House of Lords Journal Volume 5: 14 March 1643

DIE Martis, videlicet, 14 die Martii.

PRAYERS.

Earl of Manchester, Speaker this Day.

Serjeant Major Thorpe, a Pass to France.

Ordered, That Serjeant Major Thorpe shall have a Pass, to go with Two Servants into France.

Mr. Noell desires to be released upon Bail; and a Protection for his Woods in Northamptonshire.

The House being informed, "That Mr. Henry Noell was without;" their Lordships Ordered to have him called in, and received a Paper from him, which was the Effect of what he had to say to their Lordships; which this House received, and commanded the same to be read: Which being read, he was commanded to withdraw, and the House took the Narration of his Usage into Consideration.

He desiring "this House to be a Means to the House of Commons, by whom he was committed, that he might be released, or go upon Bail, to follow his Business; and that this House would please to give him a Protection, that his Woods in Lyncolneshire may be preserved from Cutting and Spoiling:"

Hereupon this House Ordered, To communicate his Narration to the House of Commons at the next Conference; and that a Protection of this House shall be granted him, for preserving his Woods from Cutting and Spoiling.

Conference about the Cessation reported.

The Speaker reported the Effect of the Conference with the House of Commons Yesterday, concerning the Articles touching the Cessation of Arms; and to acquaint their Lordships with some Alterations which the House of Commons have made in the Paper they received from their Lordships, touching the Qualifications and Limitation of the Cessation, which they offer to their Lordships Consideration. (Here enter it.)

Message from the H. C. for a Conference, about the intended Massacre in Bristol.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir John Wray, Knight:

To desire a Conference, so soon as may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, touching Letters received concerning the bloody Massacre as was intended in the City of Bristoll.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will give a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, as is desired.

Earl of Rutland, a Protection for his House, &c.

Ordered, That the Earl of Rutland shall have a Protection, to preserve his House and his Goods and Chattels from Plundering, and taking them away.

Assessment of the Lords.

The House taking into Consideration the rating of their Houses in London and Westm. towards the Weekly Supply for the Maintenance of the Army; their Lordships Ordered and appointed, That the several Rates and Assessments of the Houses of Peers in London and Westm. and the Liberties thereof, shall be made by the several Assessors of each (fn. 1) Parish, according to the usual Manner in other Rates and Assessments made in the several Parishes.

Walker committed, for writing scandalous Pamphlets.

Ordered, That Tho. Walker, the Author of divers scandalous Books and Pamphlets, shall be committed to the Prison of The Fleete, until the Pleasure of this House be further known; and the Witnesses to attend this House To-morrow Morning, to give Evidence against the said Walker.

This House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed.

Conference about the Information of the intended Massacre at Bristol reported.

And the Speaker reported the Effect of this Conference; which was, "To communicate to their Lordships divers Letters received from Bristoll; shewing that there is a Discovery of a great Massacre, which was intended to be at Bristoll, by Treachery of some in that City.

"The Letters were read, declaring the Plot and Massacre as was intended to have been made at Bristoll. (Here enter them, Four Letters.)

"Upon the Consideration thereof, the House of Commons have made divers Votes, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence; which were read; videlicet,

Votes concerning it.

"1. That a Declaration may pass from both Houses, to set forth this Conspiracy to the whole Kingdom."

Ordered, That this House agrees with the House of Commons in this Vote, and appoints the Earl of Pembrooke, the Lord Viscount Say & Seale, and the Lord Wharton, to join with a proportionable Number of the House of Commons, to draw up a Declaration to the whole Kingdom of this Conspiracy, when the Examinations shall be received, that so the Particulars might be expressed.

"2. That an Ordinance may pass, for seizing the Estates of all the Conspirators, to be employed for the Maintenance of the War."

Agreed to.

"3. That a Time may be appointed, for solemnizing this Deliverance, in this City, and through the Kingdom."

Agreed to, and the next Lords-day appointed for the giving of Public Thanks.

"4. That the Conspirators may be proceeded against, by Directions from the Lord General, according to the Law of Arms."

Agreed to.

"5. That Instructions may go to the Forces in all the Parts of the Kingdom, to quicken them for the Disarming of all Malignants, and for the preventing of them to gather together to an Head."

