further cause of jealousie to the English that the Dutch plaid an underhand game with them was because Admirall Van-Trump with a Fleet of Ships lay hovering upon the Coasts of Scilly as though he would make an hostile attempt upon that place but it being demanded of the States of Holland what was the design of their Fleet in riding so neer that Island It was answered that they had no other design therein but to demand restitution of such Ships and Goods as the Pirates thereof had taken from their People with which answer the Parliament were somewhat satisfied but not to trust them too far speedy order was taken for reducing the same into their own hands Accordingly on the 18. th of April The Islands of Scilly reduced 1651. Gen. Blake with the addition of a squadron of Ships commanded by Sr. George Aiscue that were designed for reducing of the Carybe Islands set sail and landed 300 Seamen besides Landmen upon the Isle The Seamen with much resolution courage and gallantry led the Van and easily made way for the rest so that they soon became masters of the Islands of Tresco and Briers took therein 150 Prisoners and slew about twenty they took also two considerable Frigots the one of 18 the other of 32 Guns they likewise became Masters of the best Harbour belonging to those Islands Hence the enemy fled to St. Maries their chief place of strength which in short time was surrendred As to the exceeding great strength and commodious situation of these Islands I need not say much for who so knowes those parts or hath observed the Card will see what a necessity there was of reducing the same and what a seasonable mercy God was pleased to crown their endeavours withall that they should gain so considerable a place as that being fortified both by Nature and Art without the losse of ten men from first to last Upon mis-information of the state of Cornet Castle in the Isle of Guernsey Corner Castle in Guernsey assaulted but in vain that then held out for the Royall party a considerable number of Foot with Ladders and all things necessary gave an onset but whereas it was reported and beleeved that there was but fortie men in the Castle and eighteen of them unable for service it appeared afterwards that there were sixtie able men therein enough to keep it against a far greater number then was before it so that their Ladders were beaten down and broken with stones timber and â—ase-shot from the flankers and many of the Souldiers both slain and wounded insomuch that it proved a work â—oo hot for the assailants nor was â—here more safety in getting off one or two Boats full of men being sunk by hot from the Castle but how badly soever the businesse succeeded the Souldiers were not in the least wanting in their duties There was executed at Towerhill one that had been a notorious stickler for the Royall party by Sea and Land Brown Bushell beheaded at Towerhill for severall crimes of bloud and treachery acted by him while he was in the service of the Parliament and after his revolt known by the Name of Brown Bushell And now once more let us advance Northward Blacknesse taken by the English and observe the motions of the two Armies The English desirous to gain upon their Adversaries as much as consisted with policy and their own safety with a commanded party under Col. Monk set down before Blacknesse that had much annoyed their Quarters by sheltring loose rogues and otherwise After the batteries were made and some shot spent at it they desired Quarter which considering the strength of the place was granted and the place sorthwith yeelded Oâ— the other side the Scots begun to bâ— both powerfull and numerous to thâ— eye For notwithstanding the many parties and Factions Strifes Aemulations Contentions Divisions Subdivisions Excommunications c. they peec't up an agreement such as it was to the seeming satisfaction of all the dissenters And now they joyn against the common Enemy having their greatest hopes wrapt up in a most notable design and confederacy hatcht by the Royall Covenanters of England and Scotland whereby a generall rising in the County of Lancaster and parts adjacent was contrived who by joyning with a considerable force from Scotland should have been able to confront the greatest power the Parliament then had and this plot had its rise and progresse from the Clergy those feudatories of Rebellion and Treason but by Gods Providence was seasonably discovered the Grand Agent hereof was Thomas Cook of Grayes Inne Esquire who was apprehended and carryed before the Councell of State at White-Hall whence he made his escape but in few dayes after was retaken at a House in the Strand Next discovery was by means of a Ship bound from the North of Scotland to the Isle of Man which by contrary winds was driven into Ayre and there secured and searcht wherein were found many notable Papers giving further light into the businesse Not long after this a Party of Horse and Dragoons marched to Grenock neer Dunbarton where they seized Mr. Birkenhead another Agent for the Royal designs about whom they found such Letters Commissions and Instructions that therein their whole plot was discovered Upon which the Parliament ordered that a considerable body of Horse and Foot should march Northward under the command of Major Generall Harrison both to prevent insurrections and likewise to oppose the Enemy if they should make an inrode by the way of Garlisle At London was under question the most eminent actors in and contributors to the Plot aforesaid viz. Mr. Christopher Love Major Alford Major Adams Col. Barton Mr. Blackmore Mr. Case Mr. Cauton Dr. Drake Mr. Drake Capt. Farr Mr. Gibbons Mr. Haviland Major Huntington Mr. Jenkings Mr. Jaquel Mr. Jackson Lievt Col. Jackson Capt. Mussey Mr. Nalton Capt. Potter Mr. Robinson Mr. Sterks Col. Sowton Col. Vauhan and others of all which there suffered only two Mr. Love and Mr. Gibbons executed viz. Mr. Love and Mr. Gibbons Now Mr. Love although by many circumlocutions sleights and evasions he strived to clear himself yet besides the witnesses of his own party that testified against him he was everted out of his own Narrative as also out of the severall Petitions presented by him to the Parliament in his own behalf after he was condemned which did but procure him a short respit from death for on the 22. of August 1651. he with Mr. Gibbons aforesaid were beheaded on Tower-hill the rest upon their humble Petitions and acknowledgements of their crimes were releast and pardoned And high time it was that such an exemplary piece of justice should be inflicted upon the proud and obdurate Clergy who till then thought themselves out of the reach of Magistratical power and that their Function might cloak their actions but let them know that Magistracy is an Ordinance of God as well as Ministry for there is no power but of
