which was furthered by Whitelocke's advice to the Protector 20. The Commissioners of the Treasury made several reports to the Protector and Council of Arrears of money due to the state and upon advice with them his Highness and the Council made several orders for the Collecting and bringing in of those Arrears December 1657. 1. News of the King of Sweden's proceedings in the Isle of Funen 3. The distaste between the Protector and Bradshaw was perceived to increase 6. Order for the prosecution of some persons who had committed very great wasts and spoils in Forests 7. The Protector was perswaded to take to heart and to further the relief of the poor persecuted Protestants in the Vallies of Piedmont and to send an Agent to the Duke of Savoy to negotiate for favour to them as other Princes had done 11. Writs of Summons under the great Seal were sent to divers persons to sit as Members in the other House of Parliament The Form of the Writs was the same with those which were sent to summon the Peers in Parliament They were in all sixty among whom were divers Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen of ancient Families and good Estates and some Colonels and Officers of the Army Their Names were as followeth The Lord Richard Cromwell the Protectors eldest Son The Lord Henry Cromwell his other Son Lord Deputy of Ireland Nathaniel Fiennes John Lisle Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal Henry Lawrence Lord President of his Highness Privy Council The Lord Charles Fleetwood Robert Earl of Warwick Edmund Earl of Mulgrave Edward Earl of Manchester William Viscount Say and Seal Lord John Cleypole Master of the Horse Philip Viscount Lisle eldest Son to the Earl of Leicester Charles Viscount Howard Philip Lord Wharton Thomas Lord Fauconbridge Lord John Desborough Lord Edward Mountague Generals at Sea George Lord Eure. The Lord Whitelocke Sir Gilbert Pickering Colonel William Sydenham Sir Charles Wolseley Baronet Major General Philip Skippon Lord Strickland Colonel Philip Jones Sir William Strickland Francis Rous Esq John Fiennes Esq Sir Francis Russel Baronet Sir Thomas Honnywood Knight Sir Arthur Hasilrigge Baronet Sir John Hobart Sir Richard Onslow Knight Sir Gilbert Gerard. Sir William Roberts Knight John Glyn Oliver St. John Lords chief Justices William Pierpoint Esq John Jones Esq John Crew Esq Alexander Popham Esq Sir Christopher Pack Sir Robert Tichborn Edward Whalley Esq Sir John Barksted Knight Lieutenant of the Tower of London Sir George Fleetwood Sir Thomas Pride Richard Ingolsby Esq Sir John Hewson James Berry Esq William Goffe Esq Thomas Cooper Esq Edmund Thomas Esq George Monk Commander in chief of his Highness Forces in Scotland David Earl of Cassils in Scotland Sir William Lockart Sir Archibald Johnston of Warriston William Steele Lord Chancellour of Ireland The Lord Broghil Brother to the Earl of Corke in Ireland Sir Matthew Tomlinson 16. Colonel Sir John Reynolds who commanded the English Forces that joyned with the King of France was in a Pink coming over with Colonel White and others from Mardike for England and upon Goodwin Sands the Pink was cast away and all their men in her were drowned Among them was one William de Vaux a young man a good Scholar and very ingenious and being in a great storm in a former Voyage he vainly said That if ever he went to Sea again he would be contented that God should let him be drowned And now being again at Sea the Judgment imprecated by him did fall upon him and he was now drowned 24. The Commissioners of the Treasury prepared the business of the Contract with Commissioners for the Excise and new Impost 25. Some Congregations being met to observe this day according to former solemnity and the Protector being moved that Souldiers might be sent to suppress them he was advised against it as that which was contrary to the Liberty of Conscience so much owned and pleaded for by the Protector and his friends but it being contrary to Ordinances of Parliament which were also opposed in the passing of them that these days should be so solemnized the Protector gave way to it and those Meetings were suppressed by the Souldiers January 1657. 1. Whitelocke having lent Mr. Rushworth some Manuscripts he attended Whitelocke to shew him his Historical Collections as his Highness had ordered 3. A Meeting of the Gentlemen of the County of Bucks at Merchant-Taylors Hall where they had a great Feast 9. The Lord Willoughby petition'd the Protector for his Highness Order to go into the Country to dispatch some necessary business in relation to his Estate and promising to return to Prison which Petition the Protector granted 12. The Protector resolved to have a Collection for the poor persecuted Protestants of Piedmont 20. The Parliament met according to their Adjournment and the Members of the other House summoned by Writ met and sate in the Lords House as the Lords used to do formerly The Protector came thither and the Speaker with the House of Commons being sent for by the Black Rod came to the Lords House where the Protector made a solemn Speech to them but was short by reason of his Indisposition of health and after him the Lord Commissioner Fiennes spake to them more at large My Lords and Gentlemen of both the most honourable Houses of Parliament AMongst the manifold and various Dispensations of God's Providence of late years this is one and it is a signal and remarkable Providence that we see this day in this place a Chief Magistrate and two Houses of Parliament Jacob speaking to his Son Joseph said I had not thought to have seen thy face and lo God hath shewed me thy seed also Meaning his two Sons Ephraim and Manasseh And may not many amongst us well say some years since We had not thought to have seen a Chief Magistrate again amongst us and lo God hath shewn us a Chief Magistrate in his two Houses of Parliament Now may the good God make them like Ephraim and Manasseh that the three Nations may be blest in them saying God make thee like these two Houses of Parliament which two like Leah and Rachel did build the House of Israel May you do worthily in Ephrata and be famous in Bethlehem May it be your great business to procure the peace the safety and the prosperity of these three Nations and these things too not for themselves only but in order yet to greater and higher ends the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ amongst us and the Glory of God in the good of all men but especially of the Churches of God amongst men which as they are God's most precious Jewels and his chiefest care so must they also hold the choicest place in the eyes and in the hearts of all those that act under him and are cloathed with his power and authority In order to the great and glorious end you may please in the first place to reflect upon the Posture that
mightily increased the Scots Successes animated other Subjects to their illegal Pretences and impious Actions and in this time of the King's absence in Scotland the Irish Flames of Rebellion brake forth having been thus kindled The last year the Parliament at Dublin sent a Committee hither with a Remonstrance to the King of their Grievances and Pressures under the Government of the Earl of Strafford whom they had accused of high Treason The King gave them most favourable Answers and Redresses and parted with much of his own to give contentment to his Irish Subjects Mr. Wainsford Deputy there to the Earl of Strafford Lieutenant being dead the King by Commission constituted the Lord Ditton and Sir William Parsons in the Government there but finding Ditton not well liked he made Sir William Parsons and Sir John Borlace generally approved to be the Lords Justices there These applyed themselves to give all satisfaction to the people they abated the Subsidies given in Strafford's time from 40000 l. to 12000 l. Passed an Act of Limitation much desired to settle all Estates for sixty years precedent and another for relinquishing the King's Right found for him by Inquisition to four Counties in Connaght and other Territories He declared the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Papists there were permitted a private enjoyment of their Religion and a general good Agreement was had between the English and Irish In this Security the Irish Army was disbanded after which and in the King's absence in Scotland about October 23. there brake forth so horrid black and flagitious a Rebellion in Ireland as cannot be parallell'd in the Stories of any other Nation This was fomented and contrived by their Popish Priests and Lawyers some of their Maxims in Law were That any one being slain in Rebellion though found by Record gave the King no Forfeiture That though many thousands were in Arms and exercising the violences of War yet if they professed not to rise against the King it was no Rebellion That if one were Outlawed for Treason his Heir might reverse the Outlawry and be restored These and the like Tenets they published in their Parliaments and endeavoured a Suspension of Poyning's Act and the Act for annexing that Kingdom to the Crown of England and assumed a power of Judicature in Criminal and Capital Causes to be in their Parliament They took advantage of the Scots Sucesses of their Favourers in England and our Distractions here of the disbanding the Army there and the Death of the Earl of Strafford They raise Forces give out that the Queen was in the head of them and the King was coming with an Army to them and the Scots had made a League with them that they were authorised by the King's Commission and asserted his Cause against the Puritans of England To their Country-men they scatter Advertisements out of England of a Statute there lately made That all Irish shall come to the Protestant Worship on pain of loss of Goods for the first Offence of Lands for the second and of Life for the third Offence They give them hope to recover their Liberties and ancient Customs to shake off the English Yoke to have a King of their own Nation and to possess Goods and Estates of the English These Motives they published in Print That the King and Queen were curbed by the Puritans and their Prerogatives abolished which these as loyal Subjects take to heart and that the Catholick Religion is suppressed in England and the Catholicks there persecuted with all rigour even to death and that the Puritans in Ireland have threatned to doe the same there That in Ireland the Catholicks are made uncapable of any Office to the decay of them in their Estates Education and Learning That the Government of their Country is in the hand of Strangers who come thither poor and mean yet soon rise to wealth and honour by oppressing the Natives That there have been threatnings to send Forces to compel the Consciences of the Irish and to cut their Throats and that the Catholicks are not allowed to have any Arms or Ammunition but the Protestants and Puritans may Vpon all which they saw no way but to attempt to seize upon Arms where they could get them to save their Lives maintain the King and Queen their Religion and Country Upon these pretences and manifest untruths they ground their taking up of Arms. The first suspicion whereof was by Sir William Cole who about Octob. 