Million of Money free Quarter taken by them not accounted and that they would be willing to accept a Sum in gross in full discharge of their arrears and the house appointed a Committee to treat with them about the Sum and times of Payment New Letters of the Peace concluded in Ireland and a Copy of the Articles That they should not be bound to take the Oath of Allegiance All Laws against Roman-Catholicks to be Repealed To have no dependency upon the Parliament of England and the like Major General Mitton took Conwey Town by Storm and killed and wounded divers took many Officers twenty two Soldiers and fifty Towns-men in Arms one great Gun Arms Ammunition and Provisions many Irish men who were tied back to back and thrown into the water 19. Report from the Committee appointed to treat with the Scots Commissioners That they desired five hundred thousand pound whereof two hundred thousand pound upon the advance of their Army into Scotland and two hundred thousand pound residue at the end of twelve months A day set to consider of this Report Order for shutting up the Houses of those infected with the Plague as formerly and the Statute for that purpose to be printed and published Both Houses agreed to a list of Ships and Captains of them for the Winter Guard Order for the Marchioness of Winton to make use of any of her Countrey houses for her health and to lye in there 20. A difference between the Forces of Bristol and Glocester about levying of Money for their pay the House ordered that neither of them should levy that Money and referred it to a Committee to compose that difference A Petition brought by Multitudes of Waggoners Wives and Officers Wives and Widows and other distressed people for Money referred to a Committee to Consider of a way for raising ten thousand pound for them and that not above two of them should come together about this business to the House or Committee The allowances of four pound a Week to divers Members of the House formerly given was now ordered to cease The Articles agreed for surrender of Ragland Castle and the Marquess of Worcester threw himself upon the Mercy of the Parliament 21. Letter of the surrender of Pendennis Castle and in it were Col. Arundel the Governor four Knights five Colonels and divers others of Quality That the Parliament had there forty great pieces of Ordnance one great Ship one Shallop some other Boats seven great Guns in the Ship many pieces unmounted about the Castle store of Arms but little Provision A Copy of the Articles sent up for the surrender of Ragland Castle there were in the Castle seven hundred Officers and Soldiers twenty pieces of Ordnance and a thousand Arms. Vote for two hundred thousand pound to be paid to the Scots Army one hundred thousand pound upon their Advance out of this Kingdom and the other hundred thousand pound by fifty thousand pound at two payments at certain days and to have the publick Faith for the other three hundred thousand pound deducting out of the same the Accounts of the Countrey for their free Quarters Referred to a Committee to consider of raising a hundred thousand pound of the Companies of London upon security the Lords concurred herein and were moved to pass the Ordinance for Sale of Delinquents Estates Order to discharge Sir Tho. Glenham from an Arrest according to the Articles of Oxford 22. The Houses sate not and no intelligence was communicated 24. The Articles sent up of the surrender of Pendennis Castle Letters that the convention of Estates of Scotland met at Edingburg and intended the Peace of both Kingdoms very zealously 25. Order to make Ragland Castle untenable Col. Fortescue appointed Governor of Pendennis Castle A day of thanksgiving ordered for the late Successes and a Collection for the poor infected with the Sickness The three Regiments under Sir Hardress Waller before Ragland ordered for the service of Munster in Ireland and orders for re-payment of Moneys disbursed by some of the Commanders 26. The Monthly Fast day after the Sermons they met in the House and some new Members took the Covenant Letters informed that when the Officers and Soldiers marched out of Ragland Castle not the least injury or incivility was offered by Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army to any of them but they were courteously used and not a tittle of their Articles broken That Sir Thomas Fairfax had much conference with the Marquess with all respect and there being store of Rich Furniture and Goods in the Castle the General caused the Commissioners in the Army to make an Inventory of them and to proclaim that if any of them belong to any well affected in the Countrey that they should be restored 27. Exceptions of Plunders Money Coals Lead and free quarterings had by the Scots Army offered to their Accounts the House voted a hundred thousand pound to be paid to them the ninth month after the payment of the Money formerly voted for them An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for ordination of Ministers Orders touching Col. Saundersons Regiment of Reformadoes Upon the Petition of the Sheriffs of London that if Sir Tho. Glemham were discharged out of Prison according to the order of the House that then the Sheriffs and their Heirs should be liable to pay the debt for which he was a Prisoner The House ordered that Sir Thomas Glemham should be brought to the Bar and that they would take order for the Sheriffs indemnity The Judges rode in some Counties and held the Assizes to the rejoycing of the People Order to discharge Sir Tho. Glemham from his imprisonment according to the Articles of Oxford and that all Officers and others should be saved harmless for it by Authority of the House of Commons The House approved of the Earl of Northumberlands removing the Kings Children to Sion house because of the Sickness in London and they ordered the Earl to take care and give directions that none of the Kings Party should be admitted to come to the Kings Children to give them ill Counsel The Power of the Committe of Haberdashers Hall as to the five and twentieth part was lessened 29. The Houses sate not Intelligence came of the surrender of Flint Castle to Major General Mitton 31. The Scots Minister Mr. Hinderson dyed at Edingburg a person of a sober Coversation and good Learning some said he dyed of grief because he could not perswade the King to Sign the Propositions The Convention of Estates in Scotland agreed to send new Commissioners to the King to Sign the Propositions The Earl of Antrim and Kilketto refused to lay down Arms by the Kings command alledging that the King was under restraint and they hoped ere long to have a power to free him from that restraint Complaints from the Northern Counties of the oppression by the Scots Army Two Ships of the Rebels taken by a Parliament Ship at
from the Hollanders by the Parliaments ships of War c. which was referred to the Committee for foreign affairs Order about constituting of a Conful in Flanders for the affairs of this Kingdom Sheriffs sent for who had not undertaken cheif Offices 1000 l. allowed to Sir T. F. for intelligence and 500 l. extraordinary for his Artillery and allowahces for Waggoners and for the Commissioners in his Army Order for auditing the arrears of some Scots Officers left out of the new Model and some present supply for their subsistence Ordinance sent up to the Lords for the Commissioners of the Navy 3. Debate of the business of the Church The Commons would not concur with the Lords in releasing Sir John Hinderson out of prison but ordered a Letter to be written to the King of Denmark to acquaint him with the cause of his detention in prison Order for leave for a Member to goe into the Countrey Ordinance sent to the Lords for the pay of the Derbyshire forces Order for money for Mr. Frost Secretary to the Committee of both Kingdoms Ordinance sent to the Lords to prohibit importation of any Whale Oyl but what is fished for in Greenland by English men Sir Thomas Fairfax advanced from Reading to Salisbury and left with L. G. Cromwel 4000 Horse and Foot to streighten Oxford 5. Debate about admission to the Sacrament Care for money for Waggoners and for Souldiers Widows Information being given that P. Rupert and Goring with 7000 Horse and Foot were come to Burford and P. Maurice with 200 more to joyn with them to get the King and his Artillery out of Oxford where Provisions grew scarce and that divers of the King's Forces were withdrawn from Taunton The Parliament ordered that Sir Thomas Fairfax should send Col. Graves or some other with 3000 foot and 1500 horse to relieve Taunton and himself and Skippon to return with the rest of his forces to joyn with Cromwell and Brown to attend the motions of the King Care taken of Cambridgeshire and the Eastern association in case the King's forces should break in there Sir John Meldrum's men attempted to storm Scarborough but were repulsed with the loss of 20 men The Lords concurred to the Ordinance concerning Whale-oyl Some of the Leicester and Nottingham forces marching to regain Trent Bridge the King's forces in it fled away at night carrying with them what they could and set fire on the rest 6. The Commons ordered an Allowance of 8000 l. per an for the Prince Elector 2000 l. per an of it out of the King's Revenue and the rest out of the Estates of the L. Cottington and of Sir Nicholas Crispe A Preamble to the Proceedings in the Church Affairs to be sent into Scotland was presented by the Assembly to the Commons and assented unto and ordered that all the Proceedings of the Parliament and Assembly in the business of the Church should be drawn up and sent into Scotland The Earl of Carlisle took the Oath appointed for those that come out of the King's Quarters 7. One of the King's Captains came to the Committee of Cambridgeshire and took an Oath and protested to live and die with them Then he conspired to betray the Isle of Ely to the King but it was discovered and prevented The House took care for security of that place and for forces to be sent thither in case the King's forces should break into that Association A Declaration of the Transactions with the States Ambassadours voted Commissary Copley being under confinement upon an Accusation against him when he was an Officer to the Earl of Essex was upon his Petition bailed The House ordered the Declaration touching the Treaty at Vxbridge to be expedited They desired the Assembly of Divines to expedite the rest of the business of the Church 8. The Declaration of the Transactions with the States Ambassadour past and sent to the Lords Order that the Company of Merchants Adventurers do send the Covenant to all of their Company at home and abroad and return the Names of such as shall refuse to take it The Lord Mayor and Aldermen desired to call a Common-council That the Necessities of the Army for want of the Assessment may be communicated to them and to desire the Monies may be imbursed speedily At a Conference the Lords gave their Reasons against passing the Ordinance for the Admiralty Propositions from the Scots now upon their march Southwards were referred to a Committee and were for securing the Northern parts in their absence and for Money and Provisions Power given to Sir Thomas Fairfax to receive all Trumpeters and other Messengers from the Enemy for exchange of Prisoners or other Matters touching his Army and to discharge them upon all Addresses and to acquaint the Houses with all their Messages 9. An Ordinance against such who are called Spirits and use to steal away and take up children and bereave their Parents of them and convey them away And they ordered another Ordinance to be brought in to make this Offence Felony The Town of Newport Paganell desired that Colonel Cockeram in the place of Sir Samuel Luke might be their Governour but upon the question it passed in the Negative The Town of Plymouth petitioned that the Lord Roberts might be continued Governour there It was laid aside as contrary to the Self-denying Ordinance and ordered that a Committee of sive principal Townsmen and Gentlemen their Neighbours should have the Government there and Colonel Kerre to have command of the Forces of the Town Care was taken to answer the Scots Propositions according to their desires Order for Col. Rosseter to have the command of all the Forces in Lincolnshire Lieutenant Colonel Brown of Boston and Captain Culmore to have Col. Purefoy's Regiment Letters from Abington informed that the King with Prince Rupert and Maurice with one part of their Forces marched out of Oxford towards Cambden his Infantry went with Goring and about four and thirty Field-pieces and Carriages towards Worcester that Cromwell and Brown followed them Ordinance sent up to the Lords for punishing Souldiers that run from their Colours 10. Order for the Lord Fairfax and Committee in the North to order the War in that Association and the Committee to do it for 40 days after the Commission of the Lord Fairfax expires Orders for the pay of Troups Letters from Cromwell and Brown inform of the King 's going from Oxford Orders thereupon to the Committee of the Army for sending Money and Ammunition to them Both Houses ordered that L. G. Cromwell should be dispensed with for his personal attendance in the House and continue his Service and Command in the Army for 40 days longer notwithstanding the Self-denying Ordinance This was much spoken against by Essex his party as a breach of that Ordinance and a discovery of the Intentions to continue who they pleased and to remove the others from Commands notwithstanding their
to the house to give way to it and the Commons concurred and that the Earl of Northumberland should go with the Children to the King and take care of their return Order for the Lord Major of York to have the charge of Cliffords Tower there The Soldiers in Dublin were in a high Mutiny Col. Jones the Governor in danger to be killed by them yet he appeased the Mutiny with great Courage and stoutness Some little Defeats were given to the Rebels and sometimes to the English some of the leading Rebels taken Prisoners by Col. Coots Forces twenty five killed five hundred Cowes a thousand sheep and two hundred and fifty Plough-Horses taken Indeavours were used in Scotland to raise an Army there to invade England several debates about it at Edinborough and by the Estates but nothing concluded 13. The first day of relaxation for Scholars and Apprentices Many Apprentices came to the Parliament with a Petition which they presented to the Commons set on by their Masters and others their desires were 1. That the House according to promise take into consideration the several heads of a petition of theirs delivered the fifth of March last 2. That the authority of Parliament so apparently abused contrary to Right by those that have of late effected the ejections of men of known Fidelity out of places of Trust redeemed and those so expulsed may be restored 3. That they would declare against all invectives of the Clergy 4. That those who have appealed to this Court of Justice may have an impartial Tryal 5. That the sum of all the endeavours of Parliament may tend to the sweet composure of differences The Petitioners had Answer by some Members that were Citizens That their Petition would be considered in due time And they were commended for their civil carriage in presenting it Orders for slighting of Garrisons The Lords desired the Commons Concurrence to an Order for Money for the Earl of Kildare the Commons rejected it because the Lords had first made the Order for Money which was not proper for them to do but afterwards the Commons made a new Order for two hundred pound for the Earl 14. A contrary Party of the London Apprentices came to both Houses with a Petition 1. That according to the Covenant the Kings Person may be defended and his just power in defence of Religion and Liberties be estabished 2. That the Priviledges of Parliament may be vindicated and the Liberties and Property of the Subject preserved 3. That the Government of the Church may be setled and Conventicles suppressed 4. That Incendiaries Malignants and evil instruments hindering reformation and raising Divisions may be punished 5. That Obstructions in Courts of Justice may be removed and the abuse of Committees and their Officers considered 6. That Arrears of Soldiers may be paid 7. That the Army may be disbanded 8. Against Forreigners being free of London Thus each Party might frame what matter they pleased into Petitions and have hands to them and multitudes to present them The answer to this Petition was That divers matters thereof were under consideration and the rest should be considered in due time The Lords gave leave for the Marquess Winton to go out of Town The Earl of Clare had his Priviledge of Peer allowed him 15. According to a former Order of the House several Members of the House brought in their Case stated touching their Elections and the point of being disable to sit in the House and they were referred to a Committee Letters from Major General Pointz and another from his Wife informed the manner of his imprisonment by his own Soldiers and their seizing of his goods The House ordered Copies of them to be sent to the General with directions for the discharge of Pointz or sending him up to London and a Letter ordered to the Lord Mayor of York to discharge and restore his goods to him The Kings Children went with the Earl of Northumberland to Causham to see their Father 16. Orders touching supplys and managing the Forces in Ireland A Proposition for the Earl of Ormond to transport five thousand five hundred men out of Ireland was denyed by the House Orders for Pay and disbanding of Forces come off from the Army The Kings Children coming to Causham to meet their Father great numbers of People slocked thither to see them and strewed the ways with green bows and herbs After Dinner at Maiden-head the King and his Children went together to Causham 17. Vote That all the Forces in England and Wales c. be under the immediate Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax and for disbanding of divers Forces Order for putting Reformades out of the Line and about money for the Army 19. The eleven Members in Person presented to the House an answer by way of Demurrer to the Charge of Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Army against them which was for the present laid aside Votes for divers Garrisons to be slighted and the Deputy Lieutenants to see it done Bristol Castle and the great Fort at Caernarvon to be continued the keys of the Garrison to be delivered to the Mayors of the Corporations to be governed as formerly Leave given to the Lawyers to go the Circuits Upon information from Col. Birch of some distempers in his Regiment Ordered that the General send them away for Ireland The Assembly in Scotland debated about a Declaration concerning the Affairs of England relating to the King the Parliament and Army Letters from Ireland informed the taking of eight or nine thousand Cattle from the Rebels but they by a strategem killed betwixt thirty of forty of the Parliaments Forces and That they are forced for want of Bread and Money to leave the Field and retire into Garrisons A design to surprize Dublyn discovered and prevented and the Actors apprehended 20. Upon a Message from the eleven Members of their desires to absent themselves for six Months That in the mean time the great affairs of the Kingdom mentioned by the Army might be setled without any interruption from their lesser business The House voted That they or any of them should have leave and Passes to go into the Countrey or beyond Sea for six Months and then to return to the Parliament to attend concerning the Charge against them Upon information that a Multitude of People were coming up to the doors of the House in a tumultuous manner The House Ordered that the Guards do disperse them And that the Serjeant at Arms acquaint that it was the pleasure of the House that they remove themselves That an hundred Halberts be brought into the House for their Service That the Militia order the Guards constantly to suppress such disturbers of the House and that Col. Webbe see the Guards daily placed Letters from the Commissioners of the Army with these new Proposals from the Army 1. That a Declaration be published against the
the City They declare 1. That for what time their defaults and delayes shall occasion the stay of the Army hereabouts the charge should be upon them and their adherents about the City 2. That the Houses would consider of the Delinquencyes of those that had a hand in the late tumults and design of a new War and that such Fines may be set upon them as are agreeable to Justice 3. That in case the Money be not brought in by the time appointed that the Parliament would give leave to the General with the advice of the Committee of the Army for levying of the Arrears This was sent by the Commissioners to the Parliament and by them communicated to the Common-Council of London at which they were much startled 20. An Ordinance pass'd for payment of Moneys due upon Bonds in the Court of Wards and a day set to consider of providing for Orphans Upon a Letter from the General of the necessities of Portsmouth Garrison referred to the General and Commissioners in the Army to take care thereof An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for suppressing unlicenced Pamphlets and punishing the Authors and Sellers of them Orders for seven thousand Suits of Apparel and for Shirts Shoes and Stockings for the Forces in Munster and the like for the Forces in Vlster to be deducted out of their pay Mr. Thomas Challoner and Col. Jo. Temple appointed Commissioners of Parliament in Munster The Army in Scotland was voted to be disbanded The Inhabitants of Richmond-shire stood upon their Guard against free Quarter Major General Lambert sent some Forces thither to keep all quiet and went himself to disband the Forces in Northumberland The General made Commissioners of Martial Law in every Regiment to punish the misdemeanours of Soldiers in their Quarters referring all cases extending to Life or Limb to the Council of War at the Head Quarters 21. Upon a long debate Voted by both Houses That the King denyes in his answer to give his assent to the Propositions Order for all the Members of the House to attend in their places by a day Ordinances pass'd for Compositions A Report from the City to satisfie the House That the City at this time could no ways advance the fifty thousand pound for the Army Mr. Porâ—y one of the Commissioners with the Army presented to the House the Explanations and resolutions of the Council of the Army to the Quaeries made upon the Army's Proposals by the Parliaments Commissioners residing with the Army 1. Touching the time when this Parliament should determine it was held fit to suspend that till it should appear what expedition will be made in the Settlement of the things proposed 2. That the Army shall be satisfied either with Biennial or Triennial Parliaments if Triennial then they to sit at least six or eight Months 3. The limitations that Parliaments shall not sit above two hundred and forty days to be understood unless the Parliament find it fit to sit longer but every Parliament to dissolve at least eighty days before the next is to be begun that the course of new Elections may not be interrupted 4. That the Liberty of entring dissents is not desired but where the Vote may be to the destruction of Right or Liberty 5. By the Power of the Militia they mean the power of raising arming c. according to the expressions in the Propositions 6. By the Power of raising and disposing Moneys they mean the same as in the expressions in the Propositions 7. By great Officers they mean the same as in the Propositions 22. Upon a long debate in a grand Committee touching the Kings answer to the Propositions and motions for a personal Treaty and for sending the Propositions again to the King the House resolved to fall upon the settlement of the Kingdom by establishing such additional Laws as may make for the present and future good of the Kingdom and turning the Propositions into Bills and Acts. The House resolved That the Militia should be setled as a Law for twenty years Ordinances sent up to the Lords for Money for the Forces in Lancashire and against unlicensed Pamphlets 23. Upon debate Whether the Parliament should once more send the Propositions or any of them to the King it was voted That they should once more make application to his Majesty for his assent to such things in the Propositions as they conceive will most tend to the good of the Kingdom In order to which it was voted That the Proposition for the great Seal concerning Honours and Titles the Proposition for taking away Bishops c. with some alterations the Proposition concerning Declanations and Proclamations against the Parliament and so much of the twelve Propositions as concern the raising of Moneys for payment of the publick debts of the Kingdom be drawn into Bills and sent to his Majesty for his Assent The Ordinance pass'd for continuing the Committee of the Army and Treasurers at War Orders touching thirty thousand pound for the Army and the Months gratuity to the private Soldiers The General Council of Officers of the Army at Putney agreed upon a representation to the Parliament of their desires as Soldiers and delivered to the Parliaments Commissioners 1. That a Committee may abide at the Head Quarters to state the Accounts and give Debenters 2. For a visible security for the Arrears 3. For an Ordinance That none who have served the Parliament shall be pressed to any Forraign Service nor a Horseman to serve on Foot 4. That the Ordinance concerning Apprentices Freedom who have served the Parliament may be an Act. 5. The like for maimed Soldiers c. 6. For an addition to the Act of Indemnity for all said or done by any of the Army concerning any thing about the Army's Petition at Walden or in vindication of themselves 24. Upon a further report touching the Force upon the Parliament It was voted That Sir John Gayer Lord Major of London Alderman Bunce Alderman Cullam Alderman Langham and Alderman Adams shall be committed to the Tower upon Accusation of High Treason for countenancing and abetting the Force and Tumult brought down and used against the House July 26 last and this to be in order to their Tryal and the Committee ordered to bring in Impeachments against them 25. The Impeached Lord Mayor and Aldermen were carried to the Tower and upon further debate touching the Tumult and Force upon the Parliament it was Voted That several Citizens be Impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors and others to be Indicted at the Kings Bench of High Treason Reference to the Aldermen and Common-Council to consider how the Civil Government of the City may be executed according to their Charters now that the Lord Mayor is committed Orders touching Wharton's Books and other Pamphlets scandalous to the Parliament 27. The Commons sent up to the Lords an Impeachment against the Lord Major and desired a time for his Tryal
Committee who are to go into the several Counties for disbanding the supernumerary Forces take care to disband Troop after Troop and Company after Company till they be all disbanded and the General desired to give his Orders therein Letters of a design of Col. Kempson's Col. Ayres Col. Herberts and Col. Cookes Officers of their Regiments consulting about eighty of them together to surprize Glocester and other Forts thereabouts upon assurance that Col. Laugherne and the discontented Londoners would joyn with them This was referred to the Committee at Derby House 25. Order for the Committee of the Revenue to retrench the Kings Servants and upon the Governors Letter a thousand pound ordered for Repairs of Carisbrooke Castle The Commons named Mr. Goodwyn Mr. Ashurst Mr. Stapleton and Col. Birch their Commissioners to go into Scotland An Ordinance passed both Houses for Pardons to be passed under the Great Seal for some Prisoners in New-gate Another for the sale of Worcester House to the Earl of Salisbury another for making Major General Mitton Vice-Admiral of North Wales 26. The Monthly Fast-day Letters from Ireland of the Lord Inchequin's success in Limericke but the extream want of his Soldiers of Food and Rayment compelled his return That there were differences amongst the chief of the Rebels the Lord Taffe was chosen their General 27. Upon Letters from the Committee of Kent the House voted tryal of more of the Rioters of Canterbury by a Commission of Oyer and Terminer The charge against the Lord Willoughby of Parham pass'd the House and ordered to be sent up to the Lords wherein his Friends did him what service they could to pacifie his adversaries but they were sharply bent against him Debate of the charge against the eleven Members The charge against Sir Jo. Maynard passed and ordered to be sent up to the Lords and ordered that Mr. Hollis Sir William Lewis Mr. Nichols Sir Jo. Clotworthy Sir William Waller Col Massey and Col. Long be disabled to sit as Members of the House The Lords named the Earl of Denbigh and the Earl of Stamford Commissioners to go into Scotland 28. The Ordinance for setling the Presbyterian Government and for removing obstructions therein sent up to the Lords Part of the Instructions assented to for the Commissioners that are to go into Scotland Upon information that divers discontented persons met in the West and under pretence of apprehending High-way-men themselves committed many Robberies Order for the General to suppress all such Money ordered for the Commissioners who are to go into Scotland Reference to a Committee to consider of removing Prisoners out of the Tower to other Prisons for security of the Magazine and of the Lieutenants Fees 29. Voted that the rest of the eleven Members should be impeached of High Treason as Sir Jo. Maynard was except Sir William Lewis who was to be impeached of High Crimes only The House considered of recommending a Successor to Mr. Glyn to be Recorder of London And upon consideration of the good Service done by Mr. Steel in the business of Captain Burley and other affairs they recommended him to the City to be their Recorder Voted to impeach the rest of the seven Lords as the Lord Willoughby was impeached The Lords named the Earl of Nottingham in the place of the Earl of Denbigh to be one of the Commissioners to go into Scotland and had sent up to them the instructions for the Commissioners Sir William Constable's Regiment marched into Glocester and Col. Morgan's Forces marched from thence 31. An Ordinance pass'd the Commons for dividing the Parish of Roram in Kent The Charges carried up against the Lords and desired that they may be proceeded against according to the Laws and Customs of Parliament Reference to the Committee of Foreign Affairs to examine an Information touching the raising some Forces here for the Spanish Ambassador without leave of the Parliament Order for payment of Arrears of some of the Scots Officers Debate of the Ordinance for suppressing of Stage-plays The Lords Concurrence was desired to recommend Mr. Steel to be recorder of London A Petition of the Officers sent out of Ireland to have their Liberty The Ordinance passed both Houses for dividing and setling the several Counties into distinct Classical Presbyteries and Congregational Elderships The Disbanding went on in the North. Rumors of preparations for War from Scotland February 1647. February 1. Orders for providing Money for the next Summers Fleet and about the Customs An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for two thousand pound per Mens for Ireland Order to prosecute the late Riotous Persons and that Mr. Jermy and Mr. Steel be of Councel with the State against them and Mr. Becke to be the Sollicitor An Ordinance for repair of Churches assented to Letters from Ireland That Col. Jones for want of Corn and Cloaths for his Soldiers was inforced to leave the Field 2. The Examination and punishment of the late Authors of the Force against the Parliament referred to the Judges An Ordinance appointed that the Probate of Wills shall be as heretofore by the Civil Law proceedings Order to dissolve the Kings Houshold and the Committee of Revenue to pay them off and the General to appoint attendants upon the King not exceeding thirty Sir Henry Mildmay had the thanks of the House for his good Service in Hamp-shire at the tryal of Captain Burley c. The House of Peers ordered the seven Impeached Lords to give security for their appearances and to answer the charges against them by a day 3. Votes for Legacies Administrations Marriages Divorces Suits for Tythes c. to be by the same Law as formerly Referred to a Committee to consider of some speedy course to prevent the sale or pawning of the Crown Jewels An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for conveying the Earl of Newcastle's Mannor of Flawborough in Nottingham to a Member of the House in satisfaction of his losses by the Earl Upon Letters of General Leven Order for a thousand pound for Mr. Robert Fenwicke for his losses and good affections Both Houses pass'd an Ordinance to make Mr. Strong Minister of St. Dunstans 4. Debate upon the Confession of Faith The General was feasted in the City by the Lord Major with many of his Officers 5. Referred to Col. Hammond to remove such attendants about the King as the Collonel cannot confide in and to appoint eight such persons to attend his Majesty as he shall think fit and can confide in till the General hath setled the Family according to former Order Debate about the Declaration touching non Addresses to the King Sir Jo. Maynard one of the eleven Members appealed from the Judgment of the Lords by a Paper spread abroad saying their Lordships were no competent Judges of him The Lords advised with two Judges Assistants as to matter of Law and ordered Sir Jo. Maynard to be remanded to the Tower Fined five hundred pound
none shall be imployed but men of integrity 8. They desire a Committee of the Assembly to joyn with a Committee of the Parliament in stating the matter upon which any ingagement shall be To this answer the Commissioners of the Assembly made a reply adhering positively to their former desires and that they were not satisfied with the answer of the Estates of Parliament Other Letters that the Scots Parliament have agreed upon these things 1. To raise an Army for the safety of both Kingdoms 2. That none who have been in opposition to the two Parliaments shall be of this Army 3. That by this Army they will defend the Covenant and the King if he take the Covenant 11. A Relation made from the Militia of London to the Common-Councel of the Tumult they voted That by this Tumult and Outrage the City was in great danger of destruction if the same had not been prevented and that the City would have been exposed to the fury and rage of the Malefactors That they disavow and detest it and they appointed the Committee of the Militia to make known the same to the Parliament and humbly to pray them That their Order may issue to the Ministers of London to return thanks to God for this great deliverance and that they would order a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to try the Malefactors and they acknowledge the Army raised by the Parliament to be the instruments under God of this great deliverance They ordered their humble thanks to be returned to the General for his timely aid to the City in this occasion and they thanked the Committee of the Militia for their care in raising men and sending to the General and approved what they had done and they acknowledged the pains and care of the Lord Major Sheriffs and Magistrates The Common Councel declared that it is the duty of every Citizen by himself and all under his command to be ready upon all occasions to be aiding and assisting to the Lord Major and Magistrates for the suppressing of all Tumults and Disorders within the City 12. Letters from the Commissioners in Scotland That they had demanded of the Parliament of Scotland Sir Philip Musgrave and Sir Thomas Glemham according to the Treaties and had yet no answer concerning them nor Captain Wogan The six Lords impeached put in their answer of Not guilty An Ordinance passed for the jurisdion of the Admiralty for three years Order to restrain felling of Timber in the Forrest of Dean and New-Forrest and that the Timber fit for Shipping be imployed for the Navy Ordinance re-committed concerning the Militia of Westminster and the Hamblets of the Tower The Speaker with the House of Commons went up to the Lords House where Widdrington and Whitelock were sworn Commissioners of the Great Seal the Earl of Kent and the Lord Grey being sworn before and the Great Seal was delivered to them The Committee from the Common Councel came with their Message to the Houses touching the Tumult but they being risen the Committee went to the General to present to his Excellency the thanks of the City for his great care and pains in the speedy suppressing the late Tumult and they were entertained by the General with great respect and favour 13. Proposals touching the Excise referred to the Committee of both Houses for the Excise An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for appointing Doctor Clerk Doctor Exton and Dr. Dorislaâ—â—s to be Judges of the Admiralty Debate touching the setling of the Summers Fleet and some Commanders agreed upon for it The Commissioners of the Great Seal had a stipend setled upon them for the time of their being Commissioners and ordered to be paid by the Commissioners of the Customs and the Commission was revived for the hearing of Causes in Chancery The Committee from the Common Councel presented to the House the Narrative of the Tumult and the Votes of the Common Councel concerning it and with their desires and the House ordered a publick thanksgiving for it in London and that the Posts and Chains about the City be taken down and ordered a thousand pound for a gratuity to the Officers and Soldiers at White-Hall and the Meuse for their gallant Service in that action Order for thanks to the General for his care in this business and that Disaffected and Idle Persons be removed out of the Tower and the Regiment there to be made up a thousand and twelve hundred Horse to be there The Committee delivered the same Message from the Common Councel to the Lords and had the same answer as from the Commons Letters from Wales that Col. Poyer increased in strength there 14. The Assembly presented to the House the Catechism perfected with the Scriptures noted in the Margin and had the thanks of the House for their pains Some who were Officers in Ireland under the Lord Inchequin came over into England and one of them Major Elsing came to the House and informed them that the Lord Inchequin was revolted from the Parliament and joyned with the Rebels and indeavoured to perswade all his Officers to joyn with him therein Order to recal their Commissioners going to Munster and the House declared all power granted by Parliament to the Lord Inchequin to be void and that no Officer or Soldier should submit to his Command and the Lord Inchequin to be a Rebel and Traitour and a Declaration ordered to be brought in to that purpose 15. Order for mony for the Forces Quartered in the Tower The Lords communicated to the Commons a Letter from the Duke of Lorrain which was referred to the Committee of the Admiralty Reference and power given to the Committee of Monmouth and Glamorgan to apprehend such as were guilty of Tumults and Insurrections there Order for the General to add four hundred more Foot to the Forces in the Tower and for mony to buy Bedding c. for them The Ordinance past both Houses to prohibit felling of more Wood in the Forrests of Dean and New-Forrest Order for more forces to be sent into Munster in Ireland 17. Upon information of a Sermon yesterday Preached at Grays-Inn Scandalous to the Parliament order to apprehend the Minister as a Delinquent and to take into custody the Barrister who procured him leave to Preach till he produced the Minister Order for Sir Hardress Waller to be Governour of Pendennis Castle Both Houses past an Ordinance for a thousand pounds per ann Salary for the Commissioners of the Great Seal to each of them And that the Commission for hearing Causes in Chancery be renewed and Dr. Bennet and Mr. Elkenhead added to the Commissioners Divers Ordinances past for Compositions and Sir Oliver Cromwels remitted for his Kinsman Lieutenant General Cromwels sake A List passed for the Summers Fleet for the Irish Seas under Vice Admiral Crowther and he to receive Orders from Vice Admiral Rainsborough who had Orders about reducing of Poyer Debate
education of their Children in the Protestant Religion for levying of penalties against Papists and their practices against the State and for putting the Laws in execution and for a stricter course to prevent hearing and saying of Masse As to the Covenant his Majesty was not then satisfied that he could sign or swear it or consent to impose it on the Consciences of others nor did he conceive it proper or useful at that time to be insisted upon As to the Militia his Majesty will consent to an Act to have it in the hands of the Parliament for ten years Touching Ireland after advice with his two Houses his Majesty will leave it to their determination Touching publick debts he will consent to raising monies by equal taxes Lastly he proposeth to have Liberty to come forthwith to Westminster and be restored to a condition of freedom and safety and to the possession of his Lands and Revenues and that an Act of Oblivion and indemnity may pass to extend to all persons for all matters relating to the late unhappy differences which being agreed by his two Houses his Majesty will be ready to make these his Concessions binding by giving them the Force of Laws by his Royal Assent More than this could not be obtained from his Majesty though most earnestly begged of him by some of the Commissioners great persons with Tears and on their knees particularly as to the proposition touching Religion Wherein the Church Government and publick worship and chiefly the revenues of the Church swayed more with the Kings Chaplains then about him and they more with his Majesty continually whispering matter of Conscience to him than the Parliament and all their Commissioners could prevail with him for an agreement though possibly his own judgment which was above all theirs might not be so fully convinced by his eager Divines about him After a long Debate upon this Message the House voted it unsatisfactory and a Letter of thanks to be written to the Commissioners approving what they had done and requiring them to proceed according to their Instructions Letters from Colonel Monk of his late success in Ireland the House ordered Major General Monroe to be Committed to the Fleet for joyning with the Enemy in Scotland and perfidiously breaking the trust reposed in him Letters from Anglesey of the taking it by Major General Mitton by Storm and that the Lord Byron and Lord Bulkely were escaped by flight A Petition from Leicestershire to the same effect with the large Petition of London and that from Oxfordshire against the Treaty Letters from Cromwell's quarters in Scotland near Edenburgh that he and his Officers are careful that the Souldiers give no offence to the Inhabitants by plunder or any incivility that Cromwell caused horses taken from the Scots by some of his Souldiers to be restored and the Plunderers to be cashiered A Lieutenant who connived at the plunder was committed to the Marshal and the Colonel himself taken from the head of his Regiment and suspended the execution of his place till he were tryed by a Council of War and the Regiment sent back again and this impartial justice pleased the Scots That Argyle and his Party endeavoured to perswade the Surrender of Berwick to Cromwell to whose quarters they sent their Commissioners to this end That Leven certified Argyle that both his Army and that under I annerick were likely to agree Letters from Cockermouth that it was still besieged by five hundred Country-men that they mined near the wall and the Governour Lieutenant Bird sallied out killed and took all that were at work brought away their tools and burnt the Barne that sheltered them that Cromwell had ordered Forces to relieve the Castle Argyle took at Leith a Ship with ten thousand Arms from Denmark designed for Duke Hamilton Cromwell sent some Horse and Dragoons to pursue some of Duke Hamiltons Officers who were got together in the Cheviot Hills 3. All the day was spent upon the business of the Militia for setling it and upon the question it was carried in the Affirmative for it 4. Letters from the General that he received many complaints of the insupportable burden people ly under by his Souldiers taking of free quarter upon them though they pay their assessments and have been alwaies well affected to the Parliament He desires a speedy course may be taken for payment of the Army that thereby his Souldiers may be inabled to pay their quarters and the People may not be oppressed by free quarter any more Order that four Members of the House do go down to the General to take Notice of his good service to congratulate his good success to return him the thanks of the House and to acquaint him with what they had done upon his Letter for bringing in of monies for the Army that free quarter might be taken off They presently sent a Message to the Lords desiring them to pass the Ordinance which had many days remained with them for bringing in the assessments for the Army their not passing whereof occasioned the taking of free quarter Order that the General be desired so to quarter the Army as may be least burdensome to the several Counties especially to such as have paid their assessments Letters from the North that all things were agreed between the several parties in Scotland all are to lay down Armes Berwick and Carlisle to be surrendred to Lieutenant General Cromwell a Parliament to be called in Scotland and none to be of it that were in the Engagement against England The Lords concurred with the Commons for five hundred pound to be given to Colonel Monk and to make him Governour of Carickfergus and for two hundred pounds to major Brough who brought Major General Monroe to London The Lord Inchequin's Son sent into Ireland to be exchanged Order for a thousand pound for Coals for the Poor of London and Southwark according to a grant of King James Order for the Commissioners of the Seal to bring in a list of names for Judges to fill all the Benches Referred to the Committee at Derby House to consider of the supernumerary Souldiers 5. Debate touching the Navy and for a Winter Guard for which they ordered two thousand seven hundred eighty five men and the Committee of the Navy to provide victuals c. and fifty thousand pound ordered for them Several orders for raising monies for the use of the Navy 6. Letters from the Lord Goring and Lord Capel that they took Notice of an Order of the House of Commons for impeaching them of High Treason and informe that quarter was given them by the General who had writ to the House to that purpose order that the General explain his Letter as to this point Order for six hundred pound for disbanding the new raised Forces in Dorsetshire Upon a Petition of the Clothiers of Kent referred to a Committee to consider of the decay of trade
