the Kings hand for diverting the Ships pretended for the relief of Rochel another for sending Ammunition to York in the beginning of the War the House ordered the Committee to Print such of them as they thought fit Divers Sheriffs passed Order for a Judge to go down upon the Commission of Oyer and Terminer to try the Mutineers in the Isle of Wight Order for a Collection for Bridge-north and no Collection to be but under the Great Seal Letters from the Isle of Wight informed That the King sent for the Governor Col. Hammond and asked him the reason why he had given order for dismissing his Majesties Servants and whether it stood with the Engagement to them who had so freely cast themselves upon him and with his Honour and Honesty That the Governor told the King That his Honour and Honesty were in the first place to them that imployed him and next that he thought the King could not but confess that he had done more as things stood for him than he himself could have expected Then the King asked him whether the Commissioners were privy to this Order He said no the King demanded of him by what Authority he did it he said by Authority of both Houses of Parliament and that he supposed his Majesty was not ignorant of the cause of his doing thus The King professed the contrary and the Governor replyed that he plainly saw his Majesty was acted by other Councels than stood with the good of this Kingdom The Garrison of Hull sent Letters of thanks to the General for continuing Col. Maleverer to be their Governonor 11. Sir Hardress Waller acquainted the House That the General had commanded seven Collonels of them with other Officers of Quality in the name of the Army to make their humble address to the House and they have presented their intentions in writing in that which is called a Declaration which shall either have name or life or be exposed to view according as it shall receive approbation and direction from the House It was to this Effect Reciting the high Violations of the Kingdoms Rights and Liberties and endeavour to swallow them up in the Power and Will of a King the necessity of the Parliaments vindicating the Kingdom and their tenderness towards the Kings person and Rights so as might be consistent with and not destructive to the great and more obliging interest of Religion and the Rights and Liberties and safety of the Kingdom and not otherwise That the Army have declared and endeavoured the same and several addresses have been made to the King for those ends and in the Parliaments last address to him they insisted only upon some few things so essential to the interest of the Kingdom that without betraying the safety of the Kingdom and themselves and all engaged with them and without denying that which God in the issue of this War hath been such a Testimony unto they could not go lower and those things granted they have offered to treat for all the rest That upon the Kings denyal of these things they can see no further Hopes of settlement or Security that way Therefore understanding that upon debate of that denyal added to so many others the House of Commons by several late Votes resolved not to make any further Address or Application to the King nor receive any from him nor to suffer either in others They do freely and unanimously declare for themselves and the Army that they are resolved through the Grace of God firmly to adhere with and stand by the Parliament in the things then Voted and in what shall be further necessary for prosecution thereof and for setling and securing the Parliament and Kingdom without the King and against him or any other that shall hereafter partake with him This Declaration was twice read and the House Voted that they did approve of it and ordered that the thanks of the House be returned to the General and the Army for it A Petition from the Provincal Assembly of London referred to the Committee of Grievances and the Petitioners had thanks An Ordinance read and debated for Collecting twenty thousand pound a month for the Service of Ireland Order for ten pound to bury Captain Harris his Widow 12. The House gave thanks to some Merchants who had procured a Collection of Charity in the United Provinces of thirty one thousand two hundred and eighteen pound for the relief of Ireland Order for raising forty thousand pound forthwith for the Navy and thirty thousand pound more as soon as may be Order about sending some Divines to the Isle of Wight Letters from Vice-Admiral Rainsborough That he had appointed a guard of Ships for the Isle of Wight and for the Irish Coasts Order for five thousand pound for the Lord Brook's Son Both Houses passed an Ordinance for forty thousand pound to be raised out of the Earl of Worcesters Estate for the Service of Ireland Several Compositions passed 13. An Ordinance pass'd for repair of the Church of Taunton A Petition from the East-India Company referred and another from the Levant-Merchants Divers Compositions passed 14. Order that Delinquents be put out of the Line Upon Information of a new design of the Kings Party Orders for re-manding the Earl of Cleaveland to the Tower and for Sir Lewis Dives to be kept in safe Custody and for Mr. Sollicitor to prosecute him and Sir Jo. Stowel and Judge Jenkyns to Tryal the next Term and that the Lord Major and Justices do cause to be prosecuted at this Sessions the late Rioters in Fleet-street Order that the General take course for the safety of the Parliament And that he send some Horse and Foot to be Quartered within the Liberties of Westminster and to prevent inconvenience to the inhabitants That the Foot be Quartered in Whitehall and the Horse be Quartered in the Meuse 15. The Lords agreed to the Votes of the Commons That no more Addresses be made to the King and the Commons agreed with the Lords Preamble to those Votes and that they be Printed and published and that all who shall do contrary to those Votes shall be Sequestred Power to the Militia to imploy persons for the finding out and apprehending Delinquents who stay within the Lines Divers Compositions passed 16. Part of Col. Baxter's Regiment Quartered in White-Hall 17. Debate touching Sequestrations and against the Partiality of Committees Papers from the Scots Commissioners That they were speedily to return to Scotland and their desire of an answer of former Papers and what they shall return to the Parliament of Scotland and about the Arrears due to that Kingdom Orders for Money for Dover-Castle Some Delinquents committed who stayed in London contrary to the Ordinance and Order given by the House to the Regiments at White-Hall and the Meuse to apprehend and bring before a Justice of Peace such Papists and Malignants as they shall find in Town contrary to the Ordinance The House pass'd a
against Supply without redress of Grievances this Parliament by Commission was dissolved The King followed his design of the War and to put the Fleet to Sea and made a League with the Vnited Provinces against the Emperor and King of Spain Then issues a Proclamation to Recall Recusants Children from Beyond Sea and against Popish Priests and to command all English in the Service of the Emperor King of Spain and Archdutchess to return to England The King sends out his Letters to the Lord-Lieutenants of Counties touching a general Loan of Money to him and Warrants are issued forth to disarm Recusants The Fleet being ready with ten Regiments the Lord Wimbleton was made Commander in chief great muttering was that this design was not known to the Council but to the Duke onely and that he went not in Person The English and Dutch Ships designed to block up Dunkirk were dispersed by storm and 22 Dunkirk Men of War with Land-Forces gave an Alarum to England and Ireland The Fleet came together again and neglected or preposterously attempted a great Booty of Spanish Ships in Cadiz Bay then the Army landed and took a Fort but the English finding store of Spanish Wines abused themselves and hazarded the ruine of all They were again Shipt and the General put to Sea to wait for the Plate Fleet but the ill condition of his men by a general Contagion enforced his return home without any honourable performance which caused great clamor but where the fault lay hath not yet been determined nor any punisht for it The General was accused by some of his Colonels and Seamen and examined before the Council he laid the blame on some who did not fight the Spanish Ships as he ordered them they denied that they had Orders to fight This fending and proving little salved the Honour of the Nation All Trade with Spain is prohibited upon Confiscation all the Trained Bands are Exercised The Plague still raged in London so that in one week there dyed 5000 persons it was also spread in many places in the Countrey In some Families both Master and Mistriss Children and Servants were all swept away For fear of Infection many persons who were to pay money did first put it into a Tub of Water and then it was taken forth by the Party that was to receive it When the Plague was somewhat assuaged and there dyed in London but 2500 in a week it fell to Judge Whitlock's turn to go to Westminster-Hall to adjourn Michaelmas Term from thence to Reading and accordingly he went from his house in Buckinghamshire to Horton near Colebrooke and the next morning early to High-Park Corner where he and his Retinue dined on the ground with such meat and drink as they brought in the Coach with them and afterwards he drove fast through the Streets which were empty of People and overgrown with Grass to Westminster-Hall where the Officers were ready and the Judge and his company went strait to the Kings-Bench adjourned the Court returned to his Coach and drave away presently out of Town Sir Edward Coke and other Gentlemen who had appeared the last Parliament against the Duke were made Sheriffs and so could not be chosen Parliament-men Coke excepted against several parts of the Sheriffs Oath and by advice of all the Judges one of his Objections was allowed to wit the Clause To destroy Lollards which by Order of the King and Council was left out of the Oath and so continues The carriage of the Bishop of Lincoln towards the Duke at the Parliament at Oxford was remembred and he was sequestred from the King's Presence and from the Council and from the Custody of the Seal which was given to Sir Thomas Coventry and he was sworn a Privy Councellor and Lord Keeper The King finding the discontents of his Subjects increased thought fit to call another Parliament and first Commands are given to the Bishops to proceed against the Papists by Excommunication and a Proclamation confines them The King determines to leave Mountague to the Parliament to the great regret of Bishop Laud. The Coronation of the King is appointed on Christmas-day and Commissioners made to receive and determine Claims concerning Services to be then done Knights of the Bath are to be made and a Proclamation issues for all that had 40 l. per annum to come in and receive the Order of Knighthood A Day of Thanksgiving was kept for the ceasing of the Plague In London and the Out-Parishes this year dyed 54265 persons whereof of the Plague 35417. The King's Coronation was performed with the usual Ceremonies and Solemnities by Bishop Laud onely the King's Robe was White Sattin because as some say Purple could not be then had The Bishop of Lincoln having received no Writ of Summons to this Parliament desired the King that he might make his Proxy and besought him to mitigate the Duke's causeless anger towards him The Parliament being met the Lord Keeper made a Speech to them Of the Benefit and Constitution of Parliaments and the King's love of them and his striving whether he should be major or melior a greater King or a better man and that the causes of calling them were to make good Laws and to execute Justice Then the King approved of the Speaker who made an Harangue suitable to the Times Extolling the King and praising Monarchy Parliaments Bishops Lords Commons Laws Judges and all that were in place and inveighing against Popery and the King of Spain And concluded with the usual Prayer That his Majesty would allow the Priviledge of Parliament Freedom of Debate and Access to his Royal Person The Commons began to fall upon the Publick Grievances the Miscarriage of the late Voyage to Cadiz the mis-imployment of the Kings Revenue Evil Councels Favouring of Papists The Loans Taxes and many other which they referred to Committees They likewise Exhibited Articles against Mountague The Privy Councel required the Bishop of Durham to Apprehend such of his Majesties Subjects as should be present at Mass and to Commit them to Prison and the Kings Attourney sent Letters to the Judges to direct their strict proceedings against Recusants in their Circuits The Commons questioned the Seising of the Ship The Peter of New Haven by Sir James Bag upon which our Merchants Ships and Goods were seised in France The Duke said he would justifie it by the Kings Order The Council of War for the business of the Pallatinate were called into the House of Commons but made no clear Answer The King by Message and the Lords press the Commons for Supplies They proceed as to the Grievances by the method of Evils and Remedies and Resolved 1. That the Diminution of the Kingdom in strength and honour is an Evil which we suffer under 2. The Increase and countenancing of Papists 3. The not Guarding of the Narrow Seas 4. Pluralities of Offices in one hand 5. Sales of Honours and
Missive from the Lord Keeper signifying his Majesties Pleasure that he should forbear coming to the Parliament which how far it might Trench upon the Liberty and Safety of the Peers was too high a Point for him but he submits it to the Lords and Prays that he may Answer for himself and sends with his Petition a Copy of the Lord Keepers Letter and his Answer to it Hereupon the Lord Keeper delivered a Message to the Lords from the King Accusing Bristol of undutifulness disrespect and Scandal to the King and desires he may be sent for as a Delinquent to answer his Offences in Spain and since and for Scandalizing the Duke The Martial of Middlesex by Petition showed to the Commons That he by Warrant searched in the Clink Prison and was resisted but found there Four Priests and their Altars Crucifixes Books Papers c. That the Priests giving notice hereof to the Archbishop before they had done a Warrant came from the Arch-bishop and Mr. Attourney that they should not search any further nor remove any thing from thence The Arch-bishop said That the searching for those Priests was a Design of the Jesuits to take the Priests and send them to Rome to be put to Death for Writing in Defence of the Oath of Allegiance The Commons caused every Member of their House in his Place to make a particular Protestation Whether they heard Mr. Coke speak the Words charged upon him or not And every one denyed the hearing of those Words spoken by Mr. Coke After which the Commons presented a Remonstrance to the King in Answer to his and the Lord Keepers Speech denying the Words to be spoken by Mr. Coke and excusing Dr. Turner and avowing their Proceedings against the Duke or any other Subject and Pray the King not to give Ear to Officious Reports of private Persons for their own Ends. The King Chargeth the Bishops in the Case of the Duke and Bristol to follow only Proofs and not Rumours The Commons sent to the Duke That they were passing of Articles against him to which he might Answer if he pleased but he acquainting the Lords therewith they would not permit it Bristol was brought to the Bar by the Lords Order and Articles Exhibited against him of High-Treason and other Crimes in the Name of the Attorney General I. That he Traiterously assured King James That the Emperour and King of Spain would restore the Palatinate and that the King of Spain would consent to the Match with our Prince which they never intended and that was known to Bristol who delayed the Treaty II. He did not Execute the Commands of the King nor put the King of Spain to a punctual Answer to the detriment of our King and his Allies III. That he perswaded King James not to break with Spain IV. That he said he cared not what the Success of the Treaty would be but he would make his Fortune thereby V. That he intended to Introduce Popery here and perswaded King James to grant a Tolleration thereof VI. That he occasioned the Princes Journey into Spain to his great hazard VII That in Spain he perswaded the Prince to change his Religion Anno 1626 VIII To the same purpose IX That he perswaded that the Prince Electors eldest Son should be bred up in the Emperours Court. X. That he would have dispatched the Disponsaries notwithstanding the Princes Commands to the contrary if Extraordinary diligence had not prevented it XI His Contemptuous and Scandalous Petition to the Lords House After this Bristol presented Articles against the Duke which were received and Mr. Atturney being asked by the Earl for a Relator said That the King had Commanded it Bristol replyed That he would not contend with his Soveraign but that it might be of dangerous Consequence If the King should be Accuser Judge Witnesses and have the Confiscation He desires that the Lord Conway might not meddle and that he might have the use of certain Papers which was granted him After which he proceeded to a large Declaration of the whole business between the Duke and him and laid it home upon the Duke with an implication that shortly after the probability of his being restored to King James his Favour the King sickned and Dyed having suffered much and to his dying Day Reputed and said That Bristol was an honest man Then he set forth the business of his Writ and the Prohibition of him to Sit and that after he had Accused the Duke the Articles of High Treason were Exhibited against him yet the Duke is in Favour and Sits as a Peer and he is a Prisoner The Articles Preferred by Bristol against the Duke were I. That he Plotted with Gondimer to bring the Prince into Spain to change his Religion II. That Porter was sent into Spain for this End III. That in Spain The Duke absented from Service in Bristols House and frequented the Popish Service and Adored their Sacrament and conformed to their Rites IV. That he procured King James to Write a Letter to the Pope for the Dispensation and to stile him Sanctissime Pater V. That the Pope sent a Bull to the Duke to incourage him in the perversion of the Prince VI. That by his behaviour in Spain he so incensed that King and his Ministers as they would admit of no dealing with him and that he brake that Match out of his particular Ends and Indignation VII That he made use of the Princes Letters to his own Ends and concealed divers great things from him VIII That as he had abused the King so he abused both Houses by a sinister Relation of those Affairs Car. 2 IX The Scandal of his Personal Behaviour in Spain and procuring favours for unworthy persons there for hire of his Lust X. That he hath been the great Cause of the Ruine of the Prince Palatine XI That he had wrong'd Bristol in his Relations to the Parliament in his honour and Liberty XII That Bristol revealed these Matters to the late King who said he would hear him against the Duke which the Duke heard and not long after the King Sickn'd and Died. The Earl also Exhibited divers Articles against the Lord Conway as the Dukes Creature and unfit to be one of his Judges and the particular injuries he did to Bristol The Lords did not Commit the Earl and Ordered the Articles against him to be First heard and then his against the Duke yet saving his Testimony against the Duke The King took in highly with the Duke and would have removed the Earl from the Lords House into the Kings Bench but the Lords would not permit it In this Parliament were several Resolutions touching Tryals there which are faithfully Collected by Rushworth pag. 271 272. They Ordered That no Peer should have above Two Proxies Bristol delivered in his Answer to the Charge against him and made a Speech of Introduction to clear the Objections of his ill Affection to Religion and his too
time The House of Lords Voted Nemine contradicente That no Lord ought to be Committed sitting the Parliament but by Judgment of the Parliament except for Treason Felony or breach of the Peace And in Pursuance thereof they Voted a Remonstrance to the King to declare their Right and to Pray his Majesty to release the Earl of Arundel which was presented but no Answer being given to it the Lords presented another Petition to the King for an Answer to their former Petition to which the King returned his dislike The Exception taken by the King was at the Words to have a present Answer whereupon the word present was left out in a New Petition which pleased the King who sent for the Lords to Whitehall and Courted them but thinks they mistrust him and shews the difference of the Cause of Commitment of the Members of the House of Commons and the Earl of Arundel and saith He hath just cause of detaining the Earl of Arundel in prison which he will acquaint them with as soon as possibly he can The Lords present a new Petition to the King That he would be pleased to release the Earl or to declare the cause of detaining him in Prison That it was contrary to their priviledge To which the King answered That he would give them satisfaction before the end of this Session The House Adjourned till the next day and after that for a week and then at their Meeting the King signified to them That he would within a Fortnight either release the Earl or show the Cause And at the new meeting of the Lords the King took off the Restraint of the Earl of Arundel The Commons Committed Mr. Moor one of their Members for speaking words reflecting upon the King At this time Cambridge chose the Duke of Bucks for their Chancellour to please the King and shew their dislike to the Commons The Earl of Berks Name was in Competition but he had too much Courtship and too little Spirit to Contest and so he desisted The House of Commons would have Interposed by their Letter against the Dukes choice but the King forbad it challenging those Matters to belong to him and Justified the Duke to the House and by Letter to Cambridge approved their Choice of the Duke The Duke with an Ingenious Speech ushered in his Answer to the Impeachment of the Commons whom he courted yet Justified himself and said That his accuser Common Fame was too subtle a Body for him to Contest with and he doubted not but in time it would be found that Common Fame had abused both them and him His Answer to the several Thirteen Articles against him was distinct and in most of them carryed a fair colour and the chief strength of his Answer was upon the Knowledge of the King and his Father and their direction of the particular passages with his obedience thereunto and following the Advice of the Councel He denys having the Twenty thousand pound of the Earl of Manchester or Six hundred pound of the Earl of Middlesex or the Ten thousand pound of the East India Company but saith the King had those Sums and the Earl of Manchester had satisfaction by the Kings lands for the Twenty thousand pound and the Six thousand pound was given by the King to Sir Henry Mildmay He absolutly denys that he applyed the Plaister or gave the Drink to King James in his sickness but the King knowing that the Duke had been cured of an Ague by a Plaister and a Drink the King would have them and took them some of his Phisitians then being present and allowing them and tasting the drink He concludes with praying the benefit of the General Pardon of King James and this Kings Coronation Pardon to be allowed him The King sent to the Commons to quicken them about the Subsidies They Petitioned the King about Recusants and named those in Places of Government and Trust and Pray they may be put out and by their desire they attend the King where by their Speaker and in Writing they profess their Affection and Loyalty to the King but they desire that His Majesty would not permit the Duke to have any more access to him They agreed upon a Remonstrance against the Duke and concerning the taking of Tunnage and Poundage though not granted to him by Parliament And this they did because they heard that the King intended to Dissolve the Parliament and by Petition they prayed him not to Dissolve it but the King would not receive the Petition but said He was resolved to Dissolve the Parliament and directed a Commission for that purpose and accordingly the Parliament was Dissolved June the Fifteenth one thousand six hundred twenty six unhappily Thus this great warm and Ruffling Parliament had its Period The Common dispersed Copies of their intended Remonstrance which is in Rushworths Collections with the Grounds and Causes held forth by the Kings Declaration for Dissolving this and the former Parliament and the King published a Proclamation against the Parliaments Remonstrance and for the suppressing of it Sir Thomas Chamberlain chief Justice of Chester dyed and Sir John Hobert Baronett chief Justice of the Common Pleas who was a Learned Judge a grave and smooth man After the Parliament was dissolved the King caused an Information to be preferred in the Star-chamber against the Duke of Buckingham for the same Matters contained in the Articles of Impeachment in the Parliament against him to which the Duke put in his Answer and Witnesses were examined but it came not to hearing The privy Councel advised the King to take Tunnage and Poundage and an Instrument to be past under the Great Seal for his taking of it until it could be past by Parliament A Commission Issued to compound with Recusants The King required a Loan of Money and sent to London and the Port Towns to furnish Ships for guard of the Seas Noy a great Antiquary and afterwards Attourney General had much to do in this business of Shipmoney The Deputy Lieutenants and Justices of Dorsetshire excused themselves and said The Case was without president London being rated twenty Ships desired an abatement to ten and two Pinnaces the Councel denyed it and in Answer to their presidents said That the Presidents in former times were Obedience and not Direction A Benevolence was likewise required Then a General Fast was appointed Commissions Issued out for Musters and power of Martial Law was given and the Inhabitants of the Sea Coasts required to repair to and dwell upon their Estates Ships were sent by our King to the Elbe which discontented the Hamburgers they were recalled The King of Denmark declares to assist the Elector Palatine against the Emperour Tilly Fights with him and gives him a Defeat Our King requires a general Loan according to the rate of the Subsidy with promises to repay and that it shall be no president To the imposing of Loans was added the Billetting of Souldiers Martial Law was
1. 3 H. 8. ch 5. The Earl of Holland is appointed to carry the supplies to Rea. The Governor of the Island gives notice of his wants to the French King and hath Releif sent him the French King blocks up Rochel to be near to Rea and supplies the Fort there The Rotchellers and Rohan declare for the English The Governor of Rea gets leave of the Duke to send to the French King pretending to surrender the Fort and so gains time The Duke begins to batter the Cittadel then purposeth to goe away then alters his resolution and storms the Fort but in vaine whereupon he raises the siege and retreats towards his Ships The French pursue and in a narrow cawsey with salt Pits on each side the Duke having made no works or provision for his safe retreat he is attaqued by the French and after a valiant defence especially by the English foot the French by the advantage of the place gave a great blow and slew many of the English yet the rest got to their Ships The Duke is blamed for many neglects he lays it upon the Council of War and the Earl of Holland's not coming with supplies in time Holland and the Council of War excuse themselves The people generally cry out against the Duke and are greatly discontented at this unfortunate action the Marriners are tumultuous and many mischeifs do arise The Rotchellers send to our King for releif and pray his mediation for the Protestants in case a Treaty of Peace be between him and their King They set forth their great streights and distresses and intreat a general Collection for their relief At this time a Resolution is taken to call a Parliament and in order thereto the Imprisoned Gentlemen are released who are in several places chosen to be Members of this New Parliament directions are given to use moderation in the business of the loan money The Archbishop the Bishop of Lincoln and others in disfavour have their Writs to sit in Parliament Yet a Commission of Excise is granted and moneys are disbursed for the raising of German Horse the Jesuits hope well of this intended Parliament Which being met The King spake to them to Expedite their business acquaints them with the common danger moveth for supplies and tells them if they do not their duty he must use such other means as he may to prevent ruine that he will gladly forget and forgive what is past and hopes they will not follow former courses of distraction Then the Lord Keeper inlargeth in his speech acquaints them with the general Estate of affairs in Christendom the enemies and dangers to this Kingdom persuades to supply and to speed and assures in the King's name forgetfulness of any former distasts and all affections of his Majesty unto Parliaments First the Parliament petition for a publick Fast then they debate of the Greivances of billeting of Souldiers Loans Benevolences Privy Seals Imprisonment of Refusers not bayling them upon Habeas Corpus and they incline to give no supply till these were redressed and the point was whether to begin with Grievances or with Supplies The Courtiers were moderate High complaints were made of Deputy Lieutenants compared to Janizaries The business of the Habeas Corpus was examined and found that Mr. Attorney had caused a draught of a Judgment to be made and pressed to have it entred upon the Record but the Judges would not permit it to be done After long debate it was resolved unanimously by the Commons 1. That no Freeman ought to be Imprisoned without cause shewed either by the King or Councill 2. That a Habeas Corpus in that case ought to be granted 3. That if no cause of Committment be returned the Party is to be bayled They also Voted That no Tax ought to be Imposed without assent of Parliament March 26. 1628. Car. 3 Then the King's Proposals were taken into consideration for Supplies They had a Conference with the Lords touching Recusants and their Hierarchy here secretly exercised They agreed upon a Petition to the King That the Laws against Romish Priests might be executed That Children may not be transported beyond Sea to be bred Papists That Recusants may be confined according to law That they may not be permitted to resort to Ambassadors houses to Mass That they may not be in Offices That the Judges be commanded to put the laws in Execution against them and to give an account thereof And that Recusants Children may be brought up in the Protestant Religion All which the King granted The Commons also Voted That no Freeman ought to be confined by the King Privy Council or others but by Act of Parliament or due course of Law And they debated the point of foreign Imployment against ones will They had a Message from the King to convince some false Reports that had been raised of what had passed at the Council and that the Duke spake nothing against the Parliament but was the first mover for it Upon a second Message They unanimously Vote 5 Subsidies with which the King was much pleased and the Duke highly extolled it whereof Secretary Coke informed the House but exception was taken That the Duke's name was mixed with the King 's The Commons at a Conference acquaint the Lords with their resolutions touching the Subjects Liberty and Right confirmed by 7 Acts of Parliament in point Magna Charta being one 12 presidents in Terms and 31 more and the reason cleered The King desires That the Commons would make no recess at Easter This is excepted to as against their privilege who may adjourne when they please They Resolve that Greivances and Supply shall go hand in hand together An unpleasing Message comes to them from the King which raised debate and the speaker delivered to the King a Petition touching Billetting of Souldiers and an excuse touching the King's supply that they did not delay it They vindicate their own proceedings and pray not to be misunderstood The matter of Billetting of Souldiers and the unlawfulness and miseries of it were fully opened in the Petition and present remedy prayed of that Insupportable burden The Lords and Commons debated the point of Marshal Law and touching a Petition of Right Anno 1628 against which the King 's Serjeant Ashley argued that the Proposal of the Commons tended to Anarchy and that they must allow the King to govern by Acts of State for which the Lords committed him and he recanted At a free conference the Lords and Commons debated of proposals to the King touching the property and liberty of the Subject made by the Lords with which the Commons were unsatisfied The King pressed for Supplies and declared that he holds Magna Charta and the other 6 Statutes to be in force and will govern according to Law And it was advised to rely upon the King's promise but all were not satisfied to doe it and a
Bill was ordered to be drawn concerning the substance of Magna Charta and the other 6 Statutes The King sends another Message to the Commons to know if they will rest on His Royal Word which he will perform They debate upon it and some say his word is to be taken in a Parliamentary way He sends another Message to hasten them and that he will end this Session within a senight The Commons attend him and answer his Messages give him humble thanks for them and desire that by a Bill they may satisfy the people of their Rights and that they do not intend to incroach upon the King's Prerogative The King is contented that a Bill be past to confirm Magna Charta and the other 6 Statutes without additions After this by another Message they were pressed to rely on the King's Word In the debate hereof the Door of the House was shut They resolve upon the Petition of Right and present it to the Lords for their concurrence and resolve the times of payment of the 5 Subsidies The Lords at a Conference acquaint the Commons with a Letter from the King to them wherein he much insists upon some Cases of Committment so transcendent that they may not be discovered and which are above the capacity of the Judges but promiseth to observe the Laws and agrees that Magna Charta and the other 6 Statutes are in force and desires expedition The Lords propound an addition or saving to the Petition of Right not to infringe Sovereign Power The Commons did not like the word Sovereign Power nor any saving in the Petition of Right and gave their reasons at a Conference with the Lords why they could not agree to this saving The Lords were satisfied and both Houses concurred then the Bill of Subsidies was read and committed A charge was brought into the House by Mr. Pym against Dr. Manwaring That he by his Divinity Indeavoured to destroy the King and Kingdome The Fleet under the Command of the Earl of Denbigh sailed to Rochel and finding there some French Ships would not assault them though fewer and weaker than themselves by many degrees but after shewing themselves onely they returned and left Rochel unreleived The Council here being informed thereof and some Parliament Men Letters were sent from the Council to the Duke to order the Earl of Denbigh to go again and to releive Rochel Both Houses presented to the King the Petition of Right he promiseth a gracious Answer The Petition is read and his Answer was That Right be done according to Law and the Statutes be put in due execution This Answer did not satisfie the Commons and in debate of it Sir Jo. Elliot fell upon the publick Greivances and moved that a Remonstrance of them might be made to the King but this was by some held unseasonable yet it was seconded and a Committee made about it The King sends to the House that he will not alter his Answer and intends to conclude this Session within a week They send to the Lords the charge against Manwaring for his Sermons That the Subjects under pain of Damnation ought to pay the loan and obey the King's Will in all things He is sentenced by Fine and Imprisonment disabled to to have any Ecclesiastical preferment and to make a submission The King sends another Message to the Commons not to entertain any long business for that he will keep his time of concluding this Session and that they lay no aspersions upon the Government or Ministers of State Hereupon Sir Jo. Elliot beginning to speak the Speaker fearing that he intended to fall upon the Duke rose up and said there is a Command upon me that I must command you not to proceed in this matter The Commons declare that no undutiful speech hath been spoken by any Member Sir Ed. Coke named the Duke to be the cause of all their miseries and moves to goe to the King and by word to acquaint him Selden seconds it and moves for a Declaration against the Duke that Judgment be demanded against him upon his Impeachment in the last Parliament The King sends to the Commons to Adjourne till the next day and they did so but were in much disturbance yet upon another Message brought by the Speaker the former Restraint was qualified and the King sent also a courting Message to the Lords Both Houses agree to Petition the King for a satisfactory answer to the Petition of Right The Commons proceed about their Declaration They examine the business about raising 1000 German Horse under Balfour and Dalbier and providing Arms for them The King gave another Answer to the Petition of Right soit Droit fait comme il est desire which satisfied the Commons and all good men and is the same in the printed Act and so that excellent Law passed The Commons sent for the Commission of Excise presented it to the Lords and prayed that it might be damned The Duke is again named in the House to be mentioned in their intended Remonstrance as the cause of all their Evils Sir Hum. May Sir H. Martyn Sir Ben. Rudyard and others endeavoured to moderate the House but they Voted the Duke to be named in their Remonstrance Dr. Lambe was set upon in the Streets by the Rabble and called Witch Devill and the Duke's Conjurer and beaten that he died the Council wrote to the Lord Mayor to find out and punish the chief actors therein but none were found The Commons Voted Bishop Neal and Laud to be named in their Remonstrance as suspected to be Arminians and they named the Duke's power and the abuse of it and prayed the King to consider whether it were safe that such a person should be so near him The Remonstrance was perfected and in it complements to the King and the duty of Parliaments to make known to him publick Greivances which otherwise he could not know then they mention their fears of some Indeavours to Introduce Popery They shew the favourers of Papists and the favours to them amounting to a tolleration or little less The spreading the faction of Arminians and the practice of Popery in Ireland and the religious houses there newly founded the fear of the change of Government in the loans Billetting of Soldiers German Horse taking of Tunnage and Poundage without Grant by Parliament The Voyages to Cadez Rea Rochel want of Powder yet then the King's Powder sold the loss of trade and not guarding the Seas The cause of all the evils they conceive to be the excessive power of the Duke of Bucks and his abuse of that power and they submit to the King's Wisedom whether it be safe to continue that power or the Duke so near the King's person They desire access to the King and order the Speaker though unwilling to deliver the Remonstrance the King sends a Message that he intends to
mightily increased the Scots Successes animated other Subjects to their illegal Pretences and impious Actions and in this time of the King's absence in Scotland the Irish Flames of Rebellion brake forth having been thus kindled The last year the Parliament at Dublin sent a Committee hither with a Remonstrance to the King of their Grievances and Pressures under the Government of the Earl of Strafford whom they had accused of high Treason The King gave them most favourable Answers and Redresses and parted with much of his own to give contentment to his Irish Subjects Mr. Wainsford Deputy there to the Earl of Strafford Lieutenant being dead the King by Commission constituted the Lord Ditton and Sir William Parsons in the Government there but finding Ditton not well liked he made Sir William Parsons and Sir John Borlace generally approved to be the Lords Justices there These applyed themselves to give all satisfaction to the people they abated the Subsidies given in Strafford's time from 40000 l. to 12000 l. Passed an Act of Limitation much desired to settle all Estates for sixty years precedent and another for relinquishing the King's Right found for him by Inquisition to four Counties in Connaght and other Territories He declared the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Papists there were permitted a private enjoyment of their Religion and a general good Agreement was had between the English and Irish In this Security the Irish Army was disbanded after which and in the King's absence in Scotland about October 23. there brake forth so horrid black and flagitious a Rebellion in Ireland as cannot be parallell'd in the Stories of any other Nation This was fomented and contrived by their Popish Priests and Lawyers some of their Maxims in Law were That any one being slain in Rebellion though found by Record gave the King no Forfeiture That though many thousands were in Arms and exercising the violences of War yet if they professed not to rise against the King it was no Rebellion That if one were Outlawed for Treason his Heir might reverse the Outlawry and be restored These and the like Tenets they published in their Parliaments and endeavoured a Suspension of Poyning's Act and the Act for annexing that Kingdom to the Crown of England and assumed a power of Judicature in Criminal and Capital Causes to be in their Parliament They took advantage of the Scots Sucesses of their Favourers in England and our Distractions here of the disbanding the Army there and the Death of the Earl of Strafford They raise Forces give out that the Queen was in the head of them and the King was coming with an Army to them and the Scots had made a League with them that they were authorised by the King's Commission and asserted his Cause against the Puritans of England To their Country-men they scatter Advertisements out of England of a Statute there lately made That all Irish shall come to the Protestant Worship on pain of loss of Goods for the first Offence of Lands for the second and of Life for the third Offence They give them hope to recover their Liberties and ancient Customs to shake off the English Yoke to have a King of their own Nation and to possess Goods and Estates of the English These Motives they published in Print That the King and Queen were curbed by the Puritans and their Prerogatives abolished which these as loyal Subjects take to heart and that the Catholick Religion is suppressed in England and the Catholicks there persecuted with all rigour even to death and that the Puritans in Ireland have threatned to doe the same there That in Ireland the Catholicks are made uncapable of any Office to the decay of them in their Estates Education and Learning That the Government of their Country is in the hand of Strangers who come thither poor and mean yet soon rise to wealth and honour by oppressing the Natives That there have been threatnings to send Forces to compel the Consciences of the Irish and to cut their Throats and that the Catholicks are not allowed to have any Arms or Ammunition but the Protestants and Puritans may Vpon all which they saw no way but to attempt to seize upon Arms where they could get them to save their Lives maintain the King and Queen their Religion and Country Upon these pretences and manifest untruths they ground their taking up of Arms. The first suspicion whereof was by Sir William Cole who about Octob. 11. wrote to the Lords Justices of great resort to Sir Phelim Oneale and to the Lord Macquierre and they were exceeding busie about dispatches About October 21. He wrote another Letter to them of what some Irish had revealed to him of a design to seize the Castle of Dublin to murther the Lords Justices and Councel and all the Protestants there and throughout the Kingdom But this Letter came not to their hands When many of the Conspirators were come to Dublin and met there at a Tavern one Owen O Conelly an Irish-man but a true Protestant came to Sir William Parsons about Nine a Clock at Night with a broken relation of a great Conspiracy to seize the Castle the next morning and that Mac Mahon who was one of them had told him so much Parsons seeing Conelly distempered with drink gave the less credit to his relation but wished him to return to Mac Mahon to get out of him what he could further of the Plot and to return to him again that Night Yet he did not so slight the Information but that secretly he ordered strong Guards in several places and assembled the Councel where they expected the return of Conelly who coming to them was seized on by the Guards who had carried him to Prison and so prevented the discovery of the Plot had not a Servant of Sir VVilliam Parsons accidentally come by and rescued Conelly and brought him somewhat recovered of his drinking unto the Lords Justices and Councel who confessed that a few days before upon Letters from Mac Mahon he went to meet him at Connaght but he being gone to Dublin Conelly followed him thither and they two went to the lodging of the Lord Macquierre that by the way Mac Mahon told O Conelly that this Night there would be a great number of Irish Noblemen Papists in Dublin who with himself would take the Castle by Morning then force the City by the Ordnance and destroy all the Protestants and so divers others were ordered in all parts of the Kingdom to seize and destroy all the English at an Hour designed viz. to Morrow by Ten a Clock and that no posting nor speed could prevent it That Conelly moved Mac Mahon to discover it rather to the State to prevent the mischief But he answered He could not help it yet that they owned their allegiance to the King and pay it to him but what they did was against the tyrannical Government over them and
they afterwards were great with the King Upon receipt of the news of the Rebellion in Ireland the King was much troubled and being at that distance from his Parliament in England he sent expresses to them and referred the whole management of the Irish business to his Parliament at London November 20. the Lords Justices and Council in Ireland sent a more particular account to the Lord Lieutenant here of the Irish affairs he returned answer That he had acquainted the King at Edenburgh with all their dispatches and that His Majesty had referred the Irish business and management of the War there to his Parliament of England Some talked broadly of the Earl of Leicester's retarding so long his Service of Lieutenant of Ireland especially in such a time as then He was now pleased to Commissionate the Earl of Ormond to be his Deputy which was afterwards confirmed by the King but many wondred that the Earl did not go in his own person Some Members of the Parliament in Ireland and most of the Papists even in the Pale and generally in all places took part with the Rebels The Lord Moore stood faithfull to his King and Religion The Rebels to be revenged on him sent about a thousand men to his house three Miles from Tredah the Forces in the house were but twenty four Foot and fifteen Horse besides some few Servants and they had but six Shots of Powder apiece yet when the Rebels assaulted them they killed 140 of them All their Powder being spent and then some of their small number slain they yielded upon quarter yet the Rebels threw them out at the Windows an old Gentleman they ran through the body cut the Throat of an old blind man stripped all the women plundred the house of all the goods and so left it From Dublin they sent six hundred Foot to supply Tredah two thousand of the Rebels waited for them to intercept them and the English in a Fogg came within Musket-shot of them before they were descryed then the Captain Commanded a Counter-march in which the English were forced to take a Ditch which the Enemies thinking to be a flight they shouted and that so amazed and confounded the English that the Rebels charging them slew most of them near Gillingston-Bridge The Lord Ormond's Troop of Fifty Horse made their way through without loss of a man but by this Defeat the Rebels got store of Arms and Moneys and much encouragement The Master of a Chester Bark laden with Arms and Money for Dublin betrayed all to the Rebels who now were set down before Tredah and all the Popish Lords and Gentlemen within the Pale joyned with them About the latter end of November the King returned from Scotland he was sumptuously feasted at London by the Citizens and he banquetted them at Hampton Court and made divers of the Aldermen Knights Decemb. 2. He came to both Houses of Parliament and told them He had made as much haste from Scotland as those Affairs permitted in which he had so good success that he had left that Nation a most peaceable and contented People That he doth not find this Nation so settled as he expected but full of Jealousies and Alarms of Designs and Plots that Guards have been set to defend both Houses That he doubts not of his Subjects Affections to him by his reception at his return and mentions his own Affection to his People and so far from repenting of what he had done for them that he was willing to pass any thing more that might justly be desired for their Liberties and for maintenance of Religion Recommends to them the business of Ireland the preparations for it going on but slowly Then he sets forth a Proclamation For obedience to the Laws concerning Religion and that none introduce any Rite or Ceremonie other than those established by Law At this time this was not held by many to be very seasonable but divers were offended at it He also published a Proclamation for all the Members of Parliament To repair to the Houses by a day And Decem. 14. He again spake to both Houses To quicken them in the business of Ireland expresseth his detestation of all Rebellion particularly of this and offers his pains power and industry to contribute to that necessary work of reducing the Irish to obedience That for the Bill for pressing of Souldiers lodged with the Lords if it came to him he promiseth to pass it And because some had started the Question into a Dispute concerning the bounds of the King's Prerogative herein he offers to avoid such Debate that the Bill shall pass with a Salvo jure both for King and People And concludes conjuring them by all that is or can be dear to them or him to hasten with speed the business of Ireland Upon this the Parliament Petition the King touching the Privilege of Parliament their Birth-right declaring with all duty that the King ought not to take notice of any Matter in agitation and debate in either House but by their information nor ought to propound any Condition or Provision or Limitation to any Bill or Act in debate or preparation or to manifest or declare his Consent or Dissent Approbation or Dislike before it be presented in course nor ought to be displeased with any Debate of Parliament they being Judges of their own Errours and Offences in debating Matters depending That these Privileges have been broken of late in the Speech of his Majesty Decem. 14. particularly in mentioning the Bill of Impress offering also a provisional Clause by a Salvo jure before it was presented and withal they take notice of his Majestie 's Displeasure against such as moved a question concerning the same They desire to know the Names of such Persons as seduced his Majesty to that Item that they may be punished as his Great Council shall advise his Majesty Divers indifferent men wondered both at the King's Speech which gave the cause of Exception and was indeed notoriously against the Course and Privilege of Parliament that his Council should not inform him thereof And they also apprehended this Petition somewhat too rough in the Expressions of it to their King but the general Fate of things drove on this way to increase the Jealousies betwixt King and People and God was pleased so to order it to bring to pass what he had determined The Parliament resolve not to proceed in their Affairs till they had a satisfactory Answer to their Petition and some of them were jealous of too much favour to the Irish Rebellion by some about the King and divers went yet higher The King with some regret withdraws to Hampton Court hoping by his absence to avoid Exceptions but this increaseth discontent in the Parliament who the next day appoint a Committee to follow him thither and now they speak plainly That the whole frame of Government is out of order Among other Grievances Complaint was made by
