of Holland and West Friesland and upon the 11 th of June 1650. he delivered his Message in Parliament which though it produced no more then a mutuall desire of an amicable compliance yet was it very well resented by the Parliament that they shewed themselves the leading cards to the rest of the Provinces at such a time as that Now when as the Treaty at Breda was fully ended and that all their Jealousies and animosities notwithstanding the vast disproportion and notable antipathy that was erewhile between the Royalists and Presbyterians was by this means fully allayed at least in shew The Scots seemed to want nothing save the presence of their King whereby to crown their desires and confront the English in order whereunto he hasts from Breda to the Hague from thence to Scheveling where he took shipping and at last in despight of foul weather and the English Kingfishers that lay there to intercept him he landed at the Spey in the North of Scotland where he found the greatest difficulty in ascending the Throne and least enjoyed it of any Prince that was ever heard or read of For upon all occasions he was compeld to trace the steps and follow the dictates of that haughty Clergy in all their fanatick humours and imperious decrees who bereaved him first of all his old friends Counsellors and confederates whether of the Clergy or Layety who to say the truth had alwayes accompanied his Father and him in all their dysasters and dangers and had shipwrackt their own fortunes to carine and repair his though it may be by this desertion he intended their restauration But now the Scots had a King yet as though they had none they did what seemed right in their own eyes The first and most pernicious potion they made him to take and of hardest digestion was the solemne League and Covenant that ignis fatuus and only seminary of bloud and mischief in these three Nations The next was a declaration of the Kirks own framing and fashioning wherein he is taught to renounce the sinnes of his Fathers house and of his own the Idolatry of his Mother by a constant adhering to the Cause of God according to the Covenant in the firm establishment of Church government as it is laid down in the Directory for publike Worship Confession of Faith and Catechism This with divers others of the like nature although with much reluctancy he also signed which it's like burthened his spirit yet bettered not his condition which was like that of a Child under Tutors and Governours for there was not an Officer in that Church or Commonwealth how vile and abject soever in place or person but enjoyed more freedome in body and mind then he Guarded indeed he was but little regarded so that move he must not but in the sphaere of the Kirk they were the primum mobile whereby it 's apparent that the Government of that Nation was not truly Monarchicall though they had a King but Hierarchicall the confusion whereof I shall now set before you The Parliament of England weighing right well the condition into which their affairs were now reduced by reason of the Agreement that was peeced up between the Scots and their King after a serious and solemne debate Gen. Fairfax layes down his Commission which was presently confer'd upon General Cromwell Lord Deputy of Ireland voted that Thomas Lord Fairfax with the Army under his command should march Northwards who after some conference had with the Parliament and being prompted by an indisposition of body or mind laid down his Commission which was forthwith conferr'd upon Oliver Cromwell Lord Deputy of Ireland who in order to this Northern expedition arrived a while after from his victorious archievements in that country leaving his Son in Law Henry as Lord Deputy in his room Accordingly Orders were issued forth for the speedy advance of the Army into Scotland who had no sooner begun their March but the Scots took the Alarme and sent two or three Papers to Sr. Arthur Hasterig then Governour of Newcastle wherein they expostulated the Case about the sudden approach of the English Army endeavouring thereby to impede their march till such time as their designs were ripe alledging as scar-Crowes to fright fools the Covenant the large treaty and Union between the two Nations with other circumstances of the like nature as frivolous as they were fruitless The Parliament of England then published likewise a Declaration shewing the grounds and reasons of their Armies advance towards Scotland accompanied with another from the Generall and officers of the Army The Declaration of the English Army in their march to Scotland shewing that that which moved them to that great undertaking was not any reliance upon the arme of flesh or being lifted up with the remembrance of former successes or the desire of accomplishing any designs of their own that they had forelaid but the full assurance they had that their Cause was just in the sight of God looking at the precedent changes and the successes that produced them not as the work of the policy or strength of man but as the eminent actings of the Providence and Power of God to bring forth his good will and pleasure concerning the things which he hath determined in the world adding that nothing was so predominant with them next to their duty to God not to betray a cause to which he had so much witnessed as the love they had to those that feared God there who might possibly suffer through their own mistakes or their disability to distinguish in a common calamity of which Christian love they hoped that they gave some proof when they were before in Scotland with that Army and were by God made instrumentall to break the power of those that oppressed the godly Party there for which say they their late Engagement to their new King against England was no good requital nor their heaping on them the reproach of a Sectarian Army a Christian dealing all which by the grace of God they could forget and forgive and did as they say desire of God that the precious might be separated from the vile beginning and concluding with a most solemn and dreadful imprecation and appeal That to the truth of these things the God of Heaven in his great mercy pardoning their weaknesses would judge of them when they came to meet the Enemy in the Field This Declaration was sent by the Generall of the English Forces from their Head-Quarters at Barwicke to Edenburgh by a Trumpeter whom they blinded coming and going what effect this wrought the sequel of the Story will relate From Barwick the Army marched to the Lord Mordingtons House July 22. 1650. where they lay three dayes on the 25. they marched to Copperspeth the 26. to Dunbar where they received some provisions from the Ships sent on purpose to attend the motions of the Army forasmuch as the people of the Countrey had forsook their habitations and
