answer for the Life of Dr. Dorislaus The Parliaments Ships brought in Provisions to Dublin The Mutineers taken at Burford were by a Councel of War sentenced to die 19 Divers Delinquents complained of the greatness of their Fines and referred to the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall Divers of the Mutineers at Burford were shot to death Tomsons Brother was penitent others dyed desperately Upon the penitence of them craving Mercy and acknowledging their Fault Cromwel brought them word from the General that only every 10th man should die Their chief Leader Tomson got Possession of Northampton and of the Ordnance Ammunition Provisions and Mony there with 2. Troops of Horse and some Levellers out of the Country came in to him 21 Letters from the General that Thomson being gone from Northampton to a Town near Wellingborow M. Butler was sent with a select Party of Horse to pursue him who fell into his Quarters and took his Men and Thompson himself escaped to a Wood Butler pursued beset the Wood and sent a Party into it where they found Thomson He was well mounted and though alone yet he desperately rode up to Butlers Party shot a Cornet and wounded another and then retreated to a Bush having received two Shots himself When the Party began again to draw near to him he charged again with his Pistol and received another Shot and retreated the third time he came up saying he scorned to take Quarter and then a Corporal with a Carabine charged with seven Bullets gave him his Deaths Wound that the Lieutenant of an Oxfordshire Troop was likewise slain Order for the Commissioners of the Seal to issue out Commissions of Oyer and Terminer to fit Persons in Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire for Tryal of the Persons taken in the late Rebellion Order that the Councel of State the Lord Major and the Justices of Peace and Officers of the Militia in London and Westminster do take care for appreh ending such as were in the late Rebellion and that the Attorney General prepare a Proclamation for the apprehending of them in the several Counties The Pension of 500 l. per annum to the Earl of Nottingham ordered to be continued and by the means of Sir Arthur Haselrigge and Whitelock the Countess his Wife had the other 500 l. per annum ordered for her An Act past for draining the great Level of the Fennes Salary of 4000 l. per annum to Dr. Gourdon as Master of the Mint A Declaration published of the Parliaments ill Resentment of the horrid Murder perpetrated on the Body of Isaac Dorislaus Dr. of the Laws their Resident at the Hague An Act published declaring and constituting the People of England to be a Commonwealth and Free State Letters from Scotland that Lieutenant General David Lesley defeated those in the North of Scotland for which a day of thanksgiving was appointed and for the General Deliverances and Successes expressed in a Declaration That a Plot of a new Rebellion and to kill the Marquess of Argyle and the L. Burlegh in St. Johns Town was discovered by one of their own Party and divers of the Conspirators taken and executed Letters from Portsmouth that the Levellers began to appear in those Parts and in Devonshire but the Army Soldiers whom they expected to joyn with them were readier to fight against them 22 Order for a Letter to be sent from this Parliament to the Parliament of Scotland for a right understanding and firm League and Amity between the two Nations and that Commissioners of both Parts may meet and treat for that purpose Referred to the Committee of the Army to prepare Copies of the Act touching free Quarter to be sent to every Regiment of the Army with a Letter to the General to cause it to be observed Order for the Committee of Haberdashers-Hall to have power to give Oaths to Witnesses and for an Act to impower all Committees to do the like Upon Mr. Mabbols Desire and Reasons against licencing of Books to be printed he was dicharged of that Imployment The General and Lieutenant General and other Officers of the Army were solemnly welcomed and highly feasted at Oxford and the Proctor Zanchey presented the General and Lieutenant General Drs. of Laws and other Officers Masters of Arts and divers learned and congratulatory Speeches were made to them by the Vice-Chancellor the Proctors and other Heads and Officers of the University 23 Several Votes of the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall touching Delinquents and their Compositions confirmed by the House and ordered to be Printed Upon a Letter from the General for a Lecture to be set up in Oxford and for Dr. Renolds Mr. Carrol and Mr. Thomas Goodwyn to be Lecturers there referred to the Committtee of Oxford to have it done Visitors added for the University of Oxford Upon a Report from the Councel of State referred to them to take care for repairing the Castles of Sandown Deal and Wymere Some Mariners that revolted and since were taken by the Parliaments Ships were tryed by a Councel of Sea Officers and executed Letters from the Hague of great Preparations for the new King of Scotland to go to Sea that Montross is to go for Scotland and to have such Forces as Germany Sweden and Denmark afford 24 Upon the Desire of the Towns of Sarum Pool and the County of Devon who had advanced considerable Summs for the Parliament Order that they might double those Sums in the purchase of Deans and Chapters Lands Order for the D. of Glocester and the Lady Elizabeth the late Kings Children to be under the tuition of the Countess of Carlisle and 3000 l. per annum allowed for their Maintainance Order for Repayment of Mony lent by the City for carrying on the Treaty Order for 3 pence per pound Salary for the Trustees for sale of Bishops Lands Order that the Speaker writing to Forraign States should stile himself William Lental Speaker of the Parliament of England A Committee named to peruse the Orders of the House after they should be drawn up and to see that they should be rightly entred A Provost Marshal appointed with power to seize upon Malignants and disaffected Persons 26 The Act touching Debts debated and recommitted Order for Mony for poor Widdows and Wives of Soldiers Report by Lieutenant General Cromwel of the suppressing of the Levellers the House gave him their hearty thanks for that great Service and ordered one of thir Members to attend the General with the hearty thanks of the House for his great Service in that Business and ordered a general day of thanksgiving for that great Mercy 28 An Act passed for auditing the Accounts of the Soldiery and securing of their Arrears particular Care being had of those who shall go for Ireland The Act for giving Power to all Committees to give Oaths reported from the Committee and upon the Question rejected and an Act for continuance of the making of Salt-peter as formerly was rejected
and they then would bring up the Charge and Proofs Order about a new Lord Mayor Captain Batten laid down his Commission of Vice Admiral and Col. Rainsborough was voted in his place and a list of the Captains and Ships agreed upon for this Winters Flect Petitioners of Somerset shire had thanks for their good affections A thousand pound ordered for Col. Rainsborough for his Arrears An Ordinance to make void Elections of Delinquent Majors c. and order for the Speaker to write to the Corporations to make new Elections The like for Delinquent Sheriffs and no Delinquent to have a Voice in Elections Ordinances pass'd for Money for Lynne Garrison and for Cloaths for Soldiers Letters from Ireland of the good success of the Lord Inchequin taking twelve Castles in Tipperary and the Castle of Cahir in this manner An English Trooper was wounded and taken by the Rebels and carried into Cahir-Castle Col. Hepsely having observed some defects in the Works had a mind to get into the Castle to see them and was permitted to come in a disguise as a Chyrurgeon to dress the Troopers wounds Having thus espyed the defects in the Works he led on a Party to that place and Stormed the Castle A Letter was ordered to the Lord Inchequin to desire him to send over some of his Officers in safe Custody against whom some things were charged Col. Jones marched out of Dublin with a strong Party The Estates in Scotland ordered their Forces to be disbanded unless the Committee of Estates think fit to continue them in case the Kingdom be in any danger of trouble the person of the King in any hazard or the Nation like to be dishonoured and such as refuse to disband to be taken as Mutineers Major General Lambert quieted the difference about Quarter between the Soldiers and the Richmond-shire men and appeased a Mutiny with stoutness and sent a Party against the Moss-Troopers 28. Both Houses pass'd an Ordinance for suppressing Scandalous and unlicensed Pamphlets the Execution of it was left to the Militia of London and to the Committees of the several adjacent Counties An Ordinance was read for levying the Arrears to the Army of the City of London A Letter from the General Council of the Army to Lieutenant General Cromwel was read in the House mentioning the danger of Mutinys and loss of the Army and of new distractions for want of Pay and desiring him to acquaint the House therewith and to be a means to procure Money The Ordinance passed for thirty thousand pound for the Army and an Order for the Months gratuity and Months Pay Debate of Ordinances for Money for Soldiers Widows and touching Arrears A Letter agreed upon by both Houses from the Parliament to the Queen of Sweden and the state of the matter of Fact of what passed between the Ships of England and Sweden ordered to be delivered to the Swedish Agent Election of a new Lord Major of London 29. The Monthly Fast-day 30. Alderman Warner was presented to the Lords for the new Lord Major for the next year and for the remaining time of the last Lord Major now in Prison and approved of and sworn for both times The Ordinance read for continuing Tunnage and Poundage for two years and referred to the Committee of the Navy to treat with the Commissioners of the Customs about Money for the Winter-Guards Upon debate what should be further tendred to his Majesty upon the Propositions it was voted 1. That the Proposition concerning the prosecution of the War in Ireland by both Houses and in the intervals by a Committee 2. That the Proposition for making void the Cessation with the Irish Rebels 3. That the Proposition for nominating the chief Officers of England and Ireland by both Houses and in the intervals by a Committee be again tendered to his Majesty and drawn into Bills for his consent 4. The three Treaties between England and Scotland ordered to be considered and how far they stand in relation to the desire of his Majesty and that the Lords concurrence be desired October 1647. October 1. Order for Money for Officers and Widows in distress and for the poor English Irish Order for a Declaration That both Houses intend to desist from prosecuting any more that were active or abettors in the late tumults and force upon the Parliament than those whom they have already voted against Order about Cursitors places referred to the two Speakers Orders for removing Prisoners in the Tower to other Prisons The Impeachment agreed unto against Lieutenant Collonel Baines The Ordinance for Delinquents to have no voice in the Election of Officers pass'd and sent to the Lords 2. Some appointed to be examined upon the late tumult and the Declaration committed that no more should be questioned whereby peoples minds were quieted but this was not to extend to any Members of the House reduced Officers or Delinquents Pardon 's granted to some Prisoners Debate upon the Confession of Faith presented by the Assembly A Paper from the Army desiring 1. That the House would grant to the General and such Officers and Soldiers as he should appoint full power with the directions of the Committee of the Army to levy by way of distress from the City the Arrears due to the Army 2. That the Parliament would set a Penalty upon those that put them to this trouble of distreining 3. That they would give the like power and penalty for levying all the Arrears in other places 4. And that the Houses would provide for their own Guards so as the Army might Quarter further from the City 4. Vote for twenty thousand pound a Month above the 60 thousand pounds for the nine thousand Horse and Foot designed for Ireland and towards the Charge of that War And other Votes touching the Forces and Government there Order for two months Pay for all the Garrisons that are put out and so disbanded and all of the Army who are not of the Establishment nor to go for Ireland to be cashiered An Ordinance pass'd for money another for Guernsey c. and Col. Birch Col. Ludlow Mr. Harrington and Mr. Weaver named Commissioners for this business The Letter from the General touching the Arrears of the Army referred to the Committee of the Army Orders touching Guards for the Tower The Lords concurred with some small alterations about the Propositions to be again sent to the King The Lords ordered the Sequestration of the D. of Bucks his Estate to be taken off and recommended to the Commons the Earl of Newport's Petition for lessening of his Compositions and ordered the continuance of the allowance of eight hundred pound per An. to the Bishop of Durham and desired the Commons concurrence Both Houses pass'd the Ordinance for disabling Delinquents to have voices in Elections 5. Debate upon the Ordinance for Turinage and Poundage and Orders for Money for Mr. Prince Order for four hundred pound
very earnest for Strafford's coming up to the Parliament for which he laid his commands upon him and told him that as he was King of England he was able to secure him from any danger and that the Parliament should not touch one hair of his head The Earl thank'd His Majesty but replyed that if there should fall out a difference between His Majesty and his Parliament concerning him that it would be a great disturbance to His Majestie 's affairs and that he had rather suffer himself than that the King's affairs should in any measure suffer by reason of his particular The King remained unalterable in his resolution concerning Strafford's coming up to the Parliament saying that he could not want his advice in the great transactions which were like to be in this Parliament and in obedience to his Commands the Earl came up to London The King in His speech to both Houses had told them that he was resolved to put himself freely upon the love and affections of His English Subjects He told them the wants of his own Army The Calamities of the Northern Countries where both Armies lay and freely leaves it to them where to begin promiseth Redress of Greivances and desires that all suspition of one another may be layd aside Some exception being taken that in his Speech he called the Scots Rebels He after explains and Justifies in his speech to the Lords The first week was spent in naming general Committees and establishing them and receiving a great many Petitions both from particular persons and some from multitudes and brought by troups of horsemen from several Counties craving redress of Grievances and of Exorbitances both in Church and State Many were inlarged out of Prison to make their complaints Prynne Burton Bastwick and others Many smart speeches were made in the House of Commons touching grievances which Mr. Pym divided into three heads 1. Against Privilege of Parliament 2. Prejudice of Religion 3. Liberty of the Subject Under the first head were reckoned 1. Restraining the Members of Parliament from speaking 2. Forbidding the Speaker to put a question 3. Imprisoning divers Members for matters done in Parliament 4. By Proceedings against them therefore in Inferiour Courts 5. Injoyning their good behaviour and continuance in prison even unto death 6. Abrupt dissolutions of Parliament Under the second head of Religion were mentioned 1. The suspension of Laws against them of the popish Religion Laws and Oaths will not restrain them the Pope dispenceth with all 2. Their places of trust and honour in the Common wealth 3. Their free Resort to London and to the Court to communicate their Councils and designs 4. As they have a College in Rome for the Pope's authority in England so they have a Nuntio here to execute it Under Innovations of Religion were brought in 1. Maintenance of Popish Tenets in Books Sermons and Disputes 2. Practice of Popish Ceremonies countenanced and enjoyed as Altars Images Crucifixes Bowings 3. Discouragement of Protestants by rigid Prosecution of the scrupulous for things indifferent no vice made so great as Inconformity 4. Incroachment of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 1. In fining and imprisoning without Law 2. Challenging their Jurisdiction to be appropriate to their order Jure Divino 3. Contriving and publishing new Orders of Visitation in force as of Canons the boldness of Bishops and all their subordinate Officers and Officiales Under the third head the Grievances 1. By Tunnage and Poundage unduly taken 2. Composition for Knighthood 3. The unparalell'd greivance of Shipmoney 4. Enlargment of the Forests beyond the due bounds 5. Selling of Nusances by compounding for them 6. The Commission for building 7. The Commission for Depopulations 8. Vnlawful military charges by warrant of the King Letters of the Council and Orders of the Lieutenants of the Counties and their Deputies 9. Extrajudicial Declarations of Judges without hearing Council or Arguments 10. Monopolies countenanced by the Council Table and Justices of the Peace required to assist them 11. The Star Chamber Court 12. The King's Edicts and Proclamations lately used for maintaining Monopolies 13. The ambitions and corrupt Clergy preaching divine authority and absolute power in Kings to doe what they will 14. The Intermission of Parliaments The Lord Digby mentioned the late Benevolence and the New canon Oath which he called a Covenant against the King for Bishops and the Scots Covenant is against the King and Bishops Many other Speeches were made by several Members all of them to the same Effect touching grievances The King made the Lord Cottington Constable of the Tower of London and placed there a Garrison of 400 men to keep the City from Tumults But the House of Commons and others without much unsatisfied thereat the King took off the Garrison and Commission of Constable and left the command of it to a Lieutenant as before Upon the extraordinary confluence of Popish Recusants to London the King sent a Message to the Parliament that by Proclamation they should be removed to their places of abode and disarmed The House of Commons ordered that all Projectors and unlawful Monopolists be disabled to sit in the House and many members thereupon withdrew themselves and new Elections were made in their Rooms Complaint was made to the Lords House of breach of their Privilege by search of the Pockets Cabinets and Studies of the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Brooke upon the dissolving of the last Parliament Sir William Beecher one of the Clerks of the Council who did it upon command of the Secretaries of State was committed to the Fleet. The House of Commons sent up a Message to the Lords by Mr. Pym The impeachment of the Earl of Strafford of high treason upon which the Earl was committed to the black Rod and Sir George Ratcliffe his confederate was sent for out of Ireland by a Serjeant at Armes The two Armies lay a heavy burden on the Counties where they quartered to ease which the Parliament borrowed 100000 l. of the City of London Upon suit of the Lords to the King the Bishop of Lincoln was released out of the Tower The Earl of Strafford moved that he might be bayled by divers Lords who offered to be Sureties for him which was denied but a Council and a Sollicitor were assigned to him In the house there fell out a Debate touching the writs of Habeas corpus upon which Selden and the rest of his fellow prisoners demanded to be bayled and the Judges of the King's Bench did not bayle them as by Law they ought but required of them Sureties for their good behaviours This was so far aggravated by some that they moved the Prisoners might have Reparation out of the Estates of those Judges who then sate in the King's Bench when they were remanded to prison which Judges they named to be Hyde Jones and Whitelocke as for Judge Crooke who was one of that Court they excused him as differing
next day he was accused before the Lords but he got up earlier gave them the slip and escaped into Holland The House of Commons upon debate of the Inconveniences by the intermission of Parliaments they appointed a Committee to bring in a Bill for a Triennial Parliament This Committee met often and was much frequented by all the Grandees of the House then in most repute after diverse and great debates and consultations they agreed upon the frame of a Bill as the same is extant The King taking notice thereof and of the many Petitions from several Counties subscribed with multitudes of hands and presented by great numbers of people and all the Petitions mentioning the late exorbitances and concluding for frequent Parliaments and against the Hierarchy of the Bishops The King being informed thereof and mistrusting the Inclination of the Parliament speaks to both Houses Of their slow Proceedings and the Inconveniences thereby in maintaining two Armies in the Kingdom at excessive charges and of the weakness of his Navy and Forts He takes notice of the strange Petitions from Counties against the established Government of the Church tells them He makes a difference between Reformation and Alteration of Government that he is for the first but not for the latter He will not say but that the Bishops may have over-stretched their power and incroached upon the Temporal If they will reform the Abuse he is with them he will consent to take away some temporal authority if they have any inconvenient to the State and not necessary to the support of Episcopacy But he cannot consent to the taking away their Voice in Parliament which they have so anciently enjoyed even before the Conquest and since and which he conceives he is bound to maintain as one of the fundamental Institutions of this Kingdom He wishes them to eschew another Rock upon the Bill for frequent Parliaments which he likes well but to give power to Sheriffs Constables and he knows not whom to doe his Office that he cannot yield unto The King had reprieved one Goodman a Priest who was condemned at the Old Baily the Commons desire the Lords concurrence and both Houses Remonstrate to the King the danger thereof in these times and the increase of Popery and boldness of Papists in resorting to Mass in London the King leaveth him to the Parliament The Treaty with the Scots Commissioners proceeded at London and their Demands were in effect all yeilded unto Upon their Seventh Demand from the Justice and kindness of the Kingdom of Reparation for their Losses and Charges a long Debate was in the House of Commons about framing the Words of the Question and the stating of it The Question stated was to give them Three hundred thousand pounds as a brotherly assistance towards their charges and losses The House commanded Mr. Speaker to write to the City of London to advance Sixty thousand pounds upon Security out of the next Subsidies which was done accordingly and several other Sums were advanced by them upon Security of the House for supply of the King's Army and providing for the Northern Counties The Dutch Ambassadour here made an Overture of a Marriage between William the young Prince of Orange and the King 's eldest Daughter the Princess Mary to which the King was well inclined but as his Condition then stood he thought fit to acquaint the Parliament with it which he did in a Speech to the House of Lords and That he thought the Alliance with the Prince and the Vnited Provinces would be of much Advantage to this Kingdom and shewed his Reasons for it The Proposition was generally affected and imbraced by all the People and without fears or jealousies upon our Liberties or Religion and was soon concluded The House of Commons sent up a Message to the Lords to acquaint them that the Commons were informed of a great Design of the Papists an Army of Fifteen thousand in Lancashire and Eight thousand in Ireland well Armed and in Pay raised by the Earls of Strafford and of Worcester this gave occasion for many other Petitions but nothing was made out of the Rumour thereof February 13 1640. Sir Robert Berkley one of the Judges of the King's Bench who gave his Opinion for Ship-money was Impeached by the Commons of High Treason in the Lords House and by their Command Maxwell the Usher of the Black Rod came to the King's Bench when the Judges were sitting took Judge Berkley from off the Bench and carried him away to Prison which struck a great terrour in the rest of his Brethren then sitting in Westminster-hall and in all his Profession This Judge was a very learned man in our Laws and a good Orator and Judge moderate in his ways except his desires of the Court-favour He redeemed himself afterwards by supplying the Parliaments Occasions with Ten thousand pounds and ended his days in a private Retirement Yet not without considerable gains by his Chamber-practice and left a plentiful Fortune to his Family The Committee for the Bill of the triennial Parliament had taken a great deal of pains in the framing of it and it being past both Houses the King was not without some Difficulty as it was reported perswaded to give the Royal Assent to it which he did in his Speech to both Houses setting sorth His Confidence thereby in them and in their future Proceedings and the favour he now did to his Subjects The King then also passed the Bill of Subsidies and both Houses by the Lord Keeper Littleton returned their humble thanks to his Majesty and by their Order were Bonefires and Bell-ringing signs of Joy throughout the City Mr. Pym was sent from the House of Commmons to the Lords with the charge of High Treason against the Archbishop Laud who was thereupon committed to the Tower Articles of Particulars against Episcopal Government were presented to the House of Commons annexed to some Petitions and being read in the House were referred to a Committee The Lord Digby spake smartly against them and for Episcopacy but not many others were very eager for them The Commons the tenth of March Voted That no Bishop shall have any Vote in Parliament nor any Judicial power in the Star-chamber nor bear any Authority in Temporal Matters and that no Clergy-man shall be in Commission of the Peace The King of Spain was brought low by the Defection of Catalonia Portugal and part of the Indies the loss of Arras and his ill Successes in Italy besides the approach of the Swedish War to the back of the Danube but this year was very fortunate to the French The Spaniards ill Success was attributed to the ill management of Affairs by the Conde de Olivarez his Favourite hated by the People as is usual And the good Successes of the French were attributed to the prudence of their Cardinal Richlieu He Invites the Duke of Lorrain to Paris where he was highly caressed but
Treason against the four Judges and to consider of a way to vindicate the Lords and Members of the Commons so indicted Several more forces about 1500 landed from Ireland in Wales and Sir William Brereton wrote to the Parliament that some of them were of the Rebels and the Lord Byron is joined with them The like power was given to Sir William Brereton and Sir Thomas Middleton for sequestrations and levying of moneys in Wales as was given to the Earl of Manchester in the associate Counties Five hundred of the Prisoners taken by Sir William Waller at Alton took the Covenant and served under him The Parliament wrote to General Essex to advance with his Army to joyn with Waller Essex answered that he held it not convenient for their Service and a little discontent began to kindle betwixt him and the House of Commons and the Committee of Safety The Commons ordered that none should elect or be elected Common Council men or Officers in London but such as had taken the Covenant The Commissioners of the Great Seal sate in the Queens Court Decemb. 22. and sealed above 500 Writs so desirous were people to have the course of Justice to proceed Colonel Brown is made Major General of the City Forces appointed to go to Sir William Waller Essex sent 600 Horse to Waller and removed his Army from St. Albans to Windsor to be the more in readiness to assist Waller and divers Kentish Forces came in to him and he sate down before Arundel Castle Duke Hamilton proscribed in Scotland gets to Oxford and there is committed close Prisoner an unhappy or unsteady man and by this you see the uncertainty of Greatness and of Princes favours Sir John Meldrum and Sir William Savile took in the Fort at Barton and after that Gainsborough for the Parliament about 600 Prisoners some of them Officers of Quality store of Arms and Ammunition The Parliament sate on Christmas day 1643. The Earls of Bedford and of Clare came from Oxford back again to the Parliament A Letter was intercepted from Oxford to Sir Peter Killegrew which brought him into suspicion Colonel Hutchinson Governour of Nottingham Castle acquainted the Parliament with an offer of the Earl of New Castle to pay him 10000 l. and to make him a Lord and Governour of that Castle to him and his heirs if he would deliver it to him for the King which Hutchinson refused The Scots Army of about 12000 advanced near to Berwick and publish a Declaration as they march of the justness of their undertakings in assistance of the Parliament Major General Skippon took Grafton House and in it Sir John Digby with 20 Officers of note and Horse and 200 Foot Arms and Money Some differences fell out at Coventry between the Earl of Denbigh and Colonel Purefoy a Member of the House of Commons they were both sent for to London and reconciled Many of the Protestants in Ireland refuse to submit to the cessation and joyn with the Scots Forces The King of Denmark providing to send assistance to the King of England and sending for men to the King of Poland to infest the Swedes the Letters being intercepted the Swedes enter Denmark and take sundry places there Colonel Fiennes was sentenced by the Council of War to be beheaded for the surrender of Bristol The King issued a Proclamation for adjourning the Parliament to Oxford and all the Members who had deserted the Parliament or been disabled met at Oxford General Essex came to London from St. Albans and was not well pleased with some Members and proceedings of the House of Commons Jan. 1643. The Earl of Bedford lately come from Oxford to the General to St. Albans was sent to London and committed to the Black Rod. Prince Maurice his Forces before Plimouth received a blow from the Garrison and the Princes men falling sick of the Camp Disease whereof many died he raised the siege Colonel Boswell with 800 Horse from Coventry took by storm Sir Thomas Holt's House 80 Prisoners store of Goods Money and Plate General Essex sent a new Commission with further powers to Sir William Waller which pleased the House of Commons A Plot was confest of setting on work a Petition from the City to the King for peace and to invite his Majesty to London and the Plotters were committed to Prison Mr. Riley a Clerk belonging to the Records in the Tower was committed for intelligence with Oxford The King sent Proclamations to the several Sheriffs to adjourn the Parliament to Oxford and to summon the Members of that County to appear at Oxford 22. of this month whereupon the Commons order their House to be called the same day Another Proclamation from the King was to adjourn the next Term and all the Courts of Justice from London which the Proclamation calls the Rebellious City to Oxford but the Parliament forbad it Arundel Castle was surrendred to Sir William Waller to mercy there were taken in it Sir William Ford High Sheriff Sir Edward Bishop Colonel Banfield and divers Gentlemen of Sussex 50 Reformades 1200 Prisoners with their Arms Money and with Pillage The Parliament imparted to the City at a Common Hall the late discovered Plot to make a difference between the Parliament and City to divert the Scots advancing hither and to raise a general Combustion under the pretence of Peace Sir Bazil Brooke and Mr. Riley were chief agents in this Plot. The Lord Byron took in Beeston Castle in Cheshire for the King The Parliament ordered the Commissioners of the Great Seal to issue forth a Proclamation for holding the next Term at Westminster and all Judges and Officers to attend here under pein of sequestration and forfeiture of their Offices The Lords sent to the Commons to hasten the impeachment against the Queen A new Ordinance of Excise passed The Lord Goring's Letter to the Queen was intercepted by which he gives her an account of Supplies of Money and Arms coming from France to our King that Monsieur Harecourt was to treat with the Parliament as the King should direct him and that all but two or three Jewels of the Crown were now pawned for money Upon this Letter and other Informations the Commons impeached the Lord Goring of High Treason and ordered the Letters of the French Ministers of State to be brought to the Committee of Safety A Party of Horse under Colonel Ashton in Lancashire marching to joyn with Sir William Brereton were by the way surprized and routed by the Lord Byron Brereton upon this alarm fell upon the Rear of the Lord Byron's Forces and killed and took many of them Major Brookban was shot to death for deserting his Colours and revolting to the King The Parliament wrote to Monsieur de Harecourt at Oxford to acquaint him with their grounds of stopping the Pacquet from France and with the Lord Goring's Letter from thence One Lord and Sir H. Mildmay and Sir William
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
this is more than an imposing by the Magistrate it is the precept of God and they are in a sad condition both Magistrates and People who are not under this Government But it is objected that no form of Government it Jure Divino in this or that particular but in the general onely Let all things be done decently and in order A Government is Jure Divino but whether this or that Government whether Presbytery Episcopacy Independency or any other Form of Government be Jure Divino or not whether there be a Prescript Rule or express Command of the Holy Scripture for any of these particulars will not be admitted by many men as a clear thing It may be therefore not unworthy your Consideration whether to give occasion for these Disputes or not if you shall think fit at this time to forbear to declare your Judgments in this Point the truth nevertheless will continue the same and not wronged thereby If this Government be not Jure Divino no opinion of any Council can make it to be what it is not and if it be Jure Divino it continues so still although you do not declare it to be so I therefore humbly submit it Sir to your grave Judgments whether it be not better at this time when Disputes upon such Subjects as these are too apt to be raised to avoid giving occasion for them which will but retard that Settlement of Government that is desired and high time it were done And that you may be pleased to present your Judgments to the Parliament that the Government of the Church by Presbyteries is most agreeable to the word of God and most fit to be settled in this Kingdom or in what other expressions you may much better know than I it is fit to Cloath your Questions and I hope you may soon have a desired Issue The Ordinance passed for a Council of War to be held for punishment of Delinquents and Articles annexed to it and it was ordered to be proclaimed in London and in all Counties Goring Langdale and Mackworth appeared on the borders of Scotland with 4000 Horse and 4000 Foot which caused the Parliament there to send 5000 Men to the borders and to take care of their defence Divers of the propositions for a Peace were passed and the House sent to the City that if they desired to have any thing inserted in the Propositions they would be willing to receive it which was kindly taken by the City Macquere and Mac Mahon with a Steel-saw cut asunder the door of their Chamber swam over the Tower-ditch and escaped away the Parliament ordered 100 l. to any that should bring either of them alive or dead They ordered Waller to march into the West and past a new Ordinance for the Excise General Leven came also before Newcastle he and Calender got possession of the Bridge and most of the inhabitants of the lower Town fled to the high Town for shelter Leven summoned 3000 Countreymen to come in with Spades Mattocks c. The Earl of Warwick wrote that he had sent provisions by Sea for the Lord General 's Army The Lord Mayor and Aldermen presented their desires to the Parliament to be inserted in the propositions for Peace The Besiegers made a breach in Basing-house and took some Prisoners of the Garrison The Earl of Manchester had Bozer-house surrendred to him upon Articles An association was past for Wilts Dorset Somerset Devon and Cornwal and the Earls of Northumberland Pembroke and Salisbury Lord Roberts Lord Bruce and the Knights and Burgesses serving for those Counties had power any eight of them to appoint Colonels and other Officers and to raise moneys c. The Commons ordered some prizes unduly taken to be restored to the owners A party of Prince Rupert's forces were fallen upon by some of the Lancaster forces and of the Earl-of Manchester who slew 30 and took 100 of the Prince's men prisoners Middleton encountred a party of the King's forces in Somersetshire took about 200 Horse one Colonel divers inferiour Officers and 38 common Souldiers he wrote also that the King's Army was in such want of provisions that a peny loaf was there sold for six pence The General 's Army and the King 's often faced one another the General 's men took a Captain and some inferiour Officers and 48 common Souldiers of Sir Richard Greenvile's own Troop It was certified by Letters that Sir Francis Doddington meeting an honest Minister upon the way near Taunton asked him who art thou for Priest who answered for God and his Gospel whereupon Doddington shot the Minister to death The Parliament ordered Commissions of Oyer and Terminer to be executed and appointed Mr. Hoyle one of their Members to be Lord Mayor of York till the next day of election The Committee of Sussex complained against Colonel Apsley one of them The Lord Ogle and Colonel Huddleston fell upon Colonel Doddington near Lathom-house and worsted him till Colonel Shuttleworth came in to Doddington's assistance with some of the Parliaments forces and took 50 Horse 40 Prisoners and routed the rest among the Prisoners was the Lord Ogle Colonel Huddleston and other Officers Brereton and Middleton faced Chester out of which Garrison Colonel Marrow issued and fell upon them but was slain in the fight and divers of his men killed and taken The next morning Prince Rupert drew forth two of his best Regiments of Horse and a party of Foot fell upon Brereton and Middleton but they were beaten back to Chester many of his men killed and taken and in both these fights they certifie that 400 of the Enemy were killed and taken Middleton took thirty horse of one of the King's Convoys near Bristol The Commons took order touching the trade of Fishing at Yarmouth and a payment to be made by Fishers Six Troups of the Protestants in Ireland routed fifteen Troups of the Rebels and had many miraculous successes against them the Parliament took care for supply of them The Rebels in Vlster with an Army of 22000 intended to have massacred all the English and Scots there but the Lord Monroe with 14000 Protestants fought with them wholly dispersed and killed and took many thousands of them and Cattel and other Provision for a month which the Rebels left behind them and whereof the Protestants then were in great want The Commissioners of the Court-martial met and had a List of all the Prisoners which they transmitted to the House for their direction Colonel Sands besieged Pomfret Castle and took of the Garrison forty Horse and many Cattel Letters from the General certifie that Aug. 21. the King's Army drew up near to the General in Battalia who sent out a forlorn hope and a party of horse and foot to second them the forlorn fired and retreated to the reserve and they also charged the Enemy killed many and forced the rest to retreat and the Lord General kept the Field that night
former self-denying pretences but the Houses judged this fit to be now done Sir Thomas Fairfax upon the Parliaments Order returned back to attend the Motions of the King and sent 6000 horse and foot to relieve Taunton 12. Order for Money for Plymouth An Ordinance committed for cutting down Malignants Woods in Hampshire to raise Money for Portsmouth Garrison Four hundred pounds ordered for the Lifeguard of Sir Wil. Waller now discharged A Regiment of 500 horse ordered for Grantham Orders that Sir Wil. Brereton Sir Tho. Middleton and Sir John Price Members of the House of Commons should continue their Command where they are for 40 days longer notwithstanding the Self-denying Ordinance and after that time Col. Mitton to be Major General of North-Wales and M. Bridges to be Governour of Warwick in the place of Col. Purefoy The Speaker was continued Master of the Rolls till after Trinity Term. 13. The business of the Church The ill usage of Col. Tilliere a Prisoner of War referred to be examined Five hundred pounds paid to the Prince Elector and Order for the Committee of the King's Revenue to take care for the payment of the 8000 l. per an to him A thousand pounds ordered for Col. John Fiennes his Regiment Col. Campion Governour of Borstall House for the King fell upon a party of Cromwel's foot near Tame and took divers Prisoners of them Captain Ireton of Sir Robert Pye's Regiment pursued Campion routed his party slew 8 took 20 Horse and about 40 Arms and rescued the Prisoners Major Purefoy sent a party from Compton House who fell upon the Rear of the King's Army near Stow and took some Prisoners Arms and Money they charged another party of the King 's at Cambden killed 14. and took some horse They quitted Cambden House setting it on fire and went to their Fellows in the King's Army 14. Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonel Welden certified That the party sent by Sir Thomas Fairfax under Col. Welden and Col. Graves to relieve Taunton came before the Town on the Lords-day May 11. That 10 of their men fell upon a 100 of the King 's and killed and took some of them That the Besiegers believed them to have been Goring's Forces till they came within 4 miles of the Town and then about 4 a clock in the afternoon they confusedly ran away blocking up the way with Trees and other matter that the Parliament Forces could not pursue That they came when all the Ammunition in the Town was spent much of the Town burnt after divers times being stormed and entred by the Enemy who was beaten out again that the Country thereabouts was much unpeopled by the Besiegers The Commons ordered a Day of publick thanks gi ving for the Relief of Taunton and Letters of thanks to Sir Thomas Fairfax for his care in sending speedy relief thither and recommended to him Colonel Welden for his good service and a Letter of the thanks of the House to the Governour and Souldiers there and 2000 l. to the Garrison for their valiant and faithful defence of it and 500 l. to Col. Blake the Governour They ordered the Committee of the Army to send down Shoes to Sir Tho. Fairfax Foot that were in that Journey An Ordinance past for 100 l. to the Lady Drake and 100 l. to Sir Francis Drake and 100 l. to the Lady Strode for their maintenance who had lost their Estates for their affection to the Parliament The Lords by Message desired that Colonel Dalbiere Col. Butler and Commissary Copley under accusation and restraint might be tryed or discharged At a Conference the Earl of Warwick related the state of the Navy That divers Dunkirk Ships had Commissions from the King and took the Merchants ships and threw over-board the Mariners of a Scots ship and that it was requisite to have an addition to the Navy 15. New Propositions from the Scots Commissioners touching money for the Army and shipping and for the Scots Officers left out of the new Model were satisfactorily answered Order for 3000 l. for the Scots Forces in Ireland and for Captain Batten to be Vice-admiral for the Summers Fleet. A day appointed to consider how to raise money for the constant pay of the Armies and to have a Stock for that purpose Order for the Prisoners taken by Cromwell and Brown to be sent up to London 16. A Letter agreed to be sent to Sir Tho. Fairfax expressing the danger to an Army by their Officers absence and desiring him to proceed against such Officers according to Marshal Law and that no Officer may be absent at any time without his leave An Ordinance committed to make M. G. Massey M. G. of the West subordinate to Sir Thomas Fairfax A Petition from Gloucester That Colonel Massey may continue there carried in the Negative not to be debated the like upon a Petition and Articles concerning him The Committee of Oxon Berks and Bucks ordered to go to the Militiae of London about raisirig monies for the Forces of those Counties and about sending a party out of the City to besiege Oxford Cromwell and Brown pursued the King's Forces towards Birmicham and sent to the associated Counties to be upon their Guard if the King's Army should break in there and promised them assistance Sir T. F. came to Newbury and from thence resolved to advance to Cromwell to joyn with him in pursuit of the Enemy Gerrard's Forces gave a Defeat to Major Gen. Langherne and took Haverford West in Pembroke-shire 17. An Ordinance for Sequestration committed The Lords sent an Order for the Earl of Northumberland and his Countess to take the care of the King's Children and for the Funeral of the Countess of Dorset To which the Commons concurred and ordered money for her Funeral and for Arrears to the servants of the children Debate concerning reducing of Oxford and an Ordinance appointed for selling Delinquents Estates to raise money for that purpose A Declaration touching the Transactions with the States Ambassadours passed and referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms to cause it to be translated into other Languages and to publish it Sir T. F. faced Dunnington Castle and took about 10 Officers and other prisoners 19. Rules for regulating the Army approved and 200 l. ordered to be paid to the Commissioners in the Army for buying horses for recruits An Order for augmentation of Means to Mr. Griffith a Minister The Sheriff of Warwickshire dispenced with to reside in Coventry Letters from Scarborough informed that some of the Garrison sallied out and at first put the Besiegers to a stand but they recovered and beat back the Enemy Sir John Meldrum wounded and Lieutenant Cockeram and other Officers slain and some of the Garrison slain Lieutenant Colonel Stanley was taken Prisoner and carrled into the Castle and there slain by them in cold blood In the siege of Taunton were slain of the Besiegers 1000 and 12 Cart-loads
