REASONS DELIVERED By the Right Honourable the Earl of MANCHESTER: FOR Nulling the forced VOTES, And against the high and visible insolences of those that forced the HOUSES.  
WITH A DECLARATION OF The House of Peers acquitting themselves AND Other papers delivered at a Conference of both Houses, on Wednesday, August 18. 1647.  
ALSO An Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, appointing a secret Committee for the sending for, and examining of Parties and Witnesses.  
Aug: 20th Printed at London by Robert Ibbitson. 1647.   

REASONS Delivered By the Right Honourable the Earl of MANCHESTER FOR Nulling the forced VOTES.  
AND Against the high and visible insolences of those that forced the Houses.  
Die Mercurii August 18. 1647.  
AT a Conference of both Houses, the Right Honourable the Earl of Manchester delivered from the Lords to the Commons, these ensuing particulars,  
That their Lordships had commanded him to put them in mind, that August the 6th. Instant, the Lords sent a Message for their concurrence to an Ordinance making Null those Orders which passed July 26th. by force, set upon both Houses. And all other Orders, Votes, Ordinances, and proceed, from thence until the sixth of August following, by any pretence of Parliament, or power.  
II. That their Lordships had likewise commanded him, to put them in mind that they likewise sent to them two Declarations for their concurrence, One from the General his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Army: The other from the Lords and Commons and the Speakers, who went to the Army for safety. Both which declared the proceed of the Members in their absence to be forced, and invalid.  
III. That their Lordships had commanded him to acquaint them that they had received their Expedite, sent up by a Message this day, by some of their Members, (which was for Nulling the forced Votes and Proceed by a Repeal) And that their Lordships had Voted to lay it aside, and adhered to their former Votes.  
iv That their Lordships had commanded him, to deliver to them Certain Reasons of the great dangers that are like to follow, if the Parliament be not Vindicated and righted, by a speedy course herein.  
The Substance of which Reasons was thus:  

First, That if a speedy course be not taken herein, there is no provisions can be made for the safety of a free Parliament sitting, because in these things the Houses were forced in a most insolent and visible manner.  
Secondly, That the Parliament should be hereby liable to do whatsoever they shall further force them to hereafter in the like manner. Contrary to the freedom and privilege of Parliaments; And hereby they gain the Authority of Parliament, to make good what they force.  
Thirdly, That whatsoever force shall be set upon the Parliament, to oppose their proceed; and thereby force the Houses to Act what they please; There can be no po●er obtained to punish them for so great insolences.   
V That their Lordships had commanded him to deliver to them a Declaration, (whereby their Lordships do declare, That they have used all possible means that the Houses of Parliament, may be righted and vindicated herein, against the insolent, and visible mutinings set upon them to force them and disturb the proceed of a fre● Parliament, in which their Lordships do acquit themselves, that they have done, what in the● lies to vindicate and right the Parliament herein.  
VI That their Lordships have now passed an Ordinance for the making of the Votes null, passed on Monday July 26, and so on till Friday August 6. And declaring against the same, to which Ordinance they desire the speedy concurrence of the House of Commons,   

Die Veneris 13 August, 1647.  
IT is Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament. Assembled, That the Earl of Denbigh Earl of Malgrave, Lord Grey of Work, Lord Howard, Sir Arthur Hazlerigge. Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Gurdon, Mr. Miles Corbet, Mr. Alderman Pennington, Mr. A●●in, Mr. Humphrey Edward's, and Colonel Venus, or any three of them be a sub-Committee of the Committee appointed by both Houses on Friday last: And that they have power to send for parties and witnesses, and to proceed (under secrecy) at all times when they think fit in preparing the examinations of the businesses committed to the said Committee: And that they or any three of them may administer an oath unto any persons in such things as shall not render the parties criminal that are so sworn.  
Henry Elsing Cler. Par. Dom. Comm●.   
FINIS.