of Holland and West Friesland and upon the 11 th of June 1650. he delivered his Message in Parliament which though it produced no more then a mutuall desire of an amicable compliance yet was it very well resented by the Parliament that they shewed themselves the leading cards to the rest of the Provinces at such a time as that Now when as the Treaty at Breda was fully ended and that all their Jealousies and animosities notwithstanding the vast disproportion and notable antipathy that was erewhile between the Royalists and Presbyterians was by this means fully allayed at least in shew The Scots seemed to want nothing save the presence of their King whereby to crown their desires and confront the English in order whereunto he hasts from Breda to the Hague from thence to Scheveling where he took shipping and at last in despight of foul weather and the English Kingfishers that lay there to intercept him he landed at the Spey in the North of Scotland where he found the greatest difficulty in ascending the Throne and least enjoyed it of any Prince that was ever heard or read of For upon all occasions he was compeld to trace the steps and follow the dictates of that haughty Clergy in all their fanatick humours and imperious decrees who bereaved him first of all his old friends Counsellors and confederates whether of the Clergy or Layety who to say the truth had alwayes accompanied his Father and him in all their dysasters and dangers and had shipwrackt their own fortunes to carine and repair his though it may be by this desertion he intended their restauration But now the Scots had a King yet as though they had none they did what seemed right in their own eyes The first and most pernicious potion they made him to take and of hardest digestion was the solemne League and Covenant that ignis fatuus and only seminary of bloud and mischief in these three Nations The next was a declaration of the Kirks own framing and fashioning wherein he is taught to renounce the sinnes of his Fathers house and of his own the Idolatry of his Mother by a constant adhering to the Cause of God according to the Covenant in the firm establishment of Church government as it is laid down in the Directory for publike Worship Confession of Faith and Catechism This with divers others of the like nature although with much reluctancy he also signed which it's like burthened his spirit yet bettered not his condition which was like that of a Child under Tutors and Governours for there was not an Officer in that Church or Commonwealth how vile and abject soever in place or person but enjoyed more freedome in body and mind then he Guarded indeed he was but little regarded so that move he must not but in the sphaere of the Kirk they were the primum mobile whereby it 's apparent that the Government of that Nation was not truly Monarchicall though they had a King but Hierarchicall the confusion whereof I shall now set before you The Parliament of England weighing right well the condition into which their affairs were now reduced by reason of the Agreement that was peeced up between the Scots and their King after a serious and solemne debate Gen. Fairfax layes down his Commission which was presently confer'd upon General Cromwell Lord Deputy of Ireland voted that Thomas Lord Fairfax with the Army under his command should march Northwards who after some conference had with the Parliament and being prompted by an indisposition of body or mind laid down his Commission which was forthwith conferr'd upon Oliver Cromwell Lord Deputy of Ireland who in order to this Northern expedition arrived a while after from his victorious archievements in that country leaving his Son in Law Henry as Lord Deputy in his room Accordingly Orders were issued forth for the speedy advance of the Army into Scotland who had no sooner begun their March but the Scots took the Alarme and sent two or three Papers to Sr. Arthur Hasterig then Governour of Newcastle wherein they expostulated the Case about the sudden approach of the English Army endeavouring thereby to impede their march till such time as their designs were ripe alledging as scar-Crowes to fright fools the Covenant the large treaty and Union between the two Nations with other circumstances of the like nature as frivolous as they were fruitless The Parliament of England then published likewise a Declaration shewing the grounds and reasons of their Armies advance towards Scotland accompanied with another from the Generall and officers of the Army The Declaration of the English Army in their march to Scotland shewing that that which moved them to that great undertaking was not any reliance upon the arme of flesh or being lifted up with the remembrance of former successes or the desire of accomplishing any designs of their own that they had forelaid but the full assurance they had that their Cause was just in the sight of God looking at the precedent changes and the successes that produced them not as the work of the policy or strength of man but as the eminent actings of the Providence and Power of God to bring forth his good will and pleasure concerning the things which he hath determined in the world adding that nothing was so predominant with them next to their duty to God not to betray a cause to which he had so much witnessed as the love they had to those that feared God there who might possibly suffer through their own mistakes or their disability to distinguish in a common calamity of which Christian love they hoped that they gave some proof when they were before in Scotland with that Army and were by God made instrumentall to break the power of those that oppressed the godly Party there for which say they their late Engagement to their new King against England was no good requital nor their heaping on them the reproach of a Sectarian Army a Christian dealing all which by the grace of God they could forget and forgive and did as they say desire of God that the precious might be separated from the vile beginning and concluding with a most solemn and dreadful imprecation and appeal That to the truth of these things the God of Heaven in his great mercy pardoning their weaknesses would judge of them when they came to meet the Enemy in the Field This Declaration was sent by the Generall of the English Forces from their Head-Quarters at Barwicke to Edenburgh by a Trumpeter whom they blinded coming and going what effect this wrought the sequel of the Story will relate From Barwick the Army marched to the Lord Mordingtons House July 22. 1650. where they lay three dayes on the 25. they marched to Copperspeth the 26. to Dunbar where they received some provisions from the Ships sent on purpose to attend the motions of the Army forasmuch as the people of the Countrey had forsook their habitations and
