their Men and taken 120 Prisoners that of the Parliaments Forces 8 were killed and about 20 of them wounded that they intended to send a summons to St. Maries Island and if they refused then to Attempt it 5. Letters of a strange Apparition at Madely in Staffordshire seen by a Woman and her Maid the Sun as blood and dark bodies like men about it That they seemed to fall down into the Court and there to fight and the Moat about the house seemed to be all of blood and Cannons and Holsters in the Court. That 3 great Birds with Wings like Angels came flying to the Woman and the Maid and frighted them 6. Referred to the Council of State to consider of the business of Securing Mr. Case and other London Ministers who preached against the Parliaments proceedings Letters of prizes brought into Hull and of Convoys for Merchants Ships That the chief Ringleaders of those in Holland who assaulted the English Ambassadors house were sentenced to be whipped That the Collonel of the Lorraine Troopers who pillaged Mr. Steward and the rest of the Ambassadors Gentlemen in Germany showed them a Commission from the King to him to take any of the Ambassadors men That there was an agreement between the Duke of Lorraine and the Irish Rebels for him to come over to them with Forces and Arms to assist them That the Rebels have accepted him as their Protector That the plague was still at Cork and at Waterford 7. Letters confirming the taking of all the Isles of Scilly except St. Maries and of taking 3 Ships prizes one of them richly laden and many Prisoners 8. Letters That the Parliaments Forces in Vlster of 3000 Foot and 1500 Horse were upon their March towards Connaught That General Blake and Sr. George Ascue with the Fleet at Scilly intended to fall upon St. Maries Island that the Governour thereof Sr. John Greenvile sent to them for a Treaty which was agreed but took no effect and there upon the great Guns played upon St. Maries 9. Letters That some Scots at Leith fired 2 Stacks of Hay at Lieth That they hanged a Scots-man for drowning an English-man in a Cole pit That t is to be supposed the Scots intend to get by the English Army and to make the Seat of the War in England And that they are 20000 strong and that the English Army is very desirous to ingage with them 10. Letters that the General and the Army were returned to Edenburgh and had received a weeks Provisions That the Enemy have a Rendezvous every moneth and their Horse are quartered to keep their Foot from running away That if it were not for the provisions that come out of England the Army could not subsist either Men or Horse 12. That a Scots-man who was subject to England by his relation to Ireland being sent by the General on a message to the Scots was by them executed as a Spy Upon Examination by a Court Martial it appearing that the Lady Kelsith kept a conrespondence with the Enemy and indeavoured to inviegle some of the Parliaments Soldiers to be for the King the General and his Council ordered her House and Goods to be burned That Middleton refuseth to take orders from any but the King and would be an Independent Army and his interest is to be kept up against Lesley's that they would fain be upon their March for England but their friends there have sent them word they cannot be ready till next moneth That a Scots man took a Flemmish Ship prize and a Parliament Frigat met them and took them both prizes Letters from Sr. George Ascue of the action at Scilly that Captain Morris behaved himself most gallantly in the storming of the Island That the Scilly Islands are the key that open a passage to several Nations Sr. George Ascue desires to know the pleasure of the Council that he may proceed upon his Voyage to the Barbadoes 13. A Petition to the Parliament from the Justices of peace Grand-Jurors and other well affected persons in Cheshire Shewing their good affection to the Parliament their being over burdened in Taxes wherein they pray relief and were answered with good words and the thanks of the House for their good affections An Act committed prohibiting the transporting of Lead Oare Fullers-earth and Tobacco Pipe clay An Act read and committed for Transporting 60 Persons convicted for petty Felonies into Ireland and the English Plantations in America That the English Ambassadors in Holland received letters to stay for some longer time there That the Cavaliers report the Kings Army in Scotland to be 60000 Men. 14. Letters of divers of the Parliaments Officers and Soldiers killed by the breaking of a piece of Ordnance 15. Letters of Recruits and Mony arrived at Dublin and an account how the Forces there are disposed and of visiting the Western Garrisons 16. Letters that after the Parliaments Fleet had taken the 2 Islands of Trisco and Briers they had a Treaty with Sir John Greenvile by Commissioners which took no effect 17. Letters that the Scots ordered a new levy of every 12th man for a reserve and have ordered all the English to serve under Massey who courts them and mounted 3 or 4 foot Soldiers that ran away from Cromwel to him 19. Letters of the Armies posture in Scotland but little Stirring 20. Letters of Collonel Reynolds and Sir Charles Coote being upon their march to attend the Enemies motions in Connaght 21. Letters of Sir George Ascues departure from Scilly Islands towards the Barbadoes 22. The Parliament debated several Acts touching the Assessment putting the publick Treasury into a way most for the püblick advantage and other Acts. 23. Letters of the Scots gathering their forces together to a Rendezvous and intelligence of their design to slip by the English Army into England and so to draw the Seat of the War out of their own Country into England where they expected many to befriend them 24. Letters of the forces in Ireland upon their march for Connaght and of Recruits come thither 26. Letters That the Scots drew up together 8 Regiments of Foot at Sterling their Horse were in other places and Middleton with his party stood still at a distance That they brought Straw 30 miles for their use That one of their Collonels said he hoped to see the word in their Colours to be Covenant for Tobacco Stong-waters and Whores That Collonel Lidcott fell upon a Garrison of the Enemies with his Horse and brought away many Prisoners That Major Sydenham was dead of his Wounds That a party of Collonel Montgomeries fell upon some of the English Dragoons and surprized about 40 or 50 of them as they were in the Country gathering the Assessment That it was conjectured the Scots would decline any ingagement with the English but weary them out and take the first opportunity to get by them into England That there was some damp upon the English Army by
right again in relation to them and a Committee made to consider what other Votes were fit to be vacated Then to please their Patron they voted Monk to be General of all the Forces in England Scotland and Ireland Lawson was voted to be Vice-Admiral and the Powers given to the Commissioners for government of the Army were repealed Sir Robert Pye Fincher and others released of their Imprisonment All Orders of the Council of State or Commissioners of the Army concerning the Forces are to be communicated to Monk and not to be proceeded upon without his approbation The Powers given to the Council of State to be taken away and a new Council to be chosen Order to restore the Common Council of London to their liberty and for the City to set up again their Posts Chains Gates and Portcullises The Members of Parliament ordered to attend the House the imprisoned Apprentices released by Order and the cause of the Imprisonment of Sir George Booth Col. Brooke the L. Crawford L. Louderdale and Lord St. Clare to be certified to the House 22. More former Votes vacated M. G. Brown restored to his place in Parliament Sir G. Booth released upon security and his Sequestration stopped Order for a new Parliament to be summoned to meet April 25. 1660. A Committee named to prepare Qualifications for it The City returned thanks to the House for their favour and the House sent to borrow money of them Monk took up his Quarters at S. James's House 23. Divers imprisoned for Addresses to the former House were released and ordered that no private business be admitted during the sitting of this Parliament All Powers granted for the several Militia's repealed and an Act to be for new settling of them The Vote repealed that Scot be Secretary of State The City sent a Congratulation to the Parliament for their Restauration and consented to lend them 60000 l. for pay of the Forces and petitioned for settling their Militia in such hands as the City might confide in and named in a List Commissioners for their Militia which the House approved A Day of Thansgiving appointed The Council of State named Several Sheriffs appointed Vote to discharge Mr. Bulstrode from being a Commissioner for the Excise this Gentleman Whitelocke had put in formerly to be a Commissioner of the Excise and although he had faithfully served the Parliament yet that was not now considered but he was set by and perhaps the rather because of his kindred to Whitelocke to make way for another The like was done to others and several new Officers made Order for a Bill to dissolve the present Parliament 25. The Act passed for constituting George Monk Esquire Captain General and Commander in chief under the Parliament of all the Land Forces in England Scotland and Ireland An Act passed for constituting the Council of State with a Repeal of the Act for the former Council An Act past for continuance of the Excise and Customs and Votes about those Customs The Lent Circuits put off and a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to be issued forth in the several Counties Several persons discharged of their Imprisonments and Sequestrations A Pardon past for divers reprieved persons A Declaration from the Officers of the Army in Ireland for the secluded Members and for a free Parliament Sir Hardress Waller opposed by Coot and others The City advanced money for the Parliament They entertained Monk and his Officers at Dinner on the Thanksgiving Day Monk visited the Speaker at the Rolls Ingoldsby sent by Monk with Forces to quiet the Regiment at Bury Colonel Morley Lieutenant of the Tower concurred with Monk 27. Votes to make void all that was done in Parliament against those of Sir George Booth's Party and against Chester This was sufficient to cause men to suppose what was intended The Speaker made Chamberlain of Chester An Oath past for the Officers of the Council of State A Proclamation for the Officers of the Army to continue with their Souldiers Vote for the Council that they may secure any persons though they be Members of Parliament to prevent publick danger John Thomson and John Thurloe Esquires voted to be Secretaries of State Vote for Dr. Clargies Monk's friend to have the Hamper Office Letters from York that by Monk's Letters to the Forces there he had given them so full satisfaction of his joyning against the Old Enemy and that Family that they concurred with him but if he should do otherwise they would oppose him 29. A Committee to examine matters touching sequestred Ministers Debate of security for money to be lent by the City and Votes touching the Militia of the City and other Militias A few Arms seized in the Houses of L. Colonel Kiffin and others Monk made Mr. Carew Ralegh Governour of Jersey Colonel Vnton Crook and his Regiments concurrence with Monk declared by them and the like by other Regiments March 1659. 1. Sir George Gerrard voted to be Custos Rotulorum of Middlesex Order for maimed Souldiers c. and for the poor Knights of Windsor Order about the Publick Revenue and the Assessment and for wounded Seamen Vote that this Parliament be dissolved at or before the fifteenth day of this instant March A Message to the City for money 2. The Confession of Faith of the Assembly of Divines agreed unto by the House except the 30 and 31 Chapters which are touching Church censures and synods Monk and Mountague voted to be Generals at Sea both fit for the intended design Orders touching the Militias and for maimed Souldiers c. and about the settlement of Ireland Repeal of former Votes against Hollis and of two late Acts of Sequestrations 3. The Question betwixt Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Owen about the Deanry of Christ-Church referred to a Committee The Earl of Crawford and Lauderdale and the Lord Sinclere released from their Imprisonment in Windsor Castle Orders about the Admiralty and Navy and Prize Goods Dr. Walker put out from being Judge Advocate Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper's Regiment declared for the Parliament and for Monk Courting Addresses to Monk from Northampton-shire and Nottingham-shire Intelligence of the Death of the King of Sweden a Gallant wise just and valiant Price The Protestant Interest lost a great Patron A Souldier hanged for murther Monk was feasted by several Companies in London 5. An Act passed for the publick confession of Faith Divers Sheriffs of Counties named Orders for a Proclamation to put the Laws in execution against Papists Orders for the Militias and for Justices of Peace Order for Printing and setting up in Churches the Solemn League and Covenant 6. Some Sheriffs named Lambert committed to the Tower and Haslerigge ordered to attend the House Overton discharged from being Governour of Hull and a Colonel Divers Commissions for the Militia passed Persons and Arms apprehended 7. The House approved the committment of Colonel Rich by the
and all such as serve him there to be Traytors to the Laws of the Kingdom 11 R. 2. and 1 H. 4. After this they publish another Remonstrance of the King's Misactions and their own Privileges He answers it and they reply and May 28. they order That all Sheriffs Justices of the Peace c. within one hundred and fifty miles of York make stay of all Arms and Ammunition carrying to York and apprehend the Conveyers and that all Sheriffs do suppress all Forces coming together by the King's Commission and all persons to aid them and this to be published in all Market Towns and Churches The King forbids all Obedience to any Orders or Ordinance of Parliament for the Militia according to the Statute 7 E. 1. and requires all the people of Yorkshire to meet at a day and place which the Parliament declare to be against Law and forbid Obedience to it This was an unhappy condition for the poor people none knowing what to doe or whom to obey nor what would be the consequence of these thwartings between the great Powers and Authorities of King and Parliament Divers Members of both Houses withdrew to the King which caused an Order for all to attend at a day upon forfeiting of an hundred pounds to the Irish War They order that whosoever shall lend or bring Money into this Kingdom upon the King's Jewels shall be an Enemy to the State Ju. 2. The Parliament sent to the King Nineteen Propositions for Peace which are in Print the King rejected them as inconsistent with the Regall Rights he caresseth the people of Yorkshire Ju. 4. The Parliament order all Deputy Lieutenants to be present at all Musters and the Lieutenants of Counties to dispatch their Warrants Ju. 10. They make an Order for bringing in Money or Plate to maintain Horsemen and Arms for defence of the King and Parliament and for the publick Peace The King sends forth his Commissions of Array begins in Leicestershire these Commissions were declared by the Parliament to be against Law and the Actors in them to be Betrayers of the Subjects Liberty The Lord Keeper Littleton after his great adherence to the Parliament delivered the great Seal to Mr. Elliot whom the King sent to him for it and shortly after Littleton followed the Seal to the King but was not much respected by him or his Courtiers yet was he a man of Courage and of excellent Parts and Learning Many other of the Lords being with the King at York he declared to them That he would not exercise any illegal Authority but defend them and all others against the Votes of Parliament and not engage them in any War against the Parliament And they all in a solemn Protestation engaged to his Majesty to stand by him The King wrote to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London Not to raise any Forces for the Parliament and sets forth his large Declaration and invites men to bring in to him Money Horse and Arms on security of his Forests and Parks for the Principal and Eight per cent Interest He forbids Levies without his Consent upon the Statutes 7 E. 1. 2 E. 3. 11 R. 2. and the Earl of Shrewsbury's Case in H. 8. time and minds them of their Oath of Allegiance to be faithful to the King's Person as well as to his Authority and justifies his Commissions of Array To which the Parliament reply and he to them again All which rather exasperated the Differences And now came up the Names of Parties Royallists and Parliamentarians Cavaliers and Roundheads The King goes to Nottingham and summoneth and caresseth the Freeholders of the County and promiseth to act according to the Protestation at York the like he did at Lincoln And July 11. sends a Message to the Parliament Of his intentions to reduce Hull if it be not rendred to him which if they do he will admit of their further Propositions He complains of Hotham's actions for which he will punish him and of the Earl of Warwick's taking upon him the Command of the Fleet who had got in the Sea-men to him and put by Sir John Pennington and took a Ship of Ammunition coming to the King from Holland The Lord Willoughby of Parham being Lieutenant of Lincolnshire was there putting the Militia into a posture which being informed to the King he wrote to the Lord Willoughby to desist from that action and the Lord Willoughby returned an humble ingenious and weighty Answer to his Majesty to excuse his not performing at present what the King required of him which he said was not in his power to doe without breach of that trust which he had undertaken to the Parliament and to which he was encouraged by the opinion of some of his Majestie 's great Officers eminent in the knowledge of the Laws wherein he was not learned After this he proceeded in executing the Ordinance for the Militia and the King was not so severe against him as against others The Parliament now thought it high time to provide for their own Defence and to raise an Army for that purpose Upon the Debate whereof one of the Members declared his Opinion to this effect Mr. Speaker The Question which was last propounded about raising of Forces naming a General and Officers of an Army hath been very rare before this time in this Assembly and it seems to me to set us at the Pits-brink ready to plunge our selves into an Ocean of troubles and miseries and if it could be into more than a Civil War brings with it Give me leave Sir to consider this unhappy Subject in the beginning progress and issue of it Caesar tells us and he knew as much of Civil War as any man before him that it cannot be begun Sine malis artibus Surely Sir our Enemies of the Popish Church have left no evil Arts unessayed to bring us to our present posture and will yet leave none unattempted to make our Breaches wider well knowing that nothing will more advance their Empire than our Divisions Our Misery whom they account Hereticks is their Joy and our Distractions will be their glory and all evil Arts and ways to bring Calamities upon us they will esteem meritorious But Sir I look upon another beginning of our Civil War God blessed us with a long and flourishing Peace and we turned his Grace into wantonness and Peace would not satisfie us without Luxury nor our plenty without Debauchery Instead of sobriety and thankfulness for our Mercies we provoked the Giver of them by our sins and wickedness to punish us as we may fear by a Civil War to make us Executioners of Divine Vengeance upon our selves It is strange to note how we have insensibly slid into this beginning of a Civil War by one unexpected Accident after another as Waves of the Sea which have brought us thus far And we scarce know how but from Paper Combates by Declarations Remonstrances
of Offices and desired the concurrence of the Commons to take away all Countrey Committees An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for an Assesment for the Garrison of Bristol and Glocester Vote for an Ordinance for fifty three thousand pounds per mensem assesment for the Army Debate touching the Confession of Faith An Ordinance past for constituting the three Commissioners of the Seal with a Provisoe that if any of them be chosen a Member of the Parliament he shall leave his place Vote for continuing the Seal-bearer The Ordinance past for sale of Bishops Lands and to secure the two hundred thousand pound to the Scots 14. The House sate in a grand Committee upon the Ordinance against Heresies Report of the Marquess of Ormond That he desired supplys and Moneys for the Forces with him and that he would either come to London or go beyond Sea or serve in Ireland as the Parliament pleased and surrender Dublin c. re-committed to treat further upon the surrender of Dublin and the other Garrisons A Letter from Ormond to the King and another to London laid aside not to be delivered The Ordinance for the Commissioners of the great Seal again presented to the Lords at a conferrence with some alterations as reserving power to make Justices of the Peace to present to Parsonages c. The House sent and seized at the Press the Papers of the Lord Chancellors Speeches then in Printing touching the disposal of the Kings Person and took the Printer and Bookseller into Custody for doing it without licence of the Houses though they had the warrant of the Scots Commissioners for it 15. A Pass from both houses to transport sixteen Naggs beyond Seas A Committee named to bring in an Ordinance for the Indemnity of Officers and Soldiers who have taken necessaries in the time of War and are now prosecuted for it at Law and the Committee to receive Complaints and give relief in the mean time A Letter from the Scots Commissioners desired the enlargement of the Stationer and Printer of their Speeches and the Printer and Stationer submitted referred to a further examination Ordinances sent up to the Lords for ten thousand pound for the poor Widows for four hundred pound for the poor Irish Protestants here for setling the Militia and for the Treaties with Scotland 16. A Committee named to consider of Printing the Septuagint Bible A Conference about the Printing of the Lord Chancellor of Scotland's Speeches An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for transporting of Persons to foreign Plantations The House sate in a grand Committee in the afternoon about the Assesments for the Army 17. Order that the Marquess of Hertford his Lady or others who had seized Money or Writings in Essex House should restore them to the Executors of the Earl viz. the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Warwick and Mr. Sollicitor St. John A Committee named to whom the probate of this and all other Wills was referred and also a Petition of the Doctors of Civil Law concerning the probate of Wills Order that neither the Marquess of Hartford nor any other who had born Arms against the Parliament should go with the Corps of the Earl of Essex at his Funeral Vote for fifteen thousand pound for the Forces in Ireland and for five thousand pound for the Forces of Major General Pointz Sir Fr. Willoughby one of the Lord Ormonds Commissioners sent back to inform him what the Parliament had done 19. Debate about the Trustees for sale of Bishops Lands Order that all the Members of the House do attend the Funeral of the Earl of Essex and that the House be adjourned for that day as the Lords had done In the afternoon the House sate till six at night upon the Ordinance for sale of Bishops Lands The General with Major General Massey went to the Devizes where a rendezvous was appointed for the disbanding of such of Major General Massey's Forces as would not go for Ireland 20. One Arrested contrary to the Articles of Oxford the Serjeants sent for as Delinquents upon a certificate from Sir Tho. Fairfax Difference about the Commissioners of the Seal The Lords named four more to be added to the three named by the Commons they altered their former Vote for the three Commissioners and ordered an Ordinance to be brought in to establish the former fix Commissioners Members of both Houses Order that Col. Mitton offer resonable conditions to the Garrisons in Wales not yet reduced which if they refuse within twenty days that then they shall not be received to Mercy and referred to a Committee to consider of imploying those Forces for Ireland after the rest of the Garrisons should be reduced and a Letter sent to Col. Mitton to acquaint him with these Votes Votes for Mr. Bish to be Garter King at Arms and Mr. Bish to be Clarentiaux Mr. Riley to be Norwâ—y and a Committee to regulate their Fees Ordinance for sale of Bishops Lands The Money and Writings of the Earl of Essex taken away were restored Captain Betten voted to be Vice-Admiral of the Winter Fleet. Dunkirk was surrendred to the French upon Articles great solemnities of Thanksgiving great Guns and Bonefires for it in France 21. The House sate in a Grand Committee upon the Ordinance for Sale of Bishops Lands A Committee named to consider of regulating the Chancery and to receive complaints touching Fees of that or any other Court of Equity within the Kingdom Referred to the same Committee to consider who are fit to be Justices of the Peace and who not in all Counties The Funeral of the Earl of Essex was solemnized with great State All the Members of both Houses Sir Thomas Fairfax the Civil and Military Officers then in Town and the Forces of the City a very great number of Coaches and Multitudes of people present at it The General had been at the Devizes to disband the Brigade of Major General Massey which was done with little trouble and few of them listed themselves for Ireland From the Disbanding the General hasted up to London and was at the Funeral of the Earl of Essex 23. The old Commissioners of the Seal had been voted to be continued upon the constituting new Commissioners now the old Commissioners were voted down again and an Ordinance past and sent to the Lords to make the two Speakers Commissioners of the Seal till twenty days after this Term. This incertainty and change of Resolution in the House was much discoursed of by some who were not their friends they were reflected upon for it But they excused themselves by reason of the difference in Opinion from them by the Lords and now they began to be more apprehensive than formerly that so great a trust as the Custody of the Seal was most proper and fit to be only in their own Members Order for a Commission to enable the Master of the Rolls and the Judges to hear and determine for the
the Kings hand for diverting the Ships pretended for the relief of Rochel another for sending Ammunition to York in the beginning of the War the House ordered the Committee to Print such of them as they thought fit Divers Sheriffs passed Order for a Judge to go down upon the Commission of Oyer and Terminer to try the Mutineers in the Isle of Wight Order for a Collection for Bridge-north and no Collection to be but under the Great Seal Letters from the Isle of Wight informed That the King sent for the Governor Col. Hammond and asked him the reason why he had given order for dismissing his Majesties Servants and whether it stood with the Engagement to them who had so freely cast themselves upon him and with his Honour and Honesty That the Governor told the King That his Honour and Honesty were in the first place to them that imployed him and next that he thought the King could not but confess that he had done more as things stood for him than he himself could have expected Then the King asked him whether the Commissioners were privy to this Order He said no the King demanded of him by what Authority he did it he said by Authority of both Houses of Parliament and that he supposed his Majesty was not ignorant of the cause of his doing thus The King professed the contrary and the Governor replyed that he plainly saw his Majesty was acted by other Councels than stood with the good of this Kingdom The Garrison of Hull sent Letters of thanks to the General for continuing Col. Maleverer to be their Governonor 11. Sir Hardress Waller acquainted the House That the General had commanded seven Collonels of them with other Officers of Quality in the name of the Army to make their humble address to the House and they have presented their intentions in writing in that which is called a Declaration which shall either have name or life or be exposed to view according as it shall receive approbation and direction from the House It was to this Effect Reciting the high Violations of the Kingdoms Rights and Liberties and endeavour to swallow them up in the Power and Will of a King the necessity of the Parliaments vindicating the Kingdom and their tenderness towards the Kings person and Rights so as might be consistent with and not destructive to the great and more obliging interest of Religion and the Rights and Liberties and safety of the Kingdom and not otherwise That the Army have declared and endeavoured the same and several addresses have been made to the King for those ends and in the Parliaments last address to him they insisted only upon some few things so essential to the interest of the Kingdom that without betraying the safety of the Kingdom and themselves and all engaged with them and without denying that which God in the issue of this War hath been such a Testimony unto they could not go lower and those things granted they have offered to treat for all the rest That upon the Kings denyal of these things they can see no further Hopes of settlement or Security that way Therefore understanding that upon debate of that denyal added to so many others the House of Commons by several late Votes resolved not to make any further Address or Application to the King nor receive any from him nor to suffer either in others They do freely and unanimously declare for themselves and the Army that they are resolved through the Grace of God firmly to adhere with and stand by the Parliament in the things then Voted and in what shall be further necessary for prosecution thereof and for setling and securing the Parliament and Kingdom without the King and against him or any other that shall hereafter partake with him This Declaration was twice read and the House Voted that they did approve of it and ordered that the thanks of the House be returned to the General and the Army for it A Petition from the Provincal Assembly of London referred to the Committee of Grievances and the Petitioners had thanks An Ordinance read and debated for Collecting twenty thousand pound a month for the Service of Ireland Order for ten pound to bury Captain Harris his Widow 12. The House gave thanks to some Merchants who had procured a Collection of Charity in the United Provinces of thirty one thousand two hundred and eighteen pound for the relief of Ireland Order for raising forty thousand pound forthwith for the Navy and thirty thousand pound more as soon as may be Order about sending some Divines to the Isle of Wight Letters from Vice-Admiral Rainsborough That he had appointed a guard of Ships for the Isle of Wight and for the Irish Coasts Order for five thousand pound for the Lord Brook's Son Both Houses passed an Ordinance for forty thousand pound to be raised out of the Earl of Worcesters Estate for the Service of Ireland Several Compositions passed 13. An Ordinance pass'd for repair of the Church of Taunton A Petition from the East-India Company referred and another from the Levant-Merchants Divers Compositions passed 14. Order that Delinquents be put out of the Line Upon Information of a new design of the Kings Party Orders for re-manding the Earl of Cleaveland to the Tower and for Sir Lewis Dives to be kept in safe Custody and for Mr. Sollicitor to prosecute him and Sir Jo. Stowel and Judge Jenkyns to Tryal the next Term and that the Lord Major and Justices do cause to be prosecuted at this Sessions the late Rioters in Fleet-street Order that the General take course for the safety of the Parliament And that he send some Horse and Foot to be Quartered within the Liberties of Westminster and to prevent inconvenience to the inhabitants That the Foot be Quartered in Whitehall and the Horse be Quartered in the Meuse 15. The Lords agreed to the Votes of the Commons That no more Addresses be made to the King and the Commons agreed with the Lords Preamble to those Votes and that they be Printed and published and that all who shall do contrary to those Votes shall be Sequestred Power to the Militia to imploy persons for the finding out and apprehending Delinquents who stay within the Lines Divers Compositions passed 16. Part of Col. Baxter's Regiment Quartered in White-Hall 17. Debate touching Sequestrations and against the Partiality of Committees Papers from the Scots Commissioners That they were speedily to return to Scotland and their desire of an answer of former Papers and what they shall return to the Parliament of Scotland and about the Arrears due to that Kingdom Orders for Money for Dover-Castle Some Delinquents committed who stayed in London contrary to the Ordinance and Order given by the House to the Regiments at White-Hall and the Meuse to apprehend and bring before a Justice of Peace such Papists and Malignants as they shall find in Town contrary to the Ordinance The House pass'd a
about monies for the Navy Letters from Scotland of preparations there to raise an Army and men being Listed in all parts on pretence to put that Kingdom in a posture of defence and that they are preparing Proposals to be sent to the Parliament for a personal Treaty with the King That the English in Edenburgh were in all about two thousand and have four pence a day allowed to the Souldiers 18. Sergeant Welde a Member of the House and one of the Judges in the last Circuit in the West reported a presentment of the Grand Jury of Sommersetshire Acknowledging the great care and pains of the Parliament for the Peace of the Nation particularly in the late Votes touching the King desiring the Judges to return their humble thanks to the Parliament and their resolutions to adhere to them in prosecution thereof The danger of their Country by Malignants Apostates and Newtrals from whose power they desired to be freed The Dearth of Corn and excessive multitude of Ale-Houses and Malsters wherein they desire remedy and against Forestallers Ingrossers and Regrators and against Malignants being in Offices and practising as Counsellours and Attorneys The Judges and Grand Jurors had the thanks of the House and referred to a Committee to nominate able and well affected persons to be Justices of the Peace in those Counties Order for an Ordinance to impower the Committees in the respective Counties to secure all suspected and disaffected turbulent persons Which passed not without much opposition as a thing of ill consequence and example especially by those who professed to be so highly for the Liberty of the Nation Thanks given to the Sheriffs of Norwich for their good affections Order to renew the Commission of Oyer and Terminer and Judges to go down to try the late Rioters at Canterbury The Commons desired the Lords to proceed upon the Impeachments against the seven Lords and against the Citizens and against Judg Jenkins and to pass the Ordinance for making Mr. Steele Recorder of London in Mr. Glyn's place 19. The Commissioners of the Customs refused to advance thirty thousand pounds for the Navy which others offered to do if they might be Commissioners but the House would not put forth the old Commissioners till they were reimbursed the monies formerly advanced by them The House accepted ten thousand pounds Composition for Sir Jo. Strangeways and ordered it for the use of the Navy Order to remove Prisoners from the Tower to Warwick Castle Windsor Castle and Wallingford Castle Collonel Fortescue recommended to the General for imployment in the Army and an order for his Arrears To the Papers of the Parliaments Commissioners in Scotland the Parliament there gave this answer 1. To that of the amity between the two Kingdoms they do on their part desire it and will labour to continue it 2. For delivery of Captain Wogan Sir Thomas Glemham and the other English Delinquents they say it is not contained in the Treaties they not taking these to be Incendiaries between the two Kingdoms but only between the King and England 3. They approve of the matter of their Commissioners Declaration and the Parliament answer to it they conceive not satisfactory Sir John Geere late Lord Mayor of London was brought to the Lords Bar and refused to kneel was fined five hundred pound and committed to the Tower and a day set for him to put in his desires for Counsel Debate about mony for the Navy The Earl of Pembroke Chancellour of the University of Oxford went thither and made Dr. Reynolds his Vice-Chancellour put him into possession of the Deanery of Christ-Church by the Souldiers breaking open the Deans Lodgings which were shut against him The like he did for Dr. Palmer at All Souls Colledg where Dr. Sheldon denyed the Chancellours Authority not being derived from the King So did Dr. Bayle at St. Johns Colledg where Mr. Cheynel was put in to be President and Mr. Wilkins at Wadham Colledg 20. An Ordinance debated and committed for raising fifty thousand pounds for Ireland An Ordinance debated for securing all disaffected and tumultuous persons Another for punishing defaulters upon Musters in Kent Letters from Wales That Collonel Poyer increased in strength and that many of Laughernes men after they were Disbanded and had received their Pay went and joyned with Poyer and That Collonel Powel is joyned with him That they force the Country to Musters and great Taxes 21. Debate of Ordinances for settling of Ministers The thanks of the House ordered to the Earl of Pembroke for his settling and reforming the University of Oxford And That such as refused to submit to the power of the Visitors there should be expelled and That the Tenants of the Colledges should pay their Rents to such as the Parliament appointed to receive them And That these Votes be Printed The Ordinance sent up to the Lords for securing all the disaffected Riotous party in England An explanatory Ordinance for Ireland past Letters from Collonel Horton of his being near to Pembroke Castle and resolution to ingage Poyers men as soon as he could 22. Upon debate of the Letters from the Commissioners in Scotland It was Voted That the answer of the Parliament of Scotland to the demands of the English Commissioners touching Captain Wogan and other Delinquents is no ways satisfactory and that their Commissioners in Scotland insist upon their demands and press the Parliament of Scotland for a further answer thereunto An Ordinance transmitted to the Lords for ascertaining and securing the Arrears of the Soldiery At a Conference the Lords acquainted the Commons That the Duke of York with the Duke of Gloucester and the Lady Elizabeth being together playing in a Room the last night after Supper by themselves the Duke of York privately slipt from them down the back Stairs without Cloak or Coat in his Shoos and Stockings and by the way of the Privy-Garden having got a Key of the Door he escaped away through the Park and could not be found none of his servants were missing who attended him Letters to the General to send for a Lieutenant who with his Souldiers took Free Quarter about Barnstable and to examine the business and do Justice to the Country and the House passed a new Ordinance for taking away Free Quarter 24. The House of Commons was called and there appeared and Sate three hundred and six of their Members and referred to a Committee to report the cases of those who were absent and none to go out of Town without leave A new Instruction past for the Commissioners in Scotland to insist upon their demands to the Parliament there to deliver up Incendiaries Divers Captains agreed upon for the Summers Fleet. Letters from Scotland That preparations for War go on there but opposed by the Kirk yet the other party prevails That Wogans Troop increaseth and the Parliament there declared That they will preserve the Union and ends of the
difficulties they had undergone in subduing their enemies and received little pay though Taxes were generally paid desiring that the Army may be divided into the Counties proportionable to the Tax they pay and that their Arrears may be thought of The House after a long debate Voted That the desires of the Souldiery be forthwith satisfied and that speedy care be taken for setling of their Arrears Several other Petitions were presented to the General from the Officers and Souldiers of the Army one from Commissary General Iretons Regiment was to this effect That there may be a strict Scrutiny for discovery of the contrivers or incouragers of the late rebellion and second War and Justice done upon them 2. And upon all criminal Persons especially obstructers of justice and such as have betrayed their trust or been Authors of shedding the innocent blood 3. That the same fault may have the same punishment in the person of King or Lord as in the Person of the poorest Commoner 4. That all may be proceeded against as Traitours who act or speak in the Kings behalf till he shall be acquitted of the guilt of shedding innocent blood 5. For their pay and for proceedings against those that withhold it and for their Arrears 6. That the intolerable oppression of free Quarter may be immediately taken off And about the establishment of their pay in the Counties 7. They declare that they shall constantly endeavour to defend Magistracy and property with their Lives and Fortunes This was a subtle Petition and the beginning of the design against the Kings Person but not discerned till afterwards An Ordinance past for maintaining a Troop of Horse in Surry out of the Sequestrations of that Country Orders for bringing in the Arrears of the Assessment for the Army Sir Charels Kemish was committed Letters from the Commissioners of the Treaty with Papers of their Transactions Order for disbanding the supernumerary Forces in Lancashire The Lords House past all the Judges and Sergeants except Sergeant Wilde to be Chief Baron and Sergeant Rolle to be Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. They also advised as to the Voting of Sir Thomas Widdrington and Whitelock to be the Kings Sergeants and Whitelock's being Attorney of the Dutchy which was upon Whitelock's desire 19. The Papers from the Isle of Wight were touching Delinquents His Majesty consented that all who have any hand in plotting designing or assisting the Rebellion in Ireland shall expect no Pardon That all other Delinquents in the first Branch of that Proposition may moderately compound for their Estates that such of them as the two Houses will insist on shall not be admitted to his Council and shall be restrained from coming to the Court at such distance as the Houses shall think fit and shall not have any Office of imployment in the Commonwealth without consent of both Houses or shall absent themselves for some time out of the Kingdom That all other Delinquents shall submit to a moderate composition and for three years not to serve as Members or Assistants in either House without the consent of both Houses of Parliament His Majesties propositions which the Commissioners of the Parliament were not authorized to receive were 1. That he might be put into a condition of freedom Honour and safety 2. To be restored to his Lands and Revenues 3. That he may have composition for the Court of Wards and such of his Revenues as he shall part with 4. That there may be an Act of Oblivion and Indemnity M r Vines gave in a paper in answer to his Majesties to satisfy his Conscience touching Bishops Upon these and other papers from their Commissioners they had a very long and quick debate Vote that the Lords days and Fast-days during the time of this Treaty shall be accounted no part of the twenty days allowed for it By which a weeks time longer was gained for the Treaty The House resolved into a Grand Committee to debate the Ordinance for payment of the reduced Officers The Lords concurrence desired to an Ordinance for payment of four thousand eight hundred pounds to Mr. Pecke in respect of his losses 20. The Merchant Adventurers Company had the thanks of the House for ingaging for ten thousand pound for the service of the Navy Letters from Sir Henry Cholmely complaining that the General had given Commission to Colonel Rainsborough to command in chief the Forces before Pontefract Castle whereas he had a Commission before from the Committee of the Militia of Yorkshire to be Commander in chief of them and that the disparagement was great to him and desires an Order in it The House referred the Letter and the whole business to the General to settle it and to preserve the honour of Sir Henry Cholmely and to take care that the business be carried on against the enemy One hundred pounds bestowed upon Captain Wolfe and twenty pound upon Mr. Noble who brought the news of the surrender of Carlisle Debate about an Ordinance for Doctor Bastwick and about the last Message from the King 21. Debate touching means wholly to take off Free-quarter and Ordered that the Members be imployed to use their best endeavours to bring in the arrears of the Assessments as a means to take off Free-quarter and some were sent down to the General to confer and advise with him how the Forces may be reduced to the Establishment and paid and to advise with such Officers as the General shall appoint about these matters Colonel King of Lincolnshire sent for to answer before the Committee of the Army to a Charge against him touching the Army The Commissioners of the Seal met with the Judges to confer together about the business of the new Sergeants for sending forth the Writs to them and other matters for ordering of that business 23. Vote to disband all the supernumerary Forces in the several Counties and the Committees to pay them their Arrears and the General Ordered to slight Bridgwater Bath and Dunstar or to man them Sir Peter Killigrew brought a Message from the Isle of Wight of his Majesties further Concessions touching Episcopacy 1. He consented to the abolishing of Archbishops Chancellors Deans and Chapters c. and the whole Hierarchy save Bishops 2. To confirm the form of Church Government for three years and no other to be used and the exercise of Episcopal Government to be wholly suspended during that time 3. That none shall be exercised after that time other than Ordination restrained to the Council and assistance of Presbyters but such and in such manner as shall be agreed by his Majesty and his two Houses whereby until such agreement or if it be not otherwise agreed Episcopal jurisdiction is wholly laid aside His Majesty also consented to the Nomination of great Officers to be by both Houses for ten years 2. To the proposition concerning the City of London as is desired 3. To that concerning the Great Seal as is
