Holding, Mr John Sparrow, Mr Henry Radley, Mr. Alton, and Mr. John Arnold,
to be Officers deputed under Serjeant Deudy.
This day a Petition was presented to his Excellency Thomas Lord Fairfax Generall
of the Army, and to the Generall Councell of the Army from divers well
affected in the County Palatine of Lancater, acknowledging the great merits
of the Army for this Kingdom, and earnestly praying that they would leave
no lawfull expedient unused for the obtaining of justice and Righteousness,
Munday Jan. 15.
THe Commons ordered none to perase their Journall book, but when Mr. Scobit
the chiefe Clerks is by.
The Commons this day passed Cap. Blackwels accounts, and with the interest,
and 1000 li. headvances for the High Court of Justice, &c. All amounted to 4000li.
Which was passed.
A Petition was presented by a Committee from the Commons of the City of
London, in Common-councell assembled, to the House of Commons. First, Col.
Titchburne made a speech, shewing, that the reason why they could not in conscience
defer the presenting of the Petition was, I. Because it containes what many
have ventured their lives for, and all of them their estates. And 2. In regard of the
season, have been to slow; assuring the House that they have the same truth of heart,
and publicke principles which the first ingaged withall, resolving to live and dye in
the publick cause with the House,
The Petition was, I. To proceed in the execution of Justice against all grand
and capitall actors in the late War against the Parliament, from the highest to the
lowest. 2. The Militia, Navy, and places of power, to be in faithfull hands. 3. For
recovery and increase the Trade of the City. 4. To endeavour the setting of the
Votes (of their Declaration, that the supreme power is in them) upon foundations
of rightoutnesse and peace: resolving to stand by them to the utmost.
A narrative also was presented, That the Lord Mayor and two Aldermen then
present denyed to concur with them, and departed the Court, to their great griefe,
with the Serjeant and Town-Clerk. But the Court after passed it nomine contradicente,
desiring further instructions from the House therein.
The House of Commons (this day) declared, That the said Petition may and
ought to be entred in the books, and among the Acts of Common councell there.
And the House owned them as a Common councell, approved of what they had
done, and gave them very hearty thanks for their free and chearfull tender of their
assistance.
The Commons chose a Committee, to whom the desires of the City was committed,
to be taken into consideration.
The Commons passed a Declaration of the reasons, why they lately recalled their
Votes concerning the King, &c. ordered to be Printed.
The High Court of Justice sat againe this afternoon in the painted Chamber; they
were called, and their Commissions and Instructions were read.
Instructions appointed by an Act of the House of Commons to the High Court for Tryall
of Charles Stuart, King of England.
1. That they are appointed Commissioners and Judges for the hearing, trying,
and judging of the said Charles Stuart.
2. The said Commissioners, or any twenty or more of them shall be and hereby