11. wrote to the Lords Justices of great resort to Sir Phelim Oneale and to the Lord Macquierre and they were exceeding busie about dispatches About October 21. He wrote another Letter to them of what some Irish had revealed to him of a design to seize the Castle of Dublin to murther the Lords Justices and Councel and all the Protestants there and throughout the Kingdom But this Letter came not to their hands When many of the Conspirators were come to Dublin and met there at a Tavern one Owen O Conelly an Irish-man but a true Protestant came to Sir William Parsons about Nine a Clock at Night with a broken relation of a great Conspiracy to seize the Castle the next morning and that Mac Mahon who was one of them had told him so much Parsons seeing Conelly distempered with drink gave the less credit to his relation but wished him to return to Mac Mahon to get out of him what he could further of the Plot and to return to him again that Night Yet he did not so slight the Information but that secretly he ordered strong Guards in several places and assembled the Councel where they expected the return of Conelly who coming to them was seized on by the Guards who had carried him to Prison and so prevented the discovery of the Plot had not a Servant of Sir VVilliam Parsons accidentally come by and rescued Conelly and brought him somewhat recovered of his drinking unto the Lords Justices and Councel who confessed that a few days before upon Letters from Mac Mahon he went to meet him at Connaght but he being gone to Dublin Conelly followed him thither and they two went to the lodging of the Lord Macquierre that by the way Mac Mahon told O Conelly that this Night there would be a great number of Irish Noblemen Papists in Dublin who with himself would take the Castle by Morning then force the City by the Ordnance and destroy all the Protestants and so divers others were ordered in all parts of the Kingdom to seize and destroy all the English at an Hour designed viz. to Morrow by Ten a Clock and that no posting nor speed could prevent it That Conelly moved Mac Mahon to discover it rather to the State to prevent the mischief But he answered He could not help it yet that they owned their allegiance to the King and pay it to him but what they did was against the tyrannical Government over them and
Treason against the four Judges and to consider of a way to vindicate the Lords and Members of the Commons so indicted Several more forces about 1500 landed from Ireland in Wales and Sir William Brereton wrote to the Parliament that some of them were of the Rebels and the Lord Byron is joined with them The like power was given to Sir William Brereton and Sir Thomas Middleton for sequestrations and levying of moneys in Wales as was given to the Earl of Manchester in the associate Counties Five hundred of the Prisoners taken by Sir William Waller at Alton took the Covenant and served under him The Parliament wrote to General Essex to advance with his Army to joyn with Waller Essex answered that he held it not convenient for their Service and a little discontent began to kindle betwixt him and the House of Commons and the Committee of Safety The Commons ordered that none should elect or be elected Common Council men or Officers in London but such as had taken the Covenant The Commissioners of the Great Seal sate in the Queens Court Decemb. 22. and sealed above 500 Writs so desirous were people to have the course of Justice to proceed Colonel Brown is made Major General of the City Forces appointed to go to Sir William Waller Essex sent 600 Horse to Waller and removed his Army from St. Albans to Windsor to be the more in readiness to assist Waller and divers Kentish Forces came in to him and he sate down before Arundel Castle Duke Hamilton proscribed in Scotland gets to Oxford and there is committed close Prisoner an unhappy or unsteady man and by this you see the uncertainty of Greatness and of Princes favours Sir John Meldrum and Sir William Savile took in the Fort at Barton and after that Gainsborough for the Parliament about 600 Prisoners some of them Officers of Quality store of Arms and Ammunition The Parliament sate on Christmas day 1643. The Earls of Bedford and of Clare came from Oxford back again to the Parliament A Letter was intercepted from Oxford to Sir Peter Killegrew which brought him into suspicion Colonel Hutchinson Governour of Nottingham Castle acquainted the Parliament with an offer of the Earl of New Castle to pay him 10000 l. and to make him a Lord and Governour of that Castle to him and his heirs if he would deliver it to him for the King which Hutchinson refused The Scots Army of about 12000 advanced near to Berwick and publish a Declaration as they march of the justness of their undertakings in assistance of the Parliament Major General Skippon took Grafton House and in it Sir John Digby with 20 Officers of note and Horse and 200 Foot Arms and Money Some differences fell out at Coventry between the Earl of Denbigh and Colonel Purefoy a Member of the House of Commons they were both sent for to London and reconciled Many of the Protestants in Ireland refuse to submit to the cessation and joyn with the Scots Forces The King of Denmark providing to send assistance to the King of England and sending for men to the King of Poland to infest the Swedes the Letters being intercepted the Swedes enter Denmark and take sundry places there Colonel Fiennes was sentenced by the Council of War to be beheaded for the surrender of Bristol The King issued a Proclamation for adjourning the Parliament to Oxford and all the Members who had deserted the Parliament or been disabled met at Oxford General Essex came to London from St. Albans and was not well pleased with some Members and proceedings of the House of Commons Jan. 1643. The Earl of Bedford lately come from Oxford to the General to St. Albans was sent to London and committed to the Black Rod. Prince Maurice his Forces before Plimouth received a blow from the Garrison and the Princes men falling sick of the Camp Disease whereof many died he raised the siege Colonel Boswell with 800 Horse from Coventry took by storm Sir Thomas Holt's House 80 Prisoners store of Goods Money and Plate General Essex sent a new Commission with further powers to Sir William Waller which pleased the House of Commons A Plot was confest of setting on work a Petition from the City to the King for peace and to invite his Majesty to London and the Plotters were committed to Prison Mr. Riley a Clerk belonging to the Records in the Tower was committed for intelligence with Oxford The King sent Proclamations to the several Sheriffs to adjourn the Parliament to Oxford and to summon the Members of that County to appear at Oxford 22. of this month whereupon the Commons order their House to be called the same day Another Proclamation from the King was to adjourn the next Term and all the Courts of Justice from London which the Proclamation calls the Rebellious City to Oxford but the Parliament forbad it Arundel Castle was surrendred to Sir William Waller to mercy there were taken in it Sir William Ford High Sheriff Sir Edward Bishop Colonel Banfield and divers Gentlemen of Sussex 50 Reformades 1200 Prisoners with their Arms Money and with Pillage The Parliament imparted to the City at a Common Hall the late discovered Plot to make a difference between the Parliament and City to divert the Scots advancing hither and to raise a general Combustion under the pretence of Peace Sir Bazil Brooke and Mr. Riley were chief agents in this Plot. The Lord Byron took in Beeston Castle in Cheshire for the King The Parliament ordered the Commissioners of the Great Seal to issue forth a Proclamation for holding the next Term at Westminster and all Judges and Officers to attend here under pein of sequestration and forfeiture of their Offices The Lords sent to the Commons to hasten the impeachment against the Queen A new Ordinance of Excise passed The Lord Goring's Letter to the Queen was intercepted by which he gives her an account of Supplies of Money and Arms coming from France to our King that Monsieur Harecourt was to treat with the Parliament as the King should direct him and that all but two or three Jewels of the Crown were now pawned for money Upon this Letter and other Informations the Commons impeached the Lord Goring of High Treason and ordered the Letters of the French Ministers of State to be brought to the Committee of Safety A Party of Horse under Colonel Ashton in Lancashire marching to joyn with Sir William Brereton were by the way surprized and routed by the Lord Byron Brereton upon this alarm fell upon the Rear of the Lord Byron's Forces and killed and took many of them Major Brookban was shot to death for deserting his Colours and revolting to the King The Parliament wrote to Monsieur de Harecourt at Oxford to acquaint him with their grounds of stopping the Pacquet from France and with the Lord Goring's Letter from thence One Lord and Sir H. Mildmay and Sir William
