are more sensible of the money which oft makes the Case than of the Justice of the Cause which they never or seldom take to heart A general and great Grievance also Papal imposition of Titheâ— fitter for a Levitical or Romish Priesthood than for Ministers of the New-Testament to whom it proves either a snare or Scandal hardening of people and hindring the power and success of the Ministers Eating out part of the sweet and benefit of other mens Labours secretly impoverishing and discouraging the endeavour of the Husbandman They pray ease of these pressures That we may have justice given not bought Courts of Justice in all Counties so established and maintained at the publick Charge that all matters of meum tuum may be heard and determined free yet by a written Law Clerks of all Courts and Committees may do their Duties without wicked delays or taking any thing above their set Pension that Justice every where may come down like a mighty Stream free for the poorest to resort unto too strong for the richest to divert And that the hand of the Labourer may be strengthened to his work every man reaping what he Sows and not another Every one eating the Fruit of his own Vineyard with joy and gladness of Heart praising the Lord. And a more honourable way of maintenance ordered for the Ministry which easily might be effected The Parliament told the Petitioners that some of the Particulars mentioned in their Petition were already under the consideration of the House and gave the Petitioners thanks for their good Affections Letters That Collonel Venables went out with a Party 30 miles into the Enemies Countrey in Ireland and brought away 400 Cows That Galloway was upon Overtures of a Treaty That the Sheriffs in Scotland sent in their Deputies to the English Commissioners very slowly who ordered That they send in their Deputies by a day and sent for Argyle to come in to them 28. Letters That the Parliaments Forces landed in Orkney were civilly entertained by the Inhabitants That the Declaration of the Commissioners of England for nulling Kingly Power and Prerogative Courts of Justice was proclaimed at the Market-Cross of Dundee by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet and the Magistrates of the Town attended all the time March 1651. 1. The Act of General Pardon and Oblivion was published with the Exceptions and Qualifications therein Letters That the Meetings with the English Commissioners at Dalkeith by the Deputies of the Shires were at an end That some of the Deputies especially from the Boroughs had two Commissions one signed to please the Ministers that nothing be done prejudicial to the Covenant the other full and ample to do all things conducible for the setling of the Nation That several of the Great ones are in much perplexity what to do and press their Tenants for a years Rent before-hand The English Commissioners made a further Declaration That whereas the Deputies of Shires and Boroughs have consented to the Proposals made to them from the Parliament of England The Commissioners declare That those Shires and Boroughs are taken into the special Protection of the Parliament of England and all Officers and Soldiers and others are commanded not to injure them but they are to have all favour and inconragement in the Union with the Common-wealth of England The Deputy-Governour published a Proclamation against Butchers ingrossing of Provisions to sell again in the Town of Lieth 2. An Act passed for the better discovery of Thieves and that the respective Sheriffs shall pay 10 l. to every one that shall apprehend such Thieves An offence of Collonel Gill in matter of doubling and reproaching the Parliament was confessed by him and his offence pardoned Report from the Committee of the Credentials and Oration of the Agent from the Hans Towns and particular Credentials from the Town of Hamburgh to the same Person the House referred to the Council of State to treat with the Agent and report to the House Report of the Transactions of the Council with the Ambassador of the King of Spain 3. The Committee for regulating the Law proceeded in that Business and had great Debates but little done in it 4. The Committee appointed by the Council of State to treat with the Agent of the Hans Towns attended that Business the Agent was a discreet sober Person and spake good Latin 5. A Petition to the Committee for regulating the Law for Fines upon Copyholds to be made certain c. Letters That the Deputies of the Shires and Boroughs to the Parliaments Commissioners come in very uncertain A Placart of the States of the United Provinces of their stopping Ships going out of their Harbours and their Intentions to set forth a strong Fleet the next Summer for their Fishing 6. The Adventures for Ireland made several Propositions to the Committee of Parliament and assented to their Proceedings and sent in 2 d. in the Pound for incident Charges 8. Advice touching the settlement of Affairs in Ireland 9. Papers from the Dutch Ambassadors Credentials to the Agent of the King of Denmark An Act for the better settlement of the Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy General Blake continued General of the Seas for Nine Months 10. Letters That notwithstanding the Parliaments Declaration yet the Kirk Judicatories proceed as formerly and are very high against the Parliament of England and their Army and Mr. Cant perswades his Auditory to prepare for Sufferings and presseth the Covenant and that when Parents bring their Children to be Baptized he causeth them to engage to bring them up in the Covenant A Letter written to the Lord of Drum by direction from the Presbytery of Aberdeen That they were resolved to excommunicate him unless he submit to them and rescind his Appeal He is exhorted to prevent this dreadful and direful Judgment That Presbytery is the Lords Ordinance 1 Tim. 4. 14. That Religious Swearing is not only lawful but commanded and practised by God himself The Lord Drum in his Answer to this Letter saith to the Moderator That he expected from their severity to be excommunicated summarily for his Appeal to Collonel Overton That he can neither in point of Conscience nor Honour grant the Conditions they require and yet that he doth humbly submit himself to Gods Will. That many others have spoken more freely than he against the usurped Tyrannical Power and Supremacy of your Presbyterian Inquisition to which they impute the cause of all these miseries which have befallen this Nation Yet none are persecuted by you but I and my Family whereby it is notoriously known that the only cause of your unparallel'd severity against me is my Appellation to Collonel Overton wherein I imitated St. Paul who did appeal from the Cruelty of the Pharisees to Caesar a civil Judge and no Christian Which I have the more reason to do seeing I found all your Questions to be matters of your own invention which yet
Abolished taken off and discharged and that all and every the said Deeds Patents Charters and Enfeoffments in that behalf be and are hereby declared and made so far void and null And particularly that all and every the Heritors and others the Persons aforesaid and their Heirs are and shall be for ever hereafter freed and discharged of and from all sutes and appearing at or in any their Lords or Superiors Courts of Justitiary Regality Stuartry Barony Bayliary Heritable Sheriff-ship Heritable Admiralty all which together with all other Offices heritable or for Life are hereby abolished and taken away and that all and every the Heritors and persons aforesaid and their Heirs are and shall be for ever hereafter freed and discharged of and from all Military service and personal attendance upon any their Lords or Superiors in Expeditions or Travels and of all Casualties of Wards Lands formerly held of the King or other Superiors and of the Marriage single and double avail thereof Non-entries Compositions for Entries and of all Rights and Casualties payable if they be demanded only or upon the committing of any Clauses irritant And that the said Heritors and persons aforesaid be now and from henceforth construed reputed adjudged and declared free and acquitted thereof and of and from all and all manner of holding sutes duties services personal or real and demands whatsoever other than is before declared and Ordained notwithstanding the present Tenor of any their Deeds Patents Enfeoffments or any Clauses Articles or Covenants therein contained or mentioned to the contrary in any wise And that in time to come all and every Clause Covenant Article Condition or thing to the contrary hereof shall be omitted out of all such Deeds Patents Charters and Enfeoffments And be it further Ordained That all Foreitures Escheats simple or of Life Rent Bastardy and last Heir which heretofore escheated forfeited and fell to the King Lords of Regality or other Superiors shall from henceforth fall escheat and forfeit to the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth for the time being 13 The Highlanders grew numerous and were about Three thousand strong and Collonel Morgan was Marched near them 15 That the Pyrates of Brest took several English Merchants Ships and came into the very Mouth of Severn That the Enemy had a general Rendezvous and were ill Armed That they had Orders from Lieutenant General Middleton who had in his Party but Two hundred Horse 14 That the Fleet Rid in Stoaks Bay That the States of Holland had fully Ratified the Peace in every Part with great rejoycing 17 The Ratifications of the Peace Signed and Sealed by all the States of the Vnited Provinces came to their Ambassadours here and was by them presented in a Silver Box to the Lord Protector One Rogers taken at Lieth with several Commissions from the King to raise Forces Eleven Dutch Men of War set upon an English Merchant Man and took her That Collonel Morgan with Eight hundred and fifty Horse and One thousand six-hundred Foot had beset the Enemy who were Eight hundred Horse and Three thousand Foot An Holland East India Ship of Eight hundred Tun outward bound loaden with Seventy five Tun of Goods and four Chests of Silver was taken by Captain Stayner and Captain Smith That three Frigots met with a Fleet of Forty eight Sayl of French Ships fell in among them Shot their Admiral Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral and spoiled them and the Rear Admiral sunk another of them sunk and they took another of them and lost not a man and afterwards they took four more of them 18 Commissioners sent to Treat with the Lord Ambassador Burdeaux at his House in London touching the Peace with France An Ordinance passed for continuing the Imposition on Coals Order of the Council touching the improvements of Forrests Letters from Vpsale of the Passages there about the Treaty and the Queens Resignation to the Prince Palatine 19 The Ambassador from the Duke of Gelders had Audience with the Lord Protector An Ordinance Published for suspending Proceedings upon a former Act for Relief of poor Prisoners and Creditors 20 Of one Darcy made a Colonel and Knighted in France by the King of Scots 21 That Lieutenant Hunt fell upon a Party of the Scots in the Highlands took Seven Prisoners eleven Horse twenty Cloaks and many of their Cloak-bags and rescued two Prisoners That the Enemy were Four thousand Horse and Foot and Collonel Morgan but Two thousand five hundred and near one another That the Parliaments Garrisons in the High-lands were stored and supplyed with all manner of Provisions and Ammunitions 22 Letters of a Frigot that Convoyed Ammunition and some Merchants Ships to Lieth in her return was set upon by Eight Dutch Men of War and after a hot Skirmish Boarded and taken That Captain Potter brought in another Brest Pyrate An Express sent to the States of the Ratification of the Treaty by the Lord Protector 24 Divers Dutch Prizes taken The Ordinance Published for the Uniting Scotland into one Commonwealth and under one Government with England Another Ordinance Published of grace and Pardon to the People of Scotland An Order Published touching the Peace with Holland 25 Letters of Collonel Morgan's March after the Highlanders and a quarrel amongst them about Plundering a Kinsman of the Lord Montross and other quarrels among their Officers Of Prisoners taken by the English Garrisons A Proclamation by the Commander in Chief of the English Forces to the Effect as formerly forbidding Correspondence with or harboring of the Enemy Letters from the Dutch Ambassadour in England to the States That the Peace was fully Concluded and that the States were to be Responsable for One hundred and forty thousand pound for the Damage done by the Danes to the English that the Ships detained in the Sound were to be restored The States Sealed and Signed the Articles and sent away the Ratification to England and the Lord Protector also Ratified them 26 The Peace between England and the Vnited Provinces was solemnly Proclaimed by sound of Trumpet in White-Hall Court in the Presence of his Highness and his Council afterwards by the Heralds Serjeants at Arms and other Officers who were received by the Lord Mayor at Temple Bar there it was Proclaimed and then at the old Exchange An Account of the Negotiation of the Lord Ambassadour Whitelock in Sweden 27 Letters of a Dutch Ship taken of rich Value by a Private Man of War The Lord Protector Feasted the Dutch Embassador at White-Hall very sumptuously 28 Letters of the Numbers of the Enemy increasing and of some of their Party gleaned up by the Parliaments Soldiers That the Enemy was to the North of Collonel Morgan so that they must ingage with him or else they cannot pass Southward by him 29 Letters of the Tories in Ireland narrowly pursued and suppressed Of Mischiefs done by the Pyrates on the Westward Coast and about Bristol That
a Name If ought of that Nature happen amongst the infinite Particulars wherewith this Volume is charged it must be Noted without any Imputation either to the Intelligence or to the Integrity of our Author this being a Posthumous Work and as has been said never by him intended for the Publick MEMORIALS OF THE ENGLISH AFFAIRS During the REIGN of King Charles the First Anno 1625 Car. I KING Charles the First succeeded his Father King James Immediately after whose death the Privy Council met and drew up the Form of a Proclamation to proclaim King Charles which was forthwith published at Theobalds where the King dyed and in London by the Nobility Privy Councellors Gentry Lord Mayor and Aldermen in great Solemnity and so it was in all places with great Acclamations and testimonies of Joy from all sorts of People By advice of the Council a Commission was granted to authorize the Great Seal Privy Seal and Signet till new ones could be prepared And Commissions for authorizing of Judges Justices of Peace Sheriffs and all other Officers for Government with a Proclamation for that purpose because their Powers ceased by the King's death and the like was for Scotland and Ireland King James's Body was buried with due Solemnity at Westminster his Son King Charles though not usual was present at the Funerals The Duke of Buckingham was received by the King into an admired Intimacy and Dearness General Musters are in all Counties and 12000 Soldiers levied Coat and Conduct Money ordered to be disbursed by the Countrey and they to be paid again out of the Exchequer these were for the Palatinat and a Commission granted for Martial Law to keep the Soldiers in the better Discipline These Points of Coat and Conduct Money and Martial Law occasion'd frequent and great Debates amongst the Judges and other learned men The Espousals of our King with the King of France's Sister were made in Paris by Cardinal Richelieu and with the highest State Feasting and Bravery that could be Buckingham was sent into France to conduct the Queen hither A Navy Royal sent to Bullen to waft her over Sea she arrives at Dover where the King met her And with great expressions of affection and rejoicing by himself and all his Subjects she is received and safely came to London Some extraordinary Ceremonies and Solemnities were omitted by reason of the Plague then increasing All the Judges were sent for by the Lord Keeper Williams who told them That the King desired to change his stile and to use the stile of King of Great Britain as well in all Legal Acts and Proceedings as in Acts of State and other indifferent Acts. And he prayed the Judges to consider of it and to certifie him how it might be done They all met consulted and agreed that it could not be done which they certified the Keeper and that all the Judges of England being ask'd their opinions concerning this Point in the first Parliament of King James they answered una voce that it could not be done and Lords and Commons were likewise of the same judgment The Parliament met at Westminster the King made a Speech to them touching the War of the Palatinat wherein the last Parliament had engaged his Father and which was of necessity to be prosecuted and supplied and he urged his great wants and charges And then the Lord Keeper enlarged upon the same The Commons pressed upon the Grievances not redressed and to have an account of the last Subsidies others were for Execution of the Laws against Papists and the questioning Mr. Mountague for his Book Appello Caesarem contrived to put a Jealousie between the King and his Subjects and to encourage Popery Others praised the King and said That no Grievances had been yet in his Reign and they were only for a Petition for Religion and that Religion and Subsidies might go hand in hand together After a Fast both Houses Petitioned the King concerning Religion and against Recusants which was answered hopefully Mountague was brought to the Bar of the House of Commons for his Book the Arminian Party take in with him The House voted his Book contrary to the Articles of Religion tending to the Dishonour of the King and Disturbance of the Church and State The King owned Mountague as his Chaplain The Commons not pleased therewith yet Voted to give the King two Subsidies for which the King thanks them by a Message and yet informs them that the Necessities of the present Affairs were not therein satisfied but requires their further counsels and now he sent a full Answer to the Petition of Religion By reason of the Plague increasing the Parliament was adjourned to Oxford The Vantguard and seven other English Ships were lent to the King of France and employed against Rochel the Mariners refused the Service Buckingham was acquainted with it but not the Body of the Council The Protestants of France sollicit our King against it but he expresly commands the Vice-Admiral Pennington to do it the which he obeyed The Parliament Re-assembled at Oxford whither this News of the Ships came and exasperated many of them especially against the Duke They insist upon the Grievances Mountague is summoned his Cause by some of the Bishops is recommended to the Duke and they say That if the Church be once brought down below Herself even Majesty it self will soon be impeached and they say that King James approved Mountague's Opinions But others differed from them The King again speaks to the Two Houses of Parliament touching the War in which they engaged his Father for the Palatinat and the Breach with Spain then by his command the Lord Conway and Sir John Cooke declar'd to the Houses more particularly the present state of Affairs in Germany France the Low-Countries Sueden and other Kingdoms they computed the charge of the War to 700 000 l. a year besides the Navy and Ireland The Treasurer also acquainted them with the King's Debts for Denmark the Palatinat his Father's Funeral his own Marriage in all 300 000 l. Yet the Commons were unsatisfied some said That thing 's were improvidently managed and by contrary designs that it was not usual to give Subsidies upon Subsidies in one Parliament and no Grievances redressed that great Sums of Money were given for places that the time of the year was too far spent for the Navy to go forth that it should be enquired whether the Duke brake not the Match with Spain out of spleen to Olivarez and whether he made not the Match with France upon harder terms To these and many other things of the like nature the Duke made a handsom and plausible Answer to both Houses and gave them account of the Fleet much variety of opinion was in the House of Commons in debate hereof The King sends a Message to quicken them They answer him with a general Declaration And the King perceiving the Commons resolved
and all such as serve him there to be Traytors to the Laws of the Kingdom 11 R. 2. and 1 H. 4. After this they publish another Remonstrance of the King's Misactions and their own Privileges He answers it and they reply and May 28. they order That all Sheriffs Justices of the Peace c. within one hundred and fifty miles of York make stay of all Arms and Ammunition carrying to York and apprehend the Conveyers and that all Sheriffs do suppress all Forces coming together by the King's Commission and all persons to aid them and this to be published in all Market Towns and Churches The King forbids all Obedience to any Orders or Ordinance of Parliament for the Militia according to the Statute 7 E. 1. and requires all the people of Yorkshire to meet at a day and place which the Parliament declare to be against Law and forbid Obedience to it This was an unhappy condition for the poor people none knowing what to doe or whom to obey nor what would be the consequence of these thwartings between the great Powers and Authorities of King and Parliament Divers Members of both Houses withdrew to the King which caused an Order for all to attend at a day upon forfeiting of an hundred pounds to the Irish War They order that whosoever shall lend or bring Money into this Kingdom upon the King's Jewels shall be an Enemy to the State Ju. 2. The Parliament sent to the King Nineteen Propositions for Peace which are in Print the King rejected them as inconsistent with the Regall Rights he caresseth the people of Yorkshire Ju. 4. The Parliament order all Deputy Lieutenants to be present at all Musters and the Lieutenants of Counties to dispatch their Warrants Ju. 10. They make an Order for bringing in Money or Plate to maintain Horsemen and Arms for defence of the King and Parliament and for the publick Peace The King sends forth his Commissions of Array begins in Leicestershire these Commissions were declared by the Parliament to be against Law and the Actors in them to be Betrayers of the Subjects Liberty The Lord Keeper Littleton after his great adherence to the Parliament delivered the great Seal to Mr. Elliot whom the King sent to him for it and shortly after Littleton followed the Seal to the King but was not much respected by him or his Courtiers yet was he a man of Courage and of excellent Parts and Learning Many other of the Lords being with the King at York he declared to them That he would not exercise any illegal Authority but defend them and all others against the Votes of Parliament and not engage them in any War against the Parliament And they all in a solemn Protestation engaged to his Majesty to stand by him The King wrote to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London Not to raise any Forces for the Parliament and sets forth his large Declaration and invites men to bring in to him Money Horse and Arms on security of his Forests and Parks for the Principal and Eight per cent Interest He forbids Levies without his Consent upon the Statutes 7 E. 1. 2 E. 3. 11 R. 2. and the Earl of Shrewsbury's Case in H. 8. time and minds them of their Oath of Allegiance to be faithful to the King's Person as well as to his Authority and justifies his Commissions of Array To which the Parliament reply and he to them again All which rather exasperated the Differences And now came up the Names of Parties Royallists and Parliamentarians Cavaliers and Roundheads The King goes to Nottingham and summoneth and caresseth the Freeholders of the County and promiseth to act according to the Protestation at York the like he did at Lincoln And July 11. sends a Message to the Parliament Of his intentions to reduce Hull if it be not rendred to him which if they do he will admit of their further Propositions He complains of Hotham's actions for which he will punish him and of the Earl of Warwick's taking upon him the Command of the Fleet who had got in the Sea-men to him and put by Sir John Pennington and took a Ship of Ammunition coming to the King from Holland The Lord Willoughby of Parham being Lieutenant of Lincolnshire was there putting the Militia into a posture which being informed to the King he wrote to the Lord Willoughby to desist from that action and the Lord Willoughby returned an humble ingenious and weighty Answer to his Majesty to excuse his not performing at present what the King required of him which he said was not in his power to doe without breach of that trust which he had undertaken to the Parliament and to which he was encouraged by the opinion of some of his Majestie 's great Officers eminent in the knowledge of the Laws wherein he was not learned After this he proceeded in executing the Ordinance for the Militia and the King was not so severe against him as against others The Parliament now thought it high time to provide for their own Defence and to raise an Army for that purpose Upon the Debate whereof one of the Members declared his Opinion to this effect Mr. Speaker The Question which was last propounded about raising of Forces naming a General and Officers of an Army hath been very rare before this time in this Assembly and it seems to me to set us at the Pits-brink ready to plunge our selves into an Ocean of troubles and miseries and if it could be into more than a Civil War brings with it Give me leave Sir to consider this unhappy Subject in the beginning progress and issue of it Caesar tells us and he knew as much of Civil War as any man before him that it cannot be begun Sine malis artibus Surely Sir our Enemies of the Popish Church have left no evil Arts unessayed to bring us to our present posture and will yet leave none unattempted to make our Breaches wider well knowing that nothing will more advance their Empire than our Divisions Our Misery whom they account Hereticks is their Joy and our Distractions will be their glory and all evil Arts and ways to bring Calamities upon us they will esteem meritorious But Sir I look upon another beginning of our Civil War God blessed us with a long and flourishing Peace and we turned his Grace into wantonness and Peace would not satisfie us without Luxury nor our plenty without Debauchery Instead of sobriety and thankfulness for our Mercies we provoked the Giver of them by our sins and wickedness to punish us as we may fear by a Civil War to make us Executioners of Divine Vengeance upon our selves It is strange to note how we have insensibly slid into this beginning of a Civil War by one unexpected Accident after another as Waves of the Sea which have brought us thus far And we scarce know how but from Paper Combates by Declarations Remonstrances
no considerable body of an Army and their party in some divisions but by the time of the King's march and stay at Gloucester they had recruited their Army provided Money and pieced up their Discontents among themselves The City of Excester having held out three Months Siege for the Parliament their Powder and Provisions failing them surrendred to the King's Forces upon Conditions which were broken by the Enemy as those at Bristoll were Both Houses ordered Supplies for Gloucester Essex followed the King and sends for Sir William Waller to hasten to him At Cirencester Essex beat up the King's Quarters drove Sir Nicholas Crispe and Colonel Spencer out of the Town with their two Regiments of Horse and took thirty Cart-loads of Victuals and about 400 horse Captain Brooke being discovered by his Mariners to have a design to betray the Ship which he commanded to the King the Sea-men clapt their Captain under Deck and discovered his Plot to the Earl of Warwick their Admiral Lyn in Norfolk was surrendred to the Earl of Manchester There was a Skirmish between the King 's and Essex his horse near Hungerford in Berkshire about 80 on both sides slain of the King's part the Marquess Delavive Essex surprized a troup of the King's horse and that night quartered at Hungerford the Marquess his Corps was brought into Hungerford and afterwards ransomed by the King's party for 500 pieces Sept. 19. Essex marched toward Newbery his Army in great want of Victuals both for men and horse to whom the Country thereabouts was ill affected and would bring in nothing to them without Compulsion The whole body of the King's Army had possessed themselves of the Town of Newbery on their right hand they had the advantage of the River and a hill half a mile from the Town where they had planted their Ordnance so that there was no passage to them but with great disadvantage and by a narrow Lane Yet Essex finding his Souldiers full of mettle and resolved to force their way he in person led them on first charged the Enemy with his own Regiment and the Lord Roberts his Brigade of horse and began the fight about six a clock in the morning Sept. 20. which continued with very hot service till ten or eleven a clock at night The Parliament forces beat the Enemy from all their advantages got the Hill from them pursued them to Newbury and out of the Town again but the night coming on they no further could pursue them and though the King's forces especially the horse which consisted most of Gentlemen made gallant resistance yet this place not being proper for their fight their foot were thus beaten and in the night they drew off their Ordnance and marched away leaving Essex Master of the Feild who kept it that night and part of the next day When night drew on the Enemy both horse and foot stood in good order on the further side of the green where they fought and the Parliament's forces expected they would have ingaged them the next day but the King's forces drew off by night The Parliament Souldiers had the Pillage of the dead bodies both parties performed their service with great manhood and animosity especially the King's horse who yet were worsted and the Earls of Caernarvan and Sunderland who commanded part of them were slain in the fight The Lord Falkland Secretary of State in the morning of the fight called for a clean shirt and being asked the reason of it answered that if he were slain in the Battle they should not find his body in foul Linnen Being diswaded by his friends to goe into the fight as having no call to it and being no Military Officer he said he was weary of the times and fore saw much misery to his own Countrey and did beleive he should be out of it ere night and could not be perswaded to the contrary but would enter into the battle and was there slain His death was much lamented by all that knew him or heard of him being a Gentleman of great parts ingenuity and honour courteous and just to all and a passionate promoter of all endeavours of peace betwixt the King and Parliament From the time of Essex his remove from his quarters at a Village called Chilton near Hungerford to the end of this Newbery fight there were of the King's part slain above 2000 besides the three Lords and divers other Officers of Note On the Parliaments part were slain about 500 Colonel Tucker and the Lieutenant Colonel of Essex his Regiment and one Captain more of Horse in this Service the London Regiments did their parts with much Courage and Gallantry Essex advanced from Newbery towards Reading to refresh his men and no enemy appeared till they came to Theale a Village four miles from Reading where a party of the King's horse fired upon the rear of Essex's Army as they marched up a Lane near to Theale and they had a hot skirmish for the time about 60 of the King's horse were slain and about eight of the Parliaments the rest of the King's party retreated and the Parliament forces took up their quarters at Reading The Lords and Commons sent a Committee to their General at Reading to complement him and congratulate his great successes and to inform themselves what supplies were wanting for the Army that they might be speedily provided They sent another Committee to acquaint the City with the happy Success of the Army under General Essex and to treat with them about supplies of money ammunition and other necessaries to be forthwith sent down to the Army They also took order to stop the passes between London and Oxford to prevent the King's Intelligence and supplies of money and ammunition whereof they understood he was in great want Sept. 25. Both Houses with the Assembly of Divines and Scots Commissioners met in St. Margarets Church Westminster where Mr. White one of the Assembly prayed an hour to prepare them for taking the Covenant then Mr. Nye in the Pulpit made some observations touching the Covenant shewing the Warrant of it from Scripture the examples of it since the Creation and the benefit to the Church Mr. Henderson one of the Scots Commissioners concluded in a Declaration of what the Scots had done and the good they had received by such Covenants and then he shewed the prevalency of ill Counsels about the King the Resolutions of the States of Scotland to assist the Parliament of England Then Mr. Nye in the Pulpit read the Covenant and all present held up their hands in testimony of their assent to it and afterwards in the several houses subscribed their Names in a Parchment Roll where the Covenant was written the Divines of the Assembly and the Scots Commissioners likewise subscribed the Covenant and then Doctor Gouge in the Pulpit prayed for a Blessing upon it The House ordered the Covenant to be taken the next Lords-day by all persons in their respective
were not equal or from an expectation of Prince Rupert's advance with 3000 horse and Dragoons and the return of the Earl of Northampton from Banbury with 1000. The King's strength is reported to have been 8000 foot and 500 horse which albeit a gallant Army yet upon the Parliaments Forces drawing into Battalia they durst not take the Field but to counterpoise the Parliaments numbers the King fell to Stratagems to fortifie the Town especially the Avenues and having raised his Batteries and lined the hedges stood upon his guard and with some great pieces where he saw the biggest bodies and most advantage liberally sent them some Bullets which killed 2 or 3 horse but hurt not their Riders For many hours some parties of horse skirmisht 'twixt both the Armies in which play the Parliament had the best of whose part but one man fell of theirs four or five of which one was knighted It being impossible to engage the King's Forces without much hazard that night the greatest part of the Parliaments Forces marched unto Chevely the horse commanded by Waller and Balfour the foot by Skippon whilst the other encamped before the Eastside of the Town and ordered by Manchester at one same time having agreed to storm the Garrison on both sides That night and the next the Parliamentarians quartered in the open fields but neither the coldness of the weather nor want of usual provision any whit disanimated the Souldiers the expectation of fight swallowing up all other extremities howbeit most of them had three days provision prepared by command in their Snapsacks By Daybreak upon Sunday the horse and foot commanded by Waller and Skippon were upon their march in four hours surrounded Dunnington Castle and made their approach towards the West of Newbury By the way they intercepted two or three Carts of Provision and took about 100 horse and foot of the King 's as they straggled and the King's Forces from the Castle fell upon the Parliaments Rear and took 10 or 12 prisoners Upon this march they received the Report that Newcastle was taken by storm and the Ulster Rebels defeated which much incouraged the Parlaiments Forces It was One a Clock ere the Train and Rear came up and near Three ere they could be put into Battalia with extraordinary shouts and other symptoms of courage and joy the Western body advanced and by the Forlorn-hope of horse quickly began the fight which with as much eagerness was seconded by the foot who cryed They would now be revenged for the business of Cornwall For three hours the fight was maintained with as much resolution and bravery on both parts as hath been since these Wars the Cannon and small shot on both sides firing with as quick a motion as was possible Among the foot the General 's Regiment especially did eminently well and among all of the whole Army there was not one man or party horse or foot seen either to desert their duty or to dishearten their fellows After a long and hot dispute the Parliamentarians beat the King's Forces first from their Work and then from their Ordnance nine in number in which atchievement they lost a few men and among them Captain Gawler The Day was of so much discontent to his Majesty that an hour after midnight he marched out of the Town with an attendant Troop only towards Winchester and sent up his Cannon Carriages and Baggage to the Castle where at day-break the Parliamentarians saw them placed and Colonel Cromwell followed the body of the Enemy two hours before day The E. of Cleveland was taken prisoner by a Lieutenant of Colonel Barkley's General Goring hardly escaped his Brother was shot dead as he charged most of his Troop were cut off Major Trevillian and divers others of quality and 200 common Souldiers of the King's part slain and 300 taken prisoners Letters came of the taking of the Town and Castle of Newcastle surrendred to General Leven Oct. 29. the Governour and the rest submitting for their lives In that little compass of the Castle were 500 men besides women and children Three Scots Lords taken there Craford Rea and Maxwell were sent into Scotland to be there tryed The Town though taken by Onslaght was not much ransackt most of them redeeming their goods from plunder upon reasonable satisfaction in moneys A Day of publick Thanksgiving was appointed for these successes at Newbury and at Newcastle Some differences among the Committee of Sussex were referred to a Committee of the House and another Committee appointed to consider of settling the Garrison of Windsor and reducing it to a less number and half pay Alderman Atkins was sworn Lord Mayor of London in the Exchequer according to custom Letters from Sir William Waller and Sir Arthur Haslerigge further confirmed the Parliaments success at Newbury and that they had taken 1000 Arms there that if they had had but one hour more of day-light in probability they had totally routed and dispersed the King's whole Army Which was in so great distraction after the fight that they retreated three several ways at once in great confusion That the King as they were informed with a small party wheeled about by Marlborough and so to Oxford Since the fight they took many prisoners stragglers and the King 's own Coach and General Forth 's Coach with his Lady many Sumpter-horses and other good Prizes An Ordinance was committed for the Attainder of the Archbishop and they that managed the Evidence against him at his Tryal were appointed to bring in the state of all the Evidence to the House Letters from Captain Hacker informed that a party of the King 's coming to relieve Crowland were set upon by the Parliaments Forces 600 horse and 400 hundred prisoners taken of Newark and Belvoir Forces and the Town much discouraged thereby A hundred horse of the Queen's Regiment were taken by the Garrison of Weymouth wherein the Country people assisted the Parliaments Forces Sir Authony Ashley Cooper with 1500 horse and foot from several Garrisons took the field to encounter Sir Lewis Dives Sir William Vvedale was readmitted to sit as a Member of the House Novemb. 1644. The Lord Paget petitioned expressing much sorrow for his deserting the Parliament and adhering to the Enemy whose Counsel and Designs he now seeth to tend to the destruction of the Kingdom humbly submitting himself to the Favour of the Parliament Letters from Newcastle desire the Parliament to consider of the new framing and settling the Government of that Town and that fit and able men may be chosen for that purpose which was referred to a Committee of both Houses General Leven sent 5000 horse and foot of the Scots Army to the Lord Fairfax in Yorkshire to suppress the stragling Enemy there An Ordinance was sent down to Newcastle for the Tryal of Sir John Marley the late Mayor there by a Council of War A Commander in Surrey sent to some Members of Parliament there to
comprehend the Lord General with the rest and without naming of him which for shame and ingratitude they could not think fit to be done Some of them confest that this was their design and it was apparent in it self and the reason of their doing this was to make way for others and because they were jealous that the Lord General was too much a favourer of peace a good fault in a General of an Army and that he would be too strong a supporter of Monarchy and of Nobility and other old Constitutions which they had a mind to alter such is the ingratitude of people and the incertainty of their Favour no confidence can be placed therein for this gallant mans sake who was a most faithful Servant to the publick and performed so many brave services for them to the utmost hazards of his own life honour and fortune and for all this had no other recompence but an unhandsome affront by a side Wind and cunning contrivance of his Enemies to remove him from his Commands so gallantly and succesfully executed by him A safe Conduct was assented to for the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton and the Committee of both Kingdoms ordered to get the Concurrence of the Scots Commissioners and to send it with expedition to the King Major Duett with a party of Colonel Ludlow's Regiment fell upon a party of the King's horse near Salisbury took Colonel Cooke Lieutenant Colonel Hooker divers inferiour Officers 40 Souldiers 160 Horse and Arms and killed about 20 of them Sir John Hotham's Son Captain Hotham was tryed before the Court Marshal for betraying a Regiment of Horse of the Parliaments to the Enemy and for treachery and betraying his trust in divers particulars proved against him by his own words letters and actions and many witnesses produced to make good the Charge The States Ambassadors were received with great State and Honour by both Houses who thanked them for their offer of a Mediation of peace and desired the Continuance of Amity and Friendship with the High and Mighty Lords the States but in regard propositions for peace were now on foot between His Majesty and His Parliament and the Scots Commissioners nothing otherwise could be now done therein The Ambassadors replyed in French that they would return what they had received to their Lords and they desired a further answer to their propositions touching Free Trade When they were gon out of the House the Speaker desired that some of the Members who understood the French Tongue better than he might interpret to the House the essect of the Ambassadors Speech in French which usually was done by Mr. Hollis and he being now absent Whitelocke was called up to doe it and thereupon the House named a Committee to consider of their Propositions for a Free Trade to the Ports of the Enemy An Ordinance past for satisfaction to Waggoners who lost their Carriages in the late Fights The Earl of Northampton with 3000 horse much infested part of Bucks and Oxfordshire order was taken for money to pay the forces of those Counties to resist him Somerset-house was ordered to be prepared for the King's Commissioners and voted that no Member of either house should visit or speak with or send or receive any Message to or from those that should come from Oxford unless they had leave for it Liberty was given to any Members that would to go visit Sir John Hotham before his death The Self-denying Ordinance was read and a day of publick Fast Ordered Crowland was surrendred to the Parliaments Forces on Conditions the Officers to march away with Swords and Pistols the foot to leave behind them their Arms Ordnance and Ammunition The Petition of divers Londoners was read commending the Vote for the Self-denying Ordinance and they again had the thanks of the House Colonel Massey fell upon a party of the King 's at Sodbury near Bristol took 120 Horse 100 Arms 50 Prisoners and 12 Officers Captain Hotham made his defence before the Court Marshal and justified Treaties with the Enemy as a Commander for the service of the Parliament other charges he denyed and excepted against some Witnesses The Commons Ordered that none but Members of the House should come to the Church where they kept the Fast The Lords reprieved Sir John Hotham for a few days till he had better setled his Estate Both Houses kept the Fast in Lincolns-Inn Chapel and none were to be present there but the Members onely and some said that the Preachers desired it might be so that they might speak the more freely to them especially upon the point of the Self-denying Ordinance Both Houses agreed to receive the Lords that were come from the King in the Painted Chamber by a Committee of 14 Lords and 28 Commoners and they desired from the Lords a list of their retinue to the end no affront might be offered to them Here of they had not cause to complain as the Parliaments Commissioners had at Oxford for these Lords and all their attendance were civily treated by all sort of persons and this Order for the list was the rather made to discover such as came to Town with the Lords under pretence of being of their retinue when they were not but came to do ill offices to the Parliament Sir Symonds D'ewes had an order to present a Minister to a Living in his gift Order was taken for raising of monies for the English and Scots Armies in the North for certain Months Mr. Roger L'Estrange was apprehended for a designe to betray Lynne in Norfolke to the King and for that end had a Treaty with Captain Lemmon Lieutenant Governour there who shewed a Complyance with L'Estrange but acquainted Colonel Walton the Governour with all the passages whereupon L'Estrange was seized upon and with him was found a Commission from the King Authorizing him for this service and engaging That if the Town were gained That L'Estrange should be Governour of it and have great preferment and what Rewards he should promise for effecting it not exceeding 80001. should be paid and divers other fair promises made and this was noted to be when the Treaty for peace was on foot The like design was for betraying St. Nicholas Island by Plymouth but prevented by the Lord Roberts the Governour the like was for the betraying Stafford prevented by Sir William Brereton the like design was for betraying of Reading discovered by the apprehending of a Spy who having lighted Matches put to his fingers confessed all and Alderman Harryson and his Complotters were seized upon The Self-denying Ordinance passed the House of Commons without excepting any Member The Committee of Lords and Commons received the King's Answer to the Propositions for peace wherein the Parliament and the Commissioners of Scotland were acknowledged and the King desired That in regard of the great Alteration in Government both of Church and State imported in the Propositions That the
as formerly That the propositions for Peace be hastned to him That he may come to London with safety freedom and honour where he resolves to comply with the Houses in what shall be most for the good of his Subjects That he will disband his Garrisons as by the inclosed Warrant appears only upon honourable conditions and will send for the Prince Papers came from the Scots Commissioners to the Parliament with these Letters and very fair expressions in them pursuant to the Covenant and that they had perswaded the King since his coming to their Army to give satisfaction to his Subjects and they hope such propositions will speedily be sent to his Majesty as may settle Religion and Peace in both Kingdoms and they shall willingly depart home Another paper was a Copy of that which the Committee of Estates presented to the King desiring that the Prince might not go beyond Seas 16. Progress about the propositions for Peace they agreed that the Militia should be in both houses of Parliament for twenty years Letters informed that the Scots perswaded the King to take the Covenant The Articles were almost agreed for the surrender of Oxford 17. A Letter from the King to the Prince intercepted and read in the Houses and was to this effect to tell him That he had written to his Mother about him and would have him to obey her in all things except Religion Debate about the Militia Ordinance for a Collection for the poor of Abbington 18. The Examinations and Confession of Mr. Hudson one of the Guides that led the King to the Scots Army were read and referred to the Committee who are to draw up the Declaration to be presented to the King and to the Estates of Scotland and the Committee was ordered to proceed further in these Examinations Hudson said that the King crossed the Countrey was at Henley Harrow on the Hill and at Brainford and almost perswaded to come to London and then he went to St. Albans and so to Harborough where the French Agent was to have met him with some Horse but came not from thence the King went to Stamford from thence to Downham in Norfolke where he lay at a petty Alc-house that he passed sometimes by the name of Hudson's Tutor sometimes Doctor and sometimes as Ashburnhams Servant Order for the Speaker to write to the Scots Commissioners for an answer of the last Letter of the Parliament A Petition of the Committee of Wilts of the Robberies and Cruelties of the Forces under Major General Massey quartered in those parts so that none could travail nor remain in their houses with safety A Letter ordered for Sir Tho. Fairfax to suppress them and soon after the House ordered them for Ireland A Petition of Newbury of the sufferings by the War referred to the Committee of the three Counties to cousider of a way for their relief Supplys for Garrisons and an order for Capt. Batten to be Governor of Holy Island 20. The Earl of Ormonds Quarter master with divers Letters and Papers about him was apprehended in London and a Committee named to examine him and to peruse the Papers A difference between the Committee of Kent and the Committee for the Prince Elector referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations and debate about Committees in General and the oppressions and illegalities of some of them referred to a Committee to consider of restraining them Progress upon propositions for the Peace News came that the Prince was in France The Treaty for the Surrender of Oxford was agreed Farrington was willing to Surrender upon the same terms with Oxford but Wallengford still held out two of Sir Tho. Fairfax's Commissioners went into Oxford to see the Governor and Council there to sign the Articles and two from them came to Sir Tho. Fairfax to see him sign them which were as followeth Articles of Agreement concluded and agreed on by his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight General of the Forces raised by the Parliament on the one Party and the Right Honourable Sir Richard Lane Knight Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England Francis Lord Cottington Lord High Treasurer of England Will. Marquess of Hertford Edw. Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties Honourable Houshould Tho. Earl of Southampton Francis Earl of Chichest Francis Lord Seymour Sir Edw. Nicholas Knt. one of his Majesties Principal Secretaries of State all of them being of his Majesties most honourable Privy Council and Sir Tho. Glemham Knt. c. Governor of Oxford on the other Party for and concerning the Rendring of the Garrison of Oxford as followeth 1. THat the Garrison of Oxford with the Castle Forts Mounts and places of Defence whatsoever with all the Ordnance Arms Ammunition and Provisions of War with all Magazins and Stores thereunto belonging excepting what is allowed in the ensuing Articles shall be delivered to the General Sir Thomas Fairfax or whom he shall appoint without wilful spoyl or embezlement upon Wednesday the 24th of this Instant June at ten of the Clock in the Morn or there about 2. That his Highness the Duke of York shall have an honourable Convoy to London where other of his Majesties Children are attended by his Officers and Servants and sitting accommodation for the removal of his Houshold and Goods thither and shall have an honourable Provision besitting his Dignity appointed for him by the Parliament and to remain there untill his Majestics Pleasure be known touching his setling there or elsewhere and then to be disposed accordingly to any place within fourscore miles of London and shall have such Officers and Servants to continue about him as the Parliament shall approve 3. That their Highnesses Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice shall have Liberty and Passes for themselves with their Servants Horses Arms and Goods the number of their Horses for them and their Train not exceeding seventy to repair to any place within fifty miles of London so it be not within twenty miles of London without leave from the Parliament nor in any Garrison and there to abide for the space of six Months after the rendring free from any molestation by imposition of Oaths or otherwise and shall have Passes to go beyond the Sea at any time within the said six months with their said Servants Horses Arms and Goods they ingaging themselves upon their Honours not to use the Liberty hereby granted in the mean time to any Hostility against the Parliament of England sitting at Westminster or any way wilfully to the prejudice of their affairs and they are to have the benefit of such the ensuing Articles as may concern them 4. That the Seals called the Great Seal Privy Seal the Signet and the Seals of the Kings Bench Exchequer Court of Wards Dutchy Admiralty and Prerogative as also the Sword of State shall at such time and in the presence of two such Persons as the General Sir Tho. Fairfax shall appoint be lockt up in
He answered That it was against several Oaths which he had taken as an Alderman of London and against his Judgement and Conscience Alderman Chambers being asked the same Question answered That his Heart did not go along in that Business Sir Thomas was disabled from being a Member of the House and disfranchised from being an Alderman or to bear any publique Office And Alderman Chambers was disabled from being an Alderman or to bear any publique Office 2 An Act passed for sale of the Goods of the late King Queen and P. but the sale of the Pictures was respited An Act passed for doubling upon the publique Faith upon Sale of Deanes and Chapters Lands Orders for the Commissioners of the Seal to issue out Writs to make Mr. Warburton C. Rigby and Mr. Ask Serjeants at Law they being to be made Judges Order for the Councel of State to bestow a House and Maintenance for Mrs. Elkinea and her Children 4 Upon a Report from the Committee of absent Members C. Russel Mr. Edwards Mr. Fr. Gourdon Mr. Hodges and Mr. Ellis were readmitted to sit in the House Petitions of many poor Prisoners for Debt that the Act may be passed for their relief An Act Published of the grounds of the next day of Publique thanksgiving A Declaration of the Officers and Soldiers of C. Hortons Regiment testifying their Adherance to the Parliament and to the General presented to his Excellency The like from M. G. Skippons Regiment and from the Town of Portsmouth Letters from Scotland that a Declaration was brought from Ireland thither against Parliament of England that at their thanksgiving the Ministers vehemently preached against the Malignants and Sectaries Letters from Chester that Dublin is in a good Condition that one of the Souldiers by sentence of the Councel of War was shot to death for moving one of his Fellows to run away to the Enemy and that Prince Rupert and Inchequin are at great Difference and so are Owen Row and Ormond Letters from Holland that the Danish Ambassador desired to borrow of the States a great Sum of Mony for the King of Scotland and offered the Sundt Security for it That at the Diet at Sweden it was resolved to assist the King of Scotland with Mony That the Lord Cottington and Sir Edward Hyde Ambassadors from the King of Scotland desired audience of his highness Leopoldus and from thence were to go for Spain 5 C. Popham one of the Generals at Sea reported to the House the good Service of the Fleet the Relief of Dublin with Provisions that Sir George Ascue is left there with some Ships that 15 of Prince Ruperts Ships are blocked up in Kinsale and desired speedy Supplyes for the Navy The House ordered Supplies accordingly and thanks to the Generals at Sea and to C. Jones and that these Successes at Sea should be remembred in the Day of thanksgiving The Councel of State gave order for Flemish Ships to transport the Horse into Ireland and for the Regiments to march to Chester and other Ports and not to stay above one night in a place Letters from Sir George Askue that he had furnished Dublin with Provisions and sent others to Sir Charles Coote and had blocked Prince Ruperts Ships at Kingsale Letters that the L. Rea and 20 other Prisoners were brought to Edenborough 6 A new Mace with the Arms of England and Ireland instead of the Kings Arms approved and delivered to Serjeant Birkhead to be used for the House and all other Maces for the Commonwealth to be of that Form Vote for 3000 l. to be given to Mr. Blackstons Wife and Children in respect of his Losses and 500 l. to his Brother out of the L. of Newcastles and L. Widdringtons Estates Order for Captain Bishop Provost Marshal to apprehend suspected Persons and to have 100 l. per annum Salary and 12 Men at one shilling per diem a piece Order for 1000 l. for a Stock to settle poor People to work Upon a Report from the Councel of State ordered that when the Speaker with the House came into the City the Lord Mayor should deliver up to him the Sword as he used to do to the King and that at the Feast the Speaker should sit above the Lord Mayor and referred it to the Councel of State to order matters of Ceremony at the Meeting Letters that the Queen of Sweden had furnished the King of Scors with great store of Ammunition A Declaration of the Officers and Souldiers of Colonel Reynolds his Regiment to the same Effect with those of other Regiments 7 The Speaker with the House of Commons the General with the Officers of the Army the L. President and Councel of State after the hearing of two Sermons went to Grocers-Hall to dine with the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Councel according to their Invitation The Speaker sat first next to him the Lord Mayor then the Lord General then the Earl of Pembroke called to Whitelock to sit down being the antient Commissioner of the great Seal he desired his Lordship would be pleased first to sit down and then he would sit by him With that the Earl spake aloud as he used to do that all near him might hear What do you think that I will fit down before you I have given place heretofore to Bishop Williams to my Lord Coventry and my Lord Littlet on And you have the same place that they had and as much honour belongs to the place under a Common-wealth as under a King and you are a Gentleman as well born and bred as any of them therefore I will not sit down before you With his earnestness he caused Whitelock to sit down before him and sat himself the next to him and then the Lord President of the Councel and the other Commissioners of the great Seal the Earl of Satisbury and the Lord Howard sate next to the Earl of Pembroke and after the Commissioners of the Seal sate Lieutenant General Cromwel and other Members of Parliament and of the Councel of State At two Tables on each side of the Hall sate other Members and at a Table in the middle of the Hall sate M. G. Lambert and other Officers of the Army the Judges sate in a Room over the Parlour which was very large and the Lord Mayor Aldermen and some Common Councel men at another Table in the same Room The Musick was only Drums and Trumpets the Feast was very sumptuous no Healths drunk nor any Incivility passed and besides the overplus of the Victuals left at Dinner 400 l. was given to the poor of London 8 An Act past for settling Maintenance upon the Ministry of the Nation Report touching Relief for maimed Souldiers Widdows and Orphans of Souldiers slain Referred to the Committee of Oxford to prefer Mr. Thomas Goodwyn and Mr. Owen to be heads of Colledges in that University and that they have the hearty thanks of the House for their Sermons yesterday Some Members
Committee An Act brought in by the Councel of State for repealing the Statutes 23. El. and 35. El. Against Pretended Sectaries and the Statute 1. Jac. Recommitted Order for Payment of the Sallaries to the Judges of the Admiralty Order to borrow 150000 l. for Ireland An Act past for discharge of the Commissioners of the Excise upon their accounts Sir Henry Heyman and another re-admitted to sit in the House Upon the report of the L. Commissioner Whitlock Baron Gates by reason of his sickness was excused from riding the Circuit and Serjeant Green ordered to go Judge in his place Power given to the Commissioners of the Seal to grant Commissions of Sewers and of Charitable uses as any L. Chr. L. Keeper or Commssioners of the Seal used to do Letters that the Enemie had besieged Dublin that C. Hewson twice beat off their Parties with loss to them and came off with flying Colours that C. Jones sent to Chester for Corn. That the Enemy was within one Mile of Dublin from whence a Party skirmished with them and took one Captain Duncan Prisoner That London Derry was not in a very bad Condition 30 The Lord Commissioner Lisle being formerly by the House made Master of St. Cross Hospital did now voluntarily surrender it to the House again and they bestowed it upon the Sollicitor G. Mr. Cook and ordered Augmentations of Meanes to the Ministers and poor Brethren as the Lord Commissioner Lisle had formerly given Debate upon the Act for sale of the Kings Houses Parks c. And Voted that St. James House and Park Theobalds Park Windsor Castle and Little Park Greenwich House Castle and Park should be reserved from Sale for the use of the State And referred to the Councel of State to consider what other Houses should be reserved from Sale The New Park near Richmond was given to the City of London as a Testimony of the Favour of the House to them Order for saving the Timber in the Parks c. for the use of the Navy Letters from Cheshire that Ormond had besieged Dublin with 14000 Men and doubted not but to carry it in a short time and that divers Ministers in Cheshire did pray publickly for restoring Charles the Second to his Fathers Crowns and Honours July 1649. 2 A Letter from the Parliament of Scotland in answer to the Letter sent to them from the Parliament of England in high Language and invective against the late proceedings in England but desiring that Commissioners of both Kingdoms may meet and treat about a good Correspondency between the two Nations Referred to the Councel of State how to prosecute the Desires of the Parliament of England and to vindicate it from the Aspersions cast upon them by the Parliament of Scotland Captain Row who brought the Scots Answer had 100 l. given him Divers Orders for Mony and Approbation of the Generals Allowance of more than ordinary Pay in regard of Billet Mony A Petition of the Car-men setting forth the Oppressions and Exactions of the Woodmongers and desiring to be made a new Corporation of the Car-men referred to a Committee The 400 l. per annum allowed to Dr. Vsher Primate of Armagh continued Order for 70 to be of the Life Guard to the Lieutenant of Ireland and Mr. Owen to go his Chaplain and his Wife and Children to have 100 l. per annum in his Absence Letters that C. Jones put out all the Men Roman Catholicks out of Dublin that Ormond took in all the Country about Dublin and put Jones to great wants that Sir George Askue secured the Harbour for the Army to land from England and that most of the English joyned with Ormond Letters that five Witches were burnt at Edenburgh who had the marks upon them which they had from the Devil The Parliament of Scotland sent a Gentleman to the Queen and Chr. of Sweden to acquaint them with their Proceedings with England and their falling off from them upon their late transactions c. That they prepare for new Levies of 15000 Horse and Foot to be added to the 5000 now in being 3 Debate upon the Act for sale of the Parks Lands c. of the late King and Officers agreed upon Captain Martins Accounts stated and he ordered to have 1000 l. per annum Inheritance in lieu of his Arrears The Lord Grey's Accounts passed A Pardon ordered for some Prisoners condemed in the Circuits Referred to the Councel of State to take care for bringing in the Arrears of Londons Assessement Letters from Dublin that C. Jones sent out 12 Horse who charged 30 of the Enemy routed them and took Lieutenant Collonel Duncan Prisoner and wounded Captain Dungan mortally and that Ormond stood within half a mile looking on That divers Malignants are imprisoned and the Papists driven out of the Town but their Wives and Children stay That Jones his Men killed a Captain and a Lieutenant of Ormonds Horse took a Cornet and 4 Horse and lost a Quarter Master That Inchequin wrote to Jones to treat but he returned a sharp denyal Letters that Prince Charles near Antwerp was met by some eminent Persons and presented by the Arch Duke with a sumptuous Coach studded with Silver and six gallant Flanders Mares drawing it and six Saddle Horses of the Neapolitan Race That at Antwerp the Magistrates conducted him to a stately Pallace where he stayed two dayes and was entertained as if he had been King of Spain Letters from France that the Queen of Englands Pension was lessened there from 12000 Crowns to 7000 Crowns and no Pension allowed to Prince Charles but what his Mother gives him Letters from Scotland of the strange number of Witches executed there that the Kingdom was quiet and in great Expectation of their new King 4 The Act passed for sale of the Goods of the late King Queen and Prince part of the Mony to pay some of the Kings Houshold Debts and 30000 l. for the Navy Debate upon a report from the Councel of State for borrowing 150000 l. of the City for the Service of Ireland Vote that the Letter from the Parliament of Scotland to William Lental Esq doth disobliege the Parliawent of England to proceed with Scotland to a Treaty and referred to the Councel of State to draw up a Declaration upon this and the former Scots Letters Letters of 1660 Barrels of Beer with other Provisions proportionable ready at Bristol for the Souldiers designed for Ireland Letters that Captain Harris with the Phenix Frigot had rescued divers Prizes taken by the Jersy Men. 5 Orders for Mony for lame Souldiers and the Widdows of Souldiers slain Mr. Steel was chosen Recorder of London in the place of Mr. Glyn. Divers Surveys returned of Deanes and Chapters Lands The Train of Artillery and Ammunition was shipped for Ireland 6 The Account of the Lieutenant of Ireland approved and he discharged The Lord Commissioner Whitelock did voluntarily surrender the place of Attourney of the Dutchy
fifty Tuns and forty Guns taken by a Flushinger worth Five thousand pound and most of the best Ships of Weymouth taken by the Brest Men. 5 The Lord Commissioner Lisle and Sir Thomas Widdrington were Sworn Commissioners of the Great Seal before the Lord Protector and his Councel and the Lord Ambassadour Whitelock now in Sweden is to be the other of them The Articles of Peace were signed by the Dutch Ambassadour and by the Commissioners of the Lord Protector and to be Ratified by the Principals in fourteen days and to be publickly Proclaimed in England and the Low Countries and a Messenger sent to the States for their Subscription within that time 6 An Ordinance Published for repairing the High-ways Letters that in sight of Legorn was a Fight betwixt a Dutch Man of War of Thirty two Guns and an English Ship Loaden with Currans which lasted Six hours and then night parted them and both the Ships sunk but most of the Men were saved That a French Man of War took an English Ship of great value upon the Coast of Apulia in Naples 7 An Ordinance published for Adjourning part of Easter Terme A Dutch Prize taken in the North. Of the Preparations and Forces of Middletons Party and of Collonel Morgans March towards them Of a Prize brought into the Cows by a private Man of War 8 Of a Man of War gone with an Express to Holland for Ratification of the Treaty That the English Fleet were One hundred Sayl of Men of War out at Sea well accommodated That Denmark was taken into the Treaty with Holland and the losses of the English Merchants to One hundred and fifty thousand pound referred to Two English and two Dutch Merchants to determine those Demands within twenty days and the business of Amboyna referred to Eight Commissioners and if they agreed not within Six Months Umpiers were nominated Letters that the French laboured hard to be comprehended within the Treaty Monsieur Chanute their Ambassadour at the Hague in the Assembly of the States General Spake to this Effect HAving understood by the Deputies of this State in England who visited me after their Return by order of their Superiours that their Negotiations hath brought the Treaty of Peace to Equitable Conditions I come in the Name of the King my Master to Congratulate with your High Puissances and to wish that this great Affair may be readily Determined to the Honour and Advantage of your Provinces I am also to thank your High Puissances for the constant and faithful Communication which hath been given of this whole Negotiation to the Ministers of the King in England by your Deputies to Monsieur de Bourdeaux Neuf Ville and to me in this Court by your High Puissances your selves which hath not been done as a simple Complement but because of the Community of Interests in this Peace and to make known to the King the Care which the Lords Deputies have had according to their Instructions to Comprehend France within the Pacification I doubt not but your High Puissances will persist to Effect in this good intention and to obtain a point so easie since the instances of your Deputies have reduced unto Commodious termes a great number of the most difficult Articles so that it seems this only point is reserved to your High Puissances to the End that the Honour of this Great Office rendred to a Potent King your old Ally may be by the whole Body of your State I therefore desire you in the Name of his Majesty so to carry on this business that he may be comprised in the Treaty of Peace with England and forthwith to do that your selves which you gave Instructions to your Deputies to do nevertheless the Affection of his Majesty to this State is such and so pure that for his own Interest alone he would not have made this Request if it had not been equally advantageous to the good of these Provinces But since there is nothing more desirable to your High Puissances than an Vnion with France and England If it should be otherwise it were Impossible that the Trade of the State should not be extreamly interrupted being to pass daily through a streight Channel between two Powerful Nations Enemies and Armed one against the other That the free Trade with France which spends more of Forreign Commodities than any other part of Europe and furnisheth more of her own to Strangers would not be beneficial to your Subjects if it should be no Peace but a kind of Languishing Ruinous Carelessness and that thereby the freedom of Trade should not be destroyed These are the open and manifest propositions upon which I am to rely But these are Reasons above the Consideration of Profit and which render the Inclusion of France in this Treaty to be as it were necessary The Peace will unarme the States because your Subjects wearied with the War would fain enjoy rest and the fruits thereof and be discharged of the burdens occasioned by the expences of the War It is not altogether so here at this time as in England where the Protector constantly entertaineth a Powerful Land Army and also Sea Forces where as always when a State lays down Arms to enjoy Peace they must provide instead of Arms strong and Powerful Alliances as cautions of their Peace Whereupon their High Puissances may judge of two things First in what condition shall France be to Assist you if there should be need having much ado to keep her self from Civil Wars keeping so many Forces in the mean time and alone sustaining the whole Weight of the Great House of Austria She may be also Attaqued by England on one side And in the Second place some thoughts may come into the mind of his Majesty if he know that his Interests are so little regarded in these Provinces There are likewise many things to be observed touching the security of the Peace on the part of the State of England without entring into the discussion of the Rights of People and of Soveraigns whereof Strangers are not Judges for it is true that the force and the subsistance of the present Government consisteth in the Authority and Industry of one man only It is true also that jealousie of Trade hath chiefly occasioned the differences of the Provinces with England and that the desire of drawing to themselves the Trade will not be ended by the Peace It is also true that there is great difference of humour between the two Nations and in fine it is known that there remain certain pretences of Superiority which are not cleared but continue dissembled In the midst of all these Circumstances who can promise a long and sure Peace and is it not necessary to ingage Friends and to interest them in this Treaty without expectation that France being weakned with many Wars at once and these Provinces disabled by the interruption of Trade become not in a condition to yield mutual Assistance one to another Your
