House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 6 January 1647

DIE Mercurii, 6 Januarii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Ash.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Four Frigates to be built.

The Earl of Warwicke reported a Paper from the Commissioners of the Admiralty, which was read, concerning the building of Four Frigates, &c.

(Here enter it.)

Ordered, That this House approves that the Frigates be built; but this House is of Opinion, that the Wood mentioned in the Report be reserved for the Use of the Navy, in case of Necessity, it being near Chatham.

List of the Summer Fleet.

Another Paper was reported, being a List of the next Year's Fleet: And it is Ordered. That this Report be referred back to the Committee for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, that more of the Navy Royal may be of the next Year's Fleet, and fewer Merchants Ships; and to report the same to this House.

Steward and De Franchi.

The Question being put, "Whether to revoke Captain Stewart's Protection, of the 20 June 1645, now?"

It was Resolved in the Negative.

Ordered, That Captain Walter Stewart shall bring the Cause between him and Nic. Di Franchi to a Hearing in this House, within Ten Days after the Date hereof, or else this House will withdraw his Protection; and that Nic. Di Franchi shall have Notice hereof.

Message from the H. C. with an Ordinance.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Booth:

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in an Ordinance concerning the County of Chester.

The Answer was:

Answer.

That this House will take their, &c.

Message to the H. C. to expedite Two Ordinances.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Aylett and Doctor Heath:

To put them in Mind of the Ordinance formerly sent down to them, concerning Gouldsmithes Hall.

2. To desire them to give Expedition in the Ordinance formerly sent down to them, concerning the Militia of the City of London.

Instructions for the L. Lieut. of Ireland.

The Instructions to be given to the Lord Viscount Lisle, Lord Lieutenant of the Kingdom of Ireland, were read Twice.

It is Ordered, That the Consideration of this Business shall be on Saturday Morning next, against which Time the Judges shall look out what Statutes of Ireland and of England relate to this Business; and that the Precedents of former Instructions and Commissions to Lo. Lieut. of Ireland shall be brought to this House, for the further Information of the House.

Message from the H. C. to sit P. M.

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

To desire their Lordships would please to sit as a House this Afternoon, if it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, in regard of some Letters which are to be sent to the King.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will sit this Afternoon, as is desired.

Pamphlet called Regal Tyranny, found at Overton's House:

His Wife and others apprehended.

Michaell Baker gave this House an Account, "That, according to the Order of this House Yesterday, he hath found divers of the scandalous Books in the House of one Overton, where they were binding up; and he hath apprehended the Wife of the said Overton, and the Person that made them up, and carried them to the Lord Mayor of the City of London, to be kept in safe Custody, until he received the further Directions of this House."

It is Ordered, That the said Michaell Baker shall take the said Persons into his Custody, and bring them before this House this Afternoon.

More scandalous Pamphlets found in his House.

And further the said Baker acquainted the House, "That there were divers other scandalous Pamphlets found in Overton's House; which he hath carried to Stationers Hall, and laid them up, till the Pleasure of this House be known for the disposing of them."

Colonel Ridgley's Petition for Money due to him.

Upon reading the Petition of Colonel Symon Ridgeley; praying, "That the Nine Hundred Seventy-nine Pounds, Four Shillings, Four Pence, formerly granted unto him, by Ordinance of both Houses, out of Sir Edward Littleton's Estate, may be allowed and paid to him Half-yearly, out of the Estates and Lands of such other Delinquents as the Houses shall think fit."

It is Ordered, To be recommended to the House of Commons.

Report from the Committee of the Admiralty, about building Four Frigates.

Die Jovis, 31 Decembris, 1646.

"By the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports.

"Whereas, in respect of the Necessity of these Times, the Increase of the Number and Strength of the Irish Vessels, and the Serviceableness of some Frigates lately built in the River of Thames for the State's Use; this Committee (conceiving it fit that Four other new Frigates be built) did refer it to the Commissioners of the Navy, to consult and certify, upon calling to them the Master Shipwright, what Dimensions will be sit, where they may be most conveniently built, what Proportion of Timber is in the Yards, and how that which appears wanting may be supplied: Now, upon Consideration of the said Commissioners Certificate, and of a Report from some Members of this Committee to whom the said Certificate was referred, the same importing the Commissioners Opinion, That they be all of an equal Burthen, (videlicet,) about Three Hundred and Seventy Tuns apiece, that so their Ordnance, Cables, &c. may be serviceable each to other; that Two of them be built at Deptford, One at Woolwich, and One at Chattam; that, besides the Timber and Plank now in the Yards (being not sufficient for the ordinary Services of the Fleet), it will be necessary to make Provision of other Timber, Treenails, and Planks, the Charge whereof is estimated at Six Thousand Seven Hundred Pounds Sterling; and that, in a Wood belonging to the Crown, and situate within Four Miles of Chattam, there may be had betwixt One Thousand and Fifteen Hundred Load of serviceable Oak, and divers Elms, which would much supply the said Wants, if timely Order be given for the felling and hewing of them; without which, or some other Timber near Chattam, a Frigate cannot be built there: And for that the Charge of the said Frigates will be great, and, upon consulting with the Committee of the Navy, it appears that many Debts lie upon the Navy; it is therefore recommended, from this Committee, to both Houses of Parliament, that the Premises may be taken into their Consideration; and that the Committee of the Navy may be required to examine the State of the Debts upon the Navy, and thereupon offer such Ways as they shall conceive fittest for the raising of Monies to carry on this Work, being in the Consequences thereof so serviceable to the Parliament; and that, in order thereunto, Direction may be given for felling of the said Timber in the Wood before-mentioned, if the Parliament shall so please.

