pretector might be desired to assume the stile of King as the most known and most agreeable Government This motion was seconded by several of the protectors Courtiers and April 9. the parliament having desired a meeting with him came to the Banquetting-house at White-Hall where-the speaker Sir Tho. Widdrington commended the Title and Office of a King as being settled in this Nation with Christianity it self approved by our Ancestors and consistent with our Laws and the temper of the people and then presented him the model of their humble petition and advice to that purpose His Highness in answer hereto said Mr. Speaker this is a weighty matter and therefore I desire space to seek God the charge that you would lay upon me being too heavy for me to bear without his assistance for the ENglish are the best people in the World and require all tenderness and consideration whatsoever to be used for preserving their liberties and properties The next day a Committee was appointed to wait upon him and receive his scruples and to offer reasons for his satisfaction The objections the protector made were First That the Title of a King is a Name of Office and any Name that may imply the supream magistrate hath the same signification and therefore there is no necessity of a change To this they reply That the Name of a King is only equal to and comprehensive of the Office of the supream magistrate It is a rule That the King of England cannot alter the Laws by reason of their Name and that there is no obligation upon any other that the very Title was declared necessary in the 9th of Edw. 4. in the controversie betwixt him and Hen. 7. and every action done by the King in possession was valid and that the Name King had beginning with our Laws and that new Laws must be made for settling the Government in a protector The other objection was the danger and difficulty of altering the same Government to a Common-wealth and the refusal of some Judges and acting of others upon that ground That another parliament might change those resolutions The dislike of the good people and Army that providence had laid aside the Title of King after seven years War and many of the chief of those who were Instrumental therein were dissatisfied These scruples the Committee endeavoured to remove by alledging That providence had now brought about affairs so that it seemed necessary for His Highness to comply with it and as for discontented persons they have been always found in the best of Governments But because this was a matter of consequence I shall repeat the speech made by the Lord Whitlock one of the Committee sent to the protector with his answer thereto who after several others had offered their sentiments summed up the most material reasons as followeth Sir I have but very little to trouble your Highness with so much hath been already spoken and so well that it will be hard for me or any other to undertake to add to it only the duty of my Imployment and something due to your Highness occasions me to speak a few words to acknowledge with very humble thanks the Honour and Right which you have done this Committee by the clear and free discourses and conferences which they have had with your Highness and for your frequent expressions and testimonies of affection and respect to the parliament whose-sense in this I may presume to speak That never any persons met their supream magistrate with more love duty and honour than the parliament have met your Highness with in their addresses which argument of love deserves that esteem and force which I doubt not but your Highness will put upon it I am fearful to be too tedious at any time especially at so late an hour and therefore shall speak but short to some things which I remember not to have been mentioned Your Highness was pleased at the last meeting to say That the original Institution of the Title King was by common consent and that the same common consent might institute any other Title and make it as effectual as that of King This must be acknowledged but withal you may be pleased to observe That the Title of King is not only by an original common consent but that consent also approved and confirmed and the Law fitted thereunto and that fitted to the Laws by the experience and industry of many Ages and many hundreds of years together whereas any other Title will be only by present common consent without that experience and approbation For that experience which your Highness mentioned to have been of other Titles and the due administration of Justice under them this experience is far short of the other and for the course of Justice we have cause to thank that care which placed so good Judges and Officers over us Yet give me leave to say That in private causes between party and party and in publick matters in nominal causes it was not easie to find Justice to be done by some Jurors and many questions have risen upon the occasion of those new Titles Concerning that tender point of good mens satisfaction I think it requires a very great regard from us and I doubt not but those good people will be fully satisfied if they consider the covenants promises and precepts which in the scripture are annex'd to the Name of King and although some have alledged that they belong to any chief magistrate as well as to King yet no man did ever read the original word translated otherwise than King Neither do I find the Title of Protector once mentioned in the holy Text. If the present Authority be a lawful Authority which I hope none of us will deny surely those good men who are so well principled in Godliness will not forget that precept of submission to Authority and to be satisfied with that which lawful Authority shall ordain their Rights and Liberties are the same with ours and the parliament cannot advise any thing for the preservation of the peoples Rights but these good men are included which I hope will be no dissatisfaction to them In all the changes which we have seen there hath been a dissatisfaction to some yet still the blessing of God hath gone a long through all these changes with those who carried on his Interest and the cause being the same the same mercies have been continued And I doubt not but if the intended change and restitution be made as I hope it will I doubt not but the same God will continue his blessings to that Good Old Cause wherein we are ingaged and that good men will receive satisfaction by it Your Highness hath been told That the Title of King is upon the foundation of Law and that a new Title must have a constitution to make the Laws relate unto it and that unto the Laws I shall only add this That a Title by Relation is not so certain and sale as a Title
