The House Ordered that Mr. John Corbes should bring in the Ordinance concerning
Delinquents Compositions on the Munday following, and Instructions were
appointed for the proceedings concerning Sir John Stowel.
From the Navy, Letters say, that besides the Princes Frigots that were abroad
Pirating before; there are the five ships I formerly spoke of preparing, now come
out from Holland, onely the Blackmore Lady did run a ground, and had some hurt;
but Cap. Ball, hath taken one of them with seven Guns, and forty men in her prisoners,
near the North forlands.
The Commons ordered 300000li. to be advanced out of Deans and Chapters
lands, and 200000 li of that for the use of the Navy. From the North came thus,
Sir,
HEre is no visible disquiet as yet in these parts, nor any thing tending visibly thereto, if
this unlucky hold were but reduced, which I feare may be so long yet, and will be the
[unr] undoing of this poor Country, besides the continuance of our miserable hard duty in this
extream unseasonable weather, more then all the forces of this Kingdome besides.
We have lately had severall Councels of War here for the triall of offenders, wherein we
have proceeded to the execution of exemplary Justice upon some to the great satisfaction of
the Country, and reformation of the Army. Here inclosed is a copy of some charge against
Lionel Copley, how true it is I know not, but no lesse is beleeved. The well-affected in
these parts do greatly rejoyce (the Malignants are as much troubled) at the proceedings of
the Army against the King. The poor people in these parts are afraid of Jockey again, hearing
rumours as if they were preparing for another Invasion, an I perceive that it is the
great boast of their besieged enemy, and I doe beleeve they do but study to finde out a plansible
Way of entrance. Their new Parliament began the 4. of this instant, and they will do something
considerable without que[nl]stion. I wish they were well watched both in this and their
owne Kingdome. Pomfract 6. Jan 1648.
The High Court of Justice sat this afternoon, and Serjeant Bradshaw was extolled,
and had the Mace carried before him as Lord President by Serjeant Dendy ( not the
old delinquent that was the great Courtier, but young Serjeant Dendy his son) Mr.
Broughton, Mayor of Maidstone, was chosen Clerke instead of Mr Graves, and Mr.
Litchmore in place of Radley for one of the Messengers.
The Court had debates concerning the place for triall of the King, and severall
places were argued, viz Windsor, St. Jamses, Guild-hall London, and Westminster-hall
I Query, Why not at Windsor? Answ, Because it will divide the Army, 2 Query
Why not at St. Jamses? Answ. Because it is one of the Kings houses, and thereupon
envious people would say (if he should be put to death) that he was murdered,
though the proceedings were never so just 3 Query, Why not at Guild-hall? Answ.
That may occasion a great disturbance. 4. Query, Why should it be in Westminster-hall?
Answ. I Because it is a place of publicke resort 2. It is the place of the publicke
Courts of Justice for the Kingdome.
A Committee was chosen, to determine the place, And another Committee to
see the Scaffolds made, and power was given to the Lawyers for searching of all
Records, and places; And bringing to the Court such writings as they shall see
cause for. Saturday Jan. 13.
THe Committee met this morning, and resolved, That Westminster hall shall be
the place for Tryall of the King.
The Commons Voted that 1000li should be advanced for the use of the Court
for Tryall of the King.