House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 03 March 1621

Sabbati, 3o Martii

Buckland Manor.

L. 1. AN Act, at the humble Suit of the Copyhold Tenants of the Manor of Buckland, in the County of Somersett, to enable the Lord Bishop of Bath and Welles, and his Successors, to demise and lease the said Manor, excepting the Demesnes, &c,

Mountague.

L. 1. - Mountagu.

Monperson's Escape.

Sir Walter Earle moveth concerning Sir G. Monperson's Escape.

Sir Wm. Herricke: - That great Fault in the Serjeant, and to examine and proceed against him for it.

Sir H. Withrington: - To examine the Serjeant.

Sir Tho. Barrington: - To have his Papers seized upon, concerning this Business.

Mr. Mallory: - First to send to find out, and stay, Sir G. Monperson.

Sir Ro. Phillippes; - To have the Messenger to the Lords add a Request that all the Ports may be laid for him.

The Serjeant at the Bar (not kneeling). - That the Committee Yesterday refused to let him go to his House for his Papers, which, he confessed, he had. That he, thinking he could not have the Papers, without going home to his House, simply let him go thither: There found Sir Wm. St. John, and divers other Ladies; after, Two of this House came in; namely, Mr. Hungerford, and ..... That Sir G. Monperson, being in the Dining-room, made himself sick; cast in the Room: took Tobacco, and Sack; spake to his Wife, to go into her Closet. - Thought it unmannerly to follow them; stayed an Hour, or Two.

Sir Ro. Phillippes: - Doubteth, this a Practice. - To have Sir Wm. St. John, Mr. Hungerford, and ..... spoken with, that the Truth may be tried out.

Mr. Choke; - Sorry, his first Speech should be, to clear himself from Suspicion of wronging this House. - That their Wives Half Sisters: That, till his Faults discovered, called him Brother: That after, he hated and detested him, and was as forward to censure him. That his Country dearer to him than his Friend. That he

hath visited him sithence his Imprisonment: Purposed to do so Yesterday; as going, met his Coach: His Man told him, he came to the Committee. There was, and pretended sickness, and went away; and hearing, Sir G. Monperson was gone home, went thither. - Confirmeth the Serjeant's Speech, for his Sickness, and going into his Closet. - That Sir Wm. St. John and Mr. Hungerford at Tables, when he came in again.

Mr. Brooke: - Not to have long Speeches prevent,our Endeavours to get Sir G. Monperson again; and to have this Motion now made to the Lords, by the Messenger formerly appointed. - To put this presently in Execution.

Sir Geor. Goring: - That, standing last Night behind Sir G. M. at the Committee, being sick, he moved the Committee: And resolved, they could not give him Leave to go home to his House. That heretofore he would have been glad of his Escape, but now never intended, or desired it.

Mr. Secretary concordat with Sir Ro. Phillippes. - Sorry for his Escape. - Offereth his Service for stopping the Ports; but wisheth to go to the Lords presently.

Mr. Hackwill: - To make sure the Two Patentees, who are now without. 2ly, To have his Papers searched.

The Message for Sir G. Monperson went up.

Mr. Arundell: - To have the Patentees, Dyke and Fowle, committed to safe Custody.

Sir Wm. Ayloffe: - To have a privy Search made by Mr. Mann, a Justice of Peace, both for G. Monperson, and his Papers.

Sir W. Earle, accordant.

Dyke, brought to the Bar, asked, when he saw Fowle; saith, he saw him not till Wednesday.

Dyke committed to the Serjeant's Custody; and Fowles to be sent for by the Serjeant; who dwelleth in Barbican; and his Father, in the End of Tuttle-street.

Mr. Smyth: - That Dade also a Patentee.

Sir Tho. Hobby: - That no Man ought to speak, but the Speaker, when any brought into the House; and to be resolved, before called in, what to say. - That Dyke's House may be searched for Papers.

Sir Wm. Herricke sent to see if he can find [Fowles.]