reason of that so sudden approach and to desire him to retreat with his Army who returned answer that he could do nothing till he heard from the Prince of Orange yet a little after he thought fit to quit his station and retire yet the Deputies of Holland being fast in the Castle of Lovenstaine the Prince of Orange had the advantage of makeing his own conditions which were these 1. That the Town of Amsterdam shall agree with the other six Provinces for continuing the Militia as it is now setled for four or five years 2. That the Prince shall repair to their City at pleasure and be received upon his entry with all respect and reverence as was used in times past to his predecessors Lievtenants of Holland and have access into their Assemblies 3. That the Lords of Amsterdam shall at the next Assembly of the States use their utmost endeavours to allay all jealousies and to reconcile differences in reference to the late action and bury all in oblivion 4. That the Lords Andrew and Cornelius Bicher shall forthwith be removed from Government with respect had to their good Names Integrity and future Security and if after they have had conference with his Highnesse the Prince of Orange he shall persist in his opinion touching them that then they shall be rendred uncapable of any Government hereafter Now though by this means he brought the States under his Lure and subjugated them to his humour yet this was not the prize he run for his greatest hopes and highest thoughts being fixed on that inexhaustible treasure then in the bank at Amsterdam with which he might not only have raised his declining state but also mount to an absolute degree of Soveraignty and Supremacy over that people and likewise might have contributed much towards the repairing the despicable and needy fortunes of his Brother in Law the Scots King to the troubling and disquieting the peace and tranquillity of these three Nations to all which it pleased God of his goodnesse to give a check The State of France had likewise a plentifull share in those incumbrances and common calamities that are incident to Nations and people by reason of forrein and domestique broyls The present Cardinall Mazarine was lookt upon as the very efficient cause of all their civill discords and the only ey-soar of that miserable people not much unlike the late blazing Star of Canterbury in England both Church-men and yet both Statesmen of like interest with their King and of like power over the people both alike emulated by the Nobility for their Greatnesse and of the Commonalty for their grievances But like Fate hath not befell them For this Cardinall is neither out of favour with his Prince nor is he fallen into the hands of the people for though they have often shewed their teeth it hath never been in their power to bite For during the minority of the present King of France Lewis the 14. the sole management of State affairs hath been in the hands of the Queen Regent and her beloved Favourite Cardinall Mazarine at which after some years forbearance the chief of the Nobility uttered their discontents both publickly and privately whereupon three of them were arrested and sent to prison viz. Lewis de Bourbon Prince of Conde Armant de Bourbon Prince of Conti and the Duke of Longueville this administred fresh occasion to the people to breath out their discontents those of Burdeaux against the Duke of Espernon more especially but all against the Cardinal So that on a sudden the whole Kingdome was inflamed with civill warres and the appurtenances thereunto unto belonging The principal promoters of and actors in those tumults were two famous Amazones the Princesse of Conde and the Dutchesse of Longueville in behalf of their imprisoned husbands Many others of quality appeared also in their behalf and to make themselves the more formidable contracted an underhand bargain with the Spaniard who greedy to fish in such troubled waters supplyed them with considerable summes of money The Parliaments of Burdeaux Paris Dijon Tholouse c. countenanced these designs in opposition to the Cardinall and his creatures So that in short space Armies were raised on both sides Towns garrison'd taken and re-taken many mens lives lost and the Countrey prey'd upon by all parties The Spaniard being not only a fomenter of but an actor in these portentous divisions for by this means he had the opportunity to march to and fro in that Nation without any considerable opposition taking Garrisons and wasting the Countrey at his pleasure These Insurrections after many ebbings and flowings strange Revolutions and transmigrations too tedious here to insert at length produced the liberty of the Princes the withdrawing the Duke of Espernon from Bourdeaux the banishing the Cardinall with all his kindred and si lends from the Court and Kingdome yet was he longer banishing then banished for it was not many moneths ere he returned in great pomp and glory to the extreame grief of his old malecontents and competitors the Prince of Conde the Duke of Orleance and others as appears by the present troubles wherewith that servile people is yet afflicted where praying for their deliverance I shall leave them and return to the more proper subject of this discourse viz. the English affairs in Scotland The moneth of August was neeâ— done and little action performed save the taking of Collington house and Readhall by storm and in it the Lord Hamilton Major Hamilton and sixtie Souldiers 60. Barrels of Pouder 100 Arms great store of Meal Malt Beer Wine and other rich plunder This was done on the 24 of Aug. 1650. The body of the English Army removed forthwith from Pencland Hills to Collington Readhall and other parts within a mile of the whole Army of the Scots on the 27 th both Armies marched side by side a great bog only betwixt them which hindred an engagement yet the Great Guns plaid on both sides Aug. 28. the Canon from the English Camp plaid hard upon the Enemy and greatly annoyed them all which provoked them not to fight but still they kept within the protection of the Bog The English being in some want of Provisions drew off to to their old Quarters at Pencland Hills then with much difficulty to Musâ—leborough to recruit which done they drew off their Forces quitted their Garrisons and marched to Haddington the Scots attending on their right wing fell into their Quarters with a râ—solute Party and were as valiantly repuls'd by a Regiment of Foot commanded by Coll. Fairfax Septemb. 1. The Scots being so advantagiously drawn up at the west end of the Town the English drew Eastward into fair and champion ground fit for both Armies ro engage in but finding after severall hours expectation of the enemies approach that they would not move after them but to dog them to advantages they marched towards Dunbar whither the Scots moved apace after them and at a Pass endeavoured to fall upon the rear
