for the good Government of the Nation That the Councel shall be Sworn before the Parliament when they sit and in the Intervals of Parliament before the Comissioners of the great Seal That Whitehal Saint Jameses the Mews Summerâ—et House Greenwich Hampton Court Windsor and the manner of York be kept unsold for the Protectors Use That all Moneys be brought into the Exchequer and all Publick Debts â—ued for in the Protectors name 22 Storms in Scotland destroyed many hundred of Cattle More came in to Major General Overton and divers others of his Party The Bill touching the Articles of Government Read the First time Dr. Walker appointed to be of Council for the Commonwealth in the business of the Lord Craven 23 A Petition of Disbanded Oâ—ficers for their Arrears referred to a Committee A Petition from the University of Cambridge referred to a Committee The Bill for settling the Government was Read the Second time and the House Sate Forenoon and Afternoon in the Debate of it 25 The House sate though it was christmas-Christmas-Day and proceeded in their Debates touching the Government 26 Arguments before a Committee concerning the Lord Cravens Business on his part and for the Purchasers of his Estate the Lord Cravens Council shewed Presidents That Judgments against a Party unheard have been Reversed in Succeeding Parliaments The Purchasers Council insisted on the Credit of the Act of Parliament which perswaded them to buy his Lands 27 Letters of Solemnities at Stockholm upon the Marriage of their King 28 The House proceeded in their Debates touching the Government 29 The Government by the Protector was still the subject of the Houses Debate 30 A Quaker came to the door of the Parliament and drawing his Sword fell to slashing those near him and knocked at the door aloud he was laid hold on and Committed to Prison January 1654. Jan. 1. The House Debated the Matter of Election of Members for succeeding Parliaments 3 The Quaker being Examined by a Committee why he drew his Sword and hurt divers at the Parliament door answered That he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to Kill every man that sate in the House The House Debated the Point of Liberty of Conscience upon the New Government and agreed to give it to all who shall not maintain Atheism Popery Prelacy Prophaneness or any damnable Heresie to be enumerated by the Parliament 7 The Parliament continued their Debates touching the Government wherein many things were spoken which gave great Offence to the Protector and his Council and cause of Suspition that no good was to be expected from them 8 The Parliament continued not inclinable to the Protectors desires 11 The Parliament made what haste they could to finish their Debates 16 The business of Parliament was not likely to come to a good Issue 17 The Protector advised about sending a Fleet to the West-Indies The Protector began to be weary of the Parliament and to have thoughts of Dissolving it He was advised to the contrary upon Experiences of former inconveniences upon the Dissolution of Parliaments which ever caused ill blood however not to Dissolve it till after the time was past that they were to Sit by the Instrument of Government but the Protector seemed not to be very Sollicitous thereof and was resolute to part with them and some of his Councel were not backward to promote what they perceiv'd he was inclin'd to have done 19 Much Debate was at Whitehall about Dissolving of the Parliament 22 The Protector Dissolved the Parliament having first made this Speech Gentlemen I Perceive you are here as the House of Parliament by your Speaker whom I see here and by your faces which are in a great measure known to me When I first met you in this Room it was to my apprehension the hopefullest day that ever mine eyes saw as to considerations of this World For I did look at as wrapt up in you together with my self the hopes and the happiness of though not of the greatest yet a very great and the best People in the World and truly and unfeignedly I thought so as a People that have the highest and the clearest profession among them of the greatest glory to wit Religion as a People that have been like other Nations sometimes up and sometimes down in our honour in the World but yet never so low but wâ— might measure with other Nations and a People that have had a stamp upon them from God God having as it were summed all our former Glory and Honour in the things that are of Glory to Nations in an Epitomie within these 10 or 12 Years last past so that we knew one another at home and are well known abroad And if I be not very much mistaken we were arrived as I and truly as I beleive many others did think at a very safe Port where we might sit down and contemplate the dispensations of God and our mercies and might know our mercies not to have been like to those of the Antients who did make out their Peace and Prosperity as they thought by their own endeavours who could not say as We That all Ours were let down to Vs from God himself whose Appearances and Providences amongst Vs are not to be out-matched by any Story Truly this was our condition and I know nothing else we had to do save as Israel was commanded Anno 1655 in that most excellent Psalm of David Psal 78. v. 4 5 6 7. The things which we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us we will not hide them from their Children shewing to the Generation to come the praise of the Lord and his strength and his wonderful works which he hath done for he established a Testimony in Jacob and appointed a Law in Israel which he commanded our Fathers that they should make them known to their Children that the Generation to come might known them even the Children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their Children that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep his Commandments This I thought had been a Song and a Work worthy of England whereunto you might have happily invited them had you had Hearts unto it You had this opportunity fairly delivered unto you And if a History shall be written of these times and of Transactions it will be said it will not be denied but that these things that I have spoken are true This Talent was put into your hands and I shall râ—cur to that which I said at the first I came with very great joy and contentment and comfort the first time I met you in this Place But we and these Nations are for the present under some disappointment If I had purpâ—sed to have plaid the Oratour which I did never affect nor do nor I hope shall I doubt not but upon â—asie suppositions which I am perswaded every one among you
Alexander Popham John Goodwyn Francis Thorpe Anthony Ashley-Cooper John Southby Richard Greenhill Thomas Adams Richard Browne Richard Darly Thomas St. Nicholas William James John Boyse Charles Hall John Jones William Wolley Richard Radcliffe William Saville Theophilus Biddolph Henry Mildmay Harbottle Grimstone William Welby Charles Hussey Edmund Harvey John Sicklemore William Doyly Ralph Hare John Hubbard Oliver Raymond Jeremy Bentley Philip Woodhouse John Buxton William Bloyle William Gibbs Thomas Southerton Thomas Bowes Edward Harloe John Hanson Clement Throckmorton Daniel Wall Henry Worth Richard Luey John Witrong George Courthop Samuel Got John Buckland Robert Long John Northcott John Young John Dodderida Henry Hungerford Salisbury Edward Yooker William Morris John Hale Edward Turner Challoner Chute Daniel Shatterden Thomas Styles Richard Beale John Scylliard Walter Moyle Walter Vinsent John Gell Henry Atlington Henry Tempest James Clavering John Stanhop Peneston Whaley Abel Barker Samuel Moore Thomas Miners John Bowyer Samuel Jones John Aston Richard Hinton Andrew Lloyd Edward Hooper Richard Wyren John Fagg Thomas Rivers Henry Peckham Charles Lloyd John Thurlane William Fisher John Gore Rowland Litton 23. The House ordered that no Private Petition should be read in the House for a month and that no Petition presented to the Parliament be printed before it is read in the House 24. The fast day 26. The Bill Intituled An Act for Renouncing and disannulling the pretended Title of Charles Stuart c. was read the Third time and passed 29. Several members being absent the House ordered That all persons that have been or shall be approved do attend on Munday next Alderman Tichburn was chosen Lord Mayor of the City of London October 1656. 1. Upon consideration of the business of the Spanish War the House resolved That the War against the Spaniard was undertaken upon just and necessary grounds and for the good of the People of this Common-wealth and the Parliament doth approve thereof and will by Gods blessing assist his Highness therein and appointed a day to consider of the manner of carrying on that War A Petition of one Aged Ninety Six Years For arrears of Wages due to him as Servant to the late King James and King Charles 2. A Letter from Captain Stayner to General Blake and General Montague sent by them to the Protector wherein was an Account of the Ingagement with the West India Spanish Fleet that the Vice Admiral and one more were sunk and two Burnt and one taken and that the Captain saith she hath in her two millions of Silver and that it was believed the Vice Admiral had as much That the Plymouth Frigot chased another of the Spanish Ships who ran a shore between St. Peters and Cape Degar A Thanksgiving day appointed for the success The Lord Willoughby moved the Protector for his Inlargement out of Prison and for leave to go to Surrinam 6. The French Ambassador had audience 11. The House approved the Lord Commissioner Fiennes and the Lord Commissioner L'isle to be Commissioners of the great Seal and the Lord Cheif Justice Glynn to be Chief Justice of the Upper Bench. 31. James Naylor and others being in prison at Bristol and accused for Blasphemies and other great misdemeanors a Committee was appointed to send for them and to Examine the matter and Witnesses November 1656. 1. Letters That care is taken to bring the Silver from Portsmouth that was taken in the Spanish Gallion 4. Upon General Montague's coming into the House the Speaker gave him the thanks of the House for his great and good Services done for this Common-wealth at Sea 12. Debates to take away the Court of Wards and for the Vnion of Scotland and England 15. Debates touching Registring of Marriages and Burials 17. Proceedings upon the Bill for the Vnion of Scotland and England 27. The Protector came to the Painted Chamber and sent a Serjeant at Arms to give notice to the House that he was come the Speaker and the whole House went to the Painted Chamber where his Highness in the presence of the Lord President and the rest of the Council The Lords Commissioners of the great Seal The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury The Lords Chief Justices of the Benches The Master of the Rolls and the rest of the Judges gave his consent to these following Bills An Act That passing of Bills shall not determine this present session of Parliament An Act for renouncing and disanulling the pretended Title of Charles Stuart c. An Act for the security of his Highness the Lord Protector his Person and continuance of the nation in Peace and Safety An Act for taking away the Court of Wards and Liveries An Act for the Exportation of several commodities of the Breed Growths and Manufacture of this Common-wealth December 1656. 1. Applications to several members by the Spanish Merchants in the business of their trade 2. Applications by the Doctors and other Civilians for keeping up their Profession 4. The Earl of Abercorne sollicited upon his petition in Parliament 6. James Nayler was sent for and heard at the bar of the House it was thought by many that he was too fiercely prosecuted by some rigid men 8. The House resolved That James Nayler is guilty of horrid Blasphemy and that he is a grand Impostor and a great Seducer of the People The Bill to take away purveyance and another for Navigatiou were read 13. Several members spake to make an end of the business of James Naylor which had taken up too much of their time 17. Mr. Speaker by order of the House pronounced Judgment against James Naylor to stand in the Pillory two hours at Westminster to be whipped by the Hangman through the streets from Westminster to the Old Exchange and there to stand in the Pillory two hours more and that his Tongue be bored through with a Hot Iron and that he be stigmatized in the forehead with the lettter B. And that he be afterwards sent to Bristol and conveyed through the City on a Horse bare ridged and his face backward and there likewise whipped in the Market-place And that from thence he should be brought to London and committed to Prison in Bridewel and there to be restrained from all Company and kept to hard labour till he shall be released by Parliament and during that time to be debarred from the use of Pen Ink and Paper and to have no relief but what he earns by his labour 23. The House were debating how to provide mony for the War with Spain whilst some Members took liberty of absence 24. A Bill for probate of Wills and granting of Administration read 25. A Bill for preservation of the Timber in the Forrest of Dean ordered to be Ingrossed 31. The House voted that all absent Members that should not attend on that day fortnight should forfeit 20 l. to be paid before they come into the House January 1656. 2.
