English The Loves of Clirio and Lozia a Romance Mr. Knowles his Rudiment of the Hebrew Tongue A Book of Scheams or Figures of Heaven ready set for every four Minutes of times and very usefull for all Astrologers Florus Anglicus or an exact History of England from the Reign of William the Conquerour to the death of the Late King Linguae or the Combate of the Tongue and five Senses for Superiority a serious Comedy The Spirits Touchstone being a clear discovery how a man may certainly know whether he be truly taught by the Spirit of God or not The poor mans Physician and Chyrurgion Physicall Rarities containing the most choice Receipts in Physick and Chyrurgery for the cure of all Diseases Incident to mans body By R W lliams To which is added the physical Mathematicks By Hermes Tris-Megistus The Idol of Clowns or the Relation of Wat Tiler's Rebellion The Christian Moderator in 3 parts The Golden Fleece or a Discourse of the cloathing of England Dr. Sibbs his Divine Meditations Vigerius Precepts of Idiotismes Grotij Poemata Three Books of M. Matthews Minister at Swansey in South-wales 1 The Messiah Magnified by the mouthes of Babes in America or Gains and Gamaliel a helpfull Father and his hopeful Son discoursing of the three most considerable points 1. The great want of Christ 2 The great worth that is in Christ 3. The good way that is chalkt out by Christ 2. The New Congregationall Church prov'd to be the old Christian Church by Scripture Reason and History 3 The Reading Church-member Regularly call'd back to Christ and his Church A physical Dictionary An exact History of the several changes of Government in England from the horrid Murther of King Charles the first to the happy Restauration of King Charles the second with the Renowned Actions of General Monck by J. D. Duodecim Dr. Smith's practice of physick The Grammar War Posselius Apothegmes Fasciculus Florum Crashaw's Visions The Juniper Lecture Helvicus Colloquies The Christian Souldier his Combate with the three arch-enemies of man-kind the world the flesh and the devil Seasonable advice to the Apprentices of the Honourable City of London touching their duty to God and their Masters Heinsius de Crepundiis The History of Russia or the Government of the Emperour of Muscovia with the manner and fashions of the people of that Countrey Drexeliu's school of Patience Drexelius his right Intention of every ones action A School or Nurture for Children or the Duty of Children to Parents very usefull for all that intend to bring up their children in the fear of God Viginti Quarto The New Testament The third part of the Bible Sir Richard Bakers Meditations and Prayers for every day of the Week Playes The Ball. Chawbut Conspiracy Obstinate Lady The London Chanticlers a Comedy foll of various and delightfull Mirth neyer before published FLORVS ANGLICVS The Second Part. CONTAINING Englands Oligarchicall Government from the Death of CHARLES the I. to the Protectorship of OLIVER PART I. NO sooner had the fatall Axe severed England and her Liberties by severing King Charles his head from his body but the Parliament the better to maintain what they had now so farre prosecuted make Proclamation That none under penalty of being deemed guilty of high Treason should presume to proclaim declare publish or any way promote the Prince of Wales Sonne to the late King or any other Person to be King or Chief Magistrate of England or of any the Dominions belonging to them by colour of Inheritance Succession or Election or any other claim whatsoever without the free consent of the people in Parliament c. This Proclamation though it came not forth in full till the second of February yet was in part proclaimed on the very day of the Kings beheading They likewise the more to ensure their Government and to carry it on with the more plausibility publish an Act of State for the alteration of Writs in England Ireland and Wales as that in stead of King the Name Stile and Test Custodis Libertatis Angliae Authoritate Parliamenti be used and none other and all Writs c. should run so of which all concerned in the Law were required to take notice Yet they provide that all Patents granted by the late King should still stand in full force and vertue The Houses likewise take upon them a more then Papall power and because he Priest could indeed absolve them they are resolved to absolve themselves and all those engaged with them by an Act repealing the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy Sr Lewis Dives Sr Robert Stuart of Irel and the Lord Loughborough Collonel Poyer Collonel Laughorne and Duke Hamilton having escaped out of severall Prisons of which the last out of Windsor Castle a strict search was made for them but in vain except Duke Hamilton who was the next morning retaken in an Inne in Southwark The Lords House perceiving that by reason of his Majesties death the Judges gave not that assistance to them which was usuall by reason his death had extinguished their power as Judges desired that eighteen of the Commons might be sent to conferre with nine of the Lords but it would not be assented to The House of Commons having executed their King the Nobles are an eyesore to them they therefore resolve to take away as many of them as they can bring within their reach they resolve to begin with those they have already in hold and the Commission of the High-Court of Justice for his Majesties Triall being expired they create a new one consisting of sixty three persons of which any fifteen had power to act for the triall of Duke Hamilton as Earl of Cambridg Earl of Holland Earl of Norwich Lord Capell who attempted an escape but was retaken at Lambeth and Sir John Owen and in order thereto they likewise vote the adjournment of Hillary Terme which because the Judges had not power they do by their Proclamation of the second of February And now they take into consideration the reception of their numerous fellow members which by the arbitrary force of the Army had been excluded and at last they vote That none should be admitted into the House who had voted that his late Majesties Concessions were a ground for Peace and for the firm settlement of these Nations The Parliament having cut off one of those three Estates by which the Nation had so long been governed think likewise of abolishing the second that they alone might have the whole power therefore upon considerations of the House of Lords in what capacity they should stand they vote 1. That they would make no farther addresses to them 2. That they would receive none from them 3. That an Act be drawn to abolish that House as dangerous and useless Thus is the whole basis of that Government which had continued in England so many hundred years overthrown in ten dayes and the two ancient grand Estates of the Land cut off Having abolished
thirtieth Articles concerning Church-censure and Synods They likewise constitute General Monck together with General Montague to be Generals at Sea for the next Summers expedition and accordingly command Montague to go to Sea with all possible speed And because several Members had impeachments against them and upon that score were secluded the House they disanull those impeachments and re-admit them as namely Mr Denzil Hollis and Sr Robert Pye About this time the Deanry of Christ-Church which had for a long time been in the hands of Dr Owen a man look'd upon at Oxford as a hair-brain'd schismatick was taken from him and confirmed to Dr Reynolds a man who farre better deserved it They likewise at the beginning of March released the Lord Lindsey the Lord Sinclare and Lord Lauderdale from their tedious imprisonments to which upon various pretences they had been committed Dr Walker and Dr Turner were made Judges of the Admiralty and Probate of Wils and Dr Wiseman constituted the Commonwealths Advocate And now was the Lord General invited to Dinner by the Company of Mercers and afterwards by several other of the Companies the Citizens striving mutually who should in the best manner discover and expresse the gratefulness and esteem they bore for his noble and heroick actions At this time there was an assembly of a Parliamentary Convention in Ireland summoned by Sr Charles Coote and the Lord Broghill for the better Regulating of affairs there till all things in England might be in a better posture The Parliament that they might testifie to the world that they were not so forgetfull of Oaths as their fellow-Members order the solemn League and Covenant to be set up and read in all Churches and likewise to be set up in the Parliament that they might remember they had sworn for the maintenance of the King and his posterity Collonel Lambert being found to lurk up and down about the City notwithstanding the Order of the Parliament was as a person too dangerous to be trusted to himself at such a time as this committed to the Tower Orders were sent down to Hull by Collonel Alured and Major Smith that Collonel Overton should immediately deliver up that Garrison into the hands of Collonel Fairfax and to repair immediately to London and he notwithstanding his former Declaration that he was resolved to keep it till the coming of King Jesus presently obeyed the Order and Collonel Fairfax accordingly took possession of the place Sr Arthur Haslerig and others were questioed before the Parliament and Counsell of State but nothing extraordinary being found against him as to the designs were then on Foot it was passed by The Parliament made Sr Peter Killigrew Governour of Pendennis-Castle and worthy Mr Morris Commander of Plymouth-Fort and Island There was about this time a conference between ten of the Counsell of State and ten head-Officers of the Army the Generall being present concerning the Government but the conference being only for mutuall information and satisfaction it had no result The Parliament ordered that the Examination of Sr George Booth and his Lady should be taken off the File and given to him he deserving to have his Encomium put on in the room of it And now they obliterated the Engagement which was made by the Rump in 1649 to free them from punishment for the impious murther of their Gracious Soveraign out of the Journall and voted it to be null and void And now the time of their dissolution being come they put out the Act for summoning a new Parliament in the Name of the Keepers of the Liberties of the Commonwealth of England The Qualifications which they put out being only these That all persons who have advised aided or any wayes assisted or abetted the rebellion in Ireland All those who profess the Popish Religion All that advised or voluntarily aided in the Warre against the Parliament in 1641 unless they have since given a manifestation of their good affection shall be uncapable of being elected Members for the ensuing Parliament and no person elected and thus qualified to sit in the House upon a high penalty Though these Qualifications did seem at first to exclude a great number yet divers eminent and worthy persons though they had actually been in the Kings service in the late War having been engaged in Sr George Booths quarrell for the