VVorlds great waste the Ocean we VVhole Forrests send to reign upon the Sea And every Coast may trouble or relieve But none can visit us without our leave Angels and we have this Prerogative That none can at our happy seat arrive VVhile we descend at pleasure to invade The Bad with Vengeance and the Good to Aid Mean while the Spaniards in America Near to the Line the Sun approaching faw And hoped their European coasts to find Cleer'd from our ships by the Autumnal wind Their huge capacious Gallions stuff'd with Plate The labouring winds drive slowly to their fate Before St. Lucar they their Guns discharge To shew their Joy or to invite a Barge This heard some ships of ours though out of view As swift as Eagles to the Quarry flew So harmless Lambs that for their Mother bleat VVake hungry Lyons and become their meat Arriv'd they roon begin their Tragick play And with their smoaky Cannon banish day Night horror slaughter with confusion meets And in their sable arms imbrace the Fleets Through yielding planks the angry Bullets fly And of one wound hundreds together dye Born under different Stars one fate they have The Ship their Coffia and the Sea their Grave Bold were the men that on the Ocean first Spread their new Sails when shipwrack was the worst More danger now from men alone we find Than from the Rocks the Billows and the VVind They that had fail'd from near th' Antartick Pole Their Treasure safe and all their Vessels whole In sight of their dear country ruin'd he VVithout the guilt of either Rock or Sea VVhat they would â—ave our fiercer art destroys Surpassing storms in terror and in noise Once Jove from Ida did both Hosts survey And when he pleas'd to Thunder part the fray Here Heav'n in vain that kind retreat would sound The louder cannon had the thunder drown'd Some were made prize while others burnt and rent VVith their rich lading to the bottom went Down sinks at once So Fortune with us sports The pay of Armies and the pride of Courts Vain man whose rage buries as low that store As Avarice had digg'd for it before VVhat Earth in her dark bowels could not keep From greedy hands lies safer in the Deep VVhere Thetis kindly doth from mortals hide Those seeds of Luxury debate and pride And now into our hands the richest prize Falls with the noblest of our eremies The Marquess glad to see the fire destroy VVealth the prevailing Foe were to enjoy Out from his flaming ship his children sent To perish in a milder Element Then laid him by his burning Ladies side And since he could not save her with her dy'd Spices and Gums about them melting fry And â—hoenix like in that rich Nest they dye Alive in flames of equal love they burn'd And now together into Ashes turn'd Ashes more worth than all their Funeral cost Than the huge Treasure which with them was lost These dying Lovers and their floating Sons Suspend the Fight and filence all our Guns Beuaty and youth about to perish finds Such noble pity in brave English minds That they the spoil neglecting and the prize All labour now to save their Enemies How frail 's our passion How soon changed are Our wrath and fury to a friendly care They that but now for honour and for plate Made the Sea blush with blood forget their hate And while their Foes from perishing they retrieve VVith greater danger than they fought they dive VVith these returns Victorious Montague VVith Lawrel in his hands and half Peru Let our brave Generals divide that bough Our great Protector hath such wereaths enow His conquering Head hath no more room for Bays Then let it be as the whole Nation prays VVith purple cloth'd and Ermine let him hold A Royal Scepter made of Spanish Gold The Protector was highly pleased at this succesns and great booty and a particular day of Thanksgiving was appointed by him for it and soon after Gen. Montague with the young Marquets and part of the Fleet to convoy the silver which amounted to two millions of pieces of Eight returned into England and delivered the Bullion into the Mint and the young Marquess and his Brother were set at liberty But the Spanish War being like to prove chargeable notwithstanding this present supply the protector being still necessitated for money and desiring to have his power confirmed to him by the people in hope the new Representative might grant him what the former denied he issues out Writs for the Election of a new parliament wherein much circumspection was used if possible to prevent some of the former House from being chosen Sept. 17. 1656. This parliament met at Westminster and had a Sermon preached before them at the Abbey Church by Dr. John Owen Dean of Christs-Châ—rch upon those words in Isaiah What shall one then answer to the messengers of the Land That the Lord hath founded Sion and the poor of his people shall rejoice After Sermon the members went to the House but found at the door a Guard and an Officer standing with a List in his hand demanding the Names of every one of them and such as were marked for non-admittance were turned back and a promise imposed upon every individual member before he should be permitted to fit in the House That he would not act any thing prejudicial to the present Government which many refused and returned home but the major part assenting to it entred the House and chose Sir Tho. Widdrington Speaker and not minding those that were excluded referred the approbation of them to the Protectors Council They then proceed according to the protectors desire making an Act for disanulling the Title of Charles Stewart to the Government of these three Nations nemine contradicente another for making it Treason for any to attempt compass or imagine the Protectors death and appointing such Offendors to be tryed not by a Jury of twelve sufficient men but by a High Court of Justice a third for an assessment upon England Scotland and Ireland of seventy thousand pound a month for three years an Act for preventing multiplicity of buildings in and ten miles about London a whole years Revenue to be paid for all dwelling or Out-houses raised upon any new foundation since 1620. An Act for Excise of merchandize imported An Act for punishing such as live at high rates and have no visible Estates and lastly for the observation of the Lords-day VVhen these Arts were ready for signing the Protector came to the painted chamber and sent for the parliament where the speaker tendring them to him at the signing them he speake thus Mr. Speaker I perceive that among these many Acts of parliament there hath been very great care had by the parliament to provide for the just and necessary support of the Common-wealth by these Bills for levying of money now brought to me which I have given my consent unto and understanding it hath been the practice
THE HISTORY OF Oliver Cromwel BEING AN Impartial Account Of all the Battles Sieges and other Military Atchievements wherein he was Ingaged in England Scotland and Ireland AND LIKEWISE Of his Civil Administrations while he had the Supream Government of these Three Kingdoms till his Death Relating only Matters of Fact without Reflection or Observation By R. B. Licensed and Entred LONDON Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside 1692. TO THE READER THere have been few Persons upon whose actions so many different Sentiments have passed as upon those of Oliver Cromwel some advancing his Courage and Reputation to the height others on the contrary depressing them as low and not allowing that he had any thing praise-worthy in his Conduct in those great Imployments and Offices even the Government of the Three Nations which he passed through Yea they invade the Almighties Province of judging the Hearts and Thoughts of Men attributing all to Hypocrisie and Ambition asserting that he had Hopes and Expectations of raising himself to that Grandeur whereto he after arrived many years before he attained it nay so early as when he was but a Collonel and can hardly be thought to have had the least prospect thereof But to leave every Man to his Opinion in this matter I thought it might not be unacceptable to my Country-men to give a plain and Impartial Account of Matters of Fact performed and acted by him both in his Military and afterwards in his Civil Capacity without Reflections on Parties which ought to be the care of a faithful Historian if he expects to be believed by Posterity It is a Maxim That great Virtues have been often mixed with great Vices in many great men in the World neither is Cromwel excused from this Censure who had several worthy and blameable Qualities in him but since he is out of the reach either of good or bad Report I shall leave him and refer you to read his Atchievements which are briefly related in the following Manual R. B. THE HISTORY OF Oliver Cromwel OLiver Cromwel was descended of an Ancient Family in Huntington-shire who had a very plentiful Estate his Grandfather was Sir Henry Cromwel a Person of good Reputation and had issue five Sons Sir Oliver his Eldest Henry Robert Richard and Philip. This our Oliver Cromwel was Son of the third Brother Richard who was likewise in much esteem in his Country and Married Elizabeth Steward Peace of Sir Robert Steward a Gentleman of a considerable Estate in that Country by whom he had this Oliver who was born in the Town of Huntington April 25. 1599. and had his Name given him by his Uncle Sir Oliver When he was a Child he seemed to delight in Manlike Exercises and by the care of his Father was sent to the Free School of that Town and afterward to Sydney-Colledge in Cambridge where while he was a Student there were several Omens of his future Grandeur and he was observed more to be enclined to the Military than Contemplative Life During his continuance here his Father died upon which he returned home and spent hiâ— time in the Youthful Follies and Extravagancies incident to persons of his age and temper whereupon his Mother by the advice of her Friends sent him up to London and placed him in Lincolns-Inn thereby to qualifie him for a Gentleman and to put him into a Capacity to be serviceable to his Country Having continued here for some time and not being able to confine himself to this Sedentary Imployment he again returns into the Country and there proceeds in the same lewd courses as before but as he grew in years he became more solid and considerate insomuch that in a while he was as remarkable for his Sobriety as before for his Rudeneâ—s and Vâ—nity which so much pleased and obliged his Uncle Sir Robert Steward that he left him his Heir to a very fine Estate of four or five hundred pounds a year But before this came into his hands by the Death of his Uncle the reputation of it and the remarkable alteration in his disposition recommended him to Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir James Boucher whom he Married and though at first when this notable reformation was perceived in him he adhered to the Church of England frequenting the most famous Preachers with much seeming warmth and zeal yet afterwards when those called Puritans grew popular he began to have a good opinion of them inviting the Ministers to his House and entertaining them with much kindness and to demonstrate the reality of this change of his mind there is an instance of his freely returning a considerable sum of Money to a person from whom he had won it some years before by Gaming Such actions and the seeming sincerity of his Conversation raised his esteem yet higher with all persons of that Party who had such an opinion of his Wisdom and Abilities that when King Charles I. called that Parliament in 1640. which for its duration was afterward Named the Long he was by the Interest of his Friends elected Parliament-man for the Town of Cambridge Soon after this the War began between the King and Parliament one Party declaring they took Arms for defending the Prerogatives of the Crown and the other the Priviledges of Parliaments and Liberties of the People As soon as ever this fatal division happened wherein so many Thousands afterward lost their Lives and Estates Cromwel whose inclination was always Martial presently ingaged in the quarrel and having obtained a Commission from the Parliament quickly raised a Troop of Horse for their service of the most promising men he could choose and to try their Valour in jest before they came to exercise it in earnest he secretly ordered a dozen of them to issue out suddenly upon the rest with a Trumpet sounding a Charge as if they came from some of the Kings Garrisons that were not far off which they performed with so much briskness that about twenty of the new Troopers fled away with all possible speed whom Cromwel having reproached for their Cowardice dismounted and cashier'd mounting their Horses with persons of a more couragious temper He was likewise nominated a Commissioner in the Ordinance for settling the Militia whereby the Eastern Countries associated themselves together declaring that they would stand by the Parliament against all Opposers and Cromwel being sensible that the University of Cambridge was most inclined to the Royal Interest he had a particular regard to the place of his Education and very dexterously secured both the Town and a great quantity of the Colledge Plate even at the very instant when it was upon the point of being conveyed to the King at Oxford After this he forms a Garrison at Whitlesea where a Bridge joins the County of Norfolk with the 〈◊〉 of Ely and is the only passage from thence into Liâ—â—colnshire the greatest part whereof was possest by the Kings party and by this means he cut off