knowledge of the languages and being one whom they could trust c. but he insisted upon the former matters of excuse and so the business as to him went off 12. Order for a Writ to elect a new Burgess for Carlisle in the place of M r Barwis deceased An Ordinance committed to give power to the Committee of Admiralty to proceed to sentence of Death in Criminal causes Order for the Committee to meet the Common Council of London this afternoon for borrowing one hundred and twenty thousand pound for Ireland A long debate upon the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters lands and provisoes in it for allowances out of those lands to itinerary Ministers and disposing their impropriations for additional means to the Ministery recommitted An Act for inventorying the late Kings goods committed and a Committee appointed to consider of the Sale of his Deer and Parks reserving such as shall be needful for the State The Common Council of London were willing to lend one hundred and twenty thousand pound for Ireland but disliked the security proposed and the Committees agreed to treat upon further security The Council of War after full hearing of the parties and witnesses passed sentence of Death against Colonel Powell and Major General Laughern as they had done upon Colonel Poyer before upon the two first Articles of War That such as have intelligence with the Enemy or any communication with them without direction from the General shall be punished as Traitors and Rebels and that none shall relieve the Enemy with money victuals ammunition or harbour or receive any of them upon pain of Death The wife of Major General Laughern presented a Petition to the Court Martial imploring their mercy to her husband and that this one unadvised act of his might not cause all his former eminent services to be forgot and the great loss of her and his Children and two Sisters by his Death At Bristol were discovered three brass pieces of Ordnance made up in Fatts sent from London and directed to the Lord Inchequin in Ireland In the Evening the Commissioners of the Seal the Lord General the Lieutenant General Cromwel the Chief Justice Rolls the Chief Baron and many Gentlemen of the House as a Committee of Parliament went to the Common Council of London to borrow of them 120000 l for Ireland The Common Council gave them a fair and hopeful answer by their Recorder 13. Upon a Report from the Committee of Yesterdays transactions with the Common Council and their forwardness and desire in that business a Committee was appointed to treat with a Committee of Common Council concerning the advance of the 120000 l for Ireland and to give them the thanks of the House for their willingness to promote this business Order for monies for the Garrisons of Barwick and Carlisle to be disposed as the Governour of New-Castle shall direct An Act committed for appointing Treasurers for the ninety thousand pound assessment no Member of the Army to be of this Committee Letters from the Hague that the Prince Elector arrived there was slighted by the King of Scotland and his Court that the States appointed a Council to assist the King to treat with the Scots Commissioners and commanded all their Ministers to pray for no Kings or Princes but those under whose Government they are Letters from Excester that the Mayor and Justices there refuse to Execute their Office and to punish any offenders perswaded to it by the Ministers who also inveigh against those that open the Flood-gate of wickedness 14. Order that upon any suit commenced against any Member of Parliament the Commissioners of the Seal and the Judges shall certify such Members thereof respectively and if after such notice they shall refuse to answer or plead according to the usual proceedings of Law That then the Commissioners of the Seal and the Judges shall award such process against their persons and Estates as according to Law is meet and such Members to have no more priviledge in person or Estate than any other Commoner Referred to the Commissioners of the Seal and to the Judges in their Circuits to receive complaints against any disaffected Justices of Peace and upon proof of the charges against them to remove them from being Justices of the Peace as they shall see cause and to put other well affected persons into Commission in their stead A Committee appointed to receive Informations and complaints against such Ministers as in their Pulpits vilify and asperse the Anthority and late proceedings of Parliament and to proceed against such Ministers according to justice Referred to the Council of State to consider of a stamp for the gold newly brought from Guinnea and for the advantage of the State and incouragement of the Merchants And to consider how the statutes against transportation of gold and Silver may be strictly put in Execution and how the melting of Coyn here and selling of Silver for beyond Seas may be prevented An Act committed for appointing of Commissioners and Treasurers for prize goods and disposing of all prohibited commodities for the advantage of the State and for putting all statutes concerning the same into Execution Referred to the Council of State a proposition of Colonel Temple to stop the transportation of Bullion and all prohibited commodities Order that the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal be required to give in the names of such persons as they conceive will be fit for Judges to supply the places that are vacant 16. Upon the Death of Sir Francis Pile Knight of the shire for Berks a Writ issued out for a new election and the Sheriff returned the Earl of Pembroke with all his titles to be chosen Knight of the shire for Berks primae impressionis the House approved of the election and admitted the Earl a Member of the House of Commons and his Lordship attended by many eminent Members was received into the House with great respect Referred to a Committee to examine and consider the impositions laid upon Corn and Coals and the ingrossing of Corn the Earl of Pembroke named of this Committee Oxford Petition referred to the Committee for regulating the University of Oxford Order that none go beyond Seas without licence and an ingagement to act nothing against the Common-Wealth A Petition from Colonel Poyer for Mercy A Petition often thousand well affected persons of London Westminster Southwark and the Hamletts in the behalf of Lilburn Walwyn Prince and Overton Complaining of the illegal proceedings against them by power of Souldiers and undue examinations of them c. and prayeth their inlargement from prison and that for the future no person may be censured condemned or molested concerning life limb liberty or estate but for the breach of some Law first made and published and that the Tryals of all such causes may be left to subordinate Magistrates and ordinary proper Courts of Justice That the
them to have Fire-Arms or Ammunition 4. Letters that Argyle finding his Country men would not follow him by reason his Son the Lord Lorn was with the other party he left the Highlands That De Wit convoyed home to the Texel from the Sound the East-India Ships with 375 other Merchantmen and that about thirty Sail from Norwey were come home That young Trump was got home with his Merchantmen through the Channel That the English East-India Ships and other Merchantmen were safely arrived with their Convoy two Men of War and came in sight of young Trump who had Eight men of War yet did not exchange one Shot with them that a great Fleet of Colliers were come into the Thames 5. An Act passed for Repealing part of a former Act that enjoyns the subscribing the Engagement before one shall have the benefit of the Law A Bill committed for the taking away the High Court of Chancery and Constituting Judges and Commissioners for hearing Causes now depending in Chancery and future matters of Equity and for Reforming Abuses in the Common Law 7. Letters of the Cruelty and Insolency of the Highlanders under Kinmore That a Garison of the Parliaments took divers of them Prisoners and many Horses and Arms. Of the preparations in Holland for one hundred Sayl of Men of War 8. Debate of the Bill of the Assesments and the House Ordered the Rates to continue as before An Act passed concerning the Determination of certain Claims depending before the Commissioners of Obstructions 9. A Committee sate upon the Petition of Alderman Fowk late Lord Mayor of London 11. Of a Synode in Scotland among whom was great differences of Opinion with long and sharp Debates Of two French Prizes brought into Plymouth and an other pretending to be an Hamburgher Of a Frigot sent to Jersey for twenty Brass Guns and for two Companies of Soldiers Of two Dutch Prizes more brought into Alborough Sheriffs Nominated for the Counties of England and Wales 12. Letters of two Dutch Prizes brought into Burlington Bay That by great storms at Sea the Dutch lost twenty of their Ships driven a shore most of them Men of War And that De Wit was not returned That in the late storm two thousand Dutch Men were lost and four hundred and seventy Pieces of Cannon That in the storm fifteen breaches were made in the Banks of that Country and some Castles and whole Villages drowned 14. Letters of the French Capers doing much mischief to the English Merchants and cruelly using their Men and that they make Brest another Algiers That the great loss of the Dutch by the late storm at Sea hindred their Admiral Opdam from going forth with the Fleet. Order of Parliament touching the Redemption of the Captives of Algier Letters from the States of Lubeck and Hamburgh to the Parliament of England read in the House 15. The House Nominated some Sheriffs and Debated the Bill of Assesments Letters of a Party of the Highlanders falling upon a small Party of the English of whom they killed one and wounded three of them That Captain Watson fell upon a Party of the Highlanders and did them much damage Of thirteen Dutch and French Prizes brought into Plymouth most of them pretending to be Hamburghers 16. Orders touching claims for Moneys due upon Publick Faith and touching some Sheriffs of Counties 17. The Council of State published an Order Reciting the Trust reposed in them by the Parliament for this purpose they declare that the Council will protect all the good People of these Nations That no disturbance shall be offered to any such in their peaceable Assemblies for the Worship of God It is expected and required of all Ministers of Justice to proceed against the offenders therein as disturbers of the publick peace and all other persons to take notice thereof Order for a Lottery for Provinces and Counties in Ireland as to claims of land there 18. Letters that Kenmores party increased and took many Horses from the Lowlands who were generally their Friends That they plundered the Country and took some Prisoners that they received a Letter from their King that he could not assist them which discouraged them That by the late Inundation in Holland Amsterdam was damaged one hundred thousand l. That their Fleet being seventy two Men of War riding in the Texel were much shattered by the late violent winds sixteen of them lost and fourteen driven on shoar not above six left that were serviceable That the Seamen there are discontented that General Monk was gone down to the Parliaments Fleet. 19. Debate of the power of Patrons in Presenting Ministers and the inconveniencies thereof and Orders for an Act to take away Presentations An Act passed for setling Lands of the late Earl of Darby upon the present Earl his Son Order for a Bill touching the Excise and debate upon the Bill of Assesments That the Pickaroons of Bulloign took an English Merchant Man 21. That the Highlanders Garisoned several Houses that a Party of them took two Captains of Collonel Overtons Regiment going with their Wives to Glascow and took two Soldiers of Colonel Tomlinsons Regiment and that they plundered the Lord Warestons House An Act published for Establishing of a High Court of Justice A great Insurrection and Tumult was at the New Exchange between the Portugal Ambassadors Brother and some of his Company and Collonel Gerrard an English Gentlman who hearing the Portugueses discoursing in French of the Affairs of England told them in French That they did not represent those passages aright Whereupon one of the Portugueses gave him the lye and they all three fell upon Collonel Gerrard stabbing him in the shoulder with a Dagger but being rescued out of their hands by one Mr. Anthuser they retired home and within one hour returned with twenty more Armed with Breast-Plates and Head-pieces but after two or three turns not finding Mr. Anthuser they returned home that night 22. Letters that two thousand Dutch Prisoners of War in England were discharged and come home into Holland That young Trump was come home safe and so was the Dutch Ships from Bergen in Norwey The Portugal Ambassadors Brother returned again to the New Exchange with his Company and walking there they met with Colonel Mayo whom they supposed to have been Mr. Anthuser and shooting off a Pistol as a warning Fifty Portugueses came in with drawn Swords and leaving some to keep the Stayers the rest went up with the Ambassadors Brother and fell upon Colonel Mayo who gallantly defending himself received seven dangerous wounds and lies in a dying condition And then they fell upon Mr. Greenway of Lincolns-Inn who was walking with his Sister in one hand and his Mistriss in the other and Pistol'd him in the head whereof he dyed immediatly they brought with them several Jars filled with Gunpowder in their Coaches stopped with Wax and filled with Matches intending as it seemed to have done some
doubtful thoughts in the Commissioners of the Seal who knew the Authority of that Court was design'd to be lessened and they were not consulted in this Matter yet they took no notice of it but went on in the Ordinary course of their Proceedings Upon the Lords Day March 11. a Party of about Two hundred of the New Conspirators came into Salisbury at Midnight seized upon many Horses and took away the Judges Commissions being then in their Circuit in that place and they Marched from thence Westward whereof Captain Vnton Croke having timely Intelligence pursued them with his Troops and at South Molton in Devon overtook them and after a sharp Conflict Routed them took Captain Penruddock Jones and Grove and Five hundred common Persons Prisoners Sir Joseph Wagstaff then Chief Comander hardly escaping There were other Risings in Northumberland and in Yorkshire of whom Sir Henry Slingsby was taken Prisoner and others and Sir Richard Moleverer hardly escaped Many of the Conspirators were tryed by a Commission of Oyer and Terminer at Salsbury and Exeter Mr. James Decoy was Clerk to the Commissioners and did some service to Sir Henry Moor Sir George Browne and others who were of that Plot in helping to favour them for which I suppose they were not ungrateful Penruddock and Grove were Beheaded Lucas of Hungerford and others were Executed and the Prisons were filled in those parts Letters from Scotland informed That Middleton was said to be Landed there again with new Supplies from the King who was also expected to come thither shortly with a great Force and store of Mony and his Brother the Duke of York to come a little before him Upon this News former Treaties were broken off and in divers Parts New Levies began to be made for the King The Protector and his Council Publish'd an Ordinance Appointing Commissioners for Approbation of Publick Preachers Another for passing Custodies for Idiots and Lunaticks Another for continuing the Act for Impresting of Seamen He and his Councel and Officers kept a day of Solemn Humiliation and Fasting the which was also observed throughout London and Westminster Brest men did much mischief to the Merchants of Bristol and the Western parts who complained thereof The Parliaments Commander in Scotland apprehended divers of the Kings party The Lord Mayor and the Militia of London attended the Protector with their fuit to him to give leave to revive the Artillery Company in London for the better exercising of the Citizens in Arms and they undertook that none but well affected persons should be admitted into that Company to which the Protector assented Letters that Collonel Hacker had apprehended several of the Conspiratours in Notinghamshâ—re Leicestershire and those parts and kept them all in awe Captain Howard had given to him the Command of Collonel Rich his Regiment An Agent from Portugal brought the Ratification of the Treaty between England and Portugal Several Examinations were taken about the late Risings and Plots The Duke of Lenox dyed at London Letters from Scotland that they were in a quiet condition The Protector by the advice of one Gage a Minister who had been long in the West Indies set forth a gallant Fleet under the Command of Vice-Admiral Pen with a great party of Land-Soldiers under the Command of Vinables many were very eager to ingage in this design being given out in general to be very rich and that it was for the West Indies but it was kept very secret till the Fleet had been gone along time which arrived at the Barbadoes in this month and the thirtieth day of it set sail from thence and steered their Course towards Hâ—spaniola one of the fairest and richest Islands in America under the King of Spains Dominions Who having some inkling of this design sent the Marquis of Leda his Ambassadour to the Protector and the Marquis finding how things went quickly returned to his Master April 1655. April 1655. The Protector and his Councel issued many Orders for the apprehending of several persons suspected to be in the late Plot and they were brought to White-Hall and there examined by the Protector and Secretary Thurloe some of them were discharged but more of them were Committed Collonel Birch and others were secured in Hereford-shire and divers in Northumberland Letters that the Brest Pirates took some English Ships and that General Blake was gone from Tunis to Maltha to demand satisfaction for some Piracies done there upon English men The Protector feasted the Commissioners for approbation of Ministers he sate at the Table with them and was chearful and familiar in their Company and by such kind of little Caresses he gained much upon many persons The King of Sweden sent a Letter to his Highness the Lord Protector in behalf of Lord Lauderdale and his Brother Laundie And the Lord Douglas writ likewise from Stock-holm into England For the release of his poor Kinsman not doubting but that his Highness as a Gratious Prince might be moved to compassion having no powerful or any opposition at all in any of the three Kingdoms For since it hath pleased the Lord of Hosts to bless his actions in such a height that by his valâ—ur his Highness has not only subdued superior and all other power that was against him but also by prudent Conduct of Affairs hath Established himself and these three Nations in one Peaceable Estate What could that augment to his greatness to let his goodness and compassion be made known to the world that he shews upon those whose Lives and Fortunes he has in his hands Upon this Letter and the recommendation from the King of Swedland favour was procured from the Protector to the Lord Lauderdale and his Brother and considerable services were done for them but when the times altered they Scots like remembred nothing of it nor ever returned the least kindness or gratitude for all the good Offices were done them Letters from Scotland of new designs and endeavours of the Enemy there to raise Forces The Protector sent Letters to the Justices of the Peace in York-shire and in most Counties for the watching and apprehending suspitious persons as to the new designs on foot against the Peace of the Common-Wealth and the matter of the Letters was carefully executed Letters were sent to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal to attend a Committee of the Council at the Council Chamber They attended accordingly and were acquainted with this Order Monday 23. April 1655. At the Council at White-Hall Ordered by his Highness the Lord Protector and the Councel That the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal do proceed according to the Ordinance of his Highness and the Councel Intituled An Ordinance for the better regulating and limiting the Jurisdiction of the High Court of Chancery Henry Scobel Clerk of the Councel The Chair-man told them That this Ordinance was made upon
places of Judicature 6. Delivery up of Ships to the French 7. Mis-imployment of Three Subsidies and Three Fifteens They Ordered That the Duke on whom these Misdemeanours chiefly reflected should have Notice of the Intention of the House of Commons suddainly to resume the Debate of these things There served in this Parliament in the House of Commons many persons of Extraordinary Parts and Abilities whose Names are in the List of those times Mr. Clement Coke in his Speech in the House of Commons concerning Grievances said That it were better to dye by an Enemy than to suffer at home The Lords ready to comply with the Kings desires appointed a Committee to consider of the Safety and Defence of the Kingdom and Safeguard of the Seas The Committee advised one Fleet to be presently set out against the King of Spain and another to Guard our Coasts and Merchants this was sent to the House of Commons but not well resented by them The King sent a smart Letter to the Speaker pressing for present Supplies and promising Redress of Grievances presented in a dutiful and mannerly way and this was further urged by Sir Richard Weston To Know without further delay of time What Supply they would give unto the King To this the Commons returned a general Answer promising a Supply The King Replyed As to the Clause of presenting Grievances that they should apply themselves to Redress Grievances not to Inquire after them And said I will not allow any of my Servants to be questioned among you much less such as are of Eminent Place and near unto me I see you especially aim at the Duke I wonder who hath so altered your Affections towards him Then he mentions the Honour that the last Parliament of his Father Expressed to the Duke and labours to Excuse him and concludes I would you would hasten for my Supply or else it will be worse for your selves for if any Evil happen I think I shall be the last that shall feel it This was suspected to be the Advice of the Popish Councellors to cause a Breach betwixt the King and his Parliament who thereupon mentioned the Duke as the chief Cause of all Publick Miscarriages and Dr. Turner a Physitian propounded his Quaeries to that purpose Upon the Opinions of Sir Thomas Wentworth Noy Selden and others the House Voted That Common Fame is a good Ground of Proceedings for that House The King sent a Message to the Commons by Sir Richard Weston That he took Notice of the Seditious Speech of Mr. Coke and of Dr. Turners Articles against the Duke of Bucks but indeed against the Honour and Government of the King and of his Father That he cannot suffer an inquiry on the meanest of his Servants much less against one so near him and wonders at the foolish impudence of any Man that can think he should be drawn to offer such a Sacrifice much unworthy the Greatness of a King and Master of such a Servant He desireth the Justice of the House against the Delinquents That he be not constrained to use his Regal Power and Authority to Right himself against these two Persons Dr. Turner Explained himself and said That to Accuse upon Common Fame was warranted by the Imperial Laws and by the Cannons of the Church That this House in the time of Henry the Sixth did upon Common Fame Accuse the Duke of Suffolk And that Sir Richard Weston himself did present the Common Vndertakers upon particular Fame The next Day Dr. Turner wrote a Letter to the Speaker to excuse his not attending the House by reason of Sickness and submitting to their Judgments but not acknowledging any fault Sr. John Elliot made a bold and sharp Speech against the Duke and present Grievances yet in the midst of those Agitations The Commons remembred the Kings Necessities and Voted to grant Three Subsidies and Three Fifteens Upon a Message from the King both Houses Attended him at Whitehall Where he gave the Lords thanks and showed the Commons their Errors and referred particulars to the Lord Keeper who in a plain speech assured the Commons That after the great Affairs setled and satisfaction to the Kings Demands he would hear and answer their just Grievances Tells them That his Majesty excepts to the not punishing of Coke and Turner he praiseth the Duke and his Merit from King and Parliament and declares the Kings Pleasure that they proceed no further in the inquiry touching the Duke And saith That the Supply Voted is not suitable to the Ingagements requires a further Supply and their Resolution thereof by a Day else they are not to Sit longer nor will the King expect a Supply this way Then the King spake again and mentioned Mr. Coke and said It was better for a King to be Invaded and almost Destroyed by a Forreign Power than to be despised by his own Subjects And bids them remember That the Calling Sitting and Dissolving of Parliaments was in his Power Being informed That the House of Commons ordered their Doors to be shut whilst they Debated hereof and that they misunderstood some passages in his Speech and in the Lord Keepers The King ordered the Duke at a Conference of both Houses to Explain it Which being done the duke gave them an Account of the business in Spain and indeavours to vindicate himself in that and all his Negotiations both at home and abroad since his being at Oxford and that he did nothing in single Councels excuseth his not going with the Fleet his Master commanding him into the Low-Countries to Treat with the King of Sweden of Denmark and the States Then the Lord Conway made a large Vindication of the Duke in the Publick Transactions The Lords Petitioned the King against the Precedency chalenged by the Scotch and Irish Nobles To which the King Answered That he would take order therein The Lord Conway wrote a Second Letter to the Earl of Bristol by the Kings Command to Know Whether he would choose to sit still without being questioned for any Errors in his Negotiation in Spain and injoy the benefit of the late Pardon or else would wave the Pardon and put himself upon a Legal Tryal Bristol in Answer would not wave the Pardon nor justifie himself against the King and so makes a doubtful Answer Then he Petitions the Lords for his right of Peerage to have a Writ to attend the House and that after two years restraint he may be brought to his Tryal in Parliament The Lords Pray the King That Bristol and other Lords whose Writs are stopped may have their Writs and they had them and the Duke showed the Lords a Letter from the King to Bristol charging him That when the King came first into Spain Bristol advised him to change his Religion and that he prejudiced the Business of the Palatinate Bristol by Petition to the Lords acquaints them That he had received his Writ to attend the Parliament but withal a Letter
executed and the Soldiers committed great outrages Sir Randâ—l Crew Chief Justice not favouring the Loan was put out of his Place and Sir Nicholas Hide who drew the Dukes Answer in Parliament was preferred to be the Chief Justice The Bishop of Lineoln for speaking words against the Government and for countenancing Non-Conformists was complained of by Sir John Lamb and others and they Informed That Fasts were kept and Money Collected by the Puritans for the Palatinat and that the Bishop would not proceed against them The Bishop got a Copy of the Informations against him Bishop Laud was Jealous that Lincoln Endeavour'd to be reconciled to the Duke Six thousand English in service with the States were commanded thence under General Morgan to join with the King of Denmark Some who refused to lend Money to the King were forced to Serve in the Kings Ships then going forth and refusers in the Country were some of them Committed and the meaner sort pressed to serve as Soldiers Dr. Sibthorp published a Sermon Preached by him to Promote the Kings Affairs wherein he delivered his Opinion That the King might make Laws and do whatsoever pleaseth him Dr. Mainwaring Preached the same Divinity and highly against the power of Parliaments The Papists were forward in the Loan and the Puritans were Recusants in it Abount this time the Earl of Denbigh had one hundred Sayl of Ships under his command in our Seas but his Excellency having no Commission to Fight suffer'd divers English Vessels to be taken away by our Enemies in his view without Rescue by their Countrymen Some Ships taken for Prize being brought before him as Admiral it was wondred at that almost all of them were by him adjudged to be no Prize and so released but one Captain pursued a released Ship and took her again brought her to London and in the Admiralty she was adjudged Prize and he Enjoyed the benefit whatever the Earl of Denbigh did before Distastes and Jealousies were raised about the Government of the Queens Family wherein the King held himself traduced by some French Servants who said that the King bad nothing to do with them he being an Heretick The Queen was brought to Insist upon it as part of the Articles that She should name all Her Servants and some unkindness arose upon it The King was also distasted That her Priests made the Queen to walk to Tyburn on Pennance Upon these passages the King dismist and sent back into France all the Queens French retinue acquainting the French King with it and Excusing it to him but it was ill resented in France and by them held contrary to the Articles of Marriage The Jarring with France brake out to an open War which was fomented by an Abbot here in disfavour with Cardinal Richlieu to put an affront upon the Cardinal and Mr. Walter Mountague Endeavoured to further it and the pretence was to assist those of the Religion in France Our King took that ground and the denial of Count Mansfields Men to land in France and the influence of the Councils of the House of Austria upon those of France and the Imbargo of our Merchants Ships there sufficient causes for a War The Duke of Bucks is appointed Admiral and General of the Sea and Land Forces prepared against France And hath power to make Knights c. He comes before Rochel with one hundred Sayl of Ships and desires them to joyn with him in behalf of the Protestants in France but the Rochellers returning thanks to our King and to the Duke answered That they were bound by Vnion and Oath not to do any thing without the consent of the rest of the Religion The Duke was advised to land his Men at the Isle of Oleron which was weak and ill provided and not at the Isle of Rea which was strong and well provided but he altered his Design and Sailed to Rea and there landed Twelve hundred Men whom the French encountred but the English forced their way and all the Army was landed in the Island Yet did they not take their advantage against the French but suffered the Governor to have five days to recover his loss and to get in as he did new Forces and Provisions in the mean time the Duke published a Manifesto of the Causes of this War particularly the King of France his Imploying our Ships against Rochel contrary to his promise and agreement The Gentlemen here who refused to pay the Loan were confined into other Counties and in close Imprisonment and some of them in common Goals Sir John Elliot one of them in a Petition to the King sets forth the Illegality of the Loan or of any Tax without Parliament taking this way to Inform the King what his Councel did not and he alledgeth his Conscience not to submit to it and prays his liberty but could not obtain it Sir Peter Haiman another refuser was sent upon an Errand as far as the Palatinate The Arch-Bishop Abbot was suspended for refusing to licence Dr. Sibthorps Book a Sermon for Absolute Power and a Commission was granted to several Bishops to exercise the Archiepiscopal Jurisdiction Of all which proceedings touching himself the Archbishop left a grave and ingenious Narrative which may be read at large in Rushworths Collections Five of the Imprisoned Gentlemen by Habeas Corpus were brought to the Kings Bench and by their Councel Assigned took Exceptions to the Return for that it had not the cause of their Commitment but of their detainer in Prison per speciale Mandatum Regis which is no particular cause and the Law being most tender of the Subjects Liberty Noy Selden Brampston Calthrope and others who were of Councel for the Prisoners prayed they might be Released and Discharged Heath the Kings Attourney at another Day argued in Maintenance of the Return Hide chief Justice declared the Opinion of the Court That the Return was Positive and Absolute by the Kings special command and the signification of it by the Lords of the Council is only to inform the Court. And that the Habeas Corpus is not to return the Cause of the Imprisonment but of the detention in Prison that the matter of this Return is sufficient and the Court is not to examine the truth of the Return but must take it as it is So the Prisoners were Remaunded The Report of this Case may be found in Rushworths Collections Anno 1627 The King resolves to send supplies to the Isle of Rea and Souldiers and Mariners are press'd for that purpose but many of them not liking the business run away from their Conductors hereupon it was resolved by all the Judges That If one be retained to serve the King beyond Seas and press money deliver'd to him and by Indenture he be deliver'd to a Conductor to lead him to the Port where he is to be shipped and he run away from the Conductor that this it Felony by the Statutes 7 H. 7. ch
whose Country Gustavus then was become Master of the Field but his Successes caused him to propound the harder Conditions to the Elector to hold his own Patrimony that he refused them but afterwards the King of Sweden by Mediation came to more moderate terms But that Business was cut off by the death of that King which in its time will be remembred This Term the business of the Death of Doctor Lamb was in the King's Bench wherein it appeared that he was neither Dr. nor any way Lettered but a man odious to the Vulgar for some Rumors that went of him that he was a Conjurer or Sorcerer and he was quarrelled with in the Streets in London and as the people more and more gathered about him so they pelted him with rotten Eggs Stones and other riff raff justled him beat him bruised him and so continued pursuing him from Street to Street till they were five hundred people together following of him This continued three hours together until Night and no Magistrate or Officer of the Peace once shewed himself to stop this Tumult so the poor man being above eighty years of age died of this violence and no Inquisition was taken of it nor any of the Malefactors discovered in the City For this negligence an Information was put into the King's Bench by the Attorney Noy against the Mayor and Citizens and they submitted to the Grace of the Court and were in open Court fined fifteen hundred Marks by the Common Law not upon the Statute of 28 Edw. 3. nor upon the Statute of 4 H. 8. This Trinity Term Judge Whitelocke fell ill of a Cold which so increased upon him that he was advised to go into the Country whereupon he took his leave of his Brethren the Judges and Sergeants and was cheerfull with them but said to them God be with you I shall never see you again and this without the least disturbance or trouble of his thoughts And soon after he came into the Country on 22th day of June he died and in his death the King lost as good a Subject his Country as good a Patriot the Peeple as just a Judge as ever lived all honest men lamented the loss of him no man in his age left behind him a more honoured Memory His Reason was clear and strong and his Learning deep and general he had the Latine Tongue so perfect that sitting Judge of Assize at Oxford when some Foreigners Persons of Quality being there and coming to the Court to see the manner of our proceedings in matters of Justice this Judge caused them to sit down and briefly repeated the Heads of his Charge to the Grand Jury in good and elegant Latin and thereby informed the Strangers and the cholars of the ability of our Judges and the course of our proceedings in matters of Law and Justice He understood the Greek very well and the Hebrew and was versed in the Jewish Histories and exactly knowing in the History of his own Country and in the Pedigrees of most Persons of Honour and Quality in the Kingdom and was much conversant in the Studies of Antiquity and Heraldry He was not by any excelled in the knowledge of his own Profession of the Common Law of England wherein his knowledge of the Civil Law whereof he was a Graduate in Oxford was a help to him his learned Arguments both at the Bar and Bench will confirm this truth Soon after the death of this Judge there died a great Church-man Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury in a good old age and left behind him the memory of a pious learned moderate Prelate and in his room succeeded Laud then Bishop of London who was in eminent favour with the King as appears by this Translation of him to the Metropolitan Dignity of the Church of England to be Archbishop of Canterbury Some of our Stories relate that not long after his Translation to the See of Canterbury Laud was offered a Cardinals Cap from Rome but that he refused being as high already as England could advance him and he would not be second to any in another Kingdom This new Archbishop in the end of Summer about Michaelmas came from London to Oxford there to attend the King and to entertain him in the University where Laud was also Chancellour Collonel Saunderson was sent by our King with two thousand English to the Emperor of Rushia to assist him against the King of Poland He was there upon a private difference between them basely murdered by Colonel Lesley a Scotch-man The Muscovites were overthrown by the Polanders no Justice done upon Lesley but he came to this deserved end that he was thrown down from a Tower upon the ground and so died The Protestants in Ireland were discontented at the grace and favour shewed to the Papists there the Lord Wentworth was sent over as Deputy in that Kingdom to settle the Affairs and People there The King of Sweden proceeded successfully in Germany till the Battel of Lutzen where he was slain some say by one of his own people others say by the Enemy in the fight he was trampled under foot by the horse so that his body could hardly be known Papenheim was slain in the same Battel The Swedes contrary to expectation and course of others at the death of their King were so inraged that falling furiously upon the Imperialists they gained a great Victory Anno 1632 A little after this the Prince Elector King of Bohemia dyed as was supposed of the Infection of the Plague which he had taken at Coloign or at Mentz Wallestein was suspected of treachery to have designed a conjunction with the Swedes against the Emperor and was suddenly murthered by Butler a Scotchman This year dyed three Kings Sigismund King of Poland and Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden and Fredericke King of Bohemiā besides many great persons both in England and in Foreign parts of every Degree and Sex The King sent the Earl of Leicester Ambassador to the King of Denmark to condole the death of his Mother and to demand a portion due to our Queen and to the Queen of Bohemia according to the Law of Denmarke About this time Mr. Prinne published his Book called Histrio-Mastrix by Lycence of Archbishop Abbot's Chaplain which being against Plays and a Reference in the Table of the Book to this effect Women actors notorious Whores relating to some Women actors mentioned in his Book as he affirmeth It hapened that about six weeks after this the Queen acted a part in a Pastoral at Somerset house and then the Archbishop Laud and other Prelates whom Prynne had angered by some Books of his against Arminianism and against the Jurisdiction of the Bishops and by some Prohibitions which he had moved and got to the high Commission Court These Prelates and their Instruments the next day after the Queen had acted her Pastoral shewed Prynne's Book against Plays to the King and that
advised him to it are to be suspected as favourers of that bloudy Rebellion as likewise those who perswaded His Majesty to question or contradict their Votes which was a high breach of privilege of Parliament Mar. 16. At Stamford the King proclayms the putting in execution the Laws against Papists and so goes on to York and there Mar. 24. repeats his Grant for passing the Bill of Tonnage and Poundage and commands the payment of it for the future according to the Act. 1 Ja. The Earl of Northumberland Lord Admiral being indisposed the King appoints Sir John Pennington Vice Admiral to take the charge of the Fleet but the Parliament by a Paper inclosed in a Letter to the Lord Keeper Littleton Mar. 28. recommended the Earl of Warwick to the King for that service the first recommendation of theirs for the cheif Sea Commander but he was refused Anno 1642. Car. 18 April 5. The Assizes being at York the Gentry Ministers and Freeholders of that County by an humble and hearty address testify their loyalty to the King and sorrow for the distractions and pray His Majesty to be pleased to declare some expedients which may take away all misunderstandings betwixt him and his great Council The King gives them a gracious answer and wishes them to apply to the Parliament for the good of all The King sends a Message to the Parliament offering his own person to reduce Ireland and his intent to raise his Guards for that purpose desires them to quicken their levies and saith he hath prepared a Bill by his Attorney concerning the Militia for the good of all if received if refused he calls God and the world to judge between them To this they returned no answer Divers Members of Parliament subscribed several sums of money upon the Act of Parliament for reducing of Ireland The County of Bucks advanced 6000 l. towards this service and their money was repaid upon the Bill of 400000 l. to be raised for that service The Parliament apprehending the King's purpose to seise upon the great Magazine at Hull they desire it might be transported from thence to the Tower of London to supply the want of ammunition there from whence Ireland was supplyed and here it would be easier transported to Ireland To which the King returns a quick answer denying their Petition they shortly after send their reasons to the King against his going in person to Ireland and tell him they cannot consent to any levies but such as they shall advise and others they shall interpret to the terror of the people and suppress it and refuse to submit to any Commissioners in the King's absence but to govern by consent of Parliament This was looked upon by many as very strange and high and the King in answer to it says He looks upon them as his great Council with regard but yet upon himself as not deprived of his understanding nor divested of any Right he had before the Parliament did meet That he called them by his Writ and Authority to give him Counsel but did not resign his Interest and Freedome nor will subject himself to their determinations and holds himself free to dissent from them That the Menace rather than Advice in their Petition doth not stagger him The Lords Justices and Council of Ireland hearing of the King's Intention to come thither in person writ a Letter of thanks and incouragement to him to proceed in that his gracious intention but the Parliament being averse thereunto the King declined it The King demands Justice from the House of Lords against several Authors and preachers of Seditious doctrine that the King denying what the Parliament desired they might doe it without him and that humane Laws do not bind the Conscience with much of the like new opinions but nothing was done in it The Parliament had committed the charge of the Town and Magazine of Hull to Sir John Hotham one of their Members who was sent down thither the Parliament purposing to remove the Magazine to London the County of York had petitioned that it might still remain at Hull for securing the Northern parts especially the King residing there The King thought it the best way himself to seise upon the Magazine and taking a Guard of his Servants and some Neighbouring Gentry April 23. He went to Hull but contrary to his expectation he found the Gates shut and the Bridges drawn And from the Walls appeared Sir John Hotham denying entrance to the King which he said he could not admit without breach of his trust to the Parliament The King required him to shew his Order for this from the Parliament He then said that the King had too great a Train and would not admit him entrance though with but 20 horse which so moved the King that he caused Hotham to be there proclaymed Traitor and so returned to York Thence he sends to the Parliament to demand Justice against Hotham and sends to the Magistrates of Hull to admonish them not to adhere to Hotham but to testify their allegiance to their King by delivering the Magazine into his hands Again the King sends to the Parliament for exemplary Justice against Hotham and that immediately the Magazine be delivered up to him and till this be done he will intend no other business for to be in worse condition than the meanest Subject not to injoy his own it is time to examine how he lost them and to try all possible ways by help of God the Law and his good Subjects to recover them God so deal with us as we continue these resolutions To these Messages having no return Scouts are laid to intercept Letters between the House and Hull which they voted a high breach of their Privile e and to defend it with their lives and fortunes they justify Hotham and order that the Shcriffs and Justices of Peace suppresse all forces that shall be raised or gathered together against Hull or to disturbe the peace The King's Bill of the Militia was declined by the Parliament and a new one from themselves presented to the King which he refused and gave his reasons for it They put the power in the persons nominated by them excluding the King in ordering any thing together with them The King offered that in his absence in Ireland it should be so and that for a year but it was not liked Then they pass a Declaration touching Hotham and avow his action and set forth designs against Hull April 28. and send a Committee thither for the better securing of the Town Hotham is authorised by his Warrants to raise the trained Bands in Yorkshire to march with their armes into Hull where he disarmed them and turned them home again The King signifies to the Sheriff that this cannot be done legally and forbids any muster without his command and to suppress those that disobey with the posse Comitatus May 5. The Parliament require all
