Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 2, 1640-1643. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1802.
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'House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 23 August 1642', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 2, 1640-1643(London, 1802), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol2/pp732-734 [accessed 30 April 2025].
'House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 23 August 1642', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 2, 1640-1643(London, 1802), British History Online, accessed April 30, 2025, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol2/pp732-734.
"House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 23 August 1642". Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 2, 1640-1643. (London, 1802), British History Online. Web. 30 April 2025. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol2/pp732-734.
In this section
Die Martis, 23 Augusti, 1642.
PRAYERS.
Tumults at Colchester.
A LETTER from the Town of Colchester, of the 22th of August, from the Mayor; concerning the Multitude of that Town rifling Sir Jo. Lucas his House, and seizing his Horses and Arms, and other Goods; and that they would not be satisfied, until Sir Jo. Lucas and his Lady were committed to Prison; and how Mr. Newcomen, Clerk, was to have gone with Sir Jo. Lucas to the King; and that he administered to those that should have gone, an Oath of Secrecy.
Resolved, That Sir Jo. Lucas and Mr. Newcomen, of Colchester, Clerk, shall be sent for up, as Delinquents, in safe Custody, by the Serjeant at Arms.
Resolved, upon the Question, That the Horses, Arms, Ammunition, Monies, and Plate, seized at Sir Jo. Lucas his House (a perfect Inventory being first made), shall be brought up to London: That those Gentlemen of Essex that are appointed to be sent to Colchester, shall have Power to send up such Persons in safe Custody, as, upon Examination, they shall think necessary.
Sir Tho. Barrington, Mr. Grimston are appointed to go to Colchester to appease the Tumults there.
Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Marten, Sir Tho. Barrington, Mr. Prideaux, are appointed to prepare a Declaration to be sent to Colchester, and Instructions to accompany those Gentlemen that are appointed to go to Colchester.
Removing Arms.
Mr. Spurstoe, Mr. Bence, Mr. Venne, are appointed to repair to Sir Jo. Heyden's House; and to view the Arms, Ammunition, and other warlike Provisions, that are there; and to remove them from thence; and to lay them up in some safe Place in the City.
Sending up Delinquents.
Ordered, That Colonel Edwyn Sandys be required to send up Sir Edw. Deering, Sir Tho. Boswell, Sir Geo. Strode, who are Delinquents, to the Parliament.
Delinquents in the Tower.
Ordered, That the Lords be moved to injoin the Lieutenant of the Tower to keep the Delinquents there in stricter Imprisonment; and that they may not have the Liberty to come and speak one with another, with such Liberty and Freedom.
Person to be summoned.
Ordered, That Sir Jo. Brooke be summoned forthwith to attend the House.
Ship stayed, &c.
Mr. Bence reports, That he stayed the Ship that he was Yesterday appointed to go after; that he could find no Arms nor Ammunition there, but some Goods that are said to be Serjeant Major Sibthorpe's; and a Letter to the said Serjeant Major Sibthorpe, from Sir Wm. Widdrington, a Member of this House, to invite him to come down to the North, to enter into Pay there.
Staying Goods.
Resolved, upon the Question, That the several Goods in the Trunks and Chests of Clerke's Ship of Newcastle, be stayed, and laid up in safe Custody, till the House take farther Order.
Searching Ships.
Ordered, That the Customers, and other his Majesty's Officers of the Customs, in all Ports of the Kingdom, be required not to suffer any Ship to go out of any of the respective Ports that are bound for Newcastle, without being first narrowly searched and examined: And that the Officers of the Customs in the Port of London do take Care of dispersing this Order.
Rochester Trained Bands.
Ordered, That Captain Rich. Lee, of Rochester in the County of Kent, shall have Power to assemble together, muster, train, exercise, and command, the Trained Bands within the City of Rochester, and the Liberties thereof, together with the Parishes of Chatham, Gillingham, and St. James in the Isle of Grayne, as often as he shall see requisite; as also the Parishes of Friendsbury and Strowde, near unto the said City of Rochester: And for his and their so doing, this shall be, as well to the said Captain Lee, as to the said Trained Bands, a sufficient Warrant.
It is farther Ordered, That the Mayor of Rochester, and the Aldermen of the said City, and other the Justices of the Peace of the City and County, such as he shall think fit to call, be assisting and aiding to the said Captain Lee, in this Service.
Dep. Lieuts. of Hertford.
Resolved, upon the Question, That this House doth approve of Robert Cecill, Esquire, Sir Jo. Garrat, Baronet, Sir Jo. Reade, Baronet, Sir Jo. Wittewronge, Knight, Wm. Lemmon, Esquire, to be Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Herts: And that the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.
