House of Lords Journal Volume 10: 26 October 1648

DIE Jovis, 26 die Octobris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Langley.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Letter from the Committee of Estates, desiring a Pass for Sir D Carmichael to the King.

The Speaker acquainted the House, "That Sir John Cheisley this Morning brought a Letter from the Committee of Estates in Scotland; and desires that Sir Daniell Carmichell may have a Pass, to go into the Isle of Wight, to deliver a Letter to the King, from the Estates of Scotland."

The said Letter, with a Paper inclosed of Letter of Credence, were read; and the Consideration respited for a little Time. (Here enter them.)

King's Papers concerning the Treaty.

Next, the House was adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure, to take into Consideration the King's last Papers concerning the Treaty.

The House being resumed;

His Majesty's Paper of His final Answer to the Propositions concerning the Church, dated the 21th October, 1648, was again read.

And, after a long Debate, it was Resolved, That an Expedient be made, and sent to the Commissioners, to this Effect; (videlicet,)

"That, after the Expiration of the Three Years, the Presbyterial Government, as it is now settled, shall continue and remain in full Force, Exercise, and Power, until [ (fn. 1) a further] Settlement shall be agreed on by the King and both Houses of Parliament, after Consultation had with the Assembly of Divines."

Ordered, That this Expedient be offered to the House of Commons.

The Particular concerning the King's Offer touching Bishops Lands, is respited.

Ordered, This House shall sit this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock.

Message to the H. C. that the Lords will sit P. M.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page:

To let them know, that this House intends to sit this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock.

2. To desire a Conference this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, concerning the King's last Answer to the Proposition concerning the Church.

Committee to prepare Heads for a Conference on the Propositions about the Church.

Ordered, That these Lords following shall meet this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, and prepare the Matter of the Conference with the House of Commons, and put the Expedient into Form, as it shall be sent to the Commissioners:

Any Three.

Russel, a Pass.

Ordered, That Wm. Russell and shall have a Pass, to go into France, with Two Horses.

Letter of Credence from the Committee of Estates of Scotland for Sit J. Cheslie.

"For the Right Honnorable the Speaker of the House of Peeres pro Tempore; to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament.

"Right Honnorable,

"Many have bin the Troubles wherewith the Lord hath bin pleased to exercise these Kingdomes, since their joyning together in the solemne League and Covenant. But wee may truly say, many and greate have bin the Mercyes of the Lord, and His Gracious Deliverances out of these Troubles: Wee neede not to mention the Tossings, Shakeings, and stronge Tempests, which the Honorable Houses have endured; and how the Lord has preserved them in the Middest of them all. These Things are best knowne to yourselves. But for us, besides smaller Troubles, this Kingdome hath bin Twice borne downe and overrunn by the Prevalency of the malignant Party: First, by the Power of the Forces under the Conduct of James Graham late Earle of Montrosse, and lately by the Power and Force of those who joyned under the Commaund of James Duke of Hamilton; from both which the Lord hath mercifully delivered us: And now, by His good Providence, the Power of mannaginge the Affaires of this Kingdome is againe invested in the Hands of those Persons which were most forward and active in sendinge an Army into England in the Yeare of God 1643, for the Assistance of their Brethren, and which protested in Parliament against the late unlawfull Engagement against your Nation. For a long Tyme, there hath bin a Mixture of Malignants joyned with us in our Councells, which hath bin the Roote of all our Evills and Troubles, and a cheise Meane to begett a Misunderstanding betwixt the Kingdomes; but wee trust in God, it shall bee soe noe more. Wee doe retourne unto you the hearty Thanks of this Kingdome, for the willing and ready Offer of Assistance you were pleased to make unto us, by your Votes of the 28th of September last, comunicated unto us by Lieutenant Generall Cromwell; and wee doe earnestly desire the Right Honnorable Houses of Parliament to rest assured, that, next under God, wee place our greatest Strength for carrying on the Worke of Reformation, and setlinge the Peace of this Kingdome, in a firme Conjunction and hearty Correspondence with our Brethren of England.