Council of State be constituted to take care of and intend the peace safety and present management of the affairs of the Common-wealth which being settled accordingly the same is hereby declared and published to the end all persons may take notice thereof and in their several places and stations demean themselves peaceably giving obedience to the Laws of the Nation as heretofore in the exercise and administration whereof as endeavours shall be used that no oppression or wrong be done to the people so a strict account will be required of all such as shall do any thing to endanger the publick peace and quiet upon any pretence whatsoever O. Cromwel April 30. 1653. The Hollanders hoped to reap advantage from these Revolutions but found themselves mistaken the Naval affairs being still managed with as much application as before as they soon felt to their cost for the Dutch having a great Fleet of Merchants ships Outward bound durst not venture through the channel but with a Fleet of about Ninety Men of War convoyed them by the North of Scotland toward the sound and there met with another Fleet of Merchant men Homeward bound from Russia East-India and France whom they brought home safe and hearing the English Fleet was Northwards came into the Downs taking two or three small Vessels and made some shot into Dover Town boasting the English Fleet was lost and that they would send a Hue and Cry after them when on a sudden the English Navy arrived from the North and came into Yarmouth-Road June 1. Being at Anchor in Sole-Bay they discovered two Dutch Galliot Hoyses to whom chase was given till the whole Dutch Fleet was discovered but the weather proving dark they lost sight of them June 3. Our Fleet being at Anchor off the Gober discovered the Enemy about two Leagues to Leeward being about 100 sail and weighed toward them about Noon both Fleets were Ingaged which for some hours were very sharp so that in the Evening the Dutch bore right away before the wind Next day at Noon they ingaged again and after four hours dispute the Hollanders would have got away but the wind freshing Westerly the English bore in so hard among them that they took eleven Men of War two water Hoys six Captains fifteen hundred prisoners and sunk six men of War more the rest escaped by the darkness of the Night and the Flatts The English lost General Dean one of their Admirals who was killed with a great shot the first day with one Captain and bout one hundred and fifty men more and two hundred and forty wounded but not one ship was lost The English were much incouraged by General Blakes coming in during the fight with sixteen sail of stout men of War The Dutch having in the Night got into the Wielings the Flye and Texel it was resolved to sail as near the Coast as was safe where the English lay for some time taking many prizes to the great damage of the Hollanders whose ships could neither go in or out from any one Port to join together to oppose them General Cromwel and his Council of Officers having considered of the qualifications of the next Parliament and made a List of those persons in England Scotland and Ireland to whom they designed to commit the Legislative power Warrants were issued out for them to appear at the Council Chamber at White-Hall July 4. 1653. to this effect Forasmuch as upon the dissolution of the late Parliament it became necessary that the peace safety and good Government of this Common-wealth should be provided for and in order thereunto divers persons fearing God and of approved fidelity and honesty are by my self with the advice of my Council of Officers Nominated to whom the great charge and trust of so weighty affairs is to be committed and having good assurance of your love to and courage for God and the Interest of his Cause and the good people of this Common-wealth I Oliver Cromwel Captain General and Commander in chief of all the Armies and Forces raised or to be raised within this Common-wealth do hereby summon and require you being the persons Nominated personally to be and appear at the Council-Chamber commonly called or Known by the Name of the Council-Chamber at White Hall within the City of Westminster upon the fourth day of July next ensuing the date hereof then and there to take upon you the said Trust unto which you are hereby called and appointed to serve as a Member for the County of _____ And hereby you are not to fail Given under my Hand and Seal the eighth day of June 1653. O. Cromwel July 4. The persons summoned to the number of an hundred forty four out of the three Kingdoms met accordingly at the Council-Chamber at White-Hall where was General Cromwel and several of his Officers who made a Speech to them recounting The many wonderful mercies of God to this Nation and the continued series of Providences by which he had appeared in carrying on this Cause and bringing affairs into the present condition with their progress since the famous victory at Worcester and the actings of the Army thereupon after divers applications to the Parliament and waiting upon them with the grounds and necessity of their dissolving which he declared to be for the preservation of this Cause and the interest of all honest men who have been ingaged therein He then told them of the clearness of the Call given to the Members then present to take upon them the supream Authority and from the Scriptures exhorted them to their duty desiring that a tenderness might be used toward all conscientious persons of what Judgment soever After which General Cromwel produced an Instrument under his own Hand and Seal whereby he did with the advice of his Officers devolve and intrust the supream Authority and Government of the Common-wealth into the hands of the pâ—â—â—ons there met who or any forty of them were to be held and acknowledged the supream Authority of the Nation unto whom all persons within the same and the Territories thereto belonging were to yield obedience and subjection and that they should sit no longer than Nov. 3.1654 and three months before their dissolution they were to make choice of other persons to succeed them who were not to sit above twelve months anâ—â—chen to provide for a succession of Government Which Instruction being delivered them the General commended them to God himself with his Officers withdrew From thence the Members forthwith adjourned to the Parliament-House at Westminster and first considered what Title to take to themselves and after three days debate they resolved they would be called The Parliament of the Common-wealth of England and chose Mr. Rous for their Speaker About this time John Lilburn being a few months before banished by an Act of the last Parliament for certain crimes he was charged with took occasion upon this change of Government to return into England and cast himself upon
not at all restrained but lived like a Prince in all the splendor of a Court all sorts of people being freely admitted to kiss his hands and wait upon him yea his servants from beyond Sea even those who had been Voted Delinquents as Ashburnham Barkley and the rest were permitted by the Army to have safe recourse to him which was generally wondred at About this time a disturbance arose in the Army by a party called Levellers some of whom were seized at Ware and the principal sticklers shot to death others Imprisoned and all their favourers cashier'd twenty being discarded out of one Troop And now propositions were sent to the King at Hampton-court agreed upon by both Houses and with the concurrence of the Scotch Commissioners but the King refused to comply with them for Loâ—don and Lancrick newly come out of Scotland having privately discours'd with the King sent Letters to the Parliament requiring That the King may come to London and there personally treat with the Parliament about the matters in controversie Though not long before they denied it to be just that before the King had given satisfaction and security to the people he should be admitted to London or to any personal Treaty with the Parliament and refused to receive him into Scotland lest he might raise commotions there but they alledged in their defence That the King had been taken from Holmby against his will and without the consent of Parliament and still remained under the power of an Army not in that freedom proper for treating of matters of so great concernment But while the Parliament were framing propositions they were suddenly surprized with the news that the King was secretly withdrawn from Hampton-court Letters coming from Cromwel about midnight to the Speaker For Nov. 12. whilst the Commissioners of Parliament and Collonel Whaley who commanded the Guard expected when the King would come out of his Chamber to