The day of the Assembly the Marquess his Commission was read and the next day a declaration and protestation was presented to the Commissioner in the name of the Archbishops and Bishops against the Assembly and containing a Nullity of it This was denyed to be read against which refusal The Commissioner entred a Protestation and took Instruments thereupon In the debate of Elections they left no man standing as a Commissioner who was not fully of their mind but the admission of Lay Elders past not without an high contest Many places protested against the Legality of their Session and the King having nominated six Lords of his Privy Council to be Assessors to his Commissioner in that Assembly they refused to entertain them or allow their suffrage affirming that If the King himself were present he should have but one Vote and that no negative one The Commissioner seeing no good likely to be done by continuing the Assembly and upon consultation the Council advising to dissolve it he went thither and caused a Paper to be read which was a Declaration the same in effect with the Proclamation discharging the Service Book Book of Canons c. After the Reading of it the Commissioner signed it and required it to be entred in the Books of the Assembly provided that the registring thereof be no approbation of the Lawfulness of the Assembly and protested that whatsoever should be done or said in it should not be obliging or reputed as an Act of a General Assembly The Commissioner assembled the Council to draw up a Proclamation for dissolving the Assembly which being agreed on was subscribed by all but the Earl of Argile who now began to shew himself for the Covenanters party The publishing of the Proclamation was Incountred with a Protestation of the Covenanters That is was lawful for them to continue the Assembly and that they would still adhere to all their former Protestations In pursuance hereof they presently declared six former General Assemblies which they thought would be against them to be null then they deprived all the Bishops and some they excommunicated and soon after they abolished Episcopacy it self as inconsistent with the Laws of that Church The Commissioner being returned in discontent for England the Covenanters began to levy Souldiers to impose Taxes to raise Fortifications to block up some and seise others of the King's Castles and to prepare for War This was the Fountain from whence our ensuing troubles did spring and therefore may deserve the larger Relation and tend the more to the full knowledge and understanding of our following story It was now 100 years since Calvin first set his foot into Geneva from whence the Bishop being expelled it was necessary to Institute some other Ecclesiastical Government Calvin being of great credit and esteem in that City the framing of this new Government was committed to his care he observing the civil state there to be Democratical he thought it must best suit therewith and with the liking of the People to frame the Ecclesiastical Government agreeable thereunto He therefore formed a Consistory of Elders a great part whereof were Lay men and they were to manage all matters Ecclesiastical This pleased the People of Geneva and some Entituled it to a Jus Divinum and it found good reception in the Gallican and Belgick Churches where it was generally setled The next design was to plant it in Britaine for which end Beza writes to Queen Elizabeth recommending this form to her as the onely thing to be desired in England ' s Reformation the Queen was loth to proscribe Episcopacy and to entertain this new model of Presbytery and therefore gave Beza his saying but not his desires and shortly after she and the Parliament whereof some Members inclined to this way were admonished in several treatises written and dedicated to them to abolish Episcopacy as Antichristian But the Queen and the Parliament stood fixed and could not be wrought to any unsettlement of the ancient discipline by Episcopacy In Scotland the new form prospered better for there about the year 1560. The Earl of Murray Prior of St. Andrews the Queen 's base Brother with his party Knox Buchanan and others gave such a shock to Popery as made every thing and by consequence Episcopacy which stood near it to Reel Yet in 20 years it could not be supplanted but it was gained upon by degrees first in an Assembly 1580. It was ordered that all Bishops on pain of Excommunication should resign up their offices and about three years after the Parliament the King being a minor annext their temporalties to the Crown of Scotland This was supposed to be Instigated from some of the Nobility and Ministers from England Whereupon the then Archbishop Whitgift by the Queen's command contrived three Articles in the late Canons to which all were to subscribe at their taking of holy orders 1. Acknowledging the Supremacy of the Queen 2. Professing conformity to the Book of Common Prayer and approbation of the Book of Ordering of Bishops Priests and Deacons 3. Assenting to the 39 Articles of the Church of England In Scotland the Hierarchy began somewhat to revive again by their Parliaments ratifying the Clergy as the third Estate 1584. But the other Party 1592. prevailed with that state to ratify their Discipline Thus Episcopacy and Presbytery took their turns of Government for about 30 years But about the year 1598. King James caused the Prelates in Scotland to be restored to their Votes in Parliament and in his Book Basilicon Doron he expressed no great affection to the Consistorian Government 1603. At his accession to the Crown of England he was urged by Petition of 1000 Ministers against Episcopacy but he slighted it and by several Acts of Parliament in Scotland he rescinded what had been formerly enacted there to the prejudice of Episcopacy and from that time till these commotions this year in Scotland the Presbyters did not appear in opposition In October Mary de Medices the Queen Mother of France came into England the people were generally discontented at her coming and at her followers which some observed to be the Sword or Pestilence and that her restless Spirit Imbroyled all where she came That her combining with Monsieur the Duke of Orleans and the ill success of that Enterprise made France too hot for her and drave her to Bruxells where the Cardinal Infanta carressed her a while but there she was pursued with such curses that for fear of violence to her person she quitted that Country and betook herself to the protection of the Prince of Orange where she stay'd not long but receiving an invitation from the Queen her daughter she repayred into England The King perceiving that the Scots intended nothing but War thought not fit to yield them the start but by advice of the Archbishop Laud and others he hastened his levies of men and money and because this was the Bishops War
into the fire these bloody and mysterious Volumes of constructive and arbitrary Treason as the Primitive Christians did their Books of curious Arts and betake your selves to the plain Letter of the Law and Statute that telleth us what is and what is not Treason without being more ambitious to be more learned in the Art of Killing than our Fore-fathers It is now full two hundred and fourty years since any man was touched for this alleaged Crime to this height before my self Let us not awaken these sleeping Lions to our destructions by taking up a few musty Records that have lain by the walls so many Ages forgotten or neglected May your Lordships please not to add this to my other Misfortunes let not a President be derived from me so disadvantageous as this will be in the Consequence to the whole Kingdom Do not through me wound the Interest of the Common-wealth and howsoever these Gentlemen say they speak for the Common-wealth yet in this particular I indeed speak for and shew the Inconveniences and mischiefs that will fall upon it For as it is said in the Statute 1 H. 4. No man will know what to do or say for fear of such Penalties Do not put my Lords such Difficulties upon Ministers of State that men of VVisdom of Honour and of Fortune may not with chearfulness and safety be imployed for the Publick if you weigh and measure them by Grains and Scruples the publick Affairs of the Kingdom will lie wast no man will meddle with them who hath any thing to lose My Lords I have troubled you longer than I should have done were it not for the Interest of these dear Pledges a Saint in Heaven hath left me At this word he stopt awhile letting fall some tears at her Memory then he went on What I forfeit my self is nothing but that my Indiscretion should extend to my Posterity woundeth me to the very Soul You will pardon my Infirmity something I should have added but am not able therefore let it pass And now my Lords for my self I have been by the blessing of Almighty God taught That the afflictions of this present life are not to be compared to the eternal weight of glory which shall be revealed hereafter And so my Lords even so with all tranquility of mind I freely submit my self to your Judgment and whether that Judgment be of Life or Death Te Deum landamus Certainly never any Man acted such a part on such a Theatre with more Wisdome Constancy and Eloquence with greater Reason Judgment and Temper and with a better Grace in all his Words and Gestures than this great and excellent Person did and he moved the hearts of all his Auditors some few excepted to remorse and pity After he had done Pym and Glyn endeavoured to aggravate his Offences and so both Houses rose The Commons thought fit to justifie their Charge by Law to be Treason To which effect Mr. St. John one of the Committee made an elaborate and learned Argument It was insisted upon amongst many other things That in the Stat. 25 E. 3. the Index of Treason is a Salvo that because all particular Treasons could not be then defined therefore what the Parliament should declare to be Treason in time to come should be punished as Treason April 17. The Point in Law was argued for the Earl by Mr. Lane the Princes Attorney Mr. Loe Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Lightfoot were also present of his Councel Mr. Lane argued upon the Statute 25 E. 3. That it was a declarative Law not to be extended by Equity Consequence or Construction but by the express Letter only and being a Penal Law admitted no Inferences Penalties being to enforce obedience to known Laws not to doubtful or conjectural As to the Salvo he said That 6 H. 8. 4. a Petition was preferred by the Lords to have all Treasons limited by Statute and in that Parliament Chap. 20. an Act was made whereby that Salvo in 25 E. 3. was repealed and nothing to be Treason but what was literally comprehended in the Statute 25 E. 3. After this a Bill was brought into the House of Commons to attaint the Earl of high Treason upon Debate whereof they voted him guilty of high Treason And 19. April upon the Ingrossment of the Bill it endured a sharp Debate The Lord Digby and divers others appearing eminently for the Earl against the Bill but upon division of the House the Bill was passed yet there were fifty nine Dissenters This was 21. April and the same Afternoon it was sent up to the Lords April 24. The Lords were put in mind to appoint a Day for the reading of the Bill of Attainder and 29. April Mr. St. John by command of the House of Commons in the presence of the Lord Strafford offered to the Lords Reasons and Authorities to satisfie them and to justifie the Bill by Law The House of Commons in the mean time petitioned the King 1. For removing Papists from Court. 2. For disarming of them generally 3. For disbanding the Irish Army To which the King gave Answer 1. That all knew the legal trust the Crown had in that particular that he would use it so as not to give just cause of scandal 2. He was content it should be done by Law 3. Vpon Consultation he found many Difficulties therein and so wished the Disbanding of all Armies as he did conjure them speedily and heartily to joyn with him in disbanding those two here Scots and English May 1. The King called both Houses of Parliament together and did passionately desire of them not to proceed severely against the Earl whom he answered for as to most of the main particulars of the Charge against him tells them that in Conscience he cannot condemn the Earl of high Treason and that neither fear nor any other respect should make him go against his Conscience But for Misdemeanours he is so clear in them that he thinks the Earl not fit hereafter to serve him or the Commonwealth in any place of trust no not so much as a Constable May 2 d The Marriage was solemnized at Court between the young Prince of Orange and the Princess Mary the King's Daughter This day being Sunday from some Pulpits it was preached to the People the necessity of Justice upon some great Delinquents now to be acted And the next Morning May 3. a Rabble of about six thousand out of the City came thronging down to Westminster with Swords Cudgels and Staves crying out for Justice against the Earl of Strafford pretending decay of Trade and want of Bread They applyed themselves to the Earl of Mont-gomery who gave them good words and endeavoured to pacific them which is the best way in popular Tumults and yet this Multitude were very rude with some of the Lords and they posted up at Westminster the Names of all those Members of the House of Commons who had Voted for the Earl and
called them Straffordians This being informed to the House by some who were named in that List as a high breach of the Priviledge of Parliament yet being the act of a Multitude no redress was endeavoured These Tumults were accompanied with an Information of some practice in the North to distract the English Army and to debauch them against the Parliament These Passages occasioned a Debate in the House of Commons about a National Protestation to maintain the Protestant Religion against Popery the King's Person the Power of Parliament and the Rights and Liberties of the Subject May 5. This Protestation was taken by the Commons House the next day by the Lords and ordered to be generally taken by all the People of England The House of Commons then took in debate the raising of Moneys to satisfie those great Accounts of the two Armies with which the Kingdom was so highly burthened wherein a Lancashire Knight offered to procure his Majesty 650000 l. till the Subsidies should be raised if he would pass a Bill Not to Prorogue Adjourn or Dissolve this Parliament without Consent of both Houses to indure till the Grievances were redressed and to give the Parliament Credit to take up Monies This was well liked by many Parliament-men who upon the passing of such a Bill would sit the surer and the longer in their Saddles and they were so hot upon it that the same Afternoon they made a Committee to bring in such a Bill the next Morning and Whitelocke was named to draw the Bill Of forty five Lords twenty six Voted the Earl guilty of high Treason upon the fifteenth Article For levying Money in Ireland by force in a warlike manner And upon the nineteenth Article For imposing an Oath upon the Subjects in Ireland The Bill for continuance of the Parliament was brought into the House the next Morning after it was propounded and the same day it was perfected and past the House of Commons This Bill and the Act of Attainder being both past by the Commons a Conference was had with the Lords after they had passed them and a Message sent by some Lords to the King to intreat his Answer who promised to satisfie them within two days The King being much perplexed upon the tendring of these two Bills to him between the Clamours of a discontented People and an unsatisfied Conscience he took advice as some reported of several of the Bishops and of others his intimate Counsellors what to doe in this intricate Affair and that the major part of them urged to him the Opinions of the Judges that this was Treason and the Bill legal They pressed likewise the Votes of the Parliament That he was but one man that no other Expedient could be found out to appease the inraged People and that the Consequences of a furious Multitude would be very terrible Upon all which they perswaded him to pass the Bills But the chief Motive was said to be a Letter of the Earl of Strafford then sent unto him wherein the gallant Earl takes notice of these things and what is best for his Majesty in these streights and to set his Conscience at liberty He doth most humbly beseech him for prevention of such mischief as may happen by his refusal to pass the Bill to remove him out of the way towards that blessed Agreement which God I trust shall for ever establish betwixt you and your Subjects Sir my Consent herein shall more acquit you to God than all the world can do besides To a willing man there is no Injury done By these Passages and by some private dealings the King was perswaded to sign a Commission to three Lords to pass these two Bills and that he should ever be brought to it was admired by most of his Subjects as well as by Foreigners After he had signed these Bills the King sent Secretary Carleton to the Earl to acquaint him with what was done and the Motives of it especially the Earl's Consent who seriously asked the Secretary whether his Majesty had passed the Bill or not as not believing without some astonishment