there at that time the Assailants were with great slaughter repulsed and beaten down the Cannon in the mean time from the English Fleet in the Splinter firing their broadsides upon them being directed by four great Torches set up at the four corners of the Fort how to avoid damaging it Yet about four a Clock in the morning the D. of York commanded the assault to be renewed which was done with greater fury but to as little purpose or advantage as before so that day light approaching they were forced to retreat carrying away the dead in Waggons which were judged to be some hundreds though the number was not certainly known Since force would not prevail the Duke designed to attempt the regaining this important place by stratagem to which purpose he imployed a Scotch Knight who was well acquainted with General Reynolds to represent to him the advantages he might obtain by serving the King and promoting his Interest and Restoration which it seems so far prevailed that Reynolds agreed to give the Duke a meeting betwixt Dunkirk and Mardike with a party of Horse on either side At their approach Reynolds shewed much respect to the Duke and some private discourses passed between them which were never made publick and then the General returned to the Fort and 〈◊〉 Duke to Dunkirk The Protector having Intelligence of this Enterview dispatcht away a messenger to command General Reynolds instantly to London which he with Coll. White and the Generals Secretary readily obeying and taking the first ship that was ready and would venture to go off which was a Dutch Pink of 100 Guns in a stormy Night Dec. 12 a Frigate offering to wait upon him the next morning he was cast away the same Night on the back of the Goodwin-sands his Chest Sword and Belt being found thereabout and Coll. Morgan commanded in his place About this time there happened Wars between the two Northern Crowns and the Danes having attacked Bremer-warden a very strong place and soon after master'd it the Protector sent Sir Philip Medows Envoy to the K. of Denmark and Coll. Jephson to the K. of Sweden then journying out of Poland where he was ingaged in War likewise to meet this new Enemy They were both well received and during this Mediation the Protector sent supplies of 2000 men and arms to his Ally the K. of Sweden Mean while the protector at home was swearing his Privy Council persuant to one of the Arricles of the humble petition and advice and his Son Richard was made one and also Chancellor of the University of Oxford His Son Henry was constituted Lord Deputy of Ireland and his Son-in-law the Lord Fleetwood was designed to be Lord Commissioner of Scotland where General Monk at present commanded He likewise in this interval of Parliament made choice of several persons to fill up the other House or House of Lords according to the fourth Article of the Petition and Advice being sixty two in number many of whom refused to appear or act with them their Names were these Lord Rich. Cromwel L. Henry Cromwel L. Commissioner Lisle L. President Lawrence Lt. Gen. Fleetwood Robert E. of Warwick Edw. E of Manchester L. Say and Seal L. Viscount Lisle L. Viscount Howard Philip L. Wharton L. Falconbridge L. Ewers John Cleypool John Desborough General Montague Bulstrode Whitlock William Sydenham Sir Charles Woolsey Sir Gilb. Pickering Maj. Gen. Skippon Walter Strickland Francis Rous John Jones Sir Will. Strickland Sir Francis Russel Sir Tho. Honeywood Sir Arth. Haslerig Sir John Hobard Sir Rich. Onslow Sir Gilb. Gerrard Sir William Roberts John Glyn Oliver Sr. Johns Will. Pierepoint John Crew Alex. Popham Philip Jones Sir Christopher Pack Sir Robert Tichbourn Edward Whaley John Berkstead Sir John Hewson Sir Thomas Pride Sir George Fleetwood Richard Ingoldsby James Berry William Goff Thomas Cooper Edmund Thomas General Monk David Earl of Cassills Sir VVilliam Lockhart Lord VVarreston VVilliam Steel Roger Lord Broghill Sir Matt. Tomlinson VVilliam Lenthall Richard Hamden He likewise made three Commissioners of the Great Seal Nath. Fiennes John Lisle VVilliam Lenthall Master of the Rolls Judges of both Benches Of the Hoper Bench John Glyn L. C. Justice Philip-VVarlinton Richard Nudigate Oliver St. John Of the Common Bench Edward Atkyns Matchew Hale Hugh VVindham Barons of the Exchequer Attorney General Robert Nicholas John Parker Roger Hill Erasmus Earl Edmund Prideaux Sollicitor General VVilliam Ellis The time of the prorogation of the parliament being expired they make their appearance again and the persons above-named met in the House of Lords where the protector coming he sends to the Commons to tell them that he desired their attendance in the House of Peers wither the Speaker and the Members go to whom he makes a very pleasing speech concluding That if they would go on to prosecute what they had begun they should be called the blessed of the Lord and the Generations to come would bless them After which the Lord Commissioner Fiennes spake to them declaring what occasions the Government had for money and that the money already granted though it was thought sufficient yet fell much beneath the expence and necessity of