THE PARLIAMENTS VINDICATION OF JOHN PYM Esquire From his Majesty's exception against Him.  
Occasioned from his Speech delivered at a Conference with both Houses, Jan. 25. 1641 concerning Licences granted by his Majesty's immediate Warrant, to many of the chief Commanders now in the head of the Rebels in Ireland, for their transporting thither, since the Ports were stopped by both Houses of Parliament, against all IRISH Papists.  

In which Vindication are,  
1. Mr. Pym his Speech.  
2. His Majesty's Message concerning his Speech.  
3. The Commons Answer to the Message.  
4. His Majesty's Reply to the Commons Answer.  
5. The Commons Answer to the Reply.  
6. His Majesty's second Reply.   
Ordered by the Commons House of Parliament, that Mr. Pym his Speech, His Majesty's Message concerning his Speech, The Commons answer to the Message, His Majesty's Reply to the Commons Answer, The Commons answer to that Reply, And His Majesty's second Reply, be forthwith Printed together and Published.  
H. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
LONDON Printed for John Bull, 1643.   

January 25. 1641.  
At a Conference betwixt both HOUSES, concerning divers Petitions presented to the House of Commons; Mr. PYM appointed to manage that Conference.  
My Lords,  
I Am commanded by the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses assembled for the Commons in Parliament, to present to your Lordship's divers Petitions, which they have received from several parts, concerning the state of the Kingdom: whereunto they are chief moved by that constant affection, which they have always expressed, of maintaining a firm union and good correspondence with your Lordships; wherein they have ever found much advantage and contentment; but never held it more important and necessary, then at this time, wherein the wisdom and resolution of Parliament have as many great dangers and difficulties to pass through, as ever heretofore.  
We are united in the public trust, which is derived from the Commonwealth, in the common duty and obligation, whereby God doth bind us to the discharge of that trust: and the Commons desire to impart to your Lordships whatsoever Information or Intelligence, whatsoever Encouragement or Assistance they have received from those several Countries, which they represent, that so likewise we may be united in the same intentions and endeavours of improving all to the service of his Majesty, and the common good of the Kingdom.  
The Petitions which I am directed to communicate to your Lordships, are four: from London, Middlesex, Essex, and Hertfordshire. We have received many more, but it would take up too much time, and be too great a trouble to peruse all; and, in these four you may perceive the effect and sense of all: First I am to desire your Lordships to hear them read, and then I shall pursue my Instructions in propounding some Observations out of them.   

The Petitions being read by four Members of the House, Mr. Pym resumed his discourse.  
My Lords,  
IN these four Petitions you may hear the voice, or rather the cry, of all England; and you cannot wonder if the urgency, the extremity of the condition wherein we are, do produce some earnestness and vehemency of expression more than ordinary; the agony, terror and perplexity in which the Kingdom labours, is universal, all parts are affected with it; and therefore in these you may observe the groans and miserable complaints of all.  
Divers reasons may be given why those diseases which are Epidemical are more dangerous than others: 1. The Cause of such diseases is universal and supernal, not from an evil constitution, or evil diet, or any other accident: and such causes work with more vigour and efficacy, than those which are particular and inferior. 2. In such diseases there is a communicative quality, whereby the malignity of them is multiplied and enforced. 3. They have a converting, transforming power that turns other diseases and evil affections of men's bodies into their own nature.  
The common and Epidemical disease wherein this Commonwealth lies now gasping, hath a superior and universal cause from the evil Counsels and designs of those, who under his Majesty bear the greatest sway in Government. 2. It hath a contagious and infectious quality, whereby it is diffused and dispersed through all parts of the Kingdom. 3. It is apt to take in the discontents, evil affections, and designs of particular persons to increase and fortify itself.  