for the Recruits to be sent to Sir T. F. The Ordinance past for putting Surrey into a posture of Defence and for pay for Farnham Garrison and another for 20000 l. towards reducing Oxford The Antiparliament sate again at Oxford and were about a Declaration to encourage their party and taking care for Money and Recruits for the King Colonel Baxter Governour of Reading went out with a party and faced Wallingford near their Works 2 Debate about Church affairs One Lusher had been apprehended for a Romish Priest the Spanish Ambassadour owned Lusher as his Servant and in favour of the Ambassadour both Houses discharged Lusher and ordered him to depart the Kingdom in ten daies Both Houses ordered the continuance of the Commissioners of the Great Seal and of the Master of the Rolls for six Months longer notwithstanding the Self-denying Ordinance Mr. Gourden a Member of the House of Commons presented to them a Letter from the Lord Savile with a Paper inclosed in it and desired that they might be read and after some Debate they were read The Letter was expressing his affections to the Parliament to whom he had come from the King and submitted himself and taken the Oath enjoyned in observance whereof and of his duty to the Parliament under whose protection he was he held himself obliged to discover to them what he knew concerning two of their Members who had done contrary to their trust and to the prejudice of the Parliament in the matters contained in the inclosed Paper That Paper set forth That Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke being persons well affected to the King and to his Cause were nevertheless two of the Parliaments Commissioners lately sent to Oxford to His Majesty with Propositions from the Parliament for Peace That they being at Oxford did contrary to their trust and to the prejudice of the Parliament treat and advise with the King and some great Lords about him namely the Earl of Lindsey the Earl of Southampton and others about the King's Answer to those Propositions and did give a Paper in writing what they advised the King's answer should be That their advice in the said Paper was followed by the King and some of the very words thereof were made use of in the King's Answer and that both before and after that time they held intelligence and correspondence with the King and his party at Oxford Much other Matter was in the Paper to the like effect and upon the reading of it divers of the House were very high and moved that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might make a present Answer to this Paper or Charge as some called it Mr. Hollis presently in his place made his Answer to the matter of the Paper and therein unadvisedly and suddenly confessed more than he needed to have done but denied any intelligence or correspondence by him with any of the King's party Mr. Whitelocke was not in Town this Morning and knew nothing of this business but after Mr. Hollis had spoken Mr. John L'Isle stood up and acquainted the House that Mr. Whitelocke being then absent if they pleased he would undertake to give him notice to attend the House the next Day which was ordered But some were not satisfied therewith and they fiercely moved That this being a charge of High Treason against two of their Members in whom the offence was greater than in others that they would proceed with equal justice and that both Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might be committed to the Tower Mr. Hollis who was present to be sent thither and a Warrant to apprehend Mr. Whitelocke and to carry him thither also Upon this Sir William Lewys stood up and with as much vigour on the other side said He could not but wonder at the justice of those who would commit a man to the Tower before he was heard and the other after he had fully answered that which they called a Charge That he could not admit it to be a Charge but a Scandalous and Libellous Paper against two worthy Members of the House who they all knew had served the Parliament faithfully and to the utmost hazard of their Lives and Fortunes And because they had done so and were so capable of doing further and more service to the Parliament therefore one of their enemies was come hither to cast a bone among them and to raise differences amongst the Members of Parliament a likely way when their other designs failed them to doe mischief to the Parliament He desired them to consider the person of him whom they called the Accuser who was indeed an Accuser of the Brethren that it was the Lord Savile now cloathed with a new Title from the King of Earl of Sussex and perhaps this present service was to be part of that by which he was yet to merit his new Title That still he was the same man who was first of the Parliament party then revolted from them to the King and now was revolted from the King to the Parliament again and that a Paper brought in from this person should be looked upon as a Charge against two worthy Members of their House or be in the least a ground to commit them to the Tower he could not sufficiently wonder at the reason or justice of such a motion as that was He rather thought it more reasonable and just and accordingly moved that this Libel this Paper might be thrown out of the House and the contriver of it the Lord Savile be under more streight custody and examined who set him on to promote this business and that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might not be put to the trouble of any further attendance about it This smart motion of Sir William Lewys so contrary to the former being spoken by him with great ingenuity and mettle and seconded by Sir Philip Stapleton and others of that party so wrought upon the House that the motion for commitment to the Tower was laid aside and Mr. L'Isle ordered to give notice to Mr. Whitelocke that the House required his attendance there the next day Carlisle was surrendred to the Parliament and Sir Thomas Glenham the Governour and the Garrison Souldiers had a Convoy by the Articles of surrender to Newark 3. At a Conference the Letters of the surrender of Carlisle were imparted to the Lords and agreed to send a Committee to the Common Council of London to acquaint them with some of the King's Letters taken at Naseby A Committee appointed to consider of the Northern Garrisons upon the borders of Scotland The King was at Ragland Castle to gather Recruits Sir T. F. was at Marlborough the Garrison of Taunton had often Skirmishes with Goring's Forces and at one time took 120 of their horse the besiegers drew off most of their horse to their Out-guards Between 4000 and 5000 Clubmen being up in Dorsetshire and Wilts carried themselves very tumultuously and forced the Parliaments quarters at Sturmister divers slain and wounded
Order about Soldiers Widows and Officers 27. A report from the Commissioners who treated with the General and his Officers about part of the Army going into Ireland and the result of the Officers and about the Petition intended from the Army Order to desire the General to use means to stop the progress of the Petition and thanks were given to the Commissioners and the House declared the good esteem they had of the Army 29. The Lords desired the concurrence of the Commons to an answer to the last Message from the King That they cannot consent to his desire in sending any of his Chaplains named in his Letter because they are disaffected to the present Government of the Church and have not taken the Covenant but for others of his Chaplains who have taken the Covenant if his Majesty please they will send them to him They desired the Commons concurrence also to the Ordinances for putting down Countrey Committees for prohibiting the killing of some flesh meats for eight weeks and for power to the Northern Committee Letters to Col. Harley and Col. Rossiter Members of the House from some of their Soldiers informed that the Petition of the Army was carried on and was subscribed by many and those who refused it threatned to be cashiered and that the subscriptions were to be sent to Lieutenant General Hammond Col. Hammond Col. Ireton Col. Rich. Order that a Letter be written from the Speaker to the General to hinder the progress of this Petition and a Declaration to require a desisting in it By this we may take notice how soon the Officers and Soldiers of an Army though never so successful and well disciplined will through want of Action fall into disorder and designs of trouble The Parliament took great care to prevent this and others were as busie to foment it Hammond Ireton Skippon and others were ordered to reside in the Army and some of their Quarters to be removed Car. 23 Vote that three Regiments of Horse under M. G. Pointz C. Bethel and C. Copley be continued and all the Foot of the Northern Association except those in Garrisons to be disbanded and all the Foot in England and Wales except those in Garrisons or such as are to be sent for Ireland shall be disbanded At a second meeting of the Officers of the Army at Saffron Walden by the desire of Sir William Waller and the rest of the Parliaments Commissioners this question was propounded to every Officer distinctly Whether upon the Votes and Resolutions of the House of Commons now read do you find cause to alter or recede from the third quaere concerning assurance of pay and subsistence It was resolved in the Negative by all except Col. Harley Col. Fortescue and Capt. Young The same question being proposed concerning the fourth Article To have satisfaction in payment of Arrears and Indemnity Resolved in the Negative by all except Captain Young The like question being proposed concerning the first quaere To know what particular Regiments Troops or Companies of this Army are to be continued in this Kingdom it pass'd likewise in the Negative All referring to the Votes yesterday Several other Officers that came in to the meeting agreed with the other Captain Young receded from what he concurred in yesterday and resolved upon the main question That he will engage with as many of his Soldiers as he can get and several other Officers did the like 30. Divers