Pate Esq Io. White Esq Rich. Moore Esq Rich. Reeves Esq Tho. Pewry Esq Will. Pewrifoy Esq Will. Spursâ—ow Esq Simon Snow Esq Rich. Ferris Esq Ed. Thomas Esq Serj. Wild. Humphrey Salway Esq Tho. Leeds Esq Will. Harrison Esq Gervis Clifton Will. Herbert Esq Iohn Woogan Esq Henry Brett Esq Iohn Trevanion Esq Walter Lloyd Esq Sir Rich. Leigh Sir Tho. Ingram Sir Ro. Crane Iohn Upton Esq Iohn Arundel Esq Iona. Rashly Esq Rich. Arundel Esq Iohn Woddon Esq Iohn Pearsival Esq Sir Will. Portman Theobald Gorge Esq Tho. Smith Esq Sir Martin Lister Sir Tho Cheâ—k Tho. Hayle Esq Anthony Beding field Esq Sir Tho Smith Ralph Ashton Esq Iohn Potts Esq Francis Rowse Esq Pierce Edcomb Esq Sir Walter Earl Sir Will. Masham Iohn Gourdon Esq Iohn Role Esq Tho. Arundel Esq Ioseph Iane Esq Sir Philip Parker Arthur Ainsâ—ow Esq Geo. Hartnal Esq Edw. Wingate Esq Robert Sicil Esq Sir William Litton Sir Iohn Iennings Sir Oliv Luke Sir An. Nichols Iohn Broxam Esq Iohn Allured Esq Geo. Buller Esq Iames Fines Esq Nich. Weston Esq Sir Beauchamp St. Iohn Sir Richard Ansâ—ow Sir Io. Corbet Sir Alex. Denton Sir Io. Parker Sir Ro. Parkhurst Sir Ambrose Brown Sir Sam. Owfield Sir Rich. Buller Alex. Carew Esq Sir Nath. Barnadiston Sir Harvy Baggott Simon Norton Esq Samson Evers Serj. at Law Philip Sidney Lord Lisle Iohn Alford Esq Sir Ch. Williams Rich. Herbert Esq Sir Edw. Alford Sir William Plaitor Francis Gamull Esq Sir Ioh. Stepney Sir Io. Brook Io. Fenwick Esq Will. Chadwell Esq Alex. Lutterell Esq Io. Burlace Esq Sir Io. Cook Tho. Cook Esq Tho. May Esq Sir Richard Lewison Iohn Griffith Esq Matthew Davis Esq Iohn Fettiplace Esq Geo. Loe Esq Rich. Edgcomb Esq Sir Ed. Redny Sir Arth. Haâ—welrig Sir Fran. Barnham Sir Tho. Gervis Ro. Wallop Esq Iames Rivers Esq Will. Haveningham Esq Will. Cawly Esq Iohn Button Esq Tho. Gervis Esq Sir Hen. Worsly Hen. Darly Esq Valentine Walton Esq Sam. Vassal Esq Hen. Campion Esq Io. Merrick Esq Herbert Price Esq Tho. Earle Esq Will. Marlet Esq Will. Drake Esq Sir Ed. Littleton Sir And. Ludlow Rich. Harman Esq Rich. Shettleworth Esq Sir Iohn Draidon Will. Ellis Esq Will. Thomas Esq Io. Pine Esq Will. Iepson Esq Iohn Hotham Esq Tho. Hodges Esq Tho. Moore Esq Godfrey Boswell Esq Antho. Staply Esq Io. Moyle Esq Will. Hay Esq Ferdinando Stanhop Esq Harbottle Grimston Esq Iohn Craven Esq Rob-Crooke Esq Edw. Philips Esq Rob. Reynolds Esq Sir Tho. Pelham Ben. Valentine Esq Sir Tho. Fanshaw Matthew Cradock Esq Lloyd Esq Sir Will. Dalson Sir Tho. Woodhouse Francis Godolphin Esq Framlingham Gaudy Esq Anthony Irby Esq Lord Wenman Iohn Lowry Esq Sir Tho. Danby Iohn Eveling Esq Long Esq George Parry Esq Will. Morgan Esq Walter Kirk Esq Sir Tho. Parker Grantham Esq Tailor Esq Iohn Trenchard Esq Rob. Sutton Esq Iohn Whistler Esq An. Hungerford Esq Tho. Eversfield Esq George Searl Esq Cha. Baldwin Esq Rich. Whitehead Esq Gerrard Napier Esq Hen. Garton Esq Mich. Noble Esq Serjeant Creswel Sir Iohn Holland Sir Will. Ogle Sir Charles Gross Sir Geo. Stonehouse Ro. Hurst Esq Will. Basset Esq Ralph Godwin Esq Ro. Nichols Esq Sir Er. Knowles Nathan Hollow Esq Ambros Mannaton Esq Ro. Walker Esq Sir Rich. Brown A Message was immediately sent to the Lords to acquaint them that the Commons had just cause and ground to suspect that there hath been and still is a secret practise to discontent the Army with the proceedings of the Parliament to ingage them in some design of dangerous consequence to the State and by some mischievous ways to prevent the happy success and conclusion of this Assembly and to desire their Lordships that a Select Committee might be appointed to take the Examinations upon Oath concerning this desperate Plot and Design in the presence of some of the Commons and to move His Majesty in the name of the Parliament that upon this great and weighty occasion no Servant of His Majesty the Queen or Prince may depart the Kingdom without leave of his Majesty with the Advice of His Parliament until they appear and be examined And the Commons immediately agreed upon a Letter to the Army and sent it away by an Express to assure them of the care the Parliament took to provide Moneys for them and did not doubt but the Army will give a fair testimony of their affections to the Parliament notwithstanding the evil deportments of some persons who have endeavoured to discontent them At the same time the Commons passed several Resolves in order to the security of the Nation viz. That strict enquiry be made what Papists Priests and Iesuits be now about the Town That the 1500 Barrels of Powder going to Portsmouth may be stayed That the Forces in Wiltshire and Hampshire be drawn towards Portsmouth And the Forces in Kent and Sussex towards Dover And they did declare that whosoever should give Counsel or Assistance or joyn any manner of way to bring any Forreign Force into the Kingdom unless it be by Command from His Majesty with consent of both Houses of Parliament shall be adjudged and reputed as publique Enemies to the King and Kingdoms These Resolves the Commons made known to the Lords for their concurrence and also desired them to move His Majesty for the stop of the Ports and that the Lord Admiral should place such Trusty Commanders in the Ships for the security of the Nation as they could confide in in all which the Lords did most readily concur The Commons did further communicate unto the Lords the Protestation which they had taken in their house desiring the Lords it might also be taken by every Member of their House It was sent to the House of Lords by Mr. Hollis who at the delivery thereof did amongst other passages express himself to this effect MY LORDS THe Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons having taken into their serious Consideration the present State and Condition of this Kingdom they find it surrounded with variety of pernicious and destructive Designs Practises and Plots against the well being of it Nay the very Being of it and some of those designs hatched within our own Bowels and Viper-like working our own destruction They find Jesuits and Priests conspiring with ill Ministers of State to destroy our Religion they find ill Ministers conjoyned together to subvert the Laws and Liberties they find obstructions of Justice which is the Life and Blood of every State The Parliament of late years have been like the Fig-tree in the Gospel without Efficacy without Fruit commonly taken away as Elias was with a whirlwind never coming to any maturity The same ill Councils which first raised that storm and almost shipwrackt the Common-wealth do still continue they blow strong like the East wind that brought the Locusts over the Land Is it not time then my Lords that we should unite and concentrate our selves and defeat the Counsels of these Achitophels which would involve us
piece and imprisoned them for not paying the said Fines The said Henry Steward his Wife and Daughters and James Gray being the King's Liege-people of the Scotish Nation and divers others he used in like manner and the said Earl upon that occasion did declare That the said Oath did not only oblige them in point of Allegiance to His Majesty and acknowledgment of His Supremacy only but to the Ceremonies and Government of the Church Established and to be established by His Majesties Royal Authority and said That the Refusers to obey he would prosecute to the blood XX. That the said Earl hath in the 15th and 16th Years of His Majesties Reign and divers years past laboured and endeavoured to breed in His Majesty an ill Opinion of His Subjects namely of those of the Scotish Nation and divers and sundry times and especially since the pacification made by His Majesty with His said Subjects of Scotland in Summer in the 15th Year of His Majesties Reign he the said Earl did labour and endeavour to perswade incite and provoke His Majesty to an offensive War against His said Subjects of the Scotish Nation And the said Earl by his Counsels Actions and Endeavours hath béen and is a principal and chief Incendiary of the War and Discord between His Majesty and His Subjects of England and the said Subjects of Scotland and hath declared and advised His Majesty that the Demands made by the Scots in their Parliament were a sufficient cause of War against them The said Earl having formerly expressed the height and rancour of his mind towards His Majesties Subjects of the Scotish Nation viz. the Tenth day of October in the Fiftteenth Year of His Majesties Reign he said That the Nation of the Scots were Rebels and Traytors and he being then about to come to England he then further said That if it pleased His Master meaning His Majesty to send him back again he would root out of the said Kingdom meaning the said Kingdom of Ireland the Scotish Nation both Root and Branch Some Lords and others who had taken the said Oath in the precedent Article only excepted and the said Earl hath caused divers of the Ships and Goods of the Scots to be stayed seized and molested to the intent to set on the said War XXI That the said Earl of Strafford shortly after his Spéeches mentioned in the last precedent Articles to wit in the 15th Year of His Majesties Reign came into this Realm of England and was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and continued his Government of that Kingdom by a Deputy at his arrival here finding that His Majesty with much Wisdom and Goodness had composed the Troubles in the North and had a pacification with his Subjects of Scotland he laboured by all means to procure His Majesty to break that pacification incensing His Majesty against His Subjects of that Kingdom and the procéeding of the Parliament there And having incited His Majesty to an Offensive War against His Subjects of Scotland by Sea and Land and by pretext thereof to raise Forces for the maintenance of that War he counselled His Majesty to call a Parliament in England yet the said Earl intended that if the said procéedings of that Parliament should not be such as would stand with the said Earl of Strafford's mischievous Designs he would then procure His Majesty to break the same and by ways of force and power to raise monies upon the Subjects of this Kingdom And for the encouragement of His Majesty to hearken to his advice he did before His Majesty and His Privy-Council then sitting in Council make a large Declaration that he would serve His Majesty in any other way in case the Parliament should not supply him XXII That in the month of March before the beginning of the last Parliament the said Earl of Strafford went into Ireland and procured the Parliament of that Kingdom to declare their Assistance in a War against the Scots and gave directions for the raising of an Army there consisting of 8000 Foot and 1000 Horse being for the most part Papists as aforesaid And confederacing with one Sir George Ratcliff did together with him the said Sir George trayterously Conspire to employ the said Army for the ruine and destruction of the Kingdom of England and of His Maiesties Subjects and of altering and subderting of the Fundamental Laws and established Government of this Kingdom And shortly after the said Earl of Strafford returned into England and to sundry persons declared his Opinion to be that His Majesty should first trie the Parliament here and if that did not supply him according to his Occasions He might use then His Prerogative as He pleased to levy what He néeded and that He should be acquitted both of God and man He took some other courses to supply Himself though it were against the wills of His Subjects XXIII That upon the Thirtéenth day of April last the Parliament of England met and the Commons House then being the Representative Body of all the Commons in the Kingdom did accordingly to the Trust reposed in them