complain of want of pay of the neglect of Church-Government and the Covenant The Parliament answered That in two years space they had received above two hundred thousand pounds for pay besides a vast sum of money which had been extorted from the weeping Inhabitants of the Northern Counties and that their Army had not answered expectation lying idle the best time of the year and if they were so precise in observation of the Covenant why contrary thereto had they put Garrisons into Newcastle Tinmouth and Carlisle Neither ought they to mention Religion being unsettled since the Parliament were consulting about it being a matter which requires time and mature deliberation From these dissentions the King expected some advantage but yet Oxford was already block'd up by Fleetwood and Ireton and Fairfax was daily expected to come and turn it into a close siege therefore before this should happen the King resolved to go out of the City and consulting with some of his inward Councellors it was concluded he should go to the Scots Camp then lying before Newark the King sent Montruel the French Ambassador before and himself soon after as Coll. Ashburnhams man who had a pass from Fairfax to go out of Oxford about some private business with a Cloak-bag behind him escaped unknown and came to Newark which when the besieged Newarkers had notice of being in great streights they upon conditions surrendred the Town The Scots seemed amazed at the Kings unexpected coming to them and so signified the matter to the English Commissioners then on the place Letters were instantly written to London and Edinburgh and the Parliament at Westminster required the Scots to detain the King at Southwell near Newark but contrary to this Order they carried him to Kelham where a greater part of their Army lay and soon after without further Order removed their Camp Northward and carried him away to Newcastle with them excusing their departure by alledging Newark being yielded no work was left for them but that as the King came to them of his own accord unexpected so he followed their Army neither being intreated nor forbidden by them but they seemed to hasten their departure by reason of a rumour that Cromwel with all his Horse was marching toward them This action much offended the English Parliament and they complain'd both of the Scots and the King In the beginning of May General Fairfax with his whole Army came before Oxford the City was very strong having been fortified according to the most exact rules of Art to make it Impregnable invironed with regular Forts and provided with a potent Garrison of five thousand valiant Souldiers having great stores of all manner of provisions and the Governour Sir Tho. Glemham a person who had sufficiently demonstrated his courage and conduct in holding out York and Carlisle to the last extremity The General disposing his Quarters round about the City summoned the Governour to surrender who returned That he would send to know the Kings mind and then act accordingly This answer was not satisfactory yet Fairfax and his Commanders doubting it would be a tedious Siege were put in hopes by some spies that it could not hold out long by reason of the divisions between the Nobility and Souldiers the first being for treating now and so obtain honourable conditions which they did accordingly and the Parliament decreed That the besieged should have the best conditions rather than waste their Army which might be more useful elsewhere for they designed to send them into Ireland against the Rebels there Thus was Oxford surrendred and the Garrison marched out in sight of Fairfax's Army with great quiet and modesty on both sides The D. of York was honourably conducted to London where two of the Kings Children remained thither also went all the Noble-men neither were any of the besieged denied to go to London but the Princes Rupert and Maurice who being commanded to go out of England prepared for their departure Prince Charles about this time sailed from Scilly with a few of his inward Counsellors to Jersey in order to go to his Mother in France which the King having advice of sent him this short Letter from Newcastle Charles I write to you only that you should know what I am and that I am in health not to direct you at this time in any thing for what I would have you do I have already written to your Mother to whom I would have you obedient in all things except Religion about which I know she will not trouble you and go no whether without her or my command Write often to me God bless you Your loving Father C. R. Soon after the surrender of Oxford followed the end of this fierce War for Worcester Wallingford Pendennis and Ragland yielded to the Victors Peace now seemed to be restored to England but they had no security the Parliament being grievously troubled with factions among themselves and divided under the Names of Presbyterians and Independants not only in matters of Church-Government but often in their Votes and in transacting almost all other business and this humour spread it self into the City Country and Camp and the Parliament doubting Coll. Masseys Forces might muriny upon that account sent Fairfax to Disband them being two thousand five hundred Horse which was quietly done in eight days time though they did not then receive their pay The Scots as you have heard carrying the King into the North the parliament Voted That the person of the King should be disposed of by the Authority of both Houses of the parliament of England But the Scots denied to deliver him up alledging That he was no less King of England than Scotland which caused great dissention between the two Nations But at length upon paying the Scots two hundred thousand pounds they agreed to deliver up Berwick Carlisle and Newcastle to the parliament of England and the Kings person also to the English Commissioners to be carried into the South who was received with great respect and honour by the Earls of Pembroke and Denbigh and the other Commissioners and by them waited on with much observance and an honourable Guard to his palace at Holmby in Northampton-shire But the Civil Wars being ended a dissention more than Civil arose among the Conquerors which still increased under the Names of Presbyterians and Independants and extreamly imbittered the minds of men against each other one party complaining That the Covenant was broken The other That it was not rightly Interpreted by them And on both sides were men of Reputation and several petitions were drawn up against the Army lately so much admired as maintainers of the Independent party who then lay about Saffron-Walden in Essex Yea it was debated in parliament whether they should be Disbanded or not which Cromwel who sided with the Independents having notice of he thereupon with Ireton insinuated into the common Souldiers That the parliament intended to Disband them without their Arrears or else to
a Military life could hardly be reduced to their former Imployments Our new States-men to prevent any ill humours that might gather among them resolved to make them serviceable to their Country in the reduction of Ireland all that Kingdom except Dublin and London-derry being in possession of the Irish which neither were able to hold out without speedy assistance from England This Rebellion the most barbarous and bloody that ever happened upon earth acted by Devils in humane shape rather than men butchering two hundred thousand protestants in eight weeks space without the least offence or provocation given or without sparing of age or sex was perpetrated Oct. 23. 1641. and though contrived so secretly and acted so furiously yet was Dublin wonderfully preserved to be a refuge to those poor protestants who escaped the rage of their bloody persecutors Many of them fled to England but found little relief for here all things seemed to forebode the re-acting the same Tragedy yet in the midst of the differences between the King and parliament it was agreed to send some Regiments thither if possible to hinder the progress of those Assassines but this relief was so small that it had no effect for the King finding the parliament prevail against him recalled those Troops from Ireland many of the Rebels coming along with them to his assistance so that this Kingdom lay more exposed to these bloody Wolves than ever and thus they continued for some years But this new state having renounced Monarchy and Episcopacy resolve now to use the same Instruments to recover Ireland and to that end they ordered an Army to be sent thither The Marquess of Ormond was made Lord-Lieutenant by the late King and the Rebels had made a confederacy among themselves and upon condition to have the free Exercise of their Religion and divers other ample priviledges and advantages which the necessity of affairs obliged him to yield to they joined their Forces to his being also assisted by a considerable number of others raised by the Earls of Castlehaven Clanâ—ickand and the Lord Inchiquin so that they were the greatest united strength in that Kingdom but the confederates having broken their Articles with the Lieutenant and being ready to besiege Dublin which he was not able to defend rather than it should fall into the hands of the Irish papists he surrendred it to Collonel Jones for the parliament and came over to the King who was then carried from one place to another by the Army and from thence he went over to Prince Charles then at Paris But the Confederates surprized at the great preparations made against them in England sent Letters to the Prince humbly intreating him to send back the Marquess of Ormond with an absolute promise to submit entirely to the Kings Authority and to obey his Lieutenant At their request he returned into Ireland about a year before Cromwel came over and with their united Forces they had reduced the whole Country except London-derry commanded by Sir Charles Coot and Dublin the principal City wherein was Collonel Jones with no great strength and who was very jealous of the sidelity of his own men that often deserted and went over to the other party The Irish confederates with an Army of twenty two thousand men lay under the very Walls of Dublin and sent divers threatning summons into it requiring a speedy surrender but they had no effect upon the valiant Governour Jones who yet not insensible of the great danger he was in sent many earnest Messages to the parliament of England to aid him with all speed with Men and Ammunition or else all would be quickly lost and they knowing the difficulties of his condition hasten their assistance to him gave order for sending thither Iretons Scroops Hortons and Lamberts Regiments of Horse with Hewsons Deans Ewers and Cooks Regiments of Foot and five Troops of Dragoons all old tried Souldiers that feared no Enemy and led by victorious commanders with some other Regiments new listed to make a number sufficient to effect the business Nothing was now wanting but a General to command this gallant Army which the parliament being sensible of Cromwels conduct and fitness desired him to accept which he readily did declaring at the same time That he did not doubt but God would use him as an Instrument to execute his vengeance upon the bloody Irish with which answer the parliament were so pleased that instantly they give him a commission to be General of all their Forces and Lord Governour both in the Civil and Military affairs of Ireland and Collonel Jones was made Lieutenant-General of the Horse After which they march to their Rendevouz at Milford in Wales and July 10. 1649. Cromwel set forward from London in a Coach and six Horses attended with many of the House of commons council of State and principal Officers of the Army with a Life-Guard of fourscore who had been lately commanders very gallantly accoutred In this state he march'd to Brainford where these Gentlemen took their leaves with wishes for his happy success from thence he rides post to Bristol to put his men and Train of Artillery into the Transport-ships and afterwards goes into Wales having sent Reynolds Regiment of Horse and Venables and Monks Regiments of Foot before from Chester who with a fair wind soon arrived at Dublin to the great joy of the Inhabitants being about three thousand in all who were very careful to recover them from the fatigues of the Sea in hopes by their means to recover their Liberties And in this they found themselves not mistaken for Collonel Jones much animated with these recruits resolved to attack the besiegers with the first opportunity and accordingly Aug. 2 when the Irish with a strong party of Horse and Foot marched with much assurance to Baggor-field a little way Eastward from the city toward the Sea from whence they designed to run their Trenches towards the Works of the city to prevent the landing any more supplies from England the besieged sound a necessity to prevent them and with twelve hundred Horse and four thousand Foot fell upon the Enemies new Works and rout their Horse at the first encounter most of the Foot being also either kill'd or slain consisting of fifteen hundred besides their Horse which so incouraged the English that they pursued their victory to Rathunines where the Marquess of Ormond with his whole Army of nineteen thousand men were Incamped who hearing of it wished they would come that he might have some sport with them he soon had his wish but the sport was somewhat rude for in a short time his Army was utterly put to the rout four thousand being slain upon the spot and in the pursuit and two thousand five hundred and seventeen prisoners most persons of Quality with the Marquesses own brother all their Cannon and Ammunition with a wealthy Camp became the reward of the conquering Souldiers who made themselves Gentlemen with the spoils of the