naturall interest were elected and admitted to sit in the House The City having compleated their Militia as well Auxiliaries as trained Bands made choice of his Excellency the Lord Generall to be Major Generall of all their Forces Major Generall Brown being Collonel of the Regiment of Horse The Parliament ordered 9000lb to be given to Major Generall Brown in satisfaction for those great losses which he had received under the tyranny of the Rump for his noble and publick spirit They likewise gave 20000lb as a gift to his Excellency And before their dissolution they released Dr Wren who for about eighteen years had suffered imprisonment in the Tower of London a man who doubtless deserved better usage but that the times then did not well understand him They gave power also to the Counsel of State to release what Prisoners upon State-matters they should see good and particularly Maj. Gen. Lambert They ordered a stop should be put to the sale of the Estate of the Lord Craven and Lord St John the first of which had his Estate taken away from him by more than hellish injustice Some neglect being in the Printer concerning the Printing of the Act for the Militia and it being supposed there was a designe of some of the late Rump to make some alteration in the Act as might suit for their turn or else upon the Parliaments dissolution by violence to hinder it The Parliament ordered a Committee to take care that it should be finished with all expedition which accordingly was performed And so this part of a Parliament which was chosen in 1640. was now finally dissolved in 1660. by their own Act which was That the day for dissolution of this Parliament be from the sixteenth of March 1660. Multiplicity of business having caused them to alter the first appointed day About this time our gracious Sovereigne King Charles the second hearing of the transactions of affairs in England and seeing how the face of all things began to alter so that great probability there was of being admitted to his undoubted Right without the effusion of his Subjects blood removed his Court from Brussels to Breda in Holland a Town belonging to his Sister the Princess of Orange there expecting till England might be brought into such a posture as might fit it for his happy and wished for reception The Parliament at their dissolution had conferred on the Counsel of State all Power whatsoever in the Interval till the assembling of the Free Parliament April 25. 1660. which accordingly they executed so prudently and wisely and preserved the Nation in peace and put the affairs of the Kingdom in
mens bodies endeavour the like over their souls They therefore Enact that every Citizen of London at the time of their admission to their Freedome should take the ensuing Oath viz. You shall swear That you shall be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England and in order there unto you shall be obedient to the just Government of the City of London You shall to your best power maintain the peace and all the due Franchises thereof and to your knowledge and ability do and perform all Acts and things belonging to a Free-man of the said City They likewise Enact that the said Oath Mutatis mutandis be taken by every Free-man in every City Borrough and Town Corporate in England and Wales at the time of their admission to Freedome as aforesaid The Extraordinary Ambassadors for the States of Holland having had audience and promise of Redress for the injuries done to their Ships provided the wrong-doers could be found out being on departure many thanks and civilities having past between them and the House they Order two Members to give them a solemn farewell who accompanied them to Gravesend The Army again Petition the Parliament in prosecution of some desires formerly presented to them viz. 1. To make and establish such wholesome Laws in the native Language as may preserve the Interest and Liberties of this Commonwealth 2. That Tithes may be abolished 3. That no punishment be inflicted upon any man for the Exercise of his Conscience 4. That all that had to deal in the publick Treasury be called to account and that free Quarter be taken off 5. That all Persons whatsoever may have a free and equall Administration of the Law 6. That Persons imprisoned for Debt having nothing to pay may be released and that such as are able and shelter themselves in prison be forced to pay 7. That all Persons in prison for pretended words c. be brought to triall and if found innocent have satisfaction for false imprisonment 8. That Provision might be made for the Poor of the Nation 9. That constant Pay may be provided to prevent free Quarter 10. That the Arrears of the Army might be paid out of the Kings Deans and Chapters Lands 11. That their want of Horses might be supplied 12. That care might be taken for prevention of clipt Money 13. That the Articles of Warre might be mitigated 14. That the Souldiers might not be put to the execution of civil Orders as seizing on unlicensed Books distraining of Moneys or the like so that the people may not complain of their intrenchment on their Liberties These were February 19. 1649. drawn up by the Army as their humble Petition and Address to the Parliament but we need not think it strange that every common Souldier should have liberty to propose what was necessary to be done in the Government since they had perfectly the whole power in their hands and had first by the fetches of some of their Commanders excluded and extirpated all other power to give life and being to this shadow of a Government this little finger of a Parliament and yet ten times heavier to the Nation then the whole loynes of its legal Magistracy But to return to our purpose the Parliament for so in their own language we must call them order the Triall of Duke Hamilton who though he was no Englishman yet was arraigned under the Name of Earl of Cambridge thereby to subject him to the English Law together with the Earl of Holland Lord Capell Lord Goring and Sr John Owen the two first of which were afterwards beheaded in Pallace-yard and the two last meeting with more favour from them were suffered to depart beyond Seas A Councell of State being setled by the Parliament they met at Derby House where some Propositions of the Parliaments in order to their unanimous Proceedings were tendred to them viz. the approbation of the Proceedings with the late King the House of Lords the present Alteration and some other These were by them received with some dislike to some of the particulars and their dislike being mentioned in the House was referred to a Committee The Prince Elector Palatine makes his Addresses to the Parliament with returnes of thanks for their former favours and desires that 5600lb due of his last years Pension might be paid that the Pension of 8000lb per annum might be continued and that he might have the Pass of the House for himself Family and forty Horse to go home The first and last desires were granted and the Summe due Ordered to be paid him but the Continuation of his Pension put off to further consideration The Parliament and Councell of State agree upon an Attestation to be taken by every individuall Member of the Councell of State which ran as followeth viz. I A. B. being of the Councell of State do Testifie that I do adhere unto this present Parliament in the maintenance and defence of the publick Liberty and Freedome of this Nation as it is now Declared and to the Government for future in way of a Republick without King or House of Peers And I do promise in the sight of God that through his grace I will be faithfull in the performance of the trust committed to me as aforesaid and therein faithfully pursue the Instructions given to this Councell by this present Parliament and not reveal or disclose any thing in whole or in part directly or indirectly that shall be debated or resolved on in Counsell without command or direction in Parliament or the Order and allowance of the major part of them that shall be present at such debates or resolutions In confirmation of the Premisses I have hereunto set my hand To which Attestation the Clerk of the Parliament is Ordered to see that every individuall Member of the Councell of State do Subscribe And now comes out the Protestation of the Parliament of Scotland against the Proceedings touching his Majesties Life and Person which because it was of so eminent concernment I shall here insert the most materiall Circumstances viz. That by their Letter of the sixth instant viz. January they represented unto you what endeavours have been used for taking away of his Majesties life for Change of the fundamentall Government of this Kingdome and introducing a sinfull and ungodly Toleration in matters of Religion and therein they did express their sad thoughts and great feares of the dangerous consequences that might follow thereupon and further they did earnestly press that there might be no proceeding against his Majesties Person which would certainly continue the great distractions of the Kingdomes and involve them in many evils troubles and confusions but that by the free Councels of both Houses of the Parliament of England and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Scotland such course might be taken in relation to him as may be for the good and happiness of these Kingdomes both having an unquestionable interest in his Person as King of both
of that vast Charge is saved yet neither Custome Excise nor Taxes made lower but rather encreased the Souldiers Petitioning for a larger Taxe that free Quarter the greater oppression indeed of the two might be avoided Severall Troopers who pretended a Liberty to Petition without the consent of their Officers are punished five of them are condemned first to ride with their Faces to the Horse Tail then to have their Swords broke over their Heads and lastly to be cashiered a Letter which they had concerning the aforesaid Liberty being judged pernicious and scandalous to the Parliament and Counsell of State About this time began those great disturbances both in Army and Parliament occasioned by the distast given to Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburne by the Parliaments denying some desires of his But because the Discourse of it would now be too tedious we shall let it alone till we come to treat of its Effects But let us return now a little to Scotland where the Parliament upon rumours that the English Army were marching towards them prepare to resist and Vote the raising for their present defence 2000 Horse and 6000 Foot whilest the Lord Seaforth and Collonel Heisell are busied in fortifying Enderness and other strong places in the North all being resolved to defend and maintain the Cause of Charles the Second with their lives and fortunes many Englishmen flocking to them In the mean time Prince Rupert makes great Havock of the Merchants Ships and Goods in the English and Irish Seas which makes the Parliament hasten out their Fleet under the Command of Popham Dean and Blake as aforesaid And now on the ninth of March 1648. those three Lords Duke Hamilton as Earl of Cambridge the Earl of