that the King would have done it And being again assured that it was past he rose up from his Chair lift up his Eyes to Heaven laid his Hand on his Heart and said Put not your trust in Princes nor in the Sons of men for in them there is no Salvation Great Censures as in all great businesses were past upon the King 's passing of both these Bills That the one was against his most faithful Servant and the other against himself Certainly he had great remorse thereupon and the next day May 11. he sent a Letter by the Prince to the Lords written all with his own hand That they would confer with the House of Commons to spare the life of the Earl and that it would be a high Contentment to him Some did not stick to say that this was promised to him before he signed the Bill of Attainder and to bring him to it But now the Lords House did not think fit to consent to his Majestie 's desire therein May 12. The Earl was brought to the Scaffold on the Tower-hill as he passed by he looked up to the Window where the Archbishop lay who spake to him with comfort and courage He made on the Scaffold a most ingenious charitable and pious Speech and Prayers gave some Directions touching his Children and died with charity courage and general lamentation Thus fell this Noble Earl who for natural Parts and Abilities and for improvement of knowledge by experience in the greatest Affairs for wisdom faithfulness and gallantry of mind hath left few behind him that may be ranked equal with him The Design for the Earl's escape out of the Tower was related to be discovered by three women who peeping and hearkning to the discourse of the Earl with Captain Billingsley they at the Key-hole of the Earl's Gallery-door heard them confer about the falling down of the Ship to take in the Earl and Billingsley brought a Warrant from the King with two hundred men to be received into the Tower for the safety of it but Sir William Balfour the Lieutenant refused to admit them suspecting that they came to further the Earl's escape Balfour confessed that two thousand pounds were offered him to consent to the Earl's escape and the Earl himself did not deny a Design which he said was only for his remove to some other Castle But Balfour was true to the Interest of his Country-men the Covenanters and their friends in Parliament Divers great Officers of State resigned up their Places either accounting themselves insecure or to satisfie others May 17. The Lord Cottington gave up his Place of Master of the Wards which the Lord Say had conferred on him Bishop Juxon resigned his Office of Treasurer and five Commissioners were appointed to execute it for the time The Earl of Leicester was made Lieutenant of
Ireland Marquess Hertford Governour to the Prince and the Earl of Essex was made Lord Chamberlain of the King's House The Field Officers and Commanders of the English Army were at London and some of them Members of both Houses the Army was left to the care of Sir Jacob Ashley And the dislikes between the King and Parliament with the supply of the Scots Army and neglect of the English caused discontent in the English Officers and private Meetings and Consultations which were discovered and the Design not brought to a head was crushed June 19. It was Voted that the Scots should receive 100000 l. of the 300000 l. The Scots by a Paper pretended necessity of 25000 l. in present The Parliament took off 10000 l. of 50000 l. which they had appointed for the English Army and order it for the Scots The Lord Piercy Commissary VVilmot and Ashburnham Members of the Parliament sitting together and murmuring at it Wilmot stept up and said That if such Papers of the Scots could procure Moneys he doubted not but the Officers of the English would soon doe the like And this caused the English Army to say that the Parliament had disobliged them The Officer's put themselves into a Junto of sworn Secrecy drew up some Heads by way of Petition to the King and Parliament For Money for the Army Not to Disband before the Scots To preserve Bishops Votes and Functions To settle the King's Revenue The Army tainted from hence met and drew up a Letter or Petition which was shewed to the King and approved and signed by him with C. R. and a Direction to Captain Leg that none should see it but Sir Jacob Ashley the main drift was That the Army might be called up to attend the safety of the King's Person and Parliaments security or that both Armies might be disbanded Mr. Thomas a Member of the House of Commons made a sharp and historical Speech against Bishops and concluded it with his Opinion for the unlawfulness of their sitting in Parliament any longer Mr. White did second him and divers others declared the like Opinion against Bishops The Commons had Debate about a new Form of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and July 17. agreed That every Shire should be a several Diocess a Presbytery of twelve Divines in each Shire and a President as a Bishop over them and he with assistance of some of the Presbytery to Ordain Suspend Deprive Degrade and Excommunicate To have a Diocessan Synod once a year and every third year a National Synod and they to make Canons but none to be binding till confirmed by Parliament The Primate of Armagh offered an Expedient for Conjunction in point of Discipline that Episcopal and Presbyterial Government might not be at a far distance but reducing Episcopacy to the form of Synodical Government in the ancient Church June 22d. The Commons presented to the King an Act for granting of Tonnage and Poundage to him which he before took as his due but by passing this Act accepted as a gift from his people The House also presented to the King the Act of Poll-money for the defraying the Charge of the Armies and with it an Act for putting down the high Commission Court and another Act to put down the Star-chamber July 2d. He passed the Poll-money but demurred upon the other two Acts but being informed of the discontent of the House of Commons because he had not passed the other two Bills he came again July 6. and passed the other two Bills likewise The Queen Mother went out of England into the Low-countries and shortly after died The King acquainted the Parliament with his purpose to send Sir Thomas Row Ambassadour to the Emperour to be present at the Diet at Ratisbone and there to mediate on the behalf of the Prince Elector and his intent to publish a Manifesto in his own Name about this business to which the Parliament assented July 5 th The House of Commons had a Report from their Committee of a Charge against Doctor Wren Bishop of Ely and he was voted unworthy and unfit to hold or exercise any Office or Dignity in Church or Commonwealth And a Message sent to the Lords to desire their Concurrence in a Petition to the King That he might be removed from his Place and Service and he was committed to the Tower and by few pitied Another Charge was brought in against five Judges Brampston Trevor Weston Davenport and Crawley who gave their Opinions for Ship-money and against Judge Berkley for high Treason but he came off by Redemption as is before remembred The House of Commons made an Order and Sir Robert Harlow the Executioner of it to take away all scandalous Pictures Crosses and Figures within Churches and without and the zealous Knight took down the Cross in Cheapside Charing-cross and other the like Monuments impartially The King had given Notice of his Purpose to go into Scotland and had set the Day to begin his Journey August 10. to which both Houses had agreed Yet now the Commons desire him to put off his Journey for a Fortnight the Affairs of State and his passing of some Bills requiring it But to please them the King the same day passed the Bill for taking away Knighthood-money and another for making of Gunpowder and Salt-Petre and signed a Commission to divers great Lords for passing of Bills in his absence He also signed a Bill for making the Earl of Essex General of his Forces on this side Trent with power to raise Forces in case of necessity but he refused to make the Earl of Pembroke Lord high Steward Judge Croke obtained his Writ of Ease upon his own Petition to the King but the Profits of his Place were continued to him After some Debate in Parliament whether the English or Scottish Army should be first disbanded it was at last agreed that both of them should be disbanded together which was done accordingly Aug. 6. and the Scots with Store of English Money and Spoils and the best Entertainment left their warm and plentiful Quarters August 8. Being the Lord's-day yet the House of Commons thought fit to sit for the dispatch of some important Affairs before the King went out of Town towards Scotland which was appointed the Tuesday after but they Printed an Order of Excuse for their sitting on that Day and that it should not be drawn in President After this the Parliament Adjourned to the 20 th of October and a Committee of fifty of the House of Commons was appointed to sit during the Recess with ample powers Hitherto the Calm was not quite blown over but now hideous Storms began to arise and threaten the long-enjoyed Mercies of Peace and Happiness in this Nation Discontents at Government Distractions of Opinion in Matters of Religion the whole Kingdom seemed to be moulded into a Spirit of Division and Contradiction Insolencies and Disorders unpunished or connived at
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
to his Majesty three of them were agreed unto and the fourth concerning the Militia was committed 4. The Speaker came very late to the House and was not able to sit above a quarter of an hour in the afternoon they sate in a grand Committee to provide a constant Pay for the Army and to take away free Quarter The House adjourned till Tuesday The Officers in every Regiment in obedience to the General 's Order put out all Soldiers who had been taken in since the engagement at New-Market or that had been of the Kings Party They flocked to the Head Quarters at Windsor desiring Money to bear their Charges or to return to their several Regiments from whence they came Those who had formerly served the Parliament were for want of Money to pay them off returned to their Regiments but not the Cavaliers or disorderly Persons A Corporal of Col. Lilburne's Regiment was sentenced to death by the Councel of War for putting on the Mutiny of that Regiment and five or six Troopers to run the Gantelope which was executed at Windsor but the Corporal was reprieved till Captain Braye's Tryal Who being tryed in part carried himself with great Pride and Arrogance The General Councel of the Army were informed of an universal denyal of Payment of the Assessment of the Army to make them odious and by that means to have free quarter taken off Twenty Resolute Fellows designed to rob the Exchequer but were discovered by a Water-man and Guards set to meet with them but sixteen of the Company fought resolutely and made their way through the Guards the other four were taken much wounded 16. the House sate not because of the Speaker's being sick The High German Prophet published a Maenifesto of great destruction to be in England the which he had before told to the King and to the General 7. A Petition for Hertford-shire to be eased of free Quarter the Petitioners had thanks for their good affections and were told that the House was now upon that business and hoped to give satisfaction therein to the whole Kingdom An information against a Member of the House that he had been a Delinquent was referred to a Committee A Petition from Bucks and another from Middlesex against free Quarter the Petitioners had the same answer as those of Hertford-shire had before Order to continue the Speakers to be Commissioners of the great Seal for twenty days after the next Term. Col. Sir Hardress Waller and Col. Whaley presented from the General and Council of the Army the representation of the Army and desired it might have a present reading It was read and referred to a Committee to report what parts of it were fit to be presently proceeded in 1. It takes notice how little hath been done since the Speakers return from the Army 2. That through this delay there have been dangerous attempts 3. That notwithstanding the Army is again setled 4. That the General engaged they should have content in Pay 5. The want of Pay occaesioning free Quarter but nothing done to take it off 6. They could have made their own way of Pay and destroyed their opposers but have studied the preservation of all 7. The Parliament have had sufficient cautions yet supernumeraries being twenty thousand are not disbanded 8. That the Pay be inlarged for the whole and they will engage that no free quarter shall be taken Much about Arrears and stating Accounts Till these things setled they offer That part of the Army may quarter in London till the Arrears be levied for maimed Soldiers and Apprentices Freedom and all must be done with all possible speed and if content be not given by the end of this Week they cannot answer for the Army but desire it may be under the conduct of others and that the Impeached Citizens may be proceeded against and the City pay the Countries dammage by free quarter occasioned by their not paying the Assessments 8. Upon a report from the Committee to whom the Representation of the Army was referred Order for a Committee of six to go to the General and treat with him and his Councel about disbanding the supernumeraries and Instructions agreed for them Votes for Pay and provision of Money free quarter to be upon those places which pay not the Assessment Both Houses passed the Ordinance of Tunnage and Poundage and some other Ordinances for Money and for the two Speakers to be Commissioners of the great Seal till twenty days after next Term. Mr. Walter Montague had liberty Order to exclude private business for eight days Letters from the Isle of Wight That the King was much retired his old Servants and Chaplains came to him Col. Jones had good success in Ireland 9. A Letter from the King to both Houses Taxing them for not answering his last Message and earnestly pressing for a personal Treaty that Peace may be setled the retarding whereof he lays on them and expresseth his own readiness to consent Order to communicate this to the Scots Commissioners Proceedings upon the Impeachments against the seven Lords 10. Upon a report from the Committee several Bills assented to to be presented to the King and Instructions for the Commissioners who are to present them A Letter from the Assembly in Scotland to the Assembly at Westminster ordered to be brought into the House Order for Fuel and money for the maimed Souldiers A further day desired to bring in the Charge against the Impeached Members and an Ordinance pass'd both Houses for Money for Plymouth Garrison 11. A Petition from the Gentlemen of Ireland now in London complaining of the want of Supplys for the Forces in Ireland the Petitioners had thanks for their care of that Kingdom and a day set for consideration of that business Difference upon amendments of the Ordinance of Tunnage and Poundage Order to re-imburse the Commissioners of the Customs and to continue them Mr. Scot added to the Committee of Sequestrations The Parliaments Commissioners conferred with the General about the disbanding of Forces and agreed that there be no addition of Forces and for securing of Arrears Representations were presented to the General from particular Regiments 13. The Speaker acquainted the House with a new design to raise an Army against the Parliament the Examination of it was referred to a Committee The Lieutenant of the Tower apprehended some suspitious Persons there and the House approved thereof Divers Compositions were passed Some brought out of Ireland referred to the Committee at Derby-House Order for Col. Mitton to secure Sir Faithful Fortescue Order for the Commissioners of the Great Seal to present to Livings The Impeachments against the seven Lords were long debated Letters from the Commissioners at Windfor of their proceedings Letters from York of a Soldiers being censured by the Council of War to a weeks imprisonment and dyet of Bread and Water for being unruly at his Quarters and not contented with his dyet another cashiered
