance, to supply you with all necessaries fit
for the work. Concerning other things in your last letters, you will
understand his Majesty's pleasure by his own letters, which go herewith, and if in anything within my charge I may give any furtherance to you in your service there, I will endeavour to deserve those
acknowledgments which in the abundance of your goodness, overvaluing my inconsiderable services, you have vouchsafed me. P.S.—
Order is given to the postmasters upon the English road to cause all
packets subscribed by you to run with as much diligence as any do
despatched from the Secretaries or Council here. [Draft. 1 p.] |
Mar. 19.
Whitehall. |
30. Notes by Nicholas of the proceedings this day at the Council
of War. Ordered that Sir Job Harby shall give order to his correspondent or factor in Flanders to cause all the muskets, carbines,
and pistols to be provided in Flanders for his Majesty's service, to
be made according to the patterns sent over by John Lanyon, his
Majesty's proof-master, who is to approve them according to contract,
though they cannot be made in less than four months' time. The
factors are required to send over the arms weekly or monthly as
fast as they shall be made, as also the saddles and arms for horse
already purchased. Resolved that all the officers of infantry belonging to his Majesty's army shall receive half-pay from the 20th inst.,
except those sent by the Lord-General into the counties to assist
in the levying, exercising, or conducting of the foot, who are to
enter into full-pay from the time that they shall be so employed,
for which the Lord-General is to give warrant to the Treasurer at
Wars. Every colonel's company consisting of 200 men shall have
three sergeants and three drummers allowed. Ordered that the
Master of the Ordnance shall give order for providing 50 halberds
for the 50 men appointed to be of the Lord-General's guard. [1¾ p.] |
| Mar. 19. |
Warrant of the Commissioners for Saltpetre and Gunpowder to
Robert Smith, messenger, to bring before them Henry Drury, carpenter, living at the Hermitage Dock in St. Catherine's, and Robert
Chesland, wine cooper, owner of the said dock, living in Rood Lane.
[Copy. See Vol. ccxcii., p. 117. ⅓ p.] |
| Mar. 19. |
Minute of the appearance of Henry Drury and Robert Chesland
this day before the Commissioners for Saltpetre and Gunpowder, but
they are to remain in the messenger's custody. [Ibid. 3 lines.] |
Mar. 19.
Kensington. |
Deputation by Henry Earl of Holland, Chief Justice, and Justicein-Eyre of the Royal Forests on this side Trent, constituting James
Kirle and William Guise his deputies, to continue and adjourn all
pleas of the Forest of Dean to such day and place as they should
determine, and to perform all other duties this term. [Copy. See
Vol. ccclxxxiv., p. 74. 1 p.] |
Mar. 19.
Newcastle. |
31. Sir Lionel Maddison to Sec. Vane. Upon my return home
from York I received your letter, which gave me great contentment.
For what you wrote about Choppell Woods you may rest confident
of my furtherance therein. The reason no more was done in that
business was Mr. Vane's present condition and employment, my
absence, together with Mr. Conyer's infirmity. My son is now over
at Raby Castle, and will appoint a day for discussing the business
with some men of good understanding. Thanks for the kind invitation to your house. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Mar. 19.
Eston. |
32. William Lord Maynard to Sec. Windebank. I received on
the 17th your letters of the 12th inst., together with the King's
writ for my summons to the Parliament in Ireland, and his dispensation for my personal attendance there, with permission to send my
proxy, by both of which I find that the Parliament was begun in
Ireland before I received my writ, so as there is an impossibility of
my personal attendance there, and I cannot see how my proxy can
come time enough thither. Besides I received his Majesty's writ
for my attendance at the Parliament here in England, divers days
before I received that for Ireland, which I took to be a kind of
supersedeas to this. I have accordingly prepared myself to give
my personal attendance here, to do his Majesty and this Church
and kingdom the best service that I shall be able; and therefore,
since I cannot possibly attend in both Parliaments, happening so near
together, especially my writ for the Irish Parliament coming after
the same had commenced, I was in hope the King would have spared
even the sending my proxy thither in respect of my attendance here,
which I understand to be the rule. I have returned you the proxy
under my hand and seal, leaving a blank for the name of such
nobleman to be inserted as his Majesty shall think fit, but whom I
pray may be a good Protestant, conformable to the Church of
England. I crave your mediation with the King in my behalf, that
for the reasons here alleged my proxy may be spared and returned
to me again. P.S.—I have appointed the bearer to pay all fees due
for my dispensation. [Damaged by damp. 1 p.] |
Mar. 19.
Sandwich. |
33. The Mayor and Jurats of Sandwich to Nicholas. We could
desire no greater happiness to befall this town than that you should
be one of our burgesses for this Parliament, for which we strive by
all means. Whilst we were working this blessing to ourselves,
black-mouthed envy belched out a most false and scandalous aspersion upon you, viz., that you were a rank Papist and had not been
to church these 16 years; whereof last night being informed, this
morning we called before us the parties who heard the delinquent
publish these scandalous speeches, and having taken their examinations we sent for the offender, who stands committed till he find us
very sufficient sureties to appear at the next sessions here, and in
the meantime to be of good behaviour, except you please to have
him sent for up, and punish him there according to his demerits.
Truly, sir, we are very sorry for this unlucky accident, and from
our hearts do wish that we could so punish him as would give you
satisfaction, and as he has demerited. Yet we are fearful that this
false scandal will somewhat prejudice our desires and aims to have
you one of our burgesses; nevertheless we will labour to the uttermost of our power in it, and hope that neither the thrice honoured
Lord, the Lord High Admiral, nor yourself, will take any distaste
against us or your other friends, who all do and ever shall rest at
your command. P.S.—The day of election will be on Tuesday next,
being the 24th inst. [1 p.] Encloses, |
|
33. i. Copy of examinations referred to in the above letter, taken
before William Halsnoe, mayor of Sandwich, and the
jurats there; viz., of William Crispe, saddler; Richard
Bourne, turner; and George Bridge, glover, all of Sandwich. [1⅓ p.] |
Mar. 19.
Sandwich. |
34. John Philpot, bailiff of Sandwich, to Nicholas. I went down
to Sandwich in pursuance of the good desire I had to acquaint them
how much it concerned us to elect you for one of our burgesses. It
was among the better sort of people so well understood, that there
was little doubt of it; but the factious Nonconformists purposing
to set up Messrs. Edw. Partridge and Cullen, who adhere to their
confederacy, although mere strangers to the corporation, have bruited
a great scandal of your inclination to Popery, as the examinations
enclosed in the mayor's letter will inform you. It has so crossed
the business, as we fear much what the success will be. Sir John
Manwood is recommended by the Lord Warden, and Serjeant Finch
by the Lord Keeper, and we are doubtful that the popular assembly
will be as tumultuous as they were in Canterbury. I beseech you
consider of this, and what shall be done with [William] Fagg, the
author of this scandal, and [so much] favour the magistrates as to
send down directions to them what to do further, for we have put off
the day of election till Tuesday, and your answer will very much
comfort them. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
| Mar. 19. |
35. Mrs. Dorothy Humber to Nicholas. I entreat you to peruse
the enclosed case of difference betwixt your sister's son and my son,
the rather for that your name and power are vouched against my
son, yet I believe without your knowledge, nor can any who
know you aright believe that you will in any way countenance
such an unjust claim. For my part I presume rather of your
friendly endeavour by a word or two to your nephew to put an end
to these differences. I entreat you not only to press for a speedy
dividing of the farm land from the free land, a work very beneficial
to both parties, but to further the performance of promise of 20l.
made me by your nephew, a small matter in comparison of the
value of the farm unjustly diverted from my son. [Seal with crest
and arms. 1 p.] Enclosed, |
|
35. i. The case of Thos. Humber. [1 p.] |
| Mar. 19. |
36. Petition of Oliver Andrews, impropriator of the rectory of
St. Gregory in Sudbury, co. Suffolk, to Archbishop Laud. By your
order of 11th July last you decreed that your petitioner should
allow to Robert Smith, clerk, curate of St. Gregory in Sudbury,
35l. per annum for officiating the cure, besides arrears, and also
should allow 20l. to the curate of the chapel of St. Peter in Sudbury.
Out of these sums and arrearages Sir Robert Crane was ordered to
pay a proportionable share to the curates for the tithe of his mills.
Petitioner has hitherto duly satisfied your order, and discharged
the whole due to the curates, but Sir Robert has allowed nothing.
