were highly guilty of the Kings Trial and death And all these together had a great influence upon the Army These generally were disaffected to the Protector The Army also Richard having never been a Souldier were very desirous to have a General of their own choice with power to place and displace what Army-Officers he thought fit Fleetwood the Protectors Brother in-law or Lambert aims at the place To effect their design they with the Commonwealths men in Parliament as Haselrig and Vane Scot and Weaver and others the like make a Faction in the Army against the Protector The Commanders of the Army that were of this Faction had frequent meetings at Fleetwoods Lodging at Wallingford House whereof Richard had notice and might have supprest them in time by some chief Officers that were of his part who offered their assistance thereunto but being loth to hazard the effusion of blood he let things rest hoping perhaps they would not have proceeded as afterwards they did Fleetwood soon after advises him to adjourn the Parliament year 1659 but he refusing they come to him and force him to send a Writ to dissolve it This was about the latter end of April 1659. The Parliament thus suddenly dissolved the Souldiers were at a loss what to do at last they resolve after a solemn Fast had among themselves as their manner was to call in that piece or tail of the long Parliament that Cromwell and themselves had broke up and cast out six years before April 20. 1653. to return again to the exercise of their trust as they termed it expressing their Repentance for that action and desiring to return again into the good old way Lenthal the Speaker and some others of that company being then in and about the City very gladly accept the motion they thought long to be again in authority They call together all their fellow-Members that they could get and had much ado to make fourty thought they took two of them out of the Gaol viz. the Lord Munson and Henry Martin who were Prisoners there upon execution Being thus got together upon Saturday afternoon May 7. the Speaker with the rest enter the House and set again as a Parliament publishing a Proclamation or Declaration to let the People understand how by the wonderful providence and mercy of God they were again restored to the exercise of their trust being as they call themselves Asserters of the Good old Cause c. The Munday following Mr. William Prin a Bencher of Lincolns Inn and many more Members of the Long Parliament that were secluded upon the Kings Tryal December 1648. met together at Westminster and went to the House-door demanding admission to sit with the rest but were denâ—ed entrance and kept out with armed guards Whereupon he writes a Book called his Narrative wherein he declraes at large their manner of demanding admission and in what manner they were forcibly kept out and very solidly pleads the Kings cause against their Commonwealth And another Book he writes and publishes at the same time intituled The good old Cause wherein he manifestly proves by twelve undeniable Arguments that that which they termed the good old Cause was far worse more destructive both to Church and State to Religion and the Common-wealth then the Gunpowder Treason And though he openly owned and avowed these Books setting his name to them yet they never returned the least answer to them nor questioned the Author But these Books thus seasonably published gave a deadly blow to their good old Cause though the operation of it was not so presently discerned The Parliament those few that were being thus got in again they presently depose the Protector and alter the Government from a single person to a Common-wealth They null all honouts conferred by the late Protector so that many are in an instant unknighted whom Oliver before had honoured with that dignity Richard himself but the other day Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland and his Highness at every word is now in the language of the Parliament but Richard Cromwel Esq for by that Title they wrote to him to quit his Lodgings and remove from White-hall and his Excellency Lord Henry Cromwell Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is now no more then Mr. Henry Cromwel All Olivers venerable House of Peers have now in an instant lost their Lordships and are the same that formerly they were so great a change is effected in an instant Only Fleetwood and Lambert are still termed Lords in the Parliaments first Declaration May 7. and there was cause for it for the Parliament were what they were by their means And now all mouths are open in an instant against the late Protector Oliver reproaching him as the worst of Tyrants and Usurpers tearing his Hearse or Statue in pieces defacing and pulling down his sumptuous Monument that was but a few weeks before at a most vast charge set up in Westminster The Parliament were more obliged to the Army then they were to the people for putting them again into Authority for the people had had more then enough of them for almost two seven years before Oliver never did so much good for the Nation nor had more thanks from the people then when he and his Army had turned these men out as before is said April 20. 