The Heads of All the Proceedings
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The Heads of All the Proceedings: 23–30 May 1642
On the 23. of May in the morning, a Committee of both Houses met about the drawing up of an Answer to his Majesties Declaration touching the Militia, to prove by presidents and Statutes, the lawfulnesse of their Proceedings therin; but they concluded not thereon.
The 24. in the morning, upon the meeting of both Houses, Justice Berkley<ref>Sir Robert Berkeley</ref> was brought to the Bar in the Lords House, and the Members of the House of Commons that were appointed to make good the charge against him, being seated in their place, the charge was read, and he examined upon the first Article, touching his counsell and sollicitous care about the Ship-money, in the defence whereof he made a long Speech of an hour and better, wherein he laid open the frailty of men, being daily easily drawn by defect, and therein seemed to allay and mittigate the vigour of his Accusation, and being there, about two or three houres, it was thought fit that his further trial should be deferred till that day three weeks, being the 14. of June, and so dismissed for that time.
After which, Letters were read in both Houses which came from Ireland, importing that the Lord Conway<ref>Edward Conway, 2nd Viscount Conway</ref> with the aid of the Scottish forces had given a great overthrow to the Rebels with little losse of the Protestant side, which good newes did much affect both Houses.
Then the House of Commons took into consideration the disposall of the Lieutenants and Deputy-Lieutenants of the Kingdome, and there being some debate about the fidelity of some already nominated, and whether that power should be committed onely to one or more and upon a Message, there was a Conference concerning it, but not concluded of.
Then there was a Catalogue of the Officers names which are to have command of those forces to be set out by the City, presented to each House by the London Committee, and after some consultation thereabout, a Committee of both Houses was appointed to meet on Thursday following in the afternoon, further to determine of it. This afternoon the Committee of both Houses sate concerning the Remonstrance or Answer to his Majesties Declaration, touching the Militia, and having concluded thereon, agreed to present the same to both Houses the next day after Evening Sermon, when both Houses had appointed to meet.
Of the House of Commons sate the Committee touching the Parishioners of Muyleswick, where some witnesses were examined, and ordered others to be brought in and examined touching that businesse.
The 26. of the House of Commons sate the Committee touching Collonel Huncks businesse,<ref>Unidentified; both Hercules and Sir Fulk Huncks were engaged militarily during this period.</ref> where divers other witnesses were examined.
The Committee also touching the Re-edification of St. Gregories Church by Pauls, also a Committee touching the Soap businesse, and the delinquents therein.
This Evening came Letters from Hull, which made relation of the discovery of a plot which was laid for the delivery of that Towne into his Majesties hand, and that the chief Actors therein were in hold, and it was prayed the Houses pleasure might be known what further should be done therein, which was referred the next morning to consider of.
The 27. in the morning, upon the meeting of both Houses, those Letters were read again at a Conference, which came the night before from Hull, and after some debate therein, it was jointly ordered, that those parties that would have betrayed Hull should be forthwith sent for, to answer it before the House, and thanks should be returned to Sir John Hotham for his great care therein.
The House of Commons then took into consideration the charge they had lately carried up to the Lords against Mr. Recorder of London,<ref>Thomas Gardiner</ref> and after some debate thereupon, they sent a Message to the Lords, desiring Mr. Recorder might be called speedily to triall which the Lords took some time to consider of.
Then was presented to both Houses the Resolutions of the Scottish Commissioners touching a mediation to be made between his Majestie and the Parliament, which took up some time in debate thereof.
This afternoon the Committee met againe touching the Election of the Irish Officers, where some were fully agreed upon, and the rest referred till the next day to conclude of.
A Committee of the House of Commons likewise sate, touching the pay convenient to be allowed the said Officers, and for the speedy raising of moneys for the urgent affairs of the State. The Committee also touching the Wine Businesse sate, where Councell was heard both of the Pattentees and of the Yeomanry opposers, touching the mittigation of their fines, but it was not determined.
Also the Committee touching the Fines of Recusants and Delinquents to draw them to a head.
The 28. in the morning, the Lords House being met, they fell again upon the Lord St. John,<ref>Presumably serial debtor Oliver St John, 5th Baron St John of Bletso, who was being pursued by creditors</ref> and Mr. Bymions cause,<ref>Possibly Sir George Benyon</ref> where Counsel was heard on both sides, and divers Witnesses examined concerning.
The House of Commons then took into consideration the malignant party of the Kingdom, as likewise the Lord Keeper,<ref>Sir Edward Littleton</ref> and those other Lords who had lately absented themselves from Parliament, and gone to his Majesty without leave, which was a great interruption to their proceedings, and upon a Message to the Lords there was a Conference, where it was moved that Orders might issue for their againe warning to attend the Parliament, and if they did not upon their second Summons, some further Order might be taken therein, which was assented to, was done accordingly.
And in the afternoone the Committee of the House of Commons sate for the disposall of the distribution mony for Ireland, where some were reteined according to their necessities till further course could be taken therein. Then the Committee of both Houses sate again about the Election of Officers, and fully determined therin, and a certaine day was appointed for their entrance into pay.
Also a Committee sate touching the Magistrates and Townesmen of New-castle, and further examination being taken therin, they day being spent, referred the same untill another time.
Printed for J. Smith, and A. Coe. 1642.
Source: British Library, E.202[2]
Search tags: Andrew Coe (A. Coe), Edward Conway, 2nd Viscount Conway (Lord Conway), ? Hercules Huncks (Collonel Huncks), Newcastle upon Tyne (New-castle), ? Oliver St John 5th Baron St John of Bletso (Lord St. John), St Gregory, St Gregory's, ship money (Ship-money), Sir Edward Littleton (Lord Keeper), ? Sir Fulk Huncks (Collonel Huncks), ? Sir George Benyon (Mr. Bymion), Sir Robert Berkeley (Justice Berkley), Thomas Gardiner (Recorder of London)
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