supper and wondred at his long stay at last about Nine a clock some going in missed the King finding his Cloak and a Letter written with his own hand to the Commissioners to be communicated to the Parliament wherein having discoursed about captivity and the sweetness of liberty he protested before God He did not withdraw to disturb the publick peace but for his safety against which he understood there was a Treasonable Conspiracy c. and that if he might be heard with freedom honour and safety he should instantly break through this cloud of retirement and shew himself the Father of his Country The Parliament startled at his departure sent some persons to the Sea-coasts to prevent his going beyond Sea and when it was reported he was concealed in London Ordered That if any man should closely detain the Kings person he should be punish'd with loss of Estate and Life But this cloud soon dissolved Letters coming from Coll. Hammond Governour of the Isle of Wight that the King was come thither and had delivered himself into his proâ—ection and that he would dispose of him as the Parliament should appoint who commending Hammond ordered That he should Guard the King with diligence and wait on with respect and honour and that all necessaries should be sent him The King sent a long Letter from thence to the Parliament wherein he desired to come to a personal Treaty at London which was also vehemently pressed by the Scots Commissioners Whereupon after a long debate Nov. 26. they drew up four propositions in the form of Acts to be signed by the King in the Isle of Wight and then he should be admitted to a personal Treaty which were 1. To pass an Act for settling the Militia of the Kingdom 2. An Act for calling in all Declarations Oaths and Proclamations against the Parliament and their adherents 3. For Incapacitating those Lords who were made after the Great-Seal was carried to Oxford from sitting in the House of Peers thereby A power to be given to the two Houses to adjourn as they shall think fit The Commissioners of Scotland declared against these Bills however Dec. 24. they were presented to the King who understanding the minds of the Scots and the Factions in London absolutely refused to sign them Which deniâ—l was sharply debated in the House and it was affirmed That the King by this denial had denied his protection to the people of England for which only subjection is due to him And therefore Jan. 17. a Declaration and Votes passed both Houses of Parliament That they will make no further Addresses to the King nor any other to make application to him without their Order under penalty of High-Treason That they will receive no more Messages from him to both or either Houses of Parliament or any other person This was seconded by a Declaration of the General and Officers of the Army which was presented to the House and thanks returned them for their Resolutions to adhere to the Parliament in their proceedings concerning the King and against him or any other that shall partake with him The Parliament likewise by their Declaration did endeavour to appease the minds of the people many of whom were extreamly discontented with these proceedings Tumults and Insurrections being daily feared so that the Parliament though victorious and guarded with a conquering Army no Forces visibly appearing against them yet were never in more danger and every man began to foresee Slaughter and War as Mariners observe a rising Tempest ' The threatning Waves in Tracts voluminous ' Boil up The Seas by blasts uncertain blown ' Betoken many Winds conception The Kings party though conquered had great hopes of retrieving their Cause and the same thing seemed to be the wish of many of those called Presbyterians out of their strong aversion to the Independents so that the King though set aside and confined within the Isle of Wight was more formidable this Summer than in any other when he was followed by his strongest Armies The Name of King had now a farther operation and the pity of the vulgar gave a greater Majesty to his person Prince Charles also by his absence and the Name of banishment was more desired of them and by his Commissions privately sent from his Father and Commands under his Name he was able to raise not only Tumults but Wars The Parliament for their security Quartered part of the Army about Westminster the Mewse and other places of the City and some Lords and Commons were chosen out of the House and called A Committee of Safety and sate at Derby-House with power to suppress Tumults and Insurrections and to raise Forces upon occasion which were the Earls of Northumberland Kent Warwick and Manchester the Lords Say Wharton and Roberts and thirteen of the H. of Commons among whom was Lieutenant-General Cromwel And it was not long e're they had occasion to make use of their Authority for upon Sunday April 9 1648. some Apprentices and other loose people playing in Moor-fields set upon a Company of the
the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London and other persons of Quality all expressing the sence of their obligations Soon after he took his place in parliament and received the thanks of the House from the Speaker and then gave them a full account of the present condition of Ireland At this time Virginia and the Caribbee Islands revolt from the parliament and cry up the Monarchy and Liturgy who thereupon prohibit all Nations to Trade with them and in a few months they are wholly subdued by a Fleet sent thither under Sir G. Ayscough Prince Rupert infests the English Coasts from Scilly Jersey Ireland and France with the States revolted Ships to the great loss of the Merchants whereupon a Fleet well equipt is set forth against him who block him up in Kinsale which Town being taken by Cromwel they were forced to hasten away leaving three Ships behind and sailed to Lisbon where they were protected by the King of Portugal which caused a difference between that King and the English Republick About the same time that is May 3. 1649. Dr. Dorislaus who drew up the charge against King Charleâ— being sent as an Envoy to the States of Holland was treacherously murdered at the Hague by persons in disguise that broke into his Lodgings and afterward made their escape And not long after Mr. Anthony Ascham the English Agent in Spain was stabâ—d in his Inn in his way to Madrid and the murderers taking sanctuary in a church the King of Spain by all his authority could not bring them to Justice But the greatest danger to this new Common-wealth though victorious in Ireland seemed to be from Scotland for King Charles II. being in the Isle of Jersey and having notice of the great factions and differences in that Kingdom between the Covenanters and the Royalists he gives a commission to the Marquess of Montross who in the year 1645. was so successful for a time that the whole Kingdom of Scotland may be said to have been won and lost in one month by which commission he was to raise Forces in Holland and other parts wherewith if possible to abate the power of the Covenanters so that the King might be able to treat with them upon better terms He accordingly in a short time sends some Forces into the Isles of Orkney and a few more under Sir James Mongomery to the North of Scotland These the Committee of Estates resolve to oppose though raised for the Kings service and send propositions to him to Jersey which being granted they would enter into a Treaty to restore him to that Kingdom the substance whereof were That he would sign the solemn league and covenant and oblige all persons to take it To confirm all Acts of parliament in the two last Sessions and to have no Negative voice in their parliament and would appoint some