Mr. Raynscrofte: - to have Fowles specially looked after, because -

Sir Wm. Boulstreade: - To have Sir Wm. Pittes, Mr. Mann, and Sir Wm. Herricke, Justices of the Peace for Westmynster, - and Sir Edw. Sackvile to be added: and they to be Committees to consider of what Course fittest for finding out Sir G. Monperson.

Sir Wm. Herricke: - That Mr. Twitty may be sent for, who as deep in it as Sir G. Monperson.

Mr. Alford: - To stay till Return of the Messengers.

Sir T. Bowes: - To have Fowles presently sent for, and Twitty.

Sir Edw. Sackvyle, Sir B. Hickes, Sir Wm. Herricke, Sir Ed. Wardor, Mr. Mann, Sir Wm. Pittes, and Mr. Solicitor, to advise of a present Course to seek for Fowle, and to have him brought to the House.

Mr. Hackwill: - That Two Commissions in One, Sir Francis Michell and Mr. Twitty; and in the Second Commission, Mr. Twitty also, a principal Agent.

Limitation of Actions.

Sir Ro. Vernon desireth the Bill of Limitations may now proceed to Question of ingrossing; because, by the Amendments, his Doubts of his own Case satisfied.

Abuses in Fleete prison.

Sir H. Poole: - To have some more Committees added, for Examination of the Offences of the Warden of the Fleete.

Mr. Hackwill, accordant: - And to have a Bill framed, to provide for Restitution to the Prisoners, for the Wrongs and Oppressions to them; and to have a Committee, both for that, and all other Prisons in and about London. - Offereth his Pains, to draw a Bill.

He, Mr. Noye, Mr. Brooke, Mr. Wentworth, and Mr. Glanvyle, to join to draw a Bill to that Purpose. Sir H. Withrington: - To send for, and question, the

Warden of the Fleete, about his Insolency, and abusing the Members of this House.

Mr. Nevyll: - A cruel Jaylor, a Monster in Nature, the Body of a Jew, subsisting without the Soul of a Christian.

Mr. Hackwill, Sir John Jephson, Sir Tho. Cheeke, Mr. Nevill, Sir Francis Popham, Mr. Digges, Sir Guy Palmes, Sir W. Earle, Sir Francis Vane, Sir Tho. Grantham, Mr. Mallet, to be added to the former Committee for Examination of the Abuses of the Warden of the Fleete, and to meet when they please, for that Purpose.

Grievances.

Sir Edw. Coke reporteth from the Lords : - That he said to them, that sent to them with this Message; That they, having duly examined Grievances, had fallen upon some, in origine so dangerous, in Execution so pernicious, as much to the King's Honour to have these punished.

- This Course to the Lords, l. Because warranted by Precedent : 2ly, Because they had a great Power to punish them : 3ly, Had a great Interest, in respect of their noble Families and Posterities. A Conference therefore desired; which if they yielded, then we would prepare the Particulars, so as might least prejudice their Business. - Desired the Ports might be closed, and the House searched.

That the Lord Chancellor answered, that the Lords would be ready to confer on Monday next, Two of the Clock, the Painted Chamber, with their whole House. Whereto Sir Edw. Coke replied, the House had sent Word, they would prepare, &c. And that therefore Monday appointed conditionally, if we could be ready. -

Closing the Ports.

That they would take a present Course, both for closing the Ports, and searching within; and would presently advise of the best Course, and send us Word of it.

Proceedings against Monperson.

Sir Ro. Phillippes moveth, sithence confesseth his Guiltiness by his Flight, he may be put out, and a Writ for a new Choice. -

That Sir G. Monperson laid the Commitment of some upon Mr. Attorney Yelverton, and Sir Francis Michell:

- To have therefore some go to the Tower, and examine them, by what Direction or Authority they did so commit them.

Mr. Treasurer, Master of the Wards, Sir Edw. Sackvyle, Sir Ro. Phillippes, Sir H. Withrington, Sir Edw. Cecill, to go presently.

Sir Gyles Monperson, upon Question, to be put out of the House; without One Negative.

Sir Ro. Phillippes: - To have, from Mr. Hackwyll, the Warrants by which Sir H. Yelverton committed those Persons.

