Instructions From the Honourable House of Commons Assembled IN PARLIAMENT, TO THE COMMITTEE IN KENT, Whose Names are herein mentioned. With the Answer of the Justices of Peace to the said Committee. Likewise certain Instructions from the said County, to Mr. Augustine Skynner.
Ordered that this be forthwith Printed:
London, Printed for Thomas Cook, August 13. 1642.
THe House is credibly inform'd, that some ill-affected persons within the County of Kent are now endeavouring to disperse rumors to the scandall of Parliament, and to censure the proceedings against the promoters of the late dangerous Petition; and they have plotted for this purpose to meet at the Assizes, the further to extend their malicious designes; It is therfore thought fit, and Ordered by the said House, That Sir Edward Hales, Sir Henry Hayman, Sir Edward Partherich, Sir Tho: Peyton, Sir Thomas Walsingham, Sir Hen: Vane, senior and junior, Sir Francis Barnham, Sir Peter Wroth, Sir Norton Knatchbull, Sir Humphrey Tufton, Sir Edw. Boyse, Mr. Brown, Mr. Skynner, Mr. Lee, Sir Edward Masters, and Mr. John Nut, shall forthwith go down unto the said Assizes, and use all dilligence to prevent such inconvenience, or any further Attempt that shall be offered to the prejudice of Parliament, and by all lawfull wayes and means to preserve the said County, not onely in peace amongst themselves, but in a right understanding of the proceedings of Parliament.
INSTRVCTIONS to the Committee.
YOu shall acquaint the Justices of Peace at the Bench, with the Contents of this Order, and let them know that our Houses tender care, and affection to the peace of this County, and the Kingdom; They have sent down, with Order and Instructions to use all lawfull means to preserve the said County, not onely in peace amongst themselves, but also in a right understanding of the proceedings of Parliament, and do not doubt of their proceedings to comply with the House therein.
It is desired, according to the Instructions of the House of Commons, That you will give your best aid and assistance to this Committee, in performance of the Commands of the House, expressed in their Order herewith delivered.
That to thls end this Committee may be seated at the Bench sutably to their Authority and Trust they represent, and to be ready to perform the commands of the House as occasion shall require.
The Answer of the Justices of Peace.
THat the first demand being grounded (as we conceive) upon mis-informations, and in it, a great aspersion laid upon this County, we not knowing any such endeavours as are expressed, it being as we hope, like to continue in secure peace, His Majesties Justices having their authority of the Great Seal of England, dare not in the execution of it, joyn with any.
That being demanded, this Committee may sit upon the Bench for the performing the commands of the House of Commons unknown to us, they do not know what place may be so sutable to the authority and Trust they represent, nor that we have power to place any on the Bench, not sent thither by the like authority we sit here.
Instructions from the County of Kent, to Mr. Augustine Skynner.
A Committe from the House of Commons is now sent down to the Assizes upon a credible Information (as they say) that something should be done [Page 6] at this Assize to the disturbance of the peace of this County; We the Commons of Kent require you Master Augustine Skynner, as our servant, to certifie to that honorable House, that you found the country in full peace, and that there was no ground for any such Information; and that you desire in our names to know the particular of that Information (which it seems you are ignorant of) and the Informer, that this County may have full reparations in honour against so scandalous an aspersion cast upon them; and that the Informer, of what quality soever, may receive condigne punishment.
And that the House of Commons may understand our desires, not onely to preserve the peace of this County (which by Gods blessing, and the help of the good and known Laws of this Kingdom, we are confident we shall maintain) but also of the whole Kingdom, being now in so great a distraction, that every man stands at a maze to see what the event is like to be, and well weighing what a great fire a small spark may kindle, abhorring and detesting the thought of a Civil War: we forthwith require you to offer our humble advice, as faithfull and loyall Subjects to His Majestie, and good Patriots, and lovers of our Country, for setling the distractions of these times, one principall, means to effect it, we conceive will be to give His Majestie full satisfaction in His just desires in these four particulars, viz.) In presently leaving the Town of Hull in the same state it was before Sir John Hothams entrance into it, and delivering His Majestie His own Magazine. Secondly, [Page 7] in laying aside the Militia: untill a good Law may be framed, wherein care may be taken, as well for the Liberty of the Subject, as the defence of the Kingdom. That the Parliament may be adjourn'd to an indifferect place, where His sacred Person, and all the Lords and Members of the House of Commons may meet, and treat with honour, safety and freedom. Fourthly, that His Majesties Navie may be immediately restored to Him.