Die Lunæ, 21 Decembr. 1640.
PRAYERS.
Leave of Absence.
SIR William Allinson has Leave to be absent.
Mr. Collop, One of the Burgesses for Southampton, has
Leave to be absent.
Colonel Goringe has Leave to retire to his Charge at
Portsmouth for Ten Days.
Illegal Exactions, &c.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Weymouth and
Melcomb Regis, was read.
Sir Jo. Strangewayes, Sir A. Ingram, Sir W. Erle,
Mr. Rolls, Sir Chr. Wray, Mr. Warrick, Sir Ro. Pye,
Mr. Capell, Mr. Roes, Mr. Broxam, Mr. Whittlock, Mr.
Wheeler, Mr. Whistler, Mr. Moore, Sir Jo. Colpepper,
Mr. Strangewayes, Mr. Noell, Mr. Owfield, Mr. Whittamore, Mr. Glinne, Sir Edw. Hungerford, the Barons and
Burgesses of all the Ports and Sea Towns, the Citizens
and Burgesses of London;
This Committee is to take into Consideration the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Waymouth; and
to consider of the Exactions and Misdemeanours of the
King's Officers, the Farmers and other Officers of the
Custom-house of London, Waymouth, and all other Port-towns; and they are likewise to consider of some fit Way
of Redress and Reparations to be made to the Parties
grieved: And the several Patents for Salt, Soap, Leather,
and Wines, are referred to the Consideration of this
Committee: And they have Power to send for Parties,
Witnesses, Papers, Bonds, Contracts, Covenants, Books,
Records, or anything else, that may any ways concern
or conduce to this Business; and they are to meet on
Wednesday in the Afternoon, at Two of Clock, in the
Exchequer-chamber.
Privilege.
Ordered, That Tho. Plenty, Tho. Carter, and Francis
Parry, who are informed against, that, in Breach and
Contempt of the Privilege of this House, they arrested
Three of the menial Servants of Mr. Hollys, a Member
of this House, be forthwith sent for as Delinquents, by
the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House, to answer
this their Contempt.
Lord Finch impeached.
Upon an Intimation given to this House, by a Member of this House, that the Lord Keeper of the Great
Seal, understanding that there was Complaints against
him in the House, desired that he might be heard to say
something to the House, before the House voted any
thing against him;
It was condescended unto; and he was admitted in
this manner:
There was a Chair set for him, to make use of, if he
pleased; and a Stool to lay the Purse upon, a little on
this Side the Bar, on the Left Hand, as you come in:
He himself brought in the Purse, and laid it in the Chair;
but would not sit down himself, nor put on his Hat,
though he was moved to it by Mr. Speaker; but spake
all the while bare-headed, and standing; the Serjeant
at Arms attending on the House standing by him, with
the Mace on his Shoulder:
After he had spoke a long while, and had retired; it
was moved, That this Admission of the Lord Keeper
might not be drawn into Precedent for future Times.
Resolved, upon the Question, That Jo. Lord Finch,
Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, shall be accused by this House, in the Name of all the Commons
of England, of High Treason, and other great Misdemeanours.
Resolved, upon the Question, That a Message be forthwith sent to the Lords to accuse Jo. Lord Finch, Baron
of Forditch, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England,
of High Treason, and other great Misdemeanours, in the
Name of this House, and of all the Commons of England;
and to desire, that he may be forthwith sequestred from
Parliament, and be committed, and that, within some
convenient Time, this House will resort to their Lordships with particular Accusations, and Articles against
him.
The Lord Falkland is to go up with this Message.
Leave of Absence.
Mr. Ashburneham has Leave to go into the Country for
some few Days, his Wife at this time lying a dying.