Lord Chief Baron and Mr. Baron Denham bring from the Lords a Message concerning the Stopping of the Ports, and discovering him within the Realm. - That, because it concerneth an Offender, and a Member of this House, they desire a Conference presently in the Painted Chamber: Their Number 40.

Resolved, To confer presently, with 80.

The Lords Messengers, being called for, were gone without an Answer; yet coming again, Mr. Speaker acquainted them with so much.

Mr. Alford: To have the Messenger now to acknowlege our well Acceptance of their good Correspondence with the House.

Sir Edw. Coke: - That this Conference will be only about shutting up of the Ports, and Search within.

Privilege- Stay off Trials.

Sir Geor. Moore reporteth from the Committee for Privileges, that they have found, in the King's Time, 2d, 3d, and 4th Sessions, several Precedents, upon Motions and Orders in the House, and Letters thereupon written to the Justices of Assise, for Stay of Trials for Members of the House. These recorded in the Journal Book. That it belongeth to the Clerk to make them. -

Mynheade Election.

Reporteth further, for Mynheade, that that Town 1o Ehz. incorporated, with Condition for Repair of their Harbour. That 5o Eliz. that Borough, seeing Burgesses, questioned, among others. That they served all

Dr. Gooch, - against the Bill. - That the Mariners for the New-found-land, half the Seminary of the Mariners of England. -

To encourage the Mariners; but not to take the Rights from the Ministers, by Law, and Custom. - Personal Tythes remain, though the Oath of the Defendant, for personal Tythes taken away. This Tythe of Fishermen reserved by the Statute.

Sir Ed. Seymor, contra. - That this crept in first, as a Gratuity, not of a Custom; now extremely exacted upon, as a Matter of Right. That this already a great Decay of Mariners.

Sir Cary Raleighe: - This a most beneficial Trade, for Money, and many other Commodities.

Sir Wm. Cope: - The Tythes jure humano; therefore we may make a Law here.

Mr. Glanvyle: - That they, by Degrees, have got some Gratuity, and now press it as a Custom. - Tythes not due per legem terrae; but in the Seas; which the King's Due, if any : But this is for Tythe of Fish got out of the Seas, none of the King's. No Custom can be here for Tythe of Fish taken there. -

Committed to all the Privy Council of the House, all Burgesses of Port Towns, all that have spoken, except Dr. Gooch, Mr. Drake, all Knights of maritime Counties, Citizens of London and Yorke, all the Barons of the Cinque Ports, Sir Wm. Strowde, Sir Wm. Heale, Sir Tho. Row, Sir James Perrott, Mr. Mallett. -

Mr. Chedley: - That Mr. Speaker should have first propounded the Question, before he put it; that Men might have prepared themselves to answer, either I, or No.

Wednesday, Two of the Clock, Exchequer Chamber.

Scarcity of Money.

Sir Edw. Sands remembereth his Majesty's Recommendation to this House, of the Scarcity of Money. - To search both into the Causes, and Remedies. -

The Necessity of it pressing, The poor Man's Labour, his Inheritance. The Clothiers Looms laid down, by 200 in Town, wherein One Loom maintained 40 Persons. The Want of Money the Cause of it. A pitiful and fearful Case. - Bellum rusticorum in Germany. -

The Farmer not able to pay his Rent: Forfeiteth his Lease, Covenants, Bonds: Hath Corn and Cattle enough, but can get no Money at the low Prices. Fairs and Markets at a stand. The Case of the Gentleman, and Nobleman, Tradesmen of Cities, &c. - How Supply to the King, for Matters abroad, or Distempers at Home?

Sir Edw. Mountague, accordant. - To have Sir Edw. Sands now deliver what he knoweth herein.

Sir Jo. Davys: - Of great Consequence and Difficulty. - For a select Sub-committee.

Sir Dudley Digges: - This already committed to the Committee for Grievances. - To have all, out of all Parts, give in their Reasons of the Cause thereof; and so for the Remedies: Then a Sub-committee.

Mr. Secretary, accordant.