original of our Parliament They have inferior and ordinary Courts of Justice not unlike to ours in many particulars The King hath a great power and the Senators under him and by them the Affairs of the State are managed Though their Government have great affinity with ours yet the People do not enjoy the like Rights and Liberties as Blessed be God we do in England They are in more subjection to the Will of their Lords and their Lords to the Will of their Superiors though they have more power over their Tenants and nearer Neighbors than the English have Their Laws are clear and few nor are they covetous to multiply them which they hold an Error in Government and cause of Contention nor do they allow Debates in Council of any other matters than what are proposed to them from the King The paucity of Law-suits amongst them is because of the distribution of Estates by a Rule of Law to all Children or Heirs upon the death of every Ancestor so that they have seldom a Question upon any Will or Conveyance And by reason of the smalness of their Trade their Contracts are few and Consequently their Law Suits nor will they afford Maintenance for a Profession of Lawyers or large Sallaries for Officers in general their Government is Wise Just and Peaceable Their Religion is punctually Lutheran both in Doctrine and Discipline and they are so Severe in it that they will hardly admit a Papist or Calvinist to live among them except in some few Places where they permit Calvinists to reside for Trades-Sake They have a Liturgy much to the same Effect in Words and Ceremonies with that which was in the English Church nor will they part with any of the Responsals Ceremonies and Rites extracted out of the Mass-Book or with the Images in their Churches though so little different from those used in the Church of Rome Their Bishops and Superintendants who have the same Power have the like Jurisdiction in Ecclesiastical but not in Temporal Matters as the English Prelates had so have their Inferiour as they also call them Spiritual Courts and Judicatories They allow but slender Maintenance to their Clergy their Metropolitan Archbishop of Vpsale hath not above two thousand Rix Dollars which is not five hundred Pound of Yearly Revenue and one hundred Rix Dollars per annum is an Extraordinary Benefice Their Diocesses and Parishes are very large and Sermons are a rarity in them but the Liturgy must not be omitted every Sunday and on their many Holydaies They have a good way upon every Avoydance to Supply their Churches the Inhabitants of every Parish where their Minister dyed or is removed do meet and Choose three Deacons whom they present to the Bishop or Superintendant who Chooseth one of the three and Ordains him a Priest and Institutes him into the Benefice that is void Their strength is confiderable both at Land and at Sea at Land it consists chiefly in the Bodies of their Men and in their Arms and Fortifications Their Men are strong and the more Enured to hardship by the Coldness of their Climate and to War by their frequent Expeditions abroad and they want no Courage nor Obedience to their Superiours Their Arms are made at Home as Good and Useful as any Country hath they want not Materials of Copper Steel and Iron both for their greater and smaller Guns and Swords and have Skilful Workmen and store of Powder Their Fortifications are not many except in Frontier Towns and Havens some whereof are strongly and regularly Fortified fully Garrison'd and provided with Copper great Guns upon their Works They have a standing Militia of fifty thousand Men twelve thousand Horse and thirty eight thousand Foot and all these maintained at a very small Charge to the Crown and with no Burden to the Country whereof I shall be ready to give you a particular Account when you shall command it These may be drawn together in ten days and out of these they write forth Souldiers upon any Foreign Design which Designation is wholly left to the respective Landlords and gives them no small awe and subjection from their Tenants Their strength by Sea surpasseth their Neighbours they have many Ships which carry eighty and some one hundred Copper Guns well and substantially built but not after our excellent way of Frigots nor so Nimble at Tacking or Fighting or the Chase as our Men of War They are not inferiour in their strength at Sea to any Prince or State in these Parts except the English and our Neighbours the Netherlands the greatest defect and want in their Naval Force is as to the Number of their Ships and Marriners For their Trade it is not great but they take a course dayly to improve it they understand better than they did formerly the Conveniencies and Advantages they have of Timber for Masts and building of their Ships of Iron to fit them of Copper for their Guns of the cheapness and plenty of Pitch and Tar necessary for them and to be had in their own Country and sufficient Cordage near them with their good Harbours on both sides the Baltique Sea and at Gottenburgh They are sensible that the increase of Trade increaseth their Marriners and Shipping which increaseth their Trade and not only their Merchants but their great Men engage in a way of Trade for the Incouragement of it and finding the Sweetness and Profit in it They already send Ships and Plant in the West-Indies and have began a Trade with their Native Commodities to most parts where Trade is to be had and will in a short time become considerable for Trade and the more by the plenty of their Copper Iron Deal Pitch and Tarr which now they Export themselves and know how necessary they are for other Nations and how profitable it is for them to be their own Merchants I have thus shortly and weakly given you Information of what I Learned upon the place touching this Nation of the Swedes and Goths in relation to themselves Give me leave Sir now to Acquaint you with what I observed concerning them as they may have Relation to an Alliance with this Common-wealth and to conclude with an Account in General of my Negotiation there and with the respects I met with to this Nation both from them and others whilst I was abroad I look upon them as a Nation in a perfect distance and Scituation to be the best Friends and Allies to you they are neither so near to us as to cause Jealousies from us nor so far distant but that they may give a timely Assistance to us They profess the same Protestant Religion with us in the Fundamentals they agree with us and in their Aversness to Popery and the Hierarchy of Rome and are the more likely to keep a firmer Union with us There is great similitude between their Manners Laws Language and Disposition of the People and the English and the like Gallantry of their Gentry and
Souldiery Industry of their Merchants and Artificers and Laboriousness of their Husbandmen They are generally much like the English and the more likely to Correspond and Agree in Amity with us They have store of Men Arms and Shipping to join with us upon any occasion and whereby both you and they may be strengthn'd against your Enemies and be the more considerable throughout the World They are Just and Faithful in their Actions and Undertakings as the English are and Honorable in their Performances nor are they Engaged to any of our Enemies or such as you may have Cause to suspect but their Differences and Contententions have rather been with those who have contended with you and therefore they are the more likely to observe their Alliance with you They first sought to his Highness and this Common-wealth for an Amity with us and sent several Persons of Honour as publick Ministers hither for that purpose and their Queen and the present King have Testified great affection to this Nation and justly expected some return of it from you again These and many other Motives grounded upon Reason and Wisdom of State persuaded those who sate at the Helm here to judge it fit to send from hence an Ambassador to that Crown to conclude an Amity with them for the Advantage of Trade and mutual Assistance of one another Herein their Judgment did not fail them it was very requisite to send an Ambassador thither but perhaps you may see a Failer of their Judgment in the Choice of a Person so unfit for so Weighty an Imployment Yet they would not excuse him you will believe that he had no Ambition for such a Service and at such a time but he obeyed the Commands of those whom he served undertook the Imployment and can say without Vanity performed his Duty therein to the utmost of his Capacity with Diligence and Faithfulness and God was pleased to own him in it I pass over the Dangerous Voyage by Sea in November through your then Enemies and the cold Journey by Land in December and come to the Court at Vpsale which was Splendid and High replenished not only with gallant outsides but with Persons of great Abilities within both of the Civil and Military Condition Upon my first Ignorance of their Ceremonies I fell into some dislike with several of their Grandees who thought me not enough submissive others thought the better of me for insisting upon the Right of my Nation Vindicating their Honour and not sneaking to those with whom I had to do I followed my own Reason and what pleased God to direct me for your Service and in order to the Good of the Protestant Interest In my Treaty I applyed my self upon all occasions to the Queen Her Self and never to the Senate wherewith Her Majesty was not distasted In the Transactions of my Affairs I Endeavoured to gain the best Intelligence I could from Home and from that Court and spared no cost to gain it the one made me the more considerable there the other was of great Advantage to me in my Negotiation But Sir I was to Incounter with great difficulties and opposition the King of Denmark's Ambassador the Holland Resident with all their Party and Friends some of the most Considerable in the Court and Army and of great Numbers opposed me and endeavoured to Affront me and my Company but by that were no Gainers The French Polish and German Publick Ministers as much as they could covertly sought to hinder me but on the other side I found the Spanish publick Mister there who was a Person of great Ingenuity and in much Favour with the Queen a great Friend and Assistant to me Several great Officers of the Army as General Wrangell Grave Horn Grave Wittenburge Grave Bannier Grave Leenhough and divers others were Friends to me and of the Civil Officers and other Senators the Baron Bundt Steinlorke Grave Tot the Rix Droit or Chief Justice the Grave Braghe and Chiefly the old Chancellor Oxenstiern was my Chief Friend and helper in my Business Prince Adolphe the present Kings Brother was no ill Willer to it the King that now is a great Friend to it and manifested more particular Respect to you in the Person of your Servant than he was ever known to do any of the like Quality or to any State whatsoever And the Queen her Self was resolved to have the Business done so much had I gained of her Favour and satisfied her of your Interest and Respects to her But above all some of my own Countrymen were fierce against me especially those of the Scots Nation both of the Army and Traders whom I little considered yet knew their humors and that they would rayl at me in the Morning and afterwards come to my Table to Dinner and I caused my Officers to welcome them accordingly To Counterwork these I was not without Friends of my own Nation whereof divers were of the like Condition and Eminent amongst them was the General Douglas a Scotch Gentle-man who was very Civil to me So was a true English Gentleman General Major Sir George Fleetwood a Person of great Interest and Respect in those Parts and with all that know him he Testified extraordinary Respect and Affection to you and to your Servant and was very Courteous and helpful to me Those who opposed or indeavoured to affront me in your Business I forbear to name not for their sakes but least it might be prejudicial to your Friends there and to your own future occasions But Sir we ought to look higher than to the greatest and wisest of Men it was the Goodness and Mercy of God who gave a Blessing to your Proceedings and a desired Success to this Treaty which we ought to acknowledg with humble Thankfulness and the weaker the Instruments were the more his Power and Goodness appears in it He was Pleased to give Success to that Negotiation under my hands and after many Delays and Debates and all the Opposition that could be made to give a Conclusion to it I made an Alliance betwixt the Common-wealth and that Crown Ratified by the then Queen and the present King under their hands and under their Great Seal of Sweden The Instrument thereof I presented to His Highness and His Councel at my Return home who caused a strict Perusal and Examination thereof to be made and finding it punctually according to my Instructions did approve of it and of my poor Service in it and His Highness Ratified the other part of the Treaty to which the Great Seal of England was affixed the transcript whereof with the Original of the other are at your Command to be produced I shall not presume to Judg of the Advantages by this Alliance to this Nation and to the Protestant Interest through the World this Honorable House are best able to Judge thereof and of the Duty of their Servant and his performance thereof who submits all to their Wisdom and savourable Construction And being
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
Officers Commissioners of the Seal and of the Treasury and his Council The Earl of Warwick carried the Sword before him and the Lord Mayor of London carried the City Sword His Highness standing under the Cloth of State the Speaker in the Name of the Parliament presented to him 1. A Robe of Purple Velvet lined with Ermine which the Speaker assisted by Whitelocke and others put upon his Highness then he delivered to him the Bible richly gilt and bossed after that the Speaker girt the Sword about his Highness and delivered into his hand the Scepter of massie Gold and then made a Speech to him upon those several things presented to him wishing him all prosperity in his Government and gave him the Oath and Mr. Manton by Prayer recommended his Highness the Parliament the Council the Forces by Land and Sea and the whole Government and People of the three Nations to the blessing and protection of God After this the people gave several great shouts and the Trumpets sounding the Protector sate in the Chair of State holding the Scepter in his hand on his right side sate the Ambassadour of France on the left side the Ambassadour of the Vnited Provinces Near to his Highness stood his Son Richard the Lord Deputy Fleetwood Claypole Master of the Horse his Highness Council and Officers of State the Earl of Warwick held the Sword on the right side of the Chair and the Lord Mayor of London held the City Sword on the left hand of the Chair near the Earl of Warwick stood the Lord Viscount Lisle general Mountague and Whitelocke each of them having a drawn Sword in their hands Then the Trumpets sounded and an Herauld proclaimed his Highness Title and Proclamation was made and loud Acclamations of the People God save the Lord Protector The Ceremonies being ended His Highness having his Train carried by the Lord Sherwood Mr. Rich the Earl of Warwick's Grandchild and by the Lord Roberts his Son accompanied by the Ambassadours and attended as before went in State to Westminster-Hall Gate where he took his rich Coach In the upper end of it himself sate in his Robes in the other end sate the Earl of Warwick in one Boot sate his Son Richard and Whitelocke with a drawn Sword in his hand and in the other Boot sate the Lord Viscount L'Isle and General Mountague with Swords drawn in their hands Cleypole led the Horse of Honour in rich Caparisons the Life Guard and other Guards attended the Coach the Officers and the rest followed in Coaches to White-hall The Speaker and members of Parliament went to the House where they passed some Votes and ordered them to be presented to his Highness Then according to the Act of Parliament the House adjourned it self till the twentieth of January next The Bills passed by his Highness this Parliament besides those mentioned before were An Act for the preventing of the multiplicity of Buildings in and about the Suburbs of London and within ten miles thereof An Act for quiet enjoying of sequestred Parsonages and Vicarages by the present Incumbent An Act for discovering convicting and repressing of Popish Recusants An Act and Declaration touching several Acts and Ordinances made since the twentieth of April 1653. and before the third of September 1654. and other Acts c. Instructions agreed upon in Parliament for Joseph Aylloffe Thomas Skipwith Jeremy Banes Adam Ayre Esq James Robinson and William Marr Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest of Sher-wood Robert Frank John Kensey Thomas Wats Esq and George Sargeant Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest or Chase of Need-wood James Stedman Robert Tayler Thomas Tanner Esq and John Halsey Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forest or Chase of Kingswood Henry Dewell William Dawges Joseph Gamage Esq Richard Johnson Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest or Chase of Ashdown or Lancaster great Park John Baynton Hugh Web Esq Major Rolph and Nicholas Gunton Gent. Commissioners for surveying Enfield Chase in pursuance of an Act of this present Parliament Intituled an Act and Declaration touching several Acts and Ordinances made since the twentieth of April 1653. and before the third of September 1654. and other Acts c. An Act for punishing of such persons as live at high rates and have no visible Estate Profession or Calling answerable thereunto An Act for Indempnifiing of such persons as have acted for the service of the publick An Act for the better observation of the Lord's Day An Act for raising of fifteen thousand pounds Sterling in Scotland An Act for an Assessment at the rate of five and thirty thousand pounds by the month upon England six thousand pounds by the month upon Scotland and nine thousand pounds by the month upon Ireland for three years from the twenty fourth of June 1657. for a Temporary supply towards the mantainance of the Armys and Navys of this Common-wealth An Additional Act for the better Improvement and advancing the Receipts of the Excise and new Impost A Book of Values of Merchandize imported according to which Excise is to be paid by the first Buyer An Act for continuing and establishing the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage and for reviving an Act for the better packing of Butter and redress of abuses therein An Act for the better suppressing of Theft upon the Borders of England and Scotland and for discovery of High-way-men and other Felons An Act for the improvement of the Revenue of the Customs and Excise An Act for the assuring confirming and settling of Lands and Estates in Ireland An Act for the Attainder of the Rebels in Ireland An Act for the settling of the Postage of England Scotland and Ireland An Act for the Adjournment of this present Parliament from the 26th of June 1657 unto the 20th of January next ensuing The humble additional and explanatory Petition and Advice in these words TO HIS HIGHNESS THE LORD PROTECTOR OF THE Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging The humble Additional and Explanatory Petition and Advice of the Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled in the Parliament of this Common-wealth WHereas upon the humble Petition and Advice of the said Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled in the Parliament of this Common-wealth lately presented and consented unto by your Highness certain Doubts and Questions have arisen concerning some particulars therein comprised for explanation whereof May it please your Highness to declare and consent unto the Additions and Explanations hereafter mentioned and may it be declared with your Highness Consent In the fourth Article That such person and persons as invaded England under Duke Hamilton in the year 1648 Or advised consented assisted or voluntarily contributed unto that War and were for that cause debarred from publick trust by the Parliament of Scotland be uncapable to Elect or be Elected to sit and serve as Members of Parliament or in any other place of publick trust relating unto the fourth and thirteenth
all the incensed Lords and secluded Members would be and were active in this design so that Whitelocke said the coming in of the King was unavoidable and that he though being that must be that it was more Prudence for Fleetwood and his friends to be the-Instruments of bringing him in than to leave it to Monk That by this means Fleetwood might make terms with the King for preservation of himself and his friends and of that cause in a good measure in which they had been engaged but if it were left to Monk they and all that had been done would be left to the danger of destruction Whitelocke therefore propounded to Fleetwood to do one of these two things Either to give order for all his Forces to draw together and himself and his friends to appear in the head of them and see what strength they could make that would stand by them and accordingly to take further resolutions if they found their strength but small as Whitelocke doubted then with those few he had to go to the Tower and take possession of it And to send to the Mayor and Common-council of London that they would joyn with them to declare for a free Parliament which he thought the City would willingly do and furnish him with money for his Souldiers which would encrease their numbers Fleetwood asked Whitelocke If he would go with him into the Field and to the Tower Whitelocke said he would Fleetwood then asked What was the other way that he had to propound to him in this Exigency Whitelocke answered It was this That Fleetwood should immediately send away some person of trust to the King to Breda to offer to him his and his friends service to the restoring of the King to his Right and that upon such terms as the King should agree upon And for this purpose to give Instructions to the Party whom Fleetwood should send upon this Affair Fleetwood then asked Whitelocke If he would be willing to go himself upon this Imployment Who answered That he would go if Fleetwood thought good to send him And after much other discourse to this effect Fleetwood seemed fully satisfied to send Whitelocke to the King and desired Whitelocke to go and prepare himself forthwith for the Journey And that in the mean time Fleetwood and his friends would prepare the Instructions for him so that he might begin his Journey this Evening or to Morrow morning early Whitelocke going away from Fleetwood met Vane Desborough and Berry in the next Room coming to speak with Fleetwood who thereupon desired Whitelocke to stay a little And Whitelocke suspected what would be the issue of their Consultation And within a quarter of an hour Fleetwood came to Whitelocke and in much passion said to him I cannot do it I cannot do it Whitelocke desired his Reasons why he could not do it He answered These Gentlemen have remembred me and it is true that I am engaged not to do any such thing without my Lord Lambert's consent Whitelooke replyed That Lambert was at too great a distance to have his consent to this business which must be instantly acted Fleetwood again said I cannot do it without him Then Whitelocke said You will ruine your self and your friends He said I cannot help it Then Whitelocke told him he must take his leave and so they parted 23. Whitelocke sealed some Writs for the summoning of a new Parliament and sent one to the Lord Mayor and another to the Sheriffs of London Colonel Ingoldsby and his Son in Law Mr. Lee and Colonel Howard came to Whitelocke and discoursed of the change like to be and intimated Whitelock's condition to require his going to the King with the Great Seal but he not consenting to their Overtures they left him and provided for themselves Some of the Members of the old Council of State then in Town together with the old Speaker Lenthal by advice together finding the revolt of the Souldiers from Fleetwood gave out Orders for the Forces about the Town to rendezvous to Morrow in Lincolns-Inn-fields under Colonel Okey and Alured Intelligence that Haslerigge and the Forces at Portsmouth intended speedily to come to London 24. The Souldiers were drawn out and marching through Chancery-Lane made a stand at the Speaker's House who came to them in the Street and the Officers spake to him in the name of the Souldiery being sorry for the late Defection and resolving for the future to adhere to the Parliament The Souldiers gave loud shouts and the Speaker gave out Orders for their disposall and gave them the Word The Speaker with Cooper Reynolds Weaver and Bernors went to the Lord Mayor and discoursed with him and the Sheriffs touching the Parliaments meeting again speedily and found them to like well of it from him they went to the Tower and secured that News from Ireland that the Forces there had declared for the Parliament who a little before had declared for Fleetwood and Jones and Corbet were secured there Lawson wrote to the City and to the Militia of London and declared for the Parliament So did the Regiment of Desborough who was so active against the Parliament And the like was done by Zanchey's Brigade And Orders were sent to the Forces under Lambert to obey the Parliament Letters from Newcastle that there was no hope of any further Treaty with Monk 25. More Letters from Lawson to the same effect with the former and yet against the King 26. The Speaker and Members of Parliament then in Town met at Whitehall and from thence walked together to the Parliament-house in the Evening the Souldiers shouted as they passed by who not long before by force kept them from sitting They passed some Votes for pay of the Army and appointed Colonel Popham Thompson Scot Okey Cooper and others to direct and order the Forces 27. Whitelocke saw how things passed and that the old Parliament were now met again who he knew would be severe against him for acting in the Committee of Safety and being informed that Scot and Nevill and others had threatned to take away his life And Scot said That he should be hanged with the Great Seal about his Neck And he knew Scot's malice to him upon some former contests about Elections to Parliament this made Whitelocke to consider how to provide for his own safety The Parliament released Mr. Chaloner and others committed by Fleetwood and made several Committees They appointed 5. Jan. next to consider the cases of absent Members The Speaker sent a Letter to Whitelocke requiring his attendance in the House whereupon he went to the Speaker and made his Objections that some in the House seeing him there might move against him and get him sent to Prison The Speaker said He believed no such thing would be moved but they would take it as an owning of their Authority if he sate with them Upon this he went to the House
in their formalities and the Militia Forces being there also and the People gave loud Acclamations and shouts the Bells rang the great Guns and small shot gave many Vollies and the City was full of Bonfires and joys 9. Several Addresses to Monk from Officers of the Army and from those of Dunkirke of their Submission to the King and his Government Order for all Ministers to pray for the King and the Duke of York publickly and to give thanks to God for the King's Letters and Declaration 10. The Day of Thanksgiving solemnly kept Common Prayer was read before the Lords After Sermon both Houses sat and the Commons voted 5000 l. to the Duke of York and 5000 l. to the Duke of Glocester as a present from them Order to stop felling Woods and committing wast in the King's Lands One committed for speaking treasonable words against the King The Commissioners for Ireland desired that in regard his Majesty in his Declaration had taken no notice of Ireland almost destroyed by the Rebellion that the Parliament would give their assistance for the calling of a Parliament there which both Houses agreed to offer to his Majesty The Commons voted 5000 l. more in all 10000 l. for a present to the Duke of York Both Houses declared the continuance of all Officers of the revenue and of the Navy Order about the monies collected for the Protestants of Piedmont and Poland Order for all Lodgers in Whitehall to quit their Lodgings except Monk and his family An Act of Oblivion under consideration by the Commons who heard the proceedings at the King's Tryal read The Earl of Winchelsea made by Monk Governour of Dover Major Holmes committed Some Phanaticks neer Portsmouth quelled by Colonel Norton Letters that the Spanish Ambassadour and other Publick Ministers congratulated the King at Breda and the States presented him with 6000 l. and invited him to the Hague that Dr. Clarges was long with the King 14. Letters from Ireland of their proclaiming the King there 22. Order for two new Maces Monk had leave to attend the King at his landing 23. Mr. Philip Howard the Earl of Berks Son brought a Letter to the House of Lords from the Hague The Commons received a Letter from their Commissioners at the Hague Letters of the King's Reception at the Hague many Knights made by him Letters of proclaiming the King in several Cities and Places in the Kingdom with great appearances of joy Order for two Declarations one prohibiting any Irish Rebels to enter into lands there and the other against Papists Monk received another Letter at Rochester from the King 25. The 50000 l. for the King not yet advanced by the City Divers Maids of the City petitioned to the Lord Mayor for leave to meet the King in White Clothes Letters to the City from their Commissioners of High Commendation of the King The Lords agreed upon a congratulatory Letter to be presented to the King at his landing A Bill for taking away the Court of Wards committed and a Vote passed to give the King 100000 l. per an in lieu of it Letters from General Mountague of the King's approach to England and Letters congratulatory ordered to be presented to him at his arrival 26. Order for relief of maimed Souldiers Widows and Orphans of Souldiers Mr. Clement one of the King's Judges committed to the Tower and ordered to seize the goods of all that sat as Judges upon the late King The King Knighted the Commissioners sent to him from the Parliament and those of the City and the Ministers sent with them had discourse with the King and were much satisfied with him The States highly entertained and presented the King at the Hague Letters that yesterday the King and the Duke of York and the Duke of Gloucester landed near Dover where Monk met them and the King kissed and embraced him and walked with him to his Coach and Monk rode in the Coach with the King and the Dukes and that night they came to Canterbury 27. The King staid at Canterbury and heard Sermons 28. He sent to the Lords that he would be at Whitehall to Morrow 29. An Act past for continuance of process and judicial proceedings This Day the King made his solemn entry into London At S. G's Field the L. Mayor and Aldermen received him the Lord Mayor on his Knees delivered the Sword to the King and the King gave it back to him and Knighted him and after a short repast in the Lord Mayor's Tent the King proceeded in his Entry The Streets were railed in the Windows and Balconees hung with Tapestry the Militia Forces on one side of the Streets and the Companies in their Liveries and with their Streamers on the other side to Temple Barr and from thence to Whitehall by the Militia Forces and several Regiments of the Army and Gentlemen and former Officers of the King's Army on both sides of the Streets First marched a Troop of about three hundred Gentlemen in rich Clothes after them another Troop of about two hundred in velvet Coates with footmen in Liveries then several other Troops with Trumpets and Lacques in Liveries then Trumpets and the Sheriffs men in red Clothes with silver lace about seventy nine of them then the Companies of London with their Streamers and every one of them wore a gold Chain about 600. Then rode twelve Ministers after them the Knights of the Bath with their Esquires in their habits then Kettle Drumms and Trumpets and the King's Life-guard then the City Marshall Officers and Aldermen the Maces and Heralds then the Lord Mayor bare carrying the Sword then Monk and Buckingham bare then the King between the Dukes of York and Gloucester After them a Troop bare with White Colours then Monk's Life-guards and after them five Regiments of the Army Horse and lastly two Troops of Noblemen and Gentlemen and thus they marched to Whitehall where Monk was invested with the Garter and sworn of the Privy Council and Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper was also made a Privy Counsellor Foreign Ambassadors especially of Sweden made great Testimony of their joy for this restitution of the King and this day was his Birth Day FINIS THE INDEX A ABbot Archbishop 8 17. Abbot 399 434. Abercorne Earl 644. Abercromway 1â—â— Abergavenny Lord 292. Abington 22. Acts of State 10. Acts proclaimed 423. Act for Mrrriages 504 544. Swearing 446. Adultery 440 449. Action at Bramford 62. Adams 256 273 301 405 643. Addresses 55 62 257 271 288 378 432 530 532 533 563 565 572 574 620 673 674 675 676 677 679 680 681 682 685 695 696 697 698 701. Admiralty 138. Adolphus PrinCe 587 625. Agitators 249 255 271 276 277 278 279 411. Agreement of the people 279 280 282 283 355 356 357 360 363 364 378 381. Ailburton 323 325 526. Ailsbury 153. Aires 169 290 324 325. Alcoran 380. Aldvin 235. Aldridge 73 132 360. Allegiance Oath 359 375. Allen 249
MEMORIALS OF THE ENGLISH AFFAIRS OR AN Historical Account OF What passed from the beginning of the Reign of King CHARLES the First to King CHARLES the Second His Happy RESTAURATION Containing the Publick TRANSACTIONS CIVIL and MILITARY Together with The Private Consultations and Secrets of the CABINET Quaeque ipse miserrima vidi Et quorum pars magna fui Virg. LONDON Printed for Nathaniel Ponder at the Sign of the Peacok in the Poultry near the Church MDC LXXXII THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER IT is not every period of Time not every King or Caesar's Reign that furnishes Matter sufficient for an History Tacitus in one place Professes he cannot meet with any thing unless he should stuff out a Volume in commending the Foundation or the huge Timber that Caesar employed at the building his Amphitheatre Elsewhere he complains of his being Straitned and kept Down the Times affording nothing Notable besides the Corruption of Judges the Incouragement of Informers Subornations and Malicious Prosecutions Treachery and Trepannings new sorts of Treason devised and the Laws made for the Peoples Security turn'd into Snares and Ginns to catch and destroy the Brave and the Vertuous and all such as are like to resent or stemm the Inundation of Villany ready to overflow the Land Other Writers says he ingentia bella expugnationes Urbium fufos captosque Reges aut si quando ad interna praeverterant discordias Consulum adversus Tribunos agrarias frumentariasque Leges plebis optimatum certamina libero egressu memorabant which may thus be Englished They had to write of great Wars the Storming of Towns Kings put to the Rout and taken Captive or if they looked Home-ward with a free hand they described the Clashings of the chief Magistrate with the Peoples Representative the Great Charter the fundamental Laws and Liberty of the Subject with the warm Debates and Contestation betwixt the Peers and the Commons these were what Tacitus accounted the Noblest Matter for an Historian It has been ordinarily observed that the Sword cuts out Work for the Pen and times of War are times of History Vpon that Blow given to the Barbarians in Armenia a thousand Herodotus's a thousand Zenophons and Thucydides's arose every one bestir'd himself and fell to Scrible and Commenced Historian immediately Whether we Reflect on the course of War pursued for so many years throughout these three Nations and English Dominions or that we consider the Fatal strife of the Higher Powers and Governing parts of the Commonwealth amongst themselves no Nation or Times ever yielded a Nobler Subject So far from stinting that it rather might deter the ablest Pen-man from so vast an Vndertaking And we may sooner despair of an Historian than want Matter for an History Here wanted not the brisk Attaques the bold Sallyes the resolute Charges the obstinate Sieges nor any of that glorious Violence Desolation and Outrage whereof the Warriers make their wretched Ostentation Yet the labour here was no less to subdue the Vnderstanding than to beat down the bodies of the Enemy Nor was it less a dispute who had the better of the Cause in a Declaration than who got the Victory in the Field Peradventure the Arts and the Ambushes and the Management was not so fine nor had so considerable a proportion in the Story as might be expected from some of our Neighbours The English stay not for so much ceremony but fight in haste not caring for more than that old Roman rule Parcere subjectis debellare superbos To give fair Quarter to those that Yield and to Knock 'em down that Resist These are their Arts these are their Stratagems These Events together with the changes and revolutions that usually follow the tempest of War are things obvious and not to be concealed from the Inquisitive but seldom it is that the Rise and Springs of great Actions are open to view Dion Cassius was sensible what difference there was in writing History under a Commonwealth where the Counsels are all publickly canvassed and debated and in a Monarchy where the affairs of State are for the most part managed in Cabinets and by a few heads and every thing made a Mystery So many Disguises and so much Mist intermingled in the Transactions that the most diligent Historian is many times lost and forced upon Conjecture and cannot distinguish what is Real from what are State-pretences Besides the other advantages afore mentioned for an History the portion of Time within the compass of these Memorials of all others is that in which the State Cabinet was laid open all the Tricks exposed all the mysterious Characters decypher'd all the Deeds and Misdeeds all the secret Practices and Intreagues unravell'd to the eye and observation of the World And such a Foundation for certainty in an Historian as rarely any times have afforded This is so well understood that for want of something accurately Composed in this kind the World is glad of Collections and Memorials and the like Materials that may serve in some stead till time can produce some Master Accomplish'd for so great a Performance Yet is not this portion of Time altogether of a piece every day brings not forth a Petition of Right nor an Edge-hill Battel there are Intervals there are Flats where Fortune drives swimmingly without Rattle or Disturbance as well as Vps and Downs and Precipices where She jolts and tumbles and overturns every thing in the way Hence it is that the course of some years scarce affords matter for a Diary And again some day yields Sinews and Substance and Business proportionable to fulfil the measures of a Compleat History Which Inequality appears likewise in our Author who sometimes writes up to the dignity of an Historian and elsewhere is content barely to set down Occurrences Diary-wise without melting down or refining the Oar and improving those Hints and Rudiments to the perfection and true standard of an History The truth is our Author never intended this for a Book in Print nor meant otherwise by it than as a Book for his Memory and private use yet such was his Relation to the Publick so Eminent his Station and so much was he upon the Stage during all the time of Action that the particulars of his Diary go very far towards a Perfect History of those times We have seen lately published the Diary of King Edward the the VI. and formerly that of Archbishop Laud And in France the Diary of Mazarine Richeleu and other the great Ministers the Italians shew that of Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy and that of the Famous Marquess Spinola and others In Suetonius we read of the Ephemeris's or Diaries of several of the first Caesars Princes and the great Ministers have borrowed so much time from their weighty Occasions to Note down the Memorials of daily Passages But generally this sort of Commentaries were rather accounted proper to furnish Materials for other men of Leisure and Capacity than to
The day of the Assembly the Marquess his Commission was read and the next day a declaration and protestation was presented to the Commissioner in the name of the Archbishops and Bishops against the Assembly and containing a Nullity of it This was denyed to be read against which refusal The Commissioner entred a Protestation and took Instruments thereupon In the debate of Elections they left no man standing as a Commissioner who was not fully of their mind but the admission of Lay Elders past not without an high contest Many places protested against the Legality of their Session and the King having nominated six Lords of his Privy Council to be Assessors to his Commissioner in that Assembly they refused to entertain them or allow their suffrage affirming that If the King himself were present he should have but one Vote and that no negative one The Commissioner seeing no good likely to be done by continuing the Assembly and upon consultation the Council advising to dissolve it he went thither and caused a Paper to be read which was a Declaration the same in effect with the Proclamation discharging the Service Book Book of Canons c. After the Reading of it the Commissioner signed it and required it to be entred in the Books of the Assembly provided that the registring thereof be no approbation of the Lawfulness of the Assembly and protested that whatsoever should be done or said in it should not be obliging or reputed as an Act of a General Assembly The Commissioner assembled the Council to draw up a Proclamation for dissolving the Assembly which being agreed on was subscribed by all but the Earl of Argile who now began to shew himself for the Covenanters party The publishing of the Proclamation was Incountred with a Protestation of the Covenanters That is was lawful for them to continue the Assembly and that they would still adhere to all their former Protestations In pursuance hereof they presently declared six former General Assemblies which they thought would be against them to be null then they deprived all the Bishops and some they excommunicated and soon after they abolished Episcopacy it self as inconsistent with the Laws of that Church The Commissioner being returned in discontent for England the Covenanters began to levy Souldiers to impose Taxes to raise Fortifications to block up some and seise others of the King's Castles and to prepare for War This was the Fountain from whence our ensuing troubles did spring and therefore may deserve the larger Relation and tend the more to the full knowledge and understanding of our following story It was now 100 years since Calvin first set his foot into Geneva from whence the Bishop being expelled it was necessary to Institute some other Ecclesiastical Government Calvin being of great credit and esteem in that City the framing of this new Government was committed to his care he observing the civil state there to be Democratical he thought it must best suit therewith and with the liking of the People to frame the Ecclesiastical Government agreeable thereunto He therefore formed a Consistory of Elders a great part whereof were Lay men and they were to manage all matters Ecclesiastical This pleased the People of Geneva and some Entituled it to a Jus Divinum and it found good reception in the Gallican and Belgick Churches where it was generally setled The next design was to plant it in Britaine for which end Beza writes to Queen Elizabeth recommending this form to her as the onely thing to be desired in England ' s Reformation the Queen was loth to proscribe Episcopacy and to entertain this new model of Presbytery and therefore gave Beza his saying but not his desires and shortly after she and the Parliament whereof some Members inclined to this way were admonished in several treatises written and dedicated to them to abolish Episcopacy as Antichristian But the Queen and the Parliament stood fixed and could not be wrought to any unsettlement of the ancient discipline by Episcopacy In Scotland the new form prospered better for there about the year 1560. The Earl of Murray Prior of St. Andrews the Queen 's base Brother with his party Knox Buchanan and others gave such a shock to Popery as made every thing and by consequence Episcopacy which stood near it to Reel Yet in 20 years it could not be supplanted but it was gained upon by degrees first in an Assembly 1580. It was ordered that all Bishops on pain of Excommunication should resign up their offices and about three years after the Parliament the King being a minor annext their temporalties to the Crown of Scotland This was supposed to be Instigated from some of the Nobility and Ministers from England Whereupon the then Archbishop Whitgift by the Queen's command contrived three Articles in the late Canons to which all were to subscribe at their taking of holy orders 1. Acknowledging the Supremacy of the Queen 2. Professing conformity to the Book of Common Prayer and approbation of the Book of Ordering of Bishops Priests and Deacons 3. Assenting to the 39 Articles of the Church of England In Scotland the Hierarchy began somewhat to revive again by their Parliaments ratifying the Clergy as the third Estate 1584. But the other Party 1592. prevailed with that state to ratify their Discipline Thus Episcopacy and Presbytery took their turns of Government for about 30 years But about the year 1598. King James caused the Prelates in Scotland to be restored to their Votes in Parliament and in his Book Basilicon Doron he expressed no great affection to the Consistorian Government 1603. At his accession to the Crown of England he was urged by Petition of 1000 Ministers against Episcopacy but he slighted it and by several Acts of Parliament in Scotland he rescinded what had been formerly enacted there to the prejudice of Episcopacy and from that time till these commotions this year in Scotland the Presbyters did not appear in opposition In October Mary de Medices the Queen Mother of France came into England the people were generally discontented at her coming and at her followers which some observed to be the Sword or Pestilence and that her restless Spirit Imbroyled all where she came That her combining with Monsieur the Duke of Orleans and the ill success of that Enterprise made France too hot for her and drave her to Bruxells where the Cardinal Infanta carressed her a while but there she was pursued with such curses that for fear of violence to her person she quitted that Country and betook herself to the protection of the Prince of Orange where she stay'd not long but receiving an invitation from the Queen her daughter she repayred into England The King perceiving that the Scots intended nothing but War thought not fit to yield them the start but by advice of the Archbishop Laud and others he hastened his levies of men and money and because this was the Bishops War
very earnest for Strafford's coming up to the Parliament for which he laid his commands upon him and told him that as he was King of England he was able to secure him from any danger and that the Parliament should not touch one hair of his head The Earl thank'd His Majesty but replyed that if there should fall out a difference between His Majesty and his Parliament concerning him that it would be a great disturbance to His Majestie 's affairs and that he had rather suffer himself than that the King's affairs should in any measure suffer by reason of his particular The King remained unalterable in his resolution concerning Strafford's coming up to the Parliament saying that he could not want his advice in the great transactions which were like to be in this Parliament and in obedience to his Commands the Earl came up to London The King in His speech to both Houses had told them that he was resolved to put himself freely upon the love and affections of His English Subjects He told them the wants of his own Army The Calamities of the Northern Countries where both Armies lay and freely leaves it to them where to begin promiseth Redress of Greivances and desires that all suspition of one another may be layd aside Some exception being taken that in his Speech he called the Scots Rebels He after explains and Justifies in his speech to the Lords The first week was spent in naming general Committees and establishing them and receiving a great many Petitions both from particular persons and some from multitudes and brought by troups of horsemen from several Counties craving redress of Grievances and of Exorbitances both in Church and State Many were inlarged out of Prison to make their complaints Prynne Burton Bastwick and others Many smart speeches were made in the House of Commons touching grievances which Mr. Pym divided into three heads 1. Against Privilege of Parliament 2. Prejudice of Religion 3. Liberty of the Subject Under the first head were reckoned 1. Restraining the Members of Parliament from speaking 2. Forbidding the Speaker to put a question 3. Imprisoning divers Members for matters done in Parliament 4. By Proceedings against them therefore in Inferiour Courts 5. Injoyning their good behaviour and continuance in prison even unto death 6. Abrupt dissolutions of Parliament Under the second head of Religion were mentioned 1. The suspension of Laws against them of the popish Religion Laws and Oaths will not restrain them the Pope dispenceth with all 2. Their places of trust and honour in the Common wealth 3. Their free Resort to London and to the Court to communicate their Councils and designs 4. As they have a College in Rome for the Pope's authority in England so they have a Nuntio here to execute it Under Innovations of Religion were brought in 1. Maintenance of Popish Tenets in Books Sermons and Disputes 2. Practice of Popish Ceremonies countenanced and enjoyed as Altars Images Crucifixes Bowings 3. Discouragement of Protestants by rigid Prosecution of the scrupulous for things indifferent no vice made so great as Inconformity 4. Incroachment of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 1. In fining and imprisoning without Law 2. Challenging their Jurisdiction to be appropriate to their order Jure Divino 3. Contriving and publishing new Orders of Visitation in force as of Canons the boldness of Bishops and all their subordinate Officers and Officiales Under the third head the Grievances 1. By Tunnage and Poundage unduly taken 2. Composition for Knighthood 3. The unparalell'd greivance of Shipmoney 4. Enlargment of the Forests beyond the due bounds 5. Selling of Nusances by compounding for them 6. The Commission for building 7. The Commission for Depopulations 8. Vnlawful military charges by warrant of the King Letters of the Council and Orders of the Lieutenants of the Counties and their Deputies 9. Extrajudicial Declarations of Judges without hearing Council or Arguments 10. Monopolies countenanced by the Council Table and Justices of the Peace required to assist them 11. The Star Chamber Court 12. The King's Edicts and Proclamations lately used for maintaining Monopolies 13. The ambitions and corrupt Clergy preaching divine authority and absolute power in Kings to doe what they will 14. The Intermission of Parliaments The Lord Digby mentioned the late Benevolence and the New canon Oath which he called a Covenant against the King for Bishops and the Scots Covenant is against the King and Bishops Many other Speeches were made by several Members all of them to the same Effect touching grievances The King made the Lord Cottington Constable of the Tower of London and placed there a Garrison of 400 men to keep the City from Tumults But the House of Commons and others without much unsatisfied thereat the King took off the Garrison and Commission of Constable and left the command of it to a Lieutenant as before Upon the extraordinary confluence of Popish Recusants to London the King sent a Message to the Parliament that by Proclamation they should be removed to their places of abode and disarmed The House of Commons ordered that all Projectors and unlawful Monopolists be disabled to sit in the House and many members thereupon withdrew themselves and new Elections were made in their Rooms Complaint was made to the Lords House of breach of their Privilege by search of the Pockets Cabinets and Studies of the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Brooke upon the dissolving of the last Parliament Sir William Beecher one of the Clerks of the Council who did it upon command of the Secretaries of State was committed to the Fleet. The House of Commons sent up a Message to the Lords by Mr. Pym The impeachment of the Earl of Strafford of high treason upon which the Earl was committed to the black Rod and Sir George Ratcliffe his confederate was sent for out of Ireland by a Serjeant at Armes The two Armies lay a heavy burden on the Counties where they quartered to ease which the Parliament borrowed 100000 l. of the City of London Upon suit of the Lords to the King the Bishop of Lincoln was released out of the Tower The Earl of Strafford moved that he might be bayled by divers Lords who offered to be Sureties for him which was denied but a Council and a Sollicitor were assigned to him In the house there fell out a Debate touching the writs of Habeas corpus upon which Selden and the rest of his fellow prisoners demanded to be bayled and the Judges of the King's Bench did not bayle them as by Law they ought but required of them Sureties for their good behaviours This was so far aggravated by some that they moved the Prisoners might have Reparation out of the Estates of those Judges who then sate in the King's Bench when they were remanded to prison which Judges they named to be Hyde Jones and Whitelocke as for Judge Crooke who was one of that Court they excused him as differing
in opinion from the rest Whitelocke a Member of the House and Son to the Judge knew this to be mistaken as to the fact and spake in the behalf of his father to this effect That it was not unknown to divers worthy Members of the House that Judge Whitelocke had been a faithfull able and stout assertor of the rights and liberties of the free-born Subjects of this Kingdome for which he had been many ways a sufferer And particularly by a streight and close imprisonment for what he said and did as a Member of this honourable House in a former Parliament And he appeals to those noble Gentlemen who cannot but remember those passages and some who were then sufferers with him And for his opinion and carriage in the case of Habeas corpus 't is affirmed to have been the same with that of Judge Crooke and he appeals for this to the honourable Gentlemen who were concerned in it and others who were present then in Court Hampden and divers others seconded this motion who affirmed very much of the matter of fact and expressed themselves with great respect and honour to the memory of the deceased Judge who was thereupon reckoned by the house in the same Degree with Judge Crooke as to their censure and proceedings One Mr. Heyward an active Justice of Peace in Westminster had drawn up a Catalogue of the Recusants there for the Committee of Religion which occasioned one James a Papist to stab Heyward in Westminster-hall but not to death and James was privately punished Prynne and Burton were conducted into London from their several Prisons by many hundreds of horse and foot in great Pompe and defiance of Justice and they petitioned the House of Commons for dammages against their Prosecutors Sir Francis Windebanke Secretary of State and a great intimate of Archbishop Laud having been questioned for repreiving Jesuits and Preists and suspected of worse matters to prevent any further tryall he escaped into France where he remained to his death as is reported a professed Papist The House of Commons Voted 1. That the charge of Shipmoney was against the Law the Subjects Right and Property and contrary to former Resolutions in Parliament and to the Petition of Right 2. That the extrajudicial opinion of the Judges was against the Law c. ut prius 3. That the Shipwrits were against the Law 4. That the Judgement in Mr. Hampden's Case about Shipmoney was against Law c. The House of Lords passed the same Votes and the next day a Committee was appointed to draw up a Charge of Treason against such as had been abettors therein the Lord Keeper Finch and the rest of the Judges The House of Commons having ingaged to present to the Lords particular Articles of their Charge of high Treason against the Earl of Strafford they now were moved to appoint a select Committee to prepare and draw up those Articles and to manage the evidence against the Earl at his Tryall and that this Committee should be under an Ingagement of Secrecy in regard of the Nature and greatness of the business Of this Committee were named Pym Hampden Hollis Lord Digby Stroud and Sir Walter Earle Selden St. John Maynard Palmer Glynne and Whitelocke Whitelocke was chosen Chairman of the Committee the Papers were all delivered to his custody and trust and an ingagement of secrecy was made solemnly in the nature of a Voluntary Oath by every one of the Committee and they did sit almost every day to prepare the Articles of the charge against the Earl of Strafford 11. Decem. Alderman Pennington with some hundreds following him presented the Citizens Petition subscribed by 15000. against the discipline and Ceremonies of the Church The House of Commons 15. Decem. Resolved That the Clergy in a Synod or Convocation hath no power to make Laws Canons or Constitutions to bind either Laity or Clergy without the Parliament And that the Canons made by the late Convocation are against the fundamental Laws of this Realm the King's Prerogative Propriety of the Subject the Rights of Parliament and do tend to faction and sedition They also voted that a Bill should be brought in to fine those of the Clergy who sate in the late Convocation and were Actors in making those Canons The like proceedings were to be had against the Judges for their opinions and Judgment in the Case of Shipmoney Mr. Hollis is sent up to the Lords with an Impeachment of high Treason against Archbishop Laud and the Scots joyned him with the Earl of Strafford as Incendiaries in the National differences Upon reading of both charges the Archbishop was committed to the black Rod. The Scots Commissioners conclude their accusation against him That if the Pope had been in his place he could not have been more zealous against the reformed Churches to reduce them to the Heresies Doctrines Supersitions Idolatries of Rome c. They likewise exhibited a charge against the Earl of Strafford's confident Sir George Ratcliffe and having secured the great Statesman Strafford and the great Churchman Laud the Commons prepare to impeach the chief Officer of Law the Lord Keeper Finch of high Treason He having notice thereof desired leave of the House to be admitted to speak for himself before them which was granted and a Chair set for him near to the Bar he came into the House carrying the Purse himself and when the Speaker told him that his Lordship might sit he made a low obeysance and laying down the Seal and his hat in the Chair himself leaning on the backside of it made a very elegant and ingenious speech in his own vindication Captare Benevolentiam and delivered with an excellent grace and gesture as well as words His beginning was thus Mr. Speaker I give you thanks for granting me admittance to your presence I come not to preserve my self and fortunes but to preserve your good opinion of me for I profess I had rather beg my bread from door to door with date obolum Bellisario with your favour than be never so high and honoured with your displeasure His Conclusion was If I may not live to serve you I desire I may dye in your good opinion and favour Many were exceedingly taken with his Eloquence and carriage and it was a sad sight to see a Person of his Greatness parts and favour to appear in such a Posture before such an Assembly to plead for his life and fortunes Upon these following particulars he was the same day voted a Traytor 1. For Refusing to read the Remonstrance against the Lord Treasurer Weston 4 Car. when the Parliament desired it 2. For Solliciting perswading and threatning the Judges to deliver their opinions for the levying of Ship-money 3. For several illegal Actions in Forest matters 4. For ill Offices done in making the King to dissolve the last Parliament and causing his declaration thereupon to be put forth The
called them Straffordians This being informed to the House by some who were named in that List as a high breach of the Priviledge of Parliament yet being the act of a Multitude no redress was endeavoured These Tumults were accompanied with an Information of some practice in the North to distract the English Army and to debauch them against the Parliament These Passages occasioned a Debate in the House of Commons about a National Protestation to maintain the Protestant Religion against Popery the King's Person the Power of Parliament and the Rights and Liberties of the Subject May 5. This Protestation was taken by the Commons House the next day by the Lords and ordered to be generally taken by all the People of England The House of Commons then took in debate the raising of Moneys to satisfie those great Accounts of the two Armies with which the Kingdom was so highly burthened wherein a Lancashire Knight offered to procure his Majesty 650000 l. till the Subsidies should be raised if he would pass a Bill Not to Prorogue Adjourn or Dissolve this Parliament without Consent of both Houses to indure till the Grievances were redressed and to give the Parliament Credit to take up Monies This was well liked by many Parliament-men who upon the passing of such a Bill would sit the surer and the longer in their Saddles and they were so hot upon it that the same Afternoon they made a Committee to bring in such a Bill the next Morning and Whitelocke was named to draw the Bill Of forty five Lords twenty six Voted the Earl guilty of high Treason upon the fifteenth Article For levying Money in Ireland by force in a warlike manner And upon the nineteenth Article For imposing an Oath upon the Subjects in Ireland The Bill for continuance of the Parliament was brought into the House the next Morning after it was propounded and the same day it was perfected and past the House of Commons This Bill and the Act of Attainder being both past by the Commons a Conference was had with the Lords after they had passed them and a Message sent by some Lords to the King to intreat his Answer who promised to satisfie them within two days The King being much perplexed upon the tendring of these two Bills to him between the Clamours of a discontented People and an unsatisfied Conscience he took advice as some reported of several of the Bishops and of others his intimate Counsellors what to doe in this intricate Affair and that the major part of them urged to him the Opinions of the Judges that this was Treason and the Bill legal They pressed likewise the Votes of the Parliament That he was but one man that no other Expedient could be found out to appease the inraged People and that the Consequences of a furious Multitude would be very terrible Upon all which they perswaded him to pass the Bills But the chief Motive was said to be a Letter of the Earl of Strafford then sent unto him wherein the gallant Earl takes notice of these things and what is best for his Majesty in these streights and to set his Conscience at liberty He doth most humbly beseech him for prevention of such mischief as may happen by his refusal to pass the Bill to remove him out of the way towards that blessed Agreement which God I trust shall for ever establish betwixt you and your Subjects Sir my Consent herein shall more acquit you to God than all the world can do besides To a willing man there is no Injury done By these Passages and by some private dealings the King was perswaded to sign a Commission to three Lords to pass these two Bills and that he should ever be brought to it was admired by most of his Subjects as well as by Foreigners After he had signed these Bills the King sent Secretary Carleton to the Earl to acquaint him with what was done and the Motives of it especially the Earl's Consent who seriously asked the Secretary whether his Majesty had passed the Bill or not as not believing without some astonishment that the King would have done it And being again assured that it was past he rose up from his Chair lift up his Eyes to Heaven laid his Hand on his Heart and said Put not your trust in Princes nor in the Sons of men for in them there is no Salvation Great Censures as in all great businesses were past upon the King 's passing of both these Bills That the one was against his most faithful Servant and the other against himself Certainly he had great remorse thereupon and the next day May 11. he sent a Letter by the Prince to the Lords written all with his own hand That they would confer with the House of Commons to spare the life of the Earl and that it would be a high Contentment to him Some did not stick to say that this was promised to him before he signed the Bill of Attainder and to bring him to it But now the Lords House did not think fit to consent to his Majestie 's desire therein May 12. The Earl was brought to the Scaffold on the Tower-hill as he passed by he looked up to the Window where the Archbishop lay who spake to him with comfort and courage He made on the Scaffold a most ingenious charitable and pious Speech and Prayers gave some Directions touching his Children and died with charity courage and general lamentation Thus fell this Noble Earl who for natural Parts and Abilities and for improvement of knowledge by experience in the greatest Affairs for wisdom faithfulness and gallantry of mind hath left few behind him that may be ranked equal with him The Design for the Earl's escape out of the Tower was related to be discovered by three women who peeping and hearkning to the discourse of the Earl with Captain Billingsley they at the Key-hole of the Earl's Gallery-door heard them confer about the falling down of the Ship to take in the Earl and Billingsley brought a Warrant from the King with two hundred men to be received into the Tower for the safety of it but Sir William Balfour the Lieutenant refused to admit them suspecting that they came to further the Earl's escape Balfour confessed that two thousand pounds were offered him to consent to the Earl's escape and the Earl himself did not deny a Design which he said was only for his remove to some other Castle But Balfour was true to the Interest of his Country-men the Covenanters and their friends in Parliament Divers great Officers of State resigned up their Places either accounting themselves insecure or to satisfie others May 17. The Lord Cottington gave up his Place of Master of the Wards which the Lord Say had conferred on him Bishop Juxon resigned his Office of Treasurer and five Commissioners were appointed to execute it for the time The Earl of Leicester was made Lieutenant of
of it to which His Majesty replied What is that to you who are but to carry what I send and if I will send the Song of Robin Hood and Little John you must carry it to which the Commissioners onely said that the business about which they came and were to return with His Majestie 's Answer was of somewhat more consequence than that Song And other passages there were which shewed the King to be then in no good humour and were wondred at in a business especially of this Importance and where the disobliging the Commissioners could be of no advantage to the King but all was endeavoured to be made up again by some of the King's Lords before the Commissioners came away and a Copy of the Answer was sent them Another exception they took to the Paper of the Answer that it was not directed to any body nor the Parliament so much as acknowledged or named in it to which the King answered that it was delivered to the Parliaments Commissioner's which was sufficient and some of his Lords told them that they could not get it otherwise chiefly because they were there as Commissioners of both Kingdoms and earnestly intreated the Commissioners for peace sake to receive it as it them was sent to them Upon Debate thereof among the Commissioners and it being considered that they must take it upon themselves to break off the Treaty for Peace in case they refused this Paper and that it was more proper for them to leave it to the Judgment of their Masters they did receive the Answer as it was sent to them Nov. 29. They returned to the Parliament and the next day at a Conference of both Houses His Majestie 's Answer was read in the preamble whereof were high expressions of his desires of Peace and he demanded a Safe Conduct for the Duke of Lenox and the Earl of Southampton to come with his Answer to the Propositions The Exceptions to this Paper of the King 's were much debated but at length out of the earnest desire of Peace it was carried to lay aside those objections And the House ordered that upon consideration of the faithfull service done by the Committee that went to His Majesty and their discreet carriage of the business the thanks of the House should be returned to them for the same and every one of them severally in their order stood up in their places and the Speaker solemnly pronounced the Thanks of the House to them December 1644. The Commons agreed upon several Gentlemen to be High Sheriffs and those who refused or to act as Justices of Peace should be sent for as Delinquents The Earl of Manchester made a long Report touching the business of Donnington Castle and in excuse of the Parliaments forces in that Action Abuses were examined of the Gentleman whom some called Prince Grissith Sir J. Hotham was Tried by the Court Marshal 1. For betraying his Trust and adhering to the Enemy proved by his Words Letters and Actions his compliance with the Lord Digby the Marquess of Newcastle and others of that party 2. His refusal to supply the Lord Fairfax with Ammunition to the great prejudice of the Parliament 3. His Scandalous Words against the Parliament 4. His endeavour to betray Hull to the Enemy 5. His Correspondence with the Queen and his seeking to escape Thirty Witnesses were examined against him and divers for him in his Defence The Parliament directed a Letter to be sent from the Lord General to Prince Rupert to this effect That if His Majesty shall send to the Parliament of England assembled at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland they would with all readiness grant a Safe Conduct for the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of South-hampton to come from the King with an Answer to the Propositions for Peace and treat with them according to His Majestie 's desire Several Ordinances passed for raising of Moneys Abington being in some distress Major General Craford with a party of the Parliaments forces relieved the Garrison plentifully and brought thither 1000 Sheep which he drove away from under the Walls of Wallingford and none of the Enemy appeared against him Sir Lewis Dives being at Dorchester with about 300 Horse and Dragoons sent a party to face Lyme and at their return Major Sydenham of Pool with about 60 Horse fell upon them in Dorchester charged them through and through wounded Dives slew many and took divers Prisoners As Sydenham faced about he saw Major Williams who had formerly killed the Mother of Sydenham in the Head of the King's Troups coming to charge him whereupon Sydenham bid his men stand close to him for he would avenge his Mother's blood on Williams or die on the place and then so violently made his way that he came up to Williams and slew him put all his men to flight and drove them through the Town and so returned to Poole Carlisle Garrison was reported to be in such want that they eat their Horses they were so closely besieged by the Parliaments forces Captain Hains escaped from imprisonment by the Enemy Colonel Cromwell being made Lieutenant General of the Earl of Manchester's Army gave great satisfaction to the Commons touching the business of Donnington Castle and seemed but cautiously enough to lay more blame on the Officers of the Lord General 's Army than upon any other And the point of privilege was debated touching the Lords transmitting of a Charge from them before it was brought up to them This reflected upon Lieutenant General Cromwel of whom the Lord General now began to have some jealousies and was advised to put to his strength to rid Cromwel out of the way and the means to be used to effect this was supposed to be by the Scots Commissioners who were not well pleased with Cromwel upon some words which he had spoken as they apprehended derogatory to the honour of their Nation One Evening very late Maynard and Whitelocke were sent for by the Lord General to Essex House and there was no excuse to be admitted nor did they know beforehand the occasion of their being sent for when they came to Essex House they were brought to the Lord General and with him were the Scots Commissioners Mr. Hollis Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Jo. Meyrick and divers others of his special Friends After Complements and that all were set down in Council the Lord General spake to them to this effect L. Gen. Mr. Maynard and Mr. Whitelocke I sent for you upon a special occasion to have your Advice and Counsel and that in a matter of very great importance concerning both Kingdoms in which my Lords the Commissioners of Scotland are concerned for their State and we for ours and they as well as we knowing your abilities and integrity are very desirous of your counsel in this great business Maynard We are come to obey your Excellencie's Commands
up to the Lords with a Message to importune them to pass the Self-denying Ordinance the Lords returned answer that they would speedily take the same into consideration which they did but rejected the Ordinance and here first began to increase the great difference between the two Houses of Parliament which swelled to so great a height as you will see afterwards The Commons proceeded about the Model of the Army and resolved that it should be 21000 Horse and Foot 6000 Horse 1000 Dragoons and 14000 Foot the 6000 Horse to be divided into ten Regiments the Dragoons into single Companies and every Regiment of Foot to consist of 1200 Men and ten Companies in a Regiment the whole charge of this Army to be 44955 l. by the Month to be raised by a proportionable Assessement The Lords sent to the Commons the names of their Commissioners the Earls of Northumberland Pembroke Salisbury and Denbigh and that a Letter be sent to the King for a Safe Conduct for all the Commissioners for the Treaty of Peace but the Commons did not now name their Commissioners because of the rejecting of the Self-denying Ordinance They also sent to the Commons to come to some resolution concerning the business of Dunnington Castle The King's forces under General Goring went off from near Portsmouth and upon their remove Colonel Jephson the Governour visited their quarters and took some Prisoners Colonel Mitton from Oswestree fell upon three Troups of Sir Jo. Byron took two Captains other Officers nineteen Troupers and Arms. The Commons named their Commissioners for the Treaty Mr. Pierpoint Mr. Hollis L. Wenman Sir Henry Vane Junior Mr. St. John Mr. Whitelocke Mr. Crew Mr. Prideaux and they agreed that the number of the Attendants of the Parliaments Commissioners should be eighty The Commons voted a Commission for the Lord Inchequin to be President of Munster and sent it to the Lords for their Concurrence and a warrant to the Commissioners of the Great Seal to pass the said Commission The Commons passed another Vote That many Congregations may be under one Presbyterian Government in order to the Directory for government of the Church The Lords agreed to the Ordinance for regulation of Free Quarter with a Clause added to exempt themselves and their Attendants and the Members of the House of Commons from billeting Souldiers which the Commons would not agree unto they desiring to be in no other condition than their Fellow Subjects were Letters from Major General Brown certified that three days before P. Rupert P. Maurice Colonel Sir Henry Gage Governour of Oxford and others with a party of about 1000 Horse and 800 Foot came against Abington on Cullam side intending to storm the Town and gained the Bridge before notice was given and were about to pull the same down To prevent which the Cawsey to the Bridge being very long and narrow Brown was compelled to send some of his men into the Meadow where was much water notwithstanding with much chearfulness they marched through the water And after a hot dispute which lasted near four hours they beat the Enemy from the Bridge who betaking themselves to the Hedges Brown's men with wondrous courage beat them from the Hedges and afterwards quite out of the Field A party of his horse at the same time when a party of the King 's fell on them in their Quarters slew wounded and took almost all of them in which service Major Bradbury was slain upon the Bridge and about eight of Brown's Souldiers and some wounded Of the King's party were â—lain Sir Henry Gage and the Major of the Prince's Regiment with many others of note and they carried away a Cart-load of dead men besides those carried away on Horseback The Commons ordered thanks to be sent to Major General Brown for his good service and 2000 l. to pay his Souldiers Letters from Captain Swanley informed that Major General Laughern took the Town of Cardigan in Wales upon surrender but the Castle holding out obstinately he made a breach with his great Ordnance and in three days took it by storm and in it 200 Officers and Souldiers with their Arms and much Plunder The States Ambassadours desired to take their leaves and a Pass to goe to the King to take leave of him they prayed likewise an Answer to their Propositions touching Shipping and Free Trade which was referred to the Committee of both Houses for this business The Lords concurred in the Letter and Money for Abington The Lords sent down the names of the Attendants of the four Lords Commissioners for the Treaty desiring the Commons to doe the like for their Members and they ordered them to bring in a List the next day The Commons proceeded in the Directory for Church Government and voted Pastors Doctors Teachers Elders and Deacons to be the Officers of the Church Sir Richard Greenvile made a gallant assault upon Plymouth and possessed two or three of the Out-works and turned the Ordnance against the Town but the Garrison with great resolution beat them out again and slew many of them The Commons ordered Sir William Waller for the present to command in chief in the West with a party of 6000 Horse A Ship of Scarborough driven by storm into Hartlepoole was there seized on by the Parliaments forces and in her two Brass and four Iron Pieces of Ordnance with store of Arms. Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonel Forbes standing together near Pomfret Castle a Cannon Bullet from thence came betwixt them and the wind of it beat them both to the ground and put out one of Colonel Forbes his Eyes and spoiled that side of his Face and yet no other hurt to Sir Thomas Fairfax The Commons considered the business of the Navy at Sea for the next Spring and the estimate of the yearly charge both for Summer and Winter Guard was proposed to be 100000 l. per annum Letters from the Lord Roberts informed the particulars of the business at Plymouth that Greenvile alarmed the works about the Town in four several places and after a very hot dispute became Master of one great work but was beaten off from the other three works with great loss leaving 75 of his men dead upon the place and at least four times as many more slain in the service and many hundreds wounded As soon as they were beaten off the three works the Plymouth men who behaved themselves with extraordinary gallantry environed the fourth work and the Enemy presently surrendred it upon quarter there were many Prisoners taken and much Arms. The House took care for supply of that Garrison One Dobson was ordered to be tried for contriving and printing a scandalous Book against the Parliament and the Lord General and they gave order for suppressing all scandalous Pamphlets Some who arrested a Servant of Sir Edward Hungerford's were sent for as Delinquents The Letter to the King about the Treaty was finished and Mr. Marshal and Mr. Vines