Compositions passed Letters from St. Malloe in France advising that a Pyrate about Jersey had made Prize of a vessel of the Parliaments going for Ireland with Cloath and Apparel for six thousand Soldiers Order for a Letter to the Parliaments Agent in France to desire the King to seize the Pyrate and restore the Ship The Lords desired the concurrence of the Commons to some desires of the Dutch Ambassador and for a Pass for him to go to the King and to an Ordinance for setling the Militia of London A Committee named to treat with the City of London about the loan of two hundred thousand pound upon the Assessment of sixty thousand pound per mensem that they might provide Money for sending the Forces into Ireland and to pay off those that were to be disbanded and to pay the Army here Both Houses passed a Declaration against the Petion in the Army as set on foot by some evil Spirits purposely to raise a Distemper and mutiny in the Army Pardons what is past and forbids further proceeding by any of them in that Petition The Parliament of Scotland named their Commissioners to joyn with the Commissioners of the Parliament of England to perswade the King to pass the Propositions for Peace Harleigh Castle the last in Wales surrendred to Col. Mitton whose Soldiers put a Guard upon Col. Jones for their pay 31. Very long Prayers and Sermons this Monthly Fast day as usual April 1647. April 1. Orders for the Letter to the Agent in France and for Ships to keep in Pyrates Voted That the Civil Government in Ireland shall be distinct from the Military and be by two Lords Justices as formerly That the Military Government shall be by a Commander in Chief and be to be directed by Commissioners on the Place Sir William Waller was named to be Commander in chief there but it came not to the Vote Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax informed that he had Communicated the Letter and Votes of the House to the Officers of his Army touching the Petition on Foot among them That they expressed a deep sence of their unhappiness in being misunderstood in their clear intention which were no other than by way of Petition to represent to him those inconveniencies which would necessarily befall most of the Army after disbanding desiring that as much as he should think fit might submissively be made known to the House of Commons and assuring him that they would wholly acquiesce in whatsoever he should think fit to offer and the House to grant That he had sent up Hammond Lilburne and some other Officers to give the House a full account of this business and that he doubts not of the Armys Obedience Hammond Pride and the other Officers sent up by the General were called into the House and Pride was charged to have read the Petition at the head of a Regiment where was threats to those that should not subscribe it which Pride denyed and they were all required to return to their charges and to suppress the Petition 2. Debate of the Ordinance for the Militia of London Vote That the Commander in Chief of the Forces in Ireland should be stiled Field-Martial and his pay be six pound a day and Major General Skippon to be Field Martial there and that Golonel Massey should be Lieutenant General of the Horse under him A Committee of both Houses named to go into the City for borrowing two hundred thousand pound for the service of England and Ireland 3. The House
them that they might not be burdensom to the Countrey The Houses approved the Letter to be sent from the City to the Army they sate late this night and ordered to sit again to morrow though Sunday 13. After the Evening Sermon the House sate and had a Letter from their Commissioners at St. Albans That Sir Tho. Widdrington and Col. White had acquainted the General with the additional instructions 14. Both Houses named a Committee to draw up a Declaration what they had done and intended to do for the ease of the People and for the Soldiery and for settlement of Peace and that a Committee was appointed to consider what place is fit for the King to come unto for the applications of both Kingdoms to be made to him for setling Peace Upon a Petition of divers Officers Order for a Declaration that hereafter none should presume on pain of Death to meet in a tumultuous way as they had lately done and the Militia to send a considerable Guard to the House Captain Falconbridge and Captain White ordered to bring the trained bands of Westminster for guards to the House A Committee of both Houses to draw a Declaration what the Army hath demanded and what the Houses have offered The Commons being informed that divers of the Parliaments old Officers and Soldiers were in the Hall and Palace they sent to them to withdraw Letters from Ireland that some of the Rebels were returned out of Scotland into Vlster That the Parliaments Commissioners and Col. Jones with some Forces were landed at Dublyn That the Lord Inchequin sent a Party to surprize some Castle near Waterford the Rebels Sallied out and were beaten back about a hundred of them slain and wounded many Prisoners and much Cattle taken 15. Order of both Houses that the General be required to deliver the Person of the King to such Persons as both Houses shall appoint to be placed at Richmond under such manner as they shall think fit to the intent that the Propositions agreed upon by both Kingdoms may be speedily presented to his Majesty for the setling a safe and well grounded Peace That the Persons to whom the King shall be delivered shall be the Commissioners now with him or any three of them That the Guards to receive Orders from the Commissioners shall be Col. Rossiter and his Regiment Order for Col. Birch to have the publique Faith for four thousand nine hundred pound upon his Accounts Officers whose accounts are not stated to have one months pay for Subsistence Order for the Committee of Indemnity to discharge those that are or shall be under restraint for any thing done tempore loco belli A Months Pay to Col. Graves his Forces Letters from the Commissioners in the Army informed that the Votes concerning those that would come away from the Army did much distast them The Results from the Army were 1. The Heads of a Charge against divers Members of the House of Commons which they delivered in to be speeded by the Parliament and when they should be admitted would appoint fit Persons on their and the Kingdoms behalf to prosecute and make good the same 2. If the Parliament shall admit these things at the desire of the Army and proceed for a general satisfaction therein then they desire 1. That the Persons Impeached may be suspended else they can expect no good issue if the same persons who have appeared most active in the late proceedings to the prejudice and provocation of the Army and hazarding the Peace of the Kingdom shall continue in the same Power and Judges of these things 2. For a Months Pay and a resolution thereupon in two days 3. That those of the Army may have as much Pay as they who have ingaged for Ireland or come away from the Army 4. That none who have so deserted the Army may have any more Pay till the rest of the Army be first satisfied in their Arrears 5. That during the transactions of this business the Parliament would not suffer as some have designed any new Forces to be raised in this Kingdom or to be brought out of any other Kingdom hither or any thing else to be done that may carry the Face of a new War or may indanger the settlement of the Liberties and Peace of this Kingdom 6. That the Parliament would be pleased without any delay to put these things into a speedy way of resolution and dispatch the present condition of the Kingdom and Army and of the King not admitting delayes 16. A Charge came to the Houses from Sir Tho. Fairfax and the Officers and Soldiers of the Army against eleven Members of the House of Commons whereby they are charged with obstructing the business of Ireland to have been Actors against the Army and against the laws and Liberties of the Subject and Obstructors of Justice The Members Charged were Denzill Hollis Esquire Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewis Sir John Clot-worthy Sir William Waller Sr. Jo. Maynard M. G. Massey Mr. Recorder Glyn Col. Walter Long Col. Edward Harley and Mr. Anthony Nichols After reading of the Charge the Members severally made some defence thereunto and desired it might be put into a speedy way of tryal A Declaration of the Army was sent from the Commissioners vindicating their proceedings and their desires for the setling and securing their own and the Kingdoms common rest freedom peace and safety The Commissioners of the City returned from the Army with expressions of Love and the Common Council voted to send a Letter to the Army with leave from the Houses that according to their desire no Forces shall be raised against them and that they will move the Parliament for Money to pay the Army and that they may withdraw further from the City The Army further desired of the Parliament 1. That the Houses may be speedily purged of such as ought not to sit there 2. That those persons who have abused the Parliament and Army and indangered the Kingdom may speedily be disabled from doing the like 3. That some time may be set for the continuance of this and future Parliaments and new Elections made successively according to the Bill for Triennial Parliaments 4. That Provision be made that future Parliaments may not be dissolved at the Kings pleasure without their consent but continue the set time 5. That the right of the People to represent to the Parliament their grievances by Petition may be vindicated 6. That the large Powers given to Committees or deputy Lieutenants during the War as appear not necessary to be continued may be taken away and such as are necessary may be put into a regulated way and left to as little Arbitrariness as the nature and necessity thereof will bear 7. They wish that the Kingdom may be righted and satisfied in point of Accounts and other things wherein the Common-wealth may be conceived to have been wronged 8. That publick Justice being satisfied by some few Examples