Mr. Delliverge: - Not 200 Looms, not now 200. The Merchants there brought in heretofore 20,000l. per Annum, in Bullion, now not sufficient to pay the King his Impositions, and - &c.

Sir Tho. Row: - To send for some Merchants of the East India, Spanish, and Turkey, Company; who best can inform, how this Scarcity of Money groweth.

Sir Wm. Herricke: - Heretofore 2,000,000l. per Annum coined at the Mint; sithence the East India Company up, little. - 50, or 60,000l. per Annum carried into Polland. -

Patent of Leaf Gold, and of silver and gold Lace. -

Much making of Plate alleged by some to be a Cause ; but, upon Search, found, that, these last Seven Years of the King, less made than in the last Seven Years of the Queen. -

Thinketh well, it is in Plate; for, if it were in Money, would be transported. - The Shew of the Goldsmiths Shops in Cheapsyde the greatest in Christendom : Now above Twenty Shops set up. - Will, at a Committee, discover the true Causes; and wisheth others will answer him there.

Mr. Glanvyle: - This the principal Thing recommended by his Majesty. - To have this recommended to the Grand Committee, with some Precedency. - Moveth, where many of the House, of the East India Company, may, in his Speech, discover, whether he be of that, or any other of those Companies, now questioned. -

Robert Gynner, and all that can give Intelligence, to be sent for to inform the Grand Committee.

Sir Edw. Coke: - This the next Cause, next God's : Commended by his Majesty: - Hath considered, both of the Causes and Remedies: Will only touch some Heads.

- Duo, quae principatus conservant, et augent; milites, et pecunia. - No Life, in Peace or War, without Money : All Beggars without it. -

That coined, between 1 Eliz. and 16 Jac. in Silver, Nine Million and an half:

161,000 l. and odd, per Annum. -

Seven Heads, as Causes: 1. The Goldsmiths melting the King's Coin into Plate. This against Law; which against Groats, and 2 d. - Now 12 d. which they take to be out of that Law.

2. Gilding, &c.

3. Great Loss by Exchange. - Dearer there, than here; which will ever carry away our Company.

4. The East India Company. Ever sithence that up, no Silver to the Mint. - The surer Argument from the Cause. - Never Leave before to any to carry out any Money. - 100,000 l. per Annum Licence: - Intercept it, before it come hither: which they prevent. - Is none of the East India Company.

The State in a Consumption, must be helped: - A Leak which must be stopped. - The Goods imported, more than imported [a].

6. The French Wines, which brought in in great Quantities.

7. The Patent of making gold and silver Lace of our Bullion, and prohibiting the bringing any. - Unfit any such Thing should be prohibited, without Act of Parliament ; because, if we prohibit here, others will do beyond Seas, - Will, at the Committee, apply the Remedies.

Mr. Secretary addeth, Importation of great Store of Cattle into England; for which great Store of Money carried into Ireland from hence.

Sir Jo. Strangwayes sheweth of the 160l. [b] per Annum, coined yearly, from 1 Eliz. to 16 Eliz. - l 00,000l. per Annum by the East India Company; 40,000l. per Annum by the Patentees of gold and silver Lace. -

100,000 Cattle per Annum brought out of Ireland; for which Money only; and will take no Commodity for it, but Money.

Sir Edw. Sackvyle: - That Sir Edw. Sands may now speak his Knowlege.

Sir Edw. Sands: - That much spoken, which he intended. - Addeth, the Consumption of Money here. - Three Heads: 1. Not importing Money: 2. Exportation of it; which not possible to observe, till Trade balanced: 3. Consuming it, when here. - A great Mass of silver Money heretofore yearly brought into England.

- West Indies, the Fountain; Spayne, the Receipt and River, from whence floweth into all Parts. -

Above 100,000 l. per Annum usually brought in; now nothing. 120,000l. per Annum brought in in Tobacco; A Million lost that way, sithence the King's Reign. -

That a Policy of all other States, not to suffer any Importation of Commodities, where they have of their own, till theirs sold. - Gascoigne Wine in Rochell: - Spayne. - That 6,000 Quarters of Grain now in One Port, imported aliunde; for which they carry away Money, for the most Part.

