English The Loves of Clirio and Lozia a Romance Mr. Knowles his Rudiment of the Hebrew Tongue A Book of Scheams or Figures of Heaven ready set for every four Minutes of times and very usefull for all Astrologers Florus Anglicus or an exact History of England from the Reign of William the Conquerour to the death of the Late King Linguae or the Combate of the Tongue and five Senses for Superiority a serious Comedy The Spirits Touchstone being a clear discovery how a man may certainly know whether he be truly taught by the Spirit of God or not The poor mans Physician and Chyrurgion Physicall Rarities containing the most choice Receipts in Physick and Chyrurgery for the cure of all Diseases Incident to mans body By R W lliams To which is added the physical Mathematicks By Hermes Tris-Megistus The Idol of Clowns or the Relation of Wat Tiler's Rebellion The Christian Moderator in 3 parts The Golden Fleece or a Discourse of the cloathing of England Dr. Sibbs his Divine Meditations Vigerius Precepts of Idiotismes Grotij Poemata Three Books of M. Matthews Minister at Swansey in South-wales 1 The Messiah Magnified by the mouthes of Babes in America or Gains and Gamaliel a helpfull Father and his hopeful Son discoursing of the three most considerable points 1. The great want of Christ 2 The great worth that is in Christ 3. The good way that is chalkt out by Christ 2. The New Congregationall Church prov'd to be the old Christian Church by Scripture Reason and History 3 The Reading Church-member Regularly call'd back to Christ and his Church A physical Dictionary An exact History of the several changes of Government in England from the horrid Murther of King Charles the first to the happy Restauration of King Charles the second with the Renowned Actions of General Monck by J. D. Duodecim Dr. Smith's practice of physick The Grammar War Posselius Apothegmes Fasciculus Florum Crashaw's Visions The Juniper Lecture Helvicus Colloquies The Christian Souldier his Combate with the three arch-enemies of man-kind the world the flesh and the devil Seasonable advice to the Apprentices of the Honourable City of London touching their duty to God and their Masters Heinsius de Crepundiis The History of Russia or the Government of the Emperour of Muscovia with the manner and fashions of the people of that Countrey Drexeliu's school of Patience Drexelius his right Intention of every ones action A School or Nurture for Children or the Duty of Children to Parents very usefull for all that intend to bring up their children in the fear of God Viginti Quarto The New Testament The third part of the Bible Sir Richard Bakers Meditations and Prayers for every day of the Week Playes The Ball. Chawbut Conspiracy Obstinate Lady The London Chanticlers a Comedy foll of various and delightfull Mirth neyer before published FLORVS ANGLICVS The Second Part. CONTAINING Englands Oligarchicall Government from the Death of CHARLES the I. to the Protectorship of OLIVER PART I. NO sooner had the fatall Axe severed England and her Liberties by severing King Charles his head from his body but the Parliament the better to maintain what they had now so farre prosecuted make Proclamation That none under penalty of being deemed guilty of high Treason should presume to proclaim declare publish or any way promote the Prince of Wales Sonne to the late King or any other Person to be King or Chief Magistrate of England or of any the Dominions belonging to them by colour of Inheritance Succession or Election or any other claim whatsoever without the free consent of the people in Parliament c. This Proclamation though it came not forth in full till the second of February yet was in part proclaimed on the very day of the Kings beheading They likewise the more to ensure their Government and to carry it on with the more plausibility publish an Act of State for the alteration of Writs in England Ireland and Wales as that in stead of King the Name Stile and Test Custodis Libertatis Angliae Authoritate Parliamenti be used and none other and all Writs c. should run so of which all concerned in the Law were required to take notice Yet they provide that all Patents granted by the late King should still stand in full force and vertue The Houses likewise take upon them a more then Papall power and because he Priest could indeed absolve them they are resolved to absolve themselves and all those engaged with them by an Act repealing the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy Sr Lewis Dives Sr Robert Stuart of Irel and the Lord Loughborough Collonel Poyer Collonel Laughorne and Duke Hamilton having escaped out of severall Prisons of which the last out of Windsor Castle a strict search was made for them but in vain except Duke Hamilton who was the next morning retaken in an Inne in Southwark The Lords House perceiving that by reason of his Majesties death the Judges gave not that assistance to them which was usuall by reason his death had extinguished their power as Judges desired that eighteen of the Commons might be sent to conferre with nine of the Lords but it would not be assented to The House of Commons having executed their King the Nobles are an eyesore to them they therefore resolve to take away as many of them as they can bring within their reach they resolve to begin with those they have already in hold and the Commission of the High-Court of Justice for his Majesties Triall being expired they create a new one consisting of sixty three persons of which any fifteen had power to act for the triall of Duke Hamilton as Earl of Cambridg Earl of Holland Earl of Norwich Lord Capell who attempted an escape but was retaken at Lambeth and Sir John Owen and in order thereto they likewise vote the adjournment of Hillary Terme which because the Judges had not power they do by their Proclamation of the second of February And now they take into consideration the reception of their numerous fellow members which by the arbitrary force of the Army had been excluded and at last they vote That none should be admitted into the House who had voted that his late Majesties Concessions were a ground for Peace and for the firm settlement of these Nations The Parliament having cut off one of those three Estates by which the Nation had so long been governed think likewise of abolishing the second that they alone might have the whole power therefore upon considerations of the House of Lords in what capacity they should stand they vote 1. That they would make no farther addresses to them 2. That they would receive none from them 3. That an Act be drawn to abolish that House as dangerous and useless Thus is the whole basis of that Government which had continued in England so many hundred years overthrown in ten dayes and the two ancient grand Estates of the Land cut off Having abolished
of that vast Charge is saved yet neither Custome Excise nor Taxes made lower but rather encreased the Souldiers Petitioning for a larger Taxe that free Quarter the greater oppression indeed of the two might be avoided Severall Troopers who pretended a Liberty to Petition without the consent of their Officers are punished five of them are condemned first to ride with their Faces to the Horse Tail then to have their Swords broke over their Heads and lastly to be cashiered a Letter which they had concerning the aforesaid Liberty being judged pernicious and scandalous to the Parliament and Counsell of State About this time began those great disturbances both in Army and Parliament occasioned by the distast given to Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburne by the Parliaments denying some desires of his But because the Discourse of it would now be too tedious we shall let it alone till we come to treat of its Effects But let us return now a little to Scotland where the Parliament upon rumours that the English Army were marching towards them prepare to resist and Vote the raising for their present defence 2000 Horse and 6000 Foot whilest the Lord Seaforth and Collonel Heisell are busied in fortifying Enderness and other strong places in the North all being resolved to defend and maintain the Cause of Charles the Second with their lives and fortunes many Englishmen flocking to them In the mean time Prince Rupert makes great Havock of the Merchants Ships and Goods in the English and Irish Seas which