which the House had formerly conferred upon him the House approved thereof and bestowed the place upon Mr. Hall to hold quam diu bene se gesserit An Act passed for altering the Seal of the Dutchy A Woman committed to the Marshal and ordered to be sent by a Justice of Peace to the House of Correction for abusing Sir James Harrington Order for a day of Humiliation to seek God for his Blessing upon the Expedition for Ireland Order for the Speaker to give a Pass for the Holland Ambassador to transport 4 Horses into Holland Custome free Order for the Attourney General to bring in an Act to prohibit the transportation of Horses Order that Mr. Attourney General Mr. Steel and Mr. Hurst should attend the Commissioners for Articles as Councel for the State An Act passed to settle the Master of the Mint Office A Letter from the General to the House recommending the Desires of the Grand Jury of Yorkshire to have Courts of Justice settled in that County referred to a Committee 500 l. ordered to the Dutch Officers C. Allured made Receiver of Yorkshire Letters from Dublin that the L. Mohun and his Troop ran away to the Enemy So did Sir William Armstrongs Troop and Lt. C. Yeomans Troop That Drogheda and divers other of the Parliaments Garrisons were besieged and could not hold out nor was C. Jones able to relieve them That C. Trevor and divers others out of C. Monks Quarters went to the Enemy That all Markets were hindered and all Provision very scarce and dear Letters from Bruxels that the Scots King was gone for France to salute the King and Queen and thence to go to the Queen his Mother who sent to him Piercy and Jermyn to let him know it was the Advice of the Councel of France and Hers that he agree with the Scots upon any Terms Upon Complaint to the States on behalf of the Scots King That some of the Parliaments Ships destroyed the Antelope in Helford Sluce the States ordered that the King had Liberty to act the same upon any of the Parliaments Ships in any Harbour within their Dominions Letters that a Fleet of English Ships in the Sound fought with the Danish Fleet about Demand of Custom and worsted the Danes but 7 Swedish Ships coming in and joyning with the Danes they worsted the English 7 Long Debate upon the Act for repealing several Statutes against pretended Sectaries and who come not to Church to hear Divine Service and recommitted The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland had leave before his going away to present several Petitions to the House for divers Friends which were read and Orders made upon them Letters from Dublin that Captain Otway beat up Ormonds Horse Guards killed 50 and took divers Prisoners that Inchequen besieged Tredah and was bravely repulsed and lost many Men. The Lieutenant of Ireland presented more Petitions to the House upon which Orders were made and divers of them were for Pensions to many Irish Gentlemen and Ladies in Distress Orders for stating Sir George Askue's Arrears and divers others and for Mr. Knight the Generals Chaplain to have Liberty to double upon the purchase of Deanes and Chapters Lands Votes against Ministers preaching and praying seditiously and against the present Authority and to promote the Interest of the Children of the late King or that disobey the Orders of Parliament that they shall be Sequestred Letters that some Malignants at Preston in Lancashire proclaimed Charles the Second King at the Market Cross and nothing was there done against them Letters from Ireland That Sir Robert Stuart had taken the Castle of Kilmore by Storm with 14 Guns and had lost 50 Men. That C. Jones by a Salley cut off 60 of Ormonds Men that Sir George Askue kept open the Passage by Water That the L. Inchequin sent a Summons to C. Jones to render Dublin to the use of the King To which he returned a smart Answer remembring Inchequin of his former Professions and Engagements for the Parliaments Cause and his now assisting the bloody Rebels and Papists against the Protestant English from which he advised him to desist least he bring Misery upon his own Family 10 Upon a Report of the Councel of State of the want of Powder referred back to them to consider of some fit way for the making and providing of Salt-peter And upon their Report the Committee was revived to treat with the Common Councel about borrowing 150000 l. for Ireland The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland went out of Town in very noble Equipage with Coaches and six Horses a piece his Life Guard of 80 who had all been Officers and a great number of Attendants A Petition of the Journey-men Taylors to the General for relieving their Fellows by a meeting for which they ask his leave Letters from Holland that the Scots King was come to Paris That in all his Journey he had such Entertainment as never before was given by Catholicks to one of the Protestant Religion 11 The day of publick Humiliation Letters from the Navy of several Vessels taken at Sea by Captain Harris with the Phaenix Frigot Upon the Lord Lieutenant his going to Ireland three Ministers did pray and the Lieutenant himself and Goff and C. Harrison did expound some places of Scripture excellently well and pertinent to the Occasion 12 Long Debate about the Act for sale of the Kings Lands The Common Councel provided to lend the Parliament 150000 l. for Ireland Letters that three Ships loaden with Corn were arrived at Dublin from Chester A Petition of the Officers ingaged for Ireland acknowledging the Integrity and Justice and Labour of the House and as their last Request they humbly pray That all Drunkenness profane Swearing Vncleanness Abuses of the Lords Day c. may be restrained not tolerated under their Power That Proceedings in Law may be in English cheap certain c. and all Suits and Differences first be arbitrated by three Neighbours and if they cannot determine it then to certify the Court. That all Mens Lands and Houses may be registred in every Parish with their Incumbrances That Tithes may be taken away and 2 s. in the pound paid for all Lands out of which the Ministers to be maintained and the Poor That publick Debts may be payed That Receivers may account and Prisoners for Debts be relieved Referred to the Committee to consider what things are fit to be done before the House adjourn and the Lord Lieutenant desired to return the thanks of the House to the Petitioners for their good Affections and for their Engagement for Ireland An Account of the Parliaments Navy that C. Dean with his Squadron lay upon the Western Road C. Popham between the Downs and Portsmouth and Blake blocked up Kingsale Sir George Askue lay in Dublin Road other Ships Northward and some to secure the Transportation of Corn and Provisions from Chester Bristol c. to Ireland 13 The Act for sale of the
caused to be published in Scotland for Justifying of his Proceedings Mr. Windram Layds of Libberton though hardly drawn to it was at length dispatched away with a Message to the Scots King after his arrival in Jersy he waited for an audience till an Agent that had come from Ireland was dismist Then being admitted to the Princes Presence he presented to him the Desires and Offers of the States of Scotland which were to this Effect 1 That he would sign the Covenant and pass an Act for all Persons in Scotland to take it and to ratifyall that had been done there concerning the same 2 That he would pass divers Acts of the Parliament of Scotland which were ratifyed by their two last Sessions as for his approbation of their disclaiming Dr. Hamiltons Design for receiving the several Acts made by the English for the Militia for the Kings of Scotland to have no negative voice in that Parliament 3 That he would withdraw his Commissions to Montross for raising Forces to be sent from beyond Seas into Scotland and to give present Order for the stopping thereof 4 That he would put away all Papists from about him and let none be of his Councel but known Protestants 5 That he would appoint some place about Holland to treat with Commissioners from the Estates of Scotland wro would send eminent Lords to him to treat and conclude there upon all particulars and from the time he should come into Holland they would provide for him what should be necessary to make him and his Train to reside in a Regal manner 6 That he would give a speedy Answer to their Desires These Propositions were much debated by the Prince his Councel who were of a different Sense concerning them nor could a present Answer to them be agreed upon the Priuce having ingaged himself to the Queen his Mother not to do any thing in matters of Importance without first acquainting her therewith and having her advice about them It was thought fit also speedily to acqnaint Montross with this Business Some of the Prince his Councel were for rejecting these Propositions as dishonorable and disadvantagious Others were for accepting them and a speedy agreement with that Party in Scotland which was most prevalent and by whom the Prince had greater Probability of obtaining the Crown than by Montross his Designs which were full of hazard and uncertainty Letters also came from the Queen urging that if the Scots Propositions seemed at present too severe and insupportable there might hereafter be opportunity as soon as he had obtained the Kingdom to free himself at least in some measure from the Inconveniences of them The main of his Councel tended to this that according to the Exigence of his Affairs at present it was absolutely necessary to comply with the Kirk of Scotland Montross advised the same and that the Banishment of himself might not hinder it but to that the King answered that he had found him so faithful and to have performed so eminent Services both to his Father and to himself that he could not in Justice or Honour leave him and desired him to urge him no further to it In regard the Answer to the Scots Propositions required some considerable time because it could not be compleated to be returned by the L. of Libberton Sir William Flemming was sent as Agent before hand to Edenburgh from thence to give Advice of the Affairs in Scotland that thereby the Councel