one Government they proceed to consider of the establishment of another but agree only in a negative Vote That there should for the future be no Government in England either by King or House of Lords They break the old Great Seal and cause a new one to be made which is delivered to the keeping of three Commissioners viz. Mr Keeble Mr Whitlock and Mr Lisle They likewise consider of Oaths to be administred to the Judges who thereupon meet and upon debate six of them are content to continue in their employments provided the fundamentall Laws of the Land be not altered which were viz. Chief Justice Rolles and Justice Jerman of the Kings Bench Lord Chief Justice St John Justice Phesant of the Common Pleas Lord Chief Baron Wild and Baron Yates and in order to these Judges satisfaction in their forementioned scruple the Parliament by their Declaration of the ninth of February do declare That they are fully resolved to maintain and shall and will uphold preserve and keep the fundamentall Laws of this Nation for and concerning the preservation of the lives properties and liberties of the people with all things incident there unto with the alterations touching King and House of Lords already resolved in this present Parliament for the good of the people and whatsoever shall be further necessary to the perfecting thereof and by it requiring all Judges Justices c. to execute and administer in their respective Offices and Trusts c. The House order a Committee to consider of such Persons as they should think fit to be Justices of the Peace throughout the Nation they likewise order another Committee to consider of Persons whom they might judg fit to constitute a Councell of State whose number should be forty whereof only five Lords or not above And whereas before they had only repealed they now wholly make void the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy Thus though the Parliament are endeavouring all means to make themselves as secure and firm in the Government as they can yet are the people generally discontented those who formerly affected them now sensible of the inconveniencies like to ensue the cutting off of their Prince as much disaffect them so that there is generally plotting in all Countries which makes the Parliament send forces into severall Counties to keep them in awe whilest the Royalists in Pomfret Castle still hold out hoping some relief may arise from those so universall discontents But let us from England pass a little into Scotland and we shall find that the Kings death is much more resented there at the first news of his Condemnation they proclaim a solemn Fast with Prayers to God for his deliverance but upon the news of his Execution such was their sorrow that the whole City of Edenborough seemd a flood of tears The Parliament upon this exigence are convened and putting it to the vote it passed nemine contradicente that his Eldest Sonne should be proclaimed King and accordingly a Proclamation was drawn which because of some niceties in it not usuall in things of this nature I think fit to insert as followeth viz. The Estates of Parliament presently convened in this second Session of the second trienniall Parliament by vertue of an Act of the Committee of Estates who had power and authority from the last Parliament for convening the Parliament considering that forasmuch as the Kings Majesty who lately reigned is contrary to the dissent and protestation of this Kingdom removed by a violent death and that by the Lords blessing there is left unto us a righteous Heir and lawfull Successor Charles Prince of Scotland and Wales now King of Great Brittain France and Ireland We the Estates of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland do therefore most unanimously and cheerfully in recognition and acknowledgment of his just right Title and succession to the Crown of these Kingdoms hereby proclaim and declare to all the world that the said Lord and Prince Charles is by the providence of God and by the lawfull and right of undoubted succession and descent King of Great Brittain France and Ireland whom all the subjects of this Kingdom are bound humbly and faithfully to obey maintain and defend according to the Nationall Covenant and the solemn League and Covenant betwixt the Kingdome with their lives and goods against all deadly enemies as their only righteous Soveraign Lord and King And because his Majesty is bound by the Law of God and fundamentall Laws of this Kingdom to rule in righteousness and equity to the honour of God the good of Religion and the wealth of his people it is hereby declared That before he be admitted to the exercise of his Royall power he shall give satisfaction to this Kingdom in those things that concern the security of Religion the unity betwixt the Kingdoms and the good and peace of this Kingdom according to the Nationall Covenont and the solemn League and Covenant for which end we are resolved with all possible expedition to make our humble and earnest addresses to his Majesty For the testification of all which we the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland publish this our acknowledgment of his just right Title and succession to the Crown of these Kingdoms at the Market-Cross in Edenborough with all usuall solemnities in like cases and ordain his Royall Name Portract and Seal to be used in the publike writings and Judicatories of this Kingdome and in the Mint-house as was usually done to his Royall Predecessors and command this Act to be proclaimed at all the Market-Crosses of the Royall Burghs within this Kingdom and to be printed that none may pretend ignorance God save King Charles the second This was done by the Parliament the Lords in all their Robes the Cross was richly hanged the Chancellor brought up the Proclamation read it to the King at Arms who proclaimed it there being an universall joy in the City and their great Guns from the Castle sending peals of the same into the adjacent Countries The solemnity being past care was taken for the sending Messengers to acquaint his Majesty with the business Sr Edward Douglas was chosen to go and acquaint him with it to desire him to take heed of evill Councellors c. that there should very speedily a more full address be made to him In the mean time a Fast is proclaimed and supplications made that God would prosper their addresses to him for the good both of the Kirk and State The Lords and the whole Parliament in the mean time put on mourning for the death of his Father But to return to England again The beheaded old King Charles was February 12. thirteen days after his death buried at Windsor in the same Vault where Henry the eighth was interred without any manner of solemnity the Bishop of London Dr Juxon and some few others attending him to his Funerall The Parliament not thinking that they are not yet secure enough whilest they have only power over
at Westminster who though they had doubting such a thing ordered Major Generall Harrison with 3000 Horse and Dragoons to attend such an irruption yet knowing him unable to encounter so great a Body they could not tell what the event might be they therefore proceed to the leavying of new Forces in all the Counties of England and likewise for the better carrying on of their business Enact That no person whatsoever should presume to hold any correspondency with Charles Stuart or with his party or with any of them nor give any intelligence to them nor countenance encourage abett adhere to or assist any of them nor voluntarily afford or cause to be afforded or delivered to any of them any victuals provision Ammunition Arms Horses Plate Money Men or any other relief whatsoever under pain of high Treason and that all persons should use their utmost endeavours to hinder and stop their march Yet for all this the Scotch Army went on in prosecution of their design bending their course by a swift March for the West of England though it was expected by the whole Nation and especially by their friends that they would have directed their course to London Generall Cromwell being at St Johnston and hearing of this suddain march leaving such Forces as might secure that part of Scotland which was already won and leaving six or seaven thousand Horse and Foot more with Lieutenant Generall Monck to reduce those parts which remained he orders Major Generall Lambert with five Regiments of Horse and Dragoons to fly away with all possible speed to get into the rear of the Scots Army whilest Harrison was in the Front aad with the rest of the Army followes as hard as he could and on the 12 of August crossed the Tine but let us leave him following the Scotch Army and look a little into the affairs of Ireland Limerick though for some time blockt up yet held out stoutly against the Forces of the Lord Deputy Ireton they still relying upon the Lord Muskerryes help for relief who at length having gathered an Army of near 1000 Horse and Dragoons and 2000 Foot had an intention to joyn with some Forces which were got together in Lemster but the Lord Broghill hearing of his design with about 400 Horse and Dragoons and 1000 Foot endeavoured to hinder compaction so there hapned an engagement between them which though it was bloudy to the Lord Broghill himself likewise being indangered yet in the end he obtained full victory over the Lord Muskerryes Forces of whom there were neer 600 slain many of them Officers but very few taken there were likewise neer 200 of the Lord Broghills slain and many wounded the dispute being very hot on both sides yet this startled not at all either Limerick or Galloway which were both beleaguered and resolved to hold out to the uttermost bit of bread But let us return to see how the Scots direct their March in England where being come to Warrington Bridge Harrison endeavours to impead their passage but in vain for they gained the Bridge and forced him to retire so they march on without impediment to Worcester Lambert following them at the heels and Cromwell with all possible expedition advancing from Scotland the Militia in every County being raised or marching towards them to inclose them in that City of which they had possessed themselves For on Friday the 23 of August the King with his Army entred Worcester resolving to tarry there and abide the brunt for there were now so many Forces leavied that all wayes were stopt to impead his Marching farther He causes works to be raised here for his greater security and sends forth his Letters Mandatory to Collonel Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury and to Sr Thomas Middleton in Wales for leavying Forces to assist him but both his commands and perswasions proved vain and unnsefull And now the black day begins to draw nigh Cromwell with an iuimaginable celerity joyns with Fleetwood Desborough Gray of Groby Lambert and Harrison who commanded the rest of the Parliaments Forces the Militia Forces are likewise joyned to them so they all march unanimously forward to surround the Scotch Army in this pound at Worcester Nor was there ever so great an Army gathered together in so small a time in England for the whole force could not amount to less then 80000 men The Army being now drawn near to Worcester the first design they set upon was the possession of Vpton Bridge where Cromwell intended to pass over with his Army Fleetwood had the management of this enterprize who sends first a small party of Horse and Foot to judge of the feasableness of the attempt these though they found the Bridge broken down all save only one beam of Timber which reached from one Arch to another boldly dismount and venture over and secure themselves in a Church which Massey who lay in Vpton with about 200 Horse and 60 Dragoons in a great deal of security not dreading an Enemy allarmed at assaults whilest in the mean time Lambert passes over a considerable party of Horse to their relief whereupon Maffey finding it in vain to fight made an honourable retreat towards Worcester himself still bringing up the rear in which service he was wounded by a shot in the hand The Bridge thus won is immediately repaired so that Fleetwoods Army passes all over whilest Cromwell causes a Bridge of Boats to be made over the Severn on the other side that by passing over his Army the Enemy might be the more streightened But let us leave them a little at Worcester in the forementioned posture and look a little into Lancashire where the Earl of Derby with about 300 Gentlemen endeavour to raise the Country and had a party of near 1500 Horse and Foot Collone Lilburne is ordered to oppose him with whom Generall Cromwells Regiment of Foot is ordered to joyn To prevent their conjunction the Earl marches towards Manchester to surprize that Regiment Collonel Lilburne flanks the Enemy in their march hoping by that means to joyn with the Regiment which to prevent the Enemy forces him to engage the dispute was tedious by reason Lilburne was over-matched with Foot but in the end the Earl was totally routed The Lord Widdrington Sr Thomas Tidesly Sr William Throgmorton Sr Francis Gamuel with many other inferiour Officers and about 60 Souldiers slain upon the place Collonel Leg Collonel Robbinson Collonel Bay and Collonel Gerrard with severall other Commission-Officers and Gentlemen with about 500 private Souldiers were taken together with the Earl of Derbeys George Garter and other Badges of his Order but he himself escaped to Worcester there to tell the sad news of his petty overthrow which was but as a prologue to a greater But to return again to Worcester Fleetwoods Army having all passed over Vpton Bridge make a Bridge of Boats over the River Teame to attaque the West side of the Town which so alarmed the Scots that they rise from their
1. That they had traiterously and maliciously endeavoured to raise force and leavy warre against his Highness and the Government and to subvert and alter the same 2. That they had traiterously declared published and promoted Charles Stuart eldest Sonne to the late King Charles to be King of England Scotland and Ireland 3. That they had held intelligence with the said Charles Stuart These were the heads of the Charge against them Sr Henry Slingsby was likewise charged for endeavouring to seduce the Governour of Hull and perswading him to surrender that Garrison to the King for these they were both condemned as Traytors though there were no witness against Dr Hewit but the Confession of one Mallory who pretended himself to have been in the Plot and accordingly on the 8th of June he and Sr Henry Slingsby lost their heads on Tower hill how justly God of Heaven knows but we may have the liberty to guess by circumstances Many endeavours were used by severall persons of quality for the saving of Sr Henry Slingsby and many Peritions presented by the Ministers of London in behalf of Dr Hewit and his Daughter Cleypool begging on her knees but nothing could pacifie the Protector who was resolved these two worthy persons should be sacrifices to his tyranny There were likewise executed for this business Collonel Edward Ashton who was hangd drawn and quartered at Mark lane end in Fan-Church street Edmond Stacy who suffered the same death in Cornhill and John Betteby who suffered like wise in Cheapside the Romanlike death of the last being very well worth remembrance As the death of Dr Hewit was a prodigie to to the world so there could no less then a prodigie attend it For some time before his execution there came up the Thames as farre as Greenwich a Whale of a very great length and bigness it being the wonder of the all the beholders to imagin that such a Creature of such a vast bigness should either find the way up or be content to leave especially at that season of the year its naturall Element But let us return again to the scene of warre in Flanders where the English and French Armies are joyned together and set down before Dunkirk with a resolution to take it before they stirred whereupon Don John D' Austria knowing the importance of the place it being the Key of Flanders and next after Graveling a frontier to France besides the continuall supplies of Money it brought his Treasury and the many inconveniences would ensue by the English possessing it resolves rather to hazard his whole Army then not attempt its relief But whilest he is getting of force together the English and French forces had in a small time run their trenches to the counterscarp and still incroached nigher and nigher to the wall which the Spaniards having advice of and fearing lest their relief might come too late make what haste possible to its a shstarce the better to effect which Don Iohn dreins most of his Garrisons and compleats a body of 10000 with these he marches post hast through Fuornes and encamps within a mile and a half of the Marshall Turines quarters of which the Confederates having advice immediately dislodg with a body of 15000 or thereabouts leaving still sufficient to guard the trenches and make good the approaches in case the Townsmen should attempt a sally With this force of men and 10 pieces of Cannon Turine faces the Spaniard the English foot were drawn up in four great battalions and were ordered to give the first onset on four other battalions of the Spaniards foot which had taken the advantage of the ground by placing themselves upon three rising hillocks and were seconded by Don Iohn himself The English were commanded by the Lord Lockhart who having first commanded a forlorne hope of about 300 Muskiteers to mount the sand hills which he seconds with his own Regiment of Foot commanded by Collonel Fenwick who stoutly maintained their ground though the Spaniards played down continuall volleys of shot amongst them and the French refused to second them sent another considerable Brigade to their relief which made no dallying but immediately fell in amongst the Spanish Foot with the buttend of their Musquers who after some small resistance not having been used to such kind of Club-Law left the field and fled whereupon the French Horse seeing the good fortune of the English Foot fell in upon the Spanish Horse who few or none of them stood the charge except those under the commands of the Dukes of Yorke and Glocester who having made a gallane resistance were forced more overpowred with number then over-reached in valour to quit the field after the rest In this Battell a great part of the Lord Lockharts Regiments were either slain or wounded and amongst the rest Lieutenant Collonel Fenwicke who led them on was slain by a Musket-Bullet of the Spaniards side The slaughter was very great the French Horse after the Battell having little or no mercy in the pursuit so that there were near 3000 slain besides many the Spanish Nobility who were taken most wounded and many of which after died of their wounds This totall rout of the Relievers Army as it encouraged the besiegers so it totally discouraged the besieged for they could expect no relief neither by Sea nor Land the English Frigots blocking them up by sea and Don John D' Austria not being able to recruit his Army by Land But yet the Marquess of Leda to show he was not totally disheartned with a strong Party sallies out of the Town and falls upon the French Quarters which was counted rather an act of desperation then valour or hopes of success for here he who was the life of the business and whose life might still the action in being received a wound of which he shortly after died and with him the Spaniards possession of the Town of Dunkirk For those within after the French and English had for fourteen dayes together continued to play their Mortar-peeces upon the Town the inhabitants weary of the sport and despairing beat a Parly and desire to come to capitulation which being granted the Town was surrendred up upon Articles viz. 1. That the Town should be surrendred up with all their great Guns store of victuals magazines of Arms and Ammunition without any imbezlement whatsoever 2. That the Officers and Souldiers should march out with Drumms beating Colours flying two piece of Ordnance and their baggage 3. That they should have free liberty to march to St Omers with a conduct to convey them-thither 4. That the Inhabitants should remain indemnified in their persons or goods and enjoy their former priviledges and customs for two years nor be molested by any one in matters of Religion These Articles being thus concluded on and ratified by his Majesty of France the strong Town of Dunkirk was surrendred and possession taken of it by the King of France and Cardinall in person on the 25th of June 1658.