of maimed men carried off and in the Town about 100 only slain and many wounded When the Besiegers went away they left behind them 1000 Arms. A hundred and fifty a Week died of the Plague in Bristol 20. the business of the Church Order for payment of the Arrears of the Earl of Essex and an Ordinance past for settling 10000 l. per an on him in consideration of his great Services and losses Order for 3000 l. a Month for the Forces under Col. Welden and Col. Graves who relieved Taunton And a Letter of Thanks ordered to Sir John Meldrum and 500 l. more to be bestowed on him and for Pay for his Forces and the constant payment of 200 l. per an to Owen O Conelli that discovered the Rebellion in Ireland The business of Trade and the Admiralty referred to the Committee of the Navy A Consultation by a Committee with the Common Council of London about the reducing of Oxford Sir Tho. Fairfax advanced from Newbury to Blewbury and thence to Witney thence to Newnham 3 miles from Oxford Cromwell and Brown called back to joyn with him He took three Carts loaden with Canary Wines 40 Horse and their Riders of the Oxford Forces and pursued those that escaped to the walls of Oxford The King went towards Shropshire Sir William Brereton drew off from Chester to prevent the King 's surprizing of his Forces The King's Party took Hawkesley House in Staffordshire and carried the Garrison being 80 Prisoners to Worcester 21. A Petition from Lynne upon which an Order for repairing the Works there and care taken for money for Provision for Cambridge and for the Works there and 100 l per Mens for the Committee of the Eastern Association for their Clerks and extraordinary charges Order for raising the Arrears of the Scots money from those Counties The exchange of Colonel Fielding approved A Petition against the Monopoly of Merchant Adventurers referred to a Committee 22. Order for a Committee of the House to joyn with a Committee of the City to consult about the designe of reducing Oxford and for money for it Order for money for Windsor Garrison Ordinance for the Government of Newcastle sent up to the Lords Sir William Brereton raised his siege of Chester and drew into Lancashire to joyn with the Scots Forces and the King's Forces relieved Chester Captain Stone fell upon the rere of the King's Army at Woolverhampton killed 16 and took 26 horse and their Riders Next day Captain Stone fell upon their quarters at Newport took 60 horse and killed a Captain and 20 others next day he killed 3 took 4 Prisoners and some horses Sir Thomas Fairfax blocked up Oxford and at several times took of them about 100 Prisoners and Arms. 23. An impeachment for breach of privilege uncivil'y and violently using a Member of the House was ordered to be brought in Money provided for charges of the siege of Oxford A fortnights pay ordered for M. Vrrey and his Officers Order for auditing the Accounts of the Officers under Sir William Waller now left out of the Establishment The Lords adjourned two days in the Week and sent to the Commons that they intended to doe so and it was moved in the House of Commons that they might doe the like but carryed in the Negative not to adjourne two days in the Week and the like for one day 24. Upon a Petition of the maimed Soldiers and Widdows of those slain who were very impetuous for more maintenance the House added 501. a Week to the 2001. a Week formerly given to them The House sent earnest Letters to the Scots Army and Messages to the Scots Commissioners to hasten the advance of the Scots Southwards to joyn with other Forces to pursue the King's Army A Messenger discovered to have counterfeited a Letter from the Lord Inchequin of a great Victory in Ireland and that it rain'd bloud at Dublin upon Examination he confest he did it in hopes to get a gratuity from the Parliament and was committed for it A Collection for the Town of Taunton where so many of their houses were burnt and so much of their goods spoiled 26. Ordinances for raising monies sent to the Lords Collonel Barker Governour of Coventry desired that by reason of his sickness and old age he might surrender that charge and the Committee of Coventry Petitioned that Captain Willoughby might succeed him which the Commons agreed and sent to the Lords for their consent Charges for Convoyes of monies ordered to be paid and pay for the Forces in Derbyshire Sir John Morley and divers Aldermen of Newcastle disfranchised and new Majestrates there appointed Letters from the Forces before Oxford informed that Sir Thomas Fairfax came to Marston about a mile from Oxford where Cromwel and Browne met him that their foot were quartered near their horse guards and perdues within twice Musket shot of the Works That the King's Forces drowned the Meadows as much as they could and fired the Suburbs burnt a Corn Mill and a Garrison at Woolvercot and intended to have burnt the Towns round about but that Sir Thomas Fairfax's Forces possessed them that as he was viewing the Works a Cannon bullet from the Garrison came very near him but did no hurt and then he came within twice pistol shot of the Works but they were sparing of their Powder that the Soldiers were intrenching of their head quarters and making a bridge over the water That they intercepted some Letters and took Philpot the Herold and some Doctours that were fearful of a siege that the Lord Cottington Earl of Dorset and all the Lords and Gallants in Oxford bear Arms that they quenched the fire and took the Deputy Governour and all the Arms and Ammunition at Woolvercot Captain Flemming going beyond his Commission and by the unruliness of his horse who carried him among the Enemy was mortally wounded by a shot in the belly The Sickness continued very hot in Bristol 27. Order for Lord General Cromwel to goe with a party to the Isle of Ely and to endeavour to prevent the King's coming into that association Ordinances for money for Ely and for the siege of Oxford Order for Colonel Paine to have two Regiments and pay for them in the North. An Ordinance past to inable the Committee of Oxon Berks and Bucks to take voluntary Contributions for the additional Forces for reducing of Oxford An Ordinance past for raising monies out of Delinquents Estates The Scots Army retreated again Northwards suspecting the advance of the King's Forces that way Letters from Edenborough informed that M. G. Vrrey routed Montrosse's Forces who retreated to Aberdeen and that 2000 were slain on both parts 28. The Monthly Fast In the Evening the House sate and had Letters from Mr. Dormer That Colonel Massey with about 800 horse and 600 foot took Evesham after an hours storming with the loss but of five Souldiers and two Officers and about
30 wounded in all That they slew about 10 of the Enemy and took Prisoners Colonel Robert Legge about 50 other Officers and about 500 Common Souldiers with store of Arms and Ammunition The Declaration of the Transactions with the States Ambassadours was published wherein the Parliament set forth the abusive and ill carriage of the States Ambassadours Borelli and Rainsborough both made Knights and Barons by the King and that they shewed themselves rather parties for the King than Mediatours between him and his Parliament They demand justice against those Ambassadors and declare their own condition not to be yet so low but that they can resent if not return both Courtesies and Injuries They acknowledge the Christian and neighbourly Zeal of the States to the peace of this Nation and desire to know wherein they may be useful to them their honoure Neighbours and Predecessours in the like Sufferings 29. Order to Audite the Accounts of the Officers of the train of Artilery of Sir William Waller Cromwel drew off to the Isle of Ely Sir Tho. Fairfax blocked up Bostal-house and made a bridge with two Forts near Kidlington they came towards Leicester A party of Colonel Norton's Forces went towards Langford-house and placed an Ambuscado undiscovered by the Enemy who came forth to fall upon them they retreated to their Ambuscado the Enemy followed them and were all surprised There were taken Colonel Griffith the Governour divers Officers 63 Prisoners and their Arms and 10 killed 30. A Letter from the Committee of Gloucester of the danger of that place and County by the removal of Colonel Massey answer'd by the Commons that they would take care of that City and of the County Prisoners from Guernesey referred to a Committee and to examine that business Ordinance sent up to the Lords to enable the Committee of Plymouth to execute Martial Law there The Kentish Regiment continued and pay for them there Major General Browne came to London to hasten the Provisions for the siege before Oxford 31. The business of the Church debated and Ordinances touching the Excise and for money for the Forces in the West Letters written to the Sub-commissioners of Excise and to the Officers in the several Counties to give incouragement and assistance for the levying the Excise money Order of both Houses for their Committee touching Forts and Castles to be reduced in the Quorum to 2 Lords and 4 Commoners Letters Informed that the King was set down before Leicester June 1645. 2. On consideration of the King 's being at Leicester and the danger to the associated Counties thereby the House Ordered that the Committee of both Kingdomes should consider of such disposal of the Armies under Sir Thomas Fairfax as may be most advantageous for the publick and that the blocking up of Oxford be left to Major General Browne Browne being at the door of the House at that time was sent for in and had the thanks of the House for his good service and was desired to continue his care and constancy therein and to return to his charge Ordinances past for moneys for the West and other Forces Colonel Rainsborough with his Regiment of foot and three Troups of Colonel Sheffield's horse took in Gaunt-house 10 miles from Oxford and therein the Governour with all his Soldiers Arms Ammunition and Provisions The King's Forces having made their batteries stormed Leicester those within made stout resistance but some of them betrayed one of the Gates the women of the Town labour'd in making up the breaches and in great danger The King's Forces having entred the Town had a hot incounter in the Market place and many of them were slain by shot out of the Windows That they gave no quarter but hanged some of the Committee and cut others in pieces Some Letters said that the kennels ran down with bloud That Colonel Gray the Governour and Captain Hacker were wounded and taken Prisoners and very many of the Garrison put to the Sword and the Town miserably plunder'd The King entred the Town on Sunday June I st and sent part of his forces into Derbyshire 3. Order for Colonel Massey to advance into the West and the City and County of Gloucester to be governed by a Committee as the Parliament shall direct Ordinance for money for the siege of Oxford and two Regiments to go out of London to Major General Brown to that siege An Ordinance for money for the Isle of Ely The Papists and others in Northumberland plotted to surprize Sir John Fenwick the High Shiriff and the Militia there but were discovered and suppressed Sir John Meldrum dyed of his wounds received in the siege of Scarborough Castle Both parties in the West had often Skirmishes A party sallyed out of Oxford and took and killed about 80 of the Parliament's Forces the next day a party of the Parliaments took 12 of the Garrison and brought away 50 Cows from under their Walls Letters intercepted by Colonel Massey mention the King 's concluding a peace with the Irish-Rebels 4. Order of both Houses for 200 l. for L. G. Middleton and a pass for him to goe to his charge in the Scots Army 2000 l. of the Arrears due to the Earl of Essex charged on the Excise An Ordinance past for reimbursing money lent by the Commissioners of Excise for reducing Oxford Lieutenant General Cromwel got together 3000 horse in the associated Counties The City of London petitioned that recruits may be had for Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army and a Committee sent thither that the Army or part of it may be ordered to march towards the Enemy in the field and to regaine Leicester and to prevent the surprisal of other places and the Scots pressed to advance Southwards that Cromwel may command the association and care taken of the Navy and that the proceedings of the late Treaty may be published The House called in the Petitioners and gave them thanks for their care and good affections At a Conference the Lords acquainted the Commons with an Information concerning the taking of Leicester which was referred to a Committee to be examined 5. Orders for recruits of the Kentish Regiment and Colonel Fleetwood's Regiment An Ordinance considered for the sale of Delinquents Estates Another sent to the Lords to give power of Martial Law to the Committee of Kent The King continued at Leicester and began to fortify there and then marched forth to meet Sir T. F. who was drawn off from Oxford to advance towards the King 6. Massey wrote for recruits and some Members of the House were appointed to answer his Letters that they were sent to him and that he should never want the incouragement of Parliament and prayed him to go on in the business of the West with his wonted valour and prudence Upon the danger of Newport Paganel the King drawing that way and upon the Petition of the Town Sir Sam. Luke was continued Governour there
Enemy quitted a Garrison at Sir Peter Bymes house that Col. Hammond being ready to fall on to Storm Pouldram Castle the Enemy made but one shot and instantly cryed for Quarter That the Generals Courtesie and fair usage of those at Dartmouth did win much upon the People made other Garrisons to yield the sooner and divers to come in to the Parliament that all the Cornish men in Dartmouth being a hundred and twenty had their Liberty freely given them and two shillings a man to bear their Charges home and those that would take up Arms for the Parliament had three shillings a man That Greenvile was sent Prisoner to Silley by the Prince for refusing to obey the orders of Hopton the General That Sir Tho. Fairfax sent a Summons and honourable propositions to Sir John Berkly the Governor for the surrendring Exeter to him to the use of the Parliament to avoid the effusion of blood and ruine to the Inhabitants To this the Governor returned an answer full of Resolution and denyal to which Sir Tho. Fairfax made a reply in vindication of the Parliaments Honour and his 3. Upon debate of the Kings last Letter the Commons voted that it was unsatisfactory in the whole and referred it to a Committee to draw up an answer to it and to the former letter and a Declaration concerning this matter to the Kingdom Order for two hundred pound per An. for Doct. Walker Advocate to the Admiralty and that if he went to Sea he should have twenty pound per An. extraordinary Order to audit Arrears of Soldiers to be paid to their Wives and Widows A thousand pound to be paid to the Train of Artillery of the Earl of Essex and Sir William Waller Many came out of Exeter to the Parliaments Army twenty in a company 4. A Ship from France came into Dartmouth supposing it had been still in the Kings hands but finding his mistake he submitted to the Parliaments Forces and threw into the Sea a packet of Letters which he had and the next Flood the Packet came to Shore and was sent by Col. Lambert to Sir Tho. Fairfax and by him to the Parliament In it were read in the House Letters from the Queen to the King against the sending of the Prince into Denmark but rather to send him into France where a match was propounded for him with the Duke of Orleances Daughter Other Letters were from Jermyn Goring and others mentioning great Sums of Money and an Army from France to be ready against the Spring to come over to the King that Montrois and the King would joyn and march into the West Intercepted Letters from Ireland were sent up to the Parliament by Col. Mitton whereby they had good intelligence of the Affairs there Reference to a Committee to consider of Propositions for reducing North-Wales Orders for an Exchange of Mr. Denham for M. Harris and about a new Election News came of the surrender of Belvoir Castle upon Articles and Sir Jervase Lucas the Governor left there one piece of Ordnance store of Arms and Provisions 5. The day of Thanksgiving Letters came to the Speaker from Sir William Brereton That his care of preserving Chester the most considerable City in those parts from ruin invited him to entertain a Treaty which was continued ten days and delayed by the enemy hoping for relief for which there were strong preparation by conjunction of Ashtey Vaughan and the Welsh and Irish Forces and those Irish newly landed That he sent forth a strong party under Col. Mitton who prevented their conjunction and then those in Chester hopeless of Relief came to a Treaty That he was contented to have the more Commissioners that the Soldiers might be the better satisfied with that which was agreed unto by some of their own Officers and the Officers would be the more careful to keep their Soldiers to the observation of it They in Chester desired farther time for the Treaty to be continued but Sir William Brereton refused it and thereupon they came to an agreement on both parts to surrender the City to the Parliament upon Articles in it they had all the Arms Ammunition Ordnance and Provisions the County Palatine Seal Swords and all the records c. 6. The Letters from Sir William Brereton read Orders for setling that Garrison and that Alderman Edward of Chester be Colonel of the Regiment of that City A long Petition from the Common Council of London a day appointed for the Debate of it Two Members of the House sent to Gravesend to examine Mr. Murray one of the Bedchamber to the King taken coming from France Col. Whaly with some Forces of the Adjacent Counties besieged Banbury Castle 7. Proceedings touching the propositions for Peace A Petition from the Common Council of London to the Lords of the same effect with that yesterday to the Commons A Party of about eighty Horse and forty Dragoons were sent from Leicester under Mr. Meers to Ashby who marched with such speed and privacy that they came to Ashby about eleven a Clock that night undiscovered surprised the Sentinels fell in at the Turn-pike broke the Chain and entred the Town They took a hundred Horse rich Prize and Pillage Plundred the Town rescued divers Gountrymen Prisoners there and returned to Leicester without opposition 9. Votes for supplys for the Protestant Forces in Ireland The Office of Lieutenant of the Ordnance for the Tower continued Colonel Needham appointed to be Governor of Leicester Order for a new Election and for Money for Col. Mittons Forces A Petition from the Inhabitants of Westminster and Middlesex That the Militia might not be setled as was desired by the London Petition was referred to the same Committee 10. Progress in the propositions of Peace Order for a new Election of Members M. G. Browne had the thanks of the House Sir William Lower and Captain Dunbar who revolted from the Parliament referred to be tryed by Martial Law A day appointed to consider of easing the people under the sufferings of Committees Letters informed that Sir Tho. Fairfax had made two Bridges over the River at Exeter block'd it up on all sides and planted Guards round the City and was within Musquet shot of their Works that he sent forth a Brigade to attempt the enemy at Barnstable News came of Preparations at Oxford upon some new design and that the Nobility there were assembled and it was propounded to them to assist the King in his War this Summer and that his Majesty declared to live and die for the Priviledges of his Crown his Friends and Church Government 11. Progress in the business of the Church Mr. Murray committed close Prisoner to the Tower and to be more strictly examined A Complaint against some Scots Horse referred to be examined Intercepted Letters and some taken at Dartmouth in characters were deciphered by Sir Walter Earle and he had the thanks of the House for it The Garrison of Newarke sallied out
personal under or lyable to Sequestrations according to Ordinance of Parliament and shall desire to compound for them except persons by name excepted by Ordinance of Parliament from pardon shall at any time within six months after rendring the Garrison of Oxford be admitted to compound for their Estates which Composition shall not exceed two years Revenue for Estates of Inheritance and for Estates for Lives Years and other real and Personal Estates shall not exceed the proportion aforesaid for Inheritances according to the value of them And that all persons aforesaid whose dwelling houses are Sequestred except before excepted may after the Rendring of the Garrison repair to them and there abide convenient time being allowed to such as are placed there under the Sequestrations for their removal And it is agreed that all the profits and Revenues arising out of their Estates after the day of entring their names as Compounders shall remain in the hands of the Tenants or Occupiers to be answered to the Compounders when they have perfected their agreements for their Compositions And that they shall have liberty and the General Pass and Protection for their peaceable repair to and abode at their several Houses or Friends and to go to London to attend their Compositions or elsewhere upon their necessary occasions with freedom of their persons from Oaths Engagements and Molestations during the space of six Months And after so long as they prosecute their Compositions without wilfull default or neglect on their part except an engagement by promise not to bear Arms against the Parliament nor wilfully to do any Act prejudicial to their Affairs so long as they remain in their Quarters And it is further agreed that from and after their Compositions made they shall be forthwith restored to and enjoy their Estates and all other Immunities as other Subjects together with the Rents and Profits from the time of entring their names discharged of Sequestrations and from Fifths and Twentieth parts and other payments and Impositions except such as shall be general and common to them with others 12. That no Lords Gentlemen Clergy-men Scholars Officers Soldiers Citizens nor any other persons included in this Capitulation except the persons mentioned before to be excepted from pardon shall be molested or questioned for any thing said or done in or concerning this War or relating to the unhappy differences between his Majesty and the Parliament they submitting to Composition as in the precedent Article and that the Persons before-mentioned to be excepted from Pardon shall have the benefit of this Article during the space of six Months from the rendring of the Garrison and after if they be admitted to and agree for their Compositions 13. That the persons mentioned before to be excepted from Pardon shall have liberty and the Generals Pass and Protection for themselves Families Horses Goods and all things that properly belong unto them now in Oxford to go unto and abide at their own Houses or their Friends for the space of six Months after the rendring of the Garrison and within that time to repair unto London to endeavour Compositions for their Estates and Indemnity of their Persons and to make their Peace and if they cannot obtain it shall have Passes to go beyond the Seas at any time within the said six Months and that no other Engagement shall be put upon them save by promise not to bear Arms against the Parliament nor wilfully do any act prejudicial to their Affairs so long as they remain in their Quarters 14. That the Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford and the Governors and Students of Christs Church of King Henry the eighth his Foundation and all other Heads and Governors Masters Fellows and Scholars of the Colledges Halls and Bodies Corporate and Societies of the same University and the publick professors and Readers and the Orators thereof and all other persons belonging to the said University or to any Colledges or Halls therein shall and may according to their Statutes Charters and Customs enjoy their antient form of Government subordinate to the immediate Authority and Power of Parliament and that all the Rights Priviledges Franchises Lands Tenements Houses Possessions Rents Revenues Hereditaments Libraries Debts Goods and Chattles belonging to the said University or to Christs Church or to any Colledges or Halls in the said University except such Rents and Revenues as have been already taken and received by Ordinance of Parliament shall be enjoyed by them respectively as aforesaid free from Sequestrations Fines Taxes and all other molestations whatsoever for or under colour of any thing whatsoever relating to this present War or to the unhappy differences between his Majesty and the Parliament And that all Churches Chappels Colledges Halls Libraries Schools and publick Buildings within or belonging to the City or University or to Christs Church or the several Colledges or Halls thereof shall be preserved from defacing and Spoyl And if any removal shall be made by the Parliament of any Head or other Members of the University Christs Church Colledges or Halls that those so removed shall enjoy their profits during the space of six Months after the rendring of Oxford and shall have convenient time allowed them for the removal of themselves and their Goods from their Lodgings Provided that this shall not extend to retard any Reformation there intended by the Parliament nor give them any liberty to intermeddle in the Government 15. That the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty and all Corporations within the City shall enjoy their antient Government and their Charters Customs Franchises Liberties Lands Goods and Debts and all things else whatsoever which belong to them as Corporations subordinate to the immediate authority and power of Parliament and shall not be molested or questioned by colour of any thing before the rendring of this Garrison done or ordered by them in the capacity of Corporations relating to the differences between his Majesty and the Parliament 16. That the Citizens and Inhabitants of the City shall not be charged with free Quarter or Billet of Soldiers other than for lodging except in urgent time of necessity and that to be ordered and disposed by the advice of the Mayor or his Deputy and that in all publick Taxes they shall be charged proportionably with the County and that no Scholar Citizen or Inhabitant in the University and City of Oxford shall be troubled or questioned for taking up Arms in the Garrison by express Command during the time it was a Garrison for the defence thereof And that the Scholars Citizens and Inhabitants shall have the benefit of this Capitulation in all things that may concern them 17. That no Officer Soldier or other Person who by the Aricles are to march out of the City or Suburbs or to march in shall plunder spoyl or injure any Scholar Citizen or Inhabitant or other person in Oxford in their Persons Goods or Estates or
the Earl of Essex to sit in Parliament Divers Scotch Ministers endeavoured to satisfie the Kings Conscience that he might take the Covenant but could not prevail 17. An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for charging ten thousand pound upon the Excise for poor Widows Officers Wives and others The Lords desired the concurrence of the Commons that the Earl of Northumberland be made L. Lieutenant of York-shire in the stead of the Earl of Essex deceased A Petition of the Levanâ— Merchants against Sir Sackvile Crow for Cruelties and Tyrannies exercised by him against their Company and desiring his Commission might be made void was referred to a Committee Order for four hundred pound for relief of poor Irish Protestants here 18. Order for a Letter to the Grand Seignior to revoke the Commission of Sir Sackvile Crow from being Agent at Constantinople and power given to the Merchants to chuse a new Agent Voted That no Consultation touching his Majestics Person should hinder the March of the Scots Army out of England nor violate the Treaties and that the Kings Person should be disposed of as both Houses of the Parliament of England should hold fit The Speaker desired he might communicate some secret Intelligence which he had to a Committee and was ordered to do it to the Committee of both Kingdoms and the Committee of the Admiralty Order for stating Arrears of Accounts 19. The Houses sate not The Estates of Scotland met about the surrender of the English Garrisons c. 21. The Commissioners from Scotland not being able to prevail with the King to pass the propositions returned into Scotland The Kings did not absolutely refuse to do it but said he hoped they would grant him a hearing which for better accommodation he desires may be near London and doubts not but after a full hearing he may not only have but receive full satisfaction Letters informed of the Irish Rebels drawing with a great Army towards Vlster and that the Marquess of Ormond was gone with Forces to joyn with them to suppress such as withstand the new Peace The Committee of Worcester took great care in listing their Soldiers for Ireland 22. No means prevailing with the King to pass the Propositions the House named a Committee to turn those Propositions into Ordinances of Parliament Order that the Committee of both Kingdoms do communicate to the Scots Commissioners the Votes of the House for disposing of the Kings Person Ordinance for Money A Committee for satisfying the City about the security for the two hundred thousand pound Letters of the surrender of Silley and Col. Rouse appointed Governor Reasons offered by the Commons to the Lords for continuance of the Commissioners and Treasurers of the Army The Lords Voted the Lord Roberts to be Governor of Silly but before that the Commons Vote was passed for Col. Rouse The Lords concurred with the Commons in the Vote for disposing of the Kings person The Duke d'Anguienne Besieged Dunkirk The Spaniard raised Forces to relieve it 23. The House proceeded in a grand Committee upon the Ordinance against Blasphemies and Heresies A Petition of Lieutenant Col. Lilburnes Wife accompanied with many Women at the door of the House and mentioning the Tyranny of the Lords by their imprisoning of her Husband and thereby divorcing her from him and desires Justice Intelligence came that upon discovery of a Plot against the Person of the Marquess of Ormond and those with him they returned back to Dublin 24. A new Committee appointed of both Houses to treat with the Scots Commissioners about disposing of the Kings Person this new Committee was purposely named to carry on the design touching the Kings Person as was intended The Committee of Foreign Affairs appointed to receive what the Spanish Ambassador desired to communicate to both Houses Order that no Passes should be granted to transport any Horses for six Months An Ordinance sent up to the Lords to put the Office of Chancellor of Chester in the Speakers of both Houses Order for the Forces of Cheshire for Money A day set to consider how the Army under Sir The. Fair fax shall be disposed of 25. Orders for Money and Cloaths for the Forces in Vlster Order to continue the Committee of both Kingdoms till the last of November next and that if the Scots Commissioners shall refuse to joyn with them then they were to act by themselves Votes That the Estates of the Lord Capell Lord Cottington Marquess of Winchester Earl of Worcester and Sir Charles Smith should be sold to raise Money for Ireland Some of the Assembly of Divines from the rest brought into the House such Heads of the Articles of Faith as they had perfected The Establishment and securing of Wallingford Castle referred to the General and a Committee named to draw up a new establishment thereof 26. The House sate not 28. Letters from the North certified that the Convention at Edinburg agreed that the Scots Army should march out of England upon the receipt of the two hundred thousand pound as agreed and all Towns and Castles held now by them in England to be delivered up that they are sending a Plenipotence to their Commissioners here to determine with the Parliament of England as to the dispose of his Majesties Person The Irish Rebels by Declaration disclaimed the Peace made with the Protestants The Articles of the Surrender of Silly Islands sent up 29. Vote That no Office shall be conferred by any Committee upon any person without consent of the Parliament A Committee of the long Robe appointed to make some amendmerts in the Ordinance for security to the advancers of the two hundred thousand pound Great complaints of the Quartering of the Scots Army in the North and in Lancashire Denbigh Castle was upon Treaty of surrender Order against the great resort of multitudes of People to the door of the House and it was observed then that some of those Gentlemen who formerly most incouraged such resort were now most fearful of them 30. The publick Fast day the House met after the Sermons and ordered an Ordinance to be drawn up to be read in every Congregation on every Fast day and therein the sins of the Nation to be mentioned and lamented and particularly in relation to Ireland The Ordinance for Observation of the publick fast day sent up to the Lords with some amendments An Ordinance to be drawn up to prevent clandestine Marriages without the consent of Parents October 1646. October 1. Order for five hundred pound to be paid to the Executors of the late Earl of Essex for defraying some ingagements and for the charge of his Funeral and that of four thousand five hundred pound due to his Countess who was disaffected to the Parliament four thousand pound should be paid to the State and five hundred pound to Col. Mathews and to the Servants of the Earl A question being propounded whether the great Seal be disposed of
into the hands of Members of both Houses the question was put whether that question should be put or not and carried in the Negative Voted That it should be disposed into hands of three Commissioners That the Members of both Houses late Commissioners of the great Seal as a token of Favour from the Parliament and Kingdom should have a thousand pound bestowed on them for all their faithful Services That the Earl of Salisbury one of the late Commissioners should have the thanks of the House That the Members of the Commons late Commissioners of the Seal should have the priviledge to plead within the Bar next to the Sollicitor General of the King An Ordinance voted to be brought in for setling five thousand pounds per An. upon Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Heirs Many Aldermen and Common Council-men of London desired to know the pleasure of the House whether the Works about the City should be slighted or not and if not then they desired twelve thousand pounds for the Maintainance of them the House appointed the Committee of the Army to treat with the Militia of London about it Letters informed that the Popish Clergy at Waterford have pronounced the supreme Council at Kilkenny to be perjured for agreeing to the Peace and proceed to excommunicate them 2. The House sate in a Grand Committee till seven at night upon the Ordinance for disposing of Bishops Lands 3 Private Petitions heard Order for two thousand pounds for the Officers and Garrison of Dover and for payment of the debts of the State to some Handy-crafts men and for two thousand pound for Col. Sandersons Regiment upon their disbanding Order for seizing upon a new Impression of the Common-Prayer Referred to a Committee to find out the Author and Printer of a Pamphlet called Yet another word to the Wise that they may be punished 5. Ordinance for setling two hundred pound per An. on Mr. Hugh Peters Order for a new Election The Negotiations of some Captains of the Parliaments Ships with the Marquess of Ormond confirmed as to lending to him Arms and Ammunition against the Rebels and order for Letters of thanks to Captain Willoughby one of those Captaius Orders for supplys for Ireland Ordinance sent up to the Lords for sale of Bishops Lands Treasurers and Trustees for it named Letters informed That the Estates of Scotland had fully agreed to the Scots Army marching out of England and the Garrisons to be delivered up upon payment of the two hundred thousand pound as was agreed The Irish Rebels drew their Forces towards Dublin and the Marquess of Ormond prepared for defence Col. Bethel was called into the House and had their thanks for his good Services Beaumarice Castle in Anglesey was surrendred to the use of the Parliament upon Articles Order that all Commissions made to Sea Captains which were as from the King and Parliament which some of them interpreted to the prejudice of the Parliaments Service should be altered and made in the name of the Parliament only Order for Money out of Delinquents Estates in Wilts for disbanding the Forces there The Confession of Faith brought in from the Assembly debated Order for one thousand seven hundred pound out of Delinquents Estates in Lincoln-shire to be paid to the Earl of Lincolne which he had disbursed for the Parliaments Service A French Pyrat taken by the Parliaments Ships The Irish Rebels prevailed A Conference by the Committee of Lords and Commons with the Scots Commissioners about disposing of the Kings Person 7. Upon Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax for Pay and Cloathing for the Army Ordered that the Assesment be continued for six Months longer for the pay of them Order for three pound a week for maintenance of the Widow and Children of Mr. Franklyn a Member of the House that dyed a Prisoner to the Kings Party and that the Arrears of M. Franklyn be computed and paid Order for hastning the payment of ten thousand pound to the poor Widows and for relief of Tenants whose Land-lords were of the Kings Party For supplys for the Northern Forces 8. Composition of the Lord Savile allowed and out of it a thousand pound was ordered for the Widow and Children of Captain Askwith who laid out nine hundred and sixty pound in raising a Troop of Horse for the Parliament Votes That Sir Rowland Wandesford Sir Tho. Beddingfield and Mr. Jo. Bradshaw be Commissioners of the great Seal for six Months sent up to the Lords 9. Progress upon the Articles of Faith Votes of both Houses that Captain Pen be Captain of the Assurance Frigot The Committee of both Houses debated with the Scots Commissioners about disposing of the Kings Person An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for four hundred pound for the poor Irish Protestants here The Lords desired the concurrence of the Commons in the Ordinance for dissolving of all Countrey Committees 10. Debate upon the Accounts of Sir Will. Brereton as Major General and a Committee named to consider of the pay of ten pound per diem to every Major General and of their incident charges and of the free quarter and provisions taken by them They ordered five thousand pound to Sir Will. Brereton out of such Delinquents Estates not yet compounded for as he should nominate Order that the Tax of one per cent for Plymouth shall continue till January 1 and no longer Vote for a Balleting box to be made 12. Report of seven Ordinances drawn out of the Propositions for Peace 1. For justifying and confirming the Proceedings of Parliament 2. For setling the Militia of England and Ireland in the Parliament for twenty Years 3. For confirming the Treaty with Scotland 4. For making void all Titles under the great Seal after it was carried away 5. For confirming the present great Seal and all Acts done thereby 6. For making void the Irish Cessation 7. For disposing Offices by consent of Parliament All these except that of the Militia and Scots Treaty pass'd and sent upto the Lords An Ordinance appointed to be drawn to injoyn all to take the Covenant Order touching Compositions of Delinquents A Malignant chosen Major of Berwick sent for and the old Major continued A Petition of many Officers and Soldiers of the Parliaments That they may not be prosecuted at Law for things done by them in the war and as Soldiers upon sundry Exigencies Conference about disposing of the Person of the King A Committee appointed to treat with the Commissioners come from the Marquess of Ormond The French Ambassador and Agent were with the King at Newcastle The Plague broke forth there brought from London Letters informed that divers Inhabitants of Northumberland had left their habitations by reason of the oppression by the Soldiers quartered with them 13. The Lords concurred to the Ordinance for sale of Bishops Lands for advance of two hundred thousand pounds for the Scots Army and to take away the power of Committees for disposing