makes the Parliament hasten out their Fleet under the Command of Popham Dean and Blake as aforesaid And now on the ninth of March 1648. those three Lords Duke Hamilton as Earl of Cambridge the Earl of Holland and Lord Capell were beheaded in the new Palace-yard Westminster for having raised Arms against the Parliament nor could Duke Hamiltons pretending himself a stranger and not subject to the Laws of England nor the Lord Capells claiming the Lord Generals promise of Quarter finde them voices enough to save their lives though the Lord Goring and Sr John Owen escaped by Superiority of voices They all three died resolutely and handsomely befitting men of so noble descents The Parliament in some things to answer the Armies Petition Order a release of all Prisoners who were not in a capacity to pay their Debts the Commission nevertheless extending to the seizure of all their Estate and Moveables to pay as far as they will go They likewise Enact a rebate in Usury that none should take above six in the hundred which is an ease to the poor but a plague to the rich The 14th of March arrives at London Master Belford from the Parliament of Scotland who brings Letters expressing their high resentment for the securing of their Commissioners they assure them that they owned the Paper sent by their Commissioners by sending another Transcript of it so their Commissioners are discharged and it referred to the Counsell of State to send them an Answer The Parliament proceed in consideration of what was to be done in the farther punishing of offendors and Vote that fifteen be banished whereof the Marquess of Winchester the Lords Bristoll Cottington and Digby are four Judge Jenkins and Sr John Stowell are Ordered to be tried at the Kings Bench Bar. That Collonel Laughorne Powell and Poyer or any others who have held out any Castle or Fort since the first of March 1648. to be tried by a Counsell of War They proceed to the Confiscation of the Estates of the Prince of Wales Duke of York Duke of Buckingham Earl of Bristoll Earl of Newcastle Earl of Worcester Lord Digby Sr William Widdrington Sr Phillip Musgrave Sr Marmaduke Langdale Sr Richard Grimvile Sir Francis Dodington Sr Iohn Culpepper and Sr Iohn Byron any of which being taken in England are to die without mercy The Banishment of the Marquess of Winchester is remitted at last and he with Bishop Wren Voted imprisonment in the Tower during the Parliaments pleasure Brown Bushell is also Voted to be tried for his life The Parliament hoping to justifie their actions to the world abroad by Logick as well as they had done it by force at home cause a large and specious Declaration to be drawn up shewing the causes of their Actions and Proceedings against their late King and of the Alteration of the Government which they order to be Printed in Latin French Dutch and Italian the better to satisfie as they dream't the rest of the Christian world The Lieutenant Generall Cromwell now comes in play again action being so naturall to him he being appointed Generalissimo of those 12000 Horse and Foot which are Voted to be sent for the relief of Ireland and the reducing of Ormond Inchequeen and Owen Roe who had now made a full conjunction and lay neare Dublin with 22000 Men. And now the Parliament by their Act and Declaration of the 19th of February dissolve all Kingly Government disheriting the late Kings Children or any other from any claim right or title to the Government of England Wales or Ireland or any of the Honours Mannors Lands Tenements Possessions or Hereditaments belonging or appertaining to the Crown of England or Ireland And they by the same Act discharge and absolve all the people of England Wales and Ireland of what degree or condition soever from all Fealty Homage and Allegiance which is or shall be pretended due to any of the Issue and Posterity of the late King or any claiming under him This Act the Parliament Order to be proclaimed in the City of London by the Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs in Person and likewise in the chief places of the Nation to which purpose Writs are sent down to the Sheriffs of the respective Counties But the Lord Mayor and severall of the Aldermen whose consciences would not permit them to proclaim it refusing to do it put a demur upon it throughout the whole Nation the effects of which the Parliament fearing called him to the Bar of the House and finding him resolved Order the degradation of him Alderman Bunce and three Aldermen more Alderman Andrews being found fit for the Parliaments purpose is appointed to sit on the Bench in the late Lord Mayors stead who readily executed the Parliaments Commands The Parliament Constitute a Committee for the sale of Parks Chases and Forrest-Lands of whom any three have power and authority to Act. The 24th of March the Castle of Pomfret which had held out near nine Moneths was forced to surrender for want of Ammunition The private Souldiers who were most of them inhabitants of Yorkeshire had liberty by Articles to go home to their habitations but the Governour and some others were exempted from Quarter nevertheless Lieutenant Collonel Morris the Governour escaped The Scotch Commissioners are at last dispatched to the King with full Instructions to treat with him of which the chief were First That his Majesty take the Covenant Secondly That he put from him all who have assisted
Leaguer at St Jones and with a great part of their Horse and Foot advance to oppose the Lieutenant Generals passage The Lord Generall to divert their design leads on in person on the other side of Worcester which he had undertook to attaque two Regiments of Foot Collonel Hookers Horse and his own Lifeguard whilest Fleetwood with Collonel Goffs and Deans Regiments of Foot marches on to a Hedge-fight which the Scots thought most secure and stoutly maintained their ground till the fresh supply of Blakes Gibbons and Marshes Regiments force them to retire to Pawick Bridge where they are again engaged by Collonel Hayns Cobbets and Matthews Regiments and at length still overpowred by the Enemyes fresh supplyes forced to retreat in some disorderly hast into Worcester Their success being so bad on this side against Lieutenant Generall Fleetwood they resolve to trie if they could have better fortune against Cromwell on the other side Therefore on a suddain they sally out with all the Horse and Foot they could and at the first shock made Cromwels men retire somewhat disorderly the King himself performing the duty of a valiant Commander in the head of his Horse but at length overpowred by their numerous fresh supplyes they were put to the rout The Horse flying amain towards the North and the Foot into Worcester followed at the heels by their victors who entred the Town with them which they sacked killed or took most of the Scots prisoners who found life or death according to the mercy of those into whose hands they fell From this Battell there escaped only about 3000 Horse most or all the Infantry being either slain or taken and near 100 prisoners of quality of which the chief were Duke Hamilton Earl of Shrewsbury Earl of Derby who fell now into Collonel Lilburnes hands though he mist him before Earl of Cleaveland Earl of Lauderdail Earl of Rothes Earl of Carnwath Earl of Kelly Lord Spine Sir John Packington Sr Charles Cunningham Sir Ralph Clare Major Generall Piscotty Major Generall Montgomery Collonel Graves and Mr Richard Fanshaw Secretary to his Majesty The number of the prisoners in the whole was given out to be near 10000 together with whom was taken the Kings Standard Coach and Horses Collar of SS and Star-Cloak Major Generall Massey likewise though he escaped the Battell yet not finding any secure shelter and being grievously wounded surrendred himself prisoner to the Countess of Stamford and was secured by the Lord Grey of Groby her son and after recovery of his wounds by him sent up to London from whence he shortly after escaped The News of this victory extreamly rejoyced the Parliament at Westminster who nevertheless were somewhat sorry for the escape of the King of Scots who notwithstanding the great search made for him and the Fine set upon his head escaped For after having quitted the field at Worcester he with only one servant with him retired into the Woods where he hid himself two or three dayes till at length