mens bodies endeavour the like over their souls They therefore Enact that every Citizen of London at the time of their admission to their Freedome should take the ensuing Oath viz. You shall swear That you shall be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England and in order there unto you shall be obedient to the just Government of the City of London You shall to your best power maintain the peace and all the due Franchises thereof and to your knowledge and ability do and perform all Acts and things belonging to a Free-man of the said City They likewise Enact that the said Oath Mutatis mutandis be taken by every Free-man in every City Borrough and Town Corporate in England and Wales at the time of their admission to Freedome as aforesaid The Extraordinary Ambassadors for the States of Holland having had audience and promise of Redress for the injuries done to their Ships provided the wrong-doers could be found out being on departure many thanks and civilities having past between them and the House they Order two Members to give them a solemn farewell who accompanied them to Gravesend The Army again Petition the Parliament in prosecution of some desires formerly presented to them viz. 1. To make and establish such wholesome Laws in the native Language as may preserve the Interest and Liberties of this Commonwealth 2. That Tithes may be abolished 3. That no punishment be inflicted upon any man for the Exercise of his Conscience 4. That all that had to deal in the publick Treasury be called to account and that free Quarter be taken off 5. That all Persons whatsoever may have a free and equall Administration of the Law 6. That Persons imprisoned for Debt having nothing to pay may be released and that such as are able and shelter themselves in prison be forced to pay 7. That all Persons in prison for pretended words c. be brought to triall and if found innocent have satisfaction for false imprisonment 8. That Provision might be made for the Poor of the Nation 9. That constant Pay may be provided to prevent free Quarter 10. That the Arrears of the Army might be paid out of the Kings Deans and Chapters Lands 11. That their want of Horses might be supplied 12. That care might be taken for prevention of clipt Money 13. That the Articles of Warre might be mitigated 14. That the Souldiers might not be put to the execution of civil Orders as seizing on unlicensed Books distraining of Moneys or the like so that the people may not complain of their intrenchment on their Liberties These were February 19. 1649. drawn up by the Army as their humble Petition and Address to the Parliament but we need not think it strange that every common Souldier should have liberty to propose what was necessary to be done in the Government since they had perfectly the whole power in their hands and had first by the fetches of some of their Commanders excluded and extirpated all other power to give life and being to this shadow of a Government this little finger of a Parliament and yet ten times heavier to the Nation then the whole loynes of its legal Magistracy But to return to our purpose the Parliament for so in their own language we must call them order the Triall of Duke Hamilton who though he was no Englishman yet was arraigned under the Name of Earl of Cambridge thereby to subject him to the English Law together with the Earl of Holland Lord Capell Lord Goring and Sr John Owen the two first of which were afterwards beheaded in Pallace-yard and the two last meeting with more favour from them were suffered to depart beyond Seas A Councell of State being setled by the Parliament they met at Derby House where some Propositions of the Parliaments in order to their unanimous Proceedings were tendred to them viz. the approbation of the Proceedings with the late King the House of Lords the present Alteration and some other These were by them received with some dislike to some of the particulars and their dislike being mentioned in the House was referred to a Committee The Prince Elector Palatine makes his Addresses to the Parliament with returnes of thanks for their former favours and desires that 5600lb due of his last years Pension might be paid that the Pension of 8000lb per annum might be continued and that he might have the Pass of the House for himself Family and forty Horse to go home The first and last desires were granted and the Summe due Ordered to be paid him but the Continuation of his Pension put off to further consideration The Parliament and Councell of State agree upon an Attestation to be taken by every individuall Member of the Councell of State which ran as followeth viz. I A. B. being of the Councell of State do Testifie that I do adhere unto this present Parliament in the maintenance and defence of the publick Liberty and Freedome of this Nation as it is now Declared and to the Government for future in way of a Republick without King or House of Peers And I do promise in the sight of God that through his grace I will be faithfull in the performance of the trust committed to me as aforesaid and therein faithfully pursue the Instructions given to this Councell by this present Parliament and not reveal or disclose any thing in whole or in part directly or indirectly that shall be debated or resolved on in Counsell without command or direction in Parliament or the Order and allowance of the major part of them that shall be present at such debates or resolutions In confirmation of the Premisses I have hereunto set my hand To which Attestation the Clerk of the Parliament is Ordered to see that every individuall Member of the Councell of State do Subscribe And now comes out the Protestation of the Parliament of Scotland against the Proceedings touching his Majesties Life and Person which because it was of so eminent concernment I shall here insert the most materiall Circumstances viz. That by their Letter of the sixth instant viz. January they represented unto you what endeavours have been used for taking away of his Majesties life for Change of the fundamentall Government of this Kingdome and introducing a sinfull and ungodly Toleration in matters of Religion and therein they did express their sad thoughts and great feares of the dangerous consequences that might follow thereupon and further they did earnestly press that there might be no proceeding against his Majesties Person which would certainly continue the great distractions of the Kingdomes and involve them in many evils troubles and confusions but that by the free Councels of both Houses of the Parliament of England and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Scotland such course might be taken in relation to him as may be for the good and happiness of these Kingdomes both having an unquestionable interest in his Person as King of both
which duely considered we had reason to hope should have given a stop to all Proceedings against his Majesties Person But they understood that after many of the Members of the House of Commons have been imprisoned and secluded and also without and against the Consent of the House of Peers by a single Act of this Parliament alone power being given to certain Persons of their own Number of the Army and some others to proceed against his Majesties Person in order whereunto he was brought upon Saturday last in the afternoon before this new Extraordinary Court. Wherefore they do in the Name of the Parliament of Scotland for their vindication from false aspersions and calumnies declare That though they are not satisfied with his Majesties Concessions at Newport in the Isle of Wight especially in the matters of Religion and are resolved not to crave his Majestes restitution to this Government before satisfaction be given by him to this Kingdome yet they do all unanimously with one voice not one Member excepted disclaim the least knowledge of or accession to the late Proceedings of the Army against his Majesty and sincerely profess that it will be a great grief unto their hearts and lie heavy upon their spirits if they shall see the trusting of his Majesties Person to the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England to be made use of to his ruine so far contrary to the declared intentions of the Kingdome of Scotland and solemn professions of the Kingdome of England and to the end it may be manifest to the world how much they abominate and detest so horrid a design against his Majesties Person they do in the Name of the Parliament and Kingdome of Scotland Declare their dissent from the said Proceedings and the taking away of his Majesties Life and protest that as they are altogether free from the same so they may be free from all the evils miseries confusions and calamities that may follow thereupon to these distracted Kingdomes In thus much is contracted the large Letter of the Scottish Parliament to which the Parliament in short answer That as to the alteration of the fundamentall Laws of the Land and allowing liberty of Conscience in Religion if Scotland had not the same power of liberty as they did not go about to confine them so they would not be limited to them but leaving them to act in relation to theirs as they shall see cause resolve to maintain their own Liberties as God should enable them In relation to the putting the King to death they had done it upon serious consideration of the miseries both they and the Nation had suffered by the Misgovernment and Tyranny of that man of sin as they termed him that they doubted not but God would prosper them in it That if Scotland would not now with them assert its Liberties but espouse that quarrell they would reap no other advantage by it but a lasting Warre and the miseries that attend it or the intailing of a perpetuall slavery under a Tyrant and his Issue to them and their posterity These jarrings at length produced a bloudy Warre betwixt the two Nations to the devastation and almost utter ruine of Scotland as the sequell of the Story will show The Parliament Order the Army to march Northward The Parliament now more fully ordered that no Member whatsoever who had absented himself from sitting in the House since the 31. of December 1648. should be re-admitted into the House but should be utterly secluded and barred from sitting except such as had been imployed in the service of the Parliament They then consider of wayes for raising of Money to serve their Occasions and in order thereto appoint a Committee to consider of the Revenues of the late King Queen Prince Bishops c. and how they may be improved to their greatest advantage Collonel Popham Collonel Dean and Collonel Blake who are to go with the Fleet are ordered to go down immediately and nine pound a day appointed for their maintenance The Lord Warwicks Commission of Admirall of the Seas and Warden of the Cinque Ports being null'd and that power put into the Hands of the Councell of State who have devolved it upon those three aforementioned In the mean time those who stand out in the two Cityes of Dublin and London-Derry for this Parliament earnestly entreat relief before that Ormond Inchiqueen and Owen-Roe who were very near Compositions should joyn which would go near to ruine all They therefore desire that eight thousand men formerly promised them might come over which would either hinder the malevolous Conjunction threatned or be a good Barricado against them however they promise to hold out as long as possibly they can The Earl of Lothian Sr John Chesley and Mr Glendonning who came as Commissioners from the Parliament of Scotland to this of England not having received any satisfaction in relation to their Instructions or the Desires of the Parliament of Scotland being somewhat angry but loath to express their Choller by word of mouth after their departure from London send back a Letter by a servant to the Parliament in the Name of the Parliament of Scotland enumerating all their Declarations the breach of all their Covenants Oaths and Protestations for contiruance of the late Government and how much they had gone contrary to all of them in what they had now done to King Lords c. desiring them to do their first work which if they did not as they that then they would wash their hands of all the misery that was like to ensue This so netled our Parliament that they immediately imprison the Messenger and besides the giving secret Order for the securing the Subscribers they put forth a Declaration against the Paper arguing it to contain much scandalous and reproachfull matter against the just Laws and Government of this Nation to the high dishonour thereof That it was a design in the contrivers and subscribers of it to raise Sedition and lay the grounds of a new and bloudy Warre They therefore Declare that all Persons whatsoever residing in England or Ireland or Scotland that shall adhere to the said Subscribers in pursuance of the Grounds by them laid in the said Paper are Rebels and Traitors to the Commonwealth of England and shall be proceeded against as Rebels and Traitors They likewise Order that a Letter be sent with a Copy of that Paper to the Parliament of Scotland to know if they will own or justifie it The Parliament are so necessitated for Moneys that they are resolved to let no way slip for the raising of it the ancient Standard in the Palace-yard shall not scape but a Committee is ordered to examine what it might be worth in case it were sold for publique use The Parliament in consideration of Sr George Ascues eminent services at Sea order him to be Admirall of the Irish Seas and Modell the Expences of the Navy as low as they can possibly whereby a great part
sought to have their goods or estates but to carry on the Lords work c. with a great deal of such like stuff To this Letter Coll. Kerre sends an Answer to Commis Gen. Whalley in very short terms telling him That though they were not in a capacity to act against the Englishmens unjust invasions yet they were in a capacity to suffer and should submit to Gods will either by doing or suffering till the time of their deliverance came that if it were their happiness to perish in their duty it would be a sufficient mercy to them and when the persecution had arrived to its height their captivity should be returned Adding that he thought it strange the English should talk of a cessation whilest they were captivating their poor people assaulting their Garrisons apprehending their Ministers tearing them from their holy callings and from their holy sighing stocks concluding the departure of the English out of that Kingdome and then desiring a Christian Treaty would be a great favour and mercy equally as great to the one as the other that in the mean time he should stand upon his guard and expect no further overtures of peace But to digress a little About the latter end of this moneth of October departed this life the Prince of Orange who had lately endeavoured to curb the High and Mighty States in him King Charles lost his greatest interest he had in those parts His Princess some ten days after his death was delivered of a young Prince which in part mitigated the grief for her Husbands death But let us look a little into Ireland where Sr John Dungan and Scurlog having gotten together neer 500 Horse and Foot met with a party of the Parliaments Army of about 300 charged them and overpowring them in Horse routed them slew 50 upon the place took neer 40 Prisoners and had carried them into the Woods had not Captain Essex with about 50 Horse 20 Dragoons and 100 Foot come to their rescue the body of the English Army lay before Limerick But to return again to Scotland Cromwell seeing that Peace would not be hearkned to disposes his Army to the Warre Major Brown with a party takes in Dalhouse a supposed harbour of Moss-Troopers of which sort of vermine he took divers in Darlington house whom he caused to be shot upon the place Collonel Monk is sent with a party to reduce Roselane Castle which with the help of some Granadoes he makes yeeld to mercy Major Generall Lambert marches to Dunfreez to joyn with Whalley who had taken Dalkeith Castle by a terrible summons in his march against Kerre and Straughan This Castle wall was thirteen foot broad at the top and well stored with Ammunition and Provision Collonel Kerre was now about Beebles Lambert having with much difficulty marched over the River to Hamilton resolves to quarter there that night which Kerre hearing resolved to beat up his quarters and if possible surprize the Major Generall this he attempted with a great deal of resolution but the English taking the Alarme intime on a sodaine encompassed most of the enemies Horse killed 100 took 100 besides 400 Horse and Furniture forsook of their Riders therest they pursued as far as Ayre in the which pursuit Collonel Kerre was was taken and severall of his Officers This defeat caused Straughan to come in who was with the rest carried by the Major Generall to the head Quarters Cromwell all this while strongly besieges the Castle of Edinburrough yet his mines prove ineffectuall in that hard Rock so that he causes an artificiall Mount to be raised whereon to plant his battery so that his Canons and Granadoes flew thick and three-fold at the Castle at which the Defendants at first hung out a red Flag in defiance but after a short time hung out a white one for Parley which was accepted and after a great many Messages to and fro surrendred upon Articles agreed upon between Major Abernethe and Captain Hynderson on the part of the Castle and Collonel Monck and Liev. Coll. White on the Generals to this effect First That the Castle be surrendred to his Excellency on the 24th of December with all the Arms Magazine and furniture of warre thereto belonging That the Governour with all the Officers and Souldiers should then march forth with their Arms Colours flying Drums beating Matches lighted and Bullet in mouth whether they shall think fit That such adjacent Inhabitants as had Goods in the Castle should have them restored and to that purpose they had liberty from the 19th to the 24th of December to fetch them away The sodain rendition of so strong a hold as this was made the world beleeve that the Canons plaid upon it with Silver instead of Iron shot About this time there was a kind of petty Insurrection in Norfolk by a company of inconsiderable persons who declared for the suppressing of Popery restoring King Charles to his Crown revenge of his Fathers death and for rooting out of heresie and schisme but being only begun by a disorderly number they were soon vanquished and the principall risers about 20 in number executed Sr Henry Hide having received a Commission from the King of Scots to be Ambassadour for him at the Grand-Signors Port in Constantinople being arrived there stood in competition with Sr Thomas Bendish then Ambassadour and the Case being heard before the Vizier the Verdict was given on Bendish his side so that Sr Harry Hide was forced to depart the Port whence coming to Smyrnd with an intention to go for Venice he was by a wile invited on board a Ship to a Feast was treacherously brought away to England and here beheaded before the Royall Exchange for having taken Commissions from that King The Winter being now at the height made the War in Scotland at a stand on the English part but the Scots having now as they thought throughly purged their King proceeded to his Coronation which was performed at Scone with as much Solemnity and Gallantry as their necessities would permit on the first of January 1651. The King crowned they proceed to the Excommunication of Straughan Swinton and others who had deserted them and were gone in to the English they then strive to pacifie dissenting parties and pass an Act for new Levies throughout the Nation The King is likewise created Generall of this Army now intended to be levied with an unusuall kinde of Ceremony viz. by crossing a Pike Musket Carabine and Sword over his Head Lothian Carre is made Major Generall and Middleton Lieutenant Generall David Lesley having layn down his Commission The English now beginning to stir Collonel Fenwicke is commanded to march with two Regiments of Horse and Foot for reducing of Hume-Castle who having faced it sent a Summons to the Governour to which he returned an answer the capriciousness whereof makes me insert both Thus ran the Summons Sir His Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell hath commanded me to reduce this Castle you now