of Offices and desired the concurrence of the Commons to take away all Countrey Committees An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for an Assesment for the Garrison of Bristol and Glocester Vote for an Ordinance for fifty three thousand pounds per mensem assesment for the Army Debate touching the Confession of Faith An Ordinance past for constituting the three Commissioners of the Seal with a Provisoe that if any of them be chosen a Member of the Parliament he shall leave his place Vote for continuing the Seal-bearer The Ordinance past for sale of Bishops Lands and to secure the two hundred thousand pound to the Scots 14. The House sate in a grand Committee upon the Ordinance against Heresies Report of the Marquess of Ormond That he desired supplys and Moneys for the Forces with him and that he would either come to London or go beyond Sea or serve in Ireland as the Parliament pleased and surrender Dublin c. re-committed to treat further upon the surrender of Dublin and the other Garrisons A Letter from Ormond to the King and another to London laid aside not to be delivered The Ordinance for the Commissioners of the great Seal again presented to the Lords at a conferrence with some alterations as reserving power to make Justices of the Peace to present to Parsonages c. The House sent and seized at the Press the Papers of the Lord Chancellors Speeches then in Printing touching the disposal of the Kings Person and took the Printer and Bookseller into Custody for doing it without licence of the Houses though they had the warrant of the Scots Commissioners for it 15. A Pass from both houses to transport sixteen Naggs beyond Seas A Committee named to bring in an Ordinance for the Indemnity of Officers and Soldiers who have taken necessaries in the time of War and are now prosecuted for it at Law and the Committee to receive Complaints and give relief in the mean time A Letter from the Scots Commissioners desired the enlargement of the Stationer and Printer of their Speeches and the Printer and Stationer submitted referred to a further examination Ordinances sent up to the Lords for ten thousand pound for the poor Widows for four hundred pound for the poor Irish Protestants here for setling the Militia and for the Treaties with Scotland 16. A Committee named to consider of Printing the Septuagint Bible A Conference about the Printing of the Lord Chancellor of Scotland's Speeches An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for transporting of Persons to foreign Plantations The House sate in a grand Committee in the afternoon about the Assesments for the Army 17. Order that the Marquess of Hertford his Lady or others who had seized Money or Writings in Essex House should restore them to the Executors of the Earl viz. the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Warwick and Mr. Sollicitor St. John A Committee named to whom the probate of this and all other Wills was referred and also a Petition of the Doctors of Civil Law concerning the probate of Wills Order that neither the Marquess of Hartford nor any other who had born Arms against the Parliament should go with the Corps of the Earl of Essex at his Funeral Vote for fifteen thousand pound for the Forces in Ireland and for five thousand pound for the Forces of Major General Pointz Sir Fr. Willoughby one of the Lord Ormonds Commissioners sent back to inform him what the Parliament had done 19. Debate about the Trustees for sale of Bishops Lands Order that all the Members of the House do attend the Funeral of the Earl of Essex and that the House be adjourned for that day as the Lords had done In the afternoon the House sate till six at night upon the Ordinance for sale of Bishops Lands The General with Major General Massey went to the Devizes where a rendezvous was appointed for the disbanding of such of Major General Massey's Forces as would not go for Ireland 20. One Arrested contrary to the Articles of Oxford the Serjeants sent for as Delinquents upon a certificate from Sir Tho. Fairfax Difference about the Commissioners of the Seal The Lords named four more to be added to the three named by the Commons they altered their former Vote for the three Commissioners and ordered an Ordinance to be brought in to establish the former fix Commissioners Members of both Houses Order that Col. Mitton offer resonable conditions to the Garrisons in Wales not yet reduced which if they refuse within twenty days that then they shall not be received to Mercy and referred to a Committee to consider of imploying those Forces for Ireland after the rest of the Garrisons should be reduced and a Letter sent to Col. Mitton to acquaint him with these Votes Votes for Mr. Bish to be Garter King at Arms and Mr. Bish to be Clarentiaux Mr. Riley to be Norwâ—y and a Committee to regulate their Fees Ordinance for sale of Bishops Lands The Money and Writings of the Earl of Essex taken away were restored Captain Betten voted to be Vice-Admiral of the Winter Fleet. Dunkirk was surrendred to the French upon Articles great solemnities of Thanksgiving great Guns and Bonefires for it in France 21. The House sate in a Grand Committee upon the Ordinance for Sale of Bishops Lands A Committee named to consider of regulating the Chancery and to receive complaints touching Fees of that or any other Court of Equity within the Kingdom Referred to the same Committee to consider who are fit to be Justices of the Peace and who not in all Counties The Funeral of the Earl of Essex was solemnized with great State All the Members of both Houses Sir Thomas Fairfax the Civil and Military Officers then in Town and the Forces of the City a very great number of Coaches and Multitudes of people present at it The General had been at the Devizes to disband the Brigade of Major General Massey which was done with little trouble and few of them listed themselves for Ireland From the Disbanding the General hasted up to London and was at the Funeral of the Earl of Essex 23. The old Commissioners of the Seal had been voted to be continued upon the constituting new Commissioners now the old Commissioners were voted down again and an Ordinance past and sent to the Lords to make the two Speakers Commissioners of the Seal till twenty days after this Term. This incertainty and change of Resolution in the House was much discoursed of by some who were not their friends they were reflected upon for it But they excused themselves by reason of the difference in Opinion from them by the Lords and now they began to be more apprehensive than formerly that so great a trust as the Custody of the Seal was most proper and fit to be only in their own Members Order for a Commission to enable the Master of the Rolls and the Judges to hear and determine for the
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
sent up to the Lords for payment of five hundred pound to Mr. Phips out of the Marquess of Wintons Estate for which Sir John Danvers was ingaged A Scotch Minister Preached boldly before the King at New-castle and after his Sermon called for the fifty second Psalm which begins Why dost thou Tyrant boast thy self thy wicked works to praise His Majesty thereupon stood up and called for the fifty sixth Psalm which begins Have Mercy Lord on me I pray for men would me devour The People waved the Ministers Psalm and sung that which the King called for 16. An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for disposing four thousand five hundred and fifty pounds Arrears of the Joynture of the Countess of Essex by reason of her delinquency Sir David Watkins called into the House denyed the words which Mr. Pennoyer justified to be spoken by him of Sir John Evelin and said he heard them from one Mr. Drake who was ordered to be sent for The two Speakers continued Commissioners for the great Seal twenty days longer Order for the Committee of Elections to sit and for reports every Monday from the Committee of Priviledges The Lords concurrence desired to the Treaty for the two hundred thousand pound and a hundred thousand pound of it sent away 17. Order for three thousand pound for the poor Widows c. Hostages agreed to the Scots for the two hundred thousaud pound Sir William Selby Mr. Dela Vale Sir Edward Loftus Sir Tho. Trollop Sir H. Mildmay and Sir William Browton Mr. Drake called in about speaking the words touching Sir Jo. Evelyn named one Dr. Aldwyn who said he heard it from a Member of the House referred to a Committee 18. To the Scots Paper desiring aid of this Kingdom against the Rebels in Scotland the House answered that that was no obstruction of their March or delivery up of the Garrisons which being done then the House would consider of that particular To that of charging the Countrey upon their March out of England was answered That they should take no money nor goods of the English Subjects but pay and discharge all their quarters and the form of their Receipts for the two hundred thousand pound was agreed upon The Committee of both houses ordered to meet about disposing the great Seal Sir Thomas Fairfax went towards Northampton to give order for the Convoy of the Scots Money and fifty thousand pound was carried thither for his Army 19. Order for two thousand pound for Sir Peter Killegrew for his Interest in Pendennis Castle and for a thousand pound for the burying of the Earl of Worcester and the Lord Dockra to be according to the Directory The Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council and many Citizens of London presented the Petition formerly mentioned first to the Lords who gave them thanks then to the Commons who after much debate gave them thanks for all their good Services and appointed a day to consider of the Petition and also the Petition of the Gentry of Durbam Another considerable party of the City were about a different Petition 31. Orders touching the payment of the second two hundred thousand pound to the Scots and that they should not take free quarter These to be Communicated to the Scots Commissioners The Earl of Stamford for the Lords and Mr. Ashhurst and Mr. Goodwin for the Commons named Commissioners to go into Scotland to satisfie the Parliament there of all proceedings and to prevent misunderstandings between the two Kingdoms and a Committee appointed to draw instructions for them Upon a Petition of many of Durham that the Scots Army may be removed and twenty five thousand six hundred sixty six pound paid due to them since 1641 and that they may send Knights and Burgesses to the Parliament the House gave this answer that they were sensible of the Countreys sufferings and had taken course to remove the Armies and concerning their electing Knights and Burgesses for the Parliament it was referred to a Committee Col. Hoskins voted to be Governor of Lynne Both Houses agreed to an Ordinance for maintaining of the water-guards And the Lords sent an Ordinance to the Commons that none be permitted to Preach or use publick Exercise but such as had taken Degrees in the Universities and another Ordinance against such as shall disturb the Ministers in their publick Exercises 22. The House agreed that Sir Rich. Lloyd Governor of Holt should have liberty to go beyond Sea and carry three hundred pound with him and his Wise to enjoy his Land being three hundred pound per An. and they voted that Holt Flint Harding Rotheland and Ruthen Castles should be slighted Sir William Listers Lady ordered to have six hundred and ten pound of her Husbands Arrears and two thousand pound to Col Carter and five hundred pound to Major General Skippon for his extraordinary charges in convoying the two hundred thousand pound The Lords sent their Vote to the Commons That the King should come to New-Market upon the Scots Army marching away Upon debate of the City Petition the House Voted first to insist upon the breach of Priviledge in the way of this Petition and then to consider of the particulars of the Petition and for that purpose referred it to a Committee The Earl of Northumberland acquainted the Lords that some persons had a Plot to steal away the Duke of York and to carry him beyond Sea and that by advice from his Majesty two that were in the Plot were apprehended and the rest escaped Mr. Hudson the Kings Guide to the Scots was taken again by Major General Pointz and his Examination sent up to the Parliament Some Proposals from the Lord L'isle Lieutenant of Ireland for supplyes and Moneys to carry on the War there and that he would go over thither in person 23. Letters from Ireland informed That proposals were received by the Marquess of Ormond from the Rebels That the Roman Catholick Religion may be free and publick as in Paris That the Garrisons may be in their hands All Counsellors Officers and Soldiers to take an Oath to fight against the Parliamenteers and never to make Peace with them The Scots Hostages given in A Letter directed to General Leven that no free quarter be taken by his Soldiers in their march for Scotland Order for Mr. Allen to provide a Jewel as a gift of the House for General Leven Order for five hundred pound for Mrs. Chichester and four pound per mensem for the Lady Denny Widows The Duke of York confessed that the King his Father sent to him to get away Great use was made of a Press at London to Print the Lord Chancellor of Scotlands Speeches the London Petition and other things at New-castle 24. The Commons dissented from the Vote of the Lords for the Kings coming to New-Market and voted his coming to Holmesby-House in Northampton shire and to be those with such Attendants as both Houses shall think sit
and sent to the Lords Order of both Houses for the Library of the Arch Bishop to be given to the University of Cambridge Orders about the next Summers Fleet. Ordinances touching the Clerks places of the privy Signet and the Water-Bayliffs place and for four thousand pound for Col. Barton out of Delinquents Estates for his Arrears The Lords proceeded upon the City Petition and named a Committee to consider of punishing Hereticks and Schismaticks 11. Order for two thousand pound for the Executors of Sir Jo. Meldrum for his Arrears Ordinance committed for safe custody of Prisoners and yet that they may be liable to Suits Orders touching Compositions 12. The grand Committee sate about Religion and the Ordinance against Preachers not being Ordained 13. Grand Committee sate upon the same business A Committee appointed to moderate the Fees of the Registers in Chancery Receipts of the Scots for the two hundred thousand pound ordered to be entred in the House-Journal and in the Exchequer and the Lords desired to enter them in the Journal of their House Order for indemnity of the Treasurers Vote for an addition to a Committee The King came to Nottingham 15. Order for the Members to give in notes under their hands of the several Garrisons and the charge of them in the respective Counties Order to confirm the Articles of Truro A Committee to examine a complaint against the Lord Mohun that he had killed divers men in cold blood and therefore should not be admitted to his Composition Orders concerning new Elections and for Priviledge for Col. Rigby's Servants and for three hundred pound to Mrs. Herle for her late Husbands Arrears and for two thousand pound to Col. Cely Governor of Lime a Member of the House for his Arrears An Ordinance from the Lords to prohibit the killing of Beef Veal and Lamb for eight weeks Another to take away all Country Committees both Committed by the Commons The Lords concurred in the Ordinances for removing the Library from Lambeth to Cambridge and in that for Sir Jo. Meldrum's Executor A great tumult in Smithfield the Excise-house pulled down the Lord Mayor published a Proclamation that whosoever could bring in the chief actors in it should have five pound and many were committed to Prison about it Success of some of the Parliaments Forces in Ireland care for men and provisions thither Sir Thomas Fairfax went and met the King who stopped his Horse Sir Thomas Fairfax allighted and kissed the Kings hand and afterward mounted and discoursed with the King as they passed towards Nottingham The King said to one of the Commissioners That the General was a man of honour and kept his word with him Divers of the Kings Officers were apprehended upon suspition and imprisoned by the Commissioners The Scots passed Berwick into Scotland most of them were to be disbanded General Leven executed one for Murder who was one of his Soldiers and the Countrey were well pleased with it 16. The Sheriffs of London came to the House and informed them of the tumult in Smithfield about the Excise-house and the Commitment of many for it The House gave them thanks and ordered that the Malefactors be proceeded against at the Sessions The Declaration of the grounds of laying and continuing the Excise committed New Members admitted The Lords pass'd the Confession of Faith as the Assembly gave it in A Petition to the Lords from Suffolke of the same effect with the London Petition with an addition that the Armies may be disbanded The Lords gave them thanks for their good affections for the Petition and the particulars of it they would speedily take into consideration 17. Debate of disbanding Forces and dismantling Garrisons the several Members gave an account of all their Counties and sate till eight at night then resolved that the Army should first be taken into debate Ordinance for nine thousand pound for the works of London sent to the Lords 18. Order that a Body of five thousand horse and a thousand Dragoons be continued for the service of the Kingdom and at the charge of the Kingdom Letters from the Commissioners with the King at Holmeby desired that they might be discharged from that great charge Ordinances for Compositions Ordinance for six thousand pound for Nottingham House The People flocked to see the King as he passed by 19. The House sate from Morning to nine at night and voted that no more Foot should be maintained than what was sufficient to man the Garrisons 20. Orders for Members to go into the Countrey Letters from the Earl of Ormond to Mr Salleway and others with propositions for surrender of Dublyn and other Forts in Ireland Lords concurrence to divers Ordinances A Letter from the King from Holmeby to both Houses Desired That in regard he was not satisfied with the Presbyterian Government that Doctor Sheldon and divers others of his Chaplains or any two of them might be permitted to come to him by whom he might receive satisfaction The House voted to send to the King to sign the Propositions The Declaration concerning the Excize past the House and care taken for ease of the poor in the payment of Excize Benson a Delinquent apprehended by the City Martial and committed close Prisoner 22. Upon the report of all the transactions between the Parliaments Commissioners and the Marquess of Ormond the House approved what the Commissioners had done and gave them thanks Orders for ten thousand pound for the Forces which shall go to possess Dublin and three thousand pound to the Marquess of Ormond and referred to the Committee of the Irish Affairs to manage the whole business of the Marquess of Ormond and they to give an Account of the Money Forces and Supplys for Ireland A Letter assented to That the House agreed to Ormonds propositions and to acquaint him that the Sequestration of his Estate should be taken off Letters to the Lord Inchequin and others to assist in this business The Earl of Pembroke had leave to come from Holmeby to London Both Houses voted Mr. Bradshaw to be Chief Justice of Chester and to refer it to the Commissioners of the Seal to consider of fit persons to be Judges in Wales The Declaration pass'd concerning the Excise with Instructions to the Officers The Lords made an Order against the spoylers of the Kings Game 23. Leave to divers Members to go into the Countrey and for Mr. Crew to come from Holmeby to London And a vote pass'd that the Commissioners who stay with the King shall have the same Authority as when they were all together Votes for dismantling of Garrisons The King desied to come to or near London Letters informed that the Scots were all gone out of England and their whole Army disbanded except five thousand Foot and fifteen Troops of Horse 24. The Monthly Fast day some new Members took the Covenant 25. The French Ambassador desired Audience and a day was set for it The Sequestrations of Sir Henry
bayling of Sergeant Glanvile Order of the Lords against Counterfeiting and Clipping the Kings Coin 16. Ordinance Read for making Mr. Bradshaw Chief Justice of Chester Votes for Captains of Ships for the next Summers Guard for Packet Boats for Ireland and Convoys for Merchants Ships Votes That the Houses intend to carry on the War for Ireland with the Forces of England and the Scots Forces there to be called away paying what is due to them and the Scots Commissioners here and the Parliament of Scotland to be acquainted herewith Order to treat with the General and his Field Officers how the Forces designed out of that Army may be disposed of for Ireland and sixty thousand pounds Voted for Pay per Mens of the Forces there and in England 17. A Petition from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel of London Professing their Zeal to the Parliament and to the Covenant and their apprehensions of the advance of the Army not yet Disbanded nearer to the City and of a dangerous Petition now on Foot in the City the Copy whereof they annexed pray that the Army may be removed and Disbanded and the dangerous Petition suppressed and that they may yearly chuse their Militia The House answered them That most of the particulars in their Petition were under consideration and that the House would do what may be most for the ease safety and satisfaction fo the City and Kingdom that the annexed Petition was referred to a Committee and they had thanks for their sincere Affection Divers Governours of Garrisons Voted Fifty pounds a day allowed for the Kings Expences Collonel Jones Ordered by the Committee for Ireland to take Possession of Dublin with two thousand men 18. The Commons again Voted Sir John Brampston Sir Thomas Bedingfield and Mr. Chute to be Commissioners of the Seal The Lords Voted Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. Warburton Mr. Keble and Mr. Littleton Mr. Powell and Mr. Clerke Mr. Lewis and Mr. Elkenhead to be Judges in Wales The House passed several Compositions of Delinquents 19. Report of the Counter-Petition in London and That the Committee had imprisoned one Tewleday an active man for that Petition Many excused him as being as lawful for those of one Judgment as of another to Petition the Parliament but it was carried in the House to approve of his Commitment and Mr. Tewleday was sent for in safe custody Order of both Houses to remove the Kings Children into the Country Orders for new Elections Some disturbance was in the Army about going into Ireland and for Petitioning the Parliament and Offence taken at the Essex Petition which reflected upon them but all was appeased and they promised not to Petition before they had acquainted their General therewith 20. The Ordinance Read for the Assessement of sixty thousand pounds per Mens for the Forces Order for the House to adjourn every Friday till Tuesday after Divers Citizens came to the House to avow the Petition complained of by the City Petition The Commissioners of the Great Seal continued for twenty days longer 22. The Ordinance for sixty thousand pounds per mens referred to a Grand Committee and the same proportions as formerly observed A Petition from the reduced Officers answered with a reproof for their giving directions to the Parliament Upon information of a great Riot in Moorfields and assaulting and Plundering the House of Mr. Hobbard a Justice because he Committed one for Tipling on the Lords day in Sermon time Both Houses past an Order for putting in due Execution the Laws for prevention of Riots and Tumults and for better observation of the Lords day and Fast days The Commons Voted that Mr. Hobbart should have reparation Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Field-Officers met with the Parliaments Commissioners at Saffron Walden about sending Eight thousand Foot and Four thousand Horse into Ireland the Officers as to a personal Engagement to go thither could then make no answer but agreed whether they go in person or not yet they shall endeavour to advance the Service among those under their respective Commands They desired satisfaction in Four Particulars 1. Vnder whose Command in chief they were to go 2. What particular Regiments Troops or Companies were to be continued in England 3. What assurance for Pay and subsistence for those that go to Ireland 4. Satisfaction in point of Arrears and Indemnity for past services A Petition was presented to these Officers from the Army to be by them presented to the General and by him if he thought fit to the Parliament upon these Heads 1. For indemnity for actions as Souldiers 2. For satisfaction of Arrears 3. That neither Horse nor Foot may be Pressed to serve 4. For relief of Widows and Maimed Souldiers 5. For Pay till disbanded 23. Mr. Bolton admitted one of the Assembly Mr. Cooke's Sequestration taken off The Ordinance recommitted for regulating the University of Oxford and the Ministers sent down thither to Preach Ordered to continue there and two hundred pounds allowed to them Order for Collonel Jones going for Dublin to have power of Martial Law A Pass for the Dutch Ambassadour to go to the King Debate upon the Ordinance of the Fleet and for Lambeth Library Votes touching Sequestrations The Parliaments Commissioners agreed with the Marquess of Ormond for the surrender of Dublin and other Forts in Ireland and returned to England with Hostages from the Marquess The Parliament of Scotland answered the English Commissioners That they could not render Belfast in Ireland whilst they had an Army there but upon Paying off their Arrears they will render Belfast and all they have in Possession The Jewel was presented to General Leven from the Parliament of England to whom the General wrote a Letter of thanks The Plague broke out in Edingburgh 24. Votes for Governours of Garrisons Anno 1647 Order of both Houses to free the States Ambassadors from Custom and Excise for things for his own use Orders that no private business be debated for ten days and for re-payment of Money to the Customers and for thanks to their Commissioners in Scotland The Lords gave Reasons to the Commons against the Armys quartering in the Association or near London 25. Votes for Governors of Garrisons Order for the Lord Herbert to have possession of his own Castle A Committee of both Houses to receive some intelligence which the Prince Elector desired to communicate to the Parliament of great concernment to the Protestant Religion Order that the Master and Wardens of the Stationers endeavour to find out the Authors and Printers of a Book called a warning piece c. to suppress it and to seize the Books 26. Order to bayl Mr. Tulida and his business referred to a Committee Votes for Governors of Garrisons Order for Money for Col. Birch who agreed to transport a thousand Foot and two Troops of Horse into Ireland A long report of what is paid and what in Arrears to the Army
Order about Soldiers Widows and Officers 27. A report from the Commissioners who treated with the General and his Officers about part of the Army going into Ireland and the result of the Officers and about the Petition intended from the Army Order to desire the General to use means to stop the progress of the Petition and thanks were given to the Commissioners and the House declared the good esteem they had of the Army 29. The Lords desired the concurrence of the Commons to an answer to the last Message from the King That they cannot consent to his desire in sending any of his Chaplains named in his Letter because they are disaffected to the present Government of the Church and have not taken the Covenant but for others of his Chaplains who have taken the Covenant if his Majesty please they will send them to him They desired the Commons concurrence also to the Ordinances for putting down Countrey Committees for prohibiting the killing of some flesh meats for eight weeks and for power to the Northern Committee Letters to Col. Harley and Col. Rossiter Members of the House from some of their Soldiers informed that the Petition of the Army was carried on and was subscribed by many and those who refused it threatned to be cashiered and that the subscriptions were to be sent to Lieutenant General Hammond Col. Hammond Col. Ireton Col. Rich. Order that a Letter be written from the Speaker to the General to hinder the progress of this Petition and a Declaration to require a desisting in it By this we may take notice how soon the Officers and Soldiers of an Army though never so successful and well disciplined will through want of Action fall into disorder and designs of trouble The Parliament took great care to prevent this and others were as busie to foment it Hammond Ireton Skippon and others were ordered to reside in the Army and some of their Quarters to be removed Car. 23 Vote that three Regiments of Horse under M. G. Pointz C. Bethel and C. Copley be continued and all the Foot of the Northern Association except those in Garrisons to be disbanded and all the Foot in England and Wales except those in Garrisons or such as are to be sent for Ireland shall be disbanded At a second meeting of the Officers of the Army at Saffron Walden by the desire of Sir William Waller and the rest of the Parliaments Commissioners this question was propounded to every Officer distinctly Whether upon the Votes and Resolutions of the House of Commons now read do you find cause to alter or recede from the third quaere concerning assurance of pay and subsistence It was resolved in the Negative by all except Col. Harley Col. Fortescue and Capt. Young The same question being proposed concerning the fourth Article To have satisfaction in payment of Arrears and Indemnity Resolved in the Negative by all except Captain Young The like question being proposed concerning the first quaere To know what particular Regiments Troops or Companies of this Army are to be continued in this Kingdom it pass'd likewise in the Negative All referring to the Votes yesterday Several other Officers that came in to the meeting agreed with the other Captain Young receded from what he concurred in yesterday and resolved upon the main question That he will engage with as many of his Soldiers as he can get and several other Officers did the like 30. Divers Compositions passed Letters from St. Malloe in France advising that a Pyrate about Jersey had made Prize of a vessel of the Parliaments going for Ireland with Cloath and Apparel for six thousand Soldiers Order for a Letter to the Parliaments Agent in France to desire the King to seize the Pyrate and restore the Ship The Lords desired the concurrence of the Commons to some desires of the Dutch Ambassador and for a Pass for him to go to the King and to an Ordinance for setling the Militia of London A Committee named to treat with the City of London about the loan of two hundred thousand pound upon the Assessment of sixty thousand pound per mensem that they might provide Money for sending the Forces into Ireland and to pay off those that were to be disbanded and to pay the Army here Both Houses passed a Declaration against the Petion in the Army as set on foot by some evil Spirits purposely to raise a Distemper and mutiny in the Army Pardons what is past and forbids further proceeding by any of them in that Petition The Parliament of Scotland named their Commissioners to joyn with the Commissioners of the Parliament of England to perswade the King to pass the Propositions for Peace Harleigh Castle the last in Wales surrendred to Col. Mitton whose Soldiers put a Guard upon Col. Jones for their pay 31. Very long Prayers and Sermons this Monthly Fast day as usual April 1647. April 1. Orders for the Letter to the Agent in France and for Ships to keep in Pyrates Voted That the Civil Government in Ireland shall be distinct from the Military and be by two Lords Justices as formerly That the Military Government shall be by a Commander in Chief and be to be directed by Commissioners on the Place Sir William Waller was named to be Commander in chief there but it came not to the Vote Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax informed that he had Communicated the Letter and Votes of the House to the Officers of his Army touching the Petition on Foot among them That they expressed a deep sence of their unhappiness in being misunderstood in their clear intention which were no other than by way of Petition to represent to him those inconveniencies which would necessarily befall most of the Army after disbanding desiring that as much as he should think fit might submissively be made known to the House of Commons and assuring him that they would wholly acquiesce in whatsoever he should think fit to offer and the House to grant That he had sent up Hammond Lilburne and some other Officers to give the House a full account of this business and that he doubts not of the Armys Obedience Hammond Pride and the other Officers sent up by the General were called into the House and Pride was charged to have read the Petition at the head of a Regiment where was threats to those that should not subscribe it which Pride denyed and they were all required to return to their charges and to suppress the Petition 2. Debate of the Ordinance for the Militia of London Vote That the Commander in Chief of the Forces in Ireland should be stiled Field-Martial and his pay be six pound a day and Major General Skippon to be Field Martial there and that Golonel Massey should be Lieutenant General of the Horse under him A Committee of both Houses named to go into the City for borrowing two hundred thousand pound for the service of England and Ireland 3. The House
grievously Wounded lay there and Starved 14. Letters to Collonel Mitton to hasten the slighting of the Garrisons in North-Wales A Committee appointed to draw Instructions for Commissioners of both Houses to press the King to grant the Propositions Upon a Petition of the reduced Officers of the Lord Fairfax and a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax Order for a fifth part of their Arrears to be paid to them 15. Difference about the alterations in the Ordinance for Oxford University and an Order about a fitting maintenance for the Heads of Houses there Upon a Petition of some of the Bishops Order for the Committee to dispatch the reference to them about maintenance for the Bishops and an Order to deface all Superstitious Monuments and Scandalous in both Universities and that the Committees for Ireland do meet daily about that business An Ordinance past the Commons giving power to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel of London to choose thirty one persons of the City to Govern their Militia for one year Mr. Devereux newly returned a Member of the House for Wales was suspended being a Delinquent and a Charge against him 16. Orders for mony for Ireland and for four thousand pounds for the Lady Brooke and her Children whose Husband Sir William Brooke was slain in the Parliaments service and for five hundred pounds for Mr. Sanderson for his service and losses Allowance for the Treasurers to Goldmiths-Hall and Licence to Sheriffs to reside out of their Counties 17. Letters from Saffron Walden certified That the General with the Parliaments Commissioners and two hundred Officers of the Army had conference about part of the Army going for Ireland that the Earl of Warwick one of the Commissioners spake with many Exhortations to the Officers to accept of the terms and undertake for Ireland setting forth the necessity concernment and honour of the service That the General did much incourage the Officers to ingage for Ireland That Collonel Lambert in the name of the Officers desired to know what satisfaction the Parliament had given to the four Quaeries concerning Arrears Indemnity Maintenance in Ireland and Conduct That Sir John Clotworthy one of the Commissioners said they were all answered except that of Indemnity whereof the Parliament would take care and had given Instruction to the Judges not to receive any Indictment against Souldiers for things done in tempore loco belli till the Ordinance could be brought in Then it was moved concerning Commanders and answered That Major General Skippon and Major General Massey were named by both Houses to be General and Lieutenant General Collonel Hammond said that if they had assurance that Major General Skippon would go he doubted not but a great part of the Army would ingage with him It was cryed out All All Fairfax and Cromwel and we all goe Some few of the Officers subscribed to go for Ireland most of the rest signed presently a Declaration to the same effect as formerly and to Authorise Lieutenant General Hammond Collonel Hammond Collonel Lambert Collonel Lilburnc Collonel Hewson and Collonel Rich to declare their sence and to act for them 19. The House Sat not Letters come from Holmeby that the Dutch Ambassadour had Audience of the King and acquainted him with the death of the Prince of Orange The Earl of Lotherdale and Dumferling came to London with Commission to joyn with the Parliaments Commissioners in persuading the King to Sign the Covenant and Propositions 20. Apprentices of London came to the House for answer to their former Petition for days of Recreation the Commons referred it to a Committee to draw up an Ordinance to abolish all Festival-days and Holy-days and to appoint the second Tuesday in every Month a day of Recreation for all Apprentices Schollars and Servants with limits against Tumults Disorders and Unlawful Sports Referred to a Committee to settle Augmentations for Ministers in Dorchester A Bayliff Committed for Arresting a Servant of Mr. Speaker Debate about the Government of the Church by Presbiteries The City propounded for security for two hundred thousand pounds last desired to be borrowed of them the remainder of the Bishops Lands Papists and excepted persons Estates and the Excise in course which was agreed unto Order for twenty thousand pounds for Ireland The proceedings of the Commissioners to get Forces for Ireland proved not so effectual as was expected That generally they were unwilling to go unless the General and their other Commanders went with them The General sent a Letter to every Regiment to persuade them to ingage in this Service 21. Order for the third part of the Arrears of the Scots Officers be abated for free Quarter Horse and Arms c. The Lord Rich referred to his Composition Instructions sent up to the Lords for the Commissioners to go to the King to persuade him to Sign the Propositions c. Another for Collecting the Arrears of the Bill of four hundred thousand pounds upon the County of Bucks Order for Pay to the Messenger of both Kingdoms and fifty pounds apiece above it and for Pay for Sir Thomas Fairfax's Messenger An Ordinance Read for payment of mony long since borrowed of Mr. Steward Several Votes of either House Communicated to each other touching security for the two hundred thousand pounds and touching scandalous persons The Councel of War in Ireland Sentenced Collonel Brocket worthy of death and his Regiment was conferred on Collonel Monke That the Souldiers are in very great want there and the Lord L'Isle very careful to get Supplies for them and to do service 22. Letters informed the great resort of people to the King to be cured of the Kings-Evil Whereupon the House Ordered a Declaration to be drawn To inform the people of the Superstition of being Touched by the King for the Evil. And a Letter of thanks Ordered to the Commissioners at Holmeby Progress about the business of the Church Order for a Declaration for payment of Tithes and other Duties to Ministers and for Presentations to Benefices A Petition of a Merchant of Hull for ten thousand nine hundred pounds owing to him by the State referred to a Committee and Ordered that he have four thousand pounds in the mean time Report of the Transactions with the Army about going for Ireland The Argiere Duty continued for one year Labour to get the Souldiers ingage for Ireland proved not effectual 23. Votes pursuant to Truro Articles The Lords differed from the Commons about the Security for the two hundred thousand pounds to the City of London Officers that undertook for Ireland were of Horse seventeen of Dragoons seven and of Foot eighty seven but they could get only a few of their several Troops and Companies to go with them Much Debate about Disbanding of the Army or sending the Army intirely into Ireland and other motions the result deferred to another time 24. The House was Adjourned 26. The Commissioners returned from the Army presented to the House a List of
such Officers as have engaged themselves for the service of Ireland some disorders began in the four Regiments of Norfolke about this business but Major Huntington and other Officers pacified them 27. Four Officers of the Army informed against for obstructing the service of Ireland in the Army were sent for up by the Sergeant at Arms. Upon a Message from the Lords touching the Army the Commons resolved that the Army Horse and Foot should be Disbanded with all convenient speed and six Weeks Pay to be given them at their Disbanding Some Officers of the Army in the name of themselves and the rest of the Officers presented to the House a vindication of the particulars in their late Petition Setting forth the great sence they had of some misrepresentation lately made to the House of their Actions and Intentions by which as they conceived it is endeavoured to Alienate the Houses of Parliament from that their ever Trusty and Obedient Army That the accomplishing thereof would much rejoyce their and the Kingdoms Enemies they desire liberty to Petition as Souldiers now and hereafter as Members of the Common-Wealth and that their integrity might be vindicated from such false suggestions and reports as had been formerly made and raised against them and suggested to the House Here it was observed by some that a Victorious Army out of imployment is very inclinable to assume Power over their Principals and this occasioned the Parliaments greater care for their imployment for Ireland One Ensign Nichols of the Army sent up by the General to the Parliament Major General Skippon declared himself willing to accept the Imployment to which he was Voted for Ireland The Lord L'Isle returned from thence The Common-Councel of London outed of the old Commissioners for their Militia Alderman Pennington Foucke Warner and Kenricke and Collonel Wilson Collonel Player and Collonel Tichburne and agreed upon a new List of Commissioners for their Militia They received from the Parliament of Scotland Letters of thanks for their affection and respect to the Covenant and Union of both Nations and they Ordered thanks to be returned to the Scots Commissioners who presented them Some proceedings were upon Mr. Eastwicks and Mr. Bretts not taking the Covenant 28. The Monthly Fast-day 29. Order for a Writ for a new Election Order for continuing the Commissioners of the Seal and the Commissioners for hearing Causes in Chancery for ten days after the Term. Vote that Sir John Brampston be one of the Judges of the Common Pleas and that Mr. Walter Long be continued Register of the Chancery The Assembly attended the House with their advice upon the thirty nine Articles and the Confession of Faith with the Texts upon both of them Order for six hundred Copies of them to be Printed for the use of the Houses and Assembly and they had the thanks of the House given them The thanks of the House given to Field Marshal Skippon for his compliance and not denying himself to serve the Publick in Ireland and one thousand pounds bestowed upon him for his services 30. Debate upon the Petition and Vindication of the Army and Major General Skippon in the House produced a Letter presented to him the day before from some Troopers in the behalf of eight Regiments of the Army of Horse wherein they expressed Some reasons why they could not engage in the service of Ireland under the present Conduct and complaining of the many scandals and false suggestions that were of late against the Army and their proceedings whereupon they were taken as Enemies and saw designs upon them and many of the Godly Party in the Kingdom and that they could not engage for Ireland till they were satisfied in their expectations and their just desires granted Three Troopers Sexby Allen and Sheppard who brought this Letter were examined in the House touching the Drawing and Subscribing of it and whether their Officers were engaged in it or not They affirmed That it was first drawn up at a Rendezvous of several of those Regiments and afterwards at several meetings by Agents or Agitators for each Regiment and that few of their Officers knew or took notice of it Those Troopers being demanded whether they had not been Cavaliers it was attested by Skippon That they had constantly served the Parliament and some of them from the beginning of the War and being asked concerning the meaning of some expressions in the Petition they answered That the Letter being a joynt Act of those Regiments they could not give a punctual answer being only Agents but if they might have the Quaeries in writing they would send or carry them to those Regiments and return their own and their answers These Troopers were ordered to attend the House upon Summons and after several Votes passed for prevention of disorder in the Army Major General Skippon Lieutenant General Cromwel Collonel Ireton and Collonel Fleetwood were Ordered to go down to the Army and acquaint them That the House would provide a considerable sum of mony for them before their Disbanding and their Arrears should be audited and an Ordinance to be brought in for Indemnity for acts done tempore loco belli Vote of both Houses for Sergeant Godbolt to be a Judg of the Common Pleas and for Mr. Rich and Mr. Hakewel Masters of the Chancery to sit with the Commissioners of the Seal to hear Causes Both Houses Ordered their Commissioners in Scotland to return The Accounts of Sir John Clotworthy Ordered to be certified May 1647. May 1. The Receipts of Goldsmiths-Hall Ordered by both Houses for part of the security for the two hundred thousand pounds to be borrowed of the City and that the Common-Councel be acquainted with it Ordinance for securing mony to some poor men who could not lend more Six thousand pounds and Ammunition Ordered for Collonel Rainesborough for reducing Jersey Order for payment of mony to Mr. Potter A Proclamation by Sir Thomas Fairfax pursuant to an Order of the House that all Officers of his Army do within twenty four hours repair to their Charges The Committee of both Houses met with the Common-Councel about security for the Loan of two hundred thousand pounds 3. The Provincial Assembly of London met at St. Pauls and Doctor Gouge was chosen their Prolocutor about settling the Presbyterian Government Both Houses past the Ordinance for regulating the University of Oxford there was also a numerous Committee for Appeals Letters from Scotland informed that Kolkitoth in the Marquess of Argiles Country put to the Sword Men Women and Children that Lieutenant General Lesley was Marched against him Forces Shipped away for Ireland 4. Divers Citizens of London attending for an answer to their Petition were called in and the Speaker told them That the House did not approve of their Petition The Commissioners for the Militia of London approved and their Ordinance passed and thanks Ordered to the old Militia Commissioners Letters from the Sheriff of Oxon