Seal was at the first committed to the Custody of the two Speakers to be made use of by the Warrant of the Houses afterwards it was committed to the Custody of two Lords and four Commoners as Commissioners who had the Authority of Keeper of the Great Seal The Lords were the Earls of Manchester and Bullingbrook the Commoners were Mr. Brown Mr. S. John Mr. Wilde and Mr. Prideaux The Courts of Justice were not-yet open no practice for Lawyers August 12. The Earl of Lindsey being released from his Imprisonment by the Parliament came to the King at Oxford and was highly welcomed there but the Earls of Holland and Bedford found it otherwise to them For they about August 25. upon some distaste at the Parliament left them and got to Wallingford where the Governour Blagge received them with great shews of Honour and brought them from thence to the King at Oxford To him these Lords professed their Duty and Allegiance acknowledging their former Errours and promising wholly to desert the Parliament and to adhere to his Majestie 's Interest But not long after finding less favour and respect to them from the King and his Party than they expected upon this new Discontent they found means again to quit Oxford and to return to the Parliament About the same time the Earl of Clare left the Parliament and went to the King to Oxford but finding such Entertainment as Holland and Bedford had done both from the King and those about him he stoutly told the King That he intended to return to his own house in Nottinghamshire and prayed his Majestie 's leave for it The King wished him not to go but finding him resolute upon his Journey sent to have him stopped but in the mean while the Earl found means to pass the Guards and got home to Houghton and from thence to the Parliament It was said in Drollery that these three Earls had much confirmed others to continue with the Parliament for they having tried both Parties found it by Experience that this was the best to be in and to adhere unto A Book set out by Saltmarsh a Minister gave distaste to sober men by these among other his Counsells 1. That all means should be used to keep the King and his People from a sudden union 2. To cherish the War under the notion of Popery as the surest means to engage the people 3. If the King would not grant their Demands then to root him out and the Royal Line and to Collate the Crown upon some body else Some excepting against this in the house of Commons Mr. Henry Martyn said He saw no reason to condemn Mr. Saltmarsh and that it were better one Family should be destroyed than many Sir Nevill Poole moved that Mr. Martyn might explain what one Family he meant Who boldly answered The King and his Children Upon this some of the Members urged against his lewdness of life and the height and danger of these words And divers speaking sharply against Mr. Martyn he was committed to the Tower but shortly after released and re-admitted to his place in Parliament Sir Edward Coniers is removed fom his place of Lieutenant of the Tower and the Charge thereof given to the Lord Mayor Pennington The Parliaments Commissioners in Scotland send word of a fair Correspondence with the State there and their readiness to comply with the Parliament in order to which they had sent from them the Form of a Covenant to be taken by both Nations This the Parliament refers to the Assembly of Divines then sitting for their Advice in it Sir John Evelyn of Wilts had writ a Letter from the Earl of Northumberland's house at Petworth to Sir John Evelyn of Surrey which being intercepted and suspicious both of them being Members of the house of Commons were Imprisoned Both Houses passed an Ordinance August 28 for demolishing and removing all Monuments of Idolatry and Superstition out of all Churches and Chapels in England and Wales Divers Members of both Houses were Members of the Assembly of Divines and had the same liberty with the Divines to sit and debate and give their Votes in any Matter which was in consideration amongst them In which Debates Mr. Selden spake admirably and confuted divers of them in their own learning And sometimes when they had cited a Text of Scripture to prove their Assertion he would tell them Perhaps in your little Pocket Bibles with gilt Leaves which they would often pull out and read the Translation may be thus but the Greek or the Hebrew signifies thus and thus and so would totally silence them The Lord Willoughby of Parham had done great Service for the Parliament in Lincolnshire He had taken in Gainsborough and divers Prisoners there among whom was the Earl of Kingston who with the rest being sent by Water in a close Boat towards Hull A party of Cavaliers as they passed by called to the Boat to stay and because they did not the Cavaliers shot at them and the Earl with his man and no other in the Boat were slain by their own Friends The Lord Willoughby kept the Town afterwards against the Earl of Newcastle's Forces till over-powred with Numbers he was forced to surrender it upon honourable conditions Colonel Cromwell gave assistance to the Lord Willoughby and performed very gallant Service against the Earl of Newcastle's Forces This was the beginning of his great Fortunes and now he began to appear to the world He had a brave Regiment of Horse of his Country-men most of them Freeholders and Freeholders Sons and who upon matter of Conscience engaged in this Quarrel and under Cromwell And thus being well armed within by the satisfaction of their own Consciences and without by good Iron Arms they would as one man stand firmly and charge desperately The Parliament ordered Recruits for the Lord Willoughby and for Cromwell and both of them became in the Parliaments favour Gloucester was the general subject of discourse the King was set down before it with his whole Army the Governour Massey not only refuseth upon his Majestie 's Summons to render the City to him but sallies forth upon some of their Quarters and did cut off 300 of their men A Conspiracy of the Mace-bearer and others to kill the Governour and chief Military Officers was discovered and the betraying of the Town prevented some of the Conspirators being executed Gen. Essex advanced with his whole Body from Ailesbury towards Gloucester Aug. 29. The Enemy made a breach in the Outworks and some Assaults but was gallantly repulsed The King drew his Forces from Exeter and the West to the siege of Gloucester yet the Besiegers were very doubtful whether to continue or raise the siege Warwick Castle held out against the King's Forces and Colonel Bridges the Governour acquitted himself with much honour The Earl of Denbigh was made Major General of Coventry and some part adjacent The Lord Gray and Colonel
was in York Upon the defeat at Marston divers persons of Quality in discontent at that action and at passages of Prince Rupert distastfull to them quitted their charges under the King and went beyond Sea there landed of them at Hamborough the Earl of Newcastle and his two Sons General King the Lord Falconbridge the Lord Widderington the Earl of Carnwarth the Bishop of London-derry Sir Ed. Widderington Colonel Carnaby Colonel Basset Colonel Mazen Sir William Vavasour Sir Francis Mackworth and Sir Charles Cavendish and about 80 other A party from Northampton came to Banbury beat the Enemy into the Castle and took some Prisoners A party of the Irish Rebels took in Woodhouse in Devonshire near Warmestre where after the Parliament Forces had yielded up the House upon Quarter yet the Irish inhumanely abused both the Men Women and Children and afterwards hanged 14 honest wealthy men Clothiers who were fled thither for shelter Eighteen of the King 's best Ships and ten Merchantmen with some Frigots were ordered to be fitted for the Winter guard at Sea Mr. Constantine was sent up Prisoner from Poole and committed to the King 's Bench. The Widow of Captain Turpine who was executed in cold blood at Exeter petition'd for satisfaction from Sergeant Glanvill who gave judgment against him and from Meredeth and Seymour Justices of the Peace which was voted by the Parliament and a Letter Written to the General that if any of their Estates came within his power he should cause this to be done accordingly Captain Hammond sent out by Colonel Massey with a party of Horse to relieve the Countrey whom the Garrison of Berkley Castle had miserably plundered went to the Castle beat in the Enemy drove the Park rescued and restored to the Countreymen all their Cattel and killed and took divers Officers and Souldiers of the Garrison Prisoners By Letters from the Lord General the House was informed that he with his whole Army marched from Tiverton Eastward whereof Prince Maurice having notice marched after him with 4000 Horse and Foot that part of the Lord Paulet's Regiment took up their Quarters at Cheriton where part of the Lord General 's Horse fell in upon them took 60 of their Horse routed the whole Regiment killed divers of their Officers and Souldiers took store of Arms Bag and Baggage In his Letter was inclosed a Petition from the Town of Barnstable newly made a Garrison by the General that their Major might be their Governour and Colonel with power to levy money all which was granted That he intended to goe for the relief of Plymouth The King was at Evil in Somersetshire with about 5000 Horse and Foot After the business of Cherington the Lord Paulet went to Exeter where the Souldiers at his entring into the Town asking money of him he Caned some of them whereupon they pulled him off from his Horse and beat him and his life had been in danger if not rescued Waller sent a party of Horse and Dragoons into the West under Lieutenant General Middleton The Commons took great care to provide money and other necessaries for supply of their Armies in the North and of the English and Scots Forces in Ireland The Ordinance passed for the Court Martial in London for the trial of the Irish Rebels and others of greatest distast with the Parliament The Lords put the Commons in mind of the propositions for Peace and desired that the Scots Commissioners might be conferred with about them and the business hastened and the Commons appointed a day for it The Dutch Ambassadours desired respit of the sale of some ships taken for prize which was granted The Commons had debate about the sale of the Estates of some Papists in Arms and notorious Delinquents and of Bishops Deans and Chapters The Archibishop came again to his Trial and the Evidence being over he desired a day for his Counsel to plead to the matter in Law which was granted and that afterwards he himself might give his general Answer to the whole Charge The Earl of Manchester took in Tickhill Castle near Doncaster upon terms that the Officers Soldiers and Gentry there might go quietly to their own homes all the Arms Ammunition and Provisions were left to the Earl and were considerable A party of the King's Horse fell upon some Troops of the Earl of Denbigh at Evesham but the Earl's men took 120 of the Enemies Horse prisoners slew many in the place and lost but two or three men A party of the King's Garrison at Donnington Castle came from thence to Newbury on the Lord's day with design to seize upon some of the chief men of the Town but a party of Sir William Waller's men rescued them and beat the Enemy back to the Castle and took about 20 of them prisoners Aug. 1644. The Lord Henry Piercy's Regiment marching with the King Westward quartered at Collyton and a party of them came in the Evening and faced Lyme which Garrison to requite their visit sent out a party of about 120 Horse that night under Captain Pyne Herle and Bragge who beat up their Quarters took about 120 of their Horse 55 Prisoners divers Officers 100 Arms and good pillage After which a like party marched from Lyme to Chard the King being newly gone with his main Body out of the Town there they took eleven brave Horses with rich Saddles supposed to be the king's own Saddle horses and divers Prisoners General Essex marched into Cornwal the Enemy removing before him most of the Garrisons near Plymouth and on the borders of Devon and Cornwal were quitted by the Enemy Mount Stamford with four pieces of Ordnance was regained Plimpton with eight pieces of Ordnance Salt Ash and a great Fort with some great Guns and many Arms Launceston and other small Garrisons yielded to the General At Newbridge was a hot encounter betwixt a party of the General 's and Sir Richard Greenvile disputing the passe into Cornwal but the General took the Bridge with the losse of about 40 of his men slain and of the Enemy about 200 killed and taken The General from thence went to Greenvile's House where the Garrison desired a parley but the General 's Souldiers had not patience to treat but stormed it all within had quarter except the Irish Rebels There was taken in the house two pieces of Canon 150 Prisoners many Arms great pillage for the Souldiers Money and Plate to the value of 3000 l. and great quantities of provisions At Launceston the Shire-town the Countrey came in many of them to the General and he had 2500 of the Plymouth Forces that joyned with him The King came to Exeter and there joyned with some Forces of P. Maurice and of Hopton The Propositions for Peace were taken into Debate by the House and divers of them voted the proceedings in them were the more slow because of the Scots concurrence to be required in every one of them Sir Philip Stapleton
for the Recruits to be sent to Sir T. F. The Ordinance past for putting Surrey into a posture of Defence and for pay for Farnham Garrison and another for 20000 l. towards reducing Oxford The Antiparliament sate again at Oxford and were about a Declaration to encourage their party and taking care for Money and Recruits for the King Colonel Baxter Governour of Reading went out with a party and faced Wallingford near their Works 2 Debate about Church affairs One Lusher had been apprehended for a Romish Priest the Spanish Ambassadour owned Lusher as his Servant and in favour of the Ambassadour both Houses discharged Lusher and ordered him to depart the Kingdom in ten daies Both Houses ordered the continuance of the Commissioners of the Great Seal and of the Master of the Rolls for six Months longer notwithstanding the Self-denying Ordinance Mr. Gourden a Member of the House of Commons presented to them a Letter from the Lord Savile with a Paper inclosed in it and desired that they might be read and after some Debate they were read The Letter was expressing his affections to the Parliament to whom he had come from the King and submitted himself and taken the Oath enjoyned in observance whereof and of his duty to the Parliament under whose protection he was he held himself obliged to discover to them what he knew concerning two of their Members who had done contrary to their trust and to the prejudice of the Parliament in the matters contained in the inclosed Paper That Paper set forth That Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke being persons well affected to the King and to his Cause were nevertheless two of the Parliaments Commissioners lately sent to Oxford to His Majesty with Propositions from the Parliament for Peace That they being at Oxford did contrary to their trust and to the prejudice of the Parliament treat and advise with the King and some great Lords about him namely the Earl of Lindsey the Earl of Southampton and others about the King's Answer to those Propositions and did give a Paper in writing what they advised the King's answer should be That their advice in the said Paper was followed by the King and some of the very words thereof were made use of in the King's Answer and that both before and after that time they held intelligence and correspondence with the King and his party at Oxford Much other Matter was in the Paper to the like effect and upon the reading of it divers of the House were very high and moved that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might make a present Answer to this Paper or Charge as some called it Mr. Hollis presently in his place made his Answer to the matter of the Paper and therein unadvisedly and suddenly confessed more than he needed to have done but denied any intelligence or correspondence by him with any of the King's party Mr. Whitelocke was not in Town this Morning and knew nothing of this business but after Mr. Hollis had spoken Mr. John L'Isle stood up and acquainted the House that Mr. Whitelocke being then absent if they pleased he would undertake to give him notice to attend the House the next Day which was ordered But some were not satisfied therewith and they fiercely moved That this being a charge of High Treason against two of their Members in whom the offence was greater than in others that they would proceed with equal justice and that both Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might be committed to the Tower Mr. Hollis who was present to be sent thither and a Warrant to apprehend Mr. Whitelocke and to carry him thither also Upon this Sir William Lewys stood up and with as much vigour on the other side said He could not but wonder at the justice of those who would commit a man to the Tower before he was heard and the other after he had fully answered that which they called a Charge That he could not admit it to be a Charge but a Scandalous and Libellous Paper against two worthy Members of the House who they all knew had served the Parliament faithfully and to the utmost hazard of their Lives and Fortunes And because they had done so and were so capable of doing further and more service to the Parliament therefore one of their enemies was come hither to cast a bone among them and to raise differences amongst the Members of Parliament a likely way when their other designs failed them to doe mischief to the Parliament He desired them to consider the person of him whom they called the Accuser who was indeed an Accuser of the Brethren that it was the Lord Savile now cloathed with a new Title from the King of Earl of Sussex and perhaps this present service was to be part of that by which he was yet to merit his new Title That still he was the same man who was first of the Parliament party then revolted from them to the King and now was revolted from the King to the Parliament again and that a Paper brought in from this person should be looked upon as a Charge against two worthy Members of their House or be in the least a ground to commit them to the Tower he could not sufficiently wonder at the reason or justice of such a motion as that was He rather thought it more reasonable and just and accordingly moved that this Libel this Paper might be thrown out of the House and the contriver of it the Lord Savile be under more streight custody and examined who set him on to promote this business and that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might not be put to the trouble of any further attendance about it This smart motion of Sir William Lewys so contrary to the former being spoken by him with great ingenuity and mettle and seconded by Sir Philip Stapleton and others of that party so wrought upon the House that the motion for commitment to the Tower was laid aside and Mr. L'Isle ordered to give notice to Mr. Whitelocke that the House required his attendance there the next day Carlisle was surrendred to the Parliament and Sir Thomas Glenham the Governour and the Garrison Souldiers had a Convoy by the Articles of surrender to Newark 3. At a Conference the Letters of the surrender of Carlisle were imparted to the Lords and agreed to send a Committee to the Common Council of London to acquaint them with some of the King's Letters taken at Naseby A Committee appointed to consider of the Northern Garrisons upon the borders of Scotland The King was at Ragland Castle to gather Recruits Sir T. F. was at Marlborough the Garrison of Taunton had often Skirmishes with Goring's Forces and at one time took 120 of their horse the besiegers drew off most of their horse to their Out-guards Between 4000 and 5000 Clubmen being up in Dorsetshire and Wilts carried themselves very tumultuously and forced the Parliaments quarters at Sturmister divers slain and wounded
no mistaking That it was resolved as a thing of ceremony and respect that they should make Visits but not to any of those who were excepted persons and to refuse them being in the Enemies quarters they thought not fit That they agreed that by way of discourse they should endeavour all they could that the Propositions might be granted in general that the King should allow them the Title of Parliament next the Government and settlement of the Church and lastly the Militia That they did agree that in all their discourses this should be the subject matter and that they should press the obtaining of them That Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke did acquaint the Committee that they had an intention to visit the Earl of Lindsey and he thinks the Earl of Southampton and very suddenly after they did acquaint them that they had been there and of a long discourse which they had together That to say particularly what the discourse was he could not charge his Memory but in general it was the discourse that past at that meeting That he remembers but one visit they spake of and it was a part of their agreement to acquaint one another with all the circumstances of their visits That the Earl of Lindsey and the Earl of Southampton and he thinks the Lord Savile were named by Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke to have been at that Meeting That he was told by them among other things that they had little hopes that they should have satisfaction in their desires That he doth not remember any mention of a Paper given in by them to the Earl of Lindsey That the Intelligence they had there was various some had hopes of a good Issue of the business others had not That Mr. Pierpoint had ill relations of the Commissioners to their disparagement And at the Conference with Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke there were very ill characters given of them He desired that nothing might be taken as positive from him concerning persons After the Earl of Denbigh the L. Wenman told the Committee that there was an agreement among the Commissioners of the Parliament at Oxford as the Earl of Denbigh had related it to pay Civilities and Visits to those that were civil to them but not to any who were excepted in the Propositions from Pardon That he remembers not whether they did agree to press the granting of the Propositions any of them more than the others onely by discourse among themselves that they should press those that were of most difficulty to be granted That they were acquainted by Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke with their visiting of the Earl of Lindsey That to his best remembrance they said the Earl of Southampton and the Lord Savile were there and mentioned the particulars of their discourse but he did not remember them nor that they acquainted them with any hopes they had of having the Propositions granted He remembred that Mr. Hollis said a little before their coming out of Town that he had a Paper again which he spake publickly That in their discourse they did insist principally and they found it was thought fit to do so upon the Propositions concerning Religion and the Militia and he did think that the Earl of Lindsey was spoken of when Mr. Hollis said that he had a Paper again That he and Mr. Whitelocke were coming by All Souls College and he intended to visit Sir Thomas Aylsbury but hearing that Sir Edw. Hyde was there who was a person excepted Mr. Whitelocke did forbear to goe in thither Others of the Commissioners who were at Oxford with the Propositions did declare themselves to the same effect that the Earl of Denbigh and the Lord Wenman had done and so the Committee rose 14. The Assembly presented to the House a Book which they had examined full of Blasphemies and Heresies but that since the Printing of it the Authour was dead and they desired the House would put some publick example of Justice upon it The House referred to the Committee of Examinations to find out the Printer of this Book to be proceeded against according to Justice and ordered that all the Books should be brought in by the Booksellers and be burnt by the Hangman and they gave thanks to the Assembly for their care in this business A List was sent to the Parliament of the Persons slain and taken by Sir Thomas Fairfax at the Battle of Langport of Goring's part 2 Quarter Masters General 60 other Officers and 200 Soldiers slain and 100 drowned Goring Sir Thomas Aston and others wounded Prisoners taken the L. General of their Ordnance 3 Colonels 40 other Officers and 1900 Souldiers and 2000 Horse 31 Cornets of horse 20 Colours of foot 4000 Arms 2 Field pieces and 3 loads of Ammunition Of Sir Thomas Fairfax his part were slain 2 Reformado Captains a Captain Lieutenant and about 50 Soldiers Colonel Cooke Major Bethel and about 16 of his Troop wounded A day of Thanksgiving ordered to be kept for the Victory at Langport and the Ministers desired to remember the goodness of God in preserving this City from the plague A Collection ordered to be on that day for the poor plundered people of the West Sir William Ermine and Mr. Berwis two Members of the House who had been Commissioners in the North had the thanks of the House for their good Service there Major General Pointz met with a party of the King 's from Sandall Castle killed three of them and took 16 of them prisoners The Scots Commissioners here gave notice to Mr. H. and Mr. Wh. by their friends that they had certain intercepted Papers and Letters of the Lord Savile's which he was sending to Oxford and the chief scope and end of them was to be informed from thence whether Mr. Hollis or Mr. Whitelocke kept intelligence with the Duke of Richmond the Earl of Lindsey or any others of the King's party that he might have the more whereof to accuse them here It was thought fit by their friends that the Scots Commissioners should be desired to acquaint the House of Commons with the Papers upon which it should be moved there to refer them to the Committee for the Lord Savile's business and the same was done accordingly This afternoon that Committee met and these Papers were brought unto them by the Lord Wareston and another of the Scots Commissioners with a Complement expressing their desire to serve the Parliament in any thing within their knowledge and power The Papers being read to the effect before mentioned the Lord Savile was called in and the Papers shewed to him and he owned them to be his hand Being asked what Warrant he had to hold intelgence with the King's party at Oxford he being now within the Parliaments Quarters and come in to them He answered that he was authorised to do this by the Sub-committee for private and secret intelligence for the Committee of both Kingdomes Being again asked who of
that Sub-Committee by name did know of this his design and did authorize him to send to Oxford about it he answered that the Lord Say was from time to time acquainted with this business and did incourage and authorise him to send to Oxford about it and that he sent several times by Mr. Howard to Oxford with much to the same effect By this their friends found the bottom of this design against them to be from the advice if not contrivance of the Lord Say and the Lady Temple a busie woman and great Polititian in her own Opinion was made use of by the Lord Say to whom she was allied and by the Lord Savile to be an Agent in this matter The design and endeavour also against them was by these Papers and Examinations made the more apparent which took off the edge of divers Gentlemen who thought this Prosecution not ingenuous nor handsom against them Their friends made good use of it both at the Committee and afterwards in the House and carried it by vote to have these particulars with the rest of the Examinations reported to the Parliament 15. A Message from the Lords to the Commons about removal of the Lord Powys a Prisoner to London and for an allowance for him An Ordinance committed for impowering the Militia of London to raise horse and Dragoons for the Counties of Berks Bucks and Oxon. Major Harrison sent from Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Parliament gave them a particular and large account of the battle of Langport the Commons gave 200 l. to Major Bethell as a gratuity for his service there and ordered two good horses for Major Harrison and a Letter of hearty thanks to Sir T. Fairfax Petition from Hartfordshire of their grievances referred Sir Thomas Fairfax summoned Bridgwater but the Governour Colonel Windham gave a resolute denyal whereupon Sir Thomas Fairfax prepared to storm About 800 of the Prisoners taken at Langport fight took the Covenant and entred into the Parliaments Service Sir Thomas Fairfax went to a Rendevous of the Clubmen about 2000 of them and propounded that they should not supply Bridgwater that what his Army had of them should be paid for and no wrong done to any of them by any of his forces but upon complaint against any Officer or Souldier under his Command that right should be done 16. Major General Skippon brought to London Business of the Church debated in a grand Committee and about instructions for the Commissioners to be sent to reside in the Scots Army Referred to the Committee of both Houses for Ireland to take care for sending thither those Prisoners who were willing to fight against the Irish Rebels and for the supplies for Munster but those Prisoners who had formerly served the Parliament or were meer Irish were committed to close custody to be proceeded against according to Justice An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for making one Mr. Reynolds Deputy Clark of the Hannaper with the Salary of 50 l. per an and the profits of the place to goe to the use of the publick The King was in Wales some Parliament Ships came into King's Road to block up Bristol The Scots had some loss by the Forces of Montross at Dundee 17. The Ordinance for the Clark of the Hannaper and for Forces for Oxon Bucks and Berks sent to the Lords Care for the Charge of the Funeral of the Countess of Dorset Sir T. F. took in Borrowes a Fort of the King 's four miles from Bridgewater in which were 140 men of whom 80 took the Covenant to serve the Parliament and the rest of them marched away The Report was made to the House about the Lord Savile's business and it was moved that there might be a further examination of Mr. H. and Mr. Wh. in the House and that any Member might have liberty to ask them what questions they pleased which the House ordered and that they should be severally examined and to begin with Mr. Hollis Mr. Whitelocke sate still in his place and it was moved that he might be ordered to withdraw whilst Mr. Hollis was in examination but that was opposed as contrary to the Privilege of the House that there being no legal charge against them they ought to have the same liberty and freedom of Sitting in the House as the other Members had and neither of them to be ordered to withdraw After much debate upon this point it was brought to the question whether Mr. Wh. should be ordered to withdraw whilst Mr. Hollis was under the Examination of the House and it was carried in the Negative that he should not withdraw This question being past Mr. Wh. stood up and told the Speaker that since the House had done him that justice and favour and themselves that right in the consequence thereof Yet now to manifest the confidence he had in his own innocency and that he sought no advantages for his own vindication in this business he would of himself with their leave withdraw whilst the House should be in the Examination of Mr. Hollis Then he did withdraw and went up to the Committee Chamber at which the House seemed to give a good approbation Mr. Hollis was almost two houres under examination in the House there being some particulars urged against him which were not against Mr. Whitelocke particularly in the matter of intelligence and correspondence with the King's party The questions and matters upon which he was examined were in effect but the same which had been formerly mentioned in the House and at the Committee to which he answered fully and prudently and with great courage and when they had sifted the business as much as they could with him they gave him over and sent for Mr. Whitelocke down out of the Committee chamber to be examined He came into the House and then Mr. H. withdrew of himself into the Committee chamber whilst Mr. Wh. was under examination A multitude of questions were demanded of him insomuch as one Gentleman Sir Peter Wentworth asked him above thirty questions onely for his part The matters demanded of him were but the same in effect that had been mentioned formerly and what he answered did agree punctually with what Mr. Hollis had said before It is a very solemn thing to be examined by a House of Commons where there are so many Wits and so much odds and advantage to be taken against one single man and that in a business of High-Treason where Honour Fortune and Life are at stake The House sate upon this business till 7 a Clock at night the Earl of Essex his party and all their friends putting forth the utmost of their power and interest to rescue these two Members from the malice and danger they were now under And the other party of the House as earnestly labouring to be rid of them both either by cutting off their heads or at least by expelling of them from being any more Members of Parliament
Forces at Bath for the streightning of Bristol and a Letter inclosed from Lieutenant General Cromwel to Sir T. Fairfax That in his march to Shaftsbury he found 10000 Clubmen in a Body and Mr. Newman in the head of them that he sent to know the Cause of their being in Arms and Mr. Newman came to him told him the causes were two 1. To have an account of their fellows taken at Shaftsbury 2. To secure themselves from plunder That Cromwel told them No account was due concerning their fellows taken at Shaftsbury but yet he assured them that his General onely intended that if they were found upon due tryal to have committed any offence they should be punished according to Law otherwise to be released To the second he assured them that his General would not suffer any of them to be plundered or injured but upon Complaint against any of his Souldiers would doe them Justice That hereupon the Clubmen as being well satisfied departed to their own homes That after this about Shaftsbury he met with 2000 more Clubmen whom he sent to in a peaceable way to depart home but they fired upon his Messenger he sent again twice more to them to disperse themselves but they still shot at his Messengers and said they expected the Lord Hopton to come to them and killed two of Cromwel's men Whereupon he ordered M. Desborrough to charge them who killed about 20 of them and took the Gentlemen who were in the head of them and 300 Prisoners whom Cromwel desired he might send home and keep the Gentlemen onely Prisoners The House referred it to Sir Thomas Fairfax to discharge such of the Prisoners as he pleased and sent up an Ordinance to the Lords to continue Lieutenant General Cromwel in his Command for four Months longer notwithstanding the Selfdenying-Ordinance A Petition from the Assembly declared plainly their claim Jure divino of power to suspend from the Sacrament all such as they should judge to be scandalous or ignorant 9. Major General Brown had given a Commission to M. Temple to be Governour of Newport Paganell and Sir Thomas Fairfax desired that Lieutenant Colonel Cokaine might be Governour there which the House resolved and that Major General Brown had no Authority to give such a Commission 400 l. Ordered for the Earl of Essex his reformado Officers and Orders for other monies for several Forces Captain Moore appointed to be Governour of Monmouth The Committee of Examinations by Order of the House committed L. Col. Lilburn to Newgate for writing a Seditious Book Order to search for Papists and Delinquents Letters informed that Captain Allen with 95 Dragoons from Burleigh-house fell upon 200 of the Newarke and Belvoir horse commanded by Sir Robert Dalison routed them killed 5 took several Officers and 50 Prisoners 80 Horse and rescued the Countrymen and plunder which they had taken 11. The House approved of the Commitment of L. Col. Lilburne An Ordinance sent to the Lords for giving the publick Faith to such as had paid their 5th and 20th part An Order for discharge of Col. Waites attendance on the House and for revoking his suspension from his Government Major General Pointz took the Church and Outworks of the Castle of Skipton divers of their horse and men and their Conduit water Col. Pye and Col. Sheffeild came with their own Regiments and 700 recruit horse to Sherburn the King's recruits went on slowly The Composition for delinquency of Sir John Tyrrel for 800 l. and of Sir John Mushamp for 600 l. were confirmed and Ordered that none should compound under 2 years value of their Estates Order for discharge of Reformadoes Quarters Major Moore continued Governour of Gaunt-house and Col. Russel of Ely Order for auditing Reformadoes Debenters A Petition to the Lords from the Assembly about Non-admission to the Sacrament and punishing such as derogated from the Directory or used the Common-prayer Book An Ordinance past for money for the Northern Association The French defeated the Spanish Army in Germany 10000 killed and taken 1000 Arms 57 pieces of Ordnance 300 barrels of Powder 100 Carriages 100 Colours and all their bag and baggage In a general Assembly in France our Queen moved for aid for her Husband but they denyed it The King left Wales and went with 3000 of his horse Northwards Some Clubmen were up in Berkshire 13. Upon the King's advance Northward the House took care of the Forces about Newarke and about Hull and sent notice of the King's motion to the Scots Army who sent 4000 horse and foot after him The House took care for Gloucester Garrison and appointed Col. Morgan Governour of all the Forces in that County and in Monmouth Glamorgan and Herefordshires Pay desired for Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army Major General Brown submitted himself to the House to be commanded by them and it was referred to the Committee of the three Counties to examine some affronts offered to him by some under his Command and the House resolved to give him reparation The Garrison of Phillis Court mutinied against Captain Doiley and had like to have killed him but for the present it was pacified and Major General Brown was desired to goe to Henley to settle that busines The House in debate of a Petition from the Burrough of Southwarke desiring a New Election of Burgesses Mr. White one of their Burgesses being dead and Mr. Bagshaw the other being excluded Some were of opinion that a New Election might prove inconvenient and of danger others pressed it as the Right of the Subject to have Burgesses upon the Question to defer it for a month longer it was carryed in the Negative And the House resolved into a grand Committee to consider of it Orders for money and touching supernumerary Forces in the Northern Association Major General Langherne fell upon a party of the King 's under Major General Stradling and M. Ennerton near Haverford West gave them a great overthrow took 400 Prisoners divers Officers of note 1000 Arms 20 Colours and 4 pieces of Ordnance and retook Haverford West Letters from the Scots Army before Hereford inform of their proceedings at the Leaguer of their want of money Ammunition and Provisions that the Country will bring in none and the Scots Souldiers feed upon Apples Pease and green Wheat which is unwholsom and they are much discontented to be thus used for their kindness A months pay ordered for the Scots Army and care taken for their future pay Letters to the Northern Association to joyn their Forces with those of the Scots gone after the King Plate and rich Hangings taken at Bridgwater and sent up by Sir Thomas Fairfax ordered to be sold and the money to be sent to Sir Thomas Fairfax to give to his Souldiers for their Encouragement Order for a Declaration to be drawn and sent into North Wales of the causes of the Parliaments taking Arms and Copies
committed many outrages and the next day he lay at Belvoir Castle and the next day at Stamford which was very suddain As they past along some Forces from Burleigh and Leicester fell upon their Rear took 80 horse 4 Colours divers Arms and about 20 prisoners of the L. St. Paul's Regiment The Van of the King's Army being as far as Huntington by Stilton a party under Captain Gibs and Captain Poe from Huntington skirmished with the Van killed divers and retreated to Huntington On Sunday last in the Afternoon the King's Forces entred Huntington after some resistance made at the Bridge by Captain Bennet with his Foot till he his Lieutenant and many of his men were slain the King's Souldiers miserably plundered the Town and the Counties of Bedford and Cambridge and took away their horses and goods Aug. 21. Sir Thomas Fairfax sat down before Bristol Colonel Ireton with a Brigade of four Regiments of Horse and Dragoons and 500 Foot quartered onthat side next Gloucester Sir Thomas Fairfax on the other side Prince Rupert made several attempts to escape out of Bristol with his horse but was beaten back with loss he fired Bedmister and some other Villages near Bristol and the whole Temple Street in the City his strength in the City was said to be 900 horse 2500 Foot and 1500 Auxiliaries the Prince disarmed divers of the Citizens Order that Sherbourne Castle should be demolished Massey with 2000 horse attended Goring's motions 26. A Petition of divers Citizens on the behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne shewing his former opposing of Tyranny and oppression and his late good Services desiring the causes of his commitment may be examined and maintenance allowed him The Speaker returned answer to the Petition That Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne was committed by order of the House and referred to a legal Tryal that the House did not approve of the time of presenting this Petition but in convenient time they would do further therein according to Justice that they had upon a former Petition from him allowed him 100 l. for his Subssistance Sir John Tyrrells composition of 600 l. approved and 500 l. of it ordered for the Garrison of Newport Paganell Supplies ordered for several Forces An Ordinance past for setling the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster in the hands of the Lord Grey Speaker of the Lords House and of the Speaker Lenthall 27. The House sate and being informed of the plunderings by the King's Forces in their march in the associated Counties they ordered the Earl of Warwick to be General of that Association and forthwith to go thither and command the Forces for the security of those Counties Shrewbury Forces took in Linsell House and a 100 horse and armes there and the King's Forces quitted and fired Dowley Castle The Scots Forces finished three Mines at Hereford and intended a storm there 28. Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax desired pay for his Army supplies for his Magazine and recruits for which the House made several Orders An Ordinance sent to the Lords for Elections in Eaton College as formerly and for their discharge from Taxes Order for 750 l. for M. G. Brown in part of his Arrears and a little to sweeten him Order for 4. pounds a week for Sir George Grelley out of his own Estate being sequestred The King gave several Allarums to Cambridge faced them with a party of horse and his Forces plundered the Country where they went laid great Taxes upon Towns to be paid presently and so they marched forwards Understanding that the Country were rising and some Forces from Cambridge coming against him he went to Wobourne where some of his straglers were taken his Forces plundered much in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and within 5 miles of S. Albans some skirmishes were between parties of them and of the Parliaments Forces under M. Cokaine and some killed and taken prisoners A Parliament Ship took a French Vessel bound for Excester and therein divers Letters of Consequence from the Queen to the King Four hundred and fifty Prisoners taken by M. G. Langherne took the Covenant to serve the Parliament against the Rebels in Ireland whither they were sent with supplies for Younghall 29. The Prisoners taken at Sherburne were sent up to London and Sir Lewis Dives and Sir John Strangeway's kneeling at the Barr were committed to the Tower for high Treason Orders for restraint of the abuses of Keepers in permitting the Parliaments prisoners to go abroad The King came to Oxford and many of his straglers were taken up by the horse of Alesbury and the Adjacent Counties Order for M. G. Brown to go down to his charge and for Mr. Dunch and Mr. Whitelocke to conferr with him about it 30. Debate concerning the Northern horse that mutinyed and Orders for their march Southwards and with other Forces to attend the King's motions Colonel Thornhaugh who brought the Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax was called in and had the thanks of the House for his good services and two horses bestowed on him Order for a Day of Humiliation for praying a blessing on Scotland and on Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army and for Cessation of the Plague in both Kingdoms Orders touching Sequestrations and supplies for Forces in Leicester-shire and for disbanding some Forces raised in the Associated Counties upon the Allarum of the King 's coming thither September 1645. 1. Upon a Petition from the Militia of London the House ordered that the Committee of the Militia at the Savoy should execute the Warrants of the Militia of London upon the Ordinance for searching for Delinquents and Papists and turning them out of the lines of Communication and should be saved harmless therein by the House They also took care for the payment of the Arrears to the Waggoners of Sir James Harrington's Brigade Orders for Writs for New Elections in several places And that none who had taken up Arms against the Parliament should be capable to be chosen a member of Parliament Orders for pay for the Garrison of Leicester and for a Collection for the poor in that Town and County Order for the Committee of the three Counties to sign a Warrant to their Treasurer for a fortnights pay for Reformadoes Intelligence came that the Clubmen of Gloucester and Somerset-shire have expressed good affection to Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army That Somerset-shire raised 2000 men who joyned with a party of Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army and they took the strong Fort of Ports-head-point and in it 6 peices of Ordnance a Demy Culverin and 200 Arms and that 36 of the Garrison had terms to go to their houses the rest were run away before one of the terms was an Oath never to bear Arms against the Parliament That the Parliament Forces seized upon a Ship in Avon with 12 peices of Ordnance 50 prisoners and store of Ammunition That Sir Bernard Ashley and Colonel Daniell riding out of the works at Bristol to see the
