FOURE MATTERS OF HIGH CONCERNMENT.
Viz.
I. Divers Questions upon his Majesties last Answer concerning the Militia, Resolved upon by both Houses of Parliament.
II. The humble Petition of both Houses of Parliament, to the Kings most Excellent Majesty.
III. His Majesties Answer to the last Message and Resolution of both Houses of Parliament, Concerning the Militia and the Prince.
IIII. The resolution of both Houses of Parliament, March 2. With an Order for the speedy Rigging of the Navy, for the defence of the Kingdome.
LONDON, Printed by R. Oulton & G. Dexter, for F. Coules, & T. Banks, 1641.
THE HUMBLE PETITION OF Both Houses of Parliament, to the Kings most excellent Majestie.
YOur Majesties most loyall and obedient subjects, the Lords and Commons in Parliament doe find their just apprehensions of sorrow and fear in respect of the publike dangers and miseries like to fall upon your Majestie and the Kingdome, to be much encreased upon the receit of your unexpected denyall of their most humble and necessary Petition, concerning the Militia of the Kingdom, especially grieving that wicked and mischievous Counsellors, should still have that power with your Majesty, as in this time of eminent and approaching ruine, rather to incline your resolutions to that which is apt to further the accomplishment of the desi [...]es of the malignant enemies of Gods true Religion, and of the peace and safety of your Selfe and your Kingdome, then to the dutifull and faithfull counsell of your Parliament.
Wherefore they are inforced in all humility to protest, that if your Majesty shall perfist in that denyall, the dangers and distempers of the Kingdome are such, as will indure no longer delay but unlesse you shall be graciously pleased to assure to them by their M [...]ssengers, that you will speedily apply y [...]ur Royall Assent to the satisfaction of their former desires, they shall be inforced for the safety of your Majesty and your Kingdomes, to dispose of the Militia, by the authority of both Houses, in such [Page 2] manner as hath beene propounded to your Majesty, and they resolve to doe it accordingly.
They likewise most humbly beseech your Majesty, to beleeve that the dangerous & desperate designe upon the House of Common [...] mentioned in their Preamble, was no [...] in [...]e [...]ted with any intion to cast the least aspertion upon your Majesty, but therein they reflected upon that malignant party, of [...]hose bloody and malicious practises, they have had so often experience, and from which they can never be secured, unlesse your Majesty will be pleased to put from you those wicked and unfaithfull Counsellors, who interpose their owne corrupt and m [...]l [...]cious designes betwixt your Majesties goodnesse and wisedome, and the prosperity and contentment of your selfe, and of your people. And that for the dispatch of the great affaires of the Kingdome, the safety of your Person, the protection and comfort of your Subjects, you will be pleased to continue your abode neere to London and the Parliament; & not to withdraw your self to any the remoter parts, which if your Majesty should doe must needs be a cause of great danger and distraction.
That your Maiesty will likewise be graciously pleased to continue the Princes H [...]ghnesse in these parts at St. Iameses, or any other of your Houses, neere London, whereby the designes which the enemies of the Religion and peace of this Kingdome may have upon his Person, and the jealousies and feares of the people may be prevented.
And they beseech your Majestie to be informed by them, that by the Laws of the Kingdome, the Power of raising, ordering, and disposing the Militia within any City, Towne, or other place cannot be granted to any Corporation by Charter, of otherwise, without the authority and consent of Parliament,
And that those parts of the Kingdome which have put themselves in a posture of defence, against the common danger, have therein done nothing out according to the declaration & direction of both Houses, and what is Iustifiable by the Lawes of this Kingdome,
All which; their most humble counsell and desires, they pray your Majestie to accept as the effect of that duty, and allegiance, which they owe unto you, and which will not suffer them to admit [Page 3] of any thoughts, intentions, or endeavours, but such as are necessary and advantageous for your Majesties greatness and honour, and the safety and prosperity of the Kingdome, according to that trust, and power which the lawes have reposed in them.
Divers Questions upon his Majesties last Answere, Concerning the Militia, Resolved upon by both Houses of Pa [...]liament.
Resolved upon the Question by both Houses of Parliament.
THat this answer of His Majesty is a denyall to the desires of both Houses of Parliament, concerning the Militia.
Resolved, &c. That those that advised His Majesty to give this answer, are Enemies to the State and mischievous Projectors against the defence of the Kingdomes.