Holland and Lord Capell were beheaded in the new Palace-yard Westminster for having raised Arms against the Parliament nor could Duke Hamiltons pretending himself a stranger and not subject to the Laws of England nor the Lord Capells claiming the Lord Generals promise of Quarter finde them voices enough to save their lives though the Lord Goring and Sr John Owen escaped by Superiority of voices They all three died resolutely and handsomely befitting men of so noble descents The Parliament in some things to answer the Armies Petition Order a release of all Prisoners who were not in a capacity to pay their Debts the Commission nevertheless extending to the seizure of all their Estate and Moveables to pay as far as they will go They likewise Enact a rebate in Usury that none should take above six in the hundred which is an ease to the poor but a plague to the rich The 14th of March arrives at London Master Belford from the Parliament of Scotland who brings Letters expressing their high resentment for the securing of their Commissioners they assure them that they owned the Paper sent by their Commissioners by sending another Transcript of it so their Commissioners are discharged and it referred to the Counsell of State to send them an Answer The Parliament proceed in consideration of what was to be done in the farther punishing of offendors and Vote that fifteen be banished whereof the Marquess of Winchester the Lords Bristoll Cottington and Digby are four Judge Jenkins and Sr John Stowell are Ordered to be tried at the Kings Bench Bar. That Collonel Laughorne Powell and Poyer or any others who have held out any Castle or Fort since the first of March 1648. to be tried by a Counsell of War They proceed to the Confiscation of the Estates of the Prince of Wales Duke of York Duke of Buckingham Earl of Bristoll Earl of Newcastle Earl of Worcester Lord Digby Sr William Widdrington Sr Phillip Musgrave Sr Marmaduke Langdale Sr Richard Grimvile Sir Francis Dodington Sr Iohn Culpepper and Sr Iohn Byron any of which being taken in England are to die without mercy The Banishment of the Marquess of Winchester is remitted at last and he with Bishop Wren Voted imprisonment in the Tower during the Parliaments pleasure Brown Bushell is also Voted to be tried for his life The Parliament hoping to justifie their actions to the world abroad by Logick as well as they had done it by force at home cause a large and specious Declaration to be drawn up shewing the causes of their Actions and Proceedings against their late King and of the Alteration of the Government which they order to be Printed in Latin French Dutch and Italian the better to satisfie as they dream't the rest of the Christian world The Lieutenant Generall Cromwell now comes in play again action being so naturall to him he being appointed Generalissimo of those 12000 Horse and Foot which are Voted to be sent for the relief of Ireland and the reducing of Ormond Inchequeen and Owen Roe who had now made a full conjunction and lay neare Dublin with 22000 Men. And now the Parliament by their Act and Declaration of the 19th of February dissolve all Kingly Government disheriting the late Kings Children or any other from any claim right or title to the Government of England Wales or Ireland or any of the Honours Mannors Lands Tenements Possessions or Hereditaments belonging or appertaining to the Crown of England or Ireland And they by the same Act discharge and absolve all the people of England Wales and Ireland of what degree or condition soever from all Fealty Homage and Allegiance which is or shall be pretended due to any of the Issue and Posterity of the late King or any claiming under him This Act the Parliament Order to be proclaimed in the City of London by the Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs in Person and likewise in the chief places of the Nation to which purpose Writs are sent down to the Sheriffs of the respective Counties But the Lord Mayor and severall of the Aldermen whose consciences would not permit them to proclaim it refusing to do it put a demur upon it throughout the whole Nation the effects of which the Parliament fearing called him to the Bar of the House and finding him resolved Order the degradation of him Alderman Bunce and three Aldermen more Alderman Andrews being found fit for the Parliaments purpose is appointed to sit on the Bench in the late Lord Mayors stead who readily executed the Parliaments Commands The Parliament Constitute a Committee for the sale of Parks Chases and Forrest-Lands of whom any three have power and authority to Act. The 24th of March the Castle of Pomfret which had held out near nine Moneths was forced to surrender for want of Ammunition The private Souldiers who were most of them inhabitants of Yorkeshire had liberty by Articles to go home to their habitations but the Governour and some others were exempted from Quarter nevertheless Lieutenant Collonel Morris the Governour escaped The Scotch Commissioners are at last dispatched to the King with full Instructions to treat with him of which the chief were First That his Majesty take the Covenant Secondly That he put from him all who have assisted
the Attorney Generall bring in a Bill to Audit the Arrears of the Souldiers Thus the Parliament make hast to the sale of the Lands belonging both to Church and State for the payment of their Souldiers and servants The 25th of April 1649 was Collonel Poyer shot to death Major Generall Loughorne Coll. Powell and himself three eminent Welchmen were tried for their lives by a Counsell of Warre and all three condemned for holding Intelligence with the Enemy but mercy being shown it was put to the Lot which fell upon Coll. Poyer who suffered death according to sentence The Princess Elizabeth Daughter to the late King petitioning the Parliament that shee might have leave to go into Holland to her Sister the Princess Royall of Orange is denyed but is ordered to go with her Brother the Duke of Glocester to Sr Edward Harringtons in Rutland who is ordered to take care of them and 3000lb a year is allowed for their maintenance but he excuses it being ancient The Parliament take upon them the Royall Prerogative of Coyning Monies order a new Stamp to be made with the Arms of England on one side and round The Commonwealth of England and the Arms of England and Ireland on the other and round God with us Severall Troops and Regiments of the Army either discontented at Liev. Coll. John Lilburns imprisonment or some other feigned pretence of their own mutinie Coll. Scroops and Major Gen. Iretons who were designed for Ireland are the chief but in the end they are all either reduced to obedience or disbanded A Regiment of Coll. Tuthills is sent over to Dublin as a vangard to the rest Dr Dorislaus whom the Parliament of this Commonwealth had sent over as their Agent to treat with the States of Holland was the 5th of May murdered in an Ordinary in the Hague by six men who entred into the chamber disguised the English Cavaliers there were suspected for the murther but we judg it a calumny since the certainty could never be known though the States of Holland offered 1000 Guldens to the discoverers of the assassinates The Parliament to manifest their surious resentment of the murther of Dr Isaac Dorislaus their Agent put forth a Declaration how tender a sense they have of so horrid a murther and the dishonour redounds thereby to the Commonwealth and that since they cannot have the authors of that horrid villany they are resolved to execute their revenge upon those Cavaliers for they are resolved to believe those there the actors of it which they have here in their power and have not been admitted to compound and so are left to their mercy which they else had found had not their fellows there forfeited it so sweet is revenge though but upon a meer suspicion of an injury The Parliament in England put forth an Act declaring what should be high-Treason the particulars were 1. That whosoever should maliciously and advisedly by writing printing or openly declare that this Government by Parliament is tyrannicall usurped or unlawfull or that the Commons assembled in Parliament are not the Supream Authority of the Nation or shall plot endeavour or contrive to stir up or raise any force to the subversion or alteration of the Government and shall declare the same by open deed shall be judged guilty of high-Treason 2. That any person who shall maliciously and advisedly contrive and plot or cause to be contrived and plotted any thing which may tend to the subversion of the Keepers of the Liberties of England or the Councell of State and shall declare the same by open deed shall be judged guilty of high Treason 3. That whosoever not being a Member of the Army shall plot contrive or endeavour to stir up any mutiny in the said Army or draw any Souldiers or Officers from their obedience to their superiour Officers or from the present Government or shall procure invite or aid any forreigners to invade England or Ireland or counterfeit the great Seal of England for time being used by Authority of Parliament That then they for every such offence be judged guilty of high Treason and suffer the pains and penalties thereof This Act was by Order of Parliament proclaimed throughout England and Wales But now the straits of Ireland requiring a speedy help which is daily sollicited for Ormond having beleaguered Dublin near a Moneth and it scarce like to hold out long for want both of men provisions and Ammunition Collonel Tuthills Regiment having carried nothing over but themselves and their Arms on their shoulders though scarce Cloathes to their backs so that the Parliament to answer those reiterated desires of Lieutenant Generall Jones and being indeed sensible of their necessities expedite their assistance appointing Commissary Generall Ireton Collonel Scroop Collonel Horton Major Generall Lambert with their four Regiments of Horse and Collonel Ewers Collonel Cooke Collonel Hewson and Collonel Dean with theirs of Foot and five Troops of Horse to be made ready for that service besides which some other Regiments are raised by beat of Drum In the mean time Collonel Reynolds Regiment of Horse Collonel Venables and Collonel Monkes of Foot quartering nearest are ordered to advance to Chester and thence immediately take Shipping as the Vant-guard of the Army the other eight Regiments were ordered to march to the generall Rendezvows at Milford-haven where there was a convenient number of Shipping provided to waft them over into Ireland and whither Generall Cromwell very speedily followed them departing out of London the tenth of July 1649. The Vant-guard commanded by the Collonels Reynolds Venables and Monke met with so prosperous a gale from Chester soon arrived in Dublin Road and having landed their men notwithstanding the Enemy lay so near entred the City without any considerable opposition where they were received with Ecchoes of joy by the Souldiers and Inhabitants who had so long expected them The Town being now so well strengthened by this new supply Collonel Jones his old Souldiers Collonel Tuthills Regiment with the Inhabitants that bore Arms and this new Brigade could now muster between 8 and 9000 stout men Jones therefore resolves upon a Sally as soon as he should see occasion which the Enemy themselves soon gave him by coming down on the East side of the City with a party of near 2000 Foot and some Horse intending to have run a trench along to the Sea and there to have built a Fort which might have commanded the Haven and hindred supplyes from England they within perceiving their design were resolved to hinder them so drawing out near twelve hundred Horse and four thousand Foot couragiously enter those trenches the Enemy had raised and pursued their charge with so much courage that Ormonds Horse presently gave back and his Foot most cut in pieces or taken prisoners which easie victory gave such heat to the English Forces that pursuing it with as much resolution as possible could be expected in men they followed the Chase as far as Rathmines where