enough to prevent all future overtures between the Scots and their declared King yet as if he had throughly learnt that lesson Qui nescit dissimulare â—â—seit regnare he took little notice â—hereof Next Montrose was executed Sir John â—â—rrey Coll. Spotswood and others that were the chief actors in that undertaâ—ing by which means they were rid of 〈◊〉 dangerous enemy On all this the English like cauteâ—ous statists had a watchfull eye and on every of those actings whether oâ—en or secret that might have any reflection upon them or their affairs and to the end they might the better sound the contrivances of their adversaries they endeavour to strengthen themselves by forrein Alliance and accordingly they sent Dr. Dorislaus Dr. Dorislaus murther at the Hague a wise and knowing man as publicke Agent into the united Provinces whereby to keep a right understanding and fair correspondency between the two Republicks where he had not long been ere he was slain by six assassinates that broke into his lodgings at the Hague in a disguised habit by which means they escaped unpunished notwithstanding the many endeavours at least pretendedly used for their apprehension The authorâ—â— of this Tragedy were afterwards known to be English Cavaliers discontented at their declining state and losse of their old Master one whereof was Coll. Spotswood afore mentioned who at his death confest he was an actor therein Thus stood the English affairs in reference to their enemies abroad while they were in somewhat worse plight at home for amidst the severall factions that sprung up during these late warres none was more desperate then that commonly known by the name of Levellers The Levellers mutiny who at once so wrought with the Souldiery that a considerable party of Horse withdrew themselves from the Army and gathered together such others of their party as they could conveniently thinking thereby to force their Lords and Masters to such things as their immature and unbridled apprehensions had dictated to them But by the care and industry of Gen. Fairfax Are supprest they are defeated at a place called Burford in Oxfordshire and of those that were taken some were made exemplary others were cashiered the Army and the rest upon their submission were taken into favour Not long after was brought to triall at the Guildhall London Lilburne tryed at Guildhall the grand Champion the chiefest and only Patriot of the action aforesaid viz. John Lilburne a man of a restless and yet invincible spirit that could never be deterr'd with threats or won with favours by a special Commission of Oyer and Terminer where was present most of the Judges and Justices of the severall Courts at Westminster the Lord Mayor Sheriffs and severall Aldermen of London with others of eminent quality The Indictment with many crimes of a treasonable nature as being the Author of such and such Books mentioned therein which Books were fraught with the most shamefull revilings scurrilous invectives and malicious outcries against the Governours and Government of this Nation that the heart of man could invent calling them Tyrants Traytors Conquering Usurpers and what not Now though nothing was more generally beleeved then that the Books aforesaid were of his own penning and publishing yet at his triall he made such an excellent Is cleared and released subtle and singular defence that the Jury brought him in Not guilty whereupon he had his release By this time the severall transactions that were between the Scots and their King had brought forth a Treaty at Breda in the Netherlands The treaty between the Scots and their King concluded a Town of speciall note belonging to the Prince of Orange at whose cost and charges it was both continued and concluded now that part of the Agreement that had the most especiall influence on us was that they should endeavour to the utmost of their power to reinstate him in his Fathers Throne invest him in his Power and Greatnesse and establish him in his just Rights and Dignities where we shall at present leave him to see how the affairs of his Adversaries the English succeeded The differences that lately broke out between the King of Portugall and this Nation were now widened by acts of open hostility for when the English perceived that neither intreaties nor threats would make him force Prince Rupert out of his Harbour and that the often applications and negotiations of the English Agent Mr. Charles Vane in order thereunto could availe nothing but on the contrary prepared what Ships of warre he had to joyn with Rupert and so to chase the English from his Coasts they seiz'd many of his Ships richly laden both inward and outward bound but the King doubting his strength desisted from falling upon the English Fleet and sell to seize the estates and secure the persons of the Merchants and Factors residing in Lisbon and other places under his Jurisdiction About this time likewise the English sent an Agent to the King of Spain viz. Mr. Anth. Ashcam M. Ashcam the English Agent murther'd at Madrid a most learned and excellently well accomplisht Gentleman who on the 5 th of June 1650. landed at Santa Maria where hearing of many threats against his person he procured a Guard that conducted him to Madrid where is kept the Court of the King of Spain The first night it was his hard fortune to lie at an Inne the next day while with his Interpreter Signior Riba he sate at dinner six divels in the shapes of men knockt at the door had easie accesse and being entred Mr. Ashcam rose to salute them whereupon the foremost stabbed him in the head and his Interpreter endeavouring to escape was stabbed in the belly both falling down dead in the place Whence the murtherers fled to the Venetian Ambassadors house but were denyed entrance whence they fled to the Sanctuary were pursued and carried to prison from thence by the Kings speciall command one of them only escaping Hereupon arose a great difference between the King and the Church about the violation of the holy Sanctuary and thereby infringing the Sacred Rights and Priviledges of the Church and demanded that the Assassinates should be delivered again into the Sanctuary On the other hand the Parliament of England by sundry Messages earnestly prest that Justice might be severely inflicted upon those execrable offenders that had perpetrated so horrid and vile an act upon their publick Minister And indeed it was a crime of so transcendent a nature that me thinks it should not enter into the heart of any considerate man to imagine of any expiation for them here however it may please God to deale with them hereafter The Church notwithstanding prevailed so farre as to interrupt the course of Justice for as much as their punishment has been hitherto fuspended though for any thing we hear they are yet in durance Neer this time arrived in England the Lord Gerard Scarph as Commissioner from the States Provinciall
had left nothing behind that might accommodate them The Army thus refresht at Dunbar marcht thence to Haddington Next day hearing the Scots would meet them at Gladsmore they laboured to possesse the Moor before them but no considerable part appeared whereupon Major Generall Lambert and Collonel Whalley men of approved courage with 1400. Horse were sent as a Vauntguard to Mussleborough to attempt something upon the Enemy if possible The General with the residue of the Army marching in the rear the English and Scotch Horse had some encounters but the Scots would not endure the Shock that night the English lay encamped close at Mussleborough the Enemy was within four miles of them intrenched with a Line flanked from Edenburgh to Leith the Guns from Leith scouring most parts of the Line so that they lay very strong The English finding their Enemies were not easily to be attempted lay still all that day being the 29. which proved a sore day of rain and greatly disadvantageous to them having nothing to cover them all which expecting a speedy engagement they did cheerfully undergo it next day being the 30. the ground very wet and provisions being scarce the English resolved to draw to their Quarters at Mussleborough to refresh and revictuall which while they were doing the Scots fell upon their rear and put them to some disorder But some bodies of the English Horse came forthwith to close with them which produced a hot and gallant skirmish insomuch that at length the English charged them so home that they beat them to their very Trenches Major General Lambert in this dispute was run through the arme with a Launce and wounded in another