Person and Authority and to proceed against all such Offenders according to Law and Justice which Declaration was published Munday May 7th From Ireland arrived a Declaration of the General convention there wherein they expressed their detestation of the most execrable murder of our late most Gracious Soveraigne Charles the first and the illegall proceedings of the High Court of Justice against him The Parliament Ordered 50000lb to be sent over to his Majesty for a present as a test of their duty and loyalty and 50000lb more towards the payment of the Arrears of the Army and sent a Committee to the City to desire them to raise the money immediately for which they should receive satisfaction by the next assessement and receive in the mean the interest at 6. per cent which was presently granted by the City and care taking for its spedy provision The Commoncounsell of the City of London to testifie their loyall gratitude to his Majesty Ordered 10000lb to be sent for a present to his Majesty and 300lb to be given to the Lord Mordant and Sr John Greenvile who brought them his Majesties Letter to buy each of them a Ring They likewise ordered that to the most illustrious Prince James Duke of York and his Princely Brother Henry Duke of Glocester a 1000lb be presented to each of them The Parliament Order that a stop be put to the sale of the Estates of the Lord Craven Sr John Stawell and Alderman Bunce and likewise to the estate of the Duke of Buckingham and that their names be inserted into the proviso of the Bill of of Grants and Sales The Horse adjourned Easter Term to Quinque Paschae being May 28th 1660. Upon the third of May the Lord Mountague having received a Letter from his Majesty together with his Majesties gracious message to the House of Commons the Letter to his Excellency and Declaration presently called a Counsel of War to whom he communicated the said Letters which were received by them all with much hearty affections and testimonies of their exact loyalty and duty to his Majesty whereupon the General firing the first Gun himself cried God blesse King Charles the Guns from the rest of the Fleet with those from Deal and Sandwich Castles did with loud Vollies re-eccho the joy for such a happy time the shouts of the Seamen testifying their extraordinary cheerfullnesse and alacrity But now comes the day the like whereof was never enrolled in the Enguish Calender nor ever was there known a day whereon the people did with so unanimous and generall consent testifie their unexpressible content and gladness And well might they since from this time alone we can truly date the restored happinesse of the English Nation what passed before being as it were only glimmerings of this immense and radiant light The Parliament having the day before Ordered the Proclamation of his Majesty to be on the 8th day of May he was with the greatest solemnity possible all the chief Lords of the Parliament attending in their Coaches together with many eminent Members of the House of Commons the Lord General the Lord Major and Aldermen with the whole Militia of the City Proclaimed Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland the most potent mighty and undoubted King Nor did they intend by this Proclamation to seem as if they thought his Reign was to be begun from that time but confessed that forthwith upon the death of his Father the Imperiall Crown of England and the Dominions thereof did as absolutely bring unto him as now after Proclamation so that this is the twelfth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord King Charles the second whom God preserve The House of Lords the House of Commons and the City of London made choice of severall most eminent and worthy persons of their number to attend his Majesty which that they may not by posterity be forgotten I have inserted their names For the House of Lords Earl of Oxford Earl of Middlefex Lord Brooke Earl of Warwick Lord Viscount Hereford Lord Barkley For the House of Commons Lord Fairfax Lord Bruce Lord Falkland Lord Castleton Lord Herbert Lord Mandevile Sr Horatio Townsend Sr Ant. Ashey-Cooper Sr George Booth Denzill Hollis Esq Sr John Holland Sr Henry Chomely For the honourable City of London Sr James Bunce Bar. Alderman Langham Alderman Reynardson Alderman Browne Sr Nicholas Crispe Alderman Thomson Alderman Fredrick Alderman Adams Recorder Wilde Alderman Robinson Alderman Bateman Alderman Wale Theophilus Biddulph Richard Ford. Will. Vincent Thomas Bludworth Will. Bateman J. Lowes Esq Major Chamberlaine Coll. Brumfield By Order from the Parliament that all Signs of the late Arbytrary Power might be rased the States Armes were to be taken down from all Churches and publick places that in the Parliament House and in Guildhall being taken down and the Kings Armes set up in their room the Statue of his late Majesty was likewise set up again at the Chappel in Guild-hall-yard The Votes of the Parliament were also for the Fleet to go immediately to receive his Majesties Orders and be at his Devotion That the Kings Majesty be desired to return speedily to Parliament and exercise of his Kingly Office That all Ministers shall in their publick prayers pray for his Majesty under the name of Our Soveraign Lord Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. And the most Illustrious Prince James Duke of York with the rest of the Royall Progeny Which is the hearty and fervent prayer of the Author and all good Subjects and so let the conclusion be Long live King Charles II. THere is now made publique Eighteen Books of the Secrets of Art and Nature being the sum and substance of Naturall Philosophy First designed by John Wecker and now much inlarged by Dr. R. Read Sould at the Star in St. Pauls Church-yard
his Father or him formerly and particularly the Lord Montross Thirdly That he bring but 100 with him into Scotland And fourthly That he bring no forreign force into Scotland without their consent But whether these Conditions were by him agreed to or no I think is hardly known In the mean while the Parliaments friends in Ireland are but in a bad condition they therefore desire present aid Clanrickard Taffe and Preston with their Catholicks having made a full agreement with Ormond and Inchequeen the Articles were viz. after the Catholicks acknowledgement by way of preamble That Charles the second is King of Ireland and that they will stand to him with their lives and fortunes It is agreed 1. That the Catholicks have free exercise of Religion in Ireland and all penalties taken off 2. That a Parliament shall be held within six Moneths or after when the Catholicks desire 3. All Laws made in the Parliament of England since 41 in blemish of Catholicks in the next Parliament to be null 4. All Indictments against any Catholicks since 41 to be vacuated 5. Way and provision made that Catholicks may be Elected and Vote in Parliament 6. All Debts to remain as they were February 8. 1641. notwithstanding any disposition under colour of Attainder 7. The Estates of the Knights Gentlement and Freeholders of Connaght Clare Thomond Limerick and Tipperary to be secured by Act. 8. All incapacities of the Natives in Ireland to be taken away by Act. 9. All Honours Trusts c. to be conferred as well on Catholicks as Protestants 10. That the King take 2000lb per annum in lieu of the Court of Wards 11. Noble men to be capable of more Proxies then two in Parliament 12. That the depending of the Parliament of Ireland on that of England shall be as shall stand with the Laws of Ireland 13. That the Counsell-Table meddle only with State-matters 14. That all Acts forbidding the transport of Wooll be made null by the next Parliament 15. That if any have been wronged by Grants from King James or since they may have relief in Parliament 16. That divers particular Lords Knights and Gentlemen who have as they conceive been wronged may be righted 17. That all who have had their Estates taken from them in Cork Youghall and Dungarvan have restauration 18. That in the next Parliament an Act of oblivion pass to all Ireland 19. That no Lord Deputy or other Officer of Eminency farm the Customes 20. An Act against Monopolists and no imposition on Aqua-vitae 21. That the Court of Castle-chamber be regulated 22. The Acts prohibiting plowing with Horses by the tail and burning Oats in the Straw be nul'd 23. That his Majesty take off the grievances of the Kingdome 24. That Maritime causes be determined in Ireland 25. That no Rents be raised under pretence of defective titles 26. That Interest be forgiven from 1641. 27. That all this be Acted and of force till a Parliament agree it 28. That the Commissioners for the Catholicks that treated agree upon such as shall be Commissioners of the peace and hear all causes under 10lb. 29. That all Governours of Towns Castles c. made by the King be with the approbation of Catholick Commissioners 30. That none of his Majesties Rents be paid till a full settlement in Parliament 31. That the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer do try all Murthers Thefts c. 32. That hereafter such Differences as arise between Subjects be tried by a Court in Ireland 33. That the Roman Clergy that behave themselves according to this Agreement be not molested These Articles thus agreed on Ormond publishes a Declaration exasperating the horrid Murther of the late King and Declaring Charles the second King of Ireland as the true lawfull and undoubted Heir to his Father and to him and in his Defence they all resolve to stick with lives and fortunes The Counsell of State begin now to take the business of Ireland into more serious consideration and to dispatch relief the sooner Order that a convenient number of Shipping be made ready at Bristoll Leverpool Beaumorris and Milford Haven to transport the Army and to be at the direction of the Commander in chief for Ireland They likewise give Order that an Hospitall be provided for maimed Souldiers in Dublin That all those who are already in the Parliaments pay in Ireland do joyn with those now sent over under the Command of his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell That Bread Salt Cheese and other provisions be provided with a train of Artillery And that care be taken that continuall supplyes of men be constantly sent The seventh of Aprill the Parliament for the better supply of their Army and taking off the intollerable oppression of Free-Quarter pass an Act for 90000lb. a Moneth for six Moneths But in relation to their present exigencies for setting forward of the relief for Ireland the Generall Earl of Pembroke and some others are sent to the City to borrow 120000lb. upon the security of the two last Moneths Assessment And now the business of Ireland goes on vigorously the Parliament making sundry Votes for its furtherance viz. That care be taken for provisions for the Winter Quarters That a sufficient number of Ships be imployed on the Coast at the Command of the Generall by Land That provision be made for maimed Souldiers and for the Widows and Orphans of Souldiers slain That a train of Artillery be provided That the Troopers be supplyed with such Backs Brests and Pots as shall be fitting And that care be taken for the convenient sending over of Recruits And indeed it was no time to dally now except they meant to have lost all for Ormond Taffe Preston and Inchequeen are mustering their Forces to lay siege to Dublin London-Derry and Sr Charles Coot in it was already besieged by the Covenanters or Laggan Forces And though Owen Roe's standing out might make a kinde of schisme amongst them yet it was judged that their Army would be numerous enough both to besiege Dublin and reduce him for which last service Inchequeen was intended his Brother Sr Phellime not being so sure a friend to him as was imagined so that Ireland could not at that time seem to be in any other condition then near utterly lost to the Parliament The sale of the Deans and Chapters Lands coming under consideration were found worth 9000lb per annum impropriate which goes towards the Ministers maintenance and 18000lb per annum old Rent which is to be sold But 1. It was resolved that 300000lb be raised on it in way of doubling as on Bishops Lands 2. That no Bill of Faith pass but such as hath been allowed by Trustees 3. That the 600000lb due for Souldiers Arrears stand good upon the Excise till other security be setled 4. That this 600000lb be paid out of Lands belonging formerly to the Crown 5. That twelve Trustees be for this Act six nominated by the Generall and six by the Parliament 6. That
judgeeth every mans actions impartially Some there were who got into Steeples and other places of defence thinking to save themselves but were all forced either by the sword or famine to yield who yet in cold bloud found as little mercy as their fellows had done in the heat of the Battell there being not above two escaping with their lives the Dean Barnard afterwards made Almoner and the other an old man by his leaping out of a Steeple which Cromwels Souldiers blew up with Gunpowder who though he broke his Leg yet had his life saved This great slaughter not being occasioned neither by the heat of the Souldiers but by Cromwels speciall Command who vowed somewhat to a noble Officer of his pleading for mercy for the Defendants That he would sacrifice their bodyes to the souls of the Englishmen they had murdered which he could not in justice say of those in Droghedah knowing them to be most Englishmen and such whose greatest fault was to serve their true and lawfull Soveraign in his just defence However this slaughter works for his ends for upon the News the Souldiers and Townsmen in Trim and Dundalke two adjacent Garrisons quit their holds and such was their haste in Trim that they l ft their great Guns behinde them on the Platforms and well might their fear be great at the News of Droghedahs taking when Sr Phelime O Neal at the hearing of it burst out in a passion swearing That if Cromwell had taken Droghedah by storm if he should storm Hell he would take it This considerable action having had such wished for success Cromwell directs his Army towards Wexford and in his way engarrisons Killingkerick and Arcklo Castle the feat of the Ormonds two deserted Forts many others in that March submitted whereof most being places inconsiderable were slighted others engarrisoned The first of October the Army faces Wexford and the Lord Deputy requires Collonel Synnot the Governour to make a speedy surrender of it he returnes an answer somewhat dubious so that many Papers pass between him and the Lord Deputy which was occasioned only by a design the Governour had to waste and delay time till the Earl of Castle-haven was entred into the Town with 500 men to strengthen the Garrison So when the Governour had received these recruits he no longer writes dubiously but plainly sends word to the Lord Deputy that he was resolved to stand it out to the utmost whereupon Cromwell being enraged at his mockery bends his force at the Castle which stands at the South-East end of the Town which after having received some hundreds of great Shot was forced to a rendition This so quelled the hearts of the stout Wexfordians that they quitred their Walls and gave the Enemy free leave to enter which they delayed not to do but meeting with no resistance fell in pell mell till they came to the Market-place where the Souldiers and Inhabitants reviving their courage in vain maintained their ground for a short time for they were soon over-powred and all that were found in Arms slain Thus Wexford being taken Cromwell marches on to Waterford and takes Passage-Fort but because of the Winter presently raises his Army and whilest severall parties are disposed in their winter-quarters they reduce severall engarrisoned places so that in fine all considerable places in Ireland except Limerick Waterford Clonmell Galloway and Kilkenny were in the possession of the Lord Deputy Cromwell But let us leave him thus victorious in Ireland and return to the King and Scots The King seeing business go so ill in Ireland resolves to comply somewhat neerer with the Scots who notwithstanding his giving Commissions to Montross still sollicit him by Commissioners and at length come to agreement with him The news of this and the Scottish great preparations for warre and as it is supposed to invade England makes the Parliament send over to Ireland for their victorious Generall Cromwell whom they intend to send into Scotland to hinder their coming into England Generall Fairfax having pleaded his disability to go but Cromwell before his coming away he reduces the City of Kilkenny and the strong Fort of Clonmell the one by Articles the other by storm which done leaving Ireton Deputy in his stead he takes Ship at Wexford and so came over to Bristoll and from thence by Post to London where upon Saturday the first of Iune he arrived with unexpressible imaginations of joy About this time Prince Rupert who had played many pranks at Sea is blocked up by the three English Admirals in Lisbone most of his Ships being before either taken or sunk who treat with the King of Portugall to force him out of his harbour which he by no means neither promises nor threats could be induced to do though the English surprize many of his Sugar-Ships coming from Brazill and threaten to take the rest in case he resolves not to renounce his protection of Prince Rupert but at last the English for want of water and victuals are forced to depart from before the Port which opportunity Prince Rupert taking gets out and steers for Malaga whither the English having victualled follow them take the Roe-Buck force the Black-Prince and four more ashore and Prince Rupert escaping with two Ships more they sleight him and giving over further search return with victory to England About this time likewise the English having sent Mr Anthony Ashcam Agent to the King of Spain he arrived the 5th of Iune 1650. at Sancta Maria where hearing many threats against his person he procured a guard for to convey him to Madrid where at his first arrivall lying at an Inne being the next day at dinner with his Interpreter six roaring Dons knockt at the door and having easie admittance Mr Ashcam rose to salute them whereupon the first stabbed Mr Ashcam and his Interpreter endeavouaing to escape was wounded in the belly both falling down dead in the place the murtherers though they escaped to the Sanctuary were fetched out by the King of Spain but again returned thither by the Popes speciall mandate The League and agreement being as I said before fully concluded between the Scots and the King so that there wanted nothing but their having him with them which to expedite he hastens from Breda comes to the Hague and there takes shipping from whence notwithstanding the wait laid for him he arrives safely at the Spey in the north of Scotland where he is received with the best entertainment the Scots could give him But before he ascend the Throne there are other Conditions to be agreed on which they told him not of before 1. He must take the solemn League and Covenant 2. He must subscribe to a Declaration of the Kirks own framing declaring That he renounced the sins of his Fathers house and of his own the Idolatry of his Mother by a constant adhering to the Cause of God according to the Covenant in the firm establishment of Church-government as it is laid down