I shall take occ●sion from several branches of those Petitions which your Lordships have heard, to observe:  

1. The variety of Dangers to which this Kingdom is now subject.  
2. The manifold distempers which is the cause of those dangers.  
3 The Multiplicity of those evil Influences, which are the Causes of that distemper.   
The first Danger is from enemies abroad, this may seem a causeless and impertinent observation at this time seeing we are in peace with all Nations about us: But (my Lords) you may be pleased to consider that the safety of the Kingdom ought not to depend upon the will and disposition of our Neighbours, but upon our own strength and Provision; Betwixt States there are often sudden changes, from peace to war, according to occasion and advantage. All the States of Christendom are now Armed, and we have no reason to believe but that those of greatest power have an evil eye upon us in respect of our Religion: and if their private Differences should be composed, how dangerously, how speedily might those great armies and other preparations now ready, be applied to some enterprise and attempt against us? if there were no other cause, this were sufficient to make us stand upon our Guard; but there are divers more especial symptoms of dangers of this kind.  
We may perceive by several Advertisements from abroad, that they did foresee our Dangers many Months before they broke out; they could foretell the Time and Manner of them, which is a clear evidence they held intelligence with those which were the contrivers and workers of the present troubles.  
We may have dangerous Traitors and Fugitives now in other parts, who can discover the weakness and distemper of the Kingdom; who hold Intelligence with the ill affected party here, and by all cunning and subtle practices endeavour to incite and provoke other Princes against us.  
Some of the Ministers of our neighbour Princes may be justly suspected to have had a more immediate hand and operation in the Insurrection and Rebellion of Ireland, many of the Commanders, and most of the Soldiers levied for the service of Spain, are now joined with the Rebels there; and those Irish Friars, which were employed by the Spanish Ambassador for the making of those Levies, are known to have been chief Incendiaries to this Rebellion, and are still very active in the prosecution and encouragement of it.  
The Rebels have a ready and speedy supply from some of our Neighbours. Two Convoys of Munition and Arms we are certainly informed of: one from Dunkirk; the other from Nantes in Brittany: and certainly those that are so forward to enable others to hurt us, will not forbear to hurt us themselves, assoon as they shall have means and opportunity to do it.  
Another Danger is from the Papists and illaffected parties at home. The Papists here are acted by the same principles, with those in Ireland; many of the most active of them have lately been there, which argues an intercourse and Communication of Counsels, They have still store of Arms and Munition at their disposing, notwithstanding all our endeavours to disarm them; they have a free resort to the City, and to the Court; they want no opportunities to consult together; they have the same or greater Encouragements from above, and from about them then ever, in respect of the example and success of the Rebels in Ireland, and the great confusions and divisions which by their cunning and subtle practices are raised and fomented amongst ourselves at home.  
3. A third danger is of Tumults and Insurrections of the meaner sort of people: by reason of their ill vent of cloth, and other Manufactures, whereby great multitudes are set on work, who live for the most part by their daily get, and will in a short time be brought to great extremity, if not employed; Nothing is more sharp and pressing then necessity and want; what they cannot buy they will take, and from them the like necessity will quickly be derived, to the Farmours and Husbandmen; and so, grow higher, and involve all in an equality of misery and distress, if it be not prevented. And at this time such tumults will be dangerous, because the Kingdom is full of disbanded Soldiers and Officers, which will be ready to head and to animate the Multitude to commit Violence with more strength and advantage: and if they once grow into a body, it will be much more difficult to reduce them into Order again, because necessity and want, which are the causes of this disturbance will still increase as the effects do increase.  
A fourth danger is from the Rebels in Ireland, not only in respect of that Kingdom, but in respect of this: They have seized upon the Body of that Kingdom already, they abound in men of very able bodies, they increase in Arms and Munition, they have great hopes of supplies from abroad, of encouragement here, and are sure of good entertainment from the Popish Party, so that they begin to speak already of the transporting themselves hither, and making this Kingdom the seat of the War.  
The Distemper which hath produced these Dangers is various and exceeding violent. Whensoever nature is hindered in her proper operations and faculties, distempers will necessarily follow.  