Prays his Grace in further explanation of the said order to specify
how much of these sums and arrearages Sir Robert shall pay for his
particular; also, as the curates have valued the small tithes at 20l.
per annum, he desires that they may themselves gather the same in
lieu of 20l., in regard they can improve and make more of them
than petitioner can. Underwritten, |
|
36. i. I think this petition very reasonable, and therefore I desire
Sir John Lambe and Dr. Eden to speak with Sir Robert
Crane, and put this business in a fair way, that it may
be settled at the beginning of term. W. Cant. 19th March
1639-40. |
|
36. ii. I think fit that no proceedings be in your office against
petitioner till next term, that Dr. Eden and I may meet;
and in the meantime I desire Dr. Eden to speak with Sir
Robert Crane, who lives in his jurisdiction, that so an end
may be made when we meet. John Lambe. 20th March
1639-40. [1 p.] |
Mar. 19.
Whitehall. |
37. Ratification by the Commissioners for Saltpetre and Gunpowder of the agreement entered into between Sir Robert Mansell,
Vice-Admiral of England, and Alexander Harris, deputy saltpetreman
for the city of London, to the effect that all such ashes as shall be
brought into the Thames shall be brought to Sir Robert's storehouse, but a third part to be delivered to Mr. Harris at the price
given for the same by Sir Robert, so that it exceed not 9d. a bushel.
[½ p.] |
| Mar. 19. |
38. Estimate of the officers of ordnance, by direction of the Earl
of Newport, specifying the charge of partisans, ensigns, halberds,
and drums for 25 regiments, consisting of 1,200 men in each. Total,
2,735l. [¾ p.] |
| Mar. 19. |
39. Notes of such estimates as have been approved for ordnance,
munition, and military stores, with the moneys to be received
thereon. Total, 6,710l. 0s. 6d. Underwritten by Nicholas, |
|
39. i. Warrant to Sir John Heydon for the whole sum for
ordnance to be issued to Mr. Breeme when the ordnance
shall be delivered into his Majesty's magazine. [¾ p.] |
| [Mar. 20.] |
40. Petition of William Harris, Andrew Hawes, Thomas Deacon,
William Wilson, and John Swale, of London, cheesemongers, to the
Council. Petitioners have provided all the butter and cheese this
year for the northern expedition, and have undertaken by their
contract with the Lord Treasurer and Lord Cottington to furnish
and deliver at their own charge and adventure 2,000 firkins of new
grass butter at the ports of Berwick and Newcastle for his Majesty's
service, which butter is already provided in the northern parts, and
ready to be shipped from the ports of Stockton and Whitby.
Petitioners also certify the Lords that they will always be ready to
furnish what further quantities shall be desired at the former rates
and prices. Pray order to the customs officers at Stockton and
Whitby to suffer their factors to ship the butter so provided for the
King's service, and, in regard of their contract, to ship for the port
of London such quantity of butter as they shall have occasion to
use for their trade. [2/3 p.] |
| Mar. 20. |
41. The Deputy Lieutenants of co. Devon to the Lords Lieutenant of the same county. The letters of command for reducing
the muskets of this county to a conformity of bore, lately recommended by the Lords, after serious perusal at this assize, appear to
us not only to differ from our propositions, but also very difficult
in the way of execution. Hereof we held it our duty to give
you advertisement before venturing to put in practice things not
clearly understood, which, proceeding originally from us, may happen
either to be erroneous or mistaken. To take away any man's
goods from him was as far from our intentions and your lordships' approvement as we conceive it is from justice; much more
unequal is it to force the same man to find a new musket, when
deprived of his old, to be cast into a common store. But if it had
been thought expedient to trust us with an authority to persuade
the owners of foot arms in every parish to lay up their arms in a
common store in that parish, there to be kept and maintained ever
after at the common charge of the parishioners, we conceive a full
reformation of all defects would soon follow. But we desire now no
new commands; a suspension rather of these seems fitter at this
time till after the Parliament, where possibly these and some other
military propositions may receive a general discussion. But if our
received directions must be followed without delay or further consideration, we shall be still found your obedient servants. [Apparently a draft, wanting signatures and superscription, but endorsed,
"The Deputy Lieutenants of Devonshire's answer to the Lord
Lieutenant of the same concerning arms." [½ p.] |
Mar. 20.
Essex House. |
42. Robert Earl of Essex to Sir Thos. Roe. Had I known sooner
how to have paid you that respect which I have ever owed you, and
now lately for your good advice and your pistols, I had not been
thus negligent. And now the Scots are so busy as that I have only
time to tell you that I am suddenly sent away towards the Borders
post, and I have been twice at my fay Rose to have kist her hands,
but had not that honour, but do heartily wish that our home broils
were ended, and that we were upon a good occasion abroad. Noble
sir, whatever becomes of me, you shall ever find me your faithful
friend. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Mar. 20.
Chester. |
43. Thos. Murden to [Sir Thos. Smith]. I was glad to receive a
letter in your own hand this last post. It found me upon my bed,
to which I have been confined this last week with the gout. The
first lines of your letter made me very pensive, but the good hopes
held out of my lady's amendment by the course of physic she is
entering on much contented me. Before this I am sure you have
seen your pair of towardly sons, and received my letter with the
100l. which was in my custody. On Wednesday morning Stephen
Smyth called here and left word for me to send the money, which I
intended, but could not change it into gold. It is all I have yet
received, saving some put out to interest, of which I formerly advertised you. I will send you such plate as you require. The city
[of Chester] yesterday began to warble concerning the election
[for the Parliament] of the recorder [John Ratcliff], which was
moved by some jealousy of [Francis] Gamull and his friends, lest he
should attempt anything concerning the causey to Mr. Gamull's
prejudice. Sir Richard Grosvenor and others interfered in this
dispute, and by the honest chancellor's mediation cleared all doubts,
and made them constant to their former election of yourself and the
recorder. Amongst others who have honoured me this day with
their visits were Lord and Lady Rivers and Lord and Lady Cholmondeley, who took a poor dinner. Amongst other discourses the
county election had the prelation, wherein these lords have so bitter
a distaste of the neglect given them by our two great patriots, as,
for aught I see, the matter grows very high, and the contestation like
to be the greatest that ever we heard of in our country. Sir Thos.
Aston has divulged a judicial apology to all the freeholders, and Sir
William Brereton wins daily amongst the religious, so that many are
sensibly seen to fall off from their engagement, and the victory more
doubtful. Easter Monday is the day for the country, and Monday
next for the city [of Chester]. My cousin Roger Wilbraham is
resolved to sell the new house and lands, which are worth about
90l. per annum. Be pleased to consider of it whether you affect
the purchase, and I assure myself you may have the first refusal. If
I do not now write to your ever honoured lady, it is because I am
not able. My wife and all mine pray for her and yourself. [4 pp.] |
Mar. 20.
My house in Queen Street. |
44. Algernon Earl of Northumberland to [Leonard Pinckney, commissary-general of victuals for the army]. Specifies the quantity
of provisions and beer to be provided for Berwick and Newcastle,
the same to be at Berwick by the 25th of June; these are to be
weekly or monthly supplied in such proportions as shall be desired by
the general. It is conceived that there is corn of several sorts in
Newcastle to serve the army two months at least, and they have
very good convenience for grinding and converting the same into
bread; besides, the country thereabouts is full of provisions of all
kinds, so that the only commodities needful to be sent thither for
the present will be 600 tons of beer, 1,000 weighs of cheese, and
2,500 firkins of butter. If the brewers there have but warning they
will be able to provide a good quantity of beer in due time. I desire
the Lord Treasurer and Lord Cottington to give order that these
proportions of victuals may be provided and sent to Berwick and
Newcastle in due time. [¾ p.] Subjoined, |
|
44. i. Note by Pinckney. The Lord Admiral on 5th April
ordered me to provide of the proportions formerly desired,
the quantities here stated. [¼ p.] |
| Mar. 20. |
45. Declaration of the Freemen of the port and town of Hastings,
in Sussex. We being, by the mayor, on Friday the 13th inst., [summoned] to appear for the choosing of two burgesses for the Parliament,
and the King's writ being read, and divers gentlemen's letters who
sued for the place, we desired to proceed to an election; whereupon
Mr. White, in the behalf of Robert Read, made this proffer, that if the
mayor, jurats, and freemen would be pleased to make choice of him
for one of the burgesses, he would do them the best service he could,
and, moreover, would give to the poor of the town of Hastings 20l.
down and 10l. a year during his life, besides two barrels of powder
yearly for exercising the youths. A friend or two more of his stood
up and seconded this motion. The mayor, perceiving the freemen
not inclined to embrace it, adjourned the assembly to another day.