part of the body taken prisoner but rescued by Lievtenant Empson of the Generals Regiment several oâ— the Scots were killed and taken prisoners with small losse to the English among the rest there was taken one Lievtenant Collonel one Major and some Captains some persons of note were likewise slain By this means the English had opportunity to march quietly off to Mussleborough which they did that night but so wearied for want of sleep and tired with the dirtinesse of the wayes that they expected the Enemy would make a sudden infall upon them which accordingly they did Between three and four of the Clock next morning being the 30. of July with fifteen select Troops of Horse under the Command of Major General Montgomery and Coll. Straughan who came on with great resolution beat in the English Guards and put a Regiment of Horse into some disorder but the English presently taking the Alarm charged routed pursued and did execution upon them within a quarter of a mile of Edenburgh taking and killing many as well Officers as Souldiers the Scotch affairs succeeding in this sort made them forbear such frequent sallies and keep within their intrenchments This was the posture of the Military affairs in Scotland when to adde to the miseries of that people all traffique and commerce was prohibited between the two Nations And such of the Scots as had their residence in England were commanded to depart the Land within ten dayes or thereabouts their Ships not able to resist having no Convoy were often surprized by the English insomuch that they were in the road way to ruine But seeing this Moneth of August produced little of action from the Armies there it will not be amiss to give a brief account of such remarkable passages as about that time hapned in England and the neighbouring Nations At London was apprehended condemned Col. Andrews beheaded at Towerhill and executed Collonel Eusebius Andrews who being taken with a Commission from Charles Stuart and for entring into a conspiracy to undermine the Government of England suffered death as aforesaid From the united Provinces came accompt of some notable transactions which take as followeth The Prince of Orange Brother in Law to the Scots King by marrying his Sister Daughter to the late King of England aspiring to a higher degree of Soveraignty over those Provinces then he or his Predecessors ever enjoyed and being thwarted in some of his projects when he was at Amsterdam he thereupon was so distested that he resolved to right himself by securing and putting out the leading men in that Province of Holland for which purpose he caused all the Deputies thereof being then at the Hague to assemble which they refusing he seized most of them those of Amsterdam whom he chiefly defired escaped only His next design was to have surprized the City of Amsterdam by a stratagem commanding the Horse to such a place under pretence of conducting his Mother and shipped his Infantry at Vtrech in the ordinary Passage-boats to come all night that they might be there early next morning and the horse to have their Rendezvouz upon the Heath between Naerden and Amesford about midnight and to be at the Ports of the Town at the moment appointed by which time the foot should have seized on the Regulars and the S. Tunies Ports and have opened a passage for the Horse to enter which design if by a wonderful providence of God in sending a fierce storm of rain that night the intended march of the Horse had not been hindred from coming to the place and time appointed had in all probability taken effect Nor had the Town known any thing thereof till too late But the Hamburgh Post as he was coming to the Town met with several parties of Horse riding to and fro about Amesford and the Heath yet who they were he knew not Hereof the Lords being informed straightway caused the Ports to be shut the Bridges drawn the Guards set the Ordinance planted and all warlike preparations to be made and all this while not knowing their enemies But they were not long in suspence for notice was soon given that it was Count William with his Forces whose designments being thus defeated the Prince of Orange accosts the Town with this following Letter Worshipfull Prudent Discreet Sirs and my very good Friends WHen I was last in the City for the service of the Countrey I was so strangely entertained that not to be subject to the like hereafter I found it expedient to send Count William with the Troops following him into your City and ordered him to keep all things in peace and quiet there that I might not be hindred by any all-affected in such things as yet I have to propound unto you touching the service of the Countrey wherein I require your good assistance And in considence thereof commending you to the protection of the most High I remain Hague July 29. 1650. Your good Friend W. Prince of Orange This stratagem projected with so much secrecy and subtlety failing Count William drew off his Forces to severall Posts with intent to block up the Town which being in a posture of defence opened their sluces and set the Land under water round about and having so done they sent a Trumpeter to Count William to know the
send to the Committee of Estates which being denyed they accepted of a Treaty and sent Major Abernethy and Capt. Hinderson to treat on their part Col. Monk and Liev. Col. White were appointed to treat in behalf of the English the result whereof was to this effect That the Castle of Edenburgh should be surrendred up to his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell The strong and impregnable Castle of Edenburgh surrendred to the English on the 24. of Decemb. 1650. with all the Ordinance Arms Magazine and Furniture of Warre thereunto belonging That the Governour with all the Officers and Souldiers should then march forth with their Arms Colours flying Drums beating matches lighted and Bullet in mouth to such place as they shall choose That such Inhabitants adjacent as have any goods in the Castle shall have them restored unto them and to that purpose they had liberty from the 19. to the 24. of Decemb. to fetch them away There was taken in this strong hold five French Canon five Dutch half Canon two Culverings two Demi-culverings two Minion two Faulcon 28 Brasse Drakes two Petards about 7000 Arms 80 Barrels of Pouder store of Canon Shot with other provisions proportionable It may seem strange and almost incredible that such a strong and impregnable hold as was that should be so easily won the like whereof is not in that Nation wherefore it was the common vogue of that time and by many credibly beleeved that it was assaulted with silver engines But whether it was covetousnesse cowardise Treachery or want that caused this sudden rendition I know not But this I know and am sure it made as much for and was of as great importance to the English as can be imagined for while that businesse was yet in suspence the Army was hindred from many attempts of great consequence Nor was the Parliament of England lesse fortunate in their maritime affairs for the English Fleet under the command of Gen. Blake lying before Lizbon after they had destroyed severall French Pirates taken many Sugar Prizes belonging to the King of Portugal of great value and scowr'd the Seas in some sort of such others as had been so extremely prejudicial to the English Merchants especially those trading into the Levant Seas they were constrained partly by distress of weather and partly to revictuall and water to make for some other port in which time Prince Rupert with his Fleet making a vertue of necessity hoisted sail and steer'd their course for Malaga where they burnt and spoiled severall