send to the Committee of Estates which being denyed they accepted of a Treaty and sent Major Abernethy and Capt. Hinderson to treat on their part Col. Monk and Liev. Col. White were appointed to treat in behalf of the English the result whereof was to this effect That the Castle of Edenburgh should be surrendred up to his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell The strong and impregnable Castle of Edenburgh surrendred to the English on the 24. of Decemb. 1650. with all the Ordinance Arms Magazine and Furniture of Warre thereunto belonging That the Governour with all the Officers and Souldiers should then march forth with their Arms Colours flying Drums beating matches lighted and Bullet in mouth to such place as they shall choose That such Inhabitants adjacent as have any goods in the Castle shall have them restored unto them and to that purpose they had liberty from the 19. to the 24. of Decemb. to fetch them away There was taken in this strong hold five French Canon five Dutch half Canon two Culverings two Demi-culverings two Minion two Faulcon 28 Brasse Drakes two Petards about 7000 Arms 80 Barrels of Pouder store of Canon Shot with other provisions proportionable It may seem strange and almost incredible that such a strong and impregnable hold as was that should be so easily won the like whereof is not in that Nation wherefore it was the common vogue of that time and by many credibly beleeved that it was assaulted with silver engines But whether it was covetousnesse cowardise Treachery or want that caused this sudden rendition I know not But this I know and am sure it made as much for and was of as great importance to the English as can be imagined for while that businesse was yet in suspence the Army was hindred from many attempts of great consequence Nor was the Parliament of England lesse fortunate in their maritime affairs for the English Fleet under the command of Gen. Blake lying before Lizbon after they had destroyed severall French Pirates taken many Sugar Prizes belonging to the King of Portugal of great value and scowr'd the Seas in some sort of such others as had been so extremely prejudicial to the English Merchants especially those trading into the Levant Seas they were constrained partly by distress of weather and partly to revictuall and water to make for some other port in which time Prince Rupert with his Fleet making a vertue of necessity hoisted sail and steer'd their course for Malaga where they burnt and spoiled severall Merchants Ships Gen. Blake hereupon reduced his Fleet to seven stout and nimble Frigots and sent the rest home with the Prizes and with them he made all the Sail he could after the Enemy and coming to Malaga heard they were gone towards Alicant Generall Blake sailing thence betwixt Cape degat and Cape de Paulo took a French Ship of twentie Guns and presently after that the Roe-buck one of the revolted Ships fell into their hands after which they met with the Black Prince another of Ruperts Fleet Prince Ruperts Fleet destroyed which to avoid being taken ran ashoar and blew her self up next day four more of Ruperts Fleet ran ashoar in the Bay of Cartagena where they were cast away and bulged Some few dayes after Generall Blake set sail to seek out the rest of Ruperts Fleet which were two steering his course towards Minorca Majorca Humattera but missing of them he gave over the Chase and returned for England having done as much as could be expected from men valiant and faithfull to the great encouragement of the Merchants contentment of the people and joy of all well-affected people Notwithstanding all this severall designs were set on foot by unquiet and wayward spirits in behalf of Charles Stuart some by open insurrection others by secret combination in which the Clergie had no small share as shall be declared hereafter There was executed at Tiburne one Benson for acting by vertue of a Commission from the Scots King Benson an Agent from the Scots King executed at Tiburn being in the same conspiracy with Col. Andrews who was beheaded as aforesaid Upon the same account rose a mutinous rabble in the County of Norfolk An Insurrection in Norfolk who for a while went roving to and again pretending the ends of that undertaking was for the abolishing of Popery restoring the young King to his Crowns revenge of his Fathers death for suppression of heresie and schism Is appeased and the ringleaders executed But as it was begun without order so was it managed without resolution For the Parliament were no time-givers to growing dangers but immediately gave order for the suppressing them So that 200 Horse from Lyn and three Troops of Horse from the Army with some of the Militia Forces of that County marched towards them upon which they were presently dispersed and some taken whereof about twentie were executed who because they were persons of no great eminencie I shall forbear troubling the Reader with their Names About this time also Sir Henry Hide being commissionated as Ambassador from the Scots King to the Grand Signior at Constantinople Sir Henry Hide executed at the Old Exchange stood in competition with Sir Thomas Bendish then Ambassador for the English for his place whereupon they had a hearing before the Vizier Bassa the result whereof was that Sir Thomas Bendish should dispose of the said Sir Henry Hide as he thought good who was straightway sent to Smyrna thence into England and there condemned and executed for a traitor before the Royal Exchange in London The warre in Scotland was now almost at a stand for the sharpnesse of the Winter was such in that Northern Climate that much could not be expected yet were all probable designs for the reducing that obstinate and hardy people put in execution The Scots were chiefly busied about the Coronation of their King which was performed at Scone The Scots King crowned at Scone Jan. 30. 1651. Jan. 1. 1651. with as much solemnity and gallantry as their necessity and poverty would permit then they proceeded to the excommunication of Straughan Swimon and others that came in to the English made a shift to unite the other Dissenting parties and then put out an Act for new Levies to be made throughout the Nation Soon after this Lievt Gen. David Lesley with a party of 800. Horse made an attempt upon Lithgow where was a Regiment of Horse under Col. Sanderson who being presently in a readinesse to receive them the Scots retreated without entring the Town Next attempt of the English was for reducing of Hume Castle with two Regiments of Horse and Foot Hume Castle besieged commanded by Col. Fenwick who coming before it sent in this Summons which with the answer for the unusual strain thereof I here insert SIR HIS Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell hath commanded me to reduce this Castle you now possesse under his obedience which if you