have some other form of Prayer in his own Chappel The like concerning his consent to Bills to prevent the saying and hearing of Masse all unsatisfactory Order that the Commissioners do press his Majesty further for his final answer to the business of the Church and inform him of these Votes and the Lords concurrence herein to be desired Order of both Houses that the Committee appointed to draw the Kings concessions upon the whole Treaty into Bills do meet for speedy dispatch of that business 13. Vote upon his Majestie 's propositions 1. That a Committee named do draw up something for his Majesties coming to London and present it to the House and instructions for the terms his Majesty being already in freedom honour and safety at the Treaty 2. That it be referred to a Committee to consider of his Majestie 's desires concerning his revenues 3. That an Act of Oblivion shall be presented to his Majesty to be passed with such limitations as shall be agreed on by both Houses The Lords concurred with the Commons concerning the seven persons to be excepted from Pardon only instead of the Earl of New-Castle and Sir Jo. Winter they voted Sir Geo. Ratcliffe and the Lord Byron to be two of the seven Both House passed Instructions for the Commissioners of the Great Seal for the making of new Sergeants and the Judges according to the former orders of the Houses Justice Rolles to bring in his former Patent and to receive a new Commission under the Great Seal to be Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. Mr. Brown to have seniority of Sergeant Jermyn Brown having been a Commissioner of the great Seale and the rest that were Commissioners of the Great Seal having had priority to plead within the Barr to be Seniors and Sir Thomas Bedingfield Mr. Recorder c. in order Letters from the General that having had a meeting of the Officers of the Army he apprehends their general sad resentment of the many pressures upon the Kingdom particularly that of free-quarter whereby they and the Souldiers who have faithfully served the Parliament are even a burden to themselves because they are so much to the poor Country Complains of the great want of pay and necessaries for the Army desires an effectual provision therein to prevent those ill consequences which otherwise delay therein may produce Letters from the North. That Lambert and his men received a dismission from the Committee of Estates and were upon their March for England and they gave him many expressions of thanks for his good service done to that Kingdom Lieutenant General Cromwell sent a summons to the Governour of Pontefract Castle to render it to the use of the Parliament and the Governour desired to be satisfied that he had power to perform the conditions The first Sergeants approved before the Commissioners of the Great Seal in the Queens Court but they did not call them in until the House of Commons had passed the order for the precedency of M r Brown before Sir Thomas Bedingfield and M r Recorder at which most of them did grumble 14. The account of Colonel Gould stated and allowed and four thousand four hundred and forty three pound ordered to him and an Ordinance for it transmitted to the Lords Ten thousand pound inserted into an Ordinance formerly past for five thousand pound for the guards of the Horse of the Parliament Debate about taking off free-quarter and disbanding Supernumeraries and a question for adding three thousand pound to the Establishment of the Army in regard of the Garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle past in the Negative which discontented the Army and was therefore thought by some to be put on the rather The Lords concurred in the banishment of the four persons voted by the Commons but in regard that three of them are Peers of the House they desired that the Ordinance for it might begin in their House A Message from his Majesty that he did consent to the little Catechism with the addition of a preface and also that the Parliament dispose of all great Offices for twenty years as they desire Letters from the Earl of Warwick and a Declaration in vindication of himself and the scandal cast upon him by a false Pamphlet and lying report that he resolved to joyn with the Prince in case the Treaty took not effect 15. Colonel Rossiter had the thanks of the House for his good services Vote that his Majestie 's coming to London shall be with honour freedom and Safety so soon as the concessions of the Treaty shall be agreed upon 2. That he shall have his Lands and revenues made good to him according to the Laws 3. What he shall pass away of his legal right he shall have allowance in compensation thereof 4. That an Act of Oblivion shall be presented to his Majesty c. Both Houses agreed to these Votes and to send them to his Majesty Upon Letters from Lieutenant General Cromwell of the wants of his Forces referred to the Committee of the Army to consider of the particulars and to supply them Order for two hundred and fifty Barrels of powder with match and bullet proportionable for the Forces before Pontefract and Scarbrough The Commons adhered to their vote to except the Earl of New-Castle and Sir Jo. Winter from pardon Letters from the Hague that Prince Charles was upon recovery that Prince Rupert was made Admiral and the Lord Gerrard Vice-Admiral that some of the revolted Ships were come in to the Earl of Warwick and those Sea-men that continued with the Prince were disorderly The Commissioners of the great Seal went into the Kings Bench where they sat in the middle the Judges on each side of them And there they did swear the Lord Chief Justice of that Court Judge Rolles and Sir Tho. Widdrington made a very learned speech to him From the Kings Bench they went to the Exchequer and sat in the Court the Barons on each hand of them and a great Company both of Lawyers and others thronging round about the Court there they did swear Serjeant Wilde to be chief Baron and Whitelock made the speech to him which because it clears some mistakes concerning the antiquity of that Court was thought fit to be here inserted M r Serjeant Wilde THE Lords and Commons in Parliament taking notice of the great inconvenience in the Course of Justice for want of the antient and usual number of Judges in each of the high Courts at Westminster whereby is occasioned delay and both Suitors and others are the less satisfied and being desirous and careful that Justice may be Administred more Majorum and equal right done to all men according to the custom of England they have resolved to fill up the Benches with persons of approved fidelity and affection to the publick and of piety Learning and integrity and having found by long experience among themselves that you Mr. Serjeant
them and That the Prince of Conde came with Force before Paris and stopt provisions 3. The List of the Officers of the Fleet referred to the Committee of the Navy To report who they think fit to go out with this Winter guard and who not Ordered that Captain Moulton be preferred in the Navy answerable to his Merit and the like for Colonel Lidcote The Commons taking notice that the Lords had rejected their Ordinance for Tryal of the King and had Adjourned their House they sent some of their Members to examine the Lords Journal-Book and they reported to the Commons three Votes passed by the Lords 1. To send answer by Messengers of their own 2. That their Lordships did not concur to the Declaration 3. That they had rejected the Ordinance for Tryal of the King Hereupon the Commons Voted That all their Members and others appointed to act in any Ordinance wherein the Lords are joyned with them shall be impowered and injoyned to sit act and execute in the said several Committees of themselves notwithstanding the House of Peers joyn not with them Order that the Ordinance for Tryal of the King and the Declaration from which the Lords dissented and which were intended for both Houses shall now be by the Commons only and that the former Committee do sit presently and report the alteration in the Afternoon during which time the House Adjourned In the Afternoon the Committee made their report and the Ordinance was re-committed and to be reported again to morrow the Lords names to be left out and the three Judges and Sergeant Bradshaw Sergeant Nicholas and Mr. Steel to be Assistants The Speaker acquainted the House with a Letter he had received by the French Ambassador from the Queen but the House would not have it read A Letter was sent from the General to the Committees of several Counties for Levying the Arrears of the Assessment for the Army and that he would take off free-quarter from those who paid their proportions 4. Report of amendments to the Ordinance for Tryal of the King and in respect the Lords had rejected it the Commons turned themselves into a Grand Committee to consider of the power of the Commons in Parliament and the Committee Voted 1. That the people under God are the Original of all just power 2. That the Commons of England assembled in Parliament being chosen by and representing the people have the Supream Authority of this Nation 3. That whatsoever is enacted and declared for Law by the Commons in Parliament hath the force of Law and all the people of this Nation are included thereby although the consent and concurrence of the King and House of Peers be not had thereunto These being reported to the House were upon the question all passed without a negative Voice to any of them An Ordinance intitled for Tryal of Charles Stuart by a Court Martial was assented to and ordered to be Ingrossed and brought in to Morrow Order that the Clerk do not give out any Copy of the Ordinance for Tryial of the King to any Member of the House or to any other 5. Order to require the Lord Mayor of London to suspend the taking of the usual Oaths and to proceed to perfect the elections of Common-Council Men. Upon information that divers Prisoners of War had escaped out of Peter-house through neglect of the Keeper referred to a Committee to examine and report it And to consider of a Prison to be given to the Sergeant at Arms attending the House Order to desire the General to command his Marshal General of the Army to put in execution the Ordinance concerning Scandalous and un-licensed Pamphlets Order for a large Book of Velom to be made and all the Acts Ordinances and Records which lie abroad in Papers and have been neglected be there entred The Committee for Concealed Monies sate in Whitehall and rewards were allowed to the discoverers 6. The Ordinance for Tryal of the King was brought in ingrossed and passed A Letter from the Commissioners of Scotland resident here pressing for unity of Councils and Actions according to the Covenant betwixt the two Kingdoms and that the House would not proceed to Try or Execute the King till the advice of that Nation be had thereunto Debate concerning the proceedings of Law the issuing of Writs and the like in what name they should be the King and the Lords not acting The Common Council agreed upon an Order to be published to morrow in all Churches for speedy payment of nineteen thousand pound of the arrears of the Assessment for the Army to prevent the whole Armies coming into the City and to be quartered upon those who have not paid their Arrears 8. Letters from Ireland that Sir Charles Coot marched with his Forces of Connaght from Sligo seventy miles into the Rebels Country and after a little conflict with the Rebels some of them were killed and his party burned great store of their Corn preyed upon the Country and brought away one thousand of their Cows without loss That at his return he apprehended Sir Robert Stuart and hath sent him into England with a Charge against him that since this he hath possessed himself of Kilmore and fourteen Guns which Sir Robert Stuart endeavoured to block up by Sea and Land and hindered the provisions sent by the Parliament from being brought to their Forces The House referred it to the General and Councel of War to try Sir Robert Stuart and to take care for the Forces of Sir Charles Coot in Ireland whose actions they approved and Ordered a Letter of thanks to him Referred to the General and Council of War to secure Holy Island Order for the Northern Counties to have the Sequestrations of Delinquents there for disbanding their Forces The Commissioners for Tryal of the King sate in the Painted Chamber at Westminster and Ordered that to morrow a Herald should proclaim and invite the people to bring in what matter of fact they had against Charles Stuart King of England and appointed to sit the next day upon his Tryal 9. Widdrington and Whitelock by agreement went into the House this Morning the Tryal of the King being begun some looked very shy upon them others bid them welcome and seemed glad to see them there About ten of the Lords sate and passed several Ordinances which they sent to the Commons who laid them all aside The Lords had debate upon their last Votes about the Tryal of the King And that some thing should be published to satisfy upon what grounds they rejected the Commission for his Tryal but they resolved nothing Sergeant Dendy who attended the Commissioners for Tryal of the King according to their Order rode into Westminster-Hall with the Mace on his shoulder and some Officers attending him bare and six Trumpets on Horse back and Guards of Horse and Foot in the Palace-yard The Trumpets sounded in the middle of the
of Colonel Rainsbourgh and both excepted persons at the rendition of the Castle were taken at Lancaster in disguises Letters from Hamburgh that the servants of C. Cockeram there laid wait for the Minister going to preach in the English House and attempted to murder him but he was rescued by the Citizens 5. The House commanded Whitelock and his Brother Commissioner L'Isle to bring the Great Seal into the House to lye upon the table for the more solemnity because the new elected L. Mayor was to be presented this day to the House for their approbation they brought the Seal accordingly and at the door of the House Whitelock took the purse by one corner of it L'Isle by the other carried it up with usual reverences and laid it on the table they were both of them in their black velvet gowns the first time of their wearing of them The new L Mayor was according to order presented to the House by their Common Sergeant Mr. Proby who made an indiscreet speech the House Ordered thanks to the Aldermen and Common-Hall for their good choice which they approved of but not of the speech of Mâ— Proby Order to swear the L. Mayor after the new Oath An Act committed touching compositions for Delinquency and Sequestrations and giving an Appeal to the Barons of the Exchequer instead of the former Appeal to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations Reference to the Committee of the Navy of a complaint of the Spanish Ambassador and Petition of parties interessed concerning an old business of the Spanish Ship taken by Sir W. Waller A Committee appointed to receive complaints touching abuses in the Forest of Dean and destruction of the Timber 6. A Report from the Council of State for sending out some Ships speedily and appointing Commanders of them was approved by the House and referred back to the Council to expedite the sending forth of those Ships Vote that the Justices of Peace in the several Counties shall be Commissioners in the Act of assessment of 90000l. per mensem for the Forces and the Act was passed and ordered to be printed Order that the L. Mayor and Justices of Peace in London do put in Execution the statutes 5 Eliz. c. 4. and 1 Jac. c. 6. for setling the wages of Artificers and for their better relief in these dear times and the like to be done by the Justices of Peace in all Counties A Petition from divers well affected in Oxford-shire with their desires referred to a Committee and a Petition from the City of Oxford referred to the same Committee and the Petitioners had the thanks of the House Order for the rents allotted to the Prince Elector to be paid unto him Order for Mr. Garland to bring in an Act to remove all Malignant and disaffected Magistrates and that they may be incapable of bearing any office in the Common-Wealth 7. The Act for the assessment of 90000 l per mensem for the Forces in England and Ireland passed and Ordered to be printed A Committee appointed to advise with the General and Officers of the Army how upon the due payment of this ninety thousand pound per mensem free quarter may be wholly taken off Order that the four Aldermen and the late Lord Mayor Reynoldson now Prisoners be disabled from being Aldermen and the Common Council to elect new Aldermen in their places Vote that Major General Brown and Sir John Clotworthy Prisoners be brought to Tryal Captain Mountain proclaimed King Charles II. in Moulton in Yorkshire and a Parliament man came into the Town presently after and did not question it 9. The Act passed touching Compositions of Delinquents Order for the Committee of Delinquents to bring in an Act for rules of an Act of oblivion and that the Committee of the Army bring in an Act for a Committee and Treasurers for the monies for the Army Upon a Report from the Council of State L. G. Cromwell Sir Hen. Vane jun Alderman Wilson and others were appointed to treat with the Common Council of London for the borrowing of 120000 l for the service of Ireland upon security of the assessment of ninety thousand pound Order for money for disbanding the Lancashire Forces A Committee appointed to receive Informations against Major General Brown touching his ingagement with the Scots and with the Earl of Holland c. and against Sir William Waller Sir Jo. Clotworthy and Copley and other Prisoners Letters from Scotland that they are in high discontents and faction and the Prince expected to come and reconcile them Letters from New-Castle of a Ship of Corn taken by the Irish that the poor there are many of them ready to starve and the meaner sort not able longer to pay assessments not having bread to feed their families Eight Ships of the Irish Rebels taken by the Parliaments Ships 10. Debate of several acts for prohibiting Ministers to meddle with State affairs in their Pulpits And for prohibiting the Eating of Flesh meat certain daies in the Week for a time and for abating prizes of Corn and to forbid the making of malt for a time And of a Declaration of the Parliament of their resolution to settle Religion according to Presbytery and a full maintenance to the Ministers Order that the Speaker Mr. of the Rolls the Judges and Masters of the Chancery should have a Commission under the Great Seal to sit and hear causes in the Rolls in absence of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal Orders for money for several Forces The Council of War found Colonel Poyer guilty upon the Articles charged against him Upon a Report that the twelve thousand English designed for Ireland intended to march into Scotland they went on there to raise their defensive Army of ten thousand Discontent in London about the unequal laying of the assessment the Rich men being under-rated and the poorer men over-rated 11. A Report from the Council of State of several proposals agreed upon as to the Forces that shall go for Ireland was confirmed by the House and the Commitment of Lilburn and his fellows by the Council was approved by the House and Ordered that they be tryed by the Common-Law and Mr. Atturney Prideaux to prosecute them in the upper Bench. A Proclamation published by the General for the observation of former orders for the Army and that no Officer be absent from his charge without leave and to prevent misdemeanours of the Souldiers At the Council of State some discourses among them of sending Whitelock Ambassadour extraordinary into Holland Against this he laboured and urged the burden of the business in Chancery lying upon him and which gave most satisfaction and as he believed in this jealous age did prevent his journey he urged my Lord Willoughbies being in those parts which by reason of their relation might with some men raise a jealousie upon him They again urged the fitness of him for this imployment his
this betterness will save much effusion of Blood through the Goodness of God I wish that all honest Hearts may give the Glory of this to God alone to whom indeed the Praise of this Mercy belongs for Instruments they were very inconsiderable the Work throughout Then he gives an Account of his purpose for Wexford and concludes Captain Brandly did with 40 or 50 of his Men very gallantly storm Tenalis for which he deserves the Thanks of the State O. Cromwel Sep. 16th 1649. The Councel of State ordered that the Ministers in their several Churches to morrow being the Lords Day should acquaint the People And according to the Order of the Councel of State the Ministers of London acquainted the People with the great Successes of the Parliaments Forces in Ireland and returned Thanks to God for the same October 1649. Octob. 1 More Letters of the Particulars of the taking of Drogheda That the Breaches not being made low enough the Horse could not go on with the Foot but the Foot alone stormed and entred the Town but by reason of the numerousness and stoutness of the Enemy who maintained the Breach as gallantly as ever men did and by the death of Collonel Castle whose Regiment was one of those that stormed and he was slain at the Storm our Men were disheartned and retreated Which my Lord Lieutenant seeing went himself to the Breech and after a little time a fresh reserve of C. Evers Men fell on with the rest very couragiously and God abated the Courage of the Enemy they fled before us till we gained the Town and they all agreed in the not giving of Quarter and other particular Passages before mentioned 2 Letters from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to the Parliament and Councel of State of the Success at Drogheda more particularly That Sir Arthur Ashton the Governour and divers considerable Officers got up into the Mill Mount a very strong Fort in the Town but Cromwels Men got up to them and put them all to the Sword having Command not to spare any that were in Arms in the Town That about 140 got into a Tower and being Summon'd would not yield but killed and wounded some of our Men and when they submitted their Officers were knocked on the Head and every 10th Man of the Souldiers killed and the rest were shipped for the Barbadoes That these People thrust the Protestants out of the great Church and set up Mass there and in this very place 1000 of them were put to the Sword flying thither for safety their Fryars and Priests were knocked on the Head promiscuously with the others who were in Arms. The Letters said further That in Sir Arthur Ashtons Pocket were Letters taken from Ormond to him assuring him of relief in a short time That Ormond and Inchequin were at variance The Parliament ordered a Day of publick Thanksgiving for the great Successes in Ireland The Inhabitants of Wickloe being all Roman Catholicks submitted to the Lord Lieutenant who marched with his Army to the West for reducing of Munster Letters of more Moss Troopers taken Letters from Scotland That Mr. Windham was gone to their King with as inviting a Message as Pen could draw or People send promising him Personal Protection Restauration c. and no Condition for so much as subscribing the Covenant Several Persons apprehended at Lancaster who raised a tumult to keep a Malignant Person in his Benefice 3 Several Votes past and ordered to be Printed for Repayment of Money lent upon the publick Faith Letters from France That Prince Charles went from the Court towards Caen in Normandy and from thence intended to go for Jersy That his Train was but 60 Horses and six Coaches with six Horses a piece and that many of his Servants and some Gentlemen went on Foot That the Prince had but 300 Pistols left him to defray the Charges of his Journey 4 A Letter from the General with a Petition inclosed from the Officers of the Army being the humble Desires of the Councel of War in prevention of the disorderly buying of Debenters of the Souldiers at inconsiderable Rates Referred to a select Committee with Power to send for and conferr with such Persons as they shall think fit in order to that Business The Election of Alderman Fowke to be Lord Mayor of London and his being presented to the House with a Speech by their Recorder Steel The House approved the Election Letters from Salop of their Ministers preaching bitter Invectives against the Parliament Letters that Captain Dawkins took a Dunkirk Frigot with four pieces of Ordinance and a Commission from Prince Charles Letters that a Minister and his Wife near Edenburgh were lately apprehended for Witches Letters that the Lord Lieutenant upon his March towards Wexford took in several Garrisons C. Scroope was made Governour of Bristol-Castle 5 These Acts passed To give Liberty of Transporting ungarbled Spices For settling the Accounts â—f the Common-wealth For Redemption of Captives Order for a Declaration to be published to the Kingdom upon sale of the Lands of the late King Queen and Prince The House adjourned Letters that some Aldermen of Wexford were sent out to treat with the Lord Lieutenant ten Miles before he came to the Town That Inchequin would surrender up his Forces and Garrisons so he might have security of his Life and of his Estate of 1000 l. per annum That the Earl of Antrim would surrender four Garrisons upon Condition to enjoy his Life and Estate That C. Veneable was made Governour of the North of Ireland That most of C. Evers Officers were wounded at the storming of Tredah Prince Rupert having been for divers Months blocked up in the Harbour of Kinsale by the Parliaments Ships at length by reason of his want of Provisions and Cromwels being ready to take that Town by Land the Prince was forced to a Resolution to make his way through them And with the loss of three of his Ships he bore out of that Harbour and with the remainder of his Fleet getting clear of the Parliaments Ships steered his Course for Lisbon where he was not only protected but caressed by the King of Portugal which so much displeased the Parliament that they commenced a War with that Prince doing him many great Dammages in the Trade and Navigation wherein the Riches of that Nation chiefly do consist At the same time that Prince Charles and his Retinue about 300 arrived at Jersy and was there proclaimed King Some few Forces were landed in the Isle of Orkeney from the Lord Montross and some came out of Ireland into the North of Scotland under Sir James Montgomery Hereupon and to oppose these Forces the Scots began to make Preparations though at the same time they were upon terms of Treaty with their King for whose Service these Forces were designed The Kirk having long before excommunicated Montross strict Order was now given for suppressing a Declaration which he had
hasten an Union amongst them which would put a disadvantage upon the business that all good Men did so much desire might be effected The Lord Deputy answered that he did believe the Business could not be effected here by this Ambassador And that the Pope was now at Work to unite his Interest amongst all the Popish Princes and particularly betwixt Spain and France To which Whitelock said that the sending of an Ambassador hence would hasten that union whereas if our Business might be done with the Ambassador here no Notice would be taken of it 23. Upon discourse with the Swedish Ambassador concerning the Uniting of the Protestant Interest which he had propounded to the Protector at a Secret Audience he seemed to like it very well And said the Difficulty would be what to propound in order to it and where to begin for it would be a long business to endeavour to bring in all the Protestant Princes and States together but he thought the best way would be for the King his Master and the Protector to joyn together first and then to draw in the rest afterwards And such of them as should refuse to joyn to be taken as Enemies Which would be quick and resolute and make the Popish Princes look about them The Ambassador also took Notice that he heard of the Protectors intentions to send Ambassadors from hence to his Master about this business And said he believed it might be done as effectually and more speedily here as to the general and foundation of it than by sending to his Master And that when he propounded the business to his Highness he desired to know from him what particulars he thought fit to be taken into consideration in the first place hereupon And told him That when he should know his mind therein he would forthwith send an Express to the King to receive his farther directions that he had already given his Majesty an account of the business in general and did expect within a few days to hear farther from him about it and hoped to receive such further Instructions from him as will be for the good carrying on of this great business He intimated likewise that the King might think it a little strange that whilst his Ambassador is here with the Protector the Protector should send his Ambassadors to the King which is not usual He said That he Confessed he had done little since his coming but it was not his fault And that it would be now time for him to think of returning It was answered That the Multitude of our great occasions here had been the only cause of his delay And the great Successes of the King in Poland might give some alteration of Affairs and many things thereupon might fall into consideration touching matter of Trade in relation to Poland and Prussia which at his Excellencies coming hither were not thought upon This the Ambassador acknowledged to be true and said farther That he hoped within a very few days there would be an Agreement between the King and the Elector of Brandenburgh or else that the Business would be put to a speedy issue the other way And then there would be the less occasion of sending from hence to prevent that difference And that would certainly make the Dutch quiet The Elector he said had received about 15000 l. from the Dutch of their money to assist him against the King 24. Sir Charles Wolsey of the Council did not approve of the joyning Sir Christopher Pack with Whitelock in this Ambassy nor the timing of it for he said He heard the King of Sweden had made an Order to desire all Forreign Publick Ministers to forbear for a time their coming to his Camp because he was in the midst of his Military Affairs 25. The Protector sent to Whitelock and earnestly pressed him to undertake the Ambassy to Sweden recommending it as a business of the greatest Honour and of the highest Concernment to the Protestant Interest but upon Whitelock's Discourse and Reasons against it the Protector seemed to be moved and said he would take the business into further Consideration with the Councel 28. An Order of the Protector and Councel whereby the Lord Fiennes Mr. Strickland Sir Gilbert Pickering and Whitelock or any two of them were appointed Commissioners to Treat with the Swedish Ambassador and they were desired to meet at the Councel-Chamber with Secretary Thurloe to confer together about the Articles 30. According to order they met at White-hall and were told of the Ambassadors impatience that in so long time as since he had given in his Articles he could not obtain any answer to them nor have any Commissioners to Treat with him In order thereunto they now perused the Articles and advised together upon them 31. The Ambassador seemed much unsatisfied with divers parts of the Articles and said That he had no Commission to Treat of any matter concerning the Vnited Provinces to be included and was much Nettled at that business In discourse touching a general Union of the Protestant Interest he said it would be a difficult work And for his Masters falling upon the Emperor he said that they in Sweden did not wish it to be so because they doubted that then Sweden would be neglected He declared his opinion to be not to meddle with the great business of the Protestant Union Nor to have to do with the Vnited Provinces in this or any other Treaty But he said That they might send to the King his Master at their pleasure and have a fitting Answer February 1655. Some Gentlemen added to the Committee of Trade Letters of the Sweeds Successes in Poland An Address presented from South-Wales and Monmouth-shire to the Protector Recognizing him and his Government An Order for continuing the Committee of the Army published Mr. Fell appointed Commissioner or Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster and Mr. Bartholomew Hall continued Attorney of the Dutchy One who Shot a Soldier that was to guard him being a Prisoner was arraigned at the Upper Bench but the Jury found him guilty only of Man-Slaughter the Foreman was disabled from being a Juror hereafter Soldiers in Ireland Condemned for Robberies the Councel there Sate about Transplanting some of the Irish An Order of the Lord Mayor of London for the Punishment and suppression of Common-Beggars Letters That the Indians near New-England had burnt many Houses of the Dutch and taken many Men Women and Children Prisoners but such as they found to be English they released the reason thereof was because the English had been just and kind to them Some little stirs in Scotland the Justices there according to the order of the Protector and his Councel and after the course in England proceeded to the Administration of Justice in Scotland where it was submitted unto A Dunkirk Man of War taken Prize The Peace ratified betwixt the King of Sweden and the Elector of Brandenburgh personally Order of the Sessions of
the Treasury and the Lord chief Baron with him but the Commissioners General Mountague and Col. Sydenham were often absent by reason of their attendance upon the Council 20. The Officers of the Army attended Richard and made large professions to him of their obedience and faithfulness and he courted them at a high rate 23. The Funeral of the old Protector was celebrated with great Solemnity The Officers of State the Council the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London the House of Lords the Officers of the Army the Servants of the Protector the Judges and Officers of Law the Citizens of London the Souldiers in their Troops and Companies the ordinary Guards and an infinite number of Spectators within the Rails of the Streets and in the Windows At this Solemnity were also present the foreign Ministers and Ambassadours 25. More Addresses were presented to Richard from several Counties 26. Richard knighted General Morgan a very gallant person 27. Serjeant Windham and Serjeant Nicholas were made Judges and Mr. Archer was made a Serjeant 29. Several Audiences were given by Richard to foreign Ministers sent to him from neighbour Princes and States to condole the death of his Father and to Congratulate his Succession to the Government December 1658. 4. Richard by advice of his Council resolved to call a Parliament to meet on the 27th day of January next 6. Richard knighted Captain Beke 9. More Addresses were made to Richard 19. New Addresses to Richard January 1658. 21. Letters from the Mayor and Aldermen of Oxford for assistance to suppress some unruly persons in the City 27. The Parliament met 30. Whitelocke met about the business of the Great Seal whereof he was now again made a Commissioner Richard had a particular respect for him and upon the 22th day of this Month by advice of some near to him without any seeking for it by Whitelocke he was sent for to Whitehall where he met the two Lords Commissioners of the Seal Fiennes and L'Isle and they together being called in to the Council-chamber the Great Seal was delivered to his Highness sitting in Council and his Highness presently delivered it to Fiennes L'Isle and Whitelocke as Keeper of the Great Seal of England This passage was wondred at by many and some thought that Fiennes desired it finding L'Isle not so capable of executing that place as was expected and his want of experience in that business and multitude of other occasions and his attendance on Richard and the Council made him willing to have Whitelocke's help in the business of the Seal 31. Mr. Challoner Chute was chosen Speaker of this Parliament an excellent Orator a man of great parts and generosity whom many doubted that he would not join with the Protector 's Party but he did heartily The Members of the House of Lords took their places being summoned by the like Writ as they had before according to the Petition and advice February 1658. 3. Order for the Commissioners of the Treasury to give an account to the House of the State of the publick Treasure 4. A Fast Day kept in both Houses 8. The House of Commons debated the Bill of Recognition of his Highness to be Lord Protector and some were very cross in that business which caused doubts of the good issue of this Parliament 9. The Members returned for Scotland and Ireland to serve in this Parliament appeared very full 10. The House voted several Members uncapable to sit because they had been in Arms against the Parliament 11. Mr. Tussel an Attorney was shot into the Head with a brace of Bullets from the other side of the Street as he fate in his Chamber and died presently who did it was not known 11. Letters from the Earl of Stamford to Whitelocke complaining of his being put out of Commission of the Peace and the like done to other persons of Quality and of mean men being put into Commission who insult over their betters and desiring Whitelocke now being restored to the custody of the Seal for which all good men rejoyced to consider of and amend such things 16. The House were busie in debate upon the Act of Recognition Mr. Sherwyn who was a Member of the House was ordered to bring in the state of the account of the publick Treasure delivered to him by the Commissioners of the Treasury 17. Mr. Sherwyn delivered in this account which was very exact the Commissioners of the Treasury and Mr. Sherwyn having taken great pains about it 19. Vote of the House of Commons to take into consideration the constitution of the Parliament in two Houses This caused much discourse and doubts of many least a disagreement should follow and some of the Court and Relations of Richard were not backward to promote a difference 22. The bounds and limits of the other House were debated and the debate adjourned 25. Whitelocke had fair Quarter with Fiennes and L'Isle in the business of the Seal but the greatest burden of the place lay upon Whitelocke 26. Several Addresses were made to Richard from several Towns and Places during the sitting of the Parliament March 1658. 1. The Commons voted the question to transact with the persons now sitting in the other House as an House of Parliament should be debated 4. Debate touching the other House 8. The Commons voted that their debate about transacting with the other House should be no bar to such Peers as have faithfully served the Parliament 9. The Speaker Mr. Chute being ill Sir Lillisbone Long was chosen to supply his place in his absence 10. Several Addresses to Richard from Regiments of the Army 16. Sir Lillisbone Long the Speaker pro tempore not being well Mr. Bamfield was chosen Speaker pro tempore Sir Lillisbone Long died a very sober discreet Gentleman and a good Lawyer 19. Some Members of the House by order went from the House to visit their Speaker Mr. Chute which was a great Honour to him and he had so much gained the affection of the House that he swayed much with them 23. Letters of the Peace betwixt the Kings of Sweden and Denmark 26. Letters that in the Countrey the News was that the Parliament should be dissolved and that Troops of Horse were met marching to London Vote of the Commons to restore Major General Brown to his places in London 28. The Commons voted to transact with the persons sitting in the other House as an House of Parliament saving the right of the Peers who had been faithfull to the Parliament this gave hopes to some of an agreement against which many laboured 29. A Bill for taking away the Excise and Tunnage and Poundage after the Protector 's death which stumbled his Friends 30. The Commons voted a Day of Humiliation to be kept in the three Nations April 1659. Anno 1659 5. The Title of the Declaration for the Fast was voted to be of the Protector and both Houses of Parliament Haslerigge
the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery and to Sir Henry Vane the Controller of the King's House to advise with them and to take order about the Scenes and other matters relating to the Masque and about preparing things in the Banquetting-house in order thereunto The Gallery behind the State at the end of the Banquetting-house was reserved for the Gentle-men of the Inns of Court who should come thither to see their Masque that there they might sit together and none else to be admitted with them into that place The Dancers Masquers Anti-Masquers and Musicians did before-hand practise in the place where they were to present the Masque and the Scenes were artificially prepared at the lower end of the Banquetting-house The grand Masquers were four Gentlemen of each Inns of Court most suitable for their Persons Dancing and Garb for that business And it was ordered that they should be drawn in four rich Chariots four Masquers in each Chariot by six Horses in a Chariot but there grew a difference about the order of their going which of the Inns of Court should have the first Chariot so of the rest in their order and how the several grand Masquers should sit in the several Chariots who in the first or chiefest place and who in the second third and last place To satisfie this it was propounded and assented to by the Committee that the Chariots should be made after the fashion of the Roman Triumphant Chariots and being of an Oval form in the Seats there would be no difference of place in them For the several Colours and for the precedence of the Chariots it was agreed that one of each house of the Committee should throw the Dice and as that happened the Society to be bound of which he that threw was a number On Candlemas-day in the Afternoon the Masquers Horsemen Musicians Dancers and all that were Actors in this business according to order met at Ely-house in Holborn there the grand Committee sace all day to order all Affairs and when the Evening was come all things being in full readiness they began to set forth in this order down Chancery-Lane to Whitehall The first that marched were twenty Footmen in Scarlet Liveries with Silver-lace each one having his Sword by his side a Baton in his hand and a Torch lighted in the other hand these were the Marshal's-men who cleared the Streets made way and were all about the Marshal waiting his Commands After them and sometimes in the midst of them came the Marshall then Mr. Darrel afterwards Knighted by the King He was of Lincolns-Inn an extraordinary handsom proper Gentleman he was mounted upon one of the King 's best Horses and richest Saddles and his own Habit was exceeding rich and glorious his Horsemanship very gallant and besides his Marshals-men he had two Lacquies who carried Torches by him and a Page in Livery that went by him carrying his Cloak After him followed one hundred Gentlemen of the Inns of Court five and twenty chosen out of each house of the most proper and handsom young Gentlemen of the Societies every one of them was gallantly mounted on the best Horses and with the best Furniture that the King 's Stable and the Stables of all the Noblemen in Town would afford and they were forward on this occasion to lend them to the Inns of Court Every one of these hundred Gentlemen were in very rich Clothes scarce any thing but Gold and Silver-lace to be seen of them and each Gentle-man had a Page and two Lacquies waiting on him in his Livery by his Horse-side The Lacquies carried Torches and the Page his Masters Cloak The richness of their Apparel and Furniture glittering by the light of a multitude of torches attending on them with the motion and stirring of their mettled Horses and the many and various gay Liveries of their Servants but especially the personal beauty and gallantry of the handsom young Gentlemen made the most glorious and splendid shew that ever was beheld in England After the Horsemen came the Antimasquers and as the Horsemen had their Musick about a dozen of the best Trumpeters proper for them and in their Livery sounding before them so the first Antimasque being of Cripples and Beggers on horseback had their Musick of Keys and Tongues and the like snapping and yet playing in a Consort before them These Beggers were also mounted but on the poorest leanest Jades that could be gotten out of the Dirt-carts or elsewhere and the variety and change from such noble Musick and gallant Horses as went before them unto their proper Musick and pitiful Horses made both of them the more pleasing The Habits and properties of these Cripples and Beggers were most ingeniously fitted as of all the rest by the Commissioners direction wherein as in the whole business Mr. Attorney Noy Sir John Finch Sir Edward Herbert Mr. Selden those great and eminent Persons as all the rest of the Committee had often Meetings and took extraordinary care and pains in the ordering of this business and it seemed a pleasure to them After the Beggers Antimasque came men on Horseback playing upon Pipes Whistles and Instruments sounding Notes like those of Birds of all sorts and in excellent consort and were followed by the Antimasque of Birds This was an Owl in an Ivy-bush with many several sorts of other Birds in a clustre about the Owl gazing as it were upon her these were little Boys put into covers of the shapes of those Birds rarely fitted and sitting on small Horses with Footmen going by them with Torches in their hands and here were some besides to look unto the Children and this was very pleasant to the Beholders After this Antimasque came other Musicians on Horseback playing upon Bag-pipes Horn-pipes and such kind of Northern Musick speaking the following Antimasque of Projectors to be of the Scotch and Northern Quarters and these as all the rest had many Footmen with Torches waiting on them First in this Antimasque rode a Fellow upon a little Horse with a great Bit in his mouth and upon the man's head was a Bit with Headstall and Rains fastned and signified a Projector who begged a Patent that none in the Kingdom might ride their Horses but with such Bits as they should buy of him Then came another Fellow with a bunch of Carrots upon his Head and a Capon upon his Fist describing a Projector who begg'd a Patent of Monopoly as the first Inventer of the Art to feed Capons fat with Carrots and that none but himself might make use of that Invention and have the Priviledge for fourteen years according to the Statute Several other Projectors were in like manner personated in this Antimasque and it pleased the Spectators the more because by it an Information was covertly given to the King of the unfitness and ridiculousness of these Projects against the Law and the Attorney Noy who had most knowledge of them had a great hand in this Antimasque of
