House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 18 December 1641

DIE Sabbati, videlicet, 18 die Decembris.

PRAYERS.

The King's Answer, concerning the Fast.

The Lord Steward reported, "That he had presented the humble Desires of both Houses for keeping of the Fast the Three Days as both Houses have appointed; and His Majesty is pleased to give Way thereunto, that they be kept as both Houses have agreed on."

The Earl of Bristoll and the Lord Viscount Say & Seale presented a Paper, containing the Sense of the House Yesterday concerning the First Proposition of the Scotts Commissioners, which was read, in hæc verba:

Scots Proposition, concerning Ireland.

"That the House of Peers will assent to the sending of Ten Thousand Scotts; but under this Condition, that it be presently voted in both Houses, and assented unto by His Majesty, That Ten Thousand English be likewise sent, with all the possible Speed as may be; and that all such Monies as shall be raised and assigned for this Expedition be equally divided, and that Proportion as belongeth to the English be not meddled withall upon any Occasion, but be wholly employed for the raising and sending away of the Ten Thousand English; and this is likewise to be understood besides the Two Thousand English Horse, which have been in Proposition to be desired."

This was approved of to be the Sense of the House Yesterday.

A Message was brought up from the House of Commons, by Arthur Goodwin, Esquire:

Message from the H. C. to impeach Daniel O Neale of High Treason.

To let their Lordships know, that he was commanded, by the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses for the Commons now assembled in Parliament, to accuse, and in the Name of the House of Commons and of all the Commons of England did accuse, Daniell Oneile of High Treason; and further he was to desire, that their Lordships would (fn. 1) send for the said Daniell Oneile, and commit him to safe Custody; and in convenient Time the House of Commons will bring up the particular Charge against him.

O Neale sent for.

Hereupon it is Ordered by this House, That a Warrant be sent, for to bring Daniell Oneale to this House, as a Delinquent, which accordingly was done presently; and it was further Ordered, That when the said Daniell Oneale is brought to this House, and the Accusation made known unto him, that he shall be committed to the Prison of The Gatehouse, there to remain until the Pleasure of this House be further known.

Committed.

Then the said Daniell Oneale was brought to the Bar as a Delinquent; and the Lord Keeper, by the Command of the House, told him, "That he is accused by the House of Commons, in the Name of the House of Commons, and of all the Commons of England, of High Treason; and that this House doth commit (fn. 2) him to the Prison of The Gatehouse in Westm. there to remain until the Pleasure of this House be further known."

Bill for pressing.

After this, the Bill for the pressing of Soldiers for the Service of Ireland was re-committed to a Committee of the whole (fn. 2) House, to consider of the Amendments in the said Bill; and it was moved, "That, before it be debated by the House, that Mr. Attorney may be heard what he can say for the King therein (if he desire it)."

Hereupon Mr. Attorney General desired the House to give him Leave to be heard for the King, concerning the said Bill; which the House gave Way unto: and then presently Mr. Attorney made a long Argument in the King's Behalf; which being done, the House Ordered, That the Debate of the said Bill for pressing of Soldiers should be upon Monday next.

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

Message to the H. C. that the King consents to the Fast.

To let them know, that their Lordships having sent some Lords to attend the King, to move Him for keeping the Fast as is agreed upon by both Houses, His Majesty consents thereunto.

Benyon sent for, for Contempt.

Ordered, etc. That George Bynion shall appear before the Lords in Parliament, on Thursday, being the 22d of this Instant December, to answer such Matters as he stands charged withall, for speaking contemptuous Words against the Honour and Dignity of this High Court; and it is further Ordered, That all the Witnesses in the said Cause shall attend the Lords in Parliament at the same Time.

Clarke, Keeper of Ludgate, and the Sheriffs of London, their Discharge of Escapes.

Whereas Thomas Clarke, Keeper of Ludgate, hath, upon an Order of this House, dated the 26th of November 1641, without Writ, brought Robert Stephens, a menial Servant to the Earl Rivers (being under Execution in his Custody at the Suit of George Bynion), unto the Bar in the Upper House of Parliament; and after, by Order of the said House, dated the 27th of the said Month, released him of his said Imprisonment; it is Resolved, and Declared, by the Lords in Parliament, That the said Bringing and Releasing of the said Stephens were lawfully done, and according to the Privilege and Power of the said House; and it is thereupon Ordered by the Lords in Parliament, That the Sheriffs of the City of London and the said Thomas Clarke shall be freed of and from any Suit, Arrest, Disturbance, or any other Prejudice whatsoever, that shall or may any Ways happen or come unto them, or either of them, by, or by reason of, their Bringing up unto the Parliament, Discharging, or Releasing, the said Stephens, upon the said Orders of the 26th and 27th of November, as aforesaid, notwithstanding any Execution or Action whatsoever laid upon him, they the said Sheriffs and Keeper having done nothing, in the Obeying of the said Orders of this House, more than hath been done in former Parliaments, and that which is agreeable to the Laws of this Kingdom and the Privileges of this House.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Lunæ, videlicet, 20^m diem instantis Decembris, hora 12^a, Dominis sic decernentibus.