the state especially that Tax upon the new buildings falled altogether of what was expected and intended by it and so recommended the whole affair to their consideration Being sate in their Houses the other House sent to the Commons by two of their Members a message for a day of Humiliation and were returned with this answer The House will consider of it and then they Voted that for two months time liberty should be given to exhibit any petitions against undue Elections and consented to a Fast which was kept within the walls of both Houses by Dr. Reynolds Mr. Caryl Mr. Calamy and Mr. Griffith The parliament according to the fourth Article of the Petition and Advice which says That no Members legally chosen should be excluded from performance of their duty but by consent of parliament immediately proceed to the calling over and re-admitting those members which had formerly been secluded by the Protector to His Highness great discontent The House being now full began to flight the other House which they said being a power created by a part of a parliament ought not to have a Negative Voice over a full House and at length they proceeded to question the protectors power in calling and authorizing them to sit as an House of Peers The protector doubting to what height these debates might arise Feb. 4. 1657. he goes to the House of Lords and by the Usher of the black Rod sends to acquaint the Commons of his being there so the speaker and members coming to the Bar His Highness sitting under a Chair of State made a long speech and in conclusion told them That it did concern his Interest as much as the publick peace and tranquillity of the Nation to dissolve this parliament and therefore he did now put an end to their sitting So
which the English had taken near Burnt Island after he had delivered his message he confidently told the souldiers their General was dead and that they did well in concealing it but he would never believe otherwise nor could he be convinced till the General ordered him to be brought into his presence who was now somewhat recovered so that upon his return this false rumour vanished But the Parliament of England hearing that he had a relapse afterward and a violent Ague they sent him two eminent Physicians Dr. Wright and Dr. Bates to use their utmost Art for his reâ—overy with an Order that gave him liberty to repair into England for recovering his health To which he made a return of Thanks by a Letter to the Lord President in which among others are these unusual expressions My Lord my sickness was indeed so violent that my Nature was not able to bear the weight thereof but the Lord was pleased to deliver me beyond expectations and to give me cause to say once more He hath plucked me out of the Grave So that now by the goodness of God I find my self growing to such a stare of health and strength as may yet if it be his good will render me useful according to my poor ability in the station wherein he hath set me I wish more steadiness in your affairs here than to depend in the least upon so frail a thing as I am indeed they do not nor do they own any Instrument this Cause is of God and it must prosper Oh that all that have any hand therein being so perswaded would gird up the loins of their minds and endeavour in all things to walk worthy of the Lord. So prays my Lord Your most humble Servant O. Cromwel Edenburgh June 3. At this time Ambassadors came to the Parliament of England from Spain Portugal and Holland the first was reminded of delaying execution on the Assassinates of the English Resident at Madrid The second not having full power to give satisfaction for the expences of the state and loss of the Merchants Goods by means of that King was quickly dismiss'd The Hollander kept at a distance rather wishing prosperity to the Royal party than heartily desiring peace with the Common-wealth of England Soon after Oliver St. John and Walter Strickland were sent Ambassadors Extraordinary to the States and were received with great splendor and having audience of the States-General at the Hague the Lord Ambassador St. John made a learned and elegant speech declaring That they were sent over to the High and Mighty States of the Netherlands from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to make a firm League and Confederacy between the two Republicks if they think fit notwithstanding the many injuries the English have received from the Dutch Nation Likewise to renew and confirm the former Treaties and Agreements of Trade and Commerce made between the two Nations wherein he shewed them the notable advantages of England in respect of its commodious scituation for advancement of Trade and all other benefits Lastly That he was commanded to let them know how highly the Parliament resented the murder of Dr. Dorislaus their Agent not doubting but they would do their utmost to discover the Authors thereof After which the Ambassadors Gentlemen receiving several affronts from the Royal party there the States published a Proclamation to prevent it yet these abuses continued and no punishment being inflicted on any though the common people often