both for War and Peace the place for Intelligence and Supplies and betake himself to the Countrey where these things were not to be had and by his leaving the Town bring great disadvantages upon himself and his Affairs this was thought not to have been done advisedly But the fears of those with him and his own fears for them occasioned by the Tumults and his hopes that by his absence the heat of the House of Commons might in some measure be cooled were alledged in excuse of this Action The next day the five Members were triumphantly brought from London to Westminster by Water by a great number of Citizens and Sea-men in Boats and Barges with Guns and Flaggs braving as they passed by Whitehall and making large Protestations at Westminster of their adherance to the Parliament At Hampton-Court the King gave the like answer to the Buckinghamshire Petition as he had done before to that of London The Parliament were informed that the Lord Digby and Colonel Lunsford were gathering some Troups of Horse at Kingstone and appeared in Arms there whereupon they order the Sheriffs and Justices of Peace in all Counties to suppress all unlawfull Assemblies with the Trained Bands and to secure the Magazines Colonel Lunsford is apprehended and sent to the Tower and the Lord Digby escaped beyond Sea The Court removing to Royston the Attorney General Herbert is summoned to appear at the Lords Barr to answer concerning the Articles against the five Members but the King by his Letter to the Lord Keeper Littleton took all the matter upon himself and excused his Attorney and concludes that finding cause to desist wholly from proceeding against the persons accused he had commanded his Attorney to proceed no further therein Jan. 20. The King by Message to the Parliament adviseth them to digest into one body all the grievances of the Kingdome and to send them to him promising his favourable assent to those means which should be found most effectual for redress wherein he would not onely equal but exceed the most indulgent Princes The Scots having a fair plantation in Ireland offered to transport thither 2500 Souldiers upon certain Articles which the Parliament accepted and at length the King assented to them Then the Scots Commissioners mediated for a Reconciliation of the differences between the King and Parliament for which the House of Commons returned thanks to them The House of Commons moved the Lords to joyn with them in petitioning the King for the Militia and the Command of the Tower but the Lords not consenting the Commons themselves importune the King to put those Powers into the hands of the Parliament as the onely available means to remove their Fears and Jealousies The King not willing to part with those Powers gave this answer that he thought the Militia to be lawfully subject to no command but his own and therefore would not let it out of his hands that he hath preferred to the Lieutenancy of the Tower a person of known Fortune and unquestionable Reputation and that he would prefer none but such to the Command of his Forts and Castles yet would not intrust the power of conferring those Places and Dignities from himself being derived to him from his Ancestours by the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom The Commons petitioned again for these Powers and were again denied them by the King Divers Petitions accompanied with great numbers of People and more Subscriptions from Suffolk London and one from the City Dames were presented to the Parliament against the Votes of Popish Lords and of Bishops to which answers were given by the Commons that they had endeavoured and still would endeavour with the Lords that redress might be had therein Soon after this the Lords passed the Bill for disabling persons in holy Orders to have any Place or Vote in Parliament or to have any Temporal Jurisdiction The Commons again petition the King for the Militia and to clear the five Members but they perceived by his answer that he was resolved not to part with the Militia out of himself nor otherwise to clear the five Members but inclusively within a general Pardon The King sent for all his Houshold Servants to attend him particularly for the Earls of Essex and Holland but they excused themselves with the necessity of performing their Duties in Parliament upon which Essex was put out of his Place of Chamberlain and the other of the King's Bed-Chamber and became the more provoked The Lord Digby sent Letters from Middleborough to the Queen and to Secretary Nicholas to advise the King to betake himself to some place of Security where he and others might safely resort to him and he doubted not but that he should do him acceptable Service but these Letters being intercepted The Parliament sent to the King that he would desire the Queen not to correspond with Digby nor any others whom his great Council had proclaimed Traytors The Parliament took notice of a Rumour that they intended to accuse the Queen of High Treason which they deny and call a publick Scandal upon them to which the Queen gave a mild answer yet carefull to prevent any danger she obtains leave of the King who also acquaints the Parliament that his Daughter was to go into Holland to her betrothed Husband the young Prince of Orange and that her Mother the Queen desired to goe with her Daughter Accordingly the Queen went with her Daughter into Holland and carried with her all her own and the King's Jewels not leaving behind the Jewels of the Crown that with them and the assistance of the Prince of Orange a sufficient Party might be raised for the King At a Conference with the Lords Pym affirmed that many of the chief Commanders now in the Head of the Rebels and great Papists had been licensed to pass thither by the King after the Lord Lieutenant had put a stop at the Ports against their coming thither The King much distasted at this as intimating his conniving at the Rebellion required the Declaration of the House of Commons for his Vindication but could not obtain it The Parliament were busie in Debates touching the ordering of the Militia for the several Counties in which some declared their Opinions that the Power of the Militia was solely in the King and ought to be left to him and that the Parliament never did nor ought to meddle with the same Others were of Opinion that the King had not this power in him but that it was solely in the Parliament and that if the King refused to order the same according to the advice of the Parliament that then they by the Law might doe it without him and this was moved to be now done by the Parliament the King having denyed their former Petitions for settling of the Militia as they desired Upon this Debate one spake to this effect Mr. Speaker I have often heard
persons in authority to put the Ordinance of the Militia in execution which the King declares to be no legal power in the Houses and commands that none do obey it and summons the Gentry of the County to York to whom he relates these illegal proceedings of the Parliament and tells them his purpose to have a guard onely to secure his person in which he desires their assistance And the rather because the Members that came with the last Message to the King returned to York and before them all these proceedings were had Sir Thomas Gardiner Recorder of London was impeached for advising the Lord Mayor to pay Ship-money and other illegal things and against Scotland and opposing the Parliament but he got to the King The County of York being Summoned the Committee prevailed with some of them to oppose the raysing of a guard for the King and the Parliament declared against it and that such as do are disturbers of the Peace The Ordinance of the Militia being now past and Lieutenants named for the several Counties they nominated their Deputy Lieutenants to the Parliament for their approbation The Lord Paget being named in the Ordinance and approved to be Lieutenant of Bucks he named Hampden Goodwyn Grenville Tyrrell Winwood and Whitelocke to be his deputy Lieutenants who were approved by the Parliament The Lord Paget not long after this began to boggle and was unfixed in his resolutions and upon the King 's publishing of his Commission of Array and Declaration against the Ordinance of Parliament for the Militia his Lordships heart failing him and being unsatisfied in his Judgment he revolted from the Parliament and went to the King Whereupon the Lord Wharton was nominated and approved by both Houses of Parliament to be in his roome Lieutenant for the County of Bucks Mr. Palmer Mr. Hyde and Mr. Bridgeman and divers other eminent Lawyers and Gentlemen had given their opinions positively against it and left the House upon the passing of it On the other part the Lord Littleton was most confident for the legality of it and divers other Lawyers and Gentlemen of the short robe were cleerly for it and that the Lords and Commons in case of the King's minority sickness or absence had done the same in other times As when H. 3. dyed and his Son E. 1. was in the holy Land and came not home in almost two years after his Father's death yet in the mean time the Lords and Commons appointed Lieutenants in the several Counties and made several Ordinances which are of force at this day So are the Ordinances made by them in the minority of H. 6. and upon the difference between him and the Duke of York and the Ordinances in the minority of E. 6. and in other times That the King was now absent and having called his Parliament at Westminster was himself gone as far from them as York and had before he came thither and since appeared with Warlike forces about him to the terror of the Parliament That the business of Ireland and other threatning dangers gave too much cause of Fears and Jealousies to the Parliament and to stand upon their guard and for defence of themselves and the Kingdome Without which the King would so grow upon them and his evil Counsellors so prevaile that they would undoubtedly bring their designs to pass of a speedy introducing of Popery and Tyranny whereas if they saw the Parliament in a good posture of defence and that the people generally would adhere to them as no doubt but they would that then the King would be brought to a good accommodation and agreement with his Parliament without a blow to be struck between them Whereby they should preserve the just Rights and Liberties of the Subject the privilege of Parliament and themselves and their friends and the Protestant Religion from Ruine which without this appearance onely of arms or power to arme if there should be occasion would unavoidably be brought to pass These arguments together with the solemn protestations of the most powerful and active Members That they had not the least purpose or intention of any War with the King but to arme themselves for their necessary defence prevailed with most men to keep their station and at present to accept those Commissions of Deputy Lieutenancy Maynard Glyn Grimstone St. John Selden and divers other Gentlemen of great parts and interest accepted of the like Commissions and continued in their service in the Parliament The King resolves that Easter Term be adjourned from London to York the Parliament Vote it to be illegal and Order that the Lord Keeper Littleton issue no Writs or Proclamation for that purpose They publish a large Declaration much to the same effect as the former were mentioning that the Rebellion in Ireland was countenanced by evil Council about the King the proclaiming them Traitors deferred from October to January after and then but 40 Copies ordered to be Printed nor any of them to be published without the King's Order whereas the proceedings against the Scots and proclaiming them Traitors was very sharp and speedy To this the King gives an answer in effect the same with what he had said before to these particulars after which he writes to his Council in Scotland to acquaint them with the State of his affairs in England to which he receives a dutiful and affectionate answer with a Petition from divers of the Nobility and people there full of zeal and loyalty to his service The Parliament hearing of this took course to turn the Ballance and within eight days after the Scots Council declare their earnest desires both to King and Parliament to joyn in a perfect union and humbly desire the King to hearken to his greatest his best and most unparallel'd Council They disswade the King from a personal Journey into Ireland and pray that a Mediation may be at home ere the breach be wider And in fine they come to a large manifestation of their true and hearty affection to the Parliament of England protesting to do nothing contrary to them in their Privileges A multitude of people at Edenburgh hearing of the King's Letter to his Council there and of the Answer to it and Petition before mentioned they petition the Council there not to meddle by any verball or reall engagement for the King against the Parliament of England These Passages in Scotland gave much advantage to the Parliaments Affairs in England who protest their Fidelity to the King and court the Scots with very kind expressions The Earl of Bristol moved for an accommodation and a select Committee to be appointed to consider of some way to effect the same But the Parliament voted that which was done at York for a Guard for the King to be a preparation for War against the Parliament a breach of the trust reposed in him by his People contrary to his Oath and tending to the dissolution of his Government
of them their duty to the Parliament their desires of Peace and ingaged themselves not to act any thing against the Parliament The Officers of the Forces in Council with the Lord Lieutenant debated the consequence of this place the strength of its situation the plenty of the Countrey the nearness to London and the disaffection of the University to the Parliaments Cause That the King by his coming to Shrewsbury and looking this way and because of the conveniency of the place might probably make this a principal Quarter for his Forces and fortify the City which would prove a great prejudice to the Parliament To prevent which it was propounded to the Lord Lieutenant to take a course that the Scholars might not supply His Majesty if he came thither or rather to fortifie the City and place a good Garrison here under a Governour whom his Lordship might trust with so important a place as this was And Whitelocke was named to be a fit person to be the Governour and one whom both the City and the University and the Countrey thereabouts did well know and would be pleased with and the Scholars the more because they knew him to be a Scholar and a Member of this University But the Lord Say shewed no forwardness to fortify and make this City a Garrison This being spoken of abroad divers of the Neighbours offered to bring in 1000 men at any time within a days warning to be under Whitelocke's command in the Garrison and the Towns-men were very forward to ingage so Whitelocke might be Governour but the Lord Say declined it pretending favour to the University and Countrey and the improbability in his opinion that the King would settle there though that which follows in this Story will shew what a great errour was committed in not fortifying this place for the Parliament as it might easily have been done at this time and surely the Lord Lieutenant though a person of great parts wisedom and integrity yet did much fail in this particular Some of the Company moved his Lordship to seise upon or to secure the Plate in the several Colleges that it might not be made use of by the King if he should come thither but he did not think fit to doe it onely he and his Deputy Lieutenants went to the several Colleges and took an Ingagement and Promise from the respective Heads That their Plate should be forth coming and should not be made use of by the King against the Parliament Many with his Lordship were unsatisfied with this his favour to the University and foretold the ill consequences of it which afterwards happened to the prejudice of the Parliament But his Lordship had the sole power in himself and thus carried all this business for which he had no thanks from either party Sir John Biron marched away from Oxford with 500 Horse to Worcester and took in the Town for the King About the beginning of November the two Princes Palatine Rupert and Maurice arrived in England and were put into Command in the Army of the King their Uncle who had now gotten together a potent Army to whom he made a Speech declaring his intentions to preserve the Protestant Religion Laws and Liberties of his Subjects and Priviledges of Parliament Sept. 9. 1642. The Earl of Essex in much state accompanied by many of both Houses of Parliament sets out from London to St. Albans from thence to Northampton where his Forces met him and they were together above 15000 men The Parliaments Petition which he carried with him was refused to be received by the King who now had furnished himself with store of money by melting in his new Mint in Wales the Plate which was brought in to him in great quantities and from thence he marcheth towards London The Parliament having notice thereof order the Trained Bands to be in readiness and fortify the passages about the City with Posts Chains and Courts of Guard and it was wonderfull to see how the Women and Children and vast numbers of people would come to work about digging and carrying of earth to make their new fortifications The Parliament vote those that will not contribute to their Charges to be secured and disarmed Mr. Fountaine the Lawyer was for his refusal committed but afterwards as will appear in the progress of this Story he and many others refused and again assisted on both sides as they saw the Wind to blow The Parliament appoint a Committee for the Sequestration of the Lands of Bishops and of Deans and Chapters and of the King's Revenues to be employed for defence of the Common-wealth Colonel Nathaniel Fines with some Forces raised by the Lord Say and Colonel Sandys marched to Worcester to remove Sir John Biron from thence and expected General Essex to second them but in stead of him came Prince Rupert and slew and routed all the Parliament Party Sandys was taken Prisoner and shortly after died of his Wounds Essex coming on with his Army after he had Garrison'd Northampton Coventry and Warwick Rupert and Biron thought fit to quit Worcester to him and Essex sent from thence the Earl of Stamford with a Party to Hereford to hinder the Forces of South Wales from joyning with the King Stamford marches from Hereford to Gloucester and called away from thence leaves Massey Governour there Colonel Tho. Essex is sent to Garrison Bristol and left Governour of Worcester Some Forces are sent to Kiddermister and Beaudley to joyn with the Lord Wharton's Regiment and Sir Henry Chomley's and at Coventry and Warwick lay the Lord Peterburgh Sir William Constable and Colonel Brown with their Regiments to oppose the King's march to London and at Yarmouth they seised a Ship with 140 Cavaliers and 300 Barrels of Powder sent from Holland to the King In Yorkshire the King's Party grew strong under the Earl of Cumberland Sir Francis Worsley Sir Marmaduke Langdale Sir Thomas Glemham Mr. Nevill and others who forced Hotham to retreat to Hull In Cornwal under Sir Ralph Hopton their General Sir Nich. Slamning Sir Bevill Greenville and others they possessed Launceston for the King and with a considerable Body opposed the Parliamentarians In Wales the Earl of Worcester raised a great number of Welch and marched to the King The King having gained a days March of Essex toward London Essex finding his errour of so long a stay at Worcester hastens after the King The Parliament and their Party were not a little troubled at the King's March towards the City and the suspicion of a great Party hereabouts that would joyn with him and had invited him this way they used all means to stop his March and to hasten General Essex after him They sent down their Members Deputy Lieutenants into several Counties towards the Army to gather together such Forces as were raised and to send them to their General and to raise such further as they could Oct. 24. Intelligence was brought from Vxbridge Road that
Strickland were sent to Gravesend to entertain and conduct the Dutch Embassadour to the Parliament The City invited both Houses of Parliament to Dinner in Merchant Taylor 's Hall on such a day as the Parliament would appoint and the rather at this time the General Essex and the Earl of Manchester being in Town that the City might express their thankfulness to the Parliament for their unwearied labours and care for the defence and peace of the City and whole Kingdom The Houses returned thanks to the City and ingaged to live and die with them in this Cause and this was the rather contrived now that the Plot to raise differences between the Parliament and City and to bring in the King might appear to be the more frivolous The Parliament ordered publick thanks to be given at this Meeting at a Sermon and the Sunday after in all Parishes for the discovery and prevention of the Plot of Sir Bazil Brook A Ship laden with Arms and Ammunition sent from Bristol to relieve the King's Forces at Chester was by the Mariners compelling their Master brought in to Leverpool to the Parliament The Archbishop Laud was brought to the House of Peers and the impeachment against him read and he required to answer who said he was an old man and weak and could not answer without Counsel and desired a further time to answer which was granted Both Houses dined with the City at Merchant-Taylor's Hall in the morning they met at Sermon in Christ Church from thence they went on foot to the Hall the Trained Bands making a Lane in the Streets as they passed by First went the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in their Scarlet Gowns and the Common Council then the Lord General Lord Admiral Earl of Manchester and other Lords attended with divers Colonels and military Officers After the Lords came the Members of the House of Commons and the Commissioners of Scotland then the Assembly of Divines and as they went through Cheapside on a Scaffold many Popish Pictures Crucifixes and Superstitious Relicks were burnt before them The Lord Howard of Escrick petitioned for reparation of his losses by the Cavaliers out of Delinquents Estates The 22. of January being the day appointed for the Anti-Parliament to meet at Oxford the Parliament at Westminster called the House and there appeared 280 of their Members besides 100 more in the service of the Parliament in the several Counties and now they expelled by vote 40 Members who had deserted the Parliament The Anti-Parliament met at Oxford but have not taken upon them the name and power of Parliament The first day of Hillary Term the Commissioners of the Seal and the Judges sate in the several Courts at Westminster Hall The Ordinance passed That if any should deliver Proclamation or other thing to any persons from Oxford or sealed with any other Great Seal than that attending the Parliament that they should be proceeded against as Spies according to Marshal Law Monsieur de Harecourt sent a Letter to both the Speakers but not intituling them Speakers of the Parliament but only Messieurs Grey de Werke and Lenthall upon which the Parliament refused to accept the Letters Colonel Mitton routed a Party of the King's Horse convoying Arms and Ammunition to the Besiegers of Nantwich Mitton fell upon them unexpectedly killed many took Sir Nicholas Byron Governour of Chester Sir Richard Willis one hundred inferiour Officers and Troopers one hundred and fifty Horse and Arms and all the Ammunition and Powder which they brought from Shrewsbury The Lord Lovelace wrote to Sir Henry Vane Junior to perswade a Treaty of Peace and to raise divisions among the Parliaments party The House authorised Sir Henry Mr. St. John and Mr. Brown to keep a Correspondence with the Lord Lovelace to sift what they could out of him and his Lordship was too weak for these Gentlemen Three hundred Native Irish Rebels landed at Weymouth under the Lord Inchiquin to serve his Majesty Divers Papists Servants about the King's Children were removed Ogle for the King wrote to Mr. Thomas Goodwyn and Mr. Nye of the Independent Judgment to make great promises to them if they would oppose the Presbyterian Government intended by the Scots to be imposed on England and much to that purpose These two being persons of great Judgment and Parts acquainted their Friends herewith and were authorised to continue a Correspondence with Ogle who gained no ground upon them No more could Ogle upon the Governour of Ailesbury nor upon Mr. Davenish the one was sollicited to betray Ailesbury and the other Windsor with mountainous promises from Ogle on the King's part but all were refused The Scots Army now entred England were eighteen hundred foot and thirty five hundred of horse and Dragoons The Recorder and Citizens of London presented a Petition to the Commons for dispatch of the business of the Accounts of the Kingdom and for recruiting and reforming the Armies This gave a stroke of jealousie and discontent to Essex and his friends and the more because the House so well entertained it The Commons ordered Worcester-house to be furnished for the Scots Commissioners who desired some Members of both Houses might be appointed as a joynt Councel with them A Trumpet came from Oxford with Letters to the General and a Parchment-Roll signed by the Prince the Duke of York Duke of Cumberland Prince Rupert about fourty Lords and one hundred Knights and Gentlemen sometime Members of the House of Commons and now met by the King's Proclamation at the Assembly at Oxford to debate of the State and Peace of the Kingdom and to prevent effusion of more blood And therefore they desire the General to treat with his Friends and those by whom he is imployed not naming the Parliament to appoint a time and place to treat of Propositions of Peace The General acquainted the Parliament herewith who would not own nor receive the Letters having no Directions to them but left it to the General to return an Answer An Ordinance past to recruit the Lord General 's Army to 7500 Foot and 3000 Horse and Dragoons and they to have constant pay only eleven Officers to have but half pay The Forces of Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton joyning together marched to relieve Nantwich The King's Forces before the Town drew out to fight them and gallant Actions were performed on both sides the event of the Battel was long doubtful till unexpectedly the King's Forces gave ground and were pursued by the Parliaments till they were totally routed and dispersed There were taken Prisoners Major General Gibson Earnley Sir Richard Fleetwood Sir Francis Boteler an Irish Rebel Colonel Monk who afterwards served the Parliament and this was his first turn Colonel Gibs Harmon Sir Ralph Downes fourteen Captains twenty Lieutenants twenty six Ensigns two Cornets two Quarter-masters forty Drums forty one Serjeants sixty three Corporals and
better securing those Counties for the Parliament The City freely agreed hereunto and resolved to send out another Brigade of horse and foot under Major General Brown to joyn with the Forces of these three Counties The Earl of Warwick relieved Lyme with Provisions and Ammunition which they greatly wanted and with some of his Seamen helped to keep the Line Prince Maurice stormed the Town but Captain Ceely the Governour and his Garrison with the Seamen made such a Defence that sixty of the Prince's men were slain two Captains and many of his Souldiers taken prisoners and but eight men lost of the Garrison in this storm The chief Commanders before Lyme were Prince Maurice the Lord Pawlet and Sir John Borlace with about 2500 horse and foot in all The next day but one they began again to storm the Town and came on with as much bravery and resolution as could be performed by English men against English-men and they were as gallantly received by the Garrison and 400 of the Prince's men were slain on the place and not above seven of the Garrison All this was certified to the Parliament by Letters from the Earl of Warwick to whom a Letter of thanks was sent from both Houses for his great Service in relieving this Town and they ordered 1000 l. per an to the Town out of the Lord Pawlet's Estate and full satisfaction to the Inhabitants for their losses and the Lord General was desired to send a party to relieve them It was much wondred at that this Town could so long hold out being of little strength more than by the courage of their men and situate low under a Hill which was of great advantage to the Besiegers and they were sometimes brought unto such streights that their Water was noisom with the bloud of those slain and they much wanted provision of Victuals and Ammunition which the Earl of Warwick supplyed He also certified the Parliament that he had taken two Pinnaces at Sea one bound for Bristoll valued at 18000 l. A Troup of the Earl of Dallensie's Regiment marched to the Walls of York killed thirty and took thirty four Prisoners sxity Horse and forty Oxen and Cows from the Garrison General Lesley and the Earl of Manchester intrenched on each side of York very near to the City and the Scots took and fortified a Windmill near the Town though the Garrison made 200 great shot at them The Parliament ordered the Lord General to pursue the King and Sir William Waller to march into the West which was contrary to the General 's liking and it was thought strange that the Committee of both Kingdoms would at that distance take upon them to give particular Orders for the Services and course of their Armies March and not rather to leave it to the chief Commanders that were upon the place and who upon every motion of the Enemy might see cause to alter their Counsels This increased the jealousies and peeks between the General and Waller both gallant men but the General thought himself undervalued and Waller was high enough Nor did there want Pick-thanks to blow these coals of jealousie and this proved unhappy to the Parliament Affairs as will appear afterwards Mr. Hungerford a Member of the House of Commons was committed for going to the Anti-Parliament at Oxford Colonel Massey took in Tewksbury and in it Lieutenant Colonel Mynne and many Prisoners Powder and Ammunition and slew several inferiour Officers A Battery was made at the Windmill-hill at York five pieces of Ordnance planted which shot into the Town and did much hurt the Lord Eglinton with four thousand Scots entred some of the Gates and made a passage into the Mannor-house A strong party sallying out of the City were beaten back with loss General Leuen with his Regiment took a Fort from the Enemy and in it 120 prisoners the Garrison burnt up much of the Suburbs The Archbishop came again to his Tryal and the Matters against him were Touching his Ceremonial and Popish Consecrating of Churches and concerning the Book of allowing Recreation on Sundays The Earl of Manchester having made a Mine forced the great Fort at York where all the Defenders were slain and taken and but ten or twelve Scots lost The Earl of Newcastle sent to General Leuen to know the Cause of his drawing thither Leuen answers That he wondred Newcastle should be ignorant thereof that his intent was to bring that City to the obedience of the King and Parliament and therefore for avoiding further effusion of blood he summoned him once more to render the Town The Earl of Newcastle Sir Thomas Widderington and other chief Commanders with a strong party sallyed out of the Town endeavouring to escape but were driven back into the City from whence they shooting at a Tent where Leuen was took off part of the Tent but did no other hurt Sudley Castle in Glocestershire was yielded to Sir William Waller at mercy and taken in it nine Captains twenty two inferiour Officers and all the common Souldiers of whom a hundred and fifty took the Covenant and listed themselves for the Parliament they took here likewise 4000 l. worth of Cloth The same day Colonel Purefoy with the Warwick Forces took Compton-house and in it 5500 l. in money and five or six Pots of money more found in a Pond all their Arms four hundred Sheep about a hundred head of Cattel and great store of Plunder The King's Forces as they hasted to Worcester broke down the Bridges after them to hinder the pursuit of them and many of them crouding to get over Pursow Bridge the Planks left for their passage brake and about sixty of them were drowned The Commons again desired the Lords Concurrence to the Ordinance for secluding the Members who had deserted the Parliament and assisted their Enemies but the Lords were not yet satisfied therein A Party continued before Greenland-house An Ordinance passed for the relief of the maimed and sick Souldiers and for the Wives and Children of those who were slain in the Service of the Parliament The King sent from Bewdely a party of three thousand Horse to relieve Dudley Castle besieged by the Earl of Denbeigh who coming suddenly upon the Earl he sent out a Forlorn commanded by Colonel Mitton who charged the Enemy so home and was so far engaged that the Earl's friends advised him to draw off as fast as he could to save himself and the rest of his Company the Forlorn being given over for lost and the King's Forces far in number exceeding the Forces of the Earl But the Earl would not so leave his Friends ingaged but in person led on his Party and charged the Enemy so hotly that they retreated in disorder and the Earl rescued and brought off his Forlorn and the Enemy lost about a hundred of their men besides many Officers and common Souldiers taken Prisoners by the Earl and lost but
for the Recruits to be sent to Sir T. F. The Ordinance past for putting Surrey into a posture of Defence and for pay for Farnham Garrison and another for 20000 l. towards reducing Oxford The Antiparliament sate again at Oxford and were about a Declaration to encourage their party and taking care for Money and Recruits for the King Colonel Baxter Governour of Reading went out with a party and faced Wallingford near their Works 2 Debate about Church affairs One Lusher had been apprehended for a Romish Priest the Spanish Ambassadour owned Lusher as his Servant and in favour of the Ambassadour both Houses discharged Lusher and ordered him to depart the Kingdom in ten daies Both Houses ordered the continuance of the Commissioners of the Great Seal and of the Master of the Rolls for six Months longer notwithstanding the Self-denying Ordinance Mr. Gourden a Member of the House of Commons presented to them a Letter from the Lord Savile with a Paper inclosed in it and desired that they might be read and after some Debate they were read The Letter was expressing his affections to the Parliament to whom he had come from the King and submitted himself and taken the Oath enjoyned in observance whereof and of his duty to the Parliament under whose protection he was he held himself obliged to discover to them what he knew concerning two of their Members who had done contrary to their trust and to the prejudice of the Parliament in the matters contained in the inclosed Paper That Paper set forth That Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke being persons well affected to the King and to his Cause were nevertheless two of the Parliaments Commissioners lately sent to Oxford to His Majesty with Propositions from the Parliament for Peace That they being at Oxford did contrary to their trust and to the prejudice of the Parliament treat and advise with the King and some great Lords about him namely the Earl of Lindsey the Earl of Southampton and others about the King's Answer to those Propositions and did give a Paper in writing what they advised the King's answer should be That their advice in the said Paper was followed by the King and some of the very words thereof were made use of in the King's Answer and that both before and after that time they held intelligence and correspondence with the King and his party at Oxford Much other Matter was in the Paper to the like effect and upon the reading of it divers of the House were very high and moved that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might make a present Answer to this Paper or Charge as some called it Mr. Hollis presently in his place made his Answer to the matter of the Paper and therein unadvisedly and suddenly confessed more than he needed to have done but denied any intelligence or correspondence by him with any of the King's party Mr. Whitelocke was not in Town this Morning and knew nothing of this business but after Mr. Hollis had spoken Mr. John L'Isle stood up and acquainted the House that Mr. Whitelocke being then absent if they pleased he would undertake to give him notice to attend the House the next Day which was ordered But some were not satisfied therewith and they fiercely moved That this being a charge of High Treason against two of their Members in whom the offence was greater than in others that they would proceed with equal justice and that both Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might be committed to the Tower Mr. Hollis who was present to be sent thither and a Warrant to apprehend Mr. Whitelocke and to carry him thither also Upon this Sir William Lewys stood up and with as much vigour on the other side said He could not but wonder at the justice of those who would commit a man to the Tower before he was heard and the other after he had fully answered that which they called a Charge That he could not admit it to be a Charge but a Scandalous and Libellous Paper against two worthy Members of the House who they all knew had served the Parliament faithfully and to the utmost hazard of their Lives and Fortunes And because they had done so and were so capable of doing further and more service to the Parliament therefore one of their enemies was come hither to cast a bone among them and to raise differences amongst the Members of Parliament a likely way when their other designs failed them to doe mischief to the Parliament He desired them to consider the person of him whom they called the Accuser who was indeed an Accuser of the Brethren that it was the Lord Savile now cloathed with a new Title from the King of Earl of Sussex and perhaps this present service was to be part of that by which he was yet to merit his new Title That still he was the same man who was first of the Parliament party then revolted from them to the King and now was revolted from the King to the Parliament again and that a Paper brought in from this person should be looked upon as a Charge against two worthy Members of their House or be in the least a ground to commit them to the Tower he could not sufficiently wonder at the reason or justice of such a motion as that was He rather thought it more reasonable and just and accordingly moved that this Libel this Paper might be thrown out of the House and the contriver of it the Lord Savile be under more streight custody and examined who set him on to promote this business and that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might not be put to the trouble of any further attendance about it This smart motion of Sir William Lewys so contrary to the former being spoken by him with great ingenuity and mettle and seconded by Sir Philip Stapleton and others of that party so wrought upon the House that the motion for commitment to the Tower was laid aside and Mr. L'Isle ordered to give notice to Mr. Whitelocke that the House required his attendance there the next day Carlisle was surrendred to the Parliament and Sir Thomas Glenham the Governour and the Garrison Souldiers had a Convoy by the Articles of surrender to Newark 3. At a Conference the Letters of the surrender of Carlisle were imparted to the Lords and agreed to send a Committee to the Common Council of London to acquaint them with some of the King's Letters taken at Naseby A Committee appointed to consider of the Northern Garrisons upon the borders of Scotland The King was at Ragland Castle to gather Recruits Sir T. F. was at Marlborough the Garrison of Taunton had often Skirmishes with Goring's Forces and at one time took 120 of their horse the besiegers drew off most of their horse to their Out-guards Between 4000 and 5000 Clubmen being up in Dorsetshire and Wilts carried themselves very tumultuously and forced the Parliaments quarters at Sturmister divers slain and wounded
and have sixteen days to bring in his Answer 7. Upon a long debate touching the Declaration about Non Addresses to the King it was re-committed for some additions to be made concerning Warrants signed by the King in Scotland to such as were engaged in the Irish Rebellion where the Lord Dillon and Lord Taffe were with the King and other things relating to the Irish Negotiation with the Pope his sending Agents to Popish Princes Seignior Con's being received here c. Letters from the North of the auditing the Soldiers Accounts that the business of Disbanding is more easie That those which are not to be Disbanded are drawn into Market Towns That there are Rumors still of dangers from Scotland Letters from Ireland That Col. Pudsey took in four small Castles from the Rebels That Sir Henry Titchburne destroyed sixty thousand pounds worth of Corn in the Rebels Countrey That Col. Jones and Col. Monke intended to joyn upon a design That Col. Conwey fell into the Rebels Quarters and took forty Horse killed fourteen men and brought away much Cattle 8. Debate about the confession of Faith Orders for Money for the Navy The List of the Summers Fleet altered in the Title of it That instead of a List of his Majesties Ships it should be a List of the Parliaments Ships Innformation that some Holland Ships refused to strike Sail to some of the Parliaments Ships saying that Holland was the elder State referred to a Committee Six of the Impeached Lords appeared at the Bar of the House of Peers and the Charges were severally read against them and they put in sureties for their appearance The Lord Willoughby came not but sent a Letter being himself withdrawn That he had been above four months Committed without particular charge against him that their Lordships were pleased to order his enlargement that he had received Counsel from a friend that he is not fit for publick imployment and therefore resolved to privacy That he hath always been faithful to the Parliament and desired their Lordships to make an honourable construction of his Retirement Fourteen days were given to the Impeached Lords to put in their Answers and Counsel allowed them Captain Dare Captain of the Constant-Warwick for the Parliament had a sharp Fight with a Ship of the Irish Rebels and twenty five of his men were killed and wounded but he boarded and took the Irish Man of War 9. The Ordinance pass'd both Houses for the more effectual suppressing of Stage-playes by Imprisoning and Fining and Whipping for the second offence An Ordinance for paying of Tithes and other Duties to the Ministers of London after much debate was committed A Petition from Taunton expressing the gratefulness of that Town for the Votes for no further Addresses to be made to the King And they had the thanks of the House and the Petition ordered to be Printed Letters from the General about new modelling the Martial power so as to have more Officers at less pay than now and fewer Soldiers which may be suddenly filled up as there shall be occasion and hereby the Army be better governed and less chargeable An explanatory Ordinance touching the sale of Bishops Lands committed and power given to remove Obstructions Letters from Ireland of sad complaints of the Officers and Soldiers there for want of Pay Meat and Cloaths so that the Soldiers go up and down more like Ghosts than Men. 10. Debate touching Scots Officers who had served the Parliament Order for an augmentation for the Church of great Brentford Order for an hundred pound for a gentleman who had lost both his eyes in the Service of the Parliament and to recommend him to Suttons Hospital the like for another who lost both his eyes at the Battle of Nazeby and the like for a third who had both his eyes shot out Debate till seven at night about the Declaration touching no more Addresses to be made to the King 11. Debate upon the Declaration touching no more Addresses to the King and voted upon hearing proofs That his Majesties Instructions to Mr. Cockeram his giving blanks signed with his Seal Manual the clause touching the Protestant blood shed in Ireland by such as had Commission from the King another concerning the death of King James the miscarriage at the Isle of Rea and Rochel the innocent blood shed in England and Scotland in prosecution of the Roman Catholick Cause be inserted in the Declaration and order'd it to be Printed and Published 12. The House sate not this day having adjourned till Tuesday by reason of extraordinary occasion for the Speaker at this time to sit in Chancery 14. Orders issued by the General for sending out Forces to prevent and suppress Tumults and Riots and to examine and secure such as shall be found acting or suspected to act or meet in any Tumult or unlawful Assembly contrary to the Orders of Parliament and to do such things as the Officers of the Troops to be sent out shall find necessary for preventing any Injuries or Affronts to be done to Travellers Carriers or others upon the High Ways Other Orders of the General touching Transportation of disbanded men Letters from the North That divers Troops and Companies were disbanded first only the Soldiers and two month pay given them and Debenters for the rest of their Arrears and Passes to go home or into Ireland That some discontents were among them and many Robberies and Murders committed upon the Disbanding 15. Reference to a Committee to seize or buy some Morter-pieces and Arms informed to be in a private hand An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for the Assessment of Ireland Upon Information That Judge Jenkins being brought as a Defendant to the Chancery Bar and required to answer a Bill there against him for a foul Cheat and breach of trust as some alledged Judge Jenkins told the Court That he ought not nor would submit to the power of that Court for that it was no Court and their Seal was counterfeit The House referred it to a Committee to draw up an Impeachment of Treason against him A day appointed to consider of the Compositions of the Lord Abergavenny a Papist and others upon Oxford Articles Order for two hundred men to be added to the Isle of Wights Forces The General treated with the Committee of the Army about disbanding the Lifeguards The Lords received another Paper or Protestation from Sir Jo. Maynard wherein he tells them That he ought to be tryed by a Jury for which he quotes Magna Charta and the Lord Cook and that he may except against thirty five of the Jury without showing cause and that none are to be his Judges who have acted in the same matters whereof he is accused the Lords ordered his answer to be brought in by a day The Parliaments Declaration that no more Addresses be made to the King was published the heads whereof are before mentioned 16. The
as both shall agree to stand with the Laws of Ireland 13. That the Council table meddle only with State matters 14. Act against transporting wooll to be null 15. Those wronged by grants to have relief 16. Wronged persons to have right 17. Restitution of Estates 18. An Act of oblivion to pass 19. Customs not to be farmed and Monopolies to be taken away 20. The Court of Castle-Chamber to be regulated 21. Acts forbidding ploughing with Horses by the tayl and burning Oats in the Straw to be nulled 22. An Act to take off grievances 23. Maritime causes to be determined in Ireland 24. No rents to be raised under pretence of defective titles 25. Interest money to be for given from 1641. 26. All this to be acted till a Parliament agree it 27. That the Catholick Commissioners agree upon such as shall be Justices of Peace and hear all causes under ten pound 28. All Governours of Forts to be by approbation of the Catholick Commissioners 29. None of the Kings rents to be paid till a further settlement by Parliament 30. Power of the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer 31. Differences in Ireland to be tryed there and not in England 32. The Roman Clergy not to be molested 33. That his Majesty grant whatever else is necessary for the Catholicks Prince Rupert was upon the Irish coast with sixteen Ships many vessels were taken by him A Petition to the General and his General Council of War from the well affected Inhabitants of Lincolnshire much to the same effect with others lately presented to him and to the Parliament and which are before mentioned Two men measuring some ground in Windsor forest were asked by what Authority they did it they showed a kind of Warrant from Lieutenant General Cromwell desiring all Officers of the forest Souldiers and others to permit these men to set out some Land c. in regard there was no Justice in Eyre It were to be wished that such men as Lieutenant General Cromwell would not so irregularly meddle with such matters as these are the men were forbidden to make any divisions of the Land or ditches about it till further order 27. A Declaration passed that a Book lately published entituled the second Part of Englands new Chains discovered contained matter false Scandalous Seditious Mutinous and tending to raise a new War that the Authors and publishers of it were guilty of Treason and referred to the Council to find them out Anno 1649 Letters from Major General Lambert with the Articles of the surrender of Pontefract Castle A Letter and Petition from the Grand Jury of Yorkshire acknowledging with humble thanks the justice of the Parliament in their late proceedings and ingaging to joyn with them and desiring Pontefract Castle may be demolished and some other Forts thereabouts Vote for three hundred pounds per annum to be setled on Major General Lambert out of Pontefract honour for his good service The Lancashire Forces submitted to disband and quitted Clithero Castle Order for that Castle to be demolished and that the Council of State consider what other Inland Castles are fit to be demolished Sir Henry Cholmely sent for upon complaints against him Instructions for the Scots Commissioners to their new King were 1. That he take the Covenant 2. To put from him all who have assisted his Father in the War particularly Montross else not to Treat with him 3. To bring but one hundred with him into Scotland and none who have assisted his Father in Arms. 4. To bring no Forces into Scotland from other Nations without their consent Marquess Huntley was beheaded at the Cross in Edenburgh Letters from the Hague that the Queen of England invited Prince Charles her son into France that the States inhibited their Ministers from insisting upon matters of State and in their Pulpits and particularly not to meddle with Englands or other Kingdom 's proceedings 28. Upon a Report from the Council of State of the particulars for incouragement of those who shall ingage for Ireland with Lieutenant General Cromwell the House referred them back again to the Council to perfect Upon a Report from them of the Earl of Ormond's proclaiming the King in Ireland c. the House voted the Earl a Traitour and an Act to be brought in to attaint him Order for a Letter of thanks to Colonel Jones and a gratuity Order that no Ministers shall teach in their Pulpits any thing relating to State affairs but only to preach Christ in sincerity and an Act to be brought in for penalties to those who shall do otherwise Orders for money given away A new day given to the Lord Mayor to conform to the order for proclaiming the Act against King-ship or to give an account to the House why he hath not done it 29. The House sate not The Council of State upon examination of Lilburn Walwyn and others who owned the Book called England's new chains did commit them to the Tower The Estates of the Netherlands summoned and examined their Ministers and disallowed what they had done in relation to King Charles II. And forbad them all to meddle with State matters in their Pulpits without leave of the Magistrate The Council of State perfected the particulars for incouragement of those who shall ingage for Ireland and Lieutenant General Cromwell declared himself willing to undertake that service 30. Vote that Gresham Colledge be not exempted from the assessment to the Army nor the Doctors in Doctors Commons nor the Counties in Wales formerly exempted Order that the Speaker do sign such Letters as shall be thought fit by the Council of State to the States of Hamburgh touching Merchants Upon a Petition of the Borough of Southwark of the inequality of their rates with the County of Surrey the House held their desires just and Ordered that in all future rates they should pay the eight part of that assessed upon the County of Surrey Order for the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall to form the Votes concerning compositions of Delinquents and to have them printed and published that none may plead ignorance of them Referred to the Committee of the Army to make provision of four thousand Cassocks and breeches to be disposed of by the General to his Foot Souldiers in regard of the smallness of their pay Upon the Report of Alderman Atkins that the Lord Mayor desired to be excused from proclaiming the Act for abolishing Kingly Government the House Ordered that he be summoned to attend at the Bar to answer his contempt and disobedience herein 31. Upon a Report from the Council of State that Lieutenant General Cromwell accepted of the service for Ireland and would endeavour to the utmost of his power with Gods assistance to carry on that work against the Rebels and all that adhere to them Voted that the House doth approve of Lieutenant General Cromwell to be Commander in chief of all the