fifteen hundred common Souldiers six Pieces of Ordnance four Canoniers twenty seven Waggons loaded There were slain in the Fight two Lieutenant Colonels four Captains and five hundred men an hundred and twenty Irish women with long Knives and they report that on the Parliaments side were slain not above twenty men and of them not one Officer From Gloucester Colonel Massey set upon Sir Henry Talbot's Quarters and surprized him three Captains three Lieutenants three Irish Reformadoes a Serjeant-Major sixty common Souldiers and much Arms Ammunition and Provision going for Worcester The Commons ordered publick thanks to be given in all Churches for these Victories and for the Assistance of the Scots come into the Parliament Sir Edward Deering came from Oxford into the Parliament and upon his Examination said That since the Cessation in Ireland and seeing so many Papists and Irish Rebels in the King's Army and the Anti-Parliament set up at Oxford and the King's Counsels wholly governed by the Popish party his Conscience would not permit him to stay longer with them but he came to throw himself upon the mercy of the Parliament and according to their Declaration to compound for his Delinquency To which he was admitted and order given for all others that would come in after him who was the first Massey retook Malmesbury and the Lieutenant Governour and took three hundred Ossicers and Souldiers and their Arms in that Town The Commissioners of the Seal gave the Covenant to the Lawyers and Officers and so many came to take it that they were fain to appoint another day for it The Dutch Ambassadour went from London to Oxford first to Treat with his Majesty Mr. Rowse a Member of the House of Commons was by them made Provost of Eaton College The Commons expelled several other of their Members who had deserted the Parliament General Essex advised with his Friends about an Answer to the Letters which came from the Anti-Parliament at Oxford and his Answer was in a Letter to the Earl of Forth the King's General to this effect That he received the Letter and Parchment from his Lordship but it having no address to nor acknowledgment of the Parliament he could not communicate it to them That in maintenance of the Parliament and Privileges thereof they all resolve to spend their blood as the foundation of our Laws and Liberties and he sends to Forth the National Covenant The Parliament appointed seven Lords and fourteen Commons to be a joynt Council with the Scots Commissioners but the fewness of the number distasted many who were left out The Commons took order for ransoming of the English Captives at Algiers Some differences or rather unkindness was apprehended between the Lord Willoughby of Parham and the Earl of Manchester who carrying Matters as a General the Lord Willoughby could the less brook it knowing himself not to be puisne to him but all was well reconciled The Lord Fairfax took In Birlington Bay and about a hundred Horses and Arms. Sir Thomas Fairfax pulled up the Bridges leading to Chester and regained three or four Garrisons from the Enemy and took about five hundred men Arms and Provisions The Estates of the Earl of Clare and of divers others were ordered to be sequestred An Exhortation of the Assembly of Divines touching the taking of the Covenant was approved The Commons allowed five pounds a Week to Sir John Hotham and as much to Sir Alexander Carew and three pounds a Week to Mr. Hotham for their Maintenance in Prison Prince Rupert by strickt Warrants under pain of Fire and Sword forbids any Provisions to be carried to Gloucester by which means the City was streightned Massey's Brother with a Party of the Gloucester Horse going to beat up the Enemies quarters was engaged with the main body of their Horse and forced to hasten his Retreat with the loss of seventeen of his men The Scots took Coquet Island and about two hundred men with their Arms seven Pieces of Ordnance and Provisions and rescued and restored to the Owners a great Herd of Cattel taken away by the King's Forces Colonel Grey the Lord Grey's Brother came in to them with a Regiment of Horse and took the Covenant and the Inhabitants of Northumberland and Westmerland came in great numbers to them they sent a Summons to Newcastle Sir Thomas Fairfax took in Crew-house and Darison house and the Lord Brereton he took Prisoner with many others The Swedes had great successes in Germany Another Letter of the Lord Goring's was intercepted and He ordered to be Impeached of High Treason The Timber upon the Lands of the Lord Tennet and of other Delinquents was ordered to be cut down for the use of the Navy The Commons ordered to sit every day in the Forenoon in the House in the Afternoon in Committees and every Member that came not before Prayers ended in the Morning to pay one Shilling to the Poor and for every Motion made after Twelve a Clock to pay five Shillings The Earl of Westmerland and divers other Delinquents came in to the Parliament desiring the benefit of the Declaration of both Kingdoms for Composition The Council at Oxford prohibited any to have this Declaration in his Custody upon pain of Felony and that if any went from Oxford without leave of the Governour they should be proceeded against by Martial Law as Traytors Sir William Brereton reported to the House of Commons that the Irish and other Forces under the Lord Byron commit great Spoils and Cruelties where they come what they cannot devour they set on fire commit horrid Rapes and Insolencies that more of the Irish Rebels are expected to land in those parts and Prince Rupert to come and joyn with them That he sends forth his Warrants to bring in Provisions on pain of death and that fifteen hundred more of the Rebels are to be landed in Scotland to interrupt the Scots advance into England The Marquess of Ormond the new Lieutenant of Ireland forbids the taking of the Covenant upon this and his being the chief Promoter of the Cessation there and of sending Forces from thence to the King the Commons vote To impeach him as a Traytor against the three Kingdoms and disable him of his Lieutenancy and of all Command in Ireland Twenty thousand English and Scots in the North of Ireland have vowed to live and die together in opposition to the Cessation A Trumpet came from Oxford to the Lord General with Letters from the Earl of Forth by the King's Command for a new Overture of Peace desiring a safe Conduct for Mr. Fanshaw and Mr. Offeley to come to Westminster with Propositions from the King The General acquainted the Parliament with these Letters but because they did not acknowledge the Parliament they would not read them but referred them to the Committee of both Kingdoms Sir William Constable in Yorkshire routed three Regiments of Newcastle's Horse took three hundred of them
Governour and Garrison the which was voted by the Commons and Letters sent to the Officers of the English and Scottish Armies to assure the same to those of Carlisle who had held out very long and courageously for the King Another order for the E. of Northumberland to have the care of the King's Children and 3000 l. per annum allowed him for them The Letters taken in the King's Cabinet at Naseby read in the House and some of them referred to a Committee to be decyphered Mr. Brown a Gun-founder and his Son committed upon matters in some of the Letters 24. The Letters taken in the King's Cabinet were more of them read in the House and in some of them was mention of His Majestie 's intention to make a Peace with the Irish Rebels and to have 40000 of them over into England to prosecute the War here In other Letters to the Queen the King complains That he could not prevail with his Mungrel Parliament at Oxford to vote that the Parliament at Westminster were not a lawfull Parliament that he will not make a Peace with the Rebels the Parliament without her approbation nor goe one jot from the Paper she sent him That upon the Treaty at Uxbridge he did not positively own the Parliament it being otherwise to be construed though they were so simple as not to find it out and that it was recorded in the notes of the King's Council that he did not acknowledge them a Parliament Ordinance sent to the Lords for putting the County of Surrey into a posture of Defence and for pay for the forces there 100 l. given to the Messenger that brought up the Colours from Naseby fight Ordinance sent to the Lords for money for Portsmouth Garrison Order for the business of the Church to be taken into Debate every Wednesday and Friday An Ordinance past for re-imbursing money for Pembrokeshire Sir T. F. prosecuted the King's forces towards Hereford and left Colonel Needham Governour of Leicester Colonel Morgan blocked up Sandal Castle and M. G. Poynes went to Pomfret to order the battery there Colonel Rosseter came back from pursuing the King's forces charged and routed a party of the Newarkers rescued 20 Constables and Tithingmen taken by them and took 50 horse and many prisoners of them 25. The Monthly Fast kept divers Officers Prisoners committed to London-house 26. An Ordinance sent to the Lords about taking the Accounts of the Kingdom and orders for disposal of the Prisoners some to serve the Parliament in Ireland and others as the Parliament shall direct Letters written to Sir T. F. to prosecute his intentions against the Enemy and the Ordinance continued to impower him to press Souldiers for three months longer and another for Recruits for his Army Another Ordinance past impowering the Committees in the several Counties where any Souldiers were pressed and afterwards did desert the service to proceed against them according to Marshal Law Another for money for the late Officers of the Earl of Essex and of Sir William Waller Massey advanced to Lyme in order to relieve Taunton the King was at Hereford and Sir T. F. at Gloucester The Scots Army ordered to march from Nottingham to Worcester Colonel Hunt went from Shrewsbury before Cause Castle which surrendred to him The King's Garrison there marching away with their Colours and Swords and left in the Castle 500 Arms and store of Ammunition M. G. Brown took a Troup of Colonel Royden's horse and a foot Company of Oxford The Commons ordered all the Ensigns and Cornets taken at Naseby or formerly and which hereafter be taken from the Enemy should be brought into the Herald's Office and be there Registred and Mr. Riley to be intrusted therewith 27. The Grand Committee sate for the Church business and after that in the House an Ordinance read to consirm and establish the Directory for worship An Ordinance past for a Collection to provide money and necessaries for those Prisoners who were willing to serve against the Rebels in Ireland to transport them thither Letters from Plymouth informed that Greenvile was raising more forces in Cornwal and that divers Souldiers come away from the King's Garrisons to the Parliaments That three Dunkirk Ships came to Dartmouth with the King's Commission to inhabit there and were received but not well used and two of the Dunkirk Ships were taken by the Parliaments 28. Sir T. F. by order of Parliament advanced toward the relief of Taunton and sent to Massey that by a Day he would joyn with him Letters from General Leuen desired pay for the Scots Army the Houses thereupon sent a Committee to acquaint the Lord Mayor and Common Council of the City therewith and to desire the speedy raising of 30000 l. for this service and wrote answer to General Leuen that they would take care forthwith for their satisfaction The Commons ordered the Prisoners to be removed from the Military Ground where there wanted shelter for them and 300 l. for their supplies 30. Letters from M. G. Skippon informed of his being in a hopefull way of recovery and thereupon the Commons ordered 200 l. to be sent to him as a testimony of their favour and 200 l. more for payment of his Doctours Chirurgeons Apothecaries and other expences Order for 1000 l. for those Gentlemen some of whom were now Members of Parliament who suffered in 1 2 Car. for their affections to the publick and the Committee for them and for the necessities of the present Members was revived and satisfaction of damage voted to be out of the Estates of Delinquents The Letters taken at Naseby referred to a Committee to be perused and observations to be made upon them and to communicate some of them to the Common Council of London An Ordinance sent to the Lords touching Gunpowder and the Office of the Ordnance Letters to the association for Recruits and Arrears to be sent to Sir T. Fairfax's Army Ordinance past for 1500 l. for the Regiment of Colonel John Fiennes M. G. Poynes took the Church at Pomfret Sir T. F. took about 100 Arms from Lieutenant Colonel Not at Highworth who was there slain and divers Officers Colonel Hutchinson took 60 Horse and 48 Prisoners Officers and Arms. Major Saddler took from M. Duet near the Devizes 16 Prisoners Colonel Venables took Sir Th. Powel High Sheriff of Chester 40 Prisoners and 100 Horse July 1645. 1. An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for 400 l. to be paid to Sir William Waller's Life-guard Tuesdays and Thursdays set a part for considering how to raise Monies for Sir T. F. his Army and several Orders passed for that purpose Order of both Houses for the Departure of the Duke of Lorrain's Agent and of the King of Portugal's Agent and for a Letter to be sent to the King of Portugal of the miscarriage of his Agent here Order that the Committee of both Kingdoms should give directions from time to time
They were so eager upon it that they ordered to resume the debate of this business the next morning 18. The Lords sent their concurring to the Ordinance for Commissioners to reside in the Scots Army and to some small amendments made by their Lordships the Commons assented and the Commissioners were required to repair with all convenient speed to the Scots Army in England Power given to the Northern Committee to sequester Malignant Ministers The House proceeded upon the Report of the Lord Savile's business and past a Vote that the same was ripe for judgment and ordered that they would proceed to judgment thereupon to morrow morning They likewise ordered that the business concerning Mr. Cranford a Minister of the City in relation to several Members of the House should be reported to the House and proceeded in with the Lord Savile's business to morrow morning 19. An order for charging the Ordinance for sale of Delinquents Estates with 1000 l. for Manchester Garrison Sir Thomas Fairfax sat down before Bridgwater he went the second time to the Clubmen and offered them so fair conditions that most of them departed to their habitations and many of them came into the leagure to serve the Parliament the chief Gunner in Bridgwater revolted from them and came to Sir T. Fairfax The House fell upon the business of Mr. Cranford and voted that the words spoken and reported by him against some Members of the House of Commons and of the Committee of both Kingdomes that they kept intelligence with the King's party and were false to the Parliament were false and scandalous That Mr. Cranford at a full exchange in London and at Westminster should confess the wrong he had done them in so scandalizing of them That he should pay 500 l. to each of those 4 Members for their Damages That he should be committed to the Tower during the pleasure of the House Then the House proceeded in the Lord Savile's business and after a long debate upon the result passed a Vote That Mr. Hollis was not guilty of holding intelligence with the Enemy as was pretended and they did fully acquit him thereof This gave good incouragement to Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke and to all their friends who would fain have brought on the rest of this business but that it was almost 9 a clock at night and therefore too late to proceed further in it this day The other party their adversaries would have declined any further proceedings of the House in this business at this time hoping in time to get some further evidence against them and then to revive it and doubting as the present constitution of the House was that Mr. H. and Mr. Wh. might be acquitted Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke pressed the more earnestly to bring the business to a final determination whilst their friends were in Town and the House fully possest of the business and in so good a constitution and humour for them and they desired not to continue under a cloud and the various discourses of people not to be kept lingring but to know their doom either of condemnation or acquittal Their Friends at last with much earnestness and against great opposition and debate carried it by vote to have it ordered that the L. Savil's business should be resumed on Monday morning 21. The House of Commons according to their order resumed the debate of the L. Savil's business and after a long and warm discussing of all the particulars and arguments relating to it they at length upon the question passed a vote to this effect That it not appearing that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelock had done any disservice in their proceedings at Oxford that therefore the remainder and whole matter of this report should be laid aside and not to be further proceeded in And that the said Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke should have liberty to prosecute if they please the Lord Savile now prisoner in the Tower for damages Mr. Whitelocke absented himself from the House when they came to give their judgment It was observed that generally the Gentlemen of best interest and quality in the House were all for the acquittal of them and that it had scarcely been seen before in any other business that this holding so many daies together yet even the Gallants who used what ever business was in Agitation to goe forth to dinner and to some other of their refreshments yet they attended constantly all the time that this business was in debate and would not stir from it The House proceeded in other businesses and ordered an Ordinance to be drawn for Execution of Martial Law within the lines of Communication An Ordinance read to give Col. Rosseter command of the forces in Lincoln-shire and power to Execute Martial Law An Ordinance past the Commons for moneys for Provisions of stores The Ordinance past for Commissioners to go to the Parliament of Scotland A Petition from some of Cheshire desiring assistance for the taking in of Westchester The Petitioners had thanks for their good affections and the business was referred to the Committe of both Kingdoms Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax informed that they had besieged Bridgwater which was strongly fortified having about 30 pieces of Ordnance and deep Trenches That the Governour and his Son Sir Hugh Windham Sir John Digby Sir Francis Courtney Mr. Elliot that carried the Great Seal to Oxford and Divers others of quality were within the Town That two of the Parliaments Ships about Holmes had taken 16 Welsh Barks which were to transport Souldiers That the Club-men had beaten back about 600 Welsh and Irish that would have landed that they had taken several Vessels loaden with Corn and Cloath That G. Goring with Greenvile were come to Barnstable with about 5000 Horse and Foot That P. Charles the L. Hopton and L. Wentworth were gon to raise the Country in Cornwall and probably would raise the siege before Plymouth A party of the King's forces from Newarke having laid their design surprized Welbeck House betrayed to them by some of the Parliaments forces there 22. The day of publick thanksgiving for the Successe at Lamport In the Afternoon divers Crucifixes Popish Pictures and Books were burnt in Cheapside where the Cross formerly stood An Ordinance sent to the Lords for applying the Hospital Rents in Northampton to the maintainance of the Souldiers and poor there A Message from the Lords desired the consent of the Commons to a Petition of the L. Savil that certain Jewels of his taken from him might be given to the Usher of the Black Rod who had been at great charges for him to which no answer was given by the Commons Order for a sequestered House for M. G. Langhern's Wife upon a Petition of divers Citizens of London on the behalf of Alderman Fouke committed to the Fleet by the Committee of accounts Ordered that he should be bailed and his business referred to another Committee Referred to
of some of the King 's and Queen's Letters taken at Naseby Fight 16. The House passed many Compositions for delinquency for Sir Richard Halford Sir John Cotton and others and appointed a Committee to examine the abuses of Sequestrators and Sollicitors of Committees Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army informed that they made a breach of about 30 foot wide in the Wall of Sherburne Castle and then sent a Summons And Sir Lewis Dives returned a peremptory denyal whereupon Sir Thomas Fairfax his men went on to storm 20 of the Garrison leaped over the Wall and came in to him demanding Quarter those within cryed out for a Parley but it was denied only Quarter offered for their Lives upon which terms the Parliament Souldiers soon made themselves masters of the Castle There they took Sir Lewis Dives the Governour and Sir John Stangeways formerly members of Parliament One of the Lord Paulet's Sons â—ussell an Attorney 10 Ministers divers of the Gentry and Commissioners of Array and 600 prisoners 1400 arms great store of Ammunition and Provisions 18. Order for the House to sit some daies in the week as a Grand Committee to consider of Propositions of Peace to be sent to his Majesty and the Scots Commissioners to be acquainted therewith Col. Rowe and Mr. Booker chosen by the City to go as Commissioners into Ireland were approved A Petition from Kent referred to a Committee Order for a Letter of thanks to Sir Thomas Fairfax and for a Day of thanksgiving for the taking of Bath Bridgwater and other Garrisons Goring failed of recruits in the West At Exeter an Oath was tendred to all the Inhabitants and Souldiers to oppose all forces not raised by the King's consent and particularly Sir T. F ' s. Army Letters informed that Prince Rupert had in Bristol a 1000 horse and 2000 Foot and took in a Garrison of the Parliaments called Stenchcombe where he put 40 men to the Sword in cold bloud In the King's march the Scotch horse fell upon his quarters at Bewley and took 70 horse and divers Officers At Litchfield the King confined Col. Hastings for delivering up of Leicester about Tilbury Sir John Gell fell upon his Rear took Captain Blake and others and 40 prisoners but the King's Forces returned upon him and rescued 20 of their own men and took 10 of Sir John Gell's prisoners Lieutenant G. David Lesly with the Scotch horse was near him and Mr. G. Pointz with 2500 horse Colonel Rositer with 1500 horse and the Country horse about 2000 intended to joyn together in all about 10000 horse to follow his Majesty 19. The House resolved That the Committees in the North had no power to appoint Governours of Forts there and the House nominated M. G. Pointz to be Governour of York and Colonel Sir Matthew Boynton of Scarborough A Declaration against Tumultuous Assemblies by any persons in Arms without Authority from the Parliament sent to Governours of Forts to be published and they impowered to seize on the Leaders of them to be proceeded against as Traytors Orders for Captain Doyley Governour of New-port Paganel to command the Regiment that was Sir Samuel Luke's Orders for levying the Arrears in London of the Assesment for Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army and for the Arrears to the Scots Army Order for money for several Forces 20. The House were in debate of the point for suspending from the Sacrament but nothing was determined in it Order for superstitious Pictures in York-House to be sold Orders for money and supplies for Garrisons Order That no foreign Impressions of English Bibles be vended here without perusal of the Assembly The King with 5000 Horse and Dragoons was at the Lord Fretswell's House and the Parliament forces not far from him G. Leven having planted his Batteries sent his summons to Hereford to come to a Parley and to expect no further offer A Book was brought into the House taken at Naseby fight wherein were the names of divers members of the House with summs of money supposed to have been contributed by them to the King and his Majestie 's hand in many places of it The Speaker said he had perused the Book and did not find there his own name nor Mr. Dunch or Mr. Whitelocke's name and he believed the reason was because the King had taken all from them 21. The House were in a Grand Committee in debate of new Elections for members and upon the Question it was carried by three voices to have new Elections and the Speaker ordered to issue out his Warrants for Writs for new Elections at Southwark Bury and Hithe and none to be chosen and sit unless they took the Covenant Both Houses granted a pass for the Lord Houghton the Earl of Clare's Son and another for Mr. Hollis's Son for going beyond Sea But Captain Bettisworth praying the like was desired to stay in England to doe further Service Sir Thomas Fairfax with advice of his Council of Warr proposed to go before Bristol The Plague was much in Scotland and Montross lately routed aBrigade of horse of the Covenanters 23. Order for supplies for M. G. Langherne and for 10 l. a Week to be allowed to his Wife in part of his Arrears A Bookseller questioned for Printing sheets unlicensed and order that none shall doe the like An Ordinance sent to the Lords for Mr. Case one of the Assembly to be Parson of Sapport in Cheshire Order for Colonel Jephson to beat up Drums for Voluntiers for Ireland Five hundred pounds Allowed to Scots Reformadoes Order for payment of Waggoners according to Contract and of Trades-men for their Commodities M. G. Brown continued very scrupulous and a discontent seemed to remain with him 25. Orders for recruits which came in but slowly for the Army and for money for the Forces of M. G. Massey A Petition of Ministers of London and Westminster concerning non-admittance of gross sinners to the Sacrament referred to the Grand Committee Order That the sad Condition of Scotland in respect of the sickness there and the late defeat given them by Montross shall be remembred in the publick prayers on the next fast day Upon Information of the King 's returning Southward and to prevent the plundering of his Souldiers and the breaking into the Associated Counties care was taken to put them into a posture of defence and for supplies of Garrisons in his way and Colonel Graves and Colonel Whaley were to go with more Forces into those parts Order for 300 l. for Colonel Graves The Scots Horse and Dragoons to whom M. G. Pointz Colonel Rositer and the Countrey Forces joyned makeing in all 10000 Horse and Dragoons got betwixt the King and the North so that he retreated back to Newarke a party of the Parliaments fell upon his Rear took the L. Harris a Papist 100 horse and divers prisoners From Newarke the King marched into Lincoln-shire where his Army
King who had taken some of his men Major General Pointz wrote for supplies and five hundred Horse one thousand Dragoons were ordered to march forthwith to him Montross fled into the Mountains in Scotland and Lieutenant General Lesley pursued him Farlegh Castle in Somersetshire was surrendred by Colonel Hungerford to the Parliament Forces 4. The Composition of Sir John Borlace for his Delinquency was debated and not accepted by the House though two thousand four hundred pounds The House gave general Rules for Compositions Forces ordered to advance to Major General Pointz and to joyn with him One thousand pounds ordered for the Nottingham horse who fought gallantly at the late fight at Chester and other sums for other of his Forces Letters from Colonel Overton certified the surrender of Sandall Castle upon conditions to the Parliament with their Ordnance Arms and Ammunition 6. The Scots Army again ordered to be desired to sit down before Newarke and then to have thirty thousand pounds paid them Care for money for Lieutenant General Pointz his Forces Sir Thomas Fairfax advanced Westward Goring had about seven thousand horse well armed with Arms from France Votes for Compositions of Delinquents 7. Orders for money and recruits for the Army Letters brought by Mr. Peters from L. General Cromwell certified that after he had entred Winchester Town he summoned the Castle who denyed then he planted six Guns and after firing them round sent a second summons for a treaty which they refused that he made a breach with two hundred shot and then the Governour beat a Parley which was agreed to and Colonel Hammond and Major Harrison for Cromwell agreed upon Articles for surrender of the Castle Which was well manned with six hundred eighty horse and foot near two hundred Gentlemen Officers and their servants victualed with fifteen thousand weight of Cheese store of Wheat and Beer twenty Barrels of Powder seven peices of Connon The works exceeding strong eight hundred pound of Butter one hundred and forty quarters of Wheat and Meale seven thousand weight of Bisket great store of other Provision Arms and Ammunition The messenger of the good news had fifty pound given him An Ordinance read for borrowing forty thousand pound of the Gentry in London and Westminster and in the Adjacent Counties for pay of the Army and Orders for the recruits of it Mr. Peters was called in and made a particular Relation of the taking of Winchester Castle 8. Debate of the business of the Church Colonel Devereux Petitioned that he could not march to Major General Pointz according to the Orders for want of money and he was sent for up to the House Some papers from the King of Denmarke's Agent were received and laid by Orders touching Alderman Warner and about Compositions of Delinquents Votes That the General of the Scots Army in this Kingdom had no power to grant Commissions to any persons for raising Forces here That such Commissions were void and that no Englishman ought to take them Here the discontent towards the Scots began to grow among the Parliament men The King came to Newarke Colonel Web and Colonel Mainwaring with one thousand Horse and Dragoons joyned with L. G. Pointz Sir William Middleton and Lieutenant Colonel Mason fell upon a party of Prince Maurices horse in Montgomery-shire took Colonel Rowse other Officers twenty three Prisoners thirty horses and Arms. 9. The House ordered five hundred pound for Colonel Mitton in part of his Arears Order for a sequestred House for the Lord Mayor of London Intercepted Letters sent up by Major General Pointz Order for Forces to joyn with M. G. Pointz Ordinance sent up to the Lords for borrowing forty thousand pound of the Gentry c. Care for money for several Garrisons Lieutenant General Cromwell sate down before Basing-house and Colonel Pickering before Langford-house Major General Brown was chosen Burgess for Wicomb Longford house was deserted by the Garrison of the King Sir Thomas Fairfax advanced within twenty miles of Excester and Goring retreated further West The King went from Newarke over the Trent Colonel Rositer and Col Lidrot followed him 10. The House sate in a Grand Committee about the Scots papers and voted That the Scots Army not ingaging against the Enemy according to the desires of both Houses of Parliament was prejudicial to the Cause for which they desired their asistance with some other votes And thus the flame increased between them and the Parliament 11. The Grand Committee sate about the Scots Papers An Ordinance touching the Composition of the Earl of Devon Orders for money for Waggoners and for new Elections and for such as made their Compositions to pass their pardons under the Great Seal which was contrived by some of the Commissioners of the Great Seal 13. Debate about the Scots business and an Order for a Declaration to be drawn up for the clearing of all differences and preserving the Vnion of the two Kingdoms according to the Covenant And the House voted That if the Scots Army shall sit down before Newarke before the first of November next then thirty thousand pounds will be advanced for them They voted also in the business of one Mr. Case That the Scots Army had no power in this Kingdom to try an English-man by Marshall Law and that Mr Case Ought to have satisfaction herein Order for every Tuesday and Thursday weekly to be set apart to consider of Propositions of Peace The Ordinance past for forty thousand pounds for the Army Sir Thomas Fairfax by his Council of Warr resolved to block up the passages against Goring and to send forth parties to distrub him till Cromwell came up and then to proceed further The Scots Army were in the Bishoprick of Durham Pointz before Chester Rossiter attended the King's motions Wales generally declared for the Parliament Colonel Morgan took in Chepstow Town and besieged the Castle and upon refusing his summons planted his batteries made a Breach and then the Governour Colonel Fitz Morris yielded and left to Colonel Morgan seventeen peices of Ordnance store of Arms Ammunition and Provisions Sir Trevor Williams and divers Gentlemen of Glamorgan and Monmouth-shire raised fifteen hundred men for the Parliament 14. The Grand Committee sate about Propositions for Peace Letters from the King of Denmarke desiring to mediate a composure of the differences between the King and Parliament were considered and an order made That the same answer be returned to his Letters as was given to the King of France and to the States of Holland upon the like occasion Consideration of the difference between the Earl of Stamford and Sir Arthur Hesilrigge The Votes touching the Scots Army in the North and for their sitting down before Newarke sent to the Lords Orders for money for the Army and to discharge the promise of Sir Thomas Fairfax to his Souldiers that stormed Bridgwater of 6 l. and 10 s. a man and for
for these Mercies Fifty pound given to Mr. Row the Commissioners Secretary before Newarke A Committee appointed to draw Reasons to satisfie the Lords for demanding the Kings Person as was formerly voted 11. Letters advised of the Kings advancing Northwards with the Scots Army and that a house was preparing for his Majesty in Newcastle this caused the resuming of the debate for demanding the Kings Person but voted to be disposed of and to reside near his Parliament not to go to Warwick Castle The Lords concurrence desired to Votes That his Majesty be desired to give command for the Delivery up of all Forts in England Ireland and Wales into the hands of the Parliament and to dissolve the Commissions for Peace with the Irish Rebels and to leave the prosecution of that War to the Parliaments care Letters from Col. Whaley of the surrender of Banbury Castle upon Articles and left there ten pieces of Ordnance five hundred Arms nine Colours Arms Ammunition Malt Beef Wheat Bisket twenty Cows and sixty Sheep An hundred pound ordered to Col. Whaley to buy him two horses and five hundred pounds to the Engineer twenty pounds to the Messenger Letters of the Particulars of the surrender of Newarke that there went out with the Lord Bellasis the Governor the Lord Deincourt the Lord Lexington twelve Knights and many Gentlemen of one thousand five hundred foot all went to their several homes that the Articles were exactly performed and they left in the Town fourteen Pieces of Ordnance three thousand Arms store of Ammunition and Provisions and the Town very strong but the sickness was violent in it Letters of oppressions by some of the Scots Forces in the North upon whom the Countrey rose and some of both partys were killed A day appointed to consider thereof and of sending Forces into the North to protect the well affected and to hinder resort of malignants to the King and how to dispose of the Scots and other Forces and of Carlisle and other Forts which the Scots supplyed being in their hands 12. The day of thansgiving observed Letters of the Scots Army being on their march Northward the King in the van of them and that the Scots Commissioners desired a Meeting with the English Commissioners to give an account of their sudden departure and reasons for their not delivering up Mr. Ashburuham according to the Order of Parliament Letters that Sir Tho. Fairfax had made his approaches near the works at Oxford and finished the Bridge at Marston that Oxford Garrison made a Sally out but were beaten back one of their men killed and one of the Parliaments wounded that the approaches were so near that the Officers and Soldiers of either Parties parlied one with another and those of the Garrisonseemed troubled at the Kings goingto the Scots Army The General was a person of as meek and humble carriage as ever I saw in great imployment and but of few words in discourse or Council yet when his Judgment and Reason were satisfied he was unalterable except it were by Letter whereof as was fit he was the only Judge But I have observed him at Councils of War that he hath said little but hath ordered things expresly contrary to the judgement of all his Council and in action in the Field I have seen him so highly transported that scarce any one durst speak a word to him and he would seem more like a man distracted and furious than of his ordinary mildness and so far different temper The General sent a Summons to the Governor to surrender Oxford for the use of the Parliament expressing his unwillingness to do any thing of damage to that famous University and offering to them honourable terms Sir Thomas Glemham the Governor desired a safe conduct for Sir Jo. Mounson and Mr. Philip Warwick to come to the General to speak with him from Sir Thomas Glemham first which was assented to and the same day a Summons was sent to Wallingford Bostol and Radcot 13. An Ordinance sent to the Lords enabling the Lord L'isle Lieutenant of Ireland to beat up Drums to raise six thousand Foot and eight hundred and fifty Horse for Ireland another for Money for the Forces there A Letter for Sir Thomas Fairfax to spare a hundred Horse for recruits for Col. Jephson and referred to consider how an able Ministry might be setled in Ireland and that a thousand pound given by a Gentleman for the service of Ireland should be imployed for maintainance for Ministers there Reasons given by the Commons to the Lords why they adhered to their Votes for demanding the Kings Person That in England the disposal of him belonged to the Parliament of England and that the Scots Army were in Pay of the Parliament of England that the King ought to be near his Parliament and it was consonant to the Covenant The Scots Commissioners here presented papers to the House touching stay of their Packets of Letters the last Week Another Letter agreed on to be sent to the Prince further inciting him to come in to the Parliaments Quarters with offers of due respects beseeming a Prince Letters that M. G. Mitton fell upon the Lord Byron at Carmarthen beat them out of the Town into the Castle Letters of Dudley Castle being surrendred to Sir William Brereton upon Articles which were sent up to the Parliament and approved by them 14. A Letter of thanks to the Commissioners at Newarke for their care in that business and in demolishing the works of the Town Debate of the Scots Commissioners Papers touching the seizing of their Pacquet at the Court of Guard and the Speaker was ordered to deliver to them a paper inclosed in their pacquet which was in characters and no subscription to it nor Superscription Debate touching the Scots Commissioners Papers about the propositions for Peace and what inteterest Scotland had in the affairs of England in relation unto Peace and some Votes passed thereupon The Scots Commissioners failed to meet with the English Commissioners in the North about the delivering up Mr. Ashburnham Sir Jo. Mounson and Mr. Warwick who came from the Governor of Oxford to Sir Tho. Fairfax desired only liberty for the Governor to send to the King to know his pleasure touching the surrender of Oxford which the General denyed next day a Trumpet was sent to the General to desire longer time Wallingford also desired leave to send to the King but it was denyed News came that Prince Rupert made a Sally out of Oxford but was beaten back and himself wounded in the shoulder 15. Debate about the Scots Papers concerning the propositions for Peace Order for the Arrears of M. Mathews The General Muster put off The high Sheriff of Devon impow'red to bring forth his Regiment out of his County Allowance ordered to the Marquess of Winton 16. Some of the Common Council came to the House and desired the general Muster might not be wholly put off
upon which the House revoked their last Order about the Muster and set a day for it and informed the Militia that both Houses would be present at it Order for the safe keeping and disposing of the Princess Henrietta and for all things fitting for her Person Order for a Declaration to take off Scandals and Jealousies of the Parliaments Proceedings Conferrence about the Votes touching the demand of the Kings Person and the Lords desired reparation about some words spoken by a Member of the House of Commons at the last conference touching this business The King was at Lumley House three miles from Newcastle Letters from the Leaguer before Oxford certified that a Treaty was begun about the surrender of Oxford 18. Progress in the business of the Church Ordinance passed for eight hundred pound per An. to Bishop Morton of Duresme A Petition from M. G. Massey put off The Commissioners of the Excise continued Pass'd in the afternoon by the Commons for Compositions of Delinquents near twenty Ordinances Intelligence came of the Kings coming into Newcastle but without any Solemnity and lay at G. Levens Quarters Proclamation made by G. Leven that no Papists or Delinquents be permitted to come to the King Upon a Letter from the English Commissioners another Proclamation that all do conform to the Orders and Ordinances of Parliament Gen. Leven forbids all compliance of his Officers and Soldiers with any Malignants The Estates of Scotland forbid any to go out of that Kingdom without a Pass 19. Reasons given in the House why Mr. Ashburnham could not be delivered up according to the order of Parliament and complaints of the Scots Forces quartering in York-shire Voted That this Kingdom had no farther need of the Army of their Brethren the Scots in this Kingdom and that a hundred thousand pound should be raised and paid to the Scots Army fifty thousand pound thereof after they shall have surrendred New-Castle Carlisle and other English Garrisons possessed by them and the other fifty thousand pound to be paid to them after their advance into the Kingdom of Scotland Order to desire the Scots Commissioners in London to give in the Accounts of their Army that the Arrears may be audited and paid Both Houses went into Hide Park to see the general Muster Hartlebury Castle was surrendred to Col. Morgan upon Articles 20. The Speaker ordered to give a Pass for six Horses for the Prince of Orange Supply of Ammunition for Garrisons Progress upon the propositions for Peace and to sit daily till it were finished Letters of the Surrender of Ludlow to Col. Birch and Col. Mackworth 21 Wholly spent about the business of the Church Letters informed that the Treaty went on for the surrender of Oxford 22. Col. Rich brought Letters to the House from the General giving an account of the demands for the surrender of Oxford which were very high and so esteemed by the House who writ a Letter of thanks to the General for his care and desired him to proceed in the business for the reducing of Oxford The Copy of the Instructions to the Commissioners from Oxford to treat about the surrender of it sent up 23. Order for the Serjeant at Arms to fetch up from New-Castle Mr. Hudson one of the Persons that conveyed the King into the Scots Army who was said to confess that his Majesty was near London upon the day that the General Muster should have been Progress in the business of the Church The Houses differed upon some amendments of an Ordinance for Ely House for the Serjeant at Arms. The Oxford Commissioners for the Treaty of Surrender insisted upon liberty to send to the King wherein Sir Tho. Fairfax would not resolve and in the mean time the Treaty was adjourned for two or three days yet both sides prepared for War great Guns came from Reading and they shot from the Garrison at those in the Leaguer but little hurt was done Col. Whaley coming before Worcester Col. Morgan drew farther off and the Garrison sallyed out upon Col. Whaley who beat them back and took eight Prisoners Captain Batten summoned Pendennis Castle to surrender to the Parliament 25. Order for the Princess Henrietta to be brought to St. Jameses and Provision to be made there for her answerable to her Quality and Richmont was appointed for the Prince his Residence if he shall come in A Letter from the King to both Houses expressed That his Majesty was not come into the Scots Army out of any intent to divide the Kingdoms in assection or prolong the War but to secure his Person and labour to compose the differences between him and his Kingdoms and settle all well He desired that Religion might be first insisted on and setled according to the advice of the Assembly of Divines of both Kingdoms For the Militia he was willing to concur with that propounded at Uxbridge For Ireland he will do what he can to satisfie desires of that kind That for surrender of the Garrisons in his hands he hath given order for Oxford to be surrendred and will do the like for the rest and is willing that all Forces may be disbanded and that the Debts of the Nation should be paid He sent another Letter to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Professing his Intention to settle Peace and give them satisfaction and that he hath written to all that have Commissions from him in Scotland to disband their Forces and to render their Garrisons and professeth his resolution to give all just satisfaction to the joynt desires of both Kingdoms and to comply with both Parliaments and for the expression of their loyal intentions towards him he returns them hearty thanks He acquaints them that he hath written to the Governor of Oxford to quit that Garrison upon honourable conditions and disband those Forces and that being granted he will give the like order to his other Garrisons and Forces he desires this Letter may be published with a proclamation in Scotland He also wrote another Letter to the City of London complementing them and acquainting them with his Letters to the Parliaments of both Kingdoms Ashburnham escaped from New-Castle before the Deputy of the Serjeant at Arms came thither for him and another Messenger was sent thither for Hudson 26. Debate about the Irish business and supplys thither and the Arrears of the Lord Inchequin and Lord Broghil A Remonstrance from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of London was presented to both Houses desiring a strict course for suppressing all private and seperate Congregations That all Anabaptists Hereticks and Sectaries c. as conformed not to the publick Discipline may be declared and proceeded against That all may be required to obey the Government setled or to be setled That none disaffected to the Presbyterian Government may be imployed in any place of publick Trust That the Propositions for Peace may be hastned That the Vnion may be preserved
of his Parliaments that all differences might be composed and all Armies disbanded To which the King answered That he came to the Scots Army with intent to settle Peace and to satisfie the just desires of his good Subjects and to comply with his Parliament in all things for the good of Religion and the Happiness of his Subjects and when Peace shall be setled he will find out some honourable means for imployment of so many gallant men as are in this Army 6. Malignant Ministers to be disabled from any Livings of the Church Instructions passed for the Commissioners to go to the King with the propositions for Peace they were to demand his Majesties positive Answer to them which if not given within ten days they were to return to the Parliament Commissioners for the House of Lords were the Earls of Pembroke and Suffolke for the House of Commons Sir Jo. Danvers Sir Jo. Hippesley Mr. Robinson and Sir Walter Earle Letters from the Deputy Major of New-Castle that he had hindred Delinquents from coming to his Majesty His action was approved and order for a Declaration to give power to the Northern Committees to hinder Delinquents from coming to his Majesty Debate touching slighting of Inland Garrisons and referred to the respective Committees to do it in the North and West Vote against the Scots renewed That this Kingdom had no more need of the Scots Army and that the Scots Commissioners should be desired to take order that their Army might be withdrawn out of this Kingdom which is no longer able to bear them The Lords desired a Committee of both Houses might be appointed to reform Cambridge University and to slight that Garrison 7. Sir John Danvers desired to be excused and Mr. Robert Goodwin was named in his stead one of the Commissioners to go with the Propositions to his Majesty Captain Johnson that brought up the last Message from the King had twenty pound Divers Ordinances past for Compositions Petitions about Tyn and about the Fens Divers Ministers from the Assembly in Scotland came to the King with a Petition to him to take the Covenant but would preach to him before it were delivered Sir Peter Killegrew went to the King with the Letter of both Houses touching Ireland 8. Order for stating the Accounts of Sir Will. Brereton as Major General The Committee of Examinations dissolved not having done well Order for five thousand pound for the Forces before Litchfield and that Sir Will. Brereton should go down to that Siege Orders for relief of Ireland Reports of Compositions and Orders Worcester demanded higher Articles than Oxford had Wallingford was upon Treaty but the Governor Col. Blagge sent an high and proud Letter to the General Blagge desired a Cessation and the General agreed to it to prevent the burning of the Town which Col. Blagge intended and the Commissioners met on both parts about it The Cessation from all acts of Hostility was agreed for four days 9. Order to discharge the attendants of the Duke of York when he should come to St. Jameses and six hundred pound to buy a Coach and Apparel for him Mr. Marshall ordered to go with the Commissioners that carried the Propositions Money for the Scots Officers Intelligence that the Prince was come into France to his Mother and that the Lord Digby was gone for Ireland and that the Earl of Glamorgan was in the head of an Army there Monsieur Bellieure the French Ambassador to the Parliament landed Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice took Shipping Major General Massey took his place in the House The Treaty for Worcester broke off 10. Ordinance committed for Sale of Delinquents Estates another past for Irish and Papists to go out of London Order for all that came in upon the Articles of Oxford and Exeter to ingage before the Committees to act nothing prejudicial to the Parliament Ordinance past for Mr. Woodcocke to be Parson of St. Olave Southwarke another for redemption of Captives Letters from the general Assembly of the Kirke of Scotland after complements earnestly desire the Parliament of England timeously to settle Church-Government according to the Covenant with expressions against those who hinder Uniformity they resolve to observe the Covenant Another Letter from them to the Assembly of Divines thanking them for their care and pains in the work of Religion that Sectaries ought to be suppressed c. Another to the Lord Mayor and Common Council of London commending them for their Petition to the Parliament about Religion and mentioning those of London in Queen Maries days and the zeal of the Citizens for God commending them for their actions in the present times and for their countenancing the Assembly and the Scots Commissioners and highly incouraged them to go on The French Ambassador was received into London in great State 11. Order for reducement of the Forces of Nottingham and for Money for that work and for the losses and damages of that County Order for a pass for the Earl of Bristol to go beyond Sea according to Exeter Articles Liberty to the Earl of Cleveland upon bail to go into the Countrey for three weeks for his health The propositions for Peace fully passed both houses Money for M. G. Massey's Forces Order for slighting divers Garrisons Lieutenant Col. Lilburn brought to the Barr of the Lords House had his charge read to him but he seemed to slight it and was re-committed 13. The Houses sate not having resolved to adjourn this hot season two days in the week till they had an answer to the propositions but a Committee sate to examine the ingrossment of the propositions and to see them signed by the Speakers and the Scots Commissioners and to declare them to the Commissioners The Propositions were to sign an Act. 1. To take away all Oaths and Proclamations against the Parliament and their Actions 2. To Sign the Covenant and an Act for the general taking of it 3. To pass an Act to abolish Bishops c. 4. To confirm the Assembly 5. That Religion be setled as both Houses should agree 6. Vnity and Vniformity of Religion to be confirmed by an Act. 7. An Act against Jesuits Papists c. 8. An Act for educating Papists Children in the Protestant Religion 9. For Penalties against Papists 10. Against saying of Mass in any place 11. The like for Scotland as they shall think fit 12. For the due observation of the Lords day and against Pluralities non Residents and regulating the Vniversities in the same Act. 13. The Militia to be in the Parliament for twenty Years so for Scotland with power to raise Moneys and use the Militia c. Londons Priviledges as to their Militia confirmed 14. All Honours and Titles since the great Seal was carried from the Parliament to be void and no Peers to be but by consent of both Houses 15. To confirm the Treaty between England and Scotland and conservators of the Peace to be appointed