coming to a Gentlemans house who had formerly been a servant of his Fathers he was by him conveyed to a noble Esquires house in that County where he lay disguised near two Moneths till the heat of the search was over from whence he came up to London as servant to a Gentlewoman and so at fit opportunity escaped into France Many of the Scotch Nobility were about this time taken by Generall Monck in Scotland at a place called Ellet where they were met together to negotiate the royall affairs viz. old Generall Lesley Earl of Marshall Earl of Craford Lord Keith Lord Ogilby Lord Bargayny Lord Huntly Lord Lee with many other Knights Gentlemen and Ministers who were shortly after sent by Sea to London The Lord Generall Cromwell after his great victory at Worcester on the third of September his ever propitious day on the eighth sets forward towards London where arriving on the twelfth he was met by the Speaker and most of the Members of Parliament the President of the Counsell of State the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London with great acclamations of joy and acknowledgement of the Parliaments obligation to him for his eminent services which was expressed by the Speaker in a very elegant speech Shortly after two of the Parliaments Chieftains left this world both men of eminent conduct the one Generall Popham one of the Admirals of their Fleet who was a man from whom all men expected excellent service for them had his dayes been prolonged The other the Lord Deputy Ireton who died of the plague under the Walls of Limerick whose body or a Coffin in its stead was afterwards brought over into England and laid in State in Sommerset-House and from thence carried with as much pomp as ever any Kings of England since the conquest to be interred in Westminster Abbey where his Effigies was likewise set up in requitall of his many services he having a long time been one of the Parliaments fortunate Commanders In the mean time the Parliament take order for the speedy reducing of the Islands of Gersey and Man in pursuance whereof Collonel Haynes with two Regiments of Foot and four Troops of Horse set sail out of Weymouth the 16 of October and arriving at Gersey though they found some opposition at Landing yet they easily forced their way and soon possessed themselves of the Island all the Forts in it being presently delivered to them except Elizabeth Castle which held out till the middle of December and was then surrendred upon Articles Collonel Duckenfield with his own Generall Cromwels and Generall Deans Regiments of Foot and two Troops of Horse on the 14th of October departed out of the Bay of Reaumorris towards the Island of Man and arriving there on the 17th in Ramsey-Bay there came aboard to them an Islander to assure them that they should have no opposition in their Landing that they might come securely under their Forts which they had taken possession of for them that only two Castles held out viz. Peel and Rushen which were held by the Forces of the Countess of Derby which they would help them to reduce He is at first distrusted having nothing in writing to show but Major Fox being sent ashore findes it true so the Army lands and besieges both the Castles of Peel and Rushen which after short time delivered up with bloud to Collonel Duckenfield for the use of the Parliament on the 26th of October 1651 where there was found good store of provision and Ammunition of all sorts Shortly after was surrendred to the Parliaments Forces the strong and impregnable hold of Corne-Castle in the Isle of Guernsey with good conditions to the defendants consideration being had to the strength of the place and the bloud might probably be yet spent in reducing it per force or the charge they must necessarily have been at in starving it out it being still found very well victualled Notwithstanding that numerous company of Noble men
Person and Authority and to proceed against all such Offenders according to Law and Justice which Declaration was published Munday May 7th From Ireland arrived a Declaration of the General convention there wherein they expressed their detestation of the most execrable murder of our late most Gracious Soveraigne Charles the first and the illegall proceedings of the High Court of Justice against him The Parliament Ordered 50000lb to be sent over to his Majesty for a present as a test of their duty and loyalty and 50000lb more towards the payment of the Arrears of the Army and sent a Committee to the City to desire them to raise the money immediately for which they should receive satisfaction by the next assessement and receive in the mean the interest at 6. per cent which was presently granted by the City and care taking for its spedy provision The Commoncounsell of the City of London to testifie their loyall gratitude to his Majesty Ordered 10000lb to be sent for a present to his Majesty and 300lb to be given to the Lord Mordant and Sr John Greenvile who brought them his Majesties Letter to buy each of them a Ring They likewise ordered that to the most illustrious Prince James Duke of York and his Princely Brother Henry Duke of Glocester a 1000lb be presented to each of them The Parliament Order that a stop be put to the sale of the Estates of the Lord Craven Sr John Stawell and Alderman Bunce and likewise to the estate of the Duke of Buckingham and that their names be inserted into the proviso of the Bill of of Grants and Sales The Horse adjourned Easter Term to Quinque Paschae being May 28th 1660. Upon the third of May the Lord Mountague having received a Letter from his Majesty together with his Majesties gracious message to the House of Commons the Letter to his Excellency and Declaration presently called a Counsel of War to whom he communicated the said Letters which were received by them all with much hearty affections and testimonies of their exact loyalty and duty to his Majesty whereupon the General firing the first Gun himself cried God blesse King Charles the Guns from the rest of the Fleet with those from Deal and Sandwich Castles did with loud Vollies re-eccho the joy for such a happy time the shouts of the Seamen testifying their extraordinary cheerfullnesse and alacrity But now comes the day the like whereof was never enrolled in the Enguish Calender nor ever was there known a day whereon the people did with so unanimous and generall consent testifie their unexpressible content and gladness And well might they since from this time alone we can truly date the restored happinesse of the English Nation what passed before being as it were only glimmerings of this immense and radiant light The Parliament having the day before Ordered the Proclamation of his Majesty to be on the 8th day of May he was with the greatest solemnity possible all the chief Lords of the Parliament attending in their Coaches together with many eminent Members of the House of Commons the Lord General the Lord Major and Aldermen with the whole Militia of the City Proclaimed Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland the most potent mighty and undoubted King Nor did they intend by this Proclamation to seem as if they thought his Reign was to be begun from that time but confessed that forthwith upon the death of his Father the Imperiall Crown of England and the Dominions thereof did as absolutely bring unto him as now after Proclamation so that this is the twelfth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord King Charles the second whom God preserve The House of Lords the House of Commons and the City of London made choice of severall most eminent and worthy persons of their number to attend his Majesty which that they may not by posterity be forgotten I have inserted their names For the House of Lords Earl of Oxford Earl of Middlefex Lord Brooke Earl of Warwick Lord Viscount Hereford Lord Barkley For the House of Commons Lord Fairfax Lord Bruce Lord Falkland Lord Castleton Lord Herbert Lord Mandevile Sr Horatio Townsend Sr Ant. Ashey-Cooper Sr George Booth Denzill Hollis Esq Sr John Holland Sr Henry Chomely For the honourable City of London Sr James Bunce Bar. Alderman Langham Alderman Reynardson Alderman Browne Sr Nicholas Crispe Alderman Thomson Alderman Fredrick Alderman Adams Recorder Wilde Alderman Robinson Alderman Bateman Alderman Wale Theophilus Biddulph Richard Ford. Will. Vincent