A Further Narrative of the Passages of these times in the Common-Wealth OF ENGLAND An Act for renouncing and disanulling the pretended Title of Charls Stuart and for the taking away of the Court of Wards and Liveries the Judgment of the House of Commons pronounced by Mr. Speaker against James Naylor the Quaker WITH The Triall of Miles Sundercombe being indicted of high Treason for conspiring against the life of his Highness the Lord Protector Feb. 9. 1656. A DAY Of Publick thanksgiving for the marvellous goodnesse of God to this Nation in the Island of Teneriffe under Generall Blake and giving them great success against the Ships of the King of Spain 16. fier'd and not one of ours lost An exact relation of the manner of the solemn Investiture or happy Inauguration of his Highness the Lord Protector at Westminster June 26. 1657. With his Oath and the Oath of the privy Councell and every person who now is or hereafter shall be a Member of either House of Parliament before he sit shall from and after the first of July 1657. take the same With a particular account of the taking in of the Fort of Mardike in Flanders by Dunkirke with the names of the House of Lord And some heads of the speech made by his Highnesse to both houses Jan. 1657. Which Parliament was dissolved the 4th of Feb. 1657. Printed by M. S. for Thomas Jenner at the South entrance of the Royall Exchange AN ACT FOR Renouncing and disanulling the pretended Title of CHARLS STUART c. FOr the better establishment of the peace of this Common-Wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Territories and Dominions thereunto belonging and for the prevention of the designs and attempts of the enemies thereof The Knights Citizens and Burgesses in this present Parliament assembled Do in the name of all the people of this Commonwealth fully freely absolutely and for ever Disclaim and Renounce all Fealty Homage or Allegiance pretended to be due unto Charls Stuart eldest Son of the late King Charls James Stuart second Son of the said late King Henry Stuart third Son of the said late King or any other the Issue or posterity of the said late King or any person or persons pretending or which shall at any time hereafter pretend Title by from or under him them any or either of them to hold or enjoy the Crowns of England Scotland and Ireland or of either or any of them or to have the Name Title Stile or Dignity of King or Queen of Great Britain King or Queen of England Scotland and Ireland Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwal Prince of Scotland Duke of Albany Duke of Rothesay Duke of York Duke of Gloucester any or either of them or to have and enjoy the Power Government or supream Magistracy of this Commonwealth or of any part thereof or of any the Territories or Dominions thereunto belonging or to have or enjoy as King or Queen of England Scotland and Ireland or of either or any of them Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwal Duke of Albany Duke of Rothesay Duke of York Duke of Gloucester or Prince of Scotland all or any the Honors Manors Lands Tenements Possessions and Hereditaments heretofore belonging or appertaining to the said Crowns of England Scotland and Ireland or to any or either of them or to the Principalitie of Wales Dutchy of Lancaster or Cornwal or any or either of them And be it declared and Enacted by his Highness the Lord Protector and this present Parliament assembled and the Authority thereof That the said Charls Stuart James Stuart Henry Stuart and all other the Issue and Posterity of the said late King and all and every person and persons pretending or which shall or may at any time hereafter pretend Title or Claim from by or under him or them be and are and shall for ever be absolutely and utterly excluded and debarred from holding or enjoying the Crown of England Scotland and Ireland or any or either of them or any the Dominions or Territories thereunto belonging and from holding or having the Name Title Stile or Dignity of King or Queen of Great Britain King or Queen of England Scotland and Ireland or any or either of them or of any the Dominions thereunto belonging Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwal Prince of Scotland Duke of Albany Duke of Rothesay Duke of York or Duke of Gloucester and from all Title Claim or Right as King or Queen of England Scotland and Ireland or of either or any of them Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwal Duke of Albany Duke of Rothesay Duke of York Duke of Gloucester or Prince of Scotland unto all or any the Honors Manors Lands Tenements Possessions or Hereditaments heretofore at any time belonging or appertaining to the said Crowns of England Scotland and Ireland or any or either of them and also from having exercising or enjoying any Power Authority Government or Magistracy in or over this Commonwealth or any the people thereof And that all such Right Title Claim or pretence of Right Title or Claim which they or any of them at any time heretofore at present or in time to come have doe shall or may make is hereby declared and adjudged and shall for ever hereafter be adjudged and taken to be utterly void and of no effect And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid and it is enacted That if any person or persons shall endeavour or attempt by force of armes or otherwise or shall be aiding assisting comforting or abetting unto any person or persons that shall by any wayes or means whatsoever endeavour or attempt the reviving or setting up of any pretended Right Title or Claim of the said Charls Stuart James Stuart Henry Stuart or of any other the Issue or Posterity of the said late King or of any person or persons claiming under him or them to any the Offices Stile Title Dignity or Authority aforesaid or any of them or shall declare publish or any way promote such pretended Right Title or Claim or shall give or contribute any summe or summes of Money or other aid or assistance to the said Charls Stuart James and Henry any or either of them That then every such offence shall be and is hereby deemed and adjudged high Treason and all and every the Offender and Offenders therein their Counsellors Aiders and Abettors being thereof convicted within three years after such Offence committed shall be deemed and adjudged Traytors and shall suffer and have such pains of Death and forfeitures as in case of high Treason is used and ordained Hen. Scobell Clerk of the Parliament AN ACT For the taking away the Court of Wards and Liveries WHereas the four and twentieth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred forty five the Court of Wards and Liveries and all Wardships Liveries Primer-seizins and Oustrelemaines and all other Charges incident or arising for or by reason of Wardships Livery Primer-seizin or