swarm'd about the Ambassadors Gates and assaulted their Servants and the States evading any Treaty till they saw how matters would succeed in Scotland the Parliament highly resenting these proceedings suddenly recalled their Ambassadors to the great surprize of the States Who thereupon endeavoured by frequent visits to them to insinuate their amicable Intentions but the Ambassadors returned to England And that which gave some jealousie to the Parliament of their designs was Because Admiral Van Trump with a Fleet of Ships lay hovering upon the Coasts of Scilly as though he would attempt something against it and the occasion of it being demanded of the States they replied They had no other intent but to demand the restitution of such Ships and Goods as the Pirates thereof had taken from their people With which answer the Parliament were somewhat satisfied yet to prevent the worst April 18. 1651. Sir George Ayscough with a Squadron of ships designed for reducing the Caribbee-Islands was sent thither and landed three hundred Seamen besides souldiers and soon became masters of the Islands Tresco and Briers taking therein one hundred and fifty prisoners and killing twenty They took also two Frigates of thirty two and eighteen Guns and secured the best Harbour belonging to those Islands Hence the Enemy fled to St. Maries their chief strength which yet was soon surrendred Cornet-castle in the Isle of Guernsey was at this time attempted but through mis-information of the weakness of the place the design miscarried with the loss of many Officers and souldiers About this time Brown Bushel a very earnest stickler for the Royal party both by Sea and Land and who when in the service of the Parliament had delivered up Scarborough to the King was taken and beheaded at Tower-hill The Parliament of Scotland having adjourned during the Coronation of the King met again in March and some differences arose about restoring several Lords of the Royal party to their seats in the House which yet the Assembly would not admit of till they had passed the stool of Repentance which Duke Hamilton did with some kind of splendor having a Table placed before him with a black Velvet cover and a Cushion of the same and making a great Feast that day The King having now got some power endeavoured to regain reputation among his subjects by putting all the Garrisons of Fife into a posture of defence against the landing of the English drawing what Forces he could spare both Horse and Foot from Sterling and joining them with the new Leavies which for better security he Quartered on the Water side and then goes to the Highlands to compose all differences there and to incite them to rise and join with him from whence Midleten soon after brought a considerable body of Horse and Foot and the Town of Dundee raised a Regiment of Horse at their own charge and sent them with a stately Tent and six fine brass cannon for a present to the King then at Sterling whose Army now consisted in six thousand Horse and fifteen thousand foot but the Earl of Eglington being sent to the West with some other commanders to raise more forces coming to Dunbarton Collonel Lilburn upon notice sent a party of Horse who suddenly seized the Earl his Son Collonel James Montgomery Lieutenant Collonel Colborn and some others whom they carried prisoners to Edinburgh At the same time a design was discovered the English Covenanters intending a general rising in Lancashire to join with the Scots the chief
some effectual means whereby to establish Righteousness and Peace in these Nations And after much debate it was judged necessary that the supream Government should be by the Parliament devolved upon known persons fearing God and of approved Integrity and the Government of the Common-wealth committed to them for a time as the most hopeful way to incourage and countenance all Gods people reform the Law and administer Justice impartially hoping thereby the people may forget Monarchy and understanding their true Election of successive Parliaments may have the Government settled upon a true Basis without hazard to this glorious Cause or necessitating to keep up Armies for the defence of the same And being still resolved to use all means possible to avoid extraordinary courses we prevailed with about twenty Members of Parliament to give us a conference with whom we freely and calmly debated the Necessity and Justice of our proposals in that behalf and did evidence that those and not the Act under their consideration would most probably bring forth something answerable to that work the foundation whereof God hath laid and is now carrying on in the World The which notwithstanding found no acceptance but instead thereof it was offered that the way was to continue still this present Parliament as being that from which we might reasonably expect all good things And this being vehemently insisted upon did much confirm us in our apprehensions that not any love to a Representative but the making use thereof to recruit and so to perpetuate themselves was their aim They being plainly dealt with about this and told That neither the Nation the honest