now deliver into my hands for his service you shall have fit terms for your self and those with you and ease the adjacent parts of a great charge If you refuse I doubt not but in a short time by the Lords assistance to obtain what now I demand I expect your answer by seaven of the Clock to morrow morning and rest To the Governour of Hume Castle Your Servant George Fenwick Right Honourable I Have received a Trumpeter of yours as be tels me without the Passe to render Hume Castle to the Lord Generall Cromwell Please you I never saw your Generall nor knew your Generall as for Hume Castle it stands upon a rock Given at Hume Castle this day before seaven a clock so resteth without prejudice to my Native Countrey For the Governour of Barwick Your most humble Servant Th. Cockburne Notwithstanding this resolute and conceited answer Assaulted and taken when the English with their Culverin and Mortar-piece had opened a small breach the Enemy beat a parley and because they might not have such conditions as they would they were forced to take such as they could get viz. to surrender upon mercy which was done accordingly Then Col. Monk with about three Regiments of Horse and Foot laid Siege to Tymptallon Castle Timptallon Castle taken against which they plaid with their Mortar-pieces for the space of 48 hours but did them no hurt then they plaid at the Castle with six battering Guns which did such notable execution that the enemy beat a parley and desired terms to march away but none would be granted save that they should yeeld themselves to mercy which was at last accepted and the Castle yeelded with all the Guns Arms Ammunition and provision therein The taking of this Castle was of great concernment to the English who were ever and anon taken and rifled by that Garrison So that now the passage from Edenburgh to Barwick was in a manner cleer Notwithstanding which and all the care that had been used the English were daily surprized and murdered in small stragling parties insomuch that General Cromwell was forced for the fafeguard of his men to publish and strictly to put in execution the following Proclamation FInding that divers under my command are not only daily spoiled and robbed but also sometimes barbarously and inhumanely slain by a sort of Out-laws and robbers not under the discipline of any Army and finding that all our tenderness to the Country produceth no better effect then their compliance with and protection of such persons and considering that it is in the power of the Countrey to detect and discover them many of them being inhabitants of those places where commonly the outrage is committed and perceiving that their motion is ordinarily by the invitation and according to intelligence given them by Countreymen I do therefore declare that wheresoever any under my command shall be hereafter robbed or spoiled by such parties I will require life for life and a plenary satisfaction for their Goods of those Parishes and places where the fact shall be committed unlesse they shall discover and produce the offender and this I wish all persons to take notice of that none may plead ignorance Given under my hand at Edenburgh Novemb. 5. 1650. O. Cromwell Hereupon severall Sums of Mony were levied upon such Parishes and places where any Robberies or Murthers were committed and likewise such persons as were found to abett act or assist in the perpetrating any murthers were forthwith condemned and executed according to the tenour of the aforesaid Proclamation The English in the next place design'd the reducing of Brunt Island and in order thereto they shipped some of their Infantry but either through the Ignorance mistake or neglect of the chiefe Commander the design for that time was frustrated Gen. Cromwell with his Army marched from Edenburgh and assayed severall times to passe over into Fife but the violent season and difficult passage forced them to betake themselves to their former Quarters which were the more comfortable by reason of the Fleet of Ships that arrived at Leith with plenty of provisions for Horse and Man one whereof bound from Hamburgh with Cheese by distresse of weather was driven into the North of Scotland where it was seized but the Master pretended he was bound for Haver de Grace in France and producing old Cockets importing as much he was dismist and a Scotch-man put himself and goods aboard for France whereupon they set sail and about the Frith were boarded by an Irish Man of Warre who would have carryed the Vessell to Ireland alledging they were bound for Leith the Master stood to his former relation and desired they would take the report of a Scotchman who was aboard so that forthwith they left her and she came safe into Leith whence the Scotchman was sent home to carry the News These with many other the supplies that were sent from England were a great heartning to the Souldiers in the midst of those many hardships they were exposed to by diseases and otherwise of which the Generall himself had as great a share as any for he had so many violent fits of the contagious disease of that Countrey that brought him even to the brink of death yet the weaknesse and want of the General did neither abate the Souldiers courage nor retard the enterprizes they designed for compleating their work although other difficulties presented themselves as so many mountains of opposition viz. the number of their enemies dispersed all along the other side of the River to prevent their Landing the danger of the passage it self and the unseasonablenesse of the weather these Impediments with the weak condition of the English hindred any further proceedings for some space of time During which Intervall there hapned as remarkable an accident in England as any Story can parallel which for the strangenesse and rarity thereof may well merit my pains to recite and the Readers patience to peruse At Oxford the famous and renowned Nursery of humane Literature was tryed condemned and executed Anne Green a Servant to Sir Thomas Read at Ounstu in that shire who being with child by a Gentleman in that House as she affirmed to the last about the fourth moneth of her time over-working herself fell in travell and not knowing what it might be went to the House of Office where with some straining the Child fell from her unaware as she said being not above a span long and something appearing in her Linnen that caused suspicion search was made and an abortive Infant found on the top of the House of Office so that three dayes after being in that time before some Justices of the Peace she was carried Prisoner to Oxford Anne Green hanged at Oxford afterwards she revived and in yet alive where she was condemned and hanged in the Castle-yard After she had hung about half an hour during which time she was pulled by the Legs and strook on the Breast by divers