In the interim Mr. Read and his friends procured divers letters of
recommendation from certain noblemen, upon the receipt whereof
the mayor presently warned an assembly, which was on the Tuesday
following. When we came to the hall the letters were read, and we
craved a further time to deliberate on it, and we had a short time
given us to return an answer. The question which was propounded
by the bench was, "Whether do ye approve of these letters? Yea
or No." We answered that we did approve of them as letters of
recommendation, but not of the man. The mayor made answer
again, "He did not send for us now to choose burgesses, but to consider of the letters." And some of the bench threatened that as
many as would not give consent should answer it at Dover Castle;
whereupon we, the freemen, for the most part went out of the hall
to the stairs' foot, where we stayed. To as many as stayed the
question was propounded again, "Whether or no do ye approve of
these letters?" And some few of them answered "Aye;" whereupon
they, without nomination of the man, returned Mr. Read as burgess,
as we conceive, contrary to our free election. [Underwritten, the
signatures of 23 freemen. Copy. 2 pp.] |
| Mar. 20. |
46. Interrogatories for the examination of George Stevenson, servant of George Lilburne, alderman of Sunderland, concerning words
which passed between him and John Morrell, a soldier, in Berwick,
relative to Scotland:—Did you not reprove Morrell for being a
soldier at Berwick, saying "that you held it to be an unlawful calling,
and that no honest man would take arms against those in Scotland?"
Did you not say that "you were persuaded that those in Scotland
were the Lord's anointed?" [1¾ p.] |
| Mar. 20. |
47. Examination of George Stevenson upon the preceding interrogatories. He denies that he had any discourse with Morrell concerning the Scots or the Scotch business, or that he ever disputed
concerning the calling of bishops. He says that about two years
since he had one of Mr. Bastwick's books, but knows not from whom
he had it, nor where it now is. [2¼ pp.] |
| [Mar. 20.] |
48. Interrogatories for the examination of George Lilburne,
touching certain seditious speeches uttered by his servant, George
Stevenson. [1¼ p.] |
| Mar. 20. |
48a. Examination of George Lilburne, alderman of Sunderland,
upon the preceding interrogatories. He never heard of any discourse
that passed between his servant, George Stevenson, and John Morrell,
concerning the Scots. On his way from Alnwick to Sunderland a
letter was delivered to him from Mr. Paul, a customer in the latter
town, giving notice that Mr. Triplet had complained to the mayor of
Sunderland of some words that had passed between Stevenson and a
soldier of Berwick; whereupon the former went presently back to
Alnwick to speak with Morrell, who denied under his hand that
anything had passed between them but what is mentioned in the
paper signed by Morrell. [1½ p.] |
| Mar 20. |
49. Interrogatories for the examination of Richard Cottrell, mayor
of Sunderland:—"Had you not notice given you by Mr. Triplet of
some seditious or rather treasonable words spoken by George Stevenson, servant of George Lilburne, of Sunderland, to John Morrell, a
soldier, in Berwick? Why did you not take notice of those words
as a justice of peace, and examine the business, and proceed therein
as became a person in your place?" [1¼ p.] |
| Mar. 20. |
50. Examination of Richard Cottrell, mayor of Sunderland, upon
the preceding interrogatories. He says that he could not proceed in
that business as a justice of peace at that time, because Morrell was
gone away towards Berwick, and Stevenson was gone with his
master into Northumberland; also, that when he received the information in writing from Mr. Triplet, he told the latter that he ought to
have taken it upon oath; whereupon Mr. Triplet answered he would
be ready to affirm it any time, but it should not need then, and
this examinant replied that he had rather the Lord Bishop should
take his oath, because he was a clergyman. [2 pp.] |
| Mar. 20. |
51. The corn chandler's bill for goods delivered to the groom [of
Edward Nicholas ?]. Total, 7s. 6d. [9 lines.] |
| Mar. 21. |
Protection to Hester Rogers, John Rogers, clerk, and Richard
Clay, goldsmith, for one year. [Docquet.] |
| Mar. 21. |
Warrant to the Exchequer to pay 800l. to Sir Richd. Wynne,
Bart., Treasurer to Queen Henrietta Maria, to be by him employed
for his Majesty's service. [Docquet.] |
| Mar. 21. |
The like to repay 2,000l. to Sir Robert Pye, which sum he lent
to his Majesty, with interest at the rate of 8l. per cent. [Docquet.] |
| Mar. 21. |
The like for discharging William Lake from any accompt wherewith he may be charged by the receipt of 890l., advanced to him for
providing a new year's gift for Queen Henrietta Maria. [Docquet.] |
|
Warrant to the electors of the King's scholars at Westminster to
admit David Whiteford to the next scholar's place that shall be void.
[Docquet.] |
| Mar. 21. |
Grant to Sir John Wintour, Knt., and his heirs, of all his Majesty's
lands, wastes, and soil in Dean Forest, co. Gloucester, comprising
18,000 acres, together with the wood growing thereupon, in consideration of 10,000l. to be paid into the Exchequer before this grant
pass the Great Seal, and of 16,000l. per annum for six years, to commence from 1st April 1640, besides a fee-farm rent of 1,950l. 12s. 8d.
payable to the Crown for ever. [Docquet.] |
Mar. 21.
Whitehall. |
Notes by Nicholas of the proceedings this day at the Council of
War. Whereas Colonel Wentworth and Lieutenant-Colonel Fielding
being appointed to command in his Majesty's army for this present
expedition in those several qualities of colonel and lieutenant-colonel,
and likewise to have, each of them, a company in the garrison of
Berwick, it was this day, upon debate, ordered that they shall take
place in the garrison, and march next to the sergeant-major there,
according to their several ranks. [=½ p. Written upon the same
paper as March 19, No. 30.] |
| Mar. 21. |
Minute of the discharge from further attendance of Robert Chesland, wine-cooper, and Henry Drury, carpenter, being formerly sent
for by warrant from the Commissioners for Saltpetre and Gunpowder.
[See Vol. ccxcii., p. 117. 4 lines.] |
Mar. 21.
Chester. |
52. Robert Harvie, Mayor of Chester, to the Council. I have
assessed the inhabitants of this city to the ship-money as nearly
according to their abilities as I could, the whole amounting to 260l.
Some of the citizens have willingly paid, but others, as well of the
richer as poorer sort, have refused to pay, whereupon warrants were
granted by me for levying the same, if necessary, by distress. I have
to certify your Lordships that divers of the inhabitants, as well of
the richer as poorer sort, have contemptuously resisted the constables
in taking distresses for payment of the same, and I am, in consequence,
compelled to appeal to you for further directions. [Seal with arms.
¾ p.] |
Mar. 21.
Kingston-upon-Hull. |
53. William Popple, late Mayor of Hull, to Sec. Vane. The Lord
Admiral, in January last, wrote to the mayor and burgesses of our
town, requiring us to accept of a burgess of his propounding for
the ensuing Parliament, viz., Henry Vane, Esq., intimating it to be
a right belonging to his place, which other his predecessors formerly
enjoyed. This not appearing in our memorials, nor the gentleman
known who he was, it seemed not to take such impression as otherwise we should have desired. Since you were pleased to second
the application by letter, giving us to understand that it was your
son, which I then taking notice of, did as formerly, and as my duty
bound me, press the noble favours the town had received of his
Majesty in discharging the suit against us in the Exchequer, touching
the castle and blockhouses, which by your solicitation we obtained.
The whole bench was very sensible of our deep engagements, and
very desirous to further the business to the utmost. Since when,
viz., upon Monday the 16th, the writ for Parliament being come, we
met to elect, and there were chosen with full consent Sir John
Lister and Henry Vane. The Lord God Almighty give his blessing
to them, when they shall meet with that great assembly, in their
weighty affairs. This I thought it my duty to signify to you, not
perceiving our mayor yet to have given you knowledge thereof, in
part to express my thankfulness for your noble favours towards our
town in general and myself in particular. [Seal with device. ¾ p.] |
Mar. 21.
My house in Queen Street. |
54. Algernon Earl of Northumberland to Sir John Pennington.
Not long after the summoning of Parliament I wrote to the mayor
and others of Sandwich to grant me the nomination of one burgess
for their corporation, viz., Edward Nicholas, whom you know very
well, to which I received as favourable an answer as I could then
expect, but since that I have been informed that some unworthy
person in that town has gone about to calumniate Mr. Nicholas
with a false imputation of his being guilty of Popery, thereby to
make him incapable of the said election; for the clearing of which
untruth I have by my letters yesterday directed to that corporation
given them full satisfaction, and have by this time taken off that
blemish so unjustly imputed. But for his better assistance I desire
you likewise to be personally present upon the day of election, which
I hear will be Tuesday next, or rather that you would be there the
night previous, and represent to them how acceptable this favour
would be to me, so as to procure for Nicholas as many voices as you
can, which I shall take kindly both at your hands and theirs, and
will not forget their request to me when occasion shall require.
P.S.—The warrant for your coming in [with the fleet] is stayed a day
longer. [1 p.] |
Mar. 21.