Mr. Towerson: - That he an East India Merchant. - To have those Merchants warned, of other Companies, which are not free of the East India Company.

Mr. Crew: - Many Confluences of Causes in this Disease. - East India Company, which carrieth out. -

the Queen's Time after, and 1 Jac. but their Corporation and Liberties seized about 43o Eliz. for Breach of the said Condition. That 12o Jac. they sent none. Therefore the Opinion of the Committee, that, except they could find Precedents before 5 Eliz. their Election and Return void. That they had Day given them till Tuesday last; now further Time required ; upon which the Committee doubtful.

Rochester Election.

For Rochester; that the Committee thought the Election good.

Letters to Justices.

Mr. Serjeant Towse, - against Letters to the Justices of Assise.

Resolved, The former Course of writing Letters to the Justices of Assise, according to Precedents ; and, if required, a Warrant, for Inhibition, to the Party: And all these to be recorded in the House.

Minheade Election.

For Minheade; Sir Ro. Floyde desireth Liberty till Tuesday next; and then to be heard by his Counsel.

Tuesday next, peremptorily; and then to be heard by his Counsel, at the Committee.

Rochester Election.

For Rochester; that the Mayor sent but half an Hour's Notice of the Election: Then a Market near, where many of the Electors absent. - To have the Mayor admonished. - The Mayor faulty in all,

Sir D. Digges, - for a Bill to reform all these Abuses. -

A Letter of Admonition to the Mayor, to do so no more.

Mr. Alford, - for a Bill to prevent these Things. - A Bill forthwith to be drawn, and brought in by Mr. Hackwyll, &c.

Sir Tho. Row: - To have them put into the same Bill Power to minister an Oath for all Matters in this House.

Proceedings against Monperson.

Sir Edw. Coke, - from the Lords; who have granted all against we can demand. - That they had generally considered of the Means to recover Sir G. Monperson; and particularly, of a Proclamation for apprehending him, and none to harbour him. - .... Admiral, Lord Warden, and Lord Treasurer, - Warrant from the House, to write several Letters to the Ports, Customers, &c. for apprehending him. Lord Admiral had promised to move the King for a Proclamation. -

That he desired, a Search might be made for Papers, Books, &c. And resolved. Sir Clement Edmonds -

That he congratulated the good Correspondency between both Houses. -

Added, that both the Presidents of Yorke and Wales should have Letters to the same Purpose. -

That the Marquis said, he never loved to lose his Friend, for his Adversity. That he was acquainted with these Projects; was informed, they were good for the King, and Commonwealth. That understanding after, they were grievous, a Gentleman told him, there was no Question, but good. That the Prince wished something might be done in the mean time, before the Proclamation. That Sir G. M. sithence the Parliament, justified, it would require no Flavour from the King ; nothing but Justice. - That he came to Town, with a Purpose to stand by him, if free; and condemn him, if guilty. - Delivereth a Letter, written to him 1o Martii, and came to him Yesterday: Which read. - That he told the Lords, Empson and Dudley but fools to this Projector. That he related to the Lords, that, before their Message, this House had expelled him.

Sir Clement Edmonds sent up to the Lords, to take Direction about the Proclamation.

Sir Francis Fane: - That the Marquis said, the Matter passed Referees; who have done the Wrong that is done.

Sir Jo. Heppesley: - That he went Yesterday to the Court, to acquaint some Lords with the Proceedings here. That, being required by the King, he related the same ; who said, he would study how to punish him.

Mr. Hackwill: - That Mr. Secretary desireth to know, whither Sir G. Monperson, if he be apprehended, shall be brought: - And Resolved, To the Tower, as from this House.

Cornwall Leases.

Sir Edw. Coke reporteth the Prince his Bill, with Amendments but in One Point, in the Body of the Bill, and a Saving added. - " 20th Part of the Value," for, " with Part."

Mr. Wood desireth to have a Copy of the Saving: And granted. And the Question, for the Saving, referred till Monday.

Limitations of Actions.

The Bill for Limitations of Actions, upon Question, to be ingrossed.