Interest nor we our selves would be deluded by such dealings they did agree to meet again the next day in the Afternoon for mutual satisfaction it being consented to by the Members present that endeavours should be used that nothing in the mean time should be done in Parliament that might exclude or frustrate the proposals before-mentioned Notwithstanding this the next morning the Parliament did make more haste than usual in carrying on their said Act being helped on therein by some of the persons ingaged to us the Night before none of them which were then present endeavouring to oppose the same and being ready to put the main Question for consumating the said Act whereby our foresaid proposals would have been rendred void and the way of bringing them into a fair and full debate of Parliament obstructed For preventing whereof and all the sad and evil consequences which must upon the grounds aforesaid have ensued and whereby at one blow the Interest of all honest men and of this glorious Cause had been indangered to be laid in the dust and these Nations imbroiled in new troubles at a time when our Enemies abroad are watching all opportunities against us and some of them actually engaged in War with us we have been necessitated though with much reluctancy to put an end to this parliament which yet we have done we hope out of an honest heart preferring this Cause above our Names Families Lives or Interests how dear soever with clear intentions and real purposes of heart to call to the Government persons of approved fidelity and honesty believing that as none wise will expect to gather Thistles of Thorns so good men will hope that if persons so qualified be chosen the fruits of a Just and Righteous Reformation so long prayed for and wished for will by the blessing of God be in due time obtained to the refreshing of all those good hearts who have been panting after these things Much more might have been said if it had been our desire to justifie our selves by aspersing others and raking into the mis-government of affairs but we shall conclude with this That as we have been led by Necessity and Providence to act as we have done even above and beyond even our own thoughts and desires so we shall and do in that of this great work which is behind put our selves wholly upon the Lord for a blessing professing we look not to stand one day without his support much less to bring to pass one of the things mentioned and desired without his assistance and therefore do solemnly desire and expect That all men as they would not provoke the Lord to their own destruction would wait for such an issue as he should bring forth and to follow their business with peaceable spirits wherein we promise them protection by his assistance And for those who profess their fear and love to the Name of God that seeing in a great measure for their sakes and for righteousness sake we have taken our lives in our hands to do these things they would be instant with the Lord day and night on our behalfs that we may obtain grace from him And seeing we have made so often mention of his Name that we may not do the least dishonour thereto which indeed would be our confusion and a stain to the whole profession of godliness We beseech them also to live in all humility meekness righteousness and love towards another and towards all men that so we may put to silence the Ignorance of the foolish that falsly accuse them and to know that the late great and glorious Dispensations wherein the Lord hath so gloriously appeared in bringing forth these things by the travel and blood of his Children ought so to oblige them so to walk in the wisdom and love of Christ as may cause others to honour their holy profession because they see Christ to be in them of a truth We do further propose before it be long more particularly to shew the grounds of our proceedings and the reasons of this late great action and change which in this we have but hinted at And we do lastly declare That all Judges Sheriffs Justices of Peace Mayors Bayliffs Committees and all other Civil Officers and publick Ministers whatsoever within the Common-wealth or any parts thereof do proceed in their respective places and Offices and all persons whatsoever are to give Obedience to them as fully as when the Parliament was sitting Signed in the Name and by the appointment of his Excellency the Lord General and his Council of Officers William Malyn Secret White-Hall April 22 1653. This Declaration being published throughout the Nation was assented to by most of the chief Officers both by Sea and Land but for satisfaction of the Civil Magistrates and to prevent disturbance this second Declaration was soon after published Whereas the Parliament being dissolved persons of approved fidelity and honesty and according to the late Declaration of the 22d instant to be called from several parts of this Common-wealth to the supream Authority and although effectual proceedings are and have been had for perfecting those resolutions yet some convenient time being required for the assembling of those persons it hath been found necessary for preventing the mischiefs and inconveniences which may arise in the mean while to the publick affairs that a