Thomas Bludworth Will. Bateman J. Lowes Esq Major Chamberlaine Coll. Brumfield By Order from the Parliament that all Signs of the late Arbytrary Power might be rased the States Armes were to be taken down from all Churches and publick places that in the Parliament House and in Guildhall being taken down and the Kings Armes set up in their room the Statue of his late Majesty was likewise set up again at the Chappel in Guild-hall-yard The Votes of the Parliament were also for the Fleet to go immediately to receive his Majesties Orders and be at his Devotion That the Kings Majesty be desired to return speedily to Parliament and exercise of his Kingly Office That all Ministers shall in their publick prayers pray for his Majesty under the name of Our Soveraign Lord Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. And the most Illustrious Prince James Duke of York with the rest of the Royall Progeny Which is the hearty and fervent prayer of the Author and all good Subjects and so let the conclusion be Long live King Charles II. THere is now made publique Eighteen Books of the Secrets of Art and Nature being the sum and substance of Naturall Philosophy First designed by John Wecker and now much inlarged by Dr. R. Read Sould at the Star in St. Pauls Church-yard
mens bodies endeavour the like over their souls They therefore Enact that every Citizen of London at the time of their admission to their Freedome should take the ensuing Oath viz. You shall swear That you shall be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England and in order there unto you shall be obedient to the just Government of the City of London You shall to your best power maintain the peace and all the due Franchises thereof and to your knowledge and ability do and perform all Acts and things belonging to a Free-man of the said City They likewise Enact that the said Oath Mutatis mutandis be taken by every Free-man in every City Borrough and Town Corporate in England and Wales at the time of their admission to Freedome as aforesaid The Extraordinary Ambassadors for the States of Holland having had audience and promise of Redress for the injuries done to their Ships provided the wrong-doers could be found out being on departure many thanks and civilities having past between them and the House they Order two Members to give them a solemn farewell who accompanied them to Gravesend The Army again Petition the Parliament in prosecution of some desires formerly presented to them viz. 1. To make and establish such wholesome Laws in the native Language as may preserve the Interest and Liberties of this Commonwealth 2. That Tithes may be abolished 3. That no punishment be inflicted upon any man for the Exercise of his Conscience 4. That all that had to deal in the publick Treasury be called to account and that free Quarter be taken off 5. That all Persons whatsoever may have a free and equall Administration of the Law 6. That Persons imprisoned for Debt having nothing to pay may be released and that such as are able and shelter themselves in prison be forced to pay 7. That all Persons in prison for pretended words c. be brought to triall and if found innocent have satisfaction for false imprisonment 8. That Provision might be made for the Poor of the Nation 9. That constant Pay may be provided to prevent free Quarter 10. That the Arrears of the Army might be paid out of the Kings Deans and Chapters Lands 11. That their want of Horses might be supplied 12. That care might be taken for prevention of clipt Money 13. That the Articles of Warre might be mitigated 14. That the Souldiers might not be put to the execution of civil Orders as seizing on unlicensed Books distraining of Moneys or the like so that the people may not complain of their intrenchment on their Liberties These were February 19. 1649. drawn up by the Army as their humble Petition and Address to the Parliament but we need not think it strange that every common Souldier should have liberty to propose what was necessary to be done in the Government since they had perfectly the whole power in their hands and had first by the fetches of some of their Commanders excluded and extirpated all other power to give life and being to this shadow of a Government this little finger of a Parliament and yet ten times heavier to the Nation then the whole loynes of its legal Magistracy But to return to our purpose the Parliament for so in their own language we must call them order the Triall of Duke Hamilton who though he was no Englishman yet was arraigned under the Name of Earl of Cambridge thereby to subject him to the English Law together with the Earl of Holland Lord Capell Lord Goring and Sr John Owen the two first of which were afterwards beheaded in Pallace-yard and the two last meeting with more favour from them were suffered to depart beyond Seas A Councell of State being setled by the Parliament they met at Derby House where some Propositions of the Parliaments in order to their unanimous Proceedings were tendred to them viz. the approbation of the Proceedings with the late King the House of Lords the present Alteration and some other These were by them received with some dislike to some of the particulars and their dislike being mentioned in the House was referred to a Committee The Prince Elector Palatine makes his Addresses to the Parliament with returnes of thanks for their former favours and desires that 5600lb due of his last years Pension might be paid that the Pension of 8000lb per annum might be continued and that he might have the Pass of the House for himself Family and forty Horse to go home The first and last desires were granted and the Summe due Ordered to be paid him but the Continuation of his Pension put off to further consideration The Parliament and Councell of State agree upon an Attestation to be taken by every individuall Member of the Councell of State which ran as followeth viz. I A. B. being of the Councell of State do Testifie that I do adhere unto this present Parliament in the maintenance and defence of the publick Liberty and Freedome of this Nation as it is now Declared and to the Government for future in way of a Republick without King or House of Peers And I do promise in the sight of God that through his grace I will be faithfull in the performance of the trust committed to me as aforesaid and therein faithfully pursue the Instructions given to this Councell by this present Parliament and not reveal or disclose any thing in whole or in part directly or indirectly that shall be debated or resolved on in Counsell without command or direction in Parliament or the Order and allowance of the major part of them that shall be present at such debates or resolutions In confirmation of the Premisses I have hereunto set my hand To which Attestation the Clerk of the Parliament is Ordered to see that every individuall Member of the Councell of State do Subscribe And now comes out the Protestation of the Parliament of Scotland against the Proceedings touching his Majesties Life and Person which because it was of so eminent concernment I shall here insert the most materiall Circumstances viz. That by their Letter of the sixth instant viz. January they represented unto you what endeavours have been used for taking away of his Majesties life for Change of the fundamentall Government of this Kingdome and introducing a sinfull and ungodly Toleration in matters of Religion and therein they did express their sad thoughts and great feares of the dangerous consequences that might follow thereupon and further they did earnestly press that there might be no proceeding against his Majesties Person which would certainly continue the great distractions of the Kingdomes and involve them in many evils troubles and confusions but that by the free Councels of both Houses of the Parliament of England and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Scotland such course might be taken in relation to him as may be for the good and happiness of these Kingdomes both having an unquestionable interest in his Person as King of both
