was likewise read, by one of his servants, in tition, and returns this Answer:-That the hese words: lis MAJESTY'S ANSWER to the PETITION of the LORDS and COMMONS assembled in Parliament. Petitioners were never unhappy in their Petitions or Supplications to his majesty, while they desired any thing which was necessary or convenient for the preservation of God's true Religion, his majesty's safety and honour, and "Though his majesty had no great reason the peace of the kingdom;' and therefore, o believe, that the directions sent to the earl when those general envious foundations are f Warwick to go to the river of Humber, laid, his majesty could wish some particular ith as many ships as he should think fit, for instances had been applied. Let envy and possible assistance to sir J. Hotham, malice object one particular Proposition for whilst his maj, expected the giving up of the the preservation of God's true Religion,' wn unto him) and to carry away such arms which his maj. hath refused to consent to; om thence as his discretion thought fit to what himself hath often made for the case of are out of his majesty's own magazine: the tender consciences, and for the advancement using a general by both houses of parliament, of the Protestant Religion, is notorious by r the defence of those who have obeyed many of his Messages and Declarations: what eir orders and commands, be they never so regard hath been to his honour and safety, travagant and illegal: their Declaration, when he hath been driven from some of his That, in that cause, they would live and die own houses, and kept out of his own towns by th the earl of Essex their general,' all which force: and what care there hath been of the ere voted, the same day with this Petition: peace of the kingdom,' when endeavour hath d the committing the lord mayor of London been used to put all his subjects in arms against prison for executing his majesty's writs and him, is so evident, that his maj. is confident he vful commands, were but ill prologues to a cannot suffer by those general imputations: etition which might compose the miserable it is enough that the world knows what he hath istractions of the kingdom; yet his majesty's granted, and what he hath denied.-For his ssionate desire of the peace of the kingdom, majesty's raising Forces, and making Preparagether with the preface of the presenters, tions for War, (whatsoever the petitioners, by That they had brought a Petition full of duty the evil arts of the enemies to his majesty's d submission to his majesty, and which de- person and government, and by the calumnies ed nothing of him but his consent to peace,' and slanders raised against his maj. by them. hich his maj. conceived to be the language are induced to believe) all men may know both houses too) begot a greedy hope and what is done that way, is but in order to his pectation in him, that this Petition would own defence. Let the Petitioners remember e been such au introduction to Peace, that that (which all the world knows) his maj. was would at least have satisfied his Message of driven from his palace of Whitehall, for safety 11th of this month, by delivering up of of his life: that both houses of parliament, Il to his majesty.-But, to his unspeakable upon their own authority, raised a Guard to ef, his maj. hath too much cause to believe, themselves (having gotten the command of all t the end of some persons by this Petition the Trained Bands of London to that purpose) ot, in truth, to give any real satisfaction to without the least colour or shadow of danger: inajesty; but, by the specious pretences of that they usurped a power, by their pretended king offers to him, to mislead and seduce Ordinance, (against all principles and elepeople, and lay some imputation upon himments of law) over the whole Militia of the lenying what is fit to be granted; otherwise kingdom, without and against his majesty's would not have thrown those unjust re- consent: that they took possession of his town, aches and scandals upon his majesty, for fort, and magazine of Hull, and committed the king a necessary and just defence for his same to sir J. Hotham, who shut the gates safety; and so peremptorily justified such against his majesty; and, by force of arms, ons against him, as, by no rule of law or denied entrance thither to his own perice, can admit the least colour of defence; son: that they justified this act, which they , after so many free and unlimited acts of had not directed; and took sir J. Hotham into ce passed by his majesty, without any con- their protection for whatsoever he had done, on, have proposed such things which, in jus- or should do, against his majesty; and all this, cannot be denied unto him, upon such whilst his maj. had no other attendance, than ditions as, in honour, he cannot grant.- his own menial servants.