Queen Street. |
55. Algernon Earl of Northumberland to Sir John Pennington.
The time for calling in those ships appointed for the winter guard
approaching, I have thought fit to remind you thereof, requiring you
to cause the ships undernamed to come in, some 14 days before their
victuals be spent, to the several ports expressed, giving orders to
their commanders to advertise the principal officers of the navy of
their vessels' arrival, that timely provision may be made for paying
off their complements. In regard you have continued long at sea this
year, I am content you come away by land, and send your ship about
by your lieutenant and master, to the intent you may have time to
despatch your affairs here, and be the sooner ready to go out with
the next fleet. Underwritten, |
|
55. i. Unicorn to Portsmouth; Bonaventure to Deptford; 1st
Whelp and Greyhound to Chatham. [1 p.] |
Mar. 21.
Tower. |
56. John Taylor to Sec. Windebank. I am exceeding loath to
trouble your honour, whose favours have always far exceeded my
deserts, but, through the long continuance of imprisonment and
want, I am compelled to make my miserable state known to you,
beseeching you to represent the same to his Majesty. I have lain
here these seven months, and, had it not been for the assistance I
received from you, both I and my family must have starved. What
my fault has been, his Majesty can best in his great judgment
balance, but certainly mercy is the highest and chiefest attribute
of all his royal virtues and most suitable to his own heart and
nature, so merciful and good to all. This thought therefore often
confounds my understanding, to consider that a man who has so
truly, diligently, and ardently served his Majesty the whole time of
his employment, that has so much thirsted after and, next to his
soul's salvation, coveted the happiness of his grace and favour,
should contrarily fall into his displeasure, and, instead of favour,
receive punishment and blame. A master so good, bountiful, and
clement; a servant so loving, faithful, and zealous! But I am lost in
these thoughts, and must submit myself to God, from whom my sins
have deserved a great deal more affliction. [1 p.] |
Mar. 21.
Petherton Park. |
57. Sir Thos. Wrothe to Lord-Keeper Finch. I received your
letter enclosing a petition from the inhabitants of the western part
of the hundred of Catsash, co. Somerset, to the Council, together with
an order made at a sessions of the peace in the same county; in
which petition the said inhabitants complain that I, contrary to this
order, have granted forth warrants to levy upon them the present
ship-money after the old rates, which they pretend to be most
unequal. You require me to render my reasons why I disallow
and observe not this order; I did not decline the same, but upon
hearing parties interested on both sides, and men of good rank of
the eastern part of the hundred who objected against this order, I
found it inexpedient for the reasons here stated. I assure you there
is no such artifice to make this service intricate and impossible, and
to raise disturbance among the vulgar, as by admitting the alteration
of ancient hundred rates, except they were generally reformed
through the whole county, though I acknowledge they cannot in
all respects be exactly observed in these assessments. [2 pp.]
Annexed, |
|
57. i. Extract of the record of the Wells sessions, held at Ivelchester, touching the assessment of ship-money in the
hundred of Catsash above referred to. [Copy. 1½ p.] |
| Mar. 21. |
58. Certificate of Sir Henry Marten. I have, according to
the directions of your lordship's letter, not only called before me
the persons of the Eastland Company who were petitioners to the
Council, and those against whom they complained, members of the
same company, but also some of the chief of the Trinity House, with
whom I have advised concerning the inconveniences and mischiefs
to trade and the navigation of this kingdom, by employing and
contracting with the subjects of the King of Denmark for bringing
into this realm the commodities of those parts in their own ships,
contrary to the Proclamation of 1629, and divers laws made to that
purpose, therein recited, and upon debate there resulted the conclusions here stated. [12/3 p.] |
| Mar. 21. |
59. Minute of a letter by Nicholas, forwarding a letter which he
had received from Mrs. Humber [see this present Vol., No. 35], who
complains very much of the hard measure showed her about his
cousin Rives' business, and desires a friendly mediation. [Written
upon part of the fly-leaf of a letter directed to Nicholas. ½ p.] |
| Mar. 21. |
60. Account of ship-money for 1639, levied and in the hands of
the sheriffs. Total, 3,697l.; making, with the 4,511l. paid to the
Treasurers of the Navy, 8,208l. The arrears at this date stood as
follows:—1635, 4,536l.; 1636, 6,896l.; 1637,16,832l.; 1638, 14,078l.;
no part of which had been paid in this week. [1 p.] |
| Mar. 21 |
61. Certificate by the Treasurers of the Navy what ship-money
has been paid in since their last certificate upon the writs issued
18th November 1639. Total, 4,511l. 9s. 2d. [½ p.] |
Mar. 22.
Ewenny. |
62. John Carne, sheriff of co. Merioneth, to the Council. I received
on the 10th January the ship-money writ dated 18th November,
directed to the sheriffs and mayors of South Wales, to provide a
ship of 400 tons, besides tonnage, fully equipped, by the 1st April,
at Portsmouth, together with your lordships' instructions, in which
you conceived that the county of Glamorgan might well bear 1,449l.,
whereof on the town of Cardiff 60l. After this I received another
letter from you of the 12th January, requiring me to collect the
money and pay it in to the Treasurer of the Navy by the 20th
February, which I was unable to accomplish owing to the shortness
of the time and the poverty of the country. I then received your
letter of the 5th March, and with much ado and great difficulty I
have at last levied and sent the money, except the 60l. on the
corporation of Cardiff, which the chief magistrates have undertaken
to forward themselves. [1 p.] |
Mar. 22.
Sarum. |
63. William Joyce, Mayor of Sarum, to Nicholas. The many
good offices already done to our city through your loving respects,
now causes me to write to you in my particular about our city's
charge, which is concerning this year's ship-money. I have with all
alacrity and fair means endeavoured to collect some part thereof,
which I shall this week return to the Treasurer of the Navy, being
120l. of the sum of 192l. imposed on our city. For the residue I
have, according to the writ and instructions sent me, granted out
warrants, but some of the refusers being men of great quality, the
collectors will not by any means venture upon them, whereby, unless
I may be relieved by your loving assistance, I shall be constrained
either to incur a censure or suffer loss, notwithstanding my duty in
that behalf. The names I have underwritten in my certificate,
wherefore I desire you to aid me herein, and, so soon as leisure may
permit, to think of an answer what may be done with safety. The
time of the full return being so near, causes me the more to press
for your speedy answer, for the which I desire to be excused. [Seal
with crest. ¾ p.] |
| Mar. [23]. |
64. Declaration of the Commons House of Parliament in Ireland,
granting to the King four entire subsidies towards the present preparations to reduce his disaffected subjects, the Covenanters, in
Scotland, to their due obedience, and declaring to stand by him
with their persons and estates, even to the utmost of their abilities,
for his Majesty's future supply in a parliamentary way. [Printed
in Rushworth, iii., p. 1100. 2/3 p.] |
Mar. 23./April 2.
The Hague. |
65. Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia to Sir Thomas Roe. Honest
Tom,—When I wrote before, I had little to say; now I have something, for my son is out of the Bois de Vincennes and at Paris, as
yet lodged at the Earl of Leicester's house; but when Prince Casimir
shall be gone, then he shall have his lodging, and [his expense] be
defrayed by the French King, who has sent me a very kind compliment, that I shall now see what he will do for me. I believe all I
see, and no more. I cannot send you upon what conditions my son
is out, for I have it not yet, but I doubt he has signed something;
by the next you shall have all. The Prince of Orange received
letters yesterday from the Landgravine, who writes to him that the
treaty betwixt the French King and her is fully concluded, and she
is to break the truce within 15 days, which makes me prepare to
send Maurice thither. I am very sorry that the King has given no
better answer to Arnheim's proposition, but since there is no remedy
we must all have patience, though it troubles me a little, and I fear
with you that the Prince Elector will have no small prejudice by
it. I more fear the King of Denmark's being Spanish than rejoice
at his anger against the French. I fear the one is more cause of
the other than the Prince Elector's arrest; the little noise he made
when his son was killed makes me think so, but this is only to you,
for I make all show of contentment of it that can be, and I hope
with you that his sending to this Diet will open his eyes, that he
may see their double dealing. I am sure you know Prince Casimir
is at liberty, and they have not made the least mention of Rupert,
though the Earl of Leicester did press the French upon their
promise. I hear you are to be recalled, and am not sorry for it,
because I am sure you will be able to do my brother [King Charles]
good service in the Parliament, which I pray God may be a good
one. I do wish with all my heart you came this way, for I can say
what I dare not write; only I dare say none is more your friend
than I am to your wife and you. P.S.—I send you a letter for the King,
that he may deliver it to him; it is only to recommend him to his
favour. There is one Colonel Coghern, a Scotchman, who is going
to fetch his wife out of Poland; he is a good sensible man, and will
see you. I have told him what you are to your master and me.
He has a great mind to try what [Thomas] Chambers thinks not
feasible; he will go and see, and then return and give account of it;
if it be to be done he will do it. [Dated 2nd April, new style, but
endorsed 22nd March 1639-40. Partly in cipher. 2 pp.] |
Mar. 23.