more they have need of instruction and where can they have it better than from the lips of the learned and pious Pastors which ought to preserve knowledg But it hath been said that the ruling Elders are to joyn with them let us inquire who they are in some Congregations in Country Villages perhaps they may not be very learned themselves yet the authority to be given them is sufficiently great The word Elders amongst the Hebrews signified the men of greatest power and dignity The Members of their great Sanhedrim were styled Elders so were the Princes of their Tribes The Grecians had the appellation in like esteem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we translate Elders was given to their greatest men and from thence is fetched the Name of Presbyters or Priests Presbytery and Presbyterian Government The Phoenicians Tyrians and other particular Nations used the word Elder in the like sense and styled their Generals and Princes by the name of Elders The Romans did the like their Senate and their Senators came all from Senes Elders and from them to this day the French Spaniards and Italians retain the Titles of Seigneur Seigniori Seniori and the like for their greatest men And in England we give the name of Earls to our great Lords from Elder and to the King himself the title of Sir abstracted from Seigneur an Elder In Towns they still keep the title of Aldermen that is Eldermen for the Chief and Rulers of the Corporation And so they may allow the title of Elders to the cheif and select men of every Presbytery Yet if this Power Excommunication and Suspension be allowed them they may well challenge the title of Elders in the highest signification The Power of the Keys is a great power The Romish Church will acknowledge it and the foundation of their Supremacy to be built upon it Whatsoever they bind or loose on earth to be bound or loosed in heaven is a power which may claim the highest title imaginable Although I can never presume that the reverend and pious learned Gentlemen who aym at this power can have the least supposition of any such effect by it yet if any petitioners should sue to you to be made Judges or Justices I believe you would judge their Petition the less modest and them the less fit for such Offices but to this I make no application and I hope none shall make any use of it Power is thought fit to be given to suspend from the Sacrament two sorts of persons the ignorant and the scandalous I am sure that I am a very ignorant person and I fear we are all more ignorant than we ought to be of the truth of Christ and some more than others And the most learned I doubt may be called in the large sense ignorant Even amongst the Pastors and perhaps amongst the Ruling Elders in some places the most learned may in other places be adjudged ignorant The more ignorant people are the more some will blame their Pastors who ought to instruct them and by private conference inform them and rectify their understandings And that is a good part of Spiritual food And to keep an ignorant person from the Ordinances is no way to improve their knowledge Scandalous persons are likewise to be suspended And who shall be said scandalous is to be referred to the judgment of the Pastors and Ruling Elders But where a Commission is extant for them to execute this judicature will be hard to shew Both Pastors and Elders and people are all scandalous in the general sense We are all of us gross sinners and our best performances are but scandalous as to the true and sincere profession of the Gospel of Christ Those who are scandalous sinners ought to be admonished to forsake their evil ways and to amend their lives and where can they receive this admonition and hope for more Conviction of their Consciences than by hearing good Sermons and being admitted to be pertakers of the holy Ordinances but to excommunicate them deprives them wholly of the best means for their cure The best Excommunication is for Pastors Elders and people to Excommunicate sin out of their own hearts and conversations to suspend themselves from all works of iniquity this is a power which put in execution through the assistance of the Spirit of God will prevent all disputes about Excommunication and Suspension from the Sacrament A man may be a good physitian though he never cut off a Member from any of his patients a body may be very sound though no member of it was ever cut off And surely a Church may be a good Church though no member of it hath ever been cut off I have heard here many Complaints of the Jurisdiction formerly exercised by the Prelates who were but a few there will be by the passing of this now desired a great multiplication of Spiritual men in Government Where the temporal Sword the Magistracy is sufficient for punishment of offences there will be little need for this new Diseipline nor will it be so easily granted After a long debate the House referred this matter to a further Consideration by the grand Committee to whom it was formerly referred Votes for new Elections of Members for several Towns and Counties Order for advance of the Forces under Major General Pointz and for Horse and Arms to be sent to the Scots Army before Hereford and notice to them of the party appointed to attend the King's motions A Conference and reasons given to the Lords for passing the Ordinance for sale of Delinquents Estates A Party of about 120 horse came from Walling-ford and Dunnington to gather Contribution near Reading and Col. Baxter with a party of about 30 horse marched after them beat up their Rear but they facing about one of Baxter's men was slain and 20 wounded and taken Then a party of 100 horse who by accident quartered at Reading came forth to relieve Baxter routed the Enemy recovered all the Prisoners took 25 and Captain Barker their Commander 50 Horse and 40 Arms. Montrosse carryed all things in Scotland without opposition and had many Eminent Prisoners and forced divers to fly to Berwick The funeral of the Countess of Dorset in much State 4. An Ordinance for a Collection for the poor of Leicester Another sent to the Lords for supply of the Forces in the Eastern Association Order for the Brigade under Lieutenant General Lesley to march into Scotland for their assistance there Order for 100 horse from Southwark to be sent to Basing-house and the Militia to fine such as refused Goring Greenvile and Mohun marched with 6000 in the West summoned all between 16 and 60 to come in to them and forced such as they met with to serve under them Massey attends them Sir John Seymore brought 1000 men to the Leaguer before Bristol Seven Parliament Ships were in Kings Road. 5. The publick Fast day by reason of the Plague and the ill success
the Earl of Essex to sit in Parliament Divers Scotch Ministers endeavoured to satisfie the Kings Conscience that he might take the Covenant but could not prevail 17. An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for charging ten thousand pound upon the Excise for poor Widows Officers Wives and others The Lords desired the concurrence of the Commons that the Earl of Northumberland be made L. Lieutenant of York-shire in the stead of the Earl of Essex deceased A Petition of the Levanâ— Merchants against Sir Sackvile Crow for Cruelties and Tyrannies exercised by him against their Company and desiring his Commission might be made void was referred to a Committee Order for four hundred pound for relief of poor Irish Protestants here 18. Order for a Letter to the Grand Seignior to revoke the Commission of Sir Sackvile Crow from being Agent at Constantinople and power given to the Merchants to chuse a new Agent Voted That no Consultation touching his Majestics Person should hinder the March of the Scots Army out of England nor violate the Treaties and that the Kings Person should be disposed of as both Houses of the Parliament of England should hold fit The Speaker desired he might communicate some secret Intelligence which he had to a Committee and was ordered to do it to the Committee of both Kingdoms and the Committee of the Admiralty Order for stating Arrears of Accounts 19. The Houses sate not The Estates of Scotland met about the surrender of the English Garrisons c. 21. The Commissioners from Scotland not being able to prevail with the King to pass the propositions returned into Scotland The Kings did not absolutely refuse to do it but said he hoped they would grant him a hearing which for better accommodation he desires may be near London and doubts not but after a full hearing he may not only have but receive full satisfaction Letters informed of the Irish Rebels drawing with a great Army towards Vlster and that the Marquess of Ormond was gone with Forces to joyn with them to suppress such as withstand the new Peace The Committee of Worcester took great care in listing their Soldiers for Ireland 22. No means prevailing with the King to pass the Propositions the House named a Committee to turn those Propositions into Ordinances of Parliament Order that the Committee of both Kingdoms do communicate to the Scots Commissioners the Votes of the House for disposing of the Kings Person Ordinance for Money A Committee for satisfying the City about the security for the two hundred thousand pound Letters of the surrender of Silley and Col. Rouse appointed Governor Reasons offered by the Commons to the Lords for continuance of the Commissioners and Treasurers of the Army The Lords Voted the Lord Roberts to be Governor of Silly but before that the Commons Vote was passed for Col. Rouse The Lords concurred with the Commons in the Vote for disposing of the Kings person The Duke d'Anguienne Besieged Dunkirk The Spaniard raised Forces to relieve it 23. The House proceeded in a grand Committee upon the Ordinance against Blasphemies and Heresies A Petition of Lieutenant Col. Lilburnes Wife accompanied with many Women at the door of the House and mentioning the Tyranny of the Lords by their imprisoning of her Husband and thereby divorcing her from him and desires Justice Intelligence came that upon discovery of a Plot against the Person of the Marquess of Ormond and those with him they returned back to Dublin 24. A new Committee appointed of both Houses to treat with the Scots Commissioners about disposing of the Kings Person this new Committee was purposely named to carry on the design touching the Kings Person as was intended The Committee of Foreign Affairs appointed to receive what the Spanish Ambassador desired to communicate to both Houses Order that no Passes should be granted to transport any Horses for six Months An Ordinance sent up to the Lords to put the Office of Chancellor of Chester in the Speakers of both Houses Order for the Forces of Cheshire for Money A day set to consider how the Army under Sir The. Fair fax shall be disposed of 25. Orders for Money and Cloaths for the Forces in Vlster Order to continue the Committee of both Kingdoms till the last of November next and that if the Scots Commissioners shall refuse to joyn with them then they were to act by themselves Votes That the Estates of the Lord Capell Lord Cottington Marquess of Winchester Earl of Worcester and Sir Charles Smith should be sold to raise Money for Ireland Some of the Assembly of Divines from the rest brought into the House such Heads of the Articles of Faith as they had perfected The Establishment and securing of Wallingford Castle referred to the General and a Committee named to draw up a new establishment thereof 26. The House sate not 28. Letters from the North certified that the Convention at Edinburg agreed that the Scots Army should march out of England upon the receipt of the two hundred thousand pound as agreed and all Towns and Castles held now by them in England to be delivered up that they are sending a Plenipotence to their Commissioners here to determine with the Parliament of England as to the dispose of his Majesties Person The Irish Rebels by Declaration disclaimed the Peace made with the Protestants The Articles of the Surrender of Silly Islands sent up 29. Vote That no Office shall be conferred by any Committee upon any person without consent of the Parliament A Committee of the long Robe appointed to make some amendmerts in the Ordinance for security to the advancers of the two hundred thousand pound Great complaints of the Quartering of the Scots Army in the North and in Lancashire Denbigh Castle was upon Treaty of surrender Order against the great resort of multitudes of People to the door of the House and it was observed then that some of those Gentlemen who formerly most incouraged such resort were now most fearful of them 30. The publick Fast day the House met after the Sermons and ordered an Ordinance to be drawn up to be read in every Congregation on every Fast day and therein the sins of the Nation to be mentioned and lamented and particularly in relation to Ireland The Ordinance for Observation of the publick fast day sent up to the Lords with some amendments An Ordinance to be drawn up to prevent clandestine Marriages without the consent of Parents October 1646. October 1. Order for five hundred pound to be paid to the Executors of the late Earl of Essex for defraying some ingagements and for the charge of his Funeral and that of four thousand five hundred pound due to his Countess who was disaffected to the Parliament four thousand pound should be paid to the State and five hundred pound to Col. Mathews and to the Servants of the Earl A question being propounded whether the great Seal be disposed of
and sent to the Lords Order of both Houses for the Library of the Arch Bishop to be given to the University of Cambridge Orders about the next Summers Fleet. Ordinances touching the Clerks places of the privy Signet and the Water-Bayliffs place and for four thousand pound for Col. Barton out of Delinquents Estates for his Arrears The Lords proceeded upon the City Petition and named a Committee to consider of punishing Hereticks and Schismaticks 11. Order for two thousand pound for the Executors of Sir Jo. Meldrum for his Arrears Ordinance committed for safe custody of Prisoners and yet that they may be liable to Suits Orders touching Compositions 12. The grand Committee sate about Religion and the Ordinance against Preachers not being Ordained 13. Grand Committee sate upon the same business A Committee appointed to moderate the Fees of the Registers in Chancery Receipts of the Scots for the two hundred thousand pound ordered to be entred in the House-Journal and in the Exchequer and the Lords desired to enter them in the Journal of their House Order for indemnity of the Treasurers Vote for an addition to a Committee The King came to Nottingham 15. Order for the Members to give in notes under their hands of the several Garrisons and the charge of them in the respective Counties Order to confirm the Articles of Truro A Committee to examine a complaint against the Lord Mohun that he had killed divers men in cold blood and therefore should not be admitted to his Composition Orders concerning new Elections and for Priviledge for Col. Rigby's Servants and for three hundred pound to Mrs. Herle for her late Husbands Arrears and for two thousand pound to Col. Cely Governor of Lime a Member of the House for his Arrears An Ordinance from the Lords to prohibit the killing of Beef Veal and Lamb for eight weeks Another to take away all Country Committees both Committed by the Commons The Lords concurred in the Ordinances for removing the Library from Lambeth to Cambridge and in that for Sir Jo. Meldrum's Executor A great tumult in Smithfield the Excise-house pulled down the Lord Mayor published a Proclamation that whosoever could bring in the chief actors in it should have five pound and many were committed to Prison about it Success of some of the Parliaments Forces in Ireland care for men and provisions thither Sir Thomas Fairfax went and met the King who stopped his Horse Sir Thomas Fairfax allighted and kissed the Kings hand and afterward mounted and discoursed with the King as they passed towards Nottingham The King said to one of the Commissioners That the General was a man of honour and kept his word with him Divers of the Kings Officers were apprehended upon suspition and imprisoned by the Commissioners The Scots passed Berwick into Scotland most of them were to be disbanded General Leven executed one for Murder who was one of his Soldiers and the Countrey were well pleased with it 16. The Sheriffs of London came to the House and informed them of the tumult in Smithfield about the Excise-house and the Commitment of many for it The House gave them thanks and ordered that the Malefactors be proceeded against at the Sessions The Declaration of the grounds of laying and continuing the Excise committed New Members admitted The Lords pass'd the Confession of Faith as the Assembly gave it in A Petition to the Lords from Suffolke of the same effect with the London Petition with an addition that the Armies may be disbanded The Lords gave them thanks for their good affections for the Petition and the particulars of it they would speedily take into consideration 17. Debate of disbanding Forces and dismantling Garrisons the several Members gave an account of all their Counties and sate till eight at night then resolved that the Army should first be taken into debate Ordinance for nine thousand pound for the works of London sent to the Lords 18. Order that a Body of five thousand horse and a thousand Dragoons be continued for the service of the Kingdom and at the charge of the Kingdom Letters from the Commissioners with the King at Holmeby desired that they might be discharged from that great charge Ordinances for Compositions Ordinance for six thousand pound for Nottingham House The People flocked to see the King as he passed by 19. The House sate from Morning to nine at night and voted that no more Foot should be maintained than what was sufficient to man the Garrisons 20. Orders for Members to go into the Countrey Letters from the Earl of Ormond to Mr Salleway and others with propositions for surrender of Dublyn and other Forts in Ireland Lords concurrence to divers Ordinances A Letter from the King from Holmeby to both Houses Desired That in regard he was not satisfied with the Presbyterian Government that Doctor Sheldon and divers others of his Chaplains or any two of them might be permitted to come to him by whom he might receive satisfaction The House voted to send to the King to sign the Propositions The Declaration concerning the Excize past the House and care taken for ease of the poor in the payment of Excize Benson a Delinquent apprehended by the City Martial and committed close Prisoner 22. Upon the report of all the transactions between the Parliaments Commissioners and the Marquess of Ormond the House approved what the Commissioners had done and gave them thanks Orders for ten thousand pound for the Forces which shall go to possess Dublin and three thousand pound to the Marquess of Ormond and referred to the Committee of the Irish Affairs to manage the whole business of the Marquess of Ormond and they to give an Account of the Money Forces and Supplys for Ireland A Letter assented to That the House agreed to Ormonds propositions and to acquaint him that the Sequestration of his Estate should be taken off Letters to the Lord Inchequin and others to assist in this business The Earl of Pembroke had leave to come from Holmeby to London Both Houses voted Mr. Bradshaw to be Chief Justice of Chester and to refer it to the Commissioners of the Seal to consider of fit persons to be Judges in Wales The Declaration pass'd concerning the Excise with Instructions to the Officers The Lords made an Order against the spoylers of the Kings Game 23. Leave to divers Members to go into the Countrey and for Mr. Crew to come from Holmeby to London And a vote pass'd that the Commissioners who stay with the King shall have the same Authority as when they were all together Votes for dismantling of Garrisons The King desied to come to or near London Letters informed that the Scots were all gone out of England and their whole Army disbanded except five thousand Foot and fifteen Troops of Horse 24. The Monthly Fast day some new Members took the Covenant 25. The French Ambassador desired Audience and a day was set for it The Sequestrations of Sir Henry
suppose that as the Gentlemen themselves will forbear to offer the contrary so they expect the Wisdom and Justice of the House will not admit of any thing to the contrary to interrupt the proceedings upon the general affairs The House passed these Votes That no Officer or Souldier of the Army shall leave the Army without Licence or Discharge from the General That they do own this Army as their Army and will make provision for their maintenance and for their Pay equally with those that have deserted the Army Referred to the Committee of the Army to make provision accordingly Referred to the Commissioners in the Army to be earnest with the General That no obstruction or discouragement be given by the Souldiers to the levying of the Excise and other Assessments An Ordinance Read for saving harmless all well affected persons from any Bonds c. extorted from them by the Enemy in the time of War Referred to the Commissioners of the Great Seal to bring in a List of Judges for the next Circuit 29. An Ordinance past both Houses for Collonel Butler to be Governour of the Isle of Scilley A Petition from the Eleven Members except the Recorder Glyn to come to a speedy Tryal he earnestly advised his Brethren against this Petition but they were wilful and he would not joyn in it A day set for the particular Charge of the Army to be brought in against the Eleven Members Order for the Accounts to be stated of Collonel Graves and Collonel Pyes Forces and that the Officers and Souldiers come off from the Army advance for Ireland or be Disbanded An Ordinance committed for Souldiers not Inhabitants to depart the City Both Houses granted a Pass to the Dutch Ambassador to go to the King and so to return home 30 The Fast-day after Sermon A Committee appointed about reedifying the Church of Torrington Another to consider of able persons for accommodation in Religion Order for the Magistrates of the City to be careful to execute the Ordinances for observation of the Lords-day and Fast-days and for inquiry what Malignant Ministers have been admitted into Benefices Letters from the Commissioners in the Army and from Sir Thomas Fairfax That the last Votes of the House had met with such complyance in his Councel of War that in confidence of this further progress about the desires of the Army and in submission to the Votes of Parliament the Army had removed their Quarters further from London and were to be this night at Wicombe The Commissioners in the Army were desired by the Councel of War to procure from the Parliament a full answer to the last Propositions of the Army before which they cannot conclude any thing upon the Treaty Mr. Patrick Young formerly His Majesties Library-keeper at St. James's and a great Scholar with the assistance of Selden and Whitlock undertook the Printing of the Septuagint Translation of the Bible whereof he had in his custody a famous antient Copy if not an Original Manuscript July 1647. July 1. Orders about Pay for the Army That the King shall reside no nearer London than the Quarters of the Army will be born That the Committee do meet about accommodation in Religion Information of one Cousens an Alderman of Newcastle Negotiating to bring the Scots again into England The Lords were desired to expedite the Propositions to be sent to the King It was reported That part of the Charge against the Eleven Members particularly against Mr. Hollis would be the business of the Lord Savile's Information against him and Whitelock two years since 2. A Petition from the Common-Councel 1. That Command be given that no Officer or Souldier come within the Lines of Communication upon pretence to share monies for their Arrears 2. That such as are Paid may depart the City within two days 3. That all who have been in Arms against the Parliament may depart the City 4. That such as have come in from the Army may be otherwise disposed of 5. That all bring in concealed Goods 6. That the revenue be mannaged by Rules 7. That the Parliament would lay aside lesser businesses and prepare such Laws for the Kings concurrence as may settle the Government of the Church secure the people from Arbitrary Power and to restore his Majesty to his just Rights and Authority 8. That all Officers of State and Justice may be Persons of Honour of considerable Interest and known Integrity 9. That speedy care be had of Ireland 10. That Correspondence with Scotland according to the Covenant be maintained 11. That Elections may be examined and the House purged of such as are unduely Elected or have been against the Parliament 12. For a course to decide Admiralty Causes 13. That satisfaction being made by Delinquents an Act of Oblivion may be passed The Petitioners had thanks for their good affections and answer That most of the particulars were under consideration Some of the Members attended the less in the House when these matters were in agitation being unsatisfied that the Army and City should thus seem to impose upon the Parliament Reference to the Committee of Cheshire about Pay and lessening of the Garrison of Chester Orders about the affairs of Ireland That two thousand six hundred pounds be paid to the Lord of Ormond and for mony for Advance and Transport of Forces into Ireland and that three Commissioners be sent into Munster One of the Knights of Essex presented a Petition from part of that County and the Gentlemen that brought it had thanks for their good Affections and the House took notice of the delivery of it in a Parliamentary way Other Petitions from Norfolk and Suffolk Letters from the General and his Officers with a Declaration of the Army disclaiming a Pamphlet called Heads presented by the Army to the Kings Majesty and another called Articles agreed upon betwixt the King and the Army as false scandalous and injurious to them and which they detest and desire the Authors may be found out Letters from the Commissioners in the Army certified That the General had appointed Lieutenant General Cromwell Collonel Ireton Collonel Fleetwood Collonel Rainsborough Collonel Harrison Collonel Sir Har-Waller Collonel Rich Collonel Lambert Collonel Hammond and Major Rainsborough or any five of them to Treat with the Parliaments Commissioners upon the Papers sent from the Army to the Parliament and their Votes To the Vote touching the Eleven Members was answered That the Councel of War had a great willingness to answer the expectation of the House in all things so in this particular but the things being of great importance and the persons charged many it had taken more time than was expected they therefore desire respite for three or four days when they would bring in the particular Charge against the Eleven Members and the Kingdom shall see that they have not impeached the Gentlemen out of any private respects but their duty to the Publick The
King came to Sion and dined with his Children and removed to Hampton Court News of the Sudden death of Sir Philip Stapleton at Callis of the Plague 25. The Monthly Fast-day 26. Orders for a new Election and about the Excise and an Ordinance pass'd to make Mr. Langley Master of Pembroke Colledge in Oxford Referred to a Committee to consider what is fit to be done for the security of the Parliament when the Army shall withdraw A Petition of many Citizens in behalf of Lilburne referred to the Committee where Mr. Martin had the Chair Order to put off all private business for ten days In respect of the danger of infection the General was desired to give command to the Guards attending the House to keep the passages from Clamorous Women and to suffer none to disturb the House 27. The alterations in the Propositions for peace sent from the Lords to the Commons were with some other alterations made by the Commons agreed unto and returned to the Lords again who concurred in them and they were ordered to be communicated to the Scots Commissioners Debate touching the Election of Mr. D'oyley the House not satisfied but that he was within the Rule of those who by adhering to the Kings Party were uncapable to sit in Parliament 28. Letters from the General to the House That upon consideration of the present advantage that may be made through the goodness of God of the late success of their Forces in Ireland upon advice with his Council of War he finds that there will be in readiness six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse if they may have incouragement for the Service of Ireland He desires an effectual course may be taken for Moneys and Necessaries and to remove obstructions and saith he hath appointed a certain number of Officers to wait upon such as the House shall appoint to consult upon the whole business The General removed his Quarters to Putney and his Army into larger Quarters and further then before from London The Parliaments Commissioners went to the Army and had conference with the General and his Council of War touching the sending of Forces into Ireland and the General consulted about putting a guard of Citizens into the Tower and for guards for the Parliament The old Commissioners of the Militia of London met again The Common-Council sat about an Ordinance to be pass'd for calling in of clipped Money Col. Layton was committed Prisoner by the General Sir Robert Pye taken Prisoner by some of the Army was released again by the General 30. The Houses sat not but the Committee proceeded in the examination of the business touching the late Force put upon the Parliament An Ordinance pass'd both Houses for establishing the duty of Excise Letters from Col. Whaley that the King thought himself much wronged and abused by a Paper lately published as in his name intituled His Majesties Declaration which the King wholly disowne and dislikes and that to vindicate the King by discovering and punishing the Libeller would give great satisfaction to his Majesty That the King hunted in the great Park and dined with his Children at Syon c. 31. The day of thanksgiving for the Victory in Irland The Marquess of Ormond visited the King and afterwards visited the General at Putney and was received with great kindness The Council of War sat about sending the Forces into Ireland and about placing of Guards in the Tower and for Guards for the Houses September 1647. September 1. Letters ordered to the Commissioners in the Army to treat farther with the General and to expedite the sending away of Forces into Ireland and a Committee to consider of raising Money for them Debate about security for such as shall bring in Bullion and against transporting of it and for calling in clipt Silver Orders about stating the accounts of Officers and Soldiers and about Money for the maimed Soldiers and for Money for Plymouth Garrison Several Votes of both Houses about presenting the propositions of Peace to his Majesty Debate upon a Message from the Lords with a Letter from the Estates of Scotland and from the Scots Commissioners about the business of the Lord Lotherdale and the stay of Mr. Chiesely at Newcastle desiring reparations The Lords referred it to the Committee of both Kingdoms the Commons referred it to the Committee with the Army Col. Lilburne Governor of New-castle wrote a Letter to the States of Scotland excusing the stay of Mr. Chieseley at New-castle that he knew him not nor did Mr. Chiesely show any Pass from the Scots Commissioners or from Sir Thomas Fairfax and was stayed in the time when the Tumults were at London and intelligence of endeavours to engage a Party in Scotland against the Parliament of England but as soon as he knew who Mr. Chiesley was he discharged him freely 2. Both Houses passed the Ordinance for setling the Militia of London in the old hands and some of the Committee joyned with them They also pass'd a Declaration against the crowding of Soldiers and others at the doors of both Houses A Petition in the name of the Inhabitants of Bristol 1. For settlement of Peace and to prevent another War 2. To answer the Grievances of the Army and to Vindicate them 3. To preserve the just Rights and Liberties of the People from Tyramy 4. To free the People from unlawful Powers and endeavours to suppress their Petitions 5. To remove out of the House and places of Justice unfit and uncapable persons 6. That Faithful Persons may be trusted 7. For tenderness in imposing the Covenant 8. That tender Consciences may not be grieved 9. For an Act of Oblivion 10. For speedy tryal of Prisoners 11. Against long Imprisonments 12. To compassionate Widows and maimed Soldiers 13. That Accounts may be given 14. To find out a way that Suits of Law may be less chargeable and dilatory and the Laws in a less Volumn and in English The Petitioners were called in and told That the House could not approve of some things in their Petition but gave them thanks for their good affections Upon a Letter from the General Order for a Commission to determine differences in Jersey Both Houses agreed upon an answer to the Letter of the Scots Commissioners Vote That the works about London be demolished according to a Paper from the Army to ease the charge of maintaining and keeping them 3. Order That the propositions be presented to the King on Tuesday next by the Commissioners and that the ten days for receiving his Majesties answer be altered to six days Debate of making Col. Hammond Governor of the Isle of Wight and about an Ordinance for suppressing of scurrillous Pamphlets Mr. Bainton charged with signing a Warrant for raising Horse in the City to further the late tumults was suspended the House 4. The whole day spent upon the report concerning the late tumult and force upon the Parliament Voted That Summons be sent
to him A Committee appointed to consider how every County may maintain a proportionable number of the Scots Prisoners and to treat with Merchants about transporting them to forreign service Order for the Lord Grey to dispose of Duke Hamilton into safe custody till the House take further order and to keep in strong custody all the Officers then Prisoners in such places and Castles as he should think fit Letters from Colchester that the Town was surrendered according to Articles all Prisoners at Mercy the Town preserved from plunder paying fourteen thousand pounds That by the resolution of a Council of War Sir Charles Lucas Sir George L'Isle and Sir Marmaduke Gascoigne a Papist were to be shot to death That the two first were executed and the third respited That Sir Charles Lucas urged this was to be without precedent but a Parliament Souldier standing by told him that he had put to death with his own hand some of the Parliaments Souldiers in cold blood at which he was dismaid but took better courage afterwards before he died That Sir George L' Isle kissed his dead friend and then after much expostulation and discourse first with the General his Chaplain then by his own desire with one of the Lord Norwich his Chaplains and some private prayers with him Sir George died both he and Sir Charles Lucas with very much courage 30. The publick Fast-day The House passed an Ordinance for the Discipline of the English in new England 31. Votes for several persons named by the King to have leave to attend his Majesty during the Treaty only M r Dowcet and M r Legge disapproved of Order for Instructions to be prepared for the Commissioners who are to treat and for mony for their charges Order that Colonel Farre Lieutenant Colonel to the Earl of Warwick who ingaged ten thousand men of the Train'd Bands of Essex to joyn with the Enemy should be left to the Lord Fairfax to be executed as Sir Charles Lucas was A Committee appointed to confer with M r Moâ—bot about suppressing of scandalous Pamphlets and to bring in an Ordinance for that purpose Letter from the General of the particulars of the Surrender of Colchester and a Copy of the Articles with the explanations upon them That for some Satisfaction to Military Justice and in part of avenge for the innocent blood they had caused to be spilt and the trouble dammage and mischiefs they had brought upon that Town that County and Kingdom He had with the advice of a Council of War of the chief Officers both of the County Forces and the Army caused two of them who were rendred to mercy Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George L' Isle to be shot to death before any of them had quarter assured them and hopes the Parliament will not find cause in the Military execution of these two persons to think their own honour or justice prejudiced That as for the Lord Goring Lord Capel and the rest of the persons rendred to mercy and now assured of quarter whose names he sent in a List he did render to the Parliaments judgement for publick Justice and mercy to be used as they should see cause he desires that God may have the glory of his multiplied mercies In the List of the Prisoners were the Earl of Norwich Lord Capell Lord Loughborough eleven Knights nine Colonels eight Lieutenant Colonels nine Majors thirty Captains general Officers servants of the Lords and Gentlemen sixty five Lieutenants seventy two Ensigns and Cornets sixty nine Sergeants one hundred eighty three private Souldiers three thousand sixty seven Letters from Southampton that the Grand Jury found the Bill against Major Rolphe Ignoramus A Petition of the Common Council of London for Vnity and Amity between the Parliament the City and the Army approved of and thanks given to the Petitioners A Ship sent from the Prince to Garnsey taken by one of the Parliaments Ships September 1648. 1. An Ordinance for stating the accounts of Souldiers and Widows ordered to be Printed and published A place to be appointed for the Auditours Care for Augmentations for Ministers The five Commissioners for the Treaty named by the Lords were The Earl of Pembroke the Lord Say Earl of Salisbury Earl of Middlesex and the Earl of Northumberland The ten Commissioners of the House of Commons were M r Holles Lord Wenman M r Pierrepoint Sir Henry Vane junior Sir Harbottle Grimstone Mr. Samuel Brown Mr. Crew Mr. Recorder Glyn Sir John Potts and Mr. Bulkeley 2. A Letter agreed to his Majesty to acquaint him with the Commissioners named to attend him in the Treaty and that they should be dispatched to him with all convenient speed Sir Peter Killigrew sent away with this Message An Ordinance transmitted to the Lords for payment of fifty thousand pounds part of the last hundred thousand pounds formerly ordered for the Scots forty thousand pounds of it for the Navy seven thousand pound for Stores and three thousand pound for the pay of the Lancashire Forces A long debate about the Militia One thousand of the Prisoners taken at Colchester sent up to London Mr. Lilly's Astrological Predictions for the years 1648 49 and 50. published 4. Both Houses agreed for those servants of his Majesty who are to attend him during the Treaty And they passed an Ordinance to inable the Commissioners to treat with his Majesty upon the Propositions presented to him at Hampton-Court Those in the late insurrection in Essex c. admitted to a Composition at a fourth Value of their Estates Mr. Rolphe delivered his Remonstrance in the Lords House against the Judges and against his prosecutours and desired reparation the House ordered his discharge Lieutenant Colonel Lilburn desired reparation for the Sentences against him in the Star-chamber Order for the Committee to take care for transporting the Scots Prisoners in the first place to supply Plantations and the rest to send to Venice In a Vessel at Exeter one thousand five hundred pair of Carabins being found Order for Securing them till the matter be examined Both Houses agreed upon a day of publick Humiliation to desire a blessing upon the Treaty with his Majesty Colonel Hammonds Instructions for safe keeping his Majesty in Carisbrook Castle repealed The Colonel taking the Kings own ingagement for his going abroad in the Island Order for the Committee of the revenue to provide horses for the King to ride about the Island Upon Colonel Hammonds desire of an addition of Horse and Foot during the Treaty referred to the General and Committee of the Army and his desire for Shipping to ly about the Island referred to the Committee of the Army to prepare them The Forces of Suffolk and Essex had a rendezvous with the Army and after shaking hands and many Vollies of Shot they bid one another farewel Some Regiments marched towards Tarmouth The Lords that were Prisoners with two men a piece and twelve other
education of their Children in the Protestant Religion for levying of penalties against Papists and their practices against the State and for putting the Laws in execution and for a stricter course to prevent hearing and saying of Masse As to the Covenant his Majesty was not then satisfied that he could sign or swear it or consent to impose it on the Consciences of others nor did he conceive it proper or useful at that time to be insisted upon As to the Militia his Majesty will consent to an Act to have it in the hands of the Parliament for ten years Touching Ireland after advice with his two Houses his Majesty will leave it to their determination Touching publick debts he will consent to raising monies by equal taxes Lastly he proposeth to have Liberty to come forthwith to Westminster and be restored to a condition of freedom and safety and to the possession of his Lands and Revenues and that an Act of Oblivion and indemnity may pass to extend to all persons for all matters relating to the late unhappy differences which being agreed by his two Houses his Majesty will be ready to make these his Concessions binding by giving them the Force of Laws by his Royal Assent More than this could not be obtained from his Majesty though most earnestly begged of him by some of the Commissioners great persons with Tears and on their knees particularly as to the proposition touching Religion Wherein the Church Government and publick worship and chiefly the revenues of the Church swayed more with the Kings Chaplains then about him and they more with his Majesty continually whispering matter of Conscience to him than the Parliament and all their Commissioners could prevail with him for an agreement though possibly his own judgment which was above all theirs might not be so fully convinced by his eager Divines about him After a long Debate upon this Message the House voted it unsatisfactory and a Letter of thanks to be written to the Commissioners approving what they had done and requiring them to proceed according to their Instructions Letters from Colonel Monk of his late success in Ireland the House ordered Major General Monroe to be Committed to the Fleet for joyning with the Enemy in Scotland and perfidiously breaking the trust reposed in him Letters from Anglesey of the taking it by Major General Mitton by Storm and that the Lord Byron and Lord Bulkely were escaped by flight A Petition from Leicestershire to the same effect with the large Petition of London and that from Oxfordshire against the Treaty Letters from Cromwell's quarters in Scotland near Edenburgh that he and his Officers are careful that the Souldiers give no offence to the Inhabitants by plunder or any incivility that Cromwell caused horses taken from the Scots by some of his Souldiers to be restored and the Plunderers to be cashiered A Lieutenant who connived at the plunder was committed to the Marshal and the Colonel himself taken from the head of his Regiment and suspended the execution of his place till he were tryed by a Council of War and the Regiment sent back again and this impartial justice pleased the Scots That Argyle and his Party endeavoured to perswade the Surrender of Berwick to Cromwell to whose quarters they sent their Commissioners to this end That Leven certified Argyle that both his Army and that under I annerick were likely to agree Letters from Cockermouth that it was still besieged by five hundred Country-men that they mined near the wall and the Governour Lieutenant Bird sallied out killed and took all that were at work brought away their tools and burnt the Barne that sheltered them that Cromwell had ordered Forces to relieve the Castle Argyle took at Leith a Ship with ten thousand Arms from Denmark designed for Duke Hamilton Cromwell sent some Horse and Dragoons to pursue some of Duke Hamiltons Officers who were got together in the Cheviot Hills 3. All the day was spent upon the business of the Militia for setling it and upon the question it was carried in the Affirmative for it 4. Letters from the General that he received many complaints of the insupportable burden people ly under by his Souldiers taking of free quarter upon them though they pay their assessments and have been alwaies well affected to the Parliament He desires a speedy course may be taken for payment of the Army that thereby his Souldiers may be inabled to pay their quarters and the People may not be oppressed by free quarter any more Order that four Members of the House do go down to the General to take Notice of his good service to congratulate his good success to return him the thanks of the House and to acquaint him with what they had done upon his Letter for bringing in of monies for the Army that free quarter might be taken off They presently sent a Message to the Lords desiring them to pass the Ordinance which had many days remained with them for bringing in the assessments for the Army their not passing whereof occasioned the taking of free quarter Order that the General be desired so to quarter the Army as may be least burdensome to the several Counties especially to such as have paid their assessments Letters from the North that all things were agreed between the several parties in Scotland all are to lay down Armes Berwick and Carlisle to be surrendred to Lieutenant General Cromwell a Parliament to be called in Scotland and none to be of it that were in the Engagement against England The Lords concurred with the Commons for five hundred pound to be given to Colonel Monk and to make him Governour of Carickfergus and for two hundred pounds to major Brough who brought Major General Monroe to London The Lord Inchequin's Son sent into Ireland to be exchanged Order for a thousand pound for Coals for the Poor of London and Southwark according to a grant of King James Order for the Commissioners of the Seal to bring in a list of names for Judges to fill all the Benches Referred to the Committee at Derby House to consider of the supernumerary Souldiers 5. Debate touching the Navy and for a Winter Guard for which they ordered two thousand seven hundred eighty five men and the Committee of the Navy to provide victuals c. and fifty thousand pound ordered for them Several orders for raising monies for the use of the Navy 6. Letters from the Lord Goring and Lord Capel that they took Notice of an Order of the House of Commons for impeaching them of High Treason and informe that quarter was given them by the General who had writ to the House to that purpose order that the General explain his Letter as to this point Order for six hundred pound for disbanding the new raised Forces in Dorsetshire Upon a Petition of the Clothiers of Kent referred to a Committee to consider of the decay of trade
