Provisions and Ammunition Order for 100 l. to Mr. King who brought the Letters from Sir Charles Coot for his good Service Referred to the Councel of State to examine the Business of Captain Kesar mentioned in Sir Charles Coots Letter and to send for and secure him if they find cause 25 By Vote the House declared That all such English and Scots and all others that have ingaged for the Parliament of England in the Nation of Scotland and have revolted from that Service and all such as have or shall adhere unto or joyn with Charles Stuart eldest Son of the late King in that Nation are Traytors and shall have their Estates confiscate and their Persons proceeded against by Martial Law Order for these Votes to be Printed and Published and a Copy of them to be sent to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Order to forbid proceedings in the Composition of the Earl of Derby because he holds the Isle of Man against the Parliament By two Printed Papers and three Letters to the Committee of the Army for discovery of Criminal Offenders Mr. Speaker was taxed for an ill Member and that he had conveyed a great Sum of Money to the King and Matters of Falsehoods and Breach of Trust are charged on him Upon the Order of the General the Officers of the Army certifyed under their Hands That they never examined any matter touching the Speaker nor had any Order from his Excellency for that purpose to authorize it That they find the same Business had been Judicially heard before a Committee of Parliament and by them reported to the House who declared those complaints raysed and prosecuted falsely malitiously and scandalously against the Speaker and that exemplary Punishment be inflicted upon the Prosecutors The Officers of the Army conclude their Certificates That they humbly conceive the said Information raysed and promoted since the Judgement of the House as aforesaid was a practice to bring an Odium upon the Speaker who hath so highly merited from the publick An Advertisement published That if any Countryman be injured by the Souldiers taking of Free-Quarter contrary to the Act that upon Complaint to the Judge Advocate of the Army and Proof thereof made he shall have Satisfaction out of the Pay of the Souldier and Protection from the Army 27 The House sate not Letters from Dublin to the Councel of State of some Correspondence betwixt the Governour of Tredagh and Lieutenant General Jones and that Ormond came thither with 1500 Horse and 2000 Foot That Owen Roe O Neal conceiving that he had merited from the Parliament desired a Convoy for his Men to serve the Spaniard but nothing was granted Letters that the Scots Army was full of Malignants and the Nation full of Feares That nothing will give Satisfaction there but the Kings putting Malignants from him and granting the particulars of the Covenant Letters from Mr. Peters to the Councel giving them an account of the Fleets setting sail for Ireland c. Lieutenant Collonel Morrice Governour of Pontfract Castle for the King was executed according to the Sentence of the Court Marshal Letters that 5 Men of War wearing the Scots Colours set upon 5 Ships of the Parliaments killed 4 of their Men wounded 18 and did much Prejudice to the Ships The Governours of the new Corporation in London for setting the poor to work sent their Warrants requiring the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor in every Parish to return the Names to them of all such as are able to work and have not meanes to maintain themselves and of all who are not able to work and want Livelyhood 28 Order for such as neglect to take out Discharges upon their Compositions for Delinquency to be taken into Custody The Act passed prohibiting the Importing of any Wines Wool or Silk from France into England or Ireland An Act passed for admitting the Purchasers of Bishops Lands to pay the whole purchase Money by Weavers-Hall Bills Another Act passed touching the second 40000 l. charged on the Excise and Goldsmiths-Hall 29 The Publique Thanksgiving day Solemnized The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland shortly after his landing at Dublin published a Proclamation reciting the great Mercies of God to that City particularly in the late Defeat given to the Rebels who incompassed it round about and finding that notwithstanding the Goodness of God to them yet by profane Swearing Cursing and Drunkenness his holy Name is dayly dishonoured and blasphemed contrary to the Laws of God and the known Laws of that Land and to the Articles of War He commands the Major and Magistrates of the City and the Officers of the Army to put in due Execution the Laws against such Offenders and that he will punish the neglect and contempt of this Proclamation with the severest Punishment of the Law 30 The Act for relief of Prisoners of Debt was after a long Debate and difference in Opinion ordered upon the Question to be ingrossed Debate touching Fees and Salaries of the Officers belonging to the House The Arrears of Sir Adam Lostus referred to the Committee for Irish Affairs Letters from Holland That the Prince his Men run away from him for want of Mony That 2 Irish Frigots brought into Dunkirk 6 Hull Ships for Prizes Letters from Dublin That the English Fleet which came thither with the L. Lieutenant strikes a great Terrour into the Enemy That Trumpets came to Jones from Ormond Inchequin and others but he sent them back with this Answer That now all Addresses must be made to the L. Lt. Cromwel 31 Order that Serjeant Dandey Serjeant at Arms to the Councel do proclaim the Act for prohibiting the Importation of Wines Wool and Silks from France Debate touching Mr. Warners Case An Act passed touching the West-India Islands and making them subordinate to the Government of England Order for an Act to prohibite the Brewing of Ale or Beer above 10 s. the Barrel Report by the Councel of a Letter from the Lieutenant of Ireland giving an Account of his Condition after his safe Arrival and laying open his necessities for Supplies and speedy Recruits Referred to the Councel of State to consider of the Letter and Desires of the L. Lieutenant and to answer his Expectation so far forth as it may not increase the Charge of this Common-Wealth Order for Payment of the 200 l. formerly given to Captain Poulton Order for 1200 l. for C. Fielder late Governour of Portsmouth for his Service there and 1148 l. for his Arreares out of concealed Delinquents Estates to be discovered by him Upon a Report from the Councel of their Opinion That Sir Kenelm Digby is a dangerous Person and to know the pleasure of the House concerning him they Voted That he was not within the compass of the Votes for compounding for his Delinquency And that he be injoyned to depart the Common-Wealth within 20 days and not to return without leave of the House under pain of Death
that time 16 Letters That General Blake sent in four Prizes one was a French Man of War with forty Copper Guns whose Captain being commanded on Bord by General Blake he asked him if he was willing to lay down his Sword the Captain answered No. Then Blake bid him return to his Ship and fight it out as long as he was able which he did and after two hours Fight he came in and submitted and kissing his Sword delivered it to Blake who sent him and his Ship with the rest into England 17 Letters of a Remonstrance of divers Ministers sent to the Commissioners of the Kirk against their present Proceedings but the Ministers were threatned to be proceeded against unless they desist 18 Letters that the Scots Army was 8000 Horse and 8000 Foot and they resolved to bring it up to 50000 and then to give Battle to the English Army That C. Fenwick took Possession of Edenburgh Castle as Governour thereof That a Party of Dragoons took a Ship loaden with Herrings going to the Scots 20 Letters that at the Coronation of the King in Scotland many Speeches were made to him and the Kirk promised him good Success if he did hearken to their Councel That he gave them fair Answers and signed the Covenant and promised to defend them and maintain their Laws Government and Covenant That a Party of 800 choice Horse attempted the Quarters of the English at Lithlingow but were beaten back Letters of great Mischiefs Murders and Plunderings by the Tories in Ireland many of whom the Governour of Dublin had killed and taken That the Governour is turning the Papists out of Dublin 21 A Pardon granted to four Persons condemned to dye by the High Court of Justice for the late Insurrection in Norfolk A new Seal for the Parliament approved and an Act passed for the use of it and that it shall be Treason to Counterfeit it 22 Letters That at the Assises at Taunton two men accused a poor Fellow and preferred eight Indictments against him for stealing eight Sheep but upon the Tryal some being accidentally present came in as Witnesses and fully proved that those eight Sheep were stolen by the Accusers themselves who were Indicted for it and hardly escaped the Gallows Letters That the States of Holland Zealand and Groningen did acknowledge the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England 23 Letters that one Story a Souldier was hanged by sentence of the Court Marshal for killing a Countreyman and another Souldier accescessary to it was hanged on the same Gibbet whil'st one walked ten paces and was then cut down and recovered to Life again 24 Letters that some Conntrey-men Scots were hanged in chains by sentence of the Judge Advocate of the English Army for killing some of the English Souldiers That several Rendezvouzes of the Scots Army were appointed and the King present at them That the Commissioners of the Kirk presented a Remonstrance to the King at St. Johns Town 25 Letters that the Kirk pressed the King to humble himself and to quit the Nation of their Enemies now in the Bowels of the Kingdom 27 Letters of a Mutiny at Sterling which David Lesly had much to do to appease That the General intends to attempt Hume Castle That a Ship loaden with Cloaths and Provisions from London submitted to a Garrison of the Scots on the Sea through the Malignancy of the Master That the Kirk set forth an Exhortation to their Brethren at Edenburgh from Communion with the English or any that desert the Kirk That there were Jealousies between Argyle and Hamilton 28 An Act passed for continuing the Act for the Militia A Charge of the Grand Jury of Northumberland against one Musgrave who had much traduced Sir Arthur Haselrigg ordered by the Councel of State and Musgrave committed 29 Letters that means are used in Spain by the King and his Councel to give Satisfaction to the Parliament of England for the Murder of their publick Agent Mr. Ayscham there but that the Church opposed the punishing of the Murderers being fled to Sanctuary But the Parliament insisted upon it to the Spanish Ambassadour here to have them punished or no further Treaty with that Crown 30 Letters of divisions among the Irish by the Popish Clergy And Opposition made against Ormond and Inchequin That the Rebels in Kerry being 5000 Foot and 500 Horse dispersed the Quarters of C. Le Hunt And that Major General Waller was gone to fight them That divers Robberies and Murders were committed near Tade after and the Thieves demanded of those they robbed whether they had taken the Ingagement 31 Letters of the Kings going about to several Rendezvous and Garrisons to encourage the Souldiers That a Party of Horse from Sterling took seven or eight stragling Souldiers of the Parliâ— ments February 1650. 1 The Parliament appointed the Lord Chief Justice St. John and Mr. Strickland to go Ambassadors extraordinary to the States of the United Provinces Strickland had been Agent there before and for his Experience thought â—it to be sent with St. John who was Cromwells Creature and his Disposition suited with such an Imployment which met with good Abilities though not much versed in Forraign Affairs or Languages Mr. Strickland was an honest rational Gentle-man and versed in the Dutch Business but St. John was looked upon as the principal man The number of Ships and men agreed upon for the reducing of the Barbadoes A difference between C. Sidney Governour of Dover and his Officers referred to the Councel of State 3 Letters of an allarm taken by the Enemy at Sterling upon notice that the English Army intended a March thither That many of their new listed men run away That C. Fenwick Summon'd Hume Castle to be surrendred to General Cromwel But the Governour answered That he knew not Cromwel and for his Castle it was built upon a Rock That the General Assembly of the Rebels in Ireland which they call their Parliament declared their due and perfect obedience to his Majesty Yet that they will insist upon the Articles of Peace and provide against the violation of them And that the King being in the hands of the Scots Presbyterians who had vowed the extirpation of their Religion they would receive no Governour from him whil'st he was in this unfree Condition 4 Order that the Kings Arms be taken down in all publick places and the Armes of the Common-wealth set up in the room thereof and the charge of it paid out of the Parish-Rates and the Justices of Peace Church-wardens and other Officers to see this order executed An Additional Act passed for the sale of Fee-Farm Rents Letters of the Commissioners safe arrival in Ireland 5 Letters that the Ministers about Leverpoole refused to observe the Thanksgiving Day Of several Prizes brought in 6 Letters of an agreement of the Ministers of Somerset and Devon to refuse subscribing the Ingagement or observing the Orders of Parliament
not many days since they earnestly Laboured to hinder the doing of it now they Shout for Joy because it is done thus are the minds this is the practice of the Multitude whom nothing pleaseth long nothing more than Novelty The Ceremonies being performed at the Cathedral the New King with all His New Subjects and Servants returned back from thence unto the Castle in the same Order as they came thither and by the way He was Saluted by the People with their Loud Shouts of God save the King Thus coming to His Court the Abdicated Queen as He entred looks out of the Window and with a cheerful Countenance and Voice heard by the Company wisheth Her Cousin Joy of His Crown and Government He retires for a while to His private Chamber then is called forth to a Sumptuous Feast where most of the Senators and Nobility did Atend upon Him and rejoyce with Him 13 An Order of the Commissioners for setling the differences according to the Treaty with the Dutch between any of the Subjects of those Common-wealths 14 Letters of ten Days constant march of the English Army in the Highlands burning the Houses and Corn as they marched That they Traced the Enemy four days but could not meet with them nor with any Intelligence of them all the People removing before the Army and all their Goods and Cattle carried away That Middleton got away by water and lost one hundred Horse in his march but would not Engage with the English 15 Letters of a Brest Man of War taken Of a French Banker brought in Loaden with Fish and of eight more of them got away Of two French Prizes brought into Plymouth Of some Tories still abroad in Ireland 17 A List sent in and published of the Names of those who were Elected in the several Shires Cities and Burroughts in England and Wales to Serve in the next Parliament 18 Letters of the Armies March in the Highlands where in fourteen Days they saw neither Man Woman or Child and those they saw afterwards hardly to be called Men or Women by reason of their mishapes The Description of the strange bad Country of Loquaber and Kintal and the Mountains of Admannoth the difficult passages and the almost continual Fog and Rain there Of the Queen of Swedens private coming to Hamburgh 18 Letters of the King of Swedens proceedings in his Government and of his Brother Prince Adolphus his coming to Hamborough in his travail toward France 19 Letters that the English Army could by no means Engage the Forces of the Enemy in the Highlands in Scotland but after a most tedious and difficult march and being in great want of Provisions were returning back 20 A Ship Loaden of one hundred Tun near London Bridge was set on Fire by a Pot of Pitch heating upon the Decks and burnt with all her Lading and divers of her Men and some looking on her were slain with Pieces of her Timber blown up by the Gunpowder in her and much harm done to St. Olaves Church and to Houses near her 21 An other Ship Loaden with Oyl and other Goods had her Powder set on fire and all the Goods in her were burnt and sunck divers Men in her slain and some wounded and much damage done to the adjacent Houses Letters of the Brest Men Freebooters again upon the Western Coast 22 Letters of Middletons Forces being about Dunkel in Scotland eight hundred Horse and twelve thousand Foot much discontented complaining of the King and that amongst them four Horses Shooes were Sold for 15 d. That the English Army are still marching in pursuit of the Enemy 24 The French Ambassador and the three Ambassadors from the States of the United Provinces had Audience of the Lord Protector Letters that Middleton intended to dismount most of his Horse and to make use of his light Footed Highlanders to provoke the English to follow him in the Bogs and to prolong the War That Writs were received in Scotland for Election of Members in that Nation to Serve in the Parliament of England That a Party of Collonel Okeys Men fell upon the Earl of Atholls Men drove them up to their main Body killed three and took four of them upon which Allarum the Enemy fled and the English being tired could not pursue them nor gain intelligence where they were That the King of Scots the Princess of Orange the Queen of Sweden and Prince Adolphus were to meet at the Spaw in Germany 25 Letters of the great meeting at the Spaw with the Queen of Sweden and very many great Persons and Nobility upon which some English Design was expected 26 Mr. Sympson was enlarged from his Imprisonment and had liberty to Preach any where ten Miles from London The Lord Protector Sate very close with his Councel and gave Audience to several Ambassadors 27 Letters of some Tories in Ireland breaking out again into a Rebellion That one hundred thousand were come into Conought and Clare to be Tenants to particular Persons but refuse to become Tenants to the Common-wealth 28 Letters that divers of Middletons Forces left him that the English Vant Guard fell upon their Rear and did much Execution upon them till night prevented further dispute of them That General Blake went out of the Downs with a gallant Fleet as Admiral and Captain Lawson his Vice-Admiral 29 The Dutch sent seventy thousand pound into London for satisfaction of the Losses sustained by the English at the Sound in Denmark according to the late Articles of Peace A. C. came Post from Scotland with Letters from General Monk and from Collonel Morgan of the Routing of the Forces under General Middleton by Collonel Morgan divers killed and taken and his whole Body broken and dispersed Several Scots Officers of Quality taken Prisoners 31 Letters from General Monk to the Lord Protector of the particulars of the Routing of Middletons Army to this effect The Enemy having marched off in a very scattered posture upon our pursuit of them in Argyle and they bending Northwards I held it much necessary in regard that both Horse and Foot with me were much Beaten out with continual Marches to attend their motion slowly having sent to Collonel Morgan with his fresh Party to pursue them as he had Intelligence Who marching out of Baquenorth to Loughgary where he intended to quarter that night he fell upon Middletons Body of Horse who had also appointed that same place for their Quarter after a little resistance the Enemy ran and the pass being narrow and boggy quit their Horses and disperst themselves what Execution is done I have not yet Notice but by divers Prisoners who endeavoured to escape this way I am assured that their whole Body of Horse is routed totally so that they will not be able to get any considerable numbers together among those Prisoners taken there was one brought in by Cornet Baker Lieutenant-Collonel Hay who lately escaped out of Edenbrough Castle
mightily increased the Scots Successes animated other Subjects to their illegal Pretences and impious Actions and in this time of the King's absence in Scotland the Irish Flames of Rebellion brake forth having been thus kindled The last year the Parliament at Dublin sent a Committee hither with a Remonstrance to the King of their Grievances and Pressures under the Government of the Earl of Strafford whom they had accused of high Treason The King gave them most favourable Answers and Redresses and parted with much of his own to give contentment to his Irish Subjects Mr. Wainsford Deputy there to the Earl of Strafford Lieutenant being dead the King by Commission constituted the Lord Ditton and Sir William Parsons in the Government there but finding Ditton not well liked he made Sir William Parsons and Sir John Borlace generally approved to be the Lords Justices there These applyed themselves to give all satisfaction to the people they abated the Subsidies given in Strafford's time from 40000 l. to 12000 l. Passed an Act of Limitation much desired to settle all Estates for sixty years precedent and another for relinquishing the King's Right found for him by Inquisition to four Counties in Connaght and other Territories He declared the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Papists there were permitted a private enjoyment of their Religion and a general good Agreement was had between the English and Irish In this Security the Irish Army was disbanded after which and in the King's absence in Scotland about October 23. there brake forth so horrid black and flagitious a Rebellion in Ireland as cannot be parallell'd in the Stories of any other Nation This was fomented and contrived by their Popish Priests and Lawyers some of their Maxims in Law were That any one being slain in Rebellion though found by Record gave the King no Forfeiture That though many thousands were in Arms and exercising the violences of War yet if they professed not to rise against the King it was no Rebellion That if one were Outlawed for Treason his Heir might reverse the Outlawry and be restored These and the like Tenets they published in their Parliaments and endeavoured a Suspension of Poyning's Act and the Act for annexing that Kingdom to the Crown of England and assumed a power of Judicature in Criminal and Capital Causes to be in their Parliament They took advantage of the Scots Sucesses of their Favourers in England and our Distractions here of the disbanding the Army there and the Death of the Earl of Strafford They raise Forces give out that the Queen was in the head of them and the King was coming with an Army to them and the Scots had made a League with them that they were authorised by the King's Commission and asserted his Cause against the Puritans of England To their Country-men they scatter Advertisements out of England of a Statute there lately made That all Irish shall come to the Protestant Worship on pain of loss of Goods for the first Offence of Lands for the second and of Life for the third Offence They give them hope to recover their Liberties and ancient Customs to shake off the English Yoke to have a King of their own Nation and to possess Goods and Estates of the English These Motives they published in Print That the King and Queen were curbed by the Puritans and their Prerogatives abolished which these as loyal Subjects take to heart and that the Catholick Religion is suppressed in England and the Catholicks there persecuted with all rigour even to death and that the Puritans in Ireland have threatned to doe the same there That in Ireland the Catholicks are made uncapable of any Office to the decay of them in their Estates Education and Learning That the Government of their Country is in the hand of Strangers who come thither poor and mean yet soon rise to wealth and honour by oppressing the Natives That there have been threatnings to send Forces to compel the Consciences of the Irish and to cut their Throats and that the Catholicks are not allowed to have any Arms or Ammunition but the Protestants and Puritans may Vpon all which they saw no way but to attempt to seize upon Arms where they could get them to save their Lives maintain the King and Queen their Religion and Country Upon these pretences and manifest untruths they ground their taking up of Arms. The first suspicion whereof was by Sir William Cole who about Octob. 11. wrote to the Lords Justices of great resort to Sir Phelim Oneale and to the Lord Macquierre and they were exceeding busie about dispatches About October 21. He wrote another Letter to them of what some Irish had revealed to him of a design to seize the Castle of Dublin to murther the Lords Justices and Councel and all the Protestants there and throughout the Kingdom But this Letter came not to their hands When many of the Conspirators were come to Dublin and met there at a Tavern one Owen O Conelly an Irish-man but a true Protestant came to Sir William Parsons about Nine a Clock at Night with a broken relation of a great Conspiracy to seize the Castle the next morning and that Mac Mahon who was one of them had told him so much Parsons seeing Conelly distempered with drink gave the less credit to his relation but wished him to return to Mac Mahon to get out of him what he could further of the Plot and to return to him again that Night Yet he did not so slight the Information but that secretly he ordered strong Guards in several places and assembled the Councel where they expected the return of Conelly who coming to them was seized on by the Guards who had carried him to Prison and so prevented the discovery of the Plot had not a Servant of Sir VVilliam Parsons accidentally come by and rescued Conelly and brought him somewhat recovered of his drinking unto the Lords Justices and Councel who confessed that a few days before upon Letters from Mac Mahon he went to meet him at Connaght but he being gone to Dublin Conelly followed him thither and they two went to the lodging of the Lord Macquierre that by the way Mac Mahon told O Conelly that this Night there would be a great number of Irish Noblemen Papists in Dublin who with himself would take the Castle by Morning then force the City by the Ordnance and destroy all the Protestants and so divers others were ordered in all parts of the Kingdom to seize and destroy all the English at an Hour designed viz. to Morrow by Ten a Clock and that no posting nor speed could prevent it That Conelly moved Mac Mahon to discover it rather to the State to prevent the mischief But he answered He could not help it yet that they owned their allegiance to the King and pay it to him but what they did was against the tyrannical Government over them and