"W. Jessop, Secretary."

Post meridiem.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Sallewey.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Burton to be instituted to Broadwater.

(fn. 1) Ordered, That Doctor Aylett shall give Institution and Induction to Edward Burton Doctor of Divinity, to the Rectory of Broadwater, in the County of Sussex, void by the Death of Granado Chester Clerk, Doctor of Divinity, the late Incumbent; the said Doctor Burton producing his Presentation thereunto under the Hand and Seal of John Thorpe Esquire the Patron, and taking the Covenant: And this to be with a salvo Jure cujuscunque.

Vice Chancellor of Cambridge and the Mayor about Precedency.

Upon reading the Petition of Doctor Hill, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge; complaining, That there is a Difference concerning Precedency, between him and the Mayor of Cambridge Town."

It is Ordered, That the Mayor shall have a Copy of the Petition; and this House will hear the Business, by Counsel on both Sides, the Third Day of February next.

Message from the H. C. with Votes for a Committee of both Houses to go and receive the King's Person;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir William Lewis Knight; who brought up Two Votes and Instructions, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

The Votes were read, as follow:

"Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed by both Houses, to go to Newcastle, to receive the Person of the King from the Scotts Army."

Agreed to.

"Resolved, &c. That the Committee to be appointed by both Houses to go to Newcastle, to receive the Person of the King, shall consist of Members of both Houses."

Agreed to.

and with Instructions for them.

Next, the Instructions for the Committee were read, and Agreed to. (Here enter them.)

The Question being put, "Whether the Number of Lords that are to be sent Committees to Newcastle shall be Two?"

And it was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Lords Committees for that Purpose.

Then the House nominated the Earl of Pembrooke and the Lord Mountagu; and added the Earl of Denbigh to them.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That they agree to the Votes and Instructions now brought up.

Message to the H. C. about it.

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

To let them know, that this House hath nominated Three Lords to go to Newcastle, to receive the Person of the King from the Scotts Army.

(fn. 2) Answer returned was:

Answer.

The House of Commons have appointed a Committee of a proportionable Number.

Overton's Wife examined, about the Pamphlet called Regal Tyranny;

This Day Mary Overton, the Wife of Overton, was brought to the Bar; who being demanded by the Speaker, "who brought the scandalous Pamphlet called "Regall Tyranny discovered, &c." to her Shop, and of whom she had them?" And she said, "She would not answer to Interrogatories; and she would not tell him."

and Johnson.

Also Thomas Johnson was brought to the Bar, who was found stitching of those Books in Overton's Shop; and he being demanded "who brought those Books into that House?" And he said, "He did not know; he found them there."

Michaell Baker and Whitacre deposed upon Oath, "That they came into Overton's House, and did find the said Thomas Johnson sitting, with divers Books before ready bound up, and a Bodkin sticking in One of the said scandalous Pamphlets, having Holes in it ready to be made up."

Mrs. Overton committed to Bridewell, for Contempt.

Ordered, That the said Mary Overton shall stand committed to the Prison of Bridewell, for her Contempt to this House; there to remain during the Pleasure of this House.

Johnson to be further examined.

Ordered, That the said Thomas Johnson shall remain in the same Custody where now he is; and that Justice Reeves and Justice Rolls shall further examine him concerning this Business To-morrow; and to send for such Persons as they think fit to inform them.

Message from the H. C. with Letters to the Scots Commissioners and the E. of Leven.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Grimston; who brought up Two Letters, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence:

1. A Letter from both Houses, to the Commissioners or Committees of the Kingdom of Scotland.

(Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

2. A Letter from both Houses to General Leven.

(Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

Ordered, That the Speakers of both Houses shall sign these Letters.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House hath agreed to the Two Letters now brought up.

Message to the H. C. for both Speakers to sign them.

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

To let them know, that this House hath appointed their Speaker to sign the Two Letters now brought up; and to desire they would appoint their Speaker to sign them with him.