a few words of which these are part viz. It is easie to say the Lord hath done this it would do you good to see and hear our poor Foot go up and down making their boast of God but Sr it is in your hands and by this eminent mercy God puts it more in your hands to improve your power and his blessings to his praise we that serve you beg of you not to own us but God alone We pray you own his people more and more for they are the Chariots and horsemen of Israell disown your selves but own your authority and improve it to curb the Proud and the insolent such as would disturb the tranquility of England though under what specious pretences foever c. Again Since we came into Scotland it hath been our desire and longing to have avoided bloud in this business by reason that God hath a people here fearing his Name though much deceived and to that end we have offered much love to such in the bowels of Christ and concerning the truth of our hearts therein we have appealed unto the Lord c. and more this is the great hand of the Lord and worthy the consideration of all those who taking into their hands the instruments of a foolish shepheard to wit medling with worldly policies and mixtures of earthly power to set up that which they call the Kingdom of Christ which is neither it and if it were would such means be found effectuall to that end and neglect or trust not to the Word of God the Sword of the Spirit which is alone powerfull and able for the setting up of that Kingdom and when trusted to will be found effectually able for that end and will also do it This is humbly offered for their sakes who have lately too much turned aside that they might turn again to preach JESVS CHRIST according to the simplicity of the Gospell c. If this man could not dissemble well who ever did The Parliament ordered that the Scottish Colours taken from Duke Hamilton at Preston in Lancashire and those sent from Dunbar taken at the now recited battell should be hanged up in Westminster hall the one on the one side and the other on the other side About this time died in the Isle of Wight the Princess Elizabeth third Daughter to the late King Charles who had her Funerall rights performed in Newport Church in the same Island Tuesed Sept. 24. presently after which the Parliament gave order for the sending of Henry Duke of Glocester her Brother to the University at Heidelberg a Town of the Prince Electors where the Parliament ordered him an allowance of 1500lb per annum Quam diu se bene gesserit In the mean time by the care and pains of the Lord Deputy Ireton Munster and Vlster are reduced to obedience except some Tories which stand out and lie sculcking in the woods and fastnesses Waterford being surrendred there was nothing now left towards the Conquest of that Countrey but Connaught to which effect Limerick as the pass into it was blockt up Deputy Ireton But let us by a little leave these affairs in Ireland for the more important affairs of Scotland After the Victory won at Dunbarr the Scots not only lose all their Arms and Artillery in the Camp but likewise quitted Leith and Edinburrough whereupon the Lord Generall the 7th of Septemb. sends four Regiments to take possession of Leith where they found 37 Guns mounted on the Platforms some shot and store of Ammunition and the same day Cromwell draws the rest of the Army into Edenburrough without any loss save the Arm of a Souldier though the Castle plaid hot upon them After the Army had spent some time in fortifying Leith and Cromwell had by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet proclaimed a Protection of Markets and liberty of Trade in Edinborrough and Leith the Army advances towards Sterling whither most of the Scottish Nobility and Gentry had retired from Edenborrough and Leith and Septemb. 18. being within a mile of the Town a Counsell of Warre was called and a Summons resolved to be sent for its surrender to the service of the Commonwealth of England and accordingly a Trumpeter was sent with a Letter who being come near the Town was met by a Gentleman on foot with a Pike in his hand who told him that he would neither let him come in nor receive his Letter The same day the Scots sent our a Trumpet desiring a release of Prisoners upon ransome but Generall Cromwell returned answer That he came not thither to make merchandize of men but for the service and security of the Commonwealth of England The Summons sent to Sterling not being received caused Orders to be given for the getting of Ladders and all things necessary for a storm but upon second thoughts the strength of the Enemy and dangers being considered it was agreed that the Army should draw off which accordingly they did and marched to Linlithgow which place lying between Edinborrough and Sterling being judged fitting to be made a Garrison of the Generall ordered to be fortified and leaving in it five Troops of Horse and six Companies of Foot marched with the rest to Edinborrough About this time Sept. 23. the afflicted Kirk of Scotland appointed a solemn day of Fasting and Humiliation 1. To humble themselves for their too much confidence in the arm of flesh 2. For the malignity and prophaness of their Army 3. For the plunderings and wickedness of their Army when they were in England 4. For their not sufficient purging their Army 5. For their Commissioners unlawfull and surreptitious manner of prosecuting the Treaty with their King and their crooked wayes in bringing him home 6. For their not sufficient purging the Kings house 7. For the just grounds they have to beleeve his Majesties repentance was not sound nor from the heart In the mean time Generall Cromwell endeavours to beget a right understanding with those that dissented from the King but stood for the Kirk viz. Coll. Kerre and Straughan and their adherents for there were three factions in Scotland viz. one in the North was for the King without the Kirk another party in the West was for the Kirk without the King the third was for King and Kirk and these were they then at Sterling who bore the greatest sway viz. The Committee of Estates and Generall Assembly To Coll. Kerr c. Commis Generall Whalley is sent with a party but he accosts them first with a Letter declaring That it was not unknown what amicable wayes they had used to avoid the effusion of Christian blood before and since they came into Scotland which though hitherto hath been ineffectuall yet they should endeavour the same Shewing further That their arms were still stretched out to imbrace them when ever God should incline them to come in and that they sought not dominion over them to enslave them nor to depress their Kirk Government neither that they
that night drew up to the Spanish Fort and planted a Mortar-peece in a convenient place and all things were in readiness for a battery when on a suddain the Army was commanded to draw off and without doing any harm to march to their old Watering place in the Bay For what intent or by whose counsell this was done I have not the capacity to guess And now they were come into the Bay there wanted victuals so that they were forced to go out in Parties to fetch some in whence many of them came short home being knockt on the head by the Negroes Till at last forced by necessity they were fain to eat the Horses of their own Troop In this miserable condition they remained some days till at length a resolution was taken to ship them which being finished the third of May the whole Fleet set Sail and on the 10th arrived in the Port of Jamaica whither they bent their course from Hispaniola and though they failed of their first enterprize there yet here they had better success for they soon possessed themselves of the chief Town called Oristano where the Army began to take up their habitation and to plant This hath since proved a pretty thriving Island profitable to the English and an ill neighbour to the adjacent Spanish Islands Shortly after but one after the other the Generals Pen and Venables returned into England whom at their arrivall the Protector in thanks for the service they had done committed to the Tower Thus much concerning this unfortunate voyage Let us now sweeten it a little with the noble exploit performed by Generall Blake in the Streights whither he was sent with a gallant Fleet to scour those Seas of Turkish Pirats which took and destroyed many English Ships making slaves of their persons He first seeks for them out at Sea but missing his aims there resolves to seek them where they were to be found And first on the 10th of March arrives at Algier where the most considerable both in quantity and