at a time and having her main-Mast and misen-Mast shot away and being overpowered with number was taken The Levant-Merchant was first boarded by one of the enemies Ships of 36 Guns and after two hours fight by another as big the first of which sunk presently after yet was she also possest by the Dutch The Sampson was boarded by young Trump Rear Amirall of the Dutch on one side and by a fire-Ship on the other so that she was quickly fired Some there were that did not stick to traduce Capt. Badiley and those with him as if he had been wanting in point of duty toward the relief of the Ships aforesaid when as they were all well nigh destroyed before he could possibly come up Where when he had done what in him lay and seeing his Fleet in such a hazardous condition like a wise Commander made all the sail he could away for preservation of that part of the Fleet and this he hath so clearly proved that he is wholly acquitted from having any hand in that miscarriage The Relation wherein this Commonwealth stood with the Neighbouring Nations was in this sort The King of Portugall and the State of England conclude a peace The King of Portugall not able to resist so powerfull a State as this having more then enough to do to grapple with the wealthy Spaniard sent over an Ambassadour extraordinary with a sumptuous train of followers to conclude a Peace with the English who after many conferences frequent addresses and large offers made obtained the same yet to this day he hath not fully fiuished his Negotiations so as to satisfie the Merchants for their great losses From France the English were courted by two Parties A French Agent arrives at London by an Agent from the King of France desiring a release of his Ships taken as aforesaid going to the relief of Dunkirk as also that there might be a right understanding between the two Nations And by four Deputies from the Prince of Conde 4 Deputies from Bourdeaux arive at London also craving aid against the Cardinall and his creatures who had straightly besieged the City of Bourdeaux all which Negotiations were ineffectuall for alas the breach was too high between the two Nations to be easily cemented Other Nations by Letters and otherwise endeavoured to be mediators and composers of those mortal jarres that were between England and Holland as the Queen of Sweden the Cantons of Switzerland the Imperiall Cities of Lubeck and Hamburgh c. This was the posture of the Civill and Military affairs of this Nation when his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell a man as it were by Divine appointment set apart for great enterprizes perceiving the notorious corruptions dilatory proceedings pernicious and arbitrary actings of the Parliament to perpetuate their session and to inthrall the people by defrauding and disfranchising them of their antient and undoubted Liberties of equall and successive Representatives entred the Parliament House attended with some of his principall Officers and there delivered certain reasons why a period ought to be put to that Parliament The Parliament is dissolved which was presently done the Speaker with the rest of the Members some by force some through fear and some murmuring departed the House For which dysaster no man moved either tongue or hand in their behalf it being generally beleeved that though the Nation possibly might not be bettered by this change yet a worse could not befall it And thus was this mighty Councell dissolved their Powers transferred into the hands of the Souldiery and their Names reproacht and vilified with the scorns and dirigies of the common people who being well pleased with the doing thereof enquired not into the reasons or causes why it was done But to satisfie the wiser sort and those that were more curious enquirers into the true and genuine causes of things Generall Cromwell and his Councell of Officers published a Declaration the substance whereof was as follows THat after God was pleased marvellously to appear for his people The Declaration of Gen. Cromwell and his Councel of Officers in reducing Ireland and Scotland to so great a degree of peace and England to perfect quiet whereby the Parliament had opportunity to give the people the harvest of all their labour bloud and treasure and to settle a due Liberty in reference to Civil and Spirituall things whereunto they were obliged by their duty engagements and those great and wonderful things God hath wrought for them But they made so little progresse therein that it was matter of much grief to the good people of the Land who thereupon applyed themselves to the Army expecting redresse by their means who though unwilling to meddle with the Civill Authority agreed that such Officers as were Members of Parliament should move them to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amisse in the Commonwealth and in setling it upon a foundation of Justice and Righteousnesse which being done it was hoped the Parliament would have answered their expectations But finding the contrary they renewed their desires by an humble Petition in Aug. 1652. which produced no considerable effect nor was any such progresse made therein as might imply their reall intentions to accomplish