certified That many Troopers Irish and others who had been in Arms against the Parliament Robbed all Passengers and that he had raised the Posse Comitatus and apprehended about one hundred of them The House approved what he had done and appointed an Ordinance for punishing such misdoers by death and Ordered a Letter of thanks to the Sheriff They also Ordered the Commissioners of the Seal to issue out a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to try these and the like Offenders and all that take Free Quarter without Warrant The Lords recommended a Proposal of Captain Poe to the House of Commons 5. Vote for half the Compositions of Goldsmiths-Hall to be added to the security for the two hundred thousand pound to the City Order for a Collection for poor people fled out of Ireland A Fleet of Swedes refusing to lore their Top-Sail to Captain Owen he with some other of the Parliaments Ships fought them Some hurt was done on both sides but some of Captain Owens Ships forsake him yet afterwards the Vice-Admiral of the Parliaments Fleet Captain Batten came in relieved Captain Owen and brought in the Swedes Fleet to Portsmouth 6. Letters from the Committee of Kent informed That Sir Jo. Sidley had advised an Indictment against Collonel Kenricke for his Troopers taking of three Horses in the first Insurrection in Kent in the time of actual War Order to put Sir Jo. Sidley out of all publick imployment Mr. Tulidah discharged of his restraint Orders about the two hundred thousand pounds and for the ten thousand pounds for poor indigent persons The business of the late Fight with the Swedes referred to the Committee of the Admiralty 7. The Lord L'Isle and Sir Jo. Temple reported the State of Affairs in Ireland and they and Collonel Sidney and Major Harrison had the thanks of the House for their good service in Ireland The Ordinance of Indemnity committed The Order for Trying Souldiers by Commission of Oyer and Terminer was revoked Private Petitions Read 18. Letters from the Army informed that Skippon Cromwell and the rest sent down to the Army communicated to them the Votes of the House concerning their Arrears and Indemnity and that they were injoyned to imploy their indeavours to quiet all distempers in the Army Some of the Officers desired to know what was meant by distempers in the Army if it were meant of grievances which the Soldiers had just cause to complain of they had then something to offer but were unwilling to declare the Sence of the respective Troops Regiments and Companies without first acquainting them therewith Time was given them to communicate the Votes of the House and to represent to the field-Martial Skippon and the rest sent down to them an Account of their proceedings in this business Much discontent was in the Army upon an expression in the Declaration that they were declared enemies who persisted in the Petition which was to their General and meerly for things relating to them as Soldiers and that it had been publickly said that a Petition was sent from the Army to the King to come to them and they would set the Crown on his head for which Scandal they expected reparation And they were troubled that it was said That in the Army there were four thousand Cavaliers whereas among all the Officers they knew but one who had served the King and he was put in by both Houses and the Common Soldiers who had served the King and afterwards listed themselves for the Parliament had since done faithful Service for them Field-Martial Skippon desired the Officers to know of their Soldiers who would ingage with him in the Service of Ireland 10. The House sate not but Committees Forces shipped for Ireland The Rebels fortified apace there The Lady Cave apprehended for endeavouring to present Letters from the Queen to the King 11. The Ordinance for setling five thousand pound per An. on Sir Tho. Fairfax committed A Committee to draw reasons to satisfie the Lords for passing the Ordinance for the Scots Forces to depart out of Ireland A printed Paper called Judge Jenkins his Vindication and another called Dudley Digges of the Illegality of Subjects taking Arms against their Soveraign was referred to the Committee of Complaints and the Printers and Publishers thereof to be tryed at the Kings Bench. Thus we see that there is nothing constant in this Worlds affairs The Parliament having Conquest and Success after their own desires yet are now miserably incumbred with the mutinousness of their Army on one side and with the petulancy of Pamphlets and with discontented Petitions on the other side Order for five thousand pound for Mr. Selden and for Mr. Valentine for their sufferings 3. Car. Orders for a Writ for a new Election and for Sir John Holland one of the Commissioners at Holmeby to have leave to go into Hamp-shire Mr. Bosvile Committed to Newgate And Wood for the use of the Navy and that Col. Mainwaring grant no more Passes to any to go beyond Sea 12. The Earl of Denbigh had leave from the Lords to be absent for ten days from Holmeby and the Earl of Dumferling to have access to the King Both Houses pass'd the Ordinance for securing the two hundred thousand pound to the City The Ordinance pass'd for six thousand pound for Jersey And the Lords desired to pass the Commission to Col. Rainsborough for that service and a Letter to Portsmouth and Peterborough that his Forces were to be removed from thence Complaint against Major General Mittons Forces referred to a Committee and a Letter to Col. Mitton to prevent those disorders Information that Captain George Carteret Lieutenant Governor of Jersey was very cruel against the Parliament Party 13. The Petition of the Earl of Mulgrave sent from the Lords referred to a Committee to state his losses and report matter of Fact The Petition of the Earl of Northampton sent down by them was to compound for his Delinquency for two years value Mr. Cartwright Petitioned for ten thousand pound out of the Earls Estate for losses he had sustained by the Earl It was referred to Goldsmiths-Hall for him to compound at the usual rates They agreed that the Earl of Dumferling might attend the King but not as his Servant Order of both Houses to discharge the Swedish ships brought in by Capt. Batten 14. Order for two Months pay for those of the Army who disbanded and six weeks more for those that went for Ireland Both Houses passed the Ordinance for Indemnity of the Soldiers and of Committee men The History of the Military proceedings of the Earl of Essex carried in the Negative not to be Printed The King told the Commissioners at Holmeby That he had long expected the propositions to be sent to him that he had those by him which were presented at New-castle and had himself framed an answer to them and if they would not afford him a Secretary to transcribe it he would scribble it out himself 15. Letters
Regiment resolved that the Votes would not be satisfactory except six or seven of them their reasons were Because eight weeks Pay voted was not a considerable part of their Arrears and that no visible security was given for what should not now be paid and that nothing was done for their vindication they being declared enemies they might be dealt with as enemies when they came home unless that Declaration were recalled After this a Petition was Read which had been presented to the General in the name of the private Souldiers of the Army desiring a general Rendesvouz of the Army before their Disbanding It being an amazement to them to hear that some of the Army were so soon to be Disbanded before all their grievances redressed The Councel of War resolved to contract the Quarters of the Army nearer to the Head Quarter in the mean time Ireton and Lilburne Okey Rich and Harrison were appointed to draw up some Heads of advice to be presented to the General by the Councel of War not above five or six Officers differing from it They show the necessity of the Officers complying with the Souldiers who would have a general Rendesvouz without their Officers if not by their consent and the spoil to the Country by such a disorderly drawing together and draw up a Declaration to the General to that purpose past by all but four or five and That his Excellency would be pleased to represent to the Parliament the condition of the Army and that they would be pleased to reassume the Votes lately passed and to suspend any present proceeding upon them and some satisfaction to be given to the grievances of the Army Relation That Collonel Fenwickes Troop in Ireland defeated a Party under the Earl of Westmeath on great disadvantage where Captain Farrington one Lieutenant on Ensign and sixty Souldiers of the Parliaments were slain and the Rebels lost three hundred Wherein Captain Standley did gallantly and of several other successes there Whitelocke's friends in the House and some others who would have been rid of him had moved that he might be sent Lord Justice into Ireland to exercise the Civil Government as Field Marshal Skippon was to Command on the Military part who was very willing to have his company but Whitelocke was not free to undertake that charge in Ireland And now Cromwel and his Party were against his going away and more than formerly desired his company and began to use his advice in many things June 1647. June 1. Divers Compositions past but the Titles which they had since the War were altered as for Sir Peter Ball Kt. they stilled him Peter Ball Esq and so of the rest Ordinance for thirty thousand pound for such as had advanced sums upon the publick Faith and were now become indigent Letters from Sir Tho. Fairfax That he had called a Council of War and communicated to them the Letters and Votes of the Parliament and sends the results of the Council saith it is a grief to him that there should be a misunderstandding between the Parliament and the Army and that the late Votes did not give satisfaction wisheth that things may be determined in Love and ways of composure thought upon that the Officers were many and unanimous and a speedy resolution taken Order that the Money sent to disband the Generals Regiment be recalled the like for Col. Inglosby's Regiment and the Commissioners sent to the Army to be recalled That Field Martial Skippon do forthwith attend the House The Lords agreed The Lords desired concurrence of the Commons to take off the Sequestration of the Duke of Bucks 2. Information against Sir Richard Price a Member of the House bearing Arms against the Parliament notice to him to attend the like aganst Sir Philip Percival referred to a Committee Three thousand pound recalled that was to have been paid to Col. Ingolsby's Regiment was stopped by some of Col. Rainsboroughs men and many come into Oxford A Petition of the City with a thousand hands read and laid aside Order that the Forces drawn for Ireland shall have a Months pay Order for three thousand pound for Widows c. 3. Vote for an Ordinance to enable Soldiers to assign their debenters and that Officers be protected from arrests for two Months whilst they attend the Committee of Accounts That Officers in Prison should have their arrears first audited and paid and accounts left with the Committee shall be of equal benefit to the Officers who attend the Parliaments Service as to any others and that the Accounts be expedited Order that the Common Soldiers shall have all their Arrears deducting for free quarter the like for non-Commissioned Officers to have three months Pay and a Letter to acquaint the General with what the House had done in persuance of the desires of the Army and to signifie to him their desire of his care to keep the Army in an orderly posture Order for ten thousand pound for the Officers whose Accounts were stated And that the Declaration against the Army be razed out of the Journal of the House and the Lords desired to do the like and here the Parliament began to surrender themselves and their power into the hands of their own Army The General 's Regiment came nearer to the Army of their own accord some of the other Regiments marched without their Colours and divers Troops were very disorderly 4. An Ordinance of Indemnity more large than the former was committed and Orders for an Act of Oblivion to be brought in Order to continue the Commissioners of the great Seal for forty days after the Term and the Ordinance for hearing Causes in Chancery Letters from the Commissioners at Holmeby with an inclosed Note delivered in by Cornet Joyce and Capt. Titus related the coming of a Party of Horse to Holmeby Fifty pound ordered to Titus to buy him a Horse A Petition of Soldiers referred to the Auditors to state their accounts Order for ten thousand pound for the Petitioners The Lords desired the Commons concurrence to recall the Kings Children to London and to a Letter to the General they agreed to the first Two Members of the House that fell out were injoyned by the House to keep the Peace 5. Letters from Holmeby from the Commissioners informed that a Party of Horse sent from the Committee of Troopers of the Army came to Holmeby where after they had secured the Guards they demanded his Majesty the Commissioners amazed at it demanded of them what Warrant they had for what they did but they would give no other account but that it was the pleasure of the Army When they came to his Majesty he demanded several questions of them as security for his Person c. which they promised and the next day his Majesty and the Commissioners went along with this Party towards the Army That night the King lay at Huntington Mr. Walford the Commissioners Messenger was called into the House and related the particulars
Regiment to attend the House to morrow and for ten thousand pounds for the service of Ireland 9. Each House kept a Solemn Fast in their several Houses 10. The City Petition Presented to the Lords and the Petitioners had thanks The Lords chose a Committee to consider of all the grievances of the Kingdom and to present them to the House They desired a conference with the Commons about paying such Officers as served under the Earl of Essex and Disbanded willingly upon the Order of the Houses and they put the Commons in mind of putting down the Country Committees The Commons resumed the debate of the Self-Denying-Ordinance and Voted That such Members as have any Office Place or Sequestration from the Parliament those places shall be void That the benefit such Members have received shall be paid in to the use of the Common-Wealth and the Committee to take the Accompts That the Lands and Estates of all Members of the House be liable to the Law for payment of their Debts A day set to hear Informations against Members and that no Member hereafter shall receive any reparation for damages by these times till the publick Debts be first satisfied Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax Certified That the King being ill accommodated at Sir Jo. Cutts House Sir T. F. went over thither to him and to advise with the Commissioners whither to remove him but they refused to advise or act in that business and the King declared That unless he were forced he would not return to Holmeby Whereupon the General Ordered Collonel Whaley to attend the King to New-Market The General Rendezvous of the Army was appointed at Triploe Heath near Cambridg Letters from the Commissioners related That the General Lieutenant General and other Officers came with him to the King who said that Cornet Joyce had the Commission of the whole Army for what he did and by consequence had the Generals Commission That Joyce being present said that he avowed to the King that he had not the Generals Commission The King replyed That surely Joyce durst not have attempted such a thing without that Commission 11. Both Houses passed the Ordinance to inable the Militia of London to raise Horse for defence of the City Another to take off the Excise of Flesh and Salt A Committee of both Houses named to advise with the Militia of London about Arming all within the Lines of Communication for the safety of the Parliament and City if there be occasion Collonel Sands Collonel Devereux and Collonel Wiltshire came to the House and acquainted them That meeting with a Major lately come from the Army at Triploe Heath he told them that the Army was upon their advance and the Horse would be here to morrow by Noon and said if they would come into the Army they should be included in the Capitulation of their Arrears Ordered to send for the Major in safe Custody The Committee of Safety was revived and to act this Evening The Sheriffs and Common-Councel came to the House this Evening with a Letter sent to them from the Army a Committee of both Houses was named to go down to the Militia about it and they Sat all night in Consultation The Commons Sat late this night Letters were Ordered from both Houses to Sir Thomas Fairfax to desire That the Army might not come within fifteen miles of the City Order That all Officers and Souldiers of the Army who will conform to the Votes of Parliament sent down to them shall receive the benefit of them and ten thousand pounds upon Account Ordered for them The General kept a Fast-day in Cambridge The Commissioners sent down to the Army came to Cambridge where the General visited them and they communicated to him the Votes of the House and to his Officers with him and desired their advice in communicating them to the Army The General ordered a general rendezvous near Royston where he and the Commissioners rode to each Regiment and first acquainted the General 's Regiment with the Votes of the Parliament and Skippon spake to them to perswade a complyance Then an Officer of the Regiment returned answer that the Regiment did desire that there might be an answer returned after perusal of the Votes by some select Officers and Agitators whom the Regiment had chosen and that it was the motion of the Regiment The Officer desired the General and Commissioners to give him leave to ask the whole Regiment if this were their answer to which they cryed All. Then he put the question if any man were of a contrary opinion he should say no and not one man gave his No. The Agitators in behalf of the Soldiers press'd to have the question put whether the Regiment did acquiesce and were satisfied with the Votes but in regard the other way was more orderly and they might after perufal proceed more deliberately that question was laid aside The like was in the other Regiments and all were very unanimous and after the Commissioners had done reading the Votes and speaking to each Regiment and received their answer all of them cried out Justice Justice A Petition was delivered in the field to the General in the name of many well affected people in Essex desiring that the Army might not be disbanded in regard the Common-wealth had many enemies who watched for such an Occasion to destroy the good People Some Musquets were taken out of Cambridge Castle and distributed among the Soldiers at the rendezvous Divers of the General 's Life-guard deserted the Troop and had Passes to go for London Another Petition to the General from Norfolk and Suffolk desiring the Army might not disband till grievances were redressed 12. Upon a Rumor that the Army was coming towards London all the Trained Bands were raised on pain of Death but afterwards dismist again and strong Guards set the Shops were also shut up but in a day or two opened again and all things were peaceable in the City The Common-Council resolved with the Houses approbation to send a Letter and some of their Members to the Army to treat with the General and Officers about a right understanding between the Army and the City Letters from the Commissioners in the Army of their proceedings and the Army's advance near London and the Petitions to the General by the Counties not to disband Information from Alderman Adams of a design to secure New-castle for the King referred to Field-Martial Skippon Sir Tho. Widdrington added to the Commissioners in the Army and larger instructions given to know what the desires of the Army were and what would give them satisfaction and the Lords concurred herein Orders for Ammunition for Plymouth c. Letters from the General that the Army was advanced near St. Albans before he received the Houses Letter that they should not come so near London and he doubted not to give a good account of the reasons of their advance and desired a Months pay for
suppose that as the Gentlemen themselves will forbear to offer the contrary so they expect the Wisdom and Justice of the House will not admit of any thing to the contrary to interrupt the proceedings upon the general affairs The House passed these Votes That no Officer or Souldier of the Army shall leave the Army without Licence or Discharge from the General That they do own this Army as their Army and will make provision for their maintenance and for their Pay equally with those that have deserted the Army Referred to the Committee of the Army to make provision accordingly Referred to the Commissioners in the Army to be earnest with the General That no obstruction or discouragement be given by the Souldiers to the levying of the Excise and other Assessments An Ordinance Read for saving harmless all well affected persons from any Bonds c. extorted from them by the Enemy in the time of War Referred to the Commissioners of the Great Seal to bring in a List of Judges for the next Circuit 29. An Ordinance past both Houses for Collonel Butler to be Governour of the Isle of Scilley A Petition from the Eleven Members except the Recorder Glyn to come to a speedy Tryal he earnestly advised his Brethren against this Petition but they were wilful and he would not joyn in it A day set for the particular Charge of the Army to be brought in against the Eleven Members Order for the Accounts to be stated of Collonel Graves and Collonel Pyes Forces and that the Officers and Souldiers come off from the Army advance for Ireland or be Disbanded An Ordinance committed for Souldiers not Inhabitants to depart the City Both Houses granted a Pass to the Dutch Ambassador to go to the King and so to return home 30 The Fast-day after Sermon A Committee appointed about reedifying the Church of Torrington Another to consider of able persons for accommodation in Religion Order for the Magistrates of the City to be careful to execute the Ordinances for observation of the Lords-day and Fast-days and for inquiry what Malignant Ministers have been admitted into Benefices Letters from the Commissioners in the Army and from Sir Thomas Fairfax That the last Votes of the House had met with such complyance in his Councel of War that in confidence of this further progress about the desires of the Army and in submission to the Votes of Parliament the Army had removed their Quarters further from London and were to be this night at Wicombe The Commissioners in the Army were desired by the Councel of War to procure from the Parliament a full answer to the last Propositions of the Army before which they cannot conclude any thing upon the Treaty Mr. Patrick Young formerly His Majesties Library-keeper at St. James's and a great Scholar with the assistance of Selden and Whitlock undertook the Printing of the Septuagint Translation of the Bible whereof he had in his custody a famous antient Copy if not an Original Manuscript July 1647. July 1. Orders about Pay for the Army That the King shall reside no nearer London than the Quarters of the Army will be born That the Committee do meet about accommodation in Religion Information of one Cousens an Alderman of Newcastle Negotiating to bring the Scots again into England The Lords were desired to expedite the Propositions to be sent to the King It was reported That part of the Charge against the Eleven Members particularly against Mr. Hollis would be the business of the Lord Savile's Information against him and Whitelock two years since 2. A Petition from the Common-Councel 1. That Command be given that no Officer or Souldier come within the Lines of Communication upon pretence to share monies for their Arrears 2. That such as are Paid may depart the City within two days 3. That all who have been in Arms against the Parliament may depart the City 4. That such as have come in from the Army may be otherwise disposed of 5. That all bring in concealed Goods 6. That the revenue be mannaged by Rules 7. That the Parliament would lay aside lesser businesses and prepare such Laws for the Kings concurrence as may settle the Government of the Church secure the people from Arbitrary Power and to restore his Majesty to his just Rights and Authority 8. That all Officers of State and Justice may be Persons of Honour of considerable Interest and known Integrity 9. That speedy care be had of Ireland 10. That Correspondence with Scotland according to the Covenant be maintained 11. That Elections may be examined and the House purged of such as are unduely Elected or have been against the Parliament 12. For a course to decide Admiralty Causes 13. That satisfaction being made by Delinquents an Act of Oblivion may be passed The Petitioners had thanks for their good affections and answer That most of the particulars were under consideration Some of the Members attended the less in the House when these matters were in agitation being unsatisfied that the Army and City should thus seem to impose upon the Parliament Reference to the Committee of Cheshire about Pay and lessening of the Garrison of Chester Orders about the affairs of Ireland That two thousand six hundred pounds be paid to the Lord of Ormond and for mony for Advance and Transport of Forces into Ireland and that three Commissioners be sent into Munster One of the Knights of Essex presented a Petition from part of that County and the Gentlemen that brought it had thanks for their good Affections and the House took notice of the delivery of it in a Parliamentary way Other Petitions from Norfolk and Suffolk Letters from the General and his Officers with a Declaration of the Army disclaiming a Pamphlet called Heads presented by the Army to the Kings Majesty and another called Articles agreed upon betwixt the King and the Army as false scandalous and injurious to them and which they detest and desire the Authors may be found out Letters from the Commissioners in the Army certified That the General had appointed Lieutenant General Cromwell Collonel Ireton Collonel Fleetwood Collonel Rainsborough Collonel Harrison Collonel Sir Har-Waller Collonel Rich Collonel Lambert Collonel Hammond and Major Rainsborough or any five of them to Treat with the Parliaments Commissioners upon the Papers sent from the Army to the Parliament and their Votes To the Vote touching the Eleven Members was answered That the Councel of War had a great willingness to answer the expectation of the House in all things so in this particular but the things being of great importance and the persons charged many it had taken more time than was expected they therefore desire respite for three or four days when they would bring in the particular Charge against the Eleven Members and the Kingdom shall see that they have not impeached the Gentlemen out of any private respects but their duty to the Publick The
a Gentleman of worth and fidelity dwelling among them Collonel Tichburne to have that charge that he would acquaint his Officers with their kind Invitation and desired that all may labour and study for unity and peace After this the General viewed the Stores and gave some Orders to the Lieutenant and twenty pounds to the Warders and Officers 10. The Lords desired the Concurrence of the Commons to the Declaration of Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Army mentioning the grounds of their coming up to London with the Army and after a long debate it was upon the question laid aside for that time Both Houses past an Ordinance for the continuing the two Speakers Commissioners of the Great Seal for a month longer Order That the twenty five thousand pounds stayed by the Apprentices and sent to the Tower should be sent for the service of Ireland and Sir Thomas Fairfax to send a Convoy with it to the Sea side Two Aldermen and four Commoners attended the General for his answer to their Invitation which he excused That he could not accept because of the many and great Affairs touching the settlement of the Kingdom wherewith he and his Officers were at present taken up and returned thanks to the City They were preparing a Bason and Ewer of Gold of the value of about one thousand pounds for a present to the General Letters from Berwick That Pulpits in Scotland urge the necessity of that Kingdom To maintain the ends of the Covenant against all violation and that many Souldiers are entertained there and Letters from Collonel Lambert mention their preparations 11. The Lords sent again to the Commons for their Concurrence to the Declaration of Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Army and for Nulling the forced Votes and after a long debate the Commons agreed upon an Expedient and referred it to a Committee to be drawn up for Nulling the forced Votes by a Repeal yet so as the fomenters of that force and the Mutineers might be proceeded against Mr. Brittan of London sent for to answer abusive Speeches against Captain Brain of Southwark for assisting Sir Thomas Fairfax and an Order of thanks and indemnity passed both Houses for those of Southwark the like Orders passed for the Committee and Forces of Hertford-shire and for Collonel Blunt and his Forces in Kent Orders for a Committee to inquire what Arms c. have been taken out of the Publick Stores in the late Tumult and to have them restored And for one hundred pounds for the poor Visited people in Westminster and for suppressing of Stage-Plays Bull-baitings Dauncing on the Ropes c. Upon a complaint to the General and his Councel of War at Kingston That Members of Parliament and other rich men were exempted from Quartering and the poorer sort thereby oppressed the General and his Councel of War made an Order to take off those exemptions and that all alike should bear the burden equally Some Gentlemen out of South-Wales came to the General declaring the Good affections of those Countries and readiness to joyn with the General and Army The Brewers of London Petitioned the General to be a means to take off the Excise of Beer and Ale from them 12. The Thanksgiving-day kept by both Houses together Divers Reformed Officers who disclaimed having any hand in the late Tumult Petitioned the General That he would be a means they might have part of their Arrears Certain Ministers Petitioned the General complaining That divers Delinquent Ministers who were put out of their Livings do now trouble and seek to out those Ministers whom the Parliament put in and particularly That Dr. Layfield counterfeited a Warrant from the General to remove a Minister from his Living in Surrey into which he was placed by the Parliament The General and Councel of War declared their dislike of the proceedings and to clear themselves therein and to endeavour to bring such Offenders to punishment 13. Reference to a Committee to consider of a gratuity for Mr. Marshal and Mr. Nye for their pains as Ministers to the Parliament and their attendance of the Commissioners in the Army The Lords desired the Commons Concurrence to a Declaration That the Commissioners of the Militia of London now acting upon a forced Ordinance called the Apprentices Ordinance did act unwarrantably but upon the question it was laid aside But they concurred to another Ordinance to appoint a Committee of Lords and Commons to examine the force put upon the Houses by the Apprentices and Malignants July 26. and the chief actors in it some whereof were apprehended The Lords desired the concurrence of the Commons in approving the Declaration subscribed by the Lords and Commons who absented themselves by reason of the late violence upon the Houses An Ordinance was sent up to the Lords for vindication of the Army Letters from Ireland certified a very great defeat given by Collonel Jones to the Rebels near Trimme with a List of those killed and taken viz. Lieutenant General Burne Collonel Plunket Earl of Fingale Collonel Butler Collonel Waring Collonel Eynod Earl of Westmeath Lieutenant Collonel Rochford Preston's Son killed forty Officers taken three hundred Foot left to the mercy of the Horse seven thousand Foot Arms taken three hundred of the Gentry killed one hundred and fifty Oxen taken three thousand Foot killed four pieces of Ordnance taken great Pillage and Preston's Cabinet of Papers The Marquess of Ormond and Lord Roscommon came into England and had a Ticket to reside near Gloucester 14. The House gave fifty pounds to the Messenger that brought the good news from Ireland and Ordered twenty five thousand pounds more for the Forces there and thanks to the Commissioners Upon a report by the Commissioners in the Army of their proceedings the House approved them and gave their Commissioners thanks Upon a Letter from the General Orders for some maintenance for the Kings servants who were not in Arms against the Parliament Order for one thousand five hundred pounds for the Garrison of Lynne An Ordinance Committed for taking away the jurisdiction of the County Palatine of Durham The King removed to Oatlands and Sir Thomas Fairfax Quartered at Kingston The Judges Sat at Hereford but the people came not in so that there was but little to do either for Judges or Lawyers and the Judges especially Clerk were very froward upon it 16. The Houses Sat not Letters from the North informed That Collonel Lambert in a Speech to the Forces there acquainted them that he was sent by his Excellency to take upon him the Charge and Conduct of the Forces in that Northern Association and hoped to find their ready concurrence with him but he was answered only with silence That they met at a General Rendezvous about five thousand of them and there again Collonel Lambert made a Speech to them to the effect as before and That his Excellency had taken equal care of them
for their Pay as for the rest of his Army That he was sent down to Command them by the General not of his own seeking or for private Interest and desired their complyance then they gave him a loud acclamation and had Orders to go to their several Quarters The News of the Parliaments being restored by the Army and the City of London agreeing with the Army hindered the intended proceedings of the Estates of Scotland Great resort was from London to the King at Oatlands 17. Upon the question it was carried in the Negative by three Votes That the Declaration should not pass that the proceedings in the House from July 26. to Aug. 6. were forced and that sitting not to be a free Parliament A Petition and Congratulation was presented to the General of many thousands Young men and Apprentices of London for his great services to the Kingdom and City which they acknowledg with thankfulness and as they refused to comply with those who lately acted against the Army so they resolved to live and dye with his Excellency and the Army in settling His Majesties Rrights the Parliaments Priviledges and the Peace and Freedom of the Nation To this the General gave a respectful and grateful answer The Councel of War Sat close about a Declaration of their proceedings in behalf of the Parliament the Kingdom and themselves 18. Order for a day of Thanksgiving for the great success in Ireland and for one thousand pounds for Collonel Jones one thousand pounds to Collonel Fenwicke and other gratuities to other Officers in this service and for Supplies for Ireland Upon a Letter from Mr. Nicholls one of the Eleven Members now under restraint in the Army Order to the General to discharge him or send him up to the Parliament for his Tryal A Complaint by Letters from the Scots Commissioners for breach of the Union in staying Mr. Chieseley their Secretary at Newcastle the Copy hereof sent to the General and that he give Order for Mr. Chieseley's release 19. Letters from the General to both Houses with the Remonstrance of the Army touching their late proceedings and chiefly driving at The purging of the Parliament by expunging such Members as did Act and Vote in the time that the Speakers and the rest were forced from the House The House of Lords approved of this Remonstrance and Voted a Letter of thanks to the General and to signifie to him that they would take care for the Punishment of those Delinquent Ministers and others by whose practises Ministers put into Livings by the Parliament had been disquieted and outed in which the Commons Concurred but did nothing upon the great Remonstrance The Examination of Collonel Ennis who sought to go beyond Sea under another name referred to a Committee Order for eight thousand pounds for Plymouth Garrison and to Treat with the General about the lessening of the Charge there 20. Order for a Collection for the poor English Irish here and for one hundred pounds for the poor visited people in St. Martins Parish and for a general Contribution for the visited City of Chester and an Ordinance for twenty thousand pounds for Ireland Mr. Strickland had leave to come to England Upon another debate the Ordinance passed For declaring all Votes Orders and Ordinances passed in one or both Houses since the force on both Houses July 26 until Aug. 6. 1647. to be null and void 21. Upon a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax Order for thirty pounds a week for Sick and Wounded Souldiers four shillings eight pence a week for each of them and an Ordinance passed for Judges and Justices to put it in execution Order for a months Pay for the Army to be borrowed of the City Upon a report touching the late Tumults Order That the Lord Mayor and Aldermen do call a Common Councel by Tuesday next and that the Clerk who attended the Committee of the Militia and of the Safety do deliver over the Books Papers and Warrants in his hands or be committed to the Sergeant Mr. Hollis Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Waller Sir William Lewys Sir Jo. Clotworthy and Mr. Long being in a Vessel going towards Callis were pursued by a Frigot of the Parliament and taken within six Miles of Callis and by their desire brought back to Captain Batten who dismist them to their Voyage again and chid those that apprehended them The High Sheriff entertained the Judges and Lawyers very nobly at Shrewsbury The Ordinance pass'd both Houses for relief of Ministers put into Livings by the Parliament Another for a Collection for the poor visited Persons in Chester and an additional Ordinance concerning the sale of Bishops Lands A false Allarm of Scots Forces being upon the Borders Letters from Ireland informed That the Lord Inchequin had taken divers Castles from the Rebels in the County of Limricke That he defeated a Troop of the Rebels near Balling garry slew twenty three of them and took the rest That he beat the Rebells from a Pass near Limricke and killed about an hundred of them and took two hundred horses and two hundred Cows and took in New castle within a mile of Limricke some of his Forces got over the River Shannon and got eight thousand head of Cattle and five thousand Sheep and struck such a terror into the Rebels that they burnt the Earl of Thomond's Castle Bonratty which they had Garrisoned and fled away That they took in Grace-Castle and put all the Rebels there to the Sword and took eight hundred head of Cattle and Garrons They stormed and burnt the Abbey of Adare where four Fryars were burned and three taken they took Fox's Castle and put all in it to death 24. A Letter from the General touching Mr. Anthony Nicholls one of the eleven Members sent up Prisoner with the Grounds of his detainment by the Army and a further accusation of High Treason against him Ordered that he be continued in safe Custody but he escaped from Denham one of the Serjeants Deputys in whose Custody he was Denham being examined concerning the escape confessed That he took Mr. Nicoll's word as a Gentle-man to be a true Prisoner but he brake his word and escaped The House committed Denham and ordered all the Ports to be stopped for the apprehending of Mr. Nicolls and revoked the Pass formerly granted to Mr. Nicolls Upon a report by Mr. Corbet touching the Force upon the Parliament and Commitment of some of the Offenders the House approved of their Commitment and ordered an impeachment of high Treason to be brought in against Col. Chapman and Lieutenant Collonel Baines and of high misdemeanor against Col. Vaughan A Petition from the Brewers to take off the Excise of Beer and Ale They were told if they paid not the Excise by a day they should be distrained to pay The Common-Council excused themselves that they could not advance a Months pay by way of loan for the Army The
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