quality lurked be anchored without the Mold he sends a Messenger to the Dye requiring restitution of such English Ships as had been taken by them and that the Captives be immediately released The Dye having provided a large present of Beef and Muttons and other fresh provisions alive returns the Messenger with them and this answer to the Generall That the Ships and Captives already taken were of particular men and therefore it lay not in his power to restore them without the generall 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 Generall 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 Generall and accordingly the Captives were redeemed and a peace concluded This business thus dispatched at Algier he bends his course for Tunis where having sent a Summons to the Dye he received but a rough complyance they wholly slighting his desires And having drawn their Ships under the Castle of Goletta thought them secure sending him word That there were their Castles of the Goletta and their Ships and Castles of Porto Ferino that he should do his worst and not think to sear them with his Fleet. This resolute answer exasperated both the Generall and Seamen who resolved to be revenged for this insolence A Counsell of War is called who conclude on a resolution to burn those nine Ships in Porto Ferino which they effected thus Every Ships Boat being manned with stout and resolute Mariners are sent into the Harbour to assault and fire the Ships whilest the Admirall Vice-Admirall and Rear-Admirall ply continued broad sides upon the Castle to hinder it from endammaging their Boats who after a stout assault fire the Ships and return back again with the loss of but 25 men and 48 wounded This noble action of Generall Blake resounded to the praise of the English Nation as far as the Port of the Orand-signor But to digress a little from our Story About this time happened the Queen Christiana of Swedelands unparalleld resignation of her Crown and Kingdome to Carolus Adolphus her Kinsman being contented from a mighty Princess to put her self into the condition of a Lady Errant only these Conditions she would have granted and accorded to by her sucessor 1. That she retain a good part of her Kingdome and the Custome to her self 2. That she will be no Subject but free of her self without controul 3. She will travell whither she pleaseth To these the Prince replyed 1. That he would not be a King without a Kingdome 2. That he will have no Rivall nor Superiour 3. That he will not hazard himself about her designes abroad How these Differences in the Proposals were accommodated I know not but shortly after she resigned up her Kingdome to her Cozen leaving to her self only the bare title of Queen but to him both the title of King and possession of a Kingdome With him the Lord Whitlock who had some time been Ambassador there soon concluded a firm League both offensive and defensive between these two Nations the effects of which had been felt to purpose in some parts of Christendome had Oliver Cromwell lived much longer then he did The horrible massacre which had been committed by the Forces of Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy upon the poor Protestants in Piedmont The Protector to shew his pious care of his fellow-Brethren ordered a day of Humiliation to be kept and great summes of Money raised for their relief though 't is highly suspected most of it was otherwise employed And now the Lord Protector to curb the people the better and secure himself constitutes a new kind of Officers called Major Generals of Counties but in effect the same with Turkish Bassaes he divides England into eleven parcels amongst them The Names of these Bassaes or Major Generals as he called them and their severall parts were as followeth viz. Major Haynes For Essex Suffolke and Norfolke Collonel Kelsey For Kent and Surrey Collonel Goffe For Suffex Hampshire and Barkeshire Lieutenant Generall Fleetwood For Oxfordshire Bucks Hartford Cambridge Isle of Ely Essex Norfolke and Suffolke Major Generall Skippon For the City of London Commissary Generall Whaley For Lincolnshire Nottingham Derby Warwicke and Leicestershire Major Butler For Northamptonshire Bedford Rutland and Huntington Collonel Berry For Worcester Hereford Salop and North-Wales Collonel Wortly For Cheshire Lancashire and Staffordshire Lord Lambert For Yorkeshire Durham Cumberland Westmerland and Northumberland Collonel Barkestead For Westminster and Middlesex The greatest service which these Major Generals did the Protector was the forcing the Delinquents in their respective Provinces to pay in the Decimation of their Estates for old offences which performed he himself finding these Major
1. That they had traiterously and maliciously endeavoured to raise force and leavy warre against his Highness and the Government and to subvert and alter the same 2. That they had traiterously declared published and promoted Charles Stuart eldest Sonne to the late King Charles to be King of England Scotland and Ireland 3. That they had held intelligence with the said Charles Stuart These were the heads of the Charge against them Sr Henry Slingsby was likewise charged for endeavouring to seduce the Governour of Hull and perswading him to surrender that Garrison to the King for these they were both condemned as Traytors though there were no witness against Dr Hewit but the Confession of one Mallory who pretended himself to have been in the Plot and accordingly on the 8th of June he and Sr Henry Slingsby lost their heads on Tower hill how justly God of Heaven knows but we may have the liberty to guess by circumstances Many endeavours were used by severall persons of quality for the saving of Sr Henry Slingsby and many Peritions presented by the Ministers of London in behalf of Dr Hewit and his Daughter Cleypool begging on her knees but nothing could pacifie the Protector who was resolved these two worthy persons should be sacrifices to his tyranny There were likewise executed for this business Collonel Edward Ashton who was hangd drawn and quartered at Mark lane end in Fan-Church street Edmond Stacy who suffered the same death in Cornhill and John Betteby who suffered like wise in Cheapside the Romanlike death of the last being very well worth remembrance As the death of Dr Hewit was a prodigie to to the world so there could no less then a prodigie attend it For some time before his execution there came up the Thames as farre as Greenwich a Whale of a very great length and bigness it being the wonder of the all the beholders to imagin that such a Creature of such a vast bigness should either find the way up or be content to leave especially at that season of the year its naturall Element But let us return again to the scene of warre in Flanders where the English and French Armies are joyned together and set down before Dunkirk with a resolution to take it before they stirred whereupon Don John D' Austria knowing the importance of the place it being the Key of Flanders and next after Graveling a frontier to France besides the continuall supplies of Money it brought his Treasury and the many inconveniences would ensue by the English possessing it resolves rather to hazard his whole Army then not attempt its relief But whilest he is getting of force together the English and French forces had in a small time run their trenches to the counterscarp and still incroached nigher and nigher to the wall which the Spaniards having advice of and fearing lest their relief might come too late make what haste possible to its a shstarce the better to effect which Don Iohn dreins most of his Garrisons and compleats a body of 10000 with these he marches post hast through Fuornes and encamps within a mile and a half of the Marshall Turines quarters of which the Confederates having advice immediately dislodg with a body of 15000 or thereabouts leaving still sufficient to guard the trenches and make good the approaches in case the Townsmen should attempt a sally With this force of men and 10 pieces of Cannon Turine faces the Spaniard the English foot were drawn up in four great battalions and were ordered to give the first onset on four other battalions of the Spaniards foot which had taken the advantage of the ground by placing themselves upon three rising hillocks and were seconded by Don Iohn himself The English