The King desired that in respect sentence of death was past upon him and the time of his execution might be nigh that the House would give him leave to see his Children and that he might have D r Juxon to be private with him in his Chamber and to give him the Sacrament This was ordered accordingly and Dr. Juxon preached before the King in his private lodgings this night at White-Hall 28. The Commissioners of the High Court of Justice kept a Fast in the Chappel at White-Hall 29. The House sate early and one of the secluded Members coming in they Voted That such Members as 5. Dec. last Voted that the Kings concessions were a ground of setling peace in this Nation should not be readmitted but disabled to sit as Members for the future The Dutch Ambassadours had their Audience in the House they read their Instructions and Credentials in French and promised Copies of them in English to morrow but would not part with the Originals Their business was to interceed for the Kings life and to preserve a fair correspondence betwixt this Nation and the States An Act passed for alteration of names and forms in Writs Grants Patents procedings in Courts c. That in England Ireland and Berwick c. instead of the style title and teste of the King shall be used Custodes libertatis Angliae Authoritate Parliamenti c. That the date shall be the year of our Lord and no other That instead of the former words Juratores pro Domino Rege c. the words now to be used shall be Juratores pro Republica Instead of the words Contra pacem dignitatem vel Coronam nostram the words shall be Contra pacem Publicam That all Writs Patents Commissions c. shall stand good notwithstanding the death of the King The High Court of Justice sate and appointed the time and place for the Execution of the King The Kings Children came from Syon-House tovisit him at S t Iames's he took the Princess in his Arms and kissed her and gave her two Seals with Diamonds and prayed for the blessing of God upon her and the rest of his children and there was great weeping The Prince Elector the Duke of Richmond and others made suit to see him which he refused Letters from Scotland that the Ministers there preach against the Army in England and the proceedings against their King they say they are bound by their Covenant to preserve Monarchy and that in the Race of the present King That their Parliament have passed several votes against those that were in the late ingagament against England Letters that Prince Rupert was at Sea with about fourteen of the revolted Ships and took divers Merchant men the Parliament having no Ships abroad The Commissioners met at Mr. Browns House where the Seal lay to have had a Private Seal but by reason of my Lord Grey's absence who had the key and because of the sentence given against the King they did not seal any thing but they heard divers Petitions 30. The King walked from St. James's through the Park guarded with a Regiment of Foot and Partisans to White-Hall Divers Gentlemen went bare before him D r Juxon followed next to him and Colonel Thomlinson had the charge of him they brought him to the Cabinet-Chamber where he continued at his devotion He refused to dine having before taken the Sacrament but about twelve a clock at noon he drank a Glass of Claret Wine and eat a piece of Bread from thence he went with D r Juxon Colonel Thomlison Colonel Hacker and the Guards through the Banqueting House adjoyning to which the Scaffold was erected it was hung round with black and the Floor covered with black and the Ax and block laid in the middle of it Divers Companies of Foot and Horse were on every side of the Scaffold and great multitudes of People came to be spectators the King looked earnestly on the Block asked if there were no place higher and directing his speech to the Gentlemen upon the Scaffold he spake to this effect I shall be very little heard of any Body here I shall therefore speak a word unto you here indeed I could hold my peace very well if I did not think that holding my peace would make some men think that I did submit to the guilt as well as to the punishment but I think it is my duty to God first and to my Country for to clear my self both as an honest man and a good King and a good Christian I shall begin first with my innocency in troth I think it not very needful for me to insist long upon this for all the world knows that I never did begin a War with the two Houses of Parliament and I call God to witness to whom I must shortly make an account that I never did intend for to incroach upon their priviledges They began upon me it is the Militia they began upon they confest that the Militia was mine but they thought it fit to have it from me and to be short if any Body will look to the dates of Commissions theirs and mine and likewise to the Declarations they will see clearly that they began these unhappy troubles not I. So that as to the guilt of these enormous Crimes that are laid against me I hope in God that God will clear me of it I will not I am in Charity God forbid that I should lay it upon the two Houses of Parliament there is no necessity of either I hope they are free of this guilt for I do believe that ill Instruments between them and me have been the chief cause of all this Blood-shed so that by way of speaking as I find my self clear of this I hope and pray God that they may too Yet for all this God forbid that I should be so ill a Christian as not to say that Gods judgments are just upon me many times he does pay justice by an unjust sentence that is Ordinary I only say this that an unjust sentence that I suffered for to take effect is punished now by an unjust sentence upon me that is so far I have said to shew you that I am an innocent man Now for to shew you that I am a good Christian I hope there is a good man pointing to Dr. Juxon that will bear me witness that I have forgiven all the world and even those in particular that have been the Chief causers of my Death who they are God knows I do not desire to know I pray God forgive them But this is not all my Charity must go further I wish that they may repent for indeed they have committed a great sin in that particular I pray God with St. Stephen that this be not laid to their Charge nay not only so but that they may take the right way to the peace of the Kingdom for Charity commands me not only to forgive particular men but
That Colonel Brownbushell be tryed for his life That the Prince Duke of York and divers Lords of the Kings party be banished The Confederates in Ireland sent to the Prince to come thither that they would proclaim him King of Ireland and joyn with him against England 15. The House sate not The Council of State nominated Lord General Cromwel to be General for Ireland M r Munday an Irish Rebel was shot to death by sentence of the Council of War and James Wilson to ride the Wooden Horse with a Musket at each Leg and to run the Gantelope at Lancaster Articles of Peace between the King of France and the Parisians were agreed upon At the Council of State they had great businesses and long sitting 16. Letters from the Hague that their Ambassadour lately returned from England reported the many civilities and honour he had received in England from the Parliament and Army Whitclock brought in the Draught of a Declaration touching the proceedings of Parliament in the late transactions Upon his report of the Declartion it was moved to pass it presently without any Commitment but he moved it might be committed to amend some faults in it and upon the commitment they made it much sharper than he had drawn it and added divers Clauses which he thought matters fit to be omitted After this it was much pressed to set a time for dissolving this Parliament most of the House disliked to set a time as dangerous but agreed that when the business of the Kingdom would permit that then it should be dissolved 17. Order for a publick fast The Declaration passed touching the transactions of Parliament and Ordered to be Printed in English Latin French and Dutch An Act reciting Charls Stuart to have been justly condemned and put to death for many Treasons Murders and other hainous Offences by him committed And that it hath been found by experience the Office of a King in this Nation and Ireland and to have the power thereof in any single Person is unnecessary Burthensom and Dangerous to the Liberty safety and publick Interest of the People and that for the most part use has been made of the Regal Power and Prerogative to Oppress and Impoverish and Enslave the Subject and that usually and naturally any one Person in such power makes it his interest to incroach upon the just Freedom and to promote the setting up of their own lust Therefore the Office of a King in this Nation henceforth not to reside or be exercised by any one single Person And whereas by the abolition of the Kingly Office a most happy way is made for this Nation if God see good to return to its Just and Ancient right of being governed by its own Representatives or National Meetings in Council from time to time chosen and intrusted for that purpose by the People They resolve and declare that they will put a period to the sitting of this present Parliament and dissolve the same so soon as may possibly stand with the safety of the People that has entrusted them and with what is absolutly necessary for the preserving and upholding the Government now setled in the way of a Commonwealth And that they will carefully provide for the certain Chusing Meeting and Sitting of the next future Representatives with such other circumstances of Freedom in Choice and equality in distribution of Members to be elected thereunto as shall most conduce to the lasting freedom and good of this Common-wealth Votes touching Compositions of Delinquents Order for every Member to meet by nine in the Morning upon forfeiture of twelve pence for every default Debate of making Elections of Parliament men more equal and not to be ingrossed in some few Corporations 19. A Petition from the well affected of Leicestershire 1. That the Militia may be in good hands 2. That the Army may be provided for and all Delinquents Estates to go for that end and Free-quarter be taken off 3. That the profits of great Offices may be imployed for the publick 4. That the Laws may be according to those God gave his people and plain and short in the English Tongue and Hand 5. That Tythes may be taken away and a more equal provision for the Ministry 6. That Officers of Treasure may account 7. That all may injoy their freedoms to worship God according to his word without coercive courses to the contrary 8. For relief for Ireland 9. For provision for the poor and to set them to work as they do in Holland The petition was commended and the Petitioners had the thanks of the House Captain Bray presented Books to the Members of the House entituled An Appeal against the the Lord Fairfax General containing matter of Charge against him to have him outed of his command in the Army Which being read Captain Bray was called in and asked if he would own the Book which he did and the House Voted the Book to be Scandalous as to the General and Council of War and tending to stir up sedition in the People and mutiny in the Army and the Captain was committed Prisoner to Windsor Castle Upon information that the Turkish Alcoran was printing in English Ordered to suppress it The Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations repealed and a Committee named to consider of a way for Appeals upon sequestrations Votes touching Compositions and some excepted Persons Order for Justices of the Peace to meet Monthly and make provision for the poor and to set them to work and to find out ingrossers of Corn and Coal An Act passed that the Commons of England assembled in Parliament finding by too long experience the House of Lords to be useless and dangerous to the people of England to be continued Ordain from henceforth the House of Lords in Parliament to be wholly abolished and taken away nevertheless they nor their Posterity to be excluded from the publick Councils of the Nation but to have their free Vote in Parliament as other members when duly Elected In the House business went on slowly as heretofore and not without great difference in opinion and some Animosities the most mischievous of all other things to their interest 20. The House sate not The Council of State had consideration of the business of the Navy and several Merchants attended in it The Lady Carlisle was examined about the last Summers insurrection and confined by the Council They consider also the letter from the Parliament of Scotland upon staying of their Commissioners here Which they alledge to be contrary to the Covenant League and Vnion between both Nations in breach of the Treaties and contrary to the Publick Faith and Law of Nations by which the freedom of Ambassadors and Commissioners is Sacred and Inviolable not only betwixt Christians but even among Heathen Kingdoms and States they desire their Commissioners may be freed from all restraint Letters from Lancaster that the
other Provisoes Referred to the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall to take into consideration the Business concerning the Souldiery and Ministers in Lancashire that such satisfaction may be given them as may tend to the Service of the Commonwealth and to take into consideration the Troupe of Horse in Oxfordshire and to pay it out of the Sequestrations in Oxfordshire until further order from the House or Councel of State 26 Ordered that the Lord Commissioners of the great Seal do take care that Writs be issued out and sent down into every County to the several Sheriffs to proclaim the Act touching the Ingagement This Course of proclaiming new Acts of Parliament was very antient and constantly used especially in elder times as appears by the Records but of late disused It was thought fit to have it revived again that the People might be informed what Acts were passed which they were not so fully by the Printing as by proclaiming of them at their Markets Orders touching the Composition of Delinquents Votes for taking off the additional Exercise upon most of the Commodities mentioned in the last Act touching the Excise Letters from Ireland of C. Hewsons taking in some Forts near Dublin 28 Letters that the Scots had no Answer from Sir George Windram Laird of Libberton but that the King would be satisfyed from him whether his Subjects of Scotland would ingage to Establish him in England as King That he is not yet removed from Jersy That divers Souldiers came from Ireland into Orkney Letters That the States Provincial of Holland have resolved to send an Agent into England for their better Correspondence with the Parliament 29 Letters from Ireland of taking the Fort upon the Bogg of Allan of a Dutch Ship of 300 Tun cast away upon that Coast that the Lord Lieutenant had sent to besiege Eniscorsie Castle belonging to Mr. Wallop a Member of the House which the Enemy had lately surprised That the Lord Lieutenant visited all the English Garrisons in Munster and gave Orders to them That Inchequin was in Kerrcy That 16 of the Enemies Horse came from Duncannon to the Lord Lieutenant 30 Letters from Holly-Head that a Vessel bound for London Derry with Coals Cloaths and other Merchants Goods was taken by a Scots Man of War the Mariners and sixteen Passengers put on Shore the Owner and Master carryed away Prisoners That the Gentlemen and Commonalty of Ireland do generally submit to the Lord Lieutenants Orders From York That a Minister lately informed that there would be shortly a Massacre of the well affected in the Nation From Shrewsbury That many Cavaliers wear Ribbands with Motto's God prosper That the Ministers incourage them and Preach against the present Government They report an Agreement between the King of Scots and his People of that Kingdom upon the terms proposed at the Isle Wight and that the Presbyterians of England will joyn From Plymouth That a Vessel of Dartmouth was by a storm forced into the Mounts Bay and wracked and all lost save one Person Returns of Subscriptions to the Ingagement 31 The Town of Pool having warned a general Sessions to be held not one Justice came to joyn with them The Act giving 10 l. to him that shall apprehend a Fellon caused the Countrymen to apprehend many of the Thieves and Robbers in all places and the Mony was duely paid to them February 1649. Feb. 1. Divers People took away by violence from the Owners Wheat and other Corn carrying to Market to Basing-Stoak and beat the Carters and some of them being imprisoned for it the rest brake the Prison and let out them and other Malefactors Letters from Rome That there an Agent from England and the English Priests seem very confident that within few Years their Religion would be Established in England 2 At a Court Marshal in C. Prides Regiment a Souldier was sentenced to run the Gantlope and afterwards to be cashiered for threatning to cut his fellow Souldiers throats in case King Charles the Second came in and for swearing and drunkenness Another had the like sentence having been found to have been in Arms against the Parliament and then came in to them and at his disbanding gave out threatning words against the Officers The Parliament Voted that a Book written by one Coppes intituled a fiery flying Roll c. contained many horrid Blasphemies and damnable and detestable Opinions and that the Book and all Copies of it that can be found shall be burnt by the hands of the Hangman A Petition from Wiltshire for Propagation of the Gospel c. approved by the House and in order thereto they appointed every Fryday to consider al wayes for the better advancing the Gospel of Christ An Act committed for the better propagating of the Gospel in Wales The Parliament ordered touching Negotiations with Forraign Princes and States That the Stile and Title to be used by this Parliament in all Negotiations shall be Parliamentum Rei-publicae Anglicae And the Style when any address shall be made to them The Parliament of the Commonwealth of England And no other Title to be used Order for an Act to be brought in for the Punishment of insolent Profanations of the Sabbath and Adultery The Parliament upon the hearing Sir Jacob Garrets Business sentenced three of his false Accusers to stand in the Pillory Thus they took upon them and exercised all manner of Jurisdiction and sentenced Persons Secundum Arbitrium 4 Letters that Jermin and other Lords and Courtiers are hastning from Paris to Breda hearing that the Scots are sending Money to defray the charges of their King and Court there That the Scots are busy in purging their Army but are startied at the news of the Parliament sending for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland That they report the ground thereof to be That he is routed in Ireland and That the Parliament of England fear new Troubles Yet the Scots sent an Express into Ireland to know the certainty 5 Letters of the Losses by Pirates about Scarborough From Weymouth That one Mr. Thomas May was secured by the Governour there and to be sent up in Custody to London for raysing false Rumors concerning the Parliament and the General From Portsmouth That G. Deane came thither with the Phenix and informed of several Vessels with Recruits for Ireland cast away An Act passed for a day of publick Humiliation throughout England and Wales to seek God for a Blessing upon the Proceedings of Parliament and their Armies in England and Ireland Debate about an Act for a publick Register to inroll all Deeds and to find Incumbrances upon all Estates and Lands An Additional Act passed for removing of Obstructions in the sale of the late Kings Lands c. A Petition from Westminster for settling the civil Government there referred to the Committee for Corporations Debate of an Act for regulating and erecting a Corporation in Norfolk concerning the Worsted-Weavers and Yarn-Men
was gone to St. Johns Town and the Forces to Sterling Voted to seclude all private business for a Month. An Act for Incouragement and Indemnity of all such as ingage in the Parliaments Service Letters that the Enemy had quitted Edenburgh and Leith and left there 24 Pieces of Ordinance That a Son of Mr. Burgoine one of the Commissioners for the Militia at the Cross in Coventry proclaimed King Charles the Second and was apprehended for it but escaped 12 Letters of the settlement of the Militia in several Counties And Suspicions of Designs to raise new Troubles against the Parliament 13 Letters that the Scots were driven like Turkies by the English Souldiers and went along cursing their King and Clergy for insnaring them in misery That a Scots Captain taken Prisoner told the English Officers That their Ministers advised them if they were taken they should throw away their Bibles for if the English took any with Bibles they should have no Quarter That the words in most of their Colours were Covenant Religion King and Kingdom the same when they came in with D. Hamilton That the day before the Ingagement they consulted of sending Propositions to the English that they should have leave to pass into England with their Swords drawn leaving their Ordnance Armes and Ammunition behind And they had thoughts of sending those they should take Prisoners beyond Sea 14 Letters that the English Officers were fain to break the Pikes and many Muskets they had taken from the Scots there not being conveniency to send them for England That the Governour of Berwick gave to each Scotch Prisoner for one day three Biskets and a pottle of Pease which they said was more than their own Officers gave them three days together 16 Letters from a private hand describing the Religion Laws and Government of Scotland both Civil and Military with a character of their People and manners not much to their Honour That August the 21st The English shipped near 600 of their Sick men for Berwick and the Scots observing many boats going off thought they intended to ship away all their Foot and Ammunition and with their Horse to escape for England Whereupon the Scots pursued the English to Dunbarre and considered of sending them to the Barbadoes if they refused such Propositions as they should offer them and thinking they had the English in a net did Ingage with them That they having taken 20 of C. Prides Men they killed three of them and wounded the rest in cold blood That the English were in a sad posture very many of their men sicks and wanting Provisions the Enemy having made up the Passes before them the whole Scots Army on the right hand and the Sea on the left hand of them and the whole Nation of Scotland behind them That the Scots having a resolution to fall upon the English were prevented by the unseasonableness of the weather and Cromwell and his Officers seeing no other way resolved to fall on them which was done and after one hours hot dispute they were deseated and quitted Edenburgh and Leith which was the same day possessed by the English Army The Letter sharply censures them to be a People who delight to enslave others yet are of a Servile and slavish condition themselves a People whose Freedom is Service whose Mercies are cruel A Kirk whose Religion is Formality and whose Government is Tyranny a Generation of very Hippocrites and Vipers whom no Oaths or Covenants can bind no Courtesies or Civilities obliege 17 An Act passed for a day of publique Thanksgiving for the Victory against the Scots An Answer passed to the Kings late Declaration and published An Act passed against the Electing and Swearing Majors and other Officers upon the Lords day Order for Mr. Caryl and Mr. Owen to go into Scotland according to the desire of the Lord General Recruits of 600 drawn out of C. Barksteds Regiment for Scotland Rules given concerning Augmentations of Ministers Livings Sir John Gell was tryed before the High Court of Justice Several Ministers of London appeared before a Committee for not observing the Thanksgiving day for the Victory against the Scots Letters that the General had settled things at Edenburgh and Leith That since his coming to Edenburgh not a man had appeared out of the Castle That upon news of the Victory at Dunbar brought to the King He thanked God that he was so rid of the Scots and said the Kirk might now see their Errour in prohibiting him to be in Person with their Army and keeping out the English and the rest of his Followers That he is now with the Army about Sterling 19 The Lord Major Aldermen and Common Councel of London kept a day of Thanksgiving by themselves for the Victory in Scotland and invited divers Officers of the Army Parliament Men and other Gentlemen to dine with them at Guild-Hall That the Ministers about Taunton would not observe the day of Thanksgiving for the Victory in Scotland but prayed indirectly to the contrary 20 Letters of the decrease of the Plague in Dublyn That the Lord Deputy in his March through Wicklowe took from the Rebels 3000 Cows and advanced towards Athlow That Money was arrived for the Souldiers That Sir Hardress Waller was set down before Limberick That the Enemy sallyed out of Waterford upon C. Essex his Quarters took many of his Troop horses killed some few of his men sorely wounded his Lieutenant and himself hardly escaped That the Enemy are drawing all their strength together and give out that they will fight the English From Edinburgh That the G. Marched with his Army and Six days Provision from thence towards Sterling having left Forces in Edinburgh and Leith and cast up a Work cross the Streets of Edinburgh between his Forces and the Castle and there was little or no Action between them and his Forces That the General sent all his sick Souldiers to a Lord's House in Leith where they had good Accommodations and great Care taken of them That the King insists to have the L. Ruthen G. but the Kirk will have none but the L. Lowthian and the old L. Leuen is laid aside with Dishonour That the Scots are upon Raising new Forces That in Edenburgh they took 3000 new Foot-Arms which the Scots had not time to carry away nor put into the Castle they were in so great a Confusion That in Leith they took store of French-Wines part of which was spent to refresh the Souldiers who for too long time before had drunk nothing but Water the rest is to be sold for the benefit of the Army That about 1500 Foot and 1000 Horse of Recruits were come from England to the Army in Scotland That the L. Lowden's Cabinet was taken in the Fight and in it Copies of his Letters to the King and other Papers of consequence he being Chancellor but ill beloved of the Scots and upbraided by them for Whoredom and other Sins 21. A Member
