verba: "The lords have thought fit to let you know, how much they value and improve the endeavours of this lord, in a service so much importing the safety of this kingdom; and they doubt not of your readiness to concur with them, upon all occasions, to the manifest sense they have, and shall retain, of his deservings; which appear the greater, by how much the difficulties (by those circumstances you have heard read) have been greater. And as my lords resolve to make his interest their own, in this service, for the public good, and safety of this kingdom, so they desire you to join with them, in so good and necessary a work."-The commons agreed to this vote; which, together with the Letters, were ordered be printed and published. A Subscription set on foot by both Houses, of Money and Horses.] June 10. A message was brought from the commons, declaring, That their members had entered into an engagement, separately, to bring in Money, Plate, and Horses, for the public use; as the only remedy to maintain the Protestant religion, the king's authority, and his person in his royal dignity; the free course of justice, the laws of the land, the peace of the kingdom, and the privileges of parliament. They also hoped their lordships would put the same in execution, and declare themselves and their affections, what they would do therein, since they had more to lose than the house of commons.* Hereupon the lords present subscribed to bring in as follows: The Lord Admiral, earl of North- £. Horses umberland Earl of Essex Earl of Leicester, lord lieutenant, Lord Paget 2000 1000 20 30 1000 40 800 500 20 20 1000 10 10 1000 The Lords pass a Vote against the 9 Peers.] This day the lords took into consideration the Letter from the Nine Peers at York, and agreed upon a conference with the other house about it, expressing their sense of the matter in the following manner:-"The lords having received a letter from diverse of their members, who have withdrawn themselves from their attendance in parliament, contrary to the express orders and commands of this house; though this affront be to their own house, and by their own members, yet, as it concerns the safety of the kingdom, and the very being of parl. in the consequence of it the lords, in that respect, thought it fit to communicate it to the commons; that both houses may, jointly, endeavour to prevent such practices and designs as, by the Malignant Party and the ill-affected members of both houses, may be undertaken, to the dissolution of the parliament, unvalidating the acts and authority thereof, or raising a power in opposition thereunto; which the lords cannot but conceive those lords are encouraged unto by the counsels now prevailing, and the forces now raising at York; otherwise it is not imaginable, after a vote passed by both houses, That it appeared the king, se- Proposition for bringing in Plate, Money, duced by wicked counsel, intended to make &c.] A committee of lords was appointed to war against his parliament, they would have receive the Answers of those lords who were taken the boldness to have left the house, in absent, how far they would act in this affair; contempt of the command thereof, and have the Judges and other assistants to the house gone to York; and, being summoned to ap- were also to be urged to subscribe to it: and, pear, would have remained there notwith-in order to forward this subscription more ef standing, and have returned so slight and scorn- fectually throughout the whole kingdom, the ful an answer." following Proposition was agreed to by both houses: Informations of the King's raising Troops.] June 9. The lords having desired to know of the commons, at a conference, what real informations they have had, that the king had sent out Summons into the county of York, and other counties, for raising of troops, &c. under colour of his majesty's service, with large offers to those that would come in, the commons answered, That they had received intelligence, at the bar, that the king had sent to summon Lancashire, Cumberland, and Westmoreland; and that some of their members had letters of the same; but they are willing to drop those counties, it being notorious only in Yorkshire. VOL. II. Lord Grey de Werk The horsemen were all to be compleatly armed, and many of the lords engaged to serve in person. "Whereas it appears that the king, seduced * Lord Clarendon informs us, "That when this Subscription was set on foot in the house of commons, sir Henry Killigrew, being called upon, told them, If there were occasion, he would provide a good horse, and a good sword; and made no question but he should find a good cause: but, within very few days, both he, and all those that were taken notice of for refusing, found it safest for them to leave the town; there being very visibly great animosity against them, both within and without the walls." 