Armed Parties began to gather into a Body In Shropshire Sir Thomas Harris with a Party Endeavoured to surprize Shrewsbury Castle but was prevented and taken Prisoner Others were prevented at Chirke Castle endeavouring to Surprize it and the like was in other Places This Design the Protector had a jealousie was countenanced by the Parliament and he gave out that to be a cause of the Dissolving of them In Scotland Middleton and others of his Party the principal Men sent Proposals to the Parliaments Commander there upon which they offered to lay down Armes The Kings Party were very Active and had many meetings about New Castle some of their Letters were intercepted and sent to the Protector Some Quakers at Hasington in Northumberland coming to the Minister on the Sabbath day and speaking to him the Country People fell upon the Quakers and almost killed one or two of them who going out fell on their Knees and prayed God to Pardon the People who knew not what they did and afterwards speaking to the People so convinced them of the evil they had done in beating of them that the Country People fell a Quarrelling among themselves with those who occasioned it and beat one another more than they had before beaten the Quakers The Brest Men of War did much damage to the English Merchants in the Western Seas which were not well guarded by the States Ships whereof Complaint was made yet two of them were taken A great Fire happened in Fleet-street next door to the Red Lyon Inn and both Houses were burnt Letters of several Scots Commanders of the Kings Party taken by the English Forces in Scotland Major John Wildman was seized upon by a Party of Mr. Butlers Horse and carryed Prisoner from Exton near Marlborough where he was taken unto Chepstow-Castle They found him in his Chamber the Door being open leaning upon his Elbow and dictating to his Man who sat Writing by him They seized the Papers that which the Man was writing was sent up to the Protector it was thus Entituled and Written The DECLARATION of the free and well-affected People of England now in Armes against the Tyrant Oliver Cromwel Esq BEing satisfied in our Judgment and Consciences of the present necessity to take up Armes for the Defence of our Native Rights and Freedoms which are wholly invaded and swallowed up in the Pride and Ambition of Oliver Cromwell who calls himself Lord Protector of England and hath rendred all English-men no better than his Vassals we expect to be branded with the infamous Name of Rebells and Traitors or to be mis-represented both to the Army City and Country as common Enemics disturbers of the publick Peace arbitrary Cavaliers Levellers or under some other odious Notion that may provoke the Army and People to endeavour our Destruction but if we may prevail to be heard before we be Condimned and Executed we shall submit our cause and righteous End we seek to the judgment of the Army and every honest English-man and if the Army it self according to their many Engagements will undertake and their strength be sufficient to Redeem us from our present Slavery and settle that Right and Freedom unto which our Birth gave us Title we shall readily lay down our present Arms. The whole Christian World knows that our English Earth hath been Drunk with Blood these Twelve years through the great Contest for Right and Freedom and the whole Treasure of the Nation exhausted in that quarrel how then can any Man whose hand or heart hath been ingaged in that bloody Contest either acquit himself to God his Conscience or his Country in yielding up tamely and silently all the Laws Rights and Liberties of England into an Vsurpers hand We have for many years pattently born all kinds of Oppression Arbitrariness and Tyranny and suffered under such heavy burdens of Exercise and Taxes as England never knew in former Ages having been fed by him that now calls himself Lord Protector and his Army with specious pretences and most alluring Promises seconded with many appeals to God for their Integrity of heart in them that true English Liberty should be setled and secured impartial Justice provided for Arbitrary Powers Abolished and every Yoak of Oppression broken and every Burden eased And we did believe as they told us That our present sufferings were only like a rough stormy Passage to the Haven of Justice Right and Freedom we could not suspect these Ambitious Designs in Cromwell and his Confederates that are now Proclaimed to the World we could not think it possible that a Man of such a mean Quality and Estate as he should Aspire to make himself an absolute Lord and Tyrant over Three Potent Nations but above all his pretended Zeal for God and his People his high professions of Godliness Simplicity and Integrity his hypocritical Prayers and days of Fasting to seek the Lord his dissembled humility and meekness and his frequent compassionate Tears upon every occasion we say these things together with his Engagements publick and private his most solemn Protestations with Imprecations of Vengeance upon Himself and Family if he Dissembled and his most frequent Appeals to God for the truth of his Professions and Declarations that he design'd nothing but securing the Liberties of Gods People and Administration of Impartial Justice and sought no Power Honour Riches or Greatness to himself or any particular Party or Interest we say these things rocked us so asleep with the pleasant Dreams of Liberty and Justice until he hath made a Sacrifice of all our Laws Liberties and Properties unto his own Ambition and now is not afraid to own what he before disclaimed and declared against He that formerly Protested before the dreadful God and to the long Parliament That He and his Army should be wholly Subject to their Civil Authority and that whosoever should attempt any violence against them should make his way through his Blood he now owns the breaking them in pieces with scorn and contempt He that declared so much Humility and Self-denial claims and owns a Power Supream to Parliaments and exerciseth an Absolute Dominion over the Laws and Estates of Three Nations He that seemed so Zealous for Liberty now dares own every private English-man his Vassal and their Parliaments his Slaves He Publisheth in his Printed Speeches to his Parliament That the benefit all English-men have in the Execution of any Laws amongst them is from him and the Authority that their Parliaments have and shall have is wholly derived from him He hath Published to the whole World that he hath dissolved all Civil Government and that he had in himself an Absolute Vnlimited Arbitrary Power without check or controul until he put some limits upon himself if he may be believed in his paper of Government Now what Patroon in Argeire ever claimed more Mastery over his Slaves bought in the Market than this Claim of Cromwells extends unto over us If we have the benefit of the Execution
Council of State though he was a Member of the House and referred his further examination to the Council His crime was for perswading his Souldiers to obey the Parliament and to stand against Charles Stuart The like Approbation of what the Council had done in the case of Haslerigge and his further examination referred to the Council Letters that Overton perswaded divers Officers to stand against having a single person in the Government the Council reported this and referred to them Letters from Sir George Ascue of the King of Sweden's Death of a Feaver at Gottenburg Lambert committed to the Tower by the Council of State Letters that the King went from Brussels to Calais 8. Votes touching the Militias A Proclamation for executing the Laws against the Papists 9. Votes touching the Assessment The Bill for calling a new Parliament 25 of April committed and the Committee to consider of Qualifications 10. Orders touching the Militia of London and other Militias in a generall Bill Letters from Overton to Monk and to the Council wherein he submits to their commands and protests his faithfullness in defence of his Countries rights against any Arbitrary or Kingly Innovation He was discharged of his command In his Letter to Monk he fears running back to the Old Bondage of Kingship and puts Monk in mind of his former Declarations for a Commonwealth Letters from Lawson and his Officers Resolutions to acquiesce in the Determinations of Parliament and his Excellency the like of other Forces Sir Peter Killegrew made Governour of Pendennis Castle by Monk and Mr. Maurice made by him Governour of Plymouth Meetings of some Persons of Quality with Monk and his Officers about bringing in of the King Colonel Fairfax made by Monk Governour of Hull and Overton obeyed Order to take off from the File the examination of Sir George Booth and his Lady Orders touching the Trinity House The Act past for the Proclamation to put the Laws in execution against Popish Priests and Recusants Hollis made Custos Rotulorum of Dorset The Act past for the Militia of London The Act of the Militia past with a clause that every Commissioner before he acted shall acknowledge and declare That the War undertaken by both Houses of Parliament in their defence against the Forces raised in the name of the late King was just and lawfull and that Magistracy and Ministry are the Ordinances of God 13. The engagement to be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth without a King or House of Lords voted to be discharged and all orders for taking it expunged Serjeant Mainard Prinne and others to see it done Vote to discharge Dr. Owen from being Dean of Christ-Church and Dr. Reynolds to be put into that place Orders for maimed Souldiers 14. An Act passed for Approbation of Ministers Vote to disable those who had assisted in the Irish Rebellion or are Papists to serve as Members of Parliament and of those who have been in the War against the Parliament to serve as Members of the next Parliament Sir George Gerrard made Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster and Mr. Lechmore Attorny of the Dutchy and the Speaker Lenthall Chamberlain of Chester Serjeant Waller Chief Justice of Chester Serjeant Seys and Mr. Jones Judges of North-Wales Mr. Foxwist to judge in Chester Mr. Corbet Mr. Hoskins and Mr. Manley Judges in Wales Power to the Council of State to issue forth Proclamations as they shall find cause till the sitting of the next Parliament Monk God-Father to Lenthal's Son Monck feasted at Cloathworkers-Hall The Publick Minister of Sweden had audience at the Council of State and declared the King's Death Monk chosen M. G. of the City Forces and advised them to disarm dangerous persons and to keep Guards 15. Resolution of the House that Prizage Wines ought to to pay no customs Almost 10000 l. given to M. G. Brown secured and 20000 l. given to Monk An Act to put in suit securities taken in the Protectors name Orders touching monies The Registers Office in Chancery granted to Mr. Corbet and Mr. Goodwin the grant of it to them was vacated and the difference about that Office betwixt Mr. Walter Long and the Lady Jermin referred to Hollis and Grimstone A Bill passed giving powers to the Council of State in the intervall of Parliament Credentials from the King of Sweden and Credentials to Philip Sidney and Sir Robert Honywood to that King referred to the Council of State A Bill passed for the Courts of Justice in Ireland Order to release Lambert upon his Parole Dr. Wren discharged of his Imprisonment and the Council impowered to discharge such others as they think fit Order to stay felling woods in the L. S. John's L. Craven's Estates The Act for the Militia in England and Wales passed 16. An Act for conferring 20000 l. upon Monk read thrice this day and passed and to make him Steward and Keeper of Hampton Court. An Act past for setling Incumbents in sequestred livings A Letter from Monk about the Bill of the Militia shewing himself unsatisfied in some clauses of it but upon a message to him by some of the Members he seemed satisfied but some thought this Interposition by him too high The Act passed for dissolving this Parliament with a Proviso not to infringe the Rights of the House of Peers A Day of Humiliation appointed to seek God for a blessing upon the next Parliament The Form of the Writ agreed for Elections for the next Parliament Thus this Parliament having from this day dissolved themselves every one departed to their particular occasions 17. Several Proclamations issued by the Council for preservation of the Peace 19. Many made their Applications to the King at Brussels and some obtained good Rewards from him who never merited any thing of him others obtained Pardons 20. A Declaration from the Lord Broghill and his Officers in Ireland for a free Parliament Colonel Berry committed by the Council Haslerigge Desborough and Kelsey passed their words to the Council to submit to the Government and to be peaceable The Common-council invited the Council of State and Monk for their own Safety to reside in the City till the sitting of the Parliament but they with thanks to the City did not accept it Much sollicitation was in all parts to get to be Parliament-men 24. The French Ambassadour visited General Monk whom he found no accomplished Courtier or States-man 26. Several Elections of Parliament-men were certified fit for the intended business 30. Letters that the King of Denmark refused the Peace mediated between him and Sweden 31. Proclamations issued out by the Council in order to the preservation of the Peace Mr. Praise-God Barebones signed an Engagement to the Council of State not to act any thing in disturbance of the Peace Mr. Scot did the like and his great friend Monk began to be more
it said in former Debates in other matters in this House that such and such a thing was of as great concernment as ever came within these Walls I am sure it may be said so of the matter of your present Debate it is truly of the greatest concernment that ever came within these Walls It highly concerns us all and our Posterity after us where the Power of this Militia shall be placed This great Power which indeed commands all men and all things cannot be too warily lodged nor too seriously considered and I do heartily wish that this great Word this new Word the Militia this hard Word might never have come within these Walls But that this House may be as the Temple of Janus ever shut against it I take the meaning of those Gentlemen who introduced this Word to be the Power of the Sword Potest as Gladii which is a great and necessary Power and properly belonging to the Magistrate Potest as Gladii in Facinerosos without which our Peace and Property cannot be maintained But Potest as Gladii in Manibus Facinerosorum in the hands of Souldiers is that whereof you now Debate and it is best out of their hands I hope it will never come there Some worthy Gentlemen have declared their Opinions that this Power of the Militia is by Right and Law in the King onely others affirm it to be in the Parliament onely I crave pardon to differ from both these Opinons I humbly apprehend that this Power of the Militia is neither in the King onely nor in the Parliament and if the Law hath placed it any where it is both in the King and Parliament when they joyn together And it is a wise Institution of our Law not to settle this Power any where but rather to leave it in dubio or in nubibus that the People might be kept in ignorance thereof as a thing not fit to be known not to be pried into It is the great Arcanum Imperii and the less it is meddled with the less acquaintance we have with it the better it will be for all sorts of persons both for King and People That this Power of the Militia is not in the King onely appears in this that the Power of Money is not in the King but it will be granted here that the power of Money is solely in this House and without the Power of Money to pay the Souldiers the Power of the Militia will be of little force But if the Power of the Militia should be in the King yet the Power of Money being in the Parliament they must both agree or else keep the Sword in the Scabberd which is the best place for it It is true that the King by his tenures may require the service in War of those that hold of him but if they stay above 40 days with him unless he give them pay they will stay no longer And it is also true as hath been observed that our Law looks upon the King as the Jewish Law did upon theirs that by his Kingly Office he is to go in and out before the people and to lead them in Battel against their enemies but by the Laws of the Jews their King could not undertake a War abroad without the consent of the great Sanhedrim And by our Law as is declared by the Statute 1 E. 3. and by divers subsequent Statutes the King can compell no man to go out of his Countrey but upon the sudden coming of strange Enemies into the Realm and how many of our Parliament Rolls do record that the King advised with his Parliament about his Foreign Wars and could not undertake them without the Advice and Supplies of the Parliament All Power of the Militia is exercised either in Offence or Defence Defence is either against the Invasion of Enemies from Abroad or against Insurrections at Home Against Insurrections at Home the Sheriff of every County hath the Power of the Militia in him and if he be negligent to suppress them with the posse comitatus he is finable for it Against Invasions from Abroad every man will be forward to give his assistance there will be little need to raise Forces when every man will be ready to defend himself and to fight pro aris focis As to Offensive War against a Foreign Enemy if the King will make it of himself he must of himself pay his Army which his own Revenue will hardly afford nor can he compell any of his Subjects to serve him in those Wars none can by Law be pressed to serve in the War but by Act of Parliament But not to waste more of your time Sir I shall conclude that in my humble Opinion the Power of the Militia is neither in the King alone nor in the Parliament but if any where in the eye of our Law it is in the King and Parliament both consenting together And I think it best that it should be there still I cannot joyn in that advice to you to settle the Militia of your selves without the King but rather with those worthy Gentlemen who have moved that we yet again should petition his Majesty that the Militia may be settled in such hands as both he and you shall agree upon whom you may trust and who I hope will be more carefull to keep it sheathed than to draw it After a long Debate in the House upon this Matter they resolve to move the King that Sir John Biron may be put out from being Lieutenant of the Tower and Sir John Conyers to succeed him which was granted Then they proceed to nominate fit persons for trust of the Militia in the several Counties and pass an Act To disable all Clergy-men from exercising any Temporal Jurisdiction The King sends a Message to them That to satisfy and compose all Differences he will by Proclamation require all Statutes concerning Popish Recusants to be put in execution That the seven condemned Priests shall be banished and all Romish Priests within twenty days to depart the Kingdom He refers the consideration of the Government and Liturgy of the Church wholly to the two Houses And offers himself in Person to the Irish War The Lords and Commons petition the King That though he find cause to desert the prosecution of their Members yet the Charge against them reflects upon the whole Parliament they desire to know the Informers and their Suggestions to be proceeded against as by the Statutes 37 38 E. 3. Then they ordain the Power of the Militia for defence of the Parliament Tower and City of London under the Command of Skippon a faithfull and able Souldier And petition the King for settling the Militia of the several Counties on such as they had nominated to which the King respited his Answer till his Return from Dover whither he accompanied the Queen and their Daughter going for Hollaud Febr. 15. That pious and worthy Judge Sir George Crooke having attained near the
inveigh against any such thing as treachery and baseness and that which might be the occasion of shedding much blood That he said he durst not for the awe and respect which he had for Selden and the rest communicate any of the particulars to them but was almost disheartned himself to proceed in it They were all upon their Trial condemned Tomkins and Challoner onely were hanged Waller had a Reprieve from General Essex and after a years imprisonment he paid a fine of ten thousand pound was pardoned and travailed into France The General Essex being about Thame ordered the Buckinghamshire Forces to Alarm the Cavaliers some Skirmishes past between them Rupert ingageth their Body in Chalgrave Field Routs them and takes Captain Sheffeild and many other Prisoners Major Gunter was shot dead in the place and Hampden wounded whereof he died a week after Some had advised him not to go forth upon this Party he not being ordered to doe it but his Mettle did put him forward and his death insued He was a Gentleman of the ancientest Extraction in Buckinghamshire Hampden of Hampden his fortune large his natural Abilities great and his affection to publick Liberty and Applause in his Countrey exposed him to many difficulties and troubles as in the business of the Ship-money of the Loan and now in Parliament Where he was a most Active and Leading Member he spake rationally and subtilly and often proposed Doubts more than he resolved he was well beloved in his Countrey where he had a great Interest as also in the House of Commons he died lamented about the 24. of June 1643. In the West the Parliament Forces took in Taunton and Bridgwater The Synod of Divines sate but concluded upon nothing In Germany the Protestant Forces under the Duke of Brunswick endeavoured to reduce Woolfen Bottel Picolomini for the Emperour enters the Town and sets upon Brunswick but was beaten and lost 2000 men Lamboy for the Emperour about Bohemia had his Regiment defeated for want of good Guards and himself taken Prisoner and sent to France by Count Guebiran who for this service and taking of John de Wert received the Marshals Staff The Swedes with 7000 fresh men under Tortoison enter Germany and did gallant Service against the Arch-Duke Leopold Picolomini marcheth against and brake through their left Wing at Leipsick and fell to plunder The Swedes rally and turn upon the Enemy and they fly six thousand of them seized never shot off The Swedes take Leipsick and besiege Friburgh which is relieved by Picolomini who upon this success took leave of the Arch-Duke and the Emperour's service and was entertained by the Spaniard The French prospered in Catalonia June 16. The Queen was brought to Bed of a Daughter at Excester named Henrietta Maria. The Parliament finding the great failure of Justice for want of a great Seal voted That if the Lord Keeper Littleton did not return with the Great Seal within fourteen days he should lose his Place and whatsoever should be sealed with that Great Seal afterwards should be void By their Order a new Great Seal was made engraven on the one side the Picture of the House of Commons the Members sitting on the other side the Arms of England and Ireland Waller with his whole Army was fought with by Greenvile and Slanning at Lands Down in the West Greenvile did gallant Service and was slain there so was Leake the Lord Deincourt's Son with the Enemies Colours about his Arm and many others of quality On Waller's part the Foot were dispersed and cut off many Officers and Arms lost Waller follows the King's Forces to whom Wilmot was sent with fifteen hundred Horse they both met at Rowndway Down near the Devises in Wiltshire where Waller's Horse upon a pannick fear fled and left their Foot to the mercy of the Enemy who flew a great number of them and took many Prisoners four brass Guns Ammunition and Baggage This caused a diminution of the former Fame of Waller which was raised up near to a competition or emulation with Essex himself and caused some slackning of mutual Succors and Assistance to the prejudice of their common Cause But after this Defeat Waller posted up to London where his person being a man known to be of much honour and courage silenced Invectives against him and made the better way for Recruits for him During these Actions of Waller their General Essex writes to the Parliament to incline them to a Peace with the King at which some were displeased and intimated the promoting of Waller in his place But this was before they received the News from Rowndway Down of this Defeat In the North some difference had been between the Lord Fairfax and Sir John Hotham who refused to submit to Fairfax though General for the Parliament in those parts but Hotham was as high and morose as the other was meek and courteous The Parliament hearing of this Contest intended to displace Hotham which he discovering by Letters that he intercepted began to have new Designs His Son Captain Hotham being suspected by the Parliament was imprisoned at Nottingham from whence escaping he under-hand treated with the Earl of Newcastle and coming to Hull he and his Father stood upon their Guard The Parliament doubting the Consequence hereof sent Sir Matthew Bointon with a Commission to seize them both and to be Governour there who not suspected by Hotham being his Brother-in-law had the more opportunity to tamper with the Garrison and gain an Interest with the Souldiers so that he gained them and the Magazine Then Sir John too late seeing the Design against him fled to Beverley where his own Souldiers set upon him and forced him back again to Hull where he was taken by his Brother Sir Matthew Bointon and with his Lady his Son and all his Children sent up Prisoners to the Parliament and Bointon remained Governour of Hull in his place His rough carriage especially to his Inferiours his very narrow living and the betraying of the Trust committed to him rendred him so distastfull to all sorts of people That his Masters for whom he had done so great Service in resisting the King at his first coming to Hull they now cast him off his Souldiers who had fought for him now chase him away from them and his Brother in Law supplants him and sends him with his Wife and Children Prisoners to the Parliament The Exit of his Scene in this Tragick Age follows in its order of time Prince Rupert hovered long about Bristoll till finding by his Correspondents whereof he had many in the City when it was worst provided for resistance he fell upon it and Colonel Nathaniel Fiennes the Governour after three days siege was forced to surrender it For which the Governour was afterwards sentenced by a Council of War to lose his life but by General Essex he was pardoned and gave off his Military Service The new Great
from him and to the inhabitants of Surrey for satisfaction of their charges for supply of Sir William Waller A thousand Countrey men came in to Colonel Massey who represented the condition of his Garrison to the Parliament who ordered supplies for him and the Earl of Manchester was ordered with 4000 Horse and 5000 Foot to attend the motion of Prince Rupert The Lord Fairfax his Forces joyned with the Scots and care was taken to supply the Earl of Manchester Sir William Waller sent out a party which fell upon a Convoy of the Enemies for supply of Basing House and took of them divers Officers 40 Souldiers 1000 Sheep and fat cattle and money Sir John Gell routed 2 Troups of Colonel Goring's Regiment of Horse and dispersed the rest The Earl of Warwick took 8 ships bound for Bristol York was close besieged by the Scots and the Lord Fairfax his Forces The Dutch Embassadour and the Parliament courted each other but nothing came to effect between them The King's Forces whereof many were Irish burnt Bemister Cerne and Shaftsbury in Dorsetshire The Commons ordered that no private business should be heard in the House before the Armies were upon their march The Propositions for Peace were brought into the House and Read and Debated and the Debate adjourned The Marquess Huntley in Scotland made some commotion on behalf of the King but the Earl of Argile quieted him The Anti-Parliament at Oxford had written Letters to the Estates of Scotland dehorting them from giving any assistance to those at Westminster who were in arms against the King and these Letters set forth the unlawfulness and injustice of such undertakings and actions The Estates of Scotland sent up this Letter to the Parliament with a Copy of their answer to it which was to this effect That their expedition into England was not intended till all other means were first assayed and disappointed they deny not the Parliaments invitation of them and they declare that their pitty to see England bleed and their sense of the danger of their own Religion and Laws were the chief cause of their taking up Armes That they held not the invitation of the Parliament any ways invalid because they at Oxford are wanting or others are gone beyond the Seas having either wilfully deserted the Parliament or been expelled for Delinquency or why those that stay in Parliament are not a sufficient number without those at Oxford they do not apprehend with much of the like matter which was well accepted by the Parliament May 1644. An Ordinance for the supply of the Earl of Manchester's forces stuck with the Lords An Ordinance was published to prevent the adjournment of the Term or any the Courts of Justice from Westminster and all Judges and Officers were commanded to attend their places here Some 30 firelocks of the Garrison of Northampton being surprized by the Enemy and carried Prisoners to Banbury the Northampton forces marched forth entered Banbury fetched off all their Prisoners and took about 30 of them Sir Thomas Fairfax and Major General Lesley closely pursued the Earl of Newcastle's horse Southward The Archbishop of Canterbury came again to his tryal the evidence against him was mannaged by Mr. Nicholas Captain Swanley took in the town of Caernarvon with 400 Prisoners Arms Ammunition and much Pillage Plymouth sallyed out upon the besiegers took 40 Prisoners Horse Arms Ammunition The Speaker and some Members of the House were sent to the Dutch Ambassadours to complement and take leave of them The Commons sent to acquaint the City that they were preparing Propositions for Peace and desired to know from them what concerned their particular for which the City returned their humble thanks Particular Letters were ordered to be written from the Houses to the Scots General and to the Lord Fairfax and his son in acknowledgment of their good services The Lord General wrote to the Houses to appoint a Committee to reside with the Army and to supply the Army Mr. Rolles a Member of the House had satisfaction voted to be given him for his losses in opposing the King's taking of Tunnage and Poundage when it was not granted by Parliament At the taking of Caermarthen by Captain Swanly many Irish Rebels were thrown into the Sea The Earl of Manchester took the City of Lincoln by storm and in it Sir Francis Fane the Governor three Colonels many inferiour Officers 800 Common Souldiers 1000 Armes 8 pieces of Ordnance all their Armes Ammunition and pillage given to the Souldiers and 80 of them were slain A new Ordinance passed for abolishing all Popish Reliques fixed to Tombes or other places and all Organs Images c. The Earl of Holland desired licence to accompany the Lord General in the present expedition which the Lords granted but the Commons denyed which upon my knowledge distasted the General Sir Philip Stapleton and Hollis were two of the most secret Counsellors and Friends the General had they often advised with him about his affairs for his good and the advantage of the Parliament but he was not well fixed Newcastle's horse coming to relieve Lincolne were beaten back by Manchester's The siege of York was continued and the Scots and the Lord Fairfax's forces drawn very near to the wals The Lord Say Mr. of the Wards and the Officers of that Court sate Mr. Charles Fleetwood was made Receiver General and Mr. Miles Corbet Clerk of the Wards Captain Fox with one Troop of Horse went to Bewdely the enemies Garrison and in the night under pretence of being one of the Princes Troops passed the Guards to the main Guard where he killed the Sentinels seized the Guard and took Sir Thomas Littleton and divers persons of Quality prisoners The Londoners presented a Petition to the Lords desiring their free and mutual concurrence with the Commons in the great affairs now in agitation which was not well taken by the Lords A party of the King's horse came to Henly requiring the inhabitants to carry in all their Provisions for men and horse to Oxford else the Town should be burnt and faln upon by the Souldiers but Captain Buller being quartered not far from thence and hearing of it came unexpectedly and fell upon the enemy and rescued the Town Colonel Massey with his own forces and some of the Regiments of the Lord Stamford Colonel Devereux and Colonel Purefoy took Westbury by assault divers Officers and 60 Souldiers the same night he marched to little Deane and meeting with a party of the Enemy under Captain Congrave and Wigmore he slew them and 7 or 8 more and took divers prisoners Then he stormed Newnam a strong fort who shot at his Trumpet sent to summon them and that so inraged Massey's men that they entered the Town and slew about 40 took divers Officers and 130 common Souldiers and store of Arms. A new Ordinance for settling the Committee of both Kingdomes was sent up to the Lords who denyed to
comprehend the Lord General with the rest and without naming of him which for shame and ingratitude they could not think fit to be done Some of them confest that this was their design and it was apparent in it self and the reason of their doing this was to make way for others and because they were jealous that the Lord General was too much a favourer of peace a good fault in a General of an Army and that he would be too strong a supporter of Monarchy and of Nobility and other old Constitutions which they had a mind to alter such is the ingratitude of people and the incertainty of their Favour no confidence can be placed therein for this gallant mans sake who was a most faithful Servant to the publick and performed so many brave services for them to the utmost hazards of his own life honour and fortune and for all this had no other recompence but an unhandsome affront by a side Wind and cunning contrivance of his Enemies to remove him from his Commands so gallantly and succesfully executed by him A safe Conduct was assented to for the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton and the Committee of both Kingdoms ordered to get the Concurrence of the Scots Commissioners and to send it with expedition to the King Major Duett with a party of Colonel Ludlow's Regiment fell upon a party of the King's horse near Salisbury took Colonel Cooke Lieutenant Colonel Hooker divers inferiour Officers 40 Souldiers 160 Horse and Arms and killed about 20 of them Sir John Hotham's Son Captain Hotham was tryed before the Court Marshal for betraying a Regiment of Horse of the Parliaments to the Enemy and for treachery and betraying his trust in divers particulars proved against him by his own words letters and actions and many witnesses produced to make good the Charge The States Ambassadors were received with great State and Honour by both Houses who thanked them for their offer of a Mediation of peace and desired the Continuance of Amity and Friendship with the High and Mighty Lords the States but in regard propositions for peace were now on foot between His Majesty and His Parliament and the Scots Commissioners nothing otherwise could be now done therein The Ambassadors replyed in French that they would return what they had received to their Lords and they desired a further answer to their propositions touching Free Trade When they were gon out of the House the Speaker desired that some of the Members who understood the French Tongue better than he might interpret to the House the essect of the Ambassadors Speech in French which usually was done by Mr. Hollis and he being now absent Whitelocke was called up to doe it and thereupon the House named a Committee to consider of their Propositions for a Free Trade to the Ports of the Enemy An Ordinance past for satisfaction to Waggoners who lost their Carriages in the late Fights The Earl of Northampton with 3000 horse much infested part of Bucks and Oxfordshire order was taken for money to pay the forces of those Counties to resist him Somerset-house was ordered to be prepared for the King's Commissioners and voted that no Member of either house should visit or speak with or send or receive any Message to or from those that should come from Oxford unless they had leave for it Liberty was given to any Members that would to go visit Sir John Hotham before his death The Self-denying Ordinance was read and a day of publick Fast Ordered Crowland was surrendred to the Parliaments Forces on Conditions the Officers to march away with Swords and Pistols the foot to leave behind them their Arms Ordnance and Ammunition The Petition of divers Londoners was read commending the Vote for the Self-denying Ordinance and they again had the thanks of the House Colonel Massey fell upon a party of the King 's at Sodbury near Bristol took 120 Horse 100 Arms 50 Prisoners and 12 Officers Captain Hotham made his defence before the Court Marshal and justified Treaties with the Enemy as a Commander for the service of the Parliament other charges he denyed and excepted against some Witnesses The Commons Ordered that none but Members of the House should come to the Church where they kept the Fast The Lords reprieved Sir John Hotham for a few days till he had better setled his Estate Both Houses kept the Fast in Lincolns-Inn Chapel and none were to be present there but the Members onely and some said that the Preachers desired it might be so that they might speak the more freely to them especially upon the point of the Self-denying Ordinance Both Houses agreed to receive the Lords that were come from the King in the Painted Chamber by a Committee of 14 Lords and 28 Commoners and they desired from the Lords a list of their retinue to the end no affront might be offered to them Here of they had not cause to complain as the Parliaments Commissioners had at Oxford for these Lords and all their attendance were civily treated by all sort of persons and this Order for the list was the rather made to discover such as came to Town with the Lords under pretence of being of their retinue when they were not but came to do ill offices to the Parliament Sir Symonds D'ewes had an order to present a Minister to a Living in his gift Order was taken for raising of monies for the English and Scots Armies in the North for certain Months Mr. Roger L'Estrange was apprehended for a designe to betray Lynne in Norfolke to the King and for that end had a Treaty with Captain Lemmon Lieutenant Governour there who shewed a Complyance with L'Estrange but acquainted Colonel Walton the Governour with all the passages whereupon L'Estrange was seized upon and with him was found a Commission from the King Authorizing him for this service and engaging That if the Town were gained That L'Estrange should be Governour of it and have great preferment and what Rewards he should promise for effecting it not exceeding 80001. should be paid and divers other fair promises made and this was noted to be when the Treaty for peace was on foot The like design was for betraying St. Nicholas Island by Plymouth but prevented by the Lord Roberts the Governour the like was for the betraying Stafford prevented by Sir William Brereton the like design was for betraying of Reading discovered by the apprehending of a Spy who having lighted Matches put to his fingers confessed all and Alderman Harryson and his Complotters were seized upon The Self-denying Ordinance passed the House of Commons without excepting any Member The Committee of Lords and Commons received the King's Answer to the Propositions for peace wherein the Parliament and the Commissioners of Scotland were acknowledged and the King desired That in regard of the great Alteration in Government both of Church and State imported in the Propositions That the
And having the same interest with the Senate and present at their Debates they understood their business the better and were less apt to break that trust which so nearly concerned their private interests which was involved with the Publick and the better they understood their business the better service might be expected from them Sir I humbly submit the Application to your Judgment your Ancestors did the same they thought the Members of Parliament fittest to be imployed in the greatest Offices I hope you will be of the same judgment and not at this time to pass this Ordinance and thereby to discourage your faithful Servants The Debate held till it was late at Night and then upon the Question as some called it Envy and self-ends prevailing the Ordinance passed the House of Commons and was voted to be sent up to the Lords for their concurrence An Ordinance past for observation of the Fast-day especially on the next Wednesday being Christ-mas-day The Petition of the Lord Carbury was referred to a Committee for his Relief The Parliaments Answer to the King's Message being delivered to the Duke of Richmond and Earl of Southampton they said They had some further matters from the King to impart to the two Houses and desired to be heard of them but the Committee answered That they had not power to receive any new Message Then the Duke of Lenox demanded whether they might not deliver it to the Speakers of both Houses the Committee said That they could not give advice therein But this being reported to the Houses they ordered the Committee to receive from those Lords what they had to offer further from the King Mr. Pierpoint carried up to the Lords the Self-denying Ordinance The two Lords from the King delivered in a Paper to the Committee declaring The willingness of his Majesty that no time should be lost in bringing on the Treaty and to desire that Commissioners might be then nominated to which was returned That they had already the answer of both Houses and of the Scots Commissioners which the Parliament desired might be presented to his Majesty at Oxford The Lord Digby treated about ten weeks together by Messengers and Letters with Major General Brown to betray Abington making offers to him of great Preferment and Reward The Major General wrote to a Friend about it and desired his advice in it who counselled him to entertain the Treaty to shew a compliance with Digby and to give fair hopes of effecting what he desired and in the mean time to get the Works about the Town finished This was agreeable to the opinion of the Major Gener. and he had begun the Treaty with the Lord Digby and carried it along with great hopes to the Lord to have the Town surrendred and that his Wit and Eloquence had prevailed with the Woodmonger as he styled him Brown gave an account of all the Letters and Passages from time to time between them and he was encouraged to carry on the Design even to the appointment of a day for payment of money to him and for his rendition of the Town to Digby and even to the permission of part of the King's Forces to enter the Town and then to fall upon them But Brown thought it not good to proceed so far but after so much time spent in Treaty and expectation Digby required the Town to be rendred by a positive day but Brown having well finished his Works gave his Lordship a positive denial which much enraged him The Reasons of the dissenting Brethren to the Directory of the Church-government by Presbyters with the Answers to those Reasons were presented to the House and a day appointed for the debate of them An Ordinance past for Sir Thomas Allen's composition for Delinquency Knasborough was surrendred to the Parliament upon conditions and there was taken four pieces of Ordnance store of Arms Money and 1500 l. worth of Plate Letters from the Committee of Kent informed That the King had lately sent three Commissions into Kent one for the betraying of Dover-Castle another for Chattam and some Ships and the third to Array men in the West of Kent All which were discovered and the execution of them prevented one of the Commissions was dated when the Committee were at Oxford with Propositions for Peace Captain Redman with a Party from Northampton set upon a party of the King's Forces going to Banbury took Prisoners the L. St. Paul a French-man Sir John Fenwicke two of the Stricklands fifteen others thirty Horse and Arms and a Sumpter with rich Clothes Colonel Thorney with a party from Nottingham took in a Garrison of the King 's near Newarke and in it the Master of the house Sir Roger Cooper and his Brother and fifty others prisoners with their Arms. Decemb. 23. Sir Alexander Carew by Sentence of the Court-Marshal was beheaded The Commons voted to refer the consideration of the manner of the Treaty upon the Propositions for Peace to the Committee of both Kingdoms but the Lords were for a new Committee for it The Court-Marshal pronounced Sentence of death against Captain Hotham The Lords having voted the Archbishop Guilty of the Matters charged against him for matter of Fact desired satisfaction from the Commons in point of Law that those Matters were Treason The Commons ordered the removal of their Forces from the Counties near London near to the Enemy to streighten them and to be in readiness to attend their motions Letters from Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper informed of the Relief of Taunton Town and Castle held out to admiration by Colonel Blake notwithstanding his great want of Ammunition and Provisions and that the Works there were inconsiderable Colonel Edward Windham sent a threatning Summons to Blake to render the Town and Castle upon pain of fire and sword and perswaded the doing of it because of the indefencibleness of the place and to prevent the effusion of more Christian blood Blake returned this Answer These are to let you know that as we neither fear your menaces nor accept your proffers so we wish you for time to come to desist from all Overtures of the like nature unto us who are resolved to the last drop of our blood to maintain the quarrel we have undertaken and doubt not but the same God who hath hither to protected us will ere long bless us with an Issue answerable to the justness of our Cause howsoever to him alone shall we stand or fall Not long after this a strong party of the Parliaments Forces brake through the Besiegers and supplyed the Town with store of Provisions and what they wanted The Commons made an Order for the better payment of the 10000 l. per annum formerly granted to the Lord General out of Delinquents Estates in consideration of his great losses by the Enemy and his ever to be remembred good Services This was put on now by some to sweeten him upon the transmitting of the Self-denying
