of that vast Charge is saved yet neither Custome Excise nor Taxes made lower but rather encreased the Souldiers Petitioning for a larger Taxe that free Quarter the greater oppression indeed of the two might be avoided Severall Troopers who pretended a Liberty to Petition without the consent of their Officers are punished five of them are condemned first to ride with their Faces to the Horse Tail then to have their Swords broke over their Heads and lastly to be cashiered a Letter which they had concerning the aforesaid Liberty being judged pernicious and scandalous to the Parliament and Counsell of State About this time began those great disturbances both in Army and Parliament occasioned by the distast given to Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburne by the Parliaments denying some desires of his But because the Discourse of it would now be too tedious we shall let it alone till we come to treat of its Effects But let us return now a little to Scotland where the Parliament upon rumours that the English Army were marching towards them prepare to resist and Vote the raising for their present defence 2000 Horse and 6000 Foot whilest the Lord Seaforth and Collonel Heisell are busied in fortifying Enderness and other strong places in the North all being resolved to defend and maintain the Cause of Charles the Second with their lives and fortunes many Englishmen flocking to them In the mean time Prince Rupert makes great Havock of the Merchants Ships and Goods in the English and Irish Seas which makes the Parliament hasten out their Fleet under the Command of Popham Dean and Blake as aforesaid And now on the ninth of March 1648. those three Lords Duke Hamilton as Earl of Cambridge the Earl of Holland and Lord Capell were beheaded in the new Palace-yard Westminster for having raised Arms against the Parliament nor could Duke Hamiltons pretending himself a stranger and not subject to the Laws of England nor the Lord Capells claiming the Lord Generals promise of Quarter finde them voices enough to save their lives though the Lord Goring and Sr John Owen escaped by Superiority of voices They all three died resolutely and handsomely befitting men of so noble descents The Parliament in some things to answer the Armies Petition Order a release of all Prisoners who were not in a capacity to pay their Debts the Commission nevertheless extending to the seizure of all their Estate and Moveables to pay as far as they will go They likewise Enact a rebate in Usury that none should take above six in the hundred which is an ease to the poor but a plague to the rich The 14th of March arrives at London Master Belford from the Parliament of Scotland who brings Letters expressing their high resentment for the securing of their Commissioners they assure them that they owned the Paper sent by their Commissioners by sending another Transcript of it so their Commissioners are discharged and it referred to the Counsell of State to send them an Answer The Parliament proceed in consideration of what was to be done in the farther punishing of offendors and Vote that fifteen be banished whereof the Marquess of Winchester the Lords Bristoll Cottington and Digby are four Judge Jenkins and Sr John Stowell are Ordered to be tried at the Kings Bench Bar. That Collonel Laughorne Powell and Poyer or any others who have held out any Castle or Fort since the first of March 1648. to be tried by a Counsell of War They proceed to the Confiscation of the Estates of the Prince of Wales Duke of York Duke of Buckingham Earl of Bristoll Earl of Newcastle Earl of Worcester Lord Digby Sr William Widdrington Sr Phillip Musgrave Sr Marmaduke Langdale Sr Richard Grimvile Sir Francis Dodington Sr Iohn Culpepper and Sr Iohn Byron any of which being taken in England are to die without mercy The Banishment of the Marquess of Winchester is remitted at last and he with Bishop Wren Voted imprisonment in the Tower during the Parliaments pleasure Brown Bushell is also Voted to be tried for his life The Parliament hoping to justifie their actions to the world abroad by Logick as well as they had done it by force at home cause a large and specious Declaration to be drawn up shewing the causes of their Actions and Proceedings against their late King and of the Alteration of the Government which they order to be Printed in Latin French Dutch and Italian the better to satisfie as they dream't the rest of the Christian world The Lieutenant Generall Cromwell now comes in play again action being so naturall to him he being appointed Generalissimo of those 12000 Horse and Foot which are Voted to be sent for the relief of Ireland and the reducing of Ormond Inchequeen and Owen Roe who had now made a full conjunction and lay neare Dublin with 22000 Men. And now the Parliament by their Act and Declaration of the 19th of February dissolve all Kingly Government disheriting the late Kings Children or any other from any claim right or title to the Government of England Wales or Ireland or any of the Honours Mannors Lands Tenements Possessions or Hereditaments belonging or appertaining to the Crown of England or Ireland And they by the same Act discharge and absolve all the people of England Wales and Ireland of what degree or condition soever from all Fealty Homage and Allegiance which is or shall be pretended due to any of the Issue and Posterity of the late King or any claiming under him This Act the Parliament Order to be proclaimed in the City of London by the Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs in Person and likewise in the chief places of the Nation to which purpose Writs are sent down to the Sheriffs of the respective Counties But the Lord Mayor and severall of the Aldermen whose consciences would not permit them to proclaim it refusing to do it put a demur upon it throughout the whole Nation the effects of which the Parliament fearing called him to the Bar of the House and finding him resolved Order the degradation of him Alderman Bunce and three Aldermen more Alderman Andrews being found fit for the Parliaments purpose is appointed to sit on the Bench in the late Lord Mayors stead who readily executed the Parliaments Commands The Parliament Constitute a Committee for the sale of Parks Chases and Forrest-Lands of whom any three have power and authority to Act. The 24th of March the Castle of Pomfret which had held out near nine Moneths was forced to surrender for want of Ammunition The private Souldiers who were most of them inhabitants of Yorkeshire had liberty by Articles to go home to their habitations but the Governour and some others were exempted from Quarter nevertheless Lieutenant Collonel Morris the Governour escaped The Scotch Commissioners are at last dispatched to the King with full Instructions to treat with him of which the chief were First That his Majesty take the Covenant Secondly That he put from him all who have assisted
Leaguer at St Jones and with a great part of their Horse and Foot advance to oppose the Lieutenant Generals passage The Lord Generall to divert their design leads on in person on the other side of Worcester which he had undertook to attaque two Regiments of Foot Collonel Hookers Horse and his own Lifeguard whilest Fleetwood with Collonel Goffs and Deans Regiments of Foot marches on to a Hedge-fight which the Scots thought most secure and stoutly maintained their ground till the fresh supply of Blakes Gibbons and Marshes Regiments force them to retire to Pawick Bridge where they are again engaged by Collonel Hayns Cobbets and Matthews Regiments and at length still overpowred by the Enemyes fresh supplyes forced to retreat in some disorderly hast into Worcester Their success being so bad on this side against Lieutenant Generall Fleetwood they resolve to trie if they could have better fortune against Cromwell on the other side Therefore on a suddain they sally out with all the Horse and Foot they could and at the first shock made Cromwels men retire somewhat disorderly the King himself performing the duty of a valiant Commander in the head of his Horse but at length overpowred by their numerous fresh supplyes they were put to the rout The Horse flying amain towards the North and the Foot into Worcester followed at the heels by their victors who entred the Town with them which they sacked killed or took most of the Scots prisoners who found life or death according to the mercy of those into whose hands they fell From this Battell there escaped only about 3000 Horse most or all the Infantry being either slain or taken and near 100 prisoners of quality of which the chief were Duke Hamilton Earl of Shrewsbury Earl of Derby who fell now into Collonel Lilburnes hands though he mist him before Earl of Cleaveland Earl of Lauderdail Earl of Rothes Earl of Carnwath Earl of Kelly Lord Spine Sir John Packington Sr Charles Cunningham Sir Ralph Clare Major Generall Piscotty Major Generall Montgomery Collonel Graves and Mr Richard Fanshaw Secretary to his Majesty The number of the prisoners in the whole was given out to be near 10000 together with whom was taken the Kings Standard Coach and Horses Collar of SS and Star-Cloak Major Generall Massey likewise though he escaped the Battell yet not finding any secure shelter and being grievously wounded surrendred himself prisoner to the Countess of Stamford and was secured by the Lord Grey of Groby her son and after recovery of his wounds by him sent up to London from whence he shortly after escaped The News of this victory extreamly rejoyced the Parliament at Westminster who nevertheless were somewhat sorry for the escape of the King of Scots who notwithstanding the great search made for him and the Fine set upon his head escaped For after having quitted the field at Worcester he with only one servant with him retired into the Woods where he hid himself two or three dayes till at length coming to a Gentlemans house who had formerly been a servant of his Fathers he was by him conveyed to a noble Esquires house in that County where he lay disguised near two Moneths till the heat of the search was over from whence he came up to London as servant to a Gentlewoman and so at fit opportunity escaped into France Many of the Scotch Nobility were about this time taken by Generall Monck in Scotland at a place called Ellet where they were met together to negotiate the royall affairs viz. old Generall Lesley Earl of Marshall Earl of Craford Lord Keith Lord Ogilby Lord Bargayny Lord Huntly Lord Lee with many other Knights Gentlemen and Ministers who were shortly after sent by Sea to London The Lord Generall Cromwell after his great victory at Worcester on the third of September his ever propitious day on the eighth sets forward towards London where arriving on the twelfth he was met by the Speaker and most of the Members of Parliament the President of the Counsell of State the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London with great acclamations of joy and acknowledgement of the Parliaments obligation to him for his eminent services which was expressed by the Speaker in a very elegant speech Shortly after two of the Parliaments Chieftains left this world both men of eminent conduct the one Generall Popham one of the Admirals of their Fleet who was a man from whom all men expected excellent service for them had his dayes been prolonged The other the Lord Deputy Ireton who died of the plague under the Walls of Limerick whose body or a Coffin in its stead was afterwards brought over into England and laid in State in Sommerset-House and from thence carried with as much pomp as ever any Kings of England since the conquest to be interred in Westminster Abbey where his Effigies was likewise set up in requitall of his many services he having a long time been one of the Parliaments fortunate Commanders In the mean time the Parliament take order for the speedy reducing of the Islands of Gersey and Man in pursuance whereof Collonel Haynes with two Regiments of Foot and four Troops of Horse set sail out of Weymouth the 16 of October and arriving at Gersey though they found some opposition at Landing yet they easily forced their way and soon possessed themselves of the Island all the Forts in it being presently delivered to them except Elizabeth Castle which held out till the middle of December and was then surrendred upon Articles Collonel Duckenfield with his own Generall Cromwels and Generall Deans Regiments of Foot and two Troops of Horse on the 14th of October departed out of the Bay of Reaumorris towards the Island of Man and arriving there on the 17th in Ramsey-Bay there came aboard to them an Islander to assure them that they should have no opposition in their Landing that they might come securely under their Forts which they had taken possession of for them that only two Castles held out viz. Peel and Rushen which were held by the Forces of the Countess of Derby which they would help them to reduce He is at first distrusted having nothing in writing to show but Major Fox being sent ashore findes it true so the Army lands and besieges both the Castles of Peel and Rushen which after short time delivered up with bloud to Collonel Duckenfield for the use of the Parliament on the 26th of October 1651 where there was found good store of provision and Ammunition of all sorts Shortly after was surrendred to the Parliaments Forces the strong and impregnable hold of Corne-Castle in the Isle of Guernsey with good conditions to the defendants consideration being had to the strength of the place and the bloud might probably be yet spent in reducing it per force or the charge they must necessarily have been at in starving it out it being still found very well victualled Notwithstanding that numerous company of Noble men
their callings and submit themselves to the Laws of the Nation and the Magistracy they lived under But whilest we are talking of this crabbed sowr generation let me give an account of one passage of them in New-England The Governour there being troubled with their disturbances and abuses both of Magistracy and Ministry made a Law for their banishment that if any of them came thither again they should at their first coming be whipt and sent away at the second lose their Ears but if they still persisted their lives should be forfeit According to this Law some of them still being obstinate notwithstanding they had been whipt at Boston returned Whereupon the Governour ordering their ears to be cut off according to Law shortly after he received a Letter from one Humphrey Norton a Quaker from about fifty Miles from Boston which because of the horribly blasphemous curses in it I shall insert the heads of Thus he begins Accursed are thy Rulers thou Town of Boston for they are become the High Priests servants and have cut off the Saints right Ears Accursed are thy Teachers for they are the troop of Robbers which murther in the high way by consent Accursed are thy people who vote up and consent unto their actions of bloodshed murther and cruelty Accursed is that Counsell that sits to shed the blood of the innocent as hath been done in thee Accursed is thy Governour who past the sentence against his own soul he being forewarned in it by express words from me Accursed is that Hangman that did it as he is called so is his Name he is servant to the Devil one of his familiar spirits his Name in the Hebrew tongue is Abbadon and his Master which first cast them into prison and now hath caused him to cut off their Ears must be bound in the Lake of oblivion for a thousand years his Name there shall rot and his posterity perish c. and so he goes on in most horrid curses and in the end The curse of God light upon thee John Indicot for my brethren and companions sake the curse of God rest upon thee thy deeds thou shalt answer for as sure as ever thou consentedst to that deed thou son of a Murderer Lucifer thou cursed Bird who darest attempt to say thou speakest from Heaven get thee down into the lowest hot Lake thou lyar for within the gates of Hell is thy habitation This was the summe of his Letter which was thus directed Let this Letter be delivered with care to the hands of John Indicot Governour of Boston so called hast hast hast But I have digressed too much in discoursing thus long about this perverse generation Let us now return to the Parliament who had long been debating about the Writs issued out by the Protector for Election of Members for Scotland and Ireland to serve in this present Parliament The debates hereon were the more long and tedious in regard those two Nations had never yet by any President the liberty to have their Members sit in the English Parliament but at length a President was made and it was resolved that the Members that returned to serve for Scotlad and Ireland should continue to sit as Members for that present Parliament About this time happened a very sad accident at Barbadoes the Town of St Michaels being near wholly consumed with fire to the great loss and utter undoing of most of the Inhabitants besides the losses sustained by Merchants who had goods in Ware-houses on shore But now about the latter end of March 1659 began the first sparks of discontent to break out which afterwards burst into such a flame that it consumed the Protectors greatness and Estate The originall cause of this distemper there 's very few but those that effected it can tell but the first appearance of it was in a representation presented on the 6th of April by the Lord Fleetwood to his Highness in behalf of the Army the heads of which were as followeth 1. They pressed their urgent wants by reason of their Arrear-pay and desired redress 2. They complained that they who had born the brunt of the War were now derided and like to be laid by 3. That many Cavaliers were lately come out of Flanders and had dangerous meetings in and about London 4. That the faithfull servants of the Good Old Cause were affronted by malignant and disaffected persons 5. That Lists of the actuall Tryers of the late King printed in red letters were scattered about as if they were appointed for destruction 6. That Suits were commenced at common Law against many well affected persons for things they had transacted as Souldiers 7. That the famous actions of the Long Parliament and his late Highness in and since 1648 were vilified and evil spoken of That all these Circumstances clearly evidenced a declension of the Good Old Cause which they were resolved to assert and therefore they desired that his Highness would be pleased to represent these things to the Parliament and procure their remedies And particularly that he would recommend to them the present necessities of the Souldiers for want of pay and that satisfaction might be given to the Militia-Forces The Militia of the City of London took it very kindly that the Army had been pleased to mention satisfaction to be made for the Militia-Forces they therefore instigated by their chief worthy Commanders Tichborn and Ireton draw up a representation confirming their resolutions with the Army to stick to the Good Old Cause which they likewise accompany with a Letter to the Lord Fleetwood to be communicated to the generall Counsell of the Officers of the Army declaring their intentions to go along with them in whatever they should undertake for the pretended good of the Nations These Declarations and Remonstrances both of the Officers of the Army and City-Militia were foreseen by the Parliament to intend no good to them they therefore in hopes to prevent them vote that there should be no meeting or generall Counsell of Officers without consent and by Order of his Highness the Lord Protector and that no person should have any Command either by Sea or Land in any of the three Nations who should refuse to subscribe that he will not disturb the free meetings in Parliament of any the Members of either House of Parliament or their Freedome in their debates and Counsells The Protector himself was likewise fearfull of these proceedings and meetings of the chief Officers of the Army he therefore sends to them these Votes of the House Whereupon on the 22 of April after they had sufficiently sought God by prayer Desborow Fleetwood and other the chief Officers with most of the Army at their heels came to the Protector and forced him to sign a Delaration and Commission ready prepared for the dissolving the Parliament The Commission was directed to the Lord Nathaneel Fines Lord Keeper of the great Seal who coming to the House of Lords sent the Usher of