Middleton and Lievt Gen. David Lesley so that I may say the gleanings of this Victory were not much inferior to the harvest thereof Neer this time most of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland were taken at a place called Ellet in that Nation where they were assembled to propagate the Royall designs viz. Old Gen. Lesley Earl Marshall Lord of Keith Earl of Craford Lord Ogilby Lord Burgoiny Lord Huntly Lord Lee with many Knights Gentlemen and Ministers all which were soon after shipped and sent for England Such was the fate that attended the Scots and their King that he who a few dayes before was proclaimed King of Great Britain had now neither Camp nor Garrison nor lodging to flie unto or safely to repose himself in for shelter 500 l. sterling being offered to any that should detect him which notwithstanding he escaped making a disguised peregrination through City and Country till he met with a fit opportunity for his transportation into France where he now is Yet of the great number of his friends adherents and followers that were taken none of quality suffered but the Earl of Derby Earl of Derby beheaded who was beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire and Sir Tim. Fetherston others of lesse note were executed at Chester Shrewsbury and other places Nor did the Royallists themselves expect any other or better fortune would attend them in this invasion then that you have heard as appears by Duke Hamilton's Letter to Mr. Will-Crofts taken among other Papers a few dayes before the fight the summe whereof follows WE are all laughing at the ridiculousnesse of our condition Duke Hamiltons Letter who having quit Scotland being scarce able to maintain it yet we grasp at all and nothing but all will satisfie us or to lose all I confesse I cannot tell whether our hopes or fears are greatest but we have one stout Argument and that is despair for we must now either shortly fight or die All the Rogues have left us I will not say whether for fear or disloyalty but all now with his Majesty are such as will not dispute his Commands So that you see this undertaking was not the product of a mature and deliberate counsell but of necessity and desperation Soon after this the Parliament took order for reducing the two Islands of Jersey and Man that had been and would still be notable receptacles for the entertaining all manner of Fugitives and disaffected persons In order to which businesse Col. Hayne with about two Regiments of Foot and two Troops of Horse on the 14. of Octob. 1651. were shipt at Weymouth for Jersey they were in all eighty Vessels and set sayl Octob. 17. but a storm forced them in again On the 19 they set sail again and about 12 that night came to an Anchor under Sark Island next morning they bent their course towards Jersey and came to an Anchor in St. Owens Bay next day they sailed and Anchored before St. Brelades Bay when the seas proved so rough that the Fleet was scattered notwithstanding on the 21 it was resolved that an attempt should be made upon the Island that night at St. Owens Bay being necessitated thereunto for want of Horsemeat in few hours after they embarked their men aboard the small Boats Gen Blake and all his Officers were very active in this businesse who about two hours after the floud weighed Anchor cut some of their Cables hoisted sails and stood in for the shoare and were soon aground on the shoare side some at three foot some at four five six seven soot water their men presently leapt out some up to the middle some to the neek and ran ashoare the enemy playing hard upon them with great and small shot and with their Horse gave a hot charge yet after half an hours dispute they fled and left behind them 12 Guns and some Colours at that place after which and that their Horse were landed they marched further into the Island and on the 23. of Octob. possest themselves of three Forts more with two Guns in each they marched on further till they came within sight of Elizabeth Castle under which was a Fort called St. Albans Tower where was 14 Guns the speedy reducement whereof was resolved upon The Island of Jersey reduced and a Summons sent in and in two hours time it was delivered up The next businesse they had to do was to take in Mount Orgueil Castle which upon easie tearms was also surrendred But Elizabeth Castle being a place of farre greater strength was not reduced till the middle of Decemb. following the Governour thereof Sir George Carteret had large tearms granted both to himself and all with him by reason of the marvellous strength and situation thereof which was such as might have cost much blood treasure and time in the gaining of it Octob. 16. 1651. Under Collonell Duckenfield were shipt three Regiments of Foot viz. Gen. Cromwells Regiment commanded by Lievtenant Col. Worsly Major Gen. Dean's Regiment commanded by Lievt Col. Mitchell and Collonel Duckenfields Regiment with two Troops of Horse these were all shipt at Chester and Liverpool for the reducing the Isle of Man and on Octob. 18. they hoisted sail but by contrary winds were driven into the Harbour of Beumorris on the 25. about two in the morning the wind coming about somewhat Southerly with a pretty fresh gale they set sail again and about two or three a clock in the afternoon they had a cleer view of the Calf of Man Castle Rushen Derby Fort Douglas Fort and most part of the Island as also of the Islanders both Horse and Foot in their severall motions mustering up what strength they could when by a sudden storm the Fleet was hindred from coming up any thing neer the shoar upon which they steered their course towards the North end of the Island and with no small difficultie fetcht Ramsey-Bay that night where they cast Anchor and with a small Party saced the Islanders yet was there no shot exchanged Octob 16. came on board an Islander imployed by the chief of that Island to assure the English they should have no opposition in landing but might securely come under their Forts which they had taken possession of for them and that only two Castles held out viz. Castle Rushen and Castle Peele which were kept by the Forces of the Count of Derby now because he had nothing in writing to confirm what he had said he was distrusted wherefore Major Fox was boated into the Island to enquire the truth of what the Islander had reported and forthwith returned with the full confirmation thereof and presently after some came from the Island as Commissioners entreating that their poor Island might be preserved from spoyl and the Inhabitants from undoing by landing only some part of a Regiment or at the utmost but a Regiment upon which they would bring Provisions at a marketable rate to the shoar The Isle of Man reduced to supply the