1653. And therefore they thought it concerned them rather to gratifie the Army then to please the people To this end not long after their re-installment they impose a Tax of twelve months to be paid in a manner altogether That 35000 li. a month which was not to be paid by the Act that imposed it till Midsummer 1660. and that quarterly they command to be paid in presently between Lammas and Michaelmas 1659. intending as its probable as soon as that was paid in to impose another the like payment upon the people After this about July they pass an Act for setling the Militia and it was sent down into the several Counties to be presently put in execution but the Army as it was thought not relishing this design it was soon after laid aside This year about the beginning of August there was a rising in Cheshire Lancashire and the parts adjoyning under the command of Sir George Booth Sir Thomas Midleton and other Gentlemen in those parts they declare for a free and full Parliament to be elected by the People It was commonly reported the design was general laid all over all England and tâ—◠〈◊〉 was carried on châ—â—â—ly by the Pâ—â—â—â—â—terian Party But Cheshire and the parts adjacent were the first that arose in other places attempts were made but they were suppressed Sir George Booth had taken Westchester both Town and Castle and was reported to be very numerous And therefore upon the first intelligence thereof Lambert is sent out against him with an Army of six or seven thousand men and a train of Artillery and forces from all quarters are appointed to draw to him so that all
to watch and observe him The City of London had also sent their Sword-bearer as far as Newcastle to congratulate his coming and to tender the respects and affections of the City to him He receives him courteously returns hearty thanks to the City but nothing satisfactory of what they expected so that hitherto and long after he marched hooded in allusion to his name no man could tell what to make of him nor what his design or the end of his coming was but men guessed and hoped according as their opinions and desires were but the Rump both now and long after were as confidently assured of him as of any man within their own walls Passing through Yorkshire he is honorably received by the Lord Fairfax and the Northern Gentlemen who had not many dayes before contributed much to the reducing of a party of Lamberts Officers and Souldiers that had possessed themselves of York While Monck was there divers of the Yorkshire Gentlemen were very desirous to understand his intentions and to that purpose requested Sir Henry Cholmely one of their number to go to him and talk privately with him which he did had conveniencie of discourse with him At his return they were big with expectation and demanded of him what he thought of the General He told them he thought he was like the Peace of God they asking why He answers because he passeth all understanding This I was credibly in formed of by a Yorkshire Minister living in those parts Coming along all the way to Saint Albones he receives several Addresses from all or most of the Counties of England all importing their humble desires that either the Secluded Members might be called in or that the House may be filled up by new elections that so one way or other they might have again a full and free Parliament the want of which they apprehend to be the cause of all their late sufferings and frequent changes of Government to the oppression of the people and high dishonor of the English Nation He receives them all courteously treats them civilly but for answer tells them That he was but a servant to the Parliament and that only in a Military capacity that it became not him to interpose in Civil affairs that the Parliament he doubted not would do them right and satisfie their just desires That for the calling in of the Secluded Members the Parliament had already given judgement in that point and they ought to acquiesce therein But for the filing up the House he told them it was now under debate and doubted not but they should receive full satisfaction therein and therefore he exhorts them to attend with patience the determinations of the House and not by any unseasonable importunity to disturbe their Counsels which might be a meanes to delay their satisfaction and the settlement of the Nation which said he was now intended and ready to be effected From Devonshire also though far remote out of his way he receives the like Address one of the first that were tendred to him wherein after complaint made of their greivances they earnestly desire the calling in of the secluded Members But to them being his Countrymen and some of them near allied to him he returns by way of answer a courteous Letter wherein amongh other things he tels them that the calling in of the secluded Members could not safely be yielded to most of them being known to be Assertors of Monarchy He gives them several Reasons shewing that as the case of affairs now stood Monarchy was utterly inconsistent with this Nation That a Republick or Free State was the only Government wherein the several interests of the Nation both Ecclesiastical and Civil might be best preserved And therefore in the conclusion he desires them that by their impatiencies they would not obstruct the Parliaments consultations otherwise saies he our peace will be so much the longer a stranger to us and we thereby made a prey to our selves and forreign enemies This was from Leicester Jan. 23. and soon after this Letter was printed and published by the Parliament Intelligencer Thus giving fair and plausible answers to all such as addressed themselves unto him he marches along and comes to Saint Albones about the