4 S : by wicked counsel, intends to make war against | do declare, That whosoever shall bring in any his parliament; and, in pursuance thereof, proportion of ready Money, or Plate, or shall under pretence of a guard for his person, hath underwrite to furnish and maintain any number actually begun to levy forces both of horse and of Horse, Horsemen, and Arms, for the prefoot, and sent out summons throughout theservation of the public peace, and for the decounty of York, for the calling together great fence of the king and both houses of parlia numbers; and some ill-affected persons have ment from force and violence, and to uphold been employed in other parts, to raise troops, the power and privileges of parliament, accordunder colour of his majesty's service, making ing to his Protestation; it shall be held a good large offers of reward and preferment to such and acceptable service to the commonwealth, as will come in and that his majesty doth, and a testimony of his good affection to the with a high and forcible hand, protect and Protestant religion, the laws, liberties, and keep away delinquents, not permitting them peace of this kingdom, and to the parliamen to make their appearance, to answer such af- and privileges thereof. And because a cons fronts and injuries as have been by them of derable Aid cannot be raised by few hand, fered unto the parliament; and those mes- and the condition of all men's estates and sengers which have been sent from the houses occasions is not always proportionable to the for them, have been abused, beaten, and im- affection, therefore no man's affection shall be prisoned; so as the Orders of parliament, measured according to the proportion of t which is the highest court of justice in this offer, so that he express his good-will to tan realm, are not obeyed, and the authority of it service in any proportion whatsoever. 2. Whe is altogether scorned and vilified; and such soever shall bring in any Money, or Plate, persons as stand well-affected to it, and de- shall farnish and maintain any Horse, Horse clare themselves sensible of these public cala- men and Arms for the purposes aforesaid, sta mities, and of the violations of the privileges of have their money repaid, with interest, at parliament, and common liberty of the sub-per cent, and the full value of their plate, ject, are baffled and injured by several sorts of malignant men who are about the king; some whereof, under the name of Cavaliers, without having respect to the laws of the land, or any fear either of God or man, are ready to commit all manner of outrage and violence; which must needs tend to the dissolution of this goverument, the destroying of religion, laws, liberty, and property; all which will be exposed to the malice and violence of such desperate persons, as must be employed in. so horrid and unnatural-an act as the overthrowing of a parliament by force, which is the support and preservation of them all: this being duly considered by the lords and commons, and how great an obligation lies upon them in honour, conscience, and duty, according to the high trust reposed in them, to use all possible means in such cases, for the timely prevention of so great and irrecoverable evils; they have thought fit to publish their sense and apprehension of this imminent danger, thereby to excite all well affected persons to contribute their best assistance, according to their solemn vow and Protestation, to the preparations necessary for the opposing and suppressing of the traiterous attempts of these wicked and malignant counsellors, who seek to engage the king in so dangerous and destructive an enterprize, and the whole kingdom in a Civil War, and destroy the privileges and being of parliaments: this recourse to the good affections of those that tender their religion and just liberties, and the enjoyments of the blessed fruits of this present parliament, which were almost ready to be reaped, and are now as ready to be ruined by those wicked hands, being the only Remedy left them, under God; and without which they are no longer able to preserve themselves, or those by whom they are entrusted. 1. They the said lords and commons consideration for the fashion, not exceed | tive by 109 voices against 51. The Tellers on this remarkable occasion were, for the Yeas, Mr. Hollis and Mr. Cromwell; for the Noes, Mr. Waller and Mr. White. Then, it was resolved, That a committee be appointed to draw up an Impeachment against the said Nine Peers. ave residence in or about London, or within 80 niles, will bring in their Money, Plate, or forse, within a fortnight after notice; and ey that dwell farther off, within 3 weeks. 8. And because every person may not be proded with present Money, or with Horse, or ot have his plate with him, which he means to ring in, and yet resolves to contribute his art within the time limited; and that it is neessary it should be presently known what the rovision will be, for the effecting this great ad important service; it is ordered, 1. That e committees of either house, appointed for at purpose respectively, shall receive the Subriptions of such member of each house, as ave not declared themselves in the house, are absent upon the public service, or for eir private occasions. 2. That the commite in London, intrusted with the Militia, shall ceive the Subscriptions in London and Midesex. 