vanquished It is remarkable that not above twenty of the English were slain in this great action The Marquess perceiving all was lost fled with a considerable party to Kilkenny and from thence to Drogheda whither Collonel Jones with some Horse was marched with all speed in hopes that the news of this defeat might cause them to surrender but when he heard that Ormond with three hundred Horse was come to re-inforce it he went back while the Marquess fortifies Dundalk Trim and some other places adjacent to Tredagh hoping to preserve what he had by the strength of his Troops and to have an Army of Foot ready before Cromwels arrival But he having Intelligence of this great Victory being then at Milford-Haven in Wales he instantly sailed thence with the Van of his Army in thirty two Transport-ships and Ireton with the main body in forty two more Hugh Peters with about twenty sail following them and having a fair wind they all soon arrived at Dublin and were received with all signs of joy and satisfaction and especially the new Lord Governour Cromwel whom the people crowded to behold and who observing their zeal and kindness putting off his Hat he spake to them to this effect That as God had brought him thither in safety so he doubted not but by the divine assistance to restore them to all their just Rights Liberties and Properties and that all those whose hearts and affections were real for carrying on the great work against the barbarous and blood-thirsty Irish and their adherents and confederates and that were for prepagating the Gospel of Christ the establishing of truth and peace and restoring this bleeding Narion to its former happiness and tranquility should find favour and protection from the Parliament of England and himself and should likewise receive such endowments and gratuities as were seitable to their meries This speech was received with the approbation and acclamations of the people many of whom declared That they would live and dye with him The Army being all landed and refreshed Cromwel publishes a proclamation against swearing cursing and drunkenness under the most severe penalties and having settled matters in Dublin he musters his Army which then consisted of fifteen thousand Horse and Foot well accoutred out of whom he made a detachment of about ten thousand with whom and a sine Train of Artillery Ammunition and provisions he marches to Drogheda commanded by Sir Arthur Ashton formerly Governour of Reading and Oxford and an expert and valiant souldier the Garrison consisting in about three thousand Horse and Foot most English After summoning the Town which was slighted Cromwel prepares all necessaries to besiege it Sir G. Ayscough and his squadron in the mean time blocking it up by Sea and the white flag was taken down the red denouncing blood and destruction being displayed in its stead which yet did not much discourage the besieged who expected relief from Ormond and had likewise absolutely determined among themselves to conquer or dye which they did quickly after for Cromwel without making Trenches or Ditches raised a strong battery of Cannon against it which soon beat down a Church-steepie and a Tower on the South of the Town and upon throwing two or three hundred Balls more the corner Tower between the South-east Wall was levelled and such a breach made that three Regiments of Foot entred it not being large enough for the Horse but met with such surious opposition from the besieged that they forced them back faster than they came on which Cromwel observing from the battery he with a fresh supply of Collonel Ewers Foot enters in person into the Town whose presence so incouraged the souldiers that nothing was able to stand before them so that having secured the Town to revenge their late repulse they cut off all they met with yet Ashtons souldiers desperately opposed them at every corner and when not able to defend the streets retreated to the Churches-steeples and other securities but the assailants persued them with utmost rage and with Gun-powder blew up an hundred of them who were got into St. Peters steeple only one escaping who by the fall broke his leg and had Quarter given him Others refused to yield upon summons and were thereupon kept so long from Victuals that they were forced to surrender after which most of the Officers with every tenth souldier was put to the Sword and the rest sent to Barbadoes Sir Arthur Ashton being slain among the rest Cromwel by these severe executions designing to terrify other places from making any opposition which had such effect that in a short time he wholly conquered the Kingdom And thus was this strong Garrison reduced and plundered in seven days which the Irish were three years e're they could take Dundalk and Trim expecting no better Quarter the Souldiers deserted them with such precipitation that they left all their cannon behind In the last fixed upon their carriages and the English revolted so fast to the conqueror that Ormonds Forces increased very little so that he durst not ingage Cromwel but endeavoured to hinder them from having provisions Upon which the General resolved to march Westward and assault Wexford putting a Garrison into Killingkerrick near Dublin which had been deserted by the Enemy together with Arkloe-castle one of the seats of the Family of Ormond and several other small places which surrendred to him at length he came before Wexford and summoned it but the Governour Collonel Synnoâ— politickly treated about terms till he was re-inforced with five hundred Foot under the Earl of Castlehaven and then seem'd to defie any attack Whereupon Cromwel presently plants a battery against the castle at the South-east end of the Town as being of great consequence to the gaining it and had not plaid long upon it before the Governour surrenders it of which the souldiers having possession and shewing themselves to the Town affrighted them from the Walls which they soon perceiving in an instant scaled the Walls without much resistance and entring into the Town cut off all that were in Arms till they came to the Market-place where the enemy made a stand and fought it out to the last but at length were subdued and all in Arms put to the Sword This Sea-port being taken which was convenient for supplies the Victors march to Ross another Sea Town considerable for strength and trade and scituate on the River Barrow where a Ship of seven or eight hundred Tun might ride by the Wall the Lords of Ormond Castlehaven and Ards were there in person having brought fifteen hundred men in Boats to re-inforce it in sight of the English who could not prevent it Cromwel summons the Governour M. General Twaff to a rendition by assuring him That since his coming into Ireland he ever avoided the effusion of Blood having been before no place where he did not first send them such Terms as might have preserved them and that upon the same account he required him to
surrender the Town to the parliament of England He received no return till a battery of six or seven great cannon which played furiously upon the Town mollified the Governour so that to prevent the danger other places had incurred he delivered it up upon condition to march away with bag and baggage to Kilkenny which fifteen hundred of them did but six hundred being English joined with Cromwel At which time Bandon-bridge Youghal Cork Kinsale and other Garrisons freely declared for the parliament and in the North Sir Charles Coot and Collonel Venables succeeded as well and so did L. Broghill and Collonel Hewson in other parts Cromwel having taken Ross by a bridge of boats over the River marched his men to besiege Dungannon a strong Fort commanded by Coll. Wogan but having little hope of reducing it quickly they rise and march to Kilkenny where the Marquess of Ormond and L. Inchiqueen declare they would fight him being much stronger than Cromwel yet upon his approach retreated without action whereupon Enisteoge and Carrick were taken without loss of a man and the General marches to Waterford taking Passage-Fort by the way hoping to reduce it before Winter but it being December and very wet the Souldiers were put into Wiater-Quarters till the Spring During which the Irish attempted to regain Passage Fort by a party from Water oâ—d but Collonel Zankey meeting them put them to the rout killing many and making three hundred and fifty prisoners At this time Lieutenant General Jones dyed of a violent Fever at Dungannon and though it were Winter yet Cromwel visited all the Garrisons in Munster and received great Recruits from England many of his Souldiers and Officers dying by sickness and put a new Mayor into Kinsale the former being an Irish papist The latter end of February Cromwel again marâ—â—â—â— three thousand of his men out of Youghall to â—large their Quarters and 〈◊〉 in 〈…〉 near 〈…〉 with Cloghen-house and Rogâ—â—-castle and 〈◊〉 the River Tower with much dancer comes â—o â—â—â—ther'd where one Eutler was Governour of the Garrison and about ten at Night summons the Toâ—â— with a Trumpet which was discourded at first but searing a storm It was surrendred upon condition they should march out with their Arms. From hence after being refreshed they march to Callâ—â—â— about six miles off Kilkeâ—ny which had three Castles in the Town and were storm'd and taken one after another and all in arms put to the sword which so affrighted them that defended a House near the Town that they desired liberty to go to Kilkenny which was granted The souldiers â—ell furnish'd with provisions here returned to Feathered taking the castles of â—noctover and Bullyward by the way Kiltermon Arfermon Cober and Dundrum places of good strength soon after running the same fate in taking of the last of which Coll. Zanchey was shot through the hand so that there remained nothing unconquered but Kilkenny Galloway Clonmell Waterford and Lymerick These were places of considerable strength but Cromwel resolves to attack Kilkenny first and having sent for more Forces he came to the Town of Govan which was populous and fortified with a strong castle but the Governour refusing to obey his summons was forced to surrender upon hard Terms the souldiers to have their Lives and the Officers to be at discretion Hammond the Governour his Major and all the other Commission-Officers were shot to death and the popish chaplain hanged Cromwel next proceeds to the siege of Kilkenny which was full of Officers and Souldiers from other places and the Governour Sir Walter Butler refusing to surrender the Lord Governour caused the cannon to play which had not thrown one hundred shot e're a breach was made and Collonel Ewers with a thousand Foot though at first repulsed gained the Irish Town and the Suburbs on the other side the River which caused the Governour to Treat upon Terms since he could not hope for relief and the Garrison in Cautnell-castle whom he had sent to assist him desired passes of Cromwel to go beyond Sea so that the capitulation was quickly finished and that considerable City of Kilkenny which had been the seat of the supream council was reduced in six days time The Marquess of Ormond and other chief commanders observing the unsuccesfulness of their designs consulted with the Gentlemen of Westmeath at Baltemore how to manage their affairs with more advantage for the future but finding their own Inability some were for an accommodation with the English but others doubting whether they might obtain pardon or good terms it was concluded to do the greatest mischief they could to the English in their Quarters till they had opportunity to escape out of the country Cromwel after this besieges Clonmell a strong Garrison wherein were one handred and twenty Horse and two thousand Foot During which coll Reynolds and Hewson besiege Trim and the Lord Broghill defeats the Bishop of Ross who with five thousand designed to relieve Clonmell killing seven hundred taking twenty Officers and the Bishop himself with the Standard of the church of Munster and carrying him to a castle defended by the Bishops Forces hangs him before the. Walls in their fight which so terrified them that they soon surrendred These successes incouraged the besiegers of Clonmell wherein were many gallant soaldiers and commanders and great unanimity but Cromwel to lose no more time presently batters it with his cannon which opened a breach whereat the souldiers enter but were repulsed with the utmost fury so that the fuccess was doubtful for four hours and a great carnage made till at length the Irish are forced to quit the place and betake themselves to flight whom the victorious souldiers persued with revengeful minds and made a dreadful slaughter Thus was this considerable place reduced though with greater loss than ordinary to the English wherein they found the stoutest enemy they ever met in Ireland Cromwel having thus in ten months time performed more than any Prince before was able to do in ten years in subduing an obstinate bloody enemy that despaired of pardon and therefore fought with the greater animosity and there now remaining unreduced only Lymerick Waterford and some few other inconsiderable Garrisons to which service Ireton was appointed whom the Lord Governour made Lord Deputy He takes his leave of Ireland and after a stormy passage lands at Bristol where he was received with acclamations and the discharging of the cannon and hastens from thence to London being met at Hounslow by General Fairfax several Members of parliament and Officers of the Army with multitudes of spectators who came to see him of whom they had heard such great matters where after mutual salutations and congratulations he proceeds and is saluted near Hyde-park with some Field-peces and Volleys of small shot by Collonel Barksteads Regiment drawn up in the High-way for that purpose and after conducted to the Cock-pit near St. James's prepared for his reception where he is visited by