VVorlds great waste the Ocean we VVhole Forrests send to reign upon the Sea And every Coast may trouble or relieve But none can visit us without our leave Angels and we have this Prerogative That none can at our happy seat arrive VVhile we descend at pleasure to invade The Bad with Vengeance and the Good to Aid Mean while the Spaniards in America Near to the Line the Sun approaching faw And hoped their European coasts to find Cleer'd from our ships by the Autumnal wind Their huge capacious Gallions stuff'd with Plate The labouring winds drive slowly to their fate Before St. Lucar they their Guns discharge To shew their Joy or to invite a Barge This heard some ships of ours though out of view As swift as Eagles to the Quarry flew So harmless Lambs that for their Mother bleat VVake hungry Lyons and become their meat Arriv'd they roon begin their Tragick play And with their smoaky Cannon banish day Night horror slaughter with confusion meets And in their sable arms imbrace the Fleets Through yielding planks the angry Bullets fly And of one wound hundreds together dye Born under different Stars one fate they have The Ship their Coffia and the Sea their Grave Bold were the men that on the Ocean first Spread their new Sails when shipwrack was the worst More danger now from men alone we find Than from the Rocks the Billows and the VVind They that had fail'd from near th' Antartick Pole Their Treasure safe and all their Vessels whole In sight of their dear country ruin'd he VVithout the guilt of either Rock or Sea VVhat they would â—ave our fiercer art destroys Surpassing storms in terror and in noise Once Jove from Ida did both Hosts survey And when he pleas'd to Thunder part the fray Here Heav'n in vain that kind retreat would sound The louder cannon had the thunder drown'd Some were made prize while others burnt and rent VVith their rich lading to the bottom went Down sinks at once So Fortune with us sports The pay of Armies and the pride of Courts Vain man whose rage buries as low that store As Avarice had digg'd for it before VVhat Earth in her dark bowels could not keep From greedy hands lies safer in the Deep VVhere Thetis kindly doth from mortals hide Those seeds of Luxury debate and pride And now into our hands the richest prize Falls with the noblest of our eremies The Marquess glad to see the fire destroy VVealth the prevailing Foe were to enjoy Out from his flaming ship his children sent To perish in a milder Element Then laid him by his burning Ladies side And since he could not save her with her dy'd Spices and Gums about them melting fry And â—hoenix like in that rich Nest they dye Alive in flames of equal love they burn'd And now together into Ashes turn'd Ashes more worth than all their Funeral cost Than the huge Treasure which with them was lost These dying Lovers and their floating Sons Suspend the Fight and filence all our Guns Beuaty and youth about to perish finds Such noble pity in brave English minds That they the spoil neglecting and the prize All labour now to save their Enemies How frail 's our passion How soon changed are Our wrath and fury to a friendly care They that but now for honour and for plate Made the Sea blush with blood forget their hate And while their Foes from perishing they retrieve VVith greater danger than they fought they dive VVith these returns Victorious Montague VVith Lawrel in his hands and half Peru Let our brave Generals divide that bough Our great Protector hath such wereaths enow His conquering Head hath no more room for Bays Then let it be as the whole Nation prays VVith purple cloth'd and Ermine let him hold A Royal Scepter made of Spanish Gold The Protector was highly pleased at this succesns and great booty and a particular day of Thanksgiving was appointed by him for it and soon after Gen. Montague with the young Marquets and part of the Fleet to convoy the silver which amounted to two millions of pieces of Eight returned into England and delivered the Bullion into the Mint and the young Marquess and his Brother were set at liberty But the Spanish War being like to prove chargeable notwithstanding this present supply the protector being still necessitated for money and desiring to have his power confirmed to him by the people in hope the new Representative might grant him what the former denied he issues out Writs for the Election of a new parliament wherein much circumspection was used if possible to prevent some of the former House from being chosen Sept. 17. 