him to escape and that not being yielded to he tempted him to procure him some poyson and not prevailing with him he sollicited his own sister who was permitted to attend him to the same purpose On Friday the 13 instant betwixt seven and eight a Clock at night the writ being brought and read unto him for his execution the next day he trembled and quaked very much at the apprehension of death as was visible to them that were present yet said he was not so much troubled at death as at the infamous manner of it What hapned afterward is as followeth Immediately upon this sad news his sister was heard to say in the house below stairs that nothing troubled her so much as that he should be hanged c. but she had rather see him dy before he went out of that room He having discoursed a little with the men in his Chamber which were about four or five to attend him called for a Bible and having read a little while he then desired them to withdraw out of the Room for about half an hour that he might have liberty to pray alone The Attendants withdrew and putting the door to they stood there at the top of the stairs but before the half hour was over he came himselfe to the door and pulling it open bade them come in in a cheerfull manner rubbing his hands together and then about his mouth and his nose saying I have done and now pray you come in Not long after he undressed himself and springing lively into Bed well said he this is the last night that ever I shall lye in Bed Being in bed he had some discourse a while with the company without any sign of sicknesse Then drawing his Curtain and lying a while silent and afterwards snorting one of the Company observing so went and drew the Curtain gently to look on him and found him in a dying sencelesse condition All wayes were used to recover him but nothing could availe for he was in a manner dead by a eleven a clock that night or a little after though he languished till twelve This death of his happening so suddainly and unexpectedly and there being strong presumptions of poyson his body was opened on Saturday February 14. In the presence of Sir Richard Rapier Doct. of Phisick and Doctor Fern Anatomy Reader at Gressum-Colledge by Mr. Charls Stamford and Mr. Nicholas Brethers Wardens of the Company of Chirurgions and Mr. Laurence Loe all able and known persons in their profession who opening the Skull found the brain much inflamed red and distended with Blood swoln as full as the Skull could well contain besides much Extravasal gâ—umous and Clotted Blood which they judged to be the â—ffect of some very violent and preternaturall cause and their opinions were that the said Prisoner had caused the same by some extraordinary meanes for the hastening of his death February 15. Being the Lords day Sundercombs Keeper taking care for the airing and cleansing of the Chamber where he dyed and the Close-stoole being removed under it was found a Paper written and subscribed with his own hand as followeth GOD knoweth my heart I doe take this course because I would not have all the open shame of the world executed upon my Body I desire all good People not to Judge amisse of me for I doe not fear my life but do trust God with my soule I did this thing without the privity of any person in the World I doe before God and the World clear my Keeper my Sister Mother or Brother or any of my Relations but it was done alone by my self I say by me Miles Sindercomb 13 Day 1656. February 16. The Testimonies of the Phisitians and Chirurgeons as also Sindercombs own Paper being considered by the Coroner and Jury they unanimously resolved and agreed That he by some extraordinary means had caused his own death and that they verily beleeved the same to be by poyson Miles Sindercom hauinge Murthered himselfe was Drawne vpon Tower-Hill at a Horse taile with his Head forward and there vnder the Scaffold he was turned into a hoale Starke naked and a stake spiked plated with Iron was driuen throug him into the earth for ar to all Traytors for tune to Come seb. 17 1657 February 17. Their Verdict was given in as followeth Middles ss. WE find that upon the thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord 1656. about the hour of Nine in the night Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish late of the Parish of Peter in bonds in the County of Middlesex not having God before his eyes but by the instigation of the Devill being moved and seduced at the Tower of London in the Parish and County aforesaid Feloniously wilfully and of his malice towards himself aforethought as a Felon against himselfe then and there feloniously upon himself did make an assault And that the said Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish then and there certain poysoned powder through the nose of him the said Miles into the head of him the said Miles Feloniously wilfully and of his malice towards himself aforethought a Felon of himselfe feloniously did snuff and draw By reason of which snuffing and drawing of the poyson aforesaid so as aforesaid into the Head of him the said Miles Sindercomb he the said Miles Sindercomb by the strength and opperation oâ— the poyson aforesaid himselfe did mortally poyson of which said mortall poysoning he the said Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish within three houres after died And so we find that the aforesaid Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish the said Thirteenth day of February in the year aforesaid at the Tower of London aforesaid in the Parish and County aforesaid in manner and form aforesaid Feloniously wilfully and of his malice towards himselfe aforethought as a Felon against himselfe Feloniously himselfe did kill and murther We finde no Goods or Chattels that the said Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish had at the time of the felony and murder aforesaid in manner and form aforesaid upon himselfe done and committed In witnesse hereof we have hereunto set our hands this seventeenth day of February 1656. c. And thereupon the said Coroner issued forth his Warrant for Burial of Sindercomb the Copy whereof followeth Middles ss. WHereas the Jury Impaneld and Sworn to inquire of the Death of Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish did present upon their Oaths That the said Miles the Thirteenth day of this instant February did Feloniously poyson himselfe These are therefore in the name of his Highnesse the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland To require you to bury the Corps of the said Miles Sindercomb according to Law in the next Common High-way hereof you are not to fail as you will answer the contrary at your perils Dated the Seventeenth day of February 1656. Thomas Evans Coroner To the Constables and Headboroughs within the Liberty of the Tower of London On the same day February 17. Miles Sindercomb aforesaid being found