be given them nor would they agree to surrender to Mercy but upon Reverence which was consented unto That they took the Governour and the Capt. of the Moss-Troopers and 60 Souldiers That two of the most notorious of them and the Captain were shot to death upon the Place They took in it many Arms 60 Horse which they had taken from the English and released 10 English prisoners and demolished the House That Middleton laid down his Arms upon condition that the King should be forthwith Crowned and the Estates and Kirk ordered him to take his Command again That Recruits were come from England to the Army That the G. and his Officers kept a Fast-day The House had a very long and smart Debate touching the Act for putting all the Books of Law and 〈◊〉 Process and Proceedings in Courts of Justice into the English Tongue in which Debate some spake in Derogation and Dishonour of the Laws of England For some vindication whereof and for satisfying some Mistakes one of the Members delivered his Opinion in the House to this Effect Mr. Speaker The Question upon which your present Debate ariseth is of no small moment nor is it easily or speedily to be determined for it comprehends no less than a total alteration of the Frame and Course of Proceedings of our Law which have been established and continued for so many years I should not have troubled you with any of my weak Discourse but that I apprehend some mistakes and Dishonour to the Law of England if passed by without any Answer may be of ill consequence and having attended to hear them answered by others who are not pleased to do it I held my self the more engaged in the Duty of my Profession to offer to your judgment to which I shall always submit what I have met with and do suppose not to be impertinent for the rectifying of some Mistakes which are amongst us A worthy Gentleman was pleased to affirm with much confidence as he brought it in upon this Debate That the Laws of England were introduced by William the Conqueror as among other Arguments he asserted might appear by their being written in the French Tongue In his first Assertion That our Laws were introduced by William the Conqueror out of France I shall acknowledge That he hath several both Foreign and Domestick Authors whom he may follow therein The Foreign Authors are Jovius Aemilius Bodine Hottoman Dynothus Volateran Berault Berkley Choppinus Uspargensis Malines and Polydore who affirm this erroncous piece of Doctrine but the less to be regarded from them because they were strangers to our Laws and took up upon trust what they published it this point Of our own Countreymen they have Paris Malmesbury Matthew Westminster Fox Cosins Twyne Heyward Milles Fulbeck Cowell Ridley Brown Speed Martin and some others All of them affirm That the Laws of England were introduced by William the Conqueror But their Errors are refuted by Sir Roger Owen in his Manuscrit who saith that Roger Wendover and Mat. Paris were the first Monks that hatched these addle Eggs. I shall endeavour to shew you That the Original of our Laws is not from the French that they were not introduced by William the Conqueror out of Normandy And I shall humbly offer to you my Answer to some of their Arguments who are of a contrary Opinion Polydore Hist Angl. L. 9. Affirmeth That William the Conqueror first appointed Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace erected Tenures brought in Trials by 12 men and several other Particulars of our Laws For Sheriffs their Name Scire Reeve shews them to be of the Saxon Institution And our Histories mention the Division of Shires by King Alphred but in truth it was much more ancient And it is apparent by our Books and Records some whereof are in the Hustings of London and in the Tower that the same things were in use here long before the Time of King W. I. Sir Roger Owen shews at large that Livery of Seisin Licenses or Fines for Alienation Daughters to inherit Trials by Juries Abjurations Utlaries Coroners Disposing of Lands by Will Escheats Gaoles Writs Wrecks Warranties Catalla Felonum and many other parts of our Law and the Forms of our Parliaments themselves were here in being before the time of Duke William Agreeing hereunto are many of our Historians and Learned Antiquaries But it is Objected That in the Grand Customary of Normandy the Laws are almost all the same with ours of England and the form of their Parliaments the same with ours That the Writer of the Preface to that Book saith it contains only the Laws and Customs which were made by the Princes of Normandy by the Counsel of their Prelates Earls Barons and other wise men which shews the forms of their Parliament to be the same with ours and the Laws in that Book to be the proper Laws of Normandy and ours to be the same therefore they argue that our Laws were introduced from thence by William the Conqueror This will be fully answered If that Grand Customary of Normandy was composed in our King E. 1. his time as good Authors hold it was then it cannot be that our Laws or Parliaments could be derived from thence These Learned men say That this Customary was a meer Translation of our Law-Book Glanvill as the Book of Regia Majestas of the Laws Scotland is and the like of the Laws of Burgundy They further add That the first establishing of the Customary of Normandy was in H. 1. his time and afterwards again about the beginning of E. 2. his time If the Laws in the Customary were introduced there from England it will then be granted that the Laws of England were not inoroduced here by William the Conqueror But I think it very clear that their Laws were brought to them cut of England and then you will all agree to the Conclusion Our King H. 1. Conquered Normandy from his Brother Robert and was a Learned King as his Name Beauclerk testifies whom Juo calls An especial Establisher of Justice Sequerius relates That this King established the English Laws in Normandy Herewith do agree Gulielmus Brito Armoricus Rutclarius and other French Writers who mention also that the Laws in the Customary of Normandy are the same with the Laws collected by our English King Edward the Confessor who was before the Conqueror An additional Testimony hereof is out of William de Alenson Revile who in his Comment upon the Customary saith That all the Laws of Normandy came from the English Laws and Nation In the Customary there is a Chapter of Nampes or Distresses and Decreed that one should not bring his Action upon any Seisure but from the time of the Coronation of King Richard and this must be our King Richard 1. because no King of France was in that time of that Name and the Words Nampes and Withernams were Saxon Words taken out of the English Laws signifying a Pawn or Distress
other part of France but are our antient native Laws I must now come to endeavour also to satisfy the wonder if they were not brought out of Normandy or some other part of France how come they then to be written in the French Language Sir It is to me an Argument that because they are written in French therefore they were not brought in by Duke William the Norman For the French Tongue was not the Language of Duke William and the Normans They had not been then in Duke Williams time past 4 descents in that part of France and it is improbable that they in so short a time should loose their native tongue and take up and use the Language of another Country which was conquered by them The Normans came from Sueden Gothland Norway and Denmark between whose Languages and with the High-Dutch their Neighbours there is a great affinity but between these Languages and the French there is none at all Ulphilus holds That the Dutch Tongue came from the Goths Jornandus saith The Goths Tongue came from the Dutch all agree that between those Languages and the French there is no Affinity It is so improbable that D. William should cause our Laws to be in French that when he proclaimed them as Ingulphus testifies he commanded that they should be used in the same Language they were written in English to his Justices and gives the reason lest by Ignorance we should happen to break them But it hath been further Objected If D. William did not cause our Laws to be written in French what then should be the reason that the Grand Customary of his Norman Laws were written in the French Tongue The reason thereof is given that the Normans being a rough and martial People had few Clerks among them but made use of those French among whom they then lived and whose Language they then began to be acquainted with and to understand But when they were in England they had not so much use of those Clerks and that Language but more of the English And probably it might be that the Confessor had been so long in France that he was more Master of that Language than of the Norman and that the Normans understood that Language better than the English and thereupon the Customary was written in the French Tongue But it doth not therefore follow that D. William must cause the English Laws to be written in the French Tongue but it is more likely that he might cause them to be continued in their Native Idiom which was much nearer in affinity to his own Northern Language than the French was That the French Tongue was not introduced as to our Laws and other things by D. William into England appears in that the French was in great use with us here both before and some time after his Invasion Beda affirms That in Anno 640. it was the custom of England to send their Daughters into the Monasteries of France to be brought up there and that Ethelbert Ethelwoulf Ethelred and other Saxon Kings Married into the Royal Blood of France Glabor notes That before the time of D. William the Normans and English did so link together that they were a terror to Foreign Nations Ingulphus saith That the Saxon Hand was used until the time of Kind Alfred long before the time of D. William and that he being brought up by French Teachers used the French Hand And he notes many Charters of Edred and Edgar written in the French Hand and some Saxon mixt with it as in the Book of Doomesday That Edward the Confessor by reason of his long being in France was turned into the French fashion and all England with him But that W. 1. commanded our Laws to be written in the English Tongue because most men understood it and that there be many of his Patents in the Saxon Tongue I suppose we may be satisfied that W. 1. did not cause our Laws to be written in French though the French Language was much in use here before his time And if he did not introduce the French Language into England the Argument falls that because they are written in French therefore he brought them in But Sir I shall offer you some Conjectures how it came that our Laws were written in French which I suppose might be begun in the time of our King Hen. 2. who was a Frenchman born and had large Territories and Relations in France many of his Successors had the like and very much to do in France and with Frenchmen of whom great numbers came into England and they and the English matched and lived together both here and in some parts of France Hence it came to pass as Giraldus Cambrensis notes that the English Tongue was in great use in Burdeaux and in other parts of France where the Englishmen were resident and conversant the like was when the Frenchmen were so conversant in England Matthew Westminster writes that he was in hazard of losing his Living because he understood not the French Tongue and that in King H. 2. and King Stephen ' s time who had large Dominions in France their Native Countrey and the number of French and of Matches with them was so great that one could hardly know who was French and who English Gervasius Tilsberiensis observes the same and Brackland writes that in R. 1. his time Preaching in England was in the French Tongue probably Pleading might be so likewise and in King John's time French was accounted as the Mother Tongue There are scarce any Deeds of our Kings in French before H. 2. his time the most are in E. 1. and E. 2. their time That our Laws were pleaded and written in French before E. 3. his time appears by the Statut. 36 E. 3. c. 15. which recites the mischief of the Law being in French and enacts that the Law shall thereafter be pleaded in English and enrolled in Latine This is oneGround of the mistaken Opinion of Lambert Polydor Speed and others that D. Willam brought in hither both the Norman Laws and Language which I apprehend to be fully answered and the contrary manifested by what I have said before on this Subject Polydore's Mistake may appear the more when he asserts that by this Statut. 36 E. 3. Matters are to be Enrolled in English which is contrary to the express words that they are to be Enrolled in Latin Many of our Law-Books were written in Latine before the Norman Invasion as appears bp the Ancient Rolls of Mannors and Courts Baron and our Old Authors Glanvile Bracton Tilesbury Hengham Fleta the Register and Book of Entries The Records at Westminster and the Tower and other Records yet extant are in Latine and many Books of our Law in Latine were translated into English about E. 3. his time Most of our Statutes from E. 1. his time till about the middle of H. 7th ' s Reign are Enrolled in French notwithstanding this Statute 36 E. 3. except the Statute 6 R.
to this Parliament which many wondred at and sought to disswade him from upon all opportunities as far as was thought convenient and that they might not appear desirous to continue their own power and sitting in Parliament whereof they had Cause to be sufficiently weary Neither could it clearly be foreseen that their design was to rout the present Power and so set up themselves against the which they were advised as pulling down the Foundation of their own Interest and Power and the way to weaken themselves and hazard both their cause and Persons Yet still they seemed zealous upon their common Pretences of Right and Justice and publick Liberty to put a period to this Parliament and that if the Parliament would not shortly do it themselves that then the Soldiers must do it Some who earnestly declared their Judgment against this as the most dangerous and most ungrateful thing that could be practised by this freedom gained no favour with Cromwell and his Officers But there wanted not some Parliament Men perhaps to flatter with them who soothed them in this unhandsome design and were complotting with them to ruine themselves as by the consequence will appear Letters of Dutch Free-booters and French Pickeroons infesting the Coast and that in Brittain they were building new Ships of War to infest the English That Prince Rupert with 3 Ships only was come into Nantes that he could give no account of his Brother and his Ships which were seperated from him by a Hurricane in the Indies and he believed they were cast away From Legorn that the Duke by the instigation of the Dutch demanded restitution of the Phaenix recovered by a bold adventure of the English and the Duke sent to Captain Bodiley that he having refused to restore the Phaenix to the Dutch it was his Highnesses pleasure that all the English Ships should depart the Port within 10 dayes and Bodiley prepared to depart accordingly That the Dutch Admiral sent a Protest on shoar by 4 of his Captains that if his Highness would not restore the Phaenix they would fall upon the English Ships in the Mole and they warned other Ships to withdraw Thereupon the Dutch were commanded to retire out of Shot of the Castles and their Consul on Shoar was sequestred a guard put upon his House and all the Dutch clapt into hold 22. An Act passed for continuing the imposition upon Coals towards the building and maintaining of Ships Another passed for Continuance of the Customs Instructions debated in the House for the Lord Viscount Lisle to go Ambassador extraordinary from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to the Queen of Sweden The Speaker acquainted the House that he received Letters from the States of Holland and West Friezland the House referred to some of their Members to examine the Messenger and appointed a day for debate of the Letters The Fairfax Frigot of 50 Guns was in Chatham burned by accident of a Candle or snuff of Tobacco A Proclamation was published in St. Maloes that no eatable Provisions nor Pitch Tarr or Cordage should be exported on forfeiture of the Vessels and Goods From Edenburgh that some Clans in the High-lands had meetings and rendezvous and that they have meetings in the Low-lands and that the general Assembly and the Remonstrators or dissenting Brethren meet in several places and carry on a different Interest That Commissary Grey and others of the High-land Party were taken by the Parliaments Army From the Hague the Victory is now confest to be of the English side in the late Ingagement at Sea they having seen the names of their Ships that are lost and finding their Hospitals crowded with Sea-men and the number of them aboard Lessened That they wonder at the sudden and great preparations of the English Fleets and are discontented that their trade is gone that in a late mutiny about pressing of Seamen there 30 were killed That the States told the People that some were coming from England to offer terms of Peace That the States had sent a Letter to the Parliament lamenting the bloodshed of Protestants by this unhappy difference and how much better it would be to have an Vnion and Amity Upon the Debate of the Letter from the States the Parliament referred it to the Councel of State to prepare an answer to it From Edenburgh that the dissenting brethren have ordered some particulars concerning Kirk Affairs as for the more orderly and frequent Administration of the Sacrament and excluding of prophane Persons from it From Jersey that in a Fight at Sea between an Ostender and a Barque of Jersey she was taken by the Ostender and they were met with by a Parliament Frigot who brought them both into England From Weymouth That since the last Northerly Winds the Fisher-men fish nothing but Ship-wrack and dead men and that the French are unwilling to believe that the English did beat the Dutch in the late Ingagement That the French Rovers and the Dutch do much harm upon the English Coast Letters from the Officers and Soldiers at Edenburgh in answer to some Letters from the Army in England wherein they all agree to join for the reformation of things amiss and that Justice and liberty may have a free passage This was but in effect a proceeding in their contrivances to pull down the Parliament and to set up themselves A Letter passed in the House in answer to the Letter from the States and setting forth the Parliaments readiness as formerly to have prevented these Wars and to prosecute a fit way to close up the same and to settle amity peace and a mutual confidence between the 2 Nations Of discontents among the Dutch missing many thousands of their Friends since the late Ingagement but the Lords tell them that the men are safe in the Ports of France that they threaten to block up the Thames That they cry up the King of Scots Interest and that he hath offered to serve them at Sea in Person but that Holland will yet give no ear to it That they murmur at a new Tax and some refuse to pay it of 2 Dutch Ships taken Prize Of 3 Declarations of the Scots Presbytery publish'd 1. Against the Malignant Assembly for espousing the Kings Interest 2. Against the English for breach of Covenant and Toleration of Sects 3. Against the new Scots Dippers Particulars of the Fight in the Streights between the Dutch and Captain Bodeley That the Bonadventure one of his Ships was blown up and all her men lost but seven That the Sampson an other of his Ships was laid on board on one side by a Dutch man of War and fired on the other side by one of their Fireships but most of her men hoped to be saved by getting aboard the Mary that other of their Ships 3 in number were taken by the Dutch That 6 great men of War were sent from the Texel to lye
Middlesex for suppressing disorderly Innes and Ale-Houses 7. The Lord Commissioners Fiennes Strickland and Whitelock went to the Sweedish Ambassadors House as Commissioners from the Protector to Treat with him where they had a long debate touching Levies of Soldiers and hiring of Ships in one anothers Dominions which had been propounded by the Ambassador and certain Cautions put in by the Counsel here as to be only in such places and Ports as the Chief Governour of the Countrey where it was to be done should approve and not to be employed against the others Friends Against those Cautions the Ambassador offered Reasons That it would then be in the power of him in whose Countrey these were to be hired or levyed to make it wholly Fruitless by appointing inconvenient places as by his Master in Finland or by the Protector in Ireland or the like To which the Commissioners answered That the Chief Governour of the Countrey knew best the Condition of it and the State of Affairs there which might be much endamaged if the stranger should have the appointment of the places and then if either had a mind to break the Treaty It would not be difficult to find an occasion for it And that in these cases there must be a mutual considence in the Justice and Honour of each other After much debate this Expedient was propounded and not held unreasonable That the chief Governour of the Countrey where the Soldiers were to be levyed or Ships hired In Case he should not think fit to consent to the place desired he should then appoint some other convenient place for the accommodation of the party desiring it and as near as might be to the place which he desired As to the not Imploying the Soldiers or Ships against the Friends of the Party in whose Country they were had it was propounded by the Ambassador and not opposed by the Commissioners That the Soldiers might be employed defensively as in Garrisons but not offensively against the others Friends But concerning Ships the Ambassador insisted upon a Liberty to imploy them against the others Friends if those Friends attempted any disturbance of the Seas or Trade of him that hired the Ships and both parties instanced in case of the Kings of France or Denmark but neither instanced in case of the Hollanders though they were most intended The Point was left to further Consideration and there were other debates concerning the Form of Passports for Ships pursuant to the Treaty made by Whitelock in Sweden to which they referred it and also that point of the disturbance of Navigation after long debate such Passports they held would occasion deceipt and hardly be so framed as to avoid it In discourse with the Dutch Ambassador he was passionate even to indiscretion blaming the neglect of sending to the King of Sweden from the Protector and urging the Necessity of yet doing it speedily Being asked for what End he answered Concerning Trade and to prevent the doing of that which would be a hinderance to it intimating the Kings great Successes From the discourse it might plainly be Collected that he laboured to get an Ambassador sent from hence to Sweden chiefly for the advantage of their Trade Collonel Nappier being in France and in good repute there sent his Brother into England to procure leave to Transport some Irish from Ireland into the Service of France as a Recruit to his Regiment there But the Protector was not willing to suffer the Irish to go into the Service of France 9. The Sweedish Ambassador received new Advices from the King his Master concerning the great business of Uniting the Protestant Interest and owned that he had sufficient Instructions to conclude upon the General but that particulars could not so soon be determined nor so well as upon the place That it would be a difficult matter to Unite the several Protestants who have different Interests and that it would prove a long business Therefore his opinion was That it was not a Seasonable time for a general Vnion of the Protestant Interest But that if the King of Sweden and the Protector made a Conjunction first they might fall upon the Emperour and the House of Austria which would be of great advantage to England especially now they had War with Spain and that some Supply of Money and Men afforded to the King upon such a design would be of more benefit to the Protector than the sending out of great Fleets to the Indies and to the Coast of Spain which would return no benefit to this Nation But it was answered That notwithstanding the vast Expences of our Fleets at this time yet a War being begun with Spain it must be maintained and the War prosecuted with Vigor the People of England being ever contented to bear the Burden of their Taxes rather than the Injuries and Insolencies of their Enemies The Opinion of the Swedish Ambassador was plainly to be collected not to admit the Dutch to be Joyned in a Treaty with us affirming That if we would have the Dutch to be equal with us in point of Trade he thought it the way to overthrow the Trade of England The Dutch being able to Sell at under rates trading with less charge both for Ships Men and Victuals than the English could with this That the King his Master did not look upon the Duke of Briganza or the King of Portugal but upon the Salt that came from thence nor upon the King or Parliament or Protector of England but upon the Cloth and Nation acknowledging a due Civility to whomsoever they found Chief in the Government That it was the same reason for the Dutch to follow their Trade in the Baltick Sea as they might whether the Commodities thereof were in the hands of King Cassimere or of his Master It was objected That if they were all in one Hand and Power unreasonable Gabels might be required He answered That when that was they might complain but he believed it would not be at all 13. Fiennes Scrickland and Whitelock proceeded in the Treaty with the Sweeds Ambassador at his House they had long debates touching Contrebanda Goods in which list was inserted by the Councel Corn Hemp Pitch Tar Money and other things The Ambassador said That if they would likewise add Copper and Iron it would take in all the Commodities of his Masters Dominions and he might insist upon Cloath to be added which was as necessary for Soldiers as Corn and Money They answered That the particulars added were most usefull for War especially for our present Enemy the Spaniard and it was our Interest to debar him thereof The Ambassador said that in the Enumeration of Contrebanda Goods the present Condition of Affairs was not to be looked upon but how they were when the Treaty was made with Whitelock in Sweden by which the Enumeration was to be made within 4 Months then following And that as Hemp and Pitch were necessary for