1656. This parliament met at Westminster and had a Sermon preached before them at the Abbey Church by Dr. John Owen Dean of Christs-Châ—rch upon those words in Isaiah What shall one then answer to the messengers of the Land That the Lord hath founded Sion and the poor of his people shall rejoice After Sermon the members went to the House but found at the door a Guard and an Officer standing with a List in his hand demanding the Names of every one of them and such as were marked for non-admittance were turned back and a promise imposed upon every individual member before he should be permitted to fit in the House That he would not act any thing prejudicial to the present Government which many refused and returned home but the major part assenting to it entred the House and chose Sir Tho. Widdrington Speaker and not minding those that were excluded referred the approbation of them to the Protectors Council They then proceed according to the protectors desire making an Act for disanulling the Title of Charles Stewart to the Government of these three Nations nemine contradicente another for making it Treason for any to attempt compass or imagine the Protectors death and appointing such Offendors to be tryed not by a Jury of twelve sufficient men but by a High Court of Justice a third for an assessment upon England Scotland and Ireland of seventy thousand pound a month for three years an Act for preventing multiplicity of buildings in and ten miles about London a whole years Revenue to be paid for all dwelling or Out-houses raised upon any new foundation since 1620. An Act for Excise of merchandize imported An Act for punishing such as live at high rates and have no visible Estates and lastly for the observation of the Lords-day VVhen these Arts were ready for signing the Protector came to the painted chamber and sent for the parliament where the speaker tendring them to him at the signing them he speake thus Mr. Speaker I perceive that among these many Acts of parliament there hath been very great care had by the parliament to provide for the just and necessary support of the Common-wealth by these Bills for levying of money now brought to me which I have given my consent unto and understanding it hath been the practice
Protector All the great Offices of the Common-wealth such as Chancellor Keeper of the Seal Governor of Ireland Admiral c. if they become void in parhament time to be supplied by their approbation or in intervals of parliament with the approbation of the Council The Christian Religion as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures to be the publick profession of the Nation and those that administer it to be maintained by the publick but by some way more convenient and less liable to envy than Tythes None are to be compelled to consent to the publick profession by fine or any punishment ever but only by perswasion and arguments None that profess Faith in Jesus Christ are to be prohibited the exercise of their Religion provided he do not quarrel with nor disturb others except the papists and prelatists who are debarr'd that License All Sales of Estates made by parliament to stand good All Articles of War to be made good And lastly the protector and his successor upon entring that charge to swear to procure by all means the peace quiet and welfare of the Common-wealth to observe these Articles and to administer all things in his power according to the Laws Statutes and Customs of England After this Dec. 16. 1653. the protector came from White-Hall to the Chancery Court at Westminster attended by the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England the Barons of the Exchequer and Judges in their Robes the Council of the Common-wealth the L. Mayor Aldermen and Recorder of London in their scarlet Gowns and many of the chief Officers of the Army A Chair of State being set the Protector stood on the left hand thereof uncovered till the Instrument was read which he subscribed in the face of the Court and then swore to perform as follows I promise in the presence of God not to violate or infringe the matters and things contained in the Instrument but to observe and cause the same to be observed and in all things to the best of my understanding will govern these Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs and to seek their peace and cause Justice and Law to be equally administred Hereupon he sate down covered in the Chair the Lords Commissioners then delivered him the Great Seal of England and the Lord Mayor his Sword and Can of maintenance which he instantly returned Then the Court rose and the Protector was attended back as before to the Banquetting House at White-Hall the Lord Mayor bare headed carrying the Sword before him where an exhortation being made by Mr. Nicholas Lockier one of his Chaplains the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Judges departed And thus was the Protector confirmed in this high Dignity tho' many of his Officers and former admirers were much discontented thereat but to command obedience the Council emitted the following Proclamation which was published in England Scotland and Ireland Whereas the late Parliament dissolved themselves and resigned their powers and Authorities the Government by a Lord Protector and successive elective parliaments is now established And whereas Oliver Cromwel Captain General of all the Forces of this Common-wealth is declared Lord protector of the said Nations and hath accepted thereof We have therefore thought it necessary as we hereby do to make publication of the premises and strictly to charge and command all and every person and persons of what quality and condition soever in any of the said three