Forces at Bath for the streightning of Bristol and a Letter inclosed from Lieutenant General Cromwel to Sir T. Fairfax That in his march to Shaftsbury he found 10000 Clubmen in a Body and Mr. Newman in the head of them that he sent to know the Cause of their being in Arms and Mr. Newman came to him told him the causes were two 1. To have an account of their fellows taken at Shaftsbury 2. To secure themselves from plunder That Cromwel told them No account was due concerning their fellows taken at Shaftsbury but yet he assured them that his General onely intended that if they were found upon due tryal to have committed any offence they should be punished according to Law otherwise to be released To the second he assured them that his General would not suffer any of them to be plundered or injured but upon Complaint against any of his Souldiers would doe them Justice That hereupon the Clubmen as being well satisfied departed to their own homes That after this about Shaftsbury he met with 2000 more Clubmen whom he sent to in a peaceable way to depart home but they fired upon his Messenger he sent again twice more to them to disperse themselves but they still shot at his Messengers and said they expected the Lord Hopton to come to them and killed two of Cromwel's men Whereupon he ordered M. Desborrough to charge them who killed about 20 of them and took the Gentlemen who were in the head of them and 300 Prisoners whom Cromwel desired he might send home and keep the Gentlemen onely Prisoners The House referred it to Sir Thomas Fairfax to discharge such of the Prisoners as he pleased and sent up an Ordinance to the Lords to continue Lieutenant General Cromwel in his Command for four Months longer notwithstanding the Selfdenying-Ordinance A Petition from the Assembly declared plainly their claim Jure divino of power to suspend from the Sacrament all such as they should judge to be scandalous or ignorant 9. Major General Brown had given a Commission to M. Temple to be Governour of Newport Paganell and Sir Thomas Fairfax desired that Lieutenant Colonel Cokaine might be Governour there which the House resolved and that Major General Brown had no Authority to give such a Commission 400 l. Ordered for the Earl of Essex his reformado Officers and Orders for other monies for several Forces Captain Moore appointed to be Governour of Monmouth The Committee of Examinations by Order of the House committed L. Col. Lilburn to Newgate for writing a Seditious Book Order to search for Papists and Delinquents Letters informed that Captain Allen with 95 Dragoons from Burleigh-house fell upon 200 of the Newarke and Belvoir horse commanded by Sir Robert Dalison routed them killed 5 took several Officers and 50 Prisoners 80 Horse and rescued the Countrymen and plunder which they had taken 11. The House approved of the Commitment of L. Col. Lilburne An Ordinance sent to the Lords for giving the publick Faith to such as had paid their 5th and 20th part An Order for discharge of Col. Waites attendance on the House and for revoking his suspension from his Government Major General Pointz took the Church and Outworks of the Castle of Skipton divers of their horse and men and their Conduit water Col. Pye and Col. Sheffeild came with their own Regiments and 700 recruit horse to Sherburn the King's recruits went on slowly The Composition for delinquency of Sir John Tyrrel for 800 l. and of Sir John Mushamp for 600 l. were confirmed and Ordered that none should compound under 2 years value of their Estates Order for discharge of Reformadoes Quarters Major Moore continued Governour of Gaunt-house and Col. Russel of Ely Order for auditing Reformadoes Debenters A Petition to the Lords from the Assembly about Non-admission to the Sacrament and punishing such as derogated from the Directory or used the Common-prayer Book An Ordinance past for money for the Northern Association The French defeated the Spanish Army in Germany 10000 killed and taken 1000 Arms 57 pieces of Ordnance 300 barrels of Powder 100 Carriages 100 Colours and all their bag and baggage In a general Assembly in France our Queen moved for aid for her Husband but they denyed it The King left Wales and went with 3000 of his horse Northwards Some Clubmen were up in Berkshire 13. Upon the King's advance Northward the House took care of the Forces about Newarke and about Hull and sent notice of the King's motion to the Scots Army who sent 4000 horse and foot after him The House took care for Gloucester Garrison and appointed Col. Morgan Governour of all the Forces in that County and in Monmouth Glamorgan and Herefordshires Pay desired for Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army Major General Brown submitted himself to the House to be commanded by them and it was referred to the Committee of the three Counties to examine some affronts offered to him by some under his Command and the House resolved to give him reparation The Garrison of Phillis Court mutinied against Captain Doiley and had like to have killed him but for the present it was pacified and Major General Brown was desired to goe to Henley to settle that busines The House in debate of a Petition from the Burrough of Southwarke desiring a New Election of Burgesses Mr. White one of their Burgesses being dead and Mr. Bagshaw the other being excluded Some were of opinion that a New Election might prove inconvenient and of danger others pressed it as the Right of the Subject to have Burgesses upon the Question to defer it for a month longer it was carryed in the Negative And the House resolved into a grand Committee to consider of it Orders for money and touching supernumerary Forces in the Northern Association Major General Langherne fell upon a party of the King 's under Major General Stradling and M. Ennerton near Haverford West gave them a great overthrow took 400 Prisoners divers Officers of note 1000 Arms 20 Colours and 4 pieces of Ordnance and retook Haverford West Letters from the Scots Army before Hereford inform of their proceedings at the Leaguer of their want of money Ammunition and Provisions that the Country will bring in none and the Scots Souldiers feed upon Apples Pease and green Wheat which is unwholsom and they are much discontented to be thus used for their kindness A months pay ordered for the Scots Army and care taken for their future pay Letters to the Northern Association to joyn their Forces with those of the Scots gone after the King Plate and rich Hangings taken at Bridgwater and sent up by Sir Thomas Fairfax ordered to be sold and the money to be sent to Sir Thomas Fairfax to give to his Souldiers for their Encouragement Order for a Declaration to be drawn and sent into North Wales of the causes of the Parliaments taking Arms and Copies
King who had taken some of his men Major General Pointz wrote for supplies and five hundred Horse one thousand Dragoons were ordered to march forthwith to him Montross fled into the Mountains in Scotland and Lieutenant General Lesley pursued him Farlegh Castle in Somersetshire was surrendred by Colonel Hungerford to the Parliament Forces 4. The Composition of Sir John Borlace for his Delinquency was debated and not accepted by the House though two thousand four hundred pounds The House gave general Rules for Compositions Forces ordered to advance to Major General Pointz and to joyn with him One thousand pounds ordered for the Nottingham horse who fought gallantly at the late fight at Chester and other sums for other of his Forces Letters from Colonel Overton certified the surrender of Sandall Castle upon conditions to the Parliament with their Ordnance Arms and Ammunition 6. The Scots Army again ordered to be desired to sit down before Newarke and then to have thirty thousand pounds paid them Care for money for Lieutenant General Pointz his Forces Sir Thomas Fairfax advanced Westward Goring had about seven thousand horse well armed with Arms from France Votes for Compositions of Delinquents 7. Orders for money and recruits for the Army Letters brought by Mr. Peters from L. General Cromwell certified that after he had entred Winchester Town he summoned the Castle who denyed then he planted six Guns and after firing them round sent a second summons for a treaty which they refused that he made a breach with two hundred shot and then the Governour beat a Parley which was agreed to and Colonel Hammond and Major Harrison for Cromwell agreed upon Articles for surrender of the Castle Which was well manned with six hundred eighty horse and foot near two hundred Gentlemen Officers and their servants victualed with fifteen thousand weight of Cheese store of Wheat and Beer twenty Barrels of Powder seven peices of Connon The works exceeding strong eight hundred pound of Butter one hundred and forty quarters of Wheat and Meale seven thousand weight of Bisket great store of other Provision Arms and Ammunition The messenger of the good news had fifty pound given him An Ordinance read for borrowing forty thousand pound of the Gentry in London and Westminster and in the Adjacent Counties for pay of the Army and Orders for the recruits of it Mr. Peters was called in and made a particular Relation of the taking of Winchester Castle 8. Debate of the business of the Church Colonel Devereux Petitioned that he could not march to Major General Pointz according to the Orders for want of money and he was sent for up to the House Some papers from the King of Denmarke's Agent were received and laid by Orders touching Alderman Warner and about Compositions of Delinquents Votes That the General of the Scots Army in this Kingdom had no power to grant Commissions to any persons for raising Forces here That such Commissions were void and that no Englishman ought to take them Here the discontent towards the Scots began to grow among the Parliament men The King came to Newarke Colonel Web and Colonel Mainwaring with one thousand Horse and Dragoons joyned with L. G. Pointz Sir William Middleton and Lieutenant Colonel Mason fell upon a party of Prince Maurices horse in Montgomery-shire took Colonel Rowse other Officers twenty three Prisoners thirty horses and Arms. 9. The House ordered five hundred pound for Colonel Mitton in part of his Arears Order for a sequestred House for the Lord Mayor of London Intercepted Letters sent up by Major General Pointz Order for Forces to joyn with M. G. Pointz Ordinance sent up to the Lords for borrowing forty thousand pound of the Gentry c. Care for money for several Garrisons Lieutenant General Cromwell sate down before Basing-house and Colonel Pickering before Langford-house Major General Brown was chosen Burgess for Wicomb Longford house was deserted by the Garrison of the King Sir Thomas Fairfax advanced within twenty miles of Excester and Goring retreated further West The King went from Newarke over the Trent Colonel Rositer and Col Lidrot followed him 10. The House sate in a Grand Committee about the Scots papers and voted That the Scots Army not ingaging against the Enemy according to the desires of both Houses of Parliament was prejudicial to the Cause for which they desired their asistance with some other votes And thus the flame increased between them and the Parliament 11. The Grand Committee sate about the Scots Papers An Ordinance touching the Composition of the Earl of Devon Orders for money for Waggoners and for new Elections and for such as made their Compositions to pass their pardons under the Great Seal which was contrived by some of the Commissioners of the Great Seal 13. Debate about the Scots business and an Order for a Declaration to be drawn up for the clearing of all differences and preserving the Vnion of the two Kingdoms according to the Covenant And the House voted That if the Scots Army shall sit down before Newarke before the first of November next then thirty thousand pounds will be advanced for them They voted also in the business of one Mr. Case That the Scots Army had no power in this Kingdom to try an English-man by Marshall Law and that Mr Case Ought to have satisfaction herein Order for every Tuesday and Thursday weekly to be set apart to consider of Propositions of Peace The Ordinance past for forty thousand pounds for the Army Sir Thomas Fairfax by his Council of Warr resolved to block up the passages against Goring and to send forth parties to distrub him till Cromwell came up and then to proceed further The Scots Army were in the Bishoprick of Durham Pointz before Chester Rossiter attended the King's motions Wales generally declared for the Parliament Colonel Morgan took in Chepstow Town and besieged the Castle and upon refusing his summons planted his batteries made a Breach and then the Governour Colonel Fitz Morris yielded and left to Colonel Morgan seventeen peices of Ordnance store of Arms Ammunition and Provisions Sir Trevor Williams and divers Gentlemen of Glamorgan and Monmouth-shire raised fifteen hundred men for the Parliament 14. The Grand Committee sate about Propositions for Peace Letters from the King of Denmarke desiring to mediate a composure of the differences between the King and Parliament were considered and an order made That the same answer be returned to his Letters as was given to the King of France and to the States of Holland upon the like occasion Consideration of the difference between the Earl of Stamford and Sir Arthur Hesilrigge The Votes touching the Scots Army in the North and for their sitting down before Newarke sent to the Lords Orders for money for the Army and to discharge the promise of Sir Thomas Fairfax to his Souldiers that stormed Bridgwater of 6 l. and 10 s. a man and for
present all Causes in Chancery Order that the Judges in Serjeants Inne the Benchers of the Innes of Court and Principles of the Innes of Chancery shall permit no Lawyers that have born Arms against the Parliament to be in any of those Societies Referred to a Committee to examine the entry of Mr. White into a Lodge belonging to Sir Tho. Walsingham Order for six thousand pound to be paid to the Committee of Berks for Abbington Garrison and that the Committee of the three Counties do consider what Forces of that Garrison and in those Counties are fit to be disbanded Upon Petition of the Stationer and Printer of the Lord Louden's Speeches they are discharged The Grand Committee sate in the afternoon about Bishops Lands 24. Progress about Bishops Lands Complaints from the North of their burthens Vote that the Chancery shall not proceed in any Cause determinable at Law High Sheriffs nominated Ordinance pass'd for the two Speakers to be Commissioners of the Seal 26. Progress about the Sale of Bishops Lands The Lords desired the concurrence of the Commons for the quartering of Sir Tho. Fairfax his Army more Northerly Orders for supplys of Forces Both Houses voted Captain Swanley to be Admiral of the Irish Seas Order to audite the Arrears of Col. Fleet-wood Debate about the Scots Papers touching the disposal of the Kings Person and it was referred back to the Committee Indictment in Bucks for not reading the Common Prayer complained of Ordered that an Ordinance be brought in to take away the Statute that injoyns it and to disable Malignant Ministers from Preaching Progress about the Assessments for the Army A Petition and Leters from the North informed that the Scots Army Quartering in those parts tax them seven times more than their Revenue rob beat and kill the Inhabitants who are more slaves to them than any are in Turkey That the Plague was begun amongst them 27. Orders for Compositions and for the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall to put in Execution the Ordinances for Sequestrations Order for a Collection for the poor The City of Chester chose Mr. Recorder Glyn to be an Alderman of that City instead of the Earl of Derby Sir Tho. Wharton Sir Robert King Sir John Clot-worthy Sir Robert Meredeth and M. Salwey appointed Commissioners for Ireland 28. The Monthly Fast kept Care for the ten thousand pound for Widows and Wives of Soldiers and others Three Ministers sent to Preach in Wales Mr. Sympson formerly silenced from Preaching because he differed in Judgment from the Assembly in some points was restored to his liberty 29. Progress in the grand Committee upon the sale of Bishops Lands The Lord Monson a Member of the House of Commons desired to wave his Priviledge and to have a Sute against him proceed the House appointed an Ordinance to be brought in to take away the Priviledge as to Title and Debts the Person only to be priviledged and not his lands or Goods Both Houses agreed to the Ordinance to make void all Titles and Honours granted under the Great Seal after it was carried away from the Parliament Letters from Major General Pointz and others informed that the Scots laid intolerable assesses upon the Country and kept Centinels and Guards as if they had enemies near them and examined all Passengers The House ordered that Sir Tho. Fairfax should give command to Major General Pointz and Col. Rossiter to keep Guards and examine all passing that way Northward 30. The grand Committee sate about the Ordinance for sale of Bishops Lands Order for drawing off all the great Guns from the Works for the ease of London and Westminster and a Regiment of twelve hundred to be compleated for the Guards An Ordinance committed for sale of the Estates of the Earl of Worcester c. An Ordinance read to constitute the two Speakers fully Commissioners of the Seal 31. Progress upon the Bishops Ordinance A Letter of the Scots Commissioners complaining of the necessities of their Army and of some scandalous Papers Printed of the sufferings of the Northern parts by their Army referred to the Committee Complaints Letters informed that Lieutenant General Lesley gave a Protection to one Metcalfe in the North a great Papist to free him from Assessments Team Horses free quarter c. Order that the Scots Commissioners be acquainted with it The Ordinance past and the great Seal was delivered to the two Speakers as Commissioners of it in the presence of both Houses November 1646. November 2. The third Ordinance for sale of Bishops Lands ordered to be sent up to the Lords A Committee appointed to consider what allowances are fit to be to the Bishops The Commissioners of the Great Seal began the business of the Seal and one Judge and a Master of the Chancery sate by turns to hear the Causes there Denbigh Castle was surrendred upon Articles to Major General Mitton Letters informed That Sir James Lesley had demanded the Fee Farm Rents in the North for the King and forbids the payment of them to any other That on the Fast day they were at play at the Court. That Marquess Huntley and the Gourdons refuse to submit That the Earl of Antrim is strengthned from Ireland and by Montrosses men That the French Ambassador was constantly with the King 3. Votes for due observation of the Articles of Oxford and touching Compositions and for keeping other Articles inviolably The Lords desired a Committee might be appointed to consider of the disposal of the Great Seal after the time that the two Speakers expired The grand Committee ordered to sit in the afternoon touching the Assessments Men and Supplys hastned for Ireland 4. Order for fifteen hundred pound Arrears to be paid to Col. Pure-foy An Ordinance touching the approbation of Gifted men to Preach laid aside Debate upon an Ordinance for repairing Churches and Chappels ruinated in the War and another for payment of Church duties 5. The Gun-powder-Treason day kept Information touching Passes granted by the King to Ship-Masters The papers of the Lord Chancellor of Scotlands Speeches c. touching the disposal of the Kings Person said to be printed first at Edingburgh and afterwards reprinted at London notwithstanding the Prohibition of the Parliament to the contrary 6. Progress upon the whole days debate touching the sale of Bishops Lands The Rebels were in a great body within eight miles of Dublin 7. A Committee named to inquire out the Printers of the Lord Lowdens Papers Order for five thousand pound for the Treasurers for advancing Plate c. A Message to the Lords to name a Committee to be of both Houses to consider of the disposal of the great Seal Debate upon the Ordinance for sale of Delinquents Estates Letters of sad complaints from the Northerne parts of the sufferings by the Scots Army referred to a Committee and power given to them to hear complaints of the like Nature from the Countrey 9. A Committee named of both Houses to consider of the
Commissioners to the General declaring their inclinableness to Peace entreating his Excellency that the Army might not advance this way nor intermeddle with the Rights and Priviledges of the City Conceiving that their strengthning of the City for the preservation thereof was no just cause to provoke the Souldiery and as for the Petition the Parliament had already declared their sence thereof and it had never been formally presented to them 29. Militia of London ordered That no persons should disturb the Parliament and if any did the Commander of the Guards should prosecute his Commission to kill and slay c. Upon intelligence That the Army was advancing Orders were given for the Trained Bands to go to the Works and for Raising Auxiliaries and all to come the next Morning who were able to bear Arms. all this part of the action and that which follows was contrived and directed by the Eleven Members and their Friends Collonel Jones Marching into the Rebels Country was by them overpowered six for one yet made a gallant retreat losing only two Officers and about ten Souldiers and killed divers of the Rebels 30. According to the Adjournment some Members met in either House but the Speakers came not and after some expectation the Lords chose the Lord Grey and the Commons then present chose Mr. Pelham to be Speaker Pro tempore and Mr. Sergeant Birkhead not appearing they put Mr. Norfolk into his place he made use of the City Mace the other being carried away and the Sergeant coming afterwards to offer his service was not admitted Then the House proceeded to Vote 1. That the King should come to London 2. That the Militia of the City have power to raise such Forces as they shall think fit for defence of the City 3. That they may choose a Commander in chief to be approved by the House and he to choose Officers to be approved by the Militia The Sheriff and Common-Councel who attended the House this Morning returned to the City and a Common-Councel in the Afternoon chose Major General Massey to Command in chief their Forces The Militia ordered all the Reformadoes Officers c. to appear to morrow in St. James's Fields and the Forces to be put into Regiments A Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel to this effect Mentioning The Armies complyance with their former desire to remove to this distance and the assurance given them by the City of their concurrence for the settlement of Peace and Liberty against which they never offered one objection or ground of dissent and their resolution to secure the Parliament and their Priviledges from any violence or attempt the reason given by the City for their late Listing of new Forces That upon this confidence the Army was disposed into several parts for the ease of the Kingdom to above one hundred and ten Miles distance and had given up themselves to their Proposals for a comfortable settlement and were in a hopeful way for the relief of Ireland That the Army cannot but be deeply sensible of the unparalelled violation acted upon the Parliament on Monday last by a multitude from the City because therein the Guards sent from the City did not only neglect their duty for security of the Parliament from such violence and the whole City to yield any relief to the Houses in that extremity but they are assured from Eye and Ear Witnesses that divers of the Common-Councel gave great incouragement to it Which doth not only gain-say their former professions but does violence to those many obligations that by their Charter Protestation and sundry other ways lye upon them to protect the Parliament That he cannot but look upon them who are in Authority as accountable to the Kingdom for the interruption of the hopeful way of Peace and settlement for this Nation and for relieving Ireland occasioned by the late destructive ingagements especially by the latter horrid and prodigious Force done upon the Parliament tending to dissolve all Government Upon which score the Army and the whole Kingdom shall have cause to put every thing of the like Nature that may happen to the Parliament or to any who are friends to them and to the Army except by the wisdom care and industry of the City the chief actors may be detected secured and given up to Justice and the best endeavour used to prevent the like for the future 31. The Lords desired the Commons concurrence for removal of the Kings Children into Loudon for their security There was a great appearance of Reformadoes Officers c. in St. James's fields and Order was given for staying and Listing of Horses in the City and that all the Shops should be shut up A Declaration was published in the name of the Speaker Lenthal of the reasons why he absented himself from the House The Army after a hard March lodged the last night at Vxbridge Letters from them certified That the General was tender of the City but laying to heart those unparalelled passages on Munday last at Westminster he is sensible of his Obligations to the Parliament That the Army are resolved what other neglect soever hath been for their security yet as God shall inable them they will use their best endeavours for preservation of the Parliament from violence One of the three Block-Houses at Gravesend was secured by a party of the Army Most of the Eleven Members Sat in the House and in the Afternoon Major General Massey Sir William Waller and Lieutenant General Points Listed the Reformadoes The City published their Declaration mentioning the Armies surprising of the King at Holmeby and denyed his resitlence nearer London than their Quarters That the City have endeavoured the settlement of the Kingdom relief of Ireland ease of their fellow Subjects and a good understanding between themselves and the Army That the Priviledges of Parliament have been violated by the Armies causing the eleven Members to withdraw and the Militia of London now demanded which had been established by Ordinance and is subject to no other Cognizance but of the King and Parliament That they desire nothing more than that his Majesty may be in a free and honourable condition and capacity and whilst he is environed by an Army and under their power he can neither freely grant nor will there be hope to enjoy what he grants in this condition That they are resolved earnestly yet with Humility to apply themselves to the Parliament to this Purpose and hope that all good Subjects who are touched with any sence of that Duty and Allegiance which by the Law of God and man they owe unto their King will unanimously joyn with them therein They state the difference between them and the Army to be That they could not submit the Militia of the City to be altered at the will of the Army after it had been so orderly setled in the hands of such as were
consented to his Proposal to manifest their complyance and have directed the Militia for drawing off all Forces and Ordnance to which work they now apply themselves and will give orders for quitting the Forts on Southwarke side and next under God will relye upon his Excellencies honourable word for safety and to be protected from all violence of the Soldiery Letters came from the King to the General wherein he acquits himself of the great scandal cast upon him concerning the late tumults which he disclaims and dislikes and desires rather to relye upon his Excellency and the Army 5. Two Regiments of the Trained Bands of Hertford-shire offered to attend the General but he dismiss'd them with thanks The General removed his Quarters nearer London to Hammersmith where the Commissioners of the City met him and acquainted him That the City were well satisfied with what he had required and accordingly had quitted the Forts unto his Forces who now had the Guards of them and they desired an answer of their last Letter Which the General returned to this effect That he was glad to find their ready complyance to his desires and had ordered three Regiments of Foot and two of Horse to possess the Forts they mentioned and to lye thereabouts till he with the rest of the Army came to Hammersmith in order to the security of the Lords and Commons who he supposed to morrow would sit in the Parliament That with freedom they may sit to discharge their trusts hath been the cause of his advance nearer London and he is confident nothing shall pass from the Army but what shall be for the safety of the City And he doubts not though some disaffected Persons to the Peace of the Kingdom have endeavoured to beget a misunderstanding between the Army and the City hoping thereby to imbroil the Kingdom in new troubles Yet that the Army will so behave themselves as to witness to the World the Integrity of their hearts in having no other design but the quiet and happy settlement of a firm and lasting Peace wherein the Kingdom and City will have cause to rejoyce and your most humble Servant Tho. Fairfax 6. In the Morning the Members of Parliament who were driven out by the tumults at Westminster met with the General at the Earl of Holland's House at Kensington and subscribed a Declaration of the Army and another of their approving and joyning with the Army in their last proceedings making null Acts passed by the Members since the 26th of July last Afterwards the General with the Lords and the Speaker and Members of the House of Commons and many other Gentlemen marched towards Westminster a guard of Soldiers three deep from the place at Hide-parke the Lord Major and Aldermen met the General to congratulate the fair composure between the Army and the City and after some Ceremonies they marched toward Westminster in this Order First Col. Hammond's Regiment of Foot then Col. Rich and Cromwell's Regiment of Horse then the General on Horseback with his Life-guard then the Speakers and Members of the Lords and Commons in Coaches and Tomlinson's Regiment of Horse brought up the rear-guard the General was accompanied with many Officers and gentlemen that rode with him and every Soldier had a branch of Lawrel in his Hat As they passed by Charing Cross the Common-Council of London who stood there saluted them and in the new Palace-yard at Westminster the General allighted and the Lords and Commons and they went to their several Houses The Lords Passed an Ordinance and the Commons concurred to make Sir Thomas Fairfax Lieutenant or Constable of the Tower of London and another for a day of thanksgiving to God for restoring the Members to their just Priviledges without the effusion of Blood and so far the settlement of Peace The Commissioners made a report of their transactions with the Army and had the thanks of the House for their good service Sir Thomas Fairfax was sent for to the Lords House and had their thanks for his good Service in restoring the Members of Parliament and was afterwards sent for to the House of Commons and with much importunity sat down in a Chair there placed for him and the Speaker gave him the thanks of the House for his great and faithful Services and in particular for restoring the Members of both Houses to their former Freedom and Priviledges The Commons Ordered a months Pay for all the Non-Commissioned Officers and private Souldiers as a Gratuity for their service in restoring the Members A Committee was named to find out the chief Actors Abettors and Countenancers of the late Tumults and design in forcing the Members from the Parliament and to raise a new War Debate of an Ordinance sent from the Lords for making void all Acts done by some Lords and Gentlemen Members of both Houses at Westminster since the twenty sixth of July when the Speaker and Members were scattered away by the Tumults 7. The Houses Sat not but the General and Army Horse and Foot and a gallant Train of Artillery marched through the City of London yet in so civil and orderly a manner that not the least offence or prejudice was offered by them to any man either in words action or gestures as they marched which confuted the surmises of some of their Enemies that the design of the Souldiers was to Plunder this Rich City the General Quartered at Croydon and the Army in Kent and Essex near him 9. The Lords desired the Commons concurrence to the Ordinance for making void all Acts done by the Members at Westminster from July 26. to August 6. and to the Declaration for vindication of the Army The House in a Grand Committee debated all day the Ordinance for making Null those Acts and upon the question it was carried by two Votes That the Votes so forced from the Houses are not to be made void but by a Repeal Both Houses past an additional Ordinance for payment of Tithes c. to such Ministers as are or shall be put into any Livings by the Parliament Sir Thomas Fairfax took possession of the Tower according to the Votes of Parliament attended by many Commanders and other Gentlemen his Life-Guard and part of Collonel Pride's Regiment of Foot and the City Guard that was there marched out In the Afternoon a Committee from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel came to the Tower to the General and Alderman Gibbes made a Speech to him to give his Excellency and his Army thanks for their love and care of the City of London and after Complements recommended to his Excellency the faithfulness and care of Collonel West Lieutenant of the Tower and concluded with an Invitation of the General and his Officers to Dinner to the City The General returned thanks for their expressions of love to him and care of the Peace of the Kingdom and said that for Lieutenant of the Tower He had appointed
the Commissioners with the King That he is willing to settle Presbytery for three years and the Militia as he before offered but others he is not satisfied to assent unto but desires to put himself upon the Proposals of the Army and that they may be taken into consideration Some private Treaties were said to have been by some Officers of the Army with the King and instructions given by Cromwell and others That if he would assent to their Proposals lower than those of the Parliament that the Army would settle him again in his Throne But the unfortunate as to him his Bishops persuaded him against what he was inclined in his own judgment to have agreed unto and thereby ruined him and themselves at the present 13. The Commissioners returned with His Majesties answer to the Propositions He waves those now sent to him or any Treaty upon them and flies to the Proposals of the Army urgeth a Treaty upon them and such as he shall make professeth he will give satisfaction for settling the Protestant Religion with Liberty to tender Consciences to secure the Laws Liberty and Property and Priviledges of Parliament and of those concerning Scotland he will Treat apart with the Scots Commissioners A Copy of this answer was sent by the King to Sir Thomas Fairfax Many Addresses were dayly made by Petitions and otherwise to the General upon particular grievances and he and his Councel of War returned prudent answers to them The Agitators of the Army presented a Paper to the General in behalf of many who were in Prison for words spoken by them against the King in the time of the War and the General certified the same by Letter to the Parliament Letters from the North of the wise and just managing of the affairs in those parts by Major General Lambert That by his Councel of War he sentenced one Macro an Irish man a notorious proved Drunkard and Swearer to be bored through the Tongue with a red hot Iron imprisoned fourteen days with Bread and Water and to be Cashiered the like Sentences were against others to the contentment of the people 14. Upon reading the Kings answer to the Propositions for Peace a day was appointed by either House to consider of it and that in the mean time it be communicated to the Scots Commissioners Upon earnest Letters from the General in behalf of James Symbâ—l and others in Prison for speaking of words against the King in the time of War for which Justice Bacon and Sergeant Creswel Commited them the House referred their Cases to the Committee of Imdemnity with power to release the Prisoners if they found cause A Petition from divers Bucks men against Tithes and Free Quarter answered that the House would take the business of Tithes into consideration in covenient time and were now in debate touching Free Quarter Debate upon the report concerning Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne and touching some Compositions and a Vote to take off the Sequestration of Sir Robert Nappiers Estate The Common-Councel of London thought it discretion to comply with the desires of the Parliament and Army in advancing fifty thousand pounds for the Army and had such addition of security for it as they proposed 15. An Ordinance committed for settling some Lands of the Earl of Worcesters upon the Lord Say Sir Benjamin Rudyeard and Sir Rowland Wandesford for reparation of their losses by the taking away of the Court of Wards Orders for Commitment of some Actors in the late great Tumult A report of the proceedings of the Commissioners in the Army and a debate touching Tithes and referred to a Committee to consider of a way to redress the grievances in this business of Tithes Several Petitions from Oxfordshire Heriford-shire and other Countries against Tithes referred to a Committee A Petition of the Inhabitants of Southwark That the Houses may be purged of such as assisted in the late Tumults and Force upon the Parliament when the Members were driven away was laid aside for the present 16. the Petitions of London Southwark Oxfordshire Bucks Hertfordshire c. For purging the House of all Members that Sat in the absence of the Speakers was debated and resolved That the proceedings in that time should be Null but that no Member should be questioned for being then present in the House but such as were Actors in the Tumult City engagement and design of a new War The Petitioners had thanks for their good affections and were desired to be be satisfied in this business Order for an Impeachment of high Crimes and Misdemeanours against Mr. Glyn and against Collonel Copley and for the Lords to be desired to appoint a day for the Commons to bring in their particular Charge against the seven Impeached Lords Both Houses past the Ordinance concerning Delinquents Compositions and some particular Ordinances for taking off Sequestrations of the Estates of the Lady Bankes and her Son Sir Richard Price and others The Commons Concurrence desired to Ordinances touching Payment of Fee Farm Rents by Members of Parliament and recovery of monies due by Bonds given in the Court of Wards Debate touching the lessening of the Forces in England and Votes touching the Forces to be sent into Ireland and for Pay for them and referred to the Commissioners in the Army to Treat further with the General and his Field-Officers concerning these particulars 17. Orders touching the months gratuity appointed for the Army and the months Pay for them and about the fifty thousand pounds and touching the Charge against the seven Lords Vote That for present security of this Kingdom till affairs be settled here and in order to the future relief of Ireland seven thousand two hundred Horse one thousand Dragoons and eighteen thousand Foot be kept up in England The Scots Forces under Lieutenant General David Lesley Qnartering upon the Borders gave some cause of offence to the English many of their Commanders resorted often to Berwick 18. The Establishment of the Army and Garrisons was referred to the General and Commissioners of Parliament in the Army with reference to the former Orders of the House Information from Ireland of some underhand dealing and invitation of the Lord Inchequin and Col. Jones to joyn with the Scots Forces in Vlster After a Sermon in Putney Church the General many great Officers Field Officers inferiour Officers and Agitators met in the Church debated the Proposals of the Army and altered some few things in them and were full of the Sermon which was Preached by Mr. Peters The General and his Council agreed upon a Declaration concerning the delays in raising money for the Army and Garrisons and the sufferings of the Country by free Quarter occasioned by those wants and the hindrance of disbanding the Forces not necessary to be kept up and of relieving Ireland all this caused by their neglect on whom the Parliament did depend and especially they take notice of the delayes of
per An. allowance for the Bishop of Armagh and for one thousand and thirty Pounds for Col. Thornehagh who raised a Troop of Horse at his own Charge Another Petition of divers Londoners against those Members who sat during the Force upon the Parliament The Petitioners in the House were told that the Parliament had already setled this business and that it was the duty of every English man to acquiesce in the Judgment of the Parliament An account from Major General Lambert of the ordering of his Forces in the North of the agreement with the Vale-men about Quartering his Soldiers and about suppressing the Moss-Troopers The Lord Chancellor of Scotland and the Lord Lannericke expected in England 6. A Petition to both Houses about sending of able gifted men though not Clergy-men in Orders to preach the Gospel in barren places of the Kingdom and that the like persons were admitted to Preach the Gospel in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth her Reign and that such men may receive incouragement and Protection from the House Referred to a Committee to consider of a way how such Persons so to be sent may be first examined The Ordinance for setling the Presbyterian Government re-committed to have a Clause inserted in favour of â—tender Consciences And this to be sent to the King with the other Propositions 7. The House spent all the day in a grand Committee about Tunnage and Poundage The General Councel of the Army sat at Putney about the business of their Pay Col. Jones marched forth against the Rebels and took good Booties from them but they declined fighting 8. Debate about the Commissioners of the Customs and about this Winters Fleet. New desires from the Army were 1. That their Arrears may be paid out of the Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands and the remainder of the Security of Bishops Lands and Sale of Forrest Lands 2. That the Moneths Pay for the Army may speedily be Collected by such as the Parliament shall appoint 3. That the Propositions may be drawn up and speedily sent to his Majesty Referred to the Committee of the Army as to the Collecting of the Months Pay 9. The House was called and a hundred and fifty of their Members absent and twenty pound Fine was set on every one that was absent and a Committee appointed to examine the absence of the Members and their excuses and a new day set for their appearance and the respective Sheriffs to Summon them The Duke of Richmond Marquess Herford Marquess Ormond Earl of Dorset Earl of Southampton Lord Seymour and some others came to the King to Hampton-Court intending to reside there as his Councel but the Army declaring against it they returned back again The General Councel of the Army had conserence with a German who gave himself out to be a Prophet and they considered of their own pay and the Pay of the Northern Forces 11. Debate of the desires of the Army in relation to their Pay and Arrears in a grand Committee and it was voted That they should be paid out of the Excise and Goldsmiths-Hall and the Arrears to be secured out of Bishops Lands and Deans and Chapters Lands and the like for pay for the Forces in Ireland Order for a thousand pound for Sir Thomas Maleverer who raised two Regiments of Foot and one of Horse for the Parliament in part of his Arrears It was reported that Mr. Maynard got in the last Circuit seven hundred pound which was believed to be more than any one of the profession ever got before 21. Much debate of the Ordinance of Tunnage and Poundage and voted that if the Commissioners will advance thirty thousand pound they shall not be removed till they be reimbursed all that shall be owing unto them which the Commissioners agreed to do An Ordinance for the levying of the Arrears of the Army and the Power of the Commissioners of the Army when they shall come away to be transferred to the Committee of the Army was sent up to the Lords Order for a Committee of the Militia of Hertfordshire Another Letter from the General and his Councel to the Parliament for a Provision of Pay for the Army and for Ireland and to prevent the Misery of the free quarter and for Money for disbanding Forces And of the Arrears of the Tax not paid in and that the High Sheriff may levy the Assessments and that the Arrears of the Army may be audited and satisfied out of Deans and Chapters Lands This Letter referred to the Committee appointed to consider of providing Pay for the Forces of England and Ireland Both Houses pass'd an Ordinance for collecting all the Arrears of the Assessments for Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army Letters from Col. Jones of the great wants of the Forces in Ireland and of his resolution to fight the Rebels if he can force them to it Order for supplys for Col. Jones A Committee to examine all complaints against such as use the Common-Prayer Order for Mr. Du Moulin to be History Professor in Oxford Order touching the Earl of Portland's business of the Isle of Wight and for the Agent of the Duke of Florence to be free from Excise Col. Monke joyned with Col. Jones in Ireland against the Rebels 13. Upon debate of the settlement of the Presbyterian Government it was voted That the King be desired to give his consent to such Acts as shall be presented to him for setling the Presbyterian Government for three years with a provision that no person shall be liable to any question or penalty only for Non-Conformity to the said Government or to the form of Divine Service appointed in the Ordinances And that such as shall not voluntarily Conform to the said Form of Government and Divine Service shall have liberty to meet for the Service and Worship of God and for exercise of Religious duties and Ordinances in a fit and convenient place so as nothing be done by them to the disturbance of the Peace of the Kingdom And provided that this extend not to any toleration of the Popish Religion nor to any Penalties imposed upon Popish Recusants nor to tolerate the practice of any thing contrary to the Principles of Christian Religion contained in the Apostles Creed as it is expounded in the Articles of the Church of England Nor of any thing contrary to the Point of Faith For the ignorance whereof men are to be kept from the Lords Supper nor to excuse any from the Penalties 1 Eliz. 2. for not coming to hear the word of God on the Lords day in any Church or Chappel unless he can shew a reasonable cause or that he was hearing the word of God Preached or expounded elswhere These were the Lords Votes The Commons Voted That the Presbyterian Government be established till the end of the next Session of Parliament That the Tenths and Maintenance belonging to any Church shall be only to such as can submit
consent 5. The King not to call Parliaments in the Intervals without consent of the Councel of State 6. Elections to be free to Free-men 7. Patents and Monopolies to be removed 8. Their power to extend to Declaration of Laws and final Judgments without further Appeal than to the Representative 9. No Law to be against a Commoner but with the House of Commons Concurrence 10. No Commoner or great Officer to be exempt from Judgment of the House of Commons 11. The King to give no power to Protect or Pardon those so condemned 12. The Priviledg to be in the people in Election of Officers about Church Discipline Raising of Souldiers Freedom for what hath been done these Wars 13. Elections to be distributed equally 3. Debate of an Ordinance for setting poor people to work and for punishing of Vagrants and about the Ordinance for Tunnage and Poundage Confirmation of Truro Articles The Ordinance past for Guernsey c. The General Council of the Army agreed upon these further Heads 1. That the Proposals concerning Elections be publickly Read in each Division at their first proceeding to the Election 2. That by the Indentures of Election the persons Elected be limited to serve as Deputies for the time set 3. That a more equal course be taken and a rate if it may be on every mans Land not exceeding two shillings in the Pound in lieu of Tithes They also debated touching the Propositions to be sent to His Majesty 4. Orders for Disbanding of the disjoynted and supernumerary Forces Discharge of the Sequestration of Col. Brandling's Estate Confirmation of Exeter Articles Order for five hundred pounds for the Lord Ormond The General Councel of the Army desired some alterations and additions might be made to the Propositions to be sent to His Majesty 1. For security of the Souldiers Arrears by Deans and Chapters Lands and Compositions 2. These alterations about the Militia 1. That the Lords and Commons in future Parliaments may have the power of the Militia as well as the present 2. That where the safety of the Kingdom is concerned the Commons may exercise the Militia without the Lords they not concurring and that to bind the Commons 3. That London may have no other priviledg of the Militia than other Corporations Divers resolutions in favour of Delinquents That the Faith of the Army be kept upon Articles of Surrender That there be a General Act of Oblivion 5. Information of new designs against the Parliament and Army Debate touching the Kings Negative voice in Parliament 6. A Letter from the Scots Commissioners here mentioning the Kings being taken away from Holmeby by a party of the Army and they desiring to know from him his present condition His Majesty referred them therein to the Parliament and Army That they held it needless to apply to the Army in this matter whom they suppose are or ought to be under the Command of the Parliament That the Kingdom of Scotland finding their stability and happiness so much to depend upon the safety and preservation of the Kings person and they resolving to continue in all Loyalty under his Government have endeavoured the Composure of the unhappy differences They desire that the business of the Propositions may proceed with the mutual Councels of both Kingdoms and in the name of the Kingdom of Scotland they desire that there may be a personal Treaty with His Majesty and for that effect that the King may be invited to come to London with honour freedom and safety due to him and not to be under the power and restraint of Souldiers 8. Debate touching Provision for a constant Pay of the Army Both Houses agreed to the conference for speedy dispatch of the Propositions The General Councel of the Army desired his Excellency That for a time the Officers and Agitators should resort to the several Commands and Regiments till the General Rendezvous be over and the General shall see cause to call them together again and the same was done accordingly Collonel Jones took in divers Castles and Forts from the Rebels in Lemster 9. Letters from the General mentioning the long expectation of the Army of somewhat to have been done by the Parliament in Order to the satisfaction of the desires and Proposals of the Army that somesatisfactory answers therein would enable him and his Officers to serve the Parliament the more and to have more credit with the Army to keep them in better Order That he had appointed a General Rendezvous by the advice of the General Officers of the Army and General Councel who offered to repair to their several Charges and Regiments to improve their endeavours for quieting of them and recovering the antient Discipline of the Army He desires the House to grant the inclosed Particulars 1. Six weeks Pay if possible if not a months Pay to be presently sent to the Army 2. The Arrears to be paid out of the remainder of Bishops Lands Deans c. 3. Provision for constant Pay of the Army 4. That there be one hundred thousand pound a month for the Forces in England and Ireland and those of the supernumeraries to be disbanded 5. That Free Quarter or taking any thing from any man be punisht with death Orders for mony for the Army A Paper from some of the Agitators called The Case of the Army Voted by the House Destructive to the Priviledges of Parliament and the Fundamental Government of this Kingdom and referred to the General to find out the Authors Liberty granted to Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne to go abroad without his Keeper Order for restitution of monies seised from Mrs. Curriton The Lords appointed a Committee to draw an answer to the Letter of the Scots Commissioners about a personal Treaty They fined their absent Members an hundred pound a Man The Commons desired the Lords concurrence to several Ordinances for Moneys for the Lord Ormond for allowance for Soldiers Wives for Trade for confirming Truro Articles A Committee of the General Councel of the Army appointed to collect a summary of the Engagements Declarations and Papers of the Army of matters concerning the good of the Kingdom the Liberties of the People and the interest of the Army and to consider the case of the Army stated and a Paper called the agreement of the People to be presented to the General for his order to communicate it to the several Regiments before their Rendezvous They also made a Declaration That by their Letter to the Parliament November 5. it was no part of their intentions to hinder the sending of the Propositions to the King but only to assert the freedom of Parliament 10. A grand Committee sat about the future Pay of the Army and to prevent free Quarter Order that the Members of every County do present three names out of which the House to choose one to be High Sheriff for that County Debate of Ordinances for Money for Ireland one by sale of Rebels Lands