Hertford Militia.
Sir Tho. Dacres acquaints the House, That he had spoke with the Lord Cramborne, Lieutenant of the County of Herts, about putting the Militia in Execution: And that they had agreed to put it in Execution on Tuesday next.
Printer to be summoned.
Ordered, That Roger Daniell, Printer to the University of Cambridge, be forthwith summoned to attend the House, concerning printing the Book set forth in Defence of the Commission of Array.
Answer from Lords.
Sir H. Mildmay brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Order for the Training of the Volunteers of Linne: And as to the Message concerning the Prisoners in the Tower, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own.
They do likewise agree to the Conference desired.
Irish Catholicks Petition to the King.
A Copy of the Petition of the Catholicks of Ireland to the King's most Excellent Majesty, was this Day read: And
It is Ordered, That the Lords be acquainted with this Petition: And that it be printed.
Naval Affairs.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for the Defence of the Kingdom; to take Care, that an Admiral and Vice Admiral may be appointed over the Ships that are employed for the Coasts of Ireland, whose Commands they are to receive: And that Course may be taken, that a Ship of good Strength may be appointed to ride at Anchor in all the Ports of Ireland, as well such as are in the Hands of this State, as those in the Enemies Hands.
Ditto.
Ordered, That Mr. Green do write to the Earl of Warwicke, to desire him to call Home the Rainbowe to the Fleet, and to send another Ship to ride at Tynmouth.
Rebels in the Tower.
Ordered, That Mr. Prideaux and Mr. Hill do go to the Lord Chief Justice, and go along with him to reexamine the Rebels in the Tower, upon the Interrogatories prepared by the close Committee.
Irish Affairs.
Two Letters from the Lord Inchiquin, brought by Sir Wm. Ogle, one of the 25th of July, another of the 5th of August, both from Donneraile; the first relating what passed between the Lord Forbes and the Lord Inchiquin; the other concerning Sir Wm. Ogle's being deputed from the Council of War in Munster, to negotiate the Affairs of that Province.
A Message from the Lords by Doctor Aylett and Dr. Heath;
Declaration to Holland.
Quarles' Contract.
The Lords do return this Letter of Credence, together with the Declaration to be sent to the States of the United Provinces, with these Amendments; and desire that it may be very fair written, and sent to their Speaker; and he will subcribe it. They do concur with you in the Contract for the Five thousand Pounds to be paid to Mr. Quarles for Arms for Ireland.
The Amendments were read and assented unto.
Declaration concerning Colchester.
Mr. Martyn reports the Declaration to be sent into Essex, concerning the Business at Colchester, about Sir Jo. Lucas: Which was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be carried up to the Lords at a Conference: And that their Concurrence be desired therein, and in the former Votes.
Message to Lords.
Sir Hen. Mildmay went up to the Lords with this Message; To desire a Conference concerning a Letter out of Essex, and concerning a Petition from the Rebels in Ireland to his Majesty; and carried up the Order concerning the Town of Lynne to train and exercise; and to desire the Lords, that the Prisoners in the Tower may be more strictly kept, and not have the Opportunities of Meeting and Consulting.
Conference.
Message, .... by Sir Ro. Riche and Mr. Page;
That the Lords desired a present Conference concerning Provision to be allowed to Officers and others employed in executing the Orders of both Houses; and concerning the Alteration in One Clause in the Declaration for Disarming of Recusants.
Answer was returned by the same Messengers; That this House will give a Meeting, as is desired.
Mr. Grimston, Mr. Pym, * Martyn, are appointed Managers and Reporters of this Conference.
Ditto.
Sir Hen. Mildmay brings Answer; The Lords will give a present Meeting, as is desired.
Thanks to Mayor of Rochester, &c.
Ordered, That Sir Hen. Heyman prepare a Letter of Thanks to be sent to the Mayor of Rochester, and those Gentlemen in Kent, for the good Service done by them.
Conyers, &c. Services.
Mr. Pym reports the Conference: That there were Two Gentlemen that had done great Service for both Houses of Parliament, for which they had received no Recompence; Sir Jo. Conyers, and the Gentleman Usher of the
Black Rod: That the Lords did desire this House to consider of their Services.
Disarming Recusants.
He likewise reported, That the Lords had made an Alteration of the last Clause of the Declaration sent to the Gentlemen of Yorkeshire, concerning the Disarming of Recusants: The which was read, and assented unto; and ordered to be re-printed thus amended.
Yorke Presentment to the King, &c.