at a time and having her main-Mast and misen-Mast shot away and being overpowered with number was taken The Levant-Merchant was first boarded by one of the enemies Ships of 36 Guns and after two hours fight by another as big the first of which sunk presently after yet was she also possest by the Dutch The Sampson was boarded by young Trump Rear Amirall of the Dutch on one side and by a fire-Ship on the other so that she was quickly fired Some there were that did not stick to traduce Capt. Badiley and those with him as if he had been wanting in point of duty toward the relief of the Ships aforesaid when as they were all well nigh destroyed before he could possibly come up Where when he had done what in him lay and seeing his Fleet in such a hazardous condition like a wise Commander made all the sail he could away for preservation of that part of the Fleet and this he hath so clearly proved that he is wholly acquitted from having any hand in that miscarriage The Relation wherein this Commonwealth stood with the Neighbouring Nations was in this sort The King of Portugall and the State of England conclude a peace The King of Portugall not able to resist so powerfull a State as this having more then enough to do to grapple with the wealthy Spaniard sent over an Ambassadour extraordinary with a sumptuous train of followers to conclude a Peace with the English who after many conferences frequent addresses and large offers made obtained the same yet to this day he hath not fully fiuished his Negotiations so as to satisfie the Merchants for their great losses From France the English were courted by two Parties A French Agent arrives at London by an Agent from the King of France desiring a release of his Ships taken as aforesaid going to the relief of Dunkirk as also that there might be a right understanding between the two Nations And by four Deputies from the Prince of Conde 4 Deputies from Bourdeaux arive at London also craving aid against the Cardinall and his creatures who had straightly besieged the City of Bourdeaux all which Negotiations were ineffectuall for alas the breach was too high between the two Nations to be easily cemented Other Nations by Letters and otherwise endeavoured to be mediators and composers of those mortal jarres that were between England and Holland as the Queen of Sweden the Cantons of Switzerland the Imperiall Cities of Lubeck and Hamburgh c. This was the posture of the Civill and Military affairs of this Nation when his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell a man as it were by Divine appointment set apart for great enterprizes perceiving the notorious corruptions dilatory proceedings pernicious and arbitrary actings of the Parliament to perpetuate their session and to inthrall the people by defrauding and disfranchising them of their antient and undoubted Liberties of equall and successive Representatives entred the Parliament House attended with some of his principall Officers and there delivered certain reasons why a period ought to be put to that Parliament The Parliament is dissolved which was presently done the Speaker with the rest of the Members some by force some through fear and some murmuring departed the House For which dysaster no man moved either tongue or hand in their behalf it being generally beleeved that though the Nation possibly might not be bettered by this change yet a worse could not befall it And thus was this mighty Councell dissolved their Powers transferred into the hands of the Souldiery and their Names reproacht and vilified with the scorns and dirigies of the common people who being well pleased with the doing thereof enquired not into the reasons or causes why it was done But to satisfie the wiser sort and those that were more curious enquirers into the true and genuine causes of things Generall Cromwell and his Councell of Officers published a Declaration the substance whereof was as follows THat after God was pleased marvellously to appear for his people The Declaration of Gen. Cromwell and his Councel of Officers in reducing Ireland and Scotland to so great a degree of peace and England to perfect quiet whereby the Parliament had opportunity to give the people the harvest of all their labour bloud and treasure and to settle a due Liberty in reference to Civil and Spirituall things whereunto they were obliged by their duty engagements and those great and wonderful things God hath wrought for them But they made so little progresse therein that it was matter of much grief to the good people of the Land who thereupon applyed themselves to the Army expecting redresse by their means who though unwilling to meddle with the Civill Authority agreed that such Officers as were Members of Parliament should move them to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amisse in the Commonwealth and in setling it upon a foundation of Justice and Righteousnesse which being done it was hoped the Parliament would have answered their expectations But finding the contrary they renewed their desires by an humble Petition in Aug. 1652. which produced no considerable effect nor was any such progresse made therein as might imply their reall intentions to accomplish what was petitioned for but rather an aversnesse to the things themselves with much bitternesse and opposition to the people of God and his Spirit acting in them in so much that the godly Party in Parliament were rendred of no further use then to countenance the ends of a corrupt Party for effecting their desires of perpetuating themselves in the supreame Government For obviating these evils the Officers of the Army obtained severall meetings with some of the Parliament to consider what remedy might be applyed to prevent the same but such endeavours proving ineffectuall it became evident that this Parliament through the corruption of some the jealousie of others the non-attendance of many would never answer those ends which God his People and the whole Nation expected from them But that this cause which God had so greatly blessed must needs languish under their hands and by degrees be lost and the Lives Liberties and Comforts of his people be delivered into their enemies hands All which being sadly and seriously considered by the honest people of the Nation as well as by the Army it seemed a duty incumbent upon us who had seen so much of the power and presence of God to consider of some effectuall means whereby to establish righteousnesse and peace in these Nations And after much debate it was judged necessary that the supreame Government should be by the Parliament devolved upon known persons fearing God and of approved integrity for a time as the most hopefull way to countenance all Gods people reform the Law and administer Justice impartially hoping thereby the people might forget Monarchy and understand their true interest in the election of successive Parliaments that so the Government might be setled upon a right Basis
