House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 11 December 1641

Die Sabbati, 11 Decembris, 1641.

PRAYERS.

Bailing Steward.

ORDERED, That this House consents, that the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench shall take Bail of Robert Steward, referred to his Trial there by Order of this House, if he be bailable by Law.

Wisbich, &c. Petition.

The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of Wisbich, Leverington &c. was read:

And one Mr.Hobart, that subscribed it, was called in; and did avow it:

And it is Ordered, That it be committed unto Sir Anth. Irby, Sir Wm. Armyn, Sir Edm. Montfort, Sir Alexander Denton, Sir Dud. North, Sir Jo. Colpeper, Sir Ra. Hopton, Sir Jo. Hotham, Sir Edw. Aiscough, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Sydney Mountague, Sir Sam. Owfield, Mr. Kirton, Sir John Strangewayes, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Sutton, Sir H.Vane senior et junior, Sir Edw. Partridge, Mr. Strode, Sir Philip Stapilton, Sir Arth. Ingram, Sir Hugh Cholmeley, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Hebblethwayte, Mr. Mountague, Serjeant Wilde, Lord Gray, Sir Ben. Rudyard, Lord Falhland, Sir Wm. Savile, Mr. John Bellassis, the Knights and Burgesses of Norf', Suff' Cambridge, Lincoln, and Huntingdon: And they are to meet on Tuesday next at Eight of Clock, in the Exchequer-chamber: And all that are concerned, and have Interest in the Matters mentioned in the Petition, are to have Notice of this Petition, that they may attend this Committee: And the Committee has Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records: And are to report the Business to the House.

Grant to Officers.

Ordered, That the Six thousand Pounds, formerly ordered to be paid to the Treasurer at Wars, to be proportionably distributed among the Officers, shall be paid out, of the Receipt of the Four Subsidies, and the Receipt of the Poll-money: And the Commissioners for the Four Subsidies are to grant out their Warrants accordingly.

Privilege- Guards about Parliament.

The Justices of the Peace that were Yesterday required to attend this House, were called in: And being demanded why they subscribed and sent forth such Warrant; they all answered, they grounded their Warrants upon his Majesty's Writ directed unto them.

The Under Sheriff was likewise called in; and said, that he had attended the Lord Keeper, to know what Advice his Lordship would give for the Execution of the Writ directed unto the Justices: He told him, that he had granted forth the Writ by the Directions of the Lords House, and with the Advice of the Judges: And that they should do as the Writ warranted them.

Resolved, upon the Question, That Mr. Geo. Long shall be forthwith sent to the Tower for an Offence committed against the Privilege of this House; there to continue during the Pleasure of the House.

Convicted Priests.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Ro. Rich and Mr. Page;

The King formerly sent a Message to the Parliament, concerning certain Popish Priests, that were convicted, or likely to be convicted: Since which time, Seven of them have been convicted. - The Day of Execution is on Monday next. -His Majesty has sent for an Answer to that Message.-The Lords have sent them to know the Answer of this House in convenient time.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; that this House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own with convenient Speed.

Mr. Maynard reports from the Committee that was appointed to examine the Priests condemned, That they had examined Six; the other was sick: They could hear no Particular from them of that they examined them of.

* * * *

London Petition.

The humble Petition of Aldermen, Common Councilmen, Subsidy-men, and other Inhabitants of the City of London and Suburbs thereof, was read:

And the Parties that delivered . . . were called in: And Mr. Speaker told them, that this House hath read their Petition; and receives it in good Part; as likewise the Delivery of it: That they give them Thanks for their Respect to this House, expressed in their Petition; and for their Readiness upon all Occasions to comply with Supplies for the Publick: That they will take into Consideration, in due time, the Particulars desired in the Petition; and hope, by his Majesty's Favour, to bring Things to that Effect, as will give them Satisfaction: That when they shall inform this House of any particular Obstructions by my Lord Mayor, or any other that obstructed them in taking the Subscription of Hands to this Petition; that this House will take it into Consideration, and give them Redress.