the City They declare 1. That for what time their defaults and delayes shall occasion the stay of the Army hereabouts the charge should be upon them and their adherents about the City 2. That the Houses would consider of the Delinquencyes of those that had a hand in the late tumults and design of a new War and that such Fines may be set upon them as are agreeable to Justice 3. That in case the Money be not brought in by the time appointed that the Parliament would give leave to the General with the advice of the Committee of the Army for levying of the Arrears This was sent by the Commissioners to the Parliament and by them communicated to the Common-Council of London at which they were much startled 20. An Ordinance pass'd for payment of Moneys due upon Bonds in the Court of Wards and a day set to consider of providing for Orphans Upon a Letter from the General of the necessities of Portsmouth Garrison referred to the General and Commissioners in the Army to take care thereof An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for suppressing unlicenced Pamphlets and punishing the Authors and Sellers of them Orders for seven thousand Suits of Apparel and for Shirts Shoes and Stockings for the Forces in Munster and the like for the Forces in Vlster to be deducted out of their pay Mr. Thomas Challoner and Col. Jo. Temple appointed Commissioners of Parliament in Munster The Army in Scotland was voted to be disbanded The Inhabitants of Richmond-shire stood upon their Guard against free Quarter Major General Lambert sent some Forces thither to keep all quiet and went himself to disband the Forces in Northumberland The General made Commissioners of Martial Law in every Regiment to punish the misdemeanours of Soldiers in their Quarters referring all cases extending to Life or Limb to the Council of War at the Head Quarters 21. Upon a long debate Voted by both Houses That the King denyes in his answer to give his assent to the Propositions Order for all the Members of the House to attend in their places by a day Ordinances pass'd for Compositions A Report from the City to satisfie the House That the City at this time could no ways advance the fifty thousand pound for the Army Mr. Porâ—y one of the Commissioners with the Army presented to the House the Explanations and resolutions of the Council of the Army to the Quaeries made upon the Army's Proposals by the Parliaments Commissioners residing with the Army 1. Touching the time when this Parliament should determine it was held fit to suspend that till it should appear what expedition will be made in the Settlement of the things proposed 2. That the Army shall be satisfied either with Biennial or Triennial Parliaments if Triennial then they to sit at least six or eight Months 3. The limitations that Parliaments shall not sit above two hundred and forty days to be understood unless the Parliament find it fit to sit longer but every Parliament to dissolve at least eighty days before the next is to be begun that the course of new Elections may not be interrupted 4. That the Liberty of entring dissents is not desired but where the Vote may be to the destruction of Right or Liberty 5. By the Power of the Militia they mean the power of raising arming c. according to the expressions in the Propositions 6. By the Power of raising and disposing Moneys they mean the same as in the expressions in the Propositions 7. By great Officers they mean the same as in the Propositions 22. Upon a long debate in a grand Committee touching the Kings answer to the Propositions and motions for a personal Treaty and for sending the Propositions again to the King the House resolved to fall upon the settlement of the Kingdom by establishing such additional Laws as may make for the present and future good of the Kingdom and turning the Propositions into Bills and Acts. The House resolved That the Militia should be setled as a Law for twenty years Ordinances sent up to the Lords for Money for the Forces in Lancashire and against unlicensed Pamphlets 23. Upon debate Whether the Parliament should once more send the Propositions or any of them to the King it was voted That they should once more make application to his Majesty for his assent to such things in the Propositions as they conceive will most tend to the good of the Kingdom In order to which it was voted That the Proposition for the great Seal concerning Honours and Titles the Proposition for taking away Bishops c. with some alterations the Proposition concerning Declanations and Proclamations against the Parliament and so much of the twelve Propositions as concern the raising of Moneys for payment of the publick debts of the Kingdom be drawn into Bills and sent to his Majesty for his Assent The Ordinance pass'd for continuing the Committee of the Army and Treasurers at War Orders touching thirty thousand pound for the Army and the Months gratuity to the private Soldiers The General Council of Officers of the Army at Putney agreed upon a representation to the Parliament of their desires as Soldiers and delivered to the Parliaments Commissioners 1. That a Committee may abide at the Head Quarters to state the Accounts and give Debenters 2. For a visible security for the Arrears 3. For an Ordinance That none who have served the Parliament shall be pressed to any Forraign Service nor a Horseman to serve on Foot 4. That the Ordinance concerning Apprentices Freedom who have served the Parliament may be an Act. 5. The like for maimed Soldiers c. 6. For an addition to the Act of Indemnity for all said or done by any of the Army concerning any thing about the Army's Petition at Walden or in vindication of themselves 24. Upon a further report touching the Force upon the Parliament It was voted That Sir John Gayer Lord Major of London Alderman Bunce Alderman Cullam Alderman Langham and Alderman Adams shall be committed to the Tower upon Accusation of High Treason for countenancing and abetting the Force and Tumult brought down and used against the House July 26 last and this to be in order to their Tryal and the Committee ordered to bring in Impeachments against them 25. The Impeached Lord Mayor and Aldermen were carried to the Tower and upon further debate touching the Tumult and Force upon the Parliament it was Voted That several Citizens be Impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors and others to be Indicted at the Kings Bench of High Treason Reference to the Aldermen and Common-Council to consider how the Civil Government of the City may be executed according to their Charters now that the Lord Mayor is committed Orders touching Wharton's Books and other Pamphlets scandalous to the Parliament 27. The Commons sent up to the Lords an Impeachment against the Lord Major and desired a time for his Tryal
and assistance of a Justice of Peace 26. Debate in a Grand Committee upon the Ordinance of Tunnage and Poundage The House finished the Propositions to be sent to the King and ordered them to be presented within ten days and had a conference with the Lords for their concurrence Order for the Lead of Worcester Church to be taken off and sold A Petition from the Northern parts to both Houses for the erecting of an University at York Letters from Dublin informed that Collonel Jones having joyned to his Forces those of Collonel Cootes and Collonel Monke in all two thousand two hundred Horse and five thousand five hundred Foot took in several Castles from the Rebels then they Battered Port-Lester most of the Garrison leaped into the water and swam away the rest were put to the Sword Then some of his men without Order fell upon Athboy unexpectedly surprised the Guards and entred and possess'd the Town which was strongly fortified and five hundred men in it they took also two thousand Cows and other Cattle from the Rebels Owen their General could not get his men to ingage for want of mony 27. The Monthly Fast-day the House did set days to consider of the Ordinance for setting of poor people to Work and of the Ordinance against heinous sins and Blasphemies 28. A Petition from the Trustees for Sale of Bishops Lands about removing some obstructions referred to special Committee Impeachments against the seven Lords agreed upon and sent up to the House of Peers and an Impeachment against Sir Jo. Maynard and Collonel Midhup was apprehended for being active in the late Force upon the Parliament and Impeached of Treason Order for several Members of the House to take some of the Deputies of the Sergeant at Arms and to break open doors and seize Trunks and Papers of one Captain Vernon which Order was much opposed by some Members of the House as altogether illegal The Earl of Northumberland desired leave at any time to carry the Kings Children to His Majesty which was granted The Agitators of the five Regiments that presented the former Papers to the General and General Councel now put forth another Paper to clear themselves and that they had no intention of making divisions in the Army c. 29. The grand Committee sat about Tunnage and Poundage Several meetings were of the General-Councel of the Army 30. Order about the eight thousand pounds per annum to be paid to the Prince Elector A free Conference of both Houses touching some difference about part of the propositions and the Commons appointed a Committee to prepare reasons to satisfie the Lords why the Commons adhered to their former resolutions in those particulars November 1647. November 1. Orders for Clothes and Provisions for the Forces in Ireland and a Committee for Ireland appointed to Treat with Merchants to advance the Clothes Provisions and Ammunition to be sent over thither and to give security by the Excise the assessment of sixty thousand pounds per mensem and Delinquent Estates Order for the Chargers of the Officers of the Committee of Accounts An Information of endeavours to Raise Forces against the Parliament and Army referred to be examined by a Committee An Ordinance past giving power to Collonel Monke to execute Martial-Law Both Houses agreed upon the Propositions to be sent to the King and referred them to a Committee to be drawn up in form Some of Major General Lambert's Forces apprehended divers Moss Troopers The Committee of Estates caused the Lord Harehill to be Beheaded at Edenburgh notwithstanding the Kings Pardon he dyed boldly and after his Speech to the people he threw down two Papers among them which mentioned strange new Troubles in England A further Paper of Proposals came to the House from the Agitators of the five Regiments and of four other Regiments of Horse and of seven Regiments of Foot joyning with them They declare 1. That the people being unequally distributed by Counties Cities and Boroughs for Election of their Deputies in Parliament ought to be more indifferently proportioned according to the number of Inhabitants the Circumstances to be set down before the end of this Parliament 2. That to prevent the inconveniences by the long continuance of the same persons in Authority this present Parliament be dissolved by the last day of September next 3. That the people do of course choose themselves a Parliament once in every two years 4. That the power of this and all other future Representatives is inferiour only to theirs that choose them and extends without the consent of any other person to the Enacting Altering and Repealing of Laws to the erecting and abolishing of Offices and Courts to the appointing removing and calling to account Magistrates and Officers of all degrees to the making War and Peace to the Treating with Forreign States and generally to whatsoever is not reserved by those represented to themselves Which are these 1. That matters of Religion and Gods Worship are not at all intrusted to any Human power because therein we cannot admit or exceed a tittle of what our Consciences dictate to be the mind of God without wilful sin Nevertheless the publick way of instructing the Nation so it be not compulsive is referred to their discretion 2. That impressing or constraining any of us to serve in the War is against freedom and not allowed to our Representatives the rather because it is at their disposal 3. That after this Parliament none be questioned for any thing said or done in reference to the late differences 4. That in all Laws every person be bound alike and that Tenure Estates Charter Degree Birth or Place do not confer any exception from the ordinary course of Legal proceedings whereunto others are subjected 5. That the Laws must be equal and good and not destructive to the safety and well-being of the people These They declare to be their Native rights and are resolved to maintain them and not to depend for the settlement of our Peace and Freedom upon him that intended our bondage and brought a cruel War upon us 21. A Grand Committee Sat all day about mony for the Army and to take away Free-Quarter Letters from the Lord Inchequin for Cloaths c. for the Munster Forces The House appointed a Committee to Collect all Papers Letters and Writings or Commissions of Publick concernment in the hands of any Secretaries or Officers and to take a Catalogue of them and to preserve them in some place for Publick use New Proposals of the Army 1. That this Parliament be Dissolved by the last day of September next 2. That secure Provisions may be made for the Succession Constitution and clearing the Power of Parliaments 3. That a Parliament shall biennially meet upon the first Thursday in April every year 4. And shall sit till the last day of September after the meeting and then Dissolve and not sooner except by their own
none shall be imployed but men of integrity 8. They desire a Committee of the Assembly to joyn with a Committee of the Parliament in stating the matter upon which any ingagement shall be To this answer the Commissioners of the Assembly made a reply adhering positively to their former desires and that they were not satisfied with the answer of the Estates of Parliament Other Letters that the Scots Parliament have agreed upon these things 1. To raise an Army for the safety of both Kingdoms 2. That none who have been in opposition to the two Parliaments shall be of this Army 3. That by this Army they will defend the Covenant and the King if he take the Covenant 11. A Relation made from the Militia of London to the Common-Councel of the Tumult they voted That by this Tumult and Outrage the City was in great danger of destruction if the same had not been prevented and that the City would have been exposed to the fury and rage of the Malefactors That they disavow and detest it and they appointed the Committee of the Militia to make known the same to the Parliament and humbly to pray them That their Order may issue to the Ministers of London to return thanks to God for this great deliverance and that they would order a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to try the Malefactors and they acknowledge the Army raised by the Parliament to be the instruments under God of this great deliverance They ordered their humble thanks to be returned to the General for his timely aid to the City in this occasion and they thanked the Committee of the Militia for their care in raising men and sending to the General and approved what they had done and they acknowledged the pains and care of the Lord Major Sheriffs and Magistrates The Common Councel declared that it is the duty of every Citizen by himself and all under his command to be ready upon all occasions to be aiding and assisting to the Lord Major and Magistrates for the suppressing of all Tumults and Disorders within the City 12. Letters from the Commissioners in Scotland That they had demanded of the Parliament of Scotland Sir Philip Musgrave and Sir Thomas Glemham according to the Treaties and had yet no answer concerning them nor Captain Wogan The six Lords impeached put in their answer of Not guilty An Ordinance passed for the jurisdion of the Admiralty for three years Order to restrain felling of Timber in the Forrest of Dean and New-Forrest and that the Timber fit for Shipping be imployed for the Navy Ordinance re-committed concerning the Militia of Westminster and the Hamblets of the Tower The Speaker with the House of Commons went up to the Lords House where Widdrington and Whitelock were sworn Commissioners of the Great Seal the Earl of Kent and the Lord Grey being sworn before and the Great Seal was delivered to them The Committee from the Common Councel came with their Message to the Houses touching the Tumult but they being risen the Committee went to the General to present to his Excellency the thanks of the City for his great care and pains in the speedy suppressing the late Tumult and they were entertained by the General with great respect and favour 13. Proposals touching the Excise referred to the Committee of both Houses for the Excise An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for appointing Doctor Clerk Doctor Exton and Dr. Dorislaâ—â—s to be Judges of the Admiralty Debate touching the setling of the Summers Fleet and some Commanders agreed upon for it The Commissioners of the Great Seal had a stipend setled upon them for the time of their being Commissioners and ordered to be paid by the Commissioners of the Customs and the Commission was revived for the hearing of Causes in Chancery The Committee from the Common Councel presented to the House the Narrative of the Tumult and the Votes of the Common Councel concerning it and with their desires and the House ordered a publick thanksgiving for it in London and that the Posts and Chains about the City be taken down and ordered a thousand pound for a gratuity to the Officers and Soldiers at White-Hall and the Meuse for their gallant Service in that action Order for thanks to the General for his care in this business and that Disaffected and Idle Persons be removed out of the Tower and the Regiment there to be made up a thousand and twelve hundred Horse to be there The Committee delivered the same Message from the Common Councel to the Lords and had the same answer as from the Commons Letters from Wales that Col. Poyer increased in strength there 14. The Assembly presented to the House the Catechism perfected with the Scriptures noted in the Margin and had the thanks of the House for their pains Some who were Officers in Ireland under the Lord Inchequin came over into England and one of them Major Elsing came to the House and informed them that the Lord Inchequin was revolted from the Parliament and joyned with the Rebels and indeavoured to perswade all his Officers to joyn with him therein Order to recal their Commissioners going to Munster and the House declared all power granted by Parliament to the Lord Inchequin to be void and that no Officer or Soldier should submit to his Command and the Lord Inchequin to be a Rebel and Traitour and a Declaration ordered to be brought in to that purpose 15. Order for mony for the Forces Quartered in the Tower The Lords communicated to the Commons a Letter from the Duke of Lorrain which was referred to the Committee of the Admiralty Reference and power given to the Committee of Monmouth and Glamorgan to apprehend such as were guilty of Tumults and Insurrections there Order for the General to add four hundred more Foot to the Forces in the Tower and for mony to buy Bedding c. for them The Ordinance past both Houses to prohibit felling of more Wood in the Forrests of Dean and New-Forrest Order for more forces to be sent into Munster in Ireland 17. Upon information of a Sermon yesterday Preached at Grays-Inn Scandalous to the Parliament order to apprehend the Minister as a Delinquent and to take into custody the Barrister who procured him leave to Preach till he produced the Minister Order for Sir Hardress Waller to be Governour of Pendennis Castle Both Houses past an Ordinance for a thousand pounds per ann Salary for the Commissioners of the Great Seal to each of them And that the Commission for hearing Causes in Chancery be renewed and Dr. Bennet and Mr. Elkenhead added to the Commissioners Divers Ordinances past for Compositions and Sir Oliver Cromwels remitted for his Kinsman Lieutenant General Cromwels sake A List passed for the Summers Fleet for the Irish Seas under Vice Admiral Crowther and he to receive Orders from Vice Admiral Rainsborough who had Orders about reducing of Poyer Debate
further accountable for the Duke The Commons ordered the allowance to the Duke of York to be taken off and an increase of allowance to the Duke of Glocester and that the Earl of Northumberland may remove him and his Sister to Sion House or Hampton Courr An Information concerning two Gentlemen relating to Everards business referred to the same Committee The General and his Officers kept a Fast-day at Windsor and the next day a Captain and others had their Tryals begun by a Councel of War Col. Poyer fell upon a Party of the Parliaments Forces under Col. Flemming routed them and killed and took most of them May 1648. May 1. Debate touching the business of the Church The Ordinance against Blasphemy and Heresie in some cases the punishment being death in other cases Abjuration c. passed both Houses but not without much opposition Order of both Houses for Ely House to be for the Sick and Wounded Soldiers Ordinance transmitted for placing of a Minister in Bathe Order for the Members of every County to present to the Commissioners of the Great Seal fit persons to be Justices of the Peace Letters from Bristol of some there privately listing for the King and the Forces there are cold in suppressing them Order for the Committee at Derby House to consult with the General about it Letters of the South-Welch rising in several places against the Parliaments Forces and driving away their Cattle and carrying away their Corn and Goods where the Parliaments Forces come not a Horse-shooe nor Smith to be found there Lieutenant General Cromwell ordered by the General to go into South-Wales with two Regiments of Horse and three Regiments of Foot Letters from Scotland that the Parliament there passed a Declaration thirty one protesting against it and the Clergy dissenting that two hundred and ten Barons and Lords met to perswade the Countries to rise in defence of Religion the King and Church 2. Vote for five thousand pound for repair of the Works of New-Castle and Tinmouth the like for Hull Scarborough and other Northern Garrisons and six thousand pound for Bristol Letters that Berwicke was surprised by Sir Marmaduke Langdale Sir Charles Lucas and other English with a Party of a hundred Horse pretending a Commission from Prince Charles that the Major endeavoured to get strength to oppose them but could not referred to the Committee of Derby House and the General Letters from the General that he had ordered the Regiments at White-Hall and the Meuse and other Forces near London to remove further off unless the Houses should give order to the contrary The House ordered a Letter to the General to stay the removal of those Regiments till farther order and a Committee to treat with the City what guards they will provide for the Houses if those Regiments be removed The General likewise acquainted the Houses with his sending Lieutenant Cromwell into Wales and with the not payment of Assessments whereby the Soldiers would be inforced to take free Quarter the House passed instructions to the Committee of the Army and Officers to rectifie it The Common Councel returned thanks to the Parliament for their confidence in the City and assured them that when the Forces of the Army should be removed the City would stand by the Parliament for their security The City allowed six hundred pound per An. to Major General Skippon Petitions to the Cities Common-Councel That the Impeached Aldermen may not be tryed by the Lords but by their equals That there may be a new Committee of the Militia every year the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs to be part and the rest to be chosed by the Common-Councel and approved by the Parliament and the Lieutenant of the Tower to be under the Cities Command referred to the Committee 3. Letters from the Lord Chancellor of Scotland by command of the Parliament there with their demands to the Parliament of England to this purpose 1. That the King may come to some of his Courts near London to abide with Safety Honour and Freedom 2. That a Personal Treaty may be had with his Majesty 3. That the Independent Schismatick Army may be Disbanded and none put into Garrisons but such as will take the Covenant and both Kingdoms may conside in 4. That all Anabaptists Separatists and Independents may be suppressed and no Toleration allowed for any of them 5. That all absent Members may be sent for to perform their duties in Parliament 6. That the Covenant may be inforced upon all men 7. That the Presbyterian Government may be effectually setled These demands were thought by some to be very strange a day was set for the debate of them Information of Tumults by the Malignants in Colchester Order for Letters to be sent to some Forces of the Army in that County to quiet them and the Committee at Derby House to take care thereof A Petition from many thousands Knights Gentlemen and Free-holders in Essex expressing the reason of their desires which were For a Personal Treaty with his Majesty that a course be taken for satisfaction of the Arrears of the Army with a disbanding of the same The Lords gave thanks to the County of Essex for their good affections and let them know that they would take their Petition into a serious and speedy consideration and not be wanting to contribute to their endeavours for the ease of the Countreys burdens and setling of a good Peace The Commons gave this Answer to the Petition That they take notice of the great service and good affections of that County to the Parliament and are consident they will so continue and as to their Petition the House is now in debate concerning the speedy settlement of the Kingdom and do not doubt but what they shall conclude there upon will give satisfaction to that County and to all well affected people It was earnestly pressed to have the words thanks of the House expressed in this Answer but it was carried in the Negative 5. Debate of the Letters from Scotland The Houses declared That they are resolved to maintain the Covenant and Treaties between the two Kingdoms and that they will be ready to joyn with Scotland in the Propositions presented to the King at Hampton-Court Order for Forces for the Northern parts and to put those Countries into a posture of defence and referred to the Committee at Derby House Instructions pass'd for the Parliaments Commissioners in Scotland to acquaint the Parliament there with the surprisal of Berwicke by enemies to both Kingdoms who had layn long in Scotland and were demanded by the English Commissioners Col. Horton published a Declaration to satisfie the Welch of the Parliaments Proceedings in order to disband the Forces of Major General Laugherne and to ease the Country of free Quarter and to settle Peace generally and of the revolt and opposition of Col. Poyer the trouble charge and danger to the Countries thereby
Commissioners sent down to try the Riotors at Canterbury could not perswade the Grand Jury to find the Bill and therefore they adjourned the Court they and the Committee of Kent had the thanks of the House for their care in this business and the Committee were desired to proceed in the further execution of it Intelligence from Vice Admiral Rainsborough of two Men of War from France appointed to transport Arms and Horse for Scotland Letters from the North of a design to surprize York for the King and at the time appointed for the Royalists to enter the City a Troop of the Parliaments Horse coming thither accidentally the Malignants taking them for their own Party cryed up the King and so were discovered and prevented Letters from Newcastle That Colonel Bright's Regiment and other Parliament's Forces are come that way to guard the Borders That the Governour of Berwick laies heavy Taxes upon the English That they and the King's Party in Carlisle are impatient that the Scot's Forces do not come in to assist them being dayly expected The Commissioners of the Kirk of Scotland sent to the Ministers to admonish their people not to engage in the intended War under the pain of the displeasure of God but the other Party proceeded in their Levies The Commissioners of the Kirk passed a Declaration in answer and opposition to that of the Parliament of Scotland Which they say is to restore the King to his Honour before Jesus Christ be restored to his and they declare their dissent from the intended War 16. An Ordinance transmitted for punishing Defaulters at Musters in Kent Letters from the Gentlemen of Cheshire That they had fortified the Castle and City of Chester the House approved thereof and Ordered thanks to the Gentlemen Letters from the Gentlemen of the Counties of Flint Denbigh and Montgomery That they had entred into an Association for securing those Counties against the Enemy the House approved thereof and Ordered them hearty thanks for it The like from Lancashire The House agreed to the Ordinance for the Militia of London A Petition to both Houses accompanied with divers hundreds of that County That the King may be restored to his due honour and just Rights according to the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance that he may be forthwith Established in his Throne according to the splendour of his Ancestors That he may for the present come to Westminster with Honour and Safety to Treat personally for composing of Differences That the Free born Subjects of England may be Governed by the known Laws and Statutes That the War beginning may be prevented That the Ordinance for preventing Free-Quarter may be duly Executed and speed made in disbanding all Armies having their Arrears due paid them The Lords answered the Petitioners That they were at present upon consideration of the Settlement of the Kingdom and doubted not but to satisfie all This Petition was presented to the Commons in the Afternoon when some of the Country-men being gotten almost drunk and animated by the Malignants as they came through Westminster-Hall they fell a Quarrelling with the Guards and asked them why they stood there to Guard a Company of Rogues Then words on both sides increasing the Countrymen fell upon the Guards disarmed them and killed one of them and wounded divers Upon this Alarum more Soldiers were sent for from White-Hall and the Meuse who fellupon the Country-men and killed five or six of them and wounded very many chasing them up and down through the Hall and the Lanes and Passages there abouts 17. The day of Thanksgiving for the success in Wales observed by the Houses but not much in the City After the Sermons the House Ordered the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council of London not to suffer any multitudes of men to pass through the City nor any to come in Armed and that the Ordinance be renewed for putting Papists and Delinquents c. out of the Lines and twenty Miles from London Order That the Committees of Kent and Surrey take care to prevent tumultuous meetings in those Counties One hundred pounds given to Captain Nichols who brought Letters from Collonel Horton Order to examine and find out the Authors and Printers of some Pamphlets Letters That Lieutenant General Cromwel came to Chepstow where they drew out some Forces against him but Collonel Pride's men fell on so furiously that they gained the Town and beat the Soldiers into the Castle which being strongly fortified and provided Cromwel sent to Bristol for some Great Guns left a Party before it and Marched with the rest to Pembrokeshire 18. Both Houses passed the Ordinances for appointing the Militia of London and the Liberties during the pleasure of the Houses and for Collonel West to be Lieutenant of the Tower and for Major General Skippon to be Major General of London Westminster and the Lines Letters of St. Edmondsbury That about six hundred got together in Arms there about setting up a May-Pole and they cried out for God and King Charles laid hold upon some of the Soldiers and set Guards in several places That some Troops of the Parliament Quartered near and some Country Foot drew together and kept in a Body before the Town all night and kept them in on every side who seeing themselves in that condition sent for a Parley and submitted to mercy Upon a Letter from the Prince Elector his Brother Prince Philip had leave to raise one thousand Voluntiers for the Venetian service Report of a great design in London and the Suburbs of rising for the King in a great Body and to destroy the Parliament and City The House Ordered notice hereof to be given to the Common-Council and That the Militia be put into a posture of defence And That Prisoners be secured and a Committee appointed to draw Heads for an Union and good correspondence between the Parliament and City 19. Mr. Ashburnham and Mr. Legge being apprehended were committed to Windsor Castle Orders for the Committee of Salop to secure such Prisoners as they have surprized in Ludlow Castle and for Winchester Castle to be Garrisoned at the request of that Country 20. An Ordinance transmitted to the Lords for suppressing tumults The Common Councel of London returned in answer to the Parliament's Proposals for Union and good Correspondence That they resolve to remain firmly joyned against the Common Enemy And for this Parliament they did acknowledge with thankfulness their great care and pains for the Kingdom and particularly for this City and that they would live and die with that Parliament according to their former protestation An Ordinance past the Commons for putting Papists and Malignants out of the Lines Order for Captain Wogan and other Officers and Soldiers who came off from Major General Laugherne to the Parliament's Forces to have their Arrears and that the Prisoners taken in Wales and tryable by Marshal-Law shall be so
tryed forthwith The General removed Northwards Lieutenant General Cromwel possessed Carmarden the Forces being drawn into Pembroke Castle where Laugherne Powel and Poyer were but some differences reported to be among them there 22. Order for supplying the Stores and taking off the Salt Peter Letters from the Mayor of Sandwich That a young man was lately come thither who gave himself out to be the Prince of Wales and That many came to him to kiss his hand and others sent him money Vice-Admiral Rainsborough advertised by Letters the fame thing referred to the Committee at Derby House to examine this business and to send for this pretended Prince of Wales and Messengers went to bring him up The Gentry of York agreed to raise Horse and Foot for defence of their Country against all Opposers of the Parliament Which the House approved and Ordered thanks to them for it Thanks Ordered to the Militia of London and to Major General Skippon for preserving the Peace of the City and securing the Parliament The Ordinance past for advancing fifty thousand pounds for the service of Ireland An Ordinance past both Houses against Tumultuous meetings to present Petitions to the Parliament Letters from Edenburgh of great preparations in Scotland for raising Forces Horse and Foot And that an Act was published for putting that Kingdom into a posture of defence against Malignants Sectaries and others That General Leven laid down his Commission and Thot Duke Hamilton was chosen General That they gave a rich Jewel to General Leven and promised him one thousand pounds Letters That Eighty Horse each Horse-man carrying a Foot-man behind him came to Pontfret Castle and set up their Scaling Ladders in the Night designing to surprize it for the King but the Garrifon took the Allarum and the Centries firing upon them they all got away Collonel Rigby and the Gentlemen of Lancashire raised the Forces of that County to oppose the Enemy Some Gentlemen of Surrey came to the General and desired him in the name of that County to command his Soldiers that no affront might be offered to the Countrymen by the Soldiers and the Country will take care that no affront be offered to the Soldiers but that they have necessary and lawful accommodation and respect And that they were grieved That so much injury was offered to their Petitioners and so much Christian blood of their Country shed 23. Both Houses passed the Ordinance for putting Malignants and Papists out of the Lines of Communication and twenty miles distant from London A Petition from the supernumerary Officers and Soldiers for part of their Arrears for their present subsistence answered That they must be satisfied with the security given to them and others already A Petition from the City of London expressing their Thankfulness for the granting of their former desires and their joy for the Votes of Parliament that they will not alter the Government by King Lords and Commons and will preserve the Covenant and Treaties but that they are much grieved that their Magistrates and fellow Citizens for a long time have been under restraint They humbly pray the prosecution of their Votes by the Parliament for the settlement of Peace preservation of the Vnion Covenant and Treaties and that the Aldermen now in the Tower their Recorder and the rest of their fellow Cittizens restrained upon the same occasion may be restored The Lords Gave thanks to the Petitioners and assurance that they would indeavour the settlement of Peace and to prevent a new War and the discharge of the Recorder and that they may be united their hearts fastned and their hands strengthened to serve the Parliament The Commons gave an answer to the same effect and Voted the discharge of Mr. Recorder Glyn and divers other Citizens from their Imprisonments that the Forces at the Tower be joyned with those at White hall and the Meuse till the City Militia be in a posture for the Guard of the Parliament The Gentlemen of Montgomeryshire subscribed an Ingagement To adhere to the Parliament and to put themselves into a Posture of Defence 24. Instructions passed for the Earl of Thanet to go down into Kent to quiet the Rioters there by assuring them 1. That the Houses have no such intent as the Malignants have given out to Execute two of every Town of them 2. That they may have leave to present their Petition by a few 3. That upon laying down their Arms and repairing home they shall have an Ordinance of Indemnity Vote by the Commons That after His Majesty hath signed the Bills for setling the Militia and for the Presbyterian Government and recalled his Declarations c. against the Parliament that then a Treaty shall be had with him upon the rest of the Propositions at Hampton-Court The Author and Printer of a Scandalous feigned Engagement of the Counties of Kent Surrey Essex c. ordered to be whipt and Imprisoned Letters from Collonel Duckenfield That the Gentry of Cheshire have ingaged to adhere to the Parliament and to raise three Regiments of Foot and one of Horse if occasion be for defence of their Countrey Letters of some Forces for the King come into Lancashire and North-Wales and of the readiness of the Countries to oppose them 25. Intelligence of the increase of the Rioters in Kent and their seizing some Shipping and Ammunition at Rochester and their approaching near London which it was given out they intended to Plunder Referred to the Committee at Derby-House to order Forces for the better security of the Parliament and City and notice hereof to be given to the General The Lords Voted an addition to the Committee at Derby-House Debate touching provision of Money for the Forces in London and for raising new Forces 26. Debate about the Bills to be presented to the King in order to a Treaty with him and about the discontents and desires of the County of Surrey Upon Information that the Rioters of Kent had Plundered the Houses of many Members of Parliament who serve for that County Orders for the suppressing of them Some of their Members had the thanks of the House for removing the Ordnance and Ammunition from Wolwich to the Tower Letters from Wales of the Insurrections there well nigh suppressed That two hundred and forty of the Welchmen Batchellors were sent to the Barbadoes and three shot to Death at Cardiffe 27. Orders for slighting of Banbury Castle and for Money for Repairing and Victualling of Windsor Castle and for a hundred Beds for the Soldiers there and for Victualling of Dover Castle Reference to the Committee of Derby House touching additional Guards for the Isle of Wight and to the Committee of the Navy touching the Sea Guards Upon a Petion from the Rioters in Kent Ordered That they shall have Indemnity and Pardon if they forthwith lay down Arms restore what they have taken retire to their own dwellings and ingage to be quiet for the
besides those killed in the other part of the Town and many of them wounded that Sir William Campion Col. Cooke two Majors and other Officers were slain many of Quality wounded and many of the Trained Bands whom the General released They say that Colonel Farre Lieutenant Colonel to the Earl of Warwick led them out into the field and into Mr. Grimston's house and when he and the men fled being galled by the Parliaments Musquetiers he got to the gate and caused it to be shut and left his men to be cut in pieces by the Parliament Souldiers if they had not been more merciful That the General closely beleaguers the Town his train being come up to him but intends if possible to preserve the Town from fire and plunder That Sir Bern. Scudamore Colonel Stewart and Colonel Thorneton were taken at New-market raising sorces for the King That the Trumpet sent by the General into the Town to see in what condition Sir William Masham and the other Gentlemen Prisoners there were returned that they were in a reasonable good condition That Captain Zanchy who took in Marsey Fort and Island found there two Culverins two Sacres and one Drake and that Captain Peacock and the Commander of the Ships at Harwich offered their assistance to the General Order for raising two Troops of Horse in Northamptonshire and for money for the Army Order about setling Ministers in particular Parishes and for reviving the Committee of Examinations with power to suppress scandalous and unlicensed Pamphlets 17. Debate that every officer before he had his Commission should take the Covenant laid aside A Commission to Colonel Herbert to raise Forces for the Isle of Ely Vote for a Strong Summers Fleet for defence of the Kingdom and to reduce the revolted Ships and a gratuity to be given to the Officers and Mariners of the Fleet. Orders about levying the Assessments for the Army Letters of the General summoning Colchester to render to the Parliament and that the Lord Goring asked the Trumpet who brought the Summons how his General did and bid him tell his General that he heard he was ill of the Gout but that Goring would cure him of all diseases that the Soudiers were highly inraged at this scoff to their General The Lord Goring Lord Capel and Sir Charles Lucas sent to the General for a List of the Prisoners he had taken of their party and the General sent it to them 19. Order for Sir Hardress Waller to permit no new forces to be raised in Devonshire and Cornwal but to make use of the Trained-bands there if there shall be occasion Debate about breaking the Chamber of M r Charleton a member of the House and taking away a Ward from thence the affront referred to a Committee the matter of the Ward referred to the Law Vote to readmit M r Walter Long a Member of the House The Case of Sir John Clotworthy referred to the Committee of Priviledges to examin The County and the City of Chester raised Forces for the Parliament and desired that Captain Carter might command those of the City which the House granted A Letter sent to old Sir Robert Booth inviting him to raise Forces for the King was by him sent up to the Parliament and they referred it to a Committee Referred to a Committee to examin some Mariners upon suspicion of plotting against the Parliament A battery being made against Pembroke Castle an assault was attempted but the Parliament Forces were repulsed with the loss of three and twenty men and but four of the Garrison Letters from Colchester that a Party of three hundred Horse issued out of the Town and returned with forty Head of Cattle and a hundred Sheep and were not met with by the Parliaments Forces sent after them That Lieutenant General Cromwell hath planted his Cannon and intended the next day to begin his battery Letters from the North that Langdale marching towards Carlisle Lambert fell upon his Rear into the quarters of a Regiment newly raised which he totally dispersed and brake that the Officers fled after Langdale and the Souldiers threw down their Armes and ran home seeming glad of the opportunity That Lamberts men pursued another Party of Langdale's and took some Prisoners that Carlisle was unwilling to receive Langdale's Forces saying they would rather lose their lives than be forced to eat Horse Flesh as they had been before Letters from Scotland that an Army will be forthwith raised there that Duke Hamilton goes along General and hath already Six thousand Horse Foot and Dragoons that Middleton is Major General of the Foot and the Earl of Kalender Lieutenant General of the Horse That their Parliament have adjourned for two years and left a great power to the Committee who act vigorously for the War so that the Chancellor the Lord Wareston and others have left them and are gone to the Earl of Argile That an Act is passed for punishing all such as preach or write or speak against any thing done by the Parliament or by any authority derived from them that Holborne is gone with a thousand Horse to fetch in the Earl of Argile and his Party 20. Both Houses reciting former Votes passed 20 Maii 1642 viz. 1. That it appears that the King seduced by wicked Counsel intends to make War against the Parliament who in all their Consultations and Actions have proposed no other end to themselves but the care of the Kingdoms and the performance of all duty and Loyalty to his person 2. That whensoever the King maketh War upon the Parliament it is a breach of the trust reposed in him by his People contrary to his Oath and tending to the dissolution of this Government 3. That whosoever shall serve and assist him in such wars are Traytors by the fundamental Laws of this Kingdom and have been so adjudged by two Acts of Parliament and ought to suffer as Traytors 11 R. 2. 1 H. 4. The Lords and Commons now Declare that it appears that divers who have assisted the King in the late War against the Parliament and divers others endeavour to levy a new War against the Parliament That all such are Traytors by the fundamental Laws of this Kingdom and have been so adjudged by the said two Acts of Parliament And they ordered that these Votes be printed and published by the Sheriffs in every Market Town and by the Judges in their Circuits An Ordinance passed to establish Colonel Welden Governor of Plymouth and a hundred Pounds orderd him to buy Horses Orders for raising Forces in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire and that the Militia of Lancashire present to the General a fit person to be Governor of Leverpool Colonel Ralph Ashton approved to command the Lancashire Brigade to joyn with Major General Lambert Colonell Russell ordered to go to his Government in Jersey Letters from Lieutennnt General Cromwell That the Garrison of Pembroke begin to be in extream want of
