House of Lords Journal Volume 9: 1 September 1647

DIE Mercurii, 1 die Septembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Ash.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Bachelor's Ordinance to be a Fellow of Eaton.

An Ordinance was brought in, and passed, for making Mr. John Bachelor One of the Fellows of Eaton Colledge, in the Place of Doctor Meredith; and that it be sent to the House of Commons, for their Concurrence.

Message from the H. C. with Orders.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Pye Knight;

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in these Particulars:

1. An Order for the Committee of both Kingdoms to meet the Scotch Commissioners at Derby House this Afternoon, to receive their Answer concerning the Propositions, &c. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

2. An Order for the Scotch Commissioners to have Notice to meet this Afternoon, &c. (Here enter.)

Agreed to.

3. An Order for the Commissioners at Gouldsmith Hall to meet again, as formerly, &c. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to all the Orders now brought up.

Pett to succeed his Father, as Commissioner of the Navy at Chatham.

Upon reading the Petition of Peter Pett Junior; shewing, "That he hath served the King and Parliament for divers Years, in the Building of The Charles, Leopard, Sov'aigne, Prince Royall, and of late The Adventure Frigott; which Services, (fn. 1) as they were hazardous to Reputation, chargeable in Point of Expence, so they were performed with incomparable Success; notwithstanding which, he never had either Reward or Preferment, by reason he was promised he should succeed his Father, Captain Phineas Pett, in the Place of a Principal Officer and Commissioner of His Majesty's Navy at Chatham, in case he survived him: Now, whereas the said Captain Phineas Pett is lately deceased at Chatham, by which Means the Place is void; his humble Request is, That their Lordships would confer the said Place of Principal Officer and Commissioner of His Majesty's Navy at Chatham upon him, by Ordinance of Parliament, together with such Allowance of Means as was formerly granted to his said Father."

It is Ordered, That this House thinks it fit the said Peter Pett shall have the said Place of his Father, with the Allowances, conferred upon him, as is desired; and that the Concurrence of the House of Commons be desired herein.

Letter from the Scots Commissioners.

A Letter from the Scotch Commissioners, was read.

(Here enter it.)

It is Ordered, To be communicated to the House of Commons; and desire their Concurrence, that the Consideration of the Matter of Fact be referred to the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, and what is fit to be done thereupon; and make speedy Report thereof to the Houses.

Propositions to be presented to the King.

Ordered, That the Propositions of both Kingdoms for a safe and well-grounded Peace shall be presented to the King on Tuesday next; and that the Scotts Commissioners be acquainted therewith, and they desired to go along with such a Committee of Lords and Commons as shall be appointed by both Houses to present the same; and the Concurrence of the House of Commons to be desired herein.

Parrere's and Muns' Petition.

Upon reading the Petition of Abraham and Isaac Parrere and George Munes, Merchants at Amsterdam:

(Here enter it.)

It is Ordered, To be referred to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, to examine the same, and report the same to the Houses.

Message to the H. C. about the Letter from the Scots Commissioners;—about presenting the Propositions to the King; —with Pett's Petition;— and Bachelor's Ordinance.

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

1. To desire their Concurrence in the Order for referring the Letters from the Scotch Commissioners to the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, and communicate the said Letters unto them.

2. To desire their Concurrence in the Order for presenting the Propositions to the King on Tuesday next, &c.

3. To deliver the Petition of Peter Pett to them; and desire their Concurrence, that he may have his Father's Place conferred upon him, as is desired.

4. To deliver the Ordinance for making Mr. Bachelor One of the Fellows of Eaton Colledge, in the Place of Doctor Meredith; and desire their Concurrence therein.

Wombwell to succeed Newman, a King's Waiter.

Upon reading the Petition of Wm. Womwell; shewing, "That Mr. Laurance Newman, One of the King's "Waiters of the Custom-house, lies very ill, and past Recovery, as it is credibly informed; and desires their Lordships would please to confer the said Place upon him, in case the said Mr. Newman shall die:"

It is Ordered, in regard of the constant Service and Attendance upon this House of the Petitioner, That it be referred to the Committee for the Navy, that the said Wm. Womwell may have the Place of the said Laurance Newman, in case he die.