might the better know how to frame the Answer Sir John Berkeley and C. Slingsby were sent into the West of England to sollicite the Kings Friends to rise in Arms for their Prince and being accidentally discovered by a Country Fellow were apprehended by the Committee of the County and sent Prisoners to Truroe The Prince had Ambassadors with the Emperour the Duke of Muscovia the State of Venice the Great Turk and with the King of Spain to whom the Substance of the Ambassy was 1 That the Parliament of England having been in Arms against his Father and prevailed against him and caused him to be put to Death 2 That he being Son and Heir to the late King was yet kept out of his Kingdom by the aforesaid Parliament 3 That he desired the King of Spain's Neighbourly Assistance and that he would afford him what Aid he could to Establish him into his Rights and Dignities in the Kingdoms To this the King of Spain made Answer 1 That he was sorry for his Fathers ill Success wishing he had been more prosperous 2 That he condold with him for his Fathers Death and was much affected with Sorrow at the manner of it 3 That concerning the difference between him and the Parliament and the Rights on the one or the other Side they being Matters out of his Territories and Jurisdiction he could not take Cognizance of them nor should he meddle therein But for any thing within his own Dominions he should be ready to do him what lawful Favour he could November 1649. The Princes continuance at Jersy was by his Councel held not fit to be much longer upon these Reasons 1 Because there was a considerable Fleet of the Parliaments come already to Portsmouth with store of Provisions and it was necessary to prevent the danger that might fall upon them in case those Ships should make an attempt upon the Island which that they would do was the more probable because there were already men landed in Jersy 2 That if they should lye under that hazard they knew not where to expect Relief except all other Services should be neglected and Prince Rupert and Montross called hither which would be the ruine of their Designs 3 That their removal would give great Satisfaction to the Kingdom of Scotland and be an Encouragement to their Friends in England 4 That thereby they should be the more free from Hazards and Dangers both as to themselves and others that should make addresses to them The Councel of State in England had good Intelligence of all the Transactions of the Prince and of his Councel which they procured by their Mony whereof some of the Prince his Servants were needy and would betray their Master for it The times were licentious and men took strange Liberty to calumniate all in Authority and to clamour if they had not what themselves thought fit respecting themselves and their private Interest and Concerns much more than the Rules of Right and Justice and the Law it self When the King of Portugal could neither by Force nor Intreaties be perswaded to cast off Prince Rupert out of his Protection the English Admirals resolved with patience to awaite his coming out and a long time they kept him in there till at last want of Provisions made them retire and give the Prince room Who immediately steered from thence to Malaga but in the Voyage perplexed with extraordinary Storms he lost his Brother Maurice who in the Vice Admiral was never since
6 Returns of Subscriptions to the Ingagement from several Regiments and Garrisons Letters from Taunton That the Commissioners for settling the Militia in that County had agreed upon Officers of Horse and Foot to be named to the Councel of State for Commissions That C. Pine is most Active in this and all other Business of that County At a Horse Race near Blackley there being many Gallants with Pistols Swords and Arms C. Smith with the Oxfordshire Troop came thither and disarmed some of the chief and most suspected of the Company The same Captain Smith in 6 Months apprehended 50 Robbers in those Parts 30 of them were hanged Letters from Shrewsbury of the meeting of Cavaliers in that County and Suspicions of new Plots Account of Troops and Recruits marching towards Chester for Ireland 8 Letters from Newcastle That the Cavaliers report generally that the Scots and their King are agreed and thereupon many of them are gone into Scotland That course is taken to prevent them for the future That the Ministers in Yorkshire preach openly against the Ingagement That many Mosse Troopers are dayly taken From Yarmouth That Commissions came from the Councel of State for the Militia which the Bayliffes and others are putting in Execution and Souldiers list themselves and take the Ingagement very willingly That the like was done in Norwich for that City and for the County of Norfolk The like was done in Essex That the four Ships sent to guard the Fishers have much advanced the Fishing Trade From Cork That 5 Ships with Souldiers were all cast away coming from Minehead for Ireland only 20 or 30 men swam to shore That the Enemy besieged Captain Barrington in Arklow Castle and he sallyed out upon them beat them off and killed many of them That Lieutenant Collonel Axtel Governour of Rosse made several Incursions into the Enemies Quarters in the County of Kilkenny took many Prisoners and great store of Cattle Account of Recruits for Ireland Some debauch't Persons in a Tavern drinking Healths in a Balcone breaking Glasses and drawing a great deal of Company together some Souldiers who saw it went up to the Gentlemen and carryed them away Prisonees to Whitehall 9 Letters from Dunstar confirming the sad news of the 5 Ships that went from Minehead to Ireland all cast away Captain Ensor and Captain Whiting with 80 Horse and 150 Foot and all the Seamen drowned except 20 or 30. From Ireland that the Popish Clergy there have agreed to raise 7000 Men by March next and to pay them and that Antrim shall command them That the Estates of Scotland are setting out a Declaration in answer to Montrosses Declaration and conform to that of the Kirk One Hinderson proclaimed in several Streets of Newark I pronounce Charles the Second of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. as King of England although his Father suffered wrongfully Yet you cannot be Governed without a Head but now you are Governed by a stinking lowsy Committee For these words he was apprehended and sent to Prison A Petition to the General and his Councel of Officers in the behalf of 3000 maimed Souldiers and Widdows whose Husbands were slain in the Service of the Parliament the General and his Councel recommended it to C. Rich to move the House therein The Councel of State sent three of their Messengers to apprehend one Mercer who stabbed two of them that they dyed immediately and wounded the third and so escaped from them 11 Letters that an Irish Frigot boarded a Newcastle Ship near Hartlepool which the Governour seeing caused some of his Guns to be so planted that they shot the Irish Frigot through and through and caused her to hasten away and leave her Prize behind which came in safe to Hartlepool From Scotland that Libberton was returned with a Message from the King which was read but nothing done upon it that he speaks high what the King will do for and stand by Scotland yet they go on in purging the Army That an English Merchant having a cause to be pleaded there the Scots Lawyers refused to plead for him because the business was drawn up in the new way in the Name of the Councel of State About 24 Persons came in the Night to White-Fryars with Muskets as Souldiers called up the Constable and required him to go along with them to apprehend some dangerous Persons and brought him to the Lodging of Sir Edward Hales whom they knew to have a great Sum of Money there That when they came into the House they bound the Constable and Sir Edward Hales and the Master of the House broke open Trunks and carryed away with them 100 l. besides Rings Watches c. Then they locked the Doors after them left theirMuskets behind them and got away in Boats which they had laid ready at White Fryars Stairs but 7 of those thieves were afterwards apprehended 12 The House named these Persons to be of the Council of State for the Year following viz. E. of Denbigh L. C. Justice St. John Sergeant Bradshaw L. Grey of Groby M. G. Skippon Alderman Pennington Sheriffe Wilson Sir William Masham Lord Commissioner Whitelock Sir James Harrington C. Hutchinson Mr. Bond. Mr. Alderman Popham Mr. Wanton̄ C. Purefoy Mr. Jones C. Ludlow E. of Salisbury Mr. Luke Robinson L. C. Justice Rolle L. Ch. Baron Welde L. G. Fairfax L. Lt. Cromwel Mr. H. Martyn Sir Gilbert Pickering Mr. Stapely Mr. Heveningham Sir Arthur Hassterig Mr. Wallup Sir H. Vano Junior L. Lisle Sir William Armyne Sir Henry Mildmay Sir William Constable Lord Commissioner Lisle Mr. Scot. Mr. Holland Debate touching meanes of advancing the Gospel of Christ An Act touching the way of Presentations and settling of Ministers in Livings committed An additional Act for the more severe punishing of prophane Swearing and Cursing committed An Act for suppressing and punishing the abominable sins of Incest Adultery and Fornication committed 13 Letters from the West That many Presbyterians in their Pulpits prayed very Zealously for restoring the King of Scots to his Fathers Crown in England That a French Vessel which came from the Barbado's was wracked and 13 of her men lost and the rest saved Sir Bathazer Gerbier set up his Academy in White Fryers for the teaching of all manner of Arts and Sciences a good design if the conduct and Success had been answerable 14 Letters from Scotland That their King in his Message by Libberton would have exempted from any benefit of the Agreement all such as shall be found to have had a hand in the Death of his Father without mentioning whom which breeds a general Jealousy that it may reach to all that consented to the giving up of his Father at Newcastle or joyned in the Covenant with England That the King will only acknowledge the Scots Commissioners to be Commoners of Parliament during the Treaty or after as it shall succeed and private Letters were sent from the King to