future Upon this many of the Multitude who were come as far as Greenwich and Deptford retreated home and left the Ordnance and what they had taken behind them Letters from Cornwall That Sir Hardress Waller had routed and dispersed the Forces there for the King That he had killed near a hundred and took about two hundred of them Prisoners and let the rest go home to their own dwelling Letters from Collonel Ewer of his taking of Chepstow Castle Sir Nicholas Kemish slain an hundred and twenty Prisoners taken Order for fifty pound for the Captain who brought the News and for a Letter of thanks to Collonel Ewer and his Officers and Soldiers Letters from Viceadmiral Rainsborough of the revolt of some of the Ships under his command and that they had set him on Shore and had sent to the Earl of Warwick to take the Command of them and declared for King Parliament and Covenant The Commons referred this business to the Committee of Derby House and to follow the humour of the Revolters they Voted that the Earl of Warwick should be Lord High Admiral of England and forthwith go to take care of the Navy Order for a Letter of thanks to Sir Hardress Waller his Officers and Soldiers for their good Service in suppressing the Insurrection in Cornwall Letters from Kent that the Rioters encreased there to a great strength and committed many Plundrings and Insolencies the House left the business of reducing them wholly to the management of the General with power for him to give Pardons and Indemnity to any but only to such as had been formerly in Arms against the Parliament in pursuance hereof the General had a Rendezvous upon Black-Heath of seven Regiments of Horse and Foot and marched towards Rochester Letters of Cromwells Success in Wales Letters from Scotland That the Levyes of Soldiers there are opposed in some Counties From Newcastle That Langdale left five hundred Foot and a Troop of Horse at Berwicke That the number of the Cavaliers in those parts were about eight thousand That Major General Lambert was come with about nine hundred Horse to Bernard Castle The Three Bills to be sent to the King in order to a Treaty transmitted to the Lords Some Members added to the Committee of Derby House six Lord and twelve Commoners Referred to Major General Skippon to take care of the Ordnance at White-Hall and of sending Beds to Windsor Ordinances passed the Commons giving Power to the Militia of London to send Guards to the Parliament and for six thousand pound for satisfying the ingagement of Collonel Welden to the Inhabitants of Plymouth The Kentish men grew numerous under Esquire Hales their General and Sir Thomas Peiton their Lieuetenant General who sent a Message by a Trumpet to the Lord General for a Pass for their Commissioners to come and treat with him but the General refused it answering That he knew no authority they had to appoint Commissioners for such a purpose But finding them and their Countreymen gathered together in Arms and doing many Acts of Hostility and damage to their Neighbours in disturbance of the Peace and without any authority from the Parliament he cannot admit of a Treaty with them whilst they are thus in Arms. But if they shall forthwith lay down their Arms and depart to their Homes he doubts not but the Mercy of the Parliament will be extended to the Estates and Lives of those who have been deluded into this Rebellion and their Justice only against some of the most eminent fomenters of it Some Skirmishes were between Parties of the Army and the Kentish Men some few of them slain and about a hundred Prisoners taken they fought stoutly 31. The Monthly Fast they had three Sermons in the House The Kentish men sent a Resolute Reply to the General 's Letter Justifying themselves and their Cause The House sate till after six a Clock at night June 1648. June 1. Debate of an Ordinance touching the Arrears of many Officers and Soldiers who have served the Parliament A Petition from the Lord Major and Common Councel of London to acquaint the Houses with a Petition presented to the Common Councel which they desired to tender to the Houses and to leave to their Consideration It was 1. To return thanks to the Common Councel for their endeavours for a Personal Treaty 2. That the Militia of London Essex Hertford Bucks Kent Sussex and Surrey might be Associated 3. That Captain Batten might be restored to the place of Vice-Admiral 4. That the Distempers in Kent might be appeased 5. That the Aldermen under restraint might be discharged The Answer of both Houses to the Petition was That they perceived the Wisdom and Moderation of the Common Councel in this business and thereby their good affections to the Parliament for which they gave them thanks and desired that a Common Councel might be called this afternoon to which the Houses resolved to send some of their Members to acquaint them with the sence of the Houses upon such Petitions Intelligence that the General with four Regiments of Horse and three of Foot and some Companies of Colonel Ingoldsbie's Regiment marched to Eltham and lay in the Fields all Night May 31. they had a rendezvous at Craford Heath and from thence marched through Dartford and the General having intelligence that a party of the Kentish had fortifyed and barricadoed a bridge which led to Gravesend A commanded party was sent forth under Major Husbands of three hundred Horse who took up an hundred Foot behind them when they drew towards the bridge the Enemy sired thick upon them but they notwithstanding fell on and the Horse swam through the water and so got over The Kentish men seeing their danger fled Major Childe who commanded them hardly escaped having his Horse shot and his Son was shot and taken About twenty of the Kentish were slain on the place divers wounded and thirty Prisoners taken most of the party routed were Country-men Sca-men and Apprentices of London Major Husbands Marched on two or three Miles beyond Gravesend and had orders to retreat to Maulin where the Army quartered The General published a Proclamation forbidding his Souldiers to Plunder or commit any outrage in their March and to restore any thing that had been so taken Many Knights and Gentlemen of quality and Cavaliers were with the Kentish men and their numbers were increased to above ten thousand Major Gibbon went with a party to relieve Dover-Castle and forced Sir Richard Hardresse who had besieged it to retreat 2. A report from the committee who were sent to the Common Council That they did return their humble thanks to the Parliament for sending the Committee to acquaint them with the Overtures of favour the Parliament have made to the Petitioners of Kent The Common Council acknowledge the great patience and low condescension of the Parliament towards the Kentish men
acquainted the Houses with his Highness's Letter it not being in his power to act further the Parliament having ordered the way in which the Prisoners should be proceeded against not so much for hostility as for breach of the trust they reposed in them to the ingaging the Nation again in War and blood Subscribed Your Highness most humble Servant Fairfax Letters from the North that as yet there was no ingagement with the Scots 21. The Commons concurred with the Votes touching the Treaty and referred it to the Committee of both Houses for peace to prepare thing needful for the Treaty They thought fit again to send to his Majesty to let him know how far they had proceeded as to treat and to have his approbation A Letter from the General that he had received an order from the Lords to deliver the Earl of Holland from Warwick Castle to be confined to his house at Kensington A Letter from the Lord Admiral that upon the Lords Passes for some to go beyond Seas they had gone to the Prince as M r Aleburton the Scots Agent the Lord Andover and others The Commons desired a conference with the Lords about it and that a Letter be sent to the Lord Admiral and to the Lord General to make stay of all such persons notwithstanding their order Upon Petition of thousands of the Suburbs that had joyed with Major General Skippon he was ordered to grant them Commissions and the committee for suppressing of tumults to furnish them with Armes Letters from Salop that Sir Henry Lingen with a party of Horse took sixty of Colonel Harly's men and about two daies after a party of Colonel Harlies and Colonel Hortons men met with Sir Henry Lingens men about Radnor regained all their Horse and Prisoners took Sir Henry Lingen and Colonel Crofts and many other of the Kings commanders Prisoners slew divers of the party and routed the rest Letters from Colchester Leaguer that the approaches were so near that the besiegers and the Enemy laid aside their Muskets and in stead of shooting cast Stones at one another Some petitions inclosed in a Letter from the Lord Norwich and the rest were sent to the General expressing that at the desire of the inhabitants they had thought fit to send them And that they should be constrained for the better accommodation of the Souldiery to turn out the Towns People whereby their Houses and goods would be left liable to spoil and ruine for prevention whereof they had thought fit to treat with his Lordship for the surrender of the Town if he pleased to which purpose they would send six Officers if his Lordship would appoint the like number With this came another Letter offering an exchange of Captain Gray for M r Weston and M r Rowling the General accepted of the exchange but as to the Treaty said he would send answer by a Messenger of his own The General was in some danger by a shot from the Town that one who was exchanged told the Lord Norwich he heard the Parliament Souldiers discoursing sharply against those in Colchester and one of them bid him tell Goring that they would bore a hole through his nose and draw him with a Rope through Cheapside crying Here is the great Bull of Colchester The inclosed Petitions were one to the Earl of Norwich the Lord Capell and Sir Charles Lucas from the inhabitants of Colchester That having received their Commands to depart the Town for better supply of the Souldiers they might Petition the Lord Fairfax for Liberty to pass into the Country to prevent the danger of their lives without his leave They prayed their honours to give way for their Petition to be presented to the Lord Fairfax and till they had his answer that they might not be inforced from their habitations The Petition of the inhabitants of Colchester to the Lord Fairfax was to inform his Lordship that the Commanders in Chief in the Garrison had ordered all the inhabitants to provide with expedition to depart the Town or otherwise by power they should be forced thereto for that whatever became of the Townsmen the Souldiery who maintained the Kings cause must and shall be provided for That being driven to this Exigency they have no other means but to fly to his Christian Charity and clemency and humbly to pray that he would give them leave to pass into the Country for the preservation of their lives Subscribed by the Major and four Aldermen in the name of all the Petitioners To the Letter the General returned this answer He was willing to believe that the pressing necessities of the miserable inhabitants of Colchester had wrung from them the Petition inclosed in their Letter That he should not onely clear himself to all the world from the occasion of their sufferings but so far contribute to their relief as to allow all the inhabitants of the Town the Lords first ingaging not to restrain any who shall be willing to come out to enjoy the Liberty in their Petition desired Provided the Committee of the County of Essex then Prisoners with the Lords in the Town be sent out with the first only he shall not permit the wives and Children of any Towns-men or others who shall abide with the Lords in Armes to have the benefit above-mentioned Concerning the rendition of the Town he offers That all such officers and Souldiers under the degree of a Captain excepting all such who being Members of his Army have since the 10. of May last deserted their Colours they ingaging themselves never hereafter to bear Arms against the Parliament shall have passes without injury offered them to return to their respective homes And all Captains and other superiour Officers with the Lords and Gentlemen to submit to mercy Subscribed Your Lordships Servant Tho. Fairfax An Express came from Lieutenant General Cromwel in the general of his defeating the Scots Army under Duke Hamilton New Instructions for Colonel Hammond 1. That the King be removed to Newport in the Isle of Wight the place of the Treaty 2. That he be in the same condition and freedom there as he was at Hampton Court 3. That no person in the first Exception out of Mercy nor under restraint of the Parliament nor of late actually in Arms against the Parliament be admitted to the King 4. That no person that hath been in Arms against the Parliament or aiding or assisting to them or of whom there is just cause of suspicion be admitted into any Fort or Tower in the Isle of Wight 5. That no person of any forrain Nation be admitted to come into the same without leave from both Houses of Parliament 6. That if the Kingdom of Scotland send any to treat with his Majesty they shall have a Pass from both Houses 7. That his Majesty pass his Royal word not to go out of the Island during the Treaty nor twenty eight daies after
to him A Committee appointed to consider how every County may maintain a proportionable number of the Scots Prisoners and to treat with Merchants about transporting them to forreign service Order for the Lord Grey to dispose of Duke Hamilton into safe custody till the House take further order and to keep in strong custody all the Officers then Prisoners in such places and Castles as he should think fit Letters from Colchester that the Town was surrendered according to Articles all Prisoners at Mercy the Town preserved from plunder paying fourteen thousand pounds That by the resolution of a Council of War Sir Charles Lucas Sir George L'Isle and Sir Marmaduke Gascoigne a Papist were to be shot to death That the two first were executed and the third respited That Sir Charles Lucas urged this was to be without precedent but a Parliament Souldier standing by told him that he had put to death with his own hand some of the Parliaments Souldiers in cold blood at which he was dismaid but took better courage afterwards before he died That Sir George L' Isle kissed his dead friend and then after much expostulation and discourse first with the General his Chaplain then by his own desire with one of the Lord Norwich his Chaplains and some private prayers with him Sir George died both he and Sir Charles Lucas with very much courage 30. The publick Fast-day The House passed an Ordinance for the Discipline of the English in new England 31. Votes for several persons named by the King to have leave to attend his Majesty during the Treaty only M r Dowcet and M r Legge disapproved of Order for Instructions to be prepared for the Commissioners who are to treat and for mony for their charges Order that Colonel Farre Lieutenant Colonel to the Earl of Warwick who ingaged ten thousand men of the Train'd Bands of Essex to joyn with the Enemy should be left to the Lord Fairfax to be executed as Sir Charles Lucas was A Committee appointed to confer with M r Moâ—bot about suppressing of scandalous Pamphlets and to bring in an Ordinance for that purpose Letter from the General of the particulars of the Surrender of Colchester and a Copy of the Articles with the explanations upon them That for some Satisfaction to Military Justice and in part of avenge for the innocent blood they had caused to be spilt and the trouble dammage and mischiefs they had brought upon that Town that County and Kingdom He had with the advice of a Council of War of the chief Officers both of the County Forces and the Army caused two of them who were rendred to mercy Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George L' Isle to be shot to death before any of them had quarter assured them and hopes the Parliament will not find cause in the Military execution of these two persons to think their own honour or justice prejudiced That as for the Lord Goring Lord Capel and the rest of the persons rendred to mercy and now assured of quarter whose names he sent in a List he did render to the Parliaments judgement for publick Justice and mercy to be used as they should see cause he desires that God may have the glory of his multiplied mercies In the List of the Prisoners were the Earl of Norwich Lord Capell Lord Loughborough eleven Knights nine Colonels eight Lieutenant Colonels nine Majors thirty Captains general Officers servants of the Lords and Gentlemen sixty five Lieutenants seventy two Ensigns and Cornets sixty nine Sergeants one hundred eighty three private Souldiers three thousand sixty seven Letters from Southampton that the Grand Jury found the Bill against Major Rolphe Ignoramus A Petition of the Common Council of London for Vnity and Amity between the Parliament the City and the Army approved of and thanks given to the Petitioners A Ship sent from the Prince to Garnsey taken by one of the Parliaments Ships September 1648. 1. An Ordinance for stating the accounts of Souldiers and Widows ordered to be Printed and published A place to be appointed for the Auditours Care for Augmentations for Ministers The five Commissioners for the Treaty named by the Lords were The Earl of Pembroke the Lord Say Earl of Salisbury Earl of Middlesex and the Earl of Northumberland The ten Commissioners of the House of Commons were M r Holles Lord Wenman M r Pierrepoint Sir Henry Vane junior Sir Harbottle Grimstone Mr. Samuel Brown Mr. Crew Mr. Recorder Glyn Sir John Potts and Mr. Bulkeley 2. A Letter agreed to his Majesty to acquaint him with the Commissioners named to attend him in the Treaty and that they should be dispatched to him with all convenient speed Sir Peter Killigrew sent away with this Message An Ordinance transmitted to the Lords for payment of fifty thousand pounds part of the last hundred thousand pounds formerly ordered for the Scots forty thousand pounds of it for the Navy seven thousand pound for Stores and three thousand pound for the pay of the Lancashire Forces A long debate about the Militia One thousand of the Prisoners taken at Colchester sent up to London Mr. Lilly's Astrological Predictions for the years 1648 49 and 50. published 4. Both Houses agreed for those servants of his Majesty who are to attend him during the Treaty And they passed an Ordinance to inable the Commissioners to treat with his Majesty upon the Propositions presented to him at Hampton-Court Those in the late insurrection in Essex c. admitted to a Composition at a fourth Value of their Estates Mr. Rolphe delivered his Remonstrance in the Lords House against the Judges and against his prosecutours and desired reparation the House ordered his discharge Lieutenant Colonel Lilburn desired reparation for the Sentences against him in the Star-chamber Order for the Committee to take care for transporting the Scots Prisoners in the first place to supply Plantations and the rest to send to Venice In a Vessel at Exeter one thousand five hundred pair of Carabins being found Order for Securing them till the matter be examined Both Houses agreed upon a day of publick Humiliation to desire a blessing upon the Treaty with his Majesty Colonel Hammonds Instructions for safe keeping his Majesty in Carisbrook Castle repealed The Colonel taking the Kings own ingagement for his going abroad in the Island Order for the Committee of the revenue to provide horses for the King to ride about the Island Upon Colonel Hammonds desire of an addition of Horse and Foot during the Treaty referred to the General and Committee of the Army and his desire for Shipping to ly about the Island referred to the Committee of the Army to prepare them The Forces of Suffolk and Essex had a rendezvous with the Army and after shaking hands and many Vollies of Shot they bid one another farewel Some Regiments marched towards Tarmouth The Lords that were Prisoners with two men a piece and twelve other
knowledge of the languages and being one whom they could trust c. but he insisted upon the former matters of excuse and so the business as to him went off 12. Order for a Writ to elect a new Burgess for Carlisle in the place of M r Barwis deceased An Ordinance committed to give power to the Committee of Admiralty to proceed to sentence of Death in Criminal causes Order for the Committee to meet the Common Council of London this afternoon for borrowing one hundred and twenty thousand pound for Ireland A long debate upon the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters lands and provisoes in it for allowances out of those lands to itinerary Ministers and disposing their impropriations for additional means to the Ministery recommitted An Act for inventorying the late Kings goods committed and a Committee appointed to consider of the Sale of his Deer and Parks reserving such as shall be needful for the State The Common Council of London were willing to lend one hundred and twenty thousand pound for Ireland but disliked the security proposed and the Committees agreed to treat upon further security The Council of War after full hearing of the parties and witnesses passed sentence of Death against Colonel Powell and Major General Laughern as they had done upon Colonel Poyer before upon the two first Articles of War That such as have intelligence with the Enemy or any communication with them without direction from the General shall be punished as Traitors and Rebels and that none shall relieve the Enemy with money victuals ammunition or harbour or receive any of them upon pain of Death The wife of Major General Laughern presented a Petition to the Court Martial imploring their mercy to her husband and that this one unadvised act of his might not cause all his former eminent services to be forgot and the great loss of her and his Children and two Sisters by his Death At Bristol were discovered three brass pieces of Ordnance made up in Fatts sent from London and directed to the Lord Inchequin in Ireland In the Evening the Commissioners of the Seal the Lord General the Lieutenant General Cromwel the Chief Justice Rolls the Chief Baron and many Gentlemen of the House as a Committee of Parliament went to the Common Council of London to borrow of them 120000 l for Ireland The Common Council gave them a fair and hopeful answer by their Recorder 13. Upon a Report from the Committee of Yesterdays transactions with the Common Council and their forwardness and desire in that business a Committee was appointed to treat with a Committee of Common Council concerning the advance of the 120000 l for Ireland and to give them the thanks of the House for their willingness to promote this business Order for monies for the Garrisons of Barwick and Carlisle to be disposed as the Governour of New-Castle shall direct An Act committed for appointing Treasurers for the ninety thousand pound assessment no Member of the Army to be of this Committee Letters from the Hague that the Prince Elector arrived there was slighted by the King of Scotland and his Court that the States appointed a Council to assist the King to treat with the Scots Commissioners and commanded all their Ministers to pray for no Kings or Princes but those under whose Government they are Letters from Excester that the Mayor and Justices there refuse to Execute their Office and to punish any offenders perswaded to it by the Ministers who also inveigh against those that open the Flood-gate of wickedness 14. Order that upon any suit commenced against any Member of Parliament the Commissioners of the Seal and the Judges shall certify such Members thereof respectively and if after such notice they shall refuse to answer or plead according to the usual proceedings of Law That then the Commissioners of the Seal and the Judges shall award such process against their persons and Estates as according to Law is meet and such Members to have no more priviledge in person or Estate than any other Commoner Referred to the Commissioners of the Seal and to the Judges in their Circuits to receive complaints against any disaffected Justices of Peace and upon proof of the charges against them to remove them from being Justices of the Peace as they shall see cause and to put other well affected persons into Commission in their stead A Committee appointed to receive Informations and complaints against such Ministers as in their Pulpits vilify and asperse the Anthority and late proceedings of Parliament and to proceed against such Ministers according to justice Referred to the Council of State to consider of a stamp for the gold newly brought from Guinnea and for the advantage of the State and incouragement of the Merchants And to consider how the statutes against transportation of gold and Silver may be strictly put in Execution and how the melting of Coyn here and selling of Silver for beyond Seas may be prevented An Act committed for appointing of Commissioners and Treasurers for prize goods and disposing of all prohibited commodities for the advantage of the State and for putting all statutes concerning the same into Execution Referred to the Council of State a proposition of Colonel Temple to stop the transportation of Bullion and all prohibited commodities Order that the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal be required to give in the names of such persons as they conceive will be fit for Judges to supply the places that are vacant 16. Upon the Death of Sir Francis Pile Knight of the shire for Berks a Writ issued out for a new election and the Sheriff returned the Earl of Pembroke with all his titles to be chosen Knight of the shire for Berks primae impressionis the House approved of the election and admitted the Earl a Member of the House of Commons and his Lordship attended by many eminent Members was received into the House with great respect Referred to a Committee to examine and consider the impositions laid upon Corn and Coals and the ingrossing of Corn the Earl of Pembroke named of this Committee Oxford Petition referred to the Committee for regulating the University of Oxford Order that none go beyond Seas without licence and an ingagement to act nothing against the Common-Wealth A Petition from Colonel Poyer for Mercy A Petition often thousand well affected persons of London Westminster Southwark and the Hamletts in the behalf of Lilburn Walwyn Prince and Overton Complaining of the illegal proceedings against them by power of Souldiers and undue examinations of them c. and prayeth their inlargement from prison and that for the future no person may be censured condemned or molested concerning life limb liberty or estate but for the breach of some Law first made and published and that the Tryals of all such causes may be left to subordinate Magistrates and ordinary proper Courts of Justice That the
Provisions and Ammunition Order for 100 l. to Mr. King who brought the Letters from Sir Charles Coot for his good Service Referred to the Councel of State to examine the Business of Captain Kesar mentioned in Sir Charles Coots Letter and to send for and secure him if they find cause 25 By Vote the House declared That all such English and Scots and all others that have ingaged for the Parliament of England in the Nation of Scotland and have revolted from that Service and all such as have or shall adhere unto or joyn with Charles Stuart eldest Son of the late King in that Nation are Traytors and shall have their Estates confiscate and their Persons proceeded against by Martial Law Order for these Votes to be Printed and Published and a Copy of them to be sent to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Order to forbid proceedings in the Composition of the Earl of Derby because he holds the Isle of Man against the Parliament By two Printed Papers and three Letters to the Committee of the Army for discovery of Criminal Offenders Mr. Speaker was taxed for an ill Member and that he had conveyed a great Sum of Money to the King and Matters of Falsehoods and Breach of Trust are charged on him Upon the Order of the General the Officers of the Army certifyed under their Hands That they never examined any matter touching the Speaker nor had any Order from his Excellency for that purpose to authorize it That they find the same Business had been Judicially heard before a Committee of Parliament and by them reported to the House who declared those complaints raysed and prosecuted falsely malitiously and scandalously against the Speaker and that exemplary Punishment be inflicted upon the Prosecutors The Officers of the Army conclude their Certificates That they humbly conceive the said Information raysed and promoted since the Judgement of the House as aforesaid was a practice to bring an Odium upon the Speaker who hath so highly merited from the publick An Advertisement published That if any Countryman be injured by the Souldiers taking of Free-Quarter contrary to the Act that upon Complaint to the Judge Advocate of the Army and Proof thereof made he shall have Satisfaction out of the Pay of the Souldier and Protection from the Army 27 The House sate not Letters from Dublin to the Councel of State of some Correspondence betwixt the Governour of Tredagh and Lieutenant General Jones and that Ormond came thither with 1500 Horse and 2000 Foot That Owen Roe O Neal conceiving that he had merited from the Parliament desired a Convoy for his Men to serve the Spaniard but nothing was granted Letters that the Scots Army was full of Malignants and the Nation full of Feares That nothing will give Satisfaction there but the Kings putting Malignants from him and granting the particulars of the Covenant Letters from Mr. Peters to the Councel giving them an account of the Fleets setting sail for Ireland c. Lieutenant Collonel Morrice Governour of Pontfract Castle for the King was executed according to the Sentence of the Court Marshal Letters that 5 Men of War wearing the Scots Colours set upon 5 Ships of the Parliaments killed 4 of their Men wounded 18 and did much Prejudice to the Ships The Governours of the new Corporation in London for setting the poor to work sent their Warrants requiring the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor in every Parish to return the Names to them of all such as are able to work and have not meanes to maintain themselves and of all who are not able to work and want Livelyhood 28 Order for such as neglect to take out Discharges upon their Compositions for Delinquency to be taken into Custody The Act passed prohibiting the Importing of any Wines Wool or Silk from France into England or Ireland An Act passed for admitting the Purchasers of Bishops Lands to pay the whole purchase Money by Weavers-Hall Bills Another Act passed touching the second 40000 l. charged on the Excise and Goldsmiths-Hall 29 The Publique Thanksgiving day Solemnized The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland shortly after his landing at Dublin published a Proclamation reciting the great Mercies of God to that City particularly in the late Defeat given to the Rebels who incompassed it round about and finding that notwithstanding the Goodness of God to them yet by profane Swearing Cursing and Drunkenness his holy Name is dayly dishonoured and blasphemed contrary to the Laws of God and the known Laws of that Land and to the Articles of War He commands the Major and Magistrates of the City and the Officers of the Army to put in due Execution the Laws against such Offenders and that he will punish the neglect and contempt of this Proclamation with the severest Punishment of the Law 30 The Act for relief of Prisoners of Debt was after a long Debate and difference in Opinion ordered upon the Question to be ingrossed Debate touching Fees and Salaries of the Officers belonging to the House The Arrears of Sir Adam Lostus referred to the Committee for Irish Affairs Letters from Holland That the Prince his Men run away from him for want of Mony That 2 Irish Frigots brought into Dunkirk 6 Hull Ships for Prizes Letters from Dublin That the English Fleet which came thither with the L. Lieutenant strikes a great Terrour into the Enemy That Trumpets came to Jones from Ormond Inchequin and others but he sent them back with this Answer That now all Addresses must be made to the L. Lt. Cromwel 31 Order that Serjeant Dandey Serjeant at Arms to the Councel do proclaim the Act for prohibiting the Importation of Wines Wool and Silks from France Debate touching Mr. Warners Case An Act passed touching the West-India Islands and making them subordinate to the Government of England Order for an Act to prohibite the Brewing of Ale or Beer above 10 s. the Barrel Report by the Councel of a Letter from the Lieutenant of Ireland giving an Account of his Condition after his safe Arrival and laying open his necessities for Supplies and speedy Recruits Referred to the Councel of State to consider of the Letter and Desires of the L. Lieutenant and to answer his Expectation so far forth as it may not increase the Charge of this Common-Wealth Order for Payment of the 200 l. formerly given to Captain Poulton Order for 1200 l. for C. Fielder late Governour of Portsmouth for his Service there and 1148 l. for his Arreares out of concealed Delinquents Estates to be discovered by him Upon a Report from the Councel of their Opinion That Sir Kenelm Digby is a dangerous Person and to know the pleasure of the House concerning him they Voted That he was not within the compass of the Votes for compounding for his Delinquency And that he be injoyned to depart the Common-Wealth within 20 days and not to return without leave of the House under pain of Death
to hunt after them a Party of the Enemies Horse fell suddenly upon them and took 64 of them Prisoners That Mr. White who formerly betrayed the Bogg of Allen to the Rebeils coming from them to Dublin was met with and killed by the Tories That the Lord Deputy Ireton came to the Siege of Catherlow and sent Collonel Axtel with 1100 Horse and Foot to Tecrohan That the Lady Fitz-Gerald whom the Souldiers called Col. Mary she defending Tecrohan wrote to her Husband for Supplyes else that she must be forced to surrender upon Conditions and that none in the Castle but one doth know her wants 22 Letters of much trouble in Scotland by reason of the Army of English Sectaries marching Northwards That one Whitford another of the Assacinates of Dr. Dorislaus was executed in Scotland as one of Montrosses Party 24 Letters that the King had left Holland and either was already or would shortly be in Scotland That a Holland Ship Loaden with goods for Edenburch was taken by the Parliaments ships and brought to Newcastle That the Scotch Levyes proceed apace and some Lords are questioned for having a hand in the Invasion of Montross 25 Orders touching the Forces marching Northwards and about Recruits for Ireland and for Widdows maintenance whose Husbands were slain in the Parliaments Service An Act passed for continuance of the Committee for the Army and Treasurers at War An Act passed for constituting M. G. Skippon Commander in chief of all the Forces in London and the Lines of Communication The Act touching Articles of War continued for six Months Debate of an Act for suppressing Raunters An humble Acknowledgment to the Parliament from the Gentlemen and well affected of South-Wales with thankfulness and Profession of their future duty and Obedience And the Speaker gave them the hearty Thanks of the Parliament The juncto of the Councel of State with whom Cromwel consulted having Intelligence of the Kings resolution for Scotland and of the Laws there made of Forces to assist him in his intended Invasion of England whereof they had more than ordinary assurance They thought it therefore not prudent to be behind hand with their Enemy nor to be put to an after Game to stay till they should first invade England but rather to carry the War from their native Country into Scotland As to the Objection that their invading Scotland would be contrary to the Covenant they were satisfyed that the Covenant was by the Scots broken and dissolved before and was not now binding betwixt the two Nations and the levying of Forces In Scotland and marchinng some of them to the Borders of England with the Hostile Acts done by them formerly were sufficient Grounds for the Parliament to provide for the Security of themselves and Countreymen the which could not be so effectually done as by carrying the War which they designed upon us unto their own Doors Upon these and many other weighty considerations it was resolved here That having a formed Army well provided and experienced they would march it forthwith into Scotland to prevent the Scots Marching iuto England and the Miseries accompanying their Forces to our Conutreymen The Ld. G. Fairfax being advised with herein seemed at first to like well of it but afterwards being hourly perswaded by the Presbyteriam Ministers and his own Lady who was a great Patroness of them he declared himself unsatisfyed that there was a just ground for the Parlament of England to send their Army to Invade Scotland But in case the Scots should invade England then he was forward to ingage against them in defence of his own Country The Councel of State fomewhat troubled at his Excellencies scruples appointed Cromwel Lambert Harrison St. John and Whitelock a Committee to confer hereupon with Fairfax and to endeavanr to satisfy him of the Justice and lawfulness of this undertaking The Committee met with the L. G. Fairfax and being shut up together in a room in Whitehall they went first to Prayer that God would direct them in this business and Cromwel began and most of the Committee prayed after which they discoursed to this effect Cromwel My Lord General we are commanded by the Councel of State to conferr with your Excellency touching the present design whereof you have heard some debate in the Councel of marching the Army under your Command into Scotland and because there seemed to be some hesitation in your self as to that Journey this Committee were appointed to endeavour to give your Excellency Satisfaction in any doubts of yours which may arise concerning that affair and the Grounds of that resolution of the Councel for the Journey into Scotland Lord General I am very glad of the Opportunity of conferring with this Committee where I find so many of my particular Friends as well as of the Commonwealth about this great business of our March into Scotland wherein I do acknowledge my self not fully satisfyed as to the grounds and justice of our Invasion upon our Brethren of Scotland and I shall be glad to receive satisfaction therein by you Lambert Will your Excellency be pleased to favour us with the particular Causes of your Dissatisfaction Lord General I shall very freely do it and I think I need not make to you or to any that know me any Protestation of the continuance of my Duty and Affection to the Parliament and my readyness to serve them in any thing wherein my Conscience will give me leave Harrison There cannot be more desired nor expected from your Excellency Whitelock No Man can doubt of the Fidelity and Affection of your Excellency to the Service of the Commonwealth you have given ample Testimony thereof and it will be much for the advantage of their affairs if we may be able to give you satisfaction as I hope we shall touching the particular points wherein your doubts arise St. John I pray my Lord be pleased to acquaint us with your particular Objections against this Journey Lord General My Lords you will give me leave then withall freeness to say to you that I think it doubtful whether we have a just cause to make an Invasion upon Scotland With them we are joyned in the national League and Covenant and now for us contrary thereunto and without sufficient cause given us by them to enter into their Country with an Army and to make War upon them is that which I cannot see the justice of nor how we shall be able to justify the lawfulness of it before God or Men. Cromwel I confess My Lord that if they have given us no cause to invade them it will not be justifyable for us to do it and to make War upon them without a sufficient ground for it will be contrary to that which in Conscience we ought to do and displeasing both to God and good men But My Lord if they have invaded us as your Lordship knows they have done since the national Covenant and contrary
to it in that Action of D. Hamilton which was by order and authority from the Parliament of that Kingdom and so the Act of the whole Nation by their Representatives And if they now give us too much cause of suspicion that they intend another Invasion upon us joyning with their King with whom they have made a full agreement without the Assent or Privity of this Commonwealth and are very busie at this present in raising Forces and Money to carry on their Design If these things are not a sufficient ground and Cause for us to endeavour to provide for the safty of our own Countrey and to prevent the miseries which an Invasion of the Scots would bring upon us I humbly submit it to your Excellencies Judgment That they have formerly invaded us and brought a War into the Bowels of our Countrey is known to all wherein God was pleased to bless us with Success against them and that they now intend a new Invasion upon us I do as really believe and have as good Intelligence of it as we can have of any thing that is not yet acted Therefore I say My Lord that upon these grounds I think we have a most just Cause to bogin or rather to return and requite their Hostility first begun upon us and thereby to free our Country if God shall be pleased to assist us and I doubt not but he will from the great misery and calamity of having an Army of Scots within our Countrey That there will be War between us I fear is unavoidable Your Excellency will soon determine whether it be better to have this War in the Bowels of another Country or of our own and that it will be in one of them I think it without Scruple Lord General It is probable there will be War between us but whether we should begin this War and be on the offensive part or only stand upon our own defence is that which I scruple And although they invaded us under D. Hamilton who pretended the Authority of the Parliament then sitting for it yet their succeeding Parliament disowned that Ingagement and punished some of the Promoters of it Whitelock Some of the principal men in that Ingagement of D. Hamiltons are now in great Favour and Imployment with them especially in their Army since raised and now almost ready to advance into England and I believe your Excellency will judge it more prudence for us who have an Army under your Command ready formed and experienced Souldiers whom God hath wonderfully prospered under your conduct to prevent their coming into England by visiting of them in their own Countrey Lord General If we were assured of their coming with their Army into England I confess it were prudence for us to prevent them and we are ready to advance into Scotland before they can march into England but what warrant have we to fall upon them unless we can be assured of their purpose to fall upon us Harrison I think under favour there cannot be greater assurance or humane probability of the intentions of any State than we have of theirs to invade our Countrey else what means their present Levyes of Men and Money and their quartering Souldiers upon our Borders it is not long since they did the like to us and we can hardly imagine what other design they can have to imploy their Forces Lord General Humane Probabilities are not sufficient grounds to make War upon a Neighbour Nation especially our Brethren of Scotland to whom we are ingaged in a solemn League and Covenant St. John But My Lord that League and Covenant was first broken by themselves and so dissolved as to us and the disowning of D. Hamiltons Action by their latter Parliament cannot acquit the Injury done to us before Cromwel I suppose your Excellency will be convinced of this clear truth that we are no longer oblieged by the League and Covenant which themselves did did first break Lord General I am to answer only for my own Conscience and what that yields unto as just and lawful I shall follow and what seems to me or what I doubt to be otherwise I must not do Whitelock Your Excellence is upon a very right ground and our business is to endeavour your Satisfaction in those doubts you make if we shall stay till they first invade us we shall suffer much misery to come among us which probably we may prevent by sending first to them and surely the Law of Nations if an Ally enter in an hostile manner into his Neighbour Nation contrary to the Allyance and be beaten out again that Nation thus invaded may law fully afterwards invade the other to requite the former wrongs done unto them But besides this we cannot but see their present preparations to be against us for they are in Amity with all others and their conjunction now with the Kings Party may plainly enough discover their Designes against this Commonwealth Lord General I can but say as I sayed before that every one must stand or fall by his own Conscience those who are satisfyed of the Juistce of this War may chearfully proceed in it those who scruple it as I confess I do cannot undertake any Service it in I acknowledge that which hath been said to carry much weight and reason with it and none can have more power upon me than this Committee nor none be more ready to serve the Parliament than my self in any thing wherein my Conscience shall be satisfyed in this it is not and therefore that I may be no hinderance to the Parliaments designs I shall willingly lay down my Commission that it may be in their hands to choose some worthier Person than my self and who may upon clear fatisfaction of his Conscience undertake this business wherein I desire to be excused Cromwel I am very sorry your Lordship should have thoughts of laying down your Commission by which God hath blest you in the performance of so many eminent Services for the Parliament I pray My Lord consider all your faithful Servants us who are Officers who have served under you and desire to serve under no other Gene. It would be a great discouragement to all of us and a great discouragement to the Affairs of the Parliament for our noble General to entertain any thoughts of laying down his Commission I hope your Lordship will never give so great an Advantage to the publick Enemy nor so much dishearten your Friends as to think of laying down your Commission Lambert If your Excellence should not receive so much satisfaction as to continue your Command in the Parliaments Service I am very fearful of the mischiefs which might ensue and the distraction in the pulick affairs by your laying down your Commission but I hope that which hath been offered unto you by this Committee upon your serious consideration will so far prevaile with your noble and pious disposition and with your Affection to this cause wherein we are so deeply
though not in name That the Ministers about Exon and Taunton refused to observe the Thanksgiving-Day for the Victory in Scotland 12 Letters Of great Vollies of small Shot and great Shot from South-Sea-Castle and the Ships in the Road upon the Thanksgiving-Day for the Victory in Scotland and of much kindness between the Civil and Military Officers 14 Letters that a Party of the Army surprized one of the Out Guards of Edenburgh Castle and the Enemy fled into the Castle leaving 300 Muskets behind them That the next day upon a Search in Edenburgh they found a good Quantity of Arms and Ammunition That the â—eneral went on with his mining and approaches to the Castle which was well stored with Provisions and Ammunitions and had of late been very lavish of their Powder to little purpose That they took some Boats and one Ship of the Scots That two Ships were come with Cheese for their Supply and 1000 of the Sick and wounded Souldiers were come back to Leith That divers of the Scots come to hear the Ministers of the Army and seem to be much converted by them and offer to be imployed by the General That their King is discontented at the late carriage of their Clergy who preached at their Fast That their late overthrow was their too much complying with the King That he sent to Orkney to have Ships ready there for his going away if he should find cause to depart Scotland That a Frigot of the Parliaments called the Liberty with 50 brass Guns was cast away by carrying too much Sail upon the Sands betwixt Harwich and Yarmouth Road. 15 An Act passed for Sale of the Mannors of Rectories and Glebelands late belonging to the Archbishops Bishops Deans and Chapters Letters that 10 of the Parliaments Ships about five Leagues off the shore of Lisbon met with 23 of the Portugese Brazile Fleet burnt three of them and as is supposed took 11 of them with 8000 Chests of Sugar and other rich Goods in them and the rest being smaller Ships in the fight got into Lisbon That the King of Portugal hearing of this came down in Person and caused Prince Rupert and his Fleet being eighteen in all to go out to regain the Brazile Ships which they did but the Parliaments Fleet were drawn off That the Duke of York was come to the Hague 16 Letters of the refractoriness of Ministets in several places and their refusing to observe the day of Thanksgiving for the Victory of Scotland 17 Letters of the breaking out of the Plague at Barnstable Letters of great difference between the Kirk and the King And that the Lords side with the King and divers Commanders with the Kirk who proceed to purge the Kings Houshold That the Earl of Cleveland was to depart Scotland for refusing to take the Covenant That most of the Cavaliers went to Holland being the place of their refuge and greatest security which they most hated before That none are allowed a Residence in Scotland but the Duke of Bucks the L. Newburgh and Sir James Levinston 18 Letters that three strong Castles near Limerick were surrendred to Sir Hardress Waller upon Quarter and taken in to prevent Interruption to the Armies besieging Lymerick and then he sate down again before the City That the Dragon Frigot sunk a great Ship of the Enemies near Lymerick loaden with treasure and took another loaden with Hides and tallow worth 3000 l. That the Sickness increased again at Cork and other places That C. Hewson marched out of Dublin with a strong Party and the Lord Deputy was gone before Lymerick That the Plague increased in Shrewstury That the Fairfax and other Frigots came into Pendennis Harbour hearing that there was an insurrection in those parts but found it otherwise and returned to Sea That the Minister and Major of Northampton refused to observe the Thanksgiving day saying It was a sin to do it That the Roman-Catholick and the Royal Presbyterian were both built upon one politick foundation supported with one private Interest 19 Letters that the Parliaments Fleet were in pursuit of Prince Ruperts Fleet. That the Governours of the Castles near Lymerick lately taken in by Sir Hardress Waller were the chief Actors in the ruine of his Estate Letters that the King is gone away from St. Johns Town but the Kirk sent after him and brought him back again That all their Forces except 500 were removed from Sterling to St. Johns Town That the General and Officers were often in Prayer together That the Governour of Edenburgh Castle was very high and the Clergy with him very desperate That the Ceneral went on with his Mining That the Scots Army are full of Factions one are those whom the Scots laboured to remove out of the Army as Sectaries another Faction is the Old Malignants who would be revenged for the death of Montross and other Malignants others are against the Kirk others are the New Malignants That David Leslys men plunder ravish and kill the Country People and put to death some of them for refusing to serve in the Army 22 An Act passed concerning Corn and Meal An Additional Act passed for the more speedy effecting the Sale of the Mannors of Rectories Gleablands c. Referred to the Lord Major and the Militia of London c. to return the names of such Ministers as refused to observe the Thanksgiving day for the Victory in Scotland Order for the several Committees to tender the Ingagement to the Inhabitants of several Parishes and to return the names of the Subscribers to the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal The like for Stewards of Leets The like for the Lord Major and Militia of London in every Parish to return the Subscribers to the Lords Commissioners Referred to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal to call before them all the Judges and to take order with them That none of the Army now in Scotland receive any prejudice in any cause wherein they may be concerned during the next Term and their absence in Scotland Referred to the Councel of State to regulate the several Militias for the best ease and â—afty of the Nation Order touching the Proceedings at Law and how to regulate them with most ease and delay to the People Divers City Regiments and of Middlesex of the trained Bands under M. G. Harrison C. Tichborn and C. Barksted and others to the number of 8000 mustered in Hide Park where the Speaker and Members of Parliament met them and were received with great Shouts and Vollies of great and small Shot 23 Letters that Captain Mildmay took the Roe-buck one of the revolted Ships with 55 men in her That the Ministers about Plymouth pray and preach against the prosperous Successes of the Parliament 24 Letters that the Army with ten days Provision was marched Westward towards Glascow That the King being brought back from his intended Journey Northwards by a Troop of Horse was guarded