in the Directory of publique Worship Confession of Faith and Catechisme These and many other bitter Pills was he forced to take to purge him and make him fit for that Crown which was shortly after put upon his head And now the Parliament of England begin to think of their security and for fear of an invasion from the Scots resolve to invade the Scots they therefore order the Armies speedy advance which presently allarms the Scots they send two or three Papers to Sr Arthur Haslerig then Governour of Newcastle expostulating for the suddain approach of the English Army which they do only to gain time that they may be in a better readiness to receive them The Parliament to satisfie the people of England publish a Declaration large and specious enough shewing the causes and reasons of the Armyes so suddain advance into Scotland though indeed they could pretend nothing in justice but only a fear lest Scotland should invade them July 22. 1650 The English Army quit their Quarters at Barwicke and advance into Scotland as far as the Lord Mordingtons house so they are now the first invaders thence on to Copperspeth and so to Dunbar where they receive provisions from their Ships and so march to Haddington At Haddington the Lord Generall Cromwell hearing that the Scotch Army would meet him next at Gladmoore endeavours to possess the Moore before them but no considerable Party of Scots appeared Lambert and Whalley are sent with 1400 Horse to attempt somewhat on the Enemy at Musselborough but nothing could be done The English encamped that night within four Miles of the Scots but the next day they perceived the Scots Camp so strongly fortified and flankred with great Guns that they judged it in vain to attempt any thing upon it so the English retreat to refresh themselves the Scots fell in on their rear and put them to some disorder till a body of English Horse close with them put them to the rout and pursue them to their very trenches Lambert was in this encounter wounded in two places and taken prisoner but rescued again two or three Scotch prisoners of note were taken and some few slain on both sides The English march off quietly to Musselborough but very much tired and faint for want of provisions and by lying open in the rain that they expected the Enemy should fall upon them in the night which they did broke through the English Guards and put a Regiment of Horse to disorder but the English sallying and the whole Army taking the Allarm charged routed and pursued those fifteen Troops under Command of Montgomery and Straughan These losses made the Scots keep closer in their trenches In the mean time affairs go on well for the Parliament in Ireland Teoroghan-Castle notwithstanding the stour resistance of the Lady Governess is at last compelled to yield Waterford before which the Lord Deputy Ireton was set down was in a yielding capacity Ormonds Castlehavins and other royall Forces dispersed so that there now remained only Limericke Galloway and some other inconsiderable Garrisons to the wholly reducing that Kingdome Somewhat before this the English Plantations in Virginia and the Caribdy Island revolted from their obedience to the Parliament and declare unanimously for Monarchy and Liturgy but the decay of their Trade without which they could not long subsist and a Squadron of Ships sent under the Command of Sir George Askew quickly reduces them to complyance The Parliament of England the more to afflict the Scots and encrease their misery prohibite all traffick with them command all their Merchants and Ships to depart in ten dayes who going without Convoy most of them fall into the hands of the English Frigots against whom they could make no resistance Collonel Eusebius Andrews being taken with a Commission from the King is apprehended and accused for a design to subvert the Government of this Commonwealth for which he is condemned and executed on Tower-hill one Benney who was found to have a hand in the business is hanged drawn and quartered at Tyburne But to digress The Prince of Orange having a design to enlarge his power over the united Provinces is impeaded by the City of Amsterdam whereupon he endeavours to surprize it but the Burgers having advice of it by letting open their sluces forbid the approach of his Army so his design failing he came off with disgrace but they afterwards came to an agreement and the Prince was forced to be content with the power he had before or less The English Army in Scotland to which it is time to return having taken Collington-house and Readhall by storm and in the last the Lord Hamilton Major Hamilton and good store of Ammunition and provision move from Pentland-hills and Collington and Readhall within a Mile of the Scotch Army both Armyes march side by side in view of each other but a Bog betwixt them hindred an Engagement but the great Guns played on both sides which nevertheless provoked not the Scotch to fight but still they kept under protection of the Bog which the English seeing retreated and marcht to Musleborough to refresh themselves which done they draw off and march to Haddington the Scots attending their right wing fall on desperately but are repulsed by Collonel Fairfaxes Regiment September 1. 1650 the English Army marched to Dunbar whither the Scots followed them and drew up their whole Army upon a high Hill within a Mile of the Town The English Army drew up in a Corn-field below being encamped on a neck of Land not a Mile and half from the Sea to Sea so that the Scots Army being above them and finding their advantage endeavoured the gaining of Copper-speth-pass which effected they bragged they had the English in Essex his pound and Lesly the Scotch Generall bragged he would have the English either dead or alive The straits of the English were very great many sick and disabled and themselves pen't up in this manner wanting provisions they resolved on the third of September either to force their way through their Enemies or die nobly in the attempt a Party of Horse is first set to gain the pass which effected the whole Army charged and after about an hours hot engagement the Scotch Horse being routed the Foot threw down their Arms and fled There was in the Scotch Army this day neer 16000 Foot 6000 Horse wherof 4000 were slain neer 10000 taken Prisoners The English Army were not above 7500 Foot and 3500 Horse besides disabled men There was taken from the Scots neer 200 Foot and Horse Colours 27 Fieldpieces 10000 Arms and many Prisoners of note amongst which were the Lords Liberton Lumsdale and Grandison This relation gives me occasion to give you some heads of Cromwel's Letter to the Speaker wherein the Reader may please to observe his religious canting and judg themselves if they would not have took him for a Saint Having given a relation of the fight and victory he craves leave to add
a few words of which these are part viz. It is easie to say the Lord hath done this it would do you good to see and hear our poor Foot go up and down making their boast of God but Sr it is in your hands and by this eminent mercy God puts it more in your hands to improve your power and his blessings to his praise we that serve you beg of you not to own us but God alone We pray you own his people more and more for they are the Chariots and horsemen of Israell disown your selves but own your authority and improve it to curb the Proud and the insolent such as would disturb the tranquility of England though under what specious pretences foever c. Again Since we came into Scotland it hath been our desire and longing to have avoided bloud in this business by reason that God hath a people here fearing his Name though much deceived and to that end we have offered much love to such in the bowels of Christ and concerning the truth of our hearts therein we have appealed unto the Lord c. and more this is the great hand of the Lord and worthy the consideration of all those who taking into their hands the instruments of a foolish shepheard to wit medling with worldly policies and mixtures of earthly power to set up that which they call the Kingdom of Christ which is neither it and if it were would such means be found effectuall to that end and neglect or trust not to the Word of God the Sword of the Spirit which is alone powerfull and able for the setting up of that Kingdom and when trusted to will be found effectually able for that end and will also do it This is humbly offered for their sakes who have lately too much turned aside that they might turn again to preach JESVS CHRIST according to the simplicity of the Gospell c. If this man could not dissemble well who ever did The Parliament ordered that the Scottish Colours taken from Duke Hamilton at Preston in Lancashire and those sent from Dunbar taken at the now recited battell should be hanged up in Westminster hall the one on the one side and the other on the other side About this time died in the Isle of Wight the Princess Elizabeth third Daughter to the late King Charles who had her Funerall rights performed in Newport Church in the same Island Tuesed Sept. 24. presently after which the Parliament gave order for the sending of Henry Duke of Glocester her Brother to the University at Heidelberg a Town of the Prince Electors where the Parliament ordered him an allowance of 1500lb per annum Quam diu se bene gesserit In the mean time by the care and pains of the Lord Deputy Ireton Munster and Vlster are reduced to obedience except some Tories which stand out and lie sculcking in the woods and fastnesses Waterford being surrendred there was nothing now left towards the Conquest of that Countrey but Connaught to which effect Limerick as the pass into it was blockt up Deputy Ireton But let us by a little leave these affairs in Ireland for the more important affairs of Scotland After the Victory won at Dunbarr the Scots not only lose all their Arms and Artillery in the Camp but likewise quitted Leith and Edinburrough whereupon the Lord Generall the 7th of Septemb. sends four Regiments to take possession of Leith where they found 37 Guns mounted on the Platforms some shot and store of Ammunition and the same day Cromwell draws the rest of the Army into Edenburrough without any loss save the Arm of a Souldier though the Castle plaid hot upon them After the Army had spent some time in fortifying Leith and Cromwell had by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet proclaimed a Protection of Markets and liberty of Trade in Edinborrough and Leith the Army advances towards Sterling whither most of the Scottish Nobility and Gentry had retired from Edenborrough and Leith and Septemb. 18. being within a mile of the Town a Counsell of Warre was called and a Summons resolved to be sent for its surrender to the service of the Commonwealth of England and accordingly a Trumpeter was sent with a Letter who being come near the Town was met by a Gentleman on foot with a Pike in his hand who told him that he would neither let him come in nor receive his Letter The same day the Scots sent our a Trumpet desiring a release of Prisoners upon ransome but Generall Cromwell returned answer That he came not thither to make merchandize of men but for the service and security of the Commonwealth of England The Summons sent to Sterling not being received caused Orders to be given for the getting of Ladders and all things necessary for a storm but upon second thoughts the strength of the Enemy and dangers being considered it was agreed that the Army should draw off which accordingly they did and marched to Linlithgow which place lying between Edinborrough and Sterling being judged fitting to be made a Garrison of the Generall ordered to be fortified and leaving in it five Troops of Horse and six Companies of Foot marched with the rest to Edinborrough About this time Sept. 23. the afflicted Kirk of Scotland appointed a solemn day of Fasting and Humiliation 1. To humble themselves for their too much confidence in the arm of flesh 2. For the malignity and prophaness of their Army 3. For the plunderings and wickedness of their Army when they were in England 4. For their not sufficient purging their Army 5. For their Commissioners unlawfull and surreptitious manner of prosecuting the Treaty with their King and their crooked wayes in bringing him home 6. For their not sufficient purging the Kings house 7. For the just grounds they have to beleeve his Majesties repentance was not sound nor from the heart In the mean time Generall Cromwell endeavours to beget a right understanding with those that dissented from the King but stood for the Kirk viz. Coll. Kerre and Straughan and their adherents for there were three factions in Scotland viz. one in the North was for the King without the Kirk another party in the West was for the Kirk without the King the third was for King and Kirk and these were they then at Sterling who bore the greatest sway viz. The Committee of Estates and Generall Assembly To Coll. Kerr c. Commis Generall Whalley is sent with a party but he accosts them first with a Letter declaring That it was not unknown what amicable wayes they had used to avoid the effusion of Christian blood before and since they came into Scotland which though hitherto hath been ineffectuall yet they should endeavour the same Shewing further That their arms were still stretched out to imbrace them when ever God should incline them to come in and that they sought not dominion over them to enslave them nor to depress their Kirk Government neither that they
with all the Sail they could make ran towards their own Coasts But the English in respect of those dangerous flats thought it not safe to pursue them too far but only sent some light Frigots to discover their course In this encounter there was no certain account could be given of the Dutch that were slain but there were taken prisoners 6 Captains 1350 common-Seamen and others 11 men of War taken 6 sunk Of the English Gnerall Dean slain 1 Captain killed 120 Sea-men slain and 236 wounded But in all this desperate Batrell not one Ship lost or disabled The Dutch Fleet by the opportunity and advantage of the night got into the Wielings the Vley and the Texell to recruit their men and repair their losses which were so great but the loss on the English side being so inconsiderable they resolved to keep the Sea and having mended their torn and tottered rigging they call a Counsell of War where it was agreed on that the whole Fleet should make what hast they could towards the Weilings and by ranging up and down the Coast block up the Dutch in their habours which they did for a good space of time taking prizes at pleasure and not permitting the Dutch whose Fleet was seperated into severall harbours to joyn or be in a capacity to make any resistance so that the Dutch having now the English Fleet constantly in sight though against their wils need not be put to any further trouble of making a Hue and Cry after them But let us leave the Hollanders thus blockt up and return to our Scepter-aspiring Cromwell in England Who having finished his Consultations with his Counsell of Officers about choosing those persons into whose hands he intended to put the Legislative power of the Nation sends out his Warrants to those persons so by him chosen whom he will have stiled a Parliament though they amounted not to above 140 persons for the three Nations to appear at the Counsell-Chamber in Whitehall on the 4th of July 1653. where they being accordingly convened Generall Cromwell attended by severall Officers of the Army makes them a short speech which being ended he delivers them a Writing under his hand and Seal impowring them to be the supreme legislative Authority of the three Nations of England Scotland and Ireland with all the Territories thereto belonging and that any forty of them should be a Quorum sufficient to dispatch any publick business make Laws raise Moneys and order the affairs of Peace and War as they should think fit only their sitting was limited to the third of Nouember 1654 and three Moneths before their dissolution they were to make choise of others to succeed in their room So Cromwell having canted out a prayer that God would bless them and their Counsels dismissed them From thence they retired to the old Parliament-house at Westminster where having chose Mr Rouse Speaker they began to debate what they should call themselves a Parliament or something else but at last it was resolved in the affirmative by what law or reason few canguess that all addresses should be made to them as to a Parliament But it is very like many if not most of this pact Parliament knew very well for what end and purpose they were called viz. to make way for Cromwels future greatness and though perhaps these were the fewer part yet be plainly endeavoured to hedge in the greater by somenting those differences among them which his earnest pressing them to take the Tithes and Universities into consideration caused About this time John Lilburn who for his factious spirit had long lain in prison and was at last banished by the long Parliament upon occasion of this change of Government came into England and cast himself upon the Lord Generall Cromwell for protection but he knowing his turbulent temper refused to intermeddle but left him to the Law so being committed to Newgate he was brought to his triall in the Old Baily where notwithstanding the endeavours of his adversaries he so strongly pleaded his cause that the Jury brought him in not guilty But however his spirit be very well known and that he would still be carping at whatever Government should be established he was still kept prisoner first in the Tower and after in Dover-Castle where Trandling according to the madness of his brain from one opinion to another he at length fell into Quakerisme in which heresie he died But let us look a little into Scotland where though the English had got possession of most of the Forts Garrisons and strong holds in the Low-lands yet the High-landers from their craggy Cliffs made many incursions into the Country committing many Murthers Robberies and Outrages upon both people and Souldiers forth with again betaking themselves to their inaccessible fastnesses whither our Souldiers not knowing the Country nor Passes could not tell how to pursued them and they encreasing daily into great numbers headed by Glencarne Atholl Seafort and others The Lord Seafort having surprized seven or eight men that came ashore to seek provisions from aboard the Fortune Frigot who layar Anchor at Lew is Island was so vain as to send his Summons to the Ship requiring it to surrender but it proved as could not be otherwise expected ineffectuall The condition of Ireland was the same with that of Scotland all the strong holds and fortresses being reduced to the English yoke nor any opposition made but what the excursions of some Tories who lurked in Woods and Fastnesses and did much damage to the Country people and travellers on the Road produced The Hollanders perceiving their force too weak to resist the English strength send over four Commissioners viz. Monsieur Bevering Newport Youngstall and Vanderpaue who died soon aftet his arrivall here to renew again the Treaty Though three remaining Commissioners pursued their negotiations very close yet the Treaty produced at that present neither cessation or intermission of Arms but both parties prepared for War and had during the Treaty a most remarkable Fight which happened thus On the 29th of July the English Scouts discovered a Dutch Fleet from the Weilings consisting of about 95 men of War which Fleet Van Trump had all that while been preparing with indefatigable labour to beat the English from his Countries harbours and to encourage and add resolution to his Seamen had made proclamation That all the men of War taken from the English should be the Mariners with a considerable Summe of Money to whomever should take the Admirals or vice-Admirals Flag The English Scouts having espied them gave notice to the Fleet who made what Sail they could possibly towards them which the Dutch discerning stood away and the English after them but the wind being scarce came not into Shot till six a Clock when thirty light Frigots engaged them but little was done this day in regard the night parted them The Dutch all night stood into the Texell where there joyned with them 25 stout men of War
more so that now they made 120 in all With this Fleet Van Trump the next morning by break of day faced the English Fleet But the Generals Blake and Moncke finding the wind somewhat high and the weather thick and cloudy fearing the Sands or a Lee shore more then all the Dutch force stood off to Sea which made the Dutch suppose a flight so that one of Trumps Captains urged him to pursue them telling him that those dogs durst not abide one broad side from his Excellency that he might clearly see they ran away for fear and that he should not lose so fair an opportunity But generous Van Trump who knew the English better returned the Captain this modest answer Sr be you carefull to look to your charge and trouble your head no further for if the English were but 10 Sail I am sure they would fight us and so indeed it happened for the weather clearing up and the wind laying they drew up their Fleet into a body and tacked about to meet the Enemy who being likewise in a posture they presently engaged The Fight was couragiously maintained on both sides from between five and six in the morning till one in the afternoon both Fleets charging valiantly one through the other till at length the Dutch Admirall Van Trump fighting in the midst of the English Fleet with a great deal of courage and resolution was by a Musket Bullet shot on the left Pap near the heart and slain outright The Dutch began to decline many of their Ships being likewise fired or sunk and the amazement for their Generals death possessing the whole Navy they hoised up all the Sail possibly they could and made away directly for the Texell and the English befides the damage many of their Ships had received were loath to be too hold on that shore so they pursued them no farther but steered their course to Soal buy that they might there dispose of the prisoners and mend their tottered Sails and Rigging The English in this Fight had 8 Captains slain outright viz. Graves Chapvian Taylor Newman Crispe Owen Cox and Peacock and 400 common Seamen they had likewise 700 men wounded of which 5 Captains viz. Stoakes Seaman Rouse Hollander and Cabit they lost but one Ship viz. the Oake which was burnt by a Fireship and had two or three more disabled As for the loss the Dutch received in relation to those slain or wounded was uncertain but their visible loss was 30 men of War sunk or fired 6 Captains and about a 1000 prisoners taken but their greatest loss and indeed the loss of all was the loss of their Renowned Generall Van Trump who had the hard fortune to be alwayes beaten by the English yet could not his judgement be at all taxed nor his fame eclipsed which formerly he had so deservedly gotten to be esteemed one of the ablest and best understanding Sea-Captains in the world For this ominent piece of Service Cromwels pact Parliament ordered that Chains of gold should be presented to the Admirals Blake and Moncke Vice-Admirall Pen and Rear-Admirall Lawson other Chains were likewise presented to other Flag-Captains and Meddals of silver to the Officers of the Fleet in token of their good service But whilest our Fleets are thus victorious abroad discontents are broached at home by reason the Parliament had now sat near six Moneths and effected nothing for the good and settlement of the Nation having indeed done nothing at all but made that Act concerning Marriages out of meer envy and despite to the Clergy So beginning at first to lop off a branch of the Ministers maintenance that they might afterwards cut down the Tree Concerning Tithes it is debated in the House what saw fit to be done and a Committee appointed to onsider of so weighty a business who being fully convinced in a full hearing by arguments and reasons drawn both from the Laws of God and man of the legality of it make report to the House in the affirmative for Tithes which so exasperated those who were of the contrary faction that they begin clearly to argue against the Ministeriall Function urging it to be burdensome to the people and by that strange consequence Antichristian There were near 60 of the Members of this opinion which the rest though the major part fearing would undermine them by laying hold of some opportunity to assemble themselves together and by any forty of them being a Quorum accomplish their designes resolve to dissolve their House themselves which motion being made by a Member on the 12th of December was readily assented to and so the Speaker and severall others adjourned to Whitehall and redelivered their Instrument of Government into the hands of Oliver Cromwell from whom they had received it This Parliament having thus by writings under their hands resigned again the power given them the whole Authority both Civill and Military of these three Nations was by this resignation strangely understood to be devolved into the hands of Oliver Cromwell Whereupon he calls a Counsell of Officers who having some others joyned with them to consult of the settlement of a Government at length after much seeking of God where I leave the Reader to judge of the rabble of hypocriticall canting that was blabbered out they concluded to have a Commonwealth in a single Person That that Person should be Oliver Cromwell Captain Generall of all the Forces in England Scotland and Ireland That his Title should be Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging That he should have a Counsell of one and twenty persons to be assistant with him in the Government That an Instrument should be framed containing the Basis and foundation of this new established Government the chief Heads of which were these 1. That the Protector should call a Parliament every three years 2. That the first Parliament should be convened on the third of September 1654. 