have some other form of Prayer in his own Chappel The like concerning his consent to Bills to prevent the saying and hearing of Masse all unsatisfactory Order that the Commissioners do press his Majesty further for his final answer to the business of the Church and inform him of these Votes and the Lords concurrence herein to be desired Order of both Houses that the Committee appointed to draw the Kings concessions upon the whole Treaty into Bills do meet for speedy dispatch of that business 13. Vote upon his Majestie 's propositions 1. That a Committee named do draw up something for his Majesties coming to London and present it to the House and instructions for the terms his Majesty being already in freedom honour and safety at the Treaty 2. That it be referred to a Committee to consider of his Majestie 's desires concerning his revenues 3. That an Act of Oblivion shall be presented to his Majesty to be passed with such limitations as shall be agreed on by both Houses The Lords concurred with the Commons concerning the seven persons to be excepted from Pardon only instead of the Earl of New-Castle and Sir Jo. Winter they voted Sir Geo. Ratcliffe and the Lord Byron to be two of the seven Both House passed Instructions for the Commissioners of the Great Seal for the making of new Sergeants and the Judges according to the former orders of the Houses Justice Rolles to bring in his former Patent and to receive a new Commission under the Great Seal to be Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. Mr. Brown to have seniority of Sergeant Jermyn Brown having been a Commissioner of the great Seale and the rest that were Commissioners of the Great Seal having had priority to plead within the Barr to be Seniors and Sir Thomas Bedingfield Mr. Recorder c. in order Letters from the General that having had a meeting of the Officers of the Army he apprehends their general sad resentment of the many pressures upon the Kingdom particularly that of free-quarter whereby they and the Souldiers who have faithfully served the Parliament are even a burden to themselves because they are so much to the poor Country Complains of the great want of pay and necessaries for the Army desires an effectual provision therein to prevent those ill consequences which otherwise delay therein may produce Letters from the North. That Lambert and his men received a dismission from the Committee of Estates and were upon their March for England and they gave him many expressions of thanks for his good service done to that Kingdom Lieutenant General Cromwell sent a summons to the Governour of Pontefract Castle to render it to the use of the Parliament and the Governour desired to be satisfied that he had power to perform the conditions The first Sergeants approved before the Commissioners of the Great Seal in the Queens Court but they did not call them in until the House of Commons had passed the order for the precedency of M r Brown before Sir Thomas Bedingfield and M r Recorder at which most of them did grumble 14. The account of Colonel Gould stated and allowed and four thousand four hundred and forty three pound ordered to him and an Ordinance for it transmitted to the Lords Ten thousand pound inserted into an Ordinance formerly past for five thousand pound for the guards of the Horse of the Parliament Debate about taking off free-quarter and disbanding Supernumeraries and a question for adding three thousand pound to the Establishment of the Army in regard of the Garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle past in the Negative which discontented the Army and was therefore thought by some to be put on the rather The Lords concurred in the banishment of the four persons voted by the Commons but in regard that three of them are Peers of the House they desired that the Ordinance for it might begin in their House A Message from his Majesty that he did consent to the little Catechism with the addition of a preface and also that the Parliament dispose of all great Offices for twenty years as they desire Letters from the Earl of Warwick and a Declaration in vindication of himself and the scandal cast upon him by a false Pamphlet and lying report that he resolved to joyn with the Prince in case the Treaty took not effect 15. Colonel Rossiter had the thanks of the House for his good services Vote that his Majestie 's coming to London shall be with honour freedom and Safety so soon as the concessions of the Treaty shall be agreed upon 2. That he shall have his Lands and revenues made good to him according to the Laws 3. What he shall pass away of his legal right he shall have allowance in compensation thereof 4. That an Act of Oblivion shall be presented to his Majesty c. Both Houses agreed to these Votes and to send them to his Majesty Upon Letters from Lieutenant General Cromwell of the wants of his Forces referred to the Committee of the Army to consider of the particulars and to supply them Order for two hundred and fifty Barrels of powder with match and bullet proportionable for the Forces before Pontefract and Scarbrough The Commons adhered to their vote to except the Earl of New-Castle and Sir Jo. Winter from pardon Letters from the Hague that Prince Charles was upon recovery that Prince Rupert was made Admiral and the Lord Gerrard Vice-Admiral that some of the revolted Ships were come in to the Earl of Warwick and those Sea-men that continued with the Prince were disorderly The Commissioners of the great Seal went into the Kings Bench where they sat in the middle the Judges on each side of them And there they did swear the Lord Chief Justice of that Court Judge Rolles and Sir Tho. Widdrington made a very learned speech to him From the Kings Bench they went to the Exchequer and sat in the Court the Barons on each hand of them and a great Company both of Lawyers and others thronging round about the Court there they did swear Serjeant Wilde to be chief Baron and Whitelock made the speech to him which because it clears some mistakes concerning the antiquity of that Court was thought fit to be here inserted M r Serjeant Wilde THE Lords and Commons in Parliament taking notice of the great inconvenience in the Course of Justice for want of the antient and usual number of Judges in each of the high Courts at Westminster whereby is occasioned delay and both Suitors and others are the less satisfied and being desirous and careful that Justice may be Administred more Majorum and equal right done to all men according to the custom of England they have resolved to fill up the Benches with persons of approved fidelity and affection to the publick and of piety Learning and integrity and having found by long experience among themselves that you Mr. Serjeant
to my observations upon the words of your Writ which I shall take in order as they are 1. Quia de Advisamento Concilii nostri c. These words are in the Writs of Creation of Peers and in the Summons of them both Spiritual and Temporal and of the Judges and Kings Council to the Parliament and in your Writs but in no other except upon some high and weighty occasions touching the publick safety and the like And for your greater Honour this Council by advice of which you are called to this degree is the great Council of the Kingdom The Next words in your Writ are Ordinavimus vos c. in the plural Number in the second person which is an Enalage of Number chiefly to express Excellency in the Person to whom it is referred Selden in his Titles of Honour f. 121. showeth the use of it in the Jewish Nation and in France Spain Germany and other Countries and always is in dignity of the party to whom applyed and the stile of the Chancery is so only to the Peers the Judges the Kings Council and to Sergeants Therefore 29 E. 3. f. 44. In a Quare Impedit the Writ was Precipite and excepted against as false Latin but Thorp said it was not false Latin but the plural Number only to express Reverence to the person the other answered that no such reverence is done to a Sheriff and for this the Writ was abated The next words in your Writ are ad Statum c. which sheweth dignity and honour given to them The Author of the Manuscript formerly cited by me allows the Sergeants but little state where he saith they kept their Pillars at Pauls where their Clients might find them as if they did little better than Emendicare panem This was somewhat far from Westminster-Hall and as far from truth being grounded upon a mistake of one of their Ceremonies of State where they went to Pauls to Offer A Manuscript of the Call of Fitz James and other Sergeants 11 H. 8. saith that their Steward brought every one of them to a several Pillar in Pauls and there left them a time for their private Devotions no Convenient time for Clients In the Register a Writ of Ex gravi Querela mentions a devise to a Priest to say Mass at a Pillar in Pauls and I believe most of us both in this and other great Churches have seen old people kneeling at the Pillars in their private prayers Our old English Poet Chaucer whom I think not unproper to cite being one of the greatest Clerks and Wits of his time had a better Opinion of the state of a Sergeant as he expresseth in his Prologue of the Sergeant A Sergeant at Law wary and wise That oft had bin at the pervise There was also full of rich Excellence Discreet he was and of great Reverence And in his description of the Franklyn he saith of him At Sessions there was he Lord and Sire Full oft had he bin Knight of the Shire A Sheriff had he bin and a Countor Was no where such a worthy Vavasor A Countor was a Sergeant and a Vavasour was the next in degree to a Baron We find in many of our Year-Books especially in E. 3's time that they were joyned with Knights in Assizes Trials of Challenges c. 38 H. 6. f. 31. Prisot saith to the Sergeants they would have no worship by such an Act c. and that word was given to the Lords in those days By the Statute 12 R. 2. c. 10. the same priviledge which is given to the Judges for absence from the Sessions is given also to the Sergeants 34 Hen. 6. Brook Nosme 5. saith that serviens adlegem est nosme de dignity comme Chivalier and it is character indelebilis no accession of honour or Office or remotion from them takes away this dignity but he remains a Sergeant still Their Robes and Officers their bounty in-giving Rings their Feasts which Fortescue saith were coronationis instar and continued antiently seven days and as Holingshed notes Kings and Queens were often present at them and all their Ceremonies and Solemnities in their Creation do sufficiently express the state due unto them The next words in your Writ are Et gradum c. This is a degree of such eminency that the professours of Law in no Nation are honoured with the like with such Solemnities and state as I have before mentioned and by Mandate under the publick Seal of the Common-wealth I find indeed in the preface to the Digest several appellations given to the Students of that Law that they called them Dupondios or Justinianeos and when of further standing Papinianistas When they had proceeded further they called them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and lastly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the title and degree of Doctour of the Laws I acknowledge to merit very much of respect and honour as to the degree and persons honoured with it But such state and degree as this of Sergeants at Law is not among the Municipal Lawyers of any other Nation though all kingdoms have their Municipal Laws and Lawyers as well as we Degrees are rewards of study and learning Nec enim Virtutem amplectimur ipsam Praemia si tollas They are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a spur to-virtue and witnesses of learning And since Gentle-men you have already obtained that depth in your profession as renders you capable of this degree that resolution of all true lovers of learning is worthy of you 1. To say Senesco discens proceed in your Studies still Your predecessors for their learning have been often advised with by the Judges as appears in our Books and by the Parliament as may be seen in the Rolls thereof 2. By this degree you become Chief Advocates of the Common Law an attribute given by Fortescue who was a Sergeant and Chief Justice and Lord Chancellour It imports no less than all antiquity hath appropriated unto Sergeants at Law the practice of that great and Universal Court where all that concerns Meum tuum the inheritances and property of all the people of England are heard and determined This degree Ordaining you to be Chief Advocates the duty of whom pertains to you to be performed and may not be declined by you I hold it not impertinent to mention something to you of the duties of an Advocate which are some of them to the Courts and some to Clients To the Courts of Justice he owes reverence they being the high Tribunals of Law of which Doctor and Student and the Statute Marlebridge saith omnes tam Majores quam Minores justitiam recipiant and therefore great respect and reverence is due to them from all persons and more from Advocates than from any others 2. An Advocate owes to the Court a just and true information the zeal of his Clients cause as it must not transport him to irreverence so it must not mislead him to untruths in his information of the
General Council of the Army had much debate concerning the matters of Religion relating to their new Representative and of the power of the Representative in Civils Sir Thomas Widdrington and M r Whitelock met staid all the day together to draw some heads upon yesterdaies discourse and to endeavour to bring the Army into some fitter temper They were likewise to frame somewhat in order to the restitution of the Secluded Members for an answer for the Army to the Messages of the House to the Army touching their Members under restraint and heads for a Declaration what the Parliament intendeth for the settlement of the Kingdom to be considered of and offered to the Parliament and Council of the Army This was a work of no small difficulty and danger yet at this time not to be declined by them both the Members of the House and chief Officers of the Army having ingaged and trusted them only therein they prayed to God to direct them in it and that neither of them might receive any prejudice but the Kingdom might receive good by this their imployment and the Courses of the Army be moderated as it was in some measure at this time though it brake out again into violence afterwards 23. A Committee of the Common Council informed the House that the Citizens of London were so generally ingaged in the Petition for a personal Treaty that if the restriction in the late Ordinance should stand that none of them should be capable to be elected Officers of the City there would want sufficient persons to be chosen to supply necessary Offices in the City Referred to a Committee to consider of some expedient in this business A sharp debate about bringing the great Delinquents of the Kingdom to speedy punishment And now was set on Foot and begun their great design of taking away the King whom divers in the debate did not stick to name for the greatest Delinquent and to be proceeded against in Justice Others insisted upon it that he was not capable of being brought to justice by his Subjects but by God alone and that having subdued him and his Party there was no need of any thing further but to secure the Parliament from their Enemies rising against them any more and that might be done without bringing the King to any judicial tryal a thing not read of in any History But those of the fierce Party prosecuted their design with all eagerness and those of a contrary opinion either durst not oppose knowing they should be presently secluded the House if they did or seeing that no opposition would be to any effect or purpose It was endeavoured wholly to have put the business upon the Army that if they would have the thing done they should do it themselves as most proper for such an irregular and unheard of business to be done in an irregular way and by such irregular men but they were subtle enough to see and avoid that and to make those whom they left sitting in the Parliament to be their stalcs and to do their most dirty work for them many of whom they found and perswaded to be strangely forward to ingage in it Insomuch that it was carryed by vote in the House of Commons to name a Committee of thirty eight persons to consider of drawing up a charge and for that purpose to receive all informations and examinations of all Witnesses for the matters of fact against the King and all other Delinquents that may be thought sit to be brought to condigne punishment Letters from Colonel Bethel to the General of the surrender of Scarborough-Castle to him upon Articles for the use of the Parliament that there was in the Castle good store of all manner of provisions especially Rye and fifty Barrels of powder with Ammunition for many Months From the Parliaments Ships in the Downes came a Declaration to the General of their free Concurrence with the Army in their Remonstrance knowing the things to be just and good The King was expected to be at Windsor this Night and Colonel Thomlinson commanded the Guards about him upon Colonel Harrisons coming away Major Pitsford taken at Pembroke and staying here contrary to the Articles of surrender thereof was by the Court Martial sentenced to be shot to Death The Lord Wenman expressed himself very high against the Army having been seised and secluded the House by them which was no small provocation Mr. Whitelock and Sir Thomas Widdrington went together according to appointment to the Speakers house There met them divers Gentlemen of the House and they consulted about setling the Kingdom by the Parliament and not to leave all to the Sword and Sir Thomas Widdrington and M r Whitelock spake their minds freely to them some of them were wholly against any King at all others were against having the present King or his eldest or second Son to be King others were for the third Son the Duke of Gloucester who was among them and might be educated as they should appoint to be made King They came after a long debate to no resolution at all but appointed to meet again on next Monday 25. The Commons sate though it was Christ-mas day and made some Orders about the association of Somersetshire with the adjacent Counties Order for one thousand pound for Mr. Withers being moneys lent by him to the Parliament Five Members declared their dissent to the vote Dec. 5. 1648. The Committee named to consider how to proceed in a way of justice against the King were injoyned to meet this Afternoon Debate whether the secluded Members should be re-admitted A dispute between the two Houses whether thirty three thousand pound formerly granted to the Lord Willoughby as Part of his arrears and by him assigned to his Creditors who accepted the security should now be granted away to others in prejudice of the Lord Willoughbys Creditors which the Lords held not just The Lords who sate in the House being very few they Ordered that all the Lords who were within twenty miles should appear to morrow and those more remote within fourteen days after receipt of this Order some moved it might be under the pain of five hundred pound but that was not agreed unto A Petition to the Commons from Norfolk and Norwich reciting the former and present evils and praying 1. That present inquiry be made who have been the chief instruments of the King in the former or latter War and in the late bringing in of the Scots and that he himself and all such as have been the most notorious incendiaries and instruments in shedding of blood may without delay be brought to impartial Justice 2. That Courts of Justice Judges and Officers and Fecs may be certain and Laws in the vulgar tongue and Justice be speedy and without respect of persons and as may most agree with the rule of Christian duty just reason and the birth-right and priviledge of English-men and that
impartial Commissioners be appointed to try the late Mutineers in Norwich and Kent and other Counties 3. That course be taken for Payment of the publick debts out of Delinquents Estates and that taxes may be made easy and laid proportionably and so levyed 4. That Malignants be incapable of Offices or being Parliament men that under the notion of a Peer we be not voted into ruine by those that could not beat us into it and that a Committee be ordained to order affairs of State in the intervals of Parliament 5. That the power of the Militia be not put into the hands of Malignants or Neuters but of faithful persons to the Parliament 6. That the Army whose faithfulness we acknowledge may be vindicated especially for their late proceedings in order to impartial justice upon the Capital Offender the best means to establish this almost destroyed Nation that free-quarter be taken away and constant pay provided for the Army Another Petition was from the Garrison of Hull of their adherence to the late Remonstrance of the Army 26. The House approved the Articles of surrender of Scarborough and gave forty pound a piece to the Messengers that brought the news Mr. Elsing Clerk of the Parliament desired to quit his place by reason as he alledged of his indisposition of health to execute the same but most men understood his reason to be and he acknowledged it to Whitelock and others of his friends because he would have no hand in the business against the King He was a man of very great parts and ingenuous education he had travelled much and was very learned especially in the Latin French and Italian Languages and was a great Student and a very just and honest man and the most excellent Clerk both to take and express the sence of the House that I believe ever sate there so great a help to the Speaker and to the House in helping to state the questions and to draw up the Orders free from exceptions that it much conduced to the dispatch of business and the service of the Parliament He was a particular friend of Whitelocks and M r Selden was fond of him The House ordered M r Phelpes formerly Clerk to the Committee of plundered Ministers to officiate in M r Elsing's place and by a Deputation from him Upon the Petition of the East India Merchants order for them to have leave to transport thirteen thousand pound in Bullion Order for procuring six thousand pound for provisions and service for the Navy Divers Petitions to the Commons and to the General in complyance with the Armies Remonstrance among them one was to the General from Colonel Mackworth and the Officers and Souldiers in Salop. Inveighing against the personal Treaty and concurring with the late Remonstrance of the Army praying the General to continue to represent to the Commons these desires of their friends and not to hearken to the Counsels of their Enemies and to make a present settlement without any more addresses to the King And that his Excellency would endeavour that justice may be done upon the Authors of our troubles and blood-shed in the three Kingdoms in some exemplary way suitable to their crimes and without respect of persons That for taking off the grievances and burdens by free-quarter unequal taxes corrupt proceedings in Courts of Justice and other gross miscarriages in government to be reformed they will depend upon the Ordinary remedy by Parliament till God declare by evident demonstrations of his will in the passages of his providence that that extraordinary is to be resorted unto which is never denyed in case of Extremity to any People They resolve God strengthning them to follow his Excellency and the rest of those conductors raised up and Spirited for so great a work through a Sea of bloud to attain the fruition thereof Letters from Windsor that his Majesty removing from Hurst-Castle when he came to Winchester the Mayor and his brethren met him delivered him the Mace and made a speech to him That the Commander of that party who guarded the King told the Mayor that the Parliament had voted no more addresses to the King on pain of high Treason and by this address they made to him that they were within the danger of being Traytors That the Mayor and his brethren humbly asked pardon for it excusing themselves that they knew not any thing of that vote and that they would be more cautious for the future Letters from Dublin that they are quiet there by reason of the distractions among the Rebels whose divisions daily increase This Morning Sir Thomas Widdrington and Mr. Whitelock being together Mr. Smith who was Clerk to the Committee for preparing the charge against the King came to them with a Message from the Committee that they required them to come to them this day they having some matters of importance wherein they desired their advice and assistance and that they must not fail them They knew what the business was and Whitelock told Sir Tho. Widdrington that he was resolved not to meddle in that business about the Tryal of the King it being contrary to his judgement as he had declared himself in the House Sir Tho. Widdrington said he was of the same judgment and would have no hand in that business but he knew not whither to go to be out of the way and that the Committee might not know whither to send to him Whitelock replyed that his Coach was ready and he was this Morning going out of Town purposely to avoid this business and if he pleased to go with him they might be quiet at his House in the Country till this business should be over and he should be glad of his Company He willingly consented to go with Whitelock and was not long in preparing himself for the journey 27. The monthly Fast day and neither of the Houses sate The Council of War ordered that nothing be done upon the knee to the King and that all ceremonies of state to him be left off and his attendance to be with fewer and at less charge 28. Order for the City of London to proceed to the electing a new Common Council according to the former Ordinance by which Malignants are excluded And that the illegal Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and all other of the like nature be referred to a Committee to the end they may for the future be taken away The Committee for drawing up a charge against the King and to consider of the manner of his Tryal reported an Ordinance for attainting the King of high Treason and for trying him by such Commissioners as should be named in the Ordinance The Charge was to this effect That Charles Stuart had acted contrary to his trust in departing from the Parliament setting up his standard making a War against them and thereby been the occasion of much blood-shed and misery to the People whom he was set over for good that
Hall and the Drums beat in the Palace-yard after which Proclamation was made to give notice that the Commissioners for Tryal of the King were to sit again to morrow and that all those who had any thing to say against the King might then be heard The House of Commons then sitting Ordered Sergeant Dendy to make the like Proclamation at the Old Exchange and in Cheapside London which was done accordingly Vote that the name of any one particular person should not be inserted as the style of any Common Writ or otherwise for the time to come and referred it to the Committee for setling proceedings in Courts of Justice to consider how the style should be Votes that the present Great Seal shall be broken and a new one forthwith made and in the mean time all proceedings under the present Great Seal to be good till the new one be confirmed That the Armes of England and of Ireland shall be engraven on one side of the new Great Seal with this inscription The Great Seal of England That on the other side of the Seal shall be the Sculpture or Map of the House of Commons sitting with these words engraven on that side In the first year of freedom by Gods blessing restored 1648. This was for the most part the fancy of Mr. Henry Martin a noted Member of the House of Commons more particularly the inscriptions Order for pay of Colonel Whites Regiment The General set forth a proclamation reciting the flocking of Malignants to London as there was ground to believe to raise new troubles and the Order of Parliament impowering him to expel them the City and ten miles distant therefrom which accordingly he enjoyns by this proclamation and that the Delinquents depart within four and twenty hours A Petition to the General and his Council from the Officers and Souldiers in the Isle of Wight c. mentioning the late delusive Treaty with the King and danger of new troubles they declare their conjunction with the Army in their desires in the large Remonstrance and in their present proceedings which they desire may be prosecuted c. The Proclamation was made by Sergeant Dendy whilst the Courts of Justice sate in Westminster-Hall to the no small interruption of them About Eleven a Clock the House of Commons sent for the Mace out of Chancery Sergeant Dendy having that of the House thereupon the Commissioners rose and went home 10. Order for the Sergeant at Armes to take Mr. Pryn into custody for denying their authority The Commissioners for Tryal of the King met and chose Sergeant Bradshaw for their President Mr. Steel to be Attorney General Mr. Coke Sollicitor General and they with Dr. Dorislaus and Mr. Aske to draw up and manage the Charge against the King Mr. Waller moved for a Habeas Corpus for Mr. Pryn a Member of the House lately apprehended as is before mentioned This being a matter of Priviledge of Parliament and Mr. Pryn being committed by order of the Commons the Commissioners thought it fit to advise with that House before they granted the Habeas Corpus The rest of the Commissioners of the Seal desired Whitelock to go presently into the House to know their pleasure in this business which he did and the House not being sate he conferred with the Speaker and divers of the Members about it and told them that by the Law a Habeas Corpus could not be denyed They commended the Commissioners respect to the House and agreed that a Habeas Corpus could not be denyed So Whitelock returned to the Court and they thought fit to grant the Habeas Corpus In the evening one of the Sergeants men brought Whitelock an Order of the House requiring Sir Thomas Widdrington and him by name to attend the Committee to morrow about setling the course of Justice 11. Debate touching the Navy Report of the Sergeants men who served Mr. Pryn with the Warrant of the House to take him into custody that Mr. Pryn answered him that as he was coming to the House to perform his duty there for the County for which he was elected he was apprehended by Sir Hardress Waller and Colonel Pride and secured as a Prisoner ever since that being not discharged of the said imprisonment he could not submit to that order which the Sergeants man had for any other restraint to be laid upon him and therefore he refused to obey the same The House Ordered the answer to be read of the General Council of the Army concerning the Secluded and secured Members the substance whereof they approved and appointed a Committee to consider what was fit further to be done thereupon and set a day to consider of the particular case of Mr. Pryn. A visit to the Lord Chief Justice Rolles a wise and Learned man He seemed much to scruple the casting off of the Lords House and was troubled at it Yet he greatly incouraged to attend the House of Commons notwithstanding the present Force upon them which could not dispense with their attendance and performance of their duty who had no Force upon them in particular The Committee for proceedings in Courts of Justice had a great debate what style shall be used in Commissions and Writs instead of the wonted style Carolus Dei gratia c. 12. Petition of the Trustees and others for the Sale of Bishops-lands that that business might he confirmed by Patent under the Great Seal of England Order for the Sollicitor General to draw up a Patent to pass the Seal accordingly The Commissioners for Tryal of the King being to sit in the Afternoon the House adjourned the earlier 13. Ordinances past for regulating the affairs of the Navy Reference to the Committee of the Navy to conferr with the Lord Admiral about sending some Ships to Goree in Holland and North-ward and if he were not in Town that then the Committee should do it of themselves and all Officers and Mariners were required to obey their Orders Order for Sir George Ascue to be desired to go with Captain Moulton in this expedition and several other Orders made concerning the Fleet. Two Petitions from the Inhabitants of Devon and Exon Gentlemen and Ministers c. desiring Justice upon the principal causers of the first and second War and a firm Peace The General Council of Officers concluded upon the agreement of the People and added some Trustees to the Lord Grey Sir Jo. Danvers c. for making the divisions for elections in the several Counties The High Court of Justice sate for Tryal of the King their whole time was spent about setling the Court and calling over their Members and to summon those who being named Commissioners did not appear amongst whom Colonel Rowland Wilson a person of great worth and integrity refused to act as a Commissioner though named in this business or to sit with them They agreed that
Guilty whereby he may come to a fair Tryal that as by an implicit confession it may be taken pro confesso as it hath been done to those who deserved more favour than the Prisoner and that therefore speedy judgement be pronounced against him President Sir you have heard what is moved by the Council in behalf of the Kingdom against you Sir you may well remember and if you do not the Court cannot forget what dilatory dealings the Court hath found at your hands you were to propound some questions you had your resolution upon them You were told over and over again that the Court did affirm their own jurisdiction that it was not for you nor for any other man to dispute the jurisdiction of the Supreme and highest Authority of England from which there is no appeals and touching which there must be no dispute yet you did persist in such carriage as you gave no manner of obedience nor did you acknowledge any Authority in them nor the High Court that constituted this Court of Justice Sir I must let you know from the Court that they are very sensible of these delays of yours and that they ought not being thus authorised by the Supreme Court of England to be thus trifled withal and that they might in justice if they pleased and according to the rules of justice take advantage of these delaies and proceed to pronounce judgment against you Yet nevertheless they are pleased to give direction and on their behalfs I do require you that you make a positive answer to this Charge that is against you Sir in plain terms for Justice knows no respect of persons you are to give your positive and final answer in plain English whether you be Guilty or Not guilty of these Treasons laid to your Charge King After a little pause When I was here yesterday I desired to speak for the Liberties of the people of England I was interrupted I desire to know yet whether I may speak freely or not President Sir You have had the resolution of the Court upon the like question that last day and you were told that having such a Charge of so high a nature against you and your work was that you ought to ackowledge the jurisdiction of the Court and to answer to your Charge Sir if you unswer to your Charge which the Court gives you leave now to do though they might have taken the advantage of your contempt yet if you be able to answer to your Charge when you have once answered you shall be heard at large make the best defence you can But Sir I must let you know from the Court as their commands that you are not to be permitted to issue out into any other discourses till such time as you have given a positive answer concerning the matter that is charged upon you King For the Charge I value it not a rush it is the Liberty of the people of England that I stand for for me to acknowledge a new Court that I never heard of before I that am your King that should be an example to all the people of England to uphold justice to maintain the old Laws indeed I do not know how to do it You spake very well the first day that I came here on Saturday of the obligations that I had laid upon me by God to the maintenance of the Liberties of my people the same obligation you spake of I do acknowledge to God that I owe to him and to my People to defend as much as in me lies the antient Laws Therefore until that I may know that this is not against the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom by your favour I can put in no particular answer if you will give me time I will shew you my reasons why I cannot do it and thus Here being interrupted he said By your favour you ought not to interrupt me how I came here I know not there 's no Law for it to make your King your Prisoner I was in a Treaty upon the publick Faith of the Kingdom that was the known two Houses of Parliament that was the Representative of the Kingdom and when that I had almost made an end of the Treaty then I was hurried away and brought hither and therefore Here the President said Sir You must know the pleasure of the Court. King By your favour Sir President Nay Sir by your favour you may not be permitted to fall into these discourses you appear as a Delinquent you have not acknowledged the Authority of the Court the Court craves it not of you but once more they command you to give your positive answer Clerk Do your duty King Duty Sir Then the Clerk read a paper requiring the King to give a positive and final answer by way of confession or denyal of the Charge King Sir I say again to you so that I might give satisfaction to the people of England of the clearness of my proceedings not by way of answer nor in this way but to satisfy them that I have done nothing against that trust that hath been committed to me I would do it but to acknowledge a new Court against their Priviledges to alter the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom Sir you must excuse me President Sir This is the third time that you have publickly disavowed this Court and put an affront upon it but how far you have preserved the Liberties of the people your actions have spoke it but truly Sir mens intentions ought to be known by their actions you have written your meaning in bloody Characters throughout the Kingdom But Sir you understand the pleasure of the Court. Clerk record the default And Gentlemen you that took the charge of the Prisoner take him back again King I will say this one word more to you if it were my own particular I would not say any more to interrupt you President Sir you have heard the pleasure of the Court and you are notwithstanding you will not understand it to find that you are before a Court of Justice Then the King went forth with his Guards to Sir Robert Cottons house where he lay 24. The House only met and adjourned The High Court of Justice was expected to sit but they sent an Usher to tell the people there assembled that the Court was busy in the Painted Chamber examining witnesses in relation to the present affairs and should not sit in Westminster-Hall that day but that all persons appointed to be there were to appear on further summons About four a clock this afternoon all the Judges by appointment met at Sergeants-Inn to advise with the Committee about the new style of Writs in which matter the Judges seemed not to be very forward to joyn with them 25. The House met and adjourned The High Court of Justice met and proceeded in examination of Witnesses to prove the Charge against the King some proved that they saw him present at the setting up of his
Standard others that they saw him in the field in several fights with his Sword drawn The Parliament of Paris proclaimed the Cardinal Mazarine a disturber of the publick peace and Enemy to the King and Kingdom In the evening Whitelock met at Sergeants-Inn with the Committee to receive the Judges answer concerning the alteration in the Style of Writs The Judges answered that because of their Oaths they could not advise in this business being it was an alteration of the Government of the Kingdom but with this answer the Committee went away not well satisfied 26. The Heads of the Charge against the King were published by leave in this form That Charles Stuart being admitted King of England and therein trusted with a limited power to govern by and according to the Laws of the Land and not otherwise and by his trust being obliged as also by his Oath and Office to use the power committed to him for the good and benefit of the people and for the preservation of their Rights and Priviledges Yet nevertheless out of a wicked design to erect and uphold himself in an Vnlimited and Tyrannical Power to rule according to his Will and to overthrow the Rights and Liberties of the People yea to take away and make void the Foundations thereof and of all Redress and remedy of Misgovernment which by the Fundamental Constitutions of this Kingdom were reserved on the Peoples behalf in the Right and Power of frequent and successive Parliaments or National meetings in Council He the said Charles Stuart for accomplishment of his designs and for the protecting of himself and his Adherents in his and their wicked Practices to the same ends hath Traiterously and Maliciously Levyed War against the present Parliament and the People therein represented more particularly Then they named Nottingham Beverly and other places where fights were and go on That he hath caused and procured many Thousands of the Free-People of the Nation to be slain and by Divisions Parties and Insurrections within this Land and by Invasions from Foreign parts indeavoured and procured by him and by many other evil ways and means His giving Commissions to his Son the Prince and other Rebels and Revolters both English and Foreigners and to the Earl of Ormond and to the Irish Rebels and Revolters associated with him from whom further Invasions upon this Land are threatned upon the procurement and on the behalf of the said Charles Stuart All which wicked designs and evil practices of him the said Charles Stuart have been and are carried on for the advancing and upholding of the personal interest of Will and Power and pretended Prerogative to himself and Family against the publick interest Common Right Liberty Justice and Peace of the Pâ—ople of this Nation by and for whom he was intrusted as aforesaid By all which it appeareth that he the said Charles Stuart hath been and is the Occasioner Authour and Contriver of the said Vnnatural cruel and bloody Wars and therein guilty of all the Treasons Murders Rapines Burnings Spoyls Desolations Dammage and Mischief to this Nation acted or committed in the said Wars or occasioned thereby M r Pierrepoint still kept in his station though dissatisfied with present proceedings So was Sir Thomas Widdrington 27. The High Court of Justice sate in Westminster-Hall the President in his Scarlet Robe and many of the Commissioners in their best habit After the calling of the Court the King came in in his wonted posture with his Hat on as he passed by in the Hall a cry was made justice justice execution execution This was by some Souldiers and others of the Rabble The King desired to be heard the President answered that he must hear the Court and sets forth the intentions of the Court to proceed against the Prisoner and withal offered that the King might speak so it were not matter of debate The King desired that in regard he had something to say for the peace of the Kingdom and Liberty of the Subject before Sentence were given he might be heard before the Lords and Commons in the Painted Chamber Upon this the Court withdrew into the Court of Wards and the King to Sir Robert Cottons house and after about an hours debate they returned again into Westminster-Hall The Court resolved that what the King had tendered tended to delay yet if he would speak any thing for himself in Court before Sentence he might be heard Many of the Commissioners in the debate of it in the Court of Wards were against this resolution and pressed to satisfy the Kings desire and themselves to hear what the King would say to them in the Painted Chamber before Sentence but it was Voted by the major part in the Negative Upon which Colonel Harvey and some others of the Commissioners went away in discontent and never sate with them afterwards this proposal of the Kings being denied by the Commissioners the King thereupon declared himself that he had nothing more to say Then the President made a large Speech of the Kings misgovernment and that by Law Kings were accountable to their People and to the Law which was their Superiour and he instanced in several Kings who had been deposed and imprisoned by their Subjects especially in the Kings native Country where of one hundred and nine Kings most were deposed imprisoned or proceeded against for misgovernment and his own Grand-Mother removed and his Father an infant crowned After this the Clerk was commanded to read the sentence which recited the Charge and the Several Crimes of which he had been found Guilty For all which Treasons and Crimes the Court did adjudge That he the said Charles Stuart as a Tyrant Traitor Murderer and publick enemy shall be put to death by the Severing of his head from his body The King then desired to be heard but it would not be permitted being after Sentence and as he returned through the Hall there was another cry for justice and execution Here we may take notice of the abject baseness of some vulgar spirits who seeing their King in that condition endeavoured in their small capacity further to promote his misery that they might a little curry favour with the present powers and pick thanks of their then Superiours Some of the very same persons were afterwards as clamorous for Justice against those that were the Kings Judges The Act passed for altering the forms of Writs and other proceedings in Courts of Justice which were before in the name of the King and no Concurrence of the Lords was desired A Committee appointed to draw a Proclamation to declare it High Treason for any to Proclaim any King of England without assent of the Parliament and none to preach or speak any thing contrary to the present proceedings of the Supreme Authority of this Nation the Commons of England assembled in Parliament under pain of imprisonment and such other punishments as shall be thought fit to be inflicted on them
Painted Chamber and such who had any evidence to give against the Earl of Holland Earl of Cambridge Lord Goring Lord Capell and Sir John Owen or any of them were to repair thither where they might be heard A Committee to examine the Authours and publishers of a Pamphlet and such as have preached printed and published seditiously the proceedings in bringing the King to justice and to prepare an Act to restrain the preaching and printing any thing against the proceedings of the House and of the High Court of Justice Letters from Scotland that the Parliament and priests there are at much variance that they bring all to the stool of repentance that were in the last invasion of England yet they are now as much as ever Enemies to the proceedings of the Parliament and Army in England That they talk big of raising an Army in revenge of the Kings Blood and all will joyn unanimously against the Sectaries of England and ground themselves upon breach of the Covenant Letters from New-Castle that many Ships were loaden with Coals for London and the Coast clear and their Governour Sir Arthur Haselrigge and some Officers of the Garrison were gone for London Letters from Pontefract that upon notice of the Kings execution the Garrison made a stout Salley but were beaten in again In the House the debate was long and smart concerning the Lords House 6. Debate concerning the House of Lords and the question being put whether the House of Commons should take the advice of the House of Lords in the exercise of the Legislative power of the Kingdom it was carried in the Negative by many voices Then they voted That the House of Peers in Parliament is useless and dangerous and ought to be abolished and that an Act be brought in to this purpose A Committee named to draw up an Act for making the Estates both of the late Members of Peers and likewise of the House of Commons liable to the Law for payment of all debts Referred to a Committee to consider of a way to take away all Appeals to the Lords and to discharge all persons committed by them in relation thereunto and how the Peers may be elected Burgesses and Knights to serve in the House of Commons Debate what Government to set up in England and Ireland and whether Kingship should be abolished or not Divers Sheriffs made Scruple of acting in their Office because of the Death of the King Order for instructions to be drawn up therein Order for Sergeant Bradshaw to make a Deputy in Guild-Hall where he is Judge in regard of his imployment in the High Court The accounts allowed of the Charges of the Kings Tryal Letters that the Irish Pyrates take divers vessels at Sea from the English and that the several Parties in Ireland are agreed to carry on the designs of the Prince of Wales It was put upon Whitelock to draw an Act to take away the House of Lords wherein he desired to have been excused in regard he was not in the house when the vote passed and had Declared his opinion against it but he could not get excused 7. Debate whether the Government by Kings should be abolished and upon the Question whether it should be referred to a grand Committee of the whole House it was carried in the Negative Then after a long and quick Debate they passed this vote Resolved upon the Question by the Commons of England in Parliament assembled That it hath been found by experience and this House doth declare That the Office of a King in this Nation and to have the power thereof in any single person is unnecessary burthensome and dangerous to the liberty safety and publick interest of the People of this Nation and therefore ought to be abolished and that an Act be brought in to that purpose A Committee appointed to bring in names of persons not exceeding forty to be a Councel of State Instructions passed for drawing new Commissions for the Judges the new Great Seal being ready The Judges appointed to meet with the Speaker and a Committee of the House about the Judges Commissions The High Court of Justice sate receiving witnesses and preparing the Charges against the five persons to be tryed The Earl of Holland sent up by post that he was dangerously sick at Warwick-Castle The Corps of the late King was removed from St. James's to Windsor to be interred in St. George's Chappel there and monies allowed for it An Act appointed to be brought in to make Sir Thomas Widdrington and Whitelock Commissioners of the new Great Seal with a blank for others to be added 8. Instructions passed for Commissions to the Judges of whom six agreed to hold viz. Rolles Jermyn St. John Pheasant Wilde and Yates provided that by Act of the Commons the fundamental Laws be not abolished The other six Judges viz. Bacon Brown Bedingfield Creswell Trevor and Atkins were not satisfied to hold Order for altering the Judges Oaths formerly in the name of the King now to be in the People A Committee appointed to bring in a list of fit persons to be Justices of peace in every County Instructions passed for rewards to such as shall bring in any of the revolted Ships The Duke of Richmond and others had leave to attend the late Kings funeral at Windsor Widdrington and Whitelock without the Lords who were in Commission with them yet having an Act of the House of Commons for it they went with the old great Seal to the House Mr. Malbon the usual Seal-bearer carried it to the door where Widdrington and Whitclock took the Purse and Seal in it and both of them holding it brought it in solemnly into the house all the Members being silent and laid it down upon the Table in the house Then the House past an Act for the old Seal to be broken and a work-man was brought into the house with his tools who in the Face of the house upon the Floor brake the old Seal in pieces and the house gave to Widdrington and Whitelock the pieces and purse of the old Seal After this the House passed another Act for establishing the new Great Seal to be the Great Seal of England Then they read another Act to constitute Widdrington and Whitelock to be Commissioners of the New Great Seal which occasioned Sir Thomas Widdrington to stand up and excuse himself very earnestly because of his unhealthfulness but that excuse would not be allowed Then he further excused himself by reason of some scruples in conscience which he had concerning the acting in this high place though he did acknowledge the Authority and submit to it and had Acted by vertue of it in signing a Warrant for a Writ to adjourn the Term and bringing in the new Great Seal without the Lords Commissioners Upon a long Debate the House did excuse Widdrington and to manifest their respects for his former services