12 at night. Manor at York. |
66. Sir Edward Osborne, Vice-President of the Council of the
North, to the Council. In obedience to your letters of the 6th
present, touching the levying of 200 men out of this county, I
summoned to York all the Deputy-Lieutenants who were able to
travel, with as much speed as the great distance of their several
habitations could permit, who, meeting on Wednesday the 18th,
desired time till the 23rd to consider of your directions, at which
meeting all of them except myself agreed to write the enclosed
letter to your lordships, and resolved to forbear levying either the
men or money required, until your further pleasures were known in
answer to their letter, some of them alleging divers precedents of
letters from Queen Elizabeth and James I. and the Privy Council of
those times, wherein repayment was promised of the moneys levied
and disbursed in services of this nature. I urged the importance
and present necessities of these levies, which I conceived with safety
could not admit any delay, and was willing to have joined with
them in an humble remonstrance, so that the service might be
presently put in execution, not doubting but they would receive all
reasonable and fitting satisfaction; but their resolutions being settled
not to move in this business before they received your further
directions (which for my part I did not approve) I forbore to
subscribe their letter, but shall humbly desire a return of your
lordships' pleasure to them with all convenient speed, in regard
both myself and divers other the Deputy-Lieutenants of this county,
being elected to serve at the ensuing Parliament, shall be very
shortly upon our journeys towards London, and I doubt the remainder, being only a few in each riding, will be somewhat fearful
to proceed without the joint consent and assistance of all their
fellows, unless you are pleased to insert some directions in your
letters to that purpose. [Seal with arms. 1¾ p.] Encloses, |
|
66. I. The Deputy-Lieutenants of Yorkshire to the Council. We
have met and advised of such things as are contained in
your letter of the 6th March, whereby is required a levy
of 100 foot soldiers out of the north and east ridings,
and as many out of the west, the same to be supplied with
coat and conduct money at the country's charge to the
place of rendezvous at Berwick, according to the precedent
of former times upon like occasion of service. It appears
to us by former precedents that these moneys have been
always repaid to the country by the King, but of this we
have no promise or assurance in your letters. We beseech
your lordships' excuse and pardon, as well for our own
safety as the ease of the country, for forbearing to levy
these supplies of men and money until we shall receive
further directions from you; likewise that you will take
into your grave considerations the last year's vast and
great charge to this county. To the intent his Majesty's
service be not prejudiced or delayed, it is the unanimous
request of us all that you will vouchsafe a speedy answer
to this letter. Thirteen signatures. March 23, York.
[Seal with crest. 1 p.] |
Mar. 23.
Office of Ordnance. |
67. The Officers of Ordnance to the Council. According to your
directions signified the 16th instant [see Vol. ccccxlvii, No. 112, I.]
by Mr. Nicholas, we have with the assistance of divers gunmakers
and armourers viewed the pistols, carbines, and cavalry arms contained in a list certified by Captain Wm. Legg [see Vol. ccccxlvii.,
No. 112] belonging to Sir John Suckling, and now remaining
with Warner Pynn, gunmaker, and William Cox, armourer, and
finding them to be of several bores and lengths we have caused
the gunmakers to distinguish them with their number, condition,
and prices, and the like for the cavalry arms, as may appear by
the gunmakers' enclosed certificates. We have not made proof of
any of these pistols and carbines, neither will Mr. Pynn admit
thereof, alleging that as they have been already used in the King's
service he ought not to run the hazard of another proof, but we
cannot learn that they ever endured the King's proof. [¾ p.]
Enclose, |
|
67. i. Certificate of Christopher Fell and John Wallis, gunsmiths,
of the number, condition, quality, and value of such
carbines and pistols belonging to Sir John Suckling as
are remaining in the hands of Warner Pynn. Total
value, 200l. 8s. 21st March 1639-40. [1½ p.] |
|
67. ii. The like certificate by Henry Crowch of the light cavalry
arms in the hands of Wm. Cox. Total value, 133l. The
rest of the arms, expressed in Capt. Legg's list as remaining in the hands of Wm. Cox and Richard Wright,
have been surveyed by Mr. Loope, at the command of the
Earl of Newport, who will deliver the Lords an account
thereof. 23rd March 1639-40. [¾ p.] |
| Mar. 23. |
68. John Nicholas to his son, Edward Nicholas. There is no
sending anything by the carrier except you see it in the cart.
Your sister, Mrs. Ryves, hearing I had been in some extremity,
came on Saturday last to see me, and, being detained by the snow,
was here when yours with the widow Humber's letter and the note
she sent you arrived, which I read to her. Whereas you write there
is now a tender of peace, she willingly embraces it, and will accept
what end to this business you shall think fit. It was their own fault
that any suit was commenced. Family matters. [Seal with crest
and arms. 2½ pp.] |
Mar. 23.
Whitburn. |
69. Thomas Triplet to Archbishop Laud. You have joyed my
very heart in hearing my poor brother [Samuel] report how
wonderfully kind and gracious you have been to him, in sending
such a message to his master by him. I confess that my second
letter [see Vol. ccccxlvii., No. 27] to your Grace was the longest
that I ever wrote in all my life, which quality I know may not
be welcome to you, whose time is taken up with numerous and
weighty businesses; yet I humbly beseech you to pardon me for
it, because I thought, as the case stood, I had taken the best course
to please, the business being then in agitation, and myself so far
distant. I thought to omit neither substance nor circumstance,
neither what I knew nor what I surmised, and all that I might
describe the business so fully to your Grace that there might be
nothing wanting touching the persons or things. This is the last
time, I hope, that I shall trouble you about this business, and therefore I have sent you the enclosed, which is not only an epitome
of the whole matter, but a mention of some little addition. I have
good reason to pray heartily for your Grace, not only as the great
and common patron of the Church of England, but as a particular
patron to me and mine. [1 p.] |
| Mar. 23. |
70. Order made at a special court of Common Council held the
23rd instant, Henry Garwaie, Lord Mayor, presiding. Whereas
by letters from the King and Council it is commanded that for the
reinforcing of the garrison at Berwick 200 men shall be pressed
within the city, and delivered at Tower Wharf for his Majesty's
service on the 26th of this month, there to be embarqued, the
men to be provided with coats and allowed 8d. per diem: This
court commits the care of providing the coats to sheriff Adams,
and directs that precepts be directed to every alderman for pressing
the required number of soldiers according to the proportion now
set upon the several Wards, and the moneys to be disbursed at
present for prest, coat and conduct money to be paid by the City
Chamberlain to such persons as the Lord Mayor shall appoint.
[Copy. 1 p.] |
Mar. 24.
Whitehall. |
71. Notes by Nicholas of the proceedings this day at the Council
of War, the King being present. The Lord-General declared to his
Majesty and the Lords that the 2,000 horse will be raised by the
1st April, some having already marched towards Hull, whither
Lord Conway, General of the Horse, will go this next week. The
Treasurer of the Household having signified that his son, Captain
Vane, was raising his troop at Newcastle, the King and Lords ordered that he should remain there with his troop till further order
from the Lord-General or the General of the Horse. Sir Jacob Ashley
says that there are in Newcastle 500 trained soldiers and 2,000 arms
belonging to the King; also that the last year the mayor and
aldermen there, promised to have 2,000 men belonging to the coal
mines ready to bear those arms upon all occasions, and that there
are besides some ordnance ready mounted, so that it would not be
easy to take the town but by a surprise; to prevent which, he
advises that there should be a troop of horse laid near Alnwick,
another about Belford, and a third about Morpeth, as well to guard
the passages of the river as to send speedy advertisement to Newcastle upon the approach of the enemy, and that if there be 12 hours'
notice given before an enemy come, it will make it a difficult work
to take that town, especially if there be an able commander to direct
in chief. It is left to the Lord-General to think of a fit man to take
care and charge of Newcastle and to put the forces there in order;
the same to have power given him to raise the train-bands in
Northumberland and Durham, that they may come to the aid of
that town upon notice from him. The Master of the Ordnance to
give order that some of the keels of Newcastle be in readiness for
making of bridges upon all occasions for the use of the King's army.