and preservation of 〈◊〉 and safety and just Rights and Priviledges of the People thereof And shall in all things according to our best knowledge and power govern the People of these three Nations according to Law The speech of the Lord Widdrington Speaker of the Parliament at the Investiture of his Highnesse the Lord Protector 26. June 1657. May it please your Highnesse YOu are now upon a great Theator in a large Chore of People You have the Parliament of England Scotland and Ireland before you on your right hand my Lords the Judges and on your left hand the Lord Major Aldermen and Sheriffs of London the most noble and populous City of England The Parliament with the interposition of your suffrage makes Laws and the Judges and Governours of London are the great Dispensers of those Laws to the people The occasion of this great convention and intercourse is To give an Investiture to your Highnesse in that eminent place of Lord Protestor A name you had before but it is now setled by the full and unanimous consent of the People of these three Nations assembled in Parliament You have no new name but a new date added to the Old Name The sixteenth of December is now changed to the 26 of June I am commanded by the Parliament to make oblation to your Highnesse of Four things in order to this Inauguration The First is a Robe of Purple an Embleme of Magistracy and imports righteousnesse and justice When you have put on this Vestment I may say and I hope without offence that you are a Gown man This Robe is of a mixt colour to shew the mixture of Justice and Mercy which are then most excellent when they are well tempered together Justice without mercy is Wormwood and bitternesse and Mercy without Justice is of two soft a temper for Government For a Magistrate must have two hands Plectentem Amplectentem The Next thing is a Bible a Booke that contains the holy Scriptures in which you have the honour and happinesse to be well versed This is the Book of life consisting of two Testaments the Old and New In the first we have Christum velatum Christ in Types shadows and Figures in the latter we have Christum revelatum Christ revealed This Book carries in it the Grounds of the true Christian Protestant Religion it s a Book of Books it contains in it both Precepts and Examples for good Government Alexander so highly valued the Books of his Master Aristotle and other great Princes other Books that they have laid them every night under their Pillows These are all but legends and Romances to this one Book a Book to be had alwayes in Remembrance I find it said in a part of this Book which I shall desire to read and it is this Deut. 17. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the Throne of his Kingdome that he shall write a Copy of this Law in a Book out of that which is before the Priests and the Levites And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord God and to keep all the words of his Law and those Statutes to do them That his heart be not lifted up above his Brethren and that he turn not aside from the Commandment to the right hand or to the left to the end he may prolong his dayes in his Kingdom he and his Children in the midst of Israel The next thing that I am to offer to your Highnesse is a Scepter not unlike a Staffe for you are to be a staffe to the weak and poor It s of antient use in this kind its said in Scripture in reference to Judah the Royall Tribe That the Scepter shall not depart from Judah It was of like use in other Kingdoms and Governments Homer the Prince of the Greek Poets calls Kings and Princes Scepterbearers The last thing is a sword not a military but a civill sword a sword rather for defence then offence Not to defend your self only but others also This Sword is an embleme of Justice The noble Lord Talbot in Henry the VI Time wrote upon his Sword Ego sum Talboti propter occidendum inimicos meos This Gallant Lord was a better Souldier then a Critiek If I might presume to fix a Motto upon this Sword it should be this Ego sum Domini Protectoris ad protegendum populum meum I say this Sword is an Embleme of Justice and is to be used as King Solomon used his for the discovery of the truth in points of Justice I may say of this sword as King David said of Goliahs sword There is none like this Justice is the proper virtue of the imperiall Throne and by Justice the Thrones of Kings and Princes are established Justice is a Royal virtue which as one saith of it doth imploy the other three Cardinall virtues in her service 1. Wisdom to discern the nocent the innocent 2. Fortitude to prosecute and execute 3. Temperance so to carry Justice that passion be no ingredient and that it be without confusion or precipitation You have given ample testimony in all these particulars so that this Sword in your hand will be a right sword of justice attended with Wisdom Fortitude and Temperance When you have all these together What a comely and glorious sight is it to behold A Lord Protector in a Purple Robe with a Scepter in his hand a Sword of Justice girt about him and his eyes fixt upon the Bible Long may you prosperously enjoy them all to your own comfort and the comfort of the people of these three Nations His Highnes standing thus adorned in princely State according to his merit and dignity looking up unto the Throne of the most High who is Prince of Princes and in whom is all his confidence Mr. Manton by prayer recommended his Highnesse the Parliament the councill his Highnesse forces by Sea and Land the whole Government and People of these three Nations to the blessing and protection of God Almighty After this the people giving severall great shouts and the trumpets sounding his Highnesse sat down in the Chair of State holding the Scepter in his hand At the right Elbow by his Highnesse Chair sate his Excellency the Lord Ambassadour extraordinary of France at the left his Excellency the Lord Ambassadour extraordinary of the states Generall of the Vnited Provinces On the right side of the chair stood the Earle of Warwick bearing the Sword and on the left side the Lord Major of London with the City Sword Near to his Highnesse stood the most noble Lord the Lord Richard Cromwell his excellency the Lord Fleetwood Lord deputy of Ireland the Right honourable the Lord Cleypool Master of his Highnesse Horse his Highnesse councill and all the officers of State attending There stood also upon the lower descent near the Earle of Warwick the Lord Viscount Lisle and Generall Montague and on the