which had been taken out of the publike stores Thirdly that all the Regiments of Horse and Foot in the Northern Counties do forthwith repair unto such Quarters as shall be appointed for them by the Commissioners for management of the Army and observe their order inddirections for time to come And then they ordered thanks to be returned to Generall Monck Vice-Admirall Lawson and the Portsmouth Commissioners as an acknowledgement of their fidelity and good service And this was their first Act upon their resetling their Rump in its former seat Divers were the other Votes and Orders which they made for setling their Army and securing their power which because not much materiall for our purpose we shall pass on to what is more properly historicall namely the actions of Generall Moncke and his march towards London yet not forgetting such things as in the mean time passed at London or elsewhere and ought to be considerable Generall Monck had after his first Treaty at London by his Commissioners and that he might keep things from running to bloodshed and prevent the hazard of a Battle knowing that time it self must certainly make him victorious upon notice of the agreement made by his Commissioners here contrary to the tenor of their Commissions or his intentions had I say agreed upon a second Treaty to be had at Newcastle By which means he delayed time so long that Sr Arthur Haslerig and the rest making that diversion at Portsmouth the Parliament was on a suddain restored and his enemies immediately upon news vanished like smoke all the Forces being by the Parliaments Order to submit to his command and disposure Having therefore setled all things according to his pleasure and as was most convenient to his purpose he resolves upon his march to London and for that purpose took up Horses in the Country to horse his Foot the Parliament approving of his actions for fear to displease him though they had ordered his coming up only with 500 Horse and disposed his Army in their respective Quarters But he who was to do other things then barely the restoring of a putrified Rump resolves to march up with his whole strength but in the mean time lulls them asleep with a smiling complyance with their humors and desires His march towards London was but slow he being resolved to keep his Army in such a posture as might provide security for the Souldiery and testifie the prudence of the Generall In Yorkeshre he was met by the Lord Fairfax and other Gentlemen of the County who before Lamberts dispersing had raised a considerable Body and with the assistance of the Irish Brigade had secured Yorke and by them was caressed with all testimonies of affection and courted with their desires that he would be instrumentall to make the Nation happy by restoring the Members secluded in 1648 or in helping them to a full and free Parliament This likewise was the substance of many Declarations which at this time were tendred to the Speaker and City of London from severall Counties And this likewise was the subject of those other addresses which he received from the Gentry of all places in his march But the Parliament a little alarmed by this news and sensible of the danger was thereby imminent to themselves should the intentions of the Generall be otherwise then they seemed to them order Mr Scot and Mr Robinson to go down to him under pretence of congratulating him for his signall services but indeed to search if they could into the depth of his intentions But he who was too wise to be caught by such gulls carried himself with such an even poise that both Parliament and Country thought him surely inclining to their severall Parties And notable was his Letter in answer to one the City had lately sent him by their Swordbearer in which he both resolved as he said to satisfie their desires for a Free Parliament and yet resolved to continue faithfull to this Parliament giving the City matter of hope and taking from the Rump all cause of discontent But the Parliament having sent persons to search into his thoughts the City likewise whom it as nearly concerned were resolved to do the like and therefore made choise of Alderman Fowke Alderman Vincent and Collonel Bromfield to go down and present him with their affections and desires together with their resolution to stick by their former resolution who were received by the Generall with all expressions of civility but nothing was promised to them which might give the Rump any suspition or jealousie of his intentions After a long and tedious march on January 28. 1659. he arrived at St Albans where he was presented with the Addresses of severall Counties together with one from the City of London all which containing the forementioned subject received from him the like courteous though dubious answers The same day he arrived at St Albans his Lady arrived at Whitehall and took up those lodgings which had been prepared for her On Friday February the third he arrived at London the Army which was quartered there having marched out the night before though with a great deal of discontent and some disorder and mutiny He was the next day by the Parliament desired to come to the House and Mr Scot and Mr Robinson sent to attend him where being come the Speaker in the highest expressions might be did endeavour to testifie the grand esteem the House had of his merits and the hearty thanks they did return to him for them and he afterwards retaliated his language in an excellent speech whereof though in all things he seemed to comply with their desires yet in some sort he put them in mind of the peoples desires and inclinations which notwithstanding he left to their determination and upon parting left them well satisfied with him in all outward appearance There were not many things remarkable which fell out at London or elsewhere in the interim of the Generalls march thither only the ejection of Sr Henry Vane and Major Saloway who had been instruments in the late interruption out of the House and confinement of the first with Lambert and the rest of the nine Worthies to their severall Houses and the committing the last to the Tower There happened likewise two mutinies the one at Gravesend by the Souldiers of Sr Brice Cockrains Regiment and the other at Bristoll by the inhabitants in relation to a Free Parliament but both were sunddenly quelled The Generall being as aforesaid come to London the Parliament alias Rump for by that name they may be best known being extraordinary jealous of him and the power he might at pleasure exercise over them to their prejudice consult amongst the grandees of them how they might best abridge his power and overtop him and for this they designed this expedient The City continuing as before malecontent and denying to pay any Money without the consent of a full Parliament and refusing to be satisfied with any thing could proceed
mens bodies endeavour the like over their souls They therefore Enact that every Citizen of London at the time of their admission to their Freedome should take the ensuing Oath viz. You shall swear That you shall be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England and in order there unto you shall be obedient to the just Government of the City of London You shall to your best power maintain the peace and all the due Franchises thereof and to your knowledge and ability do and perform all Acts and things belonging to a Free-man of the said City They likewise Enact that the said Oath Mutatis mutandis be taken by every Free-man in every City Borrough and Town Corporate in England and Wales at the time of their admission to Freedome as aforesaid The Extraordinary Ambassadors for the States of Holland having had audience and promise of Redress for the injuries done to their Ships provided the wrong-doers could be found out being on departure many thanks and civilities having past between them and the House they Order two Members to give them a solemn farewell who accompanied them to Gravesend The Army again Petition the Parliament in prosecution of some desires formerly presented to them viz. 1. To make and establish such wholesome Laws in the native Language as may preserve the Interest and Liberties of this Commonwealth 2. That Tithes may be abolished 3. That no punishment be inflicted upon any man for the Exercise of his Conscience 4. That all that had to deal in the publick Treasury be called to account and that free Quarter be taken off 5. That all Persons whatsoever may have a free and equall Administration of the Law 6. That Persons imprisoned for Debt having nothing to pay may be released and that such as are able and shelter themselves in prison be forced to pay 7. That all Persons in prison for pretended words c. be brought to triall and if found innocent have satisfaction for false imprisonment 8. That Provision might be made for the Poor of the Nation 9. That constant Pay may be provided to prevent free Quarter 10. That the Arrears of the Army might be paid out of the Kings Deans and Chapters Lands 11. That their want of Horses might be supplied 12. That care might be taken for prevention of clipt Money 13. That the Articles of Warre might be mitigated 14. That the Souldiers might not be put to the execution of civil Orders as seizing on unlicensed Books distraining of Moneys or the like so that the people may not complain of their intrenchment on their Liberties These were February 19. 1649. drawn up by the Army as their humble Petition and Address to the Parliament but we need not think it strange that every common Souldier should have liberty to propose what was necessary to be done in the Government since they had perfectly the whole power in their hands and had first by the fetches of some of their Commanders excluded and extirpated all other power to give life and being to this shadow of a Government this little finger of a Parliament and yet ten times heavier to the Nation then the whole loynes of its legal Magistracy But to return to our purpose the Parliament for so in their own language we must call them order the Triall of Duke Hamilton who though he was no Englishman yet was arraigned under the Name of Earl of Cambridge thereby to subject him to the English Law together with the Earl of Holland Lord Capell Lord Goring and Sr John Owen the two first of which were afterwards beheaded in Pallace-yard and the two last meeting with more favour from them were suffered to depart beyond Seas A Councell of State being setled by the Parliament they met at Derby House where some Propositions of the Parliaments in order to their unanimous Proceedings were tendred to them viz. the approbation of the Proceedings with the late King the House of Lords the present Alteration and some other These were by them received with some dislike to some of the particulars and their dislike being mentioned in the House was referred to a Committee The Prince Elector Palatine makes his Addresses to the Parliament with returnes of thanks for their former favours and desires that 5600lb due of his last years Pension might be paid that the Pension of 8000lb per annum might be continued and that he might have the Pass of the House for himself Family and forty Horse to go home The first and last desires were granted and the Summe due Ordered to be paid him but the Continuation of his Pension put off to further consideration The Parliament and Councell of State agree upon an Attestation to be taken by every individuall Member of the Councell of State which ran as followeth viz. I A. B. being of the Councell of State do Testifie that I do adhere unto this present Parliament in the maintenance and defence of the publick Liberty and Freedome of this Nation as it is now Declared and to the Government for future in way of a Republick without King or House of Peers And I do promise in the sight of God that through his grace I will be faithfull in the performance of the trust committed to me as aforesaid and therein faithfully pursue the Instructions given to this Councell by this present Parliament and not reveal or disclose any thing in whole or in part directly or indirectly that shall be debated or resolved on in Counsell without command or direction in Parliament or the Order and allowance of the major part of them that shall be present at such debates or resolutions In confirmation of the Premisses I have hereunto set my hand To which Attestation the Clerk of the Parliament is Ordered to see that every individuall Member of the Councell of State do Subscribe And now comes out the Protestation of the Parliament of Scotland against the Proceedings touching his Majesties Life and Person which because it was of so eminent concernment I shall here insert the most materiall Circumstances viz. That by their Letter of the sixth instant viz. January they represented unto you what endeavours have been used for taking away of his Majesties life for Change of the fundamentall Government of this Kingdome and introducing a sinfull and ungodly Toleration in matters of Religion and therein they did express their sad thoughts and great feares of the dangerous consequences that might follow thereupon and further they did earnestly press that there might be no proceeding against his Majesties Person which would certainly continue the great distractions of the Kingdomes and involve them in many evils troubles and confusions but that by the free Councels of both Houses of the Parliament of England and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Scotland such course might be taken in relation to him as may be for the good and happiness of these Kingdomes both having an unquestionable interest in his Person as King of both
which duely considered we had reason to hope should have given a stop to all Proceedings against his Majesties Person But they understood that after many of the Members of the House of Commons have been imprisoned and secluded and also without and against the Consent of the House of Peers by a single Act of this Parliament alone power being given to certain Persons of their own Number of the Army and some others to proceed against his Majesties Person in order whereunto he was brought upon Saturday last in the afternoon before this new Extraordinary Court. Wherefore they do in the Name of the Parliament of Scotland for their vindication from false aspersions and calumnies declare That though they are not satisfied with his Majesties Concessions at Newport in the Isle of Wight especially in the matters of Religion and are resolved not to crave his Majestes restitution to this Government before satisfaction be given by him to this Kingdome yet they do all unanimously with one voice not one Member excepted disclaim the least knowledge of or accession to the late Proceedings of the Army against his Majesty and sincerely profess that it will be a great grief unto their hearts and lie heavy upon their spirits if they shall see the trusting of his Majesties Person to the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England to be made use of to his ruine so far contrary to the declared intentions of the Kingdome of Scotland and solemn professions of the Kingdome of England and to the end it may be manifest to the world how much they abominate and detest so horrid a design against his Majesties Person they do in the Name of the Parliament and Kingdome of Scotland Declare their dissent from the said Proceedings and the taking away of his Majesties Life and protest that as they are altogether free from the same so they may be free from all the evils miseries confusions and calamities that may follow thereupon to these distracted Kingdomes In thus much is contracted the large Letter of the Scottish Parliament to which the Parliament in short answer That as to the alteration of the fundamentall Laws of the Land and allowing liberty of Conscience in Religion if Scotland had not the same power of liberty as they did not go about to confine them so they would not be limited to them but leaving them to act in relation to theirs as they shall see cause resolve to maintain their own Liberties as God should enable them In relation to the putting the King to death they had done it upon serious consideration of the miseries both they and the Nation had suffered by the Misgovernment and Tyranny of that man of sin as they termed him that they doubted not but God would prosper them in it That if Scotland would not now with them assert its Liberties but espouse that quarrell they would reap no other advantage by it but a lasting Warre and the miseries that attend it or the intailing of a perpetuall slavery under a Tyrant and his Issue to them and their posterity These jarrings at length produced a bloudy Warre betwixt the two Nations to the devastation and almost utter ruine of Scotland as the sequell of the Story will show The Parliament Order the Army to march Northward The Parliament now more fully ordered that no Member whatsoever who had absented himself from sitting in the House since the 31. of December 1648. should be re-admitted into the House but should be utterly secluded and barred from sitting except such as had been imployed in the service of the Parliament They then consider of wayes for raising of Money to serve their Occasions and in order thereto appoint a Committee to consider of the Revenues of the late King Queen Prince Bishops c. and how they may be improved to their greatest advantage Collonel Popham Collonel Dean and Collonel Blake who are to go with the Fleet are ordered to go down immediately and nine pound a day appointed for their maintenance The Lord Warwicks Commission of Admirall of the Seas and Warden of the Cinque Ports being null'd and that power put into the Hands of the Councell of State who have devolved it upon those three aforementioned In the mean time those who stand out in the two Cityes of Dublin and London-Derry for this Parliament earnestly entreat relief before that Ormond Inchiqueen and Owen-Roe who were very near Compositions should joyn which would go near to ruine all They therefore desire that eight thousand men formerly promised them might come over which would either hinder the malevolous Conjunction threatned or be a good Barricado against them however they promise to hold out as long as possibly they can The Earl of Lothian Sr John Chesley and Mr Glendonning who came as Commissioners from the Parliament of Scotland to this of England not having received any satisfaction in relation to their Instructions or the Desires of the Parliament of Scotland being somewhat angry but loath to express their Choller by word of mouth after their departure from London send back a Letter by a servant to the Parliament in the Name of the Parliament of Scotland enumerating all their Declarations the breach of all their Covenants Oaths and Protestations for contiruance of the late Government and how much they had gone contrary to all of them in what they had now done to King Lords c. desiring them to do their first work which if they did not as they that then they would wash their hands of all the misery that was like to ensue This so netled our Parliament that they immediately imprison the Messenger and besides the giving secret Order for the securing the Subscribers they put forth a Declaration against the Paper arguing it to contain much scandalous and reproachfull matter against the just Laws and Government of this Nation to the high dishonour thereof That it was a design in the contrivers and subscribers of it to raise Sedition and lay the grounds of a new and bloudy Warre They therefore Declare that all Persons whatsoever residing in England or Ireland or Scotland that shall adhere to the said Subscribers in pursuance of the Grounds by them laid in the said Paper are Rebels and Traitors to the Commonwealth of England and shall be proceeded against as Rebels and Traitors They likewise Order that a Letter be sent with a Copy of that Paper to the Parliament of Scotland to know if they will own or justifie it The Parliament are so necessitated for Moneys that they are resolved to let no way slip for the raising of it the ancient Standard in the Palace-yard shall not scape but a Committee is ordered to examine what it might be worth in case it were sold for publique use The Parliament in consideration of Sr George Ascues eminent services at Sea order him to be Admirall of the Irish Seas and Modell the Expences of the Navy as low as they can possibly whereby a great part
more so that now they made 120 in all With this Fleet Van Trump the next morning by break of day faced the English Fleet But the Generals Blake and Moncke finding the wind somewhat high and the weather thick and cloudy fearing the Sands or a Lee shore more then all the Dutch force stood off to Sea which made the Dutch suppose a flight so that one of Trumps Captains urged him to pursue them telling him that those dogs durst not abide one broad side from his Excellency that he might clearly see they ran away for fear and that he should not lose so fair an opportunity But generous Van Trump who knew the English better returned the Captain this modest answer Sr be you carefull to look to your charge and trouble your head no further for if the English were but 10 Sail I am sure they would fight us and so indeed it happened for the weather clearing up and the wind laying they drew up their Fleet into a body and tacked about to meet the Enemy who being likewise in a posture they presently engaged The Fight was couragiously maintained on both sides from between five and six in the morning till one in the afternoon both Fleets charging valiantly one through the other till at length the Dutch Admirall Van Trump fighting in the midst of the English Fleet with a great deal of courage and resolution was by a Musket Bullet shot on the left Pap near the heart and slain outright The Dutch began to decline many of their Ships being likewise fired or sunk and the amazement for their Generals death possessing the whole Navy they hoised up all the Sail possibly they could and made away directly for the Texell and the English befides the damage many of their Ships had received were loath to be too hold on that shore so they pursued them no farther but steered their course to Soal buy that they might there dispose of the prisoners and mend their tottered Sails and Rigging The English in this Fight had 8 Captains slain outright viz. Graves Chapvian Taylor Newman Crispe Owen Cox and Peacock and 400 common Seamen they had likewise 700 men wounded of which 5 Captains viz. Stoakes Seaman Rouse Hollander and Cabit they lost but one Ship viz. the Oake which was burnt by a Fireship and had two or three more disabled As for the loss the Dutch received in relation to those slain or wounded was uncertain but their visible loss was 30 men of War sunk or fired 6 Captains and about a 1000 prisoners taken but their greatest loss and indeed the loss of all was the loss of their Renowned Generall Van Trump who had the hard fortune to be alwayes beaten by the English yet could not his judgement be at all taxed nor his fame eclipsed which formerly he had so deservedly gotten to be esteemed one of the ablest and best understanding Sea-Captains in the world For this ominent piece of Service Cromwels pact Parliament ordered that Chains of gold should be presented to the Admirals Blake and Moncke Vice-Admirall Pen and Rear-Admirall Lawson other Chains were likewise presented to other Flag-Captains and Meddals of silver to the Officers of the Fleet in token of their good service But whilest our Fleets are thus victorious abroad discontents are broached at home by reason the Parliament had now sat near six Moneths and effected nothing for the good and settlement of the Nation having indeed done nothing at all but made that Act concerning Marriages out of meer envy and despite to the Clergy So beginning at first to lop off a branch of the Ministers maintenance that they might afterwards cut down the Tree Concerning Tithes it is debated in the House what saw fit to be done and a Committee appointed to onsider of so weighty a business who being fully convinced in a full hearing by arguments and reasons drawn both from the Laws of God and man of the legality of it make report to the House in the affirmative for Tithes which so exasperated those who were of the contrary faction that they begin clearly to argue against the Ministeriall Function urging it to be burdensome to the people and by that strange consequence Antichristian There were near 60 of the Members of this opinion which the rest though the major part fearing would undermine them by laying hold of some opportunity to assemble themselves together and by any forty of them being a Quorum accomplish their designes resolve to dissolve their House themselves which motion being made by a Member on the 12th of December was readily assented to and so the Speaker and severall others adjourned to Whitehall and redelivered their Instrument of Government into the hands of Oliver Cromwell from whom they had received it This Parliament having thus by writings under their hands resigned again the power given them the whole Authority both Civill and Military of these three Nations was by this resignation strangely understood to be devolved into the hands of Oliver Cromwell Whereupon he calls a Counsell of Officers who having some others joyned with them to consult of the settlement of a Government at length after much seeking of God where I leave the Reader to judge of the rabble of hypocriticall canting that was blabbered out they concluded to have a Commonwealth in a single Person That that Person should be Oliver Cromwell Captain Generall of all the Forces in England Scotland and Ireland That his Title should be Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging That he should have a Counsell of one and twenty persons to be assistant with him in the Government That an Instrument should be framed containing the Basis and foundation of this new established Government the chief Heads of which were these 1. That the Protector should call a Parliament every three years 2. That the first Parliament should be convened on the third of September 1654. 3. That he should not dissolve any Parliament till it had sate five Monoths 4. That such-Bills as they offered to him he not passing them in twenty dayes should pass without him 5. That he should have a select Counsell of men faithfull to his interest not exceeding one and twenty nor under thirteen 6. That the Protectorship should not be hereditary 7. That immediately after his death the Counsell should choose another Protector before they rose 8. That no Protector after him should be Generall of the Army 9. That in the intervals of Parliament he with consent of his Counsell might make Laws which should be binding to the Subject till the next Sessions of Parliament Oliver Cromwell now made Lord Protector who had taken so many Oaths and Covenants before is to swear afresh which was performed on the 16th of December 1653 with a great deal of State in the Chancery-Court in Westminster-Hall before the Judges Mayor and Aldermen of London with the chief Officers of the Natron