what was petitioned for but rather an aversnesse to the things themselves with much bitternesse and opposition to the people of God and his Spirit acting in them in so much that the godly Party in Parliament were rendred of no further use then to countenance the ends of a corrupt Party for effecting their desires of perpetuating themselves in the supreame Government For obviating these evils the Officers of the Army obtained severall meetings with some of the Parliament to consider what remedy might be applyed to prevent the same but such endeavours proving ineffectuall it became evident that this Parliament through the corruption of some the jealousie of others the non-attendance of many would never answer those ends which God his People and the whole Nation expected from them But that this cause which God had so greatly blessed must needs languish under their hands and by degrees be lost and the Lives Liberties and Comforts of his people be delivered into their enemies hands All which being sadly and seriously considered by the honest people of the Nation as well as by the Army it seemed a duty incumbent upon us who had seen so much of the power and presence of God to consider of some effectuall means whereby to establish righteousnesse and peace in these Nations And after much debate it was judged necessary that the supreame Government should be by the Parliament devolved upon known persons fearing God and of approved integrity for a time as the most hopefull way to countenance all Gods people reform the Law and administer Justice impartially hoping thereby the people might forget Monarchy and understand their true interest in the election of successive Parliaments that so the Government might be setled upon a right Basis
of her friends and others that she might be out of her pain she was cut down put into a Coffin and brought to a House to be dissected before some Physitians When they opened the Coffin they perceived a ratling in her throat a Fellow standing by stamped upon her breast and belly yet Doctor Petty and two or three more then present fell speedily to use some means to bring her to life and opened a vein laid her in a warm bed procured a woman to go into bed to her and continued the use of divers other remedies having respect to her sencelessness head throat and breast so that in a few hours she spake the next day talked and coughed very heartily and in short space perfectly recovered Upon which first her reprieve and then her pardon was procured After this she as upon the Gallows still insisted upon her innocency and integrity in relation to the fact for which she was condemned And indeed this was looked upon as a speciall providence of God thus to deliver her who in the judgements of those that understood the businesse was deemed guiltlesse Herein did the hand of God wonderfully appear in detecting the unadvised actings of men and in shewing us the danger we are in when we are swayed either by passion or prejudice against the meanest of his Creatures The Parliament weighing how prone the people were to adore the shadow of the late King though the substance was destroyed caused his Statue that was set up at the West end of the Cathedrall of St. Pauls to be pulled down and that also in the Royall Exchange over which they caused to be wrote this Motto Exit Tyrannus Regum Vltimus Anno Libertatis Angliae restitutae Primo Anno Domini 1648. January 30. They likewise caused that badge of Monarchy the Kings Arms to be defaced and expunged out of all Churches Chappels and places of publick worship and Courts of Judicature throughout their Dominions and this indeed was a means to make the giddy people forget the Garlick and Onyons of Egypt they much hankered after And to adde a more splendid lustre to their strength and greatnesse they were highly courted by Embassadors from the Neighbouring Nations viz. Holland Spain and Portugall yet the crafty Hollander held at a distance as rather willing the prosperity of the Royall party then heartily desiring or effectually endeavouring a peace with them The Spaniard as he had better ends so had he better successe though in all his addresses he was still reminded of his suspending and delaying the execution of justice upon the Assassinates of the English Resident at Madrid since which time till now the controversie between the King and Church about that businesse hath been in debate The Portugall Embassador after audience had before a Committee of Parliament The Portugal Ambassadour dismist home and several applications unto them not being fully impowered to give a plenary satisfaction to the State for their vast expences and to the Merchants for their great losses all occasioned by them was at length dismist Embassadors extraordinary were sent from the Parliament of England to the States of the United Provinces English Ambassadors are sent into Holland their Names were Oliver St. John and Walter Strickland men of singular parts and of approved integrity who in gallant Equipage with a magnificent train of followers set sail from the Downs March 11. 