"Instructions for Phillip Earl of Pembrooke, Bazill Earl of Denbigh, Edward Lord Mountague, Sir John Cooke, Sir John Holland, Sir Walter Earle, Sir James Harrington, John Crew Esquire, and Major General Browne, who are appointed to go to Newcastle, to receive the Person of the King from the Scotts Army.

Instructions for the Committees of both Houses, who are to receive the King's Person.

"1. You are to make your Repair to Newcastle, and to be there by the 23th Day of this Instant January, or sooner if it may be, there to receive the Person of the King from the Scotts Army.

"2. You are, upon your Arrival there, to signify unto His Majesty, That you are come thither to receive His Person; and you are also to signify the same to the Committee or Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland that shall be at Newcastle, and to the General of the Scotts Army.

"3. When you have received Him as aforesaid, you are to signify the same to both Houses of Parliament.

"4. You are to take Care that the King's Person be with convenient Speed conducted in Safety to Holdenby House, according to the Vote of both Houses of the First of this Instant January; and, for that Purpose, you are to give Direction to General Major Skippon, to furnish you with such Horse and Dragoons of those under his Command, for the same Convoy, as you shall think fit; who is hereby required to appoint the same Convoy accordingly, which Convoy are from Time to Time to obey your Orders for that Service: And if you find it necessary to have a greater Convoy than may be spared from those Parts, then you are to send to Sir Thomas Fairefax, for such Addition of Force as shall be necessary.

"5. After you have received the Person of the King, you are to take Care that no Person that has been in Arms, or assisted in this unnatural War against the Parliament, nor any other but such as you shall think fit and allow of, may come or deliver or send unto Him any Letters or Messages.

"6. When you are come to Holdenby, you are to give Notice thereof to both Houses, to receive their further Order; until which Time such Horse and Dragoons as you shall think fit are to remain with you, and observe your Orders.

"You shall return to both Houses of Parliament, the Names of such Attendants as you shall appoint to come along with the King, and also of such as you shall permit to speak with Him, or to deliver or to send any Letters or Messages unto Him."

Letter to the Scots Commissioners at Newcastle, with the Vote for disposing of the King's Person, &c.

"My Lords,

"We are commanded, by the Two Houses of the Parliament of England, to assure your Lordships, in their Names, of their constant good Affections, and firm Resolution to maintain the happy Union and Agreement between the Two Kingdoms, in Pursuance of the Covenant; and to perform all the Offices of Love and Amity which can be expected from a Nation so nearly joined to their Brethren of Scotland. They have sent unto your Lordships, here inclosed, their Vote, declaring their Intentions concerning the disposing of the King's Person, and the employing of their best Endeavours to procure His Majesty's Assent to the Propositions. They purpose very speedily to depute some Persons to receive His Majesty, and attend Him to Holdenby, the Place appointed for His Residence. In the mean Time, till the Arrival of those Persons, they doubt not of your Lordships and the Earl of Leven's Care to prevent all Inconveniencies which would follow upon the King's removing Himself into other Parts; which Care they earnestly desire may be continued for the short Time to come; as they give you many Thanks for that of the Time past, expressed in a Letter of the Earl of Leven's to your Commissioners here, and by them signified unto the Houses. This being all we have in Charge; we take our Leaves, and rest

Westm. this 6th January, 1646.

"Your Lordships

"Most affectionate Friends to serve you.

"For the Committees or Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland at Newcastle."

Letter to the E. of Leven, on the same Subject.

"My Lord,

"The Two Houses of Parliament have commanded us to send this their Vote inclosed unto your Lordship, by which you will see their Intentions concerning the disposing of the Person of the King. They have resolved very speedily to send down a Committee to receive Him; and in the mean Time they desire you will be pleased to continue the same Care which you have formerly had, that His Majesty withdraw not Himself from you, to the great Hurt and Prejudice both of Himself and the Kingdoms: Your Lordship hath already in that Particular, as in many others, given a large Testimony of your Zeal to the Public; and we, in the Names of the Houses, are to present you with a most thankful Acknowledgement: Which done, we have not more to say, but that we are

Westm. this 6 Januarii, 1646.

"Your Lordship's

"Most affectionate Friends to serve you.

"For the Earl of Leven."

(fn. 3) Ordered, &c. That Doctor Aylett, or his lawful Deputy, are hereby authorized and required, upon Sight of this Order, to give Institution and Induction to Edward Burton Doctor of Divinity, to the Rectory of Broadwater, in the County of Sussex, void by the Death of Granado Chester Clerk, Doctor of Divinity, the late Incumbent, salvo Jure cujuscunque; the said Doctor Burton taking the National League and Covenant, and producing his Presentation thereunto under the Hand and Seal of John Thorpe Esquire, the lawful Patron pro hâc vice.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a cras.