and other Officers Letters to the Committee in the Army to keep the Army together and to assist for Sir Tho. Fairfax his Recruits Orders for providing the Train Waggons Artillery Arms Powder and a Magazine for Sir Tho Fairfax and for Draught-horses and Carriages out of several Counties for him A thousand pounds ordered for General Brown The mutinous Horse returned to duty were allowed a Fortnights pay but none for the time they were in mutiny and were now sent upon Service Several Committee-men added in divers Counties and Orders for money and clothes for the Scots Army in Ireland 15. Ordinances past for 1. per Cent. for supply of Plymouth and for money upon the Custom of Currans for Gloucester and for recruiting the Kentish Regiment at Plymouth The Lords at a Conference gave Reasons why they left some Officers out of the List of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army but they waved the nominating of others they sent to the Commons an Ordinance for Marshall Law differing from the former and to continue two Months Waller and Cromwell beat up Goring's quarters who sled to Exeter 17. Captain Smith of Colonel Martins Regiment for a slight offence murdred an honest Buckinghamshire man the Commons sent to inform the Lord General thereof and ordered Smith to be sent for and punished Letters from the Committee of Nantwich informed that Prince Rupert Maurice and Langdale were all joyned in one great body and that without a speedy relief Sir Will. Brereton's Forces would be in great danger The House Ordered a Letter to be forthwith sent by the Committee of both Kingdomes for a party of the Scots horse and Dragoons to advance towards Sir Will. Brereton and ordered Supplies for his Forces And they referred it to the Members serving for Yorkshire and Lancashire to consider of some means for the supply of the Forces in those Counties At a free Conference the Commons offered their reasons to the Lords why they could not consent to the leaving out of the list those Officers whom the Lords had left out because they were such as Sir Tho. Fairfax nominated and the Commons approved and a delay in passing this list would be dangerous to Sir Will. Brereton ' s Forces to the association and to the whole Kingdome The Lords acquainted the Commons with a Paper from the French Resident desiring the transportation of Gunpowder from Holland to France without interruption of the Parliaments Navy The Commons Ordered for Answer that there being Amity between the Crown of England and the Crown of France there needed no particular Licence for the same Colonel Sir James Long High Sheriff of Wilts for the King returning from the Convoy of Prince Charles to Bristol was set upon by a party of Sir William Waller's at the Devizes and 40 of his men killed the Colonel 8 Captains 7 Cornets and most of the other Officers with 300 Souldiers taken Prisoners about 340 Horse and store of Arms taken and but 30 of the whole Regiment escaped Oxford was much streightned for Provisions Browne did them no small prejudice from Abington some of the Souldiers and Townsmen grew very mutinous and the Antiparliament there were about to question the Lord Digby for an Incendiary but they were dissolved 18. 1000 l. Ordered for Abington Colonel Stephenson a Member of the House was taken Prisoner at Royden-house in Wilts Ordered that Sir James Long taken at the Devizes be exchanged for him An Order for supply of the Town of Henly upon Thames with Match 1000 Bandeliers c. and Whitelocke was appointed Governour of that Town and of the Fort of Phillis Court which he rather accepted being his own house and he had there in Garrison about 300 foot and a Troup of horse The works of the Fort were strong and regular and the Thames brought round the Fort in a large Graft all the horse and foot were quartered within the works the great Guns about it were good and the Souldiers stout men and well armed and good Officers The Officers and Souldiers of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army had a fortnights pay allowed them The Lords concurred with the Commons in passing the list of the Officers of Sir T. Fairfax's Army without any alteration which was so well taken by the Commons that they appointed a Committee to prepare a Message to be sent to the Lords from them to assure their Lordships of the real affection and endeavours of the House of Commons to support their Lordships in their honour and privileges The List of the Officers was this Sir Thomas Fairfax Commander in chief Major General Skippon Colonels of Horse Middleton Sidney Graves Sheffield Vermuden Whaley Sir M. Livesey Fleetwood Rosseter Sir Robert Pye Colonels of Foot Craford Berkley Aldridge Holborne Fortescue Inglesby Mountague Pickering Welden and Rainsborough A Petition of the East India Company for transporting some things agreed unto The Governour of Hurst Castle took two of the King's Ships bound for France forced by weather into the Isle of Wight in them they had 300 barrels of Herrings 11 pieces of Cloath 10 pieces of Ordnance 40 Prisoners and a pack of hounds News came that the Swedes in Germany gave a great defeat to the Emperours Forces 8000 of them slain the two Generals the whole Army routed many Prisoners taken all their Colours Ordnance Carriage and Ammunition Letters from Holland mentioned some difference rising there between the Prince of Orange and the States 19. The care of the education of the King's Children was committed to the Earl of Northumberland and his Countess and they took into Consideration the great losses of this noble Earl for his affection to the publick Care was also taken for an allowance for the Earl of Mulgrave and the Lord Sheffield in lieu of their losses Mr. Ford was voted to be one of the Assembly in the room of Mr. Bolles deceased Orders for expediting Sir Thomas Fairfax into the field and for money for the Lord Generals old Foot Souldiers and for monies for Sir William Brereton's Forces and for supplies for Ireland The Lord Savile left the Oxford party and came to London he was staid by the Guards and this day examined by a Committee of the Lords of the grounds of his coming in and was committed to the custody of the black Rod. Colonel Holborne routed a party of Goring's horse near Crookehorne and took about 500 of them About 400 of Banbury horse faced Northampton and endeavoured to take a Parliament Captain out of his house near Northampton but he with his Servants and about 16 firelocks kept the house and repelled the enemy and a party of horse drawing forth of Northampton the Banbury Horse fled away with some loss Letters from Colonel Cromwel informed that since his coming to his Regiment their Carriage had been obedient respective and valiant a good testimony whereof they gave in the late defeat of Long 's Regiment that they were sorry
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
16. To establish the Declaration of both Kingdoms 30 June 1643. with the qualifications of exception from Pardon both English and Scots and the names of those made incapable of Office and such as have deserted the Parliament 17. To make void the Cessation in Ireland the War there to be left to the Parliament and the same Religion to be setled there as in England 18. The Militia and Tower of London to be in the Government of the City and their Charters to be confirmed 19. All grants and Process under the Great Seal here to be confirmed and all by any other Great Seal to be void and the like for Ireland and all Honours granted since the Cessation there to be void And all these particulars to be pass'd by several Acts of Parliament 14. Order for disposing and paying the Forces under Major General Massey Differences between the Soldiers and Towns-men of Exeter referred to a Committee to be composed and orders for pay of that Garrison Search ordered for Materials for coining in some Trunks The Commissioners set forth with the Propositions Letters informed that Montrill the French Agent came to New-Castle and brought letters from the Queen to the King advising him to make Peace upon any Terms at which the King was very joyfull That Montross desired liberty to go beyond Sea and that great levys of men were made in Scotland and the Garrisons of New-Castle Carlisle and Berwick re-inforced by the Scots who lay heavy upon Northumberland and the Bishoprick of Durham 15. An Ordinance committed for setling three hundred pound per An. on Mrs. Burghill whose Husband was slain in the Parliaments Service and upon their Heirs Upon Information of the Master of the Ceremonies an Order for the reception of the French Ambassador One Grady and Irish Rebels and other Papists apprehended and committed and orders for apprehending all of their condition and a day set for their departure out of London Orders for pay for several Forces The Kings answer to the Letters of both houses for delivery up of the Garrisons in Ireland into the the hands of such as the Parliament should appoint was read and was very General expressing great desires of Peace and that the Propositions for it might be speedily sent to him And that business being once well setled those Garrisons and all the rest of the Forces will be ordered for the publick good 16. Great complaints from Cumberland and Westmorland of the heavy pressures of the Scots Army Ragland Castle held out the Siege some of their Officers as M. Price and others were taken Prisoners by L. G. Morgan Major General Mitton Besieged Denbigh Castle Letters informed that the Rebels in Ireland were come within twenty miles of Dublin 17. Letters from Sir Tho. Fairfax gave an account to the House of the Treaty for surrender of Wallingford Castle and desired the direction of the House upon one Article insisted on by Col. Blagge That they might have no Oaths nor Covenants imposed upon them after the surrender The House ordered the General to continue his Siege of that Castle and would not allow of that Article Order that the Heads of Houses in Cambridge for bear cutting down of Timber in Colledg Lands till they had order from Parliament to do it An Ordinance sent up the Lords for fifty thousand pound for Ireland Monsieur Bellieure the French Ambassador was received in great State and usual Ceremonies in both Houses 18. A day of Thanksgiving appointed for the reducing of Oxford Litchfield was surrendred upon Articles to Sir Will. Brereton with all their Ordnance Arms and Ammunition 20 Montross demanded that his Son and the Gentleman with him might enjoy their liberty and Estates and he to go beyond Sea otherwise he resolved to hold out and not disband Letters informed great resort of Malignants English and Scots to the King The City of Worcester was agreed to be surrendred to the Parliament upon Articles 21. The day of publick thanksgiving for the surrender of Oxford 22. Debate of the French Ambassadors Message which was That he had in command from the Queen Regent and the King of France to interpose and endeavour a good reconciliation of the differences between his Majesty and the Parliament of England but seeing in what forwardness they were and the Propositions sent to his Majesty he had now nothing further to do but to take his leave and desired their Pass to go to the King and to the Estates of Scotland The Answer of the Parliament was That they took in good part and thankfully from the King of France his good affections and intentions to these Kingdoms and willingness to see their troubles over to end the which they had done and would continue to do their utmost But they could not agree that any Foraign State should interpose in the remaining Differences nor in particular the King of France by his extraordinary Ambassador And they agreed that he should have a Pass and be used with all respect and civility Mr. Herle voted to be Moderator of the Assembly Dr. Twist being dead Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax of the surrender of Worcester and thanks ordered to be sent to him and his Messenger had a gratuity Letters from the Northern Committees of the insupportable burden upon them by the Forces there and relief of those Counties A Letter from both Houses inviting the Duke of York to come to London Order for an Ordinance for the Government of North-Wales and for Committees there The Lords pass'd a Declaration for restraining Malignants from coming to the King 23. A Committee appointed to receive complaints against such as have been in Arms against the Parliament with power to imprison Order for re-imbursing Commissioners of Excise Some Forces of the Eastern Association met at St. Albans in a kind of mutiny the House ordered them to return to their several Counties Order for a new Election Goring House ordered for the Speaker The Ordinance for sale of Delinqueuts Estates sent up to the Lords 24. Letters informed the surrender of Wallingford with a Copy of the Articles Several Ordinances pass'd for Compositions by Delinquents Order for the slighting of all the Garrisons in Worcester-shire except Worcester City and all the Horse there to be disbanded except eighty to attend upon the High Sheriff An Ordinance appointed to be drawn for obedience to be yielded to Committees so long as they should be continued and no affronts to be offered to them or to any publique Officer Order for a Collection for the poor in the places in Devon-shire visited with the plague Order for all the Horse in Bucks to be reduced to eighty only 25. The House did not sit The Commissioners arrived with the propositions at New-Castle and the King seemed well pleased 27. The Houses sate not many Letters came from the Northern Counties of the Miseries and devouring Charge indured by them from the Scots Army and
from the English Forces The Commissioners of Parliament arrived with the propositions for Peace at New-Castle and were visited the same day by General Leven and the King appointed them to present the propostions the next day A List was sent up to the Parliament of those that marched sorth of Worcester upon the rendition of it The Earl of Shrewsbury Lord Talbot Lord Brereton sixteen Knights forty four Equires eleven Colonels nine Lieutenant Colonels fifteen Majors seventy Captains forty nine Lieutenants twenty four Ensigns of Horse forty Ensigns of Foot one Bishop many Doctors and Clergymen and many Ladies They left there twenty eight pieces of Cannon six Drakes and sling-pieces Arms three thousand Provisions for six months and Ammunition 28. Every Friday ordered for Debate how the Gospel might be Preached in some dark places of this Kingdom Letters from Sir Tho. Fairfax of the Particulars of the Surrender of Wallingford and the House approved Adjutant Evelin to be Governor there who was nominated by the General Order for imployment of the Forces in the Counties of Oxon Berks and Bucks for the Service of Ireland Upon Letters from Sir Tho. Fairfax of some breaches of Articles which he had made the House took care that right should be done and appointed a Committee to hear Complaints of that nature Order to apprehend Capt. Conningham come from the Queen to New-Castle because he had formerly broke the Prison of the Parliament the like order was to apprehend Mr. Buchannon Order to slight all the Garrisons in Glocester-shire except Glocester and to reduce the Forces there to a less number The Duke of York came to Town and was met by the Earl of Northumberland and divers Lords and Gentlemen and conveyed in great and fitting state to St. Jameses where his Oxford retinue was dismiss'd and new Servants placed about him The Princess Henrietta was conveyed away from Oatlands Letters informed the Surrender of Wallingford Castle That Col. Blagge sold the Corn and Provisions there and put the Money in his own purse without giving one penny of it to the Soldiers though much pay was in arrears to them and they were so much discontented at the greediness of their Governor that they fell into a Mutiny which caused Blagge to surrender the Castle two days sooner than it was agreed to be They left in it fourteen pieces of Ordnance store of Arms Ammunition and some Provisions and marched a thousand Foot beside Horse out of it Rutland Castle surrendred to C. Mitton with all the Arms and Ammunition in it 29. The Monthly Fast day Letters informed the sad condition of the Protestants in Ireland the Rebels prevailing there that they lately took Roscommon and put all the English there to the Sword then they took Bonratty which held out three Months and there also they put the English and Scotch to the Sword 30. Order for a considerable Force to be sent over into Ireland and for such as were willing of M. General Masseys Brigade to go over thither under their own Officers A Regiment of five hundred Horse ordered for Col. Coote for the Irish Service and for supernumerary Forces in all Counties Another Regiment of five hundred Horse ordered for Col. Lidcote for Ireland and an order for forty thousand pounds for Ireland 31. Debate of the business of Ireland and voted that none of the Forces of Sir Tho. Fairfax his Army should be taken off to be sent thither but four Regiments of Foot and three Regiments of Horse of the Forces of the several Garrisons dismantled and of the Counties where there was no present use of them Upon hearing a Petition of Adjutant Grey and Mr. Steward against an illegal Decree made by Sir George Ratcliffe in Ireland against them the House ordered fifteen hundred pounds to Mr. Steward and four hundred pounds to Adjutant Grey out of Sir Geroge Ratcliff's Estate Reference to a Committee to compute the arrears of some Reformadoe Officers that course may be taken for their pay Moneys ordered for the Duke of Glocester Order to demand of the Commissioners of Scotland here the Rendition of Belfast in Ireland More Letters came of the Particulars of the Surrender of Worcester much to the same effect as is before mentioned with an order of the Committee of Worcester-shire to take the Mace and Sword and Seal of that City into their possession That Serjeant Welde who went from the Parliament thither was chosen to be their Recorder with other particulars Letters from Newcastle certified that the Commissioners had presented the Propositions for Peace to his Majesty and acquainted him that they had but ten days allowed them to attend for his Majesties answer which they desired he would be pleased to give them within that time That the King desired longer time for him to consider and give his answer to all those propositions and matters of so great weight as they were but being told by the Commissioners that they had no longer time allowed to them but ten days only after which time they were commanded to return back to the Parliament his Majesty told them that within that time they should receive his answer to the propositions August 1646. August 1. The House sate not nor did any intelligence come this day 3. Letters from Newcastle informed that upon the Commissioners presenting the propositions to the King he asked them if they had any power to Treat they answered they had not then the King replyed saving the honour of the business an honest Trumpeter might have done as much That the Scots Lords and Officers begged of the King to sign the Propositions A Proclamation at Newcastle forbidding all Malignants to come to the King the Provost and Baylies of Edingborough Petitioned the King to grant the propositions Col. Birch entred some of the works of Gotherich Castle whereupon the Garrison hung out a white Flag for Parley which Birch refused and went on Storming and they all submitted to Mercy In the Castle besides the Governor Sir Henry Lingen were fifty Gentlemen and a hundred and twenty Soldiers with Arms Ammunition and Provisions Ragland Castle held out and made some Sallies but were beaten back Col. Birch and Col. Rainsborough went to assist Col. Morgan in that Siege and the General himself went thither Pendennis Castle had some relief by Sea the Arch-Bishop received some loss at Conwey Denbigh Castle held out against the Parliament and Film Castle seemed tractable to come to a Treaty 4. Order to transport the Forces of Major General Laugherne into Ireland and that the Forces in the several Counties that will list themselves for Ireland shall have a Months pay and those that will not to be disbanded their Officers are to march with those that go to the water side if they will not go over into Ireland Bristol Chester and Leverpoole appointed to be rendezvous for the Soldiers to take shipping for Ireland and orders for Cloaths Victuals and
of Offices and desired the concurrence of the Commons to take away all Countrey Committees An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for an Assesment for the Garrison of Bristol and Glocester Vote for an Ordinance for fifty three thousand pounds per mensem assesment for the Army Debate touching the Confession of Faith An Ordinance past for constituting the three Commissioners of the Seal with a Provisoe that if any of them be chosen a Member of the Parliament he shall leave his place Vote for continuing the Seal-bearer The Ordinance past for sale of Bishops Lands and to secure the two hundred thousand pound to the Scots 14. The House sate in a grand Committee upon the Ordinance against Heresies Report of the Marquess of Ormond That he desired supplys and Moneys for the Forces with him and that he would either come to London or go beyond Sea or serve in Ireland as the Parliament pleased and surrender Dublin c. re-committed to treat further upon the surrender of Dublin and the other Garrisons A Letter from Ormond to the King and another to London laid aside not to be delivered The Ordinance for the Commissioners of the great Seal again presented to the Lords at a conferrence with some alterations as reserving power to make Justices of the Peace to present to Parsonages c. The House sent and seized at the Press the Papers of the Lord Chancellors Speeches then in Printing touching the disposal of the Kings Person and took the Printer and Bookseller into Custody for doing it without licence of the Houses though they had the warrant of the Scots Commissioners for it 15. A Pass from both houses to transport sixteen Naggs beyond Seas A Committee named to bring in an Ordinance for the Indemnity of Officers and Soldiers who have taken necessaries in the time of War and are now prosecuted for it at Law and the Committee to receive Complaints and give relief in the mean time A Letter from the Scots Commissioners desired the enlargement of the Stationer and Printer of their Speeches and the Printer and Stationer submitted referred to a further examination Ordinances sent up to the Lords for ten thousand pound for the poor Widows for four hundred pound for the poor Irish Protestants here for setling the Militia and for the Treaties with Scotland 16. A Committee named to consider of Printing the Septuagint Bible A Conference about the Printing of the Lord Chancellor of Scotland's Speeches An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for transporting of Persons to foreign Plantations The House sate in a grand Committee in the afternoon about the Assesments for the Army 17. Order that the Marquess of Hertford his Lady or others who had seized Money or Writings in Essex House should restore them to the Executors of the Earl viz. the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Warwick and Mr. Sollicitor St. John A Committee named to whom the probate of this and all other Wills was referred and also a Petition of the Doctors of Civil Law concerning the probate of Wills Order that neither the Marquess of Hartford nor any other who had born Arms against the Parliament should go with the Corps of the Earl of Essex at his Funeral Vote for fifteen thousand pound for the Forces in Ireland and for five thousand pound for the Forces of Major General Pointz Sir Fr. Willoughby one of the Lord Ormonds Commissioners sent back to inform him what the Parliament had done 19. Debate about the Trustees for sale of Bishops Lands Order that all the Members of the House do attend the Funeral of the Earl of Essex and that the House be adjourned for that day as the Lords had done In the afternoon the House sate till six at night upon the Ordinance for sale of Bishops Lands The General with Major General Massey went to the Devizes where a rendezvous was appointed for the disbanding of such of Major General Massey's Forces as would not go for Ireland 20. One Arrested contrary to the Articles of Oxford the Serjeants sent for as Delinquents upon a certificate from Sir Tho. Fairfax Difference about the Commissioners of the Seal The Lords named four more to be added to the three named by the Commons they altered their former Vote for the three Commissioners and ordered an Ordinance to be brought in to establish the former fix Commissioners Members of both Houses Order that Col. Mitton offer resonable conditions to the Garrisons in Wales not yet reduced which if they refuse within twenty days that then they shall not be received to Mercy and referred to a Committee to consider of imploying those Forces for Ireland after the rest of the Garrisons should be reduced and a Letter sent to Col. Mitton to acquaint him with these Votes Votes for Mr. Bish to be Garter King at Arms and Mr. Bish to be Clarentiaux Mr. Riley to be Norwâ—y and a Committee to regulate their Fees Ordinance for sale of Bishops Lands The Money and Writings of the Earl of Essex taken away were restored Captain Betten voted to be Vice-Admiral of the Winter Fleet. Dunkirk was surrendred to the French upon Articles great solemnities of Thanksgiving great Guns and Bonefires for it in France 21. The House sate in a Grand Committee upon the Ordinance for Sale of Bishops Lands A Committee named to consider of regulating the Chancery and to receive complaints touching Fees of that or any other Court of Equity within the Kingdom Referred to the same Committee to consider who are fit to be Justices of the Peace and who not in all Counties The Funeral of the Earl of Essex was solemnized with great State All the Members of both Houses Sir Thomas Fairfax the Civil and Military Officers then in Town and the Forces of the City a very great number of Coaches and Multitudes of people present at it The General had been at the Devizes to disband the Brigade of Major General Massey which was done with little trouble and few of them listed themselves for Ireland From the Disbanding the General hasted up to London and was at the Funeral of the Earl of Essex 23. The old Commissioners of the Seal had been voted to be continued upon the constituting new Commissioners now the old Commissioners were voted down again and an Ordinance past and sent to the Lords to make the two Speakers Commissioners of the Seal till twenty days after this Term. This incertainty and change of Resolution in the House was much discoursed of by some who were not their friends they were reflected upon for it But they excused themselves by reason of the difference in Opinion from them by the Lords and now they began to be more apprehensive than formerly that so great a trust as the Custody of the Seal was most proper and fit to be only in their own Members Order for a Commission to enable the Master of the Rolls and the Judges to hear and determine for the
midnight about the City Petition and some perhaps were a little awed by the multitudes of Citizens attending at the door of the House They agreed upon a Declaration against all such Persons as take upon them to Preach or expound the Scriptures except they be Ordained And this gave much offence to those of the Independent Judgment January 1646. January 1. Orders for payment of Moneys formerly ordered to the Earl of Stamford and for eight hundred pound to the Commissioners that are to go into the North for their accommodations and their instructions Debate upon the Ordinance against Blasphemies and Heresies Vote for Sir Peter Killegrew to be sent with the Preamble and vote in answer to his Majesties last Letters 2. A Letter from General Leven complying with the Parliaments desires in their Letters to him and order given to have the Jewel ready for him Letters informed an endeavour of the King to escape from New-castle without the Scots privity and a more strict Guard upon him Orders for stay of Sir Peter Killegrew's Journey and for a thousand pound for Mr. Pury out of the Earl of Worcesters Estate and a thousand pound for Mr. Hodges in repair of their losses and for a thousand pound for Sir Robert Pye Jun. out of Sir Edmond Pye's Composition Order for allowances to the Officers of the Court of Wards 4. Upon a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax Orders for two thousand pound for Sir Hardress Waller of his Arrears and for two thousand pound for Col. Sidney Order to continue the two Speakers Commissioners of the Great Seal for ten days longer An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for the Government of Chester Instructions and powers agreed for the Lieuetenant of Ireland and a Sword to be born before him and Counsellors of State named for Ireland and they to have five hundred pound per An. apiece till their Estates shall be recovered An Ordinance appointed to settle the same Church-Government in Ireland as in England Vote to name Commissioners of both Houses to receive the King from the Scots and to bring him to Holmeby and the Committee of both Kingdoms to draw instructions for the Commissioners and Letters to be written to General Leven and to the Scots Commissioners at New castle to acquaint them with these Votes and that the Commissioners should speedily come for the King Letters sent from Major General Laugherne and the Committee of Haverford West informed That Mr. Hudson the Kings Guide having escaped out of Prison was by the King imployed upon another design to carry Letters to be delivered to Major General Laugherne to invite him to betray his Trust and to revolt to the King That the Major General sent up the Letters and other Papers to the Parliament and Hudson and Price one of his Agents and the examining them was referred to a Committee The Commons agreed that Mr. Godolphin Governor of Sâ—ylly upon his surrender of that Island and all Forts c. and taking the Covenant and Negative Oath should enjoy his Estate and be free from Arrests for any acts of War 6. Both Houses agreed the Instructions for the Commissioners that go to the Scots Army and to the Declaration in answer to the Kings last Letter and about disposing of his Person and to the Letters to General Leven and to the Scots Commissioners at Newcastle touching this business and Sir Peter Killegrew was to post with them to Newcastle The Earl of Pembroke the Earl of Denbigh the Lord Mountague named by the Lords and by the Commons Sir William Armine Sir Jo. Hollond Sir Walter Earle Sir John Cooke Mr. John Crew and Major General Browne Commissioners to receive the Kings Person and with such Guards as they shall think fit to bring him to Holmeby House Ordinance for Sir Anthony-Ashley-Cooper Sheriff of Wilts to live out of the County Order for Winchester Castle to be dis-garrisoned and delivered to Sir William Waller the owner A Committee named to consider of several debts owing by the Earl of Corke who is gone beyond Sea without perfecting his Composition Letters informed that the Money for the Scots was safe come to Yorke The Parliament Forces after great Storms at Sea Landed in Ireland and had course entertainment there 7. Mr. Sandys reported what places and profits Members of the House had that an Account thereof may be given Order for two thousand five hundred pound for the Commissioners that are to receive the Kings Person and their instructions debated Sir William Ermyn upon his own desire excused and Sir James Harrington Commissioner in his stead and Mr. Marshall and Mr. Carill appointed to go along with them Articles presented to the House against one Harris referred to the Justices of Peace Endeavours were in Countries to get hands to Petitions to second that of London 8. Debate upon the Ordinance against such as Preach or expound the Scriptures not being ordained Upon Petition of the Countess of Peterburgh Order that she should have her Husbands Arrears out of such Delinquents Estates as she should discover 9. Orders for ten thousand pound for the Lord Say for the loss of his place in the Court of Wards Sir Rowland Wandesford to have five thousand pound Sir Ben. Rudyeard six thousand pound and Mr. Bacon to have three hundred pound Reference to the Committee of the Navy about adding four Frigots to the next Summers Fleet. The Commons agreed with the Lords to have Goring House for the Ambassador of France Orders for Petitions to be read in rank as they were presented and for ten thousand Pound for the reduced Officers and a thousand pound to Colonel Waite for Arrears and to Summon Col. King to attend the Committee The Commissioners to name Attendants for the King 11. Major General Skippon sent up intercepted Letters from Hudson the Kings Guide to his Majesty bewailing his unhappiness in failing of success with Major General Laugherne and being again apprehended Order for a Letter to the Governor of Hull to send up Dr. Hudson in safe Custody by Land to the Parliament and reserred the Letters to a Committee Upon a Letter from Sir Tho. Fairfax Order for four thousand pound for the standing Officers of the County of York Approbation of the Convoy sent by Sir T. Fairfax with the Money to the Scots Order for four thousand five hundred pound for Sir Samuel Luke for his Arrears out of Goldsmiths Hall The Town of Cirencester elected Sir Th. Fairfax and Col. Rich for their Burgesses Debate upon the instructions of the Lord L'Isle Lieutenant of Ireland The Scots refused to surrender Belfast to the Parliaments Forces Ireland in great want of Supplys Commissioners came from the Parliament of Scotland to Newcastle to perswade the King to Sign the Propositions 12. Order for Sir Oliver Fleming Master of the Ceremonies to go to the French Ambassador to know whether he hath any thing from his Master the King of France to the Parliament that he may be dispatched
the Princes men to advance to firmer ground in confidence of victory which the Parliaments Horse took advantage of Flanked the Prince his men and were almost in the rear of them The three hundred Musquetiers at the same time charged the Princes men and put them in disorder and the Parliaments men fell to execution about two hundred of the Prince his men were slain on the place and in the pursuit of whom many were of quality one hundred prisoners and three hundred Arms were taken Many of them were wounded and not above one hundred serviceable men thought to return to the Ships some fled to the Castle from whence Forces came out to fetch them in but were beaten back and left Arms behind them Of the Parliaments Forces Colonel Rich's Quarter-Master was slain Major Husbands his Lieutenant wounded three Horse-men and four Foot-men killed Order for a Letter of thanks to Colonel Rich and that Major Husbands who brought the news and lost divers horses in the fight should have one hundred and fifty pounds to buy him more horses and that Colonel Hewson should have one hundred and fifty pound to buy him horses The Grand Committee sat for the Militia in the afternoon 16. The Lords desired the Commons concurrence to these Votes 1. That the Treaty be according to these Votes 2. That the Votes against further addresses to the King be recalled 3. That such persons as his Majesty shall send for in the Treaty be admitted to wait on him and that he be in the same freedome as he was at Hampton-Court 4. That such servants as he shall appoint may wait upon him 5. That the place for the Treaty be in Newport in the Isle of Wight 6. That the Scots be invited to treat upon the propositions presented at Hampton-Court 7. That his Majesty be admitted to invite the Scots to treat upon those propositions 8. That the Instructions to Colonel Hammond be recalled 9. That five Lords and ten Commoners be chosen to treat with the King 10. That it be referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for peace to prepare all things in readiness for speeding of the Treaty The Commons ordered these Votes to be considered de die in diem till they be finished and nothing to intervene Upon Information that Colonel Martin a Member of the House and Colonel Ayres and M r Walrond were raising of Horse in Berks and took Horses from the inhabitants against their wills and had no authority from the Parliament for it The House ordered Colonel Martin to attend them and Colonel Ayres and M r Walrond to be sent for in safe custody for this action The Committee of Estates of Scotland sent a Letter to the Prince wherein next to his Fathers restraint they bewail his Highness long absence from that Kingdom his right by descent and now that their Forces are again in England they humbly beg his Highness's presence to countenance their endeavours for religion and his Fathers reestablishment And if he will intrust his person among them they ingage the Publick Faith of that Kingdom for his Highness being in honour freedom and safety whilst he shall be with them in Scotland or in their Army in England with Liberty to return when he shall please and this was sent to him by the Earl of Lauderdale 18. Both Houses passed a Manifesto that whereas they had not been able to afford to the Protestants in Ireland such supplies and relief as was necessary for them and therefore had imployed M r Derrick Hoast M r Corseilles M r Maurice Thomson and M r Laurence their Commissioners to the States of the United Provinces to sollicite contribution and relief from thence for Ireland who had there collected by Voluntary contribution thirty one thousand two hundred and eighteen pounds twelve shillings five pence and was disposed of for victual The Lords and Commons take Notice of the great affection of the people of the Vnited Provinces herein and acknowledge their pious and Charitable sense of the miserable condition of their distressed brethren in Ireland and their benevolence for relief of those Protestants and do give their most hearty thanks to the Commissioners and to the Treasurers there named and to all others who have without any Salary assisted in that work After long debate whether the Commons should concurr with the Lords in the Vote to invite the Scots to the Treaty it was carryed in the Negative The Commissioners of the Seal had a meeting with the Judges about their riding of this Summers circuits and they resolved to know the pleasure of the Houses therein 19. Vote that if his Majesty shall think fit to send for any of the Scottish Nation to advise with him concerning the affairs of the Kingdom of Scotland only the Houses will give them a safe-conduct Vote for ten of the House of Commons to joyn with five Lords as Commissioners to treat with the King Order that the Judges be desired to go their several circuits as formerly appointed except some Counties where the Kings Forces were and that they may avoid going to any place where they shall apprehend to be any danger Order that the chief Justices of Chester shall go down Letters from Colchester Leaguer that five came out of the Town and said that the Cryes of Women and Children and the poorer sort in the Town are very great and that they are like to starve that Goring will permit none who are well affected to the Parliament to come out of the Town unless some of his party may come with them That a Woman and five Children one sucking at her Breast came out of the Town and fell on her knees before the Parliaments Guards begging leave to pass the line but they were forced to turn her back again lest hundreds more should follow her to the prejudice of the service That those who come out of the Town affirm that all the Dogs and Cats and most of the Horses there are already eaten That a Trumpeter came from the Enemy in Colchester desiring leave to send to know whether they may have relief or not and if they see no hopes of any within twenty days then to treat but the Lord General denyed this desire That they in the Town refused to exchange the Earl of Cleveland for one of the Committee that the Women and Children were at the Lord Gorings lodging for bread who told them they must eat their Children if they wanted the Women replyed that they would put out his Lordships Eyes and highly reviled him The Prince sent a Letter to the Lord General Fairfax for moderation to be used towards Major General Langhorn Colonel Powel Colonel Poyer and others who acted by Commission from him otherwise he should be necessitated to proceed contrary to his intentions against such as should fall into his hands Subscribed Your Loving Friend Charles P. The General returned answer that he had
to my observations upon the words of your Writ which I shall take in order as they are 1. Quia de Advisamento Concilii nostri c. These words are in the Writs of Creation of Peers and in the Summons of them both Spiritual and Temporal and of the Judges and Kings Council to the Parliament and in your Writs but in no other except upon some high and weighty occasions touching the publick safety and the like And for your greater Honour this Council by advice of which you are called to this degree is the great Council of the Kingdom The Next words in your Writ are Ordinavimus vos c. in the plural Number in the second person which is an Enalage of Number chiefly to express Excellency in the Person to whom it is referred Selden in his Titles of Honour f. 121. showeth the use of it in the Jewish Nation and in France Spain Germany and other Countries and always is in dignity of the party to whom applyed and the stile of the Chancery is so only to the Peers the Judges the Kings Council and to Sergeants Therefore 29 E. 3. f. 44. In a Quare Impedit the Writ was Precipite and excepted against as false Latin but Thorp said it was not false Latin but the plural Number only to express Reverence to the person the other answered that no such reverence is done to a Sheriff and for this the Writ was abated The next words in your Writ are ad Statum c. which sheweth dignity and honour given to them The Author of the Manuscript formerly cited by me allows the Sergeants but little state where he saith they kept their Pillars at Pauls where their Clients might find them as if they did little better than Emendicare panem This was somewhat far from Westminster-Hall and as far from truth being grounded upon a mistake of one of their Ceremonies of State where they went to Pauls to Offer A Manuscript of the Call of Fitz James and other Sergeants 11 H. 8. saith that their Steward brought every one of them to a several Pillar in Pauls and there left them a time for their private Devotions no Convenient time for Clients In the Register a Writ of Ex gravi Querela mentions a devise to a Priest to say Mass at a Pillar in Pauls and I believe most of us both in this and other great Churches have seen old people kneeling at the Pillars in their private prayers Our old English Poet Chaucer whom I think not unproper to cite being one of the greatest Clerks and Wits of his time had a better Opinion of the state of a Sergeant as he expresseth in his Prologue of the Sergeant A Sergeant at Law wary and wise That oft had bin at the pervise There was also full of rich Excellence Discreet he was and of great Reverence And in his description of the Franklyn he saith of him At Sessions there was he Lord and Sire Full oft had he bin Knight of the Shire A Sheriff had he bin and a Countor Was no where such a worthy Vavasor A Countor was a Sergeant and a Vavasour was the next in degree to a Baron We find in many of our Year-Books especially in E. 3's time that they were joyned with Knights in Assizes Trials of Challenges c. 38 H. 6. f. 31. Prisot saith to the Sergeants they would have no worship by such an Act c. and that word was given to the Lords in those days By the Statute 12 R. 2. c. 10. the same priviledge which is given to the Judges for absence from the Sessions is given also to the Sergeants 34 Hen. 6. Brook Nosme 5. saith that serviens adlegem est nosme de dignity comme Chivalier and it is character indelebilis no accession of honour or Office or remotion from them takes away this dignity but he remains a Sergeant still Their Robes and Officers their bounty in-giving Rings their Feasts which Fortescue saith were coronationis instar and continued antiently seven days and as Holingshed notes Kings and Queens were often present at them and all their Ceremonies and Solemnities in their Creation do sufficiently express the state due unto them The next words in your Writ are Et gradum c. This is a degree of such eminency that the professours of Law in no Nation are honoured with the like with such Solemnities and state as I have before mentioned and by Mandate under the publick Seal of the Common-wealth I find indeed in the preface to the Digest several appellations given to the Students of that Law that they called them Dupondios or Justinianeos and when of further standing Papinianistas When they had proceeded further they called them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and lastly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the title and degree of Doctour of the Laws I acknowledge to merit very much of respect and honour as to the degree and persons honoured with it But such state and degree as this of Sergeants at Law is not among the Municipal Lawyers of any other Nation though all kingdoms have their Municipal Laws and Lawyers as well as we Degrees are rewards of study and learning Nec enim Virtutem amplectimur ipsam Praemia si tollas They are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a spur to-virtue and witnesses of learning And since Gentle-men you have already obtained that depth in your profession as renders you capable of this degree that resolution of all true lovers of learning is worthy of you 1. To say Senesco discens proceed in your Studies still Your predecessors for their learning have been often advised with by the Judges as appears in our Books and by the Parliament as may be seen in the Rolls thereof 2. By this degree you become Chief Advocates of the Common Law an attribute given by Fortescue who was a Sergeant and Chief Justice and Lord Chancellour It imports no less than all antiquity hath appropriated unto Sergeants at Law the practice of that great and Universal Court where all that concerns Meum tuum the inheritances and property of all the people of England are heard and determined This degree Ordaining you to be Chief Advocates the duty of whom pertains to you to be performed and may not be declined by you I hold it not impertinent to mention something to you of the duties of an Advocate which are some of them to the Courts and some to Clients To the Courts of Justice he owes reverence they being the high Tribunals of Law of which Doctor and Student and the Statute Marlebridge saith omnes tam Majores quam Minores justitiam recipiant and therefore great respect and reverence is due to them from all persons and more from Advocates than from any others 2. An Advocate owes to the Court a just and true information the zeal of his Clients cause as it must not transport him to irreverence so it must not mislead him to untruths in his information of the
impartial Commissioners be appointed to try the late Mutineers in Norwich and Kent and other Counties 3. That course be taken for Payment of the publick debts out of Delinquents Estates and that taxes may be made easy and laid proportionably and so levyed 4. That Malignants be incapable of Offices or being Parliament men that under the notion of a Peer we be not voted into ruine by those that could not beat us into it and that a Committee be ordained to order affairs of State in the intervals of Parliament 5. That the power of the Militia be not put into the hands of Malignants or Neuters but of faithful persons to the Parliament 6. That the Army whose faithfulness we acknowledge may be vindicated especially for their late proceedings in order to impartial justice upon the Capital Offender the best means to establish this almost destroyed Nation that free-quarter be taken away and constant pay provided for the Army Another Petition was from the Garrison of Hull of their adherence to the late Remonstrance of the Army 26. The House approved the Articles of surrender of Scarborough and gave forty pound a piece to the Messengers that brought the news Mr. Elsing Clerk of the Parliament desired to quit his place by reason as he alledged of his indisposition of health to execute the same but most men understood his reason to be and he acknowledged it to Whitelock and others of his friends because he would have no hand in the business against the King He was a man of very great parts and ingenuous education he had travelled much and was very learned especially in the Latin French and Italian Languages and was a great Student and a very just and honest man and the most excellent Clerk both to take and express the sence of the House that I believe ever sate there so great a help to the Speaker and to the House in helping to state the questions and to draw up the Orders free from exceptions that it much conduced to the dispatch of business and the service of the Parliament He was a particular friend of Whitelocks and M r Selden was fond of him The House ordered M r Phelpes formerly Clerk to the Committee of plundered Ministers to officiate in M r Elsing's place and by a Deputation from him Upon the Petition of the East India Merchants order for them to have leave to transport thirteen thousand pound in Bullion Order for procuring six thousand pound for provisions and service for the Navy Divers Petitions to the Commons and to the General in complyance with the Armies Remonstrance among them one was to the General from Colonel Mackworth and the Officers and Souldiers in Salop. Inveighing against the personal Treaty and concurring with the late Remonstrance of the Army praying the General to continue to represent to the Commons these desires of their friends and not to hearken to the Counsels of their Enemies and to make a present settlement without any more addresses to the King And that his Excellency would endeavour that justice may be done upon the Authors of our troubles and blood-shed in the three Kingdoms in some exemplary way suitable to their crimes and without respect of persons That for taking off the grievances and burdens by free-quarter unequal taxes corrupt proceedings in Courts of Justice and other gross miscarriages in government to be reformed they will depend upon the Ordinary remedy by Parliament till God declare by evident demonstrations of his will in the passages of his providence that that extraordinary is to be resorted unto which is never denyed in case of Extremity to any People They resolve God strengthning them to follow his Excellency and the rest of those conductors raised up and Spirited for so great a work through a Sea of bloud to attain the fruition thereof Letters from Windsor that his Majesty removing from Hurst-Castle when he came to Winchester the Mayor and his brethren met him delivered him the Mace and made a speech to him That the Commander of that party who guarded the King told the Mayor that the Parliament had voted no more addresses to the King on pain of high Treason and by this address they made to him that they were within the danger of being Traytors That the Mayor and his brethren humbly asked pardon for it excusing themselves that they knew not any thing of that vote and that they would be more cautious for the future Letters from Dublin that they are quiet there by reason of the distractions among the Rebels whose divisions daily increase This Morning Sir Thomas Widdrington and Mr. Whitelock being together Mr. Smith who was Clerk to the Committee for preparing the charge against the King came to them with a Message from the Committee that they required them to come to them this day they having some matters of importance wherein they desired their advice and assistance and that they must not fail them They knew what the business was and Whitelock told Sir Tho. Widdrington that he was resolved not to meddle in that business about the Tryal of the King it being contrary to his judgement as he had declared himself in the House Sir Tho. Widdrington said he was of the same judgment and would have no hand in that business but he knew not whither to go to be out of the way and that the Committee might not know whither to send to him Whitelock replyed that his Coach was ready and he was this Morning going out of Town purposely to avoid this business and if he pleased to go with him they might be quiet at his House in the Country till this business should be over and he should be glad of his Company He willingly consented to go with Whitelock and was not long in preparing himself for the journey 27. The monthly Fast day and neither of the Houses sate The Council of War ordered that nothing be done upon the knee to the King and that all ceremonies of state to him be left off and his attendance to be with fewer and at less charge 28. Order for the City of London to proceed to the electing a new Common Council according to the former Ordinance by which Malignants are excluded And that the illegal Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and all other of the like nature be referred to a Committee to the end they may for the future be taken away The Committee for drawing up a charge against the King and to consider of the manner of his Tryal reported an Ordinance for attainting the King of high Treason and for trying him by such Commissioners as should be named in the Ordinance The Charge was to this effect That Charles Stuart had acted contrary to his trust in departing from the Parliament setting up his standard making a War against them and thereby been the occasion of much blood-shed and misery to the People whom he was set over for good that
That Colonel Brownbushell be tryed for his life That the Prince Duke of York and divers Lords of the Kings party be banished The Confederates in Ireland sent to the Prince to come thither that they would proclaim him King of Ireland and joyn with him against England 15. The House sate not The Council of State nominated Lord General Cromwel to be General for Ireland M r Munday an Irish Rebel was shot to death by sentence of the Council of War and James Wilson to ride the Wooden Horse with a Musket at each Leg and to run the Gantelope at Lancaster Articles of Peace between the King of France and the Parisians were agreed upon At the Council of State they had great businesses and long sitting 16. Letters from the Hague that their Ambassadour lately returned from England reported the many civilities and honour he had received in England from the Parliament and Army Whitclock brought in the Draught of a Declaration touching the proceedings of Parliament in the late transactions Upon his report of the Declartion it was moved to pass it presently without any Commitment but he moved it might be committed to amend some faults in it and upon the commitment they made it much sharper than he had drawn it and added divers Clauses which he thought matters fit to be omitted After this it was much pressed to set a time for dissolving this Parliament most of the House disliked to set a time as dangerous but agreed that when the business of the Kingdom would permit that then it should be dissolved 17. Order for a publick fast The Declaration passed touching the transactions of Parliament and Ordered to be Printed in English Latin French and Dutch An Act reciting Charls Stuart to have been justly condemned and put to death for many Treasons Murders and other hainous Offences by him committed And that it hath been found by experience the Office of a King in this Nation and Ireland and to have the power thereof in any single Person is unnecessary Burthensom and Dangerous to the Liberty safety and publick Interest of the People and that for the most part use has been made of the Regal Power and Prerogative to Oppress and Impoverish and Enslave the Subject and that usually and naturally any one Person in such power makes it his interest to incroach upon the just Freedom and to promote the setting up of their own lust Therefore the Office of a King in this Nation henceforth not to reside or be exercised by any one single Person And whereas by the abolition of the Kingly Office a most happy way is made for this Nation if God see good to return to its Just and Ancient right of being governed by its own Representatives or National Meetings in Council from time to time chosen and intrusted for that purpose by the People They resolve and declare that they will put a period to the sitting of this present Parliament and dissolve the same so soon as may possibly stand with the safety of the People that has entrusted them and with what is absolutly necessary for the preserving and upholding the Government now setled in the way of a Commonwealth And that they will carefully provide for the certain Chusing Meeting and Sitting of the next future Representatives with such other circumstances of Freedom in Choice and equality in distribution of Members to be elected thereunto as shall most conduce to the lasting freedom and good of this Common-wealth Votes touching Compositions of Delinquents Order for every Member to meet by nine in the Morning upon forfeiture of twelve pence for every default Debate of making Elections of Parliament men more equal and not to be ingrossed in some few Corporations 19. A Petition from the well affected of Leicestershire 1. That the Militia may be in good hands 2. That the Army may be provided for and all Delinquents Estates to go for that end and Free-quarter be taken off 3. That the profits of great Offices may be imployed for the publick 4. That the Laws may be according to those God gave his people and plain and short in the English Tongue and Hand 5. That Tythes may be taken away and a more equal provision for the Ministry 6. That Officers of Treasure may account 7. That all may injoy their freedoms to worship God according to his word without coercive courses to the contrary 8. For relief for Ireland 9. For provision for the poor and to set them to work as they do in Holland The petition was commended and the Petitioners had the thanks of the House Captain Bray presented Books to the Members of the House entituled An Appeal against the the Lord Fairfax General containing matter of Charge against him to have him outed of his command in the Army Which being read Captain Bray was called in and asked if he would own the Book which he did and the House Voted the Book to be Scandalous as to the General and Council of War and tending to stir up sedition in the People and mutiny in the Army and the Captain was committed Prisoner to Windsor Castle Upon information that the Turkish Alcoran was printing in English Ordered to suppress it The Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations repealed and a Committee named to consider of a way for Appeals upon sequestrations Votes touching Compositions and some excepted Persons Order for Justices of the Peace to meet Monthly and make provision for the poor and to set them to work and to find out ingrossers of Corn and Coal An Act passed that the Commons of England assembled in Parliament finding by too long experience the House of Lords to be useless and dangerous to the people of England to be continued Ordain from henceforth the House of Lords in Parliament to be wholly abolished and taken away nevertheless they nor their Posterity to be excluded from the publick Councils of the Nation but to have their free Vote in Parliament as other members when duly Elected In the House business went on slowly as heretofore and not without great difference in opinion and some Animosities the most mischievous of all other things to their interest 20. The House sate not The Council of State had consideration of the business of the Navy and several Merchants attended in it The Lady Carlisle was examined about the last Summers insurrection and confined by the Council They consider also the letter from the Parliament of Scotland upon staying of their Commissioners here Which they alledge to be contrary to the Covenant League and Vnion between both Nations in breach of the Treaties and contrary to the Publick Faith and Law of Nations by which the freedom of Ambassadors and Commissioners is Sacred and Inviolable not only betwixt Christians but even among Heathen Kingdoms and States they desire their Commissioners may be freed from all restraint Letters from Lancaster that the
need of it nor of Cloaths more than to cover nakedness That they will not defend themselves by Arms but will submit unto Authority and wait till the promised opportunity be offered which they conceive to be at hand And that as their Fore-fathers lived in Tents so it would be suitable to their condition now to live in the same with more to the like effect While they were before the General they stood with their Hats on and being demanded the reason thereof they said because he was but their fellow Creature being asked the meaning of that place Give honour to whom honour is due they said their mouths should be stopped that gave them that offence This was set down the more largely because it was the beginning of the appearance of this opinion and that we might the better understand and avoid these weak perswasions The Council of the Army after a solemn seeking of God by prayer cast Lots which Regiments of the old Army should go for Ireland there were fourteen Regiments of Horse and fourteen of Foot of the established Army which came to the Lot And it being resolved that four Regiments of Horse and four of Foot should go upon the service ten Blanks and four Papers with Ireland writ in them were put into a Hat and being all shuffled together were drawn out by a Child who gave to an Officer of each Regiment in the Lot the Lot of that Regiment and being in this impartial and inoffensive way no Regiment could take exceptions at it The Regiments whose Lot it fell to go were of Horse Iretons Scroopes Hortons and Lamberts of Foot Ewers Cooks Hewsons and Deans Several troops of Dragoons and all the Officers whose Regiments were to go expressed much forwardness Letters from the Hague that the Swedish Ambassadour there saluted the King of Scotland and condoled the death of his Father and that he and the Danish Ambassadour invited the States to joyn with them in assisting the King of Scots to gain his birth-right 21. Monies charged upon the Excise Ordered to be taken off from that Receipt and charged upon Deans and Chapters Lands Order that the Speaker be Authorised from Time to Time to Sign such Letters as should be agreed on by the Council of State to be sent to the States of the United Provinces The General sent an Order for Major General Laughern Colonel Poyer and Colonel Powell to draw Lots which of them should die the other two to be spared their lives In two of the Lots was written Life given by God the third Lot was a Blank the Prisoners were not willing to draw their own destiny but a Child drew the Lots and gave them and the Lot fell to Colonel Poyer to die The Commissioners sate in Chancery by seven a Clock in the Morning and heard many motions because two of the Motion daies in this Term were disappointed by the Fast-days After the Motions they heard eleven Causes then they rose 23. An Act recommitted for setting the Poor People to work and punishing Vagrants The Act for punishing Criminal matters by the Court of Admiralty passed The Act passed for repealing the former Act for observation of a Monthly Fast and requiring such to be kept as Fast-days which should be appointed by special order of Parliament Licence given for the French Ambassadour to transport eight Horses and eight Mares Custom Free The Amendments passed to the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands and Rowland Wilson Esq was Voted one of the Trustees Vote for one hundred pounds per annum for Mounsieur du Moulin out of the twenty thousand pound per annum for Augmentation to Ministers Some hundreds of Women attended the House with a Petition on the behalf of Lilburn and the rest it was reproachful and almost Scolding and much to the same effect with former Petitions for them An Act passed to authorise the Court of Admiralty to proced to Sentence in divers causes notwithstanding prohibitions to the contrary Colonel Popham one of the Admirals was out at Sea with one Squadron of Ships Colonel Blake and Colonel Dean the other two Admirals were with another Squadron in the Downs A petition to the General and Officers of the Army for poor Prisoners for debt to be released A Flemish Ship bound for Ireland was taken with sixty Field Officers and one hundred other Officers Cavaliers Letters from Scotland that the Levies of Souldiers there go on apace that divers new Insurrections were in that Kingdom that their new King was unwilling to put away Montross from him The Council of State wrote to Major General Ashton to disband Captain Bambers Troop by force and to secure the Officers of it because they had disobeyed the Orders of the Council and taken Free-quarter 24. Upon a Petition from Kendal referred to the Council of State to consider of Convoys for Merchants Ships and to send to Hamburgh and other parts for Corn to be imported A Petition from Colonel Poyers wife for sparing her Husbands life laid aside The Women were again at the House with a Petition in the behalf of Lilburn and the rest but could not get it received Orders for six Commissioners of the Customs and about other Officers of the Customs The King put off his answer to the Scots Commissioners with him at the Hague telling them he was to receive the Sacrament keep a day of Humiliation and entertain several Foreign Ambassadours and until these things were over he desired to be excused The Prince Elector gave the King a Visit had a Chair set for him was desired to put on his Hat and parted friendly from the King who sent the Lord Treasurer Cottington and the Lord Keeper in his name afterwards to give the Prince Elector a Visit 25. Upon a Letter from the Earl of Northumberland the House Voted That the Lady Elizabeth one of the late Kings Children should not have leave to go beyond Seas That the Kings Children should not be put under the tuition of any Member of Parliament That Sir Edward Harrington should be intrusted with them That three thousand pound per annum be allowed to him for their maintenance The forms of the new Coyn were agreed on by the House to be thus On the one side to be the Arms of England and a Laurel and a Palm on each side with this inscription about it The Commonwealth of England On the other side of the Coyn to be the Arms of England and Ireland with this inscription God with Vs Order that the Attorney General bring in Indentures and an Act for establishing this form of Coyn. The Women Petitioners again attended at the door of the House for an answer to their Petition concerning Lilburn and the rest The House sent them this answer by the Sergeant That the Matter they petitioned about was of an higher concernment than they understood that the House
gave an answer to their Husbands and therefore desired them to go home and look after their own business and meddle with their huswifry Order for a Bill to settle the twenty thousand pound for Augmentation to Ministers c. Col. Poyer was shot to death in Covent-Garden and died very penitently 26. Upon a report from the Council of State that they thought for setling the peace of the Nation that there should be an Act of Oblivion the House Ordered one to be drawn up And Voted That the time to be set in the Act of Oblivion from which no Action or Suit shall be commenced or prosecuted for any thing said or done in the time of War shall be before the first day of this Term. Order that such as shall discover any monies raised to be imployed against the Parliament should have the sixth part of what they should discover and the remainder to be imployed for the service of Ireland in this Expedition Order that the Committee of the Revenue do speedily pay to Colonel Henry Martyn a Member of the House three thousand pound which Sum he had formerly advanced for the service of this Nation Order touching the arrears of the Dutchy of Lancaster Referred in a special manner to the Commissioners of the Seal to relieve according to equity and justice such persons as have lain under the power of the Enemy and have been thereby disabled to pay their debts yet are sued at Law and liable to great penalties Referred to the Council of State to receive from two Gentlemen a Proposition made by them for the great advance of Learning and Arts and to treat with the Gentlemen thereupon and report their opinions to the House Orders touching the Officers of the Customs Order for the Barons of the Exchequer and the Committee of the Revenue to consult together how the Arrears due by Papists may be collected and that the Arrears of Fee-farm rents be speedily paid Order for the Speaker to sign Letters from time to time tendered to him by the Committee of the Army Five Troopers condemned to die by the Council of War for a mutiny at the Bull in Bishopsgate-street refusing to march upon their Colonels Orders and violently fetching away the Colours from the Cornets quarters Upon their humble Petition the General pardoned them but another one Lockier was executed The Levellers were driven away from St. George's Hill in Surry by the Country people 27. Debate of the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands Order for the Committee to meet touching Colonel Pophams arrears Sir Edward Harrington desired to be excused from taking the charge of the Kings Children Order for one thousand three hundred pound for Plymouth Garrison Mr. Andrews re-admitted a Member 28. The House spent the whole day about perfecting the Act for sale of Deans and Chapters Lands 30. The Act passed for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands and ordered to be Printed An Act passed giving power to the Commissioners to administer an Oath agreed upon in some cases of the Customs Letters from Lancashire of their want of Bread so that many Families were starved that there were many Souldiers quartered pretending for Ireland shew no Commission yet make Assessments for fourteen shillings a week for a Horse-man and seize goods for default and free-quarter and give the seed Corn to their Horses Referred to the Council of State and by them to the General to reduce those in Lancashire An Act passed for Justices of Peace for the County Palatine of Lancashire as for other Counties By Order of the House the Speaker sent Letters to the Commissioners in the several Counties for the speedy collecting the Assessment of ninety thousand pound per mens for the Forces in England and Ireland Some who counterfeited the Pass of the Council and by pretence thereof got Money in Suffolk which they said was for the relief of Ireland were committed to Peter-house Order of the General that no Regiment that is to stay in England do entertain any of the Forces designed for Ireland Mr. Lockier a Trooper who was Shot to death by sentence of the Court Martial was buried in this manner About one hundred went before the Corps and five and six in a File the Corps was then brought with six Trumpets sounding a Souldiers Knell then the Troopers Horse came cloathed all over in mourning and led by a Footman The Corps was adorned with bundles of Rosemary one half stained in blood and the Sword of the deceased with them Some thousands followed in Ranks and Files all had Sea-Green and Black Ribbon tied on their Hats and to their Breasts and the Women brought up the Rear At the new Church-Yard in Westminster some thousands more of the better sort met them who thought not fit to march through the City many looked upon this Funeral as an affront to the Parliament and Army others called them Levellers but they took no notice of any of them Letters from Ireland that Colonel Tothills Regiment of one thousand two hundred and fifty was not landed but beaten back by Tempest to Anglesey That London-Derry could not hold out the Siege That Colonel Monk stood off and did nothing being as he said not in a capacity Letters from Newcastle that many in Cumberland and Westmerland died in the high ways for want of bread and divers left their habitations travelling with their Wives and Children to other parts to get relief but could have none That the Committees and Justices of the Peace of Cumberland Signed a Certificate That there were thirty thousand Families that had neither Seed nor Bread-corn nor Money to buy either and they desired a Collection for them which was made but much too little to relieve so great a multitude Letters from Berwick that the Scots troubles increase that there are among them five for the King for one against him that they are incensed at the death of the Duke and Marquess Huntly and expect an agreement with the King That they take divers English Cavaliers into their Army May 1649. May 1. Debate of an Act to make many things Treason in relation to the Common-wealth As malitiously to affirm the present Government to be tyrannical usurped on unlawful Or that the Commons in Parliament are not the Supream Authority or to endeavour to alter the Government Or to affirm the Parliament or Councel of State to be tyrannical or unlawful or to endeavour to subvert them or stir up Sedition against them Or for Souldiers to contrive the Death of their General or Lieutenant General or others to endeavour to raise Monies or War against the Parliament or to joyn to invade England or Ireland to counterfeit the Great Seal or to kill any Member of Parliament or Judge in their Duty An Act committed for settling the Republique Letters from General Popham from Faymouth that he fought with a Squadron of Prince Ruperts