-Upon this the duty vever, that all the world may see how will- and affection of this county prompted his subhis majesty would be to embrace any jects, here, to provide a small Guard for his rture that might beget a right understand-own person; which was no sooner done, but a between him and his two houses of parliat, (with whom he is sure he shall have no tention when the private practices and subnsinuations of some few malignant persons 1 be discovered, (which his maj, will take e shall be speedily done) he hath, with at care, weighed the particulars of this Pe | Vote suddenly passed of his majesty's intention to levy war against his parliament; which, God knows, his heart abhorreth: and, notwithstanding all his majesty's Professions, Declarations, and Protestations to the contrary, seconded by the clear testimony of so great a number of peers upon the place, Propositious wonders why they should, at this time, be thought grievous, and fit to be recalled: if the Fears of Invasion and Rebellion be so great, that, by an illegal pretended Ordinance, it is necessary to put his subjects into a posture of defence, to array, train, and muster them, be knows not why the same should not be done in a regular, known, and lawful way: but if, in the execution of that Commission, any thing shall be unlawfully imposed upon his subjects, his maj. will take all just and necessary care for their redress.-For his majesty's coming nearer to his Parliament; his majesty hath ex and Orders for levies of men, horse, and arms, were sent throughout the kingdom; Plate and Money brought in and received; Horse and Men raised towards an army, mustered and under command; and all this contrary to the law and to his majesty's Proclamation; and a Declaration published, That if he should use force for the recovery of Hull, or suppressing the pretended Ordinance for the Militia, it should be held levying war against the parliament; and all this done before his majesty granted any Commission for the levying or raising a man: his majesty's ships were taken from him, and committed to the custody of the earl of War-pressed himself so fully in his several Messages, wick; who presumes, under that power to Answers, and Declarations; and so particu usurp to himself the sovereignty of the sea, to larly avowed a real fear of his safety, upon chase, fright, and imprison such of his majesty's such instances as cannot be answered, that be good subjects as desire to obey his lawful com- hath reason to think himself somewhat neglect mands; although he had notice of the legal re- ed; that since, upon so manifest reasons, it is vocation of the earl of Northumberland's com- not safe for his maj. to come to them, both his mission of admiral, whereby all power derived houses of parliament will not come nearer to from that commission ceased.-Let all the his majesty, or to such a place where the freeworld now judge who began this war, and upon dom and dignity of parliament might be prewhose account the miseries which may followserved. However, his majesty shall be very must be cast: what his maj. could have done less than he hath done, and whether he were not compelled to make provision both for the defence of himself, and recovery of what is so violently and injuriously taken from him: and whether these injuries and indignities are not just grounds for his majesty's fears and apprehensions of farther mischief and danger to him. -Whence the Fears and Jealousies of the Petitioners have proceeded hath never been discovered: the Dangers they have brought upon his good subjects are too evident: what those are they have prevented, no man knows; and therefore his maj. cannot but look upon that charge, as the boldest and most scandalous that hath been yet laid upon him, That this necessary provision, made for his own safety and defence, is to over-rule the judgment and advice of his great council; and, by force, to determine the questions there depending concerning the government and liberty of the kingdom.' If no other force had been raised to determine those questions than by his maj. this unhappy misunderstanding had not been. And his inaj. no longer desires the blessing and protection of Almighty God upon himself and his posterity, than he and they shall, solemnly, observe the duc execution of the laws, in the defence of parliaments, and the just freedom thereof. For the Forces about Hull; his maj. will remove them when he hath obtained the end for which they were brought thither. When Hull shall be reduced again to his subjection, he will no longer have an army before it: and when he shall be assured that the same necessity and pretence of public good, which took Hull from him, may not put a garrison into Newcastle, to keep the same against him, he will remove his from thence, and from Tinmouth; till when, the example of Hull will not be out of his memory. For the Commissions of Array, which are legal, and are so proved by a Declaration now in the