3. That he should not dissolve any Parliament till it had sate five Monoths 4. That such-Bills as they offered to him he not passing them in twenty dayes should pass without him 5. That he should have a select Counsell of men faithfull to his interest not exceeding one and twenty nor under thirteen 6. That the Protectorship should not be hereditary 7. That immediately after his death the Counsell should choose another Protector before they rose 8. That no Protector after him should be Generall of the Army 9. That in the intervals of Parliament he with consent of his Counsell might make Laws which should be binding to the Subject till the next Sessions of Parliament Oliver Cromwell now made Lord Protector who had taken so many Oaths and Covenants before is to swear afresh which was performed on the 16th of December 1653 with a great deal of State in the Chancery-Court in Westminster-Hall before the Judges Mayor and Aldermen of London with the chief Officers of the Natron
where in the presence of God he promised upon Oath not to violate or infringe the matters and things contained in the aforementioned Instrument but to observe and cause the same to be observed and in all things to the best of his understanding govern the Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customes seeking peace causing justice and Law to be equally administred Presently after the Administration of this Oath the following Proclamation was by Order of the Counsell published throughout all the Territories and Dominions of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland viz. Whereas the late Parliament dissolved themselves and resigning their whole powers and Authorities the Government of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland by a Lord Protector and successive trienniall Parliaments is now established And whereas Oliver Cromwell Captain Generall 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 do hereby to make publication of the premisses 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 hereof and to conforme and submit themselves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Mayors Bayliffs c. are required to publish this Proclamation to the end none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf This Proclamation was first of all proclaimed by a Serjeant at Arms in the Pallaceyard Westminster and by the Lord Major Sheriffs and Aldermen of London at the Royall Exchange and afterwards throughout all England Scotland and Ireland The City of London to shew their willing concurrence to this great Change invite the Protector to a Dinner at Grocers-Hall whither he is attended with a great deal of magnificence and received with as much pomp and splendor as possibly could be There he first first makes use of the Power given him in giving Titles of Honour by dubbing of Sr Thomas Viner then Lord Major of London Knight And now out of imaginary fears of danger the better to secure his state a seeming Plot is found out some Cavaliers are sent to the Tower and the others warned from London upon it but the Protector to shew his clemency at his first entrance into the Government after some small time of durance releases again those who were imprisoned in the Tower The King of Scots being now come into France was there honourably received by the Court where he took up his residence at which time there were many discontents of the Princes of the blood against the aspiring ambition of Cardinall Mazarine in so much that it had like to have come to a civill warre To compose which difference the King of Scots offered to mediate in order to a reconciliation wherein he so farre prevailed that he procured a Conference between Deputies on both sides to whom although he urged his own condition as an argument for the French King to compose the difference in love rather then to to stand it out all which proving ineffectuall both sides betake themselves to armes the Treaty not succeeding caused him to lie under the displeasure of the Cardinall The Scots in the Highlands under the command of Glencarne and Kenmore by Commission from the King rally and rise to a considerable body of neer 4000 Horse and Foot hoping they might once more fairly dispute their quarcell in field but Major Generall Morgan with 1500 Horse and Foot coming upon them at their Rendesvouz before they could get into any good order killed neer 200 on the place took most of the rest Prisoners Glencarne himself hardly escaping with about 40 Horse The three Agents from Holland having been here all this while and little or nothing agre on for the ratification of a Peace between the two States two of them went over to receive fuller power from the Lords States as was pretended but it was rather suspected that it was to fetch Money which was the only bait by which the Protector could be won to an accord for at their return the Peace was suddenly clapt up and by a large Proclamation annexed to the Articles shewing the reason 's of the Peace which would so much as was pretended redound to the good of the Nation though no understanding Englishman but might guesse at the inconveniencies of it proclaimed on the 5th of Aprill at London and after in other parts of England And now another Plot succeeds the last the chief designers are pretended to be Gilbert and John Gerrard Esquires brothers one Jones an Apotheeary Tewdor Fox and Vowell the design was to have slain the Protector raised an Army and brought in the King but how no man ever knew however these feigned Plots or at least Plots first contrived by themselves are good seturers of Tyrants and usurpers for hereby they fright men from reall designments the plotters are sent to the Tower and a High Court of Justice is erected for their triall Gerrard and Vowell are condemned to be hanged the rest are saved Vowell according to sentence was hanged at Charingcross but Coll. Gerrard upon Petition had the favour to be beheaded at Towerhill where he behaved himself so gallantly and looked death so unappalledly in the face that his very enemies were forced to admire his courage and constancy At the very same time Don Pantaleon Sa Brother to the Lord Ambassador of Portugall was beheaded on the same scaffold for having committed a ridiculous Riot on the New Exchange where followed by a crew of mad fellowes Servants and Lacquies to his Brother or himself he shot a Gentleman that was there walking in the head and had done further mischief had not the noble Coll. Gerrard who was for an other cause beheaded before him stopt their fury and with his Rapier drove them before him down stairs This Portugall came with so great fear to the block that many deemed his life was gone before the blow with the Axe was given The King of Scots being still in France and finding notwithstanding his own and his Mothers endeavours that the Treaty with France and England was vigorously solicited by Monsieur Newfvill Seeing that by necessary consequence the Peace being concluded he and his party must be enforced to leave France thought it a great deal better and more honourable voluntarily to desert that Kingdom then to stay till he were forced out by complement so he with his Brother the Duke of York his Cousins Prince Rupert and Edward retired themselves to Chatillon a house of the Prince of Conde's from whence not long after the King and Prince Rupert went into Germany But now Glencarne reenforced by hopes of Middletons coming out of Holland with supplies of Money and Ammunition begins to stirre again in the Highlands exhorting his Countrymen to gain themselves immortall fame by redeeming themselves and their posterity from the slavery and bondage they now lay under filling their
Protectors instrument were soon carried to his ear and therefore he fearing that in the end they would produce irreconcileable jarrs resolved to remedy them in time and to put the Parliament into a posture more complacent to his designs if possible he goes therefore by water from Whitehall to Westminster enters the Painted Chamber and sends for those Members of Parliament which were then sitting to whom he declared That the God of heaven knew what great grief and sorrow of heart it was to him to find them falling into heats and divisions That he would have them take notice of this that the same Government made him a Protector whech made him a Parliament That as they were intrusted with some things so was he with others That in the Gouernment there were certain Fundamentals which could not be altered As 1. That the Government should be in a single person and a Parliament 2. That Parliaments should not be perpetnall 3. That the Militia should not be trusted into one hand or power but so that the Parliament have a check on the Protector and the Protector on the Parliament 4. That in matters of Religion there ought to be liberty of Conscience and that persecution in the Church was not to be tolerated That the rest of the things in the Government were examinable and alterable as the State of affairs did require That for his own part his heart was even overwhelmed with grief to see that any of them should go about to overthrow what was setled contrary to their trust received from the people which cannot but bring very great inconveniences upon themselves and the Nation This was the summe of his perswasions to them but fearing that this would not sufficiently win them to his interest he provided a recognition to be signed by every individuall Member as followeth I do hereby promise and engage to be true and faithfull to the Lord Protector and the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and shall not according to the tenor of the Indenture whereby I am returned to serve in Parliament propose or give my consent to alter the Government as it is setled in one person and a Parliament This was subscribed by many of the Members though the major part rather chose to abandon the House the rest conntinued sitting to the end of the five Moneths at which time the Protector seeing their dilatory proceedings and that they delayed the setling him in the Government the time being expired wherein his Instrument gave him leave not letting slip one day nor sarce an hour dissolves them Some time after the time of this Parliaments dissolution was there a horrible terrible Plot discovered against his Highness the Lord Protector and his usurped power The first appearance of its effects was at Salisbury whither on the 16th of March came a Body of about 200 Cavaliers and it being then the time of the Assizes there they took away the Judges Commissions clapt guards on all the Innes till they had seized upon all the Horses then left the Town and marched towards Pool commanded by their Captains Wagstaffe Penruddocke and Jones Another Party at the same time surprized the Town of Shrewsbury and endeavoured to have taken the Castle but being discovered that design was prevented There was likewse a Party to the number of 800 or a 1000 men got together in Montgomeryshire In Sherwood-Forrest likewise in Nottingamshire there was a Party gathered together but frighted with their own shadows they dispersed as did likewise two parties which were upon Yorkeshire and Northumberland This Plot was said to have been laid all over the Nation though there were so few appearances and all those vanished of themselves except that commanded by Wagstaffe Penruddocke and Jones which being pursued by Collonel Vntoncrooke out of Wiltshire into Devonshire were by him and John Copleston Esquire Sheriff of Devon totally routed Penruddocke and Jones taken and Penruddocke with some others executed For this service the Protector afterwards dubbed the Sheriff of Devon and in token of more favour gave him the Sword wherewith he Knighted him About the end of this year 1654 died that famous Antiquary and accomplished Scholler Mr John Selden of the Inner Temple whose fame was so great in Forreign parts that many persons of known wisdome and Learning came over on purpose into England to see and admire him Nor need any give him any larger Encomium then the Right Reverend Bishop of Armagh gave him in the Pulpit when he preacht his Funerall Sermon viz. That he esteem'd Mr Selden a man of such vast parts and Learning that he judged himself not worthy to carry his Books after him The Protector had a great while been preparing a mighty Fleet with all necessary provisions for some notable voyage all the world standing amazed at his preparations and every one fearing thuir own States they could not guesse whither his design tended At length those vast preparations produced two mighty Fleets the one under command of Generall Blake was fitted only for the Sea and sent to the Streights The other about two moneths after was committed to the charge of Generall Pen who was to take aboard him a Land Army commanded by Generall Venables These Land Forces being about 3000 were divided into the severall Ships which were in number 30 sail of good Ships but not provided with Provisions necessary for so great an Army nor so long a voyage nor indeed could the Commanders provide themselves things fitting they not knowing whither nor how farre they were to go The 19th of December 1654 this Fleet set sail for Portsmouth directly for the Barbadoes where the Generals had order to break open their Commissions this being the appointed place of Rendesvouz whether having a fresh gale of wind and fair they arrived on the 29th of January and came all to anchor in Carlyle-bay where presently after they landed their men The sudden departure of these two great Fleets made the King of Spain who feared thry were designed against him to send an express command to the Marquess of Leda then Governour of Dunkirk to pass into England in the quality of an extraordinary Ambassadour to see if he could possibly search out the certainty of that grand Court secret he accordingly being arrived in England spent severall days here but having no satisfaction in that which he most of all desired returned back again But to return to our West-India voyage whilest the Fleet abode at the Barbadoes the Generals Collonels and inferiour Officers look'd diligently after their respective charges the Shallops brought in quarters out of England are set up the Coopers are ordered to trim the Watercaske two Frigots are sent to St Christophers and St Mevis to raise Men the Generals striving to compleat their Regiments at the Barbadoes and form Regiments out of the Seamen to serve upon occasion and at length being in a full readiness they shipt about 6000 Men and a Troop of Horse which the Islanders
Generals to be an eclipse of his glory reduced them again to their former Stations Another design of the Protectors to raise Money should have been the introduction of the Jewes into England Here was two hundred thousand pounds to be got which made the care of the encrease of the Church of Christ lye extreamly So he proposes it to severall Ministers for their approbation alledging that since there is a promise for their conversion means must be used to that end which is the preaching of the Gospell and that cannot be had except they be permitted to reside where the Gospel is preached But notwithstanding these Arguments the design was declaimed against both by Clergy and Laity so the Jews were denied their Re-admission though 't is supposed the Protector swallowed down some part of that sweet promised morsell The Spaniard having had certain advice of the attempt and repulse of the English at Hispaniola and their Possession of Jamaica thought this a sufficient breach of the peace though there was never any peace made with him beyond the Line he alwayes taking those English Ships he could light on and master though they went to traffick thither presently makes a seizure of all the English Merchants persons and goods then resident in Spain so that the War begins to grow hot on both sides the Tropick The Protector therefore orders the Generals Blake and Montague to block up Cadiz the chief Port-Town of the King of Spain and whither his Plate-Fleet used yearly to come He likewise endeavours a peace with France who had had Wars with Spain for a long time to which the Cardinall Mazarine consenting it was easily concluded on The French King being so inhumanely unworthy as upon Mazarines instigations to banish his Majesty the King of Scots and the rest of the late Kings children his nearest relations out of his Dominions though indeed he could do no more but forbid their re-entrance they being already gone to further the making of a peace with him who had so unjustly exposed them from their inheritances The English Fleet under Montagues and Blakes Command had for a good while in a manner besieged Cadiz by Sea but could by no exasperations be drawn out of their harbour to fight them the Spaniards thinking it a safer policy to let the English beat at Sea and at last be forced to depart for want of provisions rather then venture either men or Ships against them who they had seen so well experienced in such terrible Sea-fights with the Hollander But the English found in Wyers Bay in Portugall a convenient supply both of Water and provisions which proved a great deal nearer then the Spaniard imagined they would be forced to fetch it Hither were the Generals gone for fresh Water and provisions having left only a Squadron of seven Ships under Command of Captain Stainer before the Port of Cadiz to have an eye upon whatever Ships should pass in or out at that Port. Being thus plying to and fro thereabouts for some dayes it happened that a stiff gale of Wind forced Stainer to stand out to Sea where he spied a very pleasing object part of the King of Spains Fleet coming from the West-Indies and making directly for Cadiz he was somewhat to the Lee-ward made up towards them with all the Sail they could possibly and after some two hours hard plying Captain Stainer with his Ship the Speaker the Bridgewater and the Plimouth Frigots got up to them the other four of the English never being able to come up and presently these three engaged them Though the Spaniards were eight tall Ships or Galleons yet in short time the Spanish whole Fleet was spoiled whereof one was sunk two burnt two ran ashore and were bulged one escaped and two remained in the hands of the English one whereof had a great quantity of Plate and Cochenill in her the other was for the most part laden with Hides In these Ships many persons of note were taken who together with the Ships were safely convoyed home to the great joy of the Protector who made a particular day of Thanksgiving to God for so great a booty But notwithstanding the late great Plate prize yet our Protector is still necessitated for Moneys therefore to procure some and out of a longing desire he had to have his power confirmed to him by the people hoping that a new Representative might grant him that which the first denied or refused issues out his Writs for the Election of another Parliament Yet remembring the speeches and carriages of many Members in the late Parliament he gave secret advice to the Sheriffs in most Counties not to permit them if possible to be chosen however the people in most Countries choosing according to respect his secret advice would scarce hold water The 17th of September 1656 this Parliament met first at Westminster where they found the ancient priviledge of Parliament broken by a promise imposed upon every individuall Member before he should be permitted to sit in the House to wit that he would not act any thing prejudiciall to the Prebyterian Government which promise so to be made so digusted many of the Members that they choose rather to return home but the major part assenting to it entring the House chose Sr Thomas Widdrington for Speaker and began to act suitable to the wishes and desires of the Protector For first that they might secure his Highness person whose loss would certainly have been the ruine of the Nation against all attempts which should be made against him by the Malignant Party or such desperate Fellows as Sindercombe They make an Act wherein it was Enacted high Treason for any to attempt compass or imagine the Protectors death They likewise considering the end for which they were called grant him round summes of Money for the carrying on of the Spanish War and to that effect make these ensuing Acts. An Act for an Assesment upon England for three Moneths at the rate of a Moneth 60000lb On Scotland for three Moneth a Moneth 05000lb On Ireland for three Moneths a Moneth 05000lb On England Scotland and Ireland for three years England to pay 35000lb. Scotland to pay 06000lb. Ireland to pay 09000lb. An Act for continuing of Tunnage and Poundage An Act for preventing the multiplicity of Buildings in about the City of London and within ten Miles thereof A whole years revenue to be prefently paid for dwelling or Out-Houses that have been reared upon new foundations since the year 1620. An Act for Excize of Merchandise imported These with many other being presented to the Protector for his consent were by him gladly passed at which time he spake somewhat to this effect to the Speaker I perceive that among these Acts of Parliament there hath been a very great care had by the Parliament for the just and necessary support of the Common-wealth by these Bills for leavying of Money now brought to me which I have given my consent unto And understanding