3. That some persons, nominated by e knights and burgesses of each county, and proved by both houses, shall be appointed receive the Subscriptions in the several unties. Lastly, Whatsoever is brought in all not at all be employed upon any other casion, than to the purposes aforesaid; which e to maintain the Protestant religion, the ng's authority, and his person in his royal uity, the free course of justice, the laws of e land, the peace of the kingdom, and the ivilege of parliament, against any force ich shall oppose them. And this by the ection of both houses of parliament." These Propositions of the parliament had ch effect, that, lord Clarendon informs us, t was hardly credible what a vast proporon of plate was brought in to their treasurers thin ten days, there being hardly men ough to receive it, or room to lay it in; and e throng being so great of the bringers, that, two days attendance, many could not be charged of their seditious offerings. Mr. hitlocke adds, That the parliament was t only furnished with Money by loans upon public faith, but, by the endeavours of ndry ministers and others, a great quantity Money, Plate and Ammunition was brought even by some poor women, to their wedg-rings and bodkins!' This day the commons took notice of a Picture, or Print, of sir John Hotham on horseback upon the walls of Hull, and the king on foot before the walls; and ordered this scandalous Picture, as it is called, to be burnt by the common hangman, and the whole impres sion to be seized. Petition from Somersetshire, in favour of the King's Proposal for an Accommodation.] June 14. The lords had been informed, by the commons, of a Petition that was then framing in Somersetshire, to be presented to both houses, in which were great aspersions cast upon the parliament: A copy of it was procured, and this day read to the house as follows: To We, with all thankfulness, do acknowledge your great care and pains, in the service of the common-wealth, whereby you have obtained those good laws, which, by his majesty's graciousness and favour, have been already enacted; and, not doubting of the continuance of these favours still in you, for the good and peace of this kingdom, and of your favourable acceptance of these our humble desires, though we have been discouraged, heretofore, in expressions of the like kind, we do again humbly desire, That the Church and Liturgy, established by law, may be continued and obeyed, until such time as the wisdom of the king and parliament, with the assistance of a free and well-chosen synod, of the most grave and learned divines of this kingdom, shall make some reformation or alteration therein; and, in the mean time, that the disturbers thereof may be discountenanced and punished. That you would be pleased to ber.d your endeavours The Nine Peers at York ordered to be im- to remove all jealousies and misunderstandched.] Mr. Hollis having reported the opi-ings between his majesty and the parliament, on of the lords concerning the Letter from the distempers within being the greatest evils Nine Peers at York, a motion was made, that can happen unto us, and which we most That the departing of these Nine Lords fear; and, to that end, to take into your conin the parliament, without leave, after such siderations his majesty's Message of the 20th e as both houses had declared, that the of January, as the means himself proposes for g, seduced by wicked counsel, intended to an Accommodation; and that you would proake war against the parliament; and their vide for his security, by declaring against Tucontinuing at York, notwithstanding their mults and unlawful Assemblies; and that you mmons and commands, is a high affront and would take care to suppress seditious Sermons tempt of both houses: and that the said and Pamphlets, which his majesty declares he rds therein did as much as in them lay, that expects, as the means to invite him to come e service of parliament might be deserted; near to his parliament.-That seeing his mad are justly suspected to promote a war jesty and parliament do not agree in a new ainst the parliament." The previous ques- way for settling the Militia, it is humbly den being put, it was carried in the affirma- sired that the Trained Bands may be put into let you know, and is the occasion of this Letter from Your, &c. EDW. LITTLETON. York, June 7, 1642." such a posture, and governed as in the time of queen Elizabeth, until a law be made; and that the disputes about the manner of doing it may not actuate division in the mean time: But notwithstanding the lord keeper's posi that the subject may have the benefit of the tive denial of his voting in favour of the OrdiPetition of Right, both for his person and es-nance for the Militia, we find the contrary actate, in all causes and in all courts; and that count of his conduct, as before given from lord the laws of the kingdom may be our only rule Clarendon and Mr. Whitlocke, fully justified of government and obedience. That whereas by the following entry in the lords Journals: great sums of Money have been levied by au--The lords ordered a committee of three to thority of parliament, and greater are now re- search the Journals for the truth of this matquired, we beseech you to take notice, that ter; who immediately reported, “That the the country is much impoverished, and will, lord-keeper was present when the Petition to unwillingly, bear any farther burden of this the king concerning the Militia was agreed on kind, but such as shall be employed for the that he was present, voted, and argued for the general service of this kingdom and that bleed- following vote, viz. That, in case of extreme ing kingdom of Ireland; and therefore we most danger, and of his majesty's refusal, the Ordihumbly pray, that it may be made known how nance agreed on by both houses doth oblige those former collections have been disposed the people, and ought to be obeyed by the of; which will be a great encouragement for fundamental laws of this kingdom.' Lastly, the readier payment of the present.