press; his maj. ap glad to hear of some such example in ther punishing the tumults (which he knows not how to expect, when they have declared, That they knew not of any Tumults though the house of peers desired, both for the dignity and freedom of parliament, That the house of cour mons would join with them in a Declaration against Tumults, which they refused, that is, neglected to do) and other seditious actions. speeches, and writings, as may take that prehension of danger from him; though, whet he remembers the particular complaints himself hath made of businesses of that nature and that instead of inquiring out the authors, neglect of examination hath been; when offe hath been made to both houses to produce the authors, as in that treasonable Paper concern ing the Militia; and when he sees every day pamphlets published against his crown, and against monarchy itself, (as the Observations upon his late Messages, Declarations, and Espresses) and some Declarations of their own which give too great encouragement in the argument to ill-affected persons; his majest cannot, with confidence, entertain those hope which would be most welcome to him.-far the leaving Delinquents to the due course of justice; his majesty is most assured he hat been no shelter to any such: if the tediousness and delay in prosecution, the vast charge in officers fees, the keeping men under a genera accusation without trial a whole year and more, and so allowing them no way for their defence and vindication, have frghted men away from so chargeable and uncertain an attendance; the remedy is best provided where the disease grew. If the law be the measure of deli quency, none such are within his majesty's pro tection: but if, by delinquents, such are under stood who are made so by Vote, without a trespass upon any known or established law: if, by Delinquents, the Nine Lords are under stood, who are made delinquents for obeying his majesty's Summons to come to him, after | with a power destructive to the law and liberty their stay there was neither safe nor honour of the subjects, and chosen a general of their able, by reason of the tumults and other vio- horse: his majesty, out of his princely love, lences; and whose Impeachment, he is confi- tenderness, and compassion of his people, and dent, is the greatest breach of privilege, that, desire to preserve the peace of the kingdom, before this parliament, was ever offered to the that the whole force and strength of it may be house of peers: if, by Delinquents, such are united for the defence of itself, and the relief understood who refuse to submit to the pre- of Ireland, (in whose behalf he conjures hoth tended Ordinance of the Militia, to that of the his houses of parliament, as they will answer Navy, or to any other which his majesty hath the contrary to Almighty God, to his majesty, not consented to; such who, for the peace of to those that trust them, and to that bleeding. the kingdom, in an humble manner, prepare Pe- miserable kingdom, that they suffer not any titions to him, or to both houses, as his good monies granted and collected by act of parlia subjects of London and Kent did; whilst sediment, to be diverted or employed against his tious ones, as that of Essex, and other places, are allowed and cherished: if, by delinquents, such are understood, who are called so for publishing his Proclamations, as the lord mayor of London; or for reading his Messages and Declarations, as divers ministers about London and elsewhere; when those against him are dispersed with all care and industry, to poison and corrupt the loyalty and affection of his people: if, by delinquents, such are understood, who have or shall lend his majesty money, in the universities, or in any other places; his majesty declares to all the world, That he will protect such with his utmost power and strength; and directs, That, in these cases, they submit not to any messengers or warrants of parliament; it being no less his duty to protect those who are innocent, than to bring the guilty to condign punishment; of both which the law is to be judge.-And if hoth houses do think fit to make a general, and to raise an army for the defence of those who obey their orders and commands, his majesty must not sit still, and suffer such who submit to his just power, and are solicitous for the laws of the land, to perish and be undone, because they are called delinquents: and when they shall take upon them to dispense with the attendance of those who are called by his majesty's writ, whilst they send them to sea to rob his majesty, of his ships; or into the several counties, to put his subjects in arms against him, his majesty (who only hath it) will not lose the power to dispense with them to attend his own person, or to execute such of fices as are necessary for the preservation of himself and the kingdom; but must protect them though they are called delinquents.