otherside the Lord Whitelock each of them bearing a drawn Sword While his Highnesse thus sate a Herald stood up aloft giving a signal to a Trumpet to sound three times after which he did by authority and direction of Parliament there publish and Proclaim his Highnesse Lord Protector of the common wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging requiring all persons to yeeld him due obedience Hereupon the Trumpets sounded and the people made several great acclamations with loud shouts God save the Lord Protector Then an officer of Armes standing upon the top of the stairs made proclamation again after the same manner which was followed with shouts and loud acclamations as before After little pause the whole Ceremony being ended his Highnesse saluting the Ambassadors and publick Ministers proceeded thence in his Princely habit the train whereof was born up by severall noble persons among whom was the Earle of Warwicks Granchilde the Lord Sherwood and the eldest Son of the Lord Roberts of Truro The Aldermen Recorder the Judges with the officers of State and the rest proceeded in the same order as they came from the house of Lords and passed through the Hall to the great Gate leading into the New Pallace Yard where his Highnesse entred into his Coach of state being in his Robes The Earl of Warwick sat in the other end of the coach and the Lord Richard Cromwel and the Lord Whitlock in one side the Lord Whitelock having one of the drawn swords in his hand On the other side sat the Lord Viscount Lisle and Generall Montague bearing the other two drawn swords in their hands The Lord Cleypool Master of the Horse led the Horse of Honour in rich Caparisons the coach was attended by his Highnesse Lifeguard and other guards with the Officers of Armes on Horseback the Officers of State Judges Lord Major and Aldermen all waiting on his Highnesse in their coaches to Whitehall the whole being managed with state and magnificence suitable to so high and happy a solemnity The Speaker with the Members of Parliament returned to the House where it was Resolved that it be recommended to his Highnesse the Lord Protector as the desire of the Parliament that his Highness will be pleased to encourage all christian endeavours for uniting the Protestant churches abroad and severall Members were appointed to present this Vote to his Highnesse WHereas the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the parliament of England Scotland and Ireland taking into their consideration the duty incumbent upon them to provide for the future peace and settlement of the Government of these Nations according to the Laws and customes of the same by their Humble petition and advice have presented their desires into his Highnesse Oliver Lord Protector that he should by and under the name and Stile of Lord Protector of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging Hold and Exercise the office of Chiefe Magistrate of these three nations Whereunto the Lord Protector upon due and mature consideration of the said Petition and Advice hath consented And his Highnesse the Lord Protector and the Parliament judging it necessary that publication be made of the premises have thought meet and doe hereby strictly 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 of the premises and to conform and submit themselves unto the Government so established And the Lord Major of the City of London and all Sheriffs Majors Bailiffs and other publick Ministers and officers whom this may concern are required to cause this proclamation together with the said Petition and Advice to be forthwith published in the City of London and the respective Counties Cities Corporations and Market Towns to the end that none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf Given at Westminster June 26. 1657. Westminster June 24. A true Copy of the Oaths to be taken by his Highnesse privy Councill and the severall members of Parliament It was resolved by the Parliament That all such persons who now are or hereafter shall be of the Privy Council of his Highness or Successors before they or either of them do act as Counsellors shall respectively take an oath before persons to be authorised by his Highnesse and Successors for that purpose in the form following viz. I. A. B. Doe in the presence and by the Name of God Almighty promise and swear that to the ultermost of my power in my place I will uphold and maintain the True Reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof as is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament and encourage the Profession and Professors of the same and that I will be true and faithfull to his highnesse the Lord Protector of the commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereto belonging as Chief Magistrate thereof and shall not contrive design or attempt any thing against the person or lawfull authority of his said Highness and shall keep secret all matters that shall be treated of in Councill and put under secrecy and not reveale them but by command or consent of his Highnesse the Parliament or the Councill and shall in all things faithfully perform the trust committed to me as a Counseller according to the best of my understanding in order to the good Government peace and welfare of these Nations Resolved that the same Oath be taken by the Members of his Highnesse Councill of Scotland and Ireland The house resumed the debate upon the report this day made for an Oath to be taken by the Members of Parliament And it was agreed That every person who now is or hereafter shall be a Member of either house of Parliament before he sit in Parliament shall from and after the first day of July 1657. take an Oath before persons to be authorised and appointed by his Highnesse and Successors for that purpose in the form following I. A. B. Doe in the presence and by the Name of God Almighty promise and swear That to the uttermost of my power in my place I will uphold and maintain the true reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Tostament and encourage the profession and Professors of the same And that I will be true and faithfull to the Lord Protector of the Common wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging as Chief Magistrate thereof and shall not contrive design or attempt any thing against the person or lawfull anthority of the Lord Protector and shall endeavour as much as in me lieth as a Member of Parliament the preservation of the Rights and liberties of the people His Highnesse upon the day of his Inauguration meeting the Parliament in the painted Chamber before the Solemnity passed all such Bills as were