Ships took the Guinney Frigot which had 34 Guns and 20 other Vessels Letters from Ireland that Dublyn was in great danger and that Ormond had totally routed two Regiments of the Parliament Party Letters from Bristol that the Levellers were very active in those parts and took much with the People Lilbourn Walwyn Prince Overton published their Agreement of the People to this Effect 1 The Supream Authority of this Nation to be a Representative of 400. 2 That 200 be an House and the major Voice concluding to the Nation 3 All publick Officers to be capable of Subjection those of Salary not to be Members 4 No Members of one Representative to be chosen of the next 5 This Parliament to end the first Wednesday in August 1649. 6 If this omit to order it that the People proceed to Elections 7 A new Representative to be the next day after this is dissolved 8 The next and future Parliaments each to stand for one whole Year 9 The Power to be without consent of any 10 They not to make Laws to compel in matters of Religion 11 None to be compelled to fight by Sea or Land against his Conscience 12 None to be questioned concerning the Warrs but in pursuance to Authority 13 All Priviledges of any Person from Courts of Justice to be null 14 Not to give Judgement against any where no Law was provided before 15 Not to depend longer upon the incertain Inclination of Parliament 16 None to be punished for refusing to answer against themselves 17 No appeal after 6 Months after the end of Representatives 18 None to be exempted for beyond-Seatrade where others are free 19 No Excise or Custom to be above four Months after next Parliament 20 Mens Persons not to be imprisoned for Debt nor their Estates free 21 Mens Lives not to be taken away but for Murder or the like 22 Men upon Tryals for Life Liberty c. to have Witnesses heard 23 Tithes not to continue longer than the next Representative 24 Every Parish to choose their own Minister and to force none to pay 25 Conviction for Life Liberty c. to be by twelve Neighbours sworn 26 None to be exempted from Offices for his Religion only 27 The People in all Counties to choose all their Publique Officers 28 Future Representations to justify all Debts Arrears c. 29 No Forces to be raised but by the Representations in being 30 This Agreement not to be nulled no Estates levelled nor all things common Montrosse was sent Ambassador into Spain to declare the Kings sad Condition the executing of his Father and keeping him from his Birthright the like to be to France Denmark and Sweden 2 Several Petitions presented from London in behalf of Lilbourn and the rest from Essex for the same from Cambridgeshire about Sea Breaches from London for payment of publick Faith Mony another for Relief of such have been sentenced for adhering to the Parliament another in behalf of the Commons of Lincolnshire Another Petition from Suffolk to the like Effect with former Petitions for taking away Tiths c. and for Liberty of Conscience the Petitioners had thanks for their former good Services and Present civil Petitioning 3 The Publick Fast Day One Elliot a Person towards the Law and others ingaged Souldiers in the Execution of civil Process the General declared his dislike thereof in a Letter to the Lord Chief Justice and prayed his care to punish it One Doâ— committed to the Marshal to be tryed by a Councel of War for pretending a Commission from the Officers of the Army to collect Arrears due for Spiritual Livings and thereby got great Sums into his hands Also two more for counterfeiting the Generals Hand and Seal to Protections for which they received Mony 4 Referred to a Committee to regulate the Vniversity of Cambridge Upon a report from the Councel of State ordered that the Guinny Frigot lately taken be victualled mann'd and set out to Sea Referred to the Committee of the Admiralty to consider of the Articles given to the Captain and Seamen upon the taking of that Friget and whether they may be proceeded against or not and touching the Irish Mariners and the English that revolted Referred to the Councel of State to consider how the Mariners and others detained Prisoners in Scylley and Jersy may be relieved and discharged the like upon the Petition of Mariners Wives The Committee ordered to consider of the indirect dealings in the Sale of Bishops Lands and removing Obstructions therein An Act for discharge of Delinquents in Essex who have compounded An Act passed for settling the Rectory and Glebelands of Burford upon a Member 5 Order for the Isle of Anglesey to have the like Benefit for Compounding as South Wales had Order for L. C. Throckmorton to have a concealed Estate discovered by him towards his Arrears he proving it to belong to a Delinquent The L. Howard chosen and admitted to be Burgess for Carlisle Order for the Speaker to give Passes to those who by the Articles of Pontfract were to go beyond Sea Petition for Payment of Publique Faith Mony Order for the Accounts of a Member to be stated and his Arrears paid out of such concealed Delinquents Estates as he should discover Referred to a Committee to consider of the Petitions and Grievances of all who have not Articles upon Rendition of Garrisons performed to them 7 Order to discharge from Sequestrations the Lady Capels joynture Orders for the Arreares of Colonel Rich. Mr. Francis Pierepoint satisfyed the Committee and was re-admitted to sit in the House Order that the Speaker Sign Letters to forrain Ministers with a Copy of the Act for seizing all Ships that have Prince Charles his Commission Order that the Ingagements for the Navy may be doubled upon Deanes and Chapters Lands Referred to a Committee to consider how the Town of Leverpool may be relieved for Losses Upon their Petitions Orders for Pardon and Inlargement of the L. Goring C. Owen Langhern and Powel Letters from Berwick that things in Scotland were bad that the People increase in Discontent and Affection to the Royal Party The private Souldiers of C. Scroopes Regiment of Horse published their Resolutions not to go for Ireland till the Ingagements of the Parliament were performed here 8 Voted not to continue the Allowance of 12000 l. to the Queen of Bohemia and that the Committee of the Revenue make a List for the House of all Pensions and suspend the Payment of them The Question whether the Councel of State should pay 1500 l. to the Earl of Rutland for demolishing Belvoir Castle passed in the Negative Order for the Commissioners of the Seal to send a Writ to the Lord Mayor to cause to be proclaimed the Act touching Prize Ships and Goods Iretons Regiment were in Disorder upon Letters from Colonel Scroopes Regiment to joyn in their Resolution not to go for Ireland the like of Colonel Reynold's Regiment and
of the House and of the City ordered to return the hearty thanks of the House to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Councel for their great Love and Civilities yesterday expressed to the Parliament and Army Referred to a Committee to consider what mark of Honour and Favour the Parliament should bestow upon the City for their real Affection to the Parliament Some Aldermen and Common Councel men in the name of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Councel presented the Lord General with a large and weighty Bason and Ewer of beaten Gold as a testimony of the Affections of the Giny to his Excellence They also presented from the City to the Lieutenant General Cromwel Plate to the value of 300 l. and 200 Pieces in Gold 9 A long debate touching absent Members voted that those who gave their Votes for Addresses to be made to the late King should state their Cases in Writing by a day to a Committee for absent Members which if they neglect to do then Writs to be issued out for new Elections in the places of those who shall so neglect 11 Debate touching the Earl of Chesterfields Composition Letters from the Countess of Leicester and the Earl of Northumberland for allowance for the late Kings Children referred to the Committee of the Revenue to provide Monies for them Order for demolishing Montgomery Castle and allowance to the Lord Herbert for his Damage thereby out of his Fine Order for demolishing Winchester Castle and Reparation for the Damage thereby to Sir Willi-Waller The like for Belvoir Castle and for Reparation of the Damage thereby to the Earl of Rutland referred all to the Councel of State The Act passed for relieving Persons comprized in Articles Another for altering the Original Seales of Caermarthen Pembroke and Cardigan Another for altering the Seal of Nisi-prius of the Common Pleas. Order that the Members of the House and of the Councel of State the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal and Judges do attend the Funeral of Dr. Dorislaus Letters that the Parliament of Scotland took many exceptions to the Letter sent to them from the Parliament of England That they go on in raising Forces but the Quelling of the Levellers in England did not please them But they bewaile the suffering condition of their Preshyterian Brethren in England That in Scotland are many English Officers and Soldiers who expect imployment when their new King cometh and are out of Patience and Mony by his longstay that the Scots fear a Famine and Execute very many for Witches 12 Order for 6000. Men for the Summer Guard to be Proportioned to the ships and 3000 for the Winter Guard Referred to the Commitee of the Army to conferre with the Councel of State touching the number of Forces to be kept up and the Pay of them Referred to a Committee to prepare an Act upon Sir Henry Vane's report touching the Excise The new Judges were Sworn in the several Courts And it came to Whitlock's turn to make the Speech to those who were sworn Judges of the Common-Pleas Who were Mr. Sergeant Penleston and Mr. Sergeant Warberton Wherein amongst other matters he told them of their being the first Judges Publickly Sworn in this Common-wealth and spake to them concerning Judges in general Judges of this Common-wealth and Judges of this Court. On the second Head he told them That the Judges in this Common-wealth are of as great Antiquity as is the Law it self That the Druides were Judges or Interpreters of the Law Amongst the Pritains And as they studyed the Law 20. Years yet committed nothing to writing So out Judges spend as much longer time in the same study and our common Law is Lex non scripta at this Day He also intimated to them what he found in Ingulphus p. 870. and in Seldens Janus Anglorum of the Division made by King Alphred or Allured in Judices quos nunc Justiclarios vacamus et Vicioomites And in the sanie Author that when W. I. upon the suit of the Abbot of Crowland confirmed the Laws of St. Edward he proclaimed them to be kept et Justiciarijs suis commendabat And then he thus proceeds All these are Testimonies of the Antiquity of our Judges but I hold not this essential to be largely considered save as it falls in our way Neither shall I rob you of your time by an elaborate Discourse of the Honour and Respect due to your Place only you may pardon a few Observations thereupon and the rather for the particular Relation I have to that Calling What respect the Sexons had to their Judges appeares in the Etymology of their Word Grave which signifieth a Judge and an Earl Sir John Danys Rep. As in the old Law of the Ripuarians C. 55. Act 1st The Title being Si quis Graffionem interfecerit The Text is Si quis Judicem Fiscalem quem Comitem vocant interfecerit Seld. Tit. Hon. f. 121. 127. and Haillan f. 274. But to come nearer home we find in the Law of H. 1. This Description of a Judge Regis Judicos sunt Barones Comitatus qui liberas in eis tenras habent villani vero corsetti vel ferdingi vel qui sunt viles aut inopes Personae non sunt inter Indices numerandi Whence appears the reason of the Judges of the Exchequer being called Barons Seld. Tit. Hon. f. 347. and 390. Lambert f. 186. 1 H. 6. f. 7. Agreeable with this is the Testimony of Bracton who saith thus Comites vero vel Barones nonsunt amerciandi nisi per pares suos et hoc per Barones Scaccarij vel corain ipso Rege Vpon which and the Case of the Earl of Northumberland under H. 6. Selden observes that all Judges were held antiently as Barons And the Writ by which they were Summou'd to Parliament is in the same Style and hath in it the same words with the Writs of Summons of Barons Consitium vestrum impensuri Those of the Commons being ad faciendum et consentiendum hiis quae de communi Confilio ordinari contigeunt And in some Entries of Judgments upon Writs of Error in Parliament the words are ex assensn Institiariorum and the Title of Lord was given antiently to all the Judges as appears in divers of our Books and Records and is still given to the Judges of Assize They have their Officers and their Purveyante as the Barons had untill taken away by the Statute front both Rot. Parl. 10. E. 2. pt 2. M. 20. and 2. E. 3. pt 1. M. 33. and Rot. Claus 11. E. 1. and this was taken away by the Statute 4. E. 3. C. 3. Theye be divers Cases and Records of Punishments inflicted on those who gave any affronts to Judges and especially that noted Case of Roger Hengham M. 33. and 34. E. 1. rot 71. in the Receipt of the Exchequer So tender hath the State alwayes been of the Honour of their great publick Officers and as the State
is so the Judges themselves ought to be very tender of that Honour with which they are intrusted which is not so much theirs as the Nations Honour and the Honour of the Law it self They are neither to lessen their Honour by a Cariage too lofty for most Honour is gained by Courtesy and Humilty Nor to lessen their Honour by a Port too low and unbeseeming their Quality But this point needs no consideration in this place I hasten to my last particular which is concerning Judges of this Court. A high and antient Court high in respect of the Vniversality and business of it the Liberties Franchises and Property of all the People of this great Nation are determinable in it And concerning the Antiquity of the Court give me leave upon this Occasion and for the Right and Honour of this Court a little to look into an Opinion delivered by great and learned Men upon that Point Not that I presume upon my slender Judgement to controul theirs but to lay before you their Assertion and what Authorities I have met with in my little reading to the contrary that your selves by comparing both together may the better Judge of the difference Lambert Cowel Serjeant Fleetwood Sir Thomas Smith and a Manuscript concerning Masters of the Chancery all of them do affirm That the Court of Common Pleas was erected by the Statute of Magna Charta C. 11 The Words are Communia placita non fequantur Curiam nostram sed sint in loco certo from hence collect that common Pleus which before were held in other Courts and followed the Kings House were not settled in a Place certain nor the Court of Common Pleas erected til this time Of these Authors Sir Roger Owen in his Manuscript sayeth They are like unto Ostriches Birds of great Feathers yet little Flight I cannot subscribe to their Opinion upon these Grounds Beda f. 10. relates that the prime Monarch with the consent of the States of Parliament allotted Pleas of the Crown to one Court Common Suits of Subjects to another and Matters of Revenew to a third and this was long before Magna Charta They mistake the Words Curiam nostram in this place of Magna Charta to signify the Kings House which had not then that appellation but the Word curia had another signification Among the Romans whose Word it is Curia sometimes was taken for the 30th part of the People into which Romulus divided them but more frequently it signifyed with them an Assembly of Clergy-Men and Lawyers as Curia Hostilia Pompeya Julia c. St. Augustine in his Coment upon the 121 Psalm sayeth that Curia improperly is taken for a Tribe but properly signifies the Courts of Justice in Cities and Countries In the same sense the word is taken with us and was so before any applications of it to the Kings House as is plain in the Mirror of Justices Glanvil the Stat. of Marlbridge 52. H. 3. the Stat. W. 1. 3. E. 1. and W. 2. 13. E 1. and others and in Walsingham Ingulphus Hoveden Paris and all our Chief Historians In H. 3. time and after Hospitium Regis was generally the Kings House as Maresehallus Hospitii Senesehallus Hospitii in their Letters Patents and Britton calls it Hostel du Roy. That ground then will fail them that by the word Curia in Magna Charta is meant the Kings House but as Sir Roger Owen and others conjecture by it is meant the Courts of the Chancery Kings-Bench and Exchequer The Case 21. E. 3. Fitz. Bre. comes to this where a Writ de rationabili parte Bonorum was brought in the Kings Bench the Defendant pleaded this part of Magna Charta Comunia placita non sequantur Curiam nostram and though he had been at issue yet the Plantiff would not proceed And in 26. E. 1. in the Treasury one Nicholas de Scotland brought assize for Land which was reversed for Error in the Kings Bench where the Judges willed Nicholas to arraigne a new Assize in the Common Pleas because by the Words of Magna Charta Common Pleas ought not to follow Bancum Regis and there are no other words Curiam nostram in Magna Charta but these In the Stat. Articuli super Chartas it is said No Common Pleas shall hereafter be held in the Cheq against the tenour of the great Charter and there be no words restraining suits of Common Pleas by the great Charter but these To make it more plain It is agreed by Hoveden Paris and others and I think not to be denyed that Magna Charta were the Law of Edward the Confessor And in that Case 21. E. 3. the Defendant pleaded this part of it not as an Act of Parliament but as a common Consent and Custom To this purpose that is pertinent 26. Assis p. 24. where the Abbot of B. prescribes to have Cognizance of Pleas and to have an Original out of Court by usage in the time of St. Edward Kings And that H. 1. by his Charter confirmed all the usages and that they should have Cognizance of all manner of Pleas so that the Justices of the one Bench or the other should not intermeddle upon which my L. Cook Lit. 71. B. Collects that then there was this Court and these Judgse In the Treasury of the Chequer are many Records of Pleas of King H. 2. R. 1. and King John dated in the Court of Common Pleas. In an antient Roll there is contained the suit between the Abbot of Aniou and the Abbot of Crowland about the Meers of a Marsh in the Court of Common Pleas in R. 1. and King John's time and the names of the Justices set down in the Roll thus Justitiaru in Banco residentes and the Chancellor writes to them by that Name Glanvil in his second Book writes of them which would not wage Battle but have their Matters tryed by a Jüry f. 14. that they were to be tryed coram Justitiarijs in Banco residentibus In Glanvils 4. Book it is said that Quare impedits are returnable coram Justitiarijs apud Westmonasterium which they are to this Day In his eighth Book he writes though Fines were levyed in many other Courts yet still they were ingrossed coram Justitiarijs in Banco residentibus and so they are to this day An Act past for Mr. Broughton to be Coroner of the upper Bench. Dr. Walker is made one of the Judges of the Admiralty A Petition of Mr. Gething for Money and a Demand of Mony by the Lord Grey of Wark referred to the Commitee to remove Obstructions in the sale of Deanes and Chapters Lands An Act past to encourage the Manufacture of Salt Order of the Councel for demolishing of Lancaster-Castle Letters from the Parliaments Navy that divers of Prince Ruperts Seamen came in to them that the Prince had very few Men and most of them such as had been taken Prisoners by him Letters from Chester that the Irish Rebels came near to Dublin and many of
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
Lands and Revenues of the King Queen and Prince and securing thereby the Arreares of the Souldiery again debated and Committed A Petition from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Councel of London acquainting the House that one of the Members thereof Alderman Wilson was elected one of the Sherriffs and desired the leave of the House that he might serve according to his Election Upon the Question it was voted to be left to Alderman Wilson to except thereof if he should think fit and that the house would look upon it as an acceptable service to the Common-wealth if he would serve therein according to the election and desire of the City Alderman Wilson being very fit for that place and freely elected to it and a Conscientious worthy Person considering the Affection of the City and that God had blessed him and his Father with the gaining a plentiful Fortune in that place thought it fit for him to spend some of it and to undergo the Trouble of the place for the Honour and Service of the City A Petition of the well affected in Lancashire to the Officers of the Army reciting the Order of the Councel of State for demolishing Lancaster Castle shewing the danger thereof to the well affected praying them to be a Meanes to the General and to the Councel that it may not be done 14 Debate all day upon the Act for sale of the Kings Lands c. and Order to meet on Munday at 6 a Clock in the morning for the dispatch of this Act that the Souldiery may see the care of the Parliament for securing their Arreares before they go into Ireland Order giving further time for doubling upon the purchase of Deanes and Chapters Lands 16 An Act passed for sale of the Crown Lands to secure the Arrears of the Souldiery Order for allowing 3000 l. to Mr. John Brown Clerk of the Lords House for his Losses and referred to a Committee how to raise it Referred to the Councel of State to examine a Mutiny of the reduced Souldiers at York and to punish the Mutineers A Petition from South Wales that when Collonel Horton with his Regiment shall be drawn from thence to Ireland C. Martin or who the House shall think fit may be their Commander in Chief and they will pay his Forces Referred to the General to take care of South-Wales and the Petitioners had thanks for their good Affections Letters that the Fleet before Kingsale took a Vessel of Prince Ruperts of 11 Guns and in her Captain Leg and Sir Hugh Windham Captain Darcy and 60 Men and Ammunition That Captain Ball took a Holland Man of War of 30 Guns loaden with Stuffes and Provisions for Prince Rupert and Maurice and sent her up to the State Letters that Tredah holds out against Ormond who puts the English into Garrisons and keeps the Catholicks and the Irish in the Field to fight That Captain Jones out of Dublin fell upon Ormonds Quarters took 200 Horse killed and took 140 Men without the Loss of one Man cut their Tents and retreated to Dublin whither 4000 Quarters of Corn were brought in from Chester That the Lieutenant of Ireland was entertained with great Honour at Bristol and the Country came in great multitudes to see him that he lay there for a Wind. 17 The Act passed touching Coynes Upon a Report from the Conncel of State who had consulted therein with the General the House Voted That when the Councel should see Cause for the safty of the Common Wealth they might make an Addition of Forces both Horse and Foot to be in readiness to take the Field and march with the standing Army and they to have Pay only while they should be in Service Indemnity given to some well affected Justices of the Peace of Surrey who were sued for some things irregularly done by them Orders of Reference to Lords the Commissioners of the Seal touching Coynes Letters from Scotland that they resolve to levy a considerable Army forthwith and as they say for their own Defence Letters that Collonel Reynolds Regiment of Horse and Collonel Venable's and Collonel Hunks's Regiments of Foot were ready to be shiped Letters from Dublin that the Enemy fiercely assaulced Tredah but were beaten off with the Loss of 2000 Men that the Governour went forth with a Party of about 200 Horse and about 1500 Foot into the Enemies Camp brought away 200 of their Horse with some Bread Beer Fruit and Sack but are in great want of Provisions and can receive none from Dublin 18 Vote to discharge Mr. Abbot from being Register of the Prerogative Court and Mr. Oldsworth and Mr. Parker to have Patents for that Office Referred to a Committee to consider what to do concerning Ecclesiastical Offices and Courts An Act Passed for a Collection for the Propagation of the Gospel in New-England Leave given to Lieutenant Collonel Lilbourn to visit his sick Wife and Family Letters that Sir Charles Coot sent forth Captain St. John and Captain Taylor out of London Derry who fell upon the Enemies Quarters slew divers of them and took many Prisoners A Declaration passed in answer to the Letter from the Parliament of Scotland to vindicate the Proceedings of the Parliament of England 19 Order for the Printing and Publishing the Act declaring what Offences shall be adjudged Treason Several Orders passed relating to particular Persons and not of publick Concernment 20 Order for the Committee of Accounts to allow the Certificates of the several Sub-Commissioners for Accounts in the respective Counties Referred to the Commissioners of the Seal to consider how Monies may be raised for the Repair of Marlborough-Bridge Referred to the Committee of the Army to confer with the General and Officers of his Army how free Quarter may be totally taken off and the late Act passed for that end be put in effectual Execution and to give an Account thereof to the Councel of State Letters from Bristol from the Lieutenant of Ireland about Supplies for his Forces referred to the Committee of the Army Order for 500 l. for Mrs. Farrer of her Husbands Arrears Mr. Fell made Second Judge of Chester and the L. President Bradshaw made Chief Justice of Chester Order for 4000 l. to be paid to divers who were Labourers in Scotland Yard to his late Majesty Attourney General Prideaux moved the House in the behalf of the Lords Commissioners Whitelock and Lisle that they may have the Duke of Bucks House as a conveniency of their being together for their Service of the Seal and that they might have a Lease for 21 Years of that House The Parliament very freely ordered what Mr. Attourney desired and referred it to the Committee of Haberdashers Hall to set the Rent for it which they did the same day at 40 l. per annum and no more because of the great Charge they should be put to in the repair of it it being much ruined by the Quartering of Souldiers in it 21 Letters from Plymonth of Collonel
great Victory That an Act be brought in for settling 1000 l. per annum Land upon Lieutenant General Jones and his Heirs that thanks be sent to him and the rest for that good Service That the Councel of State prepare the Letter of thanks to be signed by the Speaker and do take into consideration the Request of Lieutenant General Jones for continuing Sir George Askue Vice Admiral of the Irish Seas That it be referred to the Trustees for Sale of the Kings Goods to choose 6 of the best Horses in Tilbury Race for Lieutenant General Jones as a Gratuity from the House That 200 l. be given to Captain Otway who brought the Letters The Petitions of the Brewers referred to the Committee of Excise and they to bring in a new Model for the Excise The Act passed for the more speedy collecting of the Excise Order for some Pentions to be continued to Souldiers Wives And for some scandalous Prmphlets and their Authors to be examined and punished and that Mr. Caughton a London Minister now in Prison be discharged Letters from Chester that Ormond was rallied to 12000 Men and had taken in some Forts Letters from Cardiffes That divers of the Lieutenant of Irelands Souldiers went away from him That C. Cooks Regiment was in a great Mutiny at Minehed and many of them went away but the Captain appeased the Mutiny and forced his Men on Ship Board 15 A Petition of the Earl and Countess of Thommond touching a debt from the Earl of Peterborough referred to a Committee An Act passed for settling 2000 l. per annum upon the Lord President Bradshaw another for 1000 l. per annum upon C. Martin out of Eynsham Another for 2000 l. per annum upon M. G. Skippon The Act published for the Composition of the Delinquents of North-Wales for 24000 l. Letters from Ireland that the Parliament having sent some Corn and 200 Souldiers to London Derry and two of Sir Charles Coots Brothers beingcome to him with 700 Horse he sallyedout of the Town and scoured the Countrey for 7 Miles on all sides of the City took many Cows and Prisoners and killed all whom he found in Arms then returned to Derry 16 A Petition from the General and his Councel of Officers to the House praying First That all penal Statutes formerly made and late Ordinances whereby many Conscientious People are molested and the Propagation of the Gospel hindered may be removed 2 That it is not their meaning that the Liberty desired by them should extend to the tolleration of Popery Prelacy the Book of Common Prayer publick Scorn and Contempt of God and his Word But desire that all open Acts of Profaneness or Drunkenness Swearing Vncleanness and the like be vigorously proceeded against and punished in all Persons whatsoever 3 That upon the Sense of the late great Mercy in Ireland they would extend Favour to those in restraint who have formerly served them and this Nation against the Common Enemy and for the future all disturbers of the publick Peace to be vigorously proceeded against 4 That speedy Consideration may be had of the great Oppressions by reason of the multiplicity of unnecessary Laws with their Intricacies and Delayes which tends to the profit of some particular men but much to the Expence and Dammage of the whole C. Goffe and Pride and other Officers who presented this Petition were called in to the Bar and the Speaker by command of the House gave them thanks for their constant good Affections and in particular for this Petition Acquainting them that the House had the things desired already under consideration and that this Petition should hasten the granting the same with all possible speed and Convenience Then it was voted That all penal Statutes and Ordinances whereby many Conscientious People are much molested and the Propagation of the Gospel hindred may be removed and referred to the Committee for bringing in an Act for ease of tender consciences to bring in the Act according to this Debate And referred it to a Committee who are to bring in an Act of Pardon to comprize herein the three proposals of this Petition And referred to the Committee concerning the Laws of the Land to consider of the 4th Proposal of this Petition The Act passed for paying 3500 l. to the Widdow of Mr. Blackstone a Member of the House An Order for Mr. Hall Attourny of the Dutchy to have the priviledge to plead within the Bar. The like Order was made for Mr. Steel and also to be freed from his Reading Order for Mr. Stevens a Member of the House and a common Lawyer to be made Judge of the Admiralty for which place he was not very fit A Declaration and Narrative past of the Grounds and Reasons for setting apart a day of publick Thanksgiving 17 Debate of the Act for Payment of the Arreares of C. Thornhaugh deceased Order for the Serjeants Men to disperse the Copies of the Act for the Thanksgiving Day and referred to the Councel of State to consider how the House may be eased of this trouble for the future and to give order for the dispersing of Papers upon the like Occasions The accounts of C. Willoughby referred to be audited A Petition of Mariners referred to a Committee An Act passed for settling 1000 l. per annum upon Lieutenant General Jones Order for an Act to settle 500 l. per annum out of the Irish Rebels Lands upon Sir Charles Coot An Act past for the Payment of their Arrears to the English Officers in Ireland for their former Services in England The House adjourned for three Days 18 Letters of confirmation of raising the Seige before London Derry by Sir Charles Cootes Brother in which Service many of the Enemy were taken Prisoners and divers slain Letters from Chester That C. Jones was again gone out of Dublin to besiege Drogheda that Ormond had dismounted most of the Irish for not fighting and had turned all the English out of Trym Castle That the Lord Lientenant of Ireland was imbarqued with his Army The House being adjourned Mr. Speaker Commissioner Keeble Mr. Chute Mr. Adams Mr. Steel and Mr. Whitelock by appointment met in the morning at Mr. Attourney General 's where they conferred together about the making new Rules for Reformation of the Proceedings in Chancery and agreed upon some general Points which they referred to some of the Company to draw up into Form 20 Letters to the Councel of State of the imbarquing of the Lieutenant of Ireland on Munday last and of Commiss G. Ireton on the Wednesday after with a great Fleet that nevertheless they left 3 Regiments behind for want of Shipping That the English Ships were very forward for the Voyage and so were the Flemish Bottomes when their Money was punctually paid them That no Provision was wanting for the Transportation of this Army and there is a considerable stock of Money with plenty of Ammunition That the
there Letters from Dublin that the Lieutenant was marched with 10000 Horse and Foot towards Tredah to find out Ormond who with the L. of Ardes was very Numerous But many English came from them to the Lieutenant and such as Ormond took going from him were Presently Executed One Mr. Williams sent to Prison for reading the Common Prayer Publickly 10 The Councel Ordered both the General his Regiments and Okey's Dragoons and some other Regiments commanded by M. G. Lambert to march to Oxford to quiet the distempers there Letters from Dublin that the Lieutenant with about 12000 Horse and Foot was come near Tredah which Ormond had victualled for 6 Months and fortefyed and put in it 2000 Irish Foot and 200 Horse and made Sir Arthur Ashton formerly Governour of Reading for the King Governour of this place That the Lieutenant ordered Ships to stop Provisions from the Town and to furnish the Besiegers that he sent 1000 Foot by Sea to Sir Charles Coot and ordered 500 Horse to march by land to him An intercepted Letter from Prince Rupert from Kingsale to Ormond of the wants of the Fleets with proposal for Provisions 11 The Imposition of 4 s. per Chaldron upon Coales taken off for the benefit of the Poor Captain Wagstaffe gave an account to the House of the particular Passages in the meeting at Oxford how they imprisoned their Officers set Guards fortifyed New-Colledge and other Acts of Hostility That C. Ingoldsby their C. sent to them from the Parliament was put under a Guard by them and how they chose Agitators That the secured Officers walking near to the Guards after two dayes discoursing with the private Souldiers on the Guard and some of them not well satisfyed with these Proceedings of their fellow Souldiers which these Officers fomented and demanded liberty to go away some of the Guards were fit for it and others against it whereupon the Officers forced their way through the Guards and so past them and went up to their C. Ingoldsby and told him how the Matter stood He with his two Men came to the Guards that were put upon him and without saying much to them came through them and commanded the Souldiers to march with him which they did and came to the Officers in the Street One of the Agitators on Horseback killed a Souldier who offered to stop him and the Guard which the C. brought with him took the rest of the Agitators Prisoners many Souldiers came in to the C. as he went along in the Streets and marched with him Then he went up to New-Castle and commanded the Colours which were brought to him He sent for a Party of Horse to Whateley and placed his own Guards The Souldiers generally obeyed him and manifested great Joy that they were thus disingaged Referred to the Councel of State to give directions to the Attourney General to proceed against the Mutineers at Oxford by a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for Treason and to appoint other Councel to assist him and a Sollicitor and to prepare a Declaration touching this Business Order for an Addition to C. Okey's Regiment of Dragoons to make them up 1000. A Member of the House chosen Major of Taunton had leave to serve in that place An Act passed for relief of Felt-Makers and Hat-band Makers against Aliens importing them to the hindrance of English Manufactures 12 Instructions against the Accounts of Mr. Hawkins Treasurer of Ireland Order to certify the Accounts of C. Rossiter Some Delinquents sent for from Norwich An Act past prohibiting to brew for sale any Ale or Beer above 16 s. the Barrel above the Excise 13 Recommended to the General to give his Orders to his Officers of Horse for securing by his Horse the High-Wayes from Robberies and to apprehend the Thieves Order for a Commission to visit the University of Oxâ—ord The Act for relief of tender Consciences against the Penalties of several Statutes read and committed The Troop of Horse in Oxford under Captain Smith continued for 6 Months 20 s. per week ordered for the Lady Beaumont Complaints from New-Castle against Taxes Petition of M. G. Mitton and Arrears and Losses allowed to several Persons The Earl of Salisbury chosen a Member into the House for Lyn. Letters that the Prince and Duke of York were landed with 300 Men in Jersy Papers intercepted from Ormond to Prince Rupert concerning Provisions and Necessaries for their Fleet. Letters that the Duke of York had visited the King Queen and Cardinal of France and was revisited by them whom he most humbly beseeched to have Compassion on the King his Brother and to give all Assistance possible for the regaining of his Estate and Kingdom To which the Cardinal made answer That it could not possibly be now but that he might assure himself and the King his Brother that when they were in a capacity to serve him they would spare neither Purse nor Power and in the mean time desired the Kings Brother to accept of a small present of 100000 Crowns Letters that Ormond was but 5000 in the Field and had put the rest into Garrisons That the Lord Lieutenant finding the Enemy to give ground besieged Tredah That he did not pursue Ormond judging it not safe to march too far into an Enemies Country and leave many of their Garrisons behind him especially Tredah which was very strong and would be of singular Advantage to him both for Sea and Land The 1000 Foot sent to Sir Charles Coot were safely landed at Derry Major General Lambert C. Baxter and other Officers went to Oxford to try the Mutinous Souldiers there by a Court Marshal those of the Country who joyned with them are to be tryed by a Commission of Oyer and Terminer 14 A Petition of the Countess of Castle-Haven referred to a Committee who upon proof of the truth of it are to bring in an Act as the Petition desires Sir Kenelm Digbys Petition carryed upon the Question not to be read Letters from Mr. Strickland from Holland That the Provintial States there had given him audience as a publick Agent from this State Order that Mr. Speaker write a Letter to acknowledge the Respect to their Agent Order that a Ship lately taken from the State and adjudged Prize should be discharged by the Admiralty and the Seamen who took her to be gratifyed otherwise Order for Money for such as fled out of Ireland hither and to inable them to return into Ireland Order for 1000 l. for the Countess of Kent for her dammage by the demolishing of Goodrick Castle Order for more Carriages for the Regiments gone for Ireland and the Councel to bring it into the Establishment An Act past Authorizing the Commissioners of the Customes to Impose Fines and Forfeitures on such as Import Wines c. From France contrary to a late Act. 15 Letters to the Councel that Jermin and Percy were imprisoned in France for holding Correspondence with the Spaniard to the disservice
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
caused to be published in Scotland for Justifying of his Proceedings Mr. Windram Layds of Libberton though hardly drawn to it was at length dispatched away with a Message to the Scots King after his arrival in Jersy he waited for an audience till an Agent that had come from Ireland was dismist Then being admitted to the Princes Presence he presented to him the Desires and Offers of the States of Scotland which were to this Effect 1 That he would sign the Covenant and pass an Act for all Persons in Scotland to take it and to ratifyall that had been done there concerning the same 2 That he would pass divers Acts of the Parliament of Scotland which were ratifyed by their two last Sessions as for his approbation of their disclaiming Dr. Hamiltons Design for receiving the several Acts made by the English for the Militia for the Kings of Scotland to have no negative voice in that Parliament 3 That he would withdraw his Commissions to Montross for raising Forces to be sent from beyond Seas into Scotland and to give present Order for the stopping thereof 4 That he would put away all Papists from about him and let none be of his Councel but known Protestants 5 That he would appoint some place about Holland to treat with Commissioners from the Estates of Scotland wro would send eminent Lords to him to treat and conclude there upon all particulars and from the time he should come into Holland they would provide for him what should be necessary to make him and his Train to reside in a Regal manner 6 That he would give a speedy Answer to their Desires These Propositions were much debated by the Prince his Councel who were of a different Sense concerning them nor could a present Answer to them be agreed upon the Priuce having ingaged himself to the Queen his Mother not to do any thing in matters of Importance without first acquainting her therewith and having her advice about them It was thought fit also speedily to acqnaint Montross with this Business Some of the Prince his Councel were for rejecting these Propositions as dishonorable and disadvantagious Others were for accepting them and a speedy agreement with that Party in Scotland which was most prevalent and by whom the Prince had greater Probability of obtaining the Crown than by Montross his Designs which were full of hazard and uncertainty Letters also came from the Queen urging that if the Scots Propositions seemed at present too severe and insupportable there might hereafter be opportunity as soon as he had obtained the Kingdom to free himself at least in some measure from the Inconveniences of them The main of his Councel tended to this that according to the Exigence of his Affairs at present it was absolutely necessary to comply with the Kirk of Scotland Montross advised the same and that the Banishment of himself might not hinder it but to that the King answered that he had found him so faithful and to have performed so eminent Services both to his Father and to himself that he could not in Justice or Honour leave him and desired him to urge him no further to it In regard the Answer to the Scots Propositions required some considerable time because it could not be compleated to be returned by the L. of Libberton Sir William Flemming was sent as Agent before hand to Edenburgh from thence to give Advice of the Affairs in Scotland that thereby the Councel might the better know how to frame the Answer Sir John Berkeley and C. Slingsby were sent into the West of England to sollicite the Kings Friends to rise in Arms for their Prince and being accidentally discovered by a Country Fellow were apprehended by the Committee of the County and sent Prisoners to Truroe The Prince had Ambassadors with the Emperour the Duke of Muscovia the State of Venice the Great Turk and with the King of Spain to whom the Substance of the Ambassy was 1 That the Parliament of England having been in Arms against his Father and prevailed against him and caused him to be put to Death 2 That he being Son and Heir to the late King was yet kept out of his Kingdom by the aforesaid Parliament 3 That he desired the King of Spain's Neighbourly Assistance and that he would afford him what Aid he could to Establish him into his Rights and Dignities in the Kingdoms To this the King of Spain made Answer 1 That he was sorry for his Fathers ill Success wishing he had been more prosperous 2 That he condold with him for his Fathers Death and was much affected with Sorrow at the manner of it 3 That concerning the difference between him and the Parliament and the Rights on the one or the other Side they being Matters out of his Territories and Jurisdiction he could not take Cognizance of them nor should he meddle therein But for any thing within his own Dominions he should be ready to do him what lawful Favour he could November 1649. The Princes continuance at Jersy was by his Councel held not fit to be much longer upon these Reasons 1 Because there was a considerable Fleet of the Parliaments come already to Portsmouth with store of Provisions and it was necessary to prevent the danger that might fall upon them in case those Ships should make an attempt upon the Island which that they would do was the more probable because there were already men landed in Jersy 2 That if they should lye under that hazard they knew not where to expect Relief except all other Services should be neglected and Prince Rupert and Montross called hither which would be the ruine of their Designs 3 That their removal would give great Satisfaction to the Kingdom of Scotland and be an Encouragement to their Friends in England 4 That thereby they should be the more free from Hazards and Dangers both as to themselves and others that should make addresses to them The Councel of State in England had good Intelligence of all the Transactions of the Prince and of his Councel which they procured by their Mony whereof some of the Prince his Servants were needy and would betray their Master for it The times were licentious and men took strange Liberty to calumniate all in Authority and to clamour if they had not what themselves thought fit respecting themselves and their private Interest and Concerns much more than the Rules of Right and Justice and the Law it self When the King of Portugal could neither by Force nor Intreaties be perswaded to cast off Prince Rupert out of his Protection the English Admirals resolved with patience to awaite his coming out and a long time they kept him in there till at last want of Provisions made them retire and give the Prince room Who immediately steered from thence to Malaga but in the Voyage perplexed with extraordinary Storms he lost his Brother Maurice who in the Vice Admiral was never since
they killed all Straglers by the way That seven Parliament Troopers fell upon thirty Vlsters in a house and killed all of them Many Persons were slain and great mischief done by a sad accident in a Ship Chandlers House which was blown up with Gunpowder and divers Neighbours houses together with it The Speaker and the Lord General were feasted at Blackwall by a Captain lately come from the Streights 7 Letters from Carlile That the Mosse Troupers grew very insolent and committed many Robberies and Outrages upon the Borders and were harboured by the Scots but some of them were taken by the Parliaments Souldiers From Berwick That C. Hamilton who was the Death of C. Oconelly at the Storm of Trym was taken That the Scots went on to purge their Army of Sectaries and insufficient men that is such as never before were in Service 8 Letters of the great want of Physitians for the Parliament Forces and Protestants in Ireland so that any of them being sick were faine to trust themselves in the hands of Papist Doctors which they write is more than the Adventures in the Field That some chief of the Enemies Army are very zealous to make their Peace with the Parliament The House ordered the Commissioners of the great Seal to grant out a Commission and Patent for M. G. Ireton to be president of Munster Order that Mr. Thomas Goodwyn be President of Magdelen Colledge in Oxford and referred to the Committee of the Universities to consider how the Heads of Houses in the several Universities may be setled and disposed of without trouble to the House Several Orders and References to the Councel of State and Committee of the Army touching Recruits and for Supplies of Provisions Ammunition and Money for the Forces in Ireland 9 Letters from Newcastle that L. C. Hobson sent his Warrant to apprehend some Cavaliers but they and the Moss Troopers joyned together stood upon their Guard took away the Warrants by force secured themselves and disarmed the Men but a greater Party of Souldiers being sent brought them away Prisoners From Scarborough That there was a Meeting at York of the Commissioners for settling the Militia of that County where according to the Instructions from the Councel of State they were to raise 3000 Foot and 400 Horse for defence of that County and Service of the Common-wealth That the Pirates took away a great Ship within Sight of Burlington Key and carried her away From Dunstar That the Enemy surprised Ensiscoisle Castle in this manner That some Irish Gentlemen feasted the Garrison Souldiers and sent in Women to sel them Strongwater of which they drunk too much and then the Irish fell upon them took the Garrison and put all the Officers and Souldiers to the Sword That upon hearing of this the Lord Lieutenant gave Orders that the Irish should be put out of all the Garrisons in the Power of the Parliament That an Irish Frigot coming a shore for Provisions near to Cardiffe the Governour suspected and apprehended them and sent out a Party in small Boats which took the Frigot which was richly loaden with plate and other Commodities From Weymouth That in the night some Persons in Blandford proclaimed Prince Charles King of England but some of them were apprehended and Imprisoned From Yarmouth that sixty Prisoners that were in the Goal did brake Prison yet all but three of them were again apprehended 10 Account of several Companies and Parties of Souldiers willing to serve in Ireland and marched to the Seaside to be transported and many undertook the Service very chearfully Three Troopers condemned to death for killing a man but Evidence appearing to extenuate the Crime the General pardoned them The Ship which carried the Souldiers unto Guernsey returned to the general Rendezvous of the Ships at Stoakes Bay Letters of Account of Sea Affairs 11 Proposals for a Fleet to be sent into the Streights to meet with those French who have lately taken many Merchants Ships of London and disposing of their Goods refusing to make any restitution Letters that Montross could get but few to joyn in assisting Prince Charles and those he had were more by connivance than by any Act of State 12 Several Proposals made to the General and his Officers in order to the removing of Obstructions in the sale of the late Kings Lands The Parliament ordered a Letter to be written by the Speaker to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and to confer with him concerning further supplyes of Men Money and Ammunition and for the settling of the civil Government there The ground of this resolution was That the news of the Kings coming to Scotland became more probable than formerly and the Scots Proceedings in the raising of new Forces gave an Allarum to the Parliament and some of their Members who had discoursed with the Lord General upon those Matters and argued how requisite it would be to send an Army into Scotland to divert the War from England they found the General wholly averse to any such thing and by the meanes of his Lady a strict Presbyterian to be more a Friend to the Scots than they wished therefore they thought this a sit time to send for the Lieutenant of Ireland and the rather his Army being now drawn into Winter Quarters Order for Relief of some of those who suffered great loss in the late unhappy accident of the Houses in Tower-Street being blown up with Gunpowder Referred to the Councel of State to send a Letter into Russia touching the Trade there 14 Letters from Scotland That in the Pulpits they preach altogether for the Kings coming in and yet proceed to purge their Army of all Cavaleers that nothing certain was yet returned from the Lord of Libberton Letters that C. Hacker had taken 60 Moss Troopers That Montross was expected every day in Scotland One Coppe an Anabaptist in Prison a great Swearer and Curser and held that God could not damn him yet perswaded many to be of his Religion Many were drowned in the great Floods upon the melting away of the Snow 15 Letters that the Forces landed in Guernsey wanted Accomodations of Beds c. and were fain to lye in a Church ever since they were landed That two Frigots of the Prince prepared from Jersy to attempt Guernsey hearing of the Parliaments Souldiers landed there were presently diverted Letters from Oxford That the Judges sate there upon a Commission of Oyer and Terminer and at the first sitting they and the high Sheriffe Under Sheriffe Officers of the Court and Grand Jury all took the Ingagement in the Face of the Country solemnly and cheerfully That one of the Prisoners obstinately refusing to plead was pressed to death in the sight of two others who refused to plead upon which one of them pleaded but the other refusing was also pressed to death An Account of divers of C. Desboroughs Men shipped for Ireland and of the apprehending C. Slingsby and another
Officer of the Kings in Cornwall who were carryed to Prison til further Order from the Parliament or Councel of State 16 Divers Surveys returned into Worcester House of Lands of the late King Queen and Prince appointed to be sold 17 The General sent his Orders to several Garrisons to hold Courts Martial for the Punishment of Souldiers offending against the Articles of War provided that if any be sentenced to loose Life or Limb that then they trasmit to the Judge Advocate the Examinations and Proceedings of the Court Marshal that the General 's Pleasure may be known thereupon The Commission also from the General gave authority to examine Witnesses upon Oath against the Offender and for his Defence An Account of Recruits for Ireland and Returns of Subscriptions to the Ingagement from several Regiments and Garrisons 18 Letters that the Mayor and Magistrates of Yarmouth and all the Officers and Souldiers of the Garrison there did willingly take the Ingagement and that there was great Affection and Unity between them That the Commissioners appointed by the Councel of State were settling the Militia in those parts That a Danish Ship of twelve Guns was cast away in sight of the Town who sent out Boats and saved twelve of her Men the rest were drowned and six of her Guns saved From Jersy That the Prince intends to remove back again into France That his Councel is much divided about what Answer to give to the Lord of Libbertons Message From Durham That a written Paper was fixed upon the Market Cross of the Title of King Charles the Second c. and that all that opposed him were guilty of Rebellion which was Treason in the highest nature and therefore the Authors kindly wished all to amend 19 Most part of this week was spent in Parliament upon Debates of a new Act for regulating the Elections of Members for suture Representatives and upon a Bill for managing and ordering of the Sequestrations Granger and others were apprehended for counterfeiting Warrants and receiving great Sums of Money collected for the Service of the Forces in Ireland The Generals at Sea met at Portsmouth to hasten out the Navy to Sea The General and his Officers made several Resolutions touching the purchasing of the late Kings Lands Several other Persons apprehended and Committed to the Marshal General for counterfeiting Debenters and Warrants whereby they received several Sums of Money from Collectors 21 The General and his Officers met and passed several Votes to be presented to the Committee of Parliament touching the Removal of Obstructions in the sale of the late Kings Lands and for the Examination of the Souldiers times of Service and what Arrears are due to them c. 22 Long Debate upon the Act of Sequestrations to which the House added several Provisoes Letters from Weymouth about the Pirates infesting that Coast From Newcastle That the taking of the Ingagement sticks most with the Presbiterians who pretend Conscience to oppose it but the Cavaleers in Policy subscribe it That the Cavaliers report that Lieutenant General Cromwel was sent for out of Ireland because he was forced from thence and could no longer subsist there From Edenburgh That Libberton wrote a Letter only to let them know that he was safely arrived in Jersy but not one word of the Kings Mind That Sir William Flemming came thither from Jersy to see what Posture they were in That many Witches were dayly apprehended and brought to the Fire From Hull That Mr. Strickland the Parliaments Agent in Holland finds there a very fair Comportment as to the Affairs of England From Plymouth That the Cavaliers have frequent and great Meetings That the Souldiers and Officers there did willingly subscribe the Ingagement 23 In a meeting of the Officers of the Army with the Committee for removing Obstructions in the sale of the late Kings Lands several things were agreed upon for the Advantage of the Souldiery in the purchase of those Lands C. Desborough and his Court Marshal at Plymouth sentenced ten Souldiers to death for running away after they had listed themselves and taken Money for the Service of Ireland Letters that a Ship with 30 Horse and 120 Foot bound for Ireland were cast away and all drowned From Kingsale of Cromwels viewing several Forts his taking the Mace from the Mayor of Kingsale and delivering it to C. Stubber the Governour That all things were in good Condition in Munster and that Waterford was upon Treaty of Yielding The Earl of Pembroke dyed his Son who was a Member of the House of Commons before continued to sit in the House now being himself an Earl upon the death of his Father Letters from Jersy that the Prince and the Scots Commissioners were upon agreement That they desired him to go with them into Scotland but he was advised not to adventure it without good Shipping to carry him safe thither That the Prince sent to Dunkirk for some Frigots for Jersy That he gave Commissions to French Runagadoes to take Prizes of all English Merchants and to bring them to Jersy That they took a good Ship of Lime 24 Divers Returns of Subscriptions to the Ingagement from several Regiments and Garrisons There was sent from Scotland and published here the Copy of a Declaration of the general Assembly of Scotland in answer to that of Montross to whom they gave only the Title of James Graham Charging the People of Scotland not to harken to or joyn with him or draw on themselves the wrath of the most High God by breach of the Covenant and gross backsliding nor hearken to any of his Calumnies and Slanders Nor countenance or assist any who shall invade that Kingdom or raise War therein under pretence of Commission from his Majesty or putting him in the Exercise of his Royal Power before Satisfaction had from him to the just and necessary desire of that Kirk and Kingdom concerning Religion and the Covenant 25 The Councel of Officers ordered That Clarendon and Bowrod Parks in Wilts should be Lands set apart for satisfaction of the Contractors Trustees and Officers imployed about the sale of the Kings Lands Order of the Parliament to sit on Saturdayes and Mundayes for the future for the speedy dispatch of Business and that no private business be heard in the House till the first of March next Debate upon the Heads of a Bill for a new Representative and regulating Elections and about the number of the whole to be elected and for some particular Counties Debate about the Act for the better manageing the Estates of Recusants and Delinquents and a Proviso added touching the reserving the chief mansion house of Recusants not having been in Arms from sequestration and for restraining wast in their Timber and reserving the rights of the Lords of the Manners to Coppy hold Estates Another Proviso was added not to take away the Power of the Committee for removing delinquent Ministers and Schoolmasters with
Seamen sufficient Volunteers with Proviso's not to press Masters Gunners and such as have served an Apprentiship to Seamen or Watermen Referred to the Committee of the Navy to consider of some further Incouragement to be given to those that shall voluntarily offer themselves to serve the State in their Ships and to present an Act to the House for it Order for the building of more Ships for the service and safety of the Commonwealth Upon a Letter from the Mayor of Salisbury of his seizing some Printed Books derogating from the Lords Day and setting up the Jewish Sabboth referred to the Committee for plundered Ministers to peruse the Book and to state and report the matter of Fact to the House and to bring in a Act for the more due observation of the Lords Day Order for the Commissioners of the great Seal to pass Pardons of Course for several Persons convicted at the Assise and certifyed by the Judges to be fit Objects for the Mercy of the Parliament Debate of a way of supplying the Remainder of the Money for Pay of the Army in England and Ireland about the Assessment of 120000 l. per mensem and to avoid Free Quarter Amendments reported to the Bill for the sale of Free Farm Rents Debate of an Act of Indempnity for Tenants and others who in the late Wars have expressed their good Affections to the Parliament against the Oppressions of their ill affected Landlords that have been against the Parliament Order that no private Business be heard in the House for a Month longer About this time Alderman Rowland Wilson one of the Sheriffs of London dyed He was son of Mr. Rowland Wilson a wealthy Merchant who loved to see his Son in that honourable Condition though but a young man for that imployment yet he was an Elder in Wisdome and Abilities He was a Gentleman of excellent parts and great Piety of a solid sober temper and Judgment and very honest and Just in all his Actions He was a Member of the House of Commons and of the Councel of State he had served the Parliament as Collonel of one of the City Regiments not in traynings only but in the Field against the Enemy He was beloved both in the House City and Army and by all that knew him and his death as much lamented The Members of Parliament and of the Councel of State the Lord Mayor Aldermen and divers Citizens of London and many Officers of the Army were invited and present at his Funeral and the City Regiment whereof he was Collonel with other Companies of Souldiers were in Arms to attend the Corps of their Officer to his Grave Letters from Chester of the Ministers in that Country bitterly exclaiming against the Ingagement and condemning all that take it to the Pit of Hell That 11000 l. was put on board for Dublin and 6000 l. for Carrickfergus from which Town the Enemy is 40 Miles and the Country thereabouts free from Troops 7 From Exeter Letters of the averseness of the Citizens to the Ingagement That on the Publick Fast day all the Ministers went out of Town and caused the Church Doors to be shut up purposely because they would not observe it being appointed by the Parliament That all the Magistrates except two Constables refused to take the Ingagement From Dartmouth That 22 Sail of Ships were ready to set out for Newfoundland From Taunton That the publick Fast day was not kept there The two Presbyterian Ministers of that Town being ready to observe the Parliaments Orders fer receiving their Tithes and Augmentations but not in other matters that they like not for then they affirm it not to be a Free Parliament That a Woman pretnding to Prophesy with others of her Crew denyed Christ and the Scripture wholly From Pool That 8 good Ships went from thence to Newfoundland and two to the Barba does From Edenburgh That the Scots had agreed upon their Commissioners to go to the King that first they were to go to Capher and from thence to send to the King and to the Prince of Orange for a safe Conduct to come to Breda and to stay there That they carry with them for the Supply for their King 40000 Marks Scotch Money that is 2200 l. English Money That 1000 Arms and twenty Cannon are lately landed in Orkney An Act passed for the Advancement of the Gospel and of learning in Ireland and for settling upon the Colledge in Dublin several Lands formerly belonging to the Archbishop of Dublin and other Ecclesiastical Persons and for erecting and maintaning a Free School in Dublin Order for an Act to abolish the Hierargy in Ireland and to forbid the use of the Common-Prayer Book there Debate of an Act for restrayning the killing of flesh Meat or Poultry from 14. March to the 15. of April Letters that C. Cook Governour of Wexford went out with a Party and took in Enniscorfie formerly betrayed to the Enemy and upon the Storm put them to the Sword 8 Letters from Ireland confirming the retaking of Eniscorfie and that no Enemy appeared to make any Opposition in those parts Letters to the same Effect as before touching the Commissioners agreed upon to go to the King from Scotland 9 Several Orders concerning Supplyes of Money Provisions and Recruits for Ireland 11 Letters concerning the further Successes of the Lord Lieutenant in Ireland since his last taking the Field from Yoghall and that at the taking of Castleton by the Lord Broghill he gave Quarter for Life and their wearing Apparrel to the private Souldiers but the Officers to be at his Discretion That thereupon by advice he caused all those Officers to be short to death to affright those little Castles from so peremptorily standing out That C. Zanchy reduced the Castle of Dundrum where were two Troops of Horse and some Foot os the Enemies Zanchyes Horse charged those without and the men stormed the Town which was delivered up to him leaving their Horse and Arms behind here Zanchey received a wound in his right hand That the Enemy scouting into their Quarters and taking a Castle 7 Miles from Cork C. Phayer the Governour there pursued them with 16 Foot and 50 Horse unto a Bogg where he killed 20 and took 30 of them Prisoners and the Castle was surrendred to him That they have settled themselves in the Heart of the Enemies Quarters and thereby much hinder them from recruiting and gathering together again in the Spring and have gained a very rich Country which by agreement are to give them 1500 l. per mensem From Newcastle that More Mosse-Troopers are dayly taken That Prince Ruperts Ships were in much confusion and many of them taken That the Scots Commissioners are not yet gone to the King and there is much difference about their going betwixt the Kirk and the State That the Forces in Orkney increase dayly From Beaumorris That M. G. Mitton and other Officers upon Intelligence that
Peoples freely taking the Ingagement From Denbigh of the Death of the Archbishop of York and of diverse others of Quality that the People willingly took the Ingagement From Corke that Mac Charty and O Sullivant are 800 Foot and 200 small Horse called Garrons That the Bishop of Cloher was of late in competition for the Title of Generalissimo and boasted to bring 700 Roman Catholickes into the Field that both he and Ormond have not above 1200 Horse and 3000 Foot That upon the Rendition of Cantwells Court a Place near Killkenny exceeding strong by Nature and Art 12 Officers of quality came in to the L. Lt. and had leave to embarque for Spain That the riding of the Parliament Ships in the Mouth of Shannon blocks up the Lymerick Vessels and Duncannon That the Parliament Forces from a Sick and Languishing Condition are recovered the Flux and Feaver the two predominant distempers much abated and the Garrisons kept clear and healthy through the Mercy of God none having any Infection For the Condition of the Army and what the L. Lt. and his Officers have brought it unto which is a good precedent he thus describes Our Foot are in a Gallant Posture well armed well cloathed and for bread Corn and other things by the State plentifully provided for The Parliament indeed gave full power to the Councel of State to take care for supply of their Forces and the Councel used the greatest Care and diligence that possibly could be That nothing might be wanting for the carrying on of the Business of Ireland and for the Forces there The Letter goes on The Armies Diligence Courage Thankfulness and Behaviour is such through the Strict Care and Providence of our G. and chief Officers that never men did obey Orders more chearfully nor go upon all duty more couragiously Never did greater Harmony appear or Resolution to prosecute this Cause of God than in this Army such a Consent of Hearts and Hands such a Sympathy in Affection not onely in a Carnal but spiritual Bond which lyes faster than Chaines of Adamant I have often observed especially in that time and those Actions a wonderful Consent of the Officers and Souldiers and indeed of all the Parliament Forces upon the Ground of doing Service for God and how miraculously they were in all their Actions successeful The Mind of man being satisfyed and fixed upon God and that his undertaking is for Gods Glory it gives the greatest Courage to those Men and prosperity to their Actions The Letter sayes further Our musters are strict here is no free Quarter allowed nor practised either they pay or give Ticket which being demanded by the poorest Irish is not dur'st not be denyed by any Officer Our Horse have in many Places wanted Hay but by the supply of Oats from England have made good Shift with Straw we have 7000 Horse and our Foot trebbles that Number yet are English Recruits of Moneys and necessarys to be continued And by this Government of the Army in Ireland and the great Successe of it and the well ordering of the civill Affairs of that Kingdom Cromwell got a very great Interest not onely in the Officers of the Army both there and here but likewise in the Parliament and Counsel of State and with their whole Party only the Scots and Presbiterians generally were no favourers of him or his Proceedings 23 An Act passed for the better Observation of the Lords Day days of Thanksgiving and Humiliation Order of the Trustees appointed by Parliament for providing Maintenance for Ministers and other pious Uses for those that have Augmentations to their Benefices to make their claimes by a day 24 From Edenburgh that Sir John Hurry is come with 1400 Men into Cathnesse and the Reer of his Army is to follow from Montrosse This Hurry was an Officer in the Pay and Service of the Parliament and revolting from them he now was an Officer under Montros He seized a passe That M. G. Middleton was sent for by the Estates He was likewise an Officer in the Service and Pay of the Parliament he revolted from the Parliament and was now in Service in his own Country and backward he was yet to engage in this Businesse not likeing it and pretending to be ill That at Breda all is private none can tell what is done but the King and the Commissioners all Writings being locked up and Guards put upon the Clarkes That the Clergy in Scotland have procured strict Orders from the Commissioners of the States for the prosecuting of Sectaries and have a great Arbitrary Power in proceeding against them and they are purged out of the Army as well as Malignants 25 The Trustees for Sale of the Lands of the late King c. gave a day for all Debenters to be brought in for the Souldiers Arreares and new Debenters to be given them Orders of the Commitee for the Accounts of the Soldiery touching their Arreares 26 The General and the Officers of the Army kept a day of Humiliation at Sommerset-House to seek God for a Blessing upon the present Undertakings of the Army A Petition to the Parliament from the Officers of the Army in behalf of themselves and the Souldiery Reciting the Ingagement of the Parliament to satisfy their Arreares and the transferring the security for 600000 1. for their Arreares from the Excise to the Lands Parkes c. Of the late King whereof they hoped to receive the Benefit for their past faithful Service and future Encouragement Yet they are informed that a 5th Part of the Parks are to be allowed for a pretended Interest of herbage and pawnage to those who claime Custodies of those Parks for Lives whereas it were the full value if they had the Fee simple and nothing is due to them but their Fee onely and this course will weaken if not invalid the intended Security as discontent and discourage the Souldiery They pray that no such allowances may be made And that the Parliament would declare their Resolutions herein speedily before the Army marched from hence 27 From Edenburgh That Hurrey and Montross have 3000 Men and 1000 more coming in to them whereupon Lieutenant General Lesly is ordered Northward with most of the Horse and 1400 Foot who labours to appease them by his Protestations of Faithfulness to the King and Perswasion to forbear intestine Broyles seeing in a little time the King and they may come to an Agreement and then go jointly against the Common Enemy the Sectaries of England 29 From Berwick That Messengers are to be sent to Montrosses Party to know their Intentions and if the Answer be not satisfactory then to fight them is the Resolution That Montrosses Party raise all the Country where they go from 16 to 60. That the Committee of Estates have 7000 Foot and 30 Troops of Horse which are marched Northward That one Peter Gourdon having notice of a search for Delinquents he being a notable one he took four