time it was answered That it was for Prisoners to prepare their proofs against the Tryal he having been in Prison so long he replied that during his six Months imprisonment he never sent about any private business but only to get Monies to maintain him and prayed the mercy of the Court that if they would spare him he might be useful and that he was sorry for what he had done He had two daies time longer given to him to prepare for his defence 14. Vote for thirty eight persons to be of the Council of State viz. Earl of Denbigh Mulgrave Pembroke Salisbury Lord Gray Fairfax General Grey of Groby Lord L'Isle Rolles St. John Wilde Bradshaw Cromwell Skippon Pickering Massam Haselrigg Harrington Vane jun. Danvers Armine Mildmay Constable Pennington Wilson Whitelock Martin Ludlow Stapeley Heveningham Wallop Hutchinson Bond Al. Popham Valentine Walton Scot Purefoy Jones Their powers were 1. To command and settle the Militia of England and Ireland 2. To set forth such a Navy as they should think fit 3. To appoint Magazines and Stores and to dispose them c. 4. To sit and execute the powers given them for a Year Instruction passed for altering Patents of Sheriffs and their Oath and a list of all the Justices of Peace brought into the House Major General Middleton who was upon his parole at Berwick brake his word and went to Scotland 15. An Act passed touching the accounts of Sheriffs Debate upon the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters lands The High Court of Justice sate and the Earl of Cambridge moved the Court for further time and new Council in regard that those formerly assigned to him for Council refused to plead for him which was granted to him In the House were the Dutch Ambassadors in person to receive the answer to their Papers and addresses 16. Ceremonies upon the Dutch Ambassadors going away Some Sheriffs nominated Order for moneys for the Judges going their Circuits The High Court of Justice sate and the Lord Goring was brought to the Bar Mr. Coke Sollicitor General set forth the heâ—nousness of his Crimes at Colchester in Kent Essex c. He said he could not deny the matter of fact in much of them but should clear himself of some particulars Divers witnesses were produced vivâ voce who proved the Death of several of the Parliament Party before Colchester the shooting of poisoned bullets boyled in Copperas from the Town the cruel usage of the Prisoners in Colchester the Lord Gorings reviling them calling them Rebellious Rogues the burning of six hundred Houses at Colchester and many other particulars The Lord Goring by way of defence made a Narrative of his proceedings since his last coming into England acknowledged his receiving a Commission from the Prince and his giving Commissions to others That what he did was out of a good intention for Peace and accommodation That Treason not being in the intention he could not be guilty of it that he intended not to raise Forces against the Parliament he pleaded his Peerage and the Articles of Colchester by which quarter was given him To this the Council for the Common-wealth replyed that a mans Actions did best expound his intentions that the Lord Goring ' s Actions spake him guilty of Murder Treason c. that to his Peerage the power by which the Court sate was an answer That for the Articles of Colchester though he had at first waved them by pleading not guilty yet he should have as full a benefit of them as the Lord Capel who had largely pleaded for them Against Sir John Owen witnesses testifyed the Death of the high Sheriff of Caernarven and others Sir John alledged that what he did was to free himself from violence and plunder but it was proved that he was in the first War had the Articles of Conway upon which he was admitted to compound took the Covenant and Negative Oath and yet ingaged a second time The Earl of Holland was removed from Warwick Castle to London 17. A Declaration passed in answer to the Scots Papers and was Ordered to be delivered to their Commissioners and to be printed and published Order to allow one thousand pound per annum Salary to each of the Commissioners of the Seal Order for the Council of State to sit and the Members that desired it to have lodgings in White-Hall Vote for two Seals for the Committee of Estates ingraven with the Arms of England and Ireland and this inscription the Committee of Estates appointed by Parliament Order for the General and Colonel Rich to sit in the House as Burgesses elected for Cirencester The Speaker acquainted the House with a Letter he received from the Prince Elector of his intentions to return to his own Country with some acknowledgement of thanks for favours to him appointed to be read on Munday next The High Court of Justice sate and witnesses proved the escape of the Lord Capel out of the Tower he pleaded that he did not escape as he was a Prisoner of War but as he was sent to the Tower in another condition The Earl of Cambridge urged that the Council assigned to him were not ready for want of longer time and held it not proper for them to plead in matter of Law till the fact were first proved The Court declared that he had been often moved to make his defence whereupon he proceeded in it produced his Commissions from the Parliament to command all the Forces of that Kingdom and the order of the Committee of Estates there for him to advance into England then the large Declaration from Scotland He pleaded the ends thereof being for his Majesties honour the setling of Religion and the Covenant he also pleaded the Articles agreed unto by Major General Lambert when he yielded himself Prisoner whereby he was assured by him of quarter and life to prove which he produced the Lord Grey Colonel Lilburn and M r Peters for witnesses Concerning the point of Naturalization he pleaded that his Father being naturalized could not make him a subject of England no more than the Son of an English-man born in any Foreign Parts was intituled thereby to any inheritance here that he had a Petition and Bill prepared for his Naturalization but it passed not Colonel Whichcot the Governour and the Marshal of Windsor-Castle proved the Earls escape after he had passed his word to the Governour to be a true Prisoner the Earl earnestly denyed this and offered upon it a Challenge to the Governour were he not in his present capacity but it was left to the judgment of the Court. 19. The Letter from the Prince Elector was read of the grounds of his return to his own Country returning humble thanks for the favour of the Parliament to him desiring the continuance of his stipend and the arrears of it to be paid The House Ordered the arrears to be paid him and the Speaker to give him
a Pass for himself and his attendants forty Horse but none other to go over with him Report by Lieutenant General Cromwell from the Committee of Estates that according to the Order of the House nineteen of the Committee had subscribed for approving the Kings execution but that two and twenty of the Committee had refused Not but that they confest except one the Commons in Parliament to be the supreme power of the Nation and that they would live and dye with them in what they should do for the future But they could not confirm what they had done in relation to the King and Lords this report was committed Debate about disbanding the Kentish Forces and referred to a Committee to examine the publishing of Papers to Proclaim the Prince to be King The high Court of Justice sate and witnesses proved that the Earl of Cambridge was Prisoner to the Lord Grey before the Articles with Major General Lambert were concluded Letters produced signed with his own hand to Sir Marmaduke Langdale touching the carrying on of the design in England and passages touching his Friends in Colchester Proved also that he was called by the late Kings Writ to sit in Parliament in the Lord Houses by the name of Earl of Cambridge and appeared as Earl of Cambridge and acted as a Peer of England sitting in the Lords House and in divers Committees That as a Peer of England he took the National Covenant and subscribed to it Cambridge in the House of Peers and took the Negative Oath before the Commissioners of the Great Seal as a Peer of England Letters from Scotland that Sir Joseph Douglas was chosen by their Parliament to go to their new Proclaimed King to acquaint him with what the Parliament had done and to desire him to take heed of evil Counsellours That they are putting the Kingdom into a posture of defence Colonels chosen in all the Shires and every fourth man to be arrayed and trained Letters from Pontefract that one Beaumont a Priest was executed for corresponding with the Garrison in Characters and he chose to dye rather than to discover the Characters At the Council of State they were all demanded to subscribe the test appointed by Parliament for approving all that was done concerning the King and Kingship and for taking away the House of Lords and against the Scots invasion c. All the Lords and divers other Members of the Council refused to subscribe this test the General desired to be spared for what was past as to subscribing but he and the rest of the refusers affirmed that for the future if the Parliament thought them worthy to be imployed they would joyn with them and faithfully serve them Many of the Commons refusers to sign it as it then was made divers scruples some to one part of it some to another Whitelock scrupled that part of approving the proceedings of the High Court of Justice because he was not privy to them nor did know what they were in particular nor ever heard any report of them made to the house and not knowing what they were he could not sign that paper to approve of them the like was said by divers others 20. Offer for Merchants approved to send out Ships at their own charge in the next Summers Fleet. Order for three thousand pound for the Maimed Souldiers and for Sale of the Crown Jewels Hangings and goods to raise money for the Navy An Act for the Commons to call Common Councels in London Debate about the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands 21. Letters directed from the House to the Judges in their Circuits to give order for due payment of the Excise and that all rioters against it be punished Upon a report from the Council of State an Act passed for repealing the Commission to the Earl of Warwick as Lord Admiral and an Act Ordered to be brought in giving power to the Commissioners of the Navy to command the Fleet as the Lord Admiral had done An Act passed for the Company of Weavers in London The Hart Frigat revolted to the Prince the Sea-men set the Captain on shore the Prince was courted at the Hague as King but not by the States publickly The High Court of Justice sate and their order was read to the Lord Capel that they would hear what he could say this day and then proceed to judgement He said he was to be comprehended wholly in the Martial Law and urged the Articles again which excepted Tryal after by Parliament that divers that were in Colchester in his condition had compounded That breaking Prison for Treason by Common Law was but felony and benefit of Clergy might be had at last when he could not get the resolution of the Court to be referred to a Tryal by Martial Law He moved that he might not be barred of additional defence and that if he must be judged by the Common Law he hoped he might have the full benefit of it He urged for it the late Act which saith though King and Lords be laid aside yet the fundamental Laws shall be in Force He recommended to the Court Magna Charta and the Petition of Right and prest the consideration of the Act made in favour of those who assisted K. Hen. 7. and the exception in the Acts touching the Lord Strafford and Canterbury that they should not be drawn in precedent He desired to see his Jury and that they might see him and to be tryed by his Peers and said he believed that a precedent could not be given of a subject tryed for his life but either by Bill in Parliament or by a Jury Witnesses were heard against the Earl of Cambridge 22. Debate about the business of the Navy and to incourage the Sea-men Order that the Councel of State take care for preserving the Library Medals and Statues at St. James's An expedient assented unto for the Members of the Council of State that they should subscribe the test to approve of what shall be done by the Commons in Parliament the supreme Authority of this Nation but nothing of confirming what was past Referred to the Council of State to take care for the preserving of Timber for the Navy The Earl of Cambridge brought before the High Court produced his witnesses some of whom were disallowed being Officers under him and so Participes Criminis He pleaded that he had not broken the Negative Oath for he had not ingaged against the Parliament but for the ends in the Scots Declaration His Council moved that they might with the Council of the Common-Wealth state the case of the Earl but this was denyed being in case of Treason and that the Earl's Council could only declare their opinions in point of Law Upon the Earl's desire he had further time granted him The Council of the Army Ordered some to prepare a draught of such things as might be presented by them to the
That Colonel Brownbushell be tryed for his life That the Prince Duke of York and divers Lords of the Kings party be banished The Confederates in Ireland sent to the Prince to come thither that they would proclaim him King of Ireland and joyn with him against England 15. The House sate not The Council of State nominated Lord General Cromwel to be General for Ireland M r Munday an Irish Rebel was shot to death by sentence of the Council of War and James Wilson to ride the Wooden Horse with a Musket at each Leg and to run the Gantelope at Lancaster Articles of Peace between the King of France and the Parisians were agreed upon At the Council of State they had great businesses and long sitting 16. Letters from the Hague that their Ambassadour lately returned from England reported the many civilities and honour he had received in England from the Parliament and Army Whitclock brought in the Draught of a Declaration touching the proceedings of Parliament in the late transactions Upon his report of the Declartion it was moved to pass it presently without any Commitment but he moved it might be committed to amend some faults in it and upon the commitment they made it much sharper than he had drawn it and added divers Clauses which he thought matters fit to be omitted After this it was much pressed to set a time for dissolving this Parliament most of the House disliked to set a time as dangerous but agreed that when the business of the Kingdom would permit that then it should be dissolved 17. Order for a publick fast The Declaration passed touching the transactions of Parliament and Ordered to be Printed in English Latin French and Dutch An Act reciting Charls Stuart to have been justly condemned and put to death for many Treasons Murders and other hainous Offences by him committed And that it hath been found by experience the Office of a King in this Nation and Ireland and to have the power thereof in any single Person is unnecessary Burthensom and Dangerous to the Liberty safety and publick Interest of the People and that for the most part use has been made of the Regal Power and Prerogative to Oppress and Impoverish and Enslave the Subject and that usually and naturally any one Person in such power makes it his interest to incroach upon the just Freedom and to promote the setting up of their own lust Therefore the Office of a King in this Nation henceforth not to reside or be exercised by any one single Person And whereas by the abolition of the Kingly Office a most happy way is made for this Nation if God see good to return to its Just and Ancient right of being governed by its own Representatives or National Meetings in Council from time to time chosen and intrusted for that purpose by the People They resolve and declare that they will put a period to the sitting of this present Parliament and dissolve the same so soon as may possibly stand with the safety of the People that has entrusted them and with what is absolutly necessary for the preserving and upholding the Government now setled in the way of a Commonwealth And that they will carefully provide for the certain Chusing Meeting and Sitting of the next future Representatives with such other circumstances of Freedom in Choice and equality in distribution of Members to be elected thereunto as shall most conduce to the lasting freedom and good of this Common-wealth Votes touching Compositions of Delinquents Order for every Member to meet by nine in the Morning upon forfeiture of twelve pence for every default Debate of making Elections of Parliament men more equal and not to be ingrossed in some few Corporations 19. A Petition from the well affected of Leicestershire 1. That the Militia may be in good hands 2. That the Army may be provided for and all Delinquents Estates to go for that end and Free-quarter be taken off 3. That the profits of great Offices may be imployed for the publick 4. That the Laws may be according to those God gave his people and plain and short in the English Tongue and Hand 5. That Tythes may be taken away and a more equal provision for the Ministry 6. That Officers of Treasure may account 7. That all may injoy their freedoms to worship God according to his word without coercive courses to the contrary 8. For relief for Ireland 9. For provision for the poor and to set them to work as they do in Holland The petition was commended and the Petitioners had the thanks of the House Captain Bray presented Books to the Members of the House entituled An Appeal against the the Lord Fairfax General containing matter of Charge against him to have him outed of his command in the Army Which being read Captain Bray was called in and asked if he would own the Book which he did and the House Voted the Book to be Scandalous as to the General and Council of War and tending to stir up sedition in the People and mutiny in the Army and the Captain was committed Prisoner to Windsor Castle Upon information that the Turkish Alcoran was printing in English Ordered to suppress it The Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations repealed and a Committee named to consider of a way for Appeals upon sequestrations Votes touching Compositions and some excepted Persons Order for Justices of the Peace to meet Monthly and make provision for the poor and to set them to work and to find out ingrossers of Corn and Coal An Act passed that the Commons of England assembled in Parliament finding by too long experience the House of Lords to be useless and dangerous to the people of England to be continued Ordain from henceforth the House of Lords in Parliament to be wholly abolished and taken away nevertheless they nor their Posterity to be excluded from the publick Councils of the Nation but to have their free Vote in Parliament as other members when duly Elected In the House business went on slowly as heretofore and not without great difference in opinion and some Animosities the most mischievous of all other things to their interest 20. The House sate not The Council of State had consideration of the business of the Navy and several Merchants attended in it The Lady Carlisle was examined about the last Summers insurrection and confined by the Council They consider also the letter from the Parliament of Scotland upon staying of their Commissioners here Which they alledge to be contrary to the Covenant League and Vnion between both Nations in breach of the Treaties and contrary to the Publick Faith and Law of Nations by which the freedom of Ambassadors and Commissioners is Sacred and Inviolable not only betwixt Christians but even among Heathen Kingdoms and States they desire their Commissioners may be freed from all restraint Letters from Lancaster that the
Execution of Civil affairs may be wholly freed from the interposition of the Sword and that Martial Law during the times of Peace when all Courts are open may not be exercised upon the persons of any according to Magna Charta and the Petition of Right Nothing done upon these Petitions The Inhabitants of Pool subscribed an ingagement to adhere to and assist their Governour by Authority of the Parliament or the General and to discover all Plots to the prejudice of the Parliament Letters from Scotland that they are raising Forces to the number of fifteen thousand Horse and Foot Letters from Dublin that the Scots in Vlster are again on Foot with the Govenant and a Declaration against the Army in England which they call the Sectarian Army that murdered the King that they have taken in some Towns there That Dublin expected to be besieged by Ormond That eight of Prince Rupert's Ships went to Scilly and he with sixteen more went to block up the Road of Dublin 17. Letters reported by the Council of State that the Scots in Vlster had declared for King Charles the Second had taken several places and were set down before London-Derry That they demanded the delivery of the Town for the use of the King and the Governour Sir Charles Coot to depart the Kingdom That Ormond with a party was come within thirty miles of Dublin The House referred it back to the Council of State to take speedy care hereof An Act passed for the Judges of the Admiralty and for judging of Prizes at Sea and for incouragement of Seamen An Act passed for appointing the Lord Mayor Andrews Sir John Woolaston Alderman Dethicke and Mr. Allen to be Treasurers for the ninety thousand pounds per mens Assessment Debates about taking away of Tythes and setling a sufficient maintenance for the Ministry another way as by an Assessment of twelve pence per pound upon Lands by Deans and Chapters Lands Impropriations c. Order for ten thousand pounds for Ireland out of the Welch Compositions Order to send to the City to summon all the Companies to meet and consider their own interest about London-Dery to hasten the advance of the Monies for Ireland and about sending a Message to the Scots to withdraw their Siege from London-Derry The Council of State had intelligence of new Levellers at S t Margarets Hill near Cobham in Surry and at St. George's Hill and that they digged the Ground and sowed it with Roots and Beans one Everard once of the Army and who terms himself a Prophet is the chief of them and they were about thirty men and said that they should be shortly four thousand They invited all to come in and help them and promised them Meat Drink and Cloaths they threaten to pull down Park Pales and to lay all open and threaten the neighbours that they will shortly make them all come up to the Hills and work The General sent two Troops of Horse to have an account of them 18. Another Petition on the behalf of Lilburn c. to the like effect with the former which had a quick answer from the House and that the Prisoners should be proceeded against according to Laws in force before their crimes committed Debate upon the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands and several Votes past for allowances to Ministers and Scholars out of the Revenues of those Lands to the Value of above twenty thousand pounds per annum And for the arrears of the Souldiers to be charged upon the Parks and Lands belonging to the Crown and left to the Lord General and Council of the Army to propound six Persons to be approved by the House to joyn with others whom the House will name as Trustees for disposal of those Parks and Lands for that use and the Attorney General ordered to bring in a Bill for this purpose Upon the Petition of the Lady Capel referred to the Committee of Complaints to examine it and in the mean time Ordered that the Sequestrators do forbear to cut down any more Woods or Timber upon the Lady Capels Lands Upon a Charge in a Petition against Mr. Edward Vaughan a Member of the House he was Ordered to attend and answer it Letters from Sir Charles Coot of his being straitly besieged in London-Derry and that without speedy relief he must be forced to surrender Ormond sent a second and more peremptory Summons to Colonel Jones at Dublin Letters from the Hague that since the news of Cromwels ingaging for Ireland the Prince hath no mind to go thither 19. A Solemn Fast kept by the Commons the Lord General and Officers of the Army 20. Several Members of the House appointed to go to the Ministers that preached yesterday and to give them the thanks of the House Order for the third of May next to be a general Fast-day and a Committee appointed to bring in an Act for dissolving the former Ordinance for a Monthly Fast and to injoyn the observance of such Fast-days as from time to time shall be appointed by Parliament An Act recommitted for discharging poor Prisoners who are not able to pay their debts and to compel such as are able to pay and the Committee to confer with the Judges Everard and Winstanly the chief of those that digged at S t George's Hill in Surry came to the General and made a large Declaration to justify their proceedings Everard said he was of the race of the Jews that all the liberties of the people were lost by the coming in of William the Conquerour and that ever since the people of God had lived under Tyranny and Oppression worse than that of our Forefathers under the Egyptians But now the time of the deliverance was at hand and God would bring his people out of this slavery and restore them to their freedom in injoying the Fruits and Benefits of the Earth And that there had lately appeared to him a Vision which bad him arise and Dig and plow the Earth and receive the Fruits thereof that their intent is to restore the Creation to its former condition That as God had promised to make the barren Land fruitful so now what they did was to renew the ancient Community of injoying the fruits of the Earth and to distribute the benefit thereof to the poor and needy and to feed the hungry and cloath the naked That they intend not to meddle with any mans Propriety nor to break down any pales or inclosures but only to meddle with what was common and untilled and to make it fruitful for the use of man that the time will suddenly be that all men shall willingly come in and give up their Lands and Estates and submit to this Community And for those that will come in and work they should have meat drink and cloaths which is all that is necessary to the life of man and that for money there was not any
gave an answer to their Husbands and therefore desired them to go home and look after their own business and meddle with their huswifry Order for a Bill to settle the twenty thousand pound for Augmentation to Ministers c. Col. Poyer was shot to death in Covent-Garden and died very penitently 26. Upon a report from the Council of State that they thought for setling the peace of the Nation that there should be an Act of Oblivion the House Ordered one to be drawn up And Voted That the time to be set in the Act of Oblivion from which no Action or Suit shall be commenced or prosecuted for any thing said or done in the time of War shall be before the first day of this Term. Order that such as shall discover any monies raised to be imployed against the Parliament should have the sixth part of what they should discover and the remainder to be imployed for the service of Ireland in this Expedition Order that the Committee of the Revenue do speedily pay to Colonel Henry Martyn a Member of the House three thousand pound which Sum he had formerly advanced for the service of this Nation Order touching the arrears of the Dutchy of Lancaster Referred in a special manner to the Commissioners of the Seal to relieve according to equity and justice such persons as have lain under the power of the Enemy and have been thereby disabled to pay their debts yet are sued at Law and liable to great penalties Referred to the Council of State to receive from two Gentlemen a Proposition made by them for the great advance of Learning and Arts and to treat with the Gentlemen thereupon and report their opinions to the House Orders touching the Officers of the Customs Order for the Barons of the Exchequer and the Committee of the Revenue to consult together how the Arrears due by Papists may be collected and that the Arrears of Fee-farm rents be speedily paid Order for the Speaker to sign Letters from time to time tendered to him by the Committee of the Army Five Troopers condemned to die by the Council of War for a mutiny at the Bull in Bishopsgate-street refusing to march upon their Colonels Orders and violently fetching away the Colours from the Cornets quarters Upon their humble Petition the General pardoned them but another one Lockier was executed The Levellers were driven away from St. George's Hill in Surry by the Country people 27. Debate of the Act for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands Order for the Committee to meet touching Colonel Pophams arrears Sir Edward Harrington desired to be excused from taking the charge of the Kings Children Order for one thousand three hundred pound for Plymouth Garrison Mr. Andrews re-admitted a Member 28. The House spent the whole day about perfecting the Act for sale of Deans and Chapters Lands 30. The Act passed for Sale of Deans and Chapters Lands and ordered to be Printed An Act passed giving power to the Commissioners to administer an Oath agreed upon in some cases of the Customs Letters from Lancashire of their want of Bread so that many Families were starved that there were many Souldiers quartered pretending for Ireland shew no Commission yet make Assessments for fourteen shillings a week for a Horse-man and seize goods for default and free-quarter and give the seed Corn to their Horses Referred to the Council of State and by them to the General to reduce those in Lancashire An Act passed for Justices of Peace for the County Palatine of Lancashire as for other Counties By Order of the House the Speaker sent Letters to the Commissioners in the several Counties for the speedy collecting the Assessment of ninety thousand pound per mens for the Forces in England and Ireland Some who counterfeited the Pass of the Council and by pretence thereof got Money in Suffolk which they said was for the relief of Ireland were committed to Peter-house Order of the General that no Regiment that is to stay in England do entertain any of the Forces designed for Ireland Mr. Lockier a Trooper who was Shot to death by sentence of the Court Martial was buried in this manner About one hundred went before the Corps and five and six in a File the Corps was then brought with six Trumpets sounding a Souldiers Knell then the Troopers Horse came cloathed all over in mourning and led by a Footman The Corps was adorned with bundles of Rosemary one half stained in blood and the Sword of the deceased with them Some thousands followed in Ranks and Files all had Sea-Green and Black Ribbon tied on their Hats and to their Breasts and the Women brought up the Rear At the new Church-Yard in Westminster some thousands more of the better sort met them who thought not fit to march through the City many looked upon this Funeral as an affront to the Parliament and Army others called them Levellers but they took no notice of any of them Letters from Ireland that Colonel Tothills Regiment of one thousand two hundred and fifty was not landed but beaten back by Tempest to Anglesey That London-Derry could not hold out the Siege That Colonel Monk stood off and did nothing being as he said not in a capacity Letters from Newcastle that many in Cumberland and Westmerland died in the high ways for want of bread and divers left their habitations travelling with their Wives and Children to other parts to get relief but could have none That the Committees and Justices of the Peace of Cumberland Signed a Certificate That there were thirty thousand Families that had neither Seed nor Bread-corn nor Money to buy either and they desired a Collection for them which was made but much too little to relieve so great a multitude Letters from Berwick that the Scots troubles increase that there are among them five for the King for one against him that they are incensed at the death of the Duke and Marquess Huntly and expect an agreement with the King That they take divers English Cavaliers into their Army May 1649. May 1. Debate of an Act to make many things Treason in relation to the Common-wealth As malitiously to affirm the present Government to be tyrannical usurped on unlawful Or that the Commons in Parliament are not the Supream Authority or to endeavour to alter the Government Or to affirm the Parliament or Councel of State to be tyrannical or unlawful or to endeavour to subvert them or stir up Sedition against them Or for Souldiers to contrive the Death of their General or Lieutenant General or others to endeavour to raise Monies or War against the Parliament or to joyn to invade England or Ireland to counterfeit the Great Seal or to kill any Member of Parliament or Judge in their Duty An Act committed for settling the Republique Letters from General Popham from Faymouth that he fought with a Squadron of Prince Ruperts
which the House had formerly conferred upon him the House approved thereof and bestowed the place upon Mr. Hall to hold quam diu bene se gesserit An Act passed for altering the Seal of the Dutchy A Woman committed to the Marshal and ordered to be sent by a Justice of Peace to the House of Correction for abusing Sir James Harrington Order for a day of Humiliation to seek God for his Blessing upon the Expedition for Ireland Order for the Speaker to give a Pass for the Holland Ambassador to transport 4 Horses into Holland Custome free Order for the Attourney General to bring in an Act to prohibit the transportation of Horses Order that Mr. Attourney General Mr. Steel and Mr. Hurst should attend the Commissioners for Articles as Councel for the State An Act passed to settle the Master of the Mint Office A Letter from the General to the House recommending the Desires of the Grand Jury of Yorkshire to have Courts of Justice settled in that County referred to a Committee 500 l. ordered to the Dutch Officers C. Allured made Receiver of Yorkshire Letters from Dublin that the L. Mohun and his Troop ran away to the Enemy So did Sir William Armstrongs Troop and Lt. C. Yeomans Troop That Drogheda and divers other of the Parliaments Garrisons were besieged and could not hold out nor was C. Jones able to relieve them That C. Trevor and divers others out of C. Monks Quarters went to the Enemy That all Markets were hindered and all Provision very scarce and dear Letters from Bruxels that the Scots King was gone for France to salute the King and Queen and thence to go to the Queen his Mother who sent to him Piercy and Jermyn to let him know it was the Advice of the Councel of France and Hers that he agree with the Scots upon any Terms Upon Complaint to the States on behalf of the Scots King That some of the Parliaments Ships destroyed the Antelope in Helford Sluce the States ordered that the King had Liberty to act the same upon any of the Parliaments Ships in any Harbour within their Dominions Letters that a Fleet of English Ships in the Sound fought with the Danish Fleet about Demand of Custom and worsted the Danes but 7 Swedish Ships coming in and joyning with the Danes they worsted the English 7 Long Debate upon the Act for repealing several Statutes against pretended Sectaries and who come not to Church to hear Divine Service and recommitted The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland had leave before his going away to present several Petitions to the House for divers Friends which were read and Orders made upon them Letters from Dublin that Captain Otway beat up Ormonds Horse Guards killed 50 and took divers Prisoners that Inchequen besieged Tredah and was bravely repulsed and lost many Men. The Lieutenant of Ireland presented more Petitions to the House upon which Orders were made and divers of them were for Pensions to many Irish Gentlemen and Ladies in Distress Orders for stating Sir George Askue's Arrears and divers others and for Mr. Knight the Generals Chaplain to have Liberty to double upon the purchase of Deanes and Chapters Lands Votes against Ministers preaching and praying seditiously and against the present Authority and to promote the Interest of the Children of the late King or that disobey the Orders of Parliament that they shall be Sequestred Letters that some Malignants at Preston in Lancashire proclaimed Charles the Second King at the Market Cross and nothing was there done against them Letters from Ireland That Sir Robert Stuart had taken the Castle of Kilmore by Storm with 14 Guns and had lost 50 Men. That C. Jones by a Salley cut off 60 of Ormonds Men that Sir George Askue kept open the Passage by Water That the L. Inchequin sent a Summons to C. Jones to render Dublin to the use of the King To which he returned a smart Answer remembring Inchequin of his former Professions and Engagements for the Parliaments Cause and his now assisting the bloody Rebels and Papists against the Protestant English from which he advised him to desist least he bring Misery upon his own Family 10 Upon a Report of the Councel of State of the want of Powder referred back to them to consider of some fit way for the making and providing of Salt-peter And upon their Report the Committee was revived to treat with the Common Councel about borrowing 150000 l. for Ireland The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland went out of Town in very noble Equipage with Coaches and six Horses a piece his Life Guard of 80 who had all been Officers and a great number of Attendants A Petition of the Journey-men Taylors to the General for relieving their Fellows by a meeting for which they ask his leave Letters from Holland that the Scots King was come to Paris That in all his Journey he had such Entertainment as never before was given by Catholicks to one of the Protestant Religion 11 The day of publick Humiliation Letters from the Navy of several Vessels taken at Sea by Captain Harris with the Phaenix Frigot Upon the Lord Lieutenant his going to Ireland three Ministers did pray and the Lieutenant himself and Goff and C. Harrison did expound some places of Scripture excellently well and pertinent to the Occasion 12 Long Debate about the Act for sale of the Kings Lands The Common Councel provided to lend the Parliament 150000 l. for Ireland Letters that three Ships loaden with Corn were arrived at Dublin from Chester A Petition of the Officers ingaged for Ireland acknowledging the Integrity and Justice and Labour of the House and as their last Request they humbly pray That all Drunkenness profane Swearing Vncleanness Abuses of the Lords Day c. may be restrained not tolerated under their Power That Proceedings in Law may be in English cheap certain c. and all Suits and Differences first be arbitrated by three Neighbours and if they cannot determine it then to certify the Court. That all Mens Lands and Houses may be registred in every Parish with their Incumbrances That Tithes may be taken away and 2 s. in the pound paid for all Lands out of which the Ministers to be maintained and the Poor That publick Debts may be payed That Receivers may account and Prisoners for Debts be relieved Referred to the Committee to consider what things are fit to be done before the House adjourn and the Lord Lieutenant desired to return the thanks of the House to the Petitioners for their good Affections and for their Engagement for Ireland An Account of the Parliaments Navy that C. Dean with his Squadron lay upon the Western Road C. Popham between the Downs and Portsmouth and Blake blocked up Kingsale Sir George Askue lay in Dublin Road other Ships Northward and some to secure the Transportation of Corn and Provisions from Chester Bristol c. to Ireland 13 The Act for sale of the
Irish Quarters 20 Letters from Ireland That the Lord Lieutenant is before Clonmel That the Plague which is seldom known in Ireland was very hot in Lymerick and Killkenny That the Mayor of Waterford refused to admit Ormond into that Town saying That he was the Kings Lieutenant there That Ormond and Muskerry were gone away for France That much contention was amongst the Irish Officers and many of them desired to come and serve the King of Spain which the Spanish Ambassador in Ireland laboured to effect That about 80 of the Enemies Foot and 10 Horse of the Garrison of Clonmel went forth to fetch in Provisions but were fallen upon by some of the Parliaments Horse that Quartered near the Town who killed 23 of them and took 17 Prisoners and the Horses 21 Letters from Dublin of the taking of Balishanon a strong Fort and well manned by C. Hewson without the loss of one Man That there were great differences among the Irish and between them and the Kings Party and among the Cavaliers themselves 22 Letters that Prince Rupert was yet at Lisbon and had with him but 6 Ship and those not well manned Letters of many Robberies and wicked Actions and of a Butcher of Malton that hanged his Wife and of a Woman that burnt two of her Children assoon as she was delivered of them An Account of Forces Shipped for Ireland From Scotland That the Scots Commissioners are gone to Breda and that the King went from Beauvois to Breda and parted with the Queen his Mother who with Jermin returned to Paris The Heads of their Propositions to the King were That all who continue excommunicate by the Kirk may be removed from his Person That he would declare that he will by solemn Oath under his Hand and Seal allow the National Covenant of Scotland and the Covenant of the three Kingdoms and ratify all Acts concerning the Covenant Establishing Presbyterian Government the Directory of Worship the Confession of Faith and the Cateehism in Scotland as they are approved by the G. Assembly of the Kirk and by the Parliament there That he will consent that all matters civil be determined by the present and subsequent Parliaments and all matters Ecclesiastical by the ensuing general Assembly of the Kirk as was formerly agreed by his late Father 23 The Army Petitioned the Parliament That such as had Articles upon rendition of Towns and paid their Compositions and were not ingaged in the second War might not be taken within the late Act of Delinquents to remove out of London and Westminster Letters that the Lord Lieutenant had taken in Clonmel and slain 2000 of the Enemy there and was marched towards Waterford where Preston Commanded From Edenburgh That Mr. Douglas who preached to the Scots Parliament at their first Meeting admonished them to avoid the two Rocks of the Malignant Scilla and Sectarian Caribdis and doomâ—d both Malignants and Sectaries to be Heretical That the Scots Parliament sate but two dayes as is usual with them to confirm what work the Cabal had cut out for them and then adjourned to the 5th of May next That the Scots Army were about choosing of a Committee of themselves to purge the Army but with difficulty it was carryed to be referred to the Committee of Estates and they referred it to David Lesly 25. Letters That the Scots Commissioners were landed in Holland That a Ship came to Edenburgh from Holland with many German Officers expecting imployment there That the Scots Commissioners have Commission to take up 300000 l. Scots Money to gratify the King in case there be an Agreement Account of Recruits for Ireland and of proclaiming the Act for taking of the Ingagement at York and at Manchester From Milford Haven That the Country thereabout did unanimously take the Ingagement That Mr. Peters opened the matter to them and did much incourage them to take it 26. The Parliament Voted That the concernment of Articles relating to the late Act for removing Delinquents out of London c. be referred to the Commissioners for Articles to do therein according to Justice An Act for impowring Commissioners to put in execution all the Powers hereto fore given to Commissioners for compounding with Delinquents and for managing all Sequestred Estates and to the Committee of Habberdashers Hall Vote That all who have compounded and are now beyond Sea without leave their Estates shall be sequestred and the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall to put this Vote in Execution Vote that the Estate of Sir Christopher Hatton be forthwith sequestred Several other Votes touching Compositions of Delinquents An Act for such as hold the Estate of any Delinquent by Mortgage Judgement or Statute to compound for the Estate committed An Act passed for the Redemption of Captives 27. An Act passed for establishing an high Court of Justice and the Commissioners Names any 12 to be of the Quorum Letters from Tossiter of settling the Militia in that County Letters of a Charge given by Judge Nicholas at the Assizes at Sarum in vindication of the Proceedings of Parliament and of theirs and the Peoples power and the Original of it One was indicted for saying there was no Law and that a company of Rogues had beheaded the King and therefore there was no Law The Indictment was for scandalous words and he was found guilty fined 100 l. and imprisoned without Baile till the Fine was paid 28 An Act passed touching the way of collecting the Excise of Ale and Beer brewed and spent in private Families The Act for erecting the high Court of Justice proclaimed in Westminster Hall Letters that the Marquess of Hertford coming from London in obedience to the late Act for removing of Delinquents he resided at his House at Netley near Southampton and the day after he sent to the Governour of that Garrison to give him notice thereof and to assure him that he would not give any Offence to the Garrison The Governour returned a civil answer to the Marquesse and that as long as he continued in a peaceable manner not any from the Garrison should molest his Lordship From Daver That an English Hoy setting sail from Ostend for London Captain Evans by Commission from the Prince with eight or nine English and Flemmings put themselves into a ship Boat made up to the Hoy and boarded her about 2 Miles from Ostend at which the Governour shot from the Castle at Evans but could not reach him Thereupon he sent 50 Souldiers on board a Fisherman to rescue the Hoy who after a little skirmish in Dunkirk Road brought away the Hoy and stowed Evans and his company in the Hold upon which two or three French Troops came out from Dunkirk and set upon the Ostenders They because the Winds were cross and the French Troops pursuing them brought the Hoy and Prisoners and delivered them to the Governour of Dover Castle who committed Evans and his Fellows to the Marshal That the same Hoy was formerly taken