inheritance XIIII The King of Denmark is to restore also to the King of Sweden all such places he took from him in this War and the three ships taken from the Swedish in the Sound are to be prized and the value thereof is to be restored to the Crown of Sweden XV The King of Denmarke is to resign to the King of Sweden all the claims which he pretends to any place in the Island Rugen XVI The King of Denmark is to be reconciled with the Duke of Hostein upon such tearmes as may stand with justice and equity and make an agreement answerably XVII The Forts and castles taken by either party are to be restored but not any Artillery and Amunition and the Subjects of Denmarke are to carry the Swedish Artillery to such places as the King of Sweden shall appoint XVIII Count Vlefield is to be restored to his goods and all his Revenues and charges shall be paid back from that time as the Commissioners shall determine His Lady and Mother in Law shall have liberty to dwell in Denmark where they please the Fees which he and his Son had as Hursholm Moene Hellingen and St Johns Cloyster he is to enjoy again according to the priviledge which they had there and his Lady also is to be restored to her due title of Honor XIX The published Minifestor of the King of Denmark is to be revoked and neither printed nor sold any more XX The King of Denmark is to let the King of Sweden have 2000 Horse and 2000 Foot Whitehall March 12. This afternoon the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councill of the City of London came hither in a Body to attend his Highnesse as also the Commanders and Officers of the Army And being admitted to his presence his Highnesse was pleased in a Speech at large to represent unto them the danger wherein they of the whole City and the whole Nation were involved at present by reason of the new designes of the old Enemy Charls Stuart and his confederates abroad and his party here at home who have been at work secretly to imbroil the nation again in Blood as soon as he should be able to make his intended invasion His Highness also told them that he knew this to be true That he knew it by Letters of theirs intercepted by certain intelligence from abroad of their proceedings and by information from the mouths of such persons as had been engaged to act with them He acquainted them likewise that the Lord of Ormond whom some now call the Duke of Ormond in person had been lately here for three weekes together being come over on purpose to promote the design by encouraging and engaging as many as he could in and about this City and that he went away again on Tuesday last Also in order to this invasion Charls Stuart was waiting in Flanders having about eight thousand Men quartered in severall places near the water side as at Brugges Brussells Ostend c. And that two and twenty hired Ships were in readinesse to transport them waiting only for the opportunity of some darke night to slip by our Fleet which they may the more easily perform ours being ships of great burthen drawing much water and so not able to ride upon the Flats And therefore seeing a reall danger so near at hand and that the peace and safety of the City and the whole Nation is Highly concerned in it he desired the Citizens might be sensible of it and how much it behoves them to provide for their own and the Nations security And to that end his Highnesse recommended to the Lord Major and the Body of the City the setling of their Militia and that it might be setled in the hands of Pious and sober men well affected to the present Government and such as are free from discontent and faction persons that may carry on the worke with alacrity and discretion to put the City in a posture of defence that they may be in a condition to suppresse tumults and insurrections designed by the Enemies of our Peace and Prosperity Many other particulars his Highnesse insided on to give them an account of the present state of affairs and of divers past transactions but having no notes to help my memory and being afraid lest I may already have faln short in relating the Heads of what was more copiously and much better spoken I have only this to adde That the citizens expressed much cheerfulnesse in the presence of his Highnesse and departed with very great satisfaction Whitehall March 27. These following persons having been lately presented from the City to his Highnesse and the Councill to be added to the Committee of the Militia in London they are accordingly approved Sir Thomas Foot Knight William Thomson Walter Bigge Iohn Frederick Tempest Milner Thomas Chaundler Aldermen Charls Lloyd Therphilus Biddulph William Gower Esquires Mr. Maurice Gethin Mr. Thomas Steynes Mr. Iames Edwards This day a Presentation was made of the following Addresses to his Highness and it was presented by the hand of the noble Lord the Lord Charls Fleetwood attended by the Officers of the Army To his Highnesse the Lord Protector of the Common wealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. The Humble Addresse of the Officers of your Highnesse Army WE being deeply sensible of the continuall dangers from the common enemy that have attended your Highness person and of the immense weight of businesse for the good of the Nation that hath lain and still lieth upon you together with the great opposition from severall sorts of enemies that you have met with ever since you were pleased to undertake the Government for the procuring the quiet and promoting the prosperity of this Common-wealth do judge it our duty to contribute as much as in us lyeth to strengthen your Highnesse hands and obviate the designes of your enemies And therefore do as one Man with plainnesse and sincerity of heart declare unto your Highnesse That notwithstanding the base Calumnies and Lies your and our enemies have cast upon us and dispersed throughout the whole Nation That your Army is divided and much of it from your self We doe remain through the mercy of God firmly united one to another and all of us to your Highnesse as our Generall and Chief Magistrate and hope that God hath so in love and faithfulness cemented us together as that neither the subtilty of Satan nor the malice of crafty and ill-affected men shall be able to severe us And we make it our earnest and humble request to your Highnesse That as a mighty man strengthned by the Lord you will run and not be weary in that race God hath set you in till it please the Lord you have setled the great ends of all our former engagements our civill and spirituall liberty which we hope is already in a good measure well provided for by The Humble Petition and advice And in all your actings tending thereunto We doe freely and heartily engage