Merchants Ships having generally good plunder and being taken with little danger And now a Fleet of French fals likewise into the hands of the Engliish which as they were going to relieve Dunkirke are spied by the English and being pursued are most of them taken The names of them were The Triton with 31 Guns the Shepheard 29 Guns the Gift of God 30 Guns the Dutchess 22 Guns the Crescent 26 Guns the Hunter 22 Guns the St Lewis 28 Guns a small Frigot of 8 Guns and 6 Fire-ships The taking of this Fleet making the French in Dunkirke despair of relief caused the rendition both of it and Graveling to the Spaniard And now on the 28 of September happened that notable fight between the English and Dutch commonly called the Kentish Knock. Generall Blake having discovered a Fleet of Hollanders consisting of about sixty Sail on the backside of the Goodwin Sands under the Command of Admirall Dewit makes towards them and engages them but the Dutch having placed themselves under the Sand called the Kentish Knock to hinder the English from coming to the Weathergage they endeavouring to do it had like to have endammaged themselves for the Admirall the Royall Soveraign the Resolution and the St Andrew and others struck on the Sands but getting off again without any harm fell afresh to the work till night parted them Next Morning September 29 the Duch Fleet was seen two Leagues Northeast off the English who made after them all the forenoon with that little wind there was but the wind coming to North and by West they could not get up to them yet some of the best Frigots were commanded to bear as near the Dutch as they could and keep them in play till the rest came up About three a Clock they got within shot of the Dutch Fleet who fearing that by degrees the English would get within them set up their main Sails and ran for it whom ten Frigots had in chase till six a Clock the next day the whole Fleet pursued the Dutch into their very harbours In this sight the Hollander had five Ships disabled among which the Rearadmirall was one whose Captain and men the English took out of her but left her floating on the sea The English lost not above forty men But in the mean time the Hollanders get the better of a squadron of our Ships in the Straits where they were eleven to four they take the Phaenix an English Ship of 45 Guns which the English retake afterwards by a stratagem The Danish Ambassadour who was come over just at the beginning of the breach between the two Commonwealths the wound now beginning to fester is recalled by his Master who was forc't to temporize with the Hollanders and who to that effect detains 22 English Merchants Ships which were coming from the Eastland and notwithstanding all fair treaties would not be perswaded to let the Ships go but took out the Goods and sold them The Hollanders now prepare to be revenged of those rubs they had received from the English and to that intent appear on the 20th of December on the backside of the Goodwin with 90 Men of Warre and 10 Fireships the English were 42 sail in the Downs yet for all their small number resolve to fight them though it proved to their loss for the Garland and Bonadventure besides two Merchants Ships were taken Generall Blake himself was endangered and the Vanguard and Victory scarce got off clear This loss made Generall Blake retreat into Lee Road so that the Dutch bragg'd of us as we before had done of them that they had pursued us unto our Harbours The Parliament however provide to revenge this loss and to that effect order fit encouragement to the Marriners That their pay instead of 18s should be 23s per mensem That for every Prize they shall take they have 10s for every Tunburthen and 6lb 13s 4d for every Piece of Ordinance to be equally distributed besides the rifling of all above the Gun deck That they shall have 10lb a Gun for every Man of Warre they shall sink or destroy by fire c. That they which will come in to serve voluntarily shall have a moneths pay gratis Care was likewise taken for Provisions for sick and wounded men aboard and Maintenance ashore These encouragements made the Seamen venture more willingly so that about the middle of February the English had a gallant Fleet of Ships at Sea which the 18th day discovered the Dutch Fleet in number about 80 Men of War with about 150 Merchant men from Roan Nants and Bourdeaux between Portland and the Isle of Wight About eight in the morning Generall Blake and Generall Deane in the Triumph with three or four of the headmost Ships of the English Fleet endured the brunt with neer 30 of the Dutch men of Warre till two or three of the Clock when half the English Fleet came up who continued the fight till night The English in this days service had the Sampson a Flemish Prize disabled the Men they afterwards took out and sunk the Ship themselves the Dutch had one Ship sunk Feb. 19. The Dutch steering on their course the English made towards them brought some of their Ships by the Lee and destroyed them Feb. 20. The two Fleets engaged and the dispute continued very hot for near five or six hours till at last the Dutch begun to fire out of their sternmost Ports and fly away so the English gave them a chase took fifty of their Merchants and nine men of War The slaughter was great on both sides though greater on the Dutch then English Whilest the Dutch are thus beaten in the Channell they give us a blow before the Port of Livorne where the Leopard Peregrine and Levant Merchant are taken by them the Sampson fired and the Bonadventure blown up Captain Badiley who lay out at Sea during this fight with twelve Ships not being able or willing to come to their assistance In the mean time arrives an extraordinary Ambassadour from the King of Portugall to the Parliament which after many addresses treaties and conferences is concluded upon obligation to satisfie the English Merchants losses From France there comes two Agents one from the King of France desired release of those Ships taken before Dunkirke as also that there might be a right understanding between the two Nations The other from the Prince of Conde craving aid against the Cardinall and his faction who had strongly besieged Bourdeaux but they both proved ineffectuall And now happened a very strange alteration in the Scene of affairs in England Cromwell whose ambition was now ripe and who knew that now he might take a very fit opportunity to usurp that power he had so long gaped for the people of these Nations being weary of the actions of this Parliament and their dilatory proceedings and apparent intentions of perpetuating themselves and he perceiving that as the people were weary of them so they would be would
be willing to be rid of them On the 20 of April 1653. enters the Parliament house attended by some of his principall Officers where he delivered severall reasons why that Parliament should be dissolved and a period put to its sitting which was immediately done The Speaker with the rest of the Members some by force some through fear and some through murmuring departing the house all the Nation rejoycing and scarce a man grieved for their dissolution but themselves it being generally believed that though the Nation might not be bettered by this change yet worse could not befall it But to satisfie the wiser sort of people Generall Cromwell and his Counsell of Officers publish a very large and specious Declaration shewing the reasons of his dissolving this Parliament in that they regarded not the Nations good or proceeded to the establishment of a Commonwealth as they pretended but only to an arbitrary perpetuation of their power and that therefore some other meanes must be sought for the establishment of such a Government as might suit with the Liberties and Priviledges of the people Thus that part of the Parliament who had cut off their King and Masters head and usurped an authority over these Nations is turned out of doors by their servant Oliver Cromwell and their power wholly taken into his own hands which how he executed and improved to his own advantage in the next part shall be declared FLORVS ANGLICVS OR THE Government of England VNDER Oliver Lord Protector from the Year 1653 to 1658. PART II. THe Parliament or at least that part of the House of Commons which then sate being dissolved and their power wholly devolved into the hands of their aspiring Generall Cromwell their Dissolution being willingly assented to by most of their principall Officers both by Sea and Land he had now nothing to do but to give notice to the Magistrates of the Civill and Capitall Laws to go on in the prosecution of their duties the generality of the people being very well satisfied to which effect this ensuing Declaration was published Whereas the Parliament being dissolved persons of approved fidelity and honesty are according to the late Declaration of the 22 of April last to be called from the severall parts of this Commonwealth to the supreme Authority and although effectuall proceedings are and have been had for perfecting those resolutions yet some convenient time being required for the assembling those persons it hath been found necessary for the preventing the mischiefs and inconveniences which may arise in the mean while to the publick affairs that a Counsell of State be constittuted to take care of and intend the peace safety and present management of the affairs of this Commonwealth which being setled accordingly the fame is hereby declared and published to the end all persons may take notice hereof and in their severall places and stations demean themselves peaceably giving obedience to the Laws of the Nation as heretofore and in the exercise and administration whereof as endeavours shall be used that no oppression or wrong be done to the people so a strict accompt will be required of all such as shall do any thing to indanger the publick peace and quiet upon any pretence whatsoever O. Cromwell The Dutch however the English Nation seemed generally satisfied yet hoped that such distractions might advance their cause and interest arising from this suddain alteration and change of the State of affairs in England imagining Chimeraes in