were commanded by the Lord Lockhart who having first commanded a forlorne hope of about 300 Muskiteers to mount the sand hills which he seconds with his own Regiment of Foot commanded by Collonel Fenwick who stoutly maintained their ground though the Spaniards played down continuall volleys of shot amongst them and the French refused to second them sent another considerable Brigade to their relief which made no dallying but immediately fell in amongst the Spanish Foot with the buttend of their Musquers who after some small resistance not having been used to such kind of Club-Law left the field and fled whereupon the French Horse seeing the good fortune of the English Foot fell in upon the Spanish Horse who few or none of them stood the charge except those under the commands of the Dukes of Yorke and Glocester who having made a gallane resistance were forced more overpowred with number then over-reached in valour to quit the field after the rest In this Battell a great part of the Lord Lockharts Regiments were either slain or wounded and amongst the rest Lieutenant Collonel Fenwicke who led them on was slain by a Musket-Bullet of the Spaniards side The slaughter was very great the French Horse after the Battell having little or no mercy in the pursuit so that there were near 3000 slain besides many the Spanish Nobility who were taken most wounded and many of which after died of their wounds This totall rout of the Relievers Army as it encouraged the besiegers so it totally discouraged the besieged for they could expect no relief neither by Sea nor Land the English Frigots blocking them up by sea and Don John D' Austria not being able to recruit his Army by Land But yet the Marquess of Leda to show he was not totally disheartned with a strong Party sallies out of the Town and falls upon the French Quarters which was counted rather an act of desperation then valour or hopes of success for here he who was the life of the business and whose life might still the action in being received a wound of which he shortly after died and with him the Spaniards possession of the Town of Dunkirk For those within after the French and English had for fourteen dayes together continued to play their Mortar-peeces upon the Town the inhabitants weary of the sport and despairing beat a Parly and desire to come to capitulation which being granted the Town was surrendred up upon Articles viz. 1. That the Town should be surrendred up with all their great Guns store of victuals magazines of Arms and Ammunition without any imbezlement whatsoever 2. That the Officers and Souldiers should march out with Drumms beating Colours flying two piece of Ordnance and their baggage 3. That they should have free liberty to march to St Omers with a conduct to convey them-thither 4. That the Inhabitants should remain indemnified in their persons or goods and enjoy their former priviledges and customs for two years nor be molested by any one in matters of Religion These Articles being thus concluded on and ratified by his Majesty of France the strong Town of Dunkirk was surrendred and possession taken of it by the King of France and Cardinall in person on the 25th of June 1658.
The Spaniards then marching out to the number of about 1700 Horse and Foot the English had the possession of the Town immediately delivered over to them wherein they found 136 brass piece of Ordnance with great store of Ammunition and Provision in the Magazines it was immediately engarrisoned by three Regiments of the English Foot then there and a Regiment of Horse to be under the command of the Lord Lockhart was immediately raised and as fast as possibly could be sent over thither But whilest the Armies lay before Dunkirk the King of France lying then at Calice the Lord Faulconbridge who was made one of the Protectors bloud by marrying the Lady Mary one of the Protectors Daughters was sent to Calice to complement that King and Cardinall in return of which Mounsieur Manani Nephew to Mazarine and the Duke de Grequi are sent to salute his Highness who are here very nobly entertained and sent back with high satisfaction and content The Lord Lockart having now got sure possession of the Town of Dunkirk endeavours to keep fast his hold and to that effect he causes Proclamation to be made 1. That whatsoever Burger hath withdrawn himself out of the Town out of hatred or aversion to the present Government shall not return without satisfaction given and a Pasport from the Governour 2. That no Burger remaining in Town shall go out nor any abroad return into the Town without a Pasport 3. That no Burger entertain an enemy in his house without disclosing him on pain of being proceeded against as an enemy 4. That whosoever shall conceal in his house any Arms Ordnance or Ammunition shall upon discovery pay ten times the value 5. That no Inkeeper receive or lodge any guests or strangers without bringing their names and qualities immediately to the Governour 6. That no man remove or convey any goods out of the Town without giving a particular thereof and obtaining license so to do 7. That no Tradesman open shop on Sunday and that no punishment be inflicted for following their callings on other Holidays notwithstanding any power or eustome to the contrary is not this a breach of the fourth Article 8. That the values of Money within the Town the prices of Wine and Beer and the weight and proportions of Bread be henceforth according to the Orders ensuing the value of Money there I have inserted in regard it may be usefull to those that travell thither viz Old Jacobusses at 15 Gilders New ones or Carolusses 14 Gilders English Shillings 13 Stivers or pence English half Crowns 32 Stivers and a half Gold Spanish Pistols 11 Gilders Gold Rials 8 Gilders Gold Soveraigns 18 Gilders Gold double Duckats 12 Gilders Gold French Crowns 5 Gilders and 10 Stivers Gold Hungary Duckats 6 Gilders Gold Albertine 7 Gilders and 16 Stivers Gold Reinis-Gilders 3 Gildets 15 Stivers Gold Riders of Zealand 7 Gilders 10 Stivers The double ones and half accordingly Gold Flemish Crowns 4 Gilders 16 Stivers Italian Pistolls 9 Gilders 12 Stivers Gold Crowns of Leige 3 Gilders 10 Stivers Silver Duccatoons 3 Gilders 15 Stivers Flemish or sealed Pattacoons 3 Gilders Silver Lewisses 3 Gilders Holland Rix Dallors 3 Gilders Cardeques of Weight one Gilder French Testoons of Weight 19 Stivers French silver Franks or Livers of Weight one Gilder 7 Stivers Flemish Shillings 7 Stivers and a half Zealand Shillings 7 Stivers Flemish Stooters 2 Stivers and a half The Flemish ten Stiver piece 12 Stivers The Flemish five Stiver piece 6 Stivers Flemish Stivers and marked pieces at one Stiver or 4 Farthings Flemish and French Farthings four to a Peny or Stiver The rest of the Declaration contained the prices of Wine Beer Bread and Flesh and that no man should presume to sell or transport Wine or Beer upon severall penalties or amercements There was likewise an Oath to be administred to all the inhabitants of Dunkirke as followeth viz. I A. B. do in the presence and by the name of the Almighty God promise and swear that from henceforth I shall bear faith and true Allegiance and shall be true and faithfull unto Oliver now Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging and his Successor as chief Magistrate thereof and shall not design contrive or attempt any thing against the Person or Authority of the Lord Protector or against the safety just defence or necessary preservation of this Town or place of Dunkirk in and for its safety defence and preservation under the Government of the Lord Protector and his Successors against all conspiracies and attempts whatsoever and will do my best endeavour to make known and disclose unto the Protector and his successors or the Commander in chief in this place under his said Highness for the time being all treasons and traiterous conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against his Person or Authority or against the safety of this Town or place of Dunkirk for the betraying of it into the hands of any other persons or that tends to the withdrawing of any of the persons or people in it from their fidelity to the Lord Protector or his Government Dunkirk thus securely estated in the hands of the English the French Army after about a Moneths siege possess themselves of Graveling a strong Tower