our Country man John Wicklof that famous witnesse of Christ against Antichrist even in the darkest times of Popery And I doubt no but that God who hath lately opened your bowels to so large and eminent a Contribution towards the persecuted Protestants at Piedmont for which many Thanksgivings have been made to God on your behalf will again draw out your hearts upon this like sad occasion to the like bountifull liberality it being our duty to cast our bread upon the waters and to give a portion to six and also to seven not being weary of well-doing because in due time we shall reap if we faint not Considering also how honourable it is to â—ct grace and to lay out our selves upon such occasions we recommmend iâ— again as the work of God accompanied with his own voyce calling aloud upon us to inlarge our selves in this ministration and withall to pour out our hearts in faith and prayer that the Lord would yet please to raise up Sâ—on upon the Ruins of Babylon hastening his work and blessing means to it John Trevor Christopher Pack Will. Purefâ—y Edward Cresseâ— Thomas Viner Joseph Caryl John Owen Will. Jenkyn Philip Nyâ— Will Cooper Edmond Caâ—â—â—y A Breviate of the impeachment of high Treason exhibited by Mr. Attorney Generall against John Hewet Doctor of Divinity consisting of these heads 1. THat to embroyl the Commonwealth in new and intestine troubles and to stir up Sedition and Rebellion within the Nation He together with others Traiterously and Maliciously raised force and levied war against his highnes and the government to subvert and alter the same 2. That he traiterously declared published and promoted Charls Stuart Eldest Son of the late King Charls to be King of England Scotland and Ireland c. 3. That he held correspondence with the said Charls Stuart And declared the same by these open deeds I. By conferring with one Trelawney Jo. Stapely and Henry Mallory how to effect the same II. By appoynting places of meeting to consult for effecting the same III. By encouraging Stapely and Mallory thereunto IV. By delivering Commissions to several persons in the Name of and as from the said Charls Stuart concerning the raising of forces and leavying the power aforesaid against his highnesse and the Government and this contrary to the statute in that case made and provided The substance of Sir Henry Slingsby's speech at Tower-Hill June 8. 1658. THat he stood condemned by the court of justice as contriving and endeavoring to withdraw divers officers of the garison of Kingston upon Hull from their duty and perswading them to a surrendring and yeelding up of that Garison and one that held correspondence with some beyond Sea to that end That it was true he had conference upon that account with the officers of that Garison and that he gave Major Waterhouse a commission signed Charls R. but that it was but an old one that had lain by him though he thought fit to make use of it to the Major Many passages he said there were which he would not insist on That some friends of his had made application to his Highnes for the saving of his life but it seemes it was thought fit not to be granted c. and therefore he submitted and was ready to dye c. He spake but low and very little and kept himselfe in a very even temper both in words and behaviour Then addressing himselfe againe to his friends he called for the executioner who having received his reward by the hand of a friend came to him placed the block in the middle of the Scaffold which Sir Henry beheld with his armes folded and a setled countenance an officer standing by with the Ax. Then the prisoner declaring he had no more to say stripped himselfe Before he put off his band he desired a friend standing by to take off a Ring which hung in his Bandstring 't was in the form and about the breadth of an ordinary seal but instead of a seale engraven it had the Picture of the late King done in little and very exactly When the Gentleman had taken it off he said these words to him Pray give this to Harry His doublet being off he kneel'd down before the block and lifting up his hands as before he again prayed privately to himself but was very short Then rising up and embracing his friends one after another tooke his leave of them all After this kneeling down and placing his neck upon the block the executioner struck off his head at one blow The Head was immediately taken off the Scaffold and put in a black Scarff the Body into the Coffin and the Head with it which being nailed up and covered was conveyed off the Scaffold into a Herse drawn by six horses which stood ready to receive it The sum of Doctor Hewet's Speech on the Scaffold Viz. That he had never been in such a Pulpit as this was and that he came thither within a few minutes to suffer death for the Truth and to bear testimony thereto according to that saying of our blessed Lord and Saviour For this end was I born and for this end came I into the world to bear witnesse to the Truth And that in two respects First as a Clergy-man and secondly as a Member of the community in which he lived As a Clergy-man he blessed God that had called him to the office of the Ministry though unworthy and that he had been baptized into the true faith and doctrine of the Gospel and thereby made a member of the Catholique Church especially of that part of it the Church of England which he looked upon as the purest for sound doctrine and orderly discipline of any in the christian world and disowned all others walking contrary thereunto Here the Reader is to observe that the Doctor was not questioned for any poynt of Faith he held but for being a Traitor and so he dyed not for truth but for Treason In the second place as one of the community or civill state he looked upon himselfe as borne a free Englishman and in that capacity had a right to the Liberties and priviledges of this Land and to the Laws thereof Here he tooke occasion to speake of passages at his tryall before the Court of Justice saying that having been advised by persons learned in the Law and being furnished with some books of Law cases and reports he was thereby instructed to make severall demands in court as that he might be satisfied about the jurisdiction of the court then that he might have counsel allowed afterwards being told in court that they were to try him in matter of fact to which he ought first to plead he in the next place said he desired that the matter might be heard by the Judges and thereupon appealed to them which would not be admitted he being told the court had a full Jurisdiction by Act of Parliament That he had alwayes insisted that he might have a Jury to be
