A DECLARATION Delivered into the House of Lords, by Mr: Abraham Dowcet, on Monday the 3 of July, 1648. Against Major Edward Rolph whom hee charges to have laine in waite three houres to have pistold the King.
With his speech at the Barre in the House of Peers; And the Lords Order for Tryall of Major Rolph.
And severall ORDERS of the House of Commons for apprehending Delinquents.
London Printed for A. H. n [...]er Pye-corner, ⟨July 4th⟩ 1648.
MR: Abraham Dowcet, being brought by the Keeper of Peter-House, where hee is a prisoner, was by Order of the House of Peeres, called to the Lords Barre, to give in evidence against Major Edward Rolph, concerning the businesse wherein Mr. Richard Osburne accuseth him to have had a designe to have taken away the Kings life.
Mr: Dowcet being at the Barre, The Right Honourable the Lord Hundsdon (by Order of the House of Lords,) asked him what hee could say concerning any thing that hee [Page 2] knew of a Designe by Major Rolph to take away the life of the King:
Mr. Abraham Dowcets Speech before the Lords in Parliament assembled, the 3 of July 1648.
I Humbly desire your Lordships favourable construction towards me, in that I cannot deliver my selfe in good language, being that I am not an En [...]l [...]sh m [...]n; And therefore I doe desire your Honourr: that you will bee pleased to give mee leave to deliver in writing, what I shall testifie upon Oath, in this businesse propounded to mee by your Honours.
The Lords Ordered that according as was desired by Mr. Abraham Dowcet, he should deliver in the case in paper, under his hand-writing, upon Oath.
A Declaration delivered into the House of Lords against Major Edward Rolph, July 3. 1648. Ʋnder the hand-writing of Mr. Abraham Dowcet, concerning the designe against the King.
I Am ready to make Oath that Mr. Richard Osburn, told me, the Kings person was in danger, and that [Page 3] the said Major Rolph, had a designe for conveying his Majesties person to some place of secresie, where only three should goe with him, and where they might dispose of his Majesties person as they sh [...]uld think fit, Which informations from Mr. Osburn, and the assurance I had of his Majesties inten [...]ions forthwith to come to his Parliament, was the cause of my ingagement in this businesse.
I am ready likewise to depose, that the said Rolph came to m [...]e, when I was a prisoner in the Castle, and in a jearing manner asked mee why the King came not down according to his appointment▪ And then in great indignation and fury said he waited three houres under the new Plat [...]orm, with a good pistoll ready charged, to have received him if hee had come,
Mr. Abraham Dowcet, delivered this upon Oath, to bee all truth, before their Lordships.
Major Rolphs Letter to the Lords.
KNowing my self (I speaking in the presence of that God who searcheth all hearts) to be so perfectly clear and innocent of that foule and horrid crime charged upon me, that I abhorre the very thoughts of it: Earnestly desiring an opportunity of appearing for vindication of my innocency, or what ever else mal [...]ce in wicked men can lay against me; resting fully assured that whatsoever award I shall find at the hands of men, I shall injoy the [Page 4] happinesse of an upright and peaceable conscience with the same God, in whose presence I stand.
ORdered by the Lords in Parliament, That it be referred to the Kings learned Councell to bring in an impeachment of High-Treason, against Major Edward Rolph.
BY vertue of an Order of the House of Commons, These are to require you, your Deputy or Deputies forthwith to make repaire to the abodes or dwelings of Mr: Richard Bankes, and Mris: Mary Hanmer, and them there, or where they may be found to apprehend and bring to the House of Commons as Delinquents to answer their contempt and breach of the priviledge of Parliament, in breaking open or causing to be broken open the chamber doors of Mr. Robert Charlton a Member of the said House, taking away his goods, and forceably conveying away the body of Francis Charlton his Ward, and his Servants, even sitting the House, and Mr. Charlton then attending in the House the publique service of the Kingdome. These are further to require (if need be) all Mayors Sheriffes, Justices of Peace, Constables and all other His Majesties Officers and loving Subjects (in breaking open doores locks or any place or places (to bee aiding to the Serjeants Deputies in the execution of [Page 5] this warrant, And for so doing, this shal be your Warrant.
I doe nominate and appoint Marmaduke Sanders Edm. Cooper and Richard Action my lawfull Deputies for the execution of this Warrant
ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament, That Mr. Richard Bancks a Mercer or Silke-man at the inner Temple-gate, and Mris. Mary Hanmer widow, and all other person or persons in whose custody the body of Francis Charlton, an Infant, now is, doe forthwith make restitution of the body of the said Francis Charlton, to Mr. Robert Charlton a Member of this house, and Guardian to the said child, he having been forceably taken out of his custody, whilst he was sitting in the House of Commons upon the publique service of the Kingdome, And that the Serjeant at Armes attending on this House doe forthwith make search after the said Francis Charlton, and seize and apprehend him wheresoever hee shall bee found, and [Page 6] bring him, and restore him to Mr. Robert Charlton.
Resolved &c.
THat this House doth declare, That the forceable taking away of Mr. Francis Charlton out of the Chamber of Mr. Robert Charlton (a Member of this House) and breaking open his Chamber whilst he was attending the service of the publick, is a breach of priviledge; And it is Ordered, That Will Taunton, Ioseph Rogers and Andrew Bateley act [...]rs in the said Businesse be co [...] to the Serjeant at Armes attending this House, and that they remaine in custody untill the body of Mr. Francis Charlton [...] delivered unto Mr. Robert Charlton or this House take further Order.