July 1644
[19 July, 1644.]
Ordinance for regulating the Proceedings of the Committee of both Kingdoms, and the Oath of Secrecy.
Whereas, by an Ordinance, intituled, "An Ordinance for the
appointing a Committee of both Houses, to join with the Committees and Commissioners of Scotland, for the better managing
the Affairs of both Nations in the common Cause, according to
the Ends expressed in the last Covenant and Treaty between
the Two Nations of England and Scotland," it is among
other Things Ordained, That the Committee of both Houses
mentioned in that Ordinance are to observe such Orders as they,
from Time to Time, shall receive from both Houses of Parliament: The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled do,
for the better Directions of the said Committee in their Proceedings, Declare and Ordain, That the said Committee, or any
Six of them, whereof One Lord and Two Commoners, shall treat
with the Committees and Commissioners appointed by our
Brethren of Scotland, in such Things as shall by them be propounded from and in the Name of the Kingdom of Scotland,
for the Ends in the said Ordinance expressed; as likewise
propound to the Committees and Commissioners of Scotland
whatsoever they shall receive in Charge from both Houses,
and from Time to Time advise and consult concerning the
same, and report the Results to both Houses; and further, the
said Committee, or any Six of them, whereof One Lord and
Two Commoners shall, as a joint Committee with the Committee and Commissioners of Scotland, advise, consult, order,
and direct, concerning the carrying on and managing of the
War for the best Advantage of the Three Kingdoms, and the
keeping of good Intelligence between the Three Kingdoms, their
Forces, Committees, and Counsels, and likewise hold good
Correspondency and Intelligence with Foreign States, and further
advise and consult of all things in Pursuance of the Ends expressed
in the late Covenant and Treaty: And it is further Declared and
Ordained, That nothing in the Ordinance beforementioned doth
or shall authorize the Committee of both Houses thereby
appointed, to advise, treat, or consult, concerning any Cessation
of Arms, or making of Peace, without express Direction from
both Houses of Parliament; and that the said Committee have,
and shall have, only such Power and Authority as is herein
expressed, limited, and appointed, and none other: And, for the
better carrying on of this great Work, and to the Intent the
Debates and Resolutions of that Committee may be proceeded
in with Secrecy and Expedition, for the best Advantage of the
Public, it is further Ordained, That all and every the Members
of both Houses of that Committee shall, before One Lord and
Two Commoners of that Committee, such as shall by the major
Part of the Members of both Houses present, being of that Committee, be appointed, to take this Oath ensuing; and shall swear
as followeth:
I A.B. do, in the Presence, and by the Name, of God
Almighty, promise and swear, to be faithful in this Trust committed unto me; and that I will not reveal or disclose any
Thing, in Whole or in Part, directly or indirectly, that shall be
debated or resolved upon by this Committee, without the Command or Direction of those by whom I am intrusted, or without
the Order of the major Part of this Committee, or of the major
Part of them which shall be present at such Debates or
Resolutions.
And the said Lord and Two Commoners are hereby authorized
to administer the same to any of the said Committee: And
lastly it is Ordained, That the said Committee are to observe
such further Orders and Directions as they, from Time to Time,
shall receive from both Houses of Parliament: Provided also,
That this Ordinance shall continue for Four Months, and until
both Houses shall take other Order to the contrary, and no
longer.