tryed by but that was not granted him but the court being erected according to Act of Parliament they supplyed a Jury These things he insisted on as the Rights and Priviledges of an English man and being denied him he thereupon refused to plead That the President of the Court did indeed read the Clause in the Act which declared That in case he stood mute he must be taken as guilty upon default of answer and that he having made three defaults was at last taken from the bar then when he intended to have pleaded One would wonder such words should proceed from a dying man whereas all persons present and at his tryall do know that the Court had patience with him some hours and in a great deale of tendernesse towards him caused the Clause in the Act which concerns default of answer to be read to him several times and to the very last advised him to plead but he still refused and never uttered so much as one Syllable that he would plead Sr. Hen Slingsby Dr. Hewet Beheded at Tower-Hill June the 8th 1658 Col Ashton Iohn Betteley hanged Drawne quartred Ashton at mark Lane end the other in Cheep side Here I cannot but observe that this dying mans Charity was greater then his memory because what he sayes here clashes with what he said before it appearing by his own very words That if he were a Martyr for the people it was much against his will seeing a little before he tells us he would have pleaded to be Court and so have owned their jurisdiction and that if the owning of them had been to have given up the rights of the people It seems by his owâ— confession â—ere he would have done it in hope to have escaped this kinde of Martyrdome â—s he calls it Then he proceeded to this effect That having declared what passed upon his tryall in Court he would next proceed to cleere himselfe of some imputations laid upon him one whereof was That he was one engaged with those who were said to have designed the firing of the City to this he protested That had he been engaged amongst such persons that should have â—ntended such a horrid busines he would have been the first that should have discovered them Another was That it was reported he should entertain the Duke or Marquis of Ormond and harbored him in his house when lately here in England to which he protested That to his best remembrance he never saw his person A third was that it was reported he should be preaching at St. Gregories one Sunday and that the next after being absent he should be at Brudges in Flanders and there have communication with him whom he called the King and kiss his hand In answer to this he said That for these three yeares past he had not been threescore miles from this City and I am sure said he that Brudges in Flanders is a great deale farther This pains the Doctor might have spared seeing none of the particulars he was pleased to dilate upon were ever charged upon him by any Authority but it is very observable that in all his discourse upon the Scaffold he never made any prâ—â—â—station to declare his innocency concerning the matters charged in Court against him It being a time he thought wherein he might make more bâ—ld to straine his Oratory then his conscience and yet sure that was no time to stand confuting the Tattles of the Town In conclusion he said That having now spoken to the people he would also pray for them and blesse them in the name of the Lord and so kneeling in their view he made a long prayer the three Ministers kneeling behind him which seemed by the contexture of it to have been penned on purpose for the occasion because of the very many passages of the Common Prayer Book that were interwoven in it His prayer consisted of severall parts After which the Executioner asking him if he were ready he answered Yea and his head was severed from his body at one blow and a little rase of the Ax upon a small piece of the skin His head also was put up into a scarf and with his body put up into a coffin which stood ready on the Schaffold A Breviate of the charge of High treason exhibited against Summer and the rest for plotting contriving and endeavouring together with John Hewet late of London Doctor of Divinity deceased Henry Mallery late of London Gentleman Hartgil Baron Francis Mansel and other false Traytors and enemies to his highnesse and this Commonwealth 1. TO levv warre and raise force against his highnesse and the Common-wealth 2. For declaring and promoting Charls Stuart to be King of England For holding intelligence with Charls Stuart And they declared these Treasons by several overt acts I. By appointing several places of Meeting II. By conferring amongst themselves and others their complices how to effect their said Treasons III. By designing to fire the City of London or some part thereof IV. By providing and furnishing themselves with barrels of Powder and other habiliments of War V. By delivering commission in the name of and as from Charls Stuart VI By appoynting several Officers of War And this against the forme of the Statute in that case made and provided London July 17. This morning between nine and ten of the Clock Col. Ashton who was by the Court of Justice sentenced to suffer death as this day was accordingly conveyed in a Sled from Newgate drawn with four horses Dr. Warmistry sitting in the Sled with him to Tower-street over against Marke lane end where a Gibbet was erected being come to the place of Execution and taken off the Sled at his going up the Ladder he desired r. Warmistry to pray with him And just as he was going up the Ladder the doctor used these following words to him Almighty God who is a strong Tower be with thee and make thee know and feele that there is no other name under heaven whereby to attaine everlasting life but by the name of Jesus The blessing of God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost be with you hence forth and forever Amen When he was upon the Ladder he spake thus Ashton I hope I see my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Dr. Warmistry I hope so sayes the Dâ— passe on from the crosse to the Crown Remember who went before you Ashton I am brought here to a shamefull death I am an English man born and as many know a Gentleman born I am brought here by occasion of two fellows that corrupted me namely Topham and Langhorn who were the men that brought me acquainted with one Manley And Manley and the rest told me they would raise a Regiment for me and then I told them I would command it I was drawn into the businesse And now I am brought here for my former sins God hath delivered me severall times from severall judgments he hath visited me at this time because I
slighted and did not follow that Repentance that I promised Therefore I desire all protestants to leave off their sins for Christ his sake and become new men for it is that that brings all men to ruine I beseech God of mercy have mercy upon my soule Lord God I come to thee Lord the Father of heaven have mercy upon me O God the Son Redeemer of the World have mercy upon me O God the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Son have mercy upon me Remember not my offences but spare me good Lord God I beseech thee spare thy servant whom thou hast redeemed for thy dear Sons sake I have no more to say but desire the prayers of all good people Doctor One word remember that saying of the Psalmist Thou shalt answer for me O Lord Ashton The Executioner asking him if he had any more to say he answered No But concluded thus I commit my spirit into thy hands O God the Lord have mercy upon my soul Which being said the Executioner turned him off the Ladder and afterwards being cut down he ripped up his belâ—y tooke out the bowels and burnt them in a fire ready prepared upon the place Then his head was cut off and his body divided into four Quarters Execution being done upon Colonel Ashton and his Quarters conveyed away in a Basket upon a