House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 22 March 1641

Die Luno, 22 Martii, post meridiem.

Privilege of Witnesses.

ORDERED, That those Four that were sent for up by a Warrant, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, as Witnesses to testify in the Cause of Transportation of Gold, be forthwith freed from any Restraint; and shall pay no Fees as Delinquents; but shall enter into Bonds of One thousand Pounds apiece, without Sureties, to appear de die in diem, to testify in the said Cause, at such Times as the House, or the Committee appointed for that Business, shall require.

Mistake in a Bill.

1^a vice lecta est Billa, An Act for the Reforming of some Things mistaken in the last Bill, intituled, An Act for the Relief of the King's Army, &c.;

Upon Question, passed.

Ordered, That Sir Nevill Poole shall, so soon as the Lords are set, carry up this Bill to the Lords.

Navy Supply.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Bill of Tonage and Poundage, any Six or Four of them, do meet Tomorrow at Eight of Clock, at Mr. Treasurer's Chamber, at Whitehall; to treat and confer with such as they shall think fit, upon the Occasions of the Navy.

Subsidies from Convocation.

Mr. Treasurer acquaints the House, that, according to the Directions of this House, he had moved his Majesty, that a Commission might be granted to the Convocation, to enable them to treat of the Granting of Subsidies; and that his Majesty intended to that Purpose to grant them a Commission.

Clergy's Temporal Employments.

The House resumed the Debate of the last Part of the first Head of the Report made from the Committee for the Ministers Remonstrance; and after some Debate, it was

Resolved, upon the Question, That for Bishops, or any other Clergymen whatsoever, to have Employments, as Privy Counsellors, at the Council-table, or in Temporal Offices, is a Hindrance to the Discharge of their Spiritual Functions, prejudic/?/ to the Commonwealth, and fit to be taken away by Bill; and that a Bill be drawn accordingly.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Committee for the Ministers Remonstrance shall sit on Monday next at Two of Clock, in the Exchequer-chamber; and have Power to hear such Ministers, as have desire to be heard, upon the Point of sole Power of Bishops in Ordination and Censures, if they shall then desire it; and to hear such others, as they shall think fit.

Ordered, That, when the House next sits, they shall enter into Consideration of that Part of the Report from the Committee for the Ministers Remonstrance, which concerns Deans and Chapters.

Earl of Straford.

Ordered, That, in Case the Earl of Straford shall ask Leave, or shall have Liberty given him, to speak any thing by way of Defence, before such Time as the Members, that are appointed to manage the Evidence, shall enter into the Managing of their Evidence, that then they shall interpose; and if so be, that notwithstanding such Interposition, the Lords shall give Leave so to speak, that then they shall forbear to proceed any farther in the Managing of their Evidence, until they have repaired unto the House, and received farther Order from them.

Affairs of both Kingdoms.

A Message from the Lords, by Judge Reeves and Mr. Serjeant Whittfield;

The Lords desire a Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, touching the Matter of the last Conference, concerning the Affairs of both Kingdoms, and concerning the Sitting of both Houses, To-morrow in the Afternoon.

Answer returned by the same Messengers;

This House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and will give a Meeting presently, as is desired.

Mr. Treasurer, Sir H. Vane, Mr. Perpoint, Mr. Nath. Fines, Sir Jo. Strangewayes, Mr. Hollis, Sir Anth. Irby, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

House to meet in the Hall.

Ordered, That the House meet To-morrow, at the Hall, as a Committee.

House to sit.

Ordered, That the House sit To-morrow in the Afternoon at Two of Clock.

Trial of Earl of Straford.

Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed shall attend at the Doors, at the Entrance of the Place prepared for the Committee of the House of Commons, at the Trial of the Earl of Straford.