particular case, I should have satisfied my self all that time, but it is not my case along,
people of England, and their freedoms and liberties being included therein, present
you will for if power without Laws may make Laws, the fundamentall Laws of this Kingdom
may be soon altered, and I know not what Subject of England can enjoy his own by
law and right, therefore I cannot answer at this time, without satisfaction of the legality of
this Court.
L. President Sir, I must interrupt you, which I would not do. but that what you do, is not agreeble
to the proceedings of any Court of Justice, seeing you question the legality of the
proceedings of this Court, though you be charged as a high delinquent; if you take upon
you to dispute the authority of the Court, we may not do it, nor will any Court give way unto
it, you are to submit unto it, you are to give a punctuall answer, what you will do, whether,
you will answer, or no.
King. Sir, by your favour, I do not understand your terms of Law, though I understand
as much Law as any Gentleman in England and if I should impose a belief without reason,
it were unreasonable; but I must tell you, that that reason that I have, as thus informed I
cannot yield unto it.
L. President. Sir. I must again interrupt you, you may not be permitted, you speak of Law
and Reason, and there is both Law and Reason against you; and the Votes of the Commons
of England are the Law and Reason of the Nation, and according to which you should
have ruled and raigned.
The Lord President pressing His Majesty for a positive Answer, He evaded it; at
which, the Lord President commanded the Serjeant at Arms, to take away the Prisoner,
adjourning the Court till to morrow.
I should have given you all the proceedings at large, but had not room to insert it.
The Commissioners after the rising of the Court, adjourned to the Painted Chamber.
Where they sat in Councel some hours, and appointed a Committee to meet at eight of
clock to morrow morning, at Sir Abraham Williams house, to consider what may be sit to do
further in relation to this Negative Answer of the Prisoner.
Pontesract Jan 20 By this Post is sent to his Excellency and General Counsel, a Letter,
Congratulating their happy proceedings, wherein was likewise as Concurrence of the
Officers of the Militia Regiments at this Leaguer, who (I believe) will shortly make a [unr]ller
manifestation of their Concurrence with the rest of the Army in this great and necessary
work of the Kingdom. T he Major Gen. is still upon disbanding the Forces late before Scarborough.
and not returned hither. We are with our approaches come very neer the wals of
the Castle, so that the enemy do prejudice us with stones, and now and then kils us a man,
few recover that are wounded. Brislol.
Sir, The multiplicity of Cavaliers in this place, gives us much cause of Jealousie
and fear to the Wel-Affected, and the rather, because no course is taken for
their apprchension, or withdrwing hence. The fair is the next week : two hundred
Venetian souldiers quarter by us; the Officers are so moved to the head quarters, the garrison
out of order, and what their rage may attempt, who knows; Col. Strad[unr]ing hath sent
over one from Ireland, who is come to St. Donats, to view the Country, what forces are in
it, and where is most conveniency of landing, which they will attempt upon his return.
We expected the Regiment designed for this place; if we be not circumspect in this juncture
of time, we may be snapt.
Westminster Jan. 22. The Parliament received this day an angry and bold Letter from the Scots
Commissioners, and being rightly directed, was read. They finde themselves much agrieved in Trying
their King for high Treason, and Misde[unr]neanon, and some passion and inconsiderate expressions dropt
from them conce[unr]ng the same. A committee (upon Debate thereof) was appointed to draw up an
Answer to the said Message, who will give them as civil and High an Answer, was their Address was Bold,
Insolent, and Ridieulous.
London, Printed for R.W.