-For the Manner of the Proceeding against Delinquents; his maj. will proceed against those who have no privilege of parliament, or in such cases where no privilege is to be allowed, as he shall be advised by his learned counsel, and according to the known and unquestionable rules of the law; it being unreasonable that he should he compelled to proceed against those who violated the known aud undoubted law, only before them who have directed such violation. Having said thus much to the particulars of the Petition, though his majesty hath reason to complain, That, since the sending this Petition, they have beaten their drums for soldiers against him; armed their own general VOL. II majesty, whilst his soldiers in that kingdom are ready to mutiny, or perish, for want of pay, and the barbarous rebels prevail by that encouragement) is graciously pleased, once more, to propose and require: 1. That his town of Hull be, immediately, delivered up to him; which being done (though his maj. hath been provoked by unheard of insolencies of sir John Hotham, since his burning and drowning the country, in seizing his wine and other provisions for his house; and scornfully using his servants, whom he sent to require them, saying, It came to him by Providence, and he will keep it; and so refusing to deliver it, with threats if he, or any other of his fellow-servants, should again repair to Hull about it; and in taking and detaining prisoners divers gentlemen, and others, in their passage over the Humber into Lincolnshire, about their necessary occasions; and such other indignities, as all gentlemen must resent in his majesty's behalf) his majesty, to shew his earnest desire of peace, for which he will dispense with his own honour; and how far he is from desire of revenge, will grant a free and general pardon to all persons within that town. 2. That his majesty's Magazine, taken from Hull, be forthwith put into such hands as he shall appoint. 3. That his Navy be forthwith delivered into such hands as he hath directed for the government thereof: The detaining thereof, after his majesty's directions published and received to the contrary, and employing his ships against him, in such manner as they are now used, being notorious high treason in the commanders of those ships. 4. That all Arms, Levies, and Provisions for a war, made by the consent of both houses, (by whose example his maj. hath been forced to make some preparations) be immediately laid down; and the pretended Ordinance for the Militia, and all power of imposing laws upon the subject, without his majesty's consent, be disavowed; without which the same pretence will remain to produce the same mischief: all which his maj. may as lawfully demand, as to live; and can with no more justice be denied him, than his life may be taken from him.-These being done, and the parliament adjourned to a safe and secure place, his maj. promises in the presence of God, and binds himself by all his confidence and assurance in the affection of his people, That he will instantly, and most chearfully, lay 4 Y down all the force he shall have raised, and discharge all his future and intended levies, that there may be a general face of peace over the whole kingdom, and will repair to them; and desires that all differences may be freely debated in a parliamentary way, whereby the law may recover its due reverence, the subject his just liberty, and parliaments themselves their full vigour and estimation; and so the whole kingdom, a blessed peace, quiet, and prosperity.If these Propositions shall be rejected his majesty doubts not of the protection and assistance of Almighty God, and the ready concurrence of his good subjects; who can have no hope left them of enjoying their own long, if their king may be oppressed and spoiled, and must be remediless. And though his towns, his ships, his arms, and his money be gotten and taken from him, he hath a good cause left, and the hearts of his people; which, with God's blessing, he doubts not, will recover all the rest. Lastly, If the preservation of the Protestant Religion, the defence of the liberty and law of the kingdom, the dignity and freedom of parliament, and the recovery and relief of bleeding and miserable Ireland, be equally precious to the petitioners, as they are to his majesty, (who will have no quarrel but in defence of these) there will be a chearful and speedy consent to what his maj. hath now propounded and desired.