place about Holland to treat in The King consented and promised in the word of a Prince to perform them and Breda a Town in Holland belonging to the Prince of Orange was the place appointed where the Scots Commissioners meet him and the Treaty in a short time was fully concluded wherein one Article was That the Marquess of Montross and his adherents be prohibited access into that Kingdom During this Treaty Montross being commissioned by the King fearing he should have an express command to desist and himself be banish'd his country landed as you heard at Orkney and in the North with some inconsiderable supplies of men and money against whom the parliament then sitting send an Army of seven thousand Foot and three Troops of Horse who utterly defeat his Forces which were only twelve hundred of whom two hundred were slain and all the rest taken except one hundred who made their escape and Montross himself who being three or four days in the open Fields without meat or drink with only one man discovered himself to the L. Aston but the pronused reward or fear of concealing him caused this Lord to send him to Edenburgh and he was soon after condemned and hanged upon a Gallows thirty foot from the ground and a few days after Sir John Urrey Sir Francis Hay Collonel Sâ—bald and Collonel Spotswood were beheaded for the same cause the last at his death confessing he was an actor in the death of Dr. Doritâ—aâ—s The King was somewhat startled at these proceedings but the Scots Commissioners desired him nor to stumble at these matters since they were all designed to promote his Interests so that finding it could not be redressed he was forced to conceal his resentments and the Treaty being finished the King prepared for his Voyage to Scotland The parliament of England having exact Intelligence of all these proceedings it was debated whether the War which was inevitable between them and the Scots should be Offensive or Defensive at length being sensible what desolations they brought along with them when they came in as Friends and afterwards as Enemies in Duke Hamiltons Invasion it was concluded to make Scotland the seat of the War and accordingly they Order the Army to march Northward but General Fairfax as well as some others being dissatisfied about the obligation of the National Covenant entred into between both Kingdoms which he conceived would not permit us to make War on Scotland desired to be excused and delivered up his commission which at first was a little startling but the parliament soon found another General of whose valour and conduct they had large experience which was Cromwel who accepted of the charge and had a commission to be General of all the Forces that now were or hereafter should be raised by the Common-wealth of England and all commissions formerly granted to Sir Tho. Fairfax were made void June 28. 1650. Cromwel with his Army marched toward Scotland and was received at York by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen with great respect The report of his coming surprized the Committee of Estates who sent a Letter to the Parliament That they admired the English should advance toward them and that many of their Ships were seized contrary to the Act of pacification which allowed three months warning and that the Forces they had raised were only in their own defence defiring to know whether those of the English were designed to guard their own borders or to invade Scotland The parliament by their Declaration declare the reasons of their proceeding and among others That the Scots endeavour to seduce the people of the Common-wealth of England from their affection and duty to the parliament and to promote the laterest of the late King under pretence of the Covenant and though they could claim no authority or dominion over us yet in Scotland they proclaimed Charles Stewart to be King of England and Ireland and since that promised to assist him against the Common-wealth and had declared against the English parliament and Army ranking them with malignants and papists These with many others were such intolerable provocations and no satisfaction being
motions We left Cromwel and his Army upon the very edge of Scotland who upon July 22. 1650. drew them forth to a Rendevoz upon an Hill within Berwick bounds from whence they had an exact view of the bordering parts of Scotland where they were to act their parts to whom the General made a short speech exhorting them to be faithful and couragious and then they need not doubt the blessing of Heaven and incouragement from himself Which they received with shouts of approbation After which he marches into Scotland quartering in the Field that Night near the Lord Mordingtonshouse where proclamation was made That none upon pain of death should offer any violence to the persons or goods of any in Scotland not in Arms and no souldier should dare to straggle half a mile from the Army without special license From hence they marched to Dunbar where they received some provisions from the Ships sent on purpose to supply them the people having left their Habitations and nothing behind them Thence they came to Hadington twelve miles from Edenborough without any opposition or sight of an enemy next day hearing the Scots would meet them at Gladsmeer they endeavoured to possess the Moor before them but no considerable party appeared whereupon M. Gen. Lambert and Collonel Whaley with fourteen hundred Horse were sent as a Van-guard to Mustleborough to attempt something upon the Scots and Major Hains commanding the Forlorn faced them in less than a mile of their Trenches Cromwel with the residue of the Army drew up before Edenburgh and some skirmishes happened about possessing King Arthurs Hill within a mile of the City which the English gained and likewise a Church and other Houses but the Scots not enduring the shock that Night the English withdrew and lay close Incamped at Muscleborough being wearied with constant duty and continual rain The Scots were within four miles of them Intrench'd within a line which flanked from Edenburgh to Leich and lay so strong that the English lay still that day in the rain without covert but were incouraged with hope of a sudden Ingagement Next day the ground being very wet and provisions scarce the English resolve to draw to their Quarters at Muscleborough which while they were doing the Scots fell upon their Reer and put them into some disorder but some bodies of English Horse coming up charged and beat them to their very Trenches Lambert in this encounter was run through the arm with a Lance and had his Horse killed under him and was wounded in his body and taken prisoner and rescued The Scots had several kill'd some of Note and a Lieutenant Collonel a Major and some Captains taken prisoners After which the English marched quietly to Muscleborough that Night but so harrassed with dirt and watching that they expected the Scots would fall upon them which accordingly they did for about four next morning fifteen select Troops of Horse and others to the number of fifteen hundred armed with Backs Brests Head-pieces Pistols Swords and Lances commanded by Major General Montgomery and Collonel Stranghan came on with such resolution that they beat in the Guards and disordered a Regiment of Horse but the English being alarm'd instantly fell upon them with such courage that they routed pursued and did execution upon them till within a quarter of a mile of Edenburgh taking and killing about two hundred with several Officers of Quality Cromwel to discover his generosity released the principal prisoners and sent them to Edenburgh in his own Coach which did very much rectifie the opinions of many who by reports were perswaded