Now there began to be an understanding between some here and the Scots for their delivery up of the Kings Person to the Parliament Both Houses agreed to appoint a Committee to ask some questions of the Duke of York touching the Kings Letter to him for his escape and to refer to the Committee of both Kingdoms a Letter newly come from the King to both Houses much to the same effect with his former desiring to come to London or to some of his Houses thereabouts with Honour and safety and that the Letter be communicated to the Scots Commissioners The Scots Commissioners had sent to the Lords to acquaint them with their speedy going away from hence to Scotland and desired to know what further service the Houses had to command them to the Parliament of Scotland Both Houses agreed that the Committee of both Kingdoms should return the thanks of the House to the Scots Commissioners for all their pains and good service taking notice of this their last respect to the two houses Orders for five hundred pound for Col. Blake for disbanding some Forces and for Sir Ben. Ayliffe and Sir William Wingfield Prisoners to be bayled 25. Though Christ-mas day the Houses â—ate ordered a Collection for the poor The Commons concurred with that part of the Vote of the Lords That the Kings coming to Holmeby shall be with respect to the safety and preservation of his Majesties Person and in preservation and defence of the true Religion The question was put whether words according to the Covenant should be passed and it pass'd in the affirmative 26. The Commons agreed with the Lords That after his Majesty was come to Holmeby house and attended by such as both houses shall appoint and that the Scots are gone out of this Kingdom the Houses will do nothing but what shall be for the preservation of the Peace and Vnion of both Kingdoms This with the rest ordered to be sent to the Lords Many Citizens attended impatiently for an answer to their Petition 28. Both Houses conferred the Searchers place of Sandwich and Dover upon Col. Mainwaring of London and other competitors were referred to a Committee to find out something for them An Ordinance pass'd at Sir Henry Vanes request to enable him to make a surrender of his place of Treasurer of the Navy Both Houses agreed that there should be no further Treaty with the King and the Commons voted That the King coming to Holmeby House and the Scots Army gone out of the Kingdom the two Houses will then joyn with the Scots in using all possible means to perswade the King to pass the Propositions and if he refuse that then the Houses will do nothing that may break the Vnion and Affection of the two Kingdoms but to preserve the same Upon this and the other Votes a Declaration was pass'd and sent up to the Lords and with them the Ordinances for Sale of Bishops Lands and for taking away the Court of Wards to be sent to the King as additional Propositions A Conference of both Houses about Compositions of Delinquents and that Lawyers and others who had taken Oaths to attend at the Terms might not be made Sheriffs who take an Oath to attend the County Affronts offered to the Parliaments Commissioners and to their Officers and Soldiers in Ireland Great wants of the Protestant Forces there so that a Soldier had but six pence and a six penny-loaf of Bread in a week to live upon 29. The Lords agreed to the Ordinances and declaration yesterday sent up to them but the Houses did not agree to a Clause added by the Lords for giving one hundred thousand pound per An. to the King in lieu of Wardships Mr. Mynnes after proofs heard and examinations was voted a Delinquent and four thousand pound due to him in the hands of Sir Humfrey Forster was ordered two thousand pound thereof to Sir John Merrick in part of his Arrears and the other two thousand pound to Whitelocke for his Arrears and Charges Order that Mr. Minnes do bring in his Deeds evidences c. for Sir Humphrey Forster and that he be indempnified for his paying the Money according to the order of the Parliament Orders for the payment of Hull Garrison for Sir Jo. Hippesley's disbursements for the State to be audited and paid To some Queries propounded by the Parliament of Scotland to the Assembly of their Kirk the Assembly gave this Answer The Quere supposeth the Kings coming into this Kingdom which we humbly conceive should not be put into the question and therefore desire your Lordships to go about all means for the present preventing of it as a matter of most dangerous consequence to Religion this Kirk and Kingdom and to the King himself and his Posterity But if the question be stated If the King be excluded from Government in England for not granting the Propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant and for not giving a satisfactory answer to the remnant Propositions whether in that case it be lawfull to assist him for the recovery of the Government or if it be not lawful being put to it we cannot but answer in regard of the ingagement of this Kingdom by Covenant and Treaty Negative The Parliament of Scotland pass'd these Votes 1. That Scotland shall be Governed as it hath been for the five last years all means being used that the King may take the Covenant and pass the Propositions 2. That the taking the Scots Covenant and passing some of the Propositions doth not give warrant to assist him against England 3. That upon bare taking the Covenant we may not receive him 4. That the Clause in the Covenant for defence of the Kings Person is to be understood in defence and safety of the Kingdom 5. That the King shall not execute any power in Scotland till he hath granted the propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant and given a satisfactory answer to both Kingdoms in the rest of the Propositions presented to him by both Kingdoms at Newcastle 6. That if his Majestie refuse to pass the Propositions he shall be disposed of according to the Covenant and Treaties 7. That the Vnion be firmly kept between the Kingdoms according to the Covenant and Treaties 30. The Fast day divers new Members took the Covenant and voted that all such Members who have not taken it shall take it the next Fast day or be suspended the House 31. Instructions for the Commissioners who are to take possession of the Garrisons upon the departure of the Scots and for the Hostages agreed upon and a Letter to General Leven that the Scots may lay no Assesments nor take any free Quarter upon their March after the first hundred thousand pound shall be paid Order for the Ammunition in Berwick and Carlisle to be brought to New-castle Debate about the City Petition and Crowds of Citizens attending to know what was done in it In the afternoon they sate again and till
settle differences between well affected Tenants and disaffected Landlords and to consider of Judges for Wales Dr. Hudson the Kings Guide was long examined in the House and committed close Prisoner to the Tower for Treason Orders for sixty pound to the Officers and Troopers that brought up Dr. Hudson and for the discharge of Col. Morrice and for sixty pound to the Serjeants Deputies 22. The Grand Committee sate upon matter of Religion and the Lords Ordinance prohibiting any to Preach but those who are ordained The King propounded to the Scots Commissioners two Quaeries in what condition he stood whether a free man or under restraint if not a free man then his answer to their desires would not be valid They pressed him to assent to the Propositions if not they must acquaint him with the resolutions of the Parliament of England The King replied he knew them and demanded if he went to Scotland whether he should be there with Honor Freedom and Safety to which they gave no answer 23. The Grand Committee sate about the payment of the Soldiers 25. The House received a Declaration of Scotland sent to the Scots Commissioners here to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament to this effect Reciting former transactions with the King and his denyal to sign the Propositions that the King hath often declared his desires to be near the Parliament of England who have communicated to them that Holmeby House is the place they think sit for his Majesty to come unto there to remain with safety of his Person in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms according to the Covenant Therefore and in regard his Majesty hath not given a satisfactory answer to the Propositions and to keep a right understanding and prevent new troubles to satisfie the desire of his Majesty the Parliament of England to prevent misinformation and to satisfie the estates of the Parliament of Scotland do declare their concurrence for his Majesties coming to Holmeby House or some other of his Houses in or about London there to remain till he satisfie both Kingdoms in the Propositions of Peace And that in the interim there be no harm done to his Person that there be no change of Government other then hath been the three years past and that his Posterity be no way prejudiced in their Lawful Succession They are assured that the intentions of their Brethren are the same and they conclude that they will endeavour to keep all right between the Kingdoms according to the Covenant and Treaties They desire 1. That a Committee of both Kingdoms attend his Majesty and press him to grant the Propositions and if he refuse to determine further what is necessary for continuing the Vnion and that no agreement be made with the King distinct 2. That such Scots as have Places about the King may exercise them except Persons excepted and none be barred access or attendance who have warrant from either Parliament 3. That the one Kingdom assist the other in case of trouble 4. That England agree for some Competency for the Scots Forces in Ireland A Committee touching the Accounts of the Kingdom Orders for one thousand eight hundred pound for Sir Philip Stapleton for his Arrears and for two thousand five hundred pound for Col. Thompson and for Captain Torneton Major of London Derry to be sent for in Custody to answer the Committee of Accounts Order for Sir Thomas Fairfax to have his five thousand pound per An. out of Delinquents Estates excepted Orders for Disbanding the Troop of Wilts and for six thousand pound for the Regiment of Northampton-shire and for twelve thousand five hundred pound for the reduced Officers A Committee to confer with the Judges about bringing excepted Persons to a speedy Tryal An Ordinance read for Sale of Delinquents Estates who are excepted but they to be first tryed Order for six thousand pound for the Garrison of Portsmouth out of such Delinquents Estates as the Gentlemen of Hampshire should name Upon the Lord L'Isle's desire Major Harrison voted to go with him into Ireland A Letter from the French Ambassador to the Lords that he had Letters of Consequence from the King his Master to the Parliament 26. Divers Compositions past that of Mr. Goodale rejected because he lately killed a man in cold Blood In the afternoon the House sate about the Scots Papers Letters from the North informed that the Scots had received their Money and given Acquittances for it That the Parliament of Scotland sent their resolution to the General and Commissioners to deliver the King to the Commissioners of England to be conducted to Holmeby Major General Skippon published a Proclamation at the head of every Regiment of his Convoy that no Officer or Soldier under his Command either in Word or Deed give any just occasion of offence to any Officer or Soldier of the Scots Army but demean themselves towards them civilly and inoffensively as becometh Brethren Letters from the North that the Scots had shipped their own Ordnance and Carriages that they sent but fourteen Troopers to Convoy their Money 27. The Monthly Fast After the Sermons the House met and ordered a general Fast day throughout the Kingdom to beseech God for the rooting out of Heresie and Blasphemies At a Conference both Houses agreed to the Scots desires That when the Scots Army is out of the Kingdom and the King come to Holmeby Commissioners be sent from both Kingdoms to press his Majesty to pass the Propositions and Sign the Covenant And if he refuse then to consider how to settle the Kingdoms according to the Covenant and Treaties that nothing be concluded with the King but according to the Treaties that no Person excepted be admitted to the King that those chosen to attend him at Holmeby be but for a time nor any prejudice to be to those who have adhered to the Parliament and that when any trouble ariseth in either Kingdom the other to assist according to the Treaties 28. Order for Money for the reduced Officers Mr. Barrill approved to be Attorney General in Ireland Orders for the Assesments for Ireland to be continued for discharging of Sir Robert King and Sir Jo Clotworthy from being Commissioners for Ireland upon their own desires and for supplys for Dublin Order for Newport Pagnell to be slighted and the Ammunition there to be sent to Ireland Orders for all the Officers and Soldiers designed for Ireland speedily to repair to the Sea Side and for six pound a Week allowance for the Lady Ranelagh and for five hundred pound for Col. Temple for his Arrears The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland took his leave of the House 29. Debate in the Grand Committee concerning Persons Preaching who were not Ordained The Commission agreed for the Agent of the Turkey Company to Constantinople sent up to the Lords and they consented to it 30. The Grand Committee sate concerning the pay for the Army Letters
raising sixty thousand pound a Month for maintenace of the Forces in this Kingdom and for the service of Ireland and the lessening of the former assessment gave some content to the People 23. Col. Birch stopped by the Guards was discharged by the General Debate about the Charge of the Army against the eleven Members and a Letter sent to the General that what shall be particularly charged against their Members with Testimony and Witnesses shall be received and the House proceed in a legal way therein The third proposition of the representation of the Army upon the question resolved not to be debated and the fourth and a day set to debate the fifth Proposition The City Commissioners returned with Letters from the General further to satisfie the City of his real intentions towards them 24. The Common Council acquainted the House with a Remonstrance and a Letter sent from the General and the Army and in prosecution thereof they desired 1. That they may have further leave to send some of their Members to the Army to hold a good correspondence with the Army which after debate the House agreed 2. That all forces listed by the Committee of Safety or Militia may be discharged which was also hardly consented to 3. That the discontented and reduced Officers and Souldiers may be put out of the Lines of Communication to which was answered That they had put it in such a way as in their judgments they thought fit The Remonstrance of the Army was 1. That the Declaration inviting men to desert the Army be recalled 2. That the Army may be paid up equally to the deserters 3. That His Majesties coming to Richmond may be suspended until Affairs be better settled and no place appointed for his Residence nearer London then the Parliament will allow the Quarters of the Army to be 4. That the Members charged may be forthwith suspended the House 5. That those who have deserted the Army may be disperst and receive no more of their Arrears till the Army be first satisfied 6. That the Parliament and City may be freed from the multitudes of Reformadoes and Souldiers 7. That all Listings and Raisings of new forces and preparations towards a new War may be declared against and supprest The Lords desired the Commons consent to a Letter to the King That by reason of some late accidents they humbly entreated his Majesty either to stay at Royston or Theobalds or to return to New-market to which the Commons agreed 25. Debate of the Charge of the Eleven Members and Voted That by the Law no judgment can be given to suspend those Members from Sitting in the House upon the Papers presented from the Army before the particulars be produced and proofs made and that it doth not appear that any thing hath been said or done in the House by any of those Members touching any Matters in the Papers sent from the Army for which the House can in Justice suspend them Order for pulling down the new Excise-House in Smithfield to which work many people gladly resorted and carryed away the Materials The Head Quarters of the Army removed from St. Albans to Berkamstead the King was unwilling to return to Newmarket but stayed at Royston Power given to the Parliaments Commissioners to confer with the Commissioners of the City in the Army and Order for the Militia of London to send four Companies for the Guard of the Parliament 26. Letters from the Commissioners in the Army and from the General of the Grounds of the Armies advance nearer London Not to awe the Parliament or be a terror to them or the City and renewed their desires That the Members charged by them may be suspended the House and then they will give in a more particular Charge with the Proofs to make it good Letters from the General and his Officers to the City assuring them That they will keep their promise to them and intend not in their near approach any prejudice to the City That they tender their peace and welfare equal with their own and their aims are only to obtain a firm Peace and not a new War The Head Quarters came to Vxbridg and resolved not to march nearer London The King was at Hatfield Upon debate of a message from the eleven Members Charged by the Army the House at last agreed to it and they all left the House Mr. Hollis Sir Phil. Stapleton and Mr. Long went together in a Ship to France where that Gallant English Gentleman Sir Phil. Stapleton fell sick at Sea and grew more sick on Shoar at Callis and within two or three days dyed there as some suspected of the Plague Others of the eleven Members went to other parts and some of them retired into their Countries and there lived privately Mr. Hollis continued divers years after in Britany in France Letters from the Commissioners in the Army about their additional Powers Orders touching the Arrears of Listed Officers out of the twenty five thousand pounds The Ordinance past the Commons for relaxation of Schollars and Apprentices Letters from Vxbridge informed That Dr. Hammond and Dr. Shelden were come to the King to Hatfield That the Councel of War Sat all night at Vxbridge and recalled some of their Regiments who had Quarters nearer London 28. Upon Letters from the Commissioners with the King the House Ordered That they do remove the Duke of Richmond Dr. Shelden Dr. Hammond and all others who ought not to come to the King according to their instructions and that a Letter be sent to the General to give Order that the Guards attending His Majesty observe the Commands of the Commissioners in relation to their Instructions and in keeping Malignants from the King Letters from the Army to this effect That as to the Vote That for any thing done by the eleven Members in the House they could not in justice suspend them Though they doubted not but if it might be done without breach of Priviledg they could prove such proceedings and practises of theirs in the House that they ought to be suspended yet they were so tender of the Priviledges of Parliament that at present they would forbear to press any further upon that point To the Vote That by the Law no judgment can be given to suspend those Members upon the Papers from the Army till particulars produced and proofs made Though reasons may be given and precedents of this Parliament produced to the contrary as in Cases of the Earl of Strafford the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Lord Finch yet considering the proceedings thereupon will take up much time and the present unsettled affairs will require a speedy consideration they are willing that the greater and more general matters be first settled and will forbear giving in the particulars unless required Whereas they understand that the Members Charged by them desired leave to withdraw themselves from the House they take notice of the modesty thereof and
King came to Sion and dined with his Children and removed to Hampton Court News of the Sudden death of Sir Philip Stapleton at Callis of the Plague 25. The Monthly Fast-day 26. Orders for a new Election and about the Excise and an Ordinance pass'd to make Mr. Langley Master of Pembroke Colledge in Oxford Referred to a Committee to consider what is fit to be done for the security of the Parliament when the Army shall withdraw A Petition of many Citizens in behalf of Lilburne referred to the Committee where Mr. Martin had the Chair Order to put off all private business for ten days In respect of the danger of infection the General was desired to give command to the Guards attending the House to keep the passages from Clamorous Women and to suffer none to disturb the House 27. The alterations in the Propositions for peace sent from the Lords to the Commons were with some other alterations made by the Commons agreed unto and returned to the Lords again who concurred in them and they were ordered to be communicated to the Scots Commissioners Debate touching the Election of Mr. D'oyley the House not satisfied but that he was within the Rule of those who by adhering to the Kings Party were uncapable to sit in Parliament 28. Letters from the General to the House That upon consideration of the present advantage that may be made through the goodness of God of the late success of their Forces in Ireland upon advice with his Council of War he finds that there will be in readiness six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse if they may have incouragement for the Service of Ireland He desires an effectual course may be taken for Moneys and Necessaries and to remove obstructions and saith he hath appointed a certain number of Officers to wait upon such as the House shall appoint to consult upon the whole business The General removed his Quarters to Putney and his Army into larger Quarters and further then before from London The Parliaments Commissioners went to the Army and had conference with the General and his Council of War touching the sending of Forces into Ireland and the General consulted about putting a guard of Citizens into the Tower and for guards for the Parliament The old Commissioners of the Militia of London met again The Common-Council sat about an Ordinance to be pass'd for calling in of clipped Money Col. Layton was committed Prisoner by the General Sir Robert Pye taken Prisoner by some of the Army was released again by the General 30. The Houses sat not but the Committee proceeded in the examination of the business touching the late Force put upon the Parliament An Ordinance pass'd both Houses for establishing the duty of Excise Letters from Col. Whaley that the King thought himself much wronged and abused by a Paper lately published as in his name intituled His Majesties Declaration which the King wholly disowne and dislikes and that to vindicate the King by discovering and punishing the Libeller would give great satisfaction to his Majesty That the King hunted in the great Park and dined with his Children at Syon c. 31. The day of thanksgiving for the Victory in Irland The Marquess of Ormond visited the King and afterwards visited the General at Putney and was received with great kindness The Council of War sat about sending the Forces into Ireland and about placing of Guards in the Tower and for Guards for the Houses September 1647. September 1. Letters ordered to the Commissioners in the Army to treat farther with the General and to expedite the sending away of Forces into Ireland and a Committee to consider of raising Money for them Debate about security for such as shall bring in Bullion and against transporting of it and for calling in clipt Silver Orders about stating the accounts of Officers and Soldiers and about Money for the maimed Soldiers and for Money for Plymouth Garrison Several Votes of both Houses about presenting the propositions of Peace to his Majesty Debate upon a Message from the Lords with a Letter from the Estates of Scotland and from the Scots Commissioners about the business of the Lord Lotherdale and the stay of Mr. Chiesely at Newcastle desiring reparations The Lords referred it to the Committee of both Kingdoms the Commons referred it to the Committee with the Army Col. Lilburne Governor of New-castle wrote a Letter to the States of Scotland excusing the stay of Mr. Chieseley at New-castle that he knew him not nor did Mr. Chiesely show any Pass from the Scots Commissioners or from Sir Thomas Fairfax and was stayed in the time when the Tumults were at London and intelligence of endeavours to engage a Party in Scotland against the Parliament of England but as soon as he knew who Mr. Chiesley was he discharged him freely 2. Both Houses passed the Ordinance for setling the Militia of London in the old hands and some of the Committee joyned with them They also pass'd a Declaration against the crowding of Soldiers and others at the doors of both Houses A Petition in the name of the Inhabitants of Bristol 1. For settlement of Peace and to prevent another War 2. To answer the Grievances of the Army and to Vindicate them 3. To preserve the just Rights and Liberties of the People from Tyramy 4. To free the People from unlawful Powers and endeavours to suppress their Petitions 5. To remove out of the House and places of Justice unfit and uncapable persons 6. That Faithful Persons may be trusted 7. For tenderness in imposing the Covenant 8. That tender Consciences may not be grieved 9. For an Act of Oblivion 10. For speedy tryal of Prisoners 11. Against long Imprisonments 12. To compassionate Widows and maimed Soldiers 13. That Accounts may be given 14. To find out a way that Suits of Law may be less chargeable and dilatory and the Laws in a less Volumn and in English The Petitioners were called in and told That the House could not approve of some things in their Petition but gave them thanks for their good affections Upon a Letter from the General Order for a Commission to determine differences in Jersey Both Houses agreed upon an answer to the Letter of the Scots Commissioners Vote That the works about London be demolished according to a Paper from the Army to ease the charge of maintaining and keeping them 3. Order That the propositions be presented to the King on Tuesday next by the Commissioners and that the ten days for receiving his Majesties answer be altered to six days Debate of making Col. Hammond Governor of the Isle of Wight and about an Ordinance for suppressing of scurrillous Pamphlets Mr. Bainton charged with signing a Warrant for raising Horse in the City to further the late tumults was suspended the House 4. The whole day spent upon the report concerning the late tumult and force upon the Parliament Voted That Summons be sent
for Mr. Hollis Sir William Waller Sir Jo. Clotworthy Major General Massey Mr. Walter Long and Mr. Nicolls reported to have ingaged in that business and That Mr. Glyn and Sir Jo. Maynard do attend the House about that business 6. Mr. Recorder Glyn attended the House but his business was put off to the next day The non-concurrence of the Scots Commissioners to part of the Propositions of Peace hindred the sending them to the King and the House ordered the Committee of both Kingdoms to desire this afternoon their positive answer of concurrence or not because the Houses were resolved to send the Propositions to the King to morrow Order to call in Biddle's Pamphlet Blasphemous against the Deity of Christ and that it be burnt by the Hang-man and the Examination of Biddle referred to the Committee of Plundered Ministers Execution of Mackquire put off An Ordinance passed both Houses about calling in of clipt Silver An Ordinance pass'd the Commons for making Col. Hammond Governor of the Isle of Wight Letters from the Lord Inchequin for Money c. referred to the Committee Letters from Ireland certify That the Lord Inchequin Soldiers there were upon a Remonstrance resenting the proceedings of Parliament and Army in England they declared That they would prosecute the War against the Rebels but would not admit of any alteration in Martial Government till their Arrears both in England and Ireland were paid Ordinance pass'd the Commons to disable all who had born Arms against the Parliament from any publick Office or Imployment Six or eight thousand of the Scottish Forces were drawn Southwards to quarter upon the Borders 7. Upon the report of the Scots Commissioners concurrence to the Propositions for Peace both Houses pass'd a Letter to the Commissioners with the King That they with the Scots Commissioners now to be sent down should present the Propositions to the King and receive his answer within six days Both Houses agreed upon a Letter to the Estates of Scotland for recalling the Scots Forces out of Vlster according to the Treaty Upon the Petition of Col. Baines That the Counter where he was Prisoner was infected with the Plague he was removed to Peter-House Mr. Recorder Glyn attended the House according to their former Order and the Charge was read against him for being active in the late disorders of London for promoting a new War and incouraging the Riotous Petitioners To this he made his defence with much Prudence and clearness yet the sentence of the House was upon the question carried against him That he should be discharged from being a Member of the House and committed to the Tower during the pleasure of the House The like sentence was against Sir Jo. Maynard another of the eleven Members for the like offence and further That an Impeachment of High Treason be drawn up against him A Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councel of War to the Common Councel about the advance of mony by way of Loan for the Army upon the security of the Arrears of the City and the Letter was quick and from an Army for mony 8. Upon the further report of what persons were active in the late Tumults and design of a new War The Commons Voted That an impeachment of high Treason should be against the Earl of Suffolk the Lord Willoughby of Parham the Lord Hundesden Lord Mainard the Earl of Lincoln Lord Barkley and the Earl of Middlesex The Commons by Message impeached these Lords of High Treason at the Bar of that House and prayed That they might be Sequestred from the House and Committed and That they would bring in a particular Charge against them Sir Jo. Mainard was sent to the Tower and the Commitment of Mr. Glyn suspended for a week that he might have time to sort and deliver out his Papers concerning the City of London and about his Clients at Law A Message to the Commons for taking off the Sequestration of the Duke of Bucks Estate and recommending a Petition of the Lord Grey's to the Commons Mr. Biddle's Book was burned The Propositions were delivered to the King by the Commissioners at Hampton-Court and he told them he would give his answer with all conveniency 9. Both Houses pass'd an Ordinance for constituting a Committee for the Militia of Westminster and the Out-Parishes with the same power as the Committee have for the Militia of London and another Ordinance for a Committee of the Militia of Southwark and another for the Tower Hamlets to be under the Command of the Lieutenant of the Tower Another Ordinance past to enable the Militia's of London and Westminster to pull down the Courts of Guard and Lines and to sell the Timber and the Citizens were invited to send their servants to assist in this work The Common-Councel had returned answer to the General and returned the like this day to the Commons That they could not advance the fifty thousand pounds as was desired for the Pay of the Army the Commons Ordered That they should be further desired to advance this sum Some of the Citizens were put in mind That not long since upon advance of the Army near them they would then willingly have parted with a much greater sum to purchase the favour of the Army and freedom from their fears and the Army having dealt so kindly with them and not taking a penny from any of them when they had so great an advantage against them and the Army having now writ to them to desire them to advance this sum it was wondred at and they wished to be well advised that they did not too far provoke the House and the Army by denying of it sullenly Commissary Copley for assisting in the late Tumults and to promote a new War was discharged of his service in the House and Committed to the Tower and Captain Mulgrave for the same offence was sent Prisoner to Newgate Ordered by the House of Peers That the Gentleman Usher of the Black-Rod bring in the Lords impeached by the House of Commons to answer to the Impeachment The House Sat again in the Afternoon my Lord Willoughby's Friends advised him to keep out of the way until the present heat and storm were a little past over The City of London had generally an inclination to make choice of Whitlocke to be their Recorder in the place of Mr. Glyn but he had no mind to it and sought to decline it 10. A Declaration of both Houses published That none shall be Elected into any Office that hath assisted the Enemy against the Parliament The Scots Forces Quartered upon the borders of England and Commissioners of the Estates were coming for England 11. The Houses Sat not but the Commissioners and Councel of War Sat close at Putney about the business of Ireland and of Garrisons and Disbandings but all was at a stand for want of monies to Pay the Souldiers which much discontented them Letters from
to examine and punish Church-wardens Sequestrators and others who countenance the same Order to put in Execution the ordinance for abolishing Holy-days A Printed Paper directed to the Speaker intituled Observations on the Scots Message to the Parliament referred to a Committee to find out the Authors and Printers of it being very scandalous to the King Parliament and Army Mr. Saltmarsh the Minister assirmed that he had somewhat revealed to him from Heaven wherewith he must acquaint the Army And presently went from his House in Essex to Windsor where he spake with the General with his hat on and told him he had doted on him but now must honour him no more because he had Imprisoned the Saints He also told the Officers of the Army That formerly he came to them as a Lamb but now he was come as a Lyon to tell them what the Lord bad revealed to him That though the Lord had done much by them and for them yet he had now for saken them and would not prosper them because they had for saken him their first Principles and had imprison'd the Saints with many of the like expressions He then told the Army He had delivered his message done his work and must leave them and see them no more and so went from Windsor to London and from thence to his House in Essex where being ill on Friday he told his Wife he had now finished his Course and must go to his Father And the next day he dyed 27. Orders for Money for the Navy At a Conference the Commons informed the Lords that Col. Rainsborough had cleared himself of the objections formerly made against him and now at the desire of the General and his Councel the Commons had voted him to be readmitted to his imployment of Vice-Admiral and desired their Lordships Concurrence therein Debate upon a Petition of Doctor Trigge Some Compositions of Delinquents passed Letters from the Commissioners sent to the King That they presented the Bills and Propositions to his Majesty who then said He was assured they would not expect a present answer but he would take the same into consideration and give his answer within few days The next day after the four Bills presented to the King the Scots Commissioners came to him and presented to him a Declaration That they had endeavoured by all means to the Parliament of England for furthering a happy Peace having seen the Propositions and understood of Bills brought to his Majesty which they apprehend prejudicial to Religion the Crown and the Vnion between the Kingdoms and therefore in the name of the Kingdom of Scotland declare their dissent The General sent his Letters to Major General Lambert Major General Laugherne Major General Mitton Major Hopton Col. Humphreys Col. Duckenfield and Col. Venables concerning the disbanding supernumeraries Letters from Ireland of Col. Jone's Marching into Wicklow That his Regiment conformed that Owen Roe Oneale was by the Popish Clergy opposing the Laity made Generalissimo of the Rebels and General Preston cast off That Sir Charles Coote was gone into the Field but Sir Robert and Sir William Steward's Regiments refused to March with him That the Soldiers under the Lord Iuchequin in the last Victory they gained fought all of them with the greatest courage imaginable though they wanted Cloaths Shooes and Bread 28. Debate of an Ordinance for eight hundred pound per An. to be setled on the Bishop of Durham A Petition from Newcastle complaining of the sore burden upon them of free Quarter when the Scots were there and ever since and the Oppression not so great in any other part of the Kingdom Order that they shall have the publick Faith for all free Quarter since the Scots were there Orders for Ammunition for that Garrison and touching the Sequestrations there and in Northumberland to pay Money due to those Countries The Lords dissented from Col. Rainsborough's going to Sea and gave their Reasons for it at a Conference A Message from the Lords to give the Marquess of Winton four Months longer time of liberty and to consider of the Petition of the Lord Cromwell A Letter of thanks written to the Commissioners in the Isle of Wight Divers Compositions passed 29. The Monthly Fast-day News came of a great Disorder and tumult in Canterbury about the observation of Christmas-day the Major endeavouring the Execution of the Ordinance for abolishing holy-days was much abused by the rude multitude had his head broken and was dragged up and down till he got into an house for his safety They broke into the houses of divers others who were of the Majors Opinion put themselves into a Military Posture kept Guards stopt Passes and examined Passengers and the like Insurrections were in several other places of the Kingdom 30. Upon a Letter from the Committee of Kent of the disorder at Canterbury The House ordered That the Order for examining and committing of Church wardens c. who countenanced Malignant Ministers should be Printed and referred the business of the Riot at Canterbury to the Committee with power to send for Parties c. and to imprison and to certifie the whole matter to the House The like Riot at Eling in Middlesex was referred to be examined and proceeded against at the Sessions of Peace Letters from the General that he had given a Commission to Sir Arthur Haselrigge to be Governor of New-castle which the House approved and ordered him to repair thither to his Charge Mr. Harris a Church-Warden of St. Martins Parish ordered to be committed for bringing Delinquents to Preach there and to be displaced from being Church-warden there 31. Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax That by reason of a late Mutiny and design to carry away the King he had given order to Col. Hammond to keep a strict guard upon his Majesties Person till he further knew the pleasure of the Parliament The House approved therof and ordered the General to take special care for securing the Person of his Majesty where he now is in Caresbrooke Castle And they ordered that Col. Hammond the Governor of the Isle of Wight take special care for securing the King's Person where he now is and to observe such further Orders therein as he should receive from the General and the Lords concurred herein The Parliaments Commissioners returned from the King with little satisfaction touching the four Bills presented to him The House Ordered that Mr. Marshal and Mr. Nye be desired to come and pray with the House to morrow morning to seek God for his blessing and direction in their consultations tending to matters of great concernment The general Councel of the Army agreed upon Warrants to be sent from the General to all those Officers whose Soldiers were to be disbanded according to the Orders of Parliament that they conform unto and see the same done accordingly and mention of the stating their Accounts and security for their Arrears with present Pay of
Declaration upon the Votes touching the Kings Person and ordered those to be Sequestred who shall do any thing contrary to those Votes and they were ordered to be Printed and published A Declaration was presented to the House of Peers from the General and his Councel of War That they resolved to endeavour to preserve Peerage and the Rights of the Peers of England notwithstanding any Scandals upon them to the contrary The Officers who presented this Declaration were called into the Lords House and desired to return the thanks of the House to the General and to the Councel of War and the Officers of the Army 18. Mr. Chapman referred to the Committee of Complaints for sending a Warrant to summon a meeting of the Countrey near Reading to consider of a Petition The Manuscripts and Books in White-Hall because of Soldiers being there were ordered to be removed to St. Jame's House and placed there which Whitelocke furthered in order to the preservation of those rare Monuments of Learning and Antiquity which were in that Library Debate touching the Scots Papers and the Arrears due to that Kingdom The Lords informed the Commons at a Conference of a meeting under pretence of agreeing to a Petition to the Parliament where Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne and others spake very disgracefully of the two Houses and that there appeared to be a design of many thousands intended under a colour of a Petition to dishonour the Parliament and their proceedings That their Lordships had sent to the Lieutenant of the Tower to know why he permitted Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne whom they had formerly Committed to his Custody to go abroad who returned answer That he had an order for it from the House of Commons and the Lords desired that no occasion might be given to hinder the Vnion and Affection between the two Houses Upon much debate of this business by the Commons they repealed their Order formerly made for Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne's Liberty and ordered him to be brought to their Bar to morrow and they further ordered that M. Wildman be taken into Custody by the Sergeant at Armes 19. Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne was called into the House and made a large answer to the Information against him The reading of proofs and examination of the business held till six a clock at night and then the House ordered that he be committed to the Tower and be tryed by the Law of the Land for Seditious and Scandalous Practices against the State And that M. Wildman be committed to Newgate and tryed according to Law for Treasonable and Seditious Practices against the State That Mr. Sollicitor and all the Lawyers of the House take care to prepare the Charge against them and to bring them to Tryal next Term. The Lord Willoughby and other Impeached Lords sent a Letter to the House of Peers That after so long a restraint and no Prosecution against them they might have their Liberty The Lords discharged them of their Imprisonment and ordered a Declaration to be drawn That no Peer shall hereafter be under restraint upon a general charge above ten days This gave great offence to many of the House of Commons which they shewed afterwards Upon Letters from the General that one Lieutenant Collonel Lee in Office about Bishops Lands had intercepted Letters which the General sent to Col. Lilburne Governor of New-castle and had opened and detained some of them the House referred it to a Committee to be examined and punished 20. Upon Information that L. C. Lilburn and M. Wildman were not carried to Prison according to the order of the House and that some of their Party had given out words that they should not go to Prison and that there was a great meeting to be at Deptford in Kent about their Petition Ordered that the Officers of the Guards do assist the Sergeant in carrying of them to Prison which was done and that the Committee of Kent take care to suppress all meetings upon that Petition and to prevent all tumults and that the Militia of London c. take care to suppress such meetings and to prevent inconveniences which may arise thereby and upon the said Petition intituled The Petition of many thousands of the free-born People of England c. They ordered a Declaration to undeceive the People to shew them the dangerous consequences that will arise by such practices The House pass'd a Declaration of their real intentions to pay the remainder of the Money due to Scotland and several Ordinances for the advancing of it 21. The House sate all day in a grand Committee about the business of Ireland 22. Order for a new Ordinance to suppress all Stage-plays and for taking down all their Boxes and Seats where they Act and they ordered that the Lord Major Sheriffs and Justices of Peace and Committees of the Militia c. take care to suppress all Stage-plays for the future An Ordinance passed both Houses for making the Earl of Pembroke Chancellor of Oxford Some added to the Committee of Safety and the Committee required to take care for suppressing all tumults and insurrections c. Rumors increased of tumults like to be in the City and many spoke disgracefully of the Parliament 24. Upon Letters from Vice-Admiral Rainsborough that the Ships of the Irish Rebels were in many Roads and had taken divers of our Merchants Ships and that care might be taken for making ready the Summers Fleet. The House ordered seventy thousand pound out of the Excise for the use of the Navy Captain Burley was tryed upon a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for the late insurrection in the Isle of Wight and the Jury found him guilty of high Treason and Judgment was given against him but execution respited Others of the Conspirators were found guilty of a Riot and were deeply fined The Grand Jury of Hamp-shire at the Execution of the Commission of Oyer and Terminer presented a Declaration to be presented to the House of Commons wherein they acknowledged the Goodness and Wisdom of the Parliament in the Votes of no further Addresses to the King and declared their readiness to joyn with the Parliament in setling the Peace of the Kingdom The House of Peers ordered an Ordinance to be drawn giving up the Lords who by reason of their offences had not liberty to sit in Parliament to be prosecuted by Suits of Law and their attendants as if there were no Parliament Order for the Earl of Salisbury to have the refusal of the Purchase of Worcester House at the rate of Bishops Lands Several Ordinances past both Houses for an hundred pound to Sir Arthur Blundell and for a hundred pound to Sir John Burlace for addition of Committee-men against Papists and Delinquents about London for fifty pound to Capt. St. George and for the Committee at Derby-House Letters from Kent That the tumults there were quieted A Letter of thanks ordered to the Gentry of Hampshire Order that the