latter end of January where still Addresses are made to him out of Suffolk Norfolk and other places which receive the like answers that others did But these Addresses ye must know were also tendred to the Parliament though some that tendred them were clapt by the heels for their pains as the Berk-shire Gentlemen and others threatned whereas Water-men of London for a congratulatory Address made to them at the same time received the solemn thanks of the House While he was at Saint Albones some Aldermen and Common-Council-men are sent to him from the City of London to congratulate his coming and court him but are returned as formerly with thanks for their respects From Saint Albones he removes to Barnet where he makes a stay refusing to come to London until Lamberts Souldiers were out of the City Mean-time Saint James's House is appointed for his Lodging and the Custody of the Park is voted to him to hold during the pleasure of the Parliament with some other like honours a magnificent Reward for such an undertaking The Souldiers that were late Lamberts being voided the City Monk and his Army marches to London on Friday February 3. and is lodged at White-Hall at whose coming there is great joy and triumphing all over the City On Wednesday following Febr. 8. The City continuing still in their refractoriness and opposition to the Parliament they meet in Common-Council and there pass a Vote or Order Not to pay or levy any Taxes until such time as they may have a full and free Parliament For hitherto you must know the Rump had not agreed upon qualifications for filling up the House and many thought they never intended it but only to establish themselves in perpetual authority Upon this Vote or Resolve of the Common-Council the Rump are highly offended and send a strict order to Monk to march the next day with his Army into the City To pull up their chains and posts to break down the gates and portcullis of the City to imprison forwith in the Tower divers Aldermen and Commoners that were conceived to be chiefly active in passing those Votes This command of theirs Monk executes next day Febr. 9. to the great terror and amazement not only of the City but of the whole Nation and Kingdom when they heard the report of it All hearts are saddened and now most men conclude that Monk is not the man designed of God for the delivery of this oppressed Nation The Gentlemen in the several Counties that had subscribed and tendred their Addresses and Declarations begin now to fear their own Stakes there being in some of their Declarations expressions against paying taxes without a free Parliament It had I must tell also you before this been moved
in the House that those Gentlemen that tendred these Addresses might be sequestred yet at that time it was carried in the Negative They had cause to fear also that if they intended at all to fill up the House by new Elections they would impose such qualifications as should exclude all such Gentlemen in all Counties as either subscribed or delivered these Addresses and so the greatest part by far of the Gentry of England would be made incapable of serving their Country and consequently the filling up of the House by such a choice as would then be allowed would be but a means further to enslave both themselves and their Posterities For these and the like considerations they had some thoughts and resolutions in most Counties as it was reported to second their Addresses or Declarations with Arms thereby to vindicate their Native Rights from the oppression of a Combination of Tyrants who had a long time usurped the supream power of the Nation and were now perpetuating that usurpation upon the free-born people to their utter slavery and oppression And it was verily conceived that had not the face of affairs suddenly changed by Monks unhooding himself the whole Kingdom would soon have been put into a general flame of combustion for the City of London by this late affront were rather incensed than awed though their Gates and Portcullesses were broken yet their hearts and courages remained entire and were the more confirmed and hardened and had the Counties unanimously risen it is like the Londoners would not have sit still for the whole Kingdom was generally exasperated against the Rump and the dispersed souldiers of Lamberts Army not knowing where to quarter nor how to live might probably be thought willing to adhere to any party that were in a capacity to entertain them with pay The Rump as it is conceived by putting Monk upon that base imployment of being their City-Scavenger had a design not only to terrifie and curb the City but also to make Monk and his Army odious and irreconcileable to them whereby they might engage him hereafter more firmly to themselves Monk having thus executed the Commands of the Rump he is troubled in his mind at it And upon Saturday following Febr. 11. he draws his Army into Finsbury Fields and sending for the Lord Mayor and some of the chief Citizens he had some discourse with them And presently after he writes a Letter to the Parliament as from White-hall wherein he tels them that he had done their commands though not without some regret never any such thing having in all these late troubles been done to that City so eminent for their assistance and adherency to Parliamentary Authority He minded them that the end of his coming and first undertaking as appears in his Declaration was not only to preserve them in their present power