-And of this his maj. expects a full and positive Answer by Weduesday the 27th day of July instant; till when he will not make any attempt of force upon Hull, hoping in the affection, duty, and loyalty of the petitioners; and, in the mean time, expects that no supply of men be put into Hull, or any of his majesty's goods taken from thence." concerning the election of a locum-tenens, în the room of the Lord Mayor, was presented and read, importing, "That they had met together according to the direction, and on the day prefixed by the house; and that having called unto them the city counsel, and others experienced in the customs and charters of the said city, and, after diligent search of their records, they did humbly certify, That it did not appear that ever, at any time, the aldermen had made choice of a locum-tenens to execute the office of a Lord Mayor: but they found, That in the time of a Lord Mayor's sickness, he being within the franchise, there had been a locum-tenens appointed by himself, the sword still remaining with him; all which they hum bly presented, &c." Signed by 15 aldermen, The Parliament's Reply to the King's Av swer to their Petition for Peace.] This day a Reply of both houses to his majesty's Answer to their Petition, sent by the earl of Holland, was agreed to, as follows; "The lords and commons in parliament (having taken into their serious consideration his majesty's Answer to their humble Petition for peace, delivered by the earl of Holland, sir Philip Stapylton, and sir John Holland, and the demands which he is thereupon pleased to make concerning the present delivery d the town of Hull, the Magazine, the Nary, disavowing the Ordinance of the Militia, the laying down of all Arms raised by authority of the two houses of parliament, and adjourning themselves to some other place) do beseech majesty to accept this their humble and jus excuse, That they cannot for the present, with the discharge of the trust reposed in them for the safety of the king and kingdom, yield t Sentence pronounced upon the Nine impeach- those demands of his majesty.-The Reason ed Lords.] July 20. The lords being all set in why they took into their custody the town of their robes, and the house of commons, with Hull, the magazine and navy; passed the Or their Speaker, come up, he said, "The knights, dinance of the Militia, and made preparation citizens and hurgesses of the house of com- of arms; was for the security of religion, the mons, having impeached Spencer e. of North- safety of his majesty's person, of the kingdo ampton, Wm. e. of Devonshire, Henry e. of and parliament, all which they did see in eve Dover, Henry e. of Monmouth, Charles lord dent and imminent danger; from which when Howard of Charlton, Robert lord Rich, Charles they shall be secured, and that the forces & lord Grey of Ruthyn, Thomas lord Coventry, the kingdom shall not be used to the destruc and Arthur ford Capel, for High-Crimes and tion thereof; they shall then be ready to with Misdemeanors, to the interruption of the pro- draw the garrison out of Hull, to deliver the ceedings of parliament, and disturbance of the magazine and navy, and settle the Militia by peace of the kingdom, the commons had com- bill, in such a way as shall be honourable and manded him to demand their lordships Judg- safe for his majesty, most agreeable to the ment thereupon." Then the lord Kimbolton, duty of parliament, and effectual for the good Speaker of the house of lords for that day, pro- of the kingdom, as they have professed in the nounced Sentence against the said Nine Lords, late petition.-As for adjourning the parlisas follows: "1. That they shall not sit, or vote ment; they apprehend no reason for his in the lords house during this present parlia-jesty to require it, nor security for themselves ment. 2. That they shall not enjoy the privileges of parliament as members thereof. 3. That they shall stand committed to the Tower during the pleasure of this house." A certificate from the aldermen of London, * Ever since the lord keeper Littleton left the house of lords, the Speaker's place was alled by some one of the peers present. to consent to it. And, as for that reason which his majesty is pleased to express, they doubt! not but the usual place will be as safe for his royal person as any other, considering the full assurance they have of the loyalty and fidelity of the city of London to his majesty; and the care which his parliament will ever have to prevent any danger, which his majesty may justly apprehend; besides the manifold com ences, to be had there, beyond any other s of the kingdom.-As for the laying down rms: when the causes which moved them rovide for the defence of his majesty, the dom, and parliament, shall be taken away, shall very willingly and chearfully forbear further preparations, and lay down their es already raised." did determine the 1st day of July last, since. which time no monies intended to be raised' by this last bill have been collected; now the said lords and commons, having taken the premises into due and serious consideration, for preventing the inevitable dangers that must necessarily ensue, without timely prevention in that behalf, have thought good to make this. his Reply was sent to the king, then before their Declaration to all his majesty's loving ; but with no solemnity of messengers, or subjects. 