Mariners of the shipping belonging to the River of Thames and a third Petition from the Master Warden and Fellows of Trinity House all for the personal Treaty with the King were presented to the House and a Committee appointed to draw up an answer to them Order for a Months pay for the Lancashire Forces and for the thanks of the House to Colonel Ashton their Commander Upon Information of an Insurrection in Sussex referred to the Committee of Derby house to take course for the subduing of them Upon Letters from the General ordered that the Committee of the Army take care speedily to send down to the Army provisions and other necessaries which they want An Ordinance to impower the Committee of Essex to raise money for payment of the Forces in their County now raised Order for security of their arrears to those Officers and Souldiers who came off from the Army for the service of Ireland Order for six hundred Pounds for victualling the Fort and Castle of Chester and that the late Actors in a design there be tryed by Martial Law Letters from Colchester leaguer that the Enemy is debarred from all manner of provisions that a party of the Suffolk Forces from Cattaway bridge took ten Troopers of the Enemy plundering and afterwards went to Sir Harbottle Grimstons house which they found miserably ruined and all the goods taken away and torn 30. Upon a report from the Committee for the business of the personal Treaty the Lords agreed to these Votes 1. That the Vote of Jan. 3. 1647. forbidding any addresses to be made to or received from his Majesty should be made null 2. That the three propositions sent into Scotland and to be presented to his Majesty before a personal Treaty be had should not be insisted upon and that his Majesty be removed to some of his Houses within ten miles of London to which the Lords desired the Commons concurrence The Lords recommended to the Commons the Petition of the Lady Capell that she may have her eldest Son again who is one of those sent down to the General to be used in the same manner as the Committee are under restraint by the Lord Goring The House ordered a Letter to be sent to the General with the Lady Capell's petition inclosed and that the General be desired to do therein as may stand with the Justice and honour of the Parliament M r Dowsett upon a Message from the Lords was ordered to attend that House in the business of M r Rolfe who was committed Order for the Committees of Sussex and of Worcestershire to raise Forces for suppressing Insurrections and preserving the Peace of those Counties The Ordinance passed for payment of the Forces of Essex and another for ten thousand pounds for Bristol Debate upon the Ordinance touching Religion Letters from Colchester leaguer that the Enemy plaid with their great Guns but did no hurt by reason of the deepness of the Trenches then they fell to annoy the besiegers with small shot out of M r Grimsion's House but the General 's great Cannon shooting through and through the House cutting off the Legs and Arms of many of them they fled into the Town and set that and other Houses with it on fire That the Enemy sallyed out on the other side towards Suffolk which the Parliaments Horse discovering they lined the hedges with Dragoons and went on with a party of Horse as if they had incant to charge and then faced about as running away from the Enemy who pursued them to the place where the Dragoons were who did so gall them with shot that they retreated leaving some slain and others desperately wounded That the next morning they sallyed out again with three troops of Horse five hundred Foot and a Drake but the Parliaments Foot coming up too late to them they brought away some Cattle and killed M r Sandford though their friend the owner of them The Barbarous Common Souldier will know no distinction between Friends and Foes eithers goods come alike to their rapine and upon an hasty word they no more regard the bloud of a Friend than of an Enemy and so it was with M r Sandford A Captain taken prisoner near Harwich Captain Brown came from the North to the General with Intelligence that the Enemy had quitted the Isle of Axholme July 1648. 1. Debate upon the report That the three Bills sent into Scotland should not be insisted upon c. ordered to be resumed to morrow and all the Members to attend Vote to approve what the Lord Grey of Groby and Captain Temple had done in raising a considerable Body of Forces in Leicestershire and commanding them Order for Committees to go down into the several Counties to take care for raising monies for the Forces before Colchester and in Essex Letters from Colchester Leaguer that those in the Town are so block't up that they cannot get provisions that the Works are near finished and that the besiegers perdu's lye so near the Enemy that they can hear them discourse drink healths c. The General sent to offer an exchange of the Lord Capell's Son for Sir William Masham and two affidavits that by the Earl of Norwich's and the Officers directions their Souldiers had chewed bullets and cast in Sand delivered to them out of their stores which being contrary to the Law of Armes the General required that the same might be forborn for the future Concerning the Lord Capell's Son the Lord Goring returned answer that he conceived it inhumane and that if all the Committee had been offered to him he would have disdained the Motion and that he joyed to see any of his if no other way yet by their sufferings to pay the Duty they owe to the King and known Laws To that concerning bullets all the three Generals denyed any such command or practice but for rough cast slugs they were the best they could send on the sudden 3. A long Debate whether the three Bills viz. 1. For setling the Presbyterian Government for three years 2. For recalling Declarations and Proclamations against the Parliament 3. For setling the Militia in the Parliament shall be sent as propositions to which his Majesty is to give his approbation by subscribing his hand before a Treaty and to give assurance to passe them into Acts so soon as he shall come to London and sit in Parliament It was carried by Vote in the affirmative Upon Information that the King's Party were listing of men in London and some of them who were apprehended for it were rescued the House for the better guarding and securing themselves and the City orderd five thousand Pounds for raising a new Regiment of Horse to be under the Command of Major General Skippon and declared it an acceptable service in such as would send in Horse or Arms for that purpose An Ordinance past for raising fourteen thousand pounds out of the Estates of Delinquents in Kent and
Essex Letters from the North That the King's party from Pontefract came to Lincoln where and in their march they plundered the Parliaments Friends took Captain Bret Captain Fines and M r Ellis Prisoners and killed M r Smith an Officer of the sequestrations 4. The House Voted that before a Treaty be concluded all just debts to such as have adhered to the Parliament be paid or secured Referred to the Committee of Derby House to make Farnham Castle indefensible and to secure Sterborough Castle Rygate Martin Abby and all other places of strength in Surrey Letters from Lancâ—shire that Colonel Lilburne with a Party of six hundred Horse ingaged against Sir Rich. Tempest with a thousand Horse and after a hot dispute six hundred of the Enemy's horse were taken and three hundred Prisoners of whom many Knights and Gentlemen Letters from the Navy that Sir George Aiscough came in with the Parliaments Ship the Lyon declaring against the revolted Ships Letters from Pembroke Leaguer That a hundred and twenty in the Town laid down their Arms and Poyer and Langhorn told them that if relief came not within five days they should hang them that they have only rain water and a little bisket left that Cromwel shot stones into the Town with morter pieces which killed divers Letters from Colonel Jones that he had received fifty thousand pounds which was designed for Munster three thousand three hundred ninety two pounds from London six thousand suits and of all sorts of grain six thousand five hundred seventy one barrels That the Scots seek to entice away his Souldiers Letters from Colchester Leaguer that their great guns and carriages were come to the Besiegers that many desert the Enemy that divers of their Wives came out of the Town but were turned back again that the Wives of the Parliaments friends were not suffer'd to come forth That when some of the Town complained for want of Victuals the Lord Goring told them they must not complain till horse-flesh were at ten shillings a pound that they have twenty pieces of Ordnance and two hundred barrels of powder but want great shot 5. A Petition from the Common Council of London with another from the Common Officers of the Trained bands praying 1. THat the Militia of London and of the adjacent parts may be settled in one Committee and if any persons be added to the Committee that they may be such as have no places of profit which depend upon the War or have shewed themselves disaffected to the ends of the Covenant 2. That the King may be brought to London with freedom honour and safety to treat with his Parliament for settling a safe and well grounded Peace 3. That the Militia may have power if need be to raise Horse for the defence of the King Parliament and City The Lords granted the desires of the Petitioners in confidence that the City will be careful to make good that great ingagement now made for securing his Majesties person and the Parliament from tumults mutinies and disorders and that they will adhere to live and die in defence of the King and Parliament according to the Covenant The House of Commons told the Petitioners that they had agreed to the joyning of the Militias A Petition from eighty Seamen Masters of Ships c. offering their service for the reducing of the revolted Ships the Petitioners had thanks and the Petition referred to a Committee Letters from Sir Arthur Haselrigge confirming the victory obtained by Colonel Lilburne Colonel Fenwick and M r Sanderson against Sir Richard Tempest without the loss of one man The List of the Commanders and Gentlemen of Quality taken Prisoners was sent up to the Parliament A publick thanksgiving ordered for this Victory Intelligence came of about five hundred Horse got together near Kingston the Earl of Holland the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Francis his brother in the head of them that the Earl of Peterborough came in to them that they summoned the Country expecting great numbers to joyn with them and plundered some friends of the Parliament The Commons passed some Instructions for the security of Whitehal and Lambeth-house from the danger of this Party and appointed Guards on the Thames at the Ferries and Watering places to stop all suspicious persons which might pass that way The Committee of Derby-house made report of this business and their opinion for subscriptions of Horses to be made by the Members of Parliament for ten days for defence of the Parliament and City which the House approved of and subscribed very freely some two some three and some of them four Horses Order for those Horse to be put under the command of Colonel Butler and Quarter Master General Fincher and they to have a hundred Pounds a piece for a gratuity and it was declared an acceptable service for all who shall list any Horses for this service This suddain and unexpected if not rash action of the Earl of Holland and the rest with him brought to my remembrance some discourse which his Lordship had with an acquaintance not long before when he was pleased much to inveigh against some proceedings of the Parliament especially in their backwardness to a personal Treaty upon which he said and truly That generally peoples hearts were set and that he did believe if a considerable Party should shew themselves in Arms for it that they would soon rise to a great body and be able to bring the Parliament to reason He was answer'd that the Parliaments Army was in a framed body of old Souldiers prosperous in their actions and well provided of all things necessary and that it would be a rash and desperate attempt for any to imagin to make a head against them and to raise a new body That there was no trust to be given to peoples minds or promises in such designs who would not stir except they saw the Tide turning and some precedent success which could not be in this case but those who should adventure upon such a business would certainly be lost in it He argued earnestly to the contrary and how honourable just and pious a thing it would be to rescue our Country from the misery and slavery they were now under especially if it were done by those who in the beginning had perhaps too much hand in the bringing of those straits upon us It was replied that it would be worse in those men than in any others for that it would be looked upon in them as breach of faith and treachery to those who had before intrusted them Order for forces for Northamptonshire Letters from Colchester Leaguer of the great Flood there which hinders any from escaping and that they are in great want of victuals in the Town A Porter in Soldiers habit from London got into Colchester and brought them Intelligence that a great force was coming from London to their relief 6. Major General Brown
the King to acquaint him that the Houses desire a Treaty with his Majesty's person in what place of the Isle of Wight he shall appoint upon the propositions tendered to his Majesty at Hampton Court and concerning Wards and Liveries and to treat with honour Freedom and safety to his Majesty's person To this Vote the Commons added And with safety and freedom to the Commissioners 2. To receive such other propositions to be treated on as shall be presented to his Majesty 3. The Commissioners to be dispatched within two dayes with these Votes and to return within ten dayes The Lords chose the Earl of Middlesex and the Commons chose Sir Jo. Hippesly and Major Bulkley Commissioners to go to the King A Paper presented to the Lords from Major Huntington of the reasons why he left the Army and touching the carriage of Lieutenant General Cromwell and Commissary General Ireton since the Parliaments going to disband the Army and of overtures to his Majesty The Duke of York went back to Holland and the Prince continuing in the Downes sent a Letter to the Merchant Adventurers of London signed with the Prince his hand which was delivered and read in Common Council The effect of the Letter was to signify that his Highness had caused to be staid divers Merchants of London but would discharge them again upon condition that the City would send him twenty thousand pound with this his Letter the Prince sent to the City his Declaration that his endeavour was to rescue the Kings Majesty his Royal Father from base imprisonment to restore the Rghts and Liberties of London c. as before The Common Council ordered to acquaint the Parliament herewith the next day 3. Debate of an Ordinance to give Commission to the Lord Admiral to execute Martial Law A Committee from the Common Council presented to the House a Copy of the Letter and Declaration sent from the Prince to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of London who commanded Copies thereof to be presented to both Houses before they did any thing concerning the same After much debate the House ordered the Originals to be sent to them the Copies not satisfying and that no answer be returned by the Common Council nor they to proceed thereupon without special leave from Parliament Order for the Committee of the Army to bayle such Officers of the Army then in restraint who were in the Kentish insurrection as that Committee should think fit and the rest to be examined by the Committee of Kent Reference to a Committee to slight or continue Queenborough Castle as they should think fit and to the Committee of Derby House to consider of the Fort at Gravesend if it be tenable to fortify it and provide Ordnance for it 4. Debate upon the Prince his Declaration and Letter to the Common Council which was brought to the House of Peers from the Common Council but not to the House of Commons After most part of the day spent in debate thereof the Commons voted That all persons subjects of this Nation and others who did joyn with or assist Prince Charles in this war by Sea or land against this Kingdom are Traitours and Rebels and ought to be proceeded against as such and this Vote ordered to be printed and published Order for one thousand pound for the Children of D r Twisse The Ordinance past the Commons for better regulating of the Estates of Papists and Delinquents Letters from Colchester Leaguer That a small party came out of the Town and were beat in again That divers Souldiers Horse and Foot a Lieutenant a Cornet and an Ensign came out of the Town to the General and said that many more of their Party watched for an opportunity to do the like and were weary of eating Horse-flesh The Town of Yarmouth returned an answer to Colonel Scroope that they will adhere to the Parliament against all interests and if his Excellence the Lieutenant General shall command it they will admit Colonel Scroop's Forces into the Town and that he shall have liberty upon all occasions to march through the Town and that they are able of themselves to suppress all tumults that shall arise 17. of the Enemy came out of Colchester to the Parliament guards complaining that their allowance of Bread in the Town was abated from fourteen ounces to ten ounces a day and that their Horse-Flesh was much tainted That twenty more came out of the Town to the General complaining of the Horse-flesh and said that many of their fellows will come after them 5. Order for a day of publick humiliation to bewail the Sins of the Nation and to pray to God for seasonable weather Debate upon the Ordinance for settling Church Government Order for two thousand Oaks for repair of the Town of Lynn The self-denying Ordinance for taking away all publick places of benefit conferred upon any Member of Parliament since the beginning thereof was debated and committed This was looked upon as a design tending to remove Whitelock again from being a Commissioner of the Seal which was not a place of profit to him having left his practice that brought him in near two thousand Pounds a year and the profit of this place being not above fifteen hundred Pounds a year Letters from Colchester Leaguer That they conceive themselves able to take the Town by Storm when they please but hope to have it without and are not willing to lose so many mens lives as a storm will cost that the flux increaseth among them in the Town and that two hundred of their men lately ran from them to the General that they exchanged thirty five Prisoners with the Town 7. The House being called and a small appearance another day ordered for a new call Debate upon the ordinance for the Militia Order for six hundred pound for M r Sleigh late Major of Berwick in regard of his losses when the Town was surprised Order for the General to recall his orders for the March of Sir Hardress Waller out of the West that the Country might not be left in danger and for pay for his Brigad Sir William Masham was exchanged for M r John Ashburnham Letters from the North of the advance of Lieutenant General Cromwel towards Major General Lambert whom he desired not to ingage with the Scots before his coming up to them Commissioners were sent to Treat with Colonel Boynton for the surrender of Scarborough Castle to the Parliament from whom he had revolted but they made no agreement with him that the Commissioners shot in a Printed order to the Souldiers in the Castle promising them one thousand Pound to deliver it up to them That Appleby Castle was surrendred to Major General Langdale upon conditions that some quarrels were between his men and the Scots who killed an English man and one of Langdales men killed a Scots man that the Scots Army
and Major General Lamberts Forces were near one to another but did not ingage There being extreme violent Storms of wind and rain which did much hurt six Prisoners in Tinmouth Castle escaped letting themselves down through a Privy-House by Ropes and several Sheets tyed together Letters from Dublin that Colonel Monk and Colonel Hungerford with eight hundrd men took the Field and stormed Ballahor Castle which they gained and besieged Nabor Castle From Chester that the Lord Byron was out with three hundred men and advanced towards Anglesey 8. A Letter came from the Prince to the Speaker of the House of Peers without any mention to be communicated to the Commons in which Letter the Prince takes notice of the progress made as to a personal Treaty and desires 1. That the Treaty be in such a place and manner as may consist with the honour freedom and safety of his Majesty his Father so that the agreement many not be blemished with any face of restraint 1. That the Treaty be between the King and his two Kingdomes of England and Scotland that things may go on fairly to all persons concerned therein 3. That during the Treaty there be a general cessation of Arms that the affection of the People of this and the other Kingdom be not lessened by Acts of hostility 4. An ordinary moderate subsistence during the Treaty may be agreed upon for all Forces on Foot and which in no sort must go unmentioned for the Scots Army now in England and so as may be with least pressure to the Northern parts And if the two Houses will agree to these things he will endeavour to his utmost power with his Father for a good agreement He concludes with a desire that a course may be taken to content him and his Ships now in the Downes with mony and Provision that so he nor they may not hinder the City trade and discharge the Ships he hath now in hold One of those Ships taken by the Lord Willoughby who was Vice-Admiral of the Prince his Fleet had in her near twenty thousand Pound in Gold which she brought from Guiney most of it belonging to M r Rowland Wilson the Father and Son and their partners The Lord Willoughby did affirm that when the Earl of Warwick with his Fleet came near to the Prince his Navy the Lord Willoughby and some others were earnest to have fought the Parliaments Fleet and had some assurances given them that several of the Earl of Warwicks Ships would have revolted to the Prince But that others about the Prince disswaded him from Fighting pretending the danger to his Highness person and carryed it by that argument again Fighting whereas in probability and as the Sea-mens affections then stood if they had fought the Parliaments Fleet had been indangered A Petition was presented to both Houses from the Common Council of London desiring 1. That the King may be free from his restraint 2. Invited to a Treaty 3. That all Acts of hostility by Sea and Land may by command of King and Parliament cease 4. That the Government of the Church may be settled according to the Covenant 5. That distressed Ireland may be relieved 6. The People of England by disbanding all Armies eased 7. The Liberty of the subject restored 8. The Laws of the land established 9. The Members of both Houses injoyned to attend 10. That the self-denying Ordinance may be effectually observed 11. That speedy consideration be had of such Merchants whose Ships and goods are staid by those with the Prince in the revolted Ships and that some expedient may be thought of for discharge of all Ships that trade be not destroyed The Lords gave thanks to the Common Council the Commons appointed a Committee to draw up their answer A Petition to the Commons from the reduced Officers that there may be a speedy settlement of Religion the King Parliament and Kingdom in a Parliamentary way by a free and personal Treaty according to the late desire of the City of London and that all Officers and Souldiers without exception whose accounts are not stated may have them audited Order for payment of the Petitioners arrears out of their discoveries and for a Committee to give them further satisfaction and to make payment to the Non-commission'd Officers of Sir Robert Pyes Regiment of their arrears Order for M r Ailburton who brought Letters to the King from the Committee of Estates in Scotland to stay here for a month for the Kings answer Major Huntington made Oath in the Lords House that the Narrative given in by him was true and would be attested Letters from Colchester Leaguer that twenty or thirty a day run from the enemy and the last day a whole Guard together came from them that their Wine and Raisons are near spent so that the Common Soldiers get none That they killed thirty Horses to powder them up and have the Bloody-flux much among them that they have drawn off their Guns from the Wall some say they will carry the Parliament Committee with them into the Castle and cut their throats if they may not have conditions for themselves The General sent a Letter by a Drummer to the Lord Norwich Lord Capell and Sir Charles Lucas about exchange of prisoners 9. The grand Committee sat long about the Ordinance for the Militia Debate upon the Self-denying Ordinance The answer to the Cities last Petition was sent to them to this effect Shewing how far they have proceeded to a Treaty with the King the Votes thereof their expectation of the Kings answer and hopes that he will treat That the Scots are declared Rebels for invading the Kingdom and they hope the City will joyn in the subduing of them That they offered the revolted Ships indemnity but they refused to come in the Votes for reducing them and the reference to a Committee to treat with the King for a way for free Trade A Collection ordered on the Fast-day for the poor people that are come out of Colchester M r Thomas Cookes Composition passed The Keeper of the Prison in Canterbury put out Letters from the Commissioners with the King that his Majesty is willing to have the Treaty and likes the terms of honour freedom and safety and though he have no Secretary yet he will give them his answer in their time Order that none speak with M r Ailburton but in the presence of his Keeper 10. The Fast-day Letters from Holland that the Merchants there do highly resent the Prince of Wales his being in the Downes as a great hindrance of traffick That there is tampering to borrow some Regiments to attempt something in England adviseth to look to Poole Lyme and Weymouth That the Letters and Declaration of the Prince of Wales were printed there in Dutch and French 11. Debate upon the Ordinance for settling Church government and the title to it agreed The Ordinance for setling the
issue in several Counties to inquire what loss is sustained by particular persons by the invasion of the Scots that satisfaction may by given therein 24. An Ordinance for settling Delinquents estates for maintaining a Troop of Horse in Surrey A Committee made to examine a Plot in the City and the House approved of their Committing Major Rivers and others to Windsor Castle 25. Order for the Judges to go the Northern Circuit if they please A second Letter from Lieutenant General Cromwel confirming the total routing of the Scots Army with a list of the Prisoners and a hundred Colours taken sent up to the House who gave a hundred Pound to Captain Pilson that brought the Letters and referred them to the Committee of the Army as to providing necessaries for the Army Both Houses past the Letter to his Majesty with the Votes inclosed in relation to a Treaty and Sir Peter Kelligrew dispatched away with it to the King The fourty thousand Pound charged in Goldsmiths Hall for the Scots as part of their two hundred thousand Pound was now ordered for the service of the Navy Letters from Colchester Leaguer That the Lord Norwich Lord Capel and Sir Charles Lucas sent a Letter to the General That the Officers advising upon his former Letters demanding the persons of all the Officers with them above the quality of a Lieutenant to render themselves to mercy it was unanimously resolved by them not to yield to the mercy of any other but that of God alone That to avoid effusion of blood they sent now the lowest conditions which in Honour they can receive conceiving the like have never been refused to any lower reduced than they they offer to send one Gentleman or more to clear any scruples in words in the Letters the Articles proposed by them were inclosed To this the General returned answer That when he locked upon their condition to be far better than now it is he then offerd such terms as were thought suitable to their condition but now they being in a worse posture both in relation to themselves within and to any expectation of relief from without it is not to be expected from him that their conditions should be better therefore he was still resolved not to grant any such terms as were demanded by them 26. Referred to the Committee at Derby house to dispose of the Noblemen and other Prisoners taken at the fight at Preston unto such Castles and places as they shall think fit An Ordinance past for taking away obstructions in the sale of Bishops Lands Letters from Colonel Rich of the surrender of Deal Castle upon Articles which the House approved and ordered Colonel Rich to be Governour there and gave one hundred pound to Lieutenant Axtel who brought the news to them Referred to the Committee of the Army to take care to repair Deal and Warmer M r Ailburton staid at Tilbury in his going to the Prince was ordered to be delivered to the Lord Admiral to be transported into Scotland Debate about the Militia Intelligence that Langdale with about ten Gentlemen more disguised were taken about Nottingham and were now Prisoners there and that Duke Hamilton was forced by the Country who had eased him of one thousand of his Horse to fly to Vxeter in Staffordshire and was there blocked up and that Lieutenant General Cromwell was gone further against Monroe Letters from Colchester Leaguer that the enemy sent out a Drum with M r Bernadiston one of the Committee and Colonel Tuke one of their party to desire to treat upon what was formerly offered by the General And by a full Council of War it was resolved that in regard the inferiour Officers and Souldiers in the Town had slipt their opportunity that now they should only have fair quarter And provided that the Committee under restraint be forthwith released that a Treaty be admitted upon circumstances necessary for the clearing and orderly performance of the fair quarter now offered and to treat as to securing the Town from Plunder and the Lords General Officers Captains c. to be rendred up to mercy That the private Souldiers on both sides held treaties among themselves which caused the Enemy to send out so hastily to treat upon terms of mercy fearing that their private Souldiers among themselves had agreed to deliver them up That the Officers in the Town gave the Souldiers Sack burnt Claret Raisins and good words to joyn with them to break through the Parliaments Army and prepared Poles and Boards to break over North Bridge which way they intended to escape When they were all drawn out into the Town the Souldiers agreed among themselves not to consent to their going out knowing that then they would break through themselves and leave the Souldiers to the mercy of the Parliaments Army And some of their Souldiers got to the gates and said they would kill their Officers if they offered to stir out and so continued in an high Mutiny 28. Debate about Compositions An Ordinance for sequestring all Scots that ingaged in the late action and had any Estates or Places here Letters from Colchester concerning the surrender of the Town Colonel Wayte a Member of the House reported the taking of Duke Hamilton and above three thousand Horse and Men at Vxeter all prisoners at mercy but had quarter given them by the Lord Grey and the Duke was sent to Ashby de la Zouch The House gave one hundred pound to Major General Smithson and one hundred pounds to Major Evans and Ordered thanks to the Counties for their assistance Order to sequester Sir H. Gibbes Estate A Committee to examine Duke Hamilton and others who say they were invited to come into England by ten for one more now than they were before Intelligence from the Downs that the Prince had a design to go to the Scots Army but the Saylers would not agree to it but consented to go against the Earl of Warwick and in the mean time hearing of the defeat of the Scots Army they altered their course that the Earl of Warwick went out to fight with them Letters from Colchester that the Articles were signed and Colonel Raineborough's Regiment and another entered the Town and saw a sad sight of so many fair Houses burnt and so many Inhabitants sick and weak with living upon horses and dogs and eating the very draught and grains for preservation of their lives 29. Sir Peter Killigrew returned with the Kings answer to the Votes touching the Treaty That he did accept the Treaty and desired the Commissioners might be speedily sent fully authorized and instructed not doubting but what is now wanting will upon debate be fully supplied not only to the furtherance of the Treaty but to the consummating of a safe and well grounded peace He desired a pass for one to go from him into Scotland and inclosed in his Letter a List of such as he desired to be sent
Officers were ordered to march with the General his Regiment to Windsor to be Prisoners there the other Officers were sent to the Mount Pendennis Cardiffe Oxford Arundel and other strengths but none beyond Trent The Common Souldiers were to be conveyed to Bristol and other Sea-Towns to be transported to America Venice or as shall be appointed the Gentlemen Souldiers were Committed to the care of Troupers till further order Letters from the North that of Scots Irish and English there are above seven thousand under Major General Monroe and they have twenty pieces of Ordnance that Lambert advanced to joyn with Cromwell against Monroe that the siege of Scarborough Castle continued 5. Letters from the Earl of Warwick of his pursuit of the Prince and of the revolted Ships A long debate about the Militia Order that all persons who were in the late Insurrections should be incapable of being Jury-men and that the Judges in their Circuits and the Justices of Peace at their Sessions do see this Order put in execution Ordered that the former Orders and Ordinances for the taking away the Voyces of Delinquents in Elections should be put in execution and all Officers of Cities and Towns Corporate to take notice thereof Order for a call of the House and a Fine of twenty pound upon those absent Order for three thousand pound for Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne as reparation for the Sentence against him in Star-Chamber A Message from the Lords that Doctor Burges may have his place at S. Pauls settled under the great Seal That the Earl of Cleveland may have his Liberty for three Months upon bayle to take the air in the Country for his health and to recommend a Petition from the Countess of Kildare for some reparation of her great losses in Ireland Letters from New-Castle that divers English came thither to ask quarter of the Governour and to desire to be imployed That the Committees of Berwick and Carlisle sit upon sequestrations and raise monies notwithstanding the troubles there That many English are with Monroe incouraged by their Land-lords and that Colonel Fenwicks Horse and some Dragoons relieved Holy Island near Berwick and stormed Fenham Castle in which was a Garrison of Scots 6. Order for mony for Tradesmen who trusted the Lord Inchequin for Armes Both Houses approved the appointment of monies for the Treaty five hundred pound for Coach and Horses for the King six thousand pound for his Majesties private use and three thousand pound for the charges of the Commissioners Debate of an Ordinance for sale of the Lands of Deans and Chapters The Commons agreed to the Earl of Clevelands Liberty upon Bayle so as he ingage upon his honour not to Act against the Parliament Letters from Holland that it was disputed amongst the states whether the Prince of Wales being returned thither they should entertain him in a publick way or give him an allowance per diem and they agreed to allow him a thousand gilders a day and some discontents were among the Sea-men in the Prince his Fleet. Order about stating Sir Jo. Clotworthy's accounts and for his pay and they declared an acceptable sence of his carriage 7. The thanksgiving day for the Victory aginst the Scots Sir Peter Killigrew returned with his Majesties answer to the last Message from the Houses desiring that the Treaty may be hastned that he could have wished all those desired by him might have been admitted to him but will not let that hinder the Treaty he desired Dr. Reeves and Dr. Ducke to be admitted to him in relation to the Treaty At the sight of a Gentleman in mourning for Sir Charles Lucas the King wept 8. Letters from the Earl of Warwick of the constancy unanimity and courage of the Officers and Sea-men in the Parliaments Fleet and that the revolted Ships though more in number avoided them That the Castles of Deal and the rest at the Downs upon which the Protection of the Fleet and of trade have such a dependance are in great want of reparation which he recommends to the Parliament Debate upon the Ordinance for Sale of Deans and Chapters lands Major Husbands sent to the House acquainted them with the surrender of Sandowne Castle in Kent and of the condition of the other Castles in Kent Referred to the Committee at Derby House to write to the Committee of Kent and Colonel Rich to advise with the Lord Admiral about the repair of those Castles and of pay for them Upon the General his Letter that four thousand Pounds of the fourteen thousand Pounds imposed on Colchester to free them from plunder could not be raised and was remitted by the General the House ordered five thousand Pounds to be raised out of the delinquents Estates in those parts to make up the Summ for the Souldiers who should have had the pillage of the Town 9. Order for a hundred and fifty pound for M r Rolphe for his unjust imprisonment The City of London advanced two thousand Pounds for the business of the Treaty Major Armestrong one of the Prisoners at Windsor was rescued at Brainford the House ordered the Captain of the Guards to send a party of Horse to apprehend those that made the rescue Letters from the North that Lieutenant General Cromwell was at Berwick that the Country generally rose with him against Monroe that Cromwell sent to Edenburgh to recal Major General Monroe and the Forces with him out of England and to surrender our Garrisons 11. Both Houses thought not fit to grant a Pass with Blanks for the King to send into Scotland but they advised his Majesty first to send into Scotland for them to name the Persons they would send hither and then a Pass to be granted to them M r Parsons had a Pass to go to his Majesty and to Scotland Instructions passed for Carriages to the Isle of Wight and things preparatory to the Treaty A Pass to Major Belford to transport six horses into France The business of Garrisoning the Earl of Lincoln's House referred to the Committee of Derby House and the Committee of Lincoln to secure it A Petition from thousands well affected persons in and near London giving reasons why they first assisted the Parliament and that they expected other ways from them than a Treaty they mentioned twenty seven heads which they expected from the Parliament 1. That they would have made good the supremacy of the People from all pretences of Negative Voices either in King or Lords 2. Laws for Election of Representatives yearly and of course without Writ or Summons 3. That their time of sitting exceed not forty or fifty dayes and to have fixed a time for the ending of this Parliament 4. To have exempted matters of Religion and Gods worship from the compulsive or restrictive power of any Authority 5. That none be forced or pressed to serve in War 6. To have made both Kings Queens
said orders and that Colonel Hammond be set at Liberty to attend his charge in the Isle of Wight The Town was full of fears of the Army 30. The question whether the Remonstrance of the Army should be taken into speedy consideration was by ninety voices resolved in the Negative Report of the Letters from the General to the Committee of the Army wherein he takes Notice that the Committee intend not to furnish him with money for contingences which of necessity must be had for pay of Messengers and incident charges that he must be forced thereby to receive monies for this purpose out of the Collectors and Receivers hands where he can find it if speedy course be not taken to supply him This was held in the Debate an high and unbesceming Letter from the General but in conclusion it was referred to the Committee of the Army to take such course as they shall think fit for pay of the arrears of the Army Debate touching pay for the reduced Officers Intelligence from the Head quarters That a full Council of the Army had agreed upon a Declaration expressing their sad apprehensions of the danger and evil of the Treaty with the King and of any accommodation with him or restitution of him thereupon Then they recite their late Remonstrance presented to the Commons the Heads whereof they justify but say that to their grief they find that instead of any satisfaction or a reasonable answer thereto they are wholly rejected and the consideration thereof delayed from day to day That they can see in the Majority of those trusted with the great affairs of the Kingdom nothing less than a treacherous or corrupt neglect of and apostasie from the publick trust reposed in them And considering that as to the breach of that trust there is no higher formal power of man in being to appeal unto for judgment in such case as all others concerned in such breaches of trust will so as they cannot but exercise that Common judgment which in their Natural capacity is left to them And there being no way of a just succession of another proper Judicature to be appealed unto in due time and they being convinced of the greatness and destructiveness of those evils they have declared against and of the necessity of those better things they have propounded and how inconsistent with the publick trust and fundamental ends of it still to pursue the one and reject the other as that they dare appeal to the common judgments of indifferent and uncorrupted men and to the more righteous judgment of God above all That this Parliament being sole Judges of their own performance or breach of trust they hold themselves necessitated to and justified in an appeal from this Parliament in the present constitution as it stands unto the extraordinary judgment of God and good People Yet that in the prosecution of this Appeal as they will drive it on but to the speedy obtaining of a more orderly and equal judicaâ—ure of men in a just Representative according to their Remonstrance where in to acquiesce so they will endeavour to preserve so much of the matter and form of the present Parliamentary Authority as can be safe or useful till a just constitution can be introduced That they should rejoyce if the Majority of the House of Commons would become sensible of the destructiveness of their late way and would exclude from Communication in their Councils all such corrupt and Apostatized Members as have obstructed justice safety and publick interest However they desire that so many of them as God hath kept upright would by protestation or otherwise acquit themselves from such breach of trust and would withdraw from such as persist in the guilt thereof and that they will own such as shall so do as having materially the chief trust of the Kingdom remaining in them and shall adhere to them and be guided by them in their faithful prosecution of that trust till a more full power in a just Representative may he indeavoured That they will not hereby take any advantage to themselves in profit or power but should he willing to be presently discharged if they could but obtain a rational assurance for the effectual prosecution of these things and should give a proportionable assurance on their Parts concerning their laying down of Armes when required That for all these ends they are drawing up with the Army to London there to follow providence as God shall clear their way By the appointment of his Excellency the Lord Fairfax Lord General and his General Council of Officers held at Windsor Nov. 30. 1648. Signed Jo. Rushworth Secr. Major Cromwell returned with Letters from Colonel Hammönd that he was detained at Windsor and that Colonel Ewers had the charge of the Kings person in the Isle of Wight the Lords pressed on the consideration of his business December 1648. 1. The General Wrote a Letter to the Lord Mayor and Common Council of London to this effect That being upon an immediate advance with the Army towards London they thought fit to give them notice of it and for the grounds thereof refer them to the late Remonstrance and Declaration of the Army That they are far from the least plunder or wrong to any and for the better prevention of any disorder they desire forty thousand pound may be paid to them to morrow night and they will quarter in the void and great Houses in and about the City A report by the Commissioners of all his Majesties concessions at the Treaty twice read over and long and smartly debated About two a Clock the question was put whether they should then debate whether his Majesties answers and concessions were satisfactory or dissatisfactory and carried in the Negative and Ordered to resume the debate to morrow morning The Lord Wenman M r Holles and M r Pierrepoint three of the Commissioners who came last to the Town had the thanks of the House for their great pains and care in managing of the Treaty A Committee of the Common Council acquainted the House with the Letter they received from the General upon which the Common Council would not do any thing till they knew the pleasure of the House After a long debate till eight a Clock at Night it was voted That the House taking notice of the great arrears due from the City of London to the Army do declare that it is the pleasure of the House that the City do forthwith provide forty thousand pound of their arrears upon security of the said arrears And that the House doth leave it to the City either by Committee or Letter or otherwise as they shall think sit to address themselves to the General And that a Letter be written to the General upon the heads of this daies debate and that he be acquainted therein that it is the pleasure of the House that he do not remove the Army nearer to London In all places
