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
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
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
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
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
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
16. To establish the Declaration of both Kingdoms 30 June 1643. with the qualifications of exception from Pardon both English and Scots and the names of those made incapable of Office and such as have deserted the Parliament 17. To make void the Cessation in Ireland the War there to be left to the Parliament and the same Religion to be setled there as in England 18. The Militia and Tower of London to be in the Government of the City and their Charters to be confirmed 19. All grants and Process under the Great Seal here to be confirmed and all by any other Great Seal to be void and the like for Ireland and all Honours granted since the Cessation there to be void And all these particulars to be pass'd by several Acts of Parliament 14. Order for disposing and paying the Forces under Major General Massey Differences between the Soldiers and Towns-men of Exeter referred to a Committee to be composed and orders for pay of that Garrison Search ordered for Materials for coining in some Trunks The Commissioners set forth with the Propositions Letters informed that Montrill the French Agent came to New-Castle and brought letters from the Queen to the King advising him to make Peace upon any Terms at which the King was very joyfull That Montross desired liberty to go beyond Sea and that great levys of men were made in Scotland and the Garrisons of New-Castle Carlisle and Berwick re-inforced by the Scots who lay heavy upon Northumberland and the Bishoprick of Durham 15. An Ordinance committed for setling three hundred pound per An. on Mrs. Burghill whose Husband was slain in the Parliaments Service and upon their Heirs Upon Information of the Master of the Ceremonies an Order for the reception of the French Ambassador One Grady and Irish Rebels and other Papists apprehended and committed and orders for apprehending all of their condition and a day set for their departure out of London Orders for pay for several Forces The Kings answer to the Letters of both houses for delivery up of the Garrisons in Ireland into the the hands of such as the Parliament should appoint was read and was very General expressing great desires of Peace and that the Propositions for it might be speedily sent to him And that business being once well setled those Garrisons and all the rest of the Forces will be ordered for the publick good 16. Great complaints from Cumberland and Westmorland of the heavy pressures of the Scots Army Ragland Castle held out the Siege some of their Officers as M. Price and others were taken Prisoners by L. G. Morgan Major General Mitton Besieged Denbigh Castle Letters informed that the Rebels in Ireland were come within twenty miles of Dublin 17. Letters from Sir Tho. Fairfax gave an account to the House of the Treaty for surrender of Wallingford Castle and desired the direction of the House upon one Article insisted on by Col. Blagge That they might have no Oaths nor Covenants imposed upon them after the surrender The House ordered the General to continue his Siege of that Castle and would not allow of that Article Order that the Heads of Houses in Cambridge for bear cutting down of Timber in Colledg Lands till they had order from Parliament to do it An Ordinance sent up the Lords for fifty thousand pound for Ireland Monsieur Bellieure the French Ambassador was received in great State and usual Ceremonies in both Houses 18. A day of Thanksgiving appointed for the reducing of Oxford Litchfield was surrendred upon Articles to Sir Will. Brereton with all their Ordnance Arms and Ammunition 20 Montross demanded that his Son and the Gentleman with him might enjoy their liberty and Estates and he to go beyond Sea otherwise he resolved to hold out and not disband Letters informed great resort of Malignants English and Scots to the King The City of Worcester was agreed to be surrendred to the Parliament upon Articles 21. The day of publick thanksgiving for the surrender of Oxford 22. Debate of the French Ambassadors Message which was That he had in command from the Queen Regent and the King of France to interpose and endeavour a good reconciliation of the differences between his Majesty and the Parliament of England but seeing in what forwardness they were and the Propositions sent to his Majesty he had now nothing further to do but to take his leave and desired their Pass to go to the King and to the Estates of Scotland The Answer of the Parliament was That they took in good part and thankfully from the King of France his good affections and intentions to these Kingdoms and willingness to see their troubles over to end the which they had done and would continue to do their utmost But they could not agree that any Foraign State should interpose in the remaining Differences nor in particular the King of France by his extraordinary Ambassador And they agreed that he should have a Pass and be used with all respect and civility Mr. Herle