contract for Ships and Provisions to be sent to the Plantations in America Order about Monies for Convoyes An Act Passed for easing the Charge of Lords of Mannors and their Bayliffes in passing their Accounts in the Exchequer 6 Letters of some small Prizes brought into Plymouth That the Prince of Orange was dead of the Small Pox. 7 Letters That some Pyrates took three Ships out of Plymouth-Road at Noon-day That thousands came in voluntarily to take the Engagement without any Summons That the Commissioners for charitable uses at Taunton found out great Sums of Money due to the poor Letters That the L. Deputy gave a Defeat to the Enemy in Munster That those in Lymerick refused to Treat for Surrender of the Town and the L. Deputy prepared to build a Fort against it That the L. Ormond hanged some Mass-Priests and thereby lost the Affections of the Irish That C. Cooke fought with the Wickloe-Tories and took prisoner Shurlocke their great Captain That upon the L. Deputies Approach to Athelow they quitted the Town and burnt it and guarded the Pass over the River to the Castle That the Deputy left Sir Charles Coote there and marched to Lymerick and in the way took in several Garrisons That the Plague was much ceased in Ireland 9 Letters Of a London-Ship split upon the Rocks near Dartmouth That the Royal-Party and the Kirk-Party in Scotland were reconciled and all engaged against the English Army 11 Letters That 2000 were daily at work upon the new Fortifications at Leith and when they meet with a Rock they boar holes in it and blow it abroad with Gunpowder That Middleton refusing to come in when the King sent for him was Excommunicated by the Kirk That David Lesley's Army have no mind to fight with Middleton's men That they being upon the King's Interest only have to colour their Pretences set forth a Declaration Entituled A Declaration of the Noblemen in Arms for Vnion in the prosecution of the Cause of God and Relief of the Kingdoms That Middleton and the rest of his Party refused an Act of Indempnity unless they might be admitted as others to Places of Trust which the Kirk and Estates would not permit yet all of them are like to agree That the Scots prisoners taken at the Battel of Dunbar at their first coming to Newcastle got into the Gardens and fed so greedily upon the raw Cabbage that they poysoned their Bodies That 1600 of them died 500 more of them were sick and 900 in health who are set to work there 12 The Committee revived to examine some Complaints made against Ranters An Act committed for turning all Books of Law into English and for all Process and Proceedings in Courts of Justice to be in English The Act committed for the Assessment of 120000 l. per mensem Upon Report from the Councel of State several Votes passed in order for Reparation to the English Merchants who had been injured by the French An Act passed to make Prize of Portugal Ships and Merchandise The Parliament named the Sheriffs for the several Shires of England and Wales for the year enâ—â—ing Five of C. Barkstead's Souldiers rode the wooden Horse in Smithfield and two of them were whipped for attempting to rob in Smithfield and a Trooper condemned to be shot to death for killing his Fellow-Souldier 13 Letters That a Cook of a Ship of Bremen upon what Discontent was unknown did at Lee near Gravesend mix Mercury with the Pottage and poysoned the Master and 11 men being all in the Ship so that they all died within 24 hours after and the Murderer escaped away An Account of Provisions shipping from Pendennis for Ireland 14 An account of many Subscribing the Engagement at Oxon and of setling the Militia there Convoys appointed to be constantly attending upon the Merchants Ships and they required not to send abroad without them An Account of two Ships laden with Provisionâ—â—ent to G. Blake riding before Lisbon Recruits for Ireland who ran away and were retaken one of them was hanged and others did run the Gantelope for abusing some Countreymen and the Court-Martial published some Orders for preventing the like Inconveniences for the future Other Souldiers were punished for erroneous Tenents and scandalous Prophaneness 15 Letters That the E. of Clanrickard took in two or three little Places Garrison'd by the Parliaments Army That the Irish upon an advantage fell upon a party of C. Cookes men and the Dispute lasted many hours between them at length C. Cooke routed the Irish killed three or four hundred of them and took two Colonels prisoners Letters That some Waggoners of the G. with 36 traine Horses were surprized in their Quarters within a Mile of Edenburgh That C. Straughan was inclinable to come in and joyn with the English Army That the Laird of Brady one of the Commissioners that brought the King from Holland into Scotland came from the Court to the Committee of Estates and declared his sorrow for having a hand in that Action That the King removed to Dumferling fearing to be fetcht away by the Royal Party That Middleton was 8000 strong 18 Letters That the Army was quartered in Edenburgh Leith and the Villages 8 miles compass about That there are great Differences Discharge amongst the Scots and the King endeavours to reconcile all 19 Order of Parliament for Discharge of all Sums due for respit of Homage and Fines for Alienation and for all mean Rates c. Referred to a Committee to draw Instructions for the Barons of the Exchequer touching the Poll-Bill c. An Act passed for Regulating the making of Norwich-Stuffs Letters That many came away from Straughan to St. Johns Town and some from David Lesly came to Middleton The G. published a Proclamation That if any of his Souldiers were robbed or killed in the Country he would require restitution and life for life of the Parish where the fact should be committed unless they discovered the Offender 20 Letters of a Ship with Goods bound for Ireland taken by Scilly Pyrates near Minhead That the Princess of Orange was brought to bed of a Son 21 Letters Of Ministers rayling in their Pulpits in several Counties against the Present Government and yet that more than were summoned came in to take the Engagement That the Plague was ceased in Shrewsbury Of two Dutch Ships loaden cast away near Dartmouth Letters That C. Monk with a Party of 1600 was sent to take in Derlington-House a Nest of the Moss-Troopers who killed many Souldiers of the Army That M. G. Lambert came before the House and cast up their Batteries the same night so that their great Guns were ready to play the next Morning by the Break of Day That their great Shot played and the fourth Shot of their Mortar-piece tore the inner Gate beat down the Draw-Bridge into the Moat and killed the Lieutenant of the Moss-Troopers so that they called for Quarter Which would not
of the Defeat given to C. Ker. That there is a great Distraction and mighty Workings of God upon the hearts of divers Religious People in Scotland both Ministers and others much of it tending to the Justification of your Cause A Declaration was published in Scotland of the King and Committee of Estates concerning the Remonstrance of Col. Straughan and his Party And another Declaration and Resolution of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland 17 An Act passed for continuing two former Acts touching Elections in London of Commmon-Councel-men c. Vote That the Fee called Damna Clericorum or Dammage Cleer shall be taken away and an Act to be brought in for that purpose An Act passed for the Sale of the L. Deincourt's Lands Upon a Report from the Councel of State of all the Proceedings of the High Court of Justice upon the Trial of the King the House Ordered them to be Recorded amongst the Records of Parliament and to be transmitted into the Chancery and other Cours at Westminster and to the Custos Rotulorum of the several Counties That an Ambassador from the King of Portugal to the Parliament was arrived in the Isle of Wight 18 Letters from the Admirals at Sea That upon a Letter from the Councel of State to improve all Opportunities for the Service of the State he took the French Man of War and went on in pursuit of P. Rupert That Blake pursued the Prince to the Port of Carthagena belonging to the King of Spain where the Prince with five Ships was put in and Blake sent to the Governor That an Enemy to the State of England was come thither That he had Orders from the Parliament to pursue him c. and the King of Spain being in Amity with the Parliament Blake desired leave to take all Advantages there against an Enemy To this the Governor returned Answer That he could not take any Notice of the Difference of any Nations or Persons among themselves only such as were Declared Enemies to the King his Master that they came in thither for Safety and therefore he could not but give them Protection and that he would do the like to them assuring them all Safety if they also did come in whilst they should stay there That Blake sent a Reply pressing the Governour for leave to fall upon the Prince and thanking him for his Offer to himself But the Governour sent to the King of Spain to know his pleasure herein and in the mean time Blake waited without the Harbour That since the Defeat of C. Ker they took 100 Horse more about Aire and Col. Straughan came in to Major General Lambert with about 60 Horse many of them Officers Jasper Collins was hanged at Charing-Cross for extorting Money from the Countrey and other Outrages as he marched with Recruits towards Ireland Another was tied by the Thumbs to the Gibbet for concealing a Design to betray Walling-ford-Castle where he was a Souldier Two others whipped at the Gibbet for running from their Colours 19 Letters That the Money and Supplies sent from the Parliament to the Army were arrived at Leith That three of the Parliaments Souldiers defended a weak House three hours together in their Shirts against 100 Moss-Troopers 20 Letters That Prince Rupert came to Malago and other Ports and fired and sunk divers English Merchants Ships and demanded the Master of a London Ship who had signed the Petition against the Personal Treaty saying that he would boyl him in Pitch but the Governour of Malago refused to deliver up the Master to him Of a French Ship sent in Prize to Poole by Capt. Mildmay 21 Letters That Blake fell upon Prince Rupert in Malago Road sunk two or three of his Ships run on Shore and exposed to Ship-wrack the rest of his Fleet only two Ships escaped wherein it is conceived Prince Rupert and his Brother Prince Maurice were and Blake in chace of them That when the Great Guns and Mortar-pieces played against Edenburgh-Castle they hung out a Flag of Defiance but after they had played a while and some Execution done by them those in the Castle hung out another Flag for a Treaty And sent a Messenger to the General that they might have time to send to their Friends at Sterling to know by what time they might expect Relief from them and if their expectation was not answered therein that then they would treat for Surrender of the Castle Or if this should be denied then they desired that some of the Scots Prisoners with the General might be permitted to come into the Castle to speak with them which the General granted That the Souldiers in the Castle were many of them sick for want of Water 23 Letters That the Battery went on against Edenburgh Castle and dismounted three of their Guns and shattered their Platform in pieces Copies sent to the Parliament of the Summons sent by the General to the Governour of Edenburgh Castle with his Answer and the General 's Replies 24 Upon a Petition of the Adventurers for Lands in Ireland a Committee appointed to consider of it and to state the Matter of Fact of that Business An Act passed giving power to the Lieutenant General Deputy and Commissioners of Ireland and declaring several Laws to be in force in Ireland Order touching the Trade of Gold and Silver Wyer A safe Conduct granted for the Ambassador of Portugal to repair to London Upon Information by the Speaker That the Spanish Ambassador had been with him and delivered to him a Copy of the Credentials directed to the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England and Signed by the King of Spain the House Ordered That the Ambassador should have Audience The General sent his Letter to the Commanders at Chester Conwey and and other parts commanding That none of the Souldiers offer to give any Disturbance to Justice in the Case of Cheadle who had murdered Bulkley Letters That the High Court of Justice at Norfolk had condemned six of the Mutiniers in the late Insurrection who were Executed at Norwich 25 Letters That Prince Rupert was got on shoar in Spain and being demanded by C. Blake the King of Spain refused to deliver up the Person of the Prince but sent a Messenger to the Parliament about it 26 Letters That Sir Arthur Haselrigg and Mr. Scot members of the Councel of State were come to Edenburgh That the King made a Speech in the Parliament at St. Johns Town expressing much Joy that he was the first Covenanted King of the Nation 27 Letters That Major General Lambert was come to Edenburgh with C. Ker and other Prisoners That after much Execution done by the great Guns and Mortar-pieces in Edenburgh Castle and the General denying them to send to the Committee of Estates The Governour admitted a Treaty and the Commissioners agreed upon the Surrender of the Castle to the L. General Cromwel with all the Ordnance Arms Magazine and
Furniture of War upon Honourable Articles and Hostages given to perform them That in the Castle were 52 Pieces of Ordnance many of them Brass 1000 Arms and great store of Ammunition and Provision 28 The General published a Proclamation for the observation of the Articles for Surrender of Edenburg Castle by all the Officers and Souldiers of his Army on pain of Death 30 An Account of the Surrender of Edenburgh Castle with a Copy of the Articles of Rendition sent up to the Parliament This was related to be the first time that Edinburgh Castle was taken being the strongest and best fortified and provided in Scotland The Goods in it were of great Value but by the Articles the Owners had liberty to fetch them away The taking in of this chief Strength the Army not being far off yet affording no Relief was looked upon as very strange in relation to them and very successful as to the General and the Affairs of Parliament Letters That the Governour of Carlisle sent a Party of 1000 into Scotland who took in some small Forts and divers Prisoners and Goods The High Court of Justice proceeded to the Trial of several more Offenders in the late Insurrection in Norfolk 31 Upon the General his Letters of the Surrender of Edenburgh Castle the House ordered a Day of Thanksgiving for that and the other late Successes of the Parliaments Forces January 1650. 1 A particular Account of the whole Action of G. Blake in destroying of P. Rupert's Fleet. Letters of a Ship cast away in the West and upon the Shipwrack a Man and a Boy were cast into a Câ—â—ft and saved alive after they had lain there from Tuesday until Friday 2 An Examination of a Prisoner who related the Danger of the Lord Ormond Inchequin and others of the King's Party at Sea from Ireland And That the Popish Clergy had Excommunicated Ormond and all his Adherents That the Irish were got together 7000 Foot and 1500 Horse 3 A Corporal hanged for taking a Mare from a Constable and beating and wounding him and making Uproars in the Town and affrighting the People Another ran the Cantelope for Drunkenness and being found in bed with a Woman not his Wife Others whipped for running from their Colours 4 Letters That the Court at Sterling were much troubled at the Surrender of Edinburgh Castle 6 Letters That the Scots are agreed to make use of all sorts of their People in their Defensive War and Commissions are given to the Malignants but divers thereupon have laid down their Commands and are dissatisfied That the Kirk were now as zealous to admit the Malignants as they were formerly to purge them out of the Army That the Kirk have commanded notice to be taken in every Parish of those that speak favourably of the Sectaries that they may be Excommunicated And That he is called a Sectary who talks of a Malignant That the English Malignants are all received again That the High Court of Justice in Norfolk had Condemned twenty four Persons for the late Insurrection of whom twenty were Executed 7 An Act passed for setting apart the Day for publick Thanksgiving and a Declaration of the Grounds thereof Several Votes passed touching the publick Accounts of the Commonwealth and Augmentations for Maintenance of Ministers 8 Letters That the Irish would have cast off their King because of his agreeing with the Scots and aisoâ—ning his Fathers ways But That others excused the King as forced to do what he did in Scotland 9 Letters That some Merchants Ships of England making a stop at Crock-haven in Ireland the Irish came on Board them and pretended that they were weary of the King's Ministers and would be for the Parliament of England whereupon the Masters of the Ships invited them to Dinner on Ship-board and they again invited the Masters to a Dinner with them on Shoar That whilst the Masters were at Dinner with the Irish they had fitted out some Boats with Men and went and surprized and took the Ships and all the Men left in them 10 The Portugal Ambassador had Audience in the House and delivered his Credential Letters being rightly directed Prolocutori Parliamenti Reâ—publicae Angliae else they would not have received them 11 A Committee was appointed to meet with the Portugal Ambassador who spake to them in his own Language the Portuguese Tongue and recounted the ancient Amity between the Crown of Portugal and the Common-wealth of England the continuance whereof he said was desired by the King his Master The Chair-man of the Committee answered That they would report to the Parliament what his Excellency had said to them And so after Ceremonies they parted The Committee came in with the Mace before them into the Court of Wards Chamber prepared for the Ambassador after he was come thither but the Ambassador went first away Letters of the Crowning of the King at Schone in Scotland 13 Letters of the Ceremonies of the King's Coronation their Bonfires scattering of Monies riding in their Parliament Robes Healths and other Solemnities That their great Business is to levy new Forces all are received that will come in against the common Enemy the English Two Ministers were imprisoned for speaking against this That the South of Scotland do conform to the English Army pay Contribution and remain in their Habitations That divers of the Souldiers who were in Edenburgh Castle were imprisoned after the Surrender of it for Mutiny and forcing their Governour to yield it up That the Scots intend with a new Army to slip into England That the Marquess of Argyle and two of the Clergy put the Crown upon the King's Head which was Silver double gilt Order for 10 l. to be given to any one who shall apprehend a Felon and the Sheriff to pay it 14 An Act passed for continuance of the Committee of the Army and Treasurers at War An Act passed for encouraging the importation of Bullion An Act passed to authorize the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal to issue forth Commissions under the Great Seal to Delegates to hear and determine the Business of Mrs. Puckering and Mr. Welch who forced her to speak Words of Marriage to him and carried her forcibly out of England to Dunkirk And the Commissioners to have power to send for Parties and to examine all pretended Marriages of this Nature and as they find by the Proofs brought before them to give Sentence either to confirm or make void the said Marriages An Act passed for taking away Damage-Cleer Letters That the King was appointed Captain General of the Scots Army and Duke Hamilton is to be Lieutenant General David Lesley to be Major General and Middleton Lieutenant General of the Horse and Massey to be Major General of the English 15 Letters of a Woman hanged at Oxford who was recovered to Life again by the Doctors and said That she felt no Pain nor remembred any thing that was done to her at
the Judgment of Banishment against Lieutenant-Collonel Lilborne An Act passed to make void all Titles of Honour Dignities or Precedencies given by the late King since 4 June 1641. Referred to the Committee for considering of things of greatest Importance to take care for ascertaining the Debts on Publick Faith Order for constant Pay and Supplies for the Forces in Ireland Order for Moneys for Incident Charges to be disposed of by the Committee for removing Obstructions in the Sale of Forfeited Lands 4. One who undertook to cure the Blind and Deaf took Money before-hand of divers People and then ran away 5. Letters that by the late great Snows and Rain in Ireland the Waters rose so high that it drowned and spoiled most of the Corn and Provisions which the Rebels had got into Islands so that they were in a starving Condition That a Party of Collonel Venables men surprised some of the Rebels at their Markets took 20 Horse Slew 20 Men and 120 of them were Drowned 6. Letters that a Petition was presented to the Commissioners at Dalkeith that Dundee might chuse Officers according to their ancient Custome and Rights the Commissioners ordered them to bring in their Charter by a day A Copy of the Letter sent to Major-Ceneral Lambert and intended for the Lord-General Cromwell from the Lord Wareston and other Presbyterians setting forth That they made their Addresses to him because he had charge of those Forces that had unjustly Invaded that Land and had shed the Blood of many of the Saints of Scotland But they confess themselves justly punished for their late Treaty with the King but this doth no way justifie the Instruments They charge the Army with divers Errors countenancing of deposed Ministers to Preach silencing of Ministers that Preach of State proceedings and suffering Officers to Preach Scandalizing the Ministers subordinating the Church to the State in things of Christ which will tolerate the gathering of Churches in Scotland as it is in England Abridging the Assembly of the Kirke and imposing Magistrates principled against the Government of the Kirke They offer compliance in any thing not against their Conscience and the Liberty of the Kirke and Intreat the Major-General to imploy his indeavours with the rest of the Commissioners of England for the obtaining of their desires That the City of Edenburgh had a Commission to choose new Officers and such as should be chosen were to take an Oath of Fidelity to the Common-Wealth of England Letters That the Grandees of the Rebells in Ireland have often meetings to draw up Propositions in order to a Submission to the Parliament of England but cannot agree 7. Letters That many of the Commissioners of Shires and Buroughs in Scotland are chosen to attend the English Commissioners at Dalkeith The Committee for Regulating the Law presented several Results to the Committee of Parliament appointed to receive them 9. Letters That the Oath of Fidelity to the Common-wealth of England much troubled the new chosen Burgesses of Edenburgh That there were great Contests in their Presbyteries and contradictory Orders by them and Appeals to the English Commissioners The English Commissioners published another Declaration for equal Execution of Justice and for the present appointed Persons to Administer Justice till the Judicatories should be Established and forbid any power under the King or any other than under the Common-wealth of England Letters That the Army in Ireland was disposed into convenient Quarters to meet with the Enemy if they came abroad and Collonel Reynolds to lye with a nimble Party of 3000 Horse and Foot to be ready upon any occasion A Copy of the Articles between the Irish and the Duke of Lorraine sent to the Parliament whereby Lorraine was to have the Lordship Spiering Silvercroon Agent from the Queen of Sweden to the Parliament dyed in the Strand 10. The Act of Oblivion passed and some Provisoes to be added to it debated Order for paying Mariners and for lessening the publick charge Order for the Lord-General to send down all the Officers belonging to the Forces in Scotland which was upon Letters from the Commissioners A Declaration of the Inhabitants of Jersey of their Fidelity to the Parliament of England with praise to God for his Justice and giving Success to the Parliaments Forces and beating out the Tyrant Carteret That 3000 Subscribed this Declaration and took the Ingagement Of the opposition of the Presbyters in Devon ' 11. An Account of the Frigats on the Western-Coast and that a great Fleet of Dutch-men of War lay there abouts that the Dutch Captains were rough against the English and demanded Restitution of some of their Ships taken by the English 13. Letters That a small Party of Highlanders Murthered five of the Parliaments Soldiers in their Beds near Innerness and another Party stole away some Cattle That the Scots Ministers pray for their King and the Prisoners in England That Argyles Countrey refused the Warrants sent thither for Contribution by the Parliaments Officers The English Commissioners published a Proclamation against entertaining any Scots in their house without giving up their names to the Governour of the place and that no Scot have any Armes 14. Letters That the English Commissioners in Ireland had settled the Affairs there and were returned to Dublin That Collonel Hewson sent out a Party who killed a whole Troop of Tories except two only That Captain Clerk took 200 Tun of Wheat and Rye carrying to relieve Golloway That Bellitan a strong hold of the Rebels was Stormed by Collonel Zanchey and Collonel Axtell and taken and 4 or 500 of the Rebels killed The Parliament ordered their Committee to call together the Adventurers for Ireland who met and chose a Committee of their own to make Proposals to the Parliament for Setling that Business with their Consent From Sir George Ascues Fleet That he had taken Eleven Dutch and One English Ship at the Barbadoes And that Sir George Shot many Pieces at their chief Castle and they Shot at him and killed one man That he took Two more Dutch Ships loaden with Provisions and Horses Sugar c. That he sent Summons to the Lord Willoughby who answered that he would keep that place for the King That he was informed the King was near London and that all the Countrey came in to him as a Dutch Ship related to him 16. Letters That Sir George Ascue came within half a Musquet Shot of the Fort at the Barbadoes that the Ships he took there were of great Value That his Voyage thither was 10 Weeks and 2 Days yet none of his Men Sick The Commissioners from the Parliament in the Fleet with Sir George Ascue sent a Declaration to the Inhabitants of the Barbadoes to perswade them to submit to the Parliament of England and to desert the Lord Willoughby and his Party there that this course they thought fit to take before they used any acts of
mischief to the Exchange had they not been prevented The Parliaments Horse at the Mews taking the Allaram apprehended some of the Portugueses and the rest of them ran to the Ambassadors House whether Collonel Whaley pursued them and beset the Ambassadors House with his Horse acquainted him with the Murder and Insolency committed by his followers shewed him some of them whom he had taken Prisoners and required the chief of the rest to be delivered up to the hand of Justice The Ambassador insisted upon his priviledge as Ambassador but seeing nothing else would satisfy he at length delivered up his Brother and one of the Knights of Malta and some others and promised to secure the rest to be forth coming After which the Ambassador made his Address to the Lord General and chiefly for his Brother but the General told him the business did concern the publick and therefore his Excellencies Address must be to the Parliament and the Council of State 23. Letters that upon the complaints of the Merchants at Stockholm to the Queen of Sweedland of the Abuses they had received at Sea by the Holland Men of War the Queen clapt up two Dutch Merchants into Prison and seized upon all Dutch Mens Estates till She should be further satisfied The Brother of the Portugal Ambassador and his Company who committed the Murder at the Exchange were Examined by the Lord Chief Justice Rolles and the Ambassadors Brother and four others were Committed to Newgate in order to their Trial. 24. Letters That a Knight of Malta Commander of a Man of War of France took an English Merchant man in the Streights That the French Pickaroons did much mischief on the Coast near Jersey That Captain Chainberlain an old Pyrate sent a Letter to Colonel Hean Governour of Jersey That if the Jersey Men would not contribute toward his maintenance he Swore by the Heavens that he would throw as many of them as he did meet with into the bottom of the Sea 25. Letters of the Insolencies committed by the Highlanders That the Marquiss of Loignac travelling between Brussels and Dunkirk was murdered by Thieves and all his Company only the Post-boy hardly escaped 26. Letters of Merchant Ships arrived at Dartmonth safely and of some English Vessels taken by the Pickaroons of Brest Of a Prize brought into Plymouth which pretends to be a Sweedish Ship 28. Orders touching the account of Officers and Souldiers and Stating their Arrears and for paying and securing them out of forfeited Lands in Ireland Letters that Eight Dutch Men of War in the Streights had taken Fifteen Merchantmen of London and Bristol Trading from New-found Land with Fish to the Streights and two more of them were taken by a Brest Pickaroon at the Lands end Of divers Witches Examined and sent to Prison some of them called Black Witches who killed Men Women and Children and Cattle by their Witchcrafts and others of them called White Witches who healed them that were bewitched by the other and that this was Confessed by them 29 Letters that Mounsieur Chanute late Ambassadour from France to Sweden was now come Ambassadour Extraordinary to the States General and came with a very great Train The Dutch Deputies meet daily with the English Commissioners at White-hall about the Treaty of Peace 30 Letters of great Preparations in Holland to recruit their Navy That Middleton hath leave from the States to Transport what Armes and Amunition he pleased to Scotland That the Emperour had declared for the Scots King against the Commonwealth of England December 1653. 1 Letters that the Queen of Sweden had seized upon the Persons and Estates of some Dutch in Sweden which caused the Dane to fear her closure with England That the King of Denmarks Fleet of Fourteen Men of War met with several English Merchant-men and Examined them and finding that they were English let them pass quietly 2 Of mischiefs done by the Highlanders Of harmes done by the French Picaroons and Dutch Freebooters upon the Western Coasts 3 Of many Merchants Ships staying in Deal Road for Convoyes and that the Parliaments Fleet were most of them yet at Tilbury-Hope whither the rest of the Frigots were falling down to them as fast as they could get to be ready 5 Letters that the Barons of Athol refused to assist the Highlanders who thereupon took some of the Barons Prisoners and others of them fled to one of the English Garrisons and that this caused much discontent in the Country That the further Highlanders Plundered all that come in their way and every Two Men among them devour a Sheep in one day that when they have got Plunder they run home That they depend much upon Kenmores Party consisting of Scots Irish French and English that they will not Ingage with the English 6 General Blake General Monk General Desborough and General Pen made of the Committee of the Admiralty and Navy with divers others by Act of this Parliament for Six Months Letters of Sixteen Private Men of War at Brest of Four Prizes brought into Plymouth and of Three more great Ships taken 7 Orders taken for the Relief of Marleborough upon a Collection for the loss by the late Fire there 8 Letters of preparations for One hundred and twenty Ships to go forth from Holland in the Spring that the Lords there are close and silent That Middleton had great favour there Of several Frigots in Plymouth made ready to put to Sea 9 Letters of a Ship set upon by the Dutch at Leghorn-road but rescued by the Castle Of two Dutch Ships brought in Prize to Pool by Private Men of War that divers Dutch Pirates joyned with those of Brest That the Earl of Athols Men left him in the Highlands and his Tenants refused to pay him Rents of other small Parties in other places of Scotland 10 Of the Mischiefs done by the French Pickaroons and an English Frigot coming near them they hasted away That General Monck set Sail from Tilbury Hope with all the Ships then ready 12 Of differences between Glencarn and Glengary who shall be Superiour in Command of the Highlanders That the Gentlemen in those parts were summoned by the Commander in Chief of the Parliament Forces and most of them Signed an Engagement to be faithful to the Common-wealth of England and not to Assist the Highlanders That the Queen of Sweden was gone from Stock-holm to Vpsale 13 Upon a Report from the Committee touching Tithes That the Commissioners be sent into all Counties divided into Six Circuits Three Commissioners into each Circuit from London and Four or Six of every County The Commissioners to have Power to eject all Ministers who are not of good behaviour and holy in Conversation or not apt and able to teach or hold not forth the faithful Word or be not diligent or labour not in the Word and Doctrine nor be greedy of filthy lucre And that they be impowred to settle Godly and able Persons to settle the
their parts Provided this liberty be not extended to Popery or Prelacy nor to such as under the profession of Christ hold forth and practise Licentiousness XXXVIII That all Laws Statutes Ordinances and Clauses in any Law Statute and Ordinance to the contrary of the aforesaid Liberty shall be esteemed as null and void XXXIX That the Acts and Ordinances of Parliament made for the Sale or other Disposition of the Lands Rents and Hereditaments of the late King Queen and Prince of Arch-bishops and Bishops c. Deans and Chapters the Lands of Delinquents and Forest Lands or any of them or of any other Lands Tenements Rents and Hereditaments belonging to the Commonwealth shall no way be impeached or made invalid but shall remain good and firm And that the securities given by Act and Ordinance of Parliament for any sum or sums of money by any of the said Lands the Excise or by any other Publick Revenue and also the Securities given by the Publick Faith of the Nation and the engagement of the Publick Faith for satisfaction of Debts and Damages shall remain firm and good and not be made void and invalid upon any pretence whatsoever XL. That the Articles given to or made with the Enemy and afterwards confirmed by Parliament shall be performed and made good to the persons concerned therein And that such Appeals as were depending in the last Parliament for relief concerning Bills of Sale of Delinquents Estates may be heard and determined the next Parliament Any thing in this Writing or otherwise to the contrary notwithstanding XLI That every successive Lord Protector over these Nations shall take and subscribe a solemn Oath in the presence of the Council and such others as they shall call to them That he will seek the Peace Quiet and Welfare of these Nations cause Law and Justice to be equally Administred and that he will not violate or infringe the matters and things contained in this Writing and in all other things will to his Power and to the best of his understanding govern these Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs XLII That each person of the Council shall before they enter upon their Trust take and subscribe an Oath That they will be true and faithful in their Trust according to the best of their knowledge And that in the Election of every Successive Lord Protector they shall proceed therein impartially and do nothing therein for any promise fear favor or reward The Oath taken by His Highness Oliver Cromwel Lord Protector WHereas the Major part of the last Parliament judging that their sitting any longer as then constituted would not be for the good of this Common-wealth did Dissolve the same and by a Writing under their hands dated the Twelfth day of this instant December resigned unto Me their Powers and Authorities And whereas it was necessary thereupon That some speedy course should be taken for the settlement of these Nations upon such a Basis and Foundation as by the Blessing of God might be lasting secure Property and answer those great ends of Religion and Liberty so long contended for And upon full and mature Consideration had of the Form of Government hereunto annexed being satisfied that the same through Divine Assistance may answer the Ends afore-mentioned And having also been desired and advised aswell by several Persons of Interest and Fidelity in this Commonwealth as the Officers of the Army to take upon Me the Protection and Government of these Nations in the manner expressed in the said Form of Government I have accepted thereof and do hereby declare My acceptance accordingly And do promise in the presence of God That I will not violate or infringe the matters and things contained therein but to My power observe the same and cause them to be observed and shall in all other things to the best of My understanding Govern these Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs seeking their Peace and causing Justice and Law to be equally administred O. Cromwel Oliver Cromwell Captain General of all the Forces of this Commonwealth and now declared Lord Protector thereof did this Sixteenth day of December One thousand six hundred fifty three Sign this Writing and solemnly promise as is therein contained in presence of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England who Administred the same Oath and of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London divers of the Judges of the Land the Officers of State and Army and many other persons of Quality The Writing mentioned in the Oath was in these Words December 12. 1653. UPon a Motion this day made in the House that the sitting of this Parliament any longer as now Constituted will not be for the good of the Commonwealth And that therefore it was requisite to deliver up unto the Lord General Cromwel the Powers which they received from him These Members whose Names are underwritten have and do hereby resign their said Powers to his Excellency The same Day the Council did set forth this Proclamation BY THE COUNCIL WHereas the late Parliament Dissolving themselves and resigning their Powers and Authorities The Government of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland by a Lord Protector and Successive Trienial Parliaments is now Established And whereas Oliver Cromwell Captain-General of all the Forces of this Commonwealth is declared Lord Protector of the said Nations and hath accepted thereof We have therefore thought it necessary as we hereby do to make Publication of the Premises and strictly to Charge and Command all and every person and persons of what quality and condition soever in any of the said three Nations to take notice thereof and to conform and submit them selves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Majors Bayliffs and other Publick Ministers and Officers whom this may concern are required to cause this Proclamation to be forthwith Published in their respective Counties Cities Corporations and Market Towns To the end none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf Given at White-Hall this sixteenth day of December 1653. 17 The new Lord Protector observed new and great State and all Ceremonies and respects were paid to him by all sorts of Men as to their Prince 19 Letters that the Highlanders dispersed themselves for their Levys and intended to force unreasonable Contributions That some of them near Durham robbed the Post Boy took away his Letters Horse Coat and Twenty pence in money That Major Murryhead was taken Prisoner by a Party of the English he being on his Journey to the Highlanders That Captain Lisle with a Party of the English Army fell into the Enemies Quarters and took Two Captains one Cornet one Quarter-Master a Corporal and twenty private Souldiers and about forty Horse and some Armes fired the House and killed three Men and lost not one Man and but one wounded in the Thigh That by Order Captain Lisle met with Collonel Morgan and they marched seven Miles into the Highlands
fell into the Lord of Kinoules Quarters took seven or eight Prisoners and about twelve Horse killed one rescued the Lord of Egles Sheriff dispersed the Regiment and the Lord of Kinoule hardly escaped The Lord Protector was Proclaimed by sound of Trumpet in the Pallace yard at Westminster at the Old Exchange and several other places in London divers of the Councel and the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in their Robes with three Serjeants at Armes with their Maces and the Heraulds attending And command to Publish the same Proclamation in all Counties 20. Letters of a Dutch Prize taken by a Private Man of War and brought to Hull 21 A Proclamation Published by his Highness the Lord Protector with the consent of his Councel for continuing all Persons being in Office for the Execution of Publick Justice at the time of the late change of Government until his Highness further direction in these Words OLiver Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland considering That whereas the exercise of the chief Magistracy and the Administration of Government within the said Commonwealth is Invested and Established in his Highness assisted with a Council and lest thereupon the setled and ordinary course of Justice in the Commonwealth if remedy were not provided might receive interruption his Highness in his care of the State and publick Justice thereof reserving to future consideration the reformation and redress of any abuses by misgovernment upon better knowledge taken thereof is pleased and doth hereby expresly signifie declare and ordain by and with the advice and consent of his Council who have power until the meeting of the next Parliament to make Laws and Ordinances for the Peace and Welfare of these Nations where it shall be necessary which shall be binding and in force until Order shall be taken in Parliament concerning the same that all persons who on the Tenty day of this instant December were duly and lawfully possessed of any place of Judicature or Office of Authority Jurisdiction or Government within this Commonwealth shall be and shall so hold themselves continued in the said Offices and Places respectively as formerly they held and enjoyed the same and not otherwise until his Highness pleasure be further known And all Commissions Patents and other Grants which respect or relate unto the doing and executing of Publick Justice and all Proceedings of what Nature soever in Courts of Common Law or Equity or in the Court of Admiralty or by Commissioners of Sewers shall stand and be in the same and like force to all Intents and Purposes as the same were on the said Tenth day of this instant December until further Order given by his Highness therein And that in the mean time for preservation of the publick Peace and necessary proceedings in matters of Justice and for safety of the State all the said Persons of whatsoever Place Power Degree or Condition may not fail every one severally according to his respective Place Office or Charge to proceed in the performance and execution of all Duties thereunto belonging as formerly appertaining to them and every of them whilst the former Government was in being Given at White-Hall this 21st of December in the year of our Lord 1653. 22 Letters that the States of the Netherlands keep from their People the knowledge of the Offers of England for coalition and Peace with them Of great Preparations for the Sea against the Spring of above One hundred Sayl of Ships of War 23 Letters of the Highlanders dividing themselves in several Territories that they often remove their Quarters and are in want of Provisions That a Party of the English killed three and a Captain of the Lord Lords 24 Letters of two Dutch Prizes brought in by a Private Man of War That the Dutch about the Lands-end took an English Ship which came from New England That some French Wines were taken and brought into Deal That the Highlanders make so high Demands from the Country that they are not able to supply them 26 Letters that Captain Hart about Dumfrize with a Party of English pursued some of the Enemies by the tract of the Snow and fell upon them took Sixty five Horses sixteen Prisoners and many Armes and four of them slain they fought very Resolutly for a while Captain Hart lost but one Man and sixteen Wounded That the late Change of Government in England was well Resented by the Army in Scotland and they were unanimous to obey the Lord Protector That some Gentlemen about Ruthen Castle in Scotland sent to Captain Hill the Governour to know if an Enemy should come into those Parts whether he would give them leave to furnish the Enemy with Provisions c. to rid them out of the Country to which he answered That if any did so they should forfeit their Lives and Estates Then he showes them the Power of the State of England and their kind dealing with the People of Scotland under their Power and the inconsiderableness of those in Armes against the State of England concludes with an absolute forbidding of them to give any Assistance to the Enemy and to pay in their Sesses Letters from Swedland of the safe Arrival of the Lord Ambassadour Whitelock and of his gallant Reception there 27 The Lord Protector and his Councel passed several Ordinances For continuing the Excise and the Commissioners For the continuing the Act for Redemption of Captives For alteration of several Names and Formes used heretofore in Courts Writs Grants Patents Commissions c. and setling Proceedings in Courts of Law and Equity Divers Prizes taken by Captain Newberry between the Isle of Wight and the French Coast and several other Prizes taken and brought in by others of the Parliament Frigots 28 An Order Published of the Protector and his Counsel for reviving of a former Act for the Probat of Wills and granting Administrations Letters that Chanut Ambassadour from the French King with the States did freely offer to them an Alliance and Assistance from his Master if they would break with Spain and England That Captain Crispin pursued some French Vessels into Conquet Road where he Anchored and the Town and Country came down to assist the Pickaroons and Dutch there and Crispin made Two hundred and thirty great Shot into the Town and did much spoil to the Ships which got close under the Houses 29 The Lord Protector and his Councel sate very close in Ordering their dispatches to the several Forces in England Scotland and Ireland and to their Publick Ministers abroad 30 The Lord Protector with his Councel and the Officers of his Army kept a Day of Humiliation at Whitehall That the Lord Protector was Solemnly Proclaimed at Plymouth the Magistrates present in their Robes the Trumpets sounding and Guns firing the Bells Ringing and Shouts and great Acclamations of Joy of the People Of Two English Ships loaded with Masts c. coming from New England taken by three Dutch-men of War