they were full of trouble upon the Army's advance towards London and strange were the turnings and perplexities of these times 2. A long and high debate all day upon the King's Concessions and answers in the Treaty but no vote passed and the further debate of it put off till to morrow Morning The General and his Army marched to London and took up their quarters in White-Hall S t James's the Mues York-house and other vacant Houses and in villages near the City The City sent a Letter to the General that they will do their utmost to levy the arrears of the assessment to the Army and at present advance some thousands of pounds to pay quarters but desire the Souldiery may be removed further from London and to have a right understanding which was promised to them 4. The House being upon the debate of the Kings concessions and answers in the Treaty a Letter came to the Speaker from the Officers deputed by Colonel Hammond to take the charge of his Majesty that the King was removed from thence to Hurst-Castle by order of the General and Council of the Army That their orders were to secure the person of the King till they should receive resolution from the Houses upon their late Remonstrance and they had orders to use his Majesty with all civility The House upon reading this Letter voted that the Seising upon the person of the King and carrying him Prisoner to Hurst-Castle was without the advice or consent of the House After this they again debated the Kings answers but came to no resolution Letters from the Leaguer before Pontefract that the Garrison have many sick but have plenty of provisions that Major General Lambert is left to command the Leaguer the Lieutenant General Cromwell being come to London That the Garrison in Scarborough are in a mutiny because the Governour will not surrender it to the Parliament and are in want of provisions Letters from Ireland that the Marquess of Antrim hath relinquished the Lord Ormond and is declared Generalissimo of the Popish interest there Variance increased betwixt Antrim and Ormond The Souldiers behaved themselves with unusual Civility 5. Although the House sate all the last Night yet they were in the same debate again early this morning and voted That his Majesties concessions to the propositions of the Parliament upon the Treaty are Sufficient grounds for setling the Peace of the Kingdom and they named a Committee to go this after-noon to the head quarters to confer with the General and the Officers of his Army for continuance of a good correspondency between the Parliament and the Army The General caused a Proclamation to be made by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet to require all Delinquents to depart ten Miles from London for a month else to be proceeded against as Prisoners of War And another Proclamation that his Souldiers demean themselves civilly and peaceably not giving any just offence or provocation by language or otherwise on pain of severe Punishment And not to do any unlawful violence to the persons or goods of any upon pain of Death and no Officer to be absent from his charge without leave upon such pain as the Party injured should sustain None of the Souldiers were quartered in the City the General sent to them for Beds and firing for the Souldiers and for Money but none came Many were glad of an honest pretence to be excused from appearing in the House because of the business of the Army the debates about which went extream high 6. The Regiment of Horse of Colonel Rich and of Foot of Colonel Pride were set for Guards for the Houses and the City Trained-Bands discharged Colonel Pride drew up divers of his Foot in the Court of Requests upon the Stairs and in the Lobby before the House and as the Members were coming in to go into the House Colonel Pride having a paper of names in his hand and one of the Door-keepers and sometimes the Lord Grey of Groby standing by him and informing him who the Members were the Colonel seised upon such of them as he was directed by his Note and sent them away with Souldiers some to the Queens Court and Court of Wards and other places by special order from the General and Councel of the Army The House of Commons being informed hereof sent their Sergeant at Arms to the Members so seised upon to acquaint them it was the pleasure of the House that they should forthwith attend the service of the House but the Officers under whose Guard they were still detained them The Committee sent to the General made their report that he desired time to advise with his Councel of War about his answer and the same Committee were ordered again to attend the General and the Army for his answer Colonel Axtell brought a Message from the Army to the House that they had somewhat to present to the House which would be ready for their present view the House caused him to be called in again and he delivered his Message to them the second time and their answer was that the House will be ready to receive it Not long after Colonel Whaley and other Officers presented the desires of the Army to the House desiring their speedy consideration of them The Officers being withdrawn the House named a Committee to treat with the General and his Councel of War about the discharge of their Members and to make their report with all speed The proposals and desires of the Army to the House were to this effect That having for a long time sadly beheld and tasted in the Houses proceedings the miserable fruits of Councils divided and corrupted by factions and personal interest and seeing no better or other way they propound and demand as followeth Whereas Denzil Hollis Esq Lionel Copley Esq Major General Massey and other of your Members were in 1647. impeached by your selves of treason or high crimes in relation to the Treasonable ingagement in the City of London the violence then done to the Parliament the Levying of a new War and other evils And upon clear proofs against them they were by your censure expelled the House and disabled from further trust therein and upon new Writs issued out new Members were chosen and returned in their rooms Yet by the prevalency of their faction when in the last summers War divers faithful Members were ingaged abroad and others through tumults could not safely attend the same persons were afterwards readmitted to sit in the House and Vote as formerly without any trial or satisfaction in the things whereof they were accused 2. Whereas by the confederacy of Major General Brown now Sheriff of London with the said impeached Members and others the Scots were invited and drawn in to invade this Kingdom the last Summer and the House upon their actual invasion proceeded to declare them enemies and those that adhered to them Traytors Yet those
of the Army two Regiments of Foot and several Troops of Horse were quartered in London and the Treasuries secured in Haberdashers-Hall Weavers-Hall and Goldsmiths-Hall whereof the General by his Letter acquainted the Lord Mayor and City before hand And gave his reasons for the doing of it because they had not paid their arrears of the Assessment nor furnished the Money which he desired of them and that they had by order of Parliament quartered in several Counties on those who did not pay the Assessment till they paid the same That yet if they would advance for the Army forty thousand pound in part of their arrears the Souldiers should not be further troublesome to them A party of Souldiers going by mistake to the Excise House to seize the Money there the General recalled them and wrote a Letter to the Commissioners of Excise to excuse it 9. A Committee of the Common Council made some proposals to the General and Council of the Army touching their security for forty thousand pounds which the General demanded of them which they promised to advance and humbly desired that the Army might this night withdraw out of the City To this the General answered that if within fourteen days the City would pay in all their arrears of the Assessment that then the Army should withdraw but that in the mean time their quartering in the City would facilitate the work The Foot were quartered in private Houses the Horse in Inns and two more Regiments marched into the City and took up their quarters there this day 11. The Houses sate not but to the General and general Council of the Army was â—resented a new Representative or an agreement of the people propounded as a Rule for future government to be published to the view of all that any might offer what they thought fit against it or of alteration or addition to any part of it Much of the same matter was contained therein as in their late Remonstrance this was more large giving rules for future Elections of Representatives of the people they to have the supream authority and this Parliament to be dissolved in April next and then a new Representative to sit Divers Rules for the Election of them Officers and Malignants to be incapable of electing or being elected and generally of the power and equal distribution of the Members of this Representative to be in all three hundred Persons c. The frame of this agreement of the people was thought to be for the most part made by Commissary General Ireton a man full of invention and industry who had a little knowledg of the Law which led him into the more errours Little business in the Chancery The Lord Grey of Groby came to the Lord Grey one of the Commissioners and wished them not to sit to morrow because it would be a busy day It seems he was acquainted with the private Councils of the Army They advised together about this matter and resolved to meet to morrow at Westminster and to do as they should see cause as to the hearing of Motions or other business of the Chancery 12. Both Houses sate the Commons ordered two Troops of Horse in Northamptonshire to be continued for a Month longer under Major Butler and Captain Strike Petitions from Bristol and Exon complaining of the neglect of guarding those Coasts that ten Merchants Ships had been taken by the Irish the last week the Petitions referred to the Committee of the Navy A Letter from the Lord Admiral of the grounds of his coming from Goree to the Downes to avoid the danger of being frozen up and because he wanted Victual referred to the Committee of the Navy Vpon debate of the last proposals and desires of the Army Voted That the Vote for revoking the Order of disabling the eleven Members and re-admitting them into the House when a charge of so high a nature lay against them was un-Parliamentary and of dangerous consequence and was now made Null They Voted likewise that the Vote of this House concurring with the Lords to take off the former Vote which forbid any more addresses to the King was highly dishonourable to the proceedings of Parliament and apparently destructive to the good of the Kingdom Major General Brown Sir Jo. Clotworthy Sir William Waller Colonel Massey and Colonel Copley were apprehended by the Army and sent Prisoners to S t James's House M r Pelham M r Vaughan and some other of the Members that were Prisoners had liberty given upon their Paroles The City sent in Beds for the Souldiers whereupon the General ordered them to be removed from private Houses and Quartered in empty Houses Letters from Ireland that the Marquess of Ormond was piecing up the differences among the Rebels and that their main design was against Dublin 13. Voted that the Votes of non-Addresses to the King shall stand and that the Votes for revocation of them and that for a personal Treaty with the King in the Isle of Wight were highly dishonourable to the proceedings of Parliament and apparently dectructive to the good of the Kingdom Letters with the Catalogue of twenty Commanders who were for the Parliament lately come in to the Lord Ormond Several Members did forbear going to the House not being satisfied whether they might with a safe conscience be in the House or not having such a force upon them and lest they should countenance that force On the other side they considered whether it were fit for such as had no force upon them and were not forbidden to be in the House to be absent and wholly to omit their duty or rather to continue therein whereby they might help to keep up the Parliament lest it should be dissolved which the Souldiers wished and thereby the whole power be given up into the hands of the Army Sir Thomas Widdrington did forbear going to the House this day 14. Referred to the Committee of the Army to confer with the General and Officers of the Army how the last six Months Assessment may be raised and payed to the Souldiers Order for two hundred pound for Colonel Ewers now Governor of Hurst Castle Order to repeal the former Ordinance for setling the Militia it being made upon design to destroy the present Army and that a new Ordinance be brought in for the Militia Debate of a Letter to be sent to the General to desire that a charge may be brought in against such of their Members not admitted to sit against whom they have any matter and that the rest against whom they have no matter may have the freedom to sit in the House Letters from Hurst Castle that his Majesty was in health and had good accommodations that he desired of the Governour to have two of his own Chaplains to pray and preach with him and to have liberty to write to the Queen and to the Prince 15. Debate touching provisions for the Navy and orders for pay
Forces sent into Ireland And to take off any reflection upon the General or dislike by him they also voted That the Lord Fairfax be General of all the Forces in England and Ireland At the Council of State they had variety of intelligence some good but more bad They gave a dispatch to Colonel Potley to go for Denmark and Sweden to send them from those Parts intelligence and they gave him two hundred pound in hand and promised him one hundred pound more for one years entertainment He was as fit as any man for this service had lived long in those Countries a Souldier well known and esteemed by the Grandees especially in Germany and in the Court of Sweden Whitelock recommended him to this imployment which was of great consequence to them April 1649. 1. The Lord Mayor of London Alderman Reynoldson attended the House at the Bar and being demanded why he disobeyed the Orders of Parliament for proclaiming the Act against Kingly Government He pleaded scruple of conscience by his Oath taken in the Exchequer and that he conceived the business only proper for the Sheriff of the City After a long debate the House voted that the Lord Mayor for his contempt should be fined two thousand pound five hundred pound of it to the poor of London five hundred pound to Westminster five hundred pound to Southwark and five hundred pound to the poor of the Tower Hamlets That he be committed prisoner to the Tower for two Months and degraded of his Mayoralty and that the Common Council be required and authorised to elect a new Mayor with all speed A Petition of divers of London and Westminster in the behalf of Lilburn Walwyn Prince and Overton prisoners in the Tower setting forth That the freedom of the People is that none ought to be proceeded against nor punished but by a known Law and before ordinary Judges and the Military power not to interpose but where the civil power fails They pray favour for the Prisoners and the Vnion of the Parliament party to be preserved A Petition with this Title To the Right Honourable the Commons of England assembled in Parliament The Humble Petition and Representation of several Churches of God in London commonly though falsely called Anabaptists They acknowledge the goodness of God to the Parliament and Kingdom disown any consent to the Book called The second Part of England's new chains discovered justify their own principles and obedience to Authority and pray the Parliament to make good Laws for the punishment of wickedness The House were satisfied with the disowning of the Book and their expressions to live peaceably and in submission to the Civil Magistracy which the Speaker told them by direction of the House And that they and other Christians walking answerable to such professions the House did assure them of liberty and protection so far as God should enable them in all things consistent with Godliness honesty and Civil Peace The House finding inconvenience by their late sitting the last Night Ordered to rise every day by one a Clock The Votes of the House collected together touching excepted persons and compositions of Delinquents were published Letters from Scotland of the Execution of Marquess Huntly That a Minister asking him a little before his Execution whether he desired absolution from the sentence of Excommunication which he lay under he answered he would have nothing to do with him nor with any that taught such heretical doctrine as he did to speak to him In his Speech to the People the Marquess told them he was sentenced to lose his Life for obedience to his sacred Soveraign to which this ought to incourage all men and not to affright them and that they should for that cause stoop to a Scaffold as if it were a Theatre of honour in this world as indeed it was a heavenly ladder That he only craved in his behalf the prayers of those among them that were of this opinion without desiring the prayers of others whose spirits perchance might be otherwise inclined 3. Debate of the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters lands and for Sale of fee-farm rents of the Kings Act committed prohibiting Ministers to meddle with State affairs but to preach Jesus Christ Order for a Declaration about matters of Religion and setling of the Church That Tythes shall not be taken away till another maintenance be provided for the Minister as large and as honourable as by Tythes That as soon as such a way can be provided Tythes shall be then taken off that the government to be established in England shall be the Presbyterian government That a way shall be provided for admission of all such Churches as tend to Godliness and to advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to be free without disturbances Alderman Atkins was chosen Lord Mayor in the place of Alderman Reynoldson Prisoner in the Tower for the remainder of the year Letters of divers Vessels taken by the Irish Pyrates Upon the coming of Major General Lambert into Lancashire the two refractory Regiments were disbanded The Young Lord Cromwell and Colonel Werden and the Lord Fitz-herberts son were brought in Prisoners to Chester Letters from the Hague that the Earl of Brainford was gone to Sweden to negotiate for assistance of Prince Charles and for that purpose Letters were sent to the Emperour and King of Spain That others advised the Prince to go into Scotland and become the head of the Covenanters whom he might cast off again as there should be occasion but Montross was against that and that the Sword was most honourable That Van Trump set out a Declaration and presented it to the Prince to his great satisfaction as to Sea affairs 4. A Petition from the well affected in Blackburn Hundred in Lanchashire mentioning their former assistance to the Parliament and the corrupt party in both Houses approving the purging thereof and taking away the prerogative House of Lords their desires were to the same effect with those in other Petitions and they had the thanks of the House for their good affections An Act committed for prevention of the mischiefs by those who buy up many heads of Cattle and most of the granaries in the Nation to sell again at excessive rates Referred to a Committee to draw the form of a new Oath to be given to the new Lord Mayor of London and his successours and the Oath was presently drawn and assented to Referred to the Council of State to give such order as they should think fit concerning the Forces in Lancashire Debate of the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters lands and voted that all monies due out of those lands for charitable uses should be paid according to the intent of the donors The Court Martial sate upon the Tryal of Major General Laughern C. Poyer and Powel Colonel Morris late Governour of Pontefract Castle and one Cornet Blackburn who had a hand in the Death
of Colonel Rainsbourgh and both excepted persons at the rendition of the Castle were taken at Lancaster in disguises Letters from Hamburgh that the servants of C. Cockeram there laid wait for the Minister going to preach in the English House and attempted to murder him but he was rescued by the Citizens 5. The House commanded Whitelock and his Brother Commissioner L'Isle to bring the Great Seal into the House to lye upon the table for the more solemnity because the new elected L. Mayor was to be presented this day to the House for their approbation they brought the Seal accordingly and at the door of the House Whitelock took the purse by one corner of it L'Isle by the other carried it up with usual reverences and laid it on the table they were both of them in their black velvet gowns the first time of their wearing of them The new L Mayor was according to order presented to the House by their Common Sergeant Mr. Proby who made an indiscreet speech the House Ordered thanks to the Aldermen and Common-Hall for their good choice which they approved of but not of the speech of Mâ— Proby Order to swear the L. Mayor after the new Oath An Act committed touching compositions for Delinquency and Sequestrations and giving an Appeal to the Barons of the Exchequer instead of the former Appeal to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations Reference to the Committee of the Navy of a complaint of the Spanish Ambassador and Petition of parties interessed concerning an old business of the Spanish Ship taken by Sir W. Waller A Committee appointed to receive complaints touching abuses in the Forest of Dean and destruction of the Timber 6. A Report from the Council of State for sending out some Ships speedily and appointing Commanders of them was approved by the House and referred back to the Council to expedite the sending forth of those Ships Vote that the Justices of Peace in the several Counties shall be Commissioners in the Act of assessment of 90000l. per mensem for the Forces and the Act was passed and ordered to be printed Order that the L. Mayor and Justices of Peace in London do put in Execution the statutes 5 Eliz. c. 4. and 1 Jac. c. 6. for setling the wages of Artificers and for their better relief in these dear times and the like to be done by the Justices of Peace in all Counties A Petition from divers well affected in Oxford-shire with their desires referred to a Committee and a Petition from the City of Oxford referred to the same Committee and the Petitioners had the thanks of the House Order for the rents allotted to the Prince Elector to be paid unto him Order for Mr. Garland to bring in an Act to remove all Malignant and disaffected Magistrates and that they may be incapable of bearing any office in the Common-Wealth 7. The Act for the assessment of 90000 l per mensem for the Forces in England and Ireland passed and Ordered to be printed A Committee appointed to advise with the General and Officers of the Army how upon the due payment of this ninety thousand pound per mensem free quarter may be wholly taken off Order that the four Aldermen and the late Lord Mayor Reynoldson now Prisoners be disabled from being Aldermen and the Common Council to elect new Aldermen in their places Vote that Major General Brown and Sir John Clotworthy Prisoners be brought to Tryal Captain Mountain proclaimed King Charles II. in Moulton in Yorkshire and a Parliament man came into the Town presently after and did not question it 9. The Act passed touching Compositions of Delinquents Order for the Committee of Delinquents to bring in an Act for rules of an Act of oblivion and that the Committee of the Army bring in an Act for a Committee and Treasurers for the monies for the Army Upon a Report from the Council of State L. G. Cromwell Sir Hen. Vane jun Alderman Wilson and others were appointed to treat with the Common Council of London for the borrowing of 120000 l for the service of Ireland upon security of the assessment of ninety thousand pound Order for money for disbanding the Lancashire Forces A Committee appointed to receive Informations against Major General Brown touching his ingagement with the Scots and with the Earl of Holland c. and against Sir William Waller Sir Jo. Clotworthy and Copley and other Prisoners Letters from Scotland that they are in high discontents and faction and the Prince expected to come and reconcile them Letters from New-Castle of a Ship of Corn taken by the Irish that the poor there are many of them ready to starve and the meaner sort not able longer to pay assessments not having bread to feed their families Eight Ships of the Irish Rebels taken by the Parliaments Ships 10. Debate of several acts for prohibiting Ministers to meddle with State affairs in their Pulpits And for prohibiting the Eating of Flesh meat certain daies in the Week for a time and for abating prizes of Corn and to forbid the making of malt for a time And of a Declaration of the Parliament of their resolution to settle Religion according to Presbytery and a full maintenance to the Ministers Order that the Speaker Mr. of the Rolls the Judges and Masters of the Chancery should have a Commission under the Great Seal to sit and hear causes in the Rolls in absence of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal Orders for money for several Forces The Council of War found Colonel Poyer guilty upon the Articles charged against him Upon a Report that the twelve thousand English designed for Ireland intended to march into Scotland they went on there to raise their defensive Army of ten thousand Discontent in London about the unequal laying of the assessment the Rich men being under-rated and the poorer men over-rated 11. A Report from the Council of State of several proposals agreed upon as to the Forces that shall go for Ireland was confirmed by the House and the Commitment of Lilburn and his fellows by the Council was approved by the House and Ordered that they be tryed by the Common-Law and Mr. Atturney Prideaux to prosecute them in the upper Bench. A Proclamation published by the General for the observation of former orders for the Army and that no Officer be absent from his charge without leave and to prevent misdemeanours of the Souldiers At the Council of State some discourses among them of sending Whitelock Ambassadour extraordinary into Holland Against this he laboured and urged the burden of the business in Chancery lying upon him and which gave most satisfaction and as he believed in this jealous age did prevent his journey he urged my Lord Willoughbies being in those parts which by reason of their relation might with some men raise a jealousie upon him They again urged the fitness of him for this imployment his
by a Irish Man of War under the Fort of Ostend and by the Governours Order rescued from them he saying That he would not indure such things to be done under his Command From Pendennis Castle that C. Slingsby Prisoner there was by Order of the Councel of State carried from thence to Exeter to be tryed by the Common Law for levying War against the Parliament An Account of Recruits shipped for Ireland 30 From Exeter of the solemn reception of the Judges of Assize by the Magistrates and Military Officers and of the conducting them through the several Counties by the Troops of Horse and of the great respect shewed by the Souldiery to the civil Magistrates From Taunton That the Commissioners had settled the Militia in that County C. Popham a Regiment of Horse and another of Foot C. Pine C. Ceely and C. Gorge Regiments of Foot From Scotland That their Commissioners gone to the King had power to to take up 300000 l. Scotch that is 25000 l. Sterling to gratify the King it he agreed with them That the Kirkmen were generally very zealous for the closing with their King yet some of them averse to it and Praying against it Aprill 1650. April 1. From Newcastle That very many Cavaliers passe into Scotland and some of them come out of Norfolk and Suffolk From Cork That the Lord Lieutenant had taken in all the three Counties of Tipperary Lymerick and Kilkenny except the three Shire Towns and had kept the Enemy from drawing together That the Lord Broghall beat up the Quarters of three Regiments of Inchequins Horse most of them English brought the Officers to Cashel tryed C. Claydon C. Johnson and Lieutenant Collonel Laughern three of them by a Court Marshal for betraying their trust having formerly served the Parliament and they and M. Sims were sentenced to dye that three of them were shot to Death and C. Claudon was pardoned That the Enemy burnt and destroyed the County of Lymerick and drove away the Cattle seven or eight Miles round the City Letters to a great Man That there is no rest to be found in the wisest Constitutions and Laws of Men until they acknowledge the Weakness thereof and fly to the Infallible and alsufficient Wisdom of the Scriptures to rule Mankind in the World The only Magna Charta in this World is the Holy Scriptures which give perfect Rules for the Peoples Liberties and for Rulers Government and Authority and so guide all Judgements that none shall suffer Injury That the People will never fix quietly upon any Form or way till they are brought to the Word of God 2 A Declaration of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and Common Councel of London returning Thanks to the Parliament for their Gift of the New-Park to the City and of the Houses and 1000 l. for the Poor and that they do declare and resolve through Gods Assistance with the hazard of their Lives and Estates to stand and fall with the Parliament against all wicked Practices and opposite pretended Powers whatsoever The Speaker in Answer to it told them That the House took notice of this their Resolution and of the Seasonableness of it that the house kindly accepted it and gave them thanks for it Several Orders touching the Forces and Payment of Monies into Weavers Hall An Act for adding some of the Judges to be Commissioners in the High Court of Justice An Act for one to make use of a new Invention to prevent the great Consumption of Coal and Wood about Lead Iron Copper Saltworks c. From Dublin That the Lord Broghil and Henry Cromwel fell into the Lord Inchequins Quarters killed 160 and took 120 Prisoners with the Officers and 150 gallant Horse That Collonel Reynolds fell into the Earl of Castlehavens Quarters routed them and drove them to a Bogge From Coventry That Salmon and Wyke Prisoners there Preached every Lords Day at the grate of the Prisons and very many stood in the streets to hear them 3 From Portsmouth That a Ship of London of 16 pieces of Ordinance and her Bills of Lading from the Streights were of 30000 l. was taken by an Irish Man of War near the Isle of Wight and another Vessel in her Company run her self on Shore and thereby lost all but the Lives of the Mariners 4. A Letter sent from the Diggers and Planters of Commons for universal Freedom to make the Earth a common Treasury that every one may injoy Food and Rayment freely by his labour upon the Earth without paying Rents or homage to any fellow Creature of his own kind that every one may be delivered from the Tyranny of the Conquering Power and so rise up out of that Bondage to enjoy the Benefit of his Creation The Letters were to get Money to buy Food for them and Corn to sow the Land which they had digged 5 From Ireland That the Lord Lieutenant was gone near to Lymerick and that C. Hewson was marching with near 3000 men to him That the Spanish Agent had obtained leave of the Lord Lieutenant to send to Spain for Money Ships and Instructions for transporting Irish Officers and Souldiers who were willing to go into the Service of his Master A Messenger brought Intelligence to the Governour of Kinsale that Macke Carke and O Sullipht were raising Forces Westward and that all the Priests were gone to them That Inchequin for 20 Miles burnt and wasted the County of Lymerick and then retreated over the Shannon with more Cows than Horses that thereby Kilmallock could get no Forrage for their Horse and many of them came in to the Lord Lieutenant That C. Hewson came to the Lord Lieutenant with 3500 Horse and Foot that C. Reynolds and C. Ewers Regiments were sent out as a Forlorn hope and discovering the Enemies Body of above 3000 attempted to fight notwithstanding the disproportion but they had no mind to it That the Parliament had there a healthy and gallant Army all new clothed and well armed and Money in their Purses That they have in Ireland 6000 good Horse and 18000 Foot That Ormond came to Clare with six Horse only and sent Propositions to the Lord Lieutenant that most of the Irish had left him That they have Ships to prevent Commerce and Sea Assistance That eight Ships were come in from Wales and England loaden with Oats and 15000 yards of Cloth and 200 pair of Boots From Cork That the Scots and Irish are at great difference and the Irish fly to connaght as their last refuge excepting Spain That the Catholicks hasten the Prince iuto Scotland to divert the Army from Ireland if they can possibly Granger and others according to the Sentence of Parliament lost their Ears at the new Pallace Yard in Westminster and at the Old-Exchange in London for forgeing Warrants from the Committee of the Army and Counterfeiting hands to Bill of Exchange whereby they procured 3000 l. to be paid them out of
Acknowledge to be you and fearing onely in obeying you to disobey you I most humbly and earnestly be seech you to judge for me whether your Letter doth not naturally allow me the liberty of begging a more clear Expression of your Command and Pleasure which when vouch safed nnto me will find most ready and chearfull Observance from Sir Your most humble Servant O Cromwell Carrick 2 April 1650. Directed to the Speaker 16 An Act passed impowring Commissioners for managing Estates under Sequestration An Act passed for the better keeping of the Lords day An Act passed for preventing wrongs and abuses done to Merchants at Sea and prohibiting Marriners from serving forreign Princes or States without Licence and to impower the Councel of State to issue Commissions under the Seal of the Admiralty giving Authority to English Ships to fight with and take such French or other forreign Ships as shall require them to be visited or disturb them in their Trade under colour of visiting Provided that if they take any forreign Vessels that after the fight they shall not kill any Persons therein A Declaration passed upon this Act. An Act for general Commissions of Marque committed An Act for reducing and bringing in all the Monies and revenues belonging to the Common-wealth into one Treasury committed 17 Upon a Petition from divers of London Westminster c. The House voted That the Scope thereof was to bring scandall and reproach upon the just and necessary Laws and Proceedings of the Parliament and to weaken the present Government to give thereby advantage to the common Enemy and to raise new Tumults and Troubles in the Nation Referred to a Committee to examine by whom and by what Practices this Petition was contrived and promoted From Pendennis that the Commissioners settle the Militia there from Scilly conjectures of a contest there betwixt the English and Irish 18 From Poole of a Man of War of 200 Guns wracked upon that Coast that she struk Ground about midnight and could never be got off again that they fired 8 Guns but no help came to them till next day noon tide in the mean time the Ship brake in two Parts and all the People which were in that Part that fell away were drowned suddenly That the other Part stood firm above Water till the next day about 2 of the Clock in the After-noon when a Gentleman living near got a Boat and brought away about 60 Men Women and Boys and saved their Lives That before they were got to Shore the other Part of the Ship wherein they were brake to Pieces and sunk down into the Sea and that in all there were drowned about 50 Men Women and Children Passengers and Goods Gold Silver Pearl and rich Jewels to a great value From Holland that Montrosse is at Bergen in Norwey staying for some Officers and Men that he left at Hamburgh that he hath sent 500 Men to Orkeney that Sir John Cockeram hath received some Monyes from the King of Poland and from Dantzick for the Prince that G. King can procure nothing in Sweden That the Agent sent by Montrosse into Livonia Curland and Lithuania is come back with little Comfort that his Frigot with 10 Guns and 40 Men is gone from Gottenburgh to him into Norwey That nothing is done at the Treaty at Breda the P. of Orange not being yet come thither and the Kings Counsel are unwilling to resolve any thing without him because they expect his assistance and to transport them into Scotland 19 From Exon 5 Men secured for swearing to each other to be ready for a rising to cut the Throats of all the Parliaments Friends c. From Chepstow of a Scotchman who went about begging but he went about under that Pretence to inform the Kings Friends that there would be shortly a strong Party of Scots in their Country to joyn with them to set up King Charles the Second From Coventry of the Care of the E. of Denbigh and other Commissioners for settling the Militia of that County of 3 Regiments of Horse and 2 of Foot besides those of the City and their being Feasted at the Cities charge Complaint of Rudeness of some Troopers and that they fell out and 2 or 3 of them were killed From Bristol of a Highwayman that came to the Major and confessed that he had been a long time in that wicked Course and was weary of it and if they would procure him his Pardon he would discover many Robbers to them and accordingly he invited his old Companions to go forth with him as formerly and when they were together he had a Party of Soldiers ready who came and apprehended them From Chester that the L. Lt. having great Offers from Inchequin is hasted to Lymerick where 100 dye of the Plague weekly That Hugh O Neale cheif in Clonmel offers to yield the Place for a Sum of Money so that his Garrison there may be transported for the Spanish Service That Sir Charles Coot and M. G. Veneables are marched out with 5000 Horse and Foot as is supposed towards Catherlowe which is a very strong hold incompassed with the River Barrowe 20 Orders for Compleating of 12 Regiments of 600 Horse of the Army under the L. G. Fairfax 8 of them to 600 in a Regiment and four to 80 in a Troope Information by C. Shilborne come from Ireland that Sir Tho. Armstrong having made his Terms to come in and by agreement being to do some Service at his best Opportunity he with a Considerable Party of Horse that were to come in with him fell upon a Party of the Vlster forces put near 500 of them to the Sword and brought away some Prisoners Thus did Theives and Soldiers betray one another and you will see more of the same Nature hereafter according to the old Verse Nulla Fides Pietasque viris qui Castra sequuntur The L. Lt. sent this Sir Tho. Armstrong to the Governour of Waterford upon some Overtures of surrender of the Town upon Terms the Governour of Duncannon desired 20 dayes to fit his Busines to come off the better the L. Lt. suspecting it as a delay would give him but 3 dayes onely For Waterford 2 Points were in difference 1 For G. Preston to have leave to carry away 500 men for Spain which the L. L. inclined to grant 2 For a Church for exercise of publique Masse which the L. Lt. positively denyed 22 From Berwicke that Montross and Hurrey are raising a great Army to march into England From Edenburg that they are strongly allarm'd with Intelligence that Hurrey is landed in the Naas with 1400 men and that Montross is speedily to follow from Orkney That David Lesly is gone out of Town and the Scots Horse ordered Northward From Pendennis that the Commissioners of the Militia secured some persons of Quality That a Letter was sent to one Courtney with a Declaration from M. J. Massey revolted to the Prince From Dartmouth of the