The obstructions which have brought us into this distemper, are very many, so that we cannot wonder at the strength and malignity of it. Some of the chiefest of these obstructions. I shall endeavour to remember.  
1. The obstruction of Reformation in matters of Religion: no Grievances are sharper than those that press upon the tender consciences of men; and there was never Church or State afflicted with more Grievances of this kind, than we have been. And though they are by the wisdom of this Parliament partly eased and diminished, yet many still remain: and as long as the Bishops and the corrupt part of the Clergy continue in their Power there will be little hope of Freedom either from the sense of those which continue or the fear of those which are removed. And of this obstruction, (my Lords) I must clear the Commons, we are in no part guilty of it▪ some good Bills have passed us, and others are in preparation, which might have been passed before this, if we had not found such ill success in the other. Whatsoever mischief this obstruction shall produce, we are free from it: we may have our part of the Misery, we can have no part in the guilt or dishonour.  
2. The obstruction in Trade, it is the Trade that brings food and nourishment to the Kingdom, It is that which preserves and increaseth the stock of the whole, and distributes a convenient Portion of maintenance to every part of it: therefore such an obstruction as this must needs be dangerous; the Freedom of Trade being so necessary, the benefit so important, as that it gives life, strength, and beauty to the whole body of the Commonwealth: but I must protest the House of Commons hath given no cause to this Obstruction; we have eased Trade of many Burdens, and heavy Taxes, which are taken off; we have freed it from many hard restraints by Patents and Monopolies; we have been willing to part with our own Privileges, to give it Encouragement; we have sought to put the Merchants into Security, and confidence in respect of the Tower of London, that so they might be invited to bring in their Bullion to the Mint, as heretofore they have done: and we are no way guilty of the troubles, the fears, and public dangers which make men withdraw their Stocks, and to keep their Money by them to be ready for such sudden Exigents, as in these great distractions we have too much cause to expect.  
3. The obstruction in the relief of Ireland. It must needs be accounted a great shame and dishonour to this Kingdom, that our neighbours have showed themselves more forward to supply the Rebels, than we have been to relieve our distressed brethren, and fellow Subjects. But I must declare that the House of Commons is altogether innocent of any neglect herein. As soon as the first news of the Rebellion came over, we undertook the War, not by way of Supply and aid, as in former Rebellions the Subjects have used to do, but we undertook the whole charge of it, and we suffered not 24. hours to pass, before we agreed to a great Levy of Money and Men, to be employed against the Rebels, even in a larger proportion than the Lord Justices and Council there did desire: and from time to time we have done all for the furtherance thereof though in the midst of many distractions and diversions, but the want of Commissions for levying Men, for issuing Arms, and divers other Impediments, have been the causes of that obstruction; and I wish we had not only found impediments to ourselves but also encouragements to them. Many of the chief Commanders, now in the Head of the Rebels, after we had with your Lordship's concurrence stopped the Ports against all Irish Papists, have been suffered to pass by his Majesty's immediate Warrant, much to the discouragement of the Lord Justices and the Counsel there: and this procured, as we believe, by some evil Instruments, too near his Regal person, without his Majesty's knowledge and intention.  
4 The obstruction in prosecution of Delinquents: many we have already brought up to your Lordships: divers others we have been discouraged to transmit; such difficult proceed have we met withal; such terrors and discountenance have been cast upon ourselves and our witnesses, those who have showed themselves, their friends and Patrons, have found it the most ready way to preferment; yea his Majesties own hand hath been obtained, his Majesty's Ships employed for the transporting of divers of those who have fled from the Justice of the Parliament.  
5. A general obstruction and interruption of the proceed of Parliament, by those manifold designs of violence (which through God's mercy we have escaped;) by the great and frequent breaches of Privilege; by the subtle endeavours to raise parties in our House, and jealousies betwixt the two Houses.  