The Presentment of the Grand Jury in the County of Yorke, the Inhabitants Desires, and his Majesty's Answer thereunto, was read: Which was committed to Mr. Prideaux, Sir Hugh Cholmley, Sir Ph. Stapleton, Mr. Martyn, Mr. Strode, Mr. Pym, Sir Wm. Armyn, Mr. Hill, Mr. Corbett, Mr. Reynolds; to consider of the same; and such Observations and Declarations as they hold fit to be made thereupon: And are to meet this Afternoon, .. Three .. Clock, in the Court of Wards.
Forces for Hull.
Resolved, upon the Question, That this House holds it fit, that Two Regiments be forthwith sent to Hull: And that it be referred to the Lord General to consider where it will be most fit to raise them, and when to send them.
King's displacing Sheriffis, &c.
Mr. Young, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Hill, Sir Ar. Haselrigg, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Glyn, and all the Lawyers of the House;
This Committee, or any Four of them, are to consider of the King's Displacing and New-placing Sheriffs of Counties, and Justices of Peace; and to present their Opinions to this House.
Order to be brought in.
Ordered, That Sir Ar. Haselrigg do bring in an Order for * * * *
Message from Lords.
A Message from the Lords by Sir Robert Riche and Mr. Page;
That the Lords do concur with this House in the Two Votes at the last Conference; and to the Declaration of Essex, with One Amendment: Which was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto.
Irish Letters.
Ordered, That the House do consider, To-morrow Morning, of the Irish Letters brought by Sir Wm. Ogle, from Munster.
Powder to the City.
Ordered, That the Two hundred and Eighty-nine Barels of Powder sent hither by the Earl of Warwick, shall be forthwith unladen, and delivered to Captain Bradly; to lay up in the Magazine in the City: And that the Ship be discharged: And that Mr. Vassal do take Care for her Discharge.
King's Childrens Maintenance.
Ordered, That the Monies seized on by Order of this House, in a little Trunk, sealed up, which is informed by Sir David Cunningham, to be for the Maintenance of the King's Children, shall be delivered to him, to be disposed of for the Maintenance of the King's Children that are here now residing at St. James, and for no other Use; and that he be accountable to this House for the so Disposing of it accordingly: And Mr. Taylor the Constable, and Mr. Wright, are hereby required to see the said Monies safely brought to the Place where it was seized.
Sir J. Cutts, &c. thanked.
Ordered, That Mr. Cromwell give Thanks from this House, to Sir John Cutts, Sir Thomas Martyn, and other Gentlemen of the County of Cambridge, for their ready Assistance of him in the Service wherein he was employed in that County, by the Commands of the Committee of the Lords and Commons for the Defence of the Kingdom.
Cambridge Militia.
Ordered, That, by reason of the Lord North's Indisposition of Health, at this Time (by reason whereof he is not able to travel into the Country), that the Deputy Lieutenants for the County of Cambridge do forthwith repair thither, and put the Ordinance for the Militia in Execution: And that the Lords be moved to join therein.
Declaration concerning Colchester.
WHEREAS the Lords and Commons in Parliament have this Day received, from the Mayor of Colchester in Essex, an Information, That Sir John Lucas, at his House there, had made great Provisions of Horse, Arms, and Ammunition, to be secretly conveyed to the King, for his Assistance in oppressing and destroying his good People; which Act of Sir John Lucas, and his Adherents, is, by the Law of the Land, High Treason; and that the honest Inhabitants of that Town, and Parts adjacent, having Notice thereof, did seize the same Horse and Arms; and did cause the said Sir John, with others of his Family and Adherents, to be kept in safe Custody, and the Parliament to be speedily advertised thereof: It is now Declared, by the said Lords and Commons, That Sir Thomas Barrington and Mr. Grimpston, Members of the House of Commons, and Gentlemen employed by that House to impart this Declaration to the Country, shall, in the Name of both Houses, assure the said Inhabitants, that in seizing upon the Horse and Arms of Sir John Lucas, prepared for the Assisting in the War now levied against the Parliament, they have done a very acceptable Service to the Commonwealth, and such a one as doth express a great Zeal to their Religion and Liberties: Yet, lest the Gathering together of so many Persons might seem to give some Occasion to Persons ill affected, of misconstruing their peaceable Intentions, they are farther to signify unto them, that it is thought fit they should, for the present, disperse themselves, and repair every Man to his own Home; with this Confidence, That the Lords and Commons, as they have already begun, so they will not fail to continue their uttermost Care in securing That, and all other Counties of the Kingdom, by Disarming not only Papists, but all other Persons who shall give just Cause of Suspicion to the disaffected to the publick Peace and Freedom of the Subject.