-Lastly, That he named his deputy-lieutenants, and since his majesty hath often, with sacred pro- agreed to the several forms of deputations of testations, declared to his parliament and the Militia." These particulars, signed by the people, That he will ever maintain the true clerk, were ordered to be sent to lord Willough Protestant Religion established, the Laws of by, and forthwith printed and published. the kingdom, and the Liberty of the subject, which we do confidently believe; we do, therefore, humbly beseech you, that disputes about prerogative, and the fear of a Malignant Party, or other jealousies, may not embroil you in the greatest of evils, as are those of civil dissentions, or encouragements to act contrary to conscience; but that you would do your utmost to lay aside all distempers; and heedfully watch over the peace and safety of this kingdom, which we will join with you in our earnest prayers to preserve, and willingly adventure our lives and fortunes." Mr. Hollis's Speech upon Impeaching the Nine Lords at York.] June 15. A Message was brought from the commons by Mr. Deni Hollis, containing an Impeachment against the Nine Lords who had written and signed the Letter from York; which he introduced with the following speech: "My lords; By the command of the knights, citizens, and burgesses of the house of co mons, I come hither unto your lordships in the behalf of the parliament; or rather in the be half of the whole kingdom, labouring with much distraction, many fears, great apprehe sions of evil and mischief intended against it. and now hatching and preparing by that Ma The persons who were to have presented this Petition to the parliament, if there had not been a stop put to it, were, sir Fra. Paw-lignant Party, which thirsts after the destruc let, sir Amias Pawlet, sir Hen. Berkley, sir Ch. Berkley, sir Edw. Berkley, sir Fra. Doddington, sir Fra. Hawley, sir Sam. Gorges, and sir Rob. Philips. The lords ordered sir F. Doddington and sir C. Berkley to be summoned to attend the house presently; and others, mentioned by the commons, to be sent for on account of this Petition. The Lord Keeper disavows his Voting for the Militia Ordinance.] The following Letter from the Lord-Keeper, directed to the lord Willoughby of Parham, was read in the house of lords: (6 My lord; His majesty was this day pleased to shew me a letter of your lordship's unto him, wherein you have expressed that I gave my vote in the house of peers for the Ordinance touching the Militia; which he questioning, in regard he heard it otherwise related, I, thereupon, informed him the truth; which is, That I was absent from the house on making the first Ordinance, which was presented to him for his assent; and being present when the second was in agitation, I gave my vote against it; which his majesty hath commanded me to tion of religion, laws, and liberty; all whic are folded up, cherished, and preserved in the careful bosom of the parliament.-My lords the parliament is the foundation and basis e government, and consequently of the peace and happiness of the kingdom. As it creates the law by which we are ruled and governed in peace and quietness, so it preserves the la in power and authority: it watches over on religion, that it be not supplanted and changes by superstitious innovations; the truth and sub stance of it eaten up with formality, van pomp, and unnecessary ceremonies; the gro errors of Popery and Arminianism imposed upon us, as the doctrine of our church; a way opened to all licentiousness; and occasion, hereby, taken to oppress and persecute all re *This speech was ordered by the common to be printed; and by such only as Mr. Hollis should appoint: accordingly we find, in the title thereof, this Imprimatur: I appoint that none shall print this but Thomas Underhil Denzil Hollis. This give occasion to the king, in one of his Declarations, afterwards, to style Mr. Hollis a Monopolist. and the blame of all is laid upon the parliament; and the parliament unjustly said to be the cause of all those evils, which the authors of them had made so great; and so confirmed and secured by the frequent interruptions of the parliament, that they could not suddenly, nor easily, be suppressed or removed.