The Ambassador replyed That he did believe the Protector was at present in no Condition to part with much money and that there would be some time before this design could be set on foot by which time probably the Protector might be better able to spare money than now he is and that he thought it would be better Husbandry for England to spare 200000 l. a year for this War which would be a good Diversion and trouble the King of Spain more than now we do by spending two Millions a year upon our Fleets and in sending to Jamaica That it was true the Treaty of Ausbergh was not concerning the English Nation but the Protestants of Germany were highly concerned in it and consequently of all Christendom and the Emperour having broken that Treaty in many points there was a just ground thereby of falling upon him and the reason why he mentioned the maintenance of that Treaty was because France was already oblidged in a Treaty with Sweden for the maintenance of the Treaty of Ausbergh and England joyning likewise therein France would be Engaged with them and that Crown was a good Ballance Whereas if the Vnion with the King of Sweden should be against the House of Austria and the King of Spain It would cause the Peace which was so much Endeavour'd between France and Spain to be brought to Effect and France would hardly be brought into such an Vnion against the House of Austria because it would seem as too much against the Papists in General wherein France would be shy to Joyn. Whitelock made a doubt what great advantage would be to England by the King of Sweden's falling upon the Emperor which would but little concern the war between us and Spain as to give us advantage thereby against Spain To which the Ambassador alledged That Spain was somuch concerned in any thing relating to the Emperor that he must support him to support himself and whosoever fell upon the Emperor made Spain his Enemy and hindred from him the supplyes which he constantly had especially of men out of Germany and did necessitate Spain to a charge of supplying and assisting the Emperour whereby would be caused a diversion of great advantage to England and Spain once appearing as undoubtedly they would for the Emperour Sweden and they presently became Enemyes and all the Commodities of the King of Sweden which were of necessary use to Spain would be restrained from them without which they could not subsist and that there would be no need of Specifying Pitch and Tar and Hemp to be Contrebanda Goods Whitelock replied That Germany was a great distance from England within the Land and we could have nothing to do with them by Sea that if the Emperor should be set upon by the King of Sweden probably Spain would assist him but so covertly and craftily that Sweden nor England could take publick notice or advantage thereof That in case the King of Sweden should travail towards Flanders that would make the King of Spain look about him Indeed To this the Ambassador said only That there was a Large Countrey to pass over before they could come to Flanders But that in time something might be done he said that France had gained well by that Treaty of Ausbergh and so had all Countries that had been in Alliance with the Crown of Sweden Whitelock said That he was sufficiently satisfied of the Honour and Justice of that Crown in those publick Transactions and that the Protector was as careful to preserve his own Honour and the Faith of the Nation in those Treaties which he had made with other Princes and States and that was the reason which caused him to be so careful that the Dutch might be Included in such Treaties as he should make with others because there was an Article to that purpose in the late Treaty made with them which he was careful to observe as all other Treaties and that might the more satisfie the Ambassador of a just performance of what was or should be agreed upon with his Master To which the Ambassador replyed That he did believe as much but was of opinion that the Article which was mentioned in the late Dutch Treaty did not restrain the Protector from making the nearer Alliance with Sweden without them but when it should be made then they were by that Article to be admitted into such new Treaty if they pleased And thereupon they read over together that Article of the Dutch Treaty which seemed to carry the sence that was observed by the Ambassador who said further That there was no intention of excluding the Dutch or the King of Denmark or any other Protestants out of this intended Vnion but that they should be admitted and invited into it and he believed they would be the sooner brought into it if they first saw Sweden and England joyned together whereas to have a general meeting and Treaty first would be very difficult if not Impossible to be effected That several Interests would draw several ways But if they saw the King of Sweden and the Protector once conjoyned it would be the strongest argument in the World to persuade the rest into the same Vnion and such as would oppose ought to be taken for Enemies That the King of Denmark was now upon a Treaty with the King of Sweden whom he would not disturb and had not yet concluded by reason of England desiring first to hear from the Protector about it That the Emperour had now no fear of the King of Sweden's troubling him as might appear by his sending at this time 15000 Men into Flanders for the King of Spain Which Body of Men he would not have now sent out of his own Country if he had doubted the King of Sweden's falling upon him and that no Prince in Christendom had offered the espousing of the Protectors Interest as his Master had done Which deserved to be regarded by him Whitelock answered That the same was much regarded by the Protector and deservedly and that no Nation in Europe was of so much consideration to the King of Sweden as England especially in regard of their Men and Ships altho they had not Money to spare at this time it was not because of any Poverty of the Nation but by reason of their present and Extraordinary occasion of great Expences about their Publick Affairs especially of their Navy whereby the strength of the Nation was increased They had likewise discourse concerning Commissioners to be appointed on each part to consider of Damages sustained in the last War with the Dutch and to give just Restitution Wherein Whitelock proposed That it might be convenient for those Commissioners to have likewise a power if any Ships on either part were brought in to examine the matter speedily and if any wrong were done to award satisfaction and cause the Party that had done it to make amends and the Admiralty Court of which his Excellency had so much complained not to
MEMORIALS OF THE ENGLISH AFFAIRS OR AN Historical Account OF What passed from the beginning of the Reign of King CHARLES the First to King CHARLES the Second His Happy RESTAURATION Containing the Publick TRANSACTIONS CIVIL and MILITARY Together with The Private Consultations and Secrets of the CABINET Quaeque ipse miserrima vidi Et quorum pars magna fui Virg. LONDON Printed for Nathaniel Ponder at the Sign of the Peacok in the Poultry near the Church MDC LXXXII THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER IT is not every period of Time not every King or Caesar's Reign that furnishes Matter sufficient for an History Tacitus in one place Professes he cannot meet with any thing unless he should stuff out a Volume in commending the Foundation or the huge Timber that Caesar employed at the building his Amphitheatre Elsewhere he complains of his being Straitned and kept Down the Times affording nothing Notable besides the Corruption of Judges the Incouragement of Informers Subornations and Malicious Prosecutions Treachery and Trepannings new sorts of Treason devised and the Laws made for the Peoples Security turn'd into Snares and Ginns to catch and destroy the Brave and the Vertuous and all such as are like to resent or stemm the Inundation of Villany ready to overflow the Land Other Writers says he ingentia bella expugnationes Urbium fufos captosque Reges aut si quando ad interna praeverterant discordias Consulum adversus Tribunos agrarias frumentariasque Leges plebis optimatum certamina libero egressu memorabant which may thus be Englished They had to write of great Wars the Storming of Towns Kings put to the Rout and taken Captive or if they looked Home-ward with a free hand they described the Clashings of the chief Magistrate with the Peoples Representative the Great Charter the fundamental Laws and Liberty of the Subject with the warm Debates and Contestation betwixt the Peers and the Commons these were what Tacitus accounted the Noblest Matter for an Historian It has been ordinarily observed that the Sword cuts out Work for the Pen and times of War are times of History Vpon that Blow given to the Barbarians in Armenia a thousand Herodotus's a thousand Zenophons and Thucydides's arose every one bestir'd himself and fell to Scrible and Commenced Historian immediately Whether we Reflect on the course of War pursued for so many years throughout these three Nations and English Dominions or that we consider the Fatal strife of the Higher Powers and Governing parts of the Commonwealth amongst themselves no Nation or Times ever yielded a Nobler Subject So far from stinting that it rather might deter the ablest Pen-man from so vast an Vndertaking And we may sooner despair of an Historian than want Matter for an History Here wanted not the brisk Attaques the bold Sallyes the resolute Charges the obstinate Sieges nor any of that glorious Violence Desolation and Outrage whereof the Warriers make their wretched Ostentation Yet the labour here was no less to subdue the Vnderstanding than to beat down the bodies of the Enemy Nor was it less a dispute who had the better of the Cause in a Declaration than who got the Victory in the Field Peradventure the Arts and the Ambushes and the Management was not so fine nor had so considerable a proportion in the Story as might be expected from some of our Neighbours The English stay not for so much ceremony but fight in haste not caring for more than that old Roman rule Parcere subjectis debellare superbos To give fair Quarter to those that Yield and to Knock 'em down that Resist These are their Arts these are their Stratagems These Events together with the changes and revolutions that usually follow the tempest of War are things obvious and not to be concealed from the Inquisitive but seldom it is that the Rise and Springs of great Actions are open to view Dion Cassius was sensible what difference there was in writing History under a Commonwealth where the Counsels are all publickly canvassed and debated and in a Monarchy where the affairs of State are for the most part managed in Cabinets and by a few heads and every thing made a Mystery So many Disguises and so much Mist intermingled in the Transactions that the most diligent Historian is many times lost and forced upon Conjecture and cannot distinguish what is Real from what are State-pretences Besides the other advantages afore mentioned for an History the portion of Time within the compass of these Memorials of all others is that in which the State Cabinet was laid open all the Tricks exposed all the mysterious Characters decypher'd all the Deeds and Misdeeds all the secret Practices and Intreagues unravell'd to the eye and observation of the World And such a Foundation for certainty in an Historian as rarely any times have afforded This is so well understood that for want of something accurately Composed in this kind the World is glad of Collections and Memorials and the like Materials that may serve in some stead till time can produce some Master Accomplish'd for so great a Performance Yet is not this portion of Time altogether of a piece every day brings not forth a Petition of Right nor an Edge-hill Battel there are Intervals there are Flats where Fortune drives swimmingly without Rattle or Disturbance as well as Vps and Downs and Precipices where She jolts and tumbles and overturns every thing in the way Hence it is that the course of some years scarce affords matter for a Diary And again some day yields Sinews and Substance and Business proportionable to fulfil the measures of a Compleat History Which Inequality appears likewise in our Author who sometimes writes up to the dignity of an Historian and elsewhere is content barely to set down Occurrences Diary-wise without melting down or refining the Oar and improving those Hints and Rudiments to the perfection and true standard of an History The truth is our Author never intended this for a Book in Print nor meant otherwise by it than as a Book for his Memory and private use yet such was his Relation to the Publick so Eminent his Station and so much was he upon the Stage during all the time of Action that the particulars of his Diary go very far towards a Perfect History of those times We have seen lately published the Diary of King Edward the the VI. and formerly that of Archbishop Laud And in France the Diary of Mazarine Richeleu and other the great Ministers the Italians shew that of Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy and that of the Famous Marquess Spinola and others In Suetonius we read of the Ephemeris's or Diaries of several of the first Caesars Princes and the great Ministers have borrowed so much time from their weighty Occasions to Note down the Memorials of daily Passages But generally this sort of Commentaries were rather accounted proper to furnish Materials for other men of Leisure and Capacity than to
Kingdom shall not be laid down till Delinquents be left to Justice that their Estates may discharge the Debts of the Commonwealth The Souldiers commit Outrages which the King and Parliament labour to rectifie Sir Thomas Barrington and Mr. Grimstone in Essex seize upon Sir John Lucas and his Lady and commit them to Prisons and Lucas is proclaimed Traytor The Parliament for repayment of Loans upon Publick Faith order Satisfaction out of the Estates of Delinquents The Lord Strange is impeached of high Treason for raising Lancashire-men by whom one Percivall was killed The King adjourned Michaelmas Term and proclaims Nichols Macworth and Hunt of Shrop-shire to be Traytors The Lord Fairfax and Mr. Bellasis conclude a Neutrality for Yorkshire but the Parliament declare the Lord Fairfax not bound to observe the Articles but to assist the Parliament The Earl of Essex's Colours was a deep Yellow others setting up another Colour were held Malignants and ill-affected to the Parliaments Cause So small a thing is taken notice of in the Jealousies of War Intelligence being given to the House of Commons that the Earl of Berkshire and divers Gentlemen of principal quality in Oxfordshire intended shortly to put in execution the King's Commission of Array at Wattleton They commanded Whitelocke to use his utmost Endeavours to prevent the execution of that Commission in Oxfordshire and to apprehend such of the Commissioners as should meet for that purpose and the better to enable him hereunto they ordered some of the Regiment of Horse of Colonel Goodwyn and of the Regiment of Foot of Colonel Hampden to attend his Commands The Commissioners of Array having appointed their Meeting at Wattleton at a day and the Country summoned to come in to them Whitelocke sent for the Forces appointed to meet him and in the Afternoon came to him a Troop of Horse and a Company of Foot and Hampden himself with them and when they were met they had Information that the Commissioners having notice of the Parliaments Forces being in the Field thought not fit to continue at Wattleton but brake off their business and not taking leave or dismissing the Country the Commissioners with their Company hasted to Sir Robert Dormer's house and thither they were pursued and when the Parliaments Company beleagured the house they fired some Musquets and Pistols at them but finding themselves too weak for the Parliament Party and that they went about to storm the house they presently yielded upon quarter Most of the Commissioners of Array were got away only the Earl of Berkshire and two or three more were taken and conveyed to London The House of Lords committed the Earl and the rest to Prison where he lay for a long time after The King's General was first the Marquess of Hertford and shortly after the Earl of Lindsey divers of his Forces quartered near Hull seemed as if they had some design of beleaguring it Sir John Hotham and Sir John Meldram his Assistant sallied out upon them surprized them killed some and took others Prisoners and shortly after having a supply of five hundred men from London they sallied out again and discomfited some of their Forces and burnt a Barn with some Ammunition of the King 's in it and this was the first place where blood was drawn in this Contest The King marched from Nottingham to Stafford and Leicester and so to Wales and at Shrewsbury his Army encreased to a considerable body The Parliament Forces rendezvous'd at S. Albans and from thence marched Northward to meet the King with a Petition from both Houses and these Directions to their General 1. To restrain all profaneness in the Army 2. To march and fight the King's Army and by Battel or otherwise to rescue his Person and the Prince and Duke of York from those about him 3. To present the Petition to his Majesty and if he shall please to withdraw himself from his Army and resort to his Parliament then to cause those Forces to disband and to guard the King in his Return 4. To declare pardon to those that will withdraw fom the King except Richmond Cumberland Newcastle Rivers Caernarvan Newark Falkland Nicholas Porter and Hyde 5. To receive and certifie Contributions to be repaid 6. To protect the good people and to restore their losses 7. To apprehend Traytors and Delinquents 8. To observe further Directions He had a Committee with him who with the General were to take Subscriptions of Loans and order Matters concerning Malignants and to consider of the good of the Army The Parliament finding Supplies and Officers sent by the Queen from Holland to the King they sent over to the States Mr. Strickland to be their Resident in the Low Countries and with him a Declaration from the Lords and Commons The effect of it was To acquaint them with the affairs and proceedings of the Parliament and that it was not expected that they who had formerly received the assistance of the English to recover their Liberty should now assist those whose design was to deprive the English Nation of their Rights and Liberties Goring held Portsmouth for the King and hearing the County Trained Bands designed to surprize it he met and skirmished with them and retired to the Town but Sir John Meyrick's Regiment and a Troup of Horse being sent by the Parliament to joyn with the Countrey they so streightned Goring that though Marquess Hertford hastened to his Relief yet he surrendred the Town and took Ship for Holland The Marquess giving a Brush to the Earl of Bedford by the way seised upon Sherburne Castle and from thence marched to the King to Shrewsbury Sir John Biron with some Troups for the King was unexpectedly set upon at Brackley by the Towns-men and some Troups of the Parliament in his March to Oxford by whom he received some loss yet came on to Oxford The Lord Say Lieutenant of Oxfordshire being then in the Countrey upon this Alarm sent to Whitelocke and the rest of his Deputy-Lieutenants to bring what Forces they could to meet him near Oxford to remove the Lord Biron Whitelocke had a gallant Company of Horse of his Neighbours under his command When he came near Oxford his Scouts brought him intelligence that the Lord Say with a Regiment of Dragoons and the Lord St. John with him and several Companies of his Regiment of Foot were upon their march towards the place appointed for their Rendezvouse but that Sir John Biron hearing of their approach had quitted the Town Whitelocke went on till he met the Lord Say and with him were the Lord St. John the Lord Weenman and most of his Deputy-Lieutenants and their Forces were in all above 3000 Horse and Dragoons and Foot with whom they entred the City without any resistance and were welcomed by the Towns-men more than by the Scholars Yet besides the Mayor and Aldermen the Vice-Chancellor and Heads of Houses and Proctors gave my Lord Say a visit and protested all
such Officers as have engaged themselves for the service of Ireland some disorders began in the four Regiments of Norfolke about this business but Major Huntington and other Officers pacified them 27. Four Officers of the Army informed against for obstructing the service of Ireland in the Army were sent for up by the Sergeant at Arms. Upon a Message from the Lords touching the Army the Commons resolved that the Army Horse and Foot should be Disbanded with all convenient speed and six Weeks Pay to be given them at their Disbanding Some Officers of the Army in the name of themselves and the rest of the Officers presented to the House a vindication of the particulars in their late Petition Setting forth the great sence they had of some misrepresentation lately made to the House of their Actions and Intentions by which as they conceived it is endeavoured to Alienate the Houses of Parliament from that their ever Trusty and Obedient Army That the accomplishing thereof would much rejoyce their and the Kingdoms Enemies they desire liberty to Petition as Souldiers now and hereafter as Members of the Common-Wealth and that their integrity might be vindicated from such false suggestions and reports as had been formerly made and raised against them and suggested to the House Here it was observed by some that a Victorious Army out of imployment is very inclinable to assume Power over their Principals and this occasioned the Parliaments greater care for their imployment for Ireland One Ensign Nichols of the Army sent up by the General to the Parliament Major General Skippon declared himself willing to accept the Imployment to which he was Voted for Ireland The Lord L'Isle returned from thence The Common-Councel of London outed of the old Commissioners for their Militia Alderman Pennington Foucke Warner and Kenricke and Collonel Wilson Collonel Player and Collonel Tichburne and agreed upon a new List of Commissioners for their Militia They received from the Parliament of Scotland Letters of thanks for their affection and respect to the Covenant and Union of both Nations and they Ordered thanks to be returned to the Scots Commissioners who presented them Some proceedings were upon Mr. Eastwicks and Mr. Bretts not taking the Covenant 28. The Monthly Fast-day 29. Order for a Writ for a new Election Order for continuing the Commissioners of the Seal and the Commissioners for hearing Causes in Chancery for ten days after the Term. Vote that Sir John Brampston be one of the Judges of the Common Pleas and that Mr. Walter Long be continued Register of the Chancery The Assembly attended the House with their advice upon the thirty nine Articles and the Confession of Faith with the Texts upon both of them Order for six hundred Copies of them to be Printed for the use of the Houses and Assembly and they had the thanks of the House given them The thanks of the House given to Field Marshal Skippon for his compliance and not denying himself to serve the Publick in Ireland and one thousand pounds bestowed upon him for his services 30. Debate upon the Petition and Vindication of the Army and Major General Skippon in the House produced a Letter presented to him the day before from some Troopers in the behalf of eight Regiments of the Army of Horse wherein they expressed Some reasons why they could not engage in the service of Ireland under the present Conduct and complaining of the many scandals and false suggestions that were of late against the Army and their proceedings whereupon they were taken as Enemies and saw designs upon them and many of the Godly Party in the Kingdom and that they could not engage for Ireland till they were satisfied in their expectations and their just desires granted Three Troopers Sexby Allen and Sheppard who brought this Letter were examined in the House touching the Drawing and Subscribing of it and whether their Officers were engaged in it or not They affirmed That it was first drawn up at a Rendezvous of several of those Regiments and afterwards at several meetings by Agents or Agitators for each Regiment and that few of their Officers knew or took notice of it Those Troopers being demanded whether they had not been Cavaliers it was attested by Skippon That they had constantly served the Parliament and some of them from the beginning of the War and being asked concerning the meaning of some expressions in the Petition they answered That the Letter being a joynt Act of those Regiments they could not give a punctual answer being only Agents but if they might have the Quaeries in writing they would send or carry them to those Regiments and return their own and their answers These Troopers were ordered to attend the House upon Summons and after several Votes passed for prevention of disorder in the Army Major General Skippon Lieutenant General Cromwel Collonel Ireton and Collonel Fleetwood were Ordered to go down to the Army and acquaint them That the House would provide a considerable sum of mony for them before their Disbanding and their Arrears should be audited and an Ordinance to be brought in for Indemnity for acts done tempore loco belli Vote of both Houses for Sergeant Godbolt to be a Judg of the Common Pleas and for Mr. Rich and Mr. Hakewel Masters of the Chancery to sit with the Commissioners of the Seal to hear Causes Both Houses Ordered their Commissioners in Scotland to return The Accounts of Sir John Clotworthy Ordered to be certified May 1647. May 1. The Receipts of Goldsmiths-Hall Ordered by both Houses for part of the security for the two hundred thousand pounds to be borrowed of the City and that the Common-Councel be acquainted with it Ordinance for securing mony to some poor men who could not lend more Six thousand pounds and Ammunition Ordered for Collonel Rainesborough for reducing Jersey Order for payment of mony to Mr. Potter A Proclamation by Sir Thomas Fairfax pursuant to an Order of the House that all Officers of his Army do within twenty four hours repair to their Charges The Committee of both Houses met with the Common-Councel about security for the Loan of two hundred thousand pounds 3. The Provincial Assembly of London met at St. Pauls and Doctor Gouge was chosen their Prolocutor about settling the Presbyterian Government Both Houses past the Ordinance for regulating the University of Oxford there was also a numerous Committee for Appeals Letters from Scotland informed that Kolkitoth in the Marquess of Argiles Country put to the Sword Men Women and Children that Lieutenant General Lesley was Marched against him Forces Shipped away for Ireland 4. Divers Citizens of London attending for an answer to their Petition were called in and the Speaker told them That the House did not approve of their Petition The Commissioners for the Militia of London approved and their Ordinance passed and thanks Ordered to the old Militia Commissioners Letters from the Sheriff of Oxon