Nations totake notice hereof and to conform and subject themselves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Mayors Bayliffs c. are required to publish this proclamation to the end that none may have cause to pretend Ignorance in this behalf The Protector began his reign with seeming serenity and when the different parties in Religion made their complaints to him against each other he usually told them That his power was no greater in the Nation than a Constables which was to keep peace and quietness among all parties And persuant to the power given him by the new Instrument he supplies the several Courts at Westminster with the ablest Judges and Lawyers and the City of London to shew their concurrence to this great change invite the Protector to Dinner at Grocers-Hall Feb. 8. being Ashwednesday the Streets were railed to Temple-bar the Livery men standing in their Gowns he was met at Temple-bar by Alderman Vyner Lord Mayor who delivered him the Sword and receiving it again bore it on Horseback bare-headed before him all the way After a Noble enterrainment he was served with a Banquet in the conclusion whereof he Knighted Sir Tho. Vyner and would have done the same to the Recorder Steel but he declined it The Hollanders being weary of the Wars which they had maintained with such little success and so great cost send commissioners to treat with the pretector for a peace between both Nations which at length was concluded both with the King of Denmark and the Dutch who were to pay the charge of the War money being very necessary in his new Government and in April following it was proclaimed with great solemnity in London the two Dutch Ambassadors making magnificent Treatments and Fire-works to demonstrate their satisfaction therein The Protector now sends his eldest Son Henry into Ireland of which he was made Lord Deputy soon after and General Monk was sent into Scotland Likewise the Lord Whitlock who was sent Ambassador by the last parliament to the Q. of Sweden had now a new commission sent him from the Lord protector in whose Name he continued the Treaty with that Crown and afterward finished it In March following Monsieur Bordeux was sent Ambassador to England from the French King and Sir Anthony Ashly Cooper Coll. Sydenham and Mr. Strickland were appointed Commissioners by the protector to treat with him so that he was owned abroad as well as at home King Charles was then in the French Court who finding that notwithstanding his own and his Mothers endeavours to the contrary the Treaty between France and England was vigorously prosecuted by Cardinal Mazarine and foreseeing that if the peace were concluded he and his party must be obliged to depart France he thought it more Honourable voluntarily to leave that Kingdom than to stay till he were forced out by a complement so the King with his Brother the Duke of York and his Cousins Prince Rupert and Edward retired to Chattillon a House of the Prince of Condes from whence soon after the King and Prince Rupert went into Germany and indeed it happened as they suspected for one of the Articles of the French King with the protector was That none of the Royal Family of England should reside in the Dominions of France In Feb. 1654. several persons were committed to the Tower about a conspiracy against the protector the chief whereof Sir Gilbert Gerrard Coll. John Gerrard his brother the E. of Oxford Mr. Philip Porter Mr. Vowell a School-master at Islington and in June following an High Court
of Justice being erected they were brought before them and charged to design the Assassination of the Lord protector and thereupon Coll. Gerrard and Mr. Vowell were sentenced to be hanged which was accordingly executed upon Mr. Vowell at Charing-cross and Coll. Gerrard was beheaded at Tower-Hill who expressly denied the intention of the fact With him upon the same Scaffold but not upon the like account suffered at that time Don Pantalion Sa brother to the Portugal Ambassador then Resident in England who upon conceit that he had received some affront upon the New-Exchange in the Strand came thither one evening with a crew of idle fellows Lacquies and Servants to himself and his brother armed with pistols swords and Hand-Granadoes and firing a pistol killed one â—â—r Greenway standing quietly at a Stall and had done further mischief if this Coll. Gerrard had not stop'd their fury and with his sword drawn driven them all down stairs upon hearing the matter the Protector resolved the murderers should suffer without respect of persons and it appearing that though the person who committed the murder was a Knight of Malta and had made his escape yet that this Noble-man and the rest were accessaries he and four more of the Ambassadors were tryed and found guilty with an Irish youth Don Pantalion was beheaded with Coll. Gerrard the Irish boy was hanged at Tyburn and the other four pardoned and peace being soon after concluded with the K. of Portugal the Ambassador sorrowfully departed In the same month a ship fell accidentally on fire on Southwark side as she lay at Anchor which being cut away the ship was driven by the flowing tyde upon a shelf near the bridge where she stuck and blew up her powder there were eight persons killed one a Draper upon his Leads by the plank of the Ship and had the blow been any nigher it might have indangered the bridge it self The Lord Protector in pursuance of the late Instrument resolved now to call a parliament and Writs were sent out for their meeting Sept. 3. 