enter into Debate and Consideration of the great Grievances of this Kingdom both in respect of Religion and the publique Liberty of the Kingdom and His Majesties referring chiefly to the said Earl of Strafford and the Archbishop of Canterbury the ordering and disposing of all matters concerning the Parliament He the said Earl of Strafford with the assistance of the said Archbishop did procure His Majesty by sundry Spéeches and Messages to urge the said Commons House to enter into some Resolution for His Majesties supply for maintenance of His War against His Subjects of Scotland before any course taken for the relief of the great and pressing Grievances wherewith this Kingdom was then afflicted Whereupon a Demand was then made from His Majtsty of Twelve Subsidies for the release of Ship-money only and while the said Commons then Assembled with expression of great affection to His Majesty and His Service were in Debate and Consideration concerning some supply before any Resolution by them made he the said Earl of Strafford with the help and assistance of the said Archbishop did procure His Majesty to dissolve the said Parliament upon the Fifth day of May last and upon the same day the said Earl of Strafford did treacherously falsly and maliciously endeavour to incense His Majesty against His loving and faithful Subjects who had béen Members of the said House of Commons by telling His Majesty They had denied to supply him And afterwards upon the same day did traiterously and wickedly Counsel and Advise His Majesty to this effect viz. that having tried the affections of His People he was loose and absolved from all rules of Government and that he was to do every thing that Power would admit and that His Majesty had tried all ways and was refused and should be acquitted towards God and man and that he had an Army in Ireland meaning the Army
should not supply him THE Two and Twentieth Article The Charge 22. THat in the month of March before the beginning of the last Parliament the said Earl of Strafford went into Ireland and procured the Parliament of that Kingdom to declare their assistance in a War against the Scots and gave â—ns for the raising of an Army there consisting of 8000 Foot and 1000 Horse being for the most part Papists as aforesaid And confederating with one Sir George Rateliffe did together with him the said Sir George traiterously conspire to employ the said Army for the ruine and destruction of the Kingdom of England and of His Majesties Subjects and of altering and subverting of the fundamental Laws and established Government of this Kingdom And shortly after the said Earl of Strafford reâ—ited into England and to sundry persons declared his opinion to be That His Majesty should first try the Parliament here and if that did not supply him according to his occasions he might use then His Prerogative as he pleased to levy what he needed and that he should be acquitted both of God and Man if he took some other courses to supply himself though it were against the Wills of His Subjects THE Three and Twentieth Article The Charge 23. THat upon the Thirteenth day of April last the Parliament of England 〈◊〉 and the Commons House then being the representative Body of all the Commons in the Kingdom did according to the Trust reposed in them enter into Debate and Consideration of the great grievances of this Kingdom both in respect of Religion and the publique Liberty of the Kingdom and His Majesty referring chiefly to the said Earl of Strafford and the Archbishop of Canterbury the ordering and disposing of all matters concerning the Parliament He the said Earl of Strafford with the assistance of the said Archbishop did procure His Majesty by sundry Speeches and Messages to urge the said Commons House to enter into some resolution for His Majesties Supply for maintainance of His War against his Subjects of Scotl before any course taken for the relief of the great and pressing Grievances wherewith this Kingdom was then afflicted Whereupon a demand was then made from His Majesty of 12 Subsidies for the release of Ship money only and while the said Commons then Assembled with expression of great affection to His Majesty and His Service were in Debate and Consideration concerning some Supply before any resolution by them made He the said Earl of Strafford with the help and assistance of the said Archbishop did procure His Majesty to Dissolve the said Parliament upon the 5th day of May last and upon the same day the said Earl of Strafford did treacherously falsly and maliciously endeavour to incense His Majesty against His loving and faithful Subjects who had been Members of the said House of Commons by telling His Majesty they had denyed to supply Him And afterwards upon the same day did traiterously and wickedly counsel and advise His Majesty to this effect viz. That having tryed the affections of His People He was loose and absolved from all rules of Government and that he was to do every thing that Power would admit and that His Majesty had tryed all ways and was refused and should be acquitted towards God and Man and that He had an Army in Ireland meaning the Army above-mentioned consisting of Papists his Dependants as is aforesaid which he might imploy to reduce this Kingdom THE Four and Twentieth Article The Charge 24. THat in the same month of May he the said Earl of Strafford falsly traiterously and maliciously published and deciared before others of His Majesties Privy Council That the Parliament of England had forsaken the King and that in denying to supply the King they had given him advantage to supply himself by other wayes and several other times he did maliciously wickedly and falsly publish and declare That seeing the Parliament had refused to supply His Majesty in the ordinary and usual way the King might provide for the Kingdom in such wayes as he should hold fit and that he was not to suffer himself to be mastered by the frowardness and undutifulness of the people And having so maliciously slandered the said late House of Commons he did with the help and advice of the said Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Finch late Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England cause to be printed and published in His Majesties Name a false and scandalous Book Entituled His Majesties Declaration of the Causes that moved him to Dissolve the last Parliament Full of bitter and malicious Invectives and false and scandalous aspersions against the said House of Commons Monday April 5. 1641. THE Right Honourable the Lord Steward did this day in the first place acquaint the Gentlemen that managed the Evidence at the Bar That their Lordships had commanded him to let them know that my Lord of Strafford on Saturday in the evening gave in his Petition for the examination of my Lord of Northumberland and that he coming in so late it happened so that the Gentlemen of the House of Commons could not possibly have leave to cross examine and so the examinations are come only on one side sealed up wherefore his Lordship proposed that things might for the present be so carried as the proceedings of this day might not be hindred thereby Mr. Whitlock Answered That they shall go on according to their Lordships Order but he desired the cross-examination of my Lord of Northumberland and the Testimony of some other witnesses that are sent for and not yet come whose names they shall give in may be reserved To which my Lord of Strafford replyed That the motion is very new to him and in these things of form he may be easily mistaken and prejudiced before he is aware That to their cross-examining of my Lord of Northumberland he is very willing but for examining of Witnesses whose Names are not yet known and to have such a Latitude as to reserve supplemental proof he conceives may be hard and so appeals to their Lordships whither their Lordships will not have them name their Witnesses and assigne them a certain time within which they shall examine them And he desires likewise the examination of my Lord Keeper who is not yet examined may be reserved for him And likewise that my Lord of Canterbury may be examined he having been examined as he understood against him which if he had not been he should not have moved it and that the advantage of their two Testimonies may be reserved to him But Mr. Whitlock and Mr. Maynard thus explained it that they intend not to examine those who are not yet named in writing but to produce them viva voce and that they should take the boldness to name one of them to their Lordships and that is Mr. Sergeant Glanvile who was sent for eight days since and will be in Town to night And
Parliament finding to the grief of our hearts that the Designs of the Priests and Jesuits and other Adherents to the See of Rome have of late been more boldly and frequently put in practise than formerly to the undermining and danger of the true Reformed Protestant Religion in His Majesties Dominions established And finding also that there hath been and having just cause to suspect there still are even during the Sitting in Parliament endeavours to subvert the Fundamental Laws of England and Ireland and to introduce the exercise of an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government by most pernicious and wicked Counsels Practises Plots and Conspiracies and that the long intermission and unhappier breach of Parliaments hath occasioned many illegal Taxations whereby the Subjects have been prosecuted and grieved And that divers Innovations and Superstitions have been brought into the Church Multitudes driven out of His Majesties Dominions Jealousies raised and fomented between the King and his people A Popish Army levied in Ireland and two Armies brought into the Bowels of this Kingdom to the hazard of His Majesties Royal Person the Consumption of the Revenue of the Crown and the Treasure of this Realm And lastly finding the great causes of jealousie that endeavours have been and are used to bring the English Army into a misunderstanding of this Parliament thereby to encline that Army by force to bring that Army to pass those wicked Counsels have therefore thought good to joyn our Selves in a Declaration of our united affections and Resolutions and to make this ensuing Protestation The Protestation I A. B. Doe in the presence of God Promise Vow and Protest to maintain and Defend as far as lawfully I may with my Life Power and Estate the true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and Popish Innovation within this Realm contrary to the said Doctrine and according to the Duty of my Allegiance I will Maintain and Defend His Majesties Royal Person and Estate As also the Power and Priviledge of Parliaments the lawful Rights and Liberties of the Subjects And every Person that shall make this Protestation in whatsoever he shall do in the lawful pursuance of the same And to my power as far as lawfully I may I will oppose and by all good ways and means endeavour to bring to condigne punishment all such as shall by Force Practise Counsels Plots Conspiracies or otherwise do any thing to the contrary in this prsent Protestation contained And further That I shall in all Iust and Honourable ways endeavours to preserve the Union and Peace betwixt the Three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland and neither for Hope Fear or any other Respects shall relinquish this Promise Vow and Protestation This Protestation was read by Mr. Mainard Here followeth the Names of the Members of the House of Commons who took the same May 3. 