to hunt after them a Party of the Enemies Horse fell suddenly upon them and took 64 of them Prisoners That Mr. White who formerly betrayed the Bogg of Allen to the Rebeils coming from them to Dublin was met with and killed by the Tories That the Lord Deputy Ireton came to the Siege of Catherlow and sent Collonel Axtel with 1100 Horse and Foot to Tecrohan That the Lady Fitz-Gerald whom the Souldiers called Col. Mary she defending Tecrohan wrote to her Husband for Supplyes else that she must be forced to surrender upon Conditions and that none in the Castle but one doth know her wants 22 Letters of much trouble in Scotland by reason of the Army of English Sectaries marching Northwards That one Whitford another of the Assacinates of Dr. Dorislaus was executed in Scotland as one of Montrosses Party 24 Letters that the King had left Holland and either was already or would shortly be in Scotland That a Holland Ship Loaden with goods for Edenburch was taken by the Parliaments ships and brought to Newcastle That the Scotch Levyes proceed apace and some Lords are questioned for having a hand in the Invasion of Montross 25 Orders touching the Forces marching Northwards and about Recruits for Ireland and for Widdows maintenance whose Husbands were slain in the Parliaments Service An Act passed for continuance of the Committee for the Army and Treasurers at War An Act passed for constituting M. G. Skippon Commander in chief of all the Forces in London and the Lines of Communication The Act touching Articles of War continued for six Months Debate of an Act for suppressing Raunters An humble Acknowledgment to the Parliament from the Gentlemen and well affected of South-Wales with thankfulness and Profession of their future duty and Obedience And the Speaker gave them the hearty Thanks of the Parliament The juncto of the Councel of State with whom Cromwel consulted having Intelligence of the Kings resolution for Scotland and of the Laws there made of Forces to assist him in his intended Invasion of England whereof they had more than ordinary assurance They thought it therefore not prudent to be behind hand with their Enemy nor to be put to an after Game to stay till they should first invade England but rather to carry the War from their native Country into Scotland As to the Objection that their invading Scotland would be contrary to the Covenant they were satisfyed that the Covenant was by the Scots broken and dissolved before and was not now binding betwixt the two Nations and the levying of Forces In Scotland and marchinng some of them to the Borders of England with the Hostile Acts done by them formerly were sufficient Grounds for the Parliament to provide for the Security of themselves and Countreymen the which could not be so effectually done as by carrying the War which they designed upon us unto their own Doors Upon these and many other weighty considerations it was resolved here That having a formed Army well provided and experienced they would march it forthwith into Scotland to prevent the Scots Marching iuto England and the Miseries accompanying their Forces to our Conutreymen The Ld. G. Fairfax being advised with herein seemed at first to like well of it but afterwards being hourly perswaded by the Presbyteriam Ministers and his own Lady who was a great Patroness of them he declared himself unsatisfyed that there was a just ground for the Parlament of England to send their Army to Invade Scotland But in case the Scots should invade England then he was forward to ingage against them in defence of his own Country The Councel of State fomewhat troubled at his Excellencies scruples appointed Cromwel Lambert Harrison St. John and Whitelock a Committee to confer hereupon with Fairfax and to endeavanr to satisfy him of the Justice and lawfulness of this undertaking The Committee met with the L. G. Fairfax and being shut up together in a room in Whitehall they went first to Prayer that God would direct them in this business and Cromwel began and most of the Committee prayed after which they discoursed to this effect Cromwel My Lord General we are commanded by the Councel of State to conferr with your Excellency touching the present design whereof you have heard some debate in the Councel of marching the Army under your Command into Scotland and because there seemed to be some hesitation in your self as to that Journey this Committee were appointed to endeavour to give your Excellency Satisfaction in any doubts of yours which may arise concerning that affair and the Grounds of that resolution of the Councel for the Journey into Scotland Lord General I am very glad of the Opportunity of conferring with this Committee where I find so many of my particular Friends as well as of the Commonwealth about this great business of our March into Scotland wherein I do acknowledge my self not fully satisfyed as to the grounds and justice of our Invasion upon our Brethren of Scotland and I shall be glad to receive satisfaction therein by you Lambert Will your Excellency be pleased to favour us with the particular Causes of your Dissatisfaction Lord General I shall very freely do it and I think I need not make to you or to any that know me any Protestation of the continuance of my Duty and Affection to the Parliament and my readyness to serve them in any thing wherein my Conscience will give me leave Harrison There cannot be more desired nor expected from your Excellency Whitelock No Man can doubt of the Fidelity and Affection of your Excellency to the Service of the Commonwealth you have given ample Testimony thereof and it will be much for the advantage of their affairs if we may be able to give you satisfaction as I hope we shall touching the particular points wherein your doubts arise St. John I pray my Lord be pleased to acquaint us with your particular Objections against this Journey Lord General My Lords you will give me leave then withall freeness to say to you that I think it doubtful whether we have a just cause to make an Invasion upon Scotland With them we are joyned in the national League and Covenant and now for us contrary thereunto and without sufficient cause given us by them to enter into their Country with an Army and to make War upon them is that which I cannot see the justice of nor how we shall be able to justify the lawfulness of it before God or Men. Cromwel I confess My Lord that if they have given us no cause to invade them it will not be justifyable for us to do it and to make War upon them without a sufficient ground for it will be contrary to that which in Conscience we ought to do and displeasing both to God and good men But My Lord if they have invaded us as your Lordship knows they have done since the national Covenant and contrary
to it in that Action of D. Hamilton which was by order and authority from the Parliament of that Kingdom and so the Act of the whole Nation by their Representatives And if they now give us too much cause of suspicion that they intend another Invasion upon us joyning with their King with whom they have made a full agreement without the Assent or Privity of this Commonwealth and are very busie at this present in raising Forces and Money to carry on their Design If these things are not a sufficient ground and Cause for us to endeavour to provide for the safty of our own Countrey and to prevent the miseries which an Invasion of the Scots would bring upon us I humbly submit it to your Excellencies Judgment That they have formerly invaded us and brought a War into the Bowels of our Countrey is known to all wherein God was pleased to bless us with Success against them and that they now intend a new Invasion upon us I do as really believe and have as good Intelligence of it as we can have of any thing that is not yet acted Therefore I say My Lord that upon these grounds I think we have a most just Cause to bogin or rather to return and requite their Hostility first begun upon us and thereby to free our Country if God shall be pleased to assist us and I doubt not but he will from the great misery and calamity of having an Army of Scots within our Countrey That there will be War between us I fear is unavoidable Your Excellency will soon determine whether it be better to have this War in the Bowels of another Country or of our own and that it will be in one of them I think it without Scruple Lord General It is probable there will be War between us but whether we should begin this War and be on the offensive part or only stand upon our own defence is that which I scruple And although they invaded us under D. Hamilton who pretended the Authority of the Parliament then sitting for it yet their succeeding Parliament disowned that Ingagement and punished some of the Promoters of it Whitelock Some of the principal men in that Ingagement of D. Hamiltons are now in great Favour and Imployment with them especially in their Army since raised and now almost ready to advance into England and I believe your Excellency will judge it more prudence for us who have an Army under your Command ready formed and experienced Souldiers whom God hath wonderfully prospered under your conduct to prevent their coming into England by visiting of them in their own Countrey Lord General If we were assured of their coming with their Army into England I confess it were prudence for us to prevent them and we are ready to advance into Scotland before they can march into England but what warrant have we to fall upon them unless we can be assured of their purpose to fall upon us Harrison I think under favour there cannot be greater assurance or humane probability of the intentions of any State than we have of theirs to invade our Countrey else what means their present Levyes of Men and Money and their quartering Souldiers upon our Borders it is not long since they did the like to us and we can hardly imagine what other design they can have to imploy their Forces Lord General Humane Probabilities are not sufficient grounds to make War upon a Neighbour Nation especially our Brethren of Scotland to whom we are ingaged in a solemn League and Covenant St. John But My Lord that League and Covenant was first broken by themselves and so dissolved as to us and the disowning of D. Hamiltons Action by their latter Parliament cannot acquit the Injury done to us before Cromwel I suppose your Excellency will be convinced of this clear truth that we are no longer oblieged by the League and Covenant which themselves did did first break Lord General I am to answer only for my own Conscience and what that yields unto as just and lawful I shall follow and what seems to me or what I doubt to be otherwise I must not do Whitelock Your Excellence is upon a very right ground and our business is to endeavour your Satisfaction in those doubts you make if we shall stay till they first invade us we shall suffer much misery to come among us which probably we may prevent by sending first to them and surely the Law of Nations if an Ally enter in an hostile manner into his Neighbour Nation contrary to the Allyance and be beaten out again that Nation thus invaded may law fully afterwards invade the other to requite the former wrongs done unto them But besides this we cannot but see their present preparations to be against us for they are in Amity with all others and their conjunction now with the Kings Party may plainly enough discover their Designes against this Commonwealth Lord General I can but say as I sayed before that every one must stand or fall by his own Conscience those who are satisfyed of the Juistce of this War may chearfully proceed in it those who scruple it as I confess I do cannot undertake any Service it in I acknowledge that which hath been said to carry much weight and reason with it and none can have more power upon me than this Committee nor none be more ready to serve the Parliament than my self in any thing wherein my Conscience shall be satisfyed in this it is not and therefore that I may be no hinderance to the Parliaments designs I shall willingly lay down my Commission that it may be in their hands to choose some worthier Person than my self and who may upon clear fatisfaction of his Conscience undertake this business wherein I desire to be excused Cromwel I am very sorry your Lordship should have thoughts of laying down your Commission by which God hath blest you in the performance of so many eminent Services for the Parliament I pray My Lord consider all your faithful Servants us who are Officers who have served under you and desire to serve under no other Gene. It would be a great discouragement to all of us and a great discouragement to the Affairs of the Parliament for our noble General to entertain any thoughts of laying down his Commission I hope your Lordship will never give so great an Advantage to the publick Enemy nor so much dishearten your Friends as to think of laying down your Commission Lambert If your Excellence should not receive so much satisfaction as to continue your Command in the Parliaments Service I am very fearful of the mischiefs which might ensue and the distraction in the pulick affairs by your laying down your Commission but I hope that which hath been offered unto you by this Committee upon your serious consideration will so far prevaile with your noble and pious disposition and with your Affection to this cause wherein we are so deeply
own Countrey yet will not fight the English Army That in those parts where the Army marched was the greatest plenty of Corn that they ever saw and not one fallow Field and now extreamly trodden down and wasted and the Souldiers inforced to give the Wheat to their Horses That the Scots desired another conference with some Officers of the English Army to which the General consented but nothing came of it That the Scots Army drew out upon a March the English Army drew out to attend them but could not ingage them by reason of a Bogg and great ditch between the two Armies only they discharged their great Guns at one another by which 21 of the English were killed and wounded but more of the Scots who would not come into any other ground to ingage and the Army stood all night in Battalia and the next day went back to their Camp in Peâ—cland Hills That being informed the Scots had sent out a Party to take in Muscleborough and the Places for landing the Provisions that came to the Army by Sea Cromwel gave Orders for the Army to march which they did in a most tempestuous night and to fight for their Victuals but by reason of the Storm and darkness the General stayed their March till the next morning when they got quietly to Muscleborough but the Enemy got what they had left on Pencland Hills That the Parliament lost 6 men and 28 were wounded That whole Files of the Scots Army were taken away by the great Shot and from the Ships they played upon the Scots Army as they marched and did Execution 7 Letters from Cromwel to the Speaker and to the Councel of State of a great Victory against the Scots at Dunbarre the particulars were not then certifyed but left to the relation of the Messenger who was an eye witness of the Action Who made his narrative to this effect My Lord General having a long while stayed with the Army on the West side of Edenburgh and could no way Ingage the Enemy to fight on Saturday August 31st marched with the Army to Haddington and on Sunday to Dunbarre the Enemy hereupon drew out after us and marched within distance in the Rear The General on Sunday drew out the Army in the Field near Dunbarre and the Enemy Flankt us upon the Hills on the right hand where they lay all night we could not without great disadvantage go up the Hills to ingage them nor would they come down to ingage us Their whole Army consisted of 28 Regiments of Foot which altogether with their Horse and Dragoons as themselves said were 27000 ours about 12000. On Munday the Enemy drew down part of their Army and their Train towards the foot of the Hill ours stood in Battalia in the Field all the Day a great ditch was between both Armies of great disadvantage to those who should first attempt to pass it That night our Army marched as close to the ditch as possibly they could and had our Field Pieces placed in every Regiment We drew out before day that morning a Brigade of three Regiments of Horse and two Regiments of Foot towards a Pass that is upon the road way between Dunbar and Berwick by which we might with more ease pass over to their Army and there gave the Enemy a hot allarm The dispute lasted about an hour at last our men gained the ground and possessed the Pass Then the Enemies Horse being most Lanciers coming down the hill charged strongly ours receiving them as gallantly And the Foot of that Brigade coming up charged them so to purpose that they put them suddenly to the rout by this time it was between 5 and 6 in the morning Their Foot seeing the rout and the flying of their Horse threw down their Arms and run away their left wing of Horse also fled ours had the pursuit of them beyond Haddington We killed on the place and in the Pursuit above 4000 and 10000 Prisoners taken among them the L. Liberton Lt. G. Sir Ja. Lundsden Collonel Sir William Douglas the L. Grandison Sir Jo. Brown C. Gourdon 12 Lieutenant Collonels 6 Majors 37 Captains 75 Lieutenants 17 Cornets 2 Quartermasters 110 Ensigns 15 Serjeants 200 Horse and Foot Colours 32 Pieces of Ordnance small and great and leather Guns all their Arms Ammunition Tents Bag and Baggage We lost not 40 men in the whole Ingagement and not one Officer but M. Rookesby since dead of his Wounds C. Whaley had his Horse shot under him himself slightly wounded and Captain Lloyd wounded The Councel of State ordered the Narrative made by the L. G. his Messenger to be read in all Churches in London to morrow being the Lords day and Thanks to be returned for this great Victory 9 Letters that at the Battle of Dunbarre 15000 were killed and taken That the General sent home upon their Paroles 5000 of the Prisoners being wounded old men and boys the Men house-keepers forced out of their Houses to take Arms and 2100 of them dyed by the way the other 5000 were sent Prisoners to Berwick and so to Newcastle That the M. G. marched to Haddington and the G. stayed behind with two Regiments to order affairs at Dunbar and so was to march to Edenburgh or Leith from whence the Enemy had drawn all their Forces and marched to Sterling and St. Johns Town where the King was That G. Leuen hasâ—ed to Edenburgh and after Lt. G. Sir David Lesly who mustered his Horse to 1300. Letters from C. Blake and C. Pophan of Prince Ruperts endeavour to get out of the Harbour but would not fight with the Parliaments Ships but struck in again That they sent home 9 English Ships which they had stayed going to Brazill from Lisbon and six French Ships which they had taken That Captain Lawson with the Fairfax came up with twenty French Ships and took three of them 10 Letters from the General to the Parliament of the particulars of the Battle of Dunbar and an account of the whole march into Scotland and of all Passages with the Scots That the Scots Ministers pressed their Army to interpose between the English in the March and to fight them but the Officer's of their Army were against it and advised to make rather a Bridge of Gold for them to pass home But the Ministers carryed it to fight That they expressed great insolency and contempt of the English Army to divers of the Prisoners of the English whom they had taken as was reported afterwards to the Lord General The Parliament gave rewards to the Messengers of this good news Ordered that the Colours which were taken from Hamilton at the Battles of Preston and Dunbarre should be hanged up in Westminster-Hall and that Medals of Gold and Silver should be given to the Souldiery in remembrance of Gods Mercy and of their Valour and Victory Letters that Cromwel was possest of Leith and Edenburgh except the Castle That the King
though not in name That the Ministers about Exon and Taunton refused to observe the Thanksgiving-Day for the Victory in Scotland 12 Letters Of great Vollies of small Shot and great Shot from South-Sea-Castle and the Ships in the Road upon the Thanksgiving-Day for the Victory in Scotland and of much kindness between the Civil and Military Officers 14 Letters that a Party of the Army surprized one of the Out Guards of Edenburgh Castle and the Enemy fled into the Castle leaving 300 Muskets behind them That the next day upon a Search in Edenburgh they found a good Quantity of Arms and Ammunition That the â—eneral went on with his mining and approaches to the Castle which was well stored with Provisions and Ammunitions and had of late been very lavish of their Powder to little purpose That they took some Boats and one Ship of the Scots That two Ships were come with Cheese for their Supply and 1000 of the Sick and wounded Souldiers were come back to Leith That divers of the Scots come to hear the Ministers of the Army and seem to be much converted by them and offer to be imployed by the General That their King is discontented at the late carriage of their Clergy who preached at their Fast That their late overthrow was their too much complying with the King That he sent to Orkney to have Ships ready there for his going away if he should find cause to depart Scotland That a Frigot of the Parliaments called the Liberty with 50 brass Guns was cast away by carrying too much Sail upon the Sands betwixt Harwich and Yarmouth Road. 15 An Act passed for Sale of the Mannors of Rectories and Glebelands late belonging to the Archbishops Bishops Deans and Chapters Letters that 10 of the Parliaments Ships about five Leagues off the shore of Lisbon met with 23 of the Portugese Brazile Fleet burnt three of them and as is supposed took 11 of them with 8000 Chests of Sugar and other rich Goods in them and the rest being smaller Ships in the fight got into Lisbon That the King of Portugal hearing of this came down in Person and caused Prince Rupert and his Fleet being eighteen in all to go out to regain the Brazile Ships which they did but the Parliaments Fleet were drawn off That the Duke of York was come to the Hague 16 Letters of the refractoriness of Ministets in several places and their refusing to observe the day of Thanksgiving for the Victory of Scotland 17 Letters of the breaking out of the Plague at Barnstable Letters of great difference between the Kirk and the King And that the Lords side with the King and divers Commanders with the Kirk who proceed to purge the Kings Houshold That the Earl of Cleveland was to depart Scotland for refusing to take the Covenant That most of the Cavaliers went to Holland being the place of their refuge and greatest security which they most hated before That none are allowed a Residence in Scotland but the Duke of Bucks the L. Newburgh and Sir James Levinston 18 Letters that three strong Castles near Limerick were surrendred to Sir Hardress Waller upon Quarter and taken in to prevent Interruption to the Armies besieging Lymerick and then he sate down again before the City That the Dragon Frigot sunk a great Ship of the Enemies near Lymerick loaden with treasure and took another loaden with Hides and tallow worth 3000 l. That the Sickness increased again at Cork and other places That C. Hewson marched out of Dublin with a strong Party and the Lord Deputy was gone before Lymerick That the Plague increased in Shrewstury That the Fairfax and other Frigots came into Pendennis Harbour hearing that there was an insurrection in those parts but found it otherwise and returned to Sea That the Minister and Major of Northampton refused to observe the Thanksgiving day saying It was a sin to do it That the Roman-Catholick and the Royal Presbyterian were both built upon one politick foundation supported with one private Interest 19 Letters that the Parliaments Fleet were in pursuit of Prince Ruperts Fleet. That the Governours of the Castles near Lymerick lately taken in by Sir Hardress Waller were the chief Actors in the ruine of his Estate Letters that the King is gone away from St. Johns Town but the Kirk sent after him and brought him back again That all their Forces except 500 were removed from Sterling to St. Johns Town That the General and Officers were often in Prayer together That the Governour of Edenburgh Castle was very high and the Clergy with him very desperate That the Ceneral went on with his Mining That the Scots Army are full of Factions one are those whom the Scots laboured to remove out of the Army as Sectaries another Faction is the Old Malignants who would be revenged for the death of Montross and other Malignants others are against the Kirk others are the New Malignants That David Leslys men plunder ravish and kill the Country People and put to death some of them for refusing to serve in the Army 22 An Act passed concerning Corn and Meal An Additional Act passed for the more speedy effecting the Sale of the Mannors of Rectories Gleablands c. Referred to the Lord Major and the Militia of London c. to return the names of such Ministers as refused to observe the Thanksgiving day for the Victory in Scotland Order for the several Committees to tender the Ingagement to the Inhabitants of several Parishes and to return the names of the Subscribers to the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal The like for Stewards of Leets The like for the Lord Major and Militia of London in every Parish to return the Subscribers to the Lords Commissioners Referred to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal to call before them all the Judges and to take order with them That none of the Army now in Scotland receive any prejudice in any cause wherein they may be concerned during the next Term and their absence in Scotland Referred to the Councel of State to regulate the several Militias for the best ease and â—afty of the Nation Order touching the Proceedings at Law and how to regulate them with most ease and delay to the People Divers City Regiments and of Middlesex of the trained Bands under M. G. Harrison C. Tichborn and C. Barksted and others to the number of 8000 mustered in Hide Park where the Speaker and Members of Parliament met them and were received with great Shouts and Vollies of great and small Shot 23 Letters that Captain Mildmay took the Roe-buck one of the revolted Ships with 55 men in her That the Ministers about Plymouth pray and preach against the prosperous Successes of the Parliament 24 Letters that the Army with ten days Provision was marched Westward towards Glascow That the King being brought back from his intended Journey Northwards by a Troop of Horse was guarded
that time 16 Letters That General Blake sent in four Prizes one was a French Man of War with forty Copper Guns whose Captain being commanded on Bord by General Blake he asked him if he was willing to lay down his Sword the Captain answered No. Then Blake bid him return to his Ship and fight it out as long as he was able which he did and after two hours Fight he came in and submitted and kissing his Sword delivered it to Blake who sent him and his Ship with the rest into England 17 Letters of a Remonstrance of divers Ministers sent to the Commissioners of the Kirk against their present Proceedings but the Ministers were threatned to be proceeded against unless they desist 18 Letters that the Scots Army was 8000 Horse and 8000 Foot and they resolved to bring it up to 50000 and then to give Battle to the English Army That C. Fenwick took Possession of Edenburgh Castle as Governour thereof That a Party of Dragoons took a Ship loaden with Herrings going to the Scots 20 Letters that at the Coronation of the King in Scotland many Speeches were made to him and the Kirk promised him good Success if he did hearken to their Councel That he gave them fair Answers and signed the Covenant and promised to defend them and maintain their Laws Government and Covenant That a Party of 800 choice Horse attempted the Quarters of the English at Lithlingow but were beaten back Letters of great Mischiefs Murders and Plunderings by the Tories in Ireland many of whom the Governour of Dublin had killed and taken That the Governour is turning the Papists out of Dublin 21 A Pardon granted to four Persons condemned to dye by the High Court of Justice for the late Insurrection in Norfolk A new Seal for the Parliament approved and an Act passed for the use of it and that it shall be Treason to Counterfeit it 22 Letters That at the Assises at Taunton two men accused a poor Fellow and preferred eight Indictments against him for stealing eight Sheep but upon the Tryal some being accidentally present came in as Witnesses and fully proved that those eight Sheep were stolen by the Accusers themselves who were Indicted for it and hardly escaped the Gallows Letters That the States of Holland Zealand and Groningen did acknowledge the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England 23 Letters that one Story a Souldier was hanged by sentence of the Court Marshal for killing a Countreyman and another Souldier accescessary to it was hanged on the same Gibbet whil'st one walked ten paces and was then cut down and recovered to Life again 24 Letters that some Conntrey-men Scots were hanged in chains by sentence of the Judge Advocate of the English Army for killing some of the English Souldiers That several Rendezvouzes of the Scots Army were appointed and the King present at them That the Commissioners of the Kirk presented a Remonstrance to the King at St. Johns Town 25 Letters that the Kirk pressed the King to humble himself and to quit the Nation of their Enemies now in the Bowels of the Kingdom 27 Letters of a Mutiny at Sterling which David Lesly had much to do to appease That the General intends to attempt Hume Castle That a Ship loaden with Cloaths and Provisions from London submitted to a Garrison of the Scots on the Sea through the Malignancy of the Master That the Kirk set forth an Exhortation to their Brethren at Edenburgh from Communion with the English or any that desert the Kirk That there were Jealousies between Argyle and Hamilton 28 An Act passed for continuing the Act for the Militia A Charge of the Grand Jury of Northumberland against one Musgrave who had much traduced Sir Arthur Haselrigg ordered by the Councel of State and Musgrave committed 29 Letters that means are used in Spain by the King and his Councel to give Satisfaction to the Parliament of England for the Murder of their publick Agent Mr. Ayscham there but that the Church opposed the punishing of the Murderers being fled to Sanctuary But the Parliament insisted upon it to the Spanish Ambassadour here to have them punished or no further Treaty with that Crown 30 Letters of divisions among the Irish by the Popish Clergy And Opposition made against Ormond and Inchequin That the Rebels in Kerry being 5000 Foot and 500 Horse dispersed the Quarters of C. Le Hunt And that Major General Waller was gone to fight them That divers Robberies and Murders were committed near Tade after and the Thieves demanded of those they robbed whether they had taken the Ingagement 31 Letters of the Kings going about to several Rendezvous and Garrisons to encourage the Souldiers That a Party of Horse from Sterling took seven or eight stragling Souldiers of the Parliâ— ments February 1650. 1 The Parliament appointed the Lord Chief Justice St. John and Mr. Strickland to go Ambassadors extraordinary to the States of the United Provinces Strickland had been Agent there before and for his Experience thought â—it to be sent with St. John who was Cromwells Creature and his Disposition suited with such an Imployment which met with good Abilities though not much versed in Forraign Affairs or Languages Mr. Strickland was an honest rational Gentle-man and versed in the Dutch Business but St. John was looked upon as the principal man The number of Ships and men agreed upon for the reducing of the Barbadoes A difference between C. Sidney Governour of Dover and his Officers referred to the Councel of State 3 Letters of an allarm taken by the Enemy at Sterling upon notice that the English Army intended a March thither That many of their new listed men run away That C. Fenwick Summon'd Hume Castle to be surrendred to General Cromwel But the Governour answered That he knew not Cromwel and for his Castle it was built upon a Rock That the General Assembly of the Rebels in Ireland which they call their Parliament declared their due and perfect obedience to his Majesty Yet that they will insist upon the Articles of Peace and provide against the violation of them And that the King being in the hands of the Scots Presbyterians who had vowed the extirpation of their Religion they would receive no Governour from him whil'st he was in this unfree Condition 4 Order that the Kings Arms be taken down in all publick places and the Armes of the Common-wealth set up in the room thereof and the charge of it paid out of the Parish-Rates and the Justices of Peace Church-wardens and other Officers to see this order executed An Additional Act passed for the sale of Fee-Farm Rents Letters of the Commissioners safe arrival in Ireland 5 Letters that the Ministers about Leverpoole refused to observe the Thanksgiving Day Of several Prizes brought in 6 Letters of an agreement of the Ministers of Somerset and Devon to refuse subscribing the Ingagement or observing the Orders of Parliament
That C. Pines Militia Regiment of 1200 had a Rendezvous and shewed great forwardness 7 Letters that C. Fenwick with the great Guns played against Hume Castle and that the Governour sent this Letter to him I William of the Wastle Am now in my Castle And awe the Dogs in the Town Shand garre me gang down Letters of a party pursuing the Earl of Castle-haven in Ireland And that Corn is extream dear there That liberty being given to the Dutch to carry Provisions Custom-free to the Parliaments Army in Scotland many Dutch Ships are preparing to supply the Army 8 Letters of an Ostender refusing to come in to one of the Parliaments Frigots she sunk the Ostender 10 Letters that the Mortar-Pieces had done great Execution against Hume-Castle and spoiled many rich Goods there and the great Guns had made Breaches whereupon C. Fenwick resolved upon a Storm and the Officers cast lots who should lead on to it But the Governour beat a parley Fenwick refused to treat unless they would presently surrender upon Quarter for Life which they did and Fenwick appointed some Officers to look to the equal sharing of the Goods among his Souldiers only the Governours Lady had liberty to carry out some of her Goods and Bedding for her accommodation That the Army began their March with eight Regiments of Foot and nine of Horse towards Sterling That there are great Divisions among the Scots 11 Vote that â—he Councel of State should be altered for the year ensuing twenty one of the old Members to continue in still and twenty new Members to be chosen in This was done by way of balletting The old Members which continued were Cromwel Bradshaw Rolles St. John Skippen Sir Arthur Haselrigg Sir Gilbert Pickering Sir Henry Vane Junior Sir William Masham Sir William Armyn Sir Henry Mildmay Sir James Harrington Whitelock Lisse Lord Grey C. Purefoy Scot Challoner Walton Bond Gourden The Names of the new Members were Sir T. Widdrington Prideaux Major General Harrison Strickland Lieutenant Ceneral Fleetwood Sir John Trevor Sir William Brereton Sir John Bouchier Love Allen Salwey Lister Thomson Cary Fielder Darley Say Cawley Goodwyn Lemman 12 Letters of a Court Marshal at Plymouth they began with Prayer and condemned three Souldiers to dye for running away from their Colours 13 Letters of a Ship taken at Poole by the Pyrates pretending Commission from the King 14 Letters that the Scots in a Village called Geddard rose and armed themselves and set upon Captain Dawson as he returned from pursuing some Moss-Troopers killed his Guide and Trumpet and took him and eight of his Party and after they had given them Quarter killed them all in cold Blood That the Lord Deputy had scattered the Rebells and was returned to Dublin 15 Letters that the General marched with his Army three dayes Westward but by reason of the extream Snow and Storms they were forced to return back to Edenburgh That the Enemy were sufficiently allarmed by this March and fled to Sterling but none appeared against the English 17 Letters that the General had been ill in Scotland and some miscarriages in some of the Souldiers in their late March which were punished And the General set out a Proclamation That none should buy any Goods of Souldiers without their Officers hand to attest it That General Ruthen was dead And the Cavaliers of the deepest dye hold colour best in Scotland That the Presbyterians see how they are deceived and preach against them as much as they dare That Tantallon Castle was besieged by C. Monk and the Town was burnt by the Governour 18 Letters that Sir Hardress Waller and Cromwell had relieved the English Garrisons in Kerry and taken four from the Irish and made their Army fly and killed as many of them as they found That in the mean time the Irish got together in a Body from several places imagining the English could not draw forth another Party of any strength to oppose them But by reason of Divisions among themselves the Irish could not have a Conjunction and Body together above 3 or 4000. That the English drew all the strength they could against them but could not attack them General Blake had the thanks of the House for his great and faithful Service Instructions and Credentials passed for the Ambassadors to be sent to the United Provinces 19 Letters that the Irish being abroad in several Parties Collonel Reynolds with one Party and Collonel Hewson with another were out to attend the motions of the Enemy That four Parliament Troopers were taken by the Scots near Carlisle three of them were killed and the fourth saved his Life by swearing he was a Scot. That the Scots would laugh in the Faces of the English and take the next opportunity to cut their throats 20 Letters of disturbance of the execution of the Militia about Cambridgeshire by some of the Commissioners being Malignants 21 Letters of Recruits in Cornwall readily coming to be under Sir Hardress Waller in Ireland That the settling of the Militia and subscribing the Ingagement goes on readily in those parts That the Scilly Pyrates took a rich Londoner and several Merchant-men have been taken on the Western Coast by the Jersey Pyrates 22 Letters that the Ministers about Northampton did generally refuse to take the Ingagement 24 Letters that a Hoy of Hamborough coming with Cheese for Leith and brought by stress of weather into the North of Scotland was there seized on and examined and shewed Coquets for Haver de gras in France whereupon he was dismist and a Scots Man imbarqued with him for Haver de gras The Hamburgher having thus got free brought his Cheese and the Scots Man to Leith Mr. Fry a Member of Parliament being accused by C. Downes another Member in Parliament for a Book written by Mr. Fry and Mr. Fry having Printed another Book with all this matter in it The House Voted this to be a Breach of the Priviledge of Parliament They Voted other matters in the Book to be Erroneous Prophane and highly Scandalous That the Book be burnt and Mr. Fry disabled to sit in Parliament as a Member thereof Several Persons executed for robbing the Charter-house Hospital 25 Letters that the Lord Deputy had settled the Customs at Waterford and those parts and incouraged the Natives to plow and sow their Land and restrained the killing of Lambs That the Plague was broken out at Waterford whereupon the Lord Deputy removed to Kilkenny to be nearer to the Enemy That two Troops fell upon the Tories killed about 50 of them and took some Prisoners That the Souldiers were in great want of Victuals and Cloaths Proposals were agreed by the Lord Deputy and his Commission granted to C. Lawrence for raising a Regiment of 1200 in England and to transport them to Waterford The Parliament approved of them and referred it to the Lord Deputy and the Commissioners in Ireland to see them executed Referred
their Men and taken 120 Prisoners that of the Parliaments Forces 8 were killed and about 20 of them wounded that they intended to send a summons to St. Maries Island and if they refused then to Attempt it 5. Letters of a strange Apparition at Madely in Staffordshire seen by a Woman and her Maid the Sun as blood and dark bodies like men about it That they seemed to fall down into the Court and there to fight and the Moat about the house seemed to be all of blood and Cannons and Holsters in the Court. That 3 great Birds with Wings like Angels came flying to the Woman and the Maid and frighted them 6. Referred to the Council of State to consider of the business of Securing Mr. Case and other London Ministers who preached against the Parliaments proceedings Letters of prizes brought into Hull and of Convoys for Merchants Ships That the chief Ringleaders of those in Holland who assaulted the English Ambassadors house were sentenced to be whipped That the Collonel of the Lorraine Troopers who pillaged Mr. Steward and the rest of the Ambassadors Gentlemen in Germany showed them a Commission from the King to him to take any of the Ambassadors men That there was an agreement between the Duke of Lorraine and the Irish Rebels for him to come over to them with Forces and Arms to assist them That the Rebels have accepted him as their Protector That the plague was still at Cork and at Waterford 7. Letters confirming the taking of all the Isles of Scilly except St. Maries and of taking 3 Ships prizes one of them richly laden and many Prisoners 8. Letters That the Parliaments Forces in Vlster of 3000 Foot and 1500 Horse were upon their March towards Connaught That General Blake and Sr. George Ascue with the Fleet at Scilly intended to fall upon St. Maries Island that the Governour thereof Sr. John Greenvile sent to them for a Treaty which was agreed but took no effect and there upon the great Guns played upon St. Maries 9. Letters That some Scots at Leith fired 2 Stacks of Hay at Lieth That they hanged a Scots-man for drowning an English-man in a Cole pit That t is to be supposed the Scots intend to get by the English Army and to make the Seat of the War in England And that they are 20000 strong and that the English Army is very desirous to ingage with them 10. Letters that the General and the Army were returned to Edenburgh and had received a weeks Provisions That the Enemy have a Rendezvous every moneth and their Horse are quartered to keep their Foot from running away That if it were not for the provisions that come out of England the Army could not subsist either Men or Horse 12. That a Scots-man who was subject to England by his relation to Ireland being sent by the General on a message to the Scots was by them executed as a Spy Upon Examination by a Court Martial it appearing that the Lady Kelsith kept a conrespondence with the Enemy and indeavoured to inviegle some of the Parliaments Soldiers to be for the King the General and his Council ordered her House and Goods to be burned That Middleton refuseth to take orders from any but the King and would be an Independent Army and his interest is to be kept up against Lesley's that they would fain be upon their March for England but their friends there have sent them word they cannot be ready till next moneth That a Scots man took a Flemmish Ship prize and a Parliament Frigat met them and took them both prizes Letters from Sr. George Ascue of the action at Scilly that Captain Morris behaved himself most gallantly in the storming of the Island That the Scilly Islands are the key that open a passage to several Nations Sr. George Ascue desires to know the pleasure of the Council that he may proceed upon his Voyage to the Barbadoes 13. A Petition to the Parliament from the Justices of peace Grand-Jurors and other well affected persons in Cheshire Shewing their good affection to the Parliament their being over burdened in Taxes wherein they pray relief and were answered with good words and the thanks of the House for their good affections An Act committed prohibiting the transporting of Lead Oare Fullers-earth and Tobacco Pipe clay An Act read and committed for Transporting 60 Persons convicted for petty Felonies into Ireland and the English Plantations in America That the English Ambassadors in Holland received letters to stay for some longer time there That the Cavaliers report the Kings Army in Scotland to be 60000 Men. 14. Letters of divers of the Parliaments Officers and Soldiers killed by the breaking of a piece of Ordnance 15. Letters of Recruits and Mony arrived at Dublin and an account how the Forces there are disposed and of visiting the Western Garrisons 16. Letters that after the Parliaments Fleet had taken the 2 Islands of Trisco and Briers they had a Treaty with Sir John Greenvile by Commissioners which took no effect 17. Letters that the Scots ordered a new levy of every 12th man for a reserve and have ordered all the English to serve under Massey who courts them and mounted 3 or 4 foot Soldiers that ran away from Cromwel to him 19. Letters of the Armies posture in Scotland but little Stirring 20. Letters of Collonel Reynolds and Sir Charles Coote being upon their march to attend the Enemies motions in Connaght 21. Letters of Sir George Ascues departure from Scilly Islands towards the Barbadoes 22. The Parliament debated several Acts touching the Assessment putting the publick Treasury into a way most for the püblick advantage and other Acts. 23. Letters of the Scots gathering their forces together to a Rendezvous and intelligence of their design to slip by the English Army into England and so to draw the Seat of the War out of their own Country into England where they expected many to befriend them 24. Letters of the forces in Ireland upon their march for Connaght and of Recruits come thither 26. Letters That the Scots drew up together 8 Regiments of Foot at Sterling their Horse were in other places and Middleton with his party stood still at a distance That they brought Straw 30 miles for their use That one of their Collonels said he hoped to see the word in their Colours to be Covenant for Tobacco Stong-waters and Whores That Collonel Lidcott fell upon a Garrison of the Enemies with his Horse and brought away many Prisoners That Major Sydenham was dead of his Wounds That a party of Collonel Montgomeries fell upon some of the English Dragoons and surprized about 40 or 50 of them as they were in the Country gathering the Assessment That it was conjectured the Scots would decline any ingagement with the English but weary them out and take the first opportunity to get by them into England That there was some damp upon the English Army by
the sickness of the General From Waterford That the Army fell upon the Rebels beyond the Shannon did some execution upon them and brought away some booty That they rejoyced to hear that the Parliament had sent a Fleet towards Dunkirk to keep in the Duke of Lorrains Fleet if they should attempt any thing upon Ireland That Prince Rupert was gone to Sea with 5 Ships and 2 Fire-ships That 2 French Ships laden with Silk were taken by the English 27. The Parliament sent a Message to the General to desire him to retire for his health to some convenient place in England for the fresh Air and to intrust the Army in the mean time in such hands as he should think fit The Parliament discharged all Recognizances Fines and Amercements and Process upon them untill 30 Jan. 1648. That the General being Sick of an Ague the Officers of the Army provided to march without him That several Ships were arrived at Lieth with Provisions for Men and Horse That Prince Edward was summoned to appear at the Hague to answer his misdemeanor against the English Ambassadors That the 6 Gentlemen of the English Ambassadors who where taken Prisoners by Collonel Hatter the Lorreiner were carried by him to the Spaw to drink the waters there with him and there a Gentleman who had received civilities in England looking earnestly upon them imagined that they were gentle-men in some distress inquiring of them was told all the story of their being surprised by Collonel Hatter upon which the Gentleman raised the Town and rescued the English Gentlemen from the Collonel and brought them from thence in liberty to Lymburgh That there the English Gentlemen bragging of their good fortune and that now they should save 1200 l which they had promised to pay to Collonel Hatter for their ransom This coming to the Ear of the Governour of Lymburgh he kept the English Gentlemen in restraint and told them That seeing they had ingaged to pay 1200 l to Collonel Hatter for their ransom and that now they were fallen into his power in Lymburg that they should pay the same Summ to him which they should have paid to Collonel Hatter That the States sent to the PrincessRoyal to the Duke of York and to the Queen of Bohemia to desire them that none of their trains might be suffered to offer any affront to any of the English Ambassadors company whom the States had taken into their Protection and would not regard any great Person that should affront them That they all promised to conform to the States desire That they caused a new Court of Guard to be built at the English Ambassadors door That they visited the Spanish Ambassador who had been very courteous to them by their desire had written to the Governour of Lymburgh who was under the Spanish Jurisdiction to set free the Ambassadors Gentlemen in his power without any Ransom That the Dutch inquired much after the Affairs in Scotland and seemed inclinable to a good Correspondence with England 29. An account of Recruits for Ireland That the Scots Foot were very poor in Cloaths and both Men and Horse in great want of Provisions 30. Letters That the Earl of Derby was victualling and furnishing his Castles in the Isle of Man Letters That the Enemy took some Cows from the Garrison of Charlemont which the Lord Caufield having notice off lay in the way and met them in their return killed about 30 of them and took 120 Arms and brought away the Cows That another party of the Enemy came into the English quarters who routed them and took divers of them That the Foot at Scilly entred at St. Maries Island and that those in the Castle were in great want of water 31. Letters That the Country between Edenburgh and Dunbar was full of excellent Corn. That there were many Ships come into Lieth with Provisions A Soldier shot to death for killing his fellow Soldier in a Duel June 1651. 2. The Parliament ordered 2 Physicians Dr. Wright and Dr. Bates to go into Scotland to attend the General and to take care of his health they being his usual Physicians in London and well esteemed by him they were by this time come to Edenburgh 3. Letters of several incounters with the Rebels in Ireland who in all conflicts were worsted by the Parliaments Forces 4. That the Scots lay still in their Quarters onely sometimes by parties they fell into the quarters of the Parliaments Forces neer them but were as often repulsed as they made any Attempt 5. Debates in Parliament and several Orders for Mony and Recruits for the Armies in Scotland and Ireland 6. An account of Recruits marching and of some Shipped for Ireland and others sent by land for Scotland 7. Account of Prizes taken by the Parliaments Ships 9. Letters of the General his good recovery of Health again and that the Doctors were returned from him Of a Ship loaden with Oats taken from the Scots That the Malignants with the King did some of them cause the Soldiers to plunder some of the Presbyterians by whom they had formerly Suffered That Major-General Massy had found out new inventions of fire works and Engines of War That Major-General Harison was advanced with his Brigade to the furthest part of Cumberland That the Enemy took all the Horses and 20 Men of Captain Wrights Troop the Horses being at Grass That some of the Duke of Lorraines Forces were come down about Dunkirk but retired upon the coming of General Popham thither That the Parliaments Ships chased and forced 3 Dunkerkers to run on Shoar Letters from the General acknowledging the favour of the Parliament in sending the Doctors to him and giving him leave to come into England for his health That he hath unexpectedly been restored to Health by the goodness of God 10. Letters That the Assembly of the States was adjourned for a week and that they thought the propositions made by the English Ambassadors to be too much for them to consent unto That Holland is more inclinable to an agreement with the Ambassadors than the other Provinces are That fair words are given and now and then a visit to the Ambassadors by some of the Deputies who are not gone Home That the rest are jealous of Amsterdam as if they designed to make themselves like Venice to domineer over all the other Towns 11. Letters That upon intelligence of a great party of the Enemy drawn out upon design to fall upon the English Garrison at Hamilton the General sent Collonel Whaley with 8 Regiments of Horse to bring off the Garrison which he did and slighted the House That Major-General Massy was making of Leather Ordnance and Fire-works for the Scots Soldiers to carry on the top of their Pikes to slaughter his own Country Men. That the Scots Parliament have nulled the Act of Classis whereby all Hamiltons and Montrosses party may be of all Parliaments and Judicatories
and Argyles party lyes low That the Lord Warreston Sr. James Stuart and Sir John Chiesly continued with the General at Edenburgh 12. Letters of pressing Men for Ireland That Sr George Ascue was not gone for the barbadoes but was come into Plymouth with Sr. John Greenvile and other Prisoners taken at the Isle ofSt Maries and other of the Scilly Islands they being all Surrendred to the Parliament upon Articles 13. Letters of a notorious Jersey Pyrate taken by the Parliaments Ships That both the Armies in Scotland lay still in their Quarters as in the midst of Winter attending one anothers motions That the General was abroad again That a Merchant's man was Shot to Death for killing a Soldier 14. Letters confirming the rendition of St. Maries Island to the Parliament That there were in the Island 800 Soldiers some of them were Shipped for Ireland others for Scotland others for France and some for England with Sr. John Greenvile That there were in it likewise Commissioned Officers enough to head an Army That Collonel Axtel Collonel Sadler and Collonel Le-Hunt prisoners there were Released That these Islands will now be a Shelter to the Merchants which before were their ruine and is a Check to the Trade of many Nations 16. Letters That 5 or 6000 Scots used to beat up the quarters of one Troop of the Parliaments Horse but that they now are quiet That the English do but stay their march till they can have Horse meat in the Fields That the Provinces of Holland Zealand and Vtrecht are more agreeing than the other Provinces to the Articles proposed by the English Ambassadors That the Lord Deputy passed the River Shannon and fought with Castlehaven who was appointed to hinder his passage over that River whilst Clanricard's Army prepared to stop Sr. Charles Cootes passage out of the North and to fight with him But Sr. Charles Coote understanding this marched 30 miles in a Day and a Night slipt beyond them another way and joyned with the Lord Deputy who wholly routed the Lord Castlehaven's Army that some of the Parliaments Forces are sat down before Galloway 17. Letters from Collonel Hewson of the defeat given by the Lord Deputy to Castlehaven's Forces and that the Lord Dillon was reported to be slain An account from the Parliaments Commissioners in Ireland of the Recruits and Provisions arrived there and how their several Forces are disposed and where they are upon Service in that Kingdom 18. Letters That the Scots Army was inclosed in Sterling Park which was their own works and not to be attempted but upon great disadvantage That old Leven continues General under the King and they have several Major-Generals That their Forces are about 28000 and they have hanged 3 or 4 for refusing to bear Arms they expect many in England to joyn with them That their Soldiers have no pay but 2 l. of Meal a day That there was a Proclamation at St. Johns-Town that the word Malignant should be forborn for that all Interests were agreed 19. Letters That Sr. Charls Coote and Collonel Reynolds had given a great overthrow lately to the Enemy in the North of Ireland and had killed and taken 3000 of them That at Exon there was a great quarrel between the Seamen and Soldiers and many broken Pates but the Officers made them Friends again An account of Prest-men Recruits for Ireland and 1000 Pioneers Tools safely arrived 20. Letters That the Lord Deputy was marched to the very Gates of Lymbrick Here Collonel James Whitelock commanded a Forlorn with whom he marched up to the Enemy and the charge was so hot and he so far ingaged that his Horse was killed under him his Hat shot through and his thigh bruised with the But-end of a Musket but he beat in the Enemy and killed many of them That Collonel Ingolesby finding about 200 Horse grazing neer the City followed them to the Gates where those that escaped the Sword the Shannon devoured in all they lost about 100 Men and 150 Armes and 1000 Cows Oxen and Sheep That Portumney was surrendred to S. Charles Coote who also took in several other Forts and Castles That 3 Merchant men of London met with a French man of Warr who fought with them some time but finding himself too weak gave over but meeting with another French man they both set upon the Merchant men but could not prevail and after many killed on both sides they parted 21. Letters of Allarums given by the Scots Army but nothing done by them And that the English Army were quickly in a readiness to bid them welcome Mr. Love the Minister was brought to his Tryal before the High Court of Justice in Westminster and many Witnesses heard to prove the Accusation of High Treason against him 23. Letters That the King was very active and rode into Fife to gather together the Horse and new Levyes that they appointed a general Fast but the Kirk in the West were not pleased with their doings but refused to publish it and that all their Speech was for England That Massy is in great esteem with them That their new Committee of States is of Malignants and a Committee is selected out of them to go along with the Army to consult about their Affairs That they were much disappointed by discovery of the design of rising in Lancashire and that they heard nothing yet of any rising in Wales under the Earl of Derby That some of the Scots Ministers were sent from the Classis of the West of Scotland to the Classical Presbytery of Sterling with some Proposals which where rejected and Mr. Galaspy and the rest that brought them were threatned to be punished That a Committee was appointed to examine and punish by conâ—iscation and otherwise all such as had a hand in the Remonstrance of Ker and Straughan That London and all England is promised to be divided among the Scots Officers and Soldiers if they can conquer it That a party of Scots appearing neer to Carlisle Major-General Harrison sent 2000 Horse and Dragoons towards them to fight them but they retreated in hast back to Sterling That 100 Waggons and Carts with Arms Ammunition and Provisions were come to New-Castle 24. Letters of a rising in Cardigan Shire of 400 Horse and Foot got together in a Body and intending to march North wards That some Troops of the Parliament quartering there abouts came up to them and they fought the Troopers but after a short dispute were routed about 40 of them killed and 60 taken prisoners among whom were some of the chief Conspirators An account of 4700 prest Soldiers and 4300 Voluntiers gone for Recruits into Ireland Letters of a Ship of the Parliaments arrived at Helford-sluce one of those sent to bring back the English Ambassador which was unexpected and unwelcome News to the States but the Courts of the Queen of Bohemia and of the Princess Royal rejoyced at their departure That
the Parliament before the Battery of the Town That they suspended their answer for one day and then sent for a Treaty for surrender and for a cessation in the mean time That the Lord Deputy consented to a Treaty but denyed a cessation that they are much divided in the Town and the greater part was for a Surrender That Clanrickard and Castle haven were gone to Sea and their Army broken in peices and none can tell how That the Lieutenant General took in several Castles and one by storm with his Horse and Dragoons only and that Collonel Reynolds was with him in those actions and that Collonel Zankey had relieved a Garrison of the Parliaments and took in several Forts from the Enemy 5. Letters That the Scots Army was drawn out on this side Sterling and thereupon the General drew out his Army from Edenburgh and they lay in the Field to be in a fit posture to receive the Enemy but the Scots went back and the English incamped upon Penthland Hills That the Camp was in an excellent Martial posture and figure and the General was in his Tent. That many English Ladies were there to view the Leaguer Mr. Love was sentenced by the High Court of Justice for the Treasons proved against him to be beheaded 7. Letters of both Armies in Scotland drawing neerer one to another That the Mosse Toopers took 4 Horsmen and 6 Prisoners Of a Prize loaden with Salt brought into Lieth That the Governour of Lieth sent a party into Edenburgh to search for Arms where they found many in private Houses and brought them away to Lieth That the General had in his Army 14 Regiments of Horse 12 Regiments of Foot and 16 pieces of Ordinance and that both Armies were within 8 or 9 miles ofone another and that some of their Scouts have met That the English Army saw the Scots Leaguer That they were 15000 Foot and 6000 Horse That the Scots have great differences among themselves That Hamilton carrys all and Argyle his party are down That some Ministers have put out a new Remonstrance against the taking in of some notorious Malignants Letters of Alderman Jacksons house near Bristol burned with his Children in it 8. The Parliament passed a Vote for putting down the Marshals Court in Southwark An Act passed for keeping the Assizes at Durham Officers named in the Bill for sale of some Delinquents Lands An Act passed for continuing the Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster Letters That the Ships with Mony and Provisions were safely arrived in Ireland The Lord Deputy set forth a Proclamation for observing a day of Thanksgiving for the safe and seasonable Passage over the Shannon 9. Letters That Major Scot was sent out with a party to discover the Scots Army and gave them an Allarum that they drew up their Horses into Bodies 10. Letters of a quarrel between some of the Oxford Shire Troops and some Country Men. Of prizes brought in one loaded with 5000 bushels of wheat 11. Letters That God hath struck such a terror into the Camp of the Enemy that of all their Field Army in Ireland so much boasted of there was not 1000 Men in a body in any County to oppose the Parliaments Army That they would all go to the King of Spain if his Resident with them could furnish them with Mony yet he hath agreed for 4000. That Sr. Charles Coote is sat down before Galloway That the strong Castle by Lymbrick was surrendred upon quarter and that Collonel Tottel for killing some of the Enemy who had quarter given them was cashiered by the General That Lymbrick is in Treaty for surrender That Wheat is worth there 7 l. a Barrel That Massy wrote a vapouring Letter for exchange of a Prisoner but the General would not agree to it That the General marched towards the Scots Army lying at Torwood and there was Pickeering between both parties the English took 12 of the Scots and killed divers they killed none of the English but one man and all the Scots as they passed by him either Pistoled him or Cut him or Pricked him with their Rapiers in a barbarous manner That the King was in the Field to incourage them That the first rank of their Troops were Armed compleat They give out their Army to be 29000 but t is supposed they are 200000 That they had intrenched themselves and planted great Guns so that they could not be attempted with less danger than Storming a Garrison That some of the English Pickeering without order were indangered by the Enemy but relieved by Collonel Okey who beat the Scots from a Hill they had for advantage That both Armies drew to their Quarters about a Mile from each other That in the night the Enemy drew some great Guns to the top of an hill from whence they made about 40 Shot early in the morning and killed two or three of the English That the General Cromwel planted 2 Cannons and played upon them and did some execution and seeing the Scots would not ingage but upon their great advantage the General called a Councel of War in the Field and by their advice drew off to the Vale to see if the Scots would follow them and forsake their Hills which they did not and so the English Army returned back to their former Quarters at Lithgow 12. A List of the several Regiments of the English Army with their Collonels sent up being 14 Regiments of Horse 12 Regiments of Foot and 6 Troops of Dragoons 4 daies Provision more was delivered out to the Army for a new March and Design 14. Letters That Cromwel marched up again to the Scots but their Foot were intrenched and their Horse lay so that the English could not ingage them there being a River and Boggs between them and though Cromwel came up to the Teeth of them and viewed all their Bodies yet they would not come forth That the English took 8 Scots Prisoners and killed divers in Pickeering and beat them up to their Works and waited for them about 8 hours but they kept in and so the English went to their Quarters and the Scots followed them with a small party who were quickly beaten back That Athelow and Lymbrick were both surrendred to the Parliament That 5 English Vessels were taken prize by Boats from Jersey carrying 4 or 5 great Guns a piece in them That the States were sending the Lord Joachimi Ambassador to England to perfect what the English Ambassadors had there begun An Indictment of Felony at the Assizes in Kent was found against Joseph Welsh and others for assaulting Mrs. Jane Pukering and carrying her to Erith and compelling her contrary to her will to say words importing a Marriage c. 15. Mr. Love petitioned the Parliament and divers other Petitions were presented on his behalf for pardon of his life but after much debate upon the question it passed in the Negative On the day appointed for his
and Imprisonments may be taken away 28. Order for Mr. Goodwyn and Dr. Owen to preach in Oxford and for Masters of Art to preach in their turns Letters That the Marquess of Argyle studied how to make his peace with England and Monros could raise but few Men. That the Garrison at Ludlow were willingly disbanded and expressed a great affection one to another Of the neglect of the Minister of Taunton and other Ministers to celebrate the Thanksgiving-day 30. Letters That Collonel Heyne with his Regiment and other Forces after being beaten back by a Storm at last anchored under Jersey and resolved to attempt the Island the next day though the Sea was very rough because else their Horses would be starved That the same night the Storm ceased and at Three the next Morning by advice of the Councel of War they boated their Men but could not land till about 11 at night and then ran their Boats on ground and the Soldiers leaping into the Sea most of them Neck high they got to Shoar Where they were desperately charged with a Body of Horse for about half an hour after which the Enemy fled and the Parliaments Forces took Eight Pieces of Ordnance and marched a Mile into the Island finding no Enemy to oppose them That the next Morning they marched to several Forts and found in them Guns and Colours left That Parties brought in divers Prisoners to them The next day they drew on a Hill in the sight of Elizabeth Castle where the Enemy quitted the Fort under the Hill They also quitted and surrendred another Fort and went to Elizabeth Castle that here they had 14 Guns That Collonel Heyne sate down before Argyle Castle and in taking this Island lost but three or four Men and about 25 wounded That Sir George Carteret the Governour had 4000 Men. 31. Letters That the Marquess of Argyle sent a Trumpet to Lieutenant-General Monk desiring That some Persons well affected to the good of both Kingdoms might meet and treat about settlement and to prevent the shedding of more Blood The Lieutenant-General answered That he would not treat without Order of Parliament That the meeting of the Ministers at Edenburgh was dissolved without doing any thing That Captain Fannes the Governour of Anderwick was dead That the Forces sent against the Isle of Man were under Sail with a fair Wind. November 1651. 1. Letters That Sir Timothy Fetherston was executed at Chester according to the Sentence of the Court-Marshal and used only a few Prayers out of the Common-Prayer-Book Letters That the Parliaments Forces killed 100 Tories in Ireland took 50 and 500 Arms. 3. Letters That all the Parliaments Forces Horse and Foot were landed in the Isle of Man that the Islanders sent their Boats to bring them on Shoar and did secure Bartlet the great Pyrate and divers others That the Countess of Derby was retired to Peele Castle That the Parliaments Forces sent to Jersey after much conflicting with Seas and Winds and other difficulties and a short dispute with the Enemy landed about 11 a Clock at night That the Enemy after a hot Charge with their Horse fled and forsook divers small Forts That the next day they took the Tower of St. Andrews with 14 Guns in it which was a Refuge to their Ships That Sir George Carteret the Governour retreated to Elizabeth Castle which General Blake had blocked up The Parliament ordered That the Ministers of London and Westminster do on the fifth of November next in their several Congregations give thanks to God for the gaining of Jersey Island That the Governour of Bas Island in Scotland was summoned to deliver up the Island to the Parliament of England or else that his Lady and his Two Brothers in the Town should be sent up to the Parliament and that the Lady wrote to her Husband to surrender it 4. The Parliament passed the List of Sheriffs for the several Counties of England and Wales A List passed of Ships for the next Years Guard with Instructions to the Council of State for disposing of them Letters That the King of Scots for two days after the Defeat at Worcester staid in Woods near the Place and Trees and that some of Cromwels Soldiers looked into those Woods but found him not That he cut off his Hair and wore a Red Perriwig and was two or three days in Cromwels Army as a Boy or Servant to a Gentleman That he went to Sea in a Marriners Habit and landed at Diepe and had not Money to carry them to Paris Letters That a Party of the Parliaments Army stormed Mulick Castle in Ireland killed 34 of their Men and took 140 Prisoners but lost 80 Men. That Collonel Russel Commander of the Forces before Galloway had made strong Works there which those from the Town attempted to storm but were beaten off with loss That Lymbrick was surrendred to the Parliament all the Garrison had Quarter for their Lives only the Town was plundered and the Army drawn off to besiege Galloway That Shurlock the great Tory was slain 5. The Gunpowder-treason-day was solemnly observed 7. Letters That the Marquess of Argyle had summoned a Parliament in Scotland That divers Gentlemen in Scotland had a meeting to consider of some Propositions to be presented to the Commissioners of the Parliament of England in order to their Submission to them Of Recruits come from England to Scotland and of some Scots taken that fled away from the Battle of Worcester That the Lieutenant-General published a Proclamation in Scotland forbidding the raising of the English Coin to an higher rate than it was currant in England That there are great Divisions among the Clergy in Scotland 8. Letters That the whole Isle of Man with all the Forts and Castles in it were surrendred to the Parliaments Forces That the Parliaments Forces in Jersey had besieged Elizabeth Castle which was very strong situate upon a Rock in the Sea 10. Letters of the Particulars of the taking of the Isle of Man the Summons sent to the Countess of Derby and her Soldiers deserting of her and the Articles of Rendition of it to the Parliament without a Shot or Blow struck That they had there great store of Arms and Ammunition and Ordnance 11. The Parliament spent several days in debate of the Business for a New Representative They approved the Articles for the Isle of Man and ordered a Letter of Thanks to Collonel Duckenfield and Collonel Birch for their good Service in that Action and gave the Messenger that brought the News 100 l. and referred it to the Council of State to consider of preserving that Island for the benefit of the Parliament James Hinde the great High-way-man was examined before the Council of State and confess'd his serving of the King in England Scotland and Ireland and was sent to Newgate 12. Letters That the Lord Wareston and others sate privately in a Committee at Edenburgh preparing
which is the most fruitful Country in Scotland and the common Proverb is hath fifteen days more of Summer than any other part of the Nation That Three English Soldiers stragling were killed near Aberdeen and Collonel Overton sent for the Gentlemen thereabouts and told them That if they did not find out the Murderers he would fine the Country whereupon they apprehended three of the Murderers who were executed One Bull who raised Money from the Country upon pretence of being a Parliament Captain was pursued and taken by the Country and executed for it the Country also brought in Two Moss-Troopers The Parliament ordered That no Beer or Ale should be Exciseable but what was brewed to be sold again 15. Letters That Collonel Overton hearing of some incivility offered to Mr. Andrew Cant the Minister the Collonel went over to him at his House and told him he was sorry that any injury should be offered to him who he heard was a Friend to the Parliament of England Cant replyed That he was a lying Knave that told him so for he neither regarded him nor his Party A List was sent up of the considerable Persons that came in to the Parliament with Marquess Huntley The Admiralty of Amsterdam ordered That all Ships of what Nation soever lying in the Texel and bound for England be staid till they hear out of England Meen heer Scaep Catz and Parre Extraordinary Ambassadors from the States of the United Provinces landed at Gravesend The Swedish Ambassador Mr. Spiering was upon his Voyage for England 16. Order for a Commission for the Lord St. John Sir Hen. Vane jun ' Fenwicke Salwey Lambert Deane Monk and Tichburne to go Commissioners into Scotland Order That the Council of State take care for the Reception of the Ambassadors from the States The Act read for the Monthly Assessment and 30000 l. per Mens abated Petition of the Justices of Peace and of the Grand-Jury of Cheshire read and referred to a Committee the like of the Officers of the Cheshire Brigade Petition of the Masters and Livery-men of the Companies of London referred to the Council of State Vote That no Parties of Soldiers shall march without a Commissioned Officer to conduct them nor be quartered in any private Houses but in Inns c. Order That the Power of Committees shall be transferred to other Persons not Members of Parliament that the Members may attend the House Letters That Scotland is like to come to settle quietly if the Clergy be kept from having a finger in the Settlement for that no Nation that ever permitted the Clergy more or less to intermeddle could ever continue long in peace especially England and Scotland for there is in the generality of that Coat a rank mixture of Pragmatical Humour and Spiritual Pride that besots them in most things 17. The Dutch Ambassadors were brought to London by the Master of the Ceremonies in the States Coaches and other Lords Coaches to attend them and they were received with much Honour and conducted to Sir Abraham Williams his House in Westminster provided by the Parliament for them 18. Letters That the hard duty of the Soldiers in Jersey had caused much sickness among them so that they brought themselves to fourth night Duty both Officers and Soldiers Horse and Foot That Elizabeth Castle held out obstinately and sent many Shot amongst the Parliament Soldiers but had not killed one Man that one by a Shot of a Mortar-piece being in the Church in the Castle was blown out of the door having the Hair of his Head and Beard and his Cloaths singed but his Body had no harm That Jermyn and Greenvile were sent to Paris to advise about selling of Jersey to the French 19. Letters That the Parliament Forces marched up into the Highlands and the Lord Belcarris came in to them and Articles of Capitulation were signed between him and Collonel Overton and Collonel Lilburne and they became Masters in Innernesse which was further than Julius Caesar or any Invader before ever went in Scotland That some of the Marquess Huntley's disbanded Horse got together under Captain Gourdon and took four of the Parliaments Dragoons and one Foot Soldier they intended to murder them but one of them escaping they did not meddle with the rest But drawing them forth upon a Hill Gourdon pulled out of his Pocket a Psalm-Book and made the four remaining Prisoners to kneel down upon their Knees and swear to be true to the King and never to take Arms for the Parliament and so let them go 20. Letters of a Dutch Vessel laden with French Wines come into Dundee Harbour seized a Prize according to the late Act of Parliament That several English Vessels were come seasonably thither with Provisions An Act passed for continuing the Act formerly made touching the Elections of Officers and Electors in London The States Ambassadors had their Audience in Parliament the House had rich Hangings and Chairs and Foot-cloaths for the Ambassadors Between 10 and 11 a Clock the House sent Three of their Members the Earl of Salisbury Sir John Danvers and Sir Henry Mildmay to accompany the Ambassadors from Sir Abraham Williams his House where they lodged to the Parliament About 11 a Clock the Ambassadors came accompanied with those Members and attended by the Master of the Ceremonies with about 30 Gentlemen and 30 Lacquies of their own Retinue to the Inner Court of Wards where they reposed a little time and the Parliament sent their Serjeant to bring them into the House They came with all their Company into the House and when they came to the Bar put off their Hats and then the Speaker and all the Members of the House stood up in their places uncovered and when they came to the Chairs the Speaker desired them to take their places Being sate down and covered the Speaker and the Members at the same time sate down and were covered and after a little Pause one of the Ambassadors made his Oration to the House in Latin and the Speaker returned the usual Answer That he would acquaint the House with what the Ambassador had said When the Ambassadors were sate down all the Company not Members did withdraw and the Doors of the House were shut after the Speech ended and the Speakers Answer the Ambassadors rose from their Chairs and put off their Hats and saluting the Speaker and Members who also stood up in their places bare and answered the Salutes the Ambassadors went out of the House again attended as before to the Inner Court of Wards and from thence to their Lodgings between which and the Parliament were placed a double Row of Pikes and Musqueteers and a Troop of Horse drawn up in the Palace-yard 22. Letters That Sir James Stuart had gotten a Commission from Major-General Lambert to get himself to be chosen Provost of Edenburgh Letters of many Ships cast away in the late Storms 23. An Act passed for raising