Lambert that he intends no hurt to him or to the Kingdom which his future carriage would demonstrate The Major General returned answer that as to not satisfaction with this Parliament he had nothing to say but as to his coming in hostile way in England he would oppose him to the utmost and fight him and his Army as Traytors and Enemies to the Kingdom That this great breach of the Covenant and large Treaty between the two Nations he doubted not but would be revenged upon them to their utter ruine and was assured of assistance herein by all true English men and right Covenanters of the two Nations Letters from France that Prince Charles was sailed from Calice to Holland 13. Order to prevent tumults that no more Prisoners of quality shall be brought up to London but be disposed of to other places of strength The Earl of Holland was sent Prisoner to Warwick Castle Order for a thousand Foot and five hundred Horse to be raised and maintained in Essex out of the estates of those who ingaged with the Lord Goring The House approved Articles made by Colonel Rich upon the surrender of some Castles in Kent and that a letter of thanks be sent to him and ammunition for his Regiment Order that the Estates of the Duke of Bucks of the Lord Francis his Brother and Sir Francis Ratcliff in the North shall go towards the maitenance of the Forces of Major General Lambert 14. Letters from Major General Lambert that Duke Hamilton was advanced into this Kingdom with an Army of ten thousand men with whom Sir Marmaduke Langdale is joyned and that their Army is about Carlisle The House declared that the Forces now come out of Scotland into England in an hostile manner being without the authority of the Parliament of England are Enemies to England and that all such English or Irish that shall adhere to or assist them are Rebels and Traytors to England and shall be proceeded against and their Estates confiscated as Traytors and Rebels Order for twenty thousand Pounds for the Forces in the North and that all the Revenues of the King Queen and Prince in the North shall be paid by the Receiver of Yorkshire to the Commander in chief of the Northern Forces for their maintenance and referred to the Committee of Darby House to consider of sending more Forces down to Major General Lambert Here you may take notice of a strange turn in the affairs of this Parliament to which all humane affairs are subject but in these times much more than ordinary You have read the great indeavours formerly to bring them in as Friends to assist the Parliament and remember the story of their actions and return home again now the other faction in Scotland prevailing the Scots are turned Enemies to England and invade them with a considerable Army before they joyned with the Parliament against the King now they joyn with the Kings Forces against the Parliament How like the Sea the People of the world are still ebbing or flowing always in an uncertain motion and constant in nothing but inconstancy Debate upon the Citizens offer of security to the King and both Houses of Parliament during the Treaty if it be at London 15. Letters from Lieutenant General Cromwel to the General and to the Committee of Darby House that 11. of July last the Town and Castle of Pembroke were surrendred to him upon Articles That Langhorne Poyer and four more Officers surrendred to the mercy of the Parliament Sir Charles Kemish Sir Henry Stradling and about ten more Officers and Gentlemen were to depart the Kingdom within six weeks and not to teturn in two years and all the rest to have liberty to go to their homes and not to be plundered The sick and wounded men to be taken care of the Towns-men not to be plundered but to injoy their liberty as heretofore The Town Castle Arms Ammunition and provisions to be delivered up to Lieutenant General Cromwel for the use of the Parliament That Cromwel prepared to advance towards Lambert to joyn with him again the Scots The House declared to adhere to their former Vote that the three propositions shall be signed by his Majesty before a personal Treaty be had with him and a Committee was appointed to draw reasons to satisfy the Lords concerning the same Letters from the Isle of Wight that the King declared to divers of his party and wished them to declare it to others that the Governor Colonel Hammond was a man of honour and trust and had carryed himself civilly and respectfully to his Majesty That Osborne had unjustly and ungratefully aspersed the Governor and as touching the preservation of his person from Poyson or any such horrid design the King said he was so confident of the honesty and faithfulness of the Governour that he thought himself as safe in his hands as if he were in the Custody of his own Son Letters from Colchester Leaguer that the Enemy were all drawn up into the high Street but were beaten in with loss upon their sally forth That Captain Jailler got out of the Town and came to the General and told him that many of the Souldiers in the Town would come to his Excellencie if they knew his Conditions That the General had made a breach in the wall and beat the Enemy from their guards That Colonel Whaley with some of the Suffolk Foot fell upon a Church which the Enemy had fortifyed who presently cried for quarter and that there were taken about eighty Prisoners most Kentish-men Intelligence that the Duke of Bucks party was wholly routed near Oundleby Captain Butler and the Duke with Sir Thomas Bludder and about a hundred more got away privately towards London From Colchester Leaguer that the General had taken Sir Jo. Lucas his House and the Gate-House which was hotly disputed till a hand Granado was by Cromwells men thrown among them which lighting upon their magazine of Powder about forty of them were blown up about sixty taken Prisoners the rest of a hundred and forty were destroyed and killed This so inraged them that being confined within the walls they fired all the Suburbs round about a very sad spectacle the Houses for above a mile together being all of a flame one of the Companions of War 17. Voted that after the three propositions signed the King be desired to name three places within ten Miles of Westminster of which the Parliament to choose one where the Treaty with his Majesty shall be had The Commons confirmed what was done by the Governor of New Castle in laying the Tax on Coals and Salt there They gave twenty pounds to the Messenger of the surrender of Pembroke Castle Voted a pardon to divers that were in the Insurrection in Kent and to all that came in upon the Indempnity offered and to such as can make it appear that they were forced A Petition from the Tower-Hamlets and from
acquainted the Houses with his Highness's Letter it not being in his power to act further the Parliament having ordered the way in which the Prisoners should be proceeded against not so much for hostility as for breach of the trust they reposed in them to the ingaging the Nation again in War and blood Subscribed Your Highness most humble Servant Fairfax Letters from the North that as yet there was no ingagement with the Scots 21. The Commons concurred with the Votes touching the Treaty and referred it to the Committee of both Houses for peace to prepare thing needful for the Treaty They thought fit again to send to his Majesty to let him know how far they had proceeded as to treat and to have his approbation A Letter from the General that he had received an order from the Lords to deliver the Earl of Holland from Warwick Castle to be confined to his house at Kensington A Letter from the Lord Admiral that upon the Lords Passes for some to go beyond Seas they had gone to the Prince as M r Aleburton the Scots Agent the Lord Andover and others The Commons desired a conference with the Lords about it and that a Letter be sent to the Lord Admiral and to the Lord General to make stay of all such persons notwithstanding their order Upon Petition of thousands of the Suburbs that had joyed with Major General Skippon he was ordered to grant them Commissions and the committee for suppressing of tumults to furnish them with Armes Letters from Salop that Sir Henry Lingen with a party of Horse took sixty of Colonel Harly's men and about two daies after a party of Colonel Harlies and Colonel Hortons men met with Sir Henry Lingens men about Radnor regained all their Horse and Prisoners took Sir Henry Lingen and Colonel Crofts and many other of the Kings commanders Prisoners slew divers of the party and routed the rest Letters from Colchester Leaguer that the approaches were so near that the besiegers and the Enemy laid aside their Muskets and in stead of shooting cast Stones at one another Some petitions inclosed in a Letter from the Lord Norwich and the rest were sent to the General expressing that at the desire of the inhabitants they had thought fit to send them And that they should be constrained for the better accommodation of the Souldiery to turn out the Towns People whereby their Houses and goods would be left liable to spoil and ruine for prevention whereof they had thought fit to treat with his Lordship for the surrender of the Town if he pleased to which purpose they would send six Officers if his Lordship would appoint the like number With this came another Letter offering an exchange of Captain Gray for M r Weston and M r Rowling the General accepted of the exchange but as to the Treaty said he would send answer by a Messenger of his own The General was in some danger by a shot from the Town that one who was exchanged told the Lord Norwich he heard the Parliament Souldiers discoursing sharply against those in Colchester and one of them bid him tell Goring that they would bore a hole through his nose and draw him with a Rope through Cheapside crying Here is the great Bull of Colchester The inclosed Petitions were one to the Earl of Norwich the Lord Capell and Sir Charles Lucas from the inhabitants of Colchester That having received their Commands to depart the Town for better supply of the Souldiers they might Petition the Lord Fairfax for Liberty to pass into the Country to prevent the danger of their lives without his leave They prayed their honours to give way for their Petition to be presented to the Lord Fairfax and till they had his answer that they might not be inforced from their habitations The Petition of the inhabitants of Colchester to the Lord Fairfax was to inform his Lordship that the Commanders in Chief in the Garrison had ordered all the inhabitants to provide with expedition to depart the Town or otherwise by power they should be forced thereto for that whatever became of the Townsmen the Souldiery who maintained the Kings cause must and shall be provided for That being driven to this Exigency they have no other means but to fly to his Christian Charity and clemency and humbly to pray that he would give them leave to pass into the Country for the preservation of their lives Subscribed by the Major and four Aldermen in the name of all the Petitioners To the Letter the General returned this answer He was willing to believe that the pressing necessities of the miserable inhabitants of Colchester had wrung from them the Petition inclosed in their Letter That he should not onely clear himself to all the world from the occasion of their sufferings but so far contribute to their relief as to allow all the inhabitants of the Town the Lords first ingaging not to restrain any who shall be willing to come out to enjoy the Liberty in their Petition desired Provided the Committee of the County of Essex then Prisoners with the Lords in the Town be sent out with the first only he shall not permit the wives and Children of any Towns-men or others who shall abide with the Lords in Armes to have the benefit above-mentioned Concerning the rendition of the Town he offers That all such officers and Souldiers under the degree of a Captain excepting all such who being Members of his Army have since the 10. of May last deserted their Colours they ingaging themselves never hereafter to bear Arms against the Parliament shall have passes without injury offered them to return to their respective homes And all Captains and other superiour Officers with the Lords and Gentlemen to submit to mercy Subscribed Your Lordships Servant Tho. Fairfax An Express came from Lieutenant General Cromwel in the general of his defeating the Scots Army under Duke Hamilton New Instructions for Colonel Hammond 1. That the King be removed to Newport in the Isle of Wight the place of the Treaty 2. That he be in the same condition and freedom there as he was at Hampton Court 3. That no person in the first Exception out of Mercy nor under restraint of the Parliament nor of late actually in Arms against the Parliament be admitted to the King 4. That no person that hath been in Arms against the Parliament or aiding or assisting to them or of whom there is just cause of suspicion be admitted into any Fort or Tower in the Isle of Wight 5. That no person of any forrain Nation be admitted to come into the same without leave from both Houses of Parliament 6. That if the Kingdom of Scotland send any to treat with his Majesty they shall have a Pass from both Houses 7. That his Majesty pass his Royal word not to go out of the Island during the Treaty nor twenty eight daies after
Parliament being in great danger by reason of the Malignant party flocking up to London upon some design at the breach of the Treaty and most of them armed with Daggers and Pistols in their Pockets A Committee appointed to confer with the Common Council of London concerning the Security of the Parliament and Kingdom and to report with speed 5. The Streets were full of Bonefires this being the Gunpowder Treason day 6. The Commons concurred with the Lords that the number of the persons to be excepted from pardon should be seven and Voted three of those seven to be the Lord Digby the Earl of Newcastle and Sir Marmaduke Langdale Letters from the Gentlemen of the four Northern Counties that upon Conference with Lieutenant General Cromwel it was held necessary to have twelve hundred Foot in Berwick and six hundred Foot in Carlisle and two Regiments of Horse six hundred in a Regiment to suppress any insurrection and the Moss-troupers They desire in regard of the great sufferings of those Counties that these Forces may be maintained at the general charge of the Kingdom these being frontier Garrisons and those Counties will be willing to pay their proportions With these Letters came a Petition Complaining of the want of bread in those Counties that many Gentlemen of quality and their Families had no other drink but Water of imprisoning their persons dispeopling their Towns destroying their Corn and Goods killing their Neighbors and Country-men driving away their Cattle compelling all betwixt the Age of sixty and sixteen to bear Arms against the Parliament Of bringing in to this Kingdom a foreign Nation and delivering into the Scots hands the two considerable places of Berwick and Carlisle that many of the actors in that horrid design are returned to their homes to plot new Treasons They press for justice against those Delinquents and a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to be sent down for trial of them The House past no Vote upon this letter and Petition Letters from St. Albans of a day appointed for the meeting of the Officers of the Army and that the cry of free-quarter was so great in the ears of the Souldiers that it was to be feared it would occasion some distemper among them By this Petition and by these Letters you may take notice of the miserable effects of Civil War and of the condition of even the victors to be continued full of fears and dangers to themselves A Complaint came against the ill management of the Siege before Pontefract by Sir Henry Cholmely and Lieutenant General Cromwel was come thither 7. Orders touching the winter guard of Ships Vote That Sir Richard Greenvile Judge Jenkins Sir Francis Doddington Sir John Winter should be the rest of the seven Persons excepted from Pardon Letters that Major General Lambert with three Regiments of Horse was still in Scotland and that the well affected there could not act securely without them that they quarter upon the contrary Party Letters from the Hague that the Prince was there sick of the small Pox and that his Seamen were much discontented that the Lord Willoughby and Sir William Batten had left him 8. Upon Letters from Colonel Welden Governor of Plymouth Orders for pay for that Garrison The consideration of the Garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle referred to the Committee of Derby-House and orders for Money for disbanding supernumerary Forces Vote that no more than seven Persons should be excepted from Pardon An Ordinance past both Houses for pay of their Guards Several Lords and Commons came from the Treaty the Earl of Northumberland M r Pierrepoint and M r Holles staid behind divers also of the Kings people came away His Majesty made a further condescention touching the Church but did stick at the word Bishop yet was content he should be in the condition only of a Primer Presbyter and was not willing Bishops lands should be sold Letters from Ireland of the desperate condition of that Kingdom and the distress of Dublin by the Lord Ormonds joyning with the Rebels Letters from St. Albans that the general Council of the Army met and the Officers expressed a great sence of the odium cast upon the Army as they suspect by design to hinder their pay that they might be forced to take free-quarter 9. Upon jealousie of a design to surprise the Tower order that the Committee of the Tower do advise with the Lord Mayor concerning the security thereof and have power to remove and appoint what Guards they please there Order for an Ordinance to authorize the several Committees in the Counties to receive security of all the Delinquents in the respective Counties who have not compounded not to go above five Miles from their dwellings not to act any thing prejudicial to the Parliament and such as shall refuse this to be secured by the Committees The Commissioners returned from the Isle of Wight made report to the House of all their transactions in the Treaty and of the Kings last Concessions touching the Church That he doth not intend to make any more new Bishops during three years nor that after the three years the power of Ordination should be practised in the old manner but with consent that Bishops shall not receive any into Holy Orders without the consent of a limited number of Presbyters to be chosen in such manner as shall be agreed by his Majesty and the two Houses That his Majesty purposed after the agreement and within the three years to have a consultation with the Assembly of Divines twenty being added of his Majesties nomination for the settlement of the Church Government That his Majesty will not insist upon any provision for continuance of the Book of Common Prayer in his Majesties Chappel for himself and his Houshold but declares that he intends to use some other set form of Divine Service That he consents to Acts to be passed for a further course and more strict to prevent the saying and hearing of Mass in the Court or elsewhere That in what he hath not consented he is not really satisfied in conscience and hopes his two Houses will not put further pressures of so tender a nature upon him The Commissioners had the thanks of the House for their good service in the Treaty and a day set to debate upon his Majesties final answer Orders for relief of the maimed Souldiers and for disbanding of Supernumerary Forces 10. Ordinance for repaying mony advanced for the Treaty Order for mony for payment of the Horse-guards of the Parliament Vote that the Lords Goring Capel Loughborough the Earl of Holland Major General Laugherne and Sir John Owen shall be banished out of the Kingdom 11. Vote that his Majesties answer to the discipline of the Church and as to the continuing of Bishops is unsatisfactory The like concerning his laying aside the Common Frayer for himself and his own family The like concerning his mentioning to
Committee An Act brought in by the Councel of State for repealing the Statutes 23. El. and 35. El. Against Pretended Sectaries and the Statute 1. Jac. Recommitted Order for Payment of the Sallaries to the Judges of the Admiralty Order to borrow 150000 l. for Ireland An Act past for discharge of the Commissioners of the Excise upon their accounts Sir Henry Heyman and another re-admitted to sit in the House Upon the report of the L. Commissioner Whitlock Baron Gates by reason of his sickness was excused from riding the Circuit and Serjeant Green ordered to go Judge in his place Power given to the Commissioners of the Seal to grant Commissions of Sewers and of Charitable uses as any L. Chr. L. Keeper or Commssioners of the Seal used to do Letters that the Enemie had besieged Dublin that C. Hewson twice beat off their Parties with loss to them and came off with flying Colours that C. Jones sent to Chester for Corn. That the Enemy was within one Mile of Dublin from whence a Party skirmished with them and took one Captain Duncan Prisoner That London Derry was not in a very bad Condition 30 The Lord Commissioner Lisle being formerly by the House made Master of St. Cross Hospital did now voluntarily surrender it to the House again and they bestowed it upon the Sollicitor G. Mr. Cook and ordered Augmentations of Meanes to the Ministers and poor Brethren as the Lord Commissioner Lisle had formerly given Debate upon the Act for sale of the Kings Houses Parks c. And Voted that St. James House and Park Theobalds Park Windsor Castle and Little Park Greenwich House Castle and Park should be reserved from Sale for the use of the State And referred to the Councel of State to consider what other Houses should be reserved from Sale The New Park near Richmond was given to the City of London as a Testimony of the Favour of the House to them Order for saving the Timber in the Parks c. for the use of the Navy Letters from Cheshire that Ormond had besieged Dublin with 14000 Men and doubted not but to carry it in a short time and that divers Ministers in Cheshire did pray publickly for restoring Charles the Second to his Fathers Crowns and Honours July 1649. 2 A Letter from the Parliament of Scotland in answer to the Letter sent to them from the Parliament of England in high Language and invective against the late proceedings in England but desiring that Commissioners of both Kingdoms may meet and treat about a good Correspondency between the two Nations Referred to the Councel of State how to prosecute the Desires of the Parliament of England and to vindicate it from the Aspersions cast upon them by the Parliament of Scotland Captain Row who brought the Scots Answer had 100 l. given him Divers Orders for Mony and Approbation of the Generals Allowance of more than ordinary Pay in regard of Billet Mony A Petition of the Car-men setting forth the Oppressions and Exactions of the Woodmongers and desiring to be made a new Corporation of the Car-men referred to a Committee The 400 l. per annum allowed to Dr. Vsher Primate of Armagh continued Order for 70 to be of the Life Guard to the Lieutenant of Ireland and Mr. Owen to go his Chaplain and his Wife and Children to have 100 l. per annum in his Absence Letters that C. Jones put out all the Men Roman Catholicks out of Dublin that Ormond took in all the Country about Dublin and put Jones to great wants that Sir George Askue secured the Harbour for the Army to land from England and that most of the English joyned with Ormond Letters that five Witches were burnt at Edenburgh who had the marks upon them which they had from the Devil The Parliament of Scotland sent a Gentleman to the Queen and Chr. of Sweden to acquaint them with their Proceedings with England and their falling off from them upon their late transactions c. That they prepare for new Levies of 15000 Horse and Foot to be added to the 5000 now in being 3 Debate upon the Act for sale of the Parks Lands c. of the late King and Officers agreed upon Captain Martins Accounts stated and he ordered to have 1000 l. per annum Inheritance in lieu of his Arrears The Lord Grey's Accounts passed A Pardon ordered for some Prisoners condemed in the Circuits Referred to the Councel of State to take care for bringing in the Arrears of Londons Assessement Letters from Dublin that C. Jones sent out 12 Horse who charged 30 of the Enemy routed them and took Lieutenant Collonel Duncan Prisoner and wounded Captain Dungan mortally and that Ormond stood within half a mile looking on That divers Malignants are imprisoned and the Papists driven out of the Town but their Wives and Children stay That Jones his Men killed a Captain and a Lieutenant of Ormonds Horse took a Cornet and 4 Horse and lost a Quarter Master That Inchequin wrote to Jones to treat but he returned a sharp denyal Letters that Prince Charles near Antwerp was met by some eminent Persons and presented by the Arch Duke with a sumptuous Coach studded with Silver and six gallant Flanders Mares drawing it and six Saddle Horses of the Neapolitan Race That at Antwerp the Magistrates conducted him to a stately Pallace where he stayed two dayes and was entertained as if he had been King of Spain Letters from France that the Queen of Englands Pension was lessened there from 12000 Crowns to 7000 Crowns and no Pension allowed to Prince Charles but what his Mother gives him Letters from Scotland of the strange number of Witches executed there that the Kingdom was quiet and in great Expectation of their new King 4 The Act passed for sale of the Goods of the late King Queen and Prince part of the Mony to pay some of the Kings Houshold Debts and 30000 l. for the Navy Debate upon a report from the Councel of State for borrowing 150000 l. of the City for the Service of Ireland Vote that the Letter from the Parliament of Scotland to William Lental Esq doth disobliege the Parliawent of England to proceed with Scotland to a Treaty and referred to the Councel of State to draw up a Declaration upon this and the former Scots Letters Letters of 1660 Barrels of Beer with other Provisions proportionable ready at Bristol for the Souldiers designed for Ireland Letters that Captain Harris with the Phenix Frigot had rescued divers Prizes taken by the Jersy Men. 5 Orders for Mony for lame Souldiers and the Widdows of Souldiers slain Mr. Steel was chosen Recorder of London in the place of Mr. Glyn. Divers Surveys returned of Deanes and Chapters Lands The Train of Artillery and Ammunition was shipped for Ireland 6 The Account of the Lieutenant of Ireland approved and he discharged The Lord Commissioner Whitelock did voluntarily surrender the place of Attourney of the Dutchy