1654. at Westminster Being assembled accordingly the Protector went by Water from White-Hall to the Parliament-House and sending for the Members into the Painted-Chamber he desired their company to hear a Sermon at the Abby-Church the next day and afterwards he would impart his mind to them About Nine next morning His Highness rode in his Coach to Church with whom sate his Son Henry and the Lord Lambert The Pages went before and his Gentlemen in rich Liveries marched bare-headed On one side of the Coach walked Mr. Strickland one of the Council and Captain of the Guards together with the master of the Ceremonies On the other side was Capt. Howard Capt. of the Life-Guard These were followed by the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal the Commissioners of the Treasury and the Privy-Council in their Coaches and in the rere came the protectors Ordinary Guard As he entred the Church four maces the purse and a sword born by the Lord Lambert were carried before him Dr. Tho. Goodwin preached the Sermon which being ended the Protector and the Parliament went to the painted-chamber where there was an appearance of a number of grave judicious persons to whom the Protector spake to this effect Gentlemen The parliament that are here met this day are such a congregation of wise prudent and discreet persons that England hath never scarce seen the like and few could have thought of such a door of hope not many years ago and therefore it would have been very necessary and worthy such an Assembly to give a relation of the series of Gods providences all along to these very times but that being very well known to most of you I shall at present omit it and proceed to declare to you in what condition these Nations were when the present Government was erected It was apparent that every mans heart was against another and every mans interest divided against each other and we had then such different humours that every thing almost was grown arbitrary There was also grown up a general contempt of God and Christ and the grace of God was turned into wantonness and his spirit made a cloak for all manner of wickedness and profaneness Nay the Ax was laid to the root of the ministry and the fifth monarchy was highly cry'd up by persons who would assume the Government but that desired thing wants greater manifestation than has yet appeared before men ought to change the Authority to make way for it While these things were in the midst of us and nothing but confusion in the hearts and minds of some men swarms of popish Priests and Jesuites daily arrived here to raise and foment divisions against the peace and quiet of the Nation And at the same time the Nation was likewise ingaged in a deep War with Portugal Holland and France so that we were in a heap of confusion and it was absolutely necessary that a speedy remedy should be applied thereto and this has been in a great measure done since the settling of this Government which is clearly calculated for the peoples Interest let malignant spirits say what they will and therefore with humbleness toward God and modesty towards you I will recount something in the behalf of this Government For first It hath endeavoured to reform the Law It hath put into the seats of Justice men of known Integrity and Justice It hath settled a way for trial and probation of ministers to preach the Gospel And besides all this It hath called a Free parliament blessed be God that this day you see a Free parliament As for the Wars a peace is made with Sweden Denmark the Datch and Portugal and one likewise very near concluding with France yet these things are only entrances and open door of hope But now Gentlemen I make no question to inable you to lay the top stone of this work and I shall recommend this maxim to your consideration That peace though it be made is not to be trusted farther than it consists with Interest and one great work that at present lies before this Honourable Assembly is That the Government of Ireland may be settled in terms of Honour and that you would avoid confusions lest Foreign States should take advantage by them And as for my self I assure you I do not speak as one that would Lord it over you but as one that would be a fellow servant to you in this great affair and so to conclude I desire you to repair to your House and use your liberty in choosing a Speaker The Protector having concluded his Speech the members immediately repair to their House and there choose William Lenthal Esq master of the holls to be their Speaker after which they begin upon the Instrument of Government and the question is in the first place proposed Whether the Legislative power should be in a single person or a parliament Those of the protectors party endeavour by all means