voted to be Moderator of the Assembly Dr. Twist being dead Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax of the surrender of Worcester and thanks ordered to be sent to him and his Messenger had a gratuity Letters from the Northern Committees of the insupportable burden upon them by the Forces there and relief of those Counties A Letter from both Houses inviting the Duke of York to come to London Order for an Ordinance for the Government of North-Wales and for Committees there The Lords pass'd a Declaration for restraining Malignants from coming to the King 23. A Committee appointed to receive complaints against such as have been in Arms against the Parliament with power to imprison Order for re-imbursing Commissioners of Excise Some Forces of the Eastern Association met at St. Albans in a kind of mutiny the House ordered them to return to their several Counties Order for a new Election Goring House ordered for the Speaker The Ordinance for sale of Delinqueuts Estates sent up to the Lords 24. Letters informed the surrender of Wallingford with a Copy of the Articles Several Ordinances pass'd for Compositions by Delinquents Order for the slighting of all the Garrisons in Worcester-shire except Worcester City and all the Horse there to be disbanded except eighty to attend upon the High Sheriff An Ordinance appointed to be drawn for obedience to be yielded to Committees so long as they should be continued and no affronts to be offered to them or to any publique Officer Order for a Collection for the poor in the places in Devon-shire visited with the plague Order for all the Horse in Bucks to be reduced to eighty only 25. The House did not sit The Commissioners arrived with the propositions at New-Castle and the King seemed well pleased 27. The Houses sate not many Letters came from the Northern Counties of the Miseries and devouring Charge indured by them from the Scots Army and
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
informed that the Parliaments Commissioners were come to Newcastle and that the King had appointed them a time for Audience February 1646. February 1. Divers new Members took the Covenant and ordered that those who have not yet taken it shall by a day take it or be suspended The Preamble and Ordinance pass'd both Houses for a day of Humiliation that God would stop the growth of Heresie and Blasphemy The Lords sent to have Mr. Barrill added to the Privy Councellors of Ireland but it was not assented to by the Commons Upon a Petition of the Inhabitants of Westminster referred to a Committee to consider of a maintainance of two hundred pound per An. for Mr. Marshall their Minister Letters from the North informed that the Scots were upon their March That the Commissioners attended his Majesty about his going to Holmeby That the Scots Parliament carried it but by two Votes for the Kings not coming to Scotland That the King asked the Scots Commissioners why he might not go into Scotland when he came to their Army for protection They answered him because he refused to sign the Convenant and Propositions therefore they were to deliver him to the Commissioners of the Parliament of England who were come to attend him to Holmeby House The King desired the English Commissioners to sent to the Parliament that he might have two Chaplains who had not taken the Covenant to go with him to Holmeby which they excused as that which would not be for his Majesties service and much other discourse he had with them and some reported he used the expressions that he was bought and sold The Dutch Ship went away from Newcastle Harbour Complements pass'd between the English and Scots and Proclamation was made by General Leven that all his Soldiers should pay off their quarters at their departure 2. Debate about a Declaration of the Lords that the Compositions at Goldsmiths Hall were not by Ordinance and the Sequestrators of the Counties not bound to obey them A Committee appointed to draw reasons to satisfie the Lords herein Many Complaints and Cavils were made against the Officers and Soldiers of the Army as such who held Erroneous and Schismatical Opinions contrary to the true Doctrine and that they took upon them to Preach and expound Scripture not being learned or ordained and some of the Kings Party were not wanting to soment these things and to raise an odium upon the Army in the peoples minds And those who so lately were in their highest esteem and respect as freers of their Countrey from Servitude and Oppression are now by the same people looked upon as Sectaries and Oppressors themselves Thus we may see the inconstancy of the giddy Multitude and the uncertainty of Worldly Affairs when their turns are served their minds change their best friends when they relieve them are counted their enemies when they are relieved the best course is to provide for such a condition as will always afford comfort and will never change not to trust in men but in God alone Referred to a Committee to consider a Petition of two Committee men who were sued at Law for what they did as Committee men The Scots marched out of Newcastle and the English entered it and Tinmouth The King would not hear Mr. Marshall nor Mr. Carryll Preach because he had not