Cart to Newgate The Sheriffs officers went to the Tower to fetch John Betteley to his Execution who was likewise drawn upon the same sled into Cheapside where formerly the Crosse stood where was likewise a Gibbet crected The manner of the execution of John Betteley in Cheapside Being come to the Gibbet on a Sled with a Minister the Minister read and the people sung with him a Psalm beginning thus O Lord consider my distress c Betteley I trust in him that he will certainly save me Then he went up the Ladder His confession followeth LOrd receive my Soul and be mercifull to me I commit my Soule into Almighty Gods hands for he is my Protector and Redeemer I am not ashamed to live nor afraid to dye for my conversation hath been such in Christ Jesus I hope I shall find mercy As concerning them that are my enemies I pray God forgive them their sins I freely forgive them all that have done me wrong As for the late Plot I was never but once in company with them concerned therein I did know of such a thing but deny that I acted therein Shall I damne my soule at this instant I will speake the truth I doe acknowledge I offended God in it and wronged this Nation in hearing it and not discovering it One Brandon that was one of them drew me into the businesse and his man I carrying worke to him could not refraine his house he so often inticed me thereto and would not let me alone till he had got me into a house where we dranke together I have no more to say as to the plot but desire mercy from God Having thus done the Executioner turned him off and the rest of the Sentence was executed upon him as before upon Col. Ashton and his Head and Quarters were conveyed also to Newgate As for the third man Fryer who was to have been executed this day in Smithfield he was drawn on a Sled also from the Tower in the afternoone to Smithfield where after he had performed his Devotions being upon the ladder and the Executioner ready to turn him off a Reprieve came and he was carried back againe to the Tower by the Officers in a Coach Articles of surrender of Dunkerke June 20. 1658. 1. That the Town should be yeelded up with all their great guns their stores of victual Magazins of arms and ammunition without any imbesilment 2. That all Officers and Soldiers should have liberty to march out with their Arms Drums beating Colours flying two pieces of Ordnance and their baggage 3. That they should have the liberty to march with a convoy to conduct them to St. Omers 4. That the inhabitants should remain indemnified in their persons goods enjoying their former custome priviledges for 2 years not be molested touching the exercise of their Religion Hereubon they accordingly marched out on Tuesday the 25 instant being 1000 horse and foot and 700 more that were wounded men and at the same time the besiegers entred into the Town the King himselfe also in person with the Cardinal and the Lord General Lockhart And his Majesty desirous to give due testimonyes of reall friendship and good correspondence with England put the Town into the possession of my Lord Lockhart on the behalfe of his highnesse the Protector our English being entred in here for that purpose and more we expect for the preserving it in our hands This wilâ— we suppose be acceptable news to the Merchants who have formerly suffered so much by this place the obtaining whereof must be attributed next under God to the prudence of his highnesse and to that happy successe wherewith it pleaseth the most High to follow him in all his enterprizes and Actions whereas on the otherside it is observed that nothing but mischiefe and misfortune hath accompanyed the Spaniard in this Country ever since he gave entertainment to and joyned Interest with that Family which hath a fate entailed upon it sufficient to sinke whole Kingdomes as hitherto it hath done and ruined likewise all its particular followers and partakers Which was also most observable even in the late victory wherein the deadliest storm fell upon the Regiment of Charls and his Brother so that very few or none of them escaped with their lives The French Army is since marched to Bergen but what they have done or will doe there we yet here not The Spaniard left behind in this Town about one hundred and forty great guns all brasse except 7 or 8 An Oath to be administred to the Inhabitants of Dunkirke was passed by the Councill being as followeth vix I. A. B. Do in the presence and by the name of Almighty God promise and sweare that from hence forth I shall beare faith and true Allegiance and shall be true and faithfull unto Oliver now Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging and his Successors as chiefe Magistrate thereof and shall not design Contrive or Attempt any thing against the person or Authority of the Lord Protector or against the safety just defence or necessary preservation of this Town or place of Dunkirk in and for its safety defence and preservation under the Government of the Lord Protector and his successors against all Conspiracies and attempts whatsoever and will doe my best endeavor to make known and disclose unto the Protector and his successors or the Commander in chiefe in this place under his said Highnesse for the time being all Treasons and Traiterous Conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against his Person or Authority or against the safety of this Town or place of Dunkirke or for the betraying of it into the hands of any other persons or that tends to the withdrawing of any the persons or people in it from their fidelity to the Lord Protector or to his Government FINIS Oliver Cromwell L. Ptor. of Engd: Scotd: and Ierld: borne at Huntington of the name of Williams of Glamorgan and by K H 8. changed into Cromwell was educated in Cambridge afterward of Lincons Inn at the begining of the Warres Cp of a Troop of Horse raised at his owne charge and by the Parlimt: made ComÌ„ander in cheefe reduced Ierld: and South wales overthrew Dâ— Hambletons Army the Kerkes Army at Dunbar reduced all Scotland defeted ch Stewards Army at Woster he had two Sons Ld Richard Protector in his fathers roome Ld Henery now Ld Debty of Ierld: and 4 Daughters Ly. Bridget first married L: Ierton afterward Lt. C: Fleetâ—â—od Ly: Elizabeth married L: Clapole Ly: Mary married Ld: Vicount Fauconbrige Ly: Francis married the Rt. Hoble. Rob: Rich Granchild to the Hoble. E: of Warwick was declared L Ptr: of End Scd. and Ird. 16 of Decemb: 1653. died 3. Sep 1658. after 14. dayes sicknesse of an agew with great assurance and serenitie of minde peaceabley in his bed Natus 15. Ap 1599. Dunkerke in Flanders surrendred to him 20th of Iune 1658. * It was the first day of the Parliament This Sundercomb had engaged to kill Generall Monk in Scotland and would have engaged the said Mr. Cecil therein also * Hilton deposed fully concerning the Viol case and Trunk of Arms