he was very cruel The Army having again spent their provisions marched for a supply to Dunbar where the parliaments Ships constantly attended them with all Necessaries and then returning toward Edenburgh they understood the Scots were keeping a solemn Thanksgiving for their deliverance supposing they were quite gone and would have come no more but found themselves much disappointed Whereupon the General Assembly sent Cromwel by David Lesley their General a Declaration of the state of the Quarrel wherein they were to fight which he desired might be published That the General Assembly considering their must be just grounds of stumbling from the Kings Majesties refusing â—o subscribe the Declaration concerning his former carriage and resolutions for the future in reference to the Cause of God the enemies and friends thereof doth therefore declare That the Kirk and Kingdom will not own any malignant party their Quarrel or Interest but that they will fight upon their former principles for the Cause of God and their Kingdom and therefore as they disclaim all the sin of the King and his House so they will not own him nor his Interest any further than he shall disclaim his and his Fathers opposition to the work of God and the enemies thereof and that they would with convenient speed consider of the papers sent to them from Oliver Cromwel To whom the English General returned this answer That the Army continued the same they had profest themselves to the honest people of Scotland wishing to them as to their own Souls it being no part of their business to hinder them in the worship of God according to their own Consciences as by his Word they ought And that they should be ready to perform what obligation lay upon them by the Covenant but that under the pretence of the Covenant mistaken a King should be taken in by them and imposed on the English and thus called The cause of God and of the Kingdom and this done for the satisfaction of Gods people in both Nations as alledged Together with a disowning of Malignants although the head of them be received who at this very instant hath a party fighting in Ireland and Prince Rupert at Sea upon a malignant account the French and Irish Ships daily making Depredations upon the English Coasts and all by vertue of his Commissions and therefore the Army cannot believe that whilst malignants were fighting and plotting against them on the one side and the Scots declaring for him on the other it should not be the espousing of a malignant Interest or Quarrel but a meer fighting on former grounds and principles If the state of the Quarrel be thus and you resolve to fight the Army you will have opportunity to do that else what means our abode here And our hope is in the Lord. Having thus stated the cause of the War in disputing with the pen they next resolve to try the force of steel and fight it out for the month of August was near done and little action performed save the taking of Collington-house and Red-hall by storm and in it the Laird Hamilton Major Hamilton and sixty Souldiers sixty Barrels of powder one hundred Arms great store of Meal Malt Beer Wine and other rich plunder The body of the English Army removed forthwith from Pencland-hills till they came within a mile of the whole Army of the Scots
Army when they were in England 4. For their not sufficient purging their Army 5. For their Commissioners unlawful and surreptitious manner of prosecuting the Treaty with the King and their crooked ways in bringing him home 6. For their not sufficient purging the Kings House 7. For their just grounds they have that the Kings Repentance was not sound nor from the heart After this Cromwel took order for the effectual reducing of the Castle of Edenburgh which the Scots accounted Impregnable by scituation and having a Garrison of four hundred souldiers and all manner of Ammunition and Provisions Collonel William Dundass being Governour But the General notwithstanding all seeming difficulties imployed many Scotch and English Miners who went so near the Works of the Castle that they carried off one Scots Colours three hundred Muskets and other Arms without any loss though the Scots sent many great and small shot among them so that the fortifications of Leith and the Mining at Edinburgh went on prosperously Octob. 2. The English searched the great Church at Edinburgh where they found one great Iron Gun two hundred new Muskets sixteen Barrels of powder sixty five bundles of Bandileers and Swords two hundred new Halberts three hundred new Pikes and two load of Match And now let us consider the calamitous condition of Scotland that when an Enemy was in the very bowels of their country there should be so many divisions among themselves even to the destroving of each other for one party in the North was for the King without the Kirk these with Middleton keep the Highlands Another were for the Kirk against the King whose chiefs were Collonel Ker. Stranghan and their Adherents in the West At third party were for King and Kirk as David Lesley Holbourn and those of Fife these were then at Sterling and most considerable having the authority of the Committee of Estates and General Assembly to countenance them All these had their Swords drawn against each other Things being in this posture Cromwel sends a Letter both to the Committee of Estates and to Ker and Stranghanâ— declaring What amicable ways they had hitherto used to prevent the effusion of Christian Blood before and since their coming into Scotland which though it succeeded not yet they should still endeavour the same assuring them their arms were still stretch'd out to imbrace them when ever God should incline them to come in and that they sought not domination nor to inslave them or depress their Church-Government nor sought their Goods or Estates but to carry on the Lords Work and that if they would still be blinded and persist in gain-saying and opposing then what further misery befel their Nation by Famine or Sword would lye heavy on them This Letter was sent by Collonel Whaley who soon after received an answer from Collonel Ker wherein they inveigh severely against the proceedings of the Army and That no Cessation or Treaty was to be made till the English were gone out of the Kingdom which they had unjustly Invaded So that there being no likelihood of an accommodation Major Brown with a party of Horse took in a strong place called Dalhouse and in it fifty Muskets fifty Pikes four Barrels of Powder with store of provisions supposed to be the Magazine of the Moss Troopers who kill'd divers English stragling for provisions some of whom were taken at Darlington Castle seven miles from Edenburgh Soon after Lambert with two thousand Horse marched toward Damfreize Collonel Ker being then about Pebles and Whaley in his march toward the Enemy took in Dalkeith Castle with a threatning summons wherein were store of Arms Cannon Powder March and Ball the Wall of it was thirteen foot broad at the top Lambert having with difficulty passed Hambleton River the next morning Ker resolved to surprize him and attempted it with much courage but the English being timely alarm'd suddenly surrounded most of the Scots Horse of whom they killed one hundred and took one hundred besides four hundred Horse and Furniture deserted by their Riders pursuing the rest to Ayre Ker himself being taken prisoner in the flight with several other Officers Collonel Stranghan and Captain Griffen with some others of the Western party came in to Lambert who brought them to the Head Quarters at Edenburgh Cromwel observing that the Mining of the Castle would be very tedious he raises a Mount upon a rising ground whereon to plant a Battery notwithstanding the utmost endeavours of the besieged and having mounted four Mortar-pieces and six Battering Cannon upon it he sent one summons more to the Governour That for preventing further mischiefs he would surrender the place to him upon proper conditions The Governour answered That he was intrusted by the Committee of Estates of Scotland to keep the Castle and desired two days time to acquaint them with his condition but this was denied Whereupon the Cannon and Mortars began to play and the Scots hung out a Flag of defiance in contempt of them but they had not plaid long e're they took it in so that it was judged some great damage was done by four or five shells that fell among them and presently put out a white Flag on the top of the Castle sending forth a Drummer the Governour desiring once again That he might have leave to send to the Committee of Estates which being again refused two Commissioners of each side concluded a Treaty whereby it was agreed That the Castle of Edinburgh should be surrendred to his Excellency the Lord General Cromwel on December 24. 