House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 20 April 1626

Jovis, 20o Aprilis

Committees.

SKIPWITHE's, Bill, - Thursday next Week, Two Clock.

Lord Morleye's Bill, - Friday next; with Addition of Mr. Ashton.

Sir James Altham's Bill, - Saturday next. Two Clock.

Wostenholme.

L. 1a. Wostenholme.

Ld. Aburgeny.

Mr. Mallett reporteth the Lord Aburgeny his Bill. - Thought fit, by the Committee, to pass, without any Alteration.

Exactions by Duke of Buckingham.

Mr. Wandesford reporteth from the Committee for the Cause of Causes.

That the East India Company, after the Service in Buckingham, taking in Ormons, presented the Duchess (the Duke being then in Spayne) with 2,000 l. Upon the Duke's Return, a Suit in the Admiral Court against the Company, but, at whose Instant non constant. That after, Secretary Cooke pressed the Company for the Lord Admiral's Rights. The Company thereupon advised with Dr. Steward and Dr. Zouch, they, upon Consideration, advised them, there was no Due to the Lord Admiral. -

That the Duke afterwards moved the Lords House, for Stay of the Company's Ships, upon Pretence of staying them for Defence of the Kingdom. Hereupon the Ships stayed 5 Martii. -

That the Duke being moved by Sir Ro. Maunsfeild, for their Release, he answered, they were not stayed by him, but by the Lords in Parliament; yet gave way, for their falling down to Tilbury. -

That being after moved for their Discharge, he told them plainly, they should not be discharged, till they had compounded with him. That 15o Martii the King's Advocate in the East India Court demanded 15,000 l. for Goods piratically taken. That 5.

6,000 l. were refused, Consultation amongst them, to give over their Company, but the Loss of their Journey importing them, they offered 10,000 l. which with Scorn refused. Thereupon seeing it could be no otherwise, and the Staying of their Ships then would lose their Journey, they agreed to giveTwenty thousand Pounds ; whereof they paid 10,000 l. to the Duke to his own Use; the other 10,000l. they paid also to one of the Duke's Servants; and afterwards took a Pardon, -

That the King did nothing in it, but only made Demands for his own Right; telling them he was no Tyrant King, but would leave all to the Law; where the Duke used Pretences of Stay by Parliament, for his own private. - -

That the Duke, if he had had Right, might have had Remedy (though the Ships had gone away) for his own Right; where, if the Ships had been stayed but Four or Five Days longer, the whole Voyage, for that Year, had been lost. This resembled to the Case of the Lord of Middlesex, for the Two 500 Pounds.

That the Committee resolved, upon Question, the Money taken by the Lord Admiral in this Manner, was an undue Exaction and Extortion from the Merchants of the East India Comany.

Mr. Secretary Cooke: - That he being Master of the Requests, the King commanded him to speak with the East India Company, to know, whether they would compound the Business, or stand upon the Law. That they chose to stand upon the Law. That all the Goods taken, if they proved piratical, were forfeited to the King, though granted under the Great Seal to the Lord Admiral.

Upon Question, that the Money, taken by the Lord Admiral in this Manner, was an undue Exacting and Extorting Money from the Easi India Company.

Message from the King.

Mr. Chancellor delivereth a Message from his Majesty;

That he called this Parliament for Assistance .......

Upon Question, the House to be presently turned into a Committee, to consider, what fit to be done concerning this Message of his Majesty.

Duke of Buckingham.

Mr. Herberte reporteth to the House (Mr. Speaker taking his Chair for that Purpose) the Resolution of the grand Committee, which was ordered thus: That we should proceed in the Business in hand, concerning the Duke of Buckingham, Forenoon and Afternoon, setting all other Businesses aside, till that be done;

Supply.

to the Intent we may, upon Tuesday next, proceed to the Consideration of his Majesty's Message for Supply.

Bills to be sent to Lords.

Upon Question, the ingrossed Bills passed the House to be sent up To-morrow Morning. To be sent up by Mr. Vice Chamberlain.

Duke of Buckingham.

Upon Question, the House to proceed in the great Business in hand, concerning the Dukeof Buckingham, Forenoon and Afternoon, setting all other Business aside, not conducing to that, till that be done;

Supply.

to the Intent we may, by Tuesday next, proceed to the Consideration of Satisfaction to his Majesty's Message for Supply.

Mountagew's Books.

Mr. Vice Chamberlain : - That he, and the rest of the Messengers, Yesterday, concerning Restraint of Mr. Mountagew his further writing Books, delivered the Message to his Majesty. That his Majesty not slighty passed over the Message; but questioned, whether we here examined the Doctrine, or no: Wherein being satisfied, his Majesty,upon Deliberation, signified his Dislike of Mr. Mountagew his Writings. - That the Doctrine of the Books he would refer to the Convocation House; and would, in future, take especial Care for the Examination of all Books, which should be printed, for avoiding any Matter of Sedition,&c.

Proceedings to be related to the King.

The Four Privy Counsellors, and Sir. J. Fullerton, to relate to his Majesty the Proceedings of the House this Day.

Jovis, 20o Aprilis - Post meridiem

Rochell.

SIR D. Digges moveth, that the Sub-committee, now about the Business of Rochell, may sit, notwithstanding the sitting of the House: And Resolved accordingly.

Evils, Causes, and Remedies.

The Committee for Evils, Causes and Remedies, to sit presently.