This Answer being given, they offered to speak:

Mr. Speaker desired them to withdraw:

And, after he had received the Pleasure of the House,

They were again called in: And Mr. Speaker told them, they had Liberty to speak.

Then One of them, in the Name of the rest, desired to know the Pleasure of this House, whether they should proceed in taking the Subscription of more Hands to the same Petition:

They again withdrew:

And, after some small Debate of an Answer to their Proposition,

They were again called in: And Mr. Speaker told them, that this House believes the Truth of that which they affirm, "that they might get more Hands to this Petition;" but they are satisfied with these Hands already to it: "But nevertheless, if you think fit to get more Hands, they leave it to yourselves."

This said, they rendered their humble Thanks to this House, for their good Acceptance of their Petition.

Lords to sit.

Lord Gray went to the Lords, to desire their Lordships would be pleased to sit awhile, in regard this House believes they shall have Occasion to come to them very shortly.

Impeachment of the Bishops.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whitfield and Serjeant Glanvile;

The Lords desire a present and free Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, touching the Impeachment of the Thirteen Bishops.-

Lords will sit.

Lord Gray brings Answer, -that their Lordships will sit awhile, as is desired.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; that this House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; that they are now in Debate of Matters that require an instant Resolution; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own in convenient time.

Condemned Priests.

This Question was propounded, whether this Answer shall be given to the Message of the Lords, concerning the Priests now condemned; "That this House is of Opinion, that these several Priests shall be put to Execution according to the Laws."

And then the Question was put, whether this Question should be now put;

And, upon this Question, the House was divided: And The Yeas went forth.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Question shall be put upon the several Priests particularly.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Answer to the Message of the Lords concerning the Priests now condemned shall be, that this House is of Opinion to advise his Majesty, that *Hamon the Priest shall be put to Execution according to the Laws.

Resolved, That John Rivers, alias Abbott, the Priest, shall be put to Execution according to the Laws.

Resolved, That Walth. Coleman the Priest shall be put to Execution according to the Laws.

Upon the Question, whether Edw. Canon the Priest shall be put to Execution according to the Laws;

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So that the Question went with the Negative.

Upon the Question, whether Willford the Priest, now condemned, shall be put to Execution according to the Laws;

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So that the Question went with the Negative.

Resolved, upon the Question, That Tournon, alias Willmore the Priest, shall be put to Execution according to the Laws.

Transactions with Scotland.

Sir Philip Stapilton;- "That Yesterday Morning they had their Commission to treat with the Commissioners that are come from Scotland: Who shewed their Authority to treat with the Commissioners of England; which was by Act of Parliament; and also by Act of the Council, authorizing these Two, that are here, to treat. And they have their Authority under the Great Seal of Scotland.

"We desired them to make their Proposition: Which they did, in Writing; "that, in the Name of the Kingdom of Scotland, they were willgin to contribute their best Relief, and to assist us with Ten thousand Men, upon such Conditions as should be agreed upon."

"We told them, upon this Proposition we could not treat with them; for, that our Commission was only for to treat for Five thousand Men. They wihsed us to acquaint the King with it: So, according to our Duty, we waited on his Majesty: Who expressed a great deal of Desire and Affection in the Furthering of this Business: And said, he had referred it to the Parliament; and would grant a Commission to treat with them for Ten thousand Men. Thus stands the Treaty; and the Commissioners desire your Resolution."

Resolved, upon the Question, That this House does approve and consent, that his Majesty's Commissioners named by this House, and appointed to treat with the Scotts Commissioners, shall treat with them for the Raising of Ten thousand Scotts for the Occasions of Ireland.

Irish Affairs.

Ordered, That Mr.Pym, so soon as the Business concerning the State of the Money, &c. shall be ended, shall report the Declaration concerning Ireland; and proceed in his Report concerning the Affairs of that Kingdom.