Merchants Ships Gen. Blake hereupon reduced his Fleet to seven stout and nimble Frigots and sent the rest home with the Prizes and with them he made all the Sail he could after the Enemy and coming to Malaga heard they were gone towards Alicant Generall Blake sailing thence betwixt Cape degat and Cape de Paulo took a French Ship of twentie Guns and presently after that the Roe-buck one of the revolted Ships fell into their hands after which they met with the Black Prince another of Ruperts Fleet Prince Ruperts Fleet destroyed which to avoid being taken ran ashoar and blew her self up next day four more of Ruperts Fleet ran ashoar in the Bay of Cartagena where they were cast away and bulged Some few dayes after Generall Blake set sail to seek out the rest of Ruperts Fleet which were two steering his course towards Minorca Majorca Humattera but missing of them he gave over the Chase and returned for England having done as much as could be expected from men valiant and faithfull to the great encouragement of the Merchants contentment of the people and joy of all well-affected people Notwithstanding all this severall designs were set on foot by unquiet and wayward spirits in behalf of Charles Stuart some by open insurrection others by secret combination in which the Clergie had no small share as shall be declared hereafter There was executed at Tiburne one Benson for acting by vertue of a Commission from the Scots King Benson an Agent from the Scots King executed at Tiburn being in the same conspiracy with Col. Andrews who was beheaded as aforesaid Upon the same account rose a mutinous rabble in the County of Norfolk An Insurrection in Norfolk who for a while went roving to and again pretending the ends of that undertaking was for the abolishing of Popery restoring the young King to his Crowns revenge of his Fathers death for suppression of heresie and schism Is appeased and the ringleaders executed But as it was begun without order so was it managed without resolution For the Parliament were no time-givers to growing dangers but immediately gave order for the suppressing them So that 200 Horse from Lyn and three Troops of Horse from the Army with some of the Militia Forces of that County marched towards them upon which they were presently dispersed and some taken whereof about twentie were executed who because they were persons of no great eminencie I shall forbear troubling the Reader with their Names About this time also Sir Henry Hide being commissionated as Ambassador from the Scots King to the Grand Signior at Constantinople Sir Henry Hide executed at the Old Exchange stood in competition with Sir Thomas Bendish then Ambassador for the English for his place whereupon they had a hearing before the Vizier Bassa the result whereof was that Sir Thomas Bendish should dispose of the said Sir Henry Hide as he thought good who was straightway sent to Smyrna thence into England and there condemned and executed for a traitor before the Royal Exchange in London The warre in Scotland was now almost at a stand for the sharpnesse of the Winter was such in that Northern Climate that much could not be expected yet were all probable designs for the reducing that obstinate and hardy people put in execution The Scots were chiefly busied about the Coronation of their King which was performed at Scone The Scots King crowned at Scone Jan. 30. 1651. Jan. 1. 1651. with as much solemnity and gallantry as their necessity and poverty would permit then they proceeded to the excommunication of Straughan Swimon and others that came in to the English made a shift to unite the other Dissenting parties and then put out an Act for new Levies to be made throughout the Nation Soon after this Lievt Gen. David Lesley with a party of 800. Horse made an attempt upon Lithgow where was a Regiment of Horse under Col. Sanderson who being presently in a readinesse to receive them the Scots retreated without entring the Town Next attempt of the English was for reducing of Hume Castle with two Regiments of Horse and Foot Hume Castle besieged commanded by Col. Fenwick who coming before it sent in this Summons which with the answer for the unusual strain thereof I here insert SIR HIS Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell hath commanded me to reduce this Castle you now possesse under his obedience which if you
at a time and having her main-Mast and misen-Mast shot away and being overpowered with number was taken The Levant-Merchant was first boarded by one of the enemies Ships of 36 Guns and after two hours fight by another as big the first of which sunk presently after yet was she also possest by the Dutch The Sampson was boarded by young Trump Rear Amirall of the Dutch on one side and by a fire-Ship on the other so that she was quickly fired Some there were that did not stick to traduce Capt. Badiley and those with him as if he had been wanting in point of duty toward the relief of the Ships aforesaid when as they were all well nigh destroyed before he could possibly come up Where when he had done what in him lay and seeing his Fleet in such a hazardous condition like a wise Commander made all the sail he could away for preservation of that part of the Fleet and this he hath so clearly proved that he is wholly acquitted from having any hand in that miscarriage The Relation wherein this Commonwealth stood with the Neighbouring Nations was in this sort The King of Portugall and the State of England conclude a peace The King of Portugall not able to resist so powerfull a State as this having more then enough to do to grapple with the wealthy Spaniard sent over an Ambassadour extraordinary with a sumptuous train of followers to conclude a Peace with the English who after many conferences frequent addresses and large offers made obtained the same yet to this day he hath not fully fiuished his Negotiations so as to satisfie the Merchants for their great losses From France the English were courted by two Parties A French Agent arrives at London by an Agent from the King of France desiring a release of his Ships taken as aforesaid going to the relief of Dunkirk as also that there might be a right understanding between the two Nations And by four Deputies from the Prince of Conde 4 Deputies from Bourdeaux arive at London also craving aid against the Cardinall and his creatures who had straightly besieged the City of Bourdeaux all which Negotiations were ineffectuall for alas the breach was too high between the two Nations to be easily cemented Other Nations by Letters and otherwise endeavoured to be mediators and composers of those mortal jarres that were between England and Holland as the Queen of Sweden the Cantons of Switzerland the Imperiall Cities of Lubeck and Hamburgh c. This was the posture of the Civill and Military affairs of this Nation when his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell a man as it were by Divine appointment set apart for great enterprizes perceiving the notorious corruptions dilatory proceedings pernicious and arbitrary actings of the Parliament to perpetuate their session and to inthrall the people by defrauding and disfranchising them of their antient and undoubted Liberties of equall and successive Representatives entred the Parliament House attended with some of his principall Officers and there delivered certain reasons why a period ought to be put to that Parliament The Parliament is dissolved which was presently done the Speaker with the rest of the Members some by force some through fear and some murmuring departed the House For which dysaster no man moved either tongue or hand in their behalf it being generally beleeved that though the