were forced to lye in Taverns that they are unwilling Mr. Marshal should preach there and many of them would willingly be in England again that many endeavor to engage a Party against England The Soldiers in the North were disbanded according to the Parliaments Order and the Countrey eased of their Free Quarter Dr. Leyfield was by the Court-Marshal acquitted of the accusation against him for Counterfeiting the General 's hand The like acquittal of the Officers of Col. Herberts Regiment accused for conspiring against Glocester 29. The Declaration passed the Commons in answer to the Scots Papers Voted by both Houses that none shall raise any men to be transported beyond Sea without Warrant from the Committee at Derby House The Committee of Estates excepted against the Credentials of the English Commissioners because they were directed to the Parliament of Scotland which did not then sit but only the Committee of Estates But the English Commissioners shewed their Instructions to the Committee of Estates also Col. Jones took in the Town of Kildare upon Quarter only and a house near to another Garrison within half a mile of Kildare being accidentally on fire the English Soldiers before Kildare seeing it ran down thither and entred pell mell into the Garrison and took possession of it and several other small Garrisons were rendred to Sir Tho. Armstrong sent by Col. Jones to them Divers other Castles and Garrisons were taken in by Col. Jones and some were fired by the Rebels March 1647. March 1. Debate touching the Church-business Order of both Houses for Hampton Court to be made ready for the Kings Children to be there Sir Jacob Ashley admitted to compound Order to consider to morrow of disposing the Great Seal and no other business to intervene Order to continue the Comittee of the Admiralty for seven Months Order for a guard of Ships for the Northern Coasts and trade of Fishing there Order touching the Commissioners of the Customs 2. Order for three new Elections Order that the Earl of Kent Sir Tho. Widdrington and Bulstrode Whitelocke Esquire shall be Commissioners for the Great Seal of England for twelve Months and that an Ordinance be brought in accordingly Which Ordinance was brought in and read and passed the House of Commons and ordered to be sent to the House of Lords for their Concurrence These Commissioners were said to be agreed upon by the private juncto of Cromwell's party before-hand to be trusted with this great charge and in the debate of the business several others of both Houses were propounded but after a great debate these three only were pitched upon The Earl of Kent being a very honest just man of good rational parts and abilities and of an antient great Family who would be a Countenance to this business was held a fit person for the Lords House Sir Tho. Widdrington being a Gentleman of known integrity and of great abilities in his Profession and brother in Law to the General whose Sister he had married was very fit to be one of the House of Commons to be intrusted with so weighty an imployment Whitelocke was well known and understood in the House by his long attendance there and by them judged not uncapable of this imployment besides the General had an affection for him and he had a good interest in the House and Cromwell and his Party were willing to ingage him as far as they could with them Letters from the Committee of Pembroke shire that Mr. Poyer formerly Major of Pembroke and now Governor of that Castle refused to deliver it up to Col. Flemming who had a Commission from the General to be Governor of it Order for an Ordinance to settle this business 3. Order for a new Election Letters from the Committee of Kent concerning the Propositions of that County in the Assesment for the Army referred to the grand Committee for that Ordinance 4. A Committee to draw up an Ordinance to prevent and suppress all private Ducls and Quarrels An Ordinance passed both Houses for reducing of Pembroke Castle and requiring the General to bring Col. Poyer and his adherents to Justice The General sent this Ordinance to the Forces before Pembroke Castle with orders for them to send it to Col. Poyer into the Castle and to signifie to him that if he did not render the Castle in twelve hours after this notice then they were to endeavour by force to reduce it Debate touching the Commissioners of the Customs and their Officers Orders for relief of maimed Soldiers and Widows and Letters to the Judges in their several Circuits to put in execution the Ordinances concerning them Three French Ships taken by the Parliaments ship under Captain Pen. 6. Ordinance sent up to the Lords for the further establishment and maintenance of the Army Order to sell the Coats of the Kings Guard to buy fire and candle for the Forces at White Hall and the Mues Orders touching Compositions to commit those Delinquents who refused to compound A Patent Ordered for Mr. Petty for seventeen years to teach his art of double writing Letters from the Commissioners in Scotland of their Proceedings Debate about the business of the Fennes The Committee of Estates in Scotland ordered the disbanding of their Army by a day if danger did not in the mean time appear and they appointed a Committee called the Committee of danger 7. The Ordinance sent up to the Lords for setling Lands of the Earl of Worcester of two thousand five hundred pound yearly value upon Lieutenant General Cromwell and his Heirs in recompence of his great service Order for the Ordinance to be brought in for setling five thousand pound per An. upon the General Sir GilbertGerrard ordered to be Chancellor of the Duchy Mr. Miles Corbet and Mr. Robert Goodwin were by order made Registers of the Chancery in the place of Col. Long one of the eleven impeached Members Additional instructions concerning the Miscarriages of the Scots Commissioners here were passed and ordered to be sent to the Parliaments Commissioners in Scotland and the large Declaration in answer to the Scots Papers passed both Houses and was ordered to be Printed The Composition of Sir Jacob Ashley and others passed The Town of Hull sent a long Letter to the General setting forth divers Calumnies raised against them their own former actions relating to the reception and assistance of Sir Jo. Hotham and his Son and their refusing and resisting the Earl of Newcastle and others testifying their great affection and service to the Parliament and vindicating their integrity Then they complained against their present Governor Col. Overton for imposing upon them free Billet for his Soldiers when free quarter was taken off from all the Countrey and they hoped to reap the fruits of Peace and settlement and they pray relief herein from his Excellency The General gave answer to the Letter That he though it unreasonable that Town should be exempt more than others from free Billet
and be it Ordained That the Great Seal of England shall be committed to the custody and keeping of Henry Earl of Kent William Lord Grey of Werke Sir Thomas Widdrington Knight and Bulstrode Whitelocke Esquire who are hereby Ordained Commissioners for that purpose for and during the time of one whole year from the Passing of this Ordinance Which said Persons are hereby constituted and appointed to be Commissioners for the Custody of the said Great Seal of England during the time aforesaid and they or any two of them whereof one Member of the Lords House also one Member of the House of Commons shall have and are hereby authorized to have the Custody and Keeping Ordering and Disposing thereof as also all such and the like Powers and Authorities as any Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal of England for the time being hath Lawfully had and used or ought to have had or used John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum Henry Elsinge Cler. Parliam Dom. Com. Orders upon private Petitions of Grievances Letters from Ireland That the Lord Inchequin relieved some Garrisons of the English in Tipperary entred Carricke and Fortified a Pass to make good his Retreat blew open the Gate of Cullen by a Petard entred the Town took two Castles by Assault and put three hundred Soldiers to the Sword and some Women notwithstanding order to the contrary and then took in another strong Castle upon Mercy That Owen Roe Oneal is dead and the Supreme Councel fled from Kilkenny That the Parliaments Ships took three of the Rebells Ships loaden with Ammunition and Captain Ball took an Irish Man of War 16. Orders for taking off several Sequestrations in performance of Articles of War Ten thousand pound accepted for the Composition of Sir Jo. Strangeway and his Son and ordered for the Navy The Lord Fairfax Father to the General having a bruise on his Foot where a Corn was growing it festred and turn'd to a Gangrene which brought a Feaver upon him whereof he died at York March 13. and was much lamented Order that Sir Thomas Fairfax his Son should be Keeper of Pontefract Castle Custos Rotulorum of York-shire and chief Ranger c. in the place of his Father Order for Papists to be admitted to Compositions in performance of the Articles of Oxford 17. Long debate upon the Confession of Faith allmost all the day Several Ordinances pass'd for placing Ministers in vacant Benefices 18. The House sate not but according to their Order the Grand Committee sate about the business of the Fennes in Lincoln-shire 20. a Petition of London Merchants complaining of Pyrats and decay of Trade was referred to a Committee of Trade which was revived with power to consider of removing Obstructions in Trade and to receive all Petitions concerning the advance of Trade And referred to the Committee of the Admiralty to provide a sufficient guard for the Merchants Ships Letters of the Proceedings of the Commissioners in Scotland and of their Letters to the Major of Berwicke giving him notice of a design to surprize that Town and the Major's Answer Order for a Letter of thanks to the Major and to desire him to preserve the Town from Garrisoning according to the Treaty and order to the General to prevent any inconvenience by such meetings of the Cavaliers and Papists Letters from York of another Troop Landed from Ireland at Chester which marched towards Scotland That the Lord Fairfax the General 's Father was honourably buried Letters from Scotland of Divisions in their Parliament Some for raising an Army against the Sectaries in England others for the King and a third Party for no War The Clergy were for an Oath to be generally taken That Presbyterial Government be maintained that the King be not restored till he sign the Covenant to endeavour the extirpation of all Sectaries especially Erastianisme that the Ecclesiastical power is not subject to the Civil that the Kings Negative Vote in England be taken away Captain Wogan had Money sent to him in Scotland to pay his Quarters but by whom will not be discovered there are four hundred Foot and a Troop of Horse of the English in a Body 21. Letters that Col. Poyer held out in Pembroke Castle against the orders of Parliament and the Forces sent thither by the General that in the Morning he is sober and penitent and in the afternoon drunk and full of Plots that he put four or five of his Companions in the best Apparel he could get and by Sunrising put them out at the Sally-port and received them in again at the Gate himself with great Ceremony giving out in the Town that they were Commanders sent out of France to him from the Prince of Wales and more were to follow That when he hears news that pleaseth him then he puts forth bloody Colours and declares for the King and Common-Prayer when he hears other news then he is for the Oath and Covenant and puts forth blew and white Colours That one day he fired all his Guns on the Parliaments Forces without any occasion that afterwards he was very quiet yet the next day he vowed that not one of the Parliaments Forces should go away alive and calls the General King Thomas That the Parliaments Forces lye close and make no Shot at him but none of his men dare peep out of Town Upon Summons sent to him his answer was that if they might have their Arrears Disbursements and Indemnity they would give up the Castle The House ordered the General to send sufficient Forces to reduce Col. Poyer and Pembroke Castle an Ordinance to remove him from being Major of Pembroke and to constitute another Order for a Months Pay for the Forces in the Isle of Wight and for an allowance for four Gentlemen attending his Majesty Debate about Compositions upon surrenders of Garrisons A Plot was discovered by the General to surprize the Tower this night 22. Orders upon many private Petitions Ordinance past touching the Collecting of the Rents of Westminster Colledge The Commons agreed with the Lords in the Doctrinal part of the Confession of Faith but altered the Title from the Confession of Faith to be Articles of Faith agreed upon by both Houses 23. Debate touching Oxford Articles and about clipped and false Money Ordinance about reimbursing the Committee of Surrey for Money laid out by them for the Soldiery Order for a Writ for a new Election 24. Debate about setling of a good Ministry in some vacant places and Ordinances for some particular Parishes Order for two thousand pound for repairing the Library at Cambridge to be raised out of Deans and Chapters Revenues and an Order for incouragement of the Heads of Colledges there The General sent strict Orders for the disbanding of Major General Laugherne's Forces according to the Orders of Parliament and for the reducing of Col. Poyer 25. The Ordinance passed both Houses for setling the business of the Navy
Commissioners sent down to try the Riotors at Canterbury could not perswade the Grand Jury to find the Bill and therefore they adjourned the Court they and the Committee of Kent had the thanks of the House for their care in this business and the Committee were desired to proceed in the further execution of it Intelligence from Vice Admiral Rainsborough of two Men of War from France appointed to transport Arms and Horse for Scotland Letters from the North of a design to surprize York for the King and at the time appointed for the Royalists to enter the City a Troop of the Parliaments Horse coming thither accidentally the Malignants taking them for their own Party cryed up the King and so were discovered and prevented Letters from Newcastle That Colonel Bright's Regiment and other Parliament's Forces are come that way to guard the Borders That the Governour of Berwick laies heavy Taxes upon the English That they and the King's Party in Carlisle are impatient that the Scot's Forces do not come in to assist them being dayly expected The Commissioners of the Kirk of Scotland sent to the Ministers to admonish their people not to engage in the intended War under the pain of the displeasure of God but the other Party proceeded in their Levies The Commissioners of the Kirk passed a Declaration in answer and opposition to that of the Parliament of Scotland Which they say is to restore the King to his Honour before Jesus Christ be restored to his and they declare their dissent from the intended War 16. An Ordinance transmitted for punishing Defaulters at Musters in Kent Letters from the Gentlemen of Cheshire That they had fortified the Castle and City of Chester the House approved thereof and Ordered thanks to the Gentlemen Letters from the Gentlemen of the Counties of Flint Denbigh and Montgomery That they had entred into an Association for securing those Counties against the Enemy the House approved thereof and Ordered them hearty thanks for it The like from Lancashire The House agreed to the Ordinance for the Militia of London A Petition to both Houses accompanied with divers hundreds of that County That the King may be restored to his due honour and just Rights according to the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance that he may be forthwith Established in his Throne according to the splendour of his Ancestors That he may for the present come to Westminster with Honour and Safety to Treat personally for composing of Differences That the Free born Subjects of England may be Governed by the known Laws and Statutes That the War beginning may be prevented That the Ordinance for preventing Free-Quarter may be duly Executed and speed made in disbanding all Armies having their Arrears due paid them The Lords answered the Petitioners That they were at present upon consideration of the Settlement of the Kingdom and doubted not but to satisfie all This Petition was presented to the Commons in the Afternoon when some of the Country-men being gotten almost drunk and animated by the Malignants as they came through Westminster-Hall they fell a Quarrelling with the Guards and asked them why they stood there to Guard a Company of Rogues Then words on both sides increasing the Countrymen fell upon the Guards disarmed them and killed one of them and wounded divers Upon this Alarum more Soldiers were sent for from White-Hall and the Meuse who fellupon the Country-men and killed five or six of them and wounded very many chasing them up and down through the Hall and the Lanes and Passages there abouts 17. The day of Thanksgiving for the success in Wales observed by the Houses but not much in the City After the Sermons the House Ordered the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council of London not to suffer any multitudes of men to pass through the City nor any to come in Armed and that the Ordinance be renewed for putting Papists and Delinquents c. out of the Lines and twenty Miles from London Order That the Committees of Kent and Surrey take care to prevent tumultuous meetings in those Counties One hundred pounds given to Captain Nichols who brought Letters from Collonel Horton Order to examine and find out the Authors and Printers of some Pamphlets Letters That Lieutenant General Cromwel came to Chepstow where they drew out some Forces against him but Collonel Pride's men fell on so furiously that they gained the Town and beat the Soldiers into the Castle which being strongly fortified and provided Cromwel sent to Bristol for some Great Guns left a Party before it and Marched with the rest to Pembrokeshire 18. Both Houses passed the Ordinances for appointing the Militia of London and the Liberties during the pleasure of the Houses and for Collonel West to be Lieutenant of the Tower and for Major General Skippon to be Major General of London Westminster and the Lines Letters of St. Edmondsbury That about six hundred got together in Arms there about setting up a May-Pole and they cried out for God and King Charles laid hold upon some of the Soldiers and set Guards in several places That some Troops of the Parliament Quartered near and some Country Foot drew together and kept in a Body before the Town all night and kept them in on every side who seeing themselves in that condition sent for a Parley and submitted to mercy Upon a Letter from the Prince Elector his Brother Prince Philip had leave to raise one thousand Voluntiers for the Venetian service Report of a great design in London and the Suburbs of rising for the King in a great Body and to destroy the Parliament and City The House Ordered notice hereof to be given to the Common-Council and That the Militia be put into a posture of defence And That Prisoners be secured and a Committee appointed to draw Heads for an Union and good correspondence between the Parliament and City 19. Mr. Ashburnham and Mr. Legge being apprehended were committed to Windsor Castle Orders for the Committee of Salop to secure such Prisoners as they have surprized in Ludlow Castle and for Winchester Castle to be Garrisoned at the request of that Country 20. An Ordinance transmitted to the Lords for suppressing tumults The Common Councel of London returned in answer to the Parliament's Proposals for Union and good Correspondence That they resolve to remain firmly joyned against the Common Enemy And for this Parliament they did acknowledge with thankfulness their great care and pains for the Kingdom and particularly for this City and that they would live and die with that Parliament according to their former protestation An Ordinance past the Commons for putting Papists and Malignants out of the Lines Order for Captain Wogan and other Officers and Soldiers who came off from Major General Laugherne to the Parliament's Forces to have their Arrears and that the Prisoners taken in Wales and tryable by Marshal-Law shall be so
not named 26. The Monthly Fast day Sir John Owen was sent to Windsor Castle upon a Charge of high Treason and Murder against him for the business of North Wales Letters from Colchester Leaguer that an Exchange was offered of M r Ashburnham for Sir William Masham That the Lord General had caused the Pipes of Water to the Town to be cut off whereby the besieged had no Water but what was muddy or annoyed with Dead Horses and the besiegers got a great store of Lead That the Common Souldiers in the Town had lived upon Horse-flesh five days together and at a Court of Guard they Roasted a whole Horse at which the Foot was merry but the Troupers discontented That the General sent in Papers upon the heads of Arrows into the Town by that means dispersed among the Common Souldiers in the Town that if they would deliver up the Lord Goring Lord Loughborough Lord Capell and some others of their Chief-men that the rest should have passes and quarter and go to their homes The Prince and Duke of York came to Yarmouth with nineteen Ships in which were supposed to be two thousand men some of them landing near the Town were set upon by a party of the Parliaments Horse who took seven of them Prisoners but a party of Townsmen issuing out rescued the Prisoners and the rest of the Princes men got into the Town The General sent Colonel Scroop with eight Troops of Horse and Dragoons towards Yarmouth and a thousand of the Norfolk Foot were ordered to joyn with him to hinder the landing of the Prince and his Forces there Letters from Major General Lambert that the Scots and his Forces are near one another and have had several Skirmishes but few lost on either side that the Yorkshire Horse and a thousand of Lieutenant General Cromwells Foot are joyned with him 27. Both Houses made the Earl of Pembroke Constable of Windsor Castle and Keeper of the great Park and Forest And his Lordship a little time after made Whitelock his Lieutenant of the Castle and Forest Sergeant Glanvile made his composition and was released from imprisonment Order for fourty thousand pounds for furnishing the stores of the Kingdom and for night thousand for the Fort of Tilbury and Colonel Willoughbies accompts for it to be stated Letters from the Lord Willoughby excusing to his Friends his going out of England without their advice He was in the beginning of the troubles very hearty and strong for the Parliament and manifested great personal courage honor and military as well as civil abilities as appears by his actions and Letters whilest he was in the service of the Parliament In whose favour and esteem he was so high that they voted him to be General for the Horse under the Earl of Essex and afterwards to be an Earl But having taken a disgust at the Parliaments declining a personal Treaty with the King and being jealous that Monarchy and consequently degrees and Titles of Honor were in danger to be wholly abolished he was too forward in countenancing and assisting the late tumults in the City when the Members of Parliament were driven away from Westminster to the Army Upon the return of the Members he was with other Lords impeached of high Treason for that Action and rather than appear and stand to a Tryal for it he left his Country and was now with the Prince in his Navy for which the Commons voted his Estate to be secured 28. After many hours Debate in the House of Commons it was carryed upon the question not to adhere to their first vote that the King should sign the three propositions before the Treaty And it was after that resolved upon the question that his Majesty in person should be treated with by Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament in the Isle of Wight upon the whole matter of the propositions at Hampton-Court for setling the Peace of this Kingdom Upon a Letter from Lieutenant General Cromwell advanced North-wards with his Forces as far as Gloucester the House ordered three thousand pair of shoes to be provided for his Foot to be ready for them as they should march through Northamptonshire Letters from Colchester Leaguer That two expresses from Yarmouth came to the General one from the Town showing how much they were laboured by the Prince for his admittance into the Town which they modestly excused and that the Prince put to Sea again towards Harwich or the Downes The other Express was from the Forces in Loving-land under Major Jarmey informing how confidently the Ships attempted to land a Trumpeter to summon Yarmoth That Major Jarmy took some of those who came with the Trumpeter whose examinations declared That aboard the Admiral was the Prince Prince Rupert the Lord Willoughby Willmot Hopton Culpeper and Gerard Sir Henry Palmer and many persons more of quality That they resolved by a Council of War to sink Ships in the Harbour because they had not admittance in the Town but did not put their resolution into execution That Major Jarmy was put to great Straits to secure both sides of the Town and being denyed the Ferry Boat or any other Boat was forced to swim over a Troup of Horse That Captain Johnson endeavoured to raise a tumult and make head against the Parliament the multitude throwing up their Caps and crying for Prince Charles and Captain Johnson but the Bayliffs and other Magistrates did appease the tumult and a present of provisions was sent aboard the Prince That the heads of a Declaration were taken from some that came from aboard the Prince to be published in his name to this effect showing the grounds and reasons of his Highness appearing in the fleet upon the Coast to be 1. The establishing of Religion according to the Agreement of his Majesty with the Scots Commissioners 26. Dec. last 2. The mutual performance of that agreement and pursuance of all concessions therein on his Majestys part 3. The restoring of his Majesty to his liberty and just rights in order to a personal Treaty with his Majesty with honour freedom and safety 4. The maintenance of the freedom and just priviledges of Parliament 5. The defence of the liberty and property of the subject against all violence and oppression and therein the abolition of excise contribution free quarter and other illegal taxes 6. The obtaining an Act of Oblivion and Indemnity 7. The disbanding of all Armies and setling a well grounded and happy Peace 8. For the defence of his Majestys just rights in the Narrow Seas the protection and securing the Trade of his Majestys subjects and the support of his Navy and all the Officers and Mariners of the same The Lords Willoughby Hopton and Culpeper together with his Highness's Secretary or any two of them are appointed to digest these heads into a Declaration and to present it to his Highness in Council Charles P. A Petition from the Lord Major
and Major General Lamberts Forces were near one to another but did not ingage There being extreme violent Storms of wind and rain which did much hurt six Prisoners in Tinmouth Castle escaped letting themselves down through a Privy-House by Ropes and several Sheets tyed together Letters from Dublin that Colonel Monk and Colonel Hungerford with eight hundrd men took the Field and stormed Ballahor Castle which they gained and besieged Nabor Castle From Chester that the Lord Byron was out with three hundred men and advanced towards Anglesey 8. A Letter came from the Prince to the Speaker of the House of Peers without any mention to be communicated to the Commons in which Letter the Prince takes notice of the progress made as to a personal Treaty and desires 1. That the Treaty be in such a place and manner as may consist with the honour freedom and safety of his Majesty his Father so that the agreement many not be blemished with any face of restraint 1. That the Treaty be between the King and his two Kingdomes of England and Scotland that things may go on fairly to all persons concerned therein 3. That during the Treaty there be a general cessation of Arms that the affection of the People of this and the other Kingdom be not lessened by Acts of hostility 4. An ordinary moderate subsistence during the Treaty may be agreed upon for all Forces on Foot and which in no sort must go unmentioned for the Scots Army now in England and so as may be with least pressure to the Northern parts And if the two Houses will agree to these things he will endeavour to his utmost power with his Father for a good agreement He concludes with a desire that a course may be taken to content him and his Ships now in the Downes with mony and Provision that so he nor they may not hinder the City trade and discharge the Ships he hath now in hold One of those Ships taken by the Lord Willoughby who was Vice-Admiral of the Prince his Fleet had in her near twenty thousand Pound in Gold which she brought from Guiney most of it belonging to M r Rowland Wilson the Father and Son and their partners The Lord Willoughby did affirm that when the Earl of Warwick with his Fleet came near to the Prince his Navy the Lord Willoughby and some others were earnest to have fought the Parliaments Fleet and had some assurances given them that several of the Earl of Warwicks Ships would have revolted to the Prince But that others about the Prince disswaded him from Fighting pretending the danger to his Highness person and carryed it by that argument again Fighting whereas in probability and as the Sea-mens affections then stood if they had fought the Parliaments Fleet had been indangered A Petition was presented to both Houses from the Common Council of London desiring 1. That the King may be free from his restraint 2. Invited to a Treaty 3. That all Acts of hostility by Sea and Land may by command of King and Parliament cease 4. That the Government of the Church may be settled according to the Covenant 5. That distressed Ireland may be relieved 6. The People of England by disbanding all Armies eased 7. The Liberty of the subject restored 8. The Laws of the land established 9. The Members of both Houses injoyned to attend 10. That the self-denying Ordinance may be effectually observed 11. That speedy consideration be had of such Merchants whose Ships and goods are staid by those with the Prince in the revolted Ships and that some expedient may be thought of for discharge of all Ships that trade be not destroyed The Lords gave thanks to the Common Council the Commons appointed a Committee to draw up their answer A Petition to the Commons from the reduced Officers that there may be a speedy settlement of Religion the King Parliament and Kingdom in a Parliamentary way by a free and personal Treaty according to the late desire of the City of London and that all Officers and Souldiers without exception whose accounts are not stated may have them audited Order for payment of the Petitioners arrears out of their discoveries and for a Committee to give them further satisfaction and to make payment to the Non-commission'd Officers of Sir Robert Pyes Regiment of their arrears Order for M r Ailburton who brought Letters to the King from the Committee of Estates in Scotland to stay here for a month for the Kings answer Major Huntington made Oath in the Lords House that the Narrative given in by him was true and would be attested Letters from Colchester Leaguer that twenty or thirty a day run from the enemy and the last day a whole Guard together came from them that their Wine and Raisons are near spent so that the Common Soldiers get none That they killed thirty Horses to powder them up and have the Bloody-flux much among them that they have drawn off their Guns from the Wall some say they will carry the Parliament Committee with them into the Castle and cut their throats if they may not have conditions for themselves The General sent a Letter by a Drummer to the Lord Norwich Lord Capell and Sir Charles Lucas about exchange of prisoners 9. The grand Committee sat long about the Ordinance for the Militia Debate upon the Self-denying Ordinance The answer to the Cities last Petition was sent to them to this effect Shewing how far they have proceeded to a Treaty with the King the Votes thereof their expectation of the Kings answer and hopes that he will treat That the Scots are declared Rebels for invading the Kingdom and they hope the City will joyn in the subduing of them That they offered the revolted Ships indemnity but they refused to come in the Votes for reducing them and the reference to a Committee to treat with the King for a way for free Trade A Collection ordered on the Fast-day for the poor people that are come out of Colchester M r Thomas Cookes Composition passed The Keeper of the Prison in Canterbury put out Letters from the Commissioners with the King that his Majesty is willing to have the Treaty and likes the terms of honour freedom and safety and though he have no Secretary yet he will give them his answer in their time Order that none speak with M r Ailburton but in the presence of his Keeper 10. The Fast-day Letters from Holland that the Merchants there do highly resent the Prince of Wales his being in the Downes as a great hindrance of traffick That there is tampering to borrow some Regiments to attempt something in England adviseth to look to Poole Lyme and Weymouth That the Letters and Declaration of the Prince of Wales were printed there in Dutch and French 11. Debate upon the Ordinance for settling Church government and the title to it agreed The Ordinance for setling the
Princes Dukes Earls Lords and all persons alike liable to every Law of the Land 7. That all Commoners be freed from the Jurisdiction of the Lords in all cases and all tryals to be of twelve Sworn men and no conviction but upon two or more sufficient known Witnesses 8. That none be examined against themselves nor punished for doing that against which no Law is provided 9. That the proceedings in Law be abbreviated mitigated and made certain the charge thereof in all particulars 10. That all trade be made free from all monopolizing and ingrossing by Companies or otherwise 11. That the Excise and all kind of taxes except Subsidies be taken off 12. To have laid open all late inclosures of Fenns and other Commons or to have them inclosed only or chiefly for the benefit of the Poor 13. To have considered many thousands that are ruined by perpetual imprisonment for debt and provided for their inlargement 14. To have ordered some effectual course to keep people from begging and beggery in so fruitful a Nation as by Gods blessing this is 15. To have proportioned punishments more equal to offences that so mens lives and estates might not be forfeited upon trivial and slight occasions 16. To have removed the tedious burden of Tithes satisfying all Improprietors and providing a more equal way of maintenance for poor Ministers 17. To have raised a stock of mony out of confiscated Estates for payment of those who contributed voluntarily above their abilities before those that disbursed out of their superfluities 18. To have bound themselves and all future Parliaments from abolishing Propriety levelling mens Estates or making all things Common 19. To have declared what the duty or business of the Kingly Office is and what not and have ascertained the revenue past increase or diminution that there be no more quarrels about it 20. To have rectified the election of publick Officers for London restoring the Commonalty thereof to their just Rights 21. To have made reparation to all oppressed by Sentences in High Commission Star-Chamber and Council Board or by any Monopolies or projects and that out of the Estates of those that were Authors Actors and Promoters of those mischiefs and that without much attendance 22. To have abolished all Committees and have conveyed all businesses into the true method of the usual tryals of the Common-Wealth 23. Not to have followed the example of former Tyrannous and superstitious Parliaments in making Orders Ordinances or Laws or in appointing punishments concerning Opinions or things supernatural stiling some Blasphemies others heresies 24. To have declared what the business of the Lords is and ascertained their condition not derogating from the Liberties of other men that so there might be an end of striving about the same 25. To have done Justice upon the Capital Authours and Promoters of the former or late Wars 26. To have provided constant pay for the Army and to have given rules to all Judges and other Officers for their indemnity and saving harmeless all that have assisted 27. To have laid to heart the abundance of innocent blood that hath been spilt and the infinite spoil and havock that hath been made of peaceable harmless People by express Commission from the King and to have seriously considered whether the Justice of God be likely to be satisfied or his yet remaining wrath to be appeased by an Act of Oblivion The House gave thanks to the Petitioners for their great pains and care to the publick good of the Kingdom and said they would speedily take their desires into Consideration Another Petition was from well Affected Masters and Commanders of Ships Shewing that the Parliament had done Contrary to their Declarations and trade destroyed and they Petition for convoyes of their Ships in trading Outwards and Inwards according to the order of the Hollanders And that all monopolies and restraint of trade may be removed and some way taken to prevent the Shipping of Goods in foreign bottoms Intelligence from the revolted Ships that some of them are mending in Holland that the Saylors are insolent in their carriage towards the Prince Letters from the Isle of Wight that the King was removed to the place of Treaty and had his Liberty to ride about the Island Letters from Chester that by a Council of War there two were condemned and executed for a Plot to betray that City to the Kings Forces Letters from the North that a hundred Scots were brought in Prisoners by the Country that Cromwel was in pursuit of the Enemy and Lambert in the reare of him that the Enemy are about six thousand strong That Colonel Bethel and Colonel Lassells are sent to inforce the siege at Scarborough where three hundred Walloons are landed by command of the Prince That the Souldiers run away from Pontefract Castle to the Parliaments Party 12. The day of publick Humiliation for a blessing upon the Treaty Letters from New-Castle That Lieutenant General Cromwell was about Durham pursuing the Enemy who in the Bishoprick had exceedingly plundered and terrified the people wounding divers taking away the Children of others to get mony for the redemption of them and besides quarters they took of some three pound a House That those who cryed up Duke Hamilton's Party for the great reformers having been thus used by them and with civility by the Parliaments party their opinions are now altered That Monroe held a Council of War and resolved to march back to the Colepits and fire them all but two Posts came speeding to him to have him return presently back to Scotland for that the Presbyterian Ministers had got hold of the Civil Sword made the Marquess of Argyle General who was four thousand strong and too hard for the new levyed Forces of the Lord Lannerick Brother to Duke Hamilton That these Messengers came from Craford and Lannerick That the Scots Ministers had decreed among other things that in regard of the great defection to the Government throughout Scotland they will not administer the Sacrament of the Supper for one year to come That this saved the Colepits and sent the Scots the nearest way over Tweed in such hast that they had almost left their plunder behind them had they not preferred it before life and they left their confederate English to shift for themselves That some of Lieutenant General Cromwells Forces were gon over Tine and Major General Lambert marched by the way of Carlisle and many Countrey-men went with them to seek their Goods and Cattle carryed away into Scotland 13. The Grand Committee sat upon the Ordinance for sale of Deans and Chapter-lands and voted that a hundred pounds per annum should be the least that should be allowed to any minister for his benefice Letters from the Committee of York that the Treaty about Pontefract not taking effect they desired twenty thousand pounds for the Souldiery the House ordered twelve thousand pounds for them Some of the former
intellectis Recordo Processu coram toto concilio tam Thesaurar Baronibus de Scaccar quam Cancellar ac etiam Justitiariis de utroque Banco dicunt quod ad Domium Regem pertinet praesentare Ideo consideratum est c. with this agrees H. 3. 2 E. 1. coram Rege in fine rotuli Co. Lit. 304 and several other anthorities and in Cases of more difficulty it was usual to adjourn the matter into the Parliament Impartiality is likewise necessary to have the truth prevail that neither great men nor mean men may pervert it nor to turn truth into falshood or falshood into truth In the decret of Erod it is ordain'd hoc Judex curare debet ut aequa conditione litigetur The like in the Laws of our antient Kings as in those of Edgar to be found in Lambert fol. 63. a. is commanded publici juris beneficio quisque fruitor eique ex bono sive is dives sive inops fuerit jus redditor And in that of Alured in Lambert 20. juste judicato inopique adversario perinde atque diviti amico sis aequus Bracton hath it thus ut causa viduae ad eos libere ingrediatur ut sint Orphano Pupillo adjutores With these do agree frequent constitutions of H. 1. H. 3. E. 1. and other times As Judges ought to be men of truth so they ought to be men fearing God which is the next and highest duty of every Judge the beginning and the end of all wisdom he that doth not fear God will be apt to fear men and he that fears men will never give a Right Judgment In the Laws of the Confessor which are in the Notes upon Eadmerus 4. 186. and in Lambert 168. in the language of that time the words are Ententivement se purpensent cil qui les judgments ant a favre que si judgment cum desirent quant ils diâ—nt dimitte nobis debita nostra and indeed Judges have greatest cause to fear God whose Judgments they pronounce and before whom they must come in Judgment for those Judgments which they give here Hating Covetousness is the last part of this charge to Judges where a Judge is not only forbidden to be Covetous but commanded to hate Covetousness Covetousness imbraceth bribery and bribery doth blind the Eyes of the wise and pervert Judgment How odious this was to the People of Rome appears by the Oration of Piso in the Senate mentioned in Tacitus and in our Nation by the great examples of Justice upon the corrupt Judges as in Edward 1. time when the Lord Chief Baron amongst others was ransomed at 30000 in which in our account at this day is 100000 l and the case of Thorpe 14 E. 3. and too many others He that is covetous makes too much hast to be rich and the Wise man saith of him he cannot be innocent The Poets feign that when Plutus is sent from Jupiter he limps and goes slowly but when he is sent from Pluto he runs and is swift of Foot the moral is That goods ill gotten sent by Pluto the Devil come apace but goods that are well gotten come in but slowly The Roman word for them at the best is Impedimenta they are hinderances to the due Execution of Justice and all other good actions I shall commend the Counsel more than the practice of a great Judge of our profession my Lord S t Albans Seek not proud riches but such as thou mayst get justly use soberly distribute cheerfully and leave contentedly As Cicero relates of Rabirius Posthumus In studio rei amplificandae apparebat non avaritiae praedam sed instrumentum bonitati quaeri This concerns all good men and especially Judges who should be the less intent upon their private interest that they may the more intend the publick according to that of Aristotle in his Pol. A Magistrate is the keeper and disposer of the publick and not of his own proper goods Yet for the better incouragement and support of the Judges whose ordinary allowances are no more at this day than they were in Edw. 1.'s time and then it was very liberal it hath pleased the Parliament already to provide in Part and I am confident they will do the like in General That every Judge shall have a competent supply and Salary according to his great pains and quality What I might say concerning the course and jurisdiction of this Court will be better informed to you by my Lords the reverend Judges your Associates and by your own knowledge what I have said concerning the duty of Judges is no more but what I have seen practised by them and by your self when I had the honour to plead before you I have therefore said the less and what I have said is but according to the old verse Qui monet ut facias quod jam facis ille monendo Laudat hortatu comprobat acta suo In the present choice which it hath pleased the Parliament to make of Judges I doubt not but themselves will receive honour the People satisfaction and the Judges Comfort which I heartily wish and to you M r Serjeant Wilde in particular The Serjeant answered the speech according to Course The Commissioners gave him his Oath and Invested him in the place of Chief Baron 16. Referred to the Committee of plundered Ministers to Examine the preaching of a Scurrilous and Scandalous Sermon in the Temple by M r Lee by consent of the present Minister there Order for twelve hundred pound to be paidby Sir Charles Kemish in part of his Composition and he to be released upon bayle 17. Upon Letters from the Commissioners in the Isle of Wight and Papers of his Majesties condescention as to publick Officers of State to be nominated by Parliament for twenty years the House voted his Majesties answer therein to be Satisfactory Letters from the Committee of Estates of Scotland to the Parliament of England that they are sensible of the benefit to that Kingdom against the Enemies to both Nations by the coming thither of the Forces under Lieutenant General Cromwell and Major General Lambert and acknowledge that the deportment of the Officers and Souldiers hath been so fair and civil that they trust by their carriage the malignants will be much convinced and disappointed and the amity of both Kingdoms strengthned and confirmed which they shall on their Part likewise study to preserve Letters from the Earl of Warwick that several others of the revolted Ships were come in to him and that many of the rest were on sand and the rest in a sad condition Order for a Letter of thanks to the Lord Admiral and fifty pound to the Messenger 18. Debate of an Ordinance touching the Army and the Settlement of Pay of the Militia of the Kingdom and of an Ordinance for explaining the Stat. 25 E. 3. c. 2. and all other Acts of Treason And of the Statute 11 H. 7. c. 18. concerning subjects