Woodman to be instituted to Slynfold.

Ordered, That Doctor Heath shall give Institution and Induction to Mathew Woodman Batchelor of Arts, to the Rectory of Slynfold, in Com. Sussex; presented thereunto by the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England: This with a salvo Jure cujuscunque.

Committee to consider of the Lords who sat while the Speakers, &c. were with the Army.

Ordered, That these Lords following shall meet on Thursday next, in the Afternoon; and have Power to adjourn themselves from Time to Time, to consider what they think fit to be offered to this House, concerning those Lords that did sit in this House in the Absence of both Speakers; and to make Report thereof on Friday Morning next:

Any Three.

Committee to consider of the Violence offered to the Houses.

Ordered, That the Lord La Warr be added to the Committee for Examination of the Force and Violence offered to the Parliament; and the House of Commons to be desired [ (fn. 2) to add] a proportionable Number of their House.

Safety of the Parliament.

The Earl of Denbigh reported divers Papers from the Committee appointed to consider of a Way for the Security of the Parliament when the Army shall be withdrawn. (Here enter them.)

Ordinance to settle the London, &c. Militia.

Ordered, That these Lords following shall draw up an Ordinance for settling the Militia of London, &c. and to name the Persons, and to present the same to this House:

Any Two, to meet presently.

These Lords accordingly did presently withdraw themselves.

Message from the H. C. for the Commissioners with the King to present the Propositions; and to acquaint the Scots Commissioners with it.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Thomas Dacres Knight, &c.

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in Two Votes:

1. That the Commissioners of both Houses with the King shall be the Persons appointed by both Houses to present the Propositions to the King.

Agreed to.

2. That the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms do acquaint the Scotts Commissioners with this Vote.

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Vote and Order now brought up.

Ordinance to settle the Militia of London, &c.;

The Lord Wharton reported from the Committee an Ordinance for settling the Militia of the City of London; which was read Thrice, and approved of; and Ordered to be sent down to the House of Commons for their Concurrence.

and One to settle the Southwark Militia.

Ordered, That the same Committee as drew up the Ordinance for the Militia of London shall prepare an Ordinance for settling the Militia for the Borough of Southwarke, and name the Persons; and present the same to this House.

Answer from the H. C.

Mr. Page and Mr. Sadler return with this Answer from the House of Commons:

That they agree to the Order for sending the Propositions to the King on Tuesday next, and to the adding One Lord to the Committee for examining the Force: To all the rest, they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message to them, with the Ordinance to settle the London Militia.

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

To deliver to them the Ordinance for settling the Militia of the City of London, and to desire their Concurrence therein.

Committees to meet about the Scots Commissioners Answer to the Propositions.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms do meet this Afternoon, to desire and receive the Answer of the Scotts Commissioners, concerning their joining in presenting the Propositions for Peace to the King.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Notice be forthwith given to the Commissioners of Scotland, to acquaint them, That the Members of both Houses that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms are appointed to meet this Afternoon, to receive their Answer touching their joining in presenting the Propositions for Peace to the King, and are appointed to report To-morrow Morning."

Committee for Compositions to meet.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Committee at Gouldsmiths Hall shall meet and constantly sit upon the usual Days as formerly; and may consider of some effectual Course for levying and bringing in the Monies owing there; and report it to the Houses."

Parrere's and Munes' Petition, for Restitution of Wool, &c. taken in a Galliot of theirs by Capt. Beddel.

To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament of England, at Westm'r.

"The humble Petition of Abraham and Isaac Parrere and George Munes, Merchants at Amsterdam;