Master of any Ship shall either coming from beyond the Seas or going out of Scotland bring in or carry out any person whatsoever who hath not such a Passe as aforesaid This Proclamation was published under high pretences of preventing the design of the Cavalier party there And now the time approached for celebrating the Funerall Pomp of his Highness Oliver late Lord Protector of which great care had been taken and no imaginary state neglected for he being first embowelled was from Whitehall carried to Somerset House where his Effigies was set up in state after this manner Three Rooms were first hung with black Cloth adorned each of them with a Canopy and Chair of State of the same The fourth where the Corps was and the Effigies did first lie was hung with Velvet and adorned with Scutcheons and Banners in most Noble sort after which the Effigies was removed into another Room and there exposed to publike view standing in Princely manner upon an ascent under a Canopy of State with a Scepter in one hand a Globe in the other and a Crown on his head after the ancient manner of the Kings of England his Armour lying by him and the Banners Banrols and Standards placed round about hm and so continued untill the solemnizationi of the Funerall-Pomps and Ceremonies which were performed on the 23th of November 1658 in form following The Effigies being taken down by severall of the Protectors Gentlemen was with a rich Canopy carried over it taken and placed in a Chariot covered with black Velvet adorned with Plumes and Scutcheons and drawn by six plumed Horses covered to the heels with black Velvet Then the Train began to march betwixt the Rails set up on purpose from Somerset House to Westminster on each side of which stood the Souldiers with black Ribbons on their red Coats and their Ensignes furled and covered with a vail of Cypres And first went a Knight-Marshall on Horseback with his black Truncheon tipt with gold attended by his Deputy and severall other Officers to clear the way Next followed the Poor men of Westminster two and two in mourning Gowns and Hoods Then the Servants of those Persons of Quality attended the Funerall Then the Servants of the deceased Protector in their respective places and orders Then the Servants of the Lord Mayor Sheriffs and Aldermen of London Then the Servants attending the Ambassadours and Agents of Forreign Princes After them the Poor Knights of Windsor in their Gowns and Hoods Then the Clerks Secretaries and other under-Officers belonging to the Army Admiralty Treasury Navy and Exchequer Then the Commanders in the Fleet and Officers of the Army Then the Commissioners for Excise the Committees of the Army and Navy Then the Commissioners for approbation of Ministers Then the Officers belonging to the Privie Counsell and both Houses of Parliament Next followed the Protectors Phisicians Then the Field-Officers and generall Officers of the Army Next the Aldermen of London Then the Masters of the Chancery and the deceased Protectors Counsell at Law Then the Judges of the Admiralty the Masters of Request with the Judges in Wales Then the Barons of the Exchequer the Judges of both Benches and Lord Mayor of London Then the Persons allied to his Highness and the Members of the Lords House After them the Agents of Venice Genoa the Hans-Towns and other publike Ministers The Holland Ambassadour alone The Portugall Ambassador whose Train was born up by four Knights of the Order of Christ The French Ambassadour whose Train was likewise born up by four Persons of Quality The Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal The Lords of the Privie Counsell Then followed the Chief Mourner with those Persons who bore up his Train most of the Persons of Honour were in Close Mourning and were in their divisions distinguished by Drumms and Trumpets and by a Standard or Banner and by a Mourning Horse of which there were eleven in all four covered with black Cloth and seven with Velvet These being all past in order the Effigies followed in the Chariot with six Banner Rolls born on each side and eight Persons bearing the severall pieces of the deceased Protectors Arms all which were attended by Heralds after whom came Garter principall King at Arms attended by a Gentleman on each side bare-headed Then followed the Horse of Honour in very rich Trappings of Gold embroidered upon crimson Velvet and adorned with white yellow and red Plumes which was led by the Master of the Horse And last of all followed the Protectors Guard of Halbertiers with the Warders of the Tower In this State was the Effiigies conducted from Somerset House to Westminster where it was taken off the Chariot and in the same State as it was first taken out of Somerset House carried into the Abby Church and placed under a woodden Monument stately erected for it with the Bannors and six Ensignes of Honour placed about it the Corps having been some days before buried in a Vault purposely provided for it in Henry the 7 ths Chappell over which a stately Monument was intended to be erected over it but the after sodain Revolutions of State hindred that undeserved remembrance of him With all this Pomp and Splendor were the Funerall Ceremonies of the deceased Lord Protector performed so prodigall were the Counsell of State to the very memory of their so beneficiall a Master not regarding at all the Debts or other inconveniences which they might run the Nation into by so vast an expense so that in requitall to him or to ingratiate themselves with his Sonne they were so vain as to extend the pomp and expence of his Funerall beyond that of any English King since William the Conquerours time The deceased Protector had in his life time contracted a firm League both offensive and defensive with the King of Swetheland which caused the now Protector his Sonne upon the Swedes desires to man out a great Fleet for his assistance against the Dutch who aided the King of Denmark his enemy Between forty and fifty sail of gallant Ships were sent forth under the command of the Lord Mountague this Fleet having spent neer six moneths in the Sound even to the time of the dissolution and annulling of that Power that set them forth returned home having done nothing worth the mention The Protector now to strengthen himself by the advice of his Counsell calls a Parliament and Writs are issued out for their appearance on the 27th of January 1658 whether they being accordingly convented and having according to custome made choice of Challoner Chute Esq for Speaker of the House the Protector the same day attended by many of his Fathers new made Nobles went in state to Westminster the Lord Cleypool bearing the Sword before him where having heard a Sermon he went in his formalities to the new Lords House from whence he sent the Usher of the Black Rod to acquaint the Parliament that he expected them who being come to the barr he
the black Rod to the House to desire their attendance on the Lords but they refused to give him entrance but understanding there were Guards in Westminster-Hall they thought it best to adjourn which they did till the following Munday being the 25th of April whereby they prevented both their formall and forceable dissolution But the next day being the 23 of April the Proclamation signed by his Highness the Lord Protector for the dissolution of the Parliament was published the Contents of it were as followeth By the Lord Protector A Proclamation for dissolving the Parliament Whereas we assembled our high Court of Parliament to assemble and meet at our City of Westminster the 27th day of January last which hath continued unto this present day And whereas we did by our Commission under the great Seal of England bearing date at Westminster this present 22 day of April for divers weighty reasons declare our pleasure and resolution to dissolve the said Parliament and to that end did thereby constitute and appoint our right trusty and right wellbelovod Counsellour Nathaneal Lord Fines one of the Keepers of our great Seal of England and others our Commissioners in our name this said present 22 day of April to dissolve our said Parliament which was by them done according to the tenor of the said Commission in the usuall place and by vertue hereof our said Parliament is absolutey dissolved Nevertheless we have thought it necessary by advice of our Privy Counsell by this our Proclamation to publish and make known the same to the end all Persons whom it may concern may take notice thereof Given at Whitehall the 22 day of April in the year of our Lord 1659. Yet notwithstanding this Proclamation the Members on Munday the 25th of April repaired to the House according to the vote of adjournment which they found guarded by red Coats whose Officers told them that they should not enter the House any more With the dissolution of this Parliament we may put a period to the short Reign of Richard Lord Protector no further use being made of him besides what a Declaration of the 25th of April commanding all Cavaliers and Papists to depart out of London upon these present disturbances did amount to Behold the visible hand of God that those very persons and Relations that Oliver had advanced into the highest places of trust for securing his usurped power are by the Almighty made instrumentall to pull down and destroy that which he had so perfidiouslly got by murther and hypocrisie Various Revolutions of Government in 1659 1660. BY the dissolution of the late Parliament the power over the Nations is devolved into the hands of those who devolved it they being then the only visible force I will not say power in these Nations viz. the chief Officers of the Army who first of all begin to modell their own Family which they did by cashiering those of the Protectorian faction for some such there were in the Army viz. Okey Ingolsby and Goffe and some others into whose places and commands they by their own authority put Lambert Haslerig Gbey and such others as had been displaced by the late deceased Protector These men considering that as they now stood they had no visible form of a Civil Government but their proceedings in this manner would render them most odious to the common people and in time ruin them begin to think what Civill Power they might establish which might be most concordant to their designes and at last send for some of the members of that Parliamentary Juncto which were dissolved by Generall Cromwell in 1653 to these they make motion of returning to the exercise of their trust desiring them to inform the Speaker and the rest of the Armies intentions They all readily and willingly assent but the Speaker makes some conscientious objections against their resitting which notwithstanding though I think they were never yet answered he at length consents to their desires whereupon the Army publish a large and specious Declaration asserting their resolutions to stand stedfast to the Good Old Cause as they called it with repentance for their errors and to that effect they conclude their Declaration to this purpose That they amongst other things calling to mind that the long Parliament consisting of the Members which continued their sitting untill the 20th of April 1953 were eminent assertors of that Cause and had a speciall presence of God with them and were signally blessed in that work the desires of many good people concurring with theirs therein they thought it their duty to invite the said Members to return to the exercise and discharge of their trust as before the said 20th of April 1653. And therefore they did by this Declaration earnestly desire the Parliament consisting of those Members who continued to sit since the year 1648 unto the 20th of April 1653 to return to the exercise and discharge of their trust that they should be ready in their places to yeeld them their utmost assistance to sit in safety for the improving present opportunity for setling and securing the peace and quiet of this Commonwealth praying for the presence and blessing of God upon their endeavours This Declaration published there were severall Articles agreed upon between the Officers of the Army and severall Members of the then to be restored part of a Parliament which accorded to and signed on the next day being the 7th of May 1659 they convented together in the Painted-Chamber where those Members appointed to meet being all present forty two in number the Speaker with the Mace carried before him and followed by the rest went into the House and took their places Upon notice that those men had taken their places in the House as a Parliament severall of the Members secluded in 1648 there being double the number of them in the City came into the Hall and agreed that some persons of their number should go up to the House to try whether they could find admittance The persons appointed to go up were Mr Ansley Sr George Booth Mr William Pryn Mr James Herbert Mr George Mountague Sr John Eveling Mr Eveling Mr Knightly Mr Gewen Mr John Herbert Mr Peck Mr Hungerford Mr Harly and Mr Clive these according to the desire of the rest went up but found restraint upon the House so that with much ado they prevailed to get into the Lobby but here they were opposed by Lieutenant Collonel Allen though they earnestly disputed the undoubted right they had to sit in the House as well as the others but no reasons could prevail Yet on Munday May 9th Mr Ansley Mr Pryn and Mr Hungerford understanding that there were no guards upon the House went to Westminster-Hall and found admittance without any opposition at first though afterward when Mr Ansley went forth to acquaint those secluded Members which attended their success in the Hall of their admittance endeavouring to enter again he and some others with him were forcibly kept
His Brother also Henry Cromwell late Lord Lieutenant in t Ireland upon the Parliaments advice surrendred his Government and Collonel John Jones William Steel Esquire Collonel Mathew Thomlinson Robert Goodwin and Miles Corbett Esquire were in his stead appointed by the Parliament to be Commissioners for the Government of Ireland In Scotland Generall Monke though he resignes not up his Government to the Parliament yet holds a fair correspóndency with them and by his and the rest of the Officers of his Armyes declare and keep a complyance to their Government which he punctually performed The Parliament endeavouring still more and more to oblige the Army pass an Act of oblivion and indemnity for all force or violence formerly put upon the House yet nevertheless to restrain them for the future the Commissions are issued out by the Speaker in the Name of the Parliament and not by a Generall as formerly Yet the Parliament take so much care to perform their promises to them that they order the immediate sale of Whitehall Hampton-Court and Sommerset-House towards the present payment of some of the Armyes Arrears About this time on the 11th of July 1659 happened a strange kind of Tumult in or about Enfield some part of the Chase which formerly lay common and was the chiefest stay and support of the Country people thereabouts for the feeding of their Catttle from whence proceeded the chief support and maintenance of themselves and Families being by the Parliament given to some of the Souldiers for their arrears was by them built upon and euclosed which so incensed the poor of the Country whose Families were almost ready to starve for want of such relief that notwithstanding Souldiers were sent to secure those Grounds the common people made a head fell upon the Souldiers took nine of them prisoners threw down a Barn and levelled the enclosures The Parliament upon audience given to an extraordinary Ambassador of the King of Sweden appointed three persons to go over as Plenipotentiaries to Coppenhaguen to treat of such a reconciliation between the two Kings of Swedeland and Denmarke as might best stand with the interest of England but their Ambassage hath as yet produced no considerable effect And now further to secure themselves in those designes they had in hand here they banish all Cavaliers under the stile of Malignants from London and twenty Miles about and pass an Act for the settlement of the Militia in the respective Cities and Countries of England and Wales But though this Parliament had taken away the Government of these three Nations from Richard Cromwell yet they are so kind to him as to protect him from all arrests and take care for the payment of his Debts which amounted to 29640lb and besides order him 10000lb per annum for his life out of the Common-weal hs Lands as much of which 't is probable he received as his Creditors did of what was owing to them And now the Parliament discover a female-Plot of the shee-Cavaliers for the subverting of their Government the Lady Mary Howard Daughter to the Earl of Barkshire and one Mrs Sumner are committed to the Tower upon pretence of being pryers to a horrible terrible design against the Government upon whose Examinations all the Horses about Town are taken Sr Ernestus Byrom and others committed to prison But now somewhat begins to appear severall Troops of Horse are sent into Kent and Surry to prevent infurrections there where they take severall Cavaliers to bring them up to London Major Generall Massey being likewise in Glocestershire endeavouring as it was pretended to raise Forces there for the King was surprized by a Troop of Horse who for the better securing him set up a Trooper behind him with whom coming down a Hill the Horse stumbled and fell and the night being dark and Massey nimble legged escaped from them into the Wood. The Parliament now begin to discover the reason of the buying up of so many Arms in London for Sr George Booth Sr Thomas Middleton and some others of the secluded Members having got a considerable quantity of Arms raised a Party in Cheshire Flintshire and Lancashire to the number of between three and four thousand men and declare for a Free Parliament and the due rights and priviledges of the Nation against that Fanatick and unlawfull power which now usurped dominion over them With these they rendezvows at Routon-Heath and from thence march to Manchester endeavouring to augment their Party Collonel Ireland in Lancashire and Governour of the Cattle of Leverpool promising them what aid and assistance he could though he never performed it This great rising at first startled the Parliament who immediately dispatch the Lord Lambert with three Regiments of Horse one of Dragoons and three of Foot to march with all possible hast to suppress them whilest severall Parties which endeavoured to rise in other Counties are prevented either by the Militia or the Parliaments Forces But Sr George Booths number daily encreases somewhat by the confluence of the Gentry of those parts unto him so that he made up a very gallant body of Horse He sends his Letters and Declarations up to London inviting them to joyn with him to maintain their priviledges and redeem themselves from the slavery they were now in But all proved ineffectuall that great City being over-awed by a small Party of the Parliaments Forces In the mean time Lambert makes a speedy march towards them two Regiments the one of Horse the other of Foot are by Order of Parliament sent out of Ireland under the Command of Collonel Axtill Collonel Hierom Zankey who joyn with Lambert neer Nantwich notwithstanding some endeavours of Sr George Booths Party to hinder their conjunction and on the 16th of August the Army faced one another the one on one side the River the other on the other Hereupon Sr George Booth sends a Trumpet to Lambert to tell him the reasons of his taking up of Arms and desiring that to avoid shedding of blood some persons might be appointed to conferre in order to a Treaty But Lambert returns him a short answer telling him that the readiest way to avoid shedding of blood was for them to lay down their Arms and surrender Chester and other Strengths which if they refused to do that he was sent to reduce them to their due obedience which by the help of God he did not doubt but to do Hereupon the next morning Lamberts Army advanced towards Nantwich-Bridge which was kept by a Party of Sr George Booths Sr Georges Horse and Foot were drawn upin Battalia in a Meadow just below the Bridge Lambert seeing that he could not draw his enemy out of his advantage resolved to beat him out and thereupon comands a stout Party of Foot to assault those which kept the Bridge which they did with a great deal of courage and resolution and were as stoutly resisted on the other side sometimes one gaining the advantage and sometimes the other till at length
