ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT In the High Court of PARLIAMENT Against the Nine Lords, viz. The Earl of Dover, Earl of Northampton, E. Huntington, E. Devonshire, E. Coventry, L. Mowbray▪ L. Rich, L. Capell. &c.
Concerning many High Misdemeanours Exhibited against them, which Impeachment were assented by both Houses.
Likewise the Parliaments last Desire unto the King, concerning the Differences betwixt His Majesty, and the High Court of PARLIAMENT.
With their Determination concerning the Kings last WRIT.
Ordered that this be Printed and published.
Hen. Elsing. Cler. Parl. D. Com.
July 1. Printed for J. TOMPSON, and A. Co [...], 1642.
THE PARLIAMENTS LAST Desire unto His Maiesty.
THe Fidelity of the Honourable Court of Parliament and Faith unto this Land is still on foot, and without question with the assistance of Almighty God vvill not desist, untill it hath brought all their Desires to a happy perfection.
Their Endeavours for peace have alwayes bin full of Loyalty, rather desiring to dravv and to bring his Majesty unto the Consideration of the present Calamity, and Disease of these times, by their submissive Petitions, then by any Authority [Page] of their ovvn to begin to settle a Reformation of the Republique Distractions.
They have lately dravvn unto his sacred Majesty a long and generall Petition of their humble Desires, vvhich doe concern the State of this vvhole Kingdome.
First, that His sacred Maiesty would out of the Care and Desire of preservations of this his Kingdome take present Order for the setling and disposing of the Militia, by the Authority of both Houses, in such manner as hath bin propounded to His Majestie, and they resolve to do it accordingly.
Seeondly, That notwithstanding his Maiesties Proclamation forbidding of late the Mustring of any Train Bands within 150. miles of York, wherein they conceive the City of London to be comprehended, yet that he would be pleased to believe that the dangerous and daily Designs against the House of Commons, wherein, or concerning which, they dare not, neither have they any intention to cast the least aspersion on his Maiesty but [Page] that they reflected upon the malignant party, [...]f whose bloudy and malicious practises, they have had so often experience, and from which they can never be secured; Unlesse his Maiesty be pleased to put from him those wicked and unfaithfull Counsellours, who interpose their own corrupt and malitious Designs betwixt your Maiesties goodnesse and wisedom and the flourishing prosqerity & contentment of your Self and your People, and that they drawn and enforced by these considerations, which they conceive in Justice and Law they may do for their own security, commanded the Train Bands of this City for their securitie in the time of imminent danger to wait upon the houses.
And they did further beseech His Majesty, that he would be pleased to be informed, and not to be seduced wiih the false suggestions of ill-minded people to the State, that by the Laws of this Kingdome, the power of rising or ordering, and the disposing the Militia within any City, Town, or other place, cannot be granted to any Town, or Corporation by [Page] Charter or otherwise, without the Authority or Consent of Parliament.
A Vote or Declaration of the House of Commons concerning their Power to have a Guard to assist them in case the King should deny them one in time of emminent Danger.
That whereas the King and Parliament were in so great danger, That in that Case the Sheriffes of London, and Middlesex, ought to come with the Posse Comitatus to defend the King and Parliament; to which opinion the Committee of the House of Commons assented, which was communicated to the Lord Maior and Hldermen, and Common-Councell of London, and they delivered their Opinions therein.
Desiring that His Majesty would be pleased to assent to the Ordinance of both Houses, agreed on by them, &c.
Ordered by the Honourable House of Commons, That this shall be printed and published through the whole Kingdome, by the Consent of the High Court of Parliament.
Articles o [...] Impeachment, Exhibited in Parliament, against E. Dover, E. Northampton, E. Devonshire, E. Huntington, E. Coventry. L. Howard, L. Mowbray, L. Rich, L. Capel.
THe aforesaid Peers not appearing at their summoning in, the Honourable Court of Parliament sent an Order unto them, commanding them to give their appearance at the day prefixed, but they answered, that they were engaged to attend upon his Majesty, and were resolved to attend upon His Royall Person, and to reside at York.
Wherupon both Houses voted them Delinquents, and draw up a Charge of High Misdemeanours against them, both Houses giving their severall votes therupon, impeaching them of these particulars, viz.
1. That it was a great affront to the Honourable Court of Parliament, for their long absence, not knowing what their Designs were.
2. That it was against the Priviledges of Parliamnnt.
[Page] 3. That they being Member of their House, and refusing to obey the Houses Command, were a High breach to the Priviledges therof.
4. That their Absence from the House were a high Breach, they not appearing according to the Order and Command of both Houses, and therupon they were voted Delinquents.
5. That their Absence may prove very daogerous and hurtfull to the Common wealth.
The Parliament having received a Commission of Array from His Majesty, they determined to give their Answer and Votes concerning the same, That it was against Law, and [...]ll those that are Actors in putting of the said Commission in Execution, should be esteemed as Disturbers of the Peace of the Kingdome.
Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that this be printed and published.
- John Brown Cler Parl.
- Hen. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com.