submitted to the Directory of Worship Proclamation by General Leven that if any in Newcastle had any Debt owing to him by the Scots he should come to the General and receive it A Party of Ormonds Forces marched into the Rebels Quarters fifty miles and took from them three or four thousand Cows and in their March back being careless Oneal's men fell on them rescued the Cows and spoyled three of Ormond's Troops Captain Pen took four Vessels from the Rebels 3. Conference about the Lords Declaration concerning Compositions That Lords were joyned in that Committee that this difference between the two Houses and at this time would be of evil Consequence Letters informed that the Mayor of Newcastle delivered the Keys of the Town to Major General Skippon who took possession of it The Parliaments Commissioners received the King into their Charge lodged in the same House and intended to watch by turnes Carlisle and Berwicke were upon slighting 4. Instructions for the Commissioners going to the Parliament of Scotland and a Letter agreed to be sent from both houses here to the Parliament in Ireland desiring that Belfast in Ireland may be surrendred to their Forces there An Ordinance read for selling certain Delinquents Estates for satisfaction of a debt due to Mr. Pennoyer and Mr. Hill for Provisions sent by them into Ireland A Bill of Exchange from the Commissioners in the North complyed with Order for the next Summers Fleet. Incivility of Officers to a Committee for their Accounts Lords added to the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall 5. Grand Committee about the Ordinance against such as Preach not being Ordained 5. Several Sheriffs appointed and Judges for Circuits agreed upon The Plate of the Chappel at White-Hall ordered to be sold Order for three thousand pound to defray the charges of the Kings Journey to Holmeby Letters to the Commissioners attending him That none be placed about the King but Persons well affected c. 8. Debate by the Lords about the City Petition and they voted that those who should refuse to take the Covenant should bear no Office Civil or Military Lords concurrence for Sheriffs and for Judges to ride the Circuits The King removed from New-castle to Durham and at his going out a Proclamation was made that none who had served against the Parliament should come near his Majesty The Commissioners were attended by nine hundred Horse One being admitted to kiss the Kings hand delivered to him a Letter in Characters The last hundred thousand pound paid to the Scots Care by Major General Skippon that any Scots who were left behind sick in New-castle should not be disturbed The Kings Letter in Characters referred to Mr. Wakerly to open the meaning of it and thanks ordered to their Commissioners and additional instructions and power ordered to be given to them Four shillings per Chaldron upon New-castle Coals continued for maintenance of that Garrison Order for a Declaration touching the Excise and continuing of it and referred to a Committee to prevent the Insolencies and exorbitancies of the Sub-Commissioners The Ordinance pass'd for establishing the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall of Members of both Houses and others The Lords recalled their former Declaration against the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall 9. Vote of the Lords that Sir Jo. Brampston shall sit in their House as an assistant Petition of some Apprentices that they may have a play-day once in a Month. Debate upon the Ordinance for regulating Oxford Complaints to the General of Suits against Soldiers and Countrey-men for horses taken from the enemy in the War The King came to Rippon 10. Debate of the Oxford Ordinance Visitors named
General set forth a Proclamation forbidding any abuse or obstruction to the Parliaments Officers in Levying the Excise or Assessments The King went to Windsor for two or three days to see his Children 3. Letters of an high Mutiny of the Souldiers in Chester Order for mony for them and to lessen the Garrison A Petition of one Goodwyn a Curate who gave uncivil words to divers Members of the House for an answer of his Petition Resolved That the Petitioner hath no cause of complaint but deserves punishment for his scandalous Petition Orders for pay for the Nothern Association and for Dover Upon the Prince Electors desire it was left to his pleasure to visit the King if he thought fit The Treaty proceeded in the Army and they removed their Head Quarters to Reading the King returned from Windsor to Causham the Lord Cravens House near Reading Several Members did not attend the House so frequently as heretofore seeing the designs put upon them by the Army and the City and Tumultuous Petitions 5. Vote to add a penalty to such as sit in the House not being duly chosen and that none who have assisted the King in the late War or the Cessation or Rebellion in Ireland or that have been sequestred for Delinquency shall sit in the Parliament Orders touching New Elections Upon a Petition of the Trinity House Order That Dr. Clerk shall be Judg Advocate and an Ordinance to give further power to the Trinity House Goodwyn the Curate for his insolency and revilings committed to Newgate Votes of