it hath been the practice of those who have been chief Governours to acknowledge with thanks to the Commons their care and regard of the publicke I do very heartily and thankefully acknowledge their kindness herein But let us a little leave the Parliament perfecting all things to the Protectors content and see a relation of the victorious Generall Blakes thrice worthy exploit at Sancta-Cruze Generall Blake lying with his Fleet near Cadiz had advice brought him that the Spanish West-India Fleet was put into the Port of Sancta-Cruze in Teneriffa the chief Island of the Canaries Whereupon the Fleet weighs Anchor and on the 20th of Aprill 1657 were at the mouth of Sancta-Cruze Bay where they espied the Spanish Ships sixteen in number lying in an order almost semi-circular at the mouth of the Haven stands a Castle well furnished with Guns and besides that seven Forts more with three four and six Guns a piece so that the passage in must needs be dangerous or rather desperate Besides Don Diego D'aques the Spanish Admirall to make all safe had caused the smaller Ships to be mored alongst the shore and the six great Gallions lay farther off at Anchor with their broad sides towards the Sea Generall Blake having perceived this posture of defence in which they lay from the offing presently calls a Counsell of War where it was resolved that they should presently attaque them not at all considering the eminent hazard Captain Stainer Commander of the Speaker is ordered first in with them who presently falls upon the Ships not at all considering or regarding the number of the Shot which the Forts on every side continually powred upon him and maintains near an hours Fight till the Generals Blake and Montague having ordered some Frigots to ply the Forts and Brest-works with continuall broad sides came up and with all their power encountered the Spaniards who though they made a gallant resistance yet in four hours space they were driven out of their Ships which though possessed by the English yet could not easily be brought away so they were by them fired to the number of sixteen small and great This noble attempt cost the English but 48 men and 120 wounded The Spaniards besides the loss of their whole Fleet had many hundreds of men slain on the shore and in the Forts and Brest-works besides those which lost their lives in the Ships For this noble exploit the Protector by Order of Parliament sent a Diamond Ring worth 500lb for a present to Generall Blake And Captain Richard Stainer who led on the first Squadron was at his coming to England for this and his former service Knighted This year happened a Conspiracy of other sort of men then Cavaliers for on the 19th of Aprill 1657 at a House in Shoreditch severall discontented persons who had been formerly of the Army were apprehended who had appointed to have Rendesvowzed on Mile-end-Green and so have marched into other Counties to augment their Party Store of Arms were taken and the number of the Conspirators being many they were disposed of in severall prisons Major Generall Harrison Vice-Admirall Lawson Collonel Rich and Major Danvers were secured as the chief Ring-leaders This was called the Plot of the fifth-Monarchy-men The Protector out of a desire he had to keep the Spaniards to it every where makes a private agreement with France to send out a Brigade of his best Infantry which the French extreamly wanted to assist them in Flanders These were begun to be raised about the 4th of May 1657 and about the latter end of the Moneth having had a very fine passage into Picardy joyned with those Forces commanded by the Marshall of Turene Over these Sir John Reynolds one of the Protectors Knights but formerly Commissary Generall of the Army in Ireland was appointed Commander in chief and Collonel Morgan was made Major Generall But to return a little to our affairs at home The Parliament had long been debating concerning the settlement of his Highness and had almost concluded of it when on a suddain a Paper was sent into the House desiring his Highness advance of Title Upon this the grand machine of Government was printed entituled An humble Petition and Advice humbly entreating that his Highness would be pleased to change his Title of Protector to that of King This was extreamly averse to his nature who God bless us would be a Servant and not a Master of his Country He knew Monarchy to be odious both to the Army and as he said to the people and therefore he gave the Parliament this positive answer in the painted Chamber That he could not accept the Government under the Title of a King Whereupon the Parliament voted that Protector should be the Title of the chief Magistrate and the Petition and Advice being altered accordingly nothing now wanted to the making it a Law but his Highness approbation So a Conference is desired with him which granted the Protector on the 25th of May 1657 meets the Parliament in the painted Chamber where Sr Thomas Widdrington Speaker presents him with the humble Petition and Advice the substance whereof was 1. That his Highness Oliver Cromwell under the Title of Lord Protector would be pleased to execute the Office of chief Magistrate over England Scotland and Ireland and the Territories thereunto belonging c. and to govern according to all things in this Petition and Advice And also that he would in his life time appoint the person that should succeed in the Government after his death 2. That he would call a Parliament consisting of two Houses once in three years at farthest 3. That those persons who are legally chosen by a free Election of the people to serve in Parliament may not be excluded from doing their duties but by consent of that House whereof they are Members 4. That none but those under the Qualifications therein mentioned should be capable to serve as Members in Parliament 5. That the power of the other House be limited as herein prescribed 6. That the Laws and Statutes of the Land be observed and kept no Laws altered suspended abrogated or repealed or new Laws made but by Act of Parliament 7. That the yearly summe of a Million of pounds sterling be setled for maintenance of the Navy and Army and three hundred thousand pounds for support of the Government besides other temporary supplies as the Commons in Parliament shall see the necessities of the Nation to require 8. That the number of the Protectors Counsell shall not be above twenty one whereof the Quorum to be seven 9. The chief Officers of State as Chancellors Keepers of the great Seal c. to be approved by Parliament 10. That his Highness would encourage a godly Ministry in these Nations and that such as do revile and disturb them in the worship of God may be punished according to Law and where Laws are defective new ones to be made 11. That the Protestant Christian Religion as it
is contained in the Old and New Testament be asserted and held forth for the publick profession of these Nations and no other and that a Confession of faith be agreed upon and recommended to the people of these Nations and none be permitted by words or writings to revile or reproach the said Confession of faith The Petition and Advice of which the foregoing Lines were the heads being in the painted Chamber read to the Protector was by him passed though with much seeming reluctancy he declaring That he came not thither that day as to a triumph but with the most serious thoughts that ever he had in all his life being to undertake one of the greatest burthens that ever was laid upon the back of any humane creature so that without the support of the Almighty he must necessarily sink under the weight of it to the damage and prejudice of these Nations That this being so he must ask the help of the Parliament and the help of all those that fear God that by their prayers he might receive assistance from the hand of God seeing nothing but his presence could enable him to the discharge of so great a trust That seeing this is but an Introduction to the carrying on of the Government of these Nations and forasmuch as there were many things which could not be supplied without help of Parliament he thought it his duty to desire their help not that he doubted of it for he believed that the same spirit that had led the Parliament to this would easily suggest the rest to them That nothing should have induced him to have undertaken this intollerable burthen to flesh and bloud had he not seen that it was the Parliaments care to answer those ends for which they had engaged calling God to witness that he would not have undergone it had he not saw it to be determined by the Parliament to make clearly for the liberty and interest of the Nation and preservation of such as fear God and that if these Nations be not thank full to them for their care therein it would fall as a sin upon their heads To conclude he recommends to them other things which would tend to Reformation and the discountenancing of vice and encouragement to good men and vertue desiring them that they would not be wanting in any thing that might make for the good of the Nations So wishing the Lord to prosper their endeavours ends The Members having heard this speech are dismissed and return to their House whither in few dayes the Protector sends them a Letter desiring their adjournment some convenient time till the Inauguration of his Highness the Lord Protector could be conveniently performed And accordingly they passed a Bill for their adjournment from the 26th of June 1657 to the 20th of January following the said 26th of June being the day appointed for his Highness solemn investiture His Highness with accustomed Ceremonies being conducted to the place which was prepared for him under a Cloth of State in Westminster-hall the Speaker in the name of the Parliament presents severall things which were ready laid upon the Table unto him First a Robe of purple Velvet lined with Ermine being the habit anciently used at the solemn investiture of Princes next a large Bible richly guilt and boss'd then a Sword and lastly a Scepter of massie Gold Which thus presented in the whole the Speaker arose and assisted by the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Whitlocke vested his Highness then presented him the Bible the Speaker girt his Sword about him and lastly gave him the Scepter which done the Speaker returned again to the Chair and administred the Oath to the Protector in these following words I do in the presence and by the name of Almighty God promise and swear that to the uttermost of my power I will uphold and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to the uttermost of my power and understanding and encourage the profession and professors of the same and that to the utmost of my power I will endeavour as chief Magistrate of these three Nations the maintenance and preservation of the peace and safety and just rights and priviledges of the people thereof and shall in all things according to my best knowledge and power govern the people of these Nations according to Law This Oath administred and some attending Ceremonies performed a Herald stood up aloft giving signall to a Trumpet to sound three times after which he did by Authority and Direction of Parliament publish and proclaim his Highness Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland requiring all persons to yeeld him due obedience This Proclamation ended the Trumpets again founded and some Souldiers and others set there on purpose ecchoed forth God save the Lord Protector Then was he again proclaimed by an Officer at Arms standing on the stairs which was answered again by the same Ecchoes of some of the Souldiery These Ceremonies ended the Protector attended by all the Officers of State went into the Palace-yard Westminster in his Robes where entring his Coach he returned in State to Whitehall But let us now return a little to our English Forces which went over under Sr John Reynolds to assist the French King who this year about the latter end of October advance into the Spanish Territories and joyning with the Marshall Turine the whole Army according to agreement sate down before the Mardike-Fort which lyes about two Miles from Dunkirke and was judged of concernment to the taking of Dunkirke it self which place according to agreement the French Army in consideration our helps was joyned with theirs to the siege before any other service and if taken to deliver it into the English hands after a short siege Mardike was upon Articles surrendred to the French and English and presently a Garrison of Souldiers placed in it whom the Spaniards suddenly after endeavoured to remove by giving a fierce Camisado to the Fort when the Armyes were drawn into their Winter-Quarter but it proved ineffectuall For though there were no want of courage in their charge yet the English repulsed them though they not content with this expulse adventured upon it again where though the Duke of Yorke who commanded in chief performed things worthy of so gallant a Prince yet were they forced to a second retreat Whilest the sweetness of these successes made many men rejoyce there arrived news to imbitter it viz. the death of that noble and thrice valiant Generall Blake who had done such noble and gallant service for his Country had beaten the Hollanders that potent Nation at Sea forcing them to run into their harbours for shelter he had lately burnt the mighty King of Spains West-India Fleet in his own harbours and under his own Castles and to shorten his praises in a word had he been but as loyall as he was
The Spaniards then marching out to the number of about 1700 Horse and Foot the English had the possession of the Town immediately delivered over to them wherein they found 136 brass piece of Ordnance with great store of Ammunition and Provision in the Magazines it was immediately engarrisoned by three Regiments of the English Foot then there and a Regiment of Horse to be under the command of the Lord Lockhart was immediately raised and as fast as possibly could be sent over thither But whilest the Armies lay before Dunkirk the King of France lying then at Calice the Lord Faulconbridge who was made one of the Protectors bloud by marrying the Lady Mary one of the Protectors Daughters was sent to Calice to complement that King and Cardinall in return of which Mounsieur Manani Nephew to Mazarine and the Duke de Grequi are sent to salute his Highness who are here very nobly entertained and sent back with high satisfaction and content The Lord Lockart having now got sure possession of the Town of Dunkirk endeavours to keep fast his hold and to that effect he causes Proclamation to be made 1. That whatsoever Burger hath withdrawn himself out of the Town out of hatred or aversion to the present Government shall not return without satisfaction given and a Pasport from the Governour 2. That no Burger remaining in Town shall go out nor any abroad return into the Town without a Pasport 3. That no Burger entertain an enemy in his house without disclosing him on pain of being proceeded against as an enemy 4. That whosoever shall conceal in his house any Arms Ordnance or Ammunition shall upon discovery pay ten times the value 5. That no Inkeeper receive or lodge any guests or strangers without bringing their names and qualities immediately to the Governour 6. That no man remove or convey any goods out of the Town without giving a particular thereof and obtaining license so to do 7. That no Tradesman open shop on Sunday and that no punishment be inflicted for following their callings on other Holidays notwithstanding any power or eustome to the contrary is not this a breach of the fourth Article 8. That the values of Money within the Town the prices of Wine and Beer and the weight and proportions of Bread be henceforth according to the Orders ensuing the value of Money there I have inserted in regard it may be usefull to those that travell thither viz Old Jacobusses at 15 Gilders New ones or Carolusses 14 Gilders English Shillings 13 Stivers or pence English half Crowns 32 Stivers and a half Gold Spanish Pistols 11 Gilders Gold Rials 8 Gilders Gold Soveraigns 18 Gilders Gold double Duckats 12 Gilders Gold French Crowns 5 Gilders and 10 Stivers Gold Hungary Duckats 6 Gilders Gold Albertine 7 Gilders and 16 Stivers Gold Reinis-Gilders 3 Gildets 15 Stivers Gold Riders of Zealand 7 Gilders 10 Stivers The double ones and half accordingly Gold Flemish Crowns 4 Gilders 16 Stivers Italian Pistolls 9 Gilders 12 Stivers Gold Crowns of Leige 3 Gilders 10 Stivers Silver Duccatoons 3 Gilders 15 Stivers Flemish or sealed Pattacoons 3 Gilders Silver Lewisses 3 Gilders Holland Rix Dallors 3 Gilders Cardeques of Weight one Gilder French Testoons of Weight 19 Stivers French silver Franks or Livers of Weight one Gilder 7 Stivers Flemish Shillings 7 Stivers and a half Zealand Shillings 7 Stivers Flemish Stooters 2 Stivers and a half The Flemish ten Stiver piece 12 Stivers The Flemish five Stiver piece 6 Stivers Flemish Stivers and marked pieces at one Stiver or 4 Farthings Flemish and French Farthings four to a Peny or Stiver The rest of the Declaration contained the prices of Wine Beer Bread and Flesh and that no man should presume to sell or transport Wine or Beer upon severall penalties or amercements There was likewise an Oath to be administred to all the inhabitants of Dunkirke as followeth viz. I A. B. do in the presence and by the name of the Almighty God promise and swear that from henceforth I shall bear 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 Successor as chief 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 do my best endeavour to make known and disclose unto the Protector and his successors or the Commander in chief in this place under his said Highness 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 Dunkirk for the betraying of it into the hands of any other persons or that tends to the withdrawing of any of the persons or people in it from their fidelity to the Lord Protector or his Government Dunkirk thus securely estated in the hands of the English the French Army after about a Moneths siege possess themselves of Graveling a strong Tower not far from Dunkirk so that the English and French had now in their hands all the Frontier-Towns on this side of Flanders But whilest the Armies are thus triumphing in Flanders God sends the Protector a scourge at his own doors for his dearly beloved Child the only darling of his eyes the Lady Elizabeth Cleypool on whom he had placed the whole affections of his soul was by the revenging hand of the Almighty for the innocent bloud of his Prophet and servant so lately added to the great mass before shed on the 6th of August taken out of the world from before the eyes of her dearly loving Father whose very image 't is said she was and into whose praises many are pleased to lash and advance her fame to the skies either out of fear flattery or to show the world how they can command their Pens to any subject but amongst the rest he most pleases me who is pleased to stile her an Amazon perhaps not unfitly but de mortuis nil nisi bonum She dying at Hampton Court was from thence the fourth day after conveighed by water with a great many Barges in mourning accompanying her corps from thence to Westminster and there laid in the Painted Chamber where a stately Herse was prepared for her till about 12 a clock at night when with a Noble but no over stately Funerall pomp her body was conveighed into Henry the seavenths Chappell and there interred in a place purposely provided for it Hir death was the cause of so great grief to the Protector hir Father as most affirm that it was one chief cause of his which followed not long after for