Agreed to.

Letters, containing the Information, to be printed.

Ordered, That the Letters brought up from the House of Commons shall be forthwith printed and published.

Message to the H. C. to acquaint them with it; and that the Lords have appointed a Public Thanksgiving.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Serjeant Whitfeild and Serjeant Glanvile:

To let them know, That their Lordships do agree with the House of Commons in the Votes concerning Bristoll; and have Ordered the Letters to be printed, and have appointed Three Lords Committees to join with the House of Commons, to draw up a Declaration to the whole Kingdom, when the Examinations shall be sent from Bristoll; and that their Lordships have appointed the next Lords-day for the giving of Public Thanks for this Delivery, in the Cities of London and Westm.

Thanks to be given to the Governor and Magistrates of Bristol, for their Vigilance.

Ordered, That a Letter be written to the Mayor of Bristoll, and Aldermen, and the Governor, to give them Thanks for their Care and Vigilancy, for the Good of that City, in discovering and preventing (fn. 2) the late Conspiracy, and to inclose the Votes therein, that so Monies may be raised upon Delinquents. (Here enter the Letter.)

Order for a Public Thanksgiving, for the Delivery at Bristol from the intended Massacre.

Ordered, That an Order be sent to the Lord Mayor of the City of London, to desire him to give Order, That Public Thanks be given to Almighty God on Sunday next, in all Parishes, Churches and Chapels, within the said City and the Liberties thereof, for the great Deliverance from the Conspiracy at Bristoll.

The like Order to be directed to the Justices of Westm. for the City of Westm. and the Liberties thereof.

Speaker to write to the Ld. General, for his Advice, about the Third Article of the Cessation.

Ordered, according to the Votes of the House of Commons, That a Letter from the Speaker be sent to the Lord General, to desire his Advice concerning the Third Article of the Cessation, touching the Quartering of the Armies.

The Messengers sent to the House of Commons return with this Answer:

Answer.

That they have delivered their Message.

Message to the H. C. that the Lords have voted the Thanks of the House to the Governor and Magistrates of Bristol; and that the Delinquents Estates shall be seized.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Serjeant Whitfeild and Serjeant Glanvile:

To let them know, that their Lordships have appointed a Letter to be written to the Governor, Mayor, and Aldermen, and Soldiers of the City of Bristoll, to give them Thanks for their Care and Industry in preventing the late Conspiracy there; and to send them inclosed the Votes of both Houses, that so they may seize the Estates of Delinquents that have been (fn. 3) in the Conspiracy, and the proceeding against them by Martial Law; and, when the Letter is done, their Lordships will send it down to be subscribed by their Speaker, with the Speaker of this House.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

The House of Commons agrees that their Speaker shall sign such a Letter, of the Effect their Lordships mention; and that the Two Votes be sent to the Mayor of Bristoll.

Message to the H. C. that the Lords have sent for the Ld. General's Advice, about the Third Article of the Cessation.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Serjeant Whitfeild and Serjeant Glanvile:

To let the House of Commons know, That their Lordships do agree with them in sending the Third Article to the Lord General, touching the Quartering of the Armies, to receive his Advice therein; and that their Lordships have appointed the Speaker of this House to send the same to the Lord General.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

Answer.

That they have delivered their Message to the House of Commons.

Duke of Vendosine to transport Horses.

Ordered, That the Duke of Vandosme shall have a Pass, to transport Fifty Horses, Custom-free, into France, according to His Majesty's Licence.

Emperor's Agent, a Pass.

Ordered, That the Emperor's Agent shall have a Pass, to go to Oxford, and return again quietly.

Order to seize the Estates of Delinquents, concerned in the late Conspiracy in Bristol; and to give Thanks to the Governor and Magistrates.