fancies and building Castles in the Air with vain hopes that these confusions at Land would hinder all preparations at Sea to oppose them so having manned out a high and mighty Fleet they begun to play the Rex And first having ready in their habours a numerous Fleet of Merchant-men bound for France Spain Italy the Levant and East-Indies they with a Fleet of 90 Sail of men of War undertake to convoy and secure them from all English surprizals yet notwithstanding their force they dare not venture to conduct them through St Georges Channell his Cross having so oft proved bloudy to them there but chuse rather to steer their course round the North of Scotland which way though it was far more long and tedious yet was as much more safe and secure Trump having happily according to his Commission left these Merchant-men out of all suspicion of danger tacks about and bends his course to the Sound from whence he convoys home a great Fleet of Eastland-Merchant-men from Russia Denmarke Dantzicke and other Ports of the Baltick Ocean and in his voyage he meets with another Fleet of Hollanders coming from France which being joyned to him he enters with a great deal of bravery into the Ports of Holland and Zealand his Fleet in the whole consisting of between 3 and 400 Sail of Ships The Flemmings pufft up with this happy success and understanding that the English Fleet was gone Northward thought to do some noble exploit on the English in their absence Having therefore hoised Sail they stand over for the Downs and on the 25 of May ranged themselves in Douer-Road with 108 Ships where finding but three small Ships a poor prize for so great a Navy they began to wreak their malice upon the Town by beating some Tiles off from the tops of the houses with their great Shot wherein they manifested far more folly then valour From thence they stood off towards the North out of a pretence to seek for the English Fleet which they boasted they must send Hue and Cry after but they met them sooner then they expected for the English Fleet being returned Southwards and Anchoring three Leagues off the South-head of Gober early in the morning on the third of June espied two Dutch Galliots which being chased by two English Frigots brought them within ken of their whole Fleet upon which the two Frigots giving the usuall and appointed tokens the whole Fleet made Sail with what possible speed they could to engage the Dutch but the wind being scarce it was near twelve a Clock before they could reach them with their Shot This first dayes dispute was very hot on both sides and so continued till night parted them though little harm was done to the English but only the loss of Generall Dean who was slain in the beginning of the encounter with a Cannon shot from one of the enemies Rear-Admirals as it was supposed The second day though it were late before the Fleets could joyn yet the dispute proved very hot and bloudy Van Trump had at first got the advantage of that little wind was stirring and brought up his Fleet in very good order thinking to charge through and through the English but his design failed for the wind rearing about to the Westerly the English Generals Blake and Moncke fell in so furiously amongst the thickest of the Dutch Fleet that they soon forced them to retire and their thundrings of Shot still continuing the Dutch not able to abide it tacked about and
with all the Sail they could make ran towards their own Coasts But the English in respect of those dangerous flats thought it not safe to pursue them too far but only sent some light Frigots to discover their course In this encounter there was no certain account could be given of the Dutch that were slain but there were taken prisoners 6 Captains 1350 common-Seamen and others 11 men of War taken 6 sunk Of the English Gnerall Dean slain 1 Captain killed 120 Sea-men slain and 236 wounded But in all this desperate Batrell not one Ship lost or disabled The Dutch Fleet by the opportunity and advantage of the night got into the Wielings the Vley and the Texell to recruit their men and repair their losses which were so great but the loss on the English side being so inconsiderable they resolved to keep the Sea and having mended their torn and tottered rigging they call a Counsell of War where it was agreed on that the whole Fleet should make what hast they could towards the Weilings and by ranging up and down the Coast block up the Dutch in their habours which they did for a good space of time taking prizes at pleasure and not permitting the Dutch whose Fleet was seperated into severall harbours to joyn or be in a capacity to make any resistance so that the Dutch having now the English Fleet constantly in sight though against their wils need not be put to any further trouble of making a Hue and Cry after them But let us leave the Hollanders thus blockt up and return to our Scepter-aspiring Cromwell in England Who having finished his Consultations with his Counsell of Officers about choosing those persons into whose hands he intended to put the Legislative power of the Nation sends out his Warrants to those persons so by him chosen whom he will have stiled a Parliament though they amounted not to above 140 persons for the three Nations to appear at the Counsell-Chamber in Whitehall on the 4th of July 1653. where they being accordingly convened Generall Cromwell attended by severall Officers of the Army makes them a short speech which being ended he delivers them a Writing under his hand and Seal impowring them to be the supreme legislative Authority of the three Nations of England Scotland and Ireland with all the Territories thereto belonging and that any forty of them should be a Quorum sufficient to dispatch any publick business make Laws raise Moneys and order the affairs of Peace and War as they should think fit only their sitting was limited to the third of Nouember 1654 and three Moneths before their dissolution they were to make choise of others to succeed in their room So Cromwell having canted out a prayer that God would bless them and their Counsels dismissed them From thence they retired to the old Parliament-house at Westminster where having chose Mr Rouse Speaker they began to debate what they should call themselves a Parliament or something else but at last it was resolved in the affirmative by what law or reason few canguess that all addresses should be made to them as to a Parliament But it is very like many if not most of this pact Parliament knew very well for what end and purpose they were called viz. to make way for Cromwels future greatness and though perhaps these were the fewer part yet be plainly endeavoured to hedge in the greater by somenting those differences among them which his earnest pressing them to take the Tithes and Universities into consideration caused About this time John Lilburn who for his factious spirit had long lain in prison and was at last banished by the long Parliament upon occasion of this change of Government came into England and cast himself upon the Lord Generall Cromwell for protection but he knowing his turbulent temper refused to intermeddle but left him to the Law so being committed to Newgate he was brought to his triall in the Old Baily where notwithstanding the endeavours of his adversaries he so strongly pleaded his cause that the Jury brought him in not guilty But however his spirit be very well known and that he would still be carping at whatever Government should be established he was still kept prisoner first in the Tower and after in Dover-Castle where Trandling according to the madness of his brain from one opinion to another he at length fell into Quakerisme in which heresie he died But let us look a little into Scotland where though the English had got possession of most of the Forts Garrisons and strong holds in the Low-lands yet the High-landers from their craggy Cliffs made many incursions into the Country committing many Murthers Robberies and Outrages upon both people and Souldiers forth with again betaking themselves to their inaccessible fastnesses whither our Souldiers not knowing the Country nor Passes could not tell how to pursued them and they encreasing daily into great numbers headed by Glencarne Atholl Seafort and others The Lord Seafort having surprized seven or eight men that came ashore to seek provisions from aboard the Fortune Frigot who layar Anchor at Lew is Island was so vain as to send his Summons to the Ship requiring it to surrender but it proved as could not be otherwise expected ineffectuall The condition of Ireland was the same with that of Scotland all the strong holds and fortresses being reduced to the English yoke nor any opposition made but what the excursions of some Tories who lurked in Woods and Fastnesses and did much damage to the Country people and travellers on the Road produced The Hollanders perceiving their force too weak to resist the English strength send over four Commissioners viz. Monsieur Bevering Newport Youngstall and Vanderpaue who died soon aftet his arrivall here to renew again the Treaty Though three remaining Commissioners pursued their negotiations very close yet the Treaty produced at that present neither cessation or intermission of Arms but both parties prepared for War and had during the Treaty a most remarkable Fight which happened thus On the 29th of July the English Scouts discovered a Dutch Fleet from the Weilings consisting of about 95 men of War which Fleet Van Trump had all that while been preparing with indefatigable labour to beat the English from his Countries harbours and to encourage and add resolution to his Seamen had made proclamation That all the men of War taken from the English should be the Mariners with a considerable Summe of Money to whomever should take the Admirals or vice-Admirals Flag The English Scouts having espied them gave notice to the Fleet who made what Sail they could possibly towards them which the Dutch discerning stood away and the English after them but the wind being scarce came not into Shot till six a Clock when thirty light Frigots engaged them but little was done this day in regard the night parted them The Dutch all night stood into the Texell where there joyned with them 25 stout men of War