1. Whereas by an act made this other ceremony than being inclosed to one present parliament, intitled, An Act for the, e sccretaries of state. It was also ordered Relief of the Captives taken by the Turkish,, e printed; and likewise forthwith pub- Moorish, and other pirates, and to prevent the d in all churches and chapels, together taking of others in time to come,' all merchants, the said Petition and Answer. as well denizens as aliens, for any goods exdinance of Parliament for levying of Ton-ported or imported, from the 10th day of Nov." and Poundage.] August 1. The lords took into consideration a new Ordinance of ament, sent up by the commons, concernhe Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage. being read, it was resolved, That this e agrees with the commons therein, the Spencer only dissenting. Which Ordie was as follows: The lords and commons now assembled in ainent, taking into consideration the great s and dangers that may ensue, not only to kingdom, but likewise unto that of Ireland, cially in these times of apparent danger, xceeding all former times, either of his sty or of his royal father king James; and g into further consideration the great now due unto the Navy, as well before beginning of this parliament as since, inting to the sum of 200,000l. and that ips of war are now in the actual service is kingdom, as well for the defence thereof Ireland; and not knowing what other y of ships and of store will be further ree in these times of danger; and well ing that they cannot be maintained withgreat sums of money, nor the said great rs satisfied by any monies already collected ing by merchants for the tune past: foreseeing the danger and necessity of upply, did, long before this time, prepare w Book of Rates, which passed both es, now ordered to be published; wherein had as well an equal respect to the ease e merchants, as to the raising of such of money as might be proportionable to supplies; and did likewise prepare and a bill of Tonnage and Poundage, whereby Book of Rates is confirmed; which bill have likewise ordered to be printed and shed; which, after it had passed both s, was, upon the 29th of June last, sent maj. at York for the royal assent; which ajesty not having passed, the lords and nons did, upon the 14th of July last, comthe earl of Holland, sir John Holland, sir Philip Stapylton, (by whom they did their late Petition to his majesty) in the of both houses, to move his maj. to give edy passage to that bill, whereunto his hath given no Answer at all. And wheree former bill of Tonnage and Poundage i 1641, during the term of 3 years then next ensuing, are to make due entries of all such their goods in the port of London, and all other bis majesty's ports within the realm of England and dominion of Wales, upon the penalties of the forfeiture of the said goods: now the said lords and commons do enjoin all merchants, as well denizens as aliens, to make due entry of all such goods and merchandize, as they shall, during the continuance of the said act, export and import. Aud, to the intent that the entries may be accordingly made, they do expect that the customers, comptrollers, searchers, and all other the officers of the said city of London and other the ports respectively, do carefully attend the several charges, and make due seizure as forfeited, of all such goods and merchandize, as shall not be entered according to the intent of that statute. 2. That although the said last bill for Tonnage and Poundage hath not yet had the royal assent, and therefore the subject, by the law, is not compellable to pay the duty therein limited to be paid; yet the premises and pressing necessities considered, the lords and commons do declare, that it shall be taken as an acceptable service to the commonwealth, and a manifestation of their good affections to the public, of all those that shall, upon the entry of their goods, advance and pay, by way of loan, unto the col lectors or commissioners, which now are or hereafter shall be named, or to their deputy or deputies, all such sum or sums of money, as are payable by the last Book of Rates, and should have been due in case the said bill had passed into a law. 3. That every merchant so advancing money as aforesaid, shall have an allowance, by way of defalcation, of 157, per cent. out of every 1001. he or they shall so advance and pay, over and above all other allowances made in the said bill or Book of Rates, or either of them, and so out of every greater or less sum after that rate. 4. Whereas the bill of Tonnage and Poundage, now re maining with his maj. cannot have the force of a law, without the further concurrence of the lords and commons, in respect the Speaker of the house of commons, by and with the consent of the said commons, is to carry the said bill into the lords house for the royal assent; as also in respect that, in his majesty's absence |