1640. viz. WIll Lenthal Esq Speak Edward Hide George L. Digby Lord Faulkland Sir Iohn Culpepper Iohn Selden Orlando Bridgeman Sir William Pennyman Sir Henry Herbert Sir Tho. Fanshaw Sir William Widdrington Sir Fredreick Cornwallis Robert Holborne Esq Tho. Chicheley Esq Sir George Wentworth William Mallory Esq Io. Bellasis Esq Sir Guy Palmes Edm. Waller Esq Sidney Godolphin Esq Sir Nich. Slany Sir Hen. Slingsby Tho Iermin Esq Sir Tho. Peyton Sir Philip Musgrave Sir Patricius Curwin Sir Iohn Stowel Sir Iohn Strangwayes Sir Iohn Paulet Sir Rich. Wynn. Tho. Tomkins Esq Arthur Capel Esq Iames L. Compton Sir Ralph Hopton Geofrey Palmer Esq Io. Vaughan Esq Edw. Montague Esq Geo. Montague Esq Will. Plydell Esq Sir Iohn Paulet Charles Price Esq Herbert Price Esq Sir Ralph Sidenham Fitzwilliam Cognisby Esq Baptist Noel Esq Sir Roger Palmer Iohn Coventry Esq Edw. Seymor Esq Sir Arthur Ingram Sir Tho. Ingram Sir Edw. Verney Sir Ralph Verney Eranics Newport Esq Ben. Weston Esq Lord Mansfield Sir William Carnaby Sir Nicholas Slaning Io. Craven Esq William Constantine Esq Sir Edw. Deering Sir Geo. Dalston Sir Tho. Bowyer Io. Hamden Esq Henry Pelham Esq Sir Tho. Widdrington Sir Henry Herbert Sir Edw. Bainton Iames Cambel Esq Sir Tho. Heale Sir Henry Anderson Sir Harbottle Grimston Sir Robert Pye Senior Ferd. L. Fairfax Sir Henry Mildmay Sir William Armyn Sir Roger North. Sir Walter Deaveraux Tho. Hatcher Esq Sir Chr. Yelverton William L. Russel Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Henry Cholmly Sir Iohn Hotham Iohn Pym Esq Sir Ben. Rudyard Herbert Esq Digby Esq Sir Gilbert Gerrard Lord Ruthen Sir Nevil Pool Denzil Hollis Esq Iohn Maynard Esq Sir Robert Harly Iohn Glyn Esq Sir Tho. Barrington William Stroud Esq Nathan Fines Esq Henry Martin Esq Iohn Bodvil Esq Sir Fran. Knoles Rich. Shettleworth Esq Iohn Moor Esq Sir Simon D'Ewes Sir Iohn Wray Sir Chr. Wray Sir Martin Lomly Herbert Morly Esq Tho. L. Grey Rog. Burgoine Esq Sir Edw. Hungerford Sir Iohn Curson Will. Perepoint Esq Iohn Marstal Esq Hugh Owen Esq Norton Knatchbold Esq Sir Ed. Hales Sir Ed. Master Iohn Cowcher Esq Sir William Strickland Sir Edw. Boys Sir Tho. Walsingham Sir Peter Wrath. Tho. Maleveror Esq Edw. Bainton Esq Oliver Cromwel Esq Sir Gilbert Pickering Will. Whittaker Esq Mich. Oldsworth Esq Sir Iohn Harrison Sir Hugh Cholmley Isaack Penington Esq George Peard Esq Sir Io. Howard Henry Vaughan Esq Ed. Kirton Esq Ed. Bagshaw Esq Sir Walter Smith Rich. Harding Esq Bulstred Whitlock Esq Will. Price Esq Henry Lucas Esq Gilbert Willington Esq Sir Tho. Huchinson Sir Will. Morly Sir Henry Bellingham Sir Iohn Frankland Sir Iohn Clotworthy Sir Edw. Munford Will. Kage Esq Iohn Northcot Esq Sir Tho. Middleton Sir Iohn Salisbury Sir Ro. Nappier Tho. Lower Esq Fran. Gerrard Esq Perigrin Pelham Esq Tho. Fountain Esq Hen. Vernon Esq Lord Lisle Ed. Dawx Esq Ro. Scowen Esq Sir Dudly North. Lawrance Whitaker Esq Sir Humphry Tufton Henry Heyman Esq Tho. Hiblethwait Esq Arthur Iones Esq Will. Bell Esq Io. Harvy Esq Io. Ash Esq Geo. Gallop Esq Io. Nash Esq Edw. Ash Esq Rich. Seaburn Esq Cornelius Holland Esq Edm. Dunch Esq Rich. Barwis Esq Humph. Hook Esq Ro. Trelawny Esq Rich. Weston Esq Iohn Goodwin Esq Nath. Stephen Esq Io. White Esq Sir Ed. Griffin Rich. Albrough Esq Dr. Sam. Turner Ral. Snead Esq Ed. Patridge Esq Sir Peter Temple Poynings Moore Esq Sir Will. Lewis Peter Venebles Esq Hen. Killagrew Esq Iohn Harris Esq Io. Moston Esq Peter Leigh Esq Dr. Tho. Eaden Will. Glanvil Esq Arthur Goodwin Esq Edw. Owner Esq Tho. Toll Esq Iohn Polwhil Esq Simon Thelwal Esq Oliv. St. Iohn Regis Sol. Sir Will. Allynson Io. Crew Rich. Catelin Esq Ro. Goodwy Esq Io. Blakeston Esq Sir Will. Brereton Miles Corbet Esq Phil. Smith Esq Sir Rich. Vivion Ravenscroft Esq Sir Tho. Middleton Rich. Kingsly Esq Ralph Ashton Esq Will. Fitzwilliams Esq Henry Bellasis Esq Sir Edw. Ascue Sir Edm. Fowel Sir Io. Price Rich. Boyle Lord Dungarven Edw. Pool Esq Roger Hill Esq Sir Io. Eveling Edw. Prideaux Esq Giles Green Esq Dennis Bond Esq Roger Mathews Esq Zouch
November 6th 1640. THe House of Commons having in the first place according to ancient Custom setled all their Grand Committees for Religion Grievances Courts of Justice Trade and Priviledges It was moved That in regard the Complaints of the Kings Subjects in Ireland were many who had undergone great Oppressions in that Kingdom by Male-Government there and come to this Parliament for Relief might be referred to a Committee of the whole House for that purpose only to be appointed This motion being made by Mr. Pym and seconded by Sir Iohn Clotworthy avowing many particulars of the Complaints mentioned to be true it made a Discovery to such as were well-wishers to Thomas Lord Wentworth Earl of Strafford and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland that this Motion was intended by a side-wind to accumulate Complaints against him the said Lord Lieutenant in order to an Accusation so when the question was put after long debate viz. Whether the Irish Affairs should be referred to a Committee of the whole House The House was divided Sir Iohn Clotworthy and Sir Henry Mildmay being of Opinion for the Yeas were appointed Tellers of the number of the Noes and Sir Edward Bainton and Sir Richard Luson being of Opinion not to refer this business of Ireland to a Grand Committee conceiving it without President were appointed Tellers of the number of the Yeas and when they had told all they came up to the Table and made this Report to Mr. Speaker That there were with the Yeas 165 and with the Noes 152 whereupon it was Resolved upon the Question That the Irish Affairs should be referred to a Grand Committee of the whole House to meet to morrow in the Afternoon at Two of the Clock in the House and afterwards every Thursday at the same hour and place And this Committee is Ordered to have the like Power as the other Grand Committees of the whole House have This Vote being carried for a Grand Committee as to Irish Affairs a Cabal of Friends to the Earl of Strafford sent down post unto him into York-shire to acquaint him that they apprehended a Design against him in the making of this Committee and left it to his own Election whether he would stay still on the Head of his Army or come up to the Parliament But if he did incline to come up that he would at his first appearance Impeach some Members of both Houses if he had Evidence for the same of being privy to the bringing the Scotch Army into this Kingdom and told him It was his wisdom to begin first and not to be first Impeached as the Earl of Bristol was by the great Duke of Buckingham The said Earl upon the receipt of this Advertisement suddenly resolved to come up and abide the Test of Parliament But his Friends then with him in the North told him That his frank appearance would make Politâ—ans doubt whether he did thereby assume his Judgment and wonted Prudence to go thus from his Army to the Parliament where his Wisdom could not but know that the Scots and Scotizing-English had resolved his destruction and therefore said they unto him It were better to keep under the safe-guard of the English Army at his Command from which he had acquired some affection or retire to the Army in Ireland then being also at his Devotion or take Sanctuary in some Forreign Parts till fair weather might invite him home neither said they would Discretion Vote it a betraying of his Innocency to decline a Trial whereby the means of Factions raised in England and Scotland by his malicious Prosecutors and backed with Power his Innocency could not protect him They further told him that if Sentence should pass against him for Non-appearance yet he had kept his freedom till better times when he might have occasion to do His Master better Service abroad than in Council at White-hall But the said Earl conceiving he had got good Evidence in the North that the Scots came in by Invitation and Confederacy between the Heads of the Covenanters and some of the English Members of both Houses and having digested such his Intelligence almost into the form of an Impeachment he posted up with the same intending to present it to the House of Peers as soon as he arrived there But on Wednesday Nov. 11th the House of Commons being acquainted by a Member that there was a business of great weight to be imparted desired the House that the Lobby without might be first cleared and the Key of the House brought up to the Table which was done accordingly and as the House had entred into debate about the Earl of Strafford there came a Message from the Lords by the Lord Chief Justice Bramstom and Judge Foster That the King had commanded the Lords Commissioners who were appointed to Treat with the Scots Commissioners at Rippon to give an Account to both Houses of Parliament of that which passed there and at York and thereupon the Lords desire there may be a meeting by a Committee of both Houses this Afternoon in the Painted-Chamber at Three of the Clock if the occasions of this House will give leave At this time many Members of the House conceived this Message was now sent to get Intelligence what private debate was in hand The House of Commons returned this Answer by the same Messengers That at this time they were in Agitation of very Weighty and Important Affairs and therefore they do doubt they shall not be ready to give them a meeting this Afternoon as the Lords desire but as soon as they may they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own After the Messengers were withdrawn the House proceeded in the Debate they were in before and appointed a Committee to prepare matter upon the said Debate for a Conference with the Lords concerning the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and named seven Members viz. Mr. Pym Mr. Stroud Mr. St. Iohn Lord Digby Sir Iohn Clotworthy Sir Walter Earle and Mr. Hampden Which select Committee retired immediately into the Committee-Chamber to prepare Matter of a Conference to be prayed with the Lords and a Charge against the Earl of Strafford The said Committee presently returned to the House and reported the Matter to them referred Whereupon it was Resolved upon the Question That a Message be sent from this House to the Lords in the Name of this House and of all the Commons of England to accuse Thomas Lord Wentworth Earl of Strafford Lord Lieutenant of Ireland of High Treason and to desire that he may be Sequestred from Parliament and be Committed to Prison and that within some convenient time this House will resort to their Lordships with particular Accusations and Articles against him Mr. Pym went up with this Message to the Lords and at his Return made this Report to the House That he had Repaired to the Lords and there in the Name of this House and of all the Commons of England did Accuse the said Earl of Strafford