where in the presence of God he promised upon Oath not to violate or infringe the matters and things contained in the aforementioned Instrument but to observe and cause the same to be observed and in all things to the best of his understanding govern the Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customes seeking peace causing justice and Law to be equally administred Presently after the Administration of this Oath the following Proclamation was by Order of the Counsell published throughout all the Territories and Dominions of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland viz. Whereas the late Parliament dissolved themselves and resigning their whole powers and Authorities the Government of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland by a Lord Protector and successive trienniall Parliaments is now established And whereas Oliver Cromwell Captain Generall of all the Forces of this Commonwealth is declared Lord Protector of the said Nations and hath accepted thereof We have therefore thought it necessary as we do hereby to make publication of the premisses and strictly to charge and command all and every person and persons of what quality and condition soever in any of the said three Nations to take notice hereof and to conforme and submit themselves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Mayors Bayliffs c. are required to publish this Proclamation to the end none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf This Proclamation was first of all proclaimed by a Serjeant at Arms in the Pallaceyard Westminster and by the Lord Major Sheriffs and Aldermen of London at the Royall Exchange and afterwards throughout all England Scotland and Ireland The City of London to shew their willing concurrence to this great Change invite the Protector to a Dinner at Grocers-Hall whither he is attended with a great deal of magnificence and received with as much pomp and splendor as possibly could be There he first first makes use of the Power given him in giving Titles of Honour by dubbing of Sr Thomas Viner then Lord Major of London Knight And now out of imaginary fears of danger the better to secure his state a seeming Plot is found out some Cavaliers are sent to the Tower and the others warned from London upon it but the Protector to shew his clemency at his first entrance into the Government after some small time of durance releases again those who were imprisoned in the Tower The King of Scots being now come into France was there honourably received by the Court where he took up his residence at which time there were many discontents of the Princes of the blood against the aspiring ambition of Cardinall Mazarine in so much that it had like to have come to a civill warre To compose which difference the King of Scots offered to mediate in order to a reconciliation wherein he so farre prevailed that he procured a Conference between Deputies on both sides to whom although he urged his own condition as an argument for the French King to compose the difference in love rather then to to stand it out all which proving ineffectuall both sides betake themselves to armes the Treaty not succeeding caused him to lie under the displeasure of the Cardinall The Scots in the Highlands under the command of Glencarne and Kenmore by Commission from the King rally and rise to a considerable body of neer 4000 Horse and Foot hoping they might once more fairly dispute their quarcell in field but Major Generall Morgan with 1500 Horse and Foot coming upon them at their Rendesvouz before they could get into any good order killed neer 200 on the place took most of the rest Prisoners Glencarne himself hardly escaping with about 40 Horse The three Agents from Holland having been here all this while and little or nothing agre on for the ratification of a Peace between the two States two of them went over to receive fuller power from the Lords States as was pretended but it was rather suspected that it was to fetch Money which was the only bait by which the Protector could be won to an accord for at their return the Peace was suddenly clapt up and by a large Proclamation annexed to the Articles shewing the reason 's of the Peace which would so much as was pretended redound to the good of the Nation though no understanding Englishman but might guesse at the inconveniencies of it proclaimed on the 5th of Aprill at London and after in other parts of England And now another Plot succeeds the last the chief designers are pretended to be Gilbert and John Gerrard Esquires brothers one Jones an Apotheeary Tewdor Fox and Vowell the design was to have slain the Protector raised an Army and brought in the King but how no man ever knew however these feigned Plots or at least Plots first contrived by themselves are good seturers of Tyrants and usurpers for hereby they fright men from reall designments the plotters are sent to the Tower and a High Court of Justice is erected for their triall Gerrard and Vowell are condemned to be hanged the rest are saved Vowell according to sentence was hanged at Charingcross but Coll. Gerrard upon Petition had the favour to be beheaded at Towerhill where he behaved himself so gallantly and looked death so unappalledly in the face that his very enemies were forced to admire his courage and constancy At the very same time Don Pantaleon Sa Brother to the Lord Ambassador of Portugall was beheaded on the same scaffold for having committed a ridiculous Riot on the New Exchange where followed by a crew of mad fellowes Servants and Lacquies to his Brother or himself he shot a Gentleman that was there walking in the head and had done further mischief had not the noble Coll. Gerrard who was for an other cause beheaded before him stopt their fury and with his Rapier drove them before him down stairs This Portugall came with so great fear to the block that many deemed his life was gone before the blow with the Axe was given The King of Scots being still in France and finding notwithstanding his own and his Mothers endeavours that the Treaty with France and England was vigorously solicited by Monsieur Newfvill Seeing that by necessary consequence the Peace being concluded he and his party must be enforced to leave France thought it a great deal better and more honourable voluntarily to desert that Kingdom then to stay till he were forced out by complement so he with his Brother the Duke of York his Cousins Prince Rupert and Edward retired themselves to Chatillon a house of the Prince of Conde's from whence not long after the King and Prince Rupert went into Germany But now Glencarne reenforced by hopes of Middletons coming out of Holland with supplies of Money and Ammunition begins to stirre again in the Highlands exhorting his Countrymen to gain themselves immortall fame by redeeming themselves and their posterity from the slavery and bondage they now lay under filling their
Generals to be an eclipse of his glory reduced them again to their former Stations Another design of the Protectors to raise Money should have been the introduction of the Jewes into England Here was two hundred thousand pounds to be got which made the care of the encrease of the Church of Christ lye extreamly So he proposes it to severall Ministers for their approbation alledging that since there is a promise for their conversion means must be used to that end which is the preaching of the Gospell and that cannot be had except they be permitted to reside where the Gospel is preached But notwithstanding these Arguments the design was declaimed against both by Clergy and Laity so the Jews were denied their Re-admission though 't is supposed the Protector swallowed down some part of that sweet promised morsell The Spaniard having had certain advice of the attempt and repulse of the English at Hispaniola and their Possession of Jamaica thought this a sufficient breach of the peace though there was never any peace made with him beyond the Line he alwayes taking those English Ships he could light on and master though they went to traffick thither presently makes a seizure of all the English Merchants persons and goods then resident in Spain so that the War begins to grow hot on both sides the Tropick The Protector therefore orders the Generals Blake and Montague to block up Cadiz the chief Port-Town of the King of Spain and whither his Plate-Fleet used yearly to come He likewise endeavours a peace with France who had had Wars with Spain for a long time to which the Cardinall Mazarine consenting it was easily concluded on The French King being so inhumanely unworthy as upon Mazarines instigations to banish his Majesty the King of Scots and the rest of the late Kings children his nearest relations out of his Dominions though indeed he could do no more but forbid their re-entrance they being already gone to further the making of a peace with him who had so unjustly exposed them from their inheritances The English Fleet under Montagues and Blakes Command had for a good while in a manner besieged Cadiz by Sea but could by no exasperations be drawn out of their harbour to fight them the Spaniards thinking it a safer policy to let the English beat at Sea and at last be forced to depart for want of provisions rather then venture either men or Ships against them who they had seen so well experienced in such terrible Sea-fights with the Hollander But the English found in Wyers Bay in Portugall a convenient supply both of Water and provisions which proved a great deal nearer then the Spaniard imagined they would be forced to fetch it Hither were the Generals gone for fresh Water and provisions having left only a Squadron of seven Ships under Command of Captain Stainer before the Port of Cadiz to have an eye upon whatever Ships should pass in or out at that Port. Being thus plying to and fro thereabouts for some dayes it happened that a stiff gale of Wind forced Stainer to stand out to Sea where he spied a very pleasing object part of the King of Spains Fleet coming from the West-Indies and making directly for Cadiz he was somewhat to the Lee-ward made up towards them with all the Sail they could possibly and after some two hours hard plying Captain Stainer with his Ship the Speaker the Bridgewater and the Plimouth Frigots got up to them the other four of the English never being able to come up and presently these three engaged them Though the Spaniards were eight tall Ships or Galleons yet in short time the Spanish whole Fleet was spoiled whereof one was sunk two burnt two ran ashore and were bulged one escaped and two remained in the hands of the English one whereof had a great quantity of Plate and Cochenill in her the other was for the most part laden with Hides In these Ships many persons of note were taken who together with the Ships were safely convoyed home to the great joy of the Protector who made a particular day of Thanksgiving to God for so great a booty But notwithstanding the late great Plate prize yet our Protector is still necessitated for Moneys therefore to procure some and out of a longing desire he had to have his power confirmed to him by the people hoping that a new Representative might grant him that which the first denied or refused issues out his Writs for the Election of another Parliament Yet remembring the speeches and carriages of many Members in the late Parliament he gave secret advice to the Sheriffs in most Counties not to permit them if possible to be chosen however the people in most Countries choosing according to respect his secret advice would scarce hold water The 17th of September 1656 this Parliament met first at Westminster where they found the ancient priviledge of Parliament broken by a promise imposed upon every individuall Member before he should be permitted to sit in the House to wit that he would not act any thing prejudiciall to the Prebyterian Government which promise so to be made so digusted many of the Members that they choose rather to return home but the major part assenting to it