6. The obstruction in providing for the defence of the Kingdom, that we might be enabled to resist a foreign Enemy, to suppress all civil Insurrections; and what a pressing necessity there is of this, the exceeding great decays in the Navy, in the Forts, the manifold defects in the power of ordering the Militia of the Kingdom, and means of furnishing them with Munition, are sufficient evidences known to none better than to your Lordships, and what endeavour we have used to remove them (but hitherto without that success and concurrence which we expected) and where the stop hath been, and upon what good grounds we may claim our own innocence and faithfulness in this, we desire no other Witnesses but yourselves.  
Lastly, I come to the evil influences which have caused this distemper, and I shall content myself to mention some few of those which are most apparent and Important.  
1. In the first place, I shall remember the evil Counsels about the King, whereof we have often complained. Diseases of the brain are most dangerous, because from thence Sense and Motion are derived to the whole body. The malignity of evil Counsels will quickly be infused into all parts of the State. None can doubt but we have exceedingly laboured under most dangerous and mischievous Counsels. This evil influence hath been the cause of the preparation of War with Scotland, of the procuring a Rebellion in Ireland, of corrupting Religion, suppressing the Liberty of this Kingdom, and of many fearful and horrid attempts, to the subverting the very being of Parliament, which was the only hopeful means of opposing and preventing all the rest: And this doth still appear to be the most predominant evil of the time; whereat we need not wonder, when we consider how Counselors have been preferred and prepared. And herein I appeal to your Lordships own consciences, whether the giving and the countenancing of evil Counsel, hath not been almost the only way to favour and advancement.  
2. The discouragement of good Counsel: divers honest and approved Counsellors have been put from their places: others so discountenanced, as that the way of favour hath been shut against them, and that of danger and destruction only open to them,  
3. The great power that an interessed and factious Party hath in the Parliament, by the continuance of the Votes of the Bishops and Popish Lords in your Lordship's House: and the taking in of others both out of the House of Commons, and otherwise, to increase their strength.  
4. The fomenting and cherishing of a Malignant party throughout the whole Kingome  
5. The manifold jealousies betwixt the King, his Parliament, and good Subjects, whereby his protection and favour hath in a great measure been withheld from them: their inclination and resolution to serve, and assist him, hath been very much hindered and interrupted: we have often suffered under the misinterpretation of good Actions, and false imputation of evil, which we never intended. So that we may justly purge ourselves from all guilt of being Authors of this jealousy and misunderstanding: We have been, and are still ready to serve his Majesty with our lives and fortunes, with as much cheerfulness and earnestness of affection, as ever any Subjects were; & we doubt not but our proceed will so manifest this, that we shall be as clear in the apprehension of the World, as we are in the Testimony of our own Consciences.  
I am now come to a conclusion, and I have nothing to propound to your Lordships by way of request or desire from the House of Commons; I doubt not but your judgements will tell you, what is to be done; your consciences, your Honours, your interests will call upon you for the doing of it; The Commons will be glad to have your help and concurrence in saving of the Kingdom; but if they should fail of it, it shall not discourage them in doing their duty. And whether the Kingdom be lost or saved (as through God's blessing I hope it will be) they shall be sorry that the story of this present Parliament should tell Posterity, that in so great danger and extremity, the House of Commons should be enforced alone to undertake those courses which are necessary for the saving of it, and that the House of Peers should have no part in the honour of those endeavours, your great Estates, and high degrees of Nobility, giving you so large an Interest in the good success of them.  
My Lords, consider what the present necessities and dangers of the Commonwealth require, what the Commons have reason to expect, to what endeavours and Counsels the concurrent desires of all the people do invite you: so that applying yourselves to the preservation of the King and Kingdom, I may be bold to assure you in the name of all the Commons of England; that you shall be bravely seconded.   

His Majesty's Message sent to the House of Commons, concerning Licences granted by his Majesty, to several persons to pass into IRELAND.  