Streamers sticking up to distinguish each Company After his Highnesse had dined and banquet was ended he conferr'd upon the Lord Major the Honour of Knighthood Which piece of magnificence had no sooner been performed but as a Remora to that happy settlement so long contended for by all good men there conspicuously appeared a most subterranean work of darknesse A plot discovered a secret conspiracy carryed on by the old restlesse party on the behalf of Charles Stuart which being discovered Feb. 18. 1653. eleven of them were sent close prisoners to the Tower of London where being retained a short time his Highnesse clemency extended so far as to set them at liberty About the same time as a sure testimoniall of the peoples affection to his Highnesse Government Addresses from all parts of the Nation there appeared addresses and congratulations from all parts of this Nation Scotland and Ireland his Highnesse likewise by way of Retaliation made severall good Acts tending to the glory of God and the good of the Common-wealth more especially that for the approbation of publick Preachers But at present leaving this let us look Northward where about this time high were the expectations and hopes of the Scots partly from the unsetled spirits of some male-contented persons in England as also from the great promises that their King made to them by his Agents insomuch that they doubted not but to have once more a fair trial of their quarrell in the field and to that end having received ample Commission from their King they had suddenly formed an Army of about four thousand Horse and Foot The Scots rally being headed by the Earl of Glencarne and Kenmore but this bubble was soon broak by the vigilance of Collonel Morgan Are routed who with about 1500 horse and foot Feb. 17. came to the Lough where Glencarn and the rest were at a Rendezvouze and after a little dispute he totally routed their Army having killed of them about 150. Glencarn himself hardly escaping with fortie horse But leaving Scotland we present you with the main businesse in agitation at this time viz. The Dutch Peace The Dutch Peace concluded to which end four Ambassadors from them having resided here all last winter and having well nigh-finished their businesse in February two of them went over the Lord Newport and Youngstall for full power and ratification and having returned and landed at the Tower Wharf March 3. 1654. were honorably attended through the City and the next day had audience of his Highnesse declaring their ful impowerment from their Superiors for the ratifying of the Peace lately agreed on desiring a speedy cessation of Arms on both sides This was the effect of what was by them delivered and accordingly to the great joy of all the Reformed Churches on the 5 of April following the Articles of Peace betwixt both States were signed and sealed on both fides and shortly after proclaimed both in England and in the Netherlands The Dutch Ambassadors the day after the Peace proclaimed were nobly entertained and feasted by the Lord Protector As to the affairs of Ireland The state of Ireland much cannot be said more then some years past saving that the Country more and more tends towards the center of settlement through the great vigilance of the Lord Deputy and Councel there who having through a great deal of difficultie gon through with the work of transplanting the Irish into the Province of Conaught by means whereof the lives and estates of the English are throughly secured and upon the generalty of that Country there appears a good face of health and quiet Now whilst Ireland was in this quiet state the old malignant Party was hatching new broyls in the heart of England A second Plotdiscovered as appeared upon the discovery of a barbarous conspiracy on the 20th of May 1654. undertaken by divers persons of severall interests in generall their intent being by a villanous assassination to have turned the State into blood and confusion a piece of treason so much the more to be detested in England in regard the generous nature of the English doth usually abhor such unmanly practises so that they have very rarely been heard of amongst us divers were apprehended about it and examined as Gilbert Gerard Esq and John Gerard his brother John Jones an Apothecary Thomas Tudor with severall others who were all of them committed to the Tower and shortly after a high Court of justice being erected these three were tryed in the first place viz. John Gerard Somerset Fox and Peter Vowel who being found guilty were condemned to be hanged The plotters executed and it was accordingly performed on Peter Vowel Gerard upon petition was beheaded and Somerset Fox for his ingenuous and submissive confession his Highnesse pardoned Upon the same day that these Plotters suffered Don Pautalcon sa brother to the Lord Ambassador of Portugal having been Prisoner in Newgate a long time The Portugal Ambassadors brother beheaded with Gerard for a Ryot by him and others committed at the New Exchange and having been lately brought to his triall at the upper Bench barre was at first very peremptory refusing to be uncovered or to plead but at length he was told by an Interpreter that he ought to plead or to undergo the Law which was to be pressed to death which having a while slighted he at length pleaded not guilty but being found guilty he was condemned to be hanged but through the favour of the Court the sentence was altered to be beheaded which was accordingly performed on the 10. of July on Tower-hill with Gerard an exemplary piece of justice These Plots in England being thus nipt in the bud Middleton routed in Scotland did nothing discourage the Scotch malignants in the Highlands but that they brought their designs to more maturity for having got some addition of strength by the landing of Middleton out of Holland as Generalissimo they soon got the repate of terming themselves an Army but as a means for the dispelling of that Scotch mist Monk was sent into the North as Generall where having attended their motions and sate hard upon their skirts some certain time on the 21 of July 1654. he engaged them by Loughgery and after some small resistance totally routed them and all their hopes together Septemb. 3. 1654. Parliament met Sep. 3. According to Writs formerly issued out the Parliament met at Westminster where after a Sermon preached by Mr. Marshall they repaired to the Parliament House and having chosen William Lenthall their Speaker they then began to question the lawfulnesse of the power that called them thither insomuch that his Highnesse considering the growing evils that were like to afflict the Nation in case of new changes and revolutions appointed a Test or Recognition of the Government which was to be signed by them before ever they entred the house again which being accordingly signed by the generalty of them