having been very pensive and melancholly from her death till aboutthe middle of August his distemper was perceived to be an Ague which together with other malignant humours so depressed his vitals that it brought him at length to his finall Exit though with many strivings and struglings he often falling into swouns and trances being loath to go to give an account He could not be perswaded that his distemper was mortall being an Enthusiast in judgment firmly believing That as God had carried him to that height so he had some farther work for him to do he having about him such sycophantine Chaplains one of which but three days before his death praying by his bed side used this expression Lord we beg not of thee life for that we are already assured of but that thou wouldest be pleased to ease him of his languishing misery Having had severall discourses with divers of his Privy Counsell who earnestly pressed him according to the first Article of the Petition and Advice to name his Successor being ambitious to leave what he could no longer enjoy himself to his own line named his Sonne Richard Cromwell for succeeding Protector after his death The night before his departure says one he was observed to have uttered this Prayer Lord I am a miserable creature yet I am in Covenant with thee through grace and I may I will come unto thee for thy people Lord thou hast made me though very unworthy a mean instrument to do them some good and thee service and many of them had too high value of me though others would be glad of my fall But Lord howsoever thou disposest of me do good for them Give consistency of judgment one heart and mutuall love unto them Let the Name of Christ be glorious throughout the world Pardon such as delight to trample upon the ashes of a worm and pardon the folly of this short Prayer even for Jesus Christ his sake This was on Thursday night and on Friday morning being the 3d of September 1658 his twice auspicious day he shewed all the signs of a dying person though he continued still alive till about three a clock in the afternoon when his great soul expired and went to give an account of his actions in this life to the great High Court of Justice who had so often called men to account before his High Courts of Justice here yet there he might have this surety which could not be given here that there are neither Trepanners nor false Witnesses The Privy Counsell upon advice of his death immediately assembled together and being satisfied of his departure out of this world and that he according to the first Article of the Petition and Advice had appointed his Sonne Richard Cromwell to succeed him in the Government of Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland c. they agreed to his choice and the Officers of the Army having likewise assented thereto they immediately sent the Lord Chamberlain to acquaint the Lord Richard Cromwell that they were coming to wait upon him whereupon he attended their coming and the Lord President being the formost made a Speech to him in the name of the whole Counsell wherein he let him know how deeply the Counsell was affected with grief for the death of his Princely Father and that they could not but very much condole with him for so great a loss and withall to acquaint him that his late Highness his dear Father having in his life time according to the humble Petition and Advice declared and appointed him to succeed in the Government of these Nations the Counsell had taken the matter into consideration and thereupon resolved it and had caused a Proclamation to be drawn up which was passed by the Counsell communicated and consented to by the Officers of the Army and subscribed by the members of the Counsell and the Lord Major of London and Officers of the Army with one consent whereby his Highness was to be proclaimed Lord Protector of these three Nations of England Scotland and Ireland and that the said Proclamation was to be made publick the next Morning at nine of the Clock c. To this his Highness returned answer That he had a very deep sense as well of his own sorrow for the loss of his Father as of the faithfulness of the Counsell of the City of London and Officers of the Army toward his deceased Father and himself in the present occasion and likewise the sense he had of the great weight of the Government now by Gods providence thrust upon his shoulders which he could no better way hope to sustain than by theirs and the good people of the Nations Prayers whose peace and prosperity he would endeavour to maintain to the utmost of his power c. so he dismissed the Counsell Thus you have a full relation of the end of Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland whose valour only mounted him to that height and for which only he deserves remembrance or applause and by which he raised his Family to that pitch to equall with the best of the Kingdome and the Nation to that glory that forreign Princes both feared and envied it He had issue two Sons viz. 1. The Lord Richard Cromwell who was brought up in a soft kind of life and more addicted to hunting and pleasures then either to Warres or Governments who succeeded him in the Protectorship 2. The Lord Henry Cromwell who from sixteen years of age was by his Father bred a Souldier and was at his death Lord Deputy of Ireland And four Daughters viz. 1. Bridget his eldest Daughter was first married to the Lord Deputy Ireton and after his death re-married to the Lord Fleetwood who succeeded Ireton in the Deputyship of Ireland 2. Elizabeth his second Daughter married to the Lord Cleypool Master of his Highness Horse 3. Mary his third Daughter married to the Lord Faulconbridge And 4. Frances his youngest Daughter who was married to the Lord Rich Grandchilde to the Earl of Warwick So high were his fortunes raised that those of the Nobility who would once have hardly deigned to have spoke to him would now have accounted it an honour to have matched into his Family But let us leave him sleeping in his ashes and proceed to his Son Richard FLORVS ANGLICVS OR THE Government of England VNDER Richard Lord Protector in the Years 1658 1659. PART III. OLIVER Lord Protector of England c. being thus deceased the Privy Counsell send a Committee of their own members viz. the Lord Mountague Generall at sea Walter Strickland Esquire and Major Generall Skippon to the City who acquainted them with the Counsels intentions to proclaim his Highness Richard the eldest Sonne to the late deceased Lord Protector of these Nations and their territories and dominions which being readily assented to by them the ensuing Proclamation was the next day after Olivers death first read at the Counsell window by Norway King of Arms viz.
Whereas it hath pleased the most wise God in his Providence to take out of the world the most serene and Renowned Oliver late Lord Protector of this Commonwealth and his said Highness having in his life time according to the humble Petition and Advice declared and appointed the most Noble and Illustrious the Lord Richard eldest Sonne of his said late Highness to succeed him in the Government of these Nations wee therefore of the Privy Counsell together with the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Citizens of London the Officers of the Army and numbers of other principall Gentlemen do now hereby with one full voice and consent of tongue and heart publish and declare the said Noble and Illustrious Lord RICHARD to be rightfully Protector of this Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and territories thereunto belonging to whom we do acknowledg all fidelity and constant obedience according to Law and the said humble Petition and Advice with all hearty and humble affections beseeching the Lord by whom Princes rule to bless him with long life and these Nations with peace and happiness under his Government This Proclamation was signed by the Lord Mayor of London the members of the Privy Counsell and most of the Officers of the Army and was afterwards proclaimed in the Palace-yard Westminster at Cheapside the Royall-Exchange in Cornhill and so in order throughout all the Dominions of England Scotland and Ireland Proclamation being thus made the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen in their formalities came in the afternoon to condole the death of his late Highness to congratulate his Highness advancement to the Protectorship and to surrender up into his hands the Sword of the City they were received with the accustomed Ceremonies and the Lord Mayor having delivered up his Sword received it again from his Highness hands and after some other Ceremonies performed as usuall and Dr Goodwin having prayed for a blessing upon his Highness Person his Government his Forces by Sea and Land and upon all the People of these Nations Nathaniell Fines one of the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal and one of his Highness Privy Counsell administred the same Oath to his Highness which had been formerly administred to his Father upon his Installment After the Oath administred his Highness first addressed himself to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen thanking them for theirs and the Cities fidelity and good affection towards him and then having returned the like thanks to the addresses of the Officers of the Army he dismissed them and then passed a Proclamation for continuance of all such as were in any Office of Government at his Fathers death till further directions from his Highness The sixth of September by his Highness Order the Imbargo made upon his Fathers death on all Ships and Vessels in the Ports of England and Wales was taken off and Sr Oliver Flemming Master of the Ceremonies was ordered to acquaint the Ministers of all forreign Princes of the death of Oliver Lord Protector and that both that Title and the Government of these three Nations was devolved and established on his eldest Son Richard Cromwell The Lord Newport who was come over as Ambassador extraordinary from the States of Holland to the Protectors Father but first by reason of his indisposedness being retarded his audience and afterwards by reason of his death his Ambassage proved ineffectuall he having received new Letters from his Masters ordering him to condole his late Highness death and complement his present Highness for his advancement to the Government hoping that the same firm league and peace might be continued between his Highness and those States as had been between them and his princely Father delivered his Message in a publick audience before his Highness and received an answer conformable to his desires Severall addresses protesting both love and obedience to his Highness are presented both by the Army City of London and most of the Countries the whole Nation being seemingly content and satisfied with his advancement to the Government of these Kingdomes Nor were the Officers of the Army even those who afterwards showed themselves most active in depriving him of his Government backward but every particular Regiment gave in their addresses condoling his Fathers death and protesting their willingness nay joy in becoming obedient to him But amongst all those addresses I cannot omit one passage in that presented by Major Generall John Disborow and his Regiment in which condoling his Fathers death they adde thus viz. Your Highness your Armies and people reap the benefit of his prayers and successes but alas this our Moses your dear and blessed Father the servant of the Lord is dead and shall we not weep Though we weep not for him we cannot but weep for our selves We cannot but look after him crying Our Father our Father the Chariots of Israell and the horsemen thereof the fiery Chariot indeed of England whose fury and ambition had set the whole Nation in flames and combustion Nor are the rest of those forreign Ministers which were then in England viz. the Ambassadors of France and Sweden and Portugall the Agents for the Hans-Towns Florence Venice and Genua backward in coming to lament with his Highness for the death of his Father and desire the continuance of that league friendship and amity which was maintained and granted by him To which the Lord Protector returned answer that there could not be any greater argument used for his continuance offriendship with any Kingdome or Common-wealth then by telling him that his Father had contracted it Nor are Scotland or Ireland less complyant to his desires then England had been they thence send their addresses and promises of obedience so that his Government seemed every where to begin with a great deal of serenity and fair promises of a long continuance In Scotland likewise Generall Monke who continued Vicegerent there published a Declaration for the better securing the peace of that Nation declaring First That no person then beyond the seas or out of the Dominions of this Commonwealth c. Except Masters of Ships or Seamen belonging to Ships of this Commonwealth should after the first of December 1658 presume to come into Scotland without Licence from the Lord Protector or his Counsell in England the Lord Deputy or Counsell of Ireland or his Highness Counsell of Scotland as they would answer it at their perils Secondly That such Persons as shall arrive in Scotland after the first of December having such a Passe shall at their arrivall be bound to give intimation to the Governour of the next adjacent Garrison who is to examine them and see that their Passe be not counterfeit and for all those who shall arrive before the first of December they are to make their appearance before the Governour of the next adjacent Garrison who is to examine the cause of their coming into Scotland and if he find them to be persons suspected to apprehend and secure them Thirdly That no
made them the following Speech My Lords and Gentlemen I beleeve there are scarce any of you here who expected some moneths since to have seen this great Assembly at this time in this place in peace considering the great and unexpected change which it hath pleased the all disposing hand of God to make in the midst of us I can assure you that if things had been according to our own fears and the hopes of our enemies it had not been thus with us And therefore it will become both you and me in the first place to reverence and adore the great God possessor of Heaven and earth in whose hands our breath is and whose are all our wayes because of his judgments so to acknowledg his goodness to these Lands in that he hath not added sorrow to sorrow and made the period of his late Highnesses life and that of the Nations peace to have been in one day Peace was one of the blessings of my Fathers Government a mercy after so long a Civill War and in the middest of so great division which that war bred is not usually afforded by God unto a people in so great measure The Cause of God and these Nations which he engaged in met in all the parts of it as you well know with many enemies and great opposition The archers privily and openly sorely grieved him and shot at him yet his bow abode in strength and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob. As to himself he died full of dayes spent in great and sore travail yet his eyes were not waxeddim neither was his nature or strength abated as it was said of Moses he was serviceable even to the last As to these Nations he left them in great honour abroad and in full peace at home all England Scotland and Ireland dwelling safely every man under his Vine and under his Figtree from Dan unto Beersheba He is gone to his rest and we are entred into his labours and if the Lord hath still a blessing for these Lands as I trust he hath as our peace hath been lengthened out to this day so shall we go on to reap the fruit and gather the harvest of what his late Highness hath sown and laid the foundation of For my own part being by the providence of God and the disposition of the Law my Fathers Successor and bearing that place in the Government that I do I though it fit for the publick good to call a Parliament of the three Nations now united and conjoyned together into one Commonwealth under one Government It is agreeable not only to my trust but to my principles to govern these Nations by the advice of my two Houses of Parliament I find it asserted in the humble Petition and Advice which is the corner stone of this building and that which I shall adhere unto that Parliaments are the great Counsell of the chief Magistrate in whose advice both he and these Nations may be most safe and happy I can assure you I have that esteem of them And as I have made it the first Act of my Government to call you together so shall I further let you see the value I have of you by the answers that I shall return to the Advice that shall be given me by you for the good of these Nations You are come up from your severall Countries as the heads of your Tribes and with hearts I perswade my self to consult together their good I can say I meet you with the same desires having nothing in my designes but the maintenance of the Peace Laws Liberties both Civill and Christian of these Nations which I shall always make the measure and rule of my Government and be ready to spend my life for We have summoned you at this time to let you know the state of our affairs and to have your advice in them and I beleeve a Parliament was never sommoned upon so important occasion It is true as I have told you we are through the goodness of God at this time in peace but it is not thus with us because we have no enemies there are enough both within us and without us who would soon put an end to our peace were it in their powers or should it at any time come into their powers It will be becoming of your wisdomes to consider of the securing of our peace against those who we all know are and will be our implacable enemies what the means of doing this are I shall refer unto you This I can assure you that the Armies of England Scotland and Ireland are true and faithfull to the peace and good interest of these Nations and it will be found so and that they are a consisting body and usefull for any good ends and if they were not the best Army in the world you would have heard of inconveniencies by reason of the great arrear of pay which is now due unto them whereby some of them are reduced to great necessities but you shall have a particular account of their arrears and I doubt not but some consideration will be had thereon in some speedy and effectuall way And this being matter of money I recommend it particularly to the House of Commons You have you know a warre with Spain carried on by the advice of Parliament he is an old enemy and therefore it will be necessary both for the honour and safety of these Nations that the war be vigorously prosecuted Furthermore the constitution of Affairs in all our neighbour Countries and round about us as well friends as enemies are very considerable and calls upon us to be upon our guard both at Land and Sea and to be in a posture able to maintain and conserve our own interest Great and powerfull Fleets are preparing to be set forth into these seas and considerable Armies of severall Nations and Kings are now disputing for the mastery of the Sound with the adjacent Islands and Countries among which is the Roman Emperour with other Popish States I need not tell you of what consequence these things are to this State We have already interposed in these affairs in such manner as we found it necessary for the interest of England and matters are yet in such a condition in those parts that this State may with the assistance of Gods provide that their differences may not prejudice us The other things that are to be said I shall refer to my Lord Keeper Fines and close up what I have to say with only adding two or three particulars to what I have already said And first I recommend to your care the people of God in these Nations with their concernments the more they are divided among themselves the greater prudence should be used to cement them Secondly The good and necessary work of Reformation both in manners and in the administration of Justice that profaneness may be discountenanced and suppressed and that Righteousness and