This day the King, with the advice of the Lords, settled the list of
the officers, attendants, and artificers belonging to the train of
artillery, together with their several entertainments. Resolved that
no allowance be given for carriages for the officers of the army till
14 days before the body of the army comes to the general rendezvous,
but that the Lord-General may give order for allowance of one or
two horses to such captains as shall not be provided with waggons
to carry their provisions and baggage. Likewise that the horse
appointed for the garrison of Berwick shall be paid at the same rate
as the horse belonging to the army, and that the foot there shall be
paid till the 1st July according as the army was the last year, but
after that date according to the list established for the army now
being raised. Ordered that the Lord-General shall give warrant
for the like imprests to be given to the physicians of the army for
making of medicaments, and to apothecaries and surgeons for furnishing their chests, as were given the last year by the then Lord
General's warrant. Also that Mr. Pinckney, commissary-general for
the foot, and Mr. Gibbons, commissary-general for provisions for the
horse, or such as shall be by the Lord-General appointed to those
places, shall have allowed to each of them 16s. per diem, besides
allowances for such number of clerks as shall be authorised by the
Lord-General. Resolved that every surgeon appointed for the
present army shall have allowed to him two mates at 2s. 6d.
per diem as the last year, the same to be allowed by the auditor
in the list of entertainments for the army. Ordered that the
drum-major shall cause all the youths in Bridewell, or in any of
the hospitals near London, able to learn to beat the drum, to serve
in the King's army for this intended expedition; also it was ordered
that all the foot soldiers who are to be dismissed out of Berwick as
belonging to the train-bands of Durham and Northumberland shall
be allowed for Durham five days' pay, and for Northumberland three
days', to carry them home, whereof the paymaster of Berwick is to
take notice. Resolved that there shall be a physician and surgeon
allowed for the garrison in Berwick with the like entertainments
as in the army, and that the auditor shall accordingly list them.
George Payler, the paymaster, is to attend the Lord Treasurer and
make demand what money he conceives necessary to be presently
supplied for payment of the horse and foot belonging to the garrison there. [3⅓ pp.] |
| Mar. 24. |
72. Memorial signed by George Payler, paymaster of Berwick,
for consideration by the Council of War. That the Lords will give
instructions concerning the payment of the four troops of horse now
upon their march to Berwick. [Margin: The horse are to be paid
as the horse raised for the King's army, and the foot according to
the last year's establishment till 1st July.] That order may be
given concerning the dismission of the five train-band companies
out of Berwick, and whether any conduct money shall be allowed
them at their return into cos. Durham and Northumberland.
[Margin: Those that are dismissed to have conduct money to carry
them home, five days' or three days', at the discretion of the paymaster.] That order may be taken for supply of moneys, Payler
having but 3,000l. remaining, which cannot supply the garrison,
consisting of 1,300 men and four troops of horse, longer than five or
six weeks, there being likewise occasion of great disbursements about
fortifications. [Margin: To make the demand.] That order may
be given concerning a surgeon, the garrison being in great want.
[Margin: A physician and surgeon to be allowed for that garrison.]
[½ p.] |
Mar. 24.
Edinburgh Castle. |
73. Patrick Lord Ettrick to the King. I received on Thursday
your packet of letters sent by Captain Ridpeth. I have been instant
with the Provost to have his answer to your commands, who with
the town council advised about it, or pretended to have done so,
all Friday and some part of Saturday, when at evening his answer
was that he would take such a course on Monday morning that the
work should go forward according to your Majesty's commands.
John Mill desired the Provost to grant his warrant that workmen
should not be hindered in the service, by which and other circumstances I find they intend nothing but delays, as having no will to
the service, or power in their own hands to further it, the whole
affairs of this country being committed to the Government of their
Committees now ruling here. It is my opinion that your Majesty
may expect no further obedience to any such commands unless they
hear you give their Commissioners the contentment they desire.
I beseech you not as yet to call Captain Shipman from his employments here, for if there should be occasion of service I might find
the want of such as he is, for I find his judgment and behaviour
so far exceeding ordinary worth, that I shall account it a great
unhappiness to part with him in these times of danger, and seeing
I have had good experience already of his care in your service, I
doubt not but his presence will not be a little advantageous to your
Majesty on all occasions here. Some particulars that I forbear to
mention in this letter I have entrusted to the relation of this bearer,
Captain Ridpeth, who can inform you that they intercepted him
and your letters when he came to Edinburgh, and I suspect they
will very shortly be ready to open letters, therefore I beseech you
to take it into your serious consideration. I have sent your Secretary of State some intelligence to be presented to you, which I
beseech you to take into your consideration likewise. Though the
castle be much weakened by the fall of the castle walls, yet I shall
use my endeavour to fortify it as well as I can, and without being
discouraged thereat, with my utmost ability continue to do all I
may to the advantage of your service, desiring to live no longer
than I shall in all particulars behave myself as your faithfully
obedient servant. P.S.—This present evening two Scotchmen are
run away over the walls, so that now I dare not trust any of them,
for about seven or eight have run away this last week, and I am
not assured of any one that will prove true to your Majesty in this
service, which more troubles me than the falling down of the walls
or any such disaster. [2 pp.] |
| Mar. 24. |
74. Extracts by Sec. Windebank out of a letter of Patrick Lord
Ettrick to James Marquis Hamilton. A committee sits here [in
Edinburgh], composed of 12 noblemen, 12 barons, and 12 burgesses,
who determine of all matters as they please. They have lately sent
letters to all ministers and officers in the several counties to furnish
the names of all men able to bear arms, and what arms and ammunition are in the custody of private persons, the same to be returned
the next month; their letters conclude with these words, "Because
our time is short, our diligence is to be doubled." I am credibly
informed that there are in Leith complete arms for at least 30,000
men, and that two ships very lately arrived there with arms and great
store of ammunition from foreign parts, and they daily expect further
supplies. They have already sent forces into the northern parts
and it is commonly spoken, that if they once see his Majesty's armies
on foot, they will be ready to meet them beyond Newcastle, which
I verily believe they will endeavour to do. They have lately intercepted some of the soldiers and others who go forth daily to buy
necessary provisions, and who staying out somewhat late, they have
pretended to suspect to have been sent forth merely to pry into their
doings, and therefore they have been detained as spies; one whereof
is not yet released, for they object many things against him to bring
him within the compass of their laws, because they know he has
been and is very necessary to buy many things for the King's use
here. I am informed by divers that they continue their resolution
to make this place their first enterprise, though with the loss of
many thousands, and the sooner because the castle is much weakened
by the late falling down of the walls on both sides of the outworks,
about 20 fathoms in either place, which is secured as well as I can
by palisadoes. Many of the Scotchmen have lately run over the
walls, three or four in one night, most of whom remain in Edinburgh.
These I have in his Majesty's name required the Provost to redeliver
to me, but am therein altogether neglected, which will be an incitement to others to follow their example, and I now suspect that many
will follow when they find their best advantage. When they first
brought earth into some yards next to the castle hill, I supposed
they intended to build batteries forthwith against the castle, and
therefore I questioned their intention, but now I find it only used
as a shelter to their courts of guard which they keep at the end of
their town to prevent insolencies which might otherwise be committed upon such as bring in daily provisions to the castle, which
as yet they hinder not, though they keep timber and such like
provisions from me. I have thought best to bear awhile with small
offences to prevent greater prejudice, as the hindering me to take
in daily provision, which will save the stores here laid in: I also
conceive they would be glad that a small provocation may urge me
to make the first breach of correspondence, that they might then the
better justify their proceedings. I hold it most advantageous to his
Majesty that I forbear, as far as I may with the safety of his castle,
until I understand his Majesty's further intentions towards them.
[2½ pp.] |
| Mar. 24. |
75. Report of the Commissioners for Tobacco Licenses to the
Council, made upon reference of the petition of the Patentees [see
Vol. ccccxliii., No. 71]. We have examined the particulars between
John Digby and Christopher Lester, of Stepney, Middlesex, in which
business we have made several orders, as may appear by the papers
annexed, to which Lester has always opposed himself. Particulars
of the matter in dispute, touching the monopoly for retailing tobacco
within the parish of Stepney. [1 p.] Annexed, |
|
75. I. Order made by George Lord Goring and the rest of the
Commissioners for Tobacco Licenses, that all such persons
as Christopher Lester, of Stepney, shall license under him
to sell tobacco in the said parish shall be held unlicensed
persons, and proceeded against as delinquents, Edward
Pittman having sold the patent in the name of Christopher
Lester to John Digby. 24th January 1638-9. |
|
75. ii. Commissioners for Tobacco Licenses to the Council. Upon
Lord Goring entering into the agency for the tobacco
licenses, the patentees, who had taken licenses for Stepney
by the Lords Commissioners, came and offered to us to
increase their rents from 60l. to 100l., and the like fine, so
that they might have the whole liberties of Stepney parish
to themselves, and that they might jointly trade together
and license all others, unto which we condescended for the
better quieting of the business and avoiding of continual
complaints, occasioned by their several pretended rights
and distinct limits. Accordingly, the patentees agreed
amongst themselves that only such persons should be
licensed as were approved by the major part, and for the
benefit of the whole society. Against these proceedings
Mr. Pennington made a combination with the people both
to overthrow his Majesty's patents and to undo the patentees, whose insolence was suppressed after several petitions
and references on both sides by your lordships. Now, so
it is, that Christopher Lester, one of the first patentees, and
Edward Pittman, who bought two of these licenses, do
combine to wrong the rest of their associates, and, upon
pretence of Lester's patent sold to John Digby, do license
divers others for their own private interest, to the great
prejudice of the rest of the patentees, while Lester himself
pretends to account to them, which is indeed but a plot in
these times to overthrow the whole. We have examined
into the matter, and finding many of them delinquents
who only justify themselves by reference to Lester, who has
long since sold his patent, we have ordered that none shall
sell by Lester's private deputation, and have fined such as
combined with him, and have now returned their names
to your lordships. Tobacco Office, in Tower Street, 8th Feb.