Nation possibly might not be bettered by this change yet a worse could not befall it And thus was this mighty Councell dissolved their Powers transferred into the hands of the Souldiery and their Names reproacht and vilified with the scorns and dirigies of the common people who being well pleased with the doing thereof enquired not into the reasons or causes why it was done But to satisfie the wiser sort and those that were more curious enquirers into the true and genuine causes of things Generall Cromwell and his Councell of Officers published a Declaration the substance whereof was as follows THat after God was pleased marvellously to appear for his people The Declaration of Gen. Cromwell and his Councel of Officers in reducing Ireland and Scotland to so great a degree of peace and England to perfect quiet whereby the Parliament had opportunity to give the people the harvest of all their labour bloud and treasure and to settle a due Liberty in reference to Civil and Spirituall things whereunto they were obliged by their duty engagements and those great and wonderful things God hath wrought for them But they made so little progresse therein that it was matter of much grief to the good people of the Land who thereupon applyed themselves to the Army expecting redresse by their means who though unwilling to meddle with the Civill Authority agreed that such Officers as were Members of Parliament should move them to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amisse in the Commonwealth and in setling it upon a foundation of Justice and Righteousnesse which being done it was hoped the Parliament would have answered their expectations But finding the contrary they renewed their desires by an humble Petition in Aug. 1652. which produced no considerable effect nor was any such progresse made therein as might imply their reall intentions to accomplish what was petitioned for but rather an aversnesse to the things themselves with much bitternesse and opposition to the people of God and his Spirit acting in them in so much that the godly Party in Parliament were rendred of no further use then to countenance the ends of a corrupt Party for effecting their desires of perpetuating themselves in the supreame Government For obviating these evils the Officers of the Army obtained severall meetings with some of the Parliament to consider what remedy might be applyed to prevent the same but such endeavours proving ineffectuall it became evident that this Parliament through the corruption of some the jealousie of others the non-attendance of many would never answer those ends which God his People and the whole Nation expected from them But that this cause which God had so greatly blessed must needs languish under their hands and by degrees be lost and the Lives Liberties and Comforts of his people be delivered into their enemies hands All which being sadly and seriously considered by the honest people of the Nation as well as by the Army it seemed a duty incumbent upon us who had seen so much of the power and presence of God to consider of some effectuall means whereby to establish righteousnesse and peace in these Nations And after much debate it was judged necessary that the supreame Government should be by the Parliament devolved upon known persons fearing God and of approved integrity for a time as the most hopefull way to countenance all Gods people reform the Law and administer Justice impartially hoping thereby the people might forget Monarchy and understand their true interest in the election of successive Parliaments that so the Government might be setled upon a right Basis
of her friends and others that she might be out of her pain she was cut down put into a Coffin and brought to a House to be dissected before some Physitians When they opened the Coffin they perceived a ratling in her throat a Fellow standing by stamped upon her breast and belly yet Doctor Petty and two or three more then present fell speedily to use some means to bring her to life and opened a vein laid her in a warm bed procured a woman to go into bed to her and continued the use of divers other remedies having respect to her sencelessness head throat and breast so that in a few hours she spake the next day talked and coughed very heartily and in short space perfectly recovered Upon which first her reprieve and then her pardon was procured After this she as upon the Gallows still insisted upon her innocency and integrity in relation to the fact for which she was condemned And indeed this was looked upon as a speciall providence of God thus to deliver her who in the judgements of those that understood the businesse was deemed guiltlesse Herein did the hand of God wonderfully appear in detecting the unadvised actings of men and in shewing us the danger we are in when we are swayed either by passion or prejudice against the meanest of his Creatures The Parliament weighing how prone the people were to adore the shadow of the late King though the substance was destroyed caused his Statue that was set up at the West end of the Cathedrall of St. Pauls to be pulled down and that also in the Royall Exchange over which they caused to be wrote this Motto Exit Tyrannus Regum Vltimus Anno Libertatis Angliae restitutae Primo Anno Domini 1648. January 30. They likewise caused that badge of Monarchy the Kings Arms to be defaced and expunged out of all Churches Chappels and places of publick worship and Courts of Judicature throughout their Dominions and this indeed was a means to make the giddy people forget the Garlick and Onyons of Egypt they much hankered after And to adde a more splendid lustre to their strength and greatnesse they were highly courted by Embassadors from the Neighbouring Nations viz. Holland Spain and Portugall yet the crafty Hollander held at a distance as rather willing the prosperity of the Royall party then heartily desiring or effectually endeavouring a peace with them The Spaniard as he had better ends so had he better successe though in all his addresses he was still reminded of his suspending and delaying the execution of justice upon the Assassinates of the English Resident at Madrid since which time till now the controversie between the King and Church about that businesse hath been in debate The Portugall Embassador after audience had before a Committee of Parliament The Portugal Ambassadour dismist home and several applications unto them not being fully impowered to give a plenary satisfaction to the State for their vast expences and to the Merchants for their great losses all occasioned by them was at length dismist Embassadors extraordinary were sent from the Parliament of England to the States of the United Provinces English Ambassadors are sent into Holland their Names were Oliver St. John and Walter Strickland men of singular parts and of approved integrity who in gallant Equipage with a magnificent train of followers set sail from the Downs March 11. 