to examine and punish Church-wardens Sequestrators and others who countenance the same Order to put in Execution the ordinance for abolishing Holy-days A Printed Paper directed to the Speaker intituled Observations on the Scots Message to the Parliament referred to a Committee to find out the Authors and Printers of it being very scandalous to the King Parliament and Army Mr. Saltmarsh the Minister assirmed that he had somewhat revealed to him from Heaven wherewith he must acquaint the Army And presently went from his House in Essex to Windsor where he spake with the General with his hat on and told him he had doted on him but now must honour him no more because he had Imprisoned the Saints He also told the Officers of the Army That formerly he came to them as a Lamb but now he was come as a Lyon to tell them what the Lord bad revealed to him That though the Lord had done much by them and for them yet he had now for saken them and would not prosper them because they had for saken him their first Principles and had imprison'd the Saints with many of the like expressions He then told the Army He had delivered his message done his work and must leave them and see them no more and so went from Windsor to London and from thence to his House in Essex where being ill on Friday he told his Wife he had now finished his Course and must go to his Father And the next day he dyed 27. Orders for Money for the Navy At a Conference the Commons informed the Lords that Col. Rainsborough had cleared himself of the objections formerly made against him and now at the desire of the General and his Councel the Commons had voted him to be readmitted to his imployment of Vice-Admiral and desired their Lordships Concurrence therein Debate upon a Petition of Doctor Trigge Some Compositions of Delinquents passed Letters from the Commissioners sent to the King That they presented the Bills and Propositions to his Majesty who then said He was assured they would not expect a present answer but he would take the same into consideration and give his answer within few days The next day after the four Bills presented to the King the Scots Commissioners came to him and presented to him a Declaration That they had endeavoured by all means to the Parliament of England for furthering a happy Peace having seen the Propositions and understood of Bills brought to his Majesty which they apprehend prejudicial to Religion the Crown and the Vnion between the Kingdoms and therefore in the name of the Kingdom of Scotland declare their dissent The General sent his Letters to Major General Lambert Major General Laugherne Major General Mitton Major Hopton Col. Humphreys Col. Duckenfield and Col. Venables concerning the disbanding supernumeraries Letters from Ireland of Col. Jone's Marching into Wicklow That his Regiment conformed that Owen Roe Oneale was by the Popish Clergy opposing the Laity made Generalissimo of the Rebels and General Preston cast off That Sir Charles Coote was gone into the Field but Sir Robert and Sir William Steward's Regiments refused to March with him That the Soldiers under the Lord Iuchequin in the last Victory they gained fought all of them with the greatest courage imaginable though they wanted Cloaths Shooes and Bread 28. Debate of an Ordinance for eight hundred pound per An. to be setled on the Bishop of Durham A Petition from Newcastle complaining of the sore burden upon them of free Quarter when the Scots were there and ever since and the Oppression not so great in any other part of the Kingdom Order that they shall have the publick Faith for all free Quarter since the Scots were there Orders for Ammunition for that Garrison and touching the Sequestrations there and in Northumberland to pay Money due to those Countries The Lords dissented from Col. Rainsborough's going to Sea and gave their Reasons for it at a Conference A Message from the Lords to give the Marquess of Winton four Months longer time of liberty and to consider of the Petition of the Lord Cromwell A Letter of thanks written to the Commissioners in the Isle of Wight Divers Compositions passed 29. The Monthly Fast-day News came of a great Disorder and tumult in Canterbury about the observation of Christmas-day the Major endeavouring the Execution of the Ordinance for abolishing holy-days was much abused by the rude multitude had his head broken and was dragged up and down till he got into an house for his safety They broke into the houses of divers others who were of the Majors Opinion put themselves into a Military Posture kept Guards stopt Passes and examined Passengers and the like Insurrections were in several other places of the Kingdom 30. Upon a Letter from the Committee of Kent of the disorder at Canterbury The House ordered That the Order for examining and committing of Church wardens c. who countenanced Malignant Ministers should be Printed and referred the business of the Riot at Canterbury to the Committee with power to send for Parties c. and to imprison and to certifie the whole matter to the House The like Riot at Eling in Middlesex was referred to be examined and proceeded against at the Sessions of Peace Letters from the General that he had given a Commission to Sir Arthur Haselrigge to be Governor of New-castle which the House approved and ordered him to repair thither to his Charge Mr. Harris a Church-Warden of St. Martins Parish ordered to be committed for bringing Delinquents to Preach there and to be displaced from being Church-warden there 31. Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax That by reason of a late Mutiny and design to carry away the King he had given order to Col. Hammond to keep a strict guard upon his Majesties Person till he further knew the pleasure of the Parliament The House approved therof and ordered the General to take special care for securing the Person of his Majesty where he now is in Caresbrooke Castle And they ordered that Col. Hammond the Governor of the Isle of Wight take special care for securing the King's Person where he now is and to observe such further Orders therein as he should receive from the General and the Lords concurred herein The Parliaments Commissioners returned from the King with little satisfaction touching the four Bills presented to him The House Ordered that Mr. Marshal and Mr. Nye be desired to come and pray with the House to morrow morning to seek God for his blessing and direction in their consultations tending to matters of great concernment The general Councel of the Army agreed upon Warrants to be sent from the General to all those Officers whose Soldiers were to be disbanded according to the Orders of Parliament that they conform unto and see the same done accordingly and mention of the stating their Accounts and security for their Arrears with present Pay of
Provisions and Ammunition Order for 100 l. to Mr. King who brought the Letters from Sir Charles Coot for his good Service Referred to the Councel of State to examine the Business of Captain Kesar mentioned in Sir Charles Coots Letter and to send for and secure him if they find cause 25 By Vote the House declared That all such English and Scots and all others that have ingaged for the Parliament of England in the Nation of Scotland and have revolted from that Service and all such as have or shall adhere unto or joyn with Charles Stuart eldest Son of the late King in that Nation are Traytors and shall have their Estates confiscate and their Persons proceeded against by Martial Law Order for these Votes to be Printed and Published and a Copy of them to be sent to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Order to forbid proceedings in the Composition of the Earl of Derby because he holds the Isle of Man against the Parliament By two Printed Papers and three Letters to the Committee of the Army for discovery of Criminal Offenders Mr. Speaker was taxed for an ill Member and that he had conveyed a great Sum of Money to the King and Matters of Falsehoods and Breach of Trust are charged on him Upon the Order of the General the Officers of the Army certifyed under their Hands That they never examined any matter touching the Speaker nor had any Order from his Excellency for that purpose to authorize it That they find the same Business had been Judicially heard before a Committee of Parliament and by them reported to the House who declared those complaints raysed and prosecuted falsely malitiously and scandalously against the Speaker and that exemplary Punishment be inflicted upon the Prosecutors The Officers of the Army conclude their Certificates That they humbly conceive the said Information raysed and promoted since the Judgement of the House as aforesaid was a practice to bring an Odium upon the Speaker who hath so highly merited from the publick An Advertisement published That if any Countryman be injured by the Souldiers taking of Free-Quarter contrary to the Act that upon Complaint to the Judge Advocate of the Army and Proof thereof made he shall have Satisfaction out of the Pay of the Souldier and Protection from the Army 27 The House sate not Letters from Dublin to the Councel of State of some Correspondence betwixt the Governour of Tredagh and Lieutenant General Jones and that Ormond came thither with 1500 Horse and 2000 Foot That Owen Roe O Neal conceiving that he had merited from the Parliament desired a Convoy for his Men to serve the Spaniard but nothing was granted Letters that the Scots Army was full of Malignants and the Nation full of Feares That nothing will give Satisfaction there but the Kings putting Malignants from him and granting the particulars of the Covenant Letters from Mr. Peters to the Councel giving them an account of the Fleets setting sail for Ireland c. Lieutenant Collonel Morrice Governour of Pontfract Castle for the King was executed according to the Sentence of the Court Marshal Letters that 5 Men of War wearing the Scots Colours set upon 5 Ships of the Parliaments killed 4 of their Men wounded 18 and did much Prejudice to the Ships The Governours of the new Corporation in London for setting the poor to work sent their Warrants requiring the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor in every Parish to return the Names to them of all such as are able to work and have not meanes to maintain themselves and of all who are not able to work and want Livelyhood 28 Order for such as neglect to take out Discharges upon their Compositions for Delinquency to be taken into Custody The Act passed prohibiting the Importing of any Wines Wool or Silk from France into England or Ireland An Act passed for admitting the Purchasers of Bishops Lands to pay the whole purchase Money by Weavers-Hall Bills Another Act passed touching the second 40000 l. charged on the Excise and Goldsmiths-Hall 29 The Publique Thanksgiving day Solemnized The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland shortly after his landing at Dublin published a Proclamation reciting the great Mercies of God to that City particularly in the late Defeat given to the Rebels who incompassed it round about and finding that notwithstanding the Goodness of God to them yet by profane Swearing Cursing and Drunkenness his holy Name is dayly dishonoured and blasphemed contrary to the Laws of God and the known Laws of that Land and to the Articles of War He commands the Major and Magistrates of the City and the Officers of the Army to put in due Execution the Laws against such Offenders and that he will punish the neglect and contempt of this Proclamation with the severest Punishment of the Law 30 The Act for relief of Prisoners of Debt was after a long Debate and difference in Opinion ordered upon the Question to be ingrossed Debate touching Fees and Salaries of the Officers belonging to the House The Arrears of Sir Adam Lostus referred to the Committee for Irish Affairs Letters from Holland That the Prince his Men run away from him for want of Mony That 2 Irish Frigots brought into Dunkirk 6 Hull Ships for Prizes Letters from Dublin That the English Fleet which came thither with the L. Lieutenant strikes a great Terrour into the Enemy That Trumpets came to Jones from Ormond Inchequin and others but he sent them back with this Answer That now all Addresses must be made to the L. Lt. Cromwel 31 Order that Serjeant Dandey Serjeant at Arms to the Councel do proclaim the Act for prohibiting the Importation of Wines Wool and Silks from France Debate touching Mr. Warners Case An Act passed touching the West-India Islands and making them subordinate to the Government of England Order for an Act to prohibite the Brewing of Ale or Beer above 10 s. the Barrel Report by the Councel of a Letter from the Lieutenant of Ireland giving an Account of his Condition after his safe Arrival and laying open his necessities for Supplies and speedy Recruits Referred to the Councel of State to consider of the Letter and Desires of the L. Lieutenant and to answer his Expectation so far forth as it may not increase the Charge of this Common-Wealth Order for Payment of the 200 l. formerly given to Captain Poulton Order for 1200 l. for C. Fielder late Governour of Portsmouth for his Service there and 1148 l. for his Arreares out of concealed Delinquents Estates to be discovered by him Upon a Report from the Councel of their Opinion That Sir Kenelm Digby is a dangerous Person and to know the pleasure of the House concerning him they Voted That he was not within the compass of the Votes for compounding for his Delinquency And that he be injoyned to depart the Common-Wealth within 20 days and not to return without leave of the House under pain of Death
to be hanged That in this Defeat at Kerny the L. Broghil slew about 700 and took 20 Captains Lieutenants and other Officers and the Standard of the Church of Munster it being a Church Army That the Horse did the Service before the Foot came up at such a Passe where 100 Musquetiers might have beaten back all the Horse in Ireland 27 From Edenburgh the Particulars of the Execution of Montrosse That being brought before the Parliament the Chancellor made a large Speech to him telling him how much formerly he was for the Covenant and how he had since broken it He told them his Cause was good and that he had not onely a Commission but particular Orders for what he did from his Majesty whom he was ingaged to be a Servant to and they also had prefessed to comply with and upon that Account however they dealt with him he would own them to be a Parliament That if they would take away his Life the World knew he regarded it not It was a debt that must once be payd and that he was willing and did much rejoyce that he must go the same way his Majestie did And it was the joy of his Heart not onely to do but to suffer for him The Parliament gave Sentence upon him that he should be hanged upon a Gibbet of six Ells and a half high and after he was hanged his Head to be severed from his Body and put upon the Toulbooth at Edenburgh his right Hand to be cut off and sent to Glascow his left to Aberdeen his right Foot to Saint Johns Towns and his left to Dundee That all the time of his Sentence and Execution he seemed to be no way altered but his Speech full of Composure when they bid him kneel he told them he would observe any Posture to manifest his Obedience especially to them who were so near to a Conjunction with his Majesty and a Minister attending to offer him Absolution he refused it from the Minister but defired him to pray with him Which the Minister refused unless he would take Absolution from him He himself prayed very zealously and suffered with great Meekness and Courage From Leverpoole That the Ingagement is willingly taken that some Powder and Match going to some Cavaliers was seized upon 28 A Bill for setling the Militia of the Commonwealth committed Order for an Act to be brought in to impower the Militia of London to raise Horse another for Westminster another to be for setting the Poor to work throughout the Nation Letters from Clonmel May 10. This Day we entered Clonmel which was quit by the Enemy the last Night after a tedious Storm which continued 4 houres Our men kept close to the Breach which they had entered all the time Save onely one accidentall Retreat in the Storm We lost in this Storm C. Cullum and some other Officers with divers private Souldiers and others wounded The Enemy had made many great Preparations within by a Traverse or Crossework and to beat our men off as they entred but afterwards many of them stole out of the Town and left some few with the Inhabitants to make Conditions in the morning our Forces pursued and killed all they could light upon 29 From Newcastle That the Scots are in dayly Expectation of their Kings landing in some Part of the North that some Parliament Ships are wafting up and downe on that Coast under Captain Hall 30 From Clonmel That C. Reynolds is wayting upon the Motions of Castlehaven with 1500 Horse and Dragoons That they found in Clonmel the stoutest Enemy that ever was found by the Army in Ireland and that there was never seen so hot a Storm of so long a Continuance and so gallantly defended neither in England nor Ireland From Portsmouth of a man of War taken with the Commission of Charles the Second From Berwicke That the Scots Commissioners went beyond their Instructions in promising their King Assistance against England that their Ministers pray for the Confusion of the Sectarian Army in England And that their Army is marching Southwards 31 From Coventry That few or none of the Commonalty of that Countey but had taken the Ingagement From Bristol That the L. Lt. of Ireland was landed there and that they fired their great Guns thrice over at his Arrival From Guernzy That M. Harrison had besieged the Castle and made 150 Shot at it From Dublin That C. Reynolds was sate downe before Tecroghan where C. Hewson met him that they made their Approaches within Pistol Shot of it without the loss of one man That it is a very strong Place never possest by the Parliaments Forces during all the time of the Rebellion That the Titular Bishop of Clogher G. of the Northern Irish marching with about 300 Horse and 4000 Foot being faced by 1000 of the Parliaments Horse retreated and many of his men dispersed From Scotland That Montrosse would have nothing to do with the Kirkemen at the time of his Execution and that the People shewed much sorrow and regret at his Death That the Scots Parliament invited the King thither and expect his sudden Arrival That the Lord Argyle late turned Royalist and other Lords are so desirous of his coming that they postpone the Churches interest thereto The L. Lt. of Ireland came to Town he was met on Hounstow-heath by many Members of Parliament and Officers of the Army and at Hide-parke saluted with great Guns and a Volly of Shot from C. Barksteads Regiment and lodged in Whitehall June 1650. 1 Great Ceremonyes and Appeareances of joy upon the coming of the L. Lt. of Ireland to London most of the Persons of Quality the Members of Parliament and Officers of the Army about the Town paid their Visits to him and congratulated the safe Arrival of his Excellence after so many Dangers both by Sea and Land wherein God had preserved him and the wonderfull Successes which he had given him 3 From Edenburgh That the Ministers are earnest in Prayer for the Kings coming but so that he may first condescend to all that is propounded That they are busie in setling Officers for his Majesties House and in purging the Army That Letters came from the King expressing much sorrow at the Report he hears that there is some blood of his good Subjects shed of late But not knowing how it is desires to understand the business fully That Sir John Vrrey and C. Spotteswood are forthwith to be beheaded From Leverpool That the Excise was quietly settled in those parts A Souldier for Swearing and Blastheaming and abusing a poor Woman to whom he owed Money was sentenced by the Court Marshal To ride the Wooden Horse an hour three days with a Gag in his mouth to run the Gantlope through two Companies of Foot to have his Sword broken over his head and to be cashiered the Army 4 Visits from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to the Lord General Fairfax and the