the Lords to leave out of the first qualification of excepted persons Prince Rupert and Maurice and others The Treaty went on fairly and methodically between the Parliaments Commissioners and the Commissioners of the Army A Proclamation by the General That his Souldiers shall not take Horses without Warrant nor compel any where they Quarter to give them mony and he granted Commissions to every Regiment for Marshal-Law 6. Orders for the House to sit early and for sitting of the Committees and for Money for the Army and for dismantling of Carrisons according to former votes and for Money for Ireland Col. Scroop and other Officers presented to the House the particular Charge of the Army against the eleven Members who were sent for such as could be found and the Charge read unto them 7. The last day of the Term the House adjourned the Speakers being to sit in Chancery Mr. Bellieur the French Ambassador was received by the King at Causham The first part of the Charge of the Army against Mr. Hollis was the former business of the Lord Savile 8. A List agreed for Judges to ride this Summers Circuit and order for instructions for them The Militia of London desired new powers and Money from the House part whereof was assented to and orders given them for the guards of the House The House committed some Soldiers for assaulting the Person and House of Mr. Pury one of their Members The Charge against the eleven Members put off 9. Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax full of respect towards the King and taking notice of some reports as if he and his Officers were upon some under-hand contract with the King and so to slander their integrities and endeavour a misunderstanding betwixt the Parliament and their Army which their Enemies would fain effect to hinder the settlement of the Peoples Rights but a good accord between them is their design to preserve He declares that they have not done nor shall do any thing which they desire to hide from the Parliament and the World and shall not avow to the faces of their Adversaries their desires to settle the Kings Rights he first giving his concurrence to secure the rights of the Kingdom they have already declared publickly That since their Papers sent in to the Parliament several Officers were sent to the King to satisfie him concerning those Papers and some others sent to him about his removes in which Addresses they bargained not nor asked any thing of the King as to any private interest of their own But they endeavoured only the settlement of the publick Peace and rights of the Nation and assured the King that this being done with his concurrence the rights of his Majesty and his Family should be provided for and in the mean time his Majesty should find from them all personal civilities and respects and such freedom as may stand with safety and the trust lying upon them That they are no enemies to Monarchy and Civil Government that upon his Majesties importunity though with some reluctancy they did give way for the Duke of Richmond and the two Chaplains to come to his Majesty as that which they thought reasonable and Just and to make the King less prejudiced against others That they conceived to avoid all harshnesses and afford all kindnesses to his Majesty consisting with the Peace and Safety of the Kingdom is the most Christian Honourable and Prudent way and that tender equitable and moderate dealing towards his Majesty his Family and Party is the most hopeful course to take away the seeds of War and feuds amongst us and our Posterity and to procure a lasting Peace And that being setled with the Rights and Liberties of the Nation and propagation of the Gospel of Truth and they honoured to be instrumental therein they shall be willing to be dismist and be happy to be discharged not only from Military imployments but from all matters of Power whatsoever In the like Letter to the House of Lords was a Letter from the King to his Son the Duke of York Both Houses pass'd an Ordinance for all Papists and Delinquents to depart the Lines of Communication The House appointed a Committee to examine an Information concerning Listing of men in London An Ordinance for Money for the Army and Votes against Members sitting in the House not being duly Elected and qualified 10. Both Houses passd an Ordinance for disbanding Soldiers and their departing out of London Votes of the House against tumultuous meetings in the City and to give power to the Militia to prevent them and to punish the Offenders The Sheriffs and some of the Common-Council acquainted the House with Letters they received from the Army touching the proceedings in the Treaty for which the House gave them thanks Debate fore-noon and after-noon upon the Charge against the eleven Members but nothing concluded thereupon Two thousand pound ordered to Col. Massey in part of his Arrears 12. Upon long debate of the Charge of the Army against the eleven Members the House voted it to be aCharge and gave a weeks time for the Members to bring in their Answers Mr. Chute Mr. Glover Mr. Pryn and Mr. Hales to be of Council for them The Lords desired the Commons Concurrence upon a Letter from the King to his Son the Duke of York that the Kings Children might go to see him Sir Thomas Fairfax wrote
