Tuesday 16. The Commons past an Act for adjourning the Term for 14 days: Another
for regulating of Eges in the Navy and Custom-house, and displacing dis-affected Officers
in both. They laid aside the Letter from the Scots Commissioners, because not desired by
them to be communicated to the House of Commons (as usually in all former).
Wednesday 17. They referred it to Derby-house Committee, to bring in the names to be
Commissioners for Scotland. They gave thanks to the Petitioners of Port[nl]smouth, South[nl]ampton,
Pooi, Hurst Weymouth, and usimsbury, and referred their Petition.
Thursday 18. The Commons Vote to send no Answer to the Lords Message, this day sent
from them, for adjourning the Term, by their Messengers; and that the three Declaratory
Votes concerning the power to be in the people, should not be sent to their Lordships for
concurrence, but be Acts of the Commons.
Friday 19. An rdinance was read the first time, for Delinquents to pay in the second
part of their Compostion money. Sir Walter Erles place referred.
Saturday 20. One of the Members that were to be secluded, sat this day again in the house,
but I conceive it Vane to particularize him at this time. The Officers of the Army presented
the Agreement, and a Petition this day to the House, who gave them, his Excellency,
and the whole Army hearty thanks, for all their unparal el'd services; and referred the
Agreement to a Committee. They past an Act to authorize any six of the honest Militia of
London (if the Lord major deny) to calla Common Councel, and any fourty of them to
Act without him. Impower the Commons Commissioners of the seal, to seal Writs for adjourning
the Term. though the Lords joyn not therein. Name Doctor fuxon, late Bishop
of London (according to His Majesties desire to Master Peters) to preach to His Majesty.
And because I see some imperfect Printed Copies of the Proceedings of the Court
Marshal this day come forth, to deceive the people; I have here insested all the whole passages
of that days proceedings more fully, as then delivered by the Kings, President, and Solicitor
General.
At the High Court of Justice seting in the great Hall of Westminster, Serjeant Bigshaw
President, about 70 Members present. O yes made thrice, silence commanded. The President
had the Sword and Mace carried before him, attended with Colonel Fox, and twenty
other Officers and Gentlemen with Partizans. The Act of the Commons in Parliament
for tryal of the King, read. After the Court was called, and each Member rising up. as he
was called. The King came into the Court (with His hat on) and the Commissioners
with theirs on also; no congratulation or motion of hars at all. The Serjeant ushered Him
in with the Mace, Colonel Hacker and about 30 Officers and Gentlemen more came as
His guard; the President then spake in these words, viz.
Charls Stiwert, King of England. The Commons of England assembled in Parliaments
being sensible of the great calamities that have been brought upon this Nation, of the
innocent blood that hath been shed in this Nation, which is referred to You, as the Author
of it; and according to that duty which they owe to God. to the Nation, and themselves,
and according Fundamental Power and trust that is reposed in them by the people,
Have constituted this High Court of Justice, before which You are now brought; and You
are to hear the Charge; upon which the the Court will proceed.
Mr. Cook Solicitor General. My Lord, in behalf of the Commons of England, and of
all the people thereof: I do accuse charls Stewart, here present, of High Treason, and High
Misdemeanors; and I do in the name of the Commons of England, desire that the Charge
may be read unto Him.
King. Hold a little, tapping the Solicitor General twice on the shoulder with his Cane,
which drawing towards Him again, the head thereon fell off, He stooping for it, put it presently
into His pocket. This is conceived will be very ominous.