HIS Majesty taking notice of a Speech, pretending in the Title, to have been delivered by M●. Pym in a Conference, and printed by Order of the House of Commons, in which it is affirmed, That since the stop upon the Ports against all Irish Papists by both Houses, many of the chief Commanders, now in the head of the Rebels, have been suffered to pass by his Majesty's immediate Warrant; and being very certain of having used extreme Caution in the granting of Passports into Ireland; So that He conceives, either this Paper not to have been so delivered and printed, as it pretends, or this House to have received some misinformation;  
His Majesty would be resolved, whether this Speech were so delivered and Printed; and if it were, would have this House to review upon what Informations that particular was grounded, that either that may be found upon re-examination to have been false, and both this House and his Majesty injured by it, or that his Majesty may know by what means, and by whose fault, His Authority hath been so highly abused, as to be made to conduce to the assistance of that Rebellion, which he so much detests and abhors, and that He may see himself fully vindicated from all reflections of the least suspicion of that kind.  

The Answer of the House of Commons.  
YOur Majesty's most loyal and faithful Subjects, the Commons now assembled in Parliament, have taken into their serious consideration the Message received from your Majesty, the seventh of this instant February; and do acknowledge that the Speech therein mentioned to be delivered by Master Pym in a Conference, was Printed by their Order, and that what was therein delivered, was agreeable to the sense of the House. And touching that passage wherein it is affirmed, that since the stop upon the Ports against all Irish Papists by both Houses, many of the chief Commanders now in the head of the Rebels, have been suffered to pass by your Majesty's immediate Warrant, They present your Majesty with this their humble Answer.  
That they have received divers advertisements, concerning the several persons, Irish Papists and others, which have obtained your Majesty's immediate Warrants for their passing into Ireland since the Order of Restraint of both Houses; some of which (as they have been informed) since their coming into Ireland, have joined with the Rebels, and been Commanders amongst them, & some others have been stayed, and are yet in safe Custody, particularly the Lord Delvin, and four other persons in his company, whereof one is thought to be a Priest: One Colonel Butler Brother to the Lord Minyart now in Rebellion, and Sir George Hamilton, all which are Papists: And one other (as is reported) being Son of the Lord Mettersfield, whose Father and Brother are both in Rebellion. The particular names of others we have not yet received, but doubt not but upon examination they may be discovered.  
And your Majesty's most faithful Subjects are very sorry, that the extreme caution which your Majesty hath used, hath been so ill seconded, with the diligence and faithfulness of your Miinisters; and that your Royal Authority should be so highly abused; Although, as it was expressed in that Speech by Master Pym, we believe it was by the procurement of some evil Instruments too, near your Royal Person, without your Majesty's knowledge and intention. And we beseech your Majesty to take such course, That not only your Honour may be vindicated for the time passed, but your Kingdom may be secured from the like mischief for the time to come.    

His Majesty's Reply to the House of Commons Answer, Concerning Licences granted by the King to persons to go into IRELAND.  
AS His Majesty hath expressed a great desire to give His House of Commons all possible satisfaction to all their just Requests, and a readiness to rectify or retract any thing done by Himself, which might seem to trench upon their Privileges by any mistake of His, so he doubts not they will be ready upon all occasions to manifest an equal tenderness and regard of His Majesty's Honour and Reputation with His good Subjects: and therefore His Majesty expects they should review His Message of the seventh of this Month, concerning a passage in Masts Pyms Speech, and their Answer sent to his Majesty by some of their Members on the tenth of the same, with which His Majesty can by no means rest satisfied.  
His Majesty's Exception in that Message was, That it was affirmed in that Speech, That since the stop upon the Ports against all Irish Papists, by both Houses, many of the chief Commanders now in the head of the Rebels, have been suffered to pass by His Majesty's immediate Warrant.  

To this the Answer is:  
THat the Speech mentioned in that Message to be delivered by master Pym, was printed by their Order, and that what was therein delivered was agreeable to the sense of the House: that they have received divers Advertisements concerning several persons Irish Papists and others, who have obtained His Majesty's immediate Warrant for their passing into Ireland, since the Order of Restraint of both Houses, some of which, they have been informed, since their coming into Ireland, have joined with the Rebels, and been Commanders amongst them.  