Commissioners to the General declaring their inclinableness to Peace entreating his Excellency that the Army might not advance this way nor intermeddle with the Rights and Priviledges of the City Conceiving that their strengthning of the City for the preservation thereof was no just cause to provoke the Souldiery and as for the Petition the Parliament had already declared their sence thereof and it had never been formally presented to them 29. Militia of London ordered That no persons should disturb the Parliament and if any did the Commander of the Guards should prosecute his Commission to kill and slay c. Upon intelligence That the Army was advancing Orders were given for the Trained Bands to go to the Works and for Raising Auxiliaries and all to come the next Morning who were able to bear Arms. all this part of the action and that which follows was contrived and directed by the Eleven Members and their Friends Collonel Jones Marching into the Rebels Country was by them overpowered six for one yet made a gallant retreat losing only two Officers and about ten Souldiers and killed divers of the Rebels 30. According to the Adjournment some Members met in either House but the Speakers came not and after some expectation the Lords chose the Lord Grey and the Commons then present chose Mr. Pelham to be Speaker Pro tempore and Mr. Sergeant Birkhead not appearing they put Mr. Norfolk into his place he made use of the City Mace the other being carried away and the Sergeant coming afterwards to offer his service was not admitted Then the House proceeded to Vote 1. That the King should come to London 2. That the Militia of the City have power to raise such Forces as they shall think fit for defence of the City 3. That they may choose a Commander in chief to be approved by the House and he to choose Officers to be approved by the Militia The Sheriff and Common-Councel who attended the House this Morning returned to the City and a Common-Councel in the Afternoon chose Major General Massey to Command in chief their Forces The Militia ordered all the Reformadoes Officers c. to appear to morrow in St. James's Fields and the Forces to be put into Regiments A Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel to this effect Mentioning The Armies complyance with their former desire to remove to this distance and the assurance given them by the City of their concurrence for the settlement of Peace and Liberty against which they never offered one objection or ground of dissent and their resolution to secure the Parliament and their Priviledges from any violence or attempt the reason given by the City for their late Listing of new Forces That upon this confidence the Army was disposed into several parts for the ease of the Kingdom to above one hundred and ten Miles distance and had given up themselves to their Proposals for a comfortable settlement and were in a hopeful way for the relief of Ireland That the Army cannot but be deeply sensible of the unparalelled violation acted upon the Parliament on Monday last by a multitude from the City because therein the Guards sent from the City did not only neglect their duty for security of the Parliament from such violence and the whole City to yield any relief to the Houses in that extremity but they are assured from Eye and Ear Witnesses that divers of the Common-Councel gave great incouragement to it Which doth not only gain-say their former professions but does violence to those many obligations that by their Charter Protestation and sundry other ways lye upon them to protect the Parliament That he cannot but look upon them who are in Authority as accountable to the Kingdom for the interruption of the hopeful way of Peace and settlement for this Nation and for relieving Ireland occasioned by the late destructive ingagements especially by the latter horrid and prodigious Force done upon the Parliament tending to dissolve all Government Upon which score the Army and the whole Kingdom shall have cause to put every thing of the like Nature that may happen to the Parliament or to any who are friends to them and to the Army except by the wisdom care and industry of the City the chief actors may be detected secured and given up to Justice and the best endeavour used to prevent the like for the future 31. The Lords desired the Commons concurrence for removal of the Kings Children into Loudon for their security There was a great appearance of Reformadoes Officers c. in St. James's fields and Order was given for staying and Listing of Horses in the City and that all the Shops should be shut up A Declaration was published in the name of the Speaker Lenthal of the reasons why he absented himself from the House The Army after a hard March lodged the last night at Vxbridge Letters from them certified That the General was tender of the City but laying to heart those unparalelled passages on Munday last at Westminster he is sensible of his Obligations to the Parliament That the Army are resolved what other neglect soever hath been for their security yet as God shall inable them they will use their best endeavours for preservation of the Parliament from violence One of the three