much wounded with several other Pensons of Quality and 200 Horse and have killed 2 or 300 more of the Enemy so that I do verily believe there were at least in all 3000 killed Those Officers of ours that were most eminently instrumental in this great Victory were C. Fenwick C. Rich. Coot Lt. C. Gore and Captain Duckinfield Whom I have presumed to add because their merits have justly deserved this my Acknowledgement to the end if your Honours think fit some mark of Honour may be conferred upon them 9 The Parliament ordered a day of publick thanksgiving for the Victory obtained by their Forces under Sir Charles Coot in Ireland An Act passed for the Tryal of Sir John Stowell David Jenkins Walter Slingesby Brown Bushell William Davenant and C. Gerrard by an high Court of Justice Letters of the ceasing of the Plague about Tiverton 10 Letters of the spreading oft he Plague in Shrewsbury That the Governour commanded all the Souldiers that were ill to be in the Field and all that were well to continue in the Castle and not to stir out of it From Chester That the Parliaments Forces in Ireland are 4000 Horse and Foot That Trecoghan with 1700 Foot is taken in 11 Letters that the Royal Presbyterians about Exon raised many false Reports to disparage the Proceeding of Parliament for which some of them were secured till they should produce their Author That the Plague was much dispersed in Salop and half the Inhabitants removed from thence 12 Letters that since the taking of Trecoghan the Army was sat down before Carlowe in Ireland And That the Earl of Antrim was come in to the Lord Deputy That eight Officers of C. Axtels Regiment riding upon the Highway were murdered by those bloody highway Rogues called the Tories That a Party sent out by the Lord Deputy fell on some of the Earl of Castlehavens Forces killed 140 of them and took twice so many Arms the rest fled to Carlowe where they are now besieged That Waterford yet holds out but in great distress the Plague and Famine encreasing much upon them 13 Letters of Cromwels being at Durham and marching 24 Miles-a day That the King was at St. Johns Town and the Committee of Estates had sent back all his Followers and commanded them to depart the Kingdom by a day upon great Penalties That the Scots Horse upon the Borders were there only to forward the new Levies and are since retreated and the new Levies go on very fast there That Sir Arthur Haselrigg came from Newcastle where he is Governour to meet the General Cromwell at Durham That seven Ships were taken and brought into Newcastle one loaden with Arms and Ammunition for Scotland and in another of them two Purses to carry the Great Seal of Scotland one very rich for the day of the Coronation and many Letters from an Alderman of London at the Hague to the King That one of the Parliaments Ships going into the Frith of Scotland the People rose and secured both Ship and men till they drunk the Kings Health upon their knees and then they were discharged 15 Letters of the General his coming to Newcastle where Sir Arthur Haselrigge the Governour entertained him with much Gallantry and they kept a Fast to pray for a Blessing upon their expedition into Scotland The next day they agreed upon the Letter to be sent to their Brethren in Scotland in general to satisfy them of the grounds of their present Ingagement That the Scots have chosen a Councel by whose advice the King is to Govern That the Nobility and Gentry flock to him That the Royalists and Presbyterians in Lancashire joyn together to disturb the Parliaments Affairs in those parts against the Army of Sectaries as they call it 16 An Act passed for setting the Militia of the Common-wealth with Instructions for the Commissioners An Act passed for Sheriffs to appoint Deputies to receive and transmit the Acts Orders and directions of Parliament and Councel of State and to make return thereof Debate of the business of Treasurer of the Navy An Act for bringing down the Prizes of Corn and Grain and preventing abuses in Meal and in forestalling committed 17 The Letter from the Parliament of Scotland together with the Messenger C. Grey were sent to the General to be by him with a sufficient Guard sent into Scotland and also the Answer of the Parliament of England to that Letter 18 An Act passed touching the removal of Malignants and Papists out of London c. Letters of the great Levies in Scotland and multitudes drunk with Carowsing the Kings Health That the Ministers press the People to serve the King against the English Army of Sectaries which they prophesied the Lord would blast and published may gross mistakes or untruths touching the Parliament of England their Affairs particularly in Ireland That the King had given Satisfaction to the Scots in all things they desired of him and a Proclamation was published at Edenburgh giving the King all his Royal Power and at that time the Cross was covered with Crimson Velvet and Cloth of Tissue Dr. Lewen a Civilian being apprehended for a Spy and having found about him divers Commissions from the Prince to himself and others was executed according to a Sentence of the Court Marshal 19 Letters of a Man of War of Scilly brought in Prize to Plymouth Of C. Desboroughs giving the charge at the Sessions at Exon to the Contentment of the Country and of a Woman of Taunton condemned upon the new Act for adultery with a Priest 20 Letters of the General his advance to Berwick Of the Armies Declaration sent into Scotland of the Grounds of their March into that Kingdom one Copy of it sent to the Scots General another to the Parliament and a third to the Committee of Estates That the Scots Ministers in their Prayers say That if God will not deliver them from the Sectaries he shall not be their God That the Town of Newcastle feasted the General and his Officers That the Lord Deputy lies with the Army before Waterford Duncannon and Carlowe 22 Letters that many who formerly served the Parliament of England in their Army are now in the Scots Army That the Earl of Newcastle and some others were sent away out of Scotland That Massy is to command a Regiment in their Army That an Act passed in Scotland for all Persons to come into their Armies and none to stay in the Countries lest they should relieve the English Army That G. Louen Published a Proclamation That no Malignant should come near his Army till they had submitted to the Parliament An Act passed and several Orders touching the Militia of London and Westminster An Act passed against Atheistical Blasphemous and Execrable Opinions and the unlawful meetings of such Persons A Declaration passed concerning Delinquents Compositions An Act passed to prohibit Trade between this Commonwealth and Scotland Upon a Report from the Councel of State
other part of France but are our antient native Laws I must now come to endeavour also to satisfy the wonder if they were not brought out of Normandy or some other part of France how come they then to be written in the French Language Sir It is to me an Argument that because they are written in French therefore they were not brought in by Duke William the Norman For the French Tongue was not the Language of Duke William and the Normans They had not been then in Duke Williams time past 4 descents in that part of France and it is improbable that they in so short a time should loose their native tongue and take up and use the Language of another Country which was conquered by them The Normans came from Sueden Gothland Norway and Denmark between whose Languages and with the High-Dutch their Neighbours there is a great affinity but between these Languages and the French there is none at all Ulphilus holds That the Dutch Tongue came from the Goths Jornandus saith The Goths Tongue came from the Dutch all agree that between those Languages and the French there is no Affinity It is so improbable that D. William should cause our Laws to be in French that when he proclaimed them as Ingulphus testifies he commanded that they should be used in the same Language they were written in English to his Justices and gives the reason lest by Ignorance we should happen to break them But it hath been further Objected If D. William did not cause our Laws to be written in French what then should be the reason that the Grand Customary of his Norman Laws were written in the French Tongue The reason thereof is given that the Normans being a rough and martial People had few Clerks among them but made use of those French among whom they then lived and whose Language they then began to be acquainted with and to understand But when they were in England they had not so much use of those Clerks and that Language but more of the English And probably it might be that the Confessor had been so long in France that he was more Master of that Language than of the Norman and that the Normans understood that Language better than the English and thereupon the Customary was written in the French Tongue But it doth not therefore follow that D. William must cause the English Laws to be written in the French Tongue but it is more likely that he might cause them to be continued in their Native Idiom which was much nearer in affinity to his own Northern Language than the French was That the French Tongue was not introduced as to our Laws and other things by D. William into England appears in that the French was in great use with us here both before and some time after his Invasion Beda affirms That in Anno 640. it was the custom of England to send their Daughters into the Monasteries of France to be brought up there and that Ethelbert Ethelwoulf Ethelred and other Saxon Kings Married into the Royal Blood of France Glabor notes That before the time of D. William the Normans and English did so link together that they were a terror to Foreign Nations Ingulphus saith That the Saxon Hand was used until the time of Kind Alfred long before the time of D. William and that he being brought up by French Teachers used the French Hand And he notes many Charters of Edred and Edgar written in the French Hand and some Saxon mixt with it as in the Book of Doomesday