to him to submit to the Parliament upon good terms and Letters to the same effect from other Friends were the cause of his surrender of the Island 30. Orders for Recruits from Pendennis Castle for Ireland and six weeks pay for them before they were transported out of England May 1652. 1. Letters That the Declaration of the Parliament of England for the Union of Scotland with England and their sending of Members to the Parliament of England was proclaimed with great solemnity at Edenburgh Cross but the Scots shewed no rejoycing at it 3. Letters justifying the Proceedings of the Commissioners for propagating the Gospel in Wales written by Mr. Vavasour Power a Minister there 4. Referred to the Committee to consider how a competent Maintenance for Godly Ministers may be setled in lieu of Tithes Order for relief of maimed and sick Soldiers Mr. Weaver one of the Commissioners of the Parliament in Ireland came into the House whereof he was a Member and gave them an account of the State of their Affairs there Letters of Credence of the Queen of Sweden to the Noble Hareldus Applebone her publick Minister to the Parliament of England were read and Letters from the Prince of Conde to the Parliament read and both of them referred to the Council of State Letters That Argyle did again solicit for some singular Act of Favour from the Parliament of England but his ways were known That Three Judges were come from England to administer Justice to the Scots in Scotland 5. That some Travellers upon Hunsloe Heath saw a strange Apparition of the Sun about sixth Clock in the Evening c. 6. Letters That the Ministers of Scotland were as bitter as ever against the Interest of England Of more Counties and Boroughs accepting the Vnion with England and that Argyle had agreed to Terms to come in to the Parliament of England but they were not published That the Lord Chief-Justice St. John Mr. Salloway and Alderman Tichburne the Parliaments Commissioners in Scotland went away for England That the Deputies of Argyle Shire had consented to the Vnion 7. Letters That the Magistrates of Musselborough had taken the Ingagement of the Parliament of England Of a Pyrate who took several English Vessels to the Westward of Recruits Shipped from Pendennis for Ireland That the Irish begged for Conditions to come in to the Parliament and some of them were admitted 10. Letters of Preparations to reduce Dinnoter Castle in Scotland That the new Judges sent into Scotland were very busie in setling of new Judicatories there That Ireland was wholly reduced and had no other refuge but Bogs and Woods that the Plague was much abated there That Commissary-General Reynolds had gotten most of the Provisions of the Rebels and killed and taken many of them and prevented their fortifying That he setled Three considerable Garrisons upon Passes in Kings County took in the strong Forts in those Parts upon Quarter for Life only 11. The Scots Commissioners returned and were in the Parliament The Committee revived for setting a Period to this Parliament and providing for future Representatives 12. Debate upon Qualifications of such Persons as shall be received into the House as Members Letters That Captain Howe a Young Gentle-man who had done gallant Service for the Parliament in Ireland being assaulted in his Quarters by a Party of the Tories he at the first Charge routed them but then they came on again with a fresh Party and routed Captain How 's Party who endeavoured to make good his Soldiers Retreat and himself charged Three times and came off well but upon a Fourth Charge he was unfortunately slain and his Death was very much lamented 13. A Duel between the Lord Chandoys and Mr. Compton and the Lord killed Mr. Compton 14. The knocking of a Link near some Reeds set the Reeds on fire and they fired a House in Redriffe and Two Ships lying near the Shore and burnt them at low water when no Boats could come to help them nor could they get Water Letters That the Inhabitants of Virginia willingly submitted to the Government of the Parliament 15. That the Army in Scotland was taking the Field Of the refractoriness of the Ministers That the Judges sent out of England published a Proclamation at Edenburgh That they would sit at the usual place for administring of Justice 17. Letters from the Commissioners in Ireland to the Parliament giving an account of the Affairs there of the Provisions received and acknowledging the great care of the Parliament therein and how they had disposed thereof to the Forces Of the Ports in Kerry fit for a Forreign Enemy to land in That Clenrickard and others were gone to Vlster to joyn with Phelim O-Neale That in some places the Enemy have made some Incursions in small Parties and taken some prey and Dragoon Horses but upon their return they being 250 Horse and 500 Foot they were met by Lieutenant-Collonel Throckmorton with 140 Horse and 400 Foot who had no Pikes and the Horse at first made some retreat But at length after a sharp Dispute the English Horse routed the Irish and killed 200 of them on the place and in the pursuit and took and killed divers Officers and had but twenty one killed and 100 Soldiers wounded That the Irish Clergy have excommunicated Collonel Fitz-Patrick for submitting to the Parliament and the Laity published a Declaration against him and all that joyned with him and some of his Party were cut off by the Irish who also cut off the Ears of some whom they took Prisoners That Fitz-Patrick met with some of them That Shipping was wanting to transport those who are to go beyond Seas 2000 of Fitz-Patricks Party 1000 of O-Dwyers Party and 4000 more Of many Applications made by divers chief Officers of the Irish to come in to the Parliament and Commissioners were sent with Instructions to give the same Terms which Collonel Venables was authorized to give to those in Vlster That Sir Charles Coote explained the Articles of Galloway which he yielded to to prevent charge to the Parliament and to get the possession of that City 18. Letters of a Squadron of the Parliaments Ships meeting with Three Dutch Men of War and Seven Merchants that the Dutch Admiral came under the Lee of the Parliaments Ships and kept his Flag up whereupon the English Ship sent a Boat to him to acquaint him that they had received Orders from their General to cause those Ships they met to take down their Flags and presently the Dutch Admiral took down his Flag and saluted the English Ships with Three Pieces of Ordnance and the English did the like to him After the Admiral came the Vice-Admiral of the Dutch but came to the Windward of the English contrary to the custom in the Narrow Seas and saluted the English with 13 Shot but took not down their Top-Flag The English called to them to take it down
the other burnt and got away to the French Shore that the Fight was very hot and the English lost some precious Men the Fight continued four Hours and the night parted them That Sir George Ascue lost 12 Men and received 60 Shot in his Hull that the Dutch had 55 Men of War and 15 Merchant-men in this Ingagement and Sir George Ascue much fewer 21. Letters of Fishermen taken by the Dutch and some cleared by the Admiralty of Amsterdam That Sir George Ascue continued Three days fighting with the Dutch that 100 of his wounded Men were sent into Plymouth and 500 Men went from thence to recruit his Fleet. 23. Letters of divers Clans in the High-lands come in to Collonel Overton That some Highlanders way-laid Captain Powel in a narrow Pass but he brake through them and the Country rose upon others took their Captain and brought him to Collonel Morgan 24. An Act passed for stating the Accounts of the Officers and Soldiers in Ireland A Commission past for managing the Affairs in Ireland the Committee were the Lord-General Cromwel Lieutenant-General Fleetwood Lieutenant-General Ludlowe Mr. Corbet Collonel Jones and Mr. Weaver Letters That Sir George Ascue by advice of his Council of War went after the Dutch Fleet to the Coast of France and there engaged them who were 90 Sail of Ships 30 of them Merchant-men who left their Fleet upon the beginning of the Ingagement That Sir George had but 38 Sail and four Fire-ships and four Scouts that he and four others charged through the whole Body of the Enemies Fleet and received many Shots in their Hulls Masts Sails and Rigging the Enemies design being to spoil them but Sir George tacked about and weathered them and charged them all again and so continued ingaged till dark night That he lost but one Fire-ship which set her self on fire being ready to sink and saved her Men and turned her among the Enemy That the Dutch Admiral was sunk That the next day the English Fleet kept sight of the Dutch Fleet but would not ingage upon the French Coast but went to the Northward to repair their Ships 26. Letters of some Ships with Coal come into Yarmouth for London That General Blake was sailed towards Sir George Ascue and had taken two Dutch Ships loaden with Victuals and Sir George had taken Two more loaden with Salt and Strong-water 27. Letters That the Commissioners from the Shires in Scotland had chosen 21 Men 14 for to represent the Countries and Seven the Boroughs to attend the Parliament of England Of Forts made in the Highlands by the English Soldiers who wrought hard in them of Two Chiefs of the Clans standing out there and of the obstinacy of the Kirk-men Of strange Apparitions in the Air at Dalkeith shapes of Men clashing together as in a Skirmish a great Light in a Circle 28. Letters of â—ive Pyrates about the Lands-end who have taken many English Vessels Prizes That Captain Hinde the famous High-way Robber was condemned at the Assizes That General Blake had taken Six Dutch Prizes and was commanded back to the Downs and had sent Six Frigots to Sir George Ascue That General Blake took Two more Dutch Prizes one of them fought single with Captain Stoakes Three hours before she did submit Of another rich Prize taken in Wales Order for an Act for payment of Debts by publick Faith and for another to prevent mischiefs to Persons barred from relief in Equity by pleading Outlaries A Committee appointed to receive Petitions and consider which of them are fit for the House and which propet for Courts of Justice 29. Letters to the Council from Captain Pen this Lords day of his taking Six Dutch Ships Prizes richly laden one of them 30 Guns yet none of them struck a stroak to defend themselves 30. Letters That the Major-General in Scotland resolved to turn every Stone rather than to strike to get in the Highlanders That about 40 Sail of Dutch Men of War on the Scotch Coast took some English Vessels That Five of their Men of War were cast away by a late Storm and Two East-India Ships lost their Masts Complaint of corrupt Magistrates and of ignorant and scandalous Ministers abounding in Hereford-shire and other places that the Lord will destory the Parliament Party as the Writer fears by permitting a Combustion within their own Bowels and letting in a Forreign Enemy and do his work by others more honest That the Scouts sent out to discover the Dutch could not find any of them 31. Articles of Surrender of the Plantation of Virginia into the Hands of the Parliament read and confirmed and an Order for a Patent to be granted to them An Act passed for setting apart a day of publick Humiliation September 1652. 1. Letters of many English and Dutch going on foot to London their Ships taken by General Blake or by Van Trump 2. Order for all the Members of the House to meet to morrow to keep the Thanksgiving-day An Act for calling home Sea-men from Forreign Service ordered Order to reserve from sale Scilly Islands and Chatham Dock c. The Committee met for receiving Petitions and considering which were proper for the Parliament and which for Courts of Justice and other places that things might move in their right Channels and to take off particular Causes from Parliament 3. Letters That the Major-General had concluded amicably with the Marquess of Argyle and the English were returned from the Highlands of Scotland and in their march the Highlanders about 1500 were got together at a Passe where they stood upon Rocks and inaccessible ground and the English could only file over That they pretended to enquire whether the Marquess of Argyle were Prisoner though they knew he was not the English advanced one by one over the Passe and the Scots stood every way prepared to take their advantages upon them yet had not the power or spirits to do it That the English drew up close to the Scots till all their Rear-guard was passed over and then marched and incamped a mile from them and heard no more of them till they came to Dunbarton and there the Major-General came to them and told them that since their march away the Scots had surprised Two of their Garrisons in the Highlands That the Highlanders took in Turbet Castle which was yielded to them by Lieutenant Gillot Ten Barrels of Powder with Match and Bullet 5000 weight of Cheese and 26 Baggs of Bisket That they seised upon 40 English Foot pretending that they did it because their Marquess of Argyle was carried away Prisoner which they knew was not so but they used the Prisoners very civilly 4. Letters That the Six Frigots sent from General Blake to Sir George Ascue were fitted to go to him and that Sir George was ready to set to Sea again That the Dutch have 50 Sail more of Ships to joyn with their Fleet that they took Three
to this Parliament which many wondred at and sought to disswade him from upon all opportunities as far as was thought convenient and that they might not appear desirous to continue their own power and sitting in Parliament whereof they had Cause to be sufficiently weary Neither could it clearly be foreseen that their design was to rout the present Power and so set up themselves against the which they were advised as pulling down the Foundation of their own Interest and Power and the way to weaken themselves and hazard both their cause and Persons Yet still they seemed zealous upon their common Pretences of Right and Justice and publick Liberty to put a period to this Parliament and that if the Parliament would not shortly do it themselves that then the Soldiers must do it Some who earnestly declared their Judgment against this as the most dangerous and most ungrateful thing that could be practised by this freedom gained no favour with Cromwell and his Officers But there wanted not some Parliament Men perhaps to flatter with them who soothed them in this unhandsome design and were complotting with them to ruine themselves as by the consequence will appear Letters of Dutch Free-booters and French Pickeroons infesting the Coast and that in Brittain they were building new Ships of War to infest the English That Prince Rupert with 3 Ships only was come into Nantes that he could give no account of his Brother and his Ships which were seperated from him by a Hurricane in the Indies and he believed they were cast away From Legorn that the Duke by the instigation of the Dutch demanded restitution of the Phaenix recovered by a bold adventure of the English and the Duke sent to Captain Bodiley that he having refused to restore the Phaenix to the Dutch it was his Highnesses pleasure that all the English Ships should depart the Port within 10 dayes and Bodiley prepared to depart accordingly That the Dutch Admiral sent a Protest on shoar by 4 of his Captains that if his Highness would not restore the Phaenix they would fall upon the English Ships in the Mole and they warned other Ships to withdraw Thereupon the Dutch were commanded to retire out of Shot of the Castles and their Consul on Shoar was sequestred a guard put upon his House and all the Dutch clapt into hold 22. An Act passed for continuing the imposition upon Coals towards the building and maintaining of Ships Another passed for Continuance of the Customs Instructions debated in the House for the Lord Viscount Lisle to go Ambassador extraordinary from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to the Queen of Sweden The Speaker acquainted the House that he received Letters from the States of Holland and West Friezland the House referred to some of their Members to examine the Messenger and appointed a day for debate of the Letters The Fairfax Frigot of 50 Guns was in Chatham burned by accident of a Candle or snuff of Tobacco A Proclamation was published in St. Maloes that no eatable Provisions nor Pitch Tarr or Cordage should be exported on forfeiture of the Vessels and Goods From Edenburgh that some Clans in the High-lands had meetings and rendezvous and that they have meetings in the Low-lands and that the general Assembly and the Remonstrators or dissenting Brethren meet in several places and carry on a different Interest That Commissary Grey and others of the High-land Party were taken by the Parliaments Army From the Hague the Victory is now confest to be of the English side in the late Ingagement at Sea they having seen the names of their Ships that are lost and finding their Hospitals crowded with Sea-men and the number of them aboard Lessened That they wonder at the sudden and great preparations of the English Fleets and are discontented that their trade is gone that in a late mutiny about pressing of Seamen there 30 were killed That the States told the People that some were coming from England to offer terms of Peace That the States had sent a Letter to the Parliament lamenting the bloodshed of Protestants by this unhappy difference and how much better it would be to have an Vnion and Amity Upon the Debate of the Letter from the States the Parliament referred it to the Councel of State to prepare an answer to it From Edenburgh that the dissenting brethren have ordered some particulars concerning Kirk Affairs as for the more orderly and frequent Administration of the Sacrament and excluding of prophane Persons from it From Jersey that in a Fight at Sea between an Ostender and a Barque of Jersey she was taken by the Ostender and they were met with by a Parliament Frigot who brought them both into England From Weymouth That since the last Northerly Winds the Fisher-men fish nothing but Ship-wrack and dead men and that the French are unwilling to believe that the English did beat the Dutch in the late Ingagement That the French Rovers and the Dutch do much harm upon the English Coast Letters from the Officers and Soldiers at Edenburgh in answer to some Letters from the Army in England wherein they all agree to join for the reformation of things amiss and that Justice and liberty may have a free passage This was but in effect a proceeding in their contrivances to pull down the Parliament and to set up themselves A Letter passed in the House in answer to the Letter from the States and setting forth the Parliaments readiness as formerly to have prevented these Wars and to prosecute a fit way to close up the same and to settle amity peace and a mutual confidence between the 2 Nations Of discontents among the Dutch missing many thousands of their Friends since the late Ingagement but the Lords tell them that the men are safe in the Ports of France that they threaten to block up the Thames That they cry up the King of Scots Interest and that he hath offered to serve them at Sea in Person but that Holland will yet give no ear to it That they murmur at a new Tax and some refuse to pay it of 2 Dutch Ships taken Prize Of 3 Declarations of the Scots Presbytery publish'd 1. Against the Malignant Assembly for espousing the Kings Interest 2. Against the English for breach of Covenant and Toleration of Sects 3. Against the new Scots Dippers Particulars of the Fight in the Streights between the Dutch and Captain Bodeley That the Bonadventure one of his Ships was blown up and all her men lost but seven That the Sampson an other of his Ships was laid on board on one side by a Dutch man of War and fired on the other side by one of their Fireships but most of her men hoped to be saved by getting aboard the Mary that other of their Ships 3 in number were taken by the Dutch That 6 great men of War were sent from the Texel to lye
winds 29. Of a Soldier in Scotland who had stollen Cloaths and coming up to the Centry was shot and dyed with the Cloathes under his Arms other Soldiers were Sentenced for stealing Cloaths Boots c. out of the Stores 30. That Holland were much inclined to have peace with England but that Zealand was averse to it Of an English Man of War who Fought with 2 Pickeroons 4 hours and many men being Slain on both Sides they parted Of several Ships from Stockholm Gottenburgh Hamborough Dantzick and other places arrived in the Thames with Hemp Pitch Tar and the like Commodities That the English Fleet now out at Sea and joined together were an Hundred and more Gallant Men of War well provided and manned for Service Cromwell and his Councel of Officers made a Committee to examine the Grievances and Oppression committed by Sir John Lenthal in managing the Prison of the Upper Bench both as to the Debtors and Creditors and how the same may be redressed May 1653. 2. Upon Letters from Cromwell and his Councel of Officers to Vice-Admiral Pen and the Officers and Sea-men under his Command they returned an answer of Submission to their Orders and of their readiness to joyn with them An acknowledgment and owning of the Dissolution of the late Parliament sent up from many in Durham and their ingagements to stand to Cromwell and his Councel of Officers 3. Letters That Captain Bodiley in the Streights took a very rich Ship of the Dutch a Merchant man and a Man of War besides and that he met and fought the great Pyrate Chevalier de Ferrier and killed and sunk 600 of his men Of a Dutch Man of War burned by accident in the Texel Of the English Fleet being come near to the Dutch Fleet. The Committee touching the Prison of the upper Bench. Ordered the Debtors there to shew Cause why their Estates should not be sequestred for payment of their just Debts for which they were in Prison 4. Many acknowledgments of the Justice of the late action in dissolving the Parliament were sent up to Cromwell and his Councel of Officers from several parties of the Army and from others in several Counties with ingagements to stand by them An Ostender brought 2 Prizes to Jersey and set their Men there on Shoar to get moneys for their redemption 6. Soldiers in Scotland for coyning new half Crowns of Pewter were Sentenced by a Court Marshal to have 40 lashes on their bare backs and to march through the High-street of Edenburgh with a counterfeit half Crown nailed to each of their Ears and that pieces of their Ears should be cut off with the half Crowns and nailed to the Gallows 7. A Letter from the Officers of the English Army at Edenburgh commending Cromwell and his Councel for the late action of Dissolving the Parliament and ingaging to stand and fall with them A Messenger of the Councel of State brought news that the English Fleet consisting of about 100 Sail was so near the Dutch Fleet being about 70 Sail that he saw the headmost of the English Fleet Fire upon the Sternmost of the Dutch Fleet and that the Dutch hastened what they could to escape An other Messenger brought word to the Councel of State that the Dutch Fleet fled away to the Texel and were pursued by the English Fleet who took 40 or 50 of their Dogger-boats from them that the people in Holland earnestly cry out for a Peace with England Letters that 300 Dutch Merchant-men who Sailed round about by Scotland to get home 6 of them were taken up by some English Ships there 9. The Committee touching the upper-Bench Prison gave in a List of 399 Prisoners in that Prison and the Rules and that their Debts amounted to above nine Hundred Thousand pounds A Remonstrance from the Town and Garrison of Leith approving the late action of Dissolving the Parliament and ingaging to assist Cromwell and his Officers The Commissioners for the Affairs of Ireland upon the Declaration of Cromwell and his Councel of Officers about the Dissolving the Parliament set forth a Declaration in Ireland that all Officers and Soldiers and others should proceed in the Execution of their several Charges and Trust that the Enemy might not take any advantage of the late change in England and they ordered a day of publick Humiliation The Queen of Sweden offered to the States their mediation of Peace betwixt England and them Of divers Fisher-men taken by the English Ships 10. The English Fleet Sailed by the Texel along the Dutch Coast to the Northward and took 54 Busses going a Fishing 3. Captain Bodiley returned from the Streights with 8 Men of War and 8 Merchant-men to the Downs A Frigot took 2 private Dutch men of War 11. A Remonstrance of the General Councel of Officers at Dalkeith in behalf of themselves and the Forces in Scotland shewing their Concurrence with Cromwell and his Councel of Officers at White-Hall in dissolving the Parliament 12. That Prince Rupert went little abroad in France and was very sad that he could hear nothing of his Brother Maurice 13. Letters That some of the Kerns in Ireland having got together in Arms Collonel Nelson with a party fell into their Quarters by break of day killed about 300 of them took 900 Cattle and 2 Garrons 40000 l. sent to the Soldiers in Ireland That Captain Barrow took O Ronies Island in Ireland and put 80 there to the Sword 14. The Councel of State ordered new Treasurers for the Excise and a Committee to consider how all the Treasuries of the Common-wealth may be best managed Of a Bark of Jersey taken by a Dutch Man of War and a French man by Commission from the Scotch King Of much sickness amongst the Dutch Prisoners at Southampton whereof many of them were dead 16. Letters from the Fleet that they were in pursuit of Van Trump and his Fleet to the North-ward and came upon the Coast of Scotland that divers Dutch Marriners Prisoners at Tinmouth were by the Governour distributed into the Colliers Ships and their names taken this was to avoid the charge of keeping them 17. A private Soldier was Sentenced to be shot to death for killing a man in Holborn That the English Fleet were at Aberdeen in Scotland That the Sweeds had 20 Men of War at Sea The Lord Chandois and Count Arundel were tryed in the Upper-Bench for Killing Mr. Compton in a Duel and were found Guilty of Man-Slaughter by the Jury One Faulkener who was Witness against the Lord Craven upon his Sequestration was tryed in the Upper-Bench for perjury in the Tryal it was proved that at Petersfield in Sussex Faulkener kneeled down upon his knees in the middle of the Town and drank a health to the Devil 18. Letters That the Dutch much rejoiced at the Dissolving of the Parliament hoping for some disabling of the English
on the behalf of Lilburn presented to the Councel of State Several of the English Frigots plyed before the Texel and the Fly as near as they could to the Harbours mouth A Dutch Prize brought into the Fleet two more escaped and some Frigots were sent after them more Men of War came into the Fleet with supplies of Provisions and Ammunition 21. An Order and Declaration of the Councel of State concerning the determination of several claims depending before the Commissioners for removing of Obstruction The Commissioners from Holland came over with a white Flag to Treat for Peace and were saluted by the English Ships as they passed by them The English were used uncivilly in Holland the Dutch prepared for War Trading with them was dead Corn dear their fishing prevented and the people very unquiet they compute their loss in the late Fight to be 5000 Men. Three Dutch Prizes taken by the English Frigots Three English Ships taken by five Pickeroons near the Coast of Sussex 22. Judges nominated by Cromwell and the Councel of State for the Summer Circuit Draughts brought to the Commissioners of the Great-Seal for passing Commissions touching the Lands in Ireland for the Adventurers Soldiers sent to the Fleet. 23. Cromwell and the Councel of State kept this a day of thanksgiving for the Victory at Sea against the Dutch and it was generally kept throughout the City 24. The Funeral of General Dean was solemnized his Corps was carried in a Barge from Greenwich to Westminster attended with many Barges and Boats in mourning Equipage and many great Shot discharged as he passed by from Ships and the Tower and Guns placed in the way and he was Interred in the Abbey Mr. Thurloe sent to many persons Notes by direction from the Councel to desire them to be present at the Funeral where they were accordingly and a very great Company of Soldiers and others and Cromwell himself was there The sickness increased at Dublin Some small Vessels upon the North of Ireland were taken by French Pyrates Some great Lords met in the Highlands upon a new design which they kept secret and pretended a Commission from their King A Prize brought into St. Maloes not admitted by the Town being resolved to maintain a free Trade with England 25. The Dutch Ambassadors pressed for a speedy Treaty of Peace The English Fleet were still plying before the Dutch Harbours 27. An Address from the Forces of Jersey to Cromwell and his Councel of Officers that they will stand and fall live and dye with them That a small party of the English Horse in Ireland routed a party of the Rebels 4 times more than themselves in the County of Kerry killed 60 of them and took divers Prisoners The English were but 30 Horse and 2 Files of Musketiers the Rebels were about 400. The States of Holland strengthened their Garrisons armed the Boors by the Sea Coast and marched some Land Forces into the Towns near the Sea being allarmed by the English Fleet and their People were very unquiet and apt to Tumults and Sedition The Fleet before the Texel took a Vessel going with Instructions to their Fleet coming in with young Van Trump that they and their East-India Fleet and other Merchants should go to Norway and the Sound Three Merchants Ships taken by the English Fleet. A rising of some People in Holland for the Prince of Orange 28. A Petition of many Thousand Prisoners to Cromwell and his Officers for Liberty That Magna Charta may be in force and no arrests for Debt c. Printe Rupert going to Swim in the River of Seine was in danger of drowning but saved by the Company 29. Cromwell and the Councel of State passed an Order forbidding all riotous Assemblies in the great level of the Fenns and the throwing down of Fences and Inclosures there Hamborough sent Supplies of Ammunition Guns c. to Holland 30. Prince Rupert in mean Condition with a few Men in France July 1653. 1. An Address to Cromwell and his Councel of Officers from the Commission-Officers of Lymericke and Clare in Ireland of Joyning with him Some prizes taken upon the Scotch Coast by Captain Rudlee 2. Some 50 Dutch Merchants from the Sâ—uâ—d Convoyed by 12 Danish Men of War for Holland William of Nassan coming to Amsterdam upon a design to suprise that Town hardly escaped with his life from thence Letters That the English Fleet had taken 5 Ships loaden with Masts Pitch and Tar two from Stockholm which besides other rich goods had 200 Copper Guns in their hold 3 Ships loaden with Corn 2 others from Denmark and 2 from the Streights one loaden with Oyl and the other with Silkes 4. The persons Summoned by Cromwel to take the Supream authority appeared in the Councel Chamber at Whitehal about 120 of them and being set round the Table Cromwel and the Officers of the Army standing about the middle of the Table Cromwell made a Speech to them Shewing the cause of their Summons and that they had a clear call to take upon them the Supream Authority of the Common-wealth and he urged divers Scriptures to admonish and incourage them to do their duties Then Cromwel produced an Instrument in writing under his own hand and Seal whereby he did with the advice of his Officers devolve and intrust the Supream Authority and Government of this Common-wealth into the hands of the Persons then met And that they or any 40 of them are to be held and acknowledged the Supream authority of the Nation unto whom all persons within the same are to yeild obedience and Subjection That they should not sit longer than the 3d. of November 1654. and 3 moneths before their Dissolution to make choice of other persons to Succeed them who are not to sit longer than a year and to be left to them to take care for a Succession in government Then Cromwel and his Officers withdrew and the persons met did adjourn themselves to the next day in the Parliament-house and appointed to keep a Fast there to seek God for his Direction and Blessing It was much wondered by some that these Gentlemen many of them being Persons of Fortune and Knowledge would at this Summons and from these hands take upon them the Supream Authority of this Nation considering how little Authority Cromwell and his Officers had to give it or these Gentlemen to take it but it was accepted by them An Address to Cromwell from many well affected in Lincolnshire to stand by him c. 5. The Summoned Gentlemen met in the House and kept the Day in Humiliation and Prayer After which ended they resolved that Mr. Rouse should sit in the chair for a Moneth and that Cromwel Lambert Harrison Desborough and Tomlinson do sit in the house as Members and that Mr. Scobel should be their Clark A list of 20 Dutch prizes brought into Lee Road by Captain
from us making all the Sayl they could with the remainder of the Fleet being not above Sixty left of their whole number So far as I could discern there cannot be less than Thirty or Fourty sunk taken and destroyed we are now in pursuit of them some of our best Sayling Frigots being almost up with them and our expectations still are great The Enemy had Nine Flag Ships when we first Ingaged and now but one left some of them I know are sunk In this Ingagement we had but Two Ships of ours fired by them One of them is the Oak her Men were saved most of them the other had not any of her men saved The Worcester Frigot took the Garland which had been formerly taken from us by the Dutch but our Men were forced to fire her Trumps Flag was shot down in the Morning and could not be made stand all the day after The Parliament spent a day in their House in praising God for this great Mercy and praying for a right improving of it 4. Letters from General Monck aboard the Fleet to the Parliament of this Fight to the same effect with the former 5. A Petition from Kent to the Parliament for taking off the Tythes and the Speaker told them the House was satisfied of their good affection to the Parliament and for the matter of their Petition part of it was under consideration and that the Parliament would do as the Lord should direct them After a long debate of this day and yesterday the House Voted That the Court of Chancery should be taken away and the Committee of the Law to bring in an Act accordingly and an other for the Causes now depending and for future relief in Equity Whereas the Parliament appointed a Committee to consider of such Petitions as are directed to the Parliament and to Present such of them only to the Parliament as are proper to the Legislative power or not relievable elsewhere and to examin Witnesses upon Oath if they shall see cause and state the matter of Fact and Report to the Parliament and their Opinions touching Oaths for the Persons unjustly molested And this Committee having in their hands about Two Hundred and Fourty Petitions which according to the said Order they are to consider of and examin They resolved to receive no more Petitions for one Month except for lives or publick concernment whereof all are to take Notice and not to put themselves to unnecessary attendance Several Murderers condemned by the High Court of Justice in Ireland That the Enemy there was so wholly vanquished that not a Tory or a Wood-Kern was to be met with That a great part of the Army there was reduced Eleven Regiments of Foot and Four Regiments of Horse besides all new Regimented Troopers and Foot Companies all of them reduced being Five Thousand Foot and Three Thousand Horse A special regard taken of all the Field Officers and other Officers That the Accounts of the Army were audited and care taken for the satisfaction of all and to give them possession of Lands for their Arrears 6. That Seven Thousand Tories were marching to the Sea side in order to their Transportation for Spain That an English Merchant Ship by storm and Fog fell in among Eight Dutch Ships yet got away from all to Plymouth Letters of the Highlanders plundering the Low-lands and taking some Horses That Captain Drew broughr in Three Dutch Prizes their Scout Vessels sent to give advice to their East India Fleet to put in at Norway or the Sound because the English had a strong Guard upon the Northern Coast Letters from General Monck and Vice Admiral Pen of the late success against the Dutch to the same effect with the former and that we had sunk Thirty of the Enemies men of War taken One Thousand Prisoners whereof Vice Admiral Everson one of their most Valiant and best Sea men was one That we lost Two Hundred and Fifty Men slain and Seven Hundred wounded Captains of ours slain were Graves Cox Chapman and Peacock and Captains wounded were Stokes Seaman Rouse Holland and Cubi and that the Enemies loss is by conjecture about Three Thousand 8. The Commissioners for Administration of Justice in Scotland published a Proclamation for reviving some antient Laws and for prevention of the Exorbitancies of broken Highlanders Borderers and such as disturb the peace Order for a Day of Thanksgiving for the late good success at Sea with a Narrative to be publickly read Order for several Gold Chains to be given from the Parliament to General Blake General Monck Vice Admiral Pen and Rear Admiral Lawson and to the Four Flag Officers and immediatly to be bestowed among the Officers of the Fleet as Marks of the Parliaments Favour and good Acceptance of their service An additional Act passed for Stating and Determining the Accounts of the Officers and Soldiers in Ireland Much Debate upon the Act for Marriages and the Registring thereof and of Births and Burials That a private man of War of Scilly took a a Prize which was again taken from him by Two Dutch men of War and retaken again by the President Frigot That the Dutch have gotten again about One Hundred and Fourty Sayl of Ships besides Fire-ships That Three of their States are to go in the Fleet and advise and they have proposed a Reward to those who shall take any of the Three English Admirals and the benefit of their Ships That Tumults were amongst them but pacified Great Guns were heard off at Sea 10. Two of the Dutch Deputies to the Parliament went away upon the news of the late Victory Upon the Petition of Lieutenant Collonel Lilburn's Wife the Vote for his close Imprisonment was taken off and he Ordered to be Tryed at the Sessions in the Old-Bailey 11. That the King of Scots was sick of a Feavor at Paris The Dutch supprized Four English Ships in the East-Indies Traders for Port to Port. Lilburn's Trial proceeded at the Sessions House 12. Letters that the Highlanders in Scotland were gotten into a considerable body That a Declaration was Published by the Commissioners for visiting Universities in Scotland and placing and displacing of Ministers which did much astonish the Kirk-men Of Pyrates upon the Coast of Jersey who were socoured and assisted by the French who would not permit a Vessel of the Parliaments to have fresh water in their shoar and a Bristol Merchant man taken by the Hart Frigot which was lost to the Dutch and now manned out by them 13. Letters of two Dutch men of War that came into Burlington Bay to surprize Ten Barques there which cut their Cables and went into the Peer and so were preserved That the Parliaments Ships on the North Coast brought in a Danish Ship of great value and several other Ships Prizes and cleared that Coast of Pickeroons That Prince Rupert was gone to Nants to make the best of his Robberies That many thousands of the Irish were
them to have Fire-Arms or Ammunition 4. Letters that Argyle finding his Country men would not follow him by reason his Son the Lord Lorn was with the other party he left the Highlands That De Wit convoyed home to the Texel from the Sound the East-India Ships with 375 other Merchantmen and that about thirty Sail from Norwey were come home That young Trump was got home with his Merchantmen through the Channel That the English East-India Ships and other Merchantmen were safely arrived with their Convoy two Men of War and came in sight of young Trump who had Eight men of War yet did not exchange one Shot with them that a great Fleet of Colliers were come into the Thames 5. An Act passed for Repealing part of a former Act that enjoyns the subscribing the Engagement before one shall have the benefit of the Law A Bill committed for the taking away the High Court of Chancery and Constituting Judges and Commissioners for hearing Causes now depending in Chancery and future matters of Equity and for Reforming Abuses in the Common Law 7. Letters of the Cruelty and Insolency of the Highlanders under Kinmore That a Garison of the Parliaments took divers of them Prisoners and many Horses and Arms. Of the preparations in Holland for one hundred Sayl of Men of War 8. Debate of the Bill of the Assesments and the House Ordered the Rates to continue as before An Act passed concerning the Determination of certain Claims depending before the Commissioners of Obstructions 9. A Committee sate upon the Petition of Alderman Fowk late Lord Mayor of London 11. Of a Synode in Scotland among whom was great differences of Opinion with long and sharp Debates Of two French Prizes brought into Plymouth and an other pretending to be an Hamburgher Of a Frigot sent to Jersey for twenty Brass Guns and for two Companies of Soldiers Of two Dutch Prizes more brought into Alborough Sheriffs Nominated for the Counties of England and Wales 12. Letters of two Dutch Prizes brought into Burlington Bay That by great storms at Sea the Dutch lost twenty of their Ships driven a shore most of them Men of War And that De Wit was not returned That in the late storm two thousand Dutch Men were lost and four hundred and seventy Pieces of Cannon That in the storm fifteen breaches were made in the Banks of that Country and some Castles and whole Villages drowned 14. Letters of the French Capers doing much mischief to the English Merchants and cruelly using their Men and that they make Brest another Algiers That the great loss of the Dutch by the late storm at Sea hindred their Admiral Opdam from going forth with the Fleet. Order of Parliament touching the Redemption of the Captives of Algier Letters from the States of Lubeck and Hamburgh to the Parliament of England read in the House 15. The House Nominated some Sheriffs and Debated the Bill of Assesments Letters of a Party of the Highlanders falling upon a small Party of the English of whom they killed one and wounded three of them That Captain Watson fell upon a Party of the Highlanders and did them much damage Of thirteen Dutch and French Prizes brought into Plymouth most of them pretending to be Hamburghers 16. Orders touching claims for Moneys due upon Publick Faith and touching some Sheriffs of Counties 17. The Council of State published an Order Reciting the Trust reposed in them by the Parliament for this purpose they declare that the Council will protect all the good People of these Nations That no disturbance shall be offered to any such in their peaceable Assemblies for the Worship of God It is expected and required of all Ministers of Justice to proceed against the offenders therein as disturbers of the publick peace and all other persons to take notice thereof Order for a Lottery for Provinces and Counties in Ireland as to claims of land there 18. Letters that Kenmores party increased and took many Horses from the Lowlands who were generally their Friends That they plundered the Country and took some Prisoners that they received a Letter from their King that he could not assist them which discouraged them That by the late Inundation in Holland Amsterdam was damaged one hundred thousand l. That their Fleet being seventy two Men of War riding in the Texel were much shattered by the late violent winds sixteen of them lost and fourteen driven on shoar not above six left that were serviceable That the Seamen there are discontented that General Monk was gone down to the Parliaments Fleet. 19. Debate of the power of Patrons in Presenting Ministers and the inconveniencies thereof and Orders for an Act to take away Presentations An Act passed for setling Lands of the late Earl of Darby upon the present Earl his Son Order for a Bill touching the Excise and debate upon the Bill of Assesments That the Pickaroons of Bulloign took an English Merchant Man 21. That the Highlanders Garisoned several Houses that a Party of them took two Captains of Collonel Overtons Regiment going with their Wives to Glascow and took two Soldiers of Colonel Tomlinsons Regiment and that they plundered the Lord Warestons House An Act published for Establishing of a High Court of Justice A great Insurrection and Tumult was at the New Exchange between the Portugal Ambassadors Brother and some of his Company and Collonel Gerrard an English Gentlman who hearing the Portugueses discoursing in French of the Affairs of England told them in French That they did not represent those passages aright Whereupon one of the Portugueses gave him the lye and they all three fell upon Collonel Gerrard stabbing him in the shoulder with a Dagger but being rescued out of their hands by one Mr. Anthuser they retired home and within one hour returned with twenty more Armed with Breast-Plates and Head-pieces but after two or three turns not finding Mr. Anthuser they returned home that night 22. Letters that two thousand Dutch Prisoners of War in England were discharged and come home into Holland That young Trump was come home safe and so was the Dutch Ships from Bergen in Norwey The Portugal Ambassadors Brother returned again to the New Exchange with his Company and walking there they met with Colonel Mayo whom they supposed to have been Mr. Anthuser and shooting off a Pistol as a warning Fifty Portugueses came in with drawn Swords and leaving some to keep the Stayers the rest went up with the Ambassadors Brother and fell upon Colonel Mayo who gallantly defending himself received seven dangerous wounds and lies in a dying condition And then they fell upon Mr. Greenway of Lincolns-Inn who was walking with his Sister in one hand and his Mistriss in the other and Pistol'd him in the head whereof he dyed immediatly they brought with them several Jars filled with Gunpowder in their Coaches stopped with Wax and filled with Matches intending as it seemed to have done some