Block-Houses at Gravesend was secured by a party of the Army Most of the Eleven Members Sat in the House and in the Afternoon Major General Massey Sir William Waller and Lieutenant General Points Listed the Reformadoes The City published their Declaration mentioning the Armies surprising of the King at Holmeby and denyed his resitlence nearer London than their Quarters That the City have endeavoured the settlement of the Kingdom relief of Ireland ease of their fellow Subjects and a good understanding between themselves and the Army That the Priviledges of Parliament have been violated by the Armies causing the eleven Members to withdraw and the Militia of London now demanded which had been established by Ordinance and is subject to no other Cognizance but of the King and Parliament That they desire nothing more than that his Majesty may be in a free and honourable condition and capacity and whilst he is environed by an Army and under their power he can neither freely grant nor will there be hope to enjoy what he grants in this condition That they are resolved earnestly yet with Humility to apply themselves to the Parliament to this Purpose and hope that all good Subjects who are touched with any sence of that Duty and Allegiance which by the Law of God and man they owe unto their King will unanimously joyn with them therein They state the difference between them and the Army to be That they could not submit the Militia of the City to be altered at the will of the Army after it had been so orderly setled in the hands of such as were
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
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
Sequestration discharged of Doctor Hall Bishop of Norwich Order for Monies for repair of some Castles and Garrisons Votes for great Guns and supplys to be sent to Col. Jones into Ireland Debate in the Lords House touching a Proclamation against the Lord Willoughby and giving time to the other six Lords to put in their Answer 17. An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for selling the Lead of Worcester Steeple and imploying the Money for repairing of some adjacent Churches and some Hospitals in the City The Ordinance committed for attainting of Judge Jenkins Order for the Sheriffs of South-Wales to assist in the disbanding of the Forces there Referred to the Committee of Derby House to remove Obstructions in the Disbanding of the Forces Order for the Committee of the Army to pay off the Forces of Dover Castle that are to be disbanded and for renewing the Ordinance for maintenance of the Army for six Months longer 18. Letters from Col. Hammond with some intercepted Letters to the King referred to the Committee at Derby House Leave given to Mr. Barwis a Member of the House to execute the place of Major of Carlile Upon Letters of the mutinous condition of Plymouth Garrison for want of Pay Order for six thousand Pounds more than before for them Order for the Governor of the Isle of Wight to place and displace such persons as are to attend his Majesty as he shall think fit 19. Order for rewards for discoverers of the authors of some Pamphlets which were Blasphemous to God and Scandalous to the Parliament Two days in the Week ordered to consider of the Excise and Customs Leave given to the Lawyers to go the next Lent-Circuits Debate and Ordinances for Money for the Navy Upon hearing of proofs the Ordinance passed to be sent up to the Lords for attainting of Judge Jenkins 21. Judge Jenkins brought to the Bar of the House refused to kneel denyed their authority told them that they wronged the King willing that the Laws might be protected that there could be no Law without a King and used high expressions against the Parliament and their authority The House fined him a thousand pound for his contempt At another time when his charge was read against him at the Bar for giving Judgement of Death against men for assisting the Parliament and for being himself in Arms against the Parliament and perswading others to do the like and for denying the Power of the Parliament c. and asked what he had to say thereunto he told them that they had no power to try him and he would give no other answer After many Witnesses examined in the House to prove the matters of Fact contained in the Charge the House passed the Ordinance for Impeaching of Judge Jenkins and ordered it to be sent up to the Lords An Account by Letters from the Commissioners of the two Houses in Scotland of their transactions with the Committee of Estates there and of the meeting of the Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland and of part of the report made from the Commissioners of Scotland who were at London to the Committee of Estates An Ordinance passed both Houses for the Judges that are to go the Circuits in the next Assizes A Petition in behalf of Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne and Mr. Wildman laid aside Letters from the North that free Quarter was quite taken off and the private Soldiers all reduced 22. Report of a Letter from the Duke of York to the King intercepted and being only dutiful expressions to the King his Father and the Duke expressing he was sorry he had transgressed the Ordinance of Parliament