1651. On the 12. towards Evening they came to anchor before Hellevoit slugs but not without some danger On the 13. they went in Boats to Roterdam being met with Vessels from the States then by the English Merchants were conducted to the English house and nobly entertained During their stay there the Spanish Embassador sent a Gentleman to congratulate their safe Arrivall and to desire there might be a fair correspondency and right understanding between their Lordships and him About two or three dayes after they set forward for the Hague where by the way the Master of the Ceremonies with about thirtie Coaches met them and entertained them with some Complements and conducted them to a House at the Hague prepared for their reception where they were feasted three dayes by the States and then had audience they have audience where the Lord St. John made a Learned and Eloquent Speech in the English tongue and then delivered a Copy thereof in Dutch and English the heads whereof were in effect as follows That they were sent over to the High and Mighty States of the Netherlands from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to make a firm League and Confederacy between the two Republiques if they think fit to accept thereof notwithstanding the many injuries the English have sustain'd from the Dutch Nation Secondly To renew and confirm those former Treaties and Agreements of trade and commerce made between the two Nations Thirdly He shewed them the notable advantages of England in respect of the pleasant and commodious situation thereof for the advancement of trade and all other accommodations Lastly He told them he was commanded by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England to let their Lordships know how highly they resented the Execrable murther of Dr. Dorislaus their Agent and that he doubted not but that their Lordships would use their utmost care and industry in causing a strict and diligent search to be made after the Authors thereof After which the States being acquainted with the many affronts the Ambassadors Gentlemen and others their attendants had received from English Cavaliers and other ruffians drew up a Proclamation and sent it to the Ambassadors by the Lord Catz to know whether they judged it full enough the contents whereof was to forbid all manner of persons whatsoever from giving any affront either in word or deed to any of the Ambassadors retinue upon pain of corporal punishment Three â—moneths was now spent in this tedious and costly Embassie and nothing obtained save affronts and abuses of all kinds and the Sword of Justice not drawn in their behalfe against any one of that riotous rabble that so frequently swarmed at the Ambassadors gates assaulting their servants and reviling their persons of which injuries the Parliament being deeply sensible and wearied with expectation of what fruits this Treaty would produce resolved that seeing all their Proposals and endeavours for a lasting and well grounded Peace were answered with dilatory shifts and evasions on purpose to gain time upon the English till they saw on which side the chance of war in Scotland would fall to call home their Ambassadors which sudden and unexpected news did so surprize the Hoghen Mogens that they courted them with frequent and unusuall visits and with a multitude of feigned expressions laboured to beget a good opinion in the English of the reality of their intentions towards an amicable compliance with this Nation notwithstanding all which the Ambassadors soon after return into England They return into England infectapace That which gave
wants of such as should continue on shipboard and would assist those that were to land in reducing the Castles which Proposals were in part assented unto by the Commander in Chief Col. Duckenfield being somewhat obliged thereto by the civilities of the people But on the 27. most of the men on shipboard were endangered by a long and continued storm many of the Vessels not being able to ride in the Bay one ran ashore and was bulged but the men saved many others were driven severally up and down which dangers by sea and delayes by land the Castles still holding out on the 28. Horse and Foot were ordered to come on shoar and being possest of all the Forts in the Island Castle Peele and Rushen taken they besieged both the Castles of Peele and Rushen in which the Countesse of Derby then was both which were presently summoned and brought to very low terms without any bloud shed and delivered up to Col. Duekenfield for the use of the Parliament of England Octob. 26. 1651. Where was found store of Ammunition and Provision of all sorts and in the Harbour some Vessels also were taken These Castles were of such strength that if it had pleased God the defendants had not been possest with a spirit of fear much bloud might have been spent in the reducing of them In short space after there was surrendred to the Parliaments Forces Cornet Castle in Guernsey surrendered that strong and impregnable hold of Cornet Castle in the Isle of Guernsey The next remarkable passage of the Affairs of this Nation was the decease of two of the Parliaments Chieftains one was Generall Popham one of the Admirals of the English Fleet a man of singular worth and gallantry yet his short continuance in that employment did not so much shew us what he was as what he would have been had it pleased the great Disposer of all things to have prolonged his dayes The other was the never to be forgotten Henry Ireton Lord Deputy of Ireland under his Father in Law his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell who ended his dayes shortly after the siege and taking of Limrick in Ireland a man who for piety prudence and policy in Civill and Martiall affairs equaled if not excelled the most of men yet was there left behind such worthy Patriots and Champions of their Country as upon all occasions have stood in the gap of the greatest difficulties The Parliament being now throughly sensible of the many delayes mischiefs and wrongs for a long time and even now practised by the Hollanders both in their Treaties and traffique set forth an Act for encrease of Shipping and encouragement of Navigation which was the most pleasing and advantageous Act to the Merchants and Seamen that could be and by which the hearts of those rough spirited men were more endeared to the Parliaments Interest then by any thing they ever did or could do the heads whereof were these That no Commodity whatsoever of the growth or Manufacture of Asia Africa The Act for Navigation or America or any part thereof as well of the English Plantations as others shall be imported into England Ireland or any the territories thereof in any ships or Vessels but in such only as do truly belong to this Commonwealth or the Plantations thereof under penalty of the forfeiture of Goods and Vessels and of Europe the like That no Commodities whatsoever of forreign growth or manufacture which are to be brought into this Commonwealth in Ships belonging to the People thereof shall be by them shipped from any places but only from those of the said growth production or manufacture or from those Ports where the said Commodities can only be or usually have been shipt for transportation and from none other places That no sorts of Fish usually caught by the people of this Nation nor any Oyl made of Fish nor any Whale Finne or Whalebones shall be imported as abovesaid but only such as shall be caught in Vessels belonging to the people of this Nation under the former penalty That no kinds of salted Fish from the first of February 1653. shall be exported out of this Land in any other save English Vessels Severall other Exceptions and Provisoes there was in reserence to the Commodities of East-India from the Levant Seas from the Ports of Spain and Portugall This is the substance of that Act which did so exceedingly perplex the avaritious greedy and encroaching Hollander Who notwithstanding set on foot another Treaty with the English by sending Ambassadors extraordinary and seeing they could not obtain their desires thereby they assayed to do it by force and treachery which machinations God in mercy to this poor Nation by weak instruments detected and turned upon their own heads yet could they have procured the calling in of that Act they would hardly have stuck at any other the demands of the English but failing therein