Salop four For the County of Stafford six viz. For the City of Lichfield one For the Town of Stafford one For the Borough of Newcastle on the Line one For the County of Stafford three For the County of Somerset sixteen viz. For the Borough of Taunton two For the City of Bath one For the City of Wells one For the Borough of Bridgewater one For the County of Somerset eleven For the City of Bristol two For the County of Southampton fourteen viz. For the City of Winchester one For the Town of Southampton one For the Town of Portsmouth one For the Isle of Wight two For the Borough of Andover one For the County of Southampton eight For the County of Suffolk sixteen viz. For the Borough of Ipswich two For the Borough of Bury St. Edmonds two For the Borough of Dunwich one For the Borough of Sudbury one For the County of Suffolk ten For the County of Surrey ten viz. For the Borough of Southwark two For the Borough of Gilford one For the Borough of Rygate one For the County of Surrey six For the County of Sussex fourteen viz. For the City of Chichester one For the Borough of Lewis one For the Borough of East-greenstead one For the Borough of Arundel one For the Borough of Rye one For the County of Sussex nine For the County of Westmorland two For the County of Warwick seven viz. For the City of Coventry two For the Borough of Warwick one For the County of Warwick four For the County of Worcester seven viz. For the City and County of the City of Worcester two For the County of Worcester five For the County of Wilts fourteen viz. For the City of New Sarum two For the Borough of Marleborough one For the Borough of the Devizes one For the County of Wilts ten For the County of Anglesey two For the County of Brecon two For the County of Cardigan two For the County of Carmarthen two For the County of Carnarvon two For the County of Denbigh two For the County of Flint two For the County of Glamorgan three viz. For the Town of Cardiffe one For the County of Glamorgan two For the County of Merioneth one For the County of Montgomery two For the County of Pembrook three viz. For the Town of Haverfordwest one For the County of Pembrook two For the County of Raduor two The distribution of the Persons to be chosen for Scotland and the several Counties Cities and Places within the same shall be according to such proportions and number as shall be agreed upon and declared by the Lord Protector and the major part of the Council before the sending forth Writs of Summons for the next Parliament The distribution of the Persons to be chosen for Ireland and the several Counties Cities and places within the same shall be according to such proportions and number as shall be agreed upon and declared by the Lord Protector and the Major part of the Council before the sending forth Writs of Summons for the next Parliament XI That the summons to Parliament shall be by Writ under the Great Seal of England directed to the Sheriffs of the several and respective Counties with such alteration as may suit with the present Government to be made by the Lord Protector and his Council which the Chancellour Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal shall seal issue and send abroad by Warrant from the Lord Protector If the Lord Protector shall not give warrant for issuing of Writs of Summons for the next Parliament before the first day of June one thousand six hundred fifty four or for the Triennial Parliaments before the first day of August in every third year to be accounted as aforesaid That then the Chancellour Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal for the time being shall without any Warrant or direction within seven days after the said first day of June One thousand six hundred fifty four Seal Issue and send abroad Writs of Summons changing therein what is to be changed as aforesaid to the several and respective Sheriffs of England Scotland and Ireland for summoning the Parliament to meet at Westminster the third of September next and shall likewise within seven days after the said first day of August in every third year to be accounted from the Dissolution of the precedent Parliament Seal Issue and send abroad several Writs of Summons changing therein what is to be changed as aforesaid for summoning the Parliament to meet at Westminster the sixth of November in that third year That the said several and respective Sheriffs shall within ten days after the receipt of such Writs as aforesaid cause the same to be proclaimed and published in every Market-town within his County upon the Market-days thereof between Twelve and Three of the Clock and shall then also publish and declare the certain day of the week and moneth for choosing Members to serve in Parliament for the Body of the said County according to the tenour of the said Writ which shall be upon Wednesday five Weeks after the date of the Writ and shall likewise declare the place where the Election shall be made for which purpose he shall appoint the most convenient place for the whole County to meet in and shall send Precepts for Elections to be made in all and every City Town Borough or place within his County where Elections are to be made by vertue of these Presents to the Mayor Sheriff or other Head Officer of such City Town Borough or place within three days after the receipt of such Writ and Writs which the said Mayors Sheriffs and Officers respectively are to make publication of and of the certain day for such Elections to be made in the said City Town or place aforesaid and to cause Elections to be made accordingly XII That at the day and place of Elections the Sheriff of each County and the said Mayors Sheriffs Bayliffs and other Head-Officers within their Cities Towns Boroughs and places respectively shall take view of the said Elections and shall make return into the Chancery within twenty days after the said Elections of the persons Elected by the greater number of Electors under their hands and seals between him on the one part and the Electors on the other part wherein shall be contained That the persons Elected shall not have power to alter the Government as it is hereby setled in one single Person and a Parliament XIII That the Sheriff who shall wittingly and willingly make any false return or neglect his duty shall incur the penalty of Two thousand Marks of lawful English Money the one mâ—ity to the Lord Protector and the other moity to such person as will sue for the same XIV That all and every person and persons who have ayded advised assisted or abetted in any War against the Parliament since the First day of January One thousand six hundred forty one unless they have been since in the service of the
Parliament and given signal Testimony of their good Affections thereunto shall be disabled and be uncapable to be Elected or to give any Vote in the Election of any Members to serve in the next Parliament or in the three succeeding Triennial Parliaments XV. That all such who have advised assisted or abetted the Rebellion of Ireland shall be disabled and uncapable for ever to be Elected or to give any Vote in the Election of any Member to serve in Parliament as also all such who do or shall profess the Roman Catholick Religion XVI That all Votes and Elections given or made contrary or not according to these Qualifications shall be null and void And if any person who is hereby made uncapable shall give his Vote for Election of Members to serve in Parliament such person shall lose and forfeit one full years value of his real estate and one full third part of his personal estate one moity thereof to the Lord Protector and the other moity to him or them who shall sue for the same XVII That the persons who shall be Elected to serve in Parliament shall be such and no other then such as are persons of known Integrity fearing God and of good conversation and being of the age of One and twenty years XVIII That all and every person and persons seized or possessed to his own use of any Estate real or personal to the value of Two hundred pounds and not within the aforesaid Exceptions shall be capable to Elect Members to serve in Parliament for Counties XIX That the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal shall be sworn before they enter into their Offices truly and faithfully to issue forth and send abroad Writs of Summons to Parliaments at the times and in the manner before exprest And in case of neglect or failer to issue and send abroad Writs accordingly he or they shall for every such offence be guilty of High Treason and suffer the pains and penalties thereof XX. That in case Writs be not issued out as is before exprest but that there be a neglect therein fifteen days after the time wherein the same ought to be issued out by the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal that then the Parliament shall as often as such failer shall happen assemble and be held at Westminster in the usual place at the times prefixt in manner and by the means hereafter expressed That is to say That the Sheriffs of the several and respective Counties Sherievedoms Cities Boroughs and places aforesaid within England Wales Scotland and Ireland the Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the Vniversity of Oxford and Cambridge and the Mayor and Bayliffs of the Borough of Berwick upon Tweed and other the places aforesaid respectively shall at the several Courts and places to be appointed as aforesaid within Thirty days after the said Fifteen days cause such Members to be chosen for their said several and respective Counties Sherievedoms Vniversities Cities Boroughs and places aforesaid by such persons and in such manner as if several and respective Writs of Summons to Parliament under the Great Seal had issued and been awarded according to the Tenor abovesaid That if the Sheriff or other persons authorized shall neglect his or their duty herein That all and every such Sheriff and person authorized as aforesaid so neglecting his or their duty shall for every such offence be guilty of High Treason and shall suffer the pains and penalties thereof XXI That the Clerk called The Clerk of the Common-wealth in Chancery for the time being and all others who shall afterwards execute that Office to whom the Returns shall be made shall for the next Parliament and the two succeeding Triennial Parliaments the next day after such Return certifie the Names of the several persons so returned and of the places for which he and they were chosen respectively unto the Council who shall peruse the said Returns and examine whether the persons so Elected and Returned be such as is agreeable to the Qualifications and not disabled to be Elected And that every person and persons being so duly Elected and being approved of by the major part of the Council to be persons not disabled but qualified as aforesaid shall be esteemed a Member of Parliament and be admitted to sit in Parliament and not otherwise XXII That the persons chosen and assembled in manner aforesaid or any Sixty of them shall be and be deemed the Parliament of England Scotland and Ireland and the Supream Legislative Power to be and reside in the Lord Protector and such Parliament in manner herein exprest XXIII That the Lord Protector with the advice of the major part of the Council shall at any other time than is before exprest when the necessities of the State shall require it summon Parliaments in manner before exprest which shall not be Adjourned Prorogued or Dissolved without their own consent during the first three Months of their Sitting And in case of future War with any Foreign State a Parliament shall be forthwith Summoned for their Advice concerning the same XXIV That all Bills agreed unto by the Parliament shall be presented to the Lord Protector for his consent and in case he shall not give his consent thereto within twenty days after they shall be presented to him or give satisfaction to the Parliament within the time limited That then upon Declaration of the Parliament That the Lord Protector hath not consented nor given Satisfaction such Bills shall pass into and become Laws although he shall not give his consent thereunto provided such Bills contain nothing in them contrary to the matters contained in these Presents XXV That Philip Lord Viscount Lisle Charles Fleet-wood Esquire John Lambert Esquire Sir Gilbert Pickering Baronet Sir Charles Wolseley Baronet Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper Bar. Edward Montague Esq John Desborough Esq Walter Strickland Esq Henry Lawrence Esq William Sydenham Esq Philip Jones Esq Richard Major Esq Francis Rous Philip Skipton Esqs or any Seven of them shall be a Council for the purposes exprest in this Writing and upon the Death or other removal of any of them the Parliament shall nominate Six persons of Ability Integrity and fearing God for every one that is dead or removed out of which the major part of the Council shall Elect two and present them to the Lord Protector of which he shall Elect one And in case the Parliament shall not nominate within Twenty days after notice given unto them thereof the major part of the Council shall nominate Three as aforesaid to the Lord Protector who out of them shall supply the vacancy And until this choice be made the remaining part of the Council shall execute as fully in all things as if their number were full and in case of corruption or other miscarriage in any of the Council in their Trust the Parliament shall appoint Seven of their numbers and the Council Six who together with the Lord Chancellor Lord Keeper or
Commissioners of the Great Seal for the time being shall have power to hear and determine such corruption and miscarriage and to award and inflict punishment as the nature of the Offence shall deserve which punishment shall not be pardoned or remitted by the Lord Protector And in the interval of Parliaments the major part of the Council with the consent of the Lord Protector may for Corruption or other Miscarriage as aforesaid suspend any of their number from the exercise of their Trust if they shall find it just until the matter shall be heard and examined as aforesaid XXVI That the Lord Protector and the major part of the Council aforesaid may at any time before the meeting of the next Parliament add to the Council such persons as they shall think fit provided the number of the Council be not made thereby to exceed One and twenty and the Quorum to be proportioned accordingly by the Lord Protector and the major part of the Council XXVII That a constant yearly Revenue shall be raised setled and establisht for maintaining of Ten thousand Horse and Dragoons and twenty thousand Foot in England Scotland and Ireland for the Defence and Security thereof and also for the convenient number of Ships for guarding of the Seas besides Two hundred thousand pounds per annum for defraying the other necessary Charges for administration of Justice and other Expences of the Government Which Revenue shall be raised by the Customs and such other ways and means as shall be agreed upon by the Lord Protector and Council and shall not be taken away or diminishe nor the way agreed upon for raising the same altered but by the consent of the Lord Protector and the Parliament XXVIII That the said yearly Revenue shall be paid into the Publick Treasury and shall be issued out for the Vses aforesaid XXIX That in case there shall not be cause hereafter to keep up so great a Defence at Land or Sea but that there be an abatement made thereof the Money which will be saved thereby shall remain in Bank for the Publick Service and not be employed to any other use but by consent of Parliament or in the intervals of Parliament by the Lord Protector and major part of the Council XXX That the raising of Money for defraying the Charge of present extraordinary Forces both at Land and Sea in respect of the present Wars shall be by consent in Parliament and not otherwise save only that the Lord Protector with the consent of the major part of the Council for preventing the Disorders and Dangers which may otherwise fall out both at Sea and Land shall have power until the meeting of the first Parliament to raise Money for the purposes aforesaid and also to make Laws and Ordinances for the Peace and Welfare of these Nations where it shall be necessary which shall be binding and in force until Order shall be taken in Parliament concerning the same XXXI That the Lands Tenements Rents Royalties Jurisdictions and Hereditaments which remain yet unsold or undisposed of by Act or Ordinance of Parliament belonging to the Common-wealth Except the Forests and Chases and the Honours and Manors belonging to the same the Lands of the Rebels in Ireland lying in the four Counties of Dublin Cork Kildare and Katerlaugh the Lands forfeited by the People of Scotland in the late Wars and also the Lands of Papists and Delinquents in England who have not yet compounded shall be vested in the Lord Protector To hold to him and his Successors Lord Protectors of these Nations and shall not be aliened but by consent in Parliament And all Debts Fines Issues Amerciaments Penalties and Profits certain and casual due to the Keepers of the Liberties of England by Authority of Parliament shall be due to the Lord Protector and be payable into his Publick Receipt and shall be recovered and prosecuted in his Name XXXII That the Office of the Lord Protector over these Nations shall be Elective and not Hereditary and upon the Death of the Lord Protector another fit Person shall be forthwith Elected to Succeed him in the Government which Election shall be by the Council who immediatly upon the death of the Lord Protector shall assemble in the Chamber where they usually sit in Council and having given notice to all their number of the cause of their Assembling shall being Thirteen at least present proceed to the Election and before they depart out of the said Chamber shall Elect a fit person to succeed in the Government and forthwith cause Proclamation thereof to be made in all the three Nations as shall be requisite And the Person that they or the major part of them shall Elect as aforesaid shall be and shall be taken to be Lord Protector over these Nations of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereto belonging 〈◊〉 Provided that none of the Children of the late King nor any of his Line or Family be Elected to be Lord Protector or other chief Magistrate over these Nations or any the Dominions thereto belonging And until the aforesaid Election be past the Council shall take care of the Government and administer in all things us fully as the Lord Protector or the Lord Protector and Council are enabled to do XXXIII That Oliver Cromwel Captain General of the Forces of England Scotland and Ireland shall be and is hereby declared to be Lord Protector of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereto belonging for his life XXXIV That the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal the Treasurer Admiral Chief Governors of Ireland and Scotland and the Chief Justices of both the Benches shall be chosen by the approbation of Parliament and in the intervals of Parliament by the approbation of the major part of the Council to be afterwards approved by the Parliament XXXV That the Christian Religion contained in the Scriptures be held forth and recommended as the publick Profession of these Nations and that as soon as may be a Provision less subject to scruple and contention and more certain than the present be made for the Encouragement and Maintenance of able and painful Teachers for instructing the People and for discovery and confutation of Error Heresie and whatever is contrary to sound Doctrine And that until such Provision be made the present Maintenance shall not be taken away nor impeached XXXVI That to the publick Profession held forth none shall be compelled by penalties or otherwise but that endeavours be used to win them by sound Doctrine and the Example of a good Conversation XXXVII That such as profess Faith in God by Jesus Christ though differing in judgment from the Doctrine Worship or Discipline publickly held forth shall not be restrained from but shall be protected in the profession of the Faith and exercise of their Religion so as they abuse not this liberty to the civil Injury of others and to the actual disturbance of the Publick Peace on
for the good Government of the Nation That the Councel shall be Sworn before the Parliament when they sit and in the Intervals of Parliament before the Comissioners of the great Seal That Whitehal Saint Jameses the Mews Summerâ—et House Greenwich Hampton Court Windsor and the manner of York be kept unsold for the Protectors Use That all Moneys be brought into the Exchequer and all Publick Debts â—ued for in the Protectors name 22 Storms in Scotland destroyed many hundred of Cattle More came in to Major General Overton and divers others of his Party The Bill touching the Articles of Government Read the First time Dr. Walker appointed to be of Council for the Commonwealth in the business of the Lord Craven 23 A Petition of Disbanded Oâ—ficers for their Arrears referred to a Committee A Petition from the University of Cambridge referred to a Committee The Bill for settling the Government was Read the Second time and the House Sate Forenoon and Afternoon in the Debate of it 25 The House sate though it was Christmas-Day and proceeded in their Debates touching the Government 26 Arguments before a Committee concerning the Lord Cravens Business on his part and for the Purchasers of his Estate the Lord Cravens Council shewed Presidents That Judgments against a Party unheard have been Reversed in Succeeding Parliaments The Purchasers Council insisted on the Credit of the Act of Parliament which perswaded them to buy his Lands 27 Letters of Solemnities at Stockholm upon the Marriage of their King 28 The House proceeded in their Debates touching the Government 29 The Government by the Protector was still the subject of the Houses Debate 30 A Quaker came to the door of the Parliament and drawing his Sword fell to slashing those near him and knocked at the door aloud he was laid hold on and Committed to Prison January 1654. Jan. 1. The House Debated the Matter of Election of Members for succeeding Parliaments 3 The Quaker being Examined by a Committee why he drew his Sword and hurt divers at the Parliament door answered That he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to Kill every man that sate in the House The House Debated the Point of Liberty of Conscience upon the New Government and agreed to give it to all who shall not maintain Atheism Popery Prelacy Prophaneness or any damnable Heresie to be enumerated by the Parliament 7 The Parliament continued their Debates touching the Government wherein many things were spoken which gave great Offence to the Protector and his Council and cause of Suspition that no good was to be expected from them 8 The Parliament continued not inclinable to the Protectors desires 11 The Parliament made what haste they could to finish their Debates 16 The business of Parliament was not likely to come to a good Issue 17 The Protector advised about sending a Fleet to the West-Indies The Protector began to be weary of the Parliament and to have thoughts of Dissolving it He was advised to the contrary upon Experiences of former inconveniences upon the Dissolution of Parliaments which ever caused ill blood however not to Dissolve it till after the time was past that they were to Sit by the Instrument of Government but the Protector seemed not to be very Sollicitous thereof and was resolute to part with them and some of his Councel were not backward to promote what they perceiv'd he was inclin'd to have done 19 Much Debate was at Whitehall about Dissolving of the Parliament 22 The Protector Dissolved the Parliament having first made this Speech Gentlemen I Perceive you are here as the House of Parliament by your Speaker whom I see here and by your faces which are in a great measure known to me When I first met you in this Room it was to my apprehension the hopefullest day that ever mine eyes saw as to considerations of this World For I did look at as wrapt up in you together with my self the hopes and the happiness of though not of the greatest yet a very great and the best People in the World and truly and unfeignedly I thought so as a People that have the highest and the clearest profession among them of the greatest glory to wit Religion as a People that have been like other Nations sometimes up and sometimes down in our honour in the World but yet never so low but wâ— might measure with other Nations and a People that have had a stamp upon them from God God having as it were summed all our former Glory and Honour in the things that are of Glory to Nations in an Epitomie within these 10 or 12 Years last past so that we knew one another at home and are well known abroad And if I be not very much mistaken we were arrived as I and truly as I beleive many others did think at a very safe Port where we might sit down and contemplate the dispensations of God and our mercies and might know our mercies not to have been like to those of the Antients who did make out their Peace and Prosperity as they thought by their own endeavours who could not say as We That all Ours were let down to Vs from God himself whose Appearances and Providences amongst Vs are not to be out-matched by any Story Truly this was our condition and I know nothing else we had to do save as Israel was commanded Anno 1655 in that most excellent Psalm of David Psal 78. v. 4 5 6 7. The things which we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us we will not hide them from their Children shewing to the Generation to come the praise of the Lord and his strength and his wonderful works which he hath done for he established a Testimony in Jacob and appointed a Law in Israel which he commanded our Fathers that they should make them known to their Children that the Generation to come might known them even the Children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their Children that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep his Commandments This I thought had been a Song and a Work worthy of England whereunto you might have happily invited them had you had Hearts unto it You had this opportunity fairly delivered unto you And if a History shall be written of these times and of Transactions it will be said it will not be denied but that these things that I have spoken are true This Talent was put into your hands and I shall râ—cur to that which I said at the first I came with very great joy and contentment and comfort the first time I met you in this Place But we and these Nations are for the present under some disappointment If I had purpâ—sed to have plaid the Oratour which I did never affect nor do nor I hope shall I doubt not but upon â—asie suppositions which I am perswaded every one among you
Gods Accompt that if he had not stept in the Disease had been mortal and destructive and what is all this Truly I must needs say a company of men still like Bryars and Thorns and worse if worse can be of another sort than those before mentioned to you have been and yet are endeavouring to put us into Blood and into Confusion more desperate and dangerous Confusion than England ever yet saw And I must say as when Gideon commanded his Son to fall upon Zeba and Zalmunna and slay them they thought it more noble to die by the hand of a Man than of a Stripling which shews there is some contentment in the hand by which a man falls so is it some satisfaction if a Common-wealth must perish that it perish by Men and not by the hands of persons differing little from Beasts That if it must needs suffer it should rather suffer from rich men than from poor men who as Solomon says when they oppress they leave nothing behind them but are as sweeping Rain Now such as these also are grown up under your shadow But it will be asked what have they done I hope though they pretend Commonwealths Interest they have had no encouragement from you but that as before rather taken it than that you have administred any Cause unto them for so doing from Delays from hopes that this Parliament would not settle from Pamphlets mentioning strange Votes and Resolves of yours which I hope did abuse you Thus you see what ever the Grounds were these have been the Effects And thus I have laid these things before you and others will be easily able to judge how far you are concerned And what have these men done they have also laboured to pervert where they could and as they could the honest meaning people of the Nation they have laboured to engage some in the Army and I doubt that not onely they but some others also very well known to You have helped in this work of debauching and dividing the Army they have they have I would be loth to say who where and how much more loth to say they where any of your own Number but I can say Endeavours have been to put the Army into a Distemper and to Feed that which is the worst humour in the Army which though it was not a mastering humour yet these took their advantage from delay of the Settlement and the Practices before mentioned and stopping the pay of the Army to run Vs into free Quarter and to bring us into the inconveniences most to be feared and avoided What if I am able to make it appear in Fact That some amongst you have run into the City of London to perswade to Petitions and Addresses to you for reversing your own Votes that you have passed Whether these practices were in favor of your Liberties or tended to beget hopes of Peace and Settlement from you and whether debauching the Army in England as is before expressed and starving it and putting it upon free Quarter and occasioning and necessitating the greatest part thereof in Scotland to march into England leaving the remainder thereof to have their Throats Cut there and kindling by the rest a fire in our own Bosoms were for the advantage of Affairs here Let the World judge This I tell you also that the Correspondency held with the Interest of Cavalleers by that Party of men called Levellers and who call themselves Common-wealths-men whose Declarations were framed to that purpose and ready to be published at the time of their Commonrising whereof We are possessed and for which We have the Confession of themselves now in Custody who confess also they built their hopes upon the assurance they had of the Parliaments not agreeing a Settlement Whether these humours have not nourished themselves under your Boughs is the subject of my present discourse and I think I say not amiss if I affirm it to be so And I must say it again That that which hath been their Advantage thus to raise Disturbance hath been by the loss of those Golden opportunities that God hath put into your hands for Settlement Judge you whether these things were thus or no when you first sat down I am sure things were not thus there was a very great Peace sedateness throughout these Nations and great expectations of a settlement which I remembred to you at the beginning of my Speech and hoped that you would have entered upon your business as you found it There was a Government in the possession of the People I say a Government in the possession of the People for many Moneths it hath now been exercised neer fifteen Moneths and if it were needful that I should tell you how it came into their Possession and how willingly they received it How all Law and Justice were distributed from it in every respect as to life liberty and estate How it was owned by God as being the Dispensation of his Providence after twelve years War and sealed and Witnessed unto by the People I should but repeat what I said in my last Speech made unto you in this place and therefore 〈◊〉 forbear When you were entred upon this Government raveling into it you know I took no notice what you were doing if you had gone upon that foot of Account To have made such good and wholsom Provisions for the good of the People of these Nation for the Settling of such matters in things of Religion as would have upheld and given Countenance to a Godly Ministry and yet would have given a just Liberty to Godly men of different Judgments men of the same Faith with them that you call the Orthodox Ministery in England as it is well known the Independents are and many under the Form of Baptism who are sound in the Faith only may perhaps be different in Judgment in some lâ—sser matters yet as true Christians both looking at Salvation only by faith in the Blood of Christ men professing the fear of God having recourse to the Name of God as to a strong Tower I say you might have had Opportunity to have setled Peace and Quietness amongst all professing Godliness and might have been instrumental if not to have healed the breaches yet to have kept the Godly of all Judgments from running one upon another and by keeping them from being over-run by a Common Enemy rendred them and these Nations both secure happy and well satisfied Are these things done or any thing towards them Is there not yet upon the Spirits of men a strange itch nothing will satisfie them unless they can put their finger upon their Brethrens Consciences to pinch them there To do this was no part of the Contest we had with the Common Adversary for Religion was not the thing at the first contested for but God brought it to that issue at last and gave it into Vs by way of Redundancy and at last it proved to be that which was most dear to us and
of no Laws but from him then all the Right Priviledges and Estates we have are enjoyed by his Mercy only without the Execution of Laws no man hath more right to Lands or Goods than another nor is any mans Life under any security if another be stronger than he So that Cromwel owns and professes that the Bread that every man eats is by his mercy and if his Power was without limit as he says until he had put some bounds then 't is of his grace and favour only that all English-men have now a seeming Right in their Wives Children Servants Lives and Estates if his own limits of his Power gives any such right and if he please to throw away or burn by the hand of the Hang-man his limit in his Paper of Government who can controll him he may do what he list with things of his own making 't is the old English Proverb He that can bind can loose and he may do what he list also with the Authority of Parliaments if it be as he says of his own giving Now wherein doth a Patroons Power over his purchased Slave exceed this which Cromwel owns over us The Patroon can but give the Slave his Laws his Cloathes his Meat his Life and all those Cromwel owns to have given to us only he speaks it in such Language as sounds not so harshly Now after the Expence of so much precious Christian Blood for the setling the Rights and Liberties due unto us as Men and Christians when he that was trusted with an Army for that purpose hath so unworthily betrayed his Trust spilt innocent Blood like Water falcified all his Declarations Promises Protestations and Oathes and assumed to himself such a Dominion over our Country as is Destructive unto all Right and Liberty and renders us and our Posteritys Slaves to him and his Successors with the Payment of a Fifth or there abouts of our Estates certain in Taxes to be Intailed upon our Posterities besides other burthens we appeal to the conscience of every honest Man whether a present necessity and an incumbent duty be not upon us to Arm our selves in defence of our Ancient Laws and dearest Birth-rights against the present Imposter and Vsurper and we hope most of the present Army have not extinguished their love to their Countrys freedom although Cromwells hypocritical Professions Prayers and Tears have much deluded them but that they will readily concur with us and other honest English-men in our present attempt by Force of Armes to Redeem our Country out of the Vsurpers bonds and to seek those righteous ends which we do hereby Declare to be those for which we now hazard our Lives and with which we shall rest satisfied and return to our homes in Peace and they are those following viz. 1. That all assumed and Vsurped Powers and Authorities over our Countrey may be utterly Abolished 2. That the Government may be setled upon a just Basis with due bounds and limits to every Magistrate 3. That the ancient Liberties of England setled by Magna Charta the Petition of Right and other Laws may be secured inviolably That no Mans Person may be Molested Imprisoned Restrained or touched without a Legal Cause shewn in the Warrant whereby he is molested or restrained and that also in a due Course of the Laws known Proceedings without Conntermands from the will of any man whereas now mens Persons are troubled and restrained at will and destroyed by long Imprisonments no man knows for what And also that no Mans Estate may be liable to any disposal or prejudice but by the known Laws of the Land and the lawful Judgment of his equals 4. That free Successive Parliaments may be setled with times of their beginning and ending and with their ancient Power and Priviledges And that the Jurisdictive Power which Parliaments have taken upon them to Exercise in these times of War Distraction by taking upon them the Judgment of particular Causes concerning Mens Persons and Estates sometimes by their Committees and sometimes by themselves contrary to the known Proceedings of the Law that such Power we say may be Declared against and Provision made against the same that thereby Parliaments may be free from the temptations of Profit Friendship and all private Interests by which only they can be corrupted 5. That the Militia of the Nation may be so disposed that no man may be able to be Master of Parliaments and also that secure Provision may be made that no Parliament shall make it self perpetual and inslave the people to them And that such a settlement may be made of Right and Freedom and these our ends obtained and a peace firmly established we know no means under God but a truly free Parliament Now for the Defence of these our Rights and Liberties we are resolved to expose our Lives to the utmost hazards and we shall neither wrong nor oppose any man who doth not joyn himself to the present Vsurper to destroy or prevent these our Righteous ends and though we have reason to believe that no person fearing God or of Conscience Honour or Reason can satisfie himself to shed our innocent blood for seeking these things yet however we shall commit our selves and our just Caus to the tuâ—tion of the rightcous God and hope in his mercy that our endeavours may procure Justice Freedome Peace and Settlement unto this distracted Nation Many who viewed this Declaration knew there was too much of Truth in it and had not the Design been nipt in the Bud and timely Discovered and Prevented it might have caused some disturbance to the Protector and to the Peace of the New-Government but by the Commitment of the Chief Conspirators their Plot was crushed and the Peace not interrupted Divers wondred most that Wildman and others of his Party who had served the Parliament should now joyn in this Design with those of the Kings Party but they alledged the strengthening of themselves and their Power afterwards to suppress the Cavaliers or any other who should oppose their Ends but divers suspected their Designs at the bottom of it to intend the bringing in of the King because they conclude in their Declaration for a truly free Parliament which was the way for the Kings Restauration and that began now to be held fit and requisite by many sober and faithful Patriots who were distasted at the private Ambition of some and their Domineering and feared the Faction daily increasing that would prevent a firm Settlement of our Peace The Protector was jealous of many of his former Friends to be this way inclin'd and of Whitelock in particular which was thought one main reason of his sending him out of the way to Swedland and of his not taking him in to be of his Council March 1654. The Protector and his Counsel were very busie in framing New Ordinances to please the People Amongst them they had one in Consideration for regulating the Proceedings in Chancery which caused
time to Appoint and Declare the Person who shall immediately after Your Deâ—th Succeed You in the Government of these Nations II. That Your Highness will for the future be pleased to Call Parliaments consisting of Two Houses in such manner and way as shall be more particularly afterwards agreed and Declared in this Petition and Advice Once in Three Years at furthest or oftner as the Affairs of the Nation shall require That being your great Council and in whose Affection and Advice Your Self and this People will be most safe and happy III. That the ancient and undoubted Liberties and Priviledges of Parliament which are the Birth-right and Inheritance of the People and wherein every man is interessed be preserved and maintained And that You will not break or interrupt the same nor suffer them to be broken or interrupted And particularly That those persons who are legally chosen by a Free Election of the People to serve in Parliament may not be excluded from sitting in Parliament to do their Duties but by Judgment and consent of that House whereof they are Members IV. That those who have Advised Assisted or Abetted the Rebellion of Ireland and those who do or shall profess the Popish Religion be disabled and made uncapable for ever to be elected or to give any Vote in the Elestion of any Member to sit or serve in Parliament And that all and every person and persons who have Aided Abetted Advised or Assisted in any War against the Parliament since the First day of January One Thousand six hundred forty one unless he or they have since born Arms for the Parliament or Your Highness or otherwise given signal Testimony of his or their good Affection to the Commonwealth and continued faithful to the same And all such as have been actually Engaged in any Plot Conspiracy or design against the person of Your Highness or in any Insurrection or Rebellion in England or Wales since the Sixteenth day of December One thousand six hundred fifty three shall be for ever disabled and made uncapable to be elected or give any vote in the Election of any Member to sit or serve in Parliament That for Scotland none be capable to elect or be elected to sit or serve in Parliament who have been in Arms against the Parliament of England or against the Parliament in Scotland before the first day of April One thousand six hundred forty eight except such as have since born Arms in the Service of the Parliament of England or Your Highness or given other signal Testimony of their good Affection Nor any that since the said First day of April One thousand six hundred forty eight have been in Arms or otherwise Aided Abetted Advised or Assisted in any War against the Parliament of England or Your Highness except such as since the First day of March One thousand six hundred fifty one old style have lived peaceably and thereby given Testimony of their good Affection to the Parliament and Your Highness Provided That nothing in this Article contained shall extend to put any Incapacity upon any English or Scotch Protestants in Ireland either to elect or be elected to serve in Parliament who before the First day of March One thousand six hundred forty nine have born arms for the Parliament or Your Highness or otherwise given signal Testimony of their good Affection to this Commonwealth and continued faithful to the same That all Votes and Elections given or made contrary or not according to the Qualifications aforesaid shall be void and of none effect and that if any person or persons so uncapable as aforesaid shall give his or their Vote for Election of Members to serve in Parliament All and every such person and persons so Electing shalllose and forfeit oneYears value of his and their respective real Estates one full third part of his and their respective personal Estates The one Moyety thereof to Your Highness and the other Moyety to him or them who shall sue for the same in any Court of Record by Action of Debt Bill Plaint or Information wherein no Essoign Wager of Law or Protection shall be allowed And that the Persons who shall be Elected to serve in Parliament be such no other than such as are persons of known Integrity fearing God and of good Conversation and being of the Age of Twenty one Years and not such as are disabled by the Act of the Seventeenth Year of the late King Entituled An Act for disenabling all persons in Holy Orders to Exercise any Temporal Jurisdiction or Authority nor such as are Publick Ministers or publick Preachers of the Gospel Nor such as are guilty of any of the Offences mentioned in an Act of Parliament bearing Date the Ninth of August One thousand six hundred and fifty Entituled An Act against several Atheistical Blasphemous Execrable Opinions derogatory to the honour of God and destructive to humane society No common scoffernor reviler of Religion or of any person or persons for professing thereof No person that hath married or shall marry a Wife of the Popish Religion or hath trained or shall train up his child or children or any other child or children under his tuition or government in the Popish Religion or that shall permit or suffer such child or children to be trained up in the said Religion or that hath given or shall give his consent that his son or daughter shall marry any of that Religion No person that shall deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God or the Saecraments Prayer Magistracy and Ministery to be the Ordinances of God No common prophaner of the Lords Day nor prophane Swearer or Curser no Drunkard or common haunter of Taverns or Alehouses And that these Qualifications may be observed and yet the Priviledge of Parliament maintained We desire that it may be by Your Highness consent Ordâ—ined That Forty one Commissioners be appointed by Act of Parliament who or any fifteen or more of them shall be Authorized to Examine and try whether the Members to be Elected for the House of Commons in future Parliaments be capable to sit according to the Qualifications mentioned in this Petition and Advice And in case they find them not qualified accordingly then to suspend them from sitting until the House of Commons shall upon hearing of their particular Cases admit them to sit which Commissioners are to stand so Authorized for that end until the House of Commons in any future Parliament shall nominate the like number of other Commissioners in their places and those other Commissioners so to be nominated in any future Parliament to have the same Powers and Authorities That the said Commissioners shall certifie in writing to the House of Commons on the first day of their meeting the Causes and Grounds of their Suspensions of any persons so to be elected as aforesaid That the Accusation shall be upon the Oath of the Informer or of some other person That a Copy of the Accusation
shall be left by the party acusing in writing under his hand with the party accused or in his absence at his house in the County City or Town for which he shall be chosen if he have any such house or if not with the Sheriff of the County if he be chosen for a County or with the Chief Magistrate of the City or Borough of which he is chosen And that the number of persons to be Elected and chosen to Sit and serve in Parliament for ENGLAND SCOTLAND and IRELAND and the distribution of the persons so chosen within the Counties Cities and Boroughs of them respectively may be according to such proportions as sholl be agreed upon and Declared in this present Parliament V That your Highness will consent That none be called to Sit and Vote in the other House but such as are not disabled but qualified according to the Qualifications mentioned in the former Article being such as shall be nominated by your Highness and approved by this House and that they exceed not Seventy in number nor be under the number of Forty whereof the Quorum to be One and twenty who shall not give any Vote by Proxies and that as any of them do dye or be Legally removed no new ones be admitted to Sit and Vote in their rooms but by consent of the House it self That the other House do not proceed in any Civil Causes except in Writs of Error in Cases adjourned from Inferior Courts into the Parliament for difficulty in Cases of Petitions against Proceedings in Courts ef Equity and in Cases of the Priviledges of their own House That they do not proceed in any Criminal Causes whatsoever against any person criminally but upon an Impeachment ef the Commons assembled in Parliament and by their consent That they do not proceed in any Cause either Civil or Criminal but according to the known Laws of the Land and the due course and Custom of Parliament That no final Determinations or Judgments be by any Members of that House in any Cause there depending either Civil Criminal or Mixt as Commissioners or Delegates to be nominated by that House But all such final Determinations and Judgments to be by the House it self Any Law or Vsage to the contrary notwithstanding VI. That in all other particulars which concern the calling and holding of Parliaments your Highness will be pleased That the Laws and Statutes of the Land be observed and kept and that no Laws be Altered and Suspended Abrogated or Repealed or new Law made but by Act of Parliament VII And to the end there may be a constant Revenue for Support of the Government and for the Safety and Defence of these Nations by Sea and Land We declare our willingness to Settle forthwith a Yearly Revenue of Thirteen hundred thousand Pounds whereof Ten hundred thousand Pounds for the Navy and Army and Three hundred thousand pounds for the Support of the Government and no part thereof to be raised by a Land Tax And this not to be altered without the consent of the Three Estates in Parliament And to grant such other Temporary Supplies according as the Commons Assembled in Parliament shall from time to time adjudge the necessities of these Nations to require And do pray Your Highness That it be Declared and Enacted That no Charge be laid nor no person be compelled to contribute to any Gift Loan Benevolence Tax Tallage Aid or other like Charge without common consent by Act of Parliament which is a Freedom the People of these Nations ought by the Laws to Inherit VIII That none may be added or admitted to the Privy Council of your Highness or Successors but such as are of known Piety and undoubted affection to the Rights of these Nations and a just Christian Liberty in matters of Religion nor without consent of the Council to be afterwards approved by both Houses of Parliament and shall not afterwards be removed but by consent of Parliament but may in the Intervals of Parliament be suspended from the Exercise of his Place by your Highness or your Successors and the Council for just cause and that the number of the Council shall not be above One and twenty whereof the Quorum to be Seven and not under As also that after Your Highness death the Commander in Chief under Your Successors of such Army or Armies as shall be necessary to be kept in England Scotland or Ireland as also all such Field-Officers at Land or Generals at Sea which after that time shall be newly made and Constituted by Your Successors be by consent of the Council and not otherwise And that the standing Forces of this Commonwealth shall be disposed of by the Chief Magistrate by consent of both Houses of Parliament sitting the Parliament and in the Intervals of Parliament by the Chief Magistrate by the Advice of the Council And also that your Highness and Successors will be pleased to Exercise your Government over these Nations by the Advice of your Council IX And that the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal of England the Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury there the Admiral the Chief Governour of Ireland the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland the Chief Justices of both the Benches and the Chief Baron in England and Ireland the Commander in Chief of the Forces in Scotland and such Officers of State there as by Act of Parliament in Scotland are to be approved by Parliament and the Judges in Scotland hereafter to be made shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament X And whereas your Highness out of your zeal to the glory of God and the propagation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ hath been pleased to encourage a Godly Ministry in these Nations We earnestly desire that such as do openly revile them or their Assemblies or disturb them in the Worship or Service of God to the dishonour of God scandal of good men or breach of the peace may be punished according to Law And where the Laws are defective that your Highness will give consent to such Laws as shall be made in that behalf XI That the true Protestant Christian Religion as it is contained in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament and no other be held forth and asserted for the publique profession of these Nations And that a Confession of Faith to be agreed by your Highness and the Parliament according to the Rule and Warrant of the Sciptures be asserted held forth and recommended to the people of these Nations That none may be suffered or permitted by opprobrious Words or Writing maliciously or contemptuously to Revile or Reproach the Confession of Faith to be agreed upon as aforesaid And such who profess Faith in God the Father and in Jesus Christ his Eternal Son the true God and in the Holy Spirit God coequal with the Father and the Son one God blessed for ever and do acknowlege the