entring the House chose Sr Thomas Widdrington for Speaker and began to act suitable to the wishes and desires of the Protector For first that they might secure his Highness person whose loss would certainly have been the ruine of the Nation against all attempts which should be made against him by the Malignant Party or such desperate Fellows as Sindercombe They make an Act wherein it was Enacted high Treason for any to attempt compass or imagine the Protectors death They likewise considering the end for which they were called grant him round summes of Money for the carrying on of the Spanish War and to that effect make these ensuing Acts. An Act for an Assesment upon England for three Moneths at the rate of a Moneth 60000lb On Scotland for three Moneth a Moneth 05000lb On Ireland for three Moneths a Moneth 05000lb On England Scotland and Ireland for three years England to pay 35000lb. Scotland to pay 06000lb. Ireland to pay 09000lb. An Act for continuing of Tunnage and Poundage An Act for preventing the multiplicity of Buildings in about the City of London and within ten Miles thereof A whole years revenue to be prefently paid for dwelling or Out-Houses that have been reared upon new foundations since the year 1620. An Act for Excize of Merchandise imported These with many other being presented to the Protector for his consent were by him gladly passed at which time he spake somewhat to this effect to the Speaker I perceive that among these Acts of Parliament there hath been a very great care had by the Parliament for the just and necessary support of the Common-wealth by these Bills for leavying of Money now brought to me which I have given my consent unto And understanding
Justice may be executed in the Land Thirdly I recommend to you the Protestant cause abroad which seems at this time to be in some danger having great and powerfull enemies and very few friends and I hope and believe that the old English zeal to that Cause is still among us Lastly my Lords and you Gentlemen of the House of Commons That you will in all your debates maintain and conserve love and unity among your selves that therein you may be the pattern of the Nation who have sent you up in peace and with their prayers that the spirit of wisdome and peace may be among you and this shall also be my prayer for you and to this let us all add our utmost endeavours for the making this a happy Parliament This was the Protectors so much applauded Speech to his Parliament which finisheed the Lord Fines began and after having enumerated the deceased Protectors great endeavours c. for the peace of the Nation and his Highnesses following his steps in the calling of this present Parliament for the three Nations joyntly he recommended more effectually to them the wars abroad and the probabilities of homebred disturbances desiring their provision to maintain the one and care to prevent the other the Parliament having every one taken the Oath formerly taken by Olivers Parliament not to alter the Government were returned to their House and the Protector to Whitehall The House of Commons being returned to their House spent muce time about the rectifying of their Elections and expelling severall Members out of the House but causing others to be elected in their steads under pretence of being Malignants and having born Arms against the Parliament in behalf of their lawfull Soveraign and not only expelling them but disabling them from being elected or chosen as Members of future Parliaments so though this Parliament was esteemed one of the freest that had been called since 1641 yet it was not free indeed The House having as far as they could rectified their Members and Elections proceed to the calling to an account of all those who had been entrusted with the Customes Excize Taxes or other Revenue of the Common-wealth and to consider of the present state of the Revenues and some ways to pay the arrears of the Army Navy c. and other Nationall Debts but this business being put off by delays never came to any effect They likewise proceed to the drawing up of a Bill for it never came to be either Act or Ordinance which should be intituled An Act of Recognition of his Highness right and Title to be Protector and Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging Many demurs were there in this debate and severall praevious Votes to be passed before this Bill could be committed as whether the Parliament should consist of two Houses and whether this House should transact with the Persons sitting in the other House as a House of Parliament This business took up a great deal of time the Protectorians stood stifly for it and the Commonwealths-men as stong against it alledging that to treat with those men as a House of Lords was to enslave themselves more deeply then ever they had been before That they should now by it clearly evince to the world their folly perjury and villany that whilest they had taken their Oaths to be true and faithfull to govern without a House composed of the Peers of the Nation they should now both break their Oath and subject themselves to such as were scarce Peers to the Commons That if they did but consider the Creator of this House of Peers as they were called they could not but foresee the necessary thraldome they must run themselves into these being all such as were made sure to his interest and were so many sure Votes for whatever arbitrary actions he might undertake and if it were thought unlawfull for the Bishops to sit in the House of Lords because they were accounted so many sure voices for the King how much more might these be excepted against who were certainly so many sure voices for the Protectorall interest being all created by it Yet notwithstanding these Arguments the Vote was at length carried on the Protectorian side and Resolved That the House of Commons would transact with the Persons then sitting in the other House as a House of Parliament during the present Parliament but with this Proviso that it was not intended thereby to exclude such Peers as have been faithfull to the Parliament from their priviledge of being duly summoned to be Members of that House Whilest the Parliament are thus pursuing their Votes to settle the Protector in England the French and Spaniard are endeavouring to conclude a Peace betwixt themselves and to leave the English in the lurch which howsoever it then and ever since went vigorously on yet are not the Conditions spoken of performed on either side to the full-consummating of it During the Sessions of this Parliament on the 24th of February Mr George Strangways formerly a Major in the Kings Army was pressed to death in the Press-yard in Newgate for refusing to plead to his Indictment for having caused his Brother-in-Law one Mr Fussell an Attorney of Dortsetshire to be shot in the head as he sate writing in his Chamber-window of which he died The magnanimity nobleness and pe nitence of Major Strangways at his death deserves this memory This Parliament took into consideration the Cases of divers Persons who had been imprisoned in the time of the late deceased Protector Maj. Gen. Overton is sent for out of the Isle of Jersey and released The Duke of Buckingham is likewise released out of Windsor-Castle upon the Lord Fairfax his giving 20000lb security that he shall demean himself peaceably for the future and not joyn with abet or have any correspondence with the enemies of the Lord-Protector or the Common wealth Severall other Persons of Quality were likewise by them released out of the Tower Maj. Gen. Brown likewise who had by the long Parliament in 1649 been disabled from bearing any Offices in the City is by them restored and made capable of all Offices priviledges and precedencies there and the long Parliaments Vote of the 4th of December 1649 made in his prejudice vacated The Quakers to promote their Turbulencies on the 16th of April sent a Paper into the House sealed and directed on the outside For the Speaker of the Commons assembled in Parliament these are for him to read to the Commons The inside contained a Declaration entituled A Declaration to the Commons assembled in Parliament Delivered the sixth day of the second Moneth called April 1659 to the then Speaker of the said House This Declaration contained many ignominious scandals thrown by those Fanatiques both upon the Magistracy and Ministry for which the Parliament express their Resentment to the Declarers requiring them to repair to their respective habitations apply themselves to
His Brother also Henry Cromwell late Lord Lieutenant in t Ireland upon the Parliaments advice surrendred his Government and Collonel John Jones William Steel Esquire Collonel Mathew Thomlinson Robert Goodwin and Miles Corbett Esquire were in his stead appointed by the Parliament to be Commissioners for the Government of Ireland In Scotland Generall Monke though he resignes not up his Government to the Parliament yet holds a fair correspóndency with them and by his and the rest of the Officers of his Armyes declare and keep a complyance to their Government which he punctually performed The Parliament endeavouring still more and more to oblige the Army pass an Act of oblivion and indemnity for all force or violence formerly put upon the House yet nevertheless to restrain them for the future the Commissions are issued out by the Speaker in the Name of the Parliament and not by a Generall as formerly Yet the Parliament take so much care to perform their promises to them that they order the immediate sale of Whitehall Hampton-Court and Sommerset-House towards the present payment of some of the Armyes Arrears About this time on the 11th of July 1659 happened a strange kind of Tumult in or about Enfield some part of the Chase which formerly lay common and was the chiefest stay and support of the Country people thereabouts for the feeding of their Catttle from whence proceeded the chief support and maintenance of themselves and Families being by the Parliament given to some of the Souldiers for their arrears was by them built upon and euclosed which so incensed the poor of the Country whose Families were almost ready to starve for want of such relief that notwithstanding Souldiers were sent to secure those Grounds the common people made a head fell upon the Souldiers took nine of them prisoners threw down a Barn and levelled the enclosures The Parliament upon audience given to an extraordinary Ambassador of the King of Sweden appointed three persons to go over as Plenipotentiaries to Coppenhaguen to treat of such a reconciliation between the two Kings of Swedeland and Denmarke as might best stand with the interest of England but their Ambassage hath as yet produced no considerable effect And now further to secure themselves in those designes they had in hand here they banish all Cavaliers under the stile of Malignants from London and twenty Miles about and pass an Act for the settlement of the Militia in the respective Cities and Countries of England and Wales But though this Parliament had taken away the Government of these three Nations from Richard Cromwell yet they are so kind to him