but to vindicate the liberties and priviledges of Parliaments with the Native rights and freedom of the people That he observed that some persons impeached of high Treason were yet suffered to sit in the House That Lambert Sir Henry Vane and others persons of dangerous principles and highly guilty of the late dissention of the Army and of the horrid force put upon the Parliament were yet suffered to be in and about the City That though they had voted the continuance of the setled maintenance of Ministers yet they were now upon contriving of another engagement that would force many of the most conscientious of them from the enjoyment of their Means That there had been too many oaths already imposed upon the Nation and that they had more need to mourn for the breach of oaths than to impose new ones And that he observed that those men were most forward to impose oaths who made least conscience of keeping them He minded them also of a Petition of dangerous consequence that they had lately received and countenanced from the Fanatick party These and some other grievances he complains of and then adds his humble desires that they would by Friday following issue out Writs for filling up their House by new Elections with due and reasonable qualifications And that they would put a certain and speedy period to their present sitting whereby the People may enjoy the benefit of successive Parliaments which is saith he the undoubted right of the English Nation And in the pursuance of these things he will not fail to stand by them and assist them to the utmost of his power with all fidelity to this effect as I remember was his Letter signed by himself and the chief Officers of his Army as from White-hall Febr. 11. This highly pleased and rejoyced the Londoners and made full satisfaction for the former rigidity done them Monk herein granting the full of what they formerly desired or expected from him It was as great cause of joy to the whole Kingdom as to the City All that Saturday afternoon there was Ringing and Bonefires and triumphing till twelve of the clock at night and feasting Monks Officers and Souldiers with wine and good chear nothing was too dear for them At Norwich and in all places of the Kingdom at the first report of the News there was the like rejoicing and triumphing in hope of a free Parliament So much was the Rump in the affections of the people as they desired nothing more than to be rid of them Soon after Monk had thus declared himself and joyned with the City and whole Kingdom in their just desires The secluded Members who a great many of them had been all this time in and about London addressed themselves to him he desires a conference to be had between them and some of the Rump they meet ten in number of either side to argue and debate the business One challenging admission as Members of the House and unjustly before excluded the other refusing to admit the unless they will confirm all that was done since their exclusion as just and lawful or at leastwise engage as themselves had done against a single Person or House of Lords Two several meetings they had about this debate but could not agree A day or two after Monk cals the secluded Members alone and demands of them if they were still firm and constant in their resolution of not engaging against a single Person they answer him yea and that they are immovable in that resolution Whereupon he cals them altogether a matter of fourscore of them almost twice the number of those that sate goes along with them and puts them into the Parliament-House to sit with the rest of the Members Febr. 21. being Tuesday having first delivered to some of the Rump a paper written to prevent mistakes wherein he declares That after several debates had between them he had now received fuller satisfaction from those worthy Gentlemen that were secluded formerly But he yet expressed his own private opinion and judgement to be for a Common-wealth or free State and gave some reasons for it The secluded Members
being thus restored who had for eleven years and more been kept out from discharging their trust there is great rejoycing and triumphing again both in London and all parts of the Kingdom with Ringing and Bonefires making c. but some of the Rump upon their restoring it is said withdrew and would sit no more Presently after their restoring they vote Monk to be General of all the forces of England Scotland and Ireland Sir William Waller one of the secluded Members to be Leiutenant-General and Rossiter a Lincolnshire Gentleman and one that had formerly served the Parliament to be General of the Horse They constitute Montagu to be Admiral at Sea instead of Lawson and they appoint a new Council of State Soon after they make an Act for setling the Militia of the Kingdom together with some Acts concerning Ministers And taking order for calling of a new Parliament to convene at Westminster April 25. they dissolve themselves on Friday the 16th of March. And thus by Gods great blessing we have lived to see an end of that unhappy long Parliament that hath been the cause of misery and calamity to these three late flourishing Kingdoms for these nineteen years and more last past And all this brought to pass without one drop of bloodshed by the prudent and politick conduct of General Monk who with a small Army an handful of men in comparison not past four thousand foot and eighteen hundred horse and those not very well accommodated marched from Berwick