The House only ordered that the Earl of Northumberland continue his care in the safe keeping of the Duke and the rest of the Kings Children and to place and displace Attendants about them and Delinquents were forbidden to have any resort to them Ordinances passed both Houses for Mr. Fenwick to be restored to a Fellowship in Cambridge for Money for the Navy and for some Garrisons Letters from Ireland of Successes by the Lord Inchequin Col. Jones and Col. Monk against the Rebels notwithstanding the want of Pay the hunger and nakedness of the English Soldiers 23. The Monthly Fast-day after Sermons upon long debate the Ordinance was committed for the better observing the Lords day Fast-days and other days for holy duties Order for two Scandalous and Blasphemous Pamphlets one intituled the Parliaments ten Commandments The other The New Testament of our Lords and Saviours the House of Commons be burnt by the Hangman A Paper was presented to the General of the desires of his Life-guard concerning their disbanding which not receiving that reception as was expected from the Committee and some having told them they were looked upon as disbanded men Divers of the life-guard went to Cornet Hall's lodging in Greys-Inne-Lane and fetched away the Colours of the Life-guard and carried them to a place at Snow-Hill 24. Debate till late at night about the Declaration in answer to the Scots last Papers Letters giving account of the disbanding the supernumerary Forces The General being tired with multiplicity of business and Petitions of London appointed Cromwell Ireton Fleetwood and divers other Officers and such Field Officers as were in Town or any five of them to meet every day in White-Hall to receive Petitions and consider of businesses relating to the Army and for the better preparing of dispatches 25. Debate from Morning till night upon the Declaration in answer to the Scots last Papers A Petition to the General from the Officers under M. G. Laugherne expressing the Services and Losses their Arrears of Pay for two years and an half praying the General 's recommendation of them to the Parliament aad stating their accounts The General and Lieutenant General and other Officers met as a Court-Marshal about the business of taking away the Colours by the Life-guard and which was looked upon as a great dis-respect and dishonour to the General one Mr. Clerke a chief Actor in it was found guilty of Mutiny and disobeying Superior Officers and adjudged to be shot to death 26. Debate all day upon the Declaration in answer to the Scots last Papers The General 's Life-Guard presented an humble and ingenious Petition to his Excellency acknowledging their fault and begging his Pardon and give a testimony of the great Honesty Valour Fidelity and integrity of Mr. Clerke condemned to dye and very humbly implore the General 's Mercy to him Clerke likewise humbly Petitioned for Mercy and acknowledged the Justice of the Court Marshal and the General gave him his Pardon 28. Debate this whole day upon the Declaration in answer to the Scots Papers wherein they set forth the whole transaction with the Scots their due observance of the Treaties and Covenants and the breach of them by the Scots c. Letters from Scotland That the Parliaments Commissioners at Edenburgh had no Lodgings provided for them but
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
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
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
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
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
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
time to Appoint and Declare the Person who shall immediately after Your Deâ—th Succeed You in the Government of these Nations II. That Your Highness will for the future be pleased to Call Parliaments consisting of Two Houses in such manner and way as shall be more particularly afterwards agreed and Declared in this Petition and Advice Once in Three Years at furthest or oftner as the Affairs of the Nation shall require That being your great Council and in whose Affection and Advice Your Self and this People will be most safe and happy III. That the ancient and undoubted Liberties and Priviledges of Parliament which are the Birth-right and Inheritance of the People and wherein every man is interessed be preserved and maintained And that You will not break or interrupt the same nor suffer them to be broken or interrupted And particularly That those persons who are legally chosen by a Free Election of the People to serve in Parliament may not be excluded from sitting in Parliament to do their Duties but by Judgment and consent of that House whereof they are Members IV. That those who have Advised Assisted or Abetted the Rebellion of Ireland and those who do or shall profess the Popish Religion be disabled and made uncapable for ever to be elected or to give any Vote in the Elestion of any Member to sit or serve in Parliament And that all and every person and persons who have Aided Abetted Advised or Assisted in any War against the Parliament since the First day of January One Thousand six hundred forty one unless he or they have since born Arms for the Parliament