of 90000 l. a Month for six Months for pay of the Armies Order touching the reception of the publick Minister from the Queen of Sweden Letters from Bristol That upon notice of the Ships coming into that Road with the Corps of the late Lord-Deputy Ireton the Major sent out a Boat with a Tilt covered with Black in which they brought the Corps unto the City where a Hearse of Velvet was provided to put over the Coffin The Major Aldermen and Councel in their Formalities and the Governour and his Officers with a multitude of Inhabitants attended the Body to the Castle and the great Guns were fired from the Castle and the Fort. That many of the chief Rebels in Ireland have made offers to treat about their coming in to the Parliament and that Galloway hath done so 25. The House sate this day A Letter of Advice to the Parliament in these words That if they would but grant an Act for all the profits of the Tithes in all Counties in England and Wales to be gathered into a Treasury and the one half thereof may be paid to a competent number of Godly Ministers to preach the Gospel in each County And all those drunken malignant scandalous delinquent ignorant whoring and profane ones that go under the Name of Ministers put to work for their livings That the Gospel would be better propagated than now it is and the Lord would be more glorified in the Land and this present Government better established 26. Letters That Elizabeth Castle was upon a Treaty but broken off again That this Castle is so seared in the Sea that they can relieve or send away at pleasure and when they can keep it no longer they can leave only the bare Walls That since the Siege they have made no Salley out of the Castle though they took in with them 400 Foot and 100 Horse That they have sent divers Vessels with Women and Children and Rich Goods over to St. Mallows and are daily sending more and cannot be prevented by reason of the Rocks though the Parliaments Frigots lie there That six hours the Tide floats round the Castle and six hours the Sand is bare when three Prisoners stole away by Boat and came to the Parliament Forces and informed them That Carteret had sent his best Horses to St. Mallows and the poorer Horses he had knocked on the head and had hanged a Man for endeavouring to come from them That few of the Inhabitants speak any English and most of their drink is Syder 27. Letters of Recruits come to Scotland from England Letters That the Two Major-Generals were gone their Progress which they intended throughout Scotland and Commissioners were appointed to settle Assessments for the English Army That Elizabeth Castle was surrendred to the Parliament upon Articles and in it 17 Brass Pieces 36 Iron Pieces 450 Musquets 40 Swords 100 Bandeliers 64 Barrels of Powder Match 5000 great Shot 1000 Musquet-shot 100 weight Lead four Tun Iron two Tun. Of Victuals 60 Hogsheads of Biskets six quarter of Wheat four quarter of Barley 20 quarter of Mault 36 bushel of Pease 50 sides of Pork 60000 of Poor John three Hogsheads of French Barley four Pipes of Spanish Wine ten Hogsheads of French Wine four Tun of Beer 60 quarter of Salt six Hogsheads of Beef with great store of other Provisions 29. Letters That Cornet Castle in Guernsey Island was surrendred to the Parliament upon Articles That in Elizabeth Castle were French Germans Danes Switzers Scotch Dutch Irish English and the Islanders 340 That it is the strongest Castle in the Parliaments possession 30. Letters That some Officers of the Army by Commission from Major-General Lambert did hear and determine Controversies between Party and Party wherewith the People were much satisfied for the quick dispatch they received with full hearing That a Soldier for Whoredom was sentenced by a Court-Marshal to be duck'd thrice at High-water and to be whipped and turned out of the Town the Woman had the like Sentence That Captain Henry Green by Letters of Marque from the Parliament surprized a Ship bound for St. Mallows loaden with Merchandise of the growth of France and upon French-mens account and with it steered for Guernsey to secure his prize which he went on Board in great storms That a Man of War of the States of Holland meeting with Captain Green boarded his Prize and sent all the Guernsey Men in her on drift in the Boat where they must have perished had not another English Ship by accident met them and taken them up That the Holland Man of War did cruelly beat Captain Green and his Company and said he would throw them all over board as he had Commission to do to all English Ships sent out with Letters of Marque and what is since become of Captain Green and the rest of the English with him is not yet known The Parliament Voted That it be referred to Persons out of the House to take into consideration what inconveniences there are in the Law and how the mischiefs that grow from the delays the chargeableness and the irregularities in the proceedings of Law may be prevented and the speediest way to reform the same and to present their Opinions to such Committee as the Parliament shall appoint That a Committee be appointed to consider and present to the House the Names of fit Persons to be employed in this Work and to receive from them such things as shall be prepared by them in pursuance of the former Vote Several Petitions of Merchants of London and of other Parts read and referred to the Council of State 31. A Petition presented to the Parliament from Collonel Philip Carteret and the rest of the late Officers of Mount Orgyle Castle in the Isle of Jersey That according to the Articles upon surrender thereof an Act of Oblivion may be passed for the Petitioners which the Parliament ordered accordingly and approved of the said Articles The House sate constantly all the time of Christmas January 1651. 1. Letters That Sir George Ascue had reduced the Barbadoes Island to the obedience of the Parliament of England but the Particulars thereof were not yet come A Copy of an Act of the Lord Willoughby and the Assembly in the Barbadoes for sequestring divers Delinquents Estates there was sent over to the Council of State 2. Letters That 60 Sail of Hollanders lay at Anchor before South-Sea Castle and might have landed Men there and that the Works about Portsmouth were in much decay An account of Recruits gone for Ireland 3. Letters That the Marquess of Argyle had sent for another Passe to come in to Major-General Lambert who had summoned Dunbarton Castle and the Governour answering him with delays he caused his Estate to be sequestred That Collonel Lilburnes and Collonel Overtons Men took a Ship in the Harbour of the North. That the Major-Generals were returned from the West and had given great contentment in
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-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
Commission and take care for the visiting of the Charter-house Hospital near Kingston upon Hull 27. Letters That Lieutenant-Collonel Throckmorton met with Duncan who had 500 Foot and 400 Horse near Wexford who had taken all the Cattle and left not a Cow to give Milk That at the first Charge the Irish behaved themselves gallantly and put the English to some disorder yet the Irish did not pursue till the English had rallied and upon the Second Charge the English beat up the Irish to their Horse and so put them to the rout killed 200 of them and many Officers Prisoners and lost but 30 Men and 60 wounded 28. Letters That the Judges at Edenburgh met and heard a good Sermon and then sate in the Court of Justice and Mr. Smith one of them made a Speech to the Company of the occasion of their meeting and to take off some aspersions cast upon the Parliament by the Ministers as if they countenanced Heresies and Blasphemies Then they caused the Act of Parliament against Heresies to be read and concluded That he doubted not but they should give satisfaction to the People of Scotland in the due administration of Justice to them Then a List of the Fees of Officers was read and the Auditory seemed to be much contented Of Recruits shipped for Ireland and of some Vessels taken by Pyrates 29. Letters of the Arrival of Sir George Ascue and his Fleet at Plymouth from the Barbadoes with 36 Prizes 31. Of the Siege of Dunotter Castle in Scotland and the high Terms they astand upon That the High-Sheriffs appointed in Scotland went to execute their Offices Of differences among the Ministers in Scotland and the Lord Wareston and others consulting against the Assembly of the Kirk That the People questioned divers great Men before the new Judges for former injuries and oppressions That Collonel Dungan wrote a civil Letter to Lieutenant-Collonel Throckmorton That since he was Master of the Field by a fair Dispute he desired a civil usage of the Prisoners he had taken and a List of them and whether Ransomes would be taken for them June 1652. 1. Letters That the Holland Fleet was battered and made unfit for fight That the Plague was at Leverpoole The Parliament ordered a day of publick Humiliation and Fast through England and Wales and appointed a Committee to prepare a Declaration of the grounds of the Fast Order for preserving Books and Manuscripts at Winchester Report of a Paper from the Agent of the Queen of Sweden and another from the Ambassador of the King of Denmark read in the House and Answers to them agreed upon Votes That nothing in the Articles of Rendition of Limbrick shall extend to any Toleration of the Popish Religion 2. Debate in Parliament how some Retrenchment may be made of the charge of the Common-wealth with safety and how the Revenue of the State may be improved and a Committee was appointed to consider thereof Vote That all Annual Salaries to Officers for sale of Lands of Bishops and of Deans and Chapters be suspended till further order 4. Letters That the Hollanders took into their Ships many Pick-axes Spades Shovels and Barrows which caused a suspition of their intent to land That there was an Imbargo put upon the Dutch Ships in Scotland That the English Forces before Dunotter Gastle in Scotland playing with their Guns as it and having shot in about Twelve Granadoes which broke into their great Tower and killed Seven Men those in the Castle notwithstanding their high terms before yielded upon Conditions only to march out half a Mile with their Arms and then to lay them down That this was the last Garrison in Scotland unreduced That the Fleet under General Blake was much encreased in Ships and Men That he with his Officers and Sea-men kept several days of Humiliation in the Fleet Of another Ingagement between Captain Moulton with some Ships against some of the Dutch who were beaten by the English 5. Letters That Prince Rupert took an English Merchants Ship with 39 Guns and made her his Rear-Admiral and put in her French and Dutch Mariners and used the English Mariners very hardly who consulted among themselves and one of them a Carpenter took his advantage to single out the Captain and the rest took to single out an outlandish Mariner to each of them And thus they subdued and brought away the Vessel into Plymouth with the Captain and Officers of the Ships Prisoners The Parliament order a Reward to these Mariners and an Act to be brought in to encourage others upon the like occasion That Prince Rupert met with a Merchant from Guinny richly laden 7. Letters That great Riches were in Dunotter Castle the Sword Scepter and Crown but they could not be found Divers Highlanders submitted to the Parliament The Sails of the Dutch Ships were brought on shore at Leith A Petition to the Parliament from the Owners and Commoners in Lincoln-shire Fens for satisfaction for Injuries formerly done to them An Additional Act passed for sale of Fee-farm Rents 9. The Parliament kept a Solemn day of Humiliation 10. Order for the Reception of Meen heer Paw Ambassador Extraordinary from the States-General A Narrative was published of the late Engagement between the English Fleet and Van Trump The former publick Minister of the States presented a Paper to the Council of State Taking God the Searcher of Mans Heart to witness that the most unhappy Fight of the Ships of both Common-wealths did happen against the Knowledge and Will of the Lords States-General of the Vnited Netherlands and that with grief and astonishment they received the fatal News of that unhappy rash Action That they did consult and endeavour to find out what remedy chiefly may be applied to mitigate that raw and bloody Wound to which end they have written to gather a Solemn Meeting or Parliament of all the Provinces whereby they do not doubt but an help will be found out for those troubles and a better hope of our Treaty in hand which thing being now most earnestly agitated by our Lords for the common good of both Nations to shun that detestable shedding of Christian Blood so much desired and would be dearly bought by the Common Enemies of both Nations and of the Reformed Religion We again do crave this most Honourable Council and beseech you by the Pledges both of the Common Religion and Liberty mean while to suffer nothing to be done out of too much heat that afterwards may prove neither revocable nor repairable by too late idle Vows and Wishes but rather that you would let us receive a kind Answer without further delay upon our last request Signed J. Catz G. Schaep Vanderpeere To this the Parliament gave this Answer That calling to mind with what continued Demonstration of Friendship and sincere Affections from the very beginning of their intestine troubles they have proceeded towards their Neighbours of the Vnited Provinces they Do
by the Apostles 1 Rom. 7. Beloved of the Lord called Saints and Rom. 5. 8. and 1 Cor. 6. 18. to the whole Church and v. 19. and 20. the exhortation is to all the Church and their faults were Sins incident to Saints though justly reproveable and 2 Thess 3. 15. yet are they to be esteemed Brethren 3. Math. compared with the 7 Lu. 30. Shew that John the Baptist would not admit the Pharisees to be Baptized That we are under a snare by our Sinful mixture 1 Cor. 10. 16. 17. and 2 Cor. 6. 17. touch no unclean thing v. 14. 15. No hope of purging the Ministery Elderships or Presbyteries Nor can a Rule for it be agreed upon That the Congregational way comes nearer to the pattern of the word than the Classical form and that the Congregation hath full power of judging in themselves Matth. 18. 15. 16. 17. 18. power of binding and loosing The Elders with a Congregation or without cannot be called a Church Act. 15. 22. 23. and Act. 14. 23. acceptation of the Word Elders The Church Congregational is the first Judicatory and have the power of binding and loosing The power of Elders onely is dogmatical That for the first 300 years the Church was partly Aristocratical Take heed lest ye be snares to the people of God in the Land and do not censure us for following our own light and Consciences in this great matter of Concernment to us 27. Letters That the English Soldiers in the Highlands were healthful and civilly Treated by the Inhabitants upon Command of the Marquess of Argyle who also entertained the Collonels with much State That the Country is very Mountainous yet the Vallies rich the People simple and ignorant in the things of God and some of them as Brutish as Heathens That some of the Inhabitants did hear the English Preachers with great Attention and Groaning That the Holland Fleet was still off about Newcastle about 105 Ships not many of those strong and serviceable but weakly man'd their men dye fase their Victuals short already at half allowance That the Dutch took several English Vessels and made their men serve under them 28. Order for the Commitment of the Earl of Worcester being come into England without Licence and for bringing him to his Tryal Referred to the Councel of State to take care for prevention of breaches of the Peace Letters from the Queen of Sweden to the Parliament read wherein She Subscribes her self Vestrabona Amica Christina Referred to the Committee of the Army to receive any Propositions for easing the Charge of the Common-wealth and to report them to the House 29. Letters That the Dutch Fleet seised divers English Fishermen and other small Vessels and forced their men to serve in the Dutch Fleet. Letters That the Presbyterian Spirit in Scotland blows higher and equally storms against the Papists and Sectaries That the Independents endeavour to settle a freedom there from the Tyranny of the Presbyterian Classes and Prelatical High Commissioners not excluding moderate dissenters from Church Government from a Share in the advantages of Government 31. That no intelligence could come from General Blake being so far to the Northward and the Dutch Fleet between him and home but by letters from Holland to several Merchants and to Mr. Strickland the Parliaments late Agent there they write That General Blake had fallen upon the Convoy to their fishing Busses which were 12. men of War and had sunk 3 of them taken the other 9. seised upon their fishing Busses and unloaden what fish they had taken but afterwards dismissed their fishermen and sent them home That he had taken 3 Dutch Merchant men richly laden coming from the East-Indies That General Blake having dispersed and dimist the Dutch Fishermen was upon his return homewards and neer the Dutch Fleet ready to ingage with them That Sr. George Ascue went to the Westward with his Fleet to convoy and bring to Plymouth 5 of the English Merchants East India Ships which he did and nothing was attempted against him by the Dutch August 1652. 2. Letters That the Lord Argyle kept his word in the entertainment of the Parliaments Forces in the High-lands That some of the Brotherhood in Scotland were up in Arms and gainsayed the Major-General in his approaches to them Of Several places in the High-lands Garrison'd by the Parliaments Forces A Protestation of divers Ministers in Scotland to the Ministers and Elders met at Edenburgh desiring a Conference about reconciling differences and against insufficient Scandalous and corrupt Ministers in the Kirke From General Blake to the Parliament with a List of the Dutch men of War taken by him who were to convoy the Fishermen in all 12 Ships two of which were since Sunk From the Commissioners in Ireland That of the Lord Muskerryes party 3000 Foot and 700 Horse-men mounted 300 unmounted have brought in their Horse and Armes and the Lord Muskerry himself intends to go for Spain and to carry with him 1000 Men and to return again if he can obtain any considerable Command That a party of Rebells is still in Kerry against whom Sir Charles Coote is marched That the Earl of Clanrickard and the Forces under him being beaten from their fastnesses by Sir Charles Coote and Collonel Reynolds and Collonel Venables and by planting some Garrisons and securing some passes could not continue longer in a body together so that the Earl and his party have come in and Submitted and have leave to Transport 5000 Men. An acknowledgement by the Officers of the Army of the Parliaments care in sending provisions to them 3. Letters of a Conference of the Commissioners with the Officers of the Army about receiving some of the Irish into Protection 4. The Act past for sale of Lauds forfeited with the names of the Persons whose Estates were to be sold Letters That General-Blake was coming Southwards and had sent 6 of the 12 Dutch men of War to attend Major-General Dean in Scotland that divers Dutch were Slain and wounded and some of the English and 900 Dutch Prisoners That General Blake had but 8 Frigots in this action against 12 Dutch That Lieutenant Mathews was robbed by his own Servant of 300 l. 5. That Sir Thcophilus Jones sent out to get some Provisions was met with by a far greater Party of the Enemy who ingaged with him but Sir Theophilus killed 300 of them took some Prisoners and a Collonel a Lieutenant-Collonel 2 Majors and 8 Captains besides Inferior Officers were Slain and he lost not one Officer one Lieutenant was wounded and 60 common Soldiers with Sword but not one man of the English Slain That Collonel Venables rescued many Cattle pursued a party of 60 Tories left but 6 or 8 of them and drove others to the Mountaines that the Vlsters desired a Treaty 6. Letters of a Soldier executed for running away from his Colours Of pirates on the Western
with some Merchants some of them ran a-ground and the others got safe under Dover Castle That St. Maloes Men seised the Ships and Goods of the English there because Blake had taken some of their Ships That the French Ships took several English Vessels that 100 Colliers were gone with a Convoy to London 20. Letters of the persidiousness of the Highlanders in Arms against whom the Country complain and disown them That the Commissioners of the General Assembly proclaimed a Fast with their Reasons for it That many of the Dutch Fleet were lost by storm and 13 of them in the Texel that their Sea-men coming on shoar demanded their Pay and being answered that they must go on Board again and they should have half pay this so inraged them that they got together and left their Ships and were in a high mutiny That the States sent out their Land Forces who fell upon the Sea-men killed divers of them and dispersed the rest and hanged up Two of the chief Mutineers to see which Execution a multitude of People flocked together so that the Lords feared a new Mutiny and caused the Soldiers to fire upon the People who killed Eight of them but the Sea-men were more inraged 21. Letters from Blake That the Dutch Fleet avoided fighting with him and slipt from him though more in number than he was and so he sailed Westward Letters That Lieutenant-General Fleetwood and all his Company were safe landed at Waterford in Ireland 22. Letters That a Moss-Trooper at New-Castle was sent from the Assizes to be tryed in Scotland by a Councel of War Of several Apparitions of Horse-men c. in the Air. 23. Letters of a Fleet of about 60 or 70 Sail of tall Ships near Scilly by which they passed West South West and were the Dutch Fleet who gleaned up their scattered Ships 24. Letters of the Cheshire Channel so infested with Pyrates that it hindered the intercourse with Ireland of Provisions shipping at Chester for Aire in Scotland That both the Northern and Western Highlanders were revolted That they invited 30 of the Parliaments Officers and Soldiers to a Feast and took them Prisoners and killed Ten of them That 600 Indictments were preserred to the English Judges in Scotland 25. Letters That General Blake with his Fleet of 108 Sail passed by Weymouth to the East-ward upon an Information that the Dutch Fleet had given him a go-by That Four or Five of the Dutch Fleet fell upon the Assurance Frigot but she got off from them and came to General Blake who immediately hoised sail after them but they escaped him who ordered his Fleet to sail from the English to the French Coast side by side within Gun-shot of one another whereby they scoured the whole Channel From Captain Stoaks That he made up to two Ships and found them to have Swedish Colours but coming aboard them he discovered them to be Guinnee Ships laden with gold oare and Elephants teeth and letters directed to Amsterdam and other parts of Holland That the Captain believing the Ships to belong to the Dutch brought them into Plymouth that their loading was worth 80000l That 4 English men of War and 4 Merchant men were in â—ight with 9 Dutch men of War neer Genoa That General Blake and Sr. George Ascue with their Fleets in all 140 Sayle were come into the Downes 20 of them Merchant Ships which he sent to London That 3 English fishermen brought to Yarmouth 3 Dutch Busses That the Scouts brought news to General Blake in the Downes of a great fleet of Hollanders and he presently weighed to be in pursuit of them That his Fleet had got the wind of the Dutch Fleet and a speedy Ingagement was expected 27. Letters of animosities among the Ministers in Scotland and that their fast day was not observed and their divisions brought them near to fighting in the Church That the Scotch Commissioners were gone for England Of the two Guinnee Ships taken by Captain Stoakes 50000l in gold in one of them and Elephants teeth worth 10000l Command from Blake for all Seamen to come on board on pain of death Letters That De Witt was on the back of the Goodwin sands with 50 or 60 saile of Ships and Blake neer him That Blake called a Councel of War who thought not fit to put out to Sea it being neer night That the Dutch were all out of sight the next day before noon standing over towards their own Shore Which day proved so soul that Blakes fleet could not goe to them that they are to convoy 200 of their Merchant men That a Private Man of War took 3 Dutch Prizes That the Portugal Ambassador was brought with 50 Coaches into London 28. Letters from the Portugal Ambassador to the Speaker read and his Audience appointed Referred to the Councel of State to take order for the building of 30 new Frigots Order that the Scaffolds about Pauls be taken down and sold towards payment of publick faith debts Letters from the Duke of Venice read and referred to the Councel of State Referred to the Councel to draw up letters of thanks to the Duke of Tuscany for his civil usage of the English Merchants An Act passed for relief of persons upon Articles of War 30. The Portugal Ambassador had his audience in Parliament and went in greater state than any Ambassador that came yet to the Parliament he presented his Credentials which were referred to the Councel of State Mr. Dennis formerly of the Kings party being chosen Major of Barnstaple the Towns-men petitioned against him and an Act was committed for disabling such persons to be elected or to be electors of any to publick Offices Letters of Coal Ships sayling towards London having 200 Ordnance among them October 1652. 1. Letters of overtures made by the Marquess of Argyle for composing the late business in the Highlands Of the Sickness abated in Ireland and that all the Tories there except 500 in the North had laid down Arms. That a great Councel of Officers from all parts there was called to consult with Lieutenant-General Fleetwood now come to them Letters That General Blake was making what hast he could to ingage about 70 Sail of the Dutch by the Goodwyn 2. Letters of Captain Bodiloe near to Legorne with the Phaenix and other Ships fought with 10 of the Dutch men of War near 3 days that 4 of their best Ships surrounded Captain Bodiloe and fought him very stoutly above 4 hours but he forced them to fall off and leave her many were shot and wounded on both sides That the Captain of the Phaenix fought with a Dutch Ship and boarded her and the Phaenix being empty of men who were plundering the Dutch Ship in the mean time another Dutch Ship came by and boarded and took the Phaenix and regained their own Ship likewise That the English and Dutch Fleets were in Fight near the Downs That Blake on Tuesday
Posterity as great and permanent to all humane probability as ever any Subject was and provide for your Friends You may put such Limits to Monarchical Power as will secure our Spiritual and Civil Liberties and you may secure the Cause in which we are all ingaged and this may be effectually done by having the power of the Militia continued in your self and whom you shall agree upon after you I propound therefore for your Excellency to send to the King of Scots and to have a private Treaty with him for this purpose and I beseech you to pardon what I have said upon the occasion It is out of my Affection and Service to your Excellency and to all honest Men and I humbly pray you not to have any Jealousie thereupon of my approved Faithfulness to your Excellency and to this Common-wealth Cromwell I have not I assure you the least distrust of your Faithfulness and Friendship to me and to the Cause of this Common-wealth and I think you have much reason for what you propound but it is a Matter of so high importance and difficulty that it deserves more time of Consideration and debate than is at present allowed us We shall therefore take a further time to discotuse of it With this the General brake off and went to other Company and so into Whitehall seeming by his Countenance and Carriage displeased with what hath been said yet he never objected it against Whitelock in any publick meeting afterwards Only his Carriage towards him from that time was altered and his advising with him not so frequent and intimate as before and it was not long after that he found an Occasion by an honourable Imployment to send him out of the way as some of his nearest Relations particularly his Daughter Cleypoole confessed that he might be no obstacle or impedimemt to his ambitious designs as may appear by the process of this story December 1652. About the beginning of this Month General Blake himself was Ingaged with the whole Fleet of the Dutch but having great disadvantage in the numbers and the wind not favouring him tho his Squadron Fought very gallantly and did much harm to the Dutch yet he came off with the loss of the Garland and Bonaventure two good Ships and some other of less Force Many Letters and Intelligences came of further Successes in Scotland by the Forces under General Monk in the Highlands Others of several Prizes taken by the Parliaments Ships from the Dutch and of losses of some English Ships taken by the Dutch and Transporting some Irish to the Service of the King of Spain The Parliament were very busie in debate of several Acts of Parliament under Consideration but very little was brought to effect by them The Soldiers grumbled at their delayes and there began to be ill blood between them The General and his Officers pressed the putting a Period to their Sitting which they promised to do but were slow in that business January 1652. The Preparations for the Navy and the War at Sea with the Dutch went on with great Vigor and the Parliament were quick in it and referred it to the Councel of State to take care of it And they were diligent in their Business and cautious to have money in readiness for it and to settle Amities with Forreign Princes and such Correspondences that there might be the less Assistance to their Enemies or joyning with them Intelligences came of the continuance of their Success in Scotland and of the peacable condition of their Affairs in Ireland The Kings of France and of Spain and the Queen of Sweden sent hither their Ambassadors and publick Ministers to treat for the Settling of Leagues and Trade Upon a Report from them the Parliament passed several resolutions for the Encouragement of Seamen in their Service As for advancement of some to Pay to them before-hand and to leave some subsistance to their Families during their Absence That for every Ship taken which should be adjudged good Prize they should have 40 s. per Tun and 6 l. for every piece of Cannon taken or found in the Prize Ships to be equally distributed according to their Qualities and that they should have 10 l. for every Cannon which should be taken abord of any Ship which they should sink or Fire That whoever should inroll themselves within 40 dayes in the Parliaments Service should as a gratuity receive a Moneths pay not to be passed to account That Hospitals should be erected at Dover Deal and Sandwich for Sick and wounded Sea men brought on Shoar and a stock settled for Maintenance of them and of other Sick and wounded Men who by reason of their Diseases and Wounds could not be brought on Shoar These and other Encouragements caused the Seamen to come Flocking into the Service of the Parliament and although the Hollanders had prohibited the Importing of Pitch Tar Hemp and other Materials of Navigation by any Nation whatsoever into England a Placard of sufficient Insolency yet the Councel of State had provided sufficient stores and had prepared and equipped a Gallant Navy In the Levant Captain Bodely coming from Port-Longone to the relief of Captain Appleton who was blockt up in the Mole of Legorn the Dutch there set upon Bodely and destroyed two or three of his Ships February 1652. The Parliaments Fleet at Sea had great Success this Moneth in a Fight with the Dutch between Portland and the Isle of Wight about the Twentieth of this Moneth In which Battle both the Officers Mariners and Soldiers of both parties behaved themselves with great Courage and Gallantry But it pleased God so to favour the English That after a sharp and bloody Fight the Dutch were wholly routed and overcome and had a sore and terrible loss both of their Ships and Men the English lost likewise many Men but came off with a very great Victory Several Letters also came of the Successes of the Army in Scotland and the submission of more of the Irish Rebels All these passages conduced to the raising up not only of the Reputation but with it of the Spirits and Ambition of Cromwell and the Officers of the Army And they now began to assume to themselves all the Honour of the past Actions and of the Conquests by them atchieved scarce owning the Parliament and their assistance and Provision for them but taxing and censuring the Members of Parliament for Injustice and delay of Business and for seeking to prolong their Power and promote their private Interest and to satisfie their own Ambition With these and many others the like Censures they endeavoured to Calumniate the Parliament Judge them guilty of those Crimes whereof themselves were faulty not looking into their own Actions nor perceiving their own defaults yet censuring the Actions and proceedings of the Parliament very opprobriously March 1652. The drift of Cromwell and his Officers was to put an end
to this Parliament which many wondred at and sought to disswade him from upon all opportunities as far as was thought convenient and that they might not appear desirous to continue their own power and sitting in Parliament whereof they had Cause to be sufficiently weary Neither could it clearly be foreseen that their design was to rout the present Power and so set up themselves against the which they were advised as pulling down the Foundation of their own Interest and Power and the way to weaken themselves and hazard both their cause and Persons Yet still they seemed zealous upon their common Pretences of Right and Justice and publick Liberty to put a period to this Parliament and that if the Parliament would not shortly do it themselves that then the Soldiers must do it Some who earnestly declared their Judgment against this as the most dangerous and most ungrateful thing that could be practised by this freedom gained no favour with Cromwell and his Officers But there wanted not some Parliament Men perhaps to flatter with them who soothed them in this unhandsome design and were complotting with them to ruine themselves as by the consequence will appear Letters of Dutch Free-booters and French Pickeroons infesting the Coast and that in Brittain they were building new Ships of War to infest the English That Prince Rupert with 3 Ships only was come into Nantes that he could give no account of his Brother and his Ships which were seperated from him by a Hurricane in the Indies and he believed they were cast away From Legorn that the Duke by the instigation of the Dutch demanded restitution of the Phaenix recovered by a bold adventure of the English and the Duke sent to Captain Bodiley that he having refused to restore the Phaenix to the Dutch it was his Highnesses pleasure that all the English Ships should depart the Port within 10 dayes and Bodiley prepared to depart accordingly That the Dutch Admiral sent a Protest on shoar by 4 of his Captains that if his Highness would not restore the Phaenix they would fall upon the English Ships in the Mole and they warned other Ships to withdraw Thereupon the Dutch were commanded to retire out of Shot of the Castles and their Consul on Shoar was sequestred a guard put upon his House and all the Dutch clapt into hold 22. An Act passed for continuing the imposition upon Coals towards the building and maintaining of Ships Another passed for Continuance of the Customs Instructions debated in the House for the Lord Viscount Lisle to go Ambassador extraordinary from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to the Queen of Sweden The Speaker acquainted the House that he received Letters from the States of Holland and West Friezland the House referred to some of their Members to examine the Messenger and appointed a day for debate of the Letters The Fairfax Frigot of 50 Guns was in Chatham burned by accident of a Candle or snuff of Tobacco A Proclamation was published in St. Maloes that no eatable Provisions nor Pitch Tarr or Cordage should be exported on forfeiture of the Vessels and Goods From Edenburgh that some Clans in the High-lands had meetings and rendezvous and that they have meetings in the Low-lands and that the general Assembly and the Remonstrators or dissenting Brethren meet in several places and carry on a different Interest That Commissary Grey and others of the High-land Party were taken by the Parliaments Army From the Hague the Victory is now confest to be of the English side in the late Ingagement at Sea they having seen the names of their Ships that are lost and finding their Hospitals crowded with Sea-men and the number of them aboard Lessened That they wonder at the sudden and great preparations of the English Fleets and are discontented that their trade is gone that in a late mutiny about pressing of Seamen there 30 were killed That the States told the People that some were coming from England to offer terms of Peace That the States had sent a Letter to the Parliament lamenting the bloodshed of Protestants by this unhappy difference and how much better it would be to have an Vnion and Amity Upon the Debate of the Letter from the States the Parliament referred it to the Councel of State to prepare an answer to it From Edenburgh that the dissenting brethren have ordered some particulars concerning Kirk Affairs as for the more orderly and frequent Administration of the Sacrament and excluding of prophane Persons from it From Jersey that in a Fight at Sea between an Ostender and a Barque of Jersey she was taken by the Ostender and they were met with by a Parliament Frigot who brought them both into England From Weymouth That since the last Northerly Winds the Fisher-men fish nothing but Ship-wrack and dead men and that the French are unwilling to believe that the English did beat the Dutch in the late Ingagement That the French Rovers and the Dutch do much harm upon the English Coast Letters from the Officers and Soldiers at Edenburgh in answer to some Letters from the Army in England wherein they all agree to join for the reformation of things amiss and that Justice and liberty may have a free passage This was but in effect a proceeding in their contrivances to pull down the Parliament and to set up themselves A Letter passed in the House in answer to the Letter from the States and setting forth the Parliaments readiness as formerly to have prevented these Wars and to prosecute a fit way to close up the same and to settle amity peace and a mutual confidence between the 2 Nations Of discontents among the Dutch missing many thousands of their Friends since the late Ingagement but the Lords tell them that the men are safe in the Ports of France that they threaten to block up the Thames That they cry up the King of Scots Interest and that he hath offered to serve them at Sea in Person but that Holland will yet give no ear to it That they murmur at a new Tax and some refuse to pay it of 2 Dutch Ships taken Prize Of 3 Declarations of the Scots Presbytery publish'd 1. Against the Malignant Assembly for espousing the Kings Interest 2. Against the English for breach of Covenant and Toleration of Sects 3. Against the new Scots Dippers Particulars of the Fight in the Streights between the Dutch and Captain Bodeley That the Bonadventure one of his Ships was blown up and all her men lost but seven That the Sampson an other of his Ships was laid on board on one side by a Dutch man of War and fired on the other side by one of their Fireships but most of her men hoped to be saved by getting aboard the Mary that other of their Ships 3 in number were taken by the Dutch That 6 great men of War were sent from the Texel to lye
of such as were then known An Act of the Councel of State touching the adventurers for Lands in Ireland An Address from Cumberland approving the actions of Cromwell and his Army and resolving to stand by them and assist them 7. Letters from Scotland that the 2 great Fleets missed one an other to the admiration of all men that the Malignants report the Dutch to be 150 Sail of Men of War That there continues great feud betwixt the Assembly and Protesting Party about placing and displacing of Ministers That the Lord Wareston is angry at every thing but himself and at that too sometimes Intelligence that about 20 of the Dutch Fleet were taken burnt and sunk 3 Fire-Ships taken one Vice-Admiral and 2 Rear-Admirals one Rear-Admiral towed by the Entrance being far bigger than her self having 14 Guns on a Tire and of 1200 Tun. But 126 men Slain in the English Fleet none of note but General Dean and one Captain no English Ship lost 8. Letters were sent from Cromwell to the several persons called to take upon them the trust of the Government of the Common-wealth and were to this effect For as much as upon Dissolution of the late Parliament it became necessary that the Peace Safety and good Government of this Common-wealth should be provided for and in order thereunto divers persons fearing God and of approved Fidelity and Honesty are by my self with the advice of my Councel of Officers nominated to whom the great Charge and Trust of so weighty Affairs is to be committed And having good assurance of your love to and courage for God and the Interest of this Cause and of the good People of this Common-wealth I Oliver Cromwell Captain-General and Commander in chief of all the Armies and Forces raised and to be raised within this Common-wealth do hereby summon and require you being one of the Persons nominated personally to appear at the Councel-Chamber at White-Hall within the City of Westminster upon the 4th day of July next insuing the date hereof then and there to take upon you the said Trust unto which you are hereby called and appointed to serve as a Member of the County of Bucks and hereof you are not to fail Given under my Hand and Seal the 8th day of June 1653. O. Cromwell Further Relations of the late Fight at Sea with the Dutch but to the same effect with the former and that the English Fleet were still in chase of the Dutch Fleet towards their own Coast 9. Letters of 2 Dutch Ships taken by the Warwick Frigot that as soon as the Dutch discovered her to be one of the States Men of War they presently submitted to her 10. Of a Tumult lately in Linlithgow in Scotland the people refusing to receive a Minister whom the Presbit'ry would have imposed on them and some of the Kirk-men were soundly beaten in the scuffle A Ship of Jersey taken by the French 11. Of a private Man of War of Captain Williams who brought to Pendenuis 3 prizes whereof one had store of money but how much it was the Marriners took course it should not be discovered An other private Man of War brought 3 Dutch Prizes into the Isle of Wight That the English Fleet was before the Brill and other Dutch Harbours blocking up their Ships and that thereupon the Dutch People were in very great confusion 13. A party of Soldiers being sent into the Highlands to gather the Sess there a Company of Highlanders got together in Arms and followed the Soldiers 8 Miles who making a hault fired upon the Highlanders and slew their Captain and thereupon all of them fled distractedly and left divers of their Company dead upon the place those that ran away were too nimble for the English Soldiers to pursue them eight Men of War of the English Fleet brought into Leith Road 20 small Dutch Vessels Busses and other Prizes 14. The General and Councel of State published a Declaration to invite all the good People in these Nations to thankfulness and holy rejoycing in the Lord for the late great Victory at Sea against the Dutch and appointed a Day for meeting of himself and his Councel of Officers to praise the Lord. This took the more with many People because it was not a command and imposing upon Men but only an Invitation of them to keep a day of publick thanksgiving Collonel John Lilburn arriving at London sets forth an Address to Cromwell under this Title The banished Mans suit for Protection to his Excellency the Lord-General Cromwell being the humble Address of Lieutenant-Collonel John Lilburn This was written from his Lodging in little More-fields where by Warrant of the Councel of State he was taken into Custody and Committed to Sherriff Vnderwood's House 15. The English Fleet were plying to and again betwixt the Texel and the Vly to hinder Ships coming out from thence to joyn with that part of the Dutch Fleet now at the Weilings and to stop up their Trade and Fishing 16. Lieutenant-Collonel Lilburn being Prisoner in Newgate now published another Address to Cromwell and the Councel of State for repealing the Act of the late Parliament for his banishment for which he gave divers reasons because it was a Judgment against him by the Parliament according to no law in being That the Act is a Law made after the Fact done to ordain a punishment for that Fact which was never ordained or heard of before That the Parliament which made that Law being now dissolved the Law ought to be of no Force He prays the Suspension of any proceedings against him upon that Law till the Justice of the matter and manner of it be legally examined Two small Vessels of Scilly Loaden with Provisions for the Island were taken by the Brest Pickaroons One of Prince Rupert's Men in a mad humour leaped over-board into the Sea and was drowned and another of them in a bravado killed himself with his own Pistol 17. The Highlanders in Scotland began to gather together in Arms upon Commissions they received from the King of Scots The English Fleet were upon the Dutch and French Coasts 18. Captain Steiner brought into Lee Road 12 prizes Dutch Men of War taken in the late Fight and of Dutch Prisoners 1350 who were brought to London and secured in Chelsey Colledge An Agent came from Holland with Letters to Cromwell about their Ambassadors coming hither to Treat for Peace Cromwell received and carried the Letters to the Councel of State 20. The last week arrived in England Mnr. Bevering a Commissioner from Holland and had Audience before the Councel of State and made a short Speech in French for amity between the two Common-wealths this day arrived 3 more New-port Van Dorpar and Yongstall Commissioners from the United Provinces Lieutenant-Collonel Lilburn made a 3d Address to Cromwell and the Councel of State A Petition in the names of 5000 Citizens of London
them to have Fire-Arms or Ammunition 4. Letters that Argyle finding his Country men would not follow him by reason his Son the Lord Lorn was with the other party he left the Highlands That De Wit convoyed home to the Texel from the Sound the East-India Ships with 375 other Merchantmen and that about thirty Sail from Norwey were come home That young Trump was got home with his Merchantmen through the Channel That the English East-India Ships and other Merchantmen were safely arrived with their Convoy two Men of War and came in sight of young Trump who had Eight men of War yet did not exchange one Shot with them that a great Fleet of Colliers were come into the Thames 5. An Act passed for Repealing part of a former Act that enjoyns the subscribing the Engagement before one shall have the benefit of the Law A Bill committed for the taking away the High Court of Chancery and Constituting Judges and Commissioners for hearing Causes now depending in Chancery and future matters of Equity and for Reforming Abuses in the Common Law 7. Letters of the Cruelty and Insolency of the Highlanders under Kinmore That a Garison of the Parliaments took divers of them Prisoners and many Horses and Arms. Of the preparations in Holland for one hundred Sayl of Men of War 8. Debate of the Bill of the Assesments and the House Ordered the Rates to continue as before An Act passed concerning the Determination of certain Claims depending before the Commissioners of Obstructions 9. A Committee sate upon the Petition of Alderman Fowk late Lord Mayor of London 11. Of a Synode in Scotland among whom was great differences of Opinion with long and sharp Debates Of two French Prizes brought into Plymouth and an other pretending to be an Hamburgher Of a Frigot sent to Jersey for twenty Brass Guns and for two Companies of Soldiers Of two Dutch Prizes more brought into Alborough Sheriffs Nominated for the Counties of England and Wales 12. Letters of two Dutch Prizes brought into Burlington Bay That by great storms at Sea the Dutch lost twenty of their Ships driven a shore most of them Men of War And that De Wit was not returned That in the late storm two thousand Dutch Men were lost and four hundred and seventy Pieces of Cannon That in the storm fifteen breaches were made in the Banks of that Country and some Castles and whole Villages drowned 14. Letters of the French Capers doing much mischief to the English Merchants and cruelly using their Men and that they make Brest another Algiers That the great loss of the Dutch by the late storm at Sea hindred their Admiral Opdam from going forth with the Fleet. Order of Parliament touching the Redemption of the Captives of Algier Letters from the States of Lubeck and Hamburgh to the Parliament of England read in the House 15. The House Nominated some Sheriffs and Debated the Bill of Assesments Letters of a Party of the Highlanders falling upon a small Party of the English of whom they killed one and wounded three of them That Captain Watson fell upon a Party of the Highlanders and did them much damage Of thirteen Dutch and French Prizes brought into Plymouth most of them pretending to be Hamburghers 16. Orders touching claims for Moneys due upon Publick Faith and touching some Sheriffs of Counties 17. The Council of State published an Order Reciting the Trust reposed in them by the Parliament for this purpose they declare that the Council will protect all the good People of these Nations That no disturbance shall be offered to any such in their peaceable Assemblies for the Worship of God It is expected and required of all Ministers of Justice to proceed against the offenders therein as disturbers of the publick peace and all other persons to take notice thereof Order for a Lottery for Provinces and Counties in Ireland as to claims of land there 18. Letters that Kenmores party increased and took many Horses from the Lowlands who were generally their Friends That they plundered the Country and took some Prisoners that they received a Letter from their King that he could not assist them which discouraged them That by the late Inundation in Holland Amsterdam was damaged one hundred thousand l. That their Fleet being seventy two Men of War riding in the Texel were much shattered by the late violent winds sixteen of them lost and fourteen driven on shoar not above six left that were serviceable That the Seamen there are discontented that General Monk was gone down to the Parliaments Fleet. 19. Debate of the power of Patrons in Presenting Ministers and the inconveniencies thereof and Orders for an Act to take away Presentations An Act passed for setling Lands of the late Earl of Darby upon the present Earl his Son Order for a Bill touching the Excise and debate upon the Bill of Assesments That the Pickaroons of Bulloign took an English Merchant Man 21. That the Highlanders Garisoned several Houses that a Party of them took two Captains of Collonel Overtons Regiment going with their Wives to Glascow and took two Soldiers of Colonel Tomlinsons Regiment and that they plundered the Lord Warestons House An Act published for Establishing of a High Court of Justice A great Insurrection and Tumult was at the New Exchange between the Portugal Ambassadors Brother and some of his Company and Collonel Gerrard an English Gentlman who hearing the Portugueses discoursing in French of the Affairs of England told them in French That they did not represent those passages aright Whereupon one of the Portugueses gave him the lye and they all three fell upon Collonel Gerrard stabbing him in the shoulder with a Dagger but being rescued out of their hands by one Mr. Anthuser they retired home and within one hour returned with twenty more Armed with Breast-Plates and Head-pieces but after two or three turns not finding Mr. Anthuser they returned home that night 22. Letters that two thousand Dutch Prisoners of War in England were discharged and come home into Holland That young Trump was come home safe and so was the Dutch Ships from Bergen in Norwey The Portugal Ambassadors Brother returned again to the New Exchange with his Company and walking there they met with Colonel Mayo whom they supposed to have been Mr. Anthuser and shooting off a Pistol as a warning Fifty Portugueses came in with drawn Swords and leaving some to keep the Stayers the rest went up with the Ambassadors Brother and fell upon Colonel Mayo who gallantly defending himself received seven dangerous wounds and lies in a dying condition And then they fell upon Mr. Greenway of Lincolns-Inn who was walking with his Sister in one hand and his Mistriss in the other and Pistol'd him in the head whereof he dyed immediatly they brought with them several Jars filled with Gunpowder in their Coaches stopped with Wax and filled with Matches intending as it seemed to have done some
mischief to the Exchange had they not been prevented The Parliaments Horse at the Mews taking the Allaram apprehended some of the Portugueses and the rest of them ran to the Ambassadors House whether Collonel Whaley pursued them and beset the Ambassadors House with his Horse acquainted him with the Murder and Insolency committed by his followers shewed him some of them whom he had taken Prisoners and required the chief of the rest to be delivered up to the hand of Justice The Ambassador insisted upon his priviledge as Ambassador but seeing nothing else would satisfy he at length delivered up his Brother and one of the Knights of Malta and some others and promised to secure the rest to be forth coming After which the Ambassador made his Address to the Lord General and chiefly for his Brother but the General told him the business did concern the publick and therefore his Excellencies Address must be to the Parliament and the Council of State 23. Letters that upon the complaints of the Merchants at Stockholm to the Queen of Sweedland of the Abuses they had received at Sea by the Holland Men of War the Queen clapt up two Dutch Merchants into Prison and seized upon all Dutch Mens Estates till She should be further satisfied The Brother of the Portugal Ambassador and his Company who committed the Murder at the Exchange were Examined by the Lord Chief Justice Rolles and the Ambassadors Brother and four others were Committed to Newgate in order to their Trial. 24. Letters That a Knight of Malta Commander of a Man of War of France took an English Merchant man in the Streights That the French Pickaroons did much mischief on the Coast near Jersey That Captain Chainberlain an old Pyrate sent a Letter to Colonel Hean Governour of Jersey That if the Jersey Men would not contribute toward his maintenance he Swore by the Heavens that he would throw as many of them as he did meet with into the bottom of the Sea 25. Letters of the Insolencies committed by the Highlanders That the Marquiss of Loignac travelling between Brussels and Dunkirk was murdered by Thieves and all his Company only the Post-boy hardly escaped 26. Letters of Merchant Ships arrived at Dartmonth safely and of some English Vessels taken by the Pickaroons of Brest Of a Prize brought into Plymouth which pretends to be a Sweedish Ship 28. Orders touching the account of Officers and Souldiers and Stating their Arrears and for paying and securing them out of forfeited Lands in Ireland Letters that Eight Dutch Men of War in the Streights had taken Fifteen Merchantmen of London and Bristol Trading from New-found Land with Fish to the Streights and two more of them were taken by a Brest Pickaroon at the Lands end Of divers Witches Examined and sent to Prison some of them called Black Witches who killed Men Women and Children and Cattle by their Witchcrafts and others of them called White Witches who healed them that were bewitched by the other and that this was Confessed by them 29 Letters that Mounsieur Chanute late Ambassadour from France to Sweden was now come Ambassadour Extraordinary to the States General and came with a very great Train The Dutch Deputies meet daily with the English Commissioners at White-hall about the Treaty of Peace 30 Letters of great Preparations in Holland to recruit their Navy That Middleton hath leave from the States to Transport what Armes and Amunition he pleased to Scotland That the Emperour had declared for the Scots King against the Commonwealth of England December 1653. 1 Letters that the Queen of Sweden had seized upon the Persons and Estates of some Dutch in Sweden which caused the Dane to fear her closure with England That the King of Denmarks Fleet of Fourteen Men of War met with several English Merchant-men and Examined them and finding that they were English let them pass quietly 2 Of mischiefs done by the Highlanders Of harmes done by the French Picaroons and Dutch Freebooters upon the Western Coasts 3 Of many Merchants Ships staying in Deal Road for Convoyes and that the Parliaments Fleet were most of them yet at Tilbury-Hope whither the rest of the Frigots were falling down to them as fast as they could get to be ready 5 Letters that the Barons of Athol refused to assist the Highlanders who thereupon took some of the Barons Prisoners and others of them fled to one of the English Garrisons and that this caused much discontent in the Country That the further Highlanders Plundered all that come in their way and every Two Men among them devour a Sheep in one day that when they have got Plunder they run home That they depend much upon Kenmores Party consisting of Scots Irish French and English that they will not Ingage with the English 6 General Blake General Monk General Desborough and General Pen made of the Committee of the Admiralty and Navy with divers others by Act of this Parliament for Six Months Letters of Sixteen Private Men of War at Brest of Four Prizes brought into Plymouth and of Three more great Ships taken 7 Orders taken for the Relief of Marleborough upon a Collection for the loss by the late Fire there 8 Letters of preparations for One hundred and twenty Ships to go forth from Holland in the Spring that the Lords there are close and silent That Middleton had great favour there Of several Frigots in Plymouth made ready to put to Sea 9 Letters of a Ship set upon by the Dutch at Leghorn-road but rescued by the Castle Of two Dutch Ships brought in Prize to Pool by Private Men of War that divers Dutch Pirates joyned with those of Brest That the Earl of Athols Men left him in the Highlands and his Tenants refused to pay him Rents of other small Parties in other places of Scotland 10 Of the Mischiefs done by the French Pickaroons and an English Frigot coming near them they hasted away That General Monck set Sail from Tilbury Hope with all the Ships then ready 12 Of differences between Glencarn and Glengary who shall be Superiour in Command of the Highlanders That the Gentlemen in those parts were summoned by the Commander in Chief of the Parliament Forces and most of them Signed an Engagement to be faithful to the Common-wealth of England and not to Assist the Highlanders That the Queen of Sweden was gone from Stock-holm to Vpsale 13 Upon a Report from the Committee touching Tithes That the Commissioners be sent into all Counties divided into Six Circuits Three Commissioners into each Circuit from London and Four or Six of every County The Commissioners to have Power to eject all Ministers who are not of good behaviour and holy in Conversation or not apt and able to teach or hold not forth the faithful Word or be not diligent or labour not in the Word and Doctrine nor be greedy of filthy lucre And that they be impowred to settle Godly and able Persons to settle the
Gospel in all void places and to unite two or three Parishes together so that none be above three Miles from the Publick meeting place and Commissioners named in the Report that such as shall be approved for publick Preachers may enjoy the maintenance set by Laws and such further as the Parliament hath or shall allow That where any scruple the payment of Tithes the neighbour Justices to set a value on those due which the owner of the Land to pay or else the Minister may sue for them That Committee held That the Incumbents Impropriators c. have a Right and Propriety in Tythes The House upon Debate of this Report the first part of it upon the question passed in the Negative It was moved in the House that the sitting of this Parliament any longer would not be for the good of the Common-wealth and that it would be fit for them to resign up their Powers to the Lord General this motion was seconded by several other Members and then the House rose And the Speaker with many Members of the House with the Mace went to Whitehall where they did by a Writing under their hands resign to his Excellency the Powers and Mr. Speaker attended with the Members did present this Resignation of their Powers to his Excellency accordingly The General with his Councel of Officers met where somethings were transacted in order to the settlement of the Government of this Nation Letters of Malignants in the North who bought up Horses and went with them towards Scotland Of Sixteen Horse within five miles of Berwick who seized some Gentlemen and others going to Berwick Fair and took their Horses Money and Clothes and then let them go That they seized upon two Soldiers and disarmed them and then dismissed them and took many Horses The Portugal Ambassadours brother made an Escape out of Newgate but was retaken The Councel of State Published a Declaration against the late Tumult at the New Exchange and forbid all persons of what quality soever to do or abet the like in any Publick place of trade or resort upon pain to be dealt with as disturbers of the Publick Peace whereof a strict account shall be taken and all Osficers to perform their duty for apprehending such Offenders and to prevent the like tumultuous Actions 14 Letters of Three prizes sent into Plymonth That the Sussex Frigot was blown up with her own Powder and about Fifty of her Men at Plymouth That there was an agreement for the Duke of Lorain to exchange his Country for Ireland That the Prince of Conde was to be King of Scotland and King Charles to be King of England onely That Middleton was Transporting from Holland great store of Arms and Ammunition to the High-lands 16 Letters of the Highlanders Levys of Men and Glencorns sending Warrants to adjacent Towns for Cloth Shoes Provisions and Money for his Soldiers or else he will exact it by force That Four of them met an Englishman going to gather up Money and killed him That the Highlanders are One thousand Foot well Armed and Five hundred Horse Of two Prizes brought into Pool by a private Man of War Captain Green That General Monck with his Squadron of Ships was in the Downs The late Parliament having resigned their Powers into the Lord Generals Hands by a Writing under their Hands and Seals The Lord General called a Councel of Officers and advised with them and with other persons of Interest in the Nation How this great burthen of governing England Scotland and Ireland with the Armies therein and the Navy at Sea should be Born and by whom They after several days seeking of God and advising in this Matter Resolved That a Councel of Godly Able and Discreet Persons should be Named consisting of twenty one and that the Lord General should be chosen Lord Protector of the Three Nations His Excellency the General about Three in the Afternoon came from Whitehall to the Chancery Court in this Equipage First went the Commissioners of the Great Seal then the Judges and Barons in their Robes after them the Counsel of the Commonwealth then the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Recorder of London after them the Lord General attended with the chief Officers of the Army a Chair of State was set in the Chancery Court and the General stood on the left hand of it uncovered till a large Writing in Parchment was read Containing the Power with which his Excellency was invested and how he was to Govern the Three Nations and the Oath to be taken by him His Excellency subscribed this Writing in the face of the Court and had the Oath given him by the Lord Commissioner Lisle and after this his Excellency sate down in the Chair covered then the Commissioners delivered up the Great Seal to him and the Lord Mayor his Sword and Cap the which his Excellency returned immediatly again to him then the Court rose and they went back to Whitehall the Lord Mayor himself uncovered carrying the Sword before the Lord Protector and coming into the Banqueting House Mr. Lockier made an Exhortation to them and so the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Judges departed The Instrument which his Excellency Subscribed was in these Words The Government of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland I. THat the Supreme Legislative Authority of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereto belonging shall be and reside in One Person and the People assembled in Parliament The Style of which Person shall be Lord PROTECTOR of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland II. That the Exercise of the chief Magistracie and Administration of the Government over the said Countries and Dominions and the People thereof shall be in the Lord PROTECTOR assisted with a Council The Number whereof shall not exceed Twenty one nor be less than Thirteen III. That all Writs Processes Commissions Patents Grants and other things which now run in the Name and Style of the Keepers of the Liberty of England by Authority of Parliament shall run in the Name and Style of the Lord PROTECTOR from whom for the future shall be derived all Magistracie and Honors in these three Nations and shall have the power of Pardons except in Case of Murder and Treason and benefit of all forfeitures for the Publick use And shall govern the said Countries and Dominions in all things by the Advice of the Council and according to these Presents and the Laws IV. That the Lord PROTECTOR the Parliament sitting shall dispose and order the Militia and Forces both by Sea and Land for the peace and good of the three Nations by Consent of Parliament And that the Lord PROTECTOR with the Advice and Consent of the major part of the Council shall dispose and order the Militia for the ends aforesaid in the Intervals of Parliament V. That the Lord PROTECTOR by the Advice aforesaid shall direct in all things concerning the keeping and holding of a good
their parts Provided this liberty be not extended to Popery or Prelacy nor to such as under the profession of Christ hold forth and practise Licentiousness XXXVIII That all Laws Statutes Ordinances and Clauses in any Law Statute and Ordinance to the contrary of the aforesaid Liberty shall be esteemed as null and void XXXIX That the Acts and Ordinances of Parliament made for the Sale or other Disposition of the Lands Rents and Hereditaments of the late King Queen and Prince of Arch-bishops and Bishops c. Deans and Chapters the Lands of Delinquents and Forest Lands or any of them or of any other Lands Tenements Rents and Hereditaments belonging to the Commonwealth shall no way be impeached or made invalid but shall remain good and firm And that the securities given by Act and Ordinance of Parliament for any sum or sums of money by any of the said Lands the Excise or by any other Publick Revenue and also the Securities given by the Publick Faith of the Nation and the engagement of the Publick Faith for satisfaction of Debts and Damages shall remain firm and good and not be made void and invalid upon any pretence whatsoever XL. That the Articles given to or made with the Enemy and afterwards confirmed by Parliament shall be performed and made good to the persons concerned therein And that such Appeals as were depending in the last Parliament for relief concerning Bills of Sale of Delinquents Estates may be heard and determined the next Parliament Any thing in this Writing or otherwise to the contrary notwithstanding XLI That every successive Lord Protector over these Nations shall take and subscribe a solemn Oath in the presence of the Council and such others as they shall call to them That he will seek the Peace Quiet and Welfare of these Nations cause Law and Justice to be equally Administred and that he will not violate or infringe the matters and things contained in this Writing and in all other things will to his Power and to the best of his understanding govern these Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs XLII That each person of the Council shall before they enter upon their Trust take and subscribe an Oath That they will be true and faithful in their Trust according to the best of their knowledge And that in the Election of every Successive Lord Protector they shall proceed therein impartially and do nothing therein for any promise fear favor or reward The Oath taken by His Highness Oliver Cromwel Lord Protector WHereas the Major part of the last Parliament judging that their sitting any longer as then constituted would not be for the good of this Common-wealth did Dissolve the same and by a Writing under their hands dated the Twelfth day of this instant December resigned unto Me their Powers and Authorities And whereas it was necessary thereupon That some speedy course should be taken for the settlement of these Nations upon such a Basis and Foundation as by the Blessing of God might be lasting secure Property and answer those great ends of Religion and Liberty so long contended for And upon full and mature Consideration had of the Form of Government hereunto annexed being satisfied that the same through Divine Assistance may answer the Ends afore-mentioned And having also been desired and advised aswell by several Persons of Interest and Fidelity in this Commonwealth as the Officers of the Army to take upon Me the Protection and Government of these Nations in the manner expressed in the said Form of Government I have accepted thereof and do hereby declare My acceptance accordingly And do promise in the presence of God That I will not violate or infringe the matters and things contained therein but to My power observe the same and cause them to be observed and shall in all other things to the best of My understanding Govern these Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs seeking their Peace and causing Justice and Law to be equally administred O. Cromwel Oliver Cromwell Captain General of all the Forces of this Commonwealth and now declared Lord Protector thereof did this Sixteenth day of December One thousand six hundred fifty three Sign this Writing and solemnly promise as is therein contained in presence of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England who Administred the same Oath and of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London divers of the Judges of the Land the Officers of State and Army and many other persons of Quality The Writing mentioned in the Oath was in these Words December 12. 1653. UPon a Motion this day made in the House that the sitting of this Parliament any longer as now Constituted will not be for the good of the Commonwealth And that therefore it was requisite to deliver up unto the Lord General Cromwel the Powers which they received from him These Members whose Names are underwritten have and do hereby resign their said Powers to his Excellency The same Day the Council did set forth this Proclamation BY THE COUNCIL WHereas the late Parliament Dissolving themselves and resigning their Powers and Authorities The Government of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland by a Lord Protector and Successive Trienial Parliaments is now Established And whereas Oliver Cromwell Captain-General of all the Forces of this Commonwealth is declared Lord Protector of the said Nations and hath accepted thereof We have therefore thought it necessary as we hereby do to make Publication of the Premises and strictly to Charge and Command all and every person and persons of what quality and condition soever in any of the said three Nations to take notice thereof and to conform and submit them selves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Majors Bayliffs and other Publick Ministers and Officers whom this may concern are required to cause this Proclamation to be forthwith Published in their respective Counties Cities Corporations and Market Towns To the end none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf Given at White-Hall this sixteenth day of December 1653. 17 The new Lord Protector observed new and great State and all Ceremonies and respects were paid to him by all sorts of Men as to their Prince 19 Letters that the Highlanders dispersed themselves for their Levys and intended to force unreasonable Contributions That some of them near Durham robbed the Post Boy took away his Letters Horse Coat and Twenty pence in money That Major Murryhead was taken Prisoner by a Party of the English he being on his Journey to the Highlanders That Captain Lisle with a Party of the English Army fell into the Enemies Quarters and took Two Captains one Cornet one Quarter-Master a Corporal and twenty private Souldiers and about forty Horse and some Armes fired the House and killed three Men and lost not one Man and but one wounded in the Thigh That by Order Captain Lisle met with Collonel Morgan and they marched seven Miles into the Highlands