Sr George Booths Party giving back made way for all Lamberts Army to get over who immediately fell upon Sr Georges Foot and put them to the retreat but with little execution by reason of the enclosures which gave them liberty to make good their retreat from hedge to hedge The Horse then on both sides charged likewise with good courage and resolution but the Cheshire men being overpoured turned their backs and after a quarter of a Miles consused retreat rallied again but were presently routed And so both Horse and Foot betook themselves to flight The Foot by reason of the enclosures made their escape and the Horse dividing fled some towards Chester and others towards Warrington whither they were pursued by Lamberts victorious Cavalry who notwithstanding could proceed no further the Town being garrisoned with four Companies of Foot and a Troop of Horse of Sr Georges Party In the time of the fight there were left in Nantwich two Companies of Foot and two Troops of Horse of the Cheshire Forces who were immediately forced to fly towards Manchester where they dissipated themselves The grand Body of the Cheshire men being thus broken the remainder of them quickly surrendred themselves and Chester it self seeing no hopes of relief should they stand out submitted themselves immediately to Lamberts mercy whose example all other places likewise followed The number of the slain in the late action was not great but there was scarce any person of quality who either before or after the Fight became not Lamberts prisoners Sir George Booth seeing all things thus lost and himself reduced to the extremity of saving himself by flight left Chester in disguise with intentions to come up to London the better to make his escape but by the permission of Almighty God this noble Gentleman who when all the Nation almost was buried in a slavish lethargy did endeavour to rouze them out of their sleepy slavery was discovered at Newport Paynell in Bedfordshire and fell into the power of his merciless and tyrannicall enemies by whom he was committed prisoner to the Tower of London As soon as they had thus got him into their power they send two of their chiefest bloud-Hounds Sr Henry Vane and Sr Arthur Haslerig to draw what they could by his Examination but he notwithstanding their reiterated threats of death and Scaffolds and the scandalous report of perfidious friends and malicious enemies with undaunted courage refused either to excuse himself or accuse others by a pusillanimous confession The Parliament being now overjoyed with their success immediately in token of their favour and thankfullness order a thousand pounds as a remuneration of Lamberts so signall service to be immediately sent him but he having other designs in his head then tended meerly to the advancement of their interest presently distributes to his Souldiery with high carouses for their worthy deserts of it The attempts which were made in other parts of the Kingdome to have risen at the same with Sr George Booth being all of them nipt in the bud deserve nothing else but silence Though there were divers worthy and eminent persons engaged in them who deserved the thanks and praise of their Country for those their willing though fruitless endeavours The Parliament had whilest Lambert is fighting their enemies in the mean time taken care for dividing the spoil and prepared an Act for Sequestrations which now they immediately pass and appoint Commissioners for the prosecution of it by which they intended the utter ruining of most of the Nobility and Gentry of the Nation that so they might render them incapable for the future of making head against their arbitrary usurpation And this Act was to continue to the first of May 1660 a day which it pleased God to ordain to a better use and another manner of termination for their tyranny then these notorious Traytors had intended The next thing they do is to endeavour the extinction of those small sparks which seemed to remain of the late insurrection And to this end they put out a Proclamation against John Mordent Esq Son to the Earl of Peterborough Major Generall Massey the Earl of Litchfield Sr William Compton Thomas Fanshaw Esq and Major Generall Brown and declared the reward of a hundred pounds to whomsoever should apprehend any of the said persons some of which rendered themselves to the Counsell The House about this time having now lost the affections of the whole Nation besides that they might the better engage the Schismaticks order the release of James Nailor out of Bridewell to the great satisfaction of the Quakers and Fanaticks upon whom they now chiefly relied And now the Parliament thinking the longer keeping up the Militiaes of the Counties to be both useless and dangerous order their disbanding which whether it was promoted by some friends of Lamberts in the House is very uncertain but the consequence shewed it very much conducing to his succeeding designes For now Lambert having finished his work in Cheshire was advancing towards London but all the way had by Agents under hand so tampered with the Army as might render them ready for his devotion and interest To which purpose a Paper is promoted amongst them entituled The humble Petition and proposalls of the Army under the Command of the Right Honourable the Lord Lambert in the late Northern expedition in which they expostulate their deserts and affection to the Parliament and desire that the Command of the Army might be under the Command of Fleetwood as Captain Generall Lambert Major Generall c. This was sent up to London to Collonel Ashfield Cobbet and Lientenant Collonel Duckenfield to be by them presented to Fleetwood and by him to the House The forementioned persons acquaint Fleetwood with it and he for the better promoting of it desires a Conference with Sr Arthur Haslerig and Sr Henry Vane in order to its presentation to the Parliament but Sr Arthur immediately informs the Parliament of the Paper as he said of most dangerous consequence Whereupon they presently order that the said three persons or one of them in whose hands it was should immediately bring in the originall Copy which was by one put off to the other and so not to be found amongst them But the Officers of the Army immediately meet in Counsell in order to the drawing up of a Remonstrance of their submission to the Parliament and disclaiming the said proposall The Parliament having thereupon passed a Vote That the having of more Generall Officers was a thing needless chargeable and dangerous to the Commonwealth Whilest the Officers are thus meeting seemingly in order to their quiet submission to the Parliaments resolves the House had ordered a day of Thanksgiving for their Cheshire-victory on which together with the Counsell of State and the Officers of the Army they dined together with the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Counsell at Grocers-Hall They now put out an Additionall Act for Sequestrations intending that the severity of their
resolve a speedy sending out Writs but resolve to tie up their hands to their blocks by previous engagements against King House of Lords c. But this was no satisfaction to the General For he having taken away those arms which were in the hands of the Fanaticks and such as might have caused disturbance in the City on Tuesday the 21th of February a day not to be forgotten as long as England endureth being the first light which glimmered some chearfulnesse to us having drawn his Army together he marched to Westminster early in the morning and having before-hand prepared the secluded Members to be ready who were then very many of them in Town and had had divers private meetings he met them at White-hall where having recommended to them the care of the National interest yet in such termes as the Rump might not absolutely despair he saw them admitted into the Parliament House to the great grief and amazement of the former House-keepers who look upon these as Intruders That night there was Bonfires and great rejoycing in London But the secluded Members being in they fall to their work in good earnest they had not such by-ends or corrupted interests to drive on as their Predecessors and therefore found no such haltings in doing things which the Nation required But in the first place they order the release of those prisoners which for Free-Parliament-Petitions had been lately clapt up as likewise the Members of the Common Counsel of London They disanull the Militia which the Rump had instituted consisting only of persons both Fanatick and Factious and order a new Militia throughout all England wherein they nominated the most principal of the Gentry who were thought most willing and ready to promote the settlement of their Countrey yet with this proviso that they should subscribe that they should acknowledge the war was lawfull against his late Majesty till 1648. the Parliament by violent force was broken And that they might be furnished with that which is the sinews and strength of all money they send to the City to desire them advance some money before-hand upon security of the next six Moneths assessement which was freely granted by the City and 27000lb. immediately lent them Whereupon the City petition for the confirmation of the Militia which the Parliament presently setled according to their desires The next work they did was to chuse a Counsel of State which was done by lot of all manner of choise the most equal by reason no man can find himself aggrieved not knowing who is pro or who is con which prevents all rancour and animosity The persons which were by them chosen being for the most Gentlemen of eminent worth and such as have to the height testified their abilities for the good of their Countrey in this last emergency although there were some Rumpers amongst them I have thought it not amisse to give you a Catalogue of them that we may pay due homage to their names and memory Arthur Ansley Lord President William Pierpoint John Crew Richard Knightly Collonel Popham Collonel Morley Sr A. A. Cooper Sr Gilb. Gerhard Lord St John Sr Tho. Widdrington Sr John Evelin Sr William Waller Sr Richard Onslow Serjant Maynard Sr William Lewis Col. Montague Col. Hanley Col. Norton Denzil Hollis Sr John Temple Col. Thompson Sr John Trever Sr John Holland Sr John Potts Col. Birch Sr Herbottle Grimston John Swinton John Weaver Col. Rossiter Lord Fairfax L. General Monck Then they repealed such Acts of the Rump as they had made meerly for the satisfaction of their own self ends and were exceedingly destructive to the interest of the Kingdome taking off those Sequestrations which they had laid on Sr George Booth and his party which must have proved almost a general calamity to the Nation and they likewise released them from that confinement which they had for a long time lain under Making moreover such acts as might best secure the interest of the people and conduce to the settlement of the Nation some of which were directed to the taking away all places of power or profit out of the hands of the Fanatick or Commonwealth party and putting in those who were like to prove better Patriots But these acts being very numerous I think not convenient to insert the particulars In the next place they commissionate the Lord Monck to be Captain General of all the Forces in England Scotland and Ireland a place of the highest honour and which he had as highly deserved And now to show that God was pleased notwithstanding the continued sinnes of the Nations to remit his punishing hand no sooner were the Members seated in the House but news came that Ireland was by his good providence through the endeavours of Sr Charles Coote already put in such a posture as might make it capable of receiving the first state of affaires he having secured Sr Hardresse Waller and others of the Rumps faction But now some signe of discontent appeared in the Army here which had formerly been under Fleetwoods and Lamberts command For Collonel Rich's Regiment upon news of this change at London began to mutany at St Edmondsbury but the Parliament hearing of it instantly sent out Collonel Ingoldsby a Lover of his Countrey their former Commander with a party of Horse to whom upon his approach they quietly submitted themselves The Parliament now restored the Charter to the City of Chester which had been taken away by the Rump upon Sr George Booths businesse as shortly afterward they likewise revived the Dutchy of Lancaster which had been voted down by the others and made Sr Gilbert Gerrard Chancellour Nich. Letchmere Attorney of the Dutchy and the Speaker William Lenthal Esquire Chamberlain of Chester And perceiving that endeavours were daily used to sow sedition in the Army and that there was designs on foot to draw them together to a mutiny they order That none either Officers or Souldiers should depart from their respective Quarters without leave from the Lord General and those that had forthwith to return to their assigned stations To gratifie Dr Claerges and in him his brother the Lord General the Hamper-Office a place of good profit was conferred upon him Febr. 29. Upon notice of some design contriving by the Fanatick party several armes were seised in divers places of the City of London and Captain Kiffen a grand Ring-leader of the Anabaptists and several others were secured though afterwards released no matter of weight being then found against them And now that they might testifie to the world they were other men than their predecessours who would have continued themselves a Parliament to posterity they order their dissolution to be on the 15th of March resolving before that time to take order for summoning a New Representative They confirmed the Confession of Faith formerly made by the Assembly of Divines and enacted That it should be the Confession of Faith of the Church of England except onely the thirtieth and one and
English The Loves of Clirio and Lozia a Romance Mr. Knowles his Rudiment of the Hebrew Tongue A Book of Scheams or Figures of Heaven ready set for every four Minutes of times and very usefull for all Astrologers Florus Anglicus or an exact History of England from the Reign of William the Conquerour to the death of the Late King Linguae or the Combate of the Tongue and five Senses for Superiority a serious Comedy The Spirits Touchstone being a clear discovery how a man may certainly know whether he be truly taught by the Spirit of God or not The poor mans Physician and Chyrurgion Physicall Rarities containing the most choice Receipts in Physick and Chyrurgery for the cure of all Diseases Incident to mans body By R W lliams To which is added the physical Mathematicks By Hermes Tris-Megistus The Idol of Clowns or the Relation of Wat Tiler's Rebellion The Christian Moderator in 3 parts The Golden Fleece or a Discourse of the cloathing of England Dr. Sibbs his Divine Meditations Vigerius Precepts of Idiotismes Grotij Poemata Three Books of M. Matthews Minister at Swansey in South-wales 1 The Messiah Magnified by the mouthes of Babes in America or Gains and Gamaliel a helpfull Father and his hopeful Son discoursing of the three most considerable points 1. The great want of Christ 2 The great worth that is in Christ 3. The good way that is chalkt out by Christ 2. The New Congregationall Church prov'd to be the old Christian Church by Scripture Reason and History 3 The Reading Church-member Regularly call'd back to Christ and his Church A physical Dictionary An exact History of the several changes of Government in England from the horrid Murther of King Charles the first to the happy Restauration of King Charles the second with the Renowned Actions of General Monck by J. D. Duodecim Dr. Smith's practice of physick The Grammar War Posselius Apothegmes Fasciculus Florum Crashaw's Visions The Juniper Lecture Helvicus Colloquies The Christian Souldier his Combate with the three arch-enemies of man-kind the world the flesh and the devil Seasonable advice to the Apprentices of the Honourable City of London touching their duty to God and their Masters Heinsius de Crepundiis The History of Russia or the Government of the Emperour of Muscovia with the manner and fashions of the people of that Countrey Drexeliu's school of Patience Drexelius his right Intention of every ones action A School or Nurture for Children or the Duty of Children to Parents very usefull for all that intend to bring up their children in the fear of God Viginti Quarto The New Testament The third part of the Bible Sir Richard Bakers Meditations and Prayers for every day of the Week Playes The Ball. Chawbut Conspiracy Obstinate Lady The London Chanticlers a Comedy foll of various and delightfull Mirth neyer before published FLORVS ANGLICVS The Second Part. CONTAINING Englands Oligarchicall Government from the Death of CHARLES the I. to the Protectorship of OLIVER PART I. NO sooner had the fatall Axe severed England and her Liberties by severing King Charles his head from his body but the Parliament the better to maintain what they had now so farre prosecuted make Proclamation That none under penalty of being deemed guilty of high Treason should presume to proclaim declare publish or any way promote the Prince of Wales Sonne to the late King or any other Person to be King or Chief Magistrate of England or of any the Dominions belonging to them by colour of Inheritance Succession or Election or any other claim whatsoever without the free consent of the people in Parliament c. This Proclamation though it came not forth in full till the second of February yet was in part proclaimed on the very day of the Kings beheading They likewise the more to ensure their Government and to carry it on with the more plausibility publish an Act of State for the alteration of Writs in England Ireland and Wales as that in stead of King the Name Stile and Test Custodis Libertatis Angliae Authoritate Parliamenti be used and none other and all Writs c. should run so of which all concerned in the Law were required to take notice Yet they provide that all Patents granted by the late King should still stand in full force and vertue The Houses likewise take upon them a more then Papall power and because he Priest could indeed absolve them they are resolved to absolve themselves and all those engaged with them by an Act repealing the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy Sr Lewis Dives Sr Robert Stuart of Irel and the Lord Loughborough Collonel Poyer Collonel Laughorne and Duke Hamilton having escaped out of severall Prisons of which the last out of Windsor Castle a strict search was made for them but in vain except Duke Hamilton who was the next morning retaken in an Inne in Southwark The Lords House perceiving that by reason of his Majesties death the Judges gave not that assistance to them which was usuall by reason his death had extinguished their power as Judges desired that eighteen of the Commons might be sent to conferre with nine of the Lords but it would not be assented to The House of Commons having executed their King the Nobles are an eyesore to them they therefore resolve to take away as many of them as they can bring within their reach they resolve to begin with those they have already in hold and the Commission of the High-Court of Justice for his Majesties Triall being expired they create a new one consisting of sixty three persons of which any fifteen had power to act for the triall of Duke Hamilton as Earl of Cambridg Earl of Holland Earl of Norwich Lord Capell who attempted an escape but was retaken at Lambeth and Sir John Owen and in order thereto they likewise vote the adjournment of Hillary Terme which because the Judges had not power they do by their Proclamation of the second of February And now they take into consideration the reception of their numerous fellow members which by the arbitrary force of the Army had been excluded and at last they vote That none should be admitted into the House who had voted that his late Majesties Concessions were a ground for Peace and for the firm settlement of these Nations The Parliament having cut off one of those three Estates by which the Nation had so long been governed think likewise of abolishing the second that they alone might have the whole power therefore upon considerations of the House of Lords in what capacity they should stand they vote 1. That they would make no farther addresses to them 2. That they would receive none from them 3. That an Act be drawn to abolish that House as dangerous and useless Thus is the whole basis of that Government which had continued in England so many hundred years overthrown in ten dayes and the two ancient grand Estates of the Land cut off Having abolished
his Father or him formerly and particularly the Lord Montross Thirdly That he bring but 100 with him into Scotland And fourthly That he bring no forreign force into Scotland without their consent But whether these Conditions were by him agreed to or no I think is hardly known In the mean while the Parliaments friends in Ireland are but in a bad condition they therefore desire present aid Clanrickard Taffe and Preston with their Catholicks having made a full agreement with Ormond and Inchequeen the Articles were viz. after the Catholicks acknowledgement by way of preamble That Charles the second is King of Ireland and that they will stand to him with their lives and fortunes It is agreed 1. That the Catholicks have free exercise of Religion in Ireland and all penalties taken off 2. That a Parliament shall be held within six Moneths or after when the Catholicks desire 3. All Laws made in the Parliament of England since 41 in blemish of Catholicks in the next Parliament to be null 4. All Indictments against any Catholicks since 41 to be vacuated 5. Way and provision made that Catholicks may be Elected and Vote in Parliament 6. All Debts to remain as they were February 8. 1641. notwithstanding any disposition under colour of Attainder 7. The Estates of the Knights Gentlement and Freeholders of Connaght Clare Thomond Limerick and Tipperary to be secured by Act. 8. All incapacities of the Natives in Ireland to be taken away by Act. 9. All Honours Trusts c. to be conferred as well on Catholicks as Protestants 10. That the King take 2000lb per annum in lieu of the Court of Wards 11. Noble men to be capable of more Proxies then two in Parliament 12. That the depending of the Parliament of Ireland on that of England shall be as shall stand with the Laws of Ireland 13. That the Counsell-Table meddle only with State-matters 14. That all Acts forbidding the transport of Wooll be made null by the next Parliament 15. That if any have been wronged by Grants from King James or since they may have relief in Parliament 16. That divers particular Lords Knights and Gentlemen who have as they conceive been wronged may be righted 17. That all who have had their Estates taken from them in Cork Youghall and Dungarvan have restauration 18. That in the next Parliament an Act of oblivion pass to all Ireland 19. That no Lord Deputy or other Officer of Eminency farm the Customes 20. An Act against Monopolists and no imposition on Aqua-vitae 21. That the Court of Castle-chamber be regulated 22. The Acts prohibiting plowing with Horses by the tail and burning Oats in the Straw be nul'd 23. That his Majesty take off the grievances of the Kingdome 24. That Maritime causes be determined in Ireland 25. That no Rents be raised under pretence of defective titles 26. That Interest be forgiven from 1641. 27. That all this be Acted and of force till a Parliament agree it 28. That the Commissioners for the Catholicks that treated agree upon such as shall be Commissioners of the peace and hear all causes under 10lb. 29. That all Governours of Towns Castles c. made by the King be with the approbation of Catholick Commissioners 30. That none of his Majesties Rents be paid till a full settlement in Parliament 31. That the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer do try all Murthers Thefts c. 32. That hereafter such Differences as arise between Subjects be tried by a Court in Ireland 33. That the Roman Clergy that behave themselves according to this Agreement be not molested These Articles thus agreed on Ormond publishes a Declaration exasperating the horrid Murther of the late King and Declaring Charles the second King of Ireland as the true lawfull and undoubted Heir to his Father and to him and in his Defence they all resolve to stick with lives and fortunes The Counsell of State begin now to take the business of Ireland into more serious consideration and to dispatch relief the sooner Order that a convenient number of Shipping be made ready at Bristoll Leverpool Beaumorris and Milford Haven to transport the Army and to be at the direction of the Commander in chief for Ireland They likewise give Order that an Hospitall be provided for maimed Souldiers in Dublin That all those who are already in the Parliaments pay in Ireland do joyn with those now sent over under the Command of his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell That Bread Salt Cheese and other provisions be provided with a train of Artillery And that care be taken that continuall supplyes of men be constantly sent The seventh of Aprill the Parliament for the better supply of their Army and taking off the intollerable oppression of Free-Quarter pass an Act for 90000lb. a Moneth for six Moneths But in relation to their present exigencies for setting forward of the relief for Ireland the Generall Earl of Pembroke and some others are sent to the City to borrow 120000lb. upon the security of the two last Moneths Assessment And now the business of Ireland goes on vigorously the Parliament making sundry Votes for its furtherance viz. That care be taken for provisions for the Winter Quarters That a sufficient number of Ships be imployed on the Coast at the Command of the Generall by Land That provision be made for maimed Souldiers and for the Widows and Orphans of Souldiers slain That a train of Artillery be provided That the Troopers be supplyed with such Backs Brests and Pots as shall be fitting And that care be taken for the convenient sending over of Recruits And indeed it was no time to dally now except they meant to have lost all for Ormond Taffe Preston and Inchequeen are mustering their Forces to lay siege to Dublin London-Derry and Sr Charles Coot in it was already besieged by the Covenanters or Laggan Forces And though Owen Roe's standing out might make a kinde of schisme amongst them yet it was judged that their Army would be numerous enough both to besiege Dublin and reduce him for which last service Inchequeen was intended his Brother Sr Phellime not being so sure a friend to him as was imagined so that Ireland could not at that time seem to be in any other condition then near utterly lost to the Parliament The sale of the Deans and Chapters Lands coming under consideration were found worth 9000lb per annum impropriate which goes towards the Ministers maintenance and 18000lb per annum old Rent which is to be sold But 1. It was resolved that 300000lb be raised on it in way of doubling as on Bishops Lands 2. That no Bill of Faith pass but such as hath been allowed by Trustees 3. That the 600000lb due for Souldiers Arrears stand good upon the Excise till other security be setled 4. That this 600000lb be paid out of Lands belonging formerly to the Crown 5. That twelve Trustees be for this Act six nominated by the Generall and six by the Parliament 6. That