which the English had taken near Burnt Island after he had delivered his message he confidently told the souldiers their General was dead and that they did well in concealing it but he would never believe otherwise nor could he be convinced till the General ordered him to be brought into his presence who was now somewhat recovered so that upon his return this false rumour vanished But the Parliament of England hearing that he had a relapse afterward and a violent Ague they sent him two eminent Physicians Dr. Wright and Dr. Bates to use their utmost Art for his reâ—overy with an Order that gave him liberty to repair into England for recovering his health To which he made a return of Thanks by a Letter to the Lord President in which among others are these unusual expressions My Lord my sickness was indeed so violent that my Nature was not able to bear the weight thereof but the Lord was pleased to deliver me beyond expectations and to give me cause to say once more He hath plucked me out of the Grave So that now by the goodness of God I find my self growing to such a stare of health and strength as may yet if it be his good will render me useful according to my poor ability in the station wherein he hath set me I wish more steadiness in your affairs here than to depend in the least upon so frail a thing as I am indeed they do not nor do they own any Instrument this Cause is of God and it must prosper Oh that all that have any hand therein being so perswaded would gird up the loins of their minds and endeavour in all things to walk worthy of the Lord. So prays my Lord Your most humble Servant O. Cromwel Edenburgh June 3. At this time Ambassadors came to the Parliament of England from Spain Portugal and Holland the first was reminded of delaying execution on the Assassinates of the English Resident at Madrid The second not having full power to give satisfaction for the expences of the state and loss of the Merchants Goods by means of that King was quickly dismiss'd The Hollander kept at a distance rather wishing prosperity to the Royal party than heartily desiring peace with the Common-wealth of England Soon after Oliver St. John and Walter Strickland were sent Ambassadors Extraordinary to the States and were received with great splendor and having audience of the States-General at the Hague the Lord Ambassador St. John made a learned and elegant speech declaring That they were sent over to the High and Mighty States of the Netherlands from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to make a firm League and Confederacy between the two Republicks if they think fit notwithstanding the many injuries the English have received from the Dutch Nation Likewise to renew and confirm the former Treaties and Agreements of Trade and Commerce made between the two Nations wherein he shewed them the notable advantages of England in respect of its commodious scituation for advancement of Trade and all other benefits Lastly That he was commanded to let them know how highly the Parliament resented the murder of Dr. Dorislaus their Agent not doubting but they would do their utmost to discover the Authors thereof After which the Ambassadors Gentlemen receiving several affronts from the Royal party there the States published a Proclamation to prevent it yet these abuses continued and no punishment being inflicted on any though the common people often swarm'd about the Ambassadors Gates and assaulted their Servants and the States evading any Treaty till they saw how matters would succeed in Scotland the Parliament highly resenting these proceedings suddenly recalled their Ambassadors to the great surprize of the States Who thereupon endeavoured by frequent visits to them to insinuate their amicable Intentions but the Ambassadors returned to England And that which gave some jealousie to the Parliament of their designs was Because Admiral Van Trump with a Fleet of Ships lay hovering upon the Coasts of Scilly as though he would attempt something against it and the occasion of it being demanded of the States they replied They had no other intent but to demand the restitution of such Ships and Goods as the Pirates thereof had taken from their people With which answer the Parliament were somewhat satisfied yet to prevent the worst April 18. 1651. Sir George Ayscough with a Squadron of ships designed for reducing the Caribbee-Islands was sent thither and landed three hundred Seamen besides souldiers and soon became masters of the Islands Tresco and Briers taking therein one hundred and fifty prisoners and killing twenty They took also two Frigates of thirty two and eighteen Guns and secured the best Harbour belonging to those Islands Hence the Enemy fled to St. Maries their chief strength which yet was soon surrendred Cornet-castle in the Isle of Guernsey was at this time attempted but through mis-information of the weakness of the place the design miscarried with the loss of many Officers and souldiers About this time Brown Bushel a very earnest stickler for the Royal party both by Sea and Land and who when in the service of the Parliament had delivered up Scarborough to the King was taken and beheaded at Tower-hill The Parliament of Scotland having adjourned during the Coronation of the King met again in March and some differences arose about restoring several Lords of the Royal party to their seats in the House which yet the Assembly would not admit of till they had passed the stool of Repentance which Duke Hamilton did with some kind of splendor having a Table placed before him with a black Velvet cover and a Cushion of the same and making a great Feast that day The King having now got some power endeavoured to regain reputation among his subjects by putting all the Garrisons of Fife into a posture of defence against the landing of the English drawing what Forces he could spare both Horse and Foot from Sterling and joining them with the new Leavies which for better security he Quartered on the Water side and then goes to the Highlands to compose all differences there and to incite them to rise and join with him from whence Midleten soon after brought a considerable body of Horse and Foot and the Town of Dundee raised a Regiment of Horse at their own charge and sent them with a stately Tent and six fine brass cannon for a present to the King then at Sterling whose Army now consisted in six thousand Horse and fifteen thousand foot but the Earl of Eglington being sent to the West with some other commanders to raise more forces coming to Dunbarton Collonel Lilburn upon notice sent a party of Horse who suddenly seized the Earl his Son Collonel James Montgomery Lieutenant Collonel Colborn and some others whom they carried prisoners to Edinburgh At the same time a design was discovered the English Covenanters intending a general rising in Lancashire to join with the Scots the chief
another place and soon after most of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland were taken at a place called Ellet in that Kingdom where they were assembled to propagate the Royal cause namely Old General Lesley Earl Marshal Earl of Crawford the Lords Keith Ogilby Burgoiny Huntley Ley with many Knights Gentlemen and Ministers which soon after were ship'd and sent for England Such was the sudden change of the condition of the Scots and the King that he who a few days before was proclaimed King of Great Britain had now neither Camp nor Garrison to retire to five hundred pounds sterling being offered to discover him so that after travelling in disguise and through many dangers about England he at length found an opportunity to imbark at Shoreham in Sussex for Newhaven in France where he arrived Octob. 2. following Of the great number of prisoners taken none of Quality suffered but the Earl of Derby who was beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire and Sir Tim. Fetherstone Others of less note suffered at Chester Shrewsbury and other places Nor did many of the Royalists themselves expect any better fortune in this expedition than what happened as appears by Duke Hamiltons Letter to Sir William Crofts taken among other papers a few days before the fight to this purpose We are all laughing at the ridiculousness of our condition 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 confess 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 dye 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 we see this undertaking was not the product of deliberate counsel but of necessity and desperation This battel put a period to the Kings hopes of getting the Government by Arms and on the other hand secured to Cromwel all his former Conquests the influence whereof though acted in England was great in Scotland for their principal Nobility and souldiery being cut off they were no longer able to bear up but were soon reduced to the obedience of England And Cromwel giving an account to the Parliament of this great success he concludes his Letter by telling them That this was a crowning Victory which was afterward thought to proceed from the foresight of his future Greatness This fight happened Sept. 3. 1651. that very day twelve-month wherein the Scots received that fatal blow at Dunbar afore-mentioned After the battel Cromwel staâ—d no longer than to see the Walls of Worcester levelled to the ground and the Ditches filled up with earth to discover his aversion to the Inhabitants for receiving his Enemies into it and Sept. 12. came to London being met at Acton by the Parliament and their Speaker the Lord Mayor of London Aldermen and Recorder and hundreds of others to whom Steel the City Recorder made a Congratulatory Oration extolling all his Victories and Exploits with the highest flights of Rhetorick and applying to him the words of Psalm 149 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand to execute vengeance upon the Heathen and punishments upon the people to bind their Kings with chains and their Nobles with fetters of iron to execute upon them the judgment written this honour have all the Saints praise ye the Lord. After which he was conducted in triumph to his House near White-hall great number of Scotch prisoners coming after him through Tuthill-fields to Westminster as Trophies of his Victories and the Colours taken there with those at Dunbar Westminster Preston were hung up in Westminster-Hall After a short repose General Cromwel and Lieutenant General Lambert went to take their places in Parliament where they were entertained by the Speaker with a second Congratulatory Oration magnifying their courage and gallantry and acknowledging the great obligation which the people of England were under toward them The same day the Lord Mayor feasted the General and his Officers where mutual returns of kindness passed between them to the satisfaction of both parties Oct. 14. 1651. Collonel Hayn with two Regiments of foot and two Troops of Horse were shipp'd at Weymouth for reducing the Isle of Jersey in eighty Vessels under the command of General Blake who came to St. Owens Bay where the ships running aground the men leapt out some to the middle others up to the neck in water and ran ashoar the enemy playing hard upon them with great and small shot and gave a hot charge with their Horse yet after half an hours dispute they fled and left behind them twelve cannon and some colours After which the English marched further into the Island within sight of Elizabeth Castle under which was a Fort called St. Albans Tower where were fourteen Guns which upon summons was delivered and so was Orgueil castle and soon after Elizabeth castle upon very good terms to the Garrison and Governour Sir George Cartaret because of its great strength The Isle of Man was likewise reduced in a short time with the castles of Peele and Rushen both very strong and almost impregnable as well as Cornet castle in the Isle of Guernsey if the besieged had had resolution to defend them About this time died Admiral Popham and Henry Ireton Son-in-law to Oliver Cromwel at Lymerick which Kingdom in a little while after was wholly subdued and brought under the obedience of the Government of England The Parliament now passed two or three considerable Acts one for Incorporating Scotland into one Common-wealth with England another of Oblivion and free pardon a third to determine the Session of this Parliament on Nov. 3. 1654. a fourth for the increase of shipping and incouragement of Navigation wherein was enacted That no Goods or Commodities of the growth or manufacture of any places in Asia Africa America or Europe should be imported into England Ireland or any of the Territories thereof but only in English ships under the penalty of forfeiting the Goods and Ships And that no Goods whatsoever shall be brought in unless they be ship'd from the places of their growth and manufacture only Also that no Fish or Oyl made of Fish or Whale-bone shall be imported but only such as shall be caught in Vessels belonging to the English Lastly that no kinds of salted fish from Feb. 1. 1653. shall be exported in any other save English Vessels with several other exceptions and provisoes in reference to East-India Goods and of commodities from Turky Spain and Portugal This last Act was very grateful to the Merchants and Seamen but did extreamly surprize and disturb the Holl inders as judging it would cause a vast diminution in their Trade which with so much advantage they had long driven to the loss and detriment of the English Nation who
two hours fight by another as big the first of which she sunk presently after and yet was also possest by the Dutch The Sampson was boarded by young Rere Admiral Trump on one side and a Fireship on the other and so was soon burnt The loss of these five Ships was the greatest damage the English sustained since the War began and was done in the sight of Captain Boddily and nine English frigates who did not in the least assist them for which they were branded with Cowardice and Treachery At this time the King of Portugal unable to resist the power of the English at Sea sent over an Extraordinary Ambassador to conclude a peace and to give satisfaction for the Merchants losses An Agent was likewise sent from the French King desiring the release of his Ships taken going for the relief of Dunkirk and to have a right understanding between the two Republicks And on the other side four Deputies were sent from the Prince of Conde to crave aid against Cardinal Mazarine and his party who had strictly besieged the City of Bordeaux but all mediation proved ineffectual the breach being too great between the two States to be easily cemented Other Nations likewise endeavoured to be Mediators between England and Holland as the Queen of Sweden the Cantons of Switzerland the Imperial Cities of Lubeck and Hamburgh but all was fruitless This was the posture of the Civil and Military affairs of this Nation when General Cromwel with Major General Lambert Harrison and seven or eight Officers more came to the House of Commons April 23. 