"Humbly sheweth,

"That your Petitioners freighted a Ship at Amsterdam, called The Charity of Hamburgh, whereof was Master one Joachim Haveman, towards St. Andre, in Bisaye, where was laden in her, about March last, for your Petitioners Account, Two Hundred and Ninety and Two Bags of Spanish Wool, to go directly with the same for Amsterdam aforesaid; but is the said Ship in her Return taken and surprized at Sea, by Two Irish Men of War, who brought her into the River of Waterford, where the said Ship and Goods are adjudged for Prize, because the Master did confess aboard the said Irish Ships (he thought they had been English) that he was bound for London; whereupon the said Owners, and some other Merchants of Amsterdam, understanding the Taking of their said Ship, and that the same was brought into the River of Waterford, did resolve to hire a Galliot to be (fn. 3) sent for Ireland, and with the same one Christopher Peterson, with Order and full Power to recover the said Wools, and bring the same into Holland; and, the better to facilitate the Business, was provided with Letters of Recommendation from the Lords The States Generall to the Magistrate of Waterford aforesaid, and another Letter from Mr. Strickland your Honours Agent in The Hague, to the Commanders or Captains at Sea in the Parliament's Service whom he should meet, that they should not hinder him in his intended Voyage (the said Galliot having nothing else in her but Ballast); but rather to be assistened in his lawful Undertakings, considering the Equity of the Cause.

The said Galliot being arrived at Waterford; and the said Christopher Peterson having after much Trouble and Costs recovered Part of the said Wools, was, upon his Voyage towards Amsterdam, in open Sea, surprized and taken of one Captain Bedbell in the Parliament's Service; and hath brought the said Galliot, with her Lading, into the River The Tamise, where she still remains; the said Captain having taken from the said Christopher Peterson some of his Writings, and amongst the rest the Letter of Mr. Strickland aforesaid, with some Money and some other Things.

"Your Honours are most humbly prayed, to take the Premises into Consideration, and to give a speedy Order for the Restitution of the said Galliot, the Goods, and all other Things taken from the said Christopher Peterson.

"And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c."

Report concerning the late Violence offered to the Houses, and for their future Safety.

"Die Mercurii, 1^mo Septembris, 1647.

At the Committee of Lords and Commons appointed to examine the Matter of Force and Violence offered to the Parliament the 26 of July last.

"The Report from the Sub-committee appointed by this Committee to consider of a Way for the Security of the Parliament when the Army shall be withdrawn, being now read, is approved of by this Committee.

And, upon the Question,

"Resolved, That the said Report, together with the Resolution from the General Officers specified in the said Report, be reported to the House of Peers.

"Resolved, That the Earl of Denbigh be desired to make this Report accordingly.

"Miles Corbett."

"At Putney, 30th August, 1647.

At the Sub-committee of Lords and Commons appointed by the Committee to examine the Force offered the Parliament, by Order of the 27th of August, 1647.

Resolved, That a new Militia be constituted in the City of London by Ordinance, and fitting Persons that may be confided in employed.

"Resolved, That the Trained Bands and Auxiliaries of the Hamlets of The Tower shall be under the immediate Power and Command of the Constable of The Tower and his Lieutenant, as they were lately under the Militia of London; and that the Constable and his Lieutenant shall have Power to name a Subcommittee for the Militia of the Hamlets, as the Militia of London lately had.

"Resolved, That it be referred unto the General and his Officers, to consider what constant and ordinary Guard will be fit for the Safety of The Tower, and to certify the Numbers and Entertainment to the Committee appointed to examine the Force offered to the Parliament, that an Establishment may be made; and to consider and certify their Opinions to the Sub-committee, admitting the Army remove from the City, what shall be done with the Line of Commucation and the Forts about London.

Resolved, That there be a distinct Militia chosen by the Parliament for Southwarke and the Parts adjoining, now within the Line; and the like for Westm'r and Middlesex, within the Line.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, in order to the Safety of the Parliament and City, That the Committee would take such principal Persons of the City as have had a Hand in the late Tumult, and endeavouring to raise a new War, into present Consideration; and report the State of their Misdemeanors to the Houses, to be brought to speedy Justice, to the End that such as are faulty may be removed; and that fit Persons may be put into those Places of Trust they now enjoy.

Resolved, That the Houses may be moved, to consider of their Power concerning the Adjournment of the Houses unto some other Place; until which be declared, it is very difficult to offer that which may be for the future Security of the Parliament's Sitting, other than by the Body of the Army.

"Ordered; That the Earl of Northumberland be desired to report these Resolutions, as the Opinion of this Sub-committee, to the Committee appointed to examine the Force and Violence offered to the Parliament the 26th of July last, together with the Answer of the General and his Officers to those Two Points referred by this Sub-committee to them."