the Attorney Generall bring in a Bill to Audit the Arrears of the Souldiers Thus the Parliament make hast to the sale of the Lands belonging both to Church and State for the payment of their Souldiers and servants The 25th of April 1649 was Collonel Poyer shot to death Major Generall Loughorne Coll. Powell and himself three eminent Welchmen were tried for their lives by a Counsell of Warre and all three condemned for holding Intelligence with the Enemy but mercy being shown it was put to the Lot which fell upon Coll. Poyer who suffered death according to sentence The Princess Elizabeth Daughter to the late King petitioning the Parliament that shee might have leave to go into Holland to her Sister the Princess Royall of Orange is denyed but is ordered to go with her Brother the Duke of Glocester to Sr Edward Harringtons in Rutland who is ordered to take care of them and 3000lb a year is allowed for their maintenance but he excuses it being ancient The Parliament take upon them the Royall Prerogative of Coyning Monies order a new Stamp to be made with the Arms of England on one side and round The Commonwealth of England and the Arms of England and Ireland on the other and round God with us Severall Troops and Regiments of the Army either discontented at Liev. Coll. John Lilburns imprisonment or some other feigned pretence of their own mutinie Coll. Scroops and Major Gen. Iretons who were designed for Ireland are the chief but in the end they are all either reduced to obedience or disbanded A Regiment of Coll. Tuthills is sent over to Dublin as a vangard to the rest Dr Dorislaus whom the Parliament of this Commonwealth had sent over as their Agent to treat with the States of Holland was the 5th of May murdered in an Ordinary in the Hague by six men who entred into the chamber disguised the English Cavaliers there were suspected for the murther but we judg it a calumny since the certainty could never be known though the States of Holland offered 1000 Guldens to the discoverers of the assassinates The Parliament to manifest their surious resentment of the murther of Dr Isaac Dorislaus their Agent put forth a Declaration how tender a sense they have of so horrid a murther and the dishonour redounds thereby to the Commonwealth and that since they cannot have the authors of that horrid villany they are resolved to execute their revenge upon those Cavaliers for they are resolved to believe those there the actors of it which they have here in their power and have not been admitted to compound and so are left to their mercy which they else had found had not their fellows there forfeited it so sweet is revenge though but upon a meer suspicion of an injury The Parliament in England put forth an Act declaring what should be high-Treason the particulars were 1. That whosoever should maliciously and advisedly by writing printing or openly declare that this Government by Parliament is tyrannicall usurped or unlawfull or that the Commons assembled in Parliament are not the Supream Authority of the Nation or shall plot endeavour or contrive to stir up or raise any force to the subversion or alteration of the Government and shall declare the same by open deed shall be judged guilty of high-Treason 2. That any person who shall maliciously and advisedly contrive and plot or cause to be contrived and plotted any thing which may tend to the subversion of the Keepers of the Liberties of England or the Councell of State and shall declare the same by open deed shall be judged guilty of high Treason 3. That whosoever not being a Member of the Army shall plot contrive or endeavour to stir up any mutiny in the said Army or draw any Souldiers or Officers from their obedience to their superiour Officers or from the present Government or shall procure invite or aid any forreigners to invade England or Ireland or counterfeit the great Seal of England for time being used by Authority of Parliament That then they for every such offence be judged guilty of high Treason and suffer the pains and penalties thereof This Act was by Order of Parliament proclaimed throughout England and Wales But now the straits of Ireland requiring a speedy help which is daily sollicited for Ormond having beleaguered Dublin near a Moneth and it scarce like to hold out long for want both of men provisions and Ammunition Collonel Tuthills Regiment having carried nothing over but themselves and their Arms on their shoulders though scarce Cloathes to their backs so that the Parliament to answer those reiterated desires of Lieutenant Generall Jones and being indeed sensible of their necessities expedite their assistance appointing Commissary Generall Ireton Collonel Scroop Collonel Horton Major Generall Lambert with their four Regiments of Horse and Collonel Ewers Collonel Cooke Collonel Hewson and Collonel Dean with theirs of Foot and five Troops of Horse to be made ready for that service besides which some other Regiments are raised by beat of Drum In the mean time Collonel Reynolds Regiment of Horse Collonel Venables and Collonel Monkes of Foot quartering nearest are ordered to advance to Chester and thence immediately take Shipping as the Vant-guard of the Army the other eight Regiments were ordered to march to the generall Rendezvows at Milford-haven where there was a convenient number of Shipping provided to waft them over into Ireland and whither Generall Cromwell very speedily followed them departing out of London the tenth of July 1649. The Vant-guard commanded by the Collonels Reynolds Venables and Monke met with so prosperous a gale from Chester soon arrived in Dublin Road and having landed their men notwithstanding the Enemy lay so near entred the City without any considerable opposition where they were received with Ecchoes of joy by the Souldiers and Inhabitants who had so long expected them The Town being now so well strengthened by this new supply Collonel Jones his old Souldiers Collonel Tuthills Regiment with the Inhabitants that bore Arms and this new Brigade could now muster between 8 and 9000 stout men Jones therefore resolves upon a Sally as soon as he should see occasion which the Enemy themselves soon gave him by coming down on the East side of the City with a party of near 2000 Foot and some Horse intending to have run a trench along to the Sea and there to have built a Fort which might have commanded the Haven and hindred supplyes from England they within perceiving their design were resolved to hinder them so drawing out near twelve hundred Horse and four thousand Foot couragiously enter those trenches the Enemy had raised and pursued their charge with so much courage that Ormonds Horse presently gave back and his Foot most cut in pieces or taken prisoners which easie victory gave such heat to the English Forces that pursuing it with as much resolution as possible could be expected in men they followed the Chase as far as Rathmines where
in the Directory of publique Worship Confession of Faith and Catechisme These and many other bitter Pills was he forced to take to purge him and make him fit for that Crown which was shortly after put upon his head And now the Parliament of England begin to think of their security and for fear of an invasion from the Scots resolve to invade the Scots they therefore order the Armies speedy advance which presently allarms the Scots they send two or three Papers to Sr Arthur Haslerig then Governour of Newcastle expostulating for the suddain approach of the English Army which they do only to gain time that they may be in a better readiness to receive them The Parliament to satisfie the people of England publish a Declaration large and specious enough shewing the causes and reasons of the Armyes so suddain advance into Scotland though indeed they could pretend nothing in justice but only a fear lest Scotland should invade them July 22. 1650 The English Army quit their Quarters at Barwicke and advance into Scotland as far as the Lord Mordingtons house so they are now the first invaders thence on to Copperspeth and so to Dunbar where they receive provisions from their Ships and so march to Haddington At Haddington the Lord Generall Cromwell hearing that the Scotch Army would meet him next at Gladmoore endeavours to possess the Moore before them but no considerable Party of Scots appeared Lambert and Whalley are sent with 1400 Horse to attempt somewhat on the Enemy at Musselborough but nothing could be done The English encamped that night within four Miles of the Scots but the next day they perceived the Scots Camp so strongly fortified and flankred with great Guns that they judged it in vain to attempt any thing upon it so the English retreat to refresh themselves the Scots fell in on their rear and put them to some disorder till a body of English Horse close with them put them to the rout and pursue them to their very trenches Lambert was in this encounter wounded in two places and taken prisoner but rescued again two or three Scotch prisoners of note were taken and some few slain on both sides The English march off quietly to Musselborough but very much tired and faint for want of provisions and by lying open in the rain that they expected the Enemy should fall upon them in the night which they did broke through the English Guards and put a Regiment of Horse to disorder but the English sallying and the whole Army taking the Allarm charged routed and pursued those fifteen Troops under Command of Montgomery and Straughan These losses made the Scots keep closer in their trenches In the mean time affairs go on well for the Parliament in Ireland Teoroghan-Castle notwithstanding the stour resistance of the Lady Governess is at last compelled to yield Waterford before which the Lord Deputy Ireton was set down was in a yielding capacity Ormonds Castlehavins and other royall Forces dispersed so that there now remained only Limericke Galloway and some other inconsiderable Garrisons to the wholly reducing that Kingdome Somewhat before this the English Plantations in Virginia and the Caribdy Island revolted from their obedience to the Parliament and declare unanimously for Monarchy and Liturgy but the decay of their Trade without which they could not long subsist and a Squadron of Ships sent under the Command of Sir George Askew quickly reduces them to complyance The Parliament of England the more to afflict the Scots and encrease their misery prohibite all traffick with them command all their Merchants and Ships to depart in ten dayes who going without Convoy most of them fall into the hands of the English Frigots against whom they could make no resistance Collonel Eusebius Andrews being taken with a Commission from the King is apprehended and accused for a design to subvert the Government of this Commonwealth for which he is condemned and executed on Tower-hill one Benney who was found to have a hand in the business is hanged drawn and quartered at Tyburne But to digress The Prince of Orange having a design to enlarge his power over the united Provinces is impeaded by the City of Amsterdam whereupon he endeavours to surprize it but the Burgers having advice of it by letting open their sluces forbid the approach of his Army so his design failing he came off with disgrace but they afterwards came to an agreement and the Prince was forced to be content with the power he had before or less The English Army in Scotland to which it is time to return having taken Collington-house and Readhall by storm and in the last the Lord Hamilton Major Hamilton and good store of Ammunition and provision move from Pentland-hills and Collington and Readhall within a Mile of the Scotch Army both Armyes march side by side in view of each other but a Bog betwixt them hindred an Engagement but the great Guns played on both sides which nevertheless provoked not the Scotch to fight but still they kept under protection of the Bog which the English seeing retreated and marcht to Musleborough to refresh themselves which done they draw off and march to Haddington the Scots attending their right wing fall on desperately but are repulsed by Collonel Fairfaxes Regiment September 1. 1650 the English Army marched to Dunbar whither the Scots followed them and drew up their whole Army upon a high Hill within a Mile of the Town The English Army drew up in a Corn-field below being encamped on a neck of Land not a Mile and half from the Sea to Sea so that the Scots Army being above them and finding their advantage endeavoured the gaining of Copper-speth-pass which effected they bragged they had the English in Essex his pound and Lesly the Scotch Generall bragged he would have the English either dead or alive The straits of the English were very great many sick and disabled and themselves pen't up in this manner wanting provisions they resolved on the third of September either to force their way through their Enemies or die nobly in the attempt a Party of Horse is first set to gain the pass which effected the whole Army charged and after about an hours hot engagement the Scotch Horse being routed the Foot threw down their Arms and fled There was in the Scotch Army this day neer 16000 Foot 6000 Horse wherof 4000 were slain neer 10000 taken Prisoners The English Army were not above 7500 Foot and 3500 Horse besides disabled men There was taken from the Scots neer 200 Foot and Horse Colours 27 Fieldpieces 10000 Arms and many Prisoners of note amongst which were the Lords Liberton Lumsdale and Grandison This relation gives me occasion to give you some heads of Cromwel's Letter to the Speaker wherein the Reader may please to observe his religious canting and judg themselves if they would not have took him for a Saint Having given a relation of the fight and victory he craves leave to add
possess which if you now deliver into my hands for his service you shall have fit terms for your self and those with you and ease the adjacent parts of a great Charge If you refuse I doubt not but in a short time by the Lords assistance to obtain what now I demand I expect your answer to morrow by seven of the Clock and rest To the Governour of Hume-Castle Your Servant George Fenwick To which the Governour next Morning returned this answer Right Honourable I have received a Trumpeter of yours as he tells me without a pass to render Hume-Castle to the Lord Generall Cromwell Please you I never saw your Generall As for Hume Castle it stands upon a Rock Given at Hume-Castle this day before seven a Clock So rests without prejudice to my native Country Your most humble Servant Tho. Cockburne After this conceited answer of the Governours he likewise salutes Collonel Fenwick with these Verses I William of the Wastle Am now in my Castle And awe the Dogs in Town Shan't gar me gang down But after the great Guns had played a little and a small breach was made at which Fenwicks men were ready to enter he was forced to surrender the Castle upon Quarter for life of which Captain Collinson with his Company took possession Collonel Moncke likewise though in somewhat longer time had the same fortune with three Regiments of Horse and Foot in reducing Timptallon-Castle which had many times cut off Passengers and done no little harm to the Country by frequent excursions the Governour and Souldiers finding no other Conditions being forced to surrender to mercy But to give some stop to the English Proceedings Generall Cromwell was taken with a violent Feaver which confined him many dayes to his Chamber insomuch that it was generally voted up and down the Scoth Camp that he was dead but a Trumpeter coming to Edinborough from Fife to demand restitution of a Ship laden with goods which was taken by the English Frigots going from Brunt Island to Fife and there confidently averring to the Souldiers that their Generall was dead which coming to Cromwels ears he caused the Trumpeter to be brought before him and not only gave him assurance of his life but of his recovery in great measure which at his return caused no small decrease of joy in the Scotch Army Generall Dean about this time arrived at Leith with a Squadron of English Ships bringing with him a convenient quantity of supplies both of men Money and provisions together with twenty seven flat bottomed Boats for transportation of the Army over into Fife so extreamly carefull were the Parliament of their Army in Scotland In the mean time the Scotch Levies go on vigorously Middleton marches out of the High-lands with a considerable number both of Horse and Foot The Town of Dundee to shew their affection to his Majesty advanced a brave Regiment of Horse at their own charge and sent them with six brass pieces of Ordnance for a present to their King at Sterling Whilest these things were acting in Scotland there happened a very strange accident at Oxford in England One Anne Green servant to Sr Thomas Read having been got with Childe by a Gentleman of the House about the fourth Moneth of her time by over-working fell in travell and not knowing what it might be went to the House of Office where with some straining an abortive Infant of about a span long fell from her which being found out she was carried prisoner to Oxford and there condemned for the Murther and hanged After she had hung near an hour all which time she was pulled by the Legs and strook on the Brest by some of her friends and some Souldiers that stood by with the But ends of their Muskets she was cut down put into a Coffin and brought to a house to be dissected by some Physicians when they opened the Coffin they perceived a ratling in her Throat whereupon one standing by stamped on her Brest and Belly but Dr Petty and two other Doctors present fell speedily to use some meanes to bring her to life which they did to the wonder of all men she still as upon the Gallows averring her innocency The Parliament now to abolish the shadow as well as formerly they had done the substance of Monarchy cause the Statuas of the late King which were set up at the West end of the Cathedrall of St Pauls Church aed that set up in the Royall Exchange to be pulled down and over the conspicuous place of the last caused this ignominious Motto to be set Exit Tyrannus Regum ultimus anno libertatis Angliae restitutae primo Anno Domini 1648. January 30. which might far better be inverted They likewise cause the Kings Arms in all places of the Kingdome to be defaced and expunged the Souldiers using all violence imaginable to his Majesties Pictures though but set up for Signs In the mean time the Parliament are courted by severall forreign Ambassadors from the Hollander Spaniard and Portugall all requesting peace and amity though 't is suspected the Hollander then intended a War But however the Parliament of England send over Oliver St John and Walter Strickland Esquires as Ambassadors extraordinary to Holland where they were entertained with a great deal of Ceremony The heads of their Ambassage was 1. That a firme league and confederacy be made between the two Republicks 2. That former treaties and agreements of trade and commerce be renewed 3. That the States of Holland would make strict search after the Murderers of Dr Dorislaus and that like affronts might be prevented for the future But notwithstanding the States had put out a Declaration commanding that none should upon strict amercements affront the English Ambassadors yet three Moneths were past and nothing agreed upon but innumerable affronts received the Ambassadors by Order of the Parliament of England returned home infect â pace But Van Trumps lying hovering with his Fleet of Scilly made the English Jealous that they intended some hostile attempt upon the place but the reason of his hovering being demanded the Hollanders answered that they only lay there to demand satisfaction for such Ships as those Pirates had taken from their people which satisfied for the present however the Parliament thought good to reduce those Isles under their own obedience which they shortly after did by a Fleet under Command of Admirall Blake and Sr George Askew In the mean time Cornet-Castle in the Isle of Guernsey which still held out with a Party for the King was assaulted by a considerable Party of Foot upon information given that there was but Forty men in the Castle and eighteen of them disabled when upon tryal there was found sixty good men in the Castle who made hot work for the assailants breaking their Ladders and killing many of them with Case-shot from the Flankers so that they were fain to get off by the Boat which proved as unfortunate two Boats full of