Twelfth Year of His Majesties Reign the said Earl of Strafford did traiterously cause certain Troops of Horse and Foot armed in War-like manner and in War-like array with Force and Arms to expel Richard Butler from the Possession of the Mannor of Castle-Cumber in the Territory of Idough in the said Realm of Ireland and did likewise and in the War-like manner expel divers of His Majesties Subjects from their Houses Families and Possessions as namely Edward O Brenman Owen Oberman John Brenman Patrick Oberman Sir Cyprian Horsefield and divers others to the number of about an hundred Families and took and imprisoned them and their wives and carried them Prisoners to Dublin and there detained until they did yield up surrender or release their respective Estates and Rights And the said Earl in like War-like manner hath during his Government of the said Kingdom of Ireland subdued divers others of His Majesties Subjects there to his will and thereby and by the means aforesaid hath levied War within the said Realm against His Majesty and His Liege-people of that Kingdom XVI That the Earl of Strafford the Two and twentieth of February in the Seventh Year of His Majesties Reign intending to Oppress the said Subjects of Ireland did make a Proposition and obtained from His Majesty an Allowance thereof That no Complaint of Injustice or Oppression done in Ireland should be received in England against any unless it appeared that the party made first his address to him the said Earl and the said Earl having by such Usurped tyrannical and exorbitant Power expressed in the former Articles Destroyed and Oppressed the Péers and other Subjects of that Kingdom of Ireland in their Lives Consciences Land Liberties and Estates the said Earl to the intent the better to maintain and strengthen his said Power and to bring the people into a disaffection of His Majesty as aforesaid did use His Majesties Name in the execution of the said Power And to prevent the Subjects of that Realm of all means of Complaints to His Majesty and of redress against him and his Agents did issue a Proclamation bearing date the Seventeenth day of September in the Eleventh Year of His Majesties Reign thereby commanding all the Nobility Undertakers and others who held Estates and Offices in the said Kingdom except such as were employed in His Majesties Service or attending in England by His special Command to make their personal residence in the said Kingdom of Ireland and not to depart thence without Licence of himself And the said Earl hath since issued other Proclamations to the same purpose by means whereof the Subjects of the said Realm are restrained from seeking relief against the Oppressions of the said Earl without his Licence which Proclamation the said Earl hath by several rigorous waies as by Fine Imprisonment and otherwise put in execution on His Majesties Subjects as namely one Parry and others who came over only to complain of the Exorbitances and Oppressions of the said Earl XVII That the said Earl having by such means as aforesaid subverted the Government and Laws of the Kingdom of Ireland did in March in the Sixteenth Year of His Majesties Reign in scandal of His Majesties Government of all His Kingdoms and in further Execution of his wicked Purposes aforesaid speaking of the Army in Ireland declare That His Majesty was so well pleased with the Army of Ireland and the consequences thereof that His Majesty would certainly make the same a Pattern for all His Three Kingdoms XVIII That the said Earl of Strafford for the better effecting of his traiterous Designs and wicked Purposes did endeavour to draw dependency upon himself of the Papists in both Kingdoms of England and Ireland and to that end during the time of his Government in Ireland he restored divers Fryeries and Masse-Houses which had béen formerly suppressed by the precedent Deputies of that Kingdom two of which Houses are in the City of Dublin and had been assigned to the use of the University there to the pretended Owners thereof who have since imployed the same to the Exercise of the Popish Religion And in the month of May and June last the said Earl did raise an Army in the said Realm consisting of 8000 Foot all of which except one or thereabouts were Papists and the said One thousand were drawn out of the old Army there consisting of Two thousand Foot and in their places there were a thousand Papists or thereabouts put into the said old Army by the said Earl And the more to engage and tie the said new Army of Papists to himself and to encourage them and to discourage and weary out the said old Army the said Earl did so provide That the said new Army of Papists were duly paid and had all Necessaries provided for them and permitted the Exercise of their Religion but the said old Army were for the space of one whole Year and upwards unpaid And the said Earl being appointed a Commissioner within eleven several Counties of the Northern parts of England for Compounding with Recusants for their Forfeitures due to His Majesty which Commission beareth date the Eighth day of July in the Fifth Year of His Majesties Reign that now is and being also Receiver of the Composition-money thereby arising and of other Debts Duties and Penalties by reason of Recusancy within the said Counties for His Majesties Use by Letters Patents dated the Ninth day of the same July He to engage the said Recusants to him did Compound with them at low and under Rates and provided that they should be discharged of all Procéedings against them in all His Majesties Courts both Temporal and Ecclesiastical in manifest breach of and contrary to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm in that behalf Established XIX That the said Earl having Taxed and Levied the said Impositions and raised the said Monopolies and committed the said other Oppressions in His Majesties Name and as by His Majesties Royal Command he the said Earl in May the Fifteenth Year of His Majesties Reign did of his own authority contrive and frame a new and unusual Oath by the purport whereof among many other things the party taking the said Oath was to swear that he should not protest against any His Majesties Royal Commands but submit himself in all due obedience thereunto Which Oath he so contriv'd to enforce the same on the Subjects of the Scotish Nation inhabiting in Ireland and out of a hatred to the said Nation and to put them to a discontent with His Majesty and His Government there and compelled divers of His Majesties said Subjects there to take the said Oath against their wills and of such as refused to take the said Oath some he grievously fined and imprisoned and others he destroyed and exiled and namely the Tenth of October Anno Dom. 1639. he fined Henry Steward and his wife who refused to take the said Oath 5000 l. a piece and their two Daughters and James Gray 3000 l. a
time or no. The Lord High Steward answered that their Lordships Commandment is to let his Lordship know That if the House of Commons proceed not by their Members to manage the Evidence this day then what his Lordship hath to say to this House may be put off to another time And so their Lordships Adjourned to the House above by which is meant the House where the Lords use to sit in Parliament and appointed the next morning to proceed in this business The Second day Tuesday March 23. 1640 THeir Lordships being set the Lord Steward recited in brief the proceedings of the day before adding that naturally and properly it belongs in the next place for those whom the House of Commons have deputed to manage their Evidence in pursuance of the Articles of Impeachment to begin the work of the day Then Mr. Pym one of the Committee appointed for the management of the Evidence began as followeth My Lords We stand here by the Commandment of the Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled for the Commons in Parliament And we are ready to make good that Impeachment whereby Thomas Earl of Strafford stands charged in their Name and in the Name of all the Commons of England with High Treason This My Lords is a Great Cause and we might sink under the weight of it and be astonished with the Lustre of this Noble Assembly if there were not in the Cause strength and vigour to support it self and to encourage us It is the Cause of the King it concerns His Majesty in the Honour of His Government in the Safety of His Person in the Stability of His Crown It is the Cause of the Kingdom It concerns not only the Peace and Prosperity but even the Being of the Kingdom We have that piercing Eloquence the Cries and Groans and Tears and Prayers of all the Subjects assisting us We have the three Kingdoms England and Scotland and Ireland in Travail and Agitation with us bowing themselves like the Hindes spoken of in Iob to cast out their Sorrows Truth and Goodness My Lords they are the Beauty of the Soul they are the Perfection of all created Natures they are the Image and Character of God upon the Creatures This Beauty Evil Spirits and Evil Men have lost but yet there are none so wicked but they desire to march under the shew and shadow of it though they hate the reality of it This unhappy Earl now the Object of your Lordships Justice hath taken as much care hath used as much cunning to set a face and countenance of Honesty and Justice upon his Actions as he hath been negligent to observe the rules of Honesty in the Performance of all these Actions My Lords it is the greatest baseness of wickedness that it dares not look in his own Colours nor be seen in its natural Countenance But Virtue as it is amiable in all respects so the least is not this That it puts a Nobleness it puts a Bravery upon the Mind and lifts it above Hopes and Fears above Favour and Displeasure it makes it always uniform and constant to it self The Service Commanded me and my Colleagues here is to take off those Vizards of Truth and Uprightness which hath been sought to be put upon this Cause and to shew you his Actions and his Intentions in their own natural Blackness and Deformity My Lords He hath put on a Vizard of Truth in these words wherein he says That he should be in his Defence more careful to observe Truth than to gain Advantage to himself He says he would endure any thing rather than be saved by Falshoood It was a noble and brave Expression if it were really true My Lords He hath likewise put on the Vizard of Goodness on his Actions when he desires to recite his Services in a great many particulars as if they were Beneficial to the Common-wealth and State whereas we shall prove them Mischievous and Dangerous It is left upon me My Lords to take off these Vizards and Appearances of Truth and Goodness in that part of his Answer which is the Preamble And that I shall do with as much Faithfulness and Brevity as I can 1. The First thing My Lords that I shall observe in the Preamble is this That having recited all those great and honourable Offices which he hath done under His Majesty he is bold to affirm That he hath been careful and faithful in the Execution of them all My Lords If he might be his own Witness and his own Judge I doubt not but he would be Acquitted It is said in the Proverbs of the Adulterous Woman That she wipes her mouth and says she had done no Evil. Here is a wiping of the mouth here is a verbal expression of Honesty But My Lords the foulness and unjustness will never be wiped off neither from his Heart nor from his Actions I mean for the time past God may change him for the time to come That is the first thing I observe 2. My Lords In the second place out of his Apologetical Preamble I shall observe this He doth magnifie his own Endeavours in five particulars 1. That he hath Endeavoured the maintenance of Religion I may miss in words I shall not miss in sense 2. That he hath Endeavoured the Honour of the King 3. The Encrease of His Revenue 4. The Peace and Honour and Safety of the Kingdom 5. The Quiet and Peace of the People These are his five particulars and I shall give a short Answer to every one of them 1. For Religion My Lords we say and we shall prove that he hath been diligent indeed to favour Innovations to favour Superstitions to favour the Incroachments and Usurpations of the Clergy But for Religion it never received any advantage by him nay a great deal of hurt 2. For the Honour of the King My Lords We say it is the Honour of the King that He is the Father of His People that He is the Fountain of Justice and it cannot stand with His Honour and Justice to have His Government Stain'd and Polluted with Tyranny and Oppression 3. For the Increase of His Revenue It is true there may be some Addition of Sums but we say There is no Addition of Strength nor Wealth because in those parts where it hath been increased this Earl hath taken the greatest share himself And when he hath spoiled and ravined on the People he hath been content to yield up some part to the King that he might with more security enjoy the rest 4. For the Strength and Honour and Safety of the Kingdom My Lords In a time of Peace he hath let in upon us the Calamities of War Weakness Shame and Confusion 5. And for the Quiet of the Subjects He hath been an Incendiary he hath Armed us amongst our selves and made us weak and naked to all the World besides This is that I shall answer to the second Head of his Apology 3. The Third is