passed for admitting the Delinquents of North-Wales to Composition for a certain Fine Letters from Milford Haven from the Lieutenant of Ireland giving the House an Account of his Proceedings and the Readiness of his Forces Upon a report from the Councel of State and Letters to them from the Lieutenant of Ireland concerning M. General Monk his making a Peace with Owen Roe Oneal which the Councel disapproved and reported to the House to know their pleasure therein M. G. Monk was called into the House and asked several Questions by their Order which he answered at the Bar of the House touching that business after a long debate of it the House upon the Qestion passed this Vote That they did disapprove of what M. G. Monke had done in concluding a Peace with the Grand and Bloody Irish Rebel Owen Rowe Oneal and did abhor the having any thing to do with him therein Yet are verily perswaded that the making the same by the said M. G. Monk was in his Judgment for the most advantage of the English Interest in that Nation And that he shall not be further Questioned for the same for the time to come Order that the report of the Councel of State the questions demanded of M. G. Monk with his Answers and the Votes of the House there upon be Printed and Published M. G. Monk was much discontented at the proceeding in this business in Relation to him especially at some passages highly reflecting upon his honour and fidelity And it was the Opinions of Divers either not at all to have questioned this business or having once questioned it not to have imployed him any more in their Service But the Major part carried it thus to beat him and afterwards to stroak him which some did think was never forgotten by him 11 The House sate not Letters from Dublin to the House and to the Councel of State that the first of Aug. the Enemy began his approaches near to the Town that Ormond Preston and the chief of their Army were that Night at a work begun Eastward of the City upon the Sea to hinder the landing of the Forces and Supplyes Expected from England and had cut off much of their water and Forage That the 2 August C. Jones Reynolds and the rest with him discovered a party of the Enemy drawn to their new Work about 1500 Foot besides Horse they thought fit speedily to remove them and advanced towards them with the greater strength 1200 Horse and 4000 Foot because they were within a Mile of the Camp from whence they might have what Supplyes and addition of Force they pleased That the Parliament Party soon entred the Enemies New Work yet not without a strong dispute and most of Ormonds Foot there were slain and taken Their Horse having deserted them after the first charge That Jones and his Party pursuing their advantage became at last ingaged with Ormonds whole Army which after 2 houres Fight they totally routed That they slew on the place and in the Chase 4000 And took 2517 Prisoners most of them Inchequins English and run-aways That they got 1 whole Cannon 3 Demy Cannons 1 long Gun carrying a Ball of 12 Pound 1 Saker-drake and 1 Mortar Peice all of them of Brasse some trayn Carryages and about 200 Draught Oxen for the train That the strength of the Enemy was since acledged to be 19000. That Ormond narrowly escaped That of the Parliaments Party there were not 20 missing but many wounded the greatest losse fell on the Horse wherein Jones his Regiment did much suffer which he desired might be considered That Jones intended not to have ingaged so far nor did Ormond expect it but would have declined it reserving themselves for the coming up of Clanricard with 3000 Connaught Forces and of the L. of Ardes with 7000 Scots all ready for Marching and of Inchequin with two more Regiments from Munster That there never was any day in Ireland like this to the confusion of the Irish and raising up the Spirits of the English and restoring their Interest which from their first footing in Ireland was never in so low a Condition as aâ— that time there not being any one considerable landing place left for them but Dublin onely and that almost lost Captain Otwey who brought this Intelligence to the Councel and did gallant Service in the Action did bring other Letters to the same purpose and which did further relate That Ormond was at Tables in his Quarters when the first News came of the beating up of his Guard and answered the Messenger he wished the Rebels would come that they might have some Sport with 〈◊〉 and so went on in his Game But a second Messenger bringing news of the routing of his Party he left his play and goâ— 2 or 3 Regiments to engage but they being defeated he and the rest fled That Collonel Reynolds after he had taken Ormonds Brother threatned to pistol him if he would not show him Ormond which he did at a distance with about seven Horse in Company That Collonel Reynolds and Captain Otway pursued them and came so near as to charge them and brought one of them a French Man off with them but the rest with the Marquess being well horsed escaped That the Plunder of the Field was so rich that the Camp was like a Fayr Cloth Silk and all manner of Cloaths to be sold and at Dublin the Officers did not know their own Souldiers they were become so gallant they had good store of Wine which they drunk in their hats knocking out the Heads of the Vessels That they took Ormonds Cabinet with his Letters and Papers of Concernment and divers Prisoners of Quality besides 6 Lieutenant Collonels 8 Majors 4 Captains 58 Lieutenants 42 Ensigns and a great number of other Officers and 2100 common Souldiers That the Enemy at their marching off had quit several Garrisons That a day of thanksgiving was appointed at Dublin for this Victory after which C. Jones and the rest intended to march out again 13 The House did not sit Letters from Scotland that the General Assembly there had published a Remonstrance or Declaration of the Grounds of their late proceedings and of their Intentions for maintenance of the Government settling Church-Discipline and keeping good Correspondence with England c. Much Labour was by his Friends for the clearing M. G. Monk from the Reslection upon him by his cessation with Owen Roe O Neal for which end they caused the Articles of that Cessation to be Printed and published together with the Reasons which induced M. G. Monk to make that Cessation Yet all would not serve but â—t stuk with many to his Prejudice who both suspected C. Monks Fidelity and sharply inveiged against any Peace made by those of the Parliaments Party with the bloody and execrable Irish Rebels 14 Upon reading the Letters from Dublin in the House they ordered a day of publick thanksgiving for that
of the Peace 28 Letters That the Parts about Milford-Haven were infected with the Plague by the many Passengers that way from Ireland That the L. Deputy in his March to Athlowe received no interruption from the Enemy who lurk much in the woods and are relieved by the Countrey though they are commanded the contrary on pain of Death That the L. Deputy thereupon inclined to burn the Countrey as he Marched else there could be no end put to the War there 30 Letters That after 6 dayes stay at Edinburgh and Leith the G. with his Army with 7 days provisions marched to Netherish 6 Miles from Edenburgh That the G. came back that night to Leith being Saturday Sept. 14. That he made M. G. Overton Governour of Edinburgh with two Regiments and a Third Regiment at Leith Sunday The Army marched beyond Linlithgow towards Sterling but by reason of the great Rain and Storms retreated and quartered at Linlithgow That the G. sent a Summons to Falkirke who returned Answer That they were all Gentlemen in the Garrison and would all die before they would yield it up but if Sterling should be taken or yielded to him that then they would yield also and in the mean time would not interrupt his March That it was once resolved to march up to Sterling and Ladders and Preparations made to Storm it But upon consideration of the strength of the Place and Unseasonableness of the Weather and want of Provisions that purpose was altered That the G. sent a Trumpet with some Propositions to those in Sterling but they refused to receive the Letter or to let the Trumpet come in That afterwards a Trumpet came from Lieutenant G. David Lesley with a Letter to the G. for Exchange of Prisoners which he denied to receive That the G. gave orders for the fortifying of Linlithgow and he and the Army returned to Edenburgh where he kept a Day of Humiliation and the Kirk likewise appointed a Day of publick Humiliation The G. published a Proclamation for free and safe Trading by the Scots at Edenburgh who were not in Arms and liberty to sell their Commodities and to be free from violence of the Soldiery and to be protected in their habitations Sir John Gell was Sentenced by the High Court of Justice for Misprision of High Treason to forfeit his Estate and to be imprisoned during his Life Octob. 1650. 1 Several Votes passed touching the Compositions of Delinquents An Act passed for Relief of Religious and Peaceable People from the Rigour of former Acts of Parliament in Matters of Religion Vote to consider of publick Business only till Nov. next and all private Business excluded till then An Act committed touching doubling upon Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands A new raised Regiment in London under M. G. Harrison of 1660 and two more under M. G. Skippon and Alderman Tichborne of 2000 in each Regiment The Lady Elizabeth the late King's Daughter died in the Isle of Wight That a Parliament Frigot upon the Coast of Galitia fought with a Portugal Ship richly laden with Plate c. to the value of 100000 l. and after a stout Fight sunk her 2 Letters of 12 Sail of Jersey Ships taken by the Parliaments Frigots Capt. Ashley was Sentenced by the High Court of Justice to have his Head cut off and one Benson to be hanged for conspiring against the Commonwealth in the Treasonable Engagement of C. Andrewes 3 Letters that the D. of York was going from France to Holland and had borrowed of the D. of Orleance 5000 Pistols to bear his Charges 4 An Account of Recruits and Provisions shipped for Ireland Letters of the Militia under C. Pine at Taunton declaring their willingness to go into Scotland if required though the Ministers Preached against it Letters of the Scots raising new Forces and of the bitter Invectives of the Kirk against the English Army That they take the Countrey people by force out of their Beds and compel them to serve in their Army 5 Many persons well-affected to the Parliament having their Estates seized and themselves driven away from the Barbadoes came into England and upon their Petition to the Council of State and Conference with them by their Committee They Reported their Opinions to the Parliament That it was necessary to reduce those Islands and a Fleet to be sent thither for that purpose with Provisions for that purpose Which the House approved 7 Letters that the G. commanded all the Scots Boats and all other Boats that could be got in the Frith to be brought to Leith and Order was given for the springing of Mines for reducing of Edenburgh-Castle That the G. and his Officers met at the Great Church in Edenburgh on the Lords Day where many Scots were and expressed much Affection to the Doctrine Preached there That the G. employed some Scotch Miners against the Castle and his Soldiers came so near the Works of the Castle that they brought away one Colours and 300 Muskets and other Arms without loss That the Enemy with Granadoes fired two or three Houses near the Castle yet the Parliaments Souldiers entred one of them and got store of Arms and Ammunition there thought the Castle shot at them all the time That the Souldiers found in the High Church at Edenburgh much Arms and Ammunition Mr. Benson was Executed at Tyburne according to the Sentence of the High Court of Justice but in regard that Capt. Ashley only subscribed the Engagement but acted nothing in it he was pardoned by the Parliament 8 The Day of publick Thanksgiving for the Victory in Scotland The Act for prohibiting Trade with the Barbadoes Virginia c. Votes touching Compositions of Delinquents A Committee named to consider of former Laws touching the Poor and of a New Act to be made for the setting the Poor on work Several Majors of Corporations approved by the Parliament 9 Letters That the Tories in Ireland were got into Bodies That the Irish were spoiled by the English if they did not pay Contribution to them and if they did then the Tories and other Rebels did ruine their own Brothers and nearest Relations A Remonstrance Published by the Irish Clergy charging the present Government by the Marquess of Ormond and his Favourites with Treachery to the Nation 10 Letters That 500 Irish in Scilly had a Design to deliver it up to the Parliament Forces for which some of them were Executed 11 An Account to the Council of State of the Militia in Devon and other Parts raised to a considerable number and of the releasing of the Gentlemen secured upon their taking of the Engagement That the Grand Jury at the Sessions Presented a Petition to the Justices to be sent up to the Parliament That all the Proceedings in Law might be in English That the Ministers in those Parts are dissatisfied with every thing unless they may have Dominion and Lordly Power in effect
the Great Seal do grant a Writ of Ad quod damnum touching a Fair to be kept in North Auckland in Durham Order that the Record of the Court of Wards be transferred into the Exchequer to be under the care of Humphry Salwey Esquire Order for Mr. John Owen to be Dean of Christ-Church in Oxford Debate touching managing of the Treasury of the Common-wealth for the best advantage thereof and of providing Money for the Forces Report of the discovery of a dangerous Plot in the Northern Counties in complyance with the Scots and Malignants for raising a new War especially in and about Lancashire Vote that M. G. Harrison do forthwith advance with a considerable Body of Horse and Foot for security of the North. One Cook apprehended for conspiring to destroy the Parliament and being brought into the Room next the Gouncel escaped from thence Resolved that whosoever should discover Cook and return him in Custody should have 500 pound 19 Letters of the Pyracies committed by those of Jersy and Scilly 20 An Act passed for the apprehension of Thomas Cooke Esquire who was lately apprehended by Warrant from the Councel of State and made an escape from them The Sheriffs of London and Middlesex to proclaim the Act. 21 Letters That one of the Frigots belonging to the Barbadoes Fleet brought into Plimouth an Irish Prize of the value of 10000 l. An Account of Recruits ready for Ireland 22 Letters That the Scots came with 600 Horse to beat up the English Quarters about Lithgow but were beaten back and some Prisoners taken That the Books and Goods belonging to the King and Register were taken by the Parliaments Ships and another Ship laden with Oats Meal and Provisions going for Fife and 22 Prisoners taken That one Boston of Captain Lloyd's Company was Cashiered for holding some dangerous Opinions as That God was Reason c. That the Lord President of Connaught did bring out of the Enemies Quarters 600 Cows without any loss That a Bark of Cloaths for the Soldiers was by the Master betrayed to the Scots That the Governor of Leverpool secured several Gentlemen thereabouts suspected to be in the New Plot. April 1651. Lettert That the Gentlemen who were sent Prisoners to Edenburgh about a Fortnight since for raising Men and sending Arms to the Enemy refused to subscribe to live quietly being afraid of the Kirks Excommunication That an eminent Lord perswaded the King to be content to be King of Scotland only but that Advice was husht That the Scots had a Rendezvouz of 8000 Horse and 4000 Dragoons and the King in the Head of them and That their Design is supposed to be to pass by the English Army into England That Lieutenant Colonel Crooke's Man was Sentenced to be hanged for killing of a Scotchman not in Arms. That Middleton was coming up to Sterling with 8000 Men. Letters That the English Ambassadors at the Hague delivered in a Paper to the States Commissioners concerning the Affronts offered to them by Prince Edward the Palsgrave's Brother That the States sent to the Prince to appear before them but he disputed their Authority to send for him being a stranger-Prince yet upon a second Summons he ingaged upon his Honour to come to them but did not and went away to his Brother That one Apseley a desperate Cavalier at the Hague came to the Lord St. John's House and earnestly desired to speak with him about Matters highly concerning his Safety and being admitted into his Chamber where divers of his Gentlemen were present Aspeley desired That they might withdraw that to avoid Discovery of what he said they two might be private whereupon my Lord Ambassador bid them all withdraw but Mr. St. John his Kinsman suspecting Apseley would not withdraw but staid in the Room to observe and watch Apseley That Apseley made a long Discourse to the Ambassador of a Plot to take away his Life but told him no Particulars and seeing Mr. St. John continue in the Room he abruptly took his leave and went away That his Design was to have strangled the Ambasiador and for that purpose had a Rope ready wound about his wrist and a way was contrived for his Escape after he should have done this Fact at which he was very dexterous by getting out of a Window where divers of his Crew were ready to receive him That failing of his Enterprize when he went away he spake friendly to one of the Ambassadors Gentlemen to go a little way with him which he did and when Apseley had him alone he threw the Rope over his Head but the Gentleman strugling his Periwigg came off and the Rope with it and so the Gentleman escaped That the States were acquainted herewith and ordered Apseley to be apprehended but he fled away and one of the Lords came to the Ambassadors to acquaint them what the States had done touching him and Prince Edward and That they were both fled and That the States would be ready to prevent any such Affronts to their Lordships That the States Commissioners came to the English Ambassadors to treat with them touching their Proposals and desired the Amity and League between the two Nations to be continued and renewed but as to the Words in the Proposals a more intimate and strict Alliance they have not yet answered Anno 1651 They offered the English Ambassadors to ha vethe States Arms set over their Doors for their Protection but the Ambassadors refused it 15 An Act passed for continuing the Assessment of 120000 l. per mensem for six Months An Act committed for making void divers Honours granted by the late King Dr. Gourdon and Capt. Lymbrey added to the Councel of Trade and all of that Councel to take the Engagement Letters That the Army in Ireland had not taken the Field for want of Grass for their Horses That the Lord Deputy appointed a Fast for three weeks on every Thursday That the Lord Deputy gave leave to the Spanish Agent to raise 20000 among the Rebels and transport them for his Masters Service some persons being excepted That many Recruits were come over That more Corn was sown than formerly by reason that Liberty was given to any of the English to sow and reap in the Lands of the Irish who would not sow them 16 The Lord Beauchamp Lord Bellasis and the Lord Chandois were committed by the Councel of State upon suspition of designing new Troubles 17 Letters of the Jersey Pyrates taking two Barks laden with Corn and Timber in sight of Portland That Lieutenant Colonel Clarke with Nine Companies of Foot set Sail from Plymouth for Scilly Islands Of Recruits shipped for Ireland That Van Trump came to Pendennis and related That he had been at Scilly to demand Reparation for the Dutch Ships and Goods taken by them and receiving no satisfactory Answer he had according to his Commission declared War against them That they had 400 Recruits from Ireland and
and Argyles party lyes low That the Lord Warreston Sr. James Stuart and Sir John Chiesly continued with the General at Edenburgh 12. Letters of pressing Men for Ireland That Sr George Ascue was not gone for the barbadoes but was come into Plymouth with Sr. John Greenvile and other Prisoners taken at the Isle ofSt Maries and other of the Scilly Islands they being all Surrendred to the Parliament upon Articles 13. Letters of a notorious Jersey Pyrate taken by the Parliaments Ships That both the Armies in Scotland lay still in their Quarters as in the midst of Winter attending one anothers motions That the General was abroad again That a Merchant's man was Shot to Death for killing a Soldier 14. Letters confirming the rendition of St. Maries Island to the Parliament That there were in the Island 800 Soldiers some of them were Shipped for Ireland others for Scotland others for France and some for England with Sr. John Greenvile That there were in it likewise Commissioned Officers enough to head an Army That Collonel Axtel Collonel Sadler and Collonel Le-Hunt prisoners there were Released That these Islands will now be a Shelter to the Merchants which before were their ruine and is a Check to the Trade of many Nations 16. Letters That 5 or 6000 Scots used to beat up the quarters of one Troop of the Parliaments Horse but that they now are quiet That the English do but stay their march till they can have Horse meat in the Fields That the Provinces of Holland Zealand and Vtrecht are more agreeing than the other Provinces to the Articles proposed by the English Ambassadors That the Lord Deputy passed the River Shannon and fought with Castlehaven who was appointed to hinder his passage over that River whilst Clanricard's Army prepared to stop Sr. Charles Cootes passage out of the North and to fight with him But Sr. Charles Coote understanding this marched 30 miles in a Day and a Night slipt beyond them another way and joyned with the Lord Deputy who wholly routed the Lord Castlehaven's Army that some of the Parliaments Forces are sat down before Galloway 17. Letters from Collonel Hewson of the defeat given by the Lord Deputy to Castlehaven's Forces and that the Lord Dillon was reported to be slain An account from the Parliaments Commissioners in Ireland of the Recruits and Provisions arrived there and how their several Forces are disposed and where they are upon Service in that Kingdom 18. Letters That the Scots Army was inclosed in Sterling Park which was their own works and not to be attempted but upon great disadvantage That old Leven continues General under the King and they have several Major-Generals That their Forces are about 28000 and they have hanged 3 or 4 for refusing to bear Arms they expect many in England to joyn with them That their Soldiers have no pay but 2 l. of Meal a day That there was a Proclamation at St. Johns-Town that the word Malignant should be forborn for that all Interests were agreed 19. Letters That Sr. Charls Coote and Collonel Reynolds had given a great overthrow lately to the Enemy in the North of Ireland and had killed and taken 3000 of them That at Exon there was a great quarrel between the Seamen and Soldiers and many broken Pates but the Officers made them Friends again An account of Prest-men Recruits for Ireland and 1000 Pioneers Tools safely arrived 20. Letters That the Lord Deputy was marched to the very Gates of Lymbrick Here Collonel James Whitelock commanded a Forlorn with whom he marched up to the Enemy and the charge was so hot and he so far ingaged that his Horse was killed under him his Hat shot through and his thigh bruised with the But-end of a Musket but he beat in the Enemy and killed many of them That Collonel Ingolesby finding about 200 Horse grazing neer the City followed them to the Gates where those that escaped the Sword the Shannon devoured in all they lost about 100 Men and 150 Armes and 1000 Cows Oxen and Sheep That Portumney was surrendred to S. Charles Coote who also took in several other Forts and Castles That 3 Merchant men of London met with a French man of Warr who fought with them some time but finding himself too weak gave over but meeting with another French man they both set upon the Merchant men but could not prevail and after many killed on both sides they parted 21. Letters of Allarums given by the Scots Army but nothing done by them And that the English Army were quickly in a readiness to bid them welcome Mr. Love the Minister was brought to his Tryal before the High Court of Justice in Westminster and many Witnesses heard to prove the Accusation of High Treason against him 23. Letters That the King was very active and rode into Fife to gather together the Horse and new Levyes that they appointed a general Fast but the Kirk in the West were not pleased with their doings but refused to publish it and that all their Speech was for England That Massy is in great esteem with them That their new Committee of States is of Malignants and a Committee is selected out of them to go along with the Army to consult about their Affairs That they were much disappointed by discovery of the design of rising in Lancashire and that they heard nothing yet of any rising in Wales under the Earl of Derby That some of the Scots Ministers were sent from the Classis of the West of Scotland to the Classical Presbytery of Sterling with some Proposals which where rejected and Mr. Galaspy and the rest that brought them were threatned to be punished That a Committee was appointed to examine and punish by conâ—iscation and otherwise all such as had a hand in the Remonstrance of Ker and Straughan That London and all England is promised to be divided among the Scots Officers and Soldiers if they can conquer it That a party of Scots appearing neer to Carlisle Major-General Harrison sent 2000 Horse and Dragoons towards them to fight them but they retreated in hast back to Sterling That 100 Waggons and Carts with Arms Ammunition and Provisions were come to New-Castle 24. Letters of a rising in Cardigan Shire of 400 Horse and Foot got together in a Body and intending to march North wards That some Troops of the Parliament quartering there abouts came up to them and they fought the Troopers but after a short dispute were routed about 40 of them killed and 60 taken prisoners among whom were some of the chief Conspirators An account of 4700 prest Soldiers and 4300 Voluntiers gone for Recruits into Ireland Letters of a Ship of the Parliaments arrived at Helford-sluce one of those sent to bring back the English Ambassador which was unexpected and unwelcome News to the States but the Courts of the Queen of Bohemia and of the Princess Royal rejoyced at their departure That