That Edward the Confessor by reason of his long being in France was turned into the French fashion and all England with him But that W. 1. commanded our Laws to be written in the English Tongue because most men understood it and that there be many of his Patents in the Saxon Tongue I suppose we may be satisfied that W. 1. did not cause our Laws to be written in French though the French Language was much in use here before his time And if he did not introduce the French Language into England the Argument falls that because they are written in French therefore he brought them in But Sir I shall offer you some Conjectures how it came that our Laws were written in French which I suppose might be begun in the time of our King Hen. 2. who was a Frenchman born and had large Territories and Relations in France many of his Successors had the like and very much to do in France and with Frenchmen of whom great numbers came into England and they and the English matched and lived together both here and in some parts of France Hence it came to pass as Giraldus Cambrensis notes that the English Tongue was in great use in Burdeaux and in other parts of France where the Englishmen were resident and conversant the like was when the Frenchmen were so conversant in England Matthew Westminster writes that he was in hazard of losing his Living because he understood not the French Tongue and that in King H. 2. and King Stephen ' s time who had large Dominions in France their Native Countrey and the number of French and of Matches with them was so great that one could hardly know who was French and who English Gervasius Tilsberiensis observes the same and Brackland writes that in R. 1. his time Preaching in England was in the French Tongue probably Pleading might be so likewise and in King John's time French was accounted as the Mother Tongue There are scarce any Deeds of our Kings in French before H. 2. his time the most are in E. 1. and E. 2. their time That our Laws were pleaded and written in French before E. 3. his time appears by the Statut. 36 E. 3. c. 15. which recites the mischief of the Law being in French and enacts that the Law shall thereafter be pleaded in English and enrolled in Latine This is oneGround of the mistaken Opinion of Lambert Polydor Speed and others that D. Willam brought in hither both the Norman Laws and Language which I apprehend to be fully answered and the contrary manifested by what I have said before on this Subject Polydore's Mistake may appear the more when he asserts that by this Statut. 36 E. 3. Matters are to be Enrolled in English which is contrary to the express words that they are to be Enrolled in Latin Many of our Law-Books were written in Latine before the Norman Invasion as appears bp the Ancient Rolls of Mannors and Courts Baron and our Old Authors Glanvile Bracton Tilesbury Hengham Fleta the Register and Book of Entries The Records at Westminster and the Tower and other Records yet extant are in Latine and many Books of our Law in Latine were translated into English about E. 3. his time Most of our Statutes from E. 1. his time till about the middle of H. 7th ' s Reign are Enrolled in French notwithstanding this Statute 36 E. 3. except the Statute 6 R.
long after him came General Venables who upon Examination by the Protector and Councel of his Management of that Affair was committed to the Tower but being judged that he failed rather through his Imprudence than any ill Intent he was at length released The Princess Royal and her Brother the Duke of Gloucester went to the King of Scots to Colen and they went together to the Fair at Franckford through every Princes Countrey where they past the Chief Officers of State were sent to complement them and the great Guns saluted them from their Forts the Elector of Mentz entertained them sumptuously three dayes The King hearing the Queen Christiana of Sweden was coming that way in her Journey to Italy sent one of his Lords to her to Salute her in his Name and to express his desire to wait upon her Majesty at what place she would appoint She named Coningstein where they met and had private discourse together and amongst other things as the King afterwards related there was some mention of Whitelock and of his Ambassage in Sweden wherein the Queen spake with high Favour and Respect of him and told the King that in all the Conferences that she had with him at that time she never heard him speak a dishonourable word of the King The Duke of Savoy having Committed great Cruelties and a Barbarous Persecution of the poor Protestants in Piedmont the Protector appointed a Solemn day of Humiliation to be kept and a large Contribution to be gathered throughout the Nation for their Relief which was very well resented by the Protestants beyond the Seas October 1655. The Protectors Councel in Scotland published a Declaration for the Election of Magistrates there which was observed so great a power had he then in Scotland Notice by a Ship arrived in the Isle of Wight from Bilboa that the Imbargo continued there upon English Goods and in all Spain and the English Factors were confined to their Houses there and at Malaga the People were in disorder for the loss of their Trade with the English The Councel at Whitehall ordered That no Person presume to publish in Print any matter of publick News or Intelligence without leave and Approbation of the Secretary of State Many Lords and others Prisoners were released upon Security given by them for their Peaceable Demeanour Letters of the success of the Swedes in Poland and Lithuania Some Bickerings at Sea between General Blakes Ships and the Enemy but little done some of them returned home wanting Victuals Audience given to the Venetian Ambassador Some Spanish Ships assaulted some of General Blakes Fleet but they came off Stop of English Ships in Flanders A French Ship taken that had been Fishing at New-Foundland Letters of the Miseries of the poor Protestants in Piedmont Orders for Accommodations for Mr. Feake and Mr. Rogers Prisoners A Declaration by the Admiral of France for the clearing of all English Ships and Goods in any Ports of France Injuries to the English at Dunkirk Letters of the State of the Island of Jamaica and of the English Forces there Order of the Protector and Councel for those that bought Delinquents Estates to pay in forthwith all Arrears of the Purchase Money Letters of the Swedes Victory against the Muscovites Order of the Protector and Councel against Printing Unlicensed and Scandalous Books and Pamphlets and for regulating of Printing Orders touching the Ministers of Scotland The Protestant Cantons of Switzerland acknowledge the Protectors zeal and care for Piedmont The Spaniards took an English Man of War by Treachery Proclamation against Coiners and advice that none receive their false Money Order of the Protector and Councel commanding all that have been of the Kings part to depart out of the Lines of Communication Major-Generals appointed by the Protector and his Councel in the several Counties The Articles of Peace between England and France signed here October 24. General Pen was released from his Imprisonment This Moneth the Ambassador was full of expectation that Commissioners should be appointed to Treat with him but by reason of the great and unsettled Affairs of this Nation and for that the Councel judged other Affairs which they had in hand though perhaps mistaken to be of greater Consequence than this Treaty No Commissioners were yet appointed though the Ambassador had been several times with the Protector and desired his business might be proceeded in and was promised that it should November 1655. Letters of the miserable Condition of the Poor Protestants in Dauphine oppressed by the Duke of Savoy and left Sick and without Covert Food or Cloathing and many of them Dead with Cruelty A Day of Thanksgiving in Dublin for their Deliverance from the Rebels the Courts of Justice Established there the Soldiers many of them turned Planters One who called himself William Smith a Minister in Cornwall apprehended for having Seven Wifes together General Venables was released from his Imprisonment The Swedish Ambassador had Audience Letters of Reprisal granted to divers English against the Spaniards The Protector and Councel appointed a Councel of Trade to consider how to improve order and regulate the Trade and Navigation of the Common-wealth upon which Letters were sent to several Persons in this Form Sir His Highness considering of how great Importance it is to this Nation that the Trade and Commerce thereof be by all good wayes and means advanced and duely regulated hath by the Advice of his Councel thought fit to appoint a certain number of Persons whose Abilities and Experience have qualified them to be Serviceable to their Countrey herein to be a Committee for Trade Impow'ring them to take into Consideration the Trade and Navigation of this Common-wealth and in what manner and by what wayes and means the same may be Encouraged Improved Ordered and Regulated And having named you to be one of that Committee have thought fit to signifie the same unto you to the end you may be present at their first meeting which is appointed to be on the 27 of this Instant November in the Painted Chamber at Westminster not doubting of your readiness to joyn with the rest of the Committee in contributing your best assistance to a Work so highly tending to the Publick good Whitehall the 2 of November 1655. Signed in the Name and by the Order of his Highness and the Councel Hen. Lawrence President This was a business of much Importance to the Common-wealth and the Protector was earnestly set upon it A Declaration of the Protector and his Councel of the reasons for raising additional standing Forces of Horse in every County to preserve the Peace thereof from the New Plots and attempts of the Enemies of the Common-wealth upon whom he resolves to put the Charge of these New Forces which they have occasioned and not upon the honest party who have already so much suffered Letters from Ireland commending their Governour the Lord Lieutenant Cromwell