they began to dispute that antient and unquestionable Right of the English Soveraignty in the narrow Seas by refusing to strike therein for which they had the fortune to be always beaten not thriving in any such contempt or bravado upon which occasion began that sad breach between the two Republiques the effects whereof we yet feele and groan under from which God in his good time will deliver us For in May The first Sea-fight between the Dutch and the English 1652. Van-Trump Admirall of the Dutch Fleet with about 42 sail of Ships was discovered on the backside of the Goodwin-sands by Major Bourn who commanded a squadron of the English Ships the Dutch bearing towards Dover-Road upon which the Grey-hound Frigot was commanded to make sail and speak with them which she did and then they strook their top-sayl demeaned themselves civilly and said they came from Admirall Trump with a Message to the Commander in chief of the English Fleet And coming aboard they saluted our Ships and in order to the satisfaction of our Nation brought this accompt That the Northerly winds having blown hard severall dayes they were forced further Southward then they intended and having rode for some dayes off Dunkirk where they had lost divers Anchors and Cables professing they intended no injury to the English Nation Gen. Blake with the rest of the English Fleet was at that time to the Westward but receiving speedy advice of all these passages from Major Bourne made what haste possibly he could 〈◊〉 ply towards them and on the 19 of â—lay in the morning he saw them at â—nchor about Dover-Road and being â—â—ithin three Leagues of them they â—â—eighed and stood to the Eastward â—â—here they met with an Expresse from â—e States whereupon he bastned â—ith all the sayl he could make towards ours and bore directly up with â—ur Fleet Van-Trump being the headâ—ost Upon which Gen. Blake shot three â—uns at Van-Trumps Flag but withâ—ut Balls and Van-Trump answered â—ith a Gun on the averse side of his â—hip signifying a disdain and in stead
of things as they present themselves at first view Nay by their Ambassadors they made the news thereof to eccho in most of the Princes Courts in Christendome Mirum qutem quantum fama popular is addidit fabulae But the English like a Bear robbed of her whelps and awakened at this sudden eclipse of their glory splendor and wonted valour betook themselves to new resolutions for the quickning out a considerable Fleet whereby to allay the soaring pride of their adversaries and to stifle those unruly clamours and generall discontents of the people every where murmuring and inveighing against their Governours as if they had by secret and clandestine designs contrived the ruine of the Nation by a destruction of the Fleet. And first they took into consideration what due encouragement was fit to be given to Mariners and Seamen and ordered That the Wages of every able Seaman fit for the Helme and Head Top and Yard should be advanced from 18. s. the moneth to 23. s. the moneth and all the rest proportionable That for every Prize they shal take and shall so be adjudged in the Court of Admiralty they shall have ten Shillings for every Tun the said Ship shal measure and six Pounds ten Shillings four Pence for every peece of Ordnance whether Iron or brasse to be shared and divided amongst them proportionably according to their places and Offices in the Ship and that they shall have all Pillage they shall find upon or above the Gun-deck of any such Prize That they shall have ten Pounds a Gun for every man of Warre they shall sink or destroy by Fire or otherwise to be divided as aforesaid with a moneths gratis money to all that shal voluntarily come into their Service within fortie dayes That for supplying of necessary Provisions unto sick and wounded men aboard there be allowed five pounds for six moneths service for every hundred men That care be taken upon their discharge for the payment of their Tickets and Conduct money That a covenient house be provided in or neer Dover Deale or Sandwitch as an Hospitall for the accommodation of such wounded men as shall be there set on shoare These with severall other branches of the like nature were printed and published to the great satisfaction of the Seamen insomuch that towards the latter end of February 1653. the English had a brave and resolute Fleet out at Sea notwithstanding all the care and industry of the Hollanders to hinder all Nations from bringing any Pitch Tarre or Masts into this Common-wealth Febru The English and Dutch Fleets engage neer the Isle of Wight and Portland 18. The Dutch Fleet in number about 80 with about 150 Merchantmen from Roan Nants and Bourdeaux were discovered between the Isle of Wight and Portland and about 8 in the morning the headmost of the English Fleet came up and engaged them viz. the Triumph where was Gen. Blake and Gen. Dean with three or four more the rest were not able to get up being to the Leeward so that them few were constrained to bear the first brunt holding play with no lesse then 30 of the Dutch men of War and thus it continued till two a clock in the afternoon after which about about half the English Fleet came up and engaged the Dutch till the night parted In this fight the English lost none save the Sampson a Dutch Prize which being made unserviceable was sunk by themselves the men being all taken out and saved which Ship first sunk the enemy that maimed her Febr. 19. The English made towards the Dutch and followed them upon the chace a good while in which days service some of the enemies Ships were brought by the Lee and destroyed Febr. 20. They Engaged the Dutch again and the dispute grew hot insomuch that the enemy began to fire out of their sternmost Ports and make away so that divers of their Merchants Ships sell into the hands of the English At evening the English Fleet being against Boloâ—â—â— in France and not farre from the shore the wind at N. N. West which was bad for them to get to their own shoare they endeavoured by haling upon a tack to get Dover Road but many of their Ships having their Sails and Rigging much tattered and torn they came to an Anchor The English in this fight took about 50 Merchants and nine men of Warre severall of their men of Warre were likewise sunk by the English beside what the enemy themselves sunk that were made unserviceable and by Letters out of France it was certified also that above 2000 dead bodies of the Dutch were seen upon the French shores Presently after this hot and terrible fight there was 1500 taken Prisoners and brought to London Gen. Blake was wounded in this engagement several other Commanders of the English of eminent worth and gallantry were slain and wounded also Now though a particular accompt of the Dutch loss could never yet be fully known yet without all question it was as sad and dreadfull a losse to that State as they ever yet knew for which let Gods Name alone be magnified and though I am none of those Qui malis gaudeo alienis yet seeing that by a kind of fatal necessity the stroaks of adverse fortune must fall heavy somewhere we ought with hands lifted up to blesse God for our deliverance The Dutch being deeply sensible of this losse sent a Letter to the Parliament of England yet signed only by the States of Holland and West Friesland in answer to which the Parliament sent a Letter signifying their desire of a friendly compliance for the avoiding the further shedding of Christian bloud but nothing came thereon But lest the English should surfet with excesse of joy for their late Victories over their enemies God was pleased to give them a check by an unexpected defeat of their Ships in the Levant-Seas which was as followes The English having by a stratagem regained the Phoenix Frigot from the Dutch as she lay in Leverne Mole fitted themselves for another encounter with the Dutch Capt. Badiley with nine men of Warre The English Fleet in the Levant Seas are again worsted by the Dutch weighed out of Portolongone towards the relief of those other Ships under Capt. Apleton that lay in Levorne Mole and for severall moneths had been cooped up by 22 men of Warre hereupon the English Ships under Capt. Apleton weighed out of the Mole a little sooner then they should have done and were presently engaged by the whole Fleet of the Dutch who having the advantage of the wind with their Admirall and two other Ships clapt the Leopard aboard a stout English Ship of above fiftie Guns who bravely maintained the fight above five hours against them all till at length being overborne by the number of the enemy she was taken The Bonadventure by a shot in her Pouder room took fire and was blown up The Peregrine was engaged with foun or five of the Dutch