I say I preferred Mr. Gray and have done for him according to the means I had by the Favour and Goodness of the King perhaps he hath that which is worth 3 or 4 or 500 l. a year by my Gift And this Mr. Gray if I be not mistaken was sometimes Chaplain to a Noble Person that sits on the Earls Bench and if it were material further to enquire of him I might give satisfaction what he is I likewise brought into that Kingdom Mr. Tilson now Bishop of Elphin and sometimes Fellow of University Colledge of Oxford a most Worthy Honest Religious Person he is and those that know him I am sure will give him that Testimony I likewise preferred Dr. Margetson Dean of Christs Church he was of Cambridge and a Worthy man Mr. Forward Dean of Drummore an Oxford man who if he were known would appear worthy of that Preferment Mr. Dean Cressy an Oxford man Mr. Roade Dean of Derry a Cambridge man of Sydney Colledge Dr. Wentworth Dean of Armagh of Oxford Dr. Price Dean of Conaught of Christs Church in Oxford Mr. Thorpe a Cambridge man I preferred likewise one Mr. Parry whom I found in Ireland but all the rest I brought and sent for out of England Nay I sent for them and did those things for them before they did ask the Question or knew of it That being a means under Gods Blessing to conform that Kingdom to the Church of England And these and far greater numbers than these to my best Judgment and Understanding I made use of as Instruments to Gods Glory His true Service and the reducing of the people to the Profession of the same Religion that 's here in England and for no other end But concerning my Carriage of the Trust reposed in me by the King touching these Ecclesiastical Preferments I desire no other Testimony or Witness for me but the Lord Primate of Ireland who is sick and cannot come hither To whom I will Appeal whether I have not in my preferring to the Church Preferments carried my self with all clearness and care I could possibly To the point of increasing of Protestants if Your Lordships please to hear any thing in that kind I shall call my Lord Dillon and Sir Adam Loftus who if they should be asked Whether there be more Protestants in Dublin now than when I first came thither I doubt not but they would give an account of a greater number We Charge him not upon this point so it was set aside My preferring of none but Protestant Officers if I mistook not the Noble Gentleman did acknowledge To the disposing of the Army without Grievance to the Subject I leave that which was spoken with so much Advantage and Ability above any thing that from such a poor man as my self could be expected and proceed to that which was proved observing That one only Testimony was produced viz. Alderman I. who said they have a special Charter at Dublin to exempt them from Billetting of Soldiers But whether it be so or no it hath ever been denyed by the Deputies And by his own Confession the Foot-Companies of my Lord of Faulkland were Billetted in Dublin And whereas it was said they had Lodgings not Money That was altered upon a Composition with the Soldiers who can expect only Lodging but if for the Ease of the Town they will allow the Soldier Money and leave him to provide for himself it is all one For the Horse-Troops My own is and ever since I was there hath been Billetted in Dublin And it is in the power of the Deputy to Garrison part of the King's Army where he pleases and without controversie hath been so at all times And I desire that my Lord Ranulagh may be asked Whether the Soldiers of the Company he hath be not Billetted in Athlone at least some part of it It is true my Lord of Faulkland's Troop was not Billetted in Dublin but they were in the Counties round about which was more chargeable And besides here is produced but one single Witness and I hope my own Answer may stand equal and in as much Credit as a single Testimony that on the matter confesses the thing in a great part For the increase of Shipping the Gentleman question'd it not and really there is now 100 Tun for one that was there before my coming And if I had time to send into Ireland for the Certificates of the Officer of the Ports the Surveyor I think who views the Ports once a year it should appear to Your Lordships that I have not abused you nor the Honourable Gentlemen that hear me And whether that be an Argument that the Trade and Wealth of the Kingdom is improved I appeal to all that hear me when the Shipping doth so much increase And the Customs which were not above 13000 l. a year are come to 40000 l. and that on the same Book of Rates Concerning the Sentencing of Jurors and the questioning of them in the Star-Chamber It is true divers of their Sentences were past And to those Sentences I refer my self till something be proved against the Truth and Justice of them And I think it will stand with Your Lordships Goodness to judge the best of the Court of Castle-Chamber wherein the Deputy hath but one Voice They being the King's Ministers and standing upon their Oathes to do their Duties But I think in my Conscience there was the greatest reason in the World to sentence those persons And when it comes to be examined it will prove so And unless a strict hand be in that kind held upon the Natives the Priests shall carry them against all things that can be For either they do not or will not understand their Evidence so that it begets one of the most crying sins in Ireland And if some Examples have been made they are upon strict grounds and reasons of State For if Jurors going directly and manifestly contrary to their Evidence be not punished that high and ancient Trial by Jury will fall And is it not ordinary in England to have Juries Sentenced for not finding according to the Evidence But if any one hath not been Just upon instancing of the particulars I will Answer for his Vote as well as I can For it must stand or fall according to the Merit of the Cause But one thing which I observe the Gentleman to say is very Considerable for he tells what was spent there this last year This I have little to Answer for For when I came out of Ireland there was 100000 l. in the Exchequer and how it hath been issued I know not but it hath not been done by my Warrant or Direction yet I doubt not but it will appear when examined that it hath been faithfully and justly disposed But I am not to Answer for it only I can say That when I came out of that Kingdom the Kingdom was so far from being 60000 l. in Debt as some
only excepted as be imployed here c. do hereafter make their personal Residence and not depart for England or other place without privity of Our Deputy any former Letters to the contrary notwithstanding And because We resolve to have this course constantly observed if you shall have notice of any Contemner of this Command Our Will and Pleasure is That you proceed against them in an exemplary way to deterr others And for so doing this shall be your Warrant My Lord of Strafford observed That he might well have hoped that this being required by the Laws of the Land that no man should depart without Licence but it should be penal to him having their own Articles which desire the same thing That by this Proclamation the Power of my Lord of Faulkland was established upon him and the Kings Command for the issuing this Proclamation being justified by the Kings own Letter so that this should not have been laid to him for so great and high a crime as it hath been represented to your Lordships and he trusted that by that time their Lordships thought it not so great a crime as it might at first seem to be That he was not very hasty in issuing the Proclamation he having no interest in it nor nothing to drive him forwards for tho His Majesties Command was bearing date 20 Iune 1634. yet the Proclamation issued not till Sept. 17. 1635. And because all he had said had been turned on him as a crime his Lordship gave this further Answer That there could be no Proclamation made by the Deputy alone he being absolutely restrained by his Commission not to make a Proclamation without the Council therefore he could not be singular in the fault but had the consent of all the Kings Council and for instance in matter of Law the Chief Justices are sitting at the Board to whom all matters of Law are referred and they are answerable for it and are so learned that they could not do things so frequently without good authority and this he offered in excuse of this and all other Proclamations not doubting but it was according to the Laws and Customs of the Land And for further satisfaction that part of his Commission that concerned the Proclamation was read and in this particular he desired leave to offer something more with all Humility that tho none of these were for his justification yet for Reasons of State this Restraint was most necessary for whosoever goes over Deputy while these two great men to term them no worse O Neal and Tir-Connel have Regiments of the most antient Irish Septs serving the King of Spain under their Command it is necessary for him to have an eye upon them for if every one might withdraw himself at pleasure without giving an account it would open all the power and means that possibly can be to distemper that State and certainly if that liberty might be granted he feared it would produce sad events in that Kingdom Moreover if all the Primogeniture and Nobility of that Religion should be suffered to go over to Doway St. Omer and the Jesuites Colledges it was to be feared they should not be so well brought up for the service of the King and Common-wealth as may be desired and therefore it was necessary according to the constitutions of that Kingdom that they shall give an account to the Chief Governor And it was no other than what is practised here in England no man being at liberty to goe hence into France without Licence And certainly said he it is an Account we owe to the King and stands with the Law of nature Pater Familiae may take accompt of his own Houshold and the King being the great Father of the Common-wealth we owe this Accompt to him Therefore he conceived it can be no great offence in him to do this on these grounds and as he recommended the prosperity of that Kingdom and His Majesties affairs there and here to God by his Prayers and good desires so he wishes it might be taken into good consideration that this may be continued as a principal and necessary expedient to give His Majesty that account without which the Governor shall not be able to take just measures of things there His Lordship then observed that something had been observed that was no part of his Charge and therefore presumed their Lordships would not expect an answer to it or conclude him any way in their Judgement guilty of it since the means of giving that satisfaction which otherwise he should have done are now taken away But when they came to be complained of in their proper place he is ready to give such an account as becomes a Just and Innocent man But that which seems to be the foulest of them was that concerning my Lord of Esmond of which he remembred very little but something darkly and if it appeared not as he should say he was extreamly mistaken for what he did not know or remember he would not speak of it confidently and in short the point is this Two