His Majesty is most assured, no such person hath passed by His Warrant or Privity, and then he desires His House of Commons to consider, whether such a general Information and Advertisement (in which there is not so much as the name of any particular person mentioned) be ground enough for such a direct and positive Affirmation, as is made in that Speech, which in respect of the place and Person, and being now acknowledged to be agreeable to the sense of the House, is of that authority, that his Majesty may suffer in the affections of many of His good Subjects, and fall under a possible construction (considering many scandalous pamphlets to such a purpose) of not being sensible enough of that Rebellion, so horrid and odious to all Christians, by which in this distraction, such a danger might possibly ensue to His Majesty's Person and Estate, as he is well assured His House of Commons will use their utmost endeavours to prevent. And therefore His Majesty thinks it very necessary, and expects that they name those persons who by His Majesty's Licence have passed into Ireland, and are now there in the head of the Rebels; Or that if upon their re-examination they do not find particular Evidence to prove that Assertion (as His Majesty is confident they never can) as this Affirmation which may reflect upon His Majesty, is very public, so they will publish such a Declaration whereby that mistake may be discovered, His Majesty being the more tender in that particular, which hath reference to Ireland, as being most assured that He hath been, and is, from His Soul, resolved to discharge His Duty (which God will require at His hands) for the relief of His poor Protestant Subjects there and the utter rooting out that Rebellion; So that Service hath not suffered any, but necessary delays by any act of His Majesties, for the want of any thing proposed to His Majesty, or within His Majesty's power to do.  
For the persons named in the Answer, His Majesty saith, that Colonel Butler, and the son of the Lord Nettersfield, obtained His Warrants for their passage into Ireland, at His Majesty's being in Scotland, which was long (as His Majesty thinks) before the Order of both Houses: His Majesty knowing the former of them to be one who hath always made Professions to His Service, and to be Uncle to the Earl of Ormond, of whose affection to the Protestant Religion, and His Majesty's Service, His Majesty hath great cause to be assured: And the latter being a person of whom, at that time, there was no suspicion to His Majesty's knowledge. For the other, it may be they have obtained Warrants from his Majesty since the said Order, but his Majesty assures the Parliament that he had no intimation of such an Order, till after stay made of Sir George Hamilton, who was the last that had any Licence from his Maty to pass for Ireland.  
And His Majesty having since this Answer from the House of Commons used all possible means, by the examining His own Memory, and the Notes of His Secretaries, to find what Warrants have been granted by Him, and to what persons, doth not find, That He hath granted any to any Irish, but those who are named by the House of Commons, and in December last to the Earl of Saint Alban, and to two of his servants and to one Walter Terrel a poor man, they being such as His Majesty is assured are not with the Rebels, and much less chief Commanders over them. And though it may be, the Persons named by the House of Commons are Papists, yet His Majesty at that time thought it not fit in respect of their Alliance in that Kingdom to such Persons of great power, of whom His Majesty hoped well, to discover any suspicion of them, the Lords Justices having declared by their Letters (which Letters were not disapproved of by the Parliament here) that they were so far from owning a public jealousy of all Papists there, that they had thought fit to put Arms into the hands of divers Noble men of the Pale of that Religion who made Professions to His Majesty's Service and desired the same. And since so great a trust reposed in some of the Lords of that Religion was not disapproved by the Parliament here, His Majesty could not imagine it unsafe or unfit for Him to give Licences to some few to pass into that Kingdom, who, though Papists, professed due Allegiance and Loyalty to His Majesty.  
And therefore unless the first Affirmation of the House of Commons can be made good by some particulars, His Majesty doth not know that His Ministers have failed in their diligence and faithfulness to His Majesty in this point, or that His honour hath suffered so much by any Act of His own, as that it needs be vindicated for the time passed by any other way then such a Declaration which He expects from this House, as in Duty and Justice due to His Majesty.    