1653. with about twelve fouldiers whom he ordered to wait at the door and being entred spake to this purpose You have sufficiently deluded the people and provided for your own and your Relations benefits possessing these seats under a pretence of forming a Common-wealth of reforming the Laws and promâ—â—ing the publick Good whereby you have imposed upon the Kingdom whilst in the mean time you have only Invaded the goods of the Common-wealth have thrust your selves and Relations into the gainfullest and most honourable Offices only to nourish Luxury and Impiety Then stamping on the ground which was a sign to the souldiers at the door For shame says he rise quickly hence and give place to those that are honester and will better perform their Trusts Upon which they all began to move some by force or fear others murmuring but the Speaker not rising readily out of the Chair Major General Harrison lent him his hand and gently listed him out General Cromwel also commanded that bauble as he called the Mace to be taken away When the Members were all departed the doors were lock'd up and Guards set upon them and all the Avenues of the House And thus was this mighty parliament dissolved or dismissed after near twelve years sitting and after having transacted so many great affairs and this without opposition or disturbance their powers transferred into the hands of the Souldiery and their Names reprogched and vilified by the common people But to satisfie the Nation General Cromwel and his Officers published a Declaration which they had prepared the day before of the Reasons of their proceedings as followeth Our intention is not at this time to give an account of the grounds which first moved us to take up Arms and ingage our lives and all that was dear unto us in this Cause nor to mind in this Declaration the various dispensations through which Divine Providence hath led us or the Witness the Lord hath born and the many signal Testimonies he hath given to the sincere endeavours of his unworthy Servants whilst they were contesting with many and great difficulties as well in the Wars as other Transactions in the three Nations being necessitated in the defence of the same Cause they first asserted to have recourse unto extraordinary actions the same being evident by former Declarations published on that behalf And after God was pleased not only to reduce Ireland and give in Scotland but so marvelously to appear for his people at Worcester that these Nations were reduced to a degree of peace and England to perfect quiet whereby the parliament had opportunity to give the people the Harvest of all their labour blood and treasure and to settle a due liberty in reference to Civil and Spiritual things whereunto they were obliged by their duty and ingagements and those great and wonderful things God hath wrought for them yet they made so little progress therein that it was a matter of much grief to the good people of the Land who thereupon applied themselves to the Army who though unwilling to meddle with the Civil Authority agreed that such Officers as were Members of Parliament should move them to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amiss in the Common-wealth and in settling it upon a foundation of Justice and Righteousness Which being done it was hoped the Parliament would have answered their expectations But finding the contrary they renewed their desires in an humble Petition in August 1652. which produced no considerable effect nor was any such progress made therein as might imply their real intentions to accomplish what was Petitioned for but rather an averseness to the things themselves with much bitterness and opposition to the people of God and his spirit acting in them insomuch that the Godly party in Parliament were rendred of no further use than to countenance the ends of a corrupt party for effecting the desire they had of perpetuating themselves in the Supream Government For which purpose the said party long opposed and frequently declared themselves against having a new Representative and when they saw themselves necessitated to take this Bill into consideration they resolved to make use of it to recruit the House with persons of the same spirit and temper thereby to perpetuate their owe sitting which intention divers of the activest among them did manifest labouring to perswade others to a consent therein and the better to effect this divers petitions preparing from several Counties for the continuance of this Parliament were incouraged if not set on foot by many of them For obviating these evils the Officers of the Army obtained several meetings with some of the Parliament to consider what remedy might be applied to prevent the same but such endeavours proving ineffectual it became evident that this Parliament through the corruption of some the jealousie of others and 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
Council of State be constituted to take care of and intend the peace safety and present management of the affairs of the Common-wealth which being settled accordingly the same is hereby declared and published to the end all persons may take notice thereof and in their several places and stations demean themselves peaceably giving obedience to the Laws of the Nation as heretofore in the exercise and administration whereof as endeavours shall be used that no oppression or wrong be done to the people so a strict account will be required of all such as shall do any thing to endanger the publick peace and quiet upon any pretence whatsoever O. Cromwel April 30. 1653. The Hollanders hoped to reap advantage from these Revolutions but found themselves mistaken the Naval affairs being still managed with as much application as before as they soon felt to their cost for the Dutch having a great Fleet of Merchants ships Outward bound durst not venture through the channel but with a Fleet of about Ninety Men of War convoyed them by the North of Scotland toward the sound and there met with another Fleet of Merchant men Homeward bound from Russia East-India and France whom they brought home safe and hearing the English Fleet was Northwards came into the Downs taking two or three small Vessels and made some shot into Dover Town boasting the English Fleet was lost and that they would send a Hue and Cry after them when on a sudden the English Navy arrived from the North and came into Yarmouth-Road June 1. Being at Anchor in Sole-Bay they discovered two Dutch Galliot Hoyses to whom chase was given till the whole Dutch Fleet was discovered but the weather proving dark they lost sight of them June 3. Our Fleet being at Anchor off the Gober discovered the Enemy about two Leagues to Leeward being about 100 sail and weighed toward them about Noon both Fleets were Ingaged which for some hours were very sharp so that in the Evening the Dutch bore right away before the wind Next day at Noon they ingaged again and after four hours dispute the Hollanders would have got away but the wind freshing Westerly the English bore in so hard among them that they took eleven Men of War two water Hoys six Captains fifteen hundred prisoners and sunk six men of War more the rest escaped by the darkness of the Night and the Flatts The English lost General Dean one of their Admirals who was killed with a great shot the first day with one Captain and bout one hundred and fifty men more and two hundred and forty wounded but not one ship was lost The English were much incouraged by General Blakes coming in during the fight with sixteen sail of stout men of War The Dutch having in the Night got into the Wielings the Flye and Texel it was resolved to sail as near the Coast as was safe where the English lay for some time taking many prizes to the great damage of the Hollanders whose ships could neither go in or out from any one Port to join together to oppose them General Cromwel and his Council of Officers having considered of the qualifications of the next Parliament and made a List of those persons in England Scotland and Ireland to whom they designed to commit the Legislative power Warrants were issued out for them to appear at the Council Chamber at White-Hall July 4. 1653. to this effect Forasmuch as upon the dissolution of the late Parliament it became necessary that the peace safety and good Government of this Common-wealth should be provided for and in order thereunto divers persons fearing God and of approved fidelity and honesty are by my self with the advice of my Council of Officers Nominated to whom the great charge and trust of so weighty affairs is to be committed and having good assurance of your love to and courage for God and the Interest of his Cause and the good people of this Common-wealth I Oliver Cromwel Captain General and Commander in chief of all the Armies and Forces raised or to be raised within this Common-wealth do hereby summon and require you being the persons Nominated personally to be and appear at the Council-Chamber commonly called or Known by the Name of the Council-Chamber at White Hall within the City of Westminster upon the fourth day of July next ensuing the date hereof then and there to take upon you the said Trust unto which you are hereby called and appointed to serve as a Member for the County of _____ And hereby you are not to fail Given under my Hand and Seal the eighth day of June 1653. O. Cromwel July 4. The persons summoned to the number of an hundred forty four out of the three Kingdoms met accordingly at the Council-Chamber at White-Hall where was General Cromwel and several of his Officers who made a Speech to them recounting The many wonderful mercies of God to this Nation and the continued series of Providences by which he had appeared in carrying on this Cause and bringing affairs into the present condition with their progress since the famous victory at Worcester and the actings of the Army thereupon after divers applications to the Parliament and waiting upon them with the grounds and necessity of their dissolving which he declared to be for the preservation of this Cause and the interest of all honest men who have been ingaged therein He then told them of the clearness of the Call given to the Members then present to take upon them the supream Authority and from the Scriptures exhorted them to their duty desiring that a tenderness might be used toward all conscientious persons of what Judgment soever After which General Cromwel produced an Instrument under his own Hand and Seal whereby he did with the advice of his Officers devolve and intrust the supream Authority and Government of the Common-wealth into the hands of the pâ—â—â—ons there met who or any forty of them were to be held and acknowledged the supream Authority of the Nation unto whom all persons within the same and the Territories thereto belonging were to yield obedience and subjection and that they should sit no longer than Nov. 3.1654 and three months before their dissolution they were to make choice of other persons to succeed them who were not to sit above twelve months anâ—â—chen to provide for a succession of Government Which Instruction being delivered them the General commended them to God himself with his Officers withdrew From thence the Members forthwith adjourned to the Parliament-House at Westminster and first considered what Title to take to themselves and after three days debate they resolved they would be called The Parliament of the Common-wealth of England and chose Mr. Rous for their Speaker About this time John Lilburn being a few months before banished by an Act of the last Parliament for certain crimes he was charged with took occasion upon this change of Government to return into England and cast himself upon
Protector All the great Offices of the Common-wealth such as Chancellor Keeper of the Seal Governor of Ireland Admiral c. if they become void in parhament time to be supplied by their approbation or in intervals of parliament with the approbation of the Council The Christian Religion as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures to be the publick profession of the Nation and those that administer it to be maintained by the publick but by some way more convenient and less liable to envy than Tythes None are to be compelled to consent to the publick profession by fine or any punishment ever but only by perswasion and arguments None that profess Faith in Jesus Christ are to be prohibited the exercise of their Religion provided he do not quarrel with nor disturb others except the papists and prelatists who are debarr'd that License All Sales of Estates made by parliament to stand good All Articles of War to be made good And lastly the protector and his successor upon entring that charge to swear to procure by all means the peace quiet and welfare of the Common-wealth to observe these Articles and to administer all things in his power according to the Laws Statutes and Customs of England After this Dec. 16. 1653. the protector came from White-Hall to the Chancery Court at Westminster attended by the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England the Barons of the Exchequer and Judges in their Robes the Council of the Common-wealth the L. Mayor Aldermen and Recorder of London in their scarlet Gowns and many of the chief Officers of the Army A Chair of State being set the Protector stood on the left hand thereof uncovered till the Instrument was read which he subscribed in the face of the Court and then swore to perform as follows I promise in the presence of God not to violate or infringe the matters and things contained in the Instrument but to observe and cause the same to be observed and in all things to the best of my understanding will govern these Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs and to seek their peace and cause Justice and Law to be equally administred Hereupon he sate down covered in the Chair the Lords Commissioners then delivered him the Great Seal of England and the Lord Mayor his Sword and Can of maintenance which he instantly returned Then the Court rose and the Protector was attended back as before to the Banquetting House at White-Hall the Lord Mayor bare headed carrying the Sword before him where an exhortation being made by Mr. Nicholas Lockier one of his Chaplains the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Judges departed And thus was the Protector confirmed in this high Dignity tho' many of his Officers and former admirers were much discontented thereat but to command obedience the Council emitted the following Proclamation which was published in England Scotland and Ireland Whereas the late Parliament dissolved themselves and resigned their powers and Authorities the Government by a Lord Protector and successive elective parliaments is now established And whereas Oliver Cromwel Captain General of all the Forces of this Common-wealth is declared Lord protector of the said Nations and hath accepted thereof We have therefore thought it necessary as we hereby do to make publication of the premises and strictly to charge and command all and every person and persons of what quality and condition soever in any of the said three Nations totake notice hereof and to conform and subject themselves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Mayors Bayliffs c. are required to publish this proclamation to the end that none may have cause to pretend Ignorance in this behalf The Protector began his reign with seeming serenity and when the different parties in Religion made their complaints to him against each other he usually told them That his power was no greater in the Nation than a Constables which was to keep peace and quietness among all parties And persuant to the power given him by the new Instrument he supplies the several Courts at Westminster with the ablest Judges and Lawyers and the City of London to shew their concurrence to this great change invite the Protector to Dinner at Grocers-Hall Feb. 8. being Ashwednesday the Streets were