Officers Commissioners of the Seal and of the Treasury and his Council The Earl of Warwick carried the Sword before him and the Lord Mayor of London carried the City Sword His Highness standing under the Cloth of State the Speaker in the Name of the Parliament presented to him 1. A Robe of Purple Velvet lined with Ermine which the Speaker assisted by Whitelocke and others put upon his Highness then he delivered to him the Bible richly gilt and bossed after that the Speaker girt the Sword about his Highness and delivered into his hand the Scepter of massie Gold and then made a Speech to him upon those several things presented to him wishing him all prosperity in his Government and gave him the Oath and Mr. Manton by Prayer recommended his Highness the Parliament the Council the Forces by Land and Sea and the whole Government and People of the three Nations to the blessing and protection of God After this the people gave several great shouts and the Trumpets sounding the Protector sate in the Chair of State holding the Scepter in his hand on his right side sate the Ambassadour of France on the left side the Ambassadour of the Vnited Provinces Near to his Highness stood his Son Richard the Lord Deputy Fleetwood Claypole Master of the Horse his Highness Council and Officers of State the Earl of Warwick held the Sword on the right side of the Chair and the Lord Mayor of London held the City Sword on the left hand of the Chair near the Earl of Warwick stood the Lord Viscount Lisle general Mountague and Whitelocke each of them having a drawn Sword in their hands Then the Trumpets sounded and an Herauld proclaimed his Highness Title and Proclamation was made and loud Acclamations of the People God save the Lord Protector The Ceremonies being ended His Highness having his Train carried by the Lord Sherwood Mr. Rich the Earl of Warwick's Grandchild and by the Lord Roberts his Son accompanied by the Ambassadours and attended as before went in State to Westminster-Hall Gate where he took his rich Coach In the upper end of it himself sate in his Robes in the other end sate the Earl of Warwick in one Boot sate his Son Richard and Whitelocke with a drawn Sword in his hand and in the other Boot sate the Lord Viscount L'Isle and General Mountague with Swords drawn in their hands Cleypole led the Horse of Honour in rich Caparisons the Life Guard and other Guards attended the Coach the Officers and the rest followed in Coaches to White-hall The Speaker and members of Parliament went to the House where they passed some Votes and ordered them to be presented to his Highness Then according to the Act of Parliament the House adjourned it self till the twentieth of January next The Bills passed by his Highness this Parliament besides those mentioned before were An Act for the preventing of the multiplicity of Buildings in and about the Suburbs of London and within ten miles thereof An Act for quiet enjoying of sequestred Parsonages and Vicarages by the present Incumbent An Act for discovering convicting and repressing of Popish Recusants An Act and Declaration touching several Acts and Ordinances made since the twentieth of April 1653. and before the third of September 1654. and other Acts c. Instructions agreed upon in Parliament for Joseph Aylloffe Thomas Skipwith Jeremy Banes Adam Ayre Esq James Robinson and William Marr Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest of Sher-wood Robert Frank John Kensey Thomas Wats Esq and George Sargeant Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest or Chase of Need-wood James Stedman Robert Tayler Thomas Tanner Esq and John Halsey Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forest or Chase of Kingswood Henry Dewell William Dawges Joseph Gamage Esq Richard Johnson Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest or Chase of Ashdown or Lancaster great Park John Baynton Hugh Web Esq Major Rolph and Nicholas Gunton Gent. Commissioners for surveying Enfield Chase in pursuance of an Act of this present Parliament Intituled an Act and Declaration touching several Acts and Ordinances made since the twentieth of April 1653. and before the third of September 1654. and other Acts c. An Act for punishing of such persons as live at high rates and have no visible Estate Profession or Calling answerable thereunto An Act for Indempnifiing of such persons as have acted for the service of the publick An Act for the better observation of the Lord's Day An Act for raising of fifteen thousand pounds Sterling in Scotland An Act for an Assessment at the rate of five and thirty thousand pounds by the month upon England six thousand pounds by the month upon Scotland and nine thousand pounds by the month upon Ireland for three years from the twenty fourth of June 1657. for a Temporary supply towards the mantainance of the Armys and Navys of this Common-wealth An Additional Act for the better Improvement and advancing the Receipts of the Excise and new Impost A Book of Values of Merchandize imported according to which Excise is to be paid by the first Buyer An Act for continuing and establishing the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage and for reviving an Act for the better packing of Butter and redress of abuses therein An Act for the better suppressing of Theft upon the Borders of England and Scotland and for discovery of High-way-men and other Felons An Act for the improvement of the Revenue of the Customs and Excise An Act for the assuring confirming and settling of Lands and Estates in Ireland An Act for the Attainder of the Rebels in Ireland An Act for the settling of the Postage of England Scotland and Ireland An Act for the Adjournment of this present Parliament from the 26th of June 1657 unto the 20th of January next ensuing The humble additional and explanatory Petition and Advice in these words TO HIS HIGHNESS THE LORD PROTECTOR OF THE Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging The humble Additional and Explanatory Petition and Advice of the Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled in the Parliament of this Common-wealth WHereas upon the humble Petition and Advice of the said Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled in the Parliament of this Common-wealth lately presented and consented unto by your Highness certain Doubts and Questions have arisen concerning some particulars therein comprised for explanation whereof May it please your Highness to declare and consent unto the Additions and Explanations hereafter mentioned and may it be declared with your Highness Consent In the fourth Article That such person and persons as invaded England under Duke Hamilton in the year 1648 Or advised consented assisted or voluntarily contributed unto that War and were for that cause debarred from publick trust by the Parliament of Scotland be uncapable to Elect or be Elected to sit and serve as Members of Parliament or in any other place of publick trust relating unto the fourth and thirteenth
Articles in the Petition and Advice excepting such as since have born Arms for your Highness or the Parliament or have been admitted to sit and serve in the Parliament of this Commonwealth and are of good life and conversation or such as shall hereafter be declared by your Highness with the advice of your Council to have given some signal testimony of their good affection and continuance in the same That the Proviso in the said fourth Article be explain'd thus viz. That such English and Scotish Protestants who since the defection of the Earl of Ormond and the Lord Inchiquin and before the first day of March 1649. have born Arms for and ever since continued faithfull to the Parliament or your Highness or have otherwise before the said first day of March 1649. given signal testimony of their good affection to this Common-wealth and have ever since continued faithfull to the same shall not be debarred or deemed uncapable of electing or being Elected to serve in Parliament And whereas in the said fourth Article Publick Ministers or Publick Preachers of the Gospel are disabled to be Elected to serve in Parliament It is hereby explained and declared to extend to such Ministers and Preachers only as have Maintenance for Preaching or are Pastors or Teachers of Congregations In the said fourth Article That in stead of Commissioners to be appointed by Act of Parliament to examin and try whether the Members to be Elected for the House of Commons in future Parliaments be capable to sit according to the Qualifications mentioned in the said Petition and Advice there shall be the Penalty and Fine of a 1000 pounds laid and inflicted upon every such unqualified Member being so adjudged by the said House of Commons and imprisonment of his Person until payment thereof And that the ensuing Clauses in the said Article viz. We desire that it may by your Highness Consent be Ordained That forty and one Commissioners be appointed by act of Parliament who or five or more of them shall be Authorized to examine and try whether the Members to be Elected for the House of Commons in future Parliaments be Capable to sit according to the qualifications mentioned in this Petition and Advice and in case they find them not qualified accordingly then to suspend them from sitting until the House of Commons shall upon hearing their particular Cases admit them to sit which Commissioners are to stand so Authorized for that end until the House of Commons in any future Parliament shall nominate the like number of other Commissioners in their places And those other Commissioners so to be nominated in any future Parliament to have the same Power and Authority That the said Commissioners shall Certifie in writing to the House of Commons on the first day of their meeting the cause and grounds of their suspensions of any person so to be Elected as aforesaid That the Accusation shall be upon Oath of the Informant or of some other person That a Copy of the Accusation shall be left by the party accusing in writing under his hand with the party accused or in his absence at his house in the Country City or Town for which he shall be Chosen if he have any such House or if not with the Sheriff of the County if he be chosen for a County or with the chief Magistrate of the City or Burrough for which he is chosen shall not be put in Execution or made use of but shall be void frustrate Null and of none effect and shall be so construed and taken to all intents and purposes whatsoever anything contained in the said Petition and Advice to the contrary notwithstanding In the fifth Article That the Nomination of the Persons to supply the place of such Members of the other House as shall die or be removed shall be by your Highness and your Successors In the seventh Article That the monies directed to be for the supply of the Sea and Land Forces be issued by Advice of the Council And that the Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury shall give an Account of all the said money to every Parliament That the Officers of State and Judges in the Ninth Article of the said Petition and Advice mentioned shall be chosen in the â—ntervals of Parliament by the Consent of the Council to be afterwards approved by Parliament That your Highness will be pleased according to the usage of former Chief Magistrates in these Nations and for the better satisfaction of the People thereof to take an Oath in the form ensuing I do in the presence and by the Name of God Almighty promise and swear That to the uttermost of my power I will uphold and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to the uttermost of my power and understanding and incourage the Profession and Professours of the same and that to the utmost of my power I will endeavour as chief Magistrate of these three Nations the Maintenance and Preservation of the Peace and safety and of the just Rights and Privileges of the people thereof And shall in all things according to my best knowledge and power govern the people of these Nations according to Law That your Highness successors do before they take upon them the Government of these Nations take an Oath in the Form aforesaid That all such persons who now are or shall hereafter be of the Privy Council of your Highness or Successors before they or either of them do act as Counsellors shall respectively take an Oath before persons to be authorised by your Highness and Successors for that purpose in the Form following I A. B. doe in the presence and by the Name of God Almighty promise and swear That to the uttermost of my power in my place I will uphold and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament and encourage the Profession and Professors of the same And that I will be true and faithfull to His Highness the Lord Protector of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereto belonging as Chief Magistrate thereof And shall not contrive design or attempt any thing against the person or lawfull Authority of his said Highness and shall keep secret all matters that shall be treated of in Council and put under secrecy and not reveal them but by Command or consent of His Highness the Parliament or the Council and shall in all things faithfully perform the trust Committed to me as a Councellor according to the best of my understanding in order to the good Government Peace and Welfare of these Nations That the same Oath be taken by the members of your Highness Council of Scotland and Ireland That every person who now is or hereafter shall be a Member of either House of Parliament
and Henry Nevil and their Flock were a great cause of disturbance in this Parliament The Commons voted That in all messages to and Conferences with the other House equal Ceremonies should be used and no other respect observed by the Members of this House than what is observed by the Members sitting in the other House 6. The Dutch assisted the King of Denmark and the English assisted the King of Sweden 14. On the sixth of this Month a Representation was signed by all the Officers of the Army and afterwards presented to his Highness setting forth their want of pay the insolencies of the Enemies and their designs together with some in power to ruin the Army and the good Old Cause and to bring in the Enemies thereof to prevent which and to provide against free quarter they desire his Highness to advise with the Parliament and to provide effectual remedy Now there being yet nothing done hereupon the Souldiers began to speak high and threatning This was the beginning of Richard's fall and set on foot by his Relations Desborough who married his Aunt and Fleetwood who married his Sister and others of their Party and the Parliament disputed about the other House but took no course to provide money but exasperated the Army and all those named of the other House The Commons sent up the Declaration for a publick Fast to the other House who answered that they would take it into further consideration and the Lord Commissioner Fiennes and the rest went to the Bar to receive the Message The Speaker Mr. Chute died an eminent man in his profession Mr. Bamfield was chosen Speaker The Quakers delivered a Paper to the Speaker seconding the Representation of the Army and adding to it and the Houses answer was that they disliked the scandals therein cast upon the Magistracy and Ministry and ordered them to resort to their Habitations and apply themselves to their callings and submit to the Laws and Magistracy of the Nation 17. His Highness sent for the Officers of the Army and had conference with them The Commons sent up to the other House several Votes derogatory to that House and distastfull to the Army 20. A Representation from the Officers of the trained Bands of London to his Highness of the danger from the publick Enemy and seconding the Representation of the Army 21. The Parliament grew into heats Haslerigge and Nevil and their party laboured to overthrow the Government by a Protector and two Houses of Parliament and pretended to have a free Commonwealth divers Officers of the Army joyned with them Desborough Fleetwood Sir Henry Vane Berry and others endeavoured to lessen Richard's power and some of them were for altering the Government and Lambert who had been discontented closely wrought for that end Richard advised with the Lord Broghill Fiennes Thurloe Wolseley Whitelocke and some others whether it were not fit to dissolve the present Parliament most of them were for it Whitelocke doubted the success of it and wished a little longer permission of their sitting especially now they had begun to consider of raising money whereby they would engage the Souldiery but most were for the dissolving of the Parliament in regard of the present great dangers from them and from the Cavaliers who now flocked to London and under hand fomented the Divisions 22. By Commission under the Great Seal to Fiennes and others this Parliament was dissolved and a Proclamation issued to declare it dissolved which caused much trouble in the minds of many honest men the Cavaliers and Republicans rejoyced at it Richard and his Council sate close to consult what was fit to be done and among them were many Enemies to Richard and his Government 23. Many were much troubled at these changes and unsettledness 24. A Proclamation for all Papists and Cavaliers to depart twenty miles from London 27. Lambert and other Officers of the Army consulted how they might again bring in the old Members of the Parliament whom themselves had before thrust out May 1659. 3. Richard was abused and betrayed by his near Relations and those of his Council Whitelocke was wary what to advise in this matter but declared his judgment honestly and for the good of Richard when his advice was required 4. The Souldiers and their party grew high in their imagined designs that some could not forbear their Scoffs 5. News of Sir George Ayscoughs favour with the King of Sweden All matters were at a stand the Army had thoughts of raising money without a Parliament but upon advice they durst not adventure upon it they thought it a safer way to restore the Members of the long Parliament The Great Officers of the Army were advised to consider better of their design of bringing in the Members of the Old Parliament who were most of them discontented for their being formerly broken up by Cromwel and did distast the proceedings of the Army and whether this would not probably more increase the Divisions and end in bringing in of the King but the Officers had resolved on it 6. Fleetwood and the General Council of the Officers of the Army published a Declaration inviting the Members of the long Parliament who continued sitting till April 20th 1653. to return to the exercise and discharge of their trust The Declaration was as followeth THE publick concernments of this Commonwealth being through a vicissitude of dangers deliverances and backslidings of many brought into that state and posture wherein they now stand and our selves also contributing thereunto by wandring divers ways from righteous and equal paths and although there hath been many essays to obviate the dangers and to settle these Nations in peace and prosperity yet all have proved ineffectual the only wise God in the course of his providence disappointing all endeavours therein And also observing to our great grief that the good Spirit which formerly appeared amongst us in the carrying on of this great work did daily decline so as the Good old Cause it self became a reproach We have been led to look back and examine the cause of the Lords withdrawing his wonted presence from us and where we turned out of the way that through mercy we might return and give him the glory And among other things call to mind that the long Parliament consisting of the Members which continued there sitting untill the 20th of April 1653. were eminent Assertors of that Cause and had a special presence of God with them and were signally blessed in that work the desires of many good people concurring with ours therein we judge it our duty to invite the aforesaid Members to return to the exercise and discharge of their trust as before the said twentieth day of April 1653. And therefore we do hereby most earnestly desire the Parliament consisting of those Members who continued to sit since the Year 1648. until the 20th of April 1653. to return to the
exercise and discharge of their Trust and we shall be ready in our places to yield them as becomes us our utmost Assistance to sit in safety for the improving present opportunity for setling and securing the peace and freedom of this Commonwealth praying for the presence and blessing of God upon their endeavours Signed by direction of the Lord Fleetwood and the Council of Officers of the Army Tho. Sandford Secretary May 6. 1659. â—ambert Berry Cooper Haslerigge Lilburn Ashfield Salmon Zanchey Kelsey Okey Blackwell Haynes Allen Packer and Pierson went to the old Speaker Lenthal with this Declaration to the Rolls and presented it to him and divers of the Members of the long Parliament came thither afterwards to advise with the Speaker and declared their willingness to meet again which they appointed to Morrow-morning in the Painted-Chamber 7. They met accordingly and in a body went together to the House Lambert guarding them with Souldiers Then they passed a Declaration touching their Meeting and their purpose to secure the Property and Liberty of the people both as Men and as Christians and that without a single Person Kingship or House of Peers and to uphold Magistracy and Ministry 8. A Sermon was Preached in the House by Dr. Owen 9. The House appointed a Committee of Safety most of them Souldiers except Vane and Scot and ordered that all Officers should be such as feared God and were faithfull to the Cause Letters of General Monk to Fleetwood of the Concurrence of the Army in Scotland with the Army at London Letters ordered to be sent to the particular Members of this Parliament to come and discharge their duty 11. An Act passed for the continuing of Sheriffs Justices of Peace c. in England and in Scotland and Ireland 12. An Address to the Parliament with their Desires in it from many in and about London and their Protestation to stand by this Parliament The like Address to this Parliament from the Officers of the Army These Passages gave the more hopes to many that this Parliament thus restored might be blessed of God for settling the Peace and Liberty of the Nation and the more because they were upon the first right foundation of that long Parliament which had done so great things and therefore divers were the better satisfied to go on with them 13. The Parliament named a Council of State and several Gentlemen not Members of the House were also of it their Names were as followeth Thomas Lord Fairfax M. G. Lambert Col J. Desborough Col. James Bury John Bradshaw Serjeant at Law Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper Sir Horatio Townsend Sir Arthur Haslerigge Sir Henry Vane L. G. Ludlow L. G. Fleetwood Major Salwey Col. Morley Mr. Scot Mr. Wallop Sir James Harrington Col. Wanton Col. Jo. Jones Col. Sydenham Col. Sydney Mr. Nevil Mr. Thomas Chaloner Colonel Downes Lord chief Justice St. John Col. Thompson Lord Commissioner Whitelocke Col. Dixwell Mr. Reynolds Josiah Barners Sir Archibold Johnson Sir Robert Honywood 14. An Act for a new Great Seal different from that whereof Fiennes L'Isle and Whitelocke were Commissioners and so their Office ceased 15. Newdigate Atkins Archer and Parker were made Judges and Easter Term was continued 16. An Act passed appointing Judges for Probate of Wills Applications from Mr. Nathaniel Bacon and his Brother about the payment of their Salary as Masters of the Requests to the Protector and Serjeant Lynne about his Arrears of his Salary Votes passed for Pay of the Army and Navy and for Sale of Whitehall and Somerset-house 17. Address to the Parliament from the Army in Scotland Right honourable THat a Nation may be born in a day is a truth which this days experience witnesseth unto us against all the dictates of humane Reason and that a glorious Cause whose Interest was laid low even in the dust should be in one day restored to its life and lustre when almost all the Asserters of it had so manifestly declined it by a defection of many years cannot be imputed to less than the greatest and most powerfull manifestation of the Arm of God that ever this or former Generations saw or heard of In the sense of this the greatest of our Temporal Mercies we now come to address to your Honours as those whose presence we have so long wanted that had you staid but a little longer it might have been left to be enquired what England was we mean what was become of that People by whom God for so many years filled the World with so much admiration and terrour But though this great Work be as most justly it ought to be wonderfull in our eyes yet when we consider its Author who calls things that are not as if they were bringeth down to the Pit and raiseth up again we see that nothing is difficult to Faith and the Promises of God are sure and stable even then when in the eye of man no less than impossible We cannot but acknowledge to our exceeding great sorrow and shame that our selves though we hope most of us through weakness and frailty not out of design have very much contributed to those Provocations which have caused God to depart from our Israel and we could hearâ—ily wish that even amongst those that help to make up your own number there had not been an helping hand to this sad and deplorable work But we see when God's hour is come and the time of his people's deliverance even the set time is at hand he cometh skipping over all the Mountains of sin and unworthiness that we daily cast in the way We are not willing to detain your Honours too long upon this subject and therefore besecching the God of all our Mercies to heal the backslidings of his people and not to charge unto their account in this his day of their deliverance their miscarriages whilst they were wandering in dark and slippery places after the imaginations of their own hearts we with all bumility and affection in the first place congratulate you in this your happy hestauration to the Government of these Nations which God was pleased once so to own in your hands as to make you both the praise and wonder of the Earth the glory and rejoycing of his People and the terrour of your Adversaries and we acknowledge it a singular condescention in you in this day of 〈◊〉 great difficulties to take upon you so heavy a burthen And sceing his late Highness hath been pleased to manifest so much self-denial and love to his Country in appearing for the Interest thereof against his own we humbly intreat that some speedy care may be taken for him and his family together with her Highness Dowager that there may be such an honourable Provision settled upon them and such other Dignities as are suitable to the former great Services of that Family to these Nations And in the next place we cannot but humbly beseech you now you
right again in relation to them and a Committee made to consider what other Votes were fit to be vacated Then to please their Patron they voted Monk to be General of all the Forces in England Scotland and Ireland Lawson was voted to be Vice-Admiral and the Powers given to the Commissioners for government of the Army were repealed Sir Robert Pye Fincher and others released of their Imprisonment All Orders of the Council of State or Commissioners of the Army concerning the Forces are to be communicated to Monk and not to be proceeded upon without his approbation The Powers given to the Council of State to be taken away and a new Council to be chosen Order to restore the Common Council of London to their liberty and for the City to set up again their Posts Chains Gates and Portcullises The Members of Parliament ordered to attend the House the imprisoned Apprentices released by Order and the cause of the Imprisonment of Sir George Booth Col. Brooke the L. Crawford L. Louderdale and Lord St. Clare to be certified to the House 22. More former Votes vacated M. G. Brown restored to his place in Parliament Sir G. Booth released upon security and his Sequestration stopped Order for a new Parliament to be summoned to meet April 25. 1660. A Committee named to prepare Qualifications for it The City returned thanks to the House for their favour and the House sent to borrow money of them Monk took up his Quarters at S. James's House 23. Divers imprisoned for Addresses to the former House were released and ordered that no private business be admitted during the sitting of this Parliament All Powers granted for the several Militia's repealed and an Act to be for new settling of them The Vote repealed that Scot be Secretary of State The City sent a Congratulation to the Parliament for their Restauration and consented to lend them 60000 l. for pay of the Forces and petitioned for settling their Militia in such hands as the City might confide in and named in a List Commissioners for their Militia which the House approved A Day of Thansgiving appointed The Council of State named Several Sheriffs appointed Vote to discharge Mr. Bulstrode from being a Commissioner for the Excise this Gentleman Whitelocke had put in formerly to be a Commissioner of the Excise and although he had faithfully served the Parliament yet that was not now considered but he was set by and perhaps the rather because of his kindred to Whitelocke to make way for another The like was done to others and several new Officers made Order for a Bill to dissolve the present Parliament 25. The Act passed for constituting George Monk Esquire Captain General and Commander in chief under the Parliament of all the Land Forces in England Scotland and Ireland An Act passed for constituting the Council of State with a Repeal of the Act for the former Council An Act past for continuance of the Excise and Customs and Votes about those Customs The Lent Circuits put off and a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to be issued forth in the several Counties Several persons discharged of their Imprisonments and Sequestrations A Pardon past for divers reprieved persons A Declaration from the Officers of the Army in Ireland for the secluded Members and for a free Parliament Sir Hardress Waller opposed by Coot and others The City advanced money for the Parliament They entertained Monk and his Officers at Dinner on the Thanksgiving Day Monk visited the Speaker at the Rolls Ingoldsby sent by Monk with Forces to quiet the Regiment at Bury Colonel Morley Lieutenant of the Tower concurred with Monk 27. Votes to make void all that was done in Parliament against those of Sir George Booth's Party and against Chester This was sufficient to cause men to suppose what was intended The Speaker made Chamberlain of Chester An Oath past for the Officers of the Council of State A Proclamation for the Officers of the Army to continue with their Souldiers Vote for the Council that they may secure any persons though they be Members of Parliament to prevent publick danger John Thomson and John Thurloe Esquires voted to be Secretaries of State Vote for Dr. Clargies Monk's friend to have the Hamper Office Letters from York that by Monk's Letters to the Forces there he had given them so full satisfaction of his joyning against the Old Enemy and that Family that they concurred with him but if he should do otherwise they would oppose him 29. A Committee to examine matters touching sequestred Ministers Debate of security for money to be lent by the City and Votes touching the Militia of the City and other Militias A few Arms seized in the Houses of L. Colonel Kiffin and others Monk made Mr. Carew Ralegh Governour of Jersey Colonel Vnton Crook and his Regiments concurrence with Monk declared by them and the like by other Regiments March 1659. 1. Sir George Gerrard voted to be Custos Rotulorum of Middlesex Order for maimed Souldiers c. and for the poor Knights of Windsor Order about the Publick Revenue and the Assessment and for wounded Seamen Vote that this Parliament be dissolved at or before the fifteenth day of this instant March A Message to the City for money 2. The Confession of Faith of the Assembly of Divines agreed unto by the House except the 30 and 31 Chapters which are touching Church censures and synods Monk and Mountague voted to be Generals at Sea both fit for the intended design Orders touching the Militias and for maimed Souldiers c. and about the settlement of Ireland Repeal of former Votes against Hollis and of two late Acts of Sequestrations 3. The Question betwixt Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Owen about the Deanry of Christ-Church referred to a Committee The Earl of Crawford and Lauderdale and the Lord Sinclere released from their Imprisonment in Windsor Castle Orders about the Admiralty and Navy and Prize Goods Dr. Walker put out from being Judge Advocate Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper's Regiment declared for the Parliament and for Monk Courting Addresses to Monk from Northampton-shire and Nottingham-shire Intelligence of the Death of the King of Sweden a Gallant wise just and valiant Price The Protestant Interest lost a great Patron A Souldier hanged for murther Monk was feasted by several Companies in London 5. An Act passed for the publick confession of Faith Divers Sheriffs of Counties named Orders for a Proclamation to put the Laws in execution against Papists Orders for the Militias and for Justices of Peace Order for Printing and setting up in Churches the Solemn League and Covenant 6. Some Sheriffs named Lambert committed to the Tower and Haslerigge ordered to attend the House Overton discharged from being Governour of Hull and a Colonel Divers Commissions for the Militia passed Persons and Arms apprehended 7. The House approved the committment of Colonel Rich by the
of some of the King 's and Queen's Letters taken at Naseby Fight 16. The House passed many Compositions for delinquency for Sir Richard Halford Sir John Cotton and others and appointed a Committee to examine the abuses of Sequestrators and Sollicitors of Committees Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army informed that they made a breach of about 30 foot wide in the Wall of Sherburne Castle and then sent a Summons And Sir Lewis Dives returned a peremptory denyal whereupon Sir Thomas Fairfax his men went on to storm 20 of the Garrison leaped over the Wall and came in to him demanding Quarter those within cryed out for a Parley but it was denied only Quarter offered for their Lives upon which terms the Parliament Souldiers soon made themselves masters of the Castle There they took Sir Lewis Dives the Governour and Sir John Stangeways formerly members of Parliament One of the Lord Paulet's Sons â—ussell an Attorney 10 Ministers divers of the Gentry and Commissioners of Array and 600 prisoners 1400 arms great store of Ammunition and Provisions 18. Order for the House to sit some daies in the week as a Grand Committee to consider of Propositions of Peace to be sent to his Majesty and the Scots Commissioners to be acquainted therewith Col. Rowe and Mr. Booker chosen by the City to go as Commissioners into Ireland were approved A Petition from Kent referred to a Committee Order for a Letter of thanks to Sir Thomas Fairfax and for a Day of thanksgiving for the taking of Bath Bridgwater and other Garrisons Goring failed of recruits in the West At Exeter an Oath was tendred to all the Inhabitants and Souldiers to oppose all forces not raised by the King's consent and particularly Sir T. F ' s. Army Letters informed that Prince Rupert had in Bristol a 1000 horse and 2000 Foot and took in a Garrison of the Parliaments called Stenchcombe where he put 40 men to the Sword in cold bloud In the King's march the Scotch horse fell upon his quarters at Bewley and took 70 horse and divers Officers At Litchfield the King confined Col. Hastings for delivering up of Leicester about Tilbury Sir John Gell fell upon his Rear took Captain Blake and others and 40 prisoners but the King's Forces returned upon him and rescued 20 of their own men and took 10 of Sir John Gell's prisoners Lieutenant G. David Lesly with the Scotch horse was near him and Mr. G. Pointz with 2500 horse Colonel Rositer with 1500 horse and the Country horse about 2000 intended to joyn together in all about 10000 horse to follow his Majesty 19. The House resolved That the Committees in the North had no power to appoint Governours of Forts there and the House nominated M. G. Pointz to be Governour of York and Colonel Sir Matthew Boynton of Scarborough A Declaration against Tumultuous Assemblies by any persons in Arms without Authority from the Parliament sent to Governours of Forts to be published and they impowered to seize on the Leaders of them to be proceeded against as Traytors Orders for Captain Doyley Governour of New-port Paganel to command the Regiment that was Sir Samuel Luke's Orders for levying the Arrears in London of the Assesment for Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army and for the Arrears to the Scots Army Order for money for several Forces 20. The House were in debate of the point for suspending from the Sacrament but nothing was determined in it Order for superstitious Pictures in York-House to be sold Orders for money and supplies for Garrisons Order That no foreign Impressions of English Bibles be vended here without perusal of the Assembly The King with 5000 Horse and Dragoons was at the Lord Fretswell's House and the Parliament forces not far from him G. Leven having planted his Batteries sent his summons to Hereford to come to a Parley and to expect no further offer A Book was brought into the House taken at Naseby fight wherein were the names of divers members of the House with summs of money supposed to have been contributed by them to the King and his Majestie 's hand in many places of it The Speaker said he had perused the Book and did not find there his own name nor Mr. Dunch or Mr. Whitelocke's name and he believed the reason was because the King had taken all from them 21. The House were in a Grand Committee in debate of new Elections for members and upon the Question it was carried by three voices to have new Elections and the Speaker ordered to issue out his Warrants for Writs for new Elections at Southwark Bury and Hithe and none to be chosen and sit unless they took the Covenant Both Houses granted a pass for the Lord Houghton the Earl of Clare's Son and another for Mr. Hollis's Son for going beyond Sea But Captain Bettisworth praying the like was desired to stay in England to doe further Service Sir Thomas Fairfax with advice of his Council of Warr proposed to go before Bristol The Plague was much in Scotland and Montross lately routed aBrigade of horse of the Covenanters 23. Order for supplies for M. G. Langherne and for 10 l. a Week to be allowed to his Wife in part of his Arrears A Bookseller questioned for Printing sheets unlicensed and order that none shall doe the like An Ordinance sent to the Lords for Mr. Case one of the Assembly to be Parson of Sapport in Cheshire Order for Colonel Jephson to beat up Drums for Voluntiers for Ireland Five hundred pounds Allowed to Scots Reformadoes Order for payment of Waggoners according to Contract and of Trades-men for their Commodities M. G. Brown continued very scrupulous and a discontent seemed to remain with him 25. Orders for recruits which came in but slowly for the Army and for money for the Forces of M. G. Massey A Petition of Ministers of London and Westminster concerning non-admittance of gross sinners to the Sacrament referred to the Grand Committee Order That the sad Condition of Scotland in respect of the sickness there and the late defeat given them by Montross shall be remembred in the publick prayers on the next fast day Upon Information of the King 's returning Southward and to prevent the plundering of his Souldiers and the breaking into the Associated Counties care was taken to put them into a posture of defence and for supplies of Garrisons in his way and Colonel Graves and Colonel Whaley were to go with more Forces into those parts Order for 300 l. for Colonel Graves The Scots Horse and Dragoons to whom M. G. Pointz Colonel Rositer and the Countrey Forces joyned makeing in all 10000 Horse and Dragoons got betwixt the King and the North so that he retreated back to Newarke a party of the Parliaments fell upon his Rear took the L. Harris a Papist 100 horse and divers prisoners From Newarke the King marched into Lincoln-shire where his Army
wherein consisted this more than in obtaining that Liberty from the Tyranny of the Bishops to all Species of Protestants to worship God according to their own Light and Consciences for want of which many of our Brethren forsook their Natives Countries to seek their Bread from Srangers and to live in Howling Wildernesses and for which also many that remained here were imprisoned and otherwise abused and made the scorn of the Nation Those that were sound in the Faith how proper was it for them to labour for Liberty for a just Liberty that men should not be trampled upon for their Consciences had not they laboured but lately under the weight of persecutions and was it fit for them to sit heavy upon others is it ingenuous to ask liberty and not to give it what greater Hypocrisie than for those who were Oppressed by the Bishops to become the greatest Oppressors themselves so soon as their yoke was removed I could wish that they who call for Liberty now also had not too much of that Spirit if the power were in their hands As for Prophane Persons Blasphemers such as preach Sedition the Contentious Railers Evil Speakers who seek by evil words to corrupt good manners persons of loose Conversations punishment from the Civil Magistrate ought to meet with them because if these pretend Conscience yet walking disordily and not according but contrary to the Gospel and even to natural light they are judged of all and their Sins being open makes them subjects of the Magistrates Sword who ought not to bear it in vain The Discipline of the Army was such that a man would not be suffered to remain there of whom we could take notice he was guilty of such Practices as these and therefore how happy would England have been and You and I if the Lord had led you on to have settled upon such good accounts as these are and to have discountenanced such practices as the other and left men in disputable things free to their own Consciences which was well provided for by the Government Liberty left to provide against what was apparently evil Judge you whether the contesting for things that were provided for by this Government hath been Profitable expence of time for the good of these Nations by means whereof you may see you have wholly elapsed your time and done just nothing I will say this to you in behalf of the long Parliament that had such an Expedient as this Government been proposed to them and that they could have seen the Cause of God thus provided for and had by Debates been enlightned in the grounds by which the Difficulties might have been cleered and the reason of the whole inforced the circumstances of Time and Persons with the Temper and Disposition of the People and Affairs both Abroad and at Home when it was undertaken well weighed as well as they were thought to love their Seats I think in my conscience that they would have proceeded in another manner than you have done and not have exposed things to those Difficulties and Hazards they now are at nor given occasion to leave the People so dissetled as now they are who I dare say in the soberest and most judicious part of them did expect not a Questioning but a doing things in persuance of the Government and if I be not mis informed very many of you came up with this Satisfaction having had time enough to weigh and consider the same And when I say such an Expedient as this Government is wherein I dare assert there is a just Liberty to the People of God and the Just Rights of the People in these Nations provided for I can put the issue thereof upon the Cleerest Reason whatsoever any go about to suggest to the Contrary But this not being the time and place of such an Averment for satisfaction sake herein enough is said in a Book entituled A True State of the Case of the Common-wealth c. published in Jan. 1653. And for my self I desire not to keep it an hour longer than I may preserve England in its Just Rights and may Protect the People of God in such a just Liberty of their Consciences as I have already mentioned And therefore if this Parliament have judged things to be otherwise than as I have stated them it had been huge Friendliness between persons that had such a Reciprocation and in so great Concernments to the publick for them to have convinced me in what particulars therein my errour lav of which I never yet had a word from you But if instead thereof your time has been spent in Setting up somewhat else upon another bottom than this stands that looks as if a laying grounds of a Quarrel had rather been designed than to give the People Settlement if it be thus it s well your Labours have not arrived to any maturity at all This Government called you hither the Constitution whereof being so limited A single Person and a Parliament and this was thought most agreeable to the General sense of the Nation having had experience enough by trial of other Conclusions judging this most likely avoid the extremes of Monarchy on the one hand and Democraty on the other and yet not to found Dominium in gratia And if so then certainly to make it more than a Noâ—ion it was requisite that it should be as it is in the Government which puts it upon a true and equal Ballance It has been already submitted to the Judicious honest People of this Nation whether the Ballance be not equal and what their Judgment is is Visible by Submission to it by acting upon it by restraining their Trustees from medling with it and it neither asks nor needs any better ratisication But when Trustees in Parliament shall by Experience find any evil in any parts of the Government referred by the Government it self to the Consideration of the Protector and Parliament of which time it self will be the best Discoverer how can it be reasonably imagined that a Person or Persons coming in by Election and standing under such Obligations and so limited and so necessitated by Oath to Govern for the Peoples good and to make their love under God the best under-propping and his best interest to him how can it I say be imagined that the present or succeding Protectors will refuse to agree to alter any such thing in the Government that may be found to be for the good of the People or to recede from any thing which he might be convinced casts the ballance too much to the single Person And although for the present the keeping up and having in His Power the Militia seems the most hard yet if it should be yielded up at such a time as this when there is as much need to keep this Cause by it which is most evident at this time impugned by at all the Enemies of it as there was to get it what would become of all or if it should not
be equally placed in Him and the Parliament but yeilded up at any time it determines his power either for doing the good he ought or hindering Parliamens from perpetuating themselves or from imposing what Religions they please on the Consciences of men or what Government they please upon the Nation thereby subjecting us to Dissettlement in every Parliament and to the desperate consequences thereof and if the Nation shall happen to fall into a blessed Peace how easily and certainly will their charge be taken off and their Forces be disbanded and then where will the danger be to have the Militia thus stated What if I should say If there should be a disproportion or disequality as to the power it is on the other hand and if this be so wherein have you had cause to quarrel What Demonstrations have you held forth to settle Me to your opinion would you had made me so happy as to let me have known your Grounds I have made a free and ingenuous confession of my Faith to you and I could have wished it had been in your hearts to have agreed that some friendly and cordial debates might have been towards mutual Conviction was there none amongst you to move such a thing no fitness to listen to it no desire of a right understanding if it be not folly in Me to listen to Town-talk such things have been proposed and rejected with stiffness and severity once and again was not likely to have been more advantagious to the good of this Nation I will say this to you for My self and to that I have my Conscience as a thousand Witnesses and I have my comfort and contentment in it and I have the Witness of divers here that I think truely scorn to own Me in a Ly that I would not have been averse to any alteration of the good of which I might have been convinced although I could not have agreed to the taking it off the Foundation on which it stands viz. The acceptation and consent of the People I will not presage what you have been about or doing in all this time or do I love to make Conjectures but I must tell you this That as I undertook this Government in the simplicity of my heart and as before God and to do the part of an honest man and to be true to the Interest which in my Conscience is dear to many of you though it is not always understood what God in his wisdom may hide from Us as to Peace and Settlement So I can say that no particular Interest either of my Self Estate Honour or Family are or have been prevalent with me to this Undertaking For if you had upon the old Government offered to me this one thing I speak as thus advised and before God as having been to this day of this opinion and this hath been my constant Judgment well known to many that hear me speak if this one thing had been inserted that one thing that this Government should have been and placed in my Family Hereditary I would have rejected it and I could have done no other according to my present Conscience and Light I will tell you my reason though I cannot tell what God will do with Me nor you nor the Nation for throwing away precious opportunities committed to US This hath been my Principle and I liked it when this Government came first to be proposed to me That it put Us off that Hereditary way well looking that as God had declared what Government he had delivered to the Jews and placed it upon such persons as had been instrumental for the Conduct and Deliverance of his People And considering that promise in Isaiah That God would give Rulers as at the first and Judges as at the beginning I did not know but that God might begin and though at present with a most unworthy Person yet as to the future it might be after this manner and I thought this might usher it in I am speaking as to my Judgment against making it Hereditary to have men chosen for their Love to God and to Truth and Justice and not to have it Hereditary for as it is in Ecclesiastes Who knoweth whether he may beget a Fool or Wise honest or not what ever they be must come in upon that account because the Government is made a Patrimony And this I do perhaps declare with too much Earnestness as being my own Conternment and know not what Place it may have in your Hearts and of the good people in the Nation but however it be I have comfort in this my truth and plainness I have thus told you my thoughts which truly I have declared to you in the fear of God as knowing he will not be mocked and in the strength of God as knowing and rejoycing that I am kept in my speaking especially when I do not form or frame things without the compass of Integrity and Honesty that my own Conscience gives me not the Lye to what I say and then in what I say I can rejoyce Now to speak a word or two to you Of that I must profess in the name of the same Lord and wish that there had been no cause that I should have thus spoken to you and though I have told you that I came with Joy the first time with some regret the second that now I speak with most regret of all I look upon you as having among you many persons that I could lay down my life individually for I could through the Grace of God desire to lay down my life for you So far am I from having an unkind or un-Christian heart towards you in your particular capacites I have that indeed as a work most incumbent upon Me I consulted what might be My Duty in such a Day as this casting up all Considerations I must confess as I told you that I did think occasionally this Nation hath suffered extremely in the respects mentioned as also in the Disappointments of their Expectations of that Justice that was due to them by your siâ—ting thus long and what have you brought forth I did not nor cannot apprehend what it is I would be loath to call it a Fate that were too Paganish a Word but there is somthing in it that we have not our Expectations I did think also for my self that I am like to meet with Difficulties and that this Nation will not as it is fit it should not be deluded with pretexts of Necessity in that great business of raising of money and were it not that I can make some Dilemma's upon which to resolve some things of my Conscience Judgment and Actions I should sinck at the very prospect of my Encounters some of them are general some are more special supposing this Cause or this Business must be caried on either it is of God or of Man if it be of Man I would I had never touched it with a finger if I had not had a hope fixed