the Parliament before the Battery of the Town That they suspended their answer for one day and then sent for a Treaty for surrender and for a cessation in the mean time That the Lord Deputy consented to a Treaty but denyed a cessation that they are much divided in the Town and the greater part was for a Surrender That Clanrickard and Castle haven were gone to Sea and their Army broken in peices and none can tell how That the Lieutenant General took in several Castles and one by storm with his Horse and Dragoons only and that Collonel Reynolds was with him in those actions and that Collonel Zankey had relieved a Garrison of the Parliaments and took in several Forts from the Enemy 5. Letters That the Scots Army was drawn out on this side Sterling and thereupon the General drew out his Army from Edenburgh and they lay in the Field to be in a fit posture to receive the Enemy but the Scots went back and the English incamped upon Penthland Hills That the Camp was in an excellent Martial posture and figure and the General was in his Tent. That many English Ladies were there to view the Leaguer Mr. Love was sentenced by the High Court of Justice for the Treasons proved against him to be beheaded 7. Letters of both Armies in Scotland drawing neerer one to another That the Mosse Toopers took 4 Horsmen and 6 Prisoners Of a Prize loaden with Salt brought into Lieth That the Governour of Lieth sent a party into Edenburgh to search for Arms where they found many in private Houses and brought them away to Lieth That the General had in his Army 14 Regiments of Horse 12 Regiments of Foot and 16 pieces of Ordinance and that both Armies were within 8 or 9 miles ofone another and that some of their Scouts have met That the English Army saw the Scots Leaguer That they were 15000 Foot and 6000 Horse That the Scots have great differences among themselves That Hamilton carrys all and Argyle his party are down That some Ministers have put out a new Remonstrance against the taking in of some notorious Malignants Letters of Alderman Jacksons house near Bristol burned with his Children in it 8. The Parliament passed a Vote for putting down the Marshals Court in Southwark An Act passed for keeping the Assizes at Durham Officers named in the Bill for sale of some Delinquents Lands An Act passed for continuing the Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster Letters That the Ships with Mony and Provisions were safely arrived in Ireland The Lord Deputy set forth a Proclamation for observing a day of Thanksgiving for the safe and seasonable Passage over the Shannon 9. Letters That Major Scot was sent out with a party to discover the Scots Army and gave them an Allarum that they drew up their Horses into Bodies 10. Letters of a quarrel between some of the Oxford Shire Troops and some Country Men. Of prizes brought in one loaded with 5000 bushels of wheat 11. Letters That God hath struck such a terror into the Camp of the Enemy that of all their Field Army in Ireland so much boasted of there was not 1000 Men in a body in any County to oppose the Parliaments Army That they would all go to the King of Spain if his Resident with them could furnish them with Mony yet he hath agreed for 4000. That Sr. Charles Coote is sat down before Galloway That the strong Castle by Lymbrick was surrendred upon quarter and that Collonel Tottel for killing some of the Enemy who had quarter given them was cashiered by the General That Lymbrick is in Treaty for surrender That Wheat is worth there 7 l. a Barrel That Massy wrote a vapouring Letter for exchange of a Prisoner but the General would not agree to it That the General marched towards the Scots Army lying at Torwood and there was Pickeering between both parties the English took 12 of the Scots and killed divers they killed none of the English but one man and all the Scots as they passed by him either Pistoled him or Cut him or Pricked him with their Rapiers in a barbarous manner That the King was in the Field to incourage them That the first rank of their Troops were Armed compleat They give out their Army to be 29000 but t is supposed they are 200000 That they had intrenched themselves and planted great Guns so that they could not be attempted with less danger than Storming a Garrison That some of the English Pickeering without order were indangered by the Enemy but relieved by Collonel Okey who beat the Scots from a Hill they had for advantage That both Armies drew to their Quarters about a Mile from each other That in the night the Enemy drew some great Guns to the top of an hill from whence they made about 40 Shot early in the morning and killed two or three of the English That the General Cromwel planted 2 Cannons and played upon them and did some execution and seeing the Scots would not ingage but upon their great advantage the General called a Councel of War in the Field and by their advice drew off to the Vale to see if the Scots would follow them and forsake their Hills which they did not and so the English Army returned back to their former Quarters at Lithgow 12. A List of the several Regiments of the English Army with their Collonels sent up being 14 Regiments of Horse 12 Regiments of Foot and 6 Troops of Dragoons 4 daies Provision more was delivered out to the Army for a new March and Design 14. Letters That Cromwel marched up again to the Scots but their Foot were intrenched and their Horse lay so that the English could not ingage them there being a River and Boggs between them and though Cromwel came up to the Teeth of them and viewed all their Bodies yet they would not come forth That the English took 8 Scots Prisoners and killed divers in Pickeering and beat them up to their Works and waited for them about 8 hours but they kept in and so the English went to their Quarters and the Scots followed them with a small party who were quickly beaten back That Athelow and Lymbrick were both surrendred to the Parliament That 5 English Vessels were taken prize by Boats from Jersey carrying 4 or 5 great Guns a piece in them That the States were sending the Lord Joachimi Ambassador to England to perfect what the English Ambassadors had there begun An Indictment of Felony at the Assizes in Kent was found against Joseph Welsh and others for assaulting Mrs. Jane Pukering and carrying her to Erith and compelling her contrary to her will to say words importing a Marriage c. 15. Mr. Love petitioned the Parliament and divers other Petitions were presented on his behalf for pardon of his life but after much debate upon the question it passed in the Negative On the day appointed for his
some discontent in Collonel Okey and his Party for chat the taking of General Leven and those with him was misrepresented to the Parliament and General and that right was not therein done to others as well as to Collonel Alured and his Party An Account from Hull of Recruits sent for Scotland 3. Letters That in Scotland they report the King to have entred London in Triumph and to be shortly Crowned and that Middleton was upon the Borders with 8000. That the Ministers gave Thanks in their Pulpits for the great Victory obtained by their Forces in England That they were confident that the Lord General went not about to Conquer Kingdoms to attain Titles or Territories to propagate his Praise or Promotion but the Publick Peace the Prosperity of the People and the Praise of God more than the Praise of Men. That the Soldiers seized a Man of War in the Harbour of Aberdeen That the Marquess of Huntley with 600 Horse and 1000 Foot was marched into the Highlands and that Balcarris had some Forces 4. Letters of four Soldiers in Scotland sentenced for robbing a Country-man of 7 l. to be led to the Gallows with Ropes about their Necks and there to have 30 Stripes and to be kept in Prison with Bread and Water till they had restored four Fold to the Country-man and asked him forgiveness on their Knees That Evandale Castle was surrendred upon Conditions and that divers Gentlemen returned to their Habitations about Lieth and ingaged to live quietly and submit to the Parliament of England 6. Letters That the Earl of Derby was tryed at a Court-Marshal at Chester at which were 20 Officers Captains and above that Degree five Collonels Major General Mitton and Collonel Mackworth the President That the Earl confessed the Plot for a General Rising of the Presbyterians in Lancashire to joyn with the King but it was disappointed by the apprehending of Mr. Birkenhead That Sir Tho. Tiddesly Major Ashurst and Major General Massey were principal Actors in that Conspiracy He confessed the matters of Treason charged against him and submitted to the mercy of Parliament And for Plea 1. He alledged he had Quarter given him and therefore was not to be tryed by a Court-Martial for Life but this was over-ruled by the Court. 2. He pleaded ignorance of the Act of Treason set forth by the Parliament which Plea was also over-ruled and the Court sentenced him to be beheaded for his Treasons at Bolton where he had killed a Man in cold Blood The Earl seemed very desirous of Life and petitioned the Lord General upon the Point of his having Quarter but had no relief from him The Court sentenced Sir Tho. Feverston to be beheaded for the same Treasons and Captain Benbow to be shot to death The Parliament ordered Dr. Drake and several Ministers and others to be tryed by the High Court of Justice for being Conspirators with Mr. Love Letters That the Lord Argyle was fortifying his House and other Places in Scotland and that the Lords and Gentlemen thereabouts came slocking home and were willing to close with England That the Remonstrants Kirk Party damned all that was done by the other Kirk Party who were for the King That Marquess Huntley was much disappointed by the Countries refusing to come in to him and that now they begin to fear that their Army in England is defeated 7. The Parliament ordered Three Regiments of Horse and Five Regiments of Foot and 30 single Companies to be disbanded for the ease of the Common-wealth and several Garrisons to be slighted The Committee for regulating the Law ordered to sit de die in diem An Act passed for the increase of Shipping and incouragement of the Navigation of this Nation 8. Letters That Captain Young who commanded the President Frigot coming to the Isle of Man summoned it for the Parliament but the Countess of Derby being there returned answer That she was to keep it by her Lords Command and without his Order she would not deliver it up being in duty bound to obey her Lords Commands 9. Orders of Parliament for disbanding several Regiments and Companies and some to be sent for Ireland and the Council of State to issue Warrants for Money for those disbanded and for pay of the Garrisons that are to be dismantled The Bill committed for setting a time for the ending of this Parliament and for calling a new one 10. Letters of difference between the Marquess Huntly and Argyle That the Pickeroons are busie upon the West of England and that one of Prince Ruperts Fleet that ran from him was come into Weymouth Harbour Letters of 1000 Scots Prisoners shipped out of Shrop-shire and of Collonel Cobbetts Regiment gone for Scotland Collonel Vaughan Dr. Drake and Captain Massey were tryed by the High Court of Justice for being in the Conspiracy with Mr. Love and they submitted to the mercy of Parliament 13. Letters That the Earl of Derby attempted to escape and was let down by a Rope from the Leads of his Chamber but some hearing a noise made after him and that he was re-taken upon Dee Bank He wrote a handsome passionate Letter to his Lady to comfort her and advised her as then matters stood to surrender the Isle of Man upon good Conditions Of divers Castles in Scotland surrendred to the Parliament of England and that their new Levies go on there very slowly 14. The Parliament sate in a Grand Committee about the Bill for putting a Period to this Parliament and appointing a new one and ordered to sit every day except Wednesdays for 14 days about this Bill Order for the Forces reduced out of the Garrisons to be put into Regiments and to march for Scotland and Ireland and the standing Army to be put into Garrisons 15. Several Petitions from Mr. Jenkins Mr. Case and others who were in the Conspiracy with Mr. Love by way of humble acknowledgement and submission The Parliament pardoned them all and ordered the Commissioners of the Great Seal to pass their Pardons 16. The Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councel of London kept a special Thanksgiving-day for Gods Mercies to the Common-wealth and feasted at Guildhall Letters That divers Scots Ministers were permitted to meet at Edenburgh to keep a day of Humiliation as they pretended for their too much compliance with the King That the Northern Scots were got together 1800 but divided among themselves From Ireland That Collonel Zanchey took 30 Tories Prisoners and redeemed many English Prisoners and another Party took 60 more of the Tories That the Irish stormed and took Rosse but quitted it upon approach of the Parliaments Forces That they lost 20 Men and killed 15 of the Parliaments 17. Letters That Collonel Okey and three other Regiments quartering in the Country about Monrosse the Gentlemen finding that all their Provisions would be eaten up petitioned them to remove and ingaged to come in themselves and to