men swear that he the Lord of Strafford denied liberty to my Lord of Esmond to come for England Aug. 1638. and that he was kept in Ireland and could not have Licence to come away till April 1639. His Lordship confessed it to be very true and that he remembred my Lord of Esmond desiring to go over was stopped by him a while he being Sergeant Mayor-General of the Army the Army having occasion of motion and that he was sure it was much about the time if his Memory failed him not extreamly but when it came to this time and he had means to produce witnesses he hoped to make this appear besides he was mistaken if he did not very shortly after give him a Licence and that he found not occasion to make use of it and if that was was so all they said was taken away for he afterwards finding it to draw towards winter laid aside the Licence till the Spring at Spring he asked it and had it but in these things not judicially brought against him and to which he could not make certain Answers he hoped he might stand clear and unprejudiced till he may answer positively for himself and then as their Lordships should find him they might judge of him and he should ever most willingly submit to their Judgements and abide it whatever it was And whereas the Witnesse said my Lord of Esmond was hindred because he had no Commission to examine Witnesses my Lord of Strafford said he was able to prove that a Bond was granted him to examine Witnesses And the Witness being accidentally there his Lordship took notice of Gods providence from that and said God Almighty was willing to help and assist him wonderfully in his Trial and that his Goodness to him in this Cause had been a great deal more than he would trouble their Lordships withal at that time but he said he was confident God had
for my Lord of Canterbury if they have examined him it was before his Charge and they shall make no use of his examination neither is he a person capable of being a Witness being now charged and in some particulars for conspiring with the Lords at the Bar and therefore they submit it whether it be convenient he should be examined though if they shall urge his Testimony it will be something and likewise their Lordships over-ruled it in Sir George Ratcliff's Case But my Lord of Strafford submitting all to their ordships good pleasure it being his part only to move as his Lordship said and do what their Lordships should in their wisdoms think fit The Lord Steward declared their Lordships pleasure that Sergeant Glanvill and the other Witnesses might be reserved to be heard to morrow viva voce and that the examinations of my Lord of Northumberland and my Lord Keeper might be likewise reserved for my Lord of Canterbury it was observed that he was examined before the Charge and that the Gent. of the Commons-House intend not to make use of his Testimony And so the Committee proceeded to the next Article Mr. Whitlock proceeded putting their Lordships in mind that they had been pleased to take a view of my Lord of Strafford's Courses in Ireland which have manifested his designe to subvert and change the Law and bring in an Arbitrary Government That his execution of that Arbitrary Power upon the persons Estates and Lives of the Kings Subjects there hath been a clear proof of this his designe They shall now proceed to show their Lordships what his designe was in England and Scotland as the same was set forth in the 20th21 22 23 and 24th Articles together with the matters contained in them they being interwoven and depending one upon the other and so are but one business My Lord of Strafford did thereupon offer that he conceived it was agreed they shoul go Article by Article that his Memory is short and his Abilities weak and if three or four be brought together his Memory will not serve him to give them that account that otherwise he should be able to do And since the order of proceeding Article by Article was by consent he besought that course might be persued not giving consent to the alteration of it But Mr. Maynard desired leave to remember their Lordships that they offered to go Article by Article till they came to some that were woven together which might change the course They find much time is lost between Article and Article and there will need no great Consideration of of these being only about words and when my Lord of Strafford stands by way of Defence he may not inform them which way to proceed and they will proceed no way differently from what was formerly proposed My Lord of Strafford humbly appealed to their Lordships Whether the Favour offered him for recollecting his Notes had spent much time and added perhaps if another man had been in his case he would have thought as long a time as he had taken necessary tho a far abler man than himself but this inverts the whole Order agreed on and brings him to a great inconvenience and therefore he desired he might Answer them single in the mannor as was agreed upon To which Mr. Whitlock Answered That if the Articles be not proceeded in together and as having relation to one another they will loose much of the Application Evidence and Proof and he conceives will be more easie to my Lord of Strafford And for the Order mentioned there was under favour no order in it but when my Lord of Strafford made the motion Mr. Whitlock said he took the boldness to inform their Lordships that he should proceed on some of them altogether which my Lord of Strafford did not deny and their Lordships approved of and according to that they desire to proceed Mr. Glyn adding That he never knew before this time a Prisoner at the Barr prescribe a Method to the Evidence especially if he be charged with High Treason and my Lord may afford them the same favour they do him for if he will answer Article by Article he may but as they leave him to his course so they desire to take their course But in that case my Lord of Strafford desired he might have time to Answer till to morrow morning and professed that he should be extream unwilling to offer any thing that became him not in Humility and Modesty or to prescribe a course to any he being in his condition but he trusts he may with Humility and Duty offer to their Lordships consideration these things that may be for his Assistance and Defence without offence to any So the Committee that managed the Evidence for the Commons-House had direction to proceed as they had propounded Mr. Whitlock then proceeded to open the Charge of these Articles which will refer to prove a designe of my Lord of Strafford against Scotland to subvert their Parliament and our Government here and to bring in an Army on us to force us to submit to an Arbitrary Power First they shall apply themselves to prove his designe against Scotland which lies first in the Charge That he advised the King two or three times that the demands made by the Scots in their Parliament were a sufficient ground for a Warr against them notwithstanding that Parliament was indicted by the Kings Royal Authority and they have their liberty to Propound and Treat Your Lordships may remember what my Lord of Strafford said at the sentencing of Stewart in Ireland whereby he expressed his hatred and rancor towards them and his opinion of them at that time being after the pacification made and he continues in the same ill opinion of them and to give the same ill Council That at another time he told His Majesty the demands of the Scots in their Parliament were not matter of Religion but struck at the root of Government and that it was fit to punish them by force That he caused the Ships of the Scots in Ireland to be seized That he procured the Parliament in Ireland to declare their assistance and give supply for a Warr against Scotland and that several times he endeavoured to perswade His Majesty to an offensive Warr against the Scots under which particulars will fall in proof his design against Scotland His design against England was of the same nature which will appear by his words and by his Councils and by some Speeches given out by those that have very near Relation to him and are his creatures who agreed with his own words likewise They shall prove to their Lordships That on a discourse between Sir George Ratcliffe and Sir Robert King concerning the War with the Scots and my Lord of Straffords being engaged in it Sir George Ratcliffe told him We are ingaged in a War with the Scots and we must go on with it
and being demanded how the King would do if he were not supplyed by Parliament He said the King hath 30000 men and 400000 l. in his Purse and his Sword by his side and if he wants Money who could pity him That he said likewise he could make peace with the Scots when he list but that was the worst of Evils There were other words spoken by Sir George Wentworth my Lord of Strafford's Brother to a Gentleman a Member of the House of Commons that England was sick of Peace and it would never be well with it till it were again conquered These were the words of others his Creatures They shall prove his Lordship's own words and Counsels That he declared his opinion to my Lord Primate of Ireland that in case of necessity His Majesty might use his Prerogative to levy what he needed saving first to try the Parliament and if that supply him not then to use his Prerogative as he pleased That at another time when my Lord Conway a Nobleman of this House was pleased to ask him How the Forces raised and to be raised should be paid My Lord of Strafford said he doubted not but twelve Subsidies would be given My Lord Conway putting the doubt to him again What if they should not be given My Lord of Strafford was pleased to reply Then the King would be acquitted before God and Men if he took some other course to supply himself though it were against the Will of the Subject At another time when His Majesty had Graciously declared himself that he would have a Parliament he was pleased to say That in case the Parliament should not supply him he would be ready to serve him in any other way These Words and Counsels were all before the calling of the last Parliament In the time of the sitting of the Parliament the House of Commons were frequently urged by Messages procured by my Lord of Strafford from His Majesty to take consideration of the Kings Supply for a War a-against Scotland and before consideration and relief of the grievances in Religion and Government of the Kingdom 12 Subsidies were demanded for release of the Ship-money only and when the House of Commons were in debate concerning Supply and before they came to resolution by advise of my Lord of Strafford that Parliament was dissolved After the Parliament was dissolved they shall show how by divers Words and Counsels my Lord of Strafford endeavoured to incense His Majesty against His loving Subjects and so to slander them to His Majesty as to make a division between them And also of His design to bring in an Army upon us That he declared to His Majesty that the Parliament had denyed to supply him and had quite forsaken him and that he said to a Noble Earl of that House That the Parliament in this great distress of the King and Kingdom had refused to supply the King in the ordinary and usual way and therefore the King might provide for the Kingdom by such ways as he thought fit and that the King was not to suffer himself to be mastered by the frowardness and undutifulness of his people That he said at another time to a Nobleman in this House That the Parliament in denying to supply the King had given him advantage to supply himself by other ways And if worse words can be uttered or spoken than what have been mentioned they shall conclude with such of his words as none can be imagined to be of more fearful and dangerous consequence viz. The same day