railed to Temple-bar the Livery men standing in their Gowns he was met at Temple-bar by Alderman Vyner Lord Mayor who delivered him the Sword and receiving it again bore it on Horseback bare-headed before him all the way After a Noble enterrainment he was served with a Banquet in the conclusion whereof he Knighted Sir Tho. Vyner and would have done the same to the Recorder Steel but he declined it The Hollanders being weary of the Wars which they had maintained with such little success and so great cost send commissioners to treat with the pretector for a peace between both Nations which at length was concluded both with the King of Denmark and the Dutch who were to pay the charge of the War money being very necessary in his new Government and in April following it was proclaimed with great solemnity in London the two Dutch Ambassadors making magnificent Treatments and Fire-works to demonstrate their satisfaction therein The Protector now sends his eldest Son Henry into Ireland of which he was made Lord Deputy soon after and General Monk was sent into Scotland Likewise the Lord Whitlock who was sent Ambassador by the last parliament to the Q. of Sweden had now a new commission sent him from the Lord protector in whose Name he continued the Treaty with that Crown and afterward finished it In March following Monsieur Bordeux was sent Ambassador to England from the French King and Sir Anthony Ashly Cooper Coll. Sydenham and Mr. Strickland were appointed Commissioners by the protector to treat with him so that he was owned abroad as well as at home King Charles was then in the French Court who finding that notwithstanding his own and his Mothers endeavours to the contrary the Treaty between France and England was vigorously prosecuted by Cardinal Mazarine and foreseeing that if the peace were concluded he and his party must be obliged to depart France he thought it more Honourable voluntarily to leave that Kingdom than to stay till he were forced out by a complement so the King with his Brother the Duke of York and his Cousins Prince Rupert and Edward retired to Chattillon a House of the Prince of Condes from whence soon after the King and Prince Rupert went into Germany and indeed it happened as they suspected for one of the Articles of the French King with the protector was That none of the Royal Family of England should reside in the Dominions of France In Feb. 1654. several persons were committed to the Tower about a conspiracy against the protector the chief whereof Sir Gilbert Gerrard Coll. John Gerrard his brother the E. of Oxford Mr. Philip Porter Mr. Vowell a School-master at Islington and in June following an High Court
of the number of four thousand which was promised and expected Coll. Penruddock finding his affairs desperate resolved to try Devonshire and Cornwall and in this condition about 100 of the most resolute without staying any where came hungry sleepy and weary to Southmolton in Devonshire hoping at worst to get away by Sea but that Night their Quarters were beaten up by Capt. Crook about ten a clock and some Houses forced but coll Penruddock maintained his Quarters till he had Articled with the Captain and then surrendred himself with him were taken coll Jones a Kinsman of Cromwels coll Grove and sixty other prisoners with 120 Horse but Sir Joseph Wagstaff Mr Robert Mason Esq Clark and Mr. Tho. Mompesson escaped beyond Sea and so this rising was quickly supprest There were some appearances of the like at Rustord-Abby in Nottingham-shire at Hessummoor in Yorkshire and in the Counties of Montgomery and Cumberland for which some few were executed but those weak efforts with some others came to nothing and the Kings Restoration which was mightily expected at this time proved unsuccesful After which the King discovered the Treachery of Manning to him upon this occasion Some Gentlemen going for England came to take leave of the King at Colen to whom the King wished a good Journey and prosperity to their Design when they arrived in England they were seized and examined before the Protectors Council whether they did not speak with the King such a day repeating what past between them Advice hereof being sent the King he recollected that none but coll Tuke and this Manning who held the candle were present at this passage He declared the whole matter to the collonel who much surprized protested his innocency and by the Kings command went directly to Mannings chamber and not staying opening the door forced it and found him chewing of papers and a packet by him newly come from Thurloe the Protectors Secretary at which Manning was so much astonish'd he could not speak a word His Father was kill'd in the Kings service and himself had been Secretary to the E. of Pembroke and upon that account was intrusted with the Kings secrets At the instance of the whole Court the King ordered him to be shot to death in one of the Castles of the Duke of Newburg The Protector had drawn 4000 foot from Ireland and 600 Horse from Scotland but upon quelling this Rising they were remanded Coll. Penruddock and coll Grove were beheaded and seven others were hanged at Exeter The Protector had a great while been preparing a mighty Fleet with all necessary provisions for some notable Enterprize and every one fearing their own States could not guess whither this design tended At length those vast preparations produced two mighty Fleets one under the command of General Blake which was fitted only for the Sea and sent to the Streights the other about two months after was committed to the charge of Gen. Pen who was to take abroad him an Army under General Venables These Land Forces being about 3000 were divided into the several Ships which were thirty sail of men of War but had not necessary provisions for so great an Army the Commanders not knowing whither nor how far they were to go Dec. 19. 1654. This Fleet set sail from Portsmouth directly to the Barbadoes where the Generals had order to break open their Commissions this being the appointed place of Rendevouz whither having a fair wind they arrived Jan. 29. following and landed all their men in Carlisle-Bay The sudden departure of these two great Fleets caused the King of Spain who doubted they were designed against him to send the Marquess de Leda Governor of Dunkirk into England as Extraordinary Ambassador to penetrate into this grand Court secret but having spent several days after his arrival without receiving that satisfaction he desired he returned back again Whilst the Fleet was at Barbadoes the Officers were very diligent in their charges and caused the Shallops which they had brought from England ready framed to be set up and the water Casks to be trimmed Two Frigates are sent to St. Christophers and Nevis to raise men to compleat their Regiments and form Regiments out of the Seamen to serve upon occasion At length they ship'd 6000 men and a Troop of Horse raised by the Barbadians at their own charge and sailing thence March 31. 1655. in six days arrived at St. Christophers where they had a Recruit of 1300 Voluntiers most servants to the planters who willingly ingaged because during the time their service went on and they might afterward be as free as their masters so that though the Fleet was strengthned by seizing twenty Dutch ships trading there contrary to Articles yet they were all full tho' there were scarce provisions for half the number if any accident should happen From hence they steered directly for Hispaniola and April 13. 1655. came in sight of St. Domingo the principal Town and against which they chiefly designed A Council of War being called it was unanimously concluded That General Venables should land with his Forces and accordingly next day he sent ashoar seven thousand Foot a Troop of Horse and three days provision about ten or twelve Leagues Westward of the Town the Souldiers were even ravished with the hopes of the mountains of Gold they should obtain which seemed to put universal courage through the whole Army so that there appeared a certainty of Victory But the General whether by order or to engross all to himself soon quelled their expectations by making proclamation That upon the taking St. Domingo no man should presume to plunder either money plate or Jewels or to take or kill any tame Cattel whatsoever upon pain of death This it was judged defeated the whole design the Souldiers being unwilling to endanger themselves when there was no prospect of advantage howsoever they were obliged to march forward tho' with much difficulty passing through such thick Woods that they were forced to cut their way and could not find a drop of fresh water so that with the drought caused by the excessive heat of the Sun which even pierced their Brains and their discontent of mind for sorrow is dry most of them were faint and disabled Having in two days got through the Woods without opposition from the Spaniards they at length joined coll Bullards Brigade consisting of three Regiments of foot whom Admiral Pen had landed on the side of the Bay about two Leagues from the Town near a River of fresh water being the appointed rendevouz of the whole body which now consisted in nine or ten thousand men but most of them so weak as hardly able to go much less to fight yet being joined they marched on not doubting but to take the Town quickly A Forlorn Hope of 500 men under Capt. Cox the chief guide to this place advanced first after whom followed the whole Army being within four miles of the Town a small party of Horse suddenly
encounter the Forlorn Hope and in an instant routed them forcing them through the next Regiment which they likewise put to flight and had slain most of them but that the whole Army came up to their relief After which the Spaniards marched back to their Fort in good order and with little loss but near fifty English were slain besides Captain Cox their Guide The General hereupon retreats to the River to refresh his men with water which caused their weakness resolving once more to attempt carrying the Town causing Scaling ladders to be made and two small Drakes with a Mortar-piece to be landed from the Fleet and conveyed by water near the Town All things prepared they march forward some guides undertaking to carry them a private way out of danger of the Fort but missing it they fell into the same path and into worse mischief than before for the Spaniards having notice of their march by the Negroes and Molattoes resolved to entertain them in their passage and April 25. the whole Army approaching near a brick Fort built by the Spaniards having nine good Cannon and 300 men they were suddenly charged by a party hid among the Trees who though not above seventy first fired a Volley of shot upon the Forlorn and thâ—n flew in upon the English already weary and near choak'd with thirst and with their Steel Lances routed in a moment both them and the Generals Regiment with near half the Army who flying back into the Rear possest them with such a pannick fear that every one shifted for himself the Spaniards pursuing with great slaughter finding no resistance but from M. Gen. Haines who sold his life at a dear rate fighting in the midst of his Enemies at length the Spaniards weary of killing retreated with seven English Colours Of the English 600 were slain on the place 300 wounded and 200 fled into the Woods to save themselves and were there knock'd on the head by the Malatto's and Negro's Upon this disaster the Army that Night drew up to the Spanish Fort and planted a Mortar conveniently against it all things being in readiness for a battery when on a sudden the Army was commanded to draw off and without doing any damage marched to their old watering place the Bay where being arrived and wanting Victuals they were forced to go out in patties to fetch it some never returning being 〈◊〉 by the Negroes till at last they were forced by famine to eat the Horses of their own Troop In this miserable state they continued some days at length it was resolved that May 3. they should all go aboard and in ten days they arrived in the chief Port of Jamaica called Oristano where they had better success soon possessing the Town and then the Army began to take up their Habitations and to plant This was the first planting of this gallant Island by the English which has since grown so rich and populous and of so great advantage to this Kingdom and they gained it the more easily because at their landing it was resolved by a Council of War that if any man turned his back to the enemy his bringer up should kill him And the Spaniards having no Intelligence of their late overthrow at Hispaniola nor indeed suspecting any Hostility fled away at the approach of this formidable Army and withdrew their Goods into the Woods by a pretended Treaty with the English whither parties were sent to follow them and to kill Cattel for the Army of which they found store of very good without fighting to their great relief Soon after the Generals Pen and Venables arrived in England and the protector in reward of their Services committed them both prisoners to the Tower A little to alleviate this misfortune Gen. Blake about this time being sent to the Streights with a gallant Fleet to scour the Seas of Turkish pyrates who had taken and destroyed many English Ships and enslaved their persons he first seeks them out at Sea but not finding them resolves to go home to them and March 10. 1655. arrives at Algiers and Anchored without the mold sending a messenger to demand satisfaction of the Dey for the depredations committed on the English and required the delivery of the Captives of our Nation immediately The Dey having provided a large present of Beef and Mutton and other fresh provisions alive returns the â—essenger with them and this answer to the General That the Ships and Captives already taken belonged to particular men and therefore it lay not in his power to restore them withou the general discontent of all his subjects yet as for the English Captives that were there if he pleased to redeem them he should and he would set a reasonable and indifferent price upon their heads and that if the General thought good they would conclude a peace with him and for the future offer no Acts of Hostility on their part to any of the English Ships or Natives This answer seemed satisfactory to the General and accordingly the captives were redeemed and a peace concluded Having thus dispatch'd the affair of Algiers General Blake sails next to Tunis where sending a summons to the Dey he received a very disobliging answer for having secured their ships as they imagined under their Castles they in scorn and contempt sent him word Here are the Castles of Goletta and our Ships and Castles of Porto Ferino do your worst but do not think that we are affrighted at the sight of your Fleet. This resolute reply exasperated both the General and Seamen who resolved to be revenged and a Council of War being called it was resolved to burn the nine ships that were in Porto Ferino which they accordingly effected for every ships Boat being manned with stout and resolute Mariners were sent into the Harbour to assault and fire the ships whilst the Admiral Vice-Admiral and Rere Admiral play broad-sides continually on the Castle to prevent their sinking the boats who after a brave assault burnt the ships and return back again only with the loss of 25 men and 48 wounded This daring action of General Blake resounded to the honour of the English Nation as far as the Grand Signiors Court at Constantinople But to digress a little about this time Christians Queen of Sweden to the admiration of all Europe resigned up the Crown and Kingdom to her Kinsman Carolus Gustavus being contented from a mighty Princess to put her self into the condition of a Lady Errant desiring only these conditions might be granted her from her successor 1. That she retain a good part of her Kingdom and the customs to her self 2. That she will be no subject but absolutely free without controul 3. That she will Travel whether she pleaseth To these Prince Charles made this reply 1. That he would not be a King without a Kingdom 2. That he will have no Rival nor Superior 3. That he will not hazard himself about her designs abroad However these differences were so