Justice may be executed in the Land Thirdly I recommend to you the Protestant cause abroad which seems at this time to be in some danger having great and powerfull enemies and very few friends and I hope and believe that the old English zeal to that Cause is still among us Lastly my Lords and you Gentlemen of the House of Commons That you will in all your debates maintain and conserve love and unity among your selves that therein you may be the pattern of the Nation who have sent you up in peace and with their prayers that the spirit of wisdome and peace may be among you and this shall also be my prayer for you and to this let us all add our utmost endeavours for the making this a happy Parliament This was the Protectors so much applauded Speech to his Parliament which finisheed the Lord Fines began and after having enumerated the deceased Protectors great endeavours c. for the peace of the Nation and his Highnesses following his steps in the calling of this present Parliament for the three Nations joyntly he recommended more effectually to them the wars abroad and the probabilities of homebred disturbances desiring their provision to maintain the one and care to prevent the other the Parliament having every one taken the Oath formerly taken by Olivers Parliament not to alter the Government were returned to their House and the Protector to Whitehall The House of Commons being returned to their House spent muce time about the rectifying of their Elections and expelling severall Members out of the House but causing others to be elected in their steads under pretence of being Malignants and having born Arms against the Parliament in behalf of their lawfull Soveraign and not only expelling them but disabling them from being elected or chosen as Members of future Parliaments so though this Parliament was esteemed one of the freest that had been called since 1641 yet it was not free indeed The House having as far as they could rectified their Members and Elections proceed to the calling to an account of all those who had been entrusted with the Customes Excize Taxes or other Revenue of the Common-wealth and to consider of the present state of the Revenues and some ways to pay the arrears of the Army Navy c. and other Nationall Debts but this business being put off by delays never came to any effect They likewise proceed to the drawing up of a Bill for it never came to be either Act or Ordinance which should be intituled An Act of Recognition of his Highness right and Title to be Protector and Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging Many demurs were there in this debate and severall praevious Votes to be passed before this Bill could be committed as whether the Parliament should consist of two Houses and whether this House should transact with the Persons sitting in the other House as a House of Parliament This business took up a great deal of time the Protectorians stood stifly for it and the Commonwealths-men as stong against it alledging that to treat with those men as a House of Lords was to enslave themselves more deeply then ever they had been before That they should now by it clearly evince to the world their folly perjury and villany that whilest they had taken their Oaths to be true and faithfull to govern without a House composed of the Peers of the Nation they should now both break their Oath and subject themselves to such as were scarce Peers to the Commons That if they did but consider the Creator of this House of Peers as they were called they could not but foresee the necessary thraldome they must run themselves into these being all such as were made sure to his interest and were so many sure Votes for whatever arbitrary actions he might undertake and if it were thought unlawfull for the Bishops to sit in the House of Lords because they were accounted so many sure voices for the King how much more might these be excepted against who were certainly so many sure voices for the Protectorall interest being all created by it Yet notwithstanding these Arguments the Vote was at length carried on the Protectorian side and Resolved That the House of Commons would transact with the Persons then sitting in the other House as a House of Parliament during the present Parliament but with this Proviso that it was not intended thereby to exclude such Peers as have been faithfull to the Parliament from their priviledge of being duly summoned to be Members of that House Whilest the Parliament are thus pursuing their Votes to settle the Protector in England the French and Spaniard are endeavouring to conclude a Peace betwixt themselves and to leave the English in the lurch which howsoever it then and ever since went vigorously on yet are not the Conditions spoken of performed on either side to the full-consummating of it During the Sessions of this Parliament on the 24th of February Mr George Strangways formerly a Major in the Kings Army was pressed to death in the Press-yard in Newgate for refusing to plead to his Indictment for having caused his Brother-in-Law one Mr Fussell an Attorney of Dortsetshire to be shot in the head as he sate writing in his Chamber-window of which he died The magnanimity nobleness and pe nitence of Major Strangways at his death deserves this memory This Parliament took into consideration the Cases of divers Persons who had been imprisoned in the time of the late deceased Protector Maj. Gen. Overton is sent for out of the Isle of Jersey and released The Duke of Buckingham is likewise released out of Windsor-Castle upon the Lord Fairfax his giving 20000lb security that he shall demean himself peaceably for the future and not joyn with abet or have any correspondence with the enemies of the Lord-Protector or the Common wealth Severall other Persons of Quality were likewise by them released out of the Tower Maj. Gen. Brown likewise who had by the long Parliament in 1649 been disabled from bearing any Offices in the City is by them restored and made capable of all Offices priviledges and precedencies there and the long Parliaments Vote of the 4th of December 1649 made in his prejudice vacated The Quakers to promote their Turbulencies on the 16th of April sent a Paper into the House sealed and directed on the outside For the Speaker of the Commons assembled in Parliament these are for him to read to the Commons The inside contained a Declaration entituled A Declaration to the Commons assembled in Parliament Delivered the sixth day of the second Moneth called April 1659 to the then Speaker of the said House This Declaration contained many ignominious scandals thrown by those Fanatiques both upon the Magistracy and Ministry for which the Parliament express their Resentment to the Declarers requiring them to repair to their respective habitations apply themselves to
not idle he seises upon and secures such Officers of the Army there as he knew any wayes inclining to such dangerous attempts and presently possessed himself of Barwick and other places of strength committing all the suspected persons prisoners first to Tyntalian-Castle and afterwards to the Basse-Island This news extreamly startles our Reformadoes and make them begin to look about them and to think what way they might either compose the differences or reduce them to reason by force of Arms. But they are resolved to use all means to compasse both Land and Sea to make him a proselyte and to this purpose in hopes to winne him by fair means they send down his brother-in-law Dr Claerges with Collonel Talbot to mediate with him their former agent Collonel Cobbet having found no better reception then the prison of Edinburgh Castle Nay and least these two should not have power enough to prevail they order after them Commissary General Whaley and Collonel Goffe both formerly grand Protectorians and with Mr Caryl and Mr Barker two Independent Parsons that so he might have all argument alledged to him which either the Sword or the Spirit could furnish them withall Whilst these are on their journey Major General Morgan a man too honest for such knavish association takes his journey out of Yorkeshire to General Monck with whom he hath demonstrated himself a good help to the restoration of his King and Countrey General Monck having new modelled his Army in Scotland and weeded those noxious plants which by their infection must needs have given poison in stead of nutriment resolves to advance towards the Borders taking Oath in the mean time of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland an Assembly of whom he convened to acquiesce themselves and likewise endeavour to keep all others in quiet in the time of his absence from them The afore-said Commissioners of the Army coming to him he received them with all demonstrations of civility and professed his readinesse to joyn with the Army in England provided they would restore the Parliament to its due Rights and Priviledges and that then he would use his utmost endeavours for the composing of differences and obtaining an Act of Pardon and Oblivion for all in general But that they might see in the mean time how unwilling he was to be any cause of blood-shedding and to avoid bringing a warre into his native Countrey which though raised for the defence of it must needs be its ruine and destruction he had ordered three Commissioners viz. Collonel Wilkes Lieutenant Col. Clobery and Major Knight to go up to London and if possible to make a fair end of the Controversie And this signified to the Officers at London by their Commissioners there This was the way of their endeavours by peace but lest this should prove ineffectual to to reduce him they had prepared for Warre likewise Lambert was already on his march thither with all the strength of the Army both Horse and Foot in so numerous a body that in all probability had they had to doe with a person lesse wise and prudent than this noble General they would quickly have consummated their own victory and his and this Nations ruine They likewise upon Lambert's departure had ordered and chosen new Commissioners for the Militia in London picking out such persons for the most part whose schismatical principles or else former notorious crimes were like to make them stick surest to so bad compartners and into these mens power they put the whole Command of the City Lambert being already advanced Northward coming into Yorkshire doth there joyn with the Irish Brigade and those forces under the Command of Collonel Lilburne and whilst every body expected that a sudden fight would make a decision of the controversie General Monck by extraordinary prudence keeps off at swords point with fair words and as we may truly say pious fraud deceives this so grand jugler and deceiver The Commissioners of General Monck which we aforementioned were now arrived at London and by the appointment of the Counsel of Officers persons were ordered to treat with them who after several debates brought businesses almost to a period by the fault of Collonel Wilks who transcended the bounds of his Commission and for his pains was upon his return justly imprisoned by the General By his simplicity I say things were brought to a result or agreement the heads whereof were these The utter renouncing of Charles Stuart or any other claiming from that Family The Government to be by a Free-State and not King single Person or House of Lords That a godly and learned Ministry be maintained and encouraged The Vniversities to be reformed and countenanced so as to become the Nurseries of Piety and Learning That the Officers and Souldiers and other Persons on either side be indemnified for what is past touching their late differences and that all unkindnesses betwixt them be buried in oblivion The Officers prisoners in Scotland to be set at liberty The Armies on both sides presently to depart to their respective Quarters And lastly That there be a Committee of nineteen consisting of five persons for England and five for Scotland not Members of the Army and three for England three for Scotland and three for Ireland all of which except one are Members of the Army and of these nineteen nine shall be a Quorum and are to meet to determine and conclude what is necessary for the Qualifications of Parliaments c. This is part of that Agreement which was pretended to be made between the Army here and the Commissioners of the Lord General Monck which because it did prove vain and abortive deserves no further particular mention About this time several designs of the Rump to restore themselves to their former power began to be glimmeringly perceived Collonel Morley and several other Officers of the Army making protests against the present proceedings But the Committee of Safety perceiving the danger their new Government was in of being stifled in the birth and finding City and Countrey to be generally disaffected with them except those who were of schismatical principles do order Commissions to be issued out for raising several Foot-Regiments of these throughout the Nation under the notion of the well-affected And that they might seem to have conquered some difficulties they daily by their Pamphleteer publish the best of their own Condition and produce Letters from Ireland of Novemb. 10th 1659. wherein they declare the Armies in Ireland non-approbation of the actions of General Monck and their free concurrence with their Brethren in England But as this was only a pretence from some persons there equally interessed with themselves in the late irregular actions so did it suddenly after vanish into nothing the generality there under Sir Hardresse Waller perfectly declaring for their enemies the Rump But here I must make some short digression For this Moneth it pleased God that that monster of men and unparallel'd murtherer Bradshaw died in
resolve a speedy sending out Writs but resolve to tie up their hands to their blocks by previous engagements against King House of Lords c. But this was no satisfaction to the General For he having taken away those arms which were in the hands of the Fanaticks and such as might have caused disturbance in the City on Tuesday the 21th of February a day not to be forgotten as long as England endureth being the first light which glimmered some chearfulnesse to us having drawn his Army together he marched to Westminster early in the morning and having before-hand prepared the secluded Members to be ready who were then very many of them in Town and had had divers private meetings he met them at White-hall where having recommended to them the care of the National interest yet in such termes as the Rump might not absolutely despair he saw them admitted into the Parliament House to the great grief and amazement of the former House-keepers who look upon these as Intruders That night there was Bonfires and great rejoycing in London But the secluded Members being in they fall to their work in good earnest they had not such by-ends or corrupted interests to drive on as their Predecessors and therefore found no such haltings in doing things which the Nation required But in the first place they order the release of those prisoners which for Free-Parliament-Petitions had been lately clapt up as likewise the Members of the Common Counsel of London They disanull the Militia which the Rump had instituted consisting only of persons both Fanatick and Factious and order a new Militia throughout all England wherein they nominated the most principal of the Gentry who were thought most willing and ready to promote the settlement of their Countrey yet with this proviso that they should subscribe that they should acknowledge the war was lawfull against his late Majesty till 1648. the Parliament by violent force was broken And that they might be furnished with that which is the sinews and strength of all money they send to the City to desire them advance some money before-hand upon security of the next six Moneths assessement which was freely granted by the City and 27000lb. immediately lent them Whereupon the City petition for the confirmation of the Militia which the Parliament presently setled according to their desires The next work they did was to chuse a Counsel of State which was done by lot of all manner of choise the most equal by reason no man can find himself aggrieved not knowing who is pro or who is con which prevents all rancour and animosity The persons which were by them chosen being for the most Gentlemen of eminent worth and such as have to the height testified their abilities for the good of their Countrey in this last emergency although there were some Rumpers amongst them I have thought it not amisse to give you a Catalogue of them that we may pay due homage to their names and memory Arthur Ansley Lord President William Pierpoint John Crew Richard Knightly Collonel Popham Collonel Morley Sr A. A. Cooper Sr Gilb. Gerhard Lord St John Sr Tho. Widdrington Sr John Evelin Sr William Waller Sr Richard Onslow Serjant Maynard Sr William Lewis Col. Montague Col. Hanley Col. Norton Denzil Hollis Sr John Temple Col. Thompson Sr John Trever Sr John Holland Sr John Potts Col. Birch Sr Herbottle Grimston John Swinton John Weaver Col. Rossiter Lord Fairfax L. General Monck Then they repealed such Acts of the Rump as they had made meerly for the satisfaction of their own self ends and were exceedingly destructive to the interest of the Kingdome taking off those Sequestrations which they had laid on Sr George Booth and his party which must have proved almost a general calamity to the Nation and they likewise released them from that confinement which they had for a long time lain under Making moreover such acts as might best secure the interest of the people and conduce to the settlement of the Nation some of which were directed to the taking away all places of power or profit out of the hands of the Fanatick or Commonwealth party and putting in those who were like to prove better Patriots But these acts being very numerous I think not convenient to insert the particulars In the next place they commissionate the Lord Monck to be Captain General of all the Forces in England Scotland and Ireland a place of the highest honour and which he had as highly deserved And now to show that God was pleased notwithstanding the continued sinnes of the Nations to remit his punishing hand no sooner were the Members seated in the House but news came that Ireland was by his good providence through the endeavours of Sr Charles Coote already put in such a posture as might make it capable of receiving the first state of affaires he having secured Sr Hardresse Waller and others of the Rumps faction But now some signe of discontent appeared in the Army here which had formerly been under Fleetwoods and Lamberts command For Collonel Rich's Regiment upon news of this change at London began to mutany at St Edmondsbury but the Parliament hearing of it instantly sent out Collonel Ingoldsby a Lover of his Countrey their former Commander with a party of Horse to whom upon his approach they quietly submitted themselves The Parliament now restored the Charter to the City of Chester which had been taken away by the Rump upon Sr George Booths businesse as shortly afterward they likewise revived the Dutchy of Lancaster which had been voted down by the others and made Sr Gilbert Gerrard Chancellour Nich. Letchmere Attorney of the Dutchy and the Speaker William Lenthal Esquire Chamberlain of Chester And perceiving that endeavours were daily used to sow sedition in the Army and that there was designs on foot to draw them together to a mutiny they order That none either Officers or Souldiers should depart from their respective Quarters without leave from the Lord General and those that had forthwith to return to their assigned stations To gratifie Dr Claerges and in him his brother the Lord General the Hamper-Office a place of good profit was conferred upon him Febr. 29. Upon notice of some design contriving by the Fanatick party several armes were seised in divers places of the City of London and Captain Kiffen a grand Ring-leader of the Anabaptists and several others were secured though afterwards released no matter of weight being then found against them And now that they might testifie to the world they were other men than their predecessours who would have continued themselves a Parliament to posterity they order their dissolution to be on the 15th of March resolving before that time to take order for summoning a New Representative They confirmed the Confession of Faith formerly made by the Assembly of Divines and enacted That it should be the Confession of Faith of the Church of England except onely the thirtieth and one and