House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 21 December 1640

Die Lunæ, 21 Decembr. 1640.

PRAYERS.

Leave of Absence.

SIR William Allinson has Leave to be absent.

Mr. Collop, One of the Burgesses for Southampton, has Leave to be absent.

Colonel Goringe has Leave to retire to his Charge at Portsmouth for Ten Days.

Illegal Exactions, &c.

The Petition of the Inhabitants of Weymouth and Melcomb Regis, was read.

Sir Jo. Strangewayes, Sir A. Ingram, Sir W. Erle, Mr. Rolls, Sir Chr. Wray, Mr. Warrick, Sir Ro. Pye, Mr. Capell, Mr. Roes, Mr. Broxam, Mr. Whittlock, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Whistler, Mr. Moore, Sir Jo. Colpepper, Mr. Strangewayes, Mr. Noell, Mr. Owfield, Mr. Whittamore, Mr. Glinne, Sir Edw. Hungerford, the Barons and Burgesses of all the Ports and Sea Towns, the Citizens and Burgesses of London;

This Committee is to take into Consideration the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Waymouth; and to consider of the Exactions and Misdemeanours of the King's Officers, the Farmers and other Officers of the Custom-house of London, Waymouth, and all other Port-towns; and they are likewise to consider of some fit Way of Redress and Reparations to be made to the Parties grieved: And the several Patents for Salt, Soap, Leather, and Wines, are referred to the Consideration of this Committee: And they have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Bonds, Contracts, Covenants, Books, Records, or anything else, that may any ways concern or conduce to this Business; and they are to meet on Wednesday in the Afternoon, at Two of Clock, in the Exchequer-chamber.

Privilege.

Ordered, That Tho. Plenty, Tho. Carter, and Francis Parry, who are informed against, that, in Breach and Contempt of the Privilege of this House, they arrested Three of the menial Servants of Mr. Hollys, a Member of this House, be forthwith sent for as Delinquents, by the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House, to answer this their Contempt.

Lord Finch impeached.

Upon an Intimation given to this House, by a Member of this House, that the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, understanding that there was Complaints against him in the House, desired that he might be heard to say something to the House, before the House voted any thing against him;

It was condescended unto; and he was admitted in this manner:

There was a Chair set for him, to make use of, if he pleased; and a Stool to lay the Purse upon, a little on this Side the Bar, on the Left Hand, as you come in: He himself brought in the Purse, and laid it in the Chair; but would not sit down himself, nor put on his Hat, though he was moved to it by Mr. Speaker; but spake all the while bare-headed, and standing; the Serjeant at Arms attending on the House standing by him, with the Mace on his Shoulder:

After he had spoke a long while, and had retired; it was moved, That this Admission of the Lord Keeper might not be drawn into Precedent for future Times.

Resolved, upon the Question, That Jo. Lord Finch, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, shall be accused by this House, in the Name of all the Commons of England, of High Treason, and other great Misdemeanours.

Resolved, upon the Question, That a Message be forthwith sent to the Lords to accuse Jo. Lord Finch, Baron of Forditch, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, of High Treason, and other great Misdemeanours, in the Name of this House, and of all the Commons of England; and to desire, that he may be forthwith sequestred from Parliament, and be committed, and that, within some convenient Time, this House will resort to their Lordships with particular Accusations, and Articles against him.

The Lord Falkland is to go up with this Message.

Leave of Absence.

Mr. Ashburneham has Leave to go into the Country for some few Days, his Wife at this time lying a dying.