to endeavour to the last gasp the peace of the Kingdom So Sirs I do wish with all my Soul and I do hope there is some here that will carry it further that they may endeavour the peace of the Kingdom Now Sirs I must shew you both how you are out of the way and will put you in a way first you are out of the way for certainly all the way you ever have had yet as I could find by any thing is in the way of conquest Certainly this is an ill way for Conquest Sirs in my opinion is never just except there be a good just cause either for matter of wrong or just title and then if you go beyond it the first quarrel that you have to it that makes it unjust at the end that was just at first But if it be only matter of Conquest then it is a great robbery as a Pyrate said to Alexander that he was a great robber he was but a petty robber and so Sirs do I think the way that you are in is much out of the way Now Sirs to put you in the way believe it you will never do right nor God will never prosper you until you give him his due the King his due that is my Successours and the People their due I am as much for them as any of you can be You must give God his due by regulating rightly his Church according to his Scripture which is now out of order for to set you in a way particularly now I cannot but only this A National Synod freely called freely debating among themselves must settle this when that every opinion is freely and clearly heard For the King indeed I will not then turning to a Gentleman that touched the Axe he said hurt not the Axe that may hurt me For the King the Laws of the Land will clearly instruct you for that therefore because it concerns my own particular I only give you a touch of it For the People and truely I desire their liberty and freedom as much as any Body whomsoever but I must tell you that their liberty and their freedom consists in having of Government those Laws by which their life and their goods may be most their own It is not for having Share in Government Sirs that is nothing pertaining to them a subject and a Soveraign are clean different things and therefore until they do that I mean that you do put the People in that liberty as I say certainly they will never enjoy themselves Sirs it was for this that now I am come here if I would have given way to an arbitrary way for to have all Laws changed according to the power of the Sword I needed not to have come here and therefore I tell you and I pray God it be not laid to your Charge that I am the Martyr of the People In troth Sirs I shall not hold you much longer for I will only say this to you that in troth I could have desired some little time longer because that I would have put this that I have said in a little more order and a little better digested it than I have done and therefore I hope you will excuse me I have delivered my conscience I pray God that you do take those courses that are best for the good of the Kingdom and your own Salvation Then D r Juxon spake Will your Majesty though it may be very well known your Majesties affections to Religion yet it may be expected that you should say somewhat for the worlds satisfaction K. I thank you very heartily my Lord for that I had almost forgotten it In troth Sirs my conscience in Religion I think is very well known to the world and therefore I declare before you all that I dye a Christian according to the profession of the Church of England as I found it left me by my Fathers and this honest man I think will witness it Then turning to the Officers he said Sirs excuse me for this same I have a good cause and I have a gracious God I will say no more Then turning to Colonel Hacker he said take care that they do not put me to Pain and Sir this and it please you Then a Gentleman coming near the Axe the King said Take heâ—d of the Axe pray take heed of the Axe Then he said to the Executioner I shall say but very short Prayers and then thrust out my hands Two men in disguises and vizors stood upon the Scaffold for Executioners Then the King called to D r Juxon for his Night-cap and having put it on he said to the Executioner does my Hair trouble you he desired it might all be put under the cap which the King did accordingly by the help of the Executioner and the Bishop Then the King turning to D r Juxon said I have a good cause and a gracious God on my side D r Juxon There is but one stage more this stage is turbulent and troublesome it is a short one but you may consider it will soon carry you a very great way it will carry you from Earth to Heaven and there you shall find a great deal of Cordial joy and comfort King I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be D r Juxon You are exchanged from a temporal to an eternal Crown a good exchange Then the King took off his cloak and his George which he gave to Dr. Juxon saying Remember some other small ceremonies were past after which the King stooping down laid his Neck upon the block and after a very little pause stretching forth his hands the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his Body Then his Body was put in a Coffin covered with black Velvet and removed to his lodging Chamber in White-hall At this scene were many sighs and weeping Eyes and divers strove to dip their handkerchiefs in his Blood The House sate early and the Dutch Ambassadors having sent them a transcript of their Ambassy in English it took up much time in the reading and was referred to a Committee to draw up the answer to it An Act past to prohibit any to proclaim the Prince of Wales or any other to be King or chief Magistrate of England or Ireland without consent of Parliament on pain of High Treason Some imperfect Copies of the proceedings at the Tryal of the King being printed the House referred it to the High Court to draw up a Narrative of those proceedings to be confirmed by the House The Act forbidding the proclaiming of any King was Ordered to be sent down to all the Sheriffs to be proclaimed in all Counties Duke Hamilton and the Lord Loughborough escaped out of Windsor-Castle 31. Between three and four a clock this morning Letters came from Windsor to Lieutenant General Cromwell of the escape of Duke Hamilton and his man the last Night Warrants were presently issued forth and five hundred pound promised
or Parks and that if any do it a Troop of Horse shall be quartered on that place to prevent the like 10. Orders for setling the Dutchy Seal and about some private affairs Letters from Scotland of their threatning revenge for the Kings blood that some there proclaimed Prince Charles King of Sotland which was not contradicted by the Parliament nor Kirk there The High Court of Justice sate in Westminster-Hall about fifty of the members present the Earl of Cambridge Lord Goring Lord Capel and Sir Jo. Owen were brought before them and the President made a Speech to them of the occasion of their coming thither to tryal for Treason and other high Crimes after which they were all commanded to withdraw except the Earl of Cambridge Then Mr. Steel Attorney General for the Common-wealth set forth the notoriousness of the facts of the Prisoner at the Bar by his invading the Kingdom committing many Murders and Rapines and all under pretence of the Covenant that as the War was called Hypocritarium bellum so he might be called Hypocritarius Princeps He desired the Charge might be read and that the Earl might make answer to it After the Charge read the Earl of Cambridge Pleaded that he was of another Nation and what he did was as a servant to that Kingdom and not as a Contriver of it neither was he ever Naturalized Earl of Cambridge that he knew of that he was a Prisoner of War and had Articles given him The Court caused the Act to be read for Naturalization of his Father and consequently of him being his Heir The Lord Goring was next brought to the Bar and his Charge being read to him he Pleaded not Guilty and was dismissed behaving himself with great respect to the Court. The Lord Capell pleaded That he was a Prisoner to the Lord General and had conditions given him and his life promised him that if all the Magistrates in Christendom were combined together they could not call him in question He never minded nor looked upon the Court but upon the people on all sides and with an austere countenance Sir John Owen pleaded not Guilty The next day the Earl of Cambridge being brought to theBar M r Steel moved that he might answer his Charge which the President required him to do The Earl desired time to put things into a method and that he might send to Major General Lambert by whom he had Articles given and to Scotland from whence he received his Commission The Court gave him two days to answer and upon his motion for Counsel he had liberty to name them which he said he could not not knowing any one Counsellour in England The Lord Capell brought in and demanded to plead in chief to his Charge did again insist upon the Articles of Colchester whereby he said he had fair quarter given him and that all the Gowns in the world had nothing to do with him 12. Orders appointing the several Judges to go the Circuits this Lent and for compleating the number of Judges in the several Courts and Voted that the Kings-Bench Court should be called the Vpper Bench. An Act passed for some amendments in their Commissions and for a new Oath to be given them well and truly to serve the Common-wealth in the Office of a Justice of the Vpper Bench c. according to the best of their skill and knowledge A Certificate of the Doctor and Apothecary of the Earl of Holland that he could not with safety of his life be removed up to London and a Petition of his Lady for favour to him referred to the High Court of Justice to send for him if they should think fit Colonel Dean Colonel Popham and Colonel Blake added to the Commissioners of the Navy An Act for a new Oath to be taken by every Free-man in London and in all other Corporations and for repealing the Statutes 1 Eliz. and 3 Jac. of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy Letters from Edenburgh that Prince Charles was proclaimed King of Scotland by consent of the Parliament there with Solemnity and agreed that one Earl one Baron one Burgess and one Divine be sent to invite him thither The late Kings Body was interred at Windsor Castle but the Common-Prayer not permitted to be used at his Burial The last day of the Term the Commissioners sate till two a clock hearing motions then they rose and gave the new Oath and sealed new Patents to the several Judges according to the new Act. 13. All private business put off for seven daies Order for a new Stamp for Coyn. Debate touching power and instructions to be given to a Council of State and referred to a Committee to bring in names An Act read for sale of Deans and Chapters Lands The High Court of Justice sate and the Lord Capel being brought into the Court the Attorney General moved that the Prisoner might make good his Plea The President told the Lord Capel that he had put in a plea concerning Articles for proof whereof the Lord General was by order of the Court there present that he had liberty to ask any thing of him if not then the Council of the Common-wealth were to offer what they could in proof of it Then the Attorney General went on and produced the Generals Letter to the Parliament upon the rendition of Colchester and the Articles and the Explanation of them whereby and upon the testimony of the Lord General and General Ireton Colonel Whaley and Colonel Barksted all present by order of the Court it appeared That the Lord Capell was to have fair quarter for his life which was explained to be afreedom from any execution of the Sword but not any protection from the judicial proceedings of a Civil Court and mercy was explained to be only from the promiscuous execution of the Sword but that he might be tryed by a Council of War But of this Learning I hope none of this Nation will have use hereafter It was clearly proved that the Articles were only to free him from the present power of the Sword to take away his life and Colonel Berksted swore that he told him the day after the Articles that he believed the Parliament would proceed against them that were taken at Colchester as Traytors The Council moved for judgment against the Lord Capel that he should be Hanged Drawn and Quartered at which he seemed to startle and after a short Speech to the Court he concluded that how ever he was dealt with here he hoped for a better resurrection hereafter Then the Earl of Cambridge was brought to the Bar and required to make good his Plea he thanked the Court for the time they had given which he said was so short that he could not be provided Upon his desire there were assigned to him for Council Mr. Chute Mr. Hales Mr. Parsons and Dr. Walker He desired leave to send to Scotland and further
a Pass for himself and his attendants forty Horse but none other to go over with him Report by Lieutenant General Cromwell from the Committee of Estates that according to the Order of the House nineteen of the Committee had subscribed for approving the Kings execution but that two and twenty of the Committee had refused Not but that they confest except one the Commons in Parliament to be the supreme power of the Nation and that they would live and dye with them in what they should do for the future But they could not confirm what they had done in relation to the King and Lords this report was committed Debate about disbanding the Kentish Forces and referred to a Committee to examine the publishing of Papers to Proclaim the Prince to be King The high Court of Justice sate and witnesses proved that the Earl of Cambridge was Prisoner to the Lord Grey before the Articles with Major General Lambert were concluded Letters produced signed with his own hand to Sir Marmaduke Langdale touching the carrying on of the design in England and passages touching his Friends in Colchester Proved also that he was called by the late Kings Writ to sit in Parliament in the Lord Houses by the name of Earl of Cambridge and appeared as Earl of Cambridge and acted as a Peer of England sitting in the Lords House and in divers Committees That as a Peer of England he took the National Covenant and subscribed to it Cambridge in the House of Peers and took the Negative Oath before the Commissioners of the Great Seal as a Peer of England Letters from Scotland that Sir Joseph Douglas was chosen by their Parliament to go to their new Proclaimed King to acquaint him with what the Parliament had done and to desire him to take heed of evil Counsellours That they are putting the Kingdom into a posture of defence Colonels chosen in all the Shires and every fourth man to be arrayed and trained Letters from Pontefract that one Beaumont a Priest was executed for corresponding with the Garrison in Characters and he chose to dye rather than to discover the Characters At the Council of State they were all demanded to subscribe the test appointed by Parliament for approving all that was done concerning the King and Kingship and for taking away the House of Lords and against the Scots invasion c. All the Lords and divers other Members of the Council refused to subscribe this test the General desired to be spared for what was past as to subscribing but he and the rest of the refusers affirmed that for the future if the Parliament thought them worthy to be imployed they would joyn with them and faithfully serve them Many of the Commons refusers to sign it as it then was made divers scruples some to one part of it some to another Whitelock scrupled that part of approving the proceedings of the High Court of Justice because he was not privy to them nor did know what they were in particular nor ever heard any report of them made to the house and not knowing what they were he could not sign that paper to approve of them the like was said by divers others 20. Offer for Merchants approved to send out Ships at their own charge in the next Summers Fleet. Order for three thousand pound for the Maimed Souldiers and for Sale of the Crown Jewels Hangings and goods to raise money for the Navy An Act for the Commons to call Common Councels in London Debate about the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands 21. Letters directed from the House to the Judges in their Circuits to give order for due payment of the Excise and that all rioters against it be punished Upon a report from the Council of State an Act passed for repealing the Commission to the Earl of Warwick as Lord Admiral and an Act Ordered to be brought in giving power to the Commissioners of the Navy to command the Fleet as the Lord Admiral had done An Act passed for the Company of Weavers in London The Hart Frigat revolted to the Prince the Sea-men set the Captain on shore the Prince was courted at the Hague as King but not by the States publickly The High Court of Justice sate and their order was read to the Lord Capel that they would hear what he could say this day and then proceed to judgement He said he was to be comprehended wholly in the Martial Law and urged the Articles again which excepted Tryal after by Parliament that divers that were in Colchester in his condition had compounded That breaking Prison for Treason by Common Law was but felony and benefit of Clergy might be had at last when he could not get the resolution of the Court to be referred to a Tryal by Martial Law He moved that he might not be barred of additional defence and that if he must be judged by the Common Law he hoped he might have the full benefit of it He urged for it the late Act which saith though King and Lords be laid aside yet the fundamental Laws shall be in Force He recommended to the Court Magna Charta and the Petition of Right and prest the consideration of the Act made in favour of those who assisted K. Hen. 7. and the exception in the Acts touching the Lord Strafford and Canterbury that they should not be drawn in precedent He desired to see his Jury and that they might see him and to be tryed by his Peers and said he believed that a precedent could not be given of a subject tryed for his life but either by Bill in Parliament or by a Jury Witnesses were heard against the Earl of Cambridge 22. Debate about the business of the Navy and to incourage the Sea-men Order that the Councel of State take care for preserving the Library Medals and Statues at St. James's An expedient assented unto for the Members of the Council of State that they should subscribe the test to approve of what shall be done by the Commons in Parliament the supreme Authority of this Nation but nothing of confirming what was past Referred to the Council of State to take care for the preserving of Timber for the Navy The Earl of Cambridge brought before the High Court produced his witnesses some of whom were disallowed being Officers under him and so Participes Criminis He pleaded that he had not broken the Negative Oath for he had not ingaged against the Parliament but for the ends in the Scots Declaration His Council moved that they might with the Council of the Common-Wealth state the case of the Earl but this was denyed being in case of Treason and that the Earl's Council could only declare their opinions in point of Law Upon the Earl's desire he had further time granted him The Council of the Army Ordered some to prepare a draught of such things as might be presented by them to the
had power to do it and secured him by a party of his Forces that he was ordered to be banished by Parliament paying one hundred thousand pound for his Delinquency 27. The House sate not The Earl of Holland was brought to the High Court and the Charge of High Treason read against him and aggravated by the Sollicitor General that the Earl was an eminent Courtier and probably did ill Offices and perswaded the King to go from the Parliament and went afterwards himself to Oxford That he returned from thence had his Sequestration taken off that he published a Declaration promising in the word of a Gentleman and a Christian that he would stand by the Parliament he took the Negative Oath and the Covenant Yet the last Year he ingaged and probably contriv'd the insurrection wherein the Duke of Bucks and his Brother and others were drawn in and he boasted that he should shortly be twelve thousand strong and master the Parliament and restore the King The Earl pleaded that his fact was not Capital but Criminal that he had quarter given him when he was taken at St. Needs and that both Houses had past an Order since for his banishment the which excused the aggravations especially in his last Action Letters that a Peace was confirmed by Articles between Ormond and the Catholick Party in Ireland and a Proclamation by Ormond for all to obey it Letters from Scotland that the Messengers from their Parliament were come to the King that the Scots Parliament made a Law that Adultery should be punished by Death 28. The Monthly Fast Order for a day of publick humiliation through out the Kingdom A Committee appointed to bring in an Act to take away the Monthly Fasts and to have Fast-daies Ordered as there shall be particular occasion A Committee to draw up a new Oath instead of that of Supremacy to be taken by Papists The Scots Commissioners being apprehended at Gravesend referred to the Council of State to send them to Scotland with a guard by Land and that they write a Letter to the Parliament of Scotland of their late carriage and to know how far that Parliament will owne the same An Act passed giving power to any ten of the Common Council of London to call a Court and forty Members to be a Common Council in case the Lord Mayor and Aldermen refuse An Act past for disabling the Malignant Magistracy of Norwich March 1648. 1. The House sate not The Council of state made several Orders in relation to the Navy and that the Committee of the Army do certify to them the arrears of the Army and what proceedings have been about setling their Debenters Upon a Petition of the Countess of Holland to the High Court and proof of the Earls being very sick the Court gave him further time to answer The Council of the Army passed a Petition to present to the House and the General presented to them a Letter subscribed by eight Troupers of several Regiments and delivered to him The effect of it was to assert the Souldiers right to Petition without their Officers consent and it was high against the Council of State and High Court. This was ill resented by the Officers and each of them present by the poll disavowed and disapproved the Letter as tending to divide and disunite the Army five of the eight Troupers were committed till they should be cleared by a Court Martial 2. Colonel Whaley and divers other Officers of the Army presented a Letter from the General with a Petition from the General Council of the Army to which the General concurred Their desires were 1. That Free quarter be forthwith totally taken away 2. For provision for constant pay of the Army 3. For Receivers to account 4. Abuses of Clipt money to be redressed 5. Souldiers accounts to be stated and Debenters given out 6. Security for them by Deans and Chapters lands or otherwise 7. For satisfaction for Souldiers Horses slain or lost in Fight 8. For Maintenance for maimed Souldiers and Widows of Souldiers 9. For relief of Ireland 10. For the supply of the Irish Officers come from Inchequin c. Order that these matters be taken into consideration and thanks returned to the Petitioners Referred to the Council of State to consider what Forces are fit to be maintained in this Kingdom and in Ireland and to bring in an estimate that the House may make an establishment for all Order for recruits of Horse according to the Petition Referred to the Council of State to consider what is fit for the House to do at present concerning Ireland Referred to a Committee to consider of the Standard in the old Palace and of taking it down and selling it Order for Sir George Ascue to command as Admiral of the Irish Seas and for several others to be Commanders of Ships Order for two hundred pound for the Irish Officers An Act past concerning Sequestred Estates in the Northern Counties to be sold for ease of the People Referred to the Committee of the Army to remove the obstructions in stating the Souldiers accounts An Act read and committed for bringing receivers c. to account 3. The Earl of Holland before the High Court pleaded the same plea he had done before of free quarter given him and witnesses were examined on both sides he desired Council but it was denyed The Earl of Cambridge made an additional defence not much varying from what he had said before in answer whereunto the Council of the Common-Wealth did speake five or six hours Four of the eight Troupers who presented the Petition to the General and General Council were brought and tryed before the Court Martial and the Paper delivered by them to the General was adjudged by the Court to be scandalous to the Parliament the Council of State the High Court of Justice and tending to divide the Army Upon the fifth Article of War against reproachful and scandalous words and actions the Court Martial sentenced these four Troupers to ride the Horse with their Faces to the tayl their swords to be broken over their heads and to be cashiered the Army 5. Upon a Report from the Council of State an estimate was made by them of the Charge of all Forces in Field and Garrison in England and Ireland to be one hundred and sixty thousand pound per mensem Order for an Act to be brought in thereupon An Act passed to impower the Commissioners of the Navy to execute Martial Law An Act read to abolish Kingly government Order for the Council of State to consider of increase of allowance for incouragment to such Officers of the Fleet as shall deliver back their Charges without imbezlement of the stores or other abuses to the State Referred to the Commissioners of the Admiralty to provide a Convoy and Ship of War for the Prince Elector and his retinue Sir John
the Parliaments Forces ran to them that Wheat in Dublin was at 55 s. the Barrel From Ireland that Ormond was come with 12000 Foot and 2400 Horse within 25 Miles of Dublin where he had besieged some places that C. Jones went out with a Party to relieve them That the Catholicks and old Protestants went dayly in to Ormond 13 Referred to a Committee to consider of some things offered in behalf of the People of New-England Raising Mony for lame Souldiers referred to the Committee of Hospitals Order for the Commissioners of the Seal to pass several Pardons upon Certificates of the Judges for Persons condemned in the Circuits Order that the Earl and Countess of Leicester take care that no other Ceremony be used to the late Kings Children than is used to Noble Mens Children of this Nation A Declaration of the Officers and Souldiers at Lancaster to the same Effect with those from other Regiments was presented to the General The Mayor and divers Citizens of Oxford presented Whitelock with a Patent to be High Steward of that City to which he was unanimously chosen by them in the place of the Earl of Berks. Upon Lieutenant General Cromwel's Desire referred to a Committee to take his Accounts of his Expeditions into Wales and Scotland and to give him Discharges 14 Much time spent upon the business between Sir John Danvers and the Lady Gargrave touching the Estate of the late Earl of Danby their Brother and resolved upon the Question that Sir John Danvers was deprived of that Estate by the Will of the Earl for his Affection and adhering to the Parliament And referred to a Committee to consider how Sir Johns Losses thereby may be repaired Letters from Holland that Prince Charles was attended from the Hague by the Princess his Sister and many Persons of Eminence and with 40 Troops of Horse to Breda and from thence to Antwerp and so to Bruxels where the Arch Duke Leopold intends to receive and conduct him into France 15 Monies ordered for the Lord Lisle upon his Accounts as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Referred to the Councel of State to order the going of the several Judges in the next Circuits Upon Information of the good Service done by Baron Thorpe in the last Norhern Circuit ordered that he go the same Circuit this Vacation Order for Judge Pheasant to make choice of his Circuit or to stay at home being Sickly Mr. William Littleton and Mr. Bulstrode ordered to be Judges of Northwales Order for the Commitee of the revenue duely to Pay the Sallaries of the Lords Comissioners of of the Seal and of the Judges Order for an Act to Enable the Judges who ride the Northern Circuit to keep Assize at Durham for the Bishoprick Upon a report from the Councel of State the House approved of Commissary General Ireton to go into Ireland next Commander in chief unto Lieutenant General Cromwell And that he have presently paid him 2000. l. In part of his Arreares Letters that store of Provisions of Corn were brought in by Dutch Ships into Lancashire An Act past for transmitting into the Exchequer Bonds forfeited to the Commissioners of Excise to the end they may be put in suit And the Commissioners of Excise were continued till the 25th of Decemb. next Order for an Act to ease the People in Payment of the Excise Order that the Trustees for sale of Bishops Lands do put their Powers into Speedy Execution Upon the Petition of the Widdowes of Slain Souldiers referred to the Commitee of Haberdashers Hall to alow them their Husbands Arreares out of such concealed Delinquents Estates as they should discover Power given to the trustees to sell Deans and Chapters Lands at 10 years Purchase The General sent a Letter to the Colonell of each Regiment to give him an account of the taking off of Free Quarter 18 An Act passed for relief of Persons according to Articles of War Upon a recommendation of the General ordered that Sir William Fleetwood Sir Edward Sydenham Mr. John Carey Mr. Adrian May and Mr. Stidolph shall have the benefit of the Articles of Oxford Order for a Writ for a new Election of a Member for Abington Order for 100. l. For Arrears of Mr. Rowland Wilson as Muster-Master General for the Forces of Warwick Shire M. Cobbet dismist of his Command and Captain Rogers Committed to the Marshall by order of the General Letters that the Inhabitants of Draiton in Shrop-shire on the last Lords Day in the night fell upon Captain Thelwels Troop and disarmed and pillaged them That the reduced Souldiers at York seised upon some of the Officers who were to pay them their Arrears and kept them in restraint 4 Hour 19 Order for 1000. l. For the Lieutenant President Bradshaw and referred to a Commitee to consider how 4000. l. per annum Lands of Inheritance may be settled upon him and his Heirs and how 1000. l. Per annum may be settled upon M G. Skippon and his Heires for their good Services An Act passed read 3 times this Morning to inable the Judges that go the Northern Circuit to hold Assizes at Durham A Petition of Mr. Stedman c. referred to the Committee of Leicester Upon a report from the Councel of State referred to the Court of Admiralty to examine a business touching some Merchants of the entercourse and certify the House Letters from the Generals at Sea that they intended as soon as weather will permit to recover King sale Road. C. Reynolds his Regiment and C. Okey's Companies were ready to be shipped for Ireland The General sent his Orders to every Regimenâ— to permit any of the Regiment that would go for Ireland and not to entertain any in their Rooms till further order And to Lieutenant General Cromwell not to entertain any who have left any Regiment designed for Ireland and to have their accounts Stated Letters from Chester that C. Jones and Owen Row were so far agreed as not to disturb one anothers Quarters Letters that the Scots were new modelling their Army and none to be of it but those who take the Covenant that the Comissioners of the Kirk would have the King further pressed to grant their desires 20 Petitions reported by Comissary General Ireton Petitions from Kendall referred to the Commissioners of the Seal and the Attourney General Petition of the Earl of Lincoln for dammage for the demolishing of Tatters Hall Castle refered to the Councel of State Order for disposing 1480. l. Taken in a Dutch Ship at Graves end Order for satisfaction of losses to Mr. Everard and others of Essex out of the estate of Butler an Irish Rebel Another Petition referred to the Comissioners of the Great Seal An Act past for Lessening the Rates in the sale of Deans and Chapters Lands Dismantling Gotheridge Castle referred to the Councel of State Letters that some of Prince Charles his Ships had taken divers fishermen The Commitee touching Major General Brown and other Members revived Order for
good That C. Mark Treavor was there a great purchaser and Bought Choice Sheep for 3 Pound a Score Cowes for 30 Pound a Score and Horses for 40 Pound a Score and so made himself up a Regiment and was made Governour of the Town to Boot That this Defeat of Owen was a great advantage to Ormond that in Dundalke were store of Provisions taken that Owen was so inraged at this defeat that he Swore he would be Revenged That there were Divisions in Ormonds Army between the English and the Irish for that Ormond gave the Lands so regained to the English and put them into Garrisons but kept the Irish in the Field in most hardship and danger that many the of Ministers in Dublin are suspected and Suspended Letters from Scotland that the Levies there were much prest on by Lieutenant General David Lesley and his party to consist of about 14000 Foot and 6000 Horse and that they were in great fear of an Invasion either from England or Ireland August 1649. Au. 1 Debate touching Accounrs and the Assessment of 90000 l. Per mensem continued 3 Monthes Letters that C. Reynolds C. Venables and their Regiments were Landed at Dublin Letters from France that the Prince of Wales was still there and that the Lord Cottington and Sir Edward Hyde came to him from Bruxells with a Present of 20000 Crownes from the Arch Duke Leopold From Scotland that they are Listing 1400 Auxiliaries And that their Forces are 6000 Horse and Foot some of them Quartered on the English Borders that have demanded their Cannon at Berwick and Carlisle That they are troubled they can have nothing from their King but according to the Councel of the Queen Mother and those with her who are all for the Irish Interest and the Catholicks And that they are about a Declaration to receive all to Mercy upon their repentance and and taking the Covenant Except a few only 2 Order to Refrain Private Business for 8 dayes Order touching the Accounts of the Irish Officers and Stating of their Pay Debate Touching Excluding all from Offices who shall not subscribe to the Present Government Letters from Ireland that since the Landing of C. Reynolds and the other Regiments Ormond drew off his Army further from Dublin and that Trym held out still for the Parliament 3 An Act passed to enable the Comittee of Indemnity to receive Information and Articles against any Justice of Peace Maegstrate or other Officer touching their Malignity c. And to cause Witnesses to be Examined there upon in the Countrey And to proceed to Sentence against them Referred to a Comittee to bring in an Act to take down and raze out the Armes of the late King in all Churches Chappels and other publick Places throughout the Common Wealth Order for allowing 1300 l. to a Member of the House to be doubled upon the Purchase of Deanes and Chapters Lands Referred to a Commitee to consider of the Obstructions in the Sale of the Kings Goods Another Member readmitted A Letter from Hamborough of wrongs as to their shipping referred to the Commitee of the Navy And referred to the Councel of State to write to the Governour and States of Hamborough touching some Complaints of English Merchants against them 41 Debate of an Act for Admitting the 6 Counties of North Wales to a Composition fraâ— sum in grosse Debate of an Act touching Probate of Wills Administrations Mariages Divorces c. Debate of an Act for settling Tythes upon such Ministers as shall own the present Authority 6 Debate of an Ordinance touching Ministers publick worship and Government by way of a Declaration The House passed the preamble declaring their Resolutions for Propagation of the Gospel the establishing Presbyterial Government and the Ministers to have sufficient Maintenance and upon the Question whether Tythes should be continued it passed in the Negative Letters that Captain Norwood one of those who Landed last at Dublin Sallied out of the Town with a Troop of 80 and some additional Horse upon Sir Thomas Armstrong who came with part of 4 Regiments to drive away the Cattel of the Town That Norwood repulsed Armstrong Killed 30 of his Men and took some Prisoners and lost but 4 Men. That Trym Castle was Surrendred to Ormond or Inchequin by the Treachery of Captain Martin An Act past giving power to the Committee of Indemnity to transmit the Examination against Malignant Magestrates Officers or Justices of the Peace An Act past for settling the new Comissioners of the Customes The Declaration of the General Assembly of Scotland against those that ingaged in the late unlawful War against England and such as persevere in the like designs to be Excommunicate and further Punished and such as repent c. to be received to Mercy Letters from New-Castle that there were Condemned by the Judges 29 Moss Troopers Scots that Robbed upon the Borders and other Felons 7 Debate upon the Declaration touching Ministers and Church Discipline referred to a Commitee to consider of the Debate of the House and to bring it in again with the amendments with respect to tender Consciences Letters of the taking of Trym Castle and that 3000 in it went to the Enemy who afterwards took also a strong House near it belonging to Sir Adam Loftus Letters that part of C. Hortons Regiment refused to go with the Lieutenant for Ireland and disbanded themselves That Major Bethel and other Officers refused to go that about Chester they feared the Malignants rising again Letters from Hamborough that one Mr. Harrington an English Merchant came thither and designed to trapan Mr. Crispe and other English Merchants there and got on board a Ship provided for that purpose to carry them over into England But by the contrary Winds the ship being Wind bound the rest of the English Merchants over took the Ships and rescued their Friends 8 An Act passed for taking of the Customes and Navy-Accounts Debate upon the Act for poor Prisoners recommited as to Prisoners and Creditors and the Commitee to receive any offers from the Judges or any others for the good of the Common Wealth therein Instructions to the Commitee for bringing in the Form of a Commission to Passe the great Seal for relief of those that lye in Prison for Debt and have nothing to pay but are like to starve for want of Maintainance Letters that a Woman came out of Cleveland to York and there Preached several times and was much Admired by some Ladyes and other Persons of Quality who heard her but the Ministers were very Angry with her 9 Debate of an Act for suppressing false and Scandalous Letters Informations c. Commited Another for suppressing Scandalous and unlicensed Pamphlets and for Regulating the Press Upon the Motion of C. Martin Ordered that the Regalia of the Crown be delivered up to the Trustees for Sale of the Kings Goods to raise Money for the service of Ireland 10 The Act
and unlicenced Pamphlets and for punishing the Authors Printers and Publishers of them Resolved that the Singing-Psalms be not for the future Printed with the Bible Confessed by the Mutineers at Oxford That they exepected 6 or 7000 to joyn with them out of Northamptonshire and those parts 6000 out of the West many thousands and the whole Army to joyn with them and to have these things done 1 For Agitators to be set up again at the Head Quarters 2 That Tithes be taken away 3 That the Laws be Englished and another way of Justice to be in the respective Counties 4 That the Excise be put down 5 That Prince Charles be brought in That they had store of Money promised them upon the desire of C. Ingoldsby to the General Some of the Mutineers of his Regiment were pardoned and some of the Officers were Cashiered who did not come in to him when he commanded them against the Mutineers Letters from Scotland That the Parliaments Successes in Ireland had caused a stop of Affairs in Scotland That all their Eyes are upon Cromwel That the levying of their new Army did not proceed hastily Letters from Ireland That Sir Charles Coot was marched out of Derry with 1500 Foot and 400 Horse and had cleared the Country 14 Miles about and got into the City great store of Provisions 21 Order for Mony for poor Widdows and Souldiers Wives The Act past for taking the Account of the Kingdom Referred to a Committee to provide some Accommodation for the Earl of Denbigh near Derby House in satisfaction of his right to the Wardrobe The House adjourned 22 Letters from Leverpool That the Lord Lieutenant had taken Tredah and put all to the Sword that were in Arms there and that 180 of Inchequins Men were come in to the Lord Lieuteant Letters that divers of the levelling Party were taken at Brinnicham Twenty Horse of Hinds Company the great Robber committed fourty Robberies about Barnet in two Hours Divers Moss Troopers taken Letters but nothing certain of the taking of Tredah Referred to the Councel of State to order the Militia of the Kingdom for the present till a further Act of Parliament be agreed upon for it and an Act ordered to be drawn up accordingly 25 Debate touching an Adjournment for certain Dayes and about a New Representative but nothing resolved upon it An Act for punishing of Crimes committed upon or beyond the Seas ordered to be published 26 Governours named for the School and Alms-Houses of Westminster the Earls of Pombroke Salisbury and Denbigh Mr. Prideaux Lord Commissioner Whitelock Lord Commissioner Lisle Mr. St. John and divers others Letters from the Lieutenant General to the Parliament giving an Account of the proceedings against the Mutineers at Oxford Order for thanks to Major General Lambert C. Ingoldsby and the rest of the Officers for their good Service therein Letters that Sir Charles Coot kept the Field and not any considerable Party of the Enemy gave him Opposition The Church of St. Martins in the Fields was robbed and much Plate and Mony taken out of it and the Church of Waltham Abbey was also broke open and robbed 27 The Declaration published concerning a happy Roformation against Malignants Levellers and such as would bring in Monarchy and Tyranny again and that they would have respect to tender Consciences who go according to the Rule of Gods Word Order for speedy bringing in the Fines of Delinquents and for the 20000 l. Fine upon North-Wales to be paid to the Committee of the Army for the Service of the Army Referred to the Councel to appoint Persons in every County with Power to suppress Insurrections and Tumults A Day of Humiliation kept by the Officers of the Army for the Atheism and Prophaneness which was crept into the Army The Declaration passed touching the business of Oxford and other Designs of the Enemy against the present Authority and of the good Success in Ireland and in England and to remit the Crimes of many against the present Authority by discharging them of Imprisonments and Prosecution against them and referred to the Councel of State to consider who are fit to be discharged accordingly Letters from Mr. Peters thus Sir The Truth is Drogheda is taken 3552 of the Enemy slain and 64 of ours Col. Castles and C. Symonds of note Ashton the Governour killed none spared we have all Trym and Dundalk and are marching to Kilkenny I came now from giving thanks in the great Church We have all our Army well landed I am yours Hugh Peters Dublin Sep. 15 th Letters that one Den a Leveller formerly condemned by a Councel of War at Burford to be shot to death and afterwards pardoned hath raised a Tumult in Sturbridge against the Commissioners of Excise and got together 300 Men armed with Muskets Swords c. who fell upon Captain Prescot a Commissioner in his Quarters shot him in three places took from him the rest of the Commissioners and Souldiers all their Money Horses Arms and Cloaths The General wrote to the Governour of Stafford to apprehend Den and to suppress the Tumult 28 The business of the Tumult at Sturbridge by Den continued in the hight of it and they sent into the Neighbouring Towns to come in and joyn with them and be et up Drums for that purpose but few came in to them 29 Letters from Cromwel Sir It hath pleased God to bless our Endeavours at Drogheda after Battery we storm'd it The Enemy were about 3000 Strong in the Town They made a stout Resistance and near 1000 of our men being entred the Enemy forced them out again But God giving a new Courage to our Men they attempted again and entred beating the Enemy from their Defences The Enemy had made three Retrenchments both to the right and left where we entred all which they were forced to quit being thus entred we refused them Quarter having the day before Summoned the Town I believe we put to the Sword the whole number of the Defendents I do not think 30 of the whole number escaped with their Lives those that did are in safe Custody for the Barbadoes since that time the Enemy quitted to us Trim and Dundalk In Trim they were in such hast that they left their Guns behind them This hath been a marvelous great Mercy The Enemy being not willing to put an Issue upon a Field Battle had put into this Garrison almost all their prime Souldiers being about 3000 Horse and Foot under the Command of their best Officers Sir Arthur Ashton being made Governour They were some seven or eight Regiments Ormonds being one under the Command of Sir Edmund Verney I do not believe neither do I hear that any Officer escaped with his Life save onely one Lieutenant who I hear going to the Enemy said that he was the onely man that escaped of all the Garrison The Enemy were filled upon this with much Terror and truely I believe