in a third Summons to the Barbadoes to submit to the Parliament of England which being refused he formed a Regiment out of the Ships of 600 Men whereof 170 were Scots The Enemy having notice four hours before of their coming made opposition at their landing with nine Companies of Foot and three Troops of Horse who made a gallant Charge But the Parliaments Forces having received the on-set immediately fell in upon the Lord Willoughby's Forces and wholly routed them and their Commanders ran away and left the Foot ingaged after which the Parliaments Forces pursued the Enemy to their Fort-Royal and stormed it with the loss of nine Men some hurt as Collonel Morrice his Major and others That 50 of the Enemy were killed and 100 Prisoners taken all their Ordnance dismounted and many of their Houses burned by the Parliaments Forces the Place being not tenable That soon after Sir George Ascue sent a Trumpet to the Lord Willoughby which produced a Treaty and Hostages being given Articles were concluded between them for the surrender of the Barbadoes and the rest of the Islands to the obedience of the Common-wealth of England That the Lord Willoughby Collonel Walrond and divers others should have protection for enjoyment of their Estates in England or elsewhere That the Inhabitants be protected from the fury of the Sword and to enjoy and live peaceably in their own Habitations acting nothing prejudicial to the Parliament Sir George Ascue was very courteous to my Lord Willoughby and gave him very good Terms upon his rendition of the Island and did great service in it for the Parliament That Collonel Pointz Governour of St. Christophers seeing the Inhabitants of that Island generally well affected to the Parliament quitted that Island and went to Virginia That Sir George Ascue by reason of Prince Ruperts being near him his Fleet having watered and ballasted he sailed towards Virginia to prevent Prince Ruperts getting that Place Letters from Lieutenant-General Ludlow concerning the Earl of Clenrickards Letters That the Lord of Muskerry was in treaty with the Lord Broghill and Collonel Fitz-Patrick with Collonel Reynolds That Collonel Axtel fell upon the Enemy killed 100 took 300 Horse That Captain Gilbert took Lieutenant-Collonel Farrel a Major and Two Captains Major Meredith drove 30 of the Enemy into a Bog and put them all to the Sword That Captain Cotterel slew another Captain Major Bolton killed and took 25 of the Enemy with their Horse and endangered Scurlocke Captain Preston took a Captain Prisoner and killed 16 of his Men Captain Staffe fell upon the Enemy in Thomond and was shot yet his Party routed the Enemy and killed their Two Officers That Collonel Renolds took in the Collowe and garrison'd a Fort there A Vessel taken by Captain Church attempting to go into Galloway with Corn and bulged on a Rock another Vessel taken loaden with Wheat for Galloway Three Companies of the Enemy at Dingel routed and all their Arms taken That the Synodal Assembly at Edenburgh emitted a Declaration for every one of their Congregation to subscribe any thing tending to an Union and desire every one to do what is publickly commanded in reference to Quarter and Assessments That Sir James Stuart protested against the acting of the English Commissioners and of the Scotch Deputies and left Edenburgh That Argyle wrote to all of his Name though some of those Gentlemen lived 100 Miles from him to attend him to Dunbarton to meet the English Commissioners That he hath a considerable part of the Highland in League with him 16. Sir Hen. Vane and another of the Parliaments Commissioners sent into Scotland returned and gave an Account to the Parliament of their Commissioners Proceedings in Scotland and what had passed between them and the Deputies of the Scots That 20 Shires and 35 Boroughs had assented to the Union A Petition presented to the House by divers Merchants and Sea-men Ship-Carpenters c. Answered That the Parliament did accept well of the Petition and gave the Petitioners thanks for their good affections An Act passed for impressing of Sea-men Reports from the Committee appointed to receive the Danish publick Minister That he after a short Preamble delivered his Letters of Credence from the King of Denmark his Master with Papers of what he delivered by word of mouth which were read and referred to the Council of State to hear the Danish Agent and to treat with him Reports touching the payment of small Debts owing upon publick Faith Votes upon it Reports and Orders upon them touching Compositions of Delinquents 17. Letters That Major-General Deane was gone to treat with the Marquess of Argyle That the Country People followed their Husbandry That the Cavaliers in Scotland were most forward to submit to the Parliament of England 19. Letters That Galloway was reported to be surrendred that the Rebels wanted Victuals and were much divided so that Collonel Venables had intelligence from their Provincial Council 20. Letters from Orkney of great dangers passed by the Parliaments Forces in going thither and the Inhabitants willingness to submit to the Parliament of England That Deputies from more Countries came in daily to the Parliaments Commissioners in Scotland and a fair compliance was expected They desire a general meeting to comply and carry on the general Union That the Provost of Edenburgh by the Parliaments Authority convened a Minister for preaching against the Vnion but the Minister said That he knew better what to preach than the Provost could instruct him That the Isles of Orkney and Sheathland sent their Deputies to the English Commissioners and consented to the Union That the Commissioners ordered a Cittadel to be built at St. Johns Town to hold 500 men The Parliament ordered an Act to be brought in to Incorporate Scotland one Common-Wealth with England 22. Letters That the Treaty was begun with Argyle in relation to his coming in and for the good effect thereof the Presbytery daily meet and fast and pray That the Hollanders called away their Ships from Scotland and some of their Ships hung out the Scots Kings Colours That a considerable Fleet was come into Leith with Corn and other Provisions very Seasonably there being before Some Scarcity That many formerly refractory came in daily and a face of Peace was upon the whole Nation the bitterness of Some Spirits began to asswage and the Union with England desired Severall persons desired the inlargement of their Friends the Scots who are prisoners of War in England and offered sufficient bayle for their appearance when required and in the mean time to live peaceably and submit to the Parliament and to subscribe the Ingagement Letters of great divisions among the Irish Rebells most of them being for a Treaty but the Priests had inflamed the rest especially those of Galloway against it That they have sent severall expresses of Dean King into France for relief else they cannot hold out any longer
of such as were then known An Act of the Councel of State touching the adventurers for Lands in Ireland An Address from Cumberland approving the actions of Cromwell and his Army and resolving to stand by them and assist them 7. Letters from Scotland that the 2 great Fleets missed one an other to the admiration of all men that the Malignants report the Dutch to be 150 Sail of Men of War That there continues great feud betwixt the Assembly and Protesting Party about placing and displacing of Ministers That the Lord Wareston is angry at every thing but himself and at that too sometimes Intelligence that about 20 of the Dutch Fleet were taken burnt and sunk 3 Fire-Ships taken one Vice-Admiral and 2 Rear-Admirals one Rear-Admiral towed by the Entrance being far bigger than her self having 14 Guns on a Tire and of 1200 Tun. But 126 men Slain in the English Fleet none of note but General Dean and one Captain no English Ship lost 8. Letters were sent from Cromwell to the several persons called to take upon them the trust of the Government of the Common-wealth and were to this effect For as much as upon Dissolution of the late Parliament it became necessary that the Peace Safety and good Government of this Common-wealth should be provided for and in order thereunto divers persons fearing God and of approved Fidelity and Honesty are by my self with the advice of my Councel of Officers nominated to whom the great Charge and Trust of so weighty Affairs is to be committed And having good assurance of your love to and courage for God and the Interest of this Cause and of the good People of this Common-wealth I Oliver Cromwell Captain-General and Commander in chief of all the Armies and Forces raised and to be raised within this Common-wealth do hereby summon and require you being one of the Persons nominated personally to appear at the Councel-Chamber at White-Hall within the City of Westminster upon the 4th day of July next insuing the date hereof then and there to take upon you the said Trust unto which you are hereby called and appointed to serve as a Member of the County of Bucks and hereof you are not to fail Given under my Hand and Seal the 8th day of June 1653. O. Cromwell Further Relations of the late Fight at Sea with the Dutch but to the same effect with the former and that the English Fleet were still in chase of the Dutch Fleet towards their own Coast 9. Letters of 2 Dutch Ships taken by the Warwick Frigot that as soon as the Dutch discovered her to be one of the States Men of War they presently submitted to her 10. Of a Tumult lately in Linlithgow in Scotland the people refusing to receive a Minister whom the Presbit'ry would have imposed on them and some of the Kirk-men were soundly beaten in the scuffle A Ship of Jersey taken by the French 11. Of a private Man of War of Captain Williams who brought to Pendenuis 3 prizes whereof one had store of money but how much it was the Marriners took course it should not be discovered An other private Man of War brought 3 Dutch Prizes into the Isle of Wight That the English Fleet was before the Brill and other Dutch Harbours blocking up their Ships and that thereupon the Dutch People were in very great confusion 13. A party of Soldiers being sent into the Highlands to gather the Sess there a Company of Highlanders got together in Arms and followed the Soldiers 8 Miles who making a hault fired upon the Highlanders and slew their Captain and thereupon all of them fled distractedly and left divers of their Company dead upon the place those that ran away were too nimble for the English Soldiers to pursue them eight Men of War of the English Fleet brought into Leith Road 20 small Dutch Vessels Busses and other Prizes 14. The General and Councel of State published a Declaration to invite all the good People in these Nations to thankfulness and holy rejoycing in the Lord for the late great Victory at Sea against the Dutch and appointed a Day for meeting of himself and his Councel of Officers to praise the Lord. This took the more with many People because it was not a command and imposing upon Men but only an Invitation of them to keep a day of publick thanksgiving Collonel John Lilburn arriving at London sets forth an Address to Cromwell under this Title The banished Mans suit for Protection to his Excellency the Lord-General Cromwell being the humble Address of Lieutenant-Collonel John Lilburn This was written from his Lodging in little More-fields where by Warrant of the Councel of State he was taken into Custody and Committed to Sherriff Vnderwood's House 15. The English Fleet were plying to and again betwixt the Texel and the Vly to hinder Ships coming out from thence to joyn with that part of the Dutch Fleet now at the Weilings and to stop up their Trade and Fishing 16. Lieutenant-Collonel Lilburn being Prisoner in Newgate now published another Address to Cromwell and the Councel of State for repealing the Act of the late Parliament for his banishment for which he gave divers reasons because it was a Judgment against him by the Parliament according to no law in being That the Act is a Law made after the Fact done to ordain a punishment for that Fact which was never ordained or heard of before That the Parliament which made that Law being now dissolved the Law ought to be of no Force He prays the Suspension of any proceedings against him upon that Law till the Justice of the matter and manner of it be legally examined Two small Vessels of Scilly Loaden with Provisions for the Island were taken by the Brest Pickaroons One of Prince Rupert's Men in a mad humour leaped over-board into the Sea and was drowned and another of them in a bravado killed himself with his own Pistol 17. The Highlanders in Scotland began to gather together in Arms upon Commissions they received from the King of Scots The English Fleet were upon the Dutch and French Coasts 18. Captain Steiner brought into Lee Road 12 prizes Dutch Men of War taken in the late Fight and of Dutch Prisoners 1350 who were brought to London and secured in Chelsey Colledge An Agent came from Holland with Letters to Cromwell about their Ambassadors coming hither to Treat for Peace Cromwell received and carried the Letters to the Councel of State 20. The last week arrived in England Mnr. Bevering a Commissioner from Holland and had Audience before the Councel of State and made a short Speech in French for amity between the two Common-wealths this day arrived 3 more New-port Van Dorpar and Yongstall Commissioners from the United Provinces Lieutenant-Collonel Lilburn made a 3d Address to Cromwell and the Councel of State A Petition in the names of 5000 Citizens of London
Wright Cromwel and the Councel of State ordered the continuance of the powers of the Commissioners of Indemnity 6. The new Supream authority met in the Parliament house and resolved to take the name of Parliament then they appointed a day of Prayer in the House 7. The Highlanders had a rendezvous but few of them appeared the aid they expected from the Dutch failing them The Warwick Frigot exchanged a broad side with a Dutch Man of War who thereupon got away from her Divers French Pickeroons infested the coast of Jersey The King of France proclaimed down his mony a penny in a Lewis to the prejudice of Jersey where there is little other mony 8. An East India Merchants Ship was encountred near Falmouth by 2 Dutch Free-booters who left the English Ship after some shot exchanged between them and two English Men slain The Orange Party gathered heart in Holland and carried on their design to make the young Prince their Captain General as his Father was 9. The People in the United Provinces were full of discontent by reason of the War with England and apt to fall into Sedition The English Fleet still continued plying before their Harbours 11. The Parliament kept a day of Humiliation and Prayer in the House The Highlanders had a Rendezvous and fell upon some of the English Forces what the issue thereof was the newes was not come 12. The Serjeant at Armes Birckhead attended the Speaker of this Parliament with the Mace in like manner as he had attended former Speakers 13. The Parliament passed a Declaration to stir up the Godly of the Nation to seek God for a blessing upon their proceedings They debated the business of Tithes Leiutenant Collonel Lilburn was Arraigned at the Sessions in the Old-Bayly upon the late Act for his Banishment A Petition from Hertfordshire in the behalf of him 14. Lieutenant Collonel Lilburn was brought again to his Tryal but he urged for further time in regard that the Councel assigned him refused to appear for him onely Serjeant Maynard who was sick and he had an order for a Copy of his Indictment 15. The house debated the business about taking away of Tithes and the difficulty was to find an expedient for satisfying Improprietors therein and for providing some maintenance for the Ministry The question was put whether the question should be put that Tithes should continue till November next and it was resolved in the Negative The Judges in Causes Criminal in Scotland sat and adjudged some to be Hanged for the Murder of some Troopers of Collonel Okey's Regiment and some to be whipped for robbing Houses A mad man in Shrewsbury proclaimed King Charles 2. 16. The Towns of North Holland after the example of Enchuysen declared for the young Prince of Orange desiring that all Forces might be raised in his Name and Authority The English Fleet lay before the Texel and the Vly Some French Pickeroons infested the Coast The House debated the business concerning the Propriety of Tithes whether it was in the State or in particular persons Lieutenant-Collonel Lilburn was again brought to his Tryal but nothing done in his business 18. The Parliament appointed a Committee to consider of the Claims and Propriety of all persons interessed in Tithes The Highlanders in Scotland stole from the Lord Beclarris who was in Arms to joyn with them two of his best Horses The Dutch had 110 Men of War ready to Engage the English Fleet and to drive them off from their Coast and the Orange Party hoped that most of the Fleet would declare for the Prince and though they were beaten yet thâ—â—r Spirits were up still against the English They were high upon the right of their Fishing at Sea and to be equal Sharers with the English in the Dominion thereof and the English with them blow up their humours Tromp was going forth to draw the English from their Coasts that in the mean time their East-India Fleet might slip in which had 800 bales of Persian Silk besides many other Rich Commodities That none knew the time of their return but 6 of the East-India Company who were under an Oath of Secrecy and had power to send advice and Instructions to them for their Security The Queen of Sweden had an Army and Navy ready and the Dutch feared that She would fall upon their Confederate the King of Denmark She having claimed a Property in the Sound and demanding satisfaction for some goods of her Subjects in the English Ships seized by the King of Denmark 19. Captain Bun of an English Frigot took 3 Dutch Vessels Loaden with Corn and sent them to Lieth 20. The Parliament made several Committees 1. To consider matters touching the Law 2. Touching Prisoners and Prisons 3. For inspection into Treasuries and easing publick Charges 4. For Ireland 5. For Scotland 6. For the Army 7. For Petitions 8. To consider what shall be offered about publick Debts publick Fraud and breaches of Trust. 9. For regulating Commissions of the Peace and for making provisions for the Poor 10. For advance of Trade 11. For advancement of Learning A Commotion was at Bergen ap Zoom for the Prince of Orange A List of several Ships taken by the English from the Dutch A List of many Persons Condemned and Executed for Murder by Sentence of the High Court of Justice in Ireland 21. Collonel Cobbet with several Ships of War prepared for a design to reduce Lewis Island in Scotland to hinder the Dutch Fishing and for securing the Scotch Trade 22. The Parliament referred it to a Committee to consider of the Laws that hinder the Progress of the Gospel and for repealing of them Referred to a Committee to consider of a way for Marriages The Greyhound Frigot brought into Leith 5 Prizes taken by her near the Sound 2 Danes and 3 Dutch Busses The little Falcon brought in 3 Prizes to Leith from Norway 23. Three English Frigots took two great Merchants Ships of Zealand richly laden with fine Goods Letters from the Fleet that they were 2 Leagues off the Texel and that the Dutch were much divided in their Counsels and not ready to come out 25. The general Assembly of the Kirk being met at Edenburgh as soon as the Sermon was done and they gone to the Assembly House and entred upon their business Lieutenant-Collonel Cotterel went in to them and standing upon a Bench with a loud Voice proclaimed that no Judicatory ought to sit that had not Authority from the Parliament of England And so causing them to depart he conducted them with a Troop of Horse and a Company of Foot out at the West-gate then bidding them to close in a round Circle environing them with his Horse and Foot he blamed them for their bold meeting took in their Commissions required them not to meet three together in a Company and by 8 a Clock that Morning to quit the City and
Armed Parties began to gather into a Body In Shropshire Sir Thomas Harris with a Party Endeavoured to surprize Shrewsbury Castle but was prevented and taken Prisoner Others were prevented at Chirke Castle endeavouring to Surprize it and the like was in other Places This Design the Protector had a jealousie was countenanced by the Parliament and he gave out that to be a cause of the Dissolving of them In Scotland Middleton and others of his Party the principal Men sent Proposals to the Parliaments Commander there upon which they offered to lay down Armes The Kings Party were very Active and had many meetings about New Castle some of their Letters were intercepted and sent to the Protector Some Quakers at Hasington in Northumberland coming to the Minister on the Sabbath day and speaking to him the Country People fell upon the Quakers and almost killed one or two of them who going out fell on their Knees and prayed God to Pardon the People who knew not what they did and afterwards speaking to the People so convinced them of the evil they had done in beating of them that the Country People fell a Quarrelling among themselves with those who occasioned it and beat one another more than they had before beaten the Quakers The Brest Men of War did much damage to the English Merchants in the Western Seas which were not well guarded by the States Ships whereof Complaint was made yet two of them were taken A great Fire happened in Fleet-street next door to the Red Lyon Inn and both Houses were burnt Letters of several Scots Commanders of the Kings Party taken by the English Forces in Scotland Major John Wildman was seized upon by a Party of Mr. Butlers Horse and carryed Prisoner from Exton near Marlborough where he was taken unto Chepstow-Castle They found him in his Chamber the Door being open leaning upon his Elbow and dictating to his Man who sat Writing by him They seized the Papers that which the Man was writing was sent up to the Protector it was thus Entituled and Written The DECLARATION of the free and well-affected People of England now in Armes against the Tyrant Oliver Cromwel Esq BEing satisfied in our Judgment and Consciences of the present necessity to take up Armes for the Defence of our Native Rights and Freedoms which are wholly invaded and swallowed up in the Pride and Ambition of Oliver Cromwell who calls himself Lord Protector of England and hath rendred all English-men no better than his Vassals we expect to be branded with the infamous Name of Rebells and Traitors or to be mis-represented both to the Army City and Country as common Enemics disturbers of the publick Peace arbitrary Cavaliers Levellers or under some other odious Notion that may provoke the Army and People to endeavour our Destruction but if we may prevail to be heard before we be Condimned and Executed we shall submit our cause and righteous End we seek to the judgment of the Army and every honest English-man and if the Army it self according to their many Engagements will undertake and their strength be sufficient to Redeem us from our present Slavery and settle that Right and Freedom unto which our Birth gave us Title we shall readily lay down our present Arms. The whole Christian World knows that our English Earth hath been Drunk with Blood these Twelve years through the great Contest for Right and Freedom and the whole Treasure of the Nation exhausted in that quarrel how then can any Man whose hand or heart hath been ingaged in that bloody Contest either acquit himself to God his Conscience or his Country in yielding up tamely and silently all the Laws Rights and Liberties of England into an Vsurpers hand We have for many years pattently born all kinds of Oppression Arbitrariness and Tyranny and suffered under such heavy burdens of Exercise and Taxes as England never knew in former Ages having been fed by him that now calls himself Lord Protector and his Army with specious pretences and most alluring Promises seconded with many appeals to God for their Integrity of heart in them that true English Liberty should be setled and secured impartial Justice provided for Arbitrary Powers Abolished and every Yoak of Oppression broken and every Burden eased And we did believe as they told us That our present sufferings were only like a rough stormy Passage to the Haven of Justice Right and Freedom we could not suspect these Ambitious Designs in Cromwell and his Confederates that are now Proclaimed to the World we could not think it possible that a Man of such a mean Quality and Estate as he should Aspire to make himself an absolute Lord and Tyrant over Three Potent Nations but above all his pretended Zeal for God and his People his high professions of Godliness Simplicity and Integrity his hypocritical Prayers and days of Fasting to seek the Lord his dissembled humility and meekness and his frequent compassionate Tears upon every occasion we say these things together with his Engagements publick and private his most solemn Protestations with Imprecations of Vengeance upon Himself and Family if he Dissembled and his most frequent Appeals to God for the truth of his Professions and Declarations that he design'd nothing but securing the Liberties of Gods People and Administration of Impartial Justice and sought no Power Honour Riches or Greatness to himself or any particular Party or Interest we say these things rocked us so asleep with the pleasant Dreams of Liberty and Justice until he hath made a Sacrifice of all our Laws Liberties and Properties unto his own Ambition and now is not afraid to own what he before disclaimed and declared against He that formerly Protested before the dreadful God and to the long Parliament That He and his Army should be wholly Subject to their Civil Authority and that whosoever should attempt any violence against them should make his way through his Blood he now owns the breaking them in pieces with scorn and contempt He that declared so much Humility and Self-denial claims and owns a Power Supream to Parliaments and exerciseth an Absolute Dominion over the Laws and Estates of Three Nations He that seemed so Zealous for Liberty now dares own every private English-man his Vassal and their Parliaments his Slaves He Publisheth in his Printed Speeches to his Parliament That the benefit all English-men have in the Execution of any Laws amongst them is from him and the Authority that their Parliaments have and shall have is wholly derived from him He hath Published to the whole World that he hath dissolved all Civil Government and that he had in himself an Absolute Vnlimited Arbitrary Power without check or controul until he put some limits upon himself if he may be believed in his paper of Government Now what Patroon in Argeire ever claimed more Mastery over his Slaves bought in the Market than this Claim of Cromwells extends unto over us If we have the benefit of the Execution