Opinion of Sir T. Fairfax, &c. for the Safety of the Houses.

"30th August, 1647.

The General and Officers Answer to the Points referred to them by the Sub-committee.

To that Point concerning the Line of Communication and Forts about the Cities of London and Westm'r and Borough of Southwarke (wherein your Lordships have desired our Opinions), we answer, That we conceive it necessary that the whole Line of Communication, as also all the Forts upon and about the same, be effectually slighted, before the Army draw off from the present Quarters about the City.

"To the other Point, concerning the Guards of The Tower, we shall return our Opinion within Three or Four Days."

"Die Veneris, 27 Augusti, 1647.

At the Committee of Lords and Commons appointed to examine the Matter of Force of fered to the Parliament the 26th of July last.

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the

"Or any Three of them, to consider of some Way for the Security of the Parliament, when the Army shall be drawn; and to advise with his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairefax and the Officers of the Army to that Purpose; and to report their Opinions to this Committee, with all convenient Speed.

Letter from the Scots Commissioners, with the following One.

For the Right Honnorable the Speaker of the House of Peeres pro Tempore.

Right Honnorable,

Wee are comaunded, by the Committee of Estates of the Kingdome of Scotland, to deliver this inclosed Letter to both the Houses of the Parliament of England; and to desire that a speedy Answere may be retourned thereto, that the Messenger who is sent to attend the same may be hasted backe. Wee therefore intreate your Lordship to communicate the said Letter to the Honnorable Houses; and rest

Worcester House, the 30th of Aug. 1647.

Your Lordship's
Humble Servaunts,
Ex'r.
Charles Erskine.
Hew Kennedy. Ro. Barclay."

Letter from the States of Scotland, desiring Reparation for the Insult offered to the E. of Lauderdail at Woburn;— for stopping and searching their Messengers;—and desiring their Commissioners may for the future have free Access to the King and the Houses.

Right Honnorable,

"Wee have heard, and not without Amazement, that the Earle of Lautherdaill, One of the Commissioners employed by this Kingdome, haveing, in Pursuance of our Directions, repaired to His Majesty, was in a violent Manner forced away, by some Souldiers in Sir Thomas Fairefaxe's Army, contrary to the Lawe of Nations, and a particuler Agreement betwixt the Kingdomes. Wee doe likewise finde that Letters and Messengers directed to us from our Commissioners have bin intercepted, whereby that happy Correspondence which hath bin formerly betwixt the Kingdomes is interrupted. And, after serious Deliberation, wee have thought good hereby to desire from the Houses of Parliament Reparation of these Injuryes, especially of that done to the Earle of Lauderdaill, which wee looke upon as done to this Kingdome; nor can wee in Reason thinke (though wee should be silent) that the Houses of Parliament will suffer soe greate an Offence to escape unpunished. And because wee cannott expect a free Intercourse and Comunication of Affaires betwixt the Kingdomes for the future, unlesse there be a Protection of the Persons of our Commissioners from all Injury and Violence, and a free Passage for Messengers, Packetts, and Letters, betwixt us and them; wee doe further desire that wee may have Assurance, under the Hands of the Speakers of both Houses, and of Sir Thomas Fairefax and his Counsell of Warre, that our Commissioners, and such others as shal be imployed by us hereafter, with their Retinew, or such as shall have Passes from us, shall have free Accesse to His Majesty and to the Houses of Parliament, and be permitted to stay there and retourne thither at their Pleasure, without any Molestation or Restraint whatsoever; as alsoe that all Messengers, Packetts, or Letters, sent from us to them; or from them to us, shall freely passe without any Manner of Interruption. And to the End all these may be the better observed, wee desire Intimation to be made thereof to all Comaunders of Garrisons and other Officers and Souldiers, whereunto wee desire and expect your speedy Answere by this Bearer. Wee desire alsoe that there bee a free Commerce and Trafique to all the Subjects of this Kingdome, as in former Tymes before these late Troubles. Wee rest

Edinburgh, 21 Aug. 1647.

"Your affectionate Freinds
and humble Servaunts,
Loudonn,
I. P. D. Com.

"For the Right Honnorable the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westm'r."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a cras.