repair every one to his own home Great distractions were in Holland and fear of Tumults for want of Trade yet were they very high in their discourses and in preparations for the War The Committee for Petitions ordered that the Petitions to be brought in to them be Subscribed by some Member of the Parliament who serves for the County or City from whence the Petition comes or otherwise by any Member of the House 26. A Ship of Stockholm loaden with Tar and Iron brought into Falmouth The English Fleet were within a League of the Holland Coast plying between the Texel and the Vly The Spanish Ambassador took his leave of the Queen of Sweden at Stockholm and she appointed one of her Ships of 70 Brass Guns to carry him to Gottenburgh 27. A Petition presented to the Parliament by the Title of the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England from several well affected Persons in the County of Essex Owning this Parliaments Authority and praying them for Christ's sake so to manage it as those that are set for a Terrour to evil doers and the praise of those that do well The Phaenix Frigot brought into Harwich a Dutch Man of War whom they supposed to have Sunk an English Colliers Ship and killed her men there being many English Mens cloaths found in the Dutch Ship therefore her Men were sent Prisoners to Colchester 28. Letters of the Troubles in France raised by the Prince of Conde and the hopes of the King to reduce Bourdeaux 29. Some ragged Forces were raised in the Highlands in Scotland the Lord Glencarne to be their General and they were promised great assistance from the King and assured that the Dutch had gotten a very great Victory lately at Sea against the English bread was very scarce with them The Commander in Chief in Scotland of the English Forces published an Order at the Market-Cross at Edenburgh by beat of Drum and Sound of Trumpet That he taking notice of the great concourse of People to Edenburgh which might hazard the disturbance of the Peace It was therefore ordered that all Lords Lairds Ministers and others that had not their constant residence there or a publick call thither or suits of Law of immediate dependency should depart the Town in 24 hours 100 Sail of Dutch Merchant Men were riding in New-haven Road waiting an opportunity to get home Two English Ships Fought with two Dutch Ships near Leghorn and after a sharp Fight took them The Treaty betwixt the King of Denmark and the States-General was ratified and the King repaired his Forts near Sweden 30. The States promised extraordinary pay to their Seamen which brought in many The Dutch took some English Coal Ships and other Vessels Prize An English Merchant Man boudn for Malago lying at Graves-end some of her Men going into the Hold with a Candle and being careless the Candle took hold of some Oakam which immediately set the Ship on a Flame and consumed it as far as the Water would suffer August 1653. Aug. 1. Letters of one hundred Hollanders in the sight of the English who ingaged with themabout six a Clock in the Afternoon and fought until about twelve at night The dispute being very hot at that time what the issue was it could not then be known but the English had the wind of the Dutch at the beginning of the Engagement Referred to the Commissioners for the inspecting the Treasuries and regulating Officers and Sallaries to consider how the Excise may be brought in with the greatest ease to the people and how the oppressions and burdens which have been in the managing of that business may be redressed for the future And to consider of the grievances in granting of Wine Licenses and the title of those who take upon upon them to grant those Licenses An Act passed for the taking away of Fines upon Bills Declarations and Original Writs A Petition from the Apprentices of London on the behalf of Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburn which gave such offence to the House by the Language of the Petitioners and the manner of presenting that the Petition was Voted Scandalous and the six young Men who presented it were ordered to be imprisoned 2. Referred to the Council to examin the business of the Apprentices Petition Ordered that Mr. Lilburn be kept close Prisoner Mr. Rowse to continue Speaker for one Month longer Letters of Two Dutch Prizes taken before the Vly Of Robberies done by the Highlanders That Argyle endeavours to prevent any joyning with them by those in his Country That the Scots Ministers are angry among themselves 3. The Commander in chief in Scotland dissolved the Assembly of the Kirk there Letters to the Parliament That July the twenty ninth about nine in the Morning having weighed Anchor the night before the Dutch Fleet was discovered by our Scouts a-head which within two hours after appeared to be the Dutch Fleet come from the Waylings consisting of ninety seven Ships or thereabouts whereof Ninety were Men of War whereupon we made what Sayl we could after them fitting our Ships in the mean time for an Ingagement But the Enemy tacked about and stood off from us as soon as they perceived what we were so that it was five a Clock in the Evening before any of our Friggots could come up to Ingage them which they did And this forced them to make a halt whereby in the Evening at Seven of the Clock the Resolution with as many Ships and Frigots as made up Thirty Sayl Ingaged with them the rest being a stern could not get up however we fell to work and continued Fighting till night parted us which was about Nine a Clock After which being dark all hands were at work to bring some new Sayles to the Yard and mend the Rigging wherein we had suffered very much in so short a time there were killed ontright Sixteen and Twenty Five wounded of whom Fourteen dangerously The next day little was done as to any Ingagement both Fleets finding it work enough to get off from a Lee-shore the wind blowing hard with hick and dirty weather which was the worse for us being in an Enemies Country and in the Evening it began to clear up This morning being fair and little wind both Fleets prepared for a new Ingagement the Enemy bore in upon us having the wind of us to this time the Lord seemed to incourage the Enemy by laying the Scale as it were in the Ballance so that neither could tell which had the better About Seven in the Morning their great Ships from the Texell being Twenty Five in number had made a conjunction with them and there begun a very hot dispute which continued till one in the Afternoon the Enemy having the wind of us all the while whereby he had the opportunity of taking all advantages Yet by this time the Lord had so daunted the spirits of the Enemy that they begun to bear away
Correspondencie with forreign Kings Princes and States and also with the Consent of the major part of the Council have the power of War and Peace VI. That the Laws shall not be altered suspended abrogated or repealed nor any new Law made nor any Tax Charge or Imposition laid upon the People but by common Consent in Parliament save only as is expressed in the Thirtieth Article VII That there shall be a Parliament summoned to meet at Westminster upon the third day of September One thousand six hundred fifty four and that successively a Parliament shall be summoned once in every third year to be accounted from the dissolution of the preceding Parliament VIII That neither the Parliament to be next summoned nor any successive Parliaments shall during the time of Five Months to be accounted from the day of their first meeting be adjourned prorogued or dissolved without their own Consent IX That as well the next as all other successive Parliaments shall be summoned and Elected in manner hereafter exprest That is to say The Persons to be chosen within England Wales the Isles of Jersey and Guernsey and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed to sit and serve in Parliament shall be and not exceed the Number of Four hundred The Persons to be chosen within Scotland to sit and serve in Parliament shall be and not exceed the number of Thirty And the Persons to be chosen to sit in Parliament for Ireland shall be and not exceed the number of Thirty X. That the Persons to be Elected to sit in Parliament from time to time for the several Counties of England Wales the Isles of Jersey and Guernsey and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed and all places within the same respectively shall be according to the Proportions and numbers hereafter exprest That is to say For the County of Bedford six viz. For the Town of Bedford one For the County of Bedford five For the County of Berks seven viz. For the Borrough of Abingdon one For the Burrough of Reading one For the County of Berks five For the County of Bucks eight viz. For the Town of Buckingham one For the Burrough of Alisbury one For the Burrough of Wiccomb one For the County of Bucks five For the County of Cambridg Isle of Ely eight viz. For the Town of Cambridg one For the University of Cambridge one For the Isle of Ely two For the County of Cambridge four For the County of Chester five viz. For the City of Chester one For the County of Chester four For the County of Cornwall twelve viz. For the Burrough of Dunishwet otherwise Launceston one For the Burrough of Truro one For the Burrough of Penryn one For the Burrough of East-low and Westlow one For the County of Cornwal eight For the County of Cumberland three viz. For the City of Carlile one For the County of Cumberland two For the County of Derby five viz. For the Town of Derby one For the County of Derby four For the County of Devon twenty viz. For the City of Exeter two For the Burrough of Plymouth two For the Burrough of Dartmouth Clifton and Harderness one For the Burough of Totness one For the Borough of Barnstable one For the Borough of Tiverton one For the Borough of Honyton one For the County of Devon eleven For the County of Dorset ten viz. For the Borough of Dorchester one For the Borough of Weymouth and Melcomb-Regis one For the Borough of Lyme-Regis one For the Town and County of Pool one For the County of Dorset six For the County of Durham three viz. For the City of Durham one For the County of Durham two For the County of York twenty two viz. For the City of York two For the Town of Kingston upon Hull one For the Borough of Beverly one For the Borough of Scarborough one For the Borrough of Richmond one For the Town of Leeds one For the Town and Parish of Hallifax one For the County of York fourteen to be chosen distinctly by the three Ridings That is to say for the West-riding six for the East-riding four for the North-riding four For the County of Essex sixteen viz. For the Borough of Maldon one For the Borough of Colchester two For the County of Essex thirteen For the County of Gloucester and County of the City of Gloucester nine viz. For the City of Gloucester two For the Borough of Tewksberry one For the Borough of Cirencester one For the County and the County of the City of Gloucester except the said City five For the County of Hereford six viz. For the City of Hereford one For the Borough of Lempster one For the County of Hereford four For the County of Hartford seven viz. For the Town of Saint Alban one For the Borough of Hartford one For the County of Hartford five For the County of Huntingdon four viz. For the Borough of Huntingdon one For the County of Huntingdon three For the County of Kent eighteen viz. For the City of Canterbury two For the City of Rochester one For the Borough of Maidstone one For the Port of Dover one For the Port of Sandwich one For the Borough of Quinborough one For the County of Kent eleven For the County of Lancaster eight viz. For the Borough of Preston in Anderness one For the Borough of Laucaster one For the Borough of Leverpool one For the Town and Parish of Manchester one For the County of Lancaster four For the County of Leycester six viz. For the Borough of Leycester two For the County of Leycester four For the County of Lincoln sixteen viz. For the City of Lincoln two For the Town of Boston one For the Borough of Grantham one For the Town of Stamford one For the Town of Great Grimsby one For the County of Lincoln ten For the County of Middlesex six viz. For the City of Westminster two For the County of Middlesex four For the City of London six For the County of Monmouth three For the County of Norfolk sixteen viz. For the City of Norwich two For the Town of Lynne Regis two For the Town of Great Yarmouth two For the County of Norfolk ten For the County of Northampton eight viz. For the City of Peterborough one For the Town of Northampton one For the County of Northampton six For the County of Nottingham six viz. For the Town of Nottingham two For the County of Nottingham four For the County of Northumberland five viz. For the Town of Newcastle upon Tyne one For the Town of Berwick one For the County of Northumberland three For the County of Oxford eight viz. For the City of Oxford one For the University of Oxford one For the Borough of Woodstock one For the County of Oxford five For the County of Rutland two For the County of Salop eight viz. For the Town of Shrewsbury two For the Borough of Bruges alias Bridgenorth one For the Borough of Ludlow one For the County of
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
their parts Provided this liberty be not extended to Popery or Prelacy nor to such as under the profession of Christ hold forth and practise Licentiousness XXXVIII That all Laws Statutes Ordinances and Clauses in any Law Statute and Ordinance to the contrary of the aforesaid Liberty shall be esteemed as null and void XXXIX That the Acts and Ordinances of Parliament made for the Sale or other Disposition of the Lands Rents and Hereditaments of the late King Queen and Prince of Arch-bishops and Bishops c. Deans and Chapters the Lands of Delinquents and Forest Lands or any of them or of any other Lands Tenements Rents and Hereditaments belonging to the Commonwealth shall no way be impeached or made invalid but shall remain good and firm And that the securities given by Act and Ordinance of Parliament for any sum or sums of money by any of the said Lands the Excise or by any other Publick Revenue and also the Securities given by the Publick Faith of the Nation and the engagement of the Publick Faith for satisfaction of Debts and Damages shall remain firm and good and not be made void and invalid upon any pretence whatsoever XL. That the Articles given to or made with the Enemy and afterwards confirmed by Parliament shall be performed and made good to the persons concerned therein And that such Appeals as were depending in the last Parliament for relief concerning Bills of Sale of Delinquents Estates may be heard and determined the next Parliament Any thing in this Writing or otherwise to the contrary notwithstanding XLI That every successive Lord Protector over these Nations shall take and subscribe a solemn Oath in the presence of the Council and such others as they shall call to them That he will seek the Peace Quiet and Welfare of these Nations cause Law and Justice to be equally Administred and that he will not violate or infringe the matters and things contained in this Writing and in all other things will to his Power and to the best of his understanding govern these Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs XLII That each person of the Council shall before they enter upon their Trust take and subscribe an Oath That they will be true and faithful in their Trust according to the best of their knowledge And that in the Election of every Successive Lord Protector they shall proceed therein impartially and do nothing therein for any promise fear favor or reward The Oath taken by His Highness Oliver Cromwel Lord Protector WHereas the Major part of the last Parliament judging that their sitting any longer as then constituted would not be for the good of this Common-wealth did Dissolve the same and by a Writing under their hands dated the Twelfth day of this instant December resigned unto Me their Powers and Authorities And whereas it was necessary thereupon That some speedy course should be taken for the settlement of these Nations upon such a Basis and Foundation as by the Blessing of God might be lasting secure Property and answer those great ends of Religion and Liberty so long contended for And upon full and mature Consideration had of the Form of Government hereunto annexed being satisfied that the same through Divine Assistance may answer the Ends afore-mentioned And having also been desired and advised aswell by several Persons of Interest and Fidelity in this Commonwealth as the Officers of the Army to take upon Me the Protection and Government of these Nations in the manner expressed in the said Form of Government I have accepted thereof and do hereby declare My acceptance accordingly And do promise in the presence of God That I will not violate or infringe the matters and things contained therein but to My power observe the same and cause them to be observed and shall in all other things to the best of My understanding Govern these Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs seeking their Peace and causing Justice and Law to be equally administred O. Cromwel Oliver Cromwell Captain General of all the Forces of this Commonwealth and now declared Lord Protector thereof did this Sixteenth day of December One thousand six hundred fifty three Sign this Writing and solemnly promise as is therein contained in presence of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England who Administred the same Oath and of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London divers of the Judges of the Land the Officers of State and Army and many other persons of Quality The Writing mentioned in the Oath was in these Words December 12. 1653. UPon a Motion this day made in the House that the sitting of this Parliament any longer as now Constituted will not be for the good of the Commonwealth And that therefore it was requisite to deliver up unto the Lord General Cromwel the Powers which they received from him These Members whose Names are underwritten have and do hereby resign their said Powers to his Excellency The same Day the Council did set forth this Proclamation BY THE COUNCIL WHereas the late Parliament Dissolving themselves and resigning their Powers and Authorities The Government of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland by a Lord Protector and Successive Trienial Parliaments is now Established And whereas Oliver Cromwell Captain-General of all the Forces of this Commonwealth is declared Lord Protector of the said Nations and hath accepted thereof We have therefore thought it necessary as we hereby do to make Publication of the Premises and strictly to Charge and Command all and every person and persons of what quality and condition soever in any of the said three Nations to take notice thereof and to conform and submit them selves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Majors Bayliffs and other Publick Ministers and Officers whom this may concern are required to cause this Proclamation to be forthwith Published in their respective Counties Cities Corporations and Market Towns To the end none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf Given at White-Hall this sixteenth day of December 1653. 17 The new Lord Protector observed new and great State and all Ceremonies and respects were paid to him by all sorts of Men as to their Prince 19 Letters that the Highlanders dispersed themselves for their Levys and intended to force unreasonable Contributions That some of them near Durham robbed the Post Boy took away his Letters Horse Coat and Twenty pence in money That Major Murryhead was taken Prisoner by a Party of the English he being on his Journey to the Highlanders That Captain Lisle with a Party of the English Army fell into the Enemies Quarters and took Two Captains one Cornet one Quarter-Master a Corporal and twenty private Souldiers and about forty Horse and some Armes fired the House and killed three Men and lost not one Man and but one wounded in the Thigh That by Order Captain Lisle met with Collonel Morgan and they marched seven Miles into the Highlands
Ships of War so they were also for Merchandise which was not intended to be barred Whitelock then gave them an account of the Treaty made with him and how that agreed the Enumeration to be and what debates were in Sweden with him about it but referred by him to an after Enumeration It was alleadged also That Contrebanda Goods were such as were ready for present use of War Not such as were Materials for Preparation and they urged that they had made the like Enumerations in other Treaties and a saving of Corn to be no Contrebanda Goods else it had been included and they said that there was no certainty what Goods were or were not Contrebanda but as was agreed by Stipulation This was referred to a further Consideration and a more full Answer to be given to it They had likewise debate touching the Form of a Passport in pursuance of Whitelock's Treaty at which the Commissioners did stick and offered their Objections as formerly they had done but could not come near to an Agreement At length the Ambassador propounded That a free Ship should make Free goods and Free goods a free Ship which was not held unreasonable At their parting the Ambassador also propounded to take into Consideration at their next meeting the giving of satisfaction for the Losses susstained by either part in the late Wars between England and Holland with the rest of the particulars in Whitelock's Treaty referred to a future Consideration and Treaty whereof Whitelock gave them an Account 20. The Swedish Ambassador kept a Solemnity this Evening for the Birth of the young Prince of Sweden All the Glass of the Windows of his House which were very large being new built were taken off and instead thereof painted Papers were sitted to the places with the Arms of Sweden in it and inscriptions in great Letters testifying the rejoycing for the Birth of the young Prince in the inside of the Papers in the Rooms were set close to them a very great number of Lighted Candles glittering through the Papers the Arms and Colours and writings were plainly to be discerned and shewed glorious in the Street the like was in the Stair-Case which had the Form of a Tower In the Balconies on each side of the House were Trumpets which Sounded often 7 or 8 of them together The Company at Supper were the Dutch Ambassador the Portugal and Brandenburgh Residents Coyett Resident for Sweden the Earls of Bedford and Devon the Lords St. John Ossery Bruce Ogleby and 2 or 3 other young Lords The Count of Holac a German the Lord George Fleet-wood and a great many Knights and Gentlemen besides the Ambassadors Company 25. The Swedish Ambassador went to visit Whitelock and told him That now the Business of sending an Ambassador from hence to Sweden was over and there was at present no occasion for it for this their reasons he alledged were a Peace concluded betwixt the King of Sweden and the Elector of Brandenburgh And the proceeding of the Treaty here Intimating that he was sufficiently Impowered to conclude what was at present requisite between his Master and the Protector and that there was no likelyhood but there would be also a good understanding between the King of Sweden and the Vnited Provinces 28. Some of the Swedish Ambassadors Gentlemen had a little Quarrel with two Fidlers in a Tavern and beat them for calling the Gentlemen Swedish Dogs and other foul Language and ill carriage of the Fidlers who were drunk yet Alderman Tichburn bound over the Gentlemen to the Sessions being apprehended by a Constable and the Fidlers in actions of Battery against one of the Gentlemen had a Verdict for Forty pounds Damages The Ambassador was highly exasperated at this afront and as he called it breach of the Priviledge of an Ambassador and complained of it upon which his Servants had no further Trouble which gave full Contentment to the Ambassador 29. Fiennes Strickland and Whitelock went to the Swedes Ambassadors House where they proceeded in the Treaty and had much debate upon the Article of Restitution which the Ambassador pressed as pursuant to Whitelock's Treaty and instanced in several Cases wherein his Masters Subjects had received great Injury and Damage by the Capers of England in time of the War betwixt them and the Vnited Provinces Whitelock acquainted them with his proceedings upon this point in Sweden that it was there demanded to have Restitution made to the Swedes which he denied upon these grounds 1. Because such an Article would seem to admit a wrong done to the Swedes by the English and that Justice could not be had for the same 2. Because such Injuries were relievable in the Ordinary Course of Justice in England as in the Admiralty Court and upon Appeals 3. Because no Restitution could be expected untill the damage and wrong were first made to appear which could not then and there be done and was not to be admitted without proof At length this Epedient was agreed on there That Restitution should be made to either part for dammage Sustained and as it is in the Article After long debate and many Complaints now made by the Ambassador wherein the Admiralty Court here was much reflected upon and the delaies and Injustice of that Court by him opened and not spared it came to this Close The Ambassador was desired by the Commissioners that his Secretary might prepare Abstracts of such particular Cases as he thought fit to insist upon to be presented to his Highness and the Councel who would thereupon cause an Examination to be made of the particulars and would give Order that right should be done as the Cases should require It was now also agreed That at the next meeting they should proceed to a perusal of all the rest of the Matters remaining to be Treated on that after a view of the whole they might come to particular Resolutions and Agreements March 1655. The Mayor Aldermen and divers of the Common Councel of London being sent for came to the Protector who told them the reasons of his appointing Major-Generals in the several Counties as a means to preserve the Peace to suppress wickedness and to encourage Goodness and haveing found the good effects hereof in the Counties he thought fit to appoint Major-General Skippon for the same end in the City And that all care should be had of their Immunities and Government Orders published of the Sessions in Middlesex for the punishment of Rogues Intelligence of the King of Sweden's Successes in Poland That Bishop Goodman of Glocester dyed a Papist A Declaration for a Fast-Day Some Prizes taken of Ostend A Soldier that killed a Gentleman in Lincolne was sent to the Goal The Queen of Sweden imbarqued with 5000 new raised Foot to carry to her Husband into Prussia Letters from Scotland of Popery increasing there From Ireland of new designs of Rebellion care taken for prevention of both The Articles of
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
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
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
reserved towards him than formerly April 1660. Anno 1660 2. News of several Elections of Parliament-men in several places 3. The Officers of the Regiments of Lon. came to Monk and in an Oration made by Alderman Robinson they sufficiently magnified him and declared their resolutions to adhere to him and to the Council of State and to the next Parliament 4. The Council Monk and his Officers were feasted at Skinner's Hall 7. Several returns of Elections for the next Parliament 9. The Council discharged Needham from writing the Weekly Intelligence and ordered Dury and Muddiman to do it The Council approved divers Officers of the Militia in several Counties and Cities An Address to Monk from the Officers of the Army of great conformity and obedience to him and to the Council and to the Parliament when sitting Monk and his Officers and the Council entertained at Goldsmiths-Hall with a Dinner an Enterlude and a Banquet The Council published a Proclamation for Lambert who had escaped out of the Tower to render himself within 24 Hours and that none entertain or harbour him 11. Commissioners of the Militia approved by the Council several returns of Parliament-men 12. Monk chosen one of the Knights for Devonshire unanimously Monk and the Council were feasted at Vintners-Hall 13. They were feasted at Fishmongers-Hall The City kept up their Chains and Guards every Night 14. Commissioners sent into Scotland to manage the Civil Affairs there A Letter of great Courtship from the King of Denmark to Monk magnifying his merits A Proclamation of the Council that they intend not to abate any of the Souldiers pay but to provide it for them Allen and Courtney committed and Captain Rainsborough Colonel Packer and Captain Wolley secured 16. A Proclamation by the Council forbidding the Subjects of England Scotland and Ireland to make use of any Sea Commission to disturb the Merchants of the three Nations or our Allies Several Addresses of Colonel Vnton Crook's Regiment Colonel Smithson's Regiment the Officers of Carlisle and of the Army in Ireland declaring their obedience to Monk the Council and Parliament 17. Several Elections of Parliament men returned 18. A Muster appointed of the Forces in London and Monk desired to be in the field The Treaty between England and Portugall signed in the Council-chamber by the Portugall Ambassadour A Mutiny at Hull prevented and punished Several Officers of the former Army imprisoned An Address to the like purpose as the other from the Army in Scotland Commissioners sent from Scotland to England to represent the desires of that Nation Letters from Monk to his Officers to apprehend Lambert 21. A Proclamation declaring Lambert and all that joyned with him to be Traytors Intelligence of some endeavours in Ireland to alienate the Souldiers from their Officers discovered The like attempts at York discovered Intelligence that Lambert intended to rendezvous his Party at Edgehill Monk intended to march out against Lambert but hearing that his Party was inconsiderable Monk altered his purpose 23. Order of the Council forbidding Stage-Players to Act. Officers of the Militia approved by the Council Colonel Ingoldsby being set out with a Party against Lambert and having his own Regiment and three other Troops of Horse and Lambert having but four Troops of Horse in all they met about two miles from Daventree where Captain Haslerigge Son to Sir Arthur Haslerigge led his Troop towards Ingoldsby's Forlorn and was taken Prisoner as some said willingly and was dismist again upon his Paroll and promise to bring over his Troop to Ingoldsby which was presently done This and Barker's Troop coming over to Ingoldsby did much dishearten Lambert and his Party yet one of his Officers desired leave of him to charge Ingoldsby assuring himself that thereupon many of Ingoldsby's men would come over to Lambert who would not permit it but desired a Parley and moved that Richard might be restored to the Protectorship and some conditions agreed upon Lambert was answered That he himself was one of those who pulled down Richard and now would set him up again and that they had no Commission to dispute but to reduce him and his Party Yet Lambert would not fight nor permit his Officers that desired it to fire a Pistol and himself prayed Ingoldsby to let him escape One of Lambert's Troopers fired a Pistol at Ingoldsby but there was no fighting Alured's Troop came in also to Ingoldsby and Lambert's wonted courage failed him neither could he escape but Ingoldsby took him Prisoner Others took Cobbet Creed and others of his Party Prisoners Oakey Axtell and others escaped and some Troopers with them Several Addresses from several Officers of the Army to the same effect as the former 25. Several dissaffected Officers of the Army secured Letters from Mountague that the Fleet joyned with those of the Army and resolved to obey the Parliament This Gentleman one of the Generals at Sea had engaged the Officers of the Fleet and had made his own terms with the King by a Kinsman of his who was in the Fleet with him for that purpose Mr. Edward Mountague eldest Son of the Lord Mountague of Bolton This Gentleman went often to the King and made terms for G. Mountague and others which were honourably performed but he himself was not so well requited for his Services as those for whom he acted The Souldiers generally and the Seamen were quite altered from their former Principles and Masters and where any were suspected to be wavering from or disaffected to the present intentions they were forthwith secured and prevented and the appointment of their meetings and risings were diligently discovered and Forces sent to hinder them The City Forces mustered in Hide-Park and made a gallant shew the Lord Mayor and Aldermen were present many Tents were in the Field and much good Cheer and Wine The same day Lambert Cobbet and Creed were brought up Prisoners to London and after examination by the Council were committed close Prisoners to the Tower The L. Falkonbridge made Colonel of Haslerigges Regiment by Monk Both Houses Lords and Commons met at S. Margarets Westminster where Dr. Reynolds preached to them and after Sermon they went to their several Houses the Commons chose Sir Harbottle Grimstone for their Speaker A Day of publick Humiliation moved by the Lords and agreed by the Commons Many Members of Parliament came to visit and consult Monk 26. Committee of Privileges named Order for a Day of Thanksgiving for raising up Monk and other Instruments in delivery of this Nation from thraldom and misery Order for thanks to Monk for his eminent and unparallel'd Services and for thanks to Colonel Ingoldsby 27. Orders about Returns of Elections Colonel Ashfield and Lieutenant Colonel Miller discharged upon their Engagement not to act any thing against the present Power M. G. Harrison and others secured Prisoners of Lambert's Party brought to London Divers disaffected Souldiers secured
difficulties they had undergone in subduing their enemies and received little pay though Taxes were generally paid desiring that the Army may be divided into the Counties proportionable to the Tax they pay and that their Arrears may be thought of The House after a long debate Voted That the desires of the Souldiery be forthwith satisfied and that speedy care be taken for setling of their Arrears Several other Petitions were presented to the General from the Officers and Souldiers of the Army one from Commissary General Iretons Regiment was to this effect That there may be a strict Scrutiny for discovery of the contrivers or incouragers of the late rebellion and second War and Justice done upon them 2. And upon all criminal Persons especially obstructers of justice and such as have betrayed their trust or been Authors of shedding the innocent blood 3. That the same fault may have the same punishment in the person of King or Lord as in the Person of the poorest Commoner 4. That all may be proceeded against as Traitours who act or speak in the Kings behalf till he shall be acquitted of the guilt of shedding innocent blood 5. For their pay and for proceedings against those that withhold it and for their Arrears 6. That the intolerable oppression of free Quarter may be immediately taken off And about the establishment of their pay in the Counties 7. They declare that they shall constantly endeavour to defend Magistracy and property with their Lives and Fortunes This was a subtle Petition and the beginning of the design against the Kings Person but not discerned till afterwards An Ordinance past for maintaining a Troop of Horse in Surry out of the Sequestrations of that Country Orders for bringing in the Arrears of the Assessment for the Army Sir Charels Kemish was committed Letters from the Commissioners of the Treaty with Papers of their Transactions Order for disbanding the supernumerary Forces in Lancashire The Lords House past all the Judges and Sergeants except Sergeant Wilde to be Chief Baron and Sergeant Rolle to be Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. They also advised as to the Voting of Sir Thomas Widdrington and Whitelock to be the Kings Sergeants and Whitelock's being Attorney of the Dutchy which was upon Whitelock's desire 19. The Papers from the Isle of Wight were touching Delinquents His Majesty consented that all who have any hand in plotting designing or assisting the Rebellion in Ireland shall expect no Pardon That all other Delinquents in the first Branch of that Proposition may moderately compound for their Estates that such of them as the two Houses will insist on shall not be admitted to his Council and shall be restrained from coming to the Court at such distance as the Houses shall think fit and shall not have any Office of imployment in the Commonwealth without consent of both Houses or shall absent themselves for some time out of the Kingdom That all other Delinquents shall submit to a moderate composition and for three years not to serve as Members or Assistants in either House without the consent of both Houses of Parliament His Majesties propositions which the Commissioners of the Parliament were not authorized to receive were 1. That he might be put into a condition of freedom Honour and safety 2. To be restored to his Lands and Revenues 3. That he may have composition for the Court of Wards and such of his Revenues as he shall part with 4. That there may be an Act of Oblivion and Indemnity M r Vines gave in a paper in answer to his Majesties to satisfy his Conscience touching Bishops Upon these and other papers from their Commissioners they had a very long and quick debate Vote that the Lords days and Fast-days during the time of this Treaty shall be accounted no part of the twenty days allowed for it By which a weeks time longer was gained for the Treaty The House resolved into a Grand Committee to debate the Ordinance for payment of the reduced Officers The Lords concurrence desired to an Ordinance for payment of four thousand eight hundred pounds to Mr. Pecke in respect of his losses 20. The Merchant Adventurers Company had the thanks of the House for ingaging for ten thousand pound for the service of the Navy Letters from Sir Henry Cholmely complaining that the General had given Commission to Colonel Rainsborough to command in chief the Forces before Pontefract Castle whereas he had a Commission before from the Committee of the Militia of Yorkshire to be Commander in chief of them and that the disparagement was great to him and desires an Order in it The House referred the Letter and the whole business to the General to settle it and to preserve the honour of Sir Henry Cholmely and to take care that the business be carried on against the enemy One hundred pounds bestowed upon Captain Wolfe and twenty pound upon Mr. Noble who brought the news of the surrender of Carlisle Debate about an Ordinance for Doctor Bastwick and about the last Message from the King 21. Debate touching means wholly to take off Free-quarter and Ordered that the Members be imployed to use their best endeavours to bring in the arrears of the Assessments as a means to take off Free-quarter and some were sent down to the General to confer and advise with him how the Forces may be reduced to the Establishment and paid and to advise with such Officers as the General shall appoint about these matters Colonel King of Lincolnshire sent for to answer before the Committee of the Army to a Charge against him touching the Army The Commissioners of the Seal met with the Judges to confer together about the business of the new Sergeants for sending forth the Writs to them and other matters for ordering of that business 23. Vote to disband all the supernumerary Forces in the several Counties and the Committees to pay them their Arrears and the General Ordered to slight Bridgwater Bath and Dunstar or to man them Sir Peter Killigrew brought a Message from the Isle of Wight of his Majesties further Concessions touching Episcopacy 1. He consented to the abolishing of Archbishops Chancellors Deans and Chapters c. and the whole Hierarchy save Bishops 2. To confirm the form of Church Government for three years and no other to be used and the exercise of Episcopal Government to be wholly suspended during that time 3. That none shall be exercised after that time other than Ordination restrained to the Council and assistance of Presbyters but such and in such manner as shall be agreed by his Majesty and his two Houses whereby until such agreement or if it be not otherwise agreed Episcopal jurisdiction is wholly laid aside His Majesty also consented to the Nomination of great Officers to be by both Houses for ten years 2. To the proposition concerning the City of London as is desired 3. To that concerning the Great Seal as is
desired 4. To that concerning the Court of Wards a recompence being assured to his Majesty his heirs and successours of one hundred thousand pounds per annum The General explained his former Letter concerning the quarter given to the Lord Goring and Lord Capel that it did not extend to any other but the Military power and that they were notwithstanding liable to Tryal and Judgment by the Civil Power otherwise any who was Treacherous or had revolted might get quarter from a private Souldier and so not be further questionable With divers other reasons given by him to the same purpose Letters from Scotland that M r Parsons sent to them from the King had complaints of the miseries suffered by the late Ingagement that they refer the King to their agreement with Lanerick and their Declaration and beseech him at last to hearken to the advice of his Parliament in consenting to the propositions of both Kingdoms Especially to those concerning the Covenant and Reformation of Religion which they understand to be the Point he sticks most at and they in Honour and interest are most obliged to stick to and without which they tell him his Kingdom cannot be established in righteousness That they have also writ to the Prince dehorting him from that course of opposition he is now in and from attempting any act of hostility against that Kingdom and since all worldly policy and projects have failed that he would apply his endeavours to mediate with his Father to consent to the propositions of both Kingdoms and especially the Covenant Letters from Major General Lambert's quarters that divers of his men were set upon as they past up and down by some of the Scots and many injuries offered to the English that six of his Regiment with Quarter-Master Diamond were set upon by fourteen of the Scots and fought with them about a quarter of an hour left three of the Scots sprawling upon the ground and wounded most of the rest routed them and came off without any hurt only one of the English had a cut of his hand That the Committee of Estates taking notice of these things have indeavoured to prevent the like for the future and to give satisfaction for what is past The Lords consented to the Sergeants that were named and the Commons also the Speaker moved that Whitlock might be suspended from being a Sergeant at present in regard of Swearing the rest which was likely to fall to his share But this was opposed until Whitlock spake and shewed them the necessity that either Sir Thomas Widdrington or he must make the Speech to the rest of the Sergeants and Swear them which they could not do if both of them were to be Sworn and that upon Conference together he was perswaded to take that trouble upon himself and to have his Swearing suspended if they pleased Nevertheless the House in favour to Whitlock would not wholly excuse him but Voted that he should not be Sworn a Sergeant till further order The House passed Mr. Hatton to be Sergeant 24. Order for five hundred pound for Sir Anthony Welden in satisfaction of his losses by the Kentish Rebels against whom he was very active Upon the Generals answer to the Parliaments Letter touching Sir Henry Cholmley the question was whether he should be subject to the commands of the General or the Parliament only and Voted that he should be subject to the General Orders for disbanding Supernumerary Forces in several Counties not of the Army Debate about Ordinances for Dr. Bastwick Mr. Burton and Mr. Pryn to have reparations for the illegal Sentences against them in the Star-Chamber Both Houses agreed upon seven persons to be exempted from pardon viz. The Lord Digby Lord Cottington Sir Robert Heath Sir Francis Doddington Sir George Ratcliffe Sir Richard Greenvile and Sir Charles Dalison Several compositions past Letters from Newcastle that Cromwel Haselrigge and the Committee ordered the slighting of several Northern Garrisons that the Army coming thither was entertained with great Guns and ringing of Bells and feasting That Sir John Chiesely and others were posting up to London to declare that Kingdoms dislike of their late Armies invading England and to desire a fair correspondency Letters of a design to betray Pendennis Castle some of the conspirators were taken and one of them adjudged to death by Sir Hardresse Waller and his Council of War Another who was imployed to corrupt the private Souldiers was not tryed but sent up to the Parliament because he was no Souldier himself but a Country-man many others of them fled 25. The publick Fast-day 26. Voted that the Kings last Message concerning Episcopacy was un-satisfactory And a Committee appointed to draw up the particulars wherein it was un-satisfactory that his Majesty might have the same in writing An Ordinance transmitted to the Lords for payment of Tithes to the Ministry Letters from the Committee of Estates in Scotland desiring a fair correspondency and brotherly Vnion between the two Nations And that Sir John Chiesely was intrusted to deliver by word of mouth other particulars of their desires Order that the Letter be communicated to the Lords and Sir John Chiesely referred to the Committee of Derby-house to impart further particulars to them Order for five thousand Suits of Cloaths for Cromwels Souldiers The Lords concurred that the Kings Paper concerning Episcopacy was not satisfactory 27. Voted that that part of the Kings answer concerning the taking of the Covenant is un-satisfactory Also that concerning the taking away of Arch-bishops Bishops Deans c. Also that concerning the abolishing of Popery in desiring to have it tolerated in the Queens Chappel and for her Family Also that for alienating of Bishops Lands and sale of Dans and Chapters Lands and many others A Committee appointed to draw up the Covenant in such a form as may be proper for his Majesty to take it A Committee ordered to consider of his Majesties Concessions to any part of the Propositions and to draw them up into Bills to be tendred to his Majesty An Ordinance past for repayment of Money advanced by the Merchant Adventurers for the service of the Navy 28. Letters from Colonel Jones in Ireland That the Marquess of Ormond was upon concluding a peace with the Irish Rebels the Lord Inchequin complying and all to joyn against the Parliaments party there the design hatched in England by the fomenters of the second War and the Scots who last invaded England and should then have broken out and given forth to be by Commission from the King He desires the House seriously to consider of it Order that a Message be forthwith sent to his Majesty to desire him to declarè against the Rebellion of Ireland and against this Truce with the Rebels and to require the Marquess of Ormond to forbear joyning with the Rebels against the Protestants The Parliaments Commissioners with the Army agreed with the General