Resolved, &c. That this denyall is of that dangerous consequence, that if his Majesty shall persist in it; It will hazard the peace and safety of all his Kingdomes, unlesse some speedy remedy be applyed by the Wisedome and authority of both Houses of Parliament.
Resolved &c. That such parts of this Kingdom as have put themselves into a posture of defence against the common danger, hath done nothing but what is justifiable, and is approved by the House.
Resolved &c. That if his Majesty shall remove into any remote Parts from his Parliament, it will be a great hazared to the Kingdom; and a great prejudice to the proceedings of the Parliament.
Resolved &c. That these Houses holds it necessary, that his Maiesty may be desired, That the Prince may come unto Saint Iames, or to some other convenient place neere about London, and there to continue.
Rosolved &c.
That the Lords be desired to joyn with this House in an humble [Page 4] request unto his Maiesty; That he will be pleased to reside neer his Parliament, That both Houses may have a convenience of Accesse, unto him upon all occasions.
Kesolved &c. That the Lords be moved to joyn with this House in some fit course of examination, to find who were the persons that gave his Majesty this advice, that they may be removed from his Majesty: and brought to condigne punishment.
Resolved &c. That no Charter can be granted by the King, to create a power in any Corporation, over the Militia of that place without consent of Parliament.
Resolved &c. That the Lords shall be moved to joyn with this House in these Votes.
Kesolved &c. That the Lords shall be desired to appoynt a select Committee, that may joyne with a Committee of a proportionable number of this House; to consider, and prepare what is fit to be done upon these Votes, or upon any thing that may arise upon this answer of his Majesty concerning the Mil [...]ita, and concerning the Prince.
March, 2. Questions resolved upon by both Houses of Parliament: With an Order for the speedy Rigging of the Navy, for the defence of the Kingdome
Resolved upon the Question by both Houses of Parliament.
THat the Kingdom be forthwith put into a posture of defence, by Authority of both Houses, in such a way as is already agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament.
Resolved &c.
That the Lords be desired to joyn with the House of Commons in this Vote.
Resolved &c.
That a Committe shall be [...]pointed to prepare a Declaration upon these two Heads, viz.
[Page 5] 1 To say downe the just causes of the feares and Jealousies given to these Houses; and to cleare these Houses from any jealousies conceived against them.
2. And to consider of all matters that may arise upon this Message of his Majesty and to declare their opinions what is fit to be done thereupon.
Die Mercuriij, 2. Martij. 1641.
THe Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, having received advertisement of extraordinary preparations made by the neighboring Princes, both by Land and Sea, the intentions whereof have beene so represented, as to raise an apprehension in both Houses, that the publike honour, peace, and safety of his Majesty and his Kingdome cannot be secured unlesse a timely course be taken for the putting of this Kingdome into a condition of defence, as well as Land. It is therefore Ordered, by the Lords and Commons aforesaid, that the Earle of Norththumberland, Lord high Admirall of England, do forth with give effectuall direction and order, that all and every the Ships belonging to his Majesties Navy, which are fit for service, and not already abroad, nor designed for this Summers Fleet, be with all speed Rigged, and put in such a readinesse, as that they may soon be fitted for the Sea; And that his Lordship do also make known unto all the Masters and owners of such Ships as now are in, or about any the Harbors of this Kingdom, & may be of use for the publike defence thereof, That it will be an accep [...]able service to the King and Parliament, if they likewise will cause their ships to be Rigged, and so farre put in a readinesse, as they may beat a short warning set forth to Sea, upon any immergent occasion, which will be a meanes of great security to his Maiesty and his Dominions.
His Majesties answer.
I Am so much amazed at this Message, that I know not what to answer. You speake of Iealousies and feares, lay your hands to your Hearts, and aske your selves whether I may not likewise be disturbed with Feares and Iealousies; and if so, I assure you this Message hath nothing lessened them.
For the Mil [...]tia, I thought so much of it before I sent that answer, and am so much assured that the Answer is agreeable to what in Iustice or Reason you can aske, or I in Honour Grant, that I shall not alter it in any point.
For my residence neere you I wish it might be safe and Honourable, that I had no cause to absent my selfe from White-Hall, aske your selves whether I have not.
For my Sonne I shall take care of him, which shall Iustifie me to God as a Father and to my Dominions as a King.
To conclude, I assure you vpon my Honour, that I have no thought but of Peace and Iustice to my people, which I shall by all faire meanes seeke to preserue and maintaine, relying upon the goodnesse and providence of GOD, for the preseruatiue of my selfe and Rights.