drowned Orders touching Claims upon the Bill for Sale of Delinquents Estates 18 The Tryal of the Portugal Ambassadors Brother put off till the next Sessions upon the Petition of the Portugal Merchants An Address of the Army to the Lord Protector congratulating his Access to the Government and promising their Obedience and Faithfulness to his Highness and Service to him in the Station wherein God hath placed him Of a Discontent between Glencarn and Lorn and they divided and Warrants were sent to Apprehend the Lord Lorn 19 Letters that the States were likely to agree to the English Propositions for Peace Of a Prize loaden with Three thousand Cheeses brought in by the Hector Frigot and another Dutch Ship taken by a Private Man of War 20 Letters of the Enemies Levies in the Parliaments Quarters but that they dare not come to Execute their own Warrants Coppies of them sent up to the Protector These Warrants were forbidden by Collonel Cooper to be Executed under pain that any who obey them or correspond with the Earl of Glencarn or any of his Party shall be proceeded against as Enemies Of Prizes taken upon the Coast of Norway A Day appointed for drawing Lotts for Lands in Ireland Of Mischiefs done by the Tories in Ireland who were beaten back to their Boggs That the Plague continues in some places there 21 Letters that the Tories in Ireland indeavoured to get into a Body but were prevented Of Two Dutch Prizes brought in That Seventeen Dutch Ships were Arrived in Scotland with One thousand five hundred Forreiners and some Armes That in France an Imbargo was to be put upon all English Ships and Goods 23 An Ordinance Published by the Lord Protector and his Council declaring what Offences and no other shall be adjudged Treason within the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland Another Ordinance touching the Ingagement repealing all former Acts touching the same Of Two Prizes of French Wines brought in by a Frigot 24 That Collonel Morgan was drawing together the English Forces against the Highlanders That Collonel Wogan was thought to be Slain That Lorns Revolt startled the Enemy 25 That the Lord Athol was Sick That Captain Cressey fell into the Quarters of about Forty of the Enemies Horse Killed Two took Prisoners and Sixteen Horse That a Party of the English being but Thirty Horse fell upon another Party of the Enemies and Routed them but the Enemy having Two hundred Men in Ambush fell upon the English slew the Lieutenant and Cornet and Seven of the Troopers and the rest made a difficult Retreat Cheats went about in the names of the Earl of Cleaveland and Lord Grandison to borrow monys of divers persons of Quality for the said Lords whereas the Lords employed none such as knew any thing thereof 26 That Myn Here Beverling one of the Dutch Gommissioners that lately returned from England was returned back from Holland thither and had Audience of the Lord Protector He affirms that the Province of Holland have agreed to the Articles of Peace with England and that the other Provinces will shortly do the same Mr. Feak and Mr. Simpson were examined before the Council for Preaching against the Lord Protector and his Government 27 Letters of the Honourable Reception and Audience of the Lord Ambassador Whitlock at Vpsale and the Queen shewed extraordinary respects to him A part of Pauls Church fell down 28 Letters that in the late Ingagement near Vaummond Captain Carr and another Scotch Commander of quality was slain and divers Prisoners taken and the rest driven to the Mountains Letters of Twenty Sail of Brest Men of War out at Sea which took some English Vessels in the Channel Of the Queen of Swedens Answer to the Lord Ambassadour Whitelocks Speech to her and her favours to his Sons and some of his Gentlemen and of the Complements of her Ministers to him and his returnes and of her great civility to him And the relation of the Senators who supped with him and their forbearing to begin a health to him And of his sending to Visit the Spanish Resident there of his Visit to Whitelock and of Whitelocks Private Audience with the Queen and of the Visits of Great Men to him with his Returnes to them an account of them to the Protector Of a Defeat given to the Highlanders and the taking of a Town near Blair Fourteen killed seven Prisoners and fifty Horse taken and many wounded That Captain Carr and Captain Kilsmores Lieutenant fired at each other at four yards distance and both of them fell from their Horses and dyed Mr. Feak and Mr. Sympson sent Prisoners to Windsor Castle That Captain Minns Ingaged four hours together with four Brest Men of War and saved some English Vessels from them and rescued another Vessel of Plymouth taken by a Brest Man of War and took in her Seventeen French Prisoners 31 Letters of the Officers of the Army in Scotland sending up their Addresses to the Lord Protector owning his Government Of Two Dutch Prizes brought into New Castle Dutch Capers in each Fifty Prisoners February 1653. Feb. 1. An Ordinance by the Lord Protector and his Council appointing a Committee of the Army and Treasurers at War as formerly Order by the Lord Protector and his Council to add some persons as Commissioners for the Assessments Upon invitation of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London the Lord Protector appointed a Day to dine with them Five stout Men of War gone out to Sea and twenty more going out to add to the English Fleet. A Declaration and Address of the General at Sea and Officers of the Fleet owning his Government and promising Obedience to the Lord Protector 2 Letters That the Vnited Provinces rejoyce in the Agreement and Peace between them and England 3 Orders for the drawing of Lots by the Adventurers for the Lands in Ireland Divers intercepted Letters from the Cavaliers sent up That the People in the North set upon the Quakers and beat them and the Quakers prayed to God to forgive them which so convinced the people that they fell out among themselves and were sorry that they had beaten the Quakers That the English Fleet was gone out to Sea divided into Three Squadrons but not so far distant but that by their Scouts they had quick Intelligence and Correspondency 4 Letters of the French Pickaroons who fly to their own Coasts when any of the English Frigots appear Of a Bickering between the English and High-landers 6 An Ambassadour from the Great Duke of Tuscany to Congratulate the Lord Protector And Two Agents from the Lords of the Isles of Omerland in Holland desiring to be esteemed as Neutrals and brought in the Number and Marks of all their Ships and desired to be accounted as a free State The Frigots about the Lands-end rescued many English Vessels from the French Pickaroons That Glencarns Captain Lieutenant and Seventeen of his Men were taken by a Party of the English and
Collonel Morgan in his late Ingagement with Glencarn and Kinmore killed One hundred and twenty of their men took Twenty seven Prisoners with all their Ammunition and most of their Arms and Eighty Horse That the business in Sweden goes on very hopefully the Lord Ambassadour has great great Repute with the Queen and the Grand Chancellour and his New Credentials are very well accepted of by them That the Ambassadors were Landed from Holland with Power to ratifie the Articles of Peace with England The Lords Newport and Youngshall Ambassadours Extraordinary from the States General Arrived with Eighty Persons in their Retinue and very Gallant 28 An Ordinance of the Lord Protector and his Council Published for the Reviving of the Jurisdiction of the County Pallatine of Lancaster and for holding Assize there Letters that Athol Glencarn Glencary and Kinmore were drawing all their Forces together about Four thousand to be Revenged of Collonel Morgan That they have taken off all their Garrisons and intend a flying Army and to Lodge their Ammunition in Woods Of a Scotch-man who in a Vision was warned to go to their General and tell him That because of their wicked living the Judgments of God would light on them The Scot not going to the General was warned in a Second Vision to go to him or else that the Judgment of God would fall upon him and was presently struck Dumb and declared all this by Writing and his Resolution to go to their General and to declare this to him in Writing March 1653. March 1. A Publick Minister from the Arch-Duke Leopoldus had Audience from the Lord Protector The Lord Mayor Aldermen and Recorder of London attended the Lord Protector and his Council about the business of a Corporation to the City of Westminster That the Lord Ambassadour Whitlock goes on very hopefully in Sweden but they are a little stumbled at the detention of Swedish Ships in England 2 Letters that the Duke of Lorain was seized upon and secured by the Arch-Duke Leopold 3 Letters that many of Athols Men forsook him and that his Levys did take little Effect the Country being grown weary of his Oppressions That one of Collonel Daniells Men running away to Athol was taken again and Hanged That others ran away from Collonel Daniels Regement That Major General Lamberts Regiment of Horse and Commissary General Whaleys were come near to the Highlands That the States Ambassadors came in great state through London in Coaches 4 Letters that the English Fleet Road at St. Hellens Point near the Isle of Wight The Dutch Ambassadors had Audience of the Lord Protector in the Banqueting House at Whitehall which was richly hanged and a Chair of State for the Lord Protector and Chair for the Ambassadors and a great multitude of people They acquainted his Highness That all their Provinces had consented to the Articles of Peace and had Impowred them to Ratifie the Articles and they desired a Cessation of Arms in the mean time An Ambassador was Landed from the King of Denmark to the Lord Protector 5 That Lieutenant Hellin with Six Troopers charged six of the Enemies ten miles into the Hills and took them their Horses and Arms and one of them being an English-man refused Quarter and was killed That Major Bridge with a Party took Six of the Enemy and seven Horses That young Montross had like to have killed the Lord Lorn 7 Of English Seamen Pressed for the Fleet. Of an English Barque taken by a Dutch Man of War who restored Her and secured Her from a Brest Man of War Of an English Ship brought in Prize into the Texel by a Dutch private Man of War 8 An Ordinance for Approbation of Ministers by Commissioners That six Members of the Lord Protectors Council were appointed Commissioners to meet with the Dutch Ambassadors to Sign the Articles of Peace with them That still both the English and the Dutch prepared to increase their Navies 9 Orders by the Lord Protector for all to repair to their Charges in Scotland 10 Of Barques taken by the Dutch Free-booters in the North. Of one hundred and forty Dutch Ships Arrived at the Vlye from the East Country That Middleton was gone for Scotland with two small Men of War and a little Ammunition and some Arms and about Three hundred Voluntiers 11 Letters that Middleton was Landed in the Highlands That the Lord Protector went on amain in his Preparations for the Sea and caused divers Marriners to be Pressed and drew out some Land Soldiers to put aboard the Ships 13 Letters that the Highlanders upon Middletons coming to them give out that he brought with him Two thousand five hundred Foot and five hundred Horse whereas he had under Three hundred in all That Captain Witter sent out a Party to skirmish with Captain Johnson before Blair Castle and Johnson and one more were killed That Captain Masons Troup and Captain Palmers Troup about Dunfrize fell soul upon one another by occasion of one of their Centries who was a Scotchman and thinking they had been Enemies six of them were killed and many wounded before they knew the mistake 14 Letters that Monsieur Chaunt the French Ambassadour with the States labours to put on the Interest of his Master and to have him Comprehended in the Peace betwixt the two Common-wealths That an East-land Fleet of One hundred and fifty Sail had brought to the Netherlands the necessary Commodities for Shipping that were wanting in those Countries That the King of Scots was still at Paris but had no encouragement to stay in that Court who much desired Peace with the Lord Protector 15 The Lord Protectors Commissioners met with the Dutch Ambassadors at their Lodgings to examine Papers and to compare the Articles of Peace agreed upon with the ingrossment of them That the Portsmouth Frigot and the Constant Warwick met with Beach the Admiral of the Brest Pyrates and pursued him till night when the Two Frigots were parted Beach roaving to and again in the Night chanced to light again upon the Constant Warwick and thinking she had been a Merchants Ship came up to her to Board her The Captain of the Warwick demanded who it was and Beach answered he was the Portsmouth Frigot but the Warwick suspecting him bad him stand off then Beach perceiving his mistake made away but the Warwick being a good Saylor made after him and kept him company all the Night That about Six in the Morning Beach begun the Fight firing Three Guns which were answered by the Warwick and the Fight lasted till Two in the Afternoon when Beach and his Men called for Quarter and had it That Beach had five Foot Water in the Hold when he yielded That he had Two hundred Men in his Ship whereof Twenty were killed in the Fight That his Ship was a Gallant New Vessel of Forty two Guns whereof Thirty were Mounted Anno 1654 That there were taken with him Nine Captains
the Fleet Rid in Stoakes Bay May 1654. May 1. Letters that Captain Rogers who was Agent with Glencarn from the King was Executed at Edenburgh upon sentence of the Court Martial for a Spye That General Monck was Arrived at Lieth That a Scotch Gentleman with six of his Men defended a little Tower against the Highlanders and killed four of them A Letter Signed by all the Officers of the Army in Ireland acknowledging the Lord Protector 2 A Proclamation by the Lord Protector for a Cessation of all Acts of Hostility between the Commonwealth of England and that of the Vnited Provinces and for Restitution of Ships and Goods taken after the time mentioned in the Articles of Peace An Address from the Justices of the Peace Magistracy Officers and Grand Jury of Shropshire to the Lord Protector acknowledging his Government 3 Ships sent out from the Texel to call in the Dutch Freebooters That the Lord Ambassador Whitelock pressed for a Conclusion in his business in Sweden and that the Queen had discharged most of her Servants in order to her Resignation 4 That the Lord Protector and his Council did not sit so frequently as formerly and all things went according unto their desire 5 Letters that Collonel Morgan saw the Enemy but could not Engage them for want of Boats to pass the Water and therefore retreated to his Quarters That General Monck was making preparations to visit the Enemy 6 Letters that Middletons numbers did decrease and sometimes increase Of Five French Ships taken by a Frigot and of an English Ship taken by a Private Brest Man of War 8 Letters that General Monk had meetings with the Officers of the Army and they resolved to go to Collonel Morgan That the Peace with England was Proclaimed in Holland and a Day of Thanksgiving appointed for it 9 An Address to the Lord Protector from the Town and County of Pool to the same Effect as others were Letters that the Lord Ambassador Whitelock made a firm Alliance with Sweden and was expected at Hamburgh in few days An Ordinance Published touching the further Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands 10 A Declaration of the Lord Protector for a Day of Thanksgiving for the Peace with Holland and for the late seasonable Rain 11 Of a Discovery made by an Indian to an English Ship of a Plot against them Of a Council of Officers about the dividing the Lands in Ireland A Congratulatory Letter sent from the Army in Ireland to the Lord Protector Of the Solemn Reception of General Monck at Edenburgh and the Proclaiming the Lord Protector there the Feasting of General Monk and the Fire-works That the Highlanders expected the King amongst them and received Supplies of Men Armes and Money by Two Ships from Dunkirk 12 Letters that in Ireland there wanted men to Till the Land That few Tories were left there That Two Brest Men of War came near to Leverpool Letters that in Holland there sticks one particular which hath occasioned some trouble at the Hague to witt his Highness and the Two Ambassadors here who serve for the Province of Holland viz. Beveningk and Newport the other knowing nothing of it agreed a Secret Article That the Province of Holland should not of themselves ever consent That the States General should make the Prince of Orange or any of his Line Stadtholder or Captain General of their Forces by Sea or Land After the Generality had Ratified the Treaty this was propounded in the Assembly of the States every one before having sworn secrecy upon the propounding of it great dissatisfaction arose amongst them but at last they past it being Dissenters Four Noblemen and four Soveraign Towns of the Nobles that agreed to it were Bredrode General of their Forces Opdam Admiral of their Fleet Notwithstanding the Secrecy it came the next day to the States General The other six Provinces have protested against it and Accuse the Two Ambassadors as having done not only beside but against their Instructions But Holland will carry it through all though I verily believe they have great difficulties to contest with the Animosities and Jealousies which are occasioned by this will not easily be Extinguished His Highness hath not yet received the Ratification of this Article from Holland but expects it daily although all endeavours will be used to perswade his Highness to go from it There is included in this Peace besides Denmark the Suissers Hans Townes Count of Oldenburgh the Duke of Holstein and Alliance with Sweden being made there will be a good understanding between most of the Protestant States and opportunities may through Gods Blessing arise from thence to promote that Interest All the question is what is to be done with the Two Crowns of France and Spain They both seek our Friendship and Alliance but nothing is yet done with either of them I trust God will lead to such an Interest as will be for his Glory and the good of this State The Denmark Agent Rosenwing had his Publick Audience since which he hath offered nothing so that the Advertisement concerning him in reference to the Isles of Orcades came in very good time The Treaty with Portugal is not yet come to any Agreement the business of his Brother yet sticks his Highness hath now ordered his Tryal by a special Commission of Oyer and Terminer The Commissioners are my Lord Rolles Justice Atkins Serjeant Steel Doctor Zouch Doctor Clerk Doctor Turner Sir Henry Blunt Mr. Lucy and Alderman Tichburn 13 Letters that the French Pickaroons did much trouble the Fishermen about Rye 15 That the Enemy will not come near to Collonel Morgan A Proclamation by the Commander in Chief in Scotland for Pardon of those in Rebellion who shall come in by a Day And for their Parents and Relations if they shall come in And Imposing a Fine upon every Parish and Presbytery whereof any one continueth in Rebellion if they do not discover him and rewards to those that shall Apprehend any of the Rebels and their Principal Commanders or kill them Order of the Justices of Peace of Wales against Licences to Drovers c. 16 The Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London Dined with His Highness the Lord Protector 17 An Ordinance for suspending the Proceedings of the Judges touching relief of poor Prisoners and Creditors 18 Mounsieur Burdeaux the French Ambassadour had Audience by the Lord Protector 19 An Ordinance Published concerning the better repairing of the Highways and another for relief of Debtors in Scotland in some Cases of Extremity That the Lord Ambassador Whitclock having happily Concluded his business with the Crown of Sweden was upon his Journey homewards That Preparations were made for the Queens Resignation and for Crowning the King Charles 20 That Ireland was setled in as much Peace as it was before the Rebellion That General Monk was Marching Northward and Middleton and his Party were raising new Forces That Middletons Brother
business upon her personal determination which she liked and proved very advantagious She her self objected the unsettledness of our Commonwealth the present peace of her Kingdoms and we involved in a War which arose upon my presenting to her all my Articles at once except three reserved the Articles proposed a League offensive and defensive which inforced the objection to which I gave the best Answers I could that her Kingdom could not long continue in peace and would have as much need of our assistance as we of theirs and our War and success against Holland was an Argument that our Friendship merited acceptance that I hoped our Commonwealth was now setled yet that Leagues were between Nations not Governments This debate was very large with her Majesty who seemed to be satisfied with my Answers and appointed her Chancellor to treat with me who much more insisted on the unsettledness of our Common-wealth and the same objections that the Queen had made to whom I gave the same Answer and they proved much the more satisfactory after they received the News of your Highness accession to the Government which made the Wheels of this Treaty move the more freely I had often and long disputes with the Chancellor upon the Article touching English Rebells not to be harbored in Sueden most of all touching Contraband Goods and about repairing the losses of the Suedes taken Prizes in our War with the Dutch besides many other objections whereof I have formerly given a particular Account The Chancellor being sick his son Grave Erick was Commissionated to treat with me in his Fathers stead and was much more averse to my business and more earnest upon the objections than the old man who being recovered I found him the more moderate yet we could not agree one way or other and when I prest for a Conclusion both the Queen and her Chancellor did ingenuously acknowledge that they desired first to see whether the Peace would be made between us and Holland before they came to a determination upon the Treaty with me I could not but apprehend reason therein and as soon as the news came that the Peace between your Highness and the Dutch was Concluded I urged a Conclusion of my Treaty and what the Chancellor and I differed in the Queen her self was pleased to reconcile and so we came to the full Agreement contained in this Instrument signed and sealed by the Queens Commissioners which I humbly present unto your Highness and this honorable Board and which I hope through the goodness of God may be of advantage to this Commonwealth and to the Protestant Interest in Christendom I cannot but acknowledge the great goodness of God to me in this Transaction in my preservation from attempts against my person raysing me up such eminent Friends giving me so much favour in the eyes of Strangers and giving this good success unto my business notwithstanding the designs and labours of the Enemies of this Commonwealth to the contrary The treaty with me being thus finished the business came on of the Queens Resignation of the Crown wherein she was pleased to express a wonderful confidence in a Stranger by imparting it to me many weeks before whereof I took the boldness to certifie your Highness The Prince who was to succeed the Queen was sent for to Upsale and their Ricksdagh or Parliament was to meet him there in the beginning of May. Your Highness will believe that your Servant had longing desires of returning and had advice that your Frigots were in the Elve staying for him yet judging it might conduce to your service to salute the Prince and have his approbation of this Treaty I stay'd till his Entry which was in great State into Upsale where I saluted him from your Highness and acquainted him with my Negotiation which he well approved And to testifie his great respect to your Highness and this Commonwealth he came in Person to visit me at my House and used such extraordinary Ceremonies and Favors towards me as never the like had been done by him to any Ambassador before We had several Conferences at large and much discourse of your Highness and this Commonwealth the Particulars whereof I shall acquaint you with at your better leisure The time of the Queens Resignation being near I thonght it not convenient for me to be upon the place at the time of it but removed with my Company to Stockholme where I was when the Resignation was with great Solemnity executed The Magistrates of this City expressed good respect to your Highness and this Commonwealth by their Civilities to your Servant From hence I imbarqued the first of June in a good Ship of the Queens to cross the Baltick Sea She sent one of her Vice-admirals to attend me and after a hazardous Voyage and bad Weather the Lord gave us a safe arrival at Lubeck on the 7th of June There some of the Magistrates with their Sindick bid me welcome to their City and expressed good affection to your Highness and made some requests by me to this State From thence I travailed over Holstein and Lunenberg and came on the 10th of June to Hambourgh where I was also saluted by the Sindicke and some of the Magistrates and most of them afterwards came to me and indeed they testified an extraordinary respect and service to your Highness and this Commonwealth My Countreymen the Company of Merchant adventurers there showed much kindness to me and lodged me in their house and principally Mr. Bradshaw your Highness's Resident there I departed from thence the 17 of June and imbarqued in your Highness Frigots near Gluckstadt We were detained for some dayes in the Elve by cross winds and in some dauger but more when we came into the open Sea and above all the Lord was pleased to appear for us on the 28 of June when our Ship stuck upon the Sands about 12 Leagues off from the Coast of Yarmouth and when there was no help or means of men left for our Escape but we expected every moment to be devoured by the Waves then it pleased our God to shew his Power and free mercy by his own hand to deliver us and after two hours expectation of death to reprieve us and to set our Ship on Float again and to bring us all in health and safety unto your Highnesse's presence and to our dear Countrey and Relations The Queen and the now King were pleased to honour me with their Pictures set with Diamonds and in recompence of my Horses I received a Present of Copper from her Majesty I having refused to sell them as a thing uncomely for my condition in the service of this Commonwealth Thus Sir I have given you a clear and full Account of my Transactions as I must justifie my own diligence and faithfulness therein so I cannot but Condemn my many weaknesses and failings for which I can only say They were not willful and make an humble demand to your Highness
and this honourable Councel that I may obtain your Pardon 7 Letters that the Highlanders lying in Ambuscado fell upon some of Colonel Bryan's men that came from Ireland and were careless and that the Highlanders killed Eighty of them and two Lieutenants 8 Mr. Bond was sent to the three condemned Prisoners in the Tower to advise them touching the state of their Souls but they were obstinate except Mr. Fox who was penitent The Portugal Ambassador's Brother was Reprieved 10 The Portugal Ambassador's Brother endeavoured an Escape but was prevented The English Boy who was in the Murder with the Portugal Ambassador's Brother was Hanged at Tyburn Mr. Vowell was Hanged at the Meuse-gate Mr. Fox was Reprieved Mr. Gerrard was Beheaded at Tower-hill The Portugal Ambassador's Brother was conveyed from Newgate to Tower-hill in a Coach and six Horses in mourning with divers of his Brothers Retinue with him On the Scaffold he spake something to those that understood him in excuse of his offence laying the blame of the quarrel and murder upon the English in that business After a few private words and passages of Popish Devotion with his Confessor he gave him his Beads and Crucifix laid his Head on the Block and it was chopt off at two blows The rest condemned for the Murder were all Reprieved The Articles of Peace were signed by the Portugal Ambassador who thereupon went out of Town Letters that those of Zealand and Friesland were discontented at an Order made by the States of Holland That the Prince of Orange nor any descending from the late King of England should be Admiral of Holland or have power over the Militia But upon a Letter to them from the Lord Protector they were pacified 11 Letters that a Party of Fourty English fell upon two hundred and twenty Highlanders routed them killed twelve of them one Captain and two Cornets wounded thirty and took thirty Prisoners and thirty two Horses That Captain Hilliard took of the Highlanders a Major two Captains and fifteen Prisoners and as many Horses Another met with a Cornet and nine Men and took them all That General Monk built a Fort at Loughhaber Order that the Sheriff making an undue Return of any Parliament Election shall forfeit one hundred Marks and the Returns to be examined by the Councel Letters from Sweden That upon the thirtieth day of May the Queen at Vpsale made a Solemn Resignation of her Crown and Government in this manner About nine a Clock in the Morning the Queen being Attyred in Her Royal Robes and Apparel of Purple Velvet with Her Crown upon Her Head and Attended by Her Officers and Servants came into the Room prepared for that occasion where was a Table with a rich Carpet and five great Cushions laid upon it most of the Grandees and Officers of the Court and Army were present Upon one of the Cushions was laid the Sword of State upon another of them was laid the Scepter upon another the Ball and upon the fourth Cushion was laid the Keys The Queen being come into the Room after a little pause made a short Speech to the Company acquainting them with Her Resolution to Resign the Crown and Government of this Kingdom to Her Cousin the Prince Hereditary of Sweden there standing by Her to whom She wished all Happiness and good Success in the Management of the publick Affairs of this Nation that upon Her earnest desire the Ricksdagh not sitting after long Debate and much Sollicitation on her part had at last though unwillingly given their Assent to this Her Resolution and that now She was come to put the same in Execution before all those Honorable Witnesses there present Then She desired that some of them would take the Crown from off Her Head but none of them would do it She Her Self laid down the Scepter upon one of the Cushions on the Table and the Ball on another Cushion but seeing none of them stir to take the Crown from off Her Head She called to Grave Tot and the Barron Steinbergh and expressy commanded them to do it who after some backwardness being again commanded by Her they took the Crown from off Her Majesties Head and laid it down upon the fifth Cushion on the Table After that was done some others by Her came and took off the Royal Robes wherewith She was Cloathed and laid them down upon the Table Then the Queen having thus resigned the Crown and Devested Her Self of Her Royal Apparrel Crown and other Ensigns of Royalty making a Cursey to Her Cousin the Prince and to the rest of the Company She retired into Her own Chamber not making any show outwardly of Repentance or Reluctancy for what She had done but with the like Behaviour and Confidence as at other times betook Her Self to Her own particular Occasions For this Act of the Queens Resignation they had no president For the Solemnity of the Kings Coronation they had many from which the Coronation of this King was not much different and was in short thus After the Queen was withdrawn to Her private Chamber the Ricks Officers and Senators humbly desired the Prince that He would be pleased to walk to the Cathedral Church in Vpsale where the Archbishop and other Prelates were ready to attend His Royal Highness and to perform the Solemnities of His Coronation The whole Company went thither in this Order The Officers and Servants of the Court went first in a very great Number together with many Officers of the Army and other Gentlemen after them came the Nobility Gentlemen Barons and Earls Members of the Ricksdagh then followed the Ricks Senators two and two in Ranks after them the sive Ricks Officers first the Ricks Scatz Master or Treasurer who carryed the Keys next him the Ricks Chancellor who carried the Globe after him the Ricks Admiral who bare the Scepter then one in the place of the Feldthere or General who carried the Sword and after him the Ricks Drotsett or Chief Justice who carried the Crown Next to him came the King Himself in His ordinary Habit with a huge Troop following Him and the Streets and Windows full of Crowds of People with the Guards and Souldiers in their Arms as they past by Being thus come to the Cathedral-Church at the Door stood the Arch-bishop with a Horn of Oyl in his hand accompanied with other Bishops and Clergy-men he received the Prince at the Church-Door and conducted him to the High Altar where they had Prayers and there the Archbishop Anointed the Prince with the Oyl then they put upon Him the Royal Robes and put the Crown upon His Head the Scepter in His Right Hand and the Ball in His Left Hand and so He was Invested into the Royal Dignity and Declared with all His Titles King of Swedes Goths and Vandals c. Drums Trumpets and loud Acclamations of the People were added to the Proclaiming of their new King all of them expressed their high Joy that it was done
not many days since they earnestly Laboured to hinder the doing of it now they Shout for Joy because it is done thus are the minds this is the practice of the Multitude whom nothing pleaseth long nothing more than Novelty The Ceremonies being performed at the Cathedral the New King with all His New Subjects and Servants returned back from thence unto the Castle in the same Order as they came thither and by the way He was Saluted by the People with their Loud Shouts of God save the King Thus coming to His Court the Abdicated Queen as He entred looks out of the Window and with a cheerful Countenance and Voice heard by the Company wisheth Her Cousin Joy of His Crown and Government He retires for a while to His private Chamber then is called forth to a Sumptuous Feast where most of the Senators and Nobility did Atend upon Him and rejoyce with Him 13 An Order of the Commissioners for setling the differences according to the Treaty with the Dutch between any of the Subjects of those Common-wealths 14 Letters of ten Days constant march of the English Army in the Highlands burning the Houses and Corn as they marched That they Traced the Enemy four days but could not meet with them nor with any Intelligence of them all the People removing before the Army and all their Goods and Cattle carried away That Middleton got away by water and lost one hundred Horse in his march but would not Engage with the English 15 Letters of a Brest Man of War taken Of a French Banker brought in Loaden with Fish and of eight more of them got away Of two French Prizes brought into Plymouth Of some Tories still abroad in Ireland 17 A List sent in and published of the Names of those who were Elected in the several Shires Cities and Burroughts in England and Wales to Serve in the next Parliament 18 Letters of the Armies March in the Highlands where in fourteen Days they saw neither Man Woman or Child and those they saw afterwards hardly to be called Men or Women by reason of their mishapes The Description of the strange bad Country of Loquaber and Kintal and the Mountains of Admannoth the difficult passages and the almost continual Fog and Rain there Of the Queen of Swedens private coming to Hamburgh 18 Letters of the King of Swedens proceedings in his Government and of his Brother Prince Adolphus his coming to Hamborough in his travail toward France 19 Letters that the English Army could by no means Engage the Forces of the Enemy in the Highlands in Scotland but after a most tedious and difficult march and being in great want of Provisions were returning back 20 A Ship Loaden of one hundred Tun near London Bridge was set on Fire by a Pot of Pitch heating upon the Decks and burnt with all her Lading and divers of her Men and some looking on her were slain with Pieces of her Timber blown up by the Gunpowder in her and much harm done to St. Olaves Church and to Houses near her 21 An other Ship Loaden with Oyl and other Goods had her Powder set on fire and all the Goods in her were burnt and sunck divers Men in her slain and some wounded and much damage done to the adjacent Houses Letters of the Brest Men Freebooters again upon the Western Coast 22 Letters of Middletons Forces being about Dunkel in Scotland eight hundred Horse and twelve thousand Foot much discontented complaining of the King and that amongst them four Horses Shooes were Sold for 15 d. That the English Army are still marching in pursuit of the Enemy 24 The French Ambassador and the three Ambassadors from the States of the United Provinces had Audience of the Lord Protector Letters that Middleton intended to dismount most of his Horse and to make use of his light Footed Highlanders to provoke the English to follow him in the Bogs and to prolong the War That Writs were received in Scotland for Election of Members in that Nation to Serve in the Parliament of England That a Party of Collonel Okeys Men fell upon the Earl of Atholls Men drove them up to their main Body killed three and took four of them upon which Allarum the Enemy fled and the English being tired could not pursue them nor gain intelligence where they were That the King of Scots the Princess of Orange the Queen of Sweden and Prince Adolphus were to meet at the Spaw in Germany 25 Letters of the great meeting at the Spaw with the Queen of Sweden and very many great Persons and Nobility upon which some English Design was expected 26 Mr. Sympson was enlarged from his Imprisonment and had liberty to Preach any where ten Miles from London The Lord Protector Sate very close with his Councel and gave Audience to several Ambassadors 27 Letters of some Tories in Ireland breaking out again into a Rebellion That one hundred thousand were come into Conought and Clare to be Tenants to particular Persons but refuse to become Tenants to the Common-wealth 28 Letters that divers of Middletons Forces left him that the English Vant Guard fell upon their Rear and did much Execution upon them till night prevented further dispute of them That General Blake went out of the Downs with a gallant Fleet as Admiral and Captain Lawson his Vice-Admiral 29 The Dutch sent seventy thousand pound into London for satisfaction of the Losses sustained by the English at the Sound in Denmark according to the late Articles of Peace A. C. came Post from Scotland with Letters from General Monk and from Collonel Morgan of the Routing of the Forces under General Middleton by Collonel Morgan divers killed and taken and his whole Body broken and dispersed Several Scots Officers of Quality taken Prisoners 31 Letters from General Monk to the Lord Protector of the particulars of the Routing of Middletons Army to this effect The Enemy having marched off in a very scattered posture upon our pursuit of them in Argyle and they bending Northwards I held it much necessary in regard that both Horse and Foot with me were much Beaten out with continual Marches to attend their motion slowly having sent to Collonel Morgan with his fresh Party to pursue them as he had Intelligence Who marching out of Baquenorth to Loughgary where he intended to quarter that night he fell upon Middletons Body of Horse who had also appointed that same place for their Quarter after a little resistance the Enemy ran and the pass being narrow and boggy quit their Horses and disperst themselves what Execution is done I have not yet Notice but by divers Prisoners who endeavoured to escape this way I am assured that their whole Body of Horse is routed totally so that they will not be able to get any considerable numbers together among those Prisoners taken there was one brought in by Cornet Baker Lieutenant-Collonel Hay who lately escaped out of Edenbrough Castle
next them four Maces then the Commissioners of the Seal Whitelock carrying the Purse after Lambert carrying the Sword bare the rest followed and his Highness was Seated over against the Pulpit the Members of the Parliament on both sides After the Sermon Preached by Mr. Thomas Goodwyn his Highness went in the same Equipage to the Painted-Chamber where he was Seated in a Chair of State set upon steps and the Members upon Benches round about sate all bare all being silent his Highness put off his Hat and made a Large and Subtle Speech to them He told them the Danger of the Levelling Principles and of the Fifth-Monarchy-Opinions and of the Form of Godliness and the great Judgment that had been upon this Nation of ten Years Civil War That the two Pretensions of the Liberty of the Subject and of Conscience two as Glorious things and as much to be contended for as any Gift God hath given us were brought in to Patronize their Evils These Abominations swelled to that height that the Axe was laid to the Root of the Ministry as Antichristian and Babylonish and as the Extremity was great before that no Man though well Approved having a good Testimony might Preach if not Ordained so now on the other hand they will have Ordination put a Nullity upon the Calling I conceive in my very Soul that many of the Fifth-Monarchy-Opinion have good meanings and I hope this Parliament will as Jude says Reckoning up the Abominable Apostasies of the last times pluck some out of the fire and some others with fear making those of peaceable Spirits the Subject of their encouragement and saving others by that Discipline that God hath Ordained to Reform miscarriages The danger of that Spirit being not in the Notion but in its proceeding to a Civil Transgression when Men that come into such a Practice as to tell us that Liberty and Property are not the Bodys of that Kingdom and that instead of Regulating Laws Laws must be Subverted and perhaps the Judicial Law Imposed or some Fancy instead of it for that was Good and Honourable in the Institution though now by some misapplyed especially when every Stone is turned to bring in Confusion this will be a Consideration worthy of the Magistrate Whilst these things were in the midst of us and the Nation Rent and Torn from one end to the other Family against Family Parent against Child and nothing in the Hearts and Minds of Men but Overturn Overturn a Scripture very much abused and Challenged by all Men of discontented Spirits That common Enemy in the mean time sleeps not swarms of Jesuits come over and have their Consistories abroad to Rule all the Affairs of England and the dependences thereof in the mean time visible endeavours are used to hinder the work in Ireland to Obstruct the Work in Scotland Correspondencies and Intelligences are held to incourage the War in those places And withal we were deeply ingaged in a War with Portugal whereby our trade ceased and not only so but a War with Holland which consumed our Treasure as much as the Assessment came to At the same time we fell into a War with France or rather we were in it and all this fomented by the divisions amongst us Which begat a confidence we would not hold out long and the Calculation had not been ill if the Lord had not been gracious to us Besides Strangers increased in the manufacture the great staple Commodity of this Nation In such an heap of confusion was this poor Nation and that it might not sink into a Confusion from these Premises a Remedy must be applied A Remedy hath been applied this Government A thing that is seen and read of all and which let men say what they will I can speak with Comfort before a greater than you all as to my intention and let men judge out of the thing it self is Calculated for the Interest of the people for their interest alone and for their good without respect had to any other interest I may with humbleness towards God and modestly before you say something in the behalf of it It hath indeavoured to reform the Laws and for that end hath joyned persons without reflection upon any of as great integrity and ability as any other to consider how the Laws might be made plain short and easy which may in due time be tendered It hath taken care to put into Seats of Justice men of the most known integrity and ability The Chancery hath been reformed and I hope to the just satisfaction of all good men It hath put a stop to that heady way for every man that will to make himself a Preacher having indeavoured to settle a way for approbation of men of Piety and fitness for the work and the business committed to persons both of the Presbyterian and Independent Judgment men of as known ability and integrity as I suppose any the Nation hath and who I beleive have laboured to approve themselves to God and their own Consciences in approving men to that great Function It hath taken care to expunge men unfit for that work who have been the Common scorn and reproach to that administration One thing more it hath been instrumental to call a free Parliament blessed be God we see here this day a free Parliament and that it may continue so I hope is in the heart of every good man of England for my own part as I desired it above my life so to keep it free I shall value it above my life A Peace is made with Sweden wherein an Honorable Person was instrumental it being of much importance to have a good understanding with our Protestant Neighbours A Peace is also made with the Danes and a peace there that is honorable and to the satisfaction of the Merchants The Sound is open to us from whence as from a Fountain our Naval provisions are supplied A Peace is made with the Dutch which is so well known in the consequences of it and the great advantages of a good understanding with Protestant States I beg that it may be in your hearts to be Zealous of the Protestant Interest abroad which if ever it be like to come under a Condition of suffering it is now many being banished and driven to seek refuge among Strangers A Peace is made with Portugal though it hung long of great concernment to Trade and the people that Trade thither have freedom to enjoy their Consciences without being subjected to the Bloody Inquisition A Treaty with France likewise is now depending It may be necessary in the next place for you to hear a little of the Sea Affairs and to take notice of the great Expence of the Forces and Fleet and yet 30 000 l. is now abated of the next three months Assessment These things which I have before mentioned are but entrances and doors of hope you are brought to tho edge of Canaan into which many that have gone before
could not enter but if the blessing and presence of God go along with you in management of your Affairs I make no question but he will enable you to lay the top-stone of this work But this is a Maxim not to be despised Though Peace be made yet it is Interest that keeps Peace and further than that Peace is not to be trusted The great End of calling this Parliament is That the Work of God may go on that the Ship of this Commonwealth may be brought into a â—afe Harbor I shall put you in mind that you have a great work upon you Ireland to look to that the beginning of that Government may be setled in honour That you have before you the considerations of those Foreign States with whom Peace is not made who if they see we manage not our Affairs with prudence as becomes men will retain hopes that we may still under the disadvantages thereof break into confusion I shall conclude with my persuasion to you to have a sweet gracious and holy understanding one of another and put you in mind of the counsel you heard this day in order thereunto And I desire you to believe that I speak not to you as one that would be a Lord over you but as one that is resolved to be a Fellow-servant with you to the interest of this great Affair Then he wish'd them to repair to their House and exercise their own liberty in the choice of their Speaker After he had done the Members went to their House and chose the old Speaker Mr. Lenthal Master of the Rolls to be their Speaker and Mr. Scobel to be their Clerk and Mr. Berkshead to be the Sergeant at Arms to attend them Then they appointed a Day of Humiliation the 13 of September to be kept by the Parliament City and Parts adjacent and the 4th of October to be kept in all other Parts of England Scotland and Wales and the 13 of November in Ireland and so they adjourned till the next day 5 The Parliament sate and called over their Members the House appointed a Committee of Priviledges and ordered That no Petition concerning any Election should be received after three Weeks 6 An Ordinance published For Ejecting Scandalous Ignorant and Insufficient Ministers and Schoolmasters and Commissioners appointed in the respective Counties for that purpose Some Considerations was had in the House touching the Priviledge of the Parliament in their freedom in debate Then the Lord Protector 's Speech to them was taken into consideration and amongst the Particulars thereof the Foreign Negotiations were mentioned and particularly that of Swedeland Which caused Whitlock to make the following Relation Mr. Speaker I Held it my Duty though the present Occasion had not been offere to give a clear Account to this Honourable House of that Negotiation wherein I had the Honour to serve the Common-wealth lately in Swedeland with the general Transactions and Issue thereof and the great Respects testified to this Commonwealth in those places and by those Princes and States beyond the Seas where I had occasion to be during this my Imployment that you may judge of the success and advantages thereof I shall not mention the great difficulties and opposition which I met with from some in that Court and from the Danish and Dutch Publick Ministers and Party there whose high interest it was to hinder your Alliance with that Crown Neither shall I Particularly insist upon and acquaint you with the great dangers both by Sea and Land through which it pleased God to bring me and to preserve me lest I should seem to magnifie that which was but my Duty to undergo any Hazards or Perils for your Service Only Sir you will give me leave not to forget the goodness of God to me and my company in our great deliverances which the Lord was pleased to vouchsafe to us and which I hold my self obliged to remember with all thankfulness to his immediate hand of goodness to us Sir Your Servants had extraordinary Respect and Civility manifested to them both by the Officers and People of that Countrey in their long Journey and upon their safe arrival at the Court at Vpsale by all sorts of People of inferior rank and of the greatest Ones and by the greatest of them the Prince Heretier and by the Queen her self who sought to make appear her Affection and Regard to this Nation by her Favors to your servant which did much exceed those which she usually allows to others of the like condition In our Ceremonies wherein that Nation are very punctual I confess I was somewhat refractory to their Expectations out of my Zeal to keep up the Honour of my Nation and even those things have such a signification in such Affairs but they were well past over and then we fell to our business wherein I found those with whom I discoursed and treated to be full of Experience Abilities and Wisdom and some of them full of subtlety and too much inclining to use delays for their particular advantage which you will pardon those to take the more notice of who were at so great a distance from their Countrey and Relations I thought it behoved me for the service of my Countrey and she better performance of the Trust that time reposed in me to acquaint my self by the best means I could with the nature of the People their Government the Quality of their Governors their Religion Strength and Trade and other matters relating to them This I did not only by studying of Books but of Men also in the Conversation and Treaties which I had with them and wherein I endeavored to gain information of these things from them added to my own observations on the place I found the People hardy and stout and the more inured to it by the sharpness of their Climate which renders them the more able for Military Service They are obedient to their Rulers but amongst their Equals too much addicted to Quarrelling and Drinking that ferments the other They are yet very Courteous to Strangers in their travaling and sojourning not making a Prey of them nor deceiving them nor deriding them in their ignorance of the Coâ—ntrey or Language but affording them all accommodations for their money which they expect Their Governours are wise expert and po-Iitick keeping their distance and the rules of justice but they will hardly Pardon any neglect the omission of a Ceremony or not returning a Visit is enough with some of them to break off a treaty of the greatest Consequence Though they Practice much delay when they judge their interest to require it yet they observe honourably their Capitulations and though both Rulers and people regard their particular Interest in the first place yet it is not with the excluding of justice and honesty Their Government is by Municipal Laws and Customes and by Acts of their Supream Councel which hath the Legislative power and is the same in effect if not the
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
therein was the ground of their scruple Sir Thomas Widdrington spake somwhat to the same purpose and then the Protector spake to them to lay down the Seal which they did and then they were desired to withdraw and so this great Office was voluntarily parted with by them upon terms of Conscience only People past their censures upon them as their affections led them some commended what they had done as a Conscientious Act some of larger Principles blamed them for parting with so great and profitable an employment upon a nice scruple which probably themselves would have swallowed although it had been never so great But they held themselves accountable to none but God for what they did Lenthal who seemed most earnest against the Execution of this Ordinance and protested That he would be hanged at the Rolles Gate before he would execute it yet now when he saw Widdrington and Whitelocke put out of their places for refusing to do it he wheeled about and was as forward as any one to act in the execution of it and thereby restored himself to their favour The Protector kept the Seal in his own custody for some days and dispatched some business of Sealing in his Chamber where the Officers attended till he had resolved upon the persons to whom he afterwards committed the custody of it June 8. The Great Seal was thus parted with by Whitelocke and Widdrington and June 15. It was delivered to Collonel Fiennes and Major L'Isle their late Brother who was for all Assays and these two were Commissioners of the Great Seal the one of them never had experience in matters of this Nature and the other had as little knowledg in them till by accompanying the late Commissioners he gained some and now he carryed the business very high and superciliously Letters that General Blake demanding at Tunis Reparation for the losses of the English from Turkish Pirats the Dye of Tunis answered him with scorn and bid him behold his Castles whereupon Blake Sayled into the Harbour within Musket shot of the Castle and though the shoar was planted with Great Guns yet he set upon the Turksh Ships in the Haven fired nine of them and came off with great Honour About the latter end of this month the Lord Willoughby of Parhâ—m and the Lord Newport were committed to the Tower upon suspition of Treason July 1655. The Protector being good Natured and sensible of his harsh proceedings against Whitelocke and Wâ—ddrington for keeping to that Liberty of Conscience which himself held to be every ones Right and that none ought to suffer for it He now intending to make some recompence to them put them in to be Commissioners of the Treasury together with Collonel Mountague and Collonel Sydenham with whom they had fair Quarter theit Sallary one thousand pounds apiece per ann and Mr. Sherwyn an able man in the business of the Exchequer was Secretary to the Commissioners Letters from the Fleet under General Pen and Venables whereby the ill success and miscarriage of Venables was ill resented by all and the Protector was much offended at it and indeed it was indiscreetly managed by Venables who might have Landed his men near Sancto Domingo from whence the Inhabitants fled into the Woods and left a great booty in the Town But Venables Landed his men ten Leagues Westward who were so tired with a long and hot March and so sick with it that the Enemy returned upon them and slew Major General Hains who fought stoutly and six hundred English besides those that were slain stragling and this was done by about sixty of the Enemy who chaced the English to their Ships The rest of this Naval Army Sayled to an Island called Jamaica in the West Indies of which they Possest themselves where they found a Tollerable Habitation and in the beginning of this Month Major Sedgwick was sent with Twelve Ships and Collonel Humphries with his Regiment with Supplies to those in Jamaica so careful was the Protector to lose no advantage of what he had got Footing in Graâ—f Hannibal Sesthead and a Lord of Denmark who had married the Kings half Sister there and been Vice-Roy of Norway but afterwards grew out of Favour of his King came into England to see the Protector and made his Applications to Whitelock whom he had been acquainted with in Germany Who brought him to the Protector and he used him with all Courtesie he Dined with him several times and the Protector was much taken with his Company he was a very Ingenuous Man spake many Languages and English perfectly well and had been Employed in several great Charges and Ambassies but he was a very Debauch'd Person which when the Protector knew he would not admit him any more into his Conversation and not long after he departed out of England The Swedish Ambassadour Graef Blunt being Landed and making his Entry into London the Council made this Order Friday July 27. 1655. At the Council at White-hall Ordered That Mr. Strickland Collonel Montague and the Lord Whitelock or two of them be desired to receive the Lord Ambassadour Extraordinary from the King of Sweden and Conduct him to his Lodgings at the Lady Williams her House to Morrow Henry Scobel Clerk of the Council August 1655. The Commissioners of the Treasury had a Seal from the Protector and his Council for every great Sum and they then Ordered under their Hands the Payment of every particular Sum accordingly and all these were entred in their Books so that the State could not be cozened and they had not the hard ways of the usual Course of the Exchequor but yet they did not take off that Course as to the Constant Form of it The last Moneth Whitelock and Strickland received the Swedish Ambassadour at the Tower by order of the Protector with his Coaches and near a Hundred others with Six Horces a piece they met the Ambassador at the Water-side Whitelock bid him welcome in the Protectors Name and after Ceremonies took Coaches the Ambassador and Whitelock Strickland the Master of the Ceremonies and Graef Hohento a German and Cousin to the King of Sweden in the Protectors chief Coach At their first setting forward there was strife between a French Ambassadors Coach which he sent with some of his Gentlemen to meet the Swedish Ambassadour and the Swedish Ambassador's own Coatch which should go first The French Lacquaies and the Swedish Lacquaies drew their Swords and some slight hurts were given and a great Tumult in the Street But Whitelock and Strickland sent the Protectors Laquaies to quiet them with Order that the Swedish Ambassadors Coach should go first he being present in Person and the other only sent to wait on him which Order was observed They came by Torch-light through London to Sr. Abraham Williams his House at Westminster where the Ambassadour was Feasted and Entertained Nobly at the Protectors Charge three days
whereby your Petitioner may receive Encouragement to proceed in the Management of his said Trade And he shall pray c. His Highness is pleased to refer this Petition to the Committee for Trade 15th Jan. 1655. Jo. Thurloe 15. His Highness having referred this Petition to the Committee for Trade they ordered Whitelock to attend them And they enquired the Reason of the Inhauncing the Impositions upon Coppar in Sweden and what Course might be found out to reduce that Imposition to the former Rate and to keep up the Manufacture of Lattin Wyer here Whitelock told them that he supposed the Reason of Inhaunsing the Imposition by the King of Sweden upon his Coppar was his extraordinary occasions for Money especially in this time of his Wars and that he was a free Prince who might lay what Impositions he did think fit upon the Commodities of his own Countrey That for the Reducement of those Impositions to the former or any lower Rates than they were at now he knew no way but either upon the present Treaty with the Swedish Ambassador here to see what might be done by way of ascertaining those and other Impositions or by buying up all the Coppar at certain Rates to be agreed upon That it had been usual in former times upon Treaties between England and Spain and with France and other Nations that the State here did agree what Impositions should be paid by the English upon the Commodities which they brought from those Countreys and thereby Trade was much encouraged the Merchant was upon a Certainty for payment of his Customs beyond Seas and the State here knowing what the Merchant was to pay beyond Seas as particularly for Wines did thereupon use to set the prices upon Wines here And concerning the buying up of the Coppar of Sweden he told them it would be in his poor Judgment of very great advantage to England if it might be compassed upon reasonable Terms and that it might be compassed he had the more Reason to believe because that himself had some Conference about it when he was Ambassador in Sweden with some there and since with some of the Swedish Ambassadors Company here and did perceive them inclinable to such a bargain and they had heretofore made such a Contract with the City of Lubec in Germany who gained great Wealth thereby for they became sole Merchants of the Coppar and had the Manufacture likewise within themselves of making it into Brass and of the Commodities made thereof which they vented at their own prices in all parts of Christendom and some of them they vended back again into Sweden it self That the late King Gustavus Adolphus finding the inconvenience and loss to Sweden hereby would not permit the Lubeckers to enlarge their time of that Contract but got the Manufacture of Brass within themselves and vented their own Coppar to the several Merchants who resorted thither for it That England hath a great advantage herein more than other Countreys by reason of the plenty of Lapis Calaminaris here by which the Coppar is turned into Brass and that there is not in any Countrey of Europe so great store of that Mineral as here that he knew of none but in Bohemia which was so great a Journey by Land to any Port that it would hardly quit the Cost of the Carriage of it That in case England could have the sole venting of Coppar and Brass they might make their own Rates of it they might furnish themselves and whom else they pleased and none other with Brass Ordnance which are of far better use especially for Shipping than those of Iron That it would bring the Manufacture of Lattin Wyre and all other Manufactures of Brass solely amongst us and be of great Consequence both as to matter of Profit and of security to us He told them further That he had some thoughts himself of being a Merchant for it if he could have procured others of Value to have joined with him therein but they found great difficulties for particular Persons to go through with such a business without the State especially in Relation to the Casting of Ordnance That he had acquainted some of the Councel with this business as a matter fit for my Lord Protector and the States Consideration but he found that their leisure would not admit them to think further upon it and therefore having made known his own poor Judgment therein as he conceived did become his duty and nothing being thought fit to be done in it he submitted to the Judgment of others who he supposed knew the business or the reasons of publick matters better than himself but now having received the commands of this Committee to attend them in a business which had relation to that matter of the Coppar he thought it his Duty to represent his thoughts at large to them to whose consideration he conceived it to be very proper Some of the Committee asked Whitelock what quantity of Coppar might belong to the King of Sweden and what to his Subjects and what payments might be expected for it and what the Terms might be in a contract for all their Coppar He answered that the King of Sweden had the Propriety in Right of his Crown of the most part of the great Mountains where the Coppar Mines were That all the Coppar digged out of those Mountains whereof the Soil or Royalty belonged unto him was his Majesties particular goods That of all the Coppar belonging to any of his Subjects and digged out of their particular Mines in their several grounds and soil yet a Tenth of all that is paid unto the King and by a late Composition for Customs Impositions and other duties they have agreed to pay a Fifthteenth or thereabouts of all the Remainder to the King so that a very little quantity remains but what is in his Majesties dispose and the quantity of the whole he guessed might come to about 250000 l. or 300000 l. yearly in value or thereabouts as he could guess That the way there is to make their Carriages in the Winter time by Sledds upon the Ice The Summer being so hot that they cannot Travail nor their Cattle work and the Frost so strong that the wayes are then best and then they bring all the Coppar to the Port-Towns where it lies ready for the Ships by the Spring when the Ice is gone and that they can come into those Seas That he was told they would expect one half of the money to be agreed upon before the Coppar were taken into Ships when it was ready for them and the other half of the money at the Arrival of the Ships here and would be contented to take Bills or the payment of the Money at Hamburgh or Lubec or some of those Towns not far from the Baltick But what conditions they would now expect he knew not the business having slept for some time The Committee generally expressed themselves with great approbation of the Proposition of buying
he could tell them a pleasant Story which was nothing but of the Hollanders releiving with provisions and powder a Town while it was besieged by the States and so he said other Nations would supply the Spaniard if they did not The Lord Fiennes proposed the former design of our Merchants to buy up at a certain Rate all those Commodities from the Swedes The Ambassador said That would require a long time to alter the Factors and Assignations and places of Shipping and the price and many other particulars which could not easily nor quickly be done and that those goods were most in private hands of Merchants Whitelock said the same goods at the same places of Shipping and at a certain price all to be vended he thought would be quickly agreed upon by private Men being for their advantage Nothing was concluded upon this point Then the Ambassador excepted against the words in the Specification of Contrebanda goods viz. Instrumenta Bello inservientia saying that this did take in all things what soever for they might serve for War and he desired the words might be Instrumenta Bellica as words less capacious than the other this to please him with his own expressions was consented unto The next great debate was upon the point of Passes which the Ambassador said were necessary to be had and agreed upon or otherwise the people of his Master must be still great Sufferers and be highly oppressed as they had been in the time of our War with the Dutch and he grated much upon those Injuries which could not be prevented but by Passes which were expresly agreed upon by the Treaty of Upsale Whitelock said That in England and other Countries people were apt to loose their sight in their own Cases and that when both sides were heard the same appeared to be true and he did believe the like would appear when both parties came to be heard in those Cases whereof so much Complaint had been made by one party only to his Excellency And that the Article for Commissioners on both sides to be appointed both for past Injuries and for the future to give a just Satisfaction he did believe would prevent the like hereafter and be of great advantage to both Nations That what was agreed at Upsale did appear in the Articles of that Treaty which as to Passes did Consent that there should be such and the Form only referred for a future Agreement and there is nothing else but the Form to be agreed on and that seems difficult enough to avoid the deceits in Counterfeiting of them and under pretence of them to have other Nations carry prohibited Goods to our Enemies and by reason of the Change of Affairs since that general Agreement there must of necessity be a greater Care to avoid Inconveniencies which may arise by those Passes That the Proposition of giving power to the Commissioners on both sides to hear and determine all differences upon the bringing in of any Ship suspected justly to have a false Pass or prohibited Goods in her will prevent the delayes and Injuries complained of and be a means to preserve the Amity of both Nations the better The Ambassador with some quickness replyed That by the Treaty of Upsale and of necessity it must be so A Ship showing her Pass was not to be troubled any further nor to be brought in at all but permitted to proceed in her Voyage without any visiting or examination Whitelock said That by the words of the Article of Passes in that Treaty the Ship showing a true Pass was to be permitted to proceed in her Voyage but if there were a just suspition of a Counterfeit Pass or having Prohibited Goods no words of that Article did forbid the bringing in of such a Ship but provided that such should be punished which could not well be without an Examination nor can the matter be examined unless by bringing in the Parties concerned before the Judges which are to examine them and it will be more for the advantage of both parties to be brought only to Dover or Plimouth or Hull or other Convenient Port Townes and before Commissioners whereof some are their own Countrey-men rather than to the Court of Admiralty against whom they have made so many Complaints before The Lord Fiennes seconded that proposal of Commissioners to determine all Matters of this Nature And said that the Article of Passes in the Treaty of Upsale could not be understood that Ships showing a Pass although Counterfeit or having Prohibited Goods should nevertheless be free from Examination Neither did the words of that Article import any such Sence but agreed those to be punished who should do any thing contrary to that Articles And that having a Counterfeit Pass or Prohibited goods would be contrary to that Article The Ambassador said That if any Ship were brought in upon such a Suspition if it did not prove true the Parties would suffer great Injuries by being brought up The Lord Fiennes and Whitelock said That the Commissioners in such Cases were to be impowred to give satisfaction out of the Parties Estate who should do the wrong and if that were not sufficient then the State to make it good The Ambassador went off from this point and mentioned the Forfeiture for having Prohibited goods proposed by the Councel to be those goods and the Ship also where they were found which he said was unreasonable and would ruine their Trade if consented unto nor was it ever done in any Treaty that he had seen but he proposed that the Prohibited goods only should be forfeited and no other goods in the Ship nor the Ship in any Case The Lord Fiennes said That if the Forfeiture should be so small as the Prohibited goods only it would encourage People to adventure to carry those Goods and that the Forfeiture of the Ship would cause the Master of it to take care that no Prohibited Goods should be taken aboard his Ship and he might have security of the Merchants which would prevent any damage to him or to the Ship or Trade Several other Matters were debated amongst them but it growing late they came to no Conclusion but each insisted upon their own opinions and little was agreed but only to meet again the next Tuesday 13. Tuesday The Commissioners went to the Ambassador of Swedens House about 5 a Clock this Evening where they had a long debate with his Excellency upon the former points not agreed on First about the Enumerating amongst the Contrebanda Goods Pitch and Tar and Hemp c. To which the Ambassador would in no wise yield and dilated upon the same Arguments he had before urged on this Matter adding this That it was known to the Lord Whitelock That in Finland it was their Chief Commodity which if they should not vend yearly having great quantities of Pitch and Tar the Countrey could not subsist nor would the Commodity last above one year in the Vessels but by reason of the
shall be left by the party acusing in writing under his hand with the party accused or in his absence at his house in the County 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 Borough of which he is chosen And that the number of persons to be Elected and chosen to Sit and serve in Parliament for ENGLAND SCOTLAND and IRELAND and the distribution of the persons so chosen within the Counties Cities and Boroughs of them respectively may be according to such proportions as sholl be agreed upon and Declared in this present Parliament V That your Highness will consent That none be called to Sit and Vote in the other House but such as are not disabled but qualified according to the Qualifications mentioned in the former Article being such as shall be nominated by your Highness and approved by this House and that they exceed not Seventy in number nor be under the number of Forty whereof the Quorum to be One and twenty who shall not give any Vote by Proxies and that as any of them do dye or be Legally removed no new ones be admitted to Sit and Vote in their rooms but by consent of the House it self That the other House do not proceed in any Civil Causes except in Writs of Error in Cases adjourned from Inferior Courts into the Parliament for difficulty in Cases of Petitions against Proceedings in Courts ef Equity and in Cases of the Priviledges of their own House That they do not proceed in any Criminal Causes whatsoever against any person criminally but upon an Impeachment ef the Commons assembled in Parliament and by their consent That they do not proceed in any Cause either Civil or Criminal but according to the known Laws of the Land and the due course and Custom of Parliament That no final Determinations or Judgments be by any Members of that House in any Cause there depending either Civil Criminal or Mixt as Commissioners or Delegates to be nominated by that House But all such final Determinations and Judgments to be by the House it self Any Law or Vsage to the contrary notwithstanding VI. That in all other particulars which concern the calling and holding of Parliaments your Highness will be pleased That the Laws and Statutes of the Land be observed and kept and that no Laws be Altered and Suspended Abrogated or Repealed or new Law made but by Act of Parliament VII And to the end there may be a constant Revenue for Support of the Government and for the Safety and Defence of these Nations by Sea and Land We declare our willingness to Settle forthwith a Yearly Revenue of Thirteen hundred thousand Pounds whereof Ten hundred thousand Pounds for the Navy and Army and Three hundred thousand pounds for the Support of the Government and no part thereof to be raised by a Land Tax And this not to be altered without the consent of the Three Estates in Parliament And to grant such other Temporary Supplies according as the Commons Assembled in Parliament shall from time to time adjudge the necessities of these Nations to require And do pray Your Highness That it be Declared and Enacted That no Charge be laid nor no person be compelled to contribute to any Gift Loan Benevolence Tax Tallage Aid or other like Charge without common consent by Act of Parliament which is a Freedom the People of these Nations ought by the Laws to Inherit VIII That none may be added or admitted to the Privy Council of your Highness or Successors but such as are of known Piety and undoubted affection to the Rights of these Nations and a just Christian Liberty in matters of Religion nor without consent of the Council to be afterwards approved by both Houses of Parliament and shall not afterwards be removed but by consent of Parliament but may in the Intervals of Parliament be suspended from the Exercise of his Place by your Highness or your Successors and the Council for just cause and that the number of the Council shall not be above One and twenty whereof the Quorum to be Seven and not under As also that after Your Highness death the Commander in Chief under Your Successors of such Army or Armies as shall be necessary to be kept in England Scotland or Ireland as also all such Field-Officers at Land or Generals at Sea which after that time shall be newly made and Constituted by Your Successors be by consent of the Council and not otherwise And that the standing Forces of this Commonwealth shall be disposed of by the Chief Magistrate by consent of both Houses of Parliament sitting the Parliament and in the Intervals of Parliament by the Chief Magistrate by the Advice of the Council And also that your Highness and Successors will be pleased to Exercise your Government over these Nations by the Advice of your Council IX And that the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal of England the Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury there the Admiral the Chief Governour of Ireland the Chancellor Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland the Chief Justices of both the Benches and the Chief Baron in England and Ireland the Commander in Chief of the Forces in Scotland and such Officers of State there as by Act of Parliament in Scotland are to be approved by Parliament and the Judges in Scotland hereafter to be made shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament X And whereas your Highness out of your zeal to the glory of God and the propagation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ hath been pleased to encourage a Godly Ministry in these Nations We earnestly desire that such as do openly revile them or their Assemblies or disturb them in the Worship or Service of God to the dishonour of God scandal of good men or breach of the peace may be punished according to Law And where the Laws are defective that your Highness will give consent to such Laws as shall be made in that behalf XI That the true Protestant Christian Religion as it is contained in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament and no other be held forth and asserted for the publique profession of these Nations And that a Confession of Faith to be agreed by your Highness and the Parliament according to the Rule and Warrant of the Sciptures be asserted held forth and recommended to the people of these Nations That none may be suffered or permitted by opprobrious Words or Writing maliciously or contemptuously to Revile or Reproach the Confession of Faith to be agreed upon as aforesaid And such who profess Faith in God the Father and in Jesus Christ his Eternal Son the true God and in the Holy Spirit God coequal with the Father and the Son one God blessed for ever and do acknowlege the
