Speech by Lord Kimbolton Concerning Articles of High Treason, Speech
A JVDICIOUS SPEECH MADE By the Right Honourable the Lord KIMBOLTON, in Parliament, Ianuary 3. 1641.
Concerning the Articles of high Treaſon exhibited againſt his Lordſhip, Sir Arthur Haſlerig, M. Pym, M. Stroud, M. Hollis, and M. Hampden, by His Majeſty.
Declaring
1. The Cauſe of their Accuſation.
2. The Authors that procured it.
3. The effects likely to follow upon the ſame,
Printed at London for I. W. 1642.
A Iudicious Speech, MADE By the Right Honourable the Lord Kimbolton in Parliament. Ian. 3. 1641. Concerning the Articles of high Treaſon, exhibited againſt his Lordſhip, Sir Arthur Haſlerig, M. Pym, M. Stroud, M. Hollis, and M. Hampden, by His Majeſty.
M. SPEAKER,
THere hath already beene ſo much ſpoken by the other Gentlemen, concerning this accuſation of high treaſon, even ſufficient, as I conceive, to cleare us all that are impeached, that I know not what to ſay more touching the ſame: OnelyOnly under favour give me leave, to ſpeake what I conceive of the cauſe of the procuring of this accuſation, the Authors that procured it, and of the effects which I perceive will follow upon the ſame.
M. Speaker, It is not long ſince this Honourable Houſe accuſed of high Treaſon the twelve Biſhops, for their illegall and trayterous attempt in their petition and proteſtation againſt the King and Parliament. Theſe Gentlemen with my ſelfe and others, having the proſecution of that buſineſſe, and other charges of great Crimes againſt them committed to our truſt, did unanimouſly with one conſent follow the ſame, bringing to a period our debates and diſputes concerning their crimes, what we conceived they were guilty of upon their ſeverall charges, & what guilty of for framing & preferring their petition and proteſtation to his Majeſty, that they were guilty of miſpriſion of treaſon upon their former accuſations, and guilty of high treaſon upon this their laſt deſigne: And theſe our votes and and concluſions (grounded and warranted, not only by the Common lawes of this land, but by divers Acts of Parliament, and preſidents) we preſented to the whole houſe for conſideration and confirmation of the ſame by generall vote, with whom wee againe agreed by our publique votes, and thereupon they were impeached and committed; this I conceive provoked their malice againſt us, and was the principall cauſe of this their plot in drawing an Accuſation againſt us for the ſame crime of treaſon, thereby to make us ſeeme as vile as themſelves, and to take away our votes at their triall. And thus I have joynd together both the cauſe and Authors of this accuſation.
The effects I conceive will be dangerous, and cauſe great trouble in theſe reſpects.
1 In turning the Current of the Parliaments proceedings againſt them upon us, by which deviſe they ſhall have further time to put in practice their plots, and bring to perfection their purpoſes againſt the Parliament.
2 That being buſily imployed concerning this buſineſſe, in their diſputes about breach of priviledge of Parliament in illegall accuſing the members thereof, in drawing a declaration to his Majeſtie concerning the ſame, in appeaſing him, by ſhewing the ſincerity and integrity of the Parliament toward his Majeſtie and other things pertinent thereunto, this high Court may lay aſide their procceding, and avert their purpoſes touching the Iriſh affaires, whereby the Rebellion there may increaſe; and forraigne aide brought to them, to the utter loſing of that kingdome.
3 Many feares and troubles will ariſe in the Citizens concerning this accuſation, of deſperate and devilliſh ſtratagems in agitation, as wel againſt them as the Parliament by diſconſolate & diſaffected perſons, to the ſafety and ſecurity thereof, cauſing their continuall watching and guarding by their trained bands, which will bee to them a great charge and moleſtation.
4 It will incourage ill affected and pernitious Cavaliers, and commanders about Court, to attempt any miſcheife againſt both houſes of Parliament or particular members thereof upon the Leaſt opportunity, that ſhall be offered them, thinking thereby they ſhall doe the King good ſervice, which otherwiſe they dare not adventure, to put in practiſe.
5 And laſtly; It will provoke and ſtir up a diſlike of theſe deſignes in the hearts of all his Majeſties ſubjects, and diſaffection to his ſacred perſon, cauſe great uproares, and tumults of the Citizens; yea, and I feare a generall inſurrection in the kingdome, if not ſuddainly prevented, which God forbid.
And thus Maſter Speaker, having nothing more to ſay concerning theſe Articles, I humbly crave of this Honourable houſe, that I may have expedition in my triall, upon the ſame; and that all things done by this wiſe Councell may tend to the Honour and glory of Almighty God, the peace and ſafety of his ſacred Majeſtie and all his kingdomes.
FINIS.
End of the text · Edward Montagu, Speech by Lord Kimbolton Concerning Articles of High Treason (1642)