Town six Miles below where there is a strong Fort that secures the River The Dragoons fell presently upon the Storm and in a short time set fire on the Gate whereupon the Enemy within called out for Quarter and upon assurance given by the Lord Lieutenant that they should have Quarter for their Lives and their wearing Apparel they surrendred the Fort to him where was six pieces of Ordinance and the Town was of great Advantage to the Parliament The Parliament left in Carrick Collonel Reynolds with his Regiment of Horse a Troop of Dragoons and two Foot Companies The next day after they marched out of it Ormond whom they supposed inclined towards Cromwel marched towards Carrick and Besieged it The Kings Forces made themselves sure of carrying the Town and therefore drew a Party of Horse and Foot over the Water to prevent the Parliaments escape that way The Vlster Forces undertook the storm they came on very resolutely and made desperate Assaults for the space of four Hours they set fire to all the Gates and in one place undermined the Wall attempting to blow it up with a Barrel of Powder But through the Mercy and Strength of God Collonel Reynolds with the rest maintained the Town very gallantly and beat off the Enemy with the Loss of about 4 or 500 Men and wounded very many he loosing not above four of his Men all the while God hath prospered Collonel Reynolds very much he goes out almost upon every Party and behaves himself with much gallantry and Resolution The Parliaments Dragoons have done them great Service About a Mile from Carrick is a little Castle upon the River where the Parliament put six or seven Dragoons to keep it Inchequin Summons them by his Trumpet none of them could read the Summons but perceived by the Trumpet what it was and though they could not write yet without complement and in plain phrase they returned no other answer but this to the Trumpet Bid Inchequin go about his Business and be hanged for he had nothing to do with them And thus though they could not return an Answer in writing they did in Resolution The Parliaments Forces are now before Waterford and make Preparations for a Storm when their great Guns with other necessaries shall be dispatched to them Ruisile and Bandon Bridge are theirs The L. Broghil and C. Fair since their Arrival in Munster have gained many a Horse and Foot unto them The Lieutenant General and Officers received an Order of Parliament for stating the Accounts and giving Debenters to such reduced Souldiers as should ingage for Ireland In Prosecution of that Order of Parliament and according to the further Direction of the Councel of State the General sent his Orders and Instructions for the reducing of Troops to the number of 60 and concerning such so reduced as shall ingage for Ireland and such as refuse to go for Ireland to be dismissed the rest to be conducted into Ireland for Recruits for the Forces there and care taken for their present Pay and for their Accounts to be Stated and Debenters given them to purchase Kings Lands 13 Letters from Berwick That every Officer and Souldier of that Garrison except two only signed the Ingagement That Wheat there was at 10 s. a Bushel Corn and other Provisions desired From Carlile of the want of Corn That the Garrison unanimously subscribed the Ingagement That they give out in Scotland that Cromwel was routed in Ireland and with four broken Troops escaped to Dublin which much rejoyced them at Edenburgh That they expect the return of the Lord Libberton from Jersy From New-Castle of the unanimous Subscription of the Ingagement by that Garrison That many Witches were apprehended thereabout of late that the Witchtryer taking a Pin and thrusting it into the Skin in many parts of their Bodies they were insensible of it which is one Circumstance of Proof against them From Scarborough of the Garrisons free subscribing of the Ingagement That they see our Enemies at Sea chase our Ships desire Care of the Winter Guard From Hull That the Regiments both Officers and Souldiers signed the Ingagement not one refusing 14 Order for Ships to convoy and transport the Recruits for Ireland An Account for Leverpool of about 2000 Souldiers shipped from thence to Ireland From Weymouth That C. Popham was there with Ships ready to transport C. Coxes Men for Guernsey and the men also ready Order of Parliament for a thanksgiving throughout the City for the good Successes in Ireland 15 A private Souldier sentenced to be shot to death for killing a man In the Road at Broadway Hills many were robbed and murdered A Naylor found dead with seven or eight Wounds with 50 s. in his hand and his Horse loose by him Directions given to several Regiments of Horse to quarter in such places as are most convenient to scoure the High-wayes of Thieves and Robbers Letters from Dover That the Garrison freely subscribed the Ingagement That the King of France and those of Burdeaux were upon Agreement That the States of Holland intended to disband 5000 Horse and Foot and many of the Commanders purposed to come into England hoping for entertainment 17 The G. Councel of the Army after a long Debate about settling the business for the Sale of the Kings Lands referred it to a Committee to consult with the Committee of Parliament for Obstructions in the Sale of the Kings Lands c. Referred to some Officers to consider of a Course for pay for Captain Harrisons Company of Lancashire men who marched with Cromwel into Scotland One Vaughan a Minister once a Cavaleer then turned a Zealot then turned against the Commonwealth and preached that they were guilty of Perjury c. Letters that the Souldiers quartering about Tossiter and riding abroad in the Night had frighted away the Thieves from Broadway Hills and those Parts to the great contentment of the Countrey 18 The Committee of Officers had a long Debate about making the way practicable of buying the Kings Lands c. appointed for the Armies Security Mr. Penruddock an Agent for Prince Charles was taken and committed close Prisoner to the Tower Letters from York That there was a Rendezvous of C. Lilburns Party that are marching for Ireland about 100 old Blades stout men and well horsed ready for the Service An Account from Chester of Souldiers Shipped from thence to Ireland The Port at Coventry intercepted a Pacquet of scandalous Books intituled The Character of K. Cromwell The Woodstock Skuffle c. Letters that Montross having sollicited the King of Denmark and the Duke of Holstein for 6000 Men to be levyed in their Dominions for Prince Charles and for a place of Rendezvous and-Free Quarter in Holstein and for Shipping and Money to transport them was put off by them without obtaining any of his Requests to them That from thence he went to Stock-Holm to Sollicite the Court of Sweden for their Assistance One Hammond a
several persons in the North to raise Forces for him The Parliament ordered 500 l. to Collonel Lilburn 200 per Annum as a marke of Honour for his faithful service and 100 l to his Lieutenant that brought the news from him And ordered that the Ministers in the respective Churches in London and Westminster do the next Lords-day give thanks to God for the surrender of Sterling Castle and for the defeat of the Earl of Derby and pray for a blessing upon the Parliament Forces now neer an Ingagement The Parliament ordered to Collonel Mackeworth a chain of Gold with a medal as a mark of their Favour for his faithful and gallant refusal of the Kings Summons to render Shrewsbury Castle Letters That the Generals Head quarters were within 2 miles of Worcester that the Enemy seemed to be resolved to venture all at Worcester in and about which place all the Kings Army were and they had raised a new Fort that the Parliaments Guards were within Musket Shot of it and General Fleetwood with his Body lay at Vpton That the pass at Vpton Bridge was taken by Major-General Lambert That a party of the Enemy sallyed out of Worcester but the Parliaments Forces beat them back to their works and killed 14 of their men that the Country came in freely to the Parliaments Army That Massey with a Troop of Horse ferried over the Severne between Tewksbury and Glocester and discoursed with some Women there who say that Masseys Horse was killed under him at Vpton and he wounded in the Hand and Leg. That the Enemies Horse incamp a mile on the other side of Worcester and their Foot most part in Worcester That Cromwel drew his Army in the face of Worcester but they would not meet him with their Army but there was some small pickeering and Shooting of Muskets behind the Hedges but nothing considerable attempted 31. The Lords-day the Ministers who were not of the rigid Presbyterian judgment gave thanks in their Churches for the successes of the Parliaments Forces in Scotland and against the Earl of Derby according to the Parliaments Order for that purpose And they likewise prayed to God for his blessing upon the Parliaments Forces now neer to an Ingagement with the Enemy But some of the more rigid Persons did not think fit to observe that Order but neglected it and had their private Meetings to pray to God to bless their Brethren of the Prebytery and their Country-men September 1651. Sept. 1. Letters from Major General Lambert's Quarters That he marched 28. Aug. in the Morning with a Party of Horse and Dragoons from Evesham towards Vpton about Ten in the Morning he approached to the Bridge over the Severne which the Enemy had broken down all but a Foot Plank The Dragoons got up upon the Bridge before the Enemy in the Town who were about 2 or 300 Horse and Dragoons took the Allarum while they fired upon the Bridge against the Enemy in the Town being within their sight and shot our Horse partly forded and partly swam over the River about Pistol-shot from the Bridge We and the Dragoons advanced withal and forthwith by the Major General 's Order took possession of the Church upon a little Hill near the Bridge-foot being about eighteen The Enemy drew up and came to the Church and shot their Pistols and thrust their Swords in at the Windows but the Dragoons gallantly fired upon them killed three or four of their Men eight or nine of their Horse and took one Scot shot in the Arm Massey's own Horse being killed upon the place and we are very strongly informed Massey shot in the Arm. By this time our Horse were come up in a small Party at whose appearance the Enemy faced about without charging our Men had the Pursuit but not knowing but that the Enemy might be a great Body forbore And Major General Lambert sent for Lieutenant General Fleetwood with his whole Brigade where my Lord Grey is to make good what they had gained being four Miles behind He presently mounted 300 Foot behind Troopers and hastened to the Bridge the rest following Major General Lambert in the mean time using abundance of diligence to make up the Bridge for the Party to march over and receiving no interruption from the Enemy it was speedily accomplished so that we marched all over the Passe at night Two Guns came to us and we had a hot but false Allarum that night Collonel Blundell commanded the Guard and at night took the Prisoner whose Examination is inclosed In the Morning Collonel Blundell sent out another good Party of Horse and Dragoons who marched Three Miles toward the Enemy and had Scouts a Mile and a half further but discovered no Enemy only being in the sight of Worcester they discovered the General with his Forces near Worcester and his Guns playing upon the Town Major General Lambert and Major General Deane themselves wrought in the making up of the Bridge and as soon as it was done the General sent to them to come to him then near to Worcester Major Mercer carried himself stoutly and gallantly in this Business and indeed Massey brought up the Rear very stoutly when they turned about at least forty Carabins were shot at him within half Pistol-shot and he was for certain shot in the Hand and Thigh This was a very seasonable Mercy and more advantageous than can well be expressed Major Mercer possest Maxfield House betwixt Vpton and Worcester the Enemy quitting it upon our taking the Passe This day the General came to visit us at this Passe and was entertained with abundance of Joy by extraordinary shouting of each Regiment Troop and Company as he went to salute them That the Enemy lay in and near Worcester on Hereford-shire side the Lord General on this side Lieutenant General Fleetwood on the other side at Vpton That the Enemy had burnt down the Suburbs of Worcester to the Walls round about That their Grandees are much distracted and think they were betrayed into this Place many Sallies they have made but were beaten back once they Sallied out with 1000 upon 300 of ours but they were gallantly repulsed and seven or eight of them killed with the Commander that led them On Saturday the Lord General was with the Lieutenant General viewing his Forces and consulting how to carry on the Work when the Boats were ready that his Train was come to the Lieutenant General From Scotland of gatherings of the Scots especially Highlanders who plundered the Country People and then fled up to the Hills where the Parliament Forces could not follow them That the Lieutenant General in Scotland marched with a considerable Party and some Great Guns towards St. Johns Town near which the Scots were making new Levies but they were all dispersed That the Lieutenant General sent a Summons to the Town of Dundee and the Country about to come in and submit to the Parliament of England but they
Answer That they do not hold it fit or reasonable to lay open their power but such as shall submit they have sufficient Power to receive them into the Parliaments Favour As to the granting Passes to any to go to the Parliament they hold it not fit to such as contrary to their Duty are in Hostility against them 2. Letters That the Basse was delivered up to the Parliament and in it all the Kirke Records which much troubled the Clergy An Act passed for continuing Serjeant Bradshaw Chancellour of the Dutchy and Bartholomew Hall Esq Attorney-General of the Dutchy 3. An Act passed for removing Obstructions in the Sale of the Kings Lands c. Letters That the Dutch Ships had orders if they met any English Ships to bring them into their Harbors 5. Letters of a Petty Rising of some High-landers but their Commander and a few of them being knockt down the rest of them ran away That a Bloody Moss-Trooper was Condemned to be Hanged and another by the Court-Martial to be Shot to Death for killing a Scotch-woman That some English Troopers being pursued by some Moss-Troopers who said they were of Collonel Okey's Regiment and Friends and so they put up their Arms again and rode on together when suddenly the Moss-Troopers drew out their Pistols and killed one of the Troopers wounded another of them and took the rest Prisoners and afterwards in cold blood murdered Three of their Prisoners and the Fourth miraculously escaped 6. Letters of the low condition the Irish were brought unto of John Fitz-Patrick an eminent Rebel admitted to his submission to the Parliament and of Clanrickards Letter for a National Treaty of the good service of Collonel Reynolds and the other Officers and Soldiers in Ireland Of the Forces of the Parliament about Eniscortly burning the Corn and every Morning the Houses they quartered in the night before killed and took many Irish That he was an idle Soldier who had not a Veal Lamb Pig Poultry or all of them for his Supper That they destroyed as much Provision as would have kept many Thousands of the Irish till next Harvest That they took about 200 Garroons 300 Cows and 400 Sheep and Goats and many Horse-men Of Contests between the Towns-men of Galloway and the Soldiery the Earl of Clanrickard taking part with the Soldiery and perswading the Town not to submit but to a National Treaty the Town insist upon a Treaty for themselves Of Assents of more Shires and Boroughs in Scotland to the Vnion with England transmitted to the Parliament The House passed Instructions about the Earl of Argyle to the Council of State The Cracovian Catechisme reported to the House and Voted by them to contain matters that are Blasphemous Erroneous and Scandalous That all the Printed Copies of that Book be burned Mr. Primate upon his Petition was discharged Order for 4000 l. to Repair Dover Pear and Harbour That Commissioners were in Treaty about the Surrender of Galloway The Dutch Imbargoe taken off from the English Ships Of the Dutch great Preparations for the Seas 7. Letters That Blackness was not thought fit to be made a Garrison That Dunbarton Castle was one of the Strongest holds in the 3 Kingdoms That Argyle in his Treaty with Major-General Dean and Major Salloway insisted much for the Interest of the Kirke That the Parliaments Forces fortified Ayre a strong Town and convenient Harbour 9. Letters of the meetings of the Ministers in Scotland who do threaten interdiction and communication to complyers with the Parliament and that the Highlanders fall upon them Of an Eclipse in Scotland that put the Inhabitants to a great Astonishment 10. Letters That the Dutch Ships in Pendennis Harbour hasted away from thence fearing an Imbargoe by the Parliament Of 6 English Colliers taken by the Dutch and rescued again by an English Frigot That Collonel Cook was Slain and no other of his Party in a Skirmish with the Rebels 12. Letters from Collonel Zanchey to the Lord-General and read in Parliament of all the proceedings of his Party the Winter past wherein among others he mentions the good Service of Captain Whitelock That they killed above 400 of the Irish and took 350 110 whereof he sent for Spain that they took many Hundreds of Cows and Garrons and 300 Troops of Horses and a great quantity of Arms. That about 400 of them upon their Petition and Security given have been received into the Parliaments Protection That they hanged above 50 of the Irish according to the Lord-General his Orders That he had not lost above 5 men nor any officers but Captain Ball. He mentions the Sollicitation of many of the Irish for a Treaty wherein he was doubtful what to do not knowing the mind of the Parliament therein towards those bloody Rebels but that to Collonel Odvery who had been very Civil and kind to the English who were Prisoners with him and very just in Performance of all his Ingagements he had granted a safe Conduct and Treaty to be confirmed or annulled as the Parliament should think fit and sent a Copy of the Articles From Leith that March 29 was so dark that they could not see to write without a Candle and it caused great fear upon all Men. 13. The Act read for Incorporating Scotland into one Common-wealth and Free-state with England and for abolishing the Kingly office in Scotland and committed A Letter assented unto to be sent to the King of Denmark and ordered to be sent Upon a report from the Councel of State of the abuses in Cloathing and Transporting of Wool and Fullers-Earth a day was appointed to debate it Order to exclude all private Business for 14 Dayes Order for an Act to settle the Lincoln-shire Fens 15. There was a smart debate between the Dutch Ambassadors and the Parliaments Commissioners wherein the point of the Right of Fishing in the Narrow-Seas and the Soveraignty of those Seas to be in the Nation of England was touched upon and by Whitelock more than others to the distast of their Excellencies the Lords Ambassadors 16. Letters That the Forces of Dublin had kined about 100 Tories and taken much Cattle That many Irish had made Conditions with the English Commissioners for a Submission that Collonel Fitz-Patrick had made Terms for 5000 men to go beyond Sea 17. Letters That most of the Countries by their Deputies had consented to the Vnion of Scotland with England and had chosen divers Officers of the English Army for their Deputies Of Ship-wracks near Scilly 19. Letters That Galloway had agreed to Surrender upon Articles That Collonel Reynolds had taken in 2 Garrisons of great Consequence bordering upon Vlster That the Ministers of Scotland inflame the People against England and damn all their Brethren and People who are not of their opinion That the Lord of Drum had bid them defiance That Argyle dallied and doubled with the English Commissioners 20. Letters That a party sent
from us making all the Sayl they could with the remainder of the Fleet being not above Sixty left of their whole number So far as I could discern there cannot be less than Thirty or Fourty sunk taken and destroyed we are now in pursuit of them some of our best Sayling Frigots being almost up with them and our expectations still are great The Enemy had Nine Flag Ships when we first Ingaged and now but one left some of them I know are sunk In this Ingagement we had but Two Ships of ours fired by them One of them is the Oak her Men were saved most of them the other had not any of her men saved The Worcester Frigot took the Garland which had been formerly taken from us by the Dutch but our Men were forced to fire her Trumps Flag was shot down in the Morning and could not be made stand all the day after The Parliament spent a day in their House in praising God for this great Mercy and praying for a right improving of it 4. Letters from General Monck aboard the Fleet to the Parliament of this Fight to the same effect with the former 5. A Petition from Kent to the Parliament for taking off the Tythes and the Speaker told them the House was satisfied of their good affection to the Parliament and for the matter of their Petition part of it was under consideration and that the Parliament would do as the Lord should direct them After a long debate of this day and yesterday the House Voted That the Court of Chancery should be taken away and the Committee of the Law to bring in an Act accordingly and an other for the Causes now depending and for future relief in Equity Whereas the Parliament appointed a Committee to consider of such Petitions as are directed to the Parliament and to Present such of them only to the Parliament as are proper to the Legislative power or not relievable elsewhere and to examin Witnesses upon Oath if they shall see cause and state the matter of Fact and Report to the Parliament and their Opinions touching Oaths for the Persons unjustly molested And this Committee having in their hands about Two Hundred and Fourty Petitions which according to the said Order they are to consider of and examin They resolved to receive no more Petitions for one Month except for lives or publick concernment whereof all are to take Notice and not to put themselves to unnecessary attendance Several Murderers condemned by the High Court of Justice in Ireland That the Enemy there was so wholly vanquished that not a Tory or a Wood-Kern was to be met with That a great part of the Army there was reduced Eleven Regiments of Foot and Four Regiments of Horse besides all new Regimented Troopers and Foot Companies all of them reduced being Five Thousand Foot and Three Thousand Horse A special regard taken of all the Field Officers and other Officers That the Accounts of the Army were audited and care taken for the satisfaction of all and to give them possession of Lands for their Arrears 6. That Seven Thousand Tories were marching to the Sea side in order to their Transportation for Spain That an English Merchant Ship by storm and Fog fell in among Eight Dutch Ships yet got away from all to Plymouth Letters of the Highlanders plundering the Low-lands and taking some Horses That Captain Drew broughr in Three Dutch Prizes their Scout Vessels sent to give advice to their East India Fleet to put in at Norway or the Sound because the English had a strong Guard upon the Northern Coast Letters from General Monck and Vice Admiral Pen of the late success against the Dutch to the same effect with the former and that we had sunk Thirty of the Enemies men of War taken One Thousand Prisoners whereof Vice Admiral Everson one of their most Valiant and best Sea men was one That we lost Two Hundred and Fifty Men slain and Seven Hundred wounded Captains of ours slain were Graves Cox Chapman and Peacock and Captains wounded were Stokes Seaman Rouse Holland and Cubi and that the Enemies loss is by conjecture about Three Thousand 8. The Commissioners for Administration of Justice in Scotland published a Proclamation for reviving some antient Laws and for prevention of the Exorbitancies of broken Highlanders Borderers and such as disturb the peace Order for a Day of Thanksgiving for the late good success at Sea with a Narrative to be publickly read Order for several Gold Chains to be given from the Parliament to General Blake General Monck Vice Admiral Pen and Rear Admiral Lawson and to the Four Flag Officers and immediatly to be bestowed among the Officers of the Fleet as Marks of the Parliaments Favour and good Acceptance of their service An additional Act passed for Stating and Determining the Accounts of the Officers and Soldiers in Ireland Much Debate upon the Act for Marriages and the Registring thereof and of Births and Burials That a private man of War of Scilly took a a Prize which was again taken from him by Two Dutch men of War and retaken again by the President Frigot That the Dutch have gotten again about One Hundred and Fourty Sayl of Ships besides Fire-ships That Three of their States are to go in the Fleet and advise and they have proposed a Reward to those who shall take any of the Three English Admirals and the benefit of their Ships That Tumults were amongst them but pacified Great Guns were heard off at Sea 10. Two of the Dutch Deputies to the Parliament went away upon the news of the late Victory Upon the Petition of Lieutenant Collonel Lilburn's Wife the Vote for his close Imprisonment was taken off and he Ordered to be Tryed at the Sessions in the Old-Bailey 11. That the King of Scots was sick of a Feavor at Paris The Dutch supprized Four English Ships in the East-Indies Traders for Port to Port. Lilburn's Trial proceeded at the Sessions House 12. Letters that the Highlanders in Scotland were gotten into a considerable body That a Declaration was Published by the Commissioners for visiting Universities in Scotland and placing and displacing of Ministers which did much astonish the Kirk-men Of Pyrates upon the Coast of Jersey who were socoured and assisted by the French who would not permit a Vessel of the Parliaments to have fresh water in their shoar and a Bristol Merchant man taken by the Hart Frigot which was lost to the Dutch and now manned out by them 13. Letters of two Dutch men of War that came into Burlington Bay to surprize Ten Barques there which cut their Cables and went into the Peer and so were preserved That the Parliaments Ships on the North Coast brought in a Danish Ship of great value and several other Ships Prizes and cleared that Coast of Pickeroons That Prince Rupert was gone to Nants to make the best of his Robberies That many thousands of the Irish were
now in my Return homewards give me leave Sir to acquaint you with some passages of Respect to this Common-wealth in my Journy both in Sweden Denmark and Germany The Magistrates and People of Stockholm were very Respectful to your Servants and General Wrangel and General Major Fleetwood with Here Lagerfelds and others Accompanied me Fourty English Miles to their Chief City There they freely showed me not only the Stately Castle Town Haven and Ships but their Works Magazines Arsenal Work-Houses for Arms and Shipping which were very strong and Considerable There I had two Ships provided for my Transportation over the Baltique Sea and in that where I went on Board a Vice-Admiral was sent to Command being a point of great Honour and the Ship was Richly Furnished and Accommodated for the Voyage After we had passed this deep and rough Sea through great Tempests and Dangers and were Arrived near to the Hans Town of Lubeck they hearing of it by our Guns sent their Coach and Officers to conduct me to their City where some of the Chief of their Lords with their Syndick or Recorder came from the rest to Salute me and in the Latine Oration made to me gave me all welcome to the Place and highly expressed their Valuation of this Common-wealth I Received also Civil Complements and Salutations from the Dukes of Saxony Holstein Curland Lunenburgh and other free Princes of Germany full of Respect and Honour to you Here I received likewise Respect and Ceremonies from the English Company at Hambourgh two days Journy from this City who sent Messengers to invite me to their House in Hambrough and expressed all Duty and Respects to you as their Superiours In my Land-journey which was not without hardship and want of Conveniencies where the Armies had been in their late Warrs betwixt these two Hans Towns of Lubecke and Hambourgh About two Leagues before I came to Hambourgh my Countrymen of the English Company there met me upon the way with about Fifty Coaches and about Two hundred Horsemen to welcome me to those Parts They Treated me Nobly by the way and Conducted me into Hamburgh where the Streets were so Crowded with People that we had a difficult passage through them and generally both in their words and carriage they expressed all civility and respect unto this Commonwealth The same Evening that I came hither the Lords of Hamburgh sent four of their Senators with their Syndicke to Salute and welcome me to their City and presented me nobly with Provisions of Fish and Flesh Wine and Beer for my Hospitality They Congratulated the success of your Treaty with Sweedland and expressed very high regard to our Commonwealth they invited me to Collations and did me the Honour to come to my Table and appointed one of their Chief Military Officers to shew me the Works and Ammunition of the Town and others of their own Number to accompany me to their Town-House and to inform me in Matters relating to their Judicatories Indeed their Fortifications are very strong and regular and they have great store of Armes and Ammunition and give therein a good Pattern for others as also for Provisions for their Shipping Sir I must do this right to them that both at my coming thither and during my stay there which was about ten days and at my departure from thence they did upon all occasions manifest as great an esteem and respect for this Common-wealth as any whom I have met with in Forreign Parts Sir it pleased God to stop our Voyage by contrary Winds and to stay us upon the Elbe near Gluckstade a Town of the King of Denmarks who hearing of my being there sent one of his Senatours Grave Rossen-Cross Vice Roy of Holstein to invite me to his Court. The Vice Roy came with many Attendants and not without great danger by the stormy Weather on Board my Ship and highly Complemented this Commonwealth from his Master but I knowing the course of Treatments in those Parts excused my self with the best Civility I could from going on Shore Alledging what was a truth That no person having the Command of your Ships as I then had and being on Board them ought to go from them without leave until his Voyage were finished and that this was my condition at that time I had much ado to satisfie the Vice Roy but he was well pleased with this Treatment and promised to make my Apology to his Master and to do all good Offices with him to testifie his Service to this Commonwealth After an extream dangerous and strong passage betwixt Hambourgh and England wherein the hand of God appeared wonderfully in the preservation of your Servants we all came in safety to our dear Country Thus Sir I have given you an Account of the whole Transactions of this business and for any Errours or Miscarriage of mind in the Negotiation or in this Account I have given you of it I humbly ask your Pardon After he had spoken the House gave a general Applause and divers of them stood up and moved That he might have the Publick Thanks of the House for the good Service done in this hazardous and Important Business of his Ambassie Then the Lord Broghil spake much in commendation of the Treaty and of the Ambassadour and seconded the Motion that he might have the Publick Thanks of the House for his good Service He added That there was a considerable Sum of Money due to him for the Expences of his Ambassy and no Gratuity or Reward given for his hazardous and Great Service done for this Commonwealth And further moved That two thousand pound might be ordered by the House to be paid in satisfaction of all Arrears due to him and as a mark of favour from the House Others who were well acquainted with the business informed the House That there was near Two thousand pound Arrears due to him and that there would be very little of the Two thousand pound if they should order it for him which would be a Testimony of their Favour and Reward of his Services The House unanimously ordered That two thousand pound should be forthwith paid out of the Publick Treasury in satisfaction of all his Expences in his Ambassy not yet paid and of all Arrears due to him and the Speaker according to the order did solemnly give him the Thanks of the House for the great Service preformed for this Common-wealth in his Ambassy in Sweden 7 Six English Vessels at several times were taken upon the Western Coast and carried into Brest and other Havens of France by the Pickeroons 8 The States of Holland sent their Command to the Governour of Breda That if the Queen of Sweden came thither he should entertain Her according to the Quality of so great a Princess Much Division was amongst them concerning the young Prince of Orange 9 Most of the great Commanders of the High-landers came in to the English upon Articles 11 The House all the three last
Rolles and all Seals who shall take an Oath before the Lord Chancellor Keeper or Commissioner of the Great Seal to be faithful in his Employment and shall receive into his Custody all and every Affidavit which shall be made in Court or upon which any Order shall be grounded and shall dayly File the same and keep an Alphabet thereof and in Case the Party at whose instance such Affidavit was made shall have cause to have a Copy thereof he shall pay unto the said Clerk for the same four pence for the Filing and three pence for every side for a Copy thereof and the other side or any other person desiring it may also have a Copy at the same rate and the Register shall have for Examining and Signing such Copy six pence and no more It is conceived by the Clerks keeping the Affidavit it may be in his and his Clients power to alter or retract it after it is sworn as is found by experience hath been done 40 That all Causes shall be set down for Hearing in Order as they were published without prefering one Cause before another and shall be presented by the Chief Clerks without taking any Fee for the same and the Causes being so set down shall be heard in the same Order This Rule is very prejudicial in Cases which are many that depend upon the lives of the persons and also of Merchants where one gets the Estate of another into his hands and goes beyond Seas and to deny him a Hearing in such Cases as occasion shall require is all one as to deny them Justice if this be enforced as a Law and if cause be to advise with Judges or any other accident the Court cannot put off the Cause for half an hour 41 That every Cause shall be heard the same day on which it is set down for Hearing and for that purpose the Lords Commissioners if there be cause shall sit for Hearing such Causes in the After-noon as well as in the Forenoon except upon Saturdays This is impossible to be done for Causes of Equity depend upon so many circumstances in cases of frauds and trusts that three or four days is not sometimes sufficient for the orderly hearing of one Cause and the sitting of the Commissioners upon the Râ—lls days cannot consist by reason of Councel and Sollicitours who cannot do their duty at both places and if this be imposed as a Law upon the Judges of that Court they are enjoyned thereby to act an impossibility The like objections were made to all the rest of the Articles and particulars of the new Ordinance touching the Chancery which though they would not prevail to stay the exemption of it as to the Lords Commissioners who seemed to doubt the power that made it which the makers would not endure yet they were the means that it was not exacted from their Successors but they were connived at in the not execution of it wherein they could not have satisfied themselves having taken an Oath which they scrupled would be broken either in the admittance of this Ordinance for a Law or if admitted in neglecting the performance of any part thereof May 1655. May The Protectors Commissioners for visiting the Universities Colledges and Schools in Scotland set forth a Proclamation Prohibiting Ministers to Pray for the King or to excite the people to new troubles prohibiting all persons from paying any maintainance to such Ministers News of the death of the Queen Dowager of Sweden who after she had been long sick of a Quartain Ague it was followed by a strong Rhume that fell on her Breast till she dyed Old Oxenstern Chancellor of Sweedland was buryed and the King and Queen at his Funeral Letters from Vice-Admiral Pen That his Fleet was safe at the Barbadoes where they had taken in four or five thousand men and within few days intended to set sail from thence upon their design Letters of the continuance of the cruel persecution against the poor Protestants of Piedmont by the Duke of Savoy A Proclamation published for the execution of the Laws against Jesuits and Priests and for Conviction of Popish Recusants against which Whitelocke declared his opinion at this time when there was not a fixed settlement and so great pretences for Liberty of Conscience Baron Thorpe and Judg Newdigate were put out of their places for not observing the Protectors pleasure in all his Commands This Order was sent from the Protector and Councel to the Commissioners of the Seal Tuesday May 1. 1655. At the Councel at White-Hall Forasmuch as the naming and settling of the Attornies in the Court of Chancery and the disposing of the Records in such manner as is directed by an Ordinance of his Highness by and with the consent of his Councel Entituled An Ordinance for the better regulating and limitingâ— the Jurisdiction of the High Court of Chancery Hath been omitted by those who are intrusted with the doing thereof and that great delay in Justice will necessarily fall out in case all proceedings in Chancery should be suspended untill all the said Officers and Records be settled for prevention thereof It is Ordered by his Highness the Lord Protector by the advice of his Councel that the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal and Master of the Rolles do proceed in the business of the said Court notwithstanding the said Officers have not been nominated and the Records disposed of as by the said Ordinance is directed which his Highness and the Councel expect should be done with all speed by those who are concerned therein and that in all other things they proceed according to the direction in the said Ordinance HENRY SCOBELL Clerk of the Councel This Order was made to put a further tryal upon the Commissioners and a command to execute the new Ordinance and the default in this particular was in the Master of the Rolles who was more positive than any other in denying as yet to execute the Ordinance but afterwards his profit and fear to offend over swayed all other conderations At one of their meetings Widdrington Lenthal and Whitelock agreed upon this Letter to be subscribed by them and sent to the President of the Councel My Lord WE have seriously and duely considered what we received from his Highness concerning the Execution of the Ordinance touching the Chancery and have strictly examined our own Judgments and Consciences having with all submission sought to God therein yet cannot give our selves satisfaction so as to be free to proceed upon that Ordinance wherefore and in regard of the near approach of the Term. We hold it our duty to represent the same unto his Highness together with the great trouble of our own thoughts in our unhappiness in this dissatisfaction and desire the favour from your Lordship to acquaint his Highness herewith we remain My Lord your Lorships very humble Servants B. Whitelock T. Widrington W. Lenthal May 1. 1655. This Letter was not
delivered to the President of the Councel till some time after the date of it the next day they received this Order or Warrant from the Protector Oliver Protector RIght trusty and right well beloved We greet you well Whereas by an Ordinance Entituled An Ordinance for the better regulating and limiting the Jurisdiction of the High Court of Chancery It is among other things Ordained that the Masters of the Chancery in Ordinary shall be only six in number to be now and from time to time appointed by the Lord Protector for the time being We according to the said Ordinance do appoint William Lenthal Esq Master of the Rolles John Sadler Nathanael Hubart Arthur Barnardiston Thomas St. Nicholas and Kâ—bert Aldworth Esq to be the six Masters of the Chancery in Ordinar and do hereby signifie unto you our pleasure that they be sworn and admitted accordingly given at White-Hall this second day of May 1655. To our Right trusty and Right well beloved Sir Bulstrode Whitelocke Knight Sir Thomas Widrington Kt. and John L'Isle Esq Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England Upon Receipt of this Warrant they gave the Oath to the six Masters of the Chancery named in the Order it being the old Oath and they proceeded in ordinary business of the Court according to the former course Letters from the Barbadoes of some Dutch Ships there Trading seized upon by Pen and his Fleet ready to sail from thence but whither the Officers knew not That they only waited for more stores from London which were not yet come to them That Pen had here recruited his men and sent some Forces to the Leeward Islands That the English here love to Trade more with the Dutch then with their Country men That Pen and Venable settled in the Barbadoes a Court by Commission to levy what should appear to be owing there to the Dutch and to make seizures of all Dutch who should Trade there That they were now six thousand Land-men and five thousand Sea-men and intended shortly to set Sail upon their design Letters of the Duke of Savoys cruel persecuting the Protestants in Piedmont by taking away their Goods and Estates and putting them in Prison and carrying away of their Children using all means with violence to make them forsake their Religion and the purity of the Gospel which when they could not do the Priests persuaded the Duke to send an Army against them to force them to Conformity who sent eight thousand men against these poor quiet people and Loyal Subjects the Army fell upon them slew many of them with small loss and took many Prisoners whom they used with all cruelty and then put them to death Others of them with their Wives and Children fled unto the Mountains whilst the Soldiers plundered their Houses and then fired them and their Churches A Solemn Fast was kept throughout London and Westminster During this Easter Term the Commissioners of the Great Seal proceeded in Chancery according to the former course of that Court and did not execute the Protectors new Ordinance which was informed to him but he could not disturb them till the Term was over and then was quick with them for their disobedience June 1655. Divers sollicitations were made to Whitelocke by sundry persons whose interest lay that way that he should recant the Letter he had subscribed with Widdrington and Lenthal that he was not satisfied to execute the Protectors New Ordinance concerthe Chancery and that he would promise to do it and to Conform to his Highness pleasure and that then he should be continued in the place of Commissioner of the Great Seal otherwise he must expect to be put out of that good and great Office Whitelocke answered them that no worldly considerations could prevail with him to do any thing contrary to his Judgment and Conscience for then he knew he should offend a greater Protector and better Friend than my Lord Protector could could be That he had taken an Oath to execute the place of Commissioner of the Great Seal Legally and Justly and for him to execute this Ordinance as a Law when he knew that those who made it had no Legal power to make a Law could not be justified in Conscience and would be a betraying of the Rights of the people of England and too much countenancing of an illegal Authority That as long as he should continue a Commissioner of the Great Seal he would execute that place according to Law and do right to the parties in Court after the best of his Judgment and Conscience but to do an Illegal Act and to execute such an Ordinance as he knew not to be agreeable to Law and would be an occasion of Injustice to many because he would thereby keep himself in the place of a Commissioner he thought was not according to good Conscience nor honesty and therefore he resolved to give himself satisfaction rather than any other and further than this he could not be persuaded This Order was brought to the Lords Commissioners To the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal My Lords I Am commanded to signifie unto your Lordships his Highness and the Councels pleasure That your Lordships do attend his Highness with the Great Seal at six of the Clock this Evening I am My Lord your Lordships most humble Servant Henry Scobell White-Hall June 6. 1655. As soon as this Letter came to them they understood the meaning of it and attended with the Great Seal at the time appointed at the Councel-Chamber and were after a little waiting called in The Protector gravely told them That he was sorry some of them could not satisfie their own Consciences to execute the Ordinance concerning the Chancery which they were informed had much good in it to the publick but he confessed that every one was to satisfie himself in matter to be performed by him and that he had not the worse opinion of any man for refusing to do that whereof he was doubtful but in this particular the Affairs of the Common-Wealth did require a Conformity of the Officers thereof and their Obedience to Authority and being some of them refused to execute this Act as was enjoyned they were compelled thereby to put this charge of the Custody of the Great Seal into the hands of some others who might be satisfied that it was their duty to perform this Command and to put the Ordinance in Execution Whitelocke being the antientest of the Commissioners told his Highness That their scruple was not upon the Authority of his Highness and the Councel as to the Command of all matters concerning the Government of the Common Wealth but only as to the effect of this Ordinance to be Executed as a Law the which they apprehended and had formerly given their reason for it would be of great prejudice to the Publick and would be contrary to what they had formerly by their Oath promised and being yet unsatisfied
his business might be brought to a Conclusion because he had long attended and the King his Master grew very Impatient of his long stay here and had commanded his return and looked upon the neglect to his servant as reflecting upon his own honour The Delay was excused and some occasion of it alleaged to be the Lord Fiennes his absence who was gone into the Country 31. The Council voted That Pitch Tarr Hemp and Flax should be taken as Contrebanda goods during the War betwixt us and Spain In case the Treaty here with the Swedish Ambassador came to a good conclusion The Lord George Fleetwood had commissions to Levy for the King of Sweden 2000 men more than the 4000 already granted and designed to form those 2000 into two Regiments and to be Collonel of both those Regiments himself The Commissioners of the Treasury had a constant weekly account of all the Receipts and disbursement of that great Revenue which being so often taken made it the more easie and gave them the more opportunity of ordering the same to the best advantage of the Common-wealth and as they received this account from the Officers under them so they gave information to the Protector how it was from time to time with their advice concerning the same April 1656. Letters of great appearances of the Country at the assizes and that the Gentlemen of Greatest Quality Served of the Grand Juries which is fit to be observed Mr. Rolt whom the Protector sent an Envoy to the King of Sweden returned from him from Poland Order for Letters to be written from the Protector and Councel to the Judges to be Sparing in granting Prohibitions to the Admiralty and others to the Judges of the Admiralty not to entertain any Suites in their Courts belonging to the Jurisdiction of the Common Law Some of the Council were against these Letters and advised rather to confer with the Judges about it who being upon their Oaths must observe them and Justice ought to run in a free and legal Course Letters of the Scots full of Complyance with the Government established there by the Protector which was more Conformity than ever they yeilded to any before Order by the Protector and Council for the founding and Indowing of a Colledge at Durham out of the Dean and Prebends Lands there Some were apprehended and Imprisoned by warrant from the Protector for being ingaged in a Duel The Preacher in Whitehal Chappel was disturbed in his Sermon by a Quaker whom the Protector Ordered to be carried to a Justice of Peace to be proceeded with according to Law One pretending a Message to him from God for that End denounced his Judgments against the Protector and his Councel and against all Sorts of people Cavaliers and others Order That the Corporation of Host-men in New-Castle do permit the Trade of Coals till their Complaints may be heard and determined Letters That the King of Scots had been at Bruxels in consulation with the Spanish Officers Order to call to account all Officers and Receivers of the publick Revenue which was upon a Report from the Commissioners of the Treasury The Queen of Sweden imbarqued at Colmar to go to her Husband in Poland Intelligence that some of the Plate Fleet were got home into Spain A Solemn Day of Thanksgiving in Dublin for the preservation of that City from the Rebels Letters of a Quaker in Colchester who starved himself to death upon a presumption that he could fast 40 days Letters of some new Plots in Scotland The Protector and his Council kept a day of private Fasting and Seeking God for a blessing upon their Affaires The Swedish Ambassador had been at Whitehall and was much discontented because he waited above an hour before the Protector came to him which brought the Ambassador to such Impatience that he rose from his Seat and was going home again without speaking with the Protector And said That he durst not for his head admit of such dishonor to his Master by making him so often and so long to attend for his Audience But Sir Oliver Fleming the Master of the Ceremonies did earnestly Interpose with his persuasions and prevailed with the Ambassador to stay a little longer and went himself to the Protector and plainly told him how unfit it was and how ill taken to put the Ambassador to such attendance and brought him to the Ambassador In the discourse between the Protector and the Ambassador when the matter of a nearer Alliance was mentioned his Highness answered That he was willing in case of a nearer Alliance or of an Union concerning the Protestant Interest to have our Neighbours and Allies the Low-Countries Included therein and that he thought it did become him to have a particular care of them and to take them into any such Treaty or Alliance and that he was not willing to do any such thing without them These Expressions of his Highness did a little startle the Ambassador It was afterwards offer'd to his Highness Judgment whether it were not fit in all things that might stand with our Interest to give Contentment to the King of Sweden being a Wise and Potent Prince and God having given him great successes And that the Dutch being greatly for their own Interest as well as other States in case there should not be a nearer Alliance betwixt us and Sweden might possibly slip in and make a nearer Alliance betwixt themselves and Sweden without taking much care to have us Included therein The Protector sent to the Swedish Ambassador to excuse his long stay before he had his Audience and to assure him that there was not the least Intention of reflecting upon the Kings Honour or of any disrespect to him but only the omission of the Protectors Servants in their Duty Wherein care should be taken for the future and that it should be amended And that his Highness had a very great affection for the Ambassadors Person and as great a respect for the King his Master as for any Prince in Christendom With this the Ambassador seemed fully satisfied and desired to return his Service to the Protector and his most humble Thanks But yet the Ambassador was very much troubled apprehending that at his last Audience his Highness mind was somewhat alter'd from what it seem'd to be formerly and that now there was nothing to be done without the Dutch He much wondered why the Protector should seem so forward heretofore for a nearer Alliance and Conjunction with his Master and now seemed to be more cold in that matter and wished that he might have known his mind at first for he had already given the King an account of the Protectors willingness to have a nearer Alliance with his Majesty who thereupon had dressed his Councels accordingly and now he must acquaint the King that he perceived his Highness mind to be changed as to that point which would cause the King very much to Marvel and would
