House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 12 December 1642

Die Lunæ, 12 Decembris

Stewart's Petition.

THE humble Petition of William Stewart, of Drury Lane in the County of Middlesex, Esquire, was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That Mr. Corbett make report concerning this Business, To-morrow Morning.

Serjeant's Deputy.

Ordered, That this House doth approve of Serjeant Powell, to be Deputy to the Serjeant, during the Time of the Serjeant's Lameness.

Persons to attend.

Ordered, That John Day be summoned to attend this House forthwith: And that the Captain of the Beare Garden be like .... summoned to attend the House.

Declaration to States General.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Bennett:

The Lords have returned the Declaration, to be sent to the States General of the United Provinces with One Amendment in the Margin: They do likewise agree to the Order for Mr. Strickland to present it.

The Amendment was read; which was only the Addition of these Words, "and other ill-affected Persons," after the Word, "Army of Papists."

Conference desired.

Ordered, That a Conference shall be desired with the Lords, concerning an Answer to his Majesty's Declaration, that charges the Army, under the Earl of Essex, to be composed of Papists; and concerning the Nomination of the Master of the Rolls; to desire their Concurrence with this House.

Message to Lords.

He likewise carried up the Order for the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland, to grant Licences for Transportation of Corn, Victuals, &c.: The Order concerning the Committee for the Advance of Monies to make Provision of Ammunition: The Order concerning Exon Melting of Bells, &c.

Conference.

Mr. Glyn, Mr. Hill, are to manage That Part of the Conference that concerns the Declaration: Mr. Strode, Sir Wm. Armyn, are to manage That Part that concerns the Fifty Master of the Rolls.

Members accede to Covenant, &c.

Sir Jo. Borlase, Mr. Allestree, declare themselves in the Affirmative, to the Vote concerning the Assisting the Earl of Essex, in this Cause, with his Life and Fortunes.

Mr. Allestree declared, that he would lend and pay in Fifty Pounds to this Cause.

Business deferred.

Ordered, That, To-morrow Morning, the Report shall be made, concerning the Seizing of the Monies and Plate, and other Things, in the Exchequer: And that Mr. Catheren's Petition be then read, and considered of.

Menaces in getting Hands to Petitions, &c.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor, and Two Sheriffs, do make a speedy Inquiry, what Menaces, or indirect Means, hath been used in the getting of Hands to several Petitions: And they are to take the best and fittingest Course they can, to prevent any tumultuous Gatherings together of People, for the Suppressing of such tumultuous Multitudes as shall be assembled.

Mr. Millington, Sir Rob. Pye, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Mart. Lumley, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Wheeler, Sir Jo. Franklyn, Burgesses for Westminster, Mr. Purefey, Sir W. Masham, Mr. Whittacre;

This Committee, or any Four of them, are to receive Information; and to make a speedy Inquiry after the Menaces, in Getting of Hands to Petitions, in Westminster, Middlesex, Southwarke, and Suburbs of London, and Parts adjacent.

Nominating Sheriffs.

The Declaration concerning the Nominating of Sheriffs, in the Manner as now they are nominated, was now read; and, by Vote upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Answer from Lords.

Sir Tho. Barrington brings Answer, That the Lords will give Meeting at a Conference, concerning the Declaration, To-morrow, at Ten of Clock: And, as to the Business concerning the Master of the Rolls, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own: And, as to the several Orders, brought up by him, the Lords do agree to them all.

Gerard's Indemnity.

Ordered, That Sir Gilbert Gerard do prepare an Order for the Indemnity of Mr. Gerard, a Clerk in the Duchy, who was injoined not to make out any Commission for the Making of a Sheriff, notwithstanding any Command that he shall receive.

Writs to Sheriffs.

The humble Petition of the Messengers of his Majesty's Court of Exchéquer, concerning several Writs ready sealed, which are ready now by them to be carried to the several Sheriffs, was this Day read; and ordered to be referred to the Committee concerning the Sheriffs.

Examination concerning Draper, &c.

Mr. Holles, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Pierrepointe, Mr. Waller, Mr. Strode, Mr. Ch. Pym;

This Committee, or any Three of them, are to examine the Business concerning Captain Matthew Draper, and his Cornet: And have Power to send for the Witnesses: And have Power to send them to the Army, if they shall find Cause: And are to go forth presently.

Letter from Sir Jo. Hotham.

A Letter from Sir Jo. Hotham, of the Eighth of December, concerning a Provision of Monies: and concerning the Business between Mr. Pelham and Himself; was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That the Committee for the Safety of the Kingdom do take especial Care for the Providing of Monies, to be forthwith sent to Hull: And that the Serjeant send to the Treasurers of the Subscriptions to attend That Committee this Afternoon, about Five of Clock: And that Mr. Pym do write to Sir Jo. Hotham; to signify unto him, that the Examination of the Business concerning Himself and Mr. Pelham is referred to a Committee, the which have appointed to meet upon it on Thursday next; and to desire him to forbear to set forth any Declaration in this Business, considering it lies under Examination in this House.

Person committed.

Mr. Whittacres presents in Writing, the Examination in Writing, concerning the Words expressed by the Master of the Beare Garden "That he would cut the Throats of those that refused to subscribe a Petition;" Whereupon.

It was Resolved, upon the Question, That Mr. Godfrey, Master of the Beare Garden, shall be forthwith committed to Newgate; there to remain during the Pleasure of this House.

Suppressing Bear-baiting.

Ordered, That the Masters of the Beare Garden, and all other Persons who have Interest there, be injoined and required by this House, That for the future they do not permit to be used the Game of Bear-baiting in these Times of great Distractions, till this House do give further Order herein.

Superstitious Pictures, &c.

Ordered, That Mr. Rous, Mr. Browne, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Hen. Mildmy, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Hen. Mildmy, Mr. Glyn;

This Committee are to prepare Reasons to be offered to the Lords at a Conference, for the Demolishing of the Pictures and superstitious Monuments in the Chapel at Somersett House; and for the Removing of the Capuchins thence: And are to bring it in To-morrow Morning.

Warrant to Valiquerville.

Ordered, That Monsieur Valiquerville shall have Mr. Speaker's Warrant to transport Himself and Servants into Holland.

Relief of Irish Protestants.

Ordered, That the Monies collected the Three next Fast Days, in the several Parishes of London, and the Liberties thereof, and in Westminster, and the Liberties thereof (St. Margarett's excepted), and in the Parishes of Hackney, Stepney, Southwarke, St. Katharine's, White Chappell, and Wapping, shall be disposed of and employed for the Relief of the distressed Protestants of Londonderry in Ireland.

Capt. Draper.

It is this Day Ordered, That Captain Draper shall have Leave to go to the Army of his Excellency the Earl of Essex; and there to attend his Charge; and be discharged from any farther Attendance on this House.

Money Matters.

Ordered, That the Matter of Money be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Warrant to Ly. Colpeper.

Ordered, That the Lady Colpeper shall have Mr. Speaker's Warrant for Herself, Two Children, and Two Servants, and her Brother Freake, to go to Oxford.

Bailing Prisoners.

Resolved, That Tho. Rudyard and Wm. Billers, now in the Serjeant's Custody, shall be forthwith bailed.

Relief of Irish Protestants.

Ordered, That all the Monies that are collected in the several Parishes in London, and Suburbs, these Three next Fast Days, shall be disposed of for the Use of the poor distressed Irish Protestants in Londonderry.