Verney papers: notes of proceedings in the Long Parliament temp. Charles I. printed from original pencil memoranda taken in the House of Sir Ralph Verney, knight, member for the borough of Aylesbury, and now in the possession of Sir Harry Verney, Bart / Edited by John Bruce.

Sir Ralph Verney, 1st Baronet, of Middle Claydon

Date:: 1845

Credit: Verney papers: notes of proceedings in the Long Parliament temp. Charles I. printed from original pencil memoranda taken in the House of Sir Ralph Verney, knight, member for the borough of Aylesbury, and now in the possession of Sir Harry Verney, Bart / Edited by John Bruce. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$14TH FEBRUARY 1641. MOUNDAY. [proceedings AGAINST LORD DIGBY. There now happened another of those unhappy incidents which from time to time destroyed all confidence between the parliament and the king, and rendered the former ever watchful and suspicious, in the expectation of the discovery of some fresh plot or con¬ spiracy against them. A packet of letters, addressed to Mr. secretary Nicholas, was brought to the house of commons, and, upon information that it came from lord Digby, who had escaped into Holland, was opened in the presence of a joint committee of both houses. Besides letters upon private affairs, the packet contained, as will be seen in the following note, a letter to sir Lewis Dives and another addressed to the queen, both calcu¬ lated to arouse infinite jealousies and suspicions. After consideration, and in opposition to the opinions of the lords, the latter letter was opened as well as the others, and a com¬ mittee, consisting of Whiteiocke, Glyn, Pym, Hampden, and others, was directed to consider the letters and other acts of lord Digby, and to report what was fit to be done thereon. (Journ. ii. 431, 432, 433.)] Letters opned directed to secritary Nicholas. 5 letters inclosed in a packet. 1. To Nicholas, from lord Digby. 2. To sir Lewis Dives, from lord Digby. 3. To collonel Betwan, from Mr. Beare. 4. To Mr. Sherley, from Mr. Beare. 5. To the queene. [15th FEBRUARY 1641-2. REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE FOR REMOVING EVIL COUNCILLORS.] That the privy council and great officers of state bee removed, except such officers as have inheritance. An answere by or before Saterday last, if hee could.a [16th FEBRUARY 1641-2. NAVAL AFFAIRS.] 15 kings shipps \ wiu cQst £158/J00. 23 marchants shipps J a This passage is an evident allusion to the king’s answer to the petition of the house respecting the forts and the militia. His majesty promised, on the 2nd February, to return an answer “by, or before, Saturday,” if he could. (Journ. ii. 412.)$