1651. On the 12. towards Evening they came to anchor before Hellevoit slugs but not without some danger On the 13. they went in Boats to Roterdam being met with Vessels from the States then by the English Merchants were conducted to the English house and nobly entertained During their stay there the Spanish Embassador sent a Gentleman to congratulate their safe Arrivall and to desire there might be a fair correspondency and right understanding between their Lordships and him About two or three dayes after they set forward for the Hague where by the way the Master of the Ceremonies with about thirtie Coaches met them and entertained them with some Complements and conducted them to a House at the Hague prepared for their reception where they were feasted three dayes by the States and then had audience they have audience where the Lord St. John made a Learned and Eloquent Speech in the English tongue and then delivered a Copy thereof in Dutch and English the heads whereof were in effect as follows That they were sent over to the High and Mighty States of the Netherlands from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to make a firm League and Confederacy between the two Republiques if they think fit to accept thereof notwithstanding the many injuries the English have sustain'd from the Dutch Nation Secondly To renew and confirm those former Treaties and Agreements of trade and commerce made between the two Nations Thirdly He shewed them the notable advantages of England in respect of the pleasant and commodious situation thereof for the advancement of trade and all other accommodations Lastly He told them he was commanded by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England to let their Lordships know how highly they resented the Execrable murther of Dr. Dorislaus their Agent and that he doubted not but that their Lordships would use their utmost care and industry in causing a strict and diligent search to be made after the Authors thereof After which the States being acquainted with the many affronts the Ambassadors Gentlemen and others their attendants had received from English Cavaliers and other ruffians drew up a Proclamation and sent it to the Ambassadors by the Lord Catz to know whether they judged it full enough the contents whereof was to forbid all manner of persons whatsoever from giving any affront either in word or deed to any of the Ambassadors retinue upon pain of corporal punishment Three â—moneths was now spent in this tedious and costly Embassie and nothing obtained save affronts and abuses of all kinds and the Sword of Justice not drawn in their behalfe against any one of that riotous rabble that so frequently swarmed at the Ambassadors gates assaulting their servants and reviling their persons of which injuries the Parliament being deeply sensible and wearied with expectation of what fruits this Treaty would produce resolved that seeing all their Proposals and endeavours for a lasting and well grounded Peace were answered with dilatory shifts and evasions on purpose to gain time upon the English till they saw on which side the chance of war in Scotland would fall to call home their Ambassadors which sudden and unexpected news did so surprize the Hoghen Mogens that they courted them with frequent and unusuall visits and with a multitude of feigned expressions laboured to beget a good opinion in the English of the reality of their intentions towards an amicable compliance with this Nation notwithstanding all which the Ambassadors soon after return into England They return into England infectapace That which gave
â—f striking his top-sayl hung out a â—ed Flag which was the signall for â—is whole Fleet and gave Gen. Blake 〈◊〉 broad-side this was the manner of â—he beginning of that Fight which hath â—aused so much trouble to the two Commonwealths the continuance was â—or about four hours untill night parâ—ed them in which fight one of the â—utch Ships was sunk and another of â—o Guns taken with the Captains of â—oth and about 150 Prisoners of the English there were about ten slâ—â— and fortie wounded the English Aâ—â—mirall received much hurt in her Maâ—â— Sails and Rigging many shot wâ—â— likewise placed in her Hull and tâ—â— hurt that was done to the rest of tâ—â— Fleet was not considerable This attempt of the Dutch whâ—â— they were upon a Treaty did so iâ—cense the Parliament that notwithstanding all the addresses and overtuâ—â— of their Ambassadours and the comiâ—â— over of two more they could not aâ—â— pease them without satisfaction for thâ— injury Although in severall Papers put 〈◊〉 to the Councell of State they labour to excuse the same alledging That the unhappy Fight between the Shâ—â— of both Commonwealths The Apology of the Dutch Ambassadours for the late affront offered to the English in the Downs did happen withâ— the knowledge and against the wills of 〈◊〉 Lords States Generall of the Netherland taking God the searcher of mens hearts witnesse the same and that by Letters aâ—â— Messages they were dayly assured of the sâ—â—cerity of their said Lords and that with grâ—â— and astonishment they received the satâ—â— News of that unhappy rash action aâ— thereupon fell into consultatation about a râ—medy to mitigate that raw and bloudy wound â—â—d to that end had appointed a solemn meetâ—â—g of all