that the Parliament was dissolved my Lord of Strafford by way of advice and Counsel told His Majesty That now he had tryed the affections of His People and that he was loose and absolved from all rules of Government That he was to do all that Power would admit since he had tryed all ways and was refused and should in so doing be acquitted before God and men and that he had an Army in Ireland which he might employ to reduce his Kingdoms They began with that which concerned Scotland The Earl of Traquair being sworn was asked What he remembred to be spoken by my Lord of Strafford concerning the demands made by the Scots in their Parliament when he my Lord Traquair made relation of those demands with the time and other circumstances He Answered That it would be hard for him to answer to so general a question for their Lordships and a great many know that he made relation of the demands made by the Scotch Subjects in Parliament at two several times one by the King's Command here before the Lords of the Council Another by the like Command of His Majesty before the Peers at York But being directed to apply himself to the words spoken by my Lord of Strafford when he made his relation before the Council here His Lordship Answered That he could hardly give an Answer to such a general Question but he believed my Lord of Strafford when he was at Council gave his opinion in any thing brought in debate as the Lords of the Council did He knew what was brought in debate but cannot condiscend to every thing that my Lord spake there Mr. Whitlock here interposed and said That he mentioned not the particular words that might come from my Lord Traquairs own expression but the question he desired was Whether my Lord of Strafford did not say The demand of the Scotch Parliament was a sufficient ground for the War To which my Lord Traquair being Interrogated He Answered That he should very clearly declare to the best of his memory what he heard upon that occasion but for the present he could not remember particularly of any such words expressed by my Lord of Strafford here at Whitehall for he believes it was there when the Council met when he made the first relation But he remembred he was Deponed on these before and if it might stand with their Lordships pleasure and form he would willingly remit himself to his former Deposition Mr. Whitlock offered to their Lordships that for the recollecting of his memory my Lord Traquair might peruse the former Deposition But my Lord of Strafford opposed it because their Lordships having not yet made use of any thing taken on oath he desired that Rule might be still kept Mr. Palmer insisted on it it being not offered as a proof to be heard but because it was tender'd to him to vary being on his oath though but in a Syllable from what he had spoken before And Mr. Glyn added That this is very ordinary at Law But my Lord of Portland moved that the House might be Adjourned that the examinations should not be made use of My Lord Traquair desired that he might not be mistaken for he would express his Reasons and humbly submit it to their Lordships that he was by order of their Lordships examined on oath before and examined on the same question and he only submitted this to their
dregs of valour sullenness and stubborness which may make them prone to mutinies and discontents But those noble and gallant affections which put men to brave designs and attempts for the preservation or enlargement of a Kingdom they are hardly capable of Shall it be Treason to embase the Kings Coin though but a piece of Twelve-pence or Six-pence and must it not needs be the effect of a greater Treason to embase the Spirits of his Subjects and to set a stamp and character of servitude upon them whereby they shall be disabled to do any thing for the service of the King and Commonwealth The fifth Consideration is this that the exercise of this Arbitrary Government in times of suddain danger by the invasion of an enemy will disable His Majesty to preserve himselfe and His Subjects from that danger This is the only pretence by which the Earl of Strafford and such other mischievous Counsellors would induce His Majesty to make use of it and if it be unfit for such an occasion I know nothing that can be alledged in maintainance of it When War threatens a Kingdom by the coming of a Forreign Enemy it is no time then to discontent the people to make them weary of the present Government and more inclinable to a change The supplies which are to come in this way will be unready uncertain there can be no assurance of them no dependance upon them either for time or proportion And if some Money be gotten in such a way the distractions divisions distempers which this course is apt to produce will be more prejudicial to the publique safety than the Supply can be advantagious to it and of this we have had sufficient experience the last Summer The Sixth That this crime of subverting the Laws and introducing an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government is contrary to the Pact and Covenant betwixt the King and his People that which was spoken of before was the legal union of Allegiance and Protection this is a personal union by mutual agreement and stipulation confirmed by Oath on both sides The King and his People are obliged to one another in the nearest relations he is a Father and a Child is called in Law pars patris He is the Husband of the Common-wealth they have the same interests they ara inseparable in their condition be it good or evil he is the Head they are the Body there is such an incorporation as cannot be dissolved without the destruction of both When Justice Thorp in Edward the III. time was by the Parliament condemned to death for Bribery the reason of that Judgement is given because he had broke the Kings Oath not that he had broke his own Oath but he had broken the Kings Oath that solemn and great Obligation which is the security of the whole Kingdom If for a Judge to take a small sum in a private Cause was adjudged capital how much greater was this offence whereby the Earl of Strafford hath broken the Kings Oath in the whole course of his Government in Ireland to the prejudice of so many of His Majesties Subjects in their Lives Liberties and Estates and to the danger of all the rest The Doctrine of the Papists Fides non est servanda cum Haereticis is an abominable Doctrine yet that other Tenet more peculiar to the Jesuits is more pernicious whereby Subjects are discharged from their Oath of Allegiance to their Prince whensoever the Pope pleaseth This may be added to make the third no less mischievous and destructive to humane Society than either of the rest That the King is not bound by that Oath which he hath taken to observe the Laws of the Kingdom but may when he sees cause lay Taxes and Burthens upon them without their consent contrary to the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom This hath been Preached and published by divers And this is that which hath been practised in Ireland by the Earl of Strafford in his Government there and endeavoured to be brought into England by his Counsel here The Seventh is this It is an offence that is contrary to the end of Government The end of Government was to prevent oppressions to limit and restrain the excessive power and violence of great men to open the passages of Justice with indifferency towards all This Arbitrary Power is apt to induce and encourage all kind of insolencies Another end of the Government is to preserve men in their Estates to secure them in their Lives and Liberties but if this design had taken effect and could have been setled in England as it was practised in Ireland no man would have had more certainty in his own then Power would have allowed him but these two have been spoken of before there are two behind more important which have not yet been touched It is the end of Government that Virtue should be cherish'd Vice supprest but where this Arbitrary and unlimited Power is set up a way is open not only for the security but for the advancement and encouragement of evil such men as are apt for the execution and maintenance of this Power are only capable of preferment and others who will not be instruments of any unjust commmands who make a conscience to do nothing against the Laws of the Kingdom and Liberties of the Subject are not only not passable for employment but subject to much jealousie and danger It is the end of Government that all Accidents and Events all Counsels and Designs should be improved to the publique good But this Arbitrary Power is apt to dispose all to the maintainance of it self The wisdome of the Council Table The authority of the Courts of Justice The industry of all the Officers of the Crown have been most carefully exercised in this the Learning of our Divines the Jurisdiction of our Bishops have been moulded and disposed to the same effect which though it were begun before the Earl of Straffords imployment yet it hath been exeedingly furthered and advanced by him Under this colour and pretence of maintaining the King's Power and Prerogative many dangerous practises against the peace and safety of the Kingdom have been undertaken and promoted The increase of Popery and the favours and encouragement of Papists have been and still are a great grievance and danger to the Kingdom The innovation in matters of Religion the Usurpations of the Clergy the manifold burthens and taxations upon the people have been a great cause of our present distempers and disorders and yet those who have been chief furtherers and actors of such mischiefs have had their Credit and Authority from this that they were forward to maintain this power The Earl of Strafford had the first rise of his Greatness from this and in his Apology and Defence as your Lordships have heard this hath had a main part The Royal Power and Majesty of Kings is most Glorious in the Prosperity and happiness of the People the perfection of all things consists in the end