two wounded and got a French Prize A long Debate in a grand Committee about the equal proportioning of Taxes That Middleton was labouring to get Assistance of the States for the King of Scots and was offered it by them in case a Peace with England did not succeed 20 Advice of the French Pickeroons Design against the English Fleet coming from Newfoundland Of the Highlanders running away from their Officers that one of them Kenmorett marched with a Runlet of strong waters before him which they called Kenmoretts Drum Of Ships daily arriving at the Texel from the Northward That the States resolved upon a new Treaty of Peace with England and appointed Min Heer New-port and Joungstal to be added Commissioners for the Treaty of Peace with their other two Commissioners now in England That the Queen of Sweden shewed extraordinary kindness to the Spanish Ambassadour with her and was held to be a friend to the English 21 Letters that upon the March of the English Party into the Highlands they Retreated into their usual fastnesses amongst inaccessible Hills and Rocks That some Vessels came into Leith Road london with Fish and other Commodities and Provisions 22 Letters that the late Easterly wind for a fortnight together kept the Pickaroones from the English Coast Of the Speaker Frigot and Ten more of the Men of War gone out from the Downs to the Westward 24 Instructions passed for Administration of Justice in Scotland and Officers Letters of Kinninores Insurrection in the High-lands that Argyle advised the Commander of the English Forces not to Advance further against them That Holland resolved to renew the Treaty of Peace with England and in the mean time to prepare for War That the Swedes had given Letters of Marque against the Dutch 25 The House sate in a Grand Committee for the Bill of Union for Scotland with England A Petition from the Common Councel of London against the Lord Mayor Fowke referred to a Committee An Act past for the discovery and prosecution of Thieves and Highway-men The Lords Newport and Youngstal came to London to joyn with the other Two Deputies of the State to Treat with the Parliament for a Peace 26 Order for an Act against solliciting Members of Parliament for any Places and to disable such as shall do it That the Queen of Sweeds Agent came to the House to take his leave and that the Lord Ambassadour Whitlock was ready to go for Sweedland within two or three days Letters that Captain Sparling and another of the Parliaments Frigots had taken a Ship with Twelve hundred thousand pieces of Eight in her she pretended to be an Ostender Divers Seamen Armed and in a Tumultuous manner demanded at the Prize Office their shares of some Prizes taken and were so uncivil with the Commissioners that they were forced to send for Souldiers to appease them one of the Seamen was slain and divers were wounded on both sides Afterwards the Seamen came to Whitehall where they carried themselves more civilly and had good words given and were made sensible of their Errour and promised satisfaction and so they departed quietly 27 The Seamen more in number than before and better Armed came down again Tumultuously to White-Hall but was met with by the General his Life-Guard and soon dispersed Orders for the Reduced Officers in Ireland for their Arrears 28 Letters of Two Prizes brought into Leith Of Two Sea-Rovers put out of France pretending to have Commissions from Prince Rupert in the Name of the King of Scots That Argyle was raising Forces against his Countrymen the Highlanders but was not able to ballance their Power That upon the approach of the Parliaments Forces towards them the Highlanders retreated to their Fastnesses Upon the Tumults of the Seamen the Council published a Proclamation Declaring that Exemplary Justice shall be done upon the chief Authors or Ringleaders in the Mutiny and Sedition some whereof are in Custody and commanding that no Sea-men or others on pain of Death do meet in a Mutinous or Seditious manner and that the accounts shall be Stated and just payment made of all dues unto the Seamen The Parliament passed an additional Article to the Law of War and Ordinances of the Sea for punishing Mutinous Seamen 29 Upon a Report from the Council of State the House conferred several Gratuities to the Widdows and Children of those slain in the late Sea Fight The House approved the number and charge of Ships for this Winter Guard and Ordered Moneys for them The Lord-Ambassador Whitlock received his Commission and instructions for Sweedland from the hand of the Speaker in the House and is suddenly to go for Sweedland 31 Upon the Petition of the Water-men and antient Coach-men in London against the Exorbitancy and Multitudes of Hackney Coach-men Order for an Act for Redress thereof Votes for rewarding the Commissioners for Administration of Justice in Scotland Upon a Report from the Council Order for Dr. Cox to be Master of St. Katherines-Hospital The Spanish Ambassador had audience in the House The Four Dutch Deputies met with the Commissioners of the Council about the Treaty for Peace Two of the Tumultuous Seamen were Condemned at a Council of War one of them was Hanged the other Whipped under the Gallows A Petition of many who suffered by the delay of Justice in granting and allowing Writs of Error after Verdict and Judgment praying Remedy An Act passed for continuing the Powers of Commissioners for Compounding for advance of Moneys and Indempnity Letters of the Queen of Sweeds return to Stock-holm and the Spanish Ambassador Piementel with her November 1653. Nov. 1. The House chose a new Council of State whereof Sixteen of the old Council continued and Fifteen new ones were added Order to consider of the business of the Law upon every Friday Order for a Bill to take away Holy-days and days not Judicial The Commissioners of the Council and the Four Dutch Ambassadors met upon the Treaty Divers called Quakers apprehended in the North. That the business of Transplanting went on difficultly in Ireland 2. The House passed New Instructions for the New Council of State for Six Months The Lord Commissioner Whitlock Ambassador to the Queen of Sweeden set forwards with a Gallant Retinue from London to Gravesend to take Shiping there Letters that Captain Blagg took Prize a Ship of two hundred Tun and another Frigot took a French-Man of twenty Guns That young Trump being seen with Eight Ships off the Lizard The Frigots at Portsmouth being Seven weighed Anchor and put to Sea after him Of two other Prizes brought into Plymouth and the Channel cleared of the Pyrats 3. Of a Fight at Sea on the Spanish Coast by four Dutch Men of War against one Merchant Man who run her self on shore and kept off the Dutch and got off from the shore again Letters that the Commissioners in Ireland had disarmed all the Irish and forbid any of
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
the Citizens and 30 of them and of the Inhabitants were Slain by the fall of Timber and Houses on fire upon them Some small Skirmishes were between little parties of the Highlanders and the Parliaments Forces 31 Voted by the Parliament that any Natives of the Commonwealth may transport Wheat when the Price shall not exceed six and thirty Shillings the quarter paying Four-pence the Quarter Custome And Rye when it exceeds not Four and twenty shillings the Quarter paying three pence the Quarter Custom And Barly or Mault when the Price of it exceeds not twenty shillings the Quarter paying two pence the Quarter Custom And Pease not being above four aâ—d twenty shillings the Quarter paying three pence the quarter Custom And Beans not being above four and twenty shillings the Quarter paying three pence the Quarter Custom The Corn to be transported in Vessels of this Commonwealth Butter to be transported when it is not above six pence the pound A Bill to be brought in for this purpose November 1654. 1. Nov. The Officers of the Army met at St. James's to keep a day of praying together The Resident of the Duke of Guelders had Audience of the Protector declaring the late decease of his Master and the acknowledgment he made upon his death bed of the Favours and Protection he had receiv'd from the Protector desiring the continunuance of his Favour and Protection to his Son 2 The Lord Lorn the Marquls of Argiles Son continued in Rebellion against his Father Collonel Hammonds Funeral solemnized at Dublin with much State 3 The Parliament sat upon the Articles of Government and voted the forfeiture of Lands for Treason and Delinquency 4 Petitions of the Lord Craven Sir John Stowell and others referred to several Committees 6 Debate about the Bill for Ejecting Ignorant and Scandalous Ministers and School-Masters and Voted That in the mean time the Ordinance for Ejecting them passed by the Protector and his Councel shall not be suspended Order for Accounts to be brought in of the value of all Customs and Receipts in several Offices Petition of the Doctors of the Civil Law in behalfe of themselves and their profession was referred to a Committee A Committee of Ten persons appointed to confer with His Highness about stating the Point of Liberty of Conscience 7 Order to examine and punish the Authors and publishers of a Scandalous and Treasonable pamphlet entituled Collonel Shapcots speech in Parliament and the Sergeant at Arms to seize the Copies 8 The Protector and his Councel considered of the Nomination of new Sheriffes in the several Counties 9 Long debate by Councel at the Committee for the Lord Cravens and Sir John Stowells Petitions 10 Debate in Parliament upon the Articles of Government That the Supream Legislative power shall be in one Person and the People assembled in Parliament being the first Article And upon the 24 Article That if the Protector consent not to Bills presented to him within twenty days that they shall pass as Laws without his consent This Letter came from Seldon to Whitlock My Lord I am a most humble Suitor to your Lordship that you would be pleased that I might have your presence for a little time to morrow or next day Thus much wearies the most weak hand and body of Novemb. 10. 1654. White Fryers Your Lordships most humble Servant J. Selden Whitlock went to him and was advised with about settling his Estate and altering his Will and to be one of his Executors But his weakness so encreased that his intentions were prevented He dyed the last of this Month. He lived at the Countess of Kents house in the White-Fryers His mind was as great as his learning He was as hospitable and generous as any man and as good Company to those whom he liked The Primate of Ireland preached his funeral Sermon in the Temple Church and gave him a great and due Eulogie 11 The Parliament agreed upon the first and 24th Articles of Government with little alteration 13 A Petition of the Purchasers of the Lord Cravens Estate referred to the former Committe likewise a Petition of Sir John Stowell The King of Swedens Marriage was solemnized at Stockholm the 14th of October last 14 Prince William of Nassaw received by the Province of Over-Issell to be Governour there during the minority of the Prince of Orange 15 The House proceeded in the debate of the Articles of Government They considered of an Assesment for the preventing of free Quarter The Lord Lorn sent parties into his Fathers Countrey to steal Cows 16 The Parliament voted His Highness to be Lord Protector c. during his life They debated about the business of the Militia by Sea and Land 17 A List published of the several Sheriffs for England and Wales agreed on by the Protector and his Councel Much debate at the Committee concerning the Lord Cravens and Sir John Stowels business A Fire in Amsterdam quenched by casting Sand upon it Some few of Middletons party in Scotland roaming up and down were routed by the Parliaments Forces The Funeral of the Protectors Mother Solemnized at Westminster Abby 20 The Parliament sat Forenoon and after-noon upon the Government and agreed fully upon the first Article and the 24th 21 Vote for an Assesment of 60000l a month for three months to be laid on England Petition concerning Sir Peter Vanlores Estate referred to a Committee Some small Skirmishes were in the Highlands 22 A Committee appointed to consider of the Accounts of the Kingdom and who have any publick moneys in their hands The King of Scots was at Colen and the Queen of Bohemia went to Flanders to visit the Queen of Sweden 23 The House in the Forenoon upon the Government and in the Afternoon upon the Assessment 24 Five Hundred Irish were landed in some Isles of Scotland to joyne with Middleton and Seaford 160 horse more were to joyn with them and to force the Clans to rise with them The Parliament voted That no Law should be altered or repealed nor new Laws made nor any Tax imposed but by assent of Parliament 25 The Parliament voted That a new Parliament should be summoned to meet upon the third Monday of October 1656. They called for a Report from the Committee for Regulating the Chancery Seven English Ships and divers Forreign Ships cast away by a storm near Dover 27 The Parliament passed several Votes touching Qualifications of persons to be chosen to serve in Parliament and for the Electors Vote that a new Parliament shall be every third year and not to sit above six Months but by Act of Parliament with the Protectors Consent and that to be but for three Months longer That the Protector may Summon Parliaments within the three years if he see Cause to sit for three Moneths and the Summons to be by Writ according to Law The Chancellor or Commissioners of the Seal to issue Writs
The Parliament was adjourned for two days because the Speaker was ill 5. The Speaker continued ill and yet came to the House 6. A Bill touching the publick Revenue 9. The Parliament kept a Fast day within the House 12. The Speaker was not well able to perform the business of his place by reason of his ilness The House resolved into a Grand Committee upon the Bills for Uniting Scotland to England and for uniting Ireland to England 19. Discovery of a Plot of Sindercombe and others to kill the Protector and set on fire Whitehal A Thanksgiving day appointed for this discovery The House resolved to waite on the Protector to congratulate the Mercy and Deliverance 24. The Peace between this Common-wealth and Portugal proclaimed 27. Mr. Speaker being come to the house and the House taking notice of the weakness of his body it was resolved by the Parliament that in respect of Mr. Speakers present Indisposition of body the Lord Commissioner Whitelock be desired to take the Chair to supply the Speakers place during his absence The Lord Commissioner Whitelock was brought to the Chair by Collonel Sydenham and Major-General Howard and being there set desired since the House was pleased to Command his service in that place on this occasion that they would be pleased to construe with all Candor his words and actions therein and that they will give him a freedom of minding them and keeping them to the orders of the House for the service and Honour of the House Resolved That those ceremonies and repects that were used to the former Speaker shall be used to the present Speaker and that he have the profits due to the Speaker 30. The House resolved That the summ of 400000 l. shall be raised for the carrying on the War with Spain February 1656. 6. There was a great meeting of Learned men at Whitelocke's house at Chelsey by an order of the House made before Whitelock was Speaker The order was thus Jan. 16. At the Grand Committee for Religion Ordered That it be referred to a Subcommittee to send for and advise with Doctor Walton Mr. Hughes Mr. Castle Mr. Clerk Mr. Poulk Doctor Cudworth and such others as they shall think fit and to consider of the Translations and Impressions of the Bible and to offer their opinions therein to this Committee and that it be especially commended to the Lord Commissioner Whitelock to take care of this business This Committee often met at Whitelocke's house and had the most learned Men in the Oriental tongues to consult with in this great business and divers Excellent and Learned observations of some mistakes in the translations of the Bible in English which yet was agreed to be the best of any translation in the world great pains was taken in it but it became fruitless by the Parliaments dissolution 7. Appointed for the reading of private Bills in favour of Whitelock the present Speaker 9. Syndercomb was tryed at the Upper Bench Bar found guilty and condemned to be Hanged Drawn and Quartered The Court declared that by the Common-Law to compass or imagine the death of the chief Magistrate by what name soever he was called Whether Lord Protector or otherwise is High-Treason and that the statute 25 Ed. 3 was only declaratory of the Common Law Application touching the reformation of Cloathing 16. Many private Bills were passed Dr. Walton published the Polyglot Bible 18. Sr. Thomas Widdrington being informed of the great favour of the Parliament to Whitelock their Speaker during his absence and the Interest he had gained in the House and that several private Bills were ready to pass and particularly for naturalizing of many Strangers and every one of them was to pay 5 l. to the Speaker for his fee which Whitelock would receive in case Sr. Thomas Widdrington did not take his place again before the passing of those Bills he being desirous of the mony tho to the hazard of his life came again to the House and took his place tho very weak and feeble Whitelockes friends were apprehensive of the hard measure he had in being thus defeated and they were sensible of his pains and dexterity in managing the business of the House wherein he had given them great content and they said that in the short time of his being Speaker by his holding them to the points in debate They had dispatched more business than in all the time before of their sitting They moved the House on the behalf of Whitelock and these votes were unanimously passed Resolved upon the question by the Parliament that the Lord Whitelock have the thanks of the House for his great and faithful service in the business of this House as Speaker during the absence of the present Speaker Then some of his friends acquainted the House that Whitelock had not yet received 500 l. part of the arrears due to him upon his Ambassy to Sweden nor any reward at all for that great and honourable Service which was so much to the benefit of this Common wealth whereupon these Votes were also unanimously passed Resolved upon the question by the Parliament that the summ of 500 l. Expended by the Lord Commissioner Whitelock in his Ambassy into Sweden over and above what he hath received shall be forthwith paid unto him Resolved upon the question by the Parliamen that the summ of 2000 l. be paid unto the Lord Commissioner Whitelock over and above the said 500 l. in respect of his great and faithful Service to the publick in that Ambassy Ordered by the Parliament that the Lords Commissioners for the Treasury be required to pay the said several Summs accordingly Resolved upon the question by the Parliament that the Lord Commissioner Whitelock have the thanks of this House for his great service in that Ambassy The Speaker by Command of the House did give him standing in his place the thanks of the House for his great and faithful Service in that hazardous Voyage undertaken by him as Ambassador to Sweden and likewise for his readiness and faithfulness in the service of this House as Speaker in the absence of the present Speaker The mony was accordingly paid to Whitelock not long after tho when the same was voted by the former Parliament he received no part of it but the Protector and some of Whitelockes Illwillers about him were not pleased with this extraordinary favour of the Parliament to him yet he attended with the Speaker and the Members of the Parliament at Whitehal upon his Highness after the Sermon and was with the rest nobly Entertained by him at Dinner upon the day of Thansgiving for his Highness deliverance from the intended Murther of him by Syndercombe and his Associates 23. Indeavours to promote the great business of Settlement of the Nation and a Fast appointed to be kept within the House March 1656. 1. Applications in Sr. Francis Wortly's business in Parliament and in the business