The Answer of both Houses of Parliament to the King's Message. Sent to his most excellent Majesty, March 16. 1641.  
May it please your Majesty.  
YOur Majesty's most humble and faithful Subjects, the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament, having considered Your Majesty's Reply to their Answer, touching such Persons as have been licenced by your Majesty to pass into Ireland, do most humbly beseech your Majesty to believe, that they shall always with thankfulness and joy receive from your Majesty any satisfactory Answer to their just requests: And, as they hope, they shall find in your Majesty a readiness to rectify those things which have been done to their prejudice, so will they be careful to remove all apprehensions of their actions or speeches, which may seem to cast any dishonour upon your Majesty.  
For your Majesty's better satisfaction concerning the positive affirmation, that many of the chief Commanders now in the head of the Rebels (after the Ports were stopped by order of both Houses) have been suffered to pass by your Majesty's immediate Warrant. May it please your Majesty to consider that herein they have affirmed nothing but what they had cause to believe was true, the grounds whereof they most humbly present to your Majesty.  
The first ground is this, that both Houses of Parliament, (having upon your Majesty's commendation taken into their care the suppression of the Rebellion of Ireland) had reason to be especially watchful over the Ports, because the Rebels abounding in numbers of men, for the most part ignorant of the use of their Arms, could by no means become dangerous or formidable to this Kingdom, but by the access of Soldiers and Commanders, wherewith they were like to be furnished either out of France, or Flanders, from both which places the passage into Ireland is speedy and easy through this Kingdom, and thereof they could not choose but be very sensible of whatsoever gave liberty or opportunity to such a passage as of a very hurtful and dangerous grievance, for prevention whereof they did upon the 7. of Novembeer agree upon an Order, and restrain all passage into Ireland, but upon due and strict examination by such persons as were trusted to make those Licences.  
A second ground, that the other Licence granted to the Lord Delvin, and then acknowledged by your Majesty's Answer, were such, both in (regard of the persons to whom they were granted, and the extent of the words in which they were granted,) as were apt to produce such an effect as is mentioned in that positive affirmation, that is to open a way for the passage of Papists and other dangerous persons to join with the Rebels, and to be Heads and Commanders amongst them, which is thus proved.  
The Waarrant granted to Colonel Butler, (since the order of restraint by both Houses of Parliament) did extend to all Ports of England and Scotland, and did give free passage to himself and to his Company, without any qualification of persons, or limitation of number, and this Colonel was himself a Papist, had a brother in Rebellion, and General of the Rebels in M●●ster, was expected and very much desired by those Rebels, who for a long time kept a Regiment to be commanded by him, as we have been credibly informed.  
The second was granted to a son of the Lord Nettersfield, which Lord had four sons in England since the Rebellion, one of which is settled in England, three others intended to pass into Ireland, and were all dangerous persons being Papists, bred in the wars, in the service of the King of Spain, and one of them lately become a Jesuit.  
The third to the Lord Delvin extends to himself, and four persons more unnamed, that one of those who should have passed with him is taken to be a Jesuit, and another who calls himself Ploncket, seems to be a man of some breeding and quality, and like to have been serviceable to the Rebels, and to have done mischief, if he had gone over.  
The fourth to Sir George Hamelton, and three others unnamed: this Gentleman is likewise a professed Papist, and may be doubted to be of the party of the Rebels, one of that name being mentioned in the instructions of Sempill the Jesuit, amongst divers other dangerous persons of the Popish party in Scotland, and Ireland, which instructions were found in a ship stayed in Cornwall, which was going into Ireland, with divers Jesuits, Soldiers and others, for the encouragement of the Rebels.  