or Your Highness or otherwise given signal Testimony of his or their good Affection to the Commonwealth and continued faithful to the same And all such as have been actually Engaged in any Plot Conspiracy or design against the person of Your Highness or in any Insurrection or Rebellion in England or Wales since the Sixteenth day of December One thousand six hundred fifty three shall be for ever disabled and made uncapable to be elected or give any vote in the Election of any Member to sit or serve in Parliament That for Scotland none be capable to elect or be elected to sit or serve in Parliament who have been in Arms against the Parliament of England or against the Parliament in Scotland before the first day of April One thousand six hundred forty eight except such as have since born Arms in the Service of the Parliament of England or Your Highness or given other signal Testimony of their good Affection Nor any that since the said First day of April One thousand six hundred forty eight have been in Arms or otherwise Aided Abetted Advised or Assisted in any War against the Parliament of England or Your Highness except such as since the First day of March One thousand six hundred fifty one old style have lived peaceably and thereby given Testimony of their good Affection to the Parliament and Your Highness Provided That nothing in this Article contained shall extend to put any Incapacity upon any English or Scotch Protestants in Ireland either to elect or be elected to serve in Parliament who before the First day of March One thousand six hundred forty nine have born arms for the Parliament or Your Highness or otherwise given signal Testimony of their good Affection to this Commonwealth and continued faithful to the same That all Votes and Elections given or made contrary or not according to the Qualifications aforesaid shall be void and of none effect and that if any person or persons so uncapable as aforesaid shall give his or their Vote for Election of Members to serve in Parliament All and every such person and persons so Electing shalllose and forfeit oneYears value of his and their respective real Estates one full third part of his and their respective personal Estates The one Moyety thereof to Your Highness and the other Moyety to him or them who shall sue for the same in any Court of Record by Action of Debt Bill Plaint or Information wherein no Essoign Wager of Law or Protection shall be allowed And that the Persons who shall be Elected to serve in Parliament be such no other than such as are persons of known Integrity fearing God and of good Conversation and being of the Age of Twenty one Years and not such as are disabled by the Act of the Seventeenth Year of the late King Entituled An Act for disenabling all persons in Holy Orders to Exercise any Temporal Jurisdiction or Authority nor such as are Publick Ministers or publick Preachers of the Gospel Nor such as are guilty of any of the Offences mentioned in an Act of Parliament bearing Date the Ninth of August One thousand six hundred and fifty Entituled An Act against several Atheistical Blasphemous Execrable Opinions derogatory to the honour of God and destructive to humane society No common scoffernor reviler of Religion or of any person or persons for professing thereof No person that hath married or shall marry a Wife of the Popish Religion or hath trained or shall train up his child or children or any other child or children under his tuition or government in the Popish Religion or that shall permit or suffer such child or children to be trained up in the said Religion or that hath given or shall give his consent that his son or daughter shall marry any of that Religion No person that shall deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God or the Saecraments Prayer Magistracy and Ministery to be the Ordinances of God No common prophaner of the Lords Day nor prophane Swearer or Curser no Drunkard or common haunter of Taverns or Alehouses And that these Qualifications may be observed and yet the Priviledge of Parliament maintained We desire that it may be by Your Highness consent Ordâ—ined That Forty one Commissioners be appointed by Act of Parliament who or any fifteen or more of them shall be Authorized to Examine and try whether the Members to be Elected for the House of Commons in future Parliaments be capable to sit according to the Qualifications mentioned in this Petition and Advice And in case they find them not qualified accordingly then to suspend them from sitting until the House of Commons shall upon hearing of their particular Cases admit them to sit which Commissioners are to stand so Authorized for that end until the House of Commons in any future Parliament shall nominate the like number of other Commissioners in their places and those other Commissioners so to be nominated in any future Parliament to have the same Powers and Authorities That the said Commissioners shall certifie in writing to the House of Commons on the first day of their meeting the Causes and Grounds of their Suspensions of any persons so to be elected as aforesaid That the Accusation shall be upon the Oath of the Informer or of some other person That a Copy of the Accusation