Souldiery Industry of their Merchants and Artificers and Laboriousness of their Husbandmen They are generally much like the English and the more likely to Correspond and Agree in Amity with us They have store of Men Arms and Shipping to join with us upon any occasion and whereby both you and they may be strengthn'd against your Enemies and be the more considerable throughout the World They are Just and Faithful in their Actions and Undertakings as the English are and Honorable in their Performances nor are they Engaged to any of our Enemies or such as you may have Cause to suspect but their Differences and Contententions have rather been with those who have contended with you and therefore they are the more likely to observe their Alliance with you They first sought to his Highness and this Common-wealth for an Amity with us and sent several Persons of Honour as publick Ministers hither for that purpose and their Queen and the present King have Testified great affection to this Nation and justly expected some return of it from you again These and many other Motives grounded upon Reason and Wisdom of State persuaded those who sate at the Helm here to judge it fit to send from hence an Ambassador to that Crown to conclude an Amity with them for the Advantage of Trade and mutual Assistance of one another Herein their Judgment did not fail them it was very requisite to send an Ambassador thither but perhaps you may see a Failer of their Judgment in the Choice of a Person so unfit for so Weighty an Imployment Yet they would not excuse him you will believe that he had no Ambition for such a Service and at such a time but he obeyed the Commands of those whom he served undertook the Imployment and can say without Vanity performed his Duty therein to the utmost of his Capacity with Diligence and Faithfulness and God was pleased to own him in it I pass over the Dangerous Voyage by Sea in November through your then Enemies and the cold Journey by Land in December and come to the Court at Vpsale which was Splendid and High replenished not only with gallant outsides but with Persons of great Abilities within both of the Civil and Military Condition Upon my first Ignorance of their Ceremonies I fell into some dislike with several of their Grandees who thought me not enough submissive others thought the better of me for insisting upon the Right of my Nation Vindicating their Honour and not sneaking to those with whom I had to do I followed my own Reason and what pleased God to direct me for your Service and in order to the Good of the Protestant Interest In my Treaty I applyed my self upon all occasions to the Queen Her Self and never to the Senate wherewith Her Majesty was not distasted In the Transactions of my Affairs I Endeavoured to gain the best Intelligence I could from Home and from that Court and spared no cost to gain it the one made me the more considerable there the other was of great Advantage to me in my Negotiation But Sir I was to Incounter with great difficulties and opposition the King of Denmark's Ambassador the Holland Resident with all their Party and Friends some of the most Considerable in the Court and Army and of great Numbers opposed me and endeavoured to Affront me and my Company but by that were no Gainers The French Polish and German Publick Ministers as much as they could covertly sought to hinder me but on the other side I found the Spanish publick Mister there who was a Person of great Ingenuity and in much Favour with the Queen a great Friend and Assistant to me Several great Officers of the Army as General Wrangell Grave Horn Grave Wittenburge Grave Bannier Grave Leenhough and divers others were Friends to me and of the Civil Officers and other Senators the Baron Bundt Steinlorke Grave Tot the Rix Droit or Chief Justice the Grave Braghe and Chiefly the old Chancellor Oxenstiern was my Chief Friend and helper in my Business Prince Adolphe the present Kings Brother was no ill Willer to it the King that now is a great Friend to it and manifested more particular Respect to you in the Person of your Servant than he was ever known to do any of the like Quality or to any State whatsoever And the Queen her Self was resolved to have the Business done so much had I gained of her Favour and satisfied her of your Interest and Respects to her But above all some of my own Countrymen were fierce against me especially those of the Scots Nation both of the Army and Traders whom I little considered yet knew their humors and that they would rayl at me in the Morning and afterwards come to my Table to Dinner and I caused my Officers to welcome them accordingly To Counterwork these I was not without Friends of my own Nation whereof divers were of the like Condition and Eminent amongst them was the General Douglas a Scotch Gentle-man who was very Civil to me So was a true English Gentleman General Major Sir George Fleetwood a Person of great Interest and Respect in those Parts and with all that know him he Testified extraordinary Respect and Affection to you and to your Servant and was very Courteous and helpful to me Those who opposed or indeavoured to affront me in your Business I forbear to name not for their sakes but least it might be prejudicial to your Friends there and to your own future occasions But Sir we ought to look higher than to the greatest and wisest of Men it was the Goodness and Mercy of God who gave a Blessing to your Proceedings and a desired Success to this Treaty which we ought to acknowledg with humble Thankfulness and the weaker the Instruments were the more his Power and Goodness appears in it He was Pleased to give Success to that Negotiation under my hands and after many Delays and Debates and all the Opposition that could be made to give a Conclusion to it I made an Alliance betwixt the Common-wealth and that Crown Ratified by the then Queen and the present King under their hands and under their Great Seal of Sweden The Instrument thereof I presented to His Highness and His Councel at my Return home who caused a strict Perusal and Examination thereof to be made and finding it punctually according to my Instructions did approve of it and of my poor Service in it and His Highness Ratified the other part of the Treaty to which the Great Seal of England was affixed the transcript whereof with the Original of the other are at your Command to be produced I shall not presume to Judg of the Advantages by this Alliance to this Nation and to the Protestant Interest through the World this Honorable House are best able to Judge thereof and of the Duty of their Servant and his performance thereof who submits all to their Wisdom and savourable Construction And being
for the several Burgs in Scotland 23 Divers Noblemen and others of Scotland who had Fines imposed on them by an Ordinance of the Protector and his Council came into the English Commissioners to offer what they could for Remission of those Mulcts 25 Debate about the Ordinance for ejecting Scandalous and Ignorant Ministers and ordered that the Members for the several Counties do bring in the names of fit persons to be Commissioners in this Act in the respective Counties 26 An Ordinance of the Protector and his Councel made a little before the Parliament sat was now Published appointing Commissioners to survey Forests Mannors Lands c. of the late King Another for the taking an Act of moneys upon the Act for Propagation of the Gospel in Wales Another for bringing in several branches of the revenue under the management of the Commissioners of the Treasury and Exchequer Three small Prizes brought in 27 The Lord Louden late Chancellor of Scotland was seized upon by some of his own Party intending to make their Peace by him but he got off from them receiving a shot in his Neck Collonel Morgan came out of Scotland for England and Collonel Overton was sent into the north of Scotland to Command in his place Bremen sent Commissioners to the States of Holland to desire their assistance to repel the Swede Count William of Nassau went from one good Town to another in Holland feasting the Magistrates and people to gain their affections tâ— the Prince of Orange M. Howard Son to the Earl of Arundel slew one Mr. Holland in the passage going to the Star-Chamber where a Committee sat 28 The Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Councel of London Published their Order in pursuance of an Ordinance of the Lord Protector and his Councel for restraint of Hackney Coaches 29 A new Lord Mayor of London chosen Alderman Pack The new Sheriffs of London were Sworn in the Exchequer 30 The Grand Committee of Parliament debated the Articles of Government and came to some further Results and Votes upon several parts of them which they ordered to be Reported to the House forthwith October 1654. Oct. 2 The Marquess of Montross and his party in Scotland came in upon the like Articles as the Earl of Athol had done Those of Bremen were much put to it by the Swede 3 The business betwen England and the States of Holland in relation to their East-India Company was concluded by Commissioners on both parts to their Contentment Commissioners met to reconcile the differences betwixt the Sweeds and Bremen 4 A French Prize was brought in and seven more French Prizes Bankers sent in 5 Much Endeavour in Holland for setting up the Orange Party 6 The Parliament being resolved into a Grand Committee sat every day upon the Articles of Government Three Hundred Members of the House had subscribed the Recognition Letters of the Death of the Old Chancellor of Sweden Oxensterne and that his Son Grave Erit Oxensterne was to succeed him 7 Middleton ranged up and down in Argile Countrey in Scotland with about 40 Horse and some Foot but few came in to him to add to his Numbers 9 Twelve French ships taken by Captain Gethings and four more of the English Fleet. Some more Parliament men were chosen in Scotland 10 Divers Members returned for several places where they were Elected made their Elections in the House for which of those places they would serve and new Writs issued for Electing Members in the Places waved by them Questions about some of the Elections of Parliament men for Scotland were heard at the Committee of Priviledges In regard of the Plenty of Corn butter and Cheese which God gave us this year It was referred to a Committee to consider how some incouragement may be had for the transportation thereof and the Statutes in force against Ingrossers A Committee appointed to consider of the Ordinances made by the Protector and his Councel 11 The Solemn Fast kept 12 The House sat in a Grand Committee about the Government 13 The Highlanders in Scotland having stollen 100 Cattle from the Low-lands a Party of the English Army routed them killed a Lieutenant Collonel and one or two others and routed the rest 14 Lawson defeated the French in Caneda and took their Forts from them 16 Sir Mungo Murray taken Prisoner in the Highlands by Captain Elsemore and his Party routed 17 The Inhabitants of Ireland being very sensible of the mischiefs done to them by the Tories made head against them slew divers and brought their heads into Kilkenny The business of transplanting distasted the Irish more than any other thing At Delfe in Holland a Magazine of 700 barrels of Powder was casually set on Fire burnt about 300 Houses and a great Number of People and in the Hague 3 miles distant their glass windows were beaten down with the blow Four French Vessels sent in Prizes 18 Working in the Netherlands for advancement of the Party of the Prince of Orange 19 The House sat this day and the three former days in a Grand Committee about the Government and had much debate whether it should be Elective or Hereditary as to the single person the Protector of the Common-wealth 20 The Inhabitants of Edenburgh were very cross to the Parliaments Souldiers quartered among them 21 The Parliament continued sitting in a Grand Committee upon the Articles of Government 23 Four more French Prizes brought into Plimouth 24 Hammond one of the Parliaments Commissioners died at Dublin Two English Souldiers brought to the Gallows in Edenburgh for Robery one was hanged and the other saved by Lot and more Souldiers were then Scourged at the Gallows Foot for the same offence The Clergy in Scotland refused to observe the Fast-day ordered by the Protector it being their Principle Not to receive any directions for the keeping Fasts from the Civil Magistrate A Party of the Scots taken and killed in the Highlands by a small party of the English Forces 25 A Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for the relief of Creditors and poor prisoners The Committee for Religion sat and the Committee for regulating of the Chancery The Parliament approved and Confirmed the present Lord Deputy of Ireland the present Lords Commissioners of the great Seal of England the Commissioners of the Treasury and the two Chief Justices 26 The Parliament continued the consideration of the Government 27 Don Antonio Piementelle appointed to go Ambassador extraordinary from the King of Spain to the King of Sweden At Delph in Holland by the late fire 500 persons were Killed 250 wounded and 500 houses burnt to Ashes 28 Brest Pirates took four English Ships and Barques 30 The new Lord Maior of London Alderman Packe took his Oath before then Baronsof the Exchequer In a great Fire in Edenburgh the English Souldiers were so active to stop it that thereby they gained much upon the affections of
to Briars and Thorns they have nourished themselves under your shadow And that I may be clearly understood they have taken the opportunities from you Sitting from the hopes they had which with easie conjecture they might take up and conclude that there would be no Settlement and therefore they have framed their Designs preparing for the execution of them accordingly Now whether which appertains not to me to judg of on their behalf they had any occasion ministred for this and from whence they had it I list not to make any scrutiny or search but I will say this I think they had them not from me I am sure they had not from whence they had it is not my business now to discourse but that they had is obvious to every mans sense What preparations they have made to execute in such a season as they thought fit to take their opportunity from that I know not as men know things by conjecture but by certain demonstrable knowledg that they have been for some time past furnishing themselves with Arms nothing doubting but that they should have a Day for it and verily believing that whatsoever their former disappointments were they should have more done for them by and from our own Divisions than they were able to do for themselves I do not and I desire to be understood so that in all I have to say of this subject you will take it that I have no reservation in my mind to mingle things of Guess and Suspition with things of Fact but the things I am telling are of Fact things of evident demonstration These Weeds Briars and Thorns they have been preparing and have brought their Designs to some maturity by the advantages given to them as aforesaid from your Sitting and proceedings but by the waking eye that watched over that Cause that God will bless they have been and yet are disappointted And having mentioned that Cause I say that slighted Cause Let me speak a few words in behalf thereof though it may seem too long a digression Whosoever despiseth it and will say it is Non Causa pro Causa the all-searching Eye before mentioned will find out that Man and will judg him as one that regardeth not the Works of God nor the operations of his hands for which God hath threatned that he will cast men down and not build them up that because he can dispute and tell us He knew not where the Cause begun or where it is but modelleth it according to his own intellect and submits not to the appearances of God in the World therefore he lifts up his heel against God and mocketh at all his providences laughing at the observations made up not without Reason and the Scriptures but by the quickning and teaching Spirit which gives life to the other calling such observations Enthusiasms Such men I say no wonder if they stumble and fall backward and be broken and snared and taken by the things of which they are so maliciously and wilfully ignorant The Scriptures say The Rod hath a voice and he will make himself known and he will make himself known by the Judgments which he executeth and do we not think he will and does by the providences of Mercy and kindness which he hath for his People and for their just Liberties whom he loves as the Apple of his Eye Doth he not by them manifest himself And is he not thereby also seen giving Kingdoms for them giving men for them and People for their lives as it is in the 43. of Isaiah Is not this as fair a Lecture and as clear speaking as any thing our dark Reason left to the Letter of the Scriptures can collect from them By this voice has God spoken very loud on the behalf of his People by judging their Enemies in the late War and restoring them a liberty to worship with the freedom of their Consciences and freedom in their Estates and Persons when they do so And thus we have found the Cause of God by the Works of God which are the Testimony of God upon which Rock whosoever splits shall suffer shipwrack But it is Our Glory and it is Mine if I have any in the World concerning the Interest of those that have an Interest in a better World It is My Glory that I know a Cause which yet we have not lost but do hope we shall take a little pleasure rather to lose our Lives than lose But you will excuse this long digression I say unto you whilst you have bin in the midst of these Transactions that Party that Cavalleer Party I could wish some of them had thrust in here to have heard what I say the Cavalleer party have bin designing and preparing to put this Nation in blood again with a witness but because I am confident there are none of that Sort here therefore I shall say the less to that onely this I must tell you they have been making great preparations of Arms and I do believe will be made evident to you that they have raked out many thousands of Arms even all that this City could afford for divers Moneths last past But it will be said May we not arm Our selves for the Defence of our Houses will any body find fault for that No for that the reason of their doing so hath been as explicite and under as cleer proof as the fact of doing so for which I hope by the Justice of the Land some will in the face of the Nation Answer it with their lives and then the business will be pretty well out of doubt Banks of Money have been framing for these and other such like uses Letters have been issued with Privy Seals to as great Persons as most are in the Nation for the advance of Moneys which have been discovered to Us by the persons themselves Commissions for Regiments of Horse and Foot and Command of Castles have been like wise given from Charles Stuart since your Sitting and what the general insolencies of that party have been the honest people have been sensible of and can very well testifie It hath not been only thus but as in a Quinzey or Pleurisie where the humour fixeth in one part give it scope it will gather to that place to the hazarding of the whole and it is natural to do so till it destroy nature in that Person on whomsoever this befalls So likewise will those diseases take accidental Causes of aggravation of their distemper and this was that which I did assert that they have taken Acci dental Causes for the growing and encreasing of those Distempers as much as would have been in the natural body if timely remedy were not applyed And indeed things were come to that pass in respect of which I shall give you a particular account that no mortal Physician if the Great Physician had not stept in could have cured the Distemper Shall I lay this upon your Accompt or my own I am sure I can lâ—y it upon
of no Laws but from him then all the Right Priviledges and Estates we have are enjoyed by his Mercy only without the Execution of Laws no man hath more right to Lands or Goods than another nor is any mans Life under any security if another be stronger than he So that Cromwel owns and professes that the Bread that every man eats is by his mercy and if his Power was without limit as he says until he had put some bounds then 't is of his grace and favour only that all English-men have now a seeming Right in their Wives Children Servants Lives and Estates if his own limits of his Power gives any such right and if he please to throw away or burn by the hand of the Hang-man his limit in his Paper of Government who can controll him he may do what he list with things of his own making 't is the old English Proverb He that can bind can loose and he may do what he list also with the Authority of Parliaments if it be as he says of his own giving Now wherein doth a Patroons Power over his purchased Slave exceed this which Cromwel owns over us The Patroon can but give the Slave his Laws his Cloathes his Meat his Life and all those Cromwel owns to have given to us only he speaks it in such Language as sounds not so harshly Now after the Expence of so much precious Christian Blood for the setling the Rights and Liberties due unto us as Men and Christians when he that was trusted with an Army for that purpose hath so unworthily betrayed his Trust spilt innocent Blood like Water falcified all his Declarations Promises Protestations and Oathes and assumed to himself such a Dominion over our Country as is Destructive unto all Right and Liberty and renders us and our Posteritys Slaves to him and his Successors with the Payment of a Fifth or there abouts of our Estates certain in Taxes to be Intailed upon our Posterities besides other burthens we appeal to the conscience of every honest Man whether a present necessity and an incumbent duty be not upon us to Arm our selves in defence of our Ancient Laws and dearest Birth-rights against the present Imposter and Vsurper and we hope most of the present Army have not extinguished their love to their Countrys freedom although Cromwells hypocritical Professions Prayers and Tears have much deluded them but that they will readily concur with us and other honest English-men in our present attempt by Force of Armes to Redeem our Country out of the Vsurpers bonds and to seek those righteous ends which we do hereby Declare to be those for which we now hazard our Lives and with which we shall rest satisfied and return to our homes in Peace and they are those following viz. 1. That all assumed and Vsurped Powers and Authorities over our Countrey may be utterly Abolished 2. That the Government may be setled upon a just Basis with due bounds and limits to every Magistrate 3. That the ancient Liberties of England setled by Magna Charta the Petition of Right and other Laws may be secured inviolably That no Mans Person may be Molested Imprisoned Restrained or touched without a Legal Cause shewn in the Warrant whereby he is molested or restrained and that also in a due Course of the Laws known Proceedings without Conntermands from the will of any man whereas now mens Persons are troubled and restrained at will and destroyed by long Imprisonments no man knows for what And also that no Mans Estate may be liable to any disposal or prejudice but by the known Laws of the Land and the lawful Judgment of his equals 4. That free Successive Parliaments may be setled with times of their beginning and ending and with their ancient Power and Priviledges And that the Jurisdictive Power which Parliaments have taken upon them to Exercise in these times of War Distraction by taking upon them the Judgment of particular Causes concerning Mens Persons and Estates sometimes by their Committees and sometimes by themselves contrary to the known Proceedings of the Law that such Power we say may be Declared against and Provision made against the same that thereby Parliaments may be free from the temptations of Profit Friendship and all private Interests by which only they can be corrupted 5. That the Militia of the Nation may be so disposed that no man may be able to be Master of Parliaments and also that secure Provision may be made that no Parliament shall make it self perpetual and inslave the people to them And that such a settlement may be made of Right and Freedom and these our ends obtained and a peace firmly established we know no means under God but a truly free Parliament Now for the Defence of these our Rights and Liberties we are resolved to expose our Lives to the utmost hazards and we shall neither wrong nor oppose any man who doth not joyn himself to the present Vsurper to destroy or prevent these our Righteous ends and though we have reason to believe that no person fearing God or of Conscience Honour or Reason can satisfie himself to shed our innocent blood for seeking these things yet however we shall commit our selves and our just Caus to the tuâ—tion of the rightcous God and hope in his mercy that our endeavours may procure Justice Freedome Peace and Settlement unto this distracted Nation Many who viewed this Declaration knew there was too much of Truth in it and had not the Design been nipt in the Bud and timely Discovered and Prevented it might have caused some disturbance to the Protector and to the Peace of the New-Government but by the Commitment of the Chief Conspirators their Plot was crushed and the Peace not interrupted Divers wondred most that Wildman and others of his Party who had served the Parliament should now joyn in this Design with those of the Kings Party but they alledged the strengthening of themselves and their Power afterwards to suppress the Cavaliers or any other who should oppose their Ends but divers suspected their Designs at the bottom of it to intend the bringing in of the King because they conclude in their Declaration for a truly free Parliament which was the way for the Kings Restauration and that began now to be held fit and requisite by many sober and faithful Patriots who were distasted at the private Ambition of some and their Domineering and feared the Faction daily increasing that would prevent a firm Settlement of our Peace The Protector was jealous of many of his former Friends to be this way inclin'd and of Whitelock in particular which was thought one main reason of his sending him out of the way to Swedland and of his not taking him in to be of his Council March 1654. The Protector and his Counsel were very busie in framing New Ordinances to please the People Amongst them they had one in Consideration for regulating the Proceedings in Chancery which caused
them that they might not be burdensom to the Countrey The Houses approved the Letter to be sent from the City to the Army they sate late this night and ordered to sit again to morrow though Sunday 13. After the Evening Sermon the House sate and had a Letter from their Commissioners at St. Albans That Sir Tho. Widdrington and Col. White had acquainted the General with the additional instructions 14. Both Houses named a Committee to draw up a Declaration what they had done and intended to do for the ease of the People and for the Soldiery and for settlement of Peace and that a Committee was appointed to consider what place is fit for the King to come unto for the applications of both Kingdoms to be made to him for setling Peace Upon a Petition of divers Officers Order for a Declaration that hereafter none should presume on pain of Death to meet in a tumultuous way as they had lately done and the Militia to send a considerable Guard to the House Captain Falconbridge and Captain White ordered to bring the trained bands of Westminster for guards to the House A Committee of both Houses to draw a Declaration what the Army hath demanded and what the Houses have offered The Commons being informed that divers of the Parliaments old Officers and Soldiers were in the Hall and Palace they sent to them to withdraw Letters from Ireland that some of the Rebels were returned out of Scotland into Vlster That the Parliaments Commissioners and Col. Jones with some Forces were landed at Dublyn That the Lord Inchequin sent a Party to surprize some Castle near Waterford the Rebels Sallied out and were beaten back about a hundred of them slain and wounded many Prisoners and much Cattle taken 15. Order of both Houses that the General be required to deliver the Person of the King to such Persons as both Houses shall appoint to be placed at Richmond under such manner as they shall think fit to the intent that the Propositions agreed upon by both Kingdoms may be speedily presented to his Majesty for the setling a safe and well grounded Peace That the Persons to whom the King shall be delivered shall be the Commissioners now with him or any three of them That the Guards to receive Orders from the Commissioners shall be Col. Rossiter and his Regiment Order for Col. Birch to have the publique Faith for four thousand nine hundred pound upon his Accounts Officers whose accounts are not stated to have one months pay for Subsistence Order for the Committee of Indemnity to discharge those that are or shall be under restraint for any thing done tempore loco belli A Months Pay to Col. Graves his Forces Letters from the Commissioners in the Army informed that the Votes concerning those that would come away from the Army did much distast them The Results from the Army were 1. The Heads of a Charge against divers Members of the House of Commons which they delivered in to be speeded by the Parliament and when they should be admitted would appoint fit Persons on their and the Kingdoms behalf to prosecute and make good the same 2. If the Parliament shall admit these things at the desire of the Army and proceed for a general satisfaction therein then they desire 1. That the Persons Impeached may be suspended else they can expect no good issue if the same persons who have appeared most active in the late proceedings to the prejudice and provocation of the Army and hazarding the Peace of the Kingdom shall continue in the same Power and Judges of these things 2. For a Months Pay and a resolution thereupon in two days 3. That those of the Army may have as much Pay as they who have ingaged for Ireland or come away from the Army 4. That none who have so deserted the Army may have any more Pay till the rest of the Army be first satisfied in their Arrears 5. That during the transactions of this business the Parliament would not suffer as some have designed any new Forces to be raised in this Kingdom or to be brought out of any other Kingdom hither or any thing else to be done that may carry the Face of a new War or may indanger the settlement of the Liberties and Peace of this Kingdom 6. That the Parliament would be pleased without any delay to put these things into a speedy way of resolution and dispatch the present condition of the Kingdom and Army and of the King not admitting delayes 16. A Charge came to the Houses from Sir Tho. Fairfax and the Officers and Soldiers of the Army against eleven Members of the House of Commons whereby they are charged with obstructing the business of Ireland to have been Actors against the Army and against the laws and Liberties of the Subject and Obstructors of Justice The Members Charged were Denzill Hollis Esquire Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewis Sir John Clot-worthy Sir William Waller Sr. Jo. Maynard M. G. Massey Mr. Recorder Glyn Col. Walter Long Col. Edward Harley and Mr. Anthony Nichols After reading of the Charge the Members severally made some defence thereunto and desired it might be put into a speedy way of tryal A Declaration of the Army was sent from the Commissioners vindicating their proceedings and their desires for the setling and securing their own and the Kingdoms common rest freedom peace and safety The Commissioners of the City returned from the Army with expressions of Love and the Common Council voted to send a Letter to the Army with leave from the Houses that according to their desire no Forces shall be raised against them and that they will move the Parliament for Money to pay the Army and that they may withdraw further from the City The Army further desired of the Parliament 1. That the Houses may be speedily purged of such as ought not to sit there 2. That those persons who have abused the Parliament and Army and indangered the Kingdom may speedily be disabled from doing the like 3. That some time may be set for the continuance of this and future Parliaments and new Elections made successively according to the Bill for Triennial Parliaments 4. That Provision be made that future Parliaments may not be dissolved at the Kings pleasure without their consent but continue the set time 5. That the right of the People to represent to the Parliament their grievances by Petition may be vindicated 6. That the large Powers given to Committees or deputy Lieutenants during the War as appear not necessary to be continued may be taken away and such as are necessary may be put into a regulated way and left to as little Arbitrariness as the nature and necessity thereof will bear 7. They wish that the Kingdom may be righted and satisfied in point of Accounts and other things wherein the Common-wealth may be conceived to have been wronged 8. That publick Justice being satisfied by some few Examples
of the worst of excepted Persons some course may be taken by a general Act of Oblivion or otherwise whereby the seeds of future War or Fears may be taken away In these Declarations and transactions of the Army Col. Ireton was chiefly imployed or took upon him the business of the Pen. And having been bred in the middle Temple and learned some grounds of the Law of England and being of a working and laborious Brain and Fancy he set himself much upon these businesses and was therein encouraged and assisted by Lieutenant General Cromwell his Father in Law and by Col. Lambert who had likewise studied in the Inns of Court and was of a subtle and working brain An Account was given by the Commissioners of the City of their transactions with the Army and was approved by the House A Petition was presented to the General in the name of Bucks men subscribed by a thousand hands extolling the merits and atchievements of the General and Army and expressing their readiness to joyn with them to bring to just Censures any that should endeavor to make them odious to the Parliament or Kingdom Both Houses ordered That the several Orders made by the Committee of Safety for the Listing and drawing together of any Forces of Counties shall be void and also the Order for Col. Dalbier and others to bring in a list of such Gentlemen and Reformadoes as are willing to ingage in the Parliaments Service 17. Orders for securing of Arms and Ammunition and for a Pass for the Lord Lotherdale and other Scots to go the King and for a Months pay for the Army in part of the three months pay for disbanding or ingaging for Ireland Orders for a Letter to the General to require him to retreat with his Army forty miles from London and another to the Commissioners in the Army to acquaint them with the votes for a Months pay Upon Letters from Col. Blunt of the misdemeanors of Sir Robert Pyes Troopers in Kent the examination thereof and the easing of the County of Kent referred to a Committee An Ordinance pass'd for indemnity of the Forces that deserted the Army Order for a Months pay for Col. Rossiters Regiment and for the Forces of Tinmouth and Newcastle A Petition from Hartfordshire subscribed with twelve hundred hands and presented by two hundred Knights and Gentlemen to the General much to the same effect as the former from Essex Bucks c. and that Malignants might not be elected Members of Parliament nor put in any places of trust and that the Parliament and others who had received any of the Parliaments Money might be called to account 18. Orders for issuing Money for Soldiers and for Guards for the Treasurers The Letter from the Common-Council of London to the Army now brought to the House was not approved of 19. A second Letter from the Common-Council to Sir Thomas Fairfax was brought to the House for their approbation and after a long debate the House left the Common-Council to themselves to write what Letter they thought fit to the General and they sent one to the General and his Officers The Commissioners attending the King sent to Sir Thomas Fairfax to know his Answer to the Votes concerning the disposal of the Kings person to Richmond The Lord Mayor with the advice of the Aldermen and Common-Council published a command for all the Trained-Bands and Auxiliaries to appear at their Colours taking notice of their former backwardness for suppressing of tumults and unlawful Assemblies in the City It was strange to see how several Counties and the Citizens of London began to make all their applications to the General and Army omitting the Parliament and all looked upon the Army in the chief place and were affraid of doing any thing contrary to them Mr. Peters went to the King to New-Market and had much discourse with him 21. Letters from Major General Laugherne of an Insurrection in Wales who declared themselves for the King and Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Major General went to suppress them Letters from Major General Pointz for Commission to stop the mutinying of the Soldiers and for Pay for them Sir Peter Killegrew sent with Letters to the Commissiones attending the King and to the King with the Votes for his removing to Richmond Votes Passed upon the representation of the Army 1. That no Person that hath been in actual War against the Parliament or acted in the Commission of Array or voluntarily aided the King or received Pardon from him shall presume to sit in the House 2. That if they do sit they shall incur the displeasure of the House 3. That the Committee for examining such cases be revived 4. That a Declaration be brought in for any who have any charge against any Member of the House to come in 5. That the Committee bring in by a day such charges as are already before them against by any Members 6. That the Report of Elections be brought in by a short day Orders for Pay of the Soldiers Divers Censures pass'd upon the Parliament for their Cow Votes and resolution to comply with a Mutinous Army who had their Pay and Power from them Others approved them as prudent respecting the time and to avoid blood Some wished the first Votes and severe prosecuting the business of disbanding had been declined which occasioned this trouble Cromwell began now to mount still higher and carried his business with great subtilty An Impeachment was against his Enemies in Parliament and business of the Army guided by his Son in Law Ireton and others under Cromwell Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax of his submission to the Votes of Parliament for the Kings going to Richmond and the House ordered the house to be prepared for him The Agitators of the Army sent to the Trinity-House concerning the Navy Ordered that Sir Robert Pye's Troop do not return to the Army without leave of the Parliament Sir Thomas Fairfax published a Proclamation that no Soldier of his Army molest any Countrey men or others or abuse any in their Quarters or Marches 22. Letters from the General and Commissioners in the Army of the receipt of the Parliaments Votes and the Moneths Pay and that shortly there would be a Council of War about them and then would be returned a positive and no doubt a satisfactory answer Order for proceedings against Judge Jenkins and Mr. Sollicitor St. John Sergeant Jermyn Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. Prynne to prosecute him Order for a Months Pay for the Forces of the Northern Association and for Major General Pointz to secure such as disturb his Forces and to quiet his Regiments Order to put out the Justices of Peace as were of the Insurrection in Wales and the Letters of Major General Laugherne to be sent to the G. desiring him to take care for quieting those distempers about which the General sent to them and for supplyes for Laughernes Forces The Ordinance pass'd for
Declaration upon the Votes touching the Kings Person and ordered those to be Sequestred who shall do any thing contrary to those Votes and they were ordered to be Printed and published A Declaration was presented to the House of Peers from the General and his Councel of War That they resolved to endeavour to preserve Peerage and the Rights of the Peers of England notwithstanding any Scandals upon them to the contrary The Officers who presented this Declaration were called into the Lords House and desired to return the thanks of the House to the General and to the Councel of War and the Officers of the Army 18. Mr. Chapman referred to the Committee of Complaints for sending a Warrant to summon a meeting of the Countrey near Reading to consider of a Petition The Manuscripts and Books in White-Hall because of Soldiers being there were ordered to be removed to St. Jame's House and placed there which Whitelocke furthered in order to the preservation of those rare Monuments of Learning and Antiquity which were in that Library Debate touching the Scots Papers and the Arrears due to that Kingdom The Lords informed the Commons at a Conference of a meeting under pretence of agreeing to a Petition to the Parliament where Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne and others spake very disgracefully of the two Houses and that there appeared to be a design of many thousands intended under a colour of a Petition to dishonour the Parliament and their proceedings That their Lordships had sent to the Lieutenant of the Tower to know why he permitted Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne whom they had formerly Committed to his Custody to go abroad who returned answer That he had an order for it from the House of Commons and the Lords desired that no occasion might be given to hinder the Vnion and Affection between the two Houses Upon much debate of this business by the Commons they repealed their Order formerly made for Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne's Liberty and ordered him to be brought to their Bar to morrow and they further ordered that M. Wildman be taken into Custody by the Sergeant at Armes 19. Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne was called into the House and made a large answer to the Information against him The reading of proofs and examination of the business held till six a clock at night and then the House ordered that he be committed to the Tower and be tryed by the Law of the Land for Seditious and Scandalous Practices against the State And that M. Wildman be committed to Newgate and tryed according to Law for Treasonable and Seditious Practices against the State That Mr. Sollicitor and all the Lawyers of the House take care to prepare the Charge against them and to bring them to Tryal next Term. The Lord Willoughby and other Impeached Lords sent a Letter to the House of Peers That after so long a restraint and no Prosecution against them they might have their Liberty The Lords discharged them of their Imprisonment and ordered a Declaration to be drawn That no Peer shall hereafter be under restraint upon a general charge above ten days This gave great offence to many of the House of Commons which they shewed afterwards Upon Letters from the General that one Lieutenant Collonel Lee in Office about Bishops Lands had intercepted Letters which the General sent to Col. Lilburne Governor of New-castle and had opened and detained some of them the House referred it to a Committee to be examined and punished 20. Upon Information that L. C. Lilburn and M. Wildman were not carried to Prison according to the order of the House and that some of their Party had given out words that they should not go to Prison and that there was a great meeting to be at Deptford in Kent about their Petition Ordered that the Officers of the Guards do assist the Sergeant in carrying of them to Prison which was done and that the Committee of Kent take care to suppress all meetings upon that Petition and to prevent all tumults and that the Militia of London c. take care to suppress such meetings and to prevent inconveniences which may arise thereby and upon the said Petition intituled The Petition of many thousands of the free-born People of England c. They ordered a Declaration to undeceive the People to shew them the dangerous consequences that will arise by such practices The House pass'd a Declaration of their real intentions to pay the remainder of the Money due to Scotland and several Ordinances for the advancing of it 21. The House sate all day in a grand Committee about the business of Ireland 22. Order for a new Ordinance to suppress all Stage-plays and for taking down all their Boxes and Seats where they Act and they ordered that the Lord Major Sheriffs and Justices of Peace and Committees of the Militia c. take care to suppress all Stage-plays for the future An Ordinance passed both Houses for making the Earl of Pembroke Chancellor of Oxford Some added to the Committee of Safety and the Committee required to take care for suppressing all tumults and insurrections c. Rumors increased of tumults like to be in the City and many spoke disgracefully of the Parliament 24. Upon Letters from Vice-Admiral Rainsborough that the Ships of the Irish Rebels were in many Roads and had taken divers of our Merchants Ships and that care might be taken for making ready the Summers Fleet. The House ordered seventy thousand pound out of the Excise for the use of the Navy Captain Burley was tryed upon a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for the late insurrection in the Isle of Wight and the Jury found him guilty of high Treason and Judgment was given against him but execution respited Others of the Conspirators were found guilty of a Riot and were deeply fined The Grand Jury of Hamp-shire at the Execution of the Commission of Oyer and Terminer presented a Declaration to be presented to the House of Commons wherein they acknowledged the Goodness and Wisdom of the Parliament in the Votes of no further Addresses to the King and declared their readiness to joyn with the Parliament in setling the Peace of the Kingdom The House of Peers ordered an Ordinance to be drawn giving up the Lords who by reason of their offences had not liberty to sit in Parliament to be prosecuted by Suits of Law and their attendants as if there were no Parliament Order for the Earl of Salisbury to have the refusal of the Purchase of Worcester House at the rate of Bishops Lands Several Ordinances past both Houses for an hundred pound to Sir Arthur Blundell and for a hundred pound to Sir John Burlace for addition of Committee-men against Papists and Delinquents about London for fifty pound to Capt. St. George and for the Committee at Derby-House Letters from Kent That the tumults there were quieted A Letter of thanks ordered to the Gentry of Hampshire Order that the