1638-9. [1 p.] |
|
75. iii. Order made by the Commissioners for Tobacco Licenses.
Having been much troubled by the differences between
Messrs. Digby and Lester, of Stepney, about their licenses
for the liberties thereof, we consented to hear the matters in
question again. Resolved that Mr. Lester shall take off
one of the patents which Mr. Bond and Mr. Davis had,
paying the rent of it from Christmas last, and that then
they shall proceed in a joint way, and shall do nothing
contrary to that which the major part of the patentees shall
agree upon, which, if Mr. Lester do discede from, then
our former order shall stand in force. If any differences
should arise amongst the patentees, it is agreed that they
shall refer the same to us, his Majesty's commissioners.
Tobacco Office, in Tower Street, 13th May 1639. [1 p.] |
| Mar. 24. |
76. Copy of the preceding report of the Commissioners for Tobacco
Licenses. Misdated 24th March 1629. [½ p.] |
| Mar. 24. |
77. Warrant to Sir Thos. Merry and Sir Richard Manley, clerks of
the Greencloth, requiring them to swear the bearer, George Whicher,
his Majesty's servant in ordinary, to attend the Prince and the rest
of the royal children in the place of purveyor of ale and beer in all
progresses, winter journeys, and other places where their highnesses
shall be from their standing houses, with the same allowance that
Lancelot Baxter had during the time he attended in the said place
upon his Majesty when Prince of Wales, before his creation. [Copy.
1 p.] |
Mar. 24.
Chard. |
78. Sir Thos. Wrothe, sheriff of Somerset, to Lord Keeper Finch.
In a former letter I sent you the petition of the inhabitants of the
western part of the hundred of Catsash, Somerset [see Vol. ccccvii.,
No. 39], as also the order of sessions thereupon [see p. 570, No. 57, I.],
with my reasons for declining to obey the same. Whilst attending
the judges at Chard, I received the enclosed certificate, signed
by divers of the eastern part of the said hundred, and wait to
receive your pleasure herein. I find so much delay and unwillingness in this place to pay the ship-money, that it seems to me impossible in my year of office to get in half that which is laid upon this
county, and much less the whole sum in so short a time as is required,
notwithstanding my daily labour and care. Last week I returned
up 200l., which will be paid to the Treasurer of the Navy about the
6th of next month, of which sum 95l. was my own money, and were
I able to disburse more I had sent it, so desirous am I to do the
utmost I may in this service. If the Lords will favour me with
patience I hope, by degrees, to give better satisfaction. [Endorsed
as "Received 29th March 1640." Seal with arms and crest. 1 p.] |
Mar. 24.
Bishop's Palace, in Gloucester. |
79. John Allibond to Dr. Peter Heylin, a prebendary of Westminster and chaplain in ordinary to the King, at his lodgings in the
Little Cloisters at Westminster. Let me commend to your notice
the following passages relative to the choice of the knights for the
county of Gloucester, so far as it has hitherto proceeded. To omit
all those who were avidi sed minores. The general accord of the
gentry, who, you know, usually sway the plebeians, at the last assizes
pitched upon Sir Robert Tracy and Sir Robert Cooke, lately in the
High Commission, about Tetbury Church, the one a Cotswold gentleman and the other of Highnam, near Gloucester, and in behalf of
these two signatæ tabulæ, dictum feliciter, there passed faithful
promises on all sides, nor was there anything else expected but
mutual assistance from one to the other. The day designed for the
election was Wednesday last, and on Tuesday night appeared fair
troops on both sides. Sir Robert Tracy, then not well at ease, and
under the physician's hands, building upon former agreement, and
not so much as dreaming of opposition, made bold to favour himself,
and kept at home; but in his behalf, and that the election might
not want state, credit, and countenance, divers gentlemen, of their
own accord, presented themselves with their tenants and retinue,
amongst whom Mr. Dutton was a chief. On Wednesday morning,
when it was generally expected that the election should be a matter
of ceremony and formality, and be both speedily and unanimously
despatched, suddenly there was set up, and forcedly, as he pretends,
Mr. Stephens, of Eastington, for opposing of the ship-money, in
which cause he had suffered, having been put out of the commission
of the peace, and with an opinion of much zeal towards the zealous.
Sir Robert Tracy's side proceed bonâ fide according to the tenour of
their former agreement, and in the second place nominate Sir Robert
Cooke, who had either charmed his party so coldly as that he had
left them indifferent to any but himself, or else, which is vilely suspected, had given some underhand intimations for his partisans
otherwise to dispose of themselves, whether this way or that way I
cannot resolve, but this I am sure of, that I myself both saw and heard
some of his tenants busily stickling for Stephens, a shrewd presumption that their leader has been either languid or double in his dealing.
Hem fidem Puritanicam! By this means Sir Robert Tracy brought
at the first day's polling 800 voices to Sir Robert Cooke, and received
not 20 back. These proceedings exasperate Dutton and his accomplices, while Tracy's side challenge Cooke of infidelity, Dutton sparing
not to tell him openly, that for his sake he would never more trust
any man that wore his hair shorter than his ears. Cooke, on the
other side, professes his sincerity, and that he had dealt with them
as far as they would be dealt withal. Another, Mr. Stephens, of
Sodbury, late sheriff, and of fair esteem, but a favourer of the pretending holy side, being likewise charged by Mr. Dutton of ungentlemanlike dealing in violating his promise and deserting the compact
to which he had formerly subscribed, had nothing to excuse himself,
but that upon a rumour that Sir Ralph Dutton would show himself
in the business, he had altered his determination, but being further
urged why, in regard Sir Ralph did not at all move, he did not
adhere to his former engagement, he could not so fairly satisfy that
objection, nor salve his wavering, as an entire man ought to have
done. Hem fidem Puritanicam! Further instances of Sir Robert
Cooke's double-dealing in this election, and of the taunts and dicteria
banded about on either side. I believe, in earnest, we shall have
but bad blood between the gentry, and scarce find for the future
other ways than a divided bench of justices. And, as Sir Robert
Tracy is apprehensive of foul dealing and undermining practices
against him, so, if we may believe the other side, he has not been
backward to make his revenge by some not so direct courses; for,
having the advantage of the sheriff's power, who is a relative of his,
he has not only put back divers of Stephens' voices, but adjourned
the court, and continued the election to Winchcomb, a poor beggarly
town, conveniently situated for his own, but inconvenient for the
repair of Mr. Stephens' supporters. This course Stephens protests
against, and, as I hear, intends to remedy by complaint in Parliament. The election here continued from Wednesday till Saturday,
in the afternoon, at which time Tracy rode on the fore horse by
above 100 voices. What they have, or what they intend to do
further in the business I, as yet, know not; but it is conceived that
the election will not be pronounced nor returned so long as a voice
for Sir Robert Tracy is to come in, and yet the general cry goes
altogether for Stephens. I hold it worthy your notice that those
who first rolled this unwilling stone were principally men of our
own coat, a pack of either deprived, silenced, or puritanically affected
[clergy]men. There were these whom I observed for most earnest
sticklers in this so holy a cause: (1) Fox, of Tewkesbury, a deprived
but wealthy man, who had two sons, the one named Help-on-High, the
other Sion-build, brought up at Edinburgh; (2) Geery, of Tewkesbury, the canny mumping fellow with the red head, whom you
sometime knew at Magdalen Hall, likewise suspended and deprived;
(3) Marshall, of Elmore, who lives under Sir William Guise, a great
favourer of that side, and practises conformity more out of awe than
love; as do also (4) Stansfield, a lecturer at Rodborough; and (5)
Guilliam, of Hatherley, a very popular man, and of parts sufficient,
only he is guilty of three small crimes,—pride, covetousness, and
contention; (6) Prior, of Sandhurst, an ordinary law-driver, and
strongly puritanical; (7) Baxter, of Forthampton, a forward young
man, who spares not to excuse, if not to justify, the Scots in their
holy proceedings; (8) Whynnell, our learned lecturer at Gloucester,
who, last summer, made an expedition into Scotland for Bachelor in
Divinity, but was fain to return as wise as Waltham's calf, and so
still continues; (9) Jones, of Tidrington [Tiddington?], a man in
whose very face one may read schism and malice; (10) Workman,
the younger, a man likewise suspended and deprived of a cure that
he had; and, as I am informed, (11) Stubbes, Sir Robert Cooke's
chaplain, of the right strene, cum multis aliis. For laymen, two
especially of the town were observed to be active, both strong and
rank Puritans, Nelmes and Edwardes. These and the like are the
hands that have builded as much of this Troy as is up. I have been
the more punctual in these relations, because I have heard it
observed by a judicious man that there is a kind of cunning underhand canvass of this nature, the greater part of the kingdom over,
which, if it be true, we are like to have a brave Lower House of it,
when such instruments shall be chosen out, that if their hearts were
known, affect nothing more than to hold the King's nose to the
grindstone and ruin the Church. But it is time now to leave you
to your more serious affairs, unless you will have the patience to
understand that this day the burgesses for Gloucester are to be
chosen. There are four competitors:—(1) Alderman Singleton, who
has very well deserved of the town for his care and industry in his
mayoralty, at what time the sickness was in Gloucester; (2) Alderman Pury, sometimes a weaver, now an attorney, whom, I think,
nothing has so much endeared as his irreverence in God's house,
sitting covered when all the rest sit bare, whose cause is earnestly
promoted by the aforesaid Nelmes and Edwardes; (3) Mr. Lenthall,
the recorder; but he, they say, is chosen for Woodstock already;
and (4) Mr. Harry Brett. Our clerks for the convocation are
not chosen till the Thursday before Easter. The candidates are:—
(1) Dr. Baber, the Chancellor; (2) Dr. English, one of our prebends; and (3) Dr. Temple. I must confess that I, my unworthy
self, had much encouragement and earnest solicitation to have stood
up; but, for some private reasons, I was not willing to apprehend
the love nor condescend to the desires of my friends. There is talk
also of an underhand canvass for Mr. Mew, rector of Eastington,
where Mr. Stephens is patron. He was sometime a lecturer in
London, and, I believe, stands affected as most lecturers do; but, as
they brew, so let them bake. Now I must want paper as well as
modesty if I proceed any further. [Endorsed as "Received 28 March
1640." 3 pp.] |
Mar. [25].