1650. with all the Cannon Arms Magazine and Furniture of War thereto belonging That the Governor with all the Officers and Souldiers should then march forth with their Arms Colours flying Drums beating Matches lighted and Bullet in mouth to such place as they shall choose that such Inhabitants as have any Goods in the Castle shall have them restored There were taken in this strong Castle five French Cannon five Dutch half Cannon two Culverings two Demi-culverings two Minions two Falcons twenty eight brass Drakes two Petards seven thousand Arms eighty Barrels of Powder store of Canson shâ—t and other provisions proportionable It was much admired that this strong Hold the most Impregnable in all Scotland should be so soon surrendred considering its scituation and advantages being built upon a very high Rock or Precipice having only one entrance and that very steep and narrow so that not above three can go abrest overlooking and commanding all places about it insomuch that by the Cannon the English were often galled in their Quarters though at a considerable distance It was the common discourse at that time that it was assaulted with silver Engines but whether Coverousness Cowardice or Treachery were the cause it was of very great consequence and advantage to Cromwel and the further proceedings to his Army The sharpness of the Winter in that Northern Climate was so extream about this time that the War seemed almost at a stand
which the English had taken near Burnt Island after he had delivered his message he confidently told the souldiers their General was dead and that they did well in concealing it but he would never believe otherwise nor could he be convinced till the General ordered him to be brought into his presence who was now somewhat recovered so that upon his return this false rumour vanished But the Parliament of England hearing that he had a relapse afterward and a violent Ague they sent him two eminent Physicians Dr. Wright and Dr. Bates to use their utmost Art for his reâ—overy with an Order that gave him liberty to repair into England for recovering his health To which he made a return of Thanks by a Letter to the Lord President in which among others are these unusual expressions My Lord my sickness was indeed so violent that my Nature was not able to bear the weight thereof but the Lord was pleased to deliver me beyond expectations and to give me cause to say once more He hath plucked me out of the Grave So that now by the goodness of God I find my self growing to such a stare of health and strength as may yet if it be his good will render me useful according to my poor ability in the station wherein he hath set me I wish more steadiness in your affairs here than to depend in the least upon so frail a thing as I am indeed they do not nor do they own any Instrument this Cause is of God and it must prosper Oh that all that have any hand therein being so perswaded would gird up the loins of their minds and endeavour in all things to walk worthy of the Lord. So prays my Lord Your most humble Servant O. Cromwel Edenburgh June 3. At this time Ambassadors came to the Parliament of England from Spain Portugal and Holland the first was reminded of delaying execution on the Assassinates of the English Resident at Madrid The second not having full power to give satisfaction for the expences of the state and loss of the Merchants Goods by means of that King was quickly dismiss'd The Hollander kept at a distance rather wishing prosperity to the Royal party than heartily desiring peace with the Common-wealth of England Soon after Oliver St. John and Walter Strickland were sent Ambassadors Extraordinary to the States and were received with great splendor and having audience of the States-General at the Hague the Lord Ambassador St. John made a learned and elegant speech declaring That they were sent over to the High and Mighty States of the Netherlands from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to make a firm League and Confederacy between the two Republicks if they think fit notwithstanding the many injuries the English have received from the Dutch Nation Likewise to renew and confirm the former Treaties and Agreements of Trade and Commerce made between the two Nations wherein he shewed them the notable advantages of England in respect of its commodious scituation for advancement of Trade and all other benefits Lastly That he was commanded to let them know how highly the Parliament resented the murder of Dr. Dorislaus their Agent not doubting but they would do their utmost to discover the Authors thereof After which the Ambassadors Gentlemen receiving several affronts from the Royal party there the States published a Proclamation to prevent it yet these abuses continued and no punishment being inflicted on any though the common people often swarm'd about the Ambassadors Gates and assaulted their Servants and the States evading any Treaty till they saw how matters would succeed in Scotland the Parliament highly resenting these proceedings suddenly recalled their Ambassadors to the great surprize of the States Who thereupon endeavoured by frequent visits to them to insinuate their amicable Intentions but the Ambassadors returned to England And that which gave some jealousie to the Parliament of their designs was Because Admiral Van Trump with a Fleet of Ships lay hovering upon the Coasts of Scilly as though he would attempt something against it and the occasion of it being demanded of the States they replied They had no other intent but to demand the restitution of such Ships and Goods as the Pirates thereof had taken from their people With which answer the Parliament were somewhat satisfied yet to prevent the worst April 18. 