Generall Pen and Venables upon an unknown expedition but to cleare doubts in part conceiving their design on the 1 of May 1655. came Letters from Generall Pen dated at the Barbadoes March 19. certifying the good condition of the whole Fleet Is at Bardoes having arrived there on the 28 of January following and there he seised on 18 Dutch Merchant men who traded there contrary to an Act of the long Parliament as also by later Letters from them it appeared that they set saile from Barbadoes the 30 of March and sailed for Hispaniola where after their landing having received some small check verifying that excellent saying Man proposeth but God disposeth they re-embarqued for the Island of Jamaica At Jamaica where they arrived the 10 of May following being in full possession of it after some small resistance by the Spaniards and receiving it as an earnest peny of those great things that shall be done by the English Nation in Gods good time upon the perfidious Nation of the Spaniards Now somewhat to raise the spirits of the English again whom any ill fortune dejects take an account of the wonderfull success it pleased God to bestow upon Generall Blake against the Turkish Pirates of Tunis Generall Blakes successe against the Turks where he having on the 18 of April 1655. demanded of the Dye of that place satisfaction for some Ships which they had taken as also the Captives of our Nation but being denyed either of them and withall they giving some provoking terms as in these and such like words These are our Castles of the Galletta and the Ships and Castles of Porto Ferino do what you can do not think to fear us with the shew of your Fleet. The Generall seeing himself so slighted called a Councell of War where after the seeking of counsell of the Lord to direct them in that business they resolved to burn those Ships that lay in Porto Ferino if it were possible being nine in number which they thus effected the Admiral Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral lay within Musket shot of their Castle which had 20 Guns in it playing continually both upon it and their Forts the wind likewise favouring it pleased God to put such courage into the English Their 9 Ships sired that in four hours time all their nine Ships were burnt down to the water by the English Boats in which notable service there were lost in the whole Fleet but 25 men and 48 wounded which mercy was the more signall considering that there was 120 Guns planted on the shore and in the Castle against them June 12 A fourth plot suspected Upon suspicion of a new Plot there was committed to the Tower the Lord Willowby of Parham Mr. Seymore the Lord Newport Mr. Newport with others of which more in it's due place July 4. Major Sedgewick set sail Advice was brought that Major Sedgewick with a gallant squadron of Ships 12 in number and Colonel Humphreys with his Regiment of Souldiers designed for the assistance of our Generals in the West-Indies expedition did set sail out of Dover Road the 2 of July the Lord prosper them August 31. Gen. Pen arrived from West-Indies Generall Pen arrived at the Spithead neer Portsmouth from Jamaica with part of the Fleet having left a considerable Squadron behind him in those seas He came from thence the 25 of June and being come as far as the Havana in the Island of Cuba the Ship Baiagon fell on fire by negligence and so perished in the sea blowing up many of her men that were in her The Army left at Jamaica was commanded by Collonel Fortescue the squadron of Shps by a truly valiant man Vice-Admirall Goadson Likewise on the 9 of September following arrived Generall Venables in the Maston More Frigot Gen. Venables likewise arrived very weak having been at deaths dore so that in all probability nothing but change of air would have saved his life Now here by the way take a relation of a President seldome heard of the resignation of the Queen of Sweden The Queen of Swedens resignation who from a powerfull Princesse put her self into the condition of a Lady Arrant now whilst she was projecting the businesse these propositions she made to the Prince her Successor 1. She will retain the best part of the Kingdome and the custome to her self 2. She will be no subject but free of her self without controul 3. She will travell whither she pleaseth The Prince replyed 1. That he would not be a King without a Kingdome 2. He will have no Rivall more then she a Superior 3. He will not hazard himself about her designs abroad But how these differences in these proposals were composed I know not But in a short time she wholly resigned all leaving her self only the bare title of the Queen of Sweden having ever since rambled up and down according as her wild fancy led her and for the to tall finishing of the comick Scene she hath at length resigned up her Religion and is received into the bosome of the Church of Rome which City having at last arrived to I there leave her and return to the happy successe of the Lord Whitlock who having gone Ambassador into Sweden and there resided about eight moneths having finished his affairs in concluding a firm peace with that Crown returned to London in February 1654. Sept. 5. It was confirmed from Bayonne and Sant Sabastian that the King of Spain had made a seisure of the persons and goods of the English Octob. 24. A Peace with France concluded The Articles of peace betwixt France and England were signed by the Commissioners impowered by speciall Commission for that purpose from his Highnesse the Lord Protector on the one part and on the other part by his Excellency the Lord Ambassador of France and on the 28 of Novemb. Publication was made of the treaty of Peace first in the Court of White-Hall by the sound of Trumpet and the Heralds attending in their formality Afterwards in the Palace-yard at Westminster and in all the usuall places throughout the City of London The like was by appointment to be done the same day at Paris all ceremonies of publick rejoicing were expressed by the Family of the Lord Ambassador of France as also by all the generality of the people of the City of London And now Reader have I brought my Story from the end of one Monarchy to the third year of the Government of his Highnesse under which if is please the wise Disposer of all things as well as persons to grant us Peace both at home and abroad both thou and I may live to see happy dayes And if it shall please God to spin out the thred of my life to some considerable length I shall afford the world some other things of the like nature but if not I am content to acquiesce in the good will of him that dwelt in the Bush and so Farewell THE END