A DECLARATION Delivered into the House of Lords, by Mr: Abraham Dowcet, on Monday the 3 of July, 1648. Against Major Edward Rolph whom he charges to have lain in wait three hours to have pistold the King. With his speech at the Bar in the House of Peers; And the Lords Order for Trial of Major Rolph. And several ORDERS of the House of Commons for apprehending Delinquents. depiction of King Charles I on his throne London Printed for A. H. n●er Pie-corner, July 4th 1648. HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE the English royal blazon surmounted by a crown and flanked by the English lion and Tudor rose on one side and the Scottish unicorn and thistle on the other Die Lunae 3 July, 1648. MR: Abraham Dowcet, being brought by the Keeper of Peterhouse, where he is a prisoner, was by Order of the House of Peers, called to the Lords Bar, to give in evidence against Major Edward Rolph, concerning the business wherein Mr. Richard Osburne accuseth him to have had a design to have taken away the King's life. Mr: Dowcet being at the Bar, The Right Honourable the Lord Hundsdon (by Order of the House of Lords,) asked him what he could say concerning any thing that he knew of a Design by Major Rolph to take away the life of the King: Mr. Abraham Dowcets Speech before the Lords in Parliament assembled, the 3 of July 1648. My Lords, I Humbly desire your Lordship's favourable construction towards me, in that I cannot deliver myself in good language, being that I am not an En●l●sh m●n; And therefore I do desire your Honourr: that you will be pleased to give me leave to deliver in writing, what I shall testify upon Oath, in this business propounded to me by your Honours. The Lords Ordered that according as was desired by Mr. Abraham Dowcet, he should deliver in the case in paper, under his hand-writing, upon Oath. A Declaration delivered into the House of Lords against Major Edward Rolph, July 3. 1648. Under the hand-writing of Mr. Abraham Dowcet, concerning the design against the King. My Lords, I Am ready to make Oath that Mr. Richard Osburn, told me, the King's person was in danger, and that the said Major Rolph, had a design for conveying his Majesty's person to some place of secrecy, where only three should go with him, and where they might dispose of his Majesty's person as they should think fit, Which informations from Mr. Osburn, and the assurance I had of his Majesty's intentions forthwith to come to his Parliament, was the cause of my engagement in this business. I am ready likewise to depose, that the said Rolph came to m●e, when I was a prisoner in the Castle, and in a jeering manner asked me why the King came not down according to his appointment▪ And then in great indignation and fury said he waited three hours under the new Plate ●orm, with a good pistol ready charged, to have received him if he had come, Your Lordship's humble servant, Abraham Dowcet. Westminster the 3 of July, 1648. Mr. Abraham Dowcet, delivered this upon Oath, to be all truth, before their Lordships. Major Rolphs' Letter to the Lords. My Lords, KNowing myself (I speaking in the presence of that God who searcheth all hearts) to be so perfectly clear and innocent of that foul and horrid crime charged upon me, that I abhor the very thoughts of it: Earnestly desiring an opportunity of appearing for vindication of my innocency, or what ever else mal●ce in wicked men can lay against me; resting fully assured that whatsoever award I shall find at the hands of men, I shall enjoy the happiness of an upright and peaceable conscience with the same God, in whose presence I stand. Edward Rolph. Die Lunae 3 of July. 1648. ORdered by the Lords in Parliament, That it be referred to the King's learned Council to bring in an impeachment of High-Treason, against Major Edward Rolph. BY virtue of an Order of the House of Commons, These are to require you, your Deputy or Deputies forthwith to make repair to the abodes or dwellings of Mr: Richard Banks, and Mris: Marry Hanmer, and them there, or where they may be found to apprehend and bring to the House of Commons as Delinquents to answer their contempt and breach of the privilege of Parliament, in breaking open or causing to be broken open the chamber doors of Mr. Robert Charlton a Member of the said House, taking away his goods, and forceably conveying away the body of Francis Charlton his Ward, and his Servants, even sitting the House, and Mr. Charlton then attending in the House the public service of the Kingdom. These are further to require (if need be) all Mayor's Sheriffs, Justices of Peace, Constables and all other His Majesty's Officers and loving Subjects (in breaking open doors locks or any place or places (to be aiding to the Sergeants Deputies in the execution of this warrant, And for so doing, this shall be your Warrant. William Lenthall Speaker. To Edward Birkhead Esq; Sergeant at Arms attending on this House, his Deputy and Deputies. I do nominate and appoint Marmaduke Sanders Edm. Cooper and Richard Action my lawful Deputies for the execution of this Warrant Ed. Birkehead Sergeant at Arms. ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament, That Mr. Richard Banks a Mercer or Silkman at the inner Temple-gate, and Mrs. Mary Hanmer widow, and all other person or persons in whose custody the body of Francis Charlton, an Infant, now is, do forthwith make restitution of the body of the said Francis Charlton, to Mr. Robert Charlton a Member of this house, and Guardian to the said child, he having been forceably taken out of his custody, whilst he was sitting in the House of Commons upon the public service of the Kingdom, And that the Sergeant at Arms attending on this House do forthwith make search after the said Francis Charlton, and seize and apprehend him wheresoever he shall be found, and bring him, and restore him to Mr. Robert Charlton. Henry Elsing Cler. Par. Dom Com. To Edward Birkhead Esq; Sergeant at Arms attending on the House of Commons, his Deputy or Deputies. Die Lunae, etc. Resolved etc. THat this House doth declare, That the forceable taking away of Mr. Francis Charlton out of the Chamber of Mr. Robert Charlton (a Member of this House) and breaking open his Chamber whilst he was attending the service of the public, is a breach of privilege; And it is Ordered, That Will Taunton, joseph Rogers and Andrew Bateley actor's in the said Business be co … to the Sergeant at Arms attending this House, and that they remain in custody until the body of Mr. Francis Charlton 〈◊〉 delivered unto Mr. Robert Charlton or this House take further Order. Hen. Elsing Cler. Par. Dom. Com. FINIS.