the contrary And that all Writs and all Commissions Indictments or Informations Process Actions Suits Bills or Plaints taken out or now depending in any Court of Record at Westminster or any other Court of Record in England Scotland or Ireland or in the Town of Berwick upon Tweed And all Process Pleas Demurrers Continuances and Proceedings in every such Writs Indictments Informations Actions Suits Bills and Plaints shall be retornable stand good and effectual and be prosecuted and sued forth in such manner and form and in the same state condition and order the Style and Teste of Proceedings after passing of these presents being made conformable thereunto this present Petition and Advice or your Highness assent thereunto or any Law Custome or usage to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding And that any variance that shall be occasioned by reason thereof touching any the said Writs process or proceedings in the Name Style Teste or otherwise shall not be in any wise material as concerning any default or errour to be alledged or objected thereunto XVIII And that your Highness and your Successors will be pleased to take an Oath in such form as shall be agreed upon by your Highness and this present Parliament to Govern these Nations according to the Law And in case your Highness shall not be satisfied to give your consent to all the Matters and Things in this Humble Petition and Advice that then nothing in the same be deemed of Force to oblige the People of these Nations in any the particulars therein contained And these our desires being granted by your Highness we shall hope through the rich mercy and goodness of God that it will prove some remedy to those dangers distractions and distempers which these Nations are now in and be an effectual means to remove those jealousies and fears which remain in the minds of many men concerning the Government of this Common-wealth And thereby we shall be enabled and encouraged with all chearfulness to the setling of such things which shall be further necessary for the good of these Nations and be most ready to joyn with You in promoting the work of Reformation happily begun by your Highness the regulating Courts of Justice and abridging both the delaies and Charges of Law Suits and apply our selves to such other Courses and Councels as may be most like to heal our breaches and divisions and to restore these poor Nations to a Vnion and consistencie with themselves and to lay a foundation of further confidence between your Highness and them to the rejoycing of the hearts of our friends and terror of our Enemies His Highness answer thereunto after a solemn Speech to them Read by the Clerk of the Parliament in these words The Lord Protector doth consent 26. Further consideration of the Settlement of the Nation by the Parliament 28. A Letter from the Protector to the House with a Petition inclosed from the Army in Ireland which the House referred to the Committee for Ireland June 1657. 1. A Bill for maintenance of Ministers in the City of Bristoll 3. A Day of Thanksgiving for the success of General Blake against the Spanish Fleet at Sancta Cruz. 4. A Bill for the better choosing of persons into places of trust 9. The House went to the Painted Chamber when the Protector met them and made a solemn Speech to them in Answer to the Speech of the Speaker to him and passed these Bills following An Act for an Assessment upon England at the rate of 60000 l. by the Month for three Months from the 25th day of March 1657 to the 24th day of June then next ensuing An Act for limiting and setting the Prices for Wines An Act for the taking away of Purveyance and Compositions for Purveyance An Act against Vagrants and wandring idle dissolute persons An Act giving licence for transporting Fish in foreign Bottoms An Act for three Months Assessment in Ireland for the maintenance of the Spanish War and other Services of the Common-wealth 13. The humble additional and explanatory Petition and Advice debated in the House 19. A Bill for the surveying of some Forests and a Bill for ascertaining the Publick Faith Debts 20. Much Debate was upon the Bill for restraint of new Buildings in and about London Letters from the Protector to the Speaker for putting off the Adjournment of the Parliament for four or five days 22. A Bill for Importation of Bullion 23. A Committee to prepare an Oath to be taken by the Lord Protector and for the solemnization and publishing of his Highness acceptance of the Government and touching the settlement of his Highness Council An Act of Indempnity 24. Upon a Report from the Committee and some Amendments the House agreed to the Form of an Oath to be taken by the Protector and to another Oath to be taken by his Council and an Oath was agreed to be taken by the Members of Parliament and they agreed to a Paper touching the summoning such persons before the next meeting of Parliament and who are to serve as Members in the other House of Parliament according to the humble Petition and Advice and they agreed touching the Solemnities of his Inauguration A Committee appointed to acquaint the Protector with these Votes and to shew him the Oaths and to desire him to appoint times for the execution of them and for his consent to the Bills passed the House 25. Sir Harbottle Grimston published the Reports of Judge Croke 26. The Parliament ordered the Master of the Ceremonies to give notice to foreign Ambassadours and Ministers of the Inauguration of the Protector Order for the Commissioners of the Seal with advice of the Judges to prepare and frame a Writ for summoning the Members of the other House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as shall be appointed by his Highness and the Commissioners are to seal such Writs and to issue them out to such persons as his Highness under his Sign Manual shall direct and appoint A Bill passed for adjourning the Parliament from this 26th of June to the 20th of January next A place being prepared at the upper end of Westminster-Hall in the midst of it was a rich Cloth of State set up and under it a Chair of State upon an Ascent of two Degrees covered with Carpets before it a Table and a Chair by it for the Speaker on each side of the Hall were Seats built one above another and covered for the Members of the Parliament below them Seats on the one side for the Judges and on the other side for the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London About Two a Clock in the Afternoon the Protector met the Parliament and gave his consent to some Bills then the Speaker and Members went to their places in Westminster-Hall and the Judges and Aldermen took their places A little time after this his Highness came attended with his own Gentlemen and with the Heralds Serjeants at Arms The
the Treasury and the Lord chief Baron with him but the Commissioners General Mountague and Col. Sydenham were often absent by reason of their attendance upon the Council 20. The Officers of the Army attended Richard and made large professions to him of their obedience and faithfulness and he courted them at a high rate 23. The Funeral of the old Protector was celebrated with great Solemnity The Officers of State the Council the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London the House of Lords the Officers of the Army the Servants of the Protector the Judges and Officers of Law the Citizens of London the Souldiers in their Troops and Companies the ordinary Guards and an infinite number of Spectators within the Rails of the Streets and in the Windows At this Solemnity were also present the foreign Ministers and Ambassadours 25. More Addresses were presented to Richard from several Counties 26. Richard knighted General Morgan a very gallant person 27. Serjeant Windham and Serjeant Nicholas were made Judges and Mr. Archer was made a Serjeant 29. Several Audiences were given by Richard to foreign Ministers sent to him from neighbour Princes and States to condole the death of his Father and to Congratulate his Succession to the Government December 1658. 4. Richard by advice of his Council resolved to call a Parliament to meet on the 27th day of January next 6. Richard knighted Captain Beke 9. More Addresses were made to Richard 19. New Addresses to Richard January 1658. 21. Letters from the Mayor and Aldermen of Oxford for assistance to suppress some unruly persons in the City 27. The Parliament met 30. Whitelocke met about the business of the Great Seal whereof he was now again made a Commissioner Richard had a particular respect for him and upon the 22th day of this Month by advice of some near to him without any seeking for it by Whitelocke he was sent for to Whitehall where he met the two Lords Commissioners of the Seal Fiennes and L'Isle and they together being called in to the Council-chamber the Great Seal was delivered to his Highness sitting in Council and his Highness presently delivered it to Fiennes L'Isle and Whitelocke as Keeper of the Great Seal of England This passage was wondred at by many and some thought that Fiennes desired it finding L'Isle not so capable of executing that place as was expected and his want of experience in that business and multitude of other occasions and his attendance on Richard and the Council made him willing to have Whitelocke's help in the business of the Seal 31. Mr. Challoner Chute was chosen Speaker of this Parliament an excellent Orator a man of great parts and generosity whom many doubted that he would not join with the Protector 's Party but he did heartily The Members of the House of Lords took their places being summoned by the like Writ as they had before according to the Petition and advice February 1658. 3. Order for the Commissioners of the Treasury to give an account to the House of the State of the publick Treasure 4. A Fast Day kept in both Houses 8. The House of Commons debated the Bill of Recognition of his Highness to be Lord Protector and some were very cross in that business which caused doubts of the good issue of this Parliament 9. The Members returned for Scotland and Ireland to serve in this Parliament appeared very full 10. The House voted several Members uncapable to sit because they had been in Arms against the Parliament 11. Mr. Tussel an Attorney was shot into the Head with a brace of Bullets from the other side of the Street as he fate in his Chamber and died presently who did it was not known 11. Letters from the Earl of Stamford to Whitelocke complaining of his being put out of Commission of the Peace and the like done to other persons of Quality and of mean men being put into Commission who insult over their betters and desiring Whitelocke now being restored to the custody of the Seal for which all good men rejoyced to consider of and amend such things 16. The House were busie in debate upon the Act of Recognition Mr. Sherwyn who was a Member of the House was ordered to bring in the state of the account of the publick Treasure delivered to him by the Commissioners of the Treasury 17. Mr. Sherwyn delivered in this account which was very exact the Commissioners of the Treasury and Mr. Sherwyn having taken great pains about it 19. Vote of the House of Commons to take into consideration the constitution of the Parliament in two Houses This caused much discourse and doubts of many least a disagreement should follow and some of the Court and Relations of Richard were not backward to promote a difference 22. The bounds and limits of the other House were debated and the debate adjourned 25. Whitelocke had fair Quarter with Fiennes and L'Isle in the business of the Seal but the greatest burden of the place lay upon Whitelocke 26. Several Addresses were made to Richard from several Towns and Places during the sitting of the Parliament March 1658. 1. The Commons voted the question to transact with the persons now sitting in the other House as an House of Parliament should be debated 4. Debate touching the other House 8. The Commons voted that their debate about transacting with the other House should be no bar to such Peers as have faithfully served the Parliament 9. The Speaker Mr. Chute being ill Sir Lillisbone Long was chosen to supply his place in his absence 10. Several Addresses to Richard from Regiments of the Army 16. Sir Lillisbone Long the Speaker pro tempore not being well Mr. Bamfield was chosen Speaker pro tempore Sir Lillisbone Long died a very sober discreet Gentleman and a good Lawyer 19. Some Members of the House by order went from the House to visit their Speaker Mr. Chute which was a great Honour to him and he had so much gained the affection of the House that he swayed much with them 23. Letters of the Peace betwixt the Kings of Sweden and Denmark 26. Letters that in the Countrey the News was that the Parliament should be dissolved and that Troops of Horse were met marching to London Vote of the Commons to restore Major General Brown to his places in London 28. The Commons voted to transact with the persons sitting in the other House as an House of Parliament saving the right of the Peers who had been faithfull to the Parliament this gave hopes to some of an agreement against which many laboured 29. A Bill for taking away the Excise and Tunnage and Poundage after the Protector 's death which stumbled his Friends 30. The Commons voted a Day of Humiliation to be kept in the three Nations April 1659. Anno 1659 5. The Title of the Declaration for the Fast was voted to be of the Protector and both Houses of Parliament Haslerigge
affairs Several Officers approved 26. Days of publick Humiliation appointed The Bill past for the Militia 27. Address from Dunkirk Forces Letters to the Parliament from the King of Sweden An Address from Scotland and several others to the Parliament 28. Referred to the Council of State to draw an Answer to the King of Sweden's Letter This was put upon Whitelocke and all other matters relating to that Crown and those parts Divers Officers received their Commissions 29. Referred to the Council to take security of the Duke of Bucks to be faithfull to this Government which they did Order for the monies gathered for Piedmont and Poland to be paid into the Exchequer which Whitelocke opposed 30. Whitelocke brought into the House the Bill of Vnion of England and Scotland General Monk and divers other Officers approved The Lady Mary Howard the Earl of Berkshire's Daughter and others were examined by Whitelocke President of the Council and the Parliament ordered them to be brought to Tryal for Treason Information of new Plots of the Cavaliers to bring in the King 31. Many persons were examined by the Council about a new Conspiracy which was evidently proved The Council sate all day and almost all night for a good while together Letters from Sir Robert Howard about his Horse being seized and protesting his Resolution to be quiet and not to joyn in the present Conspiracies August 1659. 