1651. Sir George Ayscough with a Squadron of ships designed for reducing the Caribbee-Islands was sent thither and landed three hundred Seamen besides souldiers and soon became masters of the Islands Tresco and Briers taking therein one hundred and fifty prisoners and killing twenty They took also two Frigates of thirty two and eighteen Guns and secured the best Harbour belonging to those Islands Hence the Enemy fled to St. Maries their chief strength which yet was soon surrendred Cornet-castle in the Isle of Guernsey was at this time attempted but through mis-information of the weakness of the place the design miscarried with the loss of many Officers and souldiers About this time Brown Bushel a very earnest stickler for the Royal party both by Sea and Land and who when in the service of the Parliament had delivered up Scarborough to the King was taken and beheaded at Tower-hill The Parliament of Scotland having adjourned during the Coronation of the King met again in March and some differences arose about restoring several Lords of the Royal party to their seats in the House which yet the Assembly would not admit of till they had passed the stool of Repentance which Duke Hamilton did with some kind of splendor having a Table placed before him with a black Velvet cover and a Cushion of the same and making a great Feast that day The King having now got some power endeavoured to regain reputation among his subjects by putting all the Garrisons of Fife into a posture of defence against the landing of the English drawing what Forces he could spare both Horse and Foot from Sterling and joining them with the new Leavies which for better security he Quartered on the Water side and then goes to the Highlands to compose all differences there and to incite them to rise and join with him from whence Midleten soon after brought a considerable body of Horse and Foot and the Town of Dundee raised a Regiment of Horse at their own charge and sent them with a stately Tent and six fine brass cannon for a present to the King then at Sterling whose Army now consisted in six thousand Horse and fifteen thousand foot but the Earl of Eglington being sent to the West with some other commanders to raise more forces coming to Dunbarton Collonel Lilburn upon notice sent a party of Horse who suddenly seized the Earl his Son Collonel James Montgomery Lieutenant Collonel Colborn and some others whom they carried prisoners to Edinburgh At the same time a design was discovered the English Covenanters intending a general rising in Lancashire to join with the Scots the chief
another place and soon after most of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland were taken at a place called Ellet in that Kingdom where they were assembled to propagate the Royal cause namely Old General Lesley Earl Marshal Earl of Crawford the Lords Keith Ogilby Burgoiny Huntley Ley with many Knights Gentlemen and Ministers which soon after were ship'd and sent for England Such was the sudden change of the condition of the Scots and the King that he who a few days before was proclaimed King of Great Britain had now neither Camp nor Garrison to retire to five hundred pounds sterling being offered to discover him so that after travelling in disguise and through many dangers about England he at length found an opportunity to imbark at Shoreham in Sussex for Newhaven in France where he arrived Octob. 2. following Of the great number of prisoners taken none of Quality suffered but the Earl of Derby who was beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire and Sir Tim. Fetherstone Others of less note suffered at Chester Shrewsbury and other places Nor did many of the Royalists themselves expect any better fortune in this expedition than what happened as appears by Duke Hamiltons Letter to Sir William Crofts taken among other papers a few days before the fight to this purpose We are all laughing at the ridiculousness of our condition who having quit Scotland being scarce able to maintain it yet we grasp at all and nothing but all will satisfie us or to lose all I confess I cannot tell whether our hopes or fears are greatest but we have one stout argument and that is despair for we must now either shortly fight or dye All the Rogues have left us I will not say whether for fear or disloyalty but all now with His Majesty are such as will not dispute his commands So that we see this undertaking was not the product of deliberate counsel but of necessity and desperation This battel put a period to the Kings hopes of getting the Government by Arms and on the other hand secured to Cromwel all his former Conquests the influence whereof though acted in England was great in Scotland for their principal Nobility and souldiery being cut off they were no longer able to bear up but were soon reduced to the obedience of England And Cromwel giving an account to the Parliament of this great success he concludes his Letter by telling them That this was a crowning Victory which was afterward thought to proceed from the foresight of his future Greatness This fight happened Sept. 3. 1651. that very day twelve-month wherein the Scots received that fatal blow at Dunbar afore-mentioned After the battel Cromwel staâ—d no longer than to see the Walls of Worcester levelled to the ground and the Ditches filled up with earth to discover his aversion to the Inhabitants for receiving his Enemies into it and Sept. 12. came to London being met at Acton by the Parliament and their Speaker the Lord Mayor of London Aldermen and Recorder and hundreds of others to whom Steel the City Recorder made a Congratulatory Oration extolling all his Victories and Exploits with the highest flights of Rhetorick and applying to him the words of Psalm 149 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand to execute vengeance upon the Heathen and punishments upon the people to bind their Kings with chains and their Nobles with fetters of iron to execute upon them the judgment written this honour have all the Saints praise ye the Lord. After which he was conducted in triumph to his House near White-hall great number of Scotch prisoners coming after him through Tuthill-fields to Westminster as Trophies of his Victories and the Colours taken there with those at Dunbar Westminster Preston were hung up in Westminster-Hall After a short repose General Cromwel and Lieutenant General Lambert went to take their places in Parliament where they were entertained by the Speaker with a second Congratulatory Oration magnifying their courage and gallantry and acknowledging the great obligation which the people of England were under toward them The same day the Lord Mayor feasted the General and his Officers where mutual returns of kindness passed between them to the satisfaction of both parties Oct. 14. 1651. Collonel Hayn with two Regiments of foot and two Troops of Horse were shipp'd at Weymouth for reducing the Isle of Jersey in eighty Vessels under the command of General Blake who came to St. Owens Bay where the ships running aground the men leapt out some to the middle others up to the neck in water and ran ashoar the enemy playing hard upon them with great and small shot and gave a hot charge with their Horse yet after half an hours dispute they fled and left behind them twelve cannon and some colours After which the English marched further into the Island within sight of Elizabeth Castle under which was a Fort called St. Albans Tower where were fourteen Guns which upon summons was delivered and so was Orgueil castle and soon after Elizabeth castle upon very good terms to the Garrison and Governour Sir George Cartaret because of its great strength The Isle of Man was likewise reduced in a short time with the castles of Peele and Rushen both very strong and almost impregnable as well as Cornet castle in the Isle of Guernsey if the besieged had had resolution to defend them About this time died Admiral Popham and Henry Ireton Son-in-law to Oliver Cromwel at Lymerick which Kingdom in a little while after was wholly subdued and brought under the obedience of the Government of England The Parliament now passed two or three considerable Acts one for Incorporating Scotland into one Common-wealth with England another of Oblivion and free pardon a third to determine the Session of this Parliament on Nov. 3. 1654. a fourth for the increase of shipping and incouragement of Navigation wherein was enacted That no Goods or Commodities of the growth or manufacture of any places in Asia Africa America or Europe should be imported into England Ireland or any of the Territories thereof but only in English ships under the penalty of forfeiting the Goods and Ships And that no Goods whatsoever shall be brought in unless they be ship'd from the places of their growth and manufacture only Also that no Fish or Oyl made of Fish or Whale-bone shall be imported but only such as shall be caught in Vessels belonging to the English Lastly that no kinds of salted fish from Feb. 1. 1653. shall be exported in any other save English Vessels with several other exceptions and provisoes in reference to East-India Goods and of commodities from Turky Spain and Portugal This last Act was very grateful to the Merchants and Seamen but did extreamly surprize and disturb the Holl inders as judging it would cause a vast diminution in their Trade which with so much advantage they had long driven to the loss and detriment of the English Nation who