it is rather little less than a Miracle that after so great shakings and confusions it should so soon come to that state that it is already in And if we well and wisely consider how great variety of humours and judgments and what different Interests and Powers these Wars have raised amongst us and how differently placed and lodged from that which was before it is no wonder if every one cannot have what he thinks best in his judgment to be done but ought rather to content himself with what he may think next best to that which is first in his judgment which probably may be best of all in its self for that every one is a partial Judge as to that thing which hath taken the first impression in his mind and so passed into a prejudicate opinion But above all we must have the peace and settlement of the Nations Quacunque datâ viâ as a Pole-Star before our Eyes steering our course thereby without giving Ear to the inchanting Songs of any Syrens and without giving way to any suggestions of indignation which proud flesh may assault our minds withall But with generous resolutions press on to settlement conquering our Temptations and subduing our own Spirits if in any thing at any time they shall rise against this work whereby we shall gain more true honour before men and before God than if we had subdued a City than if we had conquered a Nation and indeed we shall doe no less thereby than preserve three Nations Another Difficulty ariseth unto us from the dissatisfaction of some of our ancient Friends who have been and might still be usefull to us in the Work which we have now in hand which if it be not a greater difficulty unto us than that of our secret and open Enemies of whom I shall speak anon it is a greater trouble and grief to us because that we love them so much and fear the other so little not that they are not a formidable Enemy but now by the conjunction of our late inbred Enemy with that old Enemy of our Nation and Religion and of God himself who is our hope and chiefest help We shall have God a greater and a closer Friend unto us because we have to doe with his greatest Enemies But for those of our Friends who content themselves with their Privacy and Country Retirement in these great Difficulties of the Commonwealth For the divisions of Reuben there are great thoughts of heart Why abidest thou among the Sheepfolds to hear the bleating of the flocks Surely for the divisions of Reuben there are great searchings of heart How shall we bind up the wounds we receive in the house of our friend What shall we doe for our sister that hath no breasts That will afford no milk If she be a Wall we will build a palace of silver upon her and if she be a door we will inclose her with boards of Cedar If they will give to us any Foundation to work upon we will build upon it we will improve it we will multiply Obligations upon them we will heap Coals of Fire upon their heads If they will not let us follow them let them follow us we will either lead or follow in the work of God And if our Words cannot convince them we will endeavour that our Works may doe it and what we cannot doe our selves we will pray to God to doe for us and to find out ways which we cannot to reunite our hearts and hands who have been engaged together in the same Cause and are still imbarqued in the same Bottom and must sink and swim must run the same hazard and fortune together I mean the same issue and event of God's Providence towards us whether it be for good or whether it be for evil As to our Enemies both secret and open they are continually plotting and contriving to create us all the trouble that they can and want not means for to effect it our home-bred Enemies being now in conjunction with that our great foreign Enemy who vaunt themselves of their King that he possesseth more Riches more Crowns and more Dominions than ever any Christian Prince did and that his Empire is ten times greater than that of the Great Turk and larger than ever was that of the Romans and that he might more justly than the Persian King style himself King of Kings Brother of the Sun and Moon and that the Sun never sets upon his Dominions and the like And yet to all these Riches to all this Power to all these Titles we are not afraid to oppose the One single Name of The Lord Our God and if it do not diminish our Difficulty yet it doth not a little ease our Minds that all our Enemies are reduced unto that Head which professeth himself to be the Head of that Antichristian Faction which opposeth all the Christian Churches in the World and would keep them and bring them under the Iron Yoak of his bloody Inquisition and every blow that we shall level at that Head in way of defence or offence will in some proportion redound to the advantage of all good Christians throughout the World And now it would be very strange if all good men should not see and be convinced what Thread it was that run all along through our Quarrel in the late Wars and though at first it was more finely spun and more closely wrought that it could not so easily be discerned yet now that it is unravelled to its Bottom it more clearly discovers its Rise by its Resort And if the Interest of that Party shall be again enthroned amongst us and brought in upon the Wings of that double-headed black Eagle or rather Vulture What will become of the poor Lambs of Christ What can we expect but according to the agreement between them a Toleration of Popery in England and Scotland and a Profession and Protection of it in Ireland with an inundation of Looseness and Prophaneness on the one side and of Tyranny and Oppression on the other We ought then to believe and we have good ground to rest our Faith upon But cum Deo movenda est manus we ought so to believe as though we had made no Provision at all and yet we ought so to make Provision in subserviency to Gods Providence as if we did not believe at all And his Highness doth acknowledge the great care and provision of the Parliament for the carrying on of this War in pursuance of their most Christian and truly English Spirit and Resolution in owning that Quarrel against that old Enemy of their Religion and of their Nation Yet I must acquaint you That the Supplies granted have fallen short of the Commonwealths Necessities because indeed they have fallen short of the Parliaments own expectations according to the lowest estimate that they were reckoned at Especially that of the New Buildings wherein what have been the particular Obstructions and what may be the proper Remedies as also
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
exercise and discharge of their Trust and we shall be ready in our places to yield them as becomes us our utmost Assistance to sit in safety for the improving present opportunity for setling and securing the peace and freedom of this Commonwealth praying for the presence and blessing of God upon their endeavours Signed by direction of the Lord Fleetwood and the Council of Officers of the Army Tho. Sandford Secretary May 6. 1659. â—ambert Berry Cooper Haslerigge Lilburn Ashfield Salmon Zanchey Kelsey Okey Blackwell Haynes Allen Packer and Pierson went to the old Speaker Lenthal with this Declaration to the Rolls and presented it to him and divers of the Members of the long Parliament came thither afterwards to advise with the Speaker and declared their willingness to meet again which they appointed to Morrow-morning in the Painted-Chamber 7. They met accordingly and in a body went together to the House Lambert guarding them with Souldiers Then they passed a Declaration touching their Meeting and their purpose to secure the Property and Liberty of the people both as Men and as Christians and that without a single Person Kingship or House of Peers and to uphold Magistracy and Ministry 8. A Sermon was Preached in the House by Dr. Owen 9. The House appointed a Committee of Safety most of them Souldiers except Vane and Scot and ordered that all Officers should be such as feared God and were faithfull to the Cause Letters of General Monk to Fleetwood of the Concurrence of the Army in Scotland with the Army at London Letters ordered to be sent to the particular Members of this Parliament to come and discharge their duty 11. An Act passed for the continuing of Sheriffs Justices of Peace c. in England and in Scotland and Ireland 12. An Address to the Parliament with their Desires in it from many in and about London and their Protestation to stand by this Parliament The like Address to this Parliament from the Officers of the Army These Passages gave the more hopes to many that this Parliament thus restored might be blessed of God for settling the Peace and Liberty of the Nation and the more because they were upon the first right foundation of that long Parliament which had done so great things and therefore divers were the better satisfied to go on with them 13. The Parliament named a Council of State and several Gentlemen not Members of the House were also of it their Names were as followeth Thomas Lord Fairfax M. G. Lambert Col J. Desborough Col. James Bury John Bradshaw Serjeant at Law Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper Sir Horatio Townsend Sir Arthur Haslerigge Sir Henry Vane L. G. Ludlow L. G. Fleetwood Major Salwey Col. Morley Mr. Scot Mr. Wallop Sir James Harrington Col. Wanton Col. Jo. Jones Col. Sydenham Col. Sydney Mr. Nevil Mr. Thomas Chaloner Colonel Downes Lord chief Justice St. John Col. Thompson Lord Commissioner Whitelocke Col. Dixwell Mr. Reynolds Josiah Barners Sir Archibold Johnson Sir Robert Honywood 14. An Act for a new Great Seal different from that whereof Fiennes L'Isle and Whitelocke were Commissioners and so their Office ceased 15. Newdigate Atkins Archer and Parker were made Judges and Easter Term was continued 16. An Act passed appointing Judges for Probate of Wills Applications from Mr. Nathaniel Bacon and his Brother about the payment of their Salary as Masters of the Requests to the Protector and Serjeant Lynne about his Arrears of his Salary Votes passed for Pay of the Army and Navy and for Sale of Whitehall and Somerset-house 17. Address to the Parliament from the Army in Scotland Right honourable THat a Nation may be born in a day is a truth which this days experience witnesseth unto us against all the dictates of humane Reason and that a glorious Cause whose Interest was laid low even in the dust should be in one day restored to its life and lustre when almost all the Asserters of it had so manifestly declined it by a defection of many years cannot be imputed to less than the greatest and most powerfull manifestation of the Arm of God that ever this or former Generations saw or heard of In the sense of this the greatest of our Temporal Mercies we now come to address to your Honours as those whose presence we have so long wanted that had you staid but a little longer it might have been left to be enquired what England was we mean what was become of that People by whom God for so many years filled the World with so much admiration and terrour But though this great Work be as most justly it ought to be wonderfull in our eyes yet when we consider its Author who calls things that are not as if they were bringeth down to the Pit and raiseth up again we see that nothing is difficult to Faith and the Promises of God are sure and stable even then when in the eye of man no less than impossible We cannot but acknowledge to our exceeding great sorrow and shame that our selves though we hope most of us through weakness and frailty not out of design have very much contributed to those Provocations which have caused God to depart from our Israel and we could hearâ—ily wish that even amongst those that help to make up your own number there had not been an helping hand to this sad and deplorable work But we see when God's hour is come and the time of his people's deliverance even the set time is at hand he cometh skipping over all the Mountains of sin and unworthiness that we daily cast in the way We are not willing to detain your Honours too long upon this subject and therefore besecching the God of all our Mercies to heal the backslidings of his people and not to charge unto their account in this his day of their deliverance their miscarriages whilst they were wandering in dark and slippery places after the imaginations of their own hearts we with all bumility and affection in the first place congratulate you in this your happy hestauration to the Government of these Nations which God was pleased once so to own in your hands as to make you both the praise and wonder of the Earth the glory and rejoycing of his People and the terrour of your Adversaries and we acknowledge it a singular condescention in you in this day of 〈◊〉 great difficulties to take upon you so heavy a burthen And sceing his late Highness hath been pleased to manifest so much self-denial and love to his Country in appearing for the Interest thereof against his own we humbly intreat that some speedy care may be taken for him and his family together with her Highness Dowager that there may be such an honourable Provision settled upon them and such other Dignities as are suitable to the former great Services of that Family to these Nations And in the next place we cannot but humbly beseech you now you
have an opportunity than which a fitter your hearts did never pray for to finish the work of Reformation that hath been so long upon the wheel and met with so great Obstructions that you would not heal the wound of the daughter of God's people slightly but make so sure and lasting provision for both their christian and civil Rights as that both this and future Generations may have cause to rise up and call you Blessed and the blackest of Designs may never be able to câ—st dirt in your faces any more and as helpfull to these two great Concernments Religion and Liberty we humbly propose unto your mature consideration these two Desires First That you would be pleased to countenance Godliness and all the sincere Professors thereof encourage an able and laborious Ministry and suffer no other Yoak to be imposed upon the Consciences of God's people than what may be agreeable to the word of God and that you would be a terrour to all impious prophane and licentious people whatsoever Secondly That you would so vindicate and assert the Native â—ights and Liberties of these Nations in and by the Government of a Free State that there may not be the voice of an oppressed one in our Land but that all may enjoy the blessed fruits of your righteous and peaceable Government And for the prevention of all possibility for ambitious Spirits ever to work their ends against you we humbly desire you to be very carefull as well what persons you entrust with the management of the Armies and Navies of this Commonwealth as of the measure of that Power and Authority you depart with to them or substitute in them Touching the qualifications of the Persons we desire they may be truly godly and conscientious Touching the measure of their Authority that it may be adequate to the nature and being of a Commonwealth And whilst you are thus pleading and asserting the Interest of God and his People you may rest assured with greatest confidence that we shall appear in your defence and the vindication of your Authority against the opposition of all Arbitrary Powers whatsoever And to that blessed and All-powerfull God who is able to spirit you for this great work you are and shall daily be recommended in the prayers of Your most loyal and most Obedient Servants George Monk Thomas Read Ralph Cobbet Tim. Wilks Robert Read John Cloberry Abra. Holmes Henr. Dorney Dan. Davison Rich. Heath Mi. Richardson J. Hubbelthorn Tho. Johnson P. Crisp He. Brightman Phil. Watson Tho. Dean Jerem. Smith Will. Davis James Wright Jos Wallinton Will. Helling Ethelb Morgan Rob. Winter John Paddon Anthony Nowers 18. Order to refer it to the Members of the House of the Council of State or any five of them to consider of the Union between Scotland and England and to prepare an Act for it Whitelocke was by the Council particularly desired to take care of this business VVhitelocke had private Intimation from Fleet-wood that Scot had Intelligence that Whitelocke kept a Correspondence with the King of Scots or some of his Ministers and that Scot intended to charge Whitelocke with it at the Council and therefore Fleetwood did advise Whitelocke that if it were so that he should forbear coming to the Council and Fleetwood would take care that nothing should be further done against him but if that Whitelocke were innocent he might use his discretion Whitelocke wondered at this knowing his own innocency and therefore he did not absent himself from the Council but Scot in a cunning way represented his Intelligence to the Council from one of his Spies beyond Sea who wrote him word That Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper and Whitelocke had Correspondence with Sir Edward Hyde beyond Seas And this Intelligencer was a beggerly Irâ—sh Fryar Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper made the highest professions that could be of his Innocency denying that ever he had any Correspondence with the King or with Sir Edward Hyde or any of the King's Ministers or Friends and his Expressions were so high that they bred in some the more suspicion of him but at this time he was believed and what followed afterwards is known Whitelocke positively denied any Correspondence with the King or with Hyde or any of the King's Party and desired no favour if they could prove any such thing against him and moved to know his Accuser but that was waved and Whitelocke admitted in his Imployment of one of the Council of State 19. The House appointed Judges of the Admiralty for six weeks 20. Order for a Day to be kept of publick Humiliation Letters that the Jews were destructive to our Trade 21. Votes of the Parliament for a free Common-wealth without a single Person Kingship or House of Pears And for maintaining Magistracy and Ministry and regulating of Law and Equity 23. Vote for the Speaker Lenthall to be Keeper of the Great Seal for eight days 24. An Ambassadour had publick Audience in the House in great solemnity 25. The House having sent a Committee to Richard to know whether he would acquiesce in the present Proceedings and that they would provide for the payment of his Debts and an honourable subsistence for himself and his family They returned with his Answer under his hand That he would acquiesce and sent a List of his Debts 26. Several Addresses were made to the House and they referred Matters touching the Forces and the Navy and the Prize-goods to the Council of State 27. Reference to the Council of State to proceed in the Treaty with the Dutch 28. An Address to the Parliament from Bucks The House considered of settling the Officers of Fleetwood's Regiment this began to give some distaste to the Officers of the Army that the Parliament should not trust them in this business but do it themselves A Committee named to prepare an Act of Indemnity and Oblivion 29. Letters of the present state of Affairs in Ireland from the Lord Broghill and of my Lord 's joyning with this Parliament 30. Addresses from the North to Fleetwood and the Army The House proceeded upon the Act of Indemnity 31. Votes for addition of Pay to the Souldiers about London Order for sequestring the Profits of the Keeper of the Great Seal for the use of the Common-wealth and that the Chancery be throughly reformed and regulated June 1659. 1. The Council of State ordered Whitelocke to draw a Letter to General Mountague about the business of the Navy The House proceeded about the Act of Indemnity An Address from the Common Council of London to the Parliament who gave them thanks for their good Affections 3. Bradshaw Tyrell and Fountain were voted to be Commissioners of the Great Seal for five Months 4. An Address from the County of Kent answered with thanks An Act past for constituting of Bradshaw Tyrell and Fountain Commissioners of the Great Seal and the Oath was administred and the Great Seal
affairs Several Officers approved 26. Days of publick Humiliation appointed The Bill past for the Militia 27. Address from Dunkirk Forces Letters to the Parliament from the King of Sweden An Address from Scotland and several others to the Parliament 28. Referred to the Council of State to draw an Answer to the King of Sweden's Letter This was put upon Whitelocke and all other matters relating to that Crown and those parts Divers Officers received their Commissions 29. Referred to the Council to take security of the Duke of Bucks to be faithfull to this Government which they did Order for the monies gathered for Piedmont and Poland to be paid into the Exchequer which Whitelocke opposed 30. Whitelocke brought into the House the Bill of Vnion of England and Scotland General Monk and divers other Officers approved The Lady Mary Howard the Earl of Berkshire's Daughter and others were examined by Whitelocke President of the Council and the Parliament ordered them to be brought to Tryal for Treason Information of new Plots of the Cavaliers to bring in the King 31. Many persons were examined by the Council about a new Conspiracy which was evidently proved The Council sate all day and almost all night for a good while together Letters from Sir Robert Howard about his Horse being seized and protesting his Resolution to be quiet and not to joyn in the present Conspiracies August 1659. 1. A Day appointed to consider of the Regulation of the Law and Courts of Justice Divers Officers received their Commissions 2. The House was in a Grand Committee upon the Bill of Vnion of England and Scotland The Parliament were busie in the treaties with the Dutch and between the Kings of Sweden and Poland Many Commissions given in the House 3. The Fast Day kept in the House Letters of the Insurrections in several parts of the Nation Letters that Colonel Massey was taken in Gloucester-shire and mounted before a Trooper to take care of him and to bring him Prisoner to Gloucester but riding down a steep Hill the weather being wet and dark night in a great Wood the Horse slipt and fell down which Massey caused by checking of him and in the fall Massey got away into the Wood and being dark crept into a Bush and the whole Troop could not find him out but he escaped and got the next Morning to a Friends House where he was concealed about a fortnight after Intelligence of the great Insurrection under Sir George Booth in Cheshire 4. The Council of State were full of perplexity upon the several Intelligences of risings in Divers parts of the Nation and gave out their Orders for the Forces of the Parliament to meet and oppose them all which passed under Whitelocke's Hand it being his turn at this time to be President of the Council 5. Skippon and the rest of the Officers of the Militia of London approved by the House Letters of the Insurrections in the Worcestershire Circuit from the Judges referred to the Council The Parliament were busie in ordering Militia Forces More Intelligence of Sir Geor. Booth's heading the Insurrection in Cheshire and Lancashire and divers Principal Gentlemen joyning with him particularly Major Brook a Member of this Parliament and the Earl of Derby appeared with divers others in Lancashire they set forth a Declaration but did not name the King in it The Presbyterian Ministers did labour to further this rising The Council of State with great care and Vigilancy sent away Major General Lambert with three Regiments of Horse one of Dragoons and three Regiments of Foot and a Train of Artillery and ordered other Forces to meet and joyn with him for the suppressing of Sir George Booth and his party who were about four thousand strong 6. Lambert marched forth and the Council ordered messengers to bring Intelligence from him twice or thrice a day Several risings in other parts were defeated by the Parliaments Forces which were near them all the Letters were brought to Whitelocke and divers at midnight yet he in his bed directed answers by his Secretaries and sent them away forthwith when the Council could not meet 7. The House was called and the absent Members fined Mr. Bunch 100 l. Mr. Brook 100 l. and the rest 20 l. a piece the House proceeded in their usual business 8. Whitelocke being President of the Council Voted by the House That the President have power by Warrant under his Hand and Seal to commit any of those that should be brought to him for a fortnights time 9. The House debated upon the Government they ordered the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London to attend the Council of State this day A Proclamation past and was published declaring Sir George Booth and his adherents to be Rebels and Traytors 10. The Congregational Churches desired leave to raise three Regiments for the Parliament and had their willing consent to it The Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London being with the Council of State the President declared to them by command of the Council The designs of the Enemy the care and Vigilancy of the Parliament and Council the taking some of the Conspirators and defeating their designs their intentions of destroying all that had been of the Parliaments party and to bring in the King Then he caused the Proclamation to be read it not being then published and after the reading of it he in the name of the Parliament and Council gave thanks to the City for their good affections and faithfull adhering to the Parliament wherein their own and the whole Nations safety and Peace was concerned and desired them to persitd therein News that Lambert was advanced to Lichfield where all his Forces were to Randezvous 11. Orders touching the Militia Forces and a Petition read of the Lord Craven 12. The House proceeded in approving of Officers and giving their Commissions and received Letters from Lambert of his march The Council had intelligence every two or three hours from their Forces now that they began to draw near to the Enemy and they sate foorenoon and afternoon and very late at night and when they were not sate the President had power to receive all Letters and to break them open which he did many times in his bed and returned present answers to such as he might answer and if they were of extraordinary Consequence he sent the messengers to summon the Members of the Council to meet with as much speed as could be so that Lambert had orders and directions without any delay and all Provisions necessary 13. The House proceeded in the business of the Vnion with Scotland they gave many Commissions to Officers Several Lords as the Duke of Bucks de la Ware Oxford and Falkland were aprehended upon susspicion to be in the present Plot they were sent to Prison all except the Duke of Bucks News of Insurrections in several other places but
be too credulous of Monk's pretences 19. Monk's Commissioners sent away to him the Agreement made here by them according to the Powers which he gave them and expected his confirmation thereof Letters that Grave Rantzow was to come Ambassadour hither from the King of Denmark That General Monk had summoned a Convention in Scotland of two Persons for each Shire and one for each Borough The Committee of Safety holding it convenient and necessary for divers weighty Reasons to adjourn the remaining part of the present Term from Saturday the 19th of this instant November until the first day of the next Term to prevent the discontinuance of any Process Suits or Causes now depending or any inconvenience to the people thereby Ordered that Writs be issued and passed under the Great Seal of England in usual form for that purpose 20. Letters that when Captain Pool moved to send into England to be truly informed of the proceedings here Monk clapt him up in prison where he yet continues And that many of Mank's Souldiers were dissatisfied Mr. Barker and Mr. Caryl Ministers sent to Monk could perswade nothing with him nor have any but general and uncertain Answers from him 21. That many of Monk's men were dissatisfied and that Mr. Collins his Chaplain had left him 22. The General Council of Officers of the Army made choice of Commissioners to agree upon the qualifications of the Members for the next Parliament or Supream Delegated Authority and desired them to meet in the Horse-Chamber at Whitehall 23. Letters from the North of Lambert's being at Newcastle and that many of Monk's Officers and Souldiers came in to him A Letter from Monk was delivered to the Common-council of London which was not relished well by them 25. Monk's three Commissioners that were here were very confident that he would approve what they had agreed which was fully according to his Instructions Some Members of the former Council of State gave out Commissions sealed by them for raising of Forces Morley Walton Reynolds Scot Haslerigge Nevil and others of them met often Monk had a Convention in Scotland to whom he propounded 1. That he having a Call from God and Man to march into England to settle the Peace there that in his absence they would preserve the Peace in Scotland To this they answered That they could not engage for it wanting Arms but they would endeavour it 2. That if Troubles did arise they would assist him to suppress them To this they answered That they were incapable to do it and it would be imprudent in them to engage in these new troubles 3. He required money of them which they promised to levy Monk caused an Engagement to be signed by the Horse And Major General Morgan was forward to assist Monk 26. The Committee proceeded in preparing a Form of Government wherein Vane was hard to be satisfied but did much stick to his own apprehensions 28. Letters of Monk's March from Edenborough towards England with Bag and Baggage 29. Order to seal a Commission to Mr. Sadler Mr. Taylor and others for Probate of Wills 30. Letters from Monk to Fleetwood full of complements and expressions of his earnest desire of a speedy settlement of the present Differences And because he perceived in the Agreement signed by Fleet-wood that there are some things remain there untreated of and unagreed upon it was the resolution of him and his Officers to add two more to the number to have conference with the like number to be appointed here to put a final end to the business which he desired might be as soon as possible Upon consideration of this Letter some of the Committee declared their opinions That this was only a delay in Monk to gain time and be the better prepared for his design to bring in the King and to bring the Army here and their Party into more streights for want of Pay which he had got for his Forces And therefore advised to fall upon Monk presently to bring the matter to an issue before his Souldiers were more confirmed and Fleetwood's Party discouraged But this advice was not taken but a new Treaty consented to by Commissioners on each part to be at Newcastle The Committee of Safety set forth a Proclamation prohibiting the subscribing of Papers under colour of Petitions for the promoting of designs dangerous to the Peace of the Commonwealth They ordered that there be a Committee appointed to receive an account of Mr. Downing's transactions as a publick Minister for this Commonwealth with the States General of the united Provinces of the Netherlands And what other things he hath to offer in relation to this affair That the Lord Whitelocke Mr. Strickland Alderman Ireton General Desborough Colonel Berry and Mr. Holland or any two of them be a Committee to receive the said Account from Mr. Downing to morrow December 1659. 1. The Lord Fanshaw was released from his Imprisonment 3. Several Commissions of the Militia were sealed for Westminster and Essex Order of the Lord Mayor for preservation of the Peace of the City An Address to Fleetwood from the Officers under Lambert for expediting the Treaty with Monk 4. Some of the Forces about London began to be discontented for want of Pay and to favour the proceedings of Monk for restoring the Parliament an inchanting word And the Forces in the North were not well settled 5. Upon some disturbances in London some Forces marched into the City to keep the Peace and were there affronted by the multitude whereupon two of the rabble were killed and the rest were dispersed Intelligence that Colonel Whetham Governour of Portsmouth and the Garrison there had declared for the restoring of the Parliament and that Colonel Morley a Parliament man was there with them to incourage them therein whereupon the Committee order a party of Horse and Foot to march thither to reduce them 6. The General Council of the Armies of the three Nations met at White-hall to consider of a Form of Government A Committee of Aldermen of London came to the Committee of safety and excused the late tumult in the City and that they had no Hand in it 7. The General Council of the Officers considered of the Government The Committee of safety took care about the Militia Intelligence that Colonel Zankey with his Irish Brigade obeyed the orders of Monk and that Berwick was his Head Quarters 8. Great perplexity about the Publick Affairs 9. Sir George Booth was released upon security A Petition was delivered to the Common Council from many Citizens desiring to have such a Parliament as was 1642. The Petition was laid aside as a design to bring in the Common Enemy And they sent a Committee to Fleetwood to conferr with him who met at White-hall 10. Intelligence that Haslerigge Morley and Walton were in Portsmouth that Colonel Norton refused to engage with them
and found many of his old acquaintance as Reynolds Nevill and others very reserved to him And some of his friends advised him not to be in the House at the day when they had appointed to consider of the absent Members Order for Letters of thanks to be sent to Monk Lawson and the Commissioners at Portsmouth Letters from Monk of an Obstruction in the Treaty for that Haslerigge Walton and Morley acted at Portsmouth by the same authority and as equal Commissioners with Monk And that Lambert had denied a Pass for Monk's Messenger to go to them But this was not now thought to be of much effect 28. Colonel H. Ingoldsby reported to the Parliament that he and Major Wildman with three hundred Voluntier Horse came before Windsor Castle and the Governour Colonel Whitchcoat surrendred to them for the use of the Parliament Whitelocke doubted lest this might bring his Name in question he being Constable of that Castle and Wildman having been imployed with him by Fleetwood to consider of a Form of Government of a free State wherein they two and none else had gone far Whitelocke now feared lest Wildman had discovered this and the more because Wildman had before offered to bring three thousand Horse to Whitelocke to be commanded by him if he would keep Windsor Castle and declare for a free Common-wealth But Whitelocke saw no likelihood of effect in this and Wildman carried himself prudently and faithfully and nothing was said of Whitelocke And Ingoldsby had the thanks of the House for his good Service Several Votes for Money and for an Act of Indemnity 29. Desborough sent an humble Letter to the House acknowledging his fault and promising to be obedient to them The Militia Souldiers of Westminster drew together and met the Speaker and with shouts declared their adherence to the Parliament Sir Arthur Haslerigge Walton and Morley came into the House in their riding habits and Haslerigge was very jocund and high The House ordered thanks to be given them and to Wallop Love and Nevill for their good service at Portsmouth The House approved of the placing and displacing of Officers by Monk and ordered a Letter of thanks under the Seal of the Parliament to be sent to him for his fidelity and great services They also approved what had been done by the Members of the Council of State during the Interruption And thanks to the Speaker and to Lawson and his Officers and to Col. Whetham and his Officers A day of Humiliation appointed Thanks to Colonel Rich and Mr. Bremen and their Officers The House began to name a Council of State Whitelocke went to visit Haslerigge at his Lodgings in Whitehall and to bid him welcom to Town and to find how his Inclinations stood He found with him H. Nevill and they were both very reserved to Whitelocke and ranted high against the Committee of Safety 30. Orders about Moneys and for managing of the Army A great sharpness in the House towards all those who had acted during the Interruption was observed by Whitelocke And he being informed of a design of some in the House to question him and to have him sent to the Tower to be out of the way he retired to a friends house in the Country 31. The House agreed upon the Members of Parliament to be of the Council of State They read an Act of Indemnity for Officers and Souldiers appointed a Committee to confer with the Lord Mayor and Aldermen about the Peace of London Appointed Haslerigge Walton and Morley for the present to name Officers of the Regiments and Colonel Dixwell Governour of Dover January 1659. 2. An Act past for the Council of State Order for a Bill to renounce the Title of Charles Stuart and of the Line of King James to be taken by all Members of Parliament Orders touching Money for the Army Report of Vice-Admiral Lawson's concurrence with the Parliament and of the City's obedience to the Parliament and that they would take down the Posts and Chains lately set up An Act of Indemnity past for the Officers and Souldiers of the Army who should submit to the Parliament by a day and Lambert to be included in it 3. Several Letters to the Parliament one from Colonel Lockart of his concurrence with the Parliament and resolution to obey them He had thanks ordered to be sent to him and Provisions for his Garrison of Dunkirk Order for Writs to fill up the Parliament Whitelocke before his going out of Town had left order with his Wife to carry the Great Seal to the Speaker which she did lockt up in a Desk and gave the Key of it to him 4. The House kept a Day of Humiliation and afterwards read some Letters and made some References Letters from Monk in Scotland of the good condition of his Army and resolution to adhere to this Parliament and to march to reduce Lambert's Forces in case they did not conform to the Parliament The Messenger related that he met Lambert with about fifty Horse at North-Allerton that all his Forces and himself and the Lord Fairfax and his Forces and York had all submitted to this Parliament 5. Order to send for Ludlow and the Commissioners out of Ireland and referred to the Council of State to consider of settling the Civil Power and the Army there Vote to confirm the discharge of the Members in 48 and 49. 6. Letters from Monk to the Parliament owning his former prevarications in the Treaty with Fleetwood for the Service of the Parliament and promising obedience and faithfulness to this Parliament Order for a Letter of thanks to Monk for his high deservings and to desire him to come up to London as speedily as he can Letters from the Lord Fairfax and Sir Henry Cholmley and Arthington of their raising Voluntiers for the Parliament and of their taking in of York for the Parliament and complaining of Lambert's Assessments upon the Country Thanks ordered to be sent to them Letters from Lambert of submission 7. Order for observation of the Lords-day For the maimed Souldiers and for Money Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper admitted upon his Election to sit in Parliament Colonel Morley made Lieutenant of the Tower Letters from York of Colonel Lilburn's declaring for the Parliament A Conference between the Committee of Parliament and a Committee of London about the safety of the City 9. Letters from Monk from Weller Order for selling the Estates of those who were with Sir George Booth Orders about the Admiralty Lawson was brought into the House and at the Bar received the thanks of the House for his good Service in the late Interruption of Parliament and the House approved the Officers placed by him A Committee to consider of fit Persons to be Commissioners of the Seal and Judges Sir Henry Vane being sent for came and took
his place in the House and was questioned for his acting during the late Interruption to which he made an ingenious Answer And it was voted That he should forthwith repair to his house at Raby in the County of Durham and remain there during the pleasure of the Parliament And he was discharged from being a Member of this Parliament Lambert Decborough Ashfield Berry Kelsey Cobbet and Creed were confined to their several Houses furthest off from London And the Council of State ordered to send for and confine other Officers of the Army who had acted against the Parliament in the late Interruption 10. Order to consider this Day seven-night of the Members of Parliament against whom Matters are objected 11. Scot made Custos Rotulorum of Westminster Vnton Crook made Colonel of Berry's Regiment Walton of that late Colonel Morley's and Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper of that Regiment of Horse late the Lord Fleetwood's Letters that Monk was come as far as York with about 5000 men 12. Letters from Monk from Newcastle brought by Mr. Gumbell who had a hundred pounds given him Order for the Speaker to seal a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for London Thanks sent to General Morgan for his good Service Letters of submission from Ludlow and Corbet from Ireland Lists of Officers brought in 13. The Speaker being sick had leave to absent for ten dayes and Mr. Say was Speaker pro tempore The Great Seal delivered to the Speaker Lenthal till further order of the House 14. Order for the Council to secure the Officers formerly confined or any other that do not repair to their Houses in the Country to which they are confined Order for Scot to be Secretary of State Letters of Monk's advance to Newark with sixty six Companies of foot and two and twenty Troops of Horse 16. Flattering Letters of Monk's carriage in Scotland when there Alderman Bunce and others released out of Prison Mr. Scot and Mr. Luke Robinson ordered to go to meet Monk and to congratulate from the Parliament his great Services and good success and his repairing towards London and to let him know that the House would provide money for his Forces 17. The House proceeded against Colonel Sydenham for acting against them during the Interruption and after his Answer discharged him from being a Member of this Parliament Then they proceeded against Major Salwey and voted him to be suspended from sitting in Parliament and to be sent to the Tower during the Parliaments pleasure Downing was sent Agent to the States of the Netherlands Widdrington Tyrrell and Fountain Voted to be Commissioners of the Seal Newdigate to be chief Justice Hill and Nicholas Judges of the Vpper Bench St. John chief Justice Windham and Archer Judges of the Common Pleas Wilde chief Baron Thorpe and Parker Barons of the Exchequer 19. Officers out of Ireland brought into the House gave an account of Affairs there and brought Letters from Sir Hardress Waller Sir Charles Coote Sir Theophilus Jones with Articles of Treason against Ludlow Corbet Jones and Thomlinson former Commissioners there The Powers formerly granted to them were suspended by the House And they appointed new Commissioners for Ireland Sir Hardress Waller Mr. Weaver Robert Goodwyn Sir Charles Coote and Colonel Markham Order for Ludlow and the rest to attend the House to answer to the Articles of Treason against them The Officers of Ireland had thanks The Great Seal was delivered in the House to Widdrington Tyrrell and Fountain Commissioners given in the House to several Officers of the Army A Letter to Monk to congratulate him sent by three of the City 21. Letters from Monk of his approach near London desiring the Order of Parliament how to dispose of his Forces for their Service and protesting all faithfulness and obedience to them Letters from Monk to Overton about the security of Hull and their adhering to this Parliament to which Overton the Governour made an ingenious Answer that reflected upon Monk as to the secluded Members and a single Person 23. Commissions given out to Officers The House agreed upon a Declaration Letters of a Tumult in Excester the people declaring for a free Parliament quieted Letters that Monk and his Forces were complemented in their march and Addresses made by some for the secluded Members by others for a free Parliament That Monk gave the hearing to all but declared his purpose to none That Hull is for this Parliament 24. Order That Colonel Charles Fleetwood the L. Whitelocke Mr. Strickland and Mr. Holland do attend the House this day sevennight Order That Papers of the Committee of safety and Council of Officers be brought in to the Clerk of the Parliament and Mr. Scobell to attend the House and all Members to attend the House this Day sevennight on pain of 20 l. Order for the Members to name Justices of Peace The People of Berks met at Abbington upon a false rumour that a Knight of the Shire was to be chosen 25. Orders about monies and touching the Militia Forces Sir Robert Pye and Major Fincher committed to the Tower for delivering a seditious Paper to the Speaker Letters That Scot and Robinson the Parliaments Commissioners to Monk went out to meet him six miles from Leicester and the Forces with Monk gave Vollies of shot and the Bells rang where Monk came and many Gentlemen of the Countries came and saluted him Monk alighted from his Horse to salute the Parliaments Commissioners and went with them in their Coach to Leicester and there supped with them in their Quarters multitudes of People came to see them and Monk expressed the height of respect to the Commissioners The Mayor and Aldermen banquetted Monk The Officers of the Army in Ireland wrote to Ludlow to surrender the Fort of Duncannon to the Parliament 26. The House was busie about the assessment and sate all Day Order about discoveries of monies due to the Commonwealth Order for an Act to justifie the proceedings of Monk he was made Custos Rotulorum of Devon Letters from Monk and from the Commissioners with him who highly extoll his respects to the Parliament and his faithfulness to them and his civilities to their Commissioners Mr. Gomble Monk's Chaplain recommended by the House to be a fellow of Eaton College Lambert confined to Holmeby 27. Order about a suit between Mr. Nevil and the High Sheriff concerning a return of his Election Votes about the Committee of the Army and about the Admiralty And divers Officers of the Army approved 28. Letters of Monk's coming to Northampton with the Parliaments Commissioners that a hundred Gentlemen presented a Paper to Monk desiring him to be instrumental for the secluded Members or for a free Parliament to which he answered That he was but a servant to the Parliament in a Military capacity and these things of great and civil concernment
were to be left to the Parliament and he thanked them for their respects to him Four thousand pounds seized upon as money to be sent to the King Addresses to Monk in his march from the Gentry of several Countries to the same effect with that in Northamptonshire He came to S. Albans and the High Sheriff of Hertford-shire met him he expressed all Duty and Obedience to this Parliament The L. Richardson Sir John Hobbert and Sir Horatio Townsend brought an address from Norfolk to the Parliament for the secluded Members to be re-admitted or a free Parliament Lawson and his Officers courted Monk 30. Upon Letters from Monk from S. Albans the House agreed to the quartering of his Forces as he propounded This Day the business appointed touching Fleet-wood Whitelocke Strickland and others was put off for a week longer Orders for money for the Forces of Monk 31. Officers approved and a Bill committed for approving the actions of G. Monk An Address to the Parliament from the Water-men protesting their fidelity and joy February 1659. 1. Dr. Clargies made Commissary G. of the Musters Letters from Monk to the Parliament and Monk made Keeper of S. Jame's Park Order for Sir Henry Vane to be taken into custody and sent to Raby Order for the Souldiers in and about London to march forth to make room for Monk's Souldiers Divers Addresses made to Monk and great resort to him Addresses to the City of London to the same effect as to Monk from some Counties 2. Several Commissions given by the Speaker to Officers of the Army Votes for money for the Army Votes touching the Admiralty 3. Commissions delivered to Officers of the Army and Letters to bring in the Assessments Referred to the Council of State to examin the business of the tumult Yesterday in London which was for a free Parliament 4. Commissions delivered to Officers of the Army and a Sheriff named Order that Commissioner G. Monk do attend the Parliament to receive their sense in relation to his signall and faithfull services and Scot and Robinson to accompany him Debate upon Qualifications of Members to sit in the next Parliament Letters of a Declaration of Kent for the secluded Members and a free Parliament but hearing that Monk had declared to submit to the settlements which this present Parliament should make they desisted Some of the Foot Souldiers who were to march out of Town to make room for Monk's Souldiers fell into a mutiny and kept Somerset-house as a Garrison but being assured of a months Pay and by the care of their Colonel Sir John Lenthall they were quieted and marched out Another tumult of Apprentices declaring for a free Parliament was suppressed by a party of Horse of the Army and many of the mutineers imprisoned Monck marched into London in all State with his Horse and Foot and came to White-hall where his quarters were provided for him The Speaker met him in the Strand and Monk alighted and the Speaker came out of his Coach and they embraced each other with extraordinary signs of kindness This Evening Monk was at the Council and visited by all the Members of Parliament against whom he was come and by the Grandees in Town Cockerams Regiment at Graves-end in a Mutiny Monk sent some Troops of Horse to reduce them 6. Divers of the King's party came from beyond Sea into England and talked very high and that they were sure that the King would be in England very shortly Orders for the Lent Circuits and about the Admiralty and for the profits of the Office of Custos Brevium to be for the Navy And so for the Profits of the Court of Admiralty and of probate of Wills and Orders about the Ingagement and the Government of Scotland and for money for the Army Commissions delivered to Officers Scot reported that Monk was come to attend the House and was in the Court of Wards The Serjeant at Armes was sent for him and brought him into the House accompanied with Scot and Robinson after his obeysance a Chair of Velvet being set for him on the Left Hand within the Bar the Speaker desired him to sit down but he desired to be excused and stood behind the Chair whilst the Speaker made a Speech to him magnifying his service and merits and giving him the hearty thanks of the House Monk answered him extolling the mercy of their restitution and acknowledging the goodness of God to him in making him instrumental therein which was but his duty and deserved not the Honour they had done him He told them of the many Addresses to him in his journey for a free and full Parliament and that this Parliament would determine their sitting That as to the secluded Members he answered them that this Parliament had already given their judgment in which all ought to acquiesce and that no Parliament had admitted new Members to sit without a previous Oath or engagement and he now saith it to the Parliament that the less Oaths and engagements are imposed the settlement will be the sooner attained and he hoped the Parliament would be carefull that neither the Cavalier nor Phanatick Party have yet a share in the Civil or Military Power Then he spake of Ireland and of Scotland who feared nothing more than to be over run with Phanatick Notions and he desired a settlement there and their favour to that Nation Part of his Speech troubled and amused some of his Masters of the Parliament and how himself pursued what he pretended will afterwards appear 7. Orders for a great Seal for Scotland and another for Ireland Commissions delivered by the Speaker An Additional Act of Sequestrations passed And an Order to take into consideration on Triday next the Cases of the Members of Parliament against whom matters have been obiected 8. Lists of Officers approved Debate of Qualifications of future Members of Parliament Letters of a great tumult in Bristoll for a free Parliament but quieted by promising an Address to the Parliament for it The Mutineers of Colonel Cockram's Regiment at Gravesend reduced and some of them taken The Dutch Ambassadour had audience at the Council of State 9. The Council of State finding the City of London generally inclined to the bringing in of the King or to have forthwith a free Parliament for that end and suspecting that they might disown the Parliaments Authority and set up for themselves and that the Presbyterians there and in the Countries joyned with the Cavaliers herein the Council made some Resolutions which they reported to the Parliament and were approved by them and Votes passed That the Commissioners for government of the Army do appoint Forces to be in London for preserving the Peace thereof and of the Commonwealth and for reducing of the City to the Obedience of Parliament And that the Commissioners take care that the Posts and Chains in London be
Ireland Anglesey Treaty Lots Scarborough C. Ashton Assembly Cromwell Declaration Isle of Wight Cromwell Scotland Cromwell Mank Admiralâ—y Vote Admiralty Assaults Petition Letter from the King Chaplains Vote Monroe Petition Cromwell Free quarter Scotland Monk Goring Capel Petition Berwick and Carlisle Isle of Wight reduced Officers Isle of Wight Sacriledge Liturgy Scotland Petitions Isle of Wight Vote Serjeants at Law Judges Isle of Wight Petition Appleby Cromwel Ireland Isle of Wight Army Petitions Isle of Wight Propositions Mr. Vines Vote Sir Henry Cholmely Free quarter Isle of Wight L. Goring and L. Capel Scotland Lambert Sir Henry Cholmley Exempted from pardon Newcastle Vote Scotland Votes Unsatisfactory Ireland Army Votes Bishops Lands Cromwel Petitions Army Vote Pomfret Rainsborough killed Vote Isle of wight Vote Isle of night Excepted from pardon Northern Counties Petition Army Excepted from pardon Lambert Pardon Isle of Wight Ireland Army Isle of Wight Banishment Votes Isle of Wight Excepted persons Army Lambert Pontefract Army Isle of Wight E. Warwick Votes Speech Sermon Isle of Wight Scotland Treason Isle of Wight Anny Speech to the Serjeants Remonstrance Isle of Wight Excepted persons New Sergeant C. Birch Judges Isle of Wight 〈◊〉 Sheriffs Army Isle of Wight Army Isle of Wight Army Declaration Isle of Wight Army London Isle of Wight Army Army The King removed Pontefract Scarborough Ireland Vote Army C. Pride's force upon the House Army Army-Proposals Secluded Members Army City Agreement of the people Ireton Army Votes Army Prisoners Vote Militia Army Hurst Castle Secluded Members Army-Declaration Malignants Expedient Army Army Secluded Members Petition Army City Design against the King Debates Scarborough Navy Dissecting Memberâ— Lord Willoughby Petition Mr. Elsing Petitions The King Widdrington and Whitelok The King Allegiance Charge Lilburn Fasts Distractions Kings Judges Vote Elsing Players Scotland Presbyterians The King Lords Navy Lords Journal Vote Votes London Scots Style London Ireland The King Lords Proclamation Votes Style Great Seal H. Martin Proclamation Petition Pryn. Kings Tryal Pryn. Habeas Corpus Pryn. Secluded Members Chief Justice Rolles Style Navy Petition Agreement of the people High Court of Justice Great Seal Speaker Army Perplexiâ—es Petition High Court of Justice Declaration France Style Scotland Petitions High Court 〈◊〉 Justice Commissioners of the great Seal House of Lords Lieutenant of the Ordnance High Court of Justice Agreement of the people Petition Great Seal Army Petition Answer The King Great Seal High Court of Justice Scotland Army High Court of Justice Commissioners of the great Seal Lady Fairfax Style High Court of Justice H. C. of Justice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 C. of â—ustice France Style Heads of the Charge H. C. of Justice Style Proclamation Secluded Members Dutch Ambassadors Style Kings Children Scots Kings Speech Dr. Juxon Dutch Ambassadors Duke Hamilton Monthly Fast Secluded Members Vote D. Hamilton c. L. Capell Lords Surrey Petition Kent's Petition High Court of Justice House of Lords Dutch Ambassadors High Court of Justice Pamphlets Scotland Debate House of Lords Voted useless Debts Ireland Debate Vote Council of State Commissions Great Seal Judges Great Seal Widdrington Whitelockâ— Commissioners of the Great Seal Style Justices of the Peace Judges Vote Timber Scotland H. C. of Justice Upper Bench. New Oath E. of Holland Navy New Oaths Scotland Februa Council of State H. C. of Justice L. Capel Hamilton Council of State Powers Hamilton Dutch Ambassadors L. Goring Sir John Owen Seals L. Capel Hamilton Prince Elector Cromwell Hamilton Scotland Pontefract Test Scruples Earl of Warwick L. Capel Expedient Hamilton Army Vote Earl of Holland Navy Cromwel Scots Paper Declaration Lilburd Petition Hamilton E. of Holland Ireland Scotland Fasts Scots March London Norwich Army C. Whaley Petition Standard Sir George Ascue Earl of Holland Hamilton Charge Vote Prince Elector Scotland Standing Army Hamilton Votes L. Capell L. Goring Earl of Holland Hamilton Hamilton Earl of Holland L. Capel General Seal Poor Prisoners Wales Bradshaw Prisoners of War Pontefract Scotland Norfolk Petition Council of State Scotland Prince Elector Vote Tryals for life Ireland Cromwel Durch Ambasadour Kingly Office abolished Elections Petition Pamphlet Fairfax Alcoran House of Peers abolished Animosities Lady Carlisle Scotland Disband Bradshaw Denmark Kingly government Cromwell Ireland Ormond C. Jones Pontefract surrendred 1649. Ireland Irish Peace Cromwell Pamphlet Yorkshire Scots Instructions Huntley Dutch Ireland Preachers Ministers Cromwell April Souâ—â—wark London Cromwell Fairfax C. Potley Lord M. of London Petitions Anabaptists M. Huntly Declaration of Religion Alderman Atkins Petition New Oath L. Mayor Ships Petition London London Prisoners Great Seal London Lilburnâ— Whitelock C. Powel M. G. Laughern London Hague Ministers Priviledge Iustices of the Peace Ministers New Stamp Guinneâ— Earl of Pembroke Knight of the Shire Petitions Lilburn Pool Prince Rupert Ireland Tythes London Levellers Lilburn Lady Capel Ireland Fast-days Poor Debtors Levellers Lots for Ireland King of Scots Speaker Laughern Powel Poyer cast Lots for Life Du Moulin Petition for Lilburn Navy Scotland Petition Lilburn The King of Scots P. Elector Kings Children NewCoyn Women petition for Lilburn Answer Poytr Act of Oblivion Vote Henry Martyn A project for Learning Speaker Mutiny Kings Children M r Lockier Funeral Ireland Famine Scots Treasons Levellers Form of Government May. Ambassador Petitions Dr. Dorislaus Levellers Levellers Act for Treason Dr. Dorislaus Levellers routed Dorislaus Master of the Mint Declaration Dorislaus Levellerâ— Dorislâ—us Comonwealth Licensing Books 〈◊〉 D. of Glocester Sir Thomas Fairfax London invites the Parliament Dinner Declaration Judges Sir Thomas Soames Alderman Chambers New Mace June Speaker Parliament feasted Vote Dorislaus Scotland July Acts. Cromwell Scotland The Kings Houses Letter to the Parliament Ireland Prince Charles Vote Yorkshire Petitions Ministers Ireland Taylors Petitions Ireland Ireland St. James Library Scotland Ireland Monk Scotland Acts August Debate Ireland Scots Declaration Poor Prisoners Monk question'd Vote Dublin Ormond Routed Scotland Monk Jones Petition Answer Votes Sir Charles Coot Chancery Irish Letters Morrice and Blackbourn Ireland Tender Consciences Lilbourn Complaints French Trade Votes Lieuten of Ireland Ireland Sir Thomas Coot Vote Speaker taxed Army Poor Proclamation 〈…〉 C. Fielder Sir K. Digby Walter Montague Scots Letters Poor Prisoners Sir J. Winter Oath Levellers Intercept Letters Levellers at Oxford Septemb. Cardinal Mazarine Levellers Strickland Irish Affairs proclamation Mr. Peters Votes Irish Instructions Lerellen Duke of 〈◊〉 Psalms â—â—ellers Declaration Army Humiliation Letters from Hugh Peters Letters from Cromwel October Drogheda Scots Petition Acts. Scots Overtures Montross Negotiation in Spain Reasons Novemb. Intelligence Prince Maurice Prince â—â—pert Cromwel Parliament Lawyers Rot. Parl. N. 13. Rot. parl Rot. parl 2. N. 4. dorse Hist Eng. Anno 1404. p. 37. Ypodiâ—ma Neustriae aâ—â— 1404. The Iriment Votes Army Letters from Ireland Letters from Scotland Montross Denmark C. Bampfield Scots Kings Lands Ireland Sir Allen Apsly Scotland Montross Victory in Ireland Montro ss The Ingagement Acts of Parliament London Petition Lilburn Declaration of the Kirk Inchequin Janua Ireland L. 〈◊〉 Frigots Iealousâ—
nastiness that a Man could hardly abide the Town Yet the Lord General had his Quarters in Worcester the Walls whereof he hath ordered to be pulled down to the ground and the Dikes filled up The Lord Hamilton's Leg was broken and he sent to the General for a Chyrurgeon to dress his Wounds the Militia Forces behaved themselves gallantly 5000 out of Norfolk and Suffolk came in cheerfully the same night of the Fight the Lord General dismissed them all home The Regiment of Surrey under Sir Richard Onslow and the Troop under Captain Walter St. John marched hard to come up to the Ingagement Prisoners taken Three English Earls Seven Scotch Lords of Knights Four of Collonels Lieutenant Collonels Majors Captains and other Officers about 640. the Kings Standard and 158 Colours taken 10000 Prisoners and above 2000 slain the Kings Coach and Horses with rich Goods and all Arms Bag and Baggage taken On the Parliaments part slain 100 Soldiers and 300 wounded Quarter-Master-General Mosely and Captain Jones slain and no other Officers of note Captain Howard and another Captain wounded 8. A Particular Account from Lieutenant General Fleetwood of the whole Action at Worcester of 3000 slain 10000 taken Prisoners with all their Arms Bag and Baggage the Flight and Pursuit of the Enemy c. Letters from Scotland That a Party of the Parliaments from Edenburgh after an hours Fight took Dumfrice and the Country who made opposition contrary to their Ingagement smarted for it That Lieutenant General Monk having received a scornful Answer to his Summons from the Governour of Dundee he stormed the Town and in a quarter of an hour became Master of it That Major General Lumsdain and 600 of the Enemy were slain and there was in the Town good store of Arms and Ammunition 11 Pieces of Ordnance and 60 Sail of Ships in the Harbour From Cheshire That 1000 of the Kings Horse passing through Sanebarch on a fair day the Towns-men and Country-men as they passed by fell upon them with Clubs and Staves and the Poles of their Stalls knocked them down and took about 100 of them That the Country rise upon the Routed Scots and kill and take many of them 9. A Proclamation for the apprehending of the King and a Promise of 1000 l. to any that shall do it Order for a day of Thanksgiving throughout the Kingdom for the Success at Worcester and an Act to be brought in for an Annual Observation of the third day of Sept. Letters That Sir Philip Musgrave and others raising Forces about Galloway were taken and killed by a Party from Edenburgh being in all about 500. That Major General Massey came into Leicester-shire but not being able to go further by reason of his Wounds wrote a Letter to the Countess of Stamford and surrendred himself to the Lord Grey her Son That Sir Arthur Haselrigge Governour of Newcastle upon notice of the Defeat at Worcester and the Kings Escape Northwards sent to the Militia Forces and to the Sheriffs of the Four Northern Counties to raise the Posse Comitatus and to the Lieutenant General Monk and Forces in Scotland to way-lay those that fled and went out himself with a Party for that purpose The Parliament appointed Four of their Members to go out of Town to meet the General upon his way from Worcester to London and to congratulate from the Parliament the great Successes that God had given him 10. Letters from Ireland That the Irish lie up and down in small Parties robbing Passengers by the High-way but meet not in a Body being divided in their Councels that Lymbrick and Galloway hold out That Collonel Zanchey was sent out with 2500 Foot and 28 Troops of Horse and Dragoons into Connaght upon Intelligence of the Enemies gathering to an Head there to ingage them or to strengthen Sir Charles Coote about Galloway but upon his marching over the Enemy presently dispersed The Four Members of Parliament appointed to go out of Town to meet the General went this day to Alisbury 11. Letters That a Party of the Parliaments Forces marched 40 Miles a day in Pursuit of the Enemy and at Lancaster fell upon some of them routed them killed about 20 and took 200 Prisoners That 200 more of them were taken about Shisnal in Shrop-shire the Earl of Derby Earl of Lauderdale and divers others of Quality That Major General Harrison had taken 2000 of the Scots in the Pursuit and left but 1000 of them in a Body That the Countries rose upon them That a Party of the Parliaments about Warrington fell unadvisedly on their Rear and lost some Men. Complaint That the Countrey are much burdened with the Prisoners there being no allowance for them That five of them were put to death in Cheshire and five more appointed to be executed the next day That at the taking of Dundee in Scotland were slain between 7 and 800 Scots and taken 50 Sail of Ships 40 great Guns and Provisions and that with the Plunder of the Town the Soldiers were grown rich and gallant a private Soldier hardly to be known from an Officer That the Lieutenant General sent a Summons to Monrose near the Highlands The four Members went from Alisbury on the way the General was to come and met him and delivered their Message to him from the Parliament The General received them with all kindness and respect and after Salutations and Ceremonies passed he rode with them cross the Fields where Mr. Winwoods Hawks met them and the General with them and many Officers went a little out of the way a Hawking and came that night to Aylesbury There they had much discourse and my Lord Chief-Justice St. John more than all the rest with the General and they supped together The General gave to each of them that were sent to him a Horse and two Scots Prisoners for a Present and Token of his thankful Reception of the Parliaments respect to him in sending them to meet and congratulate him 12. Letters That at the Storming of Dundee divers of the Parliaments Horse-men went on foot with Sword and Pistol to assist the Foot-men and got into the Town as soon as the other and not above Ten Men killed on the Parliaments Part and 800 of the Enemy That it was the richest Town of the bigness in England or Scotland That some of the English Soldiers got in the Storm 500 l a piece That the Inhabitants of St. Andrews sent to Lieutenant General Monk That they would submit to his Summons and deliver up their Arms and Ammunition which was accepted but because they refused former Offers the Lieutenant General fined them 50 l. to the Soldiery Cromwel came to London in great Solemnity and Triumph accompanied with the Four Commissioners of Parliament many chief Officers of the Army and others of Quality There met him in the Fields the Speaker of Parliament the Lord President and many Members of Parliament and of the
Council of State the Lord Major Sheriffs and Aldermen of London the Militia and many Thousand others of Quality There was a great Guard of Soldiers Horse and Foot and Multitudes of People in the Fields and in the Streets he was entertained all the way as he passed to his House with Vollies of great and small shot and loud Acclamations and Shouts of the People He carried himself with great affability and seeming humility and in all his Discourses about the Business of Worcester would seldom mention any thing of himself but of the gallantry of the Officers and Soldiers and gave as was due all the Glory of the Action unto God 13. A List sent up to the Parliament of many Officers taken in Pursuit of the Scots near Manchester That Collonel Gerrard who fell upon the Rear of the Scots Party in Cheshire was by them taken Prisoner and carried four or five Miles when coming to a Passe where they saw Clubmen ready to oppose them Two Majors Three Captains and Twelve Soldiers desired the Collonel that they might be his Prisoners to avoid the Club-men which he did and brought them Prisoners to Chester That the King was escaped but the Earl of Montgomery and about 80 more divers of them Men of Quality were brought Prisoners to Halifax That Collonel Lilburne's Regiment took divers Officers of Quality and 200 Soldiers and sent them Prisoners to York That the York-shire Forces took Lieutenant General Lesley Major General Middleton many Officers Gentlemen and Soldiers That Duke Hamilton was dead The Scots Prisoners were conducted through the City to the new Artillery-ground in Tuttle-fields 15. Letters That a Party under Collonel Okey took several Houses in the Highlands by Storm That the Scots threatned to hang all between sixteen and sixty that would not joyn with them and executed some That 80 Women were killed at the Storming of Dundee 100 Ships Prize in the Harbour That about 1000 Scots were brought Prisoners by the Country joyning with the Parliaments Forces in Lancashire and that of 2000 Horse of the Enemy that fled from Worcester few or none escaped 16. Cromwel sate in the House and the Speaker made a Speech to him and gave him the Thanks of the House for his great Services Lieutenant General Fleetwood and other Officers of the Army had also the Thanks of the House Cromwel and most of the Members of Parliament and divers Commanders of the Army were Feasted by the Lord Major in London The Parliament resumed the Debate touching a New Representative Debate of an Act of Oblivion and General Pardon with some Expendients for satisfaction of the Soldiery and the Ease of the People Order for a Fast-day in the House to seek God for Counsel and Assistance for improvement of his great Mercies and for doing things most to his Glory and the good of the Common-wealth Report to the House from the Committee of the Army of all the Forces in England and Ireland and the Monthly Charge of them A Committee appointed to receive the Agent from the Common-wealth of Genoa Letters That the Mosse-Troopers killed four of the Parliaments Soldiers and Two Passengers and indangered the Packet and that the Forces in the North were on the Borders to meet with the Flying Scots That the Commissioners of the Militia in Worcester-shire were disbanding the Militia Forces demolishing the Works and securing the Persons and Estates of such as adhered to the King 17. The Scots Prisoners came to London and among them who were not discovered before were the Lord Grandison Collonel Blague and others of Quality the Parliament ordered the Trials of the Earl of Cleveland Lauderdale Derby Major and Sheriffs of Worcester and others 18. Letters That Aberdeen was quitted by the Scots That divers died of the Spotted Feaver at Lieth Collonel Hubbold and others and that Lieutenant General Monk had been dangerously sick That the Gentlemen of Fife submitted to the Government of England An Account of dismissing Militia Forces and of the trouble to the Countries by the Scots Prisoners 19. Letters That upon the Suit of General Leven Sir Arthur Hasclridgge had given leave for his being Prisoner at his Son-in-law's House Mr. De la Vale upon his Parole and Mr. De la Vale gave Bonds of 20000 l. for his being a true Prisoner 20. Upon the desire of the Guinnee Merchants 1500 of the Scots Prisoners were granted to them and sent on Ship-board to be transported to Guinnee to work in the Mines there and upon a Quarrel among the Soldiers in the Barges Two or Three of them were drowned 22. Letters That Lymbrick would gladly accept of the first Offers of the Lord Deputy That they have Divisions among themselves That they made a Salley with 1000 Foot upon the Parliaments Forces who after an hours Dispute killed 80 of the Irish and wounded many and had nine slain and 35 wounded of the Parliaments Soldiers The House kept a Private Fast in the House Act read for a Thanksgiving-day and another Act for a yearly Observation of the third day of September in all the Three Kingdoms with a Narrative of the Grounds thereof The High Courts of Justice continued for Three Months by a new Act. Letters of a Prize taken with 20000 Dollers and rich Lading 24. The Funerals of General Popham were accompanied from Exeter House by the Speaker and Members of Parliament the Lord General and Council of State with great Solemnity to Westminster 25. Two of the Parliaments Soldiers in Scotland sentenced to ride the Wooden Horse for seizing and carrying away a Chest of Goods buried by a Country-man in the Fields and the Lieutenant General Monk published a Proclamation for the better prevention of disorders and plundering in Dundee 26. That the Enemy in Limbrick have made many Overtures for another Treaty but it would not be granted That the Priests and Friers among them bind them by new Oaths but they dare not trust one another That the Lord Deputy is before Clare Castle 27. Letters of the Jersey Pyrates doing mischef upon the Western Coast The Parliament ordered a Bill to be brought in for setting a time for the ending of this Parliament and for constituting a New Representative 29. The Narrative of the Mercies and Victories obtained by the Parliaments Forces in Scotland and England The Lord Major and Sheriffs of London were presented at the Exchequer 30. Letters That Collonel Reynolds had taken in Bellebeg Castle in Ireland and dispersed Dungans Forces That whilst Collonel Hewson was abroad the Enemy took in Two or Three small Garrisons of the Parliaments near Dublin but upon Hewsons return they quitted them An Act passed for providing Maintenance for Maimed Soldiers and Widows of Soldiers Order for a Bill for Confirmation of the Sale of Bishops Lands and the Lands of Deans and Chapters c. October 1651. 1. Several new Acts of Parliament Fead and debated in the House 2. Letters of