"Wee are informed, that the Honorable Houses are treating with the King, upon the Propositions formerly presented unto His Majesty by Commissioners of both Kingdomes at Hampton Court; wherein wee trust they will not proceed to a finall Agreement, without haveing Regard to the Interest of this Kingdome: But, above all, wee hould it our Duty seriously to recommend unto both Houses of Parliament, that, as they desire a Blessing from Heaven upon their Proceedings, they be specially carefull that the Propositions concerning the Covenant and Reformation of Religion be setled and agreed on in the First Place, before all Interests whatsoever. And soe soone as wee shall understand that Matters are in a hopefull Way of Agreement betwixt His Majesty and His Kingdomes, wee shal be ready to contribute our uttmost Endeavors for that End. But the late Engagement of the Forces of the Duke of Hamilton against you haveing stopped all Intercourse betwixt us for a long Tyme, wee knowe little of the true State of your Affaires. Wherefore wee have sent this Gentleman, Sir John Cheisly, of Kerswell, who hath bin a Pertaker with us in our Sufferings, and an active Opposer of the late Ingagement, to attend the Honorable Houses of Parliament, and to give unto them an Accompt of our late Proceedings and present Condition; and to represent our reall Indeavors and sincere Resolutions, to preserve inviolably the Union betwixt the Kingdomes, according to the Covenant and Treatyes; for which End, wee doe desire the Honorable Houses to give full Creditt and Trust to him, in all Things which he shall say, in the Name of

"Your most assured Friends and humble Servaunts,

"Loudoun, Cancellarius.

"Signed in the Name, and by the Warrant, of the Committee of Estates.

"Edin'r, 17 Octobr. 1648."

Paper from them, authorizing him to reside here.

"Whereas the Committee of Estates of this Kingdome, consisting of such Members of Parliament as dissented from, and protested in Parliament against, the late unlawfull Ingagement against our Neighbour Nation of England, with whom wee are joyned in Covenant, have found it necessary that some be speedily imployed from this Kingdome to the Right Honorable Houses of the Parliament of England, to informe them concerning our late Proceedings and the present State of our Affaires, and further for preserving and continueing a good Understanding betwixt the Kingdomes: They doe therefore give full Power, Commission, and Charge, to Sir John Cheisly of Kerswell, forthwith to repaire to the Kingdome of England, with Power to him to indeavor the effecting of the Ends aforesaid; and further to doe all such other Affaires as are, or shal be, from Tyme to Tyme, committed unto him by the said Committee of Estates, according to the Instructions now given, or which shal be hereafter given unto him; firme and stable houlding whatsoever he shall doe conforme to the said Instructions.

"Dated at Edinburgh, 17 Octobr. 1648.

"Loudoun, Cancellarius.

"Signed in the Name, and by the Warrant, of the Committee of Estates."

Author of a threatening Letter to Brown, Cler. Parl. to be apprehended.

Whereas there is a dangerous Letter written, by some ill-affected Person, without Name, whereby it appears that John Browne Esquire, Clerk of the Parliaments, is in Danger of his Life: It is Ordered, by the Lords in Parliament assembled, That it is hereby especially recommended and referred to the Judges of the King's Bench, or One of them, to use their uttermost Care and Endeavour, to find out the Author and Writer of the said Letter, and the Abettors thereof; and, for the better Discovery thereof, to examine such Persons as they shall think fit, for their fuller Information thereof, and to take special Care for the Safety and Preservation of the Person of the said John Browne, as much as in them lies, being a Servant of this House, and so much intrusted in the Affairs of the Kingdom; and that the said Judges, or One of them, are hereby authorized and required to bind such Person or Persons to the good Behaviour as they shall see Cause for, upon their Examinations.

Downes to be instituted to Thurnby.

Ordered, That Doctor Heath give Institution and Induction unto Lewis Downes Clerk, to the Rectory of Thurneby, in the County of North'ton, void by the Death of Edward Langham, the last Incumbent; Salvo Jure cujuscunque: William Sanders and Richard Rainsford Esquires, Patrons.

Post Meridiem.

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Adjourn.

Adjourned till 10^a cras.