—Well, but, by God's infinite blessing, the parliament was in a fair possibility to wade through this likewise; and though the night had been black and stormy, some day began to appear: miraculously our arms have prospered in Ireland, and, God be praised, the malevolent practices of these vipers at home, as they appeared, were in some sort mastered; and the parliament began to act and operate towards the settling of the great affairs both of church and state, and providing for the defence and safety of this kingdom, against either foreign invasion, or any stirring of the disaffected party among themselves-Then three ways are to gether essayed for the weakening and invalidating the proceedings and power of the parliament, and making way for the utter subversion of it. One, Force is gathered together at York, under pretence of a Guard for his majesty's person, to make an opposition against the parliament; and, by a strong hand, to support and protect delinquents, so as no order of parliament can be obeyed, but on the other side slighted and scorned; so to make the parliament of no reputation, to be but Imago Parlamenti,' a mere shadow, without substance, without efficacy.-Another, To send out, in his majesty's name, (and as Declarations and Messages from him) bitter invectives against the parliament to perplex it, and engage it, in the expence of time, to answer them; and besides, cunningly to insinuate and infuse into the people, by false colours and glosses, a disopinion and dislike of the parliament; and, if it be possible, to stir up their spirits to rise against it, to de gious and conscientious men that shall oppose hese proceedings, as hath been used of late. it is the conservative of the rights and liberties of the subject, and the corrective of injustice and oppression; whereby equal right is distriuted to all, and every man hath that benefit nd protection of justice, which is due unto im. It is that by which alone common neessities can be provided for, and public fears revented so that I may say, not only the eace, happiness, and well-being, but the ery being of this kingdom, can have no other ottom to stand upon but the parliament, it eing the foundation upon which the whole rame of the common-wealth is built.-Thereore those who would destroy the building, pply themselves to undermine the foundation. they can take away parliaments, or but weaken the power and authority of parliament, hich is all one, (for if it once have no power, will soon have no being) they know then all ill be at their mercy, nothing will stand in eir way to oppose them; but a flood of vioence will run over and cover the whole urface of the kingdom, and carry away all, oth present enjoyment, and future hope of eligion, liberty, and whatsoever else is preious and dear unto us.--And, accordingly, it ath ever been the policy of evil counselors (who are the greatest enemies we have in he world, or can have) to strike at parliaments, eep off parliaments, break parliaments, or ivide parliaments, by making factions, casting diversions and obstructions, to hinder and terrupt the proceedings of parliament: all gainst the parliament.-Your lordships have d experience of this truth in this parliament; succession of designs upon it: first to awe it, nd take away the freedom of it by the terror f an army; then to bring force against it, tually to assault it, and, with the sword, cut sunder this only band, which ties and knits pking and people, the people among them-stroy it, (and, in it, all other parliaments) to elves, and the whole frame of this government, one firm, and I hope indissoluble, knot of eace and unity.-God diverted those designs, nd did blow upon them; presently another set upon, which was to obstruct and hinder ur proceedings, that, in the mean time, the ame of rebellion might consume the kingdom Ireland; and distempers, distractions and ealousies be fomented here at home, to tear ut the bowels of this kingdom; the parliaent being disabled from helping it, by occaon of so many diversions, so much business ut out unto it, many obstructions and difficules; especially that great one from which all he rest receive countenance and support, his ajesty's absenting himself, and not concuring with us; thus withdrawing both his preence and influence; by which means such Remedies could not be applied as were necesary; and what was done, was done with infiite trouble to the parliament, and excessive harge to the subject, double, treble, what therwise would have served the turn: so the ubject is grieved and oppressed with charge, the ruin of themselves, their wives and children.-The third Plot, is, The members are drawn away, and persuaded to forsake their duty and attendance here, and go down to York; thereby to blemish the actions of both houses, as done by a few and inconsiderable number, and rather a party than a parliament; and, perhaps, to raise and set up an anti-parliament there.-My lords, this is now the great design whereby they hope, by little and little, the parliament shall even bleed to death, and moulder to nothing, the members dropping away, one after another; a desperate and dangerous practice, and as your lordships well observed (when you were pleased to communicate this business to us) an effect of the evil counsels now prevailing and tending to the dissolution of the parliament: of this parliament, which, under God, must be the preserver of three kingdoms, and keep them firm and loyal to their king, subject to his crown, save them from being turned into a chaos of disorder and confusion, and made a dismal spectacle of misery and desolation: this parliament, which is |