long after him came General Venables who upon Examination by the Protector and Councel of his Management of that Affair was committed to the Tower but being judged that he failed rather through his Imprudence than any ill Intent he was at length released The Princess Royal and her Brother the Duke of Gloucester went to the King of Scots to Colen and they went together to the Fair at Franckford through every Princes Countrey where they past the Chief Officers of State were sent to complement them and the great Guns saluted them from their Forts the Elector of Mentz entertained them sumptuously three dayes The King hearing the Queen Christiana of Sweden was coming that way in her Journey to Italy sent one of his Lords to her to Salute her in his Name and to express his desire to wait upon her Majesty at what place she would appoint She named Coningstein where they met and had private discourse together and amongst other things as the King afterwards related there was some mention of Whitelock and of his Ambassage in Sweden wherein the Queen spake with high Favour and Respect of him and told the King that in all the Conferences that she had with him at that time she never heard him speak a dishonourable word of the King The Duke of Savoy having Committed great Cruelties and a Barbarous Persecution of the poor Protestants in Piedmont the Protector appointed a Solemn day of Humiliation to be kept and a large Contribution to be gathered throughout the Nation for their Relief which was very well resented by the Protestants beyond the Seas October 1655. The Protectors Councel in Scotland published a Declaration for the Election of Magistrates there which was observed so great a power had he then in Scotland Notice by a Ship arrived in the Isle of Wight from Bilboa that the Imbargo continued there upon English Goods and in all Spain and the English Factors were confined to their Houses there and at Malaga the People were in disorder for the loss of their Trade with the English The Councel at Whitehall ordered That no Person presume to publish in Print any matter of publick News or Intelligence without leave and Approbation of the Secretary of State Many Lords and others Prisoners were released upon Security given by them for their Peaceable Demeanour Letters of the success of the Swedes in Poland and Lithuania Some Bickerings at Sea between General Blakes Ships and the Enemy but little done some of them returned home wanting Victuals Audience given to the Venetian Ambassador Some Spanish Ships assaulted some of General Blakes Fleet but they came off Stop of English Ships in Flanders A French Ship taken that had been Fishing at New-Foundland Letters of the Miseries of the poor Protestants in Piedmont Orders for Accommodations for Mr. Feake and Mr. Rogers Prisoners A Declaration by the Admiral of France for the clearing of all English Ships and Goods in any Ports of France Injuries to the English at Dunkirk Letters of the State of the Island of Jamaica and of the English Forces there Order of the Protector and Councel for those that bought Delinquents Estates to pay in forthwith all Arrears of the Purchase Money Letters of the Swedes Victory against the Muscovites Order of the Protector and Councel against Printing Unlicensed and Scandalous Books and Pamphlets and for regulating of Printing Orders touching the Ministers of Scotland The Protestant Cantons of Switzerland acknowledge the Protectors zeal and care for Piedmont The Spaniards took an English Man of War by Treachery Proclamation against Coiners and advice that none receive their false Money Order of the Protector and Councel commanding all that have been of the Kings part to depart out of the Lines of Communication Major-Generals appointed by the Protector and his Councel in the several Counties The Articles of Peace between England and France signed here October 24. General Pen was released from his Imprisonment This Moneth the Ambassador was full of expectation that Commissioners should be appointed to Treat with him but by reason of the great and unsettled Affairs of this Nation and for that the Councel judged other Affairs which they had in hand though perhaps mistaken to be of greater Consequence than this Treaty No Commissioners were yet appointed though the Ambassador had been several times with the Protector and desired his business might be proceeded in and was promised that it should November 1655. Letters of the miserable Condition of the Poor Protestants in Dauphine oppressed by the Duke of Savoy and left Sick and without Covert Food or Cloathing and many of them Dead with Cruelty A Day of Thanksgiving in Dublin for their Deliverance from the Rebels the Courts of Justice Established there the Soldiers many of them turned Planters One who called himself William Smith a Minister in Cornwall apprehended for having Seven Wifes together General Venables was released from his Imprisonment The Swedish Ambassador had Audience Letters of Reprisal granted to divers English against the Spaniards The Protector and Councel appointed a Councel of Trade to consider how to improve order and regulate the Trade and Navigation of the Common-wealth upon which Letters were sent to several Persons in this Form Sir His Highness considering of how great Importance it is to this Nation that the Trade and Commerce thereof be by all good wayes and means advanced and duely regulated hath by the Advice of his Councel thought fit to appoint a certain number of Persons whose Abilities and Experience have qualified them to be Serviceable to their Countrey herein to be a Committee for Trade Impow'ring them to take into Consideration the Trade and Navigation of this Common-wealth and in what manner and by what wayes and means the same may be Encouraged Improved Ordered and Regulated And having named you to be one of that Committee have thought fit to signifie the same unto you to the end you may be present at their first meeting which is appointed to be on the 27 of this Instant November in the Painted Chamber at Westminster not doubting of your readiness to joyn with the rest of the Committee in contributing your best assistance to a Work so highly tending to the Publick good Whitehall the 2 of November 1655. Signed in the Name and by the Order of his Highness and the Councel Hen. Lawrence President This was a business of much Importance to the Common-wealth and the Protector was earnestly set upon it A Declaration of the Protector and his Councel of the reasons for raising additional standing Forces of Horse in every County to preserve the Peace thereof from the New Plots and attempts of the Enemies of the Common-wealth upon whom he resolves to put the Charge of these New Forces which they have occasioned and not upon the honest party who have already so much suffered Letters from Ireland commending their Governour the Lord Lieutenant Cromwell
Peace published between the Protestant and Papist Cantons of the Switzers The Plague swept away many thousands of the Irish Monsieur Bordeaux the French Ambassador arrived in England March 26. New Commissioners for the Customs appointed News of the King of Sweden's Successes in Prussia and in Poland Of the King of Scots Conference with the King of Spains Officers Letters from Scotland that all there was quiet Mr. Meadow was going for Denmark Agent for the Protector Fiennes Strickland and Whitelock went to the Swedish Ambassadors House and proceeded in the Treaty with him The debates were upon matters of Trade The Ambassador thought the demands not equal that the English should pay no greater Impositions in the King of Sweden's Ports than his own Subjects paid and said That the former Articles were reciprocal and that herein nothing was offered for the Swedes priviledge in the Ports of this Common-wealth The Commissioners answered That this being granted to the English would cause them to frequent the Kings Ports to bring a great increase of Trade thither to have Ships there in a readiness to be hired for his Majesties Service if he should have occasion and that they were better fitted for War than any other Merchants Ships in Europe and that if his Excellencie should think fit to propound any thing on the behalf of the Swedes the same would be taken into due Consideration The Ambassador replyed That Neither the English nor any other Nation did afford equal priviledge to Strangers in point of Impositions as to their own people but made a difference as to the persons only in Sweden the difference was not made as to the persons of Swedes but as to Swedish Ships whosoever brought any goods in them paid less Impositions than others which was done to increase their Shipping and to prevent the deceipt of Strangers Consigning their Goods to Swedes names that thereby they might Pay the less Custom Whitelock told them that this was the Work of the wise old Chancellor whereby they did not only increase their Ships but likewise were provided of Mariners for those Ships which was the greatest want in Sweden as to their Navigation and the deceipts of Strangers venting their goods in Swedes names was also thereby prevented This Matter was referred to further Consideration and they proceeded to the demands for Setling the Trade and Priviledges of the English Merchants in Prussia and Poland wherein Whitelock observed to them the injustice of the Sealing the English Cloaths at Dantzick and the Not confirming of the general pact of Prussia agreed to be done formerly in relation to the English by the King of Poland who had not kept his word therein The Ambassador answered That his Mr. was but newly Mr. of Poland and Prussia which he hoped by the blessing of God to keep That he was not Mr. of Dantzick and prabably he may have granted and confirmed to those Towns that had submitted to him their ancient Priviledges And that he could not grant to the English there any thing contrary to those Priviledges of the Townes which he had confirmed and this was thought reasonable and not to be pressed further than might stand with the Confirmation of priviledges which the King had granted to the Townes that were come in to him The Ambassador then propounded That the English might have all the Trade of Russia brought down the River Volga into Narva the King of Sweedes Port upon the Balticke Sea and by that meanes save the going about to Archangel which voyage can be made but once in a year but to Narva may be made 3 voyages in a year Whitelock informed them of much discourse between the old Chancellor and his Son and him about this Matter and the Ambassador having his Mapps there Whitelock shewed them the great difference of the Voyage going about by Norwey and the frozen Sea to the Archangel and going through the Balticke Sea to Narva He shewed them likewise that there was a probability of having the Persian Silks and Commodities from the Caspian Sea to the River Volga and from thence to be brought to Narva and thereby to save that vast voyage which Merchant-Men now take of going to Persia the usual way But Whitelock objected now as he had done formerly to the Chancellor That it would be difficult to procure the Russes Commodities to be brought down to Narva and to satisfie the Emperour of Russia that he should be no looser in respect of his Customs which he now received at Archangel and the goods being brought to Narva the Customs would be payable there to the King of Sweeden To which the Chancellor then answered That the people of Russia would be more willing to bring their Commodities to Narva than to Arch-Angel because it would be done at a less Charge almost by the halfe and that the Emperor would be no looser as to his Customs for the same Custom which was now paid at Arch-Angel would be paid at Blesgo a Town of the Emperors whither the goods must be brought before they came to Narva and that notwithstanding the payment of Custom twice yet the Commodities would be afforded at easier rates than they are at Archangel by reason of the cheapness and conveniency of bringing them to Narva All this was agreed unto by the Ambassador who inserted a Story of a Dutch-man who observing the Boats passing upon the Volga to be manned with 300 Men in a boat who in a Storm and high Wind held the bottom of the Sayls down this Dutch-man offered to the Emperor that he would shew him a way how with 30 Men in a boat they should be as well Manned as now they were with 300 men in a boat and so the Charge to be lessened but the Emperor called him Knave and asked him if a Boat that now went with 300 Men were brought to go but with 30 Men how then should the other 270 Men get their living After long debate upon this and the other particulars of the Treaty they were deferred unto a more full Answer upon further Consideration and a new Meeting 5. The Commissioners were summon'd to meet at Whitehal with Thurloe to look over together the several matters which had been treated on with the Swedish Ambassador and to consider how farr it was fit to go on to an agreement and wherein not to consent that so they might come to some conclusion with the Ambassador The Lord Major Aldermen and Common Council of London were with the Protector 11. The Commissioners were with the Swedish Ambassador and most of the Articles for Levies of Men and hiring of Ships and for the Passe-ports and Contrebanda Goods were near ageed between them The Articles for Trade and restitution for Damages in the time of War between England and Holland were not concluded but deferred to another time In the mean while the matters agreed upon were ordered to be drawn up in Form 13. The Swedish Ambassador did very earnestly press that
all the Coppar saying they never heard any thing more to the Honour and Profit of the Nation than this seemed to be they desired Whitelock to write down both the Propositions which he then did 17. Bishop Vsher the late Arch-Bishop of Armagh was this day buried in Westminster Abbey 200 l. was given by the Protector to bear the charges of his Funeral 18. The Committee of Trade Sat in the Morning and unanimously Voted the two Propositions And that the same should be drawn up in Form of a Report from the Committee to his Highness to be presented to him this Afternoon and Whitelock was Voted to present it to the Protector and the Gentlemen of the Committee desired to accompany him with the Vote to the Court in the Afternoon Accordingly Whitelock met at the place appointed this Afternoon and found there all the Members of the Committee who had been present at the debate about 14 or 15 ready to go with him to the Protector which was a greater number than had been observed to attend the like occasion before When they were come to Whitehall they were sent for into the Protector 's Bed-Chamber After they were all entred Whitelock told him that those Gentlemen and himself Members of his Highness Committee of Trade were commanded by that Committee humbly to present to his Highness a Report from them Upon a Reference which he was pleased to make to that Committee of the Petition of one Momma which was annexed to the Report and Whitelock offered to read the Report But my Lord Protector took it and read it himself and then said my Lord Whitelock you are one of the Commissioners to Treat with the Swedish Ambassador and therefore I hope you will take care of that particular of your Report in the Treaty with the Ambassador and as to the buying of the Swedish Coppar the Councel shall be acquainted with that Proposition who will take it into their Consideration and advise with some of the Committee of Trade about it and do therein what they shall find to be convenient That it seemed to be a business of Concernment and would require good advice and deliberation Whitelock took occasion from the Protector 's words to acquaint him with the great Concernment of the business in relation to this Nation and to the Trade thereof and to the Increase of Manufactures of Coppar and Brass which by this means would be solely in England and also in Relation to our safety for hereby we should much increase our Brass Ordnance which were of great Consideration as to his Highness Navy and as to the furnishing of such of our Neighbours only therewith as we should think fit As to Manufacture that no Nation in Europe had such Conveniencies for it as England by reason of the great quantities of Lapis Calaminaris here which was not found in other parts of Europe except some Quantity in Bohemia which by reason of the long and Chargeable Carriage of it by Land did discourage the Merchants for Medling with it but the Transportation of the Coppar hither by Sea was very Convenient And the Lapis Calaminaris at home made it very commodious for this Nation more than for any other He likewise informed his Highness of the former contract of the City of Lubecke and the Passages thereof with the other particulars concerning this Matter which had been before mentioned at the Committee His Highness seemed very much satisfied with this discourse and said again to Whitelock That he should take the Care of it in the Treaty and himself would acquaint the Counsel with it and so they came away The Copy of the Report here followeth April 1656. Friday 18th of April 1656. At the Committee for Trade and Navigation In Pursuance of your Highness Reference of the 15th of January 1655. whereby the Humble Petition of Jacob Momma of London Merchant is referred to this Committee We having taken the said Petition into our Consideration do humbly present and certifie unto your Highness our advice thereupon VIZ. First That in the present Treaty with the Swedish Ambassador there may be consideration had of the Imposition upon Coppar in Sweden and lately greatly Enhaunsed there viz. From 7 s. to about 27 s. in the Hundred weight as we are informed to the utter destruction of the Manufacture of Lattin Wyer and other Manufactures of Coppar and Brass here And that in the present Treaty the Imposition may be moderated and ascertained which being likewise done for other Commodities in this and other Treaties will tend very much to the advancement of the Trade of this Common-Wealth Secondly That his Highness be moved to take into Consideration the buying up of all the Coppar of Sweden at certain Rates and upon certain Propositions to be agreed upon between his Highness and the King of Sweden which was in Proposition with the late English Ambassador there and in case his Highness shall not think it expedient for the State to be engaged in that Bargain that he would be pleased to give Encouragement to particular Persons or Companies to proceed therein which may be a great advantage to this Nation 28. Letters of the King of Sweden's death in Poland but Counterfeit and afterwards confuted May 1656. 3. This day the Protector gave the honour of Knighthood to Mnr. Coyett The King of Swedens Resident here who was now Sir Peter Coyett and gave him a fair Jewel with his Highness Picture and a rich gold Chain it cost about 400 l. The Lord-General Fleetwood told Whitelock that he had some Enemies at Court that were willing to keep him from being of the Council The objections they had against him were two first that in the Treaty which he made with the Crown of Sweden he had consented unto Passes for Ships which the Council here said would be very inconvenient for our Affairs especially now that we had War with Spain and that he had consented to the specification of Contrebanda Goods which would also be very Inconvenient in Relation to our War with Spain and the other objection against Whitelock was That he was a Lawyer and they would show that the Counsels might be carried on without the wisedome of Lawyers which would but trouble and interrupt their proceedings by telling them what was Law upon every occasion and their Affairs would not permit to tye up themselves to those Rules of Law Whitelock answered That as to the matter of Passes it was in his Judgment reasonable and fit and such as was between other Nations and the Form left to the Council to be here agreed on which they might make as strict as they pleased and tho we had now War with Spain yet we had none with them when this Article was made nor could it be divined at Vpsall that we should have War with Spain two years after this Article agreed on But if it were thought inconvenient why then was it confirmed amongst the rest by the Protector
it is rather little less than a Miracle that after so great shakings and confusions it should so soon come to that state that it is already in And if we well and wisely consider how great variety of humours and judgments and what different Interests and Powers these Wars have raised amongst us and how differently placed and lodged from that which was before it is no wonder if every one cannot have what he thinks best in his judgment to be done but ought rather to content himself with what he may think next best to that which is first in his judgment which probably may be best of all in its self for that every one is a partial Judge as to that thing which hath taken the first impression in his mind and so passed into a prejudicate opinion But above all we must have the peace and settlement of the Nations Quacunque datâ viâ as a Pole-Star before our Eyes steering our course thereby without giving Ear to the inchanting Songs of any Syrens and without giving way to any suggestions of indignation which proud flesh may assault our minds withall But with generous resolutions press on to settlement conquering our Temptations and subduing our own Spirits if in any thing at any time they shall rise against this work whereby we shall gain more true honour before men and before God than if we had subdued a City than if we had conquered a Nation and indeed we shall doe no less thereby than preserve three Nations Another Difficulty ariseth unto us from the dissatisfaction of some of our ancient Friends who have been and might still be usefull to us in the Work which we have now in hand which if it be not a greater difficulty unto us than that of our secret and open Enemies of whom I shall speak anon it is a greater trouble and grief to us because that we love them so much and fear the other so little not that they are not a formidable Enemy but now by the conjunction of our late inbred Enemy with that old Enemy of our Nation and Religion and of God himself who is our hope and chiefest help We shall have God a greater and a closer Friend unto us because we have to doe with his greatest Enemies But for those of our Friends who content themselves with their Privacy and Country Retirement in these great Difficulties of the Commonwealth For the divisions of Reuben there are great thoughts of heart Why abidest thou among the Sheepfolds to hear the bleating of the flocks Surely for the divisions of Reuben there are great searchings of heart How shall we bind up the wounds we receive in the house of our friend What shall we doe for our sister that hath no breasts That will afford no milk If she be a Wall we will build a palace of silver upon her and if she be a door we will inclose her with boards of Cedar If they will give to us any Foundation to work upon we will build upon it we will improve it we will multiply Obligations upon them we will heap Coals of Fire upon their heads If they will not let us follow them let them follow us we will either lead or follow in the work of God And if our Words cannot convince them we will endeavour that our Works may doe it and what we cannot doe our selves we will pray to God to doe for us and to find out ways which we cannot to reunite our hearts and hands who have been engaged together in the same Cause and are still imbarqued in the same Bottom and must sink and swim must run the same hazard and fortune together I mean the same issue and event of God's Providence towards us whether it be for good or whether it be for evil As to our Enemies both secret and open they are continually plotting and contriving to create us all the trouble that they can and want not means for to effect it our home-bred Enemies being now in conjunction with that our great foreign Enemy who vaunt themselves of their King that he possesseth more Riches more Crowns and more Dominions than ever any Christian Prince did and that his Empire is ten times greater than that of the Great Turk and larger than ever was that of the Romans and that he might more justly than the Persian King style himself King of Kings Brother of the Sun and Moon and that the Sun never sets upon his Dominions and the like And yet to all these Riches to all this Power to all these Titles we are not afraid to oppose the One single Name of The Lord Our God and if it do not diminish our Difficulty yet it doth not a little ease our Minds that all our Enemies are reduced unto that Head which professeth himself to be the Head of that Antichristian Faction which opposeth all the Christian Churches in the World and would keep them and bring them under the Iron Yoak of his bloody Inquisition and every blow that we shall level at that Head in way of defence or offence will in some proportion redound to the advantage of all good Christians throughout the World And now it would be very strange if all good men should not see and be convinced what Thread it was that run all along through our Quarrel in the late Wars and though at first it was more finely spun and more closely wrought that it could not so easily be discerned yet now that it is unravelled to its Bottom it more clearly discovers its Rise by its Resort And if the Interest of that Party shall be again enthroned amongst us and brought in upon the Wings of that double-headed black Eagle or rather Vulture What will become of the poor Lambs of Christ What can we expect but according to the agreement between them a Toleration of Popery in England and Scotland and a Profession and Protection of it in Ireland with an inundation of Looseness and Prophaneness on the one side and of Tyranny and Oppression on the other We ought then to believe and we have good ground to rest our Faith upon But cum Deo movenda est manus we ought so to believe as though we had made no Provision at all and yet we ought so to make Provision in subserviency to Gods Providence as if we did not believe at all And his Highness doth acknowledge the great care and provision of the Parliament for the carrying on of this War in pursuance of their most Christian and truly English Spirit and Resolution in owning that Quarrel against that old Enemy of their Religion and of their Nation Yet I must acquaint you That the Supplies granted have fallen short of the Commonwealths Necessities because indeed they have fallen short of the Parliaments own expectations according to the lowest estimate that they were reckoned at Especially that of the New Buildings wherein what have been the particular Obstructions and what may be the proper Remedies as also