accommodated that soon after she resigned her Kingdom leaving to her self only the bear Title of Queen but to him both the Title of King and possession of a Kingdom With this new King the Lord Whitlock who had been some time Ambassador there soon concluded a firm League Offensive and Defensive between these two Nations the effects whereof had soon appeared in Christendom had Cromwel lived much longer than he did The horrible massacre committed at this time upon the protestants in Piedmont and Savoy by the Forces of that Duke under the Marquess of Parella occasioned the protector to appoint a publick Fast and great sums of money were gathered in England and remitted to Sir Samuel Morland for their relief And now the Lord protector to secure himself from Insurrections constitutes new kind of Officers called Major Generals of Counties dividing the Kingdom into eleven parts the Names of whom are these For Kent and Surrey coll Kelsey for Sussex Hamshire and Berkshire coll Goff for Wilts Glocester Dorset Somerset Devon and Cornwall coll Desborow for Oxford-shire Bucks Hartford Cambridge Isle of Ely Essex Norfolk and Suffolk Lt. Gen. Fleetwood for the City of London M. Gen. Skippon for Lincoln Nottingham Derby Warwick and Leicester-shire Commissary Gen. Whaley for Northampton Bedford Rutland and Huntington Maj. Butler for Worcester Hereford Salop and North Wales coll Berry for Cheshire Stafford and Lancashire coll Wortley for Durham Cumberland York Westmoreland and Northumberland Lord Lambert for Westminster and Middlesex coll Barkstead Lieutenant of the Tower The greatest service they did was to oblige Delinquents to pay in the Tenths of their Estates for old offences and influence Elections of Parliament men but in a short time he dismiss'd them again Another design of the protectors was the admission of the Jews into England for which it was said they offered 200000 l. whereupon he proposes it to several Judges and Ministers for their approbation many arguments were used for and against it and several places of Scripture cited and divers conferences held about it with Dr. Manton Mr. Jenkyns and others who yet were not satisfied with the arguments of Manassch Ben Israel the Jewish Agent though the Irotector alledged That since there was a promise for their conversion means must be used to that end which is the preaching of the Gospel and that cannot be had unless they be permitted to reside where the Gospel is preached but no conclusion the publick re-admission of them was laid aside as a thing decried both by the Clergy and Laity The Spaniards having certain Intelligence 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 that King beyond the Line he always taking all English ships he could meet with and master that Traded there and hereupon he makes a seizure of all the Merchants persons and Goods then in Spain so that the War begins to grow hot both in the old and new World The Protector thereupon orders the Generals Blake and Montague to block up Cadiz the chief Port Town of that Kingdom and whither the Plate Fleet used yearly to come He likewise concludes a peace with France which was at Wars with Spain a long time by the Interest of Cardinal Mazarine the French King as you have heard banishing all the Royal Family of England except the Queen mother out of his Dominions at the desire of Cromwel and by the Instigation of that Cardinal The English Fleet under Montague and Blake had for some months in a manner besieged Cadiz by Sea but could by no provocation oblige the Spaniard to fight them who hoping that the English having suffered the fatigues of the Sea would be forced to depart for want of provisions thought it better policy to lose a little honour rather than to venture either men or ships against those who had maintained such terrible Sea fights against the Hollanders but the English found in Wyers Bay in Portugal a convenient supply of water and provisions which was much nearer than the Spaniards imagined Hither were the Generals gone for fresh water and provisions having only left a squadron of 7 ships under Capt. Stainer before the port of Cadiz to observe all ships passing in or out as they were thus plying for some days it happened that a stiff gale of wind forced Capt. Stainer to stand out to Sea where he espied part of the K. of Spains plate Fleet coming from the West-Indies and making directly for Cadiz he was somewhat to the Leeward but made up toward them with all the sail they could possible and after some hours with much labour the Captain in the Speaker with the Bridgwater and Plymouth Frigates got up to them the other four ships not being able to come up and presently ingaged them the Spanish Fleet consisted in 8 tall ships or Galleons yet in a short time they were wholly spoil'd one was sunk three burnt two ran ashoar and were bulged one escaped and two fell into the hands of the English one whereof had a great quantity of plate and Cockeweal in her the other were chiefly laden with Hydes In these ships many persons of Quality were taken and among others the two Sons of the Marquess of Badajoâ— who had been Governour of Peruand having gained a great Estate in new-New-England was now returning to live the remainder of his days in his own country he and his Wife and Daughter were burnt in one of the ships of which and the War with Spain with the present Victory hear what the Poet Laureat of that Age elegantly sings Now for some Ages had the pride of Spain Made the Sun shine on half the World in vain Whilst she bid War to all that durst supply The place of those her cruelty made dye Of Natures bounty men forbore to taste And the best portion of the Earth lay waste From the New World her Silver and her Gold Came like a Tempest to confound the Old Feeding with these the brib'd Electors hopes Alone she gave us Emperors and Popes With these advancing her unjust designs Europe was shaken with heâ— Indian Mines When our Protector looking with disdain Upon this gilded Majesty of Spain And knowing well that Empire must decline Whose chief Support and Sinews are of Coin Our Nations solid Virtue did oppose To the rich Troublers of the Worlds repose And now some months Incamping on the Main Our Naval Army had besieged Spain They that the whole Worlds Monarchy design'd Are to their Ports by our bold Fleet confin'd From whence our Red-cross they triumphant see Riding without a Rival on the Sea Others may use the Ocean as their Road The English only make it their aboad VVhose ready sailâ— with every wind can fly And make a Covenant with the unconstant Sky Our Oaks secure as if they there took root We tread on Billows with a steady foot Lords of the
upon the old foundation of the Law and that a Title upon a single present constitution as any new Title must be cannot be so firm as a Title built upon the present constitution and upon the old foundation of the Law likewise which the Title of King will be If any inconvenience should ensue upon your acceptance of this Title which the parliament adviseth your Highness's satisfaction will be that they did advise it On the contrary part if any inconvenience should arise upon your Highness refusal of this Title which the parliament hath advised your burthen will be the greater and therefore whatsoever may fall out will be better answered by your Highness complying with your parliament then otherwise the Question is not altogether new some instances have been given of the like to which I shall add two or three The Title of the Kings of England in the Realm of Ireland was Lord of Ireland and the parliament in the 33 year of Hen. 8. relating That inconveniences did arise there by reason of that Title did enact That Hen. 8. should assume the Stile and Title of King of Ireland which in the judgment of the parliament was preferred before the other In the State of Rome new Titles proved fatal to their Liberties their case was not much unlike ours they were wearied with a Civil War and coming to a settlement some would not admit the Title of Rex to be used but were contented to give the Titles of Caesar Perpetual Dictator Prince Senate Emperor So that at length the will of Caesar was their Law who said I am not a King but Caesar The Northern people were more happy among themselves a private Gentleman of a Noble Family took up Arms with his country-men against a Tyrant and by the blessing of God rescued the Native Liberties and Rights of their country from the oppression of that Tyrant This Gentleman had the Title of Marshal given unto him which continued for some years afterward their Parliament judging it best to resume the old Title Elected this Gentleman King and with him was brought in the liberty of Protestant Religion and the establishment of the Civil Rights of that people which have continued in a prosperous condition ever since in Sweden unto this day Sir I shall make no other application but in my prayers to God to direct your Highness and the Parliament as I hope he will to do that which will be most for his honour and the good of his people This speech was made April 26. 1657. but the Protector finding the inclinations of some of the people and especially of many Officers and Souldiers of the Army to be very averse to the Title of King which they had lately renounced and likewise doubting as it was then discours'd that they would fortifie his Title but weaken his Revenue who required Nineteen hundred thousand pound a year for the support of his Government besides the charge of the Spanish War he thereupon sent for the Parliament to the Banquetting-house at White-Hall May 8. following where he gave them his last and positive answer to this purpose Mr. Speaker I am come hither to answer that which was in your last paper to your Committee you sent me which was in relation to the desires which were offered me by the House in that they called their petition I confess that business hath put the Parliament to a great deal of trouble and spent much time I am very sorry that it hath cost me some and some thoughts and because I have been the unhappy occasion of the expence of so much time I shall spend little of st now I have the best I can resolved the whole business in my thoughts and I have said so much already in testimony of the whole that I think I shall not need to repeat any thing that I have said I think it is a Government that the aims of it seek much a settling of the Nation on a good foot in relation to Civil Rights and Liberties which are the Rights of the Nation and I hope I shall never be found to be of them that shall go about to rob the Nation of these Rights but to serve them what I can to the attaining them It hath also exceeding well provided for the safety and security of honest men in that great natural and religious liberty which is Liberty of Conscience These are great fundamentals and I must bear my Testimony to them as I have and shall do still so long as God lets me live in this World that the intentions of the things are very honourable and honest and the product worthy of a Parliament I have only had the unhappiness both in my conferences with your Committees and in the best thoughts I could take to my self not to be convicted of the necessity of that thing that hath been so often insisted upon by you to wit The Title of King as in it self necessary as it seems to be apprehended by your selves and I do with all honour and respect to the judgment of the Parliament testifie that ceteris paribus no private judgment is to lye in the ballance with the judgment of a Parliament but in things that respect particular persons every man that is to give an account to God of his actions he must in some measure be able to prove his own work that is To have an approbation in his own conscience of that he is to do or forbear And whilst you are granting others liberties surely you will not deny me this it being not only a liberty but a duty and such a duty as I cannot without sinning forbear to examine my own heart and thoughts and judgment in every work which I am to set my hand to or to appear in for I must confess therefore that though I do acknowledge all the other yet I must be a little confident in this that what with the circumstances that accompany humane actions whether they be circumstances of time or persons whether circumstances that relate to the whole or private or particular circumstances that compass any person that is to render an account of his own actions I have truly thought and do still think that if I should at the best do any thing on this account to answer your expectation it would be at the best doubtingly and certainly what is so is not of faith whatsoever is not of faith is sin to him that doth it whether it be with relation to the substance of the action about which the consideration is conversant or whether to circumstances about it which make all indifferent actions good or evil to him that doth it I lying under this consideration think it my duty only I could have wished I had done it sooner for your sake for saving time and trouble and indeed for the Committees sake to whom I must acknowledge publickly I have been unseasonably troublesome I say I could have wished I had given it sooner but truly this