touching Recusants and about making of Salt and in the case of Mr. Hanson a Merchant of London 9. Applications in the behalf of the Civilians to be the Judges of the Admiralty and for Probate of Wills 10. Applications about the Church of the Walloons in Norwich 12. Applications about Visitors of the University of Oxford The Bill for setling the Company of Merchant Adventures 13. A Bill for a Market in Lincoln's-Inn Fields and the Bill for mitigating the Forrest Lawes and preservation of the Timber in the Forrest of Dean 14. An Account prepared for the House of the whole years disbursements for the Land and Sea Forces and Government 15. Applications touching the Earl of Bedfords Buildings in Covent Garden 19. The great business of the Setlement of the Nation 20. A Charter granted for the Town of Marleborough in the County of Wilts 26. A Bill for prices of Wines 27. An Act of Indemnity 31. A Bill to buy in Impropriations to maintain Ministers April 1657. Anno 1657 2. Application in a business in Parliament by the Lord Fitz-William 3. A Bill for the maintenance of Ministers in Bristol 4. The Parliament had been long about the Setlement of the Nation and had framed a Writing which they stiled The Humble Petition and Advice of the Parliament of England Scotland and Ireland to his Highness The first business of it was for the Protector to have the title of King This Petition and Advice was presented to his Highness by the House and he desired that a Committee might be appointed to conferr with him about it which was named and Whitelock being one of the Committee was made Chair-man When the Committee attended his Highness Whitclock spake to him upon the point of the Title of King giving reasons why he should accept of that title The Protector urged his reasons against it and Whitelock replyed The whole debate in Print 5. This day Whitelock reported to the House the passages when their Committee attended his Highness 6. Referred to a Committee to consider what was fit further to offer to the Protector in the great business this was the former Committee They attended his Highness and he appointed the next day for them to come again to him 9. A Plot discover'd by the vigilancy of Thurlo of an intended Insurrection by Major-General Harrison and many of the fifth Monarchy-Men 11. Whitelock reported to the House the Committee's waiting upon the Protector but that the new discover'd Plot hindred their proceedings at that time 12. Applications by the Officers in behalf of the Army in Ireland 13. Applications in behalf of the Company of Vintners The Committee offer'd their reasons to the Protector in the great business 14. Whitelock acquainted the House with the passages yesterday betwixt his Highness and the Committee about the title of King 16. Whitelock moved the House for their Committee to meet again with his Highness which was ordered they attended but the Protector being busy in Examining the new Plot they were put off to another day 20 Upon Whitelockes motion the Committee were ordered again to attend his Highness The Protector was satisfied in his private Judgment that it was fit for him to take upon him the title of King and matters were prepared in order thereunto but afterwards by sollicitation of the Common wealth's Men and fearing a mutiny and defection of a great part of the Army in case he should assume that Title and Office his mind changed and many of the Officers of the Army gave out high threatnings against him in case he should do it he therefore thought best to attend some better season and opportunity in this business and refused it at this time with great seeming Earnestness 21. Whitelock acquainted the House that his Highness had some things to offer to the Committee in a paper and desired them to meet him this afternoon whereupon the House adjourned till to morrow and the Committee met his Highness 22. Whitelock reported to the House the Committees attendance upon his Highness yesterday who offer'd to them a paper of particulars touching several things in the humble Petition and Advice and that the Committee are preparing a Report of the whole business thereupon the House adjourned till to Morrow 23. All the Members in Westminster being sent for into the House Whitelock made the report of the whole proceedings of the Committee with his Highness touching the title of King with the Protectors answers and Papers given in by him to the Committee which Whitelock read and afterwards the Clerk read them again and the debate of this great business was adjourned 27. The House were busy in debating the last report made by Whitelock in the business of the title of King 28. They proceeded in the same debate 29. They came to some resolutions in in that debate which were not all pleasing to his Highness May 1657. 1. The Committee of Parliament where Whitelock had the Chair according to the order of the House attended the Protector and acquainted him that the House had now perfected their answer to the papers formerly deliver'd by his Highness to the Committee who now attended him with the Parliaments answer His Highness told the Committee that he would take the particulars of this answer into consideration and as soon as might be he would return his answer Whitelock declined the first delivery of the Petition and advice to the Parliament not liking several things in it but Sr. Christopher Packe to gain honour presented it first to the House and then the Lord Broghil Glyn Whitelock and others put it forward 2. The Protector often advised about this and other great businesses with the Lord Broghil Pierepoint Whitelock Sr. Charles Wolseley and Thurlo and would be shut up 3 or 4 hours together in private discourse and none were admited to come into him he would sometimes be very chearful with them and laying aside his greatness he would be exceeding familiar with them and by way of diversion would make verses with them and every one must try his fancy he commonly called for Tobacco Pipes and a Candle and would now and then take Tobacco himself then he would fall again to his serious and great business and advise with them in those affairs and this he did often with them and their Counsel was accepted and followed by him in most of his greatest affairs 3 The Sieur Phillipi Passerini being sent by the Queen of Sweden to the Protector with Letters Credential and to inform his Highness of some Secret affairs he by the Queens Instructions addressed himself first to Whitelock with Letters to him from the Queen desiring Whitelock to bring her Secretary this Gentle-man to the presence of his Highness and to promote his business Whitelock acquainted the Protector therewith and read to him the Queens letters to Whitelock which were in French The Protector desired Whitelock to read them again to him in
Articles in the Petition and Advice excepting such as since have born Arms for your Highness or the Parliament or have been admitted to sit and serve in the Parliament of this Commonwealth and are of good life and conversation or such as shall hereafter be declared by your Highness with the advice of your Council to have given some signal testimony of their good affection and continuance in the same That the Proviso in the said fourth Article be explain'd thus viz. That such English and Scotish Protestants who since the defection of the Earl of Ormond and the Lord Inchiquin and before the first day of March 1649. have born Arms for and ever since continued faithfull to the Parliament or your Highness or have otherwise before the said first day of March 1649. given signal testimony of their good affection to this Common-wealth and have ever since continued faithfull to the same shall not be debarred or deemed uncapable of electing or being Elected to serve in Parliament And whereas in the said fourth Article Publick Ministers or Publick Preachers of the Gospel are disabled to be Elected to serve in Parliament It is hereby explained and declared to extend to such Ministers and Preachers only as have Maintenance for Preaching or are Pastors or Teachers of Congregations In the said fourth Article That in stead of Commissioners to be appointed by Act of Parliament to examin and try whether the Members to be Elected for the House of Commons in future Parliaments be capable to sit according to the Qualifications mentioned in the said Petition and Advice there shall be the Penalty and Fine of a 1000 pounds laid and inflicted upon every such unqualified Member being so adjudged by the said House of Commons and imprisonment of his Person until payment thereof And that the ensuing Clauses in the said Article viz. We desire that it may by your Highness Consent be Ordained That forty and one Commissioners be appointed by act of Parliament who or five or more of them shall be Authorized to examine and try whether the Members to be Elected for the House of Commons in future Parliaments be Capable to sit according to the qualifications mentioned in this Petition and Advice and in case they find them not qualified accordingly then to suspend them from sitting until the House of Commons shall upon hearing their particular Cases admit them to sit which Commissioners are to stand so Authorized for that end until the House of Commons in any future Parliament shall nominate the like number of other Commissioners in their places And those other Commissioners so to be nominated in any future Parliament to have the same Power and Authority That the said Commissioners shall Certifie in writing to the House of Commons on the first day of their meeting the cause and grounds of their suspensions of any person so to be Elected as aforesaid That the Accusation shall be upon Oath of the Informant or of some other person That a Copy of the Accusation shall be left by the party accusing in writing under his hand with the party accused or in his absence at his house in the Country City or Town for which he shall be Chosen if he have any such House or if not with the Sheriff of the County if he be chosen for a County or with the chief Magistrate of the City or Burrough for which he is chosen shall not be put in Execution or made use of but shall be void frustrate Null and of none effect and shall be so construed and taken to all intents and purposes whatsoever anything contained in the said Petition and Advice to the contrary notwithstanding In the fifth Article That the Nomination of the Persons to supply the place of such Members of the other House as shall die or be removed shall be by your Highness and your Successors In the seventh Article That the monies directed to be for the supply of the Sea and Land Forces be issued by Advice of the Council And that the Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury shall give an Account of all the said money to every Parliament That the Officers of State and Judges in the Ninth Article of the said Petition and Advice mentioned shall be chosen in the â—ntervals of Parliament by the Consent of the Council to be afterwards approved by Parliament That your Highness will be pleased according to the usage of former Chief Magistrates in these Nations and for the better satisfaction of the People thereof to take an Oath in the form ensuing I do in the presence and by the Name of God Almighty promise and swear That to the uttermost of my power I will uphold and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to the uttermost of my power and understanding and incourage the Profession and Professours of the same and that to the utmost of my power I will endeavour as chief Magistrate of these three Nations the Maintenance and Preservation of the Peace and safety and of the just Rights and Privileges of the people thereof And shall in all things according to my best knowledge and power govern the people of these Nations according to Law That your Highness successors do before they take upon them the Government of these Nations take an Oath in the Form aforesaid That all such persons who now are or shall hereafter be of the Privy Council of your Highness or Successors before they or either of them do act as Counsellors shall respectively take an Oath before persons to be authorised by your Highness and Successors for that purpose in the Form following I A. B. doe in the presence and by the Name of God Almighty promise and swear That to the uttermost of my power in my place I will uphold and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament and encourage the Profession and Professors of the same And that I will be true and faithfull to His Highness the Lord Protector of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereto belonging as Chief Magistrate thereof And shall not contrive design or attempt any thing against the person or lawfull Authority of his said Highness and shall keep secret all matters that shall be treated of in Council and put under secrecy and not reveal them but by Command or consent of His Highness the Parliament or the Council and shall in all things faithfully perform the trust Committed to me as a Councellor according to the best of my understanding in order to the good Government Peace and Welfare of these Nations That the same Oath be taken by the members of your Highness Council of Scotland and Ireland That every person who now is or hereafter shall be a Member of either House of Parliament
devices of that Subtle and malicious Serpent that he beguile us not and that there arise not in any of us an evil heart of unbelief to depart from our stedfastness and from our fixed Resolution to seek peace and ensue it There is an evil Root and it is one and the same Root though two different and contrary fruits spring from it but both tending to one and the same end which is to overthrow our great end the Peace and quiet of these Nations and the blessed fruits that grow upon them more precious than the Peace it self though that be a great blessing of and in it self This Root is a Root of bitterness and discontent at the present dispensations of God the different fruits thereof are a restive and a restless Spirit The former causeth men because they cannot have all that they will and when they will to throw up all in a discontent and refuse to go God's way and God's pace because they cannot go their own The other Spirit causeth men to be alwaies restless to be alwaies digging up Foundations to be turning and overturning and disliking all things As to the first sort if they would but consider the example of the great workman and Creator of this bountifull Vniverse in the order and manner of his Creation thereof they might therein behold as in a Mirrour the perfect Idea of the method and manner of his working also in the continual course of his Providence in the Preservation and Government of the World and might be taught how to order their thoughts and themselves in Relation to the gradual Dispensations of God and learn their own duty as they are called to act under the same and in subserviency thereunto Not only God's rest but also his working was exemplary As God rested the seventh day so must men as God wrought the six days so must men as well those which are to work with the head as with the hand as well rich as poor as well high as low none are too high to imitate the most high none must be idle but every one must serve God and his Country according to his calling And that call cannot but be warrantable which is necessary and that is necessary which God by his Providence so orders that a man must act by it or not at all And that he should not act at all is neither agreeable to God's Commandment nor his example Thus as to the substance of God's working but the very order and manner of it hath also a teaching in it No doubt if it had seemed good to the Divine Wisdom that powerfull breath which called something out of nothing could in the same breath and in the same instant have given it its whole and entire beauty and perfection but he was pleased to create it by degrees and to proceed from one measure of perfection to another When he had drawn the first line thereof he did not dislike his own work and throw it up though the Earth was void and without Form and darkness was upon the Face of the deep but went on to create light and though it was still mixed with darkness even before he had divided the darkness from the light he saw it was good and so at every Period of his work he owned the good that was already in being and then went on till he had perfected the whole and when he had viewed all his works together he then saw they were all very good What should this teach us but that we should thankfully own and receive every degree of good which God reacheth forth unto us and with Faith and Patience wait upon his footsteps following him from one step of perfection to another till we arrive at the end of his works and then as we found the parts thereof good we shall find them all together very good and if God who could have made his works perfect in an instant yet was pleased to perfect them by degrees surely he would have us learn not to quarrel at the works of men if they are not all perfect in a day Nay if we will take God for our Pattern as all the excellency that is in the Creature is so far forth as there is found in it some shadow and resemblance of its Creator though there be not only defects but also real Evils in things yet men ought not to sit still and let them take their course but to endeavour to amend them if they can or otherwise to draw good out of them if they may for although to doe evil that good may come of it is a Doctrine of Devils yet to draw good out of Evil is an high imitation of God As to that other sort of Spirit that is overbusie and is alwaies turning up Foundations I might have forborne to say any thing of it to you unto whom I address my Speech as in Relation to your selves for that either you your selves have advised the setling that Foundation we now stand upon or else are laid upon it or at least are or should be all sworn to it And as to others who would build upon contrary Foundations or upon no certain Foundation departing from and not perfecting that which is already so well laid which may be equally destructive to our great and good end of settlement I need not say much to them neither for those which conceit either Utopia's of I know not what kind of imaginary Common-wealths or Day-dreams of the return of I know not what Golden-age with the old Line Their Notions are rather bottomed in conceit than in reason and must rather be worn out by experience than argued down by Reason for when they come to be put in practice they presently discover their weakness and inconsistency and that they are altogether unpracticable and infeasible or of very short durance and continuance as hath appeared so often as they have been assayed or attempted Nay as to the latter there seemeth to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aliquid divini to the contrary there having been so constant and strong a current of Providences against it that whosoever have attempted to stem that Tide have not only been carried violently back again but also driven upon Rocks whereupon they have Shipwrackt themselves in the attempt not unlike to those Jews whom Julian the Apostate in despight of Christ set to rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem upon its Old Foundations out of which Balls of Wild fire issueing forth affrighted and destroyed the Work-men and made them desist from their work Indeed our Author and that party amongst us doth the like being a Heathen and a great friend of Julian would not acknowledge the Hand of God in it but imputed it to a strange accident to the Pertinacy of the Element Pertinacia Elementi crebris insultibus terruit operarios but yet it made them desist from their work so will not that party amongst us no Demonstrations of God's Hand against them will prevail with them
and that the Armies Forces streighten the Town The General Council of Officers of the Armies and Fleet of the three Nations sat dayly they voted That a Parliament be called before February next to sit and act according to such Qualifications as are or shall be agreed upon and may best secure the just rights liberties and privileges both Civil and Religious of the People of this Common-wealth 11. Intelligence of attempts of Insurrections in Sussex but defeated So was a design to surprize the Tower A Commission was sealed to Whitelocke and several other Gentlemen of Bucks for the Militia in that County 12. Intelligence that Monk was come to Berwick and that he wrote to Lambert for a Pass for his three Commissioners to come thither to him which caused suspicion of his further delay 13. The General Council of the Officers agreed upon seven Articles 1. That there be no King-ship 2. No single person as chief Magistrate 3. That an Army be continued 4. No Imposition upon conscience 5. No House of Peers 6. The Legislative and Executive powers to be in distinct hands 7. Parliaments to be Elected by the People The Resolutions were committed to a committee of the Common Council 14. The Council of Officers signified their Opinions to the Committee of safety that the best way to satisfie and appease the present distractions would be to have a Parliament forthwith summoned without a King or House of Peers Thereupon the Committee agreed upon a Proclamation to be issued declaring That a Parliament should be summoned to meet January next according to Qualifications And the Proclamation was sealed which gave satisfaction to many Orders by the Common Council of London for preserving the Peace Intelligence of Alarms taken by Monks Forces and that he had taken many Scots into his Army And that Newcastle was resolute for Fleetwoods party that they suspected Monk's design to be to bring in the King 15. The Proclamation for a Parliament was solemnly published Whitelocke did much further it At the General Council of Officers of the Armies when they considered of Qualifications of the Members and way of Electing them Whitelocke informed them that some things propounded were expresly contrary to the Law and to the Oath which he had taken as Keeper of the Seal And therefore if those things should be insisted upon he could not without breach of his Oath and Duty Seal Writs for a Parliament after that manner Some of the Officers said That if Whitelocke would not do it they would Seal the Writs themselves Whitelocke replyed that he was ready to deliver up the Seal to them and that it was there ready for them if they pleased to take it from him Another Officer said That it could not be well when in such a time as this a Lawyer should be intrusted with so great a charge as the keeping of the Great Seal And that it were more proper for some who had endured the dangers of the War and adventured their Lives for the service of the Common-wealth to have the keeping of the Seal than for a Lawyer to have it who had not undergone dangers as others had Whitelocke replyed again that the Gentleman who disparaged Lawyers might remember the services done by Ireton Reynolds Jones and other Lawyers in this War and that Whitelocke had been in such dangers in the service of the Common-wealth particularly in his Swedish journey as the Colonel had never been in and therefore desired that such reproachfull language might be forborn Fleetwood and others justified Whitelocke and his Profession and silenced the Colonel 16. The General Council of Officers of the Armies desired the Committee of safety that Writs might be issued out for Election of Parliament men 17. Lawson and his Officers set forth a declaration that the long Parliament should sit again whereupon Vane and others were sent to him to inform him better The Forces lay still about Portsmouth some designs of an Insurrection at Bristoll were prevented 18. The like designs of the King's party at Colchester were prevented 19. No quiet was enjoyed by any party all were at work and the King's party very active And every man was guided by his own Fancy and Interest those in employment were most obnoxious to trouble 20. Many wished themselves out of these dayly hazards but knew not how to get free of them the distractions were strangly high and dayly increasing A design of a rising in London laid by the King's party but discovered and prevented and many of the Conspirators taken 21. Letters that several of the Forces which Fleetwood sent to reduce Portsmouth were gon into the Town and joyned with them some of Colonel Rich's men and others 22. That the Isle of Wight was come in to the Parliament party Letters from Vice-Admiral Lawson and his Officers to the City and others to the Militia of London declaring for restoring the Parliament And from Haslerigge Walton and Morley from Portsmouth to the City acquainting them with their success there Most of the Souldiery about London declared their judgment to have the Parliament sit again in Honour Freedom and Safety And now those who formerly were most eager for Fleetwood's party became as violent against them and for the Parliament to sit again These passages perplexed Whitelocke as well as others if not more he alâ— along suspecting Monk's design The Lord Willoughby and Alderman Robinson M. G. Brown Mr. Loe and others came to him and confirmed his suspicion in this particular and propounded to him to go to Fleetwood and to advise him to send forthwith to the King at Breda to offer to bring him in upon good terms and thereby to get before hand with Monk who questionless did intend to bring in the King Whitelocke upon serious thoughts of this went to Fleetwood and they had a long private discourse together wherein Whitelocke told him That by the desire of his Brother Sir Will. Fleetwood and of the Lord Willoughby M. G. Brown Alderman Robinson Mr. Loe and others he was come to discourse freely with him about their present condition and what was fit to be done in such an exigency as their Affairs were now in That it was more than evident that Monk's design was to bring in the King and that without any terms for the Parliament party whereby all their lives and fortunes would be at the mercy of the King and his party who were sufficiently enraged against them and in need of repairing their broken fortunes That the Inclinations of the Presbyterian party generally and of many others and of the City and most of the Parliaments old friends were the same way and a great part of the Souldiery And that these here were revolted from Fleetwood as those in the North under Lambert and those at Portsmouth and other places That Monk would easily delude Haslerigge and the rest of the old Parliament men and that
taken away and that the Gates of the City be forthwith destroyed And that the Commissioners of the Army do seize some Officers who have not consined themselves according to former Order and they approved what they had done in securing divers Citizens An Address of Divers Citizens presented by Mr. Praise God Barebones of adhering to this Parliament Upon a Letter from Monk the Parliament ordered to send to him the Resolves of the House That the Gates of the City of London and the Port-Cullises be destroyed and that he be ordered to put the said Votes in Execution Monk was not well satisfied that this Order was before directed to the Commissioners for Government of the Army and himself not named therein but left out as a Cypher but upon advise with his Friends he this Day Executed their Order and in the sight of the Citizens took down their Port-Cullises and Gates and took away their Posts and Chains many lookers on admired at it but none offered any Opposition And this night Monk and his Forces quartered in the City where he had many visitants of the chief Citizens and of the secluded Members and others To these he minced and excused this action and assured his confidents that it was still in Order to his and their great design and hardly gave the same account to two men but the thing was done and many amazed that he did it The Parliament finding the Common Council of London to be against them Ordered that it should be discontinued and an Act brought in to constitute a new Common Council They sent thanks to the Lord Mayor for his discreet carriage in this business They debate the Qualifications 10. Commissions delivered to Officers and Lists approved Orders about prize goods A Bill read for appointing Commissioners for the Army which was held no great Policy nor Courtship in Relation to Monk Orders for money for the Souldiers and for the Militia of London and about Trade Reference to the Council to consider what is further to be done for the fafety of the Parliament and City and to suppress seditious meetings 11. Commissions delivered to Officers Orders for Judges for next Circuit Upon a Letter from Monk and his Officers the House ordered thanks to him for securing the City and in answer to their desire for filling up the House they said they were upon the Qualifications Scot and Robinson ordered to carry this answer to him and they much boasted of their intimacy and favour with him The passed an Act to appoint Monk Haslerigge Walton Morley and Alured Commissioners for Government of the Army at which Monk was noted to be discontended and many judged it an Act of no great present Policy but Haslerigge especially did drive on furiously The House adjourned till Monday 12. Monk drew up his Forces in Finsbury dined with the Lord Mayor had conference with him and the Court of Aldermen retired to the Bull-head in Cheapside and quartered at the Glass-House in Broadstreet multitudes of People followed him congratulating his coming into the City making loud shouts and Bonfires and ringing the Bells he heard a Sermon at Pauls with the Lord Mayor Okey was sent with his Regiment to quiet Bristoll 13. Intelligence from Tork of an Address from the City and the Country to the Parliament for the secluded Members and a free Parliament Order for the Serjeant at Armes to carry Sir Henry Vane to his House at Bellew in Lincoln-shire A Proclamation for Lambert to render himself by a Day or to be sequestred Order for the Members of Parliament who acted in the Committee of Safety to attend this day sevennight and the Serjeant at Arms to summon them accordingly The Papers of the Committee of safety ordered to be brought in Orders for money for the Army Debare about the Qualifications The engagement agreed upon to be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England and the Government thereof in the way of Commonwealth and free State without a King single Person or House of Lords 14. Order for money for Monk's Forces that came out of Scotland with him as he shall order 15. Letters from Overton from Hull with a Declaration for the secluded Members or a free Parliament and a Letter to Monk with it referred to the Council of State A scandalous Paper against some Members of Parliament referred to a Committee Qualifications agreed upon for future Members of Parliament and an Order for Writs for new Elections to fill up the House An Address to Monk from Oxford-shire for readmitting the secluded Members and that no Previous Oaths or Engagements might be imposed on any that should be Elected Members of Parliament to this Monk answered That the Parliament had these matters under their present consideration and he wished these Gentlemen and all others to acquiesce in their determination Monk removed his Quarters to Alderman Wale's House where he was visited and consulted by the chief Citizens and Ministers and he gave them plausible hopes of their Design being compassed An Address from the North for the secluded Members or a free Parliament and no Taxes till then By Monk's Order many were disarmed in the City 16. Order for the Committee of plundered Ministers to sit and many added Commissioners for the Assessments Mr. Attorney General Reynolds reported Commissions for the Judges of the Admiralty and for Probate of Wills which passed Amendments agreed to the Qualifications 17. Additions to the Commissioners of Assessements A Form of a Writ agreed on for Elections of Members of Parliament 18. The Act of Qualifications past Several Addresses to Monk to the same effect with the former Two Souldiers hanged for disorders Other Souldiers were whipped their Offences were Mutiny and Robbery Some Members of the Parliament now sitting and about twelve of the secluded Members met at Monk's Quarters by appointment and had conference about readmitting the secluded Members And here began the great turn and the design of Monk to take place to the regret of Haslerigge Scot c. A Tumult at Bury appeased It pleased Monk that the secluded Members should sit again and neither Scot nor Robinson nor Hasterigge nor Nevil nor any of that Party could prevail with him to the contrary nor durst any to oppose him and the Spirit of the people generally especially of the Presbyterians ran that way and the Cavaliers agreed to it as the way to bring in the King 19. Other meetings of the secluded Members being had it was agreed That they should take their places in the Parliament on Tuesday next 21. The secluded Members came into the House several of the old Members absented themselves The House being thus changed made a great change in the public Affairs Several Votes were now passed without much debate to vacate all the Votes made by the House 1648 and 1649. against the secluded Members and to set all matters
the Citizens and 30 of them and of the Inhabitants were Slain by the fall of Timber and Houses on fire upon them Some small Skirmishes were between little parties of the Highlanders and the Parliaments Forces 31 Voted by the Parliament that any Natives of the Commonwealth may transport Wheat when the Price shall not exceed six and thirty Shillings the quarter paying Four-pence the Quarter Custome And Rye when it exceeds not Four and twenty shillings the Quarter paying three pence the Quarter Custom And Barly or Mault when the Price of it exceeds not twenty shillings the Quarter paying two pence the Quarter Custom And Pease not being above four aâ—d twenty shillings the Quarter paying three pence the quarter Custom And Beans not being above four and twenty shillings the Quarter paying three pence the Quarter Custom The Corn to be transported in Vessels of this Commonwealth Butter to be transported when it is not above six pence the pound A Bill to be brought in for this purpose November 1654. 1. Nov. The Officers of the Army met at St. James's to keep a day of praying together The Resident of the Duke of Guelders had Audience of the Protector declaring the late decease of his Master and the acknowledgment he made upon his death bed of the Favours and Protection he had receiv'd from the Protector desiring the continunuance of his Favour and Protection to his Son 2 The Lord Lorn the Marquls of Argiles Son continued in Rebellion against his Father Collonel Hammonds Funeral solemnized at Dublin with much State 3 The Parliament sat upon the Articles of Government and voted the forfeiture of Lands for Treason and Delinquency 4 Petitions of the Lord Craven Sir John Stowell and others referred to several Committees 6 Debate about the Bill for Ejecting Ignorant and Scandalous Ministers and School-Masters and Voted That in the mean time the Ordinance for Ejecting them passed by the Protector and his Councel shall not be suspended Order for Accounts to be brought in of the value of all Customs and Receipts in several Offices Petition of the Doctors of the Civil Law in behalfe of themselves and their profession was referred to a Committee A Committee of Ten persons appointed to confer with His Highness about stating the Point of Liberty of Conscience 7 Order to examine and punish the Authors and publishers of a Scandalous and Treasonable pamphlet entituled Collonel Shapcots speech in Parliament and the Sergeant at Arms to seize the Copies 8 The Protector and his Councel considered of the Nomination of new Sheriffes in the several Counties 9 Long debate by Councel at the Committee for the Lord Cravens and Sir John Stowells Petitions 10 Debate in Parliament upon the Articles of Government That the Supream Legislative power shall be in one Person and the People assembled in Parliament being the first Article And upon the 24 Article That if the Protector consent not to Bills presented to him within twenty days that they shall pass as Laws without his consent This Letter came from Seldon to Whitlock My Lord I am a most humble Suitor to your Lordship that you would be pleased that I might have your presence for a little time to morrow or next day Thus much wearies the most weak hand and body of Novemb. 10. 1654. White Fryers Your Lordships most humble Servant J. Selden Whitlock went to him and was advised with about settling his Estate and altering his Will and to be one of his Executors But his weakness so encreased that his intentions were prevented He dyed the last of this Month. He lived at the Countess of Kents house in the White-Fryers His mind was as great as his learning He was as hospitable and generous as any man and as good Company to those whom he liked The Primate of Ireland preached his funeral Sermon in the Temple Church and gave him a great and due Eulogie 11 The Parliament agreed upon the first and 24th Articles of Government with little alteration 13 A Petition of the Purchasers of the Lord Cravens Estate referred to the former Committe likewise a Petition of Sir John Stowell The King of Swedens Marriage was solemnized at Stockholm the 14th of October last 14 Prince William of Nassaw received by the Province of Over-Issell to be Governour there during the minority of the Prince of Orange 15 The House proceeded in the debate of the Articles of Government They considered of an Assesment for the preventing of free Quarter The Lord Lorn sent parties into his Fathers Countrey to steal Cows 16 The Parliament voted His Highness to be Lord Protector c. during his life They debated about the business of the Militia by Sea and Land 17 A List published of the several Sheriffs for England and Wales agreed on by the Protector and his Councel Much debate at the Committee concerning the Lord Cravens and Sir John Stowels business A Fire in Amsterdam quenched by casting Sand upon it Some few of Middletons party in Scotland roaming up and down were routed by the Parliaments Forces The Funeral of the Protectors Mother Solemnized at Westminster Abby 20 The Parliament sat Forenoon and after-noon upon the Government and agreed fully upon the first Article and the 24th 21 Vote for an Assesment of 60000l a month for three months to be laid on England Petition concerning Sir Peter Vanlores Estate referred to a Committee Some small Skirmishes were in the Highlands 22 A Committee appointed to consider of the Accounts of the Kingdom and who have any publick moneys in their hands The King of Scots was at Colen and the Queen of Bohemia went to Flanders to visit the Queen of Sweden 23 The House in the Forenoon upon the Government and in the Afternoon upon the Assessment 24 Five Hundred Irish were landed in some Isles of Scotland to joyne with Middleton and Seaford 160 horse more were to joyn with them and to force the Clans to rise with them The Parliament voted That no Law should be altered or repealed nor new Laws made nor any Tax imposed but by assent of Parliament 25 The Parliament voted That a new Parliament should be summoned to meet upon the third Monday of October 1656. They called for a Report from the Committee for Regulating the Chancery Seven English Ships and divers Forreign Ships cast away by a storm near Dover 27 The Parliament passed several Votes touching Qualifications of persons to be chosen to serve in Parliament and for the Electors Vote that a new Parliament shall be every third year and not to sit above six Months but by Act of Parliament with the Protectors Consent and that to be but for three Months longer That the Protector may Summon Parliaments within the three years if he see Cause to sit for three Moneths and the Summons to be by Writ according to Law The Chancellor or Commissioners of the Seal to issue Writs
of Summons without the Protectors Warrant if he issue not his Warrant for it by a time limited in the Vote and how the Elections shall be made Order for a Bill against drinking of Healths and the same penalties to be imposed on Drunkards as are by the Act upon Swearers and for a Bill to supply the defects in the Acts against Swearing and Gaming The Ordinance for Regulating the Chancery suspended for a time No private business to be taken into Consideration for a Moneth That the publick Accounts be taken A Committee made to inquire of forged Debenters 28 The Lord Ambassador Bourdeaux from the King of France had audience of the Protector A Committee made to confer with His Highness about Retrenching the Forces of the Common-wealth 29 The House sat in a Grand Committee upon the Bill of Assessment Don Antonio Piementelli arrived at Bruxells with some Presents from the King of Spain to the Queen of Sweden 30 Count William of Nassaw carried on his design with all the interrest he could make for setting up the Prince of Orange but it was fruitless The Parliament sat every day Forenoon and Afternoon about the Government Much debate was had and time spent at the Committee for the Lord Cravens business December 1654. Decemb. 1. Seven or Eight English Vessels taken by the Brest Pyrates A Ship came from Guinnee with much Gold in her 2 A Ship laden with rich Goods from Smyrna was the day after her Arrival in the Thames Fired by Accident and the Ship and Goods burned 4 That a Party under Captain Lisle and Lieutenant Heylin routed a greater Party under the Lord Kenoull and the Lord Oudop and took both the Lords Prisoners and 82 Officers and Souldiers and all their Arms. 5 Votes of the Parliament for choosing succeeding Protectors and their Councel and the form of an Oath to be taken by the Councel The Act past for the Assessment That the Assesment for Scotland shall be for 8000 l. per Mensem and the like Sum upon Ireland 6 The Parliament voted that the Protector for the time being should not have power to pardon Murder or Treason Letters from Major Sedgwicks of the taking of divers Forts from the French in the West-Indies 7 Major General Overton was careful in supplying the Garrisons in the Highlands in Scotland 8 The Parliament had a long debate upon a Clause of Liberty of tender Consciences The City of Bremen could not come to an agreement with the King of Sweden by reason of the Divisions of the Citizens the Lutherans against the Calvinists 9 General Blake with his Fleet was come up into the Streights 11 The Parliament Voted That the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion shall be Publickly Professed and Maintained A Committee named to Consider of a way for a Compleat allowance for Ministers out of Impropriations or otherwise where it was wanting That to Bills touching Liberty of Conscience the Protector shall have a Negative But not to Bills for suppressing Heresies That Damnable Heresies in the Bill shall be enuâ—erated A Petition from Poor Publick Faith lenders At the Marriage of the King of Swedland with the Princess of Holstein by the Arch-Bishop of Vpsale Grave Erit Oxenstierne Chancellor made an Oration in Commendation of the Queen and the Alliance all the great Guns and small shot in Stockholme were discharged and the Ships gave 5000 shot and there were great Triumphs and Solemnities 12 The Parliament Voted two Books Printed under the name of John Biddle to Contain many Impious and Blasphemous Opinions against the Deity of the Holy Ghost and that the Books shall be burnt by the Hand of the Hangman and named a Committee to Examine and find out the Authors Printers and Publishers of these Books General Blake before Cadiz Road received great respect and Civility from the Spaniards and from the English and Dutch Ships in the Road in their Saluting him and a Dutch Admiral there would not wear his Flagg whilst General Blake was in the Harbour In the Streights Mouth one of his Victualling Ships was separated from the Fleet by Storms and taken by the French Admiral with seven men of War who Examined the Captain of the Victualler where General Blake was and drank to him with five Guns and discharged the Captain and his Ship De Wit and other Dutch Ships struck Sayl to him in the Streights The Governour of Gibraltar Feasted some of his Company who went on shore there and shewed great Honour and Civility to them The Argiers men when they meet with any Sally men of War that have any English in them cause them to surrender and brought the Captives to General Blake and were very kind to his Fleet. 13 Mr. Biddle brought to the Bar of the houseâ— owned his books and was Comitted to the Gate-House The Lord Lorn went into a little Island not having above Four or Five men with him 14 The Prince of Conde went to Antwerp to to Visit the Queen of Sweden The Parliament had long debates upon the point of Liberty of tender Consciences But came to no Result Divers Fundamentals in Religion were proposed by Ministers to be established by them 15 Divers Merchants Ships richly laden from several Foreign parts arrived safely in the Port of London 16 The House sat on the Government 18 The Parliament Voted That without the Consent of the Lord Protector and Parliament no Laws shall be made for the Restrayning of such tender Consciences as shall differ in Doctrine worship and Discipline from the Publick Profession and shall not abuse this Liberty to the Civil Injury of others or the Disturbance of the Publick Peace And that the present establishment as to the standing Forces of the Nation shall be 20000 Foot and 10000 Horse and Dragooners and the Assesment of 6000 l. per Mensem for their Maintenance A Committee Named to Consider how a standing Court of Judicature may be setled at York for the five Northern Counties And how the probate of Wills granting Administrations and Recovery of Legacies may be setled throughout England and Wales and Ireland A Petition of the Owners of Fen-Lands referred to a Committee 19 Divers Commanders of the Highlanders came in to Major General Overton and Middleton had left with him but Forty men A Revenue of 200000 l per Annum Voted to be setled upon the Lord Protector and His Successors for defraying Publick Charges and to maintain the Dignity of his place 20 The Parliament agreed that all Sales of the Kings Lands and of Bishops Deans and Chapters Lands should stand good and vallid and that all Securities for Moneys should stand good and Debts upon Publick Faith should be satisfied And that Articles given to the enemy should be Confirmed They passed on Oath to be taken by the Lord Protector and His Successors for the due calling of Parliaments