In fine, the minor Lords were ordered to withdraw, and told that they were not to sit there until they attained 21 years of age.
Then the Lords took unto consideration the petition of the imprisoned Lords, and after a warm debate, they came to the question about vacating an order of the House made anno 1678 about the continuance of impeachments after the dissolution of Parliament. The question was carried for the vacating of that order, and by that means the three Lords were ipso facto set at liberty.
Its observable that there was not above nine Lords in the negative, and there was above 80 in the affirmative at the question.
The same day there was a bill brought in and read against clandestine marriages, and then the House adjourned; only they voted thanks to the King for his gracious speech, and attended the King at the banquetting house, with the House of Commons, to give their thanks at 4 o’clock that day.
Saturday 23 of May.
The House met about ten of the clock, and after prayers, as is usual, some orders, pro formâ, were read, and then some Lords were sworn.
Then several petitions for appeals from decrees in chancery were read and admitted.
Then the bill against clandestine marriages was read 2nd time and committed.
The House fell upon consideration of Argyle’s declaration, which was by his Majesty’s order communicated to the House. It was a treasonable declaration, inviting his friends and vassals to take arms and oppose the King, whom he traitorously called a tyrant and usurper in that wicked paper.
The House returned thanks to his Majesty for imparting that matter unto the Lords, and they declared Argyle to be a traitor, and that they would be ready with their lives and fortunes to stand by his Majesty in the defence of his person, crown and dignity against that traitor and all his enemies. And they sent a message to the Commons for their concurrence in that vote, who sent answer that they did readily concur.