Valour for he who was the life of the business received a wound in one of them of which he shortly dyed and with him the Spaniards lost possession of the Town of Dunkirk for after the French and English had played 14 days successively with their Mortar-pieces upon the place the Besieged grew weary of the sport and beat a Parley and the Town was delivered up to them Dunkirk being established in the hands of the English the French Army after about a months Siege possess themselves of Graveling a strong Fortress not far from Dunkirk so that the English and French had now in their hands all the Frontier Towns on this side Flanders Amidst these Triumphs and Successes the Lady Claypool the Protectors only Daughter and whose image she was said to be Dyed Aug. 6. at Hampton-Court from whence she was conveyed by Water four days after with a great many Mourning Barges to Westminster and there laid in the Painted-Chamber where a stately Hearse was prepared for her and about Twelve at Night was carried into K. Henry VII Chappel and there Interred in a place purposely provided for her Her death was said to beso grievous to her Father that it was thought the cause of his own soon after for having been very melancholly from that time till about the end of August his distemper at length appeared to be a Tertian Ague which together with other malignant humours so depressed his Vitals that it brought him to his end though with many strivings and strugglings he often falling into Swouns and Trances He could not be perswaded at first that his Distemper was mortal saying That as God had carried him to that height he did firmly believe he had some further Work for him to do and some of his Chaplains were of the same opinion But his Fits increasing and causing him to talk delitious and to faint often the Privy-Council concluding he could scarce endure another Fit repaired to him and earnestly pressed him according to the first Article of the Petition and Advice to Nominate his Successor and though he was hardly sensible yet they demanding if he did not appoint his Eldest Son Richard to succeed him he answered YES The Night before his departure he was observed to pray as followeth LORD I am a miserable Creature yet I am in Covenant with Thee through Grace and I may I will come unto Thee for thy people Lord thou hast made me though very unworthy a mean Instrument to do them some good and thee service and many of them had too high a value for me though others would be glad of my fall But Lord howsoever thou dost dispose of me do good to them Give consistency of Judgment one heart and mutual love unto them Let the Name of Christ be Glorious throughout the World Pardon such as delight to trample upon the Ashes of a Worm and pardon the folly of this short Prayer even for Jesus Christ his sake This was on Thursday Night and on Friday Morning Sept. 3. 1658. his twice Victorious day at Dunbar and Worcester there appeared all the signs of a dying person and about Three a Clock in the Afternoon he expired A day or two before his Death a very great Tempest happened which was thought to forbode it Thus you have a full account of the end of Oliver Cromwel Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland whose Valour mounted him to that height by which he raised his Family almost equal to the best of the Kingdom and the Nation to that Glory that Forreign Princes feared and envied him He had two Sons Richard who succeeded him and Henry who from fixteen years of Age was by his Father bred a Souldier and was at his Death Lord Deputy of Ireland And four Daughters Bridget first Married to the Lord Deputy Ireton and afterward to the Lord Fleetwood Elizabeth his second Daughter Married to the Lord Cleypool Master of his Horse Mary his third Married to the Lord Falconbridge Frances his youngest Married to the Lord Rich Grandson to the Earl of Warwick After his expiration the Corps was Imbalmed and wrapped in a sheet of Lead and Sept. 26. about Ten at Night removed from White-Hall in a Mourning Hearse where his Effigies was with great Magnificence exposed publickly to the view of multitudes who came daily to see it till November 3. following and then in great State it was conducted from Somerset-House to Westminster and placed in the Abbey-Church under a stately Monument Erected for it with the Banners and six Ensigns of Honour placed about it the Corps having been some days before Buried in a Vault purposely provided for it in King Henry the Sevenths Chappel Sic Transit Gloria Mundi A Catalogue of Books Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside History 1. ENglands Monarchs Or A Compendious Relation of the most remarkable Transactions from Julius Caesar to this present adorned with poems and the picture of every Monarch from K. William the Conqueror to the third year of K. William Q. Mary With a List of the Nobility the Knights of the Garter the number of the Lords and Commons who have Votes in both Houses of Parliament and many other useful particulars Price one Shilling 2. THE Wars in England Scotland and Ireland containing a particular and Impartial Account of all the Battels Sieges and other remarkable Transactions Revolutions and Accidents which happened from the beginning of the Reign of King Charles I. 1625. to His Majesties happy Restauration The illegal Tryal of K. Charles I. at large with his last speech at his suffering and the most considerable matters till 1660. with pictures of several accidents Price One Shilling 3. THE History of Oliver Cromwel being an Impartial Account of all the Battels Sieges and other Military Atchievements wherein he was ingaged in England Scotland and Ireland and particularly all the Sea Fights with the Dutch and French and likewise of his Civil Administrations while he had the Supream Government of these three Kingdoms till his Death Relating only matters of Fact without Reflection or Observation By R. B. Price One Shilling 4. HIstorical Remarks and Observations of the Ancrent and Present State of London and Westminster shewing the Foundations Walls Gates Towers Bridges Churches Rivers Wards Halls Companies Government Courts Hospitals Schools Inns of Courts Charters Franchises and Priviledges thereof with an account of the most remarkable accidents as to Wars Fires Plagues and other occurrences for above 903 years past in and about these Cities to the year 1681. Illustrated with pictures and the Arms of 65 Companies of London and the time of their Incorporating Price One Shilling 5. ADmirable Curiosities Rarities and Wonders in England Scotland and Ireland or an account of many remarkable persons and places and likewise of the Battles Sieges prodigious Earthquakes Tempests Inundations Thunders Lightnings Fires Murders and other considerable occurrences and accidents for many hundred years past Together
with the natural and artificial Rarities in every County in England with several curious Sculptures Price One shilling 6. THE History of the Kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland containing 1. An account of the most remarkable Transactions and Revolutions in Scotland for above 1200 years pasts during the Reigns of 68 Kings from 424. to K. James I. in 1602. 2. The History of Ireland from the Conquest thereof to this time with the miraculous persons and places strange accidents c. And a List of the Nobility and great Officers of State in both Kingdoms Plustrated with several pictures of some extraordinary observables Price One shilling 7. THE English Empire in America or a prospect of His Majesties Dominions in the West-Indies namely New-found-land new-New-England New-York New-Jersey Pensylvania Mary-land Virginia Catolina Bermudas Barbuda Anguilla Monserrat Dominica St. Vincent Antego Mevis or Nevis St. Christophers Barbadoes and Jamaica with an account of their Discovery Scituation and Product The Religion and manners of the Indians and other excellercies of these Countries To which is prefixed a relation of the first discovery of this New World and of the remarkable Voyages and Adventures of Sebastian Cabot Sir Martin Frobisher Captain Davies Capt. VVeymouth Capt. Hall Capt. Hudson Sir Tho. Cavendish the E. of Cumberland Sir VValter Rawleigh and other English VVorthies to divers places therein Illustrated with Maps and pictures of the strange Fruits Birds Beasts Fishes Insects Serpents and Monsters found in those parts of the VVorld Price One shilling 8. A View of the English Acquisitions in Guinea and the East-Indies VVith an Account of the Religion Government VVâ—rs strange Customs Beasts Serpents Monsters and other observables in those Countries And among others the Life and Death of Mahomet the Grand Impostor with the principal Doctrines of the Turkish Religion as they are display'd in the Alcoran Two Letters one written by the Great Mogul and the other by the King of Sumatra in the East Indies to our K. James I. of an unusual and extravagant stile The cruel Executions in those parts with the manner of the Womens burning themselves with their dead Husbands Together with a description of the Isle of St. Helena and the Bay of Souldania where the English usually refresh in their Voyages to the Indies intermixt with pleasant Relations and enlivened with pictures Price One shilling 9. THE English Heroe Or Sir Francis Drake Revived Being a full account of the dangerous Voyages admirable Adventures notable Discoveries and Magnanimous Atchievements of that Valiant and Renowned Commander As 1. His Voyage in 1572. to Nombre de Dios in the West-Indies where they saw a pile of Bars of silver near seventy foot long ten foot broad and twelve foot high 2. His incompassing the whole World in 1577. which he performed in two years and ten 〈◊〉 gaining a vast quantity of Gold and Silver 3. 〈…〉 into America in 1585. and taking the Towns of St. Jago St. Domingo arthagena and St. Augustine 4. His last Voyage into those Countries in 1595. with the manner of his Death and Burial Revised Corrected very much inlarged reduced into Chapters with Contents and beautified with pictures By R. B. Price One shilling 10. TWO Journies to Jerusalem containing first An account of the Travels of two English Pilgrims some years since and what admirable accidents befel them in their Journey to Jerusalem Grand Cairo Alexandria c. 2. The Travels of 14 English Merchants in 1669 from Scanderoon to Tripoly Joppa Ramah Jerusalem Bethlehem Jericho the River of Jordan the Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah and back again to Aleppo To which is added a Relation of the great Council of the Jews assembled in the plains of Ajayday in Hungary 1650. to examine the Scriptures concerning Christ By S. B. an English-man there present With the notorious delusion of the Jews by a counterfeit Messiah or false Christ at Smyrna in 1666. and the event thereof Lastly The Extirpation of the Jews throughout Persia in 1666. Epistle of King Agbarus to our Saviour with our Saviours answer Beautified with pictures Price One shilling 11. EXtraordinary Adventures of several famous men with the strange Events and signal mutations and changes in the Fortunes of divers Illustrious places and persons in all Ages being an account of a multitude of stupendious revolutions accidents and observable matters in divers States and Provinces throughout the whole world With pictures Price One shilling 12. THE History of the Nine Worthies of the World Three whereof were Gentiles 1. Hector Son of Priamus King of Troy 2. Alexander the great King of Macedon and conqueror of the World 3. Julius Caesar first 〈◊〉 of Rome Three Jews 4. Joshua Captain 〈◊〉 and Leader of Israel into Canaan 5. David King of Israel 6. Judas Maccabeus a valiant Jewish commander against the Tyranny of Antiochus Three Christians 7. Arthur King of Brittain who couragiously defended his country against the Saxons 8. Charles the Great K. of France and Emperor of Germany 9. Godfrey of Bullen King of Jerusalem Being an account of their Glorious Lives worthy Actions renowned Victories and Deaths Illustrated with poems and the picture of each Worthy By R. B. Price One shilling 13. FEmale Excellency or the Ladies Glory Illustrated in the worthy Lives and memorable Actions of Nine Famous Women who have been renowned either for Virtue or Valour in several Ages of the World As. 1. Deborah the Prophetess 2. The valiant Judith 3. Queen Esther 4. The virtuous Susanna 5. The chaste Lucretia 6. Voadicia Queen of Brittain in the reign of Nero Emperor of Rome Containing an account of the original Inhabitants of Brittain The History of Danaus and his fifty Daughters who murdered their Husbands in one Night Of the arrival of Brute Of the two Giants Corineus and Gogmagog Of K. Lear and his three Daughters Of Belin and Brennus who took the City of Rome Of the manner of Julius Caesars invading Brittain and of the Valour of Voadicia under whose conduct the Brittains slew 70 thousand Romans with many other remarkable particulars 7. Mariamne Wife to K. Herod 8. Clotilda Q. of France 9. Andegona Princess of Spain The whole adorned with poems and pictures to each History By R. B. Price One shilling 14. WOnderful Prodigies of Judgment and Mercy discovered in above 300 memorable Histories containing 1. Dreadful Judgments upon Atheists Blasphemers and perjured Villains 2. The miserable ends of many Magicians c. 3. Remarkable predictions and presages of approaching Death and how the event has been answerable 4. Fearful Judgments upon bloody Tyrants Murderers c. 5. Admirable Deliverances from imminent dangers and deplorable distresses at Sea and Land Lastly Divine goodness to penitents with the dying thoughts of several famous Men concerning a future state after this life Imbellished with divers pictures Price One shilling 15 UNparallel'd Varieties or the matchless action and passions of Mankind display'd in near 400 notable instances and examples discovering the transcendent