not far from Dunkirk so that the English and French had now in their hands all the Frontier-Towns on this side of Flanders But whilest the Armies are thus triumphing in Flanders God sends the Protector a scourge at his own doors for his dearly beloved Child the only darling of his eyes the Lady Elizabeth Cleypool on whom he had placed the whole affections of his soul was by the revenging hand of the Almighty for the innocent bloud of his Prophet and servant so lately added to the great mass before shed on the 6th of August taken out of the world from before the eyes of her dearly loving Father whose very image 't is said she was and into whose praises many are pleased to lash and advance her fame to the skies either out of fear flattery or to show the world how they can command their Pens to any subject but amongst the rest he most pleases me who is pleased to stile her an Amazon perhaps not unfitly but de mortuis nil nisi bonum She dying at Hampton Court was from thence the fourth day after conveighed by water with a great many Barges in mourning accompanying her corps from thence to Westminster and there laid in the Painted Chamber where a stately Herse was prepared for her till about 12 a clock at night when with a Noble but no over stately Funerall pomp her body was conveighed into Henry the seavenths Chappell and there interred in a place purposely provided for it Hir death was the cause of so great grief to the Protector hir Father as most affirm that it was one chief cause of his which followed not long after for
Justice may be executed in the Land Thirdly I recommend to you the Protestant cause abroad which seems at this time to be in some danger having great and powerfull enemies and very few friends and I hope and believe that the old English zeal to that Cause is still among us Lastly my Lords and you Gentlemen of the House of Commons That you will in all your debates maintain and conserve love and unity among your selves that therein you may be the pattern of the Nation who have sent you up in peace and with their prayers that the spirit of wisdome and peace may be among you and this shall also be my prayer for you and to this let us all add our utmost endeavours for the making this a happy Parliament This was the Protectors so much applauded Speech to his Parliament which finisheed the Lord Fines began and after having enumerated the deceased Protectors great endeavours c. for the peace of the Nation and his Highnesses following his steps in the calling of this present Parliament for the three Nations joyntly he recommended more effectually to them the wars abroad and the probabilities of homebred disturbances desiring their provision to maintain the one and care to prevent the other the Parliament having every one taken the Oath formerly taken by Olivers Parliament not to alter the Government were returned to their House and the Protector to Whitehall The House of Commons being returned to their House spent muce time about the rectifying of their Elections and expelling severall Members out of the House but causing others to be elected in their steads under pretence of being Malignants and having born Arms against the Parliament in behalf of their lawfull Soveraign and not only expelling them but disabling them from being elected or chosen as Members of future Parliaments so though this Parliament was esteemed one of the freest that had been called since 1641 yet it was not free indeed The House having as far as they could rectified their Members and Elections proceed to the calling to an account of all those who had been entrusted with the Customes Excize Taxes or other Revenue of the Common-wealth and to consider of the present state of the Revenues and some ways to pay the arrears of the Army Navy c. and other Nationall Debts but this business being put off by delays never came to any effect They likewise proceed to the drawing up of a Bill for it never came to be either Act or Ordinance which should be intituled An Act of Recognition of his Highness right and Title to be Protector and Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging Many demurs were there in this debate and severall praevious Votes to be passed before this Bill could be committed as whether the Parliament should consist of two Houses and whether this House should transact with the Persons sitting in the other House as a House of Parliament This business took up a great deal of time the Protectorians stood stifly for it and the Commonwealths-men as stong against it alledging that to treat with those men as a House of Lords was to enslave themselves more deeply then ever they had been before That they should now by it clearly evince to the world their folly perjury and villany that whilest they had taken their Oaths to be true and faithfull to govern without a House composed of the Peers of the Nation they should now both break their Oath and subject themselves to such as were scarce Peers to the Commons That if they did but consider the Creator of this House of Peers as they were called they could not but foresee the necessary thraldome they must run themselves into these being all such as were made sure to his interest and were so many sure Votes for whatever arbitrary actions he might undertake and if it were thought unlawfull for the Bishops to sit in the House of Lords because they were accounted so many sure voices for the King how much more might these be excepted against who were certainly so many sure voices for the Protectorall interest being all created by it Yet notwithstanding these Arguments the Vote was at length carried on the Protectorian side and Resolved That the House of Commons would transact with the Persons then sitting in the other House as a House of Parliament during the present Parliament but with this Proviso that it was not intended thereby to exclude such Peers as have been faithfull to the Parliament from their priviledge of being duly summoned to be Members of that House Whilest the Parliament are thus pursuing their Votes to settle the Protector in England the French and Spaniard are endeavouring to conclude a Peace betwixt themselves and to leave the English in the lurch which howsoever it then and ever since went vigorously on yet are not the Conditions spoken of performed on either side to the full-consummating of it During the Sessions of this Parliament on the 24th of February Mr George Strangways formerly a Major in the Kings Army was pressed to death in the Press-yard in Newgate for refusing to plead to his Indictment for having caused his Brother-in-Law one Mr Fussell an Attorney of Dortsetshire to be shot in the head as he sate writing in his Chamber-window of which he died The magnanimity nobleness and pe nitence of Major Strangways at his death deserves this memory This Parliament took into consideration the Cases of divers Persons who had been imprisoned in the time of the late deceased Protector Maj. Gen. Overton is sent for out of the Isle of Jersey and released The Duke of Buckingham is likewise released out of Windsor-Castle upon the Lord Fairfax his giving 20000lb security that he shall demean himself peaceably for the future and not joyn with abet or have any correspondence with the enemies of the Lord-Protector or the Common wealth Severall other Persons of Quality were likewise by them released out of the Tower Maj. Gen. Brown likewise who had by the long Parliament in 1649 been disabled from bearing any Offices in the City is by them restored and made capable of all Offices priviledges and precedencies there and the long Parliaments Vote of the 4th of December 1649 made in his prejudice vacated The Quakers to promote their Turbulencies on the 16th of April sent a Paper into the House sealed and directed on the outside For the Speaker of the Commons assembled in Parliament these are for him to read to the Commons The inside contained a Declaration entituled A Declaration to the Commons assembled in Parliament Delivered the sixth day of the second Moneth called April 1659 to the then Speaker of the said House This Declaration contained many ignominious scandals thrown by those Fanatiques both upon the Magistracy and Ministry for which the Parliament express their Resentment to the Declarers requiring them to repair to their respective habitations apply themselves to