Souldiers being sunk by Shot from the Castle Captain Browne Bushell a Noble Royalist who had done many handsome actions for the service of both the Kings was beheaded under the Scaffold at Tower-hill In the mean time the Forces under Command of the Lord Deputy of Ireland scatter and disperse those Forces raised by Castle-haven Clanrickard Dillon and others in the Counties of Kerryathlone Monaghan and Wicklow and settle severall Garrisons to the distraction of most of their Enemies no considerable places being left to them but only Limerick and Galloway That considerable Garrison of Finnagh in Westmeath being surrendred to Commissary Generall Reynolds and Phelim Mac Hugh who came with 1500 Horse and Foot to its relief routed most of his Company slain and many considerable Officers taken prisoners But let us return again to the main business in Scotland Collonel Moncke with a Party of Horse and Foot marches towards Blackness a Garrison of the Scots which had much endammaged the English Quarters which after the Batteries raised and some Shot was spent was reduced the Defendants craving Quarter which considering the strength of the place was granted The Scots in the mean time grow powerfull for notwithstanding all the strifes and emulations amongst them an agreement is patcht up to the seeming satisfaction of all the dissenters they are likewise in hopes of a power to rise for them in Lanchashire which with a considerable Party promised from Scotland to joyn with them might confront any force of the Parliaments but the design is discovered before it was acted and Thomas Cooke Esquire of Grays-Inne the principall Agent for Lancashire taken Major Generall Harrison upon these discoveries is sent into the North with a Body of Horse and Foot and to oppose the Enemy if he should make an invade by way of Carlisle The above-mentioned plot was contrived throughout all England though by ill fortune timely prevented severall persons of quality but most Presbyterian Divines were taken viz. Mr Christopher Love Major Alford Major Adams Collonel Barton Mr Blackmore Mr Case Mr Cauton Dr Drake Captain Far Mr Gibbons Mr Hrviland Major Huntington Mr Ienkins Mr Iaquell Mr Iackson Lieutenant Collonel Iackson Captain Massey Mr Nalton Captain Potter Mr Robbinson Mr Sterks Collonel Sorton Collonel Vaughan and others of which only two suffered viz. Mr Love and Mr Gibbons who after many delays were beheaded on Tower-hill the 22. of August 1651. There hapned much about this time a petty rising in Wales two or three hundred persons being gathered together in behalf of the Scots King upon a report that the English Army was routed and the Scotch advancing into England but the design proved as void of success as the report was of truth But the Scots make severall in-falls upon the Out-guards and Garrisons of the English wherein they had frequently good success killing some and taking others having the advantage of the English in the knowledge of the Country which makes the English contract their Quarters drawing away the Out-Garrisons and putting the Army into a posture to march to Fife but the Ground not yet affording Grass or Oats the enterprize was for the present suspended The Scotch Levies were now compleated to 15000 Foot and 6000 Horse with which they march on this side Sterling to a place called Torwood where the King drew up most of his Horse and Foot and enrails them in a regular fortification Cromwell draws up his Army towards them and marched in Battalia within view of their Camp in hopes to draw them to a Fight but they got nothing else from them then some thundring Messengers from their great Artillery The Lord Generall vext at their delays fals upon Kalendar-house kept by a Party of theirs and in the end though it was stoutly defended out of hopes of relief takes it by storm but when this neither would provoke the Scots to fight he resolves now having so fit an opportunity to do that which he had so long intended viz. to land some men on Fife and accordingly Collonel Daniells Regiment of Foot having four Companies more joyned to it and four Troops of Horse all under Command of Collonel Overton being imbarqued at Leith under pretence of being sent for England arrived next morning on the other shore landed and intrenched in despite of a Party of Scots which strove to oppose them This News brought to the Lord Generall Major Generall Lambert is presently ordered with two Regiments of Horse and two of Foot to second them which they did but advice of it arriving in the Scotch Camp so alarm'd them that in all haste Major Generall Brown is sent with four Regiments of Horse and four of Foot to drive the English out which they might have done had not Major Generall Lambert been arrived before them So there being now almost an equall force the Fight began to the great loss of the Scots whereof near 1500 were slain 1000 taken prisoners among which Sr John Brown Major Generall was one who shortly after as 't is supposed out of grief for this defeat died Upon this overthrow the Scotch Army remove their Camp from Torwood and march directly to Sterling-Park Cromwell follows in their rear hoping yet to draw them to a Battell but they would by no means be induced to it though he followed them within two Miles of Sterling The Lord Generall perceiving his delays would be in vain marches with his whole Army to Lithgoe whence he sends over into Fife the greatest part of them with the train of Artillery to prosecute the War on the other side the remainder with him being only four Regiments of Horse and four of Foot which he made use of to secure what was already gained and observe the Scots motions In the mean time the Lord Lambert faces Brunt Island which is surrendred upon Articles without discharging so much as one piece of Artillery The Lord Generall likewise having dispatched those affairs which detained him at Leith crosses the Frith and coming to the Army draws them into a posture and having left Colonel Wests Regiment in Brunt Island marches with the rest towards Sr Johnston and in two dayes faces the Town and being informed that there was no Garrison in it he sends a Summons to the Inhabitants not doubting of a suddain rendition but it proved otherwise for the Lord Dafferes had the day before entred the Town with 1300 Souldiers The Lord Generall hereupon sends another Summons to the Governour who sullenly returns him no answer but after the Artillery had played one day his stomack came down and the Town was surrendred upon Articles The English Army being marched as far North as St Johns Town the King seeing affairs go so desperately in Scotland and loath to lose so good an opportunity advances with his whole Army consisting of about 16000 and marches with all speed possible into England by way of Carlisle This suddain and unexpected action startled the whole English Nation but especially the Parliament
it hath been the practice of those who have been chief Governours to acknowledge with thanks to the Commons their care and regard of the publicke I do very heartily and thankefully acknowledge their kindness herein But let us a little leave the Parliament perfecting all things to the Protectors content and see a relation of the victorious Generall Blakes thrice worthy exploit at Sancta-Cruze Generall Blake lying with his Fleet near Cadiz had advice brought him that the Spanish West-India Fleet was put into the Port of Sancta-Cruze in Teneriffa the chief Island of the Canaries Whereupon the Fleet weighs Anchor and on the 20th of Aprill 1657 were at the mouth of Sancta-Cruze Bay where they espied the Spanish Ships sixteen in number lying in an order almost semi-circular at the mouth of the Haven stands a Castle well furnished with Guns and besides that seven Forts more with three four and six Guns a piece so that the passage in must needs be dangerous or rather desperate Besides Don Diego D'aques the Spanish Admirall to make all safe had caused the smaller Ships to be mored alongst the shore and the six great Gallions lay farther off at Anchor with their broad sides towards the Sea Generall Blake having perceived this posture of defence in which they lay from the offing presently calls a Counsell of War where it was resolved that they should presently attaque them not at all considering the eminent hazard Captain Stainer Commander of the Speaker is ordered first in with them who presently falls upon the Ships not at all considering or regarding the number of the Shot which the Forts on every side continually powred upon him and maintains near an hours Fight till the Generals Blake and Montague having ordered some Frigots to ply the Forts and Brest-works with continuall broad sides came up and with all their power encountered the Spaniards who though they made a gallant resistance yet in four hours space they were driven out of their Ships which though possessed by the English yet could not easily be brought away so they were by them fired to the number of sixteen small and great This noble attempt cost the English but 48 men and 120 wounded The Spaniards besides the loss of their whole Fleet had many hundreds of men slain on the shore and in the Forts and Brest-works besides those which lost their lives in the Ships For this noble exploit the Protector by Order of Parliament sent a Diamond Ring worth 500lb for a present to Generall Blake And Captain Richard Stainer who led on the first Squadron was at his coming to England for this and his former service Knighted This year happened a Conspiracy of other sort of men then Cavaliers for on the 19th of Aprill 1657 at a House in Shoreditch severall discontented persons who had been formerly of the Army were apprehended who had appointed to have Rendesvowzed on Mile-end-Green and so have marched into other Counties to augment their Party Store of Arms were taken and the number of the Conspirators being many they were disposed of in severall prisons Major Generall Harrison Vice-Admirall Lawson Collonel Rich and Major Danvers were secured as the chief Ring-leaders This was called the Plot of the fifth-Monarchy-men The Protector out of a desire he had to keep the Spaniards to it every where makes a private agreement with France to send out a Brigade of his best Infantry which the French extreamly wanted to assist them in Flanders These were begun to be raised about the 4th of May 1657 and about the latter end of the Moneth having had a very fine passage into Picardy joyned with those Forces commanded by the Marshall of Turene Over these Sir John Reynolds one of the Protectors Knights but formerly Commissary Generall of the Army in Ireland was appointed Commander in chief and Collonel Morgan was made Major Generall But to return a little to our affairs at home The Parliament had long been debating concerning the settlement of his Highness and had almost concluded of it when on a suddain a Paper was sent into the House desiring his Highness advance of Title Upon this the grand machine of Government was printed entituled An humble Petition and Advice humbly entreating that his Highness would be pleased to change his Title of Protector to that of King This was extreamly averse to his nature who God bless us would be a Servant and not a Master of his Country He knew Monarchy to be odious both to the Army and as he said to the people and therefore he gave the Parliament this positive answer in the painted Chamber That he could not accept the Government under the Title of a King Whereupon the Parliament voted that Protector should be the Title of the chief Magistrate and the Petition and Advice being altered accordingly nothing now wanted to the making it a Law but his Highness approbation So a Conference is desired with him which granted the Protector on the 25th of May 1657 meets the Parliament in the painted Chamber where Sr Thomas Widdrington Speaker presents him with the humble Petition and Advice the substance whereof was 1. That his Highness Oliver Cromwell under the Title of Lord Protector would be pleased to execute the Office of chief Magistrate over England Scotland and Ireland and the Territories thereunto belonging c. and to govern according to all things in this Petition and Advice And also that he would in his life time appoint the person that should succeed in the Government after his death 2. That he would call a Parliament consisting of two Houses once in three years at farthest 3. That those persons who are legally chosen by a free Election of the people to serve in Parliament may not be excluded from doing their duties but by consent of that House whereof they are Members 4. That none but those under the Qualifications therein mentioned should be capable to serve as Members in Parliament 5. That the power of the other House be limited as herein prescribed 6. That the Laws and Statutes of the Land be observed and kept no Laws altered suspended abrogated or repealed or new Laws made but by Act of Parliament 7. That the yearly summe of a Million of pounds sterling be setled for maintenance of the Navy and Army and three hundred thousand pounds for support of the Government besides other temporary supplies as the Commons in Parliament shall see the necessities of the Nation to require 8. That the number of the Protectors Counsell shall not be above twenty one whereof the Quorum to be seven 9. The chief Officers of State as Chancellors Keepers of the great Seal c. to be approved by Parliament 10. That his Highness would encourage a godly Ministry in these Nations and that such as do revile and disturb them in the worship of God may be punished according to Law and where Laws are defective new ones to be made 11. That the Protestant Christian Religion as it
valiant his praise might justly have exceeded the ancient Semi-gods and the Pyramids of his same have endured with glory to eternity though he was now buried obscurely in Harry the sevenths Chappell and neither Statua nor Tombe erected to his memory The Lord Protector having how ensured his greatness begins to conferre Titles of honour upon his Children his eldest Son Richard is made Chancellour of the University of Oxford and his younger Son Henry sent over Lord Deputy into Ireland where 't is affirmed by some that he governed both with such prudence and magnanimity together that he had in short time gained the loves both of the English and Irish in that Nation And 't is by most conceived probable that had his Father lest the Government of England to him as he did to his Son Richard these Nations might have still remained subject to that Family About this time the Armyes in Flanders being still disposed in their Winter-Quarters Sir John Reynolds Commander in chief together with Collonel White and some other Commanders of Note imbarquing in a Shallop at Mardike to come over and visit his Highness the Lord Protector were by a suddain storm driven upon the Goodwin Sands and were there all drowned His Highness had in this intervall of the Parliaments Sessions made choice of sundry persons to fill up his other House or Pageant-House of Lords which because posterity may know what persons they were every one almost having heard both of them and known the rise of most of them I shall here insert their Names 1. Richard Cromwell 2. Henry Cromwell 3. Nathaniell Feins 4. John Liste Commissioners of the great Seal 5. Henry Lawrence President of the Privy Counsell 6. Charles Fleetwood Lieutenant Generall 7. Robert Earl of Warwick 8. Edmund Earl of Malgrave 9. Edward Earl of Manchester 10. William Viscount Say and Seal 11. Phillip Lord Visc Liste 12. Charles Lord Visc Howard 13. Phillip Lord Wharton 14. Thomas Lord Falconbridge 15. George Lord Ewers 16. Iohn Cleypool 17. Iohn Disborow 18. Edward Montague 19. Bulstrode Whitlock 20. William Sidenham 21. Sr Charles Woelsey 22. Sr Gilbert Pickering 23. Phillip Skippon 24. Walter Strickland 25. Francis Rouse 26. Iohn Iones 27. Sr William Strickland 28. Iohn Fines 29. Sr Francis Russell 30. Sr Thomas Homeywood 31. Sr Arthur Hasterig 32. Sr Iohn Hebard 33. Sr Richard Onslow 34. Sr Gilbert Gerrard 35. Sr William Roberts 36. Iohn Glyn. 37. Oliver St Iohns Judges 38. William Pierrepoint 39. Iohn Crew 40. Alexander Popham 41. Phillip Iones 42. Sr Christopher Pack 43. Sr Robert Tichborn 44. Edward Whalley 45. Iohn Barkstead Lieut. of the Tower 46. Sr Iohn Hewson 47. Sr Thomas Pride 48. Sr George Fleetwood 49. Richard Ingoldsby 50. Iames Berry 51. William Goffe 52. Thomas Gooper 53. Edmund Thomas 54. George Monk Generall in Scotland 55. David Earl of Cassils 56. Sr William Lockhart 57. Archibald Iohnson of Warreston 58. William Steel 59. Roger Lord Broghill 60. Sr Mathew Thomlinson 61. William Lenthall 62. Richard Hampden This is the Catalogue of those Lords at least such as were ordered to be so esteemed by the Protector which were by him created Peers of the Land though without any other Title then that of bare Lord how unfit many of them were to be so I 'le leave to any rationall man to judge since though there might some persons of honour he pickt out amongst them men raised by the power of the Sword yet were the greatest part of them such as had either raised themselves fortunes out of these Kingdomes distractions and so were as deeply engaged against their King and Country as himself which made them indeed the fitter for his designes as being most likely to stand true to his interest But the time of the prorogation of the Parliament being expired they make their appearance in the House the Pageant-House of Lords likewise sitting according to ancient custome whither the Protector coming sends to the Commons to tell them that he attended them in the House of Lords whither the Speaker with the rest of the Members immediately go to whom he makes a very fair speech telling them in conclusion that if they would go on to prosecute his designes that they should be called the blessed of the Lord and the generations to come would bless them c. But the Parliament according to the fourth Article of the Petition and Advice which sayes That no Members legally chosen should be excluded from performance of their duty but by consent of Parliament immediately proceed to the calling over and re-admitting of those Members which had formerly been secluded by the Protector to his Highnesses no little discontent The Parliament being now full began to be angry at the House of Lords and to esteem it only as a Pageant-Parliament set up on purpose to mock them for it was strange to them that that power which was created but by a part of a Parliament should have a negative voice over a sull House And at length they went so far as to question the Protectors power in calling them or Authorizing them to sit as a House of Peers which he finding thought it not fitting to let businesses of this high nature run too far So on the 4th of February he goes to his House of Lords and by the Master of the black Rod he sends to acquaint the House of Commons of his being there so the Speaker and the rest of the Members repairing thither and standing without the Bar his Highness sitting under a Chair of Estate made a large Speech to them and in conclusion told them That it did concern his interest as much as the publick peace and tranquillity of the Nation to terminate that Parliament and therefore he did now put an end to their sitting So the House in obedience to his commands dissolved And now the Protector having a plot near discovery orders the settlement of the Militia of London but in such mens hands as would certainly be faithfull to his interest this he doth under pretence to perswade the people how much he labours for their security which to make them more sensible of presently after succeeds the discovery of this horrible terrible plot and herein not only his own person must be endangered but the Tower and Mews must be furprized both at one time the City of London fired and all the Souldiers about it to be put to the Sword and all this monstrous Gunpowder-work to be performed by not above thirty persons of whom the Reverend Dr Hewit a man so truly Christian that he would rather have prayed for then revenged himself of an enemy must be head here whilest Sr Henry Slingsby must from a prisoner in the Castle take possession of the Garrison of Hull yet these two with about twenty or thirty others of meaner rank were clapt up into the Tower and after some time being brought before the high Court of Justice erected for that purpose were charged with high Treason For