1. A Day appointed to consider of the Regulation of the Law and Courts of Justice Divers Officers received their Commissions 2. The House was in a Grand Committee upon the Bill of Vnion of England and Scotland The Parliament were busie in the treaties with the Dutch and between the Kings of Sweden and Poland Many Commissions given in the House 3. The Fast Day kept in the House Letters of the Insurrections in several parts of the Nation Letters that Colonel Massey was taken in Gloucester-shire and mounted before a Trooper to take care of him and to bring him Prisoner to Gloucester but riding down a steep Hill the weather being wet and dark night in a great Wood the Horse slipt and fell down which Massey caused by checking of him and in the fall Massey got away into the Wood and being dark crept into a Bush and the whole Troop could not find him out but he escaped and got the next Morning to a Friends House where he was concealed about a fortnight after Intelligence of the great Insurrection under Sir George Booth in Cheshire 4. The Council of State were full of perplexity upon the several Intelligences of risings in Divers parts of the Nation and gave out their Orders for the Forces of the Parliament to meet and oppose them all which passed under Whitelocke's Hand it being his turn at this time to be President of the Council 5. Skippon and the rest of the Officers of the Militia of London approved by the House Letters of the Insurrections in the Worcestershire Circuit from the Judges referred to the Council The Parliament were busie in ordering Militia Forces More Intelligence of Sir Geor. Booth's heading the Insurrection in Cheshire and Lancashire and divers Principal Gentlemen joyning with him particularly Major Brook a Member of this Parliament and the Earl of Derby appeared with divers others in Lancashire they set forth a Declaration but did not name the King in it The Presbyterian Ministers did labour to further this rising The Council of State with great care and Vigilancy sent away Major General Lambert with three Regiments of Horse one of Dragoons and three Regiments of Foot and a Train of Artillery and ordered other Forces to meet and joyn with him for the suppressing of Sir George Booth and his party who were about four thousand strong 6. Lambert marched forth and the Council ordered messengers to bring Intelligence from him twice or thrice a day Several risings in other parts were defeated by the Parliaments Forces which were near them all the Letters were brought to Whitelocke and divers at midnight yet he in his bed directed answers by his Secretaries and sent them away forthwith when the Council could not meet 7. The House was called and the absent Members fined Mr. Bunch 100 l. Mr. Brook 100 l. and the rest 20 l. a piece the House proceeded in their usual business 8. Whitelocke being President of the Council Voted by the House That the President have power by Warrant under his Hand and Seal to commit any of those that should be brought to him for a fortnights time 9. The House debated upon the Government they ordered the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London to attend the Council of State this day A Proclamation past and was published declaring Sir George Booth and his adherents to be Rebels and Traytors 10. The Congregational Churches desired leave to raise three Regiments for the Parliament and had their willing consent to it The Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London being with the Council of State the President declared to them by command of the Council The designs of the Enemy the care and Vigilancy of the Parliament and Council the taking some of the Conspirators and defeating their designs their intentions of destroying all that had been of the Parliaments party and to bring in the King Then he caused the Proclamation to be read it not being then published and after the reading of it he in the name of the Parliament and Council gave thanks to the City for their good affections and faithfull adhering to the Parliament wherein their own and the whole Nations safety and Peace was concerned and desired them to persitd therein News that Lambert was advanced to Lichfield where all his Forces were to Randezvous 11. Orders touching the Militia Forces and a Petition read of the Lord Craven 12. The House proceeded in approving of Officers and giving their Commissions and received Letters from Lambert of his march The Council had intelligence every two or three hours from their Forces now that they began to draw near to the Enemy and they sate foorenoon and afternoon and very late at night and when they were not sate the President had power to receive all Letters and to break them open which he did many times in his bed and returned present answers to such as he might answer and if they were of extraordinary Consequence he sent the messengers to summon the Members of the Council to meet with as much speed as could be so that Lambert had orders and directions without any delay and all Provisions necessary 13. The House proceeded in the business of the Vnion with Scotland they gave many Commissions to Officers Several Lords as the Duke of Bucks de la Ware Oxford and Falkland were aprehended upon susspicion to be in the present Plot they were sent to Prison all except the Duke of Bucks News of Insurrections in several other places but
of Sir George Booth who heightened by that success where the Promoters of this Address In the afternoon a Letter was delivered into the House signed by many Officers of the Army superscribed to Ashfield Cobbet and Duckenfield by whom it was desired that the Paper and the Letter might be presented to Fleetwood and after to the General Council The Paper was entitled the Petition and Proposals to the Parliament of the Officers under the Command of Lambert in the late Northern expedition 23. A Vote passed contrary to one of the Armies Proposals That to have any more General Officers in the Army than are already settled by the Parliament was useless chargeable and dangerous to the Common-wealth This Vote was opposed as tending to cause greater Divisions among them and that it was not Prudent to exasperate those who had so lately done such great service for the Commonwealth by denying them a matter not of great Consequence and which for the present only would satisfie them but the House ordered this Vote to be Communicated to Fleetwood And Haslerigge Nevill and their Friends drove it on eagerly 24. A Petition from London in some things not pleasing Report of the examination of Sir George Booth with Letters from the King to him with ingagements of the King's Part and other examinations A Day of Publick Thanksgiving appointed Fleetwood Communicated to the Officers of the Army the Parliaments Votes touching their Petition and Proposals to them and they appointed some to draw up a writing to be presented to the Parliament to testifie their adherence to them Colonel Brook and others and some Ministers brought to Prison being in Booth's Conspiracy 26. Power to the Council of State to send the Lord Falconbridge and others to the Tower Orders about money 27. Officers of the Army approved and the Speaker to give them their Commissions 28. Left to the City of London to choose their Mayor and Officers The Field Officers of the Army met and considered of the Paper for their adherence to the Parliament 29. Serjeant Shepherd made a Judge in Wales Order for a pay of the Militia Forces Letters of Complyance from General Monk and some of his Officers approved 30. The Bill of Vnion proceeded All business set by but matter of money and the Government The House was called October 1659. 1. The Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London invited the Parliament to dinner at Grocers-Hall upon the Thanksgiving Day and the House accepted their Invitation The City also Invited the Council of State and the Officers of the Army to dinner the same day The Officers of the Army agreed upon the Paper for their adherence to the Parliament Debate touching the filling up of the House with Members Proposals Communicated to the Council touching the raising of money 3. A Committee to consider of qualifications and distribution of Members for Parliaments 4. Power continued to the Council of State to issue monies Votes for money for the Army and Navy The Chapel at Somerset-House where the French meet excepted from being sold Orders for maimed Souldiers 5. Petitions from divers of the Prisoners Monk would have had Whitelocke one of the Commissioners for Scotland but Whitelocke did put it off and others were reported from the Council to the House Letter agreed from the House to General Monk taking notice of his faithfulness to the Parliament Order for Seals for Scotland and Ireland Desborough and other Officers of the Army in the name of the General Council of the Army presented to the House a Petition and Representation in which were several matters displeasing to the House as infringing their Privileges and seeming to impose upon them But the House did return thanks for their good expressions and appointed a day to consider of it Orders for Provision for maimed Souldiers and for monies for the Army 6. The Members of Parliament and of the Council and the Officers of the Army after solemnizing the Thanksgiving dined together with the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-council at Grocers Hall where the City highly feasted them and there were many mutual expressions of respect and love among them 7. Order for thanks to the City for their Entertainment Several Addresses to the Parliament Order for the Council to examine the account of the Monies for Piedmont Letters from publick Ministers 8. Resolved That no Officer of Profit or Trust be passed the same day that he is propounded A new Act of Sequestrations Debate upon the Representations of the Officers of the Army 10. A Vote for liberty of Conscience Answers to some parts of the Armies Representation and in justification of those Members of the House who informed somewhat against the Officers 11. Answers to others of the Proposals in the Armies Representation somewhat reflecting upon the Officers and to allay them again Votes were past for pay for the Army and for respect to those in the late Expedition under Lambert and for relief for wounded Souldiers and for the Widows of Souldiers slain Haslerigge and his party being jealous that the Souldiers might break them and raise money without them past an Act against raising any money without consent of Parliament And this raised jealousies in the Souldiers especially being enacted High Treason 12. Debate upon the Armies Representation and a Letter directed to Colonel Okey reflecting upon the Parliament and a printed Paper of the Armies Representation and the Parliaments Answers which being read the Parliament discharged Lambert Desborough and seven or eight more principal Officers of the Army who had subscribed the Letter from their Military Imployment and ordered and past an Act for putting out Fleetwood from being Lieutenant General of the Army and appointing him and Ludlow Monk Haslerigge Walton Morley and Overton to be Commissioners to govern all the Forces This further exasperated Lambert and his party and most of the old Officers of the Army then in London and rashly added to the then Divisions Order for the next Officers to succeed those put out and the Serjeant to carry the Orders of the House to them 13. These proceedings of the Parliament netled the Officers of the Army especially those who had performed so late and good Service and caused them to consider what to do for their own Interest and of these Lambert Desborough Berry and the rost who were outed of their Commands were the chief This Morning the Souldiers drew out of Scotland Yard part of them to Westminster and possessed themselves of the Hall the Palace Yards and Avenues and these were such as Haslerigge Morley and their Party had to declare for the Parliament and to be Guards to them Evelyn who commanded the Life-guards of the Parliament marching forth with his Troop to doe his Service was met by Lambert at Scotland-yard Gate and Lambert commanded Evelyn to dismount who thought it safest to obey and
Deportment he came to Edenburgh and there fell presently into Communication with the Covenanters 1. What they expected from the King in satisfaction to their Grievances 2. What assurance they would give of their returning to due obedience and renunciation of the Covenant To the first they answered That nothing but a general Assembly and a Parliament could give them satisfaction 2. They answered That they disavowed any Retreat from their Loyalty and therefore needed no Return towards it And for the Covenant That they would sooner renounce their Baptism than it and would not endure to hear this Proposition a second time The Covenanters doubled their Guards upon the Castle and City and the Marquess for his safety returned to Dalketh and sent to the King for new Instructions His Majesty ordered him to publish the King's Declaration Assuring that Kingdom of his Constancy in the Protestant Religion that he would not further urge the Practice of the Canons and Service-book but in a fair and Legal way and had given order for the discharge of all Acts of Councel concerning them And that he had taken into consideration the Indicting of a general Assembly and Parliament wherein might be agitated what should most concern the peace and welfare of the Kirk and Kingdom Whereupon he expected that those his Subjects sensible of his gracious Favour would give Testimonial of their future Loyalty and no further provoke him to make use of that Power which God had given him for the reclaiming of disobedient people As soon as the Proclamation was ended the Covenanters were ready with a Protest against it highly distasted To have their Actions branded with the Notion of Disobedience and declared that they would never abandon their Covenant upon such suggestions And that they would not wait the King's Conveniency for calling of an Assembly but if he did not approve of their Proceedings they would call a general Assembly themselves The Marquess finding them thus obstinate told them That the Stock of his Instructions was spent and that he must resort to England for a fresh Supply Thereupon the Covenanters acquainted him That they expected his Majestie 's Answer and his Return upon the Fifth of August next at furthest and promised in the mean time to continue in a peaceable condition and not to act any thing till his Return The Marquess came to England to the King making known to him the state of his Affairs in Scotland and was dispatched away with new Instructions so as by the time prefixed he returned to Scotland By the Fifth of August the Marquess returned to Scotland and there found a Rumour That he approved the Covenant which occasioned him for his Vindication to call in the Lords of the Councel and others of the Nobility to be his Compurgators Then he falls to confer with the Covenanters about Indicting of the Assembly demanding of what Members it should consist and of what Matters they should treat At which the Covenanters in great passion answered That these Proposals were destructive to their Liberties and a prelimitation of that Assembly who ought to be free and to be judge both of their own Members and the Matters of their Cognizance This caused the Commissioner to declare his Instructions to Indict an Assembly upon the Concession of Ten Articles To which the Covenanters would not Assent but appealed to the General Assembly where they said those matters were properly to be decided Anno 1638 Upon this refusal the Commissioner resolved to go again for England and the Covenanters raysed a rumour That he had neither power from the King nor Inclination to give the People satisfaction which seemed so to Incense him that he contracted his former proposals into Two 1. That no Laicks nor any but Ministers of the Presbyterians should have Votes in the chusing of Ministers for the General Assembly 2. That things Ecclesiastical should be left to be determined by the Assembly and things setled by Acts of Parliament to the Parliament This being graunted he would presently indict a General Assembly and promised upon his honour immediately after to call a Parliament The Covenanters were so distasted at these proposals that they presently gave order for a General Assembly but upon second thoughts they held fit to forbear till the Commissioner should return from the King with a more pleasing Answer for which they gave him time till the 21. of September next promising in the Interim not to proceed to Election The Commissioner posted to the King who advising with his Privy Council and pursuing the advice of his Council in Scotland Resolved on a way which he thought would take away all Discontents there and sent back the Commissioner with ample Instructions for that purpose Who returning within the time limited found that the Covenanters had ordered an Election to be on the next day the 22d. of September yet took no notice thereof but according to his instructions assembled the Council and delivered to them a Letter from the King acquainting them with what course he meant to pursue for the benefit of the Kirke and State Then he appointed the King's Declaration to be read wherein he nulled the Service Book the Book of Canons The high Commission discharged the pressing of the 5 Articles of Perth ordered that all persons whatsoever Ecclesiastical or Civil should be lyable to censure of Parliament and General Assembly That no other oath be administred to Ministers at their entry but what was contained in the Act of Parliament That the ancient confession of Faith and Band thereunto annexed should be subscribed and renewed as it was in his Father's time That a General Assembly be holden at Glasgow Nov. 21. and a Parliament at Edenburgh the 15 th of May next wherein he pardoned all bygonne offences and Indicted a General Fast After this Declaration published the Confession of Faith was read and Subscribed by the Marquess and the Council Then a Proclamation for the General Assembly and another for the Parliament Then an Act of the Council requiring a general Subscription of the Confession of Faith and a Commission to diverse for taking the Subscription The Covenanters brought up the reare with a Protest moved the people to consider with whom they had to deal decryed the new Subscription to the Confession of Faith and excepted against the Archbishops and Bishops as not to have any Votes in the Assembly Then they Elect Commissioners for the Assembly and order at their Table That every Parish should send to the Presbytery one Layman whom they stiled a Ruling Elder to have equal Vote with the Minister They moved the Commissioner for his Warrant of citation against the Archbishops and Bishops to appear at the Assembly as Delinquents which he refusing they fram'd a Bill against them for many misdemeanours which was preferred to the Presbytery at Edenburgh against them and they warned them to Compeer at the General Assembly at Glascow Car. 14