and the Scots were imployed in Crowning the King who had been some time before at St. Johnstons where he received the news of the loss of the Scots at Dunbar and of the death of his Sister the Princess Elizabeth who died about the same time at Carisbrook Castle in the Isse of Wight The Town of Scoon was appointed for his Coronation where one hundred and fiâ—ty Kings of that Nation had been Crowned before thither therefore Jan. 1. 1651. the King with the Nobility Barons and Burgesses in their Robes removed the whole Scotch Army standing all the way as a Guard from St. Johnstons thither having heard the Sermon preached by Mr. Robert Dowglas fitting upon a Scaffold erected in the Church he took the ordinary Coronation Oath and subscribed the National Covenant and likewise the solemn League and Covenant After which he ascended upon a Stage a little higher and sate down on the Throne when the people being demanded four times by the King at Arms Whether they were willing to accept of King Charles for their King and become subject to his Commandments They express'd their consent with loud acclamations God five King Charles the second Then the Crown was set upon his head by the Marquess of Argyle and the Nobility touching it with their right hands swore Allegiance to him in these words By the eternal and almighty God who liveth and reigneth for ever I shall support thee to the uttermost The people also holding up their hands swore obedience according to the usual Oath Then the King and Nobility departed in the same pomp as they entred and after a stately Dinner return'd to St. Johnstons This being over the Scots consulted how to raise such an Army as might drive the English out of Scotland to which parpose after they had Excommunicated Collonel Stranghan Smeton and others who came into the English they gave out Commissions for raising more Forces and many new commanders were made Midleton being Lieutenant General of the Horse Soon after which David Lestey their Lieutenant General with a party of eight hundred Horse made an attempt upon Lithgow where was Collonel Sanderson with a Regiment of Horse who received them so warmly that the Scors retreated without entring the Town Cromwel about this time being willing to gain all those Garrisons on the South side of the Frith he ordered Collonel Fenwick with two Regiments of Horse and Foot to endeavour to reduce Hume Castle who coming before it sent in this summons to Cockburne the Governor Sir His excellency the Lord General Cromwel hath commanded me to reduce this castle you now possess under his Obedience which if you now deliver into his hands you shall have fit terms for your self and those with you and ease the adjacent parts of a great charge if you refuse I doubt not in a short time by the Lords assistance to obtain what now I demand I expect your answer by seven of the Clock to morrow morning Your Servant George Fenwick To the Governor of Hume Castle To whom the Governor returns the following concesited Answer Right Honourable I have received a Trumpeter of yours as he tells me without the pass to render Hume-castle to the Lord General Cromwel please you I never saw your General nor know your General as for Hume-castle it stands upon a Rock Given at Hume-castle this day before seven a Clock So resteth without prejudice to my Native Country Your most humble Servant Thomas Cockburne For the Governor of Berwick After which to shew his confidence in the strength of the place he sent Collonel Fenwick the following Verses ' I William of the Wastle ' Am now in my Castle ' And awe the Dogs in the Town ' Shan't gar me gang down But notwithstanding this resolute and quibbling answer when the English with their Culverin and Mortar-piece had made a small breach the besieged bear a parley and having formerly refused the conditions offered were compelled now to surrender upon mercy and the Governour and Garrison consisting in seventy eight Officers and Souldiers gang'd out of the Castle After which collonel Monk with three Regiments of Horse and Foot laid Siege to Timptallon castle which had much molested the country with their excursions against which they plaid their Mortar-pieces forty eight hours together without success They then batter'd the castle with six large cannon which did such notable execution that the Scors desired a Truce and terms to march away but none would be granted save to have their lives saved which was at last accepted and the castle yielded with all the Guns Arms Ammunition and Provision therein the taking this castle was of great concern to the English the passage from Edenburgh to Berwick being now almost clear But notwithstanding all the care that was used the English were daily surprized and killed in small stragling parties which occasioned General Cromwel to publish the following Proclamation Finding that divers under my command are not only daily spoil'd and robb'd but also sometimes barbarously and inhumanely stain by a sort of Outlaws and Robbers not under the discipline of any Army and finding that all our tenderness to the country produceth no better effect than their compliance with and protection of such persons and considering that it is in the power of the country to detect and discover them many of them being Inhabitants of those places where commonly the Outrage is committed and perceiving that their motion is ordinarily by the invitation and according to the intelligence given them by Country-men I do therefore declare That wheresoever any under my command shall be hereafter robbed or spoiled by such parties I will require life for life and a plenary satisfaction for their goods of those Parishes and places where the Fact shall be committed unless they discover and produce the Offendor And this I wish all persons to take notice of that none may plead Ignorance Given under my hand at Edenburgh Nov. 5. 1650. O. Cromwel In pursuance hereof several sums of money were levied upon such Parishes where any Robberies and Murthers were committed and all abettors and assisters were condemned and executed General Cromwel with his Army after this marched from Edenbargh and often attempted to pass over into Fife but the season and difficult passage not permitting it they retire to their Winter Quarters and received all manner of provisions from the English fleet newly arrived at Leith which was a great incouragement to the souldiers in the midst of the hardships and diseases to which they were exposed and of which the General had a great share by many violent fits of the contagious distemper of that country which brought him to the very brink of the Grave so that it was reported he was dead to the great joy of the Scots who were so pleased with the news that they would hardly suffer themselves to be better informed for a Scotch Trumpeter coming out of Fife to Edenburgh to treat about restoring a ship