through the heart of England to the City of London without the least opposition and at length gained the power and command of that opulent and potent City Lamberts Army being at least twelve or thirteen thousand men well hors'd and well appointed breaking in pieces and mouldring away in a moment the Troops and Companies marching from place to place where they might find quarter till afterwards most of them their Officers cashierd were received and listed under the command of General Monk Afterwards by degrees he purges his Army putting out all Anabaptists Quakers and other Fanaticks both Officers and common Souldiers as they are or can be discoverd both in the Army and Garisons and placeth others in their steads Overton a fifth Monarchy-man who pretended to hold Hull for the Lord Jesus Christ was yet notwithstanding commanded to surrender it to Mr. Charls Fairfax a Yorkshire Gentleman which accordingly he did and the like was done in all other Garisons the Army-men displaced and Gentlemen of the Country of other confiding persons put in their steads Soon after the putting in of the secluded Members Lambert is committed to the Tower Haselrig Scot and others are under examination but dismissed upon their promise or engagement to demean themselves peaceably Lambert not long after finds means to escape out of the Tower and about the middle of April or soon after appears in Arms about Northampton in the head of a party many of the cashierd Officers and Souldiers of the Fanatick and discontented party being got together And it is generally conceived that all the Anabaptists Quakers and other factious people in all parts of the Kingdom had a design to have risen and joyned with him had he not been timely suppressed But Colonel Ingoldsby being sent against him with a party he surrounds them all being not above five or six hundred whereupon most of the common Souldiers come in and yield themselves and Lambert with some Commanders are taken upon the place without a stroke striking only a scour of Lamberts they say was slain Colonel Okey and some others escaped by flight lambert being thus taken is brought to London together with Colonel Cobbet Major Creed and young Haselrig Sir Arthurs Son These were all brought up in a Coach through Hide Park on Tuesday April 29. what time there was the greatest general Muster of Citizens that ever was seen in or near London Of trained men and Auxiliaries there were at least twenty thousand some say thirty thousand men in Armes Some of the Nobility and many Gentlemen of quality trayling pikes voluntarily amongst them The Prisoners brought through the Army and sufficiently hooted at they afterwards drove the Coach under Tyburn and there made a stand This was done I suppose to minde them of their destiny or at least of their desert and to disgrace them who had so long time insulted and domineered over the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty of the Kingdom A just reward to use them uncivilly who had so barbarously abused both King and People The Parliament according to Appointment began at Westminster April the twenty fifth the House of Commons being elected and called by Writs issuing out in the name of the Keepers of the Liberties of England by authority of Parliament a Title invented presently upon the change of the Government from as Monarchy to a Common-wealth in the year one thousand six hundred forty eight the Lords and Peers of the upper House taking their places by vertue of their birth-rights and ancient dignities Soon after the sitting of the Parliament there arrived at London the Lord Mordant and Sir John Greenvile with a Declaration from his Majesty as also several Letters One to the House of of Pâ—eâ—s another to the House of Commons a third to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of the City of London and a fourth to General Monk to be by him communicated to the Council of State and to the Officers of the several Armies under his Command which Declaration and several Letters from his Majesty were presented according to their several directions May the first In his Declaration he offers 1. A general Pardon to all of all sorts excepting only such as the Parliament should think fit to except provided that they sue out their Pardons under the great Seal of England within fourty dayes after the publication thereof 2. He offers a Liberty to tender Consciences for matters of Religion so far forth as the Parliament should think fit and to consent to such an Act as the Parliament for that purpose shall tender to his Majesty 3. For the sales and purchases of Lands made since these late troubles he is willing to leave it to the determination of Parliament whom he presumes best able to provide for the satisfaction of all such as are concerned therein And Lastly he promiseth full satisfaction of Arrears to all Officers and Souldiers of General Monck's Army and to receive them into his service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy This was the sum of his Declaration published at Breda April 14. 1660. in the twelfth year of his Majesties Reign This Declaration together with his several Letters afore-mentioned were highly accepted The Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council after the reading of them cried out unanimously God save King Charls and presently took down the Common-wealths Arms that hung in the Guild-hall and as they say brake them in pieces ordering the King Arms to be hung up