A third ground is this, That by virtue and authority of these Licences several persons have passed over, which are now in actual rebellion, and joined with the Rebels, and some have commanded amongst them, which is thus proved:  
One Captain Sutton, did by virtue and authority of your Majesty's Licence embark at White-haven, in the Company of Colonel Butler, and was driven back by foul weather; whereupon the Colonel stayed and went to Chester; but that Captain reimbarqued himself in the same Bottom, and passed into Ireland, where he went into Rebellion with the Lord Dunsany, and hath since obtained the place of a Colonel amongst the Rebels, as we are very credibly informed.  
Two of the sons of the Lord Nettersfield, one a Jesuit, and the other a Soldier, passed into Ireland in December last, both of them by virtue of your Majesty's warrant, as we have cause to believe, for that they went both together in one ship, and the Licence acknowledged to be granted by your warrant, must needs be granted to one of them, seeing the other brother, who lately endeavoured to pass over, did produce no Licence, and upon his examination doth absolutely deny that he had any.  
A fourth ground (which we humbly offer to your Majesty) is this. That your Majesty cannot be assured that no other did pass upon your Licence, as your Majesty doth conceive, and are pleased to express in your Answer, & that we had great cause to believe that divers other had passed over by your Warrant, besides the persons , and that for these reasons:  
1. Because we received such a general information, that divers now in the head of the Rebels were passed by your Majesty's Licence, which being true in part, and easy to be effected, in regard of the nature and extent of the Warrants▪ and probable to be attempted, in regard of the subtlety and vigilancy of that party, to make use of all advantages, seemed to deserve credit, which we should not have given to it, if it had been a naked information without such circumstances.  
2. Because we had concurring advertisements from Ireland and Chester, that divers Priests, Jesuits, and Popish Commanders had passed over, & were landed there and particularly some of Colonel Butler's Company and that the Officers of the Ports had kept no entry of the names of these persons, or of the Warrants by which they were transported.  
These we hope will be sufficient to persuade your Majesty to believe, that as we had some cause to give credit to the said informations, so we had no intention to make any ill use of them to your Majesty's dishonour, but did impute the blame to your Ministers, who might have been more careful to have informed your Majesty of the Quality of those persons named in your Licences, and so to have limited them, that they might not have extended to others, as they did how many and dangerous soever.  
And they pray your Majesty to rest assured, that they shall always be tender of your Honour and reputation with your good Subjects, and for this cause have made this true Declaration of the full state of this matter, that they may think no otherwise of it, than the truth, and in all things shall labour to establish a good understanding and confidence, betwixt your Majesty, and your people, which they hearty desire and pray for, as the chiefest means of preserving the Honour, safety, and prosperity of your Majesty, and your Kingdom.   

His Majesty's Answer to a Message sent to Him by the House of Commons, concerning Licences granted by Him to persons to go into IRELAND.  
HIs Majesty hath seen and considered the Message presented to him by the Lord Compton, and Mr. Baynton, the 19 of March 1641. at York; Touching such persons as have been licenced by his Majesty to pass into Ireland.  
Though he will not insist upon what little reason they had to suspect that some ill-affected persons had passed into Ireland, under colour of his Majesty's Licence (Inferences being slender proofs to ground belief upon) yet he must needs avow, that for any thing that is yet Declared, He cannot see any ground why Mr. Pym should so boldly affirm before both Houses of Parliament, That since the stop upon the Ports by both Houses against all Irish Papists, many of the chief Commanders now in the head of the Rebels have been suffered to pass by His Majesty's immediate Warrant; For as yet there is not any particular person named that is now so much as in Rebellion (much less in the Head of the Rebels) to whom His Majesty hath given Licence;  
And therefore according to his Majesty's Reply upon that Subject, His Majesty expects, That his House of Commons publish such a Declaration, whereby this mistaking may be cleared. That so all the World may see his Majesty's Caution in giving of Passes; and likewise, that his Ministers have not abused His Majesty's Trust, by any surreptitious Warrants.  
And lastly, His Majesty expects. That henceforth there be more Wariness used, before such public Aspersions be laid, unless the Grounds be beforehand better warranted by sufficient Proofs.  
FINIS