Whitehall. |
80. Warrant to Sir Charles Cæsar, Master of the Rolls, to swear
and admit some person not named into the place or office of one of
the six clerks of the Court of Chancery, upon surrender of the same
by William Carne, Esq. [Blank form. ½ p.] |
| [Mar. 25]. |
The like warrant to the Attorney-General to prepare a grant of
the reversion of the office specified in the preceding warrant to such
person as the grantee shall nominate, in such manner as the reversion was formerly granted by patent to William Carne. [Written
upon the same paper as the preceding. Minute.½ p.] |
Mar. 25.
Edinburgh Castle. |
81. Patrick Lord Ettrick to the King. Within an hour after I
had finished your Majesty's letters enclosed of the 24th inst., I
received by Lord Traquair's servant yours to me of the 19th, with
one to the Provost of Edinburgh, which I forthwith sent to him,
and required his speedy answer. I find the town of Edinburgh
only strives to delay time for their own advantage, and that your
Majesty will be no further obeyed in any commands of this kind,
for they have resigned their whole power and authority into the
hands of their Committee, but having received so strict commands
from your Majesty I shall as strictly obey them. I have this
instant forbidden them to bring in any more earth to any yards
near the castle hill, and have required them forthwith to raze all
works or defences of what nature soever which have lately been
begun. This I conceive they will not do, and therefore to-morrow
I intend to take my best advantage to batter them down, leaving
the success thereof to Almighty God and your sacred Majesty's
gracious consideration as a matter of most high consequence, for I
know that thereupon your Majesty may expect from them nothing
but open hostility, and that they will use as speedy means and as
great power as this kingdom can afford to gain this castle, accounting it of great consequence to their present designs, in which they
are most desperately resolute and very forward. All that I shall
therefore beg of you at this present is to consider seriously how
much this place is weakened by the late fall of the walls, and in
how ill state it stands by the distrust I have of the Scotchmen
here. I assure your Majesty as long as I have life I shall with my
utmost power defend my charge and your honour. [Endorsed,
"Received the 29th." 2 pp.] |
Mar. 25.
Charlcoate. |
82. Sir Thos. Lucy to Sec. Vane. I have received commandment
from the Council to give my personal attendance for some reasons
to be communicated to me at my coming up. The truth is, for this
10 weeks I have been so indisposed that I have scarcely peeped out
of my chamber, and a short journey of four miles on Monday last to
Warwick completely distempered me, so that I find without much
danger I shall not be able to endure so long a journey. I pray you
therefore, if occasion be offered, to move the Board that I may be
dispensed with until I may undertake the journey with probable
safety; but if I must come, it is fit, though I had a hundred lives, I
should hazard them all to testify my obedience. [Seal with crest,
broken. 1 p.] |
Mar. 25.
Berwick. |
83. Sir Michael Ernle to Sec. Windebank. I have received order
from the Lords to make provision for four troops of horse which are
to come hither. I have given order to the mayor to provide lodging
and stable room, and have written to the Deputy Lieutenants of this
county to send hay and straw, for which they shall receive ready
money, at reasonable rates, for here they are not to be had at any
price. If you think fit, it were better that part of the horse were
quartered upon the river in some villages, for so many will be very
ill accommodated here. The Scots have armed the borders, and
officers are appointed, every one his special charge, and are exercising the men daily, but no number are anywhere drawn together.
The townsmen keep guard in the night at Dunse, Kelso, and Jedworth. It seems they have good intelligence, or at least they say
so, for they report that they know the King's [intentions] towards
them as well as he knows himself. I hear they are very busy
at Edinburgh upon some design. I expect to hear from thence
to-morrow, and will inform you accordingly. Endorsed, "Received
the 29th, and then answered." [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Mar. 25.
Surfleet in Holland. |
84. George Little to Robert Read. I pray you let me know
whether Sec. Windebank has disposed of his ground in the New
Level of Lincolnshire, because otherwise I shall endeavour to
procure sufficient tenants for it according to my duty. I spoke
with Sir William Killigrew at his last being in the country, who at
first told me he intended to become tenant for all his ground for one
year, and afterwards to exchange with him for ground in the other
Level, so that I believed he had fully concluded it, which made me
put off some good and able tenants; but coming to him a second
time, he told me he would not by any means meddle with it for
some private causes to himself best known, but wished me to let
Mr. Connie have it, as he had been formerly commended to Sec.
Windebank for a tenant. Now Mr. Connie tells me he will not
meddle with it for fear of displeasing Sir William, although I
resolved him the certainty of Sir William's resolution, so that, for
anything I know, it is free for any man to hire, which I desire to
be resolved, because Lady Day, the time for letting of land, is at
hand. P.S.—Please deliver the enclosed to Robert Long, Esq., by
whose servant you may send me a line into Lincolnshire against the
1st of April. [1 p.] |
Mar. 25.
Orton. |
85. Sir Philip Musgrave and Sir Henry Bellingham to Henry
Lord Clifford. In accordance with your letter importing directions
from Sec. Windebank, and your warrant to the under-sheriff for
examination of several persons concerning treacherous words supposed to have been spoken by Roger Moore, we appointed this day
a meeting at Orton, where all the deponents formerly examined
were before us, except Thos. Baines, who is infirm. These are all
the witnesses we conceive to be material, they being the only
persons present when the words were spoken. We have re-examined
them upon oath, and hereinclosed return their several depositions,
which differ nothing from their former ones; some, fearing lest they
should be trapped, refused to say anything, but referred themselves
wholly to their former depositions. Not finding any new matter
against Moore we thought it not expedient to examine any other
witnesses. [Seal with arms, broken.] Enclosed, |
|
85. i. Depositions of John Bayliff, John Moore, William Ward,
Richard Foster, and William Baylye, of Middleton, co.
Westmoreland, taken at Orton the 25th March. [3 pp.] |
| Mar. 25. |
86. Statement presented at the Council Board, signed by Sir
Thomas Holte, relative to the disposal of his estate, and his endeavour to induce his eldest son to petition the King that he
would permit Sir Thomas to confer his degree of baronetcy upon
one of his sons-in-law or his younger son after his decease. Engagement made by Sir. Thos. to the King at Woodstock about nine years
since, "that he would do no act that should tend to the prejudice
of his son's inheritance." [3 pp.] |
| Mar. 25. |
87. Bill signed by Hugh Campion of disbursements for household
charges. Total, 198l. 5s. 11d. [1 p.] |
| Mar. 25. |
88. Certificate of the officers of Ordnance, specifying the allowances, charges, and other disbursements to the several persons named,
employed in the delivery of the 500 barrels of powder designed
for the King of Spain at Gravesend, the Downs, Deal, and Dover, in
the months of September and October [1639] and March [1639-40].
Total, 216l. 15s. [1 p.] |