as to protect him from all arrests and take care for the payment of his Debts which amounted to 29640lb and besides order him 10000lb per annum for his life out of the Common-weal hs Lands as much of which 't is probable he received as his Creditors did of what was owing to them And now the Parliament discover a female-Plot of the shee-Cavaliers for the subverting of their Government the Lady Mary Howard Daughter to the Earl of Barkshire and one Mrs Sumner are committed to the Tower upon pretence of being pryers to a horrible terrible design against the Government upon whose Examinations all the Horses about Town are taken Sr Ernestus Byrom and others committed to prison But now somewhat begins to appear severall Troops of Horse are sent into Kent and Surry to prevent infurrections there where they take severall Cavaliers to bring them up to London Major Generall Massey being likewise in Glocestershire endeavouring as it was pretended to raise Forces there for the King was surprized by a Troop of Horse who for the better securing him set up a Trooper behind him with whom coming down a Hill the Horse stumbled and fell and the night being dark and Massey nimble legged escaped from them into the Wood. The Parliament now begin to discover the reason of the buying up of so many Arms in London for Sr George Booth Sr Thomas Middleton and some others of the secluded Members having got a considerable quantity of Arms raised a Party in Cheshire Flintshire and Lancashire to the number of between three and four thousand men and declare for a Free Parliament and the due rights and priviledges of the Nation against that Fanatick and unlawfull power which now usurped dominion over them With these they rendezvows at Routon-Heath and from thence march to Manchester endeavouring to augment their Party Collonel Ireland in Lancashire and Governour of the Cattle of Leverpool promising them what aid and assistance he could though he never performed it This great rising at first startled the Parliament who immediately dispatch the Lord Lambert with three Regiments of Horse one of Dragoons and three of Foot to march with all possible hast to suppress them whilest severall Parties which endeavoured to rise in other Counties are prevented either by the Militia or the Parliaments Forces But Sr George Booths number daily encreases somewhat by the confluence of the Gentry of those parts unto him so that he made up a very gallant body of Horse He sends his Letters and Declarations up to London inviting them to joyn with him to maintain their priviledges and redeem themselves from the slavery they were now in But all proved ineffectuall that great City being over-awed by a small Party of the Parliaments Forces In the mean time Lambert makes a speedy march towards them two Regiments the one of Horse the other of Foot are by Order of Parliament sent out of Ireland under the Command of Collonel Axtill Collonel Hierom Zankey who joyn with Lambert neer Nantwich notwithstanding some endeavours of Sr George Booths Party to hinder their conjunction and on the 16th of August the Army faced one another the one on one side the River the other on the other Hereupon Sr George Booth sends a Trumpet to Lambert to tell him the reasons of his taking up of Arms and desiring that to avoid shedding of blood some persons might be appointed to conferre in order to a Treaty But Lambert returns him a short answer telling him that the readiest way to avoid shedding of blood was for them to lay down their Arms and surrender Chester and other Strengths which if they refused to do that he was sent to reduce them to their due obedience which by the help of God he did not doubt but to do Hereupon the next morning Lamberts Army advanced towards Nantwich-Bridge which was kept by a Party of Sr George Booths Sr Georges Horse and Foot were drawn upin Battalia in a Meadow just below the Bridge Lambert seeing that he could not draw his enemy out of his advantage resolved to beat him out and thereupon comands a stout Party of Foot to assault those which kept the Bridge which they did with a great deal of courage and resolution and were as stoutly resisted on the other side sometimes one gaining the advantage and sometimes the other till at length
resolve a speedy sending out Writs but resolve to tie up their hands to their blocks by previous engagements against King House of Lords c. But this was no satisfaction to the General For he having taken away those arms which were in the hands of the Fanaticks and such as might have caused disturbance in the City on Tuesday the 21th of February a day not to be forgotten as long as England endureth being the first light which glimmered some chearfulnesse to us having drawn his Army together he marched to Westminster early in the morning and having before-hand prepared the secluded Members to be ready who were then very many of them in Town and had had divers private meetings he met them at White-hall where having recommended to them the care of the National interest yet in such termes as the Rump might not absolutely despair he saw them admitted into the Parliament House to the great grief and amazement of the former House-keepers who look upon these as Intruders That night there was Bonfires and great rejoycing in London But the secluded Members being in they fall to their work in good earnest they had not such by-ends or corrupted interests to drive on as their Predecessors and therefore found no such haltings in doing things which the Nation required But in the first place they order the release of those prisoners which for Free-Parliament-Petitions had been lately clapt up as likewise the Members of the Common Counsel of London They disanull the Militia which the Rump had instituted consisting only of persons both Fanatick and Factious and order a new Militia throughout all England wherein they nominated the most principal of the Gentry who were thought most willing and ready to promote the settlement of their Countrey yet with this proviso that they should subscribe that they should acknowledge the war was lawfull against his late Majesty till 1648. the Parliament by violent force was broken And that they might be furnished with that which is the sinews and strength of all money they send to the City to desire them advance some money before-hand upon security of the next six Moneths assessement which was freely granted by the City and 27000lb. immediately lent them Whereupon the City petition for the confirmation of the Militia which the Parliament presently setled according to their desires The next work they did was to chuse a Counsel of State which was done by lot of all manner of choise the most equal by reason no man can find himself aggrieved not knowing who is pro or who is con which prevents all rancour and animosity The persons which were by them chosen being for the most Gentlemen of eminent worth and such as have to the height testified their abilities for the good of their Countrey in this last emergency although there were some Rumpers amongst them I have thought it not amisse to give you a Catalogue of them that we may pay due homage to their names and memory Arthur Ansley Lord President William Pierpoint John Crew Richard Knightly Collonel Popham Collonel Morley Sr A. A. Cooper Sr Gilb. Gerhard Lord St John Sr Tho. Widdrington Sr John Evelin Sr William Waller Sr Richard Onslow Serjant Maynard Sr William Lewis Col. Montague Col. Hanley Col. Norton Denzil Hollis Sr John Temple Col. Thompson Sr John Trever Sr John Holland Sr John Potts Col. Birch Sr Herbottle Grimston John Swinton John Weaver Col. Rossiter Lord Fairfax L. General Monck Then they repealed such Acts of the Rump as they had made meerly for the satisfaction of their own self ends and were exceedingly destructive to the interest of the Kingdome taking off those Sequestrations which they had laid on Sr George Booth and his party which must have proved almost a general calamity to the Nation and they likewise released them from that confinement which they had for a long time lain under Making moreover such acts as might best secure the interest of the people and conduce to the settlement of the Nation some of which were directed to the taking away all places of power or profit out of the hands of the Fanatick or Commonwealth party and putting in those who were like to prove better Patriots But these acts being very numerous I think not convenient to insert the particulars In the next place they commissionate the Lord Monck to be Captain General of all the Forces in England Scotland and Ireland a place of the highest honour and which he had as highly deserved And now to show that God was pleased notwithstanding the continued sinnes of the Nations to remit his punishing hand no sooner were the Members seated in the House but news came that Ireland was by his good providence through the endeavours of Sr Charles Coote already put in such a posture as might make it capable of receiving the first state of affaires he having secured Sr Hardresse Waller and others of the Rumps faction But now some signe of discontent appeared in the Army here which had formerly been under Fleetwoods and Lamberts command For Collonel Rich's Regiment upon news of this change at London began to mutany at St Edmondsbury but the Parliament hearing of it instantly sent out Collonel Ingoldsby a Lover of his Countrey their former Commander with a party of Horse to whom upon his approach they quietly submitted themselves The Parliament now restored the Charter to the City of Chester which had been taken away by the Rump upon Sr George Booths businesse as shortly afterward they likewise revived the Dutchy of Lancaster which had been voted down by the others and made Sr Gilbert Gerrard Chancellour Nich. Letchmere Attorney of the Dutchy and the Speaker William Lenthal Esquire Chamberlain of Chester And perceiving that endeavours were daily used to sow sedition in the Army and that there was designs on foot to draw them together to a mutiny they order That none either Officers or Souldiers should depart from their respective Quarters without leave from the Lord General and those that had forthwith to return to their assigned stations To gratifie Dr Claerges and in him his brother the Lord General the Hamper-Office a place of good profit was conferred upon him Febr. 29. Upon notice of some design contriving by the Fanatick party several armes were seised in divers places of the City of London and Captain Kiffen a grand Ring-leader of the Anabaptists and several others were secured though afterwards released no matter of weight being then found against them And now that they might testifie to the world they were other men than their predecessours who would have continued themselves a Parliament to posterity they order their dissolution to be on the 15th of March resolving before that time to take order for summoning a New Representative They confirmed the Confession of Faith formerly made by the Assembly of Divines and enacted That it should be the Confession of Faith of the Church of England except onely the thirtieth and one and