the Provinces whereby they doubtâ—â— not but by Gods favour such present cure 〈◊〉 these troubles may be wrought whereby â—â—t only the outward cause of all further eâ—lls may be taken away but also by an inâ—â—ne comfort the minds may be redressed â—nd reduced again to a better hope of the â—reaty in hand and that this thing was most â—rnestly agitated by their Lords for the comâ—on good of both Nations to shun the detestaâ—le shedding of Christian bloud so much â—â—sired by the enemies of both Nations â—hey therefore erave and beseech this Honorâ—ble Councell by the pledges of common Reâ—gion and Liberty to suffer nothing to be â—one out of too much heat that afterwards â—â—ay prove neither revocable nor repairable â—â—y too late idle vows and wishes but that â—hey might without delay receive a kind Answer which they desire so much the more â—ecause the Ships of their Lords and Shipâ—ers as well in the broad Sea as in the Ports â—â—f this Commonwealth some by force and some â—â—y fighting are kept Unto which the Parliament replyâ—d That calling to mind with what contâ—nued demonstrations of friendship The Parliaments Answer to and resolution thereupon they havâ— demeaned themselves towards their Neighbours of the united Provinces from the beginning of their intestine troubles omitting nothing that might tend to a good correspondency with them do find themselves mucâ— surprized with the uNsuitable returns thaâ— have been made thereunto and especially aâ— the Acts of Hostility lately committed in thâ— very roads of England upon the Ships oâ— this Commonwealth Vpon consideration oâ— all which and of the severall Papers delivered by the Ambassadors into the Councelâ— of State they further answered That as they would be willing to make a charitable construction of the expressions in the said Papers endeavouring to represent the late Engagement of the Fleets to have hapned without the Knowledge and against the Mind of their Superiors So when they consider how disagreeable to that Profession the Revolutions and Actions of your State and their Ministers at Sea have been in the midst of a Treaty offered by themselves and managed here by their Ambassadours the extraordinary preparations of an hundred and fiftie saile of Ships without any visible occasion and the Instructions themselves given by the States to their Commanders at Sea too much cause is found to beleeve that the Lords the States Generall of the united Provinces have an intention by force to usurp the known Right of England in the Seas to destroy the Fleets that are under God their Walls and Bulwarks and thereby to expose this Commonwealth to Invasion at their pleasure as by their late Action they have attempted to do Whereupon the Parliament conceive themselves obliged to endeavour with Gods assistance as they shall have opportunity to seek Reparation of the wrongs already suffered and Security that the like be not attempted for the future Neverthelesse with this mind and desire that all differences betwixt the Nations may if possibly be friendly and peaceably compoled as God shall open a way by his providence thereunto and circumstances shall be conducing to render such endeavours lesse dilatory and more effectuall then those of this kind heretofore usually have been This short and smart answer contained yet something in it that tended to a possibility of an accommodation yet all the severall conferences and debates about this businesse came to nothing but broke quite off The Dutch Ambassadours have audience and depart and in short space after the Ambassadors had audience in Parliament took their leaves and departed And now these two mighty States prepare to offend each other and accordingly Gen. Blake the English Admirall with a gallant and resolute Fleet of ships advances Northward towards the Isles of Orkney to seize upon and hinder all such as they should find fishing on those coasts where he took 12 Dutch men of Warre guarding their Busses but most of the Busses were let go Sir George Ayscue with his Squadron of Ships being left to guard the narrow Sea The Fight between the Dutch and English Fleets neer Plimouth discovered a Fleet of Flemings between Dover and Calice being about 30 of which 10 were taken and burnt the rest ran ashoar on the Coasts of France Many other Prizes were dayly brought in both of the Dutch and French by the Ships and Frigots of this Commonwealth Thence Sir George Ayscue with his Fleet sailed to the Westward to seek out the Dutch Fleet to guard the Seas and to conduct the Merchant-men that lay at Plimouth through the Channel and being about seven or eight Leagues off Plimouth he received intelligence of the Dutch Fleet and presently a Councell of Warre was called upon which they resolved to stand over for the Coast of France as the most probable way to meet with them and the same day being the 16. of Aug. between one and two in the afternoon they had sight of the Dutch Fleet and presently made what saile they could towards them to discover their number being about 60 Sail of Men of Warre and 30 Merchantmen the English were but 38. saile four Fireships and four Scouts yet they came up with the enemy about four in the afternoon and began