at Plough in the Parish of Ofley in the County of Hertford Bernard asked Balshal what news he told him that the news was That King Richard the Second was alive in Scotland which was false for he was dead and that by Midsummer next he would come into England Bernard asked him What were best to be done Balshal answered Get Men and go to King Richard In Michaelmas Term in the Third year of Hen. 4th in the Kings Bench Rot. 4. This advice of War adjudged Treason In Queen Mary's time Sir Nicholas Throckmorton conspired with Sir Thomas Wyat to Levy War within this Realm for alteration in Religion he joyned not with him in the execution This conspiracy alone declared to be Treason by all the Judges this was after the Statute of Queen Mary so much insisted upon That Parliament ended in October this opinion was delivered the Easter Term following and is reported by Justice Dyer fol. 98. It 's true Sir Thomas Wyat afterwards did Levy War Sir Nicholas Throckmorton he only conspired This adjudged Treason One Story in Queen Elizabeths time practised with Foreigners to levy War within this Kingdom nothing done in persuance of the practice The intent without any adhering to enemies of the Queen or other cause adjudged Treason and he executed thereupon It 's true my Lords that year 13 Eliz. by Act of Parliament it 's made Treason to intend the levying of War this Case was adjudged before the Parliament The Case was adjudged in Hillary Term the Parliament begun not till the April following This my Lords is a Case judged in point that the practising to levy War though nothing be done in execution of it is Treason Object It may be Objected That in these Cases the Conspiring being against the whole Kingdom included the Queen and was a compassing Her destruction as well as of the Kingdoms here the Advice was to the King Answ. The Answer is first That the Warrant was unknown to His Majesty that was a Machination of War against the People and Lawes wherein His Majesties Person was engaged for Protection Secondly That the Advice was to His Majesty aggravates the Offence it was an Attempt which was the Offence it was an Attempt not only upon the Kingdom but upon the Sacred Person and His Office too himself was hostis patriae he would have made the Father of it so to Nothing more unnatural nor more dangerous than to offer the King Poyson to drink telling Him that it is a Cordial is a passing of His death the Poyson was repelled there was an Antidote within the Malice of the giver beyond expression The perswading of Foreigners to invade the Kingdom hold no proportion with this Machination of War against the Law or Kingdom is against the King they cannot be severed My Lords If no actual War within the Statute if the Counselling of War if neither of these single Acts be Treason within the Statute The Commons in the next place have taken it into consideration what the addition of his other Words Counsels and Actions do operate in the Case and have conceived that with this Addition all being put together that he is brought within the Statute of 25 E. 3. The words of the Statute are If any Man shall Compass or Imagine the death of the King the words are not If any Man shall plot or Counsel the Death of the King No my Lords they go further than to such things as are intended immediately directly and determinatively against the Life and Person of the King they are of a larger extent to compass is to do by Circuit to Consult or Practice another thing directly which being done may necessarily produce this effect However it be in the other Treasons within this Statute yet in this by the very words there is room left for constructions for necessary inferences and consequences What hath been the Judgment and Practice of former times concerning these words of compassing the Kings Death will appear to your Lordships by some Cases of Attainders upon these words One Owen in K. Iames His time in the 13 th year of His Reign at Sandwich in Kent spake these words That K. Iames being Excommunicated by the Pope may be killed by any Man which killing is no Murther Being asked by those he spake to how he durst maintain so Bloody an Assertion Answered That the matter was not so heinous as was supposed for the King who is the Lesser is concluded by the Pope who is the Greater and as a Malefactor being Condemned before a Temporal Judge may be delivered over to be Executed So the King standing Convicted by the Popes Sentence of Excommunication may justly be slaughtered without fault for the Killing of the King is the Execution of the Popes Supreame Sentence as the other is the Execution of the Law For this Judgment of High Treason was given against him and Execution done My Lords there is no clear intent appearing that Owen desired the thing should be done onely Arguments that it might be done this is a Compassing there is a clear Endeavour to corrupt the Judgment to take off the Bonds of Conscience the greatest security of the Kings Life God forbid saith one of better Judgement then he that I should stretch out my hand against the Lords Annointed No saith he the Lord doth not forbid it you may for these Reasons lawfully kill the King He that denies the Title to the Crown and plots the means of setting it upon anothers head may do this without any direct or immediate desiring the death of Him that wears it yet this is Treason as was adjudged in the 10th of Hen. 7. in these of Burton and in the Duke of Norfolkes Case 13 Eliz. This is a compassing of His Death for there can no more be two Kings in one Kingdom then two Suns in the Firmament he that conceives a Title counts it worth venturing for though it cost him his life he that is in possession thinks it as well worth the keeping Iohn Sparhauk in King Henry the Fourth's time meeting too men upon the way amongst other talk said That the King was not rightful King but the Earl of March and that the Pope would grant Indulgencies to all that could assist the Earles Title and that within half a year there would be no Liveries nor Cognizances of the King that the King had not kept promise with the People but had laid Taxes upon them In Easter-Terme in the third year of Henry the Fourth in the Kings Bench Rot. 12. this adjudged Treason this denying the Title with Motives though not implyedly of Action against it adjudged Treason this is a compassing the Kings death How this was a compassing of the Kings Death is declared in the Reasons of the Judgment that the words were spoken with an intent to withdraw the affections of the People from the King and to excite them against him that in the end they might rise up against
Companies besides Two more which he intended to be raised in the nearest part of Wales Before this Army already raised was dispersed into their several quarters all which were in the Province of Ulster near the Sea in sight of Scotland the Lord-Lieutenant returned into England by His Majesties Command where an Army-Royal was Levied in opposition to the Scotish design leaving an Honourable person Mr. Christopher Wandesford Master of the Rolls Lord-Deputy the Command of General of that Royal Army in England was given to the Earl of Northumberland then Lord-Admiral of England upon whose sickness the Earl of Strafford was made Lieutenant-General who having undertaken the Command of this Army signified by Letter from Dublin to the Archbishop Laud that he durst venture upon peril of his Head to drive the Scots out of England but that he did not hold it proper as the case then stood for him to advise that course but if any of the Lords would advise the King to try his fortune in Battle he doubted not of sending them home in more hast than they came but this severity and indiscretion of his against that Kingdom when things were ripe did much hasten his ruine and destruction as may be seen by the following Impeachment The Charge of the Scotish Commissioners against Thomas Earl of Strafford IN our Declarations we have joyned with Canterbury the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whose Malice hath set all his Wits and Power on work to devise and do mischief against our Kirk and Countrey No other cause of his malice can we conceive but First his Pride and Supercilious disdain of the Kirk of Scotland which in his opinion declared by his Speeches hath not in it almost any thing of a Kirk although the Reformed Kirks and many worthy Divines of England have given ample testimony to the Reformation of the Kirk of Scotland Secondly Our open opposition against the dangerous Innovation of Religion intended and very far promoted in all His Majesties Dominions of which he hath shewed himself in his own way no less zealous than Canterbury himself as may appear by advancing of his Chaplain Dr. Bramhal not only to the Bishoprick of Derry but also to be Vicar-General of Ireland a man prompted for exalting of Canterburian Popery and Arminianism that thus himself might have the power of both Swords against all that should maintain the Reformation by his bringing of Dr. Chappel a man of the same Spirit to the University of Dublin for poysoning the Fountains and corrupting the Seminarys of the Kirk Thirdly When the Primate of Ireland did press a new ratification of the Articles of that Kirk in Parliament for barring such Novations in Religion he boldly menaced him with the burning by the hand of the Hangman all of that Confession although confirmed in former Parliaments When he found that the Reformation began in Scotland did stand in his way he left no means unassaied to rub disgrace upon us and our Cause The Pieces printed at Dublin viz. Examen conjurationis Scotianae the Ungirding of the Scotish Armor and the Pamphlet bearing the counterfeit name of Lisimachus Nicanor all three so full of Calumnies Slanders Scurrilâ—ys against our Countrey and Reformation that the Jesuits in their greatest spite could not have said more yet not only the Authors were countenanced and rewarded by him but the Books must bear his Name as the great Patron both of the Work and Workman When the National Oath and Covenant warranted by our general Assemblies was approved by Parliament in the Articles subscribed in the Kings Name by His Majesties High Commissioner and by the Lords of the Privy-Council and commanded to be sworn by His Majesties Subjects of all ranks and particular and plenary information was given unto the Lieutenant by men of such quality as he ought to have believed of the Loyalty of our hearts to the King of the lawfulness of our proceedings and innocency of our Covenant and whole course that he could have no excuse yet his desperate malice made him to bend his Craft and Cruelty his Fraud and Forces against us For first he did craftily call up to Dublin some of our Countreymen both of the Nobility and Gentry living in Ireland shewing them that the King would conceive and account them as Conspirers with the Scots in their rebellious courses except some remedy were provided and for remedy suggesting his own wicked invention to present unto him and his own wicked invention to present unto him and his own wicked Council a Petition which he caused to be framed by the Bishop of Rapho and was seen and corrected by himself wherein they petitioned to have an Oath given them containing a formal renunciation of the Scotish Covenant and a deep assurance ne-never so much as to protest against any of His Majesties Commandments whatsoever No sooner was this Oath thus craftily contrived but in all hast it is sent to such places of the Kingdom where our Countreymen had residence and Men Women and all other persons above the years of Sixteen constrained either presently to take the Oath and thereby renounce their National Covenant as Seditious and Traiterous or with violence and cruelty to be haled to the Jail Fined above the value of their Estates and to be kept close prisoners and so far as we know some are yet kept in prison both Men and Women of good quality for not renouncing that Oath which they had taken 40 years since in the obedience to the King who then lived Besides a cruelty ensued which may paralel the pesecutions of the most unchristian time for weak Women dragged to the Bench to take the Oath dyed in the place both Mother and Child hundreds driven to hide themselves till in the darkness of the night they might escape by Sea into Scotland whether thousands of them did flye being forced to leave Corn Cattle Houses and all they possessed to be a prey to their persecuting enemies the Lieutenants Officers And some Indicted and Declared guilty of High Treason for no other guiltyness but for subscribing our National Oath which was not only impiety and injustice in it self and an utter undoing of His Majestys Subjects but was a weakening of the Scotch Plantation to the prejudice of that Kingdom and His Majesties Service and was a high scandal against the Kings Honor and intolerable abuse to His Majesties Trust and Authority His Majesties Commission which was procured by the Lieutenant bearing no other penalty than a certification of Noting the names of the refusers of the Oath But this his restless Rage and insatiable Cruelty against our Religion and Countrey could not rest here nor be kept within the bounds of Ireland but proceeded further so that by this means a Parliament is called and although by the Six Subsidies granted in Parliament not long before and by the base means which himself and his Officers did use as is contained in a late Remonstrance that Land was extreamly impoverished