back by Captain Lewson of Coll. Goffs Regiment However Mr Pryn continued there and disputed highly with the Juncto of the priviledge which he and the rest of the secluded Members had to sit which only a little disturbed and made them who were loath to hear right disputed adjourn till the afternoon when Mr Pryn attempting again to enter was impeded by a Troop of Horse and two Companies of Foot which were there ready to guard this piece of a Parliament against those whom they pretended were intruders And thus this Parliament sate in quiet among themselves and to the end they might be no further disturbed voted That all persons heretofore Members of that Parliament which had not sate in this Parliament since the year 1648 nor had subscribed the Engagement in the Roll of Engagement of this House should not sit in the House till further order of the Parliament They likewise published a Declaration wherein after a large and specious Preamble they declared That they were resolved through the gracious assistance of God to apply themselves to the faithfull discharge of the trust imposed in them and to endeavour the settlement of this Commonwealth upon such a foundation as may assert establish and secure the properties and liberties of the people in reference to all both as men and as Christians and that without a single Person Kingship or House of Peers and that they should vigorously endeavour the carrying on of Reformation so much desired and so often declared for to the end there might be a godly and faithfull Magistracy and Ministry upheld and maintained in these Nations to the glory and praise of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the reviving and making glad the hearts of the upright in the Land By such fair pretences did they begin to gull the people And immediately because they could not have time as yet to appoint a Counsell of State the usuall dependant of a Parliament since 1648 they for the present erect a Committee of Safety consisting of Fleetwood Haslerig Vane Ludlow Sydenham Salway John Jones Lambert Desbrough Berry and Scot. In imitation of this was that Committee of Safety I suppose erected afterwards by the Army But the Counsell of State being shortly after nominated whatever power they had was void though 't is true most of the forementioned were members of it The Great Seal of England made by the Protectors is likewise by them broken and the old Seal used by the Parliament in 1651 voted to be the Seal of the House and no other Easter Terme is also by them adjourned to the great discontent of many persons who had then suits depending against many Members especially against Vane and Haslerig This Parliament now thinking themselves fixt in their authority begin to bustle strongly but especially they take care to please the Army who had made them a Parliament which they do by passing Votes That effectuall care be taken for satisfying their arrears and paying them their pay in due order for the future At this Parliaments reentrance into the Supream Government of these Nations there happened a sad accident in the Town and Corporation of Southwould or Soulbay in the County of Suffolk where neer 230 dwelling-Houses were wholly consumed with fire all which was but a spark to the fire might have been kindled in this State had they continued in power The Army likewise at this time put up a Remonstratory Petition to this Parliament wherein they desired severall things as they pretended towards the settlement of the Nation to which the Parliament gave them these contentive answers for they durst indeed do no otherwise 1. That the liberty of the persons and property of the Estates of the free people of these Nations should be preserved inviolable according to Law under the Government of a free State or Commonwealth without a single Person Kingship or House of Peers 2. That there should be a just and due regulation of the Law 3. That all persons who professed one God in Trinity and acknowledged the Scriptures should have liberty of conscience provided it extended not to Popery or Prelacy 4. That a godly and faithfull Gospell-Preaching-Ministry should be encouraged 5. That all Vniversities and Schools of learning should be countenanced and reformed 6. That none but men of approved godliness and whose interests suited with the Good Old Cause should be admitted to employments in State 7. That an Act should be made for confirmation of the sales of all Kings Queens Princes Archbishops Bishops Deans and Chapters Lands Thus they endeavour to please the Army by complying with their desires Yet notwithstanding the fickle establishment of this House the States of Holland court them by their Ambassadour who on the 24th of May had audience in the House but perhaps those States might have more reason to do so then others these being the men who first began that War with them which almost totally ruined them And now on the 25th of May Richard Cromwell Esq late Lord Protector of these three Nations makes a free resignation of that Government to the Parliament which the Army had before taken away without his leave or consent His resignation or rather submission ran thus I have perused the Declaration and Resolve you were pleased to deliver me the other Night and for your information touching what is mentioned in the said Resolve I have caused a true state of my Debts to be transcribed and annexed to this Paper which will shew what they are and how they were contracted As to that part of the Resolve whereby the Committee are to inform themselves how far I do acquiesce in the Government of this Common-wealth as it is declared by this Parliament I trust my past carriage hitherto hath manifested my acquiescence in the will and good pleasure of God and that I love and value the peace of this Commonwealth much above my own concernments and I desire that by this a measure of my future deportment may be taken which by the assistance of God shall be such as shall bear the same witness having I hope in some degree learned rather to reverence and submit to the hand of God then be unquiet under it And as to the late providences that have fallen out amongst us however in respect to the particular engagements that lay upon me I could not be active in making a change in the Government of these Nations yet through the goodness of God I can freely acquiesce in it being made and do hold my self obliged as with other men I expect protection from the present Government so to demean my self with all peaceableness under it and to procure to the uttermost of my power that all in whom I have interest do the same Thus he who was lately Protector of these three Nations craved protection from his Quondam Subjects and thus easily did he resign those three Kingdomes which his Father had got with so much hazard of his body if not of his soul
arbitrary justice should provide them with rewards for the present and security for the future And now comes out the humble Representation and Petition of the Army wherein though they seemingly professed all obedience yet they tacitly harped upon the former string and drove at the maintaining their own power in opposition to the Houses interest This was tediously discussed in the House and every particular exactly scanned some of which the Parliament utterly disliking as tending to the overthrow of their Power and perceiving the Army still to go on in their clandestine designs they resolve to make provision against them And the Army seeing their resolution proceed vigorously likewise though privately yet they put out the former Representation in Print and endeavour as much as they could to encrease the number of the Subscribers The Parliament on the other side to cut off all hopes as they thought of the Armyes subsistance except in and by them and so prevent their designs pass an Act that it should be treason in all persons whatsoever to raise levy or collect Money without consent of Parliament and likewise make void the Acts for Custome and Excize that if the Army should proceed in their designs they might be cut off from maintenance This being thus ordered they likewise vote the Commissions of those nine notorious Worthies and so infamous Patriots of their Country and promoters of its good and settlement the contrary way viz Lambert Desborough Berry Kelsey Ashfield Cobbet Creed Packer and Barrow to be null and void and disposed their Regiments otherwise and likewise order the Government of the Army to be by seven Commissioners in whom the power should joyntly reside these were Fleetwood Ludlow Generall Monke Haslerig Walton Morley and Overton thinking hereby to cure this hot distemper and reduce them to obedience But whilest they are thus quick and nimble in their resolutions Lambert and the rest of his complices are not behind them in diligence but having strengthened their Party as much as time would give leave and drawn as many of the Souldiery as they could from the obedience of the Parliament resolve once more to put an end to their sitting and rather turn them out of doors then sit down quietly with the loss of their Commissions The Parliament having over night notice of what was intended the day following had given order for the drawing of what Forces were yet faithfull to them to Westminster in order to the guarding them the next day Collonel Mosses and Collonel Morleys Regiments immediately obeyed their Commands and repaired to the Pallace-yard in the night and early in the morning but Lambert having gathered the rest of the Army together did immediately there surround them stopping all the avenues so that there was no hopes of any more assistance and whilst they were thus in opposition the Speaker was by Major Creed turned back again and not suffered to passe to the House and at last both parties having stood almost all the day at bay were on a sudden reconciled with mutual resolution to advance a Lambertonian faction Lambert having thus over-master'd his Masters and dismissed them from their Power and Authority upon consultation with his fellow-Worthies cals a Counsel of Officers who immediately post away Collonel Barrow for Ireland and Collonel Cobbet for Scotland to winne the Armies there if possible to a compliance with their actions And that these migh be thought Devils which did believe and tremble they order a Day of Humiliation intending to mock God that they might according to the custome of their Predecessors with greater ease and secrecy gull the people They proceed in the next place to the settlement of the Army and make choice of Fleetwood for Captain General or rather stalking-horse to Lamberts all-commanding power Lambert Major General and Disbrow Commissary General of the horse and appoint a Committee for nomination of Officers in the rooms of those who for their taking part with the Parliament against them they had discarded Having in some sort setled their military Power that they might not be seen to do what they really intended that is to rule by the Sword alone they make out a kind of spurious Oligarchy or rather Anarchy in whose Power without more ado they put the Laws Lives and Liberty of the English This they call a Committee of Safety which how it deserves the name I will leave the Reader to judge giving him the names of the members thereof men either of lunatick and crack-brain'd principles as having been all along the grandest ringleaders of the Sectaries or such whose ambitious spirits would terminate no where but in the slavery and ruine of their native Countrey most of which was ingaged in the horrid murther of their lawfull Sovereign But let Posterity know and detest their memory Charls Fleetwood General John Lambert Major General John Disbrow Commissary General Lord Chancellor Steel Bulstrode Whitlock Sr Henry Vane L t General Ludlow Col. Sydenham Major Salway Lord Strickland Col. Berry Lawrence Sr James Harrington Sr Archibald Johnston alias Lord Wareston John Ireton L d Maior Robert Titchburn Ald. Henry Brandrith Robert Thompson Col. Hewson Col. Clerk Col. Lilburne Col. Bennet Cornelius Holland A happy case was the Nation like to be in when such a crew of mechanical and fanatical persons excepting two or three was to have the Command of its Sword and Laws These are the men who now must model our Government and bring us into a free and equal Commonwealth alias the most intollerable of all bondages and slaveries But whilst they go on thus jocundly in their proceedings conceiving now all was their own and that the Government would be perpetuated to the Saints and their children there comes a Letter from General Monck out of Scotland declaring the dis-satisfaction of himself and several Officers to their proceedings this awakes the worme of their consciences though for the present they take no publick notice of it But that they might give their former actions the best gloss they can they put out a Declaration showing the reason of their late transactions and highly rail against the injustice and arbitrary Power of the Parliament who without any reason given would have turned away their good servant Lambert and his associates which might have made such a president as must have laid the Officers of the Army at the feet and mercy of the Parliament at pleasure to prevent which and other inconveniences they thought good to dissolve them and did likewise declare their late hasty and irregular Acts against levying of money and for governing the Army by Commissioners acts which tended absolutely to the ruine of the Army and so consequently as they said to the destruction and confusion of the Nation to be null and void THE Renowned Actions OF General MONCK The true Politician 1659 1660. BUt now the noble General Monck a man of other principles then to joyn hand in hand with a company of such perfidious Traitors is
not idle he seises upon and secures such Officers of the Army there as he knew any wayes inclining to such dangerous attempts and presently possessed himself of Barwick and other places of strength committing all the suspected persons prisoners first to Tyntalian-Castle and afterwards to the Basse-Island This news extreamly startles our Reformadoes and make them begin to look about them and to think what way they might either compose the differences or reduce them to reason by force of Arms. But they are resolved to use all means to compasse both Land and Sea to make him a proselyte and to this purpose in hopes to winne him by fair means they send down his brother-in-law Dr Claerges with Collonel Talbot to mediate with him their former agent Collonel Cobbet having found no better reception then the prison of Edinburgh Castle Nay and least these two should not have power enough to prevail they order after them Commissary General Whaley and Collonel Goffe both formerly grand Protectorians and with Mr Caryl and Mr Barker two Independent Parsons that so he might have all argument alledged to him which either the Sword or the Spirit could furnish them withall Whilst these are on their journey Major General Morgan a man too honest for such knavish association takes his journey out of Yorkeshire to General Monck with whom he hath demonstrated himself a good help to the restoration of his King and Countrey General Monck having new modelled his Army in Scotland and weeded those noxious plants which by their infection must needs have given poison in stead of nutriment resolves to advance towards the Borders taking Oath in the mean time of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland an Assembly of whom he convened to acquiesce themselves and likewise endeavour to keep all others in quiet in the time of his absence from them The afore-said Commissioners of the Army coming to him he received them with all demonstrations of civility and professed his readinesse to joyn with the Army in England provided they would restore the Parliament to its due Rights and Priviledges and that then he would use his utmost endeavours for the composing of differences and obtaining an Act of Pardon and Oblivion for all in general But that they might see in the mean time how unwilling he was to be any cause of blood-shedding and to avoid bringing a warre into his native Countrey which though raised for the defence of it must needs be its ruine and destruction he had ordered three Commissioners viz. Collonel Wilkes Lieutenant Col. Clobery and Major Knight to go up to London and if possible to make a fair end of the Controversie And this signified to the Officers at London by their Commissioners there This was the way of their endeavours by peace but lest this should prove ineffectual to to reduce him they had prepared for Warre likewise Lambert was already on his march thither with all the strength of the Army both Horse and Foot in so numerous a body that in all probability had they had to doe with a person lesse wise and prudent than this noble General they would quickly have consummated their own victory and his and this Nations ruine They likewise upon Lambert's departure had ordered and chosen new Commissioners for the Militia in London picking out such persons for the most part whose schismatical principles or else former notorious crimes were like to make them stick surest to so bad compartners and into these mens power they put the whole Command of the City Lambert being already advanced Northward coming into Yorkshire doth there joyn with the Irish Brigade and those forces under the Command of Collonel Lilburne and whilst every body expected that a sudden fight would make a decision of the controversie General Monck by extraordinary prudence keeps off at swords point with fair words and as we may truly say pious fraud deceives this so grand jugler and deceiver The Commissioners of General Monck which we aforementioned were now arrived at London and by the appointment of the Counsel of Officers persons were ordered to treat with them who after several debates brought businesses almost to a period by the fault of Collonel Wilks who transcended the bounds of his Commission and for his pains was upon his return justly imprisoned by the General By his simplicity I say things were brought to a result or agreement the heads whereof were these The utter renouncing of Charles Stuart or any other claiming from that Family The Government to be by a Free-State and not King single Person or House of Lords That a godly and learned Ministry be maintained and encouraged The Vniversities to be reformed and countenanced so as to become the Nurseries of Piety and Learning That the Officers and Souldiers and other Persons on either side be indemnified for what is past touching their late differences and that all unkindnesses betwixt them be buried in oblivion The Officers prisoners in Scotland to be set at liberty The Armies on both sides presently to depart to their respective Quarters And lastly That there be a Committee of nineteen consisting of five persons for England and five for Scotland not Members of the Army and three for England three for Scotland and three for Ireland all of which except one are Members of the Army and of these nineteen nine shall be a Quorum and are to meet to determine and conclude what is necessary for the Qualifications of Parliaments c. This is part of that Agreement which was pretended to be made between the Army here and the Commissioners of the Lord General Monck which because it did prove vain and abortive deserves no further particular mention About this time several designs of the Rump to restore themselves to their former power began to be glimmeringly perceived Collonel Morley and several other Officers of the Army making protests against the present proceedings But the Committee of Safety perceiving the danger their new Government was in of being stifled in the birth and finding City and Countrey to be generally disaffected with them except those who were of schismatical principles do order Commissions to be issued out for raising several Foot-Regiments of these throughout the Nation under the notion of the well-affected And that they might seem to have conquered some difficulties they daily by their Pamphleteer publish the best of their own Condition and produce Letters from Ireland of Novemb. 10th 1659. wherein they declare the Armies in Ireland non-approbation of the actions of General Monck and their free concurrence with their Brethren in England But as this was only a pretence from some persons there equally interessed with themselves in the late irregular actions so did it suddenly after vanish into nothing the generality there under Sir Hardresse Waller perfectly declaring for their enemies the Rump But here I must make some short digression For this Moneth it pleased God that that monster of men and unparallel'd murtherer Bradshaw died in
his bed a man whom I need not much defile my pen to set forth since that very name doth now and will to eternity contain all that is matter of shame and detestation to the English Nation and yet it pleased the wise God to suffer him on the 22th of this November to be laid quietly in his grave who may according to the judgement of some men have deserved better to be buried alive in the entrails of dogs then to have enjoyed the benefit of Christian Funerals but we are not to censure the pleasure of Divine Providence On the 23th of this Moneth Lambert arrived at Newcastle where he found several discarded Officers to be come from General Monck which though they cried up at London as a weakning of his party yet they found it by experience to be a wise strengthning of his interest by ridding himself of those which he knew neither could nor would be true to any sober designs Now were Letters from General Monck sent to the Common Counsel of London and delivered to them by Collonel Markham and Collonel Atkin which containing things directly in opposition to what the Committee of Safety had flattered their party and the people withall were by them given out to be forged and thereupon they ordered the confinement of the two fore-mentioned persons But in this interim the Parliament which as I said before the General had summoned in Scotland were assembled to whom he delivers his sentiments of the present posture of affairs which terminated in these three Propositions First That he having a call from God and man to march into England for resetling the Parliament they would during his absence which would not be long preserve the peace of that Nation Secondly That if any troubles should arise they would assist him in suppressing them Thirdly That they would raise him some money To which Propositions the summe of their answers was briefly thus First That they could not engage to preserve the Peace of the Countrey wanting Armes but should notwithstanding use their endeavours Secondly They were incapable to answer his desires and besides thought it imprudent and inconvenient to ingage in a Warre whereof the successe was dubious and the advantage to them uncertain and not intelligible Thirdly They were content to levy him twelve moneths assessement Though in the two first they did not quadrate their answer to the affirmative of his Propositions yet in this last I suppose they satisfied the whole of his intentions it being that which he chiefly stood in need of for carrying on the great work he had in hand whilst Gen. Monck is thus vigorously providing against them in the North they are not lesse violently attached by discontents of the people at London and open force more Southward At London the Apprentices whose tumultuary Assemblies and confused Petitions had been instrumental to the first disturbances 1640. begin now to recollect their spirits and as was thought abetted by some considerable persons resolve to petition the Heads of the City to endeavour the restitution of them and the whole Nation to their due Rights and Priviledges by a Free Parliament The noise of this extreamly startles the Army and Committee of Safety so that they endeavour all means of prevention and to this purpose they publish a Proclamation against it and send their forces into the City on the day whereon they heard it was resolved to be presented to the Common Counsel where notwithstanding the violence and other high misdemeanours committed by Hewson the Commander of the Souldiers yet the Petition was by six noble spirited Apprentices presented to the Common Counsel and the thanks of it returned to them for it Several other Petitions and endeavours were promoted likewise in order for a Free Parliament not was the Designers for the Rump lesse active but sate daily in consultation for the undermining the present Usurpers but their designs in London came to no head but on the fifth of December news arrived of the appearance of the grand Heads of them at Portsmouth whether Morley and Hasilrig were arrived and the Governour Collonel Whetham sided with them and immediately secured Captain Brown Captain Peacocke and such other Officers of the Garison as they knew were principled contradictorily to that interest These in power here though they had little hopes to cope with so many adversaries yet immediately order a Body of Horse and Foot that way if possible to blow the storm over and reduce that revolting Garison Major Cadwell was the first that with a party of Horse marched towards them but he was no sooner going that way but part of his Forces desert him and took part with the contrary faction But this was not all the misery that attended them they had an enemy nearer home to deal withall the City was to the height discontented and having recovered some part of its former vigour resolved no longer to be fooled The Common Counsel met daily and their results produced nothing but was heterodox to the Army interest who finding all their threats and force to be now of no effect resolve to see what they can do by treaty and whither or no they could still these neighbour storms by fair and gilded promises The Common Counsel elected a Committee of worthy and eminent Citizens to conferre with them esteeming them not worthy any other owning or any way deserving the acknowledgement of an Authority With these Fleetwood and the rest of the Grandees had a conference and that they might to the vulgar give them some seeming satisfaction they are willing to condescend to these particulars That a Parliament shall be called and appointed to sit down at or before the first of February next That the said Parliament shall be according to such qualifications as are or should be agreed upon and may best secure the just Rights Liberties and Priviledges both Civil and Religious of the people of this Commonwealth This they thought enough to stop the mouth of the City for the present intending what performance or after-termes themselves pleased but their endeavours remained fruitlesse the City keeping still the same face of discontent But upon the neck of this news comes still of severall endeavours for insurrections against them in defence of the Rump In Sussex a Party had been formed under one Collonel Fissenden which notwithstanding were dispersed and Collonel Fagg likewise who was raising Forces with intentions to strengthen the Party at Portsmouth was taken and brought up to London But their Portsmouth enemies grew daily stronger and stronger Major Bremen Major of Collonel Rich his Regiment and severall others instead of resisting them going in to their assistance and so adding daily to their number And at this time was a design framed to have seized on the Tower of London for the behalf of the late Peer of a Parliament which was thus to have taken effect The designers having brought over Collonel Fitch to their Party and engaged him to the promotion of