"The Lords and Commons having received an Information from you, of the wicked and desperate Design which should have been put in Execution by the Malignants in your Town, and of your Care and Industry, which, by the good-guiding Providence of Almighty God, hath prevented that bloody and cruel Intention, and likewise kept the City from Surprize by the Force and Power which appeared against it, have in the First Place Ordained, That Public Thanks be given to God, the Author of this Deliverance, and, next under Him, unto you, to whom they acknowledge the Preservation of the City: They desire you to continue constant in your Care and Resolution; and, that you may the better supply yourselves with Money and other Necessaries, they desire you to put the Order in Execution touching the Estates of the Conspirators; and they desire you to give Thanks unto the Officers, Soldiers, and other well-affected Citizens, who have shewed their Fidelity upon this Occasion; and they assure you, that there shall be nothing wanting in them, that may express their Care of you and the rest of the City, who have shewed themselves so faithful to the Parliament in a Thing of so great Consequence to the Public as is the Safety of the City of Bristoll. This is that we have in Command from the Houses of Parliament; and thus we commit you to the Protection of the Almighty; and rest.

"To the Honourable Colonel Fiennes, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Bristoll."

Alterations by the H. C. in the Articles for a Cessation of Arms.

"1. That the Forces of neither Army shall advance their Quarters nearer to each other than they shall be upon the Day to be agreed on for the Cessation to begin, nor remove above Twelve Miles from that Place.

"2. To the Seventh Article, to make this Answer, That, as soon as His Majesty shall be pleased to disband the Armies, according to the Desire of both Houses, and to disarm the Papists according to Law, the Subjects may then enjoy the Benefit of Peace, in the Liberty of their Persons, Goods, and Freedom of Trade; but, so long as the Armies are on Foot, there is a Necessity of Provision for Maintenance of the Soldiers; and that the Order and Discipline of War should be observed, for Restraint of Persons and Goods: Wherefore they cannot farther agree to the Seventh Article, but only that the Generals and Commanders of both Sides shall keep the Soldiers from Plundering, which they have always disliked and forbidden.

"3. That the Third Article, concerning the settling and removing of Quarters, be sent to the Lord General, for his Advice, because it merely concerns the Army.

"4. That the Day for the Treaty and Cessation to begin shall be the Twentieth of this Instant March.

"["And all other Commodities"], this is added in the First Article, because there is no Restraint of Commodities in the Second Article.

"Reasons for not agreeing to the Passage of any Persons without Safe Conduct:

"1. That the frequent Searches and Examinations upon the Passage will be so full of Trouble and Charge, as that the Subject will have no Benefit at all in so short a Time.

"2. That it will be a Means not only to colour other prohibited Goods, as Money and Munition, but will empty the City of Tradesmen and Merchants, and give such who are ill-affected Opportunity to transport their Estates to Oxford, and, by Means of their Merchandize, to draw great Sums of Money to that and other Places in the King's Power.

"3. That it will be a Means to fill the City with dangerous and discontented Persons, and give Opportunity for the accomplishing of some mischievous Design, to the Disturbance of the Peace, and Hazard of the Safety thereof.

"That the House of Commons cannot agree to the First Clause of the Third Article, because there is a Removal and Alteration of Quarters; nor to the Alteration sent from the Lords concerning Messengers, because we shall have no Advantage by this Clause; for we can send Messengers to all our Quarters without Interruption of the King's Forces, but the King cannot send Messengers from Oxford to Yorke without Interruption by our Forces.

"That the House of Commons cannot agree that, for the Twenty Days Cessation, no Ships of the next Summer's Fleet be set forth; but desire they may (fn. 4) go forth to Sea, for these Reasons following:

"1. That there are many Ships ready to go out to Sea, which they presume their Lordships did not know of.

"2. If the Ships go not forth to Sea, the Parliament will receive great Loss, both in Wages of Men and Victuals.

"3. If we have not Ships abroad to guard the Seas, the Kingdom will be in Danger to be invaded by Foreign Enemies.

"4. Those Ships that are appointed for guarding the Coasts of Ireland cannot go away, which will be a Prejudice to that Kingdom.

"5. There is Store of Ammunition and other Provisions to be sent to Ireland for their Relief, which cannot go if the Ships be detained from going, because they shall want Convoy.

"6. Merchants forbear to send out their Ships with Goods, till the Fleet is at Sea, to secure them from being taken by Enemies; which is a great Obstruction of Trade, because they cannot be conveyed from Port to Port."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a cras.