the enterprize he was on Munday the 8th of December about eight in the Morning to have come out of the Tower in his Coach and returning about ten to have carried in with him in the Coach Collonel Okey Major Wagstaffe and John Streater late Comptrollers of the Armies train of Artillery and immediately after the Coach were four Companies of Foot ready prepared for that purpose amongst the Sectaries in London to have rushed in upon Pretence of Orders from Fleetwood for strengthning the Garrison and so bing entred to declare immediately for the late disturbed Rump But this design of theirs was not so privately carried but that it was discovered to those at Wallingford-House who on the Sunday before sending for Fitch did there secure him and forthwith Desborough and Collonel Salmon to take care of the security of the Tower and so this machination vanished into nothing But now the Generall Counsell of Officers sit daily that they might conclude something concerning the mock-Parliament they intended which they resolved should have nothing of a Parliament but the name being to be curbed and kept under by the negative voice of a company of ridiculous and schismaticall persons of their own faction whom they termed Conservators and were in number twenty one On the 15th of December they publish the Proclamation for this their Parliament and resolve Writs should immediately go forth as soon as they had considered what number it should consist of and what persons for best conducement to themselves On the 17th comes news far worse then all the rest they are now like to be forceably set upon at their own doors Lawson with a squadron of Ships comes into the River and makes protestation against them and their proceedings resolving the restoration of the late pretended Parliament To remedy this if possible they send down with all speed Sr Henry Vane Major Saloway and Collonel Salmon to treat with him who were no sooner come aboard but they find with him Sr Anthony Ashly Cooper Mr Scot and Mr Streater three of the Rumps great Agents so that instead of a friendly complyance this conference ended in nothing but taunts of these Adversaries Nor was London and the adjacent places in this interim free from designs against them a plot was formed generally over the City to have made a generall insurrection in vindication of their liberties but this being as was supposed discovered by some of the chief undertakers was broken and severall persons taken and secured for it both at London and at Greenwich where a Party was likewise to be formed to second these The Common-Counsell of London seeing these strange distractions and tumults which every day happened and knowing of how dangerous consequence they were to the welfare of the City which by these means might be made the seat of War resolved to take the liberty to themselves since they were absolutely denied it of setling their own Militia in such hands as they might confide in for the safeguard of it and accordingly made choise of their respective Officers which was since presented to the Rump but denied though afterwards confirmed upon the re-admission of the secluded Members But now comes the period of this Embryo of a Government for messengers coming hourly bring news of the advance of Sr Arthur Haslerig and the rest from Portsmouth towards London Whereupon the Officers themselves begin to be various and uncertain in their ridiculous determinations concluding on one thing and then resolving the contrary and the Souldiers perceiving how unable they were to help themselves resolve to provide for their own security and leave their Officers to shift for themselves Upon the Summons therefore and Orders of the Rumps Agents here in Town they muster themselves in Lincolns Inn-field under the Command of Collonel Okey Collonel Alured and Collonel Markham and there with shouts testifie their resolutions to return to the obedience of the Parliament and so from thence marching into Chancery-Lane and by the Speakers door they all submitted themselves to his command as the Parliaments Souldiers That night the Speaker accompanied with divers others comes into the City and acquaints the Maior and Sheriffs of the Parliaments intentions to sit again very shortly and therefore desires him to endeavour that seeing they were again restored to the exercise of the Government he would endeavour to still and quiet the animosities of the City that they might acquiesce and submit to their determinations From thence he goes to the Tower and having distributed twenty pounds amongst the Souldiery commits the charge of it to Sir Anthony Ashly Cooper Mr Weaver and Mr Josias Barnars who were confirmed a while after by the Parliament with addition of Mr Scot. And no sooner were things thus overturned at London but news comes likewise of the overthrow of the Army-faction in Ireland Sir Hardress Waller and other his associates declaring publikely in behalf of the Rump having imprisoned Collonel Jones and the rest of his Party Desborows Regiment had advanced out of the North from Lambert in order to help to quiet their disturbances here but the work being done before they came their labour was lost and so they thought it better to submit to the mercy of the Parliament then by standing out in defence of their Collonel to hazard both their lives and Arrears Munday December the 26th was the day of the Rumps re-installment and finall perdition of the late imaginary Government the fictitious Embryo of Sr Henry Vane but it 's hard to say whether England had not as much reason to be sorry for the restoration of the one as for the destruction of the other since both of them made it their aim and interest to inslave and oppress their native Country But the Rump being thus reseated conferre without delay the Government of the Army upon Collonel Alexander Popham Collonel Thompson Mr Scot Collonel Okey Sr Anthony Ashly Cooper Collonel Alured and Collonel Markham who or any three of them were to be Commissioners for that end and purpose They next take into consideration the business of Moneys and order the continuance of Custome and Excise For though they had voted it down as oppressive to the Nation that they might thereby deprive the Army of the benefit of it yet were they resolved they would not themselves lose the profit though never so much to the prejudice of the people it being envy and not good will which made them formerly vote it down That they might likewise seem to give some satisfaction to the desires of the Nation they appoint a Committee to consider of the cases of absent Members and filling up of the House a thing they would never have done had not Generall Monck so nobly forced them to it But next that they might dissipate the grand enemy which they had in the North to wit Lambert they order First the disbanding of all such Forces as had been raised without Authority of Parliament Secondly the returning of all Arms
thirtieth Articles concerning Church-censure and Synods They likewise constitute General Monck together with General Montague to be Generals at Sea for the next Summers expedition and accordingly command Montague to go to Sea with all possible speed And because several Members had impeachments against them and upon that score were secluded the House they disanull those impeachments and re-admit them as namely Mr Denzil Hollis and Sr Robert Pye About this time the Deanry of Christ-Church which had for a long time been in the hands of Dr Owen a man look'd upon at Oxford as a hair-brain'd schismatick was taken from him and confirmed to Dr Reynolds a man who farre better deserved it They likewise at the beginning of March released the Lord Lindsey the Lord Sinclare and Lord Lauderdale from their tedious imprisonments to which upon various pretences they had been committed Dr Walker and Dr Turner were made Judges of the Admiralty and Probate of Wils and Dr Wiseman constituted the Commonwealths Advocate And now was the Lord General invited to Dinner by the Company of Mercers and afterwards by several other of the Companies the Citizens striving mutually who should in the best manner discover and expresse the gratefulness and esteem they bore for his noble and heroick actions At this time there was an assembly of a Parliamentary Convention in Ireland summoned by Sr Charles Coote and the Lord Broghill for the better Regulating of affairs there till all things in England might be in a better posture The Parliament that they might testifie to the world that they were not so forgetfull of Oaths as their fellow-Members order the solemn League and Covenant to be set up and read in all Churches and likewise to be set up in the Parliament that they might remember they had sworn for the maintenance of the King and his posterity Collonel Lambert being found to lurk up and down about the City notwithstanding the Order of the Parliament was as a person too dangerous to be trusted to himself at such a time as this committed to the Tower Orders were sent down to Hull by Collonel Alured and Major Smith that Collonel Overton should immediately deliver up that Garrison into the hands of Collonel Fairfax and to repair immediately to London and he notwithstanding his former Declaration that he was resolved to keep it till the coming of King Jesus presently obeyed the Order and Collonel Fairfax accordingly took possession of the place Sr Arthur Haslerig and others were questioed before the Parliament and Counsell of State but nothing extraordinary being found against him as to the designs were then on Foot it was passed by The Parliament made Sr Peter Killigrew Governour of Pendennis-Castle and worthy Mr Morris Commander of Plymouth-Fort and Island There was about this time a conference between ten of the Counsell of State and ten head-Officers of the Army the Generall being present concerning the Government but the conference being only for mutuall information and satisfaction it had no result The Parliament ordered that the Examination of Sr George Booth and his Lady should be taken off the File and given to him he deserving to have his Encomium put on in the room of it And now they obliterated the Engagement which was made by the Rump in 1649 to free them from punishment for the impious murther of their Gracious Soveraign out of the Journall and voted it to be null and void And now the time of their dissolution being come they put out the Act for summoning a new Parliament in the Name of the Keepers of the Liberties of the Commonwealth of England The Qualifications which they put out being only these That all persons who have advised aided or any wayes assisted or abetted the rebellion in Ireland All those who profess the Popish Religion All that advised or voluntarily aided in the Warre against the Parliament in 1641 unless they have since given a manifestation of their good affection shall be uncapable of being elected Members for the ensuing Parliament and no person elected and thus qualified to sit in the House upon a high penalty Though these Qualifications did seem at first to exclude a great number yet divers eminent and worthy persons though they had actually been in the Kings service in the late War having been engaged in Sr George Booths quarrell for the naturall interest were elected and admitted to sit in the House The City having compleated their Militia as well Auxiliaries as trained Bands made choice of his Excellency the Lord Generall to be Major Generall of all their Forces Major Generall Brown being Collonel of the Regiment of Horse The Parliament ordered 9000lb to be given to Major Generall Brown in satisfaction for those great losses which he had received under the tyranny of the Rump for his noble and publick spirit They likewise gave 20000lb as a gift to his Excellency And before their dissolution they released Dr Wren who for about eighteen years had suffered imprisonment in the Tower of London a man who doubtless deserved better usage but that the times then did not well understand him They gave power also to the Counsel of State to release what Prisoners upon State-matters they should see good and particularly Maj. Gen. Lambert They ordered a stop should be put to the sale of the Estate of the Lord Craven and Lord St John the first of which had his Estate taken away from him by more than hellish injustice Some neglect being in the Printer concerning the Printing of the Act for the Militia and it being supposed there was a designe of some of the late Rump to make some alteration in the Act as might suit for their turn or else upon the Parliaments dissolution by violence to hinder it The Parliament ordered a Committee to take care that it should be finished with all expedition which accordingly was performed And so this part of a Parliament which was chosen in 1640. was now finally dissolved in 1660. by their own Act which was That the day for dissolution of this Parliament be from the sixteenth of March 1660. Multiplicity of business having caused them to alter the first appointed day About this time our gracious Sovereigne King Charles the second hearing of the transactions of affairs in England and seeing how the face of all things began to alter so that great probability there was of being admitted to his undoubted Right without the effusion of his Subjects blood removed his Court from Brussels to Breda in Holland a Town belonging to his Sister the Princess of Orange there expecting till England might be brought into such a posture as might fit it for his happy and wished for reception The Parliament at their dissolution had conferred on the Counsel of State all Power whatsoever in the Interval till the assembling of the Free Parliament April 25. 1660. which accordingly they executed so prudently and wisely and preserved the Nation in peace and put the affairs of the Kingdom in
one Government they proceed to consider of the establishment of another but agree only in a negative Vote That there should for the future be no Government in England either by King or House of Lords They break the old Great Seal and cause a new one to be made which is delivered to the keeping of three Commissioners viz. Mr Keeble Mr Whitlock and Mr Lisle They likewise consider of Oaths to be administred to the Judges who thereupon meet and upon debate six of them are content to continue in their employments provided the fundamentall Laws of the Land be not altered which were viz. Chief Justice Rolles and Justice Jerman of the Kings Bench Lord Chief Justice St John Justice Phesant of the Common Pleas Lord Chief Baron Wild and Baron Yates and in order to these Judges satisfaction in their forementioned scruple the Parliament by their Declaration of the ninth of February do declare That they are fully resolved to maintain and shall and will uphold preserve and keep the fundamentall Laws of this Nation for and concerning the preservation of the lives properties and liberties of the people with all things incident there unto with the alterations touching King and House of Lords already resolved in this present Parliament for the good of the people and whatsoever shall be further necessary to the perfecting thereof and by it requiring all Judges Justices c. to execute and administer in their respective Offices and Trusts c. The House order a Committee to consider of such Persons as they should think fit to be Justices of the Peace throughout the Nation they likewise order another Committee to consider of Persons whom they might judg fit to constitute a Councell of State whose number should be forty whereof only five Lords or not above And whereas before they had only repealed they now wholly make void the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy Thus though the Parliament are endeavouring all means to make themselves as secure and firm in the Government as they can yet are the people generally discontented those who formerly affected them now sensible of the inconveniencies like to ensue the cutting off of their Prince as much disaffect them so that there is generally plotting in all Countries which makes the Parliament send forces into severall Counties to keep them in awe whilest the Royalists in Pomfret Castle still hold out hoping some relief may arise from those so universall discontents But let us from England pass a little into Scotland and we shall find that the Kings death is much more resented there at the first news of his Condemnation they proclaim a solemn Fast with Prayers to God for his deliverance but upon the news of his Execution such was their sorrow that the whole City of Edenborough seemd a flood of tears The Parliament upon this exigence are convened and putting it to the vote it passed nemine contradicente that his Eldest Sonne should be proclaimed King and accordingly a Proclamation was drawn which because of some niceties in it not usuall in things of this nature I think fit to insert as followeth viz. The Estates of Parliament presently convened in this second Session of the second trienniall Parliament by vertue of an Act of the Committee of Estates who had power and authority from the last Parliament for convening the Parliament considering that forasmuch as the Kings Majesty who lately reigned is contrary to the dissent and protestation of this Kingdom removed by a violent death and that by the Lords blessing there is left unto us a righteous Heir and lawfull Successor Charles Prince of Scotland and Wales now King of Great Brittain France and Ireland We the Estates of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland do therefore most unanimously and cheerfully in recognition and acknowledgment of his just right Title and succession to the Crown of these Kingdoms hereby proclaim and declare to all the world that the said Lord and Prince Charles is by the providence of God and by the lawfull and right of undoubted succession and descent King of Great Brittain France and Ireland whom all the subjects of this Kingdom are bound humbly and faithfully to obey maintain and defend according to the Nationall Covenant and the solemn League and Covenant betwixt the Kingdome with their lives and goods against all deadly enemies as their only righteous Soveraign Lord and King And because his Majesty is bound by the Law of God and fundamentall Laws of this Kingdom to rule in righteousness and equity to the honour of God the good of Religion and the wealth of his people it is hereby declared That before he be admitted to the exercise of his Royall power he shall give satisfaction to this Kingdom in those things that concern the security of Religion the unity betwixt the Kingdoms and the good and peace of this Kingdom according to the Nationall Covenont and the solemn League and Covenant for which end we are resolved with all possible expedition to make our humble and earnest addresses to his Majesty For the testification of all which we the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland publish this our acknowledgment of his just right Title and succession to the Crown of these Kingdoms at the Market-Cross in Edenborough with all usuall solemnities in like cases and ordain his Royall Name Portract and Seal to be used in the publike writings and Judicatories of this Kingdome and in the Mint-house as was usually done to his Royall Predecessors and command this Act to be proclaimed at all the Market-Crosses of the Royall Burghs within this Kingdom and to be printed that none may pretend ignorance God save King Charles the second This was done by the Parliament the Lords in all their Robes the Cross was richly hanged the Chancellor brought up the Proclamation read it to the King at Arms who proclaimed it there being an universall joy in the City and their great Guns from the Castle sending peals of the same into the adjacent Countries The solemnity being past care was taken for the sending Messengers to acquaint his Majesty with the business Sr Edward Douglas was chosen to go and acquaint him with it to desire him to take heed of evill Councellors c. that there should very speedily a more full address be made to him In the mean time a Fast is proclaimed and supplications made that God would prosper their addresses to him for the good both of the Kirk and State The Lords and the whole Parliament in the mean time put on mourning for the death of his Father But to return to England again The beheaded old King Charles was February 12. thirteen days after his death buried at Windsor in the same Vault where Henry the eighth was interred without any manner of solemnity the Bishop of London Dr Juxon and some few others attending him to his Funerall The Parliament not thinking that they are not yet secure enough whilest they have only power over